diff --git a/client/artdag.py b/client/artdag.py
index d28df4c..bbcbc0f 100755
--- a/client/artdag.py
+++ b/client/artdag.py
@@ -21,11 +21,11 @@ CONFIG_FILE = CONFIG_DIR / "config.json"
 
 # Defaults - can be overridden by env vars, config file, or CLI args
 _DEFAULT_SERVER = "http://localhost:8100"
-_DEFAULT_L2_SERVER = "http://localhost:8200"
+_DEFAULT_ACCOUNT_SERVER = "https://account.rose-ash.com"
 
 # Active server URLs (set during CLI init)
 DEFAULT_SERVER = None
-DEFAULT_L2_SERVER = None
+DEFAULT_ACCOUNT_SERVER = None
 
 
 def load_config() -> dict:
@@ -51,9 +51,9 @@ def get_server():
     return DEFAULT_SERVER
 
 
-def get_l2_server():
-    """Get L2 server URL."""
-    return DEFAULT_L2_SERVER
+def get_account_server():
+    """Get account server URL."""
+    return DEFAULT_ACCOUNT_SERVER
 
 
 def load_token() -> dict:
@@ -115,24 +115,24 @@ def _get_default_server():
     return config.get("server", _DEFAULT_SERVER)
 
 
-def _get_default_l2():
-    """Get default L2 server from env, config, or builtin default."""
-    if os.environ.get("ARTDAG_L2"):
-        return os.environ["ARTDAG_L2"]
+def _get_default_account():
+    """Get default account server from env, config, or builtin default."""
+    if os.environ.get("ARTDAG_ACCOUNT"):
+        return os.environ["ARTDAG_ACCOUNT"]
     config = load_config()
-    return config.get("l2", _DEFAULT_L2_SERVER)
+    return config.get("account", _DEFAULT_ACCOUNT_SERVER)
 
 
 @click.group()
 @click.option("--server", "-s", default=None,
               help="L1 server URL (saved for future use)")
-@click.option("--l2", default=None,
-              help="L2 server URL (saved for future use)")
+@click.option("--account", default=None,
+              help="Account server URL (saved for future use)")
 @click.pass_context
-def cli(ctx, server, l2):
+def cli(ctx, server, account):
     """Art DAG Client - interact with L1 rendering server."""
     ctx.ensure_object(dict)
-    global DEFAULT_SERVER, DEFAULT_L2_SERVER
+    global DEFAULT_SERVER, DEFAULT_ACCOUNT_SERVER
 
     config = load_config()
     config_changed = False
@@ -146,134 +146,106 @@ def cli(ctx, server, l2):
     else:
         DEFAULT_SERVER = _get_default_server()
 
-    if l2:
-        DEFAULT_L2_SERVER = l2
-        if config.get("l2") != l2:
-            config["l2"] = l2
+    if account:
+        DEFAULT_ACCOUNT_SERVER = account
+        if config.get("account") != account:
+            config["account"] = account
             config_changed = True
     else:
-        DEFAULT_L2_SERVER = _get_default_l2()
+        DEFAULT_ACCOUNT_SERVER = _get_default_account()
 
     # Save config if changed
     if config_changed:
         save_config(config)
 
     ctx.obj["server"] = DEFAULT_SERVER
-    ctx.obj["l2"] = DEFAULT_L2_SERVER
+    ctx.obj["account"] = DEFAULT_ACCOUNT_SERVER
 
 
 # ============ Auth Commands ============
 
 @cli.command()
-@click.argument("username")
-@click.option("--password", "-p", prompt=True, hide_input=True)
-def login(username, password):
-    """Login to get access token."""
+def login():
+    """Login via device authorization flow."""
+    import webbrowser
+
+    account = get_account_server()
+
+    # Request device code
     try:
-        # Server expects form data, not JSON
         resp = requests.post(
-            f"{get_l2_server()}/auth/login",
-            data={"username": username, "password": password}
+            f"{account}/auth/device/authorize",
+            json={"client_id": "artdag"},
         )
-        if resp.status_code == 200:
-            # Check if we got a token back in a cookie
-            if "auth_token" in resp.cookies:
-                token = resp.cookies["auth_token"]
-                # Decode token to get username and expiry
-                import base64
-                try:
-                    # JWT format: header.payload.signature
-                    payload = token.split(".")[1]
-                    # Add padding if needed
-                    payload += "=" * (4 - len(payload) % 4)
-                    decoded = json.loads(base64.urlsafe_b64decode(payload))
-                    token_data = {
-                        "access_token": token,
-                        "username": decoded.get("username", username),
-                        "expires_at": decoded.get("exp", "")
-                    }
-                    save_token(token_data)
-                    click.echo(f"Logged in as {token_data['username']}")
-                    if token_data.get("expires_at"):
-                        click.echo(f"Token expires: {token_data['expires_at']}")
-                except Exception:
-                    # If we can't decode, just save the token
-                    save_token({"access_token": token, "username": username})
-                    click.echo(f"Logged in as {username}")
-            else:
-                # HTML response - check for success/error
-                if "successful" in resp.text.lower():
-                    click.echo(f"Login successful but no token received. Try logging in via web browser.")
-                elif "invalid" in resp.text.lower():
-                    click.echo(f"Login failed: Invalid username or password", err=True)
-                    sys.exit(1)
-                else:
-                    click.echo(f"Login failed: {resp.text}", err=True)
-                    sys.exit(1)
-        else:
-            click.echo(f"Login failed: {resp.text}", err=True)
-            sys.exit(1)
+        resp.raise_for_status()
+        data = resp.json()
     except requests.RequestException as e:
         click.echo(f"Login failed: {e}", err=True)
         sys.exit(1)
 
+    device_code = data["device_code"]
+    user_code = data["user_code"]
+    verification_uri = data["verification_uri"]
+    expires_in = data.get("expires_in", 900)
+    interval = data.get("interval", 5)
 
-@cli.command()
-@click.argument("username")
-@click.option("--password", "-p", prompt=True, hide_input=True, confirmation_prompt=True)
-@click.option("--email", "-e", default=None, help="Email (optional)")
-def register(username, password, email):
-    """Register a new account."""
+    click.echo("To sign in, open this URL in your browser:")
+    click.echo(f"  {verification_uri}")
+    click.echo(f"  and enter code:  {user_code}")
+    click.echo()
+
+    # Try to open browser automatically
     try:
-        # Server expects form data, not JSON
-        form_data = {
-            "username": username,
-            "password": password,
-            "password2": password,
-        }
-        if email:
-            form_data["email"] = email
+        webbrowser.open(verification_uri)
+    except Exception:
+        pass
 
-        resp = requests.post(
-            f"{get_l2_server()}/auth/register",
-            data=form_data
-        )
-        if resp.status_code == 200:
-            # Check if we got a token back in a cookie
-            if "auth_token" in resp.cookies:
-                token = resp.cookies["auth_token"]
-                # Decode token to get username and expiry
-                import base64
-                try:
-                    # JWT format: header.payload.signature
-                    payload = token.split(".")[1]
-                    # Add padding if needed
-                    payload += "=" * (4 - len(payload) % 4)
-                    decoded = json.loads(base64.urlsafe_b64decode(payload))
-                    token_data = {
-                        "access_token": token,
-                        "username": decoded.get("username", username),
-                        "expires_at": decoded.get("exp", "")
-                    }
-                    save_token(token_data)
-                    click.echo(f"Registered and logged in as {token_data['username']}")
-                except Exception:
-                    # If we can't decode, just save the token
-                    save_token({"access_token": token, "username": username})
-                    click.echo(f"Registered and logged in as {username}")
-            else:
-                # HTML response - registration successful
-                if "successful" in resp.text.lower():
-                    click.echo(f"Registered as {username}. Please login to get a token.")
-                else:
-                    click.echo(f"Registration failed: {resp.text}", err=True)
-                    sys.exit(1)
-        else:
-            click.echo(f"Registration failed: {resp.text}", err=True)
+    # Poll for approval
+    click.echo("Waiting for authorization", nl=False)
+    deadline = time.time() + expires_in
+    while time.time() < deadline:
+        time.sleep(interval)
+        click.echo(".", nl=False)
+
+        try:
+            resp = requests.post(
+                f"{account}/auth/device/token",
+                json={"device_code": device_code, "client_id": "artdag"},
+            )
+            data = resp.json()
+        except requests.RequestException:
+            continue
+
+        error = data.get("error")
+        if error == "authorization_pending":
+            continue
+        elif error == "expired_token":
+            click.echo()
+            click.echo("Code expired. Please try again.", err=True)
             sys.exit(1)
-    except requests.RequestException as e:
-        click.echo(f"Registration failed: {e}", err=True)
-        sys.exit(1)
+        elif error == "access_denied":
+            click.echo()
+            click.echo("Authorization denied.", err=True)
+            sys.exit(1)
+        elif error:
+            click.echo()
+            click.echo(f"Login failed: {error}", err=True)
+            sys.exit(1)
+
+        # Success
+        token_data = {
+            "access_token": data["access_token"],
+            "username": data.get("username", ""),
+            "display_name": data.get("display_name", ""),
+        }
+        save_token(token_data)
+        click.echo()
+        click.echo(f"Logged in as {token_data['username'] or token_data['display_name']}")
+        return
+
+    click.echo()
+    click.echo("Timed out waiting for authorization.", err=True)
+    sys.exit(1)
 
 
 @cli.command()
@@ -291,22 +263,12 @@ def whoami():
         click.echo("Not logged in")
         return
 
-    try:
-        resp = requests.get(
-            f"{get_l2_server()}/auth/me",
-            headers={"Authorization": f"Bearer {token_data['access_token']}"}
-        )
-        if resp.status_code == 200:
-            user = resp.json()
-            click.echo(f"Username: {user['username']}")
-            click.echo(f"Created: {user['created_at']}")
-            if user.get('email'):
-                click.echo(f"Email: {user['email']}")
-        else:
-            click.echo("Token invalid or expired. Please login again.", err=True)
-            clear_token()
-    except requests.RequestException as e:
-        click.echo(f"Error: {e}", err=True)
+    username = token_data.get("username", "")
+    display_name = token_data.get("display_name", "")
+    if username:
+        click.echo(f"Username: {username}")
+    if display_name:
+        click.echo(f"Name: {display_name}")
 
 
 @cli.command("config")
@@ -332,11 +294,11 @@ def show_config(clear):
     else:
         click.echo(f"  (default)")
 
-    click.echo(f"L2 Server: {DEFAULT_L2_SERVER}")
-    if config.get("l2"):
+    click.echo(f"Account Server: {DEFAULT_ACCOUNT_SERVER}")
+    if config.get("account"):
         click.echo(f"  (saved)")
-    elif os.environ.get("ARTDAG_L2"):
-        click.echo(f"  (from ARTDAG_L2 env)")
+    elif os.environ.get("ARTDAG_ACCOUNT"):
+        click.echo(f"  (from ARTDAG_ACCOUNT env)")
     else:
         click.echo(f"  (default)")
 
@@ -459,7 +421,7 @@ def run(recipe, input_hash, name, wait):
     # Check auth
     token_data = load_token()
     if not token_data.get("access_token"):
-        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login <username>", err=True)
+        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login", err=True)
         sys.exit(1)
 
     # Resolve named assets
@@ -691,7 +653,7 @@ def delete_run(run_id, force):
     """
     token_data = load_token()
     if not token_data.get("access_token"):
-        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login <username>", err=True)
+        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login", err=True)
         sys.exit(1)
 
     # Get run info first
@@ -741,7 +703,7 @@ def delete_cache(cid, force):
     """
     token_data = load_token()
     if not token_data.get("access_token"):
-        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login <username>", err=True)
+        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login", err=True)
         sys.exit(1)
 
     if not force:
@@ -927,7 +889,7 @@ def upload(filepath, name):
     # Check auth
     token_data = load_token()
     if not token_data.get("access_token"):
-        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login <username>", err=True)
+        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login", err=True)
         sys.exit(1)
 
     try:
@@ -980,13 +942,13 @@ def publish(run_id, output_name):
     # Check auth
     token_data = load_token()
     if not token_data.get("access_token"):
-        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login <username>", err=True)
+        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login", err=True)
         sys.exit(1)
 
     # Post to L2 server with auth, including which L1 server has the run
     try:
         resp = requests.post(
-            f"{get_l2_server()}/registry/record-run",
+            f"{get_server()}/registry/record-run",
             json={"run_id": run_id, "output_name": output_name, "l1_server": get_server()},
             headers={"Authorization": f"Bearer {token_data['access_token']}"}
         )
@@ -1031,7 +993,7 @@ def meta(cid, origin, origin_url, origin_note, description, tags, folder, add_co
     """
     token_data = load_token()
     if not token_data.get("access_token"):
-        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login <username>", err=True)
+        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login", err=True)
         sys.exit(1)
 
     headers = get_auth_header(require_token=True)
@@ -1200,7 +1162,7 @@ def folder_list():
     """List all folders."""
     token_data = load_token()
     if not token_data.get("access_token"):
-        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login <username>", err=True)
+        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login", err=True)
         sys.exit(1)
 
     try:
@@ -1225,7 +1187,7 @@ def folder_create(path):
     """Create a new folder."""
     token_data = load_token()
     if not token_data.get("access_token"):
-        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login <username>", err=True)
+        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login", err=True)
         sys.exit(1)
 
     try:
@@ -1251,7 +1213,7 @@ def folder_delete(path):
     """Delete a folder (must be empty)."""
     token_data = load_token()
     if not token_data.get("access_token"):
-        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login <username>", err=True)
+        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login", err=True)
         sys.exit(1)
 
     try:
@@ -1287,7 +1249,7 @@ def collection_list():
     """List all collections."""
     token_data = load_token()
     if not token_data.get("access_token"):
-        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login <username>", err=True)
+        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login", err=True)
         sys.exit(1)
 
     try:
@@ -1312,7 +1274,7 @@ def collection_create(name):
     """Create a new collection."""
     token_data = load_token()
     if not token_data.get("access_token"):
-        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login <username>", err=True)
+        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login", err=True)
         sys.exit(1)
 
     try:
@@ -1338,7 +1300,7 @@ def collection_delete(name):
     """Delete a collection."""
     token_data = load_token()
     if not token_data.get("access_token"):
-        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login <username>", err=True)
+        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login", err=True)
         sys.exit(1)
 
     try:
@@ -1546,7 +1508,7 @@ def upload_recipe(filepath):
     """Upload a recipe file (YAML or S-expression). Requires login."""
     token_data = load_token()
     if not token_data.get("access_token"):
-        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login <username>", err=True)
+        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login", err=True)
         sys.exit(1)
 
     # Read content
@@ -1607,7 +1569,7 @@ def upload_effect(filepath, name):
     """
     token_data = load_token()
     if not token_data.get("access_token"):
-        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login <username>", err=True)
+        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login", err=True)
         sys.exit(1)
 
     # Check it's a sexp or py file
@@ -1854,7 +1816,7 @@ def run_recipe(recipe_id, inputs, wait):
     """
     token_data = load_token()
     if not token_data.get("access_token"):
-        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login <username>", err=True)
+        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login", err=True)
         sys.exit(1)
 
     # Parse inputs
@@ -1922,7 +1884,7 @@ def delete_recipe(recipe_id, force):
     """Delete a recipe. Requires login."""
     token_data = load_token()
     if not token_data.get("access_token"):
-        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login <username>", err=True)
+        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login", err=True)
         sys.exit(1)
 
     if not force:
@@ -1969,7 +1931,7 @@ def generate_plan(recipe_file, inputs, features, output):
     """
     token_data = load_token()
     if not token_data.get("access_token"):
-        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login <username>", err=True)
+        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login", err=True)
         sys.exit(1)
 
     # Read recipe YAML
@@ -2047,7 +2009,7 @@ def execute_plan(plan_file, wait):
     """
     token_data = load_token()
     if not token_data.get("access_token"):
-        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login <username>", err=True)
+        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login", err=True)
         sys.exit(1)
 
     # Read plan JSON
@@ -2098,7 +2060,7 @@ def run_recipe_v2(recipe_file, inputs, features, wait):
     """
     token_data = load_token()
     if not token_data.get("access_token"):
-        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login <username>", err=True)
+        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login", err=True)
         sys.exit(1)
 
     # Read recipe YAML
@@ -2213,7 +2175,7 @@ def run_status_v2(run_id):
     """
     token_data = load_token()
     if not token_data.get("access_token"):
-        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login <username>", err=True)
+        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login", err=True)
         sys.exit(1)
 
     try:
@@ -2267,7 +2229,7 @@ def run_stream(recipe_file, output, duration, fps, sources, audio, wait):
     """
     token_data = load_token()
     if not token_data.get("access_token"):
-        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login <username>", err=True)
+        click.echo("Not logged in. Please run: artdag login", err=True)
         sys.exit(1)
 
     # Read recipe file
diff --git a/l1/app/__init__.py b/l1/app/__init__.py
index 3b945b3..15617da 100644
--- a/l1/app/__init__.py
+++ b/l1/app/__init__.py
@@ -18,8 +18,6 @@ from artdag_common.middleware.auth import get_user_from_cookie
 
 from .config import settings
 
-# Paths that should never trigger a silent auth check
-_SKIP_PREFIXES = ("/auth/", "/static/", "/api/", "/ipfs/", "/download/", "/inbox", "/health", "/internal/", "/oembed")
 _SILENT_CHECK_COOLDOWN = 300  # 5 minutes
 _DEVICE_COOKIE = "artdag_did"
 _DEVICE_COOKIE_MAX_AGE = 30 * 24 * 3600  # 30 days
@@ -60,14 +58,15 @@ def create_app() -> FastAPI:
     async def shutdown():
         await close_db()
 
-    # Silent auth check — auto-login via prompt=none OAuth
+    # Silent auth check — auto-login via prompt=none OAuth.
+    # Only runs for browser page loads (Accept: text/html).
     # NOTE: registered BEFORE device_id so device_id is outermost (runs first)
     @app.middleware("http")
     async def silent_auth_check(request: Request, call_next):
-        path = request.url.path
+        accept = request.headers.get("accept", "")
         if (
             request.method != "GET"
-            or any(path.startswith(p) for p in _SKIP_PREFIXES)
+            or "text/html" not in accept
             or request.headers.get("hx-request")  # skip HTMX
         ):
             return await call_next(request)
@@ -148,17 +147,14 @@ def create_app() -> FastAPI:
         return response
 
     # Coop fragment pre-fetch — inject nav-tree, auth-menu, cart-mini into
-    # request.state for full-page HTML renders.  Skips HTMX, API, and
-    # internal paths.  Failures are silent (fragments default to "").
-    _FRAG_SKIP = ("/auth/", "/api/", "/internal/", "/health", "/oembed",
-                   "/ipfs/", "/download/", "/inbox", "/static/")
-
+    # request.state for full-page HTML renders.  Opt-in: only fetches for
+    # browser page loads (Accept: text/html, non-HTMX GET requests).
     @app.middleware("http")
     async def coop_fragments_middleware(request: Request, call_next):
-        path = request.url.path
+        accept = request.headers.get("accept", "")
         if (
             request.method != "GET"
-            or any(path.startswith(p) for p in _FRAG_SKIP)
+            or "text/html" not in accept
             or request.headers.get("hx-request")
             or request.headers.get(fragments.FRAGMENT_HEADER)
         ):
@@ -171,7 +167,7 @@ def create_app() -> FastAPI:
 
         user = get_user_from_cookie(request)
         auth_params = {"email": user.email or user.username} if user else {}
-        nav_params = {"app_name": "artdag", "path": path}
+        nav_params = {"app_name": "artdag", "path": request.url.path}
 
         try:
             nav_tree_html, auth_menu_html, cart_mini_html = await _fetch_frags([
diff --git a/l1/app/dependencies.py b/l1/app/dependencies.py
index fc59947..1e11831 100644
--- a/l1/app/dependencies.py
+++ b/l1/app/dependencies.py
@@ -54,6 +54,77 @@ def get_templates(request: Request) -> Environment:
     return request.app.state.templates
 
 
+async def _verify_opaque_grant(token: str) -> Optional[UserContext]:
+    """Verify an opaque grant token via account server, with Redis cache."""
+    import httpx
+    import json
+
+    if not settings.internal_account_url:
+        return None
+
+    # Check L1 Redis cache first
+    cache_key = f"grant_verify:{token[:16]}"
+    try:
+        r = get_redis_client()
+        cached = r.get(cache_key)
+        if cached is not None:
+            if cached == "__invalid__":
+                return None
+            data = json.loads(cached)
+            return UserContext(
+                username=data["username"],
+                actor_id=data["actor_id"],
+                token=token,
+                email=data.get("email", ""),
+            )
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+    # Call account server
+    verify_url = f"{settings.internal_account_url.rstrip('/')}/auth/internal/verify-grant"
+    try:
+        async with httpx.AsyncClient(timeout=5.0) as client:
+            resp = await client.get(verify_url, params={"token": token})
+        if resp.status_code != 200:
+            return None
+        data = resp.json()
+        if not data.get("valid"):
+            # Cache negative result briefly
+            try:
+                r = get_redis_client()
+                r.set(cache_key, "__invalid__", ex=60)
+            except Exception:
+                pass
+            return None
+    except Exception:
+        return None
+
+    username = data.get("username", "")
+    display_name = data.get("display_name", "")
+    actor_id = f"@{username}" if username else ""
+    ctx = UserContext(
+        username=username,
+        actor_id=actor_id,
+        token=token,
+        email=username,
+    )
+
+    # Cache positive result for 5 minutes
+    try:
+        r = get_redis_client()
+        cache_data = json.dumps({
+            "username": username,
+            "actor_id": actor_id,
+            "email": username,
+            "display_name": display_name,
+        })
+        r.set(cache_key, cache_data, ex=300)
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+    return ctx
+
+
 async def get_current_user(request: Request) -> Optional[UserContext]:
     """
     Get the current user from request (cookie or header).
@@ -61,11 +132,19 @@ async def get_current_user(request: Request) -> Optional[UserContext]:
     This is a permissive dependency - returns None if not authenticated.
     Use require_auth for routes that require authentication.
     """
-    # Try header first (API clients)
+    # Try header first (API clients — JWT tokens)
     ctx = get_user_from_header(request)
     if ctx:
         return ctx
 
+    # Try opaque grant token (device flow / CLI tokens)
+    auth_header = request.headers.get("Authorization", "")
+    if auth_header.startswith("Bearer "):
+        token = auth_header[7:]
+        ctx = await _verify_opaque_grant(token)
+        if ctx:
+            return ctx
+
     # Fall back to cookie (browser)
     return get_user_from_cookie(request)
 
diff --git a/l1/streaming/multi_res_output.py b/l1/streaming/multi_res_output.py
index 33e4413..dfa7d8d 100644
--- a/l1/streaming/multi_res_output.py
+++ b/l1/streaming/multi_res_output.py
@@ -244,6 +244,7 @@ class MultiResolutionHLSOutput:
                 "-bufsize", f"{quality.bitrate * 2}k",
             ])
         cmd.extend([
+            "-pix_fmt", "yuv420p",  # Required for browser MSE compatibility
             "-g", str(int(self.fps * self.segment_duration)),  # Keyframe interval = segment duration
             "-keyint_min", str(int(self.fps * self.segment_duration)),
             "-sc_threshold", "0",  # Disable scene change detection for consistent segments
diff --git a/l2/app/dependencies.py b/l2/app/dependencies.py
index d10d063..e3c0e1e 100644
--- a/l2/app/dependencies.py
+++ b/l2/app/dependencies.py
@@ -19,6 +19,34 @@ def get_templates(request: Request):
     return request.app.state.templates
 
 
+async def _verify_opaque_grant(token: str) -> Optional[dict]:
+    """Verify an opaque grant token via account server."""
+    import httpx
+
+    if not settings.internal_account_url:
+        return None
+
+    verify_url = f"{settings.internal_account_url.rstrip('/')}/auth/internal/verify-grant"
+    try:
+        async with httpx.AsyncClient(timeout=5.0) as client:
+            resp = await client.get(verify_url, params={"token": token})
+        if resp.status_code != 200:
+            return None
+        data = resp.json()
+        if not data.get("valid"):
+            return None
+    except Exception:
+        return None
+
+    username = data.get("username", "")
+    return {
+        "username": username,
+        "actor_id": f"https://{settings.domain}/users/{username}",
+        "token": token,
+        "sub": username,
+    }
+
+
 async def get_current_user(request: Request) -> Optional[dict]:
     """
     Get current user from cookie or header.
@@ -39,22 +67,20 @@ async def get_current_user(request: Request) -> Optional[dict]:
     if not token:
         return None
 
-    # Verify token
+    # Verify JWT token
     username = verify_token(token)
-    if not username:
-        return None
+    if username:
+        claims = get_token_claims(token)
+        if claims:
+            return {
+                "username": username,
+                "actor_id": f"https://{settings.domain}/users/{username}",
+                "token": token,
+                **claims,
+            }
 
-    # Get full claims
-    claims = get_token_claims(token)
-    if not claims:
-        return None
-
-    return {
-        "username": username,
-        "actor_id": f"https://{settings.domain}/users/{username}",
-        "token": token,
-        **claims,
-    }
+    # JWT failed — try as opaque grant token
+    return await _verify_opaque_grant(token)
 
 
 async def require_auth(request: Request) -> dict: