diff --git a/shared/infrastructure/factory.py b/shared/infrastructure/factory.py
index ce99672..c1c9298 100644
--- a/shared/infrastructure/factory.py
+++ b/shared/infrastructure/factory.py
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ def create_base_app(
     before_request_fns: Sequence[Callable[[], Awaitable[None]]] | None = None,
     domain_services_fn: Callable[[], None] | None = None,
     no_oauth: bool = False,
+    no_db: bool = False,
 ) -> Quart:
     """
     Create a Quart app with shared infrastructure.
@@ -111,7 +112,8 @@ def create_base_app(
 
     # --- infrastructure ---
     register_middleware(app)
-    register_db(app)
+    if not no_db:
+        register_db(app)
     register_redis(app)
     setup_jinja(app)
     setup_sx_bridge(app)
diff --git a/sx/app.py b/sx/app.py
index 5d19739..dca9ab2 100644
--- a/sx/app.py
+++ b/sx/app.py
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ def create_app() -> "Quart":
     extra_kw = {}
     if SX_STANDALONE:
         extra_kw["no_oauth"] = True
+        extra_kw["no_db"] = True
 
     app = create_base_app(
         "sx",