diff --git a/.env.test b/.env.test
index 57b6070b..da270136 100644
--- a/.env.test
+++ b/.env.test
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ JWT_EXPIRY=7d
 ADMIN_EMAIL=admin@tractatus.test
 PORT=9001
 LOG_LEVEL=error
-CLAUDE_API_KEY=test_placeholder_key
+# CLAUDE_API_KEY intentionally unset - tests mock ClaudeAPI; a fake key causes real HTTPS requests
 ENABLE_AI_CURATION=false
 ENABLE_MEDIA_TRIAGE=false
 ENABLE_CASE_SUBMISSIONS=false