diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/cd.yml b/.gitea/workflows/cd.yml
index d7aaa1e..556b5ad 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/cd.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/cd.yml
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ jobs:
           EOF
 
       - name: Deploy with docker-compose
+        env:
+          DOCKER_HOST: tcp://192.168.88.40:2375
         run: |
           docker compose -f docker-compose.prod.yml pull
           docker compose -f docker-compose.prod.yml up -d --remove-orphans
@@ -48,9 +50,11 @@ jobs:
       - name: Health check
         run: |
           sleep 10
-          curl -f http://localhost:3000/health || exit 1
-          curl -f http://localhost:8081/health || exit 1
+          curl -f http://192.168.88.40:3000/health || exit 1
+          curl -f http://192.168.88.40:8081/health || exit 1
 
       - name: Cleanup old images
+        env:
+          DOCKER_HOST: tcp://192.168.88.40:2375
         run: |
           docker image prune -f --filter "until=24h"
diff --git a/SETUP.md b/SETUP.md
index 94af277..c541d2e 100644
--- a/SETUP.md
+++ b/SETUP.md
@@ -243,6 +243,74 @@ This guide covers prerequisites, environment setup, running the application loca
    docker compose down
    ```
 
+### Local Test Environment Deployment (Remote Docker Host)
+
+For testing deployments on a local network server without setting up a full production VPS, you can deploy directly to a remote Docker host (e.g., a home lab server or test machine) using Docker's TCP socket.
+
+#### Test Environment Prerequisites
+
+- A remote server running Docker at IP `192.168.88.40`.
+- Docker TCP socket enabled and listening on port `2375` on the remote server (ensure this port is secured/firewalled to trusted local IPs only).
+
+#### Deployment Steps
+
+1. **Configure Docker CLI to use the Remote Host**:
+   You can point your local Docker CLI to the remote server by setting the `DOCKER_HOST` environment variable:
+   - **PowerShell (Windows)**:
+
+     ```powershell
+     $env:DOCKER_HOST="tcp://192.168.88.40:2375"
+     ```
+
+   - **Bash (Linux/macOS)**:
+
+     ```bash
+     export DOCKER_HOST="tcp://192.168.88.40:2375"
+     ```
+
+2. **Verify Connection**:
+   Run `docker info` to confirm your local CLI is communicating with the remote server at `192.168.88.40`:
+
+   ```bash
+   docker info
+   ```
+
+   The output should show the remote server's hostname and system details.
+
+3. **Deploy the Stack**:
+   With `DOCKER_HOST` set, any `docker` or `docker compose` commands you run locally will execute directly on the remote server.
+   - **Deploy from Registry (Production-like)**:
+
+     ```bash
+     docker compose -f docker-compose.prod.yml pull
+     docker compose -f docker-compose.prod.yml up -d --remove-orphans
+     ```
+
+   - **Build and Deploy from Source**:
+
+     ```bash
+     docker compose up -d --build
+     ```
+
+4. **Access the Test Environment**:
+   - Playout Health: `http://192.168.88.40:8081/health`
+   - Chat Health: `http://192.168.88.40:3000/health`
+   - Nginx Entrypoint: `http://192.168.88.40:8080` (or the port mapped to `NGINX_PORT` in `.env`)
+
+5. **Reset to Local Docker Host**:
+   Once testing is complete, clear the `DOCKER_HOST` variable to point back to your local machine:
+   - **PowerShell**:
+
+     ```powershell
+     Remove-Item env:DOCKER_HOST
+     ```
+
+   - **Bash**:
+
+     ```bash
+     unset DOCKER_HOST
+     ```
+
 ### Production Setup Guide
 
 1. **Prepare the target host**: