diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/dev-deploy.yml b/.gitea/workflows/dev-deploy.yml
index 068053d..2f34bdc 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/dev-deploy.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/dev-deploy.yml
@@ -70,10 +70,15 @@ jobs:
           echo "🔄 Removing old images to force re-pull..."
           docker rmi postgres:15-alpine redis:7-alpine 2>/dev/null || true
           
+          # Ensure networks exist before compose starts (network is external)
+          echo "🌐 Ensuring networks exist..."
+          docker network create portfolio_dev 2>/dev/null || true
+          docker network create proxy 2>/dev/null || true
+
           # Pull images with correct architecture (Docker will auto-detect)
           echo "📥 Pulling images for current architecture..."
           docker compose -f $COMPOSE_FILE pull postgres redis
-          
+
           # Start containers
           echo "📦 Starting PostgreSQL and Redis containers..."
           docker compose -f $COMPOSE_FILE up -d postgres redis
@@ -192,25 +197,6 @@ jobs:
             fi
           fi
           
-          # Ensure networks exist
-          echo "🌐 Checking for networks..."
-          if ! docker network inspect proxy >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-            echo "⚠️ Proxy network not found, creating it..."
-            docker network create proxy 2>/dev/null || echo "Network might already exist or creation failed"
-          else
-            echo "✅ Proxy network exists"
-          fi
-          
-          if ! docker network inspect portfolio_dev >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-            echo "⚠️ Portfolio dev network not found, creating it..."
-            docker network create portfolio_dev 2>/dev/null || echo "Network might already exist or creation failed"
-          else
-            echo "✅ Portfolio dev network exists"
-          fi
-          
-          # Connect proxy network to portfolio_dev network if needed
-          # (This allows the app to access both proxy and DB/Redis)
-          
           # Start new container with updated image
           echo "🆕 Starting new dev container..."
           docker run -d \
diff --git a/docker-compose.dev.minimal.yml b/docker-compose.dev.minimal.yml
index 880b8f4..e110cf3 100644
--- a/docker-compose.dev.minimal.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.dev.minimal.yml
@@ -36,8 +36,7 @@ services:
 
 networks:
   portfolio_dev:
-    name: portfolio_dev
-    driver: bridge
+    external: true
 
 volumes:
   postgres_dev_data: