diff --git a/code/websites/pokedex.online/DISCORD_PERMISSIONS_SETUP.md b/code/websites/pokedex.online/DISCORD_PERMISSIONS_SETUP.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..631a296
--- /dev/null
+++ b/code/websites/pokedex.online/DISCORD_PERMISSIONS_SETUP.md
@@ -0,0 +1,137 @@
+# Discord User Permissions Setup Guide
+
+## Overview
+
+The app now checks Discord usernames/IDs to grant developer tool access. Users must be in the allowlist to access developer features.
+
+## Configuration
+
+### 1. Find Your Discord Username/ID
+
+You can use any of the following to identify users:
+
+- **Username**: Your current Discord username (e.g., `fragginwagon`)
+- **Global Name**: Your display name (if different from username)
+- **Discord ID**: Your numeric Discord ID (e.g., `123456789012345678`)
+
+**How to Find Your Discord ID:**
+1. Enable Developer Mode in Discord: Settings → Advanced → Developer Mode (ON)
+2. Right-click your username anywhere → Copy User ID
+3. Or use this Discord bot command: `/userinfo` or `!userinfo`
+
+### 2. Configure Environment Variables
+
+Add allowed users to your `.env` file:
+
+```env
+# Discord User Permissions
+# Comma-separated list of Discord usernames, display names, or IDs
+DISCORD_ADMIN_USERS=fragginwagon,AnotherUser,123456789012345678
+```
+
+**Multiple formats supported:**
+```env
+# Just usernames
+DISCORD_ADMIN_USERS=fragginwagon,coolguy99
+
+# Mix of usernames and IDs
+DISCORD_ADMIN_USERS=fragginwagon,123456789012345678,coolguy99
+
+# Using Discord IDs (most reliable)
+DISCORD_ADMIN_USERS=123456789012345678,987654321098765432
+```
+
+### 3. Location of Configuration
+
+**Development (.env file):**
+```bash
+/Users/fragginwagon/Developer/MemoryPalace/code/websites/pokedex.online/server/.env
+```
+
+**Production (Docker):**
+Add to your `docker-compose.tmp.yml` or production environment:
+```yaml
+environment:
+  - DISCORD_ADMIN_USERS=fragginwagon,user2,123456789012345678
+```
+
+Or in your server's `.env` file that gets loaded by Docker.
+
+## How It Works
+
+1. User logs in with Discord OAuth
+2. Backend fetches user info from Discord API
+3. Backend checks if username, global name, OR Discord ID matches the allowlist
+4. Backend returns `permissions: ['developer_tools.view']` if user is authorized
+5. Frontend checks `hasDevAccess()` to show/hide developer tools
+
+## Testing
+
+### Test if you're in the allowlist:
+
+1. Add your Discord username to `DISCORD_ADMIN_USERS` in `.env`
+2. Restart the backend server:
+   ```bash
+   docker compose -f docker-compose.tmp.yml restart backend
+   ```
+3. Log in with Discord OAuth in the app
+4. Open Developer Tools (should now be visible if authorized)
+
+### Check backend logs:
+
+Look for these messages:
+```
+✅ Discord user authenticated { username: 'fragginwagon', id: '123456789012345678' }
+✅ Discord user granted developer access { username: 'fragginwagon' }
+```
+
+Or if not authorized:
+```
+✅ Discord user authenticated { username: 'unauthorized', id: '999999999999999999' }
+```
+
+## Security Notes
+
+- **Case-insensitive matching**: Usernames are compared in lowercase
+- **Multiple formats**: Supports username, display name, and Discord ID
+- **Fallback behavior**: If Discord user info fetch fails, no permissions are granted (fail-safe)
+- **No permissions stored client-side**: Permissions are checked on every OAuth login
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+**Developer tools not appearing after adding username:**
+1. Check backend logs for "Discord user authenticated" message
+2. Verify your username matches exactly (check for typos)
+3. Try using your Discord ID instead of username (more reliable)
+4. Ensure backend restarted after changing `.env`
+
+**"Failed to fetch Discord user info" in logs:**
+- OAuth token may not have `identify` scope
+- Check Discord OAuth app settings
+- Verify `VITE_DISCORD_CLIENT_ID` and `DISCORD_CLIENT_SECRET` are correct
+
+## Example Configuration
+
+```env
+# Development
+NODE_ENV=development
+PORT=3099
+
+# Discord OAuth
+VITE_DISCORD_CLIENT_ID=your_client_id_here
+DISCORD_CLIENT_SECRET=your_client_secret_here
+VITE_DISCORD_REDIRECT_URI=http://localhost:5173/oauth/callback
+
+# Allowed Users (add your Discord username or ID)
+DISCORD_ADMIN_USERS=fragginwagon,123456789012345678
+```
+
+## Permission Levels
+
+Currently implemented:
+- `developer_tools.view` - Access to developer tools panel and feature flags
+
+Future permissions (not yet implemented):
+- `admin` - Full admin access
+- `gamemaster.edit` - Edit gamemaster data
+- `tournaments.manage` - Manage tournaments
diff --git a/code/websites/pokedex.online/server/utils/env-validator.js b/code/websites/pokedex.online/server/utils/env-validator.js
index c416b73..e447add 100644
--- a/code/websites/pokedex.online/server/utils/env-validator.js
+++ b/code/websites/pokedex.online/server/utils/env-validator.js
@@ -180,6 +180,13 @@ export function getConfig() {
     // Security
     session: {
       secret: process.env.SESSION_SECRET || 'dev-secret-change-in-production'
+    },
+
+    // Discord User Permissions
+    discord: {
+      adminUsers: process.env.DISCORD_ADMIN_USERS
+        ? process.env.DISCORD_ADMIN_USERS.split(',').map(u => u.trim().toLowerCase())
+        : []
     }
   };
 }
diff --git a/code/websites/pokedex.online/src/composables/useDiscordOAuth.js b/code/websites/pokedex.online/src/composables/useDiscordOAuth.js
index ea23b07..dba26bf 100644
--- a/code/websites/pokedex.online/src/composables/useDiscordOAuth.js
+++ b/code/websites/pokedex.online/src/composables/useDiscordOAuth.js
@@ -98,20 +98,14 @@ export function useDiscordOAuth() {
 
   /**
    * Check if user is allowed to access developer tools
-   * Compares Discord username against backend-managed allowlist
+   * Checks permissions returned from backend during OAuth
    *
-   * @param {Object} userPermissions - User permissions object from backend
    * @returns {boolean} True if user has developer access
    */
-  function hasDevAccess(userPermissions = {}) {
-    // Check explicit permission
-    if (userPermissions?.includes?.('developer_tools.view')) {
-      return true;
-    }
-
-    // Backend could also return discord_username_allowlist
-    // This would be checked server-side, but frontend can cache it
-    return false;
+  function hasDevAccess() {
+    // Check if tokens include permissions
+    const permissions = oauth.tokens.value?.permissions || [];
+    return permissions.includes('developer_tools.view');
   }
 
   return {