diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index 2966c6d..4968a3a 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ services:
     command: dotnet run --project src/BigRegister.Api --urls http://+:5000
     environment:
       - ASPNETCORE_ENVIRONMENT=Development
+      # ponytail: Server GC makes one heap per CPU (22 here); workstation GC makes one.
+      - DOTNET_gcServer=0
     volumes:
       # ':z' relabels for SELinux (Fedora/RHEL); harmless on other hosts.
       # WP-22: no separate volume needed for the SQLite file — `dotnet run` sets
@@ -41,6 +43,8 @@ services:
     # switcher actually switches. ponytail: `--no-fund --loglevel=error` silences npm 11 noise.
     command: sh -c "npm ci --no-fund --loglevel=error && npx ng build ssp --configuration development --localize && node scripts/serve-i18n.mjs"
     environment:
+      # ponytail: without a cgroup limit Node sizes its heap from host RAM (16 GB).
+      - NODE_OPTIONS=--max-old-space-size=2048
       - PORT=4200
       - API_PROXY_TARGET=http://api:5000
       - APP_DIST_ROOT=dist/ssp/browser
@@ -57,6 +61,8 @@ services:
     working_dir: /app
     command: sh -c "npm ci --no-fund --loglevel=error && npx ng build behandelportal --configuration development --localize && node scripts/serve-i18n.mjs"
     environment:
+      # ponytail: without a cgroup limit Node sizes its heap from host RAM (16 GB).
+      - NODE_OPTIONS=--max-old-space-size=2048
       - PORT=4201
       - API_PROXY_TARGET=http://api:5000
       - APP_DIST_ROOT=dist/behandelportal/browser