diff --git a/server/api-mongodb.js b/server/api-mongodb.js
index be04975..25f9151 100644
--- a/server/api-mongodb.js
+++ b/server/api-mongodb.js
@@ -725,5 +725,18 @@ app.put('/api/auth/update-email', async (req, res) => {
 const PORT = process.env.PORT || 4000;
 const HOST = process.env.HOST || '0.0.0.0';
 
+if (import.meta.url === `file://${process.argv[1]}`) {
+  initDb()
+    .then(() => {
+      app.listen(PORT, HOST, () => {
+        console.log(`Backend API running on http://${HOST}:${PORT}`);
+      });
+    })
+    .catch((err) => {
+      console.error('Failed to initialize MongoDB in standalone mode:', err);
+      process.exit(1);
+    });
+}
+
 export { initDb };
 export default app;