diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
index 904d1d97d..b56ee94cf 100644
--- a/Dockerfile
+++ b/Dockerfile
@@ -37,4 +37,10 @@ ENV NODE_ENV=production
 # This reduces the attack surface by preventing container escape via root privileges
 USER node
 
+# Configure npm to use a user-writable directory for global packages
+# This prevents EACCES errors when installing skills that use npm packages
+# (e.g., bird skill: @steipete/bird)
+RUN npm config set prefix /home/node/.npm-global
+ENV PATH="/home/node/.npm-global/bin:${PATH}"
+
 CMD ["node", "dist/index.js"]