diff --git a/scripts/patch-listening-endpoint-runtime-guards.mjs b/scripts/patch-listening-endpoint-runtime-guards.mjs
index 8d3e9c4c..472b1f58 100644
--- a/scripts/patch-listening-endpoint-runtime-guards.mjs
+++ b/scripts/patch-listening-endpoint-runtime-guards.mjs
@@ -80,6 +80,33 @@ const patchSpecs = [
     throw err;
   }
 
+  // Update stats cache after sync`,
+    candidates: [
+      "node_modules/@rmdes/indiekit-endpoint-funkwhale/lib/sync.js",
+      "node_modules/@indiekit/indiekit/node_modules/@rmdes/indiekit-endpoint-funkwhale/lib/sync.js",
+    ],
+  },
+  {
+    name: "funkwhale-sync-network-error-guard",
+    marker: "Cannot reach Funkwhale instance; skipping sync",
+    oldSnippet: `    throw err;
+  }
+
+  // Update stats cache after sync`,
+    newSnippet: `    const causeCode = String(err?.cause?.code || "");
+    if (
+      /fetch failed/i.test(message) ||
+      /ECONNREFUSED|ENOTFOUND|ETIMEDOUT/.test(causeCode)
+    ) {
+      // Cannot reach Funkwhale instance; skipping sync
+      console.warn(
+        "[Funkwhale] Cannot reach Funkwhale instance; skipping sync. Check FUNKWHALE_INSTANCE is reachable."
+      );
+      return { synced: 0, error: "Network error" };
+    }
+    throw err;
+  }
+
   // Update stats cache after sync`,
     candidates: [
       "node_modules/@rmdes/indiekit-endpoint-funkwhale/lib/sync.js",
diff --git a/start.example.sh b/start.example.sh
index e8aa0b8f..6a6cffe4 100644
--- a/start.example.sh
+++ b/start.example.sh
@@ -30,11 +30,6 @@ if [ -z "${MONGO_URL:-}" ]; then
   export MONGO_AUTH_SOURCE="${MONGO_AUTH_SOURCE:-admin}"
 fi
 
-if [ -z "${GH_CONTENT_TOKEN:-}" ] && [ -z "${GITHUB_TOKEN:-}" ]; then
-  echo "GH_CONTENT_TOKEN or GITHUB_TOKEN is required" >&2
-  exit 1
-fi
-
 # Force production runtime and keep debug logging disabled.
 export NODE_ENV="production"
 export INDIEKIT_DEBUG="0"