diff --git a/src/fabledassistant/auth.py b/src/fabledassistant/auth.py
index 3006219..a8a492c 100644
--- a/src/fabledassistant/auth.py
+++ b/src/fabledassistant/auth.py
@@ -1,13 +1,35 @@
 import functools
 
-from quart import g, jsonify, session
+from quart import g, jsonify, request, session
 
 from fabledassistant.services.auth import get_user_by_id
+from fabledassistant.services.api_keys import lookup_key
 
 
 def _check_auth(f, required_role: str | None = None):
     @functools.wraps(f)
     async def decorated(*args, **kwargs):
+        # --- Bearer token path ---
+        auth_header = request.headers.get("Authorization", "")
+        if auth_header.startswith("Bearer "):
+            raw_key = auth_header[len("Bearer "):]
+            api_key = await lookup_key(raw_key)
+            if api_key is None:
+                return jsonify({"error": "Invalid or revoked API key"}), 401
+            user = await get_user_by_id(api_key.user_id)
+            if not user:
+                return jsonify({"error": "User not found"}), 401
+            # Scope enforcement: read-only keys cannot mutate
+            if api_key.scope == "read" and request.method not in ("GET", "HEAD", "OPTIONS"):
+                return jsonify({"error": "Read-only key cannot perform write operations"}), 403
+            # Role check (admin_required routes)
+            if required_role and user.role != required_role:
+                return jsonify({"error": "Admin access required"}), 403
+            g.user = user
+            g.api_key = api_key
+            return await f(*args, **kwargs)
+
+        # --- Session path (unchanged) ---
         user_id = session.get("user_id")
         if not user_id:
             return jsonify({"error": "Authentication required"}), 401