diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 958b435..23900ef 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -140,17 +140,11 @@ The Docker socket is required for tenant provisioning (SaaS mode) — the platfo
 
 For private registries, provide credentials and the installer runs `docker login` before pulling. The registry prefix is applied to all container images.
 
-### SMTP (SaaS Mode)
+### Email / SMTP
 
-| Setting | CLI Flag | Env Var | Config Key | Default |
-|---------|----------|---------|------------|---------|
-| SMTP host | `--smtp-host` | `SMTP_HOST` | `smtp_host` | — |
-| SMTP port | `--smtp-port` | `SMTP_PORT` | `smtp_port` | `587` |
-| SMTP username | `--smtp-user` | `SMTP_USER` | `smtp_user` | — |
-| SMTP password | `--smtp-pass` | `SMTP_PASS` | `smtp_pass` | — |
-| From email | `--smtp-from-email` | `SMTP_FROM_EMAIL` | `smtp_from_email` | `noreply@<PUBLIC_HOST>` |
+Email connector configuration (SMTP, SES, etc.) is managed at runtime via the vendor admin UI at `/vendor/email`. The installer does not configure email delivery.
 
-SMTP is required for self-service sign-up (email verification codes). Without it, only admin-created users can sign in.
+Self-service registration is disabled by default and is enabled automatically when the admin configures an email connector.
 
 ### Monitoring
 
@@ -246,9 +240,6 @@ All services share a single hostname. Routing:
   --tls-mode=custom \
   --cert-file=/etc/ssl/cert.pem \
   --key-file=/etc/ssl/key.pem \
-  --smtp-host=smtp.example.com \
-  --smtp-user=noreply@example.com \
-  --smtp-pass=mailpass \
   --registry=registry.example.com/cameleer \
   --registry-user=deploy \
   --registry-token=ghp_xxx
diff --git a/templates/.env.example b/templates/.env.example
index e9b6c47..a829050 100644
--- a/templates/.env.example
+++ b/templates/.env.example
@@ -61,14 +61,10 @@ SAAS_ADMIN_PASS=CHANGE_ME
 # BOOTSTRAP_TOKEN=CHANGE_ME
 
 # ============================================================
-# SMTP (for email verification during registration)
+# Email / SMTP
 # ============================================================
-# Required for self-service sign-up. Without SMTP, only admin-created users can sign in.
-SMTP_HOST=
-SMTP_PORT=587
-SMTP_USER=
-SMTP_PASS=
-SMTP_FROM_EMAIL=noreply@cameleer.io
+# Email connector configuration is managed at runtime via the vendor
+# admin UI (Email Connector page at /vendor/email). No SMTP env vars needed.
 
 # ============================================================
 # TLS