diff --git a/lightrag/api/README-zh.md b/lightrag/api/README-zh.md
index 839aa2ef..48d822d0 100644
--- a/lightrag/api/README-zh.md
+++ b/lightrag/api/README-zh.md
@@ -201,8 +201,7 @@ LightRAG API 服务器使用基于 HS256 算法的 JWT 认证。要启用安全
 
 ```bash
 # JWT 认证
-AUTH_USERNAME=admin      # 登录名
-AUTH_PASSWORD=admin123   # 密码
+AUTH_ACCOUNTS='admin:admin123,user1:pass456'      # 登录帐号与密码
 TOKEN_SECRET=your-key    # JWT 密钥
 TOKEN_EXPIRE_HOURS=4     # 过期时间
 ```
diff --git a/lightrag/api/README.md b/lightrag/api/README.md
index e042fd46..bdfe0a29 100644
--- a/lightrag/api/README.md
+++ b/lightrag/api/README.md
@@ -203,8 +203,7 @@ LightRAG API Server implements JWT-based authentication using HS256 algorithm. T
 
 ```bash
 # For jwt auth
-AUTH_USERNAME=admin      # login name
-AUTH_PASSWORD=admin123   # password
+AUTH_ACCOUNTS='admin:admin123,user1:pass456'      # login name and password, separated by comma
 TOKEN_SECRET=your-key    # JWT key
 TOKEN_EXPIRE_HOURS=4     # expire duration
 ```
diff --git a/lightrag/api/lightrag_server.py b/lightrag/api/lightrag_server.py
index fe0e416e..9a03e17f 100644
--- a/lightrag/api/lightrag_server.py
+++ b/lightrag/api/lightrag_server.py
@@ -56,6 +56,8 @@ load_dotenv(".env")
 config = configparser.ConfigParser()
 config.read("config.ini")
 
+# Global authentication configuration
+auth_configured = bool(auth_handler.accounts)
 
 def create_app(args):
     # Setup logging
@@ -426,9 +428,7 @@ def create_app(args):
         try:
             pipeline_status = await get_namespace_data("pipeline_status")
 
-            username = os.getenv("AUTH_USERNAME")
-            password = os.getenv("AUTH_PASSWORD")
-            if not (username and password):
+            if not auth_configured:
                 auth_mode = "disabled"
             else:
                 auth_mode = "enabled"