diff --git a/packetserver/http/database.py b/packetserver/http/database.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/packetserver/runners/http_server.py b/packetserver/runners/http_server.py
index 1a577c9..b0859f9 100644
--- a/packetserver/runners/http_server.py
+++ b/packetserver/runners/http_server.py
@@ -1,15 +1,95 @@
-# runners/http_server.py
-import uvicorn
-from packetserver.http.server import app
-from packetserver.database import open_db  # adjust to your actual DB opener
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""
+PacketServer HTTP Server Runner
+
+Standalone runner with --db support (local FileStorage or ZEO).
+
+Examples:
+  python packetserver/runners/http_server.py --db /path/to/Data.fs --port 8080
+  python packetserver/runners/http_server.py --db zeo.host.com:8100
+"""
+
+import argparse
+import sys
+
+import uvicorn
+import ZODB.FileStorage
+import ZODB.DB
+from packetserver.http.server import app
+
+# Global DB and connection for reuse in the FastAPI dependency
+_db = None
+_connection = None
+
+
+def open_database(db_arg: str) -> ZODB.DB.DB:
+    """
+    Open a ZODB database from either a local FileStorage path or ZEO address.
+    Reuses the same logic as http_user_manager.py.
+    """
+    if ":" in db_arg and db_arg.count(":") == 1 and "." in db_arg.split(":")[0]:
+        import ZEO
+        host, port_str = db_arg.split(":")
+        try:
+            port = int(port_str)
+        except ValueError:
+            raise ValueError(f"Invalid port in ZEO address: {db_arg}")
+        storage = ZEO.client_storage(host, port)
+        return ZODB.DB(storage)
+    else:
+        # Local FileStorage path
+        storage = ZODB.FileStorage.FileStorage(db_arg)
+        return ZODB.DB(storage)
+
+
+def get_db_connection():
+    """Helper used in http/server.py dependency (get_current_http_user)"""
+    global _connection
+    if _connection is None or _connection.closed:
+        if _db is None:
+            raise RuntimeError("Database not opened – run the runner properly")
+        _connection = _db.open()
+    return _connection
+
+
+# Monkey-patch the dependency helper so server.py can use it without changes
+from packetserver.http import server
+server.get_db_connection = get_db_connection  # replaces any previous definition
+
+
+def main():
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="Run the PacketServer HTTP API server")
+    parser.add_argument("--db", required=True, help="DB path (local /path/to/Data.fs) or ZEO (host:port)")
+    parser.add_argument("--host", default="0.0.0.0", help="Bind host (default: 0.0.0.0)")
+    parser.add_argument("--port", type=int, default=8080, help="Port to listen on (default: 8080)")
+    parser.add_argument("--reload", action="store_true", help="Enable auto-reload during development")
+
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+
+    global _db
+    try:
+        _db = open_database(args.db)
+        print(f"Opened database: {args.db}")
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Failed to open database {args.db}: {e}")
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    # Open initial connection (will be reused/closed on shutdown)
+    get_db_connection()
+
+    try:
+        uvicorn.run(
+            "packetserver.http.server:app",
+            host=args.host,
+            port=args.port,
+            reload=args.reload,
+        )
+    finally:
+        if _connection and not _connection.closed:
+            _connection.close()
+        if _db:
+            _db.close()
 
-# Ensure DB is open (same as main server)
-open_db()  # or however you initialize the global DB connection
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
-    uvicorn.run(
-        "packetserver.http.server:app",
-        host="0.0.0.0",
-        port=8080,
-        reload=True,  # convenient during development
-    )
\ No newline at end of file
+    main()
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/packetserver/runners/http_user_manager.py b/packetserver/runners/http_user_manager.py
index 765cb33..3311479 100644
--- a/packetserver/runners/http_user_manager.py
+++ b/packetserver/runners/http_user_manager.py
@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@ PacketServer HTTP User Management CLI
 Supports local FileStorage or ZEO databases via --db.
 
 Examples:
-  python runners/http_user_manager.py --db /path/to/Data.fs add W1AW secret
-  python runners/http_user_manager.py --db zeo.host.com:8100 list
+  python packetserver/runners/http_user_manager.py --db /path/to/Data.fs add W1AW secret
+  python packetserver/runners/http_user_manager.py --db zeo.host.com:8100 list
 """
 
 import argparse
@@ -21,7 +21,9 @@ from persistent.mapping import PersistentMapping
 
 # Import our HTTP package internals
 from packetserver.http.auth import HttpUser, ph  # ph = PasswordHasher
-from packetserver.http.database import HTTP_USERS_KEY
+
+# Define the key directly here (no separate database.py module needed)
+HTTP_USERS_KEY = "httpUsers"
 
 
 def open_database(db_arg: str) -> ZODB.DB.DB:
@@ -46,6 +48,7 @@ def open_database(db_arg: str) -> ZODB.DB.DB:
 def get_or_create_http_users(root):
     if HTTP_USERS_KEY not in root:
         root[HTTP_USERS_KEY] = PersistentMapping()
+        transaction.commit()  # safe during initial creation
     return root[HTTP_USERS_KEY]