diff --git a/values/gitea/manifests/dragonfly.yaml b/values/gitea/manifests/dragonfly.yaml
index 8c809aee..b9c21759 100644
--- a/values/gitea/manifests/dragonfly.yaml
+++ b/values/gitea/manifests/dragonfly.yaml
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ spec:
       memory: 1Gi
   args:
     - --dbfilename=dump               # Static filename prevents disk exhaustion
-    - --maxmemory=920Mi               # ~90% of the 1Gi limit, leaving headroom
-    - --maxmemory-policy=volatile-lru # evict only TTL'd keys (cache/session); protect queue
+    - --maxmemory=920Mi # ~90% of the 1Gi limit, leaving headroom
+    - --cache_mode=true # evict near maxmemory instead of rejecting writes (graceful degradation)
     - --proactor_threads=1 # Auto-detect CPU cores (optimal threading)
     - --cluster_mode=emulated
     - --logtostderr