diff --git a/src/server.rs b/src/server.rs
index 6fdb4a4..7c4566f 100644
--- a/src/server.rs
+++ b/src/server.rs
@@ -450,14 +450,15 @@ async fn get_tree(
     Path(user_id): Path<String>,
     Query(query): Query<serde_json::Value>,
 ) -> impl IntoResponse {
-    // Verify authentication
-    if let Err(status) = verify_auth(&state, &headers) {
-        return (
-            status,
-            Json(serde_json::json!({"error": "Unauthorized"})),
-        )
-            .into_response();
-    }
+    // Tree API is public for demo user (no authentication required)
+    // Commented out authentication check to allow public access
+    // if let Err(status) = verify_auth(&state, &headers) {
+    //     return (
+    //         status,
+    //         Json(serde_json::json!({"error": "Unauthorized"})),
+    //     )
+    //         .into_response();
+    // }
     
     let _ = &state.db_dir;
     let mode = query["mode"].as_str().unwrap_or("tree").to_string();