diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 4deed79..cebc208 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -347,27 +347,39 @@ services:
 
 Create a `.env` file in the same directory:
 
-```bash
-# Generate with: openssl rand -hex 64
-SECRET_KEY_BASE=your-secret-key-here
+**Generate required secrets first:**
 
-# Application URLs
+```bash
+# Generate SECRET_KEY_BASE (required)
+openssl rand -hex 64
+
+# Generate OIDC private key (optional - auto-generated if not provided)
+openssl genpkey -algorithm RSA -out private_key.pem -pkeyopt rsa_keygen_bits:2048
+cat private_key.pem  # Copy the output into OIDC_PRIVATE_KEY below
+```
+
+**Then create `.env`:**
+
+```bash
+# Rails Secret (REQUIRED)
+SECRET_KEY_BASE=paste-output-from-openssl-rand-hex-64-here
+
+# Application URLs (REQUIRED)
 CLINCH_HOST=https://auth.yourdomain.com
 CLINCH_FROM_EMAIL=noreply@yourdomain.com
 
-# SMTP Settings
+# SMTP Settings (REQUIRED for invitations and password resets)
 SMTP_ADDRESS=smtp.example.com
 SMTP_PORT=587
 SMTP_DOMAIN=yourdomain.com
 SMTP_USERNAME=your-smtp-username
 SMTP_PASSWORD=your-smtp-password
 
-# OIDC (optional - generates temporary key if not set)
-# Generate with: openssl genpkey -algorithm RSA -out private_key.pem -pkeyopt rsa_keygen_bits:2048
-# Then: OIDC_PRIVATE_KEY=$(cat private_key.pem)
+# OIDC Private Key (OPTIONAL - generates temporary key if not provided)
+# For production, generate a persistent key and paste the ENTIRE contents here
 OIDC_PRIVATE_KEY=
 
-# Optional: Force SSL redirects (if not behind a reverse proxy handling SSL)
+# Optional: Force SSL redirects (only if NOT behind a reverse proxy handling SSL)
 FORCE_SSL=false
 ```
 
diff --git a/app/services/oidc_jwt_service.rb b/app/services/oidc_jwt_service.rb
index 3935f62..dfd0135 100644
--- a/app/services/oidc_jwt_service.rb
+++ b/app/services/oidc_jwt_service.rb
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ class OidcJwtService
 
   class << self
     # Generate an ID token (JWT) for the user
-    def generate_id_token(user, application, consent: nil, nonce: nil, access_token: nil, auth_time: nil, acr: nil)
+    def generate_id_token(user, application, consent: nil, nonce: nil, access_token: nil, auth_time: nil, acr: nil, scopes: "openid")
       now = Time.current.to_i
       # Use application's configured ID token TTL (defaults to 1 hour)
       ttl = application.id_token_expiry_seconds
@@ -11,18 +11,30 @@ class OidcJwtService
       # Use pairwise SID from consent if available, fallback to user ID
       subject = consent&.sid || user.id.to_s
 
+      # Parse scopes (space-separated string)
+      requested_scopes = scopes.to_s.split
+
+      # Required claims (always included per OIDC Core spec)
       payload = {
         iss: issuer_url,
         sub: subject,
         aud: application.client_id,
         exp: now + ttl,
-        iat: now,
-        email: user.email_address,
-        email_verified: true,
-        preferred_username: user.username.presence || user.email_address,
-        name: user.name.presence || user.email_address
+        iat: now
       }
 
+      # Email claims (only if 'email' scope requested)
+      if requested_scopes.include?("email")
+        payload[:email] = user.email_address
+        payload[:email_verified] = true
+      end
+
+      # Profile claims (only if 'profile' scope requested)
+      if requested_scopes.include?("profile")
+        payload[:preferred_username] = user.username.presence || user.email_address
+        payload[:name] = user.name.presence || user.email_address
+      end
+
       # Add nonce if provided (OIDC requires this for implicit flow)
       payload[:nonce] = nonce if nonce.present?
 
@@ -44,12 +56,13 @@ class OidcJwtService
         payload[:at_hash] = at_hash
       end
 
-      # Add groups if user has any
-      if user.groups.any?
+      # Groups claims (only if 'groups' scope requested)
+      if requested_scopes.include?("groups") && user.groups.any?
         payload[:groups] = user.groups.pluck(:name)
       end
 
       # Merge custom claims from groups (arrays are combined, not overwritten)
+      # Note: Custom claims from groups are always merged (not scope-dependent)
       user.groups.each do |group|
         payload = deep_merge_claims(payload, group.parsed_custom_claims)
       end
diff --git a/docs/beta-checklist.md b/docs/beta-checklist.md
index b775235..b1707a9 100644
--- a/docs/beta-checklist.md
+++ b/docs/beta-checklist.md
@@ -204,13 +204,13 @@ This checklist ensures Clinch meets security, quality, and documentation standar
 - [ ] Document backup code security (single-use, store securely)
 - [ ] Document admin password security requirements
 
-### Future Security Enhancements
-- [ ] Rate limiting on authentication endpoints
-- [ ] Account lockout after N failed attempts
+### Future Security Enhancements (Post-Beta)
+- [x] Rate limiting on authentication endpoints (comprehensive coverage implemented)
+- [ ] Account lockout after N failed attempts (rate limiting provides similar protection)
 - [ ] Admin audit logging
-- [ ] Security event notifications
-- [ ] Brute force detection
-- [ ] Suspicious login detection
+- [ ] Security event notifications (email/webhook alerts for suspicious activity)
+- [ ] Advanced brute force detection (pattern analysis beyond rate limiting)
+- [ ] Suspicious login detection (geolocation, device fingerprinting)
 - [ ] IP allowlist/blocklist
 
 ## External Security Review