diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index 7e2270f..459adbe 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -80,8 +80,10 @@ via the `deploy` skill.
 
 ### NeoForge version pinning
 Mods are picky about exact minor versions. Compose pins `NEOFORGE_VERSION:
-"21.1.209"`. **Verify against https://projects.neoforged.net/neoforged/neoforge
-before deploying.** Never `"latest"` for a stable server.
+"21.1.233"` — **must match the distribution's NeoForge** (`distribution.json`),
+since mods are built against it (e.g. ferritecore≥218, farmersdelight≥219).
+**Verify against https://projects.neoforged.net/neoforged/neoforge before
+deploying.** Never `"latest"` for a stable server.
 
 ### Mod source + server filtering
 The full modset lives in the distribution repo (`$DISTRIBUTION_WEB_ROOT/servers/
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index 6e14a93..e175766 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -48,7 +48,9 @@ services:
       TYPE: "NEOFORGE"
       VERSION: "1.21.1"
       # Verify NEOFORGE_VERSION against projects.neoforged.net before deploy.
-      NEOFORGE_VERSION: "21.1.209"   # pin a known-good build; update deliberately
+      # Must match the distribution's NeoForge (distribution.json → 21.1.233);
+      # several mods (ferritecore≥218, farmersdelight≥219, configured≥211) need it.
+      NEOFORGE_VERSION: "21.1.233"   # pin a known-good build; update deliberately
 
       # ── Memory / performance ────────────────────────────────────
       INIT_MEMORY: "4G"