diff --git a/scripts/prepare-template.sh b/scripts/prepare-template.sh
index e803b0b..14cefc1 100644
--- a/scripts/prepare-template.sh
+++ b/scripts/prepare-template.sh
@@ -70,11 +70,20 @@ install_docker() {
     sh get-docker.sh
     rm get-docker.sh
 
-    # Start Docker
-    systemctl start docker || service docker start
-    systemctl enable docker || true
+    # Start Docker daemon (RunPod requires --iptables=false --bridge=none)
+    log_info "Starting Docker daemon..."
+    pkill dockerd 2>/dev/null || true
+    sleep 2
+    dockerd --iptables=false --bridge=none > /var/log/dockerd.log 2>&1 &
+    sleep 10
 
-    log_success "Docker installed: $(docker --version)"
+    # Verify Docker is running
+    if docker ps &> /dev/null; then
+        log_success "Docker installed and running: $(docker --version)"
+    else
+        log_error "Docker failed to start. Check /var/log/dockerd.log"
+        exit 1
+    fi
 }
 
 # Install Docker Compose