diff --git a/charts/README.md b/charts/README.md
index b5380f85..6de5de27 100644
--- a/charts/README.md
+++ b/charts/README.md
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ See `values.yaml` for more options.
 
 ## Notes
 - Ingress is off by default. Enable and configure hosts for your domain.
-- PVCs require a default StorageClass or specify one as needed.
+- PVCs use the cluster's default StorageClass. Set `persistence.data.storageClassName` and/or `persistence.uploads.storageClassName` to bind a specific class.
 - `JWT_SECRET` is managed entirely by the server — auto-generated into the data PVC on first start and rotatable via the admin panel (Settings → Danger Zone). No Helm configuration needed.
 - `ENCRYPTION_KEY` encrypts stored secrets (API keys, MFA, SMTP, OIDC) at rest. Recommended: set via `secretEnv.ENCRYPTION_KEY` or `existingSecret`. If left empty, the server falls back automatically: existing installs use `data/.jwt_secret` (no action needed on upgrade); fresh installs auto-generate a key persisted to the data PVC.
 - If using ingress, you must manually keep `env.ALLOWED_ORIGINS` and `ingress.hosts` in sync to ensure CORS works correctly. The chart does not sync these automatically.
diff --git a/charts/trek/Chart.yaml b/charts/trek/Chart.yaml
index 9b20dcfd..b29275f6 100644
--- a/charts/trek/Chart.yaml
+++ b/charts/trek/Chart.yaml
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 apiVersion: v2
 name: trek
-version: 3.1.1
+version: 3.1.2
 description: Minimal Helm chart for TREK app
-appVersion: "3.1.1"
+appVersion: "3.1.2"
diff --git a/charts/trek/templates/pvc.yaml b/charts/trek/templates/pvc.yaml
index d68f6938..e1cd5f5c 100644
--- a/charts/trek/templates/pvc.yaml
+++ b/charts/trek/templates/pvc.yaml
@@ -8,6 +8,9 @@ metadata:
 spec:
   accessModes:
     - ReadWriteOnce
+  {{- with .Values.persistence.data.storageClassName }}
+  storageClassName: {{ . | quote }}
+  {{- end }}
   resources:
     requests:
       storage: {{ .Values.persistence.data.size }}
@@ -21,6 +24,9 @@ metadata:
 spec:
   accessModes:
     - ReadWriteOnce
+  {{- with .Values.persistence.uploads.storageClassName }}
+  storageClassName: {{ . | quote }}
+  {{- end }}
   resources:
     requests:
       storage: {{ .Values.persistence.uploads.size }}
diff --git a/charts/trek/values.yaml b/charts/trek/values.yaml
index f0205423..5ee53a46 100644
--- a/charts/trek/values.yaml
+++ b/charts/trek/values.yaml
@@ -98,8 +98,11 @@ persistence:
   enabled: true
   data:
     size: 1Gi
+    # Leave empty to use the cluster's default StorageClass; set to bind a specific class.
+    storageClassName: ""
   uploads:
     size: 1Gi
+    storageClassName: ""
 
 resources:
   requests: