diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b7c98d3..abd58e9 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ Runs as a sidecar alongside CI workloads. On a configurable interval, it reads `
 ./collector --interval=2s --top=10 --push-endpoint=http://receiver:8080/api/v1/metrics
 ```
 
-**Flags:** `--interval`, `--proc-path`, `--log-level`, `--log-format`, `--top`, `--push-endpoint`
+**Flags:** `--interval`, `--proc-path`, `--log-level`, `--log-format`, `--top`, `--push-endpoint`, `--push-token`
 
 **Environment variables:**
 
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ Runs as a sidecar alongside CI workloads. On a configurable interval, it reads `
 | `GITHUB_WORKFLOW`         | Workflow filename                     | `ci.yml`            |
 | `GITHUB_JOB`              | Job name                              | `build`             |
 | `GITHUB_RUN_ID`           | Unique run identifier                 | `run-123`           |
+| `COLLECTOR_PUSH_TOKEN`    | Bearer token for push endpoint auth   | —                   |
 | `CGROUP_PROCESS_MAP`      | JSON: process name → container name   | `{"node":"runner"}` |
 | `CGROUP_LIMITS`           | JSON: per-container CPU/memory limits | See below           |
 
@@ -60,32 +61,52 @@ CPU supports Kubernetes notation (`"2"` = 2 cores, `"500m"` = 0.5 cores). Memory
 HTTP service that stores metric summaries in SQLite (via GORM) and exposes a query API.
 
 ```bash
-./receiver --addr=:8080 --db=metrics.db --read-token=my-secret-token
+./receiver --addr=:8080 --db=metrics.db --read-token=my-secret-token --hmac-key=my-hmac-key
 ```
 
 **Flags:**
 
-| Flag           | Environment Variable  | Description                                    | Default      |
-| -------------- | --------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- | ------------ |
-| `--addr`       | —                     | HTTP listen address                            | `:8080`      |
-| `--db`         | —                     | SQLite database path                           | `metrics.db` |
-| `--read-token` | `RECEIVER_READ_TOKEN` | Pre-shared token for read endpoints (optional) | —            |
+| Flag           | Environment Variable  | Description                                           | Default      |
+| -------------- | --------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- | ------------ |
+| `--addr`       | —                     | HTTP listen address                                   | `:8080`      |
+| `--db`         | —                     | SQLite database path                                  | `metrics.db` |
+| `--read-token` | `RECEIVER_READ_TOKEN` | Pre-shared token for read/admin endpoints (required)  | —            |
+| `--hmac-key`   | `RECEIVER_HMAC_KEY`   | Secret key for push token generation/validation (required) | —       |
 
 **Endpoints:**
 
-- `POST /api/v1/metrics` — receive and store a metric summary
-- `GET /api/v1/metrics/repo/{org}/{repo}/{workflow}/{job}` — query stored metrics (protected if `--read-token` is set)
+- `POST /api/v1/metrics` — receive and store a metric summary (requires scoped push token)
+- `POST /api/v1/token` — generate a scoped push token (requires read token auth)
+- `GET /api/v1/metrics/repo/{org}/{repo}/{workflow}/{job}` — query stored metrics (requires read token auth)
 
 **Authentication:**
 
-When `--read-token` is configured, the GET endpoint requires a Bearer token:
+All metrics endpoints require authentication via `--read-token`:
+
+- The GET endpoint requires a Bearer token matching the read token
+- The POST metrics endpoint requires a scoped push token (generated via `POST /api/v1/token`)
+- The token endpoint itself requires the read token
+
+**Token flow:**
 
 ```bash
+# 1. Admin generates a scoped push token using the read token
+curl -X POST http://localhost:8080/api/v1/token \
+  -H "Authorization: Bearer my-secret-token" \
+  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+  -d '{"organization":"my-org","repository":"my-repo","workflow":"ci.yml","job":"build"}'
+# → {"token":"<hex-encoded HMAC>"}
+
+# 2. Collector uses the scoped token to push metrics
+./collector --push-endpoint=http://localhost:8080/api/v1/metrics \
+  --push-token=<token-from-step-1>
+
+# 3. Query metrics with the read token
 curl -H "Authorization: Bearer my-secret-token" \  #gitleaks:allow
-  http://localhost:8080/api/v1/metrics/repo/org/repo/workflow/job
+  http://localhost:8080/api/v1/metrics/repo/my-org/my-repo/ci.yml/build
 ```
 
-If no token is configured, the endpoint remains open.
+Push tokens are HMAC-SHA256 digests derived from `--hmac-key` and the scope (org/repo/workflow/job). They are stateless — no database storage is needed. The HMAC key is separate from the read token so that compromising a push token does not expose the admin credential.
 
 ## How Metrics Are Collected
 
@@ -155,11 +176,28 @@ All memory values are in **bytes**.
 ### Docker Compose
 
 ```bash
-docker compose -f test/docker/docker-compose-stress.yaml up -d
-# Wait for collection, then trigger shutdown summary:
+# Start the receiver (builds image if needed):
+docker compose -f test/docker/docker-compose-stress.yaml up -d --build receiver
+
+# Generate a scoped push token for the collector:
+PUSH_TOKEN=$(curl -s -X POST http://localhost:9080/api/v1/token \
+  -H "Authorization: Bearer dummyreadtoken" \
+  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+  -d '{"organization":"test-org","repository":"test-org/stress-test","workflow":"stress-test-workflow","job":"heavy-workload"}' \
+  | jq -r .token)
+
+# Start the collector and stress workloads with the push token:
+COLLECTOR_PUSH_TOKEN=$PUSH_TOKEN \
+  docker compose -f test/docker/docker-compose-stress.yaml up -d --build collector
+
+# ... Wait for data collection ...
+
+# Trigger shutdown summary:
 docker compose -f test/docker/docker-compose-stress.yaml stop collector
-# Query results:
-curl http://localhost:9080/api/v1/metrics/repo/test-org/test-org%2Fstress-test/stress-test-workflow/heavy-workload
+
+# Query results with the read token:
+curl -H "Authorization: Bearer dummyreadtoken" \
+  http://localhost:9080/api/v1/metrics/repo/test-org/test-org%2Fstress-test/stress-test-workflow/heavy-workload
 ```
 
 ### Local
@@ -168,8 +206,21 @@ curl http://localhost:9080/api/v1/metrics/repo/test-org/test-org%2Fstress-test/s
 go build -o collector ./cmd/collector
 go build -o receiver ./cmd/receiver
 
-./receiver --addr=:8080 --db=metrics.db
-./collector --interval=2s --top=10 --push-endpoint=http://localhost:8080/api/v1/metrics
+# Start receiver with both keys:
+./receiver --addr=:8080 --db=metrics.db \
+  --read-token=my-secret-token --hmac-key=my-hmac-key
+
+# Generate a scoped push token:
+PUSH_TOKEN=$(curl -s -X POST http://localhost:8080/api/v1/token \
+  -H "Authorization: Bearer my-secret-token" \
+  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+  -d '{"organization":"my-org","repository":"my-repo","workflow":"ci.yml","job":"build"}' \
+  | jq -r .token)
+
+# Run collector with the push token:
+./collector --interval=2s --top=10 \
+  --push-endpoint=http://localhost:8080/api/v1/metrics \
+  --push-token=$PUSH_TOKEN
 ```
 
 ## Internal Packages
diff --git a/cmd/collector/main.go b/cmd/collector/main.go
index ec06b9b..7a88a85 100644
--- a/cmd/collector/main.go
+++ b/cmd/collector/main.go
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ func main() {
 	logFormat := flag.String("log-format", defaultLogFormat, "Output format: json, text")
 	topN := flag.Int("top", defaultTopN, "Number of top processes to include")
 	pushEndpoint := flag.String("push-endpoint", "", "HTTP endpoint to push metrics to (e.g., http://localhost:8080/api/v1/metrics)")
+	pushToken := flag.String("push-token", os.Getenv("COLLECTOR_PUSH_TOKEN"), "Bearer token for push endpoint authentication (or set COLLECTOR_PUSH_TOKEN)")
 	flag.Parse()
 
 	// Setup structured logging for application logs
@@ -61,7 +62,7 @@ func main() {
 
 	// Setup push client if endpoint is configured
 	if *pushEndpoint != "" {
-		pushClient := summary.NewPushClient(*pushEndpoint)
+		pushClient := summary.NewPushClient(*pushEndpoint, *pushToken)
 		c.SetPushClient(pushClient)
 		execCtx := pushClient.ExecutionContext()
 		appLogger.Info("push client configured",
diff --git a/cmd/receiver/main.go b/cmd/receiver/main.go
index 21a59d4..1379b53 100644
--- a/cmd/receiver/main.go
+++ b/cmd/receiver/main.go
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ func main() {
 	addr := flag.String("addr", defaultAddr, "HTTP listen address")
 	dbPath := flag.String("db", defaultDBPath, "SQLite database path")
 	readToken := flag.String("read-token", os.Getenv("RECEIVER_READ_TOKEN"), "Pre-shared token for read endpoints (or set RECEIVER_READ_TOKEN)")
+	hmacKey := flag.String("hmac-key", os.Getenv("RECEIVER_HMAC_KEY"), "Secret key for push token generation/validation (or set RECEIVER_HMAC_KEY)")
 	flag.Parse()
 
 	logger := slog.New(slog.NewJSONHandler(os.Stderr, &slog.HandlerOptions{
@@ -36,7 +37,7 @@ func main() {
 	}
 	defer func() { _ = store.Close() }()
 
-	handler := receiver.NewHandler(store, logger, *readToken)
+	handler := receiver.NewHandler(store, logger, *readToken, *hmacKey)
 	mux := http.NewServeMux()
 	handler.RegisterRoutes(mux)
 
diff --git a/internal/integration/integration_test.go b/internal/integration/integration_test.go
index c9dc9a2..685d2b6 100644
--- a/internal/integration/integration_test.go
+++ b/internal/integration/integration_test.go
@@ -18,7 +18,12 @@ import (
 	"edp.buildth.ing/DevFW-CICD/forgejo-runner-resource-collector/internal/summary"
 )
 
-// setupTestReceiver creates a test receiver with SQLite storage and HTTP server
+const (
+	testReadToken = "integration-test-token"
+	testHMACKey   = "integration-hmac-key"
+)
+
+// setupTestReceiver creates a test receiver with SQLite storage, auth, and HTTP server
 func setupTestReceiver(t *testing.T) (*receiver.Store, *httptest.Server, func()) {
 	t.Helper()
 	dbPath := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "test.db")
@@ -27,7 +32,7 @@ func setupTestReceiver(t *testing.T) (*receiver.Store, *httptest.Server, func())
 		t.Fatalf("NewStore() error = %v", err)
 	}
 
-	handler := receiver.NewHandler(store, slog.New(slog.NewTextHandler(io.Discard, nil)), "")
+	handler := receiver.NewHandler(store, slog.New(slog.NewTextHandler(io.Discard, nil)), testReadToken, testHMACKey)
 	mux := http.NewServeMux()
 	handler.RegisterRoutes(mux)
 
@@ -41,6 +46,11 @@ func setupTestReceiver(t *testing.T) (*receiver.Store, *httptest.Server, func())
 	return store, server, cleanup
 }
 
+// generatePushToken generates a scoped push token for an execution context
+func generatePushToken(exec summary.ExecutionContext) string {
+	return receiver.GenerateScopedToken(testHMACKey, exec.Organization, exec.Repository, exec.Workflow, exec.Job)
+}
+
 func TestPushClientToReceiver(t *testing.T) {
 	store, server, cleanup := setupTestReceiver(t)
 	defer cleanup()
@@ -85,10 +95,18 @@ func TestPushClientToReceiver(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("Marshal() error = %v", err)
 	}
 
-	// Send via HTTP client
-	resp, err := http.Post(server.URL+"/api/v1/metrics", "application/json", bytes.NewReader(body))
+	// Send via HTTP client with scoped push token
+	pushToken := generatePushToken(testCtx)
+	req, err := http.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, server.URL+"/api/v1/metrics", bytes.NewReader(body))
 	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("Post() error = %v", err)
+		t.Fatalf("NewRequest() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+	req.Header.Set("Authorization", "Bearer "+pushToken)
+
+	resp, err := http.DefaultClient.Do(req)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Do() error = %v", err)
 	}
 	defer func() { _ = resp.Body.Close() }()
 
@@ -148,8 +166,11 @@ func TestPushClientIntegration(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Setenv("GITHUB_JOB", "push-job")
 	t.Setenv("GITHUB_RUN_ID", "push-run-456")
 
-	// Create push client - it reads from env vars
-	pushClient := summary.NewPushClient(server.URL + "/api/v1/metrics")
+	// Generate scoped push token
+	pushToken := receiver.GenerateScopedToken(testHMACKey, "push-client-org", "push-client-repo", "push-test.yml", "push-job")
+
+	// Create push client with token - it reads execution context from env vars
+	pushClient := summary.NewPushClient(server.URL+"/api/v1/metrics", pushToken)
 
 	// Verify execution context was read from env
 	ctx := pushClient.ExecutionContext()
@@ -194,7 +215,6 @@ func TestMultiplePushes(t *testing.T) {
 	defer cleanup()
 
 	// Simulate multiple workflow runs pushing metrics via direct HTTP POST
-	// This avoids env var manipulation which could cause issues with parallel tests
 	runs := []summary.ExecutionContext{
 		{Organization: "org-a", Repository: "repo-1", Workflow: "ci.yml", Job: "build", RunID: "run-1"},
 		{Organization: "org-a", Repository: "repo-1", Workflow: "ci.yml", Job: "build", RunID: "run-2"},
@@ -219,9 +239,17 @@ func TestMultiplePushes(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Fatalf("Marshal() error = %v", err)
 		}
 
-		resp, err := http.Post(server.URL+"/api/v1/metrics", "application/json", bytes.NewReader(body))
+		pushToken := generatePushToken(execCtx)
+		req, err := http.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, server.URL+"/api/v1/metrics", bytes.NewReader(body))
 		if err != nil {
-			t.Fatalf("Post() error = %v for run %+v", err, execCtx)
+			t.Fatalf("NewRequest() error = %v for run %+v", err, execCtx)
+		}
+		req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+		req.Header.Set("Authorization", "Bearer "+pushToken)
+
+		resp, err := http.DefaultClient.Do(req)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("Do() error = %v for run %+v", err, execCtx)
 		}
 		_ = resp.Body.Close()
 
@@ -247,3 +275,112 @@ func TestMultiplePushes(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("got %d metrics for org-a/repo-1/ci.yml/test, want 1", len(metrics))
 	}
 }
+
+func TestPushClientWithTokenIntegration(t *testing.T) {
+	readToken := "integration-read-secret"
+	hmacKey := "integration-hmac-secret"
+	store, server, cleanup := setupTestReceiverWithToken(t, readToken, hmacKey)
+	defer cleanup()
+
+	// Generate a scoped token via the API
+	tokenReqBody, _ := json.Marshal(map[string]string{
+		"organization": "token-org",
+		"repository":   "token-repo",
+		"workflow":     "ci.yml",
+		"job":          "build",
+	})
+	tokenReq, _ := http.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, server.URL+"/api/v1/token", bytes.NewReader(tokenReqBody))
+	tokenReq.Header.Set("Authorization", "Bearer "+readToken)
+	tokenReq.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+
+	tokenResp, err := http.DefaultClient.Do(tokenReq)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("token request error: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = tokenResp.Body.Close() }()
+
+	if tokenResp.StatusCode != http.StatusOK {
+		t.Fatalf("token request status = %d, want %d", tokenResp.StatusCode, http.StatusOK)
+	}
+
+	var tokenBody struct {
+		Token string `json:"token"`
+	}
+	if err := json.NewDecoder(tokenResp.Body).Decode(&tokenBody); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("decode token response: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Use the scoped token to push metrics
+	t.Setenv("GITHUB_REPOSITORY_OWNER", "token-org")
+	t.Setenv("GITHUB_REPOSITORY", "token-repo")
+	t.Setenv("GITHUB_WORKFLOW", "ci.yml")
+	t.Setenv("GITHUB_JOB", "build")
+	t.Setenv("GITHUB_RUN_ID", "token-run-1")
+
+	pushClient := summary.NewPushClient(server.URL+"/api/v1/metrics", tokenBody.Token)
+
+	testSummary := &summary.RunSummary{
+		StartTime:       time.Now().Add(-10 * time.Second),
+		EndTime:         time.Now(),
+		DurationSeconds: 10.0,
+		SampleCount:     2,
+	}
+
+	if err := pushClient.Push(context.Background(), testSummary); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Push() error = %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Verify stored
+	metrics, err := store.GetMetricsByWorkflowJob("token-org", "token-repo", "ci.yml", "build")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("GetMetricsByWorkflowJob() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if len(metrics) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("got %d metrics, want 1", len(metrics))
+	}
+	if metrics[0].RunID != "token-run-1" {
+		t.Errorf("RunID = %q, want %q", metrics[0].RunID, "token-run-1")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPushClientWithWrongTokenIntegration(t *testing.T) {
+	readToken := "integration-read-secret"
+	hmacKey := "integration-hmac-secret"
+	_, server, cleanup := setupTestReceiverWithToken(t, readToken, hmacKey)
+	defer cleanup()
+
+	t.Setenv("GITHUB_REPOSITORY_OWNER", "token-org")
+	t.Setenv("GITHUB_REPOSITORY", "token-repo")
+	t.Setenv("GITHUB_WORKFLOW", "ci.yml")
+	t.Setenv("GITHUB_JOB", "build")
+	t.Setenv("GITHUB_RUN_ID", "token-run-2")
+
+	pushClient := summary.NewPushClient(server.URL+"/api/v1/metrics", "wrong-token")
+
+	err := pushClient.Push(context.Background(), &summary.RunSummary{SampleCount: 1})
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Error("Push() with wrong token should fail")
+	}
+}
+
+func setupTestReceiverWithToken(t *testing.T, readToken, hmacKey string) (*receiver.Store, *httptest.Server, func()) {
+	t.Helper()
+	dbPath := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "test.db")
+	store, err := receiver.NewStore(dbPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewStore() error = %v", err)
+	}
+
+	handler := receiver.NewHandler(store, slog.New(slog.NewTextHandler(io.Discard, nil)), readToken, hmacKey)
+	mux := http.NewServeMux()
+	handler.RegisterRoutes(mux)
+
+	server := httptest.NewServer(mux)
+
+	cleanup := func() {
+		server.Close()
+		_ = store.Close()
+	}
+
+	return store, server, cleanup
+}
diff --git a/internal/receiver/handler.go b/internal/receiver/handler.go
index ef4bfae..d847f62 100644
--- a/internal/receiver/handler.go
+++ b/internal/receiver/handler.go
@@ -14,28 +14,31 @@ import (
 type Handler struct {
 	store     *Store
 	logger    *slog.Logger
-	readToken string // Pre-shared token for read endpoints (empty = no auth required)
+	readToken string // Pre-shared token for read endpoint authentication
+	hmacKey   string // Separate key for HMAC-based push token generation/validation
 }
 
 // NewHandler creates a new HTTP handler with the given store.
-// If readToken is non-empty, the GET metrics endpoint will require
-// Bearer token authentication.
-func NewHandler(store *Store, logger *slog.Logger, readToken string) *Handler {
-	return &Handler{store: store, logger: logger, readToken: readToken}
+// readToken authenticates read endpoints and the token generation endpoint.
+// hmacKey is the secret used to derive scoped push tokens.
+func NewHandler(store *Store, logger *slog.Logger, readToken, hmacKey string) *Handler {
+	return &Handler{store: store, logger: logger, readToken: readToken, hmacKey: hmacKey}
 }
 
 // RegisterRoutes registers all HTTP routes on the given mux
 func (h *Handler) RegisterRoutes(mux *http.ServeMux) {
 	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/v1/metrics", h.handleReceiveMetrics)
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/v1/token", h.handleGenerateToken)
 	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/v1/metrics/repo/{org}/{repo}/{workflow}/{job}", h.handleGetByWorkflowJob)
 	mux.HandleFunc("GET /health", h.handleHealth)
 }
 
 // validateReadToken checks the Authorization header for a valid Bearer token.
-// Returns true if authentication is disabled (empty readToken) or if the token matches.
 func (h *Handler) validateReadToken(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) bool {
 	if h.readToken == "" {
-		return true
+		h.logger.Warn("no read-token configured, rejecting request", slog.String("path", r.URL.Path))
+		http.Error(w, "authorization required", http.StatusUnauthorized)
+		return false
 	}
 
 	authHeader := r.Header.Get("Authorization")
@@ -62,6 +65,65 @@ func (h *Handler) validateReadToken(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) bool
 	return true
 }
 
+func (h *Handler) handleGenerateToken(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	if h.hmacKey == "" {
+		http.Error(w, "token generation requires a configured HMAC key", http.StatusBadRequest)
+		return
+	}
+
+	if !h.validateReadToken(w, r) {
+		return
+	}
+
+	var req TokenRequest
+	if err := json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&req); err != nil {
+		http.Error(w, "invalid JSON body", http.StatusBadRequest)
+		return
+	}
+
+	if req.Organization == "" || req.Repository == "" || req.Workflow == "" || req.Job == "" {
+		http.Error(w, "organization, repository, workflow, and job are required", http.StatusBadRequest)
+		return
+	}
+
+	token := GenerateScopedToken(h.hmacKey, req.Organization, req.Repository, req.Workflow, req.Job)
+
+	w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+	_ = json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(TokenResponse{Token: token})
+}
+
+// validatePushToken checks push authentication via scoped HMAC token.
+func (h *Handler) validatePushToken(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, exec ExecutionContext) bool {
+	if h.hmacKey == "" {
+		h.logger.Warn("no HMAC key configured, rejecting push", slog.String("path", r.URL.Path))
+		http.Error(w, "authorization required", http.StatusUnauthorized)
+		return false
+	}
+
+	authHeader := r.Header.Get("Authorization")
+	if authHeader == "" {
+		h.logger.Warn("missing push authorization", slog.String("path", r.URL.Path))
+		http.Error(w, "authorization required", http.StatusUnauthorized)
+		return false
+	}
+
+	const bearerPrefix = "Bearer "
+	if !strings.HasPrefix(authHeader, bearerPrefix) {
+		h.logger.Warn("invalid push authorization format", slog.String("path", r.URL.Path))
+		http.Error(w, "invalid authorization format", http.StatusUnauthorized)
+		return false
+	}
+
+	token := strings.TrimPrefix(authHeader, bearerPrefix)
+	if !ValidateScopedToken(h.hmacKey, token, exec.Organization, exec.Repository, exec.Workflow, exec.Job) {
+		h.logger.Warn("invalid push token", slog.String("path", r.URL.Path))
+		http.Error(w, "invalid token", http.StatusUnauthorized)
+		return false
+	}
+
+	return true
+}
+
 func (h *Handler) handleReceiveMetrics(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	var payload MetricsPayload
 	if err := json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&payload); err != nil {
@@ -75,6 +137,10 @@ func (h *Handler) handleReceiveMetrics(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		return
 	}
 
+	if !h.validatePushToken(w, r, payload.Execution) {
+		return
+	}
+
 	id, err := h.store.SaveMetric(&payload)
 	if err != nil {
 		h.logger.Error("failed to save metric", slog.String("error", err.Error()))
diff --git a/internal/receiver/handler_test.go b/internal/receiver/handler_test.go
index 373e1ae..cea58f0 100644
--- a/internal/receiver/handler_test.go
+++ b/internal/receiver/handler_test.go
@@ -14,17 +14,21 @@ import (
 )
 
 func TestHandler_ReceiveMetrics(t *testing.T) {
-	h, cleanup := newTestHandler(t)
+	const readToken = "test-token"
+	h, cleanup := newTestHandlerWithToken(t, readToken)
 	defer cleanup()
 
+	exec := ExecutionContext{
+		Organization: "test-org",
+		Repository:   "test-repo",
+		Workflow:     "ci.yml",
+		Job:          "build",
+		RunID:        "run-123",
+	}
+	pushToken := GenerateScopedToken(readToken, exec.Organization, exec.Repository, exec.Workflow, exec.Job)
+
 	payload := MetricsPayload{
-		Execution: ExecutionContext{
-			Organization: "test-org",
-			Repository:   "test-repo",
-			Workflow:     "ci.yml",
-			Job:          "build",
-			RunID:        "run-123",
-		},
+		Execution: exec,
 		Summary: summary.RunSummary{
 			DurationSeconds: 60.0,
 			SampleCount:     12,
@@ -34,6 +38,7 @@ func TestHandler_ReceiveMetrics(t *testing.T) {
 	body, _ := json.Marshal(payload)
 	req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, "/api/v1/metrics", bytes.NewReader(body))
 	req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+	req.Header.Set("Authorization", "Bearer "+pushToken)
 	rec := httptest.NewRecorder()
 
 	mux := http.NewServeMux()
@@ -99,7 +104,8 @@ func TestHandler_ReceiveMetrics_MissingRunID(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestHandler_GetByWorkflowJob(t *testing.T) {
-	h, cleanup := newTestHandler(t)
+	const readToken = "test-token"
+	h, cleanup := newTestHandlerWithToken(t, readToken)
 	defer cleanup()
 
 	// Save metrics for different workflow/job combinations
@@ -115,6 +121,7 @@ func TestHandler_GetByWorkflowJob(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodGet, "/api/v1/metrics/repo/org-x/repo-y/ci.yml/build", nil)
+	req.Header.Set("Authorization", "Bearer "+readToken)
 	rec := httptest.NewRecorder()
 
 	mux := http.NewServeMux()
@@ -135,10 +142,12 @@ func TestHandler_GetByWorkflowJob(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestHandler_GetByWorkflowJob_NotFound(t *testing.T) {
-	h, cleanup := newTestHandler(t)
+	const readToken = "test-token"
+	h, cleanup := newTestHandlerWithToken(t, readToken)
 	defer cleanup()
 
 	req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodGet, "/api/v1/metrics/repo/org/repo/workflow/job", nil)
+	req.Header.Set("Authorization", "Bearer "+readToken)
 	rec := httptest.NewRecorder()
 
 	mux := http.NewServeMux()
@@ -224,6 +233,212 @@ func TestHandler_Health(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestHandler_GenerateToken(t *testing.T) {
+	h, cleanup := newTestHandlerWithToken(t, "secret-token")
+	defer cleanup()
+
+	body, _ := json.Marshal(TokenRequest{
+		Organization: "org",
+		Repository:   "repo",
+		Workflow:     "ci.yml",
+		Job:          "build",
+	})
+
+	req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, "/api/v1/token", bytes.NewReader(body))
+	req.Header.Set("Authorization", "Bearer secret-token")
+	req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+	rec := httptest.NewRecorder()
+
+	mux := http.NewServeMux()
+	h.RegisterRoutes(mux)
+	mux.ServeHTTP(rec, req)
+
+	if rec.Code != http.StatusOK {
+		t.Fatalf("status = %d, want %d", rec.Code, http.StatusOK)
+	}
+
+	var resp TokenResponse
+	if err := json.NewDecoder(rec.Body).Decode(&resp); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to decode response: %v", err)
+	}
+	if resp.Token == "" {
+		t.Error("expected non-empty token")
+	}
+	if len(resp.Token) != 64 {
+		t.Errorf("token length = %d, want 64", len(resp.Token))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestHandler_GenerateToken_NoAuth(t *testing.T) {
+	h, cleanup := newTestHandlerWithToken(t, "secret-token")
+	defer cleanup()
+
+	body, _ := json.Marshal(TokenRequest{
+		Organization: "org",
+		Repository:   "repo",
+		Workflow:     "ci.yml",
+		Job:          "build",
+	})
+
+	req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, "/api/v1/token", bytes.NewReader(body))
+	rec := httptest.NewRecorder()
+
+	mux := http.NewServeMux()
+	h.RegisterRoutes(mux)
+	mux.ServeHTTP(rec, req)
+
+	if rec.Code != http.StatusUnauthorized {
+		t.Errorf("status = %d, want %d", rec.Code, http.StatusUnauthorized)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestHandler_GenerateToken_MissingFields(t *testing.T) {
+	h, cleanup := newTestHandlerWithToken(t, "secret-token")
+	defer cleanup()
+
+	// Missing job field
+	body, _ := json.Marshal(TokenRequest{
+		Organization: "org",
+		Repository:   "repo",
+		Workflow:     "ci.yml",
+	})
+
+	req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, "/api/v1/token", bytes.NewReader(body))
+	req.Header.Set("Authorization", "Bearer secret-token")
+	req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+	rec := httptest.NewRecorder()
+
+	mux := http.NewServeMux()
+	h.RegisterRoutes(mux)
+	mux.ServeHTTP(rec, req)
+
+	if rec.Code != http.StatusBadRequest {
+		t.Errorf("status = %d, want %d", rec.Code, http.StatusBadRequest)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestHandler_GenerateToken_NoReadToken(t *testing.T) {
+	h, cleanup := newTestHandler(t) // no readToken configured
+	defer cleanup()
+
+	body, _ := json.Marshal(TokenRequest{
+		Organization: "org",
+		Repository:   "repo",
+		Workflow:     "ci.yml",
+		Job:          "build",
+	})
+
+	req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, "/api/v1/token", bytes.NewReader(body))
+	req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+	rec := httptest.NewRecorder()
+
+	mux := http.NewServeMux()
+	h.RegisterRoutes(mux)
+	mux.ServeHTTP(rec, req)
+
+	if rec.Code != http.StatusBadRequest {
+		t.Errorf("status = %d, want %d", rec.Code, http.StatusBadRequest)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestHandler_ReceiveMetrics_WithPushToken(t *testing.T) {
+	readToken := "secret-token"
+	h, cleanup := newTestHandlerWithToken(t, readToken)
+	defer cleanup()
+
+	mux := http.NewServeMux()
+	h.RegisterRoutes(mux)
+
+	exec := ExecutionContext{
+		Organization: "org",
+		Repository:   "repo",
+		Workflow:     "ci.yml",
+		Job:          "build",
+		RunID:        "run-1",
+	}
+
+	validToken := GenerateScopedToken(readToken, exec.Organization, exec.Repository, exec.Workflow, exec.Job)
+	wrongScopeToken := GenerateScopedToken(readToken, "other-org", "repo", "ci.yml", "build")
+
+	tests := []struct {
+		name       string
+		authHeader string
+		wantCode   int
+	}{
+		{"no auth", "", http.StatusUnauthorized},
+		{"wrong token", "Bearer wrong-token", http.StatusUnauthorized},
+		{"wrong scope", "Bearer " + wrongScopeToken, http.StatusUnauthorized},
+		{"valid token", "Bearer " + validToken, http.StatusCreated},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			payload := MetricsPayload{
+				Execution: exec,
+				Summary:   summary.RunSummary{SampleCount: 1},
+			}
+			body, _ := json.Marshal(payload)
+
+			req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, "/api/v1/metrics", bytes.NewReader(body))
+			req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+			if tt.authHeader != "" {
+				req.Header.Set("Authorization", tt.authHeader)
+			}
+			rec := httptest.NewRecorder()
+			mux.ServeHTTP(rec, req)
+
+			if rec.Code != tt.wantCode {
+				t.Errorf("status = %d, want %d", rec.Code, tt.wantCode)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestHandler_ReceiveMetrics_RejectsWhenNoReadToken(t *testing.T) {
+	h, cleanup := newTestHandlerWithToken(t, "") // no readToken configured
+	defer cleanup()
+
+	payload := MetricsPayload{
+		Execution: ExecutionContext{
+			Organization: "org",
+			Repository:   "repo",
+			Workflow:     "ci.yml",
+			Job:          "build",
+			RunID:        "run-1",
+		},
+		Summary: summary.RunSummary{SampleCount: 1},
+	}
+	body, _ := json.Marshal(payload)
+
+	req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, "/api/v1/metrics", bytes.NewReader(body))
+	req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+	rec := httptest.NewRecorder()
+
+	mux := http.NewServeMux()
+	h.RegisterRoutes(mux)
+	mux.ServeHTTP(rec, req)
+
+	if rec.Code != http.StatusUnauthorized {
+		t.Errorf("status = %d, want %d", rec.Code, http.StatusUnauthorized)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestHandler_GetByWorkflowJob_RejectsWhenNoReadToken(t *testing.T) {
+	h, cleanup := newTestHandlerWithToken(t, "") // no readToken configured
+	defer cleanup()
+
+	req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodGet, "/api/v1/metrics/repo/org/repo/ci.yml/build", nil)
+	rec := httptest.NewRecorder()
+
+	mux := http.NewServeMux()
+	h.RegisterRoutes(mux)
+	mux.ServeHTTP(rec, req)
+
+	if rec.Code != http.StatusUnauthorized {
+		t.Errorf("status = %d, want %d", rec.Code, http.StatusUnauthorized)
+	}
+}
+
 func newTestHandler(t *testing.T) (*Handler, func()) {
 	t.Helper()
 	dbPath := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "test.db")
@@ -233,12 +448,17 @@ func newTestHandler(t *testing.T) (*Handler, func()) {
 	}
 
 	logger := slog.New(slog.NewTextHandler(io.Discard, nil))
-	handler := NewHandler(store, logger, "") // no auth token for basic tests
+	handler := NewHandler(store, logger, "", "") // no auth — endpoints will reject
 
 	return handler, func() { _ = store.Close() }
 }
 
-func newTestHandlerWithToken(t *testing.T, token string) (*Handler, func()) {
+func newTestHandlerWithToken(t *testing.T, readToken string) (*Handler, func()) {
+	t.Helper()
+	return newTestHandlerWithKeys(t, readToken, readToken)
+}
+
+func newTestHandlerWithKeys(t *testing.T, readToken, hmacKey string) (*Handler, func()) {
 	t.Helper()
 	dbPath := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "test.db")
 	store, err := NewStore(dbPath)
@@ -247,7 +467,7 @@ func newTestHandlerWithToken(t *testing.T, token string) (*Handler, func()) {
 	}
 
 	logger := slog.New(slog.NewTextHandler(io.Discard, nil))
-	handler := NewHandler(store, logger, token)
+	handler := NewHandler(store, logger, readToken, hmacKey)
 
 	return handler, func() { _ = store.Close() }
 }
diff --git a/internal/receiver/token.go b/internal/receiver/token.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..087546c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/receiver/token.go
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+// ABOUTME: HMAC-SHA256 token generation and validation for scoped push authentication.
+// ABOUTME: Tokens are derived from a key + scope, enabling stateless validation without DB storage.
+package receiver
+
+import (
+	"crypto/hmac"
+	"crypto/sha256"
+	"crypto/subtle"
+	"encoding/hex"
+)
+
+// GenerateScopedToken computes an HMAC-SHA256 token scoped to a specific org/repo/workflow/job.
+// The canonical input is "v1\x00<org>\x00<repo>\x00<workflow>\x00<job>".
+func GenerateScopedToken(key, org, repo, workflow, job string) string {
+	mac := hmac.New(sha256.New, []byte(key))
+	mac.Write([]byte("v1\x00" + org + "\x00" + repo + "\x00" + workflow + "\x00" + job))
+	return hex.EncodeToString(mac.Sum(nil))
+}
+
+// ValidateScopedToken checks whether a token matches the expected HMAC for the given scope.
+// Uses constant-time comparison to prevent timing attacks.
+func ValidateScopedToken(key, token, org, repo, workflow, job string) bool {
+	expected := GenerateScopedToken(key, org, repo, workflow, job)
+	return subtle.ConstantTimeCompare([]byte(token), []byte(expected)) == 1
+}
diff --git a/internal/receiver/token_test.go b/internal/receiver/token_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2140ecd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/receiver/token_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+package receiver
+
+import (
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestGenerateScopedToken_Deterministic(t *testing.T) {
+	token1 := GenerateScopedToken("key", "org", "repo", "wf", "job")
+	token2 := GenerateScopedToken("key", "org", "repo", "wf", "job")
+	if token1 != token2 {
+		t.Errorf("tokens differ: %q vs %q", token1, token2)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestGenerateScopedToken_ScopePinning(t *testing.T) {
+	base := GenerateScopedToken("key", "org", "repo", "wf", "job")
+
+	variants := []struct {
+		name string
+		org  string
+		repo string
+		wf   string
+		job  string
+	}{
+		{"different org", "other-org", "repo", "wf", "job"},
+		{"different repo", "org", "other-repo", "wf", "job"},
+		{"different workflow", "org", "repo", "other-wf", "job"},
+		{"different job", "org", "repo", "wf", "other-job"},
+	}
+
+	for _, v := range variants {
+		t.Run(v.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			token := GenerateScopedToken("key", v.org, v.repo, v.wf, v.job)
+			if token == base {
+				t.Errorf("token for %s should differ from base", v.name)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestGenerateScopedToken_DifferentKeys(t *testing.T) {
+	token1 := GenerateScopedToken("key-a", "org", "repo", "wf", "job")
+	token2 := GenerateScopedToken("key-b", "org", "repo", "wf", "job")
+	if token1 == token2 {
+		t.Error("different keys should produce different tokens")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestGenerateScopedToken_ValidHex(t *testing.T) {
+	token := GenerateScopedToken("key", "org", "repo", "wf", "job")
+	if len(token) != 64 {
+		t.Errorf("token length = %d, want 64", len(token))
+	}
+	if _, err := hex.DecodeString(token); err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("token is not valid hex: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidateScopedToken_Correct(t *testing.T) {
+	token := GenerateScopedToken("key", "org", "repo", "wf", "job")
+	if !ValidateScopedToken("key", token, "org", "repo", "wf", "job") {
+		t.Error("ValidateScopedToken should accept correct token")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidateScopedToken_WrongToken(t *testing.T) {
+	if ValidateScopedToken("key", "deadbeef", "org", "repo", "wf", "job") {
+		t.Error("ValidateScopedToken should reject wrong token")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidateScopedToken_WrongScope(t *testing.T) {
+	token := GenerateScopedToken("key", "org", "repo", "wf", "job")
+	if ValidateScopedToken("key", token, "org", "repo", "wf", "other-job") {
+		t.Error("ValidateScopedToken should reject token for different scope")
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/receiver/types.go b/internal/receiver/types.go
index e11a98d..dbc56e0 100644
--- a/internal/receiver/types.go
+++ b/internal/receiver/types.go
@@ -30,3 +30,16 @@ type StoredMetric struct {
 	ReceivedAt   string
 	Payload      string // JSON-encoded RunSummary
 }
+
+// TokenRequest is the request body for POST /api/v1/token
+type TokenRequest struct {
+	Organization string `json:"organization"`
+	Repository   string `json:"repository"`
+	Workflow     string `json:"workflow"`
+	Job          string `json:"job"`
+}
+
+// TokenResponse is the response body for POST /api/v1/token
+type TokenResponse struct {
+	Token string `json:"token"`
+}
diff --git a/internal/summary/push.go b/internal/summary/push.go
index d01fb5c..b6383db 100644
--- a/internal/summary/push.go
+++ b/internal/summary/push.go
@@ -30,14 +30,17 @@ type MetricsPayload struct {
 // PushClient sends metrics to the receiver service
 type PushClient struct {
 	endpoint string
+	token    string
 	client   *http.Client
 	ctx      ExecutionContext
 }
 
-// NewPushClient creates a new push client configured from environment variables
-func NewPushClient(endpoint string) *PushClient {
+// NewPushClient creates a new push client configured from environment variables.
+// If token is non-empty, it is sent as a Bearer token on each push request.
+func NewPushClient(endpoint, token string) *PushClient {
 	return &PushClient{
 		endpoint: endpoint,
+		token:    token,
 		client: &http.Client{
 			Timeout: 30 * time.Second,
 		},
@@ -86,6 +89,9 @@ func (p *PushClient) Push(ctx context.Context, summary *RunSummary) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("creating request: %w", err)
 	}
 	req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+	if p.token != "" {
+		req.Header.Set("Authorization", "Bearer "+p.token)
+	}
 
 	resp, err := p.client.Do(req)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/internal/summary/push_test.go b/internal/summary/push_test.go
index 58aea9e..552ae68 100644
--- a/internal/summary/push_test.go
+++ b/internal/summary/push_test.go
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ func TestPushClient_Push(t *testing.T) {
 	}))
 	defer server.Close()
 
-	client := NewPushClient(server.URL)
+	client := NewPushClient(server.URL, "")
 	client.ctx = ExecutionContext{
 		Organization: "test-org",
 		Repository:   "test-repo",
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ func TestPushClient_Push(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPushClient_Push_NilSummary(t *testing.T) {
-	client := NewPushClient("http://localhost:9999")
+	client := NewPushClient("http://localhost:9999", "")
 	err := client.Push(context.Background(), nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Errorf("Push(nil) error = %v, want nil", err)
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ func TestPushClient_Push_ServerError(t *testing.T) {
 	}))
 	defer server.Close()
 
-	client := NewPushClient(server.URL)
+	client := NewPushClient(server.URL, "")
 	client.ctx = ExecutionContext{RunID: "test"}
 
 	err := client.Push(context.Background(), &RunSummary{})
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ func TestPushClient_Push_ServerError(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPushClient_Push_ConnectionError(t *testing.T) {
-	client := NewPushClient("http://localhost:1") // Invalid port
+	client := NewPushClient("http://localhost:1", "") // Invalid port
 	client.ctx = ExecutionContext{RunID: "test"}
 
 	err := client.Push(context.Background(), &RunSummary{})
@@ -147,8 +147,48 @@ func TestExecutionContextFromEnv_GiteaFallback(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestPushClient_Push_WithToken(t *testing.T) {
+	var gotAuth string
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		gotAuth = r.Header.Get("Authorization")
+		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusCreated)
+	}))
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	client := NewPushClient(server.URL, "my-token")
+	client.ctx = ExecutionContext{RunID: "test"}
+
+	err := client.Push(context.Background(), &RunSummary{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Push() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if gotAuth != "Bearer my-token" {
+		t.Errorf("Authorization = %q, want %q", gotAuth, "Bearer my-token")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPushClient_Push_WithoutToken(t *testing.T) {
+	var gotAuth string
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		gotAuth = r.Header.Get("Authorization")
+		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusCreated)
+	}))
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	client := NewPushClient(server.URL, "")
+	client.ctx = ExecutionContext{RunID: "test"}
+
+	err := client.Push(context.Background(), &RunSummary{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Push() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if gotAuth != "" {
+		t.Errorf("Authorization = %q, want empty", gotAuth)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestPushClient_ExecutionContext(t *testing.T) {
-	client := NewPushClient("http://example.com")
+	client := NewPushClient("http://example.com", "")
 	client.ctx = ExecutionContext{
 		Organization: "org",
 		Repository:   "repo",
diff --git a/test/docker/docker-compose-stress.yaml b/test/docker/docker-compose-stress.yaml
index 0d560a7..d4a0be0 100644
--- a/test/docker/docker-compose-stress.yaml
+++ b/test/docker/docker-compose-stress.yaml
@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 # Docker Compose stress test with receiver
-# Run with: docker compose -f test/docker/docker-compose-stress.yaml up
+# See README.md "Docker Compose" section for the full token workflow.
 #
 # This test:
-# 1. Starts the metrics receiver
-# 2. Runs heavy CPU/memory workloads in multiple containers with shared PID namespace
-# 3. Collector gathers metrics and pushes summary to receiver on shutdown
+# 1. Starts the metrics receiver (with read-token and hmac-key)
+# 2. You generate a scoped push token via POST /api/v1/token
+# 3. Start the collector with COLLECTOR_PUSH_TOKEN set
+# 4. Runs heavy CPU/memory workloads in multiple containers with shared PID namespace
+# 5. Collector gathers metrics and pushes summary to receiver on shutdown
 #
 # To trigger the push, stop the collector gracefully:
 #   docker compose -f test/docker/docker-compose-stress.yaml stop collector
@@ -20,6 +22,8 @@ services:
       - "9080:8080"
     environment:
       - DB_PATH=/data/metrics.db
+      - RECEIVER_READ_TOKEN=dummyreadtoken
+      - RECEIVER_HMAC_KEY=dummyhmackey
     volumes:
       - receiver-data:/data
     healthcheck:
@@ -98,6 +102,8 @@ services:
       - --log-format=json
       - --push-endpoint=http://receiver:8080/api/v1/metrics
     environment:
+      # Push token — pass via COLLECTOR_PUSH_TOKEN from host env
+      COLLECTOR_PUSH_TOKEN: "${COLLECTOR_PUSH_TOKEN}"
       # Execution context for the receiver
       GITHUB_REPOSITORY_OWNER: "test-org"
       GITHUB_REPOSITORY: "test-org/stress-test"