diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index 97b00b4..296169a 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -1,12 +1,14 @@
 # Flask Configuration
 SECRET_KEY=your-secret-key-here
 
-# Email Configuration (for sending resume links)
-MAIL_SERVER=smtp.gmail.com
-MAIL_PORT=587
-MAIL_USE_TLS=True
-MAIL_USERNAME=your-email@example.com
-MAIL_PASSWORD=your-app-password-here
+# Email Configuration (defaults to mailcatcher for development)
+# For mailcatcher: use defaults (localhost:1025, no auth)
+# For production: uncomment and configure real SMTP server
+#MAIL_SERVER=smtp.gmail.com
+#MAIL_PORT=587
+#MAIL_USE_TLS=True
+#MAIL_USERNAME=your-email@example.com
+#MAIL_PASSWORD=your-app-password-here
 MAIL_DEFAULT_SENDER=noreply@example.com
 
 # Company Settings
diff --git a/config.py b/config.py
index a830778..3d92264 100644
--- a/config.py
+++ b/config.py
@@ -10,10 +10,10 @@ class Config:
     # Flask settings
     SECRET_KEY = os.getenv('SECRET_KEY', 'dev-secret-key-change-in-production')
 
-    # Email settings
-    MAIL_SERVER = os.getenv('MAIL_SERVER', 'smtp.gmail.com')
-    MAIL_PORT = int(os.getenv('MAIL_PORT', 587))
-    MAIL_USE_TLS = os.getenv('MAIL_USE_TLS', 'True') == 'True'
+    # Email settings (defaults configured for mailcatcher)
+    MAIL_SERVER = os.getenv('MAIL_SERVER', 'localhost')
+    MAIL_PORT = int(os.getenv('MAIL_PORT', 1025))
+    MAIL_USE_TLS = os.getenv('MAIL_USE_TLS', 'False') == 'True'
     MAIL_USERNAME = os.getenv('MAIL_USERNAME')
     MAIL_PASSWORD = os.getenv('MAIL_PASSWORD')
     MAIL_DEFAULT_SENDER = os.getenv('MAIL_DEFAULT_SENDER', 'noreply@example.com')
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ class Config:
     COMPANY_NAME = os.getenv('COMPANY_NAME', 'Unser Unternehmen')
 
     # HR notification settings
-    HR_EMAIL = os.getenv('HR_EMAIL')
+    HR_EMAIL = os.getenv('HR_EMAIL', 'hr@example.com')
     APPLICATION_URL_BASE = os.getenv('APPLICATION_URL_BASE', 'http://localhost:5000')
 
     # Application settings