diff --git a/src/lock-ops.mjs b/src/lock-ops.mjs
index 65a944e..405e483 100644
--- a/src/lock-ops.mjs
+++ b/src/lock-ops.mjs
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ function filterActiveLocks(locks) {
   return locks.filter((lock) => !lock.expiresAt || lock.expiresAt > now);
 }
 
+
 /**
  * Queries relays for active lock events matching the criteria.
  * Uses a tiered approach: tries primary relays first, then falls back to others if needed.
diff --git a/src/lock-publisher.mjs b/src/lock-publisher.mjs
index a17d501..d706fde 100644
--- a/src/lock-publisher.mjs
+++ b/src/lock-publisher.mjs
@@ -6,19 +6,9 @@ import {
   getRelayFallbacks,
   getMinActiveRelayPool,
 } from './torch-config.mjs';
-import { randomInt } from 'node:crypto';
+import { mergeRelayList, relayListLabel } from './utils.mjs';
 import { defaultHealthManager, buildRelayHealthConfig } from './relay-health-manager.mjs';
-import { relayListLabel, mergeRelayList } from './utils.mjs';
-
-function withTimeout(promise, timeoutMs, timeoutMessage) {
-  let timeoutHandle;
-  const timeoutPromise = new Promise((_, reject) => {
-    timeoutHandle = setTimeout(() => reject(new Error(timeoutMessage)), timeoutMs);
-  });
-  return Promise.race([promise, timeoutPromise]).finally(() => {
-    if (timeoutHandle) clearTimeout(timeoutHandle);
-  });
-}
+import { withTimeout, secureRandom } from './lock-utils.mjs';
 
 const PUBLISH_ERROR_CODES = {
   TIMEOUT: 'publish_timeout',
@@ -111,12 +101,6 @@ function isTransientPublishCategory(category) {
   ].includes(category);
 }
 
-const MAX_RANDOM = 281474976710655; // 2**48 - 1
-
-export function secureRandom() {
-  return randomInt(0, MAX_RANDOM) / MAX_RANDOM;
-}
-
 function calculateBackoffDelayMs(attemptNumber, baseMs, capMs, randomFn = secureRandom) {
   const maxDelay = Math.min(capMs, baseMs * (2 ** Math.max(0, attemptNumber - 1)));
   return Math.floor(randomFn() * maxDelay);
diff --git a/src/lock-utils.mjs b/src/lock-utils.mjs
index 293d5bb..974cc06 100644
--- a/src/lock-utils.mjs
+++ b/src/lock-utils.mjs
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import path from 'node:path';
 import { randomInt } from 'node:crypto';
 import { todayDateStr, getIsoWeekStr } from './utils.mjs';
 
-export { relayListLabel, withTimeout, mergeRelayList } from './utils.mjs';
+export { relayListLabel, mergeRelayList } from './utils.mjs';
 
 /**
  * Scans the local log directory to identify agents that have already completed their task
@@ -61,10 +61,6 @@ export function withTimeout(promise, timeoutMs, timeoutMessage) {
   });
 }
 
-export function mergeRelayList(primaryRelays, fallbackRelays) {
-  return [...new Set([...primaryRelays, ...fallbackRelays])];
-}
-
 const MAX_RANDOM = 281474976710655; // 2**48 - 1
 
 export function secureRandom() {
diff --git a/test/verify-example-config-security.test.mjs b/test/verify-example-config-security.test.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fffd5b2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/verify-example-config-security.test.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+import test from 'node:test';
+import assert from 'node:assert';
+import fs from 'node:fs';
+import path from 'node:path';
+
+test('torch-config.example.json Security', () => {
+  const configPath = path.resolve('torch-config.example.json');
+  const content = fs.readFileSync(configPath, 'utf8');
+  const config = JSON.parse(content);
+
+  if (config.dashboard) {
+      assert.strictEqual(config.dashboard.auth, undefined, 'Example config should not contain auth field');
+  }
+});
diff --git a/torch-config.example.json b/torch-config.example.json
index aafd0bf..df7ea44 100644
--- a/torch-config.example.json
+++ b/torch-config.example.json
@@ -18,8 +18,7 @@
   },
   "dashboard": {
     "defaultCadenceView": "daily",
-    "defaultStatusView": "active",
-    "auth": "admin:password"
+    "defaultStatusView": "active"
   },
   "scheduler": {
     "firstPromptByCadence": {