diff --git a/src/adapters/ipfs/ipfs.js b/src/adapters/ipfs/ipfs.js
index bcdfac9..9ec6d04 100644
--- a/src/adapters/ipfs/ipfs.js
+++ b/src/adapters/ipfs/ipfs.js
@@ -158,6 +158,26 @@ class IpfsAdapter {
         console.log('Helia (IPFS) node IS NOT configured as Circuit Relay')
       }
 
+      // Configure transports
+      let transports
+      if (process.env.CONNECT_PREF === 'direct') {
+        transports = [
+          tcp(),
+          webSockets(),
+          webRTC()
+        ]
+      } else {
+        transports = [
+          tcp(),
+          webSockets(),
+          circuitRelayTransport({
+            discoverRelays: 3,
+            reservationConcurrency: 3
+          }),
+          webRTC()
+        ]
+      }
+
       // libp2p is the networking layer that underpins Helia
       const libp2p = await this.createLibp2p({
         peerId,
@@ -170,15 +190,7 @@ class IpfsAdapter {
             '/webrtc'
           ]
         },
-        transports: [
-          tcp(),
-          webSockets(),
-          circuitRelayTransport({
-            discoverRelays: 3,
-            reservationConcurrency: 3
-          }),
-          webRTC()
-        ],
+        transports,
         connectionEncryption: [
           noise()
         ],