diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index fb6b002..da8a92b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ env:
   IMAGE_NAME: cartsnitch/cartsnitch
   AUTH_IMAGE_NAME: cartsnitch/auth
   RECEIPTWITNESS_IMAGE_NAME: cartsnitch/receiptwitness
+  API_IMAGE_NAME: cartsnitch/api
 
 jobs:
   lint:
@@ -47,6 +48,18 @@ jobs:
       - name: Run tests
         run: npx vitest run
 
+  audit:
+    runs-on: runners-cartsnitch
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - uses: actions/setup-node@v4
+        with:
+          node-version: "20"
+          cache: npm
+      - run: npm ci
+      - name: Check for vulnerabilities
+        run: npm audit --audit-level=high
+
   e2e:
     runs-on: runners-cartsnitch
     steps:
@@ -59,8 +72,34 @@ jobs:
       - run: npx playwright install --with-deps chromium
       - run: npx playwright test
 
+  lighthouse:
+    runs-on: runners-cartsnitch
+    needs: [test]
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - uses: actions/setup-node@v4
+        with:
+          node-version: "20"
+          cache: npm
+      - run: npm ci
+      - run: npm run build
+      - name: Install Chromium for Lighthouse
+        run: |
+          npm install -g playwright
+          npx playwright install --with-deps chromium
+      - name: Start preview server
+        run: |
+          npm run preview &
+          npx wait-on http://localhost:4173/ --timeout 30000
+      - name: Run Lighthouse CI
+        run: |
+          CHROME_PATH=$(find /home/runner/.cache/ms-playwright -name chrome -type f 2>/dev/null | head -1)
+          npm install -g @lhci/cli
+          CHROME_PATH="$CHROME_PATH" lhci autorun --chrome-flags="--headless=new --no-sandbox --disable-gpu --disable-dev-shm-usage"
+
   build-and-push:
     runs-on: runners-cartsnitch
+    if: github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
     needs: [lint, test, e2e]
     outputs:
       calver_tag: ${{ steps.calver.outputs.version }}
@@ -86,6 +125,13 @@ jobs:
           echo "version=$VERSION" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
           echo "CalVer tag: $VERSION"
 
+      - name: Log in to Docker Hub
+        if: github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
+        uses: docker/login-action@v3
+        with:
+          username: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_USERNAME }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_TOKEN }}
+
       - name: Log in to GHCR
         if: github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
         uses: docker/login-action@v3
@@ -123,6 +169,7 @@ jobs:
 
   build-and-push-auth:
     runs-on: runners-cartsnitch
+    if: github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
     needs: [lint, test, e2e]
     outputs:
       calver_tag: ${{ steps.calver.outputs.version }}
@@ -147,6 +194,13 @@ jobs:
           fi
           echo "version=$VERSION" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
 
+      - name: Log in to Docker Hub
+        if: github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
+        uses: docker/login-action@v3
+        with:
+          username: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_USERNAME }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_TOKEN }}
+
       - name: Log in to GHCR
         if: github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
         uses: docker/login-action@v3
@@ -176,6 +230,7 @@ jobs:
 
   build-and-push-receiptwitness:
     runs-on: runners-cartsnitch
+    if: github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
     needs: [lint, test]
     outputs:
       calver_tag: ${{ steps.calver.outputs.version }}
@@ -195,6 +250,13 @@ jobs:
           else BUILD_NUM=$(echo "$EXISTING" | sed "s/v${DATE_TAG}\.//"); VERSION="${DATE_TAG}.$((BUILD_NUM + 1))"; fi
           echo "version=$VERSION" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
 
+      - name: Log in to Docker Hub
+        if: github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
+        uses: docker/login-action@v3
+        with:
+          username: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_USERNAME }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_TOKEN }}
+
       - name: Log in to GHCR
         if: github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
         uses: docker/login-action@v3
@@ -222,10 +284,66 @@ jobs:
           tags: ${{ steps.meta.outputs.tags }}
           labels: ${{ steps.meta.outputs.labels }}
 
+  build-and-push-api:
+    runs-on: runners-cartsnitch
+    if: github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
+    needs: [lint, test]
+    outputs:
+      calver_tag: ${{ steps.calver.outputs.version }}
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
+
+      - name: Generate CalVer tag
+        id: calver
+        if: github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
+        run: |
+          DATE_TAG=$(date -u +%Y.%m.%d)
+          EXISTING=$(git tag -l "v${DATE_TAG}*" | sort -V | tail -1)
+          if [ -z "$EXISTING" ]; then VERSION="$DATE_TAG"
+          elif [ "$EXISTING" = "v${DATE_TAG}" ]; then VERSION="${DATE_TAG}.2"
+          else BUILD_NUM=$(echo "$EXISTING" | sed "s/v${DATE_TAG}\.//"); VERSION="${DATE_TAG}.$((BUILD_NUM + 1))"; fi
+          echo "version=$VERSION" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+
+      - name: Log in to Docker Hub
+        if: github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
+        uses: docker/login-action@v3
+        with:
+          username: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_USERNAME }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_TOKEN }}
+
+      - name: Log in to GHCR
+        if: github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
+        uses: docker/login-action@v3
+        with:
+          registry: ${{ env.REGISTRY }}
+          username: ${{ github.actor }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+
+      - name: Extract metadata (API)
+        id: meta
+        uses: docker/metadata-action@v5
+        with:
+          images: ${{ env.REGISTRY }}/${{ env.API_IMAGE_NAME }}
+          tags: |
+            type=sha,prefix=sha-
+            type=raw,value=${{ steps.calver.outputs.version }},enable=${{ github.ref == 'refs/heads/main' }}
+            type=raw,value=latest,enable=${{ github.ref == 'refs/heads/main' }}
+
+      - name: Build and push API Docker image
+        uses: docker/build-push-action@v6
+        with:
+          context: .
+          file: ./api/Dockerfile
+          push: ${{ github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main' }}
+          tags: ${{ steps.meta.outputs.tags }}
+          labels: ${{ steps.meta.outputs.labels }}
+
   deploy-dev:
     runs-on: runners-cartsnitch
-    needs: [build-and-push, build-and-push-auth, build-and-push-receiptwitness]
-    if: github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
+    needs: [build-and-push, build-and-push-auth, build-and-push-receiptwitness, build-and-push-api]
+    if: always() && !cancelled() && github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
     steps:
       - name: Generate GitHub App token
         id: app-token
@@ -250,18 +368,35 @@ jobs:
       - name: Install kustomize
         uses: imranismail/setup-kustomize@v2
 
-      - name: Update dev overlay image tags
+      - name: Update frontend image tag
+        if: needs.build-and-push.result == 'success'
         run: |
           cd infra/apps/overlays/dev
           kustomize edit set image ghcr.io/cartsnitch/cartsnitch:${{ needs.build-and-push.outputs.calver_tag }}
+
+      - name: Update auth image tag
+        if: needs.build-and-push-auth.result == 'success'
+        run: |
+          cd infra/apps/overlays/dev
           kustomize edit set image ghcr.io/cartsnitch/auth:${{ needs.build-and-push-auth.outputs.calver_tag }}
+
+      - name: Update receiptwitness image tag
+        if: needs.build-and-push-receiptwitness.result == 'success'
+        run: |
+          cd infra/apps/overlays/dev
           kustomize edit set image ghcr.io/cartsnitch/receiptwitness:${{ needs.build-and-push-receiptwitness.outputs.calver_tag }}
 
+      - name: Update api image tag
+        if: needs.build-and-push-api.result == 'success'
+        run: |
+          cd infra/apps/overlays/dev
+          kustomize edit set image ghcr.io/cartsnitch/api:${{ needs.build-and-push-api.outputs.calver_tag }}
+
       - name: Commit and push to infra
         run: |
           cd infra
           git config user.name "cartsnitch-ci[bot]"
           git config user.email "cartsnitch-ci[bot]@users.noreply.github.com"
           git add apps/overlays/dev/kustomization.yaml
-          git commit -m "ci(dev): update cartsnitch, auth, and receiptwitness images"
+          git commit -m "ci(dev): update cartsnitch, auth, receiptwitness, and api images"
           git push origin main
diff --git a/api/Dockerfile b/api/Dockerfile
index 8eef88d..7c3df44 100644
--- a/api/Dockerfile
+++ b/api/Dockerfile
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+# Stage 1: Build dependencies
+# Build context is the repo root.  Paths below are relative to the root.
 FROM python:3.12-slim AS build
 
 RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends \
@@ -6,18 +8,21 @@ RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends \
     && rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*
 
 WORKDIR /app
-COPY pyproject.toml ./
-COPY src/ ./src/
+COPY api/pyproject.toml ./
+COPY api/src/ ./src/
 RUN pip install --no-cache-dir --prefix=/install .
 
+# Stage 2: Production image
 FROM python:3.12-slim AS prod
 
+RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends libpq5 && rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*
+
 WORKDIR /app
 RUN adduser --system --group --uid 1000 app
 COPY --from=build /install /usr/local
-COPY src/ ./src/
-COPY alembic.ini ./
-COPY alembic/ ./alembic/
+COPY api/src/ ./src/
+COPY api/alembic.ini ./
+COPY api/alembic/ ./alembic/
 
 USER 1000
 EXPOSE 8000
@@ -25,4 +30,4 @@ EXPOSE 8000
 HEALTHCHECK --interval=30s --timeout=3s \
     CMD python -c "import urllib.request; urllib.request.urlopen('http://localhost:8000/health')"
 
-CMD ["uvicorn", "cartsnitch_api.main:app", "--host", "0.0.0.0", "--port", "8000"]
\ No newline at end of file
+CMD ["sh", "-c", "python -m alembic upgrade head && uvicorn cartsnitch_api.main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000"]
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/api/alembic/versions/004_fix_user_id_text.py b/api/alembic/versions/004_fix_user_id_text.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a52bf9d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/api/alembic/versions/004_fix_user_id_text.py
@@ -0,0 +1,122 @@
+"""Fix users.id UUID->text type mismatch for Better-Auth compatibility.
+
+Better-Auth generates nanoid-style text IDs (e.g. pGud2ln2WAFHC0KYjBVKR4Rc7mM8OcTI),
+but the users table was using PostgreSQL uuid type. When Better-Auth tries to INSERT
+a new user, Postgres throws:
+  ERROR: invalid input syntax for type uuid: "pGud2ln2WAFHC0KYjBVKR4Rc7mM8OcTI"
+
+The sessions, accounts, and verifications tables already use text IDs — only users,
+user_store_accounts.user_id, and purchases.user_id needed fixing.
+
+Revision ID: 004_fix_user_id_text
+Revises: 003_make_users_hashed_password_nullable
+Create Date: 2026-03-31
+"""
+
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+from sqlalchemy import text
+
+from alembic import op
+
+revision = "004_fix_user_id_text"
+down_revision = "003_make_users_hashed_password_nullable"
+branch_labels = None
+depends_on = None
+
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    # Step 1: Drop existing FK constraints
+    op.execute(text("ALTER TABLE user_store_accounts DROP CONSTRAINT IF EXISTS user_store_accounts_user_id_fkey"))
+    op.execute(text("ALTER TABLE purchases DROP CONSTRAINT IF EXISTS purchases_user_id_fkey"))
+
+    # Step 2: Alter users.id from uuid to text
+    op.alter_column(
+        "users",
+        "id",
+        type_=sa.Text(),
+        existing_type=sa.UUID(),
+        postgresql_using="id::text",
+    )
+
+    # Step 3: Alter user_store_accounts.user_id from uuid to text
+    op.alter_column(
+        "user_store_accounts",
+        "user_id",
+        type_=sa.Text(),
+        existing_type=sa.UUID(),
+        postgresql_using="user_id::text",
+    )
+
+    # Step 4: Alter purchases.user_id from uuid to text
+    op.alter_column(
+        "purchases",
+        "user_id",
+        type_=sa.Text(),
+        existing_type=sa.UUID(),
+        postgresql_using="user_id::text",
+    )
+
+    # Step 5: Re-add FK constraints
+    op.execute(
+        text(
+            "ALTER TABLE user_store_accounts "
+            "ADD CONSTRAINT user_store_accounts_user_id_fkey "
+            "FOREIGN KEY (user_id) REFERENCES users(id) ON DELETE CASCADE"
+        )
+    )
+    op.execute(
+        text(
+            "ALTER TABLE purchases "
+            "ADD CONSTRAINT purchases_user_id_fkey "
+            "FOREIGN KEY (user_id) REFERENCES users(id) ON DELETE CASCADE"
+        )
+    )
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    # Drop FK constraints
+    op.execute(text("ALTER TABLE user_store_accounts DROP CONSTRAINT IF EXISTS user_store_accounts_user_id_fkey"))
+    op.execute(text("ALTER TABLE purchases DROP CONSTRAINT IF EXISTS purchases_user_id_fkey"))
+
+    # Revert users.id from text to uuid
+    op.alter_column(
+        "users",
+        "id",
+        type_=sa.UUID(),
+        existing_type=sa.Text(),
+        postgresql_using="id::uuid",
+    )
+
+    # Revert user_store_accounts.user_id from text to uuid
+    op.alter_column(
+        "user_store_accounts",
+        "user_id",
+        type_=sa.UUID(),
+        existing_type=sa.Text(),
+        postgresql_using="user_id::uuid",
+    )
+
+    # Revert purchases.user_id from text to uuid
+    op.alter_column(
+        "purchases",
+        "user_id",
+        type_=sa.UUID(),
+        existing_type=sa.Text(),
+        postgresql_using="user_id::uuid",
+    )
+
+    # Re-add FK constraints (PostgreSQL will auto-name them)
+    op.execute(
+        text(
+            "ALTER TABLE user_store_accounts "
+            "ADD CONSTRAINT user_store_accounts_user_id_fkey "
+            "FOREIGN KEY (user_id) REFERENCES users(id) ON DELETE CASCADE"
+        )
+    )
+    op.execute(
+        text(
+            "ALTER TABLE purchases "
+            "ADD CONSTRAINT purchases_user_id_fkey "
+            "FOREIGN KEY (user_id) REFERENCES users(id) ON DELETE CASCADE"
+        )
+    )
diff --git a/api/src/cartsnitch_api/models/purchase.py b/api/src/cartsnitch_api/models/purchase.py
index f57fde9..5a56cba 100644
--- a/api/src/cartsnitch_api/models/purchase.py
+++ b/api/src/cartsnitch_api/models/purchase.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ class Purchase(UUIDPrimaryKeyMixin, TimestampMixin, Base):
 
     __tablename__ = "purchases"
 
-    user_id: Mapped[uuid.UUID] = mapped_column(ForeignKey("users.id"), nullable=False)
+    user_id: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(ForeignKey("users.id"), nullable=False)
     store_id: Mapped[uuid.UUID] = mapped_column(ForeignKey("stores.id"), nullable=False)
     store_location_id: Mapped[uuid.UUID | None] = mapped_column(ForeignKey("store_locations.id"))
     receipt_id: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(String(200), nullable=False)
diff --git a/api/src/cartsnitch_api/models/user.py b/api/src/cartsnitch_api/models/user.py
index 56482b0..2c87644 100644
--- a/api/src/cartsnitch_api/models/user.py
+++ b/api/src/cartsnitch_api/models/user.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import uuid
 from datetime import datetime
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
-from sqlalchemy import DateTime, ForeignKey, String, UniqueConstraint
+from sqlalchemy import DateTime, ForeignKey, String, Text, UniqueConstraint
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column, relationship
 
 from cartsnitch_api.constants import AccountStatus
@@ -16,11 +16,12 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from cartsnitch_api.models.store import Store
 
 
-class User(UUIDPrimaryKeyMixin, TimestampMixin, Base):
+class User(TimestampMixin, Base):
     """Application user."""
 
     __tablename__ = "users"
 
+    id: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(Text, primary_key=True)
     email: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(String(255), nullable=False, unique=True)
     hashed_password: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(String(255), nullable=False)
     display_name: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(String(100))
@@ -36,7 +37,7 @@ class UserStoreAccount(UUIDPrimaryKeyMixin, TimestampMixin, Base):
     __tablename__ = "user_store_accounts"
     __table_args__ = (UniqueConstraint("user_id", "store_id", name="uq_user_store_account"),)
 
-    user_id: Mapped[uuid.UUID] = mapped_column(ForeignKey("users.id"), nullable=False)
+    user_id: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(ForeignKey("users.id"), nullable=False)
     store_id: Mapped[uuid.UUID] = mapped_column(ForeignKey("stores.id"), nullable=False)
     session_data: Mapped[dict | None] = mapped_column(EncryptedJSON)
     session_expires_at: Mapped[datetime | None] = mapped_column(DateTime(timezone=True))
diff --git a/api/src/cartsnitch_api/schemas.py b/api/src/cartsnitch_api/schemas.py
index 1ba727e..6547963 100644
--- a/api/src/cartsnitch_api/schemas.py
+++ b/api/src/cartsnitch_api/schemas.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ class UpdateUserRequest(BaseModel):
 
 
 class UserResponse(BaseModel):
-    id: UUID
+    id: str
     email: str
     display_name: str
     created_at: datetime
diff --git a/auth/src/auth.ts b/auth/src/auth.ts
index 1215cdb..eae43b8 100644
--- a/auth/src/auth.ts
+++ b/auth/src/auth.ts
@@ -36,6 +36,15 @@ export const auth = betterAuth({
   },
 
   session: {
+    modelName: "sessions",
+    fields: {
+      userId: "user_id",
+      expiresAt: "expires_at",
+      ipAddress: "ip_address",
+      userAgent: "user_agent",
+      createdAt: "created_at",
+      updatedAt: "updated_at",
+    },
     expiresIn: 60 * 60 * 24 * 7, // 7 days
     updateAge: 60 * 60 * 24, // refresh after 1 day
     cookieCache: {
diff --git a/e2e/fixtures.ts b/e2e/fixtures.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..07e12e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/e2e/fixtures.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+import { test as base, expect } from "@playwright/test";
+import AxeBuilder from "@axe-core/playwright";
+
+export const test = base.extend<{ axeCheck: void }>({
+  axeCheck: [async ({ page }, use) => {
+    await use();
+    const results = await new AxeBuilder({ page }).analyze();
+    expect(results.violations).toEqual([]);
+  }, { auto: true }],
+});
+
+export { expect } from "@playwright/test";
diff --git a/e2e/journeys/j1-registration-login.spec.ts b/e2e/journeys/j1-registration-login.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ec116ab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/e2e/journeys/j1-registration-login.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+import { test, expect } from '@playwright/test';
+
+const uniqueEmail = () => `betty+e2e-${Date.now()}@cartsnitch.test`;
+
+test.describe('J1: Registration and Login', () => {
+  test('can register a new account and lands on dashboard', async ({ page }) => {
+    await page.goto('/register');
+    await page.fill('[placeholder="Full Name"]', 'Betty Tester');
+    await page.fill('[placeholder="Email"]', uniqueEmail());
+    await page.fill('[placeholder="Password (min. 8 characters)"]', 'TestPass123!');
+    await page.click('button[type="submit"]');
+
+    // With VITE_MOCK_AUTH=true the app navigates to "/" on success
+    await expect(page).toHaveURL('http://localhost:5173/');
+    await expect(page.getByRole('heading', { name: /cart/i })).toBeVisible();
+  });
+
+  test('shows validation error when registration fields are empty', async ({ page }) => {
+    await page.goto('/register');
+    await page.click('button[type="submit"]');
+
+    await expect(page.locator('.bg-red-50')).toContainText('Please fill in all fields');
+  });
+
+  test('can navigate from register to login', async ({ page }) => {
+    await page.goto('/register');
+    await page.getByRole('link', { name: /sign in/i }).click();
+
+    await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/login/);
+    await expect(page.getByRole('heading', { name: /cartsnitch/i })).toBeVisible();
+  });
+
+  test('can sign in with credentials and land on dashboard', async ({ page }) => {
+    // Register first so we have a real account
+    const email = uniqueEmail();
+    await page.goto('/register');
+    await page.fill('[placeholder="Full Name"]', 'Login Betty');
+    await page.fill('[placeholder="Email"]', email);
+    await page.fill('[placeholder="Password (min. 8 characters)"]', 'TestPass123!');
+    await page.click('button[type="submit"]');
+    await expect(page).toHaveURL('http://localhost:5173/');
+
+    // Sign out by clearing the mock session (reload with no session)
+    await page.goto('/');
+    await page.reload();
+
+    // Now sign in
+    await page.goto('/login');
+    await page.fill('[placeholder="Email"]', email);
+    await page.fill('[placeholder="Password"]', 'TestPass123!');
+    await page.click('button[type="submit"]');
+
+    await expect(page).toHaveURL('http://localhost:5173/');
+  });
+
+});
diff --git a/e2e/journeys/j8-unauth-access.spec.ts b/e2e/journeys/j8-unauth-access.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9ed40da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/e2e/journeys/j8-unauth-access.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+import { test, expect } from '@playwright/test';
+
+test.describe('J8: Unauthenticated Access', () => {
+  test('redirects /dashboard (/) to /login when not authenticated', async ({ page }) => {
+    // No session cookie — start fresh
+    await page.context().clearCookies();
+    await page.goto('/');
+
+    await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/login/);
+    await expect(page.getByRole('heading', { name: /cartsnitch/i })).toBeVisible();
+  });
+
+  test('redirects /purchases to /login when not authenticated', async ({ page }) => {
+    await page.context().clearCookies();
+    await page.goto('/purchases');
+
+    await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/login/);
+    await expect(page.getByRole('heading', { name: /cartsnitch/i })).toBeVisible();
+  });
+
+  test('redirects /products to /login when not authenticated', async ({ page }) => {
+    await page.context().clearCookies();
+    await page.goto('/products');
+
+    await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/login/);
+    await expect(page.getByRole('heading', { name: /cartsnitch/i })).toBeVisible();
+  });
+
+  test('redirects /coupons to /login when not authenticated', async ({ page }) => {
+    await page.context().clearCookies();
+    await page.goto('/coupons');
+
+    await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/login/);
+    await expect(page.getByRole('heading', { name: /cartsnitch/i })).toBeVisible();
+  });
+
+  test('shows loading spinner while auth session is pending', async ({ page }) => {
+    // Intercept but don't respond — session stays pending
+    await page.context().clearCookies();
+    await page.request.fetch('/api/auth/session', {
+      method: 'GET',
+    });
+
+    // Just navigate to a protected route — ProtectedRoute will show spinner while session is pending
+    await page.goto('/purchases');
+    // Spinner is visible briefly; once resolved, should redirect to login
+    await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/login/, { timeout: 10_000 });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/e2e/smoke.spec.ts b/e2e/smoke.spec.ts
index 28ec3e1..2819d15 100644
--- a/e2e/smoke.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e/smoke.spec.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
-import { test, expect } from '@playwright/test';
+import { test, expect } from './fixtures';
 
 test('app loads', async ({ page }) => {
   await page.goto('/');
-  await expect(page).toHaveTitle(/CartSnitch/);
+  // Unauthenticated users are redirected to /login
+  await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/login/);
+  await expect(page.getByRole('heading', { name: /CartSnitch/i })).toBeVisible();
 });
diff --git a/lighthouserc.json b/lighthouserc.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f85a377
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lighthouserc.json
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+{
+  "ci": {
+    "collect": {
+      "staticDistDir": "./dist",
+      "url": ["http://localhost:4173/"],
+      "numberOfRuns": 1,
+      "settings": {
+        "chromeFlags": ["--headless=new", "--no-sandbox", "--disable-gpu", "--disable-dev-shm-usage"],
+        "skipAudits": ["bf-cache"],
+        "disableFullPageScreenshot": true
+      }
+    },
+    "assert": {
+      "assertions": {
+        "categories:performance": ["warn", { "minScore": 0.7 }],
+        "categories:accessibility": ["error", { "minScore": 0.9 }],
+        "categories:best-practices": ["warn", { "minScore": 0.8 }]
+      }
+    },
+    "upload": {
+      "target": "temporary-public-storage"
+    }
+  }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 0b14235..04163c5 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
       "dependencies": {
         "@tanstack/react-query": "^5.0.0",
         "better-auth": "^1.2.0",
+        "picomatch": "4.0.4",
         "react": "^18.3.1",
         "react-dom": "^18.3.1",
         "react-router-dom": "^7.0.0",
@@ -17,21 +18,23 @@
         "zustand": "^5.0.0"
       },
       "devDependencies": {
+        "@axe-core/playwright": "^4.10.0",
         "@eslint/js": "^9.39.4",
-        "@playwright/test": "^1.49.0",
+        "@playwright/test": "^1.58.2",
         "@tailwindcss/vite": "^4.0.0",
         "@testing-library/jest-dom": "^6.6.3",
         "@testing-library/react": "^16.3.2",
         "@types/node": "^24.12.0",
         "@types/react": "^18.3.28",
         "@types/react-dom": "^18.3.7",
-        "@vitejs/plugin-react": "^4.5.2",
+        "@vitejs/plugin-react": "^4.7.0",
         "eslint": "^9.39.4",
         "eslint-plugin-react-hooks": "^7.0.1",
         "eslint-plugin-react-refresh": "^0.5.2",
         "globals": "^17.4.0",
         "jsdom": "^25.0.1",
         "msw": "^2.12.14",
+        "playwright": "^1.58.2",
         "tailwindcss": "^4.0.0",
         "typescript": "^5.7.3",
         "typescript-eslint": "^8.56.1",
@@ -68,6 +71,19 @@
       "devOptional": true,
       "license": "ISC"
     },
+    "node_modules/@axe-core/playwright": {
+      "version": "4.11.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@axe-core/playwright/-/playwright-4.11.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-mKEfoUIB1MkVTht0BGZFXtSAEKXMJoDkyV5YZ9jbBmZCcWDz71tegNsdTkIN8zc/yMi5Gm2kx7Z5YQ9PfWNAWw==",
+      "dev": true,
+      "license": "MPL-2.0",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "axe-core": "~4.11.1"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "playwright-core": ">= 1.0.0"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/@babel/code-frame": {
       "version": "7.29.0",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@babel/code-frame/-/code-frame-7.29.0.tgz",
@@ -4492,6 +4508,16 @@
         "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/ljharb"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/axe-core": {
+      "version": "4.11.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/axe-core/-/axe-core-4.11.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-BASOg+YwO2C+346x3LZOeoovTIoTrRqEsqMa6fmfAV0P+U9mFr9NsyOEpiYvFjbc64NMrSswhV50WdXzdb/Z5A==",
+      "dev": true,
+      "license": "MPL-2.0",
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=4"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/babel-plugin-polyfill-corejs2": {
       "version": "0.4.16",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/babel-plugin-polyfill-corejs2/-/babel-plugin-polyfill-corejs2-0.4.16.tgz",
@@ -6052,9 +6078,9 @@
       }
     },
     "node_modules/flatted": {
-      "version": "3.4.1",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/flatted/-/flatted-3.4.1.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-IxfVbRFVlV8V/yRaGzk0UVIcsKKHMSfYw66T/u4nTwlWteQePsxe//LjudR1AMX4tZW3WFCh3Zqa/sjlqpbURQ==",
+      "version": "3.4.2",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/flatted/-/flatted-3.4.2.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-PjDse7RzhcPkIJwy5t7KPWQSZ9cAbzQXcafsetQoD7sOJRQlGikNbx7yZp2OotDnJyrDcbyRq3Ttb18iYOqkxA==",
       "dev": true,
       "license": "ISC"
     },
@@ -8177,10 +8203,9 @@
       "license": "ISC"
     },
     "node_modules/picomatch": {
-      "version": "4.0.3",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/picomatch/-/picomatch-4.0.3.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-5gTmgEY/sqK6gFXLIsQNH19lWb4ebPDLA4SdLP7dsWkIXHWlG66oPuVvXSGFPppYZz8ZDZq0dYYrbHfBCVUb1Q==",
-      "devOptional": true,
+      "version": "4.0.4",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/picomatch/-/picomatch-4.0.4.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-QP88BAKvMam/3NxH6vj2o21R6MjxZUAd6nlwAS/pnGvN9IVLocLHxGYIzFhg6fUQ+5th6P4dv4eW9jX3DSIj7A==",
       "license": "MIT",
       "engines": {
         "node": ">=12"
@@ -8338,16 +8363,6 @@
         "node": ">=6"
       }
     },
-    "node_modules/randombytes": {
-      "version": "2.1.0",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/randombytes/-/randombytes-2.1.0.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-vYl3iOX+4CKUWuxGi9Ukhie6fsqXqS9FE2Zaic4tNFD2N2QQaXOMFbuKK4QmDHC0JO6B1Zp41J0LpT0oR68amQ==",
-      "dev": true,
-      "license": "MIT",
-      "dependencies": {
-        "safe-buffer": "^5.1.0"
-      }
-    },
     "node_modules/react": {
       "version": "18.3.1",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/react/-/react-18.3.1.tgz",
@@ -8754,27 +8769,6 @@
         "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/ljharb"
       }
     },
-    "node_modules/safe-buffer": {
-      "version": "5.2.1",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/safe-buffer/-/safe-buffer-5.2.1.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-rp3So07KcdmmKbGvgaNxQSJr7bGVSVk5S9Eq1F+ppbRo70+YeaDxkw5Dd8NPN+GD6bjnYm2VuPuCXmpuYvmCXQ==",
-      "dev": true,
-      "funding": [
-        {
-          "type": "github",
-          "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/feross"
-        },
-        {
-          "type": "patreon",
-          "url": "https://www.patreon.com/feross"
-        },
-        {
-          "type": "consulting",
-          "url": "https://feross.org/support"
-        }
-      ],
-      "license": "MIT"
-    },
     "node_modules/safe-push-apply": {
       "version": "1.0.0",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/safe-push-apply/-/safe-push-apply-1.0.0.tgz",
@@ -8850,13 +8844,13 @@
       }
     },
     "node_modules/serialize-javascript": {
-      "version": "6.0.2",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/serialize-javascript/-/serialize-javascript-6.0.2.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-Saa1xPByTTq2gdeFZYLLo+RFE35NHZkAbqZeWNd3BpzppeVisAqpDjcp8dyf6uIvEqJRd46jemmyA4iFIeVk8g==",
+      "version": "7.0.5",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/serialize-javascript/-/serialize-javascript-7.0.5.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-F4LcB0UqUl1zErq+1nYEEzSHJnIwb3AF2XWB94b+afhrekOUijwooAYqFyRbjYkm2PAKBabx6oYv/xDxNi8IBw==",
       "dev": true,
       "license": "BSD-3-Clause",
-      "dependencies": {
-        "randombytes": "^2.1.0"
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=20.0.0"
       }
     },
     "node_modules/set-cookie-parser": {
@@ -10446,31 +10440,6 @@
         "rollup": "^1.20.0 || ^2.0.0"
       }
     },
-    "node_modules/workbox-build/node_modules/@rollup/pluginutils": {
-      "version": "3.1.0",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@rollup/pluginutils/-/pluginutils-3.1.0.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-GksZ6pr6TpIjHm8h9lSQ8pi8BE9VeubNT0OMJ3B5uZJ8pz73NPiqOtCog/x2/QzM1ENChPKxMDhiQuRHsqc+lg==",
-      "dev": true,
-      "license": "MIT",
-      "dependencies": {
-        "@types/estree": "0.0.39",
-        "estree-walker": "^1.0.1",
-        "picomatch": "^2.2.2"
-      },
-      "engines": {
-        "node": ">= 8.0.0"
-      },
-      "peerDependencies": {
-        "rollup": "^1.20.0||^2.0.0"
-      }
-    },
-    "node_modules/workbox-build/node_modules/@types/estree": {
-      "version": "0.0.39",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@types/estree/-/estree-0.0.39.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-EYNwp3bU+98cpU4lAWYYL7Zz+2gryWH1qbdDTidVd6hkiR6weksdbMadyXKXNPEkQFhXM+hVO9ZygomHXp+AIw==",
-      "dev": true,
-      "license": "MIT"
-    },
     "node_modules/workbox-build/node_modules/ajv": {
       "version": "8.18.0",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/ajv/-/ajv-8.18.0.tgz",
@@ -10488,13 +10457,6 @@
         "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/epoberezkin"
       }
     },
-    "node_modules/workbox-build/node_modules/estree-walker": {
-      "version": "1.0.1",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/estree-walker/-/estree-walker-1.0.1.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-1fMXF3YP4pZZVozF8j/ZLfvnR8NSIljt56UhbZ5PeeDmmGHpgpdwQt7ITlGvYaQukCvuBRMLEiKiYC+oeIg4cg==",
-      "dev": true,
-      "license": "MIT"
-    },
     "node_modules/workbox-build/node_modules/json-schema-traverse": {
       "version": "1.0.0",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/json-schema-traverse/-/json-schema-traverse-1.0.0.tgz",
@@ -10512,19 +10474,6 @@
         "sourcemap-codec": "^1.4.8"
       }
     },
-    "node_modules/workbox-build/node_modules/picomatch": {
-      "version": "2.3.1",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/picomatch/-/picomatch-2.3.1.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-JU3teHTNjmE2VCGFzuY8EXzCDVwEqB2a8fsIvwaStHhAWJEeVd1o1QD80CU6+ZdEXXSLbSsuLwJjkCBWqRQUVA==",
-      "dev": true,
-      "license": "MIT",
-      "engines": {
-        "node": ">=8.6"
-      },
-      "funding": {
-        "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/jonschlinkert"
-      }
-    },
     "node_modules/workbox-build/node_modules/pretty-bytes": {
       "version": "5.6.0",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/pretty-bytes/-/pretty-bytes-5.6.0.tgz",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index ef2cea6..6f11531 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
   "dependencies": {
     "@tanstack/react-query": "^5.0.0",
     "better-auth": "^1.2.0",
+    "picomatch": "4.0.4",
     "react": "^18.3.1",
     "react-dom": "^18.3.1",
     "react-router-dom": "^7.0.0",
@@ -22,26 +23,33 @@
     "zustand": "^5.0.0"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
+    "@axe-core/playwright": "^4.10.0",
     "@eslint/js": "^9.39.4",
+    "@playwright/test": "^1.58.2",
     "@tailwindcss/vite": "^4.0.0",
     "@testing-library/jest-dom": "^6.6.3",
     "@testing-library/react": "^16.3.2",
     "@types/node": "^24.12.0",
     "@types/react": "^18.3.28",
     "@types/react-dom": "^18.3.7",
-    "@vitejs/plugin-react": "^4.5.2",
+    "@vitejs/plugin-react": "^4.7.0",
     "eslint": "^9.39.4",
     "eslint-plugin-react-hooks": "^7.0.1",
     "eslint-plugin-react-refresh": "^0.5.2",
-    "@playwright/test": "^1.49.0",
     "globals": "^17.4.0",
     "jsdom": "^25.0.1",
     "msw": "^2.12.14",
+    "playwright": "^1.58.2",
     "tailwindcss": "^4.0.0",
     "typescript": "^5.7.3",
     "typescript-eslint": "^8.56.1",
     "vite": "^6.3.5",
     "vite-plugin-pwa": "^0.21.2",
     "vitest": "^3.2.4"
+  },
+  "overrides": {
+    "@rollup/pluginutils": "5.3.0",
+    "flatted": "^3.4.2",
+    "serialize-javascript": "7.0.5"
   }
 }
diff --git a/playwright.config.ts b/playwright.config.ts
index a2d7b0b..b22d74a 100644
--- a/playwright.config.ts
+++ b/playwright.config.ts
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ export default defineConfig({
     },
   ],
   webServer: {
-    command: 'npm run dev',
+    command: 'VITE_MOCK_AUTH=true npm run dev',
     url: 'http://localhost:5173',
     reuseExistingServer: !process.env.CI,
   },
diff --git a/public/robots.txt b/public/robots.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f1384ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/public/robots.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+User-agent: *
+Allow: /
+
+Sitemap: https://cartsnitch.com/sitemap.xml
diff --git a/src/App.test.tsx b/src/App.test.tsx
index 27e040d..4eeddd3 100644
--- a/src/App.test.tsx
+++ b/src/App.test.tsx
@@ -1,23 +1,17 @@
-import { render, screen } from '@testing-library/react'
-import { describe, it, expect, vi } from 'vitest'
-import App from './App.tsx'
-
-vi.mock('./lib/auth-client.ts', () => ({
-  authClient: {
-    useSession: () => ({ data: null, isPending: false }),
-  },
-}))
-
-describe('App', () => {
-  it('renders the dashboard on the root route', () => {
-    render(<App />)
-    expect(screen.getByText('CartSnitch')).toBeInTheDocument()
-  })
-
-  it('renders the bottom navigation', () => {
-    render(<App />)
-    expect(screen.getByText('Home')).toBeInTheDocument()
-    expect(screen.getByText('Purchases')).toBeInTheDocument()
-    expect(screen.getByText('Products')).toBeInTheDocument()
-  })
-})
+import { render, screen } from '@testing-library/react'
+import { describe, it, expect, vi } from 'vitest'
+import App from './App.tsx'
+
+vi.mock('./lib/auth-client.ts', () => ({
+  authClient: {
+    useSession: () => ({ data: null, isPending: false }),
+  },
+}))
+
+describe('App', () => {
+  it('redirects unauthenticated users to login', () => {
+    render(<App />)
+    expect(screen.getByText('CartSnitch')).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /sign in/i })).toBeInTheDocument()
+  })
+})
diff --git a/src/App.tsx b/src/App.tsx
index bfd515a..ee4c2dc 100644
--- a/src/App.tsx
+++ b/src/App.tsx
@@ -31,8 +31,8 @@ export default function App() {
       <BrowserRouter>
         <Routes>
           <Route element={<Layout />}>
-            <Route index element={<Dashboard />} />
             <Route element={<ProtectedRoute />}>
+              <Route index element={<Dashboard />} />
               <Route path="purchases" element={<Purchases />} />
               <Route path="purchases/:id" element={<PurchaseDetail />} />
               <Route path="products" element={<Products />} />
diff --git a/src/components/ProtectedRoute.tsx b/src/components/ProtectedRoute.tsx
index 6c3df87..cf92831 100644
--- a/src/components/ProtectedRoute.tsx
+++ b/src/components/ProtectedRoute.tsx
@@ -4,12 +4,22 @@ import { authClient } from '../lib/auth-client.ts'
 import { useAuthStore } from '../stores/auth.ts'
 
 export function ProtectedRoute() {
+  const isMockAuth = import.meta.env.VITE_MOCK_AUTH === 'true'
   const { data: session, isPending } = authClient.useSession()
+  const isAuthenticated = useAuthStore((s) => s.isAuthenticated)
   const setAuthenticated = useAuthStore((s) => s.setAuthenticated)
 
   useEffect(() => {
-    setAuthenticated(!!session)
-  }, [session, setAuthenticated])
+    if (!isMockAuth) {
+      setAuthenticated(!!session)
+    }
+  }, [session, setAuthenticated, isMockAuth])
+
+  // In mock auth mode, rely on Zustand store (set by Login/Register pages)
+  if (isMockAuth) {
+    if (!isAuthenticated) return <Navigate to="/login" replace />
+    return <Outlet />
+  }
 
   if (isPending) {
     return (
diff --git a/src/pages/Dashboard.tsx b/src/pages/Dashboard.tsx
index d1e885f..d7c2b9a 100644
--- a/src/pages/Dashboard.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/Dashboard.tsx
@@ -173,6 +173,7 @@ function AuthenticatedDashboard({ userName }: { userName: string }) {
 function DashboardSkeleton() {
   return (
     <div className="animate-pulse">
+      <h1 className="sr-only">Loading CartSnitch…</h1>
       <div className="h-8 w-40 rounded bg-gray-200" />
       <div className="mt-4 grid grid-cols-2 gap-3">
         <div className="h-24 rounded-xl bg-gray-200" />
diff --git a/src/pages/Login.tsx b/src/pages/Login.tsx
index 214dcd4..ae7fc0c 100644
--- a/src/pages/Login.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/Login.tsx
@@ -31,8 +31,14 @@ export function Login() {
         throw new Error(authError.message ?? 'Sign in failed')
       }
 
-      setAuthenticated(true)
-      navigate('/')
+      // After successful signIn, force a session fetch to confirm the cookie is set
+      // before navigating to the protected route
+      const sessionResult = await authClient.getSession()
+      if (sessionResult.data) {
+        navigate('/')
+      } else {
+        setError('Sign in failed. Please try again.')
+      }
     } catch {
       if (import.meta.env.VITE_MOCK_AUTH === 'true') {
         setAuthenticated(true)
@@ -46,7 +52,7 @@ export function Login() {
   }
 
   return (
-    <div className="flex min-h-screen flex-col items-center justify-center px-4">
+    <main className="flex min-h-screen flex-col items-center justify-center px-4">
       <h1 className="mb-2 text-3xl font-bold text-gray-900">CartSnitch</h1>
       <p className="mb-8 text-sm text-gray-500">Track prices. Save money.</p>
 
@@ -88,10 +94,10 @@ export function Login() {
 
       <p className="mt-6 text-sm text-gray-500">
         Don't have an account?{' '}
-        <Link to="/register" className="text-brand-blue">
+        <Link to="/register" className="text-brand-blue underline">
           Sign up
         </Link>
       </p>
-    </div>
+    </main>
   )
 }
diff --git a/src/pages/Register.tsx b/src/pages/Register.tsx
index a65e7b6..c75e2d6 100644
--- a/src/pages/Register.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/Register.tsx
@@ -38,8 +38,15 @@ export function Register() {
         throw new Error(authError.message ?? 'Registration failed')
       }
 
-      setAuthenticated(true)
-      navigate('/')
+      // After successful signUp, force a session fetch to confirm the cookie is set
+      // before navigating to the protected route
+      const sessionResult = await authClient.getSession()
+      if (sessionResult.data) {
+        navigate('/')
+      } else {
+        // Session not established — show success message and link to login
+        setError('Account created! Please sign in.')
+      }
     } catch {
       if (import.meta.env.VITE_MOCK_AUTH === 'true') {
         setAuthenticated(true)