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+# Seed Strategy Runbook
+
+This document describes the GroomBook seeding system across environments.
+
+## Environment Profiles
+
+| Profile | Staff | Clients | Invoices | Appointment Window | Auth |
+|---------|-------|---------|----------|-------------------|------|
+| `dev`   | 4 (1 manager, 1 receptionist, 2 groomers) | ~100 | ~1,000 | 7 days back / 30 days forward | Disabled |
+| `uat`   | 8 (1 manager, 1 receptionist, 3 groomers, 3 bathers) | ~500 | ~4,000 | 30 days back / 90 days forward | Enabled |
+| `demo`  | 8 (1 manager, 1 receptionist, 3 groomers, 3 bathers) | ~500 | ~4,000 | 30 days back / 90 days forward | Enabled, OOBE enabled |
+
+## Seed Script Environment Variables
+
+| Variable | Values | Effect |
+|----------|--------|--------|
+| `SEED_PROFILE` | `dev`, `uat`, `demo` | Selects data volume profile (see above). Defaults to `uat` if unset. |
+| `SEED_KNOWN_USERS_ONLY` | `true` | Minimal prod/demo seed with demo users only. Overrides `SEED_PROFILE`. |
+| `SEED_ADMIN_EMAIL` | email address | Creates an admin staff account with the given email. |
+| `SEED_ADMIN_NAME` | name | Display name for admin account. Defaults to "Admin". |
+
+## Re-seeding Environments
+
+### Dev
+
+```bash
+# Run seed job manually
+kubectl -n groombook-dev exec -it deploy/groombook-api -- \
+  sh -c 'DATABASE_URL=$DATABASE_URL SEED_PROFILE=dev npm run db:seed'
+```
+
+Dev uses `AUTH_DISABLED=true` and accepts the `X-Dev-User-Id` header for staff impersonation.
+
+### UAT
+
+```bash
+# Run seed job manually
+kubectl -n groombook-uat exec -it deploy/groombook-api -- \
+  sh -c 'DATABASE_URL=$DATABASE_URL SEED_PROFILE=uat npm run db:seed'
+```
+
+UAT uses Authentik OIDC. See Authentik UAT Personas below.
+
+### Demo (Production-like)
+
+Demo uses the same data volume as UAT but with `SEED_KNOWN_USERS_ONLY=true` or is provisioned via the standard seed with OOBE enabled.
+
+```bash
+# Trigger seed CronJob
+kubectl -n groombook cronjob trigger seed-job --latest
+```
+
+## Authentik UAT User Personas
+
+Credentials are stored in sealed secrets — never use plaintext values.
+
+| Persona | Email | Role | Access Level |
+|---------|-------|------|--------------|
+| UAT Super User | `uat-super@groombook.dev` | Super User | Full admin access |
+| UAT Staff | `uat-staff@groombook.dev` | Staff | Standard staff operations |
+| UAT Customer | `uat-customer@groombook.dev` | Customer | Customer portal access |
+
+Sealed secret: `authentik-credentials` in `groombook-uat` namespace.
+
+## OOBE (Out-of-Box Experience) Flag
+
+The OOBE flag controls first-run setup flow in Demo/Production environments.
+
+- **Demo/Production**: OOBE is enabled, users see setup wizard on first login
+- **Dev/UAT**: OOBE is disabled, full access granted immediately
+
+When `SEED_KNOWN_USERS_ONLY=true`, the demo users are created but OOBE state must be initialized separately.
+
+## Dev-Mode Access
+
+Dev environment disables authentication for local development convenience.
+
+```bash
+AUTH_DISABLED=true
+```
+
+To impersonate a specific staff user, use the `X-Dev-User-Id` header:
+
+```bash
+curl -H "X-Dev-User-Id: <staff-id>" http://localhost:3000/api/...
+```
+
+## Seed Idempotency
+
+The seed script is idempotent and deterministic:
+- Same `SEED_PROFILE` produces identical data with same IDs
+- Re-running seed updates existing records rather than creating duplicates
+- Appointments, invoices, and visit logs are truncated before each seed to ensure clean state