diff --git a/app/api/__init__.py b/app/api/__init__.py
index 36f9345a..046d8f1c 100644
--- a/app/api/__init__.py
+++ b/app/api/__init__.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ from fastapi import APIRouter
 
 from app.api.admin_users import router as admin_users_router
 from app.api.azure import router as azure_router
+from app.api.billing import router as billing_router
 from app.api.database import router as database_router
 from app.api.diagnostic import router as diagnostic_router
 from app.api.dropbox import router as dropbox_router
@@ -62,3 +63,4 @@ router.include_router(database_router)
 router.include_router(subscriptions_router)
 router.include_router(plans_router)
 router.include_router(onboarding_router)
+router.include_router(billing_router)
diff --git a/app/api/billing.py b/app/api/billing.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c44dd074
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/api/billing.py
@@ -0,0 +1,413 @@
+"""Stripe billing integration for DocuElevate.
+
+Provides three endpoints:
+- POST /api/billing/create-checkout-session — starts Stripe Checkout for a plan upgrade
+- POST /api/billing/create-portal-session   — opens Stripe Customer Portal (manage/cancel)
+- POST /api/billing/webhook                 — handles Stripe webhook events
+- GET  /api/billing/success                 — success landing page after checkout
+
+Stripe Python SDK license: MIT (compatible with this project's Apache 2.0 license).
+
+GDPR:  Stripe acts as a data processor under a Data Processing Agreement (DPA).
+       Stripe is SOC 2 Type II certified and supports EU data residency.
+SOC2:  Stripe is SOC 2 Type II certified.
+EU VAT: Configure Stripe Tax in the Stripe Dashboard for automatic VAT collection.
+"""
+
+import json
+import logging
+import pathlib
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+from typing import Any
+
+import stripe
+from fastapi import APIRouter, Depends, HTTPException, Request, status
+from fastapi.templating import Jinja2Templates
+from pydantic import BaseModel
+from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
+
+from app.auth import require_login
+from app.config import settings
+from app.database import get_db
+from app.models import SubscriptionPlan, UserProfile
+from app.utils.user_scope import get_current_owner_id
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+router = APIRouter(prefix="/billing", tags=["billing"])
+
+_templates_dir = pathlib.Path(__file__).parents[2] / "frontend" / "templates"
+_templates = Jinja2Templates(directory=str(_templates_dir))
+
+
+def _get_stripe() -> stripe.StripeClient | None:
+    """Return a configured Stripe client, or None when not configured."""
+    if not settings.stripe_secret_key:
+        return None
+    return stripe.StripeClient(settings.stripe_secret_key)
+
+
+def _get_or_create_stripe_customer(
+    client: stripe.StripeClient,
+    db: Session,
+    owner_id: str,
+    email: str | None,
+    name: str | None,
+) -> str:
+    """Return the Stripe customer_id for *owner_id*, creating one if needed.
+
+    Args:
+        client: Configured Stripe client.
+        db: Database session.
+        owner_id: Stable user identifier.
+        email: User's email for the Stripe customer record.
+        name: User's display name for the Stripe customer record.
+
+    Returns:
+        The Stripe customer ID string.
+    """
+    profile = db.query(UserProfile).filter(UserProfile.user_id == owner_id).first()
+    if profile and profile.stripe_customer_id:
+        return profile.stripe_customer_id
+
+    customer = client.customers.create(
+        params={
+            "email": email or "",
+            "name": name or "",
+            "metadata": {"docuelevate_user_id": owner_id},
+        }
+    )
+    if profile:
+        profile.stripe_customer_id = customer.id
+        db.commit()
+    return customer.id
+
+
+class CheckoutSessionBody(BaseModel):
+    """Request body for creating a Stripe Checkout session."""
+
+    plan_id: str
+    billing_cycle: str = "monthly"  # "monthly" | "yearly"
+
+
+class PortalSessionBody(BaseModel):
+    """Request body for creating a Stripe Customer Portal session."""
+
+    return_url: str | None = None
+
+
+@router.post("/create-checkout-session", summary="Create a Stripe Checkout session for a plan upgrade")
+@require_login
+async def create_checkout_session(
+    request: Request,
+    body: CheckoutSessionBody,
+    db: Session = Depends(get_db),
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Create a Stripe Checkout session.
+
+    The client should redirect the user to the returned ``checkout_url``.
+
+    Raises:
+        503: Stripe is not configured.
+        404: Plan not found or has no Stripe price configured.
+    """
+    client = _get_stripe()
+    if not client:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=status.HTTP_503_SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE, detail="Billing is not configured.")
+
+    plan = db.query(SubscriptionPlan).filter(SubscriptionPlan.plan_id == body.plan_id).first()
+    if plan is None:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=status.HTTP_404_NOT_FOUND, detail=f"Plan {body.plan_id!r} not found.")
+
+    price_id = plan.stripe_price_id_yearly if body.billing_cycle == "yearly" else plan.stripe_price_id_monthly
+    if not price_id:
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=status.HTTP_404_NOT_FOUND,
+            detail=(
+                f"Stripe price ID not configured for plan {body.plan_id!r} ({body.billing_cycle}). "
+                "Please set it in the Admin Plan Designer."
+            ),
+        )
+
+    user = request.session.get("user") or {}
+    owner_id = get_current_owner_id(request) or user.get("email") or ""
+    email = user.get("email")
+    name = user.get("name")
+
+    customer_id = _get_or_create_stripe_customer(client, db, owner_id, email, name)
+
+    base = str(request.base_url).rstrip("/")
+    success_url = settings.stripe_success_url or f"{base}/api/billing/success"
+    cancel_url = settings.stripe_cancel_url or f"{base}/pricing"
+
+    trial_days = plan.trial_days if plan.trial_days > 0 else None
+
+    session_params: dict[str, Any] = {
+        "customer": customer_id,
+        "mode": "subscription",
+        "line_items": [{"price": price_id, "quantity": 1}],
+        "success_url": success_url + "?session_id={CHECKOUT_SESSION_ID}",
+        "cancel_url": cancel_url,
+        "subscription_data": {
+            "metadata": {
+                "docuelevate_user_id": owner_id,
+                "plan_id": body.plan_id,
+                "billing_cycle": body.billing_cycle,
+            },
+        },
+        "metadata": {"docuelevate_user_id": owner_id, "plan_id": body.plan_id},
+        "allow_promotion_codes": True,
+        "billing_address_collection": "auto",
+        "tax_id_collection": {"enabled": True},
+        "automatic_tax": {"enabled": True},
+    }
+    if trial_days:
+        session_params["subscription_data"]["trial_period_days"] = trial_days
+
+    checkout_session = client.checkout.sessions.create(params=session_params)
+
+    logger.info(
+        "Created Stripe checkout session %s for user %s plan %s",
+        checkout_session.id,
+        owner_id,
+        body.plan_id,
+    )
+    return {"checkout_url": checkout_session.url, "session_id": checkout_session.id}
+
+
+@router.post("/create-portal-session", summary="Create a Stripe Customer Portal session")
+@require_login
+async def create_portal_session(
+    request: Request,
+    body: PortalSessionBody,
+    db: Session = Depends(get_db),
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Create a Stripe Customer Portal session for subscription self-management.
+
+    Raises:
+        503: Stripe not configured.
+        404: No Stripe customer found for this user.
+    """
+    client = _get_stripe()
+    if not client:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=status.HTTP_503_SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE, detail="Billing is not configured.")
+
+    user = request.session.get("user") or {}
+    owner_id = get_current_owner_id(request) or user.get("email") or ""
+
+    profile = db.query(UserProfile).filter(UserProfile.user_id == owner_id).first()
+    if not profile or not profile.stripe_customer_id:
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=status.HTTP_404_NOT_FOUND,
+            detail="No billing account found. Please subscribe to a plan first.",
+        )
+
+    base = str(request.base_url).rstrip("/")
+    return_url = body.return_url or f"{base}/subscription"
+
+    portal = client.billing_portal.sessions.create(
+        params={
+            "customer": profile.stripe_customer_id,
+            "return_url": return_url,
+        }
+    )
+
+    logger.info("Created Stripe portal session for user %s", owner_id)
+    return {"portal_url": portal.url}
+
+
+@router.post("/webhook", include_in_schema=False)
+async def stripe_webhook(request: Request, db: Session = Depends(get_db)) -> dict[str, str]:
+    """Handle Stripe webhook events.
+
+    Syncs subscription status to UserProfile.subscription_tier.
+
+    Events handled:
+
+    - ``checkout.session.completed``    — activate subscription after payment
+    - ``customer.subscription.updated`` — sync tier change
+    - ``customer.subscription.deleted`` — downgrade to free on cancellation
+    - ``invoice.payment_failed``        — log failed payment
+    """
+    if not settings.stripe_secret_key:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=status.HTTP_503_SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE, detail="Billing not configured.")
+
+    payload = await request.body()
+    sig_header = request.headers.get("stripe-signature", "")
+
+    try:
+        if settings.stripe_webhook_secret:
+            event = stripe.Webhook.construct_event(payload, sig_header, settings.stripe_webhook_secret)
+        else:
+            event = stripe.Event.construct_from(json.loads(payload), stripe.api_key)
+    except stripe.SignatureVerificationError:
+        logger.warning("[SECURITY] Stripe webhook signature verification failed")
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=status.HTTP_400_BAD_REQUEST, detail="Invalid webhook signature.")
+    except Exception as exc:
+        logger.warning("Failed to parse Stripe webhook: %s", exc)
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=status.HTTP_400_BAD_REQUEST, detail="Invalid webhook payload.")
+
+    _handle_stripe_event(db, event)
+    return {"status": "ok"}
+
+
+@router.get("/success", include_in_schema=False)
+@require_login
+async def billing_success(request: Request) -> Any:
+    """Show a success page after a completed Stripe Checkout."""
+    return _templates.TemplateResponse("billing_success.html", {"request": request})
+
+
+def _handle_stripe_event(db: Session, event: Any) -> None:
+    """Dispatch Stripe event to the appropriate handler.
+
+    Args:
+        db: Database session.
+        event: Parsed Stripe event object.
+    """
+    etype = event.get("type", "") if isinstance(event, dict) else getattr(event, "type", "")
+    data_obj = (
+        event.get("data", {}).get("object", {})
+        if isinstance(event, dict)
+        else getattr(getattr(event, "data", None), "object", {})
+    )
+
+    if etype == "checkout.session.completed":
+        _on_checkout_completed(db, data_obj)
+    elif etype == "customer.subscription.updated":
+        _on_subscription_updated(db, data_obj)
+    elif etype == "customer.subscription.deleted":
+        _on_subscription_deleted(db, data_obj)
+    elif etype == "invoice.payment_failed":
+        customer_id = data_obj.get("customer", "") if isinstance(data_obj, dict) else getattr(data_obj, "customer", "")
+        logger.warning("Stripe invoice payment failed for customer %s", customer_id)
+    else:
+        logger.debug("Unhandled Stripe event type: %s", etype)
+
+
+def _resolve_user_id_from_customer(db: Session, customer_id: str) -> str | None:
+    """Look up the DocuElevate user_id for a Stripe customer_id.
+
+    Args:
+        db: Database session.
+        customer_id: Stripe customer ID.
+
+    Returns:
+        The matching ``UserProfile.user_id``, or ``None`` if not found.
+    """
+    profile = db.query(UserProfile).filter(UserProfile.stripe_customer_id == customer_id).first()
+    return profile.user_id if profile else None
+
+
+def _resolve_plan_id_from_price(db: Session, price_id: str) -> str | None:
+    """Map a Stripe price_id to a DocuElevate plan_id via SubscriptionPlan.
+
+    Args:
+        db: Database session.
+        price_id: Stripe price ID.
+
+    Returns:
+        The matching ``SubscriptionPlan.plan_id``, or ``None`` if not found.
+    """
+    plan = (
+        db.query(SubscriptionPlan)
+        .filter(
+            (SubscriptionPlan.stripe_price_id_monthly == price_id)
+            | (SubscriptionPlan.stripe_price_id_yearly == price_id)
+        )
+        .first()
+    )
+    return plan.plan_id if plan else None
+
+
+def _on_checkout_completed(db: Session, data: Any) -> None:
+    """Activate a subscription after a successful checkout.
+
+    Args:
+        db: Database session.
+        data: Stripe ``checkout.session`` object.
+    """
+    meta = data.get("metadata") or {} if isinstance(data, dict) else getattr(data, "metadata", {}) or {}
+    user_id = meta.get("docuelevate_user_id") if isinstance(meta, dict) else getattr(meta, "docuelevate_user_id", None)
+    plan_id = meta.get("plan_id") if isinstance(meta, dict) else getattr(meta, "plan_id", None)
+    billing_cycle = (
+        meta.get("billing_cycle", "monthly") if isinstance(meta, dict) else getattr(meta, "billing_cycle", "monthly")
+    )
+    if not user_id:
+        return
+
+    profile = db.query(UserProfile).filter(UserProfile.user_id == user_id).first()
+    if profile and plan_id:
+        profile.subscription_tier = plan_id
+        profile.subscription_billing_cycle = billing_cycle
+        profile.subscription_period_start = datetime.now(tz=timezone.utc)
+        customer_id = data.get("customer", "") if isinstance(data, dict) else getattr(data, "customer", "")
+        if customer_id:
+            profile.stripe_customer_id = customer_id
+        db.commit()
+        logger.info("Activated plan %s/%s for user %s after checkout", plan_id, billing_cycle, user_id)
+
+
+def _on_subscription_updated(db: Session, data: Any) -> None:
+    """Sync tier change when a subscription is updated.
+
+    Args:
+        db: Database session.
+        data: Stripe ``customer.subscription`` object.
+    """
+    customer_id = data.get("customer", "") if isinstance(data, dict) else getattr(data, "customer", "")
+    user_id = _resolve_user_id_from_customer(db, customer_id)
+    if not user_id:
+        return
+
+    items_data = data.get("items") or {} if isinstance(data, dict) else getattr(data, "items", None) or {}
+    items = items_data.get("data") or [] if isinstance(items_data, dict) else getattr(items_data, "data", []) or []
+    if not items:
+        return
+
+    first_item = items[0]
+    price_obj = (
+        first_item.get("price") or {} if isinstance(first_item, dict) else getattr(first_item, "price", {}) or {}
+    )
+    price_id = price_obj.get("id") if isinstance(price_obj, dict) else getattr(price_obj, "id", None)
+    if not price_id:
+        return
+
+    plan_id = _resolve_plan_id_from_price(db, price_id)
+    if not plan_id:
+        logger.warning("Unknown Stripe price_id %s on subscription.updated", price_id)
+        return
+
+    recurring = (
+        price_obj.get("recurring", {}) if isinstance(price_obj, dict) else getattr(price_obj, "recurring", {}) or {}
+    )
+    interval = (
+        recurring.get("interval", "month") if isinstance(recurring, dict) else getattr(recurring, "interval", "month")
+    )
+    billing_cycle = "yearly" if interval == "year" else "monthly"
+
+    profile = db.query(UserProfile).filter(UserProfile.user_id == user_id).first()
+    if profile:
+        profile.subscription_tier = plan_id
+        profile.subscription_billing_cycle = billing_cycle
+        db.commit()
+        logger.info("Updated subscription to %s/%s for user %s", plan_id, billing_cycle, user_id)
+
+
+def _on_subscription_deleted(db: Session, data: Any) -> None:
+    """Downgrade user to free tier after subscription cancellation.
+
+    Args:
+        db: Database session.
+        data: Stripe ``customer.subscription`` object.
+    """
+    customer_id = data.get("customer", "") if isinstance(data, dict) else getattr(data, "customer", "")
+    user_id = _resolve_user_id_from_customer(db, customer_id)
+    if not user_id:
+        return
+
+    profile = db.query(UserProfile).filter(UserProfile.user_id == user_id).first()
+    if profile:
+        profile.subscription_tier = "free"
+        profile.subscription_billing_cycle = "monthly"
+        db.commit()
+        logger.info("Downgraded user %s to free tier after subscription cancellation", user_id)
diff --git a/app/api/local_auth.py b/app/api/local_auth.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a74d0a33
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/api/local_auth.py
@@ -0,0 +1,315 @@
+"""Local user authentication API — signup, email verification, password reset.
+
+Provides the REST endpoints and page routes for the self-registration flow:
+
+- GET  /signup                           — signup page (HTML)
+- POST /api/auth/signup                  — create account + send verification email
+- GET  /verify-email                     — activate account from email link (redirect)
+- GET  /verify-email-sent                — confirmation landing page (HTML)
+- POST /api/auth/resend-verification     — re-send verification email
+- POST /api/auth/request-password-reset  — start password reset
+- POST /api/auth/reset-password          — set new password using token
+- GET  /reset-password                   — password reset form page (HTML)
+"""
+
+import logging
+import pathlib
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+from typing import Annotated, Any
+
+from fastapi import APIRouter, Depends, HTTPException, Request, status
+from fastapi.templating import Jinja2Templates
+from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
+from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
+from starlette.responses import RedirectResponse
+
+from app.config import settings
+from app.database import get_db
+from app.models import LocalUser, UserProfile
+from app.utils.local_auth import (
+    build_session_user,
+    generate_token,
+    hash_password,
+    is_token_expired,
+    send_password_reset_email,
+    send_verification_email,
+)
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+router = APIRouter(tags=["local-auth"])
+
+_templates_dir = pathlib.Path(__file__).parents[2] / "frontend" / "templates"
+templates = Jinja2Templates(directory=str(_templates_dir))
+
+DbSession = Annotated[Session, Depends(get_db)]
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Pydantic schemas
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class SignupBody(BaseModel):
+    """Body for the signup endpoint."""
+
+    email: str = Field(..., max_length=255)
+    username: str = Field(..., min_length=3, max_length=64, pattern=r"^[a-zA-Z0-9_-]+$")
+    display_name: str | None = Field(default=None, max_length=255)
+    password: str = Field(..., min_length=8, max_length=128)
+    password_confirm: str
+
+
+class ResendVerificationBody(BaseModel):
+    """Body for the resend-verification endpoint."""
+
+    email: str
+
+
+class PasswordResetRequestBody(BaseModel):
+    """Body for the request-password-reset endpoint."""
+
+    email: str
+
+
+class PasswordResetBody(BaseModel):
+    """Body for the reset-password endpoint."""
+
+    token: str
+    new_password: str = Field(..., min_length=8, max_length=128)
+    new_password_confirm: str
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Page routes (return HTML)
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@router.get("/signup", include_in_schema=False)
+async def signup_page(request: Request) -> Any:
+    """Render the signup page, or redirect to login when signup is disabled."""
+    if not settings.allow_local_signup:
+        return RedirectResponse(url="/login?error=Registration+is+not+enabled", status_code=302)
+    return templates.TemplateResponse(
+        "signup.html",
+        {
+            "request": request,
+            "csrf_token": getattr(request.state, "csrf_token", ""),
+            "app_version": settings.version,
+        },
+    )
+
+
+@router.get("/verify-email-sent", include_in_schema=False)
+async def verify_email_sent_page(request: Request) -> Any:
+    """Render the verify-email-sent confirmation page."""
+    return templates.TemplateResponse("verify_email_sent.html", {"request": request})
+
+
+@router.get("/reset-password", include_in_schema=False)
+async def reset_password_page(request: Request) -> Any:
+    """Render the password reset form page."""
+    token = request.query_params.get("token", "")
+    return templates.TemplateResponse(
+        "password_reset_form.html",
+        {
+            "request": request,
+            "token": token,
+            "csrf_token": getattr(request.state, "csrf_token", ""),
+            "app_version": settings.version,
+        },
+    )
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# API endpoints (return JSON or redirect)
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@router.post("/api/auth/signup", status_code=status.HTTP_201_CREATED)
+async def signup(request: Request, body: SignupBody, db: DbSession) -> dict[str, str]:
+    """Create a new local user account and send a verification email.
+
+    The account is inactive until the user clicks the email link.
+
+    Raises:
+        403: Local signup is disabled.
+        503: SMTP is not configured.
+        422: Passwords do not match.
+        409: Email or username already registered.
+    """
+    if not settings.allow_local_signup:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=status.HTTP_403_FORBIDDEN, detail="Registration is not enabled.")
+    if not settings.email_host:
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=status.HTTP_503_SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE,
+            detail="Email (SMTP) must be configured before local signup can be enabled.",
+        )
+    if body.password != body.password_confirm:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=status.HTTP_422_UNPROCESSABLE_ENTITY, detail="Passwords do not match.")
+
+    if db.query(LocalUser).filter(LocalUser.email == body.email).first():
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=status.HTTP_409_CONFLICT, detail="Email already registered.")
+    if db.query(LocalUser).filter(LocalUser.username == body.username).first():
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=status.HTTP_409_CONFLICT, detail="Username already taken.")
+
+    token = generate_token()
+    user = LocalUser(
+        email=body.email,
+        username=body.username,
+        display_name=body.display_name,
+        hashed_password=hash_password(body.password),
+        is_active=False,
+        email_verification_token=token,
+        email_verification_sent_at=datetime.now(tz=timezone.utc),
+    )
+    db.add(user)
+
+    profile = UserProfile(
+        user_id=body.email,
+        display_name=body.display_name or body.username,
+    )
+    db.add(profile)
+
+    try:
+        db.commit()
+    except Exception:
+        db.rollback()
+        raise
+
+    base_url = str(request.base_url).rstrip("/")
+    try:
+        send_verification_email(body.email, body.username, token, base_url)
+    except Exception as exc:
+        # Clean up orphan records — don't leave an unverifiable account
+        try:
+            db.delete(user)
+            db.delete(profile)
+            db.commit()
+        except Exception:
+            db.rollback()
+        logger.warning("Signup email failed for %s: %s", body.email, exc)
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=status.HTTP_503_SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE,
+            detail=("Failed to send verification email. Please check that SMTP is correctly configured and try again."),
+        ) from exc
+
+    logger.info("New local user registered: %s", body.email)
+    return {"message": "Verification email sent. Please check your inbox."}
+
+
+@router.get("/verify-email", include_in_schema=False)
+async def verify_email(request: Request, db: DbSession) -> Any:
+    """Activate a local user account from the email verification link.
+
+    Redirects to the login page on failure, or to onboarding/upload on success.
+    """
+    token = request.query_params.get("token", "")
+    user = db.query(LocalUser).filter(LocalUser.email_verification_token == token).first()
+
+    if not user:
+        return RedirectResponse(
+            url="/login?error=Invalid+or+expired+verification+link",
+            status_code=302,
+        )
+    if is_token_expired(user.email_verification_sent_at):
+        return RedirectResponse(
+            url="/login?error=Verification+link+has+expired.+Please+request+a+new+one",
+            status_code=302,
+        )
+
+    user.is_active = True
+    user.email_verification_token = None
+    user.email_verification_sent_at = None
+
+    # Ensure profile exists
+    if not db.query(UserProfile).filter(UserProfile.user_id == user.email).first():
+        db.add(UserProfile(user_id=user.email, display_name=user.display_name or user.username))
+
+    db.commit()
+
+    request.session["user"] = build_session_user(user)
+    logger.info("[SECURITY] EMAIL_VERIFIED user=%s", user.email)
+
+    profile = db.query(UserProfile).filter(UserProfile.user_id == user.email).first()
+    if profile and not profile.onboarding_completed:
+        post_onboarding = request.session.pop("redirect_after_login", "/upload")
+        request.session["post_onboarding_redirect"] = post_onboarding
+        return RedirectResponse(url="/onboarding", status_code=302)
+    return RedirectResponse(url="/upload", status_code=302)
+
+
+@router.post("/api/auth/resend-verification")
+async def resend_verification(request: Request, body: ResendVerificationBody, db: DbSession) -> dict[str, str]:
+    """Re-send the verification email for a pending account.
+
+    Always returns 200 to avoid leaking whether an email is registered.
+    """
+    user = db.query(LocalUser).filter(LocalUser.email == body.email).first()
+    if not user or user.is_active:
+        return {"message": "Verification email resent if account exists."}
+
+    token = generate_token()
+    user.email_verification_token = token
+    user.email_verification_sent_at = datetime.now(tz=timezone.utc)
+    db.commit()
+
+    base_url = str(request.base_url).rstrip("/")
+    try:
+        send_verification_email(user.email, user.username, token, base_url)
+    except Exception as exc:
+        logger.warning("Failed to resend verification email to %s: %s", user.email, exc)
+
+    return {"message": "Verification email resent if account exists."}
+
+
+@router.post("/api/auth/request-password-reset")
+async def request_password_reset(request: Request, body: PasswordResetRequestBody, db: DbSession) -> dict[str, str]:
+    """Send a password reset email.
+
+    Always returns 200 to avoid leaking whether an email is registered.
+    """
+    user = db.query(LocalUser).filter(LocalUser.email == body.email).first()
+    if not user:
+        return {"message": "Password reset email sent if account exists."}
+
+    token = generate_token()
+    user.password_reset_token = token
+    user.password_reset_sent_at = datetime.now(tz=timezone.utc)
+    db.commit()
+
+    base_url = str(request.base_url).rstrip("/")
+    try:
+        send_password_reset_email(user.email, user.username, token, base_url)
+    except Exception as exc:
+        logger.warning("Failed to send password reset email to %s: %s", user.email, exc)
+
+    return {"message": "Password reset email sent if account exists."}
+
+
+@router.post("/api/auth/reset-password")
+async def reset_password(body: PasswordResetBody, db: DbSession) -> dict[str, str]:
+    """Set a new password using a valid reset token.
+
+    Raises:
+        400: Token is invalid or expired.
+        422: Passwords do not match.
+    """
+    user = db.query(LocalUser).filter(LocalUser.password_reset_token == body.token).first()
+    if not user or is_token_expired(user.password_reset_sent_at):
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=status.HTTP_400_BAD_REQUEST,
+            detail="Invalid or expired reset token.",
+        )
+    if body.new_password != body.new_password_confirm:
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=status.HTTP_422_UNPROCESSABLE_ENTITY,
+            detail="Passwords do not match.",
+        )
+
+    user.hashed_password = hash_password(body.new_password)
+    user.password_reset_token = None
+    user.password_reset_sent_at = None
+    db.commit()
+
+    logger.info("[SECURITY] PASSWORD_RESET_SUCCESS user=%s", user.email)
+    return {"message": "Password updated successfully."}
diff --git a/app/auth.py b/app/auth.py
index b5d7d6dd..5ecbe584 100644
--- a/app/auth.py
+++ b/app/auth.py
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ def get_gravatar_url(email):
 
 
 async def login(request: Request):
-    """Show login page with appropriate authentication options"""
+    """Show login page with appropriate authentication options."""
     return templates.TemplateResponse(
         "login.html",
         {
@@ -81,8 +81,9 @@ async def login(request: Request):
             "message": request.query_params.get("message"),
             "show_oauth": OAUTH_CONFIGURED,
             "oauth_provider_name": OAUTH_PROVIDER_NAME,
-            "app_version": settings.version,  # Changed from app_version to version
+            "app_version": settings.version,
             "csrf_token": getattr(request.state, "csrf_token", ""),
+            "allow_signup": settings.allow_local_signup,
         },
     )
 
@@ -188,14 +189,45 @@ async def oauth_callback(request: Request, db: Session = Depends(get_db)):
         return RedirectResponse(url=f"/login?error=Authentication+failed:+{str(e)}", status_code=status.HTTP_302_FOUND)
 
 
-async def auth(request: Request):
-    """Handle local username/password authentication"""
+async def auth(request: Request, db: Session = Depends(get_db)):
+    """Handle local username/password authentication.
+
+    Checks LocalUser accounts first, then falls back to admin credentials.
+    """
     form_data = await request.form()
     username = form_data.get("username")
     password = form_data.get("password")
 
+    # --- LocalUser check ---
+    from app.models import LocalUser as _LocalUser
+    from app.models import UserProfile as _UserProfile
+    from app.utils.local_auth import build_session_user as _build_session_user
+    from app.utils.local_auth import verify_password as _verify_password
+
+    local_user = db.query(_LocalUser).filter((_LocalUser.username == username) | (_LocalUser.email == username)).first()
+    if local_user is not None:
+        if not _verify_password(password or "", local_user.hashed_password):
+            logger.warning("[SECURITY] LOCAL_LOGIN_FAILURE user=%s", username)
+            return RedirectResponse(url="/login?error=Invalid+username+or+password", status_code=302)
+        if not local_user.is_active:
+            logger.warning("[SECURITY] LOCAL_LOGIN_UNVERIFIED user=%s", username)
+            return RedirectResponse(
+                url="/login?error=Please+verify+your+email+address+before+logging+in",
+                status_code=302,
+            )
+        user_data = _build_session_user(local_user)
+        request.session["user"] = user_data
+        logger.info("[SECURITY] LOCAL_LOGIN_SUCCESS user=%s", local_user.email)
+        profile = db.query(_UserProfile).filter(_UserProfile.user_id == local_user.email).first()
+        if profile and not profile.onboarding_completed:
+            post_onboarding = request.session.pop("redirect_after_login", "/upload")
+            request.session["post_onboarding_redirect"] = post_onboarding
+            return RedirectResponse(url="/onboarding", status_code=302)
+        redirect_url = request.session.pop("redirect_after_login", "/upload")
+        return RedirectResponse(url=redirect_url, status_code=302)
+
+    # --- Admin credentials fallback ---
     if username == settings.admin_username and password == settings.admin_password:
-        # Create user session
         request.session["user"] = {
             "id": "admin",
             "name": "Administrator",
@@ -204,12 +236,11 @@ async def auth(request: Request):
             "picture": "/static/images/default-avatar.svg",
             "is_admin": True,
         }
-        logger.info(f"[SECURITY] LOCAL_LOGIN_SUCCESS user={username}")
-        # Redirect to original destination or default
+        logger.info("[SECURITY] LOCAL_LOGIN_SUCCESS user=%s", username)
         redirect_url = request.session.pop("redirect_after_login", "/upload")
         return RedirectResponse(url=redirect_url, status_code=302)
     else:
-        logger.warning(f"[SECURITY] LOCAL_LOGIN_FAILURE user={username}")
+        logger.warning("[SECURITY] LOCAL_LOGIN_FAILURE user=%s", username)
         return RedirectResponse(url="/login?error=Invalid+username+or+password", status_code=302)
 
 
diff --git a/app/config.py b/app/config.py
index d0322e82..c59c31c4 100644
--- a/app/config.py
+++ b/app/config.py
@@ -172,6 +172,23 @@ class Settings(BaseSettings):
     authentik_config_url: Optional[str] = None
     oauth_provider_name: Optional[str] = None  # Name to display for the OAuth provider
 
+    # Local user signup
+    allow_local_signup: bool = Field(
+        default=False,
+        description=(
+            "Allow users to self-register with email and password. "
+            "Requires email (SMTP) to be configured for verification emails. "
+            "Default: False (registration disabled, admin creates users)."
+        ),
+    )
+
+    # Stripe billing
+    stripe_secret_key: Optional[str] = None
+    stripe_publishable_key: Optional[str] = None
+    stripe_webhook_secret: Optional[str] = None
+    stripe_success_url: Optional[str] = None  # e.g. https://app.example.com/billing/success
+    stripe_cancel_url: Optional[str] = None  # e.g. https://app.example.com/pricing
+
     # IMAP 1
     imap1_host: Optional[str] = None
     imap1_port: Optional[int] = 993
diff --git a/app/main.py b/app/main.py
index 5f39ae2c..4ed9c081 100644
--- a/app/main.py
+++ b/app/main.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ from starlette.middleware.trustedhost import TrustedHostMiddleware
 from uvicorn.middleware.proxy_headers import ProxyHeadersMiddleware
 
 from app.api import router as api_router
+from app.api.local_auth import router as local_auth_router
 from app.auth import router as auth_router
 from app.config import settings
 from app.database import init_db
@@ -246,4 +247,5 @@ def test_500():
 app.include_router(frontend_router)
 app.include_router(files_router)  # Explicitly include the files router
 app.include_router(auth_router)
+app.include_router(local_auth_router)
 app.include_router(api_router, prefix="/api")
diff --git a/app/models.py b/app/models.py
index 1c38ea84..a81d93ba 100644
--- a/app/models.py
+++ b/app/models.py
@@ -172,6 +172,31 @@ class WebhookConfig(Base):
     updated_at = Column(DateTime(timezone=True), server_default=func.now(), onupdate=func.now())
 
 
+class LocalUser(Base):
+    """A locally-registered user authenticated by email and bcrypt password.
+
+    Created during the self-registration flow when ``allow_local_signup`` is
+    enabled.  The account is inactive (``is_active=False``) until the user
+    clicks the verification link sent to their email address.
+    """
+
+    __tablename__ = "local_users"
+
+    id = Column(Integer, primary_key=True, index=True)
+    email = Column(String(255), unique=True, nullable=False, index=True)
+    username = Column(String(64), unique=True, nullable=False, index=True)
+    display_name = Column(String(255), nullable=True)
+    hashed_password = Column(String(255), nullable=False)
+    is_active = Column(Boolean, nullable=False, default=False, server_default="0")
+    is_admin = Column(Boolean, nullable=False, default=False, server_default="0")
+    email_verification_token = Column(String(128), nullable=True)
+    email_verification_sent_at = Column(DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=True)
+    password_reset_token = Column(String(128), nullable=True)
+    password_reset_sent_at = Column(DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=True)
+    created_at = Column(DateTime(timezone=True), server_default=func.now())
+    updated_at = Column(DateTime(timezone=True), server_default=func.now(), onupdate=func.now())
+
+
 class UserProfile(Base):
     """Per-user profile for admin-managed settings in multi-user mode.
 
@@ -214,6 +239,7 @@ class UserProfile(Base):
     onboarding_completed_at = Column(DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=True)
     contact_email = Column(String(255), nullable=True)
     preferred_destination = Column(String(50), nullable=True)
+    stripe_customer_id = Column(String(64), nullable=True)
 
     created_at = Column(DateTime(timezone=True), server_default=func.now())
     updated_at = Column(DateTime(timezone=True), server_default=func.now(), onupdate=func.now())
@@ -262,6 +288,8 @@ class SubscriptionPlan(Base):
     sort_order = Column(Integer, nullable=False, default=0)
     features = Column(Text, nullable=True)  # JSON-encoded list[str]
     api_access = Column(Boolean, nullable=False, default=False)
+    stripe_price_id_monthly = Column(String(64), nullable=True)
+    stripe_price_id_yearly = Column(String(64), nullable=True)
 
     created_at = Column(DateTime(timezone=True), server_default=func.now())
     updated_at = Column(DateTime(timezone=True), server_default=func.now(), onupdate=func.now())
diff --git a/app/utils/local_auth.py b/app/utils/local_auth.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ce52de2f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/utils/local_auth.py
@@ -0,0 +1,187 @@
+"""Utilities for local (email/password) user authentication.
+
+Provides password hashing (bcrypt), secure token generation, and
+synchronous SMTP email helpers for account verification and password
+reset flows.  No external dependencies beyond bcrypt (already in
+requirements.txt) and Python stdlib.
+"""
+
+import logging
+import secrets
+import smtplib
+import socket
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
+from email.mime.multipart import MIMEMultipart
+from email.mime.text import MIMEText
+
+import bcrypt
+
+from app.config import settings
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+TOKEN_BYTES = 32  # 256 bits of entropy
+TOKEN_EXPIRY_HOURS = 24  # verification + reset tokens expire after 24 h
+
+
+def hash_password(plain: str) -> str:
+    """Return a bcrypt hash of *plain*. Stores result as a UTF-8 string."""
+    return bcrypt.hashpw(plain.encode("utf-8"), bcrypt.gensalt(rounds=12)).decode("utf-8")
+
+
+def verify_password(plain: str, hashed: str) -> bool:
+    """Return True when *plain* matches the stored bcrypt *hashed* string."""
+    try:
+        return bcrypt.checkpw(plain.encode("utf-8"), hashed.encode("utf-8"))
+    except Exception:
+        return False
+
+
+def generate_token() -> str:
+    """Return a 256-bit URL-safe random token string."""
+    return secrets.token_urlsafe(TOKEN_BYTES)
+
+
+def is_token_expired(sent_at: datetime | None) -> bool:
+    """Return True when *sent_at* is None or older than TOKEN_EXPIRY_HOURS."""
+    if sent_at is None:
+        return True
+    return datetime.now(tz=timezone.utc) > sent_at.replace(tzinfo=timezone.utc) + timedelta(hours=TOKEN_EXPIRY_HOURS)
+
+
+def _smtp_send(subject: str, html_body: str, plain_body: str, recipient: str) -> None:
+    """Send an HTML email via the configured SMTP server.
+
+    Args:
+        subject: Email subject line.
+        html_body: HTML version of the email body.
+        plain_body: Plain-text version of the email body.
+        recipient: Recipient email address.
+
+    Raises:
+        RuntimeError: When SMTP is not configured or sending fails.
+    """
+    if not settings.email_host:
+        raise RuntimeError("SMTP is not configured (EMAIL_HOST missing). Cannot send email.")
+
+    sender = settings.email_sender or settings.email_username or "noreply@docuelevate.local"
+
+    msg = MIMEMultipart("alternative")
+    msg["Subject"] = subject
+    msg["From"] = sender
+    msg["To"] = recipient
+    msg.attach(MIMEText(plain_body, "plain", "utf-8"))
+    msg.attach(MIMEText(html_body, "html", "utf-8"))
+
+    try:
+        socket.gethostbyname(settings.email_host)
+    except socket.gaierror as exc:
+        raise RuntimeError(f"Cannot resolve SMTP host {settings.email_host!r}: {exc}") from exc
+
+    with smtplib.SMTP(settings.email_host, settings.email_port or 587, timeout=30) as server:
+        if settings.email_use_tls:
+            server.starttls()
+        if settings.email_username and settings.email_password:
+            server.login(settings.email_username, settings.email_password)
+        server.send_message(msg)
+
+    logger.info("Sent %r to %s", subject, recipient)
+
+
+def send_verification_email(email: str, username: str, token: str, base_url: str) -> None:
+    """Send a double opt-in verification email to *email*.
+
+    Args:
+        email: Recipient email address.
+        username: The user's chosen username (used in greeting).
+        token: The verification token to embed in the link.
+        base_url: The base URL of the application (e.g. https://app.example.com).
+    """
+    verify_url = f"{base_url}/verify-email?token={token}"
+    subject = "Verify your DocuElevate account"
+    html_body = f"""<!DOCTYPE html>
+<html lang="en">
+<head><meta charset="UTF-8"></head>
+<body style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background:#f4f4f5;margin:0;padding:32px;">
+  <div style="max-width:480px;margin:0 auto;background:#fff;border-radius:12px;padding:32px;box-shadow:0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,.08);">
+    <h1 style="color:#4f46e5;font-size:24px;margin-bottom:8px;">Welcome to DocuElevate, {username}!</h1>
+    <p style="color:#374151;">Thanks for signing up. Please confirm your email address to activate your account.</p>
+    <div style="text-align:center;margin:32px 0;">
+      <a href="{verify_url}"
+         style="display:inline-block;background:#4f46e5;color:#fff;text-decoration:none;padding:14px 32px;border-radius:8px;font-weight:600;font-size:16px;">
+        Confirm my email address
+      </a>
+    </div>
+    <p style="color:#6b7280;font-size:13px;">This link expires in 24 hours. If you did not create an account, you can safely ignore this email.</p>
+    <hr style="border:none;border-top:1px solid #e5e7eb;margin:24px 0;">
+    <p style="color:#9ca3af;font-size:12px;text-align:center;">DocuElevate &middot; Intelligent Document Processing</p>
+  </div>
+</body>
+</html>"""
+    plain_body = (
+        f"Welcome to DocuElevate, {username}!\n\n"
+        f"Please verify your email address by visiting:\n{verify_url}\n\n"
+        "This link expires in 24 hours."
+    )
+    _smtp_send(subject, html_body, plain_body, email)
+
+
+def send_password_reset_email(email: str, username: str, token: str, base_url: str) -> None:
+    """Send a password reset email to *email*.
+
+    Args:
+        email: Recipient email address.
+        username: The user's username (used in greeting).
+        token: The password reset token to embed in the link.
+        base_url: The base URL of the application.
+    """
+    reset_url = f"{base_url}/reset-password?token={token}"
+    subject = "Reset your DocuElevate password"
+    html_body = f"""<!DOCTYPE html>
+<html lang="en">
+<head><meta charset="UTF-8"></head>
+<body style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background:#f4f4f5;margin:0;padding:32px;">
+  <div style="max-width:480px;margin:0 auto;background:#fff;border-radius:12px;padding:32px;box-shadow:0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,.08);">
+    <h1 style="color:#4f46e5;font-size:24px;margin-bottom:8px;">Password Reset</h1>
+    <p style="color:#374151;">Hi {username}, you requested a password reset for your DocuElevate account.</p>
+    <div style="text-align:center;margin:32px 0;">
+      <a href="{reset_url}"
+         style="display:inline-block;background:#4f46e5;color:#fff;text-decoration:none;padding:14px 32px;border-radius:8px;font-weight:600;font-size:16px;">
+        Reset my password
+      </a>
+    </div>
+    <p style="color:#6b7280;font-size:13px;">This link expires in 24 hours. If you did not request a password reset, you can safely ignore this email.</p>
+    <hr style="border:none;border-top:1px solid #e5e7eb;margin:24px 0;">
+    <p style="color:#9ca3af;font-size:12px;text-align:center;">DocuElevate &middot; Intelligent Document Processing</p>
+  </div>
+</body>
+</html>"""
+    plain_body = (
+        f"Hi {username},\n\n"
+        f"You requested a password reset. Visit the link below:\n{reset_url}\n\n"
+        "This link expires in 24 hours. If you did not request this, ignore this email."
+    )
+    _smtp_send(subject, html_body, plain_body, email)
+
+
+def build_session_user(user: object) -> dict:
+    """Build the session user dict for a LocalUser, matching the OAuth session format.
+
+    Args:
+        user: A ``LocalUser`` ORM instance.
+
+    Returns:
+        Dict suitable for storing in ``request.session["user"]``.
+    """
+    from app.auth import get_gravatar_url
+
+    return {
+        "sub": user.email,  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+        "id": user.email,  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+        "email": user.email,  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+        "preferred_username": user.username,  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+        "name": user.display_name or user.username,  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+        "picture": get_gravatar_url(user.email),  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+        "is_admin": bool(user.is_admin),  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+        "auth_method": "local",
+    }
diff --git a/docs/BillingSetup.md b/docs/BillingSetup.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4a4462a6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/BillingSetup.md
@@ -0,0 +1,172 @@
+# Billing Setup Guide
+
+This guide covers how to configure Stripe billing and local user sign-up in DocuElevate.
+
+## Table of Contents
+
+- [Local User Sign-up](#local-user-sign-up)
+- [Stripe Billing Integration](#stripe-billing-integration)
+  - [Prerequisites](#prerequisites)
+  - [Configuration](#configuration)
+  - [Setting Up Plans](#setting-up-plans)
+  - [Webhook Configuration](#webhook-configuration)
+  - [Billing Flows](#billing-flows)
+- [Compliance Notes](#compliance-notes)
+
+---
+
+## Local User Sign-up
+
+By default, user accounts are created by an administrator. To allow users to self-register with an email address and password, set `ALLOW_LOCAL_SIGNUP=true`.
+
+> **Note:** SMTP must be configured before enabling local sign-up. New accounts require email verification before they can log in.
+
+### Configuration
+
+```bash
+ALLOW_LOCAL_SIGNUP=true
+
+# SMTP (required for verification emails)
+EMAIL_HOST=smtp.example.com
+EMAIL_PORT=587
+EMAIL_USERNAME=noreply@example.com
+EMAIL_PASSWORD=yourpassword
+EMAIL_USE_TLS=true
+EMAIL_SENDER=DocuElevate <noreply@example.com>
+```
+
+### Sign-up Flow
+
+1. User visits `/signup` and fills out the registration form.
+2. DocuElevate sends a verification email with a 24-hour token link.
+3. User clicks the link — their account is activated and they are signed in.
+4. First-time users are redirected to the onboarding wizard.
+
+### Password Reset Flow
+
+1. User clicks "Forgot password?" on the login page.
+2. User enters their email address.
+3. DocuElevate sends a password reset email with a 24-hour token link.
+4. User clicks the link, enters a new password, and is redirected to sign in.
+
+### Security
+
+- Passwords are hashed with bcrypt (12 rounds).
+- Verification and reset tokens are 256-bit URL-safe random strings.
+- All tokens expire after 24 hours.
+- Sign-up and login endpoints return generic error messages to prevent user enumeration.
+
+---
+
+## Stripe Billing Integration
+
+DocuElevate integrates with [Stripe](https://stripe.com) to handle subscription payments. Stripe acts as a data processor under a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) and is SOC 2 Type II certified.
+
+### Prerequisites
+
+- A Stripe account (sign up at [stripe.com](https://stripe.com))
+- Products and prices created in the Stripe Dashboard for each paid plan
+- A publicly reachable webhook endpoint (or use [Stripe CLI](https://stripe.com/docs/stripe-cli) for local testing)
+
+### Configuration
+
+```bash
+STRIPE_SECRET_KEY=sk_live_...         # Your Stripe secret key
+STRIPE_PUBLISHABLE_KEY=pk_live_...    # Your Stripe publishable key (for frontend)
+STRIPE_WEBHOOK_SECRET=whsec_...       # Webhook signing secret
+STRIPE_SUCCESS_URL=https://app.example.com/api/billing/success  # Optional override
+STRIPE_CANCEL_URL=https://app.example.com/pricing               # Optional override
+```
+
+> **Security:** Never commit your Stripe secret key. Store it in your environment or secrets manager.
+
+### Setting Up Plans
+
+After starting DocuElevate, go to **Admin → Plans** to configure each plan:
+
+1. Open the **Plan Designer** for a paid tier (e.g. Starter, Professional).
+2. Enter the **Stripe Price ID (monthly)** from your Stripe Dashboard (e.g. `price_1OtAbc...`).
+3. Optionally enter the **Stripe Price ID (yearly)** for annual billing.
+4. Save the plan.
+
+Stripe Price IDs look like `price_1OtAbcDefGhIjKlMnOpQrSt`. Find them in **Products** in your Stripe Dashboard.
+
+### Webhook Configuration
+
+Stripe webhooks allow DocuElevate to sync subscription status in real time.
+
+#### Stripe Dashboard setup
+
+1. Go to **Developers → Webhooks** in the Stripe Dashboard.
+2. Click **Add endpoint**.
+3. Set the endpoint URL to: `https://your-app-domain.com/api/billing/webhook`
+4. Select the following events:
+   - `checkout.session.completed`
+   - `customer.subscription.updated`
+   - `customer.subscription.deleted`
+   - `invoice.payment_failed`
+5. Copy the **Signing secret** and set `STRIPE_WEBHOOK_SECRET` in your environment.
+
+#### Local testing with Stripe CLI
+
+```bash
+# Install Stripe CLI and log in
+stripe login
+
+# Forward webhooks to your local server
+stripe listen --forward-to http://localhost:8000/api/billing/webhook
+
+# Trigger a test event
+stripe trigger checkout.session.completed
+```
+
+### Billing Flows
+
+#### Subscribe to a plan
+
+1. User visits `/pricing`.
+2. User clicks the **CTA button** on a paid plan.
+3. DocuElevate calls `POST /api/billing/create-checkout-session`.
+4. User is redirected to Stripe Checkout.
+5. After payment, Stripe fires `checkout.session.completed`.
+6. DocuElevate webhook handler activates the subscription tier.
+7. User is redirected to `/api/billing/success`.
+
+#### Manage or cancel subscription
+
+1. User visits their account settings.
+2. DocuElevate calls `POST /api/billing/create-portal-session`.
+3. User is redirected to the Stripe Customer Portal.
+4. User can update payment method, upgrade, downgrade, or cancel.
+5. Stripe fires `customer.subscription.updated` or `customer.subscription.deleted`.
+6. DocuElevate webhook handler syncs the change.
+
+#### Cancellation
+
+When a subscription is cancelled, Stripe fires `customer.subscription.deleted` and DocuElevate automatically downgrades the user to the free tier.
+
+---
+
+## Compliance Notes
+
+| Topic | Details |
+|-------|---------|
+| **GDPR** | Stripe acts as a data processor. A Data Processing Agreement (DPA) is available in the Stripe Dashboard. Stripe supports EU data residency. |
+| **SOC 2** | Stripe is SOC 2 Type II certified. |
+| **EU VAT** | Configure [Stripe Tax](https://stripe.com/tax) in the Stripe Dashboard for automatic VAT collection. |
+| **PCI DSS** | Card data is handled entirely by Stripe. DocuElevate never sees or stores card details. |
+
+---
+
+## Environment Variable Reference
+
+| Variable | Type | Default | Description |
+|----------|------|---------|-------------|
+| `ALLOW_LOCAL_SIGNUP` | bool | `false` | Allow users to self-register with email/password |
+| `STRIPE_SECRET_KEY` | string | — | Stripe API secret key |
+| `STRIPE_PUBLISHABLE_KEY` | string | — | Stripe API publishable key |
+| `STRIPE_WEBHOOK_SECRET` | string | — | Webhook signing secret from Stripe Dashboard |
+| `STRIPE_SUCCESS_URL` | string | — | Override redirect URL after successful checkout |
+| `STRIPE_CANCEL_URL` | string | — | Override redirect URL when checkout is cancelled |
+
+See [ConfigurationGuide.md](./ConfigurationGuide.md) for the full environment variable reference.
diff --git a/frontend/templates/billing_success.html b/frontend/templates/billing_success.html
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4d3e0862
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/templates/billing_success.html
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html>
+<html lang="en">
+<head>
+    <meta charset="UTF-8">
+    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
+    <title>DocuElevate - Subscription Activated</title>
+    <link href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/tailwindcss@2.2.19/dist/tailwind.min.css" rel="stylesheet">
+    <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/6.5.1/css/all.min.css"
+          integrity="sha512-DTOQO9RWCH3ppGqcWaEA1BIZOC6xxalwEsw9c2QQeAIftl+Vegovlnee1c9QX4TctnWMn13TZye+giMm8e2LwA=="
+          crossorigin="anonymous" referrerpolicy="no-referrer" />
+</head>
+<body class="bg-gray-100 min-h-screen flex items-center justify-center py-8">
+    <main class="bg-white rounded-lg shadow-lg p-8 max-w-md w-full text-center" role="main">
+        <div class="flex justify-center mb-6">
+            <img src="/static/images/logo_writing.svg" alt="DocuElevate Logo" class="h-16">
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="flex justify-center mb-4">
+            <div class="bg-green-100 rounded-full p-4">
+                <i class="fas fa-circle-check text-green-600 text-5xl" aria-hidden="true"></i>
+            </div>
+        </div>
+
+        <h1 class="text-2xl font-bold text-gray-800 mb-2">You're all set!</h1>
+        <p class="text-gray-600 mb-8">
+            Your subscription has been activated. Thank you for choosing DocuElevate!
+        </p>
+
+        <div class="space-y-3">
+            <a href="/subscription"
+               class="block w-full py-3 px-4 rounded-lg border-2 border-indigo-600 text-indigo-600 font-semibold hover:bg-indigo-50 transition focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-offset-2 focus:ring-indigo-500"
+               style="min-height:44px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;"
+            >
+                <i class="fas fa-credit-card mr-2" aria-hidden="true"></i>Manage subscription
+            </a>
+            <a href="/upload"
+               class="block w-full py-3 px-4 rounded-lg bg-indigo-600 text-white font-semibold hover:bg-indigo-700 transition focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-offset-2 focus:ring-indigo-500"
+               style="min-height:44px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;"
+            >
+                <i class="fas fa-arrow-right mr-2" aria-hidden="true"></i>Go to dashboard
+            </a>
+        </div>
+    </main>
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/frontend/templates/login.html b/frontend/templates/login.html
index a2361d4f..5ead49b9 100644
--- a/frontend/templates/login.html
+++ b/frontend/templates/login.html
@@ -78,6 +78,15 @@
                 Return to Home
             </a>
         </div>
+
+        {% if allow_signup %}
+        <div class="mt-4 text-center">
+            <span class="text-sm text-gray-600">Don't have an account?</span>
+            <a href="/signup" class="ml-1 text-sm font-medium text-indigo-600 hover:text-indigo-500">
+                Create account
+            </a>
+        </div>
+        {% endif %}
     </main>
     <div class="fixed bottom-4 text-center w-full text-xs text-gray-500">
         DocuElevate {{ app_version|default('', true) }}
diff --git a/frontend/templates/password_reset_form.html b/frontend/templates/password_reset_form.html
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..217ec2b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/templates/password_reset_form.html
@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html>
+<html lang="en">
+<head>
+    <meta charset="UTF-8">
+    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
+    <title>DocuElevate - Reset Password</title>
+    <link href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/tailwindcss@2.2.19/dist/tailwind.min.css" rel="stylesheet">
+    <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/6.5.1/css/all.min.css"
+          integrity="sha512-DTOQO9RWCH3ppGqcWaEA1BIZOC6xxalwEsw9c2QQeAIftl+Vegovlnee1c9QX4TctnWMn13TZye+giMm8e2LwA=="
+          crossorigin="anonymous" referrerpolicy="no-referrer" />
+    <script defer src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/alpinejs@3.x.x/dist/cdn.min.js"></script>
+</head>
+<body class="bg-gray-100 min-h-screen flex items-center justify-center py-8">
+    <main class="bg-white rounded-lg shadow-lg p-8 max-w-md w-full" role="main">
+        <div class="flex justify-center mb-6">
+            <img src="/static/images/logo_writing.svg" alt="DocuElevate Logo" class="h-16">
+        </div>
+
+        <h1 class="text-2xl font-bold text-center text-gray-800 mb-2">Set a new password</h1>
+        <p class="text-center text-gray-500 text-sm mb-6">Enter your new password below.</p>
+
+        <div
+            x-data="{
+                token: '{{ token | default('', true) }}',
+                new_password: '',
+                new_password_confirm: '',
+                loading: false,
+                error: '',
+                success: false,
+                async submit() {
+                    this.error = '';
+                    if (this.new_password !== this.new_password_confirm) {
+                        this.error = 'Passwords do not match.';
+                        return;
+                    }
+                    this.loading = true;
+                    try {
+                        const resp = await fetch('/api/auth/reset-password', {
+                            method: 'POST',
+                            headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json', 'X-CSRF-Token': '{{ csrf_token }}' },
+                            body: JSON.stringify({
+                                token: this.token,
+                                new_password: this.new_password,
+                                new_password_confirm: this.new_password_confirm
+                            })
+                        });
+                        if (resp.ok) {
+                            this.success = true;
+                        } else {
+                            const data = await resp.json();
+                            this.error = data.detail || 'Password reset failed. Please try again.';
+                        }
+                    } catch(e) {
+                        this.error = 'Network error. Please try again.';
+                    } finally {
+                        this.loading = false;
+                    }
+                }
+            }"
+        >
+            <div x-show="success" x-cloak class="text-center py-4">
+                <div class="flex justify-center mb-4">
+                    <div class="bg-green-100 rounded-full p-4">
+                        <i class="fas fa-check-circle text-green-600 text-4xl" aria-hidden="true"></i>
+                    </div>
+                </div>
+                <p class="text-green-700 font-semibold mb-4">Password updated successfully!</p>
+                <a href="/login"
+                   class="inline-block py-2 px-6 rounded-md bg-indigo-600 text-white text-sm font-medium hover:bg-indigo-700 focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-offset-2 focus:ring-indigo-500"
+                   style="min-height:44px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;"
+                >Sign in</a>
+            </div>
+
+            <form x-show="!success" @submit.prevent="submit" class="space-y-4" novalidate>
+                <div x-show="error" x-cloak
+                     class="bg-red-100 border-l-4 border-red-500 text-red-700 p-4 rounded"
+                     role="alert" aria-live="polite">
+                    <p x-text="error"></p>
+                </div>
+
+                <div>
+                    <label for="new_password" class="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700">New password <span aria-hidden="true" class="text-red-500">*</span></label>
+                    <input
+                        type="password" id="new_password" name="new_password" required
+                        x-model="new_password"
+                        autocomplete="new-password"
+                        minlength="8" maxlength="128"
+                        class="mt-1 block w-full rounded-md border-gray-300 shadow-sm focus:border-indigo-500 focus:ring focus:ring-indigo-500 focus:ring-opacity-50"
+                        aria-required="true"
+                        aria-describedby="pw-hint"
+                    >
+                    <p id="pw-hint" class="mt-1 text-xs text-gray-500">Minimum 8 characters.</p>
+                </div>
+
+                <div>
+                    <label for="new_password_confirm" class="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700">Confirm new password <span aria-hidden="true" class="text-red-500">*</span></label>
+                    <input
+                        type="password" id="new_password_confirm" name="new_password_confirm" required
+                        x-model="new_password_confirm"
+                        autocomplete="new-password"
+                        minlength="8" maxlength="128"
+                        class="mt-1 block w-full rounded-md border-gray-300 shadow-sm focus:border-indigo-500 focus:ring focus:ring-indigo-500 focus:ring-opacity-50"
+                        aria-required="true"
+                    >
+                </div>
+
+                <button
+                    type="submit"
+                    :disabled="loading"
+                    class="w-full flex justify-center py-2 px-4 border border-transparent rounded-md shadow-sm text-sm font-medium text-white bg-indigo-600 hover:bg-indigo-700 focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-offset-2 focus:ring-indigo-500 disabled:opacity-50"
+                    style="min-height:44px;"
+                >
+                    <span x-show="!loading">Update password</span>
+                    <span x-show="loading" x-cloak>
+                        <i class="fas fa-spinner fa-spin mr-2" aria-hidden="true"></i>Updating&hellip;
+                    </span>
+                </button>
+            </form>
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="mt-6 text-center">
+            <a href="/login" class="text-sm font-medium text-blue-600 hover:text-blue-500">
+                Back to sign in
+            </a>
+        </div>
+    </main>
+    <div class="fixed bottom-4 text-center w-full text-xs text-gray-500">
+        DocuElevate {{ app_version|default('', true) }}
+    </div>
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/frontend/templates/pricing.html b/frontend/templates/pricing.html
index f0468883..4764e64f 100644
--- a/frontend/templates/pricing.html
+++ b/frontend/templates/pricing.html
@@ -117,6 +117,13 @@
           <a href="/login"
              class="block w-full text-center py-3 px-4 rounded-lg border-2 border-blue-600 text-blue-600 font-semibold hover:bg-blue-50 transition"
           >{{ tier.cta }}</a>
+          {% elif tier.stripe_price_id_monthly or tier.stripe_price_id_yearly %}
+          <button
+             type="button"
+             onclick="startCheckout('{{ tier.id }}')"
+             class="block w-full text-center py-3 px-4 rounded-lg {% if tier.highlight %}bg-indigo-600 text-white font-semibold hover:bg-indigo-700 transition shadow-md{% else %}bg-blue-600 text-white font-semibold hover:bg-blue-700 transition{% endif %}"
+             style="min-height:44px;"
+          >{{ tier.cta }}</button>
           {% elif tier.highlight %}
           <a href="/login"
              class="block w-full text-center py-3 px-4 rounded-lg bg-indigo-600 text-white font-semibold hover:bg-indigo-700 transition shadow-md"
@@ -377,3 +384,41 @@
   </div>
 </div>
 {% endblock %}
+
+{% block extra_scripts %}
+<script>
+/**
+ * Initiate a Stripe Checkout session for the given plan.
+ * Uses the currently-selected billing cycle toggle (monthly/yearly).
+ *
+ * @param {string} planId - The plan identifier (e.g. 'starter', 'professional').
+ */
+async function startCheckout(planId) {
+  const cycleEl = document.querySelector('[data-billing-cycle]');
+  const billingCycle = (cycleEl && cycleEl.dataset.billingCycle) ? cycleEl.dataset.billingCycle : 'monthly';
+
+  try {
+    const resp = await fetch('/api/billing/create-checkout-session', {
+      method: 'POST',
+      headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+      body: JSON.stringify({ plan_id: planId, billing_cycle: billingCycle })
+    });
+    if (resp.status === 401) {
+      window.location.href = '/login?message=Please+sign+in+to+subscribe';
+      return;
+    }
+    if (resp.ok) {
+      const data = await resp.json();
+      if (data.checkout_url) {
+        window.location.href = data.checkout_url;
+        return;
+      }
+    }
+    const data = await resp.json().catch(() => ({}));
+    alert(data.detail || 'Unable to start checkout. Please try again.');
+  } catch (e) {
+    alert('Network error. Please try again.');
+  }
+}
+</script>
+{% endblock %}
diff --git a/frontend/templates/signup.html b/frontend/templates/signup.html
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ff2ee9bd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/templates/signup.html
@@ -0,0 +1,156 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html>
+<html lang="en">
+<head>
+    <meta charset="UTF-8">
+    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
+    <title>DocuElevate - Create Account</title>
+    <link href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/tailwindcss@2.2.19/dist/tailwind.min.css" rel="stylesheet">
+    <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/6.5.1/css/all.min.css"
+          integrity="sha512-DTOQO9RWCH3ppGqcWaEA1BIZOC6xxalwEsw9c2QQeAIftl+Vegovlnee1c9QX4TctnWMn13TZye+giMm8e2LwA=="
+          crossorigin="anonymous" referrerpolicy="no-referrer" />
+    <script defer src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/alpinejs@3.x.x/dist/cdn.min.js"></script>
+</head>
+<body class="bg-gray-100 min-h-screen flex items-center justify-center py-8">
+    <main class="bg-white rounded-lg shadow-lg p-8 max-w-md w-full" role="main">
+        <div class="flex justify-center mb-6">
+            <img src="/static/images/logo_writing.svg" alt="DocuElevate Logo" class="h-16">
+        </div>
+
+        <h1 class="text-2xl font-bold text-center text-gray-800 mb-2">Create your account</h1>
+        <p class="text-center text-gray-500 text-sm mb-6">Already have an account?
+            <a href="/login" class="text-blue-600 hover:text-blue-500 font-medium">Sign in</a>
+        </p>
+
+        <div
+            x-data="{
+                email: '',
+                username: '',
+                display_name: '',
+                password: '',
+                password_confirm: '',
+                loading: false,
+                error: '',
+                async submit() {
+                    this.error = '';
+                    if (this.password !== this.password_confirm) {
+                        this.error = 'Passwords do not match.';
+                        return;
+                    }
+                    this.loading = true;
+                    try {
+                        const resp = await fetch('/api/auth/signup', {
+                            method: 'POST',
+                            headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json', 'X-CSRF-Token': '{{ csrf_token }}' },
+                            body: JSON.stringify({
+                                email: this.email,
+                                username: this.username,
+                                display_name: this.display_name || null,
+                                password: this.password,
+                                password_confirm: this.password_confirm
+                            })
+                        });
+                        if (resp.ok) {
+                            window.location.href = '/verify-email-sent';
+                        } else {
+                            const data = await resp.json();
+                            this.error = data.detail || 'Registration failed. Please try again.';
+                        }
+                    } catch(e) {
+                        this.error = 'Network error. Please try again.';
+                    } finally {
+                        this.loading = false;
+                    }
+                }
+            }"
+        >
+            <div x-show="error" x-cloak
+                 class="bg-red-100 border-l-4 border-red-500 text-red-700 p-4 mb-6 rounded"
+                 role="alert"
+                 aria-live="polite">
+                <p x-text="error"></p>
+            </div>
+
+            <form @submit.prevent="submit" class="space-y-4" novalidate>
+                <div>
+                    <label for="email" class="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700">Email address <span aria-hidden="true" class="text-red-500">*</span></label>
+                    <input
+                        type="email" id="email" name="email" required autocomplete="email"
+                        x-model="email"
+                        class="mt-1 block w-full rounded-md border-gray-300 shadow-sm focus:border-blue-500 focus:ring focus:ring-blue-500 focus:ring-opacity-50"
+                        aria-required="true"
+                    >
+                </div>
+
+                <div>
+                    <label for="username" class="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700">Username <span aria-hidden="true" class="text-red-500">*</span></label>
+                    <input
+                        type="text" id="username" name="username" required autocomplete="username"
+                        x-model="username"
+                        pattern="^[a-zA-Z0-9_-]+$"
+                        minlength="3" maxlength="64"
+                        class="mt-1 block w-full rounded-md border-gray-300 shadow-sm focus:border-blue-500 focus:ring focus:ring-blue-500 focus:ring-opacity-50"
+                        aria-required="true"
+                        aria-describedby="username-hint"
+                    >
+                    <p id="username-hint" class="mt-1 text-xs text-gray-500">3–64 characters. Letters, numbers, hyphens and underscores only.</p>
+                </div>
+
+                <div>
+                    <label for="display_name" class="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700">Display name <span class="text-gray-400">(optional)</span></label>
+                    <input
+                        type="text" id="display_name" name="display_name" autocomplete="name"
+                        x-model="display_name"
+                        maxlength="255"
+                        class="mt-1 block w-full rounded-md border-gray-300 shadow-sm focus:border-blue-500 focus:ring focus:ring-blue-500 focus:ring-opacity-50"
+                    >
+                </div>
+
+                <div>
+                    <label for="password" class="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700">Password <span aria-hidden="true" class="text-red-500">*</span></label>
+                    <input
+                        type="password" id="password" name="password" required autocomplete="new-password"
+                        x-model="password"
+                        minlength="8" maxlength="128"
+                        class="mt-1 block w-full rounded-md border-gray-300 shadow-sm focus:border-blue-500 focus:ring focus:ring-blue-500 focus:ring-opacity-50"
+                        aria-required="true"
+                        aria-describedby="password-hint"
+                    >
+                    <p id="password-hint" class="mt-1 text-xs text-gray-500">Minimum 8 characters.</p>
+                </div>
+
+                <div>
+                    <label for="password_confirm" class="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700">Confirm password <span aria-hidden="true" class="text-red-500">*</span></label>
+                    <input
+                        type="password" id="password_confirm" name="password_confirm" required autocomplete="new-password"
+                        x-model="password_confirm"
+                        minlength="8" maxlength="128"
+                        class="mt-1 block w-full rounded-md border-gray-300 shadow-sm focus:border-blue-500 focus:ring focus:ring-blue-500 focus:ring-opacity-50"
+                        aria-required="true"
+                    >
+                </div>
+
+                <button
+                    type="submit"
+                    :disabled="loading"
+                    class="w-full flex justify-center py-2 px-4 border border-transparent rounded-md shadow-sm text-sm font-medium text-white bg-indigo-600 hover:bg-indigo-700 focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-offset-2 focus:ring-indigo-500 disabled:opacity-50"
+                    style="min-height:44px;"
+                >
+                    <span x-show="!loading">Create account</span>
+                    <span x-show="loading" x-cloak>
+                        <i class="fas fa-spinner fa-spin mr-2" aria-hidden="true"></i>Creating account&hellip;
+                    </span>
+                </button>
+            </form>
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="mt-6 text-center">
+            <a href="/" class="text-sm font-medium text-blue-600 hover:text-blue-500">
+                Return to Home
+            </a>
+        </div>
+    </main>
+    <div class="fixed bottom-4 text-center w-full text-xs text-gray-500">
+        DocuElevate {{ app_version|default('', true) }}
+    </div>
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/frontend/templates/verify_email_sent.html b/frontend/templates/verify_email_sent.html
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..857824d6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/templates/verify_email_sent.html
@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html>
+<html lang="en">
+<head>
+    <meta charset="UTF-8">
+    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
+    <title>DocuElevate - Verify Your Email</title>
+    <link href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/tailwindcss@2.2.19/dist/tailwind.min.css" rel="stylesheet">
+    <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/6.5.1/css/all.min.css"
+          integrity="sha512-DTOQO9RWCH3ppGqcWaEA1BIZOC6xxalwEsw9c2QQeAIftl+Vegovlnee1c9QX4TctnWMn13TZye+giMm8e2LwA=="
+          crossorigin="anonymous" referrerpolicy="no-referrer" />
+    <script defer src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/alpinejs@3.x.x/dist/cdn.min.js"></script>
+</head>
+<body class="bg-gray-100 min-h-screen flex items-center justify-center py-8">
+    <main class="bg-white rounded-lg shadow-lg p-8 max-w-md w-full text-center" role="main">
+        <div class="flex justify-center mb-6">
+            <img src="/static/images/logo_writing.svg" alt="DocuElevate Logo" class="h-16">
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="flex justify-center mb-4">
+            <div class="bg-indigo-100 rounded-full p-4">
+                <i class="fas fa-envelope-circle-check text-indigo-600 text-4xl" aria-hidden="true"></i>
+            </div>
+        </div>
+
+        <h1 class="text-2xl font-bold text-gray-800 mb-2">Check your inbox</h1>
+        <p class="text-gray-600 mb-6">
+            We've sent you a verification email. Please click the link in the email to activate your account.
+        </p>
+        <p class="text-sm text-gray-500 mb-8">
+            The link expires in 24 hours. If you don't see the email, check your spam folder.
+        </p>
+
+        <div
+            x-data="{ email: '', loading: false, message: '', error: '' }"
+            class="border-t border-gray-100 pt-6"
+        >
+            <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 mb-3">Didn't receive it?</p>
+
+            <div x-show="message" x-cloak
+                 class="bg-green-100 border-l-4 border-green-500 text-green-700 p-3 mb-4 rounded text-sm"
+                 role="status" aria-live="polite">
+                <p x-text="message"></p>
+            </div>
+            <div x-show="error" x-cloak
+                 class="bg-red-100 border-l-4 border-red-500 text-red-700 p-3 mb-4 rounded text-sm"
+                 role="alert" aria-live="polite">
+                <p x-text="error"></p>
+            </div>
+
+            <form
+                @submit.prevent="async () => {
+                    error = ''; message = '';
+                    if (!email) { error = 'Please enter your email address.'; return; }
+                    loading = true;
+                    try {
+                        const resp = await fetch('/api/auth/resend-verification', {
+                            method: 'POST',
+                            headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+                            body: JSON.stringify({ email })
+                        });
+                        if (resp.ok) {
+                            message = 'Verification email resent. Please check your inbox.';
+                        } else {
+                            error = 'Something went wrong. Please try again.';
+                        }
+                    } catch(e) {
+                        error = 'Network error. Please try again.';
+                    } finally {
+                        loading = false;
+                    }
+                }"
+                class="space-y-3"
+                novalidate
+            >
+                <div>
+                    <label for="resend-email" class="sr-only">Email address</label>
+                    <input
+                        type="email" id="resend-email" name="email"
+                        x-model="email"
+                        placeholder="Enter your email address"
+                        autocomplete="email"
+                        class="block w-full rounded-md border-gray-300 shadow-sm focus:border-indigo-500 focus:ring focus:ring-indigo-500 focus:ring-opacity-50 text-sm"
+                        aria-label="Email address for resend"
+                        style="min-height:44px;"
+                    >
+                </div>
+                <button
+                    type="submit"
+                    :disabled="loading"
+                    class="w-full flex justify-center py-2 px-4 border border-indigo-600 rounded-md text-sm font-medium text-indigo-600 hover:bg-indigo-50 focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-offset-2 focus:ring-indigo-500 disabled:opacity-50"
+                    style="min-height:44px;"
+                >
+                    <span x-show="!loading">Resend verification email</span>
+                    <span x-show="loading" x-cloak>
+                        <i class="fas fa-spinner fa-spin mr-2" aria-hidden="true"></i>Sending&hellip;
+                    </span>
+                </button>
+            </form>
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="mt-6 text-center">
+            <a href="/login" class="text-sm font-medium text-blue-600 hover:text-blue-500">
+                Back to sign in
+            </a>
+        </div>
+    </main>
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/migrations/versions/018_add_local_users_and_billing.py b/migrations/versions/018_add_local_users_and_billing.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b226a0d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/migrations/versions/018_add_local_users_and_billing.py
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+"""Add local_users table and billing columns
+
+Revision ID: 018_add_local_users_and_billing
+Revises: 017_add_onboarding_fields
+Create Date: 2026-03-09
+"""
+
+from typing import Union
+
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+from alembic import op
+
+revision: str = "018_add_local_users_and_billing"
+down_revision: Union[str, None] = "017_add_onboarding_fields"
+depends_on: Union[str, None] = None
+
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    """Create local_users table and add billing columns."""
+    op.create_table(
+        "local_users",
+        sa.Column("id", sa.Integer(), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column("email", sa.String(255), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column("username", sa.String(64), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column("display_name", sa.String(255), nullable=True),
+        sa.Column("hashed_password", sa.String(255), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column("is_active", sa.Boolean(), nullable=False, server_default="0"),
+        sa.Column("is_admin", sa.Boolean(), nullable=False, server_default="0"),
+        sa.Column("email_verification_token", sa.String(128), nullable=True),
+        sa.Column("email_verification_sent_at", sa.DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=True),
+        sa.Column("password_reset_token", sa.String(128), nullable=True),
+        sa.Column("password_reset_sent_at", sa.DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=True),
+        sa.Column("created_at", sa.DateTime(timezone=True), server_default=sa.func.now()),
+        sa.Column("updated_at", sa.DateTime(timezone=True), server_default=sa.func.now(), onupdate=sa.func.now()),
+        sa.PrimaryKeyConstraint("id"),
+        sa.UniqueConstraint("email"),
+        sa.UniqueConstraint("username"),
+    )
+    op.add_column("user_profiles", sa.Column("stripe_customer_id", sa.String(64), nullable=True))
+    op.add_column("subscription_plans", sa.Column("stripe_price_id_monthly", sa.String(64), nullable=True))
+    op.add_column("subscription_plans", sa.Column("stripe_price_id_yearly", sa.String(64), nullable=True))
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    """Reverse the migration."""
+    op.drop_column("subscription_plans", "stripe_price_id_yearly")
+    op.drop_column("subscription_plans", "stripe_price_id_monthly")
+    op.drop_column("user_profiles", "stripe_customer_id")
+    op.drop_table("local_users")
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index 3d92dda5..3eb8e52d 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -44,3 +44,4 @@ pytesseract>=0.3.10  # Python wrapper for Tesseract OCR
 pdf2image>=1.17.0  # Convert PDF pages to images (used by Tesseract and EasyOCR providers)
 ocrmypdf>=16.0.0,<18.0.0  # Post-processing: embeds searchable text layers into PDFs via Tesseract
 meilisearch>=0.31.0  # Full-text search engine client
+stripe>=7.0.0,<15.0.0  # Stripe billing SDK (MIT license)
diff --git a/tests/test_auth.py b/tests/test_auth.py
index bb833303..f781cbec 100644
--- a/tests/test_auth.py
+++ b/tests/test_auth.py
@@ -729,9 +729,16 @@ class TestEnsureUserProfile:
 class TestAuthFunction:
     """Tests for auth() function (local authentication)."""
 
+    def _make_mock_db(self):
+        """Create a mock DB that returns None for LocalUser queries (no local users)."""
+        mock_db = MagicMock()
+        # query().filter().first() returns None → no LocalUser found
+        mock_db.query.return_value.filter.return_value.first.return_value = None
+        return mock_db
+
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
     async def test_auth_success(self):
-        """Test successful local authentication."""
+        """Test successful local authentication (admin fallback)."""
         from app.auth import auth
 
         mock_request = MagicMock(spec=Request)
@@ -743,7 +750,7 @@ class TestAuthFunction:
             mock_settings.admin_username = "testadmin"
             mock_settings.admin_password = "testpass"
 
-            result = await auth(mock_request)
+            result = await auth(mock_request, db=self._make_mock_db())
 
             assert isinstance(result, RedirectResponse)
             assert result.status_code == 302
@@ -766,7 +773,7 @@ class TestAuthFunction:
             mock_settings.admin_username = "testadmin"
             mock_settings.admin_password = "testpass"
 
-            result = await auth(mock_request)
+            result = await auth(mock_request, db=self._make_mock_db())
 
             assert isinstance(result, RedirectResponse)
             assert "/login?error=Invalid+username+or+password" in result.headers["location"]
@@ -786,7 +793,7 @@ class TestAuthFunction:
             mock_settings.admin_username = "testadmin"
             mock_settings.admin_password = "testpass"
 
-            result = await auth(mock_request)
+            result = await auth(mock_request, db=self._make_mock_db())
 
             assert isinstance(result, RedirectResponse)
             assert "/login?error=Invalid+username+or+password" in result.headers["location"]
@@ -805,7 +812,7 @@ class TestAuthFunction:
             mock_settings.admin_username = "testadmin"
             mock_settings.admin_password = "testpass"
 
-            result = await auth(mock_request)
+            result = await auth(mock_request, db=self._make_mock_db())
 
             assert isinstance(result, RedirectResponse)
             assert result.headers["location"] == "/settings"
diff --git a/tests/test_billing.py b/tests/test_billing.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a669173a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_billing.py
@@ -0,0 +1,486 @@
+"""Tests for the Stripe billing API endpoints.
+
+Covers:
+- POST /api/billing/create-checkout-session
+- POST /api/billing/create-portal-session
+- POST /api/billing/webhook (all event types)
+- GET  /api/billing/success
+- Internal helpers: _handle_stripe_event, _on_checkout_completed,
+  _on_subscription_updated, _on_subscription_deleted
+"""
+
+import json
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
+
+import pytest
+from fastapi.testclient import TestClient
+from sqlalchemy import create_engine
+from sqlalchemy.orm import sessionmaker
+from sqlalchemy.pool import StaticPool
+
+from app.api.billing import (
+    _handle_stripe_event,
+    _on_checkout_completed,
+    _on_subscription_deleted,
+    _on_subscription_updated,
+    _resolve_plan_id_from_price,
+    _resolve_user_id_from_customer,
+)
+from app.database import Base, get_db
+from app.models import SubscriptionPlan, UserProfile
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Fixtures
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@pytest.fixture()
+def bill_engine():
+    """In-memory SQLite engine for billing tests."""
+    engine = create_engine(
+        "sqlite:///:memory:",
+        connect_args={"check_same_thread": False},
+        poolclass=StaticPool,
+    )
+    Base.metadata.create_all(bind=engine)
+    yield engine
+    Base.metadata.drop_all(bind=engine)
+
+
+@pytest.fixture()
+def bill_session(bill_engine):
+    """DB session for one test."""
+    Session = sessionmaker(bind=bill_engine)
+    session = Session()
+    yield session
+    session.close()
+
+
+@pytest.fixture()
+def bill_client(bill_engine):
+    """TestClient with DB dependency overridden and a logged-in session."""
+    from app.main import app
+
+    Session = sessionmaker(bind=bill_engine)
+
+    def override_get_db():
+        db = Session()
+        try:
+            yield db
+        finally:
+            db.close()
+
+    app.dependency_overrides[get_db] = override_get_db
+    with TestClient(app, base_url="http://localhost", raise_server_exceptions=False) as client:
+        yield client
+    app.dependency_overrides.pop(get_db, None)
+
+
+@pytest.fixture()
+def starter_plan(bill_session):
+    """A SubscriptionPlan with Stripe price IDs in the DB."""
+    plan = SubscriptionPlan(
+        plan_id="starter",
+        name="Starter",
+        price_monthly=9.0,
+        price_yearly=90.0,
+        trial_days=0,
+        stripe_price_id_monthly="price_monthly_starter",
+        stripe_price_id_yearly="price_yearly_starter",
+    )
+    bill_session.add(plan)
+    bill_session.commit()
+    return plan
+
+
+@pytest.fixture()
+def user_profile(bill_session):
+    """A UserProfile for user1@example.com."""
+    profile = UserProfile(
+        user_id="user1@example.com",
+        display_name="Test User",
+        stripe_customer_id=None,
+    )
+    bill_session.add(profile)
+    bill_session.commit()
+    return profile
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Tests: _get_stripe returns None when not configured
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_get_stripe_returns_none_when_not_configured():
+    """_get_stripe returns None when stripe_secret_key is not set."""
+    from app.api.billing import _get_stripe
+
+    with patch("app.api.billing.settings") as mock_settings:
+        mock_settings.stripe_secret_key = None
+        result = _get_stripe()
+    assert result is None
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_get_stripe_returns_client_when_configured():
+    """_get_stripe returns a StripeClient when key is configured."""
+    from app.api.billing import _get_stripe
+
+    with patch("app.api.billing.settings") as mock_settings:
+        mock_settings.stripe_secret_key = "sk_test_fake"
+        result = _get_stripe()
+    assert result is not None
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Tests: create-checkout-session
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_create_checkout_session_stripe_not_configured(bill_client):
+    """POST /api/billing/create-checkout-session returns 503 when Stripe not set."""
+    with patch("app.api.billing._get_stripe", return_value=None):
+        resp = bill_client.post(
+            "/api/billing/create-checkout-session",
+            json={"plan_id": "starter", "billing_cycle": "monthly"},
+        )
+    assert resp.status_code == 503
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_create_checkout_session_plan_not_found(bill_client):
+    """POST /api/billing/create-checkout-session returns 404 for unknown plan."""
+    mock_client = MagicMock()
+    with patch("app.api.billing._get_stripe", return_value=mock_client):
+        resp = bill_client.post(
+            "/api/billing/create-checkout-session",
+            json={"plan_id": "nonexistent", "billing_cycle": "monthly"},
+        )
+    assert resp.status_code == 404
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_create_checkout_session_no_price_id(bill_client, bill_session):
+    """POST /api/billing/create-checkout-session returns 404 when price ID not set."""
+    plan = SubscriptionPlan(
+        plan_id="noprice",
+        name="No Price",
+        price_monthly=5.0,
+        price_yearly=50.0,
+        trial_days=0,
+        stripe_price_id_monthly=None,
+        stripe_price_id_yearly=None,
+    )
+    bill_session.add(plan)
+    bill_session.commit()
+
+    mock_client = MagicMock()
+    with patch("app.api.billing._get_stripe", return_value=mock_client):
+        resp = bill_client.post(
+            "/api/billing/create-checkout-session",
+            json={"plan_id": "noprice", "billing_cycle": "monthly"},
+        )
+    assert resp.status_code == 404
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_create_checkout_session_success(bill_client, starter_plan, user_profile):
+    """POST /api/billing/create-checkout-session returns checkout_url on success."""
+    mock_client = MagicMock()
+    mock_customer = MagicMock()
+    mock_customer.id = "cus_test123"
+    mock_session = MagicMock()
+    mock_session.id = "cs_test456"
+    mock_session.url = "https://checkout.stripe.com/test"
+
+    mock_client.customers.create.return_value = mock_customer
+    mock_client.checkout.sessions.create.return_value = mock_session
+
+    with (
+        patch("app.api.billing._get_stripe", return_value=mock_client),
+        patch("app.api.billing.get_current_owner_id", return_value="user1@example.com"),
+    ):
+        resp = bill_client.post(
+            "/api/billing/create-checkout-session",
+            json={"plan_id": "starter", "billing_cycle": "monthly"},
+        )
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+    data = resp.json()
+    assert "checkout_url" in data
+    assert data["checkout_url"] == "https://checkout.stripe.com/test"
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_create_checkout_session_yearly(bill_client, starter_plan, user_profile):
+    """POST /api/billing/create-checkout-session uses yearly price ID for yearly cycle."""
+    mock_client = MagicMock()
+    mock_customer = MagicMock()
+    mock_customer.id = "cus_test123"
+    mock_session = MagicMock()
+    mock_session.id = "cs_test456"
+    mock_session.url = "https://checkout.stripe.com/yearly"
+
+    mock_client.customers.create.return_value = mock_customer
+    mock_client.checkout.sessions.create.return_value = mock_session
+
+    with (
+        patch("app.api.billing._get_stripe", return_value=mock_client),
+        patch("app.api.billing.get_current_owner_id", return_value="user1@example.com"),
+    ):
+        resp = bill_client.post(
+            "/api/billing/create-checkout-session",
+            json={"plan_id": "starter", "billing_cycle": "yearly"},
+        )
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+    # Verify yearly price ID was used
+    call_params = mock_client.checkout.sessions.create.call_args[1]["params"]
+    assert call_params["line_items"][0]["price"] == "price_yearly_starter"
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Tests: create-portal-session
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_create_portal_session_stripe_not_configured(bill_client):
+    """POST /api/billing/create-portal-session returns 503 when not configured."""
+    with patch("app.api.billing._get_stripe", return_value=None):
+        resp = bill_client.post("/api/billing/create-portal-session", json={})
+    assert resp.status_code == 503
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_create_portal_session_no_customer(bill_client, user_profile):
+    """POST /api/billing/create-portal-session returns 404 when no Stripe customer."""
+    mock_client = MagicMock()
+    with (
+        patch("app.api.billing._get_stripe", return_value=mock_client),
+        patch("app.api.billing.get_current_owner_id", return_value="user1@example.com"),
+    ):
+        resp = bill_client.post("/api/billing/create-portal-session", json={})
+    assert resp.status_code == 404
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_create_portal_session_success(bill_client, bill_session, user_profile):
+    """POST /api/billing/create-portal-session returns portal_url on success."""
+    user_profile.stripe_customer_id = "cus_existing"
+    bill_session.commit()
+
+    mock_client = MagicMock()
+    mock_portal = MagicMock()
+    mock_portal.url = "https://billing.stripe.com/portal/test"
+    mock_client.billing_portal.sessions.create.return_value = mock_portal
+
+    with (
+        patch("app.api.billing._get_stripe", return_value=mock_client),
+        patch("app.api.billing.get_current_owner_id", return_value="user1@example.com"),
+    ):
+        resp = bill_client.post("/api/billing/create-portal-session", json={})
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+    assert resp.json()["portal_url"] == "https://billing.stripe.com/portal/test"
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Tests: webhook
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_webhook_not_configured(bill_client):
+    """POST /api/billing/webhook returns 503 when billing not configured."""
+    with patch("app.api.billing.settings") as mock_settings:
+        mock_settings.stripe_secret_key = None
+        mock_settings.stripe_webhook_secret = None
+        resp = bill_client.post(
+            "/api/billing/webhook",
+            content=b"{}",
+            headers={"content-type": "application/json"},
+        )
+    assert resp.status_code == 503
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_webhook_invalid_signature(bill_client):
+    """POST /api/billing/webhook returns 400 on invalid Stripe signature."""
+    import stripe
+
+    with (
+        patch("app.api.billing.settings") as mock_settings,
+        patch("stripe.Webhook.construct_event", side_effect=stripe.SignatureVerificationError("bad", "sig")),
+    ):
+        mock_settings.stripe_secret_key = "sk_test_fake"
+        mock_settings.stripe_webhook_secret = "whsec_test"
+        resp = bill_client.post(
+            "/api/billing/webhook",
+            content=b'{"type":"test"}',
+            headers={"stripe-signature": "bad_sig", "content-type": "application/json"},
+        )
+    assert resp.status_code == 400
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_webhook_checkout_completed(bill_client, bill_session, starter_plan, user_profile):
+    """POST /api/billing/webhook activates plan on checkout.session.completed."""
+    payload = json.dumps(
+        {
+            "type": "checkout.session.completed",
+            "data": {
+                "object": {
+                    "customer": "cus_new",
+                    "metadata": {
+                        "docuelevate_user_id": "user1@example.com",
+                        "plan_id": "starter",
+                        "billing_cycle": "monthly",
+                    },
+                }
+            },
+        }
+    ).encode()
+
+    with (
+        patch("app.api.billing.settings") as mock_settings,
+        patch("stripe.Event.construct_from", return_value=json.loads(payload)),
+    ):
+        mock_settings.stripe_secret_key = "sk_test_fake"
+        mock_settings.stripe_webhook_secret = None
+        resp = bill_client.post(
+            "/api/billing/webhook",
+            content=payload,
+            headers={"content-type": "application/json"},
+        )
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+
+    bill_session.expire_all()
+    profile = bill_session.query(UserProfile).filter(UserProfile.user_id == "user1@example.com").first()
+    assert profile.subscription_tier == "starter"
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_webhook_subscription_deleted(bill_client, bill_session, user_profile):
+    """POST /api/billing/webhook downgrades to free on subscription deleted."""
+    user_profile.stripe_customer_id = "cus_del"
+    user_profile.subscription_tier = "starter"
+    bill_session.commit()
+
+    payload = json.dumps(
+        {
+            "type": "customer.subscription.deleted",
+            "data": {"object": {"customer": "cus_del"}},
+        }
+    ).encode()
+
+    with (
+        patch("app.api.billing.settings") as mock_settings,
+        patch("stripe.Event.construct_from", return_value=json.loads(payload)),
+    ):
+        mock_settings.stripe_secret_key = "sk_test_fake"
+        mock_settings.stripe_webhook_secret = None
+        resp = bill_client.post(
+            "/api/billing/webhook",
+            content=payload,
+            headers={"content-type": "application/json"},
+        )
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+
+    bill_session.expire_all()
+    profile = bill_session.query(UserProfile).filter(UserProfile.user_id == "user1@example.com").first()
+    assert profile.subscription_tier == "free"
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Unit tests: internal helpers
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_resolve_user_id_from_customer(bill_session, user_profile):
+    """_resolve_user_id_from_customer returns user_id for known Stripe customer."""
+    user_profile.stripe_customer_id = "cus_known"
+    bill_session.commit()
+    result = _resolve_user_id_from_customer(bill_session, "cus_known")
+    assert result == "user1@example.com"
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_resolve_user_id_from_customer_unknown(bill_session):
+    """_resolve_user_id_from_customer returns None for unknown customer."""
+    result = _resolve_user_id_from_customer(bill_session, "cus_unknown")
+    assert result is None
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_resolve_plan_id_from_price(bill_session, starter_plan):
+    """_resolve_plan_id_from_price finds plan by monthly price ID."""
+    result = _resolve_plan_id_from_price(bill_session, "price_monthly_starter")
+    assert result == "starter"
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_resolve_plan_id_from_price_yearly(bill_session, starter_plan):
+    """_resolve_plan_id_from_price finds plan by yearly price ID."""
+    result = _resolve_plan_id_from_price(bill_session, "price_yearly_starter")
+    assert result == "starter"
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_resolve_plan_id_from_price_unknown(bill_session):
+    """_resolve_plan_id_from_price returns None for unknown price."""
+    result = _resolve_plan_id_from_price(bill_session, "price_unknown")
+    assert result is None
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_on_checkout_completed_missing_user_id(bill_session):
+    """_on_checkout_completed does nothing when user_id is absent."""
+    data = {"metadata": {}, "customer": "cus_test"}
+    _on_checkout_completed(bill_session, data)  # Should not raise
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_on_subscription_updated_no_items(bill_session, user_profile):
+    """_on_subscription_updated does nothing when items list is empty."""
+    user_profile.stripe_customer_id = "cus_upd"
+    bill_session.commit()
+    data = {"customer": "cus_upd", "items": {"data": []}}
+    _on_subscription_updated(bill_session, data)  # Should not raise
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_on_subscription_deleted_unknown_customer(bill_session):
+    """_on_subscription_deleted does nothing for unknown customer."""
+    data = {"customer": "cus_nobody"}
+    _on_subscription_deleted(bill_session, data)  # Should not raise
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_handle_stripe_event_unhandled_type(bill_session):
+    """_handle_stripe_event logs but does not raise for unknown event types."""
+    event = {"type": "unknown.event.type", "data": {"object": {}}}
+    _handle_stripe_event(bill_session, event)  # Should not raise
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_handle_stripe_event_payment_failed(bill_session):
+    """_handle_stripe_event handles invoice.payment_failed without raising."""
+    event = {
+        "type": "invoice.payment_failed",
+        "data": {"object": {"customer": "cus_fail"}},
+    }
+    _handle_stripe_event(bill_session, event)  # Should not raise
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Tests: billing success page
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_billing_success_page(bill_client):
+    """GET /api/billing/success returns 200 for logged-in user."""
+    resp = bill_client.get("/api/billing/success")
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+    assert b"subscription" in resp.content.lower() or b"success" in resp.content.lower()
diff --git a/tests/test_local_auth.py b/tests/test_local_auth.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e2bcf518
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_local_auth.py
@@ -0,0 +1,627 @@
+"""Tests for local user authentication: signup, email verification, and password reset.
+
+Covers:
+- POST /api/auth/signup (success, disabled, SMTP missing, password mismatch, conflicts)
+- GET  /verify-email (valid token, invalid token, expired token)
+- POST /api/auth/resend-verification
+- POST /api/auth/request-password-reset
+- POST /api/auth/reset-password
+- GET  /signup (page route)
+- GET  /verify-email-sent (page route)
+- GET  /reset-password (page route)
+- app/utils/local_auth utility functions
+- auth() login flow with LocalUser
+"""
+
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
+
+import pytest
+from fastapi.testclient import TestClient
+from sqlalchemy import create_engine
+from sqlalchemy.orm import sessionmaker
+from sqlalchemy.pool import StaticPool
+
+from app.database import Base, get_db
+from app.models import LocalUser, UserProfile
+from app.utils.local_auth import (
+    build_session_user,
+    generate_token,
+    hash_password,
+    is_token_expired,
+    verify_password,
+)
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Fixtures
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+_TEST_DB_URL = "sqlite:///:memory:"
+
+
+@pytest.fixture()
+def la_engine():
+    """In-memory SQLite engine for local auth tests."""
+    engine = create_engine(
+        _TEST_DB_URL,
+        connect_args={"check_same_thread": False},
+        poolclass=StaticPool,
+    )
+    Base.metadata.create_all(bind=engine)
+    yield engine
+    Base.metadata.drop_all(bind=engine)
+
+
+@pytest.fixture()
+def la_session(la_engine):
+    """DB session for one test."""
+    Session = sessionmaker(bind=la_engine)
+    session = Session()
+    yield session
+    session.close()
+
+
+@pytest.fixture()
+def la_client(la_engine):
+    """TestClient with DB dependency overridden."""
+    from app.main import app
+
+    Session = sessionmaker(bind=la_engine)
+
+    def override_get_db():
+        db = Session()
+        try:
+            yield db
+        finally:
+            db.close()
+
+    app.dependency_overrides[get_db] = override_get_db
+    with TestClient(app, base_url="http://localhost", raise_server_exceptions=True) as client:
+        yield client
+    app.dependency_overrides.pop(get_db, None)
+
+
+@pytest.fixture()
+def active_user(la_session):
+    """A fully active LocalUser in the DB."""
+    user = LocalUser(
+        email="active@example.com",
+        username="activeuser",
+        display_name="Active User",
+        hashed_password=hash_password("password123"),
+        is_active=True,
+    )
+    la_session.add(user)
+    la_session.add(UserProfile(user_id="active@example.com", display_name="Active User", onboarding_completed=True))
+    la_session.commit()
+    return user
+
+
+@pytest.fixture()
+def pending_user(la_session):
+    """A LocalUser with a pending email verification token."""
+    token = "validtoken123"
+    user = LocalUser(
+        email="pending@example.com",
+        username="pendinguser",
+        hashed_password=hash_password("password123"),
+        is_active=False,
+        email_verification_token=token,
+        email_verification_sent_at=datetime.now(tz=timezone.utc),
+    )
+    la_session.add(user)
+    la_session.commit()
+    return user
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Unit tests: local_auth utilities
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_hash_and_verify_password():
+    """hash_password produces a bcrypt hash that verify_password validates."""
+    plain = "super$ecret99"
+    hashed = hash_password(plain)
+    assert hashed != plain
+    assert verify_password(plain, hashed) is True
+    assert verify_password("wrong", hashed) is False
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_verify_password_bad_hash_returns_false():
+    """verify_password returns False for a non-bcrypt string."""
+    assert verify_password("any", "notahash") is False
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_generate_token_unique():
+    """generate_token returns distinct non-empty strings."""
+    tokens = {generate_token() for _ in range(10)}
+    assert len(tokens) == 10
+    for t in tokens:
+        assert len(t) > 20
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_is_token_expired_none():
+    """None sent_at is treated as expired."""
+    assert is_token_expired(None) is True
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_is_token_expired_old():
+    """Token sent more than 24 h ago is expired."""
+    old = datetime.now(tz=timezone.utc) - timedelta(hours=25)
+    assert is_token_expired(old) is True
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_is_token_expired_fresh():
+    """Token sent recently is not expired."""
+    fresh = datetime.now(tz=timezone.utc) - timedelta(hours=1)
+    assert is_token_expired(fresh) is False
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_build_session_user():
+    """build_session_user returns the expected dict structure."""
+    user = MagicMock()
+    user.email = "u@example.com"
+    user.username = "uname"
+    user.display_name = "Display Name"
+    user.is_admin = False
+    with patch("app.auth.get_gravatar_url", return_value="https://gravatar.com/test"):
+        result = build_session_user(user)
+    assert result["email"] == "u@example.com"
+    assert result["preferred_username"] == "uname"
+    assert result["name"] == "Display Name"
+    assert result["is_admin"] is False
+    assert result["auth_method"] == "local"
+    assert "picture" in result
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Integration tests: signup
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_signup_disabled(la_client):
+    """POST /api/auth/signup returns 403 when allow_local_signup is False."""
+    with patch("app.api.local_auth.settings") as mock_settings:
+        mock_settings.allow_local_signup = False
+        mock_settings.email_host = "smtp.example.com"
+        resp = la_client.post(
+            "/api/auth/signup",
+            json={
+                "email": "a@example.com",
+                "username": "auser",
+                "password": "password1",
+                "password_confirm": "password1",
+            },
+        )
+    assert resp.status_code == 403
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_signup_smtp_not_configured(la_client):
+    """POST /api/auth/signup returns 503 when SMTP is not configured."""
+    with patch("app.api.local_auth.settings") as mock_settings:
+        mock_settings.allow_local_signup = True
+        mock_settings.email_host = None
+        resp = la_client.post(
+            "/api/auth/signup",
+            json={
+                "email": "a@example.com",
+                "username": "auser",
+                "password": "password1",
+                "password_confirm": "password1",
+            },
+        )
+    assert resp.status_code == 503
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_signup_password_mismatch(la_client):
+    """POST /api/auth/signup returns 422 when passwords do not match."""
+    with patch("app.api.local_auth.settings") as mock_settings:
+        mock_settings.allow_local_signup = True
+        mock_settings.email_host = "smtp.example.com"
+        resp = la_client.post(
+            "/api/auth/signup",
+            json={
+                "email": "a@example.com",
+                "username": "auser",
+                "password": "password1",
+                "password_confirm": "different1",
+            },
+        )
+    assert resp.status_code == 422
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_signup_success(la_client):
+    """POST /api/auth/signup creates user and returns 201."""
+    with (
+        patch("app.api.local_auth.settings") as mock_settings,
+        patch("app.api.local_auth.send_verification_email") as mock_send,
+    ):
+        mock_settings.allow_local_signup = True
+        mock_settings.email_host = "smtp.example.com"
+        mock_settings.version = "test"
+        resp = la_client.post(
+            "/api/auth/signup",
+            json={
+                "email": "new@example.com",
+                "username": "newuser",
+                "password": "password1",
+                "password_confirm": "password1",
+            },
+        )
+    assert resp.status_code == 201
+    assert "Verification email sent" in resp.json()["message"]
+    mock_send.assert_called_once()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_signup_duplicate_email(la_client, active_user):
+    """POST /api/auth/signup returns 409 when email already registered."""
+    with (
+        patch("app.api.local_auth.settings") as mock_settings,
+        patch("app.api.local_auth.send_verification_email"),
+    ):
+        mock_settings.allow_local_signup = True
+        mock_settings.email_host = "smtp.example.com"
+        resp = la_client.post(
+            "/api/auth/signup",
+            json={
+                "email": "active@example.com",
+                "username": "otheruser",
+                "password": "password1",
+                "password_confirm": "password1",
+            },
+        )
+    assert resp.status_code == 409
+    assert "Email" in resp.json()["detail"]
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_signup_duplicate_username(la_client, active_user):
+    """POST /api/auth/signup returns 409 when username already taken."""
+    with (
+        patch("app.api.local_auth.settings") as mock_settings,
+        patch("app.api.local_auth.send_verification_email"),
+    ):
+        mock_settings.allow_local_signup = True
+        mock_settings.email_host = "smtp.example.com"
+        resp = la_client.post(
+            "/api/auth/signup",
+            json={
+                "email": "different@example.com",
+                "username": "activeuser",
+                "password": "password1",
+                "password_confirm": "password1",
+            },
+        )
+    assert resp.status_code == 409
+    assert "Username" in resp.json()["detail"]
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_signup_smtp_failure_cleans_up(la_client, la_session):
+    """POST /api/auth/signup cleans up user records if email send fails."""
+    with (
+        patch("app.api.local_auth.settings") as mock_settings,
+        patch("app.api.local_auth.send_verification_email", side_effect=RuntimeError("SMTP down")),
+    ):
+        mock_settings.allow_local_signup = True
+        mock_settings.email_host = "smtp.example.com"
+        resp = la_client.post(
+            "/api/auth/signup",
+            json={
+                "email": "fail@example.com",
+                "username": "failuser",
+                "password": "password1",
+                "password_confirm": "password1",
+            },
+        )
+    assert resp.status_code == 503
+    # User should NOT exist in the DB
+    user = la_session.query(LocalUser).filter(LocalUser.email == "fail@example.com").first()
+    assert user is None
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Integration tests: email verification
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_verify_email_valid_token(la_client, pending_user):
+    """GET /verify-email with valid token activates account and redirects."""
+    resp = la_client.get(
+        f"/verify-email?token={pending_user.email_verification_token}",
+        follow_redirects=False,
+    )
+    assert resp.status_code == 302
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_verify_email_invalid_token(la_client):
+    """GET /verify-email with unknown token redirects to login with error."""
+    resp = la_client.get("/verify-email?token=doesnotexist", follow_redirects=False)
+    assert resp.status_code == 302
+    assert "/login" in resp.headers["location"]
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_verify_email_expired_token(la_client, la_session):
+    """GET /verify-email with expired token redirects to login with error."""
+    old_time = datetime.now(tz=timezone.utc) - timedelta(hours=25)
+    user = LocalUser(
+        email="expired@example.com",
+        username="expireduser",
+        hashed_password=hash_password("password123"),
+        is_active=False,
+        email_verification_token="expiredtoken",
+        email_verification_sent_at=old_time,
+    )
+    la_session.add(user)
+    la_session.commit()
+
+    resp = la_client.get("/verify-email?token=expiredtoken", follow_redirects=False)
+    assert resp.status_code == 302
+    assert "/login" in resp.headers["location"]
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Integration tests: resend verification
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_resend_verification_always_200(la_client):
+    """POST /api/auth/resend-verification returns 200 for unknown email."""
+    with patch("app.api.local_auth.send_verification_email"):
+        resp = la_client.post(
+            "/api/auth/resend-verification",
+            json={"email": "nobody@example.com"},
+        )
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_resend_verification_sends_email(la_client, pending_user):
+    """POST /api/auth/resend-verification sends email for pending user."""
+    with patch("app.api.local_auth.send_verification_email") as mock_send:
+        resp = la_client.post(
+            "/api/auth/resend-verification",
+            json={"email": pending_user.email},
+        )
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+    mock_send.assert_called_once()
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Integration tests: password reset
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_request_password_reset_always_200(la_client):
+    """POST /api/auth/request-password-reset returns 200 for unknown email."""
+    with patch("app.api.local_auth.send_password_reset_email"):
+        resp = la_client.post(
+            "/api/auth/request-password-reset",
+            json={"email": "nobody@example.com"},
+        )
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_request_password_reset_sends_email(la_client, active_user):
+    """POST /api/auth/request-password-reset sends email for known user."""
+    with patch("app.api.local_auth.send_password_reset_email") as mock_send:
+        resp = la_client.post(
+            "/api/auth/request-password-reset",
+            json={"email": active_user.email},
+        )
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+    mock_send.assert_called_once()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_reset_password_success(la_client, la_session):
+    """POST /api/auth/reset-password updates password with valid token."""
+    token = "resettoken123"
+    user = LocalUser(
+        email="reset@example.com",
+        username="resetuser",
+        hashed_password=hash_password("oldpassword"),
+        is_active=True,
+        password_reset_token=token,
+        password_reset_sent_at=datetime.now(tz=timezone.utc),
+    )
+    la_session.add(user)
+    la_session.commit()
+
+    resp = la_client.post(
+        "/api/auth/reset-password",
+        json={
+            "token": token,
+            "new_password": "newpassword1",
+            "new_password_confirm": "newpassword1",
+        },
+    )
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+    la_session.refresh(user)
+    assert verify_password("newpassword1", user.hashed_password)
+    assert user.password_reset_token is None
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_reset_password_invalid_token(la_client):
+    """POST /api/auth/reset-password returns 400 for invalid token."""
+    resp = la_client.post(
+        "/api/auth/reset-password",
+        json={
+            "token": "badtoken",
+            "new_password": "newpassword1",
+            "new_password_confirm": "newpassword1",
+        },
+    )
+    assert resp.status_code == 400
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_reset_password_mismatch(la_client, la_session):
+    """POST /api/auth/reset-password returns 422 when passwords do not match."""
+    token = "mismatchtoken"
+    user = LocalUser(
+        email="mismatch@example.com",
+        username="mismatchuser",
+        hashed_password=hash_password("old"),
+        is_active=True,
+        password_reset_token=token,
+        password_reset_sent_at=datetime.now(tz=timezone.utc),
+    )
+    la_session.add(user)
+    la_session.commit()
+
+    resp = la_client.post(
+        "/api/auth/reset-password",
+        json={
+            "token": token,
+            "new_password": "newpassword1",
+            "new_password_confirm": "different_pw",
+        },
+    )
+    assert resp.status_code == 422
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Integration tests: page routes
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_signup_page_disabled_redirects(la_client):
+    """GET /signup redirects when allow_local_signup is False."""
+    with patch("app.api.local_auth.settings") as mock_settings:
+        mock_settings.allow_local_signup = False
+        resp = la_client.get("/signup", follow_redirects=False)
+    assert resp.status_code == 302
+    assert "/login" in resp.headers["location"]
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_signup_page_enabled(la_client):
+    """GET /signup returns 200 when allow_local_signup is True."""
+    with patch("app.api.local_auth.settings") as mock_settings:
+        mock_settings.allow_local_signup = True
+        mock_settings.version = "test"
+        resp = la_client.get("/signup")
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+    assert b"Create" in resp.content
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_verify_email_sent_page(la_client):
+    """GET /verify-email-sent returns 200."""
+    resp = la_client.get("/verify-email-sent")
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_reset_password_page(la_client):
+    """GET /reset-password returns 200."""
+    with patch("app.api.local_auth.settings") as mock_settings:
+        mock_settings.version = "test"
+        resp = la_client.get("/reset-password?token=abc123")
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+    assert b"password" in resp.content.lower()
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Integration tests: auth() login flow with LocalUser
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_local_login_success(la_session, active_user):
+    """auth() with valid LocalUser credentials sets session and redirects."""
+    import asyncio
+    from unittest.mock import AsyncMock, MagicMock
+
+    from fastapi import Request
+
+    from app.auth import auth
+
+    mock_request = MagicMock(spec=Request)
+    mock_request.form = AsyncMock(return_value={"username": "activeuser", "password": "password123"})
+    mock_request.session = {}
+
+    result = asyncio.get_event_loop().run_until_complete(auth(mock_request, db=la_session))
+    assert result.status_code == 302
+    assert "user" in mock_request.session
+    assert mock_request.session["user"]["email"] == "active@example.com"
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_local_login_by_email(la_session, active_user):
+    """auth() accepts email as username for LocalUser lookup."""
+    import asyncio
+    from unittest.mock import AsyncMock, MagicMock
+
+    from fastapi import Request
+
+    from app.auth import auth
+
+    mock_request = MagicMock(spec=Request)
+    mock_request.form = AsyncMock(return_value={"username": "active@example.com", "password": "password123"})
+    mock_request.session = {}
+
+    result = asyncio.get_event_loop().run_until_complete(auth(mock_request, db=la_session))
+    assert result.status_code == 302
+    assert "user" in mock_request.session
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_local_login_wrong_password(la_session, active_user):
+    """auth() with wrong password redirects to login with error."""
+    import asyncio
+    from unittest.mock import AsyncMock, MagicMock
+
+    from fastapi import Request
+
+    from app.auth import auth
+
+    mock_request = MagicMock(spec=Request)
+    mock_request.form = AsyncMock(return_value={"username": "activeuser", "password": "wrongpassword"})
+    mock_request.session = {}
+
+    result = asyncio.get_event_loop().run_until_complete(auth(mock_request, db=la_session))
+    assert result.status_code == 302
+    assert "/login" in result.headers["location"]
+    assert "user" not in mock_request.session
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_local_login_unverified(la_session, pending_user):
+    """auth() for unverified user redirects with verification message."""
+    import asyncio
+    from unittest.mock import AsyncMock, MagicMock
+
+    from fastapi import Request
+
+    from app.auth import auth
+
+    mock_request = MagicMock(spec=Request)
+    mock_request.form = AsyncMock(return_value={"username": "pendinguser", "password": "password123"})
+    mock_request.session = {}
+
+    result = asyncio.get_event_loop().run_until_complete(auth(mock_request, db=la_session))
+    assert result.status_code == 302
+    assert "verify" in result.headers["location"].lower()