feat: public platform, admin console, templates, landing docs

Projects become publicly browsable after admin approval; management and
secret-adjacent reads (logs, variables, exec, connection URLs) require
owner/member/admin auth, and platform controls sit behind RequireAdmin.

- Backend: OptionalAuth middleware, read/authed/admin route groups,
  projects.is_approved + service_templates.owner_id migration,
  visibility-aware sqlc queries, admin overview/users/approval endpoints,
  EnsureAdminAccount bootstrap (ADMIN_* env), 30 seeded templates with
  owner CRUD, managed-database connection URLs gated owner+admin, fix
  DB.Stats() infinite recursion.
- Frontend: expandable persisted sidebar + clickable user menu, public
  landing page with searchable docs browser (GitHub sync, bundled
  snapshot + localStorage fallback), DocsBrowser shared with /docs,
  template create/edit/JSON-upload for owned templates, database create
  dialog, admin console (stats, approvals, project edit/delete, user
  admin toggles), HA/Security/Usage polish with dead CSS tokens mapped
  to real theme vars, anonymous-safe gating on every mutation control.
- Tests: safe window.localStorage access fixes happy-dom crashes in
  PlatformShell and canvas storage.

Generated with [Devin](https://devin.ai)

Co-Authored-By: Devin <158243242+devin-ai-integration[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>

app/backend/cmd/server/main.go

@@ -86,6 +86,9 @@ func main() {
 		}()
 	}
 
+	// Provision the platform owner account (idempotent, non-fatal).
+	api.EnsureAdminAccount(context.Background(), db, cfg)
+
 	// Setup Gin router
 	if cfg.IsProduction() {
 		gin.SetMode(gin.ReleaseMode)

app/backend/internal/api/admin.go

@@ -0,0 +1,295 @@
+package api
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"log"
+	"net/http"
+	"os"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"containr/internal/config"
+	"containr/internal/database"
+	"containr/internal/database/sqlcdb"
+
+	"github.com/gin-gonic/gin"
+	"github.com/google/uuid"
+	"golang.org/x/crypto/bcrypt"
+)
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Admin account bootstrap
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+// EnsureAdminAccount provisions the platform owner account from
+// ADMIN_EMAIL/ADMIN_PASSWORD (optional ADMIN_NAME). It is idempotent: existing
+// users are simply promoted to admin. Both the local users row (legacy JWT
+// login) and the Better Auth account (cookie sessions) are created so either
+// sign-in path works. Failures are logged, never fatal — the platform must
+// boot even when auth is misconfigured.
+func EnsureAdminAccount(ctx context.Context, db *database.DB, cfg *config.Config) {
+	email := strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(cfg.AdminEmail))
+	password := cfg.AdminPassword
+	if email == "" || password == "" {
+		return
+	}
+	if db == nil || db.DB == nil {
+		log.Println("Admin bootstrap skipped: database unavailable")
+		return
+	}
+	name := strings.TrimSpace(cfg.AdminName)
+	if name == "" {
+		name = "Platform Admin"
+	}
+
+	// Local users row (owns resources, is_admin flag, legacy login hash).
+	hashed, err := bcrypt.GenerateFromPassword([]byte(password), bcrypt.DefaultCost)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Printf("Admin bootstrap failed: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	var userID string
+	err = db.QueryRowContext(ctx, `
+		INSERT INTO users (email, password_hash, name, is_admin)
+		VALUES ($1, $2, $3, true)
+		ON CONFLICT (email) DO UPDATE
+		SET is_admin = true, updated_at = NOW()
+		RETURNING id
+	`, email, string(hashed), name).Scan(&userID)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Printf("Admin bootstrap failed to upsert user %s: %v", email, err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Better Auth account (cookie-session sign-in). Duplicate sign-up returns
+	// an error which we treat as "already provisioned".
+	if err := ensureBetterAuthUser(ctx, name, email, password); err != nil {
+		if errors.Is(err, errBetterAuthUserExists) {
+			log.Printf("Admin account %s already exists in auth service; ensured admin flag", email)
+		} else {
+			log.Printf("Warning: admin bootstrap could not create auth user for %s: %v", email, err)
+		}
+		return
+	}
+	log.Printf("Admin account provisioned: %s", email)
+}
+
+// ensureBetterAuthUser calls the Better Auth sign-up endpoint directly. Unlike
+// createBetterAuthUser it runs outside a request context.
+func ensureBetterAuthUser(ctx context.Context, name, email, password string) error {
+	endpoint, err := betterAuthSignUpURL()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	body, err := json.Marshal(gin.H{"name": name, "email": email, "password": password})
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	request, err := http.NewRequestWithContext(ctx, http.MethodPost, endpoint, bytes.NewReader(body))
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	request.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+	request.Header.Set("Accept", "application/json")
+	if token := strings.TrimSpace(os.Getenv("BETTER_AUTH_INTERNAL_TOKEN")); token != "" {
+		request.Header.Set("X-Containr-Auth-Internal", token)
+	}
+
+	response, err := (&http.Client{Timeout: 10 * time.Second}).Do(request)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer response.Body.Close()
+
+	if response.StatusCode >= http.StatusOK && response.StatusCode < http.StatusMultipleChoices {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	var payload map[string]interface{}
+	_ = json.NewDecoder(response.Body).Decode(&payload)
+	message := ""
+	if raw, ok := payload["message"].(string); ok {
+		message = strings.ToLower(raw)
+	} else if raw, ok := payload["error"].(string); ok {
+		message = strings.ToLower(raw)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(message, "exist") || strings.Contains(message, "already") {
+		return errBetterAuthUserExists
+	}
+	if message == "" {
+		message = http.StatusText(response.StatusCode)
+	}
+	return errors.New(message)
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Admin API
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+type adminUserRow struct {
+	ID        string `json:"id"`
+	Email     string `json:"email"`
+	Name      string `json:"name"`
+	AvatarURL string `json:"avatar_url"`
+	IsAdmin   bool   `json:"is_admin"`
+	CreatedAt string `json:"created_at"`
+}
+
+func handleAdminOverview(c *gin.Context) {
+	db := c.MustGet("db").(*database.DB)
+	queries := sqlcdb.New(db.DB)
+	ctx := c.Request.Context()
+
+	count := func(query string) int {
+		var n int
+		if err := db.QueryRowContext(ctx, query).Scan(&n); err != nil {
+			return 0
+		}
+		return n
+	}
+
+	pendingRows, err := queries.ListPendingProjects(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": "Failed to list pending projects"})
+		return
+	}
+	pending := make([]Project, 0, len(pendingRows))
+	for _, row := range pendingRows {
+		pending = append(pending, mapSQLCProject(row))
+	}
+
+	c.JSON(http.StatusOK, gin.H{
+		"stats": gin.H{
+			"users":             count(`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM users`),
+			"projects":          count(`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM projects`),
+			"pending_projects":  count(`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM projects WHERE is_approved = false`),
+			"services":          count(`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM services`),
+			"running_services":  count(`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM services WHERE status = 'running'`),
+			"databases":         count(`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM database_services`),
+			"agents":            count(`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM node_agents`),
+			"templates":         count(`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM service_templates`),
+			"user_templates":    count(`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM service_templates WHERE is_official = false`),
+			"cron_jobs":         count(`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM cron_jobs`),
+			"deployments_total": count(`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM deployments`),
+		},
+		"pending_projects": pending,
+	})
+}
+
+func handleAdminListUsers(c *gin.Context) {
+	db := c.MustGet("db").(*database.DB)
+
+	rows, err := db.QueryContext(c.Request.Context(), `
+		SELECT id, email, name, COALESCE(avatar_url, ''), is_admin, COALESCE(to_char(created_at, 'YYYY-MM-DD"T"HH24:MI:SS"Z"'), '')
+		FROM users
+		ORDER BY created_at ASC
+	`)
+	if err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": "Failed to list users"})
+		return
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+
+	users := make([]adminUserRow, 0)
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var u adminUserRow
+		if err := rows.Scan(&u.ID, &u.Email, &u.Name, &u.AvatarURL, &u.IsAdmin, &u.CreatedAt); err != nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		users = append(users, u)
+	}
+	c.JSON(http.StatusOK, gin.H{"users": users})
+}
+
+func handleAdminSetUserAdmin(c *gin.Context) {
+	db := c.MustGet("db").(*database.DB)
+	targetID := strings.TrimSpace(c.Param("id"))
+	if _, err := uuid.Parse(targetID); err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "Invalid user ID"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	var req struct {
+		IsAdmin bool `json:"is_admin"`
+	}
+	if err := c.ShouldBindJSON(&req); err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": err.Error()})
+		return
+	}
+
+	callerID := optionalUserID(c)
+	if callerID == targetID && !req.IsAdmin {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "Cannot revoke your own admin access"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	result, err := db.ExecContext(c.Request.Context(),
+		`UPDATE users SET is_admin = $1, updated_at = NOW() WHERE id = $2`,
+		req.IsAdmin, targetID,
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": "Failed to update user"})
+		return
+	}
+	if n, _ := result.RowsAffected(); n == 0 {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "User not found"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	LogAudit(callerID, "user", targetID, "set_admin", map[string]interface{}{"is_admin": req.IsAdmin})
+	c.JSON(http.StatusOK, gin.H{"message": "User updated"})
+}
+
+func handleAdminSetProjectApproval(c *gin.Context) {
+	db := c.MustGet("db").(*database.DB)
+	queries := sqlcdb.New(db.DB)
+
+	projectID, ok := parseProjectIDParam(c)
+	if !ok {
+		return
+	}
+
+	var req struct {
+		IsApproved bool `json:"is_approved"`
+	}
+	if err := c.ShouldBindJSON(&req); err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": err.Error()})
+		return
+	}
+
+	rows, err := queries.SetProjectApproved(c.Request.Context(), sqlcdb.SetProjectApprovedParams{
+		IsApproved: req.IsApproved,
+		ProjectID:  projectID,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": "Failed to update project"})
+		return
+	}
+	if rows == 0 {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Project not found"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	action := "unapprove"
+	if req.IsApproved {
+		action = "approve"
+	}
+	LogAudit(optionalUserID(c), "project", projectID.String(), action, nil)
+
+	row, err := queries.GetProjectByIDForUser(c.Request.Context(), sqlcdb.GetProjectByIDForUserParams{
+		ProjectID: projectID,
+		UserID:    optionalUserUUID(c),
+		IsAdmin:   true,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusOK, gin.H{"message": "Project updated"})
+		return
+	}
+	c.JSON(http.StatusOK, gin.H{"project": mapSQLCProject(row)})
+}

app/backend/internal/api/agents.go

@@ -1217,8 +1217,10 @@ func (h *NodeAgentHandler) SetupPublicRoutes(router *gin.RouterGroup) {
 	}
 }
 
-// SetupRoutes registers authenticated dashboard/control agent routes.
-func (h *NodeAgentHandler) SetupRoutes(router *gin.RouterGroup) {
+// SetupAdminRoutes registers dashboard/control agent routes. Command
+// history and container details can leak sensitive output, so these stay
+// admin-only rather than joining the public read group.
+func (h *NodeAgentHandler) SetupAdminRoutes(router *gin.RouterGroup) {
 	tokens := router.Group("/agent-tokens")
 	{
 		tokens.POST("", h.CreateAgentToken)

app/backend/internal/api/context_user.go

@@ -3,7 +3,10 @@ package api
 import (
 	"net/http"
 
+	"containr/internal/database"
+
 	"github.com/gin-gonic/gin"
+	"github.com/google/uuid"
 )
 
 func requireAuthenticatedUserID(c *gin.Context) (string, bool) {
@@ -21,3 +24,107 @@ func requireAuthenticatedUserID(c *gin.Context) (string, bool) {
 
 	return userID, true
 }
+
+// optionalUserID returns the resolved user id or "" for anonymous callers on
+// OptionalAuth routes. Never writes a response.
+func optionalUserID(c *gin.Context) string {
+	userIDValue, exists := c.Get("user_id")
+	if !exists {
+		return ""
+	}
+	userID, _ := userIDValue.(string)
+	return userID
+}
+
+// optionalUserUUID is the uuid variant of optionalUserID; anonymous callers
+// get uuid.Nil, which matches no owner_id and therefore only sees approved
+// public resources.
+func optionalUserUUID(c *gin.Context) uuid.UUID {
+	userID := optionalUserID(c)
+	parsed, err := uuid.Parse(userID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return uuid.Nil
+	}
+	return parsed
+}
+
+// contextIsAdmin reports whether the resolved caller is a platform admin.
+func contextIsAdmin(c *gin.Context) bool {
+	return c.GetBool("is_admin")
+}
+
+// projectReadAccess reports (exists, allowedToRead). Approved projects are
+// public; unapproved ones are visible to the owner, project members, and
+// platform admins only.
+func projectReadAccess(c *gin.Context, db *database.DB, projectID uuid.UUID) (bool, bool) {
+	var isApproved bool
+	var ownerID string
+	err := db.QueryRow(
+		`SELECT is_approved, owner_id::text FROM projects WHERE id = $1`,
+		projectID,
+	).Scan(&isApproved, &ownerID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, false
+	}
+	if isApproved || contextIsAdmin(c) {
+		return true, true
+	}
+	userID := optionalUserID(c)
+	if userID == "" {
+		return true, false
+	}
+	if ownerID == userID {
+		return true, true
+	}
+	var member bool
+	if err := db.QueryRow(
+		`SELECT EXISTS(SELECT 1 FROM project_members WHERE project_id = $1 AND user_id = $2)`,
+		projectID, userID,
+	).Scan(&member); err == nil && member {
+		return true, true
+	}
+	return true, false
+}
+
+// projectManageAccess reports (exists, allowedToOperate). Unlike
+// projectReadAccess, approval does NOT grant access — only the owner,
+// project members, and platform admins may reach secret-adjacent data
+// such as variables and runtime logs.
+func projectManageAccess(c *gin.Context, db *database.DB, projectID uuid.UUID) (bool, bool) {
+	var ownerID string
+	err := db.QueryRow(
+		`SELECT owner_id::text FROM projects WHERE id = $1`,
+		projectID,
+	).Scan(&ownerID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, false
+	}
+	if contextIsAdmin(c) {
+		return true, true
+	}
+	userID := optionalUserID(c)
+	if userID == "" {
+		return true, false
+	}
+	if ownerID == userID {
+		return true, true
+	}
+	var member bool
+	if err := db.QueryRow(
+		`SELECT EXISTS(SELECT 1 FROM project_members WHERE project_id = $1 AND user_id = $2)`,
+		projectID, userID,
+	).Scan(&member); err == nil && member {
+		return true, true
+	}
+	return true, false
+}
+
+// serviceProjectID resolves the project that owns a service.
+func serviceProjectID(db *database.DB, serviceID uuid.UUID) (uuid.UUID, bool) {
+	var projectID uuid.UUID
+	err := db.QueryRow(`SELECT project_id FROM services WHERE id = $1`, serviceID).Scan(&projectID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return uuid.Nil, false
+	}
+	return projectID, true
+}

app/backend/internal/api/cron.go

@@ -65,19 +65,34 @@ type UpdateCronJobRequest struct {
 	Retention int    `json:"retention"`
 }
 
+// cronJobProjectID resolves the project a cron job belongs to.
+func cronJobProjectID(db *database.DB, jobID string) (uuid.UUID, bool) {
+	var projectID uuid.UUID
+	err := db.QueryRow(
+		`SELECT cj.project_id FROM cron_jobs cj WHERE cj.id = $1`,
+		jobID,
+	).Scan(&projectID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return uuid.Nil, false
+	}
+	return projectID, true
+}
+
 func handleGetCronJobs(c *gin.Context) {
 	db := c.MustGet("db").(*database.DB)
-	userID := c.MustGet("user_id").(string)
+	userID := optionalUserUUID(c)
+	isAdmin := contextIsAdmin(c)
 	projectID := c.Query("project_id")
 	serviceID := c.Query("service_id")
 
-	query := `SELECT cj.id, cj.project_id, cj.service_id, cj.name, cj.schedule, cj.timezone, 
-	          cj.enabled, cj.last_run_at, cj.next_run_at, cj.last_status, cj.last_output, 
+	query := `SELECT cj.id, cj.project_id, cj.service_id, cj.name, cj.schedule, cj.timezone,
+	          cj.enabled, cj.last_run_at, cj.next_run_at, cj.last_status, cj.last_output,
 	          cj.retention, cj.created_at, cj.updated_at
 	          FROM cron_jobs cj
 	          JOIN projects p ON cj.project_id = p.id
-	          WHERE p.owner_id = $1`
-	args := []interface{}{userID}
+	          WHERE (p.is_approved OR p.owner_id = $1 OR $2::bool
+	              OR EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM project_members pm WHERE pm.project_id = p.id AND pm.user_id = $1))`
+	args := []interface{}{userID, isAdmin}
 
 	if projectID != "" {
 		args = append(args, projectID)
@@ -130,7 +145,7 @@ func handleCreateCronJob(c *gin.Context) {
 		req.ServiceID,
 	).Scan(&ownerCheck)
 
-	if err != nil || ownerCheck != userID {
+	if err != nil || (ownerCheck != userID && !contextIsAdmin(c)) {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Access denied"})
 		return
 	}
@@ -184,30 +199,32 @@ func handleCreateCronJob(c *gin.Context) {
 
 func handleGetCronJob(c *gin.Context) {
 	db := c.MustGet("db").(*database.DB)
-	userID := c.MustGet("user_id").(string)
 	jobID := c.Param("id")
 
 	var job CronJob
-	var ownerCheck string
 	err := db.QueryRow(
-		`SELECT cj.id, cj.project_id, cj.service_id, cj.name, cj.schedule, cj.timezone, 
-		        cj.enabled, cj.last_run_at, cj.next_run_at, cj.last_status, cj.last_output, 
-		        cj.retention, cj.created_at, cj.updated_at, p.owner_id
+		`SELECT cj.id, cj.project_id, cj.service_id, cj.name, cj.schedule, cj.timezone,
+		        cj.enabled, cj.last_run_at, cj.next_run_at, cj.last_status, cj.last_output,
+		        cj.retention, cj.created_at, cj.updated_at
 		 FROM cron_jobs cj
-		 JOIN projects p ON cj.project_id = p.id
 		 WHERE cj.id = $1`,
 		jobID,
 	).Scan(&job.ID, &job.ProjectID, &job.ServiceID, &job.Name, &job.Schedule, &job.Timezone,
 		&job.Enabled, &job.LastRunAt, &job.NextRunAt, &job.LastStatus, &job.LastOutput,
-		&job.Retention, &job.CreatedAt, &job.UpdatedAt, &ownerCheck)
+		&job.Retention, &job.CreatedAt, &job.UpdatedAt)
 
 	if err != nil {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Cron job not found"})
 		return
 	}
 
-	if ownerCheck != userID {
-		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Access denied"})
+	projectID, found := cronJobProjectID(db, jobID)
+	if !found {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Cron job not found"})
+		return
+	}
+	if _, allowed := projectReadAccess(c, db, projectID); !allowed {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Cron job not found"})
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -233,7 +250,7 @@ func handleUpdateCronJob(c *gin.Context) {
 		jobID,
 	).Scan(&ownerCheck)
 
-	if err != nil || ownerCheck != userID {
+	if err != nil || (ownerCheck != userID && !contextIsAdmin(c)) {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Access denied"})
 		return
 	}
@@ -303,7 +320,7 @@ func handleDeleteCronJob(c *gin.Context) {
 		jobID,
 	).Scan(&ownerCheck)
 
-	if err != nil || ownerCheck != userID {
+	if err != nil || (ownerCheck != userID && !contextIsAdmin(c)) {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Access denied"})
 		return
 	}
@@ -321,19 +338,15 @@ func handleDeleteCronJob(c *gin.Context) {
 
 func handleGetCronExecutions(c *gin.Context) {
 	db := c.MustGet("db").(*database.DB)
-	userID := c.MustGet("user_id").(string)
 	jobID := c.Param("id")
 
-	var ownerCheck string
-	err := db.QueryRow(
-		`SELECT p.owner_id FROM cron_jobs cj
-		 JOIN projects p ON cj.project_id = p.id
-		 WHERE cj.id = $1`,
-		jobID,
-	).Scan(&ownerCheck)
-
-	if err != nil || ownerCheck != userID {
-		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Access denied"})
+	projectID, found := cronJobProjectID(db, jobID)
+	if !found {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Cron job not found"})
+		return
+	}
+	if _, allowed := projectReadAccess(c, db, projectID); !allowed {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Cron job not found"})
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -380,7 +393,7 @@ func handleTriggerCronJob(c *gin.Context) {
 		jobID,
 	).Scan(&job.ServiceID, &job.Command, &job.Schedule, &job.Timezone, &job.Retention, &ownerCheck)
 
-	if err != nil || ownerCheck != userID {
+	if err != nil || (ownerCheck != userID && !contextIsAdmin(c)) {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Access denied"})
 		return
 	}

app/backend/internal/api/databases.go

@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ const (
 // DatabaseService represents a managed database service
 type DatabaseService struct {
 	ID             string               `json:"id" db:"id"`
+	OwnerID        string               `json:"-" db:"user_id"`
 	Name           string               `json:"name" db:"name"`
 	Type           string               `json:"type" db:"type"`     // postgresql, redis, mysql, mariadb, mongodb, clickhouse, dragonfly
 	Status         string               `json:"status" db:"status"` // running, stopped, building, error
@@ -168,13 +169,14 @@ func NewDatabaseHandler(db *sql.DB, dockerClient *docker.Client) *DatabaseHandle
 	}
 }
 
-// GetDatabases returns all database services for a user
+// GetDatabases returns database services. The platform is public-read: every
+// caller sees the fleet, but connection URLs (which may embed credentials)
+// are only exposed to admins.
 func (h *DatabaseHandler) GetDatabases(c *gin.Context) {
-	userID, ok := requireAuthenticatedUserID(c)
-	if !ok {
-		return
-	}
-	rows, err := h.queries.ListDatabaseServicesByUser(c.Request.Context(), userID)
+	userID := optionalUserID(c)
+	isAdmin := contextIsAdmin(c)
+
+	rows, err := h.queries.ListAllDatabaseServices(c.Request.Context())
 	if err != nil {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": "Failed to fetch databases"})
 		return
@@ -182,17 +184,23 @@ func (h *DatabaseHandler) GetDatabases(c *gin.Context) {
 
 	databases := make([]DatabaseService, 0, len(rows))
 	for _, row := range rows {
-		db := mapDatabaseServiceListRow(row)
+		db := mapDatabaseServiceRow(row)
 		db = h.reconcileManagedDatabaseState(c.Request.Context(), db)
 
 		db.Metrics = h.resolveDatabaseMetrics(c.Request.Context(), db)
-		if backupConfig, err := h.resolveBackupConfig(c.Request.Context(), userID, db); err == nil {
-			db.Backups = backupConfig
+		privileged := isAdmin || (userID != "" && db.OwnerID == userID)
+		if privileged {
+			if backupConfig, err := h.resolveBackupConfig(c.Request.Context(), db.OwnerID, db); err == nil {
+				db.Backups = backupConfig
+			} else {
+				db.Backups = DatabaseBackupConfig{Backups: []DatabaseBackup{}}
+			}
+			db.Settings = h.generateMockSettings()
+			db.ConnectionURL = h.resolveConnectionURL(db)
 		} else {
-			db.Backups = h.generateMockBackupConfig()
+			db.Backups = DatabaseBackupConfig{Backups: []DatabaseBackup{}}
+			db.ConnectionURL = ""
 		}
-		db.Settings = h.generateMockSettings()
-		db.ConnectionURL = h.resolveConnectionURL(db)
 
 		databases = append(databases, db)
 	}
@@ -202,15 +210,11 @@ func (h *DatabaseHandler) GetDatabases(c *gin.Context) {
 
 // GetDatabase returns a specific database service
 func (h *DatabaseHandler) GetDatabase(c *gin.Context) {
-	userID, ok := requireAuthenticatedUserID(c)
-	if !ok {
-		return
-	}
+	userID := optionalUserID(c)
+	isAdmin := contextIsAdmin(c)
+
 	databaseID := c.Param("id")
-	row, err := h.queries.GetDatabaseServiceByIDAndUser(c.Request.Context(), sqlcdb.GetDatabaseServiceByIDAndUserParams{
-		ID:     databaseID,
-		UserID: userID,
-	})
+	row, err := h.queries.GetDatabaseServiceByID(c.Request.Context(), databaseID)
 	if err != nil {
 		if err == sql.ErrNoRows {
 			c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Database not found"})
@@ -219,21 +223,40 @@ func (h *DatabaseHandler) GetDatabase(c *gin.Context) {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": "Failed to fetch database"})
 		return
 	}
-	db := mapDatabaseServiceGetRow(row)
+	db := mapDatabaseServiceRow(row)
 	db = h.reconcileManagedDatabaseState(c.Request.Context(), db)
 
 	db.Metrics = h.resolveDatabaseMetrics(c.Request.Context(), db)
-	if backupConfig, err := h.resolveBackupConfig(c.Request.Context(), userID, db); err == nil {
-		db.Backups = backupConfig
+	privileged := isAdmin || (userID != "" && db.OwnerID == userID)
+	if privileged {
+		if backupConfig, err := h.resolveBackupConfig(c.Request.Context(), db.OwnerID, db); err == nil {
+			db.Backups = backupConfig
+		} else {
+			db.Backups = DatabaseBackupConfig{Backups: []DatabaseBackup{}}
+		}
+		db.Settings = h.generateMockSettings()
+		db.ConnectionURL = h.resolveConnectionURL(db)
 	} else {
-		db.Backups = h.generateMockBackupConfig()
+		db.Backups = DatabaseBackupConfig{Backups: []DatabaseBackup{}}
+		db.ConnectionURL = ""
 	}
-	db.Settings = h.generateMockSettings()
-	db.ConnectionURL = h.resolveConnectionURL(db)
 
 	c.JSON(http.StatusOK, db)
 }
 
+// effectiveUserID returns the user scope for row-level queries. Admins act
+// on behalf of the row's owner so management works across accounts.
+func (h *DatabaseHandler) effectiveUserID(c *gin.Context, userID, databaseID string) string {
+	if !contextIsAdmin(c) || databaseID == "" {
+		return userID
+	}
+	owner, err := h.queries.GetDatabaseServiceOwnerID(c.Request.Context(), databaseID)
+	if err == nil && owner != "" {
+		return owner
+	}
+	return userID
+}
+
 // CreateDatabase creates a new database service
 func (h *DatabaseHandler) CreateDatabase(c *gin.Context) {
 	userID, ok := requireAuthenticatedUserID(c)
@@ -357,6 +380,7 @@ func (h *DatabaseHandler) UpdateDatabase(c *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 	databaseID := c.Param("id")
+	userID = h.effectiveUserID(c, userID, databaseID)
 
 	var req DatabaseUpdateRequest
 	if err := c.ShouldBindJSON(&req); err != nil {
@@ -440,6 +464,7 @@ func (h *DatabaseHandler) DeleteDatabase(c *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 	databaseID := c.Param("id")
+	userID = h.effectiveUserID(c, userID, databaseID)
 
 	exists, err := h.queries.DatabaseServiceExistsByIDAndUser(c.Request.Context(), sqlcdb.DatabaseServiceExistsByIDAndUserParams{
 		ID:     databaseID,
@@ -481,6 +506,7 @@ func (h *DatabaseHandler) PerformDatabaseAction(c *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 	databaseID := c.Param("id")
+	userID = h.effectiveUserID(c, userID, databaseID)
 
 	var req DatabaseActionRequest
 	if err := c.ShouldBindJSON(&req); err != nil {
@@ -574,6 +600,7 @@ func (h *DatabaseHandler) CreateBackup(c *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 	databaseID := c.Param("id")
+	userID = h.effectiveUserID(c, userID, databaseID)
 
 	row, err := h.queries.GetDatabaseServiceByIDAndUser(c.Request.Context(), sqlcdb.GetDatabaseServiceByIDAndUserParams{
 		ID:     databaseID,
@@ -623,6 +650,7 @@ func (h *DatabaseHandler) RestoreBackup(c *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 	databaseID := c.Param("id")
+	userID = h.effectiveUserID(c, userID, databaseID)
 
 	var req DatabaseRestoreRequest
 	if err := c.ShouldBindJSON(&req); err != nil {
@@ -684,6 +712,7 @@ func (h *DatabaseHandler) DownloadBackup(c *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 	databaseID := c.Param("id")
+	userID = h.effectiveUserID(c, userID, databaseID)
 	backupID := c.Param("bid")
 
 	backup, err := h.queries.GetDatabaseBackupByIDAndDatabaseAndUser(c.Request.Context(), sqlcdb.GetDatabaseBackupByIDAndDatabaseAndUserParams{
@@ -904,35 +933,6 @@ func (h *DatabaseHandler) resolveBackupConfig(ctx context.Context, userID string
 	}, nil
 }
 
-func (h *DatabaseHandler) generateMockBackupConfig() DatabaseBackupConfig {
-	return DatabaseBackupConfig{
-		Enabled:    true,
-		LastBackup: &time.Time{},
-		Retention:  30,
-		NextBackup: &time.Time{},
-		Backups: []DatabaseBackup{
-			{
-				ID:        "backup_1",
-				CreatedAt: time.Now().Add(-6 * time.Hour),
-				Size:      "245 MB",
-				Status:    "completed",
-			},
-			{
-				ID:        "backup_2",
-				CreatedAt: time.Now().Add(-24 * time.Hour),
-				Size:      "238 MB",
-				Status:    "completed",
-			},
-			{
-				ID:        "backup_3",
-				CreatedAt: time.Now().Add(-48 * time.Hour),
-				Size:      "241 MB",
-				Status:    "completed",
-			},
-		},
-	}
-}
-
 func (h *DatabaseHandler) generateMockSettings() DatabaseSettings {
 	return DatabaseSettings{
 		MaxConnections: 100,
@@ -1038,26 +1038,10 @@ func (h *DatabaseHandler) resolveManagedRuntimeStatus(ctx context.Context, db Da
 	}
 }
 
-func mapDatabaseServiceListRow(row sqlcdb.ListDatabaseServicesByUserRow) DatabaseService {
-	return DatabaseService{
-		ID:             row.ID,
-		Name:           row.Name,
-		Type:           row.Type,
-		Status:         row.Status,
-		Version:        row.Version,
-		Plan:           row.Plan,
-		Region:         row.Region,
-		BackupSchedule: databaseNullString(row.BackupSchedule),
-		NextBackupAt:   databaseNullTimePtr(row.NextBackupAt),
-		ConnectionURL:  databaseNullString(row.ConnectionUrl),
-		CreatedAt:      databaseNullTime(row.CreatedAt),
-		UpdatedAt:      databaseNullTime(row.UpdatedAt),
-	}
-}
-
-func mapDatabaseServiceGetRow(row sqlcdb.GetDatabaseServiceByIDAndUserRow) DatabaseService {
+func mapDatabaseServiceRow(row sqlcdb.DatabaseService) DatabaseService {
 	return DatabaseService{
 		ID:             row.ID,
+		OwnerID:        row.UserID,
 		Name:           row.Name,
 		Type:           row.Type,
 		Status:         row.Status,

app/backend/internal/api/deployments.go

@@ -64,36 +64,22 @@ func handleGetDeployments(c *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	userID, exists := c.Get("user_id")
-	if !exists {
-		c.JSON(http.StatusUnauthorized, gin.H{"error": "User not authenticated"})
+	projectID, found := serviceProjectID(db.(*database.DB), serviceID)
+	if !found {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Service not found"})
 		return
 	}
-
-	var ownerCheck string
-	err = db.(*database.DB).QueryRow(
-		`SELECT p.owner_id FROM services s 
-		 JOIN projects p ON s.project_id = p.id 
-		 WHERE s.id = $1`,
-		serviceID,
-	).Scan(&ownerCheck)
-
-	if err != nil {
+	if _, allowed := projectReadAccess(c, db.(*database.DB), projectID); !allowed {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Service not found"})
 		return
 	}
 
-	if ownerCheck != userID.(string) {
-		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Access denied"})
-		return
-	}
-
 	rows, err := db.(*database.DB).Query(
-		`SELECT id, service_id, commit_hash, status, image_name, image_tag, 
+		`SELECT id, service_id, commit_hash, status, image_name, image_tag,
 		        build_log, runtime_log, error, started_at, completed_at, created_at, updated_at
-		 FROM deployments 
-		 WHERE service_id = $1 
-		 ORDER BY created_at DESC 
+		 FROM deployments
+		 WHERE service_id = $1
+		 ORDER BY created_at DESC
 		 LIMIT 50`,
 		serviceID,
 	)
@@ -143,11 +129,8 @@ func handleGetRecentDeployments(c *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	userID, exists := c.Get("user_id")
-	if !exists {
-		c.JSON(http.StatusUnauthorized, gin.H{"error": "User not authenticated"})
-		return
-	}
+	userID := optionalUserUUID(c)
+	isAdmin := contextIsAdmin(c)
 
 	limit := 10
 	if v := c.Query("limit"); v != "" {
@@ -162,10 +145,11 @@ func handleGetRecentDeployments(c *gin.Context) {
 		 FROM deployments d
 		 JOIN services s ON s.id = d.service_id
 		 JOIN projects p ON p.id = s.project_id
-		 WHERE p.owner_id = $1
+		 WHERE p.is_approved OR p.owner_id = $1 OR $2::bool
+		    OR EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM project_members pm WHERE pm.project_id = p.id AND pm.user_id = $1)
 		 ORDER BY d.created_at DESC
-		 LIMIT $2`,
-		userID.(string), limit,
+		 LIMIT $3`,
+		userID, isAdmin, limit,
 	)
 	if err != nil {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": "Failed to retrieve deployments"})
@@ -557,18 +541,12 @@ func handleGetDeployment(c *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	userID, exists := c.Get("user_id")
-	if !exists {
-		c.JSON(http.StatusUnauthorized, gin.H{"error": "User not authenticated"})
-		return
-	}
-
 	var d DeploymentModel
-	var ownerCheck string
+	var projectID uuid.UUID
 	err = db.(*database.DB).QueryRow(
-		`SELECT d.id, d.service_id, d.commit_hash, d.status, d.image_name, d.image_tag, 
-		        d.build_log, d.runtime_log, d.error, d.started_at, d.completed_at, 
-		        d.created_at, d.updated_at, p.owner_id
+		`SELECT d.id, d.service_id, d.commit_hash, d.status, d.image_name, d.image_tag,
+		        d.build_log, d.runtime_log, d.error, d.started_at, d.completed_at,
+		        d.created_at, d.updated_at, p.id
 		 FROM deployments d
 		 JOIN services s ON d.service_id = s.id
 		 JOIN projects p ON s.project_id = p.id
@@ -577,7 +555,7 @@ func handleGetDeployment(c *gin.Context) {
 	).Scan(
 		&d.ID, &d.ServiceID, &d.CommitHash, &d.Status, &d.ImageName, &d.ImageTag,
 		&d.BuildLog, &d.RuntimeLog, &d.Error, &d.StartedAt, &d.CompletedAt,
-		&d.CreatedAt, &d.UpdatedAt, &ownerCheck,
+		&d.CreatedAt, &d.UpdatedAt, &projectID,
 	)
 
 	if err != nil {
@@ -585,8 +563,8 @@ func handleGetDeployment(c *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	if ownerCheck != userID.(string) {
-		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Access denied"})
+	if _, allowed := projectReadAccess(c, db.(*database.DB), projectID); !allowed {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Deployment not found"})
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -639,7 +617,7 @@ func handleRollbackDeployment(c *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	if ownerCheck != userID.(string) {
+	if ownerCheck != userID.(string) && !contextIsAdmin(c) {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Access denied"})
 		return
 	}

app/backend/internal/api/exec.go

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/gin-gonic/gin"
+	"github.com/google/uuid"
 
 	"containr/internal/database"
 	"containr/internal/docker"
@@ -17,7 +18,6 @@ import (
 // commands run as the container's default user with a 30s ceiling.
 func handleExecInService(c *gin.Context) {
 	serviceID := c.Param("id")
-	userID := c.MustGet("user_id").(string)
 	db := c.MustGet("db").(*database.DB)
 
 	var req struct {
@@ -33,17 +33,20 @@ func handleExecInService(c *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	var ownerID string
-	err := db.QueryRow(
-		`SELECT p.owner_id FROM services s
-		 JOIN projects p ON p.id = s.project_id
-		 WHERE s.id = $1`,
-		serviceID,
-	).Scan(&ownerID)
-	if err != nil || ownerID != userID {
+	serviceUUID, err := uuid.Parse(serviceID)
+	if err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "Invalid service ID"})
+		return
+	}
+	projectID, found := serviceProjectID(db, serviceUUID)
+	if !found {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Service not found"})
 		return
 	}
+	if _, allowed := projectManageAccess(c, db, projectID); !allowed {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Access denied"})
+		return
+	}
 
 	dockerClient, _ := c.Get("docker_client")
 	dockerCli, _ := dockerClient.(*docker.Client)

app/backend/internal/api/ha.go

@@ -25,43 +25,58 @@ func NewHAManager(haManager *ha.HighAvailabilityManager) *HAManager {
 	}
 }
 
-// RegisterRoutes registers HA routes
-func (h *HAManager) RegisterRoutes(router *gin.RouterGroup) {
+// RegisterReadRoutes registers public HA read endpoints.
+func (h *HAManager) RegisterReadRoutes(router *gin.RouterGroup) {
 	ha := router.Group("/ha")
 	{
 		ha.GET("/status", h.GetHAStatus)
+
+		// Failover policies
+		ha.GET("/failover/policies", h.GetFailoverPolicies)
+		ha.GET("/failover/policies/:serviceId", h.GetFailoverPolicy)
+
+		// Health checks
+		ha.GET("/health/checks", h.GetHealthChecks)
+		ha.GET("/health/checks/:checkId", h.GetHealthCheck)
+		ha.GET("/health/results", h.GetHealthResults)
+
+		// Alerts
+		ha.GET("/alerts/rules", h.GetAlertRules)
+		ha.GET("/alerts/rules/:ruleId", h.GetAlertRule)
+		ha.GET("/alerts/active", h.GetActiveAlerts)
+
+		// Notifiers
+		ha.GET("/notifiers", h.GetNotifiers)
+		ha.GET("/notifiers/:notifierId", h.GetNotifier)
+	}
+}
+
+// RegisterAdminRoutes registers HA mutation endpoints.
+func (h *HAManager) RegisterAdminRoutes(router *gin.RouterGroup) {
+	ha := router.Group("/ha")
+	{
 		ha.POST("/enable", h.EnableHA)
 		ha.POST("/disable", h.DisableHA)
 		ha.POST("/failover", h.TriggerFailover)
 
 		// Failover policies
-		ha.GET("/failover/policies", h.GetFailoverPolicies)
 		ha.POST("/failover/policies", h.SetFailoverPolicy)
-		ha.GET("/failover/policies/:serviceId", h.GetFailoverPolicy)
 		ha.PUT("/failover/policies/:serviceId", h.UpdateFailoverPolicy)
 		ha.DELETE("/failover/policies/:serviceId", h.DeleteFailoverPolicy)
 
 		// Health checks
-		ha.GET("/health/checks", h.GetHealthChecks)
 		ha.POST("/health/checks", h.AddHealthCheck)
-		ha.GET("/health/checks/:checkId", h.GetHealthCheck)
 		ha.PUT("/health/checks/:checkId", h.UpdateHealthCheck)
 		ha.DELETE("/health/checks/:checkId", h.DeleteHealthCheck)
-		ha.GET("/health/results", h.GetHealthResults)
 
 		// Alerts
-		ha.GET("/alerts/rules", h.GetAlertRules)
 		ha.POST("/alerts/rules", h.AddAlertRule)
-		ha.GET("/alerts/rules/:ruleId", h.GetAlertRule)
 		ha.PUT("/alerts/rules/:ruleId", h.UpdateAlertRule)
 		ha.DELETE("/alerts/rules/:ruleId", h.DeleteAlertRule)
-		ha.GET("/alerts/active", h.GetActiveAlerts)
 		ha.POST("/alerts/:alertId/resolve", h.ResolveAlert)
 
 		// Notifiers
-		ha.GET("/notifiers", h.GetNotifiers)
 		ha.POST("/notifiers", h.AddNotifier)
-		ha.GET("/notifiers/:notifierId", h.GetNotifier)
 		ha.DELETE("/notifiers/:notifierId", h.DeleteNotifier)
 	}
 }

app/backend/internal/api/logs.go

@@ -37,27 +37,13 @@ func handleGetLogs(c *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	userID, exists := c.Get("user_id")
-	if !exists {
-		c.JSON(http.StatusUnauthorized, gin.H{"error": "User not authenticated"})
-		return
-	}
-
-	var ownerCheck string
-	err = db.(*database.DB).QueryRow(
-		`SELECT p.owner_id FROM services s 
-		 JOIN projects p ON s.project_id = p.id 
-		 WHERE s.id = $1`,
-		serviceID,
-	).Scan(&ownerCheck)
-
-	if err != nil {
+	projectID, found := serviceProjectID(db.(*database.DB), serviceID)
+	if !found {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Service not found"})
 		return
 	}
-
-	if ownerCheck != userID.(string) {
-		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Access denied"})
+	if _, allowed := projectManageAccess(c, db.(*database.DB), projectID); !allowed {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Service not found"})
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -209,30 +195,24 @@ func handleGetDeploymentLogs(c *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	userID, exists := c.Get("user_id")
-	if !exists {
-		c.JSON(http.StatusUnauthorized, gin.H{"error": "User not authenticated"})
-		return
-	}
-
 	var buildLog, runtimeLog string
-	var ownerCheck string
+	var projectID uuid.UUID
 	err = db.(*database.DB).QueryRow(
-		`SELECT d.build_log, d.runtime_log, p.owner_id
+		`SELECT d.build_log, d.runtime_log, p.id
 		 FROM deployments d
 		 JOIN services s ON d.service_id = s.id
 		 JOIN projects p ON s.project_id = p.id
 		 WHERE d.id = $1`,
 		deploymentID,
-	).Scan(&buildLog, &runtimeLog, &ownerCheck)
+	).Scan(&buildLog, &runtimeLog, &projectID)
 
 	if err != nil {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Deployment not found"})
 		return
 	}
 
-	if ownerCheck != userID.(string) {
-		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Access denied"})
+	if _, allowed := projectManageAccess(c, db.(*database.DB), projectID); !allowed {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Deployment not found"})
 		return
 	}
 

app/backend/internal/api/metrics.go

@@ -60,26 +60,19 @@ func handleGetServiceMetrics(c *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	userID, exists := c.Get("user_id")
-	if !exists {
-		c.JSON(http.StatusUnauthorized, gin.H{"error": "User not authenticated"})
-		return
-	}
-
-	var ownerID string
+	var projectID uuid.UUID
 	var status string
 	err = db.QueryRow(
-		`SELECT p.owner_id, COALESCE(s.status, '')
-		 FROM services s JOIN projects p ON s.project_id = p.id
-		 WHERE s.id = $1`,
+		`SELECT s.project_id, COALESCE(s.status, '')
+		 FROM services s WHERE s.id = $1`,
 		serviceID,
-	).Scan(&ownerID, &status)
+	).Scan(&projectID, &status)
 	if err != nil {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Service not found"})
 		return
 	}
-	if ownerID != userID.(string) {
-		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Access denied"})
+	if _, allowed := projectReadAccess(c, db, projectID); !allowed {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Service not found"})
 		return
 	}
 

app/backend/internal/api/preview_environments.go

@@ -69,31 +69,13 @@ func handleGetPreviewEnvironments(c *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	// Check if project exists and user has access
-	var project Project
-	err = db.(*database.DB).QueryRow(
-		"SELECT id, name, owner_id FROM projects WHERE id = $1",
-		projectID,
-	).Scan(&project.ID, &project.Name, &project.OwnerID)
-
-	if err != nil {
+	// Approved projects are public; unapproved ones need owner/member/admin.
+	projectExists, allowed := projectReadAccess(c, db.(*database.DB), projectID)
+	if !projectExists || !allowed {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Project not found"})
 		return
 	}
 
-	// Get user ID from JWT token (set by auth middleware)
-	userID, exists := c.Get("user_id")
-	if !exists {
-		c.JSON(http.StatusUnauthorized, gin.H{"error": "User not authenticated"})
-		return
-	}
-
-	// Check if user owns the project
-	if project.OwnerID != userID.(string) {
-		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Access denied"})
-		return
-	}
-
 	// Get preview environments for the project with service info
 	rows, err := db.(*database.DB).Query(
 		`SELECT pe.id, pe.project_id, pe.service_id, pe.branch_name, pe.pr_number, 
@@ -193,7 +175,7 @@ func handleCreatePreviewEnvironment(c *gin.Context) {
 	}
 
 	// Check if user owns the project
-	if project.OwnerID != userID.(string) {
+	if project.OwnerID != userID.(string) && !contextIsAdmin(c) {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Access denied"})
 		return
 	}
@@ -332,27 +314,22 @@ func handleGetPreviewEnvironment(c *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	// Get user ID from JWT token
-	userID, exists := c.Get("user_id")
-	if !exists {
-		c.JSON(http.StatusUnauthorized, gin.H{"error": "User not authenticated"})
-		return
-	}
-
-	// Get preview environment with project ownership check
+	// Public when the parent project is approved; otherwise owner/member/admin.
+	userID := optionalUserUUID(c)
 	var env PreviewEnvironment
 	var serviceID sql.NullString
 	var serviceName sql.NullString
 	var serviceType sql.NullString
 	err = db.(*database.DB).QueryRow(
-		`SELECT pe.id, pe.project_id, pe.service_id, pe.branch_name, pe.pr_number, 
+		`SELECT pe.id, pe.project_id, pe.service_id, pe.branch_name, pe.pr_number,
 				pe.environment, pe.status, pe.url, pe.expires_at, pe.created_at, pe.updated_at,
 				s.id as service_id, s.name as service_name, s.type as service_type
 			FROM preview_environments pe
 			LEFT JOIN services s ON pe.service_id = s.id
 			JOIN projects p ON pe.project_id = p.id
-			WHERE pe.id = $1 AND p.owner_id = $2`,
-		envID, userID,
+			WHERE pe.id = $1 AND (p.is_approved OR p.owner_id = $2 OR $3::bool
+				OR EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM project_members pm WHERE pm.project_id = p.id AND pm.user_id = $2))`,
+		envID, userID, contextIsAdmin(c),
 	).Scan(
 		&env.ID, &env.ProjectID, &env.ServiceID, &env.BranchName, &env.PRNumber,
 		&env.Environment, &env.Status, &env.URL, &env.ExpiresAt, &env.CreatedAt, &env.UpdatedAt,
@@ -414,8 +391,8 @@ func handleUpdatePreviewEnvironment(c *gin.Context) {
 				pe.environment, pe.status, pe.url, pe.expires_at, pe.created_at, pe.updated_at
 			FROM preview_environments pe
 			JOIN projects p ON pe.project_id = p.id
-			WHERE pe.id = $1 AND p.owner_id = $2`,
-		envID, userID,
+			WHERE pe.id = $1 AND (p.owner_id = $2 OR $3::bool)`,
+		envID, userID, contextIsAdmin(c),
 	).Scan(
 		&existingEnv.ID, &existingEnv.ProjectID, &existingEnv.ServiceID, &existingEnv.BranchName,
 		&existingEnv.PRNumber, &existingEnv.Environment, &existingEnv.Status, &existingEnv.URL,
@@ -498,7 +475,7 @@ func handleDeletePreviewEnvironment(c *gin.Context) {
 	}
 
 	// Check if user owns the project
-	if projectOwnerID != userID.(string) {
+	if projectOwnerID != userID.(string) && !contextIsAdmin(c) {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Access denied"})
 		return
 	}
@@ -568,8 +545,8 @@ func handlePromotePreviewEnvironment(c *gin.Context) {
 		`SELECT pe.id, pe.project_id, pe.service_id, pe.branch_name, pe.environment, pe.status
 			FROM preview_environments pe
 			JOIN projects p ON pe.project_id = p.id
-			WHERE pe.id = $1 AND p.owner_id = $2`,
-		envID, userID,
+			WHERE pe.id = $1 AND (p.owner_id = $2 OR $3::bool)`,
+		envID, userID, contextIsAdmin(c),
 	).Scan(
 		&env.ID, &env.ProjectID, &env.ServiceID, &env.BranchName, &env.Environment, &env.Status,
 	)
@@ -665,8 +642,8 @@ func handleCleanupExpiredPreviewEnvironments(c *gin.Context) {
 		`SELECT pe.id, pe.project_id, pe.service_id, pe.branch_name, pe.environment
 			FROM preview_environments pe
 			JOIN projects p ON pe.project_id = p.id
-			WHERE p.owner_id = $1 AND pe.expires_at < NOW() AND pe.status != 'expired'`,
-		userID,
+			WHERE (p.owner_id = $1 OR $2::bool) AND pe.expires_at < NOW() AND pe.status != 'expired'`,
+		userID, contextIsAdmin(c),
 	)
 	if err != nil {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": "Failed to find expired preview environments"})

app/backend/internal/api/production_behavior_test.go

@@ -6,8 +6,6 @@ import (
 	"net/http/httptest"
 	"testing"
 
-	"containr/internal/database"
-
 	"github.com/gin-gonic/gin"
 )
 
@@ -89,7 +87,7 @@ func TestRequireAuthenticatedUserIDRejectsMissingUserContext(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestRecentDeploymentsRequireAuthentication(t *testing.T) {
+func TestRecentDeploymentsAllowAnonymousRead(t *testing.T) {
 	gin.SetMode(gin.TestMode)
 	router := gin.New()
 	router.GET("/api/v1/deployments", handleGetRecentDeployments)
@@ -98,20 +96,9 @@ func TestRecentDeploymentsRequireAuthentication(t *testing.T) {
 	rec := httptest.NewRecorder()
 	router.ServeHTTP(rec, req)
 
-	// No db in context → dependency failure surfaces before auth.
+	// Deployments are publicly readable; with no db in context the handler
+	// fails at the dependency boundary, never at an auth check.
 	if rec.Code != http.StatusInternalServerError {
 		t.Fatalf("expected status %d, got %d", http.StatusInternalServerError, rec.Code)
 	}
-
-	// With db present but no user context → 401.
-	router2 := gin.New()
-	router2.GET("/api/v1/deployments", func(c *gin.Context) {
-		c.Set("db", &database.DB{})
-		handleGetRecentDeployments(c)
-	})
-	rec2 := httptest.NewRecorder()
-	router2.ServeHTTP(rec2, httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodGet, "/api/v1/deployments", nil))
-	if rec2.Code != http.StatusUnauthorized {
-		t.Fatalf("expected status %d, got %d", http.StatusUnauthorized, rec2.Code)
-	}
 }

app/backend/internal/api/projects.go

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ type Project struct {
 	Name        string `json:"name"`
 	Description string `json:"description"`
 	OwnerID     string `json:"owner_id"`
+	IsApproved  bool   `json:"is_approved"`
 	CreatedAt   string `json:"created_at"`
 	UpdatedAt   string `json:"updated_at"`
 }
@@ -48,10 +49,8 @@ type UpdateProjectRequest struct {
 }
 
 func handleGetProjects(c *gin.Context) {
-	userID, ok := requireAuthenticatedUserUUID(c)
-	if !ok {
-		return
-	}
+	userID := optionalUserUUID(c)
+	isAdmin := contextIsAdmin(c)
 
 	db := c.MustGet("db").(*database.DB)
 	queries := sqlcdb.New(db.DB)
@@ -75,6 +74,7 @@ func handleGetProjects(c *gin.Context) {
 
 	rows, err := queries.ListProjectsWithStatsByUser(c.Request.Context(), sqlcdb.ListProjectsWithStatsByUserParams{
 		UserID:      userID,
+		IsAdmin:     isAdmin,
 		Search:      searchParam,
 		LimitCount:  int32(limit),
 		OffsetCount: int32(offset),
@@ -90,8 +90,9 @@ func handleGetProjects(c *gin.Context) {
 	}
 
 	total, err := queries.CountProjectsByUser(c.Request.Context(), sqlcdb.CountProjectsByUserParams{
-		UserID: userID,
-		Search: searchParam,
+		UserID:  userID,
+		IsAdmin: isAdmin,
+		Search:  searchParam,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": "Database count error"})
@@ -171,10 +172,7 @@ func handleCreateProject(c *gin.Context) {
 }
 
 func handleGetProject(c *gin.Context) {
-	userID, ok := requireAuthenticatedUserUUID(c)
-	if !ok {
-		return
-	}
+	userID := optionalUserUUID(c)
 
 	db := c.MustGet("db").(*database.DB)
 	queries := sqlcdb.New(db.DB)
@@ -187,6 +185,7 @@ func handleGetProject(c *gin.Context) {
 	projectRow, err := queries.GetProjectByIDForUser(c.Request.Context(), sqlcdb.GetProjectByIDForUserParams{
 		ProjectID: projectID,
 		UserID:    userID,
+		IsAdmin:   contextIsAdmin(c),
 	})
 	if errors.Is(err, sql.ErrNoRows) {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Project not found"})
@@ -217,6 +216,7 @@ func handleUpdateProject(c *gin.Context) {
 	role, err := queries.GetProjectRoleForUser(c.Request.Context(), sqlcdb.GetProjectRoleForUserParams{
 		ProjectID: projectID,
 		UserID:    userID,
+		IsAdmin:   contextIsAdmin(c),
 	})
 	if errors.Is(err, sql.ErrNoRows) || role == "" || role == "viewer" {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Insufficient permissions"})
@@ -270,6 +270,7 @@ func handleUpdateProject(c *gin.Context) {
 	projectRow, err := queries.GetProjectByIDForUser(c.Request.Context(), sqlcdb.GetProjectByIDForUserParams{
 		ProjectID: projectID,
 		UserID:    userID,
+		IsAdmin:   contextIsAdmin(c),
 	})
 	if errors.Is(err, sql.ErrNoRows) {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Project not found"})
@@ -307,7 +308,7 @@ func handleDeleteProject(c *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	if ownerID != userID {
+	if ownerID != userID && !contextIsAdmin(c) {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Only project owners can delete projects"})
 		return
 	}
@@ -361,7 +362,7 @@ func parseProjectIDParam(c *gin.Context) (uuid.UUID, bool) {
 
 func mapProjectWithStatsRow(row sqlcdb.ListProjectsWithStatsByUserRow) ProjectWithStats {
 	result := ProjectWithStats{
-		Project: mapProjectFields(row.ID, row.Name, row.Description, row.OwnerID, row.CreatedAt, row.UpdatedAt),
+		Project: mapProjectFields(row.ID, row.Name, row.Description, row.OwnerID, row.IsApproved, row.CreatedAt, row.UpdatedAt),
 		Stats: ProjectStats{
 			ServiceCount:    int(row.ServiceCount),
 			DeploymentCount: int(row.DeploymentCount),
@@ -373,15 +374,16 @@ func mapProjectWithStatsRow(row sqlcdb.ListProjectsWithStatsByUserRow) ProjectWi
 }
 
 func mapSQLCProject(project sqlcdb.Project) Project {
-	return mapProjectFields(project.ID, project.Name, project.Description, project.OwnerID, project.CreatedAt, project.UpdatedAt)
+	return mapProjectFields(project.ID, project.Name, project.Description, project.OwnerID, project.IsApproved, project.CreatedAt, project.UpdatedAt)
 }
 
-func mapProjectFields(id uuid.UUID, name string, description sql.NullString, ownerID uuid.UUID, createdAt, updatedAt sql.NullTime) Project {
+func mapProjectFields(id uuid.UUID, name string, description sql.NullString, ownerID uuid.UUID, isApproved bool, createdAt, updatedAt sql.NullTime) Project {
 	return Project{
 		ID:          id.String(),
 		Name:        name,
 		Description: nullableStringValue(description),
 		OwnerID:     ownerID.String(),
+		IsApproved:  isApproved,
 		CreatedAt:   nullableTimestampString(createdAt),
 		UpdatedAt:   nullableTimestampString(updatedAt),
 	}

app/backend/internal/api/routes.go

@@ -96,6 +96,9 @@ func SetupRoutes(router *gin.Engine, db *database.DB, redis *database.Redis, cfg
 		c.Next()
 	})
 
+	// Seed the official service template catalog (idempotent upserts).
+	go SeedOfficialTemplates(context.Background(), db)
+
 	go func() {
 		if err := haManager.Start(context.Background()); err != nil {
 			log.Printf("HA manager exited: %v", err)
@@ -136,7 +139,7 @@ func SetupRoutes(router *gin.Engine, db *database.DB, redis *database.Redis, cfg
 
 		if redis == nil {
 			redisStatus = "unhealthy"
-			checks["redis"] = redisStatus
+			checks["redis"] = "unhealthy"
 			checks["redisError"] = "redis client not initialized"
 			overallStatus = "degraded"
 			statusCode = http.StatusServiceUnavailable
@@ -177,163 +180,182 @@ func SetupRoutes(router *gin.Engine, db *database.DB, redis *database.Redis, cfg
 			public.POST("/auth/register", handleRegister)
 		}
 
-		// Protected routes (authentication required)
-		protected := v1.Group("/")
-		protected.Use(middleware.Auth(cfg.JWTSecret))
+		// Read routes — public browsing. OptionalAuth resolves a session when
+		// present so handlers can widen visibility for owners/admins; anonymous
+		// callers see approved resources only.
+		read := v1.Group("/")
+		read.Use(middleware.OptionalAuth(cfg.JWTSecret))
 		{
-			// User routes
-			protected.GET("/user/profile", handleGetProfile)
-			protected.PUT("/user/profile", handleUpdateProfile)
-			protected.POST("/users", handleCreateUser)
+			read.GET("/projects", handleGetProjects)
+			read.GET("/projects/:id", handleGetProject)
+			read.GET("/projects/:id/services", handleGetServices)
+			read.GET("/projects/:id/preview-environments", handleGetPreviewEnvironments)
+			read.GET("/projects/:id/security/history", securityHandler.GetProjectSecurityHistory)
+			read.GET("/projects/:id/vulnerabilities", securityHandler.GetVulnerabilities)
+			read.GET("/projects/:id/security/metrics", securityHandler.GetSecurityMetrics)
 
-			// Platform settings (admin-gated inside handlers)
-			protected.GET("/settings", handleGetSettings)
-			protected.PUT("/settings", handleUpdateSettings)
+			read.GET("/services/:id", handleGetService)
+			read.GET("/services/:id/metrics", handleGetServiceMetrics)
+			read.GET("/services/:id/runtime", handleGetServiceRuntime)
+			read.GET("/services/:id/deployments", handleGetDeployments)
+			read.GET("/deployments", handleGetRecentDeployments)
+			read.GET("/deployments/:id", handleGetDeployment)
 
-			// Project routes
-			protected.GET("/projects", handleGetProjects)
-			protected.POST("/projects", handleCreateProject)
+			read.GET("/databases", databaseHandler.GetDatabases)
+			read.GET("/databases/:id", databaseHandler.GetDatabase)
 
-			// Service routes (nested under projects)
-			protected.GET("/projects/:id/services", handleGetServices)
-			protected.POST("/projects/:id/services", handleCreateService)
+			read.GET("/templates", handleGetTemplates)
+			read.GET("/templates/:id", handleGetTemplate)
 
-			// Generic project routes
-			protected.GET("/projects/:id", handleGetProject)
-			protected.PUT("/projects/:id", handleUpdateProject)
-			protected.DELETE("/projects/:id", handleDeleteProject)
+			read.GET("/cron-jobs", handleGetCronJobs)
+			read.GET("/cron-jobs/:id", handleGetCronJob)
+			read.GET("/cron-jobs/:id/executions", handleGetCronExecutions)
 
-			// Service routes
-			protected.GET("/services/:id", handleGetService)
-			protected.PUT("/services/:id", handleUpdateService)
-			protected.DELETE("/services/:id", handleDeleteService)
-			protected.GET("/services/:id/metrics", handleGetServiceMetrics)
+			read.GET("/security/scans/:id", securityHandler.GetSecurityScan)
+			read.GET("/security/compliance/reports/:id", securityHandler.GetComplianceReport)
+			read.GET("/security/compliance/frameworks", securityHandler.GetComplianceFrameworks)
 
-			// Runtime lifecycle (Railway-style)
-			protected.GET("/services/:id/runtime", handleGetServiceRuntime)
-			protected.POST("/services/:id/start", handleServiceStart)
-			protected.POST("/services/:id/stop", handleServiceStop)
-			protected.POST("/services/:id/restart", handleServiceRestart)
-			protected.POST("/services/:id/redeploy", handleServiceRedeploy)
+			read.GET("/preview-environments/:id", handleGetPreviewEnvironment)
 
-			// Deployment routes
-			protected.GET("/services/:id/deployments", handleGetDeployments)
-			protected.POST("/services/:id/deployments", handleCreateDeployment)
-			protected.GET("/deployments", handleGetRecentDeployments)
-			protected.GET("/deployments/:id", handleGetDeployment)
-			protected.POST("/deployments/:id/rollback", handleRollbackDeployment)
+			read.GET("/system/upgrade/status", handleGetUpgradeStatus)
+			read.GET("/system/host", handleGetHostMonitoring)
 
-			// Environment variables routes
-			protected.GET("/services/:id/variables", handleGetVariables)
-			protected.PUT("/services/:id/variables", handleUpdateVariables)
+			// HA + scaling read endpoints (status, policies, health, alerts)
+			haAPIManager.RegisterReadRoutes(read)
+			scalingHandler.RegisterReadRoutes(read)
+		}
 
-			// Logs routes
-			protected.GET("/services/:id/logs", handleGetLogs)
-			protected.GET("/deployments/:id/logs", handleGetDeploymentLogs)
+		// Authenticated routes — a valid session is required and handlers
+		// enforce ownership; platform admins additionally pass every check.
+		authed := v1.Group("/")
+		authed.Use(middleware.Auth(cfg.JWTSecret))
+		{
+			authed.GET("/user/profile", handleGetProfile)
+			authed.PUT("/user/profile", handleUpdateProfile)
 
-			// One-off exec console (docker exec, 30s ceiling)
-			protected.POST("/services/:id/exec", handleExecInService)
-
-			// Git integration routes
-			protected.GET("/git/github-app/install-url", handleGetGitHubAppInstallURL)
-			protected.POST("/git/github-app/connect", handleConnectGitHubApp)
-			protected.GET("/git/providers", handleGetGitProviders)
-			protected.POST("/git/providers", handleCreateGitProvider)
-			protected.DELETE("/git/providers/:providerId", handleDeleteGitProvider)
-			protected.GET("/git/providers/:providerId/repositories", handleGetGitRepositories)
-			protected.GET("/git/providers/:providerId/repositories/:owner/:repo/branches", handleGetGitRepositoryBranches)
-			protected.POST("/git/repositories/connect", handleConnectGitRepository)
-			protected.GET("/git/repositories", handleGetConnectedRepositories)
-			protected.POST("/git/webhooks", handleCreateWebhook)
-
-			// Build routes
-			protected.POST("/builds", buildHandler.StartBuild)
-			protected.GET("/builds", buildHandler.ListBuilds)
-			protected.GET("/builds/:id", buildHandler.GetBuildStatus)
-			protected.POST("/builds/:id/cancel", buildHandler.CancelBuild)
-			protected.GET("/builds/:id/logs", buildHandler.GetBuildLogs)
-			protected.POST("/builds/plan", buildHandler.GetBuildPlan)
-			protected.GET("/builds/detect", buildHandler.DetectBuildType)
-
-			// System routes
-			protected.GET("/system/upgrade/status", handleGetUpgradeStatus)
-			protected.POST("/system/upgrade/pull", handlePullUpgradeImage)
-			protected.GET("/system/host", handleGetHostMonitoring)
-
-			// Scaling routes
-			scalingHandler.RegisterRoutes(protected)
-			haAPIManager.RegisterRoutes(protected)
-
-			// Database routes
-			protected.GET("/databases", databaseHandler.GetDatabases)
-			protected.POST("/databases", databaseHandler.CreateDatabase)
-			protected.GET("/databases/:id", databaseHandler.GetDatabase)
-			protected.PUT("/databases/:id", databaseHandler.UpdateDatabase)
-			protected.DELETE("/databases/:id", databaseHandler.DeleteDatabase)
-			protected.POST("/databases/:id/action", databaseHandler.PerformDatabaseAction)
-			protected.POST("/databases/:id/backup", databaseHandler.CreateBackup)
-			protected.POST("/databases/:id/restore", databaseHandler.RestoreBackup)
-			protected.GET("/databases/:id/backups/:bid/download", databaseHandler.DownloadBackup)
-
-			// Notification routes
-			protected.GET("/notifications", handleListNotifications)
-			protected.POST("/notifications/:id/read", handleMarkNotificationRead)
-			protected.POST("/notifications/read-all", handleMarkAllNotificationsRead)
-
-			// Node Agent routes
-			agentHandler.SetupRoutes(protected)
-
-			// Preview Environments routes
-			protected.GET("/projects/:id/preview-environments", handleGetPreviewEnvironments)
-			protected.POST("/projects/:id/preview-environments", handleCreatePreviewEnvironment)
-			protected.GET("/preview-environments/:id", handleGetPreviewEnvironment)
-			protected.PUT("/preview-environments/:id", handleUpdatePreviewEnvironment)
-			protected.DELETE("/preview-environments/:id", handleDeletePreviewEnvironment)
-			protected.POST("/preview-environments/:id/promote", handlePromotePreviewEnvironment)
-			protected.POST("/preview-environments/cleanup-expired", handleCleanupExpiredPreviewEnvironments)
-
-			// Security routes
-			protected.POST("/security/scans", securityHandler.StartSecurityScan)
-			protected.GET("/security/scans/:id", securityHandler.GetSecurityScan)
-			protected.GET("/projects/:id/security/history", securityHandler.GetProjectSecurityHistory)
-			protected.GET("/projects/:id/vulnerabilities", securityHandler.GetVulnerabilities)
-			protected.PUT("/vulnerabilities/:id", securityHandler.UpdateVulnerability)
-			protected.POST("/security/compliance/assess", securityHandler.StartComplianceAssessment)
-			protected.GET("/security/compliance/reports/:id", securityHandler.GetComplianceReport)
-			protected.GET("/security/compliance/frameworks", securityHandler.GetComplianceFrameworks)
-			protected.POST("/security/compliance/gdpr/init", securityHandler.InitializeGDPRFramework)
-			protected.GET("/projects/:id/security/metrics", securityHandler.GetSecurityMetrics)
-			protected.GET("/projects/:id/security/audit-logs", securityHandler.GetAuditLogs)
+			authed.GET("/notifications", handleListNotifications)
+			authed.POST("/notifications/:id/read", handleMarkNotificationRead)
+			authed.POST("/notifications/read-all", handleMarkAllNotificationsRead)
 
 			// WebSocket endpoint
-			protected.GET("/ws", handleWebSocket)
+			authed.GET("/ws", handleWebSocket)
 
-			// Templates routes
-			protected.GET("/templates", handleGetTemplates)
-			protected.GET("/templates/:id", handleGetTemplate)
-			protected.POST("/templates/:id/deploy", handleCreateFromTemplate)
+			// Owned-resource mutations — handlers scope to the caller and
+			// admit admins. New projects land unapproved until an admin
+			// publishes them.
+			authed.POST("/projects", handleCreateProject)
+			authed.POST("/projects/:id/services", handleCreateService)
+			authed.PUT("/projects/:id", handleUpdateProject)
+			authed.DELETE("/projects/:id", handleDeleteProject)
 
-			// Cron Jobs routes
-			protected.GET("/cron-jobs", handleGetCronJobs)
-			protected.POST("/cron-jobs", handleCreateCronJob)
-			protected.GET("/cron-jobs/:id", handleGetCronJob)
-			protected.PUT("/cron-jobs/:id", handleUpdateCronJob)
-			protected.DELETE("/cron-jobs/:id", handleDeleteCronJob)
-			protected.GET("/cron-jobs/:id/executions", handleGetCronExecutions)
-			protected.POST("/cron-jobs/:id/trigger", handleTriggerCronJob)
+			authed.PUT("/services/:id", handleUpdateService)
+			authed.DELETE("/services/:id", handleDeleteService)
+			authed.POST("/services/:id/start", handleServiceStart)
+			authed.POST("/services/:id/stop", handleServiceStop)
+			authed.POST("/services/:id/restart", handleServiceRestart)
+			authed.POST("/services/:id/redeploy", handleServiceRedeploy)
+			authed.POST("/services/:id/deployments", handleCreateDeployment)
+			authed.POST("/deployments/:id/rollback", handleRollbackDeployment)
 
-			// Audit Logs routes
-			protected.GET("/audit-logs", handleGetAuditLogs)
-			protected.GET("/audit-logs/:resource/:id", handleGetResourceAuditLogs)
+			// Environment variables — secrets, owner/admin only.
+			authed.GET("/services/:id/variables", handleGetVariables)
+			authed.PUT("/services/:id/variables", handleUpdateVariables)
+
+			// Runtime logs — container stdout routinely echoes secrets,
+			// so these stay behind authentication like build logs.
+			authed.GET("/services/:id/logs", handleGetLogs)
+			authed.GET("/deployments/:id/logs", handleGetDeploymentLogs)
+
+			// One-off exec console (docker exec, 30s ceiling)
+			authed.POST("/services/:id/exec", handleExecInService)
+
+			// Git integration — providers carry per-user credentials.
+			authed.GET("/git/github-app/install-url", handleGetGitHubAppInstallURL)
+			authed.POST("/git/github-app/connect", handleConnectGitHubApp)
+			authed.GET("/git/providers", handleGetGitProviders)
+			authed.POST("/git/providers", handleCreateGitProvider)
+			authed.DELETE("/git/providers/:providerId", handleDeleteGitProvider)
+			authed.GET("/git/providers/:providerId/repositories", handleGetGitRepositories)
+			authed.GET("/git/providers/:providerId/repositories/:owner/:repo/branches", handleGetGitRepositoryBranches)
+			authed.POST("/git/repositories/connect", handleConnectGitRepository)
+			authed.GET("/git/repositories", handleGetConnectedRepositories)
+			authed.POST("/git/webhooks", handleCreateWebhook)
+
+			// Builds have no per-user scoping and logs may carry secrets —
+			// keep every build endpoint behind authentication.
+			authed.POST("/builds", buildHandler.StartBuild)
+			authed.GET("/builds", buildHandler.ListBuilds)
+			authed.GET("/builds/:id", buildHandler.GetBuildStatus)
+			authed.GET("/builds/:id/logs", buildHandler.GetBuildLogs)
+			authed.GET("/builds/detect", buildHandler.DetectBuildType)
+			authed.POST("/builds/:id/cancel", buildHandler.CancelBuild)
+			authed.POST("/builds/plan", buildHandler.GetBuildPlan)
+
+			authed.POST("/databases", databaseHandler.CreateDatabase)
+			authed.PUT("/databases/:id", databaseHandler.UpdateDatabase)
+			authed.DELETE("/databases/:id", databaseHandler.DeleteDatabase)
+			authed.POST("/databases/:id/action", databaseHandler.PerformDatabaseAction)
+			authed.POST("/databases/:id/backup", databaseHandler.CreateBackup)
+			authed.POST("/databases/:id/restore", databaseHandler.RestoreBackup)
+			authed.GET("/databases/:id/backups/:bid/download", databaseHandler.DownloadBackup)
+
+			authed.POST("/projects/:id/preview-environments", handleCreatePreviewEnvironment)
+			authed.PUT("/preview-environments/:id", handleUpdatePreviewEnvironment)
+			authed.DELETE("/preview-environments/:id", handleDeletePreviewEnvironment)
+			authed.POST("/preview-environments/:id/promote", handlePromotePreviewEnvironment)
+
+			authed.POST("/security/scans", securityHandler.StartSecurityScan)
+			authed.PUT("/vulnerabilities/:id", securityHandler.UpdateVulnerability)
+			authed.POST("/security/compliance/assess", securityHandler.StartComplianceAssessment)
+			authed.POST("/security/compliance/gdpr/init", securityHandler.InitializeGDPRFramework)
+			authed.GET("/projects/:id/security/audit-logs", securityHandler.GetAuditLogs)
+
+			// User templates — ownership enforced inside the handlers.
+			authed.POST("/templates", handleCreateTemplate)
+			authed.PUT("/templates/:id", handleUpdateTemplate)
+			authed.DELETE("/templates/:id", handleDeleteTemplate)
+			authed.POST("/templates/:id/deploy", handleCreateFromTemplate)
+
+			authed.POST("/cron-jobs", handleCreateCronJob)
+			authed.PUT("/cron-jobs/:id", handleUpdateCronJob)
+			authed.DELETE("/cron-jobs/:id", handleDeleteCronJob)
+			authed.POST("/cron-jobs/:id/trigger", handleTriggerCronJob)
+		}
+
+		// Admin routes — platform-wide controls and cross-user management.
+		admin := v1.Group("/")
+		admin.Use(middleware.Auth(cfg.JWTSecret))
+		admin.Use(middleware.RequireAdmin())
+		{
+			admin.GET("/admin/overview", handleAdminOverview)
+			admin.GET("/admin/users", handleAdminListUsers)
+			admin.PATCH("/admin/users/:id", handleAdminSetUserAdmin)
+			admin.PATCH("/admin/projects/:id", handleAdminSetProjectApproval)
+
+			admin.POST("/users", handleCreateUser)
+
+			admin.GET("/settings", handleGetSettings)
+			admin.PUT("/settings", handleUpdateSettings)
+
+			admin.POST("/system/upgrade/pull", handlePullUpgradeImage)
+			admin.POST("/preview-environments/cleanup-expired", handleCleanupExpiredPreviewEnvironments)
+
+			// HA + scaling + agent mutations — platform-level controls.
+			haAPIManager.RegisterAdminRoutes(admin)
+			scalingHandler.RegisterAdminRoutes(admin)
+			agentHandler.SetupAdminRoutes(admin)
+
+			admin.GET("/audit-logs", handleGetAuditLogs)
+			admin.GET("/audit-logs/:resource/:id", handleGetResourceAuditLogs)
 
 			// API Gateway routes (merged APwhy) - namespaced to avoid
 			// colliding with Containr's own /services paths.
-			gateway := protected.Group("/gateway")
+			gateway := admin.Group("/gateway")
 			{
 				gateway.GET("/services", handleAPwhyServicesList)
 				gateway.POST("/services", handleAPwhyServicesCreate)
 				gateway.PATCH("/services/:id", handleAPwhyServicesPatch)
-				gateway.GET("/services/:id/validate", handleAPwhyServiceValidate)
+				gateway.GET("/services/:id", handleAPwhyServiceValidate)
 
 				gateway.GET("/keys", handleAPwhyKeysList)
 				gateway.POST("/keys", handleAPwhyKeysCreate)

app/backend/internal/api/runtime.go

@@ -225,13 +225,56 @@ func loadOwnedService(c *gin.Context, db *database.DB) (Service, bool) {
 	return service, true
 }
 
+// loadReadableService loads a service when the caller may read its project:
+// approved projects are public, unapproved ones need owner/member/admin.
+func loadReadableService(c *gin.Context, db *database.DB) (Service, bool) {
+	serviceID, err := uuid.Parse(c.Param("id"))
+	if err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "Invalid service ID"})
+		return Service{}, false
+	}
+
+	var service Service
+	var projectID uuid.UUID
+	err = db.QueryRow(
+		`SELECT s.id, s.project_id, s.name,
+		        COALESCE(s.type, s.service_type, ''), COALESCE(s.status, ''),
+		        COALESCE(s.image, s.image_name, ''), COALESCE(s.command, s.start_command, ''),
+		        COALESCE(s.environment, ''), COALESCE(s.git_repo, s.source_url, ''),
+		        COALESCE(s.git_branch, ''), COALESCE(s.build_path, ''),
+		        COALESCE(s.cpu, ''), COALESCE(s.memory, ''),
+		        COALESCE(s.replicas, 1), COALESCE(s.port, 0),
+		        COALESCE(s.domain, ''), COALESCE(s.healthcheck_path, ''),
+		        COALESCE(s.restart_policy, 'unless-stopped'),
+		        s.created_at, s.updated_at, s.project_id
+		 FROM services s
+		 WHERE s.id = $1`,
+		serviceID,
+	).Scan(
+		&service.ID, &service.ProjectID, &service.Name, &service.Type, &service.Status,
+		&service.Image, &service.Command, &service.Environment, &service.GitRepo,
+		&service.GitBranch, &service.BuildPath, &service.CPU, &service.Memory,
+		&service.Replicas, &service.Port, &service.Domain, &service.HealthCheckPath,
+		&service.RestartPolicy, &service.CreatedAt, &service.UpdatedAt, &projectID,
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Service not found"})
+		return Service{}, false
+	}
+	if _, allowed := projectReadAccess(c, db, projectID); !allowed {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Service not found"})
+		return Service{}, false
+	}
+	return service, true
+}
+
 // handleServiceRuntime returns live container state for a service.
 func handleGetServiceRuntime(c *gin.Context) {
 	engine, db, ok := getRuntimeEngine(c)
 	if !ok {
 		return
 	}
-	service, ok := loadOwnedService(c, db)
+	service, ok := loadReadableService(c, db)
 	if !ok {
 		return
 	}

app/backend/internal/api/scaling.go

@@ -24,31 +24,39 @@ func NewScalingHandler(autoScaler *scaling.AutoScaler) *ScalingHandler {
 	}
 }
 
-// RegisterRoutes registers scaling routes
-func (h *ScalingHandler) RegisterRoutes(router *gin.RouterGroup) {
+// RegisterReadRoutes registers public scaling read endpoints.
+func (h *ScalingHandler) RegisterReadRoutes(router *gin.RouterGroup) {
 	scaling := router.Group("/scaling")
 	{
 		scaling.GET("/policies", h.GetScalingPolicies)
-		scaling.POST("/policies", h.SetScalingPolicy)
 		scaling.GET("/policies/:serviceId", h.GetScalingPolicy)
-		scaling.PUT("/policies/:serviceId", h.UpdateScalingPolicy)
-		scaling.DELETE("/policies/:serviceId", h.DeleteScalingPolicy)
 
 		scaling.GET("/services", h.GetServiceStates)
 		scaling.GET("/services/:serviceId", h.GetServiceState)
 		scaling.GET("/services/:serviceId/history", h.GetScalingHistory)
 
-		scaling.POST("/services/:serviceId/scale", h.ManualScale)
-
 		scaling.GET("/status", h.GetScalingStatus)
-		scaling.POST("/enable", h.EnableAutoScaler)
-		scaling.POST("/disable", h.DisableAutoScaler)
 
 		scaling.GET("/metrics", h.GetScalingMetrics)
 		scaling.GET("/events", h.GetScalingEvents)
 	}
 }
 
+// RegisterAdminRoutes registers scaling mutation endpoints.
+func (h *ScalingHandler) RegisterAdminRoutes(router *gin.RouterGroup) {
+	scaling := router.Group("/scaling")
+	{
+		scaling.POST("/policies", h.SetScalingPolicy)
+		scaling.PUT("/policies/:serviceId", h.UpdateScalingPolicy)
+		scaling.DELETE("/policies/:serviceId", h.DeleteScalingPolicy)
+
+		scaling.POST("/services/:serviceId/scale", h.ManualScale)
+
+		scaling.POST("/enable", h.EnableAutoScaler)
+		scaling.POST("/disable", h.DisableAutoScaler)
+	}
+}
+
 // GetScalingPolicies returns all scaling policies
 func (h *ScalingHandler) GetScalingPolicies(c *gin.Context) {
 	states := h.autoScaler.GetAllServiceStates()

app/backend/internal/api/scaling_test.go

@@ -49,7 +49,9 @@ func setupScalingTestRouter(t *testing.T) *gin.Engine {
 	gin.SetMode(gin.TestMode)
 	router := gin.New()
 	handler := NewScalingHandler(autoScaler)
-	handler.RegisterRoutes(router.Group("/api/v1"))
+	group := router.Group("/api/v1")
+	handler.RegisterReadRoutes(group)
+	handler.RegisterAdminRoutes(group)
 	return router
 }
 

app/backend/internal/api/security.go

@@ -589,16 +589,7 @@ func (sh *SecurityHandler) GetAuditLogs(c *gin.Context) {
 }
 
 func (sh *SecurityHandler) requireProjectAccess(c *gin.Context, projectID string) (string, bool) {
-	userIDValue, exists := c.Get("user_id")
-	if !exists {
-		c.JSON(http.StatusUnauthorized, gin.H{"error": "User not authenticated"})
-		return "", false
-	}
-	userID, ok := userIDValue.(string)
-	if !ok || userID == "" {
-		c.JSON(http.StatusUnauthorized, gin.H{"error": "Invalid user context"})
-		return "", false
-	}
+	userID := optionalUserID(c)
 
 	if _, err := uuid.Parse(projectID); err != nil {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "Invalid project ID"})
@@ -611,12 +602,14 @@ func (sh *SecurityHandler) requireProjectAccess(c *gin.Context, projectID string
 			SELECT 1
 			FROM projects p
 			WHERE p.id = $1
-			  AND (p.owner_id = $2 OR EXISTS (
+			  AND (p.is_approved
+				   OR $3::bool
+				   OR p.owner_id = $2 OR EXISTS (
 					SELECT 1 FROM project_members pm
 					WHERE pm.project_id = p.id AND pm.user_id = $2
 			  ))
 		)`,
-		projectID, userID,
+		projectID, optionalUserUUID(c), contextIsAdmin(c),
 	).Scan(&hasAccess)
 	if err != nil {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": "Failed to verify project access"})

app/backend/internal/api/services.go

@@ -91,28 +91,14 @@ func handleGetServices(c *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	// Check if project exists and user has access
-	var project Project
-	err = db.(*database.DB).QueryRow(
-		"SELECT id, name, owner_id FROM projects WHERE id = $1",
-		projectID,
-	).Scan(&project.ID, &project.Name, &project.OwnerID)
-
-	if err != nil {
+	// Approved projects are public; unapproved ones need owner/member/admin.
+	projectExists, allowed := projectReadAccess(c, db.(*database.DB), projectID)
+	if !projectExists {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Project not found"})
 		return
 	}
-
-	// Get user ID from JWT token (set by auth middleware)
-	userID, exists := c.Get("user_id")
-	if !exists {
-		c.JSON(http.StatusUnauthorized, gin.H{"error": "User not authenticated"})
-		return
-	}
-
-	// Check if user owns the project
-	if project.OwnerID != userID.(string) {
-		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Access denied"})
+	if !allowed {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Project not found"})
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -217,7 +203,7 @@ func handleCreateService(c *gin.Context) {
 	}
 
 	// Check if user owns the project
-	if project.OwnerID != userID.(string) {
+	if project.OwnerID != userID.(string) && !contextIsAdmin(c) {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Access denied"})
 		return
 	}
@@ -344,14 +330,9 @@ func handleGetService(c *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	// Get user ID from JWT token
-	userID, exists := c.Get("user_id")
-	if !exists {
-		c.JSON(http.StatusUnauthorized, gin.H{"error": "User not authenticated"})
-		return
-	}
-
-	// Get service with project ownership check
+	// Get service — public when its project is approved, otherwise
+	// owner/member/admin only.
+	userID := optionalUserUUID(c)
 	var service Service
 	err = db.(*database.DB).QueryRow(
 		`SELECT s.id, s.project_id, s.name,
@@ -371,8 +352,9 @@ func handleGetService(c *gin.Context) {
 				s.created_at, s.updated_at
 			FROM services s
 			JOIN projects p ON s.project_id = p.id
-			WHERE s.id = $1 AND p.owner_id = $2`,
-		serviceID, userID,
+			WHERE s.id = $1 AND (p.is_approved OR p.owner_id = $2 OR $3::bool
+				OR EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM project_members pm WHERE pm.project_id = p.id AND pm.user_id = $2))`,
+		serviceID, userID, contextIsAdmin(c),
 	).Scan(
 		&service.ID, &service.ProjectID, &service.Name, &service.Type, &service.Status,
 		&service.Image, &service.Command, &service.Environment, &service.GitRepo,
@@ -438,8 +420,8 @@ func handleUpdateService(c *gin.Context) {
 				s.created_at, s.updated_at
 			FROM services s
 			JOIN projects p ON s.project_id = p.id
-			WHERE s.id = $1 AND p.owner_id = $2`,
-		serviceID, userID,
+			WHERE s.id = $1 AND (p.owner_id = $2 OR $3::bool)`,
+		serviceID, userID, contextIsAdmin(c),
 	).Scan(
 		&existingService.ID, &existingService.ProjectID, &existingService.Name, &existingService.Type,
 		&existingService.Status, &existingService.Image, &existingService.Command,

app/backend/internal/api/templates.go

@@ -3,16 +3,19 @@ package api
 import (
 	"containr/internal/database"
 	"containr/internal/database/sqlcdb"
+	"context"
 	"database/sql"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"log"
 	"net/http"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/gin-gonic/gin"
 	"github.com/google/uuid"
+	"github.com/sqlc-dev/pqtype"
 )
 
 type ServiceTemplate struct {
@@ -24,6 +27,7 @@ type ServiceTemplate struct {
 	Config      string    `json:"config" db:"config"`
 	Variables   string    `json:"variables" db:"variables"`
 	IsOfficial  bool      `json:"is_official" db:"is_official"`
+	OwnerID     string    `json:"owner_id,omitempty" db:"owner_id"`
 	CreatedAt   time.Time `json:"created_at" db:"created_at"`
 	UpdatedAt   time.Time `json:"updated_at" db:"updated_at"`
 }
@@ -67,12 +71,18 @@ func handleGetTemplates(c *gin.Context) {
 	ctx := c.Request.Context()
 	queries := sqlcdb.New(db.DB)
 
+	userID := optionalUserUUID(c)
+	owner := uuid.NullUUID{UUID: userID, Valid: userID != uuid.Nil}
+
 	var templateRows []sqlcdb.ServiceTemplate
 	var err error
 	if category != "" {
-		templateRows, err = queries.ListServiceTemplatesByCategory(ctx, category)
+		templateRows, err = queries.ListServiceTemplatesByCategoryForUser(ctx, sqlcdb.ListServiceTemplatesByCategoryForUserParams{
+			Category: category,
+			OwnerID:  owner,
+		})
 	} else {
-		templateRows, err = queries.ListServiceTemplates(ctx)
+		templateRows, err = queries.ListServiceTemplatesForUser(ctx, owner)
 	}
 	if err != nil {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": "Failed to fetch templates"})
@@ -103,7 +113,7 @@ func handleGetTemplate(c *gin.Context) {
 	}
 
 	t := mapSQLCTemplate(row)
-	if t.ID == "" {
+	if t.ID == "" || !templateVisibleTo(c, t) {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Template not found"})
 		return
 	}
@@ -169,7 +179,7 @@ func handleCreateFromTemplate(c *gin.Context) {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": "Failed to fetch project"})
 		return
 	}
-	if ownerID.String() != userID {
+	if ownerID.String() != userID && !contextIsAdmin(c) {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Access denied"})
 		return
 	}
@@ -185,8 +195,8 @@ func handleCreateFromTemplate(c *gin.Context) {
 	}
 
 	template := mapSQLCTemplate(templateRow)
-	if template.ID == "" {
-		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Project not found"})
+	if template.ID == "" || !templateVisibleTo(c, template) {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Template not found"})
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -363,6 +373,243 @@ func handleCreateFromTemplate(c *gin.Context) {
 	})
 }
 
+// templateWriteRequest is the admin payload for creating/updating a user
+// template. config must decode into TemplateConfig; variables into
+// []TemplateVariable.
+type templateWriteRequest struct {
+	Name        string          `json:"name" binding:"required"`
+	Description string          `json:"description"`
+	Category    string          `json:"category"`
+	Logo        string          `json:"logo"`
+	Config      json.RawMessage `json:"config" binding:"required"`
+	Variables   json.RawMessage `json:"variables"`
+}
+
+var templateCategories = map[string]bool{
+	"web": true, "frontend": true, "api": true, "database": true,
+	"worker": true, "cron": true, "app": true, "custom": true,
+}
+
+func normalizeTemplateCategory(category string) string {
+	normalized := strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(category))
+	if templateCategories[normalized] {
+		return normalized
+	}
+	return "custom"
+}
+
+func validateTemplateWrite(c *gin.Context, req *templateWriteRequest) bool {
+	req.Name = strings.TrimSpace(req.Name)
+	if len(req.Name) < 2 || len(req.Name) > 120 {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "name must be 2-120 characters"})
+		return false
+	}
+	req.Category = normalizeTemplateCategory(req.Category)
+	req.Logo = strings.TrimSpace(req.Logo)
+	if len(req.Logo) > 500 || (req.Logo != "" && !strings.HasPrefix(req.Logo, "https://") && !strings.HasPrefix(req.Logo, "http://")) {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "logo must be an http(s) URL up to 500 chars"})
+		return false
+	}
+	if len(req.Config) == 0 || len(req.Config) > 64*1024 {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "config is required and must be under 64KB"})
+		return false
+	}
+	var config TemplateConfig
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(req.Config, &config); err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "config must be a valid template config object"})
+		return false
+	}
+	if _, err := normalizeTemplateServiceType(config.Type); err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": err.Error()})
+		return false
+	}
+	if len(req.Variables) > 0 {
+		if len(req.Variables) > 64*1024 {
+			c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "variables must be under 64KB"})
+			return false
+		}
+		var variables []TemplateVariable
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(req.Variables, &variables); err != nil {
+			c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "variables must be an array"})
+			return false
+		}
+		for _, v := range variables {
+			if strings.TrimSpace(v.Key) == "" {
+				c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "every variable needs a key"})
+				return false
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return true
+}
+
+func templateVariablesParam(raw json.RawMessage) pqtype.NullRawMessage {
+	if len(raw) == 0 {
+		return pqtype.NullRawMessage{}
+	}
+	return pqtype.NullRawMessage{RawMessage: raw, Valid: true}
+}
+
+func handleCreateTemplate(c *gin.Context) {
+	userID, ok := requireAuthenticatedUserID(c)
+	if !ok {
+		return
+	}
+	db := c.MustGet("db").(*database.DB)
+	queries := sqlcdb.New(db.DB)
+
+	var req templateWriteRequest
+	if err := c.ShouldBindJSON(&req); err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": err.Error()})
+		return
+	}
+	if !validateTemplateWrite(c, &req) {
+		return
+	}
+
+	ownerUUID, err := uuid.Parse(userID)
+	if err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusUnauthorized, gin.H{"error": "Invalid user context"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	id := "usr-" + uuid.NewString()
+	if err := queries.CreateUserTemplate(c.Request.Context(), sqlcdb.CreateUserTemplateParams{
+		ID:          id,
+		Name:        req.Name,
+		Description: nullableText(strings.TrimSpace(req.Description)),
+		Category:    req.Category,
+		Logo:        nullableText(req.Logo),
+		Config:      req.Config,
+		Variables:   templateVariablesParam(req.Variables),
+		OwnerID:     uuid.NullUUID{UUID: ownerUUID, Valid: true},
+	}); err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": "Failed to create template"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	LogAudit(userID, "template", id, "create", map[string]interface{}{"name": req.Name})
+
+	row, err := queries.GetServiceTemplateByID(c.Request.Context(), id)
+	if err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusCreated, gin.H{"template": gin.H{"id": id, "name": req.Name}})
+		return
+	}
+	c.JSON(http.StatusCreated, gin.H{"template": mapSQLCTemplate(row)})
+}
+
+func handleUpdateTemplate(c *gin.Context) {
+	userID, ok := requireAuthenticatedUserID(c)
+	if !ok {
+		return
+	}
+	db := c.MustGet("db").(*database.DB)
+	queries := sqlcdb.New(db.DB)
+	templateID := c.Param("id")
+
+	var req templateWriteRequest
+	if err := c.ShouldBindJSON(&req); err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": err.Error()})
+		return
+	}
+	if !validateTemplateWrite(c, &req) {
+		return
+	}
+
+	ownerUUID, err := uuid.Parse(userID)
+	if err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusUnauthorized, gin.H{"error": "Invalid user context"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	rows, err := queries.UpdateUserTemplate(c.Request.Context(), sqlcdb.UpdateUserTemplateParams{
+		Name:        req.Name,
+		Description: nullableText(strings.TrimSpace(req.Description)),
+		Category:    req.Category,
+		Logo:        nullableText(req.Logo),
+		Config:      req.Config,
+		Variables:   templateVariablesParam(req.Variables),
+		ID:          templateID,
+		OwnerID:     uuid.NullUUID{UUID: ownerUUID, Valid: true},
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": "Failed to update template"})
+		return
+	}
+	if rows == 0 {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Template not found or not editable"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	LogAudit(userID, "template", templateID, "update", map[string]interface{}{"name": req.Name})
+
+	row, err := queries.GetServiceTemplateByID(c.Request.Context(), templateID)
+	if err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusOK, gin.H{"message": "Template updated"})
+		return
+	}
+	c.JSON(http.StatusOK, gin.H{"template": mapSQLCTemplate(row)})
+}
+
+func handleDeleteTemplate(c *gin.Context) {
+	userID, ok := requireAuthenticatedUserID(c)
+	if !ok {
+		return
+	}
+	db := c.MustGet("db").(*database.DB)
+	queries := sqlcdb.New(db.DB)
+	templateID := c.Param("id")
+
+	ownerUUID, err := uuid.Parse(userID)
+	if err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusUnauthorized, gin.H{"error": "Invalid user context"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	rows, err := queries.DeleteUserTemplate(c.Request.Context(), sqlcdb.DeleteUserTemplateParams{
+		ID:      templateID,
+		OwnerID: uuid.NullUUID{UUID: ownerUUID, Valid: true},
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": "Failed to delete template"})
+		return
+	}
+	if rows == 0 {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Template not found or not deletable"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	LogAudit(userID, "template", templateID, "delete", nil)
+	c.JSON(http.StatusOK, gin.H{"message": "Template deleted"})
+}
+
+// SeedOfficialTemplates upserts the built-in catalog on startup so new
+// templates ship with releases without needing a migration per entry.
+func SeedOfficialTemplates(ctx context.Context, db *database.DB) {
+	if db == nil || db.DB == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	queries := sqlcdb.New(db.DB)
+	for _, t := range SeedTemplates() {
+		variables := pqtype.NullRawMessage{}
+		if strings.TrimSpace(t.Variables) != "" {
+			variables = pqtype.NullRawMessage{RawMessage: json.RawMessage(t.Variables), Valid: true}
+		}
+		if err := queries.UpsertServiceTemplate(ctx, sqlcdb.UpsertServiceTemplateParams{
+			ID:          t.ID,
+			Name:        t.Name,
+			Description: nullableText(t.Description),
+			Category:    t.Category,
+			Logo:        nullableText(t.Logo),
+			Config:      json.RawMessage(t.Config),
+			Variables:   variables,
+			IsOfficial:  sql.NullBool{Bool: true, Valid: true},
+		}); err != nil {
+			log.Printf("Failed to seed template %s: %v", t.ID, err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 func SeedTemplates() []ServiceTemplate {
 	templates := []ServiceTemplate{
 		{
@@ -505,6 +752,167 @@ func SeedTemplates() []ServiceTemplate {
 			Variables:   `[{"key":"IMAGE","label":"Docker Image","default":"","required":true,"secret":false},{"key":"TAG","label":"Image Tag","default":"latest","required":false,"secret":false}]`,
 			IsOfficial:  true,
 		},
+		// Self-hosted applications — runtime doubles as the image reference.
+		{
+			ID:          "tpl-nextcloud",
+			Name:        "Nextcloud",
+			Description: "Self-hosted file sync, share and collaboration platform",
+			Category:    "app",
+			Logo:        "https://cdn.simpleicons.org/nextcloud",
+			Config:      `{"type":"web","runtime":"nextcloud:30-apache","port":80,"health_check":"/status.php"}`,
+			Variables:   `[{"key":"NEXTCLOUD_ADMIN_USER","label":"Admin User","default":"admin","required":false,"secret":false},{"key":"NEXTCLOUD_ADMIN_PASSWORD","label":"Admin Password","default":"","required":true,"secret":true},{"key":"NEXTCLOUD_TRUSTED_DOMAINS","label":"Trusted Domains","default":"","required":false,"secret":false}]`,
+			IsOfficial:  true,
+		},
+		{
+			ID:          "tpl-gitea",
+			Name:        "Gitea",
+			Description: "Lightweight self-hosted Git service",
+			Category:    "app",
+			Logo:        "https://cdn.simpleicons.org/gitea",
+			Config:      `{"type":"web","runtime":"gitea/gitea:1","port":3000,"health_check":"/api/healthz"}`,
+			Variables:   `[{"key":"GITEA__server__DOMAIN","label":"Server Domain","default":"localhost","required":false,"secret":false},{"key":"GITEA__server__ROOT_URL","label":"Root URL","default":"","required":false,"secret":false}]`,
+			IsOfficial:  true,
+		},
+		{
+			ID:          "tpl-ghost",
+			Name:        "Ghost",
+			Description: "Independent publishing platform for blogs and newsletters",
+			Category:    "app",
+			Logo:        "https://cdn.simpleicons.org/ghost",
+			Config:      `{"type":"web","runtime":"ghost:5-alpine","port":2368,"health_check":"/ghost/api/admin/site/"}`,
+			Variables:   `[{"key":"url","label":"Public URL","default":"","required":true,"secret":false},{"key":"database__client","label":"Database Client","default":"sqlite3","required":false,"secret":false}]`,
+			IsOfficial:  true,
+		},
+		{
+			ID:          "tpl-uptime-kuma",
+			Name:        "Uptime Kuma",
+			Description: "Self-hosted monitoring tool for services and websites",
+			Category:    "app",
+			Logo:        "https://cdn.simpleicons.org/uptimerobot",
+			Config:      `{"type":"web","runtime":"louislam/uptime-kuma:1","port":3001,"health_check":"/"}`,
+			Variables:   `[]`,
+			IsOfficial:  true,
+		},
+		{
+			ID:          "tpl-vaultwarden",
+			Name:        "Vaultwarden",
+			Description: "Lightweight Bitwarden-compatible password manager",
+			Category:    "app",
+			Logo:        "https://cdn.simpleicons.org/bitwarden",
+			Config:      `{"type":"web","runtime":"vaultwarden/server:latest","port":80,"health_check":"/alive"}`,
+			Variables:   `[{"key":"ADMIN_TOKEN","label":"Admin Token","default":"","required":false,"secret":true},{"key":"SIGNUPS_ALLOWED","label":"Allow Signups","default":"false","required":false,"secret":false},{"key":"DOMAIN","label":"Domain URL","default":"","required":false,"secret":false}]`,
+			IsOfficial:  true,
+		},
+		{
+			ID:          "tpl-jellyfin",
+			Name:        "Jellyfin",
+			Description: "Free software media system for movies, shows and music",
+			Category:    "app",
+			Logo:        "https://cdn.simpleicons.org/jellyfin",
+			Config:      `{"type":"web","runtime":"jellyfin/jellyfin:latest","port":8096,"health_check":"/health"}`,
+			Variables:   `[]`,
+			IsOfficial:  true,
+		},
+		{
+			ID:          "tpl-n8n",
+			Name:        "n8n",
+			Description: "Workflow automation tool with hundreds of integrations",
+			Category:    "app",
+			Logo:        "https://cdn.simpleicons.org/n8n",
+			Config:      `{"type":"web","runtime":"n8nio/n8n:latest","port":5678,"health_check":"/healthz"}`,
+			Variables:   `[{"key":"N8N_HOST","label":"Hostname","default":"","required":false,"secret":false},{"key":"N8N_ENCRYPTION_KEY","label":"Encryption Key","default":"","required":true,"secret":true},{"key":"WEBHOOK_URL","label":"Webhook URL","default":"","required":false,"secret":false}]`,
+			IsOfficial:  true,
+		},
+		{
+			ID:          "tpl-grafana",
+			Name:        "Grafana",
+			Description: "Observability dashboards for metrics, logs and traces",
+			Category:    "app",
+			Logo:        "https://cdn.simpleicons.org/grafana",
+			Config:      `{"type":"web","runtime":"grafana/grafana:latest","port":3000,"health_check":"/api/health"}`,
+			Variables:   `[{"key":"GF_SECURITY_ADMIN_PASSWORD","label":"Admin Password","default":"","required":true,"secret":true}]`,
+			IsOfficial:  true,
+		},
+		{
+			ID:          "tpl-immich",
+			Name:        "Immich",
+			Description: "Self-hosted photo and video backup",
+			Category:    "app",
+			Logo:        "https://cdn.simpleicons.org/immich",
+			Config:      `{"type":"web","runtime":"ghcr.io/immich-app/immich-server:release","port":2283,"health_check":"/api/server/ping"}`,
+			Variables:   `[{"key":"DB_PASSWORD","label":"Database Password","default":"","required":true,"secret":true},{"key":"DB_HOSTNAME","label":"Database Host","default":"","required":false,"secret":false}]`,
+			IsOfficial:  true,
+		},
+		{
+			ID:          "tpl-meilisearch",
+			Name:        "Meilisearch",
+			Description: "Fast, typo-tolerant search engine API",
+			Category:    "app",
+			Logo:        "https://cdn.simpleicons.org/meilisearch",
+			Config:      `{"type":"web","runtime":"getmeili/meilisearch:v1","port":7700,"health_check":"/health"}`,
+			Variables:   `[{"key":"MEILI_MASTER_KEY","label":"Master Key","default":"","required":true,"secret":true},{"key":"MEILI_ENV","label":"Environment","default":"production","required":false,"secret":false}]`,
+			IsOfficial:  true,
+		},
+		{
+			ID:          "tpl-plausible",
+			Name:        "Plausible Analytics",
+			Description: "Lightweight, privacy-friendly web analytics",
+			Category:    "app",
+			Logo:        "https://cdn.simpleicons.org/plausibleanalytics",
+			Config:      `{"type":"web","runtime":"ghcr.io/plausible/community-edition:v2","port":8000,"health_check":"/api/health"}`,
+			Variables:   `[{"key":"BASE_URL","label":"Base URL","default":"","required":true,"secret":false},{"key":"SECRET_KEY_BASE","label":"Secret Key Base","default":"","required":true,"secret":true}]`,
+			IsOfficial:  true,
+		},
+		{
+			ID:          "tpl-minio",
+			Name:        "MinIO",
+			Description: "S3-compatible object storage",
+			Category:    "app",
+			Logo:        "https://cdn.simpleicons.org/minio",
+			Config:      `{"type":"web","runtime":"minio/minio:latest","start_command":"server /data --console-address \":9001\"","port":9001,"health_check":"/minio/health/live"}`,
+			Variables:   `[{"key":"MINIO_ROOT_USER","label":"Root User","default":"minioadmin","required":true,"secret":false},{"key":"MINIO_ROOT_PASSWORD","label":"Root Password","default":"","required":true,"secret":true}]`,
+			IsOfficial:  true,
+		},
+		{
+			ID:          "tpl-appwrite",
+			Name:        "Appwrite",
+			Description: "Backend-as-a-service for web and mobile apps",
+			Category:    "app",
+			Logo:        "https://cdn.simpleicons.org/appwrite",
+			Config:      `{"type":"web","runtime":"appwrite/appwrite:1.6","port":80,"health_check":"/health"}`,
+			Variables:   `[]`,
+			IsOfficial:  true,
+		},
+		{
+			ID:          "tpl-wordpress",
+			Name:        "WordPress",
+			Description: "Classic CMS powering a large share of the web",
+			Category:    "app",
+			Logo:        "https://cdn.simpleicons.org/wordpress",
+			Config:      `{"type":"web","runtime":"wordpress:6-apache","port":80,"health_check":"/wp-login.php"}`,
+			Variables:   `[{"key":"WORDPRESS_DB_HOST","label":"Database Host","default":"","required":true,"secret":false},{"key":"WORDPRESS_DB_USER","label":"Database User","default":"wordpress","required":true,"secret":false},{"key":"WORDPRESS_DB_PASSWORD","label":"Database Password","default":"","required":true,"secret":true},{"key":"WORDPRESS_DB_NAME","label":"Database Name","default":"wordpress","required":true,"secret":false}]`,
+			IsOfficial:  true,
+		},
+		{
+			ID:          "tpl-paperless",
+			Name:        "Paperless-ngx",
+			Description: "Document management system with OCR",
+			Category:    "app",
+			Logo:        "https://cdn.simpleicons.org/paperlessngx",
+			Config:      `{"type":"web","runtime":"ghcr.io/paperless-ngx/paperless-ngx:latest","port":8000,"health_check":"/api/"}`,
+			Variables:   `[{"key":"PAPERLESS_ADMIN_PASSWORD","label":"Admin Password","default":"","required":true,"secret":true},{"key":"PAPERLESS_URL","label":"Public URL","default":"","required":false,"secret":false}]`,
+			IsOfficial:  true,
+		},
+		{
+			ID:          "tpl-ntfy",
+			Name:        "ntfy",
+			Description: "Push notification service over HTTP",
+			Category:    "app",
+			Logo:        "https://cdn.simpleicons.org/ntfy",
+			Config:      `{"type":"web","runtime":"binwiederhier/ntfy:latest","start_command":"serve","port":80,"health_check":"/v1/health"}`,
+			Variables:   `[]`,
+			IsOfficial:  true,
+		},
 	}
 	return templates
 }
@@ -605,12 +1013,30 @@ func defaultTemplateResources(serviceType string) (cpu, memory string) {
 	}
 }
 
+// templateVisibleTo reports whether the caller may see a template: official
+// templates are public, user templates are owner/admin only.
+func templateVisibleTo(c *gin.Context, t ServiceTemplate) bool {
+	if t.IsOfficial {
+		return true
+	}
+	if contextIsAdmin(c) {
+		return true
+	}
+	userID := optionalUserID(c)
+	return userID != "" && t.OwnerID == userID
+}
+
 func mapSQLCTemplate(row sqlcdb.ServiceTemplate) ServiceTemplate {
 	variables := "[]"
 	if row.Variables.Valid && len(row.Variables.RawMessage) > 0 {
 		variables = string(row.Variables.RawMessage)
 	}
 
+	ownerID := ""
+	if row.OwnerID.Valid {
+		ownerID = row.OwnerID.UUID.String()
+	}
+
 	return ServiceTemplate{
 		ID:          row.ID,
 		Name:        row.Name,
@@ -620,6 +1046,7 @@ func mapSQLCTemplate(row sqlcdb.ServiceTemplate) ServiceTemplate {
 		Config:      string(row.Config),
 		Variables:   variables,
 		IsOfficial:  row.IsOfficial.Valid && row.IsOfficial.Bool,
+		OwnerID:     ownerID,
 		CreatedAt:   templateNullTime(row.CreatedAt),
 		UpdatedAt:   templateNullTime(row.UpdatedAt),
 	}

app/backend/internal/api/variables.go

@@ -47,26 +47,12 @@ func handleGetVariables(c *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	userID, exists := c.Get("user_id")
-	if !exists {
-		c.JSON(http.StatusUnauthorized, gin.H{"error": "User not authenticated"})
-		return
-	}
-
-	var ownerCheck string
-	err = db.(*database.DB).QueryRow(
-		`SELECT p.owner_id FROM services s 
-		 JOIN projects p ON s.project_id = p.id 
-		 WHERE s.id = $1`,
-		serviceID,
-	).Scan(&ownerCheck)
-
-	if err != nil {
+	projectID, found := serviceProjectID(db.(*database.DB), serviceID)
+	if !found {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Service not found"})
 		return
 	}
-
-	if ownerCheck != userID.(string) {
+	if _, allowed := projectManageAccess(c, db.(*database.DB), projectID); !allowed {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Access denied"})
 		return
 	}
@@ -123,26 +109,12 @@ func handleUpdateVariables(c *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	userID, exists := c.Get("user_id")
-	if !exists {
-		c.JSON(http.StatusUnauthorized, gin.H{"error": "User not authenticated"})
-		return
-	}
-
-	var ownerCheck string
-	err = db.(*database.DB).QueryRow(
-		`SELECT p.owner_id FROM services s 
-		 JOIN projects p ON s.project_id = p.id 
-		 WHERE s.id = $1`,
-		serviceID,
-	).Scan(&ownerCheck)
-
-	if err != nil {
+	projectID, found := serviceProjectID(db.(*database.DB), serviceID)
+	if !found {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Service not found"})
 		return
 	}
-
-	if ownerCheck != userID.(string) {
+	if _, allowed := projectManageAccess(c, db.(*database.DB), projectID); !allowed {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Access denied"})
 		return
 	}

app/backend/internal/config/config.go

@@ -91,6 +91,12 @@ type Config struct {
 
 	// Dashboard UI Configuration
 	DashboardUIBasePath string `env:"DASHBOARD_UI_BASE_PATH" default:"/"`
+
+	// Admin bootstrap — when set, the account is provisioned/promoted on
+	// startup so the owner always has admin credentials that work.
+	AdminEmail    string `env:"ADMIN_EMAIL" default:""`
+	AdminPassword string `env:"ADMIN_PASSWORD" default:""`
+	AdminName     string `env:"ADMIN_NAME" default:""`
 }
 
 // Environment represents the application environment
@@ -181,6 +187,10 @@ func Load() *Config {
 
 	cfg.DashboardUIBasePath = getenv("DASHBOARD_UI_BASE_PATH", "/")
 
+	cfg.AdminEmail = getenv("ADMIN_EMAIL", "")
+	cfg.AdminPassword = getenv("ADMIN_PASSWORD", "")
+	cfg.AdminName = getenv("ADMIN_NAME", "")
+
 	// Validate configuration
 	if err := cfg.Validate(); err != nil {
 		panic(fmt.Sprintf("Invalid configuration: %v", err))

app/backend/internal/database/postgres.go

@@ -55,5 +55,5 @@ func (db *DB) Health(ctx context.Context) error {
 
 // Stats returns connection pool statistics for monitoring
 func (db *DB) Stats() sql.DBStats {
-	return db.Stats()
+	return db.DB.Stats()
 }

app/backend/internal/database/sqlcdb/databases.sql.go

@@ -149,37 +149,18 @@ func (q *Queries) GetDatabaseBackupByIDAndDatabaseAndUser(ctx context.Context, a
 	return i, err
 }
 
-const getDatabaseServiceByIDAndUser = `-- name: GetDatabaseServiceByIDAndUser :one
-SELECT id, name, type, status, version, plan, region, connection_url, backup_schedule, next_backup_at, created_at, updated_at
+const getDatabaseServiceByID = `-- name: GetDatabaseServiceByID :one
+SELECT id, user_id, name, type, status, version, plan, region, connection_url, backup_schedule, next_backup_at, created_at, updated_at
 FROM database_services
-WHERE id = $1 AND user_id = $2
+WHERE id = $1
 `
 
-type GetDatabaseServiceByIDAndUserParams struct {
-	ID     string `json:"id"`
-	UserID string `json:"user_id"`
-}
-
-type GetDatabaseServiceByIDAndUserRow struct {
-	ID             string         `json:"id"`
-	Name           string         `json:"name"`
-	Type           string         `json:"type"`
-	Status         string         `json:"status"`
-	Version        string         `json:"version"`
-	Plan           string         `json:"plan"`
-	Region         string         `json:"region"`
-	ConnectionUrl  sql.NullString `json:"connection_url"`
-	BackupSchedule sql.NullString `json:"backup_schedule"`
-	NextBackupAt   sql.NullTime   `json:"next_backup_at"`
-	CreatedAt      sql.NullTime   `json:"created_at"`
-	UpdatedAt      sql.NullTime   `json:"updated_at"`
-}
-
-func (q *Queries) GetDatabaseServiceByIDAndUser(ctx context.Context, arg GetDatabaseServiceByIDAndUserParams) (GetDatabaseServiceByIDAndUserRow, error) {
-	row := q.db.QueryRowContext(ctx, getDatabaseServiceByIDAndUser, arg.ID, arg.UserID)
-	var i GetDatabaseServiceByIDAndUserRow
+func (q *Queries) GetDatabaseServiceByID(ctx context.Context, id string) (DatabaseService, error) {
+	row := q.db.QueryRowContext(ctx, getDatabaseServiceByID, id)
+	var i DatabaseService
 	err := row.Scan(
 		&i.ID,
+		&i.UserID,
 		&i.Name,
 		&i.Type,
 		&i.Status,
@@ -195,6 +176,94 @@ func (q *Queries) GetDatabaseServiceByIDAndUser(ctx context.Context, arg GetData
 	return i, err
 }
 
+const getDatabaseServiceByIDAndUser = `-- name: GetDatabaseServiceByIDAndUser :one
+SELECT id, user_id, name, type, status, version, plan, region, connection_url, backup_schedule, next_backup_at, created_at, updated_at
+FROM database_services
+WHERE id = $1 AND user_id = $2
+`
+
+type GetDatabaseServiceByIDAndUserParams struct {
+	ID     string `json:"id"`
+	UserID string `json:"user_id"`
+}
+
+func (q *Queries) GetDatabaseServiceByIDAndUser(ctx context.Context, arg GetDatabaseServiceByIDAndUserParams) (DatabaseService, error) {
+	row := q.db.QueryRowContext(ctx, getDatabaseServiceByIDAndUser, arg.ID, arg.UserID)
+	var i DatabaseService
+	err := row.Scan(
+		&i.ID,
+		&i.UserID,
+		&i.Name,
+		&i.Type,
+		&i.Status,
+		&i.Version,
+		&i.Plan,
+		&i.Region,
+		&i.ConnectionUrl,
+		&i.BackupSchedule,
+		&i.NextBackupAt,
+		&i.CreatedAt,
+		&i.UpdatedAt,
+	)
+	return i, err
+}
+
+const getDatabaseServiceOwnerID = `-- name: GetDatabaseServiceOwnerID :one
+SELECT user_id
+FROM database_services
+WHERE id = $1
+`
+
+func (q *Queries) GetDatabaseServiceOwnerID(ctx context.Context, id string) (string, error) {
+	row := q.db.QueryRowContext(ctx, getDatabaseServiceOwnerID, id)
+	var user_id string
+	err := row.Scan(&user_id)
+	return user_id, err
+}
+
+const listAllDatabaseServices = `-- name: ListAllDatabaseServices :many
+SELECT id, user_id, name, type, status, version, plan, region, connection_url, backup_schedule, next_backup_at, created_at, updated_at
+FROM database_services
+ORDER BY created_at DESC
+`
+
+func (q *Queries) ListAllDatabaseServices(ctx context.Context) ([]DatabaseService, error) {
+	rows, err := q.db.QueryContext(ctx, listAllDatabaseServices)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+	items := []DatabaseService{}
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var i DatabaseService
+		if err := rows.Scan(
+			&i.ID,
+			&i.UserID,
+			&i.Name,
+			&i.Type,
+			&i.Status,
+			&i.Version,
+			&i.Plan,
+			&i.Region,
+			&i.ConnectionUrl,
+			&i.BackupSchedule,
+			&i.NextBackupAt,
+			&i.CreatedAt,
+			&i.UpdatedAt,
+		); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		items = append(items, i)
+	}
+	if err := rows.Close(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if err := rows.Err(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return items, nil
+}
+
 const listDatabaseBackupsByDatabaseAndUser = `-- name: ListDatabaseBackupsByDatabaseAndUser :many
 SELECT b.id, b.database_id, b.size, b.status, b.backup_path, b.created_at, b.completed_at
 FROM database_backups b
@@ -242,38 +311,24 @@ func (q *Queries) ListDatabaseBackupsByDatabaseAndUser(ctx context.Context, arg
 }
 
 const listDatabaseServicesByUser = `-- name: ListDatabaseServicesByUser :many
-SELECT id, name, type, status, version, plan, region, connection_url, backup_schedule, next_backup_at, created_at, updated_at
+SELECT id, user_id, name, type, status, version, plan, region, connection_url, backup_schedule, next_backup_at, created_at, updated_at
 FROM database_services
 WHERE user_id = $1
 ORDER BY created_at DESC
 `
 
-type ListDatabaseServicesByUserRow struct {
-	ID             string         `json:"id"`
-	Name           string         `json:"name"`
-	Type           string         `json:"type"`
-	Status         string         `json:"status"`
-	Version        string         `json:"version"`
-	Plan           string         `json:"plan"`
-	Region         string         `json:"region"`
-	ConnectionUrl  sql.NullString `json:"connection_url"`
-	BackupSchedule sql.NullString `json:"backup_schedule"`
-	NextBackupAt   sql.NullTime   `json:"next_backup_at"`
-	CreatedAt      sql.NullTime   `json:"created_at"`
-	UpdatedAt      sql.NullTime   `json:"updated_at"`
-}
-
-func (q *Queries) ListDatabaseServicesByUser(ctx context.Context, userID string) ([]ListDatabaseServicesByUserRow, error) {
+func (q *Queries) ListDatabaseServicesByUser(ctx context.Context, userID string) ([]DatabaseService, error) {
 	rows, err := q.db.QueryContext(ctx, listDatabaseServicesByUser, userID)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	defer rows.Close()
-	items := []ListDatabaseServicesByUserRow{}
+	items := []DatabaseService{}
 	for rows.Next() {
-		var i ListDatabaseServicesByUserRow
+		var i DatabaseService
 		if err := rows.Scan(
 			&i.ID,
+			&i.UserID,
 			&i.Name,
 			&i.Type,
 			&i.Status,

app/backend/internal/database/sqlcdb/models.go

@@ -154,6 +154,7 @@ type Project struct {
 	Name        string         `json:"name"`
 	Description sql.NullString `json:"description"`
 	OwnerID     uuid.UUID      `json:"owner_id"`
+	IsApproved  bool           `json:"is_approved"`
 	CreatedAt   sql.NullTime   `json:"created_at"`
 	UpdatedAt   sql.NullTime   `json:"updated_at"`
 }
@@ -205,6 +206,7 @@ type ServiceTemplate struct {
 	Config      json.RawMessage       `json:"config"`
 	Variables   pqtype.NullRawMessage `json:"variables"`
 	IsOfficial  sql.NullBool          `json:"is_official"`
+	OwnerID     uuid.NullUUID         `json:"owner_id"`
 	CreatedAt   sql.NullTime          `json:"created_at"`
 	UpdatedAt   sql.NullTime          `json:"updated_at"`
 }

app/backend/internal/database/sqlcdb/projects.sql.go

@@ -16,25 +16,31 @@ const countProjectsByUser = `-- name: CountProjectsByUser :one
 SELECT COUNT(*)::bigint AS total
 FROM projects p
 WHERE
-    (p.owner_id = $1 OR EXISTS (
-        SELECT 1
-        FROM project_members pm
-        WHERE pm.project_id = p.id AND pm.user_id = $1
-    ))
+    (
+        p.is_approved
+        OR p.owner_id = $1
+        OR $2::bool
+        OR EXISTS (
+            SELECT 1
+            FROM project_members pm
+            WHERE pm.project_id = p.id AND pm.user_id = $1
+        )
+    )
     AND (
-        $2::text IS NULL
-        OR p.name ILIKE ('%' || $2::text || '%')
-        OR COALESCE(p.description, '') ILIKE ('%' || $2::text || '%')
+        $3::text IS NULL
+        OR p.name ILIKE ('%' || $3::text || '%')
+        OR COALESCE(p.description, '') ILIKE ('%' || $3::text || '%')
     )
 `
 
 type CountProjectsByUserParams struct {
-	UserID uuid.UUID      `json:"user_id"`
-	Search sql.NullString `json:"search"`
+	UserID  uuid.UUID      `json:"user_id"`
+	IsAdmin bool           `json:"is_admin"`
+	Search  sql.NullString `json:"search"`
 }
 
 func (q *Queries) CountProjectsByUser(ctx context.Context, arg CountProjectsByUserParams) (int64, error) {
-	row := q.db.QueryRowContext(ctx, countProjectsByUser, arg.UserID, arg.Search)
+	row := q.db.QueryRowContext(ctx, countProjectsByUser, arg.UserID, arg.IsAdmin, arg.Search)
 	var total int64
 	err := row.Scan(&total)
 	return total, err
@@ -43,7 +49,7 @@ func (q *Queries) CountProjectsByUser(ctx context.Context, arg CountProjectsByUs
 const createProject = `-- name: CreateProject :one
 INSERT INTO projects (name, description, owner_id)
 VALUES ($1, $2, $3)
-RETURNING id, name, description, owner_id, created_at, updated_at
+RETURNING id, name, description, owner_id, is_approved, created_at, updated_at
 `
 
 type CreateProjectParams struct {
@@ -60,6 +66,7 @@ func (q *Queries) CreateProject(ctx context.Context, arg CreateProjectParams) (P
 		&i.Name,
 		&i.Description,
 		&i.OwnerID,
+		&i.IsApproved,
 		&i.CreatedAt,
 		&i.UpdatedAt,
 	)
@@ -80,11 +87,13 @@ func (q *Queries) DeleteProjectByID(ctx context.Context, projectID uuid.UUID) (i
 }
 
 const getProjectByIDForUser = `-- name: GetProjectByIDForUser :one
-SELECT p.id, p.name, p.description, p.owner_id, p.created_at, p.updated_at
+SELECT p.id, p.name, p.description, p.owner_id, p.is_approved, p.created_at, p.updated_at
 FROM projects p
 WHERE p.id = $1
   AND (
-      p.owner_id = $2
+      p.is_approved
+      OR p.owner_id = $2
+      OR $3::bool
       OR EXISTS (
           SELECT 1
           FROM project_members pm
@@ -96,16 +105,18 @@ WHERE p.id = $1
 type GetProjectByIDForUserParams struct {
 	ProjectID uuid.UUID `json:"project_id"`
 	UserID    uuid.UUID `json:"user_id"`
+	IsAdmin   bool      `json:"is_admin"`
 }
 
 func (q *Queries) GetProjectByIDForUser(ctx context.Context, arg GetProjectByIDForUserParams) (Project, error) {
-	row := q.db.QueryRowContext(ctx, getProjectByIDForUser, arg.ProjectID, arg.UserID)
+	row := q.db.QueryRowContext(ctx, getProjectByIDForUser, arg.ProjectID, arg.UserID, arg.IsAdmin)
 	var i Project
 	err := row.Scan(
 		&i.ID,
 		&i.Name,
 		&i.Description,
 		&i.OwnerID,
+		&i.IsApproved,
 		&i.CreatedAt,
 		&i.UpdatedAt,
 	)
@@ -127,21 +138,22 @@ func (q *Queries) GetProjectOwnerByID(ctx context.Context, projectID uuid.UUID)
 
 const getProjectRoleForUser = `-- name: GetProjectRoleForUser :one
 SELECT (CASE
-    WHEN p.owner_id = $1 THEN 'owner'
+    WHEN p.owner_id = $1 OR $2::bool THEN 'owner'
     ELSE COALESCE(pm.role, '')
 END)::text AS role
 FROM projects p
 LEFT JOIN project_members pm ON p.id = pm.project_id AND pm.user_id = $1
-WHERE p.id = $2
+WHERE p.id = $3
 `
 
 type GetProjectRoleForUserParams struct {
 	UserID    uuid.UUID `json:"user_id"`
+	IsAdmin   bool      `json:"is_admin"`
 	ProjectID uuid.UUID `json:"project_id"`
 }
 
 func (q *Queries) GetProjectRoleForUser(ctx context.Context, arg GetProjectRoleForUserParams) (string, error) {
-	row := q.db.QueryRowContext(ctx, getProjectRoleForUser, arg.UserID, arg.ProjectID)
+	row := q.db.QueryRowContext(ctx, getProjectRoleForUser, arg.UserID, arg.IsAdmin, arg.ProjectID)
 	var role string
 	err := row.Scan(&role)
 	return role, err
@@ -162,12 +174,52 @@ func (q *Queries) InsertProjectEnvironment(ctx context.Context, arg InsertProjec
 	return err
 }
 
+const listPendingProjects = `-- name: ListPendingProjects :many
+SELECT p.id, p.name, p.description, p.owner_id, p.is_approved, p.created_at, p.updated_at
+FROM projects p
+WHERE p.is_approved = false
+ORDER BY p.created_at DESC
+`
+
+func (q *Queries) ListPendingProjects(ctx context.Context) ([]Project, error) {
+	rows, err := q.db.QueryContext(ctx, listPendingProjects)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+	items := []Project{}
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var i Project
+		if err := rows.Scan(
+			&i.ID,
+			&i.Name,
+			&i.Description,
+			&i.OwnerID,
+			&i.IsApproved,
+			&i.CreatedAt,
+			&i.UpdatedAt,
+		); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		items = append(items, i)
+	}
+	if err := rows.Close(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if err := rows.Err(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return items, nil
+}
+
 const listProjectsWithStatsByUser = `-- name: ListProjectsWithStatsByUser :many
+
 SELECT
     p.id,
     p.name,
     p.description,
     p.owner_id,
+    p.is_approved,
     p.created_at,
     p.updated_at,
     COUNT(DISTINCT s.id)::bigint AS service_count,
@@ -185,23 +237,29 @@ FROM projects p
 LEFT JOIN services s ON s.project_id = p.id
 LEFT JOIN deployments d ON d.service_id = s.id
 WHERE
-    (p.owner_id = $1 OR EXISTS (
-        SELECT 1
-        FROM project_members pm
-        WHERE pm.project_id = p.id AND pm.user_id = $1
-    ))
-    AND (
-        $2::text IS NULL
-        OR p.name ILIKE ('%' || $2::text || '%')
-        OR COALESCE(p.description, '') ILIKE ('%' || $2::text || '%')
+    (
+        p.is_approved
+        OR p.owner_id = $1
+        OR $2::bool
+        OR EXISTS (
+            SELECT 1
+            FROM project_members pm
+            WHERE pm.project_id = p.id AND pm.user_id = $1
+        )
     )
-GROUP BY p.id, p.name, p.description, p.owner_id, p.created_at, p.updated_at
+    AND (
+        $3::text IS NULL
+        OR p.name ILIKE ('%' || $3::text || '%')
+        OR COALESCE(p.description, '') ILIKE ('%' || $3::text || '%')
+    )
+GROUP BY p.id, p.name, p.description, p.owner_id, p.is_approved, p.created_at, p.updated_at
 ORDER BY p.updated_at DESC
-LIMIT $4 OFFSET $3
+LIMIT $5 OFFSET $4
 `
 
 type ListProjectsWithStatsByUserParams struct {
 	UserID      uuid.UUID      `json:"user_id"`
+	IsAdmin     bool           `json:"is_admin"`
 	Search      sql.NullString `json:"search"`
 	OffsetCount int32          `json:"offset_count"`
 	LimitCount  int32          `json:"limit_count"`
@@ -212,6 +270,7 @@ type ListProjectsWithStatsByUserRow struct {
 	Name            string         `json:"name"`
 	Description     sql.NullString `json:"description"`
 	OwnerID         uuid.UUID      `json:"owner_id"`
+	IsApproved      bool           `json:"is_approved"`
 	CreatedAt       sql.NullTime   `json:"created_at"`
 	UpdatedAt       sql.NullTime   `json:"updated_at"`
 	ServiceCount    int64          `json:"service_count"`
@@ -220,9 +279,13 @@ type ListProjectsWithStatsByUserRow struct {
 	LastDeployment  sql.NullTime   `json:"last_deployment"`
 }
 
+// Visibility model: a project is readable when it is approved for public
+// display, when the caller owns or is a member of it, or when the caller is a
+// platform admin. Anonymous callers pass user_id = uuid.Nil, is_admin = false.
 func (q *Queries) ListProjectsWithStatsByUser(ctx context.Context, arg ListProjectsWithStatsByUserParams) ([]ListProjectsWithStatsByUserRow, error) {
 	rows, err := q.db.QueryContext(ctx, listProjectsWithStatsByUser,
 		arg.UserID,
+		arg.IsAdmin,
 		arg.Search,
 		arg.OffsetCount,
 		arg.LimitCount,
@@ -239,6 +302,7 @@ func (q *Queries) ListProjectsWithStatsByUser(ctx context.Context, arg ListProje
 			&i.Name,
 			&i.Description,
 			&i.OwnerID,
+			&i.IsApproved,
 			&i.CreatedAt,
 			&i.UpdatedAt,
 			&i.ServiceCount,
@@ -259,6 +323,25 @@ func (q *Queries) ListProjectsWithStatsByUser(ctx context.Context, arg ListProje
 	return items, nil
 }
 
+const setProjectApproved = `-- name: SetProjectApproved :execrows
+UPDATE projects
+SET is_approved = $1, updated_at = NOW()
+WHERE id = $2
+`
+
+type SetProjectApprovedParams struct {
+	IsApproved bool      `json:"is_approved"`
+	ProjectID  uuid.UUID `json:"project_id"`
+}
+
+func (q *Queries) SetProjectApproved(ctx context.Context, arg SetProjectApprovedParams) (int64, error) {
+	result, err := q.db.ExecContext(ctx, setProjectApproved, arg.IsApproved, arg.ProjectID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	return result.RowsAffected()
+}
+
 const updateProjectByID = `-- name: UpdateProjectByID :execrows
 UPDATE projects
 SET

app/backend/internal/database/sqlcdb/querier.go

@@ -25,10 +25,12 @@ type Querier interface {
 	CreateNotification(ctx context.Context, arg CreateNotificationParams) error
 	CreateProject(ctx context.Context, arg CreateProjectParams) (Project, error)
 	CreateServiceFromTemplate(ctx context.Context, arg CreateServiceFromTemplateParams) error
+	CreateUserTemplate(ctx context.Context, arg CreateUserTemplateParams) error
 	DatabaseServiceExistsByIDAndUser(ctx context.Context, arg DatabaseServiceExistsByIDAndUserParams) (bool, error)
 	DeleteAgent(ctx context.Context, id string) error
 	DeleteDatabaseServiceByIDAndUser(ctx context.Context, arg DeleteDatabaseServiceByIDAndUserParams) error
 	DeleteProjectByID(ctx context.Context, projectID uuid.UUID) (int64, error)
+	DeleteUserTemplate(ctx context.Context, arg DeleteUserTemplateParams) (int64, error)
 	GetActiveAgentAuthTokenByHash(ctx context.Context, tokenHash string) (AgentAuthToken, error)
 	GetAgent(ctx context.Context, id string) (NodeAgent, error)
 	GetAgentByHostAndIP(ctx context.Context, arg GetAgentByHostAndIPParams) (NodeAgent, error)
@@ -36,7 +38,9 @@ type Querier interface {
 	GetContainer(ctx context.Context, id string) (ContainerInstance, error)
 	GetContainerForAgent(ctx context.Context, arg GetContainerForAgentParams) (ContainerInstance, error)
 	GetDatabaseBackupByIDAndDatabaseAndUser(ctx context.Context, arg GetDatabaseBackupByIDAndDatabaseAndUserParams) (DatabaseBackup, error)
-	GetDatabaseServiceByIDAndUser(ctx context.Context, arg GetDatabaseServiceByIDAndUserParams) (GetDatabaseServiceByIDAndUserRow, error)
+	GetDatabaseServiceByID(ctx context.Context, id string) (DatabaseService, error)
+	GetDatabaseServiceByIDAndUser(ctx context.Context, arg GetDatabaseServiceByIDAndUserParams) (DatabaseService, error)
+	GetDatabaseServiceOwnerID(ctx context.Context, id string) (string, error)
 	GetProjectByIDForUser(ctx context.Context, arg GetProjectByIDForUserParams) (Project, error)
 	GetProjectOwnerByID(ctx context.Context, projectID uuid.UUID) (uuid.UUID, error)
 	GetProjectOwnerID(ctx context.Context, id uuid.UUID) (uuid.UUID, error)
@@ -47,16 +51,21 @@ type Querier interface {
 	ListAgentAuthTokens(ctx context.Context) ([]AgentAuthToken, error)
 	ListAgentHeartbeatsSince(ctx context.Context, arg ListAgentHeartbeatsSinceParams) ([]AgentHeartbeat, error)
 	ListAgents(ctx context.Context) ([]NodeAgent, error)
+	ListAllDatabaseServices(ctx context.Context) ([]DatabaseService, error)
 	ListCommandsForAgent(ctx context.Context, nodeAgentID string) ([]AgentCommand, error)
 	ListContainersForAgent(ctx context.Context, nodeAgentID string) ([]ContainerInstance, error)
 	ListDatabaseBackupsByDatabaseAndUser(ctx context.Context, arg ListDatabaseBackupsByDatabaseAndUserParams) ([]DatabaseBackup, error)
-	ListDatabaseServicesByUser(ctx context.Context, userID string) ([]ListDatabaseServicesByUserRow, error)
+	ListDatabaseServicesByUser(ctx context.Context, userID string) ([]DatabaseService, error)
 	ListDueDatabaseBackups(ctx context.Context) ([]ListDueDatabaseBackupsRow, error)
 	ListNotificationsByUser(ctx context.Context, arg ListNotificationsByUserParams) ([]Notification, error)
 	ListPendingCommands(ctx context.Context, nodeAgentID string) ([]AgentCommand, error)
+	ListPendingProjects(ctx context.Context) ([]Project, error)
+	// Visibility model: a project is readable when it is approved for public
+	// display, when the caller owns or is a member of it, or when the caller is a
+	// platform admin. Anonymous callers pass user_id = uuid.Nil, is_admin = false.
 	ListProjectsWithStatsByUser(ctx context.Context, arg ListProjectsWithStatsByUserParams) ([]ListProjectsWithStatsByUserRow, error)
-	ListServiceTemplates(ctx context.Context) ([]ServiceTemplate, error)
-	ListServiceTemplatesByCategory(ctx context.Context, category string) ([]ServiceTemplate, error)
+	ListServiceTemplatesByCategoryForUser(ctx context.Context, arg ListServiceTemplatesByCategoryForUserParams) ([]ServiceTemplate, error)
+	ListServiceTemplatesForUser(ctx context.Context, ownerID uuid.NullUUID) ([]ServiceTemplate, error)
 	MarkAllNotificationsReadByUser(ctx context.Context, arg MarkAllNotificationsReadByUserParams) error
 	MarkNotificationReadByIDAndUser(ctx context.Context, arg MarkNotificationReadByIDAndUserParams) error
 	RevokeAgentAuthToken(ctx context.Context, id uuid.UUID) (AgentAuthToken, error)
@@ -66,6 +75,7 @@ type Querier interface {
 	SetDatabaseServiceStatusAndConnectionByID(ctx context.Context, arg SetDatabaseServiceStatusAndConnectionByIDParams) error
 	SetDatabaseServiceStatusByID(ctx context.Context, arg SetDatabaseServiceStatusByIDParams) error
 	SetDatabaseServiceStatusByIDAndUser(ctx context.Context, arg SetDatabaseServiceStatusByIDAndUserParams) error
+	SetProjectApproved(ctx context.Context, arg SetProjectApprovedParams) (int64, error)
 	TouchAgentAuthToken(ctx context.Context, tokenHash string) error
 	UpdateAgent(ctx context.Context, arg UpdateAgentParams) (NodeAgent, error)
 	UpdateAgentHeartbeat(ctx context.Context, arg UpdateAgentHeartbeatParams) error
@@ -74,7 +84,9 @@ type Querier interface {
 	UpdateDatabaseServiceNameByIDAndUser(ctx context.Context, arg UpdateDatabaseServiceNameByIDAndUserParams) error
 	UpdateDatabaseServicePlanByIDAndUser(ctx context.Context, arg UpdateDatabaseServicePlanByIDAndUserParams) error
 	UpdateProjectByID(ctx context.Context, arg UpdateProjectByIDParams) (int64, error)
+	UpdateUserTemplate(ctx context.Context, arg UpdateUserTemplateParams) (int64, error)
 	UpsertEnvironmentVariable(ctx context.Context, arg UpsertEnvironmentVariableParams) error
+	UpsertServiceTemplate(ctx context.Context, arg UpsertServiceTemplateParams) error
 }
 
 var _ Querier = (*Queries)(nil)

app/backend/internal/database/sqlcdb/templates.sql.go

@@ -8,8 +8,10 @@ package sqlcdb
 import (
 	"context"
 	"database/sql"
+	"encoding/json"
 
 	"github.com/google/uuid"
+	"github.com/sqlc-dev/pqtype"
 )
 
 const countServicesByProjectAndName = `-- name: CountServicesByProjectAndName :one
@@ -122,6 +124,66 @@ func (q *Queries) CreateServiceFromTemplate(ctx context.Context, arg CreateServi
 	return err
 }
 
+const createUserTemplate = `-- name: CreateUserTemplate :exec
+INSERT INTO service_templates (id, name, description, category, logo, config, variables, is_official, owner_id)
+VALUES (
+    $1,
+    $2,
+    $3,
+    $4,
+    $5,
+    $6,
+    $7,
+    false,
+    $8
+)
+`
+
+type CreateUserTemplateParams struct {
+	ID          string                `json:"id"`
+	Name        string                `json:"name"`
+	Description sql.NullString        `json:"description"`
+	Category    string                `json:"category"`
+	Logo        sql.NullString        `json:"logo"`
+	Config      json.RawMessage       `json:"config"`
+	Variables   pqtype.NullRawMessage `json:"variables"`
+	OwnerID     uuid.NullUUID         `json:"owner_id"`
+}
+
+func (q *Queries) CreateUserTemplate(ctx context.Context, arg CreateUserTemplateParams) error {
+	_, err := q.db.ExecContext(ctx, createUserTemplate,
+		arg.ID,
+		arg.Name,
+		arg.Description,
+		arg.Category,
+		arg.Logo,
+		arg.Config,
+		arg.Variables,
+		arg.OwnerID,
+	)
+	return err
+}
+
+const deleteUserTemplate = `-- name: DeleteUserTemplate :execrows
+DELETE FROM service_templates
+WHERE id = $1
+  AND owner_id = $2
+  AND is_official = false
+`
+
+type DeleteUserTemplateParams struct {
+	ID      string        `json:"id"`
+	OwnerID uuid.NullUUID `json:"owner_id"`
+}
+
+func (q *Queries) DeleteUserTemplate(ctx context.Context, arg DeleteUserTemplateParams) (int64, error) {
+	result, err := q.db.ExecContext(ctx, deleteUserTemplate, arg.ID, arg.OwnerID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	return result.RowsAffected()
+}
+
 const getProjectOwnerID = `-- name: GetProjectOwnerID :one
 SELECT owner_id
 FROM projects
@@ -136,7 +198,7 @@ func (q *Queries) GetProjectOwnerID(ctx context.Context, id uuid.UUID) (uuid.UUI
 }
 
 const getServiceTemplateByID = `-- name: GetServiceTemplateByID :one
-SELECT id, name, description, category, logo, config, variables, is_official, created_at, updated_at
+SELECT id, name, description, category, logo, config, variables, is_official, owner_id, created_at, updated_at
 FROM service_templates
 WHERE id = $1
 `
@@ -153,20 +215,28 @@ func (q *Queries) GetServiceTemplateByID(ctx context.Context, id string) (Servic
 		&i.Config,
 		&i.Variables,
 		&i.IsOfficial,
+		&i.OwnerID,
 		&i.CreatedAt,
 		&i.UpdatedAt,
 	)
 	return i, err
 }
 
-const listServiceTemplates = `-- name: ListServiceTemplates :many
-SELECT id, name, description, category, logo, config, variables, is_official, created_at, updated_at
+const listServiceTemplatesByCategoryForUser = `-- name: ListServiceTemplatesByCategoryForUser :many
+SELECT id, name, description, category, logo, config, variables, is_official, owner_id, created_at, updated_at
 FROM service_templates
+WHERE category = $1
+  AND (is_official = true OR owner_id = $2)
 ORDER BY is_official DESC, name ASC
 `
 
-func (q *Queries) ListServiceTemplates(ctx context.Context) ([]ServiceTemplate, error) {
-	rows, err := q.db.QueryContext(ctx, listServiceTemplates)
+type ListServiceTemplatesByCategoryForUserParams struct {
+	Category string        `json:"category"`
+	OwnerID  uuid.NullUUID `json:"owner_id"`
+}
+
+func (q *Queries) ListServiceTemplatesByCategoryForUser(ctx context.Context, arg ListServiceTemplatesByCategoryForUserParams) ([]ServiceTemplate, error) {
+	rows, err := q.db.QueryContext(ctx, listServiceTemplatesByCategoryForUser, arg.Category, arg.OwnerID)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -183,6 +253,7 @@ func (q *Queries) ListServiceTemplates(ctx context.Context) ([]ServiceTemplate,
 			&i.Config,
 			&i.Variables,
 			&i.IsOfficial,
+			&i.OwnerID,
 			&i.CreatedAt,
 			&i.UpdatedAt,
 		); err != nil {
@@ -199,15 +270,15 @@ func (q *Queries) ListServiceTemplates(ctx context.Context) ([]ServiceTemplate,
 	return items, nil
 }
 
-const listServiceTemplatesByCategory = `-- name: ListServiceTemplatesByCategory :many
-SELECT id, name, description, category, logo, config, variables, is_official, created_at, updated_at
+const listServiceTemplatesForUser = `-- name: ListServiceTemplatesForUser :many
+SELECT id, name, description, category, logo, config, variables, is_official, owner_id, created_at, updated_at
 FROM service_templates
-WHERE category = $1
+WHERE is_official = true OR owner_id = $1
 ORDER BY is_official DESC, name ASC
 `
 
-func (q *Queries) ListServiceTemplatesByCategory(ctx context.Context, category string) ([]ServiceTemplate, error) {
-	rows, err := q.db.QueryContext(ctx, listServiceTemplatesByCategory, category)
+func (q *Queries) ListServiceTemplatesForUser(ctx context.Context, ownerID uuid.NullUUID) ([]ServiceTemplate, error) {
+	rows, err := q.db.QueryContext(ctx, listServiceTemplatesForUser, ownerID)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -224,6 +295,7 @@ func (q *Queries) ListServiceTemplatesByCategory(ctx context.Context, category s
 			&i.Config,
 			&i.Variables,
 			&i.IsOfficial,
+			&i.OwnerID,
 			&i.CreatedAt,
 			&i.UpdatedAt,
 		); err != nil {
@@ -240,6 +312,48 @@ func (q *Queries) ListServiceTemplatesByCategory(ctx context.Context, category s
 	return items, nil
 }
 
+const updateUserTemplate = `-- name: UpdateUserTemplate :execrows
+UPDATE service_templates
+SET name = $1,
+    description = $2,
+    category = $3,
+    logo = $4,
+    config = $5,
+    variables = $6,
+    updated_at = NOW()
+WHERE id = $7
+  AND owner_id = $8
+  AND is_official = false
+`
+
+type UpdateUserTemplateParams struct {
+	Name        string                `json:"name"`
+	Description sql.NullString        `json:"description"`
+	Category    string                `json:"category"`
+	Logo        sql.NullString        `json:"logo"`
+	Config      json.RawMessage       `json:"config"`
+	Variables   pqtype.NullRawMessage `json:"variables"`
+	ID          string                `json:"id"`
+	OwnerID     uuid.NullUUID         `json:"owner_id"`
+}
+
+func (q *Queries) UpdateUserTemplate(ctx context.Context, arg UpdateUserTemplateParams) (int64, error) {
+	result, err := q.db.ExecContext(ctx, updateUserTemplate,
+		arg.Name,
+		arg.Description,
+		arg.Category,
+		arg.Logo,
+		arg.Config,
+		arg.Variables,
+		arg.ID,
+		arg.OwnerID,
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	return result.RowsAffected()
+}
+
 const upsertEnvironmentVariable = `-- name: UpsertEnvironmentVariable :exec
 INSERT INTO environment_variables (id, service_id, key, value, is_secret, created_at, updated_at)
 VALUES ($1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6, $7)
@@ -271,3 +385,51 @@ func (q *Queries) UpsertEnvironmentVariable(ctx context.Context, arg UpsertEnvir
 	)
 	return err
 }
+
+const upsertServiceTemplate = `-- name: UpsertServiceTemplate :exec
+INSERT INTO service_templates (id, name, description, category, logo, config, variables, is_official)
+VALUES (
+    $1,
+    $2,
+    $3,
+    $4,
+    $5,
+    $6,
+    $7,
+    $8
+)
+ON CONFLICT (id) DO UPDATE
+SET name = EXCLUDED.name,
+    description = EXCLUDED.description,
+    category = EXCLUDED.category,
+    logo = EXCLUDED.logo,
+    config = EXCLUDED.config,
+    variables = EXCLUDED.variables,
+    is_official = EXCLUDED.is_official,
+    updated_at = NOW()
+`
+
+type UpsertServiceTemplateParams struct {
+	ID          string                `json:"id"`
+	Name        string                `json:"name"`
+	Description sql.NullString        `json:"description"`
+	Category    string                `json:"category"`
+	Logo        sql.NullString        `json:"logo"`
+	Config      json.RawMessage       `json:"config"`
+	Variables   pqtype.NullRawMessage `json:"variables"`
+	IsOfficial  sql.NullBool          `json:"is_official"`
+}
+
+func (q *Queries) UpsertServiceTemplate(ctx context.Context, arg UpsertServiceTemplateParams) error {
+	_, err := q.db.ExecContext(ctx, upsertServiceTemplate,
+		arg.ID,
+		arg.Name,
+		arg.Description,
+		arg.Category,
+		arg.Logo,
+		arg.Config,
+		arg.Variables,
+		arg.IsOfficial,
+	)
+	return err
+}

app/backend/internal/middleware/middleware.go

@@ -69,41 +69,72 @@ func RequestID() gin.HandlerFunc {
 	}
 }
 
+// resolveRequestUser authenticates the request via Bearer JWT or the Better
+// Auth session cookie. On success it returns the local user id and email.
+// tokenErr/hasToken mirror the legacy error contract for Auth.
+func resolveRequestUser(c *gin.Context, jwtSecret string, sessionVerifier *betterAuthSessionVerifier) (userID, email, tokenErr string, hasToken, ok bool) {
+	tokenString, tokenErr, hasToken := extractJWTToken(c)
+	if tokenString != "" {
+		if claims, valid := validateJWTClaims(tokenString, jwtSecret); valid {
+			userIDClaim, exists := claims["user_id"]
+			if exists {
+				id := strings.TrimSpace(fmt.Sprint(userIDClaim))
+				if _, err := uuid.Parse(id); err == nil {
+					if emailClaim, exists := claims["email"]; exists && emailClaim != nil {
+						email = strings.TrimSpace(fmt.Sprint(emailClaim))
+					}
+					return id, email, "", hasToken, true
+				}
+			}
+			tokenErr = "Invalid token claims"
+		} else if tokenErr == "" {
+			tokenErr = "Invalid token"
+		}
+	}
+
+	if sessionVerifier != nil {
+		if id, mail, verified := sessionVerifier.resolveUser(c); verified {
+			return id, mail, "", hasToken, true
+		}
+	}
+
+	return "", "", tokenErr, hasToken, false
+}
+
+// setAuthenticatedContext stores the resolved identity plus the admin flag on
+// the gin context so handlers and RequireAdmin can rely on it.
+func setAuthenticatedContext(c *gin.Context, userID, email string) {
+	c.Set("user_id", userID)
+	c.Set("email", email)
+	c.Set("is_admin", loadIsAdmin(c, userID))
+}
+
+func loadIsAdmin(c *gin.Context, userID string) bool {
+	dbValue, exists := c.Get("db")
+	if !exists {
+		return false
+	}
+	db, ok := dbValue.(*database.DB)
+	if !ok || db == nil || db.DB == nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	var isAdmin bool
+	if err := db.QueryRow(`SELECT is_admin FROM users WHERE id = $1`, userID).Scan(&isAdmin); err != nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	return isAdmin
+}
+
 // Auth middleware for JWT authentication
 func Auth(jwtSecret string) gin.HandlerFunc {
 	sessionVerifier := newBetterAuthSessionVerifier()
 
 	return func(c *gin.Context) {
-		tokenString, tokenErr, hasToken := extractJWTToken(c)
-		if tokenString != "" {
-			if claims, valid := validateJWTClaims(tokenString, jwtSecret); valid {
-				userIDClaim, exists := claims["user_id"]
-				if exists {
-					userID := strings.TrimSpace(fmt.Sprint(userIDClaim))
-					if _, err := uuid.Parse(userID); err == nil {
-						email := ""
-						if emailClaim, ok := claims["email"]; ok && emailClaim != nil {
-							email = strings.TrimSpace(fmt.Sprint(emailClaim))
-						}
-						c.Set("user_id", userID)
-						c.Set("email", email)
-						c.Next()
-						return
-					}
-				}
-				tokenErr = "Invalid token claims"
-			} else if tokenErr == "" {
-				tokenErr = "Invalid token"
-			}
-		}
-
-		if sessionVerifier != nil {
-			if userID, email, ok := sessionVerifier.resolveUser(c); ok {
-				c.Set("user_id", userID)
-				c.Set("email", email)
-				c.Next()
-				return
-			}
+		userID, email, tokenErr, hasToken, ok := resolveRequestUser(c, jwtSecret, sessionVerifier)
+		if ok {
+			setAuthenticatedContext(c, userID, email)
+			c.Next()
+			return
 		}
 
 		if tokenErr != "" {
@@ -121,6 +152,38 @@ func Auth(jwtSecret string) gin.HandlerFunc {
 	}
 }
 
+// OptionalAuth resolves identity when a valid credential is present but never
+// rejects the request — anonymous callers simply get no user context. Read
+// endpoints hang off this so the public site can browse approved resources.
+func OptionalAuth(jwtSecret string) gin.HandlerFunc {
+	sessionVerifier := newBetterAuthSessionVerifier()
+
+	return func(c *gin.Context) {
+		if userID, email, _, _, ok := resolveRequestUser(c, jwtSecret, sessionVerifier); ok {
+			setAuthenticatedContext(c, userID, email)
+		}
+		c.Next()
+	}
+}
+
+// RequireAdmin rejects requests whose resolved user is not a platform admin.
+// Must run after Auth (or OptionalAuth) so user_id/is_admin are populated.
+func RequireAdmin() gin.HandlerFunc {
+	return func(c *gin.Context) {
+		if _, exists := c.Get("user_id"); !exists {
+			c.JSON(http.StatusUnauthorized, gin.H{"error": "Authentication required"})
+			c.Abort()
+			return
+		}
+		if !c.GetBool("is_admin") {
+			c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Admin access required"})
+			c.Abort()
+			return
+		}
+		c.Next()
+	}
+}
+
 type betterAuthSessionVerifier struct {
 	internalURL   string
 	internalToken string

app/backend/migrations_goose/20260924000000_public_platform.sql

@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+-- +goose Up
+-- Public platform model: projects are browsable without a session once the
+-- admin approves them; service_templates gains ownership for user templates.
+ALTER TABLE public.projects ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS is_approved boolean NOT NULL DEFAULT false;
+
+-- Projects that already exist stay live; only newly created ones enter the
+-- approval queue.
+UPDATE public.projects SET is_approved = true;
+
+ALTER TABLE public.service_templates ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS owner_id uuid;
+CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_service_templates_owner ON public.service_templates(owner_id);
+
+-- +goose Down
+ALTER TABLE public.projects DROP COLUMN IF EXISTS is_approved;
+DROP INDEX IF EXISTS public.idx_service_templates_owner;
+ALTER TABLE public.service_templates DROP COLUMN IF EXISTS owner_id;

app/backend/sqlc/queries/databases.sql

@@ -1,11 +1,26 @@
 -- name: ListDatabaseServicesByUser :many
-SELECT id, name, type, status, version, plan, region, connection_url, backup_schedule, next_backup_at, created_at, updated_at
+SELECT id, user_id, name, type, status, version, plan, region, connection_url, backup_schedule, next_backup_at, created_at, updated_at
 FROM database_services
 WHERE user_id = $1
 ORDER BY created_at DESC;
 
+-- name: ListAllDatabaseServices :many
+SELECT id, user_id, name, type, status, version, plan, region, connection_url, backup_schedule, next_backup_at, created_at, updated_at
+FROM database_services
+ORDER BY created_at DESC;
+
+-- name: GetDatabaseServiceByID :one
+SELECT id, user_id, name, type, status, version, plan, region, connection_url, backup_schedule, next_backup_at, created_at, updated_at
+FROM database_services
+WHERE id = $1;
+
+-- name: GetDatabaseServiceOwnerID :one
+SELECT user_id
+FROM database_services
+WHERE id = $1;
+
 -- name: GetDatabaseServiceByIDAndUser :one
-SELECT id, name, type, status, version, plan, region, connection_url, backup_schedule, next_backup_at, created_at, updated_at
+SELECT id, user_id, name, type, status, version, plan, region, connection_url, backup_schedule, next_backup_at, created_at, updated_at
 FROM database_services
 WHERE id = $1 AND user_id = $2;
 

app/backend/sqlc/queries/projects.sql

@@ -1,9 +1,14 @@
+-- Visibility model: a project is readable when it is approved for public
+-- display, when the caller owns or is a member of it, or when the caller is a
+-- platform admin. Anonymous callers pass user_id = uuid.Nil, is_admin = false.
+
 -- name: ListProjectsWithStatsByUser :many
 SELECT
     p.id,
     p.name,
     p.description,
     p.owner_id,
+    p.is_approved,
     p.created_at,
     p.updated_at,
     COUNT(DISTINCT s.id)::bigint AS service_count,
@@ -21,17 +26,22 @@ FROM projects p
 LEFT JOIN services s ON s.project_id = p.id
 LEFT JOIN deployments d ON d.service_id = s.id
 WHERE
-    (p.owner_id = sqlc.arg(user_id) OR EXISTS (
-        SELECT 1
-        FROM project_members pm
-        WHERE pm.project_id = p.id AND pm.user_id = sqlc.arg(user_id)
-    ))
+    (
+        p.is_approved
+        OR p.owner_id = sqlc.arg(user_id)
+        OR sqlc.arg(is_admin)::bool
+        OR EXISTS (
+            SELECT 1
+            FROM project_members pm
+            WHERE pm.project_id = p.id AND pm.user_id = sqlc.arg(user_id)
+        )
+    )
     AND (
         sqlc.narg(search)::text IS NULL
         OR p.name ILIKE ('%' || sqlc.narg(search)::text || '%')
         OR COALESCE(p.description, '') ILIKE ('%' || sqlc.narg(search)::text || '%')
     )
-GROUP BY p.id, p.name, p.description, p.owner_id, p.created_at, p.updated_at
+GROUP BY p.id, p.name, p.description, p.owner_id, p.is_approved, p.created_at, p.updated_at
 ORDER BY p.updated_at DESC
 LIMIT sqlc.arg(limit_count) OFFSET sqlc.arg(offset_count);
 
@@ -39,11 +49,16 @@ LIMIT sqlc.arg(limit_count) OFFSET sqlc.arg(offset_count);
 SELECT COUNT(*)::bigint AS total
 FROM projects p
 WHERE
-    (p.owner_id = sqlc.arg(user_id) OR EXISTS (
-        SELECT 1
-        FROM project_members pm
-        WHERE pm.project_id = p.id AND pm.user_id = sqlc.arg(user_id)
-    ))
+    (
+        p.is_approved
+        OR p.owner_id = sqlc.arg(user_id)
+        OR sqlc.arg(is_admin)::bool
+        OR EXISTS (
+            SELECT 1
+            FROM project_members pm
+            WHERE pm.project_id = p.id AND pm.user_id = sqlc.arg(user_id)
+        )
+    )
     AND (
         sqlc.narg(search)::text IS NULL
         OR p.name ILIKE ('%' || sqlc.narg(search)::text || '%')
@@ -51,11 +66,13 @@ WHERE
     );
 
 -- name: GetProjectByIDForUser :one
-SELECT p.id, p.name, p.description, p.owner_id, p.created_at, p.updated_at
+SELECT p.id, p.name, p.description, p.owner_id, p.is_approved, p.created_at, p.updated_at
 FROM projects p
 WHERE p.id = sqlc.arg(project_id)
   AND (
-      p.owner_id = sqlc.arg(user_id)
+      p.is_approved
+      OR p.owner_id = sqlc.arg(user_id)
+      OR sqlc.arg(is_admin)::bool
       OR EXISTS (
           SELECT 1
           FROM project_members pm
@@ -66,7 +83,7 @@ WHERE p.id = sqlc.arg(project_id)
 -- name: CreateProject :one
 INSERT INTO projects (name, description, owner_id)
 VALUES (sqlc.arg(name), sqlc.narg(description), sqlc.arg(owner_id))
-RETURNING id, name, description, owner_id, created_at, updated_at;
+RETURNING id, name, description, owner_id, is_approved, created_at, updated_at;
 
 -- name: InsertProjectEnvironment :exec
 INSERT INTO environments (name, project_id)
@@ -74,7 +91,7 @@ VALUES (sqlc.arg(name), sqlc.arg(project_id));
 
 -- name: GetProjectRoleForUser :one
 SELECT (CASE
-    WHEN p.owner_id = sqlc.arg(user_id) THEN 'owner'
+    WHEN p.owner_id = sqlc.arg(user_id) OR sqlc.arg(is_admin)::bool THEN 'owner'
     ELSE COALESCE(pm.role, '')
 END)::text AS role
 FROM projects p
@@ -97,3 +114,14 @@ WHERE id = sqlc.arg(project_id);
 -- name: DeleteProjectByID :execrows
 DELETE FROM projects
 WHERE id = sqlc.arg(project_id);
+
+-- name: SetProjectApproved :execrows
+UPDATE projects
+SET is_approved = sqlc.arg(is_approved), updated_at = NOW()
+WHERE id = sqlc.arg(project_id);
+
+-- name: ListPendingProjects :many
+SELECT p.id, p.name, p.description, p.owner_id, p.is_approved, p.created_at, p.updated_at
+FROM projects p
+WHERE p.is_approved = false
+ORDER BY p.created_at DESC;

app/backend/sqlc/queries/templates.sql

@@ -1,19 +1,76 @@
--- name: ListServiceTemplates :many
-SELECT id, name, description, category, logo, config, variables, is_official, created_at, updated_at
+-- name: ListServiceTemplatesForUser :many
+SELECT id, name, description, category, logo, config, variables, is_official, owner_id, created_at, updated_at
 FROM service_templates
+WHERE is_official = true OR owner_id = sqlc.narg(owner_id)
 ORDER BY is_official DESC, name ASC;
 
--- name: ListServiceTemplatesByCategory :many
-SELECT id, name, description, category, logo, config, variables, is_official, created_at, updated_at
+-- name: ListServiceTemplatesByCategoryForUser :many
+SELECT id, name, description, category, logo, config, variables, is_official, owner_id, created_at, updated_at
 FROM service_templates
-WHERE category = $1
+WHERE category = sqlc.arg(category)
+  AND (is_official = true OR owner_id = sqlc.narg(owner_id))
 ORDER BY is_official DESC, name ASC;
 
 -- name: GetServiceTemplateByID :one
-SELECT id, name, description, category, logo, config, variables, is_official, created_at, updated_at
+SELECT id, name, description, category, logo, config, variables, is_official, owner_id, created_at, updated_at
 FROM service_templates
 WHERE id = $1;
 
+-- name: UpsertServiceTemplate :exec
+INSERT INTO service_templates (id, name, description, category, logo, config, variables, is_official)
+VALUES (
+    sqlc.arg(id),
+    sqlc.arg(name),
+    sqlc.narg(description),
+    sqlc.arg(category),
+    sqlc.narg(logo),
+    sqlc.arg(config),
+    sqlc.narg(variables),
+    sqlc.arg(is_official)
+)
+ON CONFLICT (id) DO UPDATE
+SET name = EXCLUDED.name,
+    description = EXCLUDED.description,
+    category = EXCLUDED.category,
+    logo = EXCLUDED.logo,
+    config = EXCLUDED.config,
+    variables = EXCLUDED.variables,
+    is_official = EXCLUDED.is_official,
+    updated_at = NOW();
+
+-- name: CreateUserTemplate :exec
+INSERT INTO service_templates (id, name, description, category, logo, config, variables, is_official, owner_id)
+VALUES (
+    sqlc.arg(id),
+    sqlc.arg(name),
+    sqlc.narg(description),
+    sqlc.arg(category),
+    sqlc.narg(logo),
+    sqlc.arg(config),
+    sqlc.narg(variables),
+    false,
+    sqlc.arg(owner_id)
+);
+
+-- name: UpdateUserTemplate :execrows
+UPDATE service_templates
+SET name = sqlc.arg(name),
+    description = sqlc.narg(description),
+    category = sqlc.arg(category),
+    logo = sqlc.narg(logo),
+    config = sqlc.arg(config),
+    variables = sqlc.narg(variables),
+    updated_at = NOW()
+WHERE id = sqlc.arg(id)
+  AND owner_id = sqlc.arg(owner_id)
+  AND is_official = false;
+
+-- name: DeleteUserTemplate :execrows
+DELETE FROM service_templates
+WHERE id = sqlc.arg(id)
+  AND owner_id = sqlc.arg(owner_id)
+  AND is_official = false;
+
 -- name: GetProjectOwnerID :one
 SELECT owner_id
 FROM projects

app/backend/sqlc/schema.sql

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ CREATE TABLE projects (
     name VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL,
     description TEXT,
     owner_id UUID NOT NULL,
+    is_approved BOOLEAN NOT NULL DEFAULT false,
     created_at TIMESTAMP WITH TIME ZONE DEFAULT NOW(),
     updated_at TIMESTAMP WITH TIME ZONE DEFAULT NOW()
 );
@@ -82,6 +83,7 @@ CREATE TABLE service_templates (
     config JSONB NOT NULL,
     variables JSONB DEFAULT '[]',
     is_official BOOLEAN DEFAULT false,
+    owner_id UUID,
     created_at TIMESTAMP WITH TIME ZONE DEFAULT NOW(),
     updated_at TIMESTAMP WITH TIME ZONE DEFAULT NOW()
 );