diff --git a/backend/Cargo.toml b/backend/Cargo.toml
index eca5305..176de43 100644
--- a/backend/Cargo.toml
+++ b/backend/Cargo.toml
@@ -27,3 +27,4 @@ thiserror = "1"
 
 [dev-dependencies]
 tokio-test = "0.4"
+reqwest = { version = "0.12", features = ["json"] }
diff --git a/backend/src/auth/claims.rs b/backend/src/auth/claims.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2bdf5cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/src/auth/claims.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub struct AccessClaims {
+    pub sub: String,
+    pub email: String,
+    pub family_id: Option<String>,
+    pub permissions: Vec<String>,
+    pub token_type: String,
+    pub iat: i64,
+    pub exp: i64,
+    pub jti: String,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub struct RefreshClaims {
+    pub sub: String,
+    pub token_type: String,
+    pub iat: i64,
+    pub exp: i64,
+    pub jti: String,
+}
diff --git a/backend/src/auth/jwt.rs b/backend/src/auth/jwt.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c51e870
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/src/auth/jwt.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,110 @@
+use crate::config::JwtConfig;
+use crate::auth::claims::{AccessClaims, RefreshClaims};
+use jsonwebtoken::{decode, encode, DecodingKey, EncodingKey, Header, Validation};
+use uuid::Uuid;
+use std::time::{SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
+use anyhow::{Result, anyhow};
+
+#[derive(Clone)]
+pub struct JwtService {
+    config: JwtConfig,
+    encoding_key: EncodingKey,
+    decoding_key: DecodingKey,
+}
+
+impl JwtService {
+    pub fn new(config: JwtConfig) -> Self {
+        let encoding_key = EncodingKey::from_base64_secret(&config.secret)
+            .unwrap_or_else(|_| EncodingKey::from_secret(config.secret.as_bytes()));
+        let decoding_key = DecodingKey::from_base64_secret(&config.secret)
+            .unwrap_or_else(|_| DecodingKey::from_secret(config.secret.as_bytes()));
+        
+        Self {
+            config,
+            encoding_key,
+            decoding_key,
+        }
+    }
+    
+    fn now_secs() -> i64 {
+        SystemTime::now()
+            .duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH)
+            .unwrap()
+            .as_secs() as i64
+    }
+    
+    pub fn generate_access_token(
+        &self,
+        user_id: &str,
+        email: &str,
+        family_id: Option<&str>,
+        permissions: Vec<String>,
+    ) -> Result<String> {
+        let now = Self::now_secs();
+        let expiry_secs = self.config.access_token_expiry_duration().as_secs() as i64;
+        let expiry = now + expiry_secs;
+        let jti = Uuid::new_v4().to_string();
+        
+        let claims = AccessClaims {
+            sub: user_id.to_string(),
+            email: email.to_string(),
+            family_id: family_id.map(|s| s.to_string()),
+            permissions,
+            token_type: "access".to_string(),
+            iat: now,
+            exp: expiry,
+            jti,
+        };
+        
+        let token = encode(&Header::default(), &claims, &self.encoding_key)
+            .map_err(|e| anyhow!("Failed to encode access token: {}", e))?;
+        Ok(token)
+    }
+    
+    pub fn generate_refresh_token(&self, user_id: &str) -> Result<String> {
+        let now = Self::now_secs();
+        let expiry_secs = self.config.refresh_token_expiry_duration().as_secs() as i64;
+        let expiry = now + expiry_secs;
+        let jti = Uuid::new_v4().to_string();
+        
+        let claims = RefreshClaims {
+            sub: user_id.to_string(),
+            token_type: "refresh".to_string(),
+            iat: now,
+            exp: expiry,
+            jti,
+        };
+        
+        let token = encode(&Header::default(), &claims, &self.encoding_key)
+            .map_err(|e| anyhow!("Failed to encode refresh token: {}", e))?;
+        Ok(token)
+    }
+    
+    pub fn verify_access_token(&self, token: &str) -> Result<AccessClaims> {
+        let token_data = decode::<AccessClaims>(
+            token,
+            &self.decoding_key,
+            &Validation::default()
+        ).map_err(|e| anyhow!("Invalid access token: {}", e))?;
+        
+        if token_data.claims.token_type != "access" {
+            return Err(anyhow!("Invalid token type"));
+        }
+        
+        Ok(token_data.claims)
+    }
+    
+    pub fn verify_refresh_token(&self, token: &str) -> Result<RefreshClaims> {
+        let token_data = decode::<RefreshClaims>(
+            token,
+            &self.decoding_key,
+            &Validation::default()
+        ).map_err(|e| anyhow!("Invalid refresh token: {}", e))?;
+        
+        if token_data.claims.token_type != "refresh" {
+            return Err(anyhow!("Invalid token type"));
+        }
+        
+        Ok(token_data.claims)
+    }
+}
diff --git a/backend/src/auth/mod.rs b/backend/src/auth/mod.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a8aa3cd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/src/auth/mod.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+pub mod jwt;
+pub mod password;
+pub mod claims;
+
+pub use jwt::*;
+pub use password::*;
diff --git a/backend/src/auth/password.rs b/backend/src/auth/password.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..774dbd1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/src/auth/password.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+use anyhow::Result;
+use pbkdf2::{
+    password_hash::{
+        rand_core::OsRng,
+        PasswordHash, PasswordHasher, PasswordVerifier, SaltString
+    },
+    Pbkdf2
+};
+
+pub struct PasswordService;
+
+impl PasswordService {
+    pub fn hash_password(password: &str) -> Result<String> {
+        let salt = SaltString::generate(&mut OsRng);
+        let password_hash = Pbkdf2.hash_password(password.as_bytes(), &salt)
+            .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("Failed to hash password: {}", e))?;
+        Ok(password_hash.to_string())
+    }
+
+    pub fn verify_password(password: &str, hash: &str) -> Result<bool> {
+        let parsed_hash = PasswordHash::new(hash)
+            .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("Failed to parse password hash: {}", e))?;
+
+        Pbkdf2.verify_password(password.as_bytes(), &parsed_hash)
+            .map(|_| true)
+            .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("Password verification failed: {}", e))
+    }
+}
diff --git a/backend/src/config/mod.rs b/backend/src/config/mod.rs
index e2d5557..b5536ae 100644
--- a/backend/src/config/mod.rs
+++ b/backend/src/config/mod.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,13 @@
-use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::time::Duration;
+use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+use anyhow::Result;
+
+#[derive(Clone)]
+pub struct AppState {
+    pub db: crate::db::MongoDb,
+    pub jwt_service: crate::auth::JwtService,
+    pub config: Config,
+}
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub struct Config {
@@ -52,7 +60,7 @@ pub struct CorsConfig {
 }
 
 impl Config {
-    pub fn from_env() -> anyhow::Result<Self> {
+    pub fn from_env() -> Result<Self> {
         dotenv::dotenv().ok();
         
         let server_host = std::env::var("SERVER_HOST")
diff --git a/backend/src/db/mod.rs b/backend/src/db/mod.rs
index 3d8ce95..29588e2 100644
--- a/backend/src/db/mod.rs
+++ b/backend/src/db/mod.rs
@@ -1,44 +1,42 @@
-use mongodb::{Client, Database, options::{ClientOptions, ServerApi, ServerApiVersion}};
+use mongodb::{
+    Client,
+    Database,
+    Collection,
+    options::ClientOptions,
+};
 use anyhow::Result;
 
+#[derive(Clone)]
 pub struct MongoDb {
-    pub client: Client,
-    pub database: Database,
+    client: Client,
+    database_name: String,
 }
 
 impl MongoDb {
     pub async fn new(uri: &str, database_name: &str) -> Result<Self> {
         let mut client_options = ClientOptions::parse(uri).await?;
-        
-        let server_api = ServerApi::builder()
-            .version(ServerApiVersion::V1)
-            .build();
-        client_options.server_api = Some(server_api);
+        client_options.default_database = Some(database_name.to_string());
         
         let client = Client::with_options(client_options)?;
-        let database = client.database(database_name);
         
-        Ok(MongoDb { client, database })
+        Ok(Self {
+            client,
+            database_name: database_name.to_string(),
+        })
     }
     
-    pub fn get_database(&self) -> Database {
-        self.database.clone()
+    pub fn database(&self) -> Database {
+        self.client.database(&self.database_name)
     }
     
-    pub fn collection<T>(&self, name: &str) -> mongodb::Collection<T> {
-        self.database.collection(name)
+    pub fn collection<T>(&self, name: &str) -> Collection<T> {
+        self.database().collection(name)
     }
     
     pub async fn health_check(&self) -> Result<String> {
-        let result = self.client
-            .database("admin")
+        self.database()
             .run_command(mongodb::bson::doc! { "ping": 1 }, None)
             .await?;
-        
-        if result.get_i32("ok").unwrap_or(0) == 1 {
-            Ok("connected".to_string())
-        } else {
-            Ok("error".to_string())
-        }
+        Ok("healthy".to_string())
     }
 }
diff --git a/backend/src/handlers/auth.rs b/backend/src/handlers/auth.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d2d453d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/src/handlers/auth.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,259 @@
+use axum::{
+    extract::State,
+    response::Json,
+    http::StatusCode,
+};
+use serde_json::{json, Value};
+use validator::Validate;
+use uuid::Uuid;
+use crate::config::AppState;
+use crate::auth::PasswordService;
+use crate::models::user::{User, RegisterUserRequest, LoginRequest, UserRepository};
+use crate::models::refresh_token::RefreshToken;
+use mongodb::bson::DateTime;
+use serde::Deserialize;
+
+#[derive(Deserialize)]
+pub struct RefreshTokenRequest {
+    pub refresh_token: String,
+}
+
+#[derive(Deserialize)]
+pub struct LogoutRequest {
+    pub refresh_token: String,
+}
+
+pub async fn register(
+    State(state): State<AppState>,
+    Json(payload): Json<RegisterUserRequest>,
+) -> Result<Json<Value>, (StatusCode, Json<Value>)> {
+    if let Err(errors) = payload.validate() {
+        return Err((
+            StatusCode::BAD_REQUEST,
+            Json(json!({ "error": "Validation failed", "details": errors.to_string() }))
+        ));
+    }
+    
+    let user_repo = UserRepository::new(state.db.collection("users"));
+    if let Ok(Some(_)) = user_repo.find_by_email(&payload.email).await {
+        return Err((
+            StatusCode::CONFLICT,
+            Json(json!({ "error": "Email already registered" }))
+        ));
+    }
+    
+    let user_id = Uuid::new_v4().to_string();
+    let now = DateTime::now();
+    
+    let user = User {
+        id: None,
+        user_id: user_id.clone(),
+        email: payload.email.clone(),
+        password_hash: payload.password_hash,
+        encrypted_recovery_phrase: payload.encrypted_recovery_phrase,
+        recovery_phrase_iv: payload.recovery_phrase_iv,
+        recovery_phrase_auth_tag: payload.recovery_phrase_auth_tag,
+        token_version: 0,
+        family_id: None,
+        profile_ids: Vec::new(),
+        created_at: now,
+        updated_at: now,
+    };
+    
+    if let Err(e) = user_repo.create(&user).await {
+        return Err((
+            StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR,
+            Json(json!({ "error": format!("Failed to create user: {}", e) }))
+        ));
+    }
+    
+    Ok(Json(json!({
+        "message": "User registered successfully",
+        "user_id": user_id,
+        "email": user.email
+    })))
+}
+
+pub async fn login(
+    State(state): State<AppState>,
+    Json(payload): Json<LoginRequest>,
+) -> Result<Json<Value>, (StatusCode, Json<Value>)> {
+    if let Err(errors) = payload.validate() {
+        return Err((
+            StatusCode::BAD_REQUEST,
+            Json(json!({ "error": "Validation failed", "details": errors.to_string() }))
+        ));
+    }
+    
+    let user_repo = UserRepository::new(state.db.collection("users"));
+    let user = match user_repo.find_by_email(&payload.email).await {
+        Ok(Some(user)) => user,
+        Ok(None) => {
+            return Err((
+                StatusCode::UNAUTHORIZED,
+                Json(json!({ "error": "Invalid credentials" }))
+            ));
+        }
+        Err(e) => {
+            return Err((
+                StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR,
+                Json(json!({ "error": format!("Database error: {}", e) }))
+            ));
+        }
+    };
+    
+    if user.password_hash != payload.password_hash {
+        return Err((
+            StatusCode::UNAUTHORIZED,
+            Json(json!({ "error": "Invalid credentials" }))
+        ));
+    }
+    
+    let access_token = match state.jwt_service.generate_access_token(
+        &user.user_id,
+        &user.email,
+        user.family_id.as_deref(),
+        vec!["read:own_data".to_string(), "write:own_data".to_string()],
+    ) {
+        Ok(token) => token,
+        Err(e) => {
+            return Err((
+                StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR,
+                Json(json!({ "error": format!("Failed to generate token: {}", e) }))
+            ));
+        }
+    };
+    
+    let refresh_token = match state.jwt_service.generate_refresh_token(&user.user_id) {
+        Ok(token) => token,
+        Err(e) => {
+            return Err((
+                StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR,
+                Json(json!({ "error": format!("Failed to generate refresh token: {}", e) }))
+            ));
+        }
+    };
+    
+    let token_id = Uuid::new_v4().to_string();
+    let now = DateTime::now();
+    let expires_at = DateTime::now();
+    // TODO: Set proper expiration (30 days from now)
+    // For now, we'll need to update this when MongoDB provides proper datetime arithmetic
+    
+    let refresh_token_doc = RefreshToken {
+        id: None,
+        token_id,
+        user_id: user.user_id.clone(),
+        token_hash: match PasswordService::hash_password(&refresh_token) {
+            Ok(hash) => hash,
+            Err(e) => {
+                return Err((
+                    StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR,
+                    Json(json!({ "error": format!("Failed to hash token: {}", e) }))
+                ));
+            }
+        },
+        expires_at,
+        created_at: now,
+        revoked: false,
+        revoked_at: None,
+    };
+    
+    let refresh_token_collection = state.db.collection::<RefreshToken>("refresh_tokens");
+    if let Err(e) = refresh_token_collection.insert_one(&refresh_token_doc, None).await {
+        return Err((
+            StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR,
+            Json(json!({ "error": format!("Failed to store refresh token: {}", e) }))
+        ));
+    }
+    
+    Ok(Json(json!({
+        "access_token": access_token,
+        "refresh_token": refresh_token,
+        "user_id": user.user_id,
+        "email": user.email,
+        "family_id": user.family_id,
+        "profile_ids": user.profile_ids
+    })))
+}
+
+pub async fn refresh_token(
+    State(state): State<AppState>,
+    Json(payload): Json<RefreshTokenRequest>,
+) -> Result<Json<Value>, (StatusCode, Json<Value>)> {
+    let claims = match state.jwt_service.verify_refresh_token(&payload.refresh_token) {
+        Ok(claims) => claims,
+        Err(_) => {
+            return Err((
+                StatusCode::UNAUTHORIZED,
+                Json(json!({ "error": "Invalid refresh token" }))
+            ));
+        }
+    };
+    
+    let user_repo = UserRepository::new(state.db.collection("users"));
+    let user = match user_repo.find_by_user_id(&claims.sub).await {
+        Ok(Some(user)) => user,
+        Ok(None) => {
+            return Err((
+                StatusCode::UNAUTHORIZED,
+                Json(json!({ "error": "User not found" }))
+            ));
+        }
+        Err(_) => {
+            return Err((
+                StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR,
+                Json(json!({ "error": "Database error" }))
+            ));
+        }
+    };
+    
+    let new_access_token = match state.jwt_service.generate_access_token(
+        &user.user_id,
+        &user.email,
+        user.family_id.as_deref(),
+        vec!["read:own_data".to_string(), "write:own_data".to_string()],
+    ) {
+        Ok(token) => token,
+        Err(_) => {
+            return Err((
+                StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR,
+                Json(json!({ "error": "Failed to generate token" }))
+            ));
+        }
+    };
+    
+    let new_refresh_token = match state.jwt_service.generate_refresh_token(&user.user_id) {
+        Ok(token) => token,
+        Err(_) => {
+            return Err((
+                StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR,
+                Json(json!({ "error": "Failed to generate refresh token" }))
+            ));
+        }
+    };
+    
+    Ok(Json(json!({
+        "access_token": new_access_token,
+        "refresh_token": new_refresh_token
+    })))
+}
+
+pub async fn logout(
+    State(state): State<AppState>,
+    Json(payload): Json<LogoutRequest>,
+) -> Result<Json<Value>, (StatusCode, Json<Value>)> {
+    let _claims = match state.jwt_service.verify_refresh_token(&payload.refresh_token) {
+        Ok(claims) => claims,
+        Err(_) => {
+            return Err((
+                StatusCode::UNAUTHORIZED,
+                Json(json!({ "error": "Invalid refresh token" }))
+            ));
+        }
+    };
+    
+    // TODO: Mark token as revoked in database
+    
+    Ok(Json(json!({ "message": "Logged out successfully" })))
+}
diff --git a/backend/src/handlers/health.rs b/backend/src/handlers/health.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9f6d025
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/src/handlers/health.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+use axum::{extract::State, response::Json};
+use serde_json::{json, Value};
+use crate::config::AppState;
+
+pub async fn health_check(State(state): State<AppState>) -> Json<Value> {
+    let status = if let Ok(_) = state.db.health_check().await {
+        "connected"
+    } else {
+        "error"
+    };
+    
+    Json(json!({
+        "status": "ok",
+        "database": status,
+        "timestamp": chrono::Utc::now().to_rfc3339()
+    }))
+}
+
+pub async fn ready_check() -> Json<Value> {
+    Json(json!({
+        "status": "ready"
+    }))
+}
diff --git a/backend/src/handlers/mod.rs b/backend/src/handlers/mod.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4695c3e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/src/handlers/mod.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+pub mod auth;
+pub mod users;
+pub mod health;
+
+pub use auth::*;
+pub use users::*;
+pub use health::*;
diff --git a/backend/src/handlers/users.rs b/backend/src/handlers/users.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6db7f89
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/src/handlers/users.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+use axum::{
+    extract::State,
+    response::Json,
+    http::StatusCode,
+    Extension,
+};
+use serde_json::{json, Value};
+use crate::config::AppState;
+use crate::auth::claims::AccessClaims;
+use crate::models::user::UserRepository;
+
+pub async fn get_profile(
+    State(state): State<AppState>,
+    Extension(claims): Extension<AccessClaims>,
+) -> Result<Json<Value>, (StatusCode, Json<Value>)> {
+    let user_repo = UserRepository::new(state.db.collection("users"));
+    let user = match user_repo.find_by_user_id(&claims.sub).await {
+        Ok(Some(user)) => user,
+        Ok(None) => {
+            return Err((
+                StatusCode::NOT_FOUND,
+                Json(json!({ "error": "User not found" }))
+            ));
+        }
+        Err(e) => {
+            return Err((
+                StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR,
+                Json(json!({ "error": format!("Database error: {}", e) }))
+            ));
+        }
+    };
+    
+    Ok(Json(json!({
+        "user_id": user.user_id,
+        "email": user.email,
+        "family_id": user.family_id,
+        "profile_ids": user.profile_ids,
+        "token_version": user.token_version,
+        "created_at": user.created_at,
+        "updated_at": user.updated_at
+    })))
+}
diff --git a/backend/src/main.rs b/backend/src/main.rs
index 256eb05..cddf18e 100644
--- a/backend/src/main.rs
+++ b/backend/src/main.rs
@@ -1,89 +1,75 @@
-use axum::{
-    routing::get,
-    Router,
-    response::Json,
-    extract::State,
-};
-use serde_json::json;
-use tower_http::trace::TraceLayer;
-use tracing_subscriber::{layer::SubscriberExt, util::SubscriberInitExt};
-use std::sync::Arc;
-
 mod config;
 mod db;
 mod models;
+mod auth;
+mod handlers;
+mod middleware;
 
+use axum::{
+    routing::{get, post},
+    Router,
+    middleware as axum_middleware,
+};
+use tower::ServiceBuilder;
+use tower_http::{
+    cors::CorsLayer,
+    trace::TraceLayer,
+};
 use config::Config;
-use db::MongoDb;
-
-#[derive(Clone)]
-struct AppState {
-    db: Arc<MongoDb>,
-}
 
 #[tokio::main]
 async fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
-    // Load configuration
+    dotenv::dotenv().ok();
+    
+    tracing_subscriber::fmt()
+        .with_env_filter(
+            tracing_subscriber::EnvFilter::try_from_default_env()
+                .unwrap_or_else(|_| "normogen_backend=debug,tower_http=debug,axum=debug".into())
+        )
+        .init();
+    
     let config = Config::from_env()?;
     
-    // Initialize tracing
-    tracing_subscriber::registry()
-        .with(
-            tracing_subscriber::EnvFilter::try_from_default_env()
-                .unwrap_or_else(|_| "normogen_backend=debug,tower_http=debug,axum=debug".into()),
-        )
-        .with(tracing_subscriber::fmt::layer())
-        .init();
-
-    tracing::info!("Starting Normogen backend server");
-    tracing::info!("MongoDB URI: {}", config.database.uri);
-    tracing::info!("Database: {}", config.database.database);
-
-    // Connect to MongoDB
-    let mongodb = MongoDb::new(&config.database.uri, &config.database.database).await?;
-    tracing::info!("Connected to MongoDB");
-
-    // Health check
-    let health_status = mongodb.health_check().await?;
-    tracing::info!("MongoDB health: {}", health_status);
-
-    let app_state = AppState {
-        db: Arc::new(mongodb),
+    tracing::info!("Connecting to MongoDB at {}", config.database.uri);
+    let db = db::MongoDb::new(&config.database.uri, &config.database.database).await?;
+    tracing::info!("Connected to MongoDB database: {}", config.database.database);
+    
+    let health_status = db.health_check().await?;
+    tracing::info!("MongoDB health check: {}", health_status);
+    
+    let jwt_service = auth::JwtService::new(config.jwt.clone());
+    
+    let app_state = config::AppState {
+        db,
+        jwt_service,
+        config: config.clone(),
     };
-
+    
     let app = Router::new()
-        .route("/health", get(health_check))
-        .route("/ready", get(readiness_check))
-        .with_state(app_state)
-        .layer(TraceLayer::new_for_http());
-
-    let addr = format!("{}:{}", config.server.host, config.server.port);
-    tracing::info!("Listening on {}", addr);
+        .route("/health", get(handlers::health_check))
+        .route("/ready", get(handlers::ready_check))
+        .route("/api/auth/register", post(handlers::register))
+        .route("/api/auth/login", post(handlers::login))
+        .route("/api/auth/refresh", post(handlers::refresh_token))
+        .route("/api/auth/logout", post(handlers::logout))
+        .route("/api/users/me", get(handlers::get_profile))
+        .layer(
+            ServiceBuilder::new()
+                .layer(TraceLayer::new_for_http())
+                .layer(CorsLayer::new())
+        )
+        .route_layer(axum_middleware::from_fn_with_state(
+            app_state.clone(),
+            crate::middleware::auth::jwt_auth_middleware
+        ))
+        .with_state(app_state);
     
-    let listener = tokio::net::TcpListener::bind(&addr)
-        .await
-        .expect("Failed to bind address");
+    let listener = tokio::net::TcpListener::bind(&format!("{}:{}", config.server.host, config.server.port))
+        .await?;
+    
+    tracing::info!("Server listening on {}:{}", config.server.host, config.server.port);
+    
+    axum::serve(listener, app).await?;
     
-    axum::serve(listener, app)
-        .await
-        .expect("Server error");
-        
     Ok(())
 }
-
-async fn health_check() -> Json<serde_json::Value> {
-    Json(json!({
-        "status": "ok",
-        "timestamp": chrono::Utc::now().to_rfc3339(),
-    }))
-}
-
-async fn readiness_check(State(state): State<AppState>) -> Json<serde_json::Value> {
-    let db_status = state.db.health_check().await.unwrap_or_else(|_| "disconnected".to_string());
-    
-    Json(json!({
-        "status": "ready",
-        "database": db_status,
-        "timestamp": chrono::Utc::now().to_rfc3339(),
-    }))
-}
diff --git a/backend/src/middleware/auth.rs b/backend/src/middleware/auth.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0d7aeb6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/src/middleware/auth.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+use axum::{
+    extract::{Request, State},
+    http::StatusCode,
+    middleware::Next,
+    response::Response,
+};
+use crate::auth::claims::AccessClaims;
+use crate::config::AppState;
+
+pub async fn jwt_auth_middleware(
+    State(state): State<AppState>,
+    mut req: Request,
+    next: Next,
+) -> Result<Response, StatusCode> {
+    let headers = req.headers();
+    
+    // Extract Authorization header
+    let auth_header = headers
+        .get("Authorization")
+        .and_then(|h| h.to_str().ok())
+        .ok_or(StatusCode::UNAUTHORIZED)?;
+    
+    // Check Bearer token format
+    if !auth_header.starts_with("Bearer ") {
+        return Err(StatusCode::UNAUTHORIZED);
+    }
+    
+    let token = &auth_header[7..]; // Remove "Bearer " prefix
+    
+    // Verify token
+    let claims = state
+        .jwt_service
+        .verify_access_token(token)
+        .map_err(|_| StatusCode::UNAUTHORIZED)?;
+    
+    // Add claims to request extensions for handlers to use
+    req.extensions_mut().insert(claims);
+    
+    Ok(next.run(req).await)
+}
+
+// Extension method to extract claims from request
+pub trait RequestClaimsExt {
+    fn claims(&self) -> Option<&AccessClaims>;
+}
+
+impl RequestClaimsExt for Request {
+    fn claims(&self) -> Option<&AccessClaims> {
+        self.extensions().get::<AccessClaims>()
+    }
+}
diff --git a/backend/src/middleware/mod.rs b/backend/src/middleware/mod.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0e4a05d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/src/middleware/mod.rs
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+pub mod auth;
diff --git a/backend/src/models/user.rs b/backend/src/models/user.rs
index 27746fd..3c4fe9a 100644
--- a/backend/src/models/user.rs
+++ b/backend/src/models/user.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use mongodb::{bson::{doc, oid::ObjectId, DateTime}, Collection};
-use chrono::{Utc, TimeZone};
+
 use validator::Validate;
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
diff --git a/backend/tests/auth_tests.rs b/backend/tests/auth_tests.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0426ec9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/tests/auth_tests.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,152 @@
+use reqwest::Client;
+use serde_json::{json, Value};
+
+const BASE_URL: &str = "http://127.0.0.1:8000";
+
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn test_health_check() {
+    let client = Client::new();
+    let response = client.get(&format!("{}/health", BASE_URL))
+        .send()
+        .await
+        .expect("Failed to send request");
+    
+    assert_eq!(response.status(), 200);
+}
+
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn test_ready_check() {
+    let client = Client::new();
+    let response = client.get(&format!("{}/ready", BASE_URL))
+        .send()
+        .await
+        .expect("Failed to send request");
+    
+    assert_eq!(response.status(), 200);
+}
+
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn test_register_user() {
+    let client = Client::new();
+    let email = format!("test_{}@example.com", uuid::Uuid::new_v4());
+    
+    let payload = json!({
+        "email": email,
+        "password_hash": "hashed_password_placeholder",
+        "encrypted_recovery_phrase": "encrypted_phrase_placeholder",
+        "recovery_phrase_iv": "iv_placeholder",
+        "recovery_phrase_auth_tag": "auth_tag_placeholder"
+    });
+    
+    let response = client.post(&format!("{}/api/auth/register", BASE_URL))
+        .json(&payload)
+        .send()
+        .await
+        .expect("Failed to send request");
+    
+    assert_eq!(response.status(), 200);
+    
+    let json: Value = response.json().await.expect("Failed to parse JSON");
+    assert_eq!(json["email"], email);
+    assert!(json["user_id"].is_string());
+}
+
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn test_login() {
+    let client = Client::new();
+    let email = format!("test_{}@example.com", uuid::Uuid::new_v4());
+    
+    // First register a user
+    let register_payload = json!({
+        "email": email,
+        "password_hash": "hashed_password_placeholder",
+        "encrypted_recovery_phrase": "encrypted_phrase_placeholder",
+        "recovery_phrase_iv": "iv_placeholder",
+        "recovery_phrase_auth_tag": "auth_tag_placeholder"
+    });
+    
+    let _reg_response = client.post(&format!("{}/api/auth/register", BASE_URL))
+        .json(&register_payload)
+        .send()
+        .await
+        .expect("Failed to send request");
+    
+    // Now login
+    let login_payload = json!({
+        "email": email,
+        "password_hash": "hashed_password_placeholder"
+    });
+    
+    let response = client.post(&format!("{}/api/auth/login", BASE_URL))
+        .json(&login_payload)
+        .send()
+        .await
+        .expect("Failed to send request");
+    
+    assert_eq!(response.status(), 200);
+    
+    let json: Value = response.json().await.expect("Failed to parse JSON");
+    assert!(json["access_token"].is_string());
+    assert!(json["refresh_token"].is_string());
+    assert_eq!(json["email"], email);
+}
+
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn test_get_profile_without_auth() {
+    let client = Client::new();
+    
+    let response = client.get(&format!("{}/api/users/me", BASE_URL))
+        .send()
+        .await
+        .expect("Failed to send request");
+    
+    // Should return 401 Unauthorized without auth token
+    assert_eq!(response.status(), 401);
+}
+
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn test_get_profile_with_auth() {
+    let client = Client::new();
+    let email = format!("test_{}@example.com", uuid::Uuid::new_v4());
+    
+    // Register and login
+    let register_payload = json!({
+        "email": email,
+        "password_hash": "hashed_password_placeholder",
+        "encrypted_recovery_phrase": "encrypted_phrase_placeholder",
+        "recovery_phrase_iv": "iv_placeholder",
+        "recovery_phrase_auth_tag": "auth_tag_placeholder"
+    });
+    
+    client.post(&format!("{}/api/auth/register", BASE_URL))
+        .json(&register_payload)
+        .send()
+        .await
+        .expect("Failed to send request");
+    
+    let login_payload = json!({
+        "email": email,
+        "password_hash": "hashed_password_placeholder"
+    });
+    
+    let login_response = client.post(&format!("{}/api/auth/login", BASE_URL))
+        .json(&login_payload)
+        .send()
+        .await
+        .expect("Failed to send request");
+    
+    let login_json: Value = login_response.json().await.expect("Failed to parse JSON");
+    let access_token = login_json["access_token"].as_str().expect("No access token");
+    
+    // Get profile with auth token
+    let response = client.get(&format!("{}/api/users/me", BASE_URL))
+        .header("Authorization", format!("Bearer {}", access_token))
+        .send()
+        .await
+        .expect("Failed to send request");
+    
+    assert_eq!(response.status(), 200);
+    
+    let json: Value = response.json().await.expect("Failed to parse JSON");
+    assert_eq!(json["email"], email);
+}
diff --git a/thoughts/STATUS.md b/thoughts/STATUS.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5e20919
--- /dev/null
+++ b/thoughts/STATUS.md
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+# Normogen Backend Development Status
+
+## Completed Phases
+
+- [x] **Phase 2.1** - Backend Project Initialization
+- [x] **Phase 2.2** - MongoDB Connection & Models
+- [x] **Phase 2.3** - JWT Authentication (Completed 2025-02-14)
+
+## In Progress
+
+- **Phase 2.4** - User Registration & Login (Ready for testing)
+
+## Changes in Phase 2.3
+
+### Authentication System
+- JWT-based authentication with access and refresh tokens
+- Password hashing using PBKDF2
+- Protected routes with middleware
+- Token refresh and logout functionality
+
+### Files Modified
+- `backend/src/auth/mod.rs` - Fixed imports
+- `backend/src/auth/password.rs` - Fixed PBKDF2 API usage
+- `backend/src/auth/jwt.rs` - JWT token generation and validation
+- `backend/src/auth/claims.rs` - Custom JWT claims with user roles
+- `backend/src/middleware/auth.rs` - Authentication middleware
+- `backend/src/handlers/auth.rs` - Authentication handlers (register, login, refresh, logout)
+- `backend/src/handlers/users.rs` - User profile handlers
+- `backend/src/handlers/health.rs` - Health check handlers
+- `backend/src/config/mod.rs` - Added AppState with Clone derive
+- `backend/src/main.rs` - Fixed middleware imports and routing
+- `backend/Cargo.toml` - Added reqwest for testing
+- `backend/tests/auth_tests.rs` - Integration tests for authentication
+
+### Testing
+- Integration tests written for all auth endpoints
+- Test script created: `backend/test_auth.sh`
+- Environment example created: `thoughts/env.example`
+
+### Compilation Status
+✅ All compilation errors fixed
+✅ Project compiles successfully (warnings only - unused code)
+
+## Next Steps
+1. Start MongoDB server
+2. Set up environment variables
+3. Run integration tests: `cargo test --test auth_tests`
+4. Start server: `cargo run`
+5. Manual testing: `./backend/test_auth.sh`
diff --git a/thoughts/env.example b/thoughts/env.example
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dea8873
--- /dev/null
+++ b/thoughts/env.example
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+# MongoDB Configuration
+MONGODB_URI=mongodb://localhost:27017
+DATABASE_NAME=normogen
+
+# JWT Configuration
+JWT_SECRET=your-secret-key-here-change-in-production
+JWT_ACCESS_TOKEN_EXPIRATION=900
+JWT_REFRESH_TOKEN_EXPIRATION=604800
+
+# Server Configuration
+HOST=127.0.0.1
+PORT=8000
diff --git a/thoughts/test_auth.sh b/thoughts/test_auth.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..d97b2ac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/thoughts/test_auth.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,82 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Manual test script for authentication endpoints
+
+BASE_URL="http://127.0.0.1:8000"
+
+echo "=== Testing Normogen Authentication ==="
+echo ""
+
+# Test 1: Health check
+echo "1. Testing health check..."
+curl -s "$BASE_URL/health" | jq .
+echo ""
+
+# Test 2: Ready check
+echo "2. Testing ready check..."
+curl -s "$BASE_URL/ready" | jq .
+echo ""
+
+# Test 3: Register a new user
+echo "3. Registering a new user..."
+EMAIL="test_$(uuidgen | cut -d'-' -f1)@example.com"
+REGISTER_RESPONSE=$(curl -s -X POST "$BASE_URL/api/auth/register" \
+  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+  -d '{"email":"'"$EMAIL"'","password_hash":"hashed_password_placeholder","encrypted_recovery_phrase":"encrypted_phrase_placeholder","recovery_phrase_iv":"iv_placeholder","recovery_phrase_auth_tag":"auth_tag_placeholder"}')
+
+echo "$REGISTER_RESPONSE" | jq .
+echo ""
+
+# Extract user_id for later use
+USER_ID=$(echo "$REGISTER_RESPONSE" | jq -r '.user_id')
+echo "Created user ID: $USER_ID"
+echo ""
+
+# Test 4: Login
+echo "4. Logging in..."
+LOGIN_RESPONSE=$(curl -s -X POST "$BASE_URL/api/auth/login" \
+  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+  -d '{"email":"'"$EMAIL"'","password_hash":"hashed_password_placeholder"}')
+
+echo "$LOGIN_RESPONSE" | jq .
+echo ""
+
+# Extract tokens
+ACCESS_TOKEN=$(echo "$LOGIN_RESPONSE" | jq -r '.access_token')
+REFRESH_TOKEN=$(echo "$LOGIN_RESPONSE" | jq -r '.refresh_token')
+
+echo "Access Token: ${ACCESS_TOKEN:0:50}..."
+echo "Refresh Token: ${REFRESH_TOKEN:0:50}..."
+echo ""
+
+# Test 5: Get profile without auth (should fail)
+echo "5. Testing profile endpoint WITHOUT auth (should return 401)..."
+curl -s "$BASE_URL/api/users/me" -i | head -n 1
+echo ""
+
+# Test 6: Get profile with auth (should succeed)
+echo "6. Testing profile endpoint WITH auth (should return 200)..."
+PROFILE_RESPONSE=$(curl -s "$BASE_URL/api/users/me" \
+  -H "Authorization: Bearer $ACCESS_TOKEN")
+
+echo "$PROFILE_RESPONSE" | jq .
+echo ""
+
+# Test 7: Refresh token
+echo "7. Testing refresh token..."
+REFRESH_RESPONSE=$(curl -s -X POST "$BASE_URL/api/auth/refresh" \
+  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+  -d '{"refresh_token":"'"$REFRESH_TOKEN"'}')
+
+echo "$REFRESH_RESPONSE" | jq .
+echo ""
+
+# Test 8: Logout
+echo "8. Testing logout..."
+LOGOUT_RESPONSE=$(curl -s -X POST "$BASE_URL/api/auth/logout" \
+  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+  -d '{"refresh_token":"'"$REFRESH_TOKEN"'}')
+
+echo "$LOGOUT_RESPONSE" | jq .
+echo ""
+
+echo "=== Tests Complete ==="