diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 72d9f011..57fa924d 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -4,3 +4,5 @@ __pycache__/
 *.pyc
 .env
 .DS_Store
+aInventory-PROD*
+aInventory-PROD*.zip
diff --git a/Caddyfile b/Caddyfile
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..478f2dca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Caddyfile
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+# TFM aInventory - Caddy Self-Signed Internal Proxy
+# This replaces the need for `local-ssl-proxy` in Node.
+
+:3003 {
+    tls internal
+    reverse_proxy frontend:3000
+}
+
+:3002 {
+    tls internal
+    reverse_proxy backend:8000
+}
diff --git a/VERSION.json b/VERSION.json
index 870adf02..c0cd6242 100644
--- a/VERSION.json
+++ b/VERSION.json
@@ -1,16 +1,15 @@
 {
-  "version": "1.2.9",
+  "version": "1.3.0",
   "last_build": "2026-04-11-1235",
-  "commit": "3b2f1",
+  "commit": "PENDING",
   "changelog": [
+    "v1.3.0: Dockerization: Dual-mode architecture, standalone Next.js, Python logger, and prod export script",
     "v1.2.9: Automatic IDE Entry Points (GEMINI.md, CLAUDE.md proxies)",
     "v1.2.8: Absolute Documentation Consolidation (Unified ARCHITECTURE and AI_RULES)",
     "v1.2.7: Documentation Refactor: Created TECH_STACK.md for SSOT and removed absolute paths",
     "v1.2.6: Hotfix - Added missing icon imports (Layers, ChevronDown)",
     "v1.2.5: Synchronized icons across UI (Layers for Categories, Package for Item Types)",
     "v1.2.4: Offline LDAP auth support and UI affordance improvements (Dropdown chevrons, soft password dots)",
-    "v1.2.3: System-wide UI consistency (standardized font sizes, removed uppercase)",
-    "v1.2.2: UI Readability refactor (Removed uppercase/tracking, increased font sizes)",
-    "v1.2.1: Git path persistence, master/dev/vX branching, and UI case-sensitivity fix"
+    "v1.2.3: System-wide UI consistency (standardized font sizes, removed uppercase)"
   ]
 }
diff --git a/backend/Dockerfile b/backend/Dockerfile
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f8ec6d7c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/Dockerfile
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+FROM python:3.12-slim
+
+# Install system dependencies required for python-ldap (needed by backend)
+RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y \
+    build-essential \
+    libldap2-dev \
+    libsasl2-dev \
+    && rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*
+
+WORKDIR /app
+
+# Copy requirements and install
+COPY backend/requirements.txt .
+RUN pip install --no-cache-dir -r requirements.txt
+
+# Create non-root user
+RUN adduser --system --group appuser
+
+# Copy application files
+COPY backend ./backend
+
+# We define the data dir explicitly for Docker
+ENV DATA_DIR="/app/data"
+ENV LOGS_DIR="/app/logs"
+
+# Ensure the appuser can write to data and logs if we pre-create them, 
+# although Docker volumes will handle ownership context.
+RUN mkdir -p /app/data /app/logs && chown -R appuser:appuser /app
+
+USER appuser
+
+EXPOSE 8000
+
+# Start Uvicorn pointing to the backend module
+CMD ["python", "-m", "uvicorn", "backend.main:app", "--host", "0.0.0.0", "--port", "8000"]
diff --git a/backend/database.py b/backend/database.py
index 9955fccf..a5d3929d 100644
--- a/backend/database.py
+++ b/backend/database.py
@@ -4,9 +4,11 @@ import os
 
 # Get absolute path for the backend directory
 BASE_DIR = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
-DATA_DIR = os.path.join(BASE_DIR, "data")
 
-# Create data directory if it doesn't exist in the backend folder
+# Use DATA_DIR from environment if running in Docker, otherwise fallback to local 'data' folder
+DATA_DIR = os.environ.get("DATA_DIR", os.path.join(BASE_DIR, "data"))
+
+# Create data directory if it doesn't exist
 os.makedirs(DATA_DIR, exist_ok=True)
 
 # Handle absolute path for SQLite (needs 4 slashes on Unix)
diff --git a/backend/logger.py b/backend/logger.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..95860e60
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/logger.py
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+import logging
+import os
+from logging.handlers import RotatingFileHandler
+
+# Define paths
+BASE_DIR = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
+# Fallback to local 'logs' dir if not overridden in Docker
+LOGS_DIR = os.environ.get("LOGS_DIR", os.path.join(BASE_DIR, "logs"))
+
+# Ensure directory exists
+os.makedirs(LOGS_DIR, exist_ok=True)
+
+LOG_FILE_PATH = os.path.join(LOGS_DIR, "backend.log")
+
+def setup_logger():
+    logger = logging.getLogger("ainventory")
+    logger.setLevel(logging.INFO)
+    
+    # Avoid duplicate handlers if setup multiple times
+    if logger.handlers:
+        return logger
+
+    formatter = logging.Formatter(
+        "[%(asctime)s] [%(levelname)s] [%(name)s] %(message)s",
+        datefmt="%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S"
+    )
+
+    # Console Handler
+    console_handler = logging.StreamHandler()
+    console_handler.setFormatter(formatter)
+    
+    # File Handler (10MB max, keep 5 backups)
+    file_handler = RotatingFileHandler(
+        LOG_FILE_PATH, maxBytes=10*1024*1024, backupCount=5
+    )
+    file_handler.setFormatter(formatter)
+
+    # Attach handlers
+    logger.addHandler(console_handler)
+    logger.addHandler(file_handler)
+    
+    # Special redirect for uvicorn logs to also go to file
+    uvicorn_logger = logging.getLogger("uvicorn")
+    uvicorn_logger.addHandler(file_handler)
+    
+    uvicorn_access_logger = logging.getLogger("uvicorn.access")
+    uvicorn_access_logger.addHandler(file_handler)
+
+    return logger
+
+log = setup_logger()
diff --git a/backend/logs/backend.log b/backend/logs/backend.log
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..89d1d01d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/logs/backend.log
@@ -0,0 +1,174 @@
+[2026-04-11 12:25:22] [INFO] [ainventory] Database tables verified.
+[2026-04-11 12:25:22] [INFO] [ainventory] TFM aInventory API process started.
+[2026-04-11 12:25:22] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Started server process [87758]
+[2026-04-11 12:25:22] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application startup.
+[2026-04-11 12:25:22] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application startup complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:25:24] [INFO] [uvicorn.access] ::ffff:192.168.84.140:0 - "GET /items/ HTTP/1.1" 200
+[2026-04-11 12:25:54] [INFO] [uvicorn.access] ::ffff:192.168.84.140:0 - "GET /items/ HTTP/1.1" 200
+[2026-04-11 12:26:24] [INFO] [uvicorn.access] ::ffff:192.168.84.140:0 - "GET /items/ HTTP/1.1" 200
+[2026-04-11 12:26:54] [INFO] [uvicorn.access] ::ffff:192.168.84.140:0 - "GET /items/ HTTP/1.1" 200
+[2026-04-11 12:27:24] [INFO] [uvicorn.access] ::ffff:192.168.84.140:0 - "GET /items/ HTTP/1.1" 200
+[2026-04-11 12:27:39] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Shutting down
+[2026-04-11 12:27:39] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application shutdown.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:39] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application shutdown complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:39] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Finished server process [87758]
+[2026-04-11 12:27:40] [INFO] [ainventory] Database tables verified.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:40] [INFO] [ainventory] TFM aInventory API process started.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:40] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Started server process [87911]
+[2026-04-11 12:27:40] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application startup.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:40] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application startup complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:41] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Shutting down
+[2026-04-11 12:27:41] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application shutdown.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:41] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application shutdown complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:41] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Finished server process [87911]
+[2026-04-11 12:27:42] [INFO] [ainventory] Database tables verified.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:42] [INFO] [ainventory] TFM aInventory API process started.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:42] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Started server process [87914]
+[2026-04-11 12:27:42] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application startup.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:42] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application startup complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:43] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Shutting down
+[2026-04-11 12:27:43] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application shutdown.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:43] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application shutdown complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:43] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Finished server process [87914]
+[2026-04-11 12:27:44] [INFO] [ainventory] Database tables verified.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:44] [INFO] [ainventory] TFM aInventory API process started.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:44] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Started server process [87922]
+[2026-04-11 12:27:44] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application startup.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:44] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application startup complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:46] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Shutting down
+[2026-04-11 12:27:46] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application shutdown.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:46] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application shutdown complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:46] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Finished server process [87922]
+[2026-04-11 12:27:46] [INFO] [ainventory] Database tables verified.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:46] [INFO] [ainventory] TFM aInventory API process started.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:46] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Started server process [87926]
+[2026-04-11 12:27:46] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application startup.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:46] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application startup complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:52] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Shutting down
+[2026-04-11 12:27:52] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application shutdown.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:52] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application shutdown complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:52] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Finished server process [87926]
+[2026-04-11 12:27:52] [INFO] [ainventory] Database tables verified.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:52] [INFO] [ainventory] TFM aInventory API process started.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:52] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Started server process [87933]
+[2026-04-11 12:27:52] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application startup.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:52] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application startup complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:27:54] [INFO] [uvicorn.access] ::ffff:192.168.84.140:0 - "GET /items/ HTTP/1.1" 200
+[2026-04-11 12:28:02] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Shutting down
+[2026-04-11 12:28:02] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application shutdown.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:02] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application shutdown complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:02] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Finished server process [87933]
+[2026-04-11 12:28:03] [INFO] [ainventory] Database tables verified.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:03] [INFO] [ainventory] TFM aInventory API process started.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:03] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Started server process [87948]
+[2026-04-11 12:28:03] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application startup.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:03] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application startup complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:04] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Shutting down
+[2026-04-11 12:28:04] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application shutdown.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:04] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application shutdown complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:04] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Finished server process [87948]
+[2026-04-11 12:28:05] [INFO] [ainventory] Database tables verified.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:05] [INFO] [ainventory] TFM aInventory API process started.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:05] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Started server process [87957]
+[2026-04-11 12:28:05] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application startup.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:05] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application startup complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:06] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Shutting down
+[2026-04-11 12:28:07] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application shutdown.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:07] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application shutdown complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:07] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Finished server process [87957]
+[2026-04-11 12:28:07] [INFO] [ainventory] Database tables verified.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:07] [INFO] [ainventory] TFM aInventory API process started.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:07] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Started server process [87958]
+[2026-04-11 12:28:07] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application startup.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:07] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application startup complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:09] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Shutting down
+[2026-04-11 12:28:09] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application shutdown.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:09] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application shutdown complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:09] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Finished server process [87958]
+[2026-04-11 12:28:09] [INFO] [ainventory] Database tables verified.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:09] [INFO] [ainventory] TFM aInventory API process started.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:09] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Started server process [87960]
+[2026-04-11 12:28:09] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application startup.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:09] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application startup complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:11] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Shutting down
+[2026-04-11 12:28:11] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application shutdown.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:11] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application shutdown complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:11] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Finished server process [87960]
+[2026-04-11 12:28:12] [INFO] [ainventory] Database tables verified.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:12] [INFO] [ainventory] TFM aInventory API process started.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:12] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Started server process [87968]
+[2026-04-11 12:28:12] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application startup.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:12] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application startup complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:13] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Shutting down
+[2026-04-11 12:28:13] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application shutdown.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:13] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application shutdown complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:13] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Finished server process [87968]
+[2026-04-11 12:28:14] [INFO] [ainventory] Database tables verified.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:14] [INFO] [ainventory] TFM aInventory API process started.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:14] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Started server process [87971]
+[2026-04-11 12:28:14] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application startup.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:14] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application startup complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:20] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Shutting down
+[2026-04-11 12:28:20] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application shutdown.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:20] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application shutdown complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:20] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Finished server process [87971]
+[2026-04-11 12:28:20] [INFO] [ainventory] Database tables verified.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:20] [INFO] [ainventory] TFM aInventory API process started.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:20] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Started server process [87989]
+[2026-04-11 12:28:20] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application startup.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:20] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application startup complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:24] [INFO] [uvicorn.access] ::ffff:192.168.84.140:0 - "GET /items/ HTTP/1.1" 200
+[2026-04-11 12:28:36] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Shutting down
+[2026-04-11 12:28:36] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application shutdown.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:36] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application shutdown complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:36] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Finished server process [87989]
+[2026-04-11 12:28:37] [INFO] [ainventory] Database tables verified.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:37] [INFO] [ainventory] TFM aInventory API process started.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:37] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Started server process [88059]
+[2026-04-11 12:28:37] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application startup.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:37] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application startup complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:37] [WARNING] [uvicorn.error] Invalid HTTP request received.
+[2026-04-11 12:28:37] [INFO] [uvicorn.access] ::ffff:127.0.0.1:0 - "POST /exa.language_server_pb.LanguageServerService/GetUnleashData HTTP/1.1" 404
+[2026-04-11 12:28:54] [INFO] [uvicorn.access] ::ffff:192.168.84.140:0 - "GET /items/ HTTP/1.1" 200
+[2026-04-11 12:29:24] [INFO] [uvicorn.access] ::ffff:192.168.84.140:0 - "GET /items/ HTTP/1.1" 200
+[2026-04-11 12:29:54] [INFO] [uvicorn.access] ::ffff:192.168.84.140:0 - "GET /items/ HTTP/1.1" 200
+[2026-04-11 12:30:24] [INFO] [uvicorn.access] ::ffff:192.168.84.140:0 - "GET /items/ HTTP/1.1" 200
+[2026-04-11 12:30:54] [INFO] [uvicorn.access] ::ffff:192.168.84.140:0 - "GET /items/ HTTP/1.1" 200
+[2026-04-11 12:31:24] [INFO] [uvicorn.access] ::ffff:192.168.84.140:0 - "GET /items/ HTTP/1.1" 200
+[2026-04-11 12:31:30] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Shutting down
+[2026-04-11 12:31:30] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application shutdown.
+[2026-04-11 12:31:30] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application shutdown complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:31:30] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Finished server process [88059]
+[2026-04-11 12:31:31] [INFO] [ainventory] Database tables verified.
+[2026-04-11 12:31:31] [INFO] [ainventory] TFM aInventory API process started.
+[2026-04-11 12:31:31] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Started server process [88476]
+[2026-04-11 12:31:31] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application startup.
+[2026-04-11 12:31:31] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application startup complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:31:31] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Shutting down
+[2026-04-11 12:31:31] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application shutdown.
+[2026-04-11 12:31:31] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application shutdown complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:31:31] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Finished server process [88476]
+[2026-04-11 12:31:31] [INFO] [ainventory] Database tables verified.
+[2026-04-11 12:31:31] [INFO] [ainventory] TFM aInventory API process started.
+[2026-04-11 12:31:31] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Started server process [88477]
+[2026-04-11 12:31:31] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application startup.
+[2026-04-11 12:31:31] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application startup complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:31:32] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Shutting down
+[2026-04-11 12:31:32] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application shutdown.
+[2026-04-11 12:31:32] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application shutdown complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:31:32] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Finished server process [88477]
+[2026-04-11 12:31:33] [INFO] [ainventory] Database tables verified.
+[2026-04-11 12:31:33] [INFO] [ainventory] TFM aInventory API process started.
+[2026-04-11 12:31:33] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Started server process [88478]
+[2026-04-11 12:31:33] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application startup.
+[2026-04-11 12:31:33] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application startup complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:31:34] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Shutting down
+[2026-04-11 12:31:34] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application shutdown.
+[2026-04-11 12:31:34] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application shutdown complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:31:34] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Finished server process [88478]
+[2026-04-11 12:31:35] [INFO] [ainventory] Database tables verified.
+[2026-04-11 12:31:35] [INFO] [ainventory] TFM aInventory API process started.
+[2026-04-11 12:31:35] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Started server process [88490]
+[2026-04-11 12:31:35] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Waiting for application startup.
+[2026-04-11 12:31:35] [INFO] [uvicorn.error] Application startup complete.
+[2026-04-11 12:31:54] [INFO] [uvicorn.access] ::ffff:192.168.84.140:0 - "GET /items/ HTTP/1.1" 200
diff --git a/backend/main.py b/backend/main.py
index 42d80496..8a67f905 100644
--- a/backend/main.py
+++ b/backend/main.py
@@ -3,11 +3,14 @@ from fastapi.middleware.cors import CORSMiddleware
 from . import models
 from .database import engine
 from .routers import items, operations, users, categories
+from .logger import log
 
 # Create the database tables
 models.Base.metadata.create_all(bind=engine)
+log.info("Database tables verified.")
 
 app = FastAPI(title="TFM aInventory API", version="1.1.0")
+log.info("TFM aInventory API process started.")
 
 # Setup Cross-Origin for Client interaction (PWA)
 app.add_middleware(
diff --git a/backend/routers/users.py b/backend/routers/users.py
index 11deeb28..12b42be9 100644
--- a/backend/routers/users.py
+++ b/backend/routers/users.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ router = APIRouter(prefix="/users", tags=["users"])
 pwd_context = CryptContext(schemes=["pbkdf2_sha256"], deprecated="auto")
 
 def get_ldap_config():
-    config_path = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(__file__)), "ldap_config.json")
+    config_path = os.path.join(database.DATA_DIR, "ldap_config.json")
     if os.path.exists(config_path):
         with open(config_path, "r") as f:
             return json.load(f)
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ def get_ldap_settings():
 
 @router.post("/ldap-config")
 def update_ldap_settings(config: dict):
-    config_path = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(__file__)), "ldap_config.json")
+    config_path = os.path.join(database.DATA_DIR, "ldap_config.json")
     with open(config_path, "w") as f:
         json.dump(config, f)
     return {"message": "Config saved"}
diff --git a/dev_docs/ARCHIVE_LOGS.md b/dev_docs/ARCHIVE_LOGS.md
index f99a2a5f..03fb0520 100644
--- a/dev_docs/ARCHIVE_LOGS.md
+++ b/dev_docs/ARCHIVE_LOGS.md
@@ -1,3 +1,24 @@
+### [2026-04-11 12:45] v1.3.0: Dockerization & Export Script
+**Purpose:** Upgraded the system architecture to support seamless dual-mode execution (Dockerized or Bare-Metal/Local). Extracted data and logic persistence layers to external volumes (`/data`, `/logs`). Added a dedicated production compiler.
+**Actions:**
+- `backend/database.py` and `users.py` now support `DATA_DIR` environment overrides.
+- Implemented `backend/logger.py` for standard Python rotating logs mapped to `/app/logs`.
+- Next.js configured for `standalone` output mode to strictly optimize containerized PWA size.
+- Orchestrated full environment with `docker-compose.yml`, using Caddy for local self-signed HTTPS termination.
+- Created `export_prod.sh` to extract a clean release bundle without AI/Dev files (using optimized `rsync`).
+**Modified Files:**
+- `backend/database.py`
+- `backend/routers/users.py`
+- `backend/logger.py` (New)
+- `backend/main.py`
+- `frontend/next.config.mjs`
+- `frontend/Dockerfile` (New)
+- `backend/Dockerfile` (New)
+- `docker-compose.yml` (New)
+- `Caddyfile` (New)
+- `export_prod.sh` (New)
+- `VERSION.json`
+
 ### [2026-04-11 12:35] v1.2.9: Automatic IDE Entry Points
 **Purpose:** Restored specific ID-based entry points (`GEMINI.md` and `CLAUDE.md`) as "Proxy Pointers" to ensure modern AI extensions (Cursor, Windsurf, Gemini IDE) naturally pick them up as system prompt injections.
 **Modified Files:**
diff --git a/dev_docs/SESSION_STATE.md b/dev_docs/SESSION_STATE.md
index 97e29a91..15ff769b 100644
--- a/dev_docs/SESSION_STATE.md
+++ b/dev_docs/SESSION_STATE.md
@@ -1,15 +1,18 @@
-# AI Session State - HANDOVER
+# CURRENT AI WORKING SESSION
 
-**Status**: v1.2.6 Hotfixed & UX Polished. Persistent Gemini Context Created.
-**Current AI Agent**: Gemini (Antigravity)
-**Context**:
-- **Offline Auth**: LDAP users now have local password hash caching (v1.2.4).
-- **UI Affordance**: Added `ChevronDown` to selects and softened password dots.
-- **Icon Sync**: Unified iconography (Layers = Categories, Package = Item Types).
-- **Memory**: Created [GEMINI.md](../GEMINI.md) as the persistent entry point for this agent.
-- **Version**: Currently at **v1.2.6**. Commit log in `ARCHIVE_LOGS.md`.
+**Active AI:** Antigravity (Gemini)
+**Last Updated:** 2026-04-11
+**Current Version:** v1.3.0
+**Branch:** dev
 
-**Next Steps**:
-1.  **Phase 6: Advanced Audit Dashboard**. Current logs exist but could use a dedicated page with filtering.
-2.  Final testing of offline LDAP login (Basement simulation).
-3.  Verification of icon consistency in any new screens.
+### Current Status
+Finalized the system refactoring by implementing a complete, portable **Dockerization Architecture**. Introduced the `export_prod.sh` bundle compiler, centralized technical documentation into a Single Source Of Truth (`PROJECT_ARCHITECTURE.md`), and ensured exact reverse compatibility so that bare-metal development using `./start_server.sh` operates identically to previous versions.
+
+### Technical Context
+- **Persistence Mapping:** Local database (`inventory.db`) and `ldap_config.json` now persist through the environmental variable `DATA_DIR` (mapped to local `/data` volume).
+- **Log System:** Created `backend/logger.py` with Python's RotatingFileHandler. Streamed locally into `/logs`. 
+- **Standalone:** Next.js uses `output: standalone` configuration specifically to support the Node alpine dockerfile. Caddy replaces `local-ssl-proxy` only inside the Docker environment.
+
+### Next Steps / Blockers
+1. Testing actual AI flow in production mode (using the exported Production Bundle zip).
+2. Implementing the Advanced Audit log Dashboard inside the UI.
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..636c9105
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+version: '3.8'
+
+services:
+  backend:
+    build:
+      context: .
+      dockerfile: backend/Dockerfile
+    networks:
+      - inventory_net
+    ports:
+      - "8000:8000"
+    volumes:
+      - ./data:/app/data
+      - ./logs:/app/logs
+    environment:
+      - DATA_DIR=/app/data
+      - LOGS_DIR=/app/logs
+    restart: unless-stopped
+
+  frontend:
+    build:
+      context: .
+      dockerfile: frontend/Dockerfile
+    networks:
+      - inventory_net
+    ports:
+      - "3000:3000"
+    volumes:
+      - ./logs:/app/logs
+    # Write Next.js logs to both stdout (docker logs) and file (mapped volume)
+    command: sh -c "mkdir -p /app/logs && node server.js 2>&1 | tee -a /app/logs/frontend.log"
+    restart: unless-stopped
+
+  proxy:
+    image: caddy:alpine
+    networks:
+      - inventory_net
+    ports:
+      - "3002:3002"
+      - "3003:3003"
+    volumes:
+      - ./Caddyfile:/etc/caddy/Caddyfile
+      # Persist the internal Caddy certificates so users don't get new certificate warnings constantly
+      - ./data/caddy_data:/data
+      - ./data/caddy_config:/config
+    depends_on:
+      - frontend
+      - backend
+    restart: unless-stopped
+
+networks:
+  inventory_net:
+    driver: bridge
diff --git a/export_prod.sh b/export_prod.sh
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..f62fe1d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/export_prod.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# export_prod.sh - Generates a clean production bundle for distribution
+
+echo "📦 Preparing TFM aInventory Production Bundle..."
+
+# Extract version from VERSION.json using grep to avoid macOS python/xcode stubs
+VERSION=$(grep '"version"' VERSION.json | head -n 1 | awk -F '"' '{print $4}')
+PROD_DIR="aInventory-PROD-v${VERSION}"
+
+# Clean previous run if it exists
+rm -rf "$PROD_DIR"
+rm -f "${PROD_DIR}.zip"
+
+mkdir -p "$PROD_DIR"
+
+echo "📂 Copying application components (excluding dev artifacts)..."
+# Core application
+rsync -a --exclude 'node_modules' --exclude '.next' frontend/ "$PROD_DIR/frontend/"
+rsync -a --exclude '__pycache__' --exclude '.pytest_cache' --exclude '.venv' backend/ "$PROD_DIR/backend/"
+
+# Orchestration & Scripts
+cp docker-compose.yml "$PROD_DIR/"
+cp Caddyfile "$PROD_DIR/"
+cp start_server.sh "$PROD_DIR/"
+cp .git_path "$PROD_DIR/" 2>/dev/null || true
+cp VERSION.json "$PROD_DIR/"
+
+# Setup persistent volume skeleton
+mkdir -p "$PROD_DIR/data"
+mkdir -p "$PROD_DIR/logs"
+# Place a README in the root of the release
+cat <<EOF > "$PROD_DIR/README.txt"
+TFM aInventory - v${VERSION}
+=============================
+
+This is a clean production build, free of development or AI-agent constraints.
+
+TO RUN VIA DOCKER (Recommended):
+1. Install Docker Desktop or Docker Engine.
+2. Run: docker-compose build
+3. Run: docker-compose up -d
+4. Access via https://<YOUR-IP>:3003 (Accept the internal security warning).
+
+TO RUN BARE-METAL (No Docker):
+1. Install Python 3.12+ and Node.js 20+.
+2. Ensure you have network access for npm installs.
+3. Run: ./start_server.sh
+4. Access via https://<YOUR-IP>:3003
+
+Note: Database and Logs will persist in the /data and /logs directories.
+EOF
+
+echo "🗜️ Zipping the final bundle..."
+zip -r -q "${PROD_DIR}.zip" "$PROD_DIR"
+
+# Optional: cleanup the directory to leave just the zip
+# rm -rf "$PROD_DIR"
+
+echo "✅ SUCCESS: The clean production archive is ready: ${PROD_DIR}.zip"
diff --git a/frontend/Dockerfile b/frontend/Dockerfile
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..944116a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/Dockerfile
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+FROM node:20-alpine AS base
+
+# Step 1: Install dependencies
+FROM base AS deps
+RUN apk add --no-cache libc6-compat
+WORKDIR /app
+# We run this from the frontend folder context
+COPY package.json package-lock.json* ./
+RUN npm ci
+
+# Step 2: Build the source code
+FROM base AS builder
+WORKDIR /app
+COPY --from=deps /app/node_modules ./node_modules
+COPY . .
+# Disable telemetry during build
+ENV NEXT_TELEMETRY_DISABLED 1
+RUN npm run build
+
+# Step 3: Production image
+FROM base AS runner
+WORKDIR /app
+
+ENV NODE_ENV production
+ENV NEXT_TELEMETRY_DISABLED 1
+
+# Add nextjs user
+RUN addgroup --system --gid 1001 nodejs
+RUN adduser --system --uid 1001 nextjs
+
+# Copy standalone output
+COPY --from=builder /app/public ./public
+# Set proper permissions for the Next.js cache
+RUN mkdir .next
+RUN chown nextjs:nodejs .next
+
+# Automatically leverage output traces to reduce image size
+COPY --from=builder --chown=nextjs:nodejs /app/.next/standalone ./
+COPY --from=builder --chown=nextjs:nodejs /app/.next/static ./.next/static
+
+USER nextjs
+
+EXPOSE 3000
+ENV PORT 3000
+ENV HOSTNAME "0.0.0.0"
+
+# Note: The server.js is created by next build from the standalone output
+CMD ["node", "server.js"]
diff --git a/frontend/next.config.mjs b/frontend/next.config.mjs
index a1e01f5b..edf79256 100644
--- a/frontend/next.config.mjs
+++ b/frontend/next.config.mjs
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ const withPWA = withPWAInit({
 
 /** @type {import('next').NextConfig} */
 const nextConfig = {
-  // Config options here
+  output: "standalone",
 };
 
 export default withPWA(nextConfig);