diff --git a/docker-compose.ssl.yml b/docker-compose.ssl.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..da65f1f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docker-compose.ssl.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+# SSL override — use with: docker compose -f docker-compose.yml -f docker-compose.ssl.yml up -d
+#
+# This adds port 443, certbot volumes, and a certbot renewal service
+# to the base docker-compose.yml configuration.
+
+services:
+  nginx:
+    ports:
+      - "80:80"
+      - "443:443"
+    volumes:
+      - ./nginx/ssl.conf:/etc/nginx/conf.d/default.conf:ro
+      - certbot_www:/var/www/certbot:ro
+      - certbot_conf:/etc/letsencrypt:ro
+
+  certbot:
+    image: certbot/certbot:latest
+    volumes:
+      - certbot_www:/var/www/certbot
+      - certbot_conf:/etc/letsencrypt
+    networks:
+      - hoanet
+    # Auto-renew: check twice daily, only renews if < 30 days remain
+    entrypoint: "/bin/sh -c 'trap exit TERM; while :; do certbot renew --quiet; sleep 12h & wait $${!}; done'"
+
+volumes:
+  certbot_www:
+  certbot_conf:
diff --git a/docs/DEPLOYMENT.md b/docs/DEPLOYMENT.md
index f296caf..56bffd4 100644
--- a/docs/DEPLOYMENT.md
+++ b/docs/DEPLOYMENT.md
@@ -9,11 +9,12 @@
 
 1. [Prerequisites](#prerequisites)
 2. [Deploy to a Fresh Docker Server](#deploy-to-a-fresh-docker-server)
-3. [Backup the Local Test Database](#backup-the-local-test-database)
-4. [Restore a Backup into the Staged Environment](#restore-a-backup-into-the-staged-environment)
-5. [Running Migrations on the Staged Environment](#running-migrations-on-the-staged-environment)
-6. [Verifying the Deployment](#verifying-the-deployment)
-7. [Environment Variable Reference](#environment-variable-reference)
+3. [SSL with Certbot (Let's Encrypt)](#ssl-with-certbot-lets-encrypt)
+4. [Backup the Local Test Database](#backup-the-local-test-database)
+5. [Restore a Backup into the Staged Environment](#restore-a-backup-into-the-staged-environment)
+6. [Running Migrations on the Staged Environment](#running-migrations-on-the-staged-environment)
+7. [Verifying the Deployment](#verifying-the-deployment)
+8. [Environment Variable Reference](#environment-variable-reference)
 
 ---
 
@@ -31,6 +32,11 @@ On the **target server**, ensure the following are installed:
 The app runs five containers — nginx, backend (NestJS), frontend (Vite/React),
 PostgreSQL 15, and Redis 7. Total memory footprint is roughly **1–2 GB** idle.
 
+For SSL, the server must also have:
+- A **public hostname** with a DNS A record pointing to the server's IP
+  (e.g., `staging.yourdomain.com → 203.0.113.10`)
+- **Ports 80 and 443** open in any firewall / security group
+
 ---
 
 ## Deploy to a Fresh Docker Server
@@ -129,8 +135,240 @@ This creates:
 | API       | `http://<server-ip>/api`       |
 | Postgres  | `<server-ip>:5432` (direct)    |
 
-> **Note:** For production, add an SSL-terminating proxy (Caddy, Traefik, or
-> an nginx TLS config) in front of port 80.
+> At this point the app is running over **plain HTTP**. Continue to the next
+> section to enable HTTPS.
+
+---
+
+## SSL with Certbot (Let's Encrypt)
+
+This section walks through enabling HTTPS using the included nginx container
+and a Certbot sidecar. The process has three phases: obtain the certificate,
+switch nginx to SSL, and set up auto-renewal.
+
+### Files involved
+
+| File | Purpose |
+|------|---------|
+| `nginx/default.conf` | HTTP-only config (development / initial state) |
+| `nginx/certbot-init.conf` | Temporary config used only during initial cert request |
+| `nginx/ssl.conf` | Full SSL config (HTTP→HTTPS redirect + TLS termination) |
+| `docker-compose.ssl.yml` | Compose override that adds port 443, certbot volumes, and renewal service |
+
+### Overview
+
+```
+  Phase 1 — Obtain certificate
+  ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+  │  nginx serves certbot-init.conf on port 80     │
+  │  certbot answers ACME challenge → gets cert    │
+  └────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
+
+  Phase 2 — Enable SSL
+  ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+  │  nginx switches to ssl.conf                    │
+  │  port 80 → 301 redirect to 443                 │
+  │  port 443 → TLS termination → backend/frontend │
+  └────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
+
+  Phase 3 — Auto-renewal
+  ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+  │  certbot container checks every 12 hours       │
+  │  renews if cert expires within 30 days         │
+  │  nginx reloads via cron to pick up new cert    │
+  └────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
+```
+
+---
+
+### Phase 1 — Obtain the certificate
+
+Throughout this section, replace `staging.example.com` with your actual
+hostname and `you@example.com` with your real email.
+
+#### Step 1: Edit `nginx/ssl.conf` with your hostname
+
+```bash
+cd /opt/hoa-ledgeriq
+
+sed -i 's/staging.example.com/YOUR_HOSTNAME/g' nginx/ssl.conf
+```
+
+This updates the three places where the hostname appears: the `server_name`
+directive and the two certificate paths.
+
+#### Step 2: Swap in the temporary certbot-init config
+
+Nginx can't start with `ssl.conf` yet because the certificates don't exist.
+Use the minimal HTTP-only config that only serves the ACME challenge:
+
+```bash
+# Back up the current config
+cp nginx/default.conf nginx/default.conf.bak
+
+# Use the certbot init config temporarily
+cp nginx/certbot-init.conf nginx/default.conf
+```
+
+#### Step 3: Start the stack with the SSL compose override
+
+```bash
+docker compose -f docker-compose.yml -f docker-compose.ssl.yml up -d --build
+```
+
+This starts all services plus the certbot container, exposes port 443,
+and creates the shared volumes for certificates and ACME challenges.
+
+#### Step 4: Request the certificate
+
+```bash
+docker compose -f docker-compose.yml -f docker-compose.ssl.yml \
+  run --rm certbot certonly \
+    --webroot \
+    --webroot-path /var/www/certbot \
+    --email you@example.com \
+    --agree-tos \
+    --no-eff-email \
+    -d YOUR_HOSTNAME
+```
+
+You should see output ending with:
+
+```
+Successfully received certificate.
+Certificate is saved at: /etc/letsencrypt/live/YOUR_HOSTNAME/fullchain.pem
+Key is saved at:         /etc/letsencrypt/live/YOUR_HOSTNAME/privkey.pem
+```
+
+> **Troubleshooting:** If certbot fails with a connection error, ensure:
+> - DNS for `YOUR_HOSTNAME` resolves to this server's public IP
+> - Port 80 is open (firewall, security group, cloud provider)
+> - No other process is bound to port 80
+
+---
+
+### Phase 2 — Switch to full SSL
+
+#### Step 5: Activate the SSL nginx config
+
+```bash
+cp nginx/ssl.conf nginx/default.conf
+```
+
+#### Step 6: Restart nginx to load the certificate
+
+```bash
+docker compose -f docker-compose.yml -f docker-compose.ssl.yml \
+  exec nginx nginx -s reload
+```
+
+#### Step 7: Verify HTTPS
+
+```bash
+# Should follow redirect and return HTML
+curl -I https://YOUR_HOSTNAME
+
+# Should return 301 redirect
+curl -I http://YOUR_HOSTNAME
+```
+
+Expected `http://` response:
+
+```
+HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently
+Location: https://YOUR_HOSTNAME/
+```
+
+The app is now accessible at `https://YOUR_HOSTNAME` with a valid
+Let's Encrypt certificate. All HTTP requests redirect to HTTPS.
+
+---
+
+### Phase 3 — Auto-renewal
+
+The `certbot` service defined in `docker-compose.ssl.yml` already runs a
+renewal loop (checks every 12 hours, renews if < 30 days remain).
+
+However, nginx needs to be told to reload when a new certificate is issued.
+Add a host-level cron job that reloads nginx daily:
+
+```bash
+# Add to the server's crontab (as root)
+crontab -e
+```
+
+Add this line:
+
+```cron
+0 4 * * * cd /opt/hoa-ledgeriq && docker compose -f docker-compose.yml -f docker-compose.ssl.yml exec -T nginx nginx -s reload > /dev/null 2>&1
+```
+
+This reloads nginx at 4 AM daily. Since reload is graceful (no downtime),
+this is safe to run even when no new cert was issued.
+
+> **Alternative:** If you prefer not to use cron, you can add a
+> `--deploy-hook` to the certbot command that reloads nginx only when a
+> renewal actually happens:
+> ```bash
+> docker compose -f docker-compose.yml -f docker-compose.ssl.yml \
+>   run --rm certbot certonly \
+>     --webroot \
+>     --webroot-path /var/www/certbot \
+>     --email you@example.com \
+>     --agree-tos \
+>     --no-eff-email \
+>     --deploy-hook "nginx -s reload" \
+>     -d YOUR_HOSTNAME
+> ```
+
+---
+
+### Day-to-day usage with SSL
+
+Once SSL is set up, **always** use both compose files when running commands:
+
+```bash
+# Start / restart
+docker compose -f docker-compose.yml -f docker-compose.ssl.yml up -d
+
+# Rebuild after code changes
+docker compose -f docker-compose.yml -f docker-compose.ssl.yml up -d --build
+
+# View logs
+docker compose -f docker-compose.yml -f docker-compose.ssl.yml logs -f nginx
+
+# Shortcut: create an alias
+echo 'alias dc="docker compose -f docker-compose.yml -f docker-compose.ssl.yml"' >> ~/.bashrc
+source ~/.bashrc
+dc up -d --build     # much easier
+```
+
+### Reverting to HTTP-only (development)
+
+If you need to go back to plain HTTP (e.g., local development):
+
+```bash
+# Restore the original HTTP-only config
+cp nginx/default.conf.bak nginx/default.conf
+
+# Run without the SSL override
+docker compose up -d
+```
+
+---
+
+### Quick reference: SSL file map
+
+```
+nginx/
+├── default.conf        ← active config (copy ssl.conf here for HTTPS)
+├── default.conf.bak    ← backup of original HTTP-only config
+├── certbot-init.conf   ← temporary, used only during initial cert request
+└── ssl.conf            ← full SSL config (edit hostname before using)
+
+docker-compose.yml          ← base stack (HTTP only, ports 80)
+docker-compose.ssl.yml      ← SSL overlay (adds 443, certbot, volumes)
+```
 
 ---
 
@@ -301,7 +539,7 @@ docker compose exec -T postgres psql \
 ### Quick health checks
 
 ```bash
-# Backend is responding
+# Backend is responding (use https:// if SSL is enabled)
 curl -s http://localhost/api/auth/login | head -c 100
 
 # Database is accessible
@@ -314,19 +552,31 @@ docker compose exec -T redis redis-cli ping
 
 ### Full smoke test
 
-1. Open `http://<server-ip>` in a browser
+1. Open `https://YOUR_HOSTNAME` (or `http://<server-ip>`) in a browser
 2. Log in with a known account
 3. Navigate to Dashboard — verify health scores load
 4. Navigate to Capital Planning — verify Kanban columns render
 5. Navigate to Projects — verify project list loads
 6. Check the Settings page — version should read **2026.3.2 (beta)**
 
+### Verify SSL (if enabled)
+
+```bash
+# Check certificate details
+echo | openssl s_client -connect YOUR_HOSTNAME:443 -servername YOUR_HOSTNAME 2>/dev/null \
+  | openssl x509 -noout -subject -issuer -dates
+
+# Check that HTTP redirects to HTTPS
+curl -sI http://YOUR_HOSTNAME | grep -E 'HTTP|Location'
+```
+
 ### View logs
 
 ```bash
 docker compose logs -f              # all services
 docker compose logs -f backend      # backend only
 docker compose logs -f postgres     # database only
+docker compose logs -f nginx        # nginx access/error log
 ```
 
 ---
@@ -352,21 +602,21 @@ docker compose logs -f postgres     # database only
 ## Architecture Overview
 
 ```
-                    ┌─────────────┐
-  Browser ────────► │  nginx :80  │
-                    └──────┬──────┘
-                  ┌────────┴────────┐
-                  ▼                 ▼
-          ┌──────────────┐  ┌──────────────┐
-          │ backend :3000│  │frontend :5173│
-          │   (NestJS)   │  │ (Vite/React) │
-          └──────┬───────┘  └──────────────┘
+                     ┌──────────────────┐
+  Browser ─────────► │  nginx :80/:443  │
+                     └────────┬─────────┘
+                   ┌──────────┴──────────┐
+                   ▼                     ▼
+          ┌──────────────┐       ┌──────────────┐
+          │ backend :3000│       │frontend :5173│
+          │   (NestJS)   │       │ (Vite/React) │
+          └──────┬───────┘       └──────────────┘
             ┌────┴────┐
             ▼         ▼
-    ┌────────────┐ ┌───────────┐
-    │postgres:5432│ │redis :6379│
-    │ (PG 15)    │ │ (Redis 7) │
-    └────────────┘ └───────────┘
+    ┌────────────┐ ┌───────────┐    ┌───────────┐
+    │postgres:5432│ │redis :6379│    │  certbot  │
+    │  (PG 15)   │ │ (Redis 7) │    │ (renewal) │
+    └────────────┘ └───────────┘    └───────────┘
 ```
 
 **Multi-tenant isolation:** Each HOA organization gets its own PostgreSQL
diff --git a/nginx/certbot-init.conf b/nginx/certbot-init.conf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..acadb54
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nginx/certbot-init.conf
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+# Temporary nginx config — used ONLY during the initial certbot certificate
+# request.  Once the cert is obtained, switch to ssl.conf and restart nginx.
+
+server {
+    listen 80;
+    server_name _;
+
+    # Certbot ACME challenge
+    location /.well-known/acme-challenge/ {
+        root /var/www/certbot;
+    }
+
+    # Return 503 for everything else so it's obvious this is not the real app
+    location / {
+        return 503 "SSL certificate is being provisioned. Try again in a minute.\n";
+        add_header Content-Type text/plain;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/nginx/ssl.conf b/nginx/ssl.conf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bc398f7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nginx/ssl.conf
@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+upstream backend {
+    server backend:3000;
+}
+
+upstream frontend {
+    server frontend:5173;
+}
+
+# Redirect all HTTP to HTTPS
+server {
+    listen 80;
+    server_name _;
+
+    # Let certbot answer ACME challenges over HTTP
+    location /.well-known/acme-challenge/ {
+        root /var/www/certbot;
+    }
+
+    # Everything else -> HTTPS
+    location / {
+        return 301 https://$host$request_uri;
+    }
+}
+
+# HTTPS server
+server {
+    listen 443 ssl;
+    # Replace with your actual hostname:
+    server_name staging.example.com;
+
+    # --- TLS certificates (managed by certbot) ---
+    ssl_certificate     /etc/letsencrypt/live/staging.example.com/fullchain.pem;
+    ssl_certificate_key /etc/letsencrypt/live/staging.example.com/privkey.pem;
+
+    # --- Modern TLS settings ---
+    ssl_protocols TLSv1.2 TLSv1.3;
+    ssl_ciphers 'ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256:ECDHE-RSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256:ECDHE-ECDSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384:ECDHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384';
+    ssl_prefer_server_ciphers on;
+    ssl_session_cache shared:SSL:10m;
+    ssl_session_timeout 1d;
+    ssl_session_tickets off;
+
+    # --- Security headers ---
+    add_header Strict-Transport-Security "max-age=63072000; includeSubDomains" always;
+    add_header X-Content-Type-Options nosniff always;
+    add_header X-Frame-Options SAMEORIGIN always;
+
+    # --- Proxy routes (same as default.conf) ---
+
+    # API requests -> NestJS backend
+    location /api/ {
+        proxy_pass http://backend;
+        proxy_http_version 1.1;
+        proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
+        proxy_set_header Connection 'upgrade';
+        proxy_set_header Host $host;
+        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
+        proxy_cache_bypass $http_upgrade;
+    }
+
+    # AI recommendation endpoint needs a longer timeout (up to 3 minutes)
+    location /api/investment-planning/recommendations {
+        proxy_pass http://backend;
+        proxy_http_version 1.1;
+        proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
+        proxy_set_header Connection 'upgrade';
+        proxy_set_header Host $host;
+        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
+        proxy_cache_bypass $http_upgrade;
+        proxy_read_timeout 180s;
+        proxy_connect_timeout 10s;
+        proxy_send_timeout 30s;
+    }
+
+    # AI health-score endpoint also needs a longer timeout
+    location /api/health-scores/calculate {
+        proxy_pass http://backend;
+        proxy_http_version 1.1;
+        proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
+        proxy_set_header Connection 'upgrade';
+        proxy_set_header Host $host;
+        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
+        proxy_cache_bypass $http_upgrade;
+        proxy_read_timeout 180s;
+        proxy_connect_timeout 10s;
+        proxy_send_timeout 30s;
+    }
+
+    # Everything else -> Vite dev server (frontend)
+    location / {
+        proxy_pass http://frontend;
+        proxy_http_version 1.1;
+        proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
+        proxy_set_header Connection 'upgrade';
+        proxy_set_header Host $host;
+        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
+        proxy_cache_bypass $http_upgrade;
+    }
+}