diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index e4f9a39..84c4bc2 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -1,6 +1,11 @@
 # Database
-DATABASE_URL="postgresql://user:password@host:port/database"
-DIRECT_URL="postgresql://user:password@host:port/database"
+# For local development with Docker (see README.md "Local Development Database" section)
+DATABASE_URL="postgresql://postgres:postgres@localhost:5432/senate_path_dev?schema=public"
+DIRECT_URL="postgresql://postgres:postgres@localhost:5432/senate_path_dev?schema=public"
+
+# For production (Supabase or other hosted PostgreSQL)
+# DATABASE_URL="postgresql://user:password@host:port/database"
+# DIRECT_URL="postgresql://user:password@host:port/database"
 
 # Supabase
 NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_URL="your-supabase-url"
diff --git a/.github/copilot-instructions.md b/.github/copilot-instructions.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3c540b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/copilot-instructions.md
@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+# GitHub Copilot Instructions for Next.js Project
+
+## Commit & Branch Naming Conventions
+
+### Commits
+- **Format**: `#XXX commit message in lowercase imperative mood`
+- **Examples**:
+  - `#123 add user authentication flow`
+  - `#456 fix navigation menu overflow`
+  - `#789 refactor payment processing logic`
+- **Rules**:
+  - Always prefix with issue number
+  - Use lowercase only
+  - Use imperative mood (add, fix, refactor, not added, fixed, refactored)
+  - No colon after issue number
+
+### Branches
+- **Format**: `XXX-ticket-name-in-kebab-case`
+- **Examples**:
+  - `123-add-user-authentication`
+  - `456-fix-navigation-overflow`
+  - `789-refactor-payment-processing`
+
+### Pull Requests
+- **Format**: `#XXX Ticket Name In Title Case`
+- **Examples**:
+  - `#123 Add User Authentication`
+  - `#456 Fix Navigation Overflow`
+  - `#789 Refactor Payment Processing`
+
+## Tech Stack
+
+- **Framework**: Next.js with App Router
+- **Database**: Prisma ORM
+- **Styling**: Tailwind CSS
+- **UI Components**: shadcn/ui
+- **Language**: TypeScript (strict mode)
+
+## Architecture & Patterns
+
+### API Layer
+- **NEVER use API routes** (`app/api/` directory)
+- **ALWAYS use Server Actions** for data mutations
+- **Use server components** for data fetching with Prisma calls
+- Import Prisma queries from separate service/repository files
+
+### Component Structure
+- Components live in centralized `components/` directory
+- Organize into subdirectories as needed:
+```
+  components/
+    ├── ui/           # shadcn components
+    ├── forms/        # form-related components
+    ├── layouts/      # layout components
+    └── features/     # feature-specific shared components
+```
+- Keep components focused and composable
+
+### TypeScript
+- Use TypeScript strict mode
+- Define proper types for all props and function parameters
+- Avoid `any` type
+- Prefer interfaces for component props
+- Use Prisma-generated types where applicable
+
+### Server Actions
+- Define server actions in separate files (e.g., `actions/user-actions.ts`)
+- Always use `'use server'` directive
+- Include proper error handling and validation
+- Return typed responses
+
+### Data Access
+- All database operations go through Prisma
+- Create service/repository files for complex queries
+- Keep Prisma calls in server components or server actions only
+- Never expose database calls to client components
+
+### File Organization
+```
+app/
+  ├── (routes)/           # route groups
+components/               # shared components
+lib/
+  ├── actions/           # server actions
+  ├── data/              # data queries and services
+  ├── db.ts              # Prisma client
+  └── utils.ts           # utility functions
+```
+
+## Code Style Preferences
+
+- Use named exports over default exports in all cases
+- Prefer functional components with hooks
+- Use async/await over promises
+- Implement proper loading and error states
+- Use Tailwind classes, avoid custom CSS unless absolutely necessary
+- Follow shadcn/ui patterns for component composition
+
+## Best Practices
+
+1. **Server vs Client Components**:
+   - Default to server components
+   - Only use `'use client'` when needed (interactivity, hooks, browser APIs)
+
+2. **Data Fetching**:
+   - Fetch data in server components
+   - Use Prisma for all database queries
+   - Implement proper error boundaries
+
+3. **Forms**:
+   - Use Server Actions for form submissions
+   - Implement progressive enhancement
+   - Add proper validation (client + server)
+
+4. **Performance**:
+   - Leverage Next.js caching strategies
+   - Use `revalidatePath` or `revalidateTag` after mutations
+   - Optimize images with next/image
+
+5. **Security**:
+   - Validate all inputs
+   - Never expose sensitive data to client
+   - Use environment variables for secrets
+  
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3157a25..eb97a55 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -62,8 +62,9 @@ The application manages three main entities:
    - To check if it's installed: `node -v`
    - To install: [mac/linux](https://github.com/nvm-sh/nvm) or [windows](https://github.com/coreybutler/nvm-windows)
 
-2. [PostgreSQL](https://www.postgresql.org/download/) database
-   - Local installation or cloud service (Supabase, Neon, etc.)
+2. [Docker Desktop](https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop/) (for local database)
+   - Required for running the local PostgreSQL database
+   - To check if it's installed: `docker --version`
 
 ### Installation
 
@@ -83,7 +84,9 @@ npm install
 cp .env.example .env.local
 ```
 
-Edit `.env.local` and add your database connection strings and Supabase credentials:
+The `.env.example` file comes pre-configured with local database settings. For local development, you can use these defaults as-is.
+
+For production or if you want to use a different database:
 ```
 DATABASE_URL="postgresql://user:password@host:port/database"
 DIRECT_URL="postgresql://user:password@host:port/database"
@@ -98,11 +101,114 @@ To get your Supabase credentials:
 - Copy the Project URL and anon/public key
 - Copy the service_role key (this is needed for user management - keep it secret!)
 
-4. Generate Prisma client and run migrations:
+## Local Development Database
+
+This project uses Docker to run a local PostgreSQL database for development. This allows you to test database schema changes locally before deploying to production.
+
+### Prerequisites
+
+- [Docker Desktop](https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop/) must be installed and running
+- Ensure port 5432 is available on your machine
+
+### Initial Setup
+
+1. Make sure you have copied `.env.example` to `.env.local`:
+```bash
+cp .env.example .env.local
+```
+
+The default local database connection is already configured in `.env.example`:
+```
+DATABASE_URL="postgresql://postgres:postgres@localhost:5432/senate_path_dev?schema=public"
+DIRECT_URL="postgresql://postgres:postgres@localhost:5432/senate_path_dev?schema=public"
+```
+
+2. Start the local PostgreSQL database:
+```bash
+npm run db:start
+```
+
+3. Run Prisma migrations to create the database schema:
+```bash
+npm run prisma:migrate
+```
+
+You're now ready to develop! The local database will persist data between restarts.
+
+### Common Commands
+
+| Command | Description |
+|---------|-------------|
+| `npm run db:start` | Start the Docker PostgreSQL container in the background |
+| `npm run db:stop` | Stop the Docker container (data is preserved) |
+| `npm run db:reset` | Stop container, remove all data, start fresh, and run migrations |
+| `npm run prisma:migrate` | Create and apply a new Prisma migration (will prompt for migration name) |
+| `npm run prisma:studio` | Open Prisma Studio to visually browse and edit your local database |
+| `npm run prisma:generate` | Regenerate Prisma client after schema changes |
+
+### Development Workflow
+
+1. Create a new branch for your work:
+```bash
+git checkout -b 123-add-new-feature
+```
+
+2. Start the local database (if not already running):
+```bash
+npm run db:start
+```
+
+3. Make changes to your Prisma schema in `prisma/schema.prisma`
+
+4. Create and apply the migration:
 ```bash
-npm run prisma:generate
 npm run prisma:migrate
 ```
+Prisma will prompt you for a migration name (e.g., "add_user_role_field")
+
+5. Test your changes locally using Prisma Studio or your application:
+```bash
+npm run prisma:studio  # Visual database browser
+npm run dev            # Start Next.js dev server
+```
+
+6. Commit both your schema changes AND the migration files:
+```bash
+git add prisma/schema.prisma prisma/migrations/
+git commit -m "#123 add new feature"
+git push
+```
+
+### Troubleshooting
+
+**Port 5432 already in use**
+- Mac/Linux: Check if PostgreSQL is running: `sudo lsof -i :5432`
+- Windows: Check port usage: `netstat -ano | findstr :5432`
+- Stop the existing PostgreSQL service or change the port in `docker-compose.yml`
+
+**Container won't start**
+- Make sure Docker Desktop is running
+- Check Docker logs: `docker logs senate-path-db`
+- Try removing the container: `docker compose down -v` then `npm run db:start`
+
+**Database connection errors**
+- Verify the container is running: `docker ps`
+- Check your `.env.local` file has the correct `DATABASE_URL`
+- Try restarting the container: `npm run db:stop && npm run db:start`
+
+**Need to start fresh**
+- Use `npm run db:reset` to completely reset your local database
+- This will delete all data and re-run migrations
+
+**Migration conflicts**
+- If you have uncommitted migrations, you may need to reset: `npm run db:reset`
+- Delete problematic migration folders from `prisma/migrations/` and re-create them
+
+### Database Deployment Notes
+
+- Local database is completely separate from production/staging databases
+- Migration files in `prisma/migrations/` are version controlled
+- Migrations run automatically on deployment when merged to `dev` or `main` branches
 
 ## Running the app
 
@@ -121,12 +227,21 @@ npm start
 
 ## Available Scripts
 
+### Development
 - `npm run dev` - Start development server
 - `npm run build` - Build for production
 - `npm start` - Start production server
 - `npm run lint` - Run ESLint
+
+### Database Management
+- `npm run db:start` - Start local Docker PostgreSQL container
+- `npm run db:stop` - Stop local Docker container
+- `npm run db:reset` - Reset local database (removes all data and re-runs migrations)
+
+### Prisma
 - `npm run prisma:generate` - Generate Prisma client
-- `npm run prisma:migrate` - Run database migrations
+- `npm run prisma:migrate` - Create and apply database migrations
+- `npm run prisma:studio` - Open Prisma Studio for database inspection
 
 ## Key Features
 
diff --git a/app/admin/settings/settings-form.tsx b/app/admin/settings/settings-form.tsx
index 3f7318b..54b2cbc 100644
--- a/app/admin/settings/settings-form.tsx
+++ b/app/admin/settings/settings-form.tsx
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { useState } from 'react';
 import { useForm } from 'react-hook-form';
 import { zodResolver } from '@hookform/resolvers/zod';
 import { z } from 'zod';
+import { useRouter } from 'next/navigation';
 import { Card, CardContent, CardHeader, CardTitle } from '@/components/ui/card';
 import { Input } from '@/components/ui/input';
 import { Label } from '@/components/ui/label';
@@ -49,6 +50,7 @@ interface SettingsFormProps {
 }
 
 export default function SettingsForm({ settings }: SettingsFormProps) {
+  const router = useRouter();
   const [isSubmitting, setIsSubmitting] = useState(false);
   const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);
 
@@ -101,6 +103,7 @@ export default function SettingsForm({ settings }: SettingsFormProps) {
 
       if (result.success) {
         toast.success('Settings updated successfully!');
+        router.refresh();
       } else {
         setError(result.error || 'Failed to update settings');
       }
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..80f82d5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+services:
+  postgres:
+    image: postgres:15-alpine
+    container_name: senate-path-db
+    environment:
+      POSTGRES_USER: postgres
+      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: postgres
+      POSTGRES_DB: senate_path_dev
+    ports:
+      - "5432:5432"
+    volumes:
+      - postgres_data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
+    healthcheck:
+      test: ["CMD-SHELL", "pg_isready -U postgres"]
+      interval: 5s
+      timeout: 5s
+      retries: 5
+
+volumes:
+  postgres_data:
diff --git a/lib/actions/settings.ts b/lib/actions/settings.ts
index 35f69f8..860cfee 100644
--- a/lib/actions/settings.ts
+++ b/lib/actions/settings.ts
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@ export interface UpdateSettingsData {
   customMessage: string | null;
 }
 
+// Fixed ID for the singleton settings record
+const SETTINGS_ID = 'default';
+
 export async function updateSettings(data: UpdateSettingsData) {
   try {
     // Check if user is authenticated
@@ -28,39 +31,27 @@ export async function updateSettings(data: UpdateSettingsData) {
       return { success: false, error: 'Unauthorized' };
     }
 
-    // Get or create settings
-    let settings = await db.settings.findFirst();
-    
-    if (!settings) {
-      // Create new settings
-      settings = await db.settings.create({
-        data: {
-          requiredNominations: data.requiredNominations,
-          maxCommunityNominations: data.maxCommunityNominations,
-          endorsementRequired: data.endorsementRequired,
-          endorsementsOpen: data.endorsementsOpen,
-          applicationDeadline: data.applicationDeadline,
-          applicationsOpen: data.applicationsOpen,
-          nominationsOpen: data.nominationsOpen,
-          customMessage: data.customMessage,
-        },
-      });
-    } else {
-      // Update existing settings
-      settings = await db.settings.update({
-        where: { id: settings.id },
-        data: {
-          requiredNominations: data.requiredNominations,
-          maxCommunityNominations: data.maxCommunityNominations,
-          endorsementRequired: data.endorsementRequired,
-          endorsementsOpen: data.endorsementsOpen,
-          applicationDeadline: data.applicationDeadline,
-          applicationsOpen: data.applicationsOpen,
-          nominationsOpen: data.nominationsOpen,
-          customMessage: data.customMessage,
-        },
-      });
-    }
+    // Prepare settings data
+    const settingsData = {
+      requiredNominations: data.requiredNominations,
+      maxCommunityNominations: data.maxCommunityNominations,
+      endorsementRequired: data.endorsementRequired,
+      endorsementsOpen: data.endorsementsOpen,
+      applicationDeadline: data.applicationDeadline,
+      applicationsOpen: data.applicationsOpen,
+      nominationsOpen: data.nominationsOpen,
+      customMessage: data.customMessage,
+    };
+
+    // Use upsert to atomically create or update settings
+    const settings = await db.settings.upsert({
+      where: { id: SETTINGS_ID },
+      update: settingsData,
+      create: {
+        id: SETTINGS_ID,
+        ...settingsData,
+      },
+    });
 
     // Revalidate all pages that might use settings
     revalidatePath('/');
diff --git a/lib/data/settings.ts b/lib/data/settings.ts
index a18bb1c..f656d39 100644
--- a/lib/data/settings.ts
+++ b/lib/data/settings.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 'use server';
 
 import { db } from '@/lib/db';
-import { cache } from 'react';
 
 export interface Settings {
   id: string;
@@ -17,40 +16,16 @@ export interface Settings {
   updatedAt: Date;
 }
 
-/**
- * Get the application settings. If no settings exist, create default settings.
- * This is cached to reduce database queries.
- * 
- * Note: This implementation uses findFirst() and assumes a single settings record.
- * While the database schema allows multiple records, the application logic ensures
- * only one record is created and used. If needed, a unique constraint could be added
- * to enforce this at the database level, or we could use a fixed ID.
- */
-export const getSettings = cache(async (): Promise<Settings> => {
-  try {
-    // Try to get the first settings record
-    let settings = await db.settings.findFirst();
-    
-    // If no settings exist, create default settings
-    if (!settings) {
-      settings = await db.settings.create({
-        data: {
-          requiredNominations: 15,
-          maxCommunityNominations: 7,
-          endorsementRequired: false,
-          endorsementsOpen: true,
-          applicationsOpen: true,
-          nominationsOpen: true,
-        },
-      });
-    }
-    
-    return settings;
-  } catch (error) {
-    console.error('Error fetching settings:', error);
-    // Return default settings if database query fails
-    return {
-      id: 'default',
+// Fixed ID for the singleton settings record
+const SETTINGS_ID = 'default';
+
+export async function getSettings(): Promise<Settings> {
+  // Use upsert to atomically get or create settings
+  const settings = await db.settings.upsert({
+    where: { id: SETTINGS_ID },
+    update: {},
+    create: {
+      id: SETTINGS_ID,
       requiredNominations: 15,
       maxCommunityNominations: 7,
       endorsementRequired: false,
@@ -59,8 +34,8 @@ export const getSettings = cache(async (): Promise<Settings> => {
       applicationsOpen: true,
       nominationsOpen: true,
       customMessage: null,
-      createdAt: new Date(),
-      updatedAt: new Date(),
-    };
-  }
-});
+    },
+  });
+
+  return settings;
+}
diff --git a/lib/db.ts b/lib/db.ts
index 588fe5b..b2d6681 100644
--- a/lib/db.ts
+++ b/lib/db.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,16 @@
 import { PrismaClient } from '@prisma/client';
 
+// Validate that required environment variables are set
+if (!process.env.DATABASE_URL) {
+  throw new Error(
+    'DATABASE_URL is not set. Please ensure you have a .env or .env.local file with DATABASE_URL defined.\n' +
+    'For local development, run:\n' +
+    '  cp .env.example .env.local\n' +
+    '  npm run db:start\n' +
+    'See README.md "Local Development Database" section for details.'
+  );
+}
+
 const globalForPrisma = globalThis as unknown as {
   prisma: PrismaClient | undefined;
 };
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index d7dc0cd..01c9e6f 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "@nomination-system/source",
-  "version": "1.3.1",
+  "version": "1.4.0",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "@nomination-system/source",
-      "version": "1.3.1",
+      "version": "1.4.0",
       "hasInstallScript": true,
       "license": "MIT",
       "dependencies": {
@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@
         "@tailwindcss/postcss": "^4.1.18",
         "class-variance-authority": "^0.7.1",
         "clsx": "^2.1.1",
-        "dotenv": "^17.2.4",
-        "lucide-react": "^0.563.0",
+        "dotenv": "^17.3.1",
+        "lucide-react": "^0.564.0",
         "next": "^16.1.6",
         "prisma": "^6.18.0",
         "react": "^19.2.4",
@@ -35,8 +35,8 @@
         "zod": "^4.3.6"
       },
       "devDependencies": {
-        "@types/node": "^25.2.0",
-        "@types/react": "^19.2.13",
+        "@types/node": "^25.2.3",
+        "@types/react": "^19.2.14",
         "@types/react-dom": "^19.2.3",
         "@types/styled-components": "^5.1.36",
         "eslint": "^9.39.2",
@@ -90,7 +90,6 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-e7jT4DxYvIDLk1ZHmU/m/mB19rex9sv0c2ftBtjSBv+kVM/902eh0fINUzD7UwLLNR+jU585GxUJ8/EBfAM5fw==",
       "dev": true,
       "license": "MIT",
-      "peer": true,
       "dependencies": {
         "@babel/code-frame": "^7.27.1",
         "@babel/generator": "^7.28.5",
@@ -2158,7 +2157,6 @@
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@supabase/supabase-js/-/supabase-js-2.95.3.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-Fukw1cUTQ6xdLiHDJhKKPu6svEPaCEDvThqCne3OaQyZvuq2qjhJAd91kJu3PXLG18aooCgYBaB6qQz35hhABg==",
       "license": "MIT",
-      "peer": true,
       "dependencies": {
         "@supabase/auth-js": "2.95.3",
         "@supabase/functions-js": "2.95.3",
@@ -2532,9 +2530,9 @@
       "license": "MIT"
     },
     "node_modules/@types/node": {
-      "version": "25.2.0",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@types/node/-/node-25.2.0.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-DZ8VwRFUNzuqJ5khrvwMXHmvPe+zGayJhr2CDNiKB1WBE1ST8Djl00D0IC4vvNmHMdj6DlbYRIaFE7WHjlDl5w==",
+      "version": "25.2.3",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@types/node/-/node-25.2.3.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-m0jEgYlYz+mDJZ2+F4v8D1AyQb+QzsNqRuI7xg1VQX/KlKS0qT9r1Mo16yo5F/MtifXFgaofIFsdFMox2SxIbQ==",
       "license": "MIT",
       "dependencies": {
         "undici-types": "~7.16.0"
@@ -2547,12 +2545,11 @@
       "license": "MIT"
     },
     "node_modules/@types/react": {
-      "version": "19.2.13",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@types/react/-/react-19.2.13.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-KkiJeU6VbYbUOp5ITMIc7kBfqlYkKA5KhEHVrGMmUUMt7NeaZg65ojdPk+FtNrBAOXNVM5QM72jnADjM+XVRAQ==",
+      "version": "19.2.14",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@types/react/-/react-19.2.14.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-ilcTH/UniCkMdtexkoCN0bI7pMcJDvmQFPvuPvmEaYA/NSfFTAgdUSLAoVjaRJm7+6PvcM+q1zYOwS4wTYMF9w==",
       "devOptional": true,
       "license": "MIT",
-      "peer": true,
       "dependencies": {
         "csstype": "^3.2.2"
       }
@@ -2563,7 +2560,6 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-jp2L/eY6fn+KgVVQAOqYItbF0VY/YApe5Mz2F0aykSO8gx31bYCZyvSeYxCHKvzHG5eZjc+zyaS5BrBWya2+kQ==",
       "devOptional": true,
       "license": "MIT",
-      "peer": true,
       "peerDependencies": {
         "@types/react": "^19.2.0"
       }
@@ -2635,7 +2631,6 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-BnOroVl1SgrPLywqxyqdJ4l3S2MsKVLDVxZvjI1Eoe8ev2r3kGDo+PcMihNmDE+6/KjkTubSJnmqGZZjQSBq/g==",
       "dev": true,
       "license": "MIT",
-      "peer": true,
       "dependencies": {
         "@typescript-eslint/scope-manager": "8.46.2",
         "@typescript-eslint/types": "8.46.2",
@@ -3153,7 +3148,6 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-NZyJarBfL7nWwIq+FDL6Zp/yHEhePMNnnJ0y3qfieCrmNvYct8uvtiV41UvlSe6apAfk0fY1FbWx+NwfmpvtTg==",
       "dev": true,
       "license": "MIT",
-      "peer": true,
       "bin": {
         "acorn": "bin/acorn"
       },
@@ -3506,7 +3500,6 @@
         }
       ],
       "license": "MIT",
-      "peer": true,
       "dependencies": {
         "baseline-browser-mapping": "^2.8.19",
         "caniuse-lite": "^1.0.30001751",
@@ -3983,9 +3976,9 @@
       }
     },
     "node_modules/dotenv": {
-      "version": "17.2.4",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/dotenv/-/dotenv-17.2.4.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-mudtfb4zRB4bVvdj0xRo+e6duH1csJRM8IukBqfTRvHotn9+LBXB8ynAidP9zHqoRC/fsllXgk4kCKlR21fIhw==",
+      "version": "17.3.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/dotenv/-/dotenv-17.3.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-IO8C/dzEb6O3F9/twg6ZLXz164a2fhTnEWb95H23Dm4OuN+92NmEAlTrupP9VW6Jm3sO26tQlqyvyi4CsnY9GA==",
       "license": "BSD-2-Clause",
       "engines": {
         "node": ">=12"
@@ -4260,7 +4253,6 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-LEyamqS7W5HB3ujJyvi0HQK/dtVINZvd5mAAp9eT5S/ujByGjiZLCzPcHVzuXbpJDJF/cxwHlfceVUDZ2lnSTw==",
       "dev": true,
       "license": "MIT",
-      "peer": true,
       "dependencies": {
         "@eslint-community/eslint-utils": "^4.8.0",
         "@eslint-community/regexpp": "^4.12.1",
@@ -4446,7 +4438,6 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-whOE1HFo/qJDyX4SnXzP4N6zOWn79WhnCUY/iDR0mPfQZO8wcYE4JClzI2oZrhBnnMUCBCHZhO6VQyoBU95mZA==",
       "dev": true,
       "license": "MIT",
-      "peer": true,
       "dependencies": {
         "@rtsao/scc": "^1.1.0",
         "array-includes": "^3.1.9",
@@ -6185,9 +6176,9 @@
       }
     },
     "node_modules/lucide-react": {
-      "version": "0.563.0",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/lucide-react/-/lucide-react-0.563.0.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-8dXPB2GI4dI8jV4MgUDGBeLdGk8ekfqVZ0BdLcrRzocGgG75ltNEmWS+gE7uokKF/0oSUuczNDT+g9hFJ23FkA==",
+      "version": "0.564.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/lucide-react/-/lucide-react-0.564.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-JJ8GVTQqFwuliifD48U6+h7DXEHdkhJ/E87kksGByII3qHxtPciVb8T8woQONHBQgHVOl7rSMrrip3SeVNy7Fg==",
       "license": "ISC",
       "peerDependencies": {
         "react": "^16.5.1 || ^17.0.0 || ^18.0.0 || ^19.0.0"
@@ -6710,7 +6701,6 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-5gTmgEY/sqK6gFXLIsQNH19lWb4ebPDLA4SdLP7dsWkIXHWlG66oPuVvXSGFPppYZz8ZDZq0dYYrbHfBCVUb1Q==",
       "dev": true,
       "license": "MIT",
-      "peer": true,
       "engines": {
         "node": ">=12"
       },
@@ -6788,7 +6778,6 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-bXWy3vTk8mnRmT+SLyZBQoC2vtV9Z8u7OHvEu+aULYxwiop/CPiFZ+F56KsNRNf35jw+8wcu8pmLsjxpBxAO9g==",
       "hasInstallScript": true,
       "license": "Apache-2.0",
-      "peer": true,
       "dependencies": {
         "@prisma/config": "6.18.0",
         "@prisma/engines": "6.18.0"
@@ -6887,7 +6876,6 @@
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/react/-/react-19.2.4.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-9nfp2hYpCwOjAN+8TZFGhtWEwgvWHXqESH8qT89AT/lWklpLON22Lc8pEtnpsZz7VmawabSU0gCjnj8aC0euHQ==",
       "license": "MIT",
-      "peer": true,
       "engines": {
         "node": ">=0.10.0"
       }
@@ -6897,7 +6885,6 @@
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/react-dom/-/react-dom-19.2.4.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-AXJdLo8kgMbimY95O2aKQqsz2iWi9jMgKJhRBAxECE4IFxfcazB2LmzloIoibJI3C12IlY20+KFaLv+71bUJeQ==",
       "license": "MIT",
-      "peer": true,
       "dependencies": {
         "scheduler": "^0.27.0"
       },
@@ -6910,7 +6897,6 @@
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/react-hook-form/-/react-hook-form-7.71.1.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-9SUJKCGKo8HUSsCO+y0CtqkqI5nNuaDqTxyqPsZPqIwudpj4rCrAz/jZV+jn57bx5gtZKOh3neQu94DXMc+w5w==",
       "license": "MIT",
-      "peer": true,
       "engines": {
         "node": ">=18.0.0"
       },
@@ -7600,8 +7586,7 @@
       "version": "4.1.18",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/tailwindcss/-/tailwindcss-4.1.18.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-4+Z+0yiYyEtUVCScyfHCxOYP06L5Ne+JiHhY2IjR2KWMIWhJOYZKLSGZaP5HkZ8+bY0cxfzwDE5uOmzFXyIwxw==",
-      "license": "MIT",
-      "peer": true
+      "license": "MIT"
     },
     "node_modules/tailwindcss-animate": {
       "version": "1.0.7",
@@ -7803,7 +7788,6 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-jl1vZzPDinLr9eUt3J/t7V6FgNEw9QjvBPdysz9KfQDD41fQrC2Y4vKQdiaUpFT4bXlb1RHhLpp8wtm6M5TgSw==",
       "devOptional": true,
       "license": "Apache-2.0",
-      "peer": true,
       "bin": {
         "tsc": "bin/tsc",
         "tsserver": "bin/tsserver"
@@ -8141,7 +8125,6 @@
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/zod/-/zod-4.3.6.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-rftlrkhHZOcjDwkGlnUtZZkvaPHCsDATp4pGpuOOMDaTdDDXF91wuVDJoWoPsKX/3YPQ5fHuF3STjcYyKr+Qhg==",
       "license": "MIT",
-      "peer": true,
       "funding": {
         "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/colinhacks"
       }
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index f458ba0..8fa1d3f 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,14 +1,18 @@
 {
   "name": "@nomination-system/source",
-  "version": "1.4.0",
+  "version": "1.4.1",
   "license": "MIT",
   "scripts": {
     "dev": "next dev",
     "build": "next build",
     "start": "next start",
     "lint": "next lint",
+    "db:start": "docker compose up -d",
+    "db:stop": "docker compose down",
+    "db:reset": "docker compose down -v && docker compose up -d --wait && npm run prisma:migrate",
     "prisma:generate": "prisma generate",
     "prisma:migrate": "prisma migrate dev",
+    "prisma:studio": "prisma studio",
     "postinstall": "prisma generate"
   },
   "private": true,
@@ -25,8 +29,8 @@
     "@tailwindcss/postcss": "^4.1.18",
     "class-variance-authority": "^0.7.1",
     "clsx": "^2.1.1",
-    "dotenv": "^17.2.4",
-    "lucide-react": "^0.563.0",
+    "dotenv": "^17.3.1",
+    "lucide-react": "^0.564.0",
     "next": "^16.1.6",
     "prisma": "^6.18.0",
     "react": "^19.2.4",
@@ -38,8 +42,8 @@
     "zod": "^4.3.6"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
-    "@types/node": "^25.2.0",
-    "@types/react": "^19.2.13",
+    "@types/node": "^25.2.3",
+    "@types/react": "^19.2.14",
     "@types/react-dom": "^19.2.3",
     "@types/styled-components": "^5.1.36",
     "eslint": "^9.39.2",
diff --git a/prisma/migrations/20260214181540_fix_endorsements_open_default/migration.sql b/prisma/migrations/20260214181540_fix_endorsements_open_default/migration.sql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6106687
--- /dev/null
+++ b/prisma/migrations/20260214181540_fix_endorsements_open_default/migration.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+-- AlterTable
+ALTER TABLE "settings" ALTER COLUMN "endorsementsOpen" SET DEFAULT true;