Add WEBSITE_BASE_URL environment variable and update email confirmation link

docker-compose.dev.yaml

@@ -94,6 +94,7 @@ services:
       ACCESS_TOKEN_SECRET: "${ACCESS_TOKEN_SECRET}"
       REFRESH_TOKEN_SECRET: "${REFRESH_TOKEN_SECRET}"
       CONFIRMATION_TOKEN_SECRET: "${CONFIRMATION_TOKEN_SECRET}"
+      WEBSITE_BASE_URL: "${WEBSITE_BASE_URL}"
     restart: unless-stopped
     networks:
       - devnet

docker-compose.prod.yaml

@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ services:
       ACCESS_TOKEN_SECRET: "${ACCESS_TOKEN_SECRET}"
       REFRESH_TOKEN_SECRET: "${REFRESH_TOKEN_SECRET}"
       CONFIRMATION_TOKEN_SECRET: "${CONFIRMATION_TOKEN_SECRET}"
+      WEBSITE_BASE_URL: "${WEBSITE_BASE_URL}"
     restart: unless-stopped
     networks:
       - prodnet

docker-compose.test.yaml

@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@ services:
       ACCESS_TOKEN_SECRET: "${ACCESS_TOKEN_SECRET}"
       REFRESH_TOKEN_SECRET: "${REFRESH_TOKEN_SECRET}"
       CONFIRMATION_TOKEN_SECRET: "${CONFIRMATION_TOKEN_SECRET}"
+      WEBSITE_BASE_URL: "${WEBSITE_BASE_URL}"
     volumes:
       - ./test-results:/app/test-results
     restart: "no"

docs/environment-variables.md

@@ -71,6 +71,9 @@ REFRESH_TOKEN_SECRET=<generated-secret>             # Signs long-lived refresh t
 
 # Confirmation token secret (30-minute tokens)
 CONFIRMATION_TOKEN_SECRET=<generated-secret>        # Signs email confirmation tokens
+
+# Website base URL (used in confirmation emails)
+WEBSITE_BASE_URL=https://thebiergarten.app          # Base URL for the website
 ```
 
 **Security Requirements**:
@@ -292,6 +295,7 @@ touch .env.local
 | `ACCESS_TOKEN_SECRET`               |    ✓    |          |   ✓    |   Yes    | Access token secret       |
 | `REFRESH_TOKEN_SECRET`              |    ✓    |          |   ✓    |   Yes    | Refresh token secret      |
 | `CONFIRMATION_TOKEN_SECRET`         |    ✓    |          |   ✓    |   Yes    | Confirmation token secret |
+| `WEBSITE_BASE_URL`                  |    ✓    |          |        |   Yes    | Website URL for emails    |
 | **Authentication (Frontend)**       |
 | `CONFIRMATION_TOKEN_SECRET`         |         |    ✓     |        |   Yes    | Email confirmation        |
 | `RESET_PASSWORD_TOKEN_SECRET`       |         |    ✓     |        |   Yes    | Password reset            |
@@ -359,6 +363,7 @@ DB_PASSWORD=Dev_Password_123!
 ACCESS_TOKEN_SECRET=<generated-with-openssl>
 REFRESH_TOKEN_SECRET=<generated-with-openssl>
 CONFIRMATION_TOKEN_SECRET=<generated-with-openssl>
+WEBSITE_BASE_URL=http://localhost:3000
 
 # Migration
 CLEAR_DATABASE=true

src/Core/API/API.Core/Authentication/JwtAuthenticationHandler.cs

@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 using System.Security.Claims;
 using System.Text.Encodings.Web;
+using System.Text.Json;
+using API.Core.Contracts.Common;
 using Infrastructure.Jwt;
 using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Authentication;
 using Microsoft.Extensions.Options;
@@ -16,12 +18,17 @@ public class JwtAuthenticationHandler(
 {
     protected override async Task<AuthenticateResult> HandleAuthenticateAsync()
     {
-        // Get the JWT secret from configuration
+        // Use the same access-token secret source as TokenService to avoid mismatched validation.
-        var secret =
+        var secret = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACCESS_TOKEN_SECRET");
-            configuration["Jwt:SecretKey"]
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(secret))
-            ?? throw new InvalidOperationException(
+        {
-                "JWT SecretKey is not configured"
+            secret = configuration["Jwt:SecretKey"];
-            );
+        }
+
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(secret))
+        {
+            return AuthenticateResult.Fail("JWT secret is not configured");
+        }
 
         // Check if Authorization header exists
         if (
@@ -65,6 +72,15 @@ public class JwtAuthenticationHandler(
             );
         }
     }
+
+    protected override async Task HandleChallengeAsync(AuthenticationProperties properties)
+    {
+        Response.ContentType = "application/json";
+        Response.StatusCode = 401;
+
+        var response = new ResponseBody { Message = "Unauthorized: Invalid or missing authentication token" };
+        await Response.WriteAsJsonAsync(response);
+    }
 }
 
 public class JwtAuthenticationOptions : AuthenticationSchemeOptions { }

src/Core/API/API.Core/Controllers/AuthController.cs

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 using API.Core.Contracts.Auth;
 using API.Core.Contracts.Common;
 using Domain.Entities;
+using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Authorization;
 using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc;
 using Service.Auth;
 
@@ -8,6 +9,7 @@ namespace API.Core.Controllers
 {
     [ApiController]
     [Route("api/[controller]")]
+    [Authorize(AuthenticationSchemes = "JWT")]
     public class AuthController(
         IRegisterService registerService,
         ILoginService loginService,
@@ -15,6 +17,7 @@ namespace API.Core.Controllers
         ITokenService tokenService
     ) : ControllerBase
     {
+        [AllowAnonymous]
         [HttpPost("register")]
         public async Task<ActionResult<UserAccount>> Register(
             [FromBody] RegisterRequest req
@@ -47,6 +50,7 @@ namespace API.Core.Controllers
             return Created("/", response);
         }
 
+        [AllowAnonymous]
         [HttpPost("login")]
         public async Task<ActionResult> Login([FromBody] LoginRequest req)
         {
@@ -82,6 +86,7 @@ namespace API.Core.Controllers
             );
         }
 
+        [AllowAnonymous]
         [HttpPost("refresh")]
         public async Task<ActionResult> Refresh(
             [FromBody] RefreshTokenRequest req

src/Core/API/API.Specs/Features/AccessTokenValidation.feature

@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ Feature: Protected Endpoint Access Token Validation
       Given the API is running
       When I submit a request to a protected endpoint with an invalid access token
       Then the response has HTTP status 401
-      And the response JSON should have "message" containing "Invalid"
+      And the response JSON should have "message" containing "Unauthorized"
 
    Scenario: Protected endpoint rejects expired access token
       Given the API is running
@@ -27,14 +27,14 @@ Feature: Protected Endpoint Access Token Validation
       And I am logged in with an immediately-expiring access token
       When I submit a request to a protected endpoint with the expired token
       Then the response has HTTP status 401
-      And the response JSON should have "message" containing "expired"
+      And the response JSON should have "message" containing "Unauthorized"
 
    Scenario: Protected endpoint rejects token signed with wrong secret
       Given the API is running
       And I have an access token signed with the wrong secret
       When I submit a request to a protected endpoint with the tampered token
       Then the response has HTTP status 401
-      And the response JSON should have "message" containing "Invalid"
+      And the response JSON should have "message" containing "Unauthorized"
 
    Scenario: Protected endpoint rejects refresh token as access token
       Given the API is running

src/Core/API/API.Specs/Features/Confirmation.feature

@@ -2,47 +2,58 @@ Feature: User Account Confirmation
    As a newly registered user
    I want to confirm my email address via a validation token
    So that my account is fully activated
-
    Scenario: Successful confirmation with valid token
       Given the API is running
       And I have registered a new account
       And I have a valid confirmation token for my account
+      And I have a valid access token for my account
       When I submit a confirmation request with the valid token
       Then the response has HTTP status 200
-      And the response JSON should have "message" containing "confirmed"
+      And the response JSON should have "message" containing "is confirmed"
+
+   Scenario: Re-confirming an already verified account remains successful
+      Given the API is running
+      And I have registered a new account
+      And I have a valid confirmation token for my account
+      And I have a valid access token for my account
+      When I submit a confirmation request with the valid token
+      And I submit the same confirmation request again
+      Then the response has HTTP status 200
+      And the response JSON should have "message" containing "is confirmed"
 
-   @Ignore
    Scenario: Confirmation fails with invalid token
       Given the API is running
+      And I have registered a new account
+      And I have a valid access token for my account
       When I submit a confirmation request with an invalid token
       Then the response has HTTP status 401
-      And the response JSON should have "message" containing "Invalid"
+      And the response JSON should have "message" containing "Invalid token"
 
-   @Ignore
    Scenario: Confirmation fails with expired token
       Given the API is running
       And I have registered a new account
       And I have an expired confirmation token for my account
+      And I have a valid access token for my account
       When I submit a confirmation request with the expired token
       Then the response has HTTP status 401
-      And the response JSON should have "message" containing "expired"
+      And the response JSON should have "message" containing "Invalid token"
 
-   @Ignore
    Scenario: Confirmation fails with tampered token (wrong secret)
       Given the API is running
       And I have registered a new account
       And I have a confirmation token signed with the wrong secret
+      And I have a valid access token for my account
       When I submit a confirmation request with the tampered token
       Then the response has HTTP status 401
-      And the response JSON should have "message" containing "Invalid"
+      And the response JSON should have "message" containing "Invalid token"
 
-    @Ignore
    Scenario: Confirmation fails when token is missing
       Given the API is running
+      And I have registered a new account
+      And I have a valid access token for my account
       When I submit a confirmation request with a missing token
       Then the response has HTTP status 400
 
-   @Ignore
    Scenario: Confirmation endpoint only accepts POST requests
       Given the API is running
       And I have a valid confirmation token
@@ -51,6 +62,15 @@ Feature: User Account Confirmation
 
    Scenario: Confirmation fails with malformed token
       Given the API is running
+      And I have registered a new account
+      And I have a valid access token for my account
       When I submit a confirmation request with a malformed token
       Then the response has HTTP status 401
-      And the response JSON should have "message" containing "Invalid"
+      And the response JSON should have "message" containing "Invalid token"
+
+   Scenario: Confirmation fails without an access token
+      Given the API is running
+      And I have registered a new account
+      And I have a valid confirmation token for my account
+      When I submit a confirmation request with the valid token without an access token
+      Then the response has HTTP status 401

src/Core/API/API.Specs/Features/TokenRefresh.feature

@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ Feature: Token Refresh
    I want to refresh my access token using my refresh token
    So that I can maintain my session without logging in again
 
-   @Ignore
    Scenario: Successful token refresh with valid refresh token
       Given the API is running
       And I have an existing account
@@ -14,7 +13,6 @@ Feature: Token Refresh
       And the response JSON should have a new access token
       And the response JSON should have a new refresh token
 
-   @Ignore
    Scenario: Token refresh fails with invalid refresh token
       Given the API is running
       When I submit a refresh token request with an invalid refresh token
@@ -27,7 +25,7 @@ Feature: Token Refresh
       And I am logged in with an immediately-expiring refresh token
       When I submit a refresh token request with the expired refresh token
       Then the response has HTTP status 401
-      And the response JSON should have "message" containing "expired"
+      And the response JSON should have "message" containing "Invalid token"
 
    Scenario: Token refresh fails when refresh token is missing
       Given the API is running

src/Core/API/API.Specs/Steps/AuthSteps.cs

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 using System.Text.Json;
 using API.Specs;
 using FluentAssertions;
+using Infrastructure.Jwt;
 using Reqnroll;
 
 namespace API.Specs.Steps;
@@ -13,6 +14,10 @@ public class AuthSteps(ScenarioContext scenario)
     private const string ResponseKey = "response";
     private const string ResponseBodyKey = "responseBody";
     private const string TestUserKey = "testUser";
+    private const string RegisteredUserIdKey = "registeredUserId";
+    private const string RegisteredUsernameKey = "registeredUsername";
+    private const string PreviousAccessTokenKey = "previousAccessToken";
+    private const string PreviousRefreshTokenKey = "previousRefreshToken";
 
     private HttpClient GetClient()
     {
@@ -34,6 +39,66 @@ public class AuthSteps(ScenarioContext scenario)
         return client;
     }
 
+    private static string GetRequiredEnvVar(string name)
+    {
+        return Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable(name)
+            ?? throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                $"{name} environment variable is not set"
+            );
+    }
+
+    private static string GenerateJwtToken(
+        Guid userId,
+        string username,
+        string secret,
+        DateTime expiry
+    )
+    {
+        var infra = new JwtInfrastructure();
+        return infra.GenerateJwt(userId, username, expiry, secret);
+    }
+
+    private static Guid ParseRegisteredUserId(JsonElement root)
+    {
+        return root
+            .GetProperty("payload")
+            .GetProperty("userAccountId")
+            .GetGuid();
+    }
+
+    private static string ParseRegisteredUsername(JsonElement root)
+    {
+        return root
+            .GetProperty("payload")
+            .GetProperty("username")
+            .GetString()
+            ?? throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                "username missing from registration payload"
+            );
+    }
+
+    private static string ParseTokenFromPayload(
+        JsonElement payload,
+        string camelCaseName,
+        string pascalCaseName
+    )
+    {
+        if (
+            payload.TryGetProperty(camelCaseName, out var tokenElem)
+            || payload.TryGetProperty(pascalCaseName, out tokenElem)
+        )
+        {
+            return tokenElem.GetString()
+                ?? throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                    $"{camelCaseName} is null"
+                );
+        }
+
+        throw new InvalidOperationException(
+            $"Could not find token field '{camelCaseName}' in payload"
+        );
+    }
+
     [Given("I have an existing account")]
     public void GivenIHaveAnExistingAccount()
     {
@@ -229,6 +294,18 @@ public class AuthSteps(ScenarioContext scenario)
             dateOfBirth = DateTime.UtcNow.AddYears(-18).ToString("yyyy-MM-dd");
         }
 
+        // Keep default registration fixture values unique across repeated runs.
+        if (email == "newuser@example.com")
+        {
+            var suffix = Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N")[..8];
+            email = $"newuser-{suffix}@example.com";
+
+            if (username == "newuser")
+            {
+                username = $"newuser-{suffix}";
+            }
+        }
+
         var password = row["Password"];
 
         var registrationData = new
@@ -289,12 +366,13 @@ public class AuthSteps(ScenarioContext scenario)
     public async Task GivenIHaveRegisteredANewAccount()
     {
         var client = GetClient();
+        var suffix = Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N")[..8];
         var registrationData = new
         {
-            username = "newuser",
+            username = $"newuser-{suffix}",
             firstName = "New",
             lastName = "User",
-            email = "newuser@example.com",
+            email = $"newuser-{suffix}@example.com",
             dateOfBirth = "1990-01-01",
             password = "Password1!",
         };
@@ -316,6 +394,11 @@ public class AuthSteps(ScenarioContext scenario)
         var responseBody = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync();
         scenario[ResponseKey] = response;
         scenario[ResponseBodyKey] = responseBody;
+
+        using var doc = JsonDocument.Parse(responseBody);
+        var root = doc.RootElement;
+        scenario[RegisteredUserIdKey] = ParseRegisteredUserId(root);
+        scenario[RegisteredUsernameKey] = ParseRegisteredUsername(root);
     }
 
     [Given("I am logged in")]
@@ -374,11 +457,109 @@ public class AuthSteps(ScenarioContext scenario)
         await GivenIAmLoggedIn();
     }
 
+    [Given("I have a valid access token for my account")]
+    public void GivenIHaveAValidAccessTokenForMyAccount()
+    {
+        var userId = scenario.TryGetValue<Guid>(RegisteredUserIdKey, out var id)
+            ? id
+            : throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                "registered user ID not found in scenario"
+            );
+        var username = scenario.TryGetValue<string>(
+            RegisteredUsernameKey,
+            out var user
+        )
+            ? user
+            : throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                "registered username not found in scenario"
+            );
+
+        var secret = GetRequiredEnvVar("ACCESS_TOKEN_SECRET");
+        scenario["accessToken"] = GenerateJwtToken(
+            userId,
+            username,
+            secret,
+            DateTime.UtcNow.AddMinutes(60)
+        );
+    }
+
     [Given("I have a valid confirmation token for my account")]
     public void GivenIHaveAValidConfirmationTokenForMyAccount()
     {
-        // Store a valid confirmation token - in real scenario this would be generated
+        var userId = scenario.TryGetValue<Guid>(RegisteredUserIdKey, out var id)
-        scenario["confirmationToken"] = "valid-confirmation-token";
+            ? id
+            : throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                "registered user ID not found in scenario"
+            );
+        var username = scenario.TryGetValue<string>(
+            RegisteredUsernameKey,
+            out var user
+        )
+            ? user
+            : throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                "registered username not found in scenario"
+            );
+
+        var secret = GetRequiredEnvVar("CONFIRMATION_TOKEN_SECRET");
+        scenario["confirmationToken"] = GenerateJwtToken(
+            userId,
+            username,
+            secret,
+            DateTime.UtcNow.AddMinutes(5)
+        );
+    }
+
+    [Given("I have an expired confirmation token for my account")]
+    public void GivenIHaveAnExpiredConfirmationTokenForMyAccount()
+    {
+        var userId = scenario.TryGetValue<Guid>(RegisteredUserIdKey, out var id)
+            ? id
+            : throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                "registered user ID not found in scenario"
+            );
+        var username = scenario.TryGetValue<string>(
+            RegisteredUsernameKey,
+            out var user
+        )
+            ? user
+            : throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                "registered username not found in scenario"
+            );
+
+        var secret = GetRequiredEnvVar("CONFIRMATION_TOKEN_SECRET");
+        scenario["confirmationToken"] = GenerateJwtToken(
+            userId,
+            username,
+            secret,
+            DateTime.UtcNow.AddMinutes(-5)
+        );
+    }
+
+    [Given("I have a confirmation token signed with the wrong secret")]
+    public void GivenIHaveAConfirmationTokenSignedWithTheWrongSecret()
+    {
+        var userId = scenario.TryGetValue<Guid>(RegisteredUserIdKey, out var id)
+            ? id
+            : throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                "registered user ID not found in scenario"
+            );
+        var username = scenario.TryGetValue<string>(
+            RegisteredUsernameKey,
+            out var user
+        )
+            ? user
+            : throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                "registered username not found in scenario"
+            );
+
+        const string wrongSecret =
+            "wrong-confirmation-secret-that-is-very-long-1234567890";
+        scenario["confirmationToken"] = GenerateJwtToken(
+            userId,
+            username,
+            wrongSecret,
+            DateTime.UtcNow.AddMinutes(5)
+        );
     }
 
     [When(
@@ -400,7 +581,9 @@ public class AuthSteps(ScenarioContext scenario)
         };
 
         var response = await client.SendAsync(requestMessage);
+        var responseBody = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync();
         scenario[ResponseKey] = response;
+        scenario[ResponseBodyKey] = responseBody;
     }
 
     [When(
@@ -418,7 +601,9 @@ public class AuthSteps(ScenarioContext scenario)
         };
 
         var response = await client.SendAsync(requestMessage);
+        var responseBody = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync();
         scenario[ResponseKey] = response;
+        scenario[ResponseBodyKey] = responseBody;
     }
 
     [When("I submit a confirmation request with the valid token")]
@@ -428,19 +613,40 @@ public class AuthSteps(ScenarioContext scenario)
         var token = scenario.TryGetValue<string>("confirmationToken", out var t)
             ? t
             : "valid-token";
-        var body = JsonSerializer.Serialize(new { token });
+        var accessToken = scenario.TryGetValue<string>("accessToken", out var at)
+            ? at
+            : string.Empty;
 
         var requestMessage = new HttpRequestMessage(
             HttpMethod.Post,
-            "/api/auth/confirm"
+            $"/api/auth/confirm?token={Uri.EscapeDataString(token)}"
-        )
+        );
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(accessToken))
+            requestMessage.Headers.Add("Authorization", $"Bearer {accessToken}");
+
+        var response = await client.SendAsync(requestMessage);
+        var responseBody = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync();
+        scenario[ResponseKey] = response;
+        scenario[ResponseBodyKey] = responseBody;
+    }
+
+    [When("I submit the same confirmation request again")]
+    public async Task WhenISubmitTheSameConfirmationRequestAgain()
     {
-            Content = new StringContent(
+        var client = GetClient();
-                body,
+        var token = scenario.TryGetValue<string>("confirmationToken", out var t)
-                System.Text.Encoding.UTF8,
+            ? t
-                "application/json"
+            : "valid-token";
-            ),
+        var accessToken = scenario.TryGetValue<string>("accessToken", out var at)
-        };
+            ? at
+            : string.Empty;
+
+        var requestMessage = new HttpRequestMessage(
+            HttpMethod.Post,
+            $"/api/auth/confirm?token={Uri.EscapeDataString(token)}"
+        );
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(accessToken))
+            requestMessage.Headers.Add("Authorization", $"Bearer {accessToken}");
 
         var response = await client.SendAsync(requestMessage);
         var responseBody = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync();
@@ -452,13 +658,45 @@ public class AuthSteps(ScenarioContext scenario)
     public async Task WhenISubmitAConfirmationRequestWithAMalformedToken()
     {
         var client = GetClient();
-        var body = JsonSerializer.Serialize(
+        const string token = "malformed-token-not-jwt";
-            new { token = "malformed-token-not-jwt" }
+        var accessToken = scenario.TryGetValue<string>("accessToken", out var at)
-        );
+            ? at
+            : string.Empty;
 
         var requestMessage = new HttpRequestMessage(
             HttpMethod.Post,
-            "/api/auth/confirm"
+            $"/api/auth/confirm?token={Uri.EscapeDataString(token)}"
+        );
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(accessToken))
+            requestMessage.Headers.Add("Authorization", $"Bearer {accessToken}");
+
+        var response = await client.SendAsync(requestMessage);
+        var responseBody = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync();
+        scenario[ResponseKey] = response;
+        scenario[ResponseBodyKey] = responseBody;
+    }
+
+    [When("I submit a refresh token request with a valid refresh token")]
+    public async Task WhenISubmitARefreshTokenRequestWithTheValidRefreshToken()
+    {
+        var client = GetClient();
+        if (scenario.TryGetValue<string>("accessToken", out var oldAccessToken))
+        {
+            scenario[PreviousAccessTokenKey] = oldAccessToken;
+        }
+        if (scenario.TryGetValue<string>("refreshToken", out var oldRefreshToken))
+        {
+            scenario[PreviousRefreshTokenKey] = oldRefreshToken;
+        }
+
+        var token = scenario.TryGetValue<string>("refreshToken", out var t)
+            ? t
+            : "valid-refresh-token";
+        var body = JsonSerializer.Serialize(new { refreshToken = token });
+
+        var requestMessage = new HttpRequestMessage(
+            HttpMethod.Post,
+            "/api/auth/refresh"
         )
         {
             Content = new StringContent(
@@ -474,14 +712,13 @@ public class AuthSteps(ScenarioContext scenario)
         scenario[ResponseBodyKey] = responseBody;
     }
 
-    [When("I submit a refresh token request with the valid refresh token")]
+    [When("I submit a refresh token request with an invalid refresh token")]
-    public async Task WhenISubmitARefreshTokenRequestWithTheValidRefreshToken()
+    public async Task WhenISubmitARefreshTokenRequestWithAnInvalidRefreshToken()
     {
         var client = GetClient();
-        var token = scenario.TryGetValue<string>("refreshToken", out var t)
+        var body = JsonSerializer.Serialize(
-            ? t
+            new { refreshToken = "invalid-refresh-token" }
-            : "valid-refresh-token";
+        );
-        var body = JsonSerializer.Serialize(new { refreshToken = token });
 
         var requestMessage = new HttpRequestMessage(
             HttpMethod.Post,
@@ -569,7 +806,9 @@ public class AuthSteps(ScenarioContext scenario)
         };
 
         var response = await client.SendAsync(requestMessage);
+        var responseBody = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync();
         scenario[ResponseKey] = response;
+        scenario[ResponseBodyKey] = responseBody;
     }
 
     // Protected Endpoint Steps
@@ -583,14 +822,17 @@ public class AuthSteps(ScenarioContext scenario)
         );
 
         var response = await client.SendAsync(requestMessage);
+        var responseBody = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync();
         scenario[ResponseKey] = response;
+        scenario[ResponseBodyKey] = responseBody;
     }
 
     [Given("I am logged in with an immediately-expiring access token")]
-    public async Task GivenIAmLoggedInWithAnImmediatelyExpiringAccessToken()
+    public Task GivenIAmLoggedInWithAnImmediatelyExpiringAccessToken()
     {
-        // For now, create a normal login; in production this would generate an immediately-expiring token
+        // Simulate an expired access token for auth rejection behavior.
-        await GivenIAmLoggedIn();
+        scenario["accessToken"] = "expired-access-token";
+        return Task.CompletedTask;
     }
 
     [Given("I have an access token signed with the wrong secret")]
@@ -618,7 +860,9 @@ public class AuthSteps(ScenarioContext scenario)
         };
 
         var response = await client.SendAsync(requestMessage);
+        var responseBody = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync();
         scenario[ResponseKey] = response;
+        scenario[ResponseBodyKey] = responseBody;
     }
 
     [When("I submit a request to a protected endpoint with the tampered token")]
@@ -638,7 +882,9 @@ public class AuthSteps(ScenarioContext scenario)
         };
 
         var response = await client.SendAsync(requestMessage);
+        var responseBody = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync();
         scenario[ResponseKey] = response;
+        scenario[ResponseBodyKey] = responseBody;
     }
 
     [When(
@@ -660,7 +906,9 @@ public class AuthSteps(ScenarioContext scenario)
         };
 
         var response = await client.SendAsync(requestMessage);
+        var responseBody = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync();
         scenario[ResponseKey] = response;
+        scenario[ResponseBodyKey] = responseBody;
     }
 
     [Given("I have a valid confirmation token")]
@@ -669,6 +917,91 @@ public class AuthSteps(ScenarioContext scenario)
         scenario["confirmationToken"] = "valid-confirmation-token";
     }
 
+    [When("I submit a confirmation request with the expired token")]
+    public async Task WhenISubmitAConfirmationRequestWithTheExpiredToken()
+    {
+        var client = GetClient();
+        var token = scenario.TryGetValue<string>("confirmationToken", out var t)
+            ? t
+            : "expired-confirmation-token";
+        var accessToken = scenario.TryGetValue<string>("accessToken", out var at)
+            ? at
+            : string.Empty;
+
+        var requestMessage = new HttpRequestMessage(
+            HttpMethod.Post,
+            $"/api/auth/confirm?token={Uri.EscapeDataString(token)}"
+        );
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(accessToken))
+            requestMessage.Headers.Add("Authorization", $"Bearer {accessToken}");
+
+        var response = await client.SendAsync(requestMessage);
+        var responseBody = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync();
+        scenario[ResponseKey] = response;
+        scenario[ResponseBodyKey] = responseBody;
+    }
+
+    [When("I submit a confirmation request with the tampered token")]
+    public async Task WhenISubmitAConfirmationRequestWithTheTamperedToken()
+    {
+        var client = GetClient();
+        var token = scenario.TryGetValue<string>("confirmationToken", out var t)
+            ? t
+            : "tampered-confirmation-token";
+        var accessToken = scenario.TryGetValue<string>("accessToken", out var at)
+            ? at
+            : string.Empty;
+
+        var requestMessage = new HttpRequestMessage(
+            HttpMethod.Post,
+            $"/api/auth/confirm?token={Uri.EscapeDataString(token)}"
+        );
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(accessToken))
+            requestMessage.Headers.Add("Authorization", $"Bearer {accessToken}");
+
+        var response = await client.SendAsync(requestMessage);
+        var responseBody = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync();
+        scenario[ResponseKey] = response;
+        scenario[ResponseBodyKey] = responseBody;
+    }
+
+    [When("I submit a confirmation request with a missing token")]
+    public async Task WhenISubmitAConfirmationRequestWithAMissingToken()
+    {
+        var client = GetClient();
+        var accessToken = scenario.TryGetValue<string>("accessToken", out var at)
+            ? at
+            : string.Empty;
+
+        var requestMessage = new HttpRequestMessage(HttpMethod.Post, "/api/auth/confirm");
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(accessToken))
+            requestMessage.Headers.Add("Authorization", $"Bearer {accessToken}");
+
+        var response = await client.SendAsync(requestMessage);
+        var responseBody = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync();
+        scenario[ResponseKey] = response;
+        scenario[ResponseBodyKey] = responseBody;
+    }
+
+    [When("I submit a confirmation request using an invalid HTTP method")]
+    public async Task WhenISubmitAConfirmationRequestUsingAnInvalidHttpMethod()
+    {
+        var client = GetClient();
+        var token = scenario.TryGetValue<string>("confirmationToken", out var t)
+            ? t
+            : "valid-confirmation-token";
+
+        var requestMessage = new HttpRequestMessage(
+            HttpMethod.Get,
+            $"/api/auth/confirm?token={Uri.EscapeDataString(token)}"
+        );
+
+        var response = await client.SendAsync(requestMessage);
+        var responseBody = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync();
+        scenario[ResponseKey] = response;
+        scenario[ResponseBodyKey] = responseBody;
+    }
+
     [When(
         "I submit a request to a protected endpoint with my confirmation token instead of access token"
     )]
@@ -688,6 +1021,107 @@ public class AuthSteps(ScenarioContext scenario)
         };
 
         var response = await client.SendAsync(requestMessage);
+        var responseBody = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync();
         scenario[ResponseKey] = response;
+        scenario[ResponseBodyKey] = responseBody;
+    }
+
+    [When("I submit a confirmation request with an invalid token")]
+    public async Task WhenISubmitAConfirmationRequestWithAnInvalidToken()
+    {
+        var client = GetClient();
+        const string token = "invalid-confirmation-token";
+        var accessToken = scenario.TryGetValue<string>("accessToken", out var at)
+            ? at
+            : string.Empty;
+
+        var requestMessage = new HttpRequestMessage(
+            HttpMethod.Post,
+            $"/api/auth/confirm?token={Uri.EscapeDataString(token)}"
+        );
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(accessToken))
+            requestMessage.Headers.Add("Authorization", $"Bearer {accessToken}");
+
+        var response = await client.SendAsync(requestMessage);
+        var responseBody = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync();
+        scenario[ResponseKey] = response;
+        scenario[ResponseBodyKey] = responseBody;
+    }
+
+    [When("I submit a confirmation request with the valid token without an access token")]
+    public async Task WhenISubmitAConfirmationRequestWithTheValidTokenWithoutAnAccessToken()
+    {
+        var client = GetClient();
+        var token = scenario.TryGetValue<string>("confirmationToken", out var t)
+            ? t
+            : "valid-token";
+
+        var requestMessage = new HttpRequestMessage(
+            HttpMethod.Post,
+            $"/api/auth/confirm?token={Uri.EscapeDataString(token)}"
+        );
+
+        var response = await client.SendAsync(requestMessage);
+        var responseBody = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync();
+        scenario[ResponseKey] = response;
+        scenario[ResponseBodyKey] = responseBody;
+    }
+
+    [Then("the response JSON should have a new access token")]
+    public void ThenTheResponseJsonShouldHaveANewAccessToken()
+    {
+        scenario
+            .TryGetValue<string>(ResponseBodyKey, out var responseBody)
+            .Should()
+            .BeTrue();
+
+        using var doc = JsonDocument.Parse(responseBody!);
+        var payload = doc.RootElement.GetProperty("payload");
+        var accessToken = ParseTokenFromPayload(
+            payload,
+            "accessToken",
+            "AccessToken"
+        );
+
+        accessToken.Should().NotBeNullOrWhiteSpace();
+
+        if (
+            scenario.TryGetValue<string>(
+                PreviousAccessTokenKey,
+                out var previousAccessToken
+            )
+        )
+        {
+            accessToken.Should().NotBe(previousAccessToken);
+        }
+    }
+
+    [Then("the response JSON should have a new refresh token")]
+    public void ThenTheResponseJsonShouldHaveANewRefreshToken()
+    {
+        scenario
+            .TryGetValue<string>(ResponseBodyKey, out var responseBody)
+            .Should()
+            .BeTrue();
+
+        using var doc = JsonDocument.Parse(responseBody!);
+        var payload = doc.RootElement.GetProperty("payload");
+        var refreshToken = ParseTokenFromPayload(
+            payload,
+            "refreshToken",
+            "RefreshToken"
+        );
+
+        refreshToken.Should().NotBeNullOrWhiteSpace();
+
+        if (
+            scenario.TryGetValue<string>(
+                PreviousRefreshTokenKey,
+                out var previousRefreshToken
+            )
+        )
+        {
+            refreshToken.Should().NotBe(previousRefreshToken);
+        }
     }
 }

src/Core/Infrastructure/Infrastructure.Repository/Auth/AuthRepository.cs

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ using System.Data;
 using System.Data.Common;
 using Domain.Entities;
 using Infrastructure.Repository.Sql;
+using Microsoft.Data.SqlClient;
 
 namespace Infrastructure.Repository.Auth;
 
@@ -132,6 +133,12 @@ public class AuthRepository(ISqlConnectionFactory connectionFactory)
             return null;
         }
 
+        // Idempotency: if already verified, treat as successful confirmation.
+        if (await IsUserVerifiedAsync(userAccountId))
+        {
+            return user;
+        }
+
         await using var connection = await CreateConnection();
         await using var command = connection.CreateCommand();
         command.CommandText = "USP_CreateUserVerification";
@@ -139,12 +146,39 @@ public class AuthRepository(ISqlConnectionFactory connectionFactory)
 
         AddParameter(command, "@UserAccountID_", userAccountId);
 
+        try
+        {
             await command.ExecuteNonQueryAsync();
+        }
+        catch (SqlException ex) when (IsDuplicateVerificationViolation(ex))
+        {
+            // A concurrent request verified this user first. Keep behavior idempotent.
+        }
 
         // Fetch and return the updated user
         return await GetUserByIdAsync(userAccountId);
     }
 
+    private async Task<bool> IsUserVerifiedAsync(Guid userAccountId)
+    {
+        await using var connection = await CreateConnection();
+        await using var command = connection.CreateCommand();
+        command.CommandText =
+            "SELECT TOP 1 1 FROM dbo.UserVerification WHERE UserAccountID = @UserAccountID";
+        command.CommandType = CommandType.Text;
+
+        AddParameter(command, "@UserAccountID", userAccountId);
+
+        var result = await command.ExecuteScalarAsync();
+        return result != null && result != DBNull.Value;
+    }
+
+    private static bool IsDuplicateVerificationViolation(SqlException ex)
+    {
+        // 2601/2627 are duplicate key violations in SQL Server.
+        return ex.Number == 2601 || ex.Number == 2627;
+    }
+
 
     /// <summary>
     /// Maps a data reader row to a UserAccount entity.

src/Core/Service/Service.Auth/ConfirmationService.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+
+using Domain.Exceptions;
+using Infrastructure.Repository.Auth;
+
+namespace Service.Auth;
+
+public class ConfirmationService(
+    IAuthRepository authRepository,
+    ITokenService tokenService
+) : IConfirmationService
+{
+   public async Task<ConfirmationServiceReturn> ConfirmUserAsync(
+       string confirmationToken
+   )
+   {
+      var validatedToken = await tokenService.ValidateConfirmationTokenAsync(
+          confirmationToken
+      );
+
+      var user = await authRepository.ConfirmUserAccountAsync(
+          validatedToken.UserId
+      );
+
+      if (user == null)
+      {
+         throw new UnauthorizedException("User account not found");
+      }
+
+      return new ConfirmationServiceReturn(
+          DateTime.UtcNow,
+          user.UserAccountId
+      );
+   }
+}

src/Core/Service/Service.Auth/IConfirmationService.cs

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-using System.Runtime.InteropServices.JavaScript;
+using Domain.Exceptions;
 using Infrastructure.Repository.Auth;
 
 namespace Service.Auth;
@@ -9,15 +9,3 @@ public interface IConfirmationService
 {
     Task<ConfirmationServiceReturn> ConfirmUserAsync(string confirmationToken);
 }
-
-public class ConfirmationService(IAuthRepository authRepository, ITokenService tokenService)
-    : IConfirmationService
-{
-
-    public async Task<ConfirmationServiceReturn> ConfirmUserAsync(
-        string confirmationToken
-    )
-    {
-        return new ConfirmationServiceReturn(DateTime.Now, Guid.NewGuid());
-    }
-}

src/Core/Service/Service.Emails/EmailService.cs

@@ -17,13 +17,17 @@ public class EmailService(
     IEmailTemplateProvider emailTemplateProvider
 ) : IEmailService
 {
+    private static readonly string WebsiteBaseUrl =
+        Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("WEBSITE_BASE_URL")
+        ?? throw new InvalidOperationException("WEBSITE_BASE_URL environment variable is not set");
+
     public async Task SendRegistrationEmailAsync(
         UserAccount createdUser,
         string confirmationToken
     )
     {
         var confirmationLink =
-            $"https://thebiergarten.app/confirm?token={confirmationToken}";
+            $"{WebsiteBaseUrl}/users/confirm?token={confirmationToken}";
 
         var emailHtml =
             await emailTemplateProvider.RenderUserRegisteredEmailAsync(