refactor(db): use shared pooled DatabaseClient singleton instead of per-call instances

- Replace get_db_client() creating new DatabaseClient on every call with a
  module-level singleton initialized once at startup via init_db_client()
- Add init_db_client() and close_db_client() lifecycle functions called
  from FastAPI lifespan handler
- Migrate all DatabaseClient methods from legacy self.connect()/self.conn
  to pooled self.get_conn() context manager for thread-safe connection reuse
- Pool is properly torn down on application shutdown

Closes leeworks-agents/SPARC#7

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

.env.example

@@ -1,21 +1,42 @@
 # SPARC Configuration
 
+# ---- Application Environment ----
+# Set to "production" or "staging" in deployed environments.
+# The API will refuse to start with the default JWT secret unless APP_ENV=development.
+APP_ENV=development
+
+# ---- API Keys ----
+
 # SerpAPI key for patent search
 API_KEY=your_serpapi_key_here
 
 # OpenRouter API key for LLM analysis
 OPENROUTER_API_KEY=your_openrouter_key_here
 
-# Database configuration
-# All messages are stored in the database for persistence and caching
-DATABASE_URL=postgresql://postgres:postgres@localhost:5432/sparc
+# ---- Database ----
 
-# Cache configuration
-# When USE_CACHE=true: check database for cached responses before making API calls
-# When USE_CACHE=false: always make fresh API calls (still stores results in database)
-# Default: true
-USE_CACHE=true
+# PostgreSQL credentials (used by docker-compose)
+POSTGRES_USER=postgres
+POSTGRES_PASSWORD=change-me-to-a-secure-password
+POSTGRES_DB=sparc
 
-# JWT Secret for authentication
+# Full database URL (must match the credentials above)
+DATABASE_URL=postgresql://postgres:change-me-to-a-secure-password@localhost:5432/sparc
+
+# ---- Authentication ----
+
+# JWT Secret for signing tokens
 # IMPORTANT: Change this to a secure random string in production
 JWT_SECRET=your-secure-jwt-secret-change-in-production
+
+# ---- CORS ----
+
+# Comma-separated list of allowed origins for CORS
+# Defaults to http://localhost:3000,http://localhost:5173 when unset
+# CORS_ORIGINS=https://sparc.example.com,https://app.example.com
+
+# ---- Cache ----
+
+# When USE_CACHE=true: check database for cached responses before making API calls
+# When USE_CACHE=false: always make fresh API calls (still stores results in database)
+USE_CACHE=true

README.md

@@ -54,6 +54,21 @@ docker-compose up -d
 # - API Docs: http://localhost:8000/docs
 ```
 
+#### Patent PDF Storage
+
+The API stores downloaded patent PDFs in a `patents/` directory. In Docker,
+this is mounted as a bind mount (`./patents:/app/patents`) so that PDFs persist
+across container restarts.
+
+If you deploy to a different environment, ensure the `patents/` directory is a
+persistent volume. Without it, PDFs will be re-downloaded on every analysis.
+
+```yaml
+# docker-compose.yml excerpt
+volumes:
+  - ./patents:/app/patents
+```
+
 ### NixOS
 
 ```bash

SPARC/analyzer.py

@@ -104,21 +104,33 @@ class CompanyAnalyzer:
     def analyze_single_patent(self, patent_id: str, company_name: str) -> str:
         """Analyze a single patent by ID.
 
-        Useful for focused analysis of specific innovations.
+        Prerequisite:
+            The patent PDF must already exist at ``patents/{patent_id}.pdf``
+            before calling this method. PDFs are downloaded automatically when
+            using the batch analysis pipeline (``analyze_company`` or the
+            ``/analyze/batch`` API endpoint). For standalone usage, download
+            the PDF manually or call ``SERP.save_patents()`` first.
 
         Args:
-          patent_id: Publication ID of the patent
+          patent_id: Publication ID of the patent (e.g. "US-11234567-B2")
           company_name: Name of the company (for context)
 
         Returns:
           Analysis of the specific patent's innovation quality
+
+        Raises:
+          FileNotFoundError: If the patent PDF is not found at the expected path.
         """
-        # Note: This simplified version assumes the patent PDF is already downloaded
-        # A more complete implementation would support direct patent ID lookup
-        print(f"Analyzing patent {patent_id} for {company_name}...")
+        import os
 
         patent_path = f"patents/{patent_id}.pdf"
 
+        if not os.path.exists(patent_path):
+            raise FileNotFoundError(
+                f"Patent PDF not found at '{patent_path}'. "
+                f"Download the PDF first using SERP.save_patents() or the batch analysis pipeline."
+            )
+
         try:
             sections = SERP.parse_patent_pdf(patent_path)
             minimized_content = SERP.minimize_patent_for_llm(sections)
@@ -129,6 +141,8 @@ class CompanyAnalyzer:
 
             return analysis
 
+        except FileNotFoundError:
+            raise
         except Exception as e:
             return f"Failed to analyze patent {patent_id}: {e}"
 

SPARC/api.py

@@ -7,20 +7,27 @@ from contextlib import asynccontextmanager
 from datetime import datetime
 from typing import Annotated, List
 
-from fastapi import BackgroundTasks, Depends, FastAPI, HTTPException, Query
+from fastapi import BackgroundTasks, Depends, FastAPI, HTTPException, Query, Request
 from fastapi.middleware.cors import CORSMiddleware
+from fastapi.responses import JSONResponse
 from pydantic import BaseModel, EmailStr, Field
+from slowapi import Limiter
+from slowapi.errors import RateLimitExceeded
+from slowapi.util import get_remote_address
 
 from SPARC import config
 from SPARC.analyzer import CompanyAnalyzer
 from SPARC.auth import (
     TokenResponse,
     UserResponse,
+    check_jwt_secret,
+    close_db_client,
     create_tokens,
     decode_token,
     get_current_admin,
     get_current_user,
     get_db_client,
+    init_db_client,
 )
 from SPARC.types import BatchAnalysisResult, CompanyAnalysisResult
 
@@ -149,6 +156,8 @@ _analyzer: CompanyAnalyzer | None = None
 async def lifespan(app: FastAPI):
     """Initialize resources on startup, clean up on shutdown."""
     global _analyzer
+    check_jwt_secret()
+    init_db_client()
     _analyzer = CompanyAnalyzer()
     # Mark any jobs that were running/pending before the restart as failed
     from SPARC.database import DatabaseClient
@@ -161,8 +170,9 @@ async def lifespan(app: FastAPI):
         logging.getLogger(__name__).warning("Marked %d stale jobs as failed on startup", stale)
     _db.close()
     yield
-    # Cleanup if needed
+    # Cleanup
     _analyzer = None
+    close_db_client()
 
 
 app = FastAPI(
@@ -173,10 +183,26 @@ app = FastAPI(
     root_path=config.root_path,
 )
 
+# Rate limiter (in-memory storage, suitable for single-instance deployments)
+limiter = Limiter(key_func=get_remote_address)
+app.state.limiter = limiter
+
+
+@app.exception_handler(RateLimitExceeded)
+async def rate_limit_handler(request: Request, exc: RateLimitExceeded):
+    """Return 429 with Retry-After header when rate limit is exceeded."""
+    retry_after = getattr(exc, "retry_after", 60)
+    return JSONResponse(
+        status_code=429,
+        content={"detail": "Rate limit exceeded. Please try again later."},
+        headers={"Retry-After": str(retry_after)},
+    )
+
+
 # Add CORS middleware for React frontend
 app.add_middleware(
     CORSMiddleware,
-    allow_origins=["http://localhost:3000", "http://localhost:5173"],
+    allow_origins=config.cors_origins,
     allow_credentials=True,
     allow_methods=["*"],
     allow_headers=["*"],
@@ -187,7 +213,8 @@ app.add_middleware(
 
 
 @app.post("/auth/register", response_model=UserResponse, tags=["Auth"])
-async def register(request: RegisterRequest):
+@limiter.limit("5/minute")
+async def register(request: Request, body: RegisterRequest):
     """Register a new user.
 
     The first registered user automatically becomes an admin.
@@ -199,8 +226,8 @@ async def register(request: RegisterRequest):
     role = "admin" if user_count == 0 else "user"
 
     user = db.create_user(
-        email=request.email,
-        password=request.password,
+        email=body.email,
+        password=body.password,
         role=role,
     )
 
@@ -219,11 +246,12 @@ async def register(request: RegisterRequest):
 
 
 @app.post("/auth/login", response_model=TokenResponse, tags=["Auth"])
-async def login(request: LoginRequest):
+@limiter.limit("10/minute")
+async def login(request: Request, body: LoginRequest):
     """Authenticate user and return JWT tokens."""
     db = get_db_client()
 
-    user = db.authenticate_user(request.email, request.password)
+    user = db.authenticate_user(body.email, body.password)
 
     if not user:
         raise HTTPException(

SPARC/auth.py

@@ -13,11 +13,25 @@ from SPARC import config
 from SPARC.database import DatabaseClient
 
 # JWT Configuration
-JWT_SECRET = os.getenv("JWT_SECRET", "sparc-secret-key-change-in-production")
+_DEFAULT_JWT_SECRET = "sparc-secret-key-change-in-production"
+JWT_SECRET = os.getenv("JWT_SECRET", _DEFAULT_JWT_SECRET)
 JWT_ALGORITHM = "HS256"
 ACCESS_TOKEN_EXPIRE_MINUTES = 30
 REFRESH_TOKEN_EXPIRE_DAYS = 7
 
+
+def check_jwt_secret() -> None:
+    """Refuse to start with the default JWT secret in non-development environments.
+
+    Raises:
+        RuntimeError: If JWT_SECRET is the default value and APP_ENV is not 'development'.
+    """
+    if JWT_SECRET == _DEFAULT_JWT_SECRET and config.app_env != "development":
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            f"FATAL: JWT_SECRET is set to the default value and APP_ENV={config.app_env!r}. "
+            "Set a secure JWT_SECRET environment variable before running in non-development environments."
+        )
+
 security = HTTPBearer()
 
 
@@ -132,11 +146,36 @@ def decode_token(token: str) -> Optional[TokenPayload]:
         return None
 
 
+# Shared database client singleton, initialized at startup via init_db_client()
+_db_client: DatabaseClient | None = None
+
+
+def init_db_client() -> None:
+    """Initialize the shared database client. Call once at app startup."""
+    global _db_client
+    _db_client = DatabaseClient(config.database_url)
+    _db_client.connect()
+
+
+def close_db_client() -> None:
+    """Close the shared database client. Call at app shutdown."""
+    global _db_client
+    if _db_client:
+        _db_client.close()
+        _db_client = None
+
+
 def get_db_client() -> DatabaseClient:
-    """Get database client for auth operations."""
-    client = DatabaseClient(config.database_url)
-    client.connect()
-    return client
+    """Get the shared pooled database client for auth operations.
+
+    Returns the module-level singleton DatabaseClient. If not yet initialized
+    (e.g., during tests), creates a new instance as a fallback.
+    """
+    global _db_client
+    if _db_client is None:
+        _db_client = DatabaseClient(config.database_url)
+        _db_client.connect()
+    return _db_client
 
 
 async def get_current_user(

SPARC/config.py

@@ -33,3 +33,16 @@ patent_thread_workers = int(os.getenv("PATENT_THREAD_WORKERS", "5"))
 # Root path for running behind a reverse proxy (e.g., "/api" when served at /api/)
 # This ensures OpenAPI docs work correctly when accessed via the proxy
 root_path = os.getenv("ROOT_PATH", "")
+
+# Application environment: "development", "staging", or "production"
+# Used for safety checks (e.g., refusing default JWT secret in production)
+app_env = os.getenv("APP_ENV", "development")
+
+# CORS allowed origins (comma-separated)
+# Defaults to localhost dev origins when unset
+_cors_origins_raw = os.getenv("CORS_ORIGINS", "")
+cors_origins: list[str] = (
+    [o.strip() for o in _cors_origins_raw.split(",") if o.strip()]
+    if _cors_origins_raw
+    else ["http://localhost:3000", "http://localhost:5173"]
+)

SPARC/database.py

@@ -221,8 +221,6 @@ class DatabaseClient:
         Returns:
             Cached message dict if found, None otherwise
         """
-        self.connect()
-
         prompt_hash = self.hash_prompt(prompt)
 
         query = """
@@ -245,10 +243,11 @@ class DatabaseClient:
 
         query += " ORDER BY timestamp DESC LIMIT 1"
 
-        with self.conn.cursor(cursor_factory=RealDictCursor) as cursor:
-            cursor.execute(query, params)
-            result = cursor.fetchone()
-            return dict(result) if result else None
+        with self.get_conn() as conn:
+            with conn.cursor(cursor_factory=RealDictCursor) as cursor:
+                cursor.execute(query, params)
+                result = cursor.fetchone()
+                return dict(result) if result else None
 
     def store_message(
         self,
@@ -276,33 +275,32 @@ class DatabaseClient:
         Returns:
             The ID of the inserted record
         """
-        self.connect()
-
         prompt_hash = self.hash_prompt(prompt)
 
-        with self.conn.cursor() as cursor:
-            cursor.execute(
-                """
-                INSERT INTO llm_messages
-                (prompt, prompt_hash, response, company_name, analysis_type, model, metadata, token_usage, is_cached)
-                VALUES (%s, %s, %s, %s, %s, %s, %s, %s, %s)
-                RETURNING id
-                """,
-                (
-                    prompt,
-                    prompt_hash,
-                    response,
-                    company_name,
-                    analysis_type,
-                    model,
-                    json.dumps(metadata) if metadata else None,
-                    json.dumps(token_usage) if token_usage else None,
-                    is_cached,
-                ),
-            )
+        with self.get_conn() as conn:
+            with conn.cursor() as cursor:
+                cursor.execute(
+                    """
+                    INSERT INTO llm_messages
+                    (prompt, prompt_hash, response, company_name, analysis_type, model, metadata, token_usage, is_cached)
+                    VALUES (%s, %s, %s, %s, %s, %s, %s, %s, %s)
+                    RETURNING id
+                    """,
+                    (
+                        prompt,
+                        prompt_hash,
+                        response,
+                        company_name,
+                        analysis_type,
+                        model,
+                        json.dumps(metadata) if metadata else None,
+                        json.dumps(token_usage) if token_usage else None,
+                        is_cached,
+                    ),
+                )
 
-            message_id = cursor.fetchone()[0]
-            self.conn.commit()
+                message_id = cursor.fetchone()[0]
+            conn.commit()
 
             return message_id
 
@@ -324,8 +322,6 @@ class DatabaseClient:
         Returns:
             List of message dictionaries
         """
-        self.connect()
-
         query = "SELECT * FROM llm_messages WHERE 1=1"
         params = []
 
@@ -340,9 +336,10 @@ class DatabaseClient:
         query += " ORDER BY timestamp DESC LIMIT %s OFFSET %s"
         params.extend([limit, offset])
 
-        with self.conn.cursor(cursor_factory=RealDictCursor) as cursor:
-            cursor.execute(query, params)
-            return [dict(row) for row in cursor.fetchall()]
+        with self.get_conn() as conn:
+            with conn.cursor(cursor_factory=RealDictCursor) as cursor:
+                cursor.execute(query, params)
+                return [dict(row) for row in cursor.fetchall()]
 
     def get_analytics(self, days: int = 30) -> Dict:
         """Get analytics on message usage.
@@ -353,53 +350,52 @@ class DatabaseClient:
         Returns:
             Dictionary with analytics data
         """
-        self.connect()
+        with self.get_conn() as conn:
+            with conn.cursor(cursor_factory=RealDictCursor) as cursor:
+                # Total messages
+                cursor.execute(
+                    """
+                    SELECT COUNT(*) as total_messages
+                    FROM llm_messages
+                    WHERE timestamp >= NOW() - INTERVAL '%s days'
+                    """,
+                    (days,),
+                )
+                total = cursor.fetchone()["total_messages"]
 
-        with self.conn.cursor(cursor_factory=RealDictCursor) as cursor:
-            # Total messages
-            cursor.execute(
-                """
-                SELECT COUNT(*) as total_messages
-                FROM llm_messages
-                WHERE timestamp >= NOW() - INTERVAL '%s days'
-                """,
-                (days,),
-            )
-            total = cursor.fetchone()["total_messages"]
+                # Messages by company
+                cursor.execute(
+                    """
+                    SELECT company_name, COUNT(*) as count
+                    FROM llm_messages
+                    WHERE timestamp >= NOW() - INTERVAL '%s days'
+                    GROUP BY company_name
+                    ORDER BY count DESC
+                    LIMIT 10
+                    """,
+                    (days,),
+                )
+                by_company = cursor.fetchall()
 
-            # Messages by company
-            cursor.execute(
-                """
-                SELECT company_name, COUNT(*) as count
-                FROM llm_messages
-                WHERE timestamp >= NOW() - INTERVAL '%s days'
-                GROUP BY company_name
-                ORDER BY count DESC
-                LIMIT 10
-                """,
-                (days,),
-            )
-            by_company = cursor.fetchall()
+                # Messages by type
+                cursor.execute(
+                    """
+                    SELECT analysis_type, COUNT(*) as count
+                    FROM llm_messages
+                    WHERE timestamp >= NOW() - INTERVAL '%s days'
+                    GROUP BY analysis_type
+                    ORDER BY count DESC
+                    """,
+                    (days,),
+                )
+                by_type = cursor.fetchall()
 
-            # Messages by type
-            cursor.execute(
-                """
-                SELECT analysis_type, COUNT(*) as count
-                FROM llm_messages
-                WHERE timestamp >= NOW() - INTERVAL '%s days'
-                GROUP BY analysis_type
-                ORDER BY count DESC
-                """,
-                (days,),
-            )
-            by_type = cursor.fetchall()
-
-            return {
-                "total_messages": total,
-                "by_company": [dict(row) for row in by_company],
-                "by_type": [dict(row) for row in by_type],
-                "period_days": days,
-            }
+                return {
+                    "total_messages": total,
+                    "by_company": [dict(row) for row in by_company],
+                    "by_type": [dict(row) for row in by_type],
+                    "period_days": days,
+                }
 
     # Patent Cache Methods
 
@@ -650,25 +646,23 @@ class DatabaseClient:
         Returns:
             Created user dict or None if email exists
         """
-        self.connect()
-
         password_hash = self.hash_password(password)
 
         try:
-            with self.conn.cursor(cursor_factory=RealDictCursor) as cursor:
-                cursor.execute(
-                    """
-                    INSERT INTO users (email, password_hash, role)
-                    VALUES (%s, %s, %s)
-                    RETURNING id, email, role, created_at
-                    """,
-                    (email, password_hash, role),
-                )
-                user = cursor.fetchone()
-                self.conn.commit()
+            with self.get_conn() as conn:
+                with conn.cursor(cursor_factory=RealDictCursor) as cursor:
+                    cursor.execute(
+                        """
+                        INSERT INTO users (email, password_hash, role)
+                        VALUES (%s, %s, %s)
+                        RETURNING id, email, role, created_at
+                        """,
+                        (email, password_hash, role),
+                    )
+                    user = cursor.fetchone()
+                conn.commit()
                 return dict(user) if user else None
         except psycopg2.errors.UniqueViolation:
-            self.conn.rollback()
             return None
 
     def authenticate_user(self, email: str, password: str) -> Optional[Dict]:
@@ -681,23 +675,22 @@ class DatabaseClient:
         Returns:
             User dict if authenticated, None otherwise
         """
-        self.connect()
+        with self.get_conn() as conn:
+            with conn.cursor(cursor_factory=RealDictCursor) as cursor:
+                cursor.execute(
+                    "SELECT * FROM users WHERE email = %s",
+                    (email,),
+                )
+                user = cursor.fetchone()
 
-        with self.conn.cursor(cursor_factory=RealDictCursor) as cursor:
-            cursor.execute(
-                "SELECT * FROM users WHERE email = %s",
-                (email,),
-            )
-            user = cursor.fetchone()
-
-            if user and self.verify_password(password, user["password_hash"]):
-                return {
-                    "id": user["id"],
-                    "email": user["email"],
-                    "role": user["role"],
-                    "created_at": user["created_at"],
-                }
-            return None
+                if user and self.verify_password(password, user["password_hash"]):
+                    return {
+                        "id": user["id"],
+                        "email": user["email"],
+                        "role": user["role"],
+                        "created_at": user["created_at"],
+                    }
+                return None
 
     def get_user_by_id(self, user_id: int) -> Optional[Dict]:
         """Get a user by ID.
@@ -708,15 +701,14 @@ class DatabaseClient:
         Returns:
             User dict or None
         """
-        self.connect()
-
-        with self.conn.cursor(cursor_factory=RealDictCursor) as cursor:
-            cursor.execute(
-                "SELECT id, email, role, created_at FROM users WHERE id = %s",
-                (user_id,),
-            )
-            user = cursor.fetchone()
-            return dict(user) if user else None
+        with self.get_conn() as conn:
+            with conn.cursor(cursor_factory=RealDictCursor) as cursor:
+                cursor.execute(
+                    "SELECT id, email, role, created_at FROM users WHERE id = %s",
+                    (user_id,),
+                )
+                user = cursor.fetchone()
+                return dict(user) if user else None
 
     def get_user_by_email(self, email: str) -> Optional[Dict]:
         """Get a user by email.
@@ -727,15 +719,14 @@ class DatabaseClient:
         Returns:
             User dict or None
         """
-        self.connect()
-
-        with self.conn.cursor(cursor_factory=RealDictCursor) as cursor:
-            cursor.execute(
-                "SELECT id, email, role, created_at FROM users WHERE email = %s",
-                (email,),
-            )
-            user = cursor.fetchone()
-            return dict(user) if user else None
+        with self.get_conn() as conn:
+            with conn.cursor(cursor_factory=RealDictCursor) as cursor:
+                cursor.execute(
+                    "SELECT id, email, role, created_at FROM users WHERE email = %s",
+                    (email,),
+                )
+                user = cursor.fetchone()
+                return dict(user) if user else None
 
     def get_all_users(self, limit: int = 100, offset: int = 0) -> List[Dict]:
         """Get all users (admin only).
@@ -747,19 +738,18 @@ class DatabaseClient:
         Returns:
             List of user dicts
         """
-        self.connect()
-
-        with self.conn.cursor(cursor_factory=RealDictCursor) as cursor:
-            cursor.execute(
-                """
-                SELECT id, email, role, created_at
-                FROM users
-                ORDER BY created_at DESC
-                LIMIT %s OFFSET %s
-                """,
-                (limit, offset),
-            )
-            return [dict(row) for row in cursor.fetchall()]
+        with self.get_conn() as conn:
+            with conn.cursor(cursor_factory=RealDictCursor) as cursor:
+                cursor.execute(
+                    """
+                    SELECT id, email, role, created_at
+                    FROM users
+                    ORDER BY created_at DESC
+                    LIMIT %s OFFSET %s
+                    """,
+                    (limit, offset),
+                )
+                return [dict(row) for row in cursor.fetchall()]
 
     def update_user_role(self, user_id: int, role: str) -> Optional[Dict]:
         """Update a user's role (admin only).
@@ -771,20 +761,19 @@ class DatabaseClient:
         Returns:
             Updated user dict or None
         """
-        self.connect()
-
-        with self.conn.cursor(cursor_factory=RealDictCursor) as cursor:
-            cursor.execute(
-                """
-                UPDATE users
-                SET role = %s, updated_at = CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
-                WHERE id = %s
-                RETURNING id, email, role, created_at
-                """,
-                (role, user_id),
-            )
-            user = cursor.fetchone()
-            self.conn.commit()
+        with self.get_conn() as conn:
+            with conn.cursor(cursor_factory=RealDictCursor) as cursor:
+                cursor.execute(
+                    """
+                    UPDATE users
+                    SET role = %s, updated_at = CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
+                    WHERE id = %s
+                    RETURNING id, email, role, created_at
+                    """,
+                    (role, user_id),
+                )
+                user = cursor.fetchone()
+            conn.commit()
             return dict(user) if user else None
 
     def delete_user(self, user_id: int) -> bool:
@@ -796,12 +785,11 @@ class DatabaseClient:
         Returns:
             True if deleted
         """
-        self.connect()
-
-        with self.conn.cursor() as cursor:
-            cursor.execute("DELETE FROM users WHERE id = %s", (user_id,))
-            deleted = cursor.rowcount > 0
-            self.conn.commit()
+        with self.get_conn() as conn:
+            with conn.cursor() as cursor:
+                cursor.execute("DELETE FROM users WHERE id = %s", (user_id,))
+                deleted = cursor.rowcount > 0
+            conn.commit()
             return deleted
 
     def get_user_count(self) -> int:
@@ -810,8 +798,7 @@ class DatabaseClient:
         Returns:
             Number of users
         """
-        self.connect()
-
-        with self.conn.cursor() as cursor:
-            cursor.execute("SELECT COUNT(*) FROM users")
-            return cursor.fetchone()[0]
+        with self.get_conn() as conn:
+            with conn.cursor() as cursor:
+                cursor.execute("SELECT COUNT(*) FROM users")
+                return cursor.fetchone()[0]

docker-compose.yml

@@ -3,15 +3,15 @@ services:
     image: postgres:16-alpine
     container_name: sparc-postgres
     environment:
-      POSTGRES_USER: postgres
-      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: postgres
-      POSTGRES_DB: sparc
+      POSTGRES_USER: ${POSTGRES_USER}
+      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: ${POSTGRES_PASSWORD}
+      POSTGRES_DB: ${POSTGRES_DB}
     ports:
       - "5432:5432"
     volumes:
       - postgres_data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
     healthcheck:
-      test: ["CMD-SHELL", "pg_isready -U postgres"]
+      test: ["CMD-SHELL", "pg_isready -U ${POSTGRES_USER}"]
       interval: 5s
       timeout: 5s
       retries: 5
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ services:
     container_name: sparc-init-db
     command: python scripts/init_database.py
     environment:
-      DATABASE_URL: postgresql://postgres:postgres@postgres:5432/sparc
+      DATABASE_URL: postgresql://${POSTGRES_USER}:${POSTGRES_PASSWORD}@postgres:5432/${POSTGRES_DB}
     depends_on:
       postgres:
         condition: service_healthy
@@ -35,9 +35,11 @@ services:
     environment:
       API_KEY: ${API_KEY}
       OPENROUTER_API_KEY: ${OPENROUTER_API_KEY}
-      DATABASE_URL: postgresql://postgres:postgres@postgres:5432/sparc
+      DATABASE_URL: postgresql://${POSTGRES_USER}:${POSTGRES_PASSWORD}@postgres:5432/${POSTGRES_DB}
       USE_CACHE: "true"
       JWT_SECRET: ${JWT_SECRET:-sparc-secret-key-change-in-production}
+      CORS_ORIGINS: ${CORS_ORIGINS:-}
+      APP_ENV: ${APP_ENV:-development}
       ROOT_PATH: /api
     ports:
       - "8000:8000"

requirements.txt

@@ -14,3 +14,4 @@ numpy
 pandas
 bcrypt
 PyJWT
+slowapi

tests/test_auth.py

@@ -0,0 +1,302 @@
+"""Tests for JWT authentication flow: register, login, protected routes, refresh, admin access."""
+
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
+
+import pytest
+from fastapi.testclient import TestClient
+
+from SPARC.api import app
+from SPARC.auth import create_access_token, create_refresh_token
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def client():
+    """Create test client."""
+    return TestClient(app)
+
+
+@pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
+def mock_db(monkeypatch):
+    """Mock the database client used by auth endpoints.
+
+    Returns a MagicMock with all DB methods pre-configured.
+    """
+    db = MagicMock()
+
+    # Default: no users exist
+    db.get_user_count.return_value = 0
+    db.get_user_by_id.return_value = None
+    db.get_user_by_email.return_value = None
+    db.authenticate_user.return_value = None
+    db.create_user.return_value = None
+    db.get_all_users.return_value = []
+    db.update_user_role.return_value = None
+    db.delete_user.return_value = False
+
+    with patch("SPARC.api.get_db_client", return_value=db), \
+         patch("SPARC.auth.get_db_client", return_value=db):
+        yield db
+
+
+def _make_admin_user():
+    return {
+        "id": 1,
+        "email": "admin@test.com",
+        "role": "admin",
+        "created_at": datetime(2025, 1, 1, tzinfo=timezone.utc),
+    }
+
+
+def _make_regular_user():
+    return {
+        "id": 2,
+        "email": "user@test.com",
+        "role": "user",
+        "created_at": datetime(2025, 1, 1, tzinfo=timezone.utc),
+    }
+
+
+def _auth_header(user_dict):
+    """Create an Authorization header with a valid access token for the given user."""
+    token = create_access_token(user_dict["id"], user_dict["email"], user_dict["role"])
+    return {"Authorization": f"Bearer {token}"}
+
+
+class TestRegister:
+    """POST /auth/register"""
+
+    def test_register_first_user_becomes_admin(self, client, mock_db):
+        """First registered user should get admin role."""
+        mock_db.get_user_count.return_value = 0
+        mock_db.create_user.return_value = {
+            "id": 1,
+            "email": "admin@test.com",
+            "role": "admin",
+            "created_at": datetime(2025, 1, 1, tzinfo=timezone.utc),
+        }
+
+        response = client.post(
+            "/auth/register",
+            json={"email": "admin@test.com", "password": "securepass123"},
+        )
+
+        assert response.status_code == 200
+        data = response.json()
+        assert data["email"] == "admin@test.com"
+        assert data["role"] == "admin"
+        mock_db.create_user.assert_called_once_with(
+            email="admin@test.com", password="securepass123", role="admin"
+        )
+
+    def test_register_subsequent_user_gets_user_role(self, client, mock_db):
+        """Non-first user should get regular user role."""
+        mock_db.get_user_count.return_value = 1
+        mock_db.create_user.return_value = _make_regular_user()
+
+        response = client.post(
+            "/auth/register",
+            json={"email": "user@test.com", "password": "securepass123"},
+        )
+
+        assert response.status_code == 200
+        data = response.json()
+        assert data["role"] == "user"
+
+    def test_register_duplicate_email_returns_400(self, client, mock_db):
+        """Registering with an existing email should return 400."""
+        mock_db.get_user_count.return_value = 1
+        mock_db.create_user.return_value = None  # indicates duplicate
+
+        response = client.post(
+            "/auth/register",
+            json={"email": "existing@test.com", "password": "securepass123"},
+        )
+
+        assert response.status_code == 400
+        assert "already registered" in response.json()["detail"].lower()
+
+
+class TestLogin:
+    """POST /auth/login"""
+
+    def test_login_valid_credentials_returns_tokens(self, client, mock_db):
+        """Valid credentials should return access and refresh tokens."""
+        user = _make_regular_user()
+        mock_db.authenticate_user.return_value = user
+
+        response = client.post(
+            "/auth/login",
+            json={"email": "user@test.com", "password": "correctpassword"},
+        )
+
+        assert response.status_code == 200
+        data = response.json()
+        assert "access_token" in data
+        assert "refresh_token" in data
+        assert data["token_type"] == "bearer"
+
+    def test_login_invalid_credentials_returns_401(self, client, mock_db):
+        """Invalid credentials should return 401."""
+        mock_db.authenticate_user.return_value = None
+
+        response = client.post(
+            "/auth/login",
+            json={"email": "user@test.com", "password": "wrongpassword"},
+        )
+
+        assert response.status_code == 401
+        assert "invalid" in response.json()["detail"].lower()
+
+
+class TestGetMe:
+    """GET /auth/me"""
+
+    def test_valid_access_token_returns_user(self, client, mock_db):
+        """A valid access token should return the user's data."""
+        user = _make_regular_user()
+        mock_db.get_user_by_id.return_value = user
+
+        response = client.get("/auth/me", headers=_auth_header(user))
+
+        assert response.status_code == 200
+        data = response.json()
+        assert data["email"] == "user@test.com"
+        assert data["id"] == 2
+
+    def test_missing_token_returns_401(self, client):
+        """No token should return 401 (403 from HTTPBearer)."""
+        response = client.get("/auth/me")
+        assert response.status_code in (401, 403)
+
+    def test_expired_token_returns_401(self, client, mock_db):
+        """An expired token should return 401."""
+        # Create a token that has already expired
+        from datetime import timedelta
+
+        import jwt as pyjwt
+        from SPARC.auth import JWT_ALGORITHM, JWT_SECRET
+
+        payload = {
+            "sub": "1",
+            "email": "user@test.com",
+            "role": "user",
+            "exp": datetime.now(timezone.utc) - timedelta(hours=1),
+            "type": "access",
+        }
+        expired_token = pyjwt.encode(payload, JWT_SECRET, algorithm=JWT_ALGORITHM)
+
+        response = client.get(
+            "/auth/me", headers={"Authorization": f"Bearer {expired_token}"}
+        )
+        assert response.status_code == 401
+
+    def test_refresh_token_as_access_returns_401(self, client, mock_db):
+        """Using a refresh token as an access token should return 401."""
+        user = _make_regular_user()
+        refresh_token = create_refresh_token(user["id"], user["email"], user["role"])
+
+        response = client.get(
+            "/auth/me", headers={"Authorization": f"Bearer {refresh_token}"}
+        )
+        assert response.status_code == 401
+
+
+class TestRefreshToken:
+    """POST /auth/refresh"""
+
+    def test_valid_refresh_token_returns_new_tokens(self, client, mock_db):
+        """A valid refresh token should issue new access and refresh tokens."""
+        user = _make_regular_user()
+        mock_db.get_user_by_id.return_value = user
+        refresh = create_refresh_token(user["id"], user["email"], user["role"])
+
+        response = client.post(
+            "/auth/refresh", json={"refresh_token": refresh}
+        )
+
+        assert response.status_code == 200
+        data = response.json()
+        assert "access_token" in data
+        assert "refresh_token" in data
+
+    def test_invalid_refresh_token_returns_401(self, client, mock_db):
+        """An invalid refresh token should return 401."""
+        response = client.post(
+            "/auth/refresh", json={"refresh_token": "invalid-token-string"}
+        )
+        assert response.status_code == 401
+
+    def test_access_token_as_refresh_returns_401(self, client, mock_db):
+        """Using an access token as a refresh token should return 401."""
+        user = _make_regular_user()
+        access = create_access_token(user["id"], user["email"], user["role"])
+
+        response = client.post(
+            "/auth/refresh", json={"refresh_token": access}
+        )
+        assert response.status_code == 401
+
+
+class TestAdminUsers:
+    """GET /admin/users and PATCH /admin/users/{id}/role"""
+
+    def test_admin_can_list_users(self, client, mock_db):
+        """Admin token should allow listing users."""
+        admin = _make_admin_user()
+        mock_db.get_user_by_id.return_value = admin
+        mock_db.get_all_users.return_value = [admin, _make_regular_user()]
+
+        response = client.get("/admin/users", headers=_auth_header(admin))
+
+        assert response.status_code == 200
+        data = response.json()
+        assert len(data) == 2
+
+    def test_regular_user_cannot_list_users(self, client, mock_db):
+        """Regular user token should be rejected with 403."""
+        user = _make_regular_user()
+        mock_db.get_user_by_id.return_value = user
+
+        response = client.get("/admin/users", headers=_auth_header(user))
+
+        assert response.status_code == 403
+
+    def test_no_token_cannot_list_users(self, client):
+        """No token should be rejected."""
+        response = client.get("/admin/users")
+        assert response.status_code in (401, 403)
+
+    def test_admin_can_change_user_role(self, client, mock_db):
+        """Admin should be able to change another user's role."""
+        admin = _make_admin_user()
+        mock_db.get_user_by_id.return_value = admin
+        mock_db.update_user_role.return_value = {
+            "id": 2,
+            "email": "user@test.com",
+            "role": "admin",
+            "created_at": datetime(2025, 1, 1, tzinfo=timezone.utc),
+        }
+
+        response = client.patch(
+            "/admin/users/2/role",
+            json={"role": "admin"},
+            headers=_auth_header(admin),
+        )
+
+        assert response.status_code == 200
+        assert response.json()["role"] == "admin"
+
+    def test_admin_cannot_change_own_role(self, client, mock_db):
+        """Admin should not be able to change their own role."""
+        admin = _make_admin_user()
+        mock_db.get_user_by_id.return_value = admin
+
+        response = client.patch(
+            "/admin/users/1/role",
+            json={"role": "user"},
+            headers=_auth_header(admin),
+        )
+
+        assert response.status_code == 400
+        assert "own role" in response.json()["detail"].lower()

tests/test_rate_limit.py

@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+"""Tests for rate limiting on auth endpoints."""
+
+import pytest
+from unittest.mock import Mock, patch, MagicMock
+from fastapi.testclient import TestClient
+
+from SPARC.api import app
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def client():
+    """Create test client with rate limiter enabled."""
+    return TestClient(app)
+
+
+@pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
+def reset_limiter():
+    """Reset rate limiter storage between tests."""
+    from SPARC.api import limiter
+    limiter.reset()
+    yield
+
+
+class TestRateLimiting:
+    """Test rate limiting on login and register endpoints."""
+
+    @patch("SPARC.api.get_db_client")
+    def test_login_allows_requests_under_limit(self, mock_db_client, client):
+        """Login endpoint allows requests under the rate limit."""
+        mock_db = MagicMock()
+        mock_db.authenticate_user.return_value = None
+        mock_db_client.return_value = mock_db
+
+        # Should allow at least a few requests
+        for _ in range(5):
+            response = client.post(
+                "/auth/login",
+                json={"email": "test@example.com", "password": "password123"},
+            )
+            # 401 is expected (invalid credentials), not 429
+            assert response.status_code == 401
+
+    @patch("SPARC.api.get_db_client")
+    def test_login_rate_limited_after_threshold(self, mock_db_client, client):
+        """Login endpoint returns 429 after exceeding rate limit."""
+        mock_db = MagicMock()
+        mock_db.authenticate_user.return_value = None
+        mock_db_client.return_value = mock_db
+
+        # Send more than the limit (10/minute)
+        statuses = []
+        for _ in range(15):
+            response = client.post(
+                "/auth/login",
+                json={"email": "test@example.com", "password": "password123"},
+            )
+            statuses.append(response.status_code)
+
+        # At least one should be 429
+        assert 429 in statuses, f"Expected 429 in statuses but got: {set(statuses)}"
+
+    @patch("SPARC.api.get_db_client")
+    def test_register_rate_limited_after_threshold(self, mock_db_client, client):
+        """Register endpoint returns 429 after exceeding rate limit."""
+        mock_db = MagicMock()
+        mock_db.get_user_count.return_value = 1
+        mock_db.create_user.return_value = None  # triggers 400 (email exists)
+        mock_db_client.return_value = mock_db
+
+        # Send more than the limit (5/minute)
+        statuses = []
+        for _ in range(10):
+            response = client.post(
+                "/auth/register",
+                json={"email": "test@example.com", "password": "password123"},
+            )
+            statuses.append(response.status_code)
+
+        # At least one should be 429
+        assert 429 in statuses, f"Expected 429 in statuses but got: {set(statuses)}"
+
+    @patch("SPARC.api.get_db_client")
+    def test_rate_limit_returns_retry_after_header(self, mock_db_client, client):
+        """Rate limited responses include a Retry-After header."""
+        mock_db = MagicMock()
+        mock_db.authenticate_user.return_value = None
+        mock_db_client.return_value = mock_db
+
+        # Exhaust the limit
+        for _ in range(15):
+            response = client.post(
+                "/auth/login",
+                json={"email": "test@example.com", "password": "password123"},
+            )
+            if response.status_code == 429:
+                assert "Retry-After" in response.headers
+                break

tests/test_security.py

@@ -0,0 +1,116 @@
+"""Tests for security hardening: JWT secret startup check, CORS config, credential handling."""
+
+import os
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+import pytest
+
+
+class TestJWTSecretStartupCheck:
+    """Test the startup guard that refuses default JWT secret in non-dev environments."""
+
+    def test_default_secret_in_production_raises(self):
+        """Starting with default secret and APP_ENV=production must raise RuntimeError."""
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, {"APP_ENV": "production"}):
+            # Reload config to pick up the new APP_ENV
+            import importlib
+            import SPARC.config
+            importlib.reload(SPARC.config)
+
+            from SPARC.auth import _DEFAULT_JWT_SECRET, check_jwt_secret
+            # Patch JWT_SECRET to the default
+            with patch("SPARC.auth.JWT_SECRET", _DEFAULT_JWT_SECRET):
+                with pytest.raises(RuntimeError, match="FATAL.*JWT_SECRET"):
+                    check_jwt_secret()
+
+            # Restore config
+            with patch.dict(os.environ, {"APP_ENV": "development"}):
+                importlib.reload(SPARC.config)
+
+    def test_default_secret_in_development_succeeds(self):
+        """Starting with default secret and APP_ENV=development must not raise."""
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, {"APP_ENV": "development"}):
+            import importlib
+            import SPARC.config
+            importlib.reload(SPARC.config)
+
+            from SPARC.auth import _DEFAULT_JWT_SECRET, check_jwt_secret
+            with patch("SPARC.auth.JWT_SECRET", _DEFAULT_JWT_SECRET):
+                # Should not raise
+                check_jwt_secret()
+
+            # Restore
+            importlib.reload(SPARC.config)
+
+    def test_custom_secret_in_production_succeeds(self):
+        """Starting with a custom secret in production must not raise."""
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, {"APP_ENV": "production"}):
+            import importlib
+            import SPARC.config
+            importlib.reload(SPARC.config)
+
+            from SPARC.auth import check_jwt_secret
+            with patch("SPARC.auth.JWT_SECRET", "my-secure-random-secret-abc123"):
+                # Should not raise
+                check_jwt_secret()
+
+            with patch.dict(os.environ, {"APP_ENV": "development"}):
+                importlib.reload(SPARC.config)
+
+    def test_default_secret_unset_env_succeeds(self):
+        """When APP_ENV is unset (defaults to development), default secret is allowed."""
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, {}, clear=False):
+            # Remove APP_ENV if present
+            env = os.environ.copy()
+            env.pop("APP_ENV", None)
+            with patch.dict(os.environ, env, clear=True):
+                import importlib
+                import SPARC.config
+                importlib.reload(SPARC.config)
+
+                from SPARC.auth import _DEFAULT_JWT_SECRET, check_jwt_secret
+                with patch("SPARC.auth.JWT_SECRET", _DEFAULT_JWT_SECRET):
+                    # Should not raise (defaults to development)
+                    check_jwt_secret()
+
+                with patch.dict(os.environ, {"APP_ENV": "development"}):
+                    importlib.reload(SPARC.config)
+
+
+class TestCORSConfig:
+    """Test that CORS origins are configurable via environment variable."""
+
+    def test_default_cors_origins(self):
+        """When CORS_ORIGINS is unset, defaults to localhost origins."""
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, {"CORS_ORIGINS": ""}):
+            import importlib
+            import SPARC.config
+            importlib.reload(SPARC.config)
+            assert SPARC.config.cors_origins == [
+                "http://localhost:3000",
+                "http://localhost:5173",
+            ]
+
+    def test_custom_cors_origins(self):
+        """Setting CORS_ORIGINS configures allowed origins."""
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, {"CORS_ORIGINS": "https://sparc.example.com,https://app.example.com"}):
+            import importlib
+            import SPARC.config
+            importlib.reload(SPARC.config)
+            assert SPARC.config.cors_origins == [
+                "https://sparc.example.com",
+                "https://app.example.com",
+            ]
+            # Restore
+            with patch.dict(os.environ, {"CORS_ORIGINS": ""}):
+                importlib.reload(SPARC.config)
+
+    def test_single_cors_origin(self):
+        """A single origin without comma works correctly."""
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, {"CORS_ORIGINS": "https://sparc.example.com"}):
+            import importlib
+            import SPARC.config
+            importlib.reload(SPARC.config)
+            assert SPARC.config.cors_origins == ["https://sparc.example.com"]
+            with patch.dict(os.environ, {"CORS_ORIGINS": ""}):
+                importlib.reload(SPARC.config)