diff --git a/admin/src/components/FeatureGate.tsx b/admin/src/components/FeatureGate.tsx
index 3e94d14f..4364cdbe 100644
--- a/admin/src/components/FeatureGate.tsx
+++ b/admin/src/components/FeatureGate.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import type { ReactNode } from 'react';
-import { Result, Button } from 'antd';
+import { Result, Button, Skeleton } from 'antd';
 import { useNavigate } from 'react-router-dom';
 import { SettingOutlined } from '@ant-design/icons';
 import { useSettingsStore } from '@/stores/settings.store';
@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@ export default function FeatureGate({ feature, children }: FeatureGateProps) {
   const isSuperAdmin = hasAnyRole(user, ['SUPER_ADMIN']);
   const featureName = FEATURE_LABELS[feature] || feature;
 
-  // While loading or if settings haven't arrived yet, render children (optimistic)
-  if (loading || !settings) return <>{children}</>;
+  // Show skeleton while settings are loading to prevent briefly showing disabled features
+  if (loading || !settings) return <Skeleton active style={{ padding: 24 }} />;
 
   if (settings[feature] === false) {
     return (
diff --git a/admin/src/components/media/AlbumCard.tsx b/admin/src/components/media/AlbumCard.tsx
index d49dc774..e844e787 100644
--- a/admin/src/components/media/AlbumCard.tsx
+++ b/admin/src/components/media/AlbumCard.tsx
@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@ import type { PhotoAlbum } from '@/types/media';
 
 /** Append JWT access token as query param for <img> src URLs */
 function getAuthenticatedUrl(url: string): string {
-  const { getTokens } = getAuthCallbacks();
-  const { accessToken } = getTokens();
+  const { getAccessToken } = getAuthCallbacks();
+  const accessToken = getAccessToken();
   if (!accessToken) return url;
   const separator = url.includes('?') ? '&' : '?';
   return `${url}${separator}token=${accessToken}`;
diff --git a/admin/src/components/media/AlbumDetailDrawer.tsx b/admin/src/components/media/AlbumDetailDrawer.tsx
index 6d8a4540..a8fda4ff 100644
--- a/admin/src/components/media/AlbumDetailDrawer.tsx
+++ b/admin/src/components/media/AlbumDetailDrawer.tsx
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ import type { PhotoAlbum, PhotoAlbumItem } from '@/types/media';
 
 /** Append JWT access token as query param for <img> src URLs */
 function getAuthenticatedUrl(url: string): string {
-  const { getTokens } = getAuthCallbacks();
-  const { accessToken } = getTokens();
+  const { getAccessToken } = getAuthCallbacks();
+  const accessToken = getAccessToken();
   if (!accessToken) return url;
   const separator = url.includes('?') ? '&' : '?';
   return `${url}${separator}token=${accessToken}`;
diff --git a/admin/src/components/media/PhotoCard.tsx b/admin/src/components/media/PhotoCard.tsx
index 48aaac20..c1d14a92 100644
--- a/admin/src/components/media/PhotoCard.tsx
+++ b/admin/src/components/media/PhotoCard.tsx
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ import type { Photo } from '@/types/media';
 
 /** Append JWT access token as query param for <img> src URLs */
 function getAuthenticatedUrl(url: string): string {
-  const { getTokens } = getAuthCallbacks();
-  const { accessToken } = getTokens();
+  const { getAccessToken } = getAuthCallbacks();
+  const accessToken = getAccessToken();
   if (!accessToken) return url;
   const separator = url.includes('?') ? '&' : '?';
   return `${url}${separator}token=${accessToken}`;
diff --git a/admin/src/components/media/PhotoViewerModal.tsx b/admin/src/components/media/PhotoViewerModal.tsx
index 04188293..1eaad448 100644
--- a/admin/src/components/media/PhotoViewerModal.tsx
+++ b/admin/src/components/media/PhotoViewerModal.tsx
@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@ import type { Photo } from '@/types/media';
 
 /** Append JWT access token as query param for <img> src URLs */
 function getAuthenticatedUrl(url: string): string {
-  const { getTokens } = getAuthCallbacks();
-  const { accessToken } = getTokens();
+  const { getAccessToken } = getAuthCallbacks();
+  const accessToken = getAccessToken();
   if (!accessToken) return url;
   const separator = url.includes('?') ? '&' : '?';
   return `${url}${separator}token=${accessToken}`;
diff --git a/admin/src/components/media/VideoCard.tsx b/admin/src/components/media/VideoCard.tsx
index 4617169e..1e8ad536 100644
--- a/admin/src/components/media/VideoCard.tsx
+++ b/admin/src/components/media/VideoCard.tsx
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@ import ScheduleBadge from './ScheduleBadge';
 
 /** Append JWT access token as query param for <img>/<video> src URLs */
 function getAuthenticatedUrl(url: string): string {
-  const { getTokens } = getAuthCallbacks();
-  const { accessToken } = getTokens();
+  const { getAccessToken } = getAuthCallbacks();
+  const accessToken = getAccessToken();
   if (!accessToken) return url;
   const separator = url.includes('?') ? '&' : '?';
   return `${url}${separator}token=${accessToken}`;
diff --git a/admin/src/components/media/VideoPlayer.tsx b/admin/src/components/media/VideoPlayer.tsx
index 7aac7845..e6987a9e 100644
--- a/admin/src/components/media/VideoPlayer.tsx
+++ b/admin/src/components/media/VideoPlayer.tsx
@@ -124,8 +124,8 @@ export const VideoPlayer = forwardRef<VideoPlayerRef, VideoPlayerProps>(({
 
   const appendToken = (url: string): string => {
     if (!isAdmin) return url;
-    const { getTokens } = getAuthCallbacks();
-    const { accessToken } = getTokens();
+    const { getAccessToken } = getAuthCallbacks();
+    const accessToken = getAccessToken();
     if (!accessToken) return url;
     const sep = url.includes('?') ? '&' : '?';
     return `${url}${sep}token=${accessToken}`;
@@ -139,8 +139,8 @@ export const VideoPlayer = forwardRef<VideoPlayerRef, VideoPlayerProps>(({
       // Use relative URL to go through nginx proxy
       const headers: Record<string, string> = {};
       if (isAdmin) {
-        const { getTokens } = getAuthCallbacks();
-        const { accessToken } = getTokens();
+        const { getAccessToken } = getAuthCallbacks();
+        const accessToken = getAccessToken();
         if (accessToken) {
           headers['Authorization'] = `Bearer ${accessToken}`;
         }
diff --git a/admin/src/components/media/VideoViewerModal.tsx b/admin/src/components/media/VideoViewerModal.tsx
index d8dc03b9..9a9eeff9 100644
--- a/admin/src/components/media/VideoViewerModal.tsx
+++ b/admin/src/components/media/VideoViewerModal.tsx
@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ import { getAuthCallbacks } from '@/lib/api';
 
 /** Append JWT access token as query param for <video> src URLs */
 function getAuthenticatedUrl(url: string): string {
-  const { getTokens } = getAuthCallbacks();
-  const { accessToken } = getTokens();
+  const { getAccessToken } = getAuthCallbacks();
+  const accessToken = getAccessToken();
   if (!accessToken) return url;
   const separator = url.includes('?') ? '&' : '?';
   return `${url}${separator}token=${accessToken}`;
diff --git a/admin/src/lib/api.ts b/admin/src/lib/api.ts
index 8870a556..f27c5a6b 100644
--- a/admin/src/lib/api.ts
+++ b/admin/src/lib/api.ts
@@ -3,32 +3,32 @@ import type { AuthResponse } from '@/types/api';
 
 export const api = axios.create({
   baseURL: '/api',
+  withCredentials: true, // Send httpOnly cookies with all requests
 });
 
 // Token accessor — set by auth store on init to break circular dependency
-let getTokens: () => { accessToken: string | null; refreshToken: string | null } =
-  () => ({ accessToken: null, refreshToken: null });
-let onTokenRefresh: (accessToken: string, refreshToken: string) => void = () => {};
+let getAccessToken: () => string | null = () => null;
+let onTokenRefresh: (accessToken: string) => void = () => {};
 let onAuthFailure: () => void = () => {};
 
 export function registerAuthCallbacks(callbacks: {
-  getTokens: typeof getTokens;
+  getAccessToken: typeof getAccessToken;
   onTokenRefresh: typeof onTokenRefresh;
   onAuthFailure: typeof onAuthFailure;
 }) {
-  getTokens = callbacks.getTokens;
+  getAccessToken = callbacks.getAccessToken;
   onTokenRefresh = callbacks.onTokenRefresh;
   onAuthFailure = callbacks.onAuthFailure;
 }
 
 // Helper to get current callbacks (for use in other API clients)
 export function getAuthCallbacks() {
-  return { getTokens, onTokenRefresh, onAuthFailure };
+  return { getAccessToken, onTokenRefresh, onAuthFailure };
 }
 
 // Request interceptor: attach access token
 api.interceptors.request.use((config) => {
-  const { accessToken } = getTokens();
+  const accessToken = getAccessToken();
   if (accessToken) {
     config.headers.Authorization = `Bearer ${accessToken}`;
   }
@@ -51,16 +51,11 @@ api.interceptors.response.use(
     ) {
       originalRequest._retry = true;
 
-      const { refreshToken } = getTokens();
-      if (!refreshToken) {
-        onAuthFailure();
-        return Promise.reject(error);
-      }
-
       try {
         if (!refreshPromise) {
+          // Refresh token sent automatically as httpOnly cookie
           refreshPromise = api
-            .post<AuthResponse>('/auth/refresh', { refreshToken })
+            .post<AuthResponse>('/auth/refresh')
             .then((res) => res.data)
             .finally(() => {
               refreshPromise = null;
@@ -68,7 +63,7 @@ api.interceptors.response.use(
         }
 
         const data = await refreshPromise;
-        onTokenRefresh(data.accessToken!, data.refreshToken!);
+        onTokenRefresh(data.accessToken!);
 
         originalRequest.headers.Authorization = `Bearer ${data.accessToken}`;
         return api(originalRequest);
diff --git a/admin/src/lib/media-api.ts b/admin/src/lib/media-api.ts
index 6c0c2b15..e6dc7fa3 100644
--- a/admin/src/lib/media-api.ts
+++ b/admin/src/lib/media-api.ts
@@ -8,13 +8,14 @@ export const mediaApi = axios.create({
   headers: {
     'Content-Type': 'application/json',
   },
+  withCredentials: true, // Send httpOnly cookies with requests
 });
 
 // Request interceptor: attach Bearer token from auth store
 mediaApi.interceptors.request.use(
   (config) => {
     const callbacks = getAuthCallbacks();
-    const { accessToken } = callbacks.getTokens();
+    const accessToken = callbacks.getAccessToken();
     if (accessToken) {
       config.headers.Authorization = `Bearer ${accessToken}`;
     }
@@ -41,22 +42,15 @@ mediaApi.interceptors.response.use(
       originalRequest._retry = true;
 
       const callbacks = getAuthCallbacks();
-      const { refreshToken } = callbacks.getTokens();
-
-      // No refresh token available - fail immediately
-      if (!refreshToken) {
-        callbacks.onAuthFailure();
-        return Promise.reject(error);
-      }
 
       try {
         // Use shared refresh promise to prevent concurrent refreshes
         if (!mediaRefreshPromise) {
-          // Import main API client dynamically to avoid circular dependency
+          // Refresh token sent automatically as httpOnly cookie
           const { api } = await import('./api');
 
           mediaRefreshPromise = api
-            .post<AuthResponse>('/auth/refresh', { refreshToken })
+            .post<AuthResponse>('/auth/refresh')
             .then((res) => res.data)
             .finally(() => {
               mediaRefreshPromise = null;
@@ -65,8 +59,8 @@ mediaApi.interceptors.response.use(
 
         const data = await mediaRefreshPromise;
 
-        // Update tokens in auth store via callback
-        callbacks.onTokenRefresh(data.accessToken!, data.refreshToken!);
+        // Update access token in auth store via callback
+        callbacks.onTokenRefresh(data.accessToken!);
 
         // Retry original request with new token
         originalRequest.headers.Authorization = `Bearer ${data.accessToken}`;
diff --git a/admin/src/lib/media-public-api.ts b/admin/src/lib/media-public-api.ts
index 0f5b11bc..7420c5a3 100644
--- a/admin/src/lib/media-public-api.ts
+++ b/admin/src/lib/media-public-api.ts
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ mediaPublicApi.interceptors.request.use(
 
     // Optionally attach Bearer token if user is logged in
     const callbacks = getAuthCallbacks();
-    const { accessToken } = callbacks.getTokens();
+    const accessToken = callbacks.getAccessToken();
     if (accessToken) {
       config.headers.Authorization = `Bearer ${accessToken}`;
     }
diff --git a/admin/src/pages/public/QuickJoinPage.tsx b/admin/src/pages/public/QuickJoinPage.tsx
index 8d5896d7..acbae113 100644
--- a/admin/src/pages/public/QuickJoinPage.tsx
+++ b/admin/src/pages/public/QuickJoinPage.tsx
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ const { Title, Text } = Typography;
 export default function QuickJoinPage() {
   const [searchParams] = useSearchParams();
   const navigate = useNavigate();
-  const { setTokens, fetchMe } = useAuthStore();
+  const { setAccessToken, fetchMe } = useAuthStore();
   const { settings } = useSettingsStore();
   const screens = Grid.useBreakpoint();
   const isMobile = !screens.md;
@@ -35,8 +35,8 @@ export default function QuickJoinPage() {
         phone: values.phone || undefined,
       });
 
-      // Store tokens and fetch user profile
-      setTokens(data.accessToken, data.refreshToken);
+      // Store access token and fetch user profile (refresh token set as httpOnly cookie by server)
+      setAccessToken(data.accessToken);
       await fetchMe();
 
       // Redirect to volunteer map with cut/shift context
diff --git a/admin/src/stores/auth.store.ts b/admin/src/stores/auth.store.ts
index dd04d45d..83e9a45f 100644
--- a/admin/src/stores/auth.store.ts
+++ b/admin/src/stores/auth.store.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ import type { User, AuthResponse } from '@/types/api';
 interface AuthState {
   user: User | null;
   accessToken: string | null;
-  refreshToken: string | null;
   isAuthenticated: boolean;
   isLoading: boolean;
   error: string | null;
@@ -21,7 +20,7 @@ interface AuthActions {
   refresh: () => Promise<void>;
   fetchMe: () => Promise<void>;
   hydrate: () => Promise<void>;
-  setTokens: (accessToken: string, refreshToken: string) => void;
+  setAccessToken: (accessToken: string) => void;
   clearAuth: () => void;
   clearError: () => void;
 }
@@ -31,7 +30,6 @@ export const useAuthStore = create<AuthState & AuthActions>()(
     (set, get) => ({
       user: null,
       accessToken: null,
-      refreshToken: null,
       isAuthenticated: false,
       isLoading: true,
       error: null,
@@ -41,6 +39,7 @@ export const useAuthStore = create<AuthState & AuthActions>()(
       login: async (email: string, password: string) => {
         set({ error: null, errorCode: null, isLoading: true, registrationMessage: null });
         try {
+          // Refresh token is set as httpOnly cookie by the server (not in response body)
           const { data } = await api.post<AuthResponse>('/auth/login', {
             email,
             password,
@@ -48,7 +47,6 @@ export const useAuthStore = create<AuthState & AuthActions>()(
           set({
             user: data.user,
             accessToken: data.accessToken || null,
-            refreshToken: data.refreshToken || null,
             isAuthenticated: true,
             isLoading: false,
           });
@@ -83,7 +81,6 @@ export const useAuthStore = create<AuthState & AuthActions>()(
           set({
             user: data.user,
             accessToken: data.accessToken || null,
-            refreshToken: data.refreshToken || null,
             isAuthenticated: true,
             isLoading: false,
           });
@@ -98,11 +95,9 @@ export const useAuthStore = create<AuthState & AuthActions>()(
       },
 
       logout: async () => {
-        const { refreshToken } = get();
         try {
-          if (refreshToken) {
-            await api.post('/auth/logout', { refreshToken });
-          }
+          // Refresh token sent automatically as httpOnly cookie
+          await api.post('/auth/logout');
         } catch {
           // Ignore logout errors
         }
@@ -110,19 +105,12 @@ export const useAuthStore = create<AuthState & AuthActions>()(
       },
 
       refresh: async () => {
-        const { refreshToken } = get();
-        if (!refreshToken) {
-          get().clearAuth();
-          return;
-        }
         try {
-          const { data } = await api.post<AuthResponse>('/auth/refresh', {
-            refreshToken,
-          });
+          // Refresh token sent automatically as httpOnly cookie
+          const { data } = await api.post<AuthResponse>('/auth/refresh');
           set({
             user: data.user,
             accessToken: data.accessToken || null,
-            refreshToken: data.refreshToken || null,
             isAuthenticated: true,
           });
         } catch {
@@ -157,15 +145,14 @@ export const useAuthStore = create<AuthState & AuthActions>()(
         }
       },
 
-      setTokens: (accessToken: string, refreshToken: string) => {
-        set({ accessToken, refreshToken });
+      setAccessToken: (accessToken: string) => {
+        set({ accessToken });
       },
 
       clearAuth: () => {
         set({
           user: null,
           accessToken: null,
-          refreshToken: null,
           isAuthenticated: false,
           isLoading: false,
           error: null,
@@ -182,7 +169,6 @@ export const useAuthStore = create<AuthState & AuthActions>()(
       name: 'cml-auth',
       partialize: (state) => ({
         accessToken: state.accessToken,
-        refreshToken: state.refreshToken,
       }),
     }
   )
@@ -190,15 +176,9 @@ export const useAuthStore = create<AuthState & AuthActions>()(
 
 // Register callbacks for the API interceptor (breaks circular dependency)
 registerAuthCallbacks({
-  getTokens: () => {
-    const state = useAuthStore.getState();
-    return {
-      accessToken: state.accessToken,
-      refreshToken: state.refreshToken,
-    };
-  },
-  onTokenRefresh: (accessToken, refreshToken) => {
-    useAuthStore.getState().setTokens(accessToken, refreshToken);
+  getAccessToken: () => useAuthStore.getState().accessToken,
+  onTokenRefresh: (accessToken) => {
+    useAuthStore.getState().setAccessToken(accessToken);
   },
   onAuthFailure: () => {
     useAuthStore.getState().clearAuth();
diff --git a/api/package-lock.json b/api/package-lock.json
index e3f74fa5..497b5c67 100644
--- a/api/package-lock.json
+++ b/api/package-lock.json
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
         "bcryptjs": "^2.4.3",
         "bullmq": "^5.34.0",
         "compression": "^1.7.5",
+        "cookie-parser": "^1.4.7",
         "cors": "^2.8.5",
         "csv-parse": "^6.1.0",
         "csv-stringify": "^6.6.0",
@@ -52,6 +53,7 @@
       "devDependencies": {
         "@types/bcryptjs": "^2.4.6",
         "@types/compression": "^1.7.5",
+        "@types/cookie-parser": "^1.4.10",
         "@types/cors": "^2.8.17",
         "@types/express": "^5.0.0",
         "@types/jsonwebtoken": "^9.0.7",
@@ -1894,6 +1896,15 @@
         "@types/node": "*"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/@types/cookie-parser": {
+      "version": "1.4.10",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@types/cookie-parser/-/cookie-parser-1.4.10.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-B4xqkqfZ8Wek+rCOeRxsjMS9OgvzebEzzLYw7NHYuvzb7IdxOkI0ZHGgeEBX4PUM7QGVvNSK60T3OvWj3YfBRg==",
+      "dev": true,
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "@types/express": "*"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/@types/cors": {
       "version": "2.8.19",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@types/cors/-/cors-2.8.19.tgz",
@@ -2533,6 +2544,23 @@
         "node": ">= 0.6"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/cookie-parser": {
+      "version": "1.4.7",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/cookie-parser/-/cookie-parser-1.4.7.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-nGUvgXnotP3BsjiLX2ypbQnWoGUPIIfHQNZkkC668ntrzGWEZVW70HDEB1qnNGMicPje6EttlIgzo51YSwNQGw==",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "cookie": "0.7.2",
+        "cookie-signature": "1.0.6"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">= 0.8.0"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/cookie-parser/node_modules/cookie-signature": {
+      "version": "1.0.6",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/cookie-signature/-/cookie-signature-1.0.6.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-QADzlaHc8icV8I7vbaJXJwod9HWYp8uCqf1xa4OfNu1T7JVxQIrUgOWtHdNDtPiywmFbiS12VjotIXLrKM3orQ=="
+    },
     "node_modules/cookie-signature": {
       "version": "1.0.7",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/cookie-signature/-/cookie-signature-1.0.7.tgz",
diff --git a/api/package.json b/api/package.json
index e2b6f21c..45700b92 100644
--- a/api/package.json
+++ b/api/package.json
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
     "bcryptjs": "^2.4.3",
     "bullmq": "^5.34.0",
     "compression": "^1.7.5",
+    "cookie-parser": "^1.4.7",
     "cors": "^2.8.5",
     "csv-parse": "^6.1.0",
     "csv-stringify": "^6.6.0",
@@ -60,6 +61,7 @@
   "devDependencies": {
     "@types/bcryptjs": "^2.4.6",
     "@types/compression": "^1.7.5",
+    "@types/cookie-parser": "^1.4.10",
     "@types/cors": "^2.8.17",
     "@types/express": "^5.0.0",
     "@types/jsonwebtoken": "^9.0.7",
diff --git a/api/prisma/schema.prisma b/api/prisma/schema.prisma
index c67c6329..05109491 100644
--- a/api/prisma/schema.prisma
+++ b/api/prisma/schema.prisma
@@ -4830,6 +4830,7 @@ model TicketTier {
   minDonationCAD  Int?            @map("min_donation_cad")        // In cents
   maxQuantity     Int?            @map("max_quantity")
   soldCount       Int             @default(0) @map("sold_count")
+  reservedCount   Int             @default(0) @map("reserved_count")  // Pending checkout sessions
   maxPerOrder     Int             @default(10) @map("max_per_order")
   salesStartAt    DateTime?       @map("sales_start_at")
   salesEndAt      DateTime?       @map("sales_end_at")
diff --git a/api/src/modules/auth/auth.routes.ts b/api/src/modules/auth/auth.routes.ts
index 80e37efa..86df403c 100644
--- a/api/src/modules/auth/auth.routes.ts
+++ b/api/src/modules/auth/auth.routes.ts
@@ -19,6 +19,30 @@ import { profileService } from '../people/profile.service';
 
 const router = Router();
 
+const REFRESH_COOKIE_NAME = 'cml_refresh';
+const REFRESH_COOKIE_MAX_AGE = 7 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000; // 7 days in ms
+
+/** Set the refresh token as an httpOnly cookie */
+function setRefreshCookie(res: Response, token: string) {
+  res.cookie(REFRESH_COOKIE_NAME, token, {
+    httpOnly: true,
+    secure: env.NODE_ENV === 'production',
+    sameSite: 'strict',
+    maxAge: REFRESH_COOKIE_MAX_AGE,
+    path: '/api/auth',
+  });
+}
+
+/** Clear the refresh token cookie */
+function clearRefreshCookie(res: Response) {
+  res.clearCookie(REFRESH_COOKIE_NAME, {
+    httpOnly: true,
+    secure: env.NODE_ENV === 'production',
+    sameSite: 'strict',
+    path: '/api/auth',
+  });
+}
+
 // POST /api/auth/login
 router.post(
   '/login',
@@ -27,7 +51,10 @@ router.post(
   async (req: Request, res: Response, next: NextFunction) => {
     try {
       const result = await authService.login(req.body.email, req.body.password);
-      res.json(result);
+      // Set refresh token as httpOnly cookie (not in response body)
+      setRefreshCookie(res, result.refreshToken);
+      const { refreshToken: _, ...responseWithoutRefresh } = result;
+      res.json(responseWithoutRefresh);
     } catch (err) {
       next(err);
     }
@@ -42,7 +69,14 @@ router.post(
   async (req: Request, res: Response, next: NextFunction) => {
     try {
       const result = await authService.register(req.body);
-      res.status(201).json(result);
+      // Set refresh token as httpOnly cookie if tokens were issued (non-verification path)
+      if ('refreshToken' in result && result.refreshToken) {
+        setRefreshCookie(res, result.refreshToken);
+        const { refreshToken: _, ...responseWithoutRefresh } = result;
+        res.status(201).json(responseWithoutRefresh);
+      } else {
+        res.status(201).json(result);
+      }
     } catch (err) {
       next(err);
     }
@@ -231,30 +265,44 @@ router.post(
 );
 
 // POST /api/auth/refresh
+// Accepts refresh token from httpOnly cookie (preferred) or request body (legacy/backward compat)
 router.post(
   '/refresh',
   authRateLimit,
-  validate(refreshSchema),
   async (req: Request, res: Response, next: NextFunction) => {
     try {
-      const result = await authService.refreshTokens(req.body.refreshToken);
-      res.json(result);
+      const refreshToken = req.cookies?.[REFRESH_COOKIE_NAME] || req.body?.refreshToken;
+      if (!refreshToken) {
+        res.status(401).json({ error: { message: 'No refresh token', code: 'INVALID_REFRESH_TOKEN' } });
+        return;
+      }
+      const result = await authService.refreshTokens(refreshToken);
+      // Set new refresh token as httpOnly cookie
+      setRefreshCookie(res, result.refreshToken);
+      const { refreshToken: _, ...responseWithoutRefresh } = result;
+      res.json(responseWithoutRefresh);
     } catch (err) {
+      clearRefreshCookie(res);
       next(err);
     }
   }
 );
 
 // POST /api/auth/logout
+// Accepts refresh token from httpOnly cookie (preferred) or request body (legacy/backward compat)
 router.post(
   '/logout',
   authRateLimit,
-  validate(refreshSchema),
   async (req: Request, res: Response, next: NextFunction) => {
     try {
-      await authService.logout(req.body.refreshToken);
+      const refreshToken = req.cookies?.[REFRESH_COOKIE_NAME] || req.body?.refreshToken;
+      if (refreshToken) {
+        await authService.logout(refreshToken);
+      }
+      clearRefreshCookie(res);
       res.json({ message: 'Logged out' });
     } catch (err) {
+      clearRefreshCookie(res);
       next(err);
     }
   }
diff --git a/api/src/modules/payments/webhook.service.ts b/api/src/modules/payments/webhook.service.ts
index 09d952a4..9e0b11f4 100644
--- a/api/src/modules/payments/webhook.service.ts
+++ b/api/src/modules/payments/webhook.service.ts
@@ -424,16 +424,23 @@ export const webhookService = {
       const { ticketsService } = await import('../ticketed-events/tickets.service');
       const { ticketEmailService } = await import('../ticketed-events/ticket-email.service');
 
+      const qty = parseInt(quantity, 10);
       const tickets = await ticketsService.createTickets({
         eventId,
         tierId,
-        quantity: parseInt(quantity, 10),
+        quantity: qty,
         holderEmail: buyerEmail || order.buyerEmail,
         holderName: buyerName || order.buyerName || undefined,
         userId: userId || order.userId || undefined,
         orderId: order.id,
       });
 
+      // Release reservation (soldCount was incremented by createTickets)
+      await prisma.ticketTier.update({
+        where: { id: tierId },
+        data: { reservedCount: { decrement: qty } },
+      });
+
       // Fetch event + tier for email
       const event = await prisma.ticketedEvent.findUnique({ where: { id: eventId } });
       const tier = await prisma.ticketTier.findUnique({ where: { id: tierId } });
@@ -534,6 +541,21 @@ export const webhookService = {
         where: { id: order.id },
         data: { status: 'FAILED' },
       });
+
+      // Release ticket reservations if this was an event ticket checkout
+      const { tierId, quantity } = session.metadata || {};
+      if (tierId && quantity) {
+        const qty = parseInt(quantity, 10);
+        if (qty > 0) {
+          await prisma.ticketTier.update({
+            where: { id: tierId },
+            data: { reservedCount: { decrement: qty } },
+          }).catch((err) => {
+            logger.warn(`Failed to release reservation for tier ${tierId}:`, err);
+          });
+        }
+      }
+
       logger.info(`Checkout expired, order marked failed: ${order.id}`);
     }
   },
diff --git a/api/src/modules/ticketed-events/ticketed-events-public.routes.ts b/api/src/modules/ticketed-events/ticketed-events-public.routes.ts
index 442babec..d37891c2 100644
--- a/api/src/modules/ticketed-events/ticketed-events-public.routes.ts
+++ b/api/src/modules/ticketed-events/ticketed-events-public.routes.ts
@@ -119,14 +119,6 @@ router.post('/:slug/checkout', optionalAuth, validate(checkoutSchema), async (re
       throw new AppError(400, 'Use /register for free tickets', 'USE_REGISTER');
     }
 
-    // Check availability
-    if (tier.maxQuantity && tier.soldCount + quantity > tier.maxQuantity) {
-      throw new AppError(400, 'Not enough tickets available', 'SOLD_OUT');
-    }
-    if (event.maxAttendees && event.currentAttendees + quantity > event.maxAttendees) {
-      throw new AppError(400, 'Event is at full capacity', 'SOLD_OUT');
-    }
-
     // Check sales window
     const now = new Date();
     if (tier.salesStartAt && tier.salesStartAt > now) {
@@ -136,9 +128,33 @@ router.post('/:slug/checkout', optionalAuth, validate(checkoutSchema), async (re
       throw new AppError(400, 'Ticket sales have ended', 'SALES_ENDED');
     }
 
-    const unitAmount = tier.tierType === 'DONATION'
-      ? Math.max(tier.priceCAD, tier.minDonationCAD || 0)
-      : tier.priceCAD;
+    // Atomically reserve capacity (soldCount + reservedCount checked together)
+    // This prevents overselling from concurrent Stripe checkout sessions
+    const reserved = await prisma.$transaction(async (tx) => {
+      const currentTier = await tx.ticketTier.findUnique({ where: { id: tierId } });
+      if (!currentTier) throw new AppError(400, 'Tier not found', 'NOT_FOUND');
+
+      const effectiveSold = currentTier.soldCount + currentTier.reservedCount;
+      if (currentTier.maxQuantity && effectiveSold + quantity > currentTier.maxQuantity) {
+        throw new AppError(400, 'Not enough tickets available', 'SOLD_OUT');
+      }
+
+      const currentEvent = await tx.ticketedEvent.findUnique({ where: { id: event.id } });
+      if (currentEvent?.maxAttendees && currentEvent.currentAttendees + currentTier.reservedCount + quantity > currentEvent.maxAttendees) {
+        throw new AppError(400, 'Event is at full capacity', 'SOLD_OUT');
+      }
+
+      await tx.ticketTier.update({
+        where: { id: tierId },
+        data: { reservedCount: { increment: quantity } },
+      });
+
+      return currentTier;
+    });
+
+    const unitAmount = reserved.tierType === 'DONATION'
+      ? Math.max(reserved.priceCAD, reserved.minDonationCAD || 0)
+      : reserved.priceCAD;
 
     const stripe = await getStripe();
     const session = await stripe.checkout.sessions.create({
diff --git a/api/src/modules/ticketed-events/ticketed-events.service.ts b/api/src/modules/ticketed-events/ticketed-events.service.ts
index fd0434ae..ce433795 100644
--- a/api/src/modules/ticketed-events/ticketed-events.service.ts
+++ b/api/src/modules/ticketed-events/ticketed-events.service.ts
@@ -696,7 +696,7 @@ export const ticketedEventsService = {
 
     const now = new Date();
     const tiers = event.ticketTiers.map(t => {
-      const available = t.maxQuantity ? t.maxQuantity - t.soldCount : null;
+      const available = t.maxQuantity ? t.maxQuantity - t.soldCount - (t.reservedCount || 0) : null;
       const onSale = (!t.salesStartAt || t.salesStartAt <= now) &&
                      (!t.salesEndAt || t.salesEndAt >= now);
       return {
diff --git a/api/src/modules/volunteer-invite/volunteer-invite.routes.ts b/api/src/modules/volunteer-invite/volunteer-invite.routes.ts
index 823d62ce..972ad81d 100644
--- a/api/src/modules/volunteer-invite/volunteer-invite.routes.ts
+++ b/api/src/modules/volunteer-invite/volunteer-invite.routes.ts
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import { validate } from '../../middleware/validate';
 import { quickJoinRateLimit } from '../../middleware/rate-limit';
 import { volunteerInviteService } from './volunteer-invite.service';
 import { generateInviteSchema, redeemInviteSchema } from './volunteer-invite.schemas';
+import { env } from '../../config/env';
 
 const router = Router();
 
@@ -33,9 +34,16 @@ router.post(
   async (req: Request, res: Response, next: NextFunction) => {
     try {
       const result = await volunteerInviteService.redeemInvite(req.body);
+      // Set refresh token as httpOnly cookie
+      res.cookie('cml_refresh', result.tokens.refreshToken, {
+        httpOnly: true,
+        secure: env.NODE_ENV === 'production',
+        sameSite: 'strict',
+        maxAge: 7 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000,
+        path: '/api/auth',
+      });
       res.json({
         accessToken: result.tokens.accessToken,
-        refreshToken: result.tokens.refreshToken,
         cutId: result.cutId,
         shiftId: result.shiftId,
       });
diff --git a/api/src/server.ts b/api/src/server.ts
index cb318265..811b46c5 100644
--- a/api/src/server.ts
+++ b/api/src/server.ts
@@ -125,6 +125,7 @@ import { actionItemsRouter } from './modules/meetings/action-items.routes';
 import { WebSocketServer } from 'ws';
 import { docsCollabService } from './modules/docs/docs-collab.service';
 import { correlationId } from './middleware/correlation-id';
+import cookieParser from 'cookie-parser';
 
 const app = express();
 
@@ -133,6 +134,7 @@ app.set('trust proxy', 1);
 
 // --- Middleware Stack ---
 app.use(correlationId);
+app.use(cookieParser());
 
 app.use(helmet({
   contentSecurityPolicy: env.CSP_ENABLED === 'true'
diff --git a/changemaker-control-panel/templates/docker-compose.yml.hbs b/changemaker-control-panel/templates/docker-compose.yml.hbs
index 1687f042..1ad65268 100644
--- a/changemaker-control-panel/templates/docker-compose.yml.hbs
+++ b/changemaker-control-panel/templates/docker-compose.yml.hbs
@@ -510,7 +510,7 @@ services:
     image: {{registryUrl}}/mongo:6.0
     container_name: {{containerPrefix}}-mongodb
     restart: unless-stopped
-    command: ["mongod", "--replSet", "rs0", "--bind_ip_all", "--auth", "--keyFile", "/data/replica.key"]
+    entrypoint: ["/bin/bash", "-c", "if [ ! -f /data/replica.key ]; then openssl rand -base64 756 > /data/replica.key; fi && chmod 400 /data/replica.key && chown 999:999 /data/replica.key && exec mongod --replSet rs0 --bind_ip_all --auth --keyFile /data/replica.key"]
     environment:
       MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_USERNAME: "${MONGO_ROOT_USER:-rocketchat}"
       MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_PASSWORD: "${MONGO_ROOT_PASSWORD}"
diff --git a/docker-compose.prod.yml b/docker-compose.prod.yml
index 1a25db61..f6027971 100644
--- a/docker-compose.prod.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.prod.yml
@@ -891,7 +891,7 @@ services:
     image: ${GITEA_REGISTRY:-gitea.bnkops.com/admin}/mongo:6.0
     container_name: mongodb-rocketchat
     restart: unless-stopped
-    command: ["mongod", "--replSet", "rs0", "--bind_ip_all", "--auth", "--keyFile", "/data/replica.key"]
+    entrypoint: ["/bin/bash", "-c", "if [ ! -f /data/replica.key ]; then openssl rand -base64 756 > /data/replica.key; fi && chmod 400 /data/replica.key && chown 999:999 /data/replica.key && exec mongod --replSet rs0 --bind_ip_all --auth --keyFile /data/replica.key"]
     environment:
       MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_USERNAME: ${MONGO_ROOT_USER:-rocketchat}
       MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_PASSWORD: ${MONGO_ROOT_PASSWORD:?MONGO_ROOT_PASSWORD must be set in .env}
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index 9ec3a494..4bf8c0d0 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -908,7 +908,7 @@ services:
     image: mongo:6.0
     container_name: mongodb-rocketchat
     restart: unless-stopped
-    command: ["mongod", "--replSet", "rs0", "--bind_ip_all", "--auth", "--keyFile", "/data/replica.key"]
+    entrypoint: ["/bin/bash", "-c", "if [ ! -f /data/replica.key ]; then openssl rand -base64 756 > /data/replica.key; fi && chmod 400 /data/replica.key && chown 999:999 /data/replica.key && exec mongod --replSet rs0 --bind_ip_all --auth --keyFile /data/replica.key"]
     environment:
       MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_USERNAME: ${MONGO_ROOT_USER:-rocketchat}
       MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_PASSWORD: ${MONGO_ROOT_PASSWORD:?MONGO_ROOT_PASSWORD must be set in .env}