diff --git a/webapp/src/app/[locale]/(GlobalWrapper)/(Auth)/layout.tsx b/webapp/src/app/[locale]/(GlobalWrapper)/(Auth)/layout.tsx
index b0839ba..62ec5cc 100644
--- a/webapp/src/app/[locale]/(GlobalWrapper)/(Auth)/layout.tsx
+++ b/webapp/src/app/[locale]/(GlobalWrapper)/(Auth)/layout.tsx
@@ -1,110 +1,63 @@
 'use client';
 
-import { useAppSelector } from "@/redux/store"
-import { isLoggedIn, mountCheckIfValid, logOut } from "@/redux/features/auth-slice";
-import { useDispatch } from "react-redux"
-import { AppDispatch } from '@/redux/store';
-import { useEffect, useCallback } from "react";
-import { useRouter } from 'next/navigation'
-import { ReactNode } from 'react' 
-import FullScreenLoader from "@/components/common/fullScreenLoader";
-import { load } from '@/redux/features/settings-slice'
+import { useEffect } from 'react';
+import { useRouter } from 'next/navigation';
+import { useAppDispatch, useAppSelector } from '@/redux/store';
+import { checkAuth, selectAuth } from '@/redux/features/auth-slice';
+import FullScreenLoader from '@/components/common/fullScreenLoader';
 import ErrorBoundary from '@/components/common/ErrorBoundary';
-import axios from 'axios'; // Added axios import
+import { AppDispatch } from '@/redux/store';
 
 // HOC for auth pages (only accept auth user)
-export default function LocaleLayout({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) {
-    const router = useRouter();
-    const dispatch = useDispatch<AppDispatch>();
-    
-    // Load states
-    const isValid = useAppSelector((state) => state.authReducer.value.isValid);
-    const checkIfValidMounted = useAppSelector((state) => state.authReducer.value.checkIfValidMounted);
-    const notAuthRedirectPage = useAppSelector((state) => state.settingsReducer.value.notAuthRedirectPage);
-    const isLoadingSettings = useAppSelector((state) => state.settingsReducer.value.isLoadingSettings);
-    const loadedFirstTime = useAppSelector((state) => state.settingsReducer.value.loadedFirstTime);
+export default function LocaleLayout({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
+  const router = useRouter();
+  const dispatch = useAppDispatch();
+  const { isValid, checkIfValidMounted } = useAppSelector(selectAuth);
+  const notAuthRedirectPage = '/login';
 
-    // Handle not logged in state
-    const handleNotLoggedIn = useCallback(() => {
-        // Clear any invalid token from cookies
-        document.cookie = 'authToken=; Path=/; Expires=Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:01 GMT;';
-        // Clear Redux state
-        dispatch(logOut());
-        // Redirect to login page
-        router.push(notAuthRedirectPage);
-    }, [notAuthRedirectPage, router, dispatch]);
+  // Check authentication status on mount and periodically
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const checkAuthentication = async () => {
+      try {
+        await (dispatch as AppDispatch)(checkAuth());
+      } catch (error) {
+        console.error('Authentication check failed:', error);
+      }
+    };
 
-    // Initialize auth check
-    useEffect(() => {
-        if (checkIfValidMounted) return;
-        
-        const checkAuth = async () => {
-            try {
-                await dispatch(mountCheckIfValid());
-                await dispatch(isLoggedIn({ NotLoggedInCallback: handleNotLoggedIn }));
-            } catch (error) {
-                console.error('Auth check failed:', error);
-                handleNotLoggedIn();
-            }
-        };
+    // Initial check
+    checkAuthentication();
 
-        checkAuth();
-    }, [checkIfValidMounted, dispatch, handleNotLoggedIn]);
+    // Set up periodic check (every 5 minutes)
+    const intervalId = setInterval(checkAuthentication, 5 * 60 * 1000);
 
-    // Load settings
-    useEffect(() => {
-        if (loadedFirstTime || isLoadingSettings) return;
-        
-        const loadSettings = async () => {
-            try {
-                await dispatch(load({ page: 1 }));
-            } catch (error) {
-                console.error('Failed to load settings:', error);
-            }
-        };
+    // Cleanup interval on component unmount
+    return () => clearInterval(intervalId);
+  }, [dispatch]);
 
-        loadSettings();
-    }, [loadedFirstTime, isLoadingSettings, dispatch]);
-
-    // Add global error handler for API requests
-    useEffect(() => {
-        const responseInterceptor = (response: any) => response;
-        
-        const errorInterceptor = (error: any) => {
-            if (error.response?.status === 401) {
-                // Handle unauthorized (token expired/invalid)
-                handleNotLoggedIn();
-            }
-            return Promise.reject(error);
-        };
-        
-        // Add request interceptor
-        const requestInterceptor = axios.interceptors.request.use(
-            config => config,
-            error => Promise.reject(error)
-        );
-        
-        // Add response interceptor
-        const responseIntercept = axios.interceptors.response.use(
-            responseInterceptor,
-            errorInterceptor
-        );
-        
-        // Cleanup function
-        return () => {
-            axios.interceptors.request.eject(requestInterceptor);
-            axios.interceptors.response.eject(responseIntercept);
-        };
-    }, [handleNotLoggedIn]);
-
-    // Show loading state while checking auth
-    if (isValid === null) {
-        return <FullScreenLoader />;
+  // Handle redirection based on auth status
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (checkIfValidMounted && !isValid) {
+      // Clear any existing token
+      document.cookie = 'authToken=; Path=/; Expires=Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:01 GMT;';
+      
+      // Only redirect if not already on the login page
+      if (window.location.pathname !== notAuthRedirectPage) {
+        window.location.href = notAuthRedirectPage;
+      }
     }
+  }, [isValid, checkIfValidMounted]);
 
-    return (
-        <ErrorBoundary>
-            {isValid ? children : <FullScreenLoader />}
-        </ErrorBoundary>
-    );
+  // Show loading state while checking auth
+  if (!checkIfValidMounted) {
+    return <FullScreenLoader />;
+  }
+
+  // If not valid, we'll be redirected by the effect above
+  if (!isValid) {
+    return <FullScreenLoader />;
+  }
+
+  // If valid, render the protected content
+  return <ErrorBoundary>{children}</ErrorBoundary>;
 }
diff --git a/webapp/src/app/api/auth/verify/route.ts b/webapp/src/app/api/auth/verify/route.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..307adff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/webapp/src/app/api/auth/verify/route.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+import { NextResponse } from 'next/server';
+import { cookies } from 'next/headers';
+import jwt from 'jsonwebtoken';
+import { dbConnect } from '@/lib/dbConnect';
+import User from '@/models/User';
+
+export async function GET() {
+  try {
+    await dbConnect();
+    
+    // Get the token from cookies
+    const cookieStore = cookies();
+    const token = cookieStore.get('authToken')?.value;
+
+    if (!token) {
+      return NextResponse.json(
+        { valid: false, message: 'No token provided' },
+        { status: 401 }
+      );
+    }
+
+    try {
+      // Verify the token
+      const decoded = jwt.verify(token, process.env.JWT_SECRET!);
+      
+      // Check if user still exists
+      const user = await User.findById(decoded.userId).select('-password');
+      if (!user) {
+        return NextResponse.json(
+          { valid: false, message: 'User not found' },
+          { status: 401 }
+        );
+      }
+
+      return NextResponse.json({ valid: true });
+    } catch (error) {
+      if (error instanceof jwt.TokenExpiredError) {
+        return NextResponse.json(
+          { valid: false, message: 'Token expired' },
+          { status: 401 }
+        );
+      }
+      
+      return NextResponse.json(
+        { valid: false, message: 'Invalid token' },
+        { status: 401 }
+      );
+    }
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.error('Token verification error:', error);
+    return NextResponse.json(
+      { valid: false, message: 'Server error' },
+      { status: 500 }
+    );
+  }
+}
diff --git a/webapp/src/lib/api.ts b/webapp/src/lib/api.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..afe7ffc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/webapp/src/lib/api.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+import axios, { AxiosError, AxiosInstance, AxiosRequestConfig, AxiosResponse } from 'axios';
+import { store } from '@/redux/store';
+import { logOut } from '@/redux/features/auth-slice';
+
+const api: AxiosInstance = axios.create({
+    baseURL: '/api',
+    headers: {
+        'Content-Type': 'application/json',
+    },
+});
+
+// Request interceptor to add auth token
+api.interceptors.request.use(
+    (config) => {
+        const token = store.getState().authReducer.value.authToken;
+        if (token) {
+            config.headers.Authorization = `Bearer ${token}`;
+        }
+        return config;
+    },
+    (error) => {
+        return Promise.reject(error);
+    }
+);
+
+// Response interceptor to handle 401 errors
+api.interceptors.response.use(
+    (response: AxiosResponse) => response,
+    async (error: AxiosError) => {
+        const originalRequest = error.config as any;
+        
+        // If the error is 401 and we haven't tried to refresh yet
+        if (error.response?.status === 401 && !originalRequest._retry) {
+            originalRequest._retry = true;
+            
+            // Clear any existing auth state
+            store.dispatch(logOut());
+            document.cookie = 'authToken=; Path=/; Expires=Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:01 GMT;';
+            
+            // Redirect to login page
+            if (typeof window !== 'undefined') {
+                window.location.href = '/login';
+            }
+        }
+        
+        return Promise.reject(error);
+    }
+);
+
+export default api;
diff --git a/webapp/src/lib/auth.ts b/webapp/src/lib/auth.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2ae9dba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/webapp/src/lib/auth.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+import jwt from 'jsonwebtoken';
+import { cookies } from 'next/headers';
+
+export async function verifyToken(token?: string): Promise<boolean> {
+  if (!token) return false;
+
+  try {
+    // Verify the token
+    const decoded = jwt.verify(token, process.env.JWT_SECRET!);
+    return !!decoded;
+  } catch (error) {
+    if (error instanceof jwt.TokenExpiredError) {
+      console.log('Token expired');
+    } else if (error instanceof jwt.JsonWebTokenError) {
+      console.log('Invalid token');
+    }
+    return false;
+  }
+}
+
+export function getAuthToken(): string | undefined {
+  const cookieStore = cookies();
+  return cookieStore.get('authToken')?.value;
+}
+
+export function clearAuthToken() {
+  document.cookie = 'authToken=; Path=/; Expires=Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:01 GMT;';
+}
+
+export function setAuthToken(token: string) {
+  const expires = new Date();
+  expires.setTime(expires.getTime() + 3 * 60 * 60 * 1000); // 3 hours
+  
+  document.cookie = `authToken=${token}; Path=/; Expires=${expires.toUTCString()}; HttpOnly; SameSite=Lax`;
+}
+
+// Helper to get user ID from token
+export function getUserIdFromToken(token?: string): string | null {
+  if (!token) return null;
+  
+  try {
+    const decoded = jwt.verify(token, process.env.JWT_SECRET!) as { userId: string };
+    return decoded.userId;
+  } catch (error) {
+    return null;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/webapp/src/middleware.ts b/webapp/src/middleware.ts
index 99bc4cf..817f4c9 100644
--- a/webapp/src/middleware.ts
+++ b/webapp/src/middleware.ts
@@ -6,57 +6,92 @@
  * * source : https://nextjs.org/docs/app/building-your-application/routing/middleware
  */
 
-import createIntlMiddleware from 'next-intl/middleware';
-import { NextRequest } from 'next/server';
-import { NextResponse } from 'next/server'
-import validateAuthToken from '@/middleware/validateAuthToken'
+import { NextResponse } from 'next/server';
+import type { NextRequest } from 'next/server';
+import { verifyToken } from '@/lib/auth';
 
-export default async function middleware(request: NextRequest) {
+// Define protected API routes
+const protectedApiRoutes = [
+  '/api/user',
+  // Add other protected API routes here
+];
 
-  // log the request general informations
-  let ip = request.ip ?? request.headers.get('X-Forwarded-For')?.split(':')[3]
-  console.log("request to : " ,request.nextUrl.pathname , 'from ip :' , ip)
+// Define public routes that don't require authentication
+const publicRoutes = [
+  '/login',
+  '/register',
+  '/forgot-password',
+  '/api/auth',
+  '/api/auth/verify',
+  // Add other public routes here
+];
 
-  // handle pages
-  if(!request.nextUrl.pathname.startsWith('/api'))
-  {
-    // handle next-intl Internationalization
-    const defaultLocale = request.headers.get('x-default-locale') || 'ar';
-    const handleI18nRouting = createIntlMiddleware({
-      locales: ['ar', 'en'],
-      defaultLocale
-    });
-    const response = handleI18nRouting(request);
-    response.headers.set('x-default-locale', defaultLocale);
-    
-    return response;
+export async function middleware(request: NextRequest) {
+  const { pathname } = request.nextUrl;
+  
+  // Skip middleware for public routes
+  if (publicRoutes.some(route => pathname.startsWith(route))) {
+    return NextResponse.next();
   }
 
-  // handle api routes
-  // must be user routes
+  // Check if the request is for a protected API route
+  const isProtectedApiRoute = protectedApiRoutes.some(route => pathname.startsWith(route));
+  
+  if (isProtectedApiRoute) {
+    try {
+      // Verify the token
+      const token = request.cookies.get('authToken')?.value;
+      
+      if (!token) {
+        return NextResponse.json(
+          { success: false, message: 'No token provided' },
+          { status: 401 }
+        );
+      }
 
-  // protect /api/user routes
-  if(request.nextUrl.pathname.startsWith('/api/user'))
-  {
-    let authToken : {name:string , value : string} | undefined = request.cookies.get('authToken')
-    let authValidation : boolean | undefined = await validateAuthToken(authToken?.value)
+      const isValid = await verifyToken(token);
+      
+      if (!isValid) {
+        return NextResponse.json(
+          { success: false, message: 'Invalid or expired token' },
+          { status: 401 }
+        );
+      }
 
-    if(!authValidation)
-    { // you are not auth you cant access this route
-      return new NextResponse(
-        JSON.stringify({
-          success: false,
-          message: "notAllowed",
-          // @ts-ignore
-        } , {status : 405 , headers: { 'content-type': 'application/json'}})
-      )
+      // Token is valid, continue with the request
+      return NextResponse.next();
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error('Authentication error:', error);
+      return NextResponse.json(
+        { success: false, message: 'Authentication failed' },
+        { status: 500 }
+      );
     }
-    // you can access the api route
-    return NextResponse.next()
   }
+
+  // For non-API routes, check if user is authenticated
+  const isAuthenticated = await verifyToken(request.cookies.get('authToken')?.value);
+  
+  // If not authenticated and trying to access a protected page, redirect to login
+  if (!isAuthenticated && !pathname.startsWith('/login')) {
+    const loginUrl = new URL('/login', request.url);
+    loginUrl.searchParams.set('from', pathname);
+    return NextResponse.redirect(loginUrl);
+  }
+
+  return NextResponse.next();
 }
 
-// represent the routes that this middleware supposed to handle them
+// Configure which routes should be processed by the middleware
 export const config = {
-  matcher: ['/((?!_next/static|_next/image|favicon.ico).*)']
+  matcher: [
+    /*
+     * Match all request paths except for the ones starting with:
+     * - _next/static (static files)
+     * - _next/image (image optimization files)
+     * - favicon.ico (favicon file)
+     * - public folder
+     */
+    '/((?!_next/static|_next/image|favicon.ico|.*\\.(?:svg|png|jpg|jpeg|gif|webp)$).*)',
+  ],
 };
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/webapp/src/redux/features/auth-slice.ts b/webapp/src/redux/features/auth-slice.ts
index 54fc484..f2f8d08 100644
--- a/webapp/src/redux/features/auth-slice.ts
+++ b/webapp/src/redux/features/auth-slice.ts
@@ -5,156 +5,119 @@
  * *          https://redux-toolkit.js.org/api/createAsyncThunk
  */
 
-import { createAsyncThunk, createSlice } from '@reduxjs/toolkit'
-import axios from 'axios'
-import Cookies from 'universal-cookie';
-import { fireAlert } from './alert-slice';
+import { createAsyncThunk, createSlice } from '@reduxjs/toolkit';
+import { RootState } from '@/redux/store';
+import api from '@/lib/api';
+import { setLoading } from './ui-slice';
 
-const cookies = new Cookies();
-
-type IinitialState = {
-    value: AuthState;
+interface AuthState {
+  authToken: string | null;
+  isValid: boolean | null;
+  checkIfValidMounted: boolean;
+  lastChecked: number | null;
 }
 
-type AuthState = {
-    authToken: string | null;
-    isValid: boolean | null;
-    checkIfValidMounted: boolean;
-}
+const initialState: AuthState = {
+  authToken: null,
+  isValid: null,
+  checkIfValidMounted: false,
+  lastChecked: null,
+};
 
-const initialState = {
-    value: {
-        // try to get the token from the browser cookies
-        authToken: cookies.get("authToken") || null,
-        isValid: null,
-        checkIfValidMounted: false,
+export const checkAuth = createAsyncThunk(
+  'auth/checkAuth',
+  async (_, { dispatch, getState }) => {
+    try {
+      const { authReducer } = getState() as { authReducer: AuthState };
+      
+      // Skip if we've checked recently (within last 5 minutes)
+      if (authReducer.lastChecked && (Date.now() - authReducer.lastChecked < 5 * 60 * 1000)) {
+        return { isValid: authReducer.isValid };
+      }
+
+      if (!authReducer.authToken) {
+        return { isValid: false };
+      }
+
+      const response = await api.get('/auth/verify');
+      return { isValid: response.data.valid };
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error('Auth check failed:', error);
+      return { isValid: false };
     }
-} as IinitialState
+  }
+);
 
-const logIn = createAsyncThunk(
-    'auth/logInStatus',
-    async (actionPayload: { username: string, password: string, successCallback: any }, thunkAPI) => {
-        try {
-            let { data } = await axios.post('/api/auth', actionPayload)
-            if (data.success) {
-                actionPayload.successCallback()
-                // fire the success alert
-                thunkAPI.dispatch(fireAlert({
-                    success: true,
-                    message: "loggedIn",
-                }))
-                return data
-            }
-            else {
-                thunkAPI.dispatch(fireAlert({
-                    success: false,
-                    message: data.message
-                }))
-                return { success: false }
-            }
-        } catch (err) {
-            thunkAPI.dispatch(fireAlert({
-                success: false,
-                message: "unkownError",
-            }))
-            return { success: false }
-        }
+export const login = createAsyncThunk(
+  'auth/login',
+  async (credentials: { username: string; password: string }, { dispatch }) => {
+    try {
+      dispatch(setLoading(true));
+      const response = await api.post('/auth/login', credentials);
+      return { 
+        authToken: response.data.token,
+        isValid: true 
+      };
+    } finally {
+      dispatch(setLoading(false));
     }
-)
+  }
+);
 
-const isLoggedIn = createAsyncThunk(
-    'auth/isLoggedInStatus',
-    async (actionPayload: { LoggedInCallback?: () => void; NotLoggedInCallback?: () => void }, { dispatch, getState }) => {
-        try {
-            const state = getState() as RootState;
-            const { authToken } = state.authReducer.value;
-
-            // If no token, immediately trigger not logged in
-            if (!authToken) {
-                if (actionPayload.NotLoggedInCallback) {
-                    actionPayload.NotLoggedInCallback();
-                }
-                return { isValid: false };
-            }
-
-            try {
-                const { data } = await axios.get('/api/auth?authToken=' + authToken);
-
-                if (!data.success) {
-                    // If token is invalid or expired, clear it
-                    if (data.message === 'expiredToken' || data.message === 'invalidToken') {
-                        dispatch(logOut());
-                        document.cookie = 'authToken=; Path=/; Expires=Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:01 GMT;';
-                    }
-
-                    if (actionPayload.NotLoggedInCallback) {
-                        actionPayload.NotLoggedInCallback();
-                    }
-                } else if (actionPayload.LoggedInCallback) {
-                    actionPayload.LoggedInCallback();
-                }
-
-                return { isValid: data.success };
-            } catch (error: any) {
-                // Handle network errors or server issues
-                console.error('Token validation error:', error);
-
-                // If it's an auth-related error, clear the token
-                if (error.response?.status === 401 || error.response?.data?.message === 'expiredToken') {
-                    dispatch(logOut());
-                    document.cookie = 'authToken=; Path=/; Expires=Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:01 GMT;';
-                }
-
-                if (actionPayload.NotLoggedInCallback) {
-                    actionPayload.NotLoggedInCallback();
-                }
-
-                return { isValid: false };
-            }
-        } catch (error) {
-            console.error('Error in isLoggedIn:', error);
-            if (actionPayload.NotLoggedInCallback) {
-                actionPayload.NotLoggedInCallback();
-            }
-            return { isValid: false };
-        }
+export const logout = createAsyncThunk(
+  'auth/logout',
+  async (_, { dispatch }) => {
+    try {
+      await api.post('/auth/logout');
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error('Logout error:', error);
+    } finally {
+      // Clear token from cookies
+      document.cookie = 'authToken=; Path=/; Expires=Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:01 GMT;';
+      return { isValid: false, authToken: null };
     }
-)
+  }
+);
 
-export const auth = createSlice({
-    name: "auth",
-    initialState,
-    reducers: {
-        logOut: (state) => {
-            // remove the authToken cookie
-            cookies.remove('authToken', { path: '/' });
-            // reset the state to there initial value
-            state.value.isValid = null
-            state.value.authToken = null
-        },
-        mountCheckIfValid: (state) => {
-            state.value.checkIfValidMounted = true
-        },
+const authSlice = createSlice({
+  name: 'auth',
+  initialState,
+  reducers: {
+    setAuthToken: (state, action) => {
+      state.authToken = action.payload;
+      state.isValid = !!action.payload;
     },
-    extraReducers: (builder) => {
-        // logIn thunk reducer
-        builder.addCase(logIn.fulfilled, (state: IinitialState, action) => {
-            // set the state
-            if (action.payload.success) {
-                state.value.authToken = action.payload.authToken;
-                state.value.isValid = true
-            }
-        })
-        // check if user authToken cookie is a valid one
-        builder.addCase(isLoggedIn.fulfilled, (state: IinitialState, action) => {
-            // set the state
-            state.value.isValid = action.payload.isValid;
-            state.value.checkIfValidMounted = true
-        })
+    clearAuth: (state) => {
+      state.authToken = null;
+      state.isValid = false;
+      state.checkIfValidMounted = true;
     },
-})
+  },
+  extraReducers: (builder) => {
+    builder
+      .addCase(checkAuth.fulfilled, (state, action) => {
+        state.isValid = action.payload.isValid;
+        state.checkIfValidMounted = true;
+        state.lastChecked = Date.now();
+        
+        if (!action.payload.isValid) {
+          state.authToken = null;
+          document.cookie = 'authToken=; Path=/; Expires=Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:01 GMT;';
+        }
+      })
+      .addCase(login.fulfilled, (state, action) => {
+        state.authToken = action.payload.authToken;
+        state.isValid = action.payload.isValid;
+        state.lastChecked = Date.now();
+      })
+      .addCase(logout.fulfilled, (state) => {
+        state.authToken = null;
+        state.isValid = false;
+        state.lastChecked = null;
+      });
+  },
+});
 
-// export the functions
-export const { logOut, mountCheckIfValid } = auth.actions;
-export { logIn, isLoggedIn };
-export default auth.reducer;
\ No newline at end of file
+export const { setAuthToken, clearAuth } = authSlice.actions;
+export const selectAuth = (state: RootState) => state.auth;
+export default authSlice.reducer;
\ No newline at end of file