Minor fixes

backend/.env.broken

@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+APP_NAME="FFR Development"
+APP_ENV=local
+APP_KEY=
+APP_DEBUG=true
+APP_TIMEZONE=UTC
+APP_URL=http://localhost:8000
+
+APP_LOCALE=en
+APP_FALLBACK_LOCALE=en
+APP_FAKER_LOCALE=en_US
+
+APP_MAINTENANCE_DRIVER=file
+APP_MAINTENANCE_STORE=database
+
+BCRYPT_ROUNDS=12
+
+LOG_CHANNEL=stack
+LOG_STACK=single
+LOG_DEPRECATIONS_CHANNEL=null
+LOG_LEVEL=debug
+
+DB_CONNECTION=mysql
+DB_HOST=db
+DB_PORT=3306
+DB_DATABASE=ffr_dev
+DB_USERNAME=ffr_user
+DB_PASSWORD=ffr_password
+
+SESSION_DRIVER=redis
+SESSION_LIFETIME=120
+SESSION_ENCRYPT=false
+SESSION_PATH=/
+SESSION_DOMAIN=null
+
+BROADCAST_CONNECTION=log
+FILESYSTEM_DISK=local
+QUEUE_CONNECTION=redis
+
+CACHE_STORE=redis
+CACHE_PREFIX=
+
+REDIS_CLIENT=phpredis
+REDIS_HOST=redis
+REDIS_PASSWORD=null
+REDIS_PORT=6379
+
+MAIL_MAILER=log
+MAIL_HOST=127.0.0.1
+MAIL_PORT=2525
+MAIL_USERNAME=null
+MAIL_PASSWORD=null
+MAIL_ENCRYPTION=null
+MAIL_FROM_ADDRESS="hello@example.com"
+MAIL_FROM_NAME="${APP_NAME}"
+
+AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID=
+AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY=
+AWS_DEFAULT_REGION=us-east-1
+AWS_BUCKET=
+AWS_USE_PATH_STYLE_ENDPOINT=false
+
+VITE_APP_NAME="${APP_NAME}"

backend/app/Http/Controllers/Api/V1/OnboardingController.php

@@ -6,11 +6,13 @@
 use App\Http\Resources\FeedResource;
 use App\Http\Resources\PlatformAccountResource;
 use App\Http\Resources\PlatformChannelResource;
+use App\Http\Resources\RouteResource;
 use App\Models\Feed;
 use App\Models\Language;
 use App\Models\PlatformAccount;
 use App\Models\PlatformChannel;
 use App\Models\PlatformInstance;
+use App\Models\Route;
 use App\Models\Setting;
 use App\Services\Auth\LemmyAuthService;
 use Illuminate\Http\JsonResponse;
@@ -32,12 +34,13 @@ public function status(): JsonResponse
         $hasPlatformAccount = PlatformAccount::where('is_active', true)->exists();
         $hasFeed = Feed::where('is_active', true)->exists();
         $hasChannel = PlatformChannel::where('is_active', true)->exists();
+        $hasRoute = Route::where('is_active', true)->exists();
         
         // Check if onboarding was explicitly skipped
         $onboardingSkipped = Setting::where('key', 'onboarding_skipped')->value('value') === 'true';
 
         // User needs onboarding if they don't have the required components AND haven't skipped it
-        $needsOnboarding = (!$hasPlatformAccount || !$hasFeed || !$hasChannel) && !$onboardingSkipped;
+        $needsOnboarding = (!$hasPlatformAccount || !$hasFeed || !$hasChannel || !$hasRoute) && !$onboardingSkipped;
 
         // Determine current step
         $currentStep = null;
@@ -48,6 +51,8 @@ public function status(): JsonResponse
                 $currentStep = 'feed';
             } elseif (!$hasChannel) {
                 $currentStep = 'channel';
+            } elseif (!$hasRoute) {
+                $currentStep = 'route';
             }
         }
 
@@ -57,6 +62,7 @@ public function status(): JsonResponse
             'has_platform_account' => $hasPlatformAccount,
             'has_feed' => $hasFeed,
             'has_channel' => $hasChannel,
+            'has_route' => $hasRoute,
             'onboarding_skipped' => $onboardingSkipped,
         ], 'Onboarding status retrieved successfully.');
     }
@@ -74,9 +80,21 @@ public function options(): JsonResponse
             ->orderBy('name')
             ->get(['id', 'platform', 'url', 'name', 'description', 'is_active']);
 
+        // Get existing feeds and channels for route creation
+        $feeds = Feed::where('is_active', true)
+            ->orderBy('name')
+            ->get(['id', 'name', 'url', 'type']);
+
+        $platformChannels = PlatformChannel::where('is_active', true)
+            ->with(['platformInstance:id,name,url'])
+            ->orderBy('name')
+            ->get(['id', 'platform_instance_id', 'name', 'display_name', 'description']);
+
         return $this->sendResponse([
             'languages' => $languages,
             'platform_instances' => $platformInstances,
+            'feeds' => $feeds,
+            'platform_channels' => $platformChannels,
         ], 'Onboarding options retrieved successfully.');
     }
 
@@ -127,12 +145,12 @@ public function createPlatform(Request $request): JsonResponse
                 'instance_url' => $fullInstanceUrl,
                 'username' => $validated['username'],
                 'password' => $validated['password'],
-                'api_token' => $authResponse['jwt'] ?? null,
                 'settings' => [
                     'display_name' => $authResponse['person_view']['person']['display_name'] ?? null,
                     'description' => $authResponse['person_view']['person']['bio'] ?? null,
                     'person_id' => $authResponse['person_view']['person']['id'] ?? null,
                     'platform_instance_id' => $platformInstance->id,
+                    'api_token' => $authResponse['jwt'] ?? null, // Store JWT in settings for now
                 ],
                 'is_active' => true,
                 'status' => 'active',
@@ -144,10 +162,14 @@ public function createPlatform(Request $request): JsonResponse
             );
 
         } catch (\App\Exceptions\PlatformAuthException $e) {
-            // Handle authentication-specific errors with cleaner messages
+            // Check if it's a rate limit error
+            if (str_contains($e->getMessage(), 'Rate limited by')) {
+                return $this->sendError($e->getMessage(), [], 429);
+            }
+            
             return $this->sendError('Invalid username or password. Please check your credentials and try again.', [], 422);
         } catch (\Exception $e) {
-            // Handle other errors (network, instance not found, etc.)
+            
             $message = 'Unable to connect to the Lemmy instance. Please check the URL and try again.';
             
             // If it's a network/connection issue, provide a more specific message
@@ -229,6 +251,38 @@ public function createChannel(Request $request): JsonResponse
         );
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Create route for onboarding
+     */
+    public function createRoute(Request $request): JsonResponse
+    {
+        $validator = Validator::make($request->all(), [
+            'feed_id' => 'required|exists:feeds,id',
+            'platform_channel_id' => 'required|exists:platform_channels,id',
+            'priority' => 'nullable|integer|min:1|max:100',
+            'filters' => 'nullable|array',
+        ]);
+
+        if ($validator->fails()) {
+            throw new ValidationException($validator);
+        }
+
+        $validated = $validator->validated();
+
+        $route = Route::create([
+            'feed_id' => $validated['feed_id'],
+            'platform_channel_id' => $validated['platform_channel_id'],
+            'priority' => $validated['priority'] ?? 50,
+            'filters' => $validated['filters'] ?? [],
+            'is_active' => true,
+        ]);
+
+        return $this->sendResponse(
+            new RouteResource($route->load(['feed', 'platformChannel'])),
+            'Route created successfully.'
+        );
+    }
+
     /**
      * Mark onboarding as complete
      */

backend/app/Modules/Lemmy/LemmyRequest.php

@@ -7,28 +7,37 @@
 
 class LemmyRequest
 {
-    private string $instance;
+    private string $host;
+    private string $scheme;
     private ?string $token;
 
     public function __construct(string $instance, ?string $token = null)
     {
         // Handle both full URLs and just domain names
-        $this->instance = $this->normalizeInstance($instance);
+        [$this->scheme, $this->host] = $this->parseInstance($instance);
         $this->token = $token;
     }
 
     /**
-     * Normalize instance URL to just the domain name
+     * Parse instance into scheme and host. Defaults to https when scheme missing.
+     *
+     * @return array{0:string,1:string} [scheme, host]
      */
-    private function normalizeInstance(string $instance): string
+    private function parseInstance(string $instance): array
     {
+        $scheme = 'https';
+
+        // If instance includes a scheme, honor it
+        if (preg_match('/^(https?):\/\//i', $instance, $m)) {
+            $scheme = strtolower($m[1]);
+        }
+
         // Remove protocol if present
-        $instance = preg_replace('/^https?:\/\//', '', $instance);
-        
+        $host = preg_replace('/^https?:\/\//i', '', $instance);
         // Remove trailing slash if present
-        $instance = rtrim($instance, '/');
+        $host = rtrim($host ?? '', '/');
 
-        return $instance;
+        return [$scheme, $host];
     }
 
     /**
@@ -36,7 +45,7 @@ private function normalizeInstance(string $instance): string
      */
     public function get(string $endpoint, array $params = []): Response
     {
-        $url = "https://{$this->instance}/api/v3/{$endpoint}";
+        $url = sprintf('%s://%s/api/v3/%s', $this->scheme, $this->host, ltrim($endpoint, '/'));
 
         $request = Http::timeout(30);
 
@@ -52,7 +61,7 @@ public function get(string $endpoint, array $params = []): Response
      */
     public function post(string $endpoint, array $data = []): Response
     {
-        $url = "https://{$this->instance}/api/v3/{$endpoint}";
+        $url = sprintf('%s://%s/api/v3/%s', $this->scheme, $this->host, ltrim($endpoint, '/'));
 
         $request = Http::timeout(30);
 
@@ -68,4 +77,14 @@ public function withToken(string $token): self
         $this->token = $token;
         return $this;
     }
+
+    /**
+     * Return a cloned request with a different scheme (http or https)
+     */
+    public function withScheme(string $scheme): self
+    {
+        $clone = clone $this;
+        $clone->scheme = strtolower($scheme) === 'http' ? 'http' : 'https';
+        return $clone;
+    }
 }

backend/app/Modules/Lemmy/Services/LemmyApiService.php

@@ -18,27 +18,61 @@ public function __construct(string $instance)
 
     public function login(string $username, string $password): ?string
     {
-        try {
-            $request = new LemmyRequest($this->instance);
-            $response = $request->post('user/login', [
-                'username_or_email' => $username,
-                'password' => $password,
-            ]);
+        // Try HTTPS first; on failure, optionally retry with HTTP to support dev instances
+        $schemesToTry = [];
+        if (preg_match('/^https?:\/\//i', $this->instance)) {
+            // Preserve user-provided scheme as first try
+            $schemesToTry[] = strtolower(str_starts_with($this->instance, 'http://') ? 'http' : 'https');
+        } else {
+            // Default order: https then http
+            $schemesToTry = ['https', 'http'];
+        }
 
-            if (!$response->successful()) {
-                logger()->error('Lemmy login failed', [
-                    'status' => $response->status(),
-                    'body' => $response->body()
+        foreach ($schemesToTry as $idx => $scheme) {
+            try {
+                $request = new LemmyRequest($this->instance);
+                // ensure scheme used matches current attempt
+                $request = $request->withScheme($scheme);
+
+                $response = $request->post('user/login', [
+                    'username_or_email' => $username,
+                    'password' => $password,
                 ]);
+
+                if (!$response->successful()) {
+                    $responseBody = $response->body();
+                    logger()->error('Lemmy login failed', [
+                        'status' => $response->status(),
+                        'body' => $responseBody,
+                        'scheme' => $scheme,
+                    ]);
+
+                    // Check if it's a rate limit error
+                    if (str_contains($responseBody, 'rate_limit_error')) {
+                        throw new Exception('Rate limited by Lemmy instance. Please wait a moment and try again.');
+                    }
+
+                    // If first attempt failed and there is another scheme to try, continue loop
+                    if ($idx === 0 && count($schemesToTry) > 1) {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+
+                    return null;
+                }
+
+                $data = $response->json();
+                return $data['jwt'] ?? null;
+            } catch (Exception $e) {
+                logger()->error('Lemmy login exception', ['error' => $e->getMessage(), 'scheme' => $scheme]);
+                // If this was the first attempt and HTTPS, try HTTP next
+                if ($idx === 0 && in_array('http', $schemesToTry, true)) {
+                    continue;
+                }
                 return null;
             }
-
-            $data = $response->json();
-            return $data['jwt'] ?? null;
-        } catch (Exception $e) {
-            logger()->error('Lemmy login exception', ['error' => $e->getMessage()]);
-            return null;
         }
+
+        return null;
     }
 
     public function getCommunityId(string $communityName, string $token): int

backend/app/Services/Auth/LemmyAuthService.php

@@ -72,6 +72,10 @@ public function authenticate(string $instanceUrl, string $username, string $pass
             // Re-throw PlatformAuthExceptions as-is to avoid nesting
             throw $e;
         } catch (Exception $e) {
+            // Check if it's a rate limit error
+            if (str_contains($e->getMessage(), 'Rate limited by')) {
+                throw new PlatformAuthException(PlatformEnum::LEMMY, $e->getMessage());
+            }
             // For other exceptions, throw a clean PlatformAuthException
             throw new PlatformAuthException(PlatformEnum::LEMMY, 'Connection failed');
         }

backend/app/Services/DashboardStatsService.php

@@ -85,10 +85,17 @@ public function getSystemStats(): array
             ')
             ->first();
             
+        $accountStats = DB::table('platform_accounts')
+            ->selectRaw('
+                COUNT(*) as total_platform_accounts,
+                SUM(CASE WHEN is_active = 1 THEN 1 ELSE 0 END) as active_platform_accounts
+            ')
+            ->first();
+            
         $channelStats = DB::table('platform_channels')
             ->selectRaw('
-                COUNT(*) as total_channels,
-                SUM(CASE WHEN is_active = 1 THEN 1 ELSE 0 END) as active_channels
+                COUNT(*) as total_platform_channels,
+                SUM(CASE WHEN is_active = 1 THEN 1 ELSE 0 END) as active_platform_channels
             ')
             ->first();
             
@@ -102,8 +109,10 @@ public function getSystemStats(): array
         return [
             'total_feeds' => $feedStats->total_feeds,
             'active_feeds' => $feedStats->active_feeds,
-            'total_channels' => $channelStats->total_channels,
-            'active_channels' => $channelStats->active_channels,
+            'total_platform_accounts' => $accountStats->total_platform_accounts,
+            'active_platform_accounts' => $accountStats->active_platform_accounts,
+            'total_platform_channels' => $channelStats->total_platform_channels,
+            'active_platform_channels' => $channelStats->active_platform_channels,
             'total_routes' => $routeStats->total_routes,
             'active_routes' => $routeStats->active_routes,
         ];

backend/database/seeders/DatabaseSeeder.php

@@ -8,6 +8,9 @@ class DatabaseSeeder extends Seeder
 {
     public function run(): void
     {
-        $this->call(SettingsSeeder::class);
+        $this->call([
+            SettingsSeeder::class,
+            LanguageSeeder::class,
+        ]);
     }
 }

backend/database/seeders/LanguageSeeder.php

@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace Database\Seeders;
+
+use App\Models\Language;
+use Illuminate\Database\Seeder;
+
+class LanguageSeeder extends Seeder
+{
+    public function run(): void
+    {
+        $languages = [
+            // id is auto-increment; we set codes and names
+            ['short_code' => 'en', 'name' => 'English', 'native_name' => 'English', 'is_active' => true],
+            ['short_code' => 'nl', 'name' => 'Dutch',   'native_name' => 'Nederlands', 'is_active' => true],
+            ['short_code' => 'fr', 'name' => 'French',  'native_name' => 'Français',   'is_active' => true],
+            ['short_code' => 'de', 'name' => 'German',  'native_name' => 'Deutsch',    'is_active' => true],
+            ['short_code' => 'es', 'name' => 'Spanish', 'native_name' => 'Español',    'is_active' => true],
+            ['short_code' => 'it', 'name' => 'Italian', 'native_name' => 'Italiano',   'is_active' => true],
+        ];
+
+        foreach ($languages as $lang) {
+            Language::updateOrCreate(
+                ['short_code' => $lang['short_code']],
+                $lang
+            );
+        }
+    }
+}

backend/routes/api.php

@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@
     Route::post('/onboarding/platform', [OnboardingController::class, 'createPlatform'])->name('api.onboarding.platform');
     Route::post('/onboarding/feed', [OnboardingController::class, 'createFeed'])->name('api.onboarding.feed');
     Route::post('/onboarding/channel', [OnboardingController::class, 'createChannel'])->name('api.onboarding.channel');
+    Route::post('/onboarding/route', [OnboardingController::class, 'createRoute'])->name('api.onboarding.route');
     Route::post('/onboarding/complete', [OnboardingController::class, 'complete'])->name('api.onboarding.complete');
     Route::post('/onboarding/skip', [OnboardingController::class, 'skip'])->name('api.onboarding.skip');
     Route::post('/onboarding/reset-skip', [OnboardingController::class, 'resetSkip'])->name('api.onboarding.reset-skip');

backend/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/Api/V1/OnboardingControllerTest.php

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 use App\Models\PlatformAccount;
 use App\Models\PlatformChannel;
 use App\Models\PlatformInstance;
+use App\Models\Route;
 use App\Models\Setting;
 use App\Services\Auth\LemmyAuthService;
 use Illuminate\Foundation\Testing\RefreshDatabase;
@@ -43,6 +44,7 @@ public function test_status_shows_needs_onboarding_when_no_components_exist()
                     'has_platform_account' => false,
                     'has_feed' => false,
                     'has_channel' => false,
+                    'has_route' => false,
                     'onboarding_skipped' => false,
                 ],
             ]);
@@ -63,6 +65,7 @@ public function test_status_shows_feed_step_when_platform_account_exists()
                     'has_platform_account' => true,
                     'has_feed' => false,
                     'has_channel' => false,
+                    'has_route' => false,
                 ],
             ]);
     }
@@ -83,6 +86,29 @@ public function test_status_shows_channel_step_when_platform_account_and_feed_ex
                     'has_platform_account' => true,
                     'has_feed' => true,
                     'has_channel' => false,
+                    'has_route' => false,
+                ],
+            ]);
+    }
+
+    public function test_status_shows_route_step_when_platform_account_feed_and_channel_exist()
+    {
+        PlatformAccount::factory()->create(['is_active' => true]);
+        Feed::factory()->create(['is_active' => true]);
+        PlatformChannel::factory()->create(['is_active' => true]);
+
+        $response = $this->getJson('/api/v1/onboarding/status');
+
+        $response->assertStatus(200)
+            ->assertJson([
+                'success' => true,
+                'data' => [
+                    'needs_onboarding' => true,
+                    'current_step' => 'route',
+                    'has_platform_account' => true,
+                    'has_feed' => true,
+                    'has_channel' => true,
+                    'has_route' => false,
                 ],
             ]);
     }
@@ -92,6 +118,7 @@ public function test_status_shows_no_onboarding_needed_when_all_components_exist
         PlatformAccount::factory()->create(['is_active' => true]);
         Feed::factory()->create(['is_active' => true]);
         PlatformChannel::factory()->create(['is_active' => true]);
+        Route::factory()->create(['is_active' => true]);
 
         $response = $this->getJson('/api/v1/onboarding/status');
 
@@ -104,6 +131,7 @@ public function test_status_shows_no_onboarding_needed_when_all_components_exist
                     'has_platform_account' => true,
                     'has_feed' => true,
                     'has_channel' => true,
+                    'has_route' => true,
                 ],
             ]);
     }
@@ -127,6 +155,7 @@ public function test_status_shows_no_onboarding_needed_when_skipped()
                     'has_platform_account' => false,
                     'has_feed' => false,
                     'has_channel' => false,
+                    'has_route' => false,
                     'onboarding_skipped' => true,
                 ],
             ]);
@@ -238,6 +267,47 @@ public function test_create_channel_creates_channel_successfully()
         ]);
     }
 
+    public function test_create_route_validates_required_fields()
+    {
+        $response = $this->postJson('/api/v1/onboarding/route', []);
+
+        $response->assertStatus(422)
+            ->assertJsonValidationErrors(['feed_id', 'platform_channel_id']);
+    }
+
+    public function test_create_route_creates_route_successfully()
+    {
+        $feed = Feed::factory()->create();
+        $platformChannel = PlatformChannel::factory()->create();
+        
+        $routeData = [
+            'feed_id' => $feed->id,
+            'platform_channel_id' => $platformChannel->id,
+            'priority' => 75,
+            'filters' => ['keyword' => 'test'],
+        ];
+
+        $response = $this->postJson('/api/v1/onboarding/route', $routeData);
+
+        $response->assertStatus(200)
+            ->assertJson([
+                'success' => true,
+                'data' => [
+                    'feed_id' => $feed->id,
+                    'platform_channel_id' => $platformChannel->id,
+                    'priority' => 75,
+                    'is_active' => true,
+                ]
+            ]);
+
+        $this->assertDatabaseHas('routes', [
+            'feed_id' => $feed->id,
+            'platform_channel_id' => $platformChannel->id,
+            'priority' => 75,
+            'is_active' => true,
+        ]);
+    }
+
     public function test_complete_onboarding_returns_success()
     {
         $response = $this->postJson('/api/v1/onboarding/complete');

docker/dev/podman/container-start.sh

@@ -11,9 +11,27 @@ echo "Installing PHP dependencies..."
 cd /var/www/html/backend
 composer install --no-interaction
 
-# Generate application key
-echo "Generating application key..."
-php artisan key:generate --force
+# Ensure APP_KEY is set in backend/.env
+ENV_APP_KEY="${APP_KEY}"
+if [ -n "$ENV_APP_KEY" ]; then
+    echo "Using APP_KEY from environment"
+    sed -i "s|^APP_KEY=.*|APP_KEY=${ENV_APP_KEY}|" /var/www/html/backend/.env || true
+fi
+
+# Generate application key if still missing
+CURRENT_APP_KEY=$(grep "^APP_KEY=" /var/www/html/backend/.env | cut -d'=' -f2)
+if [ -z "$CURRENT_APP_KEY" ]; then
+    echo "Generating application key..."
+    php artisan key:generate --force
+fi
+
+# Verify APP_KEY
+APP_KEY=$(grep "^APP_KEY=" /var/www/html/backend/.env | cut -d'=' -f2)
+if [ -n "$APP_KEY" ]; then
+    echo "✅ APP_KEY successfully set."
+else
+    echo "❌ ERROR: APP_KEY not set!"
+fi
 
 # Wait for database to be ready
 echo "Waiting for database..."
@@ -45,6 +63,9 @@ npm run dev -- --host 0.0.0.0 --port 5173 &
 cd /var/www/html/backend
 php artisan serve --host=127.0.0.1 --port=8000 &
 
+# Start Horizon (manages queue workers in dev)
+php artisan horizon &
+
 # Start nginx
 nginx -g "daemon off;" &
 

frontend/src/contexts/OnboardingContext.tsx

@@ -28,17 +28,19 @@ export const OnboardingProvider: React.FC<OnboardingProviderProps> = ({ children
   const needsOnboarding = onboardingStatus?.needs_onboarding ?? false;
   const isOnOnboardingPage = location.pathname.startsWith('/onboarding');
 
-  // Redirect logic - only redirect if user explicitly navigates to a protected route
+  // Redirect logic
   React.useEffect(() => {
     if (isLoading) return;
 
-    // Only redirect if user doesn't need onboarding but is on onboarding pages
+    // If user doesn't need onboarding but is on onboarding pages, redirect to dashboard
     if (!needsOnboarding && isOnOnboardingPage) {
       navigate('/dashboard', { replace: true });
     }
     
-    // Don't auto-redirect to onboarding - let user navigate manually or via links
-    // This prevents the app from being "stuck" in onboarding mode
+    // If user needs onboarding but is not on onboarding pages, redirect to onboarding
+    if (needsOnboarding && !isOnOnboardingPage) {
+      navigate('/onboarding', { replace: true });
+    }
   }, [onboardingStatus, isLoading, needsOnboarding, isOnOnboardingPage, navigate]);
 
   const value: OnboardingContextValue = {

frontend/src/lib/api.ts

@@ -147,16 +147,19 @@ export interface PlatformInstance {
 
 export interface OnboardingStatus {
   needs_onboarding: boolean;
-  current_step: 'platform' | 'feed' | 'channel' | 'complete' | null;
+  current_step: 'platform' | 'feed' | 'channel' | 'route' | 'complete' | null;
   has_platform_account: boolean;
   has_feed: boolean;
   has_channel: boolean;
+  has_route: boolean;
   onboarding_skipped: boolean;
 }
 
 export interface OnboardingOptions {
   languages: Language[];
   platform_instances: PlatformInstance[];
+  feeds: Feed[];
+  platform_channels: PlatformChannel[];
 }
 
 export interface PlatformAccountRequest {
@@ -181,6 +184,25 @@ export interface ChannelRequest {
   description?: string;
 }
 
+export interface Route {
+  feed_id: number;
+  platform_channel_id: number;
+  is_active: boolean;
+  priority: number;
+  filters: Record<string, any>;
+  created_at: string;
+  updated_at: string;
+  feed?: Feed;
+  platform_channel?: PlatformChannel;
+}
+
+export interface RouteRequest {
+  feed_id: number;
+  platform_channel_id: number;
+  priority?: number;
+  filters?: Record<string, any>;
+}
+
 // API Client class
 class ApiClient {
   constructor() {
@@ -226,8 +248,8 @@ class ApiClient {
 
   // Feeds endpoints
   async getFeeds(): Promise<Feed[]> {
-    const response = await axios.get<ApiResponse<Feed[]>>('/feeds');
-    return response.data.data;
+    const response = await axios.get<ApiResponse<{feeds: Feed[], pagination: any}>>('/feeds');
+    return response.data.data.feeds;
   }
 
   async createFeed(data: Partial<Feed>): Promise<Feed> {
@@ -286,6 +308,11 @@ class ApiClient {
     return response.data.data;
   }
 
+  async createRouteForOnboarding(data: RouteRequest): Promise<Route> {
+    const response = await axios.post<ApiResponse<Route>>('/onboarding/route', data);
+    return response.data.data;
+  }
+
   async completeOnboarding(): Promise<void> {
     await axios.post('/onboarding/complete');
   }

frontend/src/main.tsx

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { BrowserRouter } from 'react-router-dom';
 import { QueryClient, QueryClientProvider } from '@tanstack/react-query';
 import './index.css';
 import App from './App';
+import { OnboardingProvider } from './contexts/OnboardingContext';
 
 // Create React Query client
 const queryClient = new QueryClient({
@@ -19,7 +20,9 @@ createRoot(document.getElementById('root')!).render(
   <React.StrictMode>
     <QueryClientProvider client={queryClient}>
       <BrowserRouter>
-        <App />
+        <OnboardingProvider>
+          <App />
+        </OnboardingProvider>
       </BrowserRouter>
     </QueryClientProvider>
   </React.StrictMode>,

frontend/src/pages/Dashboard.tsx

@@ -49,70 +49,8 @@ const Dashboard: React.FC = () => {
         </p>
       </div>
 
-      {/* Article Statistics */}
-      <div className="mb-8">
-        <h2 className="text-lg font-semibold text-gray-900 mb-4">Article Statistics</h2>
-        <div className="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-4 gap-6">
-          <div className="bg-white p-6 rounded-lg shadow">
-            <div className="flex items-center">
-              <div className="flex-shrink-0">
-                <FileText className="h-8 w-8 text-blue-500" />
-              </div>
-              <div className="ml-4">
-                <p className="text-sm font-medium text-gray-500">Articles Today</p>
-                <p className="text-2xl font-semibold text-gray-900">
-                  {articleStats?.total_today || 0}
-                </p>
-              </div>
-            </div>
-          </div>
-
-          <div className="bg-white p-6 rounded-lg shadow">
-            <div className="flex items-center">
-              <div className="flex-shrink-0">
-                <Clock className="h-8 w-8 text-yellow-500" />
-              </div>
-              <div className="ml-4">
-                <p className="text-sm font-medium text-gray-500">Articles This Week</p>
-                <p className="text-2xl font-semibold text-gray-900">
-                  {articleStats?.total_week || 0}
-                </p>
-              </div>
-            </div>
-          </div>
-
-          <div className="bg-white p-6 rounded-lg shadow">
-            <div className="flex items-center">
-              <div className="flex-shrink-0">
-                <CheckCircle className="h-8 w-8 text-green-500" />
-              </div>
-              <div className="ml-4">
-                <p className="text-sm font-medium text-gray-500">Approved Today</p>
-                <p className="text-2xl font-semibold text-gray-900">
-                  {articleStats?.approved_today || 0}
-                </p>
-              </div>
-            </div>
-          </div>
-
-          <div className="bg-white p-6 rounded-lg shadow">
-            <div className="flex items-center">
-              <div className="flex-shrink-0">
-                <TrendingUp className="h-8 w-8 text-purple-500" />
-              </div>
-              <div className="ml-4">
-                <p className="text-sm font-medium text-gray-500">Approval Rate</p>
-                <p className="text-2xl font-semibold text-gray-900">
-                  {articleStats?.approval_percentage_today?.toFixed(1) || 0}%
-                </p>
-              </div>
-            </div>
-          </div>
-        </div>
-      </div>
-
       {/* System Statistics */}
-      <div>
+      <div className="mb-8">
         <h2 className="text-lg font-semibold text-gray-900 mb-4">System Overview</h2>
         <div className="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-4 gap-6">
           <div className="bg-white p-6 rounded-lg shadow">
@@ -184,6 +122,68 @@ const Dashboard: React.FC = () => {
           </div>
         </div>
       </div>
+
+      {/* Article Statistics */}
+      <div>
+        <h2 className="text-lg font-semibold text-gray-900 mb-4">Article Statistics</h2>
+        <div className="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-4 gap-6">
+          <div className="bg-white p-6 rounded-lg shadow">
+            <div className="flex items-center">
+              <div className="flex-shrink-0">
+                <FileText className="h-8 w-8 text-blue-500" />
+              </div>
+              <div className="ml-4">
+                <p className="text-sm font-medium text-gray-500">Articles Today</p>
+                <p className="text-2xl font-semibold text-gray-900">
+                  {articleStats?.total_today || 0}
+                </p>
+              </div>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+
+          <div className="bg-white p-6 rounded-lg shadow">
+            <div className="flex items-center">
+              <div className="flex-shrink-0">
+                <Clock className="h-8 w-8 text-yellow-500" />
+              </div>
+              <div className="ml-4">
+                <p className="text-sm font-medium text-gray-500">Articles This Week</p>
+                <p className="text-2xl font-semibold text-gray-900">
+                  {articleStats?.total_week || 0}
+                </p>
+              </div>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+
+          <div className="bg-white p-6 rounded-lg shadow">
+            <div className="flex items-center">
+              <div className="flex-shrink-0">
+                <CheckCircle className="h-8 w-8 text-green-500" />
+              </div>
+              <div className="ml-4">
+                <p className="text-sm font-medium text-gray-500">Approved Today</p>
+                <p className="text-2xl font-semibold text-gray-900">
+                  {articleStats?.approved_today || 0}
+                </p>
+              </div>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+
+          <div className="bg-white p-6 rounded-lg shadow">
+            <div className="flex items-center">
+              <div className="flex-shrink-0">
+                <TrendingUp className="h-8 w-8 text-purple-500" />
+              </div>
+              <div className="ml-4">
+                <p className="text-sm font-medium text-gray-500">Approval Rate</p>
+                <p className="text-2xl font-semibold text-gray-900">
+                  {articleStats?.approval_percentage_today?.toFixed(1) || 0}%
+                </p>
+              </div>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
     </div>
   );
 };

frontend/src/pages/onboarding/OnboardingWizard.tsx

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import WelcomeStep from './steps/WelcomeStep';
 import PlatformStep from './steps/PlatformStep';
 import FeedStep from './steps/FeedStep';
 import ChannelStep from './steps/ChannelStep';
+import RouteStep from './steps/RouteStep';
 import CompleteStep from './steps/CompleteStep';
 
 const OnboardingWizard: React.FC = () => {
@@ -15,6 +16,7 @@ const OnboardingWizard: React.FC = () => {
         <Route path="platform" element={<PlatformStep />} />
         <Route path="feed" element={<FeedStep />} />
         <Route path="channel" element={<ChannelStep />} />
+        <Route path="route" element={<RouteStep />} />
         <Route path="complete" element={<CompleteStep />} />
         <Route path="*" element={<Navigate to="/onboarding" replace />} />
       </Routes>

frontend/src/pages/onboarding/steps/ChannelStep.tsx

@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 import React, { useState } from 'react';
 import { Link, useNavigate } from 'react-router-dom';
-import { useMutation, useQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query';
+import { useMutation, useQuery, useQueryClient } from '@tanstack/react-query';
 import { apiClient, type ChannelRequest, type Language, type PlatformInstance } from '../../../lib/api';
 
 const ChannelStep: React.FC = () => {
   const navigate = useNavigate();
+  const queryClient = useQueryClient();
   const [formData, setFormData] = useState<ChannelRequest>({
     name: '',
     platform_instance_id: 0,
@@ -22,7 +23,9 @@ const ChannelStep: React.FC = () => {
   const createChannelMutation = useMutation({
     mutationFn: (data: ChannelRequest) => apiClient.createChannelForOnboarding(data),
     onSuccess: () => {
-      navigate('/onboarding/complete');
+      // Invalidate onboarding status cache
+      queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['onboarding-status'] });
+      navigate('/onboarding/route');
     },
     onError: (error: any) => {
       if (error.response?.data?.errors) {

frontend/src/pages/onboarding/steps/CompleteStep.tsx

@@ -1,19 +1,25 @@
 import React from 'react';
 import { Link, useNavigate } from 'react-router-dom';
-import { useMutation } from '@tanstack/react-query';
+import { useMutation, useQueryClient } from '@tanstack/react-query';
 import { apiClient } from '../../../lib/api';
 
 const CompleteStep: React.FC = () => {
   const navigate = useNavigate();
+  const queryClient = useQueryClient();
 
   const completeOnboardingMutation = useMutation({
     mutationFn: () => apiClient.completeOnboarding(),
     onSuccess: () => {
+      // Invalidate onboarding status cache to ensure proper redirect logic
+      queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['onboarding-status'] });
+      queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['dashboard-stats'] });
       navigate('/dashboard');
     },
     onError: (error) => {
       console.error('Failed to complete onboarding:', error);
-      // Still navigate to dashboard even if completion fails
+      // Still invalidate cache and navigate to dashboard even if completion fails
+      queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['onboarding-status'] });
+      queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['dashboard-stats'] });
       navigate('/dashboard');
     }
   });

frontend/src/pages/onboarding/steps/FeedStep.tsx

@@ -136,8 +136,8 @@ const FeedStep: React.FC = () => {
           </label>
           <select 
             id="language_id" 
-            value={formData.language_id}
-            onChange={(e) => handleChange('language_id', parseInt(e.target.value))}
+            value={formData.language_id || ''}
+            onChange={(e) => handleChange('language_id', e.target.value ? parseInt(e.target.value) : 0)}
             className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500 focus:border-transparent"
             required
           >

frontend/src/pages/onboarding/steps/RouteStep.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,174 @@
+import React, { useState } from 'react';
+import { Link, useNavigate } from 'react-router-dom';
+import { useMutation, useQuery, useQueryClient } from '@tanstack/react-query';
+import { apiClient, type RouteRequest, type Feed, type PlatformChannel } from '../../../lib/api';
+
+const RouteStep: React.FC = () => {
+  const navigate = useNavigate();
+  const queryClient = useQueryClient();
+  const [formData, setFormData] = useState<RouteRequest>({
+    feed_id: 0,
+    platform_channel_id: 0,
+    priority: 50,
+    filters: {}
+  });
+  const [errors, setErrors] = useState<Record<string, string[]>>({});
+
+  // Get onboarding options (feeds and channels)
+  const { data: options, isLoading: optionsLoading } = useQuery({
+    queryKey: ['onboarding-options'],
+    queryFn: () => apiClient.getOnboardingOptions()
+  });
+
+  const createRouteMutation = useMutation({
+    mutationFn: (data: RouteRequest) => apiClient.createRouteForOnboarding(data),
+    onSuccess: () => {
+      // Invalidate onboarding status cache to refresh the status
+      queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['onboarding-status'] });
+      queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['dashboard-stats'] });
+      navigate('/onboarding/complete');
+    },
+    onError: (error: any) => {
+      if (error.response?.data?.errors) {
+        setErrors(error.response.data.errors);
+      } else {
+        setErrors({ general: [error.response?.data?.message || 'An error occurred'] });
+      }
+    }
+  });
+
+  const handleSubmit = (e: React.FormEvent) => {
+    e.preventDefault();
+    setErrors({});
+    createRouteMutation.mutate(formData);
+  };
+
+  const handleChange = (field: keyof RouteRequest, value: string | number | Record<string, any>) => {
+    setFormData(prev => ({ ...prev, [field]: value }));
+    // Clear field error when user starts typing
+    if (errors[field]) {
+      setErrors(prev => ({ ...prev, [field]: [] }));
+    }
+  };
+
+  if (optionsLoading) {
+    return <div className="text-center">Loading...</div>;
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <div className="text-center mb-8">
+      <h1 className="text-2xl font-bold text-gray-900 mb-2">Create Your First Route</h1>
+      <p className="text-gray-600">
+        Connect your feed to a channel by creating a route. This tells FFR which articles to post where.
+      </p>
+      
+      {/* Progress indicator */}
+      <div className="flex justify-center mt-6 space-x-2">
+        <div className="w-6 h-6 bg-green-500 text-white rounded-full flex items-center justify-center text-xs font-semibold">✓</div>
+        <div className="w-6 h-6 bg-green-500 text-white rounded-full flex items-center justify-center text-xs font-semibold">✓</div>
+        <div className="w-6 h-6 bg-green-500 text-white rounded-full flex items-center justify-center text-xs font-semibold">✓</div>
+        <div className="w-6 h-6 bg-blue-500 text-white rounded-full flex items-center justify-center text-xs font-semibold">4</div>
+        <div className="w-6 h-6 bg-gray-300 text-gray-600 rounded-full flex items-center justify-center text-xs font-semibold">5</div>
+      </div>
+
+      <form onSubmit={handleSubmit} className="space-y-6 mt-8 text-left">
+        {errors.general && (
+          <div className="p-3 bg-red-50 border border-red-200 rounded-md">
+            <p className="text-red-600 text-sm">{errors.general[0]}</p>
+          </div>
+        )}
+        
+        <div>
+          <label htmlFor="feed_id" className="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 mb-2">
+            Select Feed
+          </label>
+          <select 
+            id="feed_id" 
+            value={formData.feed_id || ''}
+            onChange={(e) => handleChange('feed_id', e.target.value ? parseInt(e.target.value) : 0)}
+            className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500 focus:border-transparent"
+            required
+          >
+            <option value="">Select a feed</option>
+            {options?.feeds?.map((feed: Feed) => (
+              <option key={feed.id} value={feed.id}>
+                {feed.name}
+              </option>
+            ))}
+          </select>
+          {errors.feed_id && (
+            <p className="text-red-600 text-sm mt-1">{errors.feed_id[0]}</p>
+          )}
+        </div>
+
+        <div>
+          <label htmlFor="platform_channel_id" className="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 mb-2">
+            Select Channel
+          </label>
+          <select 
+            id="platform_channel_id" 
+            value={formData.platform_channel_id || ''}
+            onChange={(e) => handleChange('platform_channel_id', e.target.value ? parseInt(e.target.value) : 0)}
+            className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500 focus:border-transparent"
+            required
+          >
+            <option value="">Select a channel</option>
+            {options?.platform_channels?.map((channel: PlatformChannel) => (
+              <option key={channel.id} value={channel.id}>
+                {channel.display_name || channel.name}
+              </option>
+            ))}
+          </select>
+          {(!options?.platform_channels || options.platform_channels.length === 0) && (
+            <p className="text-sm text-gray-500 mt-1">
+              No channels available. Please create a channel first.
+            </p>
+          )}
+          {errors.platform_channel_id && (
+            <p className="text-red-600 text-sm mt-1">{errors.platform_channel_id[0]}</p>
+          )}
+        </div>
+        
+        <div>
+          <label htmlFor="priority" className="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 mb-2">
+            Priority (1-100)
+          </label>
+          <input 
+            type="number" 
+            id="priority" 
+            min="1"
+            max="100"
+            value={formData.priority || 50}
+            onChange={(e) => handleChange('priority', parseInt(e.target.value))}
+            placeholder="50"
+            className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500 focus:border-transparent"
+          />
+          <p className="text-sm text-gray-500 mt-1">
+            Higher priority routes are processed first (default: 50)
+          </p>
+          {errors.priority && (
+            <p className="text-red-600 text-sm mt-1">{errors.priority[0]}</p>
+          )}
+        </div>
+        
+        <div className="flex justify-between">
+          <Link 
+            to="/onboarding/channel"
+            className="px-4 py-2 text-gray-600 hover:text-gray-800 transition duration-200"
+          >
+            ← Back
+          </Link>
+          <button 
+            type="submit" 
+            disabled={createRouteMutation.isPending || (!options?.platform_channels || options.platform_channels.length === 0)}
+            className="bg-blue-600 text-white py-2 px-6 rounded-md hover:bg-blue-700 transition duration-200 disabled:opacity-50"
+          >
+            {createRouteMutation.isPending ? 'Creating...' : 'Continue'}
+          </button>
+        </div>
+      </form>
+    </div>
+  );
+};
+
+export default RouteStep;

frontend/src/pages/onboarding/steps/WelcomeStep.tsx

@@ -41,6 +41,10 @@ const WelcomeStep: React.FC = () => {
         </div>
         <div className="flex items-center text-sm text-gray-600">
           <div className="w-6 h-6 bg-gray-300 text-gray-600 rounded-full flex items-center justify-center mr-3 text-xs font-semibold">4</div>
+          <span>Create a route</span>
+        </div>
+        <div className="flex items-center text-sm text-gray-600">
+          <div className="w-6 h-6 bg-gray-300 text-gray-600 rounded-full flex items-center justify-center mr-3 text-xs font-semibold">5</div>
           <span>You're ready to go!</span>
         </div>
       </div>