diff --git a/backend/src/routes/authRoutes.js b/backend/src/routes/authRoutes.js
index 079b48a..3c48651 100644
--- a/backend/src/routes/authRoutes.js
+++ b/backend/src/routes/authRoutes.js
@@ -323,6 +323,76 @@ router.post('/admin/users/:userId/reset-password', authenticateToken, requireMan
   }
 });
 
+// Public signup endpoint
+router.post('/signup', [
+  body('username').isLength({ min: 3 }).withMessage('Username must be at least 3 characters'),
+  body('email').isEmail().withMessage('Valid email is required'),
+  body('password').isLength({ min: 6 }).withMessage('Password must be at least 6 characters')
+], async (req, res) => {
+  try {
+    const errors = validationResult(req);
+    if (!errors.isEmpty()) {
+      return res.status(400).json({ errors: errors.array() });
+    }
+
+    const { username, email, password } = req.body;
+
+    // Check if user already exists
+    const existingUser = await prisma.user.findFirst({
+      where: {
+        OR: [
+          { username },
+          { email }
+        ]
+      }
+    });
+
+    if (existingUser) {
+      return res.status(409).json({ error: 'Username or email already exists' });
+    }
+
+    // Hash password
+    const passwordHash = await bcrypt.hash(password, 12);
+
+    // Create user with default 'user' role
+    const user = await prisma.user.create({
+      data: {
+        username,
+        email,
+        passwordHash,
+        role: 'user'
+      },
+      select: {
+        id: true,
+        username: true,
+        email: true,
+        role: true,
+        isActive: true,
+        createdAt: true
+      }
+    });
+
+    console.log(`New user registered: ${user.username} (${user.email})`);
+
+    // Generate token for immediate login
+    const token = generateToken(user.id);
+
+    res.status(201).json({
+      message: 'Account created successfully',
+      token,
+      user: {
+        id: user.id,
+        username: user.username,
+        email: user.email,
+        role: user.role
+      }
+    });
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.error('Signup error:', error);
+    res.status(500).json({ error: 'Failed to create account' });
+  }
+});
+
 // Login
 router.post('/login', [
   body('username').notEmpty().withMessage('Username is required'),