diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 5df3f60..7fe8ea7 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -97,12 +97,24 @@ mitbringsl/
 │   │   │   ├── session.go             # SessionStore: opaque Tokens, SHA-256-Hash, Create/Lookup/Revoke
 │   │   │   ├── oidc.go                # OIDCService: id_token-Verifikation (JWKS/iss/aud/exp), Provider-Caching
 │   │   │   └── pgcode.go              # isUniqueViolation (SQLSTATE 23505)
+│   │   ├── sync/                      # PHASE C – Hybrid Logical Clock
+│   │   │   ├── hlc.go                 # HLC: Tick/Now/After, wall_ms<<16|counter, global mutex
+│   │   │   └── hlc_test.go            # HLC Unit-Tests (monoton, kausal, keine Duplikate)
+│   │   ├── store/                     # PHASE C – Store-Schicht
+│   │   │   ├── db.go                  # pgxpool-Setup
+│   │   │   ├── opstore.go             # AppendOps (idempotent, LWW-Projektion), PullOps (cursor)
+│   │   │   ├── liststore.go           # CreateList/GetLists/GetList
+│   │   │   ├── itemstore.go           # GetItems
+│   │   │   └── suggeststore.go        # Search (pg_trgm fuzzy)
 │   │   └── httpapi/
-│   │       ├── api.go                 # API-Objekt + Router (Health + /auth/* aktiv, Rest auskommentiert)
+│   │       ├── api.go                 # API-Objekt + Router (alle Routen aktiv)
 │   │       ├── render.go              # JSON-Render + Problem + Fehler-Sentinale + decodeJSON
 │   │       ├── middleware.go          # requestID/logging/recover/cors + Chain
 │   │       ├── health.go              # /healthz + /readyz
-│   │       └── auth.go                # Register/Login/Logout/OIDC-Handler + RequireAuth-Middleware
+│   │       ├── auth.go                # Register/Login/Logout/OIDC-Handler + RequireAuth-Middleware
+│   │       ├── lists.go               # GET/POST /api/lists, GET /api/lists/{id}
+│   │       ├── ops.go                 # POST/GET /api/lists/{id}/ops (Push/Pull)
+│   │       └── suggest.go             # GET /api/suggestions?q=
 │   ├── migrations/
 │   │   ├── embed.go                   # //go:embed *.sql
 │   │   ├── 000001_init_schema.up.sql  # users/sessions/lists/list_members/items/op_log/item_names
@@ -111,9 +123,10 @@ mitbringsl/
 │   ├── .dockerignore
 │   ├── go.mod / go.sum
 ├── deploy/
-│   ├── docker-compose.yml             # caddy + backend + migrate + db (mit YAML-anchors)
-│   ├── Caddyfile                      # auto-HTTPS
-│   ├── .env.example                   # alle env-Vars dokumentiert
+│   ├── docker-compose.yml             # caddy + backend + migrate + db (CADDY_HTTP/HTTPS_PORT)
+│   ├── Caddyfile                      # standalone: auto-HTTPS (Let's Encrypt)
+│   ├── Caddyfile.behind-proxy         # hinter externem Reverse Proxy: auto_https off, trusted_proxies
+│   ├── .env.example                   # alle env-Vars dokumentiert inkl. Caddy-Ports
 │   └── db/init/001_extensions.sql     # CREATE EXTENSION pgcrypto, pg_trgm
 ├── docs/                              # NOCH LEER (folgt Phase F)
 └── android/                           # NOCH LEER (folgt Phase D)
@@ -142,9 +155,15 @@ Legende: ✅ erledigt · 🚧 in Arbeit · ⬜ offen
       **Verifiziert:** E2E-Flow gegen lokalen Mock-IdP (Discovery → JWKS → signiertes id_token
       → User angelegt → 2. Login findet gleichen User → tampered Token → 401). Alle Fehlerpfade
       geprüft (disabled→400, unknown provider→400, missing fields→400, invalid→401).
-- ⬜ **Phase C – Sync-Kern:** `op_log`-Append (idempotent), HLC, Projektion op→items/lists (LWW+Tombstones).
-- ⬜ **Phase C – Endpoints:** `/api/lists`, `/api/lists/{id}/ops` (push+pull).
-- ⬜ **Phase C – Suggestions:** `item_names`-Trigger + `/api/suggestions`.
+- ✅ **Phase C – Sync-Kern:** HLC (`internal/sync/hlc.go`), `op_log`-Append idempotent mit
+      LWW-Projektion (items/lists) + Tombstones. `internal/store/opstore.go`.
+      **Verifiziert:** `go build/vet/test ./...` grün. HLC-Tests (monoton, kausal, keine Duplikate).
+- ✅ **Phase C – Endpoints:** `GET/POST /api/lists`, `GET /api/lists/{id}`,
+      `POST/GET /api/lists/{id}/ops` (Push idempotent + Pull mit Cursor `?since=`).
+- ✅ **Phase C – Suggestions:** `suggeststore.go` (pg_trgm fuzzy), `GET /api/suggestions?q=`,
+      `upsertItemName` in Projektion (innerhalb Push-Transaktion).
+- ✅ **Phase C – Caddy:** `Caddyfile.behind-proxy` (auto_https off, trusted_proxies),
+      `CADDY_HTTP_PORT`/`CADDY_HTTPS_PORT` in docker-compose.
 - ⬜ **Phase D – Android-Fundament:** Gradle (Kotlin DSL, Version Catalog, Hilt/KSP, Compose BOM),
       Theme, Nav, Room.
 - ⬜ **Phase D – Repository + Retrofit-API + DTOs.**
@@ -155,24 +174,27 @@ Legende: ✅ erledigt · 🚧 in Arbeit · ⬜ offen
 - ⬜ **Phase F – README + docs** (ARCHITECTURE/SYNC/API).
 
 ### Wo genau weitermachen?
-**Phase B ist komplett ✅. Nächster Schritt = Phase C (Sync-Kern).**
+**Phase C ist komplett ✅. Nächster Schritt = Phase D (Android-Fundament).**
 
-Phase B erledigt:
-- ✅ `internal/auth/password.go` – Argon2id im PHC-Format (HashPassword/VerifyPassword).
-- ✅ `internal/auth/user.go` – UserStore (CreateUser/GetByEmail/GetByID/GetByOIDCSubject/CreateOIDCUser).
-- ✅ `internal/auth/session.go` – SessionStore (crypto/rand + base64url + SHA-256, Create/Lookup/Revoke).
-- ✅ `internal/auth/oidc.go` – OIDCService (id_token-Verifikation via go-oidc v3, Provider-Caching).
-- ✅ `internal/httpapi/auth.go` – Register/Login/Logout/OIDC + RequireAuth-Middleware.
-- ✅ `config.go` – OIDC-Validierung (enabled → client_id/issuer Pflicht).
-- ✅ Alle `/auth/*`-Routen aktiv verdrahtet.
+Phase C erledigt:
+- ✅ `internal/sync/hlc.go` – HLC (wall_ms<<16|counter, Tick/Now/After, global mutex).
+- ✅ `internal/store/opstore.go` – AppendOps idempotent (ON CONFLICT DO NOTHING), LWW-Projektion
+  (list_create/rename/delete, item_add/update/remove), PullOps (cursor, 500er Pages).
+- ✅ `internal/store/liststore.go` – CreateList / GetLists / GetList (owner-check MVP).
+- ✅ `internal/store/itemstore.go` – GetItems (nicht-gelöschte Items einer Liste).
+- ✅ `internal/store/suggeststore.go` – Search (pg_trgm fuzzy, LIKE-fallback, 10 Ergebnisse).
+- ✅ `internal/httpapi/lists.go` – GET/POST /api/lists, GET /api/lists/{id} + Items.
+- ✅ `internal/httpapi/ops.go` – POST /api/lists/{id}/ops (Push), GET /api/lists/{id}/ops (Pull).
+- ✅ `internal/httpapi/suggest.go` – GET /api/suggestions?q=.
+- ✅ `internal/httpapi/api.go` – alle Routen verdrahtet.
+- ✅ `deploy/Caddyfile.behind-proxy` – auto_https off + trusted_proxies.
+- ✅ `deploy/docker-compose.yml` – CADDY_HTTP_PORT / CADDY_HTTPS_PORT.
 
-Phase C – Sync-Kern (offen):
-1. `internal/sync/hlc.go` – Hybrid Logical Clock (client- + server-seitig, `(ts, counter)`).
-2. `op_log`-Append in `internal/store/opstore.go`: `AppendOp` idempotent via `UNIQUE(client_id, client_seq)`,
-   zurück: server-seitiger `seq` + `now()`-basierte HLC.
-3. Projektion op→items/lists: `internal/store/liststore.go`/`itemstore.go` mit LWW (`hlc_ts`) + Tombstones (`deleted_at`).
-4. Endpoints `GET/POST /api/lists`, `GET/POST /api/lists/{id}/ops` (Pull `?since=`, Push idempotent).
-5. Suggestions: `item_names`-Trigger + `GET /api/suggestions?q=`.
+Phase D – Android-Fundament (offen):
+1. Gradle-Setup: Kotlin DSL + `libs.versions.toml`, Hilt/KSP, Compose BOM, Room, Retrofit.
+2. Theme (Material 3) + Navigation (Compose Nav).
+3. Room-Datenbankschema (Listen/Items/OpLog/Outbox).
+4. Retrofit-API + DTOs passend zu den Backend-Endpoints.
 
 ---
 
@@ -216,6 +238,6 @@ docker run --rm --network <net> \
 
 ## Git-Status
 - Repo initialisiert, Branch `main`. Remote ist konfiguriert (`origin`).
-- Phase A + Phase B (1/2: Password/Sessions) committed und gepusht.
-- Phase B (2/2: OIDC) committed und gepusht. **Phase B vollständig ✅.**
-- Nächster Schritt: **Phase C – Sync-Kern** (siehe Roadmap oben).
+- Phase A + Phase B (vollständig) committed und gepusht.
+- Phase C (Sync-Kern + Caddy behind-proxy) committed und gepusht. **Phase C vollständig ✅.**
+- Nächster Schritt: **Phase D – Android-Fundament** (siehe Roadmap oben).
diff --git a/backend/internal/httpapi/api.go b/backend/internal/httpapi/api.go
index a0fe417..4a7057a 100644
--- a/backend/internal/httpapi/api.go
+++ b/backend/internal/httpapi/api.go
@@ -7,36 +7,48 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/mitbringsl/backend/internal/auth"
 	"github.com/mitbringsl/backend/internal/config"
+	"github.com/mitbringsl/backend/internal/store"
 )
 
 // API bundles all handler groups and wires the router.
-// Handler groups are added in subsequent phases (lists, items, suggestions).
 type API struct {
 	cfg  *config.Config
 	pool *pgxpool.Pool
 
-	health *HealthHandler
-	auth   *AuthHandler
+	health  *HealthHandler
+	auth    *AuthHandler
+	lists   *ListHandler
+	ops     *OpsHandler
+	suggest *SuggestHandler
 }
 
 // NewAPI constructs the API with all handler groups.
 func NewAPI(cfg *config.Config, pool *pgxpool.Pool) *API {
+	// Auth stores
 	users := auth.NewUserStore(pool)
 	sessions := auth.NewSessionStore(pool, auth.SessionConfig{
 		TokenBytes: cfg.SessionTokenBytes,
 		TTL:        cfg.SessionTokenTTL,
 	})
 	oidcSvc := auth.NewOIDCService(buildProviders(cfg))
-	// When no provider is enabled, pass nil so the endpoint returns a clear
-	// "OIDC disabled" message instead of "unknown provider" for every request.
 	if len(oidcSvc.Providers()) == 0 {
 		oidcSvc = nil
 	}
+
+	// Sync stores
+	listStore := store.NewListStore(pool)
+	itemStore := store.NewItemStore(pool)
+	opStore := store.NewOpStore(pool)
+	suggestStore := store.NewSuggestStore(pool)
+
 	return &API{
-		cfg:    cfg,
-		pool:   pool,
-		health: &HealthHandler{Pool: pool},
-		auth:   NewAuthHandler(users, sessions, oidcSvc, cfg),
+		cfg:     cfg,
+		pool:    pool,
+		health:  &HealthHandler{Pool: pool},
+		auth:    NewAuthHandler(users, sessions, oidcSvc, cfg),
+		lists:   NewListHandler(listStore, itemStore),
+		ops:     NewOpsHandler(opStore, listStore),
+		suggest: NewSuggestHandler(suggestStore),
 	}
 }
 
@@ -67,11 +79,13 @@ func (a *API) Handler() http.Handler {
 	mux.HandleFunc("POST /auth/oidc", a.auth.OIDC)
 	mux.HandleFunc("POST /auth/logout", a.auth.Logout)
 
-	// --- authenticated API endpoints (added in Phase C) ---
-	// mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/lists", a.RequireAuth(http.HandlerFunc(a.lists.List)))
-	// mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/lists/{id}/ops", a.RequireAuth(http.HandlerFunc(a.items.PullOps)))
-	// mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/lists/{id}/ops", a.RequireAuth(http.HandlerFunc(a.items.PushOps)))
-	// mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/suggestions", a.RequireAuth(http.HandlerFunc(a.suggest.Suggest)))
+	// --- authenticated API endpoints ---
+	mux.Handle("GET /api/lists",           a.RequireAuth(http.HandlerFunc(a.lists.List)))
+	mux.Handle("POST /api/lists",          a.RequireAuth(http.HandlerFunc(a.lists.Create)))
+	mux.Handle("GET /api/lists/{id}",      a.RequireAuth(http.HandlerFunc(a.lists.Get)))
+	mux.Handle("POST /api/lists/{id}/ops", a.RequireAuth(http.HandlerFunc(a.ops.Push)))
+	mux.Handle("GET /api/lists/{id}/ops",  a.RequireAuth(http.HandlerFunc(a.ops.Pull)))
+	mux.Handle("GET /api/suggestions",     a.RequireAuth(http.HandlerFunc(a.suggest.Search)))
 
 	return Chain(
 		mux,
diff --git a/backend/internal/httpapi/lists.go b/backend/internal/httpapi/lists.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..532310b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/internal/httpapi/lists.go
@@ -0,0 +1,162 @@
+package httpapi
+
+import (
+	"log/slog"
+	"net/http"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/google/uuid"
+
+	"github.com/mitbringsl/backend/internal/store"
+)
+
+// ListHandler handles the /api/lists endpoints.
+type ListHandler struct {
+	lists *store.ListStore
+	items *store.ItemStore
+}
+
+// NewListHandler creates a ListHandler with the given stores.
+func NewListHandler(lists *store.ListStore, items *store.ItemStore) *ListHandler {
+	return &ListHandler{lists: lists, items: items}
+}
+
+// --- request / response types -----------------------------------------------
+
+type createListRequest struct {
+	Name string `json:"name"`
+}
+
+type listDTO struct {
+	ID        string `json:"id"`
+	Name      string `json:"name"`
+	UpdatedAt string `json:"updated_at"`
+	HLCTS     int64  `json:"hlc_ts"`
+}
+
+type listDetailDTO struct {
+	listDTO
+	Items []store.Item `json:"items"`
+}
+
+type listListResponse struct {
+	Lists []listDTO `json:"lists"`
+}
+
+// --- handlers ---------------------------------------------------------------
+
+// List returns all non-deleted lists for the authenticated user.
+// GET /api/lists
+func (h *ListHandler) List(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	userID, ok := userIDFromCtx(r)
+	if !ok {
+		renderError(w, http.StatusUnauthorized, "Unauthorized", "Missing user context.")
+		return
+	}
+
+	ls, err := h.lists.GetLists(r.Context(), userID)
+	if err != nil {
+		slog.Error("list lists failed", "error", err, "user_id", userID)
+		renderError(w, http.StatusInternalServerError, "Internal error", "Could not load lists.")
+		return
+	}
+
+	dtos := make([]listDTO, len(ls))
+	for i, l := range ls {
+		dtos[i] = listDTO{
+			ID:        l.ID.String(),
+			Name:      l.Name,
+			UpdatedAt: l.UpdatedAt.Format("2006-01-02T15:04:05Z07:00"),
+			HLCTS:     l.HLCTS,
+		}
+	}
+	renderJSON(w, http.StatusOK, listListResponse{Lists: dtos})
+}
+
+// Create creates a new list for the authenticated user.
+// POST /api/lists
+func (h *ListHandler) Create(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	userID, ok := userIDFromCtx(r)
+	if !ok {
+		renderError(w, http.StatusUnauthorized, "Unauthorized", "Missing user context.")
+		return
+	}
+
+	var req createListRequest
+	if !decodeJSON(w, r, &req) {
+		return
+	}
+	name := strings.TrimSpace(req.Name)
+	if name == "" {
+		renderError(w, http.StatusBadRequest, "Bad request", "List name must not be empty.")
+		return
+	}
+
+	l, err := h.lists.CreateList(r.Context(), userID, name)
+	if err != nil {
+		slog.Error("create list failed", "error", err, "user_id", userID)
+		renderError(w, http.StatusInternalServerError, "Internal error", "Could not create list.")
+		return
+	}
+	renderJSON(w, http.StatusCreated, listDTO{
+		ID:        l.ID.String(),
+		Name:      l.Name,
+		UpdatedAt: l.UpdatedAt.Format("2006-01-02T15:04:05Z07:00"),
+		HLCTS:     l.HLCTS,
+	})
+}
+
+// Get returns a single list with its items.
+// GET /api/lists/{id}
+func (h *ListHandler) Get(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	userID, ok := userIDFromCtx(r)
+	if !ok {
+		renderError(w, http.StatusUnauthorized, "Unauthorized", "Missing user context.")
+		return
+	}
+
+	listID, err := uuid.Parse(r.PathValue("id"))
+	if err != nil {
+		renderError(w, http.StatusBadRequest, "Bad request", "Invalid list ID.")
+		return
+	}
+
+	l, err := h.lists.GetList(r.Context(), listID, userID)
+	if err != nil {
+		if !apiError(w, err) {
+			slog.Error("get list failed", "error", err, "list_id", listID)
+			renderError(w, http.StatusInternalServerError, "Internal error", "Could not load list.")
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	its, err := h.items.GetItems(r.Context(), listID)
+	if err != nil {
+		slog.Error("get items failed", "error", err, "list_id", listID)
+		renderError(w, http.StatusInternalServerError, "Internal error", "Could not load items.")
+		return
+	}
+	if its == nil {
+		its = []store.Item{}
+	}
+
+	renderJSON(w, http.StatusOK, listDetailDTO{
+		listDTO: listDTO{
+			ID:        l.ID.String(),
+			Name:      l.Name,
+			UpdatedAt: l.UpdatedAt.Format("2006-01-02T15:04:05Z07:00"),
+			HLCTS:     l.HLCTS,
+		},
+		Items: its,
+	})
+}
+
+// userIDFromCtx extracts the user UUID from the request context (set by RequireAuth).
+func userIDFromCtx(r *http.Request) (uuid.UUID, bool) {
+	v := r.Context().Value(ctxKeyUserID)
+	if v == nil {
+		return uuid.Nil, false
+	}
+	id, ok := v.(uuid.UUID)
+	return id, ok
+}
diff --git a/backend/internal/httpapi/ops.go b/backend/internal/httpapi/ops.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6c85b03
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/internal/httpapi/ops.go
@@ -0,0 +1,147 @@
+package httpapi
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"log/slog"
+	"net/http"
+	"strconv"
+
+	"github.com/google/uuid"
+
+	"github.com/mitbringsl/backend/internal/store"
+)
+
+// OpsHandler handles push and pull of op_log entries.
+type OpsHandler struct {
+	ops   *store.OpStore
+	lists *store.ListStore
+}
+
+// NewOpsHandler creates an OpsHandler with the given stores.
+func NewOpsHandler(ops *store.OpStore, lists *store.ListStore) *OpsHandler {
+	return &OpsHandler{ops: ops, lists: lists}
+}
+
+// --- request / response types -----------------------------------------------
+
+type pushRequest struct {
+	ClientID uuid.UUID         `json:"client_id"`
+	Ops      []store.IncomingOp `json:"ops"`
+}
+
+type pushResponse struct {
+	Results []store.OpResult `json:"results"`
+}
+
+type pullResponse struct {
+	Ops     []store.Op `json:"ops"`
+	HasMore bool       `json:"has_more"`
+}
+
+// --- handlers ---------------------------------------------------------------
+
+// Push accepts a batch of ops from the client, inserts them idempotently into
+// op_log, applies the LWW projection, and returns the server-assigned seq+hlc
+// for each op.
+//
+// POST /api/lists/{id}/ops
+func (h *OpsHandler) Push(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	userID, ok := userIDFromCtx(r)
+	if !ok {
+		renderError(w, http.StatusUnauthorized, "Unauthorized", "Missing user context.")
+		return
+	}
+
+	listID, err := uuid.Parse(r.PathValue("id"))
+	if err != nil {
+		renderError(w, http.StatusBadRequest, "Bad request", "Invalid list ID.")
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Verify the user owns (or is a member of) the list.
+	if _, err := h.lists.GetList(r.Context(), listID, userID); err != nil {
+		if !apiError(w, err) {
+			renderError(w, http.StatusNotFound, "Not found", "List not found.")
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	var req pushRequest
+	if !decodeJSON(w, r, &req) {
+		return
+	}
+
+	if req.ClientID == uuid.Nil {
+		renderError(w, http.StatusBadRequest, "Bad request", "client_id must be a non-nil UUID.")
+		return
+	}
+	if len(req.Ops) == 0 {
+		renderJSON(w, http.StatusOK, pushResponse{Results: []store.OpResult{}})
+		return
+	}
+	maxBatch := store.MaxPushBatch()
+	if len(req.Ops) > maxBatch {
+		renderError(w, http.StatusBadRequest, "Bad request",
+			fmt.Sprintf("Too many ops in a single request (max %d).", maxBatch))
+		return
+	}
+
+	results, err := h.ops.AppendOps(r.Context(), listID, userID, req.ClientID, req.Ops)
+	if err != nil {
+		slog.Error("push ops failed", "error", err, "list_id", listID, "user_id", userID)
+		renderError(w, http.StatusInternalServerError, "Internal error", "Could not store ops.")
+		return
+	}
+	renderJSON(w, http.StatusOK, pushResponse{Results: results})
+}
+
+// Pull returns ops for a list since a given server seq cursor.
+//
+// GET /api/lists/{id}/ops?since=0
+func (h *OpsHandler) Pull(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	userID, ok := userIDFromCtx(r)
+	if !ok {
+		renderError(w, http.StatusUnauthorized, "Unauthorized", "Missing user context.")
+		return
+	}
+
+	listID, err := uuid.Parse(r.PathValue("id"))
+	if err != nil {
+		renderError(w, http.StatusBadRequest, "Bad request", "Invalid list ID.")
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Verify list access.
+	if _, err := h.lists.GetList(r.Context(), listID, userID); err != nil {
+		if !apiError(w, err) {
+			renderError(w, http.StatusNotFound, "Not found", "List not found.")
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	since := int64(0)
+	if s := r.URL.Query().Get("since"); s != "" {
+		v, err := strconv.ParseInt(s, 10, 64)
+		if err != nil || v < 0 {
+			renderError(w, http.StatusBadRequest, "Bad request", "since must be a non-negative integer.")
+			return
+		}
+		since = v
+	}
+
+	ops, err := h.ops.PullOps(r.Context(), listID, since)
+	if err != nil {
+		slog.Error("pull ops failed", "error", err, "list_id", listID, "since", since)
+		renderError(w, http.StatusInternalServerError, "Internal error", "Could not load ops.")
+		return
+	}
+	if ops == nil {
+		ops = []store.Op{}
+	}
+
+	// has_more is true when we returned exactly the page-size limit.
+	// The client should pull again with the last returned seq.
+	hasMore := len(ops) == 500 // pullPageSize is 500 in opstore.go
+
+	renderJSON(w, http.StatusOK, pullResponse{Ops: ops, HasMore: hasMore})
+}
diff --git a/backend/internal/httpapi/suggest.go b/backend/internal/httpapi/suggest.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..acd93eb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/internal/httpapi/suggest.go
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+package httpapi
+
+import (
+	"log/slog"
+	"net/http"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/mitbringsl/backend/internal/store"
+)
+
+// SuggestHandler handles the /api/suggestions endpoint.
+type SuggestHandler struct {
+	suggest *store.SuggestStore
+}
+
+// NewSuggestHandler creates a SuggestHandler backed by the given store.
+func NewSuggestHandler(suggest *store.SuggestStore) *SuggestHandler {
+	return &SuggestHandler{suggest: suggest}
+}
+
+type suggestResponse struct {
+	Suggestions []string `json:"suggestions"`
+}
+
+// Search returns autocomplete suggestions for item names matching the query.
+//
+// GET /api/suggestions?q=<query>
+func (h *SuggestHandler) Search(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	q := strings.TrimSpace(r.URL.Query().Get("q"))
+	if q == "" {
+		renderError(w, http.StatusBadRequest, "Bad request", "Query parameter 'q' is required.")
+		return
+	}
+	// Lowercase so the trgm index can match correctly.
+	q = strings.ToLower(q)
+
+	names, err := h.suggest.Search(r.Context(), q)
+	if err != nil {
+		slog.Error("suggest search failed", "error", err, "q", q)
+		renderError(w, http.StatusInternalServerError, "Internal error", "Could not load suggestions.")
+		return
+	}
+	if names == nil {
+		names = []string{}
+	}
+	renderJSON(w, http.StatusOK, suggestResponse{Suggestions: names})
+}
diff --git a/backend/internal/store/itemstore.go b/backend/internal/store/itemstore.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4dd47f0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/internal/store/itemstore.go
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+package store
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/google/uuid"
+	"github.com/jackc/pgx/v5/pgxpool"
+)
+
+// Item is the projection of an items row.
+type Item struct {
+	ID        uuid.UUID  `json:"id"`
+	ListID    uuid.UUID  `json:"list_id"`
+	Name      string     `json:"name"`
+	Quantity  *string    `json:"quantity,omitempty"`
+	Checked   bool       `json:"checked"`
+	SortOrder *int       `json:"sort_order,omitempty"`
+	CreatedAt time.Time  `json:"created_at"`
+	UpdatedAt time.Time  `json:"updated_at"`
+	DeletedAt *time.Time `json:"deleted_at,omitempty"`
+	HLCTS     int64      `json:"hlc_ts"`
+	ClientID  *uuid.UUID `json:"client_id,omitempty"`
+	CheckedAt *time.Time `json:"checked_at,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// ItemStore provides read access to the items projection.
+type ItemStore struct {
+	pool *pgxpool.Pool
+}
+
+// NewItemStore creates an ItemStore backed by the given pool.
+func NewItemStore(pool *pgxpool.Pool) *ItemStore { return &ItemStore{pool: pool} }
+
+// GetItems returns all non-deleted items for listID, ordered by sort_order then creation time.
+func (s *ItemStore) GetItems(ctx context.Context, listID uuid.UUID) ([]Item, error) {
+	rows, err := s.pool.Query(ctx, `
+		SELECT id, list_id, name, quantity, checked, sort_order,
+		       created_at, updated_at, hlc_ts, client_id, checked_at
+		FROM items
+		WHERE list_id = $1 AND deleted_at IS NULL
+		ORDER BY sort_order ASC NULLS LAST, created_at ASC`,
+		listID,
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("itemstore: get items: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+
+	var items []Item
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var it Item
+		if err := rows.Scan(
+			&it.ID, &it.ListID, &it.Name, &it.Quantity, &it.Checked,
+			&it.SortOrder, &it.CreatedAt, &it.UpdatedAt,
+			&it.HLCTS, &it.ClientID, &it.CheckedAt,
+		); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("itemstore: scan item row: %w", err)
+		}
+		items = append(items, it)
+	}
+	return items, rows.Err()
+}
diff --git a/backend/internal/store/liststore.go b/backend/internal/store/liststore.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d8f3a7a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/internal/store/liststore.go
@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+package store
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/google/uuid"
+	"github.com/jackc/pgx/v5/pgxpool"
+)
+
+// List is the projection of a list row.
+type List struct {
+	ID        uuid.UUID  `json:"id"`
+	Name      string     `json:"name"`
+	OwnerID   uuid.UUID  `json:"owner_id"`
+	CreatedAt time.Time  `json:"created_at"`
+	UpdatedAt time.Time  `json:"updated_at"`
+	DeletedAt *time.Time `json:"deleted_at,omitempty"`
+	HLCTS     int64      `json:"hlc_ts"`
+}
+
+// ListStore provides read/write access to the lists projection.
+type ListStore struct {
+	pool *pgxpool.Pool
+}
+
+// NewListStore creates a ListStore backed by the given pool.
+func NewListStore(pool *pgxpool.Pool) *ListStore { return &ListStore{pool: pool} }
+
+// CreateList inserts a new list owned by ownerID.
+// In the MVP, list creation is a direct INSERT (no op required).
+// The caller is responsible for emitting a list_create op if desired for full
+// op-log coverage; for Phase C the REST endpoint does a direct insert.
+func (s *ListStore) CreateList(ctx context.Context, ownerID uuid.UUID, name string) (*List, error) {
+	var l List
+	err := s.pool.QueryRow(ctx, `
+		INSERT INTO lists (name, owner_id)
+		VALUES ($1, $2)
+		RETURNING id, name, owner_id, created_at, updated_at, hlc_ts`,
+		name, ownerID,
+	).Scan(&l.ID, &l.Name, &l.OwnerID, &l.CreatedAt, &l.UpdatedAt, &l.HLCTS)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("liststore: create list: %w", err)
+	}
+	return &l, nil
+}
+
+// GetLists returns all non-deleted lists owned by ownerID, newest first.
+func (s *ListStore) GetLists(ctx context.Context, ownerID uuid.UUID) ([]List, error) {
+	rows, err := s.pool.Query(ctx, `
+		SELECT id, name, owner_id, created_at, updated_at, hlc_ts
+		FROM lists
+		WHERE owner_id = $1 AND deleted_at IS NULL
+		ORDER BY created_at DESC`,
+		ownerID,
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("liststore: get lists: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+
+	var lists []List
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var l List
+		if err := rows.Scan(&l.ID, &l.Name, &l.OwnerID, &l.CreatedAt, &l.UpdatedAt, &l.HLCTS); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("liststore: scan list row: %w", err)
+		}
+		lists = append(lists, l)
+	}
+	return lists, rows.Err()
+}
+
+// GetList returns a single non-deleted list, checking that userID is the owner.
+// Returns pgx.ErrNoRows if not found or not owned by userID.
+func (s *ListStore) GetList(ctx context.Context, listID, userID uuid.UUID) (*List, error) {
+	var l List
+	err := s.pool.QueryRow(ctx, `
+		SELECT id, name, owner_id, created_at, updated_at, hlc_ts
+		FROM lists
+		WHERE id = $1 AND owner_id = $2 AND deleted_at IS NULL`,
+		listID, userID,
+	).Scan(&l.ID, &l.Name, &l.OwnerID, &l.CreatedAt, &l.UpdatedAt, &l.HLCTS)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("liststore: get list: %w", err)
+	}
+	return &l, nil
+}
diff --git a/backend/internal/store/opstore.go b/backend/internal/store/opstore.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c433a85
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/internal/store/opstore.go
@@ -0,0 +1,368 @@
+// Package store provides database access helpers for the mitbringsl backend.
+// Op-log operations: idempotent append + pull, with inline LWW projection.
+package store
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"log/slog"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/google/uuid"
+	"github.com/jackc/pgx/v5"
+	"github.com/jackc/pgx/v5/pgxpool"
+
+	hlcsync "github.com/mitbringsl/backend/internal/sync"
+)
+
+// OpType constants – must stay in sync with op_log.op_type check.
+const (
+	OpListCreate = "list_create"
+	OpListRename = "list_rename"
+	OpListDelete = "list_delete"
+	OpItemAdd    = "item_add"
+	OpItemUpdate = "item_update"
+	OpItemRemove = "item_remove"
+)
+
+// maxPushBatch is the maximum number of ops accepted in a single push request.
+const maxPushBatch = 100
+
+// pullPageSize is the maximum number of ops returned by a single pull.
+const pullPageSize = 500
+
+// IncomingOp is a single operation sent by the client.
+type IncomingOp struct {
+	ClientSeq int64           `json:"client_seq"`
+	OpType    string          `json:"op_type"`
+	TargetID  uuid.UUID       `json:"target_id"`
+	HLCTS     int64           `json:"hlc_ts"`
+	Payload   json.RawMessage `json:"payload"`
+}
+
+// OpResult is returned for each op after a push – maps client_seq → server seq + hlc.
+type OpResult struct {
+	ClientSeq int64 `json:"client_seq"`
+	Seq       int64 `json:"seq"`
+	HLCTS     int64 `json:"hlc_ts"`
+}
+
+// Op is a fully hydrated op_log row, returned on pull.
+type Op struct {
+	Seq       int64           `json:"seq"`
+	ClientID  uuid.UUID       `json:"client_id"`
+	OpType    string          `json:"op_type"`
+	TargetID  uuid.UUID       `json:"target_id"`
+	Payload   json.RawMessage `json:"payload"`
+	ClientSeq int64           `json:"client_seq"`
+	HLCTS     int64           `json:"hlc_ts"`
+	CreatedAt time.Time       `json:"created_at"`
+}
+
+// OpStore handles op_log reads and writes.
+type OpStore struct {
+	pool *pgxpool.Pool
+}
+
+// NewOpStore creates an OpStore backed by the given pool.
+func NewOpStore(pool *pgxpool.Pool) *OpStore { return &OpStore{pool: pool} }
+
+// MaxPushBatch exposes the configured limit so handlers can validate early.
+func MaxPushBatch() int { return maxPushBatch }
+
+// AppendOps idempotently inserts the given ops for (listID, userID, clientID)
+// into op_log, applies the LWW projection to items/lists within the same
+// transaction, and returns one OpResult per input op.
+//
+// Ops that already exist (UNIQUE client_id+client_seq) are silently skipped;
+// the previously stored seq+hlc is returned for them.
+func (s *OpStore) AppendOps(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	listID, userID, clientID uuid.UUID,
+	ops []IncomingOp,
+) ([]OpResult, error) {
+	results := make([]OpResult, len(ops))
+
+	tx, err := s.pool.BeginTx(ctx, pgx.TxOptions{})
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("opstore: begin tx: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = tx.Rollback(ctx) }()
+
+	for i, op := range ops {
+		// Tick the server HLC, incorporating the client's value.
+		serverHLC := hlcsync.Tick(op.HLCTS)
+
+		// Validate op_type.
+		if !isKnownOpType(op.OpType) {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("opstore: unknown op_type %q at index %d", op.OpType, i)
+		}
+
+		payloadBytes := []byte(op.Payload)
+		if len(payloadBytes) == 0 {
+			payloadBytes = []byte("{}")
+		}
+
+		var seq int64
+		var storedHLC int64
+
+		err := tx.QueryRow(ctx, `
+			INSERT INTO op_log (list_id, user_id, client_id, op_type, target_id, payload, client_seq, hlc_ts)
+			VALUES ($1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6, $7, $8)
+			ON CONFLICT (client_id, client_seq) DO NOTHING
+			RETURNING seq, hlc_ts`,
+			listID, userID, clientID,
+			op.OpType, op.TargetID, payloadBytes,
+			op.ClientSeq, serverHLC,
+		).Scan(&seq, &storedHLC)
+
+		if err == pgx.ErrNoRows {
+			// Already stored – look up the existing row.
+			if err2 := tx.QueryRow(ctx, `
+				SELECT seq, hlc_ts FROM op_log
+				WHERE client_id = $1 AND client_seq = $2`,
+				clientID, op.ClientSeq,
+			).Scan(&seq, &storedHLC); err2 != nil {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("opstore: lookup existing op: %w", err2)
+			}
+			// Skip projection for already-applied ops.
+			results[i] = OpResult{ClientSeq: op.ClientSeq, Seq: seq, HLCTS: storedHLC}
+			continue
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("opstore: insert op: %w", err)
+		}
+
+		// Apply the projection within the same transaction.
+		if err := applyProjection(ctx, tx, listID, op, storedHLC); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("opstore: apply projection for op %d: %w", i, err)
+		}
+
+		results[i] = OpResult{ClientSeq: op.ClientSeq, Seq: seq, HLCTS: storedHLC}
+	}
+
+	if err := tx.Commit(ctx); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("opstore: commit: %w", err)
+	}
+	return results, nil
+}
+
+// PullOps returns up to pullPageSize ops for listID with seq > since.
+// The caller can detect more pages by comparing len(result) == pullPageSize.
+func (s *OpStore) PullOps(ctx context.Context, listID uuid.UUID, since int64) ([]Op, error) {
+	rows, err := s.pool.Query(ctx, `
+		SELECT seq, client_id, op_type, target_id, payload, client_seq, hlc_ts, created_at
+		FROM op_log
+		WHERE list_id = $1 AND seq > $2
+		ORDER BY seq ASC
+		LIMIT $3`,
+		listID, since, pullPageSize,
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("opstore: pull ops: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+
+	var ops []Op
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var o Op
+		if err := rows.Scan(
+			&o.Seq, &o.ClientID, &o.OpType, &o.TargetID,
+			&o.Payload, &o.ClientSeq, &o.HLCTS, &o.CreatedAt,
+		); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("opstore: scan op row: %w", err)
+		}
+		ops = append(ops, o)
+	}
+	return ops, rows.Err()
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Projection (LWW register per entity, Tombstones)
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+// applyProjection updates the items/lists projection tables based on op.
+// All writes use LWW semantics: UPDATE ... WHERE hlc_ts < incomingHLC.
+// Tombstoned rows (deleted_at IS NOT NULL) are never revived.
+func applyProjection(ctx context.Context, tx pgx.Tx, listID uuid.UUID, op IncomingOp, serverHLC int64) error {
+	switch op.OpType {
+	case OpListCreate:
+		return projListCreate(ctx, tx, listID, op, serverHLC)
+	case OpListRename:
+		return projListRename(ctx, tx, op, serverHLC)
+	case OpListDelete:
+		return projListDelete(ctx, tx, op, serverHLC)
+	case OpItemAdd:
+		return projItemAdd(ctx, tx, listID, op, serverHLC)
+	case OpItemUpdate:
+		return projItemUpdate(ctx, tx, op, serverHLC)
+	case OpItemRemove:
+		return projItemRemove(ctx, tx, op, serverHLC)
+	default:
+		// Unknown op types are logged but do not fail the transaction.
+		slog.Warn("applyProjection: unhandled op_type", "op_type", op.OpType)
+		return nil
+	}
+}
+
+// payloadField extracts a string field from a JSON payload.
+func payloadField(payload json.RawMessage, field string) string {
+	var m map[string]json.RawMessage
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(payload, &m); err != nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	v, ok := m[field]
+	if !ok {
+		return ""
+	}
+	var s string
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(v, &s); err != nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return s
+}
+
+func payloadBool(payload json.RawMessage, field string) (bool, bool) {
+	var m map[string]json.RawMessage
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(payload, &m); err != nil {
+		return false, false
+	}
+	v, ok := m[field]
+	if !ok {
+		return false, false
+	}
+	var b bool
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(v, &b); err != nil {
+		return false, false
+	}
+	return b, true
+}
+
+func projListCreate(ctx context.Context, tx pgx.Tx, listID uuid.UUID, op IncomingOp, hlc int64) error {
+	name := payloadField(op.Payload, "name")
+	ownerID := op.TargetID // for list_create, target_id IS the list id; owner comes from payload
+	ownerStr := payloadField(op.Payload, "owner_id")
+	if ownerStr != "" {
+		if id, err := uuid.Parse(ownerStr); err == nil {
+			ownerID = id
+		}
+	}
+	// Use target_id as the list id so the client can refer to it.
+	_, err := tx.Exec(ctx, `
+		INSERT INTO lists (id, name, owner_id, hlc_ts)
+		VALUES ($1, $2, $3, $4)
+		ON CONFLICT (id) DO NOTHING`,
+		op.TargetID, name, ownerID, hlc,
+	)
+	return err
+}
+
+func projListRename(ctx context.Context, tx pgx.Tx, op IncomingOp, hlc int64) error {
+	name := payloadField(op.Payload, "name")
+	if name == "" {
+		return nil
+	}
+	_, err := tx.Exec(ctx, `
+		UPDATE lists
+		SET name = $1, hlc_ts = $2, updated_at = now()
+		WHERE id = $3 AND hlc_ts < $2 AND deleted_at IS NULL`,
+		name, hlc, op.TargetID,
+	)
+	return err
+}
+
+func projListDelete(ctx context.Context, tx pgx.Tx, op IncomingOp, hlc int64) error {
+	_, err := tx.Exec(ctx, `
+		UPDATE lists
+		SET deleted_at = now(), hlc_ts = $1, updated_at = now()
+		WHERE id = $2 AND hlc_ts < $1 AND deleted_at IS NULL`,
+		hlc, op.TargetID,
+	)
+	return err
+}
+
+func projItemAdd(ctx context.Context, tx pgx.Tx, listID uuid.UUID, op IncomingOp, hlc int64) error {
+	name := payloadField(op.Payload, "name")
+	quantity := payloadField(op.Payload, "quantity")
+	_, err := tx.Exec(ctx, `
+		INSERT INTO items (id, list_id, name, quantity, hlc_ts)
+		VALUES ($1, $2, $3, NULLIF($4,''), $5)
+		ON CONFLICT (id) DO NOTHING`,
+		op.TargetID, listID, name, quantity, hlc,
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	// Update suggestions table.
+	if name != "" {
+		return upsertItemName(ctx, tx, strings.ToLower(name))
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func projItemUpdate(ctx context.Context, tx pgx.Tx, op IncomingOp, hlc int64) error {
+	// Build a dynamic UPDATE only touching provided payload fields.
+	setClauses := []string{"hlc_ts = $1", "updated_at = now()"}
+	args := []any{hlc, op.TargetID}
+
+	if name := payloadField(op.Payload, "name"); name != "" {
+		args = append(args, name)
+		setClauses = append(setClauses, fmt.Sprintf("name = $%d", len(args)))
+	}
+	if qty := payloadField(op.Payload, "quantity"); qty != "" {
+		args = append(args, qty)
+		setClauses = append(setClauses, fmt.Sprintf("quantity = $%d", len(args)))
+	}
+	if checked, ok := payloadBool(op.Payload, "checked"); ok {
+		args = append(args, checked)
+		setClauses = append(setClauses, fmt.Sprintf("checked = $%d", len(args)))
+		if checked {
+			setClauses = append(setClauses, "checked_at = now()")
+		} else {
+			setClauses = append(setClauses, "checked_at = NULL")
+		}
+	}
+
+	query := fmt.Sprintf(
+		`UPDATE items SET %s WHERE id = $2 AND hlc_ts < $1 AND deleted_at IS NULL`,
+		strings.Join(setClauses, ", "),
+	)
+	_, err := tx.Exec(ctx, query, args...)
+	return err
+}
+
+func projItemRemove(ctx context.Context, tx pgx.Tx, op IncomingOp, hlc int64) error {
+	_, err := tx.Exec(ctx, `
+		UPDATE items
+		SET deleted_at = now(), hlc_ts = $1, updated_at = now()
+		WHERE id = $2 AND hlc_ts < $1 AND deleted_at IS NULL`,
+		hlc, op.TargetID,
+	)
+	return err
+}
+
+// upsertItemName increments the usage count for a lowercased item name in the
+// suggestions table. Called within the projection transaction.
+func upsertItemName(ctx context.Context, tx pgx.Tx, name string) error {
+	_, err := tx.Exec(ctx, `
+		INSERT INTO item_names (name, usage_count, last_used_at)
+		VALUES ($1, 1, now())
+		ON CONFLICT (name) DO UPDATE
+		  SET usage_count  = item_names.usage_count + 1,
+		      last_used_at = now()`,
+		name,
+	)
+	return err
+}
+
+// isKnownOpType validates the op_type string.
+func isKnownOpType(t string) bool {
+	switch t {
+	case OpListCreate, OpListRename, OpListDelete,
+		OpItemAdd, OpItemUpdate, OpItemRemove:
+		return true
+	}
+	return false
+}
diff --git a/backend/internal/store/suggeststore.go b/backend/internal/store/suggeststore.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cae5dbc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/internal/store/suggeststore.go
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+package store
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+
+	"github.com/jackc/pgx/v5/pgxpool"
+)
+
+const suggestLimit = 10
+
+// SuggestStore provides autocomplete search over aggregated item names.
+type SuggestStore struct {
+	pool *pgxpool.Pool
+}
+
+// NewSuggestStore creates a SuggestStore backed by the given pool.
+func NewSuggestStore(pool *pgxpool.Pool) *SuggestStore { return &SuggestStore{pool: pool} }
+
+// Search returns up to suggestLimit item name suggestions matching q using
+// pg_trgm similarity search.  Results are ordered by usage_count DESC so the
+// most-used names appear first.
+func (s *SuggestStore) Search(ctx context.Context, q string) ([]string, error) {
+	rows, err := s.pool.Query(ctx, `
+		SELECT name
+		FROM item_names
+		WHERE name % $1 OR name LIKE $2
+		ORDER BY usage_count DESC, last_used_at DESC
+		LIMIT $3`,
+		q, q+"%", suggestLimit,
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("suggeststore: search: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+
+	var names []string
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var name string
+		if err := rows.Scan(&name); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("suggeststore: scan name: %w", err)
+		}
+		names = append(names, name)
+	}
+	return names, rows.Err()
+}
diff --git a/backend/internal/sync/hlc.go b/backend/internal/sync/hlc.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..48fd168
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/internal/sync/hlc.go
@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+// Package sync provides synchronisation primitives for the mitbringsl backend.
+// The Hybrid Logical Clock (HLC) combines a physical wall-clock with a logical
+// counter so that every event gets a strictly monotonically increasing int64
+// timestamp that is compatible with client-generated HLC values.
+//
+// Encoding: the top 48 bits hold wall-clock milliseconds since the Unix epoch;
+// the bottom 16 bits hold a counter that disambiguates events within the same
+// millisecond.  This lets us store the full HLC value in a single BIGINT column
+// while still being orderable and human-readable.
+package sync
+
+import (
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+)
+
+const (
+	// counterBits is the number of bits reserved for the intra-ms counter.
+	counterBits = 16
+	// maxCounter is the maximum value the intra-ms counter can hold.
+	maxCounter = (1 << counterBits) - 1
+)
+
+// clock is the process-global HLC state. All exported functions are safe for
+// concurrent use via the embedded mutex.
+var clock struct {
+	mu   sync.Mutex
+	last int64
+}
+
+// Now returns the current HLC value without advancing the state.
+// Useful for initialisation checks; prefer Tick for actual event timestamps.
+func Now() int64 {
+	clock.mu.Lock()
+	defer clock.mu.Unlock()
+	return tick(clock.last)
+}
+
+// Tick advances the global HLC past the given external value (e.g. a
+// client-supplied hlc_ts) and returns the new value.  It is safe to call with
+// 0 when there is no external value to incorporate.
+//
+// Guarantees:
+//   - result > last (strictly monotonic)
+//   - result >= externalHLC (causal ordering preserved)
+func Tick(externalHLC int64) int64 {
+	clock.mu.Lock()
+	defer clock.mu.Unlock()
+
+	wall := wallMS()
+	prev := clock.last
+
+	// Determine the maximum physical time we're aware of.
+	maxWall := max3(wall, wallOf(prev), wallOf(externalHLC))
+
+	var counter int64
+	switch {
+	case maxWall == wallOf(prev) && maxWall == wallOf(externalHLC):
+		// Both are in the same ms bucket: take the larger counter + 1.
+		c := counterOf(prev)
+		if ec := counterOf(externalHLC); ec > c {
+			c = ec
+		}
+		counter = c + 1
+	case maxWall == wallOf(prev):
+		counter = counterOf(prev) + 1
+	case maxWall == wallOf(externalHLC):
+		counter = counterOf(externalHLC) + 1
+	default:
+		// Wall time advanced; reset counter.
+		counter = 0
+	}
+
+	if counter > maxCounter {
+		// Counter overflow: steal a millisecond from the future.
+		maxWall++
+		counter = 0
+	}
+
+	next := (maxWall << counterBits) | counter
+	clock.last = next
+	return next
+}
+
+// After reports whether a causally follows b (i.e. a > b as integers).
+func After(a, b int64) bool { return a > b }
+
+// wallMS returns the current Unix epoch time in milliseconds.
+func wallMS() int64 { return time.Now().UnixMilli() }
+
+// wallOf extracts the wall-clock ms from an HLC value.
+func wallOf(hlc int64) int64 { return hlc >> counterBits }
+
+// counterOf extracts the logical counter from an HLC value.
+func counterOf(hlc int64) int64 { return hlc & maxCounter }
+
+// tick is the internal (lock-held) Tick implementation against wall time only.
+func tick(last int64) int64 {
+	wall := wallMS()
+	maxWall := wallOf(last)
+	if wall > maxWall {
+		return wall << counterBits
+	}
+	counter := counterOf(last) + 1
+	if counter > maxCounter {
+		maxWall++
+		counter = 0
+	}
+	return (maxWall << counterBits) | counter
+}
+
+func max3(a, b, c int64) int64 {
+	if b > a {
+		a = b
+	}
+	if c > a {
+		a = c
+	}
+	return a
+}
diff --git a/backend/internal/sync/hlc_test.go b/backend/internal/sync/hlc_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2277391
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/internal/sync/hlc_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+package sync
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestTick_StrictlyMonotonic(t *testing.T) {
+	// Reset global state.
+	clock.mu.Lock()
+	clock.last = 0
+	clock.mu.Unlock()
+
+	prev := int64(0)
+	for i := 0; i < 1000; i++ {
+		v := Tick(0)
+		if v <= prev {
+			t.Fatalf("iteration %d: Tick() = %d, want > %d", i, v, prev)
+		}
+		prev = v
+	}
+}
+
+func TestTick_CausalOrdering(t *testing.T) {
+	clock.mu.Lock()
+	clock.last = 0
+	clock.mu.Unlock()
+
+	// Simulate a client HLC far in the future.
+	future := int64(9_999_999_999) << counterBits
+	v := Tick(future)
+	if !After(v, future) {
+		t.Fatalf("Tick(future) = %d, want > %d", v, future)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestTick_NoDuplicates(t *testing.T) {
+	clock.mu.Lock()
+	clock.last = 0
+	clock.mu.Unlock()
+
+	seen := make(map[int64]bool)
+	for i := 0; i < 10_000; i++ {
+		v := Tick(0)
+		if seen[v] {
+			t.Fatalf("duplicate HLC value %d at iteration %d", v, i)
+		}
+		seen[v] = true
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAfter(t *testing.T) {
+	if !After(2, 1) {
+		t.Fatal("After(2,1) must be true")
+	}
+	if After(1, 2) {
+		t.Fatal("After(1,2) must be false")
+	}
+	if After(1, 1) {
+		t.Fatal("After(1,1) must be false")
+	}
+}
diff --git a/deploy/.env.example b/deploy/.env.example
index fb3dcc9..480008b 100644
--- a/deploy/.env.example
+++ b/deploy/.env.example
@@ -42,3 +42,15 @@ OIDC_GENERIC_CLIENT_ID=             # audience the backend accepts
 # --- CORS (only relevant for browser clients; Android doesn't need it) ---
 # Comma-separated list of allowed origins, e.g. https://app.example.com
 CORS_ALLOWED_ORIGINS=
+
+# --- Caddy ports ---
+# Standalone mode (Caddy handles TLS directly):
+CADDY_HTTP_PORT=80
+CADDY_HTTPS_PORT=443
+
+# Behind a reverse proxy (your proxy does TLS, Caddy is plain HTTP):
+# 1. Change CADDY_HTTP_PORT to the port your proxy forwards to.
+# 2. Mount Caddyfile.behind-proxy instead of Caddyfile in docker-compose.yml.
+# 3. Remove the CADDY_HTTPS_PORT lines from docker-compose caddy.ports.
+#
+# CADDY_HTTP_PORT=8880
diff --git a/deploy/Caddyfile b/deploy/Caddyfile
index 3d1c04e..a1262b4 100644
--- a/deploy/Caddyfile
+++ b/deploy/Caddyfile
@@ -1,25 +1,27 @@
-# Caddyfile for mitbringsl.
+# Caddyfile for mitbringsl – standalone mode (default).
 # Caddy automatically obtains and renews a Let's Encrypt certificate when the
 # site address is a real domain. For local development it falls back to an
 # internal CA / self-signed cert automatically.
+#
+# To run behind your own reverse proxy instead, mount Caddyfile.behind-proxy.
 {
-	# email you@example.com   # optional, for ACME account
+	# email you@example.com   # optional, for ACME account registration
 }
 
 {$SITE_ADDRESS:localhost} {
 	reverse_proxy backend:8080 {
-		header_up X-Real-IP {remote_host}
-		header_up X-Forwarded-For {remote_host}
+		header_up X-Real-IP        {remote_host}
+		header_up X-Forwarded-For  {remote_host}
+		header_up X-Forwarded-Proto {scheme}
 	}
 
-	# Useful default headers
+	# Useful default security headers
 	header {
 		Strict-Transport-Security "max-age=31536000"
 		X-Content-Type-Options "nosniff"
 		Referrer-Policy "no-referrer"
 	}
 
-	# Health endpoint passthrough already handled by backend; keep it simple.
 	request_body {
 		max_size 2MB
 	}
diff --git a/deploy/Caddyfile.behind-proxy b/deploy/Caddyfile.behind-proxy
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..728f89d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/deploy/Caddyfile.behind-proxy
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+# Caddyfile for mitbringsl – behind external reverse proxy mode.
+#
+# Use this when your own reverse proxy (nginx, Traefik, etc.) handles TLS
+# termination and routes traffic to Caddy over plain HTTP on the internal
+# Docker network.
+#
+# In docker-compose.yml, mount this file instead of the default Caddyfile:
+#   volumes:
+#     - ./Caddyfile.behind-proxy:/etc/caddy/Caddyfile:ro
+#
+# Your external proxy should set:
+#   X-Forwarded-For   <client-ip>
+#   X-Forwarded-Proto https
+#   Host              <your-domain>
+{
+	# Disable auto-HTTPS – TLS is handled by the outer proxy.
+	auto_https off
+}
+
+:80 {
+	# Trust the private-network upstream so X-Forwarded-* headers are accepted.
+	# Change to a specific IP/CIDR if your proxy has a fixed address.
+	trusted_proxies private_ranges
+
+	reverse_proxy backend:8080 {
+		# Forward the real client IP to the backend.
+		header_up X-Real-IP        {http.request.header.X-Forwarded-For}
+		header_up X-Forwarded-For  {http.request.header.X-Forwarded-For}
+		header_up X-Forwarded-Proto {http.request.header.X-Forwarded-Proto}
+	}
+
+	# Enforce a sensible request body size limit.
+	request_body {
+		max_size 2MB
+	}
+
+	log {
+		output stdout
+		format console
+	}
+}
diff --git a/deploy/docker-compose.yml b/deploy/docker-compose.yml
index 58b8d81..f4cadec 100644
--- a/deploy/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/deploy/docker-compose.yml
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 #   docker compose up -d --build
 #
 # Services:
-#   caddy    public reverse proxy with automatic HTTPS (Let's Encrypt)
+#   caddy    reverse proxy (auto-HTTPS by default; see "Behind a Reverse Proxy" below)
 #   backend  mitbringsl Go API (image builds server + migrate binaries)
 #   migrate  one-shot migration runner, must finish before backend starts
 #   db       PostgreSQL 16
@@ -81,10 +81,22 @@ services:
   caddy:
     image: caddy:2-alpine
     restart: unless-stopped
+    # --- Standalone mode (default): Caddy handles TLS via Let's Encrypt ----
+    # Exposes ports 80 (ACME HTTP-01 challenge) and 443 (HTTPS + HTTP/3).
     ports:
-      - "80:80"        # ACME HTTP-01 challenge + redirect
-      - "443:443"
-      - "443:443/udp"  # HTTP/3
+      - "${CADDY_HTTP_PORT:-80}:80"
+      - "${CADDY_HTTPS_PORT:-443}:443"
+      - "${CADDY_HTTPS_PORT:-443}:443/udp"   # HTTP/3
+    # --- Behind a Reverse Proxy mode ----------------------------------------
+    # If your own proxy handles TLS, set CADDY_HTTP_PORT to the port your proxy
+    # forwards to (e.g. 8880), and mount Caddyfile.behind-proxy instead:
+    #
+    #   CADDY_HTTP_PORT=8880
+    #   volumes:
+    #     - ./Caddyfile.behind-proxy:/etc/caddy/Caddyfile:ro
+    #
+    # Also remove the CADDY_HTTPS_PORT ports above and comment out this note.
+    # -------------------------------------------------------------------------
     volumes:
       - ./Caddyfile:/etc/caddy/Caddyfile:ro
       - caddy_data:/data