diff --git a/app/components/SeriesPassPurchase.vue b/app/components/SeriesPassPurchase.vue
index 8d3e7f1..ef293af 100644
--- a/app/components/SeriesPassPurchase.vue
+++ b/app/components/SeriesPassPurchase.vue
@@ -144,6 +144,7 @@
           <p class="text-xs text-[--ui-text-muted] text-center">
             By registering, you'll be automatically registered for all
             {{ seriesInfo.totalEvents }} events in this series.
+            <span v-if="!isLoggedIn"> We'll create a free guest account so you can access your pass.</span>
           </p>
         </form>
       </div>
@@ -182,7 +183,7 @@ const props = defineProps({
 const emit = defineEmits(["purchase-success", "purchase-error"]);
 
 const toast = useToast();
-const { initializeTicketPayment, verifyPayment } = useHelcimPay();
+const { initializeSeriesTicketPayment, verifyPayment } = useHelcimPay();
 
 // State
 const loading = ref(true);
@@ -264,10 +265,9 @@ const handleSubmit = async () => {
       paymentProcessing.value = true;
 
       // Initialize Helcim payment for series pass
-      await initializeTicketPayment(
+      await initializeSeriesTicketPayment(
         props.seriesId,
         form.value.email,
-        passInfo.value.ticket.price,
         props.seriesInfo.title,
       );
 
@@ -298,6 +298,11 @@ const handleSubmit = async () => {
       }
     );
 
+    // Refresh client auth state if server signed us in (guest upgrade)
+    if (purchaseResponse?.signedIn) {
+      await useAuth().checkMemberStatus();
+    }
+
     // Show success message
     toast.add({
       title: "Series Pass Purchased!",
diff --git a/app/components/SignupFlowOverlay.vue b/app/components/SignupFlowOverlay.vue
index f29559f..6ad3321 100644
--- a/app/components/SignupFlowOverlay.vue
+++ b/app/components/SignupFlowOverlay.vue
@@ -33,14 +33,9 @@
             </dl>
           </DashedBox>
           <p class="signup-flow-body" style="margin-top: 16px">
-            We've sent a confirmation email to {{ summary?.email }}. Redirecting
-            you to your dashboard...
+            Check {{ summary?.email }} for a sign-in link to finish setting up
+            your account. The link expires in 15 minutes.
           </p>
-          <div class="button-row" style="margin-top: 20px">
-            <NuxtLink :to="dashboardHref" class="btn btn-primary">
-              Go to Dashboard Now
-            </NuxtLink>
-          </div>
         </template>
 
         <template v-if="state === 'error'">
diff --git a/app/composables/useHelcim.js b/app/composables/useHelcim.js
deleted file mode 100644
index efc96b1..0000000
--- a/app/composables/useHelcim.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,90 +0,0 @@
-// Helcim API integration composable
-export const useHelcim = () => {
-  const config = useRuntimeConfig()
-  const helcimToken = config.public.helcimToken
-
-  // Base URL for Helcim API
-  const HELCIM_API_BASE = 'https://api.helcim.com/v2'
-
-  // Helper function to make API requests
-  const makeHelcimRequest = async (endpoint, method = 'GET', body = null) => {
-    try {
-      const response = await $fetch(`${HELCIM_API_BASE}${endpoint}`, {
-        method,
-        headers: {
-          'accept': 'application/json',
-          'content-type': 'application/json',
-          'api-token': helcimToken
-        },
-        body: body ? JSON.stringify(body) : undefined
-      })
-      return response
-    } catch (error) {
-      console.error('Helcim API error:', error)
-      throw error
-    }
-  }
-
-  // Create a customer
-  const createCustomer = async (customerData) => {
-    return await makeHelcimRequest('/customers', 'POST', {
-      customerType: 'PERSON',
-      contactName: customerData.name,
-      email: customerData.email,
-      billingAddress: customerData.billingAddress || {}
-    })
-  }
-
-  // Create a subscription
-  const createSubscription = async (customerId, planId, cardToken) => {
-    return await makeHelcimRequest('/recurring/subscriptions', 'POST', {
-      customerId,
-      planId,
-      cardToken,
-      startDate: new Date().toISOString().split('T')[0] // Today's date
-    })
-  }
-
-  // Get customer details
-  const getCustomer = async (customerId) => {
-    return await makeHelcimRequest(`/customers/${customerId}`)
-  }
-
-  // Get subscription details
-  const getSubscription = async (subscriptionId) => {
-    return await makeHelcimRequest(`/recurring/subscriptions/${subscriptionId}`)
-  }
-
-  // Update subscription
-  const updateSubscription = async (subscriptionId, updates) => {
-    return await makeHelcimRequest(`/recurring/subscriptions/${subscriptionId}`, 'PATCH', updates)
-  }
-
-  // Cancel subscription
-  const cancelSubscription = async (subscriptionId) => {
-    return await makeHelcimRequest(`/recurring/subscriptions/${subscriptionId}`, 'DELETE')
-  }
-
-  // Get payment plans
-  const getPaymentPlans = async () => {
-    return await makeHelcimRequest('/recurring/plans')
-  }
-
-  // Verify card token (for testing)
-  const verifyCardToken = async (cardToken) => {
-    return await makeHelcimRequest('/cards/verify', 'POST', {
-      cardToken
-    })
-  }
-
-  return {
-    createCustomer,
-    createSubscription,
-    getCustomer,
-    getSubscription,
-    updateSubscription,
-    cancelSubscription,
-    getPaymentPlans,
-    verifyCardToken
-  }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/composables/useHelcimPay.js b/app/composables/useHelcimPay.js
index 3703295..e696d10 100644
--- a/app/composables/useHelcimPay.js
+++ b/app/composables/useHelcimPay.js
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ export const useHelcimPay = () => {
   let checkoutToken = null;
   let secretToken = null;
 
-  // Initialize HelcimPay.js session
+  // Initialize HelcimPay.js session (membership signup flow)
   const initializeHelcimPay = async (customerId, customerCode, amount = 0) => {
     try {
       const response = await $fetch("/api/helcim/initialize-payment", {
@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@ export const useHelcimPay = () => {
           customerId,
           customerCode,
           amount,
+          // Marks this as a paid-tier signup so the server accepts the
+          // payment-bridge cookie set by /api/helcim/customer (the user
+          // hasn't clicked their email-verify magic link yet).
+          metadata: { type: "membership_signup" },
         },
       });
 
@@ -57,6 +61,7 @@ export const useHelcimPay = () => {
         return {
           success: true,
           checkoutToken: response.checkoutToken,
+          amount: response.amount,
         };
       }
 
@@ -67,6 +72,44 @@ export const useHelcimPay = () => {
     }
   };
 
+  // Initialize payment for series pass purchase
+  const initializeSeriesTicketPayment = async (
+    seriesId,
+    email,
+    seriesTitle = null,
+  ) => {
+    try {
+      const response = await $fetch("/api/helcim/initialize-payment", {
+        method: "POST",
+        body: {
+          customerId: null,
+          customerCode: email,
+          metadata: {
+            type: "series_ticket",
+            seriesId,
+            email,
+            eventTitle: seriesTitle,
+          },
+        },
+      });
+
+      if (response.success) {
+        checkoutToken = response.checkoutToken;
+        secretToken = response.secretToken;
+        return {
+          success: true,
+          checkoutToken: response.checkoutToken,
+          amount: response.amount,
+        };
+      }
+
+      throw new Error("Failed to initialize series payment session");
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error("Series payment initialization error:", error);
+      throw error;
+    }
+  };
+
   // Show payment modal
   const showPaymentModal = () => {
     return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
@@ -272,6 +315,7 @@ export const useHelcimPay = () => {
   return {
     initializeHelcimPay,
     initializeTicketPayment,
+    initializeSeriesTicketPayment,
     verifyPayment,
     cleanup,
   };
diff --git a/app/pages/join.vue b/app/pages/join.vue
index 82e4f00..32cc816 100644
--- a/app/pages/join.vue
+++ b/app/pages/join.vue
@@ -555,10 +555,9 @@ const createSubscription = async (cardToken = null) => {
       flowState.value = "success";
       successMessage.value = "Your membership is active.";
 
-      // Check member status to ensure user is properly authenticated
-      await checkMemberStatus();
-
-      navigateTo("/welcome");
+      // Sign-in cookie is now issued by the email-verify magic link
+      // (see /api/helcim/customer). Don't auto-navigate to a gated page —
+      // the success state instructs the user to check their inbox.
     } else {
       throw new Error("Subscription creation failed - response not successful");
     }
diff --git a/docs/LAUNCH_READINESS.md b/docs/LAUNCH_READINESS.md
index de220a2..feae0ca 100644
--- a/docs/LAUNCH_READINESS.md
+++ b/docs/LAUNCH_READINESS.md
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ Single source of truth for work remaining before cutover. P0 blocks launch; P1 i
 
 ## Current state
 
-- Vitest on `main`: **652/658 passing**. 6 pre-existing failures in `tests/server/api/helcim-payment.test.js` — unrelated to launch-blocking work, flagged in the Deploy checklist.
+- Vitest snapshot 2026-04-25 ~18:23 local: **703 passing / 8 failing / 2 skipped (713 total)**. The previously-flagged 6 helcim-payment failures are now green. The 8 current failures are in `tests/server/api/auth-verify.test.js` and `tests/server/api/cancel-subscription.smoke.test.js`, both belonging to in-flight Phase 5 fixes (#10 and #9) being landed by parallel impl subagents — they will resolve as those branches merge.
 - All launch code is on local `main`: Helcim plan consolidation, contribution-amount redesign, cadence UX unification, and receipts Phase 1. Not pushed — site is not on Netlify yet.
 - Helcim plan consolidation migration **ran against prod 2026-04-18** (Monthly plan id `50302`, Annual plan id `50303`).
 - Contribution-amount migration has **NOT** yet been run against prod.
@@ -36,11 +36,13 @@ Applies when the site is connected to Netlify / production hosting. Nothing here
 - [ ] **Run `node scripts/migrate-contribution-amount.cjs --apply` against prod Mongo BEFORE the new code serves traffic.** Idempotent; dry-run on local counted 34 members. Requires `MONGODB_URI` in env. The script writes `contributionAmount` (Number) derived from existing `contributionTier` (String) on every Member doc; the old field is left intact for a window.
 - [ ] Set `NUXT_HELCIM_MONTHLY_PLAN_ID=50302` in production env.
 - [ ] Set `NUXT_HELCIM_ANNUAL_PLAN_ID=50303` in production env.
-- [ ] Decide on the 6 failing tests in `tests/server/api/helcim-payment.test.js` — either fix or consciously accept. Not launch-blocking, but pre-existing red tests tend to mask new regressions.
 - [ ] **Run `node scripts/reconcile-helcim-payments.mjs --apply` against prod Mongo AFTER the new code serves traffic** to backfill Payment records for pre-existing members. Idempotent (unique `helcimTransactionId`); safe to re-run as a nightly reconciliation job post-launch.
 - [ ] **Prod audit for pre-fix series-pass bypass registrations.** Fixed in `f34b062` + `4e1888a` (2026-04-20). Before that, child events of pass-only series (`tickets.requiresSeriesTicket=true && tickets.allowIndividualEventTickets=false`) accepted drop-in registrations from non-pass-holders. For every such series, list its child-event `registrations` where the registrant is not in the parent series' pass-holder list, filter to `registeredAt < 2026-04-20`, and decide per-case: grandfather (keep + notify), refund + unregister, or silently unregister. Local Mongo was scrubbed of 2 such rows on 2026-04-20; prod was intentionally untouched.
 - [ ] **Helcim dashboard: disable the default payment-confirmation email for plans 50302 + 50303.** We send our own CRA-safe confirmation via Resend (`server/emails/paymentConfirmation.js`) triggered from `upsertPaymentFromHelcim`; leaving Helcim's default on = duplicate emails.
 - [ ] **Run one real test charge on staging** via the cloudflared tunnel and verify (a) a Payment doc in Mongo with `amount`, `paymentType`, `status: 'success'`, and (b) exactly one CRA-compliant confirmation email (charity name + "not an official donation receipt" disclaimer; no banned assertive phrasing).
+- [ ] **Rotate HELCIM_API_TOKEN** in the Helcim merchant portal and update the prod env var. The token was previously exposed in `window.__NUXT__` payload until today's deploy.
+- [ ] **Set NUXT_RECONCILE_TOKEN** in production env (any 32+ char random string). Used as shared secret between Netlify scheduled function and the internal reconcile route.
+- [ ] **Verify Netlify scheduled function `reconcile-payments` is enabled** in the Netlify dashboard. Schedule: daily.
 
 **Env vars required in production (reference):**
 - `MONGODB_URI`
@@ -53,6 +55,32 @@ Applies when the site is connected to Netlify / production hosting. Nothing here
 - `BASE_URL`
 - `OIDC_COOKIE_SECRET`
 - `NUXT_PUBLIC_HELCIM_PORTAL_URL`
+- `NUXT_RECONCILE_TOKEN`
+
+---
+
+## Fixed 2026-04-25
+
+Day-of-launch security and correctness audit. All commit shas TBD until Phase 5.
+
+### CRITICAL (security)
+- **Fix #1** — `HELCIM_API_TOKEN` removed from public runtime config + dead `useHelcim.js` deleted. **Token must be rotated post-deploy** (was previously exposed via `window.__NUXT__`).
+- **Fix #2** — `/api/helcim/customer` gated with origin check + per-IP/email rate limit + magic-link email verification (replaces unauthenticated `setAuthCookie`).
+- **Fix #3** — `/api/events/[id]/payment` deleted (dead code with auth bypass). `processHelcimPayment` stub + `eventPaymentSchema` removed.
+- **Fix #4** — `/api/helcim/initialize-payment` re-derives ticket amount server-side via `calculateTicketPrice`; new `series_ticket` metadata type.
+- **Fix #5** — `/api/helcim/customer` upgrades existing `status:guest` members in place rather than rejecting with 409.
+
+### HIGH (correctness)
+- **Fix #6** — Recurring reconciliation: Netlify scheduled function calls `/api/internal/reconcile-payments` daily. Requires `NUXT_RECONCILE_TOKEN` env var.
+- **Fix #7** — `validateBeforeSave: false` added to event subdoc saves (waitlist endpoints) to dodge legacy location validators.
+- **Fix #8** — Series-pass purchase always creates a guest Member when caller is unauthenticated, mirroring event-ticket flow.
+- **Fix #9** — `cancel-subscription` leaves status `active` (per ratified bylaws); adds `lastCancelledAt` audit field.
+- **Fix #10** — `/api/auth/verify` uses `validateBody` with `.strict()` Zod schema.
+- **Fix #11** — Added 8 vitest cases for `cancel-subscription.post.js` (was uncovered).
+
+### Side-quests
+- Visual audit Phase 4 changes (events/series surface)
+- Per-fix branch verification: see `docs/superpowers/specs/2026-04-25-fix-*.md`
 
 ---
 
@@ -100,6 +128,19 @@ See `docs/TODO.md` for:
 - **Subscription cache fed wrong field on CREATE.** `subscription.post.js` and `update-contribution.post.js` read `subscription.nextBillingDate` from Helcim's CREATE response, but Helcim returns `dateBilling`. The lazy refresh in `subscription.get.js` masks this (handles both shapes), so next-charge rendering works — but the cache starts empty. Fix at the CREATE sites so the cache is correct from first write.
 - **Admin edit does not sync Helcim `recurringAmount`.** `/admin/members/[id]` PUT writes `contributionAmount` direct to Mongo by design. Admins must PATCH Helcim manually. Worth surfacing in admin UI or docs.
 - **Cadence switch rejected on active subscriptions.** `update-contribution.post.js:184-189` refuses cadence changes mid-subscription; no UI toggle exists on `/member/account`. Adding cadence switch would require a Helcim subscription replacement flow, not a plain update.
+- **`SeriesPassPurchase.vue` doesn't auto-refresh after purchase.** (Observed 2026-04-21 during Phase 4 series-pass functional tests.) Component's local `$fetch` to `/api/series/{id}/tickets/available` fires on mount + `userEmail` watch, but isn't re-invoked after a successful purchase — the "already registered" state only appears on next navigation. Parent page calls `refreshNuxtData()` but the component doesn't participate in it. Fix: call `fetchPassInfo()` after the success toast in `handleSubmit`, or lift the fetch to `useAsyncData` so it can be refreshed from outside.
+- **S2 test fixture `id`/`slug` inconsistency.** (Local dev only.) Seeded S2 series has `id: 'test-s2-drop-in-allowed'` but `slug: 'test-s2-drop-in-allowed-series'`. Doesn't affect prod — fix the seed script if anyone re-runs fixtures and is confused why `id`-based Mongo queries return empty.
+
+### Events-surface visual audit — deferred items (2026-04-21)
+
+Context: Phase 4 audit against `docs/specs/events-visual-audit-findings.md` fixed all critical phantom-palette, rounded-corner, CTA-mismatch, and input-styling issues across `EventTicketCard`, `EventTicketPurchase`, `EventSeriesTicketCard`, `SeriesPassPurchase`. Items below were explicitly deferred or out of reach.
+
+- **Success-state color convention (4 instances).** "You're Registered!" blocks use `--candle` (gold) instead of `--green`. Touches `EventSeriesTicketCard.vue:186-196` (still uses phantom `candlelight-*` classes — preserved byte-for-byte pending decision) and registered-state wrappers in `SeriesPassPurchase.vue`. Needs a UX call on whether success should render gold (zine-consistent) or green (semantic). Once decided, finish the phantom-palette removal on those 4 lines.
+- **Sidebar breakpoint unverified.** `app/layouts/default.vue:89` hides the sidebar at ≤1024px per spec. Browser `resize_window` tool refused viewport changes during the audit, so the actual crossover and any layout shift at 1023–1025px was never visually confirmed. Do a manual responsive check before declaring the sidebar pattern shipped.
+- **`EventTicketPurchase.vue:469` magic padding.** `.consent-hint { padding-left: 24px; }` is a hardcoded offset to align the hint under the checkbox text. Cosmetic; swap for a gap/grid approach when touching the consent block next.
+- **Toast API rename unverified.** Nuxt UI v4 may have renamed `toast.add({ timeout })` → `{ duration }`. Current `SeriesPassPurchase.vue` toasts still pass `timeout`. No visible breakage, but worth confirming against current Nuxt UI docs.
+- **`.section-label` extraction candidate.** Several audited files repeat the same uppercase/letter-spaced small label pattern inline. Low-priority refactor into a utility class in `main.css`.
+- **Past-events toggle component.** Existing, untouched this pass; noted in findings doc as a future consistency check.
 
 ### Contribution-amount redesign — cosmetic cleanup (naming only, not behavior)
 - Rename admin members column header "Tier" → "Contribution" (`app/pages/admin/members/index.vue:265`).
diff --git a/netlify.toml b/netlify.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9c0d9fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/netlify.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+[build]
+  command = "npm run build"
+  publish = "dist"
+
+[functions]
+  directory = "netlify/functions"
+
+# Daily reconciliation cron — invokes the protected Nitro route to upsert
+# Payment docs from Helcim transactions. Schedule is also pinned inline in
+# netlify/functions/reconcile-payments.mjs (Netlify accepts either; both is
+# harmless).
+[functions."reconcile-payments"]
+  schedule = "@daily"
diff --git a/netlify/functions/reconcile-payments.mjs b/netlify/functions/reconcile-payments.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..57994bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/netlify/functions/reconcile-payments.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+/**
+ * Netlify scheduled function — daily reconciliation of Helcim payments.
+ *
+ * Calls the protected Nitro route `/api/internal/reconcile-payments` with the
+ * shared-secret header. Heavy lifting (Mongo queries, Helcim API calls, retry
+ * logic) lives in the Nitro handler so it can use auto-imported utils.
+ *
+ * Required env (set in Netlify dashboard):
+ *   - URL              (set automatically by Netlify)
+ *   - RECONCILE_TOKEN  (must match NUXT_RECONCILE_TOKEN in Nitro runtime config)
+ *
+ * Schedule: @daily (00:00 UTC). Also pinned in netlify.toml.
+ */
+
+export default async () => {
+  const url = `${process.env.URL}/api/internal/reconcile-payments`
+  const token = process.env.RECONCILE_TOKEN
+
+  if (!token) {
+    const msg = '[reconcile] RECONCILE_TOKEN not configured; aborting'
+    console.error(msg)
+    return new Response(msg, { status: 500 })
+  }
+
+  const res = await fetch(url, {
+    method: 'POST',
+    headers: { 'X-Reconcile-Token': token }
+  })
+  const body = await res.text()
+  if (!res.ok) {
+    console.error('[reconcile] route failed', res.status, body)
+    return new Response(body, { status: res.status })
+  }
+  console.log('[reconcile] ok', body)
+  return new Response(body, { status: 200 })
+}
+
+export const config = {
+  schedule: '@daily'
+}
diff --git a/nuxt.config.ts b/nuxt.config.ts
index d04c3f7..7757b4c 100644
--- a/nuxt.config.ts
+++ b/nuxt.config.ts
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ export default defineNuxtConfig({
       process.env.MONGODB_URI || "mongodb://localhost:27017/ghostguild",
     jwtSecret: process.env.JWT_SECRET || "",
     resendApiKey: process.env.RESEND_API_KEY || "",
-    helcimApiToken: process.env.HELCIM_API_TOKEN || "", // also exposed to client via public.helcimToken
+    helcimApiToken: process.env.HELCIM_API_TOKEN || "",
     slackBotToken: process.env.SLACK_BOT_TOKEN || "",
     slackAdminBotToken: process.env.SLACK_ADMIN_BOT_TOKEN || "",
     slackSigningSecret: process.env.SLACK_SIGNING_SECRET || "",
@@ -106,10 +106,10 @@ export default defineNuxtConfig({
     outlineApiKey: process.env.OUTLINE_API_KEY || "",
     helcimMonthlyPlanId: process.env.NUXT_HELCIM_MONTHLY_PLAN_ID || "",
     helcimAnnualPlanId: process.env.NUXT_HELCIM_ANNUAL_PLAN_ID || "",
+    reconcileToken: process.env.NUXT_RECONCILE_TOKEN || "",
 
     // Public keys (available on client-side)
     public: {
-      helcimToken: process.env.HELCIM_API_TOKEN || "",
       helcimAccountId: process.env.NUXT_PUBLIC_HELCIM_ACCOUNT_ID || "",
       cloudinaryCloudName:
         process.env.NUXT_PUBLIC_CLOUDINARY_CLOUD_NAME || "divzuumlr",
diff --git a/server/api/auth/verify.post.js b/server/api/auth/verify.post.js
index 3cc4b65..4ada236 100644
--- a/server/api/auth/verify.post.js
+++ b/server/api/auth/verify.post.js
@@ -1,17 +1,11 @@
 // server/api/auth/verify.post.js
 import jwt from 'jsonwebtoken'
 import Member from '../../models/member.js'
+import { validateBody } from '../../utils/validateBody.js'
+import { verifyMagicLinkSchema } from '../../utils/schemas.js'
 
 export default defineEventHandler(async (event) => {
-  const body = await readBody(event)
-  const token = body?.token
-
-  if (!token) {
-    throw createError({
-      statusCode: 400,
-      statusMessage: 'Token is required',
-    })
-  }
+  const { token } = await validateBody(event, verifyMagicLinkSchema)
 
   const config = useRuntimeConfig(event)
 
diff --git a/server/api/events/[id]/payment.post.js b/server/api/events/[id]/payment.post.js
deleted file mode 100644
index 26b0d7f..0000000
--- a/server/api/events/[id]/payment.post.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,128 +0,0 @@
-import Event from '../../../models/event.js'
-import Member from '../../../models/member.js'
-import { connectDB } from '../../../utils/mongoose.js'
-import { processHelcimPayment } from '../../../utils/helcim.js'
-import mongoose from 'mongoose'
-
-export default defineEventHandler(async (event) => {
-  try {
-    await connectDB()
-    const identifier = getRouterParam(event, 'id')
-    const body = await validateBody(event, eventPaymentSchema)
-
-    if (!identifier) {
-      throw createError({
-        statusCode: 400,
-        statusMessage: 'Event identifier is required'
-      })
-    }
-    
-    // Fetch the event
-    let eventData
-    if (mongoose.Types.ObjectId.isValid(identifier)) {
-      eventData = await Event.findById(identifier)
-    }
-    if (!eventData) {
-      eventData = await Event.findOne({ slug: identifier })
-    }
-    
-    if (!eventData) {
-      throw createError({
-        statusCode: 404,
-        statusMessage: 'Event not found'
-      })
-    }
-    
-    // Check if event requires payment
-    if (eventData.pricing.isFree || !eventData.pricing.paymentRequired) {
-      throw createError({
-        statusCode: 400,
-        statusMessage: 'This event does not require payment'
-      })
-    }
-    
-    // Check if user is already registered
-    const existingRegistration = eventData.registrations.find(
-      reg => reg.email.toLowerCase() === body.email.toLowerCase()
-    )
-    
-    if (existingRegistration) {
-      throw createError({
-        statusCode: 400,
-        statusMessage: 'You are already registered for this event'
-      })
-    }
-    
-    // Check if user is a member (members get free access)
-    const member = await Member.findOne({ email: body.email.toLowerCase() })
-    
-    if (member) {
-      // Members get free access - register directly without payment
-      eventData.registrations.push({
-        name: body.name,
-        email: body.email.toLowerCase(),
-        membershipLevel: `${member.circle}-${member.contributionAmount}`,
-        isMember: true,
-        paymentStatus: 'not_required',
-        amountPaid: 0
-      })
-      
-      await eventData.save()
-      
-      return {
-        success: true,
-        message: 'Successfully registered as a member (no payment required)',
-        registration: eventData.registrations[eventData.registrations.length - 1]
-      }
-    }
-    
-    // Process payment for non-members
-    const paymentResult = await processHelcimPayment({
-      amount: eventData.pricing.publicPrice,
-      paymentToken: body.paymentToken,
-      customerData: {
-        name: body.name,
-        email: body.email
-      }
-    })
-    
-    if (!paymentResult.success) {
-      throw createError({
-        statusCode: 400,
-        statusMessage: paymentResult.message || 'Payment failed'
-      })
-    }
-    
-    // Add registration with successful payment
-    eventData.registrations.push({
-      name: body.name,
-      email: body.email.toLowerCase(),
-      membershipLevel: 'non-member',
-      isMember: false,
-      paymentStatus: 'completed',
-      paymentId: paymentResult.transactionId,
-      amountPaid: eventData.pricing.publicPrice
-    })
-    
-    await eventData.save()
-    
-    return {
-      success: true,
-      message: 'Payment successful and registered for event',
-      paymentId: paymentResult.transactionId,
-      registration: eventData.registrations[eventData.registrations.length - 1]
-    }
-    
-  } catch (error) {
-    console.error('Error processing event payment:', error)
-    
-    if (error.statusCode) {
-      throw error
-    }
-    
-    throw createError({
-      statusCode: 500,
-      statusMessage: 'Failed to process payment and registration'
-    })
-  }
-})
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/server/api/events/[id]/waitlist.delete.js b/server/api/events/[id]/waitlist.delete.js
index 9e7c9d2..2bfa90d 100644
--- a/server/api/events/[id]/waitlist.delete.js
+++ b/server/api/events/[id]/waitlist.delete.js
@@ -32,7 +32,8 @@ export default defineEventHandler(async (event) => {
     }
 
     eventData.tickets.waitlist.entries.splice(waitlistIndex, 1);
-    await eventData.save();
+    // Skip validators to avoid tripping on legacy location data unrelated to this write.
+    await eventData.save({ validateBeforeSave: false });
 
     return {
       success: true,
diff --git a/server/api/events/[id]/waitlist.post.js b/server/api/events/[id]/waitlist.post.js
index 8cfd984..f6ddffa 100644
--- a/server/api/events/[id]/waitlist.post.js
+++ b/server/api/events/[id]/waitlist.post.js
@@ -87,7 +87,8 @@ export default defineEventHandler(async (event) => {
       notified: false,
     });
 
-    await eventData.save();
+    // Skip validators to avoid tripping on legacy location data unrelated to this write.
+    await eventData.save({ validateBeforeSave: false });
 
     // Get position in waitlist
     const position = eventData.tickets.waitlist.entries.length;
diff --git a/server/api/helcim/customer.post.js b/server/api/helcim/customer.post.js
index 4bbcc80..f41abb6 100644
--- a/server/api/helcim/customer.post.js
+++ b/server/api/helcim/customer.post.js
@@ -1,49 +1,117 @@
-// Create a Helcim customer
+// Public signup endpoint. Creates a Helcim customer + Member record and
+// dispatches a magic link for email verification. The full session cookie
+// is set when the user clicks the magic link (see /api/auth/verify); paid-tier
+// signups also receive a short-lived payment-bridge cookie so they can complete
+// Helcim checkout in the same tab without verifying email first.
+import { getRequestHeader, getRequestIP } from 'h3'
 import Member from '../../models/member.js'
 import { connectDB } from '../../utils/mongoose.js'
 import { createHelcimCustomer } from '../../utils/helcim.js'
+import { sendMagicLink } from '../../utils/magicLink.js'
+import { setPaymentBridgeCookie } from '../../utils/auth.js'
+import { rateLimit } from '../../utils/rateLimit.js'
 
 export default defineEventHandler(async (event) => {
   try {
+    // --- Origin check (CSRF defense in depth on top of SameSite=Lax) ---
+    const origin = getRequestHeader(event, 'origin')
+    const allowed = process.env.BASE_URL
+    if (!origin || (allowed && origin !== allowed)) {
+      throw createError({ statusCode: 403, statusMessage: 'Invalid origin' })
+    }
+
+    // --- Per-IP rate limit (5 / hour) ---
+    const ip = getRequestIP(event, { xForwardedFor: true }) || 'unknown'
+    if (!rateLimit(`signup:ip:${ip}`, { max: 5, windowMs: 3600_000 })) {
+      throw createError({ statusCode: 429, statusMessage: 'Too many signup attempts' })
+    }
+
     await connectDB()
     const body = await validateBody(event, helcimCustomerSchema)
 
-    // Check if member already exists
-    const existingMember = await Member.findOne({ email: body.email })
-    if (existingMember) {
+    // --- Per-email rate limit (3 / hour) ---
+    if (!rateLimit(`signup:email:${body.email}`, { max: 3, windowMs: 3600_000 })) {
+      throw createError({
+        statusCode: 429,
+        statusMessage: 'Too many signup attempts for this email'
+      })
+    }
+
+    // Check if member already exists. Lowercase the lookup so guest docs
+    // created via the public ticket-purchase path (which lowercases on insert)
+    // are actually found by mixed-case submissions.
+    const normalizedEmail = body.email.toLowerCase()
+    const existingMember = await Member.findOne({ email: normalizedEmail })
+    if (existingMember && existingMember.status !== 'guest') {
       throw createError({
         statusCode: 409,
         statusMessage: 'A member with this email already exists'
       })
     }
 
-    // Create customer in Helcim
+    // Create customer in Helcim (guest docs have no helcimCustomerId yet).
     const customerData = await createHelcimCustomer({
       customerType: 'PERSON',
       contactName: body.name,
       email: body.email
     })
 
-    // Create member in database
-    const member = await Member.create({
-      email: body.email,
-      name: body.name,
-      circle: body.circle,
-      contributionAmount: body.contributionAmount,
-      helcimCustomerId: customerData.id,
-      status: 'pending_payment',
-      agreement: { acceptedAt: new Date() }
+    // If the lookup matched a guest doc, upgrade in place to preserve _id,
+    // memberNumber (if any), emailHistory, and the event-registration
+    // references that point at this _id. Use findByIdAndUpdate with
+    // runValidators:false per the project's member-save-risks pattern.
+    let member
+    if (existingMember) {
+      member = await Member.findByIdAndUpdate(
+        existingMember._id,
+        {
+          $set: {
+            name: body.name,
+            circle: body.circle,
+            contributionAmount: body.contributionAmount,
+            helcimCustomerId: customerData.id,
+            status: 'pending_payment',
+            'agreement.acceptedAt': new Date()
+          }
+        },
+        { new: true, runValidators: false }
+      )
+    } else {
+      member = await Member.create({
+        email: normalizedEmail,
+        name: body.name,
+        circle: body.circle,
+        contributionAmount: body.contributionAmount,
+        helcimCustomerId: customerData.id,
+        status: 'pending_payment',
+        agreement: { acceptedAt: new Date() }
+      })
+    }
+
+    // Issue a magic link instead of an immediate session — the auth-token
+    // cookie is set when the user clicks through, proving email ownership.
+    // Use the normalized email so guest upgrades (which may not project
+    // the email field back) still get a magic link.
+    await sendMagicLink(normalizedEmail, {
+      subject: 'Verify your Ghost Guild signup',
+      intro: 'Verify your email to finish your Ghost Guild signup:'
     })
 
-    setAuthCookie(event, member)
+    // Paid-tier signups need to complete Helcim checkout in the same tab
+    // before the magic link can be clicked. Issue a short-lived, payment-only
+    // bridge cookie so /api/helcim/initialize-payment accepts the request.
+    if (body.contributionAmount > 0) {
+      setPaymentBridgeCookie(event, member)
+    }
 
     return {
       success: true,
       customerId: customerData.id,
       customerCode: customerData.customerCode,
+      verificationEmailSent: true,
       member: {
         id: member._id,
-        email: member.email,
+        email: normalizedEmail,
         name: member.name,
         circle: member.circle,
         contributionAmount: member.contributionAmount,
diff --git a/server/api/helcim/initialize-payment.post.js b/server/api/helcim/initialize-payment.post.js
index 26f9e94..33adbec 100644
--- a/server/api/helcim/initialize-payment.post.js
+++ b/server/api/helcim/initialize-payment.post.js
@@ -1,23 +1,84 @@
 // Initialize HelcimPay.js session
-import { requireAuth } from '../../utils/auth.js'
+import Member from '../../models/member.js'
+import Series from '../../models/series.js'
+import { loadPublicEvent } from '../../utils/loadEvent.js'
+import { calculateTicketPrice, calculateSeriesTicketPrice, hasMemberAccess } from '../../utils/tickets.js'
+import { requireAuth, getOptionalMember, getPaymentBridgeMember } from '../../utils/auth.js'
 import { initializeHelcimPaySession } from '../../utils/helcim.js'
 
 export default defineEventHandler(async (event) => {
   try {
     const body = await validateBody(event, helcimInitializePaymentSchema)
+    const metaType = body.metadata?.type
 
-    // Event ticket purchases can be made without authentication
-    const isEventTicket = body.metadata?.type === 'event_ticket'
-    if (!isEventTicket) {
-      await requireAuth(event)
+    const isEventTicket = metaType === 'event_ticket'
+    const isSeriesTicket = metaType === 'series_ticket'
+    const isTicket = isEventTicket || isSeriesTicket
+    // Membership signup uses a short-lived payment-bridge cookie (set by
+    // /api/helcim/customer) so the user can complete checkout before clicking
+    // their email-verification magic link.
+    const isMembershipSignup = metaType === 'membership_signup'
+
+    if (!isTicket) {
+      if (isMembershipSignup) {
+        const bridgeMember = await getPaymentBridgeMember(event)
+        if (!bridgeMember) {
+          await requireAuth(event)
+        }
+      } else {
+        await requireAuth(event)
+      }
     }
 
-    const amount = body.amount || 0
+    let amount = 0
+    let description = body.metadata?.eventTitle
 
-    // For event tickets with amount > 0, we do a purchase
-    // For subscriptions or card verification, we do verify
-    const paymentType = isEventTicket && amount > 0 ? 'purchase' : 'verify'
+    if (isTicket) {
+      // Re-derive price server-side; never trust body.amount for ticket flows.
+      const caller = await getOptionalMember(event).catch(() => null)
+      const lookupEmail = body.metadata?.email?.toLowerCase()
+      const member = caller || (lookupEmail
+        ? await Member.findOne({ email: lookupEmail })
+        : null)
+      const accessMember = hasMemberAccess(member) ? member : null
 
+      if (isEventTicket) {
+        const eventId = body.metadata?.eventId
+        if (!eventId) {
+          throw createError({ statusCode: 400, statusMessage: 'metadata.eventId is required for event_ticket' })
+        }
+        const eventDoc = await loadPublicEvent(event, eventId)
+        const ticketInfo = calculateTicketPrice(eventDoc, accessMember)
+        if (!ticketInfo) {
+          throw createError({ statusCode: 403, statusMessage: 'No tickets available for your membership status' })
+        }
+        amount = ticketInfo.price
+        description = description || eventDoc.title
+      } else {
+        const seriesId = body.metadata?.seriesId
+        if (!seriesId) {
+          throw createError({ statusCode: 400, statusMessage: 'metadata.seriesId is required for series_ticket' })
+        }
+        const isObjectId = /^[0-9a-fA-F]{24}$/.test(seriesId)
+        const seriesQuery = isObjectId
+          ? { $or: [{ _id: seriesId }, { id: seriesId }, { slug: seriesId }] }
+          : { $or: [{ id: seriesId }, { slug: seriesId }] }
+        const series = await Series.findOne(seriesQuery)
+        if (!series) {
+          throw createError({ statusCode: 404, statusMessage: 'Series not found' })
+        }
+        const ticketInfo = calculateSeriesTicketPrice(series, accessMember)
+        if (!ticketInfo) {
+          throw createError({ statusCode: 403, statusMessage: 'No series passes available for your membership status' })
+        }
+        amount = ticketInfo.price
+        description = description || series.title
+      }
+    } else {
+      amount = body.amount || 0
+    }
+
+    const paymentType = isTicket && amount > 0 ? 'purchase' : 'verify'
     const requestBody = {
       paymentType,
       amount: paymentType === 'purchase' ? amount : 0,
@@ -25,20 +86,15 @@ export default defineEventHandler(async (event) => {
       paymentMethod: 'cc'
     }
 
-    // For subscription setup (verify mode), include customer code if provided
-    // For one-time purchases (event tickets), don't include customer code
-    // as the customer may not exist in Helcim yet
     if (body.customerCode && paymentType === 'verify') {
       requestBody.customerCode = body.customerCode
     }
 
-    // Add product/event information for better display in Helcim modal
-    if (body.metadata?.eventTitle) {
-      // Some Helcim accounts don't support invoice numbers in initialization
-      // Try multiple fields that might display in the modal
-      requestBody.description = body.metadata.eventTitle
-      requestBody.notes = body.metadata.eventTitle
-      requestBody.orderNumber = `${body.metadata.eventId}`
+    if (description) {
+      requestBody.description = description
+      requestBody.notes = description
+      const orderId = body.metadata?.eventId || body.metadata?.seriesId
+      if (orderId) requestBody.orderNumber = `${orderId}`
     }
 
     const paymentData = await initializeHelcimPaySession(requestBody)
@@ -46,7 +102,9 @@ export default defineEventHandler(async (event) => {
     return {
       success: true,
       checkoutToken: paymentData.checkoutToken,
-      secretToken: paymentData.secretToken
+      secretToken: paymentData.secretToken,
+      // Echo derived amount so the client can sanity-check before opening modal.
+      amount
     }
   } catch (error) {
     if (error.statusCode) throw error
diff --git a/server/api/helcim/subscription.post.js b/server/api/helcim/subscription.post.js
index 8afd7be..b5567bc 100644
--- a/server/api/helcim/subscription.post.js
+++ b/server/api/helcim/subscription.post.js
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { getHelcimPlanId, requiresPayment } from '../../config/contributions.js'
 import Member from '../../models/member.js'
 import { connectDB } from '../../utils/mongoose.js'
 import { getSlackService } from '../../utils/slack.ts'
-import { requireAuth } from '../../utils/auth.js'
+import { requireAuth, getPaymentBridgeMember } from '../../utils/auth.js'
 import { createHelcimSubscription, generateIdempotencyKey, listHelcimCustomerTransactions } from '../../utils/helcim.js'
 import { sendWelcomeEmail } from '../../utils/resend.js'
 import { upsertPaymentFromHelcim } from '../../utils/payments.js'
@@ -81,7 +81,12 @@ async function inviteToSlack(member) {
 
 export default defineEventHandler(async (event) => {
   try {
-    await requireAuth(event)
+    // Membership signup completes subscription before email verify; allow the
+    // payment-bridge cookie set by /api/helcim/customer to satisfy auth here.
+    const bridgeMember = await getPaymentBridgeMember(event)
+    if (!bridgeMember) {
+      await requireAuth(event)
+    }
     await connectDB()
     const body = await validateBody(event, helcimSubscriptionSchema)
 
diff --git a/server/api/internal/reconcile-payments.post.js b/server/api/internal/reconcile-payments.post.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6502ead
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/api/internal/reconcile-payments.post.js
@@ -0,0 +1,116 @@
+/**
+ * Reconciliation cron route — invoked by `netlify/functions/reconcile-payments.mjs`
+ * on a daily schedule. Mirrors the loop in `scripts/reconcile-helcim-payments.mjs`
+ * but lives inside Nitro so it can use auto-imported utils + the runtime config.
+ *
+ * Auth: shared-secret header `X-Reconcile-Token` matched against
+ * `runtimeConfig.reconcileToken` (env: NUXT_RECONCILE_TOKEN). Machine-to-machine
+ * only — no user session involved.
+ *
+ * Behavior:
+ *   - For every Member with a helcimCustomerId, list Helcim transactions and
+ *     upsert Payment docs (idempotent via `helcimTransactionId` unique index).
+ *   - Transient Helcim API errors are retried up to 3 times with exponential
+ *     backoff (250ms / 500ms / 1000ms). On final failure the member is counted
+ *     as `memberErrors` and the loop continues.
+ *   - Never passes `sendConfirmation: true` — the cron back-fills history and
+ *     must not re-send confirmation emails.
+ *   - `?apply=false` switches to dry-run: counts what WOULD be created via
+ *     Payment.findOne, no writes.
+ *
+ * Returns a JSON summary; logs `[reconcile] done <summary>` to stdout.
+ */
+import Member from '../../models/member.js'
+import Payment from '../../models/payment.js'
+import { listHelcimCustomerTransactions } from '../../utils/helcim.js'
+import { upsertPaymentFromHelcim } from '../../utils/payments.js'
+
+const RETRY_ATTEMPTS = 3
+const BASE_DELAY_MS = 250
+
+function sleep(ms) {
+  return new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, ms))
+}
+
+async function listTransactionsWithRetry(customerCode) {
+  let lastErr
+  for (let attempt = 1; attempt <= RETRY_ATTEMPTS; attempt++) {
+    try {
+      return await listHelcimCustomerTransactions(customerCode)
+    } catch (err) {
+      lastErr = err
+      if (attempt < RETRY_ATTEMPTS) {
+        await sleep(BASE_DELAY_MS * 2 ** (attempt - 1))
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  throw lastErr
+}
+
+export default defineEventHandler(async (event) => {
+  const config = useRuntimeConfig()
+  const expected = config.reconcileToken
+  const provided = getHeader(event, 'x-reconcile-token')
+  if (!expected || provided !== expected) {
+    throw createError({ statusCode: 401, statusMessage: 'Unauthorized' })
+  }
+
+  const apply = getQuery(event).apply !== 'false'
+
+  const members = await Member.find(
+    { helcimCustomerId: { $exists: true, $ne: null } },
+    { _id: 1, email: 1, name: 1, helcimCustomerId: 1, helcimSubscriptionId: 1, billingCadence: 1 }
+  ).lean()
+
+  let txExamined = 0
+  let created = 0
+  let existed = 0
+  let skipped = 0
+  let memberErrors = 0
+
+  for (const member of members) {
+    let txs
+    try {
+      txs = await listTransactionsWithRetry(member.helcimCustomerId)
+    } catch (err) {
+      memberErrors++
+      console.error(`[reconcile] member=${member._id}: ${err?.message || err}`)
+      continue
+    }
+
+    for (const tx of txs) {
+      txExamined++
+      if (tx.status === 'other') {
+        skipped++
+        continue
+      }
+
+      if (!apply) {
+        const existing = await Payment.findOne({ helcimTransactionId: tx.id })
+        if (existing) existed++
+        else created++
+        continue
+      }
+
+      // Note: deliberately NOT passing sendConfirmation — cron back-fills must
+      // not re-send confirmation emails for transactions the member has already
+      // been notified about (or that pre-date Mongo Payment tracking entirely).
+      const result = await upsertPaymentFromHelcim(member, tx)
+      if (result.created) created++
+      else if (result.payment) existed++
+      else skipped++
+    }
+  }
+
+  const summary = {
+    membersScanned: members.length,
+    txExamined,
+    created,
+    existed,
+    skipped,
+    memberErrors,
+    apply
+  }
+  console.log('[reconcile] done', summary)
+  return summary
+})
diff --git a/server/api/members/cancel-subscription.post.js b/server/api/members/cancel-subscription.post.js
index 4e311a9..83fccba 100644
--- a/server/api/members/cancel-subscription.post.js
+++ b/server/api/members/cancel-subscription.post.js
@@ -23,16 +23,17 @@ export default defineEventHandler(async (event) => {
       // Continue anyway - we'll update the member record
     }
 
-    // Update member status — pending_payment (not cancelled) so member can re-subscribe
+    // Update member: drop to free tier (status stays 'active' — they're still a member)
     await Member.findByIdAndUpdate(
       member._id,
       {
         $set: {
-          status: 'pending_payment',
+          status: 'active',
           contributionAmount: 0,
           helcimSubscriptionId: null,
           paymentMethod: 'none',
           subscriptionEndDate: new Date(),
+          lastCancelledAt: new Date(),
         },
         $unset: { nextBillingDate: 1 },
       },
@@ -46,7 +47,7 @@ export default defineEventHandler(async (event) => {
     return {
       success: true,
       message: "Subscription cancelled successfully",
-      status: 'pending_payment',
+      status: 'active',
       contributionAmount: 0,
     };
   } catch (error) {
diff --git a/server/api/series/[id]/tickets/purchase.post.js b/server/api/series/[id]/tickets/purchase.post.js
index 71f3fda..0f27b7b 100644
--- a/server/api/series/[id]/tickets/purchase.post.js
+++ b/server/api/series/[id]/tickets/purchase.post.js
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ export default defineEventHandler(async (event) => {
     // Only members with access (active or pending_payment) get member-tier
     // pricing; guest, suspended, and cancelled are treated as non-members.
     let member = null;
+    let accountCreated = false;
     try {
       member = await requireAuth(event);
     } catch {
@@ -83,6 +84,29 @@ export default defineEventHandler(async (event) => {
       });
     }
 
+    // If no Member yet, atomically create a guest Member. Series passes grant
+    // access to a bundle of events over time — a buyer without an account
+    // can't view their registrations or be recognized by per-event pages,
+    // so we always create the guest (unlike single-event tickets which are
+    // opt-in). findOneAndUpdate with $setOnInsert handles concurrent
+    // registrations on the same email (email has a unique index).
+    if (!member) {
+      member = await Member.findOneAndUpdate(
+        { email: canonicalEmail },
+        {
+          $setOnInsert: {
+            email: canonicalEmail,
+            name,
+            circle: "community",
+            contributionAmount: 0,
+            status: "guest",
+          },
+        },
+        { upsert: true, new: true, setDefaultsOnInsert: true }
+      );
+      accountCreated = true;
+    }
+
     // Create series registration
     const registration = {
       memberId: member?._id,
@@ -102,6 +126,17 @@ export default defineEventHandler(async (event) => {
     series.registrations.push(registration);
     await completeSeriesTicketPurchase(series, ticketInfo.ticketType);
 
+    // Decide on auto-login: safe for new accounts and existing guests, not for
+    // real members (stranger could hijack by typing email into a public form).
+    let signedIn = false;
+    let requiresSignIn = false;
+    if (member && (accountCreated || member.status === "guest")) {
+      setAuthCookie(event, member);
+      signedIn = true;
+    } else if (member) {
+      requiresSignIn = true;
+    }
+
     // Get the newly created registration
     const newRegistration =
       series.registrations[series.registrations.length - 1];
@@ -172,6 +207,9 @@ export default defineEventHandler(async (event) => {
         success: r.success,
         reason: r.reason,
       })),
+      accountCreated,
+      signedIn,
+      requiresSignIn,
     };
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Error purchasing series pass:", error);
diff --git a/server/models/member.js b/server/models/member.js
index 65949a4..61dd354 100644
--- a/server/models/member.js
+++ b/server/models/member.js
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ const memberSchema = new mongoose.Schema({
   subscriptionStartDate: Date,
   subscriptionEndDate: Date,
   nextBillingDate: Date,
+  lastCancelledAt: Date,
   slackInvited: { type: Boolean, default: false },
   slackInviteStatus: {
     type: String,
diff --git a/server/utils/auth.js b/server/utils/auth.js
index 1856152..1876636 100644
--- a/server/utils/auth.js
+++ b/server/utils/auth.js
@@ -22,6 +22,59 @@ export function setAuthCookie(event, member) {
   })
 }
 
+/**
+ * Issue a 30-minute payment-bridge cookie scoped to membership-signup checkout.
+ *
+ * The signup flow (POST /api/helcim/customer) defers the full session cookie
+ * to email-verify (magic link). For paid tiers the user still needs to complete
+ * Helcim checkout in the same browser tab — this short-lived, payment-only
+ * token lets `/api/helcim/initialize-payment` accept the call without a full
+ * session. The cookie is NOT honored by requireAuth and grants nothing else.
+ */
+export function setPaymentBridgeCookie(event, member) {
+  const token = jwt.sign(
+    {
+      memberId: member._id.toString(),
+      email: member.email,
+      scope: 'payment_bridge'
+    },
+    useRuntimeConfig(event).jwtSecret,
+    { expiresIn: '30m' }
+  )
+
+  setCookie(event, 'payment-bridge', token, {
+    httpOnly: true,
+    secure: process.env.NODE_ENV === 'production',
+    sameSite: 'lax',
+    path: '/',
+    maxAge: 60 * 30
+  })
+}
+
+/**
+ * Verify a payment-bridge cookie and return the associated Member, or null.
+ * Used by /api/helcim/initialize-payment to allow the membership-signup
+ * checkout to proceed before email verification.
+ */
+export async function getPaymentBridgeMember(event) {
+  const token = getCookie(event, 'payment-bridge')
+  if (!token) return null
+
+  let decoded
+  try {
+    decoded = jwt.verify(token, useRuntimeConfig(event).jwtSecret)
+  } catch {
+    return null
+  }
+
+  if (decoded.scope !== 'payment_bridge') return null
+
+  await connectDB()
+  const member = await Member.findById(decoded.memberId)
+  if (!member) return null
+  return member
+}
+
 /**
  * Verify JWT from cookie and return the decoded member.
  * Throws 401 if token is missing or invalid.
diff --git a/server/utils/helcim.js b/server/utils/helcim.js
index c62c628..ca6eb34 100644
--- a/server/utils/helcim.js
+++ b/server/utils/helcim.js
@@ -262,15 +262,3 @@ export function generateIdempotencyKey() {
   }
   return key
 }
-
-/**
- * Legacy stub — kept alive ONLY so `server/api/events/[id]/payment.post.js`
- * still imports cleanly. The direct purchase API was never implemented.
- * Always returns `{ success: false }`; callers surface the message to the user.
- */
-export async function processHelcimPayment(_paymentData) {
-  return {
-    success: false,
-    message: 'Direct purchase API not implemented; use HelcimPay.js flow'
-  }
-}
diff --git a/server/utils/magicLink.js b/server/utils/magicLink.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fc617b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/utils/magicLink.js
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+// Send a magic-link verification email. Mirrors the token/email logic in
+// server/api/auth/login.post.js so callers (signup, login, etc.) can request
+// a verification link with their own subject/intro copy.
+import jwt from 'jsonwebtoken'
+import { randomUUID } from 'crypto'
+import { Resend } from 'resend'
+import Member from '../models/member.js'
+
+const resend = new Resend(process.env.RESEND_API_KEY)
+
+/**
+ * Issue a 15-minute magic-link JWT for `email` and email it.
+ *
+ * @param {string} email
+ * @param {object} [options]
+ * @param {string} [options.subject] - Email subject (default: "Your Ghost Guild login link")
+ * @param {string} [options.intro]   - Optional one-line intro before the link.
+ * @returns {Promise<{ sent: boolean }>} - sent=false when no member exists for the email
+ *   (caller can decide whether to surface that; the auth/login endpoint hides it for
+ *   anti-enumeration, signup knows the member was just created).
+ */
+export async function sendMagicLink(email, options = {}) {
+  const baseUrl = process.env.BASE_URL
+  if (!baseUrl) {
+    throw createError({
+      statusCode: 500,
+      statusMessage: 'BASE_URL environment variable is not set'
+    })
+  }
+
+  const member = await Member.findOne({ email })
+  if (!member) return { sent: false }
+
+  const jti = randomUUID()
+  const token = jwt.sign(
+    { memberId: member._id, jti },
+    useRuntimeConfig().jwtSecret,
+    { expiresIn: '15m' }
+  )
+
+  await Member.findByIdAndUpdate(
+    member._id,
+    { $set: { magicLinkJti: jti, magicLinkJtiUsed: false } },
+    { runValidators: false }
+  )
+
+  const magicLink = `${baseUrl}/verify#${token}`
+  const subject = options.subject || 'Your Ghost Guild login link'
+  const intro = options.intro || 'Sign in to Ghost Guild:'
+  const text = `Hi,\n\n${intro}\n${magicLink}\n\nThis link expires in 15 minutes. If you didn't request it, ignore this email.`
+
+  await resend.emails.send({
+    from: 'Ghost Guild <ghostguild@babyghosts.org>',
+    to: email,
+    subject,
+    text
+  })
+
+  logActivity(member._id, 'email_sent', {
+    emailType: 'magic_link',
+    subject,
+    body: text
+  })
+
+  return { sent: true }
+}
diff --git a/server/utils/rateLimit.js b/server/utils/rateLimit.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..da15519
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/utils/rateLimit.js
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+// Tiny in-memory sliding-window rate limiter.
+// Acceptable for single-instance Nitro on Netlify; swap to Mongo/Upstash if
+// we move to multi-instance.
+const buckets = new Map()
+
+export function rateLimit(key, { max, windowMs }) {
+  const now = Date.now()
+  const arr = (buckets.get(key) || []).filter((t) => now - t < windowMs)
+  if (arr.length >= max) return false
+  arr.push(now)
+  buckets.set(key, arr)
+  return true
+}
+
+// Test helper — clears all buckets so each test starts clean.
+export function resetRateLimit() {
+  buckets.clear()
+}
diff --git a/server/utils/schemas.js b/server/utils/schemas.js
index 0444622..c04a649 100644
--- a/server/utils/schemas.js
+++ b/server/utils/schemas.js
@@ -5,6 +5,10 @@ export const emailSchema = z.object({
   email: z.string().trim().toLowerCase().email()
 })
 
+export const verifyMagicLinkSchema = z.object({
+  token: z.string().min(1).max(2000)
+}).strict()
+
 export const memberCreateSchema = z.object({
   email: z.string().trim().toLowerCase().email(),
   name: z.string().min(1).max(200),
@@ -62,12 +66,16 @@ export const helcimCustomerSchema = z.object({
 })
 
 export const helcimInitializePaymentSchema = z.object({
+  // amount is accepted but IGNORED for ticket types (server re-derives).
+  // Kept for verify-mode (subscription card-on-file) where 0 is sent.
   amount: z.number().min(0).optional(),
   customerCode: z.string().max(200).optional(),
   metadata: z.object({
-    type: z.string().max(100).optional(),
+    type: z.enum(['event_ticket', 'series_ticket', 'subscription', 'card_verify', 'membership_signup']).optional(),
     eventTitle: z.string().max(500).optional(),
-    eventId: z.string().max(200).optional()
+    eventId: z.string().max(200).optional(),
+    seriesId: z.string().max(200).optional(),
+    email: z.string().trim().toLowerCase().email().optional()
   }).optional()
 })
 
@@ -131,12 +139,6 @@ export const checkRegistrationSchema = z.object({
   email: z.string().trim().toLowerCase().email()
 })
 
-export const eventPaymentSchema = z.object({
-  name: z.string().min(1).max(200),
-  email: z.string().trim().toLowerCase().email(),
-  paymentToken: z.string().min(1).max(500)
-})
-
 // --- Member schemas ---
 
 export const updateContributionSchema = z.object({
diff --git a/tests/server/api/auth-verify.test.js b/tests/server/api/auth-verify.test.js
index a16234d..d018f6d 100644
--- a/tests/server/api/auth-verify.test.js
+++ b/tests/server/api/auth-verify.test.js
@@ -1,5 +1,10 @@
 import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach } from 'vitest'
 
+import jwt from 'jsonwebtoken'
+import Member from '../../../server/models/member.js'
+import verifyHandler from '../../../server/api/auth/verify.post.js'
+import { createMockEvent } from '../helpers/createMockEvent.js'
+
 vi.mock('../../../server/models/member.js', () => ({
   default: { findById: vi.fn(), findByIdAndUpdate: vi.fn() }
 }))
@@ -15,11 +20,6 @@ vi.mock('jsonwebtoken', () => ({
   }
 }))
 
-import jwt from 'jsonwebtoken'
-import Member from '../../../server/models/member.js'
-import verifyHandler from '../../../server/api/auth/verify.post.js'
-import { createMockEvent } from '../helpers/createMockEvent.js'
-
 const baseMember = {
   _id: 'member-123',
   email: 'test@example.com',
@@ -44,10 +44,94 @@ describe('auth verify endpoint', () => {
 
     await expect(verifyHandler(event)).rejects.toMatchObject({
       statusCode: 400,
-      statusMessage: 'Token is required'
+      statusMessage: 'Validation failed'
     })
   })
 
+  it('rejects non-string number token with 400 before jwt.verify', async () => {
+    const event = createMockEvent({
+      method: 'POST',
+      path: '/api/auth/verify',
+      body: { token: 123 }
+    })
+
+    await expect(verifyHandler(event)).rejects.toMatchObject({
+      statusCode: 400,
+      statusMessage: 'Validation failed'
+    })
+    expect(jwt.verify).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+
+  it('rejects non-string boolean token with 400 before jwt.verify', async () => {
+    const event = createMockEvent({
+      method: 'POST',
+      path: '/api/auth/verify',
+      body: { token: true }
+    })
+
+    await expect(verifyHandler(event)).rejects.toMatchObject({
+      statusCode: 400,
+      statusMessage: 'Validation failed'
+    })
+    expect(jwt.verify).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+
+  it('rejects empty string token with 400 before jwt.verify', async () => {
+    const event = createMockEvent({
+      method: 'POST',
+      path: '/api/auth/verify',
+      body: { token: '' }
+    })
+
+    await expect(verifyHandler(event)).rejects.toMatchObject({
+      statusCode: 400,
+      statusMessage: 'Validation failed'
+    })
+    expect(jwt.verify).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+
+  it('rejects oversized token (>2000 chars) with 400 before jwt.verify', async () => {
+    const event = createMockEvent({
+      method: 'POST',
+      path: '/api/auth/verify',
+      body: { token: 'x'.repeat(2001) }
+    })
+
+    await expect(verifyHandler(event)).rejects.toMatchObject({
+      statusCode: 400,
+      statusMessage: 'Validation failed'
+    })
+    expect(jwt.verify).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+
+  it('rejects null body with 400 before jwt.verify', async () => {
+    const event = createMockEvent({
+      method: 'POST',
+      path: '/api/auth/verify',
+      body: null
+    })
+
+    await expect(verifyHandler(event)).rejects.toMatchObject({
+      statusCode: 400,
+      statusMessage: 'Validation failed'
+    })
+    expect(jwt.verify).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+
+  it('rejects unknown extra keys with 400 before jwt.verify (strict mode)', async () => {
+    const event = createMockEvent({
+      method: 'POST',
+      path: '/api/auth/verify',
+      body: { token: 'valid-token', email: 'extra@example.com' }
+    })
+
+    await expect(verifyHandler(event)).rejects.toMatchObject({
+      statusCode: 400,
+      statusMessage: 'Validation failed'
+    })
+    expect(jwt.verify).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+
   it('rejects invalid JWT with 401', async () => {
     jwt.verify.mockImplementation(() => { throw new Error('invalid') })
 
diff --git a/tests/server/api/cancel-subscription.test.js b/tests/server/api/cancel-subscription.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bd509fb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/server/api/cancel-subscription.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,201 @@
+import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach } from 'vitest'
+
+import Member from '../../../server/models/member.js'
+import { cancelHelcimSubscription } from '../../../server/utils/helcim.js'
+import handler from '../../../server/api/members/cancel-subscription.post.js'
+import { createMockEvent } from '../helpers/createMockEvent.js'
+
+vi.mock('../../../server/models/member.js', () => ({
+  default: { findByIdAndUpdate: vi.fn() }
+}))
+vi.mock('../../../server/utils/mongoose.js', () => ({ connectDB: vi.fn() }))
+vi.mock('../../../server/utils/auth.js', () => ({ requireAuth: vi.fn() }))
+vi.mock('../../../server/utils/helcim.js', () => ({
+  cancelHelcimSubscription: vi.fn(),
+}))
+
+// Nitro auto-imports — stub as globals
+const logActivityMock = vi.fn()
+vi.stubGlobal('logActivity', logActivityMock)
+
+function setMember(mockMember) {
+  globalThis.requireAuth = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(mockMember)
+}
+
+function buildEvent() {
+  return createMockEvent({
+    method: 'POST',
+    path: '/api/members/cancel-subscription',
+    body: {},
+  })
+}
+
+describe('cancel-subscription endpoint', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.clearAllMocks()
+  })
+
+  it('happy path: active paid member → cancels Helcim, drops to free tier (status stays active), returns success', async () => {
+    const mockMember = {
+      _id: 'member-1',
+      status: 'active',
+      contributionAmount: 15,
+      helcimSubscriptionId: 'sub-1',
+    }
+    setMember(mockMember)
+    cancelHelcimSubscription.mockResolvedValue({})
+    Member.findByIdAndUpdate.mockResolvedValue({})
+
+    const result = await handler(buildEvent())
+
+    expect(cancelHelcimSubscription).toHaveBeenCalledWith('sub-1')
+    expect(Member.findByIdAndUpdate).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      'member-1',
+      expect.objectContaining({
+        $set: expect.objectContaining({
+          status: 'active',
+          contributionAmount: 0,
+          helcimSubscriptionId: null,
+          paymentMethod: 'none',
+        }),
+        $unset: expect.objectContaining({ nextBillingDate: 1 }),
+      }),
+      { runValidators: false }
+    )
+    // Per Fix #9: lastCancelledAt must be set as a Date
+    const updateArg = Member.findByIdAndUpdate.mock.calls[0][1]
+    expect(updateArg.$set.lastCancelledAt).toBeInstanceOf(Date)
+    expect(result).toEqual(expect.objectContaining({
+      success: true,
+      message: 'Subscription cancelled successfully',
+      status: 'active',
+      contributionAmount: 0,
+    }))
+  })
+
+  it('persists subscriptionEndDate as a Date instance', async () => {
+    setMember({
+      _id: 'member-2',
+      status: 'active',
+      contributionAmount: 5,
+      helcimSubscriptionId: 'sub-2',
+    })
+    cancelHelcimSubscription.mockResolvedValue({})
+    Member.findByIdAndUpdate.mockResolvedValue({})
+
+    await handler(buildEvent())
+
+    const call = Member.findByIdAndUpdate.mock.calls[0]
+    expect(call[1].$set.subscriptionEndDate).toBeInstanceOf(Date)
+  })
+
+  it('emits subscription_cancelled activity log entry', async () => {
+    setMember({
+      _id: 'member-3',
+      status: 'active',
+      contributionAmount: 15,
+      helcimSubscriptionId: 'sub-3',
+    })
+    cancelHelcimSubscription.mockResolvedValue({})
+    Member.findByIdAndUpdate.mockResolvedValue({})
+
+    await handler(buildEvent())
+
+    expect(logActivityMock).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      'member-3',
+      'subscription_cancelled',
+      expect.objectContaining({ effectiveDate: expect.any(String) })
+    )
+  })
+
+  it('free-tier member (contributionAmount=0): no Helcim call, no DB write, returns no-op success', async () => {
+    const mockMember = {
+      _id: 'member-4',
+      status: 'active',
+      contributionAmount: 0,
+      helcimSubscriptionId: null,
+    }
+    setMember(mockMember)
+
+    const result = await handler(buildEvent())
+
+    expect(cancelHelcimSubscription).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(Member.findByIdAndUpdate).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(logActivityMock).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(result).toEqual({
+      success: true,
+      message: 'No active subscription to cancel',
+      status: 'active',
+      contributionAmount: 0,
+    })
+  })
+
+  it('member without helcimSubscriptionId (data inconsistency): no Helcim call, no DB write', async () => {
+    setMember({
+      _id: 'member-5',
+      status: 'active',
+      contributionAmount: 15,
+      helcimSubscriptionId: null,
+    })
+
+    const result = await handler(buildEvent())
+
+    expect(cancelHelcimSubscription).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(Member.findByIdAndUpdate).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(result.success).toBe(true)
+    expect(result.message).toBe('No active subscription to cancel')
+  })
+
+  it('Helcim cancel failure: swallows error, still updates Member to free tier (status stays active)', async () => {
+    setMember({
+      _id: 'member-6',
+      status: 'active',
+      contributionAmount: 15,
+      helcimSubscriptionId: 'sub-6',
+    })
+    cancelHelcimSubscription.mockRejectedValue(new Error('Helcim 503'))
+    Member.findByIdAndUpdate.mockResolvedValue({})
+
+    const result = await handler(buildEvent())
+
+    expect(cancelHelcimSubscription).toHaveBeenCalledWith('sub-6')
+    expect(Member.findByIdAndUpdate).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      'member-6',
+      expect.objectContaining({
+        $set: expect.objectContaining({ status: 'active', helcimSubscriptionId: null }),
+      }),
+      { runValidators: false }
+    )
+    expect(result.success).toBe(true)
+    expect(result.status).toBe('active')
+  })
+
+  it('unauthenticated: requireAuth throws → handler rejects with that statusCode', async () => {
+    globalThis.requireAuth = vi.fn().mockRejectedValue(
+      Object.assign(new Error('Unauthorized'), { statusCode: 401 })
+    )
+
+    await expect(handler(buildEvent())).rejects.toMatchObject({
+      statusCode: 401,
+    })
+
+    expect(cancelHelcimSubscription).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(Member.findByIdAndUpdate).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+
+  it('Mongo update failure: rejects with 500', async () => {
+    setMember({
+      _id: 'member-7',
+      status: 'active',
+      contributionAmount: 15,
+      helcimSubscriptionId: 'sub-7',
+    })
+    cancelHelcimSubscription.mockResolvedValue({})
+    Member.findByIdAndUpdate.mockRejectedValue(new Error('Mongo down'))
+
+    await expect(handler(buildEvent())).rejects.toMatchObject({
+      statusCode: 500,
+      statusMessage: 'Mongo down',
+    })
+  })
+})
diff --git a/tests/server/api/event-save-validators.test.js b/tests/server/api/event-save-validators.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..049f694
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/server/api/event-save-validators.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest'
+import { readFileSync, existsSync } from 'node:fs'
+import { resolve } from 'node:path'
+
+const eventsDir = resolve(import.meta.dirname, '../../../server/api/events/[id]')
+
+describe('waitlist.post.js bypasses validators on event.save()', () => {
+  const source = readFileSync(resolve(eventsDir, 'waitlist.post.js'), 'utf-8')
+
+  it('calls eventData.save with validateBeforeSave: false', () => {
+    expect(source).toContain('eventData.save({ validateBeforeSave: false })')
+  })
+
+  it('does not contain a bare eventData.save() call', () => {
+    expect(source).not.toMatch(/eventData\.save\(\s*\)/)
+  })
+})
+
+describe('waitlist.delete.js bypasses validators on event.save()', () => {
+  const source = readFileSync(resolve(eventsDir, 'waitlist.delete.js'), 'utf-8')
+
+  it('calls eventData.save with validateBeforeSave: false', () => {
+    expect(source).toContain('eventData.save({ validateBeforeSave: false })')
+  })
+
+  it('does not contain a bare eventData.save() call', () => {
+    expect(source).not.toMatch(/eventData\.save\(\s*\)/)
+  })
+})
+
+// payment.post.js cases are handled by Fix #3 (file deletion).
+// If the file still exists, it should also pass the validators bypass.
+describe.skipIf(!existsSync(resolve(eventsDir, 'payment.post.js')))(
+  'payment.post.js bypasses validators on event.save()',
+  () => {
+    const source = existsSync(resolve(eventsDir, 'payment.post.js'))
+      ? readFileSync(resolve(eventsDir, 'payment.post.js'), 'utf-8')
+      : ''
+
+    it('has exactly two eventData.save({ validateBeforeSave: false }) calls', () => {
+      const matches = source.match(/eventData\.save\(\{\s*validateBeforeSave:\s*false\s*\}\)/g) || []
+      expect(matches.length).toBe(2)
+    })
+
+    it('does not contain a bare eventData.save() call', () => {
+      expect(source).not.toMatch(/eventData\.save\(\s*\)/)
+    })
+  }
+)
diff --git a/tests/server/api/events/payment-deletion.test.js b/tests/server/api/events/payment-deletion.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..01e7634
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/server/api/events/payment-deletion.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest'
+import { existsSync } from 'node:fs'
+import { resolve } from 'node:path'
+
+/**
+ * Regression: `events/[id]/payment.post.js` was deleted because its
+ * unauthenticated POST allowed any caller to spam-register an existing
+ * member to any paid event by supplying their email. See
+ * docs/superpowers/specs/2026-04-25-fix-3.md.
+ *
+ * With the route file gone, Nitro's filesystem router will not register
+ * a handler at `/api/events/{id}/payment`, so a POST returns 404 — the
+ * spam-register attack surface no longer exists at the network layer.
+ */
+describe('events/[id]/payment route deletion', () => {
+  it('the payment.post.js route file no longer exists', () => {
+    const routePath = resolve(
+      import.meta.dirname,
+      '../../../../server/api/events/[id]/payment.post.js'
+    )
+    expect(existsSync(routePath)).toBe(false)
+  })
+
+  it('the secure replacement at tickets/purchase.post.js still exists', () => {
+    const replacementPath = resolve(
+      import.meta.dirname,
+      '../../../../server/api/events/[id]/tickets/purchase.post.js'
+    )
+    expect(existsSync(replacementPath)).toBe(true)
+  })
+})
diff --git a/tests/server/api/helcim-customer.test.js b/tests/server/api/helcim-customer.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cba7df5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/server/api/helcim-customer.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,385 @@
+import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach } from 'vitest'
+
+import Member from '../../../server/models/member.js'
+import { createHelcimCustomer } from '../../../server/utils/helcim.js'
+import { sendMagicLink } from '../../../server/utils/magicLink.js'
+import { setAuthCookie, setPaymentBridgeCookie } from '../../../server/utils/auth.js'
+import customerHandler from '../../../server/api/helcim/customer.post.js'
+import { resetRateLimit } from '../../../server/utils/rateLimit.js'
+import { createMockEvent } from '../helpers/createMockEvent.js'
+
+// --- Mocks ---
+vi.mock('../../../server/models/member.js', () => ({
+  default: { findOne: vi.fn(), create: vi.fn(), findByIdAndUpdate: vi.fn() }
+}))
+vi.mock('../../../server/utils/mongoose.js', () => ({ connectDB: vi.fn() }))
+vi.mock('../../../server/utils/helcim.js', () => ({
+  createHelcimCustomer: vi.fn()
+}))
+vi.mock('../../../server/utils/magicLink.js', () => ({
+  sendMagicLink: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined)
+}))
+vi.mock('../../../server/utils/auth.js', () => ({
+  setAuthCookie: vi.fn(),
+  setPaymentBridgeCookie: vi.fn()
+}))
+
+// helcimCustomerSchema is auto-imported in the handler — stub it to a passthrough
+vi.stubGlobal('helcimCustomerSchema', {})
+
+// Helper to build a same-origin request body+headers
+const ALLOWED_ORIGIN = 'https://ghostguild.test'
+
+function build(opts = {}) {
+  const {
+    origin = ALLOWED_ORIGIN,
+    remoteAddress = '127.0.0.1',
+    body = {
+      name: 'Test User',
+      email: 'test@example.com',
+      circle: 'community',
+      contributionAmount: 0,
+      agreedToGuidelines: true
+    }
+  } = opts
+  const headers = {}
+  if (origin !== null) headers.origin = origin
+  return createMockEvent({
+    method: 'POST',
+    path: '/api/helcim/customer',
+    body,
+    headers,
+    remoteAddress
+  })
+}
+
+describe('POST /api/helcim/customer', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.clearAllMocks()
+    process.env.BASE_URL = ALLOWED_ORIGIN
+    resetRateLimit()
+    Member.findOne.mockResolvedValue(null)
+    Member.create.mockImplementation(async (doc) => ({ _id: 'mem-1', ...doc }))
+    Member.findByIdAndUpdate.mockImplementation(async (id, update) => ({
+      _id: id,
+      ...(update?.$set || {})
+    }))
+    createHelcimCustomer.mockResolvedValue({ id: 'cust-1', customerCode: 'CUST-1' })
+  })
+
+  describe('origin check', () => {
+    it('rejects requests with missing Origin header', async () => {
+      const event = build({ origin: null })
+      await expect(customerHandler(event)).rejects.toMatchObject({
+        statusCode: 403,
+        statusMessage: 'Invalid origin'
+      })
+      expect(Member.create).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    })
+
+    it('rejects requests with foreign Origin header', async () => {
+      const event = build({ origin: 'https://attacker.example' })
+      await expect(customerHandler(event)).rejects.toMatchObject({
+        statusCode: 403,
+        statusMessage: 'Invalid origin'
+      })
+      expect(Member.create).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    })
+
+    it('accepts requests with matching Origin header', async () => {
+      const event = build()
+      const result = await customerHandler(event)
+      expect(result.success).toBe(true)
+    })
+  })
+
+  describe('rate limiting', () => {
+    it('rate-limits a single IP after 5 signup attempts', async () => {
+      // 5 calls succeed (each with a unique email so we don't hit email limit
+      // and don't hit the dedupe 409)
+      for (let i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
+        Member.findOne.mockResolvedValueOnce(null)
+        const event = build({
+          remoteAddress: '10.0.0.1',
+          body: {
+            name: 'User',
+            email: `u${i}@example.com`,
+            circle: 'community',
+            contributionAmount: 0,
+            agreedToGuidelines: true
+          }
+        })
+        await customerHandler(event)
+      }
+      // 6th call returns 429
+      const event = build({
+        remoteAddress: '10.0.0.1',
+        body: {
+          name: 'User',
+          email: 'u6@example.com',
+          circle: 'community',
+          contributionAmount: 0,
+          agreedToGuidelines: true
+        }
+      })
+      await expect(customerHandler(event)).rejects.toMatchObject({
+        statusCode: 429
+      })
+    })
+
+    it('rate-limits a single email after 3 signup attempts (different IPs)', async () => {
+      const email = 'shared@example.com'
+      for (let i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
+        Member.findOne.mockResolvedValueOnce(null)
+        const event = build({
+          remoteAddress: `10.0.0.${i + 10}`,
+          body: {
+            name: 'User',
+            email,
+            circle: 'community',
+            contributionAmount: 0,
+            agreedToGuidelines: true
+          }
+        })
+        await customerHandler(event)
+      }
+      // 4th call returns 429
+      const event = build({
+        remoteAddress: '10.0.0.99',
+        body: {
+          name: 'User',
+          email,
+          circle: 'community',
+          contributionAmount: 0,
+          agreedToGuidelines: true
+        }
+      })
+      await expect(customerHandler(event)).rejects.toMatchObject({
+        statusCode: 429
+      })
+    })
+  })
+
+  describe('existing-member dedupe (Fix #5)', () => {
+    it('brand-new email succeeds and creates a pending_payment member', async () => {
+      Member.findOne.mockResolvedValue(null)
+      const event = build({
+        body: {
+          name: 'Brand New',
+          email: 'brandnew@example.com',
+          circle: 'community',
+          contributionAmount: 0,
+          agreedToGuidelines: true
+        }
+      })
+      const result = await customerHandler(event)
+      expect(result.success).toBe(true)
+      expect(result.customerId).toBe('cust-1')
+      expect(result.member.status).toBe('pending_payment')
+      expect(Member.create).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+      expect(Member.findByIdAndUpdate).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    })
+
+    it('returns 409 for an existing active member', async () => {
+      Member.findOne.mockResolvedValue({
+        _id: 'mem-active',
+        email: 'active@example.com',
+        status: 'active'
+      })
+      const event = build({
+        body: {
+          name: 'Active User',
+          email: 'active@example.com',
+          circle: 'community',
+          contributionAmount: 0,
+          agreedToGuidelines: true
+        }
+      })
+      await expect(customerHandler(event)).rejects.toMatchObject({
+        statusCode: 409,
+        statusMessage: 'A member with this email already exists'
+      })
+      expect(Member.create).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+      expect(Member.findByIdAndUpdate).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+      expect(createHelcimCustomer).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    })
+
+    it('returns 409 for an existing pending_payment member (re-submit guard)', async () => {
+      Member.findOne.mockResolvedValue({
+        _id: 'mem-pending',
+        email: 'pending@example.com',
+        status: 'pending_payment'
+      })
+      const event = build({
+        body: {
+          name: 'Pending User',
+          email: 'pending@example.com',
+          circle: 'community',
+          contributionAmount: 0,
+          agreedToGuidelines: true
+        }
+      })
+      await expect(customerHandler(event)).rejects.toMatchObject({
+        statusCode: 409
+      })
+      expect(Member.create).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+      expect(Member.findByIdAndUpdate).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+      expect(createHelcimCustomer).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    })
+
+    it('returns 409 for suspended and cancelled members', async () => {
+      for (const status of ['suspended', 'cancelled']) {
+        vi.clearAllMocks()
+        resetRateLimit()
+        Member.findOne.mockResolvedValue({ _id: `mem-${status}`, status })
+        const event = build({
+          body: {
+            name: 'User',
+            email: `${status}@example.com`,
+            circle: 'community',
+            contributionAmount: 0,
+            agreedToGuidelines: true
+          }
+        })
+        await expect(customerHandler(event)).rejects.toMatchObject({
+          statusCode: 409
+        })
+        expect(Member.create).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+        expect(Member.findByIdAndUpdate).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+        expect(createHelcimCustomer).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+      }
+    })
+
+    it('upgrades an existing guest member in place (preserves _id)', async () => {
+      const guestId = 'guest-1'
+      Member.findOne.mockResolvedValue({
+        _id: guestId,
+        email: 'guest@example.com',
+        name: 'Old Guest Name',
+        circle: 'community',
+        contributionAmount: 0,
+        status: 'guest'
+      })
+      const event = build({
+        body: {
+          name: 'New Member Name',
+          email: 'guest@example.com',
+          circle: 'founder',
+          contributionAmount: 25,
+          agreedToGuidelines: true
+        }
+      })
+      const result = await customerHandler(event)
+
+      // No new member doc created — existing guest is reused.
+      expect(Member.create).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+
+      // Helcim customer created for the upgraded member.
+      expect(createHelcimCustomer).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+        customerType: 'PERSON',
+        contactName: 'New Member Name',
+        email: 'guest@example.com'
+      })
+
+      // findByIdAndUpdate called with guest's _id (preservation) and the form fields.
+      expect(Member.findByIdAndUpdate).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+      const [updateId, updatePayload, updateOpts] = Member.findByIdAndUpdate.mock.calls[0]
+      expect(updateId).toBe(guestId)
+      expect(updatePayload.$set).toMatchObject({
+        name: 'New Member Name',
+        circle: 'founder',
+        contributionAmount: 25,
+        helcimCustomerId: 'cust-1',
+        status: 'pending_payment'
+      })
+      expect(updatePayload.$set['agreement.acceptedAt']).toBeInstanceOf(Date)
+      expect(updateOpts).toMatchObject({ new: true, runValidators: false })
+
+      // Magic link still issued, paid-tier bridge cookie still set.
+      expect(sendMagicLink).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        'guest@example.com',
+        expect.objectContaining({ subject: 'Verify your Ghost Guild signup' })
+      )
+      expect(setPaymentBridgeCookie).toHaveBeenCalled()
+      expect(setAuthCookie).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+
+      // Response shape mirrors new-signup case AND surfaces the preserved _id.
+      expect(result.success).toBe(true)
+      expect(result.member.id).toBe(guestId)
+      expect(result.member.status).toBe('pending_payment')
+      expect(result.customerId).toBe('cust-1')
+    })
+
+    it('lowercases mixed-case email at the existence lookup', async () => {
+      Member.findOne.mockResolvedValue({
+        _id: 'guest-mixed',
+        email: 'foo@example.com',
+        name: 'Existing Guest',
+        circle: 'community',
+        contributionAmount: 0,
+        status: 'guest'
+      })
+      const event = build({
+        body: {
+          name: 'Foo Bar',
+          email: 'Foo@Example.com',
+          circle: 'community',
+          contributionAmount: 0,
+          agreedToGuidelines: true
+        }
+      })
+      await customerHandler(event)
+      expect(Member.findOne).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ email: 'foo@example.com' })
+      expect(Member.findByIdAndUpdate).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+      expect(Member.create).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    })
+  })
+
+  describe('no auth cookie + magic link', () => {
+    it('does not set auth-token cookie on free-tier signup', async () => {
+      const event = build()
+      await customerHandler(event)
+      expect(setAuthCookie).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+      const cookieHeader = event._testSetHeaders['set-cookie']
+      const cookies = Array.isArray(cookieHeader) ? cookieHeader.join(';') : (cookieHeader || '')
+      expect(cookies).not.toContain('auth-token=')
+    })
+
+    it('sends a magic link to the new member email', async () => {
+      const event = build({
+        body: {
+          name: 'New User',
+          email: 'newuser@example.com',
+          circle: 'community',
+          contributionAmount: 0,
+          agreedToGuidelines: true
+        }
+      })
+      await customerHandler(event)
+      expect(sendMagicLink).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        'newuser@example.com',
+        expect.objectContaining({ subject: 'Verify your Ghost Guild signup' })
+      )
+    })
+
+    it('sets a payment-bridge cookie on paid-tier signup so checkout can proceed', async () => {
+      const event = build({
+        body: {
+          name: 'Paid User',
+          email: 'paid@example.com',
+          circle: 'community',
+          contributionAmount: 25,
+          agreedToGuidelines: true
+        }
+      })
+      await customerHandler(event)
+      expect(setPaymentBridgeCookie).toHaveBeenCalled()
+      expect(sendMagicLink).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        'paid@example.com',
+        expect.objectContaining({ subject: 'Verify your Ghost Guild signup' })
+      )
+      // still no full session cookie
+      expect(setAuthCookie).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    })
+  })
+})
diff --git a/tests/server/api/helcim-payment.test.js b/tests/server/api/helcim-payment.test.js
index 52e2342..1c8d724 100644
--- a/tests/server/api/helcim-payment.test.js
+++ b/tests/server/api/helcim-payment.test.js
@@ -1,14 +1,23 @@
 import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach, afterEach } from 'vitest'
 
-import { requireAuth } from '../../../server/utils/auth.js'
+import { requireAuth, getOptionalMember } from '../../../server/utils/auth.js'
 import { validateBody as importedValidateBody } from '../../../server/utils/validateBody.js'
+import { loadPublicEvent } from '../../../server/utils/loadEvent.js'
+import Member from '../../../server/models/member.js'
+import Series from '../../../server/models/series.js'
 import initPaymentHandler from '../../../server/api/helcim/initialize-payment.post.js'
 import verifyPaymentHandler from '../../../server/api/helcim/verify-payment.post.js'
 import { createMockEvent } from '../helpers/createMockEvent.js'
 
-vi.mock('../../../server/utils/auth.js', () => ({ requireAuth: vi.fn() }))
+vi.mock('../../../server/utils/auth.js', () => ({
+  requireAuth: vi.fn(),
+  getOptionalMember: vi.fn()
+}))
 vi.mock('../../../server/utils/validateBody.js', () => ({ validateBody: vi.fn() }))
 vi.mock('../../../server/utils/schemas.js', () => ({ paymentVerifySchema: {} }))
+vi.mock('../../../server/utils/loadEvent.js', () => ({ loadPublicEvent: vi.fn() }))
+vi.mock('../../../server/models/member.js', () => ({ default: { findOne: vi.fn() } }))
+vi.mock('../../../server/models/series.js', () => ({ default: { findOne: vi.fn() } }))
 
 // helcimInitializePaymentSchema is a Nitro auto-import used by validateBody
 vi.stubGlobal('helcimInitializePaymentSchema', {})
@@ -19,6 +28,9 @@ vi.stubGlobal('fetch', mockFetch)
 describe('initialize-payment endpoint', () => {
   beforeEach(() => {
     vi.clearAllMocks()
+    getOptionalMember.mockResolvedValue(null)
+    Member.findOne.mockResolvedValue(null)
+    Series.findOne.mockResolvedValue(null)
   })
 
   afterEach(() => {
@@ -31,6 +43,11 @@ describe('initialize-payment endpoint', () => {
       metadata: { type: 'event_ticket', eventTitle: 'Test Event', eventId: 'evt-1' }
     }
     globalThis.validateBody.mockResolvedValue(body)
+    loadPublicEvent.mockResolvedValue({
+      _id: 'evt-1',
+      title: 'Test Event',
+      tickets: { enabled: true, public: { available: true, price: 2500 } }
+    })
 
     mockFetch.mockResolvedValue({
       ok: true,
@@ -75,6 +92,11 @@ describe('initialize-payment endpoint', () => {
       metadata: { type: 'event_ticket', eventTitle: 'Workshop', eventId: 'evt-2' }
     }
     globalThis.validateBody.mockResolvedValue(body)
+    loadPublicEvent.mockResolvedValue({
+      _id: 'evt-2',
+      title: 'Workshop',
+      tickets: { enabled: true, public: { available: true, price: 1500 } }
+    })
 
     mockFetch.mockResolvedValue({
       ok: true,
@@ -92,9 +114,152 @@ describe('initialize-payment endpoint', () => {
     expect(result).toEqual({
       success: true,
       checkoutToken: 'ct-abc',
-      secretToken: 'st-xyz'
+      secretToken: 'st-xyz',
+      amount: 1500
     })
   })
+
+  it('ignores client-supplied amount and re-derives event_ticket price server-side', async () => {
+    const body = {
+      amount: 1, // tampered low value
+      metadata: { type: 'event_ticket', eventId: 'evt-x' }
+    }
+    globalThis.validateBody.mockResolvedValue(body)
+    loadPublicEvent.mockResolvedValue({
+      _id: 'evt-x',
+      title: 'Pricey Workshop',
+      tickets: { enabled: true, public: { available: true, price: 5000 } }
+    })
+
+    mockFetch.mockResolvedValue({
+      ok: true,
+      text: async () => JSON.stringify({ checkoutToken: 'ct-1', secretToken: 'st-1' })
+    })
+
+    const event = createMockEvent({
+      method: 'POST',
+      path: '/api/helcim/initialize-payment',
+      body
+    })
+
+    const result = await initPaymentHandler(event)
+
+    // Verify the fetch to Helcim was called with the server-derived amount, not body.amount
+    expect(mockFetch).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    const [, init] = mockFetch.mock.calls[0]
+    const sentBody = JSON.parse(init.body)
+    expect(sentBody.amount).toBe(5000)
+    expect(sentBody.amount).not.toBe(1)
+    expect(sentBody.paymentType).toBe('purchase')
+    expect(result.amount).toBe(5000)
+  })
+
+  it('returns 400 when event_ticket metadata is missing eventId', async () => {
+    const body = { amount: 25, metadata: { type: 'event_ticket' } }
+    globalThis.validateBody.mockResolvedValue(body)
+
+    const event = createMockEvent({
+      method: 'POST',
+      path: '/api/helcim/initialize-payment',
+      body
+    })
+
+    await expect(initPaymentHandler(event)).rejects.toMatchObject({
+      statusCode: 400
+    })
+  })
+
+  it('returns 400 when series_ticket metadata is missing seriesId', async () => {
+    const body = { amount: 50, metadata: { type: 'series_ticket' } }
+    globalThis.validateBody.mockResolvedValue(body)
+
+    const event = createMockEvent({
+      method: 'POST',
+      path: '/api/helcim/initialize-payment',
+      body
+    })
+
+    await expect(initPaymentHandler(event)).rejects.toMatchObject({
+      statusCode: 400
+    })
+  })
+
+  it('re-derives series_ticket price via Series.findOne + calculateSeriesTicketPrice', async () => {
+    const body = {
+      amount: 100, // tampered
+      metadata: { type: 'series_ticket', seriesId: 'ser-x' }
+    }
+    globalThis.validateBody.mockResolvedValue(body)
+    Series.findOne.mockResolvedValue({
+      _id: 'ser-x',
+      title: 'Coop Foundations',
+      tickets: { enabled: true, public: { available: true, price: 7500 } }
+    })
+
+    mockFetch.mockResolvedValue({
+      ok: true,
+      text: async () => JSON.stringify({ checkoutToken: 'ct-s', secretToken: 'st-s' })
+    })
+
+    const event = createMockEvent({
+      method: 'POST',
+      path: '/api/helcim/initialize-payment',
+      body
+    })
+
+    const result = await initPaymentHandler(event)
+
+    expect(mockFetch).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    const [, init] = mockFetch.mock.calls[0]
+    const sentBody = JSON.parse(init.body)
+    expect(sentBody.amount).toBe(7500)
+    expect(sentBody.paymentType).toBe('purchase')
+    expect(result.amount).toBe(7500)
+    expect(Series.findOne).toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+
+  it('uses member pricing when metadata.email matches an active member', async () => {
+    const body = {
+      amount: 5000,
+      metadata: { type: 'event_ticket', eventId: 'evt-m', email: '[email protected]' }
+    }
+    globalThis.validateBody.mockResolvedValue(body)
+    Member.findOne.mockResolvedValue({
+      _id: 'm-1',
+      email: '[email protected]',
+      status: 'active',
+      circle: 'community'
+    })
+    loadPublicEvent.mockResolvedValue({
+      _id: 'evt-m',
+      title: 'Member Event',
+      tickets: {
+        enabled: true,
+        member: { available: true, isFree: true },
+        public: { available: true, price: 5000 }
+      }
+    })
+
+    mockFetch.mockResolvedValue({
+      ok: true,
+      text: async () => JSON.stringify({ checkoutToken: 'ct-m', secretToken: 'st-m' })
+    })
+
+    const event = createMockEvent({
+      method: 'POST',
+      path: '/api/helcim/initialize-payment',
+      body
+    })
+
+    const result = await initPaymentHandler(event)
+
+    expect(mockFetch).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    const [, init] = mockFetch.mock.calls[0]
+    const sentBody = JSON.parse(init.body)
+    expect(sentBody.amount).toBe(0)
+    expect(sentBody.paymentType).toBe('verify')
+    expect(result.amount).toBe(0)
+  })
 })
 
 describe('verify-payment endpoint', () => {
diff --git a/tests/server/api/helcim-subscription.test.js b/tests/server/api/helcim-subscription.test.js
index 9a24285..7a41e26 100644
--- a/tests/server/api/helcim-subscription.test.js
+++ b/tests/server/api/helcim-subscription.test.js
@@ -12,7 +12,10 @@ vi.mock('../../../server/models/member.js', () => ({
   default: { findOneAndUpdate: vi.fn(), findOne: vi.fn() }
 }))
 vi.mock('../../../server/utils/mongoose.js', () => ({ connectDB: vi.fn() }))
-vi.mock('../../../server/utils/auth.js', () => ({ requireAuth: vi.fn() }))
+vi.mock('../../../server/utils/auth.js', () => ({
+  requireAuth: vi.fn(),
+  getPaymentBridgeMember: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(null)
+}))
 vi.mock('../../../server/utils/slack.ts', () => ({
   getSlackService: vi.fn().mockReturnValue(null)
 }))
diff --git a/tests/server/api/reconcile-payments-route.test.js b/tests/server/api/reconcile-payments-route.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9622153
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/server/api/reconcile-payments-route.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,269 @@
+import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach } from 'vitest'
+
+import Member from '../../../server/models/member.js'
+import Payment from '../../../server/models/payment.js'
+import { listHelcimCustomerTransactions } from '../../../server/utils/helcim.js'
+import { upsertPaymentFromHelcim } from '../../../server/utils/payments.js'
+import reconcileHandler from '../../../server/api/internal/reconcile-payments.post.js'
+import { createMockEvent } from '../helpers/createMockEvent.js'
+
+vi.mock('../../../server/models/member.js', () => ({
+  default: { find: vi.fn() }
+}))
+vi.mock('../../../server/models/payment.js', () => ({
+  default: { findOne: vi.fn() }
+}))
+vi.mock('../../../server/utils/mongoose.js', () => ({ connectDB: vi.fn() }))
+vi.mock('../../../server/utils/helcim.js', () => ({
+  listHelcimCustomerTransactions: vi.fn()
+}))
+vi.mock('../../../server/utils/payments.js', () => ({
+  upsertPaymentFromHelcim: vi.fn()
+}))
+
+// Override useRuntimeConfig from setup.js for these tests
+const RECONCILE_TOKEN = 'test-reconcile-secret-32-characters-long-xx'
+beforeEach(() => {
+  vi.stubGlobal('useRuntimeConfig', () => ({
+    jwtSecret: 'test-jwt-secret',
+    helcimApiToken: 'test-helcim-token',
+    reconcileToken: RECONCILE_TOKEN
+  }))
+})
+
+function leanResolver(value) {
+  return { lean: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(value) }
+}
+
+describe('POST /api/internal/reconcile-payments', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.clearAllMocks()
+  })
+
+  it('rejects requests without the shared-secret token', async () => {
+    const event = createMockEvent({
+      method: 'POST',
+      path: '/api/internal/reconcile-payments'
+    })
+
+    await expect(reconcileHandler(event)).rejects.toMatchObject({
+      statusCode: 401,
+      statusMessage: 'Unauthorized'
+    })
+  })
+
+  it('rejects requests with the wrong token', async () => {
+    const event = createMockEvent({
+      method: 'POST',
+      path: '/api/internal/reconcile-payments',
+      headers: { 'x-reconcile-token': 'not-the-right-secret' }
+    })
+
+    await expect(reconcileHandler(event)).rejects.toMatchObject({
+      statusCode: 401,
+      statusMessage: 'Unauthorized'
+    })
+  })
+
+  it('rejects when reconcileToken is not configured on the server', async () => {
+    vi.stubGlobal('useRuntimeConfig', () => ({
+      jwtSecret: 'test-jwt-secret',
+      helcimApiToken: 'test-helcim-token',
+      reconcileToken: ''
+    }))
+    const event = createMockEvent({
+      method: 'POST',
+      path: '/api/internal/reconcile-payments',
+      headers: { 'x-reconcile-token': 'anything' }
+    })
+
+    await expect(reconcileHandler(event)).rejects.toMatchObject({
+      statusCode: 401
+    })
+  })
+
+  it('queries members with helcimCustomerId and returns a summary', async () => {
+    Member.find.mockReturnValue(leanResolver([
+      {
+        _id: 'm1',
+        email: 'a@example.com',
+        helcimCustomerId: 'cust-1',
+        helcimSubscriptionId: 'sub-1',
+        billingCadence: 'monthly'
+      }
+    ]))
+    listHelcimCustomerTransactions.mockResolvedValue([
+      { id: 'tx-paid', status: 'paid', amount: 10, currency: 'CAD' },
+      { id: 'tx-other', status: 'other', amount: 0, currency: 'CAD' },
+      { id: 'tx-failed', status: 'failed', amount: 10, currency: 'CAD' }
+    ])
+    upsertPaymentFromHelcim.mockResolvedValueOnce({ created: true, payment: { _id: 'p1' } })
+    upsertPaymentFromHelcim.mockResolvedValueOnce({ created: false, payment: { _id: 'p2' } })
+
+    const event = createMockEvent({
+      method: 'POST',
+      path: '/api/internal/reconcile-payments',
+      headers: { 'x-reconcile-token': RECONCILE_TOKEN }
+    })
+
+    const result = await reconcileHandler(event)
+
+    // Verify the query shape: filter by helcimCustomerId existence + projection
+    expect(Member.find).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      { helcimCustomerId: { $exists: true, $ne: null } },
+      expect.objectContaining({
+        helcimCustomerId: 1,
+        helcimSubscriptionId: 1,
+        billingCadence: 1
+      })
+    )
+
+    // upsert called for paid + failed (status='other' is skipped)
+    expect(upsertPaymentFromHelcim).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      membersScanned: 1,
+      txExamined: 3,
+      created: 1,
+      existed: 1,
+      skipped: 1,
+      memberErrors: 0,
+      apply: true
+    })
+  })
+
+  it('does NOT pass sendConfirmation: true (no duplicate confirmation emails)', async () => {
+    Member.find.mockReturnValue(leanResolver([
+      { _id: 'm1', helcimCustomerId: 'cust-1' }
+    ]))
+    listHelcimCustomerTransactions.mockResolvedValue([
+      { id: 'tx-paid', status: 'paid', amount: 10, currency: 'CAD' }
+    ])
+    upsertPaymentFromHelcim.mockResolvedValue({ created: true, payment: { _id: 'p1' } })
+
+    const event = createMockEvent({
+      method: 'POST',
+      path: '/api/internal/reconcile-payments',
+      headers: { 'x-reconcile-token': RECONCILE_TOKEN }
+    })
+    await reconcileHandler(event)
+
+    // The cron must not pass sendConfirmation. Either no opts or sendConfirmation falsy.
+    const opts = upsertPaymentFromHelcim.mock.calls[0][2]
+    if (opts) {
+      expect(opts.sendConfirmation).toBeFalsy()
+    }
+  })
+
+  it('continues iterating when listHelcimCustomerTransactions throws for one member', async () => {
+    Member.find.mockReturnValue(leanResolver([
+      { _id: 'm1', helcimCustomerId: 'cust-1' },
+      { _id: 'm2', helcimCustomerId: 'cust-2' },
+      { _id: 'm3', helcimCustomerId: 'cust-3' }
+    ]))
+    // m1 succeeds first try, m2 fails all 3 retries, m3 succeeds first try.
+    listHelcimCustomerTransactions
+      .mockResolvedValueOnce([{ id: 'tx1', status: 'paid', amount: 5 }])
+      .mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error('helcim 503'))
+      .mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error('helcim 503'))
+      .mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error('helcim 503'))
+      .mockResolvedValueOnce([{ id: 'tx3', status: 'paid', amount: 7 }])
+    upsertPaymentFromHelcim.mockResolvedValue({ created: true, payment: { _id: 'p' } })
+
+    vi.useFakeTimers()
+
+    const event = createMockEvent({
+      method: 'POST',
+      path: '/api/internal/reconcile-payments',
+      headers: { 'x-reconcile-token': RECONCILE_TOKEN }
+    })
+    const promise = reconcileHandler(event)
+    // Drain m2's exponential backoff (250 + 500 + 1000ms)
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(2000)
+    const result = await promise
+
+    expect(result.membersScanned).toBe(3)
+    expect(result.memberErrors).toBe(1)
+    expect(result.created).toBe(2) // m1 + m3 succeeded
+    vi.useRealTimers()
+  })
+
+  it('retries transient Helcim errors with exponential backoff (3 attempts)', async () => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers()
+    Member.find.mockReturnValue(leanResolver([
+      { _id: 'm1', helcimCustomerId: 'cust-1' }
+    ]))
+    listHelcimCustomerTransactions
+      .mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error('boom 1'))
+      .mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error('boom 2'))
+      .mockResolvedValueOnce([{ id: 'tx-paid', status: 'paid', amount: 9 }])
+    upsertPaymentFromHelcim.mockResolvedValue({ created: true, payment: { _id: 'p1' } })
+
+    const event = createMockEvent({
+      method: 'POST',
+      path: '/api/internal/reconcile-payments',
+      headers: { 'x-reconcile-token': RECONCILE_TOKEN }
+    })
+    const promise = reconcileHandler(event)
+    // Advance through the 250ms + 500ms backoff windows
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(250)
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(500)
+    const result = await promise
+
+    expect(listHelcimCustomerTransactions).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(3)
+    expect(result.memberErrors).toBe(0)
+    expect(result.created).toBe(1)
+    vi.useRealTimers()
+  })
+
+  it('counts memberErrors when all 3 retry attempts fail', async () => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers()
+    Member.find.mockReturnValue(leanResolver([
+      { _id: 'm1', helcimCustomerId: 'cust-1' }
+    ]))
+    listHelcimCustomerTransactions.mockRejectedValue(new Error('persistent 503'))
+
+    const event = createMockEvent({
+      method: 'POST',
+      path: '/api/internal/reconcile-payments',
+      headers: { 'x-reconcile-token': RECONCILE_TOKEN }
+    })
+    const promise = reconcileHandler(event)
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(250)
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(500)
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(1000)
+    const result = await promise
+
+    expect(listHelcimCustomerTransactions).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(3)
+    expect(result.memberErrors).toBe(1)
+    vi.useRealTimers()
+  })
+
+  it('honors ?apply=false dry-run mode (Payment.findOne, no upsert)', async () => {
+    Member.find.mockReturnValue(leanResolver([
+      { _id: 'm1', helcimCustomerId: 'cust-1' }
+    ]))
+    listHelcimCustomerTransactions.mockResolvedValue([
+      { id: 'tx-existing', status: 'paid', amount: 10 },
+      { id: 'tx-new', status: 'paid', amount: 12 }
+    ])
+    Payment.findOne
+      .mockResolvedValueOnce({ _id: 'p-existing' })
+      .mockResolvedValueOnce(null)
+
+    const event = createMockEvent({
+      method: 'POST',
+      path: '/api/internal/reconcile-payments?apply=false',
+      headers: { 'x-reconcile-token': RECONCILE_TOKEN }
+    })
+    const result = await reconcileHandler(event)
+
+    expect(upsertPaymentFromHelcim).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(Payment.findOne).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      apply: false,
+      created: 1, // would-create
+      existed: 1
+    })
+  })
+})
diff --git a/tests/server/api/series-tickets-purchase.test.js b/tests/server/api/series-tickets-purchase.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..16483e1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/server/api/series-tickets-purchase.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest'
+import { readFileSync } from 'node:fs'
+import { resolve } from 'node:path'
+
+const seriesDir = resolve(import.meta.dirname, '../../../server/api/series/[id]')
+
+describe('series tickets/purchase.post.js — guest account upsert (Fix #8)', () => {
+  const source = readFileSync(resolve(seriesDir, 'tickets/purchase.post.js'), 'utf-8')
+
+  it('uses validateBody with seriesTicketPurchaseSchema', () => {
+    expect(source).toContain('validateBody(event, seriesTicketPurchaseSchema)')
+  })
+
+  it('Case 1 (free) + Case 2 (paid): upserts a guest Member when unauthenticated buyer provides name+email', () => {
+    // Mirror event endpoint upsert pattern; ALWAYS-CREATE-GUEST (no opt-in
+    // checkbox), so guard is `if (!member)` rather than `if (!member && body.createAccount)`.
+    expect(source).toContain('findOneAndUpdate')
+    expect(source).toContain('$setOnInsert')
+    expect(source).toContain('status: "guest"')
+    expect(source).toContain('upsert: true')
+    expect(source).toContain('circle: "community"')
+    expect(source).toContain('contributionAmount: 0')
+    // ALWAYS-CREATE — must NOT gate on a createAccount flag
+    expect(source).not.toContain('body.createAccount')
+  })
+
+  it('Case 3 (idempotency): upsert pattern handles concurrent same-email registrations atomically', () => {
+    // findOneAndUpdate with $setOnInsert + upsert:true is the idempotent pattern;
+    // email has a unique index. No duplicate Member doc created on retry.
+    expect(source).toMatch(/findOneAndUpdate\(\s*\{\s*email:/)
+    expect(source).toContain('upsert: true')
+    expect(source).toContain('new: true')
+    expect(source).toContain('setDefaultsOnInsert: true')
+  })
+
+  it('Case 4 (existing real member): does not auto-login real members entered via public form', () => {
+    // Auto-login only for newly-created accounts and existing guests.
+    // Real members (active/pending_payment) get requiresSignIn: true instead.
+    expect(source).toContain('accountCreated || member.status === "guest"')
+    expect(source).toContain('requiresSignIn = true')
+  })
+
+  it('Case 5 (authenticated guest): sets auth cookie on signedIn:true response', () => {
+    // setAuthCookie fires for both new accounts and returning guests.
+    expect(source).toContain('setAuthCookie(event, member)')
+    expect(source).toContain('signedIn = true')
+  })
+
+  it('Case 6 (missing fields): relies on schema validation to reject missing name/email', () => {
+    // No new validation logic added — existing seriesTicketPurchaseSchema
+    // already requires name+email; validateBody throws 400 if missing.
+    expect(source).toContain('validateBody(event, seriesTicketPurchaseSchema)')
+  })
+
+  it('includes accountCreated, signedIn, and requiresSignIn in response (parity with event endpoint)', () => {
+    expect(source).toContain('accountCreated,')
+    expect(source).toContain('signedIn,')
+    expect(source).toContain('requiresSignIn,')
+  })
+
+  it('still uses hasMemberAccess to gate member pricing (guest/suspended/cancelled treated as non-members)', () => {
+    expect(source).toContain('hasMemberAccess(member)')
+  })
+
+  it('preserves try/catch around requireAuth so unauthenticated callers fall through', () => {
+    // Required for unauth guest-purchase flow to work at all.
+    expect(source).toMatch(/try\s*\{[^}]*requireAuth\(event\)[^}]*\}\s*catch/s)
+  })
+
+  it('does not block purchase when confirmation email fails', () => {
+    const emailCallIndex = source.indexOf('await sendSeriesPassConfirmation')
+    expect(emailCallIndex).toBeGreaterThan(-1)
+    const afterEmail = source.slice(emailCallIndex)
+    const catchBlock = afterEmail.match(/catch\s*\(\w+\)\s*\{[^}]*\}/s)
+    expect(catchBlock).not.toBeNull()
+    expect(catchBlock[0]).toContain('console.error')
+  })
+})
+
+describe('SeriesPassPurchase.vue — client auth refresh (Fix #8)', () => {
+  const source = readFileSync(
+    resolve(import.meta.dirname, '../../../app/components/SeriesPassPurchase.vue'),
+    'utf-8'
+  )
+
+  it('refreshes client auth state via useAuth().checkMemberStatus() when server reports signedIn', () => {
+    expect(source).toContain('useAuth().checkMemberStatus()')
+    expect(source).toMatch(/purchaseResponse\?\.signedIn/)
+  })
+
+  it('shows a one-line guest-account hint under the form (no checkbox)', () => {
+    // Per ALWAYS-CREATE-GUEST decision: hint only, no UI control.
+    expect(source).toMatch(/free guest account/i)
+    // Make sure no checkbox was added by mistake.
+    expect(source).not.toMatch(/createAccount/)
+    expect(source).not.toMatch(/<input[^>]*type="checkbox"/i)
+  })
+})
diff --git a/tests/server/api/validation-phase3.test.js b/tests/server/api/validation-phase3.test.js
index e34acde..1d17c02 100644
--- a/tests/server/api/validation-phase3.test.js
+++ b/tests/server/api/validation-phase3.test.js
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ import {
   waitlistDeleteSchema,
   cancelRegistrationSchema,
   checkRegistrationSchema,
-  eventPaymentSchema,
   updateContributionSchema,
   seriesTicketPurchaseSchema,
   seriesTicketEligibilitySchema,
@@ -312,25 +311,6 @@ describe('waitlistSchema', () => {
   })
 })
 
-describe('eventPaymentSchema', () => {
-  it('accepts valid payment data', () => {
-    const result = eventPaymentSchema.safeParse({
-      name: 'Payer',
-      email: 'payer@example.com',
-      paymentToken: 'tok_abc123'
-    })
-    expect(result.success).toBe(true)
-  })
-
-  it('rejects missing paymentToken', () => {
-    const result = eventPaymentSchema.safeParse({
-      name: 'Payer',
-      email: 'payer@example.com'
-    })
-    expect(result.success).toBe(false)
-  })
-})
-
 // --- Member schemas ---
 
 describe('updateContributionSchema', () => {
@@ -557,7 +537,6 @@ describe('validateBody migration coverage', () => {
     'events/[id]/waitlist.delete.js',
     'events/[id]/cancel-registration.post.js',
     'events/[id]/check-registration.post.js',
-    'events/[id]/payment.post.js',
     'members/update-contribution.post.js',
     'series/[id]/tickets/purchase.post.js',
     'series/[id]/tickets/check-eligibility.post.js',
diff --git a/tests/server/config/__snapshots__/runtime-config-public.test.js.snap b/tests/server/config/__snapshots__/runtime-config-public.test.js.snap
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d089ad3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/server/config/__snapshots__/runtime-config-public.test.js.snap
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+// Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
+
+exports[`runtimeConfig.public > matches public runtime config snapshot 1`] = `
+[
+  "appUrl",
+  "cloudinaryCloudName",
+  "comingSoon",
+  "helcimAccountId",
+  "helcimPortalUrl",
+]
+`;
diff --git a/tests/server/config/runtime-config-public.test.js b/tests/server/config/runtime-config-public.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..797f2ab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/server/config/runtime-config-public.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+import { describe, it, expect, beforeAll } from 'vitest'
+
+// nuxt.config.ts uses the auto-imported defineNuxtConfig() global. Stub it to
+// the identity function so we can dynamically import the config in node and
+// assert against the actual runtimeConfig object the build will use.
+let nuxtConfig
+
+beforeAll(async () => {
+  globalThis.defineNuxtConfig = (config) => config
+  const mod = await import('../../../nuxt.config.ts')
+  nuxtConfig = mod.default
+})
+
+describe('runtimeConfig.public', () => {
+  it('does not expose helcimToken in runtimeConfig.public', () => {
+    expect('helcimToken' in nuxtConfig.runtimeConfig.public).toBe(false)
+  })
+
+  it('does not expose any *ApiToken or *Secret keys in runtimeConfig.public', () => {
+    // Keys that are intentionally public despite matching the pattern.
+    const allowlist = new Set(['helcimAccountId', 'cloudinaryCloudName'])
+    const sensitivePattern = /token|secret|key$/i
+
+    const violations = Object.keys(nuxtConfig.runtimeConfig.public).filter(
+      (key) => sensitivePattern.test(key) && !allowlist.has(key)
+    )
+
+    expect(violations).toEqual([])
+  })
+
+  it('matches public runtime config snapshot', () => {
+    // Snapshot only the sorted key list, not values (values come from env).
+    const sortedKeys = Object.keys(nuxtConfig.runtimeConfig.public).sort()
+    expect(sortedKeys).toMatchSnapshot()
+  })
+})