diff --git a/docs/DEV-HTTPS-SETUP.md b/docs/DEV-HTTPS-SETUP.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..cb25d69c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/DEV-HTTPS-SETUP.md
@@ -0,0 +1,337 @@
+# HTTPS in Development Environment
+
+## Overview
+
+Development environment now uses HTTPS by default to match production behavior and catch SSL-related issues early.
+
+**Benefits:**
+- ✅ Matches production HTTPS behavior
+- ✅ Tests SSL/TLS configurations
+- ✅ Catches mixed content warnings
+- ✅ Tests secure cookie handling
+- ✅ Better dev-prod parity
+
+---
+
+## Quick Start
+
+### 1. Deploy with HTTPS Enabled
+
+```bash
+# Start development environment
+skaffold dev --profile=dev
+
+# Wait for certificate to be issued
+kubectl get certificate -n bakery-ia
+
+# You should see:
+# NAME                   READY   SECRET                  AGE
+# bakery-dev-tls-cert    True    bakery-dev-tls-cert     1m
+```
+
+### 2. Access Your Application
+
+```bash
+# Access via HTTPS (will show certificate warning in browser)
+open https://localhost
+
+# Or via curl (use -k to skip certificate verification)
+curl -k https://localhost/api/health
+```
+
+---
+
+## Trust the Self-Signed Certificate
+
+To avoid browser certificate warnings, you need to trust the self-signed certificate.
+
+### Option 1: Accept Browser Warning (Quick & Easy)
+
+When you visit `https://localhost`:
+1. Browser shows "Your connection is not private" or similar
+2. Click "Advanced" or "Show details"
+3. Click "Proceed to localhost" or "Accept the risk"
+4. Certificate warning will appear on first visit only per browser session
+
+### Option 2: Trust Certificate in System (Recommended)
+
+#### On macOS:
+
+```bash
+# 1. Export the certificate from Kubernetes
+kubectl get secret bakery-dev-tls-cert -n bakery-ia -o jsonpath='{.data.tls\.crt}' | base64 -d > /tmp/bakery-dev-cert.crt
+
+# 2. Add to Keychain
+sudo security add-trusted-cert -d -r trustRoot -k /Library/Keychains/System.keychain /tmp/bakery-dev-cert.crt
+
+# 3. Verify
+security find-certificate -c localhost -a
+
+# 4. Cleanup
+rm /tmp/bakery-dev-cert.crt
+```
+
+**Alternative (GUI):**
+1. Export certificate: `kubectl get secret bakery-dev-tls-cert -n bakery-ia -o jsonpath='{.data.tls\.crt}' | base64 -d > bakery-dev-cert.crt`
+2. Double-click the `.crt` file to open Keychain Access
+3. Find "localhost" certificate
+4. Double-click → Trust → "Always Trust"
+5. Close and enter your password
+
+#### On Linux:
+
+```bash
+# 1. Export the certificate
+kubectl get secret bakery-dev-tls-cert -n bakery-ia -o jsonpath='{.data.tls\.crt}' | base64 -d | sudo tee /usr/local/share/ca-certificates/bakery-dev.crt
+
+# 2. Update CA certificates
+sudo update-ca-certificates
+
+# 3. For browsers (Chromium/Chrome)
+mkdir -p $HOME/.pki/nssdb
+certutil -d sql:$HOME/.pki/nssdb -A -t "P,," -n "Bakery Dev" -i /usr/local/share/ca-certificates/bakery-dev.crt
+```
+
+#### On Windows:
+
+```powershell
+# 1. Export the certificate
+kubectl get secret bakery-dev-tls-cert -n bakery-ia -o jsonpath='{.data.tls.crt}' | Out-File -Encoding ASCII bakery-dev-cert.crt
+
+# 2. Import to Trusted Root
+Import-Certificate -FilePath .\bakery-dev-cert.crt -CertStoreLocation Cert:\LocalMachine\Root
+
+# Or use GUI:
+# - Double-click bakery-dev-cert.crt
+# - Install Certificate
+# - Store Location: Local Machine
+# - Place in: Trusted Root Certification Authorities
+```
+
+---
+
+## Testing HTTPS
+
+### Test with curl
+
+```bash
+# Without certificate verification (quick test)
+curl -k https://localhost/api/health
+
+# With certificate verification (after trusting cert)
+curl https://localhost/api/health
+
+# Check certificate details
+curl -vI https://localhost/api/health 2>&1 | grep -A 10 "Server certificate"
+
+# Test CORS with HTTPS
+curl -H "Origin: https://localhost:3000" \
+     -H "Access-Control-Request-Method: POST" \
+     -X OPTIONS https://localhost/api/health
+```
+
+### Test with Browser
+
+1. Open `https://localhost`
+2. Check for SSL/TLS padlock in address bar
+3. Click padlock → View certificate
+4. Verify:
+   - Issued to: localhost
+   - Issued by: localhost (self-signed)
+   - Valid for: 90 days
+
+### Test Frontend
+
+```bash
+# Update your frontend .env to use HTTPS
+echo "VITE_API_URL=https://localhost/api" > frontend/.env.local
+
+# Frontend should now make HTTPS requests
+```
+
+---
+
+## Certificate Details
+
+### Certificate Specifications
+
+- **Type**: Self-signed (for development)
+- **Algorithm**: RSA 2048-bit
+- **Validity**: 90 days (auto-renews 15 days before expiration)
+- **Common Name**: localhost
+- **DNS Names**:
+  - localhost
+  - bakery-ia.local
+  - api.bakery-ia.local
+  - *.bakery-ia.local
+- **IP Addresses**: 127.0.0.1, ::1
+
+### Certificate Issuer
+
+- **Issuer**: `selfsigned-issuer` (cert-manager ClusterIssuer)
+- **Auto-renewal**: Managed by cert-manager
+- **Secret Name**: `bakery-dev-tls-cert`
+
+---
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### Certificate Not Issued
+
+```bash
+# Check certificate status
+kubectl describe certificate bakery-dev-tls-cert -n bakery-ia
+
+# Check cert-manager logs
+kubectl logs -n cert-manager deployment/cert-manager
+
+# Check if cert-manager is installed
+kubectl get pods -n cert-manager
+
+# If cert-manager is not installed:
+kubectl apply -f https://github.com/cert-manager/cert-manager/releases/download/v1.13.2/cert-manager.yaml
+```
+
+### Certificate Warning in Browser
+
+**Normal for self-signed certificates!** Choose one:
+1. Click "Proceed" (quick, temporary)
+2. Trust the certificate in your system (permanent)
+
+### Mixed Content Warnings
+
+If you see "mixed content" errors:
+- Ensure all API calls use HTTPS
+- Check for hardcoded HTTP URLs
+- Update `VITE_API_URL` to use HTTPS
+
+### Certificate Expired
+
+```bash
+# Check expiration
+kubectl get certificate bakery-dev-tls-cert -n bakery-ia -o jsonpath='{.status.notAfter}'
+
+# Force renewal
+kubectl delete certificate bakery-dev-tls-cert -n bakery-ia
+kubectl apply -k infrastructure/kubernetes/overlays/dev
+
+# cert-manager will automatically recreate it
+```
+
+### Browser Shows "NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID"
+
+This is expected for self-signed certificates. Options:
+1. Click "Advanced" → "Proceed to localhost"
+2. Trust the certificate (see instructions above)
+3. Use curl with `-k` flag for testing
+
+---
+
+## Disable HTTPS (Not Recommended)
+
+If you need to temporarily disable HTTPS:
+
+```bash
+# Edit dev-ingress.yaml
+vim infrastructure/kubernetes/overlays/dev/dev-ingress.yaml
+
+# Change:
+# nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/ssl-redirect: "true"  → "false"
+# nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/force-ssl-redirect: "true"  → "false"
+
+# Comment out the tls section:
+# tls:
+# - hosts:
+#   - localhost
+#   secretName: bakery-dev-tls-cert
+
+# Redeploy
+skaffold dev --profile=dev
+```
+
+---
+
+## Differences from Production
+
+| Aspect | Development | Production |
+|--------|-------------|------------|
+| Certificate Type | Self-signed | Let's Encrypt |
+| Validity | 90 days | 90 days |
+| Auto-renewal | cert-manager | cert-manager |
+| Trust | Manual trust needed | Automatically trusted |
+| Domains | localhost | Real domains |
+| Browser Warning | Yes (self-signed) | No (CA-signed) |
+
+---
+
+## FAQ
+
+### Q: Why am I seeing certificate warnings?
+**A:** Self-signed certificates aren't trusted by browsers by default. Trust the certificate or click "Proceed."
+
+### Q: Do I need to trust the certificate?
+**A:** No, but it makes development easier. You can click "Proceed" on each browser session.
+
+### Q: Will this affect my frontend development?
+**A:** Slightly. Update `VITE_API_URL` to use `https://`. Otherwise works the same.
+
+### Q: Can I use HTTP instead?
+**A:** Yes, but not recommended. It reduces dev-prod parity and won't catch HTTPS issues.
+
+### Q: How often do I need to re-trust the certificate?
+**A:** Only when the certificate is recreated (every 90 days or when you delete the cluster).
+
+### Q: Does this work with bakery-ia.local?
+**A:** Yes! The certificate is valid for both `localhost` and `bakery-ia.local`.
+
+---
+
+## Additional Security Testing
+
+With HTTPS enabled, you can now test:
+
+### 1. Secure Cookies
+```javascript
+// In your frontend
+document.cookie = "session=test; Secure; SameSite=Strict";
+```
+
+### 2. Mixed Content Detection
+```javascript
+// This will show warning in dev (good - catches prod issues!)
+fetch('http://api.example.com/data')  // ❌ Mixed content
+fetch('https://api.example.com/data') // ✅ Secure
+```
+
+### 3. HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security)
+```bash
+# Check HSTS headers
+curl -I https://localhost/api/health | grep -i strict
+```
+
+### 4. TLS Version Testing
+```bash
+# Test TLS 1.2
+curl --tlsv1.2 https://localhost/api/health
+
+# Test TLS 1.3
+curl --tlsv1.3 https://localhost/api/health
+```
+
+---
+
+## Summary
+
+✅ **Enabled**: HTTPS in development by default
+✅ **Certificate**: Self-signed, auto-renewed
+✅ **Access**: `https://localhost`
+✅ **Trust**: Optional but recommended
+✅ **Benefit**: Better dev-prod parity
+
+**Next Steps:**
+1. Deploy: `skaffold dev --profile=dev`
+2. Access: `https://localhost`
+3. Trust: Follow instructions above (optional)
+4. Test: Verify HTTPS works
+
+For issues, see Troubleshooting section or check cert-manager logs.
diff --git a/docs/DEV-PROD-PARITY-CHANGES.md b/docs/DEV-PROD-PARITY-CHANGES.md
index a8d90f6f..d852e252 100644
--- a/docs/DEV-PROD-PARITY-CHANGES.md
+++ b/docs/DEV-PROD-PARITY-CHANGES.md
@@ -79,6 +79,57 @@ nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/cors-allow-origin: "http://localhost,http://localhos
 
 ---
 
+### 4. **Enabled HTTPS with Self-Signed Certificates**
+
+**Files**:
+- `infrastructure/kubernetes/overlays/dev/dev-ingress.yaml`
+- `infrastructure/kubernetes/overlays/dev/dev-certificate.yaml`
+- `infrastructure/kubernetes/overlays/dev/kustomization.yaml`
+
+Changed:
+```yaml
+# Ingress
+nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/ssl-redirect: "false" → "true"
+nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/force-ssl-redirect: "false" → "true"
+
+# Added TLS configuration
+tls:
+  - hosts:
+    - localhost
+    - bakery-ia.local
+    secretName: bakery-dev-tls-cert
+
+# Updated CORS to prefer HTTPS
+cors-allow-origin: "https://localhost,https://localhost:3000,..." (HTTPS first)
+```
+
+**Why**:
+- Matches production HTTPS-only behavior
+- Tests SSL/TLS configurations in development
+- Catches mixed content warnings early
+- Tests secure cookie handling
+- Validates certificate management
+
+**Benefits**:
+- SSL-related issues caught in development
+- Tests cert-manager integration
+- Secure cookie testing
+- Mixed content detection
+- Better security testing
+
+**Certificate Details**:
+- Type: Self-signed (via cert-manager)
+- Validity: 90 days (auto-renewed)
+- Common Name: localhost
+- Also valid for: bakery-ia.local, *.bakery-ia.local
+- Issuer: selfsigned-issuer
+
+**Setup Required**:
+- Trust certificate in browser/system (optional but recommended)
+- See `docs/DEV-HTTPS-SETUP.md` for full instructions
+
+---
+
 ## Resource Impact
 
 ### Before Option 1
@@ -107,7 +158,7 @@ These settings intentionally remain different from production:
 | DEBUG | true | false | Need verbose debugging |
 | LOG_LEVEL | DEBUG | INFO | Need detailed logs |
 | PROFILING_ENABLED | true | false | Performance analysis |
-| SSL/TLS | HTTP | HTTPS | Simpler local dev |
+| Certificates | Self-signed | Let's Encrypt | Local CA for dev |
 | Image Pull Policy | Never | Always | Faster iteration |
 | Most replicas | 1 | 2-3 | Resource efficiency |
 | Monitoring | Disabled | Enabled | Save resources |
@@ -132,6 +183,13 @@ These settings intentionally remain different from production:
 - Middleware tested
 - High limits prevent friction
 
+### ✅ HTTPS/SSL Testing
+- Matches production HTTPS-only behavior
+- Tests certificate management
+- Catches mixed content warnings
+- Validates secure cookie handling
+- Tests TLS configurations
+
 ### ✅ Resource Efficiency
 - Only +30% resource usage
 - Maximum benefit for minimal cost
diff --git a/infrastructure/kubernetes/overlays/dev/dev-certificate.yaml b/infrastructure/kubernetes/overlays/dev/dev-certificate.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b3d9c609
--- /dev/null
+++ b/infrastructure/kubernetes/overlays/dev/dev-certificate.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+apiVersion: cert-manager.io/v1
+kind: Certificate
+metadata:
+  name: bakery-dev-tls-cert
+  namespace: bakery-ia
+spec:
+  # Self-signed certificate for local development
+  secretName: bakery-dev-tls-cert
+
+  # Certificate duration
+  duration: 2160h # 90 days
+  renewBefore: 360h # 15 days
+
+  # Subject configuration
+  subject:
+    organizations:
+      - Bakery IA Development
+
+  # Common name
+  commonName: localhost
+
+  # DNS names this certificate is valid for
+  dnsNames:
+    - localhost
+    - bakery-ia.local
+    - api.bakery-ia.local
+    - "*.bakery-ia.local"
+
+  # IP addresses (for localhost)
+  ipAddresses:
+    - 127.0.0.1
+    - ::1
+
+  # Use self-signed issuer for development
+  issuerRef:
+    name: selfsigned-issuer
+    kind: ClusterIssuer
+    group: cert-manager.io
+
+  # Private key configuration
+  privateKey:
+    algorithm: RSA
+    encoding: PKCS1
+    size: 2048
+
+  # Usages
+  usages:
+    - server auth
+    - client auth
+    - digital signature
+    - key encipherment
diff --git a/infrastructure/kubernetes/overlays/dev/dev-ingress.yaml b/infrastructure/kubernetes/overlays/dev/dev-ingress.yaml
index 54f328ef..7eacb4a1 100644
--- a/infrastructure/kubernetes/overlays/dev/dev-ingress.yaml
+++ b/infrastructure/kubernetes/overlays/dev/dev-ingress.yaml
@@ -4,16 +4,21 @@ metadata:
   name: bakery-ingress
   namespace: bakery-ia
   annotations:
-    nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/ssl-redirect: "false"
-    nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/force-ssl-redirect: "false"
+    # Dev-Prod Parity: Enable HTTPS by default
+    nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/ssl-redirect: "true"
+    nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/force-ssl-redirect: "true"
+
     # Dev-Prod Parity: Use specific origins instead of wildcard to catch CORS issues early
-    nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/cors-allow-origin: "http://localhost,http://localhost:3000,http://localhost:3001,http://127.0.0.1,http://127.0.0.1:3000,http://127.0.0.1:3001,http://bakery-ia.local,https://localhost,https://127.0.0.1"
+    # HTTPS origins first (preferred), with HTTP fallback for development flexibility
+    nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/cors-allow-origin: "https://localhost,https://localhost:3000,https://localhost:3001,https://127.0.0.1,https://127.0.0.1:3000,https://127.0.0.1:3001,https://bakery-ia.local,http://localhost,http://localhost:3000,http://localhost:3001,http://127.0.0.1,http://127.0.0.1:3000"
     nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/cors-allow-methods: "GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, OPTIONS, PATCH"
     nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/cors-allow-headers: "Content-Type, Authorization, X-Requested-With, Accept, Origin, Cache-Control"
     nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/cors-allow-credentials: "true"
     nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/enable-cors: "true"
+
     # Prevent nginx from redirecting to add trailing slashes
     nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/use-regex: "true"
+
     # Development, SSE and WebSocket annotations
     nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/proxy-read-timeout: "3600"
     nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/proxy-connect-timeout: "600"
@@ -22,10 +27,16 @@ metadata:
     nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/proxy-buffering: "off"
     nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/proxy-http-version: "1.1"
     nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/upstream-keepalive-timeout: "3600"
+
     # WebSocket upgrade support
     nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/websocket-services: "gateway-service"
 spec:
   ingressClassName: nginx
+  tls:
+  - hosts:
+    - localhost
+    - bakery-ia.local
+    secretName: bakery-dev-tls-cert
   rules:
   - host: localhost
     http:
diff --git a/infrastructure/kubernetes/overlays/dev/kustomization.yaml b/infrastructure/kubernetes/overlays/dev/kustomization.yaml
index 70b46097..15f62096 100644
--- a/infrastructure/kubernetes/overlays/dev/kustomization.yaml
+++ b/infrastructure/kubernetes/overlays/dev/kustomization.yaml
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@ resources:
   # Monitoring disabled for dev to save resources
   # - ../../base/components/monitoring
   - dev-ingress.yaml
+  # Dev-Prod Parity: Enable HTTPS with self-signed certificates
+  - dev-certificate.yaml
+  - ../../base/components/cert-manager/cluster-issuer-staging.yaml
 
 # Exclude nominatim from dev to save resources
 # Using scale to 0 for StatefulSet to prevent pod creation