diff --git a/roles/podman/README.md b/roles/podman/README.md
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+# Podman Infrastructure Role
+
+This role provides Podman container infrastructure for the rick-infra project, following the same patterns established by the PostgreSQL and Valkey infrastructure roles.
+
+## Overview
+
+**Podman** is a daemonless container engine for developing, managing, and running OCI containers and pods on Linux systems. This role establishes the foundational container infrastructure that containerized application services can build upon.
+
+Podman is deployed as a system-level infrastructure service that provides container runtime capabilities for service-specific users to utilize.
+
+## Features
+
+- **Daemonless architecture**: No background daemon required, improved security
+- **Rootless containers**: Applications run containers as dedicated users  
+- **OCI compliance**: Full Docker compatibility with enhanced security
+- **Systemd integration**: Native systemd integration via quadlet files
+- **Security-focused**: crun runtime, secure registries, restrictive defaults
+- **Infrastructure pattern**: Matches PostgreSQL/Valkey role architecture
+
+## Architecture
+
+### **Container Runtime Stack:**
+- **Podman**: Container engine and CLI
+- **crun**: Fast, lightweight OCI runtime (instead of runc)
+- **netavark**: Modern container networking
+- **aardvark-dns**: Container DNS resolution
+- **conmon**: Container monitoring
+- **catatonit**: Container init process
+
+### **Registry Configuration:**
+- **docker.io**: Docker Hub (primary)
+- **quay.io**: Red Hat Quay
+- **ghcr.io**: GitHub Container Registry
+
+All registries configured with HTTPS-only, no insecure connections allowed.
+
+## Application Integration
+
+Applications should create service-specific users and manage their own container deployments:
+
+### **Service-Specific User Pattern:**
+```yaml
+# Example from future authentik role
+- name: Create authentik user
+  user:
+    name: authentik
+    system: yes
+    shell: /bin/bash
+    home: /var/lib/authentik
+    create_home: yes
+
+- name: Configure rootless podman for authentik
+  lineinfile:
+    path: "{{ item.file }}"
+    line: "authentik:{{ item.start }}:{{ item.count }}"
+  loop:
+    - { file: /etc/subuid, start: 100000, count: 65536 }
+    - { file: /etc/subgid, start: 100000, count: 65536 }
+```
+
+### **Quadlet Integration:**
+```yaml
+# Deploy quadlet files to user systemd directory
+- name: Deploy container quadlets
+  template:
+    src: "{{ item }}.j2"
+    dest: "/var/lib/authentik/.config/containers/systemd/{{ item }}"
+    owner: authentik
+    group: authentik
+  loop:
+    - authentik.pod
+    - authentik-server.container
+    - authentik-worker.container
+```
+
+### **Container-to-Host Connectivity:**
+```ini
+# Pod quadlet with host access
+[Pod]
+Network=service-internal
+AddHost=host.containers.internal:host-gateway
+PublishPort=127.0.0.1:9000:9000/tcp
+```
+
+```bash
+# Environment variables for host service access
+DATABASE_HOST=host.containers.internal
+REDIS_HOST=host.containers.internal
+```
+
+## Configuration
+
+### **Default Settings:**
+```yaml
+# Service management
+podman_service_enabled: true
+podman_service_state: "started"
+
+# Registry configuration
+podman_registries:
+  - docker.io
+  - quay.io  
+  - ghcr.io
+
+# Security settings
+podman_rootless: true
+podman_systemd_security: true
+```
+
+All settings use secure defaults and can be overridden in host_vars if needed.
+
+## Dependencies
+
+This is an infrastructure role with no dependencies. Applications that need containers should declare this role as a dependency:
+
+```yaml
+# roles/authentik/meta/main.yml
+dependencies:
+  - role: postgresql
+  - role: valkey
+  - role: podman        # Container infrastructure
+  - role: caddy
+```
+
+## Service Management
+
+```bash
+# System service (API endpoint)
+sudo systemctl status podman
+sudo systemctl status podman.socket
+
+# Container functionality  
+sudo podman --version
+sudo podman run --rm hello-world
+
+# User containers (example with authentik user)
+sudo -u authentik systemctl --user status authentik-pod
+sudo -u authentik podman ps -a
+```
+
+## Container User Isolation
+
+Each containerized service gets:
+- **Dedicated system user** (e.g., `authentik`, `nextcloud`)
+- **Isolated subuid/subgid ranges** (100000+65536 IDs per service)  
+- **Private container storage** in user home directory
+- **User systemd session** for container service management
+- **Network isolation** via custom bridge networks
+
+## File Locations
+
+- **Global configuration**: `/etc/containers/`
+  - `registries.conf` - Registry settings
+  - `containers.conf` - Global podman settings
+- **User containers**: `/var/lib/{service}/`
+  - `.config/containers/systemd/` - Quadlet files
+  - `.config/systemd/user/` - Generated systemd services
+  - `.local/share/containers/` - Container storage
+
+## Security
+
+- **Rootless operation**: All containers run as unprivileged users
+- **Registry security**: HTTPS-only, trusted registries
+- **Runtime security**: crun with security features enabled
+- **Network isolation**: Custom networks, no privileged networking
+- **Storage isolation**: Per-user container storage
+- **Systemd integration**: Full systemd security features available
+
+## Integration with Host Services
+
+Containerized applications access host services (PostgreSQL, Valkey) via:
+- **Bridge networking** with host gateway access
+- **Host mapping**: `host.containers.internal` → host IP
+- **Localhost binding**: Host services remain on 127.0.0.1
+- **Standard ports**: No port conflicts, containers use bridge networks
+
+## Notes
+
+This role follows the rick-infra infrastructure pattern where foundational services (Podman, PostgreSQL, Valkey) are provided as host-level infrastructure, and applications manage their own specific usage patterns and user isolation rather than sharing a common container user.
+
+**Architecture Benefits:**
+- Clear separation between infrastructure and applications
+- Service-level isolation and security
+- Native systemd integration for all containers
+- Familiar management patterns consistent with native services
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/roles/podman/defaults/main.yml b/roles/podman/defaults/main.yml
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+---
+# =================================================================
+# Podman Infrastructure Role - Simplified Configuration  
+# =================================================================
+# Provides rootless container infrastructure for applications
+# Applications manage their own service-specific users and deployments
+
+# =================================================================
+# Essential Configuration
+# =================================================================
+
+# Service Management
+podman_service_enabled: true
+podman_service_state: "started"
+
+# Installation Configuration (Arch Linux optimized)
+podman_install_optional: false  # Trust pacman dependency management
+
+# =================================================================
+# Container Runtime Security
+# =================================================================
+
+# Rootless container configuration
+podman_rootless: true
+podman_systemd_security: true
+
+# =================================================================
+# Registry Configuration
+# =================================================================
+
+# Default container registries (secure, trusted sources)
+podman_registries:
+  - docker.io
+  - quay.io
+  - ghcr.io
+
+# Registry security settings
+podman_registry_insecure: false
+podman_registry_blocked: false
+
+# =================================================================
+# Network Configuration
+# =================================================================
+
+# Default networking (applications create their own networks)
+podman_default_network: "bridge"
+podman_network_security: true
+
+# =================================================================
+# Storage Configuration
+# =================================================================
+
+# Container storage settings
+podman_storage_driver: "overlay"
+podman_storage_security: true
+
+# =================================================================
+# Infrastructure Notes
+# =================================================================
+# This role provides minimal podman infrastructure
+# Applications should manage their own configurations:
+#
+# Service-specific users:
+# - Applications create users like: authentik, nextcloud, etc.
+# - Each user gets isolated subuid/subgid ranges
+# - Each user manages their own containers via systemd --user
+#
+# Container networking:
+# - Applications create bridge networks for isolation
+# - Host services accessed via host.containers.internal
+# - Port publishing only to localhost for security
+#
+# Podman's built-in defaults are used for everything else
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/roles/podman/handlers/main.yml b/roles/podman/handlers/main.yml
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+++ b/roles/podman/handlers/main.yml
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+---
+# Podman Infrastructure Role - Handlers
+# Matches the handler pattern from other infrastructure roles
+
+- name: reload systemd
+  systemd:
+    daemon_reload: yes
+
+- name: restart podman
+  systemd:
+    name: podman
+    state: restarted
+  when: podman_service_enabled | default(true)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/roles/podman/meta/main.yml b/roles/podman/meta/main.yml
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+---
+# Podman Infrastructure Role - Meta Information
+
+galaxy_info:
+  author: rick-infra
+  description: Podman container infrastructure role for rick-infra project
+  company: Personal Infrastructure
+  license: MIT
+  min_ansible_version: 2.9
+  
+  platforms:
+    - name: ArchLinux
+      versions:
+        - all
+
+  galaxy_tags:
+    - podman
+    - containers
+    - infrastructure
+    - systemd
+    - rootless
+
+# Dependencies
+# Podman is a foundational infrastructure service with no dependencies
+dependencies: []
+
+# Role provides container infrastructure for other services to consume
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/roles/podman/tasks/main.yml b/roles/podman/tasks/main.yml
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+++ b/roles/podman/tasks/main.yml
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+---
+# Podman Infrastructure Role - Simplified Tasks
+
+- name: Update package cache
+  pacman:
+    update_cache: yes
+
+- name: Install crun as OCI runtime (faster than runc)
+  pacman:
+    name: crun
+    state: present
+
+- name: Install Podman container runtime
+  pacman:
+    name: podman
+    state: present
+
+- name: Verify podman installation
+  command: podman --version
+  register: podman_version_check
+  changed_when: false
+
+- name: Create global containers configuration directory
+  file:
+    path: /etc/containers
+    state: directory
+    mode: '0755'
+
+- name: Configure global container registries
+  template:
+    src: registries.conf.j2
+    dest: /etc/containers/registries.conf
+    mode: '0644'
+    backup: yes
+  notify: restart podman
+
+- name: Configure global podman settings
+  template:
+    src: containers.conf.j2
+    dest: /etc/containers/containers.conf
+    mode: '0644'
+    backup: yes
+  notify: restart podman
+
+- name: Enable podman system service (if enabled)
+  systemd:
+    name: podman
+    enabled: "{{ podman_service_enabled }}"
+    state: "{{ podman_service_state }}"
+    daemon_reload: yes
+  when: podman_service_enabled
+
+- name: Test podman functionality
+  command: podman info --format json
+  register: podman_info_result
+  changed_when: false
+
+- name: Verify rootless podman configuration
+  command: podman system info
+  register: podman_system_info
+  changed_when: false
+  failed_when: false
+
+- name: Display Podman infrastructure status
+  debug:
+    msg: |
+      ✅ Podman container infrastructure ready!
+      
+      🐳 Version: {{ podman_version_check.stdout.split()[2] | default('unknown') }}
+      🔒 Security: Rootless container runtime enabled
+      📦 Registries: {{ podman_registries | join(', ') }}
+      🏗️ Storage: {{ 'overlay' if 'overlay' in podman_system_info.stdout else 'system default' }}
+      
+      🚀 Ready for containerized applications!
+      
+      📋 Next Steps:
+      - Applications should create service-specific users
+      - Each user gets isolated container environment
+      - Services deploy quadlet files for systemd integration
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/roles/podman/templates/containers.conf.j2 b/roles/podman/templates/containers.conf.j2
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+++ b/roles/podman/templates/containers.conf.j2
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+# Podman Configuration - Generated by Ansible
+# rick-infra Podman Infrastructure Role
+#
+# Global podman configuration providing secure defaults
+# for containerized applications
+
+# =================================================================
+# Container Engine Configuration
+# =================================================================
+
+[engine]
+
+# Container runtime (OCI compliant)
+# runtime = "runc"  # Default, can be overridden to crun
+
+# Network backend for container networking
+network_backend = "netavark"
+
+# Default network for new containers
+default_network = "{{ podman_default_network }}"
+
+# =================================================================
+# Storage Configuration  
+# =================================================================
+
+# Storage driver for container layers and images
+# driver = "{{ podman_storage_driver }}"  # overlay is default
+
+# =================================================================
+# Security Configuration
+# =================================================================
+
+# Enable security features
+# seccomp_profile = "/usr/share/containers/seccomp.json"
+# apparmor_profile = "containers-default-0.14.5"
+
+# =================================================================
+# Network Configuration
+# =================================================================
+
+[network]
+
+# Default subnet for new networks (applications override this)
+default_subnet = "10.88.0.0/16"
+default_subnet_pools = [
+    {"base" = "10.89.0.0/16", "size" = 24},
+    {"base" = "10.90.0.0/16", "size" = 24}
+]
+
+# =================================================================
+# Service Integration
+# =================================================================
+
+[service_destinations]
+
+# Systemd integration for container services
+# Applications use this for quadlet deployment
+
+# =================================================================
+# Infrastructure Notes
+# =================================================================
+# This configuration provides secure defaults for all containers
+# Applications should:
+# - Create service-specific users for container isolation
+# - Use quadlet files for systemd integration  
+# - Create custom networks for multi-container applications
+# - Access host services via host.containers.internal
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/roles/podman/templates/registries.conf.j2 b/roles/podman/templates/registries.conf.j2
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+++ b/roles/podman/templates/registries.conf.j2
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+# Container Registry Configuration - Generated by Ansible
+# rick-infra Podman Infrastructure Role
+#
+# This configuration defines trusted container registries
+# for secure container image retrieval
+
+# =================================================================
+# Registry Search Configuration
+# =================================================================
+
+# Default registries to search when pulling unqualified image names
+# Images without a registry prefix will search these in order
+unqualified-search-registries = {{ podman_registries | to_json }}
+
+{% for registry in podman_registries %}
+# =================================================================
+# {{ registry | title }} Registry Configuration
+# =================================================================
+
+[[registry]]
+location = "{{ registry }}"
+insecure = {{ podman_registry_insecure | lower }}
+blocked = {{ podman_registry_blocked | lower }}
+
+{% endfor %}
+
+# =================================================================
+# Security Notes
+# =================================================================
+# All registries configured with:
+# - insecure: false (HTTPS required)
+# - blocked: false (registry accessible)
+# 
+# Additional registries can be added by applications as needed
+# following the same security-first configuration pattern
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/site.yml b/site.yml
index 15a6814..bb653ea 100644
--- a/site.yml
+++ b/site.yml
@@ -11,8 +11,10 @@
     # Infrastructure services
     # - role: postgresql
     #   tags: ['postgresql', 'infrastructure', 'database']
-    - role: valkey
-      tags: ['valkey', 'redis', 'infrastructure', 'cache']
+    # - role: valkey
+    #   tags: ['valkey', 'redis', 'infrastructure', 'cache']
+    - role: podman
+      tags: ['podman', 'containers', 'infrastructure']
     # - role: caddy
     #   tags: ['caddy', 'infrastructure', 'web']