diff --git a/.github/workflows/docker-publish.yml b/.github/workflows/docker-publish.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..aa24ed09
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/docker-publish.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+name: Publish Docker Image
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches: [main]
+    tags: ["v*"]
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+  packages: write
+
+concurrency:
+  group: docker-publish-${{ github.ref }}
+  cancel-in-progress: true
+
+jobs:
+  docker:
+    name: Build & Push Docker Image
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 30
+
+    steps:
+      # ── 1. Checkout (needed for path context so .dockerignore is respected) ──
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      # ── 2. Multi-platform support ───────────────────────────────────────────
+      - name: Set up QEMU
+        uses: docker/setup-qemu-action@v4
+
+      - name: Set up Docker Buildx
+        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v4
+
+      # ── 3. Registry authentication ─────────────────────────────────────────
+      - name: Log in to GitHub Container Registry
+        uses: docker/login-action@v4
+        with:
+          registry: ghcr.io
+          username: ${{ github.repository_owner }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+
+      - name: Log in to Docker Hub
+        if: vars.DOCKERHUB_USERNAME != ''
+        uses: docker/login-action@v4
+        with:
+          username: ${{ vars.DOCKERHUB_USERNAME }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_TOKEN }}
+
+      # ── 4. Tag & label generation ──────────────────────────────────────────
+      - name: Extract Docker metadata
+        id: meta
+        uses: docker/metadata-action@v6
+        with:
+          images: |
+            ghcr.io/${{ github.repository }}
+            name=reqcore/reqcore,enable=${{ vars.DOCKERHUB_USERNAME != '' }}
+          tags: |
+            type=edge,branch=main
+            type=raw,value=latest,enable={{is_default_branch}}
+            type=semver,pattern={{version}}
+            type=semver,pattern={{major}}.{{minor}}
+            type=sha,prefix=sha-
+
+      # ── 5. Build & push ────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+      - name: Build and push
+        uses: docker/build-push-action@v7
+        with:
+          context: .
+          push: true
+          platforms: linux/amd64,linux/arm64
+          tags: ${{ steps.meta.outputs.tags }}
+          labels: ${{ steps.meta.outputs.labels }}
+          annotations: ${{ steps.meta.outputs.annotations }}
+          cache-from: type=gha
+          cache-to: type=gha,mode=max
+          provenance: mode=max
+          sbom: true
+        env:
+          DOCKER_METADATA_ANNOTATIONS_LEVELS: manifest,index
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 1400308d..12ccb548 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 [![E2E Tests](https://github.com/reqcore-inc/reqcore/actions/workflows/e2e-tests.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/reqcore-inc/reqcore/actions/workflows/e2e-tests.yml)
 [![PR Validation](https://github.com/reqcore-inc/reqcore/actions/workflows/pr-validation.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/reqcore-inc/reqcore/actions/workflows/pr-validation.yml)
 [![Docker Integration](https://github.com/reqcore-inc/reqcore/actions/workflows/docker-readme-validation.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/reqcore-inc/reqcore/actions/workflows/docker-readme-validation.yml)
+[![Docker Image](https://ghcr-badge.egpl.dev/reqcore-inc/reqcore/latest_tag?trim=major&label=docker)](https://github.com/reqcore-inc/reqcore/pkgs/container/reqcore)
 
 [Live Demo](https://reqcore.com) · [Documentation](ARCHITECTURE.md) · [Roadmap](ROADMAP.md) · [Report Bug](https://github.com/reqcore-inc/reqcore/issues/new)
 
@@ -62,6 +63,29 @@ Hiring software shouldn't be complicated or expensive. Most applicant tracking s
 
 ---
 
+### Option A — Use the pre-built image (fastest)
+
+No cloning, no building. Pull the official image and run:
+
+```bash
+mkdir reqcore && cd reqcore
+curl -fsSLO https://raw.githubusercontent.com/reqcore-inc/reqcore/main/docker-compose.production.yml
+curl -fsSLO https://raw.githubusercontent.com/reqcore-inc/reqcore/main/setup.sh
+chmod +x setup.sh
+./setup.sh
+docker compose -f docker-compose.production.yml up -d
+```
+
+Open **[http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000)** and sign up. That's it.
+
+To update: `docker compose -f docker-compose.production.yml pull app && docker compose -f docker-compose.production.yml up -d`
+
+---
+
+### Option B — Build from source
+
+---
+
 ### Step 1 — Install Docker
 
 Docker packages the app, database, and file storage into containers so you don't have to install anything else manually.
@@ -153,6 +177,15 @@ Then sign in with:
 
 When a new version of Reqcore is released, follow these steps **in order** to update your instance. Your data is safe — updates never delete the database or your uploaded files.
 
+#### Pre-built image users
+
+```bash
+docker compose -f docker-compose.production.yml pull app
+docker compose -f docker-compose.production.yml up -d
+```
+
+#### Build from source users
+
 **Step 1 — Pull the latest code**
 
 ```bash
diff --git a/SELF-HOSTING.md b/SELF-HOSTING.md
index 1f0f8a96..50813f30 100644
--- a/SELF-HOSTING.md
+++ b/SELF-HOSTING.md
@@ -9,16 +9,17 @@ Everything you need to deploy, manage, and update your own Reqcore applicant tra
 1. [What is Self-Hosting?](#what-is-self-hosting)
 2. [Why Self-Host Reqcore?](#why-self-host-reqcore)
 3. [Requirements](#requirements)
-4. [Quick Start (5 Minutes)](#quick-start-5-minutes)
-5. [Step-by-Step Installation](#step-by-step-installation)
-6. [Updating Your Instance](#updating-your-instance)
-7. [Backups & Data Safety](#backups--data-safety)
-8. [Custom Domain & HTTPS](#custom-domain--https)
-9. [Email Configuration](#email-configuration)
-10. [Security Best Practices](#security-best-practices)
-11. [Monitoring & Health Checks](#monitoring--health-checks)
-12. [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting)
-13. [FAQ](#faq)
+4. [Quick Start — Pre-built Image (Fastest)](#quick-start--pre-built-image-fastest)
+5. [Quick Start — Build from Source (5 Minutes)](#quick-start--build-from-source-5-minutes)
+6. [Step-by-Step Installation](#step-by-step-installation)
+7. [Updating Your Instance](#updating-your-instance)
+8. [Backups & Data Safety](#backups--data-safety)
+9. [Custom Domain & HTTPS](#custom-domain--https)
+10. [Email Configuration](#email-configuration)
+11. [Security Best Practices](#security-best-practices)
+12. [Monitoring & Health Checks](#monitoring--health-checks)
+13. [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting)
+14. [FAQ](#faq)
 
 ---
 
@@ -79,9 +80,41 @@ All of these providers offer one-click Docker installation when creating a serve
 
 ---
 
-## Quick Start (5 Minutes)
+## Quick Start — Pre-built Image (Fastest)
 
-If you have Docker already installed and just want to get running:
+Use the official pre-built Docker image from GitHub Container Registry. No cloning, no building — just pull and run:
+
+```bash
+# 1. Download just the files you need
+mkdir reqcore && cd reqcore
+curl -fsSLO https://raw.githubusercontent.com/reqcore-inc/reqcore/main/docker-compose.production.yml
+curl -fsSLO https://raw.githubusercontent.com/reqcore-inc/reqcore/main/setup.sh
+chmod +x setup.sh
+
+# 2. Generate secure passwords (one-time)
+./setup.sh
+
+# 3. Start everything
+docker compose -f docker-compose.production.yml up -d
+
+# 4. Open your browser
+# → http://localhost:3000
+```
+
+That's it. Sign up, create your organization, and start hiring.
+
+**Want to pin a specific version?** Edit `docker-compose.production.yml` and replace `latest` with a version tag (e.g., `1.3.0`):
+
+```yaml
+app:
+  image: ghcr.io/reqcore-inc/reqcore:1.3.0
+```
+
+---
+
+## Quick Start — Build from Source (5 Minutes)
+
+If you prefer to build from source (useful for development or customization):
 
 ```bash
 # 1. Download Reqcore
@@ -98,7 +131,7 @@ docker compose up -d
 # → http://localhost:3000
 ```
 
-That's it. Sign up, create your organization, and start hiring.
+Sign up, create your organization, and start hiring.
 
 **Want demo data to explore first?**
 
@@ -217,9 +250,31 @@ Reqcore includes a built-in update system accessible from the Settings panel. No
 
 The UI shows the progress of each update step and clearly indicates success or failure. Your data is always preserved — database migrations run automatically.
 
-### Method 2: Update from the Command Line
+### Method 2: Update from the Command Line (Pre-built Image)
+
+If you're using the pre-built image (`docker-compose.production.yml`):
+
+```bash
+# Navigate to your Reqcore directory
+cd /path/to/reqcore
+
+# Pull the latest image and restart
+docker compose -f docker-compose.production.yml pull app
+docker compose -f docker-compose.production.yml up -d
+```
+
+To update to a specific version, edit `docker-compose.production.yml` and change the image tag:
+
+```yaml
+app:
+  image: ghcr.io/reqcore-inc/reqcore:1.4.0
+```
+
+Then run `docker compose -f docker-compose.production.yml up -d`.
+
+### Method 3: Update from the Command Line (Build from Source)
 
-If you prefer using the terminal, or the UI update isn't available:
+If you cloned the repository and build locally:
 
 ```bash
 # Navigate to your Reqcore directory
diff --git a/docker-compose.production.yml b/docker-compose.production.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ef1c25a4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docker-compose.production.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+# docker-compose.production.yml
+#
+# Use this file to run Reqcore with the official pre-built Docker image
+# instead of building from source. No git clone or local build required.
+#
+# Quick start:
+#   1. Download this file and setup.sh from the repository
+#   2. Run:  ./setup.sh
+#   3. Run:  docker compose -f docker-compose.production.yml up -d
+#   4. Open: http://localhost:3000
+
+services:
+  db:
+    image: postgres:16-alpine
+    container_name: reqcore_db
+    restart: unless-stopped
+    environment:
+      POSTGRES_USER: ${DB_USER}
+      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: ${DB_PASSWORD}
+      POSTGRES_DB: ${DB_NAME}
+    ports:
+      - "127.0.0.1:5432:5432" # Postgres — localhost only, never expose publicly
+    volumes:
+      - postgres_data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
+    healthcheck:
+      test: ["CMD-SHELL", "pg_isready -U ${DB_USER} -d ${DB_NAME}"]
+      interval: 5s
+      timeout: 5s
+      retries: 10
+
+  minio:
+    image: minio/minio
+    container_name: reqcore_minio
+    restart: unless-stopped
+    ports:
+      - "127.0.0.1:9000:9000" # S3 API — localhost only, never expose publicly
+      - "127.0.0.1:9001:9001" # MinIO Console → http://localhost:9001
+    environment:
+      MINIO_ROOT_USER: ${STORAGE_USER}
+      MINIO_ROOT_PASSWORD: ${STORAGE_PASSWORD}
+    command: server /data --console-address ":9001"
+    volumes:
+      - minio_data:/data
+    healthcheck:
+      test: ["CMD", "curl", "-f", "http://localhost:9000/minio/health/live"]
+      interval: 5s
+      timeout: 5s
+      retries: 10
+
+  app:
+    image: ghcr.io/reqcore-inc/reqcore:latest
+    container_name: reqcore_app
+    restart: unless-stopped
+    env_file: .env
+    environment:
+      # Override localhost URLs with Docker-internal hostnames
+      DATABASE_URL: postgresql://${DB_USER}:${DB_PASSWORD}@db:5432/${DB_NAME}
+      S3_ENDPOINT: http://minio:9000
+    ports:
+      - "3000:3000"
+    depends_on:
+      db:
+        condition: service_healthy
+      minio:
+        condition: service_healthy
+    volumes:
+      - backups_data:/data/backups
+
+  # Optional DB browser — run with: docker compose -f docker-compose.production.yml --profile tools up
+  adminer:
+    image: adminer
+    container_name: reqcore_adminer
+    restart: unless-stopped
+    profiles: [tools]
+    ports:
+      - "127.0.0.1:8080:8080" # Adminer → http://localhost:8080
+    depends_on:
+      db:
+        condition: service_healthy
+
+volumes:
+  postgres_data:
+  minio_data:
+  backups_data: