diff --git a/pkg/config/config.go b/pkg/config/config.go
index ce349f0..453b155 100644
--- a/pkg/config/config.go
+++ b/pkg/config/config.go
@@ -104,10 +104,17 @@ type APIConfig struct {
 
 // AuthConfig holds authentication configuration
 type AuthConfig struct {
-	JWTSecret           string      `mapstructure:"jwt_secret"`
-	AdminMasterPassword string      `mapstructure:"admin_master_password"`
-	JWT                 JWTConfig   `mapstructure:"jwt"`
-	Email               EmailConfig `mapstructure:"email"`
+	JWTSecret           string          `mapstructure:"jwt_secret"`
+	AdminMasterPassword string          `mapstructure:"admin_master_password"`
+	JWT                 JWTConfig       `mapstructure:"jwt"`
+	Email               EmailConfig     `mapstructure:"email"`
+	MagicLink           MagicLinkConfig `mapstructure:"magic_link"`
+}
+
+// MagicLinkConfig holds passwordless-auth magic-link parameters (ADR-0028 Phase A).
+type MagicLinkConfig struct {
+	TTL     time.Duration `mapstructure:"ttl"`
+	BaseURL string        `mapstructure:"base_url"`
 }
 
 // EmailConfig holds outgoing email transport configuration.
@@ -276,6 +283,10 @@ func LoadConfig() (*Config, error) {
 	v.SetDefault("auth.email.smtp_use_tls", false)
 	v.SetDefault("auth.email.timeout", 10*time.Second)
 
+	// Magic-link defaults (ADR-0028 Phase A).
+	v.SetDefault("auth.magic_link.ttl", 15*time.Minute)
+	v.SetDefault("auth.magic_link.base_url", "http://localhost:8080")
+
 	// Check for custom config file path via environment variable
 	if configFile := os.Getenv("DLC_CONFIG_FILE"); configFile != "" {
 		v.SetConfigFile(configFile)
@@ -328,6 +339,10 @@ func LoadConfig() (*Config, error) {
 	v.BindEnv("auth.email.smtp_password", "DLC_AUTH_EMAIL_SMTP_PASSWORD")
 	v.BindEnv("auth.email.smtp_use_tls", "DLC_AUTH_EMAIL_SMTP_USE_TLS")
 	v.BindEnv("auth.email.timeout", "DLC_AUTH_EMAIL_TIMEOUT")
+
+	// Magic-link environment variables (ADR-0028 Phase A).
+	v.BindEnv("auth.magic_link.ttl", "DLC_AUTH_MAGIC_LINK_TTL")
+	v.BindEnv("auth.magic_link.base_url", "DLC_AUTH_MAGIC_LINK_BASE_URL")
 	v.BindEnv("telemetry.sampler.type", "DLC_TELEMETRY_SAMPLER_TYPE")
 	v.BindEnv("telemetry.sampler.ratio", "DLC_TELEMETRY_SAMPLER_RATIO")
 
@@ -466,6 +481,19 @@ func (c *Config) GetEmailConfig() EmailConfig {
 	return c.Auth.Email
 }
 
+// GetMagicLinkConfig returns the passwordless-auth magic-link parameters
+// (ADR-0028 Phase A). TTL defaults to 15m, BaseURL to http://localhost:8080.
+func (c *Config) GetMagicLinkConfig() MagicLinkConfig {
+	out := c.Auth.MagicLink
+	if out.TTL <= 0 {
+		out.TTL = 15 * time.Minute
+	}
+	if out.BaseURL == "" {
+		out.BaseURL = "http://localhost:8080"
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
 // GetJWTTTL returns the JWT TTL
 func (c *Config) GetJWTTTL() time.Duration {
 	if c.Auth.JWT.TTL == 0 {
diff --git a/pkg/server/server.go b/pkg/server/server.go
index 4d5b209..b54eb6b 100644
--- a/pkg/server/server.go
+++ b/pkg/server/server.go
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import (
 
 	"dance-lessons-coach/pkg/cache"
 	"dance-lessons-coach/pkg/config"
+	"dance-lessons-coach/pkg/email"
 	"dance-lessons-coach/pkg/greet"
 	"dance-lessons-coach/pkg/middleware"
 	"dance-lessons-coach/pkg/telemetry"
@@ -252,6 +253,29 @@ func (s *Server) registerApiV1Routes(r chi.Router) {
 			handler := userapi.NewAuthHandler(s.userService, s.userService, s.validator)
 			r.Route("/auth", func(r chi.Router) {
 				handler.RegisterRoutes(r)
+				// Magic-link routes (ADR-0028 Phase A). Mounted only when the
+				// userRepo also implements MagicLinkRepository (PostgresRepository does).
+				if mlRepo, ok := s.userRepo.(user.MagicLinkRepository); ok {
+					emailCfg := s.config.GetEmailConfig()
+					sender := email.NewSMTPSender(email.SMTPConfig{
+						Host:     emailCfg.SMTPHost,
+						Port:     emailCfg.SMTPPort,
+						Username: emailCfg.SMTPUsername,
+						Password: emailCfg.SMTPPassword,
+						UseTLS:   emailCfg.SMTPUseTLS,
+						Timeout:  emailCfg.Timeout,
+					})
+					mlHandler := userapi.NewMagicLinkHandler(
+						mlRepo,
+						s.userService,
+						s.userRepo,
+						sender,
+						s.config.GetMagicLinkConfig(),
+						emailCfg.From,
+						s.validator,
+					)
+					mlHandler.RegisterRoutes(r)
+				}
 			})
 
 			// Register admin routes
diff --git a/pkg/user/api/magic_link_handler.go b/pkg/user/api/magic_link_handler.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..59bef5e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/user/api/magic_link_handler.go
@@ -0,0 +1,274 @@
+package api
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"crypto/rand"
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"net/http"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"dance-lessons-coach/pkg/config"
+	"dance-lessons-coach/pkg/email"
+	"dance-lessons-coach/pkg/user"
+	"dance-lessons-coach/pkg/validation"
+
+	"github.com/go-chi/chi/v5"
+	"github.com/rs/zerolog/log"
+)
+
+// MagicLinkHandler exposes the passwordless-auth endpoints described
+// in ADR-0028 Phase A : `POST /magic-link/request` and
+// `GET /magic-link/consume?token=...`.
+type MagicLinkHandler struct {
+	tokens      user.MagicLinkRepository
+	users       user.UserService
+	repo        user.UserRepository // for GetUserByUsername (sign-up flow)
+	sender      email.Sender
+	cfg         config.MagicLinkConfig
+	emailFrom   string
+	validator   *validation.Validator
+	clock       func() time.Time
+	newPassword func() (string, error)
+}
+
+// NewMagicLinkHandler wires the handler. emailFrom must be the From
+// address (typically cfg.GetEmailConfig().From).
+func NewMagicLinkHandler(
+	tokens user.MagicLinkRepository,
+	users user.UserService,
+	repo user.UserRepository,
+	sender email.Sender,
+	cfg config.MagicLinkConfig,
+	emailFrom string,
+	validator *validation.Validator,
+) *MagicLinkHandler {
+	return &MagicLinkHandler{
+		tokens:    tokens,
+		users:     users,
+		repo:      repo,
+		sender:    sender,
+		cfg:       cfg,
+		emailFrom: emailFrom,
+		validator: validator,
+		clock:     time.Now,
+		newPassword: func() (string, error) {
+			var raw [48]byte
+			if _, err := rand.Read(raw[:]); err != nil {
+				return "", err
+			}
+			return hex.EncodeToString(raw[:]), nil
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+// RegisterRoutes mounts the two endpoints on the provided router.
+func (h *MagicLinkHandler) RegisterRoutes(router chi.Router) {
+	router.Post("/magic-link/request", h.handleRequest)
+	router.Get("/magic-link/consume", h.handleConsume)
+}
+
+// MagicLinkRequest is the body of POST /magic-link/request.
+type MagicLinkRequest struct {
+	Email string `json:"email" validate:"required,email,max=255"`
+}
+
+// MagicLinkResponse is the response shape for both endpoints.
+type MagicLinkResponse struct {
+	Message string `json:"message"`
+	Token   string `json:"token,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// handleRequest godoc
+//
+//	@Summary		Request a magic link
+//	@Description	Generates a passwordless-auth one-time token and emails it. Always 200 to prevent email enumeration.
+//	@Tags			API/v1/User
+//	@Accept			json
+//	@Produce		json
+//	@Param			request	body		MagicLinkRequest	true	"Email address"
+//	@Success		200		{object}	MagicLinkResponse	"Email queued (or silently dropped)"
+//	@Failure		400		{object}	map[string]string	"Invalid request body"
+//	@Router			/v1/auth/magic-link/request [post]
+func (h *MagicLinkHandler) handleRequest(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	ctx := r.Context()
+
+	var req MagicLinkRequest
+	if err := json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&req); err != nil {
+		http.Error(w, `{"error":"invalid_request","message":"Invalid JSON request body"}`, http.StatusBadRequest)
+		return
+	}
+	if h.validator != nil {
+		if err := h.validator.Validate(req); err != nil {
+			h.writeValidationError(w, err)
+			return
+		}
+	}
+
+	addr := strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(req.Email))
+
+	plain, hashHex, err := user.GenerateMagicLinkToken()
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Error().Ctx(ctx).Err(err).Msg("magic link request: rand failed")
+		http.Error(w, `{"error":"server_error","message":"Failed to generate token"}`, http.StatusInternalServerError)
+		return
+	}
+
+	now := h.clock()
+	tok := &user.MagicLinkToken{
+		Email:     addr,
+		TokenHash: hashHex,
+		ExpiresAt: now.Add(h.cfg.TTL),
+	}
+	if err := h.tokens.CreateMagicLinkToken(ctx, tok); err != nil {
+		log.Error().Ctx(ctx).Err(err).Str("email", addr).Msg("magic link request: persist failed")
+		writeJSON(w, http.StatusOK, MagicLinkResponse{Message: "If that email is valid, a link has been sent."})
+		return
+	}
+
+	link := buildMagicLinkURL(h.cfg.BaseURL, plain)
+	subject := "Your sign-in link"
+	bodyText := fmt.Sprintf("Sign in by clicking the link below.\n\n%s\n\nThe link is valid for %s and can only be used once.\nIf you did not request this, ignore this email.\n", link, h.cfg.TTL)
+	bodyHTML := fmt.Sprintf(`<p>Sign in by clicking the link below.</p><p><a href="%s">%s</a></p><p>The link is valid for %s and can only be used once.<br>If you did not request this, ignore this email.</p>`, link, link, h.cfg.TTL)
+
+	msg := email.Message{
+		From:     h.emailFrom,
+		To:       addr,
+		Subject:  subject,
+		BodyText: bodyText,
+		BodyHTML: bodyHTML,
+	}
+	if err := h.sender.Send(ctx, msg); err != nil {
+		log.Error().Ctx(ctx).Err(err).Str("to", addr).Msg("magic link request: email send failed")
+	}
+	writeJSON(w, http.StatusOK, MagicLinkResponse{Message: "If that email is valid, a link has been sent."})
+}
+
+// handleConsume validates the token, marks it consumed, ensures a
+// matching User row exists (sign-up on first link), and issues a JWT.
+//
+// All failure modes (missing, expired, already-consumed) collapse to a
+// single 401 to prevent attackers distinguishing them.
+//
+//	@Summary		Consume a magic link
+//	@Description	Validates the magic-link token, ensures the user exists (signup-on-first-use), issues a JWT.
+//	@Tags			API/v1/User
+//	@Produce		json
+//	@Param			token	query		string				true	"The magic-link token"
+//	@Success		200		{object}	MagicLinkResponse	"Signed in"
+//	@Failure		400		{object}	map[string]string	"Missing token"
+//	@Failure		401		{object}	map[string]string	"Invalid or expired token"
+//	@Router			/v1/auth/magic-link/consume [get]
+func (h *MagicLinkHandler) handleConsume(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	ctx := r.Context()
+	plain := strings.TrimSpace(r.URL.Query().Get("token"))
+	if plain == "" {
+		writeJSONError(w, http.StatusBadRequest, "invalid_request", "missing token")
+		return
+	}
+
+	tok, err := h.tokens.GetMagicLinkTokenByHash(ctx, user.HashMagicLinkToken(plain))
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Error().Ctx(ctx).Err(err).Msg("magic link consume: lookup failed")
+		writeJSONError(w, http.StatusInternalServerError, "server_error", "lookup failed")
+		return
+	}
+	if tok == nil || tok.ConsumedAt != nil || h.clock().After(tok.ExpiresAt) {
+		writeJSONError(w, http.StatusUnauthorized, "invalid_token", "magic link is invalid or expired")
+		return
+	}
+
+	if err := h.tokens.MarkMagicLinkTokenConsumed(ctx, tok.ID, h.clock()); err != nil {
+		log.Error().Ctx(ctx).Err(err).Uint("id", tok.ID).Msg("magic link consume: mark failed")
+		writeJSONError(w, http.StatusInternalServerError, "server_error", "consume failed")
+		return
+	}
+
+	u, err := h.ensureUser(ctx, tok.Email)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Error().Ctx(ctx).Err(err).Str("email", tok.Email).Msg("magic link consume: user upsert failed")
+		writeJSONError(w, http.StatusInternalServerError, "server_error", "user upsert failed")
+		return
+	}
+
+	jwt, err := h.users.GenerateJWT(ctx, u)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Error().Ctx(ctx).Err(err).Msg("magic link consume: JWT generation failed")
+		writeJSONError(w, http.StatusInternalServerError, "server_error", "jwt generation failed")
+		return
+	}
+
+	writeJSON(w, http.StatusOK, MagicLinkResponse{Message: "signed in", Token: jwt})
+}
+
+// ensureUser returns the user keyed on email (stored as Username),
+// creating them if absent. Newly-created users get a random unguessable
+// bcrypt-hashed password so the password endpoints stay locked out.
+func (h *MagicLinkHandler) ensureUser(ctx context.Context, email string) (*user.User, error) {
+	if h.repo != nil {
+		existing, err := h.repo.GetUserByUsername(ctx, email)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if existing != nil {
+			return existing, nil
+		}
+	}
+
+	rawPass, err := h.newPassword()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("magic link signup rand: %w", err)
+	}
+	hash, err := h.users.HashPassword(ctx, rawPass)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("magic link signup hash: %w", err)
+	}
+	u := &user.User{
+		Username:     email,
+		PasswordHash: hash,
+		IsAdmin:      false,
+	}
+	if err := h.users.CreateUser(ctx, u); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("magic link signup create: %w", err)
+	}
+	if h.repo != nil {
+		return h.repo.GetUserByUsername(ctx, email)
+	}
+	return u, nil
+}
+
+func (h *MagicLinkHandler) writeValidationError(w http.ResponseWriter, err error) {
+	w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+	w.WriteHeader(http.StatusBadRequest)
+	var ve *validation.ValidationError
+	if errors.As(err, &ve) {
+		_ = json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(map[string]any{
+			"error":   "validation_failed",
+			"message": "Invalid request data",
+			"details": ve.Messages,
+		})
+		return
+	}
+	_ = json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(map[string]any{
+		"error":   "validation_failed",
+		"message": err.Error(),
+	})
+}
+
+func writeJSON(w http.ResponseWriter, status int, v any) {
+	w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+	w.WriteHeader(status)
+	_ = json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(v)
+}
+
+func writeJSONError(w http.ResponseWriter, status int, code, msg string) {
+	writeJSON(w, status, map[string]string{"error": code, "message": msg})
+}
+
+func buildMagicLinkURL(baseURL, token string) string {
+	base := strings.TrimRight(baseURL, "/")
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s/api/v1/auth/magic-link/consume?token=%s", base, token)
+}
diff --git a/pkg/user/api/magic_link_handler_test.go b/pkg/user/api/magic_link_handler_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d56fb26
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/user/api/magic_link_handler_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,371 @@
+package api
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/httptest"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"dance-lessons-coach/pkg/config"
+	"dance-lessons-coach/pkg/email"
+	"dance-lessons-coach/pkg/user"
+
+	"github.com/go-chi/chi/v5"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+// fakeMLRepo is an in-memory MagicLinkRepository for the handler tests.
+type fakeMLRepo struct {
+	mu     sync.Mutex
+	tokens map[string]*user.MagicLinkToken // key: TokenHash
+	nextID uint
+	failOn string // "create" / "get" / "mark" / "" (none)
+}
+
+func newFakeMLRepo() *fakeMLRepo {
+	return &fakeMLRepo{tokens: map[string]*user.MagicLinkToken{}}
+}
+
+func (r *fakeMLRepo) CreateMagicLinkToken(_ context.Context, t *user.MagicLinkToken) error {
+	r.mu.Lock()
+	defer r.mu.Unlock()
+	if r.failOn == "create" {
+		return errors.New("simulated create failure")
+	}
+	r.nextID++
+	t.ID = r.nextID
+	r.tokens[t.TokenHash] = t
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (r *fakeMLRepo) GetMagicLinkTokenByHash(_ context.Context, h string) (*user.MagicLinkToken, error) {
+	r.mu.Lock()
+	defer r.mu.Unlock()
+	if r.failOn == "get" {
+		return nil, errors.New("simulated get failure")
+	}
+	t, ok := r.tokens[h]
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	cp := *t
+	return &cp, nil
+}
+
+func (r *fakeMLRepo) MarkMagicLinkTokenConsumed(_ context.Context, id uint, when time.Time) error {
+	r.mu.Lock()
+	defer r.mu.Unlock()
+	if r.failOn == "mark" {
+		return errors.New("simulated mark failure")
+	}
+	for _, t := range r.tokens {
+		if t.ID == id {
+			t.ConsumedAt = &when
+			return nil
+		}
+	}
+	return errors.New("not found")
+}
+
+func (r *fakeMLRepo) DeleteExpiredMagicLinkTokens(_ context.Context, _ time.Time) (int64, error) {
+	return 0, nil
+}
+
+// fakeUserSvc is a minimal user.UserService stub.
+type fakeUserSvc struct {
+	createdUsers []*user.User
+	jwtForID     map[uint]string
+	hashCalls    int
+	failOn       string // "create" / "hash" / "jwt"
+}
+
+func newFakeUserSvc() *fakeUserSvc { return &fakeUserSvc{jwtForID: map[uint]string{}} }
+
+func (s *fakeUserSvc) Authenticate(_ context.Context, _, _ string) (*user.User, error) {
+	return nil, errors.New("not used in magic-link tests")
+}
+func (s *fakeUserSvc) GenerateJWT(_ context.Context, u *user.User) (string, error) {
+	if s.failOn == "jwt" {
+		return "", errors.New("simulated jwt failure")
+	}
+	return "jwt-for-user-" + u.Username, nil
+}
+func (s *fakeUserSvc) ValidateJWT(_ context.Context, _ string) (*user.User, error) {
+	return nil, errors.New("not used")
+}
+func (s *fakeUserSvc) AdminAuthenticate(_ context.Context, _ string) (*user.User, error) {
+	return nil, errors.New("not used")
+}
+func (s *fakeUserSvc) AddJWTSecret(_ string, _ bool, _ time.Duration)               {}
+func (s *fakeUserSvc) RotateJWTSecret(_ string)                                     {}
+func (s *fakeUserSvc) GetJWTSecretByIndex(_ int) (string, bool)                     { return "", false }
+func (s *fakeUserSvc) ResetJWTSecrets()                                             {}
+func (s *fakeUserSvc) StartJWTSecretCleanupLoop(_ context.Context, _ time.Duration) {}
+func (s *fakeUserSvc) RemoveExpiredJWTSecrets() int                                 { return 0 }
+func (s *fakeUserSvc) ListJWTSecretsInfo() []user.JWTSecretInfo                     { return nil }
+
+func (s *fakeUserSvc) UserExists(_ context.Context, username string) (bool, error) {
+	for _, u := range s.createdUsers {
+		if u.Username == username {
+			return true, nil
+		}
+	}
+	return false, nil
+}
+func (s *fakeUserSvc) CreateUser(_ context.Context, u *user.User) error {
+	if s.failOn == "create" {
+		return errors.New("simulated create failure")
+	}
+	u.ID = uint(len(s.createdUsers) + 1)
+	cp := *u
+	s.createdUsers = append(s.createdUsers, &cp)
+	return nil
+}
+func (s *fakeUserSvc) HashPassword(_ context.Context, p string) (string, error) {
+	s.hashCalls++
+	if s.failOn == "hash" {
+		return "", errors.New("simulated hash failure")
+	}
+	return "hash:" + p, nil
+}
+func (s *fakeUserSvc) RequestPasswordReset(_ context.Context, _ string) error { return nil }
+func (s *fakeUserSvc) CompletePasswordReset(_ context.Context, _, _ string) error {
+	return nil
+}
+
+// fakeUserRepo implements user.UserRepository using fakeUserSvc's slice.
+type fakeUserRepo struct{ svc *fakeUserSvc }
+
+func (r *fakeUserRepo) CreateUser(_ context.Context, u *user.User) error {
+	return r.svc.CreateUser(context.Background(), u)
+}
+func (r *fakeUserRepo) GetUserByUsername(_ context.Context, name string) (*user.User, error) {
+	for _, u := range r.svc.createdUsers {
+		if u.Username == name {
+			cp := *u
+			return &cp, nil
+		}
+	}
+	return nil, nil
+}
+func (r *fakeUserRepo) GetUserByID(_ context.Context, _ uint) (*user.User, error) { return nil, nil }
+func (r *fakeUserRepo) UpdateUser(_ context.Context, _ *user.User) error          { return nil }
+func (r *fakeUserRepo) DeleteUser(_ context.Context, _ uint) error                { return nil }
+func (r *fakeUserRepo) AllowPasswordReset(_ context.Context, _ string) error      { return nil }
+func (r *fakeUserRepo) CompletePasswordReset(_ context.Context, _, _ string) error {
+	return nil
+}
+func (r *fakeUserRepo) UserExists(_ context.Context, name string) (bool, error) {
+	return r.svc.UserExists(context.Background(), name)
+}
+func (r *fakeUserRepo) CheckDatabaseHealth(_ context.Context) error { return nil }
+
+// recordingSender captures email.Send calls without sending anything.
+type recordingSender struct {
+	mu       sync.Mutex
+	messages []email.Message
+	failNext bool
+}
+
+func (s *recordingSender) Send(_ context.Context, m email.Message) error {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	if s.failNext {
+		return errors.New("simulated send failure")
+	}
+	s.messages = append(s.messages, m)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func newHandler(t *testing.T) (*MagicLinkHandler, *fakeMLRepo, *fakeUserSvc, *recordingSender) {
+	t.Helper()
+	mlRepo := newFakeMLRepo()
+	svc := newFakeUserSvc()
+	repo := &fakeUserRepo{svc: svc}
+	sender := &recordingSender{}
+	h := NewMagicLinkHandler(
+		mlRepo, svc, repo, sender,
+		config.MagicLinkConfig{TTL: 15 * time.Minute, BaseURL: "http://test.local"},
+		"noreply@test.local",
+		nil,
+	)
+	return h, mlRepo, svc, sender
+}
+
+func mountAndRequest(h *MagicLinkHandler, method, path, body string) *httptest.ResponseRecorder {
+	r := chi.NewRouter()
+	h.RegisterRoutes(r)
+	req := httptest.NewRequest(method, path, strings.NewReader(body))
+	if body != "" {
+		req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+	}
+	rr := httptest.NewRecorder()
+	r.ServeHTTP(rr, req)
+	return rr
+}
+
+// TestRequest_HappyPath confirms POST /magic-link/request stores a token,
+// sends an email containing the link, and returns 200 with a generic body.
+func TestRequest_HappyPath(t *testing.T) {
+	h, mlRepo, _, sender := newHandler(t)
+
+	rr := mountAndRequest(h, http.MethodPost, "/magic-link/request", `{"email":"alice@example.com"}`)
+	require.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, rr.Code)
+	assert.Contains(t, rr.Body.String(), "If that email is valid")
+
+	// One token persisted, email lower-cased.
+	require.Len(t, mlRepo.tokens, 1)
+	for _, tok := range mlRepo.tokens {
+		assert.Equal(t, "alice@example.com", tok.Email)
+		assert.Greater(t, tok.ExpiresAt.Unix(), time.Now().Unix())
+	}
+
+	// One email sent to the same address, link points at our test base URL.
+	require.Len(t, sender.messages, 1)
+	assert.Equal(t, "alice@example.com", sender.messages[0].To)
+	assert.Contains(t, sender.messages[0].BodyText, "http://test.local/api/v1/auth/magic-link/consume?token=")
+}
+
+// TestRequest_NormalizesEmail confirms the email is lower-cased + trimmed.
+func TestRequest_NormalizesEmail(t *testing.T) {
+	h, mlRepo, _, sender := newHandler(t)
+	rr := mountAndRequest(h, http.MethodPost, "/magic-link/request", `{"email":"  Alice@Example.COM  "}`)
+	require.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, rr.Code)
+	require.Len(t, mlRepo.tokens, 1)
+	for _, tok := range mlRepo.tokens {
+		assert.Equal(t, "alice@example.com", tok.Email)
+	}
+	assert.Equal(t, "alice@example.com", sender.messages[0].To)
+}
+
+// TestRequest_BadJSON returns 400.
+func TestRequest_BadJSON(t *testing.T) {
+	h, _, _, _ := newHandler(t)
+	rr := mountAndRequest(h, http.MethodPost, "/magic-link/request", `not json`)
+	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusBadRequest, rr.Code)
+}
+
+// TestRequest_PersistFailureStillReturns200 — a DB error must NOT leak
+// to the user (would let attackers detect storage outages).
+func TestRequest_PersistFailureStillReturns200(t *testing.T) {
+	h, mlRepo, _, sender := newHandler(t)
+	mlRepo.failOn = "create"
+	rr := mountAndRequest(h, http.MethodPost, "/magic-link/request", `{"email":"bob@example.com"}`)
+	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, rr.Code)
+	// No email was sent because no token was persisted.
+	assert.Empty(t, sender.messages)
+}
+
+// TestConsume_HappyPath_NewUser exercises sign-up-on-first-link.
+func TestConsume_HappyPath_NewUser(t *testing.T) {
+	h, mlRepo, svc, _ := newHandler(t)
+
+	// Seed one token by going through the request flow.
+	mountAndRequest(h, http.MethodPost, "/magic-link/request", `{"email":"alice@example.com"}`)
+	require.Len(t, mlRepo.tokens, 1)
+
+	// We need the plaintext to consume — derive it from the only token in the
+	// repo by reverse trick : the request handler doesn't expose it. So we
+	// drive consume with a fresh known-plaintext we put into the repo
+	// directly.
+	plain, hashHex, err := user.GenerateMagicLinkToken()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	mlRepo.tokens = map[string]*user.MagicLinkToken{
+		hashHex: {ID: 99, Email: "alice@example.com", TokenHash: hashHex, ExpiresAt: time.Now().Add(5 * time.Minute)},
+	}
+	mlRepo.nextID = 99
+
+	rr := mountAndRequest(h, http.MethodGet, "/magic-link/consume?token="+plain, "")
+	require.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, rr.Code, rr.Body.String())
+
+	var resp MagicLinkResponse
+	require.NoError(t, json.Unmarshal(rr.Body.Bytes(), &resp))
+	assert.Equal(t, "signed in", resp.Message)
+	assert.Equal(t, "jwt-for-user-alice@example.com", resp.Token)
+
+	// User was created.
+	require.Len(t, svc.createdUsers, 1)
+	assert.Equal(t, "alice@example.com", svc.createdUsers[0].Username)
+	assert.NotEmpty(t, svc.createdUsers[0].PasswordHash, "passwordless user must still have a non-empty hash (random unguessable value)")
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, svc.hashCalls)
+
+	// Token marked consumed.
+	for _, tok := range mlRepo.tokens {
+		require.NotNil(t, tok.ConsumedAt, "consumed_at must be set after consume")
+	}
+}
+
+// TestConsume_HappyPath_ExistingUser confirms no new user is created
+// when the email is already known.
+func TestConsume_HappyPath_ExistingUser(t *testing.T) {
+	h, mlRepo, svc, _ := newHandler(t)
+
+	// Pre-seed the user.
+	require.NoError(t, svc.CreateUser(context.Background(), &user.User{Username: "carol@example.com", PasswordHash: "x"}))
+	require.Len(t, svc.createdUsers, 1)
+	preCount := len(svc.createdUsers)
+
+	plain, hashHex, err := user.GenerateMagicLinkToken()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	mlRepo.tokens[hashHex] = &user.MagicLinkToken{ID: 1, Email: "carol@example.com", TokenHash: hashHex, ExpiresAt: time.Now().Add(5 * time.Minute)}
+
+	rr := mountAndRequest(h, http.MethodGet, "/magic-link/consume?token="+plain, "")
+	require.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, rr.Code, rr.Body.String())
+
+	// No new user.
+	assert.Len(t, svc.createdUsers, preCount)
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, svc.hashCalls, "no hash call when user exists")
+}
+
+// TestConsume_MissingToken returns 400.
+func TestConsume_MissingToken(t *testing.T) {
+	h, _, _, _ := newHandler(t)
+	rr := mountAndRequest(h, http.MethodGet, "/magic-link/consume", "")
+	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusBadRequest, rr.Code)
+}
+
+// TestConsume_UnknownToken returns 401 (single generic shape).
+func TestConsume_UnknownToken(t *testing.T) {
+	h, _, _, _ := newHandler(t)
+	rr := mountAndRequest(h, http.MethodGet, "/magic-link/consume?token=neverissued", "")
+	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusUnauthorized, rr.Code)
+}
+
+// TestConsume_ExpiredToken returns 401.
+func TestConsume_ExpiredToken(t *testing.T) {
+	h, mlRepo, _, _ := newHandler(t)
+	plain, hashHex, err := user.GenerateMagicLinkToken()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	mlRepo.tokens[hashHex] = &user.MagicLinkToken{
+		ID: 1, Email: "x@example.com", TokenHash: hashHex,
+		ExpiresAt: time.Now().Add(-1 * time.Minute), // already expired
+	}
+	rr := mountAndRequest(h, http.MethodGet, "/magic-link/consume?token="+plain, "")
+	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusUnauthorized, rr.Code)
+}
+
+// TestConsume_AlreadyConsumed returns 401 — single-use guarantee.
+func TestConsume_AlreadyConsumed(t *testing.T) {
+	h, mlRepo, _, _ := newHandler(t)
+	plain, hashHex, err := user.GenerateMagicLinkToken()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	now := time.Now()
+	mlRepo.tokens[hashHex] = &user.MagicLinkToken{
+		ID: 1, Email: "x@example.com", TokenHash: hashHex,
+		ExpiresAt: now.Add(5 * time.Minute), ConsumedAt: &now,
+	}
+	rr := mountAndRequest(h, http.MethodGet, "/magic-link/consume?token="+plain, "")
+	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusUnauthorized, rr.Code)
+}
+
+// TestBuildMagicLinkURL_TrailingSlash exercises the small helper.
+func TestBuildMagicLinkURL_TrailingSlash(t *testing.T) {
+	got := buildMagicLinkURL("http://x.local/", "abc")
+	assert.Equal(t, "http://x.local/api/v1/auth/magic-link/consume?token=abc", got)
+}