diff --git a/.env b/.env
deleted file mode 100644
index dcb5cdb41..000000000
--- a/.env
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,10 +0,0 @@
-NEO4J_URI=bolt://localhost:7687
-NEO4J_USER=neo4j
-NEO4J_PASSWORD=letmein
-
-GRAPHQL_LISTEN_PORT=4000
-GRAPHQL_URI=http://localhost:4000
-CLIENT_URI=http://localhost:3000
-JWT_SECRET=b/&&7b78BF&fv/Vd
-
-MOCK=false
diff --git a/.env.template b/.env.template
index 4d849a121..df678a343 100644
--- a/.env.template
+++ b/.env.template
@@ -4,3 +4,5 @@ NEO4J_PASSWORD=letmein
 GRAPHQL_LISTEN_PORT=4000
 GRAPHQL_URI=http://localhost:4000
 MOCK=false
+
+JWT_SECRET=b/&&7b78BF&fv/Vd
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..87e0ad52e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+---
+name: Bug report
+about: Create a report to help us improve
+
+---
+
+**Describe the bug**
+A clear and concise description of what the bug is.
+
+**To Reproduce**
+Steps to reproduce the behavior:
+1. Authenticate '...'
+2. Post following data to endpoint '...'
+3. See error
+
+**Expected behavior**
+A clear and concise description of what you expected to happen
+
+**Additional context**
+Add any other context about the problem here.
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..066b2d920
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+---
+name: Feature request
+about: Suggest an idea for this project
+
+---
+
+**Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.**
+A clear and concise description of what the problem is. Ex. I'm always frustrated when [...]
+
+**Describe the solution you'd like**
+A clear and concise description of what you want to happen.
+
+**Describe alternatives you've considered**
+A clear and concise description of any alternative solutions or features you've considered.
+
+**Additional context**
+Add any other context or screenshots about the feature request here.
diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
index 1c33f50b3..5e3f8c650 100644
--- a/Dockerfile
+++ b/Dockerfile
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ LABEL Description="Server part of the social network Human Connection" Vendor="H
 # expose the app port
 EXPOSE 4000
 
-ARG WORKDIR=/Backend
+ARG WORKDIR=/backend
 
 RUN mkdir -p $WORKDIR
 WORKDIR $WORKDIR
diff --git a/Dockerfile.neo4j b/Dockerfile.neo4j
index 3675669f6..66f996e68 100644
--- a/Dockerfile.neo4j
+++ b/Dockerfile.neo4j
@@ -1,3 +1,2 @@
 FROM neo4j:3.4
-RUN mkdir /plugins && wget https://github.com/neo4j-contrib/neo4j-apoc-procedures/releases/download/3.4.0.3/apoc-3.4.0.3-all.jar -P /plugins
-
+RUN wget https://github.com/neo4j-contrib/neo4j-apoc-procedures/releases/download/3.4.0.3/apoc-3.4.0.3-all.jar -P plugins/
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e00ac8306..2cb57e264 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Human-Connection - NITRO API
+# Human-Connection - NITRO Backend
 
 > This Prototype tries to resolve the biggest hurdle of connecting
 > our services together. This is not possible in a sane way using
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ Note that grand-stack-starter does not currently bundle a distribution
 of Neo4j. You can download [Neo4j Desktop](https://neo4j.com/download/)
 and run locally for development, spin up a [hosted Neo4j Sandbox instance](https://neo4j.com/download/),
 run Neo4j in one of the [many cloud options](https://neo4j.com/developer/guide-cloud-deployment/),
-or [spin up Neo4j in a Docker container](https://neo4j.com/developer/docker/).
+[spin up Neo4j in a Docker container](https://neo4j.com/developer/docker/) or on Debian-based systems install [Neo4j from the Debian Repository](http://debian.neo4j.org/).
 Just be sure to update the Neo4j connection string and credentials accordingly in `.env`.
 
 ## Mocking API Results
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ npm run seedDb
 - [x] add jwt authentication
 - [ ] get directives working correctly (@toLower, @auth, @role, etc.)
 - [ ] check if search is working
-- [ ] check if sorting is working
+- [x] check if sorting is working
 - [x] check if pagination is working
 - [ ] check if upload is working (using graphql-yoga?)
 - [x] evaluate middleware 
diff --git a/docker-compose.override.yml b/docker-compose.override.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..22e16da73
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docker-compose.override.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+version: "3.7"
+
+services:
+  backend:
+    container_name: backend.127.0.0.1.xip.io
+    volumes:
+      - .:/backend
+      - /backend/node_modules
+  neo4j:
+    ports:
+      - 7687:7687
+      - 7474:7474
+
+networks:
+  hc-network:
+    name: hc-network
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index a46a96f71..0a47bb3c0 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ version: "3.7"
 
 services:
   backend:
-    container_name: backend.127.0.0.1.xip.io
+    image: humanconnection/backend:latest
     build: .
     networks:
       - hc-network
@@ -17,14 +17,9 @@ services:
       - CLIENT_URI=http://localhost:3000
       - JWT_SECRET=b/&&7b78BF&fv/Vd
       - MOCK=false
-    volumes:
-      - .:/Backend
-      - /Backend/node_modules
 
   neo4j:
-    ports:
-      - 7687:7687
-      - 7474:7474
+    image: humanconnection/neo4j:latest
     build:
       context: .
       dockerfile: Dockerfile.neo4j
@@ -37,7 +32,6 @@ services:
 
 networks:
   hc-network:
-    name: hc-network
 
 volumes:
   neo4j-data:
diff --git a/kubernetes/README.md b/kubernetes/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3f22e039a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/kubernetes/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+# Usage with minikube
+
+First of all start minikube on your machine:
+```sh
+minikube start
+```
+You can always get an overview and see what's going on with your minikube:
+```sh
+minikube dashboard
+```
+
+Build Docker images, using the Minikube Docker daemon:
+```sh
+eval $(minikube docker-env)
+docker build -t humanconnection/backend:latest .
+docker build -t humanconnection/neo4j:latest -f Dockerfile.neo4j .
+```
+
+check that the image is in Minikube’s Docker registry:
+```sh
+minikube ssh docker images 
+```
+
+Now change into directory kubernetes and create services and deployments:
+```sh
+cd kubernetes
+
+kubectl create -f neo4j-deployment.yaml,neo4j-data-persistentvolumeclaim.yaml,backend-deployment.yaml,neo4j-service.json,backend-service.json
+```
+
+You can see the backend in action with:
+```sh
+minikube service backend
+```
+
+
+
diff --git a/kubernetes/backend-deployment.yaml b/kubernetes/backend-deployment.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..cf7f34063
--- /dev/null
+++ b/kubernetes/backend-deployment.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+apiVersion: extensions/v1beta1
+kind: Deployment
+metadata:
+  annotations:
+    kompose.cmd: kompose convert -f ../docker-compose.yml
+    kompose.version: 1.16.0 (0c01309)
+  creationTimestamp: null
+  labels:
+    io.kompose.service: backend
+  name: backend
+spec:
+  replicas: 1
+  strategy: {}
+  template:
+    metadata:
+      creationTimestamp: null
+      labels:
+        io.kompose.service: backend
+    spec:
+      containers:
+      - env:
+        - name: CLIENT_URI
+          value: http://localhost:3000
+        - name: GRAPHQL_LISTEN_PORT
+          value: "4000"
+        - name: GRAPHQL_URI
+          value: http://localhost:4000
+        - name: JWT_SECRET
+          value: b/&&7b78BF&fv/Vd
+        - name: MOCK
+          value: "false"
+        - name: NEO4J_URI
+          value: bolt://neo4j:7687
+        image: humanconnection/backend:latest
+        name: backend
+        ports:
+        - containerPort: 4000
+        resources: {}
+        imagePullPolicy: IfNotPresent
+      restartPolicy: Always
+status: {}
diff --git a/kubernetes/backend-service.json b/kubernetes/backend-service.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..28581be45
--- /dev/null
+++ b/kubernetes/backend-service.json
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+{
+  "kind": "Service",
+  "apiVersion": "v1",
+  "metadata": {
+    "name": "backend",
+    "namespace": "default",
+    "selfLink": "/api/v1/namespaces/default/services/backend",
+    "uid": "57749bc1-dea3-11e8-ace2-080027b5d96d",
+    "resourceVersion": "8321",
+    "creationTimestamp": "2018-11-02T13:29:36Z",
+    "labels": {
+      "io.kompose.service": "backend"
+    }
+  },
+  "spec": {
+    "ports": [
+      {
+        "protocol": "TCP",
+        "port": 4000,
+        "targetPort": 4000,
+        "nodePort": 32633
+      }
+    ],
+    "selector": {
+      "io.kompose.service": "backend"
+    },
+    "clusterIP": "10.110.129.92",
+    "type": "LoadBalancer",
+    "sessionAffinity": "None",
+    "externalTrafficPolicy": "Cluster"
+  },
+  "status": {
+    "loadBalancer": {}
+  }
+}
diff --git a/kubernetes/dashboard-admin.yml b/kubernetes/dashboard-admin.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5d76d3902
--- /dev/null
+++ b/kubernetes/dashboard-admin.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1beta1
+kind: ClusterRoleBinding
+metadata:
+  name: kubernetes-dashboard
+  labels:
+    k8s-app: kubernetes-dashboard
+roleRef:
+  apiGroup: rbac.authorization.k8s.io
+  kind: ClusterRole
+  name: cluster-admin
+subjects:
+- kind: ServiceAccount
+  name: kubernetes-dashboard
+  namespace: kube-system
diff --git a/kubernetes/neo4j-data-persistentvolumeclaim.yaml b/kubernetes/neo4j-data-persistentvolumeclaim.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..de9c89e2f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/kubernetes/neo4j-data-persistentvolumeclaim.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+apiVersion: v1
+kind: PersistentVolumeClaim
+metadata:
+  creationTimestamp: null
+  labels:
+    io.kompose.service: neo4j-data
+  name: neo4j-data
+spec:
+  accessModes:
+  - ReadWriteOnce
+  resources:
+    requests:
+      storage: 100Mi
+status: {}
diff --git a/kubernetes/neo4j-deployment.yaml b/kubernetes/neo4j-deployment.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..13f4d52e3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/kubernetes/neo4j-deployment.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+apiVersion: extensions/v1beta1
+kind: Deployment
+metadata:
+  annotations:
+    kompose.cmd: kompose convert -f ../docker-compose.yml
+    kompose.version: 1.16.0 (0c01309)
+  creationTimestamp: null
+  labels:
+    io.kompose.service: neo4j
+  name: neo4j
+spec:
+  replicas: 1
+  strategy:
+    type: Recreate
+  template:
+    metadata:
+      creationTimestamp: null
+      labels:
+        io.kompose.service: neo4j
+    spec:
+      containers:
+      - env:
+        - name: NEO4J_AUTH
+          value: none
+        image: humanconnection/neo4j:latest
+        name: neo4j
+        ports:
+        - containerPort: 7687
+        - containerPort: 7474
+        resources: {}
+        imagePullPolicy: IfNotPresent
+        volumeMounts:
+        - mountPath: /data
+          name: neo4j-data
+      restartPolicy: Always
+      volumes:
+      - name: neo4j-data
+        persistentVolumeClaim:
+          claimName: neo4j-data
+status: {}
diff --git a/kubernetes/neo4j-service.json b/kubernetes/neo4j-service.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..89ac10367
--- /dev/null
+++ b/kubernetes/neo4j-service.json
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+{
+  "kind": "Service",
+  "apiVersion": "v1",
+  "metadata": {
+    "name": "neo4j",
+    "namespace": "default",
+    "selfLink": "/api/v1/namespaces/default/services/neo4j",
+    "uid": "57de6181-dea3-11e8-ace2-080027b5d96d",
+    "resourceVersion": "8326",
+    "creationTimestamp": "2018-11-02T13:29:37Z",
+    "labels": {
+      "io.kompose.service": "neo4j"
+    }
+  },
+  "spec": {
+    "ports": [
+      {
+        "name": "port-1",
+        "protocol": "TCP",
+        "port": 7687,
+        "targetPort": 7687,
+        "nodePort": 30116
+      },
+      {
+        "name": "port-2",
+        "protocol": "TCP",
+        "port": 7474,
+        "targetPort": 7474,
+        "nodePort": 32658
+      }
+    ],
+    "selector": {
+      "io.kompose.service": "neo4j"
+    },
+    "clusterIP": "10.108.175.122",
+    "type": "LoadBalancer",
+    "sessionAffinity": "None",
+    "externalTrafficPolicy": "Cluster"
+  },
+  "status": {
+    "loadBalancer": {}
+  }
+}