diff --git a/.github/workflows/pipeline.yaml b/.github/workflows/pipeline.yaml
index bd7eb37..bbe9455 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pipeline.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pipeline.yaml
@@ -14,13 +14,13 @@ jobs:
     name: Prepare
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Inject slug/short variables
-        uses: rlespinasse/github-slug-action@v3.x
+        uses: rlespinasse/github-slug-action@v5
       - name: Prepare Outputs
         id: prepare-step
         run: |
-          echo "::set-output name=branch_name::${GITHUB_REF_SLUG}";
+          echo "branch_name=${GITHUB_REF_SLUG}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
     outputs:
       branch_name: ${{ steps.prepare-step.outputs.branch_name }}
 
@@ -29,13 +29,19 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     environment: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.branch_name }}
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Set up Go
-        uses: actions/setup-go@v5
+        uses: actions/setup-go@v6
         with:
           go-version: '1.25.1'
-      - uses: actions/setup-python@v2
-      - uses: aws-actions/setup-sam@v1
+      - name: Set up Python
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v6
+        with:
+          python-version: '3.11'
+      - name: Setup SAM CLI
+        uses: aws-actions/setup-sam@v2
+        with:
+          use-installer: true
 
       - name: Build resources
         run: sam build --template ${SAM_TEMPLATE}
@@ -46,7 +52,7 @@ jobs:
           PIPELINE_USER_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY: ${{ secrets.AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY }}
           PIPELINE_EXECUTION_ROLE: ${{ secrets.PIPELINE_EXECUTION_ROLE }}
           REGION: ${{ secrets.REGION }}
-        uses: aws-actions/configure-aws-credentials@v1
+        uses: aws-actions/configure-aws-credentials@v4
         with:
           aws-access-key-id: ${{ env.PIPELINE_USER_ACCESS_KEY_ID }}
           aws-secret-access-key: ${{ env.PIPELINE_USER_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY }}
@@ -65,7 +71,7 @@ jobs:
             --s3-bucket ${ARTIFACTS_BUCKET} \
             --region ${REGION} \
             --output-template-file packaged.yaml
-      - uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+      - uses: actions/upload-artifact@v6
         with:
           name: packaged.yaml
           path: packaged.yaml
@@ -75,10 +81,16 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     environment: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.branch_name }}
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - uses: actions/setup-python@v2
-      - uses: aws-actions/setup-sam@v1
-      - uses: actions/download-artifact@v4
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+      - name: Set up Python
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v6
+        with:
+          python-version: '3.11'
+      - name: Setup SAM CLI
+        uses: aws-actions/setup-sam@v2
+        with:
+          use-installer: true
+      - uses: actions/download-artifact@v6
         with:
           name: packaged.yaml
 
@@ -88,7 +100,7 @@ jobs:
           PIPELINE_USER_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY: ${{ secrets.AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY }}
           PIPELINE_EXECUTION_ROLE: ${{ secrets.PIPELINE_EXECUTION_ROLE }}
           REGION: ${{ secrets.REGION }}
-        uses: aws-actions/configure-aws-credentials@v1
+        uses: aws-actions/configure-aws-credentials@v4
         with:
           aws-access-key-id: ${{ env.PIPELINE_USER_ACCESS_KEY_ID }}
           aws-secret-access-key: ${{ env.PIPELINE_USER_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY }}
diff --git a/POST_DEPLOYMENT_SETUP.md b/POST_DEPLOYMENT_SETUP.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..45f4cab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/POST_DEPLOYMENT_SETUP.md
@@ -0,0 +1,228 @@
+# Post-Deployment Setup Guide
+
+After deploying with `sam deploy`, you need to set up the following resources:
+
+## 🔴 Critical: DynamoDB Tables
+
+The error you're seeing is because **DynamoDB tables don't exist**. You need to create 3 tables:
+
+### Quick Setup (Using Script)
+
+```bash
+# Make script executable
+chmod +x setup-dynamodb-tables.sh
+
+# Run the script (defaults to us-east-1)
+./setup-dynamodb-tables.sh
+
+# OR specify a region
+./setup-dynamodb-tables.sh us-east-1
+```
+
+### Manual Setup
+
+#### 1. Create `featureFlag` Table
+
+```bash
+aws dynamodb create-table \
+  --table-name featureFlag \
+  --attribute-definitions AttributeName=id,AttributeType=S \
+  --key-schema AttributeName=id,KeyType=HASH \
+  --billing-mode PAY_PER_REQUEST \
+  --region us-east-1
+```
+
+#### 2. Create `featureFlagUserMapping` Table
+
+```bash
+aws dynamodb create-table \
+  --table-name featureFlagUserMapping \
+  --attribute-definitions \
+    AttributeName=userId,AttributeType=S \
+    AttributeName=flagId,AttributeType=S \
+  --key-schema \
+    AttributeName=userId,KeyType=HASH \
+    AttributeName=flagId,KeyType=RANGE \
+  --billing-mode PAY_PER_REQUEST \
+  --region us-east-1
+```
+
+#### 3. Create `requestLimit` Table (This is the missing one causing your error!)
+
+```bash
+aws dynamodb create-table \
+  --table-name requestLimit \
+  --attribute-definitions AttributeName=limitType,AttributeType=S \
+  --key-schema AttributeName=limitType,KeyType=HASH \
+  --billing-mode PAY_PER_REQUEST \
+  --region us-east-1
+```
+
+#### 4. Initialize `requestLimit` Table
+
+After creating the table, you need to add an initial value:
+
+```bash
+aws dynamodb put-item \
+  --table-name requestLimit \
+  --item '{
+    "limitType": {"S": "pendingLimit"},
+    "limitValue": {"N": "1000"}
+  }' \
+  --region us-east-1
+```
+
+---
+
+## ✅ Verify Tables Exist
+
+```bash
+# List all tables
+aws dynamodb list-tables --region us-east-1
+
+# Check specific table
+aws dynamodb describe-table --table-name requestLimit --region us-east-1
+```
+
+You should see:
+- `featureFlag`
+- `featureFlagUserMapping`
+- `requestLimit`
+
+---
+
+## 🔑 SSM Parameter for JWT Public Key
+
+Make sure the JWT public key exists in AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store:
+
+### For PRODUCTION:
+
+```bash
+# Check if parameter exists
+aws ssm get-parameter \
+  --name PROD_RDS_BACKEND_PUBLIC_KEY \
+  --with-decryption \
+  --region us-east-1
+
+# If it doesn't exist, create it:
+aws ssm put-parameter \
+  --name PROD_RDS_BACKEND_PUBLIC_KEY \
+  --value "-----BEGIN PUBLIC KEY-----
+YOUR_PUBLIC_KEY_HERE
+-----END PUBLIC KEY-----" \
+  --type SecureString \
+  --region us-east-1
+```
+
+### For DEVELOPMENT:
+
+```bash
+# Check if parameter exists
+aws ssm get-parameter \
+  --name STAGING_RDS_BACKEND_PUBLIC_KEY \
+  --with-decryption \
+  --region us-east-1
+
+# If it doesn't exist, create it:
+aws ssm put-parameter \
+  --name STAGING_RDS_BACKEND_PUBLIC_KEY \
+  --value "-----BEGIN PUBLIC KEY-----
+YOUR_PUBLIC_KEY_HERE
+-----END PUBLIC KEY-----" \
+  --type SecureString \
+  --region us-east-1
+```
+
+---
+
+## 🧪 Test After Setup
+
+After creating the tables, test your API:
+
+```bash
+# 1. Health check (should work)
+curl https://j31g91e2fa.execute-api.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/Prod/health-check
+
+# 2. Get feature flags (should work now)
+curl -X GET "https://j31g91e2fa.execute-api.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/Prod/feature-flags/" \
+  -H "Cookie: rds-session-staging=YOUR_JWT_TOKEN" \
+  -H "Origin: https://test.realdevsquad.com"
+```
+
+---
+
+## 📋 Complete Checklist
+
+- [ ] **DynamoDB Tables Created:**
+  - [ ] `featureFlag` table exists
+  - [ ] `featureFlagUserMapping` table exists
+  - [ ] `requestLimit` table exists
+  - [ ] `requestLimit` table has initial item with `limitType: "pendingLimit"` and `limitValue: 1000`
+
+- [ ] **SSM Parameter:**
+  - [ ] `PROD_RDS_BACKEND_PUBLIC_KEY` exists (for PRODUCTION)
+  - [ ] OR `STAGING_RDS_BACKEND_PUBLIC_KEY` exists (for DEVELOPMENT)
+
+- [ ] **Testing:**
+  - [ ] Health check endpoint works
+  - [ ] Feature flags endpoints work with JWT token
+
+---
+
+## 🔍 Troubleshooting
+
+### Error: "ResourceNotFoundException: Requested resource not found"
+
+**Cause:** DynamoDB table doesn't exist
+
+**Solution:** Create the missing table using the commands above
+
+### Error: "invalid memory address or nil pointer dereference"
+
+**Cause:** Code is trying to unmarshal a nil response from DynamoDB (table doesn't exist or item doesn't exist)
+
+**Solution:** 
+1. Create the `requestLimit` table
+2. Initialize it with the default value (see step 4 above)
+
+### Error: "ParameterNotFound" when calling API
+
+**Cause:** SSM Parameter for JWT public key doesn't exist
+
+**Solution:** Create the SSM parameter with the public key (see SSM Parameter section above)
+
+### Error: "AccessDeniedException" when creating tables
+
+**Cause:** Your AWS credentials don't have DynamoDB permissions
+
+**Solution:** Ensure your AWS user/role has:
+- `dynamodb:CreateTable`
+- `dynamodb:PutItem`
+- `dynamodb:DescribeTable`
+- `dynamodb:ListTables`
+
+---
+
+## 🚀 Quick Setup Command
+
+Run this to set up everything:
+
+```bash
+# 1. Create all tables
+./setup-dynamodb-tables.sh us-east-1
+
+# 2. Verify tables
+aws dynamodb list-tables --region us-east-1
+
+# 3. Test API
+curl https://j31g91e2fa.execute-api.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/Prod/health-check
+```
+
+---
+
+## 📝 Notes
+
+- Tables are created with **PAY_PER_REQUEST** billing mode (no capacity planning needed)
+- The `requestLimit` table is initialized with a default value of 1000
+- You can adjust the initial `limitValue` based on your needs
+- All tables are created in the same region as your Lambda functions
diff --git a/layer/jwt/jwt.go b/layer/jwt/jwt.go
index a7ab0d9..a765a29 100644
--- a/layer/jwt/jwt.go
+++ b/layer/jwt/jwt.go
@@ -85,26 +85,33 @@ func (j *JWTUtils) initialize() error {
 		}
 	}
 
+	log.Printf("Attempting to fetch public key from SSM parameter: %s (Environment: %s)", parameterName, envConfig.Environment)
 	publicKeyString, err := getPublicKeyFromParameterStore(parameterName)
 	if err != nil {
+		log.Printf("Failed to get public key from SSM: %v", err)
 		return err
 	}
-
+	publicKeyString = strings.TrimSpace(publicKeyString)
+	
 	block, _ := pem.Decode([]byte(publicKeyString))
 	if block == nil {
+		log.Printf("Failed to decode PEM block from public key. First 100 chars: %s", publicKeyString[:min(100, len(publicKeyString))])
 		return errors.New("internal server error")
 	}
 
 	pub, err := x509.ParsePKIXPublicKey(block.Bytes)
 	if err != nil {
+		log.Printf("Failed to parse PKIX public key: %v", err)
 		return fmt.Errorf("internal server error")
 	}
 
 	rsaPublicKey, ok := pub.(*rsa.PublicKey)
 	if !ok {
+		log.Printf("Public key is not an RSA public key")
 		return errors.New("internal server error")
 	}
 
+	log.Printf("Successfully initialized JWT utils with public key")
 	j.publicKey = rsaPublicKey
 	return nil
 }
@@ -115,6 +122,7 @@ func getPublicKeyFromParameterStore(parameterName string) (string, error) {
 
 	cfg, err := config.LoadDefaultConfig(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
+		log.Printf("Failed to load AWS config: %v", err)
 		return "", err
 	}
 
@@ -126,10 +134,24 @@ func getPublicKeyFromParameterStore(parameterName string) (string, error) {
 
 	result, err := svc.GetParameter(ctx, input)
 	if err != nil {
+		log.Printf("Failed to get parameter %s from SSM: %v", parameterName, err)
 		return "", err
 	}
 
-	return *result.Parameter.Value, nil
+	if result.Parameter == nil || result.Parameter.Value == nil {
+		log.Printf("Parameter %s exists but has no value", parameterName)
+		return "", errors.New("parameter has no value")
+	}
+
+	value := strings.TrimSpace(*result.Parameter.Value)
+	return value, nil
+}
+
+func min(a, b int) int {
+	if a < b {
+		return a
+	}
+	return b
 }
 
 func (j *JWTUtils) ValidateToken(tokenString string) (jwt.MapClaims, error) {
diff --git a/setup-dynamodb-tables.sh b/setup-dynamodb-tables.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..6770cfd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/setup-dynamodb-tables.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# Script to create all required DynamoDB tables for feature-flag-backend
+# Usage: ./setup-dynamodb-tables.sh [region]
+
+set -e
+
+REGION=${1:-us-east-1}
+
+echo "🚀 Setting up DynamoDB tables in region: $REGION"
+echo ""
+
+# Table 1: featureFlag
+echo "Creating table: featureFlag"
+aws dynamodb create-table \
+  --table-name featureFlag \
+  --attribute-definitions \
+    AttributeName=id,AttributeType=S \
+  --key-schema \
+    AttributeName=id,KeyType=HASH \
+  --billing-mode PAY_PER_REQUEST \
+  --region $REGION \
+  --no-cli-pager
+
+echo "✅ Created featureFlag table"
+echo ""
+
+# Table 2: featureFlagUserMapping
+echo "Creating table: featureFlagUserMapping"
+aws dynamodb create-table \
+  --table-name featureFlagUserMapping \
+  --attribute-definitions \
+    AttributeName=userId,AttributeType=S \
+    AttributeName=flagId,AttributeType=S \
+  --key-schema \
+    AttributeName=userId,KeyType=HASH \
+    AttributeName=flagId,KeyType=RANGE \
+  --billing-mode PAY_PER_REQUEST \
+  --region $REGION \
+  --no-cli-pager
+
+echo "✅ Created featureFlagUserMapping table"
+echo ""
+
+# Table 3: requestLimit
+echo "Creating table: requestLimit"
+aws dynamodb create-table \
+  --table-name requestLimit \
+  --attribute-definitions \
+    AttributeName=limitType,AttributeType=S \
+  --key-schema \
+    AttributeName=limitType,KeyType=HASH \
+  --billing-mode PAY_PER_REQUEST \
+  --region $REGION \
+  --no-cli-pager
+
+echo "✅ Created requestLimit table"
+echo ""
+
+# Wait for tables to be active
+echo "⏳ Waiting for tables to become active..."
+aws dynamodb wait table-exists \
+  --table-name featureFlag \
+  --region $REGION
+
+aws dynamodb wait table-exists \
+  --table-name featureFlagUserMapping \
+  --region $REGION
+
+aws dynamodb wait table-exists \
+  --table-name requestLimit \
+  --region $REGION
+
+echo "✅ All tables are active!"
+echo ""
+
+# Initialize requestLimit table with default value
+echo "Initializing requestLimit table with default value..."
+aws dynamodb put-item \
+  --table-name requestLimit \
+  --item '{
+    "limitType": {"S": "pendingLimit"},
+    "limitValue": {"N": "1000"}
+  }' \
+  --region $REGION \
+  --no-cli-pager
+
+echo "✅ Initialized requestLimit with default value (1000)"
+echo ""
+
+echo "🎉 All DynamoDB tables created and initialized successfully!"
+echo ""
+echo "Tables created:"
+echo "  - featureFlag"
+echo "  - featureFlagUserMapping"
+echo "  - requestLimit (with initial value)"
+echo ""
+echo "You can now test your API endpoints!"
diff --git a/template.yaml b/template.yaml
index a984bcb..652fbb6 100644
--- a/template.yaml
+++ b/template.yaml
@@ -87,6 +87,9 @@ Resources:
         - x86_64
       Layers:
         - !Ref SharedLayer
+      Policies:
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: requestLimit
       Events:
         Preflight:
           Type: Api
@@ -105,7 +108,18 @@ Resources:
       Architectures:
         - x86_64  
       Layers:
-        - !Ref SharedLayer  
+        - !Ref SharedLayer
+      Policies:
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: featureFlag
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: featureFlagUserMapping
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: requestLimit
+        - SSMParameterReadPolicy:
+            ParameterName: PROD_RDS_BACKEND_PUBLIC_KEY
+        - SSMParameterReadPolicy:
+            ParameterName: STAGING_RDS_BACKEND_PUBLIC_KEY
       Events:
         CatchAll:
           Type: Api
@@ -124,7 +138,14 @@ Resources:
       Architectures:
         - x86_64  
       Layers:
-        - !Ref SharedLayer  
+        - !Ref SharedLayer
+      Policies:
+        - Version: '2012-10-17'
+          Statement:
+            - Effect: Allow
+              Action:
+                - lambda:PutFunctionConcurrency
+              Resource: '*'
       Events:
         CatchAll:
           Type: Api
@@ -143,7 +164,10 @@ Resources:
       Architectures:
         - x86_64  
       Layers:
-        - !Ref SharedLayer  
+        - !Ref SharedLayer
+      Policies:
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: requestLimit
       Events:
         CatchAll:
           Type: Api
@@ -163,6 +187,17 @@ Resources:
         - x86_64
       Layers:
         - !Ref SharedLayer
+      Policies:
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: featureFlag
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: featureFlagUserMapping
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: requestLimit
+        - SSMParameterReadPolicy:
+            ParameterName: PROD_RDS_BACKEND_PUBLIC_KEY
+        - SSMParameterReadPolicy:
+            ParameterName: STAGING_RDS_BACKEND_PUBLIC_KEY
       Events:
         CatchAll:
           Type: Api
@@ -182,6 +217,17 @@ Resources:
         - x86_64
       Layers:
         - !Ref SharedLayer
+      Policies:
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: featureFlag
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: featureFlagUserMapping
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: requestLimit
+        - SSMParameterReadPolicy:
+            ParameterName: PROD_RDS_BACKEND_PUBLIC_KEY
+        - SSMParameterReadPolicy:
+            ParameterName: STAGING_RDS_BACKEND_PUBLIC_KEY
       Events:
         CatchAll:
           Type: Api
@@ -201,6 +247,17 @@ Resources:
         - x86_64
       Layers:
         - !Ref SharedLayer
+      Policies:
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: featureFlag
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: featureFlagUserMapping
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: requestLimit
+        - SSMParameterReadPolicy:
+            ParameterName: PROD_RDS_BACKEND_PUBLIC_KEY
+        - SSMParameterReadPolicy:
+            ParameterName: STAGING_RDS_BACKEND_PUBLIC_KEY
       Events:
         CatchAll:
           Type: Api
@@ -220,6 +277,17 @@ Resources:
         - x86_64
       Layers:
         - !Ref SharedLayer
+      Policies:
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: featureFlag
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: featureFlagUserMapping
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: requestLimit
+        - SSMParameterReadPolicy:
+            ParameterName: PROD_RDS_BACKEND_PUBLIC_KEY
+        - SSMParameterReadPolicy:
+            ParameterName: STAGING_RDS_BACKEND_PUBLIC_KEY
       Events:
         CatchAll:
           Type: Api
@@ -239,6 +307,17 @@ Resources:
         - x86_64
       Layers:
         - !Ref SharedLayer
+      Policies:
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: featureFlag
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: featureFlagUserMapping
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: requestLimit
+        - SSMParameterReadPolicy:
+            ParameterName: PROD_RDS_BACKEND_PUBLIC_KEY
+        - SSMParameterReadPolicy:
+            ParameterName: STAGING_RDS_BACKEND_PUBLIC_KEY
       Events:
         CatchAll:
           Type: Api
@@ -258,6 +337,17 @@ Resources:
         - x86_64
       Layers:
         - !Ref SharedLayer
+      Policies:
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: featureFlag
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: featureFlagUserMapping
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: requestLimit
+        - SSMParameterReadPolicy:
+            ParameterName: PROD_RDS_BACKEND_PUBLIC_KEY
+        - SSMParameterReadPolicy:
+            ParameterName: STAGING_RDS_BACKEND_PUBLIC_KEY
       Events:
         CatchAll:
           Type: Api
@@ -277,6 +367,17 @@ Resources:
         - x86_64
       Layers:
         - !Ref SharedLayer
+      Policies:
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: featureFlag
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: featureFlagUserMapping
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: requestLimit
+        - SSMParameterReadPolicy:
+            ParameterName: PROD_RDS_BACKEND_PUBLIC_KEY
+        - SSMParameterReadPolicy:
+            ParameterName: STAGING_RDS_BACKEND_PUBLIC_KEY
       Events:
         CatchAll:
           Type: Api
@@ -296,6 +397,17 @@ Resources:
         - x86_64
       Layers:
         - !Ref SharedLayer
+      Policies:
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: featureFlag
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: featureFlagUserMapping
+        - DynamoDBCrudPolicy:
+            TableName: requestLimit
+        - SSMParameterReadPolicy:
+            ParameterName: PROD_RDS_BACKEND_PUBLIC_KEY
+        - SSMParameterReadPolicy:
+            ParameterName: STAGING_RDS_BACKEND_PUBLIC_KEY
       Events:
         CatchAll:
           Type: Api