diff --git a/docker/Dockerfile b/docker/Dockerfile
index 36fe569..a1d540a 100644
--- a/docker/Dockerfile
+++ b/docker/Dockerfile
@@ -16,18 +16,21 @@ RUN npm run build
 # Production Stage
 FROM node:lts-alpine
 
-ENV NODE_ENV production
-USER node
+ENV NODE_ENV=production
 
 # Create app directory
 WORKDIR /app
 
+# Install only production dependencies as root first
+COPY package*.json ./
+RUN npm install --production && npm cache clean --force
+
 # Copy built app from build stage
 COPY --from=build-stage /app/dist ./dist
 
-# Install only production dependencies
-COPY package*.json ./
-RUN npm install --production
+# Change ownership to node user and switch to node user
+RUN chown -R node:node /app
+USER node
 
 # Define the entrypoint and default command
 # If you have a custom entrypoint script