diff --git a/local_backend/seed.py b/local_backend/seed.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..406b6e9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local_backend/seed.py
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+"""
+Run once to bootstrap the database with initial data.
+Usage: python seed.py
+"""
+import bcrypt
+from database import engine, Base, SessionLocal
+import models.user
+import models.table
+import models.printer
+import models.product
+import models.order
+
+Base.metadata.create_all(bind=engine)
+
+db = SessionLocal()
+
+try:
+    from models.user import User
+    from models.printer import Printer
+
+    # ── Manager account ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+    if not db.query(User).filter(User.username == "manager").first():
+        db.add(User(
+            username="manager",
+            pin_hash=bcrypt.hashpw(b"1234", bcrypt.gensalt()).decode(),
+            role="manager",
+        ))
+        print("Created manager account  (PIN: 1234)")
+    else:
+        print("Manager account already exists — skipping")
+
+    # ── Printers ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+    if not db.query(Printer).filter(Printer.name == "Kitchen").first():
+        db.add(Printer(name="Kitchen", ip_address="10.98.20.25", port=9100))
+        print("Created Kitchen printer")
+
+    if not db.query(Printer).filter(Printer.name == "Bar").first():
+        db.add(Printer(name="Bar", ip_address="10.98.20.25", port=9100))
+        print("Created Bar printer  (update IP when you have a second printer)")
+
+    db.commit()
+    print("\nDone. Change the manager PIN after first login.")
+
+finally:
+    db.close()