diff --git a/api/Dockerfile b/api/Dockerfile
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..433c0fcc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/api/Dockerfile
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+# Use a lightweight Python image
+FROM python:3.9-slim
+
+# Set the working directory
+WORKDIR /usr/src/app
+
+# Copy the requirements file and install dependencies
+COPY requirements.txt .
+RUN pip install --no-cache-dir -r requirements.txt
+
+# Copy the API code into the container
+COPY . .
+
+# Expose the API server port
+EXPOSE 8000
+
+# Set the environment variable for AWS keys (optional for .env)
+ENV ENV_FILE_PATH=.env
+
+# Start the API server
+CMD ["uvicorn", "main:app", "--host", "0.0.0.0", "--port", "8000"]