diff --git a/.cursor/rules/security-patterns.mdc b/.cursor/rules/security-patterns.mdc
index 104dbd71b..a7ab2ad69 100644
--- a/.cursor/rules/security-patterns.mdc
+++ b/.cursor/rules/security-patterns.mdc
@@ -227,6 +227,159 @@ public function __construct(
 - New authorization parameters are optional
 - Legacy @can/@else patterns still function but are discouraged
 
+### Custom Component Authorization Patterns
+
+When dealing with **custom Alpine.js components** or complex UI elements that don't use the standard `x-forms.*` components, manual authorization protection is required since the automatic `canGate` system only applies to enhanced form components.
+
+#### Common Custom Components Requiring Manual Protection
+
+**⚠️ Custom Components That Need Manual Authorization:**
+- Custom dropdowns/selects with Alpine.js
+- Complex form widgets with JavaScript interactions
+- Multi-step wizards or dynamic forms
+- Third-party component integrations
+- Custom date/time pickers
+- File upload components with drag-and-drop
+
+#### Manual Authorization Pattern
+
+**✅ Proper Manual Authorization:**
+```html
+<!-- Custom timezone dropdown example -->
+<div class="w-full">
+    <div class="flex items-center mb-1">
+        <label for="customComponent">Component Label</label>
+        <x-helper helper="Component description" />
+    </div>
+    @can('update', $resource)
+        <!-- Full interactive component for authorized users -->
+        <div x-data="{
+            open: false,
+            value: '{{ $currentValue }}',
+            options: @js($options),
+            init() { /* Alpine.js initialization */ }
+        }">
+            <input x-model="value" @focus="open = true" 
+                   wire:model="propertyName" class="w-full input">
+            <div x-show="open">
+                <!-- Interactive dropdown content -->
+                <template x-for="option in options" :key="option">
+                    <div @click="value = option; open = false; $wire.submit()"
+                         x-text="option"></div>
+                </template>
+            </div>
+        </div>
+    @else
+        <!-- Read-only version for unauthorized users -->
+        <div class="relative">
+            <input readonly disabled autocomplete="off"
+                   class="w-full input opacity-50 cursor-not-allowed" 
+                   value="{{ $currentValue ?: 'No value set' }}">
+            <svg class="absolute right-0 mr-2 w-4 h-4 opacity-50">
+                <!-- Disabled icon -->
+            </svg>
+        </div>
+    @endcan
+</div>
+```
+
+#### Implementation Checklist
+
+When implementing authorization for custom components:
+
+**🔍 1. Identify Custom Components:**
+- Look for Alpine.js `x-data` declarations
+- Find components not using `x-forms.*` prefix
+- Check for JavaScript-heavy interactions
+- Review complex form widgets
+
+**🛡️ 2. Wrap with Authorization:**
+- Use `@can('gate', $resource)` / `@else` / `@endcan` structure
+- Provide full functionality in the `@can` block
+- Create disabled/readonly version in the `@else` block
+
+**🎨 3. Design Disabled State:**
+- Apply `readonly disabled` attributes to inputs
+- Add `opacity-50 cursor-not-allowed` classes for visual feedback
+- Remove interactive JavaScript behaviors
+- Show current value or appropriate placeholder
+
+**🔒 4. Backend Protection:**
+- Ensure corresponding Livewire methods check authorization
+- Add `$this->authorize('gate', $resource)` in relevant methods
+- Validate permissions before processing any changes
+
+#### Real-World Examples
+
+**Custom Date Range Picker:**
+```html
+@can('update', $application)
+    <div x-data="dateRangePicker()" class="date-picker">
+        <!-- Interactive date picker with calendar -->
+    </div>
+@else
+    <div class="flex gap-2">
+        <input readonly disabled value="{{ $startDate }}" class="input opacity-50">
+        <input readonly disabled value="{{ $endDate }}" class="input opacity-50">
+    </div>
+@endcan
+```
+
+**Multi-Select Component:**
+```html
+@can('update', $server)
+    <div x-data="multiSelect({ options: @js($options) })">
+        <!-- Interactive multi-select with checkboxes -->
+    </div>
+@else
+    <div class="space-y-2">
+        @foreach($selectedValues as $value)
+            <div class="px-3 py-1 bg-gray-100 rounded text-sm opacity-50">
+                {{ $value }}
+            </div>
+        @endforeach
+    </div>
+@endcan
+```
+
+**File Upload Widget:**
+```html
+@can('update', $application)
+    <div x-data="fileUploader()" @drop.prevent="handleDrop">
+        <!-- Drag-and-drop file upload interface -->
+    </div>
+@else
+    <div class="border-2 border-dashed border-gray-300 rounded-lg p-6 text-center opacity-50">
+        <p class="text-gray-500">File upload restricted</p>
+        @if($currentFile)
+            <p class="text-sm">Current: {{ $currentFile }}</p>
+        @endif
+    </div>
+@endcan
+```
+
+#### Key Principles
+
+**🎯 Consistency:**
+- Maintain similar visual styling between enabled/disabled states
+- Use consistent disabled patterns across the application
+- Apply the same opacity and cursor styling
+
+**🔐 Security First:**
+- Always implement backend authorization checks
+- Never rely solely on frontend hiding/disabling
+- Validate permissions on every server action
+
+**💡 User Experience:**
+- Show current values in disabled state when appropriate
+- Provide clear visual feedback about restricted access
+- Maintain layout stability between states
+
+**🚀 Performance:**
+- Minimize Alpine.js initialization for disabled components
+- Avoid loading unnecessary JavaScript for unauthorized users
+- Use simple HTML structures for read-only states
+
 ### Team-Based Multi-Tenancy
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 - **[TeamInvitation.php](mdc:app/Models/TeamInvitation.php)** - Secure team collaboration