diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 4d234e8..e6733c2 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -68,12 +68,12 @@ test-all: test test-integration
 
 # Build and start containers
 build:
-	podman compose up --build -d
+	podman compose up --build --force-recreate -d
 
 # Force rebuild without cache (slow, use if needed)
 build-force:
 	podman compose build --no-cache
-	podman compose up -d
+	podman compose up --force-recreate -d
 
 # Stop and remove containers
 clean:
@@ -93,8 +93,8 @@ down:
 # Rebuild app container only (fast, for development)
 rebuild-app:
 	@echo "Rebuilding app container only (database stays running)..."
-	podman compose up --build -d app
-	@echo "✓ App container rebuilt"
+	podman compose up --build --force-recreate -d app
+	@echo "✓ App container rebuilt and restarted"
 
 # Restart app container (preserves database)
 restart:
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ logs:
 # Start containers with test mode enabled for manual testing
 test-env-up:
 	@echo "Starting containers with test mode enabled..."
-	TEST_MODE=true RATE_LIMIT_ENABLED=false REQUESTS_PER_MINUTE=1000 podman compose up --build -d
+	TEST_MODE=true RATE_LIMIT_ENABLED=false REQUESTS_PER_MINUTE=1000 podman compose up --build --force-recreate -d
 	@echo "Waiting for services to be ready..."
 	@until podman exec bookhoard_db pg_isready -U postgres > /dev/null 2>&1; do sleep 1; done
 	@until podman exec bookhoard curl -sf http://localhost:8765/health > /dev/null 2>&1; do sleep 1; done