fixing bugs with ci pipeline

.gitlab-ci.yml

@@ -44,16 +44,16 @@ deploy:
     - main
   variables:
     CI: "true"        # Mark this as a CI run
-    ENVIRONMENT: dev  # Use dev environment settings
-    PORT: 8081        # Set the port for the application
+    ENVIRONMENT: test  # Use test environment settings
+    PORT: 8081
   script:
-    - echo "Setting up dependencies..."
+    - echo "Setting up Python dependencies..."
     - source $VIRTUAL_ENV/bin/activate
     - pip install -r requirements.txt
-    - echo "Verifying SSL files..."
-    - echo "Running the application with dev SSL certificates on port $PORT..."
+    - echo "Starting the application to test startup with SSL..."
     - cd backend
-    - python3.8 -m main
+    - python3.8 -m main  # App will start, validate, and exit
+    - echo "Application startup validation completed successfully."
 
 release:
   stage: release