diff --git a/packages/auth/src/db/index.js b/packages/auth/src/db/index.js
index 9ae48e68b1..f94fe4afea 100644
--- a/packages/auth/src/db/index.js
+++ b/packages/auth/src/db/index.js
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
+let Pouch
+
 module.exports.setDB = pouch => {
-  module.exports.CouchDB = pouch
+  Pouch = pouch
 }
 
-module.exports.CouchDB = null
+module.exports.getDB = dbName => {
+  return new Pouch(dbName)
+}
diff --git a/packages/auth/src/db/utils.js b/packages/auth/src/db/utils.js
index 89aedb60bf..2e2c3f1aed 100644
--- a/packages/auth/src/db/utils.js
+++ b/packages/auth/src/db/utils.js
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 const { newid } = require("../hashing")
 
+exports.ViewNames = {
+  USER_BY_EMAIL: "by_email",
+}
+
 exports.StaticDatabases = {
   GLOBAL: {
     name: "global-db",
@@ -19,19 +23,6 @@ const SEPARATOR = "_"
 
 exports.SEPARATOR = SEPARATOR
 
-/**
- * Generates a new user ID based on the passed in email.
- * @param {string} email The email which the ID is going to be built up of.
- * @returns {string} The new user ID which the user doc can be stored under.
- */
-exports.generateUserID = email => {
-  return `${DocumentTypes.USER}${SEPARATOR}${email}`
-}
-
-exports.getEmailFromUserID = userId => {
-  return userId.split(`${DocumentTypes.USER}${SEPARATOR}`)[1]
-}
-
 /**
  * Generates a new group ID.
  * @returns {string} The new group ID which the group doc can be stored under.
@@ -51,16 +42,24 @@ exports.getGroupParams = (id = "", otherProps = {}) => {
   }
 }
 
+/**
+ * Generates a new global user ID.
+ * @returns {string} The new user ID which the user doc can be stored under.
+ */
+exports.generateGlobalUserID = () => {
+  return `${DocumentTypes.USER}${SEPARATOR}${newid()}`
+}
+
 /**
  * Gets parameters for retrieving users.
  */
-exports.getUserParams = (email = "", otherProps = {}) => {
-  if (!email) {
-    email = ""
+exports.getGlobalUserParams = (globalId = "", otherProps = {}) => {
+  if (!globalId) {
+    globalId = ""
   }
   return {
     ...otherProps,
-    startkey: `${DocumentTypes.USER}${SEPARATOR}${email}`,
-    endkey: `${DocumentTypes.USER}${SEPARATOR}${email}${UNICODE_MAX}`,
+    startkey: `${DocumentTypes.USER}${SEPARATOR}${globalId}`,
+    endkey: `${DocumentTypes.USER}${SEPARATOR}${globalId}${UNICODE_MAX}`,
   }
 }
diff --git a/packages/auth/src/db/views.js b/packages/auth/src/db/views.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1f1f28b917
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/auth/src/db/views.js
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+const { DocumentTypes, ViewNames, StaticDatabases } = require("./utils")
+const { getDB } = require("./index")
+
+function DesignDoc() {
+  return {
+    _id: "_design/database",
+    // view collation information, read before writing any complex views:
+    // https://docs.couchdb.org/en/master/ddocs/views/collation.html#collation-specification
+    views: {},
+  }
+}
+
+exports.createUserEmailView = async () => {
+  const db = getDB(StaticDatabases.GLOBAL.name)
+  let designDoc
+  try {
+    designDoc = await db.get("_design/database")
+  } catch (err) {
+    // no design doc, make one
+    designDoc = DesignDoc()
+  }
+  const view = {
+    // if using variables in a map function need to inject them before use
+    map: `function(doc) {
+      if (doc._id.startsWith("${DocumentTypes.USER}")) {
+        emit(doc.email, doc._id)
+      }
+    }`,
+  }
+  designDoc.views = {
+    ...designDoc.views,
+    [ViewNames.USER_BY_EMAIL]: view,
+  }
+  await db.put(designDoc)
+}
diff --git a/packages/auth/src/index.js b/packages/auth/src/index.js
index 455181d538..fee83b65d8 100644
--- a/packages/auth/src/index.js
+++ b/packages/auth/src/index.js
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ const passport = require("koa-passport")
 const LocalStrategy = require("passport-local").Strategy
 const JwtStrategy = require("passport-jwt").Strategy
 // const GoogleStrategy = require("passport-google-oauth").Strategy
-const database = require("./db")
+const { setDB, getDB } = require("./db")
 const { StaticDatabases } = require("./db/utils")
 const { jwt, local, authenticated } = require("./middleware")
 const { Cookies, UserStatus } = require("./constants")
@@ -13,13 +13,13 @@ const {
   getCookie,
   clearCookie,
   isClient,
+  getGlobalUserByEmail,
 } = require("./utils")
 const {
-  generateUserID,
-  getUserParams,
+  generateGlobalUserID,
+  getGlobalUserParams,
   generateGroupID,
   getGroupParams,
-  getEmailFromUserID,
 } = require("./db/utils")
 
 // Strategies
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ passport.use(new JwtStrategy(jwt.options, jwt.authenticate))
 passport.serializeUser((user, done) => done(null, user))
 
 passport.deserializeUser(async (user, done) => {
-  const db = new database.CouchDB(StaticDatabases.GLOBAL.name)
+  const db = getDB(StaticDatabases.GLOBAL.name)
 
   try {
     const user = await db.get(user._id)
@@ -43,17 +43,16 @@ passport.deserializeUser(async (user, done) => {
 
 module.exports = {
   init(pouch) {
-    database.setDB(pouch)
+    setDB(pouch)
   },
   passport,
   Cookies,
   UserStatus,
   StaticDatabases,
-  generateUserID,
-  getUserParams,
+  generateGlobalUserID,
+  getGlobalUserParams,
   generateGroupID,
   getGroupParams,
-  getEmailFromUserID,
   hash,
   compare,
   getAppId,
@@ -62,4 +61,5 @@ module.exports = {
   clearCookie,
   authenticated,
   isClient,
+  getGlobalUserByEmail,
 }
diff --git a/packages/auth/src/middleware/authenticated.js b/packages/auth/src/middleware/authenticated.js
index af2c7d5575..8f69a49e17 100644
--- a/packages/auth/src/middleware/authenticated.js
+++ b/packages/auth/src/middleware/authenticated.js
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 const { Cookies } = require("../constants")
 const { getCookie } = require("../utils")
-const { getEmailFromUserID } = require("../db/utils")
 
 module.exports = async (ctx, next) => {
   try {
@@ -10,8 +9,6 @@ module.exports = async (ctx, next) => {
     if (authCookie) {
       ctx.isAuthenticated = true
       ctx.user = authCookie
-      // make sure email is correct from ID
-      ctx.user.email = getEmailFromUserID(authCookie.userId)
     }
 
     await next()
diff --git a/packages/auth/src/middleware/passport/local.js b/packages/auth/src/middleware/passport/local.js
index 6249050d05..1942d0c424 100644
--- a/packages/auth/src/middleware/passport/local.js
+++ b/packages/auth/src/middleware/passport/local.js
@@ -1,9 +1,8 @@
 const jwt = require("jsonwebtoken")
 const { UserStatus } = require("../../constants")
-const database = require("../../db")
-const { StaticDatabases, generateUserID } = require("../../db/utils")
 const { compare } = require("../../hashing")
 const env = require("../../environment")
+const { getGlobalUserByEmail } = require("../../utils")
 
 const INVALID_ERR = "Invalid Credentials"
 
@@ -11,23 +10,17 @@ exports.options = {}
 
 /**
  * Passport Local Authentication Middleware.
- * @param {*} username - username to login with
+ * @param {*} email - username to login with
  * @param {*} password - plain text password to log in with
  * @param {*} done - callback from passport to return user information and errors
  * @returns The authenticated user, or errors if they occur
  */
-exports.authenticate = async function(username, password, done) {
-  if (!username) return done(null, false, "Email Required.")
+exports.authenticate = async function(email, password, done) {
+  if (!email) return done(null, false, "Email Required.")
   if (!password) return done(null, false, "Password Required.")
 
-  // Check the user exists in the instance DB by email
-  const db = new database.CouchDB(StaticDatabases.GLOBAL.name)
-
-  let dbUser
-  try {
-    dbUser = await db.get(generateUserID(username))
-  } catch (err) {
-    console.error("User not found", err)
+  const dbUser = await getGlobalUserByEmail(email)
+  if (dbUser == null) {
     return done(null, false, { message: "User not found" })
   }
 
diff --git a/packages/auth/src/utils.js b/packages/auth/src/utils.js
index 5f0a135a45..b9514d059c 100644
--- a/packages/auth/src/utils.js
+++ b/packages/auth/src/utils.js
@@ -1,6 +1,13 @@
-const { DocumentTypes, SEPARATOR } = require("./db/utils")
+const {
+  DocumentTypes,
+  SEPARATOR,
+  ViewNames,
+  StaticDatabases,
+} = require("./db/utils")
 const jwt = require("jsonwebtoken")
 const { options } = require("./middleware/passport/jwt")
+const { createUserEmailView } = require("./db/views")
+const { getDB } = require("./db")
 
 const APP_PREFIX = DocumentTypes.APP + SEPARATOR
 
@@ -97,3 +104,24 @@ exports.clearCookie = (ctx, name) => {
 exports.isClient = ctx => {
   return ctx.headers["x-budibase-type"] === "client"
 }
+
+exports.getGlobalUserByEmail = async email => {
+  const db = getDB(StaticDatabases.GLOBAL.name)
+  try {
+    let users = (
+      await db.query(`database/${ViewNames.USER_BY_EMAIL}`, {
+        key: email,
+        include_docs: true,
+      })
+    ).rows
+    users = users.map(user => user.doc)
+    return users.length <= 1 ? users[0] : users
+  } catch (err) {
+    if (err != null && err.name === "not_found") {
+      await createUserEmailView()
+      return exports.getGlobalUserByEmail(email)
+    } else {
+      throw err
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/packages/builder/cypress/integration/createBinding.spec.js b/packages/builder/cypress/integration/createBinding.spec.js
index e35abc9dc3..b32584924d 100644
--- a/packages/builder/cypress/integration/createBinding.spec.js
+++ b/packages/builder/cypress/integration/createBinding.spec.js
@@ -6,12 +6,8 @@ context("Create Bindings", () => {
   })
 
   it("should add a current user binding", () => {
-    cy.addComponent("Elements", "Paragraph").then(componentId => {
+    cy.addComponent("Elements", "Paragraph").then(() => {
       addSettingBinding("text", "Current User._id")
-      cy.getComponent(componentId).should(
-        "have.text",
-        `ro_ta_users_test@test.com`
-      )
     })
   })
 
diff --git a/packages/builder/cypress/support/commands.js b/packages/builder/cypress/support/commands.js
index eb34921aff..edf5d394f6 100644
--- a/packages/builder/cypress/support/commands.js
+++ b/packages/builder/cypress/support/commands.js
@@ -1,28 +1,9 @@
 // ***********************************************
-// This example commands.js shows you how to
-// create various custom commands and overwrite
-// existing commands.
-//
 // For more comprehensive examples of custom
 // commands please read more here:
 // https://on.cypress.io/custom-commands
 // ***********************************************
 //
-//
-// -- This is a parent command --
-// Cypress.Commands.add("login", (email, password) => { ... })
-//
-//
-// -- This is a child command --
-// Cypress.Commands.add("drag", { prevSubject: 'element'}, (subject, options) => { ... })
-//
-//
-// -- This is a dual command --
-// Cypress.Commands.add("dismiss", { prevSubject: 'optional'}, (subject, options) => { ... })
-//
-//
-// -- This will overwrite an existing command --
-// Cypress.Commands.overwrite("visit", (originalFn, url, options) => { ... })
 
 Cypress.Commands.add("login", () => {
   cy.getCookie("budibase:auth").then(cookie => {
diff --git a/packages/builder/package.json b/packages/builder/package.json
index 6354a90ee9..c40baba71d 100644
--- a/packages/builder/package.json
+++ b/packages/builder/package.json
@@ -14,9 +14,10 @@
     "cy:setup": "node ./cypress/setup.js",
     "cy:run": "cypress run",
     "cy:open": "cypress open",
-    "cy:run:ci": "cypress run --browser electron --record --key f308590b-6070-41af-b970-794a3823d451",
+    "cy:run:ci": "cypress run --record --key f308590b-6070-41af-b970-794a3823d451",
     "cy:test": "start-server-and-test cy:setup http://localhost:10000/builder cy:run",
-    "cy:ci": "start-server-and-test cy:setup http://localhost:10000/builder cy:run:ci"
+    "cy:ci": "start-server-and-test cy:setup http://localhost:10000/builder cy:run:ci",
+    "cy:debug": "start-server-and-test cy:setup http://localhost:10000/builder cy:open"
   },
   "jest": {
     "globals": {
diff --git a/packages/builder/src/components/login/LoginForm.svelte b/packages/builder/src/components/login/LoginForm.svelte
index 7e32efb7c5..2222ebbdf7 100644
--- a/packages/builder/src/components/login/LoginForm.svelte
+++ b/packages/builder/src/components/login/LoginForm.svelte
@@ -21,14 +21,7 @@
 
   async function createTestUser() {
     try {
-      await auth.createUser({
-        email: "test@test.com",
-        password: "test",
-        roles: {},
-        builder: {
-          global: true,
-        },
-      })
+      await auth.firstUser()
       notifier.success("Test user created")
     } catch (err) {
       console.error(err)
diff --git a/packages/builder/src/components/start/CreateAppModal.svelte b/packages/builder/src/components/start/CreateAppModal.svelte
index fcd5379733..3739b86b76 100644
--- a/packages/builder/src/components/start/CreateAppModal.svelte
+++ b/packages/builder/src/components/start/CreateAppModal.svelte
@@ -151,8 +151,8 @@
       const user = {
         roleId: $createAppStore.values.roleId,
       }
-      const userResp = await api.post(`/api/users/metadata`, user)
-      const json = await userResp.json()
+      const userResp = await api.post(`/api/users/metadata/self`, user)
+      await userResp.json()
       $goto(`./${appJson._id}`)
     } catch (error) {
       console.error(error)
diff --git a/packages/builder/src/stores/backend/auth.js b/packages/builder/src/stores/backend/auth.js
index 0d59451417..29dd6dcdd0 100644
--- a/packages/builder/src/stores/backend/auth.js
+++ b/packages/builder/src/stores/backend/auth.js
@@ -30,11 +30,24 @@ export function createAuthStore() {
     },
     logout: async () => {
       const response = await api.post(`/api/admin/auth/logout`)
+      if (response.status !== 200) {
+        throw "Unable to create logout"
+      }
       await response.json()
       set({ user: null })
     },
     createUser: async user => {
       const response = await api.post(`/api/admin/users`, user)
+      if (response.status !== 200) {
+        throw "Unable to create user"
+      }
+      await response.json()
+    },
+    firstUser: async () => {
+      const response = await api.post(`/api/admin/users/first`)
+      if (response.status !== 200) {
+        throw "Unable to create test user"
+      }
       await response.json()
     },
   }
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/controllers/auth.js b/packages/server/src/api/controllers/auth.js
index 5cf87d5a57..2ac3d30e48 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/controllers/auth.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/controllers/auth.js
@@ -1,75 +1,8 @@
-const jwt = require("jsonwebtoken")
 const CouchDB = require("../../db")
-const bcrypt = require("../../utilities/bcrypt")
-const env = require("../../environment")
-const { getAPIKey } = require("../../utilities/usageQuota")
-const { generateUserMetadataID } = require("../../db/utils")
-const { setCookie } = require("../../utilities")
 const { outputProcessing } = require("../../utilities/rowProcessor")
 const { InternalTables } = require("../../db/utils")
-const { UserStatus } = require("@budibase/auth")
 const { getFullUser } = require("../../utilities/users")
 
-const INVALID_ERR = "Invalid Credentials"
-
-exports.authenticate = async ctx => {
-  const appId = ctx.appId
-  if (!appId) ctx.throw(400, "No appId")
-
-  const { email, password } = ctx.request.body
-
-  if (!email) ctx.throw(400, "Email Required.")
-  if (!password) ctx.throw(400, "Password Required.")
-
-  // Check the user exists in the instance DB by email
-  const db = new CouchDB(appId)
-  const app = await db.get(appId)
-
-  let dbUser
-  try {
-    dbUser = await db.get(generateUserMetadataID(email))
-  } catch (_) {
-    // do not want to throw a 404 - as this could be
-    // used to determine valid emails
-    ctx.throw(401, INVALID_ERR)
-  }
-
-  // check that the user is currently inactive, if this is the case throw invalid
-  if (dbUser.status === UserStatus.INACTIVE) {
-    ctx.throw(401, INVALID_ERR)
-  }
-
-  // authenticate
-  if (await bcrypt.compare(password, dbUser.password)) {
-    const payload = {
-      userId: dbUser._id,
-      roleId: dbUser.roleId,
-      version: app.version,
-    }
-    // if in prod add the user api key, unless self hosted
-    /* istanbul ignore next */
-    if (env.isProd() && !env.SELF_HOSTED) {
-      const { apiKey } = await getAPIKey(ctx.appId)
-      payload.apiKey = apiKey
-    }
-
-    const token = jwt.sign(payload, ctx.config.jwtSecret, {
-      expiresIn: "1 day",
-    })
-
-    setCookie(ctx, token, appId)
-
-    delete dbUser.password
-    ctx.body = {
-      token,
-      ...dbUser,
-      appId,
-    }
-  } else {
-    ctx.throw(401, INVALID_ERR)
-  }
-}
-
 exports.fetchSelf = async ctx => {
   if (!ctx.user) {
     ctx.throw(403, "No user logged in")
@@ -82,7 +15,7 @@ exports.fetchSelf = async ctx => {
     return
   }
 
-  const user = await getFullUser({ ctx, userId: userId })
+  const user = await getFullUser(ctx, userId)
 
   if (appId) {
     const db = new CouchDB(appId)
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/controllers/dev.js b/packages/server/src/api/controllers/dev.js
index b08f730c48..003f82faa8 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/controllers/dev.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/controllers/dev.js
@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ const { checkSlashesInUrl } = require("../../utilities")
 const { request } = require("../../utilities/workerRequests")
 
 async function redirect(ctx, method) {
-  const { path } = ctx.params
+  const { devPath } = ctx.params
   const response = await fetch(
-    checkSlashesInUrl(`${env.WORKER_URL}/api/admin/${path}`),
+    checkSlashesInUrl(`${env.WORKER_URL}/api/admin/${devPath}`),
     request(ctx, {
       method,
       body: ctx.request.body,
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/controllers/row.js b/packages/server/src/api/controllers/row.js
index 2987cbeace..48766129b2 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/controllers/row.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/controllers/row.js
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ const {
   DocumentTypes,
   SEPARATOR,
   InternalTables,
-  generateUserMetadataID,
 } = require("../../db/utils")
 const userController = require("./user")
 const {
@@ -42,7 +41,7 @@ async function findRow(ctx, db, tableId, rowId) {
   // TODO remove special user case in future
   if (tableId === InternalTables.USER_METADATA) {
     ctx.params = {
-      userId: rowId,
+      id: rowId,
     }
     await userController.findMetadata(ctx)
     row = ctx.body
@@ -140,12 +139,7 @@ exports.save = async function(ctx) {
   }
 
   if (!inputs._rev && !inputs._id) {
-    // TODO remove special user case in future
-    if (inputs.tableId === InternalTables.USER_METADATA) {
-      inputs._id = generateUserMetadataID(inputs.email)
-    } else {
-      inputs._id = generateRowID(inputs.tableId)
-    }
+    inputs._id = generateRowID(inputs.tableId)
   }
 
   // this returns the table and row incase they have been updated
@@ -342,7 +336,7 @@ exports.destroy = async function(ctx) {
   // TODO remove special user case in future
   if (ctx.params.tableId === InternalTables.USER_METADATA) {
     ctx.params = {
-      userId: ctx.params.rowId,
+      id: ctx.params.rowId,
     }
     await userController.destroyMetadata(ctx)
   } else {
@@ -449,7 +443,7 @@ async function bulkDelete(ctx) {
     updates = updates.concat(
       rows.map(row => {
         ctx.params = {
-          userId: row._id,
+          id: row._id,
         }
         return userController.destroyMetadata(ctx)
       })
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/controllers/user.js b/packages/server/src/api/controllers/user.js
index 28576194c0..4b6c65736a 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/controllers/user.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/controllers/user.js
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ const CouchDB = require("../../db")
 const {
   generateUserMetadataID,
   getUserMetadataParams,
-  getEmailFromUserMetadataID,
+  getGlobalIDFromUserMetadataID,
 } = require("../../db/utils")
 const { InternalTables } = require("../../db/utils")
 const { getRole } = require("../../utilities/security/roles")
@@ -25,15 +25,14 @@ exports.fetchMetadata = async function(ctx) {
   ).rows.map(row => row.doc)
   const users = []
   for (let user of global) {
-    const info = metadata.find(meta => meta._id.includes(user.email))
+    // find the metadata that matches up to the global ID
+    const info = metadata.find(meta => meta._id.includes(user._id))
     // remove these props, not for the correct DB
-    delete user._id
-    delete user._rev
     users.push({
       ...user,
       ...info,
       // make sure the ID is always a local ID, not a global one
-      _id: generateUserMetadataID(user.email),
+      _id: generateUserMetadataID(user._id),
     })
   }
   ctx.body = users
@@ -43,17 +42,20 @@ exports.createMetadata = async function(ctx) {
   const appId = ctx.appId
   const db = new CouchDB(appId)
   const { roleId } = ctx.request.body
-  const email = ctx.request.body.email || ctx.user.email
+
+  if (ctx.request.body._id) {
+    return exports.updateMetadata(ctx)
+  }
 
   // check role valid
   const role = await getRole(appId, roleId)
   if (!role) ctx.throw(400, "Invalid Role")
 
-  const metadata = await saveGlobalUser(ctx, appId, email, ctx.request.body)
+  const globalUser = await saveGlobalUser(ctx, appId, ctx.request.body)
 
   const user = {
-    ...metadata,
-    _id: generateUserMetadataID(email),
+    ...globalUser,
+    _id: generateUserMetadataID(globalUser._id),
     type: "user",
     tableId: InternalTables.USER_METADATA,
   }
@@ -64,47 +66,48 @@ exports.createMetadata = async function(ctx) {
   ctx.body = {
     _id: response.id,
     _rev: response.rev,
-    email,
+    email: ctx.request.body.email,
   }
 }
 
+exports.updateSelfMetadata = async function(ctx) {
+  // overwrite the ID with current users
+  ctx.request.body._id = ctx.user.userId
+  // make sure no stale rev
+  delete ctx.request.body._rev
+  await exports.updateMetadata(ctx)
+}
+
 exports.updateMetadata = async function(ctx) {
   const appId = ctx.appId
   const db = new CouchDB(appId)
   const user = ctx.request.body
-  let email = user.email || getEmailFromUserMetadataID(user._id)
-  const metadata = await saveGlobalUser(ctx, appId, email, ctx.request.body)
-  if (!metadata._id) {
-    metadata._id = generateUserMetadataID(email)
-  }
-  if (!metadata._rev) {
-    metadata._rev = ctx.request.body._rev
-  }
-  ctx.body = await db.put({
-    ...metadata,
+  const globalUser = await saveGlobalUser(ctx, appId, {
+    ...user,
+    _id: getGlobalIDFromUserMetadataID(user._id),
   })
+  const metadata = {
+    ...globalUser,
+    _id: user._id || generateUserMetadataID(globalUser._id),
+    _rev: user._rev,
+  }
+  ctx.body = await db.put(metadata)
 }
 
 exports.destroyMetadata = async function(ctx) {
   const db = new CouchDB(ctx.appId)
-  const email =
-    ctx.params.email || getEmailFromUserMetadataID(ctx.params.userId)
-  await deleteGlobalUser(ctx, email)
+  await deleteGlobalUser(ctx, getGlobalIDFromUserMetadataID(ctx.params.id))
   try {
-    const dbUser = await db.get(generateUserMetadataID(email))
+    const dbUser = await db.get(ctx.params.id)
     await db.remove(dbUser._id, dbUser._rev)
   } catch (err) {
     // error just means the global user has no config in this app
   }
   ctx.body = {
-    message: `User ${ctx.params.email} deleted.`,
+    message: `User ${ctx.params.id} deleted.`,
   }
 }
 
 exports.findMetadata = async function(ctx) {
-  ctx.body = await getFullUser({
-    ctx,
-    email: ctx.params.email,
-    userId: ctx.params.userId,
-  })
+  ctx.body = await getFullUser(ctx, ctx.params.id)
 }
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/routes/dev.js b/packages/server/src/api/routes/dev.js
index 977cc189f3..341d48c7b5 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/routes/dev.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/routes/dev.js
@@ -5,9 +5,10 @@ const env = require("../../environment")
 const router = Router()
 
 if (env.isDev() || env.isTest()) {
-  router.get("/api/admin/:path", controller.redirectGet)
-  router.post("/api/admin/:path", controller.redirectPost)
-  router.delete("/api/admin/:path", controller.redirectDelete)
+  router
+    .get("/api/admin/:devPath(.*)", controller.redirectGet)
+    .post("/api/admin/:devPath(.*)", controller.redirectPost)
+    .delete("/api/admin/:devPath(.*)", controller.redirectDelete)
 }
 
 module.exports = router
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/auth.spec.js b/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/auth.spec.js
index ec38003c1d..fa307bf96f 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/auth.spec.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/auth.spec.js
@@ -1,13 +1,18 @@
 const setup = require("./utilities")
+const { generateUserMetadataID } = require("../../../db/utils")
 
 require("../../../utilities/workerRequests")
 jest.mock("../../../utilities/workerRequests", () => ({
   getGlobalUsers: jest.fn(() => {
     return {
-      email: "test@test.com",
+      _id: "us_uuid1",
+    }
+  }),
+  saveGlobalUser: jest.fn(() => {
+    return {
+      _id: "us_uuid1",
     }
   }),
-  saveGlobalUser: jest.fn(),
 }))
 
 describe("/authenticate", () => {
@@ -22,14 +27,14 @@ describe("/authenticate", () => {
 
   describe("fetch self", () => {
     it("should be able to fetch self", async () => {
-      await config.createUser("test@test.com", "p4ssw0rd")
-      const headers = await config.login("test@test.com", "p4ssw0rd")
+      const user = await config.createUser("test@test.com", "p4ssw0rd")
+      const headers = await config.login("test@test.com", "p4ssw0rd", { userId: "us_uuid1" })
       const res = await request
         .get(`/api/self`)
         .set(headers)
         .expect("Content-Type", /json/)
         .expect(200)
-      expect(res.body.email).toEqual("test@test.com")
+      expect(res.body._id).toEqual(generateUserMetadataID("us_uuid1"))
     })
   })
 })
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/routing.spec.js b/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/routing.spec.js
index 79b28e82dd..5fe0e26f15 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/routing.spec.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/routing.spec.js
@@ -4,11 +4,6 @@ const { checkBuilderEndpoint } = require("./utilities/TestFunctions")
 const { BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS } = require("../../../utilities/security/roles")
 const workerRequests = require("../../../utilities/workerRequests")
 
-jest.mock("../../../utilities/workerRequests", () => ({
-  getGlobalUsers: jest.fn(),
-  saveGlobalUser: jest.fn(),
-}))
-
 const route = "/test"
 
 describe("/routing", () => {
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/user.spec.js b/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/user.spec.js
index 3c4d6a09e6..e80672284d 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/user.spec.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/user.spec.js
@@ -7,7 +7,10 @@ const workerRequests = require("../../../utilities/workerRequests")
 jest.mock("../../../utilities/workerRequests", () => ({
   getGlobalUsers: jest.fn(),
   saveGlobalUser: jest.fn(() => {
-    return {}
+    const uuid = require("uuid/v4")
+    return {
+      _id: `us_${uuid()}`
+    }
   }),
   deleteGlobalUser: jest.fn(),
 }))
@@ -26,10 +29,10 @@ describe("/users", () => {
     beforeEach(() => {
       workerRequests.getGlobalUsers.mockImplementationOnce(() => ([
           {
-            email: "brenda@brenda.com"
+            _id: "us_uuid1",
           },
           {
-            email: "pam@pam.com"
+            _id: "us_uuid2",
           }
         ]
       ))
@@ -45,8 +48,8 @@ describe("/users", () => {
         .expect(200)
 
       expect(res.body.length).toBe(2)
-      expect(res.body.find(u => u.email === "brenda@brenda.com")).toBeDefined()
-      expect(res.body.find(u => u.email === "pam@pam.com")).toBeDefined()
+      expect(res.body.find(u => u._id === `ro_ta_users_us_uuid1`)).toBeDefined()
+      expect(res.body.find(u => u._id === `ro_ta_users_us_uuid2`)).toBeDefined()
     })
 
     it("should apply authorization to endpoint", async () => {
@@ -66,10 +69,10 @@ describe("/users", () => {
     beforeEach(() => {
       workerRequests.getGlobalUsers.mockImplementationOnce(() => ([
           {
-            email: "bill@budibase.com"
+            _id: "us_uuid1",
           },
           {
-            email: "brandNewUser@user.com"
+            _id: "us_uuid2",
           }
         ]
       ))
@@ -86,7 +89,6 @@ describe("/users", () => {
 
     it("returns a success message when a user is successfully created", async () => {
       const body = basicUser(BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS.POWER)
-      body.email = "bill@budibase.com"
       const res = await create(body)
 
       expect(res.res.statusMessage).toEqual("OK")
@@ -95,7 +97,6 @@ describe("/users", () => {
 
     it("should apply authorization to endpoint", async () => {
       const body = basicUser(BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS.POWER)
-      body.email = "brandNewUser@user.com"
       await checkPermissionsEndpoint({
         config,
         method: "POST",
@@ -110,13 +111,6 @@ describe("/users", () => {
       const user = basicUser(null)
       await create(user, 400)
     })
-
-    it("should throw error if user exists already", async () => {
-      await config.createUser("test@test.com")
-      const user = basicUser(BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS.POWER)
-      user.email = "test@test.com"
-      await create(user, 409)
-    })
   })
 
   describe("update", () => {
@@ -141,10 +135,9 @@ describe("/users", () => {
 
   describe("destroy", () => {
     it("should be able to delete the user", async () => {
-      const email = "test@test.com"
-      await config.createUser(email)
+      const user = await config.createUser()
       const res = await request
-        .delete(`/api/users/metadata/${email}`)
+        .delete(`/api/users/metadata/${user._id}`)
         .set(config.defaultHeaders())
         .expect(200)
         .expect("Content-Type", /json/)
@@ -156,21 +149,23 @@ describe("/users", () => {
   describe("find", () => {
     beforeEach(() => {
       jest.resetAllMocks()
+      workerRequests.saveGlobalUser.mockImplementationOnce(() => ({
+        _id: "us_uuid1",
+      }))
       workerRequests.getGlobalUsers.mockImplementationOnce(() => ({
-        email: "test@test.com",
+        _id: "us_uuid1",
         roleId: BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS.POWER,
       }))
     })
 
     it("should be able to find the user", async () => {
-      const email = "test@test.com"
-      await config.createUser(email)
+      const user = await config.createUser()
       const res = await request
-        .get(`/api/users/metadata/${email}`)
+        .get(`/api/users/metadata/${user._id}`)
         .set(config.defaultHeaders())
         .expect(200)
         .expect("Content-Type", /json/)
-      expect(res.body.email).toEqual(email)
+      expect(res.body._id).toEqual(user._id)
       expect(res.body.roleId).toEqual(BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS.POWER)
       expect(res.body.tableId).toBeDefined()
     })
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/utilities/TestFunctions.js b/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/utilities/TestFunctions.js
index 0bcb4512a7..9ee68c283f 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/utilities/TestFunctions.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/utilities/TestFunctions.js
@@ -63,11 +63,9 @@ exports.checkPermissionsEndpoint = async ({
 }) => {
   const password = "PASSWORD"
   await config.createUser("passUser@budibase.com", password, passRole)
-  const passHeader = await config.login(
-    "passUser@budibase.com",
-    password,
-    passRole
-  )
+  const passHeader = await config.login("passUser@budibase.com", password, {
+    roleId: passRole,
+  })
 
   await exports
     .createRequest(config.request, method, url, body)
@@ -75,11 +73,9 @@ exports.checkPermissionsEndpoint = async ({
     .expect(200)
 
   await config.createUser("failUser@budibase.com", password, failRole)
-  const failHeader = await config.login(
-    "failUser@budibase.com",
-    password,
-    failRole
-  )
+  const failHeader = await config.login("failUser@budibase.com", password, {
+    roleId: failRole,
+  })
 
   await exports
     .createRequest(config.request, method, url, body)
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/utilities/index.js b/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/utilities/index.js
index 3bd3886a31..e9361aa67d 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/utilities/index.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/utilities/index.js
@@ -2,6 +2,15 @@ const TestConfig = require("../../../../tests/utilities/TestConfiguration")
 const structures = require("../../../../tests/utilities/structures")
 const env = require("../../../../environment")
 
+jest.mock("../../../../utilities/workerRequests", () => ({
+  getGlobalUsers: jest.fn(),
+  saveGlobalUser: jest.fn(() => {
+    return {
+      _id: "us_uuid1",
+    }
+  }),
+}))
+
 exports.delay = ms => new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, ms))
 
 let request, config
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/routes/user.js b/packages/server/src/api/routes/user.js
index b0450b72cc..a9e4aac5a2 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/routes/user.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/routes/user.js
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ router
     controller.fetchMetadata
   )
   .get(
-    "/api/users/metadata/:email",
+    "/api/users/metadata/:id",
     authorized(PermissionTypes.USER, PermissionLevels.READ),
     controller.findMetadata
   )
@@ -31,8 +31,14 @@ router
     usage,
     controller.createMetadata
   )
+  .post(
+    "/api/users/metadata/self",
+    authorized(PermissionTypes.USER, PermissionLevels.WRITE),
+    usage,
+    controller.updateSelfMetadata
+  )
   .delete(
-    "/api/users/metadata/:email",
+    "/api/users/metadata/:id",
     authorized(PermissionTypes.USER, PermissionLevels.WRITE),
     usage,
     controller.destroyMetadata
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/tests/createUser.spec.js b/packages/server/src/automations/tests/createUser.spec.js
index f085d52712..7291b75505 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/tests/createUser.spec.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/tests/createUser.spec.js
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ describe("test the create user action", () => {
     expect(res.id).toBeDefined()
     expect(res.revision).toBeDefined()
     const userDoc = await config.getRow(InternalTables.USER_METADATA, res.id)
+    expect(userDoc).toBeDefined()
   })
 
   it("should return an error if no inputs provided", async () => {
diff --git a/packages/server/src/constants/index.js b/packages/server/src/constants/index.js
index 940c1100dd..5b4291998e 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/constants/index.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/constants/index.js
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ exports.USERS_TABLE_SCHEMA = {
   type: "table",
   views: {},
   name: "Users",
+  // TODO: ADMIN PANEL - when implemented this doesn't need to be carried out
   schema: {
     email: {
       type: exports.FieldTypes.STRING,
diff --git a/packages/server/src/db/utils.js b/packages/server/src/db/utils.js
index 5cd9e1b31f..e6bcfada5b 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/db/utils.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/db/utils.js
@@ -127,23 +127,23 @@ exports.generateRowID = (tableId, id = null) => {
 /**
  * Gets parameters for retrieving users, this is a utility function for the getDocParams function.
  */
-exports.getUserMetadataParams = (email = "", otherProps = {}) => {
-  return exports.getRowParams(InternalTables.USER_METADATA, email, otherProps)
+exports.getUserMetadataParams = (userId = null, otherProps = {}) => {
+  return exports.getRowParams(InternalTables.USER_METADATA, userId, otherProps)
 }
 
 /**
- * Generates a new user ID based on the passed in email.
- * @param {string} email The email which the ID is going to be built up of.
+ * Generates a new user ID based on the passed in global ID.
+ * @param {string} globalId The ID of the global user.
  * @returns {string} The new user ID which the user doc can be stored under.
  */
-exports.generateUserMetadataID = email => {
-  return exports.generateRowID(InternalTables.USER_METADATA, email)
+exports.generateUserMetadataID = globalId => {
+  return exports.generateRowID(InternalTables.USER_METADATA, globalId)
 }
 
 /**
- * Breaks up the ID to get the email address back out of it.
+ * Breaks up the ID to get the global ID.
  */
-exports.getEmailFromUserMetadataID = id => {
+exports.getGlobalIDFromUserMetadataID = id => {
   return id.split(
     `${DocumentTypes.ROW}${SEPARATOR}${InternalTables.USER_METADATA}${SEPARATOR}`
   )[1]
diff --git a/packages/server/src/middleware/currentapp.js b/packages/server/src/middleware/currentapp.js
index 6616888c57..0d75e808ad 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/middleware/currentapp.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/middleware/currentapp.js
@@ -1,8 +1,11 @@
 const { getAppId, setCookie, getCookie, Cookies } = require("@budibase/auth")
 const { getRole } = require("../utilities/security/roles")
-const { generateUserMetadataID } = require("../db/utils")
 const { getGlobalUsers } = require("../utilities/workerRequests")
 const { BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS } = require("../utilities/security/roles")
+const {
+  getGlobalIDFromUserMetadataID,
+  generateUserMetadataID,
+} = require("../db/utils")
 
 module.exports = async (ctx, next) => {
   // try to get the appID from the request
@@ -27,7 +30,8 @@ module.exports = async (ctx, next) => {
       appCookie.roleId === BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS.PUBLIC)
   ) {
     // Different App ID means cookie needs reset, or if the same public user has logged in
-    const globalUser = await getGlobalUsers(ctx, requestAppId, ctx.user.email)
+    const globalId = getGlobalIDFromUserMetadataID(ctx.user.userId)
+    const globalUser = await getGlobalUsers(ctx, requestAppId, globalId)
     updateCookie = true
     appId = requestAppId
     if (globalUser.roles && globalUser.roles[requestAppId]) {
@@ -37,22 +41,24 @@ module.exports = async (ctx, next) => {
     appId = appCookie.appId
     roleId = appCookie.roleId || BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS.PUBLIC
   }
-  if (appId) {
-    ctx.appId = appId
-    if (roleId) {
-      const userId = ctx.user
-        ? generateUserMetadataID(ctx.user.email)
-        : undefined
-      ctx.roleId = roleId
-      ctx.user = {
-        ...ctx.user,
-        _id: userId,
-        userId,
-        role: await getRole(appId, roleId),
-      }
+  // nothing more to do
+  if (!appId) {
+    return next()
+  }
+
+  ctx.appId = appId
+  if (roleId) {
+    ctx.roleId = roleId
+    const userId = ctx.user ? generateUserMetadataID(ctx.user.userId) : null
+    ctx.user = {
+      ...ctx.user,
+      // override userID with metadata one
+      _id: userId,
+      userId,
+      role: await getRole(appId, roleId),
     }
   }
-  if (updateCookie && appId) {
+  if (updateCookie) {
     setCookie(ctx, { appId, roleId }, Cookies.CurrentApp)
   }
   return next()
diff --git a/packages/server/src/middleware/tests/currentapp.spec.js b/packages/server/src/middleware/tests/currentapp.spec.js
index 44c1c6b7ad..3ed17bb521 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/middleware/tests/currentapp.spec.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/middleware/tests/currentapp.spec.js
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ function mockWorker() {
   jest.mock("../../utilities/workerRequests", () => ({
     getGlobalUsers: () => {
       return {
-        email: "test@test.com",
+        email: "us_uuid1",
         roles: {
           "app_test": "BASIC",
         }
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ class TestConfiguration {
 
   setUser() {
     this.ctx.user = {
-      email: "test@test.com",
+      userId: "ro_ta_user_us_uuid1",
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/packages/server/src/tests/utilities/TestConfiguration.js b/packages/server/src/tests/utilities/TestConfiguration.js
index 42ff603139..0f036647bf 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/tests/utilities/TestConfiguration.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/tests/utilities/TestConfiguration.js
@@ -70,8 +70,7 @@ class TestConfiguration {
 
   defaultHeaders() {
     const user = {
-      userId: "us_test@test.com",
-      email: "test@test.com",
+      userId: "ro_ta_user_us_uuid1",
       builder: {
         global: true,
       },
@@ -106,12 +105,13 @@ class TestConfiguration {
   }
 
   async roleHeaders(email = EMAIL, roleId = BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS.ADMIN) {
+    let user
     try {
-      await this.createUser(email, PASSWORD, roleId)
+      user = await this.createUser(email, PASSWORD, roleId)
     } catch (err) {
       // allow errors here
     }
-    return this.login(email, PASSWORD, roleId)
+    return this.login(email, PASSWORD, { roleId, userId: user._id })
   }
 
   async createApp(appName) {
@@ -293,33 +293,19 @@ class TestConfiguration {
     )
   }
 
-  async makeUserInactive(email) {
-    const user = await this._req(
-      null,
-      {
-        email,
-      },
-      controllers.user.findMetadata
-    )
-    return this._req(
-      {
-        ...user,
-        status: "inactive",
-      },
-      null,
-      controllers.user.updateMetadata
-    )
-  }
-
-  async login(email, password, roleId = BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS.BUILDER) {
+  async login(email, password, { roleId, userId } = {}) {
+    if (!roleId) {
+      roleId = BUILTIN_ROLE_IDS.BUILDER
+    }
     if (!this.request) {
       throw "Server has not been opened, cannot login."
     }
     if (!email || !password) {
       await this.createUser()
     }
+    // have to fake this
     const user = {
-      userId: `us_${email || EMAIL}`,
+      userId: userId || `us_uuid1`,
       email: email || EMAIL,
     }
     const app = {
diff --git a/packages/server/src/utilities/users.js b/packages/server/src/utilities/users.js
index 319a0cfa41..4c637c1865 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/utilities/users.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/utilities/users.js
@@ -1,20 +1,18 @@
 const CouchDB = require("../db")
-const {
-  generateUserMetadataID,
-  getEmailFromUserMetadataID,
-} = require("../db/utils")
+const { getGlobalIDFromUserMetadataID } = require("../db/utils")
 const { getGlobalUsers } = require("../utilities/workerRequests")
 
-exports.getFullUser = async ({ ctx, email, userId }) => {
-  if (!email) {
-    email = getEmailFromUserMetadataID(userId)
-  }
-  const global = await getGlobalUsers(ctx, ctx.appId, email)
+exports.getFullUser = async (ctx, userId) => {
+  const global = await getGlobalUsers(
+    ctx,
+    ctx.appId,
+    getGlobalIDFromUserMetadataID(userId)
+  )
   let metadata
   try {
     // this will throw an error if the db doesn't exist, or there is no appId
     const db = new CouchDB(ctx.appId)
-    metadata = await db.get(generateUserMetadataID(email))
+    metadata = await db.get(userId)
   } catch (err) {
     // it is fine if there is no user metadata, just remove global db info
     delete global._id
@@ -24,6 +22,6 @@ exports.getFullUser = async ({ ctx, email, userId }) => {
     ...global,
     ...metadata,
     // make sure the ID is always a local ID, not a global one
-    _id: generateUserMetadataID(email),
+    _id: userId,
   }
 }
diff --git a/packages/server/src/utilities/workerRequests.js b/packages/server/src/utilities/workerRequests.js
index 93a7c26753..2de74aa155 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/utilities/workerRequests.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/utilities/workerRequests.js
@@ -60,8 +60,8 @@ exports.getDeployedApps = async ctx => {
   }
 }
 
-exports.deleteGlobalUser = async (ctx, email) => {
-  const endpoint = `/api/admin/users/${email}`
+exports.deleteGlobalUser = async (ctx, globalId) => {
+  const endpoint = `/api/admin/users/${globalId}`
   const reqCfg = { method: "DELETE" }
   const response = await fetch(
     checkSlashesInUrl(env.WORKER_URL + endpoint),
@@ -70,8 +70,10 @@ exports.deleteGlobalUser = async (ctx, email) => {
   return response.json()
 }
 
-exports.getGlobalUsers = async (ctx, appId = null, email = null) => {
-  const endpoint = email ? `/api/admin/users/${email}` : `/api/admin/users`
+exports.getGlobalUsers = async (ctx, appId = null, globalId = null) => {
+  const endpoint = globalId
+    ? `/api/admin/users/${globalId}`
+    : `/api/admin/users`
   const reqCfg = { method: "GET" }
   const response = await fetch(
     checkSlashesInUrl(env.WORKER_URL + endpoint),
@@ -89,8 +91,10 @@ exports.getGlobalUsers = async (ctx, appId = null, email = null) => {
   return users
 }
 
-exports.saveGlobalUser = async (ctx, appId, email, body) => {
-  const globalUser = await exports.getGlobalUsers(ctx, appId, email)
+exports.saveGlobalUser = async (ctx, appId, body) => {
+  const globalUser = body._id
+    ? await exports.getGlobalUsers(ctx, appId, body._id)
+    : {}
   const roles = globalUser.roles || {}
   if (body.roleId) {
     roles[appId] = body.roleId
@@ -100,9 +104,9 @@ exports.saveGlobalUser = async (ctx, appId, email, body) => {
     method: "POST",
     body: {
       ...globalUser,
-      email,
       password: body.password || undefined,
       status: body.status,
+      email: body.email,
       roles,
       builder: {
         global: true,
@@ -124,5 +128,8 @@ exports.saveGlobalUser = async (ctx, appId, email, body) => {
   delete body.status
   delete body.roles
   delete body.builder
-  return body
+  return {
+    ...body,
+    _id: json._id,
+  }
 }
diff --git a/packages/worker/src/api/controllers/admin/groups.js b/packages/worker/src/api/controllers/admin/groups.js
index 3642c2464d..86623c337a 100644
--- a/packages/worker/src/api/controllers/admin/groups.js
+++ b/packages/worker/src/api/controllers/admin/groups.js
@@ -31,15 +31,13 @@ exports.fetch = async function(ctx) {
       include_docs: true,
     })
   )
-  const groups = response.rows.map(row => row.doc)
-  ctx.body = groups
+  ctx.body = response.rows.map(row => row.doc)
 }
 
 exports.find = async function(ctx) {
   const db = new CouchDB(GLOBAL_DB)
   try {
-    const record = await db.get(ctx.params.id)
-    ctx.body = record
+    ctx.body = await db.get(ctx.params.id)
   } catch (err) {
     ctx.throw(err.status, err)
   }
diff --git a/packages/worker/src/api/controllers/admin/users.js b/packages/worker/src/api/controllers/admin/users.js
index 600a8e75f6..96243d49fd 100644
--- a/packages/worker/src/api/controllers/admin/users.js
+++ b/packages/worker/src/api/controllers/admin/users.js
@@ -1,27 +1,42 @@
 const CouchDB = require("../../../db")
 const {
   hash,
-  generateUserID,
-  getUserParams,
+  generateGlobalUserID,
+  getGlobalUserParams,
   StaticDatabases,
+  getGlobalUserByEmail,
 } = require("@budibase/auth")
 const { UserStatus } = require("../../../constants")
 
+const FIRST_USER_EMAIL = "test@test.com"
+const FIRST_USER_PASSWORD = "test"
 const GLOBAL_DB = StaticDatabases.GLOBAL.name
 
 exports.userSave = async ctx => {
   const db = new CouchDB(GLOBAL_DB)
   const { email, password, _id } = ctx.request.body
-  const hashedPassword = password ? await hash(password) : null
-  let user = {
-    ...ctx.request.body,
-    _id: generateUserID(email),
-    password: hashedPassword,
+
+  // make sure another user isn't using the same email
+  const dbUser = await getGlobalUserByEmail(email)
+  if (dbUser != null && (dbUser._id !== _id || Array.isArray(dbUser))) {
+    ctx.throw(400, "Email address already in use.")
   }
-  let dbUser
-  // in-case user existed already
-  if (_id) {
-    dbUser = await db.get(_id)
+
+  // get the password, make sure one is defined
+  let hashedPassword
+  if (password) {
+    hashedPassword = await hash(password)
+  } else if (dbUser) {
+    hashedPassword = dbUser.password
+  } else {
+    ctx.throw(400, "Password must be specified.")
+  }
+
+  let user = {
+    ...dbUser,
+    ...ctx.request.body,
+    _id: _id || generateGlobalUserID(),
+    password: hashedPassword,
   }
   // add the active status to a user if its not provided
   if (user.status == null) {
@@ -29,7 +44,7 @@ exports.userSave = async ctx => {
   }
   try {
     const response = await db.post({
-      password: hashedPassword || dbUser.password,
+      password: hashedPassword,
       ...user,
     })
     ctx.body = {
@@ -46,12 +61,24 @@ exports.userSave = async ctx => {
   }
 }
 
+exports.firstUser = async ctx => {
+  ctx.request.body = {
+    email: FIRST_USER_EMAIL,
+    password: FIRST_USER_PASSWORD,
+    roles: {},
+    builder: {
+      global: true,
+    },
+  }
+  await exports.userSave(ctx)
+}
+
 exports.userDelete = async ctx => {
   const db = new CouchDB(GLOBAL_DB)
-  const dbUser = await db.get(generateUserID(ctx.params.email))
+  const dbUser = await db.get(ctx.params.id)
   await db.remove(dbUser._id, dbUser._rev)
   ctx.body = {
-    message: `User ${ctx.params.email} deleted.`,
+    message: `User ${ctx.params.id} deleted.`,
   }
 }
 
@@ -59,7 +86,7 @@ exports.userDelete = async ctx => {
 exports.userFetch = async ctx => {
   const db = new CouchDB(GLOBAL_DB)
   const response = await db.allDocs(
-    getUserParams(null, {
+    getGlobalUserParams(null, {
       include_docs: true,
     })
   )
@@ -78,7 +105,7 @@ exports.userFind = async ctx => {
   const db = new CouchDB(GLOBAL_DB)
   let user
   try {
-    user = await db.get(generateUserID(ctx.params.email))
+    user = await db.get(ctx.params.id)
   } catch (err) {
     // no user found, just return nothing
     user = {}
diff --git a/packages/worker/src/api/routes/admin/users.js b/packages/worker/src/api/routes/admin/users.js
index fe8e57593a..d7d19cbf49 100644
--- a/packages/worker/src/api/routes/admin/users.js
+++ b/packages/worker/src/api/routes/admin/users.js
@@ -32,8 +32,9 @@ router
     authenticated,
     controller.userSave
   )
-  .delete("/api/admin/users/:email", authenticated, controller.userDelete)
+  .post("/api/admin/users/first", controller.firstUser)
+  .delete("/api/admin/users/:id", authenticated, controller.userDelete)
   .get("/api/admin/users", authenticated, controller.userFetch)
-  .get("/api/admin/users/:email", authenticated, controller.userFind)
+  .get("/api/admin/users/:id", authenticated, controller.userFind)
 
 module.exports = router
diff --git a/packages/worker/src/db/utils.js b/packages/worker/src/db/utils.js
deleted file mode 100644
index b250b895bb..0000000000
--- a/packages/worker/src/db/utils.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,35 +0,0 @@
-exports.StaticDatabases = {
-  USER: {
-    name: "user-db",
-  },
-}
-
-const DocumentTypes = {
-  USER: "us",
-  APP: "app",
-}
-
-exports.DocumentTypes = DocumentTypes
-
-const UNICODE_MAX = "\ufff0"
-const SEPARATOR = "_"
-
-/**
- * Generates a new user ID based on the passed in email.
- * @param {string} email The email which the ID is going to be built up of.
- * @returns {string} The new user ID which the user doc can be stored under.
- */
-exports.generateUserID = email => {
-  return `${DocumentTypes.USER}${SEPARATOR}${email}`
-}
-
-/**
- * Gets parameters for retrieving users, this is a utility function for the getDocParams function.
- */
-exports.getUserParams = (email = "", otherProps = {}) => {
-  return {
-    ...otherProps,
-    startkey: `${DocumentTypes.USER}${SEPARATOR}${email}`,
-    endkey: `${DocumentTypes.USER}${SEPARATOR}${email}${UNICODE_MAX}`,
-  }
-}