diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 450c75b40d5..c0dbf0b25be 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@
 
 ## Unreleased
 
+- Added `CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser` and `CraftUserTrait`. ([#19009](https://github.com/craftcms/cms/pull/19009))
+- Removed `CraftCms\Cms\Auth\UserProvider`; the Craft guard now defaults to Laravel’s Eloquent provider using `CraftCms\Cms\User\Models\User`. ([#19009](https://github.com/craftcms/cms/pull/19009))
+- Added `Auth::craftUser()`/`auth('craft')->craftUser()` and `request()->craftUser()` as Craft-safe ways to access the authenticated user. ([#19009](https://github.com/craftcms/cms/pull/19009))
 - `Element::getIterator()` no longer includes custom field values. ([#19004](https://github.com/craftcms/cms/issues/19004))
 - Fixed a bug where checking the elevated session timeout could overwrite newer session data, which could prevent passkeys from being created.
 - Fixed a bug where legacy plugin-defined `actions.php` routes could collide between plugins. ([#18994](https://github.com/craftcms/cms/pull/18994))
@@ -95,7 +98,7 @@
 - Fixed a PHP error that occurred when saving a Structure section with a Max Levels value. ([#18809](https://github.com/craftcms/cms/issues/18809))
 - Fixed a bug where plugin settings pages were missing registered scripts and styles. ([#18815](https://github.com/craftcms/cms/pull/18815))
 - Fixed a PHP error that occurred when saving an entry type. ([#18816](https://github.com/craftcms/cms/pull/18816))
-- Fixed an issue with Typecast where typed setters wouldn't have precedence over private properties.
+- Fixed an issue with Typecast where typed setters wouldn’t have precedence over private properties.
 - Fixed a bug where Control Panel templates failed to load on Windows due to mismatched directory separators or drive-letter casing in `CraftCms\Cms\View\TwigEngine`. ([#18804](https://github.com/craftcms/cms/issues/18804))
 - Fixed a bug where Craft’s Vite hot file configuration could override the host application’s Vite hot file. ([#18810](https://github.com/craftcms/cms/issues/18810))
 - Fixed a bug where `CraftCms\Cms\Support\Typecast` could give private properties precedence over typed setters.
@@ -124,9 +127,9 @@
 - Fixed a bug where a `yii\base\InvalidConfigException` would be thrown when a Yii2-based plugin registered an asset bundle. ([#18818](https://github.com/craftcms/cms/issues/18818))
 - Fixed a bug where using `{{ successMessageInput() }}` would not decrypt the resulting message for the flash message.
 - Fixed a bug where a missing widget from an uninstalled plugin would throw instead of mapping to a MissingWidget.
-- Fixed a bug where an address' ownership ids could be overridden unintentionally.
+- Fixed a bug where an address’ ownership ids could be overridden unintentionally.
 - Fixed a bug where `getHasSsoIdentity()` would return `false` when Socialite was not installed but the user had an SSO identity.
-- Fixed a bug where the site's offline status was not being enforced on matched element routes.
+- Fixed a bug where the site’s offline status was not being enforced on matched element routes.
 - Fixed a user photo validation issue with file extensions.
 - Fixed a bug where legacy controllers could return `null` but were not considered handled.
 - Improved performance of the dashboard by reducing the amount of queries for widgets
@@ -281,7 +284,7 @@
 
 #### Mutex
 
-Craft's Mutex classes have been deprecated. [Laravel's atomic locking](https://laravel.com/docs/12.x/cache#atomic-locks) should be used instead.
+Craft’s Mutex classes have been deprecated. [Laravel’s atomic locking](https://laravel.com/docs/12.x/cache#atomic-locks) should be used instead.
 
 - Deprecated `craft\mutex\Mutex`
 - Deprecated `craft\mutex\MutexTrait`
@@ -371,7 +374,7 @@ Craft's Mutex classes have been deprecated. [Laravel's atomic locking](https://l
 
 ### Auth
 
-- Refactored the authentication system to use Laravel's authentication system.
+- Refactored the authentication system to use Laravel’s authentication system.
 - Added `CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Events\SettingPassword`.
 - Added `CraftCms\Cms\User\Notifications\ResetPasswordNotification`.
 - Deprecated `craft\services\Auth`. `CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Auth` should be used instead.
@@ -386,7 +389,7 @@ Craft's Mutex classes have been deprecated. [Laravel's atomic locking](https://l
 - Deprecated `craft\behaviors\SessionBehavior::checkAuthorization`. `CraftCms\Cms\Auth\SessionAuth::checkAuthorization` should be used instead.
 - Deprecated `craft\services\Users::isVerificationCodeValidForUser()`. `Password::broker('craft')->tokenExists($user, $code)` should be used instead.
 - Deprecated the `elevatedSessionDuration` general config setting. The `auth.password_timeout` config value should be used instead. To disable password confirmation (elevated sessions), you now set this value to `-1` instead of `0`.
-  - Elevated sessions now work through [Laravel's password confirmation](https://laravel.com/docs/12.x/authentication#password-confirmation) system.
+  - Elevated sessions now work through [Laravel’s password confirmation](https://laravel.com/docs/12.x/authentication#password-confirmation) system.
 - Removed `craft\controllers\AuthController`. The following controllers now implement this functionality:
   - `CraftCms\Cms\Http\Controllers\Users\AuthMethodController`
   - `CraftCms\Cms\Http\Controllers\Users\PasskeysController`
@@ -395,7 +398,7 @@ Craft's Mutex classes have been deprecated. [Laravel's atomic locking](https://l
 
 #### Authorization
 
-Craft 6 now uses [Laravel's authorization system](https://laravel.com/docs/12.x/authorization) for element authorization checks.
+Craft 6 now uses [Laravel’s authorization system](https://laravel.com/docs/12.x/authorization) for element authorization checks.
 
 ##### Added
 
@@ -592,14 +595,14 @@ Craft 6 now uses [Laravel's authorization system](https://laravel.com/docs/12.x/
 
 #### Validation
 
-Craft 6 introduces a new validation system that uses Laravel's Validator instead of Yii2's model validation.
+Craft 6 introduces a new validation system that uses Laravel’s Validator instead of Yii2’s model validation.
 
 ##### Added
 
 - Added `CraftCms\Cms\Validation\Contracts\Validatable` interface for classes that support Laravel-style validation.
 - Added `CraftCms\Cms\Validation\Contracts\ValidatableWithRuleset` interface for classes that use a `Ruleset` class to define validation rules.
 - Added `CraftCms\Cms\Validation\Ruleset` abstract class for defining validation rules, messages, and preparation logic.
-- Added `CraftCms\Cms\Validation\Attributes\Ruleset` PHP attribute for specifying a component's ruleset class.
+- Added `CraftCms\Cms\Validation\Attributes\Ruleset` PHP attribute for specifying a component’s ruleset class.
 - Added `CraftCms\Cms\Validation\Concerns\Validates` trait for simple validation support.
 - Added `CraftCms\Cms\Validation\Concerns\ValidatesWithRuleset` trait for ruleset-based validation.
 - Added `CraftCms\Cms\Validation\Concerns\HasScenarios` trait for scenario-based validation filtering.
@@ -622,7 +625,7 @@ Craft 6 introduces a new validation system that uses Laravel's Validator instead
 
 ##### Changed
 
-- `FieldInterface::getElementValidationRules()` has been replaced by `FieldInterface::getElementRules()` which returns rules in Laravel's validation format.
+- `FieldInterface::getElementValidationRules()` has been replaced by `FieldInterface::getElementRules()` which returns rules in Laravel’s validation format.
 - Added `FieldInterface::prepareForElementValidation()` for preparing field values before validation.
 - Validation rules are now defined as Laravel-style arrays (e.g., `['required', 'string', 'max:255']`).
 
@@ -685,7 +688,7 @@ Craft 6 introduces a new validation system that uses Laravel's Validator instead
 
 ### Component
 
-- Added `CraftCms\Cms\Component\Component` base class, replacing Yii2's `BaseObject`/`Component` with config hydration, magic getters/setters, and `Arrayable` support.
+- Added `CraftCms\Cms\Component\Component` base class, replacing Yii2’s `BaseObject`/`Component` with config hydration, magic getters/setters, and `Arrayable` support.
 - Added `CraftCms\Cms\Component\Exceptions\InvalidCallException`, replacing `yii\base\InvalidCallException`.
 - Added `CraftCms\Cms\Component\Exceptions\UnknownPropertyException`, replacing `yii\base\UnknownPropertyException`.
 
@@ -810,11 +813,11 @@ Craft 6 introduces a new validation system that uses Laravel's Validator instead
 
 ### HTTP
 
-- Deprecated the `errorTemplatePrefix` general config setting. Configure [Laravel's custom error pages](https://laravel.com/docs/13.x/errors#custom-http-error-pages) instead.
+- Deprecated the `errorTemplatePrefix` general config setting. Configure [Laravel’s custom error pages](https://laravel.com/docs/13.x/errors#custom-http-error-pages) instead.
 - Deprecated `craft\filters\BasicHttpAuthLogin`. Use the `auth.basic` middleware instead. (see https://laravel.com/docs/12.x/authentication#http-basic-authentication)
 - Deprecated `craft\filters\BasicHttpAuthStatic`. Use the `auth.basic` middleware instead. (see https://laravel.com/docs/12.x/authentication#http-basic-authentication)
 - Deprecated `craft\filters\BasicHttpAuthTrait`. Use the `auth.basic` middleware instead. (see https://laravel.com/docs/12.x/authentication#http-basic-authentication)
-- Deprecated `craft\filters\Cors`. Use Laravel's CORS settings instead. (see https://laravel.com/docs/12.x/routing#cors)
+- Deprecated `craft\filters\Cors`. Use Laravel’s CORS settings instead. (see https://laravel.com/docs/12.x/routing#cors)
 - Deprecated `craft\filters\Headers`. Use Laravel middleware instead. (see https://laravel.com/docs/middleware)
 - Deprecated `craft\filters\ConditionalFilterTrait`.
 - Deprecated `craft\filters\SiteFilterTrait`.
@@ -827,7 +830,7 @@ Craft 6 introduces a new validation system that uses Laravel's Validator instead
 - Removed `craft\controllers\AppController::actionGetPluginLicenseInfo()` and `actionUpdatePluginLicense()`. `CraftCms\Cms\Http\Controllers\App\PluginsController` should be used instead.
 - Removed `craft\controllers\AppController::actionBrokenImage()`. `CraftCms\Cms\Http\Middleware\ShowBrokenImage` should be used instead.
 - Removed `craft\controllers\AppController::actionRenderElements()` and `actionRenderComponents()`. `CraftCms\Cms\Http\Controllers\App\RenderController` should be used instead.
-- Removed `craft\controllers\NotFoundController`. Laravel's exception handling should be used instead.
+- Removed `craft\controllers\NotFoundController`. Laravel’s exception handling should be used instead.
 - Removed the header-setting logic in `yii2-adapter\legacy\web\Application`. The new `\CraftCms\Cms\Http\Middleware\SetHeaders` middleware handles this functionality.
 - Removed the licensing issues screen logic in `yii2-adapter\legacy\web\Application`. The new `\CraftCms\Cms\Http\Middleware\EnforceLicenses` middleware handles this functionality.
 - Removed `craft\controllers\AppController::actionTryEdition()` and `actionSwitchToLicensedEdition()` in favor of `CraftCms\Cms\Http\Controllers\EditionController`.
@@ -842,11 +845,11 @@ Craft 6 introduces a new validation system that uses Laravel's Validator instead
 - Deprecated `craft\helpers\MailerHelper`. Laravel mail configuration and drivers should be used instead.
 - Deprecated the `testToEmailAddress` general config setting. `Illuminate\Support\Facades\Mail::alwaysTo()` should be used instead.
 - Deprecated `craft\mail\Mailer::$template`, `craft\mail\Mailer::$siteOverrides`, `craft\models\MailSettings::$template`, and `craft\models\MailSettings::$siteOverrides`. Laravel mailable views and environment-specific Laravel mailers should be used instead.
-- Removed legacy `projectConfig.email` mail settings and mail transport adapter configuration in favor of Laravel's `mail` config and drivers.
+- Removed legacy `projectConfig.email` mail settings and mail transport adapter configuration in favor of Laravel’s `mail` config and drivers.
 
 ### Migrations
 
-Craft and Yii's migrations have been removed in favor of [Laravel migrations](https://laravel.com/docs/12.x/migrations).
+Craft and Yii’s migrations have been removed in favor of [Laravel migrations](https://laravel.com/docs/12.x/migrations).
 
 The `php craft fields:merge` and `php craft entry-types:merge` commands will now generate Laravel migrations.
 
@@ -914,8 +917,8 @@ The `php craft fields:merge` and `php craft entry-types:merge` commands will now
 - Added `CraftCms\Cms\Support\Security`.
 - Added `CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\Security`.
 - Added `CraftCms\Cms\Http\Middleware\AddLogContext`.
-- Deprecated `Craft::$app->getSecurity()` in favor of Laravel's Hash and Crypt facades, or `CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\Security`.
-- Deprecated the `blowfishHashCost` general config setting in favor of Laravel's `hashing.bcrypt.rounds` config or the `BCRYPT_ROUNDS` environment variable.
+- Deprecated `Craft::$app->getSecurity()` in favor of Laravel’s Hash and Crypt facades, or `CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\Security`.
+- Deprecated the `blowfishHashCost` general config setting in favor of Laravel’s `hashing.bcrypt.rounds` config or the `BCRYPT_ROUNDS` environment variable.
 
 ### Updates
 
@@ -1001,7 +1004,7 @@ Moved the following controllers:
 ### Routes
 
 - Deprecated `craft\services\Routes`. `CraftCms\Cms\Route\Routes` should be used instead.
-- Using routes in `config/routes.php` is no longer supported. Register routes using [Laravel's routing](https://laravel.com/docs/12.x/routing) instead.
+- Using routes in `config/routes.php` is no longer supported. Register routes using [Laravel’s routing](https://laravel.com/docs/12.x/routing) instead.
 
 ### Search
 
diff --git a/resources/templates/_components/fieldtypes/Matrix/block.twig b/resources/templates/_components/fieldtypes/Matrix/block.twig
index caebb4dc1d6..9f7a726f831 100644
--- a/resources/templates/_components/fieldtypes/Matrix/block.twig
+++ b/resources/templates/_components/fieldtypes/Matrix/block.twig
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@
   ]) %}
 {% endif %}
 
-{% if entry.id or (Auth.user.admin and config('craft.general.allowAdminChanges')) %}
+{% if entry.id or (currentUser.admin and config('craft.general.allowAdminChanges')) %}
   {% set actionMenuItems = actionMenuItems|push({hr: true}) %}
 
   {% if entry.id and not static %}
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@
     }) %}
   {% endif %}
 
-  {% if Auth.user.admin and config('craft.general.allowAdminChanges') %}
+  {% if currentUser.admin and config('craft.general.allowAdminChanges') %}
     {% set actionMenuItems = actionMenuItems|push({
       icon: 'gear',
       label: 'Entry type settings'|t('app'),
diff --git a/resources/templates/_components/widgets/CraftSupport/body.twig b/resources/templates/_components/widgets/CraftSupport/body.twig
index 723af6848cd..66e9d165c88 100644
--- a/resources/templates/_components/widgets/CraftSupport/body.twig
+++ b/resources/templates/_components/widgets/CraftSupport/body.twig
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@
                 {{ hiddenInput('widgetId', widget.id) }}
                 {{ hiddenInput('message', '', {class: 'cs-support-message'}) }}
 
-                {% set email = Auth.user.email %}
+                {% set email = currentUser.email %}
                 {% if email in ['support@pixelandtonic.com', 'support@craftcms.com'] %}
                     {% set email = '' %}
                 {% endif %}
diff --git a/resources/templates/_includes/forms/autosuggest.twig b/resources/templates/_includes/forms/autosuggest.twig
index 97d1cc52f4d..50c78298a32 100644
--- a/resources/templates/_includes/forms/autosuggest.twig
+++ b/resources/templates/_includes/forms/autosuggest.twig
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ new Vue({
                 name: (name ?? '')|namespaceInputName,
                 size: size ?? '',
                 maxlength: maxlength ?? '',
-                autofocus: (autofocus ?? false) and Auth.user and Auth.user.getAutofocusPreferred() and not Request.isMobileBrowser(true),
+                autofocus: (autofocus ?? false) and currentUser and currentUser.getAutofocusPreferred() and not Request.isMobileBrowser(true),
                 disabled: disabled ?? false,
                 title: title ?? '',
                 placeholder: placeholder ?? '',
diff --git a/resources/templates/_includes/forms/text.twig b/resources/templates/_includes/forms/text.twig
index f534191119c..7b8e86671f6 100644
--- a/resources/templates/_includes/forms/text.twig
+++ b/resources/templates/_includes/forms/text.twig
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
     name: name ?? false,
     value: value ?? false,
     maxlength: maxlength ?? false,
-    autofocus: (autofocus ?? false) and Auth.user and Auth.user.getAutofocusPreferred() and not Request.isMobileBrowser(true),
+    autofocus: (autofocus ?? false) and currentUser and currentUser.getAutofocusPreferred() and not Request.isMobileBrowser(true),
     autocomplete: autocomplete is boolean ? (autocomplete ? 'on' : 'off') : autocomplete,
     autocorrect: (autocorrect ?? true) ? false : 'off',
     autocapitalize: (autocapitalize ?? true) ? false : 'none',
diff --git a/resources/templates/_layouts/base.twig b/resources/templates/_layouts/base.twig
index 8277d12543d..4fa74360c2c 100644
--- a/resources/templates/_layouts/base.twig
+++ b/resources/templates/_layouts/base.twig
@@ -6,9 +6,9 @@
 
 {% set bodyClass = (bodyClass ?? [])|explodeClass|merge([
   orientation,
-  (Auth.user.getPreference('useShapes') ?? a11yDefaults['useShapes'] ?? false) ? 'use-shapes',
-  (Auth.user.getPreference('underlineLinks') ?? a11yDefaults['underlineLinks'] ?? false) ? 'underline-links',
-  "notifications--#{Auth.user.getPreference('notificationPosition') ?? a11yDefaults['notificationPosition'] ?? 'end-start'}",
+  (currentUser.getPreference('useShapes') ?? a11yDefaults['useShapes'] ?? false) ? 'use-shapes',
+  (currentUser.getPreference('underlineLinks') ?? a11yDefaults['underlineLinks'] ?? false) ? 'underline-links',
+  "notifications--#{currentUser.getPreference('notificationPosition') ?? a11yDefaults['notificationPosition'] ?? 'end-start'}",
   requestedSite ? "site--#{requestedSite.handle}",
   'cp-legacy-reset',
   'cp-legacy'
diff --git a/resources/templates/_layouts/components/global-sidebar.twig b/resources/templates/_layouts/components/global-sidebar.twig
index 669ae6ff92a..71effd7eee1 100644
--- a/resources/templates/_layouts/components/global-sidebar.twig
+++ b/resources/templates/_layouts/components/global-sidebar.twig
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@
         } %}
       </div>
 
-      {% if Auth.user.admin and devMode %}
+      {% if currentUser.admin and devMode %}
         {% set devModeText = 'Craft CMS is running in Dev Mode.'|t('app') %}
         <div id="devmode">
           {% tag 'span' with {
diff --git a/resources/templates/_layouts/components/header-photo.twig b/resources/templates/_layouts/components/header-photo.twig
index bb7d0207323..c0439702216 100644
--- a/resources/templates/_layouts/components/header-photo.twig
+++ b/resources/templates/_layouts/components/header-photo.twig
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 <div class="header-photo">
-  {{ Auth.user.getThumbHtml(30)|raw }}
+  {{ currentUser.getThumbHtml(30)|raw }}
 </div>
diff --git a/resources/templates/_layouts/cp.twig b/resources/templates/_layouts/cp.twig
index dfc2b2db945..fdb3e0cf551 100644
--- a/resources/templates/_layouts/cp.twig
+++ b/resources/templates/_layouts/cp.twig
@@ -164,13 +164,13 @@ history.replaceState(undefined, undefined, window.location.href.match(/^[^#]*/)[
                         <ul>
                             <li>
                                 <a href="{{ url('myaccount') }}" class="flex flex-nowrap">
-                                    {% if Auth.user.photoId %}
+                                    {% if currentUser.photoId %}
                                         {{ userPhoto|raw }}
                                     {% endif %}
                                     <div class="flex-grow">
-                                        <div>{{ Auth.user.username }}</div>
+                                        <div>{{ currentUser.username }}</div>
                                         {% if not config('craft.general.useEmailAsUsername') %}
-                                            <div class="smalltext">{{ Auth.user.email }}</div>
+                                            <div class="smalltext">{{ currentUser.email }}</div>
                                         {% endif %}
                                     </div>
                                 </a>
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@ history.replaceState(undefined, undefined, window.location.href.match(/^[^#]*/)[
 {% endblock %}
 
 
-{% if Auth.user.can('performUpdates') and not Updates.isUpdateInfoCached() %}
+{% if currentUser.can('performUpdates') and not Updates.isUpdateInfoCached() %}
     {% js %}
     Craft.cp.checkForUpdates();
     {% endjs %}
diff --git a/resources/templates/users/_index.twig b/resources/templates/users/_index.twig
index cc7f24323e7..f550a01c7d2 100644
--- a/resources/templates/users/_index.twig
+++ b/resources/templates/users/_index.twig
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 {% set canHaveDrafts = craft.users().drafts().draftOf(false).savedDraftsOnly().exists() %}
 
 {% block actionButton %}
-    {% if Auth.user.canRegisterUsers() %}
+    {% if canRegisterUsers %}
         <a class="btn submit add icon" href="{{ url('users/new') }}">
             {{ buttonLabel }}
         </a>
diff --git a/resources/templates/users/_permissions.twig b/resources/templates/users/_permissions.twig
index eadc65f11dd..b467d5cec18 100644
--- a/resources/templates/users/_permissions.twig
+++ b/resources/templates/users/_permissions.twig
@@ -1,9 +1,6 @@
 {% import '_includes/forms.twig' as forms %}
 {{ hiddenInput('userId', user.id) }}
 
-{% set showUserGroups = Auth.user.canAssignUserGroups() %}
-{% set showPermissions = Auth.user.can('assignUserPermissions') %}
-
 {% if showUserGroups %}
   <fieldset class="first">
     <h2>{{ 'User Groups'|t('app') }}</h2>
@@ -21,7 +18,7 @@
           values: user.getGroups(),
           showDescription: true,
           sortable: false,
-          createAction: Auth.user.admin and config('craft.general.allowAdminChanges') ? 'user-settings/edit-group' : null,
+          createAction: currentUserIsAdmin and config('craft.general.allowAdminChanges') ? 'user-settings/edit-group' : null,
         } %}
       {% endblock %}
     {% endembed %}
@@ -36,7 +33,7 @@
   <div>
     <h2>{{ 'Permissions'|t('app') }}</h2>
 
-    {% if Auth.user.admin %}
+    {% if currentUserIsAdmin %}
       {{ forms.lightswitchField({
         label: 'Admin'|t('app'),
         name: 'admin',
diff --git a/resources/templates/users/_preferences.twig b/resources/templates/users/_preferences.twig
index 65d7fbfde20..f88bb3eb9b6 100644
--- a/resources/templates/users/_preferences.twig
+++ b/resources/templates/users/_preferences.twig
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
     id: 'weekStartDay',
     name: 'weekStartDay',
     options: I18N.getLocale().getWeekDayNames(),
-    value: Auth.user.getPreference('weekStartDay', config('craft.general.defaultWeekStartDay'))
+    value: currentUser.getPreference('weekStartDay', config('craft.general.defaultWeekStartDay'))
   }) }}
 
   {{ forms.timeZoneField({
@@ -59,13 +59,13 @@
         label: 'Use shapes to represent statuses'|t('app'),
         name: 'useShapes',
         id: 'useShapes',
-        checked: Auth.user.getPreference('useShapes') ?? a11yDefaults['useShapes'] ?? false,
+        checked: currentUser.getPreference('useShapes') ?? a11yDefaults['useShapes'] ?? false,
       },
       {
         label: 'Underline links'|t('app'),
         name: 'underlineLinks',
         id: 'underlineLinks',
-        checked: Auth.user.getPreference('underlineLinks') ?? a11yDefaults['underlineLinks'] ?? false,
+        checked: currentUser.getPreference('underlineLinks') ?? a11yDefaults['underlineLinks'] ?? false,
       },
     ],
   }) }}
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@
         label: 'Disable autofocus'|t('app'),
         name: 'disableAutofocus',
         id: 'disableAutofocus',
-        checked: Auth.user.getPreference('disableAutofocus') ?? a11yDefaults['disableAutofocus'] ?? false,
+        checked: currentUser.getPreference('disableAutofocus') ?? a11yDefaults['disableAutofocus'] ?? false,
       },
     ],
   }) }}
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@
       {value: 10000, label: '{num, number} {num, plural, =1{second} other{seconds}}'|t('app', {num: 10})},
       {value: 0, label: 'Show them indefinitely'|t('app')},
     ],
-    value: Auth.user.getPreference('notificationDuration') ?? a11yDefaults['notificationDuration'] ?? 5000,
+    value: currentUser.getPreference('notificationDuration') ?? a11yDefaults['notificationDuration'] ?? 5000,
   }) }}
 
   {{ forms.buttonGroupField({
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@
         },
       },
     ],
-    value: Auth.user.getPreference('notificationPosition') ?? a11yDefaults['notificationPosition'] ?? 'end-start',
+    value: currentUser.getPreference('notificationPosition') ?? a11yDefaults['notificationPosition'] ?? 'end-start',
   }) }}
 
   {{ forms.buttonGroupField({
@@ -171,12 +171,12 @@
         },
       },
     ],
-    value: Auth.user.getPreference('slideoutPosition') ?? a11yDefaults['slideoutPosition'] ?? 'end',
+    value: currentUser.getPreference('slideoutPosition') ?? a11yDefaults['slideoutPosition'] ?? 'end',
   }) }}
 
 </div>
 
-{% if Auth.user.admin %}
+{% if currentUser.admin %}
   <hr>
 
   <div>
@@ -189,19 +189,19 @@
           label: 'Show field handles in edit forms'|t('app'),
           name: 'showFieldHandles',
           id: 'showFieldHandles',
-          checked: Auth.user.getPreference('showFieldHandles')
+          checked: currentUser.getPreference('showFieldHandles')
         },
         {
           label: 'Profile Twig templates when Dev Mode is disabled'|t('app'),
           name: 'profileTemplates',
           id: 'profileTemplates',
-          checked: Auth.user.getPreference('profileTemplates')
+          checked: currentUser.getPreference('profileTemplates')
         },
         {
           label: 'Show full exception views when Dev Mode is disabled'|t('app'),
           name: 'showExceptionView',
           id: 'showExceptionView',
-          checked: Auth.user.getPreference('showExceptionView')
+          checked: currentUser.getPreference('showExceptionView')
         },
       ],
     }) }}
diff --git a/src/Address/Elements/Address.php b/src/Address/Elements/Address.php
index e99f4e22050..aaa8181253d 100644
--- a/src/Address/Elements/Address.php
+++ b/src/Address/Elements/Address.php
@@ -359,7 +359,7 @@ protected function safeActionMenuItems(): array
 
         if (
             app(ElementRequest::class)->element === $this &&
-            Auth::user()->isAdmin() &&
+            Auth::craftUser()->isAdmin() &&
             Cms::config()->allowAdminChanges &&
             ! empty($this->fieldId)
         ) {
diff --git a/src/Address/Policies/AddressPolicy.php b/src/Address/Policies/AddressPolicy.php
index 027b4368bf1..f033d6d14ec 100644
--- a/src/Address/Policies/AddressPolicy.php
+++ b/src/Address/Policies/AddressPolicy.php
@@ -7,11 +7,11 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Address\Elements\Address;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Element\Contracts\ElementInterface;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Element\Policies\ElementPolicy;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 
 class AddressPolicy extends ElementPolicy
 {
-    public function view(User $user, Address $address): bool
+    public function view(CraftUser $user, Address $address): bool
     {
         if (! $owner = $this->getOwner($address)) {
             return false;
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ public function view(User $user, Address $address): bool
         return $user->can('view', $owner);
     }
 
-    public function save(User $user, Address $address): bool
+    public function save(CraftUser $user, Address $address): bool
     {
         if (! $owner = $this->getOwner($address)) {
             return false;
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ public function save(User $user, Address $address): bool
         return $user->can('save', $owner);
     }
 
-    public function delete(User $user, Address $address): bool
+    public function delete(CraftUser $user, Address $address): bool
     {
         if (! $owner = $this->getOwner($address)) {
             return false;
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ public function delete(User $user, Address $address): bool
         return $user->can('save', $owner);
     }
 
-    public function duplicate(User $user, Address $address): bool
+    public function duplicate(CraftUser $user, Address $address): bool
     {
         if (! $owner = $this->getOwner($address)) {
             return false;
@@ -47,12 +47,12 @@ public function duplicate(User $user, Address $address): bool
         return $user->can('save', $owner);
     }
 
-    public function copy(User $user, Address $address): bool
+    public function copy(CraftUser $user, Address $address): bool
     {
         return $user->can('duplicate', $address);
     }
 
-    public function createDrafts(User $user, Address $address): bool
+    public function createDrafts(CraftUser $user, Address $address): bool
     {
         return true;
     }
diff --git a/src/Announcement/Announcements.php b/src/Announcement/Announcements.php
index 78618ac8e66..8a628deda2b 100644
--- a/src/Announcement/Announcements.php
+++ b/src/Announcement/Announcements.php
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ public function push(string $heading, string $body, ?string $pluginHandle = null
      */
     public function get(): array
     {
-        $userId = Auth::user()?->getKey();
+        $userId = Auth::craftUser()?->getCraftUserId();
 
         if (! $userId) {
             return [];
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ public function markAsRead(array $ids): void
             return;
         }
 
-        $userId = Auth::user()?->getKey();
+        $userId = Auth::craftUser()?->getCraftUserId();
 
         if (! $userId) {
             return;
diff --git a/src/Asset/Assets.php b/src/Asset/Assets.php
index deb444813a9..db2e4f06159 100644
--- a/src/Asset/Assets.php
+++ b/src/Asset/Assets.php
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@
 use Throwable;
 use Tpetry\QueryExpressions\Language\Alias;
 
+use function CraftCms\Cms\currentUserElement;
 use function CraftCms\Cms\t;
 
 #[Singleton]
@@ -94,7 +95,7 @@ public function replaceAssetFile(Asset $asset, string $pathOnServer, string $fil
         $asset->tempFilePath = $pathOnServer;
         $asset->newFilename = $filename;
         $asset->setMimeType(File::getMimeType($pathOnServer, checkExtension: false) ?? $mimeType);
-        $asset->uploaderId = Auth::user()?->id;
+        $asset->uploaderId = Auth::craftUser()?->getCraftUserId();
         $asset->avoidFilenameConflicts = true;
         $asset->ruleset->useScenario(AssetRules::SCENARIO_REPLACE);
         $this->elements->saveElement($asset);
@@ -346,7 +347,7 @@ public function createTempAssetQuery(): AssetQuery
      */
     public function getUserTemporaryUploadFolder(?User $user = null): VolumeFolder
     {
-        $user ??= Auth::user();
+        $user ??= currentUserElement();
         $cacheKey = $user->id ?? '__GUEST__';
 
         if (isset($this->userTempFolders[$cacheKey])) {
diff --git a/src/Asset/Data/Volume.php b/src/Asset/Data/Volume.php
index 1352bb71e74..ee51a182cc4 100644
--- a/src/Asset/Data/Volume.php
+++ b/src/Asset/Data/Volume.php
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ public function getUiLabel(): string
 
     public function getCpEditUrl(): ?string
     {
-        if (! $this->id || ! Auth::user()?->isAdmin()) {
+        if (! $this->id || ! Auth::craftUser()?->isAdmin()) {
             return null;
         }
 
diff --git a/src/Asset/Elements/Asset.php b/src/Asset/Elements/Asset.php
index 229d4fb7c0d..cad4500b74a 100644
--- a/src/Asset/Elements/Asset.php
+++ b/src/Asset/Elements/Asset.php
@@ -108,6 +108,7 @@
 use Throwable;
 use Twig\Markup;
 
+use function CraftCms\Cms\currentUserElement;
 use function CraftCms\Cms\t;
 
 /**
@@ -457,7 +458,7 @@ public static function gqlScopesByContext(mixed $context): array
     protected static function defineSources(string $context): array
     {
         $sources = [];
-        $user = Auth::user();
+        $user = currentUserElement();
         $volumeIds = $context === ElementSources::CONTEXT_INDEX
             ? Volumes::getViewableVolumeIds()
             : Volumes::getAllVolumeIds();
@@ -499,7 +500,7 @@ public static function findSource(string $sourceKey, ?string $context): ?array
         if (preg_match('/^volume:[\w\-]+(?:\/.+)?\/folder:([\w\-]+)$/', $sourceKey, $match)) {
             $folder = Folders::getFolderByUid($match[1]);
             if ($folder) {
-                $source = self::_assembleSourceInfoForFolder($folder, Auth::user());
+                $source = self::_assembleSourceInfoForFolder($folder, currentUserElement());
                 $source['keyPath'] = $sourceKey;
 
                 return $source;
@@ -770,7 +771,7 @@ protected static function defineCardAttributes(): array
             ],
             'uploader' => [
                 'label' => t('Uploaded By'),
-                'placeholder' => fn () => ($uploader = Auth::user()) ? app(ElementHtml::class)->elementChipHtml($uploader) : '',
+                'placeholder' => fn () => ($uploader = currentUserElement()) ? app(ElementHtml::class)->elementChipHtml($uploader) : '',
             ],
         ]);
 
@@ -1293,7 +1294,7 @@ protected function safeActionMenuItems(): array
         $items = parent::safeActionMenuItems();
 
         $volume = $this->getVolume();
-        $user = Auth::user();
+        $user = currentUserElement();
         $updatePreviewThumbJs = $this->_updatePreviewThumbJs();
 
         $viewItems = [];
@@ -1347,7 +1348,7 @@ protected function safeActionMenuItems(): array
         ]);
 
         // Show in Folder
-        if ($this->volumeId && $this->canView($user)) {
+        if ($user && $this->volumeId && $this->canView($user)) {
             $viewItems[] = [
                 'type' => MenuItemType::Link,
                 'icon' => 'magnifying-glass',
@@ -1365,6 +1366,7 @@ protected function safeActionMenuItems(): array
 
         // Replace file
         if (
+            $user &&
             $user->can("replaceFiles:$volume->uid") &&
             ($user->id === $this->uploaderId || $user->can("replacePeerFiles:$volume->uid"))
         ) {
@@ -1539,7 +1541,7 @@ protected function safeActionMenuItems(): array
 
         if (
             app(ElementRequest::class)->element() === $this &&
-            Auth::user()->isAdmin() &&
+            Auth::craftUser()->isAdmin() &&
             Cms::config()->allowAdminChanges
         ) {
             $items[] = ['type' => MenuItemType::HR];
diff --git a/src/Asset/Policies/AssetPolicy.php b/src/Asset/Policies/AssetPolicy.php
index 9b1859cddcc..8dbf239098f 100644
--- a/src/Asset/Policies/AssetPolicy.php
+++ b/src/Asset/Policies/AssetPolicy.php
@@ -7,19 +7,20 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Asset\AssetsHelper;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Asset\Elements\Asset;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Element\Policies\ElementPolicy;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 
 class AssetPolicy extends ElementPolicy
 {
-    public function view(User $user, Asset $asset): bool
+    public function view(CraftUser $user, Asset $asset): bool
     {
         if ($asset->isFolder) {
             return false;
         }
 
         $volume = $asset->getVolume();
+        $userId = $user->getCraftUserId();
 
-        if ($asset->uploaderId !== $user->id) {
+        if ($asset->uploaderId !== $userId) {
             return $user->can("viewPeerAssets:$volume->uid");
         }
 
@@ -30,18 +31,19 @@ public function view(User $user, Asset $asset): bool
         return $user->can("viewAssets:$volume->uid");
     }
 
-    public function save(User $user, Asset $asset): bool
+    public function save(CraftUser $user, Asset $asset): bool
     {
         $volume = $asset->getVolume();
+        $userId = $user->getCraftUserId();
 
-        if ($asset->uploaderId !== $user->id) {
+        if ($asset->uploaderId !== $userId) {
             return $user->can("savePeerAssets:$volume->uid");
         }
 
         return $user->can("saveAssets:$volume->uid");
     }
 
-    public function delete(User $user, Asset $asset): bool
+    public function delete(CraftUser $user, Asset $asset): bool
     {
         if ($asset->isFolder) {
             return false;
@@ -53,14 +55,14 @@ public function delete(User $user, Asset $asset): bool
             return true;
         }
 
-        if ($asset->uploaderId !== $user->id) {
+        if ($asset->uploaderId !== $user->getCraftUserId()) {
             return $user->can("deletePeerAssets:$volume->uid");
         }
 
         return $user->can("deleteAssets:$volume->uid");
     }
 
-    public function copy(User $user, Asset $asset): bool
+    public function copy(CraftUser $user, Asset $asset): bool
     {
         return $this->view($user, $asset);
     }
diff --git a/src/Auth/AuthMethods.php b/src/Auth/AuthMethods.php
index 98b9a1571ff..e4d31e1a296 100644
--- a/src/Auth/AuthMethods.php
+++ b/src/Auth/AuthMethods.php
@@ -20,8 +20,10 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\DateTimeHelper;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Json;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Twig\Attributes\AllowedInSandbox;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Users;
+use Illuminate\Auth\SessionGuard;
 use Illuminate\Container\Attributes\Scoped;
 use Illuminate\Contracts\Hashing\Hasher;
 use Illuminate\Support\Collection;
@@ -45,7 +47,7 @@ class AuthMethods
     private Collection $methods;
 
     /**
-     * The user being logged in.
+     * The user element being logged in.
      */
     private ?User $user = null;
 
@@ -63,9 +65,13 @@ public function __construct(
     /**
      * @return Collection<AuthMethodInterface>
      */
-    public function getAllMethods(?User $user = null): Collection
+    public function getAllMethods(?CraftUser $user = null): Collection
     {
-        $user ??= auth('craft')->user() ?? $this->getUser();
+        /** @var SessionGuard $guard */
+        $guard = auth('craft');
+        $user = $user?->asElement()
+            ?? $guard->craftUser()?->asElement()
+            ?? $this->getUser();
 
         if (! $user?->id) {
             return new Collection;
@@ -113,7 +119,7 @@ public function getAllMethods(?User $user = null): Collection
     /**
      * @return Collection<AuthMethodInterface>
      */
-    public function getAvailableMethods(?User $user = null): Collection
+    public function getAvailableMethods(?CraftUser $user = null): Collection
     {
         $methods = $this->getAllMethods($user);
 
@@ -134,7 +140,7 @@ public function getAvailableMethods(?User $user = null): Collection
     /**
      * Returns whether any authentication methods are active for the given user.
      */
-    public function hasActiveMethod(?User $user = null): bool
+    public function hasActiveMethod(?CraftUser $user = null): bool
     {
         foreach ($this->getAvailableMethods($user) as $method) {
             if ($method->isActive()) {
@@ -150,7 +156,7 @@ public function hasActiveMethod(?User $user = null): bool
      *
      * @return Collection<AuthMethodInterface>
      */
-    public function getActiveMethods(?User $user = null): Collection
+    public function getActiveMethods(?CraftUser $user = null): Collection
     {
         return $this->getAvailableMethods($user)
             ->filter(fn (AuthMethodInterface $method) => $method->isActive())
@@ -167,7 +173,7 @@ public function getActiveMethods(?User $user = null): Collection
      *
      * @throws InvalidArgumentException
      */
-    public function getMethod(string $class, ?User $user = null): AuthMethodInterface
+    public function getMethod(string $class, ?CraftUser $user = null): AuthMethodInterface
     {
         foreach ($this->getAllMethods($user) as $method) {
             if ($method::class === $class) {
@@ -193,20 +199,22 @@ public function getUser(): ?User
         return $this->user;
     }
 
-    public function setUser(?User $user): void
+    public function setUser(?CraftUser $user): void
     {
-        $this->user = $user;
+        $this->user = $user?->asElement();
 
-        if ($user) {
-            Session::put('user.id', $user->id);
+        if ($this->user) {
+            Session::put('user.id', $this->user->id);
             Session::put('user.pending_2fa_at', now()->timestamp);
         } else {
             Session::forget(['user.id', 'user.pending_2fa_at']);
         }
     }
 
-    public function is2faRequired(User $user): bool
+    public function is2faRequired(CraftUser $user): bool
     {
+        $user = $user->asElement();
+
         if (Edition::get() === Edition::Solo) {
             return false;
         }
@@ -222,7 +230,7 @@ public function is2faRequired(User $user): bool
 
             foreach ($require2fa as $group) {
                 if ($group === 'admins') {
-                    if ($user->admin) {
+                    if ($user->isAdmin()) {
                         return true;
                     }
                 } elseif (isset($groups[$group])) {
@@ -234,10 +242,12 @@ public function is2faRequired(User $user): bool
         return false;
     }
 
-    public function authenticate(User $user, #[SensitiveParameter] array $credentials): bool
+    public function authenticate(CraftUser $user, #[SensitiveParameter] array $credentials): bool
     {
         event($event = new UserAuthenticating($credentials));
 
+        $user = $user->asElement();
+
         $this->authError = $event->authError;
 
         if (isset($this->authError)) {
@@ -281,10 +291,12 @@ public function authenticate(User $user, #[SensitiveParameter] array $credential
         return true;
     }
 
-    public function authenticateWithPasskey(User $user, string $requestOptions, string $response): bool
+    public function authenticateWithPasskey(CraftUser $user, string $requestOptions, string $response): bool
     {
         event($event = new UserAuthenticating);
 
+        $user = $user->asElement();
+
         $this->authError = $event->authError;
 
         if (isset($this->authError)) {
@@ -344,20 +356,30 @@ public function verifyMethod(string $methodClass, mixed ...$args): bool
         if ($user) {
             $this->setUser(null);
 
+            /** @var SessionGuard $guard */
+            $guard = auth('craft');
+
             // if we're impersonating, pass the user we're impersonating to the complete the login
             if ($this->impersonation->isImpersonating()) {
-                /** @var User $user */
-                $user = auth('craft')->user();
+                $authUser = $guard->craftUser();
+            }
+
+            $authUser ??= $guard->getProvider()->retrieveById($user->id);
+
+            if (! $authUser) {
+                return false;
             }
 
-            auth('craft')->login($user, true);
+            auth('craft')->login($authUser, true);
         }
 
         return true;
     }
 
-    public function getAuthError(User $user): ?AuthError
+    public function getAuthError(CraftUser $user): ?AuthError
     {
+        $user = $user->asElement();
+
         switch ($user->getStatus()) {
             case User::STATUS_INACTIVE:
             case User::STATUS_ARCHIVED:
@@ -435,8 +457,10 @@ public function getAuthMethodErrorMessage(?string $defaultMessage = null): strin
     /**
      * @return array{0:AuthError|null,1:string}
      */
-    public function getLoginFailureInfo(?AuthError $authError, ?User $user): array
+    public function getLoginFailureInfo(?AuthError $authError, ?CraftUser $user): array
     {
+        $user = $user?->asElement();
+
         if ($this->generalConfig->preventUserEnumeration && in_array($authError, [AuthError::AccountLocked, AuthError::AccountCooldown])) {
             $authError = AuthError::InvalidCredentials;
         }
@@ -462,8 +486,10 @@ public function getLoginFailureInfo(?AuthError $authError, ?User $user): array
         return [$authError, $message];
     }
 
-    public function handleInvalidLogin(User $user): void
+    public function handleInvalidLogin(CraftUser $user): void
     {
+        $user = $user->asElement();
+
         $this->users->handleInvalidLogin($user);
 
         // Was that one bad password/2fa code/passkey too many?
@@ -486,8 +512,10 @@ public function getRememberedUsername(): ?string
         return Cookie::get($this->rememberedUsernameCookie());
     }
 
-    public function setRememberedUsername(User $user): void
+    public function setRememberedUsername(CraftUser $user): void
     {
+        $user = $user->asElement();
+
         if ($this->generalConfig->rememberUsernameDuration === 0) {
             Cookie::unqueue($this->rememberedUsernameCookie());
             Cookie::forget($this->rememberedUsernameCookie());
diff --git a/src/Auth/AuthServiceProvider.php b/src/Auth/AuthServiceProvider.php
index 4b78e43e8ab..e44301bcab7 100644
--- a/src/Auth/AuthServiceProvider.php
+++ b/src/Auth/AuthServiceProvider.php
@@ -19,21 +19,18 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Field\Policies\ContentBlockPolicy;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\Sites;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\Users as UsersFacade;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User as UserElement;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Models\User;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Policies\UserPolicy;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\UserPermissions;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Users;
 use Illuminate\Auth\Events\Authenticated;
 use Illuminate\Auth\Events\Failed;
 use Illuminate\Auth\Events\Login;
 use Illuminate\Auth\Events\Logout;
 use Illuminate\Auth\Middleware\Authenticate;
 use Illuminate\Auth\Middleware\RedirectIfAuthenticated;
-use Illuminate\Contracts\Auth\Access\Authorizable;
-use Illuminate\Contracts\Hashing\Hasher;
-use Illuminate\Foundation\Application;
 use Illuminate\Http\Request;
-use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Auth as AuthFacade;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Config;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Event;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Gate;
@@ -73,12 +70,6 @@ private function bootRedirects(): void
 
     private function registerGuard(): void
     {
-        AuthFacade::provider('craft', fn (Application $app) => new UserProvider(
-            $app->make(Hasher::class),
-            $app->make(Users::class),
-            $app->make(AuthMethods::class),
-        ));
-
         if (! Config::has('auth.guards.craft')) {
             Config::set('auth.guards.craft', [
                 'driver' => 'session',
@@ -89,7 +80,7 @@ private function registerGuard(): void
 
         if (! Config::has('auth.providers.craft')) {
             Config::set('auth.providers.craft', [
-                'driver' => 'craft',
+                'driver' => 'eloquent',
                 'model' => User::class,
             ]);
         }
@@ -110,11 +101,7 @@ private function registerPermissions(): void
          * This hooks our permission system into
          * Laravel's Gate authorization system
          */
-        Gate::after(function (Authorizable $user, string $ability, ?bool $result) {
-            if (! $user instanceof User) {
-                return null;
-            }
-
+        Gate::after(function (CraftUser $user, string $ability, ?bool $result) {
             /**
              * Only check our permissions when the
              * result was not explicitly set.
@@ -124,17 +111,19 @@ private function registerPermissions(): void
             }
 
             if (
-                $user->admin ||
+                $user->isAdmin() ||
                 Edition::get() === Edition::Solo
             ) {
                 return true;
             }
 
-            if (! isset($user->id)) {
+            $userId = $user->getCraftUserId();
+
+            if (! $userId) {
                 return null;
             }
 
-            if (! app(UserPermissions::class)->doesUserHavePermission($user->id, $ability)) {
+            if (! app(UserPermissions::class)->doesUserHavePermission($userId, $ability)) {
                 return null;
             }
 
@@ -150,23 +139,27 @@ private function registerEvents(): void
         });
 
         Event::listen(Login::class, function (Login $event) {
-            if (! $event->user instanceof User) {
+            $user = $event->user instanceof CraftUser ? $event->user->asElement() : null;
+
+            if (! $user) {
                 return;
             }
 
-            UsersFacade::handleValidLogin($event->user);
+            UsersFacade::handleValidLogin($user);
 
-            app(AuthMethods::class)->setRememberedUsername($event->user);
+            app(AuthMethods::class)->setRememberedUsername($user);
 
             Session::passwordConfirmed();
         });
 
         Event::listen(Failed::class, function (Failed $event) {
-            if (! $event->user instanceof User) {
+            $user = $event->user instanceof CraftUser ? $event->user->asElement() : null;
+
+            if (! $user) {
                 return;
             }
 
-            UsersFacade::handleInvalidLogin($event->user);
+            UsersFacade::handleInvalidLogin($user);
         });
 
         Event::listen(Logout::class, function () {
@@ -181,6 +174,6 @@ private function registerElementPolicies(): void
         Gate::policy(Asset::class, AssetPolicy::class);
         Gate::policy(ContentBlock::class, ContentBlockPolicy::class);
         Gate::policy(Entry::class, EntryPolicy::class);
-        Gate::policy(User::class, UserPolicy::class);
+        Gate::policy(UserElement::class, UserPolicy::class);
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/Auth/Concerns/EnforcesPermissions.php b/src/Auth/Concerns/EnforcesPermissions.php
index c82912edb5d..173c4fb0d87 100644
--- a/src/Auth/Concerns/EnforcesPermissions.php
+++ b/src/Auth/Concerns/EnforcesPermissions.php
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ protected function requireSessionAuthorization(string $permission): void
 
     protected function requirePermission(string $permission): void
     {
-        if (! $user = Auth::user()) {
+        if (! $user = Auth::craftUser()) {
             abort(403, 'User is not authenticated.');
         }
 
@@ -52,6 +52,6 @@ protected function requirePermission(string $permission): void
 
     protected function requireAdmin(): void
     {
-        abort_unless(Auth::user()->isAdmin(), 403, 'User is not permitted to perform this action.');
+        abort_unless(Auth::craftUser()->isAdmin(), 403, 'User is not permitted to perform this action.');
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/Auth/Events/ElementAuthorizing.php b/src/Auth/Events/ElementAuthorizing.php
index a61fce17e1a..3978d80d5d9 100644
--- a/src/Auth/Events/ElementAuthorizing.php
+++ b/src/Auth/Events/ElementAuthorizing.php
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 namespace CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Events;
 
 use CraftCms\Cms\Element\Contracts\ElementInterface;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 use Illuminate\Foundation\Events\Dispatchable;
 
 /**
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ class ElementAuthorizing
     public ?bool $authorized = null;
 
     public function __construct(
-        public readonly User $user,
+        public readonly CraftUser $user,
         public readonly ElementInterface $element,
         public readonly string $ability,
     ) {}
diff --git a/src/Auth/Events/LoginUserRetrieved.php b/src/Auth/Events/LoginUserRetrieved.php
index 1f22aa6454b..8c6484e7b65 100644
--- a/src/Auth/Events/LoginUserRetrieved.php
+++ b/src/Auth/Events/LoginUserRetrieved.php
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 namespace CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Events;
 
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 
 /**
  * @event LoginUserRetrieved The event that is triggered after attempting to find a user to sign in
@@ -13,6 +13,6 @@ class LoginUserRetrieved
 {
     public function __construct(
         public string $loginName,
-        public ?User $user = null,
+        public ?CraftUser $user = null,
     ) {}
 }
diff --git a/src/Auth/Events/LoginUserRetrieving.php b/src/Auth/Events/LoginUserRetrieving.php
index f5592256b4d..3b179cba0b3 100644
--- a/src/Auth/Events/LoginUserRetrieving.php
+++ b/src/Auth/Events/LoginUserRetrieving.php
@@ -4,13 +4,13 @@
 
 namespace CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Events;
 
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 
 /**
  * @event LoginUserRetrieving The event that is triggered before attempting to find a user to sign in
  *
  * ```php
- * use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
+ * use CraftCms\Cms\User\Models\User;
  * use CraftCms\Cms\User\Events\LoginUserRetrieving;
  * use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Event;
  *
@@ -30,6 +30,6 @@ class LoginUserRetrieving
 {
     public function __construct(
         public string $loginName,
-        public ?User $user = null,
+        public ?CraftUser $user = null,
     ) {}
 }
diff --git a/src/Auth/Passkeys/CredentialRepository.php b/src/Auth/Passkeys/CredentialRepository.php
index 40e08289aa6..15273b9e229 100644
--- a/src/Auth/Passkeys/CredentialRepository.php
+++ b/src/Auth/Passkeys/CredentialRepository.php
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Models\WebAuthn;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\Users;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Json;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Auth;
 use ParagonIE\ConstantTime\Base64UrlSafe;
 use Webauthn\PublicKeyCredentialSource;
 use Webauthn\PublicKeyCredentialUserEntity;
@@ -81,7 +82,7 @@ public function savedNamedCredentialSource(PublicKeyCredentialSource $publicKeyC
 
         if (! $model) {
             $model = new WebAuthn;
-            $model->userId = auth('craft')->user()?->id;
+            $model->userId = Auth::craftUser()?->getCraftUserId();
             $model->credentialName = ! empty($credentialName) ? $credentialName : t('Secure credential');
             $model->credentialId = Base64UrlSafe::encodeUnpadded($publicKeyCredentialId);
         }
diff --git a/src/Auth/Passkeys/Passkeys.php b/src/Auth/Passkeys/Passkeys.php
index 4421f019f44..6c2cf25af09 100644
--- a/src/Auth/Passkeys/Passkeys.php
+++ b/src/Auth/Passkeys/Passkeys.php
@@ -7,7 +7,8 @@
 use Carbon\CarbonInterface;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Models\WebAuthn;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Cms;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User as UserElement;
 use Illuminate\Container\Attributes\Scoped;
 use Illuminate\Support\Collection;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Log;
@@ -48,8 +49,10 @@ public function __construct(
         public readonly string $passkeyCredSourceParam = 'pkCredSource',
     ) {}
 
-    public function hasPasskeys(User $user): bool
+    public function hasPasskeys(CraftUser $user): bool
     {
+        $user = $this->userElement($user);
+
         if (! $user->id) {
             return false;
         }
@@ -66,8 +69,10 @@ public function hasPasskeys(User $user): bool
      *     uid:string
      * }>
      */
-    public function getPasskeys(User $user): Collection
+    public function getPasskeys(CraftUser $user): Collection
     {
+        $user = $this->userElement($user);
+
         if (! $user->id) {
             return new Collection;
         }
@@ -86,7 +91,7 @@ public function getPasskeys(User $user): Collection
     /**
      * Generates new passkey credential creation options for the given user.
      */
-    public function getPasskeyCreationOptions(User $user): PublicKeyCredentialOptions
+    public function getPasskeyCreationOptions(CraftUser $user): PublicKeyCredentialOptions
     {
         $userEntity = $this->passkeyUserEntity($user);
         $credentialRepository = $this->webauthnServer()->getCredentialRepository();
@@ -180,7 +185,7 @@ public function getPasskeyRequestOptions(): PublicKeyCredentialRequestOptions
      * @param  string  $response  The authentication response data
      */
     public function verifyPasskey(
-        User $user,
+        CraftUser $user,
         string $requestOptions,
         string $response,
         bool $checkOldUserHandle = false,
@@ -244,8 +249,10 @@ public function verifyPasskey(
         return true;
     }
 
-    public function deletePasskey(User $user, string $uid): void
+    public function deletePasskey(CraftUser $user, string $uid): void
     {
+        $user = $this->userElement($user);
+
         WebAuthn::where('userId', $user->id)->where('uid', $uid)->delete();
     }
 
@@ -264,8 +271,10 @@ public function webauthnServer(): WebauthnServer
     /**
      * Returns User Entity for given User element
      */
-    public function passkeyUserEntity(User $user): PublicKeyCredentialUserEntity
+    public function passkeyUserEntity(CraftUser $user): PublicKeyCredentialUserEntity
     {
+        $user = $this->userElement($user);
+
         return PublicKeyCredentialUserEntity::create(
             name: $user->email,
             id: Base64UrlSafe::encodeUnpadded($user->uid),
@@ -283,4 +292,9 @@ private function passkeyRpEntity(): PublicKeyCredentialRpEntity
             id: request()->host(),
         );
     }
+
+    private function userElement(CraftUser $user): UserElement
+    {
+        return $user->asElement();
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/Auth/UserProvider.php b/src/Auth/UserProvider.php
deleted file mode 100644
index 9c818edc114..00000000000
--- a/src/Auth/UserProvider.php
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,107 +0,0 @@
-<?php
-
-declare(strict_types=1);
-
-namespace CraftCms\Cms\Auth;
-
-use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Enums\AuthError;
-use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Events\LoginUserRetrieved;
-use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Events\LoginUserRetrieving;
-use CraftCms\Cms\Database\Table;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Users;
-use Illuminate\Container\Attributes\Scoped;
-use Illuminate\Contracts\Auth\Authenticatable;
-use Illuminate\Contracts\Hashing\Hasher as HasherContract;
-use Illuminate\Support\Facades\DB;
-use SensitiveParameter;
-
-#[Scoped]
-readonly class UserProvider implements \Illuminate\Contracts\Auth\UserProvider
-{
-    /**
-     * Create a new Craft user provider.
-     */
-    public function __construct(
-        private HasherContract $hasher,
-        private Users $users,
-        private AuthMethods $auth,
-    ) {}
-
-    public function retrieveById($identifier): ?User
-    {
-        return User::find()->addSelect('password')->id($identifier)->one();
-    }
-
-    public function retrieveByToken($identifier, #[SensitiveParameter] $token): ?User
-    {
-        $user = $this->retrieveById($identifier);
-
-        if (! $user) {
-            return null;
-        }
-
-        if ($user->getRememberToken() && hash_equals($user->getRememberToken(), $token)) {
-            return $user;
-        }
-
-        return null;
-    }
-
-    public function updateRememberToken(Authenticatable $user, #[SensitiveParameter] $token): void
-    {
-        DB::table(Table::USERS)
-            ->where('id', $user->getAuthIdentifier())
-            ->update(['rememberToken' => $token]);
-    }
-
-    public function retrieveByCredentials(#[SensitiveParameter] array $credentials): ?User
-    {
-        $credentials = array_filter(
-            $credentials,
-            fn ($key) => ! str_contains((string) $key, 'password'),
-            ARRAY_FILTER_USE_KEY
-        );
-
-        if (empty($credentials)) {
-            return null;
-        }
-
-        $loginName = $credentials['loginName'] ?? $credentials['email'] ?? $credentials['username'];
-
-        event($event = new LoginUserRetrieving($loginName));
-
-        $user = $event->user ?? $this->users->getUserByUsernameOrEmail($loginName);
-
-        event($event = new LoginUserRetrieved($loginName, $user));
-
-        return $event->user;
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * @param  User  $user
-     */
-    public function validateCredentials(Authenticatable $user, #[SensitiveParameter] array $credentials): bool
-    {
-        return $this->auth->authenticate($user, $credentials);
-    }
-
-    public function rehashPasswordIfRequired(
-        Authenticatable $user,
-        #[SensitiveParameter] array $credentials,
-        bool $force = false,
-    ): void {
-        if (! $this->hasher->needsRehash($user->getAuthPassword()) && ! $force) {
-            return;
-        }
-
-        DB::table(Table::USERS)
-            ->where('id', $user->getAuthIdentifier())
-            ->update([$user->getAuthPasswordName() => $this->hasher->make($credentials['password'])]);
-    }
-
-    public function getAuthError(): ?AuthError
-    {
-        return $this->auth->authError;
-    }
-}
diff --git a/src/Cms.php b/src/Cms.php
index b579992ef9b..32cdca3fd2a 100644
--- a/src/Cms.php
+++ b/src/Cms.php
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ public static function targetLanguage(?Request $request = null): string
             return Sites::getCurrentSite()->getLanguage();
         }
 
-        $user = Auth::guard('craft')->user();
+        $user = Auth::craftUser();
 
         if (
             ($id = $user?->getAuthIdentifier()) &&
diff --git a/src/Component/Concerns/MissingComponentTrait.php b/src/Component/Concerns/MissingComponentTrait.php
index b0917326256..74c7cdc224a 100644
--- a/src/Component/Concerns/MissingComponentTrait.php
+++ b/src/Component/Concerns/MissingComponentTrait.php
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ public function getPlaceholderHtml(): string
         $iconSvg = null;
 
         if (
-            Auth::user()?->isAdmin() &&
+            Auth::craftUser()?->isAdmin() &&
             Cms::config()->allowAdminChanges
         ) {
             $pluginsService = app(Plugins::class);
diff --git a/src/Cp/Alerts.php b/src/Cp/Alerts.php
index b55df0bc487..0da733f4331 100644
--- a/src/Cp/Alerts.php
+++ b/src/Cp/Alerts.php
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ public function __construct(
     public function get(?string $path = null, bool $fetch = false): array
     {
         $alerts = [];
-        $user = Auth::user();
+        $user = Auth::craftUser();
         $consoleUrl = rtrim(Api::craftIdEndpoint(), '/');
 
         if (! $user) {
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ public function get(?string $path = null, bool $fetch = false): array
         }
 
         if (
-            $user->admin &&
+            $user->isAdmin() &&
             $this->generalConfig->allowAdminChanges &&
             $this->projectConfig->getHadFileWriteIssues()
         ) {
diff --git a/src/Cp/FormFields.php b/src/Cp/FormFields.php
index da6cb811865..6e44a36b232 100644
--- a/src/Cp/FormFields.php
+++ b/src/Cp/FormFields.php
@@ -112,8 +112,8 @@ public static function fieldHtml(string|Stringable|callable $input, array $confi
 
         $showAttribute = (
             ($config['showAttribute'] ?? false) &&
-            Auth::user()->isAdmin() &&
-            Auth::user()->getPreference('showFieldHandles')
+            Auth::craftUser()->isAdmin() &&
+            Auth::craftUser()->getPreference('showFieldHandles')
         );
         $showActionMenu = (
             ! empty($config['actionMenuItems']) &&
diff --git a/src/Cp/Html/ElementHtml.php b/src/Cp/Html/ElementHtml.php
index 7dd0bcf4603..31f292d1a3a 100644
--- a/src/Cp/Html/ElementHtml.php
+++ b/src/Cp/Html/ElementHtml.php
@@ -570,7 +570,7 @@ public function elementCardHtml(ElementInterface $element, array $config = []):
 
     private function baseElementAttributes(ElementInterface $element, array $config): array
     {
-        $user = Auth::user();
+        $user = Auth::craftUser();
         $editable = $user && $user->can('view', $element);
 
         return Arr::merge(
diff --git a/src/Cp/Navigation.php b/src/Cp/Navigation.php
index 6b095a9d3cf..e389cb15602 100644
--- a/src/Cp/Navigation.php
+++ b/src/Cp/Navigation.php
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ public function __construct(
 
     public function getItems(): array
     {
-        $user = Auth::user();
+        $user = Auth::craftUser();
         $isAdmin = $user?->isAdmin();
 
         $navItems = [
diff --git a/src/Dashboard/Dashboard.php b/src/Dashboard/Dashboard.php
index 51db0911050..924e3a5638a 100644
--- a/src/Dashboard/Dashboard.php
+++ b/src/Dashboard/Dashboard.php
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ public function getWidgetById(int $id): WidgetInterface
     {
         $result = Models\Widget::query()
             ->where('id', $id)
-            ->where('userId', Auth::user()->getAuthIdentifier())
+            ->where('userId', Auth::craftUser()->getAuthIdentifier())
             ->firstOrFail();
 
         return Widget::fromConfig($result);
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ public function saveWidget(WidgetInterface $widget, bool $runValidation = true):
             if ($isNewWidget) {
                 // Set the sortOrder
                 $maxSortOrder = Models\Widget::query()
-                    ->where('userId', Auth::user()->getAuthIdentifier())
+                    ->where('userId', Auth::craftUser()->getAuthIdentifier())
                     ->max('sortOrder');
 
                 $widgetModel->sortOrder = $maxSortOrder + 1;
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ public function changeWidgetColspan(int $widgetId, int $colspan): bool
      */
     private function addDefaultUserWidgets(): void
     {
-        $user = Auth::user();
+        $user = Auth::craftUser();
 
         // Recent Entries widget
         $this->saveWidget($this->createWidget(RecentEntriesWidget::class));
@@ -313,16 +313,14 @@ private function addDefaultUserWidgets(): void
             ],
         ]));
 
-        User::where('id', $user->id)->update([
+        User::where('id', $user->getCraftUserId())->update([
             'hasDashboard' => true,
         ]);
-
-        $user->hasDashboard = true;
     }
 
     private function getUserWidgetModelById(?int $widgetId = null): Models\Widget
     {
-        $userId = Auth::user()->getAuthIdentifier();
+        $userId = Auth::craftUser()->getAuthIdentifier();
 
         if ($widgetId !== null) {
             return Models\Widget::query()
@@ -346,19 +344,18 @@ private function getUserWidgetModelById(?int $widgetId = null): Models\Widget
      */
     private function getUserWidgets(): Collection|false
     {
-        /** @var User $user */
-        $user = Auth::user();
+        $user = Auth::craftUser();
 
         if (! $user) {
             throw new Exception('No logged-in user');
         }
 
-        if (! $user->hasDashboard) {
+        if (! User::where('id', $user->getCraftUserId())->value('hasDashboard')) {
             return false;
         }
 
         return once(fn () => Models\Widget::query()
-            ->where('userId', $user->id)
+            ->where('userId', $user->getCraftUserId())
             ->orderBy('sortOrder')
             ->get()
             ->map(fn (Models\Widget $widget) => Widget::fromConfig($widget)));
diff --git a/src/Dashboard/Widgets/CraftSupport.php b/src/Dashboard/Widgets/CraftSupport.php
index acdc304fe3c..5a411fa0635 100644
--- a/src/Dashboard/Widgets/CraftSupport.php
+++ b/src/Dashboard/Widgets/CraftSupport.php
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ public static function displayName(): string
     public static function isSelectable(): bool
     {
         // Only admins get the Craft Support widget.
-        return parent::isSelectable() && Auth::user()?->isAdmin();
+        return parent::isSelectable() && Auth::craftUser()?->isAdmin();
     }
 
     #[Override]
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ public function getTitle(): ?string
     public function getBodyHtml(): ?string
     {
         // Only admins get the Craft Support widget.
-        if (! Auth::user()?->isAdmin()) {
+        if (! Auth::craftUser()?->isAdmin()) {
             return null;
         }
 
diff --git a/src/Dashboard/Widgets/MyDrafts.php b/src/Dashboard/Widgets/MyDrafts.php
index 298608d75f7..6131db60e4d 100644
--- a/src/Dashboard/Widgets/MyDrafts.php
+++ b/src/Dashboard/Widgets/MyDrafts.php
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ public function getBodyHtml(): string
         $drafts = Entry::find()
             ->drafts()
             ->status(null)
-            ->draftCreator(Auth::user()->id)
+            ->draftCreator(Auth::craftUser()?->getCraftUserId())
             ->section('*')
             ->site('*')
             ->unique()
diff --git a/src/Dashboard/Widgets/QuickPost.php b/src/Dashboard/Widgets/QuickPost.php
index 24a4abd7c58..1cf55a02381 100644
--- a/src/Dashboard/Widgets/QuickPost.php
+++ b/src/Dashboard/Widgets/QuickPost.php
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ public function getSettingsHtml(): string
             if ($section->type === SectionType::Single) {
                 continue;
             }
-            if (! Auth::user()->can('createEntries:'.$section->uid)) {
+            if (! Auth::craftUser()->can('createEntries:'.$section->uid)) {
                 continue;
             }
             $sections[] = $section;
diff --git a/src/Dashboard/Widgets/Updates.php b/src/Dashboard/Widgets/Updates.php
index 3da5bc97f58..a6687d33f5a 100644
--- a/src/Dashboard/Widgets/Updates.php
+++ b/src/Dashboard/Widgets/Updates.php
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ public static function displayName(): string
     public static function isSelectable(): bool
     {
         // Gotta have update permission to get this widget
-        return parent::isSelectable() && Auth::user()->can('performUpdates');
+        return parent::isSelectable() && Auth::craftUser()->can('performUpdates');
     }
 
     #[Override]
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ public static function icon(): string
     public function getBodyHtml(): ?string
     {
         // Make sure the user actually has permission to perform updates
-        if (! Auth::user()->can('performUpdates')) {
+        if (! Auth::craftUser()->can('performUpdates')) {
             return null;
         }
 
diff --git a/src/Edition.php b/src/Edition.php
index f23e89dd53e..8292e80ddee 100644
--- a/src/Edition.php
+++ b/src/Edition.php
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ public static function canTest(): bool
 
     public static function canUpgrade(): bool
     {
-        if (! Auth::user()?->isAdmin()) {
+        if (! Auth::craftUser()?->isAdmin()) {
             return false;
         }
 
diff --git a/src/Element/Conditions/HintableConditionRuleTrait.php b/src/Element/Conditions/HintableConditionRuleTrait.php
index dd10b58ad4b..a5337b18c20 100644
--- a/src/Element/Conditions/HintableConditionRuleTrait.php
+++ b/src/Element/Conditions/HintableConditionRuleTrait.php
@@ -10,6 +10,6 @@ trait HintableConditionRuleTrait
 {
     public function showLabelHint(): bool
     {
-        return Auth::user()?->getPreference('showFieldHandles') ?? false;
+        return Auth::craftUser()?->getPreference('showFieldHandles') ?? false;
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/Element/Drafts.php b/src/Element/Drafts.php
index 86f2610952d..35ed2918005 100644
--- a/src/Element/Drafts.php
+++ b/src/Element/Drafts.php
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
 use Throwable;
 use Tpetry\QueryExpressions\Language\Alias;
 
+use function CraftCms\Cms\currentUserElement;
 use function CraftCms\Cms\t;
 
 #[Singleton]
@@ -47,7 +48,7 @@ public function __construct(
      */
     public function getEditableDrafts(ElementInterface $element, ?string $permission = null): Collection
     {
-        $user = Auth::user();
+        $user = Auth::craftUser();
 
         if (! $user) {
             return collect();
@@ -61,7 +62,7 @@ public function getEditableDrafts(ElementInterface $element, ?string $permission
             ->orderByDesc('dateUpdated');
 
         if (! $permission || ! $user->can($permission)) {
-            $query->draftCreator($user->id);
+            $query->draftCreator($user->getCraftUserId());
         }
 
         return collect($query->all());
@@ -493,7 +494,7 @@ private function provisionalDrafts(array $elements, ?User $user = null): array
             $user = User::find()->id($userId)->status(null)->one();
         }
 
-        $user ??= Auth::user();
+        $user ??= currentUserElement();
 
         if (! $user) {
             return [];
diff --git a/src/Element/ElementActivity.php b/src/Element/ElementActivity.php
index 0d5e20730ac..574f638afe8 100644
--- a/src/Element/ElementActivity.php
+++ b/src/Element/ElementActivity.php
@@ -13,11 +13,12 @@
 use Illuminate\Container\Attributes\Singleton;
 use Illuminate\Database\Query\Builder;
 use Illuminate\Support\Collection;
-use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Auth;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\DB;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Log;
 use InvalidArgumentException;
 
+use function CraftCms\Cms\currentUserElement;
+
 #[Singleton]
 readonly class ElementActivity
 {
@@ -119,7 +120,7 @@ public function getRecentActivity(ElementInterface $element, ?int $excludeUserId
 
     public function trackActivity(ElementInterface $element, ElementActivityType $type, ?User $user = null): void
     {
-        $user ??= Auth::user();
+        $user ??= currentUserElement();
 
         if (! $user) {
             throw new InvalidArgumentException('$user must be set if no user is signed in.');
diff --git a/src/Element/ElementHelper.php b/src/Element/ElementHelper.php
index 95765d3f087..6065402c8a1 100644
--- a/src/Element/ElementHelper.php
+++ b/src/Element/ElementHelper.php
@@ -19,13 +19,13 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Str;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Url;
 use Illuminate\Database\Query\Builder;
-use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Auth;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\DB;
 use Illuminate\Support\HtmlString;
 use RuntimeException;
 use Tpetry\QueryExpressions\Function\String\Lower;
 use Tpetry\QueryExpressions\Language\Alias;
 
+use function CraftCms\Cms\currentUserElement;
 use function CraftCms\Cms\renderObjectTemplate;
 
 class ElementHelper
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ public static function shouldTrackChanges(ElementInterface $element): bool
      */
     public static function isElementEditable(ElementInterface $element): bool
     {
-        $user = Auth::user();
+        $user = currentUserElement();
 
         if (! $user || ! $element->canView($user)) {
             return false;
@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ public static function isElementEditable(ElementInterface $element): bool
      */
     public static function editableSiteIdsForElement(ElementInterface $element): array
     {
-        $user = Auth::user();
+        $user = currentUserElement();
 
         if (! $user || ! $element->canView($user)) {
             return [];
diff --git a/src/Element/ElementSources.php b/src/Element/ElementSources.php
index 47fd7569416..c1c16bf6233 100644
--- a/src/Element/ElementSources.php
+++ b/src/Element/ElementSources.php
@@ -25,9 +25,9 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Str;
 use Illuminate\Container\Attributes\Scoped;
 use Illuminate\Support\Collection;
-use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Auth;
 use Tpetry\QueryExpressions\Function\Conditional\Coalesce;
 
+use function CraftCms\Cms\currentUserElement;
 use function CraftCms\Cms\t;
 
 #[Scoped]
@@ -410,7 +410,7 @@ private function showCustomSource(array $source): bool
             return true;
         }
 
-        $user = Auth::user();
+        $user = currentUserElement();
 
         if (! $user) {
             return false;
@@ -691,7 +691,7 @@ public function getSourceTableAttributes(string $elementType, string $sourceKey)
      */
     public function getTableAttributesForFieldLayouts(array|Collection $fieldLayouts): Collection
     {
-        $user = Auth::user();
+        $user = currentUserElement();
 
         $attributes = [];
         /** @var CustomField[][] $groupedFieldElements */
diff --git a/src/Element/NestedElementManager.php b/src/Element/NestedElementManager.php
index 6780c7d2d6c..76b688b6051 100644
--- a/src/Element/NestedElementManager.php
+++ b/src/Element/NestedElementManager.php
@@ -485,7 +485,7 @@ private function createView(?ElementInterface $owner, array $config, string $mod
         }
 
         $authorizedOwnerId = $owner->id;
-        if ($owner->isProvisionalDraft && $owner->draftCreatorId === Auth::user()?->id) {
+        if ($owner->isProvisionalDraft && $owner->draftCreatorId === Auth::craftUser()?->getCraftUserId()) {
             /** @var ElementInterface $owner */
             $authorizedOwnerId = $owner->getCanonicalId();
         }
diff --git a/src/Element/Operations/ElementDuplicates.php b/src/Element/Operations/ElementDuplicates.php
index 948c5c794a2..bda84d42bad 100644
--- a/src/Element/Operations/ElementDuplicates.php
+++ b/src/Element/Operations/ElementDuplicates.php
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ public function duplicateElement(
             $mainClone->setCanonicalId($element->getCanonicalId());
             $mainClone->draftId = $this->drafts->insertDraftRow(
                 name: $mainClone->draftName,
-                creatorId: Auth::user()->id,
+                creatorId: Auth::craftUser()?->getCraftUserId(),
                 canonicalId: $element->getCanonicalId(),
                 trackChanges: $mainClone->trackDraftChanges,
             );
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ public function duplicateElement(
             $mainClone->setCanonicalId(null);
             $mainClone->draftId = $this->drafts->insertDraftRow(
                 name: $mainClone->draftName,
-                creatorId: Auth::user()->id,
+                creatorId: Auth::craftUser()?->getCraftUserId(),
                 trackChanges: $mainClone->trackDraftChanges,
             );
         }
@@ -327,7 +327,7 @@ private function copyModifiedFields(ElementInterface $from, ElementInterface $to
         $modifiedAttributes = array_unique($modifiedAttributes);
         $modifiedFields = array_unique($modifiedFields);
 
-        $userId = Auth::user()?->id;
+        $userId = Auth::craftUser()?->getCraftUserId();
 
         if (! empty($modifiedAttributes)) {
             $data = [];
diff --git a/src/Element/Operations/ElementWrites.php b/src/Element/Operations/ElementWrites.php
index 640883763fb..68bf571fafa 100644
--- a/src/Element/Operations/ElementWrites.php
+++ b/src/Element/Operations/ElementWrites.php
@@ -667,7 +667,7 @@ protected function saveInternal(
                 }
 
                 if ($trackChanges) {
-                    $userId = Auth::user()?->id;
+                    $userId = Auth::craftUser()?->getCraftUserId();
                     $timestamp = now();
 
                     foreach ($dirtyAttributes as $attributeName) {
@@ -886,7 +886,7 @@ private function crossSiteValidationErrors(
         $propagateToSite = $this->sites->getSiteById($siteElement->siteId);
 
         /** @var ?User $user */
-        $user = Auth::user();
+        $user = Auth::craftUser();
         $message = t('Validation errors for site: “{siteName}“', [
             'siteName' => $propagateToSite?->getName(),
         ]);
diff --git a/src/Element/Policies/ElementPolicy.php b/src/Element/Policies/ElementPolicy.php
index 792cdd2cf1c..74add51d685 100644
--- a/src/Element/Policies/ElementPolicy.php
+++ b/src/Element/Policies/ElementPolicy.php
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Element\Contracts\NestedElementInterface;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Element\Element;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Field\Contracts\ElementContainerFieldInterface;
-use CraftCms\Cms\Site\Models\Site;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\Sites;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Gate;
 use ReflectionMethod;
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ class ElementPolicy
      * Runs before all ability checks.
      * Returns true/false to short-circuit, or null to continue.
      */
-    public function before(User $user, string $ability, mixed $element): ?bool
+    public function before(CraftUser $user, string $ability, mixed $element): ?bool
     {
         if (! $element instanceof ElementInterface) {
             return null;
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ public function before(User $user, string $ability, mixed $element): ?bool
         return $event->authorized;
     }
 
-    public function saveCanonical(User $user, ElementInterface $element): bool
+    public function saveCanonical(CraftUser $user, ElementInterface $element): bool
     {
         if ($element->getIsUnpublishedDraft()) {
             $fakeCanonical = clone $element;
@@ -91,12 +91,8 @@ public function __call(string $method, array $arguments): bool
         if (in_array($method, self::ABILITIES, true)) {
             [$user, $element] = $arguments + [null, null];
 
-            if (
-                $user instanceof User &&
-                $element instanceof ElementInterface &&
-                $this->hasCustomElementAuthorizationMethod($element, $method)
-            ) {
-                return $element->{self::ELEMENT_AUTHORIZATION_METHODS[$method]}($user);
+            if ($user instanceof CraftUser && $element instanceof ElementInterface && $this->hasCustomElementAuthorizationMethod($element, $method)) {
+                return $element->{self::ELEMENT_AUTHORIZATION_METHODS[$method]}($user->asElement());
             }
 
             return false;
@@ -118,7 +114,7 @@ private function hasCustomElementAuthorizationMethod(ElementInterface $element,
             ->getName() !== Element::class;
     }
 
-    private function checkSiteAuthorization(User $user, ElementInterface $element): ?bool
+    private function checkSiteAuthorization(CraftUser $user, ElementInterface $element): ?bool
     {
         if (! $siteId = $element->siteId) {
             return null;
@@ -132,7 +128,7 @@ private function checkSiteAuthorization(User $user, ElementInterface $element):
     }
 
     private function checkNestedElementAuthorization(
-        User $user,
+        CraftUser $user,
         string $ability,
         ElementInterface $element,
     ): ?bool {
@@ -145,12 +141,14 @@ private function checkNestedElementAuthorization(
             return null;
         }
 
+        $userElement = $user->asElement();
+
         return match ($ability) {
-            'view' => $field->canViewElement($element, $user),
-            'save' => $this->checkNestedSaveAuthorization($element, $user, $field),
-            'delete' => $field->canDeleteElement($element, $user),
-            'duplicate', 'duplicateAsDraft' => $field->canDuplicateElement($element, $user),
-            'deleteForSite' => $field->canDeleteElementForSite($element, $user),
+            'view' => $field->canViewElement($element, $userElement),
+            'save' => $this->checkNestedSaveAuthorization($element, $userElement, $field),
+            'delete' => $field->canDeleteElement($element, $userElement),
+            'duplicate', 'duplicateAsDraft' => $field->canDuplicateElement($element, $userElement),
+            'deleteForSite' => $field->canDeleteElementForSite($element, $userElement),
             default => null,
         };
     }
diff --git a/src/Element/Queries/AssetQuery.php b/src/Element/Queries/AssetQuery.php
index 43574d1dfb1..0b4a052b4c2 100644
--- a/src/Element/Queries/AssetQuery.php
+++ b/src/Element/Queries/AssetQuery.php
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ private function applyAuthParam(?bool $value, string $permissionPrefix, string $
             return;
         }
 
-        $user = Auth::user();
+        $user = Auth::craftUser();
 
         if (! $user) {
             throw new QueryAbortedException;
@@ -144,7 +144,9 @@ private function applyAuthParam(?bool $value, string $permissionPrefix, string $
                 throw new QueryAbortedException;
             }
 
-            $this->where(function (Builder $query) use ($user, $fullyAuthorizedVolumeIds, $partiallyAuthorizedVolumeIds) {
+            $userId = $user->getCraftUserId();
+
+            $this->where(function (Builder $query) use ($userId, $fullyAuthorizedVolumeIds, $partiallyAuthorizedVolumeIds) {
                 if ($fullyAuthorizedVolumeIds) {
                     $query->orWhereIn('assets.volumeId', $fullyAuthorizedVolumeIds);
                 }
@@ -152,7 +154,7 @@ private function applyAuthParam(?bool $value, string $permissionPrefix, string $
                 if ($partiallyAuthorizedVolumeIds) {
                     $query->orWhere(fn (Builder $query) => $query
                         ->whereIn('assets.volumeId', $partiallyAuthorizedVolumeIds)
-                        ->where('assets.uploaderId', $user->id),
+                        ->where('assets.uploaderId', $userId),
                     );
                 }
             });
@@ -164,16 +166,18 @@ private function applyAuthParam(?bool $value, string $permissionPrefix, string $
             throw new QueryAbortedException;
         }
 
-        $this->where(function (Builder $query) use ($user, $unauthorizedVolumeIds, $partiallyAuthorizedVolumeIds) {
+        $userId = $user->getCraftUserId();
+
+        $this->where(function (Builder $query) use ($userId, $unauthorizedVolumeIds, $partiallyAuthorizedVolumeIds) {
             if ($unauthorizedVolumeIds) {
                 $query->orWhereIn('assets.volumeId', $unauthorizedVolumeIds);
             }
 
             if ($partiallyAuthorizedVolumeIds) {
-                $query->orWhere(function (Builder $query) use ($user, $partiallyAuthorizedVolumeIds) {
+                $query->orWhere(function (Builder $query) use ($userId, $partiallyAuthorizedVolumeIds) {
                     $query->whereIn('assets.volumeId', $partiallyAuthorizedVolumeIds)
-                        ->where(function (Builder $query) use ($user) {
-                            $query->where('assets.uploaderId', '!=', $user->id)
+                        ->where(function (Builder $query) use ($userId) {
+                            $query->where('assets.uploaderId', '!=', $userId)
                                 ->orWhereNull('assets.uploaderId');
                         });
                 });
diff --git a/src/Element/Queries/Concerns/QueriesDraftsAndRevisions.php b/src/Element/Queries/Concerns/QueriesDraftsAndRevisions.php
index b3b88470363..f59574e4b60 100644
--- a/src/Element/Queries/Concerns/QueriesDraftsAndRevisions.php
+++ b/src/Element/Queries/Concerns/QueriesDraftsAndRevisions.php
@@ -367,7 +367,7 @@ public function draftOf(mixed $value): static
      * ```php
      * // Fetch drafts by the current user
      * ${elements-var} = {php-method}
-     *     ->draftCreator(Auth::user())
+     *     ->draftCreator(Auth::craftUser())
      *     ->all();
      * ```
      */
@@ -403,7 +403,7 @@ public function draftCreator(mixed $value): static
      * // Fetch provisional drafts created by the current user
      * ${elements-var} = {php-method}
      *     ->provisionalDrafts()
-     *     ->draftCreator(Auth::user())
+     *     ->draftCreator(Auth::craftUser())
      *     ->all();
      * ```
      */
@@ -588,7 +588,7 @@ public function revisionOf(mixed $value): static
      * ```php
      * // Fetch revisions by the current user
      * ${elements-var} = {php-method}
-     *     ->revisionCreator(Auth::user())
+     *     ->revisionCreator(Auth::craftUser())
      *     ->all();
      * ```
      */
diff --git a/src/Element/Queries/EntryQuery.php b/src/Element/Queries/EntryQuery.php
index 51a3946eebe..bed6c901e54 100644
--- a/src/Element/Queries/EntryQuery.php
+++ b/src/Element/Queries/EntryQuery.php
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ private function applyAuthParam(
             return;
         }
 
-        $user = Auth::user();
+        $user = Auth::craftUser();
 
         if (! $user) {
             throw new QueryAbortedException;
@@ -253,21 +253,23 @@ private function applyAuthParam(
                 if ($excludePeerEntries || $excludePeerDrafts) {
                     $partialAccessSections[] = $section->id;
 
-                    $query->orWhere(function (Builder $query) use ($excludePeerDrafts, $user, $excludePeerEntries, $section) {
+                    $userId = $user->getCraftUserId();
+
+                    $query->orWhere(function (Builder $query) use ($excludePeerDrafts, $userId, $excludePeerEntries, $section) {
                         $query->where('entries.sectionId', $section->id);
 
                         if ($excludePeerEntries) {
                             $query->whereExists(
                                 DB::table(Table::ENTRIES_AUTHORS, 'entries_authors')
                                     ->whereColumn('entries_authors.entryId', 'entries.id')
-                                    ->where('entries_authors.authorId', $user->id)
+                                    ->where('entries_authors.authorId', $userId)
                             );
                         }
 
                         if ($excludePeerDrafts) {
-                            $query->where(function (Builder $query) use ($user) {
+                            $query->where(function (Builder $query) use ($userId) {
                                 $query->whereNull('elements.draftId')
-                                    ->orWhere('drafts.creatorId', $user->id);
+                                    ->orWhere('drafts.creatorId', $userId);
                             });
                         }
                     });
diff --git a/src/Element/Revisions.php b/src/Element/Revisions.php
index e266dc33d63..3d53375718d 100644
--- a/src/Element/Revisions.php
+++ b/src/Element/Revisions.php
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ public function createRevision(
 
             if ($creatorId === null) {
                 // Default to the logged-in user ID if there is one
-                $creatorId = Auth::user()?->id;
+                $creatorId = Auth::craftUser()?->getCraftUserId();
             }
 
             event($event = new RevisionCreating(
diff --git a/src/Entry/Data/EntryType.php b/src/Entry/Data/EntryType.php
index db694876b09..8213a47e2e6 100644
--- a/src/Entry/Data/EntryType.php
+++ b/src/Entry/Data/EntryType.php
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ public function getActionMenuItems(): array
             return [];
         }
 
-        if (! Auth::user()?->isAdmin()) {
+        if (! Auth::craftUser()?->isAdmin()) {
             return [];
         }
 
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ public function getEagerLoadingPrefix(): string
 
     public function getCpEditUrl(): ?string
     {
-        if (! $this->id || ! Auth::user()?->isAdmin()) {
+        if (! $this->id || ! Auth::craftUser()?->isAdmin()) {
             return null;
         }
 
diff --git a/src/Entry/Elements/Entry.php b/src/Entry/Elements/Entry.php
index 53192bd3558..9b234b244cd 100644
--- a/src/Entry/Elements/Entry.php
+++ b/src/Entry/Elements/Entry.php
@@ -82,6 +82,7 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Str;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Url;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Twig\Attributes\AllowedInSandbox;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
 use CraftCms\RulesetValidation\Attributes\Ruleset;
 use DateInterval;
@@ -95,6 +96,7 @@
 use RuntimeException;
 use Tpetry\QueryExpressions\Language\Alias;
 
+use function CraftCms\Cms\currentUserElement;
 use function CraftCms\Cms\renderObjectTemplate;
 use function CraftCms\Cms\t;
 
@@ -406,7 +408,7 @@ protected static function defineSources(string $context): array
             SectionType::Structure->value => t('Structures'),
         ];
 
-        $user = Auth::user();
+        $user = Auth::craftUser();
 
         foreach ($sectionTypes as $type => $heading) {
             if (! empty($sectionsByType[$type])) {
@@ -534,7 +536,7 @@ protected static function defineActions(string $source): array
         $actions = [];
 
         if ($section) {
-            $user = Auth::user();
+            $user = Auth::craftUser();
 
             if (
                 $section->type === SectionType::Structure &&
@@ -764,7 +766,7 @@ protected static function defineDefaultTableAttributes(string $source): array
     #[Override]
     protected static function defineCardAttributes(): array
     {
-        $currentUser = Auth::user();
+        $currentUser = currentUserElement();
 
         $attributes = array_merge(parent::defineCardAttributes(), [
             'section' => [
@@ -1220,7 +1222,7 @@ protected function crumbs(): array
         }
 
         if ($section->type === SectionType::Structure) {
-            $user = Auth::user();
+            $user = Auth::craftUser();
 
             $ancestors = $this->getAncestors();
             if ($ancestors instanceof ElementQueryInterface) {
@@ -1810,7 +1812,7 @@ protected function safeActionMenuItems(): array
 
         if (
             app(ElementRequest::class)->element === $this &&
-            Auth::user()?->isAdmin() &&
+            Auth::craftUser()?->isAdmin() &&
             Cms::config()->allowAdminChanges
         ) {
             // Entry type settings
@@ -1997,9 +1999,9 @@ protected function htmlAttributes(string $context): array
     /**
      * Returns whether the given user is authorized to move this entry to a different section.
      */
-    public function canMove(?User $user = null): bool
+    public function canMove(?CraftUser $user = null): bool
     {
-        $user ??= Auth::user();
+        $user ??= currentUserElement();
 
         if (! $user) {
             return false;
@@ -2009,6 +2011,8 @@ public function canMove(?User $user = null): bool
             return false;
         }
 
+        $userId = $user->getCraftUserId();
+
         // disallow moving singles and trashed entries
         if ($section->type === SectionType::Single || $this->trashed) {
             return false;
@@ -2020,14 +2024,14 @@ public function canMove(?User $user = null): bool
         }
 
         if ($this->getIsDraft()) {
-            return $this->draftCreatorId === $user->id || $user->can("savePeerEntryDrafts:$section->uid");
+            return $this->draftCreatorId === $userId || $user->can("savePeerEntryDrafts:$section->uid");
         }
 
         if (! $user->can("saveEntries:$section->uid")) {
             return false;
         }
 
-        return in_array($user->id, $this->getAuthorIds(), true) || $user->can("savePeerEntries:$section->uid");
+        return ($userId !== null && in_array($userId, $this->getAuthorIds(), true)) || $user->can("savePeerEntries:$section->uid");
     }
 
     /**
@@ -2053,7 +2057,7 @@ public function metaFieldsHtml(bool $static): string
     {
         $fields = [];
         $section = $this->getSection();
-        $user = Auth::user();
+        $user = currentUserElement();
 
         $this->_applyActionBtnEntryTypeCompatibility();
 
@@ -2230,18 +2234,19 @@ private function _applyActionBtnEntryTypeCompatibility(): void
     /**
      * Returns whether the current user has permission to change this entry’s author.
      */
-    private function canChangeAuthor(?User $user = null): bool
+    private function canChangeAuthor(?CraftUser $user = null): bool
     {
-        if (! $user && ! $user = Auth::user()) {
+        if (! $user && ! $user = currentUserElement()) {
             return false;
         }
 
         $section = $this->getSection();
         $authorIds = $this->getAuthorIds();
+        $userId = $user->getCraftUserId();
 
         return
             empty($authorIds) ||
-            in_array($user->id, $authorIds) ||
+            ($userId !== null && in_array($userId, $authorIds, true)) ||
             $user->can("changeAuthorForPeerEntries:$section->uid");
     }
 
@@ -2428,7 +2433,7 @@ private function maybeSetDefaultAttributes(): void
         if ($section?->type !== SectionType::Single
             && $section?->minAuthors === 1
             && empty($this->getAuthors())
-            && $user = Auth::user()
+            && $user = currentUserElement()
         ) {
             $this->setAuthor($user);
         }
diff --git a/src/Entry/Policies/EntryPolicy.php b/src/Entry/Policies/EntryPolicy.php
index 229cb4cd287..f98b7d34188 100644
--- a/src/Entry/Policies/EntryPolicy.php
+++ b/src/Entry/Policies/EntryPolicy.php
@@ -8,43 +8,47 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Element\Policies\ElementPolicy;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Entry\Elements\Entry;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Section\Enums\SectionType;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 
 class EntryPolicy extends ElementPolicy
 {
-    public function view(User $user, Entry $entry): bool
+    public function view(CraftUser $user, Entry $entry): bool
     {
         if (! $section = $entry->getSection()) {
             return false;
         }
 
+        $userId = $user->getCraftUserId();
+
         if (! $user->can("viewEntries:$section->uid")) {
             return false;
         }
 
         if ($entry->getIsDraft()) {
-            return $entry->draftCreatorId === $user->id
+            return $entry->draftCreatorId === $userId
                 || $user->can("viewPeerEntryDrafts:$section->uid");
         }
 
         return $section->type === SectionType::Single
-            || in_array($user->id, $entry->getAuthorIds(), true)
+            || in_array($userId, $entry->getAuthorIds(), true)
             || $user->can("viewPeerEntries:$section->uid");
     }
 
-    public function save(User $user, Entry $entry): bool
+    public function save(CraftUser $user, Entry $entry): bool
     {
         if (! $section = $entry->getSection()) {
             return false;
         }
 
+        $userId = $user->getCraftUserId();
+
         if (! $entry->id) {
             return $section->type !== SectionType::Single
                 && $user->can("createEntries:$section->uid");
         }
 
         if ($entry->getIsDraft()) {
-            return $entry->draftCreatorId === $user->id
+            return $entry->draftCreatorId === $userId
                 || $user->can("savePeerEntryDrafts:$section->uid");
         }
 
@@ -53,22 +57,24 @@ public function save(User $user, Entry $entry): bool
         }
 
         return $section->type === SectionType::Single
-            || in_array($user->id, $entry->getAuthorIds(), true)
+            || in_array($userId, $entry->getAuthorIds(), true)
             || $user->can("savePeerEntries:$section->uid");
     }
 
-    public function delete(User $user, Entry $entry): bool
+    public function delete(CraftUser $user, Entry $entry): bool
     {
         if (! $section = $entry->getSection()) {
             return false;
         }
 
+        $userId = $user->getCraftUserId();
+
         if ($section->type === SectionType::Single && ! $entry->getIsDraft()) {
             return false;
         }
 
         if ($entry->getIsDraft()) {
-            return $entry->draftCreatorId === $user->id
+            return $entry->draftCreatorId === $userId
                 || $user->can("deletePeerEntryDrafts:$section->uid");
         }
 
@@ -76,11 +82,11 @@ public function delete(User $user, Entry $entry): bool
             return false;
         }
 
-        return in_array($user->id, $entry->getAuthorIds(), true)
+        return in_array($userId, $entry->getAuthorIds(), true)
             || $user->can("deletePeerEntries:$section->uid");
     }
 
-    public function duplicate(User $user, Entry $entry): bool
+    public function duplicate(CraftUser $user, Entry $entry): bool
     {
         if (! $section = $entry->getSection()) {
             return false;
@@ -91,7 +97,7 @@ public function duplicate(User $user, Entry $entry): bool
             && $user->can("saveEntries:$section->uid");
     }
 
-    public function duplicateAsDraft(User $user, Entry $entry): bool
+    public function duplicateAsDraft(CraftUser $user, Entry $entry): bool
     {
         if (! $section = $entry->getSection()) {
             return false;
@@ -101,28 +107,30 @@ public function duplicateAsDraft(User $user, Entry $entry): bool
             && $user->can("createEntries:$section->uid");
     }
 
-    public function copy(User $user, Entry $entry): bool
+    public function copy(CraftUser $user, Entry $entry): bool
     {
         return $this->view($user, $entry);
     }
 
-    public function createDrafts(User $user, Entry $entry): bool
+    public function createDrafts(CraftUser $user, Entry $entry): bool
     {
         return true;
     }
 
-    public function deleteForSite(User $user, Entry $entry): bool
+    public function deleteForSite(CraftUser $user, Entry $entry): bool
     {
         if (! $section = $entry->getSection()) {
             return false;
         }
 
+        $userId = $user->getCraftUserId();
+
         if ($section->propagationMethod !== PropagationMethod::Custom) {
             return false;
         }
 
         if ($entry->getIsDraft()) {
-            return $entry->draftCreatorId === $user->id
+            return $entry->draftCreatorId === $userId
                 || $user->can("deletePeerEntryDrafts:$section->uid");
         }
 
@@ -130,7 +138,7 @@ public function deleteForSite(User $user, Entry $entry): bool
             return false;
         }
 
-        return in_array($user->id, $entry->getAuthorIds(), true)
+        return in_array($userId, $entry->getAuthorIds(), true)
             || $user->can("deletePeerEntriesForSite:$section->uid");
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/Field/Addresses.php b/src/Field/Addresses.php
index 2155dcaa78c..de4a42706ec 100644
--- a/src/Field/Addresses.php
+++ b/src/Field/Addresses.php
@@ -421,7 +421,7 @@ private function createAddressesFromSerializedData(array $value, ElementInterfac
                 // Is this a derivative element, and does the entry primarily belong to the canonical?
                 if ($element->getIsDerivative() && $address->getPrimaryOwnerId() === $element->getCanonicalId()) {
                     // Duplicate it as a draft. (We'll drop its draft status from NestedElementManager::saveNestedElements().)
-                    $address = app(Drafts::class)->createDraft($address, Auth::user()->id, null, null, [
+                    $address = app(Drafts::class)->createDraft($address, Auth::craftUser()?->getCraftUserId(), null, null, [
                         'canonicalId' => $address->id,
                         'primaryOwnerId' => $element->id,
                         'owner' => $element,
diff --git a/src/Field/Conditions/FieldConditionRuleTrait.php b/src/Field/Conditions/FieldConditionRuleTrait.php
index 89121f38f53..8f3e9ec4fde 100644
--- a/src/Field/Conditions/FieldConditionRuleTrait.php
+++ b/src/Field/Conditions/FieldConditionRuleTrait.php
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ public function getLabelHint(): ?string
 
     public function showLabelHint(): bool
     {
-        return Auth::user()?->getPreference('showFieldHandles') ?? false;
+        return Auth::craftUser()?->getPreference('showFieldHandles') ?? false;
     }
 
     public function getExclusiveQueryParams(): array
diff --git a/src/Field/Email.php b/src/Field/Email.php
index 926c0e2ad2c..049b7df937a 100644
--- a/src/Field/Email.php
+++ b/src/Field/Email.php
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ public function getPreviewHtml(mixed $value, ElementInterface $element): string
     public function previewPlaceholderHtml(mixed $value, ?ElementInterface $element): string
     {
         if (! $value) {
-            $value = Auth::user()->email;
+            $value = Auth::craftUser()?->asElement()->email;
         }
 
         return $this->getPreviewHtml($value, $element ?? new Entry);
diff --git a/src/Field/Field.php b/src/Field/Field.php
index b29c5b41fc2..f45de9dd34b 100644
--- a/src/Field/Field.php
+++ b/src/Field/Field.php
@@ -450,7 +450,7 @@ public function getIcon(): ?string
 
     public function getCpEditUrl(): ?string
     {
-        if (! $this->id || ! Auth::user()?->isAdmin()) {
+        if (! $this->id || ! Auth::craftUser()?->isAdmin()) {
             return null;
         }
 
@@ -474,7 +474,7 @@ protected function actionMenuItems(): array
             return $items;
         }
 
-        if (! Auth::user()?->isAdmin()) {
+        if (! Auth::craftUser()?->isAdmin()) {
             return $items;
         }
 
diff --git a/src/Field/Policies/ContentBlockPolicy.php b/src/Field/Policies/ContentBlockPolicy.php
index 1d40f6a4ae1..1b65f54c781 100644
--- a/src/Field/Policies/ContentBlockPolicy.php
+++ b/src/Field/Policies/ContentBlockPolicy.php
@@ -7,11 +7,11 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Element\Contracts\ElementInterface;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Element\Policies\ElementPolicy;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Field\Elements\ContentBlock;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 
 class ContentBlockPolicy extends ElementPolicy
 {
-    public function view(User $user, ContentBlock $contentBlock): bool
+    public function view(CraftUser $user, ContentBlock $contentBlock): bool
     {
         if (! $owner = $this->getOwner($contentBlock)) {
             return false;
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ public function view(User $user, ContentBlock $contentBlock): bool
         return $user->can('view', $owner);
     }
 
-    public function save(User $user, ContentBlock $contentBlock): bool
+    public function save(CraftUser $user, ContentBlock $contentBlock): bool
     {
         if (! $owner = $this->getOwner($contentBlock)) {
             return false;
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ public function save(User $user, ContentBlock $contentBlock): bool
         return $user->can('save', $owner);
     }
 
-    public function delete(User $user, ContentBlock $contentBlock): bool
+    public function delete(CraftUser $user, ContentBlock $contentBlock): bool
     {
         if (! $owner = $this->getOwner($contentBlock)) {
             return false;
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ public function delete(User $user, ContentBlock $contentBlock): bool
         return $user->can('save', $owner);
     }
 
-    public function duplicate(User $user, ContentBlock $contentBlock): bool
+    public function duplicate(CraftUser $user, ContentBlock $contentBlock): bool
     {
         if (! $owner = $this->getOwner($contentBlock)) {
             return false;
@@ -47,12 +47,12 @@ public function duplicate(User $user, ContentBlock $contentBlock): bool
         return $user->can('save', $owner);
     }
 
-    public function copy(User $user, ContentBlock $contentBlock): bool
+    public function copy(CraftUser $user, ContentBlock $contentBlock): bool
     {
         return $user->can('duplicate', $contentBlock);
     }
 
-    public function createDrafts(User $user, ContentBlock $contentBlock): bool
+    public function createDrafts(CraftUser $user, ContentBlock $contentBlock): bool
     {
         return true;
     }
diff --git a/src/FieldLayout/FieldLayoutComponent.php b/src/FieldLayout/FieldLayoutComponent.php
index 8183e0394cd..a41f4f6c4e4 100644
--- a/src/FieldLayout/FieldLayoutComponent.php
+++ b/src/FieldLayout/FieldLayoutComponent.php
@@ -14,9 +14,9 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Html;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Conditions\UserCondition;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
-use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Auth;
 use Override;
 
+use function CraftCms\Cms\currentUserElement;
 use function CraftCms\Cms\t;
 
 /**
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ public function showInForm(?ElementInterface $element = null): bool
         $elementCondition = $this->getElementCondition();
 
         if ($userCondition) {
-            $currentUser = Auth::user();
+            $currentUser = currentUserElement();
             if ($currentUser && ! $userCondition->matchElement($currentUser)) {
                 return false;
             }
diff --git a/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/Addresses/CountryCodeField.php b/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/Addresses/CountryCodeField.php
index 919d41c455b..fac2e957a9b 100644
--- a/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/Addresses/CountryCodeField.php
+++ b/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/Addresses/CountryCodeField.php
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ protected function actionMenuItems(?ElementInterface $element = null, bool $stat
     {
         $items = [];
 
-        if (Auth::user()?->isAdmin()) {
+        if (Auth::craftUser()?->isAdmin()) {
             $items[] = $this->copyAttributeAction();
         }
 
diff --git a/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/Addresses/LatLongField.php b/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/Addresses/LatLongField.php
index 76ed8a19461..dcda1f0046b 100644
--- a/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/Addresses/LatLongField.php
+++ b/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/Addresses/LatLongField.php
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ protected function inputHtml(?ElementInterface $element = null, bool $static = f
             throw new InvalidArgumentException(sprintf('%s can only be used in address field layouts.', self::class));
         }
 
-        $isAdmin = Auth::user()?->isAdmin();
+        $isAdmin = Auth::craftUser()?->isAdmin();
 
         return
             Html::beginTag('div', ['class' => 'flex-fields']).
diff --git a/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/CustomField.php b/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/CustomField.php
index 40a3fded224..7758569be6a 100644
--- a/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/CustomField.php
+++ b/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/CustomField.php
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
 use RuntimeException;
 use Throwable;
 
+use function CraftCms\Cms\currentUserElement;
 use function CraftCms\Cms\t;
 use function CraftCms\Cms\template;
 
@@ -721,7 +722,7 @@ public function editable(?ElementInterface $element): bool
         $editCondition = $this->getEditCondition();
 
         if ($editCondition) {
-            $currentUser = Auth::user();
+            $currentUser = currentUserElement();
             if (! $currentUser || ! $editCondition->matchElement($currentUser)) {
                 return false;
             }
@@ -876,7 +877,7 @@ protected function actionMenuItems(?ElementInterface $element = null, bool $stat
             $items = [];
         }
 
-        $user = Auth::user();
+        $user = Auth::craftUser();
         if ($user?->isAdmin() && ! $user->getPreference('showFieldHandles')) {
             $items[] = $this->copyAttributeAction([
                 'label' => t('Copy field handle'),
diff --git a/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/FullNameField.php b/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/FullNameField.php
index cad221ae4c1..be7ed45cd39 100644
--- a/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/FullNameField.php
+++ b/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/FullNameField.php
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ private function firstAndLastNameFields(?ElementInterface $element, bool $static
         $statusClass = $this->statusClass($element);
         $status = $statusClass ? [$statusClass, $this->statusLabel($element, $static) ?? ucfirst($statusClass)] : null;
         $required = ! $static && $this->required;
-        $isAdmin = Auth::user()?->isAdmin();
+        $isAdmin = Auth::craftUser()?->isAdmin();
 
         return HtmlHelper::beginTag('div', ['class' => ['flex', 'flex-nowrap', 'fullwidth']]).
             FormFields::textFieldHtml([
diff --git a/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/TextField.php b/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/TextField.php
index e21b83ff581..fed0237b9fe 100644
--- a/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/TextField.php
+++ b/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/TextField.php
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ protected function actionMenuItems(?ElementInterface $element = null, bool $stat
     {
         $items = [];
 
-        if (Auth::user()?->isAdmin()) {
+        if (Auth::craftUser()?->isAdmin()) {
             $items[] = $this->copyAttributeAction();
         }
 
diff --git a/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/TextareaField.php b/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/TextareaField.php
index ce1faba054d..0db451da786 100644
--- a/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/TextareaField.php
+++ b/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/TextareaField.php
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ protected function actionMenuItems(?ElementInterface $element = null, bool $stat
     {
         $items = [];
 
-        if (Auth::user()?->isAdmin()) {
+        if (Auth::craftUser()?->isAdmin()) {
             $items[] = $this->copyAttributeAction();
         }
 
diff --git a/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/TitleField.php b/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/TitleField.php
index a457bb1931a..8836ec87392 100644
--- a/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/TitleField.php
+++ b/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/TitleField.php
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ protected function actionMenuItems(?ElementInterface $element = null, bool $stat
     {
         $items = [];
 
-        if (Auth::user()?->isAdmin()) {
+        if (Auth::craftUser()?->isAdmin()) {
             $items[] = $this->copyAttributeAction();
         }
 
diff --git a/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/Users/AffiliatedSiteField.php b/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/Users/AffiliatedSiteField.php
index 73aafc2ff1e..ed6a8ee6554 100644
--- a/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/Users/AffiliatedSiteField.php
+++ b/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/Users/AffiliatedSiteField.php
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ protected function actionMenuItems(?ElementInterface $element = null, bool $stat
     {
         $items = [];
 
-        if (Auth::user()?->isAdmin()) {
+        if (Auth::craftUser()?->isAdmin()) {
             $items[] = $this->copyAttributeAction([
                 'attribute' => 'affiliatedSite',
             ]);
diff --git a/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/Users/PhotoField.php b/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/Users/PhotoField.php
index 8eaf327a18a..806aac0e424 100644
--- a/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/Users/PhotoField.php
+++ b/src/FieldLayout/LayoutElements/Users/PhotoField.php
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ protected function actionMenuItems(?ElementInterface $element = null, bool $stat
     {
         $items = [];
 
-        if (Auth::user()?->isAdmin()) {
+        if (Auth::craftUser()?->isAdmin()) {
             $items[] = $this->copyAttributeAction();
         }
 
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/App/CpAlertsController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/App/CpAlertsController.php
index 37b79b15f8e..1c1f170ccb8 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/App/CpAlertsController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/App/CpAlertsController.php
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ public function destroy(Request $request, Users $users): Response
             'message' => ['required', 'string'],
         ])['message'];
 
-        $users->shunMessageForUser($request->user()->id, $message, now()->addDay()->toDateTime());
+        $users->shunMessageForUser($request->craftUser()?->getCraftUserId(), $message, now()->addDay()->toDateTime());
 
         return $this->asSuccess();
     }
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Assets/ImageEditorController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Assets/ImageEditorController.php
index d82ec409af0..ab2fac92d8d 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Assets/ImageEditorController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Assets/ImageEditorController.php
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ public function save(Request $request, Elements $elements): Response
         $folder = $asset->getFolder();
 
         // Do what you want with your own photo.
-        if ($asset->id !== $request->user()->photoId) {
+        if ($asset->id !== $request->craftUser()?->asElement()->photoId) {
             $this->requireVolumePermissionByAsset('editImages', $asset);
             $this->requirePeerVolumePermissionByAsset('editPeerImages', $asset);
         }
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Assets/PreviewController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Assets/PreviewController.php
index 8b3eb9add4c..c5cf651880d 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Assets/PreviewController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Assets/PreviewController.php
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ public function previewFile(Request $request): Response
         $previewHandler = $this->assets->getAssetPreviewHandler($asset);
         $variables = [];
 
-        if (($previewHandler instanceof ImagePreview) && $asset->id !== $request->user()->photoId) {
+        if (($previewHandler instanceof ImagePreview) && $asset->id !== $request->craftUser()?->asElement()->photoId) {
             $variables['editFocal'] = true;
 
             try {
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Assets/UploadController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Assets/UploadController.php
index 8c5df9eb4ed..8b5c2e01381 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Assets/UploadController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Assets/UploadController.php
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ public function upload(Request $request): Response
         $asset->setMimeType(File::getMimeType($tempPath, checkExtension: false) ?? $uploadedFile->getClientMimeType());
         $asset->newFolderId = $folder->id;
         $asset->setVolumeId($folder->volumeId);
-        $asset->uploaderId = $request->user()->id;
+        $asset->uploaderId = $request->craftUser()?->getCraftUserId();
         $asset->avoidFilenameConflicts = true;
 
         if (isset($originalFilename)) {
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Auth/AuthenticationController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Auth/AuthenticationController.php
index 945f198bf3e..c6570b48abc 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Auth/AuthenticationController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Auth/AuthenticationController.php
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Config\GeneralConfig;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Http\RespondsWithFlash;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Str;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Events\EmailVerified;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Events\UserEmailVerifying;
@@ -36,29 +37,30 @@ public function __construct(
         protected AuthMethods $auth,
     ) {}
 
-    protected function completeLogin(Request $request, User $user, bool $remember): Response
+    protected function completeLogin(Request $request, CraftUser $user, bool $remember): Response
     {
-        auth('craft')->login($user, $remember);
+        auth('craft')->loginUsingId($user->getAuthIdentifier(), $remember);
 
         return $this->handleSuccessfulLogin($request, $user);
     }
 
-    protected function handleSuccessfulLogin(Request $request, User $user): Response
+    protected function handleSuccessfulLogin(Request $request, CraftUser $user): Response
     {
         $returnUrl = URL::returnUrl();
+        $userElement = $user->asElement();
 
         if ($request->wantsJson()) {
-            return $this->asModelSuccess($user, modelName: 'user', data: [
+            return $this->asModelSuccess($userElement, modelName: 'user', data: [
                 'returnUrl' => $returnUrl,
             ]);
         }
 
-        return $this->redirectToPostedUrl($user, $returnUrl);
+        return $this->redirectToPostedUrl($userElement, $returnUrl);
     }
 
     protected function finalizeLogin(
         Request $request,
-        User $user,
+        CraftUser $user,
         bool $remember,
         bool $skipTwoFactor = false,
     ): Response {
@@ -83,7 +85,7 @@ protected function finalizeLogin(
         return $this->completeLogin($request, $user, $remember);
     }
 
-    protected function handleLoginFailure(Request $request, ?AuthError $authError = null, ?User $user = null): Response
+    protected function handleLoginFailure(Request $request, ?AuthError $authError = null, ?CraftUser $user = null): Response
     {
         [$authError, $message] = $this->auth->getLoginFailureInfo($authError, $user);
 
@@ -130,7 +132,7 @@ protected function processTokenRequest(Request $request): Response|array
         }
 
         // If someone is logged in and it’s not this person, log them out
-        if ($request->user() && $request->user()->id !== $user->id) {
+        if ($request->craftUser() && $request->craftUser()->getCraftUserId() !== $user->id) {
             auth('craft')->logout();
         }
 
@@ -187,9 +189,7 @@ protected function maybeLoginUserAfterAccountActivation(User $user): bool
             return false;
         }
 
-        auth('craft')->login($user);
-
-        return true;
+        return auth('craft')->loginUsingId($user->id);
     }
 
     protected function redirectUserToCp(User $user): ?Response
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Auth/LoginController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Auth/LoginController.php
index c1de15811d0..99edcd8d6fc 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Auth/LoginController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Auth/LoginController.php
@@ -7,12 +7,18 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\AuthMethods;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Enums\AuthError;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Enums\CpAuthPath;
+use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Events\LoginUserRetrieved;
+use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Events\LoginUserRetrieving;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Impersonation;
-use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\UserProvider;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Config\GeneralConfig;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Models\User;
 use CraftCms\Cms\View\HtmlStack;
 use CraftCms\Cms\View\TemplateMode;
+use Illuminate\Auth\EloquentUserProvider;
 use Illuminate\Contracts\View\View;
+use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Builder;
+use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Model;
 use Illuminate\Http\JsonResponse;
 use Illuminate\Http\Request;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\URL;
@@ -20,6 +26,7 @@
 use Illuminate\Validation\Rule;
 use Illuminate\Validation\Rules\Password;
 use Symfony\Component\HttpFoundation\Response;
+use Tpetry\QueryExpressions\Function\String\Lower;
 
 use function CraftCms\Cms\cp_url;
 use function CraftCms\Cms\template;
@@ -29,7 +36,7 @@
     public function showLogin(Request $request, GeneralConfig $generalConfig, AuthMethods $authMethods): Response|View|\Inertia\Response
     {
         // see if they're already logged in
-        if ($user = $request->user()) {
+        if ($user = $request->craftUser()) {
             return $this->handleSuccessfulLogin($request, $user);
         }
 
@@ -98,37 +105,55 @@ public function attemptLogin(Request $request, Impersonation $impersonation): Re
         ]);
 
         /**
-         * @var UserProvider $provider
+         * @var EloquentUserProvider $provider
          *
          * @phpstan-ignore method.notFound
          */
         $provider = auth('craft')->getProvider();
 
-        $user = $provider->retrieveByCredentials($request->only('loginName', 'password'));
+        $user = $this->retrieveLoginUser($request->input('loginName'));
 
         return new Timebox()->call(function () use ($request, $provider, $user, $impersonation) {
-            if (! $user || $user->password === null) {
+            if (! $user || $user->getAuthPassword() === null) {
                 return $this->handleLoginFailure($request, AuthError::InvalidCredentials);
             }
 
-            if (! $provider->validateCredentials($user, ['password' => $request->input('password')])) {
-                return $this->handleLoginFailure($request, $provider->getAuthError(), $user);
+            if (! $this->auth->authenticate($user, ['password' => $request->input('password')])) {
+                return $this->handleLoginFailure($request, $this->auth->authError, $user);
             }
 
             // Valid credentials
-            if (config('hashing.rehash_on_login', true)) {
+            if (config('hashing.rehash_on_login', true) && $user instanceof Model) {
                 $provider->rehashPasswordIfRequired($user, ['password' => $request->input('password')]);
             }
 
             // if we're impersonating, pass the user we're impersonating to the complete method
             if ($impersonation->isImpersonating()) {
-                $user = $request->user() ?? $user;
+                $user = $request->craftUser() ?? $user;
             }
 
             return $this->finalizeLogin($request, $user, $request->boolean('rememberMe'));
         }, 30_000);
     }
 
+    private function retrieveLoginUser(string $loginName): ?CraftUser
+    {
+        event($retrieving = new LoginUserRetrieving($loginName));
+
+        $user = $retrieving->user ?? User::query()
+            ->where(function (Builder $query) use ($loginName) {
+                $loginName = mb_strtolower($loginName);
+
+                $query->where(new Lower('username'), $loginName)
+                    ->orWhere(new Lower('email'), $loginName);
+            })
+            ->first();
+
+        event($retrieved = new LoginUserRetrieved($loginName, $user));
+
+        return $retrieved->user;
+    }
+
     public function logout(Request $request): Response
     {
         auth('craft')->logout();
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Auth/PasskeyController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Auth/PasskeyController.php
index 33c366fa3b0..49b37b49499 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Auth/PasskeyController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Auth/PasskeyController.php
@@ -9,7 +9,8 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Models\WebAuthn;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Passkeys\Passkeys;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Json;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
+use Illuminate\Auth\SessionGuard;
 use Illuminate\Http\JsonResponse;
 use Illuminate\Http\Request;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Session;
@@ -51,9 +52,11 @@ public function login(Request $request, Passkeys $passkeys, AuthMethods $auth, I
             return $this->asFailure(t('Passkey authentication failed.'));
         }
 
-        $user = User::findOne(['id' => $credential->userId]);
+        /** @var SessionGuard $guard */
+        $guard = auth('craft');
+        $user = $guard->getProvider()->retrieveById($credential->userId);
 
-        if ($user === null) {
+        if (! $user instanceof CraftUser) {
             return $this->handleLoginFailure($request);
         }
 
@@ -63,7 +66,7 @@ public function login(Request $request, Passkeys $passkeys, AuthMethods $auth, I
 
         // if we're impersonating, pass the user we're impersonating to the complete method
         if ($impersonation->isImpersonating()) {
-            $user = $request->user();
+            $user = $request->craftUser() ?? $user;
         }
 
         return $this->completeLogin($request, $user, true);
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Auth/SessionInfoController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Auth/SessionInfoController.php
index 2f9a27fad91..fb9a2eac7c3 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Auth/SessionInfoController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Auth/SessionInfoController.php
@@ -15,16 +15,17 @@
     public function show(Request $request): JsonResponse
     {
         $data = [
-            'isGuest' => $request->user() === null,
+            'isGuest' => $request->craftUser() === null,
             'csrfTokenName' => '_token',
             'csrfTokenValue' => csrf_token(),
         ];
 
-        if ($user = $request->user()) {
-            $data['id'] = $user->id;
-            $data['uid'] = $user->uid;
-            $data['username'] = $user->username;
-            $data['email'] = $user->email;
+        if ($user = $request->craftUser()) {
+            $userElement = $user->asElement();
+            $data['id'] = $user->getCraftUserId();
+            $data['uid'] = $userElement->uid;
+            $data['username'] = $userElement->username;
+            $data['email'] = $userElement->email;
         }
 
         return new JsonResponse($data);
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Auth/SetPasswordController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Auth/SetPasswordController.php
index a1621dfa158..541840bf978 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Auth/SetPasswordController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Auth/SetPasswordController.php
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Element\Elements;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Element\Exceptions\InvalidElementException;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Url;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Users;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Validation\UserRules;
@@ -68,10 +69,11 @@ public function store(Request $request, Users $users, Elements $elements): Respo
             $status = PasswordFacade::broker('craft')->reset(
                 [
                     'token' => $request->input('code'),
-                    'loginName' => $user->email,
+                    'email' => $user->email,
                     'password' => $request->input('newPassword'),
                 ],
-                function (User $user, string $password) use ($elements) {
+                function (CraftUser $authUser, string $password) use ($elements) {
+                    $user = $authUser->asElement();
                     $user->newPassword = $password;
                     $user->ruleset->useScenario(UserRules::SCENARIO_PASSWORD);
 
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Auth/VerifyEmailController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Auth/VerifyEmailController.php
index b8feb85598c..355fe66352b 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Auth/VerifyEmailController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Auth/VerifyEmailController.php
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ public function store(Request $request, Users $users): Response|View
             $users->activateUser($user);
         }
 
-        if ($request->user()) {
+        if ($request->craftUser()) {
             Flash::success(t('Email verified'));
         }
 
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Dashboard/Widgets/CraftSupportController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Dashboard/Widgets/CraftSupportController.php
index 9e267df3910..69690f3be4e 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Dashboard/Widgets/CraftSupportController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Dashboard/Widgets/CraftSupportController.php
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ public function __invoke(Request $request): string
             ],
             [
                 'name' => 'name',
-                'contents' => $request->user()->fullName,
+                'contents' => $request->craftUser()?->asElement()->fullName,
             ],
             [
                 'name' => 'message',
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Dashboard/WidgetsController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Dashboard/WidgetsController.php
index 56182372954..e835c2d5dca 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Dashboard/WidgetsController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Dashboard/WidgetsController.php
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ public function update(Request $request): JsonResponse
             'widgetId' => [
                 'required',
                 'integer',
-                Rule::exists('widgets', 'id')->where('userId', $request->user()->id),
+                Rule::exists('widgets', 'id')->where('userId', $request->craftUser()?->getCraftUserId()),
             ],
         ]);
 
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ public function updateColspan(Request $request): JsonResponse
             'id' => [
                 'required',
                 'integer',
-                Rule::exists('widgets', 'id')->where('userId', $request->user()->id),
+                Rule::exists('widgets', 'id')->where('userId', $request->craftUser()?->getCraftUserId()),
             ],
             'colspan' => ['required', 'integer', 'min:1', 'max:4'],
         ]);
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ public function reorder(Request $request): JsonResponse
             'ids.*' => [
                 'required',
                 'integer',
-                Rule::exists('widgets', 'id')->where('userId', $request->user()->id),
+                Rule::exists('widgets', 'id')->where('userId', $request->craftUser()?->getCraftUserId()),
             ],
         ]);
 
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ public function delete(Request $request): JsonResponse
             'id' => [
                 'required',
                 'integer',
-                Rule::exists('widgets', 'id')->where('userId', $request->user()->id),
+                Rule::exists('widgets', 'id')->where('userId', $request->craftUser()?->getCraftUserId()),
             ],
         ]);
 
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/Concerns/SavesElement.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/Concerns/SavesElement.php
index 7c0bd760ade..f3909596bc1 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/Concerns/SavesElement.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/Concerns/SavesElement.php
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Http\Requests\ElementRequest;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Arr;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\Sites;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Gate;
 
@@ -16,7 +17,7 @@ trait SavesElement
 {
     protected readonly ElementRequest $request;
 
-    protected function canSave(ElementInterface $element, User $user): bool
+    protected function canSave(ElementInterface $element, CraftUser $user): bool
     {
         if ($element->getIsRevision()) {
             return false;
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/CreateElementController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/CreateElementController.php
index 0825be11189..d3d50a4e467 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/CreateElementController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/CreateElementController.php
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ public function __invoke(Request $request, Drafts $drafts): Response
         $element = $this->createElement();
         $element->ruleset->useScenario(ElementRules::SCENARIO_ESSENTIALS);
 
-        if (! $drafts->saveElementAsDraft($element, $request->user()->id, markAsSaved: false)) {
+        if (! $drafts->saveElementAsDraft($element, $request->craftUser()?->getCraftUserId(), markAsSaved: false)) {
             return new ElementResponse()->failure($element, mb_ucfirst(t('Couldn’t create {type}.', [
                 'type' => $element::lowerDisplayName(),
             ])));
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/EditElementController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/EditElementController.php
index e56ba34d40b..7ed73709c09 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/EditElementController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/EditElementController.php
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ public function __invoke(): Response|CpScreenResponse
         $canEditMultipleSites = count($propEditableSiteIds) > 1 || $addlEditableSites;
 
         // Permissions
-        $canSave = $this->canSave($element, $this->request->user());
+        $canSave = $this->canSave($element, $this->request->craftUser());
         $canSaveCanonical = Gate::check('saveCanonical', $element);
         $canCreateDrafts = Gate::check('createDrafts', $canonical);
         $canDuplicate = ! $isRevision && Gate::check('duplicateAsDraft', $element);
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ private function contextMenuItems(
                 ->orderByDesc('dateUpdated')
                 ->with(['draftCreator'])
                 ->get()
-                ->filter(fn (ElementInterface $draft) => $this->request->user()->can('view', $draft))
+                ->filter(fn (ElementInterface $draft) => $this->request->craftUser()->can('view', $draft))
                 ->all();
         } else {
             $drafts = [];
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/ElementActivityController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/ElementActivityController.php
index 2d7b4156ecb..fa754bfc285 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/ElementActivityController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/ElementActivityController.php
@@ -30,9 +30,14 @@ public function __invoke(): Response
             abort(400, 'No element was identified by the request.');
         }
 
-        $activity = $this->elementActivity->getRecentActivity($element, $this->request->user()->id);
+        $user = $this->request->craftUser();
+        if (! $user) {
+            abort(401);
+        }
+
+        $activity = $this->elementActivity->getRecentActivity($element, $user->getCraftUserId());
 
-        $this->elementActivity->trackActivity($element, ElementActivityType::View, $this->request->user());
+        $this->elementActivity->trackActivity($element, ElementActivityType::View, $user->asElement());
 
         return new JsonResponse([
             'activity' => $activity->map(fn (ElementActivityData $record) => $record->toActivityRow($element))->all(),
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/ElementDraftsController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/ElementDraftsController.php
index 964ce50e8d7..47267bb2874 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/ElementDraftsController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/ElementDraftsController.php
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ public function store(): Response
 
         if (! $element->getIsDraft() && ! $provisional) {
             Gate::authorize('createDrafts', $element);
-        } elseif (! $this->canSave($element, $this->request->user())) {
+        } elseif (! $this->canSave($element, $this->request->craftUser())) {
             abort(403, 'User not authorized to save this element.');
         }
 
@@ -77,13 +77,13 @@ public function store(): Response
             $existingProvisionalDraft = $element::find()
                 ->provisionalDrafts()
                 ->draftOf($element->id)
-                ->draftCreator($this->request->user()->id)
+                ->draftCreator($this->request->craftUser()?->getCraftUserId())
                 ->site('*')
                 ->status(null)
                 ->one();
 
             if ($existingProvisionalDraft) {
-                Log::warning("Overwriting an existing provisional draft for element/user $element->id/{$this->request->user()->id}", [__METHOD__]);
+                Log::warning("Overwriting an existing provisional draft for element/user $element->id/{$this->request->craftUser()?->getCraftUserId()}", [__METHOD__]);
 
                 $this->elements->deleteElement($existingProvisionalDraft, true);
             }
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ public function store(): Response
                 /** @var Element $element */
                 $draft = $this->drafts->createDraft(
                     canonical: $element,
-                    creatorId: $this->request->user()->id,
+                    creatorId: $this->request->craftUser()?->getCraftUserId(),
                     provisional: $provisional,
                 );
 
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ public function store(): Response
             $this->applyParamsToElement($element);
 
             // Make sure nothing just changed that would prevent the user from saving
-            if (! $this->canSave($element, $this->request->user())) {
+            if (! $this->canSave($element, $this->request->craftUser())) {
                 abort(403, 'User not authorized to save this element.');
             }
 
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ public function ensure(): Response
         $provisionalId = $element::find()
             ->provisionalDrafts()
             ->draftOf($element->id)
-            ->draftCreator($this->request->user()->id)
+            ->draftCreator($this->request->craftUser()?->getCraftUserId())
             ->site('*')
             ->status(null)
             ->ids()[0] ?? null;
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ public function ensure(): Response
 
         $draft = $this->drafts->createDraft(
             canonical: $element,
-            creatorId: $this->request->user()->id,
+            creatorId: $this->request->craftUser()?->getCraftUserId(),
             provisional: true,
         );
 
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/ElementIndex/ElementIndexController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/ElementIndex/ElementIndexController.php
index ec9bd91eb9a..69c769d5407 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/ElementIndex/ElementIndexController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/ElementIndex/ElementIndexController.php
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ public function elementTableHtml(): JsonResponse
         /** @var ElementInterface|null $element */
         $element = (clone $elementQuery)
             ->draftOf($this->request->integer('id'))
-            ->draftCreator($this->request->user())
+            ->draftCreator($this->request->craftUser())
             ->provisionalDrafts()
             ->status(null)
             ->one();
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/ElementRevisionsController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/ElementRevisionsController.php
index 4ebd78cf136..07502b445e3 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/ElementRevisionsController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/ElementRevisionsController.php
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ public function revert(Revisions $revisions, ElementActivity $elementActivity):
 
         Gate::authorize('save', $element->getCanonical(true));
 
-        $canonical = $revisions->revertToRevision($element, $this->request->user()->id);
+        $canonical = $revisions->revertToRevision($element, $this->request->craftUser()?->getCraftUserId());
 
         $elementActivity->trackActivity($canonical, ElementActivityType::Save);
 
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/SaveElementController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/SaveElementController.php
index 9760dfc7692..8f2740b0492 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/SaveElementController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Elements/SaveElementController.php
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ public function store(): Response
         $provisional = $element::find()
             ->provisionalDrafts()
             ->draftOf($element->id)
-            ->draftCreator($this->request->user())
+            ->draftCreator($this->request->craftUser())
             ->siteId($element->siteId)
             ->status(null)
             ->one();
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Entries/CreateEntryController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Entries/CreateEntryController.php
index ffc7a3d1e73..3a761c08595 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Entries/CreateEntryController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Entries/CreateEntryController.php
@@ -48,7 +48,10 @@ public function __invoke(Drafts $drafts, Users $users): Response
             return $site;
         }
 
-        $user = $this->request->user();
+        $user = $this->request->craftUser();
+        if (! $user) {
+            abort(401);
+        }
 
         // Create & populate the draft
         $entry = new Entry;
@@ -59,7 +62,7 @@ public function __invoke(Drafts $drafts, Users $users): Response
             $entry->setAuthorIds(
                 $this->request->input('authorIds') ??
                 $this->request->input('authorId') ??
-                $user->id
+                $user->getCraftUserId()
             );
         }
 
@@ -76,7 +79,7 @@ public function __invoke(Drafts $drafts, Users $users): Response
         }
 
         // Make sure the user is allowed to create this entry
-        $craftUser = $users->getUserById($user->id);
+        $craftUser = $users->getUserById($user->getCraftUserId());
 
         Gate::forUser($craftUser)->authorize('save', $entry);
 
@@ -92,7 +95,7 @@ public function __invoke(Drafts $drafts, Users $users): Response
 
         // Save it
         $entry->ruleset->useScenario(ElementRules::SCENARIO_ESSENTIALS);
-        $success = $drafts->saveElementAsDraft($entry, $user->id, markAsSaved: false);
+        $success = $drafts->saveElementAsDraft($entry, $user->getCraftUserId(), markAsSaved: false);
 
         if (! $success) {
             return $this->asModelFailure($entry, mb_ucfirst(t('Couldn’t create {type}.', [
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Entries/MoveEntryToSectionController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Entries/MoveEntryToSectionController.php
index 3821c0aa007..7c6228593f2 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Entries/MoveEntryToSectionController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Entries/MoveEntryToSectionController.php
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ public function showModal(): JsonResponse
             ->pluck('et.id')
             ->all();
 
-        $user = $this->request->user();
+        $user = $this->request->craftUser();
 
         // filter all sections to those that have all the entry types we just got
         $compatibleSections = $this->sections->getEditableSections()
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Entries/StoreEntryController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Entries/StoreEntryController.php
index f442a616de2..72a7296902d 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Entries/StoreEntryController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Entries/StoreEntryController.php
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Http\RespondsWithFlash;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Site\Sites;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\DateTimeHelper;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 use Exception;
 use Illuminate\Contracts\Cache\LockTimeoutException;
 use Illuminate\Http\Request;
@@ -38,7 +39,12 @@ public function __construct(
 
     public function __invoke(): Response
     {
-        $entry = $this->getEntry();
+        $currentUser = $this->request->craftUser();
+        if (! $currentUser) {
+            abort(401);
+        }
+
+        $entry = $this->getEntry($currentUser);
         $entryVariable = $this->request->getSigned('entryVariable') ?? 'entry';
 
         $this->enforeSitePermission($entry->getSite());
@@ -55,7 +61,7 @@ public function __invoke(): Response
             }
         }
 
-        $this->populateEntry($entry);
+        $this->populateEntry($entry, $currentUser);
 
         $this->enforceEditEntryPermissions($entry, $duplicate);
 
@@ -101,7 +107,7 @@ public function __invoke(): Response
         $provisional = Entry::find()
             ->provisionalDrafts()
             ->draftOf($entry->id)
-            ->draftCreator($this->request->user()->id)
+            ->draftCreator($currentUser->getCraftUserId())
             ->siteId($entry->siteId)
             ->status(null)
             ->one();
@@ -141,7 +147,7 @@ public function __invoke(): Response
         );
     }
 
-    private function getEntry(): Entry
+    private function getEntry(CraftUser $currentUser): Entry
     {
         $entryId = $this->request->input('canonicalId')
             ?? $this->request->input('sourceId')
@@ -166,7 +172,7 @@ private function getEntry(): Entry
             $entry = Entry::find()
                 ->provisionalDrafts()
                 ->draftOf($entryId)
-                ->draftCreator($this->request->user()->id)
+                ->draftCreator($currentUser->getCraftUserId())
                 ->siteId($siteId)
                 ->status(null)
                 ->one();
@@ -216,11 +222,11 @@ private function swapEntryWithDuplicate(Entry $entry, bool &$forceDisabled): ?Re
         return null;
     }
 
-    private function populateEntry(Entry $entry): void
+    private function populateEntry(Entry $entry, CraftUser $currentUser): void
     {
         // Set the entry attributes, defaulting to the existing values for whatever is missing from the post data
         $attributes = [
-            'authorIds' => $this->request->input('authors') ?? $this->request->input('author') ?? $entry->getAuthorId() ?? $this->request->user()->id,
+            'authorIds' => $this->request->input('authors') ?? $this->request->input('author') ?? $entry->getAuthorId() ?? $currentUser->getCraftUserId(),
         ];
 
         foreach (['expiryDate', 'postDate', 'slug', 'title', 'typeId'] as $attribute) {
@@ -248,7 +254,7 @@ private function populateEntry(Entry $entry): void
 
         // Authors
         if (empty($entry->getAuthorIds()) && ! $entry->id) {
-            $entry->setAuthor($this->request->user());
+            $entry->setAuthor($currentUser->asElement());
         }
 
         // Parent
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Gql/ApiController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Gql/ApiController.php
index 648e97b80f3..ec586d01877 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Gql/ApiController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Gql/ApiController.php
@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@ private function shouldShowExceptionDetails(): bool
             return true;
         }
 
-        $user = Auth::user();
+        $user = Auth::craftUser();
 
         return $user && $user->isAdmin() && $user->getPreference('showExceptionView');
     }
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/MatrixController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/MatrixController.php
index f042d5e78e7..909005da62c 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/MatrixController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/MatrixController.php
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ public function createEntry(Request $request): Response
 
             $entry->ruleset->useScenario(ElementRules::SCENARIO_ESSENTIALS);
 
-            if (! $this->drafts->saveElementAsDraft($entry, $request->user()->id, markAsSaved: false)) {
+            if (! $this->drafts->saveElementAsDraft($entry, $request->craftUser()?->getCraftUserId(), markAsSaved: false)) {
                 return $this->asFailure(mb_ucfirst(t('Couldn’t create {type}.', [
                     'type' => Entry::lowerDisplayName(),
                 ])));
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/PluginStore/PluginStoreController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/PluginStore/PluginStoreController.php
index 08f9f646030..eeb1a414f36 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/PluginStore/PluginStoreController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/PluginStore/PluginStoreController.php
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ public function craftData(Request $request): Response
         $data = [];
 
         // Current user
-        $data['currentUser'] = $request->user()->email;
+        $data['currentUser'] = $request->craftUser()?->asElement()->email;
 
         // Craft license/edition info
         $data['licensedEdition'] = Edition::getLicensed()?->value;
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/PreviewController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/PreviewController.php
index d7fb8afa129..0558a5acd68 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/PreviewController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/PreviewController.php
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ public function createToken(Request $request, RouteTokens $tokens): JsonResponse
                 'siteId' => $tokenData->siteId,
                 'draftId' => $tokenData->draftId ?? null,
                 'revisionId' => $tokenData->revisionId ?? null,
-                'userId' => $request->user()->id,
+                'userId' => $request->craftUser()?->getCraftUserId(),
             ],
         ], token: $tokenData->previewToken);
 
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Settings/EmailSettingsController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Settings/EmailSettingsController.php
index 1ba9b01ecf7..76ff08241dc 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Settings/EmailSettingsController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Settings/EmailSettingsController.php
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Url;
 use Illuminate\Http\RedirectResponse;
 use Illuminate\Http\Request;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Auth;
 use Symfony\Component\HttpFoundation\Response as SymfonyResponse;
 use Throwable;
 
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@ public function index(GeneralConfig $generalConfig): CpScreenResponse
                 'envSuggestions' => SelectOptions::getEnvSuggestions(),
                 'templateSuggestions' => SelectOptions::getTemplateSuggestions(),
                 'sites' => $sites,
-                'defaultToEmail' => auth()->user()->email,
+                'defaultToEmail' => Auth::craftUser()?->asElement()->email,
             ]);
     }
 
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Updates/UpdaterController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Updates/UpdaterController.php
index 63c575da023..fe3a34df006 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Updates/UpdaterController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Updates/UpdaterController.php
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ public function __construct(
         parent::__construct($request, $generalConfig, $composer, $plugins, $updates);
 
         if ($request->has('install') && $this->request->fullUrlIs(action([self::class, 'index']))) {
-            abort_unless($request->user()->can('performUpdates'), 403, 'You do not have permission to perform updates.');
+            abort_unless($request->craftUser()->can('performUpdates'), 403, 'You do not have permission to perform updates.');
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Updates/UpdatesController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Updates/UpdatesController.php
index 25bef66a92d..14cb6306065 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Updates/UpdatesController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Updates/UpdatesController.php
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ private function updatesResponse(UpdatesData $updates, bool $includeDetails): Js
         $allowUpdates = (
             $this->generalConfig->allowUpdates &&
             $this->generalConfig->allowAdminChanges &&
-            Auth::user()->can('performUpdates')
+            Auth::craftUser()->can('performUpdates')
         );
 
         $res = [
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ private function transformUpdate(bool $allowUpdates, Update $update, string $han
             $arr['statusText'] = Html::tag('strong', t('This plugin is no longer maintained.'));
 
             if ($update->replacementName) {
-                if (Auth::user()?->isAdmin() && $this->generalConfig->allowAdminChanges) {
+                if (Auth::craftUser()?->isAdmin() && $this->generalConfig->allowAdminChanges) {
                     $replacementUrl = Url::url("plugin-store/$update->replacementHandle");
                 } else {
                     $replacementUrl = $update->replacementUrl;
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/ActivateController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/ActivateController.php
index 56ce7c8d78d..8e2ae450432 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/ActivateController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/ActivateController.php
@@ -68,11 +68,11 @@ public function deactivate(Request $request): Response
 
         abort_if(! $user, 400, 'User not found');
 
-        if ($user->id !== $request->user()->id) {
+        if ($user->id !== $request->craftUser()?->getCraftUserId()) {
             $this->authorize('administrateUsers');
 
             // Even if you have administrateUsers permissions, only and admin should be able to deactivate another admin.
-            abort_if($user->admin && ! $request->user()->isAdmin(), 403, 'User is not authorized to perform this action.');
+            abort_if($user->admin && ! $request->craftUser()->isAdmin(), 403, 'User is not authorized to perform this action.');
         }
 
         // Deactivate the user
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/AddressesController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/AddressesController.php
index 1136be9b1be..e816448dd0d 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/AddressesController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/AddressesController.php
@@ -50,9 +50,12 @@ public function index(?int $userId = null): CpScreenResponse
 
     public function store(Request $request, Elements $elements): Response
     {
-        $user = $request->user();
+        $user = $request->craftUser();
+        if (! $user) {
+            abort(401);
+        }
 
-        $userId = (int) ($request->input('userId') ?? $user->id);
+        $userId = (int) ($request->input('userId') ?? $user->getCraftUserId());
         $addressId = $request->input('addressId');
 
         if ($addressId) {
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/EditUserTrait.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/EditUserTrait.php
index 5514c14d2ae..08816840f01 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/EditUserTrait.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/EditUserTrait.php
@@ -9,13 +9,16 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Cp\Html\ElementHtml;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Edition;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Http\Responses\CpScreenResponse;
+use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\UserGroups;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Url;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Events\EditUserScreensResolving;
 use Illuminate\Http\Request;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Auth;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Hash;
 
+use function CraftCms\Cms\currentUserElement;
 use function CraftCms\Cms\t;
 
 trait EditUserTrait
@@ -42,7 +45,7 @@ trait EditUserTrait
     protected function editedUser(?int $userId): User
     {
         if ($userId === null) {
-            return $this->editedUser(Auth::user()->id);
+            return $this->editedUser(Auth::craftUser()?->getCraftUserId());
         }
 
         /** @var User|null $user */
@@ -79,7 +82,7 @@ protected function asEditUserScreen(User $user, string $screen, ?CpScreenRespons
 
         $screens[self::SCREEN_ADDRESSES] = ['label' => t('Addresses')];
 
-        $currentUser = Auth::user();
+        $currentUser = currentUserElement();
 
         event($event = new EditUserScreensResolving($currentUser, $user, $screens));
 
@@ -163,7 +166,7 @@ function (CpScreenResponse $response) use ($user, $pageName) {
 
     protected function existingPasswordVerified(Request $request): bool
     {
-        if (! $request->user()) {
+        if (! $request->craftUser()) {
             return false;
         }
 
@@ -173,24 +176,47 @@ protected function existingPasswordVerified(Request $request): bool
             return false;
         }
 
-        $currentHashedPassword = $request->user()->password;
+        $currentHashedPassword = $request->craftUser()->asElement()->password;
 
         return Hash::check($currentPassword, $currentHashedPassword);
     }
 
     private function showPermissionsScreen(): bool
     {
-        $currentUser = Auth::user();
+        $currentUser = Auth::craftUser();
+
+        if (! $currentUser) {
+            return false;
+        }
 
         return
             Edition::get()->value >= Edition::Team->value &&
             (
-                (Edition::get() === Edition::Team && $currentUser->admin) ||
+                (Edition::get() === Edition::Team && $currentUser->isAdmin()) ||
                 (Edition::get()->value >= Edition::Pro->value && $currentUser->can('assignUserPermissions')) ||
-                $currentUser->canAssignUserGroups()
+                $this->canAssignUserGroups($currentUser)
             );
     }
 
+    private function canAssignUserGroups(CraftUser $user): bool
+    {
+        if (! Edition::isAtLeast(Edition::Pro)) {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        if ($user->isAdmin()) {
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        foreach (UserGroups::getAllGroups() as $group) {
+            if ($user->can("assignUserGroup:$group->uid")) {
+                return true;
+            }
+        }
+
+        return false;
+    }
+
     private function editUserScreenUrl(User $user, string $screen): string
     {
         $basePath = $user->getIsCurrent() ? 'myaccount' : "users/$user->id";
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/ImpersonationController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/ImpersonationController.php
index 920f88dfec1..576a335d6ec 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/ImpersonationController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/ImpersonationController.php
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Log;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\URL;
 use Illuminate\Validation\Rule;
+use RuntimeException;
 use Symfony\Component\HttpFoundation\Response;
 use Throwable;
 
@@ -48,14 +49,16 @@ public function impersonate(): Response
 
         $this->enforceImpersonatePermission($user);
 
-        $this->impersonation->setImpersonatorId($this->request->user()->id);
+        $this->impersonation->setImpersonatorId($this->request->craftUser()?->getCraftUserId());
 
         try {
-            Auth::guard('craft')->login($user);
+            if (! Auth::guard('craft')->loginUsingId($user->id)) {
+                throw new RuntimeException('Unable to retrieve the user being impersonated.');
+            }
         } catch (Throwable) {
             Flash::error(t('There was a problem impersonating this user.'));
 
-            Log::error($this->request->user()->username.' tried to impersonate userId: '.$userId.' but something went wrong.');
+            Log::error($this->request->craftUser()?->asElement()->username.' tried to impersonate userId: '.$userId.' but something went wrong.');
 
             return back();
         }
@@ -102,7 +105,9 @@ public function withToken(): Response
         $this->impersonation->setImpersonatorId($prevUserId);
 
         try {
-            Auth::guard('craft')->login($user);
+            if (! Auth::guard('craft')->loginUsingId($user->id)) {
+                throw new RuntimeException('Unable to retrieve the user being impersonated.');
+            }
         } catch (Throwable) {
             Flash::error(t('There was a problem impersonating this user.'));
 
@@ -127,12 +132,12 @@ private function handleSuccessfulLogin(User $user): Response
             return $this->asModelSuccess($user, modelName: 'user', data: $return);
         }
 
-        return $this->redirectToPostedUrl($this->request->user(), $returnUrl);
+        return $this->redirectToPostedUrl($this->request->craftUser(), $returnUrl);
     }
 
     private function enforceImpersonatePermission(User $user): void
     {
-        $currentUser = $this->request->user();
+        $currentUser = $this->request->craftUser();
 
         abort_unless(
             $this->users->canImpersonate($currentUser, $user),
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/PasskeysController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/PasskeysController.php
index 8740ce42bd4..3aa9f953957 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/PasskeysController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/PasskeysController.php
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Passkeys\Passkeys;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Http\RespondsWithFlash;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Http\Responses\CpScreenResponse;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 use CraftCms\Cms\View\HtmlStack;
 use CraftCms\Cms\View\LegacyAssets\InternalAssetRegistry;
 use CraftCms\Cms\View\LegacyAssets\PasskeySetupAsset;
@@ -27,12 +27,17 @@
     use RespondsWithFlash;
 
     public function __construct(
-        private Passkeys $passkeys
+        private Passkeys $passkeys,
     ) {}
 
     public function index(Request $request, HtmlStack $HtmlStack): CpScreenResponse
     {
-        $user = $request->user();
+        $currentUser = $request->craftUser();
+        if (! $currentUser) {
+            abort(401);
+        }
+
+        $user = $currentUser->asElement();
 
         $response = $this->asEditUserScreen($user, self::SCREEN_PASSKEYS);
 
@@ -53,9 +58,13 @@ public function creationOptions(Request $request): JsonResponse
     {
         $this->requireConfirmedPassword();
         $serializer = $this->passkeys->webauthnServer()->getSerializer();
+        $user = $request->craftUser();
+        if (! $user) {
+            abort(401);
+        }
 
         return new JsonResponse([
-            'options' => $serializer->serialize($this->passkeys->getPasskeyCreationOptions($request->user()), 'json'),
+            'options' => $serializer->serialize($this->passkeys->getPasskeyCreationOptions($user), 'json'),
         ]);
     }
 
@@ -77,8 +86,13 @@ public function verifyCreation(Request $request): Response
             return $this->asFailure(t('Passkey creation failed.'));
         }
 
+        $user = $request->craftUser();
+        if (! $user) {
+            abort(401);
+        }
+
         return $this->asSuccess(t('Passkey created.'), [
-            'tableHtml' => $this->passkeyTableHtml($request->user()),
+            'tableHtml' => $this->passkeyTableHtml($user),
         ]);
     }
 
@@ -88,14 +102,19 @@ public function delete(Request $request): Response
             'uid' => ['required', 'string'],
         ])['uid'];
 
-        $this->passkeys->deletePasskey($request->user(), $uid);
+        $user = $request->craftUser();
+        if (! $user) {
+            abort(401);
+        }
+
+        $this->passkeys->deletePasskey($user, $uid);
 
         return $this->asSuccess(t('Passkey deleted.'), [
-            'tableHtml' => $this->passkeyTableHtml($request->user()),
+            'tableHtml' => $this->passkeyTableHtml($user),
         ]);
     }
 
-    private function passkeyTableHtml(User $user): string
+    private function passkeyTableHtml(CraftUser $user): string
     {
         return template('users/_passkeys-table', [
             'passkeys' => $this->passkeys->getPasskeys($user)->all(),
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/PasswordController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/PasswordController.php
index 9919c29b357..917875c183c 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/PasswordController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/PasswordController.php
@@ -36,7 +36,12 @@
 
     public function index(Request $request): CpScreenResponse
     {
-        $user = $request->user();
+        $currentUser = $request->craftUser();
+        if (! $currentUser) {
+            abort(401);
+        }
+
+        $user = $currentUser->asElement();
 
         $response = $this->asEditUserScreen($user, self::SCREEN_PASSWORD);
 
@@ -52,8 +57,12 @@ public function store(Request $request, Elements $elements): Response
     {
         $this->requireConfirmedPassword('An elevated session is required to change your password.');
 
-        /** @var User $user */
-        $user = $request->user();
+        $currentUser = $request->craftUser();
+        if (! $currentUser) {
+            abort(401);
+        }
+
+        $user = $currentUser->asElement();
 
         abort_if(! $user->getHasPassword(), 400, 'Only users with current passwords can set new ones.');
 
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/PermissionsController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/PermissionsController.php
index 763498f350f..27f3d9bc27d 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/PermissionsController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/PermissionsController.php
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\Users;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Flash;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Html;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User as UserElement;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Events\GroupsAndPermissionsAssigned;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Events\UserGroupsAndPermissionsAssigning;
@@ -35,15 +36,22 @@
     public function index(Request $request, ?int $userId = null): CpScreenResponse
     {
         $user = $this->editedUser($userId);
+        $currentUser = $request->craftUser();
+        if (! $currentUser) {
+            abort(401);
+        }
 
         $response = $this->asEditUserScreen($user, self::SCREEN_PERMISSIONS);
         $response->action('users/save-permissions');
         $response->contentTemplate('users/_permissions', [
             'user' => $user,
             'currentGroupIds' => Arr::pluck($user->getGroups(), 'id'),
+            'currentUserIsAdmin' => $currentUser->isAdmin(),
+            'showPermissions' => $currentUser->can('assignUserPermissions'),
+            'showUserGroups' => $this->canAssignUserGroups($currentUser),
         ]);
 
-        if (! $user->getIsCredentialed() && $user->username && $request->user()->can('moderateUsers')) {
+        if (! $user->getIsCredentialed() && $user->username && $currentUser->can('moderateUsers')) {
             $response->additionalButtonsHtml(
                 Html::button(t('Save and send activation email'), [
                     'class' => ['btn', 'secondary', 'formsubmit'],
@@ -70,11 +78,15 @@ public function store(Request $request, Elements $elements): Response
             abort(403, 'User not authorized to perform this action.');
         }
 
-        $currentUser = $request->user();
+        $currentUser = $request->craftUser();
+        if (! $currentUser) {
+            abort(401);
+        }
+
         $user = $this->editedUser($request->integer('userId'));
 
         // Is their admin status changing?
-        if ($currentUser->admin) {
+        if ($currentUser->isAdmin()) {
             $adminParam = $request->boolean('admin', $user->admin);
 
             if ($adminParam !== $user->admin) {
@@ -114,9 +126,9 @@ public function store(Request $request, Elements $elements): Response
         return $this->asSuccess(t('Permissions saved.'));
     }
 
-    private function saveUserGroups(Request $request, UserElement $user, UserElement $currentUser): void
+    private function saveUserGroups(Request $request, UserElement $user, CraftUser $currentUser): void
     {
-        if (! $currentUser->canAssignUserGroups()) {
+        if (! $this->canAssignUserGroups($currentUser)) {
             return;
         }
 
@@ -161,7 +173,7 @@ private function saveUserGroups(Request $request, UserElement $user, UserElement
         $user->setGroups($newGroups);
     }
 
-    private function saveUserPermissions(Request $request, UserElement $user, UserElement $currentUser): void
+    private function saveUserPermissions(Request $request, UserElement $user, CraftUser $currentUser): void
     {
         if (! $currentUser->can('assignUserPermissions')) {
             return;
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/PhotoController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/PhotoController.php
index f1ebcd8ac60..44492fa2333 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/PhotoController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/PhotoController.php
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ public function upload(Request $request): Response
             'userId' => ['required', 'integer'],
         ]);
 
-        if ($request->integer('userId') !== $request->user()->id) {
+        if ($request->integer('userId') !== $request->craftUser()?->getCraftUserId()) {
             $this->authorize('editUsers');
         }
 
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/PreferencesController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/PreferencesController.php
index aad190ecf49..4c6ff978223 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/PreferencesController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/PreferencesController.php
@@ -25,7 +25,12 @@
 
     public function index(Request $request, I18N $i18N, GeneralConfig $generalConfig, ProjectConfig $projectConfig): CpScreenResponse
     {
-        $user = $request->user();
+        $currentUser = $request->craftUser();
+        if (! $currentUser) {
+            abort(401);
+        }
+
+        $user = $currentUser->asElement();
 
         $response = $this->asEditUserScreen($user, self::SCREEN_PREFERENCES);
 
@@ -66,7 +71,10 @@ public function index(Request $request, I18N $i18N, GeneralConfig $generalConfig
 
     public function store(Request $request, Users $users): Response
     {
-        $user = $request->user();
+        $user = $request->craftUser();
+        if (! $user) {
+            abort(401);
+        }
 
         $preferredLocale = $request->input('preferredLocale', $user->getPreference('locale')) ?: null;
 
@@ -93,7 +101,7 @@ public function store(Request $request, Users $users): Response
             'slideoutPosition' => $request->input('slideoutPosition', $user->getPreference('slideoutPosition')),
         ];
 
-        if ($user->admin) {
+        if ($user->isAdmin()) {
             $preferences = array_merge($preferences, [
                 'showFieldHandles' => (bool) $request->input('showFieldHandles', $user->getPreference('showFieldHandles')),
                 'showExceptionView' => (bool) $request->input('showExceptionView', $user->getPreference('showExceptionView')),
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/RecoveryCodesController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/RecoveryCodesController.php
index 14d8eb4d4e3..96ad0468fa6 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/RecoveryCodesController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/RecoveryCodesController.php
@@ -53,10 +53,15 @@ public function download(Request $request, Sites $sites, I18N $i18N): Response
         $systemNameUnderline = str_repeat('=', mb_strlen($systemName));
         $primarySite = $sites->getPrimarySite();
         $website = $primarySite->getBaseUrl() ?? $primarySite->getName();
-        $user = $request->user();
+        $user = $request->craftUser();
+        if (! $user) {
+            abort(401);
+        }
+
+        $userElement = $user->asElement();
         $generalConfig = Cms::config();
-        $username = ! $generalConfig->useEmailAsUsername && $user->username ? $user->username : null;
-        $account = $username ? sprintf('%s (%s)', $username, $user->email) : $user->email;
+        $username = ! $generalConfig->useEmailAsUsername && $userElement->username ? $userElement->username : null;
+        $account = $username ? sprintf('%s (%s)', $username, $userElement->email) : $userElement->email;
         $generated = $i18N->getFormatter()->asDate($dateCreated, Locale::LENGTH_SHORT);
         $codeContent = implode('', array_map(
             fn (string $code) => $code ? "- $code\n" : "- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~\n",
@@ -79,7 +84,7 @@ public function download(Request $request, Sites $sites, I18N $i18N): Response
         $codeContent
         EOD;
 
-        $name = sprintf('%s recovery codes - %s.txt', $systemName, $username ?? $user->email);
+        $name = sprintf('%s recovery codes - %s.txt', $systemName, $username ?? $userElement->email);
 
         return response()->make($content, 200, [
             'Content-Type' => 'text/plain',
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/SaveUserController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/SaveUserController.php
index c1edf0594f0..264a71275de 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/SaveUserController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/SaveUserController.php
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Query;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Url;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Models\User as UserModel;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Users;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Validation\UserRules;
 use Illuminate\Http\Request;
@@ -100,7 +101,7 @@ public function __invoke(Request $request): Response
             Edition::require(Edition::Team);
 
             // Is someone logged in?
-            if ($request->user()) {
+            if ($request->craftUser()) {
                 // Make sure they have permission to register users
                 $this->requirePermission('registerUsers');
             } else {
@@ -211,7 +212,7 @@ public function __invoke(Request $request): Response
         // Is the site set to use email addresses as usernames?
         if ($this->generalConfig->useEmailAsUsername) {
             $user->username = $user->email;
-        } elseif ($isNewUser || $request->user()->admin || $isCurrentUser) {
+        } elseif ($isNewUser || $request->craftUser()?->isAdmin() || $isCurrentUser) {
             $user->username = $request->input('username', ($user->username ?: $user->email));
         }
 
@@ -439,7 +440,7 @@ private function maybeLoginUserAfterAccountActivation(User $user): bool
             return false;
         }
 
-        auth('craft')->login($user);
+        auth('craft')->login(UserModel::findOrFail($user->id));
 
         return true;
     }
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/SuspendController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/SuspendController.php
index 1c3f11dbd2c..2d0c4011fe7 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/SuspendController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/SuspendController.php
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ public function suspend(Request $request): Response
 
         abort_if(! $user, 400, 'User not found');
 
-        if (! $this->users->canSuspend($request->user(), $user)) {
+        if (! $this->users->canSuspend($request->craftUser(), $user)) {
             return $this->asFailure(t('Couldn’t suspend user.'));
         }
 
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ public function unsuspend(Request $request): Response
         abort_if(! $user, 400, 'User not found');
 
         // Even if you have moderateUsers permissions, only and admin should be able to unsuspend another admin.
-        if (! $this->users->canSuspend($request->user(), $user)) {
+        if (! $this->users->canSuspend($request->craftUser(), $user)) {
             return $this->asFailure(t('Couldn’t unsuspend user.'));
         }
 
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/UnlockController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/UnlockController.php
index 40003c46f64..0a1050b6604 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/UnlockController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/UnlockController.php
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ public function __invoke(Request $request, Users $users, Impersonation $imperson
         abort_if(! $user, 400, 'User not found');
 
         if ($user->admin) {
-            abort_if(! $request->user()->isAdmin(), 403, 'Only admins can unlock other admins.');
+            abort_if(! $request->craftUser()->isAdmin(), 403, 'Only admins can unlock other admins.');
             abort_if($user->id === $impersonation->getImpersonatorId(), 403, 'You can’t unlock yourself via impersonation.');
         }
 
diff --git a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/UsersController.php b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/UsersController.php
index cccde6f3ce9..1bea1ffce6f 100644
--- a/src/Http/Controllers/Users/UsersController.php
+++ b/src/Http/Controllers/Users/UsersController.php
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 use Illuminate\Contracts\View\View;
 use Illuminate\Foundation\Auth\Access\AuthorizesRequests;
 use Illuminate\Http\Request;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Gate;
 use Symfony\Component\HttpFoundation\Response;
 
 use function CraftCms\Cms\t;
@@ -38,6 +39,7 @@ public function index(Request $request, ?string $slug = null): View
             'buttonLabel' => mb_ucfirst(t('New {type}', [
                 'type' => User::lowerDisplayName(),
             ])),
+            'canRegisterUsers' => Gate::allows('save', new User),
             'source' => $slug ?? $request->input('source'),
         ]);
     }
@@ -49,7 +51,7 @@ public function create(Request $request, Drafts $drafts): Response
         $this->authorize('save', $user);
 
         $user->ruleset->useScenario(ElementRules::SCENARIO_ESSENTIALS);
-        if (! $drafts->saveElementAsDraft($user, $request->user()->id, markAsSaved: false)) {
+        if (! $drafts->saveElementAsDraft($user, $request->craftUser()?->getCraftUserId(), markAsSaved: false)) {
             return $this->asModelFailure($user, mb_ucfirst(t('Couldn’t create {type}.', [
                 'type' => User::lowerDisplayName(),
             ])), 'user');
diff --git a/src/Http/Middleware/AddLogContext.php b/src/Http/Middleware/AddLogContext.php
index 94ca068fdeb..3ff432b9372 100644
--- a/src/Http/Middleware/AddLogContext.php
+++ b/src/Http/Middleware/AddLogContext.php
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ public function handle(Request $request, Closure $next): mixed
     {
         Log::shareContext(array_filter([
             'environment' => app()->environment(),
-            'userId' => $request->user()?->id,
+            'userId' => $request->craftUser()?->getCraftUserId(),
             'sessionId' => $request->hasSession() ? $request->session()->getId() : null,
             'ips' => $this->generalConfig->storeUserIps ? $request->ips() : null,
         ]));
diff --git a/src/Http/Middleware/EnforceLicenses.php b/src/Http/Middleware/EnforceLicenses.php
index 0a6e043e15d..150b411c13b 100644
--- a/src/Http/Middleware/EnforceLicenses.php
+++ b/src/Http/Middleware/EnforceLicenses.php
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ public function __construct(
 
     public function handle(Request $request, Closure $next): mixed
     {
-        if (! $request->user()) {
+        if (! $request->craftUser()) {
             return $next($request);
         }
 
diff --git a/src/Http/Middleware/HandleInertiaRequests.php b/src/Http/Middleware/HandleInertiaRequests.php
index 756c529eeba..90be46e2635 100644
--- a/src/Http/Middleware/HandleInertiaRequests.php
+++ b/src/Http/Middleware/HandleInertiaRequests.php
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@
 
 use function CraftCms\Cms\action_url;
 use function CraftCms\Cms\cp_url;
+use function CraftCms\Cms\currentUserElement;
 
 class HandleInertiaRequests extends Middleware
 {
@@ -115,7 +116,7 @@ public function share(Request $request): array
         $generalConfig = app(GeneralConfig::class);
 
         if (! $updates->isCraftUpdatePending()) {
-            $currentUser = $request->user();
+            $currentUser = currentUserElement();
         }
 
         $systemIcon = ($generalConfig->cpIconUrl && Edition::isAtLeast(Edition::Pro))
diff --git a/src/Http/Middleware/RequireAdmin.php b/src/Http/Middleware/RequireAdmin.php
index 9c5f6832ef1..7b8ee2a8d26 100644
--- a/src/Http/Middleware/RequireAdmin.php
+++ b/src/Http/Middleware/RequireAdmin.php
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 {
     public function handle(Request $request, Closure $next): mixed
     {
-        if (! $user = $request->user()) {
+        if (! $user = $request->craftUser()) {
             throw new AuthenticationException('Unauthenticated.');
         }
 
diff --git a/src/Http/Mixins/RequestMixin.php b/src/Http/Mixins/RequestMixin.php
index 18f1d61de64..fe5a5644bde 100644
--- a/src/Http/Mixins/RequestMixin.php
+++ b/src/Http/Mixins/RequestMixin.php
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Http\Middleware\HandleTokenRequest;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Http\Routing\ActionRoute;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Http\Routing\ActionRouteResolver;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
+use Illuminate\Auth\AuthenticationException;
 use Illuminate\Contracts\Encryption\DecryptException;
 use Illuminate\Http\Request;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Context;
@@ -16,6 +18,28 @@
 
 class RequestMixin
 {
+    public function craftUser(): Closure
+    {
+        return function (): ?CraftUser {
+            /**
+             * @var Request $request
+             *
+             * @phpstan-ignore-next-line
+             */
+            $request = $this;
+            $user = $request->user();
+
+            if ($user === null || $user instanceof CraftUser) {
+                return $user;
+            }
+
+            throw new AuthenticationException(sprintf(
+                'The request user must implement %s to be used by Craft.',
+                CraftUser::class,
+            ));
+        };
+    }
+
     public function isMobileBrowser(): Closure
     {
         return function (bool $detectTablets = false): bool {
diff --git a/src/Http/Requests/ElementRequest.php b/src/Http/Requests/ElementRequest.php
index 9418f0a00f6..e0aa4bcaf60 100644
--- a/src/Http/Requests/ElementRequest.php
+++ b/src/Http/Requests/ElementRequest.php
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Arr;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\Elements;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\Sites;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 use Illuminate\Container\Attributes\Scoped;
 use Illuminate\Foundation\Http\FormRequest;
 use Symfony\Component\HttpFoundation\Response;
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ public function element(array $overrides = [], bool $checkForProvisionalDraft =
             return null;
         }
 
-        abort_unless($this->user()->can('view', $element), 403, 'User not authorized to view this element.');
+        abort_unless($this->craftUser()->can('view', $element), 403, 'User not authorized to view this element.');
 
         if (
             ! $this->strictSite &&
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ public function site(): array
 
             abort_if(is_null($site), 400, "Invalid site ID: $siteId");
 
-            if (Sites::isMultiSite() && ! $this->user()->can("editSite:$site->uid")) {
+            if (Sites::isMultiSite() && ! $this->craftUser()->can("editSite:$site->uid")) {
                 abort(403, 'User not authorized to edit content for this site.');
             }
         } else {
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ private function elementByDraftOrRevision(mixed $draftId, mixed $revisionId): El
             // check for the canonical element as a fallback
             $element = $this->elementById() ?? $this->elementByUid();
 
-            if ($element && $this->user()->can('view', $element)) {
+            if ($element && $this->craftUser()->can('view', $element)) {
                 if (! $this->wantsJson()) {
                     return redirect($element->getCpEditUrl());
                 }
@@ -290,14 +290,14 @@ private function elementById(): ?ElementInterface
             $element = $this->elementQuery()
                 ->provisionalDrafts()
                 ->draftOf($elementId)
-                ->draftCreator($this->user())
+                ->draftCreator($this->craftUser()?->getCraftUserId())
                 ->siteId($siteId)
                 ->preferSites($preferSites)
                 ->unique()
                 ->status(null)
                 ->one();
 
-            if ($element && $this->canSave($element, $this->user())) {
+            if ($element && $this->canSave($element, $this->craftUser())) {
                 return $element;
             }
         }
@@ -364,7 +364,7 @@ private function elementByUid(): ?ElementInterface
             ->one();
     }
 
-    private function canSave(ElementInterface $element, User $user): bool
+    private function canSave(ElementInterface $element, CraftUser $user): bool
     {
         if ($element->getIsRevision()) {
             return false;
diff --git a/src/Http/Responses/ElementResponse.php b/src/Http/Responses/ElementResponse.php
index a9d3359438c..d16a21fcc3f 100644
--- a/src/Http/Responses/ElementResponse.php
+++ b/src/Http/Responses/ElementResponse.php
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ public function success(ElementInterface $element, string $message, array $data
         ]);
 
         if ($supportsAddAnother && request()->boolean('addAnother')) {
-            $user = request()->user();
+            $user = request()->craftUser();
             $newElement = $element->createAnother();
 
             if (! $newElement || ! Gate::check('save', $newElement)) {
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ public function success(ElementInterface $element, string $message, array $data
 
             $newElement->ruleset->useScenario(ElementRules::SCENARIO_ESSENTIALS);
 
-            if (! Drafts::saveElementAsDraft($newElement, $user->id, null, null, false)) {
+            if (! Drafts::saveElementAsDraft($newElement, $user->getCraftUserId(), null, null, false)) {
                 abort(500, sprintf('Unable to create a new element: %s', implode(', ', $element->errors()->all())));
             }
 
diff --git a/src/Providers/AppServiceProvider.php b/src/Providers/AppServiceProvider.php
index 1387bdc0399..1b5663591af 100644
--- a/src/Providers/AppServiceProvider.php
+++ b/src/Providers/AppServiceProvider.php
@@ -20,8 +20,10 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Update\Data\Update as UpdateData;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Update\Data\UpdateRelease;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Update\Data\Updates as UpdatesData;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 use GuzzleHttp\Utils;
 use Illuminate\Auth\AuthenticationException;
+use Illuminate\Auth\SessionGuard;
 use Illuminate\Contracts\Config\Repository;
 use Illuminate\Contracts\Debug\ExceptionHandler;
 use Illuminate\Foundation\Application;
@@ -156,6 +158,19 @@ private function registerMacros(): void
         Request::mixin(new RequestMixin);
         SessionStore::mixin(new SessionMixin);
 
+        SessionGuard::macro('craftUser', function (): ?CraftUser {
+            $user = $this->user();
+
+            if ($user === null || $user instanceof CraftUser) {
+                return $user;
+            }
+
+            throw new AuthenticationException(sprintf(
+                'The authenticated user must implement %s to be used by Craft.',
+                CraftUser::class,
+            ));
+        });
+
         Response::macro('setNoCacheHeaders', function (bool $replace = true) {
             $this->header('Expires', '0', $replace);
             $this->header('Pragma', 'no-cache', $replace);
diff --git a/src/Section/Data/Section.php b/src/Section/Data/Section.php
index 34b97f70ab1..6ca4878f118 100644
--- a/src/Section/Data/Section.php
+++ b/src/Section/Data/Section.php
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ public function getHasMultiSiteEntries(): bool
 
     public function getCpEditUrl(): ?string
     {
-        if (! $this->id || ! Auth::user()?->isAdmin()) {
+        if (! $this->id || ! Auth::craftUser()?->isAdmin()) {
             return null;
         }
 
diff --git a/src/Section/Sections.php b/src/Section/Sections.php
index 0e086be6d33..6a130470e2b 100644
--- a/src/Section/Sections.php
+++ b/src/Section/Sections.php
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ public function getEditableSections(): Collection
             return $this->getAllSections();
         }
 
-        $user = Auth::user();
+        $user = Auth::craftUser();
 
         if (! $user) {
             return collect();
diff --git a/src/Site/Sites.php b/src/Site/Sites.php
index 637ae52ba22..cb439731405 100644
--- a/src/Site/Sites.php
+++ b/src/Site/Sites.php
@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ public function getEditableSiteIds(): Collection
             return $this->editableSiteIds;
         }
 
-        $user = Auth::user();
+        $user = Auth::craftUser();
 
         return $this->editableSiteIds = $this->getAllSites(true)->filter(fn (Site $site) => $user?->can("editSite:$site->uid"))->pluck('id')->values();
     }
diff --git a/src/Support/DateTimeHelper.php b/src/Support/DateTimeHelper.php
index e1006083781..489be2ddf67 100644
--- a/src/Support/DateTimeHelper.php
+++ b/src/Support/DateTimeHelper.php
@@ -857,7 +857,7 @@ public static function relativeTimeToSeconds(int $number, string $unit): int
      */
     public static function firstWeekDay(): int
     {
-        $user = Auth::user();
+        $user = Auth::craftUser();
 
         return (int) ($user?->getPreference('weekStartDay') ?? Cms::config()->defaultWeekStartDay);
     }
diff --git a/src/Support/Facades/Users.php b/src/Support/Facades/Users.php
index 2eaca969077..6943fc2f19d 100644
--- a/src/Support/Facades/Users.php
+++ b/src/Support/Facades/Users.php
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
  * @method static \CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User|null getUserByUsernameOrEmail(string $usernameOrEmail)
  * @method static \CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User|null getUserByUid(string $uid)
  * @method static array getUserPreferences(int $userId)
- * @method static void saveUserPreferences(\CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User $user, array $preferences)
+ * @method static void saveUserPreferences(\CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser $user, array $preferences)
  * @method static mixed getUserPreference(int $userId, string $key, mixed $default = null)
  * @method static bool sendPasswordResetEmail(\CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User $user)
  * @method static bool sendActivationEmail(\CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User $user)
@@ -44,8 +44,8 @@
  * @method static bool assignUserToDefaultGroup(\CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User $user)
  * @method static void handleChangedUserFieldLayout(\CraftCms\Cms\ProjectConfig\Events\ConfigEvent $event)
  * @method static bool saveLayout(\CraftCms\Cms\FieldLayout\FieldLayout $layout, bool $runValidation = true)
- * @method static bool canImpersonate(\CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User $impersonator, \CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User $impersonatee)
- * @method static bool canSuspend(\CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User $suspender, \CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User $suspendee)
+ * @method static bool canImpersonate(\CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser $impersonator, \CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User $impersonatee)
+ * @method static bool canSuspend(\CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser $suspender, \CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User $suspendee)
  * @method static int|null getMaxUsers(\CraftCms\Cms\Edition $edition)
  * @method static bool canCreateUsers()
  *
diff --git a/src/Translation/I18N.php b/src/Translation/I18N.php
index a1254431446..f19dbf01d21 100644
--- a/src/Translation/I18N.php
+++ b/src/Translation/I18N.php
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Cms;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Site\Data\Site;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\Sites;
-use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\Users;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Json;
 use Illuminate\Container\Attributes\Singleton;
 use Illuminate\Support\Collection;
@@ -93,14 +92,14 @@ public function getFormattingLocale(): Locale
             return $this->getLocale();
         }
 
-        if (Cms::isInstalled() && $user = Auth::user()) {
+        if (Cms::isInstalled() && $user = Auth::craftUser()) {
             // If they have a preferred locale, use it
-            if (($locale = Users::getUserPreference($user->id, 'locale')) !== null) {
+            if (($locale = $user->getPreference('locale')) !== null) {
                 return $this->getLocaleById($locale);
             }
 
             if (
-                ($language = Users::getUserPreference($user->id, 'language')) !== null &&
+                ($language = $user->getPreference('language')) !== null &&
                 $this->validateAppLocaleId($language)
             ) {
                 return $this->getLocaleById($language);
diff --git a/src/Twig/Extensions/CoreTwigExtension.php b/src/Twig/Extensions/CoreTwigExtension.php
index c9baf1b705a..5a066a1f6e9 100644
--- a/src/Twig/Extensions/CoreTwigExtension.php
+++ b/src/Twig/Extensions/CoreTwigExtension.php
@@ -292,12 +292,12 @@ public function getFunctions(): array
             new TwigFunction('entries', fn (array $config = []) => new EntryQuery($config)),
             new TwigFunction('users', fn (array $config = []) => new UserQuery($config)),
 
-            new TwigFunction('canCreateDrafts', fn (ElementInterface $element, ?User $user = null) => ($user ?? Auth::user())?->can('createDrafts', $element)),
-            new TwigFunction('canDelete', fn (ElementInterface $element, ?User $user = null) => ($user ?? Auth::user())?->can('delete', $element)),
-            new TwigFunction('canDeleteForSite', fn (ElementInterface $element, ?User $user = null) => ($user ?? Auth::user())?->can('deleteForSite', $element)),
-            new TwigFunction('canDuplicate', fn (ElementInterface $element, ?User $user = null) => ($user ?? Auth::user())?->can('duplicate', $element)),
-            new TwigFunction('canSave', fn (ElementInterface $element, ?User $user = null) => ($user ?? Auth::user())?->can('save', $element)),
-            new TwigFunction('canView', fn (ElementInterface $element, ?User $user = null) => ($user ?? Auth::user())?->can('view', $element)),
+            new TwigFunction('canCreateDrafts', fn (ElementInterface $element, ?User $user = null) => ($user ?? Auth::craftUser())?->can('createDrafts', $element)),
+            new TwigFunction('canDelete', fn (ElementInterface $element, ?User $user = null) => ($user ?? Auth::craftUser())?->can('delete', $element)),
+            new TwigFunction('canDeleteForSite', fn (ElementInterface $element, ?User $user = null) => ($user ?? Auth::craftUser())?->can('deleteForSite', $element)),
+            new TwigFunction('canDuplicate', fn (ElementInterface $element, ?User $user = null) => ($user ?? Auth::craftUser())?->can('duplicate', $element)),
+            new TwigFunction('canSave', fn (ElementInterface $element, ?User $user = null) => ($user ?? Auth::craftUser())?->can('save', $element)),
+            new TwigFunction('canView', fn (ElementInterface $element, ?User $user = null) => ($user ?? Auth::craftUser())?->can('view', $element)),
 
             new TwigFunction('head', $this->pageLifecycle->head(...)),
             new TwigFunction('beginBody', $this->pageLifecycle->beginBody(...)),
diff --git a/src/User/Actions/GetImpersonationUrlAction.php b/src/User/Actions/GetImpersonationUrlAction.php
index 0cd5dff5c73..c1a62402754 100644
--- a/src/User/Actions/GetImpersonationUrlAction.php
+++ b/src/User/Actions/GetImpersonationUrlAction.php
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ public function __invoke(User $user): string|false
         $token = $this->tokens->createToken([
             action_url('/users/impersonate-with-token'), [
                 'userId' => $user->id,
-                'prevUserId' => Auth::user()->id ?? $user->id,
+                'prevUserId' => Auth::craftUser()?->getCraftUserId() ?? $user->id,
             ],
         ], 1, now()->addHour());
 
diff --git a/src/User/Actions/SuspendUsers.php b/src/User/Actions/SuspendUsers.php
index 3317c106e78..1b959c1aff0 100644
--- a/src/User/Actions/SuspendUsers.php
+++ b/src/User/Actions/SuspendUsers.php
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Element\Queries\UserQuery;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\HtmlStack;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\Users;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Auth;
 use Override;
@@ -49,7 +50,7 @@ public function getTriggerHtml(): ?string
 })();
 JS, [
             static::class,
-            Auth::user()->id,
+            Auth::craftUser()?->getCraftUserId(),
         ]);
 
         return null;
@@ -63,7 +64,11 @@ public function performAction(ElementQueryInterface $query): bool
 
         /** @var User[] $users */
         $users = $query->all();
-        $currentUser = Auth::user();
+        $currentUser = Auth::craftUser();
+
+        if (! $currentUser instanceof CraftUser) {
+            return false;
+        }
 
         $successCount = count(array_filter($users, function (User $user) use ($currentUser) {
             try {
diff --git a/src/User/Actions/UnsuspendUsers.php b/src/User/Actions/UnsuspendUsers.php
index 117dbda34ac..d7587db6bdc 100644
--- a/src/User/Actions/UnsuspendUsers.php
+++ b/src/User/Actions/UnsuspendUsers.php
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Element\Queries\Contracts\ElementQueryInterface;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\HtmlStack;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\Users;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Auth;
 use Throwable;
@@ -58,7 +59,11 @@ public function performAction(ElementQueryInterface $query): bool
         $query->status(User::STATUS_SUSPENDED);
         /** @var User[] $users */
         $users = $query->all();
-        $currentUser = Auth::user();
+        $currentUser = Auth::craftUser();
+
+        if (! $currentUser instanceof CraftUser) {
+            return false;
+        }
 
         $successCount = count(array_filter($users, function (User $user) use ($currentUser) {
             if (! Users::canSuspend($currentUser, $user)) {
diff --git a/src/User/Concerns/CraftUserTrait.php b/src/User/Concerns/CraftUserTrait.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..fd8c25195d5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/User/Concerns/CraftUserTrait.php
@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace CraftCms\Cms\User\Concerns;
+
+use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\Users;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User as UserElement;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Notifications\ActivationNotification;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Notifications\ResetPasswordNotification;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Notifications\VerifyEmailNotification;
+use Throwable;
+
+/**
+ * @mixin UserElement
+ * @mixin CraftUser
+ */
+trait CraftUserTrait
+{
+    abstract public function asElement(): UserElement;
+
+    public function getCraftUserId(): ?int
+    {
+        return $this->id ?? null;
+    }
+
+    public function isAdmin(): bool
+    {
+        return (bool) $this->admin;
+    }
+
+    protected function defaultName(): string
+    {
+        return $this->fullName ?? (string) $this->username;
+    }
+
+    protected function defaultFriendlyName(): ?string
+    {
+        return $this->firstName ?? $this->username;
+    }
+
+    public function sendPasswordResetNotification($token): void
+    {
+        $this->notify(new ResetPasswordNotification($token));
+    }
+
+    public function sendActivationNotification(string $token): void
+    {
+        $this->notify(new ActivationNotification($token));
+    }
+
+    public function hasVerifiedEmail(): bool
+    {
+        return is_null($this->unverifiedEmail);
+    }
+
+    public function markEmailAsVerified(): bool
+    {
+        try {
+            Users::verifyEmailForUser($this->asElement());
+
+            return true;
+        } catch (Throwable) {
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
+
+    public function markEmailAsUnverified(): bool
+    {
+        try {
+            Users::unverifyEmailForUser($this->asElement());
+
+            return true;
+        } catch (Throwable) {
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
+
+    public function sendEmailVerificationNotification(): void
+    {
+        $this->notify(new VerifyEmailNotification(Users::setVerificationCodeOnUser($this->asElement())));
+    }
+
+    public function getEmailForVerification(): string
+    {
+        return $this->unverifiedEmail ?? $this->email;
+    }
+
+    public function getPreference(string $key, mixed $default = null): mixed
+    {
+        return $this->id ? Users::getUserPreference($this->id, $key, $default) : $default;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/User/Contracts/CraftUser.php b/src/User/Contracts/CraftUser.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..89a78eb7cff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/User/Contracts/CraftUser.php
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+namespace CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts;
+
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User as UserElement;
+use Illuminate\Contracts\Auth\Access\Authorizable;
+use Illuminate\Contracts\Auth\Authenticatable;
+use Illuminate\Contracts\Auth\CanResetPassword;
+use Illuminate\Contracts\Auth\MustVerifyEmail;
+
+interface CraftUser extends Authenticatable, Authorizable, CanResetPassword, MustVerifyEmail
+{
+    public function getCraftUserId(): ?int;
+
+    public function asElement(): UserElement;
+
+    public function isAdmin(): bool;
+
+    public function getPreference(string $key, mixed $default = null): mixed;
+}
diff --git a/src/User/Data/UserGroup.php b/src/User/Data/UserGroup.php
index bbab5dc46f5..f5736d9cb27 100644
--- a/src/User/Data/UserGroup.php
+++ b/src/User/Data/UserGroup.php
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ public function getDescription(): ?string
 
     public function getCpEditUrl(): ?string
     {
-        if (! $this->id || ! Auth::user()?->isAdmin()) {
+        if (! $this->id || ! Auth::craftUser()?->isAdmin()) {
             return null;
         }
 
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ public function getActionMenuItems(): array
 
         if (
             $this->id &&
-            Auth::user()?->isAdmin() &&
+            Auth::craftUser()?->isAdmin() &&
             Cms::config()->allowAdminChanges
         ) {
             $editId = sprintf('action-edit-%s', mt_rand());
diff --git a/src/User/Elements/User.php b/src/User/Elements/User.php
index 4cfb775d972..5441c874183 100644
--- a/src/User/Elements/User.php
+++ b/src/User/Elements/User.php
@@ -50,15 +50,14 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Twig\Attributes\AllowedInSandbox;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Actions\SuspendUsers;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Actions\UnsuspendUsers;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Concerns\CraftUserTrait;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Concerns\LegacyConstants;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Conditions\UserCondition;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Data\UserGroup;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Events\UserFriendlyNameResolving;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Events\UserNameResolving;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Models\User as UserModel;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Notifications\ActivationNotification;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Notifications\ResetPasswordNotification;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Notifications\VerifyEmailNotification;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Validation\UserRules;
 use CraftCms\RulesetValidation\Attributes\Ruleset;
 use DateInterval;
@@ -80,7 +79,6 @@
 use Illuminate\Support\Traits\Macroable;
 use Override;
 use Stringable;
-use Throwable;
 
 use function CraftCms\Cms\t;
 
@@ -101,11 +99,13 @@
  * @property-read string|null $preferredLocale the user’s preferred formatting locale
  */
 #[Ruleset(UserRules::class)]
-class User extends Element implements AuthenticatableContract, AuthorizableContract, CanResetPasswordContract, MustVerifyEmailContract
+class User extends Element implements AuthenticatableContract, AuthorizableContract, CanResetPasswordContract, CraftUser, MustVerifyEmailContract
 {
     use Authenticatable;
     use Authorizable;
-    use CanResetPassword;
+    use CanResetPassword, CraftUserTrait {
+        CraftUserTrait::sendPasswordResetNotification insteadof CanResetPassword;
+    }
     use ConfirmsPasswords;
     use HasNames;
     use LegacyConstants;
@@ -371,6 +371,11 @@ public function getAuthIdentifierName(): string
         return 'id';
     }
 
+    public function asElement(): self
+    {
+        return $this;
+    }
+
     public function getKey(): ?int
     {
         return $this->id;
@@ -750,53 +755,6 @@ public static function eagerLoadingMap(array $sourceElements, string $handle): a
         return parent::eagerLoadingMap($sourceElements, $handle);
     }
 
-    public function sendPasswordResetNotification($token): void
-    {
-        $this->notify(new ResetPasswordNotification($token));
-    }
-
-    public function sendActivationNotification(string $token): void
-    {
-        $this->notify(new ActivationNotification($token));
-    }
-
-    public function hasVerifiedEmail(): bool
-    {
-        return is_null($this->unverifiedEmail);
-    }
-
-    public function markEmailAsVerified(): bool
-    {
-        try {
-            Users::verifyEmailForUser($this);
-
-            return true;
-        } catch (Throwable) {
-            return false;
-        }
-    }
-
-    public function markEmailAsUnverified(): bool
-    {
-        try {
-            Users::unverifyEmailForUser($this);
-
-            return true;
-        } catch (Throwable) {
-            return false;
-        }
-    }
-
-    public function sendEmailVerificationNotification(): void
-    {
-        $this->notify(new VerifyEmailNotification(Users::setVerificationCodeOnUser($this)));
-    }
-
-    public function getEmailForVerification(): string
-    {
-        return $this->unverifiedEmail ?? $this->email;
-    }
-
     /**
      * Use the full name or username as the string representation.
      */
@@ -1136,7 +1094,7 @@ private function _defineName(): string
     {
         event($event = new UserNameResolving($this));
 
-        return $event->name ?? $this->fullName ?? (string) $this->username;
+        return $event->name ?? $this->defaultName();
     }
 
     /**
@@ -1164,7 +1122,7 @@ private function _defineFriendlyName(): ?string
     {
         event($event = new UserFriendlyNameResolving($this));
 
-        return $event->name ?? $this->firstName ?? $this->username;
+        return $event->name ?? $this->defaultFriendlyName();
     }
 
     /**
@@ -1276,42 +1234,7 @@ public function getIsCurrent(): bool
             return false;
         }
 
-        return Auth::user()?->id === $this->id;
-    }
-
-    public function isAdmin(): bool
-    {
-        return $this->admin;
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * Returns whether the user can register additional users.
-     */
-    public function canRegisterUsers(): bool
-    {
-        return $this->can('registerUsers') && Users::canCreateUsers();
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * Returns whether the user is authorized to assign any user groups to users.
-     */
-    public function canAssignUserGroups(): bool
-    {
-        if (! Edition::isAtLeast(Edition::Pro)) {
-            return false;
-        }
-
-        if ($this->admin) {
-            return true;
-        }
-
-        foreach (UserGroups::getAllGroups() as $group) {
-            if ($this->can("assignUserGroup:$group->uid")) {
-                return true;
-            }
-        }
-
-        return false;
+        return Auth::craftUser()?->getCraftUserId() === $this->id;
     }
 
     /**
@@ -1387,7 +1310,12 @@ protected function safeActionMenuItems(): array
             return parent::safeActionMenuItems();
         }
 
-        $currentUser = Auth::user();
+        $currentUser = Auth::craftUser();
+
+        if (! $currentUser instanceof CraftUser) {
+            return parent::safeActionMenuItems();
+        }
+
         $canAdministrateUsers = $currentUser->can('administrateUsers');
         $canModerateUsers = $currentUser->can('moderateUsers');
 
@@ -1459,7 +1387,7 @@ protected function safeActionMenuItems(): array
                     if ($this->locked) {
                         if (
                             ! $isCurrentUser &&
-                            ($currentUser->admin || ! $this->admin) &&
+                            ($currentUser->isAdmin() || ! $this->admin) &&
                             $canModerateUsers &&
                             (
                                 ($impersonatorId = app(Impersonation::class)->getImpersonatorId()) === null ||
@@ -1580,8 +1508,12 @@ protected function destructiveActionMenuItems(): array
             return parent::destructiveActionMenuItems();
         }
 
-        /** @var User $currentUser */
-        $currentUser = Auth::user();
+        $currentUser = Auth::craftUser();
+
+        if (! $currentUser instanceof CraftUser) {
+            return parent::destructiveActionMenuItems();
+        }
+
         $canAdministrateUsers = $currentUser->can('administrateUsers');
 
         $isCurrentUser = $this->getIsCurrent();
@@ -1603,7 +1535,7 @@ protected function destructiveActionMenuItems(): array
             }
 
             // Destructive actions that should only be performed on non-admins, unless the current user is also an admin
-            if (! $this->admin || $currentUser->admin) {
+            if (! $this->admin || $currentUser->isAdmin()) {
                 if (($isCurrentUser || $canAdministrateUsers) && ($this->active || $this->pending)) {
                     $items[] = [
                         'icon' => 'disabled',
@@ -1671,20 +1603,6 @@ public function getPreferences(): array
         return $this->id ? Users::getUserPreferences($this->id) : [];
     }
 
-    /**
-     * Returns one of the user’s preferences by its key.
-     *
-     * @param  string  $key  The preference’s key
-     * @param  mixed  $default  The default value, if the preference hasn’t been set
-     * @return mixed The user’s preference
-     */
-    public function getPreference(string $key, mixed $default = null): mixed
-    {
-        $preferences = $this->getPreferences();
-
-        return $preferences[$key] ?? $default;
-    }
-
     /**
      * Returns the user’s preferred language, if they have one.
      *
@@ -1838,12 +1756,12 @@ protected function attributeHtml(string $attribute): string|Stringable
     #[Override]
     protected function htmlAttributes(string $context): array
     {
-        $currentUser = Auth::user();
+        $currentUser = Auth::craftUser();
 
         return [
             'data' => [
                 'suspended' => $this->suspended,
-                'can-suspend' => $currentUser && Users::canSuspend($currentUser, $this),
+                'can-suspend' => $currentUser instanceof CraftUser && Users::canSuspend($currentUser, $this),
             ],
         ];
     }
diff --git a/src/User/Models/User.php b/src/User/Models/User.php
index 4389aab5e85..63081c79b6e 100644
--- a/src/User/Models/User.php
+++ b/src/User/Models/User.php
@@ -5,21 +5,24 @@
 namespace CraftCms\Cms\User\Models;
 
 use CraftCms\Cms\Asset\Models\Asset;
+use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Concerns\ConfirmsPasswords;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Database\Table;
-use CraftCms\Cms\Edition;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Element\Models\Element;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Shared\BaseModel;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Site\Models\Site;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Arr;
-use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\UserGroups;
-use Illuminate\Auth\MustVerifyEmail;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Concerns\CraftUserTrait;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
+use Illuminate\Auth\Authenticatable;
+use Illuminate\Auth\Passwords\CanResetPassword;
 use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Attributes\Hidden;
 use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Factories\HasFactory;
 use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Relations\BelongsTo;
 use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Relations\BelongsToMany;
 use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Relations\Pivot;
 use Illuminate\Database\Query\Builder;
-use Illuminate\Support\Collection;
+use Illuminate\Foundation\Auth\Access\Authorizable;
+use Illuminate\Notifications\Notifiable;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\DB;
 use Override;
 
@@ -27,15 +30,24 @@
     'password',
     'rememberToken',
 ])]
-class User extends BaseModel
+class User extends BaseModel implements CraftUser
 {
+    use Authenticatable;
+    use Authorizable;
+    use CanResetPassword, CraftUserTrait {
+        CraftUserTrait::sendPasswordResetNotification insteadof CanResetPassword;
+    }
+    use ConfirmsPasswords;
     use HasFactory;
-    use MustVerifyEmail;
+    use Notifiable;
 
     #[Override]
     public $incrementing = false;
 
-    private ?Collection $userGroupData = null;
+    #[Override]
+    protected $with = [
+        'element',
+    ];
 
     #[Override]
     protected $casts = [
@@ -54,9 +66,45 @@ class User extends BaseModel
         'lastPasswordChangeDate' => 'datetime',
     ];
 
-    public function isAdmin(): bool
+    protected function getNameAttribute(): string
+    {
+        return $this->defaultName();
+    }
+
+    protected function getFriendlyNameAttribute(): ?string
     {
-        return (bool) $this->admin;
+        return $this->defaultFriendlyName();
+    }
+
+    protected function getUidAttribute(): ?string
+    {
+        if (! $this->id) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        return $this->relationLoaded('element')
+            ? $this->element?->uid
+            : $this->element()->value('uid');
+    }
+
+    protected function setUidAttribute(?string $value): void {}
+
+    public function haveIndexAttributesChanged(): bool
+    {
+        return $this->isDirty([
+            'username',
+            'fullName',
+            'firstName',
+            'lastName',
+            'email',
+            'admin',
+            'active',
+            'pending',
+            'locked',
+            'suspended',
+            'lastLoginDate',
+            'photoId',
+        ]);
     }
 
     #[Override]
@@ -73,16 +121,27 @@ protected function newBaseQueryBuilder(): Builder
     public function asElement(): \CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User
     {
         $element = new \CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User(Arr::except($this->toArray(), [
+            'element',
             'invalidLoginWindowStart',
         ]));
 
         $element->password = $this->password;
 
-        unset($this->uid);
+        if ($this->id && ! $element->uid) {
+            $element->uid = $this->relationLoaded('element')
+                ? $this->element?->uid
+                : $this->element()->value('uid');
+        }
 
         return $element;
     }
 
+    #[Override]
+    public function getRememberTokenName(): string
+    {
+        return 'rememberToken';
+    }
+
     /**
      * @return BelongsTo<Element, $this>
      */
@@ -121,42 +180,4 @@ public function permissions(): BelongsToMany
             ->withTimestamps('dateCreated', 'dateUpdated')
             ->withPivot('uid');
     }
-
-    /**
-     * @return Collection<\CraftCms\Cms\User\Data\UserGroup>
-     */
-    public function getGroups(): Collection
-    {
-        if (isset($this->userGroupData)) {
-            return $this->userGroupData;
-        }
-
-        if (Edition::get() < Edition::Pro || ! isset($this->id)) {
-            return collect();
-        }
-
-        return $this->userGroupData = UserGroups::getGroupsByUserId($this->id);
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * Returns whether any properties that affect the user's status have changed.
-     */
-    public function haveIndexAttributesChanged(): bool
-    {
-        if (! $this->exists) {
-            return false;
-        }
-
-        return ! empty(Arr::only($this->getDirty(), [
-            'active',
-            'email',
-            'firstName',
-            'fullName',
-            'lastLoginDate',
-            'lastName',
-            'pending',
-            'suspended',
-            'username',
-        ]));
-    }
 }
diff --git a/src/User/Notifications/ActivationNotification.php b/src/User/Notifications/ActivationNotification.php
index b30f1c4897e..8f1bf28684a 100644
--- a/src/User/Notifications/ActivationNotification.php
+++ b/src/User/Notifications/ActivationNotification.php
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Template;
 use CraftCms\Cms\SystemMessage\Mailables\SystemMessageMailable;
 use CraftCms\Cms\SystemMessage\SystemMessages;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 use Illuminate\Bus\Queueable;
 use Illuminate\Contracts\Queue\ShouldQueue;
 use Illuminate\Notifications\Channels\MailChannel;
@@ -32,8 +32,10 @@ public function via(mixed $notifiable): array
         return [MailChannel::class];
     }
 
-    public function toMail(User $user): SystemMessageMailable
+    public function toMail(CraftUser $user): SystemMessageMailable
     {
+        $user = $user->asElement();
+
         $url = Users::getActivationUrl($user, $this->token);
 
         return app(SystemMessages::class)->mailable(
diff --git a/src/User/Notifications/ResetPasswordNotification.php b/src/User/Notifications/ResetPasswordNotification.php
index e9c516fabd8..38ca7095420 100644
--- a/src/User/Notifications/ResetPasswordNotification.php
+++ b/src/User/Notifications/ResetPasswordNotification.php
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Template;
 use CraftCms\Cms\SystemMessage\Mailables\SystemMessageMailable;
 use CraftCms\Cms\SystemMessage\SystemMessages;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 use Illuminate\Bus\Queueable;
 use Illuminate\Contracts\Queue\ShouldQueue;
 use Illuminate\Notifications\Channels\MailChannel;
@@ -30,8 +30,10 @@ public function via(mixed $notifiable): array
         return [MailChannel::class];
     }
 
-    public function toMail(User $user): SystemMessageMailable
+    public function toMail(CraftUser $user): SystemMessageMailable
     {
+        $user = $user->asElement();
+
         $url = Users::getPasswordResetUrl($user, $this->token);
 
         return app(SystemMessages::class)->mailable(
diff --git a/src/User/Notifications/VerifyEmailNotification.php b/src/User/Notifications/VerifyEmailNotification.php
index b063339f3b5..504715f551e 100644
--- a/src/User/Notifications/VerifyEmailNotification.php
+++ b/src/User/Notifications/VerifyEmailNotification.php
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Template;
 use CraftCms\Cms\SystemMessage\Mailables\SystemMessageMailable;
 use CraftCms\Cms\SystemMessage\SystemMessages;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 use Illuminate\Bus\Queueable;
 use Illuminate\Contracts\Queue\ShouldQueue;
 use Illuminate\Notifications\Channels\MailChannel;
@@ -32,8 +32,10 @@ public function via(mixed $notifiable): array
         return [MailChannel::class];
     }
 
-    public function toMail(User $user): SystemMessageMailable
+    public function toMail(CraftUser $user): SystemMessageMailable
     {
+        $user = $user->asElement();
+
         $url = Users::getEmailVerifyUrl($user, $this->token);
 
         return app(SystemMessages::class)->mailable(
diff --git a/src/User/Policies/UserPolicy.php b/src/User/Policies/UserPolicy.php
index 1087e059efa..95930b53315 100644
--- a/src/User/Policies/UserPolicy.php
+++ b/src/User/Policies/UserPolicy.php
@@ -6,7 +6,9 @@
 
 use CraftCms\Cms\Edition;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Element\Policies\ElementPolicy;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
+use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\Users;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User as UserElement;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\UserPermissions;
 
 class UserPolicy extends ElementPolicy
@@ -15,33 +17,37 @@ public function __construct(
         private readonly UserPermissions $userPermissions,
     ) {}
 
-    public function view(User $user, User $target): bool
+    public function view(CraftUser $user, UserElement $target): bool
     {
-        return $user->id === $target->id || $user->can('viewUsers');
+        if ($user->getCraftUserId() === $target->id) {
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        return $user->can('viewUsers');
     }
 
-    public function save(User $user, User $target): bool
+    public function save(CraftUser $user, UserElement $target): bool
     {
         // New user registration
         if (! $target->id) {
-            return $user->canRegisterUsers();
+            return $user->can('registerUsers') && Users::canCreateUsers();
         }
 
         // User can always save themselves
-        if ($user->id === $target->id) {
+        if ($user->getCraftUserId() === $target->id) {
             return true;
         }
 
         return $user->can('editUsers');
     }
 
-    public function delete(User $user, User $target): bool
+    public function delete(CraftUser $user, UserElement $target): bool
     {
         if (Edition::get() === Edition::Solo) {
             return false;
         }
 
-        if ($user->id === $target->id) {
+        if ($user->getCraftUserId() === $target->id) {
             return true;
         }
 
@@ -51,27 +57,27 @@ public function delete(User $user, User $target): bool
         }
 
         // Non-admins cannot delete admins
-        if ($target->admin && ! $user->admin) {
+        if ($target->admin && ! $user->isAdmin()) {
             return false;
         }
 
         return true;
     }
 
-    public function duplicate(User $user, User $target): bool
+    public function duplicate(CraftUser $user, UserElement $target): bool
     {
         return false;
     }
 
-    public function copy(User $user, User $target): bool
+    public function copy(CraftUser $user, UserElement $target): bool
     {
         return false;
     }
 
-    public function impersonate(User $user, User $target): bool
+    public function impersonate(CraftUser $user, UserElement $target): bool
     {
         // Admins can do whatever they want
-        if ($user->admin) {
+        if ($user->isAdmin()) {
             return true;
         }
 
@@ -85,8 +91,14 @@ public function impersonate(User $user, User $target): bool
             return false;
         }
 
+        $userId = $user->getCraftUserId();
+
+        if (! $userId) {
+            return false;
+        }
+
         // Make sure the impersonator has at least all the same permissions as the target
-        $userPermissions = $this->userPermissions->getPermissionsByUserId($user->id)->flip();
+        $userPermissions = $this->userPermissions->getPermissionsByUserId($userId)->flip();
         $targetPermissions = $this->userPermissions->getPermissionsByUserId($target->id);
 
         foreach ($targetPermissions as $permission) {
@@ -98,14 +110,14 @@ public function impersonate(User $user, User $target): bool
         return true;
     }
 
-    public function suspend(User $user, User $target): bool
+    public function suspend(CraftUser $user, UserElement $target): bool
     {
         if (! $user->can('moderateUsers')) {
             return false;
         }
 
         // Even if you have moderateUsers permissions, only an admin should be able to suspend another admin
-        if (! $user->admin && $target->admin) {
+        if (! $user->isAdmin() && $target->admin) {
             return false;
         }
 
diff --git a/src/User/UserGroups.php b/src/User/UserGroups.php
index a10d8a1b1db..4c21f327fb6 100644
--- a/src/User/UserGroups.php
+++ b/src/User/UserGroups.php
@@ -67,14 +67,14 @@ public function getAllGroups(): Collection
      */
     public function getAssignableGroups(?User $user = null): Collection
     {
-        $currentUser = Auth::user();
+        $currentUser = Auth::craftUser();
 
         if (! $currentUser && ! $user) {
             return collect();
         }
 
         // If either user is an admin, all groups are fair game
-        if (($currentUser !== null && $currentUser->admin) || ($user !== null && $user->admin)) {
+        if (($currentUser !== null && $currentUser->isAdmin()) || ($user !== null && $user->admin)) {
             return $this->getAllGroups();
         }
 
diff --git a/src/User/UserPermissions.php b/src/User/UserPermissions.php
index 0a8ed62f751..a3434d69ef5 100644
--- a/src/User/UserPermissions.php
+++ b/src/User/UserPermissions.php
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ public function getAllPermissions(): Collection
     public function getAssignablePermissions(?User $user = null): Collection
     {
         // If either user is an admin, all permissions are fair game
-        if (Auth::user()?->isAdmin() || ($user !== null && $user->admin)) {
+        if (Auth::craftUser()?->isAdmin() || ($user !== null && $user->admin)) {
             return $this->getAllPermissions();
         }
 
@@ -746,7 +746,7 @@ private function utilityPermissions(Collection $permissions): void
      */
     private function filterUnassignablePermissions(Collection $permissions, ?User $user = null): Collection
     {
-        $currentUser = Auth::user();
+        $currentUser = Auth::craftUser();
 
         if (! $currentUser && ! $user) {
             return new Collection;
diff --git a/src/User/Users.php b/src/User/Users.php
index e251073b1e0..d2ec946520a 100644
--- a/src/User/Users.php
+++ b/src/User/Users.php
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Json;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Str;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Url;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Data\UserGroup;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Events\DefaultUserGroupsResolving;
@@ -57,6 +58,7 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Events\UserUnsuspended;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Events\UserUnsuspending;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Models\User as UserModel;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Notifications\ActivationNotification;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Validation\UserRules;
 use CraftCms\DependencyAwareCache\Dependency\TagDependency;
 use DateTime;
@@ -209,21 +211,27 @@ public function getUserPreferences(int $userId): array
     /**
      * Saves a user’s preferences.
      *
-     * @param  User  $user  The user
+     * @param  CraftUser  $user  The user
      * @param  array  $preferences  The user’s new preferences
      */
-    public function saveUserPreferences(User $user, array $preferences): void
+    public function saveUserPreferences(CraftUser $user, array $preferences): void
     {
+        $userId = $user->getCraftUserId();
+
+        if (! $userId) {
+            throw new InvalidArgumentException('Cannot save preferences for a user without an ID.');
+        }
+
         // Merge in any other saved preferences
-        $preferences += $this->getUserPreferences($user->id);
+        $preferences += $this->getUserPreferences($userId);
 
         DB::table(Table::USERPREFERENCES)
             ->upsert([
-                'userId' => $user->id,
+                'userId' => $userId,
                 'preferences' => Json::encode($preferences),
             ], ['userId']);
 
-        $this->userPreferences[$user->id] = $preferences;
+        $this->userPreferences[$userId] = $preferences;
     }
 
     /**
@@ -249,7 +257,7 @@ public function getUserPreference(int $userId, string $key, mixed $default = nul
      */
     public function sendPasswordResetEmail(User $user): bool
     {
-        return Password::broker('craft')->sendResetLink(['loginName' => $user->email]) === Password::RESET_LINK_SENT;
+        return Password::broker('craft')->sendResetLink(['email' => $user->email]) === Password::RESET_LINK_SENT;
     }
 
     /**
@@ -259,7 +267,7 @@ public function sendPasswordResetEmail(User $user): bool
      */
     public function sendActivationEmail(User $user): bool
     {
-        $user->sendActivationNotification($this->setVerificationCodeOnUser($user));
+        $user->notify(new ActivationNotification($this->setVerificationCodeOnUser($user)));
 
         return true;
     }
@@ -1204,7 +1212,7 @@ public function saveLayout(FieldLayout $layout, bool $runValidation = true): boo
     /**
      * Returns whether a user is allowed to impersonate another user.
      */
-    public function canImpersonate(User $impersonator, User $impersonatee): bool
+    public function canImpersonate(CraftUser $impersonator, User $impersonatee): bool
     {
         return $impersonator->can('impersonate', $impersonatee);
     }
@@ -1212,7 +1220,7 @@ public function canImpersonate(User $impersonator, User $impersonatee): bool
     /**
      * Returns whether the user can suspend the given user
      */
-    public function canSuspend(User $suspender, User $suspendee): bool
+    public function canSuspend(CraftUser $suspender, User $suspendee): bool
     {
         return $suspender->can('suspend', $suspendee);
     }
diff --git a/src/Utility/Utilities.php b/src/Utility/Utilities.php
index 93bb7b47f84..281391e57ae 100644
--- a/src/Utility/Utilities.php
+++ b/src/Utility/Utilities.php
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ public function getAuthorizedUtilityTypes(): Collection
      */
     public function checkAuthorization(string $class): bool
     {
-        $user = Auth::user();
+        $user = Auth::craftUser();
 
         // The Project Config utility is for admins only!
         if ($class === ProjectConfigUtility::class && ! $user?->isAdmin()) {
diff --git a/src/View/LegacyAssets/CpAsset.php b/src/View/LegacyAssets/CpAsset.php
index d95b6cca2c2..53b6c1e0231 100644
--- a/src/View/LegacyAssets/CpAsset.php
+++ b/src/View/LegacyAssets/CpAsset.php
@@ -36,10 +36,10 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\View\Enums\Position;
 use CraftCms\Cms\View\HtmlStack;
 use Illuminate\Pagination\Paginator;
-use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Auth;
 use stdClass;
 
 use function CraftCms\Cms\craftAsset;
+use function CraftCms\Cms\currentUserElement;
 use function CraftCms\Cms\t;
 
 /**
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ private function _craftData(): array
         $formattingLocale = I18N::getFormattingLocale();
         $locale = I18N::getLocale();
         $orientation = $locale->getOrientation();
-        $currentUser = Auth::user();
+        $currentUser = currentUserElement();
         $primarySite = $upToDate ? Sites::getPrimarySite() : null;
 
         $data = [
diff --git a/src/View/TemplateGlobals.php b/src/View/TemplateGlobals.php
index a8b7eb5d1cf..64f3a57ce3c 100644
--- a/src/View/TemplateGlobals.php
+++ b/src/View/TemplateGlobals.php
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\View\Events\TemplateGlobalsResolving;
 use Illuminate\Container\Attributes\Scoped;
 use Illuminate\Foundation\Application;
-use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Auth;
 
+use function CraftCms\Cms\currentUserElement;
 use function CraftCms\Cms\t;
 
 #[Scoped]
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ public function resolve(): array
         $globals = [
             'craft' => $this->craftVariable,
             'currentSite' => $currentSite,
-            'currentUser' => Auth::user(),
+            'currentUser' => currentUserElement(),
             'siteName' => $siteName,
             'siteUrl' => $siteUrl,
             'systemName' => $systemName,
diff --git a/src/View/TemplateProfiler.php b/src/View/TemplateProfiler.php
index 11946431890..9dfe63320a0 100644
--- a/src/View/TemplateProfiler.php
+++ b/src/View/TemplateProfiler.php
@@ -96,13 +96,13 @@ private function shouldProfile(): bool
             return $this->shouldProfile = true;
         }
 
-        $user = Auth::user();
+        $user = Auth::craftUser();
 
         if (! $user) {
             return $this->shouldProfile = false;
         }
 
-        return $this->shouldProfile = ($user->admin && $user->getPreference('profileTemplates'));
+        return $this->shouldProfile = ($user->isAdmin() && $user->getPreference('profileTemplates'));
     }
 
     private function profileToken(string $type, string $name, int $count): string
diff --git a/src/helpers.php b/src/helpers.php
index f6403e06c75..89eaec8a9cc 100644
--- a/src/helpers.php
+++ b/src/helpers.php
@@ -11,8 +11,11 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Typecast;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Url;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Twig\TemplateRenderer;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User as UserElement;
 use CraftCms\Cms\View\TemplateMode;
 use Illuminate\Http\RedirectResponse;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Auth;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Log;
 use Stringable;
 use UnitEnum;
@@ -71,6 +74,15 @@ function debugbar()
     return app()->bound('debugbar') ? app('debugbar') : optional();
 }
 
+function currentUserElement(): ?UserElement
+{
+    $user = Auth::craftUser();
+
+    return $user instanceof CraftUser
+        ? $user->asElement()
+        : null;
+}
+
 /**
  * Normalizes an environment variable/constant name/CLI command option.
  *
diff --git a/tests/Feature/Asset/Policies/AssetPolicyTest.php b/tests/Feature/Asset/Policies/AssetPolicyTest.php
index de048c442e5..750c7ddd902 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/Asset/Policies/AssetPolicyTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/Asset/Policies/AssetPolicyTest.php
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Filesystem\Contracts\FsInterface;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Filesystem\Filesystems\Local;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Filesystem\Filesystems\Temp;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Models\User;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Gate;
 
 beforeEach(function () {
diff --git a/tests/Feature/Auth/Auth/AuthPasskeyTest.php b/tests/Feature/Auth/Auth/AuthPasskeyTest.php
index 94ba745d27e..dcdd3a1356c 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/Auth/Auth/AuthPasskeyTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/Auth/Auth/AuthPasskeyTest.php
@@ -5,11 +5,17 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\AuthMethods;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Enums\AuthError;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Events\UserAuthenticating;
+use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Passkeys\CredentialRepository;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Passkeys\Passkeys;
+use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Passkeys\WebauthnServer;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Cms;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Json;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Models\User;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Event;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Session;
+use Symfony\Component\Uid\Uuid;
+use Webauthn\PublicKeyCredentialSource;
+use Webauthn\TrustPath\EmptyTrustPath;
 
 beforeEach(function () {
     Cms::config()->isSystemLive = true;
@@ -17,6 +23,7 @@
 
 test('authenticateWithPasskey with valid response', function () {
     $user = User::factory()->withPasskey('valid-credential-id')->createElement();
+    $updatedCredentialSource = authPasskeyCredentialSource('valid-credential-id');
 
     $requestOptions = Json::encode(['challenge' => 'test-challenge']);
     $response = Json::encode([
@@ -26,17 +33,36 @@
         'response' => ['valid-response'],
     ]);
 
-    $this->mock(Passkeys::class)
+    $passkeys = mockAuthPasskeys();
+    Session::put($passkeys->passkeyCredSourceParam, $updatedCredentialSource);
+
+    $credentialRepository = Mockery::mock(CredentialRepository::class);
+    $credentialRepository
+        ->shouldReceive('saveCredentialSource')
+        ->once()
+        ->with($updatedCredentialSource);
+
+    $webauthnServer = Mockery::mock(WebauthnServer::class);
+    $webauthnServer
+        ->shouldReceive('getCredentialRepository')
+        ->once()
+        ->andReturn($credentialRepository);
+
+    $passkeys
         ->shouldReceive('verifyPasskey')
+        ->once()
         ->with($user, $requestOptions, $response)
         ->andReturn(true);
-
-    app()->forgetInstance(AuthMethods::class);
+    $passkeys
+        ->shouldReceive('webauthnServer')
+        ->once()
+        ->andReturn($webauthnServer);
 
     $result = app(AuthMethods::class)->authenticateWithPasskey($user, $requestOptions, $response);
 
     expect($result)->toBeTrue();
     expect(app(AuthMethods::class)->authError)->toBeNull();
+    expect(Session::has($passkeys->passkeyCredSourceParam))->toBeFalse();
 });
 
 test('authenticateWithPasskey with mismatched credential', function () {
@@ -53,19 +79,24 @@
 
 test('authenticateWithPasskey with invalid response', function () {
     $user = User::factory()->withPasskey('test-credential-id')->createElement();
+    $updatedCredentialSource = authPasskeyCredentialSource('test-credential-id');
 
     $requestOptions = Json::encode(['challenge' => 'test-challenge']);
     $response = Json::encode(['id' => 'test-credential-id', 'response' => 'invalid-response']);
 
-    $this->mock(Passkeys::class)
+    $passkeys = mockAuthPasskeys();
+    Session::put($passkeys->passkeyCredSourceParam, $updatedCredentialSource);
+
+    $passkeys
         ->shouldReceive('verifyPasskey')
+        ->once()
         ->andReturn(false);
-
-    app()->forgetInstance(AuthMethods::class);
+    $passkeys->shouldNotReceive('webauthnServer');
 
     $result = app(AuthMethods::class)->authenticateWithPasskey($user, $requestOptions, $response);
 
     expect($result)->toBeFalse();
+    expect(Session::has($passkeys->passkeyCredSourceParam))->toBeFalse();
 });
 
 test('authenticateWithPasskey with user without passkeys', function () {
@@ -110,3 +141,28 @@
 
     expect($result)->toBeTrue();
 });
+
+function mockAuthPasskeys(): Passkeys
+{
+    $passkeys = Mockery::mock(Passkeys::class, ['pkCredCreationOptions', 'pkReqOptions', 'pkCredSource'])->makePartial();
+
+    app()->instance(Passkeys::class, $passkeys);
+    app()->forgetInstance(AuthMethods::class);
+
+    return $passkeys;
+}
+
+function authPasskeyCredentialSource(string $credentialId): PublicKeyCredentialSource
+{
+    return PublicKeyCredentialSource::create(
+        publicKeyCredentialId: $credentialId,
+        type: 'public-key',
+        transports: [],
+        attestationType: 'none',
+        trustPath: EmptyTrustPath::create(),
+        aaguid: Uuid::v4(),
+        credentialPublicKey: 'credential-public-key',
+        userHandle: 'user-handle',
+        counter: 1,
+    );
+}
diff --git a/tests/Feature/Auth/AuthCraftUserMacroTest.php b/tests/Feature/Auth/AuthCraftUserMacroTest.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..c0b165e544d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Feature/Auth/AuthCraftUserMacroTest.php
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+<?php
+
+declare(strict_types=1);
+
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Models\User;
+use Illuminate\Auth\AuthenticationException;
+use Illuminate\Contracts\Auth\Authenticatable;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Auth;
+
+use function Pest\Laravel\actingAs;
+
+beforeEach(function () {
+    Auth::shouldUse('craft');
+});
+
+it('returns the current Craft user', function () {
+    $user = User::first();
+
+    actingAs($user);
+
+    expect(Auth::craftUser())->toBe($user);
+});
+
+it('throws when the current auth user is not a Craft user', function () {
+    Auth::guard('craft')->setUser(new class implements Authenticatable
+    {
+        public function getAuthIdentifierName()
+        {
+            return 'id';
+        }
+
+        public function getAuthIdentifier()
+        {
+            return 123;
+        }
+
+        public function getAuthPasswordName()
+        {
+            return 'password';
+        }
+
+        public function getAuthPassword()
+        {
+            return '';
+        }
+
+        public function getRememberToken()
+        {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        public function setRememberToken($value) {}
+
+        public function getRememberTokenName()
+        {
+            return 'remember_token';
+        }
+    });
+
+    expect(fn () => Auth::craftUser())
+        ->toThrow(AuthenticationException::class, 'The authenticated user must implement');
+});
+
+it('returns null when there is no current auth user', function () {
+    Auth::guard('craft')->forgetUser();
+
+    expect(Auth::craftUser())->toBeNull();
+});
diff --git a/tests/Feature/Auth/UserProviderTest.php b/tests/Feature/Auth/UserProviderTest.php
deleted file mode 100644
index e5ed61b69ab..00000000000
--- a/tests/Feature/Auth/UserProviderTest.php
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,137 +0,0 @@
-<?php
-
-declare(strict_types=1);
-
-use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Events\LoginUserRetrieved;
-use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Events\LoginUserRetrieving;
-use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\UserProvider;
-use CraftCms\Cms\Database\Table;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Models\User as UserModel;
-use Illuminate\Support\Facades\DB;
-use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Event;
-use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Hash;
-
-beforeEach(function () {
-    $this->provider = app(UserProvider::class);
-});
-
-test('retrieveById returns user with password', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
-
-    $retrieved = $this->provider->retrieveById($user->id);
-
-    expect($retrieved)->toBeInstanceOf(User::class);
-    expect($retrieved->id)->toBe($user->id);
-    expect($retrieved->password)->not->toBeNull();
-});
-
-test('retrieveById returns null for invalid id', function () {
-    $retrieved = $this->provider->retrieveById(9999);
-
-    expect($retrieved)->toBeNull();
-});
-
-test('retrieveByToken returns user when token matches', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement([
-        'rememberToken' => 'test-token',
-    ]);
-
-    $retrieved = $this->provider->retrieveByToken($user->id, 'test-token');
-
-    expect($retrieved)->toBeInstanceOf(User::class);
-    expect($retrieved->id)->toBe($user->id);
-});
-
-test('retrieveByToken returns null when token mismatch', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement([
-        'rememberToken' => 'test-token',
-    ]);
-
-    $retrieved = $this->provider->retrieveByToken($user->id, 'wrong-token');
-
-    expect($retrieved)->toBeNull();
-});
-
-test('updateRememberToken updates database', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
-
-    $this->provider->updateRememberToken($user, 'new-token');
-
-    $dbToken = DB::table(Table::USERS)
-        ->where('id', $user->id)
-        ->value('rememberToken');
-
-    expect($dbToken)->toBe('new-token');
-});
-
-test('retrieveByCredentials works with username', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement([
-        'username' => 'testuser',
-    ]);
-
-    $retrieved = $this->provider->retrieveByCredentials(['loginName' => 'testuser']);
-
-    expect($retrieved)->toBeInstanceOf(User::class);
-    expect($retrieved->id)->toBe($user->id);
-});
-
-test('retrieveByCredentials works with email', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement([
-        'email' => 'test@example.com',
-    ]);
-
-    $retrieved = $this->provider->retrieveByCredentials(['loginName' => 'test@example.com']);
-
-    expect($retrieved)->toBeInstanceOf(User::class);
-    expect($retrieved->id)->toBe($user->id);
-});
-
-test('retrieveByCredentials respects LoginUserRetrieving event', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
-
-    Event::listen(LoginUserRetrieving::class, function (LoginUserRetrieving $event) use ($user) {
-        $event->user = $user;
-    });
-
-    $retrieved = $this->provider->retrieveByCredentials(['loginName' => 'some-other-user']);
-
-    expect($retrieved->id)->toBe($user->id);
-});
-
-test('retrieveByCredentials respects LoginUserRetrieved event', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
-    $newUser = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
-
-    Event::listen(LoginUserRetrieved::class, function (LoginUserRetrieved $event) use ($newUser) {
-        $event->user = $newUser;
-    });
-
-    $retrieved = $this->provider->retrieveByCredentials(['loginName' => $user->username]);
-
-    expect($retrieved->id)->toBe($newUser->id);
-});
-
-test('validateCredentials delegates to Auth service', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->admin()->createElement();
-
-    $result = $this->provider->validateCredentials($user, ['password' => 'password']);
-
-    expect($result)->toBeTrue();
-});
-
-test('rehashPasswordIfRequired updates password when needed', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement([
-        'password' => Hash::make('password', ['rounds' => 4]),
-    ]);
-
-    // Force a rehash by using a different rounds count or just using $force = true
-    $this->provider->rehashPasswordIfRequired($user, ['password' => 'newpassword'], true);
-
-    $newPasswordHash = DB::table(Table::USERS)
-        ->where('id', $user->id)
-        ->value('password');
-
-    expect(Hash::check('newpassword', $newPasswordHash))->toBeTrue();
-    expect($newPasswordHash)->not->toBe($user->password);
-});
diff --git a/tests/Feature/Dashboard/DashboardTest.php b/tests/Feature/Dashboard/DashboardTest.php
index 6277c4563b1..1e896534686 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/Dashboard/DashboardTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/Dashboard/DashboardTest.php
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ class MyWidget extends Widget {}
 });
 
 it('returns missing widgets for saved widget types that can no longer be resolved', function () {
-    $user = auth()->user();
+    $user = auth('craft')->craftUser();
     UserModel::where('id', $user->id)->update(['hasDashboard' => true]);
     $user->hasDashboard = true;
 
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ class MyWidget extends Widget {}
 });
 
 it('can test if a user has a widget', function () {
-    $user = auth()->user();
+    $user = auth('craft')->craftUser();
     UserModel::where('id', $user->id)->update(['hasDashboard' => true]);
     $user->hasDashboard = true;
 
diff --git a/tests/Feature/Element/DeletionBlockersTest.php b/tests/Feature/Element/DeletionBlockersTest.php
index 5c0193f0355..1fe42cc9749 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/Element/DeletionBlockersTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/Element/DeletionBlockersTest.php
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@
 it('reports entry author blockers with details and actions', function () {
     $author = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
     $entry = EntryModel::factory()
-        ->hasAttached(UserModel::find($author->id), ['sortOrder' => 0], 'authors')
+        ->hasAttached(UserModel::query()->find($author->id), ['sortOrder' => 0], 'authors')
         ->create();
 
     $this->mock(ElementIndexHtml::class, function (MockInterface $mock) use ($author) {
diff --git a/tests/Feature/Element/Policies/ElementPolicyTest.php b/tests/Feature/Element/Policies/ElementPolicyTest.php
index 9d8df75923d..c540b6a19d0 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/Element/Policies/ElementPolicyTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/Element/Policies/ElementPolicyTest.php
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 });
 
 it('is registered with the gate', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
     $element = createElementPolicyElement();
 
     $result = Gate::forUser($user)->allows('view', $element);
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
 });
 
 it('returns null from before for non-elements', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
 
     $result = $this->policy->before($user, 'view', 'not-an-element');
 
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@
 });
 
 it('delegates unpublished save canonical checks to a cloned save check', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
     $element = createElementPolicyElement();
     $element->draftId = 100;
 
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@
 });
 
 it('delegates published save canonical checks to the canonical element', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
     $canonical = createElementPolicyElement();
     $element = createElementPolicyElement(canonical: $canonical);
 
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@
 });
 
 it('allows gate save canonical checks for unpublished drafts when save is authorized', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
     $element = createElementPolicyElement();
     $element->draftId = 100;
 
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@
 });
 
 it('denies gate save canonical checks when the delegated save check is denied', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
     $element = createElementPolicyElement();
     $element->draftId = 100;
 
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@
 });
 
 it('returns false for view when the site does not exist', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
     $element = createElementPolicyElement(siteId: 999999);
 
     $result = $this->policy->before($user, 'view', $element);
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@
 });
 
 it('returns false for save when the user cannot edit the site', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
     $site = Site::factory()->create();
     $element = createElementPolicyElement(siteId: $site->id);
 
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@
 
 it('continues save checks when the user can edit the site', function () {
     $site = Site::factory()->create();
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->withPermissions(["editSite:$site->uid"])->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->withPermissions(["editSite:$site->uid"])->create();
     $element = createElementPolicyElement(siteId: $site->id);
 
     Event::listen(ElementAuthorizing::class, function (ElementAuthorizing $event) use ($element): void {
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@
 });
 
 it('bypasses site authorization for other abilities', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
     $site = Site::factory()->create();
     $element = createElementPolicyElement(siteId: $site->id);
 
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@
 });
 
 it('falls through when nested elements do not have a container field', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
     $element = createElementPolicyNestedElement();
 
     $result = $this->policy->before($user, 'view', $element);
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@
 });
 
 it('delegates nested view checks to the field', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
     $field = createElementPolicyField(view: true);
     $element = createElementPolicyNestedElement(field: $field);
 
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@
 });
 
 it('returns false when nested save is denied by the field', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
     $field = createElementPolicyField(save: false);
     $element = createElementPolicyNestedElement(field: $field);
 
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@
 });
 
 it('returns null when nested save authorization is unresolved', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
     $field = createElementPolicyField(save: null);
     $element = createElementPolicyNestedElement(field: $field);
 
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@
 });
 
 it('allows nested save when the field allows it without a layout element', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
     $field = createElementPolicyField(save: true);
     $element = createElementPolicyNestedElement(field: $field);
 
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@
 });
 
 it('returns false for nested save when the field layout element exists but there is no owner', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
     $field = createElementPolicyField(save: true);
     $field->layoutElement = createElementPolicyLayoutElement(editable: true);
     $element = createElementPolicyNestedElement(field: $field);
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@
 });
 
 it('returns the layout element editability for nested save when an owner exists', function (bool $editable, bool $expected) {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
     $field = createElementPolicyField(save: true);
     $field->layoutElement = createElementPolicyLayoutElement(editable: $editable);
     $element = createElementPolicyNestedElement(
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@
 ]);
 
 it('delegates nested delete checks to the field', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
     $field = createElementPolicyField(delete: true);
     $element = createElementPolicyNestedElement(field: $field);
 
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@
 });
 
 it('delegates nested duplicate checks to the field', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
     $field = createElementPolicyField(duplicate: true);
     $element = createElementPolicyNestedElement(field: $field);
 
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@
 });
 
 it('delegates nested duplicate as draft checks to the field', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
     $field = createElementPolicyField(duplicate: true);
     $element = createElementPolicyNestedElement(field: $field);
 
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@
 });
 
 it('delegates nested delete for site checks to the field', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
     $field = createElementPolicyField(deleteForSite: true);
     $element = createElementPolicyNestedElement(field: $field);
 
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@
 });
 
 it('falls through to the authorizing event for nested abilities without field delegation', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
     $field = createElementPolicyField();
     $element = createElementPolicyNestedElement(field: $field);
 
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@
 });
 
 it('returns the authorizing event default authorization', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
     $element = createElementPolicyElement();
 
     $result = $this->policy->before($user, 'view', $element);
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@
 });
 
 it('allows authorizing event listeners to authorize an element', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
     $element = createElementPolicyElement();
 
     Event::listen(ElementAuthorizing::class, function (ElementAuthorizing $event): void {
@@ -303,7 +303,7 @@
 });
 
 it('allows authorizing event listeners to deny an element', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
     $element = createElementPolicyElement();
 
     Event::listen(ElementAuthorizing::class, function (ElementAuthorizing $event): void {
@@ -316,7 +316,7 @@
 });
 
 it('returns false for built-in abilities via __call', function (string $ability) {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
     $element = createElementPolicyElement();
 
     $result = $this->policy->$ability($user, $element);
@@ -334,7 +334,7 @@
 ]);
 
 it('throws for unsupported methods via __call', function () {
-    $user = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->create();
     $element = createElementPolicyElement();
 
     $this->policy->unsupportedAbility($user, $element);
diff --git a/tests/Feature/Field/Policies/ContentBlockPolicyTest.php b/tests/Feature/Field/Policies/ContentBlockPolicyTest.php
index 4cf7067be0a..a3b3e834d95 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/Field/Policies/ContentBlockPolicyTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/Field/Policies/ContentBlockPolicyTest.php
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Entry\Elements\Entry;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Field\Elements\ContentBlock;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Field\Policies\ContentBlockPolicy;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Models\User;
 
 beforeEach(function () {
     $this->policy = app(ContentBlockPolicy::class);
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 
 it('is registered with the gate', function () {
     $contentBlock = new ContentBlock;
-    $user = User::findOne();
+    $user = User::findOrFail(CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User::findOne()->id);
 
     $result = $user->can('view', $contentBlock);
 
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 });
 
 it('returns false without owner for view', function () {
-    $user = User::findOne();
+    $user = User::findOrFail(CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User::findOne()->id);
     $contentBlock = createTestContentBlock(owner: null);
 
     $result = $user->can('view', $contentBlock);
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
 });
 
 it('returns false without owner for save', function () {
-    $user = User::findOne();
+    $user = User::findOrFail(CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User::findOne()->id);
     $contentBlock = createTestContentBlock(owner: null);
 
     $result = $user->can('save', $contentBlock);
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@
 });
 
 it('returns false without owner for delete', function () {
-    $user = User::findOne();
+    $user = User::findOrFail(CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User::findOne()->id);
     $contentBlock = createTestContentBlock(owner: null);
 
     $result = $user->can('delete', $contentBlock);
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@
 });
 
 it('returns false without owner for duplicate', function () {
-    $user = User::findOne();
+    $user = User::findOrFail(CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User::findOne()->id);
     $contentBlock = createTestContentBlock(owner: null);
 
     $result = $user->can('duplicate', $contentBlock);
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@
 });
 
 it('create drafts always returns true', function () {
-    $user = User::findOne();
+    $user = User::findOrFail(CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User::findOne()->id);
     $contentBlock = createTestContentBlock(owner: null);
 
     $result = $user->can('createDrafts', $contentBlock);
diff --git a/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/AnnouncementsControllerTest.php b/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/AnnouncementsControllerTest.php
index 1f27d54dfa8..012ebdfd256 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/AnnouncementsControllerTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/AnnouncementsControllerTest.php
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
     $announcement = Announcement::factory()
         ->unread()
         ->create([
-            'userId' => auth()->user()->id,
+            'userId' => auth('craft')->craftUser()?->getCraftUserId(),
         ]);
 
     expect($announcement->fresh()->unread)->toBeTrue();
diff --git a/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/Auth/LoginControllerTest.php b/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/Auth/LoginControllerTest.php
index 6ae92d29be2..74bf06557f9 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/Auth/LoginControllerTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/Auth/LoginControllerTest.php
@@ -2,10 +2,13 @@
 
 declare(strict_types=1);
 
+use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Events\LoginUserRetrieved;
+use CraftCms\Cms\Auth\Events\LoginUserRetrieving;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Cms;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Database\Table;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Http\Controllers\Auth\LoginController;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Models\User as UserModel;
 use Illuminate\Auth\Events\Failed;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Auth;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\DB;
@@ -196,3 +199,40 @@
 
     expect(Auth::check())->toBeTrue();
 });
+
+test('attemptLogin respects LoginUserRetrieving event', function () {
+    $user = UserModel::factory()->admin()->create([
+        'email' => 'event-user@example.com',
+    ]);
+
+    Event::listen(LoginUserRetrieving::class, function (LoginUserRetrieving $event) use ($user) {
+        $event->user = $user;
+    });
+
+    postJson(action([LoginController::class, 'attemptLogin']), [
+        'loginName' => 'some-other-user',
+        'password' => 'password',
+    ])->assertOk();
+
+    expect(Auth::id())->toBe($user->id);
+});
+
+test('attemptLogin respects LoginUserRetrieved event', function () {
+    $original = UserModel::factory()->admin()->create([
+        'email' => 'original@example.com',
+    ]);
+    $replacement = UserModel::factory()->admin()->create([
+        'email' => 'replacement@example.com',
+    ]);
+
+    Event::listen(LoginUserRetrieved::class, function (LoginUserRetrieved $event) use ($replacement) {
+        $event->user = $replacement;
+    });
+
+    postJson(action([LoginController::class, 'attemptLogin']), [
+        'loginName' => $original->email,
+        'password' => 'password',
+    ])->assertOk();
+
+    expect(Auth::id())->toBe($replacement->id);
+});
diff --git a/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/Elements/ElementDraftsControllerTest.php b/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/Elements/ElementDraftsControllerTest.php
index dc58b5aa85a..5392c81e240 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/Elements/ElementDraftsControllerTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/Elements/ElementDraftsControllerTest.php
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Section\Models\Section;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\Elements as ElementsFacade;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\Sites;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Models\User as UserModel;
 use Illuminate\Http\Request;
@@ -124,9 +125,9 @@ function elementDraftsControllerPayload(Entry $entry, array $overrides = []): ar
             ->once()
             ->with([], true)
             ->andReturn($entry);
-        $request->shouldReceive('user')
+        $request->shouldReceive('craftUser')
             ->once()
-            ->andReturn(auth()->user());
+            ->andReturn(auth('craft')->craftUser());
 
         app()->instance('request', Request::create('/actions/elements/ensure-draft', 'POST', [], [], [], [
             'HTTP_ACCEPT' => 'application/json',
@@ -227,7 +228,7 @@ function elementDraftsControllerPayload(Entry $entry, array $overrides = []): ar
                 ->where('canonicalId', $entry->id)
                 ->where('draftName', 'Ported Draft')
                 ->where('draftNotes', 'Ported draft notes')
-                ->where('creator', auth()->user()->getName())
+                ->where('creator', auth('craft')->craftUser()->asElement()->getName())
                 ->etc()
             );
 
@@ -464,7 +465,7 @@ function elementDraftsControllerPayload(Entry $entry, array $overrides = []): ar
             'draftId' => $draft->draftId,
             'siteId' => $draft->siteId,
         ]);
-        $request->setUserResolver(fn () => auth()->user());
+        $request->setUserResolver(fn () => auth('craft')->craftUser());
         app()->instance('request', $request);
 
         $controller = new class($request, app(Drafts::class), app(Elements::class), app(ElementActivity::class)) extends ElementDraftsController
@@ -473,7 +474,7 @@ function elementDraftsControllerPayload(Entry $entry, array $overrides = []): ar
 
             protected function applyParamsToElement(ElementInterface $element): void {}
 
-            protected function canSave(ElementInterface $element, User $user): bool
+            protected function canSave(ElementInterface $element, CraftUser $user): bool
             {
                 return ++$this->canSaveCalls === 1;
             }
diff --git a/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/Entries/StoreEntryControllerTest.php b/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/Entries/StoreEntryControllerTest.php
index d1b5dbdd152..9202a03c1c3 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/Entries/StoreEntryControllerTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/Entries/StoreEntryControllerTest.php
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ function createContentBlockSettings(Field $field): array
 }
 
 beforeEach(function () {
-    $this->user = User::factory()->admin()->create()->asElement();
+    $this->user = User::factory()->admin()->create();
     actingAs($this->user);
 
     $this->entryType = EntryType::factory()->create();
diff --git a/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/PluginStore/PluginStoreControllerTest.php b/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/PluginStore/PluginStoreControllerTest.php
index bc5af5ecc9a..f652481a7d6 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/PluginStore/PluginStoreControllerTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/PluginStore/PluginStoreControllerTest.php
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
 it('can return craft data', function () {
     getJson(action([PluginStoreController::class, 'craftData']))
         ->assertOk()
-        ->assertJsonFragment(['currentUser' => auth()->user()->email])
+        ->assertJsonFragment(['currentUser' => auth('craft')->craftUser()?->asElement()->email])
         ->assertJsonFragment(['CraftSolo' => Edition::Solo->value])
         ->assertJsonFragment(['CraftTeam' => Edition::Team->value])
         ->assertJsonFragment(['CraftPro' => Edition::Pro->value])
diff --git a/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/User/AddressesControllerTest.php b/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/User/AddressesControllerTest.php
index 33f89d1068c..780a65f2f80 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/User/AddressesControllerTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/User/AddressesControllerTest.php
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@
 });
 
 test('store ignores ownership attributes', function () {
-    $user = auth()->user();
+    $user = auth('craft')->craftUser();
     $otherUser = UserModel::factory()->createElement();
 
     postJson(action([AddressesController::class, 'store']), [
diff --git a/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/User/PasswordControllerTest.php b/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/User/PasswordControllerTest.php
index 7d85e9c43fd..380e71ea1ef 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/User/PasswordControllerTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/User/PasswordControllerTest.php
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 use function Pest\Laravel\postJson;
 
 beforeEach(function () {
-    actingAs(User::find()->addSelect('password')->first());
+    actingAs(UserModel::first());
     Session::passwordConfirmed();
 });
 
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@
     ])->assertOk();
 
     Notification::assertSentTo(
-        $user,
+        UserModel::findOrFail($user->id),
         ResetPasswordNotification::class,
         fn ($notification, $channels) => in_array(MailChannel::class, $channels)
     );
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@
 it('aborts for users without current password', function () {
     UserModel::first()->update(['password' => null]);
 
-    actingAs(User::find()->addSelect('password')->first());
+    actingAs(UserModel::first());
 
     post(action([PasswordController::class, 'store']), [
         'newPassword' => 'validPassword123!',
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@
 
 describe('verifyPassword', function () {
     beforeEach(function () {
-        actingAs(User::find()->addSelect('password')->first());
+        actingAs(UserModel::first());
     });
 
     test('verifyPassword requires login', function () {
diff --git a/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/User/PermissionsControllerTest.php b/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/User/PermissionsControllerTest.php
index faf4ea0d7be..ce3f93b89be 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/User/PermissionsControllerTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/User/PermissionsControllerTest.php
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@
     $this->withoutExceptionHandling();
     Edition::set(Edition::Pro);
 
-    $user = Auth::user();
+    $user = Auth::craftUser();
     $group = UserGroup::factory()->create();
 
     expect(UserPermissions::doesUserHavePermission($user->id, 'accessCp'))->toBeFalse();
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@
     session()->passwordConfirmed();
     Edition::set(Edition::Pro);
 
-    $user = Auth::user();
+    $user = Auth::craftUser();
     $group1 = UserGroup::factory()->create();
     $group2 = UserGroup::factory()->create();
 
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@
     session()->passwordConfirmed();
     Edition::set(Edition::Pro);
 
-    $user = Auth::user();
+    $user = Auth::craftUser();
 
     // First assign some permissions
     postJson(action([PermissionsController::class, 'store']), [
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@
     session()->passwordConfirmed();
     Edition::set(Edition::Pro);
 
-    $user = Auth::user();
+    $user = Auth::craftUser();
     $group = UserGroup::factory()->create();
 
     // First assign a group
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@
     session()->passwordConfirmed();
     Edition::set(Edition::Pro);
 
-    $user = Auth::user();
+    $user = Auth::craftUser();
 
     postJson(action([PermissionsController::class, 'store']), [
         'userId' => $user->id,
diff --git a/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/User/PreferencesControllerTest.php b/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/User/PreferencesControllerTest.php
index 6fd7327b510..51406720048 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/User/PreferencesControllerTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/User/PreferencesControllerTest.php
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 
 test('store', function () {
     /** @var User $user */
-    $user = auth()->user();
+    $user = auth('craft')->craftUser();
 
     expect($user->getPreference('language'))->toBe('en-US');
 
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
 
 test('store saves multiple preferences at once', function () {
     /** @var User $user */
-    $user = auth()->user();
+    $user = auth('craft')->craftUser();
 
     postJson(action([PreferencesController::class, 'store'], [
         'preferredLanguage' => 'fr',
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@
 
 test('store handles __blank__ value for locale', function () {
     /** @var User $user */
-    $user = auth()->user();
+    $user = auth('craft')->craftUser();
 
     postJson(action([PreferencesController::class, 'store'], [
         'preferredLocale' => '__blank__',
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@
 
 test('store saves notification preferences', function () {
     /** @var User $user */
-    $user = auth()->user();
+    $user = auth('craft')->craftUser();
 
     postJson(action([PreferencesController::class, 'store'], [
         'notificationDuration' => 5000,
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@
 
 test('store saves slideout position preference', function () {
     /** @var User $user */
-    $user = auth()->user();
+    $user = auth('craft')->craftUser();
 
     postJson(action([PreferencesController::class, 'store'], [
         'slideoutPosition' => 'left',
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@
 
 test('store saves admin-only preferences for admin users', function () {
     /** @var User $user */
-    $user = auth()->user();
+    $user = auth('craft')->craftUser();
 
     if (! $user->admin) {
         $this->markTestSkipped('User must be admin for this test');
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@
 
 test('store preserves existing preferences when not provided', function () {
     /** @var User $user */
-    $user = auth()->user();
+    $user = auth('craft')->craftUser();
 
     // Set initial preference
     postJson(action([PreferencesController::class, 'store'], [
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@
 
 test('store handles boolean preferences correctly', function () {
     /** @var User $user */
-    $user = auth()->user();
+    $user = auth('craft')->craftUser();
 
     postJson(action([PreferencesController::class, 'store'], [
         'useShapes' => false,
diff --git a/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/User/RecoveryCodesControllerTest.php b/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/User/RecoveryCodesControllerTest.php
index b87a5236927..1bfd43a5544 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/User/RecoveryCodesControllerTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/User/RecoveryCodesControllerTest.php
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@
         $recoveryCodes = $auth->getMethod(RecoveryCodes::class);
         $recoveryCodes->generateRecoveryCodes();
 
-        $user = auth()->user();
+        $user = auth('craft')->craftUser();
         $content = postJson(action([RecoveryCodesController::class, 'download']))
             ->assertOk()
             ->getContent();
diff --git a/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/User/SaveUserController/PublicRegistrationTest.php b/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/User/SaveUserController/PublicRegistrationTest.php
index c1521475afb..a8e7b64a4cd 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/User/SaveUserController/PublicRegistrationTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/User/SaveUserController/PublicRegistrationTest.php
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@
         ->assertSessionHasNoErrors();
 
     expect(Auth::check())->toBeTrue();
-    expect(Auth::user()->email)->toBe('autologin@example.com');
+    expect(Auth::craftUser()?->asElement()->email)->toBe('autologin@example.com');
 });
 
 it('can upload a photo', function () {
diff --git a/tests/Feature/Http/Middleware/EnforceLicensesTest.php b/tests/Feature/Http/Middleware/EnforceLicensesTest.php
index ec294555a56..78db13c942c 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/Http/Middleware/EnforceLicensesTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/Http/Middleware/EnforceLicensesTest.php
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 
 use CraftCms\Cms\Http\Middleware\EnforceLicenses;
 use CraftCms\Cms\License\License;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 use CraftCms\Cms\View\TemplateMode;
 use Illuminate\Http\Request;
 use Illuminate\Http\Response;
@@ -25,7 +26,7 @@
 
 it('passes through if edition can test', function () {
     $request = Request::create('foo');
-    $request->setUserResolver(fn () => new class {});
+    $request->setUserResolver(fn () => Mockery::mock(CraftUser::class));
 
     $result = $this->middleware->handle($request, fn () => 'bar');
 
@@ -40,7 +41,7 @@
     $middleware = new EnforceLicenses($mockLicense);
 
     $request = Request::create('foo');
-    $request->setUserResolver(fn () => new class {});
+    $request->setUserResolver(fn () => Mockery::mock(CraftUser::class));
 
     $result = $middleware->handle($request, fn () => 'bar');
 
@@ -62,7 +63,7 @@
     $middleware = new EnforceLicenses($mockLicense);
 
     $request = Request::create('foo');
-    $request->setUserResolver(fn () => new class {});
+    $request->setUserResolver(fn () => Mockery::mock(CraftUser::class));
 
     $result = $middleware->handle($request, fn () => new Response);
 
diff --git a/tests/Feature/Http/Requests/ElementRequestTest.php b/tests/Feature/Http/Requests/ElementRequestTest.php
index afea64a7460..fff4a69dc94 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/Http/Requests/ElementRequestTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/Http/Requests/ElementRequestTest.php
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@
     Elements::saveElement($draft);
 
     $request = ElementRequest::create('/', 'POST');
-    $request->setUserResolver(fn () => auth()->user());
+    $request->setUserResolver(fn () => auth('craft')->craftUser());
 
     app()->instance('request', $request);
     app(RequestedSite::class)->reset();
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@
     app(Drafts::class)->saveElementAsDraft($draft, auth()->id(), markAsSaved: false);
 
     $request = ElementRequest::create('/', 'POST');
-    $request->setUserResolver(fn () => auth()->user());
+    $request->setUserResolver(fn () => auth('craft')->craftUser());
 
     app()->instance('request', $request);
     app(RequestedSite::class)->reset();
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@
     $request = ElementRequest::create('/', 'POST', [
         'elementUid' => $draft->uid,
     ]);
-    $request->setUserResolver(fn () => auth()->user());
+    $request->setUserResolver(fn () => auth('craft')->craftUser());
 
     app()->instance('request', $request);
     app(RequestedSite::class)->reset();
diff --git a/tests/Feature/Twig/Tags/RequireLoginGuestTagTest.php b/tests/Feature/Twig/Tags/RequireLoginGuestTagTest.php
index afef07f91b5..375e5ae28a1 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/Twig/Tags/RequireLoginGuestTagTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/Twig/Tags/RequireLoginGuestTagTest.php
@@ -12,9 +12,9 @@
 beforeEach(function () {
     $this->renderer = app(TemplateRenderer::class);
 
-    // Ensure request()->user() delegates to the Auth guard,
+    // Ensure request()->craftUser() delegates to the Auth guard,
     // which is needed by the yii2-adapter's Controller::requireLogin().
-    request()->setUserResolver(fn () => Auth::user());
+    request()->setUserResolver(fn () => Auth::craftUser());
 });
 
 describe('requireLogin', function () {
diff --git a/tests/Feature/User/Actions/SuspendUsersActionTest.php b/tests/Feature/User/Actions/SuspendUsersActionTest.php
index 01b6ae5fdb1..a80fb958df0 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/User/Actions/SuspendUsersActionTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/User/Actions/SuspendUsersActionTest.php
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 use function Pest\Laravel\postJson;
 
 beforeEach(function () {
-    actingAs(User::findOne());
+    actingAs(UserModel::findOrFail(User::findOne()->id));
 });
 
 it('suspends users via the Laravel perform-action route', function () {
diff --git a/tests/Feature/User/Actions/UnsuspendUsersActionTest.php b/tests/Feature/User/Actions/UnsuspendUsersActionTest.php
index 3c9cf06e618..4bfd5d59959 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/User/Actions/UnsuspendUsersActionTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/User/Actions/UnsuspendUsersActionTest.php
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 use function Pest\Laravel\postJson;
 
 beforeEach(function () {
-    actingAs(User::findOne());
+    actingAs(UserModel::findOrFail(User::findOne()->id));
 });
 
 it('unsuspends users via the Laravel perform-action route', function () {
diff --git a/tests/Feature/User/PasswordResetTest.php b/tests/Feature/User/PasswordResetTest.php
index 6ec0d85bf58..76ea070d242 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/User/PasswordResetTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/User/PasswordResetTest.php
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
     Users::sendPasswordResetEmail($user);
 
     Notification::assertSentTo(
-        $user,
+        UserModel::findOrFail($user->id),
         ResetPasswordNotification::class,
         fn ($notification, $channels) => in_array(MailChannel::class, $channels)
     );
diff --git a/tests/Feature/User/Policies/UserPolicyTest.php b/tests/Feature/User/Policies/UserPolicyTest.php
index e2f6f509584..624c567e4a0 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/User/Policies/UserPolicyTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/User/Policies/UserPolicyTest.php
@@ -3,7 +3,8 @@
 declare(strict_types=1);
 
 use CraftCms\Cms\Edition;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User as UserElement;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Models\User;
 use CraftCms\Cms\User\Policies\UserPolicy;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Gate;
 
@@ -15,7 +16,7 @@
     $targetUser = createUserTestUser(id: 2);
     $currentUser = createUserTestUser(id: 1, permissions: ['viewUsers']);
 
-    $result = Gate::forUser($currentUser)->allows('view', $targetUser);
+    $result = Gate::forUser($currentUser)->allows('view', $targetUser->asElement());
 
     expect($result)->toBeBool();
 });
@@ -23,7 +24,7 @@
 it('allows user to view themselves', function () {
     $user = createUserTestUser(id: 1);
 
-    $result = $this->policy->view($user, $user);
+    $result = $this->policy->view($user, $user->asElement());
 
     expect($result)->toBeTrue();
 });
@@ -32,7 +33,7 @@
     $currentUser = createUserTestUser(id: 1, permissions: ['viewUsers']);
     $targetUser = createUserTestUser(id: 2);
 
-    $result = $this->policy->view($currentUser, $targetUser);
+    $result = $this->policy->view($currentUser, $targetUser->asElement());
 
     expect($result)->toBeTrue();
 });
@@ -41,7 +42,7 @@
     $currentUser = createUserTestUser(id: 1);
     $targetUser = createUserTestUser(id: 2);
 
-    $result = $this->policy->view($currentUser, $targetUser);
+    $result = $this->policy->view($currentUser, $targetUser->asElement());
 
     expect($result)->toBeFalse();
 });
@@ -49,7 +50,7 @@
 it('allows user to save themselves', function () {
     $user = createUserTestUser(id: 1);
 
-    $result = $this->policy->save($user, $user);
+    $result = $this->policy->save($user, $user->asElement());
 
     expect($result)->toBeTrue();
 });
@@ -58,7 +59,7 @@
     $currentUser = createUserTestUser(id: 1, permissions: ['editUsers']);
     $targetUser = createUserTestUser(id: 2);
 
-    $result = $this->policy->save($currentUser, $targetUser);
+    $result = $this->policy->save($currentUser, $targetUser->asElement());
 
     expect($result)->toBeTrue();
 });
@@ -67,16 +68,16 @@
     $currentUser = createUserTestUser(id: 1);
     $targetUser = createUserTestUser(id: 2);
 
-    $result = $this->policy->save($currentUser, $targetUser);
+    $result = $this->policy->save($currentUser, $targetUser->asElement());
 
     expect($result)->toBeFalse();
 });
 
 it('allows register users permission to create new user', function () {
-    $currentUser = createUserTestUser(id: 1, canRegister: true);
+    $currentUser = createUserTestUser(id: 1, permissions: ['registerUsers']);
     $newUser = createUserTestUser(); // new user without id
 
-    $result = $this->policy->save($currentUser, $newUser);
+    $result = $this->policy->save($currentUser, $newUser->asElement());
 
     expect($result)->toBeTrue();
 });
@@ -84,7 +85,7 @@
 it('does not prevent user from deleting themselves', function () {
     $user = createUserTestUser(id: 1, permissions: ['deleteUsers']);
 
-    $result = $this->policy->delete($user, $user);
+    $result = $this->policy->delete($user, $user->asElement());
 
     expect($result)->toBeTrue();
 });
@@ -94,7 +95,7 @@
 
     $user = createUserTestUser(id: 1, permissions: ['deleteUsers']);
 
-    $result = $this->policy->delete($user, $user);
+    $result = $this->policy->delete($user, $user->asElement());
 
     expect($result)->toBeFalse();
 });
@@ -103,7 +104,7 @@
     $currentUser = createUserTestUser(id: 1, permissions: ['deleteUsers']);
     $targetUser = createUserTestUser(id: 2);
 
-    $result = $this->policy->delete($currentUser, $targetUser);
+    $result = $this->policy->delete($currentUser, $targetUser->asElement());
 
     expect($result)->toBeTrue();
 });
@@ -112,7 +113,7 @@
     $currentUser = createUserTestUser(id: 1);
     $targetUser = createUserTestUser(id: 2);
 
-    $result = $this->policy->delete($currentUser, $targetUser);
+    $result = $this->policy->delete($currentUser, $targetUser->asElement());
 
     expect($result)->toBeFalse();
 });
@@ -121,7 +122,7 @@
     $nonAdmin = createUserTestUser(id: 1, permissions: ['deleteUsers'], isAdmin: false);
     $adminTarget = createUserTestUser(id: 2, isAdmin: true);
 
-    $result = $this->policy->delete($nonAdmin, $adminTarget);
+    $result = $this->policy->delete($nonAdmin, $adminTarget->asElement());
 
     expect($result)->toBeFalse();
 });
@@ -130,7 +131,7 @@
     $admin = createUserTestUser(id: 1, permissions: ['deleteUsers'], isAdmin: true);
     $adminTarget = createUserTestUser(id: 2, isAdmin: true);
 
-    $result = $this->policy->delete($admin, $adminTarget);
+    $result = $this->policy->delete($admin, $adminTarget->asElement());
 
     expect($result)->toBeTrue();
 });
@@ -139,7 +140,7 @@
     $user = createUserTestUser(id: 1, isAdmin: true);
     $targetUser = createUserTestUser(id: 2);
 
-    $result = $this->policy->duplicate($user, $targetUser);
+    $result = $this->policy->duplicate($user, $targetUser->asElement());
 
     expect($result)->toBeFalse();
 });
@@ -148,7 +149,7 @@
     $user = createUserTestUser(id: 1, isAdmin: true);
     $targetUser = createUserTestUser(id: 2);
 
-    $result = $this->policy->copy($user, $targetUser);
+    $result = $this->policy->copy($user, $targetUser->asElement());
 
     expect($result)->toBeFalse();
 });
@@ -158,7 +159,7 @@
     $admin = createUserTestUser(id: 1, isAdmin: true);
     $targetUser = createUserTestUser(id: 2);
 
-    $result = $this->policy->impersonate($admin, $targetUser);
+    $result = $this->policy->impersonate($admin, $targetUser->asElement());
 
     expect($result)->toBeTrue();
 });
@@ -167,7 +168,7 @@
     $admin = createUserTestUser(id: 1, isAdmin: true);
     $targetAdmin = createUserTestUser(id: 2, isAdmin: true);
 
-    $result = $this->policy->impersonate($admin, $targetAdmin);
+    $result = $this->policy->impersonate($admin, $targetAdmin->asElement());
 
     expect($result)->toBeTrue();
 });
@@ -176,7 +177,7 @@
     $user = createUserTestUser(id: 1, permissions: ['impersonateUsers']);
     $admin = createUserTestUser(id: 2, isAdmin: true);
 
-    $result = $this->policy->impersonate($user, $admin);
+    $result = $this->policy->impersonate($user, $admin->asElement());
 
     expect($result)->toBeFalse();
 });
@@ -185,7 +186,7 @@
     $user = createUserTestUser(id: 1);
     $targetUser = createUserTestUser(id: 2);
 
-    $result = $this->policy->impersonate($user, $targetUser);
+    $result = $this->policy->impersonate($user, $targetUser->asElement());
 
     expect($result)->toBeFalse();
 });
@@ -195,7 +196,7 @@
     $moderator = createUserTestUser(id: 1, permissions: ['moderateUsers']);
     $targetUser = createUserTestUser(id: 2);
 
-    $result = $this->policy->suspend($moderator, $targetUser);
+    $result = $this->policy->suspend($moderator, $targetUser->asElement());
 
     expect($result)->toBeTrue();
 });
@@ -204,7 +205,7 @@
     $user = createUserTestUser(id: 1);
     $targetUser = createUserTestUser(id: 2);
 
-    $result = $this->policy->suspend($user, $targetUser);
+    $result = $this->policy->suspend($user, $targetUser->asElement());
 
     expect($result)->toBeFalse();
 });
@@ -213,7 +214,7 @@
     $moderator = createUserTestUser(id: 1, permissions: ['moderateUsers']);
     $admin = createUserTestUser(id: 2, isAdmin: true);
 
-    $result = $this->policy->suspend($moderator, $admin);
+    $result = $this->policy->suspend($moderator, $admin->asElement());
 
     expect($result)->toBeFalse();
 });
@@ -222,7 +223,7 @@
     $admin = createUserTestUser(id: 1, isAdmin: true, permissions: ['moderateUsers']);
     $targetAdmin = createUserTestUser(id: 2, isAdmin: true);
 
-    $result = $this->policy->suspend($admin, $targetAdmin);
+    $result = $this->policy->suspend($admin, $targetAdmin->asElement());
 
     expect($result)->toBeTrue();
 });
@@ -231,7 +232,7 @@
     $moderator = createUserTestUser(id: 1, permissions: ['moderateUsers']);
     $ssoUser = createUserTestUser(id: 2, hasSsoIdentity: true);
 
-    $result = $this->policy->suspend($moderator, $ssoUser);
+    $result = $this->policy->suspend($moderator, $ssoUser->asElement());
 
     expect($result)->toBeFalse();
 });
@@ -241,15 +242,12 @@ function createUserTestUser(
     ?int $id = null,
     array $permissions = [],
     bool $isAdmin = false,
-    bool $canRegister = false,
     bool $hasSsoIdentity = false,
 ): User {
     $user = new class extends User
     {
         public array $grantedPermissions = [];
 
-        public bool $canRegister = false;
-
         public bool $hasSso = false;
 
         public function can($abilities, $arguments = []): bool
@@ -261,14 +259,24 @@ public function can($abilities, $arguments = []): bool
             return in_array($abilities, $this->grantedPermissions, true);
         }
 
-        public function canRegisterUsers(): bool
-        {
-            return $this->canRegister;
-        }
-
-        public function getHasSsoIdentity(): bool
+        public function asElement(): UserElement
         {
-            return $this->hasSso;
+            $element = new class extends UserElement
+            {
+                public bool $hasSso = false;
+
+                public function getHasSsoIdentity(): bool
+                {
+                    return $this->hasSso;
+                }
+            };
+
+            $element->id = $this->id;
+            $element->siteId = null;
+            $element->admin = $this->admin;
+            $element->hasSso = $this->hasSso;
+
+            return $element;
         }
     };
 
@@ -276,7 +284,6 @@ public function getHasSsoIdentity(): bool
     $user->siteId = null;
     $user->admin = $isAdmin;
     $user->grantedPermissions = $permissions;
-    $user->canRegister = $canRegister;
     $user->hasSso = $hasSsoIdentity;
 
     return $user;
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Address/Policies/AddressPolicyTest.php b/tests/Unit/Address/Policies/AddressPolicyTest.php
index 3604d492ee0..3cef6baf2a0 100644
--- a/tests/Unit/Address/Policies/AddressPolicyTest.php
+++ b/tests/Unit/Address/Policies/AddressPolicyTest.php
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@
 
 use CraftCms\Cms\Address\Elements\Address;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Address\Policies\AddressPolicy;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User as UserElement;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Models\User;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Gate;
 
 beforeEach(function () {
@@ -81,13 +82,13 @@ public function can($abilities, $arguments = []): bool
     return $user;
 }
 
-function createAddressTestAddress(?User $owner): Address
+function createAddressTestAddress(?UserElement $owner): Address
 {
     $address = new class extends Address
     {
-        public ?User $mockOwner = null;
+        public ?UserElement $mockOwner = null;
 
-        public function getOwner(): ?User
+        public function getOwner(): ?UserElement
         {
             return $this->mockOwner;
         }
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Asset/AssetsHelperTest.php b/tests/Unit/Asset/AssetsHelperTest.php
index a8e3aad9f42..a0dacb6ae57 100644
--- a/tests/Unit/Asset/AssetsHelperTest.php
+++ b/tests/Unit/Asset/AssetsHelperTest.php
@@ -9,6 +9,10 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Path;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Event;
 
+beforeEach(function () {
+    Cms::setIsInstalled(false);
+});
+
 describe('prepareAssetName', function () {
     test('returns expected results for various inputs', function (string $expected, string $name, bool $isFilename, bool $preventPluginModifications) {
         expect(AssetsHelper::prepareAssetName($name, $isFilename, $preventPluginModifications))->toBe($expected);
diff --git a/tests/Unit/CmsTest.php b/tests/Unit/CmsTest.php
index de9732105b2..22cfb9c7d0f 100644
--- a/tests/Unit/CmsTest.php
+++ b/tests/Unit/CmsTest.php
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\Sites;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\Updates;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\Users;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 use Illuminate\Database\Schema\Blueprint;
 use Illuminate\Http\Request;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Auth;
@@ -141,19 +142,9 @@ function createInfoRow(string $uid = 'system-uid'): void
     Cms::setIsInstalled();
     Cms::config()->cpTrigger = 'admin';
     Updates::shouldReceive('isCraftUpdatePending')->once()->andReturn(false);
-    Auth::shouldReceive('guard')->once()->with('craft')->andReturn(new class
-    {
-        public function user(): object
-        {
-            return new class
-            {
-                public function getAuthIdentifier(): int
-                {
-                    return 42;
-                }
-            };
-        }
-    });
+    $user = Mockery::mock(CraftUser::class);
+    $user->shouldReceive('getAuthIdentifier')->once()->andReturn(42);
+    Auth::shouldReceive('craftUser')->once()->andReturn($user);
     Users::shouldReceive('getUserPreference')->once()->with(42, 'language')->andReturn('pt-BR');
     I18N::shouldReceive('validateAppLocaleId')->once()->with('pt-BR')->andReturn(true);
 
@@ -165,13 +156,7 @@ public function getAuthIdentifier(): int
     Cms::config()->cpTrigger = 'admin';
     Cms::config()->defaultCpLanguage = 'es';
     Updates::shouldReceive('isCraftUpdatePending')->once()->andReturn(false);
-    Auth::shouldReceive('guard')->once()->with('craft')->andReturn(new class
-    {
-        public function user(): null
-        {
-            return null;
-        }
-    });
+    Auth::shouldReceive('craftUser')->once()->andReturnNull();
 
     expect(Cms::targetLanguage(Request::create('/admin')))->toBe('es');
 });
@@ -181,19 +166,9 @@ public function user(): null
     Cms::config()->cpTrigger = 'admin';
     Cms::config()->defaultCpLanguage = null;
     Updates::shouldReceive('isCraftUpdatePending')->once()->andReturn(false);
-    Auth::shouldReceive('guard')->once()->with('craft')->andReturn(new class
-    {
-        public function user(): object
-        {
-            return new class
-            {
-                public function getAuthIdentifier(): int
-                {
-                    return 42;
-                }
-            };
-        }
-    });
+    $user = Mockery::mock(CraftUser::class);
+    $user->shouldReceive('getAuthIdentifier')->once()->andReturn(42);
+    Auth::shouldReceive('craftUser')->once()->andReturn($user);
     Users::shouldReceive('getUserPreference')->once()->with(42, 'language')->andReturn('not-real');
     I18N::shouldReceive('validateAppLocaleId')->once()->with('not-real')->andReturn(false);
     I18N::shouldReceive('getAppLocaleIds')->once()->andReturn(collect(['it', 'en']));
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Cp/NavigationTest.php b/tests/Unit/Cp/NavigationTest.php
index 620303976d2..f9b8e125895 100644
--- a/tests/Unit/Cp/NavigationTest.php
+++ b/tests/Unit/Cp/NavigationTest.php
@@ -9,8 +9,8 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\Sections;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Support\Facades\Volumes;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Twig\Variables\Cp;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Contracts\CraftUser;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Utility\Utilities;
-use Illuminate\Contracts\Auth\Access\Authorizable;
 use Illuminate\Http\Request;
 use Illuminate\Support\Collection;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Auth;
@@ -24,30 +24,11 @@
     Sections::shouldReceive('getTotalEditableSections')->andReturn(0);
     Volumes::shouldReceive('getTotalViewableVolumes')->andReturn(0);
 
-    $user = new class implements Authorizable
-    {
-        public function isAdmin(): bool
-        {
-            return true;
-        }
+    $user = Mockery::mock(CraftUser::class);
+    $user->shouldReceive('isAdmin')->andReturnTrue();
+    $user->shouldReceive('can')->andReturnTrue();
 
-        public function can($abilities, $arguments = []): bool
-        {
-            return true;
-        }
-
-        public function cant($abilities, $arguments = []): bool
-        {
-            return false;
-        }
-
-        public function cannot($abilities, $arguments = []): bool
-        {
-            return false;
-        }
-    };
-
-    Auth::shouldReceive('user')->andReturn($user);
+    Auth::shouldReceive('craftUser')->andReturn($user);
     Auth::shouldReceive('userResolver')->andReturn(fn () => $user);
 });
 
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Entry/Policies/EntryPolicyTest.php b/tests/Unit/Entry/Policies/EntryPolicyTest.php
index b459e9c33d2..750b7d159e1 100644
--- a/tests/Unit/Entry/Policies/EntryPolicyTest.php
+++ b/tests/Unit/Entry/Policies/EntryPolicyTest.php
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Entry\Policies\EntryPolicy;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Section\Data\Section;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Section\Enums\SectionType;
-use CraftCms\Cms\User\Elements\User;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Models\User;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Gate;
 
 beforeEach(function () {
diff --git a/tests/Unit/Http/RequestMixinTest.php b/tests/Unit/Http/RequestMixinTest.php
index cf9dd790d41..1597af32605 100644
--- a/tests/Unit/Http/RequestMixinTest.php
+++ b/tests/Unit/Http/RequestMixinTest.php
@@ -5,6 +5,9 @@
 use CraftCms\Cms\Cms;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Http\Middleware\HandleTokenRequest;
 use CraftCms\Cms\Http\Routing\ActionRoute;
+use CraftCms\Cms\User\Models\User;
+use Illuminate\Auth\AuthenticationException;
+use Illuminate\Contracts\Auth\Authenticatable;
 use Illuminate\Http\Request;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Context;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Crypt;
@@ -22,6 +25,63 @@
     Context::forgetHidden(HandleTokenRequest::HAD_TOKEN_KEY);
 });
 
+describe('craftUser', function () {
+    it('returns the current Craft user', function () {
+        $user = new User(['id' => 123]);
+        $request = Request::create('/admin');
+        $request->setUserResolver(fn () => $user);
+
+        expect($request->craftUser())->toBe($user);
+    });
+
+    it('throws when the current user is not a Craft user', function () {
+        $request = Request::create('/admin');
+        $request->setUserResolver(fn () => new class implements Authenticatable
+        {
+            public function getAuthIdentifierName()
+            {
+                return 'id';
+            }
+
+            public function getAuthIdentifier()
+            {
+                return 123;
+            }
+
+            public function getAuthPasswordName()
+            {
+                return 'password';
+            }
+
+            public function getAuthPassword()
+            {
+                return '';
+            }
+
+            public function getRememberToken()
+            {
+                return null;
+            }
+
+            public function setRememberToken($value) {}
+
+            public function getRememberTokenName()
+            {
+                return 'remember_token';
+            }
+        });
+
+        expect(fn () => $request->craftUser())
+            ->toThrow(AuthenticationException::class, 'The request user must implement');
+    });
+
+    it('returns null when there is no current user', function () {
+        $request = Request::create('/admin');
+
+        expect($request->craftUser())->toBeNull();
+    });
+});
+
 describe('isCpRequest', function () {
     it('returns true for control panel requests', function () {
         expect(Request::create('/admin/settings')->isCpRequest())->toBeTrue();
diff --git a/yii2-adapter/legacy/console/User.php b/yii2-adapter/legacy/console/User.php
index 8fb390cad5d..53e0ea41cc1 100644
--- a/yii2-adapter/legacy/console/User.php
+++ b/yii2-adapter/legacy/console/User.php
@@ -27,9 +27,7 @@ class User extends Component
      */
     public function getIsAdmin(): bool
     {
-        $user = Auth::user();
-
-        return ($user && $user->admin);
+        return Auth::craftUser()?->isAdmin() ?? false;
     }
 
     /**
@@ -40,9 +38,7 @@ public function getIsAdmin(): bool
      */
     public function checkPermission(string $permissionName): bool
     {
-        $user = Auth::user();
-
-        return ($user && $user->can($permissionName));
+        return Auth::craftUser()?->can($permissionName) ?? false;
     }
 
     /**
@@ -53,7 +49,7 @@ public function checkPermission(string $permissionName): bool
      */
     public function getIdentity(bool $autoRenew = true): UserElement|null
     {
-        return Auth::user();
+        return Auth::craftUser()?->asElement();
     }
 
     /**
@@ -74,7 +70,7 @@ public function setIdentity(?UserElement $identity = null): void
      */
     public function getIsGuest(): bool
     {
-        return Auth::user() === null;
+        return Auth::craftUser() === null;
     }
 
     /**
@@ -85,6 +81,6 @@ public function getIsGuest(): bool
      */
     public function getId(): ?int
     {
-        return Auth::user()?->getId();
+        return Auth::craftUser()?->getCraftUserId();
     }
 }
diff --git a/yii2-adapter/legacy/elements/actions/DeleteUsers.php b/yii2-adapter/legacy/elements/actions/DeleteUsers.php
index 0ff1243698f..327c46e6884 100644
--- a/yii2-adapter/legacy/elements/actions/DeleteUsers.php
+++ b/yii2-adapter/legacy/elements/actions/DeleteUsers.php
@@ -144,7 +144,6 @@ public function performAction(ElementQueryInterface $query): bool
 
         foreach ($users as $user) {
             if (Gate::check('delete', $user)) {
-                /** @phpstan-ignore-next-line */
                 $user->inheritorOnDelete = $transferContentTo;
                 if (Elements::deleteElement($user, $this->hard)) {
                     $deletedCount++;
diff --git a/yii2-adapter/legacy/services/Users.php b/yii2-adapter/legacy/services/Users.php
index c3f3cb6be13..fbda0fa552c 100644
--- a/yii2-adapter/legacy/services/Users.php
+++ b/yii2-adapter/legacy/services/Users.php
@@ -292,14 +292,11 @@ public function isVerificationCodeValidForUser(User $user, string $code): bool
             return false;
         }
 
-        /** @phpstan-ignore-next-line */
         if (!$user->verificationCode || !$user->verificationCodeIssuedDate) {
             // Fetch from the DB
             $userModel = UserModel::findOrFail($user->id);
 
-            /** @phpstan-ignore-next-line */
             $user->verificationCode = $userModel->verificationCode;
-            /** @phpstan-ignore-next-line */
             $user->verificationCodeIssuedDate = $userModel->verificationCodeIssuedDate?->setTimezone('UTC')->toDateTime();
 
             if (!$user->verificationCode || !$user->verificationCodeIssuedDate) {
@@ -313,9 +310,7 @@ public function isVerificationCodeValidForUser(User $user, string $code): bool
         // Make sure it’s not expired
         if ($user->verificationCodeIssuedDate < $minCodeIssueDate) {
             $userModel ??= UserModel::findOrFail($user->id);
-            /** @phpstan-ignore-next-line */
             $userModel->verificationCode = $user->verificationCode = null;
-            /** @phpstan-ignore-next-line */
             $userModel->verificationCodeIssuedDate = $user->verificationCodeIssuedDate = null;
             $userModel->save();
 
diff --git a/yii2-adapter/legacy/web/Controller.php b/yii2-adapter/legacy/web/Controller.php
index 563478e1d7a..fc39ffa9ee0 100644
--- a/yii2-adapter/legacy/web/Controller.php
+++ b/yii2-adapter/legacy/web/Controller.php
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ private function _enforceAllowAnonymous(Action $action): void
      */
     public static function currentUser(bool $autoRenew = true): ?User
     {
-        return Auth::user();
+        return Auth::craftUser()?->asElement();
     }
 
     /**
diff --git a/yii2-adapter/src/Mixins/UserMixin.php b/yii2-adapter/src/Mixins/UserMixin.php
index f0580565420..7119529a713 100644
--- a/yii2-adapter/src/Mixins/UserMixin.php
+++ b/yii2-adapter/src/Mixins/UserMixin.php
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ public function authenticate(): Closure
     public function authenticateWithPasskey(): Closure
     {
         return function(PublicKeyCredentialRequestOptions|array|string $requestOptions, string $response): bool {
-            Deprecator::log('User-authenticateWithPasskey', 'Calling ->authenticateWithPasskey on a User is deprecated. Use app(UserProvider::class)->validatePasskey() instead.');
+            Deprecator::log('User-authenticateWithPasskey', 'Calling ->authenticateWithPasskey on a User is deprecated. Use app(AuthMethods::class)->authenticateWithPasskey() instead.');
 
             if (is_array($requestOptions)) {
                 $requestOptions = Json::encode($requestOptions);