diff --git a/src/Controller/Component/ACLComponent.php b/src/Controller/Component/ACLComponent.php
index a1f06ea..cfbaa69 100644
--- a/src/Controller/Component/ACLComponent.php
+++ b/src/Controller/Component/ACLComponent.php
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ use Cake\ORM\TableRegistry;
 use Cake\Core\Configure;
 use Cake\Core\Configure\Engine\PhpConfig;
 use Cake\Utility\Inflector;
+use Cake\Routing\Router;
 
 class ACLComponent extends Component
 {
@@ -458,6 +459,7 @@ class ACLComponent extends Component
             'ContactDB' => [
                 'Individuals' => [
                     'label' => __('Individuals'),
+                    'icon' => 'address-book',
                     'url' => '/individuals/index',
                     'children' => [
                         'index' => [
@@ -493,6 +495,7 @@ class ACLComponent extends Component
                 ],
                 'Organisations' => [
                     'label' => __('Organisations'),
+                    'icon' => 'building',
                     'url' => '/organisations/index',
                     'children' => [
                         'index' => [
@@ -528,6 +531,7 @@ class ACLComponent extends Component
                 ],
                 'EncryptionKeys' => [
                     'label' => __('Encryption keys'),
+                    'icon' => 'key',
                     'url' => '/encryptionKeys/index',
                     'children' => [
                         'index' => [
@@ -552,6 +556,7 @@ class ACLComponent extends Component
             'Trust Circles' => [
                 'SharingGroups' => [
                     'label' => __('Sharing Groups'),
+                    'icon' => 'user-friends',
                     'url' => '/sharingGroups/index',
                     'children' => [
                         'index' => [
@@ -583,6 +588,7 @@ class ACLComponent extends Component
             'Sync' => [
                 'Broods' => [
                     'label' => __('Broods'),
+                    'icon' => 'network-wired',
                     'url' => '/broods/index',
                     'children' => [
                         'index' => [
@@ -620,6 +626,7 @@ class ACLComponent extends Component
             'Administration' => [
                 'Roles' => [
                     'label' => __('Roles'),
+                    'icon' => 'id-badge',
                     'url' => '/roles/index',
                     'children' => [
                         'index' => [
@@ -655,6 +662,7 @@ class ACLComponent extends Component
                 ],
                 'Users' => [
                     'label' => __('Users'),
+                    'icon' => 'users',
                     'url' => '/users/index',
                     'children' => [
                         'index' => [
@@ -690,6 +698,7 @@ class ACLComponent extends Component
                 ],
                 'Inbox' => [
                     'label' => __('Inbox'),
+                    'icon' => 'inbox',
                     'url' => '/inbox/index',
                     'children' => [
                         'index' => [
@@ -722,6 +731,7 @@ class ACLComponent extends Component
                 ],
                 'Outbox' => [
                     'label' => __('Outbox'),
+                    'icon' => 'inbox',
                     'url' => '/outbox/index',
                     'children' => [
                         'index' => [
@@ -751,6 +761,7 @@ class ACLComponent extends Component
                 ],
                 'MetaTemplates' => [
                     'label' => __('Meta Field Templates'),
+                    'icon' => 'object-group',
                     'url' => '/metaTemplates/index',
                     'children' => [
                         'index' => [
@@ -781,6 +792,7 @@ class ACLComponent extends Component
                 ],
                 'LocalTools' => [
                     'label' => __('Local Tools'),
+                    'icon' => 'tools',
                     'url' => '/localTools/index',
                     'children' => [
                         'index' => [
@@ -810,6 +822,7 @@ class ACLComponent extends Component
                 'Instance' => [
                     __('Instance'),
                     'url' => '/instance/home',
+                    'icon' => 'database',
                     'children' => [
                         'migration' => [
                             'url' => '/instance/migrationIndex',
@@ -821,6 +834,7 @@ class ACLComponent extends Component
             'Cerebrate' => [
                 'Roles' => [
                     'label' => __('Roles'),
+                    'icon' => 'id-badge',
                     'url' => '/roles/index',
                     'children' => [
                         'index' => [
@@ -845,6 +859,7 @@ class ACLComponent extends Component
                 'Instance' => [
                     __('Instance'),
                     'url' => '/instance/home',
+                    'icon' => 'home',
                     'children' => [
                         'home' => [
                             'url' => '/instance/home',
@@ -854,6 +869,7 @@ class ACLComponent extends Component
                 ],
                 'Users' => [
                     __('My Profile'),
+                    'icon' => 'user-circle',
                     'children' => [
                         'View My Profile' => [
                             'url' => '/users/view',
@@ -872,6 +888,7 @@ class ACLComponent extends Component
             'Open' => [
                 'Organisations' => [
                     'label' => __('Organisations'),
+                    'icon' => 'buildings',
                     'url' => '/open/organisations/index',
                     'children' => [
                         'index' => [
@@ -883,6 +900,7 @@ class ACLComponent extends Component
                 ],
                 'Individuals' => [
                     'label' => __('Individuals'),
+                    'icon' => 'address-book',
                     'url' => '/open/individuals/index',
                     'children' => [
                         'index' => [
diff --git a/templates/element/genericElements/side_menu_scaffold.php b/templates/element/genericElements/side_menu_scaffold.php
index 9e8eab5..42fc595 100644
--- a/templates/element/genericElements/side_menu_scaffold.php
+++ b/templates/element/genericElements/side_menu_scaffold.php
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 <?php
+// return;
 $children = '';
 $backgroundColour = $darkMode ? 'bg-dark' : 'bg-light';
 if (isset($menu[$metaGroup])) {
diff --git a/templates/element/layouts/header.php b/templates/element/layouts/header.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e86bfb4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/element/layouts/header.php
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+<div class="container-fluid bg-success">
+    <div class="left-navbar">
+        <span class="navbar-brand">Logo</span>
+    </div>
+    <div class="center-navbar">
+        Breadcrumb
+    </div>
+    <div class="right-navbar">
+        right
+    </div>
+</div>
diff --git a/templates/element/layouts/sidebar.php b/templates/element/layouts/sidebar.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2f19ac0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/element/layouts/sidebar.php
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+<div class="sidebar-wrapper">
+    <div class="sidebar-scroll">
+        <div class="sidebar-content">
+            <ul class="sidebar-elements">
+                <?php foreach ($menu as $category => $categorized): ?>
+                    <?= $this->element('layouts/sidebar/category', ['label' => $category]) ?>
+                    <?php foreach ($categorized as $parentName => $parent): ?>
+                        <?= $this->element('layouts/sidebar/entry', [
+                                'parent' => $parent,
+                            ])
+                        ?>
+                    <?php endforeach; ?>
+                <?php endforeach; ?>
+            </ul>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+</div>
diff --git a/templates/element/layouts/sidebar/category.php b/templates/element/layouts/sidebar/category.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7c2be88
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/element/layouts/sidebar/category.php
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+<li class="category text-muted">
+    <span class="category-label"><?= h($label) ?></span>
+    <span class="category-divider"><hr /></span>
+</li>
diff --git a/templates/element/layouts/sidebar/entry.php b/templates/element/layouts/sidebar/entry.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5f068ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/element/layouts/sidebar/entry.php
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+<?php
+    $seed = 'sb-' . mt_rand();
+    $icon = $parent['icon'] ?? '';
+    $label = $parent['label'] ?? '';
+    $children = $parent['children'] ?? [];
+    if ($label == 'List organisations') {
+        $children = [
+            [
+                'label' => 'level 1',
+                'children' => [
+                    'Level 2' => [
+                        'label' => 'level 2',
+                        'children' => [
+                            'Level 3' => [
+                                'label' => 'level 3',
+                            ]
+                        ]
+                    ]
+                ]
+            ]
+        ];
+    }
+    if (!empty($children)) {
+        $url = "#{$seed}";
+    } else {
+        $url = $parent['url'] ?? '#';
+    }
+?>
+
+<?php if (empty($parent['skipTopMenu'])): ?>
+<li class="<?= !empty($children) ? 'parent collapsed' : '' ?>">
+    <a class="sidebar-link <?= !empty($children) ? 'collapsed' : '' ?>" href="<?= h($url) ?>" data-toggle="collapse">
+        <i class="sidebar-icon <?= $this->FontAwesome->getClass($icon) ?>"></i>
+        <span class="text"><?= h($label) ?></span>
+    </a>
+    <?php if (!empty($children)): ?>
+        <?= $this->element('layouts/sidebar/sub-menu', [
+                'seed' => $seed,
+                'children' => $children,
+            ]);
+        ?>
+    <?php endif; ?>
+</li>
+<?php endif; ?>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/templates/element/layouts/sidebar/sub-menu.php b/templates/element/layouts/sidebar/sub-menu.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2f80fcf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/element/layouts/sidebar/sub-menu.php
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+<?php
+    $seed = $seed ?? 'sd-' . mt_rand();
+?>
+
+<ul id="<?= $seed ?>" class="sub-menu collapse">
+    <?php foreach ($children as $child): ?>
+        <?= $this->element('layouts/sidebar/entry', [
+                'parent' => $child,
+            ])
+        ?>
+    <?php endforeach; ?>
+</ul>
diff --git a/templates/layout/default.php b/templates/layout/default.php
index ec75df0..e87ff9d 100644
--- a/templates/layout/default.php
+++ b/templates/layout/default.php
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ $cakeDescription = 'Cerebrate';
     ?>
     <?= $this->Html->css('main.css') ?>
     <?= $this->Html->css('font-awesome') ?>
+    <?= $this->Html->css('layout.css') ?>
     <?= $this->Html->script('jquery-3.5.1.min.js') ?>
     <?= $this->Html->script('popper.min.js') ?>
     <?= $this->Html->script('bootstrap.bundle.js') ?>
@@ -48,27 +49,25 @@ $cakeDescription = 'Cerebrate';
     <?= $this->Html->meta('favicon.ico', '/img/favicon.ico', ['type' => 'icon']); ?>
 </head>
 <body>
-    <header>
-        <?= $this->element('header') ?>
-    </header>
-    <main role="main">
-        <div class="container-fluid">
-            <div class="row">
-                <div class="col-1 d-none d-xl-block sidebar p-0">
-                    <?= $this->element('side_menu') ?>
-                </div>
-                <div role="main" class="col-xl-11 col-lg-12 ml-sm-auto pt-3 px-4">
-                    <div class="col-12 d-xl-none px-0"><?= $this->element('side_menu', ['minimal' => 1]) ?></div>
-                    <?= $this->Flash->render() ?>
-                    <?= $this->fetch('content') ?>
-                </div>
-            </div>
+    <div class="main-wrapper">
+        <header class="navbar top-navbar">
+            <?= $this->element('layouts/header') ?>
+        </header>
+        <div class="sidebar">
+            <?= $this->element('layouts/sidebar') ?>
         </div>
-    </main>
+        <main role="main" class="content">
+            <div class="container-fluid">
+                <?= $this->Flash->render() ?>
+                <?= $this->fetch('content') ?>
+            </div>
+        </main>
+    </div>
     <div id="mainModal" class="modal fade" tabindex="-1" role="dialog" aria-labelledby="mediumModalLabel" aria-hidden="true"></div>
     <div id="mainToastContainer" style="position: absolute; top: 15px; right: 15px; z-index: 1080"></div>
     <div id="mainModalContainer"></div>
 </body>
+
 <script>
     const darkMode = (<?= empty($darkMode) ? 'false' : 'true' ?>)
 </script>
diff --git a/webroot/css/layout.css b/webroot/css/layout.css
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e1ec44a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/webroot/css/layout.css
@@ -0,0 +1,196 @@
+/* layout */
+:root {
+    --navbar-height: 60px;
+    --sidebar-width: 230px;
+}
+
+.main-wrapper {
+    min-height: 100%;
+    padding-top: var(--navbar-height);
+}
+
+.top-navbar {
+    position: fixed;
+    top: 0;
+    left: 0;
+    right: 0;
+    padding: 0;
+    margin-bottom: 0;
+}
+
+.content {
+    position: relative;
+    left: 0;
+    margin-left: var(--sidebar-width);
+    min-height: 100%;
+    background: red;
+}
+
+.sidebar {
+    height: 100%;
+    margin-top: var(--navbar-height);
+    position: fixed;
+    top: 0;
+    bottom: 0;
+    width: var(--sidebar-width);
+    left: 0;
+}
+
+.left-navbar {
+}
+
+.center-navbar {
+    display: flex;
+    flex: 1 1 auto;
+    line-height: var(--navbar-height);
+    padding: 0 20px;
+}
+
+.right-navbar {
+    display: flex;
+    flex: 0 0 auto;
+    padding-right: 20px;
+}
+
+/* sidebar */
+.sidebar-wrapper {
+    width: 100%;
+    height: 100%;
+}
+
+.sidebar-scroll {
+    position: relative;
+    height: 100%;
+    width: 100%;
+    overflow: hidden;
+}
+
+.sidebar-content {
+    position: absolute;
+    top: 0;
+    bottom: 0;
+    left: 0;
+    right: 0;
+    padding-top: 10px;
+}
+
+ul.sidebar-elements {
+    margin: 0;
+    padding: 0;
+}
+
+/* sidebar entry */
+ul.sidebar-elements > li {
+    list-style: none;
+}
+
+li.parent {
+
+}
+
+ul.sidebar-elements li > a.sidebar-link {
+    display: block;
+    padding: 0 20px;
+    line-height: 35px;
+    text-overflow: ellipsis;
+    overflow: hidden;
+    white-space: nowrap;
+    text-decoration: none;
+    color: unset;
+}
+
+ul.sidebar-elements > li > a.sidebar-link:hover {
+    background-color: #f0f0f0;
+}
+
+ul.sidebar-elements > li > a.sidebar-link > * {
+    text-align: center;
+    vertical-align: middle;
+}
+
+ul.sidebar-elements > li > a.sidebar-link > i.sidebar-icon {
+    margin-right: 10px;
+    font-size: 19px;
+    min-width: 19px;
+    line-height: 19px;
+}
+
+ul.sidebar-elements > li > a.sidebar-link > span.text {
+    line-height: 40px;
+    white-space: nowrap;
+}
+
+/* sidebar sub-menu */
+ul.sidebar-elements li.parent > a.sidebar-link::before {
+    content: "\f0d7";
+    float: right;
+    font-family: 'Font Awesome 5 Free';
+    font-weight: 900;
+    font-size: 1rem;
+    color: #bbb;
+}
+
+ul.sidebar-elements li.parent > a.sidebar-link:not(.collapsed)::before {
+    content: "\f0d8";
+}
+
+ul.sidebar-elements > li ul {
+    padding: 10px 0;
+    list-style: none;
+    line-height: 20px;
+}
+
+ul.sidebar-elements > li ul li > a.sidebar-link {
+    font-size: 0.9rem;
+    padding-left: 35px;
+    padding-right: 17px;
+}
+
+ul.sidebar-elements > li ul li > a.sidebar-link:hover {
+    background-color: #e0e0e0;
+}
+
+ul.sidebar-elements > li ul li > ul > li > a.sidebar-link {
+    font-size: 0.85rem;
+    padding-left: 50px;
+    padding-right: 14px;
+}
+
+ul.sidebar-elements > li ul li > ul > li > ul > li > a.sidebar-link {
+    font-size: 0.8rem;
+    padding-left: 65px;
+    padding-right: 11px;
+}
+
+ul.sidebar-elements > li ul li > ul > li > ul > li > ul > li > a.sidebar-link {
+    font-size: 0.78rem;
+    padding-left: 80px;
+    padding-right: 8px;
+}
+
+/* sidebar category */
+ul.sidebar-elements > li.category {
+    padding: 15px 20px 0;
+    line-height: 30px;
+    display: flex;
+}
+
+ul.sidebar-elements > li.category > span.category-label {
+    text-transform: uppercase;
+    font-size: 0.75rem;
+    font-weight: 600;
+    display: flex;
+    margin-right: 15px;
+}
+
+ul.sidebar-elements > li.category > span.category-divider {
+    flex: 1 0 0%;
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+}
+
+ul.sidebar-elements > li.category > span.category-divider > hr {
+    margin: 0;
+    height: 1px;
+    flex: 1 0 auto;
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/webroot/css/main.css b/webroot/css/main.css
index bcf6c0e..4c2820a 100644
--- a/webroot/css/main.css
+++ b/webroot/css/main.css
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
     color:black;
 }
 
-.sidebar {}
+/* .sidebar {}
 
 .side-bar-ul {
     top: 70px;
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@
 .side-bar-ul>.sidebar-brand a:hover {
     color: #fff;
     background: none;
-}
+} */
 
 @media(min-width:768px) {
     #wrapper {