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diff --git a/core/management/commands/setup_permissions.py b/core/management/commands/setup_permissions.py
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+++ b/core/management/commands/setup_permissions.py
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+from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand
+from django.contrib.auth.models import Group, Permission
+from django.contrib.contenttypes.models import ContentType
+from core.models import Shipment, Truck, Bid, Message
+
+class Command(BaseCommand):
+    help = 'Sets up initial permissions for Shipper and Truck Owner groups'
+
+    def handle(self, *args, **options):
+        # 1. Get or Create Groups
+        shipper_group, _ = Group.objects.get_or_create(name='SHIPPER')
+        truck_owner_group, _ = Group.objects.get_or_create(name='TRUCK_OWNER')
+        admin_group, _ = Group.objects.get_or_create(name='ADMIN')
+
+        # 2. Define Permissions
+        def get_perms(model, actions=['add', 'change', 'delete', 'view']):
+            content_type = ContentType.objects.get_for_model(model)
+            return Permission.objects.filter(content_type=content_type, codename__in=[f'{action}_{model._meta.model_name}' for action in actions])
+
+        # Shipper Permissions
+        shipper_perms = list(get_perms(Shipment))  # all shipment perms
+        shipper_perms += list(get_perms(Bid, actions=['view'])) # can only view bids
+        shipper_perms += list(get_perms(Message, actions=['add', 'view'])) # can chat
+        shipper_perms += list(get_perms(Truck, actions=['view'])) # can view trucks
+        
+        shipper_group.permissions.set(shipper_perms)
+
+        # Truck Owner Permissions
+        truck_owner_perms = list(get_perms(Truck)) # all truck perms
+        truck_owner_perms += list(get_perms(Shipment, actions=['view'])) # can only view shipments
+        truck_owner_perms += list(get_perms(Bid)) # all bid perms
+        truck_owner_perms += list(get_perms(Message, actions=['add', 'view'])) # can chat
+        
+        truck_owner_group.permissions.set(truck_owner_perms)
+
+        # Admin Permissions (Full access to core models)
+        admin_perms = list(get_perms(Shipment))
+        admin_perms += list(get_perms(Truck))
+        admin_perms += list(get_perms(Bid))
+        admin_perms += list(get_perms(Message))
+        
+        admin_group.permissions.set(admin_perms)
+
+        self.stdout.write(self.style.SUCCESS('Successfully configured permissions for SHIPPER, TRUCK_OWNER, and ADMIN groups.'))