diff --git a/Gui/Employees/EmployeesTable.qml b/Gui/Employees/EmployeesTable.qml
index dc1236d..dbf3f3d 100644
--- a/Gui/Employees/EmployeesTable.qml
+++ b/Gui/Employees/EmployeesTable.qml
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@ ColumnLayout {
         spacing: Dimensions.l
 
         SearchBar {
+            onSubmitted: (query) => {
+                applicantModel.searchQuery = query
+            }
         }
         QuickFilter {
             model: ListModel {
diff --git a/TeroStyle/SearchBar.qml b/TeroStyle/SearchBar.qml
index 72918b5..aab43a9 100644
--- a/TeroStyle/SearchBar.qml
+++ b/TeroStyle/SearchBar.qml
@@ -4,11 +4,23 @@ import QtQuick.Layouts
 
 
 TextField {
+    id: field
+
+    signal submitted(query: string)
+
     Layout.preferredWidth: 300
     placeholderText: qsTr("Suche")
 
+    Keys.onReturnPressed: {
+        field.submitted(field.text);
+    }
+
     Button {
         icon.source: "qrc:/images/MagnifyingGlass.svg"
         isFieldButton: true
+
+        onClicked: {
+            field.submitted(field.text)
+        }
     }
 }
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..37edcc6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+services:
+  mariadb:
+    image: mariadb:latest
+    volumes:
+      - mariadb:/var/lib/mysql
+    ports:
+      - 127.0.0.1:8000:3306
+    environment:
+      MARIADB_ROOT_PASSWORD: pyqcrm
+      MARIADB_USER: pyqcrm
+      MARIADB_PASSWORD: pyqcrm
+      MARIADB_DATABASE: pyqcrm
+volumes:
+  mariadb:
diff --git a/lib/Config.py b/lib/Config.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8c08232
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/Config.py
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+from typing import TypedDict
+
+
+class EncryptionConfig(TypedDict):
+    ENCRYPTION_KEY_VALID: str
+    ENCRYPTION_KEY: str
+
+
+class DatabaseConfig(TypedDict):
+    DB_HOST: str
+    DB_USER: str
+    DB_PASS: str
+    DB_NAME: str
+    DB_PORT: str
+
+
+class Config(TypedDict):
+    database: DatabaseConfig
+    pyqcrm: EncryptionConfig
diff --git a/lib/ConfigLoader.py b/lib/ConfigLoader.py
index 8809bc1..b963484 100644
--- a/lib/ConfigLoader.py
+++ b/lib/ConfigLoader.py
@@ -2,21 +2,24 @@
 import os
 from base64 import b64encode
 from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Optional
 from urllib.parse import urlparse
 
 import toml
 from Crypto.Random import get_random_bytes
 from PySide6.QtCore import QObject, Slot, Signal
+from peewee import OperationalError
 from platformdirs import user_config_dir
 
+from .Config import Config, DatabaseConfig
 from .DB.UserManager import UserManager
 from .PyqcrmFlags import PyqcrmFlags
 from .Vermasseln import Vermasseln
-from .domain.BaseModel import database
+from .domain.BaseModel import init_database_from_config
 
 
 class ConfigLoader(QObject):
-    __config = None
+    __config: Optional[Config] = None
     __version = "0.1-alpha"
     __check_enc_key = True
 
@@ -39,34 +42,34 @@ class ConfigLoader(QObject):
             config_dir.mkdir(0o750, True, True)
 
     @Slot(dict, result=bool)
-    def setConfig(self, app_config):
+    def setConfig(self, app_config: Config):
         if not self.__config:
             base_conf = self.__initializeConfig()
-            conf = self.__checkDbConnection(app_config)
-            app_config = toml.dumps(app_config)
+        conf = self._is_db_connectable(app_config['database'])
+        app_config = toml.dumps(app_config)
+        if conf:
+            app_config = base_conf + app_config
+            self.__config = toml.loads(app_config)
+            self.__saveConfig()
+            conf = self.__checkAdminUser()
             if conf:
-                app_config = base_conf + app_config
-                self.__config = toml.loads(app_config)
-                self.__saveConfig()
-                conf = self.__checkAdminUser()
-                if conf:
-                    self.configurationReady.emit()
+                self.configurationReady.emit()
 
     def __initializeConfig(self):
-        # print(f"In {__file__} file, __initializeConfig()")
         self.__encrypt_key = b64encode(get_random_bytes(32)).decode("utf-8")
         conf = f"[pyqcrm]\nVERSION = \"{self.__version}\"\n"
         conf = conf + f"ENCRYPTION_KEY_VALID = \"No\"\n"
         conf = conf + f"ENCRYPTION_KEY = \"{self.__encrypt_key}\"\n\n"
         return conf
 
-    def __checkDbConnection(self):
-        if database.is_closed():
+    def _is_db_connectable(self, config: DatabaseConfig):
+        try:
+            init_database_from_config(config)
             self.dbConnectionError.emit("Connection OK", True)
             return True
-        else:
+        except OperationalError as e:
             self.dbConnectionError.emit("Connection fehlgeschlagen", False)
-        return False
+            return False
 
     def __saveConfig(self):
         # print(f"In {__file__} file, saveConfig()")
@@ -190,7 +193,6 @@ class ConfigLoader(QObject):
             print(str(e))
 
     def __configLoad(self):
-        # print(f"In {__file__} file, __configLoad()")
         try:
             with open(self.config_dir + '/pyqcrm.toml', 'r') as f:
                 config = f.read()
@@ -200,16 +202,11 @@ class ConfigLoader(QObject):
             print("Konnte die Konfiguration nicht laden.")
         except TypeError:
             print(f"Invalid Configuration: {__file__}")
-        except Exception as e:
-            print(str(e))
 
-    def getConfig(self):
-        # print(f"In {__file__} file, getConfig()")
-        # print(self.__config)
+    def get_config(self) -> Optional[Config]:
         return self.__config
 
     def __setRecoveryPassword(self, key, salt=None):
-        # print(f"In {__file__} file, __setRecoveryPassword()")
         key = Vermasseln.userPasswordHash(key, salt)
         return key.split("$")
 
@@ -222,7 +219,7 @@ class ConfigLoader(QObject):
 
     @Slot(str, str)
     def backupConfig(self, filename, password):
-        conf_file = toml.dumps(self.getConfig())
+        conf_file = toml.dumps(self.get_config())
         self.__saveData(filename, password, conf_file)
 
     @Slot(dict)
@@ -233,7 +230,7 @@ class ConfigLoader(QObject):
     @Slot(result=dict)
     def getDbConf(self):
         try:
-            return self.__config['database']
+            return self.__config['database'] if self.__config is not None else None
         except KeyError as ex:
             print(f"Missing database configuration: {ex}")
             return None
diff --git a/lib/DB/AddressModel.py b/lib/DB/AddressModel.py
index 357e8bd..f5392b2 100644
--- a/lib/DB/AddressModel.py
+++ b/lib/DB/AddressModel.py
@@ -28,9 +28,6 @@ class AddressModel(QAbstractListModel):
             PyqcrmDataRoles.CITY_ROLE: b"city",
         }
 
-    def setData(self):
-        pass
-
     @Slot(bool, str)
     def getAddresses(self, all, zipcode):
         data = AddressDAO().getAddressData(all, zipcode)
diff --git a/lib/DB/ApplicantModel.py b/lib/DB/ApplicantModel.py
index 48745a5..22ab4c6 100644
--- a/lib/DB/ApplicantModel.py
+++ b/lib/DB/ApplicantModel.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import uuid
 from typing import List, Callable, Any
 
-from PySide6.QtCore import QModelIndex, Qt, QAbstractTableModel, Slot
+from PySide6.QtCore import QModelIndex, Qt, QAbstractTableModel, Slot, Property, Signal
 from PySide6.QtQml import QJSValue
 from peewee import Select
 
@@ -19,10 +19,12 @@ COLUMN_NAMES = ["Vorname", "Nachname", "PLZ", "Ort"]
 
 class ApplicantModel(QAbstractTableModel):
     _applicants: Select
+    _search_query: str = ""
+    search_query_changed = Signal(str)
 
     def __init__(self) -> None:
         super().__init__()
-        self._applicants = Applicant.select_table_data()
+        self._query_applicants()
 
     def rowCount(self, /, parent=...):
         return len(self._applicants)
@@ -36,6 +38,15 @@ class ApplicantModel(QAbstractTableModel):
             return COLUMNS[index.column()](applicant)
         return None
 
+    @Property(str, notify=search_query_changed)
+    def searchQuery(self):
+        return self._search_query
+
+    @searchQuery.setter
+    def searchQuery(self, value: str):
+        self._search_query = value
+        self._query_applicants()
+
     @Slot(int, result=dict)
     def applicant(self, row) -> dict:
         applicant = Applicant.get_by_id(self._applicants[row].id)
@@ -68,9 +79,13 @@ class ApplicantModel(QAbstractTableModel):
         applicant.email_address = values.property("emailAddress").toString() or None
         applicant.salutation = values.property("salutation").toString() or None
         applicant.save(force_insert=True)
-        self._applicants = Applicant.select_table_data()
+        self._query_applicants()
 
     def headerData(self, section: int, orientation: Qt.Orientation, role: int = Qt.ItemDataRole.DisplayRole):
         if role == Qt.ItemDataRole.DisplayRole:
             return COLUMN_NAMES[section]
         return None
+
+    def _query_applicants(self):
+        self._applicants = Applicant.select_table_data(self._search_query)
+        self.layoutChanged.emit()
diff --git a/lib/DB/BusinessModel.py b/lib/DB/BusinessModel.py
index 1207417..682a26d 100644
--- a/lib/DB/BusinessModel.py
+++ b/lib/DB/BusinessModel.py
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ class BusinessModel(QAbstractTableModel):
         super().__init__()
         self.__business_dao = BusinessDAO()
         self.__business_dao.newBusinessAdded.connect(self.__refreshView)
-        self.__conf = ConfigLoader().getConfig()
+        self.__conf = ConfigLoader().get_config()
         self.__key = self.__conf['pyqcrm']['ENCRYPTION_KEY']
         self.__getData()
 
diff --git a/lib/DB/ContactModel.py b/lib/DB/ContactModel.py
index c4b8155..2f29476 100644
--- a/lib/DB/ContactModel.py
+++ b/lib/DB/ContactModel.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ class ContactModel(QObject):
         super().__init__()
         # print(f"*** File: {__file__}, __init__()")
         #self.logger = logging.getLogger()
-        self.__conf = ConfigLoader().getConfig()
+        self.__conf = ConfigLoader().get_config()
         self.__key = self.__conf['pyqcrm']['ENCRYPTION_KEY']
         self.__contact_dao = ContactDAO()
         self.__contact_dao.newObjectContactAdded.connect(self.objectContactAdded)
diff --git a/lib/DB/EmployeeModel.py b/lib/DB/EmployeeModel.py
index ae60437..08118e8 100644
--- a/lib/DB/EmployeeModel.py
+++ b/lib/DB/EmployeeModel.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ class EmployeeModel(QAbstractTableModel):
         super().__init__()
         self.__employee_dao = EmployeeDAO() 
         self.__employee_dao.newEmployeeAdded.connect(self.__refreshView)
-        self.__conf = ConfigLoader().getConfig()
+        self.__conf = ConfigLoader().get_config()
         self.__key = self.__conf['pyqcrm']['ENCRYPTION_KEY']
         self.__getData()
 
diff --git a/lib/DB/ObjectModel.py b/lib/DB/ObjectModel.py
index 34b2d08..86b560c 100644
--- a/lib/DB/ObjectModel.py
+++ b/lib/DB/ObjectModel.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ class ObjectModel(QAbstractTableModel):
         super().__init__()
         self.__object_dao = ObjectDAO()
         self.__object_dao.newObjectAdded.connect(self.__refreshView)
-        self.__conf = ConfigLoader().getConfig()
+        self.__conf = ConfigLoader().get_config()
         self.__key = self.__conf['pyqcrm']['ENCRYPTION_KEY']
         self.__object_dao.newObjectAdded.connect(self.objectAdded)
         self.__getData()
diff --git a/lib/domain/Applicant.py b/lib/domain/Applicant.py
index 0fa4425..dd50c61 100644
--- a/lib/domain/Applicant.py
+++ b/lib/domain/Applicant.py
@@ -22,10 +22,23 @@ class Applicant(BaseModel):
     salutation = TextField(null=False)
 
     @classmethod
-    def select_table_data(cls):
+    def select_table_data(cls, search_query: str):
         return (
             Applicant
-            .select(Applicant.id, Applicant.first_name, Applicant.last_name, ZipCode.id, ZipCode.zip_code, Town.town)
+            .select(
+                Applicant.id,
+                Applicant.first_name,
+                Applicant.last_name,
+                ZipCode.id,
+                ZipCode.zip_code,
+                Town.town
+            )
             .join(ZipCode, join_type="LEFT JOIN")
             .join(Town, join_type="LEFT JOIN")
+            .where(
+                (Applicant.first_name.contains(search_query)) |
+                (Applicant.last_name.contains(search_query)) |
+                (ZipCode.zip_code.contains(search_query)) |
+                (Town.town.contains(search_query))
+            )
         )
diff --git a/lib/domain/BaseModel.py b/lib/domain/BaseModel.py
index 56bac14..39326ed 100644
--- a/lib/domain/BaseModel.py
+++ b/lib/domain/BaseModel.py
@@ -1,6 +1,20 @@
 from peewee import Model, MySQLDatabase
 
-database = MySQLDatabase(None)
+from lib.Config import DatabaseConfig
+
+database: MySQLDatabase = MySQLDatabase(None)
+
+
+def init_database_from_config(config: DatabaseConfig):
+    database.init(
+        host=config['DB_HOST'],
+        user=config['DB_USER'],
+        password=config['DB_PASS'],
+        database=config['DB_NAME'],
+        port=int(config['DB_PORT']),
+        connect_timeout=5,
+    )
+    database.connect()
 
 
 class BaseModel(Model):
diff --git a/main.py b/main.py
index c16c89f..d0b5335 100644
--- a/main.py
+++ b/main.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ from lib.DB.EmployeeModel import EmployeeModel
 from lib.DB.ObjectModel import ObjectModel
 from lib.DB.UserManager import UserManager
 from lib.Printers import Printers
-from lib.domain.BaseModel import database
+from lib.domain.BaseModel import database, init_database_from_config
 
 os.environ['QML_XHR_ALLOW_FILE_READ'] = '1'
 
@@ -42,16 +42,7 @@ user = None
 def initializeProgram():
     global address_model, applicant_model, bad_config, business_model, user, business_type, contact_model, employee_model, object_model, db_con, printers
     if not bad_config:
-        dbconf = config.getConfig()['database']
-        database.init(
-            host=dbconf['DB_HOST'],
-            user=dbconf['DB_USER'],
-            password=dbconf['DB_PASS'],
-            database=dbconf['DB_NAME'],
-            port=int(dbconf['DB_PORT']),
-            connect_timeout=5,
-        )
-        database.connect()
+        init_database_from_config(config.get_config()['database'])
 
         printers = Printers()
         if not database.is_closed():
@@ -114,7 +105,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
 
     config = ConfigLoader()
 
-    if not config.getConfig():
+    if not config.get_config():
         bad_config = True
         config.configurationReady.connect(configReady)
     else: