The article provides a comprehensive overview of the autophagy pathway, focusing on the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the formation and fusion of autophagosomes with lysosomes. Autophagy is a conserved process that allows cells to degrade intracellular components, including proteins, organelles, and foreign bodies, through the formation of autophagosomes. The review highlights the role of ATG proteins, particularly ATG9, in the early stages of autophagosome formation, and the involvement of various membrane compartments, such as the Golgi complex and endosomes, in this process. It also discusses the coordination of autophagosome formation, closure, and fusion with lysosomes, emphasizing the importance of specific proteins and lipid molecules, such as SNAREs, tethering factors, and phosphoinositides. The article further explores the mechanisms of autophagosome-lysosome fusion, including the role of SNARE proteins, tethering factors, and lipid mediators. Additionally, it delves into the autophagic lysosome reformation (ALR) process, which is crucial for the termination of autophagy and the recycling of lysosomal components. The review concludes by highlighting the significance of understanding these molecular details for the development of therapeutic interventions targeting autophagy in human diseases.The article provides a comprehensive overview of the autophagy pathway, focusing on the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the formation and fusion of autophagosomes with lysosomes. Autophagy is a conserved process that allows cells to degrade intracellular components, including proteins, organelles, and foreign bodies, through the formation of autophagosomes. The review highlights the role of ATG proteins, particularly ATG9, in the early stages of autophagosome formation, and the involvement of various membrane compartments, such as the Golgi complex and endosomes, in this process. It also discusses the coordination of autophagosome formation, closure, and fusion with lysosomes, emphasizing the importance of specific proteins and lipid molecules, such as SNAREs, tethering factors, and phosphoinositides. The article further explores the mechanisms of autophagosome-lysosome fusion, including the role of SNARE proteins, tethering factors, and lipid mediators. Additionally, it delves into the autophagic lysosome reformation (ALR) process, which is crucial for the termination of autophagy and the recycling of lysosomal components. The review concludes by highlighting the significance of understanding these molecular details for the development of therapeutic interventions targeting autophagy in human diseases.