Add soft delete + trash, keyboard-first web overhaul, move chapter tags to bottom

Adds SoftDelete/Trash across characters, chapters, locations, beats with a
purge schedule and Trash page. Reworks the web client for keyboard-driven
navigation (focus helpers, help overlay, keyboard.md doc). Moves the
ChapterPage tag editor to the bottom of the page to match CharacterDetailPage.

CLAUDE.md

@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ Serilog console via `AddSerilog` (not `UseSerilog` — keeps OTel provider for A
 - `PATCH` requests partial: null field = leave alone, empty string = clear. Keep new update endpoints consistent with `Patch.Apply`.
 - Enums cross wire as names, never ordinals
 - All frontend components should have an id attribute that identifies them uniquely.
+- Web client is keyboard-first: read `docs/keyboard.md` before adding any interactive UI (forms, editable rows, create flows).
 
 ## Testing
 

docs/keyboard.md

@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+# Keyboard conventions
+
+Novelly's web client is built to be driven entirely from the keyboard. New interactive
+components should follow these rules so the app stays consistent as it grows.
+
+## Escape cancels or closes — it never destroys already-saved work
+
+In an editor that commits per field (a beat row, a chapter's title), Escape reverts only the
+field you're currently in and then closes the editor. Fields you already tabbed past and
+committed stay saved — Escape is honest about this, not a full undo. Anywhere a component *can*
+offer a true "discard everything" cancel (a create form that hasn't saved anything yet), do
+that instead.
+
+## Enter commits a single-line field and advances
+
+Pressing Enter in a single-line field is equivalent to Tab: it commits the field's value and
+moves focus to the next field. Shift+Enter moves to the previous field. This is what
+`AutoField` (`src/components/ui.tsx`) does by default — reuse it rather than hand-rolling a
+text input's key handling.
+
+## mod+Enter commits a multiline field or completes a record
+
+A `<textarea>` needs plain Enter to insert a newline, so multiline fields commit on
+`mod+Enter` (Cmd or Ctrl) instead. The same combo, handled at the row/form level, means "I'm
+done with this record" — closing a beat row, submitting a question. This mirrors the app's
+original convention in `AgentPanel.tsx` (`mod+Enter` sends a message).
+
+## Bare single letters create the primary thing on the page
+
+`n` is the default create-hotkey across the app (new character, new chapter, new location). A
+page with a second creatable thing uses a mnemonic instead (`b` for beat, `q` for question, `a`
+for arc stage). Register these with `useHotkey` from the component that owns the create action,
+so the shortcut is scoped to that page/section and unregisters when it unmounts — never
+register a bare letter globally.
+
+## Creating something puts focus in its first editable field
+
+A create action that leaves the user hunting for the thing they just made is a bug. Land focus
+in the new item's first field (or, when a mutation's response id isn't the field's DOM node
+yet, request focus for that id and let it land once the row/page actually renders — see the
+`focusRequestId`/`onAutoFocused` pattern used for beats and arc stages).
+
+## Chip inputs commit on Enter, comma, or blur
+
+`TagEditor`, `LocationEditor`, `CharacterMultiSelect`, and `AliasEditor` all add their draft
+value to the list on Enter, comma, or losing focus. Follow the same shape for any new
+chip-style input.
+
+## Destructive confirmations use `ConfirmModal`
+
+Never use the native `confirm()`/`alert()` dialogs — they're not stylable, not consistent with
+the rest of the app, and (depending on browser) can be genuinely awkward to dismiss from the
+keyboard. Use `ConfirmModal` (`src/components/ConfirmModal.tsx`), which wraps `Modal` and gets
+focus-trapping and Escape-to-close for free.
+
+## The exception, not the rule: `allowInInputs`
+
+`useHotkey` shortcuts don't fire while a text field is focused, unless registered with
+`allowInInputs: true`. Reserve that for shortcuts that make sense mid-typing (`mod+Enter` to
+submit, `Escape` to close) — never a bare letter.

src/Novelly.Api/Activity/ActivityEvent.cs

@@ -21,7 +21,8 @@ public enum ActivityAction
 {
     Created,
     Updated,
-    Deleted
+    Deleted,
+    Restored
 }
 
 public class ActivityEvent

src/Novelly.Api/Beats/Beat.cs

@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ public class BeatEntityTypeConfiguration : IEntityTypeConfiguration<Beat>
     {
         entity.Property(b => b.Title).IsRequired().HasMaxLength(200);
         entity.HasIndex(b => new { b.ChapterId, b.SortOrder });
+        entity.HasQueryFilter(b => b.Chapter!.DeletedAt == null);
 
         entity.HasOne(b => b.Chapter).WithMany(c => c.Beats)
             .HasForeignKey(b => b.ChapterId).OnDelete(DeleteBehavior.Cascade);

src/Novelly.Api/Beats/BeatContracts.cs

@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ public static class BeatMapping
         b.ChapterId,
         b.SortOrder,
         b.Title,
-        [.. b.Characters.OrderBy(c => c.Name).Select(c => new BeatCharacterResponse(c.Id, c.Name))],
+        [.. b.Characters.Where(c => c.DeletedAt is null).OrderBy(c => c.Name).Select(c => new BeatCharacterResponse(c.Id, c.Name))],
         b.WhatHappened,
         b.WhatsNext,
         [.. b.Tags.OrderBy(t => t.Name).Select(t => t.ToResponse())],

src/Novelly.Api/Beats/BeatService.cs

@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ public class BeatService(
 
         var beats = await db.Beats
             .Include(b => b.Chapter)
-            .Include(b => b.ArcStages)
+            .Include(b => b.ArcStages.Where(s => s.Character!.DeletedAt == null))
             .Where(b => b.Characters.Any(c => c.Id == characterId))
             .ToListAsync(ct);
 
@@ -395,7 +395,7 @@ public class BeatService(
 
     private IQueryable<Beat> Query() =>
         db.Beats
-            .Include(b => b.Characters)
+            .Include(b => b.Characters.Where(c => c.DeletedAt == null))
             .Include(b => b.Tags);
 
     private async Task<Beat?> FindAsync(Guid id, CancellationToken ct)

src/Novelly.Api/Chapters/Chapter.cs

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ using Novelly.Api.Tags;
 
 namespace Novelly.Api.Chapters;
 
-public class Chapter
+public class Chapter : ISoftDeletable
 {
     public Guid Id { get; set; } = Guid.NewGuid();
     public Guid NovelId { get; set; }
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ public class Chapter
 
     public DateTimeOffset CreatedAt { get; set; } = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow;
     public DateTimeOffset UpdatedAt { get; set; } = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow;
+    public DateTimeOffset? DeletedAt { get; set; }
 
     public List<Beat> Beats { get; set; } = [];
 
@@ -48,5 +49,6 @@ public class ChapterEntityTypeConfiguration : IEntityTypeConfiguration<Chapter>
         entity.Property(c => c.Status).HasConversion<string>().HasMaxLength(32);
         entity.Property(c => c.Kind).HasConversion<string>().HasMaxLength(32);
         entity.HasIndex(c => new { c.NovelId, c.Number });
+        entity.HasQueryFilter(c => c.DeletedAt == null);
     }
 }

src/Novelly.Api/Chapters/ChapterContracts.cs

@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ public static class ChapterMapping
 {
     public static ChapterResponse ToResponse(this Chapter c, int? displayNumber = null) => new(
         c.Id, c.NovelId, c.Number, c.Kind, displayNumber, c.Title, c.Summary,
-        [.. c.Locations.OrderBy(l => l.Name).Select(l => l.ToResponse())],
+        [.. c.Locations.Where(l => l.DeletedAt is null).OrderBy(l => l.Name).Select(l => l.ToResponse())],
         c.Notes,
         c.Status, c.TargetWordCount,
         [.. c.Beats.OrderBy(b => b.SortOrder).Select(b => b.ToResponse())],
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ public static class ChapterMapping
 
     public static ChapterSummaryResponse ToSummaryResponse(this Chapter c, int? displayNumber = null) => new(
         c.Id, c.NovelId, c.Number, c.Kind, displayNumber, c.Title, c.Summary,
-        [.. c.Locations.OrderBy(l => l.Name).Select(l => l.ToResponse())],
+        [.. c.Locations.Where(l => l.DeletedAt is null).OrderBy(l => l.Name).Select(l => l.ToResponse())],
         c.Status, c.TargetWordCount,
         c.Beats.Count, c.WordCount,
         [.. c.Tags.OrderBy(t => t.Name).Select(t => t.ToResponse())],

src/Novelly.Api/Chapters/ChapterEndpoints.cs

@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ public static class ChapterEndpoints
 
         chapters.MapDelete("/{id:guid}", async (Guid id, ChapterService service, CancellationToken ct) =>
                 await service.DeleteAsync(id, ct) ? Results.NoContent() : Results.NotFound())
-            .WithSummary("Delete a chapter.");
+            .WithSummary("Move a chapter to the trash.");
 
         return app;
     }

src/Novelly.Api/Chapters/ChapterService.cs

@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ public class ChapterService(
         return await db.Chapters
             .Include(c => c.Beats)
             .Include(c => c.Tags)
-            .Include(c => c.Locations)
+            .Include(c => c.Locations.Where(l => l.DeletedAt == null))
             .Where(c => c.NovelId == novelId)
             .OrderBy(c => c.Number)
             .ToListAsync(ct);
@@ -153,17 +153,18 @@ public class ChapterService(
     {
         Guard.Default(id, nameof(id));
 
-        logger.LogInformation("Deleting chapter {ChapterId}", id);
+        logger.LogInformation("Moving chapter {ChapterId} to trash", id);
 
-        var chapter = await FindAsync(id, ct);
+        var chapter = await db.Chapters.FirstOrDefaultAsync(c => c.Id == id, ct);
         if (chapter is null)
         {
+            logger.LogWarning("Chapter {ChapterId} not found", id);
             return false;
         }
 
         await access.RequireAsync(chapter.NovelId, NovelPermission.DeleteContent, ct);
 
-        db.Chapters.Remove(chapter);
+        chapter.DeletedAt = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow;
         activity.Record(chapter.NovelId, ActivityEntityKind.Chapter, ActivityAction.Deleted, chapter.Id, -chapter.WordCount);
         await db.SaveChangesAsync(ct);
         return true;
@@ -177,6 +178,7 @@ public class ChapterService(
         logger.LogDebug("Computing next chapter number for novel {NovelId}", novelId);
 
         var max = await db.Chapters
+            .IgnoreQueryFilters()
             .Where(c => c.NovelId == novelId)
             .MaxAsync(c => (int?)c.Number, ct);
 
@@ -190,10 +192,10 @@ public class ChapterService(
         logger.LogDebug("Finding chapter {ChapterId}", id);
 
         var chapter = await db.Chapters
-            .Include(c => c.Beats).ThenInclude(b => b.Characters)
+            .Include(c => c.Beats).ThenInclude(b => b.Characters.Where(ch => ch.DeletedAt == null))
             .Include(c => c.Beats).ThenInclude(b => b.Tags)
             .Include(c => c.Tags)
-            .Include(c => c.Locations)
+            .Include(c => c.Locations.Where(l => l.DeletedAt == null))
             .FirstOrDefaultAsync(c => c.Id == id, ct);
 
         if (chapter is null)

src/Novelly.Api/Characters/Character.cs

@@ -2,12 +2,13 @@ using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore;
 using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.Metadata.Builders;
 using Novelly.Api.Beats;
 using Novelly.Api.Chapters;
+using Novelly.Api.Common;
 using Novelly.Api.Novels;
 using Novelly.Api.Tags;
 
 namespace Novelly.Api.Characters;
 
-public class Character
+public class Character : ISoftDeletable
 {
     public Guid Id { get; set; } = Guid.NewGuid();
     public Guid NovelId { get; set; }
@@ -46,6 +47,7 @@ public class Character
 
     public DateTimeOffset CreatedAt { get; set; } = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow;
     public DateTimeOffset UpdatedAt { get; set; } = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow;
+    public DateTimeOffset? DeletedAt { get; set; }
 
     public List<CharacterRelationship> Relationships { get; set; } = [];
     public List<Tag> Tags { get; set; } = [];
@@ -79,6 +81,7 @@ public class CharacterEntityTypeConfiguration : IEntityTypeConfiguration<Charact
         entity.Property(c => c.Importance).HasConversion<string>().HasMaxLength(32);
         entity.HasIndex(c => c.NovelId);
         entity.HasIndex(c => c.SameCharacterAsId);
+        entity.HasQueryFilter(c => c.DeletedAt == null);
 
         entity.HasMany(c => c.Relationships).WithOne(r => r.Character!)
             .HasForeignKey(r => r.CharacterId).OnDelete(DeleteBehavior.Cascade);
@@ -102,5 +105,7 @@ public class CharacterRelationshipEntityTypeConfiguration : IEntityTypeConfigura
 
         entity.HasOne(r => r.RelatedCharacter).WithMany()
             .HasForeignKey(r => r.RelatedCharacterId).OnDelete(DeleteBehavior.Restrict);
+
+        entity.HasQueryFilter(r => r.Character!.DeletedAt == null && r.RelatedCharacter!.DeletedAt == null);
     }
 }

src/Novelly.Api/Characters/CharacterArcService.cs

@@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ public class CharacterArcService(
     private IQueryable<CharacterArcStage> Query() =>
         db.CharacterArcStages
             .Include(s => s.Chapter)
-            .Include(s => s.Beats).ThenInclude(b => b.Chapter);
+            .Include(s => s.Beats.Where(b => b.Chapter!.DeletedAt == null)).ThenInclude(b => b.Chapter);
 
     private async Task<CharacterArcStage?> FindAsync(Guid id, CancellationToken ct)
     {

src/Novelly.Api/Characters/CharacterArcStage.cs

@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ public class CharacterArcStageEntityTypeConfiguration : IEntityTypeConfiguration
     {
         entity.Property(s => s.Title).IsRequired().HasMaxLength(200);
         entity.HasIndex(s => new { s.CharacterId, s.SortOrder });
+        entity.HasQueryFilter(s => s.Character!.DeletedAt == null);
 
         entity.HasOne(s => s.Chapter).WithMany()
             .HasForeignKey(s => s.ChapterId).OnDelete(DeleteBehavior.SetNull);

src/Novelly.Api/Characters/CharacterContracts.cs

@@ -294,37 +294,45 @@ public static class CharacterMapping
         c.Appearance, c.Personality, c.Backstory, c.Motivation, c.Conflict, c.Voice, c.Notes,
         [.. c.Aliases],
         c.SameCharacterAsId,
-        c.SameCharacterAs?.Name,
+        c.SameCharacterAs is { DeletedAt: null } canonical ? canonical.Name : null,
         c.RevealedInChapterId,
-        c.RevealedInChapter?.Number,
-        c.RevealedInChapter is { } revealedInChapter ? ChapterLabel(revealedInChapter, displayNumbers) : null,
+        c.RevealedInChapter is { DeletedAt: null } revealedInChapter ? revealedInChapter.Number : null,
+        c.RevealedInChapter is { DeletedAt: null } revealedInChapter2 ? ChapterLabel(revealedInChapter2, displayNumbers) : null,
         c.IdentityNote,
-        [.. c.OtherIdentities.OrderBy(o => o.Name).Select(o => new CharacterIdentityResponse(o.Id, o.Name))],
-        [.. c.Relationships.Select(r => new RelationshipResponse(
+        [.. c.OtherIdentities.Where(o => o.DeletedAt is null).OrderBy(o => o.Name).Select(o => new CharacterIdentityResponse(o.Id, o.Name))],
+        [.. c.Relationships
+            .Where(r => r.RelatedCharacter is { DeletedAt: null })
+            .Select(r => new RelationshipResponse(
                 r.Id,
                 r.RelatedCharacterId,
-            r.RelatedCharacter?.Name ?? "(unknown)",
+                r.RelatedCharacter!.Name,
                 r.RelationshipType,
                 r.Description))],
         [.. c.Tags.OrderBy(t => t.Name).Select(t => t.ToResponse())],
         [.. c.ArcStages.OrderBy(s => s.SortOrder).Select(s => s.ToResponse(displayNumbers))],
         c.UpdatedAt);
 
-    public static ArcStageResponse ToResponse(this CharacterArcStage s, IReadOnlyDictionary<Guid, int>? displayNumbers = null) => new(
+    public static ArcStageResponse ToResponse(this CharacterArcStage s, IReadOnlyDictionary<Guid, int>? displayNumbers = null)
+    {
+        var chapter = s.Chapter is { DeletedAt: null } ? s.Chapter : null;
+
+        return new(
             s.Id,
             s.CharacterId,
             s.SortOrder,
             s.Title,
             s.Result,
             s.ChapterId,
-        s.Chapter?.Number,
-        s.Chapter?.Title,
-        s.Chapter is { } chapter ? ChapterLabel(chapter, displayNumbers) : null,
+            chapter?.Number,
+            chapter?.Title,
+            chapter is not null ? ChapterLabel(chapter, displayNumbers) : null,
             [.. s.Beats
-            .OrderBy(b => b.Chapter?.Number ?? 0)
+                .Where(b => b.Chapter is { DeletedAt: null })
+                .OrderBy(b => b.Chapter!.Number)
                 .ThenBy(b => b.SortOrder)
-            .Select(b => b.ToCharacterBeatResponse(s.CharacterId, b.Chapter is { } beatChapter ? ChapterLabel(beatChapter, displayNumbers) : null))],
+                .Select(b => b.ToCharacterBeatResponse(s.CharacterId, ChapterLabel(b.Chapter!, displayNumbers)))],
             s.UpdatedAt);
+    }
 
     private static string ChapterLabel(Chapter chapter, IReadOnlyDictionary<Guid, int>? displayNumbers) =>
         ChapterNumbering.Label(chapter.Kind, displayNumbers is not null && displayNumbers.TryGetValue(chapter.Id, out var n) ? n : null, chapter.Title);

src/Novelly.Api/Characters/CharacterEndpoints.cs

@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ public static class CharacterEndpoints
 
         characters.MapDelete("/{id:guid}", async (Guid id, CharacterService service, CancellationToken ct) =>
                 await service.DeleteAsync(id, ct) ? Results.NoContent() : Results.NotFound())
-            .WithSummary("Delete a character.");
+            .WithSummary("Move a character to the trash.");
 
         characters.MapPost("/{id:guid}/relationships", async (
                 Guid id, CreateRelationshipRequest request, CharacterService service, ChapterDisplayNumberLookup chapterLabels, CancellationToken ct) =>

src/Novelly.Api/Characters/CharacterService.cs

@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ public class CharacterService(
     {
         Guard.Default(id, nameof(id));
 
-        logger.LogInformation("Deleting character {CharacterId}", id);
+        logger.LogInformation("Moving character {CharacterId} to trash", id);
 
         var character = await FindAsync(id, ct);
         if (character is null)
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ public class CharacterService(
 
         await access.RequireAsync(character.NovelId, NovelPermission.DeleteContent, ct);
 
-        db.Characters.Remove(character);
+        character.DeletedAt = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow;
         activity.Record(character.NovelId, ActivityEntityKind.Character, ActivityAction.Deleted, character.Id);
         await db.SaveChangesAsync(ct);
         return true;
@@ -351,7 +351,7 @@ public class CharacterService(
             .Include(c => c.ArcStages)
             .ThenInclude(s => s.Chapter)
             .Include(c => c.ArcStages)
-            .ThenInclude(s => s.Beats)
+            .ThenInclude(s => s.Beats.Where(b => b.Chapter!.DeletedAt == null))
             .ThenInclude(b => b.Chapter)
             .Include(c => c.SameCharacterAs)
             .Include(c => c.OtherIdentities)

src/Novelly.Api/Common/NovellyServiceRegistration.cs

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ using Novelly.Api.Locations;
 using Novelly.Api.Novels;
 using Novelly.Api.Questions;
 using Novelly.Api.Tags;
+using Novelly.Api.Trash;
 using Novelly.Api.Users;
 
 namespace Novelly.Api.Common;
@@ -103,6 +104,11 @@ public static class NovellyServiceRegistration
         services.AddScoped<ImportAgentService>();
         services.AddHostedService<ImportJobRunner>();
 
+        services.Configure<TrashOptions>(configuration.GetSection(TrashOptions.SectionName));
+        services.AddScoped<TrashService>();
+        services.AddSingleton(TimeProvider.System);
+        services.AddHostedService<TrashPurgeRunner>();
+
         services.AddModelValidatorsFromAssemblyContaining<Program>();
 
         return services;

src/Novelly.Api/Common/SoftDelete.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+namespace Novelly.Api.Common;
+
+public interface ISoftDeletable
+{
+    DateTimeOffset? DeletedAt { get; set; }
+}

src/Novelly.Api/Data/Migrations/20260820214543_AddSoftDelete.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.Migrations;
+
+#nullable disable
+
+namespace Novelly.Api.Data.Migrations
+{
+    /// <inheritdoc />
+    public partial class AddSoftDelete : Migration
+    {
+        /// <inheritdoc />
+        protected override void Up(MigrationBuilder migrationBuilder)
+        {
+            migrationBuilder.DropIndex(
+                name: "IX_Locations_NovelId_Name",
+                table: "Locations");
+
+            migrationBuilder.AddColumn<long>(
+                name: "DeletedAt",
+                table: "Locations",
+                type: "INTEGER",
+                nullable: true);
+
+            migrationBuilder.AddColumn<long>(
+                name: "DeletedAt",
+                table: "Characters",
+                type: "INTEGER",
+                nullable: true);
+
+            migrationBuilder.AddColumn<long>(
+                name: "DeletedAt",
+                table: "Chapters",
+                type: "INTEGER",
+                nullable: true);
+
+            migrationBuilder.CreateIndex(
+                name: "IX_Locations_NovelId_Name",
+                table: "Locations",
+                columns: new[] { "NovelId", "Name" },
+                unique: true,
+                filter: "\"DeletedAt\" IS NULL");
+        }
+
+        /// <inheritdoc />
+        protected override void Down(MigrationBuilder migrationBuilder)
+        {
+            migrationBuilder.DropIndex(
+                name: "IX_Locations_NovelId_Name",
+                table: "Locations");
+
+            migrationBuilder.DropColumn(
+                name: "DeletedAt",
+                table: "Locations");
+
+            migrationBuilder.DropColumn(
+                name: "DeletedAt",
+                table: "Characters");
+
+            migrationBuilder.DropColumn(
+                name: "DeletedAt",
+                table: "Chapters");
+
+            migrationBuilder.CreateIndex(
+                name: "IX_Locations_NovelId_Name",
+                table: "Locations",
+                columns: new[] { "NovelId", "Name" },
+                unique: true);
+        }
+    }
+}

src/Novelly.Api/Data/Migrations/NovelDbContextModelSnapshot.cs

@@ -319,6 +319,9 @@ namespace Novelly.Api.Data.Migrations
                     b.Property<long>("CreatedAt")
                         .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
 
+                    b.Property<long?>("DeletedAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
                     b.Property<string>("Kind")
                         .IsRequired()
                         .HasMaxLength(32)
@@ -390,6 +393,9 @@ namespace Novelly.Api.Data.Migrations
                     b.Property<long>("CreatedAt")
                         .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
 
+                    b.Property<long?>("DeletedAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
                     b.Property<string>("IdentityNote")
                         .HasColumnType("TEXT");
 
@@ -680,6 +686,9 @@ namespace Novelly.Api.Data.Migrations
                     b.Property<long>("CreatedAt")
                         .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
 
+                    b.Property<long?>("DeletedAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
                     b.Property<string>("Name")
                         .IsRequired()
                         .HasMaxLength(120)
@@ -691,7 +700,8 @@ namespace Novelly.Api.Data.Migrations
                     b.HasKey("Id");
 
                     b.HasIndex("NovelId", "Name")
-                        .IsUnique();
+                        .IsUnique()
+                        .HasFilter("\"DeletedAt\" IS NULL");
 
                     b.ToTable("Locations");
                 });

src/Novelly.Api/Locations/Location.cs

@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
 using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore;
 using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.Metadata.Builders;
 using Novelly.Api.Chapters;
+using Novelly.Api.Common;
 using Novelly.Api.Novels;
 
 namespace Novelly.Api.Locations;
 
-public class Location
+public class Location : ISoftDeletable
 {
     public Guid Id { get; set; } = Guid.NewGuid();
 
@@ -17,6 +18,7 @@ public class Location
     public List<Chapter> Chapters { get; set; } = [];
 
     public DateTimeOffset CreatedAt { get; set; } = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow;
+    public DateTimeOffset? DeletedAt { get; set; }
 }
 
 public class LocationEntityTypeConfiguration : IEntityTypeConfiguration<Location>
@@ -25,7 +27,8 @@ public class LocationEntityTypeConfiguration : IEntityTypeConfiguration<Location
     {
         entity.Property(l => l.Name).IsRequired().HasMaxLength(120);
 
-        entity.HasIndex(l => new { l.NovelId, l.Name }).IsUnique();
+        entity.HasIndex(l => new { l.NovelId, l.Name }).IsUnique().HasFilter("\"DeletedAt\" IS NULL");
+        entity.HasQueryFilter(l => l.DeletedAt == null);
 
         entity.HasMany(l => l.Chapters).WithMany(c => c.Locations)
             .UsingEntity(join => join.ToTable("ChapterLocations"));

src/Novelly.Api/Locations/LocationEndpoints.cs

@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ public static class LocationEndpoints
 
         locations.MapDelete("/{id:guid}", async (Guid id, LocationService service, CancellationToken ct) =>
                 await service.DeleteAsync(id, ct) ? Results.NoContent() : Results.NotFound())
-            .WithSummary("Delete a location. Whatever carried it is left alone.");
+            .WithSummary("Move a location to the trash. Whatever carried it is left alone.");
 
         return app;
     }

src/Novelly.Api/Locations/LocationService.cs

@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ public class LocationService(
     {
         Guard.Default(locationId, nameof(locationId));
 
-        logger.LogInformation("Deleting location {LocationId}", locationId);
+        logger.LogInformation("Moving location {LocationId} to trash", locationId);
 
         var location = await db.Locations.FirstOrDefaultAsync(l => l.Id == locationId, ct);
         if (location is null)
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ public class LocationService(
 
         await access.RequireAsync(location.NovelId, NovelPermission.DeleteContent, ct);
 
-        db.Locations.Remove(location);
+        location.DeletedAt = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow;
         activity.Record(location.NovelId, ActivityEntityKind.Location, ActivityAction.Deleted, location.Id);
         await db.SaveChangesAsync(ct);
         return true;

src/Novelly.Api/Program.cs

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ using Novelly.Api.Locations;
 using Novelly.Api.Novels;
 using Novelly.Api.Questions;
 using Novelly.Api.Tags;
+using Novelly.Api.Trash;
 using Novelly.Api.Users;
 using Serilog;
 
@@ -128,7 +129,8 @@ app.MapNovelEndpoints()
    .MapOpenQuestionEndpoints()
    .MapAgentEndpoints()
    .MapImportEndpoints()
-   .MapActivityEndpoints();
+   .MapActivityEndpoints()
+   .MapTrashEndpoints();
 
 app.Run();
 

src/Novelly.Api/Questions/OpenQuestionContracts.cs

@@ -76,22 +76,28 @@ public class ResolveOpenQuestionRequestValidator : IModelValidator<ResolveOpenQu
 
 public static class OpenQuestionMapping
 {
-    public static OpenQuestionResponse ToResponse(this OpenQuestion q, IReadOnlyDictionary<Guid, int>? displayNumbers = null) => new(
+    public static OpenQuestionResponse ToResponse(this OpenQuestion q, IReadOnlyDictionary<Guid, int>? displayNumbers = null)
+    {
+        var chapter = q.Chapter is { DeletedAt: null } ? q.Chapter : null;
+        var character = q.Character is { DeletedAt: null } ? q.Character : null;
+
+        return new(
             q.Id,
             q.NovelId,
             q.Question,
             q.Detail,
             q.ChapterId,
-        q.Chapter?.Number,
-        q.Chapter?.Title,
-        q.Chapter is { } chapter
+            chapter?.Number,
+            chapter?.Title,
+            chapter is not null
                 ? ChapterNumbering.Label(chapter.Kind, displayNumbers is not null && displayNumbers.TryGetValue(chapter.Id, out var n) ? n : null, chapter.Title)
                 : null,
             q.CharacterId,
-        q.Character?.Name,
+            character?.Name,
             q.Resolution,
             q.IsResolved,
             q.ResolvedAt,
             q.CreatedAt,
             q.UpdatedAt);
     }
+}

src/Novelly.Api/Trash/TrashContracts.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+namespace Novelly.Api.Trash;
+
+public record TrashedItemResponse(
+    Guid Id,
+    TrashEntityKind Kind,
+    string Label,
+    string? Detail,
+    DateTimeOffset DeletedAt,
+    DateTimeOffset PurgeAfter);

src/Novelly.Api/Trash/TrashEndpoints.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+using Novelly.Api.Common;
+using Novelly.Api.Common.Validation;
+
+namespace Novelly.Api.Trash;
+
+public static class TrashEndpoints
+{
+    public static IEndpointRouteBuilder MapTrashEndpoints(this IEndpointRouteBuilder app)
+    {
+        var novelScoped = app.MapGroup("/api/novels/{novelId:guid}/trash").WithTags("Trash")
+            .AddEndpointFilter<RequestLoggingEndpointFilter>()
+            .AddEndpointFilter<ValidationEndpointFilter>();
+
+        novelScoped.MapGet("/", async (Guid novelId, TrashService service, CancellationToken ct) =>
+                Results.Ok(await service.ListAsync(novelId, ct)))
+            .WithSummary("List everything in a novel's trash.");
+
+        novelScoped.MapDelete("/", async (Guid novelId, TrashService service, CancellationToken ct) =>
+                Results.Ok(new { purged = await service.EmptyAsync(novelId, ct) }))
+            .WithSummary("Empty a novel's trash, permanently deleting everything in it.");
+
+        var trash = app.MapGroup("/api/trash").WithTags("Trash")
+            .AddEndpointFilter<RequestLoggingEndpointFilter>()
+            .AddEndpointFilter<ValidationEndpointFilter>();
+
+        trash.MapPost("/{kind}/{id:guid}/restore", async (
+                TrashEntityKind kind, Guid id, TrashService service, CancellationToken ct) =>
+                await service.RestoreAsync(kind, id, ct) ? Results.NoContent() : Results.NotFound())
+            .WithSummary("Restore a trashed item.");
+
+        trash.MapDelete("/{kind}/{id:guid}", async (
+                TrashEntityKind kind, Guid id, TrashService service, CancellationToken ct) =>
+                await service.PurgeAsync(kind, id, ct) ? Results.NoContent() : Results.NotFound())
+            .WithSummary("Permanently delete a trashed item.");
+
+        return app;
+    }
+}

src/Novelly.Api/Trash/TrashEntityKind.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+namespace Novelly.Api.Trash;
+
+public enum TrashEntityKind
+{
+    Character,
+    Chapter,
+    Location
+}

src/Novelly.Api/Trash/TrashOptions.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+namespace Novelly.Api.Trash;
+
+public class TrashOptions
+{
+    public const string SectionName = "Trash";
+
+    public bool Enabled { get; set; } = true;
+    public int RetentionDays { get; set; } = 30;
+    public TimeOnly PurgeAtLocalTime { get; set; } = new(2, 0);
+}

src/Novelly.Api/Trash/TrashPurge.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore;
+using Novelly.Api.Data;
+
+namespace Novelly.Api.Trash;
+
+internal static class TrashPurge
+{
+    public static async Task<bool> RemoveAsync(INovelDbContext db, TrashEntityKind kind, Guid id, CancellationToken ct) => kind switch
+    {
+        TrashEntityKind.Character => await RemoveCharacterAsync(db, id, ct),
+        TrashEntityKind.Chapter => await RemoveChapterAsync(db, id, ct),
+        TrashEntityKind.Location => await RemoveLocationAsync(db, id, ct),
+        _ => throw new ArgumentOutOfRangeException(nameof(kind), kind, null)
+    };
+
+    private static async Task<bool> RemoveCharacterAsync(INovelDbContext db, Guid id, CancellationToken ct)
+    {
+        var character = await db.Characters.IgnoreQueryFilters().FirstOrDefaultAsync(c => c.Id == id, ct);
+        if (character is null)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        var inboundRelationships = await db.CharacterRelationships
+            .IgnoreQueryFilters()
+            .Where(r => r.RelatedCharacterId == id)
+            .ToListAsync(ct);
+
+        db.CharacterRelationships.RemoveRange(inboundRelationships);
+        db.Characters.Remove(character);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    private static async Task<bool> RemoveChapterAsync(INovelDbContext db, Guid id, CancellationToken ct)
+    {
+        var chapter = await db.Chapters.IgnoreQueryFilters().FirstOrDefaultAsync(c => c.Id == id, ct);
+        if (chapter is null)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        db.Chapters.Remove(chapter);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    private static async Task<bool> RemoveLocationAsync(INovelDbContext db, Guid id, CancellationToken ct)
+    {
+        var location = await db.Locations.IgnoreQueryFilters().FirstOrDefaultAsync(l => l.Id == id, ct);
+        if (location is null)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        db.Locations.Remove(location);
+        return true;
+    }
+}

src/Novelly.Api/Trash/TrashPurgeRunner.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore;
+using Microsoft.Extensions.Options;
+using Novelly.Api.Data;
+
+namespace Novelly.Api.Trash;
+
+public class TrashPurgeRunner(
+    IServiceScopeFactory scopeFactory,
+    IOptions<TrashOptions> options,
+    TimeProvider clock,
+    ILogger<TrashPurgeRunner> logger) : BackgroundService
+{
+    protected override async Task ExecuteAsync(CancellationToken stoppingToken)
+    {
+        if (!options.Value.Enabled)
+        {
+            logger.LogInformation("Trash purge is disabled");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        await RunPurgePassAsync(stoppingToken);
+
+        while (!stoppingToken.IsCancellationRequested)
+        {
+            var now = clock.GetLocalNow();
+            var delay = TrashPurgeSchedule.NextRunAfter(now, options.Value.PurgeAtLocalTime) - now;
+
+            try
+            {
+                await Task.Delay(delay, clock, stoppingToken);
+            }
+            catch (OperationCanceledException)
+            {
+                break;
+            }
+
+            await RunPurgePassAsync(stoppingToken);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private async Task RunPurgePassAsync(CancellationToken ct)
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            using var scope = scopeFactory.CreateScope();
+            var db = scope.ServiceProvider.GetRequiredService<INovelDbContext>();
+
+            var cutoff = clock.GetUtcNow().AddDays(-options.Value.RetentionDays);
+            var (characterCount, chapterCount, locationCount) = await SweepAsync(db, cutoff, ct);
+
+            logger.LogInformation(
+                "Trash purge removed {CharacterCount} characters, {ChapterCount} chapters, {LocationCount} locations",
+                characterCount, chapterCount, locationCount);
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex) when (ex is not OperationCanceledException)
+        {
+            logger.LogError(ex, "Trash purge pass failed");
+        }
+    }
+
+    public static async Task<(int Characters, int Chapters, int Locations)> SweepAsync(
+        INovelDbContext db, DateTimeOffset cutoff, CancellationToken ct)
+    {
+        var characterIds = await db.Characters.IgnoreQueryFilters()
+            .Where(c => c.DeletedAt != null && c.DeletedAt < cutoff).Select(c => c.Id).ToListAsync(ct);
+        var chapterIds = await db.Chapters.IgnoreQueryFilters()
+            .Where(c => c.DeletedAt != null && c.DeletedAt < cutoff).Select(c => c.Id).ToListAsync(ct);
+        var locationIds = await db.Locations.IgnoreQueryFilters()
+            .Where(l => l.DeletedAt != null && l.DeletedAt < cutoff).Select(l => l.Id).ToListAsync(ct);
+
+        foreach (var id in characterIds)
+            await TrashPurge.RemoveAsync(db, TrashEntityKind.Character, id, ct);
+
+        foreach (var id in chapterIds)
+            await TrashPurge.RemoveAsync(db, TrashEntityKind.Chapter, id, ct);
+
+        foreach (var id in locationIds)
+            await TrashPurge.RemoveAsync(db, TrashEntityKind.Location, id, ct);
+
+        await db.SaveChangesAsync(ct);
+
+        return (characterIds.Count, chapterIds.Count, locationIds.Count);
+    }
+}

src/Novelly.Api/Trash/TrashPurgeSchedule.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+namespace Novelly.Api.Trash;
+
+public static class TrashPurgeSchedule
+{
+    public static DateTimeOffset NextRunAfter(DateTimeOffset now, TimeOnly runAt)
+    {
+        var candidate = new DateTimeOffset(now.Year, now.Month, now.Day, runAt.Hour, runAt.Minute, runAt.Second, now.Offset);
+
+        return candidate > now ? candidate : candidate.AddDays(1);
+    }
+}

src/Novelly.Api/Trash/TrashService.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,186 @@
+using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore;
+using Microsoft.Extensions.Options;
+using Novelly.Api.Activity;
+using Novelly.Api.Common;
+using Novelly.Api.Data;
+using Novelly.Api.Users;
+
+namespace Novelly.Api.Trash;
+
+public class TrashService(
+    INovelDbContext db,
+    NovelAccessService access,
+    ActivityLog activity,
+    IOptions<TrashOptions> options,
+    ILogger<TrashService> logger)
+{
+    public async Task<IReadOnlyList<TrashedItemResponse>> ListAsync(Guid novelId, CancellationToken ct = default)
+    {
+        Guard.Default(novelId, nameof(novelId));
+
+        logger.LogInformation("Listing trash for novel {NovelId}", novelId);
+
+        await access.RequireAsync(novelId, NovelPermission.Read, ct);
+
+        var retentionDays = options.Value.RetentionDays;
+
+        var characters = await db.Characters
+            .IgnoreQueryFilters()
+            .Where(c => c.NovelId == novelId && c.DeletedAt != null)
+            .Select(c => new TrashedItemResponse(
+                c.Id, TrashEntityKind.Character, c.Name,
+                c.ArcStages.Count > 0 ? $"{c.ArcStages.Count} arc stages" : null,
+                c.DeletedAt!.Value, c.DeletedAt!.Value.AddDays(retentionDays)))
+            .ToListAsync(ct);
+
+        var chapters = await db.Chapters
+            .IgnoreQueryFilters()
+            .Where(c => c.NovelId == novelId && c.DeletedAt != null)
+            .Select(c => new TrashedItemResponse(
+                c.Id, TrashEntityKind.Chapter, c.Title,
+                c.Beats.Count > 0 ? $"{c.Beats.Count} beats" : null,
+                c.DeletedAt!.Value, c.DeletedAt!.Value.AddDays(retentionDays)))
+            .ToListAsync(ct);
+
+        var locations = await db.Locations
+            .IgnoreQueryFilters()
+            .Where(l => l.NovelId == novelId && l.DeletedAt != null)
+            .Select(l => new TrashedItemResponse(
+                l.Id, TrashEntityKind.Location, l.Name,
+                l.Chapters.Count > 0 ? $"used by {l.Chapters.Count} chapters" : null,
+                l.DeletedAt!.Value, l.DeletedAt!.Value.AddDays(retentionDays)))
+            .ToListAsync(ct);
+
+        return [.. characters.Concat(chapters).Concat(locations).OrderByDescending(i => i.DeletedAt)];
+    }
+
+    public async Task<bool> RestoreAsync(TrashEntityKind kind, Guid id, CancellationToken ct = default)
+    {
+        Guard.Default(id, nameof(id));
+
+        logger.LogInformation("Restoring {Kind} {ItemId} from trash", kind, id);
+
+        return kind switch
+        {
+            TrashEntityKind.Character => await RestoreCharacterAsync(id, ct),
+            TrashEntityKind.Chapter => await RestoreChapterAsync(id, ct),
+            TrashEntityKind.Location => await RestoreLocationAsync(id, ct),
+            _ => throw new ArgumentOutOfRangeException(nameof(kind), kind, null)
+        };
+    }
+
+    public async Task<bool> PurgeAsync(TrashEntityKind kind, Guid id, CancellationToken ct = default)
+    {
+        Guard.Default(id, nameof(id));
+
+        logger.LogInformation("Purging {Kind} {ItemId} from trash", kind, id);
+
+        var novelId = await NovelIdOfTrashedAsync(kind, id, ct);
+        if (novelId is null)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        await access.RequireAsync(novelId.Value, NovelPermission.DeleteContent, ct);
+
+        var removed = await TrashPurge.RemoveAsync(db, kind, id, ct);
+        if (!removed)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        await db.SaveChangesAsync(ct);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    public async Task<int> EmptyAsync(Guid novelId, CancellationToken ct = default)
+    {
+        Guard.Default(novelId, nameof(novelId));
+
+        logger.LogInformation("Emptying trash for novel {NovelId}", novelId);
+
+        await access.RequireAsync(novelId, NovelPermission.DeleteContent, ct);
+
+        var items = await ListAsync(novelId, ct);
+
+        var purged = 0;
+        foreach (var item in items)
+        {
+            if (await TrashPurge.RemoveAsync(db, item.Kind, item.Id, ct))
+            {
+                purged++;
+            }
+        }
+
+        await db.SaveChangesAsync(ct);
+        logger.LogInformation("Emptied {Count} items from trash for novel {NovelId}", purged, novelId);
+        return purged;
+    }
+
+    private async Task<bool> RestoreCharacterAsync(Guid id, CancellationToken ct)
+    {
+        var character = await db.Characters.IgnoreQueryFilters().FirstOrDefaultAsync(c => c.Id == id && c.DeletedAt != null, ct);
+        if (character is null)
+        {
+            logger.LogWarning("Trashed character {CharacterId} not found", id);
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        await access.RequireAsync(character.NovelId, NovelPermission.DeleteContent, ct);
+
+        character.DeletedAt = null;
+        activity.Record(character.NovelId, ActivityEntityKind.Character, ActivityAction.Restored, character.Id);
+        await db.SaveChangesAsync(ct);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    private async Task<bool> RestoreChapterAsync(Guid id, CancellationToken ct)
+    {
+        var chapter = await db.Chapters.IgnoreQueryFilters().FirstOrDefaultAsync(c => c.Id == id && c.DeletedAt != null, ct);
+        if (chapter is null)
+        {
+            logger.LogWarning("Trashed chapter {ChapterId} not found", id);
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        await access.RequireAsync(chapter.NovelId, NovelPermission.DeleteContent, ct);
+
+        chapter.DeletedAt = null;
+        activity.Record(chapter.NovelId, ActivityEntityKind.Chapter, ActivityAction.Restored, chapter.Id, chapter.WordCount);
+        await db.SaveChangesAsync(ct);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    private async Task<bool> RestoreLocationAsync(Guid id, CancellationToken ct)
+    {
+        var location = await db.Locations.IgnoreQueryFilters().FirstOrDefaultAsync(l => l.Id == id && l.DeletedAt != null, ct);
+        if (location is null)
+        {
+            logger.LogWarning("Trashed location {LocationId} not found", id);
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        await access.RequireAsync(location.NovelId, NovelPermission.DeleteContent, ct);
+
+        var clash = await db.Locations.FirstOrDefaultAsync(
+            l => l.NovelId == location.NovelId && EF.Functions.Like(l.Name, location.Name), ct);
+        if (clash is not null)
+        {
+            logger.LogWarning("Rejected restore of location {LocationId}: '{Name}' already exists as {ClashLocationId}", id, location.Name, clash.Id);
+            throw new InvalidOperationException($"The novel already has a location called '{clash.Name}'.");
+        }
+
+        location.DeletedAt = null;
+        activity.Record(location.NovelId, ActivityEntityKind.Location, ActivityAction.Restored, location.Id);
+        await db.SaveChangesAsync(ct);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    private async Task<Guid?> NovelIdOfTrashedAsync(TrashEntityKind kind, Guid id, CancellationToken ct) => kind switch
+    {
+        TrashEntityKind.Character => (await db.Characters.IgnoreQueryFilters().Where(c => c.Id == id && c.DeletedAt != null).Select(c => (Guid?)c.NovelId).FirstOrDefaultAsync(ct)),
+        TrashEntityKind.Chapter => (await db.Chapters.IgnoreQueryFilters().Where(c => c.Id == id && c.DeletedAt != null).Select(c => (Guid?)c.NovelId).FirstOrDefaultAsync(ct)),
+        TrashEntityKind.Location => (await db.Locations.IgnoreQueryFilters().Where(l => l.Id == id && l.DeletedAt != null).Select(l => (Guid?)l.NovelId).FirstOrDefaultAsync(ct)),
+        _ => throw new ArgumentOutOfRangeException(nameof(kind), kind, null)
+    };
+}

src/Novelly.Api/appsettings.json

@@ -38,5 +38,10 @@
   },
   "Imports": {
     "RootPath": null
+  },
+  "Trash": {
+    "Enabled": true,
+    "RetentionDays": 30,
+    "PurgeAtLocalTime": "02:00"
   }
 }

src/Novelly.Mcp/Tools/LocationTools.cs

@@ -44,7 +44,8 @@ public static class LocationTools
         api.PatchAsync($"/api/locations/{locationId}", new { name }, ct);
 
     [McpServerTool(Name = "delete_location")]
-    [Description("Delete a location. Whatever carried it is left alone — only the label goes.")]
+    [Description("Move a location to the trash. Whatever carried it is left alone — only the label goes. "
+                 + "It can be restored from the Trash page within the retention window.")]
     public static Task<CallToolResult> DeleteLocation(
         NovelApiClient api,
         [Description("The location's id.")] Guid locationId,

src/Novelly.ServiceDefaults/Extensions.cs

@@ -21,17 +21,12 @@ public static class Extensions
     public static TBuilder AddServiceDefaults<TBuilder>(this TBuilder builder) where TBuilder : IHostApplicationBuilder
     {
         builder.ConfigureOpenTelemetry();
-
         builder.AddDefaultHealthChecks();
-
         builder.Services.AddServiceDiscovery();
 
         builder.Services.ConfigureHttpClientDefaults(http =>
         {
-            // Turn on resilience by default
             http.AddStandardResilienceHandler();
-
-            // Turn on service discovery by default
             http.AddServiceDiscovery();
         });
 

src/Novelly.Web/src/App.tsx

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import TagsPage from './pages/TagsPage'
 import LocationsPage from './pages/LocationsPage'
 import ChaptersPage from './pages/ChaptersPage'
 import ChapterPage from './pages/ChapterPage'
+import TrashPage from './pages/TrashPage'
 import SettingsPage from './pages/SettingsPage'
 import LoginPage from './pages/LoginPage'
 import { AuthProvider, useAuth } from './auth/AuthContext'
@@ -43,6 +44,7 @@ export default function App() {
                 <Route path="chapters/:chapterId" element={<ChapterPage />} />
                 <Route path="tags" element={<TagsPage />} />
                 <Route path="locations" element={<LocationsPage />} />
+                <Route path="trash" element={<TrashPage />} />
                 <Route path="settings" element={<SettingsPage />} />
               </Route>
               <Route path="*" element={<NovelsPage />} />

src/Novelly.Web/src/api/hooks.ts

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import type {
   ImportJobStatus,
   ImportUpload,
   OpenQuestion,
+  Location,
   LocationReferences,
   LocationSummary,
   Novel,
@@ -26,6 +27,8 @@ import type {
   NovelSummary,
   TagReferences,
   TagSummary,
+  TrashedItem,
+  TrashEntityKind,
   UiSettings,
   User,
 } from './types'
@@ -52,6 +55,7 @@ export const keys = {
   importBrowse: (path: string) => ['imports', 'browse', path] as const,
   novelActivity: (novelId: string) => ['novels', novelId, 'activity'] as const,
   myActivity: ['activity'] as const,
+  trash: (novelId: string) => ['novels', novelId, 'trash'] as const,
 }
 
 export const useUiSettings = () =>
@@ -202,6 +206,7 @@ export function useDeleteCharacter(novelId: string) {
       qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: keys.characters(novelId) })
       qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: keys.novelActivity(novelId) })
       qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: keys.myActivity })
+      qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: keys.trash(novelId) })
     },
   })
 }
@@ -433,6 +438,14 @@ export const useLocationReferences = (locationId: string | undefined) =>
     enabled: Boolean(locationId),
   })
 
+export function useCreateLocation(novelId: string) {
+  const qc = useQueryClient()
+  return useMutation({
+    mutationFn: (name: string) => api.post<Location>(`/api/novels/${novelId}/locations`, { name }),
+    onSuccess: () => qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: keys.locations(novelId) }),
+  })
+}
+
 export function useUpdateLocation(novelId: string) {
   const qc = useQueryClient()
   return useMutation({
@@ -579,6 +592,7 @@ export function useDeleteChapter(novelId: string) {
       qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: keys.chapters(novelId) })
       qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: keys.novelActivity(novelId) })
       qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: keys.myActivity })
+      qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: keys.trash(novelId) })
     },
   })
 }
@@ -625,6 +639,46 @@ export const useMyActivity = () =>
     queryFn: () => api.get<ActivityCalendar>('/api/activity'),
   })
 
+export const useTrash = (novelId: string) =>
+  useQuery({
+    queryKey: keys.trash(novelId),
+    queryFn: () => api.get<TrashedItem[]>(`/api/novels/${novelId}/trash`),
+  })
+
+function invalidateAfterTrashChange(qc: ReturnType<typeof useQueryClient>, novelId: string) {
+  qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: keys.trash(novelId) })
+  qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: keys.characters(novelId) })
+  qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: keys.chapters(novelId) })
+  qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: keys.locations(novelId) })
+  qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: keys.novelActivity(novelId) })
+  qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: keys.myActivity })
+}
+
+export function useRestoreTrashed(novelId: string) {
+  const qc = useQueryClient()
+  return useMutation({
+    mutationFn: ({ kind, id }: { kind: TrashEntityKind; id: string }) =>
+      api.post(`/api/trash/${kind}/${id}/restore`, {}),
+    onSuccess: () => invalidateAfterTrashChange(qc, novelId),
+  })
+}
+
+export function usePurgeTrashed(novelId: string) {
+  const qc = useQueryClient()
+  return useMutation({
+    mutationFn: ({ kind, id }: { kind: TrashEntityKind; id: string }) => api.delete(`/api/trash/${kind}/${id}`),
+    onSuccess: () => invalidateAfterTrashChange(qc, novelId),
+  })
+}
+
+export function useEmptyTrash(novelId: string) {
+  const qc = useQueryClient()
+  return useMutation({
+    mutationFn: () => api.delete(`/api/novels/${novelId}/trash`),
+    onSuccess: () => invalidateAfterTrashChange(qc, novelId),
+  })
+}
+
 export function useInspectImport() {
   return useMutation({
     mutationFn: (sourceRoot: string) => api.post<ImportInspection>('/api/imports/inspect', { sourceRoot }),

src/Novelly.Web/src/api/types.ts

@@ -350,6 +350,19 @@ export interface ImportUpload {
   markdownFileCount: number
 }
 
+export type TrashEntityKind = 'Character' | 'Chapter' | 'Location'
+
+export const trashEntityKinds: TrashEntityKind[] = ['Character', 'Chapter', 'Location']
+
+export interface TrashedItem {
+  id: string
+  kind: TrashEntityKind
+  label: string
+  detail: string | null
+  deletedAt: string
+  purgeAfter: string
+}
+
 export interface ActivityDay {
   date: string
   words: number

src/Novelly.Web/src/components/CharacterArc.tsx

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { useState } from 'react'
+import { useRef, useState } from 'react'
 import { Link } from 'react-router-dom'
 import {
   useCharacterBeats,
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ import {
 import { chapterLabel } from '../api/chapterLabel'
 import type { ArcStage, Character, ChapterKind } from '../api/types'
 import { AutoField, ErrorNote } from './ui'
+import { ConfirmModal } from './ConfirmModal'
+import { useHotkey } from '../keyboard/HotkeysContext'
 
 export function CharacterArc({
   novelId,
@@ -32,6 +34,8 @@ export function CharacterArc({
   const reorder = useReorderArcStages(novelId)
 
   const [title, setTitle] = useState('')
+  const [pendingStageId, setPendingStageId] = useState<string | null>(null)
+  const titleInputRef = useRef<HTMLInputElement>(null)
 
   const stages = character.arcStages
   const unassignedBeats = (beats ?? []).filter((b) => b.arcStageId === null)
@@ -41,10 +45,15 @@ export function CharacterArc({
     if (!title.trim()) return
     create.mutate(
       { characterId: character.id, title: title.trim() },
-      { onSuccess: () => setTitle('') },
+      { onSuccess: (stage) => { setTitle(''); setPendingStageId(stage.id) } },
     )
   }
 
+  useHotkey('a', 'Add arc stage', () => titleInputRef.current?.focus(), {
+    group: 'Character',
+    enabled: canCreate,
+  })
+
   const move = (index: number, delta: number) => {
     const next = [...stages]
     const [moved] = next.splice(index, 1)
@@ -80,6 +89,8 @@ export function CharacterArc({
               onMove={(delta) => move(index, delta)}
               canWrite={canWrite}
               canDelete={canDelete}
+              autoFocusTitle={pendingStageId === stage.id}
+              onTitleAutoFocused={() => setPendingStageId(null)}
             />
           ))}
         </ol>
@@ -95,10 +106,14 @@ export function CharacterArc({
       {canCreate && (
         <form onSubmit={submit} className="mt-3 flex gap-2">
           <input
+            ref={titleInputRef}
             className="input flex-1"
             placeholder="Add a section — a short title, e.g. “spoiled noble”"
             value={title}
             onChange={(e) => setTitle(e.target.value)}
+            onKeyDown={(e) => {
+              if (e.key === 'Escape') setTitle('')
+            }}
           />
           <button className="btn btn-primary shrink-0" disabled={!title.trim() || create.isPending}>
             Add
@@ -125,6 +140,8 @@ function ArcStageRow({
   onMove,
   canWrite,
   canDelete,
+  autoFocusTitle,
+  onTitleAutoFocused,
 }: {
   novelId: string
   stage: ArcStage
@@ -135,10 +152,13 @@ function ArcStageRow({
   onMove: (delta: number) => void
   canWrite: boolean
   canDelete: boolean
+  autoFocusTitle: boolean
+  onTitleAutoFocused: () => void
 }) {
   const update = useUpdateArcStage(novelId)
   const remove = useDeleteArcStage(novelId)
   const setBeats = useSetArcStageBeats(novelId, stage.characterId)
+  const [confirmingDelete, setConfirmingDelete] = useState(false)
 
   const addBeat = (beatId: string) => {
     if (!beatId) return
@@ -162,6 +182,9 @@ function ArcStageRow({
             value={stage.title}
             onCommit={(title) => title.trim() && update.mutate({ id: stage.id, title })}
             readOnly={!canWrite}
+            autoFocus={autoFocusTitle}
+            selectOnFocus
+            onAutoFocused={onTitleAutoFocused}
           />
           <AutoField
             value={stage.result}
@@ -266,9 +289,7 @@ function ArcStageRow({
               <button
                 className="btn px-2 py-0.5 text-xs"
                 style={{ color: 'var(--accent)' }}
-                onClick={() => {
-                  if (confirm(`Delete “${stage.title}” from the arc?`)) remove.mutate(stage.id)
-                }}
+                onClick={() => setConfirmingDelete(true)}
                 aria-label="Delete stage"
               >
                 ✕
@@ -277,6 +298,15 @@ function ArcStageRow({
           </div>
         )}
       </div>
+
+      {confirmingDelete && (
+        <ConfirmModal
+          title="Delete stage"
+          message={`Delete "${stage.title}" from the arc?`}
+          onConfirm={() => remove.mutate(stage.id)}
+          onClose={() => setConfirmingDelete(false)}
+        />
+      )}
     </li>
   )
 }

src/Novelly.Web/src/components/OpenQuestions.tsx

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { useState } from 'react'
+import { useState, type KeyboardEvent } from 'react'
 import {
   useDeleteQuestion,
   useOpenQuestions,
@@ -8,6 +8,10 @@ import {
 } from '../api/hooks'
 import type { OpenQuestion } from '../api/types'
 import { ErrorNote, Spinner } from './ui'
+import { ConfirmModal } from './ConfirmModal'
+import { useHotkey } from '../keyboard/HotkeysContext'
+
+const isSubmitCombo = (e: KeyboardEvent) => (e.metaKey || e.ctrlKey) && e.key === 'Enter'
 
 export function OpenQuestions({
   novelId,
@@ -34,8 +38,7 @@ export function OpenQuestions({
   const [question, setQuestion] = useState('')
   const [detail, setDetail] = useState('')
 
-  const submit = (e: React.FormEvent) => {
-    e.preventDefault()
+  const raiseQuestion = () => {
     if (!question.trim()) return
     raise.mutate(
       { question: question.trim(), detail: detail.trim() || undefined, ...scope },
@@ -49,6 +52,14 @@ export function OpenQuestions({
     )
   }
 
+  useHotkey('q', 'Raise a question', () => setAsking(true), { group: 'Questions', enabled: canCreate })
+
+  const cancelAsking = () => {
+    setAsking(false)
+    setQuestion('')
+    setDetail('')
+  }
+
   const openCount = questions?.filter((q) => !q.isResolved).length ?? 0
 
   return (
@@ -68,7 +79,7 @@ export function OpenQuestions({
             Show resolved
           </label>
           {canCreate && (
-            <button className="btn" onClick={() => setAsking((open) => !open)}>
+            <button className="btn" onClick={() => (asking ? cancelAsking() : setAsking(true))}>
               {asking ? 'Cancel' : 'Ask'}
             </button>
           )}
@@ -76,7 +87,23 @@ export function OpenQuestions({
       </div>
 
       {asking && (
-        <form onSubmit={submit} className="mb-4 grid gap-2">
+        <form
+          onSubmit={(e) => {
+            e.preventDefault()
+            raiseQuestion()
+          }}
+          className="mb-4 grid gap-2"
+          onKeyDown={(e) => {
+            if (e.key === 'Escape') {
+              cancelAsking()
+              return
+            }
+            if (isSubmitCombo(e)) {
+              e.preventDefault()
+              raiseQuestion()
+            }
+          }}
+        >
           <input
             className="input"
             autoFocus
@@ -147,9 +174,14 @@ function QuestionRow({
   const [resolving, setResolving] = useState(false)
   const [resolution, setResolution] = useState('')
   const [appendToNotes, setAppendToNotes] = useState(true)
+  const [confirmingDelete, setConfirmingDelete] = useState(false)
 
-  const submit = (e: React.FormEvent) => {
-    e.preventDefault()
+  const cancelResolving = () => {
+    setResolving(false)
+    setResolution('')
+  }
+
+  const submitResolution = () => {
     if (!resolution.trim()) return
     resolve.mutate(
       { id: question.id, resolution: resolution.trim(), appendToNotes },
@@ -204,7 +236,7 @@ function QuestionRow({
             ) : (
               <button
                 className="btn px-2 py-1 text-xs"
-                onClick={() => setResolving((open) => !open)}
+                onClick={() => (resolving ? cancelResolving() : setResolving(true))}
               >
                 {resolving ? 'Cancel' : 'Resolve'}
               </button>
@@ -214,11 +246,7 @@ function QuestionRow({
             <button
               className="btn px-2 py-1 text-xs"
               style={{ color: 'var(--accent)' }}
-              onClick={() => {
-                if (confirm('Delete this question? Resolving keeps the decision; deleting does not.')) {
-                  remove.mutate(question.id)
-                }
-              }}
+              onClick={() => setConfirmingDelete(true)}
             >
               Delete
             </button>
@@ -227,7 +255,23 @@ function QuestionRow({
       </div>
 
       {resolving && (
-        <form onSubmit={submit} className="mt-2 grid gap-2">
+        <form
+          onSubmit={(e) => {
+            e.preventDefault()
+            submitResolution()
+          }}
+          className="mt-2 grid gap-2"
+          onKeyDown={(e) => {
+            if (e.key === 'Escape') {
+              cancelResolving()
+              return
+            }
+            if (isSubmitCombo(e)) {
+              e.preventDefault()
+              submitResolution()
+            }
+          }}
+        >
           <textarea
             className="input"
             rows={2}
@@ -252,6 +296,15 @@ function QuestionRow({
           {resolve.error && <ErrorNote error={resolve.error} />}
         </form>
       )}
+
+      {confirmingDelete && (
+        <ConfirmModal
+          title="Delete question"
+          message="Delete this question? Resolving keeps the decision; deleting does not."
+          onConfirm={() => remove.mutate(question.id)}
+          onClose={() => setConfirmingDelete(false)}
+        />
+      )}
     </li>
   )
 }

src/Novelly.Web/src/components/icons.tsx

@@ -75,6 +75,17 @@ export function IconAgent(props: SVGProps<SVGSVGElement>) {
   )
 }
 
+export function IconTrash(props: SVGProps<SVGSVGElement>) {
+  return (
+    <Icon {...props}>
+      <path d="M4.5 7h15" />
+      <path d="M9.5 7V4.8a1 1 0 0 1 1-1h3a1 1 0 0 1 1 1V7" />
+      <path d="M6.5 7l1 12.2a1 1 0 0 0 1 .8h7a1 1 0 0 0 1-.8L17.5 7" />
+      <path d="M10 11v6M14 11v6" />
+    </Icon>
+  )
+}
+
 export function IconSettings(props: SVGProps<SVGSVGElement>) {
   return (
     <Icon {...props}>

src/Novelly.Web/src/components/ui.tsx

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
-import { useEffect, useId, useRef, useState, type MouseEvent, type ReactNode } from 'react'
+import { useEffect, useId, useRef, useState, type KeyboardEvent as ReactKeyboardEvent, type MouseEvent, type ReactNode } from 'react'
 import { draftStatusColor } from '../api/stage'
 import type { DraftStatus } from '../api/types'
+import { focusNextTabbable } from '../keyboard/focus'
 
 export function Spinner({ label = 'Loading' }: { label?: string }) {
   return (
@@ -59,6 +60,9 @@ export function AutoField({
   suggestions,
   onContextMenu,
   readOnly,
+  autoFocus,
+  selectOnFocus,
+  onAutoFocused,
 }: {
   label?: string
   value: string | null | undefined
@@ -70,10 +74,17 @@ export function AutoField({
   suggestions?: readonly string[]
   onContextMenu?: (e: MouseEvent<HTMLTextAreaElement>) => void
   readOnly?: boolean
+  autoFocus?: boolean
+  selectOnFocus?: boolean
+  onAutoFocused?: () => void
 }) {
   const [draft, setDraft] = useState(value ?? '')
   const committed = useRef(value ?? '')
   const suggestionsId = useId()
+  const inputRef = useRef<HTMLInputElement>(null)
+  const textareaRef = useRef<HTMLTextAreaElement>(null)
+  const onAutoFocusedRef = useRef(onAutoFocused)
+  onAutoFocusedRef.current = onAutoFocused
 
   useEffect(() => {
     const incoming = value ?? ''
@@ -83,6 +94,14 @@ export function AutoField({
     }
   }, [value])
 
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!autoFocus) return
+    const field = multiline ? textareaRef.current : inputRef.current
+    field?.focus()
+    if (selectOnFocus) field?.select()
+    onAutoFocusedRef.current?.()
+  }, [autoFocus, multiline, selectOnFocus])
+
   const commit = () => {
     if (draft !== committed.current) {
       committed.current = draft
@@ -90,6 +109,31 @@ export function AutoField({
     }
   }
 
+  const revert = () => setDraft(committed.current)
+
+  const onSingleLineKeyDown = (e: ReactKeyboardEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
+    if (e.key === 'Escape') {
+      revert()
+      return
+    }
+    if (e.key !== 'Enter') return
+    e.preventDefault()
+    commit()
+    if (e.metaKey || e.ctrlKey) return
+    focusNextTabbable(e.currentTarget, e.shiftKey ? -1 : 1)
+  }
+
+  const onMultilineKeyDown = (e: ReactKeyboardEvent<HTMLTextAreaElement>) => {
+    if (e.key === 'Escape') {
+      revert()
+      return
+    }
+    if ((e.metaKey || e.ctrlKey) && e.key === 'Enter') {
+      e.preventDefault()
+      commit()
+    }
+  }
+
   const className = `input ${serif ? 'prose-serif' : ''}`
 
   return (
@@ -97,25 +141,28 @@ export function AutoField({
       {label && <span className="label">{label}</span>}
       {multiline ? (
         <textarea
+          ref={textareaRef}
           className={className}
           rows={rows}
           value={draft}
           placeholder={placeholder}
           onChange={(e) => setDraft(e.target.value)}
           onBlur={commit}
+          onKeyDown={onMultilineKeyDown}
           onContextMenu={onContextMenu}
           readOnly={readOnly}
         />
       ) : (
         <>
           <input
+            ref={inputRef}
             className={className}
             value={draft}
             placeholder={placeholder}
             list={suggestions?.length ? suggestionsId : undefined}
             onChange={(e) => setDraft(e.target.value)}
             onBlur={commit}
-            onKeyDown={(e) => e.key === 'Enter' && e.currentTarget.blur()}
+            onKeyDown={onSingleLineKeyDown}
             readOnly={readOnly}
           />
           {suggestions?.length ? (
@@ -137,17 +184,25 @@ export function Select<T extends string>({
   value,
   options,
   onChange,
+  autoFocus,
 }: {
   id?: string
   label?: string
   value: T
   options: readonly T[]
   onChange: (next: T) => void
+  autoFocus?: boolean
 }) {
+  const selectRef = useRef<HTMLSelectElement>(null)
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (autoFocus) selectRef.current?.focus()
+  }, [autoFocus])
+
   return (
     <label className="block">
       {label && <span className="label">{label}</span>}
-      <select id={id} className="input" value={value} onChange={(e) => onChange(e.target.value as T)}>
+      <select ref={selectRef} id={id} className="input" value={value} onChange={(e) => onChange(e.target.value as T)}>
         {options.map((option) => (
           <option key={option} value={option}>
             {option}

src/Novelly.Web/src/keyboard/HelpOverlay.tsx

@@ -1,6 +1,13 @@
 import { useHelpOverlay } from './HelpOverlayContext'
 import { useHotkeysList } from './HotkeysContext'
 
+const CONVENTIONS = [
+  'Escape cancels or closes. It reverts the field you’re in; fields you already tabbed past stay saved.',
+  'Enter commits a single-line field and moves to the next one, like Tab.',
+  'mod+Enter commits a multiline field, or finishes the record you’re editing.',
+  'Destructive actions always confirm through a dialog you can dismiss with Escape — never a browser popup.',
+]
+
 const formatToken = (token: string) => {
   if (token === 'mod') return '⌘/Ctrl'
   if (token.length === 1) return token.toUpperCase()
@@ -80,13 +87,25 @@ export function HelpOverlay() {
               <ul className="grid gap-2">
                 {groupShortcuts.map((shortcut) => (
                   <li key={shortcut.id} className="flex items-center justify-between gap-3 text-sm">
-                    <span>{shortcut.description}</span>
+                    <span>
+                      {shortcut.description}
+                      {shortcut.allowInInputs && <span className="muted"> · works while typing</span>}
+                    </span>
                     <KeySequence keys={shortcut.keys} />
                   </li>
                 ))}
               </ul>
             </div>
           ))}
+
+          <div>
+            <h3 className="label mb-2">Conventions</h3>
+            <ul className="grid gap-2 text-sm muted">
+              {CONVENTIONS.map((convention) => (
+                <li key={convention}>{convention}</li>
+              ))}
+            </ul>
+          </div>
         </div>
       </aside>
     </div>

src/Novelly.Web/src/keyboard/focus.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+const TABBABLE_SELECTOR = 'a[href], button:not([disabled]), textarea, input, select, [tabindex]:not([tabindex="-1"])'
+
+export function focusNextTabbable(from: HTMLElement, direction: 1 | -1, within?: HTMLElement | null) {
+  const scope = within ?? document.body
+  const candidates = [...scope.querySelectorAll<HTMLElement>(TABBABLE_SELECTOR)]
+  const index = candidates.indexOf(from)
+  if (index === -1) return
+
+  const target = candidates[index + direction]
+  if (!target) return
+
+  target.focus()
+  if (target instanceof HTMLInputElement || target instanceof HTMLTextAreaElement) {
+    target.select()
+  }
+}
+
+export function isWithin(container: HTMLElement | null, node: Node | null): boolean {
+  if (!container || !node) return false
+  return container.contains(node)
+}

src/Novelly.Web/src/pages/ChapterPage.tsx

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-import { useState, type MouseEvent } from 'react'
-import { Link, useNavigate, useParams } from 'react-router-dom'
+import { useEffect, useRef, useState, type MouseEvent } from 'react'
+import { Link, useLocation, useNavigate, useParams } from 'react-router-dom'
 import {
   useAssignCharacterToBeats,
   useChapter,
@@ -29,12 +29,14 @@ import { useCharacterContextMenu } from '../components/CharacterContextMenu'
 import { MarkdownEditor } from '../components/MarkdownEditor'
 import { OpenQuestions } from '../components/OpenQuestions'
 import { useHotkey } from '../keyboard/HotkeysContext'
+import { isWithin } from '../keyboard/focus'
 
 type ChapterTab = 'outline' | 'prose'
 
 export default function ChapterPage() {
   const { novelId = '', chapterId = '' } = useParams()
   const navigate = useNavigate()
+  const location = useLocation()
   const { data: chapter, isPending, error } = useChapter(chapterId)
   const { data: novel } = useNovel(novelId)
   const { data: characters } = useCharacters(novelId)
@@ -47,13 +49,32 @@ export default function ChapterPage() {
   const createBeat = useCreateBeat(chapterId, novelId)
   const [tab, setTab] = useState<ChapterTab>('outline')
   const [confirmingDelete, setConfirmingDelete] = useState(false)
+  const [editingBeatId, setEditingBeatId] = useState<string | null>(null)
+  const [focusBeatId, setFocusBeatId] = useState<string | null>(null)
   const { handleContextMenu, menuElement } = useCharacterContextMenu(novelId)
   const { can } = useAuth()
   const canWrite = can('Write', novel)
   const canCreate = can('CreateContent', novel)
   const canDelete = can('DeleteContent', novel)
 
-  useHotkey('b', 'Add beat', () => canCreate && createBeat.mutate({ title: 'New beat' }), { group: 'Chapter' })
+  const focusTitleOnArrival = Boolean((location.state as { focusTitle?: boolean } | null)?.focusTitle)
+
+  const clearFocusTitleState = () => navigate(location.pathname, { replace: true, state: null })
+
+  const addBeat = () => {
+    if (!canCreate) return
+    createBeat.mutate(
+      { title: 'New beat' },
+      {
+        onSuccess: (beat) => {
+          setEditingBeatId(beat.id)
+          setFocusBeatId(beat.id)
+        },
+      },
+    )
+  }
+
+  useHotkey('b', 'Add beat', addBeat, { group: 'Chapter' })
 
   const currentIndex = chapters?.findIndex((c) => c.id === chapterId) ?? -1
   const prevChapter = currentIndex > 0 ? chapters?.[currentIndex - 1] : undefined
@@ -168,6 +189,9 @@ export default function ChapterPage() {
               value={chapter.title}
               onCommit={(title) => title.trim() && patch({ title })}
               readOnly={!canWrite}
+              autoFocus={focusTitleOnArrival}
+              selectOnFocus
+              onAutoFocused={clearFocusTitleState}
             />
             <Select
               id="chapter-kind-select"
@@ -197,22 +221,13 @@ export default function ChapterPage() {
             />
           </div>
 
-          <div className="mt-4">
-            <TagEditor
-              label="Tags"
-              tags={chapter.tags}
-              suggestions={suggestions}
-              onChange={(tags) => canWrite && patch({ tags })}
-            />
-          </div>
-
           <div className="mt-4 flex items-end justify-between gap-4">
             <div className="text-sm muted">
               {chapter.beats.length} beats · {chapter.wordCount.toLocaleString()} words
             </div>
             {canDelete && (
               <button className="btn btn-danger" onClick={() => setConfirmingDelete(true)}>
-                Delete chapter
+                Move to trash
               </button>
             )}
           </div>
@@ -235,8 +250,9 @@ export default function ChapterPage() {
 
       {confirmingDelete && (
         <ConfirmModal
-          title="Delete chapter"
-          message={`Delete chapter "${chapter.title}" and everything in it? This cannot be undone.`}
+          title="Move to trash"
+          message={`Move chapter "${chapter.title}" and its beats to the trash? You can restore it from the Trash page.`}
+          confirmLabel="Move to trash"
           onConfirm={() =>
             remove.mutate(chapter.id, {
               onSuccess: () => navigate(`/novels/${novelId}/chapters`),
@@ -274,14 +290,14 @@ export default function ChapterPage() {
             onCharacterContextMenu={handleContextMenu}
             canWrite={canWrite}
             canDelete={canDelete}
+            editingId={editingBeatId}
+            setEditingId={setEditingBeatId}
+            focusBeatId={focusBeatId}
+            setFocusBeatId={setFocusBeatId}
           />
 
           {canCreate && (
-            <button
-              className="btn btn-primary mt-3"
-              onClick={() => createBeat.mutate({ title: 'New beat' })}
-              disabled={createBeat.isPending}
-            >
+            <button className="btn btn-primary mt-3" onClick={addBeat} disabled={createBeat.isPending}>
               Add beat
             </button>
           )}
@@ -328,6 +344,15 @@ export default function ChapterPage() {
         </section>
       )}
 
+      <section id="chapter-tags" className="card mt-6 p-5">
+        <TagEditor
+          label="Tags"
+          tags={chapter.tags}
+          suggestions={suggestions}
+          onChange={(tags) => canWrite && patch({ tags })}
+        />
+      </section>
+
       {menuElement}
     </div>
   )
@@ -345,6 +370,10 @@ function BeatTable({
   onCharacterContextMenu,
   canWrite,
   canDelete,
+  editingId,
+  setEditingId,
+  focusBeatId,
+  setFocusBeatId,
 }: {
   chapter: Chapter
   novelId: string
@@ -358,13 +387,16 @@ function BeatTable({
   ) => void
   canWrite: boolean
   canDelete: boolean
+  editingId: string | null
+  setEditingId: (id: string | null) => void
+  focusBeatId: string | null
+  setFocusBeatId: (id: string | null) => void
 }) {
   const update = useUpdateBeat(chapter.id, novelId)
   const remove = useDeleteBeat(chapter.id, novelId)
   const reorder = useReorderBeats(chapter.id)
   const assignCharacter = useAssignCharacterToBeats(chapter.id)
   const moveBeats = useMoveBeats(chapter.id)
-  const [editingId, setEditingId] = useState<string | null>(null)
   const [deletingBeat, setDeletingBeat] = useState<Beat | null>(null)
   const [selectedIds, setSelectedIds] = useState<string[]>([])
   const [assignCharacterId, setAssignCharacterId] = useState('')
@@ -372,6 +404,25 @@ function BeatTable({
   const [focusedBeatId, setFocusedBeatId] = useState<string | null>(null)
   const [dragBeatId, setDragBeatId] = useState<string | null>(null)
   const [dragOverBeatId, setDragOverBeatId] = useState<string | null>(null)
+  const [returnFocusBeatId, setReturnFocusBeatId] = useState<string | null>(null)
+  const rowRefs = useRef(new Map<string, HTMLTableRowElement>())
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!returnFocusBeatId) return
+    document.getElementById(`beat-${returnFocusBeatId}`)?.focus()
+    setReturnFocusBeatId(null)
+  }, [returnFocusBeatId])
+
+  const openEdit = (beatId: string) => {
+    if (!canWrite) return
+    setEditingId(beatId)
+    setFocusBeatId(beatId)
+  }
+
+  const closeEdit = (beatId: string) => {
+    setEditingId(null)
+    setReturnFocusBeatId(beatId)
+  }
 
   const toggleSelected = (id: string) =>
     setSelectedIds((ids) => (ids.includes(id) ? ids.filter((i) => i !== id) : [...ids, id]))
@@ -449,7 +500,7 @@ function BeatTable({
   const moveButtonClass =
     'flex h-6 w-6 items-center justify-center rounded text-base leading-none transition hover:bg-[var(--accent-soft)] disabled:opacity-25 disabled:hover:bg-transparent'
 
-  const renderMoveButtons = (beat: Beat, index: number) => (
+  const renderMoveButtons = (beat: Beat, index: number, focusable: boolean) => (
     <div className="flex items-center gap-1">
       <span
         className={canWrite ? 'cursor-grab text-base muted' : 'text-base muted'}
@@ -463,6 +514,7 @@ function BeatTable({
         <button
           id={`move-beat-up-${beat.id}`}
           className={moveButtonClass}
+          tabIndex={focusable ? undefined : -1}
           onClick={(e) => {
             e.stopPropagation()
             move(index, -1)
@@ -476,6 +528,7 @@ function BeatTable({
         <button
           id={`move-beat-down-${beat.id}`}
           className={moveButtonClass}
+          tabIndex={focusable ? undefined : -1}
           onClick={(e) => {
             e.stopPropagation()
             move(index, 1)
@@ -575,28 +628,48 @@ function BeatTable({
               <tr
                 key={beat.id}
                 id={`beat-${beat.id}`}
+                ref={(el) => {
+                  if (el) rowRefs.current.set(beat.id, el)
+                  else rowRefs.current.delete(beat.id)
+                }}
                 style={{ borderBottom: '1px solid var(--line)', background: 'var(--accent-soft)' }}
-                onBlur={(e) => {
-                  if (!e.currentTarget.contains(e.relatedTarget as Node | null)) setEditingId(null)
+                onBlur={() => {
+                  window.setTimeout(() => {
+                    if (!isWithin(rowRefs.current.get(beat.id) ?? null, document.activeElement)) {
+                      setEditingId(null)
+                    }
+                  }, 0)
+                }}
+                onKeyDown={(e) => {
+                  if (e.key === 'Escape') {
+                    closeEdit(beat.id)
+                    return
+                  }
+                  if ((e.metaKey || e.ctrlKey) && e.key === 'Enter') {
+                    closeEdit(beat.id)
+                  }
                 }}
-                onKeyDown={(e) => e.key === 'Escape' && setEditingId(null)}
               >
                 <td className="px-2 py-2 align-top">
                   <input
                     type="checkbox"
+                    tabIndex={-1}
                     aria-label={`Select beat ${beat.title}`}
                     checked={selectedIds.includes(beat.id)}
                     onChange={() => toggleSelected(beat.id)}
                     onClick={(e) => e.stopPropagation()}
                   />
                 </td>
-                <td className="px-2 py-2 align-top">{renderMoveButtons(beat, index)}</td>
+                <td className="px-2 py-2 align-top">{renderMoveButtons(beat, index, false)}</td>
 
                 <td className="px-2 py-2 align-top">
                   <AutoField
                     value={beat.title}
                     placeholder="Three to five words"
                     onCommit={(title) => title.trim() && patch(beat.id, { title })}
+                    autoFocus={focusBeatId === beat.id}
+                    selectOnFocus
+                    onAutoFocused={() => setFocusBeatId(null)}
                   />
                   <div className="mt-1.5">
                     <TagEditor
@@ -651,8 +724,9 @@ function BeatTable({
                     <button
                       className="text-xs leading-none"
                       style={{ color: 'var(--accent)' }}
-                      onClick={() => setEditingId(null)}
+                      onClick={() => closeEdit(beat.id)}
                       aria-label="Done editing beat"
+                      title="Done (mod+Enter)"
                     >
                       ✓
                     </button>
@@ -687,14 +761,14 @@ function BeatTable({
                   opacity: dragBeatId === beat.id ? 0.4 : 1,
                   boxShadow: dragOverBeatId === beat.id && dragBeatId !== beat.id ? 'inset 0 2px 0 0 var(--accent)' : undefined,
                 }}
-                onClick={canWrite ? () => setEditingId(beat.id) : undefined}
+                onClick={canWrite ? () => openEdit(beat.id) : undefined}
                 onFocus={canWrite ? () => setFocusedBeatId(beat.id) : undefined}
                 onKeyDown={
                   canWrite
                     ? (e) => {
                         if (e.key === 'Enter' || e.key === ' ') {
                           e.preventDefault()
-                          setEditingId(beat.id)
+                          openEdit(beat.id)
                         }
                       }
                     : undefined
@@ -737,7 +811,7 @@ function BeatTable({
                     onClick={(e) => e.stopPropagation()}
                   />
                 </td>
-                <td className="px-2 py-2 align-top">{renderMoveButtons(beat, index)}</td>
+                <td className="px-2 py-2 align-top">{renderMoveButtons(beat, index, true)}</td>
 
                 <td className="px-2 py-2 align-top">
                   <div className="font-medium">{beat.title}</div>

src/Novelly.Web/src/pages/ChaptersPage.tsx

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { Link, useParams } from 'react-router-dom'
+import { Link, useNavigate, useParams } from 'react-router-dom'
 import { useChapters, useCreateChapter, useNovel } from '../api/hooks'
 import { EmptyState, ErrorNote, Spinner, StatusBadge } from '../components/ui'
 import { TagChip } from '../components/TagEditor'
@@ -7,13 +7,25 @@ import { useHotkey } from '../keyboard/HotkeysContext'
 
 export default function ChaptersPage() {
   const { novelId = '' } = useParams()
+  const navigate = useNavigate()
   const { data: chapters, isPending, error } = useChapters(novelId)
   const { data: novel } = useNovel(novelId)
   const { can } = useAuth()
   const canCreate = can('CreateContent', novel)
   const create = useCreateChapter(novelId)
 
-  useHotkey('n', 'Add chapter', () => canCreate && create.mutate({ title: 'Untitled chapter' }), { group: 'Chapters' })
+  const addChapter = () => {
+    if (!canCreate) return
+    create.mutate(
+      { title: 'Untitled chapter' },
+      {
+        onSuccess: (chapter) =>
+          navigate(`/novels/${novelId}/chapters/${chapter.id}`, { state: { focusTitle: true } }),
+      },
+    )
+  }
+
+  useHotkey('n', 'Add chapter', addChapter, { group: 'Chapters' })
 
   if (isPending) return <Spinner label="Loading chapters" />
   if (error) return <ErrorNote error={error} />
@@ -23,11 +35,7 @@ export default function ChaptersPage() {
       <div className="mb-5 flex items-center justify-between gap-4">
         <h2 className="text-xl font-semibold">Chapters</h2>
         {canCreate && (
-          <button
-            className="btn btn-primary"
-            onClick={() => create.mutate({ title: 'Untitled chapter' })}
-            disabled={create.isPending}
-          >
+          <button className="btn btn-primary" onClick={addChapter} disabled={create.isPending}>
             Add chapter
           </button>
         )}

src/Novelly.Web/src/pages/CharacterDetailPage.tsx

@@ -292,8 +292,9 @@ function CharacterSheet({
 
     {confirmingDelete && (
       <ConfirmModal
-        title="Delete character"
-        message={`Delete ${character.name}? This cannot be undone.`}
+        title="Move to trash"
+        message={`Move ${character.name} to the trash? You can restore it from the Trash page.`}
+        confirmLabel="Move to trash"
         onConfirm={() =>
           remove.mutate(character.id, { onSuccess: () => navigate(`/novels/${novelId}/characters`) })
         }

src/Novelly.Web/src/pages/LocationsPage.tsx

@@ -1,10 +1,18 @@
-import { useState } from 'react'
+import { useRef, useState } from 'react'
 import { Link, useParams, useSearchParams } from 'react-router-dom'
-import { useDeleteLocation, useLocationReferences, useLocations, useNovel, useUpdateLocation } from '../api/hooks'
+import {
+  useCreateLocation,
+  useDeleteLocation,
+  useLocationReferences,
+  useLocations,
+  useNovel,
+  useUpdateLocation,
+} from '../api/hooks'
 import { chapterLabel } from '../api/chapterLabel'
 import { useAuth } from '../auth/AuthContext'
-import { EmptyState, ErrorNote, Spinner } from '../components/ui'
+import { AutoField, EmptyState, ErrorNote, Spinner } from '../components/ui'
 import { ConfirmModal } from '../components/ConfirmModal'
+import { useHotkey } from '../keyboard/HotkeysContext'
 
 export default function LocationsPage() {
   const { novelId = '' } = useParams()
@@ -12,9 +20,16 @@ export default function LocationsPage() {
   const { data: novel } = useNovel(novelId)
   const { can } = useAuth()
   const canWrite = can('Write', novel)
+  const canCreate = can('CreateContent', novel)
   const canDelete = can('DeleteContent', novel)
   const [searchParams, setSearchParams] = useSearchParams()
   const selectedId = searchParams.get('location') ?? undefined
+  const [name, setName] = useState('')
+  const [justCreatedId, setJustCreatedId] = useState<string | null>(null)
+  const nameInputRef = useRef<HTMLInputElement>(null)
+  const create = useCreateLocation(novelId)
+
+  useHotkey('n', 'Add location', () => canCreate && nameInputRef.current?.focus(), { group: 'Locations' })
 
   if (isPending) return <Spinner label="Loading locations" />
   if (error) return <ErrorNote error={error} />
@@ -27,20 +42,48 @@ export default function LocationsPage() {
       return params
     })
 
+  const submit = (e: React.FormEvent) => {
+    e.preventDefault()
+    if (!name.trim()) return
+    create.mutate(name.trim(), {
+      onSuccess: (location) => {
+        setName('')
+        setJustCreatedId(location.id)
+        select(location.id)
+      },
+    })
+  }
+
   return (
     <div id="locations-page" className="grid gap-6 lg:grid-cols-[18rem_1fr]">
       <aside className="grid content-start gap-2">
         <div>
           <h2 className="text-lg font-semibold">Locations</h2>
-          <p className="text-sm muted">
-            Applied from a chapter. Pick one to see every chapter set there.
-          </p>
+          <p className="text-sm muted">Pick one to see every chapter set there.</p>
         </div>
 
+        {canCreate && (
+          <form id="location-create-form" onSubmit={submit} className="flex gap-2">
+            <input
+              id="location-create-input"
+              ref={nameInputRef}
+              className="input flex-1"
+              placeholder="Add a location…"
+              value={name}
+              onChange={(e) => setName(e.target.value)}
+              onKeyDown={(e) => {
+                if (e.key === 'Escape') setName('')
+              }}
+            />
+            <button className="btn btn-primary shrink-0" disabled={!name.trim() || create.isPending}>
+              Add
+            </button>
+          </form>
+        )}
+        {create.error && <ErrorNote error={create.error} />}
+
         {locations?.length === 0 && (
-          <p className="mt-2 text-sm muted">
-            No locations yet. Add one from a chapter and it will appear here.
-          </p>
+          <p className="mt-2 text-sm muted">No locations yet.</p>
         )}
 
         {locations?.map((location) => (
@@ -64,7 +107,7 @@ export default function LocationsPage() {
         {!selected ? (
           <EmptyState
             title="No locations yet"
-            hint="Locations cross-reference the book: attach one to a chapter, then trace it from here."
+            hint="Add one on the left, or apply a new name to a chapter and it will appear here."
           />
         ) : (
           <LocationReferencePanel
@@ -73,6 +116,8 @@ export default function LocationsPage() {
             locationId={selected.id}
             canWrite={canWrite}
             canDelete={canDelete}
+            autoFocusName={justCreatedId === selected.id}
+            onNameAutoFocused={() => setJustCreatedId(null)}
           />
         )}
       </section>
@@ -85,11 +130,15 @@ function LocationReferencePanel({
   locationId,
   canWrite,
   canDelete,
+  autoFocusName,
+  onNameAutoFocused,
 }: {
   novelId: string
   locationId: string
   canWrite: boolean
   canDelete: boolean
+  autoFocusName: boolean
+  onNameAutoFocused: () => void
 }) {
   const { data, isPending, error } = useLocationReferences(locationId)
   const update = useUpdateLocation(novelId)
@@ -105,21 +154,20 @@ function LocationReferencePanel({
   return (
     <div className="grid gap-4">
       <div className="card flex flex-wrap items-end justify-between gap-3 p-4">
-        <label className="block">
-          <span className="label">Location name</span>
-          <input
-            className="input w-64"
-            defaultValue={data.location.name}
+        <div className="w-64">
+          <AutoField
+            label="Location name"
+            value={data.location.name}
             readOnly={!canWrite}
-            onBlur={(e) => {
-              const name = e.target.value.trim()
-              if (name && name !== data.location.name) update.mutate({ id: locationId, name })
-            }}
+            onCommit={(name) => name.trim() && update.mutate({ id: locationId, name: name.trim() })}
+            autoFocus={autoFocusName}
+            selectOnFocus
+            onAutoFocused={onNameAutoFocused}
           />
-        </label>
+        </div>
         {canDelete && (
           <button className="btn btn-danger" onClick={() => setConfirmingDelete(true)}>
-            Delete location
+            Move to trash
           </button>
         )}
       </div>
@@ -128,8 +176,9 @@ function LocationReferencePanel({
 
       {confirmingDelete && (
         <ConfirmModal
-          title="Delete location"
-          message={`Delete the location "${data.location.name}"? What carries it is left alone.`}
+          title="Move to trash"
+          message={`Move the location "${data.location.name}" to the trash? What carries it is left alone. You can restore it from the Trash page.`}
+          confirmLabel="Move to trash"
           onConfirm={() => remove.mutate(locationId)}
           onClose={() => setConfirmingDelete(false)}
         />

src/Novelly.Web/src/pages/NovelLayout.tsx

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import {
   IconLocations,
   IconSettings,
   IconTags,
+  IconTrash,
 } from '../components/icons'
 import { AgentPanel, type AgentContext } from '../components/AgentPanel'
 import { HelpButton } from '../keyboard/HelpButton'
@@ -23,9 +24,10 @@ const sections: { to: string; label: string; end?: boolean; icon: ComponentType<
   { to: '', label: 'Dashboard', end: true, icon: IconDashboard },
   { to: 'chapters', label: 'Chapters', icon: IconChapters },
   { to: 'characters', label: 'Characters', icon: IconCharacters },
-  { to: 'tags', label: 'Tags', icon: IconTags },
   { to: 'locations', label: 'Locations', icon: IconLocations },
+  { to: 'tags', label: 'Tags', icon: IconTags },
   { to: 'settings', label: 'Settings', icon: IconSettings },
+  { to: 'trash', label: 'Trash', icon: IconTrash },
 ]
 
 export default function NovelLayout() {
@@ -46,6 +48,7 @@ export default function NovelLayout() {
   useHotkey('g c', 'Go to characters', () => goTo('characters'), { group: 'Navigate' })
   useHotkey('g t', 'Go to tags', () => goTo('tags'), { group: 'Navigate' })
   useHotkey('g l', 'Go to locations', () => goTo('locations'), { group: 'Navigate' })
+  useHotkey('g r', 'Go to trash', () => goTo('trash'), { group: 'Navigate' })
   useHotkey('g a', 'Toggle agent', () => setAgentOpen((o) => !o), { group: 'Navigate' })
   useHotkey('g s', 'Go to settings', () => goTo('settings'), { group: 'Navigate' })
 

src/Novelly.Web/src/pages/TrashPage.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,127 @@
+import { useState } from 'react'
+import { useParams } from 'react-router-dom'
+import { useEmptyTrash, useNovel, usePurgeTrashed, useRestoreTrashed, useTrash } from '../api/hooks'
+import type { TrashedItem } from '../api/types'
+import { useAuth } from '../auth/AuthContext'
+import { ConfirmModal } from '../components/ConfirmModal'
+import { EmptyState, ErrorNote, Spinner } from '../components/ui'
+
+export default function TrashPage() {
+  const { novelId = '' } = useParams()
+  const { data: items, isPending, error } = useTrash(novelId)
+  const { data: novel } = useNovel(novelId)
+  const { can } = useAuth()
+  const canDelete = can('DeleteContent', novel)
+
+  const restore = useRestoreTrashed(novelId)
+  const purge = usePurgeTrashed(novelId)
+  const emptyTrash = useEmptyTrash(novelId)
+
+  const [purging, setPurging] = useState<TrashedItem | null>(null)
+  const [emptying, setEmptying] = useState(false)
+
+  if (isPending) return <Spinner label="Loading trash" />
+  if (error) return <ErrorNote error={error} />
+
+  return (
+    <div id="trash-page" className="grid gap-6">
+      <div className="flex items-center justify-between gap-3">
+        <div>
+          <h1 className="text-lg font-semibold">Trash</h1>
+          <p className="text-sm muted">
+            Trashed characters, chapters, and locations. Restore them or delete them for good.
+          </p>
+        </div>
+        {canDelete && items && items.length > 0 && (
+          <button id="trash-empty" className="btn btn-danger" onClick={() => setEmptying(true)}>
+            Empty trash
+          </button>
+        )}
+      </div>
+
+      {(restore.error || purge.error || emptyTrash.error) && (
+        <ErrorNote error={restore.error ?? purge.error ?? emptyTrash.error} />
+      )}
+
+      {!items || items.length === 0 ? (
+        <EmptyState title="Trash is empty" hint="Deleted characters, chapters, and locations show up here." />
+      ) : (
+        <div className="card overflow-x-auto" id="trash-table">
+          <table className="w-full text-sm">
+            <thead>
+              <tr className="text-left text-xs uppercase muted">
+                <th className="py-2 px-3 font-semibold">Item</th>
+                <th className="py-2 px-3 font-semibold">Kind</th>
+                <th className="py-2 px-3 font-semibold">Deleted</th>
+                <th className="py-2 px-3 font-semibold">Purges in</th>
+                {canDelete && <th className="py-2 px-3 font-semibold" />}
+              </tr>
+            </thead>
+            <tbody>
+              {items.map((item) => (
+                <tr key={`${item.kind}-${item.id}`} className="align-top" style={{ borderTop: '1px solid var(--line)' }}>
+                  <td className="py-2 px-3">
+                    <div className="font-medium">{item.label}</div>
+                    {item.detail && <div className="text-xs muted">{item.detail}</div>}
+                  </td>
+                  <td className="py-2 px-3">{item.kind}</td>
+                  <td className="py-2 px-3 muted">{new Date(item.deletedAt).toLocaleDateString()}</td>
+                  <td className="py-2 px-3 muted">{daysUntil(item.purgeAfter)}</td>
+                  {canDelete && (
+                    <td className="py-2 px-3">
+                      <div className="flex justify-end gap-2">
+                        <button
+                          id={`trash-restore-${item.id}`}
+                          className="btn"
+                          disabled={restore.isPending}
+                          onClick={() => restore.mutate({ kind: item.kind, id: item.id })}
+                        >
+                          Restore
+                        </button>
+                        <button
+                          id={`trash-purge-${item.id}`}
+                          className="btn btn-danger"
+                          onClick={() => setPurging(item)}
+                        >
+                          Delete forever
+                        </button>
+                      </div>
+                    </td>
+                  )}
+                </tr>
+              ))}
+            </tbody>
+          </table>
+        </div>
+      )}
+
+      {purging && (
+        <ConfirmModal
+          title="Delete forever"
+          message={`Permanently delete "${purging.label}"? This cannot be undone.`}
+          confirmLabel="Delete forever"
+          onConfirm={() => purge.mutate({ kind: purging.kind, id: purging.id })}
+          onClose={() => setPurging(null)}
+        />
+      )}
+
+      {emptying && (
+        <ConfirmModal
+          title="Empty trash"
+          message="Permanently delete everything in the trash? This cannot be undone."
+          confirmLabel="Empty trash"
+          onConfirm={() => emptyTrash.mutate()}
+          onClose={() => setEmptying(false)}
+        />
+      )}
+    </div>
+  )
+}
+
+function daysUntil(isoDate: string): string {
+  const ms = new Date(isoDate).getTime() - Date.now()
+  const days = Math.ceil(ms / (1000 * 60 * 60 * 24))
+  if (days <= 0) return 'any time now'
+  if (days === 1) return '1 day'
+  return `${days} days`
+}

tests/Novelly.Api.Tests/CharacterArcTests.cs

@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ public class CharacterArcTests : ServiceTestFixture
     }
 
     [Test]
-    public async Task Deleting_a_chapter_unpins_an_arc_stage_rather_than_deleting_it()
+    public async Task Trashing_a_chapter_hides_it_from_an_arc_stage_without_unpinning_it()
     {
         var chapter = await Chapters.CreateAsync(_novelId, new CreateChapterRequest("Landfall"));
         var stage = await Arcs.CreateAsync(
@@ -161,11 +161,14 @@ public class CharacterArcTests : ServiceTestFixture
         await Chapters.DeleteAsync(chapter.Id);
 
         var survivor = (await Arcs.GetAsync(stage.Id))!;
+        var response = survivor.ToResponse();
 
         Assert.Multiple(() =>
         {
-            Assert.That(survivor.ChapterId, Is.Null);
-            Assert.That(survivor.Title, Is.EqualTo("The map is wrong"));
+            Assert.That(survivor.ChapterId, Is.EqualTo(chapter.Id), "the pin survives so restoring the chapter restores the link");
+            Assert.That(response.ChapterNumber, Is.Null);
+            Assert.That(response.ChapterTitle, Is.Null);
+            Assert.That(response.Title, Is.EqualTo("The map is wrong"));
         });
     }
 

tests/Novelly.Api.Tests/CharacterServiceTests.cs

@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ public class CharacterServiceTests : ServiceTestFixture
     }
 
     [Test]
-    public async Task Deleting_the_canonical_character_leaves_its_other_identities_alive()
+    public async Task Trashing_the_canonical_character_keeps_the_link_so_restoring_brings_it_back()
     {
         var kael = await Characters.CreateAsync(_novelId, new CreateCharacterRequest("Kael"));
         var stranger = await Characters.CreateAsync(_novelId, new CreateCharacterRequest("The Stranger"));
@@ -268,7 +268,13 @@ public class CharacterServiceTests : ServiceTestFixture
 
         using var verification = Db.CreateContext();
         var survivor = await verification.Characters.FirstAsync(c => c.Id == stranger.Id);
-        Assert.That(survivor.SameCharacterAsId, Is.Null);
+        var response = (await Characters.GetAsync(stranger.Id))!.ToResponse();
+
+        Assert.Multiple(() =>
+        {
+            Assert.That(survivor.SameCharacterAsId, Is.EqualTo(kael.Id), "the pin survives so restoring Kael restores the identity link");
+            Assert.That(response.SameCharacterAsName, Is.Null, "a trashed canonical identity does not show up while it's in the trash");
+        });
     }
 
     [Test]

tests/Novelly.Api.Tests/LocationServiceTests.cs

@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ public class LocationServiceTests : ServiceTestFixture
         Assert.Multiple(() =>
         {
             Assert.That(survivor.Title, Is.EqualTo("Landfall"));
-            Assert.That(survivor.Locations, Is.Empty);
+            Assert.That(survivor.ToResponse().Locations, Is.Empty);
         });
     }
 

tests/Novelly.Api.Tests/OpenQuestionTests.cs

@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ public class OpenQuestionTests : ServiceTestFixture
     }
 
     [Test]
-    public async Task Deleting_a_chapter_leaves_its_questions_open_rather_than_taking_them()
+    public async Task Trashing_a_chapter_leaves_its_questions_open_and_pinned_but_hides_the_chapter()
     {
         var question = await Questions.CreateAsync(_novelId, new CreateOpenQuestionRequest(
             "Does she know about the letter?", ChapterId: _chapterId));
@@ -190,10 +190,12 @@ public class OpenQuestionTests : ServiceTestFixture
         await Chapters.DeleteAsync(_chapterId);
 
         var survivor = (await Questions.GetAsync(question.Id))!;
+        var response = survivor.ToResponse();
 
         Assert.Multiple(() =>
         {
-            Assert.That(survivor.ChapterId, Is.Null);
+            Assert.That(survivor.ChapterId, Is.EqualTo(_chapterId), "the pin survives so restoring the chapter restores the link");
+            Assert.That(response.ChapterTitle, Is.Null);
             Assert.That(survivor.Question, Is.EqualTo("Does she know about the letter?"));
         });
     }

tests/Novelly.Api.Tests/ServiceTestFixture.cs

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+using Microsoft.Extensions.Options;
 using Novelly.Api.Activity;
 using Novelly.Api.Beats;
 using Novelly.Api.Chapters;
@@ -7,6 +8,7 @@ using Novelly.Api.Locations;
 using Novelly.Api.Novels;
 using Novelly.Api.Questions;
 using Novelly.Api.Tags;
+using Novelly.Api.Trash;
 using Novelly.Api.Users;
 
 namespace Novelly.Api.Tests;
@@ -28,6 +30,8 @@ public abstract class ServiceTestFixture
     protected CharacterArcService Arcs { get; private set; } = null!;
     protected OpenQuestionService Questions { get; private set; } = null!;
     protected GenreService Genres { get; private set; } = null!;
+    protected TrashService Trash { get; private set; } = null!;
+    protected TrashOptions TrashOptions { get; private set; } = null!;
 
     protected CapturingLogger<NovelService> NovelLogs { get; private set; } = null!;
     protected CapturingLogger<CharacterService> CharacterLogs { get; private set; } = null!;
@@ -38,6 +42,7 @@ public abstract class ServiceTestFixture
     protected CapturingLogger<CharacterArcService> ArcLogs { get; private set; } = null!;
     protected CapturingLogger<OpenQuestionService> QuestionLogs { get; private set; } = null!;
     protected CapturingLogger<GenreService> GenreLogs { get; private set; } = null!;
+    protected CapturingLogger<TrashService> TrashLogs { get; private set; } = null!;
 
     [SetUp]
     public void SetUpFixture()
@@ -67,6 +72,7 @@ public abstract class ServiceTestFixture
         ArcLogs = new CapturingLogger<CharacterArcService>();
         QuestionLogs = new CapturingLogger<OpenQuestionService>();
         GenreLogs = new CapturingLogger<GenreService>();
+        TrashLogs = new CapturingLogger<TrashService>();
 
         Tags = new TagService(Db.Context, Access, ActivityLog, TagLogs, new CreateTagRequestValidator(), new UpdateTagRequestValidator());
         Locations = new LocationService(Db.Context, Access, ActivityLog, LocationLogs, new CreateLocationRequestValidator(), new UpdateLocationRequestValidator());
@@ -90,6 +96,8 @@ public abstract class ServiceTestFixture
             Db.Context, Access, ActivityLog, QuestionLogs,
             new CreateOpenQuestionRequestValidator(), new UpdateOpenQuestionRequestValidator(), new ResolveOpenQuestionRequestValidator());
         Genres = new GenreService(Db.Context, GenreLogs);
+        TrashOptions = new TrashOptions();
+        Trash = new TrashService(Db.Context, Access, ActivityLog, Options.Create(TrashOptions), TrashLogs);
 
         OnSetUp();
     }

tests/Novelly.Api.Tests/TrashPurgeTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore;
+using Novelly.Api.Chapters;
+using Novelly.Api.Novels;
+using Novelly.Api.Trash;
+
+namespace Novelly.Api.Tests;
+
+[TestFixture]
+public class TrashPurgeScheduleTests
+{
+    [Test]
+    public void Before_the_run_time_the_next_run_is_today() =>
+        Assert.That(
+            TrashPurgeSchedule.NextRunAfter(new DateTimeOffset(2026, 8, 20, 1, 0, 0, TimeSpan.Zero), new TimeOnly(2, 0)),
+            Is.EqualTo(new DateTimeOffset(2026, 8, 20, 2, 0, 0, TimeSpan.Zero)));
+
+    [Test]
+    public void After_the_run_time_the_next_run_is_tomorrow() =>
+        Assert.That(
+            TrashPurgeSchedule.NextRunAfter(new DateTimeOffset(2026, 8, 20, 3, 0, 0, TimeSpan.Zero), new TimeOnly(2, 0)),
+            Is.EqualTo(new DateTimeOffset(2026, 8, 21, 2, 0, 0, TimeSpan.Zero)));
+
+    [Test]
+    public void Exactly_at_the_run_time_the_next_run_is_tomorrow() =>
+        Assert.That(
+            TrashPurgeSchedule.NextRunAfter(new DateTimeOffset(2026, 8, 20, 2, 0, 0, TimeSpan.Zero), new TimeOnly(2, 0)),
+            Is.EqualTo(new DateTimeOffset(2026, 8, 21, 2, 0, 0, TimeSpan.Zero)));
+}
+
+[TestFixture]
+public class TrashPurgeSweepTests : ServiceTestFixture
+{
+    private Guid _novelId;
+
+    protected override void OnSetUp() =>
+        _novelId = Novels.CreateAsync(new CreateNovelRequest("The Salt Road")).Result.Id;
+
+    [Test]
+    public async Task A_sweep_removes_only_items_older_than_the_retention_window()
+    {
+        var old = await Chapters.CreateAsync(_novelId, new CreateChapterRequest("Old News"));
+        var recent = await Chapters.CreateAsync(_novelId, new CreateChapterRequest("Fresh Off The Press"));
+
+        await Chapters.DeleteAsync(old!.Id);
+        await Chapters.DeleteAsync(recent!.Id);
+
+        using (var context = Db.CreateContext())
+        {
+            var oldRow = await context.Chapters.IgnoreQueryFilters().SingleAsync(c => c.Id == old.Id);
+            oldRow.DeletedAt = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow.AddDays(-31);
+            await context.SaveChangesAsync();
+        }
+
+        var cutoff = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow.AddDays(-30);
+        var (characters, chapters, locations) = await TrashPurgeRunner.SweepAsync(Db.Context, cutoff, CancellationToken.None);
+
+        Assert.Multiple(() =>
+        {
+            Assert.That((characters, chapters, locations), Is.EqualTo((0, 1, 0)));
+        });
+
+        using var verification = Db.CreateContext();
+        Assert.Multiple(async () =>
+        {
+            Assert.That(await verification.Chapters.IgnoreQueryFilters().AnyAsync(c => c.Id == old.Id), Is.False);
+            Assert.That(await verification.Chapters.IgnoreQueryFilters().AnyAsync(c => c.Id == recent.Id), Is.True);
+        });
+    }
+}

tests/Novelly.Api.Tests/TrashServiceTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,249 @@
+using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore;
+using Novelly.Api.Beats;
+using Novelly.Api.Chapters;
+using Novelly.Api.Characters;
+using Novelly.Api.Common;
+using Novelly.Api.Locations;
+using Novelly.Api.Novels;
+using Novelly.Api.Trash;
+using Novelly.Api.Users;
+
+namespace Novelly.Api.Tests;
+
+[TestFixture]
+public class TrashServiceTests : ServiceTestFixture
+{
+    private Guid _novelId;
+
+    protected override void OnSetUp() =>
+        _novelId = Novels.CreateAsync(new CreateNovelRequest("The Salt Road")).Result.Id;
+
+    [Test]
+    public async Task Trashing_a_chapter_hides_it_from_the_chapter_list_but_keeps_its_beats()
+    {
+        var chapter = await Chapters.CreateAsync(_novelId, new CreateChapterRequest("Landfall"));
+        await Beats.CreateAsync(chapter!.Id, new CreateBeatRequest("They spot the wreck"));
+
+        await Chapters.DeleteAsync(chapter.Id);
+
+        var listed = await Chapters.ListAsync(_novelId);
+        Assert.That(listed, Is.Empty);
+
+        using var verification = Db.CreateContext();
+        var survivingBeats = await verification.Beats.IgnoreQueryFilters().Where(b => b.ChapterId == chapter.Id).ToListAsync();
+        Assert.That(survivingBeats, Has.Count.EqualTo(1));
+    }
+
+    [Test]
+    public async Task Restoring_a_chapter_brings_its_beats_back()
+    {
+        var chapter = await Chapters.CreateAsync(_novelId, new CreateChapterRequest("Landfall"));
+        await Beats.CreateAsync(chapter!.Id, new CreateBeatRequest("They spot the wreck"));
+
+        await Chapters.DeleteAsync(chapter.Id);
+        var trashedId = (await Trash.ListAsync(_novelId)).Single(i => i.Kind == TrashEntityKind.Chapter).Id;
+
+        var restored = await Trash.RestoreAsync(TrashEntityKind.Chapter, trashedId);
+        Assert.That(restored, Is.True);
+
+        var survivor = (await Chapters.GetAsync(chapter.Id))!;
+        Assert.That(survivor.Beats.Select(b => b.Title), Is.EquivalentTo(new[] { "They spot the wreck" }));
+    }
+
+    [Test]
+    public async Task Restoring_a_chapter_restores_its_word_count_to_the_activity_feed()
+    {
+        var chapter = await Chapters.CreateAsync(
+            _novelId, new CreateChapterRequest("Landfall", Prose: "The tide came in slow and cold."));
+
+        await Chapters.DeleteAsync(chapter!.Id);
+        var afterDelete = await Activity.GetForNovelAsync(_novelId, days: 1);
+
+        var trashedId = (await Trash.ListAsync(_novelId)).Single(i => i.Kind == TrashEntityKind.Chapter).Id;
+        await Trash.RestoreAsync(TrashEntityKind.Chapter, trashedId);
+        var afterRestore = await Activity.GetForNovelAsync(_novelId, days: 1);
+
+        Assert.Multiple(() =>
+        {
+            Assert.That(afterDelete.TotalWords, Is.EqualTo(0), "the create and the trash deltas cancel out");
+            Assert.That(afterRestore.TotalWords, Is.EqualTo(chapter.WordCount), "restoring adds the word count back");
+        });
+    }
+
+    [Test]
+    public async Task A_trashed_location_name_can_be_used_by_a_new_location()
+    {
+        var chapter = await Chapters.CreateAsync(
+            _novelId, new CreateChapterRequest("Landfall", Locations: ["the harbour"]));
+        var locationId = (await Locations.ListAsync(_novelId)).Single().Id;
+
+        await Locations.DeleteAsync(locationId);
+
+        var recreated = await Locations.CreateAsync(_novelId, new CreateLocationRequest("the harbour"));
+
+        Assert.That(recreated, Is.Not.Null);
+        Assert.That(chapter, Is.Not.Null);
+    }
+
+    [Test]
+    public async Task Restoring_a_location_whose_name_was_taken_reports_a_clash()
+    {
+        var locationId = (await Locations.CreateAsync(_novelId, new CreateLocationRequest("the harbour")))!.Id;
+        await Locations.DeleteAsync(locationId);
+        await Locations.CreateAsync(_novelId, new CreateLocationRequest("the harbour"));
+
+        var trashedId = (await Trash.ListAsync(_novelId)).Single(i => i.Kind == TrashEntityKind.Location).Id;
+
+        Assert.That(
+            () => Trash.RestoreAsync(TrashEntityKind.Location, trashedId),
+            Throws.TypeOf<InvalidOperationException>().With.Message.Contains("already has a location"));
+    }
+
+    [Test]
+    public async Task Trashed_characters_disappear_from_beat_listings()
+    {
+        var chapter = await Chapters.CreateAsync(_novelId, new CreateChapterRequest("Landfall"));
+        var character = await Characters.CreateAsync(_novelId, new CreateCharacterRequest("Kael"));
+        var beat = await Beats.CreateAsync(
+            chapter!.Id, new CreateBeatRequest("Kael spots the wreck", CharacterIds: [character!.Id]));
+
+        await Characters.DeleteAsync(character.Id);
+
+        var survivor = (await Beats.GetAsync(beat!.Id))!;
+        Assert.That(survivor.ToResponse().Characters, Is.Empty);
+    }
+
+    [Test]
+    public async Task Restoring_a_trashed_character_brings_it_back()
+    {
+        var character = await Characters.CreateAsync(_novelId, new CreateCharacterRequest("Kael"));
+        await Characters.DeleteAsync(character!.Id);
+        var trashedId = (await Trash.ListAsync(_novelId)).Single(i => i.Kind == TrashEntityKind.Character).Id;
+
+        var restored = await Trash.RestoreAsync(TrashEntityKind.Character, trashedId);
+
+        Assert.Multiple(async () =>
+        {
+            Assert.That(restored, Is.True);
+            Assert.That(await Characters.GetAsync(character.Id), Is.Not.Null);
+            Assert.That(await Trash.ListAsync(_novelId), Is.Empty);
+        });
+    }
+
+    [Test]
+    public async Task Emptying_trash_purges_everything_in_the_novel_but_leaves_other_novels_alone()
+    {
+        var otherNovelId = (await Novels.CreateAsync(new CreateNovelRequest("Elsewhere"))).Id;
+        var elsewhereChapter = await Chapters.CreateAsync(otherNovelId, new CreateChapterRequest("A Different Book"));
+        await Chapters.DeleteAsync(elsewhereChapter!.Id);
+
+        var chapter = await Chapters.CreateAsync(_novelId, new CreateChapterRequest("Landfall"));
+        var character = await Characters.CreateAsync(_novelId, new CreateCharacterRequest("Kael"));
+        await Chapters.DeleteAsync(chapter!.Id);
+        await Characters.DeleteAsync(character!.Id);
+
+        var purged = await Trash.EmptyAsync(_novelId);
+
+        Assert.Multiple(async () =>
+        {
+            Assert.That(purged, Is.EqualTo(2));
+            Assert.That(await Trash.ListAsync(_novelId), Is.Empty);
+            Assert.That((await Trash.ListAsync(otherNovelId)).Select(i => i.Id), Is.EquivalentTo(new[] { elsewhereChapter.Id }));
+        });
+
+        using var verification = Db.CreateContext();
+        Assert.Multiple(async () =>
+        {
+            Assert.That(await verification.Chapters.IgnoreQueryFilters().AnyAsync(c => c.Id == chapter.Id), Is.False);
+            Assert.That(await verification.Characters.IgnoreQueryFilters().AnyAsync(c => c.Id == character.Id), Is.False);
+        });
+    }
+
+    [Test]
+    public async Task Purging_a_character_that_others_relate_to_succeeds()
+    {
+        var kael = await Characters.CreateAsync(_novelId, new CreateCharacterRequest("Kael"));
+        var mira = await Characters.CreateAsync(_novelId, new CreateCharacterRequest("Mira"));
+        await Characters.AddRelationshipAsync(mira!.Id, new CreateRelationshipRequest(kael!.Id, "sibling"));
+
+        await Characters.DeleteAsync(kael.Id);
+        var trashedId = (await Trash.ListAsync(_novelId)).Single(i => i.Kind == TrashEntityKind.Character).Id;
+
+        var purged = await Trash.PurgeAsync(TrashEntityKind.Character, trashedId);
+        Assert.That(purged, Is.True);
+
+        using var verification = Db.CreateContext();
+        Assert.That(await verification.Characters.IgnoreQueryFilters().AnyAsync(c => c.Id == kael.Id), Is.False);
+    }
+
+    [Test]
+    public async Task Purging_a_chapter_deletes_its_beats_for_good()
+    {
+        var chapter = await Chapters.CreateAsync(_novelId, new CreateChapterRequest("Landfall"));
+        await Beats.CreateAsync(chapter!.Id, new CreateBeatRequest("They spot the wreck"));
+
+        await Chapters.DeleteAsync(chapter.Id);
+        var trashedId = (await Trash.ListAsync(_novelId)).Single(i => i.Kind == TrashEntityKind.Chapter).Id;
+
+        await Trash.PurgeAsync(TrashEntityKind.Chapter, trashedId);
+
+        using var verification = Db.CreateContext();
+        Assert.That(await verification.Beats.IgnoreQueryFilters().AnyAsync(b => b.ChapterId == chapter.Id), Is.False);
+    }
+
+    [Test]
+    public async Task An_editor_cannot_restore_or_purge()
+    {
+        var chapter = await Chapters.CreateAsync(_novelId, new CreateChapterRequest("Landfall"));
+        await Chapters.DeleteAsync(chapter!.Id);
+        var trashedId = (await Trash.ListAsync(_novelId)).Single().Id;
+
+        var editorId = AsNewUser(GlobalRole.Reviewer);
+        GrantNovelRole(_novelId, editorId, NovelRole.Editor);
+
+        Assert.Multiple(() =>
+        {
+            Assert.That(() => Trash.RestoreAsync(TrashEntityKind.Chapter, trashedId), Throws.TypeOf<NotAuthorizedException>());
+            Assert.That(() => Trash.PurgeAsync(TrashEntityKind.Chapter, trashedId), Throws.TypeOf<NotAuthorizedException>());
+        });
+    }
+
+    [Test]
+    public async Task Trash_lists_only_the_novels_own_items()
+    {
+        var otherNovelId = (await Novels.CreateAsync(new CreateNovelRequest("Elsewhere"))).Id;
+        var otherChapter = await Chapters.CreateAsync(otherNovelId, new CreateChapterRequest("A Different Book"));
+        await Chapters.DeleteAsync(otherChapter!.Id);
+
+        var chapter = await Chapters.CreateAsync(_novelId, new CreateChapterRequest("Landfall"));
+        await Chapters.DeleteAsync(chapter!.Id);
+
+        var listed = await Trash.ListAsync(_novelId);
+
+        Assert.That(listed.Select(i => i.Id), Is.EquivalentTo(new[] { chapter.Id }));
+    }
+
+    private Guid AsNewUser(GlobalRole globalRole)
+    {
+        var user = new NovellyUser
+        {
+            Id = Guid.NewGuid(),
+            UserName = $"{Guid.NewGuid()}@novelly.test",
+            Email = $"{Guid.NewGuid()}@novelly.test",
+            DisplayName = "Test User",
+            GlobalRole = globalRole
+        };
+        Db.Context.Users.Add(user);
+        Db.Context.SaveChanges();
+
+        UserContext.UserId = user.Id;
+        UserContext.GlobalRole = globalRole;
+        return user.Id;
+    }
+
+    private void GrantNovelRole(Guid novelId, Guid userId, NovelRole role)
+    {
+        Db.Context.NovelMembers.Add(new NovelMember { NovelId = novelId, UserId = userId, NovelRole = role, GrantedByUserId = userId });
+        Db.Context.SaveChanges();
+    }
+}