diff --git a/apps/frontend/src/components/ui/moderation/checklist/ModerationChecklist.vue b/apps/frontend/src/components/ui/moderation/checklist/ModerationChecklist.vue
index 7fb94459f..29e525a90 100644
--- a/apps/frontend/src/components/ui/moderation/checklist/ModerationChecklist.vue
+++ b/apps/frontend/src/components/ui/moderation/checklist/ModerationChecklist.vue
@@ -1,5 +1,15 @@
 <template>
 	<KeybindsModal ref="keybindsModal" />
+	<ConfirmModal
+		v-if="lockStatus?.locked && !lockStatus?.isOwnLock"
+		ref="takeOverModal"
+		title="Override moderation lock"
+		description="Are you sure you want to override?"
+		:has-to-type="false"
+		:markdown="false"
+		proceed-label="Take over"
+		@proceed="confirmTakeOverOverride"
+	/>
 	<div
 		tabindex="0"
 		class="moderation-checklist flex w-[600px] max-w-full flex-col rounded-2xl border-[1px] border-solid border-orange bg-bg-raised p-4 transition-all delay-200 duration-200 ease-in-out"
@@ -60,7 +70,7 @@
 						class="mt-4 flex grow justify-between gap-2 border-0 border-t-[1px] border-solid border-surface-5 pt-4"
 					>
 						<div class="flex items-center gap-2">
-							<ButtonStyled v-if="lockStatus.expired" @click="retryAcquireLock">
+							<ButtonStyled @click="openTakeOverModal">
 								<button>
 									<LockIcon aria-hidden="true" />
 									Take over
@@ -384,13 +394,7 @@
 										</button>
 									</ButtonStyled>
 
-									<template
-										v-for="opt in stageOptions.filter(
-											(opt) => 'id' in opt && 'text' in opt && 'icon' in opt,
-										)"
-										#[opt.id]
-										:key="opt.id"
-									>
+									<template v-for="opt in stageOptionsForSlots" #[opt.id] :key="opt.id">
 										<component :is="opt.icon" v-if="opt.icon" class="mr-2" />
 										{{ opt.text }}
 									</template>
@@ -466,6 +470,7 @@ import {
 	ButtonStyled,
 	Checkbox,
 	Collapsible,
+	ConfirmModal,
 	DropdownSelect,
 	injectNotificationManager,
 	injectProjectPageContext,
@@ -486,6 +491,7 @@ import { computedAsync, useDebounceFn, useLocalStorage } from '@vueuse/core'
 import { useGeneratedState } from '~/composables/generated'
 import { useImageUpload } from '~/composables/image-upload.ts'
 import { getProjectTypeForUrlShorthand } from '~/helpers/projects.js'
+import type { LockAcquireResponse } from '~/store/moderation.ts'
 import { useModerationStore } from '~/store/moderation.ts'
 
 import KeybindsModal from './ChecklistKeybindsModal.vue'
@@ -496,6 +502,7 @@ const { addNotification } = notifications
 const debug = useDebugLogger('ModerationChecklist')
 
 const keybindsModal = ref<InstanceType<typeof KeybindsModal>>()
+const takeOverModal = ref<InstanceType<typeof ConfirmModal>>()
 
 const props = defineProps<{
 	collapsed: boolean
@@ -511,6 +518,7 @@ const lockStatus = ref<{
 	locked: boolean
 	lockedBy?: { id: string; username: string; avatar_url?: string }
 	lockedAt?: Date
+	expiresAt?: Date
 	expired?: boolean
 	isOwnLock: boolean
 } | null>(null)
@@ -536,13 +544,15 @@ const PREFETCH_STALE_MS = 30_000 // 30 seconds
 const PREFETCH_TARGET_COUNT = 3 // Keep 3 unlocked projects ready
 const PREFETCH_BATCH_SIZE = 5 // Check 5 at a time in parallel
 
-const LOCK_EXPIRY_MINUTES = 15
-
-function handleVisibilityChange() {
+async function handleVisibilityChange() {
 	if (document.visibilityState === 'visible' && lockStatus.value?.isOwnLock) {
 		// Immediately refresh the lock when returning to the tab
 		// This handles cases where the heartbeat was throttled while backgrounded
-		moderationStore.refreshLock()
+		const refreshResult = await moderationStore.refreshLock()
+		if (!refreshResult.success) {
+			handleLockLost(refreshResult)
+			return
+		}
 		// Refresh prefetch queue when tab becomes visible (not debounced)
 		maintainPrefetchQueue()
 	}
@@ -555,7 +565,9 @@ function updateLockCountdown() {
 	}
 
 	const lockedAt = new Date(lockStatus.value.lockedAt)
-	const expiresAt = new Date(lockedAt.getTime() + LOCK_EXPIRY_MINUTES * 60 * 1000)
+	const expiresAt = lockStatus.value.expiresAt
+		? new Date(lockStatus.value.expiresAt)
+		: new Date(lockedAt.getTime() + 15 * 60 * 1000)
 	const now = new Date()
 	const remainingMs = expiresAt.getTime() - now.getTime()
 
@@ -582,12 +594,47 @@ function clearLockCountdown() {
 function startLockHeartbeat() {
 	lockCheckInterval.value = setInterval(
 		async () => {
-			await moderationStore.refreshLock()
+			const result = await moderationStore.refreshLock()
+			if (!result.success) {
+				handleLockLost(result)
+			}
 		},
 		5 * 60 * 1000,
 	)
 }
 
+function handleLockLost(result: LockAcquireResponse) {
+	clearInterval(lockCheckInterval.value!)
+	lockCheckInterval.value = null
+	clearLockCountdown()
+
+	lockStatus.value = {
+		locked: result.locked_by != null,
+		lockedBy: result.locked_by,
+		lockedAt: result.locked_at ? new Date(result.locked_at) : undefined,
+		expiresAt: result.expires_at ? new Date(result.expires_at) : undefined,
+		expired: result.expired,
+		isOwnLock: false,
+	}
+	lockError.value = false
+
+	if (result.locked_by) {
+		addNotification({
+			title: 'Lock taken over',
+			text: `@${result.locked_by.username} is now moderating this project.`,
+			type: 'warning',
+		})
+		updateLockCountdown()
+		lockCountdownInterval.value = setInterval(updateLockCountdown, 1000)
+	} else {
+		addNotification({
+			title: 'Moderation lock lost',
+			text: 'Your lock on this project has expired. Acquire the lock again to continue.',
+			type: 'warning',
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 function handleLockAcquired() {
 	lockStatus.value = { locked: false, isOwnLock: true }
 	lockError.value = false
@@ -713,28 +760,36 @@ async function handleExit() {
 	emit('exit')
 }
 
-async function retryAcquireLock() {
+function openTakeOverModal() {
+	takeOverModal.value?.show()
+}
+
+async function confirmTakeOverOverride() {
 	const projectId = projectV2.value?.id
 	if (!projectId) {
-		console.warn('[retryAcquireLock] No project ID available')
+		console.warn('[confirmTakeOverOverride] No project ID available')
 		return
 	}
-	const result = await moderationStore.acquireLock(projectId)
+	const result = await moderationStore.overrideLock(projectId)
 
 	if (result.success) {
+		addNotification({
+			title: 'Moderation lock overridden',
+			text: 'You are now moderating this project.',
+			type: 'success',
+		})
 		handleLockAcquired()
 	} else if (result.locked_by) {
-		// Still locked by another moderator, update status
 		lockStatus.value = {
 			locked: true,
 			lockedBy: result.locked_by,
 			lockedAt: result.locked_at ? new Date(result.locked_at) : undefined,
+			expiresAt: result.expires_at ? new Date(result.expires_at) : undefined,
 			expired: result.expired,
 			isOwnLock: false,
 		}
 		lockError.value = false
 
-		// Restart countdown timer
 		updateLockCountdown()
 		if (!lockCountdownInterval.value) {
 			lockCountdownInterval.value = setInterval(updateLockCountdown, 1000)
@@ -764,25 +819,21 @@ async function batchCheckLocksWithMetadata(
 	projectIds: string[],
 ): Promise<Map<string, LockCheckResult>> {
 	const results = new Map<string, LockCheckResult>()
-	const currentUserId = (auth.value?.user as { id?: string } | null)?.id
 
 	// Check locks and fetch minimal project data in parallel
 	const checks = await Promise.allSettled(
 		projectIds.map(async (id) => {
 			// Parallel: check lock AND fetch project metadata
-			const [lockStatus, projectData] = await Promise.all([
+			const [lockResponse, projectData] = await Promise.all([
 				moderationStore.checkLock(id),
 				useBaseFetch(`project/${id}`, { method: 'GET' }).catch(() => null),
 			])
 
-			// Check if lock is by the current user (own lock = can acquire)
-			const isOwnLock = lockStatus.locked_by?.id === currentUserId
-
 			return {
 				id,
-				locked: lockStatus.locked,
-				expired: lockStatus.expired,
-				isOwnLock,
+				locked: lockResponse.locked,
+				expired: lockResponse.expired,
+				isOwnLock: lockResponse.is_own_lock,
 				slug: (projectData as { slug?: string })?.slug,
 				projectType: (projectData as { project_type?: string })?.project_type,
 			}
@@ -1187,6 +1238,7 @@ watch(currentStage, () => {
 
 onMounted(async () => {
 	window.addEventListener('keydown', handleKeybinds)
+	window.addEventListener('beforeunload', handleBeforeUnload)
 	document.addEventListener('visibilitychange', handleVisibilityChange)
 	notifications.setNotificationLocation('left')
 
@@ -1220,6 +1272,7 @@ onMounted(async () => {
 			locked: true,
 			lockedBy: result.locked_by,
 			lockedAt: result.locked_at ? new Date(result.locked_at) : undefined,
+			expiresAt: result.expires_at ? new Date(result.expires_at) : undefined,
 			expired: result.expired,
 			isOwnLock: false,
 		}
@@ -1233,7 +1286,25 @@ onMounted(async () => {
 	}
 })
 
+function handleBeforeUnload() {
+	const projectId = projectV2.value?.id
+	if (!projectId || !lockStatus.value?.isOwnLock) return
+
+	const config = useRuntimeConfig()
+	const base = config.public.apiBaseUrl.replace(/\/v\d\/?$/, '/_internal/')
+	const token = (auth as unknown as { value?: { token?: string } }).value?.token
+	if (!token) return
+
+	// sendBeacon is POST-only and cannot set Authorization. The internal POST /release endpoint
+	// accepts the same token as text/plain (matches useBaseFetch's Authorization value).
+	void navigator.sendBeacon(
+		`${base}moderation/lock/${projectId}/release`,
+		new Blob([token], { type: 'text/plain' }),
+	)
+}
+
 onUnmounted(() => {
+	window.removeEventListener('beforeunload', handleBeforeUnload)
 	window.removeEventListener('keydown', handleKeybinds)
 	document.removeEventListener('visibilitychange', handleVisibilityChange)
 	notifications.setNotificationLocation('right')
@@ -1243,6 +1314,12 @@ onUnmounted(() => {
 	}
 	clearLockCountdown()
 
+	// Release lock if we own it (navigation away without explicit exit)
+	const projectId = projectV2.value?.id
+	if (projectId && lockStatus.value?.isOwnLock) {
+		moderationStore.releaseLock(projectId)
+	}
+
 	// Clear prefetch state to prevent memory leaks
 	prefetchQueue.value = []
 	isPrefetching.value = false
@@ -1891,9 +1968,10 @@ async function sendMessage(status: ProjectStatus) {
 
 		const willHaveNext = moderationStore.completeCurrentProject(projectId, 'completed')
 
-		moderationStore.releaseLock(projectId).catch((err) => {
-			console.warn('Failed to release lock:', err)
-		})
+		await Promise.race([
+			moderationStore.releaseLock(projectId),
+			new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 2000)),
+		])
 
 		// Set both states together - hasNextProject MUST be set before done
 		// to avoid the race condition where done=true renders with hasNextProject=false
@@ -2021,9 +2099,10 @@ async function skipCurrentProject() {
 		return
 	}
 
-	moderationStore.releaseLock(projectId).catch((err) => {
-		console.warn('Failed to release lock:', err)
-	})
+	await Promise.race([
+		moderationStore.releaseLock(projectId),
+		new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 2000)),
+	])
 
 	hasNextProject.value = moderationStore.completeCurrentProject(projectId, 'skipped')
 
@@ -2089,6 +2168,12 @@ const stageOptions = computed<OverflowMenuOption[]>(() => {
 
 	return options
 })
+
+type StageOverflowSlotOption = OverflowMenuOption & { id: string; text: string }
+
+const stageOptionsForSlots = computed(() =>
+	stageOptions.value.filter((opt): opt is StageOverflowSlotOption => 'id' in opt && 'text' in opt),
+)
 </script>
 
 <style scoped lang="scss">
diff --git a/apps/frontend/src/store/moderation.ts b/apps/frontend/src/store/moderation.ts
index fb0b5f654..bc08d3302 100644
--- a/apps/frontend/src/store/moderation.ts
+++ b/apps/frontend/src/store/moderation.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-import { createPinia, defineStore } from 'pinia'
-import piniaPluginPersistedstate from 'pinia-plugin-persistedstate'
+import { defineStore } from 'pinia'
+import { computed, ref } from 'vue'
 
 export interface ModerationQueue {
 	items: string[]
@@ -17,15 +17,19 @@ export interface LockedByUser {
 
 export interface LockStatusResponse {
 	locked: boolean
+	is_own_lock: boolean
 	locked_by?: LockedByUser
 	locked_at?: string
+	expires_at?: string
 	expired?: boolean
 }
 
 export interface LockAcquireResponse {
 	success: boolean
+	is_own_lock: boolean
 	locked_by?: LockedByUser
 	locked_at?: string
+	expires_at?: string
 	expired?: boolean
 }
 
@@ -42,71 +46,68 @@ function createEmptyQueue(): ModerationQueue {
 	return { ...EMPTY_QUEUE, lastUpdated: new Date() } as ModerationQueue
 }
 
-const pinia = createPinia()
-pinia.use(piniaPluginPersistedstate)
+export const useModerationStore = defineStore(
+	'moderation',
+	() => {
+		const currentQueue = ref<ModerationQueue>(createEmptyQueue())
+		const currentLock = ref<{ projectId: string; lockedAt: Date } | null>(null)
+		const isQueueMode = ref(false)
 
-export const useModerationStore = defineStore('moderation', {
-	state: () => ({
-		currentQueue: createEmptyQueue(),
-		currentLock: null as { projectId: string; lockedAt: Date } | null,
-		isQueueMode: false,
-	}),
+		const queueLength = computed(() => currentQueue.value.items.length)
+		const hasItems = computed(() => currentQueue.value.items.length > 0)
+		const progress = computed(() => {
+			if (currentQueue.value.total === 0) return 0
+			return (currentQueue.value.completed + currentQueue.value.skipped) / currentQueue.value.total
+		})
 
-	getters: {
-		queueLength: (state) => state.currentQueue.items.length,
-		hasItems: (state) => state.currentQueue.items.length > 0,
-		progress: (state) => {
-			if (state.currentQueue.total === 0) return 0
-			return (state.currentQueue.completed + state.currentQueue.skipped) / state.currentQueue.total
-		},
-	},
-
-	actions: {
-		setQueue(projectIDs: string[]) {
-			this.isQueueMode = true
-			this.currentQueue = {
+		function setQueue(projectIDs: string[]) {
+			isQueueMode.value = true
+			currentQueue.value = {
 				items: [...projectIDs],
 				total: projectIDs.length,
 				completed: 0,
 				skipped: 0,
 				lastUpdated: new Date(),
 			}
-		},
+		}
 
-		setSingleProject(projectId: string) {
-			this.isQueueMode = false
-			this.currentQueue = {
+		function setSingleProject(projectId: string) {
+			isQueueMode.value = false
+			currentQueue.value = {
 				items: [projectId],
 				total: 1,
 				completed: 0,
 				skipped: 0,
 				lastUpdated: new Date(),
 			}
-		},
+		}
 
-		completeCurrentProject(projectId: string, status: 'completed' | 'skipped' = 'completed') {
+		function completeCurrentProject(
+			projectId: string,
+			status: 'completed' | 'skipped' = 'completed',
+		) {
 			if (status === 'completed') {
-				this.currentQueue.completed++
+				currentQueue.value.completed++
 			} else {
-				this.currentQueue.skipped++
+				currentQueue.value.skipped++
 			}
 
-			this.currentQueue.items = this.currentQueue.items.filter((id: string) => id !== projectId)
-			this.currentQueue.lastUpdated = new Date()
+			currentQueue.value.items = currentQueue.value.items.filter((id: string) => id !== projectId)
+			currentQueue.value.lastUpdated = new Date()
 
-			return this.currentQueue.items.length > 0
-		},
+			return currentQueue.value.items.length > 0
+		}
 
-		getCurrentProjectId(): string | null {
-			return this.currentQueue.items[0] || null
-		},
+		function getCurrentProjectId(): string | null {
+			return currentQueue.value.items[0] || null
+		}
 
-		resetQueue() {
-			this.isQueueMode = false
-			this.currentQueue = createEmptyQueue()
-		},
+		function resetQueue() {
+			isQueueMode.value = false
+			currentQueue.value = createEmptyQueue()
+		}
 
-		async acquireLock(projectId: string): Promise<LockAcquireResponse> {
+		async function acquireLock(projectId: string): Promise<LockAcquireResponse> {
 			try {
 				const response = (await useBaseFetch(`moderation/lock/${projectId}`, {
 					method: 'POST',
@@ -114,35 +115,57 @@ export const useModerationStore = defineStore('moderation', {
 				})) as LockAcquireResponse
 
 				if (response.success) {
-					this.currentLock = { projectId, lockedAt: new Date() }
+					currentLock.value = { projectId, lockedAt: new Date() }
+				} else if (currentLock.value?.projectId === projectId) {
+					// We were outbid or our lock expired — clear stale state
+					currentLock.value = null
 				}
 
 				return response
 			} catch (error) {
 				console.error('Failed to acquire moderation lock:', error)
-				// Return a failed response so the UI can handle it gracefully
-				return { success: false }
+				return { success: false, is_own_lock: false }
 			}
-		},
+		}
 
-		async releaseLock(projectId: string): Promise<boolean> {
+		async function overrideLock(projectId: string): Promise<LockAcquireResponse> {
+			try {
+				const response = (await useBaseFetch(`moderation/lock/${projectId}/override`, {
+					method: 'POST',
+					internal: true,
+				})) as LockAcquireResponse
+
+				if (response.success) {
+					currentLock.value = { projectId, lockedAt: new Date() }
+				} else if (currentLock.value?.projectId === projectId) {
+					currentLock.value = null
+				}
+
+				return response
+			} catch (error) {
+				console.error('Failed to override moderation lock:', error)
+				return { success: false, is_own_lock: false }
+			}
+		}
+
+		async function releaseLock(projectId: string): Promise<boolean> {
 			try {
 				const response = (await useBaseFetch(`moderation/lock/${projectId}`, {
 					method: 'DELETE',
 					internal: true,
 				})) as { success: boolean }
 
-				if (this.currentLock?.projectId === projectId) {
-					this.currentLock = null
+				if (currentLock.value?.projectId === projectId) {
+					currentLock.value = null
 				}
 
 				return response.success
 			} catch {
 				return false
 			}
-		},
+		}
 
-		async checkLock(projectId: string): Promise<LockStatusResponse> {
+		async function checkLock(projectId: string): Promise<LockStatusResponse> {
 			try {
 				const response = (await useBaseFetch(`moderation/lock/${projectId}`, {
 					method: 'GET',
@@ -152,34 +175,58 @@ export const useModerationStore = defineStore('moderation', {
 			} catch (error) {
 				console.error('Failed to check moderation lock:', error)
 				// Return unlocked status on error so moderation can proceed
-				return { locked: false }
+				return { locked: false, is_own_lock: false }
 			}
-		},
+		}
 
-		async refreshLock(): Promise<boolean> {
-			if (!this.currentLock) return false
+		async function refreshLock(): Promise<LockAcquireResponse> {
+			if (!currentLock.value) return { success: false, is_own_lock: false }
 
 			try {
-				const response = await this.acquireLock(this.currentLock.projectId)
-				return response.success
+				const response = await acquireLock(currentLock.value.projectId)
+				// acquireLock already clears currentLock on failure
+				return response
 			} catch (error) {
 				console.error('Failed to refresh moderation lock:', error)
-				return false
+				currentLock.value = null
+				return { success: false, is_own_lock: false }
 			}
-		},
-	},
+		}
 
-	persist: {
-		key: 'moderation-store',
-		serializer: {
-			serialize: JSON.stringify,
-			deserialize: (value: string) => {
-				const parsed = JSON.parse(value)
-				if (parsed.currentQueue?.lastUpdated) {
-					parsed.currentQueue.lastUpdated = new Date(parsed.currentQueue.lastUpdated)
-				}
-				return parsed
+		return {
+			currentQueue,
+			currentLock,
+			isQueueMode,
+			queueLength,
+			hasItems,
+			progress,
+			setQueue,
+			setSingleProject,
+			completeCurrentProject,
+			getCurrentProjectId,
+			resetQueue,
+			acquireLock,
+			overrideLock,
+			releaseLock,
+			checkLock,
+			refreshLock,
+		}
+	},
+	{
+		persist: {
+			key: 'moderation-store',
+			// Only persist queue state — currentLock is always revalidated on mount
+			paths: ['currentQueue', 'isQueueMode'],
+			serializer: {
+				serialize: JSON.stringify,
+				deserialize: (value: string) => {
+					const parsed = JSON.parse(value)
+					if (parsed.currentQueue?.lastUpdated) {
+						parsed.currentQueue.lastUpdated = new Date(parsed.currentQueue.lastUpdated)
+					}
+					return parsed
+				},
 			},
 		},
 	},
-})
+)
diff --git a/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-10e2a3b31ba94b93ed2d6c9753a5aabf13190a0b336089e6521022069813cf17.json b/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-10e2a3b31ba94b93ed2d6c9753a5aabf13190a0b336089e6521022069813cf17.json
index ed3215a69..53cf35030 100644
--- a/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-10e2a3b31ba94b93ed2d6c9753a5aabf13190a0b336089e6521022069813cf17.json
+++ b/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-10e2a3b31ba94b93ed2d6c9753a5aabf13190a0b336089e6521022069813cf17.json
@@ -29,8 +29,7 @@
                 "low",
                 "medium",
                 "high",
-                "severe",
-                "malware"
+                "severe"
               ]
             }
           }
@@ -46,7 +45,7 @@
       false,
       true,
       false,
-      true
+      false
     ]
   },
   "hash": "10e2a3b31ba94b93ed2d6c9753a5aabf13190a0b336089e6521022069813cf17"
diff --git a/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-263ad3654f544ffb6061c839d49dada47fb382a76fdcabad2077fb1ef6d1010a.json b/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-263ad3654f544ffb6061c839d49dada47fb382a76fdcabad2077fb1ef6d1010a.json
index a85445359..23c13cd16 100644
--- a/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-263ad3654f544ffb6061c839d49dada47fb382a76fdcabad2077fb1ef6d1010a.json
+++ b/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-263ad3654f544ffb6061c839d49dada47fb382a76fdcabad2077fb1ef6d1010a.json
@@ -44,8 +44,7 @@
                 "low",
                 "medium",
                 "high",
-                "severe",
-                "malware"
+                "severe"
               ]
             }
           }
@@ -80,7 +79,7 @@
       true,
       false,
       false,
-      true,
+      false,
       null
     ]
   },
diff --git a/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-3c4b6b837f44183633327fef511efa2009d55ae6cd3f3d9312cce4912ad51558.json b/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-3c4b6b837f44183633327fef511efa2009d55ae6cd3f3d9312cce4912ad51558.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f699e17be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-3c4b6b837f44183633327fef511efa2009d55ae6cd3f3d9312cce4912ad51558.json
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+{
+  "db_name": "PostgreSQL",
+  "query": "\n            WITH upsert AS (\n                INSERT INTO moderation_locks (project_id, moderator_id, locked_at)\n                VALUES ($1, $2, NOW())\n                ON CONFLICT (project_id) DO UPDATE SET\n                    moderator_id = CASE\n                        WHEN moderation_locks.moderator_id = EXCLUDED.moderator_id\n                          OR moderation_locks.locked_at < NOW() - ($3::bigint * INTERVAL '1 minute')\n                        THEN EXCLUDED.moderator_id\n                        ELSE moderation_locks.moderator_id\n                    END,\n                    locked_at = CASE\n                        WHEN moderation_locks.moderator_id = EXCLUDED.moderator_id\n                          OR moderation_locks.locked_at < NOW() - ($3::bigint * INTERVAL '1 minute')\n                        THEN EXCLUDED.locked_at\n                        ELSE moderation_locks.locked_at\n                    END\n                RETURNING moderator_id, locked_at\n            )\n            SELECT\n                upsert.moderator_id,\n                upsert.locked_at,\n                u.username   AS moderator_username,\n                u.avatar_url AS moderator_avatar_url\n            FROM upsert\n            INNER JOIN users u ON u.id = upsert.moderator_id\n            ",
+  "describe": {
+    "columns": [
+      {
+        "ordinal": 0,
+        "name": "moderator_id",
+        "type_info": "Int8"
+      },
+      {
+        "ordinal": 1,
+        "name": "locked_at",
+        "type_info": "Timestamptz"
+      },
+      {
+        "ordinal": 2,
+        "name": "moderator_username",
+        "type_info": "Varchar"
+      },
+      {
+        "ordinal": 3,
+        "name": "moderator_avatar_url",
+        "type_info": "Varchar"
+      }
+    ],
+    "parameters": {
+      "Left": [
+        "Int8",
+        "Int8",
+        "Int8"
+      ]
+    },
+    "nullable": [
+      false,
+      false,
+      false,
+      true
+    ]
+  },
+  "hash": "3c4b6b837f44183633327fef511efa2009d55ae6cd3f3d9312cce4912ad51558"
+}
diff --git a/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-420453c85418f57da3f89396b0625b98efbb2f38fb2d113c2f894481f41dc24c.json b/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-420453c85418f57da3f89396b0625b98efbb2f38fb2d113c2f894481f41dc24c.json
deleted file mode 100644
index c08dc312d..000000000
--- a/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-420453c85418f57da3f89396b0625b98efbb2f38fb2d113c2f894481f41dc24c.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,14 +0,0 @@
-{
-  "db_name": "PostgreSQL",
-  "query": "UPDATE moderation_locks SET locked_at = NOW() WHERE project_id = $1",
-  "describe": {
-    "columns": [],
-    "parameters": {
-      "Left": [
-        "Int8"
-      ]
-    },
-    "nullable": []
-  },
-  "hash": "420453c85418f57da3f89396b0625b98efbb2f38fb2d113c2f894481f41dc24c"
-}
diff --git a/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-72c050caf23ce0e7d9f2dbe2eca92147c88570ba9757a8204861187f0da7dbb1.json b/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-72c050caf23ce0e7d9f2dbe2eca92147c88570ba9757a8204861187f0da7dbb1.json
deleted file mode 100644
index 9d2554f1b..000000000
--- a/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-72c050caf23ce0e7d9f2dbe2eca92147c88570ba9757a8204861187f0da7dbb1.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,15 +0,0 @@
-{
-  "db_name": "PostgreSQL",
-  "query": "UPDATE moderation_locks SET moderator_id = $1, locked_at = NOW() WHERE project_id = $2",
-  "describe": {
-    "columns": [],
-    "parameters": {
-      "Left": [
-        "Int8",
-        "Int8"
-      ]
-    },
-    "nullable": []
-  },
-  "hash": "72c050caf23ce0e7d9f2dbe2eca92147c88570ba9757a8204861187f0da7dbb1"
-}
diff --git a/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-834f4aca2ff23ccd041cd1028145561f625e7edfadb21f89a41d0c16cd25763a.json b/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-834f4aca2ff23ccd041cd1028145561f625e7edfadb21f89a41d0c16cd25763a.json
deleted file mode 100644
index 1b4008fca..000000000
--- a/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-834f4aca2ff23ccd041cd1028145561f625e7edfadb21f89a41d0c16cd25763a.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,15 +0,0 @@
-{
-  "db_name": "PostgreSQL",
-  "query": "INSERT INTO moderation_locks (project_id, moderator_id, locked_at)\n\t\t\tVALUES ($1, $2, NOW())\n\t\t\tON CONFLICT (project_id) DO UPDATE\n\t\t\tSET moderator_id = EXCLUDED.moderator_id, locked_at = EXCLUDED.locked_at",
-  "describe": {
-    "columns": [],
-    "parameters": {
-      "Left": [
-        "Int8",
-        "Int8"
-      ]
-    },
-    "nullable": []
-  },
-  "hash": "834f4aca2ff23ccd041cd1028145561f625e7edfadb21f89a41d0c16cd25763a"
-}
diff --git a/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-9369f0659c5fbd08463923a9b2bba49f4963315fd7667c6db96e6153e54a2fd2.json b/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-9369f0659c5fbd08463923a9b2bba49f4963315fd7667c6db96e6153e54a2fd2.json
index 419c0ff25..8ca4b6949 100644
--- a/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-9369f0659c5fbd08463923a9b2bba49f4963315fd7667c6db96e6153e54a2fd2.json
+++ b/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-9369f0659c5fbd08463923a9b2bba49f4963315fd7667c6db96e6153e54a2fd2.json
@@ -25,8 +25,7 @@
                 "low",
                 "medium",
                 "high",
-                "severe",
-                "malware"
+                "severe"
               ]
             }
           }
diff --git a/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-e5a83a4d578f76e6e3298054960368931e5f711c6ce4e4af6b0ad523600da425.json b/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-c433faf330a283367b974a1b78f9a1df80d6a21ce57f107f40a761c07a064a25.json
similarity index 53%
rename from apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-e5a83a4d578f76e6e3298054960368931e5f711c6ce4e4af6b0ad523600da425.json
rename to apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-c433faf330a283367b974a1b78f9a1df80d6a21ce57f107f40a761c07a064a25.json
index 1d33516a6..f294dfa06 100644
--- a/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-e5a83a4d578f76e6e3298054960368931e5f711c6ce4e4af6b0ad523600da425.json
+++ b/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-c433faf330a283367b974a1b78f9a1df80d6a21ce57f107f40a761c07a064a25.json
@@ -1,12 +1,14 @@
 {
   "db_name": "PostgreSQL",
-  "query": "DELETE FROM moderation_locks WHERE locked_at < NOW() - INTERVAL '15 minutes'",
+  "query": "DELETE FROM moderation_locks WHERE locked_at < NOW() - ($1::bigint * INTERVAL '1 minute')",
   "describe": {
     "columns": [],
     "parameters": {
-      "Left": []
+      "Left": [
+        "Int8"
+      ]
     },
     "nullable": []
   },
-  "hash": "e5a83a4d578f76e6e3298054960368931e5f711c6ce4e4af6b0ad523600da425"
+  "hash": "c433faf330a283367b974a1b78f9a1df80d6a21ce57f107f40a761c07a064a25"
 }
diff --git a/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-f2054ae7dcc89b21ed6b2f04526de1e7cddd68ac956143bef994104280a8dc07.json b/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-f2054ae7dcc89b21ed6b2f04526de1e7cddd68ac956143bef994104280a8dc07.json
index c20c8ecda..8cbe94abd 100644
--- a/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-f2054ae7dcc89b21ed6b2f04526de1e7cddd68ac956143bef994104280a8dc07.json
+++ b/apps/labrinth/.sqlx/query-f2054ae7dcc89b21ed6b2f04526de1e7cddd68ac956143bef994104280a8dc07.json
@@ -22,8 +22,7 @@
                 "low",
                 "medium",
                 "high",
-                "severe",
-                "malware"
+                "severe"
               ]
             }
           }
diff --git a/apps/labrinth/src/auth/mod.rs b/apps/labrinth/src/auth/mod.rs
index d996afb1d..1dfd7fd38 100644
--- a/apps/labrinth/src/auth/mod.rs
+++ b/apps/labrinth/src/auth/mod.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,10 @@ pub use checks::{
     filter_visible_projects,
 };
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
-pub use validate::{check_is_moderator_from_headers, get_user_from_headers};
+pub use validate::{
+    check_is_moderator_from_headers, get_user_from_bearer_token,
+    get_user_from_headers,
+};
 
 use crate::file_hosting::FileHostingError;
 use crate::models::error::ApiError;
diff --git a/apps/labrinth/src/database/models/moderation_lock_item.rs b/apps/labrinth/src/database/models/moderation_lock_item.rs
index f9dbb6558..46413698a 100644
--- a/apps/labrinth/src/database/models/moderation_lock_item.rs
+++ b/apps/labrinth/src/database/models/moderation_lock_item.rs
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 use crate::database::PgPool;
-use chrono::{DateTime, Utc};
+use chrono::{DateTime, Duration, Utc};
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
 use crate::database::models::{DBProjectId, DBUserId};
 
-const LOCK_EXPIRY_MINUTES: i64 = 15;
+pub const LOCK_EXPIRY_MINUTES: i64 = 15;
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub struct DBModerationLock {
@@ -20,69 +20,102 @@ pub struct ModerationLockWithUser {
     pub moderator_username: String,
     pub moderator_avatar_url: Option<String>,
     pub locked_at: DateTime<Utc>,
+    pub expires_at: DateTime<Utc>,
     pub expired: bool,
 }
 
 impl DBModerationLock {
-    /// Check if a lock is expired (older than 15 minutes)
-    pub fn is_expired(&self) -> bool {
-        Utc::now()
-            .signed_duration_since(self.locked_at)
-            .num_minutes()
-            >= LOCK_EXPIRY_MINUTES
-    }
-
-    /// Try to acquire or refresh a lock for a project.
+    /// Try to acquire or refresh a lock for a project atomically.
     /// Returns Ok(Ok(())) if lock acquired/refreshed, Ok(Err(lock)) if blocked by another moderator.
     pub async fn acquire(
         project_id: DBProjectId,
         moderator_id: DBUserId,
         pool: &PgPool,
     ) -> Result<Result<(), ModerationLockWithUser>, sqlx::Error> {
-        // First check if there's an existing lock
-        let existing = Self::get_with_user(project_id, pool).await?;
-
-        if let Some(lock) = existing {
-            // Same moderator - refresh the lock
-            if lock.moderator_id == moderator_id {
-                sqlx::query!(
-					"UPDATE moderation_locks SET locked_at = NOW() WHERE project_id = $1",
-					project_id as DBProjectId
-				)
-				.execute(pool)
-				.await?;
-                return Ok(Ok(()));
-            }
-
-            // Different moderator but lock expired - take over
-            if lock.expired {
-                sqlx::query!(
-					"UPDATE moderation_locks SET moderator_id = $1, locked_at = NOW() WHERE project_id = $2",
-					moderator_id as DBUserId,
-					project_id as DBProjectId
-				)
-				.execute(pool)
-				.await?;
-                return Ok(Ok(()));
-            }
-
-            // Different moderator, not expired - blocked
-            return Ok(Err(lock));
-        }
-
-        // No existing lock - create new one
-        sqlx::query!(
-            "INSERT INTO moderation_locks (project_id, moderator_id, locked_at)
-			VALUES ($1, $2, NOW())
-			ON CONFLICT (project_id) DO UPDATE
-			SET moderator_id = EXCLUDED.moderator_id, locked_at = EXCLUDED.locked_at",
+        // Atomic upsert that always returns the post-operation row. When the lock is held by
+        // another moderator and is still valid, the CASE branches write the existing values
+        // back (a harmless self-update), so `RETURNING` always yields a row describing the
+        // current holder. We cannot rely on a bare `DO UPDATE ... WHERE` because:
+        //   * `WHERE` that evaluates false suppresses the update *and* `RETURNING`, and
+        //   * data-modifying CTEs share a snapshot with the enclosing SELECT, so a plain
+        //     `SELECT ... FROM moderation_locks` in the same statement cannot see a row
+        //     inserted by the CTE above it.
+        let row = sqlx::query!(
+            r#"
+            WITH upsert AS (
+                INSERT INTO moderation_locks (project_id, moderator_id, locked_at)
+                VALUES ($1, $2, NOW())
+                ON CONFLICT (project_id) DO UPDATE SET
+                    moderator_id = CASE
+                        WHEN moderation_locks.moderator_id = EXCLUDED.moderator_id
+                          OR moderation_locks.locked_at < NOW() - ($3::bigint * INTERVAL '1 minute')
+                        THEN EXCLUDED.moderator_id
+                        ELSE moderation_locks.moderator_id
+                    END,
+                    locked_at = CASE
+                        WHEN moderation_locks.moderator_id = EXCLUDED.moderator_id
+                          OR moderation_locks.locked_at < NOW() - ($3::bigint * INTERVAL '1 minute')
+                        THEN EXCLUDED.locked_at
+                        ELSE moderation_locks.locked_at
+                    END
+                RETURNING moderator_id, locked_at
+            )
+            SELECT
+                upsert.moderator_id,
+                upsert.locked_at,
+                u.username   AS moderator_username,
+                u.avatar_url AS moderator_avatar_url
+            FROM upsert
+            INNER JOIN users u ON u.id = upsert.moderator_id
+            "#,
             project_id as DBProjectId,
-            moderator_id as DBUserId
+            moderator_id as DBUserId,
+            LOCK_EXPIRY_MINUTES,
         )
+        .fetch_one(pool)
+        .await?;
+
+        let locked_at: DateTime<Utc> = row.locked_at;
+        let expires_at = locked_at + Duration::minutes(LOCK_EXPIRY_MINUTES);
+        let expired = Utc::now() >= expires_at;
+
+        if row.moderator_id == moderator_id.0 {
+            Ok(Ok(()))
+        } else {
+            Ok(Err(ModerationLockWithUser {
+                project_id,
+                moderator_id: DBUserId(row.moderator_id),
+                moderator_username: row.moderator_username,
+                moderator_avatar_url: row.moderator_avatar_url,
+                locked_at,
+                expires_at,
+                expired,
+            }))
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Reassign the lock to `moderator_id`, even when another moderator holds an active lock.
+    /// Used only after explicit client confirmation (override flow).
+    pub async fn force_acquire(
+        project_id: DBProjectId,
+        moderator_id: DBUserId,
+        pool: &PgPool,
+    ) -> Result<(), sqlx::Error> {
+        sqlx::query(
+            r#"
+            INSERT INTO moderation_locks (project_id, moderator_id, locked_at)
+            VALUES ($1, $2, NOW())
+            ON CONFLICT (project_id) DO UPDATE SET
+                moderator_id = EXCLUDED.moderator_id,
+                locked_at = EXCLUDED.locked_at
+            "#,
+        )
+        .bind(project_id)
+        .bind(moderator_id)
         .execute(pool)
         .await?;
 
-        Ok(Ok(()))
+        Ok(())
     }
 
     /// Get lock status for a project, including moderator username
@@ -109,9 +142,8 @@ impl DBModerationLock {
 
         Ok(row.map(|r| {
             let locked_at: DateTime<Utc> = r.locked_at;
-            let expired =
-                Utc::now().signed_duration_since(locked_at).num_minutes()
-                    >= LOCK_EXPIRY_MINUTES;
+            let expires_at = locked_at + Duration::minutes(LOCK_EXPIRY_MINUTES);
+            let expired = Utc::now() >= expires_at;
 
             ModerationLockWithUser {
                 project_id: DBProjectId(r.project_id),
@@ -119,6 +151,7 @@ impl DBModerationLock {
                 moderator_username: r.moderator_username,
                 moderator_avatar_url: r.moderator_avatar_url,
                 locked_at,
+                expires_at,
                 expired,
             }
         }))
@@ -144,10 +177,11 @@ impl DBModerationLock {
     /// Clean up expired locks (can be called periodically)
     pub async fn cleanup_expired(pool: &PgPool) -> Result<u64, sqlx::Error> {
         let result = sqlx::query!(
-			"DELETE FROM moderation_locks WHERE locked_at < NOW() - INTERVAL '15 minutes'"
-		)
-		.execute(pool)
-		.await?;
+            "DELETE FROM moderation_locks WHERE locked_at < NOW() - ($1::bigint * INTERVAL '1 minute')",
+            LOCK_EXPIRY_MINUTES,
+        )
+        .execute(pool)
+        .await?;
 
         Ok(result.rows_affected())
     }
diff --git a/apps/labrinth/src/routes/internal/moderation/mod.rs b/apps/labrinth/src/routes/internal/moderation/mod.rs
index a4e9d656d..549b82646 100644
--- a/apps/labrinth/src/routes/internal/moderation/mod.rs
+++ b/apps/labrinth/src/routes/internal/moderation/mod.rs
@@ -9,7 +9,10 @@ use crate::models::projects::{Project, ProjectStatus};
 use crate::queue::moderation::{ApprovalType, IdentifiedFile, MissingMetadata};
 use crate::queue::session::AuthQueue;
 use crate::util::error::Context;
-use crate::{auth::check_is_moderator_from_headers, models::pats::Scopes};
+use crate::{
+    auth::{check_is_moderator_from_headers, get_user_from_bearer_token},
+    models::pats::Scopes,
+};
 use actix_web::{HttpRequest, delete, get, post, web};
 use ariadne::ids::{UserId, random_base62};
 use chrono::{DateTime, Utc};
@@ -25,8 +28,10 @@ pub fn config(cfg: &mut utoipa_actix_web::service_config::ServiceConfig) {
         .service(get_project_meta)
         .service(set_project_meta)
         .service(acquire_lock)
+        .service(override_lock)
         .service(get_lock_status)
         .service(release_lock)
+        .service(release_lock_beacon)
         .service(delete_all_locks)
         .service(
             utoipa_actix_web::scope("/tech-review")
@@ -88,13 +93,18 @@ pub enum Ownership {
 pub struct LockStatusResponse {
     /// Whether the project is currently locked
     pub locked: bool,
+    /// Whether the requesting user holds the lock
+    pub is_own_lock: bool,
     /// Information about who holds the lock (if locked)
     #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub locked_by: Option<LockedByUser>,
     /// When the lock was acquired
     #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub locked_at: Option<DateTime<Utc>>,
-    /// Whether the lock has expired (>15 minutes old)
+    /// When the lock expires
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub expires_at: Option<DateTime<Utc>>,
+    /// Whether the lock has expired
     #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub expired: Option<bool>,
 }
@@ -115,11 +125,16 @@ pub struct LockedByUser {
 pub struct LockAcquireResponse {
     /// Whether lock was successfully acquired
     pub success: bool,
+    /// Whether the requesting user holds the lock (true when success is true)
+    pub is_own_lock: bool,
     /// If blocked, info about who holds the lock
     #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub locked_by: Option<LockedByUser>,
     #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub locked_at: Option<DateTime<Utc>>,
+    /// When the lock expires (present whether acquired or blocked)
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub expires_at: Option<DateTime<Utc>>,
     #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub expired: Option<bool>,
 }
@@ -520,23 +535,72 @@ async fn acquire_lock(
     match DBModerationLock::acquire(db_project_id, db_user_id, &pool).await? {
         Ok(()) => Ok(web::Json(LockAcquireResponse {
             success: true,
+            is_own_lock: true,
             locked_by: None,
             locked_at: None,
+            expires_at: None,
             expired: None,
         })),
         Err(lock) => Ok(web::Json(LockAcquireResponse {
             success: false,
+            is_own_lock: false,
             locked_by: Some(LockedByUser {
                 id: UserId::from(lock.moderator_id).to_string(),
                 username: lock.moderator_username,
                 avatar_url: lock.moderator_avatar_url,
             }),
             locked_at: Some(lock.locked_at),
+            expires_at: Some(lock.expires_at),
             expired: Some(lock.expired),
         })),
     }
 }
 
+/// Force-acquire a moderation lock on a project (moderator override).
+#[utoipa::path(
+    responses(
+        (status = OK, body = LockAcquireResponse),
+        (status = NOT_FOUND, description = "Project not found")
+    )
+)]
+#[post("/lock/{project_id}/override")]
+async fn override_lock(
+    req: HttpRequest,
+    pool: web::Data<PgPool>,
+    redis: web::Data<RedisPool>,
+    session_queue: web::Data<AuthQueue>,
+    path: web::Path<(String,)>,
+) -> Result<web::Json<LockAcquireResponse>, ApiError> {
+    let user = check_is_moderator_from_headers(
+        &req,
+        &**pool,
+        &redis,
+        &session_queue,
+        Scopes::PROJECT_WRITE,
+    )
+    .await?;
+
+    let project_id_str = path.into_inner().0;
+    let project =
+        database::models::DBProject::get(&project_id_str, &**pool, &redis)
+            .await?
+            .ok_or(ApiError::NotFound)?;
+
+    let db_project_id = project.inner.id;
+    let db_user_id = database::models::DBUserId::from(user.id);
+
+    DBModerationLock::force_acquire(db_project_id, db_user_id, &pool).await?;
+
+    Ok(web::Json(LockAcquireResponse {
+        success: true,
+        is_own_lock: true,
+        locked_by: None,
+        locked_at: None,
+        expires_at: None,
+        expired: None,
+    }))
+}
+
 /// Check the lock status for a project
 #[utoipa::path(
     responses(
@@ -552,7 +616,7 @@ async fn get_lock_status(
     session_queue: web::Data<AuthQueue>,
     path: web::Path<(String,)>,
 ) -> Result<web::Json<LockStatusResponse>, ApiError> {
-    check_is_moderator_from_headers(
+    let user = check_is_moderator_from_headers(
         &req,
         &**pool,
         &redis,
@@ -568,22 +632,30 @@ async fn get_lock_status(
             .ok_or(ApiError::NotFound)?;
 
     let db_project_id = project.inner.id;
+    let db_user_id = database::models::DBUserId::from(user.id);
 
     match DBModerationLock::get_with_user(db_project_id, &pool).await? {
-        Some(lock) => Ok(web::Json(LockStatusResponse {
-            locked: true,
-            locked_by: Some(LockedByUser {
-                id: UserId::from(lock.moderator_id).to_string(),
-                username: lock.moderator_username,
-                avatar_url: lock.moderator_avatar_url,
-            }),
-            locked_at: Some(lock.locked_at),
-            expired: Some(lock.expired),
-        })),
+        Some(lock) => {
+            let is_own_lock = lock.moderator_id == db_user_id;
+            Ok(web::Json(LockStatusResponse {
+                locked: true,
+                is_own_lock,
+                locked_by: Some(LockedByUser {
+                    id: UserId::from(lock.moderator_id).to_string(),
+                    username: lock.moderator_username,
+                    avatar_url: lock.moderator_avatar_url,
+                }),
+                locked_at: Some(lock.locked_at),
+                expires_at: Some(lock.expires_at),
+                expired: Some(lock.expired),
+            }))
+        }
         None => Ok(web::Json(LockStatusResponse {
             locked: false,
+            is_own_lock: false,
             locked_by: None,
             locked_at: None,
+            expires_at: None,
             expired: None,
         })),
     }
@@ -630,6 +702,77 @@ async fn release_lock(
     Ok(web::Json(LockReleaseResponse { success: released }))
 }
 
+/// Release a moderation lock using credentials in the request body.
+///
+/// For use with `navigator.sendBeacon`, which cannot set `Authorization` or send `DELETE`.
+/// The body must be `text/plain` containing the same token value as the `Authorization` header
+/// (optional `Bearer ` prefix). This avoids a CORS preflight compared to `application/json`.
+#[utoipa::path(
+    request_body(
+        content = String,
+        description = "Token value (same as Authorization header)",
+        content_type = "text/plain"
+    ),
+    responses(
+        (status = OK, body = LockReleaseResponse),
+        (status = NOT_FOUND, description = "Project not found")
+    )
+)]
+#[post("/lock/{project_id}/release")]
+async fn release_lock_beacon(
+    req: HttpRequest,
+    pool: web::Data<PgPool>,
+    redis: web::Data<RedisPool>,
+    session_queue: web::Data<AuthQueue>,
+    path: web::Path<(String,)>,
+    body: String,
+) -> Result<web::Json<LockReleaseResponse>, ApiError> {
+    let token = body.trim();
+    if token.is_empty() {
+        return Err(ApiError::InvalidInput(
+            "missing token in request body".to_string(),
+        ));
+    }
+    let token = token.strip_prefix("Bearer ").unwrap_or(token).trim();
+
+    let (scopes, user) = get_user_from_bearer_token(
+        &req,
+        Some(token),
+        &**pool,
+        &redis,
+        &session_queue,
+        false,
+    )
+    .await?;
+
+    if !scopes.contains(Scopes::PROJECT_WRITE) {
+        return Err(ApiError::CustomAuthentication(
+            "token is missing required scopes".to_string(),
+        ));
+    }
+    if !user.role.is_mod() {
+        return Err(ApiError::CustomAuthentication(
+            "only moderators may release moderation locks".to_string(),
+        ));
+    }
+
+    let project_id_str = path.into_inner().0;
+    let project =
+        database::models::DBProject::get(&project_id_str, &**pool, &redis)
+            .await?
+            .ok_or(ApiError::NotFound)?;
+
+    let db_project_id = project.inner.id;
+    let db_user_id = database::models::DBUserId::from(user.id);
+
+    let released =
+        DBModerationLock::release(db_project_id, db_user_id, &pool).await?;
+
+    let _ = DBModerationLock::cleanup_expired(&pool).await;
+
+    Ok(web::Json(LockReleaseResponse { success: released }))
+}
+
 /// Delete all moderation locks (admin only)
 #[utoipa::path(
     responses(
diff --git a/apps/labrinth/src/routes/v3/projects.rs b/apps/labrinth/src/routes/v3/projects.rs
index d004a2903..8a204124e 100644
--- a/apps/labrinth/src/routes/v3/projects.rs
+++ b/apps/labrinth/src/routes/v3/projects.rs
@@ -424,21 +424,28 @@ pub async fn project_edit_internal(
             ));
         }
 
-        // If a moderator is completing a review (changing from Processing to another status),
-        // check if another moderator holds an active lock on this project
+        // If a moderator (non-admin) is completing a review (changing from Processing to another
+        // status), they must hold an active non-expired lock on this project.
         if user.role.is_mod()
+            && !user.role.is_admin()
             && project_item.inner.status == ProjectStatus::Processing
             && status != &ProjectStatus::Processing
-            && let Some(lock) =
-                DBModerationLock::get_with_user(project_item.inner.id, &pool)
-                    .await?
-            && lock.moderator_id != db_ids::DBUserId::from(user.id)
-            && !lock.expired
         {
-            return Err(ApiError::CustomAuthentication(format!(
-                "This project is currently being moderated by @{}. Please wait for them to finish or for the lock to expire.",
-                lock.moderator_username
-            )));
+            let lock =
+                DBModerationLock::get_with_user(project_item.inner.id, &pool)
+                    .await?;
+            let owns = lock.as_ref().is_some_and(|l| {
+                l.moderator_id == db_ids::DBUserId::from(user.id) && !l.expired
+            });
+            if !owns {
+                return Err(ApiError::CustomAuthentication(match lock {
+                    Some(l) => format!(
+                        "This project is currently being moderated by @{}. Please wait for them to finish or for the lock to expire.",
+                        l.moderator_username
+                    ),
+                    None => "You must hold an active moderation lock to complete this review. Open the project in the moderation checklist to acquire one.".to_string(),
+                }));
+            }
         }
 
         if status == &ProjectStatus::Processing {
diff --git a/apps/labrinth/src/test/api_v2/project.rs b/apps/labrinth/src/test/api_v2/project.rs
index 476889b11..fade15bee 100644
--- a/apps/labrinth/src/test/api_v2/project.rs
+++ b/apps/labrinth/src/test/api_v2/project.rs
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ use async_trait::async_trait;
 use bytes::Bytes;
 use serde_json::json;
 
-use crate::test::database::MOD_USER_PAT;
+use crate::test::database::ADMIN_USER_PAT;
 
 use super::{
     ApiV2,
@@ -95,10 +95,10 @@ impl ApiProject for ApiV2 {
         let resp = self.create_project(creation_data, pat).await;
         assert_status!(&resp, StatusCode::OK);
 
-        // Approve as a moderator.
+        // Approve as admin so fixture setup is not blocked by the moderation-lock guard.
         let req = TestRequest::patch()
             .uri(&format!("/v2/project/{slug}"))
-            .append_pat(MOD_USER_PAT)
+            .append_pat(ADMIN_USER_PAT)
             .set_json(json!(
                 {
                     "status": "approved"
diff --git a/apps/labrinth/src/test/api_v3/project.rs b/apps/labrinth/src/test/api_v3/project.rs
index 58121dfdb..fc26cdd60 100644
--- a/apps/labrinth/src/test/api_v3/project.rs
+++ b/apps/labrinth/src/test/api_v3/project.rs
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ use crate::test::{
         models::{CommonItemType, CommonProject, CommonVersion},
         request_data::{ImageData, ProjectCreationRequestData},
     },
-    database::MOD_USER_PAT,
+    database::ADMIN_USER_PAT,
     dummy_data::TestFile,
 };
 
@@ -49,10 +49,11 @@ impl ApiProject for ApiV3 {
         let resp = self.create_project(creation_data, pat).await;
         assert_status!(&resp, StatusCode::OK);
 
-        // Approve as a moderator.
+        // Approve as admin so fixture setup is not blocked by the moderation-lock guard
+        // (non-admin moderators must hold a lock to move a project out of processing).
         let req = TestRequest::patch()
             .uri(&format!("/v3/project/{slug}"))
-            .append_pat(MOD_USER_PAT)
+            .append_pat(ADMIN_USER_PAT)
             .set_json(json!(
                 {
                     "status": "approved"
diff --git a/apps/labrinth/tests/moderation_lock.rs b/apps/labrinth/tests/moderation_lock.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..90797aac0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/labrinth/tests/moderation_lock.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,1062 @@
+use actix_http::StatusCode;
+use actix_web::http::header;
+use actix_web::test;
+use bytes::Bytes;
+use common::api_common::Api;
+use common::database::*;
+use common::environment::{TestEnvironment, with_test_environment};
+use labrinth::database::models::moderation_lock_item::{
+    DBModerationLock, LOCK_EXPIRY_MINUTES,
+};
+use labrinth::database::models::project_item::DBProject;
+use labrinth::database::models::{DBProjectId, DBUserId};
+use serde_json::{Value, json};
+use std::sync::Arc;
+use tokio::sync::Barrier;
+
+pub mod common;
+
+/// Force a project into `processing` status directly in the database.
+/// Clears the Redis project row so `DBProject::get` used by PATCH sees the new status.
+async fn set_project_processing(
+    project_id: i64,
+    project_slug: &str,
+    pool: &labrinth::database::PgPool,
+    redis: &labrinth::database::redis::RedisPool,
+) {
+    sqlx::query("UPDATE mods SET status = 'processing' WHERE id = $1")
+        .bind(project_id)
+        .execute(pool)
+        .await
+        .expect("failed to set project to processing status");
+
+    DBProject::clear_cache(
+        DBProjectId(project_id),
+        Some(project_slug.to_string()),
+        None,
+        redis,
+    )
+    .await
+    .expect("failed to clear project cache after status update");
+}
+
+/// Back-date a lock's `locked_at` so it appears expired.
+async fn expire_lock(project_id: i64, pool: &labrinth::database::PgPool) {
+    sqlx::query(
+        "UPDATE moderation_locks SET locked_at = NOW() - ($1::bigint * INTERVAL '1 minute') - INTERVAL '1 second' WHERE project_id = $2",
+    )
+    .bind(LOCK_EXPIRY_MINUTES)
+    .bind(project_id)
+    .execute(pool)
+    .await
+    .expect("failed to expire lock");
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_get_with_user_returns_none_when_unlocked() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let project_id = DBProjectId(
+                test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id_parsed.0 as i64,
+            );
+            let pool = &test_env.db.pool;
+
+            let row = DBModerationLock::get_with_user(project_id, pool)
+                .await
+                .expect("get_with_user should not error");
+
+            assert!(
+                row.is_none(),
+                "no row in moderation_locks means no active lock record"
+            );
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_release_deletes_lock_for_holder() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let project_id = DBProjectId(
+                test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id_parsed.0 as i64,
+            );
+            let mod_id = DBUserId(MOD_USER_ID_PARSED);
+            let pool = &test_env.db.pool;
+
+            DBModerationLock::acquire(project_id, mod_id, pool)
+                .await
+                .unwrap()
+                .unwrap();
+
+            let released = DBModerationLock::release(project_id, mod_id, pool)
+                .await
+                .expect("release should not error");
+            assert!(released, "holder should delete their lock");
+
+            let after = DBModerationLock::get_with_user(project_id, pool)
+                .await
+                .unwrap();
+            assert!(after.is_none(), "lock row should be gone after release");
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_release_noop_for_wrong_moderator() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let project_id = DBProjectId(
+                test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id_parsed.0 as i64,
+            );
+            let mod_id = DBUserId(MOD_USER_ID_PARSED);
+            let other = DBUserId(ADMIN_USER_ID_PARSED);
+            let pool = &test_env.db.pool;
+
+            DBModerationLock::acquire(project_id, mod_id, pool)
+                .await
+                .unwrap()
+                .unwrap();
+
+            let released = DBModerationLock::release(project_id, other, pool)
+                .await
+                .expect("release should not error");
+            assert!(!released, "non-holder must not delete the lock");
+
+            let still = DBModerationLock::get_with_user(project_id, pool)
+                .await
+                .unwrap();
+            assert!(
+                still.is_some(),
+                "lock should remain when wrong user releases"
+            );
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_release_noop_when_no_lock() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let project_id = DBProjectId(
+                test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id_parsed.0 as i64,
+            );
+            let mod_id = DBUserId(MOD_USER_ID_PARSED);
+            let pool = &test_env.db.pool;
+
+            let released = DBModerationLock::release(project_id, mod_id, pool)
+                .await
+                .expect("release should not error");
+            assert!(!released, "releasing a non-existent lock is a no-op");
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_cleanup_expired_removes_stale_locks() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let project_id = DBProjectId(
+                test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id_parsed.0 as i64,
+            );
+            let mod_id = DBUserId(MOD_USER_ID_PARSED);
+            let pool = &test_env.db.pool;
+
+            DBModerationLock::acquire(project_id, mod_id, pool)
+                .await
+                .unwrap()
+                .unwrap();
+            expire_lock(project_id.0, pool).await;
+
+            let n = DBModerationLock::cleanup_expired(pool)
+                .await
+                .expect("cleanup should not error");
+            assert!(n >= 1, "at least one expired lock should be removed");
+
+            let after = DBModerationLock::get_with_user(project_id, pool)
+                .await
+                .unwrap();
+            assert!(
+                after.is_none(),
+                "expired lock should be gone after cleanup"
+            );
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_lock_acquire_fresh() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let project_id = DBProjectId(
+                test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id_parsed.0 as i64,
+            );
+            let mod_id = DBUserId(MOD_USER_ID_PARSED);
+            let pool = &test_env.db.pool;
+
+            let result = DBModerationLock::acquire(project_id, mod_id, pool)
+                .await
+                .expect("acquire should not return a DB error");
+
+            assert!(
+                result.is_ok(),
+                "moderator should acquire fresh lock without contention"
+            );
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_lock_acquire_refresh_own() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let project_id = DBProjectId(
+                test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id_parsed.0 as i64,
+            );
+            let mod_id = DBUserId(MOD_USER_ID_PARSED);
+            let pool = &test_env.db.pool;
+
+            DBModerationLock::acquire(project_id, mod_id, pool)
+                .await
+                .unwrap()
+                .unwrap();
+
+            let result = DBModerationLock::acquire(project_id, mod_id, pool)
+                .await
+                .expect("second acquire should not return a DB error");
+
+            assert!(
+                result.is_ok(),
+                "same moderator should be able to refresh own lock"
+            );
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_lock_acquire_blocked_by_other() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let project_id = DBProjectId(
+                test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id_parsed.0 as i64,
+            );
+            let mod1 = DBUserId(MOD_USER_ID_PARSED);
+            let mod2 = DBUserId(ADMIN_USER_ID_PARSED);
+            let pool = &test_env.db.pool;
+
+            DBModerationLock::acquire(project_id, mod1, pool)
+                .await
+                .unwrap()
+                .unwrap();
+
+            let result = DBModerationLock::acquire(project_id, mod2, pool)
+                .await
+                .expect("acquire should not return a DB error");
+
+            assert!(result.is_err(), "second moderator should be blocked");
+            let blocking_lock = result.unwrap_err();
+            assert_eq!(
+                blocking_lock.moderator_id, mod1,
+                "blocking lock should belong to the first moderator"
+            );
+            assert!(
+                !blocking_lock.expired,
+                "blocking lock should not be expired"
+            );
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_lock_acquire_takeover_expired() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let project_id = DBProjectId(
+                test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id_parsed.0 as i64,
+            );
+            let mod1 = DBUserId(MOD_USER_ID_PARSED);
+            let mod2 = DBUserId(ADMIN_USER_ID_PARSED);
+            let pool = &test_env.db.pool;
+
+            DBModerationLock::acquire(project_id, mod1, pool)
+                .await
+                .unwrap()
+                .unwrap();
+
+            expire_lock(project_id.0, pool).await;
+
+            let result = DBModerationLock::acquire(project_id, mod2, pool)
+                .await
+                .expect("acquire should not return a DB error");
+
+            assert!(result.is_ok(), "mod2 should acquire over expired lock");
+
+            let lock = DBModerationLock::get_with_user(project_id, pool)
+                .await
+                .unwrap()
+                .expect("lock should exist after takeover");
+            assert_eq!(
+                lock.moderator_id, mod2,
+                "lock should belong to mod2 after takeover"
+            );
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_lock_acquire_previous_holder_blocked_after_takeover() {
+    with_test_environment(None, |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+        let project_id = DBProjectId(test_env.dummy.project_beta.project_id_parsed.0 as i64);
+        let mod1 = DBUserId(MOD_USER_ID_PARSED);
+        let mod2 = DBUserId(ADMIN_USER_ID_PARSED);
+        let pool = &test_env.db.pool;
+
+        DBModerationLock::acquire(project_id, mod1, pool)
+            .await
+            .unwrap()
+            .unwrap();
+        expire_lock(project_id.0, pool).await;
+        DBModerationLock::acquire(project_id, mod2, pool)
+            .await
+            .unwrap()
+            .unwrap();
+
+        let result = DBModerationLock::acquire(project_id, mod1, pool)
+            .await
+            .expect("acquire should not return a DB error");
+
+        assert!(result.is_err(), "previous holder must not regain lock while new holder is active");
+        assert_eq!(result.unwrap_err().moderator_id, mod2);
+    })
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_lock_acquire_concurrent() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let project_id = DBProjectId(
+                test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id_parsed.0 as i64,
+            );
+            let mod1 = DBUserId(MOD_USER_ID_PARSED);
+            let mod2 = DBUserId(ADMIN_USER_ID_PARSED);
+            let pool1 = test_env.db.pool.clone();
+            let pool2 = test_env.db.pool.clone();
+            let barrier = Arc::new(Barrier::new(2));
+            let ba = barrier.clone();
+            let bb = barrier.clone();
+
+            let h1 = tokio::spawn(async move {
+                ba.wait().await;
+                DBModerationLock::acquire(project_id, mod1, &pool1).await
+            });
+            let h2 = tokio::spawn(async move {
+                bb.wait().await;
+                DBModerationLock::acquire(project_id, mod2, &pool2).await
+            });
+            let (o1, o2) = tokio::join!(h1, h2);
+            let r1 = o1
+                .expect("task 1 panicked")
+                .expect("acquire 1 should not error");
+            let r2 = o2
+                .expect("task 2 panicked")
+                .expect("acquire 2 should not error");
+
+            let successes =
+                [r1.is_ok(), r2.is_ok()].iter().filter(|&&ok| ok).count();
+            assert_eq!(
+                successes, 1,
+                "exactly one of two concurrent acquires must win"
+            );
+
+            let winner_id = if r1.is_ok() { mod1 } else { mod2 };
+            let loser = if r1.is_err() { r1 } else { r2 };
+            let blocking = loser.unwrap_err();
+            assert_eq!(
+                blocking.moderator_id, winner_id,
+                "loser's blocking lock should point to the winner"
+            );
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_http_get_lock_status_unlocked() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let api = &test_env.api;
+            let pid = test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id.as_str();
+            let req = test::TestRequest::get()
+                .uri(&format!("/_internal/moderation/lock/{pid}"))
+                .append_header(("Authorization", MOD_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .to_request();
+
+            let resp = api.call(req).await;
+            assert_eq!(resp.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+            let body: Value = test::read_body_json(resp).await;
+            assert_eq!(body["locked"], false);
+            assert_eq!(body["is_own_lock"], false);
+            assert!(body["locked_by"].is_null());
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_http_get_lock_status_own_lock() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let api = &test_env.api;
+            let pid = test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id.as_str();
+
+            let post = test::TestRequest::post()
+                .uri(&format!("/_internal/moderation/lock/{pid}"))
+                .append_header(("Authorization", MOD_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .to_request();
+            let acquire_resp = api.call(post).await;
+            assert_eq!(acquire_resp.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+            let acquire: Value = test::read_body_json(acquire_resp).await;
+            assert_eq!(acquire["success"], true);
+            assert_eq!(acquire["is_own_lock"], true);
+
+            let get = test::TestRequest::get()
+                .uri(&format!("/_internal/moderation/lock/{pid}"))
+                .append_header(("Authorization", MOD_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .to_request();
+            let resp = api.call(get).await;
+            assert_eq!(resp.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+            let body: Value = test::read_body_json(resp).await;
+            assert_eq!(body["locked"], true);
+            assert_eq!(body["is_own_lock"], true);
+            assert_eq!(body["expired"], false);
+            assert!(body["expires_at"].is_string());
+            assert_eq!(body["locked_by"]["username"], "Moderator");
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_http_get_lock_status_other_users_lock() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let api = &test_env.api;
+            let pid = test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id.as_str();
+
+            let post = test::TestRequest::post()
+                .uri(&format!("/_internal/moderation/lock/{pid}"))
+                .append_header(("Authorization", ADMIN_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .to_request();
+            assert_eq!(api.call(post).await.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+
+            let get = test::TestRequest::get()
+                .uri(&format!("/_internal/moderation/lock/{pid}"))
+                .append_header(("Authorization", MOD_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .to_request();
+            let resp = api.call(get).await;
+            assert_eq!(resp.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+            let body: Value = test::read_body_json(resp).await;
+            assert_eq!(body["locked"], true);
+            assert_eq!(body["is_own_lock"], false);
+            assert_eq!(body["locked_by"]["username"], "Admin");
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_http_post_acquire_blocked_returns_200_with_success_false() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let api = &test_env.api;
+            let pid = test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id.as_str();
+
+            let first = test::TestRequest::post()
+                .uri(&format!("/_internal/moderation/lock/{pid}"))
+                .append_header(("Authorization", MOD_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .to_request();
+            assert_eq!(api.call(first).await.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+
+            let second = test::TestRequest::post()
+                .uri(&format!("/_internal/moderation/lock/{pid}"))
+                .append_header(("Authorization", ADMIN_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .to_request();
+            let resp = api.call(second).await;
+            assert_eq!(resp.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+            let body: Value = test::read_body_json(resp).await;
+            assert_eq!(body["success"], false);
+            assert_eq!(body["is_own_lock"], false);
+            assert_eq!(body["locked_by"]["username"], "Moderator");
+            assert_eq!(body["expired"], false);
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_lock_force_acquire_steals_active_lock() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let project_id = DBProjectId(
+                test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id_parsed.0 as i64,
+            );
+            let mod1 = DBUserId(MOD_USER_ID_PARSED);
+            let mod2 = DBUserId(ADMIN_USER_ID_PARSED);
+            let pool = &test_env.db.pool;
+
+            DBModerationLock::acquire(project_id, mod1, pool)
+                .await
+                .unwrap()
+                .unwrap();
+
+            DBModerationLock::force_acquire(project_id, mod2, pool)
+                .await
+                .expect("force_acquire should not error");
+
+            let lock = DBModerationLock::get_with_user(project_id, pool)
+                .await
+                .unwrap()
+                .expect("lock should exist after override");
+            assert_eq!(
+                lock.moderator_id, mod2,
+                "lock holder should be the overriding moderator"
+            );
+            assert!(!lock.expired, "fresh override lock should not be expired");
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_http_post_override_active_lock_succeeds() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let api = &test_env.api;
+            let pid = test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id.as_str();
+
+            let first = test::TestRequest::post()
+                .uri(&format!("/_internal/moderation/lock/{pid}"))
+                .append_header(("Authorization", MOD_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .to_request();
+            assert_eq!(api.call(first).await.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+
+            let override_req = test::TestRequest::post()
+                .uri(&format!("/_internal/moderation/lock/{pid}/override"))
+                .append_header(("Authorization", ADMIN_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .to_request();
+            let resp = api.call(override_req).await;
+            assert_eq!(resp.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+            let body: Value = test::read_body_json(resp).await;
+            assert_eq!(body["success"], true);
+            assert_eq!(body["is_own_lock"], true);
+
+            let get = test::TestRequest::get()
+                .uri(&format!("/_internal/moderation/lock/{pid}"))
+                .append_header(("Authorization", ADMIN_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .to_request();
+            let get_resp = api.call(get).await;
+            assert_eq!(get_resp.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+            let status: Value = test::read_body_json(get_resp).await;
+            assert_eq!(status["locked"], true);
+            assert_eq!(status["is_own_lock"], true);
+            assert_eq!(status["locked_by"]["username"], "Admin");
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_http_delete_release_success_then_noop() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let api = &test_env.api;
+            let pid = test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id.as_str();
+
+            let post = test::TestRequest::post()
+                .uri(&format!("/_internal/moderation/lock/{pid}"))
+                .append_header(("Authorization", MOD_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .to_request();
+            assert_eq!(api.call(post).await.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+
+            let del = test::TestRequest::delete()
+                .uri(&format!("/_internal/moderation/lock/{pid}"))
+                .append_header(("Authorization", MOD_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .to_request();
+            let resp = api.call(del).await;
+            assert_eq!(resp.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+            let body: Value = test::read_body_json(resp).await;
+            assert_eq!(body["success"], true);
+
+            let del2 = test::TestRequest::delete()
+                .uri(&format!("/_internal/moderation/lock/{pid}"))
+                .append_header(("Authorization", MOD_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .to_request();
+            let resp2 = api.call(del2).await;
+            assert_eq!(resp2.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+            let body2: Value = test::read_body_json(resp2).await;
+            assert_eq!(body2["success"], false);
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_http_post_release_beacon_body_releases_without_auth_header() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let api = &test_env.api;
+            let pid = test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id.as_str();
+
+            let post = test::TestRequest::post()
+                .uri(&format!("/_internal/moderation/lock/{pid}"))
+                .append_header(("Authorization", MOD_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .to_request();
+            assert_eq!(api.call(post).await.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+
+            let pat = MOD_USER_PAT.unwrap();
+            let beacon = test::TestRequest::post()
+                .uri(&format!("/_internal/moderation/lock/{pid}/release"))
+                .append_header((header::CONTENT_TYPE, "text/plain"))
+                .set_payload(Bytes::copy_from_slice(pat.as_bytes()))
+                .to_request();
+            let resp = api.call(beacon).await;
+            assert_eq!(resp.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+            let body: Value = test::read_body_json(resp).await;
+            assert_eq!(body["success"], true);
+
+            let get = test::TestRequest::get()
+                .uri(&format!("/_internal/moderation/lock/{pid}"))
+                .append_header(("Authorization", MOD_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .to_request();
+            let get_resp = api.call(get).await;
+            assert_eq!(get_resp.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+            let status: Value = test::read_body_json(get_resp).await;
+            assert_eq!(status["locked"], false);
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_http_delete_release_not_holder() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let api = &test_env.api;
+            let pid = test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id.as_str();
+
+            let post = test::TestRequest::post()
+                .uri(&format!("/_internal/moderation/lock/{pid}"))
+                .append_header(("Authorization", ADMIN_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .to_request();
+            assert_eq!(api.call(post).await.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+
+            let del = test::TestRequest::delete()
+                .uri(&format!("/_internal/moderation/lock/{pid}"))
+                .append_header(("Authorization", MOD_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .to_request();
+            let resp = api.call(del).await;
+            assert_eq!(resp.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+            let body: Value = test::read_body_json(resp).await;
+            assert_eq!(body["success"], false);
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_http_lock_rejects_non_moderator() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let api = &test_env.api;
+            let pid = test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id.as_str();
+            let req = test::TestRequest::get()
+                .uri(&format!("/_internal/moderation/lock/{pid}"))
+                .append_header(("Authorization", USER_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .to_request();
+
+            let resp = api.call(req).await;
+            assert_eq!(
+                resp.status(),
+                StatusCode::UNAUTHORIZED,
+                "internal lock endpoints require moderator (or admin) role"
+            );
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_http_lock_unknown_project_not_found() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let api = &test_env.api;
+            let req = test::TestRequest::get()
+                .uri("/_internal/moderation/lock/zzzzzzzz")
+                .append_header(("Authorization", MOD_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .to_request();
+
+            let resp = api.call(req).await;
+            assert_eq!(resp.status(), StatusCode::NOT_FOUND);
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_http_delete_all_locks_admin() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let api = &test_env.api;
+            let pid_a = test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id.as_str();
+            let pid_b = test_env.dummy.project_beta.project_id.as_str();
+
+            for pid in [pid_a, pid_b] {
+                let post = test::TestRequest::post()
+                    .uri(&format!("/_internal/moderation/lock/{pid}"))
+                    .append_header(("Authorization", MOD_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                    .to_request();
+                assert_eq!(api.call(post).await.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+            }
+
+            let del = test::TestRequest::delete()
+                .uri("/_internal/moderation/locks")
+                .append_header(("Authorization", ADMIN_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .to_request();
+            let resp = api.call(del).await;
+            assert_eq!(resp.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+            let body: Value = test::read_body_json(resp).await;
+            assert!(body["deleted_count"].as_u64().unwrap_or(0) >= 2);
+
+            let get = test::TestRequest::get()
+                .uri(&format!("/_internal/moderation/lock/{pid_a}"))
+                .append_header(("Authorization", MOD_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .to_request();
+            let st: Value = test::read_body_json(api.call(get).await).await;
+            assert_eq!(st["locked"], false);
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+/// Moderator without a lock cannot move a project out of processing (401 + lock message).
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_complete_review_requires_lock() {
+    with_test_environment(None, |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+        let api = &test_env.api;
+        let alpha_id = &test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id;
+
+        set_project_processing(
+            test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id_parsed.0 as i64,
+            test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_slug.as_str(),
+            &test_env.db.pool,
+            &test_env.db.redis_pool,
+        )
+        .await;
+
+        let req = actix_web::test::TestRequest::patch()
+            .uri(&format!("/v3/project/{alpha_id}"))
+            .append_header(("Authorization", MOD_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+            .set_json(json!({ "status": "approved" }))
+            .to_request();
+
+        let resp = api.call(req).await;
+        assert_eq!(
+            resp.status(),
+            StatusCode::UNAUTHORIZED,
+            "moderator without lock should not be able to complete review: {}",
+            String::from_utf8_lossy(test::read_body(resp).await.as_ref())
+        );
+    })
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_complete_review_blocked_when_other_holds_lock() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let api = &test_env.api;
+            let alpha_id = &test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id;
+            let project_id = DBProjectId(
+                test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id_parsed.0 as i64,
+            );
+            let pool = &test_env.db.pool;
+
+            set_project_processing(
+                project_id.0,
+                test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_slug.as_str(),
+                pool,
+                &test_env.db.redis_pool,
+            )
+            .await;
+            DBModerationLock::acquire(
+                project_id,
+                DBUserId(ADMIN_USER_ID_PARSED),
+                pool,
+            )
+            .await
+            .unwrap()
+            .unwrap();
+
+            let req = actix_web::test::TestRequest::patch()
+                .uri(&format!("/v3/project/{alpha_id}"))
+                .append_header(("Authorization", MOD_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .set_json(json!({ "status": "approved" }))
+                .to_request();
+
+            let resp = api.call(req).await;
+            assert_eq!(resp.status(), StatusCode::UNAUTHORIZED);
+            let body = test::read_body(resp).await;
+            let msg = String::from_utf8_lossy(&body);
+            assert!(
+                msg.contains("Admin") || msg.contains("admin"),
+                "error should name the holding moderator: {msg}"
+            );
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_complete_review_fails_when_lock_expired() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let api = &test_env.api;
+            let alpha_id = &test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id;
+            let project_id = DBProjectId(
+                test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id_parsed.0 as i64,
+            );
+            let mod_id = DBUserId(MOD_USER_ID_PARSED);
+            let pool = &test_env.db.pool;
+
+            set_project_processing(
+                project_id.0,
+                test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_slug.as_str(),
+                pool,
+                &test_env.db.redis_pool,
+            )
+            .await;
+            DBModerationLock::acquire(project_id, mod_id, pool)
+                .await
+                .unwrap()
+                .unwrap();
+            expire_lock(project_id.0, pool).await;
+
+            let req = actix_web::test::TestRequest::patch()
+                .uri(&format!("/v3/project/{alpha_id}"))
+                .append_header(("Authorization", MOD_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .set_json(json!({ "status": "approved" }))
+                .to_request();
+
+            let resp = api.call(req).await;
+            assert_eq!(resp.status(), StatusCode::UNAUTHORIZED);
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_complete_review_with_lock_succeeds() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let api = &test_env.api;
+            let alpha_id = &test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id;
+            let project_id = DBProjectId(
+                test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id_parsed.0 as i64,
+            );
+            let mod_id = DBUserId(MOD_USER_ID_PARSED);
+            let pool = &test_env.db.pool;
+
+            set_project_processing(
+                project_id.0,
+                test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_slug.as_str(),
+                pool,
+                &test_env.db.redis_pool,
+            )
+            .await;
+
+            DBModerationLock::acquire(project_id, mod_id, pool)
+                .await
+                .unwrap()
+                .expect("moderator should acquire lock");
+
+            let req = actix_web::test::TestRequest::patch()
+                .uri(&format!("/v3/project/{alpha_id}"))
+                .append_header(("Authorization", MOD_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .set_json(json!({ "status": "approved" }))
+                .to_request();
+
+            let resp = api.call(req).await;
+            assert_eq!(
+                resp.status(),
+                StatusCode::NO_CONTENT,
+                "moderator with valid lock should be able to approve: {}",
+                String::from_utf8_lossy(test::read_body(resp).await.as_ref())
+            );
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_non_processing_status_change_does_not_require_lock() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let api = &test_env.api;
+            let alpha_id = &test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id;
+
+            let req = actix_web::test::TestRequest::patch()
+                .uri(&format!("/v3/project/{alpha_id}"))
+                .append_header(("Authorization", MOD_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .set_json(json!({ "status": "unlisted" }))
+                .to_request();
+
+            let resp = api.call(req).await;
+            assert_eq!(
+                resp.status(),
+                StatusCode::NO_CONTENT,
+                "approved → unlisted should not require a moderation lock: {}",
+                String::from_utf8_lossy(test::read_body(resp).await.as_ref())
+            );
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_admin_can_complete_without_lock() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let api = &test_env.api;
+            let alpha_id = &test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id;
+            let project_id_raw =
+                test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id_parsed.0 as i64;
+
+            set_project_processing(
+                project_id_raw,
+                test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_slug.as_str(),
+                &test_env.db.pool,
+                &test_env.db.redis_pool,
+            )
+            .await;
+
+            let req = actix_web::test::TestRequest::patch()
+                .uri(&format!("/v3/project/{alpha_id}"))
+                .append_header(("Authorization", ADMIN_USER_PAT.unwrap()))
+                .set_json(json!({ "status": "approved" }))
+                .to_request();
+
+            let resp = api.call(req).await;
+            assert_eq!(
+                resp.status(),
+                StatusCode::NO_CONTENT,
+                "admin should be able to approve without a lock: {}",
+                String::from_utf8_lossy(test::read_body(resp).await.as_ref())
+            );
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_lock_expires_at_populated() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let project_id = DBProjectId(
+                test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id_parsed.0 as i64,
+            );
+            let mod_id = DBUserId(MOD_USER_ID_PARSED);
+            let pool = &test_env.db.pool;
+
+            DBModerationLock::acquire(project_id, mod_id, pool)
+                .await
+                .unwrap()
+                .unwrap();
+
+            let lock = DBModerationLock::get_with_user(project_id, pool)
+                .await
+                .unwrap()
+                .expect("lock should exist");
+
+            let expected_expiry =
+                lock.locked_at + chrono::Duration::minutes(LOCK_EXPIRY_MINUTES);
+            assert_eq!(
+                lock.expires_at, expected_expiry,
+                "expires_at should be locked_at + LOCK_EXPIRY_MINUTES"
+            );
+            assert!(
+                !lock.expired,
+                "freshly acquired lock should not be expired"
+            );
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn test_lock_expired_flag() {
+    with_test_environment(
+        None,
+        |test_env: TestEnvironment<common::api_v3::ApiV3>| async move {
+            let project_id = DBProjectId(
+                test_env.dummy.project_alpha.project_id_parsed.0 as i64,
+            );
+            let mod_id = DBUserId(MOD_USER_ID_PARSED);
+            let pool = &test_env.db.pool;
+
+            DBModerationLock::acquire(project_id, mod_id, pool)
+                .await
+                .unwrap()
+                .unwrap();
+
+            expire_lock(project_id.0, pool).await;
+
+            let lock = DBModerationLock::get_with_user(project_id, pool)
+                .await
+                .unwrap()
+                .expect("lock should exist");
+
+            assert!(
+                lock.expired,
+                "lock backdated past TTL should be reported as expired"
+            );
+        },
+    )
+    .await;
+}
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/modal/NewModal.vue b/packages/ui/src/components/modal/NewModal.vue
index fb05ab81f..32187a6d8 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/modal/NewModal.vue
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/modal/NewModal.vue
@@ -288,7 +288,8 @@ defineExpose({
 const mouseX = ref(0)
 const mouseY = ref(0)
 
-const stackZBase = computed(() => stackDepth.value * 10)
+const MODAL_STACK_BASE_Z = 100
+const stackZBase = computed(() => MODAL_STACK_BASE_Z + stackDepth.value * 10)
 const stackOverlayZ = computed(() => stackZBase.value + 19)
 const stackTauriZ = computed(() => stackZBase.value + 20)
 const stackContainerZ = computed(() => stackZBase.value + 21)