diff --git a/src/routes/archive.index.tsx b/src/routes/archive.index.tsx
index 2e32482..2747d0a 100644
--- a/src/routes/archive.index.tsx
+++ b/src/routes/archive.index.tsx
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ import {
 import { supabase } from "@/integrations/supabase/client";
 import { useAuth } from "@/lib/auth";
 import { toast } from "sonner";
-import { Archive as ArchiveIcon, Plus, Upload, Trash2, FileSpreadsheet } from "lucide-react";
+import { Archive as ArchiveIcon, Plus, Upload, Trash2, FileSpreadsheet, Lock, Unlock } from "lucide-react";
 import { formatDateTime } from "@/lib/format";
 
 export const Route = createFileRoute("/archive/")({
@@ -62,6 +62,24 @@ function ArchivePage() {
   const [totalCount, setTotalCount] = useState(0);
   const [uploadOpen, setUploadOpen] = useState(false);
   const [newCatOpen, setNewCatOpen] = useState(false);
+  const [lockedTabs, setLockedTabs] = useState<Record<string, boolean>>(() => {
+    if (typeof window === "undefined") return {};
+    try {
+      return JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem("archive-locked-tabs") || "{}");
+    } catch {
+      return {};
+    }
+  });
+  const isLocked = activeId ? lockedTabs[activeId] !== false : true; // default locked
+  const toggleLock = () => {
+    if (!activeId) return;
+    const next = { ...lockedTabs, [activeId]: !isLocked };
+    setLockedTabs(next);
+    try {
+      localStorage.setItem("archive-locked-tabs", JSON.stringify(next));
+    } catch {}
+    toast.success(next[activeId] ? "Tab locked" : "Tab unlocked");
+  };
 
   // Debounce search input (300ms)
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -153,6 +171,10 @@ function ArchivePage() {
   }, [rows]);
 
   const deleteRow = async (id: string) => {
+    if (isLocked) {
+      toast.error("Tab is locked. Unlock it to delete records.");
+      return;
+    }
     if (!confirm("Delete this record?")) return;
     const { error } = await supabase.from("archive_records").delete().eq("id", id);
     if (error) {
@@ -166,6 +188,10 @@ function ArchivePage() {
 
   const deleteAllInCategory = async () => {
     if (!activeCategory) return;
+    if (isLocked) {
+      toast.error("Tab is locked. Unlock it to clear records.");
+      return;
+    }
     if (!confirm(`Delete ALL ${totalCount} records in "${activeCategory.label}"? This cannot be undone.`)) return;
     const { error } = await supabase.from("archive_records").delete().eq("category_id", activeCategory.id);
     if (error) {
@@ -232,8 +258,32 @@ function ArchivePage() {
           <div className="text-xs text-muted-foreground whitespace-nowrap">
             Showing {rows.length} of {totalCount} {debouncedSearch ? "matching" : ""} rows
           </div>
+          {isAdmin && activeId && (
+            <Button
+              variant={isLocked ? "default" : "outline"}
+              size="sm"
+              onClick={toggleLock}
+              title={isLocked ? "Tab is locked — click to unlock" : "Tab is unlocked — click to lock"}
+            >
+              {isLocked ? (
+                <>
+                  <Lock className="h-4 w-4 mr-1" /> Locked
+                </>
+              ) : (
+                <>
+                  <Unlock className="h-4 w-4 mr-1" /> Unlocked
+                </>
+              )}
+            </Button>
+          )}
           {isAdmin && rows.length > 0 && (
-            <Button variant="outline" size="sm" onClick={deleteAllInCategory}>
+            <Button
+              variant="outline"
+              size="sm"
+              onClick={deleteAllInCategory}
+              disabled={isLocked}
+              title={isLocked ? "Unlock tab to clear" : "Delete all rows in this tab"}
+            >
               <Trash2 className="h-4 w-4 mr-1" /> Clear tab
             </Button>
           )}
@@ -290,10 +340,11 @@ function ArchivePage() {
                             size="sm"
                             variant="ghost"
                             onClick={() => deleteRow(r.id)}
-                            title="Delete row"
+                            disabled={isLocked}
+                            title={isLocked ? "Tab locked" : "Delete row"}
                             className="text-destructive hover:text-destructive h-7 w-7 p-0"
                           >
-                            <Trash2 className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
+                            {isLocked ? <Lock className="h-3.5 w-3.5" /> : <Trash2 className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />}
                           </Button>
                         </td>
                       )}