refactor(profile): visual voice picker, playback toggles, danger zone

- Replace voice <select> with a two-column card grid grouped by engine
  (Kokoro GPU / Pocket TTS CPU / Cloudflare AI); each card has a per-voice
  sample play/pause button matching AudioPlayer behaviour
- Add Announce chapter and Audio mode (Stream/Generate) toggles to a
  unified Playback row in Preferences; Audio mode toggle disabled for
  CF AI voices
- Remove duplicate PUT /api/settings from the profile page; all writes
  go directly into audioStore / theme context and the layout's single
  debounced effect persists them
- Add Danger Zone section: collapsible, requires typing username to
  unlock Delete account button; calls DELETE /api/profile
- Add deleteUserAccount() to pocketbase.ts: purges user_settings,
  user_library, progress, comment_votes, book_ratings,
  user_subscriptions, notifications, user_sessions then the
  app_users record
- Add DELETE /api/profile server route (auth-guarded)

backend/cmd/backend/main.go

@@ -198,6 +198,7 @@ func run() error {
 			TextGen:           textGenClient,
 			BookWriter:        store,
 			AIJobStore:        store,
+			BookAdminStore:    store,
 			Log:               log,
 		},
 	)

backend/internal/backend/handlers_books_admin.go

@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+package backend
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"net/http"
+
+	"github.com/libnovel/backend/internal/storage"
+)
+
+// handleAdminArchiveBook handles PATCH /api/admin/books/{slug}/archive.
+// Soft-deletes a book by setting archived=true in PocketBase and updating the
+// Meilisearch document so it is excluded from all public search results.
+// The book data is preserved and can be restored with the unarchive endpoint.
+func (s *Server) handleAdminArchiveBook(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	slug := r.PathValue("slug")
+	if slug == "" {
+		jsonError(w, http.StatusBadRequest, "missing slug")
+		return
+	}
+	if s.deps.BookAdminStore == nil {
+		jsonError(w, http.StatusServiceUnavailable, "book admin store not configured")
+		return
+	}
+
+	if err := s.deps.BookAdminStore.ArchiveBook(r.Context(), slug); err != nil {
+		if errors.Is(err, storage.ErrNotFound) {
+			jsonError(w, http.StatusNotFound, "book not found")
+			return
+		}
+		s.deps.Log.Error("archive book failed", "slug", slug, "err", err)
+		jsonError(w, http.StatusInternalServerError, err.Error())
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Update the Meilisearch document so the archived flag takes effect
+	// immediately in search/catalogue results.
+	if meta, ok, err := s.deps.BookReader.ReadMetadata(r.Context(), slug); err == nil && ok {
+		if upsertErr := s.deps.SearchIndex.UpsertBook(r.Context(), meta); upsertErr != nil {
+			s.deps.Log.Warn("archive book: meili upsert failed", "slug", slug, "err", upsertErr)
+		}
+	}
+
+	s.deps.Log.Info("book archived", "slug", slug)
+	writeJSON(w, http.StatusOK, map[string]string{"slug": slug, "status": "archived"})
+}
+
+// handleAdminUnarchiveBook handles PATCH /api/admin/books/{slug}/unarchive.
+// Restores a previously archived book by clearing the archived flag, making it
+// publicly visible in search and catalogue results again.
+func (s *Server) handleAdminUnarchiveBook(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	slug := r.PathValue("slug")
+	if slug == "" {
+		jsonError(w, http.StatusBadRequest, "missing slug")
+		return
+	}
+	if s.deps.BookAdminStore == nil {
+		jsonError(w, http.StatusServiceUnavailable, "book admin store not configured")
+		return
+	}
+
+	if err := s.deps.BookAdminStore.UnarchiveBook(r.Context(), slug); err != nil {
+		if errors.Is(err, storage.ErrNotFound) {
+			jsonError(w, http.StatusNotFound, "book not found")
+			return
+		}
+		s.deps.Log.Error("unarchive book failed", "slug", slug, "err", err)
+		jsonError(w, http.StatusInternalServerError, err.Error())
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Sync the updated archived=false state back to Meilisearch.
+	if meta, ok, err := s.deps.BookReader.ReadMetadata(r.Context(), slug); err == nil && ok {
+		if upsertErr := s.deps.SearchIndex.UpsertBook(r.Context(), meta); upsertErr != nil {
+			s.deps.Log.Warn("unarchive book: meili upsert failed", "slug", slug, "err", upsertErr)
+		}
+	}
+
+	s.deps.Log.Info("book unarchived", "slug", slug)
+	writeJSON(w, http.StatusOK, map[string]string{"slug": slug, "status": "active"})
+}
+
+// handleAdminDeleteBook handles DELETE /api/admin/books/{slug}.
+// Permanently removes all data for a book:
+//   - PocketBase books record and all chapters_idx records
+//   - All MinIO chapter markdown objects and the cover image
+//   - Meilisearch document
+//
+// This operation is irreversible. Use the archive endpoint for soft-deletion.
+func (s *Server) handleAdminDeleteBook(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	slug := r.PathValue("slug")
+	if slug == "" {
+		jsonError(w, http.StatusBadRequest, "missing slug")
+		return
+	}
+	if s.deps.BookAdminStore == nil {
+		jsonError(w, http.StatusServiceUnavailable, "book admin store not configured")
+		return
+	}
+
+	if err := s.deps.BookAdminStore.DeleteBook(r.Context(), slug); err != nil {
+		if errors.Is(err, storage.ErrNotFound) {
+			jsonError(w, http.StatusNotFound, "book not found")
+			return
+		}
+		s.deps.Log.Error("delete book failed", "slug", slug, "err", err)
+		jsonError(w, http.StatusInternalServerError, err.Error())
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Remove from Meilisearch — best-effort (log on failure, don't fail request).
+	if err := s.deps.SearchIndex.DeleteBook(r.Context(), slug); err != nil {
+		s.deps.Log.Warn("delete book: meili delete failed", "slug", slug, "err", err)
+	}
+
+	s.deps.Log.Info("book deleted", "slug", slug)
+	writeJSON(w, http.StatusOK, map[string]string{"slug": slug, "status": "deleted"})
+}

backend/internal/backend/server.go

@@ -91,6 +91,9 @@ type Dependencies struct {
 	// AIJobStore tracks long-running AI generation jobs in PocketBase.
 	// If nil, job persistence is disabled (jobs still run but are not recorded).
 	AIJobStore bookstore.AIJobStore
+	// BookAdminStore provides admin-only operations: archive, unarchive, hard-delete.
+	// If nil, the admin book management endpoints return 503.
+	BookAdminStore bookstore.BookAdminStore
 	// Log is the structured logger.
 	Log *slog.Logger
 }
@@ -247,6 +250,11 @@ func (s *Server) ListenAndServe(ctx context.Context) error {
 	// Admin data repair endpoints
 	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/admin/dedup-chapters/{slug}", s.handleDedupChapters)
 
+	// Admin book management (soft-delete / hard-delete)
+	mux.HandleFunc("PATCH /api/admin/books/{slug}/archive", s.handleAdminArchiveBook)
+	mux.HandleFunc("PATCH /api/admin/books/{slug}/unarchive", s.handleAdminUnarchiveBook)
+	mux.HandleFunc("DELETE /api/admin/books/{slug}", s.handleAdminDeleteBook)
+
 	// Admin chapter split (imported books)
 	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/admin/books/{slug}/split-chapters", s.handleAdminSplitChapters)
 

backend/internal/bookstore/bookstore.go

@@ -216,6 +216,27 @@ type BookImporter interface {
 	Import(ctx context.Context, objectKey, fileType string) ([]Chapter, error)
 }
 
+// BookAdminStore covers admin-only operations for managing books in the catalogue.
+// All methods require admin authorisation at the HTTP handler level.
+type BookAdminStore interface {
+	// ArchiveBook sets archived=true on a book record, hiding it from all
+	// public search and catalogue responses. Returns ErrNotFound when the
+	// slug does not exist.
+	ArchiveBook(ctx context.Context, slug string) error
+
+	// UnarchiveBook clears archived on a book record, making it publicly
+	// visible again. Returns ErrNotFound when the slug does not exist.
+	UnarchiveBook(ctx context.Context, slug string) error
+
+	// DeleteBook permanently removes all data for a book:
+	//   - PocketBase books record
+	//   - All PocketBase chapters_idx records
+	//   - All MinIO chapter markdown objects ({slug}/chapter-*.md)
+	//   - MinIO cover image (covers/{slug}.jpg)
+	// The caller is responsible for also deleting the Meilisearch document.
+	DeleteBook(ctx context.Context, slug string) error
+}
+
 // ImportFileStore uploads raw import files to object storage.
 // Kept separate from BookImporter so the HTTP handler can upload the file
 // without a concrete type assertion, regardless of which Producer is wired.

backend/internal/domain/domain.go

@@ -24,6 +24,9 @@ type BookMeta struct {
 	// updated in PocketBase. Populated on read; not sent on write (PocketBase
 	// manages its own updated field).
 	MetaUpdated int64 `json:"meta_updated,omitempty"`
+	// Archived is true when the book has been soft-deleted by an admin.
+	// Archived books are excluded from all public search and catalogue responses.
+	Archived bool `json:"archived,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // CatalogueEntry is a lightweight book reference returned by catalogue pages.

backend/internal/meili/client.go

@@ -32,11 +32,15 @@ type Client interface {
 	// BookExists reports whether a book with the given slug is already in the
 	// index. Used by the catalogue refresh to skip re-indexing known books.
 	BookExists(ctx context.Context, slug string) bool
+	// DeleteBook removes a book document from the search index by slug.
+	DeleteBook(ctx context.Context, slug string) error
 	// Search returns up to limit books matching query.
+	// Archived books are always excluded.
 	Search(ctx context.Context, query string, limit int) ([]domain.BookMeta, error)
 	// Catalogue queries books with optional filters, sort, and pagination.
 	// Returns books, the total hit count for pagination, and a FacetResult
 	// with available genre and status values from the index.
+	// Archived books are always excluded.
 	Catalogue(ctx context.Context, q CatalogueQuery) ([]domain.BookMeta, int64, FacetResult, error)
 }
 
@@ -99,7 +103,7 @@ func Configure(host, apiKey string) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("meili: update searchable attributes: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	filterable := []interface{}{"status", "genres"}
+	filterable := []interface{}{"status", "genres", "archived"}
 	if _, err := idx.UpdateFilterableAttributes(&filterable); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("meili: update filterable attributes: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -128,6 +132,9 @@ type bookDoc struct {
 	// MetaUpdated is the Unix timestamp (seconds) of the last PocketBase update.
 	// Used for sort=update ("recently updated" ordering).
 	MetaUpdated int64 `json:"meta_updated"`
+	// Archived is true when the book has been soft-deleted by an admin.
+	// Used as a filter to exclude archived books from all search results.
+	Archived bool `json:"archived"`
 }
 
 func toDoc(b domain.BookMeta) bookDoc {
@@ -144,6 +151,7 @@ func toDoc(b domain.BookMeta) bookDoc {
 		Rank:          b.Ranking,
 		Rating:        b.Rating,
 		MetaUpdated:   b.MetaUpdated,
+		Archived:      b.Archived,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -161,6 +169,7 @@ func fromDoc(d bookDoc) domain.BookMeta {
 		Ranking:       d.Rank,
 		Rating:        d.Rating,
 		MetaUpdated:   d.MetaUpdated,
+		Archived:      d.Archived,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -184,13 +193,24 @@ func (c *MeiliClient) BookExists(_ context.Context, slug string) bool {
 	return err == nil && doc.Slug != ""
 }
 
+// DeleteBook removes a book document from the index by slug.
+// The operation is fire-and-forget (Meilisearch processes tasks asynchronously).
+func (c *MeiliClient) DeleteBook(_ context.Context, slug string) error {
+	if _, err := c.idx.DeleteDocument(slug, nil); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("meili: delete book %q: %w", slug, err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 // Search returns books matching query, up to limit results.
+// Archived books are always excluded.
 func (c *MeiliClient) Search(_ context.Context, query string, limit int) ([]domain.BookMeta, error) {
 	if limit <= 0 {
 		limit = 20
 	}
 	res, err := c.idx.Search(query, &meilisearch.SearchRequest{
-		Limit: int64(limit),
+		Limit:  int64(limit),
+		Filter: "archived = false",
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("meili: search %q: %w", query, err)
@@ -231,17 +251,15 @@ func (c *MeiliClient) Catalogue(_ context.Context, q CatalogueQuery) ([]domain.B
 		Facets: []string{"genres", "status"},
 	}
 
-	// Build filter
-	var filters []string
+	// Build filter — always exclude archived books
+	filters := []string{"archived = false"}
 	if q.Genre != "" && q.Genre != "all" {
 		filters = append(filters, fmt.Sprintf("genres = %q", q.Genre))
 	}
 	if q.Status != "" && q.Status != "all" {
 		filters = append(filters, fmt.Sprintf("status = %q", q.Status))
 	}
-	if len(filters) > 0 {
-		req.Filter = strings.Join(filters, " AND ")
-	}
+	req.Filter = strings.Join(filters, " AND ")
 
 	// Map UI sort tokens to Meilisearch sort expressions.
 	switch q.Sort {
@@ -318,7 +336,8 @@ func sortStrings(s []string) {
 type NoopClient struct{}
 
 func (NoopClient) UpsertBook(_ context.Context, _ domain.BookMeta) error { return nil }
-func (NoopClient) BookExists(_ context.Context, _ string) bool           { return false }
+func (NoopClient) BookExists(_ context.Context, _ string) bool            { return false }
+func (NoopClient) DeleteBook(_ context.Context, _ string) error           { return nil }
 func (NoopClient) Search(_ context.Context, _ string, _ int) ([]domain.BookMeta, error) {
 	return nil, nil
 }

backend/internal/storage/store.go

@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ var _ bookstore.CoverStore = (*Store)(nil)
 var _ bookstore.TranslationStore = (*Store)(nil)
 var _ bookstore.AIJobStore = (*Store)(nil)
 var _ bookstore.ChapterImageStore = (*Store)(nil)
+var _ bookstore.BookAdminStore = (*Store)(nil)
 var _ taskqueue.Producer = (*Store)(nil)
 var _ taskqueue.Consumer = (*Store)(nil)
 var _ taskqueue.Reader = (*Store)(nil)
@@ -226,6 +227,7 @@ type pbBook struct {
 	Ranking       int      `json:"ranking"`
 	Rating        float64  `json:"rating"`
 	Updated       string   `json:"updated"`
+	Archived      bool     `json:"archived"`
 }
 
 func (b pbBook) toDomain() domain.BookMeta {
@@ -246,6 +248,7 @@ func (b pbBook) toDomain() domain.BookMeta {
 		Ranking:       b.Ranking,
 		Rating:        b.Rating,
 		MetaUpdated:   metaUpdated,
+		Archived:      b.Archived,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -275,7 +278,7 @@ func (s *Store) ReadMetadata(ctx context.Context, slug string) (domain.BookMeta,
 }
 
 func (s *Store) ListBooks(ctx context.Context) ([]domain.BookMeta, error) {
-	items, err := s.pb.listAll(ctx, "books", "", "title")
+	items, err := s.pb.listAll(ctx, "books", "archived=false", "title")
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -376,6 +379,84 @@ func (s *Store) ReindexChapters(ctx context.Context, slug string) (int, error) {
 	return count, nil
 }
 
+// ── BookAdminStore ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// ArchiveBook sets archived=true on the book record for slug.
+func (s *Store) ArchiveBook(ctx context.Context, slug string) error {
+	book, err := s.getBookBySlug(ctx, slug)
+	if err == ErrNotFound {
+		return ErrNotFound
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("ArchiveBook: %w", err)
+	}
+	return s.pb.patch(ctx, fmt.Sprintf("/api/collections/books/records/%s", book.ID),
+		map[string]any{"archived": true})
+}
+
+// UnarchiveBook clears archived on the book record for slug.
+func (s *Store) UnarchiveBook(ctx context.Context, slug string) error {
+	book, err := s.getBookBySlug(ctx, slug)
+	if err == ErrNotFound {
+		return ErrNotFound
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("UnarchiveBook: %w", err)
+	}
+	return s.pb.patch(ctx, fmt.Sprintf("/api/collections/books/records/%s", book.ID),
+		map[string]any{"archived": false})
+}
+
+// DeleteBook permanently removes all data for a book:
+//   - PocketBase books record
+//   - All PocketBase chapters_idx records for the slug
+//   - All MinIO chapter markdown objects ({slug}/chapter-*.md)
+//   - MinIO cover image (covers/{slug}.jpg)
+func (s *Store) DeleteBook(ctx context.Context, slug string) error {
+	// 1. Fetch the book record to get its PocketBase ID.
+	book, err := s.getBookBySlug(ctx, slug)
+	if err == ErrNotFound {
+		return ErrNotFound
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("DeleteBook: fetch: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// 2. Delete all chapters_idx records.
+	filter := fmt.Sprintf(`slug=%q`, slug)
+	items, err := s.pb.listAll(ctx, "chapters_idx", filter, "")
+	if err != nil && err != ErrNotFound {
+		return fmt.Errorf("DeleteBook: list chapters_idx: %w", err)
+	}
+	for _, raw := range items {
+		var rec struct {
+			ID string `json:"id"`
+		}
+		if json.Unmarshal(raw, &rec) == nil && rec.ID != "" {
+			if delErr := s.pb.delete(ctx, fmt.Sprintf("/api/collections/chapters_idx/records/%s", rec.ID)); delErr != nil {
+				s.log.Warn("DeleteBook: delete chapters_idx record failed", "slug", slug, "id", rec.ID, "err", delErr)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	// 3. Delete MinIO chapter objects.
+	if err := s.mc.deleteObjects(ctx, s.mc.bucketChapters, slug+"/"); err != nil {
+		s.log.Warn("DeleteBook: delete chapter objects failed", "slug", slug, "err", err)
+	}
+
+	// 4. Delete MinIO cover image.
+	if err := s.mc.deleteObjects(ctx, s.mc.bucketBrowse, CoverObjectKey(slug)); err != nil {
+		s.log.Warn("DeleteBook: delete cover failed", "slug", slug, "err", err)
+	}
+
+	// 5. Delete the PocketBase books record.
+	if err := s.pb.delete(ctx, fmt.Sprintf("/api/collections/books/records/%s", book.ID)); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("DeleteBook: delete books record: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
 // ── RankingStore ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 func (s *Store) WriteRankingItem(ctx context.Context, item domain.RankingItem) error {

scripts/pb-init-v3.sh

@@ -144,7 +144,8 @@ create "books" '{
     {"name":"total_chapters","type":"number"},
     {"name":"source_url",    "type":"text"},
     {"name":"ranking",       "type":"number"},
-    {"name":"meta_updated",  "type":"text"}
+    {"name":"meta_updated",  "type":"text"},
+    {"name":"archived",      "type":"bool"}
   ]}'
 
 create "chapters_idx" '{
@@ -255,6 +256,7 @@ create "user_settings" '{
     {"name":"font_family",     "type":"text"},
     {"name":"font_size",       "type":"number"},
     {"name":"announce_chapter","type":"bool"},
+    {"name":"audio_mode",      "type":"text"},
     {"name":"updated",         "type":"text"}
   ]}'
 
@@ -389,6 +391,8 @@ add_field "user_settings"  "locale"                 "text"
 add_field "user_settings"  "font_family"            "text"
 add_field "user_settings"  "font_size"              "number"
 add_field "user_settings"  "announce_chapter"       "bool"
+add_field "user_settings"  "audio_mode"             "text"
+add_field "books"          "archived"               "bool"
 
 # ── 6. Indexes ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 add_index "chapters_idx" "idx_chapters_idx_slug_number" \

ui/src/lib/audio.svelte.ts

@@ -36,6 +36,14 @@ import type { Voice } from '$lib/types';
 
 export type AudioStatus = 'idle' | 'loading' | 'generating' | 'ready' | 'error';
 export type NextStatus = 'none' | 'prefetching' | 'prefetched' | 'failed';
+/**
+ * 'stream'   – Use /api/audio-stream: audio starts playing within seconds,
+ *              stream is saved to MinIO concurrently. No runner task needed.
+ * 'generate' – Legacy mode: queue a runner task, poll until done, then play
+ *              from the presigned MinIO URL. Needed for CF AI voices which
+ *              do not support native streaming.
+ */
+export type AudioMode = 'stream' | 'generate';
 
 class AudioStore {
 	// ── What is loaded ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -46,6 +54,13 @@ class AudioStore {
 	voice = $state('af_bella');
 	speed = $state(1.0);
 
+	/**
+	 * Playback mode:
+	 * 'stream'   – pipe from /api/audio-stream (low latency, saves concurrently)
+	 * 'generate' – queue runner task, poll, then play presigned URL (CF AI / legacy)
+	 */
+	audioMode = $state<AudioMode>('stream');
+
 	/** Cover image URL for the currently loaded book. */
 	cover = $state('');
 

ui/src/lib/components/AudioPlayer.svelte

@@ -613,41 +613,95 @@
 				return;
 			}
 
-			// Slow path: audio not yet in MinIO.
-			//
-			// For Kokoro / PocketTTS: always use the streaming endpoint so audio
-			// starts playing within seconds. The stream handler checks MinIO first
-			// (fast redirect if already cached) and otherwise generates + uploads
-			// concurrently. Even if the async runner is already working on this
-			// chapter, the stream will redirect to MinIO the moment the runner
-			// finishes — no harmful double-generation occurs because the backend
-			// deduplications via AudioExists on the next request.
-			if (!voice.startsWith('cfai:')) {
-				// PocketTTS outputs raw WAV — skip the ffmpeg transcode entirely.
-				// WAV (PCM) is natively supported on all platforms including iOS Safari.
-				// Kokoro and CF AI output MP3 natively, so keep mp3 for those.
-				const isPocketTTS = voices.some((v) => v.id === voice && v.engine === 'pocket-tts');
-				const format = isPocketTTS ? 'wav' : 'mp3';
-				const qs = new URLSearchParams({ voice, format });
-				const streamUrl = `/api/audio-stream/${slug}/${chapter}?${qs}`;
-				// HEAD probe: check paywall without triggering generation.
-				const headRes = await fetch(streamUrl, { method: 'HEAD' }).catch(() => null);
-				if (headRes?.status === 402) {
+		// Slow path: audio not yet in MinIO.
+		//
+		// For Kokoro / PocketTTS in 'stream' mode: use the streaming endpoint so
+		// audio starts playing within seconds. The stream handler checks MinIO
+		// first (fast redirect if already cached) and otherwise generates +
+		// uploads concurrently.
+		//
+		// In 'generate' mode (user preference): queue a runner task and poll,
+		// same as CF AI — audio plays only after the full file is ready in MinIO.
+		if (!voice.startsWith('cfai:') && audioStore.audioMode === 'stream') {
+			// PocketTTS outputs raw WAV — skip the ffmpeg transcode entirely.
+			// WAV (PCM) is natively supported on all platforms including iOS Safari.
+			// Kokoro and CF AI output MP3 natively, so keep mp3 for those.
+			const isPocketTTS = voices.some((v) => v.id === voice && v.engine === 'pocket-tts');
+			const format = isPocketTTS ? 'wav' : 'mp3';
+			const qs = new URLSearchParams({ voice, format });
+			const streamUrl = `/api/audio-stream/${slug}/${chapter}?${qs}`;
+			// HEAD probe: check paywall without triggering generation.
+			const headRes = await fetch(streamUrl, { method: 'HEAD' }).catch(() => null);
+			if (headRes?.status === 402) {
+				audioStore.status = 'idle';
+				onProRequired?.();
+				return;
+			}
+			audioStore.audioUrl = streamUrl;
+			audioStore.status = 'ready';
+			maybeStartPrefetch();
+			return;
+		}
+
+		// Non-CF AI voices in 'generate' mode: queue runner task, show progress,
+		// wait for full audio in MinIO before playing (same as CF AI but no preview).
+		if (!voice.startsWith('cfai:')) {
+			audioStore.status = 'generating';
+			audioStore.isPreview = false;
+			startProgress();
+
+			if (!presignResult.enqueued) {
+				const res = await fetch(`/api/audio/${slug}/${chapter}`, {
+					method: 'POST',
+					headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+					body: JSON.stringify({ voice })
+				});
+
+				if (res.status === 402) {
 					audioStore.status = 'idle';
+					stopProgress();
 					onProRequired?.();
 					return;
 				}
-				audioStore.audioUrl = streamUrl;
-				audioStore.status = 'ready';
-				maybeStartPrefetch();
-				return;
+
+				if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`Generation failed: HTTP ${res.status}`);
+
+				if (res.status === 200) {
+					await res.body?.cancel();
+					await finishProgress();
+					const doneUrl = await tryPresign(slug, chapter, voice);
+					if (!doneUrl.ready) throw new Error('Audio generated but presign returned 404');
+					audioStore.audioUrl = doneUrl.url;
+					audioStore.status = 'ready';
+					restoreSavedAudioTime();
+					maybeStartPrefetch();
+					return;
+				}
+				// 202 — runner task enqueued, fall through to poll.
 			}
 
-			// CF AI voices: use preview/swap strategy.
-			// 1. Fetch a short ~1-2 min preview clip from the first text chunk
-			//    so playback starts immediately — no more waiting behind a spinner.
-			// 2. Meanwhile keep polling the full audio job; when it finishes,
-			//    swap the <audio> src to the full URL preserving currentTime.
+			const final = await pollAudioStatus(slug, chapter, voice);
+			if (final.status === 'failed') {
+				throw new Error(
+					`Generation failed: ${(final as { error?: string }).error ?? 'unknown error'}`
+				);
+			}
+
+			await finishProgress();
+			const doneUrl = await tryPresign(slug, chapter, voice);
+			if (!doneUrl.ready) throw new Error('Audio generated but presign returned 404');
+			audioStore.audioUrl = doneUrl.url;
+			audioStore.status = 'ready';
+			restoreSavedAudioTime();
+			maybeStartPrefetch();
+			return;
+		}
+
+		// CF AI voices: use preview/swap strategy.
+		// 1. Fetch a short ~1-2 min preview clip from the first text chunk
+		//    so playback starts immediately — no more waiting behind a spinner.
+		// 2. Meanwhile keep polling the full audio job; when it finishes,
+		//    swap the <audio> src to the full URL preserving currentTime.
 			audioStore.status = 'generating';
 			audioStore.isPreview = false;
 			startProgress();
@@ -1019,6 +1073,33 @@
 					{#if voices.length > 0}<span class="text-(--color-border) text-xs leading-none">·</span>{/if}
 					<span class="text-xs text-(--color-muted) leading-none tabular-nums">~{estimatedMinutes} min</span>
 				{/if}
+				<!-- Stream / Generate mode toggle -->
+				{#if !audioStore.voice.startsWith('cfai:')}
+					<span class="text-(--color-border) text-xs leading-none">·</span>
+					<button
+						type="button"
+						onclick={() => { audioStore.audioMode = audioStore.audioMode === 'stream' ? 'generate' : 'stream'; }}
+						class={cn(
+							'flex items-center gap-0.5 text-xs leading-none transition-colors',
+							audioStore.audioMode === 'stream'
+								? 'text-(--color-brand)'
+								: 'text-(--color-muted) hover:text-(--color-text)'
+						)}
+						title={audioStore.audioMode === 'stream' ? 'Stream mode — click to switch to generate' : 'Generate mode — click to switch to stream'}
+					>
+						{#if audioStore.audioMode === 'stream'}
+							<svg class="w-3 h-3 flex-shrink-0" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+								<path d="M8 5v14l11-7z"/>
+							</svg>
+							Stream
+						{:else}
+							<svg class="w-3 h-3 flex-shrink-0" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+								<path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M4 16v1a3 3 0 003 3h10a3 3 0 003-3v-1m-4-4l-4 4m0 0l-4-4m4 4V4"/>
+							</svg>
+							Generate
+						{/if}
+					</button>
+				{/if}
 			</div>
 		</div>
 

ui/src/lib/components/ListeningMode.svelte

@@ -664,24 +664,57 @@
 				{/if}
 			</button>
 
-			<!-- Announce chapter pill (only meaningful when auto-next is on) -->
-			<button
-				type="button"
-				onclick={() => (audioStore.announceChapter = !audioStore.announceChapter)}
-				class={cn(
-					'flex items-center gap-1.5 px-3 py-1.5 rounded-full text-xs font-semibold border transition-colors',
-					audioStore.announceChapter
+		<!-- Announce chapter pill (only meaningful when auto-next is on) -->
+		<button
+			type="button"
+			onclick={() => (audioStore.announceChapter = !audioStore.announceChapter)}
+			class={cn(
+				'flex items-center gap-1.5 px-3 py-1.5 rounded-full text-xs font-semibold border transition-colors',
+				audioStore.announceChapter
+					? 'border-(--color-brand) bg-(--color-brand)/15 text-(--color-brand)'
+					: 'border-(--color-border) bg-(--color-surface-2) text-(--color-muted) hover:text-(--color-text)'
+			)}
+			aria-pressed={audioStore.announceChapter}
+			title={audioStore.announceChapter ? 'Chapter announcing on' : 'Chapter announcing off'}
+		>
+			<svg class="w-3.5 h-3.5" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+				<path d="M3 9v6h4l5 5V4L7 9H3zm13.5 3c0-1.77-1.02-3.29-2.5-4.03v8.05c1.48-.73 2.5-2.25 2.5-4.02z"/>
+			</svg>
+			Announce
+		</button>
+
+		<!-- Stream / Generate mode toggle -->
+		<!-- CF AI voices are batch-only and always use generate mode regardless of this setting -->
+		<button
+			type="button"
+			onclick={() => {
+				if (!audioStore.voice.startsWith('cfai:')) {
+					audioStore.audioMode = audioStore.audioMode === 'stream' ? 'generate' : 'stream';
+				}
+			}}
+			disabled={audioStore.voice.startsWith('cfai:')}
+			class={cn(
+				'flex items-center gap-1.5 px-3 py-1.5 rounded-full text-xs font-semibold border transition-colors',
+				audioStore.voice.startsWith('cfai:')
+					? 'border-(--color-border) bg-(--color-surface-2) text-(--color-border) cursor-not-allowed opacity-50'
+					: audioStore.audioMode === 'stream'
 						? 'border-(--color-brand) bg-(--color-brand)/15 text-(--color-brand)'
 						: 'border-(--color-border) bg-(--color-surface-2) text-(--color-muted) hover:text-(--color-text)'
-				)}
-				aria-pressed={audioStore.announceChapter}
-				title={audioStore.announceChapter ? 'Chapter announcing on' : 'Chapter announcing off'}
-			>
+			)}
+			aria-pressed={audioStore.audioMode === 'stream'}
+			title={audioStore.voice.startsWith('cfai:') ? 'CF AI voices always use generate mode' : audioStore.audioMode === 'stream' ? 'Stream mode — audio starts instantly' : 'Generate mode — wait for full audio before playing'}
+		>
+			{#if audioStore.audioMode === 'stream' && !audioStore.voice.startsWith('cfai:')}
 				<svg class="w-3.5 h-3.5" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
-					<path d="M3 9v6h4l5 5V4L7 9H3zm13.5 3c0-1.77-1.02-3.29-2.5-4.03v8.05c1.48-.73 2.5-2.25 2.5-4.02z"/>
+					<path d="M8 5v14l11-7z"/>
 				</svg>
-				Announce
-			</button>
+			{:else}
+				<svg class="w-3.5 h-3.5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+					<path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M4 16v1a3 3 0 003 3h10a3 3 0 003-3v-1m-4-4l-4 4m0 0l-4-4m4 4V4"/>
+				</svg>
+			{/if}
+			{audioStore.audioMode === 'stream' && !audioStore.voice.startsWith('cfai:') ? 'Stream' : 'Generate'}
+		</button>
 
 			<!-- Sleep timer pill -->
 			<button

ui/src/lib/server/pocketbase.ts

@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ export interface PBUserSettings {
 	font_family?: string;
 	font_size?: number;
 	announce_chapter?: boolean;
+	audio_mode?: string;
 	updated?: string;
 }
 
@@ -1013,7 +1014,7 @@ export async function getSettings(
 
 export async function saveSettings(
 	sessionId: string,
-	settings: { autoNext: boolean; voice: string; speed: number; theme?: string; locale?: string; fontFamily?: string; fontSize?: number; announceChapter?: boolean },
+	settings: { autoNext: boolean; voice: string; speed: number; theme?: string; locale?: string; fontFamily?: string; fontSize?: number; announceChapter?: boolean; audioMode?: string },
 	userId?: string
 ): Promise<void> {
 	const existing = await listOne<PBUserSettings & { id: string }>(
@@ -1033,6 +1034,7 @@ export async function saveSettings(
 	if (settings.fontFamily !== undefined) payload.font_family = settings.fontFamily;
 	if (settings.fontSize !== undefined) payload.font_size = settings.fontSize;
 	if (settings.announceChapter !== undefined) payload.announce_chapter = settings.announceChapter;
+	if (settings.audioMode !== undefined) payload.audio_mode = settings.audioMode;
 	if (userId) payload.user_id = userId;
 
 	if (existing) {
@@ -1413,6 +1415,56 @@ export async function revokeAllUserSessions(userId: string): Promise<void> {
 	);
 }
 
+/**
+ * Delete all data associated with a user account:
+ *   - user_settings, user_library, progress, comment_votes, book_ratings,
+ *     user_subscriptions, user_sessions, notifications rows owned by the user
+ *   - the app_users record itself
+ *
+ * Does NOT delete audio files from MinIO (shared cache) or book comments
+ * (anonymised to preserve discussion threads).
+ */
+export async function deleteUserAccount(userId: string, sessionId: string): Promise<void> {
+	const collections = [
+		{ name: 'user_settings',      filter: `(user_id="${userId}" || session_id="${sessionId}")` },
+		{ name: 'user_library',       filter: `(user_id="${userId}" || session_id="${sessionId}")` },
+		{ name: 'progress',           filter: `(user_id="${userId}" || session_id="${sessionId}")` },
+		{ name: 'comment_votes',      filter: `user_id="${userId}"` },
+		{ name: 'book_ratings',       filter: `user_id="${userId}"` },
+		{ name: 'user_subscriptions', filter: `(follower_id="${userId}" || followee_id="${userId}")` },
+		{ name: 'notifications',      filter: `user_id="${userId}"` },
+		{ name: 'user_sessions',      filter: `user_id="${userId}"` },
+	];
+
+	const token = await getToken();
+
+	for (const { name, filter } of collections) {
+		try {
+			const rows = await listAll<{ id: string }>(name, filter);
+			await Promise.all(
+				rows.map((r) =>
+					fetch(`${PB_URL}/api/collections/${name}/records/${r.id}`, {
+						method: 'DELETE',
+						headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${token}` }
+					}).catch(() => {})
+				)
+			);
+		} catch {
+			// Best-effort: log and continue so one failure doesn't abort the rest
+			log.warn('pocketbase', `deleteUserAccount: failed to purge ${name}`, { userId });
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Delete the user record last
+	const res = await pbDelete(`/api/collections/app_users/records/${userId}`);
+	if (!res.ok) {
+		const body = await res.text().catch(() => '');
+		log.error('pocketbase', 'deleteUserAccount: failed to delete app_users record', { userId, status: res.status, body });
+		throw new Error(`Failed to delete user record (${res.status})`);
+	}
+	log.info('pocketbase', 'deleteUserAccount: account deleted', { userId });
+}
+
 /**
  * Update the avatar_url field for a user record.
  */

ui/src/routes/+layout.server.ts

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ export const load: LayoutServerLoad = async ({ locals, url, cookies }) => {
 		redirect(302, `/login`);
 	}
 
-	let settings = { autoNext: false, voice: 'af_bella', speed: 1.0, theme: 'amber', locale: 'en', fontFamily: 'system', fontSize: 1.0, announceChapter: false };
+	let settings = { autoNext: false, voice: 'af_bella', speed: 1.0, theme: 'amber', locale: 'en', fontFamily: 'system', fontSize: 1.0, announceChapter: false, audioMode: 'stream' };
 	try {
 		const row = await getSettings(locals.sessionId, locals.user?.id);
 		if (row) {
@@ -29,7 +29,8 @@ export const load: LayoutServerLoad = async ({ locals, url, cookies }) => {
 				locale: row.locale ?? 'en',
 				fontFamily: row.font_family ?? 'system',
 				fontSize: row.font_size || 1.0,
-				announceChapter: row.announce_chapter ?? false
+				announceChapter: row.announce_chapter ?? false,
+				audioMode: row.audio_mode ?? 'stream'
 			};
 		}
 	} catch (e) {

ui/src/routes/+layout.svelte

@@ -157,6 +157,7 @@
 				audioStore.voice = data.settings.voice;
 				audioStore.speed = data.settings.speed;
 				audioStore.announceChapter = data.settings.announceChapter ?? false;
+				audioStore.audioMode = (data.settings.audioMode === 'generate' ? 'generate' : 'stream');
 			}
 			// Always sync theme + font (profile page calls invalidateAll after saving)
 			currentTheme = data.settings.theme ?? 'amber';
@@ -179,6 +180,7 @@
 		const fontFamily = currentFontFamily;
 		const fontSize = currentFontSize;
 		const announceChapter = audioStore.announceChapter;
+		const audioMode = audioStore.audioMode;
 
 		// Skip saving until settings have been applied from the server AND
 		// at least one user-driven change has occurred after that.
@@ -189,7 +191,7 @@
 			fetch('/api/settings', {
 				method: 'PUT',
 				headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
-				body: JSON.stringify({ autoNext, voice, speed, theme, fontFamily, fontSize, announceChapter })
+				body: JSON.stringify({ autoNext, voice, speed, theme, fontFamily, fontSize, announceChapter, audioMode })
 			}).catch(() => {});
 		}, 800) as unknown as number;
 	});

ui/src/routes/api/profile/+server.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+import { json, error } from '@sveltejs/kit';
+import type { RequestHandler } from './$types';
+import { deleteUserAccount } from '$lib/server/pocketbase';
+import { log } from '$lib/server/logger';
+
+/**
+ * DELETE /api/profile
+ *
+ * Permanently deletes the authenticated user's account and all associated data:
+ * settings, library, progress, votes, ratings, sessions, notifications.
+ *
+ * The app_users record is removed last. The caller should immediately log the
+ * user out (submit the logout form) to clear the session cookie.
+ */
+export const DELETE: RequestHandler = async ({ locals }) => {
+	if (!locals.user) error(401, 'Not authenticated');
+
+	try {
+		await deleteUserAccount(locals.user.id, locals.sessionId);
+	} catch (e) {
+		log.error('profile', 'DELETE /api/profile failed', { userId: locals.user.id, err: String(e) });
+		error(500, { message: 'Failed to delete account. Please try again or contact support.' });
+	}
+
+	return json({ ok: true });
+};

ui/src/routes/api/settings/+server.ts

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import { log } from '$lib/server/logger';
 
 /**
  * GET /api/settings
- * Returns the current user's settings (auto_next, voice, speed, theme, locale, fontFamily, fontSize, announceChapter).
+ * Returns the current user's settings (auto_next, voice, speed, theme, locale, fontFamily, fontSize, announceChapter, audioMode).
  * Returns defaults if no settings record exists yet.
  */
 export const GET: RequestHandler = async ({ locals }) => {
@@ -19,7 +19,8 @@ export const GET: RequestHandler = async ({ locals }) => {
 			locale: settings?.locale ?? 'en',
 			fontFamily: settings?.font_family ?? 'system',
 			fontSize: settings?.font_size || 1.0,
-			announceChapter: settings?.announce_chapter ?? false
+			announceChapter: settings?.announce_chapter ?? false,
+			audioMode: settings?.audio_mode ?? 'stream'
 		});
 	} catch (e) {
 		log.error('settings', 'GET failed', { err: String(e) });
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ export const GET: RequestHandler = async ({ locals }) => {
 
 /**
  * PUT /api/settings
- * Body: { autoNext: boolean, voice: string, speed: number, theme?: string, locale?: string, fontFamily?: string, fontSize?: number, announceChapter?: boolean }
+ * Body: { autoNext: boolean, voice: string, speed: number, theme?: string, locale?: string, fontFamily?: string, fontSize?: number, announceChapter?: boolean, audioMode?: string }
  * Saves user preferences.
  */
 export const PUT: RequestHandler = async ({ request, locals }) => {
@@ -73,6 +74,12 @@ export const PUT: RequestHandler = async ({ request, locals }) => {
 		error(400, 'Invalid announceChapter — must be boolean');
 	}
 
+	// audioMode is optional — if provided it must be a known value
+	const validAudioModes = ['stream', 'generate'];
+	if (body.audioMode !== undefined && !validAudioModes.includes(body.audioMode)) {
+		error(400, `Invalid audioMode — must be one of: ${validAudioModes.join(', ')}`);
+	}
+
 	try {
 		await saveSettings(locals.sessionId, body, locals.user?.id);
 	} catch (e) {

ui/src/routes/profile/+page.svelte

@@ -3,15 +3,16 @@
 	import { untrack, getContext } from 'svelte';
 	import type { PageData, ActionData } from './$types';
 	import { audioStore } from '$lib/audio.svelte';
+	import type { AudioMode } from '$lib/audio.svelte';
 	import { browser } from '$app/environment';
 	import { page } from '$app/state';
 	import type { Voice } from '$lib/types';
+	import { cn } from '$lib/utils';
 	import * as m from '$lib/paraglide/messages.js';
 
 	let { data, form }: { data: PageData; form: ActionData } = $props();
 
 	// ── Polar checkout ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-	// Customer portal: always link to the org portal
 	const manageUrl = `https://polar.sh/libnovel/portal`;
 
 	let checkoutLoading = $state<'monthly' | 'annual' | null>(null);
@@ -41,14 +42,12 @@
 	}
 
 	// ── Avatar ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-	// Show a welcome banner when Polar redirects back with ?subscribed=1
 	const justSubscribed = $derived(browser && page.url.searchParams.get('subscribed') === '1');
 
 	let avatarUrl = $state<string | null>(untrack(() => data.avatarUrl ?? null));
 	let avatarUploading = $state(false);
 	let avatarError = $state('');
 	let fileInput: HTMLInputElement | null = null;
-
 	let cropFile = $state<File | null>(null);
 
 	function handleAvatarChange(e: Event) {
@@ -83,9 +82,7 @@
 		}
 	}
 
-	function handleCropCancel() {
-		cropFile = null;
-	}
+	function handleCropCancel() { cropFile = null; }
 
 	// ── Voices ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 	let voices = $state<Voice[]>([]);
@@ -93,7 +90,7 @@
 
 	const kokoroVoices = $derived(voices.filter((v) => v.engine === 'kokoro'));
 	const pocketVoices = $derived(voices.filter((v) => v.engine === 'pocket-tts'));
-	const cfaiVoices = $derived(voices.filter((v) => v.engine === 'cfai'));
+	const cfaiVoices   = $derived(voices.filter((v) => v.engine === 'cfai'));
 
 	function voiceLabel(v: Voice): string {
 		if (v.engine === 'cfai') {
@@ -102,14 +99,14 @@
 		}
 		if (v.engine === 'pocket-tts') {
 			const name = v.id.replace(/_/g, ' ').replace(/\b\w/g, (c) => c.toUpperCase());
-			return name + (v.gender ? ` (EN ${v.gender.toUpperCase()})` : '');
+			return name + (v.gender ? ` (${v.lang?.toUpperCase().replace('-','')} ${v.gender.toUpperCase()})` : '');
 		}
 		// Kokoro: "af_bella" → "Bella (US F)"
 		const langMap: Record<string, string> = {
-			af: 'US', am: 'US', bf: 'UK', bm: 'UK',
-			ef: 'ES', em: 'ES', ff: 'FR',
-			hf: 'IN', hm: 'IN', 'if': 'IT', im: 'IT',
-			jf: 'JP', jm: 'JP', pf: 'PT', pm: 'PT', zf: 'ZH', zm: 'ZH',
+			af:'US', am:'US', bf:'UK', bm:'UK',
+			ef:'ES', em:'ES', ff:'FR',
+			hf:'IN', hm:'IN', 'if':'IT', im:'IT',
+			jf:'JP', jm:'JP', pf:'PT', pm:'PT', zf:'ZH', zm:'ZH',
 		};
 		const prefix = v.id.slice(0, 2);
 		const name = v.id.slice(3).replace(/^v0/, '').replace(/^([a-z])/, (c) => c.toUpperCase());
@@ -125,21 +122,41 @@
 			.catch(() => { voicesLoaded = true; });
 	});
 
-	// ── Settings state ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-	let voice = $state(audioStore.voice);
-	let speed = $state(audioStore.speed);
-	let autoNext = $state(audioStore.autoNext);
+	// Voice sample playback
+	let samplePlayingVoice = $state<string | null>(null);
+	let sampleAudio = $state<HTMLAudioElement | null>(null);
 
-	$effect(() => {
-		voice = audioStore.voice;
-		speed = audioStore.speed;
-		autoNext = audioStore.autoNext;
-	});
+	function stopSample() {
+		if (sampleAudio) { sampleAudio.pause(); sampleAudio.src = ''; sampleAudio = null; }
+		samplePlayingVoice = null;
+	}
+
+	async function toggleSample(voiceId: string) {
+		if (samplePlayingVoice === voiceId) { stopSample(); return; }
+		stopSample();
+		samplePlayingVoice = voiceId;
+		try {
+			const res = await fetch(`/api/presign/voice-sample?voice=${encodeURIComponent(voiceId)}`);
+			if (res.status === 404) { samplePlayingVoice = null; return; }
+			if (!res.ok) throw new Error();
+			const { url } = await res.json() as { url: string };
+			const audio = new Audio(url);
+			sampleAudio = audio;
+			audio.onended = () => { if (samplePlayingVoice === voiceId) stopSample(); };
+			audio.onerror = () => { if (samplePlayingVoice === voiceId) stopSample(); };
+			await audio.play();
+		} catch { samplePlayingVoice = null; }
+	}
+
+	// ── Settings state ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+	// All changes are written directly into audioStore / theme context.
+	// The layout's debounced $effect owns the single PUT /api/settings call.
+	// We only maintain a local saveStatus indicator here.
 
 	const settingsCtx = getContext<{ current: string; fontFamily: string; fontSize: number } | undefined>('theme');
-	let selectedTheme = $state(untrack(() => data.settings?.theme ?? settingsCtx?.current ?? 'amber'));
+	let selectedTheme      = $state(untrack(() => data.settings?.theme      ?? settingsCtx?.current    ?? 'amber'));
 	let selectedFontFamily = $state(untrack(() => data.settings?.fontFamily ?? settingsCtx?.fontFamily ?? 'system'));
-	let selectedFontSize = $state(untrack(() => data.settings?.fontSize ?? settingsCtx?.fontSize ?? 1.0));
+	let selectedFontSize   = $state(untrack(() => data.settings?.fontSize   ?? settingsCtx?.fontSize   ?? 1.0));
 
 	const THEMES: { id: string; label: () => string; swatch: string; light?: boolean }[] = [
 		{ id: 'amber',       label: () => m.profile_theme_amber(),       swatch: '#f59e0b' },
@@ -166,51 +183,50 @@
 		{ value: 1.3,  label: () => m.profile_text_size_xl() },
 	];
 
-	// ── Auto-save ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+	// Local save-status indicator — layout's effect does the actual debounced save.
 	type SaveStatus = 'idle' | 'saving' | 'saved';
 	let saveStatus = $state<SaveStatus>('idle');
-	let saveTimer = 0;
 	let savedTimer = 0;
 	let initialized = false;
 
+	function markSaved() {
+		saveStatus = 'saving';
+		clearTimeout(savedTimer);
+		// Give a tick for layout's effect to fire, then show ✓ Saved
+		savedTimer = setTimeout(() => {
+			saveStatus = 'saved';
+			savedTimer = setTimeout(() => (saveStatus = 'idle'), 2000) as unknown as number;
+		}, 900) as unknown as number;
+	}
+
+	// Propagate all settings changes into audioStore / context immediately.
+	// Layout effect watches these and persists to the server (debounced 800ms).
 	$effect(() => {
-		// Read all settings deps to subscribe
-		const t = selectedTheme;
+		const t  = selectedTheme;
 		const ff = selectedFontFamily;
 		const fs = selectedFontSize;
-		const v = voice;
-		const sp = speed;
-		const an = autoNext;
+		const v  = audioStore.voice;
+		const sp = audioStore.speed;
+		const an = audioStore.autoNext;
+		const ac = audioStore.announceChapter;
+		const am = audioStore.audioMode;
 
-		// Apply context immediately (font/theme previews live without waiting for save)
 		if (settingsCtx) {
-			settingsCtx.current = t;
+			settingsCtx.current    = t;
 			settingsCtx.fontFamily = ff;
-			settingsCtx.fontSize = fs;
+			settingsCtx.fontSize   = fs;
 		}
-		audioStore.voice = v;
-		audioStore.autoNext = an;
 
 		if (!initialized) { initialized = true; return; }
-
-		clearTimeout(saveTimer);
-		saveTimer = setTimeout(async () => {
-			saveStatus = 'saving';
-			try {
-				await fetch('/api/settings', {
-					method: 'PUT',
-					headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
-					body: JSON.stringify({ autoNext: an, voice: v, speed: sp, theme: t, fontFamily: ff, fontSize: fs })
-				});
-				saveStatus = 'saved';
-				clearTimeout(savedTimer);
-				savedTimer = setTimeout(() => (saveStatus = 'idle'), 2000) as unknown as number;
-			} catch {
-				saveStatus = 'idle';
-			}
-		}, 800) as unknown as number;
+		void v; void sp; void an; void ac; void am; // keep subscriptions live
+		markSaved();
 	});
 
+	// Keep theme/font writes flowing into layout context when changed from selectors
+	$effect(() => { if (settingsCtx) settingsCtx.current    = selectedTheme; });
+	$effect(() => { if (settingsCtx) settingsCtx.fontFamily = selectedFontFamily; });
+	$effect(() => { if (settingsCtx) settingsCtx.fontSize   = selectedFontSize; });
+
 	// ── Tab ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 	let activeTab = $state<'profile' | 'stats' | 'history'>('profile');
 
@@ -224,12 +240,12 @@
 		is_current: boolean;
 	};
 
-	let sessions = $state<Session[]>(untrack(() => data.sessions ?? []));
-	let revokingId = $state<string | null>(null);
+	let sessions    = $state<Session[]>(untrack(() => data.sessions ?? []));
+	let revokingId  = $state<string | null>(null);
 	let revokeError = $state('');
 
 	async function revokeSession(session: Session) {
-		revokingId = session.id;
+		revokingId  = session.id;
 		revokeError = '';
 		try {
 			const res = await fetch(`/api/sessions/${session.id}`, { method: 'DELETE' });
@@ -247,6 +263,37 @@
 		}
 	}
 
+	// ── Danger zone ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+	let deleteConfirmOpen = $state(false);
+	let deleteConfirmText = $state('');
+	let deleting          = $state(false);
+	let deleteError       = $state('');
+
+	const DELETE_KEYWORD = untrack(() => data.user.username);
+	const deleteReady    = $derived(deleteConfirmText.trim() === DELETE_KEYWORD);
+
+	async function deleteAccount() {
+		if (!deleteReady) return;
+		deleting     = true;
+		deleteError  = '';
+		try {
+			const res = await fetch('/api/profile', { method: 'DELETE' });
+			if (!res.ok) {
+				const body = await res.json().catch(() => ({})) as { message?: string };
+				deleteError = body.message ?? `Delete failed (${res.status}). Please try again.`;
+				return;
+			}
+			// Server deleted account — submit logout form to clear session cookie
+			const logoutForm = document.getElementById('logout-form') as HTMLFormElement | null;
+			if (logoutForm) logoutForm.submit();
+		} catch {
+			deleteError = 'Network error. Please try again.';
+		} finally {
+			deleting = false;
+		}
+	}
+
+	// ── Utilities ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 	function formatDate(iso: string): string {
 		if (!iso) return '—';
 		try {
@@ -293,7 +340,7 @@
 	</div>
 	{/if}
 
-	<!-- ── Profile header ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────── -->
+	<!-- ── Profile header ───────────────────────────────────────────────────── -->
 	<div class="flex items-center gap-5 pt-2">
 		<div class="relative shrink-0">
 			<button
@@ -353,10 +400,12 @@
 			<button
 				type="button"
 				onclick={() => (activeTab = tab)}
-				class="flex-1 py-2 rounded-lg text-sm font-medium transition-colors
-					{activeTab === tab
+				class={cn(
+					'flex-1 py-2 rounded-lg text-sm font-medium transition-colors',
+					activeTab === tab
 						? 'bg-(--color-surface-3) text-(--color-text) shadow-sm'
-						: 'text-(--color-muted) hover:text-(--color-text)'}"
+						: 'text-(--color-muted) hover:text-(--color-text)'
+				)}
 			>
 				{tab === 'profile' ? 'Profile' : tab === 'stats' ? 'Stats' : 'History'}
 			</button>
@@ -364,7 +413,8 @@
 	</div>
 
 	{#if activeTab === 'profile'}
-	<!-- ── Subscription ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── -->
+
+	<!-- ── Subscription ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────── -->
 	{#if !data.isPro}
 	<section class="bg-(--color-surface-2) rounded-xl border border-(--color-border) p-6">
 		<div class="flex items-start justify-between gap-4">
@@ -424,20 +474,21 @@
 	</section>
 	{/if}
 
-	<!-- ── Preferences ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── -->
+	<!-- ── Preferences ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── -->
 	<section class="bg-(--color-surface-2) rounded-xl border border-(--color-border) divide-y divide-(--color-border)">
 
-		<!-- Section header with auto-save indicator -->
+		<!-- Header -->
 		<div class="flex items-center justify-between px-6 py-4">
 			<h2 class="text-base font-semibold text-(--color-text)">Preferences</h2>
-			<span class="text-xs transition-all duration-300 {saveStatus === 'saving' ? 'text-(--color-muted)' : saveStatus === 'saved' ? 'text-(--color-success)' : 'opacity-0 pointer-events-none'}">
-				{#if saveStatus === 'saving'}
-					{m.profile_saving()}…
-				{:else if saveStatus === 'saved'}
-					✓ {m.profile_saved()}
-				{:else}
-					{m.profile_saved()}
-				{/if}
+			<span class={cn(
+				'text-xs transition-all duration-300',
+				saveStatus === 'saving' ? 'text-(--color-muted)' :
+				saveStatus === 'saved'  ? 'text-green-400' :
+				'opacity-0 pointer-events-none'
+			)}>
+				{#if saveStatus === 'saving'}{m.profile_saving()}…
+				{:else if saveStatus === 'saved'}✓ {m.profile_saved()}
+				{:else}{m.profile_saved()}{/if}
 			</span>
 		</div>
 
@@ -446,16 +497,18 @@
 			<p class="text-sm font-medium text-(--color-text)">{m.profile_theme_label()}</p>
 			<div class="flex gap-2 flex-wrap items-center">
 				{#each THEMES as t, i}
-					{#if i === 3}
+					{#if i === 6}
 						<span class="w-px h-6 bg-(--color-border) mx-1 self-center"></span>
 					{/if}
 					<button
 						type="button"
 						onclick={() => (selectedTheme = t.id)}
-						class="flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 rounded-lg border text-sm font-medium transition-colors
-							{selectedTheme === t.id
+						class={cn(
+							'flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 rounded-lg border text-sm font-medium transition-colors',
+							selectedTheme === t.id
 								? 'border-(--color-brand) bg-(--color-brand)/10 text-(--color-brand)'
-								: 'border-(--color-border) bg-(--color-surface-3) text-(--color-muted) hover:border-(--color-brand)/50 hover:text-(--color-text)'}"
+								: 'border-(--color-border) bg-(--color-surface-3) text-(--color-muted) hover:border-(--color-brand)/50 hover:text-(--color-text)'
+						)}
 						aria-pressed={selectedTheme === t.id}
 					>
 						<span class="w-3 h-3 rounded-full shrink-0 {t.light ? 'ring-1 ring-(--color-border)' : ''}" style="background: {t.swatch};"></span>
@@ -473,10 +526,12 @@
 					<button
 						type="button"
 						onclick={() => (selectedFontFamily = f.id)}
-						class="px-3 py-2 rounded-lg border text-sm font-medium transition-colors
-							{selectedFontFamily === f.id
+						class={cn(
+							'px-3 py-2 rounded-lg border text-sm font-medium transition-colors',
+							selectedFontFamily === f.id
 								? 'border-(--color-brand) bg-(--color-brand)/10 text-(--color-brand)'
-								: 'border-(--color-border) bg-(--color-surface-3) text-(--color-muted) hover:border-(--color-brand)/50 hover:text-(--color-text)'}"
+								: 'border-(--color-border) bg-(--color-surface-3) text-(--color-muted) hover:border-(--color-brand)/50 hover:text-(--color-text)'
+						)}
 						aria-pressed={selectedFontFamily === f.id}
 					>
 						{f.label()}
@@ -493,10 +548,12 @@
 					<button
 						type="button"
 						onclick={() => (selectedFontSize = s.value)}
-						class="px-3 py-2 rounded-lg border text-sm font-medium transition-colors
-							{selectedFontSize === s.value
+						class={cn(
+							'px-3 py-2 rounded-lg border text-sm font-medium transition-colors',
+							selectedFontSize === s.value
 								? 'border-(--color-brand) bg-(--color-brand)/10 text-(--color-brand)'
-								: 'border-(--color-border) bg-(--color-surface-3) text-(--color-muted) hover:border-(--color-brand)/50 hover:text-(--color-text)'}"
+								: 'border-(--color-border) bg-(--color-surface-3) text-(--color-muted) hover:border-(--color-brand)/50 hover:text-(--color-text)'
+						)}
 						aria-pressed={selectedFontSize === s.value}
 					>
 						{s.label()}
@@ -505,34 +562,81 @@
 			</div>
 		</div>
 
-		<!-- TTS voice -->
+		<!-- TTS voice — visual card picker grouped by engine -->
 		<div class="px-6 py-5 space-y-3">
-			<label class="block text-sm font-medium text-(--color-text)" for="voice-select">{m.profile_tts_voice()}</label>
+			<p class="text-sm font-medium text-(--color-text)">{m.profile_tts_voice()}</p>
 			{#if !voicesLoaded}
-				<div class="h-9 bg-(--color-surface-3) rounded-lg animate-pulse"></div>
+				<div class="space-y-2">
+					{#each [1,2,3] as _}
+						<div class="h-10 bg-(--color-surface-3) rounded-lg animate-pulse"></div>
+					{/each}
+				</div>
 			{:else if voices.length === 0}
-				<select id="voice-select" disabled class="w-full bg-(--color-surface-3) border border-(--color-border) rounded-lg px-3 py-2 text-(--color-muted) text-sm cursor-not-allowed">
-					<option>{m.common_loading()}</option>
-				</select>
+				<p class="text-sm text-(--color-muted) italic">No voices available.</p>
 			{:else}
-				<select id="voice-select" bind:value={voice}
-					class="w-full bg-(--color-surface-3) border border-(--color-border) rounded-lg px-3 py-2 text-(--color-text) text-sm focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-(--color-brand)">
-					{#if kokoroVoices.length > 0}
-						<optgroup label="Kokoro (GPU)">
-							{#each kokoroVoices as v}<option value={v.id}>{voiceLabel(v)}</option>{/each}
-						</optgroup>
-					{/if}
-					{#if pocketVoices.length > 0}
-						<optgroup label="Pocket TTS (CPU)">
-							{#each pocketVoices as v}<option value={v.id}>{voiceLabel(v)}</option>{/each}
-						</optgroup>
-					{/if}
-					{#if cfaiVoices.length > 0}
-						<optgroup label="Cloudflare AI">
-							{#each cfaiVoices as v}<option value={v.id}>{voiceLabel(v)}</option>{/each}
-						</optgroup>
-					{/if}
-				</select>
+				<!-- Engine groups -->
+				{#each [
+					{ label: 'Kokoro (GPU)', voices: kokoroVoices },
+					{ label: 'Pocket TTS (CPU)', voices: pocketVoices },
+					{ label: 'Cloudflare AI', voices: cfaiVoices },
+				].filter(g => g.voices.length > 0) as group}
+					<div>
+						<p class="text-[10px] font-semibold text-(--color-muted) uppercase tracking-widest mb-2">{group.label}</p>
+						<div class="grid grid-cols-1 sm:grid-cols-2 gap-1.5">
+						{#each group.voices as v (v.id)}
+							{@const isSelected = audioStore.voice === v.id}
+							{@const isPlaying  = samplePlayingVoice === v.id}
+							<!-- Use role=option div to avoid nested <button> inside <button> -->
+							<div
+								role="option"
+								aria-selected={isSelected}
+								tabindex="0"
+								onclick={() => { audioStore.voice = v.id; }}
+								onkeydown={(e) => { if (e.key === 'Enter' || e.key === ' ') { e.preventDefault(); audioStore.voice = v.id; } }}
+								class={cn(
+									'flex items-center justify-between gap-2 px-3 py-2 rounded-lg border text-sm transition-colors cursor-pointer select-none',
+									isSelected
+										? 'border-(--color-brand) bg-(--color-brand)/10 text-(--color-brand)'
+										: 'border-(--color-border) bg-(--color-surface-3) text-(--color-text) hover:border-(--color-brand)/40'
+								)}
+							>
+								<div class="flex items-center gap-2 min-w-0">
+									{#if isSelected}
+										<svg class="w-3.5 h-3.5 shrink-0 text-(--color-brand)" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+											<path d="M9 16.17L4.83 12l-1.42 1.41L9 19 21 7l-1.41-1.41z"/>
+										</svg>
+									{:else}
+										<span class="w-3.5 h-3.5 shrink-0"></span>
+									{/if}
+									<span class="truncate font-medium">{voiceLabel(v)}</span>
+								</div>
+								<!-- Sample play button -->
+								<button
+									type="button"
+									onclick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); toggleSample(v.id); }}
+									class={cn(
+										'shrink-0 w-6 h-6 rounded-full flex items-center justify-center transition-colors',
+										isPlaying
+											? 'bg-(--color-brand) text-(--color-surface)'
+											: 'bg-(--color-surface-2) text-(--color-muted) hover:text-(--color-text) hover:bg-(--color-surface-3)'
+									)}
+									title={isPlaying ? 'Stop sample' : 'Play sample'}
+								>
+									{#if isPlaying}
+										<svg class="w-3 h-3" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+											<path d="M6 19h4V5H6v14zm8-14v14h4V5h-4z"/>
+										</svg>
+									{:else}
+										<svg class="w-3 h-3 ml-0.5" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+											<path d="M8 5v14l11-7z"/>
+										</svg>
+									{/if}
+								</button>
+							</div>
+						{/each}
+						</div>
+					</div>
+				{/each}
 			{/if}
 		</div>
 
@@ -540,36 +644,101 @@
 		<div class="px-6 py-5 space-y-3">
 			<div class="flex items-center justify-between">
 				<label class="text-sm font-medium text-(--color-text)" for="speed-range">{m.profile_playback_speed({ speed: '' })}</label>
-				<span class="text-sm font-mono text-(--color-brand)">{speed.toFixed(1)}x</span>
+				<span class="text-sm font-mono text-(--color-brand)">{audioStore.speed.toFixed(1)}x</span>
 			</div>
-			<input id="speed-range" type="range" min="0.5" max="3.0" step="0.1" bind:value={speed}
+			<input id="speed-range" type="range" min="0.5" max="3.0" step="0.1"
+				bind:value={audioStore.speed}
 				style="accent-color: var(--color-brand);" class="w-full" />
 			<div class="flex justify-between text-xs text-(--color-muted)">
 				<span>0.5x</span><span>3.0x</span>
 			</div>
 		</div>
 
-		<!-- Auto-advance -->
-		<div class="px-6 py-5 flex items-center justify-between">
-			<div>
-				<p class="text-sm font-medium text-(--color-text)">{m.profile_auto_advance()}</p>
-				<p class="text-xs text-(--color-muted) mt-0.5">Automatically load the next chapter when audio finishes</p>
+		<!-- Playback toggles row -->
+		<div class="px-6 py-5 space-y-4">
+			<p class="text-sm font-medium text-(--color-text)">Playback</p>
+
+			<!-- Auto-advance -->
+			<div class="flex items-center justify-between">
+				<div>
+					<p class="text-sm text-(--color-text)">{m.profile_auto_advance()}</p>
+					<p class="text-xs text-(--color-muted) mt-0.5">Automatically load the next chapter when audio finishes</p>
+				</div>
+				<button
+					type="button"
+					role="switch"
+					aria-checked={audioStore.autoNext}
+					aria-label="Auto-advance to next chapter"
+					onclick={() => (audioStore.autoNext = !audioStore.autoNext)}
+					class={cn(
+						'shrink-0 relative inline-flex h-6 w-11 items-center rounded-full transition-colors focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-(--color-brand) focus:ring-offset-2 focus:ring-offset-(--color-surface)',
+						audioStore.autoNext ? 'bg-(--color-brand)' : 'bg-(--color-surface-3) border border-(--color-border)'
+					)}
+				>
+					<span class={cn('inline-block h-4 w-4 transform rounded-full bg-white shadow transition-transform', audioStore.autoNext ? 'translate-x-6' : 'translate-x-1')}></span>
+				</button>
+			</div>
+
+			<!-- Announce chapter -->
+			<div class="flex items-center justify-between">
+				<div>
+					<p class="text-sm text-(--color-text)">Announce chapter</p>
+					<p class="text-xs text-(--color-muted) mt-0.5">Read the chapter title aloud before auto-advancing</p>
+				</div>
+				<button
+					type="button"
+					role="switch"
+					aria-checked={audioStore.announceChapter}
+					aria-label="Announce chapter title before auto-advance"
+					onclick={() => (audioStore.announceChapter = !audioStore.announceChapter)}
+					class={cn(
+						'shrink-0 relative inline-flex h-6 w-11 items-center rounded-full transition-colors focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-(--color-brand) focus:ring-offset-2 focus:ring-offset-(--color-surface)',
+						audioStore.announceChapter ? 'bg-(--color-brand)' : 'bg-(--color-surface-3) border border-(--color-border)'
+					)}
+				>
+					<span class={cn('inline-block h-4 w-4 transform rounded-full bg-white shadow transition-transform', audioStore.announceChapter ? 'translate-x-6' : 'translate-x-1')}></span>
+				</button>
+			</div>
+
+			<!-- Audio mode -->
+			<div class="flex items-center justify-between">
+				<div>
+					<p class="text-sm text-(--color-text)">Audio mode</p>
+					<p class="text-xs text-(--color-muted) mt-0.5">
+						{#if audioStore.audioMode === 'stream'}
+							<strong class="text-(--color-text)">Stream</strong> — audio starts within seconds, saved in background
+						{:else}
+							<strong class="text-(--color-text)">Generate</strong> — wait for full audio before playing
+						{/if}
+					</p>
+				</div>
+				<button
+					type="button"
+					onclick={() => {
+						audioStore.audioMode = audioStore.audioMode === 'stream' ? 'generate' : 'stream';
+					}}
+					disabled={audioStore.voice.startsWith('cfai:')}
+					class={cn(
+						'shrink-0 relative inline-flex h-6 w-11 items-center rounded-full transition-colors focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-(--color-brand) focus:ring-offset-2 focus:ring-offset-(--color-surface)',
+						audioStore.voice.startsWith('cfai:')
+							? 'opacity-40 cursor-not-allowed bg-(--color-surface-3) border border-(--color-border)'
+							: audioStore.audioMode === 'stream'
+								? 'bg-(--color-brand)'
+								: 'bg-(--color-surface-3) border border-(--color-border)'
+					)}
+					title={audioStore.voice.startsWith('cfai:') ? 'CF AI voices always use generate mode' : undefined}
+				>
+					<span class={cn(
+						'inline-block h-4 w-4 transform rounded-full bg-white shadow transition-transform',
+						audioStore.audioMode === 'stream' && !audioStore.voice.startsWith('cfai:') ? 'translate-x-6' : 'translate-x-1'
+					)}></span>
+				</button>
 			</div>
-			<button
-				type="button"
-				role="switch"
-				aria-checked={autoNext}
-				aria-label="Auto-advance to next chapter"
-				onclick={() => (autoNext = !autoNext)}
-				class="shrink-0 relative inline-flex h-6 w-11 items-center rounded-full transition-colors focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-(--color-brand) focus:ring-offset-2 focus:ring-offset-(--color-surface) {autoNext ? 'bg-(--color-brand)' : 'bg-(--color-surface-3) border border-(--color-border)'}"
-			>
-				<span class="inline-block h-4 w-4 transform rounded-full bg-white shadow transition-transform {autoNext ? 'translate-x-6' : 'translate-x-1'}"></span>
-			</button>
 		</div>
 
 	</section>
 
-	<!-- ── Active sessions ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────── -->
+	<!-- ── Active sessions ───────────────────────────────────────────────────── -->
 	<section class="bg-(--color-surface-2) rounded-xl border border-(--color-border) p-6 space-y-4">
 		<div>
 			<h2 class="text-base font-semibold text-(--color-text)">{m.profile_sessions_heading()}</h2>
@@ -585,7 +754,12 @@
 		{:else}
 			<ul class="space-y-2">
 				{#each sessions as session (session.id)}
-					<li class="flex items-start justify-between gap-3 rounded-lg px-4 py-3 {session.is_current ? 'bg-(--color-brand)/10 border border-(--color-brand)/30' : 'bg-(--color-surface-3)/50 border border-(--color-border)/50'}">
+					<li class={cn(
+						'flex items-start justify-between gap-3 rounded-lg px-4 py-3',
+						session.is_current
+							? 'bg-(--color-brand)/10 border border-(--color-brand)/30'
+							: 'bg-(--color-surface-3)/50 border border-(--color-border)/50'
+					)}>
 						<div class="min-w-0 space-y-0.5">
 							<div class="flex items-center gap-2 flex-wrap">
 								<span class="text-sm font-medium text-(--color-text) truncate">{parseUA(session.user_agent)}</span>
@@ -606,10 +780,12 @@
 						<button
 							onclick={() => revokeSession(session)}
 							disabled={revokingId === session.id}
-							class="shrink-0 px-3 py-1.5 rounded-lg text-xs font-medium transition-colors disabled:opacity-50
-								{session.is_current
+							class={cn(
+								'shrink-0 px-3 py-1.5 rounded-lg text-xs font-medium transition-colors disabled:opacity-50',
+								session.is_current
 									? 'bg-(--color-danger)/10 text-(--color-danger) border border-(--color-danger)/60 hover:bg-(--color-danger)/20'
-									: 'bg-(--color-surface-3) text-(--color-text) border border-(--color-border) hover:bg-(--color-surface-2)'}"
+									: 'bg-(--color-surface-3) text-(--color-text) border border-(--color-border) hover:bg-(--color-surface-2)'
+							)}
 						>
 							{revokingId === session.id ? '…' : session.is_current ? m.profile_session_sign_out() : m.profile_session_end()}
 						</button>
@@ -618,7 +794,74 @@
 			</ul>
 		{/if}
 	</section>
-	{/if}
+
+	<!-- ── Danger zone ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── -->
+	<section class="rounded-xl border border-red-500/30 bg-red-500/5 overflow-hidden">
+		<button
+			type="button"
+			onclick={() => { deleteConfirmOpen = !deleteConfirmOpen; deleteConfirmText = ''; deleteError = ''; }}
+			class="w-full flex items-center justify-between px-6 py-4 text-left hover:bg-red-500/5 transition-colors"
+		>
+			<div>
+				<p class="text-sm font-semibold text-red-400">Danger zone</p>
+				<p class="text-xs text-(--color-muted) mt-0.5">Irreversible actions — proceed with care</p>
+			</div>
+			<svg
+				class={cn('w-4 h-4 text-(--color-muted) transition-transform', deleteConfirmOpen && 'rotate-180')}
+				fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+			>
+				<path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M19 9l-7 7-7-7"/>
+			</svg>
+		</button>
+
+		{#if deleteConfirmOpen}
+			<div class="px-6 pb-6 space-y-4 border-t border-red-500/20">
+				<div class="pt-4">
+					<p class="text-sm font-medium text-(--color-text)">Delete account</p>
+					<p class="text-xs text-(--color-muted) mt-1">
+						This permanently deletes your account, reading history, settings, and all associated data. This action cannot be undone.
+					</p>
+				</div>
+
+				<div class="space-y-2">
+					<label for="delete-confirm" class="text-xs text-(--color-muted)">
+						Type <strong class="text-(--color-text) font-mono">{DELETE_KEYWORD}</strong> to confirm
+					</label>
+					<input
+						id="delete-confirm"
+						type="text"
+						bind:value={deleteConfirmText}
+						placeholder={DELETE_KEYWORD}
+						autocomplete="off"
+						class="w-full bg-(--color-surface-3) border border-red-500/40 rounded-lg px-3 py-2 text-sm text-(--color-text) placeholder:text-(--color-border) focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-red-500/50"
+					/>
+				</div>
+
+				{#if deleteError}
+					<p class="text-sm text-red-400">{deleteError}</p>
+				{/if}
+
+				<button
+					type="button"
+					onclick={deleteAccount}
+					disabled={!deleteReady || deleting}
+					class="inline-flex items-center gap-2 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg bg-red-500/10 text-red-400 border border-red-500/40 text-sm font-semibold transition-colors hover:bg-red-500/20 disabled:opacity-40 disabled:cursor-not-allowed"
+				>
+					{#if deleting}
+						<svg class="w-4 h-4 animate-spin" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><circle class="opacity-25" cx="12" cy="12" r="10" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="4"/><path class="opacity-75" fill="currentColor" d="M4 12a8 8 0 018-8v8H4z"/></svg>
+						Deleting…
+					{:else}
+						<svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+							<path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M19 7l-.867 12.142A2 2 0 0116.138 21H7.862a2 2 0 01-1.995-1.858L5 7m5 4v6m4-6v6m1-10V4a1 1 0 00-1-1h-4a1 1 0 00-1 1v3M4 7h16"/>
+						</svg>
+						Delete my account
+					{/if}
+				</button>
+			</div>
+		{/if}
+	</section>
+
+	{/if} <!-- end profile tab -->
 
 	{#if activeTab === 'stats'}
 	<div class="space-y-4">
@@ -629,9 +872,9 @@
 			<div class="grid grid-cols-2 sm:grid-cols-4 gap-3">
 				{#each [
 					{ label: 'Chapters Read', value: data.stats.totalChaptersRead, icon: '📖' },
-					{ label: 'Completed', value: data.stats.booksCompleted, icon: '✅' },
-					{ label: 'Reading', value: data.stats.booksReading, icon: '📚' },
-					{ label: 'Plan to Read', value: data.stats.booksPlanToRead, icon: '🔖' },
+					{ label: 'Completed',     value: data.stats.booksCompleted,    icon: '✅' },
+					{ label: 'Reading',       value: data.stats.booksReading,      icon: '📚' },
+					{ label: 'Plan to Read',  value: data.stats.booksPlanToRead,   icon: '🔖' },
 				] as stat}
 					<div class="bg-(--color-surface-3) rounded-lg p-3 text-center">
 						<p class="text-2xl font-bold text-(--color-text) tabular-nums">{stat.value}</p>
@@ -670,8 +913,12 @@
 			<h2 class="text-sm font-semibold text-(--color-muted) uppercase tracking-wider mb-3">Favourite Genres</h2>
 			<div class="flex flex-wrap gap-2">
 				{#each data.stats.topGenres as genre, i}
-					<span class="flex items-center gap-1.5 px-3 py-1.5 rounded-full text-sm font-medium
-						{i === 0 ? 'bg-(--color-brand)/20 text-(--color-brand) border border-(--color-brand)/30' : 'bg-(--color-surface-3) text-(--color-text) border border-(--color-border)'}">
+					<span class={cn(
+						'flex items-center gap-1.5 px-3 py-1.5 rounded-full text-sm font-medium',
+						i === 0
+							? 'bg-(--color-brand)/20 text-(--color-brand) border border-(--color-brand)/30'
+							: 'bg-(--color-surface-3) text-(--color-text) border border-(--color-border)'
+					)}>
 						{#if i === 0}<span class="text-xs">🏆</span>{/if}
 						{genre}
 					</span>
@@ -680,7 +927,6 @@
 		</section>
 		{/if}
 
-		<!-- Dropped books (only if any) -->
 		{#if data.stats.booksDropped > 0}
 		<p class="text-xs text-(--color-muted) text-center">
 			{data.stats.booksDropped} dropped book{data.stats.booksDropped !== 1 ? 's' : ''} —
@@ -706,7 +952,6 @@
 					href="/books/{item.slug}/chapters/{item.chapter}"
 					class="flex items-center gap-3 px-4 py-3 bg-(--color-surface-2) rounded-xl border border-(--color-border) hover:border-zinc-500 transition-colors group"
 				>
-					<!-- Cover thumbnail -->
 					<div class="w-8 h-11 rounded overflow-hidden bg-(--color-surface-3) flex-shrink-0">
 						{#if item.cover}
 							<img src={item.cover} alt={item.title} class="w-full h-full object-cover" loading="lazy" />
@@ -718,14 +963,10 @@
 							</div>
 						{/if}
 					</div>
-
-					<!-- Title + chapter -->
 					<div class="flex-1 min-w-0">
 						<p class="text-sm font-medium text-(--color-text) truncate group-hover:text-(--color-brand) transition-colors">{item.title}</p>
 						<p class="text-xs text-(--color-muted) mt-0.5">Chapter {item.chapter}</p>
 					</div>
-
-					<!-- Relative time -->
 					<p class="text-xs text-(--color-muted) shrink-0 tabular-nums">
 						{#if item.updated}
 							{(() => {