Safely Delete QCLF Sections and Categories
Deleting QCLF structure is a permanent Administrator action, so the current services refuse removal while important dependent state is still active. Move or clean up the dependent content first rather than using structure deletion as a shortcut.
Section deletion and Category deletion have different safeguards because Topics live in Categories, not directly in Sections.
Delete a Section
A Section cannot be deleted while it contains any Categories. Move or delete those Categories first. QCLF also blocks Section deletion while an active restriction/sanction is scoped to that Section.
Once safe, QCLF expires remaining scope sanctions, deletes Section ACL/scope rules, and removes the Section record.
Delete a Category: Active Blockers
| Blocker | Required action |
|---|---|
| Active Topics | Every Topic with no deleted_at value must be moved or deleted first. |
| Restorable Topic drafts | Current, unexpired Topic drafts attached to the Category block permanent deletion. |
| Active scoped restrictions | Revoke them or wait for them to expire first. |
Already-Deleted Topics Are Purged During Category Deletion
Soft-deleted Topics do not permanently strand the Category. After the active blockers pass, QCLF explicitly loads the Category’s deleted Topics and permanently purges each through the Topic moderation service—even if the normal seven-day recovery period has not finished.
A safety recheck then confirms that no Topic row remains attached. If any cannot be removed, Category deletion stops.
Operational Records Are Cleaned Up
After content safety checks, QCLF expires scoped sanctions, removes Category ACL/scope rules, deletes Category follows/subscriptions and Category Topic drafts so they cannot orphan, then deletes the Category record.
Before You Confirm Delete
- Back up the site/database if the structure contains important history.
- Move active Topics you intend to keep.
- Review Deleted Topics: Category deletion makes their removal permanent immediately.
- Check drafts and scoped restrictions.
- Remember that permanent deletion is different from unpublishing a Section or Category.
Community Discussion
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