diff --git a/backend/migrate_add_project_deleted_at.py b/backend/migrate_add_project_deleted_at.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d15ed34
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/migrate_add_project_deleted_at.py
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+"""
+Migration: Add deleted_at column to projects table
+
+Adds columns:
+- projects.deleted_at: Timestamp set when status='deleted'; data hard-deleted after 60 days
+"""
+
+import sqlite3
+import sys
+from pathlib import Path
+
+
+def migrate(db_path: str):
+    """Run the migration."""
+    print(f"Migrating database: {db_path}")
+
+    conn = sqlite3.connect(db_path)
+    cursor = conn.cursor()
+
+    try:
+        cursor.execute("SELECT name FROM sqlite_master WHERE type='table' AND name='projects'")
+        if not cursor.fetchone():
+            print("projects table does not exist. Skipping migration.")
+            return
+
+        cursor.execute("PRAGMA table_info(projects)")
+        existing_cols = {row[1] for row in cursor.fetchall()}
+
+        if 'deleted_at' not in existing_cols:
+            print("Adding deleted_at column to projects...")
+            cursor.execute("ALTER TABLE projects ADD COLUMN deleted_at DATETIME")
+        else:
+            print("deleted_at column already exists. Skipping.")
+
+        conn.commit()
+        print("Migration completed successfully!")
+
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Migration failed: {e}")
+        conn.rollback()
+        raise
+    finally:
+        conn.close()
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    db_path = "./data/terra-view.db"
+
+    if len(sys.argv) > 1:
+        db_path = sys.argv[1]
+
+    if not Path(db_path).exists():
+        print(f"Database not found: {db_path}")
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    migrate(db_path)
diff --git a/backend/models.py b/backend/models.py
index 49ec9af..5f8eb99 100644
--- a/backend/models.py
+++ b/backend/models.py
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ class Project(Base):
     name = Column(String, nullable=False, unique=True)  # Project/site name (e.g., "RKM Hall")
     description = Column(Text, nullable=True)
     project_type_id = Column(String, nullable=False)  # FK to ProjectType.id
-    status = Column(String, default="active")  # active, completed, archived
+    status = Column(String, default="active")  # active, on_hold, completed, archived, deleted
 
     # Project metadata
     client_name = Column(String, nullable=True, index=True)  # Client name (e.g., "PJ Dick")
@@ -166,6 +166,7 @@ class Project(Base):
 
     created_at = Column(DateTime, default=datetime.utcnow)
     updated_at = Column(DateTime, default=datetime.utcnow, onupdate=datetime.utcnow)
+    deleted_at = Column(DateTime, nullable=True)  # Set when status='deleted'; hard delete scheduled after 60 days
 
 
 class MonitoringLocation(Base):
diff --git a/backend/routers/projects.py b/backend/routers/projects.py
index 2fcf0f0..4beec68 100644
--- a/backend/routers/projects.py
+++ b/backend/routers/projects.py
@@ -57,9 +57,11 @@ async def get_projects_list(
     """
     query = db.query(Project)
 
-    # Filter by status if provided
+    # Filter by status if provided; otherwise exclude soft-deleted projects
     if status:
         query = query.filter(Project.status == status)
+    else:
+        query = query.filter(Project.status != "deleted")
 
     # Filter by project type if provided
     if project_type_id:
@@ -118,9 +120,10 @@ async def get_projects_stats(request: Request, db: Session = Depends(get_db)):
     Get summary statistics for projects overview.
     Returns HTML partial with stat cards.
     """
-    # Count projects by status
-    total_projects = db.query(func.count(Project.id)).scalar()
+    # Count projects by status (exclude deleted)
+    total_projects = db.query(func.count(Project.id)).filter(Project.status != "deleted").scalar()
     active_projects = db.query(func.count(Project.id)).filter_by(status="active").scalar()
+    on_hold_projects = db.query(func.count(Project.id)).filter_by(status="on_hold").scalar()
     completed_projects = db.query(func.count(Project.id)).filter_by(status="completed").scalar()
 
     # Count total locations across all projects
@@ -140,6 +143,7 @@ async def get_projects_stats(request: Request, db: Session = Depends(get_db)):
         "request": request,
         "total_projects": total_projects,
         "active_projects": active_projects,
+        "on_hold_projects": on_hold_projects,
         "completed_projects": completed_projects,
         "total_locations": total_locations,
         "assigned_units": assigned_units,
@@ -178,13 +182,13 @@ async def search_projects(
     if not q.strip():
         # Return recent active projects when no search term
         projects = db.query(Project).filter(
-            Project.status != "archived"
+            Project.status.notin_(["archived", "deleted"])
         ).order_by(Project.updated_at.desc()).limit(limit).all()
     else:
         search_term = f"%{q}%"
         projects = db.query(Project).filter(
             and_(
-                Project.status != "archived",
+                Project.status.notin_(["archived", "deleted"]),
                 or_(
                     Project.project_number.ilike(search_term),
                     Project.client_name.ilike(search_term),
@@ -223,13 +227,13 @@ async def search_projects_json(
     """
     if not q.strip():
         projects = db.query(Project).filter(
-            Project.status != "archived"
+            Project.status.notin_(["archived", "deleted"])
         ).order_by(Project.updated_at.desc()).limit(limit).all()
     else:
         search_term = f"%{q}%"
         projects = db.query(Project).filter(
             and_(
-                Project.status != "archived",
+                Project.status.notin_(["archived", "deleted"]),
                 or_(
                     Project.project_number.ilike(search_term),
                     Project.client_name.ilike(search_term),
@@ -359,18 +363,76 @@ async def update_project(
 @router.delete("/{project_id}")
 async def delete_project(project_id: str, db: Session = Depends(get_db)):
     """
-    Delete a project (soft delete by archiving).
+    Soft-delete a project. Sets status='deleted' and records deleted_at timestamp.
+    Data will be permanently removed after 60 days (or via /permanent endpoint).
     """
     project = db.query(Project).filter_by(id=project_id).first()
     if not project:
         raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Project not found")
 
-    project.status = "archived"
+    project.status = "deleted"
+    project.deleted_at = datetime.utcnow()
     project.updated_at = datetime.utcnow()
 
     db.commit()
 
-    return {"success": True, "message": "Project archived successfully"}
+    return {"success": True, "message": "Project deleted. Data will be permanently removed after 60 days."}
+
+
+@router.delete("/{project_id}/permanent")
+async def permanently_delete_project(project_id: str, db: Session = Depends(get_db)):
+    """
+    Hard-delete a project and all related data. Only allowed when status='deleted'.
+    Removes: locations, assignments, sessions, scheduled actions, recurring schedules.
+    """
+    project = db.query(Project).filter_by(id=project_id).first()
+    if not project:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Project not found")
+    if project.status != "deleted":
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Project must be soft-deleted before permanent deletion.")
+
+    # Delete related data
+    db.query(RecurringSchedule).filter_by(project_id=project_id).delete()
+    db.query(ScheduledAction).filter_by(project_id=project_id).delete()
+    db.query(RecordingSession).filter_by(project_id=project_id).delete()
+    db.query(UnitAssignment).filter_by(project_id=project_id).delete()
+    db.query(MonitoringLocation).filter_by(project_id=project_id).delete()
+    db.delete(project)
+    db.commit()
+
+    return {"success": True, "message": "Project permanently deleted."}
+
+
+@router.post("/{project_id}/hold")
+async def hold_project(project_id: str, db: Session = Depends(get_db)):
+    """
+    Put a project on hold. Pauses without archiving; assignments and schedules remain.
+    """
+    project = db.query(Project).filter_by(id=project_id).first()
+    if not project:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Project not found")
+
+    project.status = "on_hold"
+    project.updated_at = datetime.utcnow()
+    db.commit()
+
+    return {"success": True, "message": "Project put on hold."}
+
+
+@router.post("/{project_id}/unhold")
+async def unhold_project(project_id: str, db: Session = Depends(get_db)):
+    """
+    Resume a project that was on hold.
+    """
+    project = db.query(Project).filter_by(id=project_id).first()
+    if not project:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Project not found")
+
+    project.status = "active"
+    project.updated_at = datetime.utcnow()
+    db.commit()
+
+    return {"success": True, "message": "Project resumed."}
 
 
 # ============================================================================
diff --git a/templates/partials/projects/project_dashboard.html b/templates/partials/projects/project_dashboard.html
index 94e95b9..1cf04f6 100644
--- a/templates/partials/projects/project_dashboard.html
+++ b/templates/partials/projects/project_dashboard.html
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@
         </div>
         {% if project.status == 'active' %}
             <span class="px-3 py-1 text-xs font-medium bg-green-100 text-green-800 dark:bg-green-900/30 dark:text-green-300 rounded-full">Active</span>
+        {% elif project.status == 'on_hold' %}
+            <span class="px-3 py-1 text-xs font-medium bg-amber-100 text-amber-800 dark:bg-amber-900/30 dark:text-amber-400 rounded-full">On Hold</span>
         {% elif project.status == 'completed' %}
             <span class="px-3 py-1 text-xs font-medium bg-blue-100 text-blue-800 dark:bg-blue-900/30 dark:text-blue-300 rounded-full">Completed</span>
         {% elif project.status == 'archived' %}
diff --git a/templates/partials/projects/project_list.html b/templates/partials/projects/project_list.html
index 60d1d3e..3005438 100644
--- a/templates/partials/projects/project_list.html
+++ b/templates/partials/projects/project_list.html
@@ -34,6 +34,10 @@
                     <span class="px-2 py-1 text-xs font-medium bg-green-100 text-green-800 dark:bg-green-900/30 dark:text-green-400 rounded-full">
                         Active
                     </span>
+                {% elif item.project.status == 'on_hold' %}
+                    <span class="px-2 py-1 text-xs font-medium bg-amber-100 text-amber-800 dark:bg-amber-900/30 dark:text-amber-400 rounded-full">
+                        On Hold
+                    </span>
                 {% elif item.project.status == 'completed' %}
                     <span class="px-2 py-1 text-xs font-medium bg-blue-100 text-blue-800 dark:bg-blue-900/30 dark:text-blue-400 rounded-full">
                         Completed
diff --git a/templates/partials/projects/project_list_compact.html b/templates/partials/projects/project_list_compact.html
index d5f78e4..a2acf79 100644
--- a/templates/partials/projects/project_list_compact.html
+++ b/templates/partials/projects/project_list_compact.html
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@
 
             {% if item.project.status == 'active' %}
                 <span class="shrink-0 px-2 py-1 text-xs font-medium bg-green-100 text-green-800 dark:bg-green-900/30 dark:text-green-300 rounded-full">Active</span>
+            {% elif item.project.status == 'on_hold' %}
+                <span class="shrink-0 px-2 py-1 text-xs font-medium bg-amber-100 text-amber-800 dark:bg-amber-900/30 dark:text-amber-400 rounded-full">On Hold</span>
             {% elif item.project.status == 'completed' %}
                 <span class="shrink-0 px-2 py-1 text-xs font-medium bg-blue-100 text-blue-800 dark:bg-blue-900/30 dark:text-blue-300 rounded-full">Completed</span>
             {% elif item.project.status == 'archived' %}
diff --git a/templates/partials/projects/project_stats.html b/templates/partials/projects/project_stats.html
index 30b5ac7..1cf8926 100644
--- a/templates/partials/projects/project_stats.html
+++ b/templates/partials/projects/project_stats.html
@@ -27,6 +27,20 @@
     </div>
 </div>
 
+<div class="bg-white dark:bg-slate-800 rounded-xl shadow-lg p-6">
+    <div class="flex items-center justify-between">
+        <div>
+            <p class="text-sm text-gray-500 dark:text-gray-400">On Hold</p>
+            <p class="text-3xl font-bold text-amber-600 dark:text-amber-400">{{ on_hold_projects }}</p>
+        </div>
+        <div class="p-3 bg-amber-100 dark:bg-amber-900/30 rounded-lg">
+            <svg class="w-8 h-8 text-amber-600 dark:text-amber-400" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+                <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 9v6m4-6v6m7-3a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"></path>
+            </svg>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+</div>
+
 <div class="bg-white dark:bg-slate-800 rounded-xl shadow-lg p-6">
     <div class="flex items-center justify-between">
         <div>
diff --git a/templates/projects/detail.html b/templates/projects/detail.html
index fa6c79d..ef0b903 100644
--- a/templates/projects/detail.html
+++ b/templates/projects/detail.html
@@ -279,6 +279,7 @@
                         <select name="status" id="settings-status"
                                 class="w-full px-4 py-2 border border-gray-300 dark:border-gray-600 rounded-lg bg-white dark:bg-gray-700 text-gray-900 dark:text-white">
                             <option value="active">Active</option>
+                            <option value="on_hold">On Hold</option>
                             <option value="completed">Completed</option>
                             <option value="archived">Archived</option>
                         </select>
@@ -329,14 +330,39 @@
             <!-- Danger Zone -->
             <div class="mt-8 pt-8 border-t border-gray-200 dark:border-gray-700">
                 <h3 class="text-lg font-semibold text-red-600 dark:text-red-400 mb-4">Danger Zone</h3>
-                <div class="bg-red-50 dark:bg-red-900/20 border border-red-200 dark:border-red-800 rounded-lg p-4">
-                    <p class="text-sm text-gray-700 dark:text-gray-300 mb-3">
-                        Archive this project to remove it from active listings. All data will be preserved.
-                    </p>
-                    <button onclick="archiveProject()"
-                            class="px-4 py-2 bg-red-600 text-white rounded-lg hover:bg-red-700 transition-colors">
-                        Archive Project
-                    </button>
+                <div class="space-y-3">
+                    <!-- On Hold -->
+                    <div class="bg-amber-50 dark:bg-amber-900/20 border border-amber-200 dark:border-amber-800 rounded-lg p-4 flex items-center justify-between gap-4">
+                        <div>
+                            <p class="text-sm font-medium text-gray-900 dark:text-white">Put Project On Hold</p>
+                            <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400">Pause this project without archiving. Assignments and schedules remain in place.</p>
+                        </div>
+                        <div id="hold-btn-container" class="shrink-0">
+                            <!-- Rendered by updateDangerZone() based on current status -->
+                        </div>
+                    </div>
+                    <!-- Archive -->
+                    <div class="bg-gray-50 dark:bg-gray-700/40 border border-gray-200 dark:border-gray-600 rounded-lg p-4 flex items-center justify-between gap-4">
+                        <div>
+                            <p class="text-sm font-medium text-gray-900 dark:text-white">Archive Project</p>
+                            <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400">Remove from active listings. All data is preserved and can be restored.</p>
+                        </div>
+                        <button onclick="archiveProject()"
+                                class="shrink-0 px-4 py-2 bg-gray-600 text-white rounded-lg hover:bg-gray-700 transition-colors text-sm">
+                            Archive
+                        </button>
+                    </div>
+                    <!-- Delete -->
+                    <div class="bg-red-50 dark:bg-red-900/20 border border-red-200 dark:border-red-800 rounded-lg p-4 flex items-center justify-between gap-4">
+                        <div>
+                            <p class="text-sm font-medium text-gray-900 dark:text-white">Delete Project</p>
+                            <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400">Permanently removes all project data after a 60-day grace period. This action is difficult to undo.</p>
+                        </div>
+                        <button onclick="openDeleteModal()"
+                                class="shrink-0 px-4 py-2 bg-red-600 text-white rounded-lg hover:bg-red-700 transition-colors text-sm">
+                            Delete
+                        </button>
+                    </div>
                 </div>
             </div>
         </div>
@@ -596,6 +622,40 @@
     </div>
 </div>
 
+<!-- Delete Project Confirmation Modal -->
+<div id="delete-project-modal" class="hidden fixed inset-0 bg-black bg-opacity-60 z-50 flex items-center justify-center">
+    <div class="bg-white dark:bg-slate-800 rounded-xl shadow-2xl w-full max-w-md m-4 p-6">
+        <div class="flex items-center gap-3 mb-4">
+            <div class="p-2 bg-red-100 dark:bg-red-900/40 rounded-lg">
+                <svg class="w-6 h-6 text-red-600 dark:text-red-400" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+                    <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M12 9v2m0 4h.01M10.29 3.86L1.82 18a2 2 0 001.71 3h16.94a2 2 0 001.71-3L13.71 3.86a2 2 0 00-3.42 0z"></path>
+                </svg>
+            </div>
+            <h3 class="text-lg font-bold text-gray-900 dark:text-white">Delete Project</h3>
+        </div>
+        <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400 mb-2">
+            This project will be soft-deleted and <strong class="text-gray-900 dark:text-white">permanently removed after 60 days</strong>. All associated locations, assignments, and sessions will be lost.
+        </p>
+        <p class="text-sm text-gray-700 dark:text-gray-300 mb-4">
+            Type <span class="font-mono font-bold text-red-600 dark:text-red-400">delete</span> to confirm:
+        </p>
+        <input type="text" id="delete-confirm-input"
+               placeholder="type delete"
+               class="w-full px-4 py-2 border border-gray-300 dark:border-gray-600 rounded-lg bg-white dark:bg-gray-700 text-gray-900 dark:text-white mb-4 focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-red-500"
+               autocomplete="off">
+        <div class="flex gap-3 justify-end">
+            <button onclick="closeDeleteModal()"
+                    class="px-4 py-2 border border-gray-300 dark:border-gray-600 rounded-lg text-gray-700 dark:text-gray-300 hover:bg-gray-50 dark:hover:bg-gray-700 text-sm">
+                Cancel
+            </button>
+            <button id="confirm-delete-btn" disabled onclick="executeDeleteProject()"
+                    class="px-4 py-2 bg-red-600 text-white rounded-lg hover:bg-red-700 transition-colors text-sm disabled:opacity-40 disabled:cursor-not-allowed">
+                Delete Project
+            </button>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+</div>
+
 <script>
 const projectId = "{{ project_id }}";
 let editingLocationId = null;
@@ -662,6 +722,7 @@ async function loadProjectDetails() {
         }
 
         document.getElementById('settings-error').classList.add('hidden');
+        updateDangerZone();
     } catch (err) {
         console.error('Failed to load project details:', err);
     }
@@ -1027,6 +1088,78 @@ function archiveProject() {
     document.getElementById('project-settings-form').dispatchEvent(new Event('submit'));
 }
 
+async function holdProject() {
+    try {
+        const response = await fetch(`/api/projects/${projectId}/hold`, { method: 'POST' });
+        if (!response.ok) throw new Error('Failed to put project on hold');
+        await loadProjectDetails();
+        updateDangerZone();
+        htmx.trigger('#project-header', 'load');
+    } catch (err) {
+        alert('Failed to put project on hold: ' + err.message);
+    }
+}
+
+async function unholdProject() {
+    try {
+        const response = await fetch(`/api/projects/${projectId}/unhold`, { method: 'POST' });
+        if (!response.ok) throw new Error('Failed to resume project');
+        await loadProjectDetails();
+        updateDangerZone();
+        htmx.trigger('#project-header', 'load');
+    } catch (err) {
+        alert('Failed to resume project: ' + err.message);
+    }
+}
+
+function updateDangerZone() {
+    const status = document.getElementById('settings-status').value;
+    const container = document.getElementById('hold-btn-container');
+    if (!container) return;
+    if (status === 'on_hold') {
+        container.innerHTML = `<button onclick="unholdProject()"
+            class="px-4 py-2 bg-amber-500 text-white rounded-lg hover:bg-amber-600 transition-colors text-sm">
+            Resume Project
+        </button>`;
+    } else {
+        container.innerHTML = `<button onclick="holdProject()"
+            class="px-4 py-2 border border-amber-500 text-amber-600 dark:text-amber-400 rounded-lg hover:bg-amber-50 dark:hover:bg-amber-900/20 transition-colors text-sm">
+            Put On Hold
+        </button>`;
+    }
+}
+
+function openDeleteModal() {
+    document.getElementById('delete-confirm-input').value = '';
+    document.getElementById('confirm-delete-btn').disabled = true;
+    document.getElementById('delete-project-modal').classList.remove('hidden');
+    document.getElementById('delete-confirm-input').focus();
+}
+
+function closeDeleteModal() {
+    document.getElementById('delete-project-modal').classList.add('hidden');
+}
+
+async function executeDeleteProject() {
+    try {
+        const response = await fetch(`/api/projects/${projectId}`, { method: 'DELETE' });
+        if (!response.ok) throw new Error('Failed to delete project');
+        closeDeleteModal();
+        window.location.href = '/projects';
+    } catch (err) {
+        alert('Failed to delete project: ' + err.message);
+    }
+}
+
+document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {
+    const input = document.getElementById('delete-confirm-input');
+    if (input) {
+        input.addEventListener('input', function() {
+            document.getElementById('confirm-delete-btn').disabled = this.value !== 'delete';
+        });
+    }
+});
+
 // ============================================================================
 // Schedule Modal Functions
 // ============================================================================
diff --git a/templates/projects/overview.html b/templates/projects/overview.html
index 1fc39c4..ef1d50a 100644
--- a/templates/projects/overview.html
+++ b/templates/projects/overview.html
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 </div>
 
 <!-- Summary Stats -->
-<div class="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-4 gap-6 mb-8"
+<div class="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-3 lg:grid-cols-5 gap-6 mb-8"
      hx-get="/api/projects/stats"
      hx-trigger="load, every 30s"
      hx-swap="innerHTML">
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
     <div class="animate-pulse bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 h-24 rounded-xl"></div>
     <div class="animate-pulse bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 h-24 rounded-xl"></div>
     <div class="animate-pulse bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 h-24 rounded-xl"></div>
+    <div class="animate-pulse bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 h-24 rounded-xl"></div>
 </div>
 
 <!-- Tabs -->
@@ -43,6 +44,11 @@
                     class="tab-button border-b-2 border-transparent text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-700 hover:border-gray-300 px-1 py-4 text-sm font-medium">
                 Active
             </button>
+            <button onclick="switchTab('on_hold')"
+                    id="tab-on_hold"
+                    class="tab-button border-b-2 border-transparent text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-700 hover:border-gray-300 px-1 py-4 text-sm font-medium">
+                On Hold
+            </button>
             <button onclick="switchTab('completed')"
                     id="tab-completed"
                     class="tab-button border-b-2 border-transparent text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-700 hover:border-gray-300 px-1 py-4 text-sm font-medium">