Admin-managed feedback categories

Categories move from a hard-coded list to a feedback_categories table
(migration 0062), seeded with the four existing keys, labels and
descriptions so production feedback is untouched; any other key already in
use gets an archived category. Keys are fixed, so renames relabel past
feedback. Archive hides a category from the form; only unused categories
can be deleted. Submissions are validated against active categories, and
feedback responses carry category_label.

New: GET /feedback/categories (public); /admin/feedback/categories CRUD +
reorder behind the new feedback:categories permission (granted to Admin).

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

internal/handler/feedback_category.go

@@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
+package handler
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"net/http"
+
+	"github.com/go-chi/chi/v5"
+	"github.com/prabhupadasays/spsays-bff/internal/repository"
+	"github.com/prabhupadasays/spsays-bff/internal/service"
+	"github.com/prabhupadasays/spsays-bff/pkg/response"
+)
+
+// FeedbackCategoryHandler serves the /feedback form's categories: the
+// public list, and their management in the admin panel.
+type FeedbackCategoryHandler struct {
+	svc *service.FeedbackCategoryService
+}
+
+func NewFeedbackCategoryHandler(svc *service.FeedbackCategoryService) *FeedbackCategoryHandler {
+	return &FeedbackCategoryHandler{svc: svc}
+}
+
+func writeCategoryError(w http.ResponseWriter, err error) {
+	switch {
+	case errors.Is(err, repository.ErrFeedbackCategoryNotFound):
+		response.Error(w, http.StatusNotFound, err.Error())
+	case errors.Is(err, repository.ErrFeedbackCategoryInUse),
+		errors.Is(err, repository.ErrFeedbackCategoryExists),
+		errors.Is(err, service.ErrCategoryLastActive):
+		response.Error(w, http.StatusConflict, err.Error())
+	case errors.Is(err, service.ErrCategoryLabel), errors.Is(err, service.ErrCategoryDescription):
+		response.Error(w, http.StatusBadRequest, err.Error())
+	default:
+		response.Error(w, http.StatusInternalServerError, "feedback category request failed")
+	}
+}
+
+// Public — GET /feedback/categories: the form's options, in order.
+func (h *FeedbackCategoryHandler) Public(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	list, err := h.svc.Active(r.Context())
+	if err != nil {
+		writeCategoryError(w, err)
+		return
+	}
+	response.JSON(w, http.StatusOK, list)
+}
+
+// List — GET /admin/feedback/categories: all, with usage counts.
+func (h *FeedbackCategoryHandler) List(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	list, err := h.svc.All(r.Context())
+	if err != nil {
+		writeCategoryError(w, err)
+		return
+	}
+	response.JSON(w, http.StatusOK, list)
+}
+
+type categoryReq struct {
+	Label       string `json:"label"`
+	Description string `json:"description"`
+	Archived    bool   `json:"archived"`
+}
+
+func (h *FeedbackCategoryHandler) Create(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	var req categoryReq
+	if err := json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&req); err != nil {
+		response.Error(w, http.StatusBadRequest, "invalid request body")
+		return
+	}
+	c, err := h.svc.Create(r.Context(), req.Label, req.Description)
+	if err != nil {
+		writeCategoryError(w, err)
+		return
+	}
+	response.JSON(w, http.StatusCreated, c)
+}
+
+func (h *FeedbackCategoryHandler) Update(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	var req categoryReq
+	if err := json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&req); err != nil {
+		response.Error(w, http.StatusBadRequest, "invalid request body")
+		return
+	}
+	if err := h.svc.Update(r.Context(), chi.URLParam(r, "key"), req.Label, req.Description, req.Archived); err != nil {
+		writeCategoryError(w, err)
+		return
+	}
+	w.WriteHeader(http.StatusNoContent)
+}
+
+func (h *FeedbackCategoryHandler) Delete(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	if err := h.svc.Delete(r.Context(), chi.URLParam(r, "key")); err != nil {
+		writeCategoryError(w, err)
+		return
+	}
+	w.WriteHeader(http.StatusNoContent)
+}
+
+// Reorder — PUT /admin/feedback/categories/order {"keys": [...]}.
+func (h *FeedbackCategoryHandler) Reorder(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	var req struct {
+		Keys []string `json:"keys"`
+	}
+	if err := json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&req); err != nil || len(req.Keys) == 0 {
+		response.Error(w, http.StatusBadRequest, "keys are required")
+		return
+	}
+	if err := h.svc.Reorder(r.Context(), req.Keys); err != nil {
+		writeCategoryError(w, err)
+		return
+	}
+	w.WriteHeader(http.StatusNoContent)
+}

internal/model/admin.go

@@ -89,6 +89,7 @@ type AdminCollection struct {
 type AdminFeedback struct {
 	ID             string     `json:"id"`
 	Category       string     `json:"category"`
+	CategoryLabel  string     `json:"category_label"`
 	Message        string     `json:"message"`
 	ContactEmail   *string    `json:"contact_email"`
 	CreatedAt      time.Time  `json:"created_at"`

internal/model/feedback.go

@@ -18,7 +18,10 @@ type Feedback struct {
 	ID           string     `json:"id"`
 	UserID       *string    `json:"user_id,omitempty"`
 	Category     string     `json:"category"`
-	Message      string     `json:"message"`
+	// CategoryLabel is the category's current display name (falls back to
+	// the key if the category was ever removed).
+	CategoryLabel string `json:"category_label"`
+	Message       string `json:"message"`
 	ContactEmail *string    `json:"contact_email,omitempty"`
 	CreatedAt    time.Time  `json:"created_at"`
 	// AcknowledgedAt is set when an admin presses "Acknowledge" on the
@@ -50,3 +53,15 @@ type Feedback struct {
 	AuthorName   *string `json:"author_name,omitempty"`
 	AuthorEmail  *string `json:"-"` // server-side only; never serialised
 }
+
+// FeedbackCategory is one option on the /feedback form, managed from the
+// admin panel. Key is what feedback.category stores and never changes.
+type FeedbackCategory struct {
+	Key         string     `json:"key"`
+	Label       string     `json:"label"`
+	Description string     `json:"description"`
+	SortOrder   int        `json:"sort_order"`
+	ArchivedAt  *time.Time `json:"archived_at,omitempty"`
+	// UsageCount is admin-only: how much feedback is filed under it.
+	UsageCount int `json:"usage_count,omitempty"`
+}

internal/rbac/rbac.go

@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ var Catalog = []Permission{
 	{"feedback:read", "Feedback", "View feedback"},
 	{"feedback:reply", "Feedback", "Reply to feedback"},
 	{"feedback:resolve", "Feedback", "Acknowledge and resolve feedback"},
+	{"feedback:categories", "Feedback", "Manage feedback categories"},
 
 	{"vani:read", "Vāṇī of the Day", "View the schedule"},
 	{"vani:write", "Vāṇī of the Day", "Pin and clear days"},

internal/repository/admin_repo.go

@@ -248,12 +248,13 @@ func (r *AdminRepo) ListFeedback(ctx context.Context, status string, limit, offs
 		status = "all"
 	}
 	rows, err := r.pg.Pool.Query(ctx, `
-		SELECT f.id, f.category, f.message, f.contact_email, f.created_at,
+		SELECT f.id, f.category, COALESCE(fc.label, f.category), f.message, f.contact_email, f.created_at,
 		       f.acknowledged_at, f.resolved_at, f.replied_at, f.reply_message,
 		       u.handle, u.name, u.email,
 		       COUNT(*) OVER() AS total
 		FROM feedback f
 		LEFT JOIN users u ON u.id = f.user_id
+		LEFT JOIN feedback_categories fc ON fc.key = f.category
 		WHERE ($1 = 'all'
 		       OR ($1 = 'open' AND f.resolved_at IS NULL)
 		       OR ($1 = 'resolved' AND f.resolved_at IS NOT NULL))
@@ -268,7 +269,7 @@ func (r *AdminRepo) ListFeedback(ctx context.Context, status string, limit, offs
 	total := 0
 	for rows.Next() {
 		var f model.AdminFeedback
-		if err := rows.Scan(&f.ID, &f.Category, &f.Message, &f.ContactEmail, &f.CreatedAt,
+		if err := rows.Scan(&f.ID, &f.Category, &f.CategoryLabel, &f.Message, &f.ContactEmail, &f.CreatedAt,
 			&f.AcknowledgedAt, &f.ResolvedAt, &f.RepliedAt, &f.ReplyMessage,
 			&f.AuthorHandle, &f.AuthorName, &f.AuthorEmail, &total); err != nil {
 			return nil, 0, fmt.Errorf("scan admin feedback: %w", err)

internal/repository/feedback_category_repo.go

@@ -0,0 +1,143 @@
+package repository
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+
+	"github.com/prabhupadasays/spsays-bff/internal/model"
+)
+
+var (
+	ErrFeedbackCategoryNotFound = errors.New("feedback category not found")
+	ErrFeedbackCategoryInUse    = errors.New("feedback is filed under this category; archive it instead")
+	ErrFeedbackCategoryExists   = errors.New("a category with that name already exists")
+)
+
+// FeedbackCategoryRepo stores the /feedback form's categories.
+type FeedbackCategoryRepo struct{ pg *Postgres }
+
+func NewFeedbackCategoryRepo(pg *Postgres) *FeedbackCategoryRepo {
+	return &FeedbackCategoryRepo{pg: pg}
+}
+
+// List returns categories in form order. includeArchived is true for the
+// admin (which also gets usage counts), false for the public form.
+func (r *FeedbackCategoryRepo) List(ctx context.Context, includeArchived bool) ([]model.FeedbackCategory, error) {
+	rows, err := r.pg.Pool.Query(ctx, `
+		SELECT c.key, c.label, c.description, c.sort_order, c.archived_at,
+		       CASE WHEN $1 THEN (SELECT count(*) FROM feedback f WHERE f.category = c.key) ELSE 0 END
+		FROM feedback_categories c
+		WHERE $1 OR c.archived_at IS NULL
+		ORDER BY (c.archived_at IS NOT NULL), c.sort_order, c.label`, includeArchived)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("list feedback categories: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+	out := []model.FeedbackCategory{}
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var c model.FeedbackCategory
+		if err := rows.Scan(&c.Key, &c.Label, &c.Description, &c.SortOrder, &c.ArchivedAt, &c.UsageCount); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("scan feedback category: %w", err)
+		}
+		out = append(out, c)
+	}
+	return out, rows.Err()
+}
+
+// IsActive reports whether new feedback may be filed under key.
+func (r *FeedbackCategoryRepo) IsActive(ctx context.Context, key string) (bool, error) {
+	var ok bool
+	err := r.pg.Pool.QueryRow(ctx, `
+		SELECT EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM feedback_categories WHERE key = $1 AND archived_at IS NULL)`,
+		key).Scan(&ok)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, fmt.Errorf("check feedback category: %w", err)
+	}
+	return ok, nil
+}
+
+// KeyTaken reports whether a key is already used, archived or not.
+func (r *FeedbackCategoryRepo) KeyTaken(ctx context.Context, key string) (bool, error) {
+	var ok bool
+	err := r.pg.Pool.QueryRow(ctx,
+		`SELECT EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM feedback_categories WHERE key = $1)`, key).Scan(&ok)
+	return ok, err
+}
+
+// Create appends a category at the end of the form.
+func (r *FeedbackCategoryRepo) Create(ctx context.Context, key, label, description string) (*model.FeedbackCategory, error) {
+	c := model.FeedbackCategory{Key: key, Label: label, Description: description}
+	err := r.pg.Pool.QueryRow(ctx, `
+		INSERT INTO feedback_categories (key, label, description, sort_order)
+		VALUES ($1, $2, $3, COALESCE((SELECT max(sort_order) + 1 FROM feedback_categories WHERE archived_at IS NULL), 0))
+		RETURNING sort_order`, key, label, description).Scan(&c.SortOrder)
+	if isUniqueViolation(err, "feedback_categories_pkey") {
+		return nil, ErrFeedbackCategoryExists
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("create feedback category: %w", err)
+	}
+	return &c, nil
+}
+
+// Update changes a category's wording and archived state. Its key — what
+// past feedback points at — is never changed.
+func (r *FeedbackCategoryRepo) Update(ctx context.Context, key, label, description string, archived bool) error {
+	tag, err := r.pg.Pool.Exec(ctx, `
+		UPDATE feedback_categories
+		SET label = $2, description = $3,
+		    archived_at = CASE WHEN $4 THEN COALESCE(archived_at, now()) ELSE NULL END
+		WHERE key = $1`, key, label, description, archived)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("update feedback category: %w", err)
+	}
+	if tag.RowsAffected() == 0 {
+		return ErrFeedbackCategoryNotFound
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Reorder sets the form order to the given keys, first to last.
+func (r *FeedbackCategoryRepo) Reorder(ctx context.Context, keys []string) error {
+	tx, err := r.pg.Pool.Begin(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("begin reorder: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer tx.Rollback(ctx) //nolint:errcheck
+	for i, k := range keys {
+		if _, err := tx.Exec(ctx,
+			`UPDATE feedback_categories SET sort_order = $2 WHERE key = $1`, k, i); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("reorder feedback category: %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+	return tx.Commit(ctx)
+}
+
+// Delete removes a category nothing has been filed under. One that's in use
+// can only be archived, so no submission is ever left without a label.
+func (r *FeedbackCategoryRepo) Delete(ctx context.Context, key string) error {
+	var used bool
+	err := r.pg.Pool.QueryRow(ctx,
+		`SELECT EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM feedback WHERE category = $1)`, key).Scan(&used)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("check category usage: %w", err)
+	}
+	if used {
+		return ErrFeedbackCategoryInUse
+	}
+	tag, err := r.pg.Pool.Exec(ctx, `
+		DELETE FROM feedback_categories c WHERE c.key = $1
+		  AND NOT EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM feedback f WHERE f.category = c.key)`, key)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("delete feedback category: %w", err)
+	}
+	if tag.RowsAffected() == 0 {
+		// Gone already, or feedback arrived between the check and the delete.
+		if ok, _ := r.KeyTaken(ctx, key); ok {
+			return ErrFeedbackCategoryInUse
+		}
+		return ErrFeedbackCategoryNotFound
+	}
+	return nil
+}

internal/repository/feedback_repo.go

@@ -37,13 +37,14 @@ func (r *FeedbackRepo) Create(ctx context.Context, userID *string, category, mes
 func (r *FeedbackRepo) FindByID(ctx context.Context, id string) (*model.Feedback, error) {
 	f := &model.Feedback{}
 	err := r.pg.Pool.QueryRow(ctx, `
-		SELECT f.id, f.user_id, f.category, f.message, f.contact_email, f.created_at,
+		SELECT f.id, f.user_id, f.category, COALESCE(fc.label, f.category), f.message, f.contact_email, f.created_at,
 		       f.acknowledged_at, f.resolved_at,
 		       u.handle, u.name, u.email
 		FROM feedback f
 		LEFT JOIN users u ON u.id = f.user_id
+		LEFT JOIN feedback_categories fc ON fc.key = f.category
 		WHERE f.id = $1`, id,
-	).Scan(&f.ID, &f.UserID, &f.Category, &f.Message, &f.ContactEmail, &f.CreatedAt,
+	).Scan(&f.ID, &f.UserID, &f.Category, &f.CategoryLabel, &f.Message, &f.ContactEmail, &f.CreatedAt,
 		&f.AcknowledgedAt, &f.ResolvedAt,
 		&f.AuthorHandle, &f.AuthorName, &f.AuthorEmail)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -95,11 +96,12 @@ func (r *FeedbackRepo) ListByUser(ctx context.Context, userID string, limit int)
 		limit = 50
 	}
 	rows, err := r.pg.Pool.Query(ctx, `
-		SELECT id, user_id, category, message, contact_email, created_at,
-		       acknowledged_at, resolved_at, replied_at, reply_message
-		FROM feedback
-		WHERE user_id = $1
-		ORDER BY created_at DESC
+		SELECT f.id, f.user_id, f.category, COALESCE(fc.label, f.category), f.message, f.contact_email, f.created_at,
+		       f.acknowledged_at, f.resolved_at, f.replied_at, f.reply_message
+		FROM feedback f
+		LEFT JOIN feedback_categories fc ON fc.key = f.category
+		WHERE f.user_id = $1
+		ORDER BY f.created_at DESC
 		LIMIT $2`, userID, limit,
 	)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -109,7 +111,7 @@ func (r *FeedbackRepo) ListByUser(ctx context.Context, userID string, limit int)
 	out := []model.Feedback{}
 	for rows.Next() {
 		var f model.Feedback
-		if err := rows.Scan(&f.ID, &f.UserID, &f.Category, &f.Message, &f.ContactEmail, &f.CreatedAt,
+		if err := rows.Scan(&f.ID, &f.UserID, &f.Category, &f.CategoryLabel, &f.Message, &f.ContactEmail, &f.CreatedAt,
 			&f.AcknowledgedAt, &f.ResolvedAt, &f.RepliedAt, &f.ReplyMessage); err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("scan user feedback: %w", err)
 		}
@@ -132,12 +134,13 @@ func (r *FeedbackRepo) Recent(ctx context.Context, limit int) ([]model.Feedback,
 		limit = 25
 	}
 	rows, err := r.pg.Pool.Query(ctx, `
-		SELECT f.id, f.user_id, f.category, f.message, f.created_at,
+		SELECT f.id, f.user_id, f.category, COALESCE(fc.label, f.category), f.message, f.created_at,
 		       (f.contact_email IS NOT NULL AND f.contact_email <> '') AS has_contact_email,
 		       f.acknowledged_at, f.resolved_at,
 		       u.handle, u.name
 		FROM feedback f
 		LEFT JOIN users u ON u.id = f.user_id
+		LEFT JOIN feedback_categories fc ON fc.key = f.category
 		ORDER BY f.created_at DESC
 		LIMIT $1`, limit,
 	)
@@ -148,7 +151,7 @@ func (r *FeedbackRepo) Recent(ctx context.Context, limit int) ([]model.Feedback,
 	out := []model.Feedback{}
 	for rows.Next() {
 		var f model.Feedback
-		if err := rows.Scan(&f.ID, &f.UserID, &f.Category, &f.Message, &f.CreatedAt,
+		if err := rows.Scan(&f.ID, &f.UserID, &f.Category, &f.CategoryLabel, &f.Message, &f.CreatedAt,
 			&f.HasContactEmail,
 			&f.AcknowledgedAt, &f.ResolvedAt,
 			&f.AuthorHandle, &f.AuthorName); err != nil {

internal/server/server.go

@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ type Server struct {
 	pushH          *handler.PushHandler
 	reminderH      *handler.ReminderHandler
 	feedbackH      *handler.FeedbackHandler
+	feedbackCatH   *handler.FeedbackCategoryHandler
 	statsH         *handler.StatsHandler
 	adminH         *handler.AdminHandler
 	broadcastH     *handler.BroadcastHandler
@@ -343,8 +344,11 @@ func (s *Server) initAuth(cfg *config.Config, logger *zap.Logger) {
 	// the existing mailer instance.
 	feedbackRepo := repository.NewFeedbackRepo(s.pg)
 	statsRepo := repository.NewStatsRepo(s.pg)
-	feedbackSvc := service.NewFeedbackService(feedbackRepo, mail, cfg.FeedbackAdminEmails, logger)
+	// Categories are admin-managed; submissions are checked against them.
+	feedbackCatRepo := repository.NewFeedbackCategoryRepo(s.pg)
+	feedbackSvc := service.NewFeedbackService(feedbackRepo, feedbackCatRepo, mail, cfg.FeedbackAdminEmails, logger)
 	s.feedbackH = handler.NewFeedbackHandler(feedbackSvc)
+	s.feedbackCatH = handler.NewFeedbackCategoryHandler(service.NewFeedbackCategoryService(feedbackCatRepo))
 	s.statsH = handler.NewStatsHandler(statsRepo, feedbackRepo)
 
 	// Admin panel — read-mostly listing + notify/reply/resolve actions.
@@ -1112,6 +1116,8 @@ func (s *Server) setupRouter() {
 				r.HandleFunc("/feedback/mine", s.authUnavailable)
 				return
 			}
+			// The form's categories — public, like the form itself.
+			r.Get("/feedback/categories", s.feedbackCatH.Public)
 			// Submit — OptionalAuth (anonymous callers allowed).
 			r.Group(func(r chi.Router) {
 				r.Use(middleware.OptionalAuth(s.authIssuer, s.userRepo))
@@ -1248,6 +1254,11 @@ func (s *Server) setupRouter() {
 			can("collections:read").Get("/collections", s.adminH.ListCollections)
 
 			can("feedback:read").Get("/feedback", s.adminH.ListFeedback)
+			can("feedback:read").Get("/feedback/categories", s.feedbackCatH.List)
+			can("feedback:categories").Post("/feedback/categories", s.feedbackCatH.Create)
+			can("feedback:categories").Put("/feedback/categories/order", s.feedbackCatH.Reorder)
+			can("feedback:categories").Put("/feedback/categories/{key}", s.feedbackCatH.Update)
+			can("feedback:categories").Delete("/feedback/categories/{key}", s.feedbackCatH.Delete)
 			can("feedback:reply").Post("/feedback/{id}/reply", s.adminH.ReplyFeedback)
 			can("feedback:resolve").Post("/feedback/{id}/acknowledge", s.adminH.AcknowledgeFeedback)
 			can("feedback:resolve").Post("/feedback/{id}/resolve", s.adminH.ResolveFeedback)

internal/service/feedback_category_service.go

@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+package service
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"regexp"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/prabhupadasays/spsays-bff/internal/model"
+	"github.com/prabhupadasays/spsays-bff/internal/repository"
+)
+
+const (
+	maxCategoryLabel       = 60
+	maxCategoryDescription = 200
+)
+
+var (
+	ErrCategoryLabel       = fmt.Errorf("a category needs a name (up to %d characters)", maxCategoryLabel)
+	ErrCategoryDescription = fmt.Errorf("the description can be up to %d characters", maxCategoryDescription)
+	ErrCategoryLastActive  = errors.New("the feedback form needs at least one category")
+)
+
+var categoryNonSlug = regexp.MustCompile(`[^a-z0-9]+`)
+
+// FeedbackCategoryService manages the /feedback form's categories.
+type FeedbackCategoryService struct {
+	repo *repository.FeedbackCategoryRepo
+}
+
+func NewFeedbackCategoryService(repo *repository.FeedbackCategoryRepo) *FeedbackCategoryService {
+	return &FeedbackCategoryService{repo: repo}
+}
+
+// Active is what the /feedback form offers, in order.
+func (s *FeedbackCategoryService) Active(ctx context.Context) ([]model.FeedbackCategory, error) {
+	return s.repo.List(ctx, false)
+}
+
+// All is the admin's view: archived ones too, with usage counts.
+func (s *FeedbackCategoryService) All(ctx context.Context) ([]model.FeedbackCategory, error) {
+	return s.repo.List(ctx, true)
+}
+
+func cleanCategory(label, description string) (string, string, error) {
+	label = strings.TrimSpace(label)
+	description = strings.TrimSpace(description)
+	if label == "" || len([]rune(label)) > maxCategoryLabel {
+		return "", "", ErrCategoryLabel
+	}
+	if len([]rune(description)) > maxCategoryDescription {
+		return "", "", ErrCategoryDescription
+	}
+	return label, description, nil
+}
+
+// Create adds a category to the end of the form. Its key is derived from
+// the name ("Audio problem" → audio_problem) and fixed from then on, so it
+// can be renamed freely later without touching past feedback.
+func (s *FeedbackCategoryService) Create(ctx context.Context, label, description string) (*model.FeedbackCategory, error) {
+	label, description, err := cleanCategory(label, description)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	base := strings.Trim(categoryNonSlug.ReplaceAllString(strings.ToLower(label), "_"), "_")
+	if base == "" {
+		base = "category"
+	}
+	if len(base) > 40 {
+		base = strings.TrimRight(base[:40], "_")
+	}
+	key := base
+	for i := 2; ; i++ {
+		taken, err := s.repo.KeyTaken(ctx, key)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if !taken {
+			break
+		}
+		key = fmt.Sprintf("%s_%d", base, i)
+	}
+	return s.repo.Create(ctx, key, label, description)
+}
+
+// Update renames, rewords, archives or restores a category. The last active
+// category can't be archived — the form would have nothing to offer.
+func (s *FeedbackCategoryService) Update(ctx context.Context, key, label, description string, archived bool) error {
+	label, description, err := cleanCategory(label, description)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if archived {
+		if err := s.guardLastActive(ctx, key); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	return s.repo.Update(ctx, key, label, description, archived)
+}
+
+// Delete removes a category nothing is filed under (otherwise: archive it).
+func (s *FeedbackCategoryService) Delete(ctx context.Context, key string) error {
+	if err := s.guardLastActive(ctx, key); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return s.repo.Delete(ctx, key)
+}
+
+// Reorder sets the form's order.
+func (s *FeedbackCategoryService) Reorder(ctx context.Context, keys []string) error {
+	return s.repo.Reorder(ctx, keys)
+}
+
+func (s *FeedbackCategoryService) guardLastActive(ctx context.Context, key string) error {
+	active, err := s.repo.List(ctx, false)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if len(active) == 1 && active[0].Key == key {
+		return ErrCategoryLastActive
+	}
+	return nil
+}

internal/service/feedback_category_service_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+package service
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/prabhupadasays/spsays-bff/internal/repository"
+	"go.uber.org/zap"
+)
+
+// Categories are managed from the admin: a new one is offered on the form
+// and accepts feedback; renaming relabels past feedback; archiving stops new
+// submissions but keeps the label; in-use categories can't be deleted.
+func TestFeedbackCategories(t *testing.T) {
+	_, _, pg := testChatService(t)
+	ctx := context.Background()
+	repo := repository.NewFeedbackCategoryRepo(pg)
+	cats := NewFeedbackCategoryService(repo)
+	fb := NewFeedbackService(repository.NewFeedbackRepo(pg), repo, nil, nil, zap.NewNop())
+	user := chatUser(t, pg, "Feedback")
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		bg := context.Background()
+		_, _ = pg.Pool.Exec(bg, `DELETE FROM feedback WHERE user_id = $1`, user)
+		_, _ = pg.Pool.Exec(bg, `DELETE FROM feedback_categories WHERE key LIKE 'zz_qa_audio%'`)
+	})
+
+	// The seeded categories production already uses are all on the form.
+	active, err := cats.Active(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	seen := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, c := range active {
+		seen[c.Key] = true
+	}
+	for _, k := range []string{"general", "bug", "feature", "other"} {
+		if !seen[k] {
+			t.Errorf("seeded category %q missing from the form", k)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Keys come from the name, and never collide.
+	c1, err := cats.Create(ctx, "ZZ QA Audio problem", "Playback trouble")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	c2, err := cats.Create(ctx, "ZZ QA audio problem!", "")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if c1.Key != "zz_qa_audio_problem" || c2.Key != "zz_qa_audio_problem_2" {
+		t.Errorf("keys = %q, %q", c1.Key, c2.Key)
+	}
+	if _, err := cats.Create(ctx, "   ", ""); !errors.Is(err, ErrCategoryLabel) {
+		t.Errorf("blank name: %v, want ErrCategoryLabel", err)
+	}
+
+	// New categories take feedback; unknown ones don't.
+	if _, err := fb.Submit(ctx, &user, c1.Key, "the audio stutters", nil); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("submit in a new category: %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := fb.Submit(ctx, &user, "no_such_category", "x", nil); !errors.Is(err, ErrFeedbackCategory) {
+		t.Errorf("unknown category: %v, want ErrFeedbackCategory", err)
+	}
+
+	// Renaming relabels what's already been filed.
+	if err := cats.Update(ctx, c1.Key, "ZZ QA Audio & playback", "Playback trouble", false); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	mine, _ := fb.ListForUser(ctx, user, 10)
+	if len(mine) != 1 || mine[0].CategoryLabel != "ZZ QA Audio & playback" || mine[0].Category != c1.Key {
+		t.Errorf("past feedback after rename = %+v", mine)
+	}
+
+	// Archived: off the form, refuses new feedback, keeps its label.
+	if err := cats.Update(ctx, c1.Key, "ZZ QA Audio & playback", "", true); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := fb.Submit(ctx, &user, c1.Key, "again", nil); !errors.Is(err, ErrFeedbackCategory) {
+		t.Errorf("submit to an archived category: %v, want ErrFeedbackCategory", err)
+	}
+	active, _ = cats.Active(ctx)
+	for _, c := range active {
+		if c.Key == c1.Key {
+			t.Error("archived category still on the form")
+		}
+	}
+	if mine, _ := fb.ListForUser(ctx, user, 10); mine[0].CategoryLabel != "ZZ QA Audio & playback" {
+		t.Error("archiving lost the label on past feedback")
+	}
+	all, _ := cats.All(ctx)
+	for _, c := range all {
+		if c.Key == c1.Key && (c.ArchivedAt == nil || c.UsageCount != 1) {
+			t.Errorf("admin view of archived category = %+v", c)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// In use → can't be deleted; unused → can.
+	if err := cats.Delete(ctx, c1.Key); !errors.Is(err, repository.ErrFeedbackCategoryInUse) {
+		t.Errorf("deleting an in-use category: %v, want ErrFeedbackCategoryInUse", err)
+	}
+	if err := cats.Delete(ctx, c2.Key); err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("deleting an unused category: %v", err)
+	}
+}

internal/service/feedback_service.go

@@ -21,24 +21,23 @@ import (
 )
 
 type FeedbackService struct {
-	repo   *repository.FeedbackRepo
-	mail   mailer.Mailer
-	admins []string
-	logger *zap.Logger
+	repo *repository.FeedbackRepo
+	// categories is the admin-managed list a submission must belong to.
+	categories *repository.FeedbackCategoryRepo
+	mail       mailer.Mailer
+	admins     []string
+	logger     *zap.Logger
 }
 
-func NewFeedbackService(repo *repository.FeedbackRepo, mail mailer.Mailer, admins []string, logger *zap.Logger) *FeedbackService {
-	return &FeedbackService{repo: repo, mail: mail, admins: admins, logger: logger}
+func NewFeedbackService(repo *repository.FeedbackRepo, categories *repository.FeedbackCategoryRepo, mail mailer.Mailer, admins []string, logger *zap.Logger) *FeedbackService {
+	return &FeedbackService{repo: repo, categories: categories, mail: mail, admins: admins, logger: logger}
 }
 
 // Allowed categories — kept lowercase in storage so dashboards group
 // cleanly. The frontend dropdown sends one of these exact strings.
-var feedbackCategories = map[string]bool{
-	"bug":     true,
-	"feature": true,
-	"general": true,
-	"other":   true,
-}
+// ErrFeedbackCategory: the submission names a category that doesn't exist
+// or has been archived in the admin panel.
+var ErrFeedbackCategory = errors.New("invalid category")
 
 // Submit persists a feedback row and fires the admin email.
 //
@@ -49,8 +48,10 @@ var feedbackCategories = map[string]bool{
 // trustworthy (the form can't lie about who's writing).
 func (s *FeedbackService) Submit(ctx context.Context, userID *string, category, message string, contactEmail *string) (*model.Feedback, error) {
 	category = strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(category))
-	if !feedbackCategories[category] {
-		return nil, errors.New("invalid category")
+	if ok, err := s.categories.IsActive(ctx, category); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	} else if !ok {
+		return nil, ErrFeedbackCategory
 	}
 	message = strings.TrimSpace(message)
 	if message == "" {
@@ -76,16 +77,15 @@ func (s *FeedbackService) Submit(ctx context.Context, userID *string, category,
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	// Hydrate the joined author fields for the email template. Failing
-	// the lookup isn't worth failing the request — we fall back to
-	// "anonymous" rather than 500ing on the user.
-	if userID != nil {
-		if full, err := s.repo.FindByID(ctx, f.ID); err == nil {
-			f = full
-		} else {
-			s.logger.Warn("feedback hydrate failed; sending email without author info",
-				zap.String("feedback_id", f.ID), zap.Error(err))
-		}
+	// Hydrate the joined author fields and category label for the email
+	// template. Failing the lookup isn't worth failing the request — we fall
+	// back to "anonymous" and the category key rather than 500ing.
+	if full, err := s.repo.FindByID(ctx, f.ID); err == nil {
+		f = full
+	} else {
+		s.logger.Warn("feedback hydrate failed; sending email without author info",
+			zap.String("feedback_id", f.ID), zap.Error(err))
+		f.CategoryLabel = f.Category
 	}
 
 	s.notifyAdmins(f)
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ func (s *FeedbackService) notifyAdmins(f *model.Feedback) {
 		s.logger.Warn("render feedback email failed", zap.Error(err))
 		return
 	}
-	subject := fmt.Sprintf("[Feedback · %s] %s", f.Category, summarize(f.Message, 60))
+	subject := fmt.Sprintf("[Feedback · %s] %s", categoryLabel(f), summarize(f.Message, 60))
 	for _, to := range s.admins {
 		if err := s.mail.Send(to, subject, body); err != nil {
 			s.logger.Warn("feedback email send failed",
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ func renderFeedbackEmail(f *model.Feedback) (string, error) {
 	}
 	var buf bytes.Buffer
 	err := feedbackEmailTpl.Execute(&buf, map[string]any{
-		"Category":  f.Category,
+		"Category":  categoryLabel(f),
 		"Message":   f.Message,
 		"From":      from,
 		"CreatedAt": f.CreatedAt.Format("2006-01-02 15:04:05 MST"),
@@ -360,3 +360,11 @@ func renderFeedbackResolvedEmail(f *model.Feedback) (string, error) {
 	}
 	return buf.String(), nil
 }
+
+// categoryLabel is the category's display name, or its key if unknown.
+func categoryLabel(f *model.Feedback) string {
+	if f.CategoryLabel != "" {
+		return f.CategoryLabel
+	}
+	return f.Category
+}