From 900a3efee3ba2217cfd80cb88ce294508fbdc3c6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: nmemmert <nmemmert@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2026 08:25:00 -0400
Subject: [PATCH] Podcast workflow: assign lanes by hand, match by season,
 unique keys for unseasoned episodes; drop old checklist data file; v2.16.0

Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
 .gitignore                        |   4 +
 data/podcast-checklist.json       | 681 ------------------------------
 package-lock.json                 |   4 +-
 package.json                      |   2 +-
 server/routes/podcast-workflow.js |  53 ++-
 src/AdminPage.tsx                 |  23 +-
 6 files changed, 69 insertions(+), 698 deletions(-)
 delete mode 100644 data/podcast-checklist.json

diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 70bcd9c..d52a517 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -55,3 +55,7 @@ data/study-community.json
 data/analytics-events.json
 data/admin-reply-history.json
 data/episode-plays.json
+
+# Episode workflow progress — lives only in the server data volume
+data/podcast-workflow.json
+data/nuggets-workflow.json
diff --git a/data/podcast-checklist.json b/data/podcast-checklist.json
deleted file mode 100644
index 8202a54..0000000
--- a/data/podcast-checklist.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,681 +0,0 @@
-{
-  "checklist": {
-    "tasks": [
-      {
-        "id": "verify_script",
-        "label": "Verify Script",
-        "phase": "pre"
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "read_script",
-        "label": "Read Script",
-        "phase": "pre"
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "record",
-        "label": "Record",
-        "phase": "pre"
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "edit",
-        "label": "Edit",
-        "phase": "pre"
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "mix",
-        "label": "Mix",
-        "phase": "pre"
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "video_script",
-        "label": "Run Video Conversion Script",
-        "phase": "pre"
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "post_spotify",
-        "label": "Post on Spotify",
-        "phase": "pre"
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "update_website",
-        "label": "Update Website",
-        "phase": "post"
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "send_email",
-        "label": "Send Email",
-        "phase": "post"
-      }
-    ],
-    "episodes": [
-      {
-        "id": "titus-11",
-        "series": "Titus",
-        "episodeNumber": 11,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "titus-12",
-        "series": "Titus",
-        "episodeNumber": 12,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "titus-13",
-        "series": "Titus",
-        "episodeNumber": 13,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "titus-14",
-        "series": "Titus",
-        "episodeNumber": 14,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "titus-15",
-        "series": "Titus",
-        "episodeNumber": 15,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-1",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 1,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-2",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 2,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-3",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 3,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-4",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 4,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-5",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 5,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-6",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 6,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-7",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 7,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-8",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 8,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-9",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 9,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-10",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 10,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-11",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 11,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-12",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 12,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-13",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 13,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-14",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 14,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-15",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 15,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-16",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 16,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-17",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 17,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-18",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 18,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-19",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 19,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-20",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 20,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-21",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 21,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-22",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 22,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-23",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 23,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-24",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 24,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-25",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 25,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-26",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 26,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "colossians-27",
-        "series": "Colossians",
-        "episodeNumber": 27,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "id": "episode-mpb66z1c",
-        "series": "Titus -10",
-        "episodeNumber": 0,
-        "title": "",
-        "datePublished": "",
-        "expanded": false,
-        "tasks": {
-          "verify_script": false,
-          "read_script": false,
-          "record": false,
-          "edit": false,
-          "mix": false,
-          "video_script": false,
-          "post_spotify": false,
-          "update_website": false,
-          "send_email": false
-        }
-      }
-    ]
-  },
-  "updatedAt": "2026-05-18T12:18:35.130Z"
-}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index e55d055..dc66749 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "siteforge",
-  "version": "2.15.2",
+  "version": "2.16.0",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "siteforge",
-      "version": "2.15.2",
+      "version": "2.16.0",
       "dependencies": {
         "@aws-sdk/client-s3": "^3.1135.0",
         "@dnd-kit/core": "^6.3.1",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 6300a5d..8c9e45e 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "siteforge",
   "private": true,
-  "version": "2.15.2",
+  "version": "2.16.0",
   "type": "module",
   "scripts": {
     "dev": "vite",
diff --git a/server/routes/podcast-workflow.js b/server/routes/podcast-workflow.js
index 2c7c333..68d7ae8 100644
--- a/server/routes/podcast-workflow.js
+++ b/server/routes/podcast-workflow.js
@@ -14,9 +14,9 @@ const STEPS = ['readScript', 'record', 'edit', 'upload']
 async function load() {
   try {
     const data = JSON.parse(await readFile(WORKFLOW_FILE, 'utf8'))
-    return { planned: Array.isArray(data.planned) ? data.planned : [], items: data.items ?? {} }
+    return { planned: Array.isArray(data.planned) ? data.planned : [], items: data.items ?? {}, laneOverrides: data.laneOverrides ?? {} }
   } catch {
-    return { planned: [], items: {} }
+    return { planned: [], items: {}, laneOverrides: {} }
   }
 }
 
@@ -37,6 +37,9 @@ function laneFor(season) {
   return 'other'
 }
 
+const normTitle = t => String(t ?? '').toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9]+/g, ' ').trim()
+const plannedKey = p => p.key ?? scriptKey(p.season, p.episodeNumber)
+
 function toIsoDate(pubDate) {
   const d = new Date(pubDate)
   return Number.isNaN(d.getTime()) ? '' : d.toISOString().slice(0, 10)
@@ -65,17 +68,25 @@ export function register(app) {
       })
     }
     for (const p of wf.planned) {
-      const key = scriptKey(p.season, p.episodeNumber)
+      const key = plannedKey(p)
       const prev = byKey.get(key)
-      upsert(key, { season: p.season, episodeNumber: p.episodeNumber, title: prev?.title || p.title || '', planned: true })
+      upsert(key, { season: p.season, episodeNumber: p.episodeNumber, title: prev?.title || p.title || '', planned: true, plannedLane: p.lane })
     }
     for (const item of feed) {
       const hasNum = /^\d+$/.test(item.episode)
-      const key = hasNum ? scriptKey(item.season, item.episode) : `t:${item.title}`
+      let key
+      if (item.season && hasNum) {
+        key = scriptKey(item.season, item.episode)
+      } else {
+        // No season in the feed: pair with a script/planned episode of the same title, else keep it on its own.
+        const t = normTitle(item.title)
+        const match = [...byKey.values()].find(e => !e.released && normTitle(e.title) === t)
+        key = match ? match.key : `t:${t}`
+      }
       const prev = byKey.get(key)
       upsert(key, {
-        season: item.season,
-        episodeNumber: hasNum ? item.episode : '',
+        season: item.season || prev?.season || '',
+        episodeNumber: hasNum ? item.episode : (prev?.episodeNumber ?? ''),
         title: item.title || prev?.title || '',
         released: true,
         releaseDate: toIsoDate(item.pubDate),
@@ -85,7 +96,8 @@ export function register(app) {
 
     const items = [...byKey.values()].map(e => ({
       ...e,
-      lane: laneFor(e.season),
+      lane: wf.laneOverrides[e.key] ?? e.plannedLane ?? laneFor(e.season),
+      laneOverride: wf.laneOverrides[e.key] ?? '',
       released: Boolean(e.released),
       state: { ...emptyState(), ...(wf.items[e.key] ?? {}) },
     }))
@@ -101,10 +113,12 @@ export function register(app) {
       res.status(400).json({ message: 'Episode number must be a whole number.' })
       return
     }
+    const lane = ['A', 'B'].includes(req.body?.lane) ? req.body.lane : 'other'
     const wf = await load()
-    const key = scriptKey(season, episodeNumber)
-    if (!wf.planned.some(p => scriptKey(p.season, p.episodeNumber) === key)) {
-      wf.planned.push({ season, episodeNumber, title })
+    // Without a season number the key must still be unique per lane.
+    const key = season ? scriptKey(season, episodeNumber) : `${lane}-p${episodeNumber}`
+    if (!wf.planned.some(p => plannedKey(p) === key)) {
+      wf.planned.push({ key, season, episodeNumber, title, lane })
       await save(wf)
     }
     res.json({ ok: true, key })
@@ -112,8 +126,23 @@ export function register(app) {
 
   app.delete('/api/admin/podcast-workflow/planned/:key', requireAdminAuth, async (req, res) => {
     const wf = await load()
-    wf.planned = wf.planned.filter(p => scriptKey(p.season, p.episodeNumber) !== req.params.key)
+    wf.planned = wf.planned.filter(p => plannedKey(p) !== req.params.key)
     delete wf.items[req.params.key]
+    delete wf.laneOverrides[req.params.key]
+    await save(wf)
+    res.json({ ok: true })
+  })
+
+  // Assign an episode to a lane by hand ('auto' clears the override and goes back to season matching).
+  app.put('/api/admin/podcast-workflow/:key/lane', requireAdminAuth, async (req, res) => {
+    const lane = req.body?.lane
+    if (!['A', 'B', 'other', 'auto'].includes(lane)) {
+      res.status(400).json({ message: 'Lane must be A, B, other or auto.' })
+      return
+    }
+    const wf = await load()
+    if (lane === 'auto') delete wf.laneOverrides[req.params.key]
+    else wf.laneOverrides[req.params.key] = lane
     await save(wf)
     res.json({ ok: true })
   })
diff --git a/src/AdminPage.tsx b/src/AdminPage.tsx
index 0dd506f..2da2ef6 100644
--- a/src/AdminPage.tsx
+++ b/src/AdminPage.tsx
@@ -1816,6 +1816,7 @@ interface PodcastWorkflowItem {
   episodeNumber: string
   title: string
   lane: 'A' | 'B' | 'other'
+  laneOverride?: '' | 'A' | 'B' | 'other'
   released: boolean
   releaseDate?: string
   spotifyUrl?: string
@@ -1874,7 +1875,7 @@ function PodcastWorkflowAdmin({ laneA, laneB }: { laneA: { title: string; season
     const r = await fetch('/api/admin/podcast-workflow/planned', {
       method: 'POST',
       headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
-      body: JSON.stringify({ season: laneSeason ? String(laneSeason) : '', episodeNumber: newNumber, title: newTitle }),
+      body: JSON.stringify({ season: laneSeason ? String(laneSeason) : '', episodeNumber: newNumber, title: newTitle, lane }),
     })
     const d = await r.json()
     if (!r.ok) { setError(d.message ?? 'Could not add episode.'); return }
@@ -1882,6 +1883,15 @@ function PodcastWorkflowAdmin({ laneA, laneB }: { laneA: { title: string; season
     await reload()
     setSelectedKey(d.key)
   }
+  const setLaneFor = async (key: string, value: string) => {
+    await fetch(`/api/admin/podcast-workflow/${encodeURIComponent(key)}/lane`, {
+      method: 'PUT',
+      headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+      body: JSON.stringify({ lane: value }),
+    })
+    setSelectedKey('')
+    reload()
+  }
   const removePlanned = async (key: string) => {
     if (!confirm('Remove this planned episode and its progress?')) return
     await fetch(`/api/admin/podcast-workflow/planned/${encodeURIComponent(key)}`, { method: 'DELETE' })
@@ -1932,7 +1942,7 @@ function PodcastWorkflowAdmin({ laneA, laneB }: { laneA: { title: string; season
         )}
       </div>
       {lane !== 'other' && !laneSeason && (
-        <p className="admin-stats-note">Set this lane’s Podcast Season Number in Current Series so its episodes can be matched.</p>
+        <p className="admin-stats-note">Set this lane’s Podcast Season Number in Current Series to match episodes automatically, or assign episodes to this lane by hand.</p>
       )}
 
       {loading ? <p className="admin-stats-note">Loading…</p> : (
@@ -1970,6 +1980,15 @@ function PodcastWorkflowAdmin({ laneA, laneB }: { laneA: { title: string; season
                     {selected.hasScript ? 'Script uploaded.' : 'No script yet.'} This moves to Released on its own once it shows up in the feed.
                   </p>
                 )}
+                <div className="admin-field" style={{ maxWidth: 360, margin: '8px 0 12px' }}>
+                  <label htmlFor="pw-lane">Lane</label>
+                  <select id="pw-lane" value={selected.laneOverride || 'auto'} onChange={e => setLaneFor(selected.key, e.target.value)}>
+                    <option value="auto">Automatic (by season number{selected.season ? ` ${selected.season}` : ''})</option>
+                    <option value="A">Lane A — {laneA.title || 'Primary series'}</option>
+                    <option value="B">Lane B — {laneB.title || 'Second series'}</option>
+                    <option value="other">Other</option>
+                  </select>
+                </div>
                 <ol style={{ paddingLeft: 0, listStyle: 'none', margin: 0 }}>
                   {PODCAST_STEP_DEFS.map((s, idx) => {
                     const completedAt = selected.state.steps[s.key]