diff --git a/actions/deleteLeaflet.ts b/actions/deleteLeaflet.ts
index 55534656..d6108def 100644
--- a/actions/deleteLeaflet.ts
+++ b/actions/deleteLeaflet.ts
@@ -16,6 +16,52 @@ import { supabaseServerClient } from "supabase/serverClient";
 export async function deleteLeaflet(permission_token: PermissionToken) {
   const client = await pool.connect();
   const db = drizzle(client);
+
+  // Get the current user's identity
+  let identity = await getIdentityData();
+
+  // Check publication and document ownership in one query
+  let { data: tokenData } = await supabaseServerClient
+    .from("permission_tokens")
+    .select(`
+      id,
+      leaflets_in_publications(publication, publications!inner(identity_did)),
+      leaflets_to_documents(document, documents!inner(uri))
+    `)
+    .eq("id", permission_token.id)
+    .single();
+
+  if (tokenData) {
+    // Check if leaflet is in a publication
+    const leafletInPubs = tokenData.leaflets_in_publications || [];
+    if (leafletInPubs.length > 0) {
+      if (!identity) {
+        throw new Error("Unauthorized: You must be logged in to delete a leaflet in a publication");
+      }
+      const isOwner = leafletInPubs.some(
+        (pub: any) => pub.publications.identity_did === identity.atp_did
+      );
+      if (!isOwner) {
+        throw new Error("Unauthorized: You must own the publication to delete this leaflet");
+      }
+    }
+
+    // Check if there's a standalone published document
+    const leafletDocs = tokenData.leaflets_to_documents || [];
+    if (leafletDocs.length > 0) {
+      if (!identity) {
+        throw new Error("Unauthorized: You must be logged in to delete a published leaflet");
+      }
+      for (let leafletDoc of leafletDocs) {
+        const docUri = leafletDoc.documents?.uri;
+        // Extract the DID from the document URI (format: at://did:plc:xxx/...)
+        if (docUri && !docUri.includes(identity.atp_did)) {
+          throw new Error("Unauthorized: You must own the published document to delete this leaflet");
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
   await db.transaction(async (tx) => {
     let [token] = await tx
       .select()
diff --git a/app/(home-pages)/home/LeafletList/LeafletOptions.tsx b/app/(home-pages)/home/LeafletList/LeafletOptions.tsx
index 58287b02..2afc85ca 100644
--- a/app/(home-pages)/home/LeafletList/LeafletOptions.tsx
+++ b/app/(home-pages)/home/LeafletList/LeafletOptions.tsx
@@ -86,9 +86,15 @@ const DefaultOptions = (props: {
   const pubStatus = useLeafletPublicationStatus();
   const toaster = useToaster();
   const { setArchived } = useArchiveMutations();
+  const { identity } = useIdentityData();
   const tokenId = pubStatus?.token.id;
   const itemType = pubStatus?.draftInPublication ? "Draft" : "Leaflet";
 
+  // Check if this is a published post/document and if user is the owner
+  const isPublishedPostOwner =
+    !!identity?.atp_did && !!pubStatus?.documentUri?.includes(identity.atp_did);
+  const canDelete = !pubStatus?.documentUri || isPublishedPostOwner;
+
   return (
     <>
       <EditLinkShareButton link={pubStatus?.shareLink ?? ""} />
@@ -133,12 +139,14 @@ const DefaultOptions = (props: {
         <ArchiveSmall />
         {!props.archived ? " Archive" : "Unarchive"} {itemType}
       </MenuItem>
-      <DeleteForeverMenuItem
-        onSelect={(e) => {
-          e.preventDefault();
-          props.setState("areYouSure");
-        }}
-      />
+      {canDelete && (
+        <DeleteForeverMenuItem
+          onSelect={(e) => {
+            e.preventDefault();
+            props.setState("areYouSure");
+          }}
+        />
+      )}
     </>
   );
 };
-- 
2.51.2


From 76114016051316cb47c5cc902e0682a127524a17 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: celine <celine@hyperlink.academy>
Date: Wed, 3 Dec 2025 14:57:51 -0500
Subject: [PATCH 2/2] fixing a big ol oopsie in our pub empty state in the
 sidebar

---
 components/ActionBar/Publications.tsx | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/components/ActionBar/Publications.tsx b/components/ActionBar/Publications.tsx
index 4299146c..304f9ad4 100644
--- a/components/ActionBar/Publications.tsx
+++ b/components/ActionBar/Publications.tsx
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ export const PubListEmptyContent = (props: { compact?: boolean }) => {
         <PubListEmptyIllo />
       </div>
       <div className="pt-1 font-bold">Publish on AT Proto</div>
-      {identity && !identity.atp_did ? (
+      {identity && identity.atp_did ? (
         //  has ATProto account and no pubs
         <>
           <div className="pb-2 text-secondary text-xs">