diff --git a/app.py b/app.py
index 4167e82..955fd5d 100644
--- a/app.py
+++ b/app.py
@@ -476,9 +476,17 @@ def on_join(data):
         hashed  = bcrypt.hashpw(password.encode(), bcrypt.gensalt()).decode()
         db_user = User(username=username, password_hash=hashed, email=email)
         db.session.add(db_user); db.session.commit()
-        user.update(user_id=db_user.id, is_registered=True,
-                    has_ai_access=False, ai_messages_used=0)
-        token = _issue_jwt(db_user.id, db_user.username)
+        
+        # DO NOT login yet – stay as guest and wait for mod
+        emit("joined", {
+            "username": username,
+            "is_admin": False,
+            "is_registered": False,
+            "has_ai_access": False,
+            "ai_messages_used": 0,
+            "system_msg": "Account created! Please wait for a moderator to verify you before logging in."
+        })
+        return
 
     elif mode == "login":
         db_user = User.query.filter(
@@ -645,6 +653,8 @@ def on_pm_message(data):
     if f":{AI_BOT_NAME.lower()}" in room.lower():
         if not user.get("user_id"):
             emit("error", {"msg": "You must be registered to chat with Violet."}); return
+        if not user.get("is_verified"):
+            emit("error", {"msg": "Your account is pending moderator approval. Please wait to chat with Violet."}); return
         if not user.get("has_ai_access") and user.get("ai_messages_used", 0) >= AI_FREE_LIMIT:
             emit("pm_message", {"from": AI_BOT_NAME, "text": "ai_limit_reached", "room": room, "system": True}, to=sid)
             return
@@ -801,6 +811,10 @@ def on_verify(data):
             target_info = connected_users.get(target_sid)
             if target_info:
                 target_info["is_verified"] = True
+                socketio.emit("system", {
+                    "msg": "🎉 **Your account has been verified!** You can now log in to access persistent features and chat with Violet.",
+                    "ts": _ts()
+                }, to=target_sid)
         
         socketio.emit("system", {"msg": f"✅ **{target_user.username}** has been verified by a moderator.", "ts": _ts()}, to=LOBBY)
         socketio.emit("nicklist", {"users": _get_nicklist()}, to=LOBBY)
diff --git a/static/chat.js b/static/chat.js
index 4623b73..1155400 100644
--- a/static/chat.js
+++ b/static/chat.js
@@ -143,6 +143,10 @@ socket.on("joined", (data) => {
     joinScreen.classList.add("hidden");
     chatScreen.classList.remove("hidden");
     updateVioletBadge();
+
+    if (data.system_msg) {
+        addMessage("lobby", { system: true, text: data.system_msg });
+    }
 });
 
 socket.on("error", (data) => {