handling closing posts

backend/models/ForumPost.js

@@ -72,6 +72,18 @@ const ForumPost = sequelize.define('ForumPost', {
   deletedAt: {
     type: DataTypes.DATE,
     allowNull: true
+  },
+  closedBy: {
+    type: DataTypes.UUID,
+    allowNull: true,
+    references: {
+      model: 'Users',
+      key: 'id'
+    }
+  },
+  closedAt: {
+    type: DataTypes.DATE,
+    allowNull: true
   }
 });
 

backend/models/index.js

@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ Message.belongsTo(Message, {
 // Forum associations
 User.hasMany(ForumPost, { as: "forumPosts", foreignKey: "authorId" });
 ForumPost.belongsTo(User, { as: "author", foreignKey: "authorId" });
+ForumPost.belongsTo(User, { as: "closer", foreignKey: "closedBy" });
 
 User.hasMany(ForumComment, { as: "forumComments", foreignKey: "authorId" });
 ForumComment.belongsTo(User, { as: "author", foreignKey: "authorId" });

backend/routes/forum.js

@@ -170,6 +170,12 @@ router.get('/posts/:id', optionalAuth, async (req, res) => {
           as: 'author',
           attributes: ['id', 'username', 'firstName', 'lastName', 'role']
         },
+        {
+          model: User,
+          as: 'closer',
+          attributes: ['id', 'username', 'firstName', 'lastName', 'role'],
+          required: false
+        },
         {
           model: PostTag,
           as: 'tags',
@@ -202,8 +208,8 @@ router.get('/posts/:id', optionalAuth, async (req, res) => {
       return res.status(404).json({ error: 'Post not found' });
     }
 
-    // Increment view count
-    await post.increment('viewCount');
+    // Increment view count without updating the updatedAt timestamp
+    await post.increment('viewCount', { silent: true });
 
     // Build nested comment tree
     const isAdmin = req.user && req.user.role === 'admin';
@@ -424,7 +430,94 @@ router.patch('/posts/:id/status', authenticateToken, async (req, res) => {
       return res.status(400).json({ error: 'Invalid status value' });
     }
 
-    await post.update({ status });
+    // Set closedBy and closedAt when closing, clear them when reopening
+    const updateData = {
+      status,
+      closedBy: status === 'closed' ? req.user.id : null,
+      closedAt: status === 'closed' ? new Date() : null
+    };
+
+    await post.update(updateData);
+
+    // Send email notifications when closing (not when reopening)
+    if (status === 'closed') {
+      (async () => {
+        try {
+          const closerUser = await User.findByPk(req.user.id, {
+            attributes: ['id', 'username', 'firstName', 'lastName', 'email']
+          });
+
+          const postWithAuthor = await ForumPost.findByPk(post.id, {
+            include: [
+              {
+                model: User,
+                as: 'author',
+                attributes: ['id', 'username', 'firstName', 'lastName', 'email']
+              }
+            ]
+          });
+
+          // Get all unique participants (author + commenters)
+          const comments = await ForumComment.findAll({
+            where: {
+              postId: post.id,
+              isDeleted: false
+            },
+            include: [
+              {
+                model: User,
+                as: 'author',
+                attributes: ['id', 'email', 'firstName', 'lastName']
+              }
+            ]
+          });
+
+          // Collect unique recipients (excluding the closer)
+          const recipientMap = new Map();
+
+          // Add post author if not the closer
+          if (postWithAuthor.author && postWithAuthor.author.id !== req.user.id) {
+            recipientMap.set(postWithAuthor.author.id, postWithAuthor.author);
+          }
+
+          // Add all comment authors (excluding closer)
+          comments.forEach(comment => {
+            if (comment.author && comment.author.id !== req.user.id && !recipientMap.has(comment.author.id)) {
+              recipientMap.set(comment.author.id, comment.author);
+            }
+          });
+
+          // Send emails to all recipients
+          const recipients = Array.from(recipientMap.values());
+          const emailPromises = recipients.map(recipient =>
+            emailServices.forum.sendForumPostClosedNotification(
+              recipient,
+              closerUser,
+              postWithAuthor,
+              updateData.closedAt
+            )
+          );
+
+          await Promise.allSettled(emailPromises);
+
+          const reqLogger = logger.withRequestId(req.id);
+          reqLogger.info("Post closure notification emails sent", {
+            postId: post.id,
+            recipientCount: recipients.length,
+            closedBy: req.user.id
+          });
+        } catch (emailError) {
+          // Email errors don't block the closure
+          const reqLogger = logger.withRequestId(req.id);
+          reqLogger.error("Failed to send post closure notification emails", {
+            error: emailError.message,
+            stack: emailError.stack,
+            postId: req.params.id
+          });
+          console.error("Email notification error:", emailError);
+        }
+      })();
+    }
 
     const updatedPost = await ForumPost.findByPk(post.id, {
       include: [
@@ -433,6 +526,12 @@ router.patch('/posts/:id/status', authenticateToken, async (req, res) => {
           as: 'author',
           attributes: ['id', 'username', 'firstName', 'lastName']
         },
+        {
+          model: User,
+          as: 'closer',
+          attributes: ['id', 'username', 'firstName', 'lastName'],
+          required: false
+        },
         {
           model: PostTag,
           as: 'tags',
@@ -496,13 +595,15 @@ router.patch('/posts/:id/accept-answer', authenticateToken, async (req, res) =>
       }
     }
 
-    // Update the post with accepted answer
+    // Update the post with accepted answer and close the discussion
     await post.update({
       acceptedAnswerId: commentId || null,
-      status: commentId ? 'answered' : 'open'
+      status: commentId ? 'closed' : 'open',
+      closedBy: commentId ? req.user.id : null,
+      closedAt: commentId ? new Date() : null
     });
 
-    // Send email notification if marking an answer (not unmarking)
+    // Send email notifications if marking an answer (not unmarking)
     if (commentId) {
       (async () => {
         try {
@@ -520,7 +621,17 @@ router.patch('/posts/:id/accept-answer', authenticateToken, async (req, res) =>
             attributes: ['id', 'username', 'firstName', 'lastName', 'email']
           });
 
-          // Only send email if not marking your own comment as answer
+          const postWithAuthor = await ForumPost.findByPk(post.id, {
+            include: [
+              {
+                model: User,
+                as: 'author',
+                attributes: ['id', 'username', 'firstName', 'lastName', 'email']
+              }
+            ]
+          });
+
+          // Send answer accepted email if not marking your own comment as answer
           if (comment && comment.authorId !== req.user.id) {
             await emailServices.forum.sendForumAnswerAcceptedNotification(
               comment.author,
@@ -529,9 +640,55 @@ router.patch('/posts/:id/accept-answer', authenticateToken, async (req, res) =>
               comment
             );
           }
+
+          // Send post closure notifications to all participants
+          // Get all unique participants (author + commenters)
+          const comments = await ForumComment.findAll({
+            where: {
+              postId: post.id,
+              isDeleted: false
+            },
+            include: [
+              {
+                model: User,
+                as: 'author',
+                attributes: ['id', 'email', 'firstName', 'lastName']
+              }
+            ]
+          });
+
+          // Collect unique recipients (excluding the post author who marked the answer)
+          const recipientMap = new Map();
+
+          // Don't send to post author since they closed it
+          // Add all comment authors (excluding post author)
+          comments.forEach(c => {
+            if (c.author && c.author.id !== req.user.id && !recipientMap.has(c.author.id)) {
+              recipientMap.set(c.author.id, c.author);
+            }
+          });
+
+          // Send closure notification emails to all recipients
+          const recipients = Array.from(recipientMap.values());
+          const closureEmailPromises = recipients.map(recipient =>
+            emailServices.forum.sendForumPostClosedNotification(
+              recipient,
+              postAuthor,
+              postWithAuthor,
+              new Date()
+            )
+          );
+
+          await Promise.allSettled(closureEmailPromises);
+
+          logger.info("Answer marked and closure notifications sent", {
+            postId: post.id,
+            commentId: commentId,
+            closureNotificationCount: recipients.length
+          });
         } catch (emailError) {
           // Email errors don't block answer marking
-          logger.error("Failed to send answer accepted notification email", {
+          logger.error("Failed to send notification emails", {
             error: emailError.message,
             stack: emailError.stack,
             commentId: commentId,
@@ -587,6 +744,11 @@ router.post('/posts/:id/comments', authenticateToken, uploadForumCommentImages,
       return res.status(404).json({ error: 'Post not found' });
     }
 
+    // Prevent comments on closed posts
+    if (post.status === 'closed') {
+      return res.status(403).json({ error: 'Cannot comment on a closed discussion' });
+    }
+
     // Validate parent comment if provided
     if (parentCommentId) {
       const parentComment = await ForumComment.findByPk(parentCommentId);
@@ -606,8 +768,9 @@ router.post('/posts/:id/comments', authenticateToken, uploadForumCommentImages,
       images
     });
 
-    // Increment comment count
+    // Increment comment count and update post's updatedAt to reflect activity
     await post.increment('commentCount');
+    await post.update({ updatedAt: new Date() });
 
     const commentWithDetails = await ForumComment.findByPk(comment.id, {
       include: [
@@ -1073,4 +1236,159 @@ router.patch('/admin/comments/:id/restore', authenticateToken, requireAdmin, asy
   }
 });
 
+// PATCH /api/forum/admin/posts/:id/close - Admin close discussion
+router.patch('/admin/posts/:id/close', authenticateToken, requireAdmin, async (req, res) => {
+  try {
+    const post = await ForumPost.findByPk(req.params.id, {
+      include: [
+        {
+          model: User,
+          as: 'author',
+          attributes: ['id', 'username', 'firstName', 'lastName', 'email']
+        }
+      ]
+    });
+
+    if (!post) {
+      return res.status(404).json({ error: 'Post not found' });
+    }
+
+    if (post.status === 'closed') {
+      return res.status(400).json({ error: 'Post is already closed' });
+    }
+
+    const closedAt = new Date();
+
+    // Close the post
+    await post.update({
+      status: 'closed',
+      closedBy: req.user.id,
+      closedAt: closedAt
+    });
+
+    const reqLogger = logger.withRequestId(req.id);
+    reqLogger.info("Admin closed post", {
+      postId: req.params.id,
+      adminId: req.user.id,
+      originalAuthorId: post.authorId
+    });
+
+    // Send email notifications asynchronously
+    (async () => {
+      try {
+        const admin = await User.findByPk(req.user.id, {
+          attributes: ['id', 'username', 'firstName', 'lastName', 'email']
+        });
+
+        // Get all unique participants (author + commenters)
+        const comments = await ForumComment.findAll({
+          where: {
+            postId: post.id,
+            isDeleted: false
+          },
+          include: [
+            {
+              model: User,
+              as: 'author',
+              attributes: ['id', 'email', 'firstName', 'lastName']
+            }
+          ]
+        });
+
+        // Collect unique recipients (author + all comment authors)
+        const recipientMap = new Map();
+
+        // Add post author if not the admin
+        if (post.author && post.author.id !== req.user.id) {
+          recipientMap.set(post.author.id, post.author);
+        }
+
+        // Add all comment authors (excluding admin)
+        comments.forEach(comment => {
+          if (comment.author && comment.author.id !== req.user.id && !recipientMap.has(comment.author.id)) {
+            recipientMap.set(comment.author.id, comment.author);
+          }
+        });
+
+        // Send emails to all recipients
+        const recipients = Array.from(recipientMap.values());
+        const emailPromises = recipients.map(recipient =>
+          emailServices.forum.sendForumPostClosedNotification(
+            recipient,
+            admin,
+            post,
+            closedAt
+          )
+        );
+
+        await Promise.allSettled(emailPromises);
+
+        reqLogger.info("Post closure notification emails sent", {
+          postId: post.id,
+          recipientCount: recipients.length
+        });
+      } catch (emailError) {
+        // Email errors don't block the closure
+        reqLogger.error("Failed to send post closure notification emails", {
+          error: emailError.message,
+          stack: emailError.stack,
+          postId: req.params.id
+        });
+        console.error("Email notification error:", emailError);
+      }
+    })();
+
+    res.status(200).json({ message: 'Post closed successfully', post });
+  } catch (error) {
+    const reqLogger = logger.withRequestId(req.id);
+    reqLogger.error("Admin post closure failed", {
+      error: error.message,
+      stack: error.stack,
+      postId: req.params.id,
+      adminId: req.user.id
+    });
+    res.status(500).json({ error: error.message });
+  }
+});
+
+// PATCH /api/forum/admin/posts/:id/reopen - Admin reopen discussion
+router.patch('/admin/posts/:id/reopen', authenticateToken, requireAdmin, async (req, res) => {
+  try {
+    const post = await ForumPost.findByPk(req.params.id);
+
+    if (!post) {
+      return res.status(404).json({ error: 'Post not found' });
+    }
+
+    if (post.status !== 'closed') {
+      return res.status(400).json({ error: 'Post is not closed' });
+    }
+
+    // Reopen the post
+    await post.update({
+      status: 'open',
+      closedBy: null,
+      closedAt: null
+    });
+
+    const reqLogger = logger.withRequestId(req.id);
+    reqLogger.info("Admin reopened post", {
+      postId: req.params.id,
+      adminId: req.user.id,
+      originalAuthorId: post.authorId
+    });
+
+    res.status(200).json({ message: 'Post reopened successfully', post });
+  } catch (error) {
+    const reqLogger = logger.withRequestId(req.id);
+    reqLogger.error("Admin post reopen failed", {
+      error: error.message,
+      stack: error.stack,
+      postId: req.params.id,
+      adminId: req.user.id
+    });
+    res.status(500).json({ error: error.message });
+  }
+});
+
 module.exports = router;

backend/services/email/core/TemplateManager.js

@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ class TemplateManager {
         "forumReplyToCommentAuthor.html",
         "forumAnswerAcceptedToCommentAuthor.html",
         "forumThreadActivityToParticipant.html",
+        "forumPostClosed.html",
       ];
 
       for (const templateFile of templateFiles) {

backend/services/email/domain/ForumEmailService.js

@@ -313,6 +313,77 @@ class ForumEmailService {
       return { success: false, error: error.message };
     }
   }
+
+  /**
+   * Send notification when a discussion is closed
+   * @param {Object} recipient - Recipient user object
+   * @param {string} recipient.firstName - Recipient's first name
+   * @param {string} recipient.email - Recipient's email
+   * @param {Object} closer - User who closed the discussion (can be admin or post author)
+   * @param {string} closer.firstName - Closer's first name
+   * @param {string} closer.lastName - Closer's last name
+   * @param {Object} post - Forum post object
+   * @param {number} post.id - Post ID
+   * @param {string} post.title - Post title
+   * @param {Date} closedAt - Timestamp when discussion was closed
+   * @returns {Promise<{success: boolean, messageId?: string, error?: string}>}
+   */
+  async sendForumPostClosedNotification(
+    recipient,
+    closer,
+    post,
+    closedAt
+  ) {
+    if (!this.initialized) {
+      await this.initialize();
+    }
+
+    try {
+      const frontendUrl = process.env.FRONTEND_URL || "http://localhost:3000";
+      const postUrl = `${frontendUrl}/forum/posts/${post.id}`;
+
+      const timestamp = new Date(closedAt).toLocaleString("en-US", {
+        dateStyle: "medium",
+        timeStyle: "short",
+      });
+
+      const variables = {
+        recipientName: recipient.firstName || "there",
+        adminName:
+          `${closer.firstName} ${closer.lastName}`.trim() || "A user",
+        postTitle: post.title,
+        postUrl: postUrl,
+        timestamp: timestamp,
+      };
+
+      const htmlContent = await this.templateManager.renderTemplate(
+        "forumPostClosed",
+        variables
+      );
+
+      const subject = `Discussion closed: ${post.title}`;
+
+      const result = await this.emailClient.sendEmail(
+        recipient.email,
+        subject,
+        htmlContent
+      );
+
+      if (result.success) {
+        console.log(
+          `Forum post closed notification email sent to ${recipient.email}`
+        );
+      }
+
+      return result;
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error(
+        "Failed to send forum post closed notification email:",
+        error
+      );
+      return { success: false, error: error.message };
+    }
+  }
 }
 
 module.exports = ForumEmailService;

backend/templates/emails/forumPostClosed.html

@@ -0,0 +1,266 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html>
+<html lang="en">
+<head>
+    <meta charset="utf-8">
+    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
+    <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge">
+    <title>Discussion Closed</title>
+    <style>
+        /* Reset styles */
+        body, table, td, p, a, li, blockquote {
+            -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;
+            -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;
+        }
+        table, td {
+            mso-table-lspace: 0pt;
+            mso-table-rspace: 0pt;
+        }
+        img {
+            -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;
+        }
+
+        /* Base styles */
+        body {
+            margin: 0;
+            padding: 0;
+            width: 100% !important;
+            min-width: 100%;
+            height: 100%;
+            background-color: #f8f9fa;
+            font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, sans-serif;
+            line-height: 1.6;
+            color: #212529;
+        }
+
+        /* Container */
+        .email-container {
+            max-width: 600px;
+            margin: 0 auto;
+            background-color: #ffffff;
+            border-radius: 8px;
+            overflow: hidden;
+            box-shadow: 0 4px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
+        }
+
+        /* Header */
+        .header {
+            background: linear-gradient(135deg, #6c757d 0%, #495057 100%);
+            padding: 40px 30px;
+            text-align: center;
+        }
+
+        .logo {
+            font-size: 32px;
+            font-weight: 700;
+            color: #ffffff;
+            text-decoration: none;
+            letter-spacing: -1px;
+        }
+
+        .tagline {
+            color: #e9ecef;
+            font-size: 14px;
+            margin-top: 8px;
+        }
+
+        /* Content */
+        .content {
+            padding: 40px 30px;
+        }
+
+        .content h1 {
+            font-size: 24px;
+            font-weight: 600;
+            margin: 0 0 20px 0;
+            color: #212529;
+        }
+
+        .content h2 {
+            font-size: 20px;
+            font-weight: 600;
+            margin: 30px 0 15px 0;
+            color: #495057;
+        }
+
+        .content p {
+            margin: 0 0 16px 0;
+            color: #6c757d;
+            line-height: 1.6;
+        }
+
+        .content strong {
+            color: #495057;
+        }
+
+        /* Button */
+        .button {
+            display: inline-block;
+            background: linear-gradient(135deg, #6c757d 0%, #495057 100%);
+            color: #ffffff !important;
+            text-decoration: none;
+            padding: 16px 32px;
+            border-radius: 6px;
+            font-weight: 600;
+            margin: 20px 0;
+            text-align: center;
+            transition: all 0.3s ease;
+        }
+
+        .button:hover {
+            transform: translateY(-2px);
+            box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(108, 117, 125, 0.4);
+        }
+
+        /* Warning box */
+        .warning-box {
+            background-color: #fff3cd;
+            border-left: 4px solid #ffc107;
+            padding: 20px;
+            margin: 20px 0;
+            border-radius: 0 6px 6px 0;
+        }
+
+        .warning-box p {
+            margin: 0;
+            color: #856404;
+        }
+
+        /* Post title box */
+        .post-title-box {
+            background-color: #f8f9fa;
+            border-left: 4px solid #6c757d;
+            padding: 15px 20px;
+            margin: 20px 0;
+            border-radius: 0 6px 6px 0;
+        }
+
+        .post-title-box .title {
+            font-size: 16px;
+            font-weight: 600;
+            color: #495057;
+            margin: 0;
+        }
+
+        /* Info box */
+        .info-box {
+            background-color: #e9ecef;
+            border: 1px solid #dee2e6;
+            padding: 20px;
+            margin: 20px 0;
+            border-radius: 6px;
+        }
+
+        .info-box .label {
+            font-size: 14px;
+            font-weight: 600;
+            color: #495057;
+            margin: 0 0 5px 0;
+        }
+
+        .info-box .value {
+            color: #212529;
+            margin: 0;
+        }
+
+        .info-box .timestamp {
+            font-size: 12px;
+            color: #6c757d;
+            margin-top: 10px;
+        }
+
+        /* Footer */
+        .footer {
+            background-color: #f8f9fa;
+            padding: 30px;
+            text-align: center;
+            border-top: 1px solid #e9ecef;
+        }
+
+        .footer p {
+            margin: 0 0 10px 0;
+            font-size: 14px;
+            color: #6c757d;
+        }
+
+        .footer a {
+            color: #667eea;
+            text-decoration: none;
+        }
+
+        .footer a:hover {
+            text-decoration: underline;
+        }
+
+        /* Responsive */
+        @media only screen and (max-width: 600px) {
+            .email-container {
+                margin: 0;
+                border-radius: 0;
+            }
+
+            .header, .content, .footer {
+                padding: 20px;
+            }
+
+            .logo {
+                font-size: 28px;
+            }
+
+            .content h1 {
+                font-size: 22px;
+            }
+
+            .button {
+                display: block;
+                width: 100%;
+                box-sizing: border-box;
+            }
+
+            .info-box {
+                padding: 15px;
+            }
+        }
+    </style>
+</head>
+<body>
+    <div class="email-container">
+        <div class="header">
+            <div class="logo">RentAll</div>
+            <div class="tagline">Forum Notification</div>
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="content">
+            <p>Hi {{recipientName}},</p>
+
+            <h1>A discussion has been closed</h1>
+
+            <p>The following forum discussion has been closed:</p>
+
+            <div class="post-title-box">
+                <div class="title">{{postTitle}}</div>
+            </div>
+
+            <div class="info-box">
+                <div class="label">Closed by</div>
+                <div class="value">{{adminName}}</div>
+                <div class="timestamp">{{timestamp}}</div>
+            </div>
+
+            <div class="warning-box">
+                <p><strong>Note:</strong> This discussion is now closed and no new comments can be added. You can still view the existing discussion and all previous comments.</p>
+            </div>
+
+            <a href="{{postUrl}}" class="button">View Discussion</a>
+
+            <p>If you have questions about this closure, you can reach out to the person who closed it or contact our support team.</p>
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="footer">
+            <p><strong>RentAll</strong></p>
+            <p>You received this email because you participated in or authored this forum discussion.</p>
+            <p>If you have any questions, please contact our support team.</p>
+            <p>&copy; 2024 RentAll. All rights reserved.</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+</body>
+</html>

frontend/src/pages/ForumPostDetail.tsx

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ const ForumPostDetail: React.FC = () => {
   const [actionLoading, setActionLoading] = useState(false);
   const [showAdminModal, setShowAdminModal] = useState(false);
   const [adminAction, setAdminAction] = useState<{
-    type: 'deletePost' | 'deleteComment' | 'restorePost' | 'restoreComment';
+    type: 'deletePost' | 'deleteComment' | 'restorePost' | 'restoreComment' | 'closePost' | 'reopenPost';
     id?: string;
   } | null>(null);
 
@@ -151,6 +151,16 @@ const ForumPostDetail: React.FC = () => {
     setShowAdminModal(true);
   };
 
+  const handleAdminClosePost = async () => {
+    setAdminAction({ type: 'closePost' });
+    setShowAdminModal(true);
+  };
+
+  const handleAdminReopenPost = async () => {
+    setAdminAction({ type: 'reopenPost' });
+    setShowAdminModal(true);
+  };
+
   const handleAdminDeleteComment = async (commentId: string) => {
     setAdminAction({ type: 'deleteComment', id: commentId });
     setShowAdminModal(true);
@@ -175,6 +185,12 @@ const ForumPostDetail: React.FC = () => {
         case 'restorePost':
           await forumAPI.adminRestorePost(id!);
           break;
+        case 'closePost':
+          await forumAPI.adminClosePost(id!);
+          break;
+        case 'reopenPost':
+          await forumAPI.adminReopenPost(id!);
+          break;
         case 'deleteComment':
           await forumAPI.adminDeleteComment(adminAction.id!);
           break;
@@ -199,7 +215,13 @@ const ForumPostDetail: React.FC = () => {
 
   const formatDate = (dateString: string) => {
     const date = new Date(dateString);
-    return date.toLocaleString();
+    return date.toLocaleString(undefined, {
+      year: 'numeric',
+      month: 'numeric',
+      day: 'numeric',
+      hour: 'numeric',
+      minute: '2-digit'
+    });
   };
 
   if (loading) {
@@ -310,9 +332,16 @@ const ForumPostDetail: React.FC = () => {
 
               {isAuthor && (
                 <div className="d-flex gap-2 flex-wrap mb-3">
+                    <Link
+                      to={`/forum/${post.id}/edit`}
+                      className="btn btn-sm btn-outline-primary"
+                    >
+                      <i className="bi bi-pencil me-1"></i>
+                      Edit
+                    </Link>
                     {post.status !== 'closed' && (
                       <button
-                        className="btn btn-sm btn-secondary"
+                        className="btn btn-sm btn-outline-secondary"
                         onClick={() => handleStatusChange('closed')}
                         disabled={actionLoading}
                       >
@@ -322,7 +351,7 @@ const ForumPostDetail: React.FC = () => {
                     )}
                     {post.status === 'closed' && (
                       <button
-                        className="btn btn-sm btn-success"
+                        className="btn btn-sm btn-outline-secondary"
                         onClick={() => handleStatusChange('open')}
                         disabled={actionLoading}
                       >
@@ -330,13 +359,6 @@ const ForumPostDetail: React.FC = () => {
                         Reopen Post
                       </button>
                     )}
-                    <Link
-                      to={`/forum/${post.id}/edit`}
-                      className="btn btn-sm btn-outline-primary"
-                    >
-                      <i className="bi bi-pencil me-1"></i>
-                      Edit
-                    </Link>
                     <button
                       className="btn btn-sm btn-outline-danger"
                       onClick={handleDeletePost}
@@ -422,7 +444,32 @@ const ForumPostDetail: React.FC = () => {
 
                 <hr />
 
-                {user ? (
+                {/* Admin Close/Reopen Controls */}
+                {isAdmin && (
+                  <div className="d-flex gap-2 mb-3">
+                    {post.status === 'closed' ? (
+                      <button
+                        className="btn btn-success"
+                        onClick={handleAdminReopenPost}
+                        disabled={actionLoading}
+                      >
+                        <i className="bi bi-unlock me-1"></i>
+                        Reopen Discussion (Admin)
+                      </button>
+                    ) : (
+                      <button
+                        className="btn btn-warning"
+                        onClick={handleAdminClosePost}
+                        disabled={actionLoading}
+                      >
+                        <i className="bi bi-lock me-1"></i>
+                        Close Discussion (Admin)
+                      </button>
+                    )}
+                  </div>
+                )}
+
+                {post.status !== 'closed' && user ? (
                   <div>
                     <h6>Add a comment</h6>
                     <CommentForm
@@ -431,11 +478,23 @@ const ForumPostDetail: React.FC = () => {
                       buttonText="Post Comment"
                     />
                   </div>
-                ) : (
+                ) : post.status !== 'closed' && !user ? (
                   <div className="alert alert-info">
                     <i className="bi bi-info-circle me-2"></i>
                     <AuthButton mode="login" className="alert-link" asLink>Log in</AuthButton> to join the discussion.
                   </div>
+                ) : null}
+
+                {/* Show closed banner at the bottom for all users */}
+                {post.status === 'closed' && post.closedBy && (
+                  <div className="text-muted mt-3">
+                    <i className="bi bi-lock me-2"></i>
+                    <strong>
+                      Closed by {post.closer ? `${post.closer.firstName} ${post.closer.lastName}` : 'Unknown'}
+                    </strong>
+                    {post.closedAt && ` on ${formatDate(post.closedAt)}`}
+                    {' - '}No new comments can be added
+                  </div>
                 )}
               </div>
             </div>
@@ -466,6 +525,12 @@ const ForumPostDetail: React.FC = () => {
                   {adminAction?.type === 'restorePost' && (
                     <p>Are you sure you want to restore this post? It will become visible to all users again.</p>
                   )}
+                  {adminAction?.type === 'closePost' && (
+                    <p>Are you sure you want to close this discussion? No users will be able to add new comments. All participants will be notified by email.</p>
+                  )}
+                  {adminAction?.type === 'reopenPost' && (
+                    <p>Are you sure you want to reopen this discussion? Users will be able to add comments again.</p>
+                  )}
                   {adminAction?.type === 'deleteComment' && (
                     <p>Are you sure you want to delete this comment? It will be deleted and hidden from regular users but can be restored later.</p>
                   )}
@@ -484,7 +549,11 @@ const ForumPostDetail: React.FC = () => {
                   </button>
                   <button
                     type="button"
-                    className={`btn ${adminAction?.type.includes('delete') ? 'btn-danger' : 'btn-success'}`}
+                    className={`btn ${
+                      adminAction?.type.includes('delete') ? 'btn-danger' :
+                      adminAction?.type === 'closePost' ? 'btn-warning' :
+                      'btn-success'
+                    }`}
                     onClick={confirmAdminAction}
                     disabled={actionLoading}
                   >
@@ -495,7 +564,10 @@ const ForumPostDetail: React.FC = () => {
                       </>
                     ) : (
                       <>
-                        {adminAction?.type.includes('delete') ? 'Delete' : 'Restore'}
+                        {adminAction?.type.includes('delete') ? 'Delete' :
+                         adminAction?.type === 'closePost' ? 'Close' :
+                         adminAction?.type === 'reopenPost' ? 'Reopen' :
+                         'Restore'}
                       </>
                     )}
                   </button>

frontend/src/services/api.ts

@@ -286,6 +286,8 @@ export const forumAPI = {
   adminRestorePost: (id: string) => api.patch(`/forum/admin/posts/${id}/restore`),
   adminDeleteComment: (id: string) => api.delete(`/forum/admin/comments/${id}`),
   adminRestoreComment: (id: string) => api.patch(`/forum/admin/comments/${id}/restore`),
+  adminClosePost: (id: string) => api.patch(`/forum/admin/posts/${id}/close`),
+  adminReopenPost: (id: string) => api.patch(`/forum/admin/posts/${id}/reopen`),
 };
 
 export const stripeAPI = {

frontend/src/types/index.ts

@@ -271,6 +271,9 @@ export interface ForumPost {
   isDeleted?: boolean;
   deletedBy?: string;
   deletedAt?: string;
+  closedBy?: string;
+  closedAt?: string;
+  closer?: User;
   hasDeletedComments?: boolean;
   author?: User;
   tags?: PostTag[];