> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.podigee.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.podigee.com/documentation/start-here/ai-agents/make-changes-safely/choose-a-reversible-action-before-permanent-deletion.md).

# Choose a reversible action before permanent deletion

Prefer a reversible Podigee state when you do not need to remove data permanently.

Use a reversible action when your goal is to stop publication or processing, not erase the record.

## Safer alternatives

| Goal                                   | Reversible action                                       | Permanent action to avoid                                            |
| -------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Take an episode offline                | Publish it in `draft` mode.                             | Delete the episode.                                                  |
| Stop eligible long-running work        | Preview and confirm `cancel_operation`.                 | Create conflicting replacement work.                                 |
| Stop an incomplete upload              | Abort the upload session when the workflow supports it. | Leave sessions and start repeated uploads.                           |
| Restrict private-feed access           | Deactivate the listener.                                | Delete the listener.                                                 |
| Change chapter marks or the transcript | Read the episode first and send the merged collection.  | Send only the new entries; the collection is replaced, not appended. |

## Permanent deletion

Episode deletion is permanent. It removes the episode and starts removal from connected platforms. Podigee does not provide an MCP restore tool for deleted episodes.

Listener deletion is also a consequential removal. Deactivation keeps the listener record and is usually the safer choice when access might need to be restored.

## Before a permanent action

1. Confirm that a reversible state cannot meet the goal.
2. Read the exact target and current state.
3. Request a dry-run preview.
4. Review every consequence and affected ID.
5. Confirm the exact preview once.
6. Read back the remaining state after completion.

## Related tasks

* [Preview a change before it runs](/documentation/start-here/ai-agents/make-changes-safely/preview-a-change-before-it-runs.md)
* [Confirm a consequential change](/documentation/start-here/ai-agents/make-changes-safely/confirm-a-consequential-change.md)
* [Verify that a change had the intended effect](/documentation/start-here/ai-agents/make-changes-safely/verify-that-a-change-had-the-intended-effect.md)


---

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```

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