diff --git a/db.go b/db.go
index f0ea145..a7a98b1 100644
--- a/db.go
+++ b/db.go
@@ -92,6 +92,9 @@ CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS items (
 	image_urls JSONB,
 	tags JSONB,
 
+	-- Item status: 'pass' (default, eligible for publishing), 'fail' (rejected)
+	status TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT 'pass',
+
 	-- Publishing to PDS
 	published_at TIMESTAMP,
 	published_uri TEXT,
@@ -328,6 +331,9 @@ func OpenDatabase(connString string) (*DB, error) {
 		pool.Exec(ctx, "ALTER TABLE short_urls ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS item_guid TEXT")
 	}
 
+	// Migration: add status column to items table (pass/fail for publishing)
+	pool.Exec(ctx, "ALTER TABLE items ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS status TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT 'pass'")
+
 	fmt.Println("  Schema OK")
 
 	// Run stats and background index creation