diff --git a/pkg/models/user_list_test.go b/pkg/models/user_list_test.go
index 6cb38485a..d55e86291 100644
--- a/pkg/models/user_list_test.go
+++ b/pkg/models/user_list_test.go
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ func TestListUsers(t *testing.T) {
 
 		all, err := user.ListAllUsers(s)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
-		assert.Len(t, all, 19)
+		assert.Len(t, all, 20)
 	})
 	t.Run("no search term", func(t *testing.T) {
 		db.LoadAndAssertFixtures(t)
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ func TestListUsers(t *testing.T) {
 			MatchFuzzily: true,
 		})
 		require.NoError(t, err)
-		assert.Len(t, all, 19)
+		assert.Len(t, all, 20)
 	})
 
 	// External team discoverability bypass tests
diff --git a/pkg/webtests/admin_share_bypass_test.go b/pkg/webtests/admin_share_bypass_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e0c597edd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/webtests/admin_share_bypass_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+// Vikunja is a to-do list application to facilitate your life.
+// Copyright 2018-present Vikunja and contributors. All rights reserved.
+//
+// This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+// GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+// along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+package webtests
+
+import (
+	"net/http"
+	"testing"
+
+	"code.vikunja.io/api/pkg/db"
+	"code.vikunja.io/api/pkg/license"
+	"code.vikunja.io/api/pkg/user"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+// Share management reuses the per-project endpoints via the Can* bypass; there are no dedicated admin share routes.
+
+func TestAdminBypass_CanListProjectShares(t *testing.T) {
+	e, err := setupTestEnv()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer license.ResetForTests()
+	license.SetForTests([]license.Feature{license.FeatureAdminPanel})
+
+	admin := promoteToAdmin(t, 1)
+	res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodGet, "/api/v1/projects/2/shares", admin, "")
+	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, res.Code)
+	assert.Contains(t, res.Body.String(), `"hash":"test2"`)
+}
+
+func TestAdminBypass_CanDeleteLinkShare(t *testing.T) {
+	e, err := setupTestEnv()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer license.ResetForTests()
+	license.SetForTests([]license.Feature{license.FeatureAdminPanel})
+
+	admin := promoteToAdmin(t, 1)
+	res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodDelete, "/api/v1/projects/2/shares/2", admin, "")
+	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, res.Code)
+}
+
+func TestAdminBypass_CanDeleteTeamShare(t *testing.T) {
+	e, err := setupTestEnv()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer license.ResetForTests()
+	license.SetForTests([]license.Feature{license.FeatureAdminPanel})
+
+	admin := promoteToAdmin(t, 1)
+	// User 1 only has read on project 3; removing a team share would be forbidden without the bypass.
+	res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodDelete, "/api/v1/projects/3/teams/1", admin, "")
+	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, res.Code)
+}
+
+func TestAdminBypass_CanDeleteUserShare(t *testing.T) {
+	e, err := setupTestEnv()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer license.ResetForTests()
+	license.SetForTests([]license.Feature{license.FeatureAdminPanel})
+
+	admin := promoteToAdmin(t, 1)
+	// Endpoint keys by username, not numeric ID.
+	res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodDelete, "/api/v1/projects/3/users/user2", admin, "")
+	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, res.Code)
+}
+
+// Regression: the admin short-circuit in Project.CanRead used to swallow GetProjectSimpleByID errors, surfacing 1005 instead of 3001.
+func TestAdminBypass_NonexistentProjectReturns404(t *testing.T) {
+	e, err := setupTestEnv()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer license.ResetForTests()
+	license.SetForTests([]license.Feature{license.FeatureAdminPanel})
+
+	admin := promoteToAdmin(t, 1)
+	res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodGet, "/api/v1/projects/99999", admin, "")
+	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusNotFound, res.Code)
+	body := res.Body.String()
+	assert.Contains(t, body, `"code":3001`, "must surface ErrCodeProjectDoesNotExist, not user-not-found")
+	assert.NotContains(t, body, `"code":1005`, "must not surface ErrUserDoesNotExist when the project is missing")
+}
+
+// The bypass reads is_admin from the DB, so the test must demote in the DB rather than flipping the struct field.
+func TestAdminBypass_NonAdminCannotDeleteLinkShare(t *testing.T) {
+	e, err := setupTestEnv()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer license.ResetForTests()
+
+	s := db.NewSession()
+	u, err := user.GetUserByID(s, 1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.False(t, u.IsAdmin, "fixture precondition: user1 is not an instance admin")
+	s.Close()
+
+	res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodDelete, "/api/v1/projects/2/shares/2", u, "")
+	assert.NotEqual(t, http.StatusOK, res.Code, "non-admin must not be able to delete a share on a project they don't own")
+}
diff --git a/pkg/webtests/admin_test.go b/pkg/webtests/admin_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6bd5467c7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/webtests/admin_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,604 @@
+// Vikunja is a to-do list application to facilitate your life.
+// Copyright 2018-present Vikunja and contributors. All rights reserved.
+//
+// This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+// GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+// along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+package webtests
+
+import (
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/httptest"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"code.vikunja.io/api/pkg/config"
+	"code.vikunja.io/api/pkg/db"
+	"code.vikunja.io/api/pkg/license"
+	"code.vikunja.io/api/pkg/modules/auth"
+	"code.vikunja.io/api/pkg/user"
+
+	"github.com/labstack/echo/v5"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+func promoteToAdmin(t *testing.T, userID int64) *user.User {
+	s := db.NewSession()
+	defer s.Close()
+
+	u := &user.User{ID: userID}
+	has, err := s.Get(u)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.True(t, has)
+
+	u.IsAdmin = true
+	_, err = s.ID(u.ID).Cols("is_admin").Update(u)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NoError(t, s.Commit())
+	return u
+}
+
+func adminReq(t *testing.T, e *echo.Echo, method, path string, u *user.User, body string) *httptest.ResponseRecorder {
+	req := httptest.NewRequest(method, path, strings.NewReader(body))
+	req.Header.Set(echo.HeaderContentType, echo.MIMEApplicationJSON)
+	if u != nil {
+		tok, err := auth.NewUserJWTAuthtoken(u, "test-session-id")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		req.Header.Set(echo.HeaderAuthorization, "Bearer "+tok)
+	}
+	res := httptest.NewRecorder()
+	e.ServeHTTP(res, req)
+	return res
+}
+
+func TestAdmin_GateUnlicensed(t *testing.T) {
+	e, err := setupTestEnv()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	license.ResetForTests()
+
+	admin := promoteToAdmin(t, 1)
+
+	res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodGet, "/api/v1/admin/overview", admin, "")
+	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusNotFound, res.Code)
+}
+
+func TestAdmin_GateNonAdmin(t *testing.T) {
+	e, err := setupTestEnv()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	license.SetForTests([]license.Feature{license.FeatureAdminPanel})
+	defer license.ResetForTests()
+
+	s := db.NewSession()
+	defer s.Close()
+	u, err := user.GetUserByID(s, 1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodGet, "/api/v1/admin/overview", u, "")
+	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusNotFound, res.Code)
+}
+
+func TestAdmin_GateUnauthenticated(t *testing.T) {
+	e, err := setupTestEnv()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	license.SetForTests([]license.Feature{license.FeatureAdminPanel})
+	defer license.ResetForTests()
+
+	// echojwt rejects with 401 before the license/admin gates see the request.
+	res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodGet, "/api/v1/admin/overview", nil, "")
+	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusUnauthorized, res.Code)
+}
+
+func TestAdmin_Overview(t *testing.T) {
+	e, err := setupTestEnv()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	license.SetForTests([]license.Feature{license.FeatureAdminPanel})
+	defer license.ResetForTests()
+
+	admin := promoteToAdmin(t, 1)
+	res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodGet, "/api/v1/admin/overview", admin, "")
+	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, res.Code)
+	body := res.Body.String()
+	assert.Contains(t, body, `"users"`)
+	assert.Contains(t, body, `"projects"`)
+	assert.Contains(t, body, `"tasks"`)
+	assert.Contains(t, body, `"shares"`)
+	assert.Contains(t, body, `"license"`)
+	assert.Contains(t, body, `"licensed":true`)
+	assert.Contains(t, body, `"features"`)
+	assert.Contains(t, body, `"expires_at"`)
+	assert.Contains(t, body, `"instance_id"`)
+}
+
+func TestAdmin_ListUsers(t *testing.T) {
+	e, err := setupTestEnv()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	license.SetForTests([]license.Feature{license.FeatureAdminPanel})
+	defer license.ResetForTests()
+
+	admin := promoteToAdmin(t, 1)
+
+	t.Run("returns users including hidden is_admin and status fields", func(t *testing.T) {
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodGet, "/api/v1/admin/users", admin, "")
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, res.Code)
+		body := res.Body.String()
+		assert.Contains(t, body, `"is_admin"`)
+		assert.Contains(t, body, `"status"`)
+		assert.Contains(t, body, `"username":"user1"`)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("search filters by username", func(t *testing.T) {
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodGet, "/api/v1/admin/users?s=user2", admin, "")
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, res.Code)
+		body := res.Body.String()
+		assert.Contains(t, body, `"username":"user2"`)
+		// user15 should not be present when searching exactly "user2".
+		assert.NotContains(t, body, `"username":"user15"`)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestAdmin_PatchAdmin(t *testing.T) {
+	e, err := setupTestEnv()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	license.SetForTests([]license.Feature{license.FeatureAdminPanel})
+	defer license.ResetForTests()
+
+	admin := promoteToAdmin(t, 1)
+
+	t.Run("promote a non-admin user", func(t *testing.T) {
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPatch, "/api/v1/admin/users/2/admin", admin, `{"is_admin":true}`)
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, res.Code)
+
+		s := db.NewSession()
+		defer s.Close()
+		u, err := user.GetUserByID(s, 2)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.True(t, u.IsAdmin)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("demote when another admin exists is allowed", func(t *testing.T) {
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPatch, "/api/v1/admin/users/2/admin", admin, `{"is_admin":false}`)
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, res.Code)
+
+		s := db.NewSession()
+		defer s.Close()
+		u, err := user.GetUserByID(s, 2)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.False(t, u.IsAdmin)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("last-admin guard refuses demotion", func(t *testing.T) {
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPatch, "/api/v1/admin/users/1/admin", admin, `{"is_admin":false}`)
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusBadRequest, res.Code)
+
+		s := db.NewSession()
+		defer s.Close()
+		u, err := user.GetUserByID(s, 1)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.True(t, u.IsAdmin, "last admin must remain admin after refused demotion")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("unknown user returns 404", func(t *testing.T) {
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPatch, "/api/v1/admin/users/9999999/admin", admin, `{"is_admin":true}`)
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusNotFound, res.Code)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("empty body is rejected rather than demoting", func(t *testing.T) {
+		// Promote user 2 first so we can detect an accidental silent demotion.
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPatch, "/api/v1/admin/users/2/admin", admin, `{"is_admin":true}`)
+		require.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, res.Code)
+
+		res = adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPatch, "/api/v1/admin/users/2/admin", admin, `{}`)
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusBadRequest, res.Code)
+
+		s := db.NewSession()
+		defer s.Close()
+		u, err := user.GetUserByID(s, 2)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.True(t, u.IsAdmin, "empty body must not silently demote")
+	})
+}
+
+func TestAdmin_ListProjects(t *testing.T) {
+	e, err := setupTestEnv()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	license.SetForTests([]license.Feature{license.FeatureAdminPanel})
+	defer license.ResetForTests()
+
+	admin := promoteToAdmin(t, 1)
+	res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodGet, "/api/v1/admin/projects", admin, "")
+	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, res.Code)
+	body := res.Body.String()
+	assert.Contains(t, body, `"id":`)
+	assert.Contains(t, body, `"title":`)
+	// Owner is xorm:"-" and must be hydrated explicitly.
+	assert.Contains(t, body, `"username":"user1"`)
+	assert.NotContains(t, body, `"owner":null`)
+}
+
+func TestAdmin_PatchStatus(t *testing.T) {
+	e, err := setupTestEnv()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	license.SetForTests([]license.Feature{license.FeatureAdminPanel})
+	defer license.ResetForTests()
+
+	admin := promoteToAdmin(t, 1)
+
+	res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPatch, "/api/v1/admin/users/2/status", admin, `{"status":2}`)
+	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, res.Code)
+
+	// GetUserByID refuses disabled accounts, so assert against the raw row.
+	s := db.NewSession()
+	defer s.Close()
+	var row struct {
+		Status int `xorm:"status"`
+	}
+	_, err = s.Table("users").Where("id = ?", 2).Get(&row)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, 2, row.Status)
+
+	t.Run("last-admin guard refuses self-disable", func(t *testing.T) {
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPatch, "/api/v1/admin/users/1/status", admin, `{"status":2}`)
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusBadRequest, res.Code)
+
+		var row struct {
+			Status int `xorm:"status"`
+		}
+		_, err := s.Table("users").Where("id = ?", 1).Get(&row)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.Equal(t, int(user.StatusActive), row.Status, "last admin must stay active after refused disable")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("last-admin guard refuses self-lock", func(t *testing.T) {
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPatch, "/api/v1/admin/users/1/status", admin, `{"status":3}`)
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusBadRequest, res.Code)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("last-admin guard refuses email-confirmation status", func(t *testing.T) {
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPatch, "/api/v1/admin/users/1/status", admin, `{"status":1}`)
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusBadRequest, res.Code)
+
+		var row struct {
+			Status int `xorm:"status"`
+		}
+		_, err := s.Table("users").Where("id = ?", 1).Get(&row)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.Equal(t, int(user.StatusActive), row.Status, "last admin must stay active when email-confirmation status would be set")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("rejects invalid status value", func(t *testing.T) {
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPatch, "/api/v1/admin/users/2/status", admin, `{"status":99}`)
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusBadRequest, res.Code)
+		assert.Contains(t, res.Body.String(), "invalid status")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("empty body is rejected rather than reactivating", func(t *testing.T) {
+		// User 2 was disabled earlier in this test; empty body must leave that intact.
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPatch, "/api/v1/admin/users/2/status", admin, `{}`)
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusBadRequest, res.Code)
+
+		var row struct {
+			Status int `xorm:"status"`
+		}
+		_, err := s.Table("users").Where("id = ?", 2).Get(&row)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.Equal(t, int(user.StatusDisabled), row.Status, "empty body must not silently reactivate")
+	})
+}
+
+// Non-active admins must not count toward the last-admin invariant.
+func TestAdmin_GuardLastAdmin_IgnoresNonActive(t *testing.T) {
+	e, err := setupTestEnv()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	license.SetForTests([]license.Feature{license.FeatureAdminPanel})
+	defer license.ResetForTests()
+
+	admin := promoteToAdmin(t, 1)
+
+	// A disabled admin cannot log in and must not satisfy the last-admin check.
+	s := db.NewSession()
+	u17 := &user.User{ID: 17}
+	has, err := s.Get(u17)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.True(t, has)
+	require.Equal(t, user.StatusDisabled, u17.Status, "fixture precondition: user17 is disabled")
+	u17.IsAdmin = true
+	_, err = s.ID(u17.ID).Cols("is_admin").Update(u17)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NoError(t, s.Commit())
+	s.Close()
+
+	res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPatch, "/api/v1/admin/users/1/admin", admin, `{"is_admin":false}`)
+	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusBadRequest, res.Code)
+
+	s = db.NewSession()
+	defer s.Close()
+	u, err := user.GetUserByID(s, 1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.True(t, u.IsAdmin, "active admin must not be demoted when the only other admin is disabled")
+}
+
+func TestAdmin_DeleteUser(t *testing.T) {
+	e, err := setupTestEnv()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	license.SetForTests([]license.Feature{license.FeatureAdminPanel})
+	defer license.ResetForTests()
+
+	admin := promoteToAdmin(t, 1)
+
+	t.Run("mode=now deletes a regular user immediately", func(t *testing.T) {
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodDelete, "/api/v1/admin/users/15?mode=now", admin, "")
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusNoContent, res.Code)
+
+		s := db.NewSession()
+		defer s.Close()
+		_, err := user.GetUserByID(s, 15)
+		assert.Error(t, err, "deleted user must no longer be fetchable")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("mode=scheduled triggers RequestDeletion without removing the user", func(t *testing.T) {
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodDelete, "/api/v1/admin/users/16?mode=scheduled", admin, "")
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusNoContent, res.Code)
+
+		s := db.NewSession()
+		defer s.Close()
+
+		// Scheduled deletion only records a token; the row is not removed.
+		u := &user.User{ID: 16}
+		has, err := s.Get(u)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.True(t, has, "scheduled deletion must not remove the user row")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("default (no mode) is scheduled", func(t *testing.T) {
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodDelete, "/api/v1/admin/users/2", admin, "")
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusNoContent, res.Code)
+
+		s := db.NewSession()
+		defer s.Close()
+		u := &user.User{ID: 2}
+		has, err := s.Get(u)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.True(t, has, "default mode must not remove the user row")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("rejects invalid mode", func(t *testing.T) {
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodDelete, "/api/v1/admin/users/3?mode=bogus", admin, "")
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusBadRequest, res.Code)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("mode=now last-admin guard refuses self-delete", func(t *testing.T) {
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodDelete, "/api/v1/admin/users/1?mode=now", admin, "")
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusBadRequest, res.Code)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("unknown user returns 404", func(t *testing.T) {
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodDelete, "/api/v1/admin/users/9999999?mode=now", admin, "")
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusNotFound, res.Code)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestAdmin_CreateUser(t *testing.T) {
+	e, err := setupTestEnv()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	license.SetForTests([]license.Feature{license.FeatureAdminPanel})
+	defer license.ResetForTests()
+
+	// Admin endpoint must bypass the public-registration toggle.
+	prev := config.ServiceEnableRegistration.GetBool()
+	config.ServiceEnableRegistration.Set(false)
+	defer config.ServiceEnableRegistration.Set(prev)
+
+	admin := promoteToAdmin(t, 1)
+
+	t.Run("creates a plain user", func(t *testing.T) {
+		body := `{"username":"adm-create-1","password":"averyl0ngpassword","email":"adm-create-1@example.com"}`
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPost, "/api/v1/admin/users", admin, body)
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, res.Code, res.Body.String())
+		assert.Contains(t, res.Body.String(), `"username":"adm-create-1"`)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("creates an is_admin user", func(t *testing.T) {
+		body := `{"username":"adm-create-2","password":"averyl0ngpassword","email":"adm-create-2@example.com","is_admin":true}`
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPost, "/api/v1/admin/users", admin, body)
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, res.Code, res.Body.String())
+
+		s := db.NewSession()
+		defer s.Close()
+		u, err := user.GetUserByUsername(s, "adm-create-2")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.True(t, u.IsAdmin, "new user should have been promoted")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("skip_email_confirm forces Status=Active", func(t *testing.T) {
+		body := `{"username":"adm-create-3","password":"averyl0ngpassword","email":"adm-create-3@example.com","skip_email_confirm":true}`
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPost, "/api/v1/admin/users", admin, body)
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, res.Code, res.Body.String())
+
+		s := db.NewSession()
+		defer s.Close()
+		u, err := user.GetUserByUsername(s, "adm-create-3")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.Equal(t, user.StatusActive, u.Status)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("persists the name field", func(t *testing.T) {
+		body := `{"username":"adm-create-4","password":"averyl0ngpassword","email":"adm-create-4@example.com","name":"Adm Create"}`
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPost, "/api/v1/admin/users", admin, body)
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, res.Code, res.Body.String())
+
+		s := db.NewSession()
+		defer s.Close()
+		u, err := user.GetUserByUsername(s, "adm-create-4")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.Equal(t, "Adm Create", u.Name)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("non-admin caller gets 404", func(t *testing.T) {
+		s := db.NewSession()
+		u2, err := user.GetUserByID(s, 2)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.False(t, u2.IsAdmin, "fixture precondition: user2 is not an admin")
+		s.Close()
+
+		body := `{"username":"nonadmin-create","password":"averyl0ngpassword","email":"nonadmin-create@example.com"}`
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPost, "/api/v1/admin/users", u2, body)
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusNotFound, res.Code)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("unauthenticated caller gets 401", func(t *testing.T) {
+		body := `{"username":"anon-create","password":"averyl0ngpassword","email":"anon-create@example.com"}`
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPost, "/api/v1/admin/users", nil, body)
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusUnauthorized, res.Code)
+	})
+}
+
+// Without the admin-panel license the endpoint must 404 so unlicensed instances cannot mint admins.
+func TestAdmin_CreateUser_LicenseInactive(t *testing.T) {
+	e, err := setupTestEnv()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	license.ResetForTests()
+
+	admin := promoteToAdmin(t, 1)
+
+	body := `{"username":"unlicensed-create","password":"averyl0ngpassword","email":"unlicensed-create@example.com"}`
+	res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPost, "/api/v1/admin/users", admin, body)
+	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusNotFound, res.Code)
+}
+
+func TestAdmin_ReassignProjectOwner(t *testing.T) {
+	e, err := setupTestEnv()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	license.SetForTests([]license.Feature{license.FeatureAdminPanel})
+	defer license.ResetForTests()
+
+	admin := promoteToAdmin(t, 1)
+
+	t.Run("updates owner_id", func(t *testing.T) {
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPatch, "/api/v1/admin/projects/2/owner", admin, `{"owner_id":2}`)
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, res.Code)
+
+		s := db.NewSession()
+		defer s.Close()
+		var row struct {
+			OwnerID int64 `xorm:"owner_id"`
+		}
+		_, err := s.Table("projects").Where("id = ?", 2).Get(&row)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.Equal(t, int64(2), row.OwnerID)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("rejects nonexistent owner", func(t *testing.T) {
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPatch, "/api/v1/admin/projects/2/owner", admin, `{"owner_id":99999}`)
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusNotFound, res.Code)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("nonexistent project returns 404", func(t *testing.T) {
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPatch, "/api/v1/admin/projects/99999/owner", admin, `{"owner_id":1}`)
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusNotFound, res.Code)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("rejects disabled user as new owner", func(t *testing.T) {
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPatch, "/api/v1/admin/projects/2/owner", admin, `{"owner_id":17}`)
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusPreconditionFailed, res.Code)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("rejects locked user as new owner", func(t *testing.T) {
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPatch, "/api/v1/admin/projects/2/owner", admin, `{"owner_id":18}`)
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusPreconditionFailed, res.Code)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("rejects deletion-scheduled user as new owner", func(t *testing.T) {
+		// DeleteUser cascades to their projects, so such a reassignment would be destroyed on the delayed delete.
+		res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPatch, "/api/v1/admin/projects/2/owner", admin, `{"owner_id":20}`)
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusBadRequest, res.Code)
+	})
+}
+
+// A demoted admin with a stale JWT claim must lose access immediately.
+func TestAdmin_StaleAdminJWT_Gate(t *testing.T) {
+	e, err := setupTestEnv()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	license.SetForTests([]license.Feature{license.FeatureAdminPanel})
+	defer license.ResetForTests()
+
+	admin := promoteToAdmin(t, 1)
+
+	s := db.NewSession()
+	_, err = s.ID(int64(1)).Cols("is_admin").Update(&user.User{IsAdmin: false})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NoError(t, s.Commit())
+	s.Close()
+
+	res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodGet, "/api/v1/admin/ping", admin, "")
+	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusNotFound, res.Code, "demoted admin with stale JWT must be rejected")
+}
+
+func TestAdmin_StaleAdminJWT_DeletedUser(t *testing.T) {
+	e, err := setupTestEnv()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	license.SetForTests([]license.Feature{license.FeatureAdminPanel})
+	defer license.ResetForTests()
+
+	admin := promoteToAdmin(t, 1)
+
+	s := db.NewSession()
+	_, err = s.ID(int64(1)).Delete(&user.User{})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NoError(t, s.Commit())
+	s.Close()
+
+	res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodGet, "/api/v1/admin/ping", admin, "")
+	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusNotFound, res.Code, "deleted admin with stale JWT must be rejected")
+}
+
+// The model-level permission bypass must also re-check the DB, not just the JWT.
+func TestAdmin_StaleAdminJWT_PermissionBypass(t *testing.T) {
+	e, err := setupTestEnv()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	license.SetForTests([]license.Feature{license.FeatureAdminPanel})
+	defer license.ResetForTests()
+
+	admin := promoteToAdmin(t, 1)
+
+	res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodGet, "/api/v1/projects/2", admin, "")
+	require.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, res.Code, "fresh admin must be able to read a project they do not own")
+
+	s := db.NewSession()
+	_, err = s.ID(int64(1)).Cols("is_admin").Update(&user.User{IsAdmin: false})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NoError(t, s.Commit())
+	s.Close()
+
+	res = adminReq(t, e, http.MethodGet, "/api/v1/projects/2", admin, "")
+	assert.NotEqual(t, http.StatusOK, res.Code, "demoted admin must lose project bypass after DB update")
+}
+
+func TestAdmin_StaleAdminJWT_CreateUser(t *testing.T) {
+	e, err := setupTestEnv()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	license.SetForTests([]license.Feature{license.FeatureAdminPanel})
+	defer license.ResetForTests()
+
+	admin := promoteToAdmin(t, 1)
+
+	s := db.NewSession()
+	_, err = s.ID(int64(1)).Cols("is_admin").Update(&user.User{IsAdmin: false})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NoError(t, s.Commit())
+	s.Close()
+
+	body := `{"username":"stale-admin","password":"averyl0ngpassword","email":"stale-admin@example.com","is_admin":true}`
+	res := adminReq(t, e, http.MethodPost, "/api/v1/admin/users", admin, body)
+	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusNotFound, res.Code, "demoted admin with stale JWT must be rejected by the admin gate")
+}