diff --git a/config/instance-config.js b/config/instance-config.js
index c5948cb4..e2768f8e 100644
--- a/config/instance-config.js
+++ b/config/instance-config.js
@@ -23,6 +23,16 @@
  */
 export const IS_DEV_MODE = true;
 
+/**
+ * Whether the current deployment should operate in lockdown mode.
+ *
+ * When `true`, bitvid restricts access to operator-approved functionality and
+ * enables defensive UI copy intended for incidents or maintenance windows.
+ * Leave this `false` for normal operation so downstream modules (via
+ * `js/config.js`) continue exposing the full experience.
+ */
+export const IS_LOCKDOWN_MODE = false;
+
 /**
  * The primary administrator for this bitvid instance.
  *
diff --git a/js/config.js b/js/config.js
index ffe22022..403bef54 100644
--- a/js/config.js
+++ b/js/config.js
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 import { userLogger } from "./utils/logger.js";
 import {
   IS_DEV_MODE,
+  IS_LOCKDOWN_MODE,
   ADMIN_SUPER_NPUB,
   ADMIN_DM_IMAGE_URL,
   BITVID_WEBSITE_URL,
@@ -37,8 +38,12 @@ import {
 export const isDevMode = Boolean(IS_DEV_MODE);
 export { IS_DEV_MODE };
 
+export const isLockdownMode = Boolean(IS_LOCKDOWN_MODE);
+export { IS_LOCKDOWN_MODE };
+
 if (typeof window !== "undefined") {
   window.__BITVID_DEV_MODE__ = isDevMode;
+  window.__BITVID_LOCKDOWN_MODE__ = isLockdownMode;
 }
 
 // -----------------------------------------------------------------------------