# Delete, restore and permanently delete a project

> Deleted projects wait 30 days in Deleted before they are removed. Restore one in that time, or delete it now. Financial records are always kept.

Source: https://docs.moodiri.com/projects/delete-restore-and-permanently-delete-a-project

## Why use it

Mistakes happen: a duplicate project, a test, a job that never went ahead. Deleting moves the project out of sight right away, but gives you 30 days to change your mind. Financial records are never lost, so your books stay complete.

## When to use it

- **A duplicate or test project.** Delete it, and choose **Delete now** if you want it gone immediately.
- **A project deleted by mistake.** Restore it from **Deleted** within 30 days.

For a finished job, close it instead so its history stays easy to find: [Close a project](https://docs.moodiri.com/projects/close-a-project).

## Before you start

- You need the **Delete projects** permission to delete, restore or permanently delete a project.
- Delete starts from the project itself: open it and choose **Edit project**.

## Steps

![Edit Project dialog for Lombard Street Loft, with the project code, name, status, address and markup fields, and Archive and Delete buttons at the bottom left.](https://docs.moodiri.com/shots/projects--delete-restore-and-permanently-delete-a-project--page-1600.webp)
Same screen with numbered callouts: https://docs.moodiri.com/shots/projects--delete-restore-and-permanently-delete-a-project--page-annotated.webp
Callout 1: Delete
1. Open the project, choose **Edit project**, then choose **Delete** in the dialog footer.
2. Moodiri asks **Delete this project?** and says it moves to Deleted for 30 days. Choose **Delete** to confirm.
3. Open **Projects** and switch to **Deleted**. Each card shows how many days are left, with **Restore** and **Delete now**.
4. To remove a project before the 30 days are up, choose **Delete now** on its card, then **Delete permanently**.

## What happens next

- After **Delete**, you return to the projects list with **Project "…" moved to Deleted**. The project no longer appears in **Active** or **Archive**.
- The **Deleted** view appears and shows the project with its days left, then **Deleting soon** on the last day.
- After 30 days, the project's non-financial data is removed automatically. Invoices, payments and retainers are always kept.
- **Restore** returns the project to where it was before you deleted it.

## Limits

- Deleted projects are removed automatically after 30 days.
- Permanent delete is refused when the project has invoices, payments, retainers, tax certificates or time records.
- Delete starts from the project overview: **Edit project** › **Delete**.
- The **Deleted** view only appears when at least one project is deleted.

## Troubleshooting

- **This project has retained business history (financial, tax, or time-tracking records) and cannot be permanently deleted.**: the project has records Moodiri keeps for you. Leave it in **Deleted**, or restore it and close it instead.

## Questions

### Should I delete or close a finished project?

Close it. Closing keeps the project and its history in **Archive**. Delete is for projects created by mistake or that you no longer need at all.

### Why can't I permanently delete a project?

It has invoices, payments, retainers, tax certificates or time records. Those are kept for your records, so the project can't be removed permanently. Close it instead.

### What happens to the project's files?

Documents are set aside with the project. If you restore it within 30 days, they come back with it.