diff --git a/tests/integration/admin.test.ts b/tests/integration/admin.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7011ce9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/integration/admin.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,110 @@
+import { describe, it, expect, beforeAll } from "vitest";
+import PocketBase from "pocketbase";
+
+import { APP_URL, DEMO, adminPb, requireServices, signIn, userPb } from "./helpers";
+
+let admin: PocketBase;
+
+beforeAll(async () => {
+  await requireServices();
+  admin = await adminPb();
+});
+
+describe("a project is never created without a usable board", () => {
+  it("every project has exactly one inbox and one done column", async () => {
+    // A project missing either makes POST /api/client/cards answer 409, which
+    // the client discovers days later when they try to file a request.
+    const projects = await admin.collection("projects").getFullList();
+    expect(projects.length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+
+    for (const project of projects) {
+      const columns = await admin
+        .collection("columns")
+        .getFullList({ filter: `project = "${project.id}"` });
+
+      expect(
+        columns.filter((c) => c.is_inbox),
+        `project ${project.slug} inbox columns`
+      ).toHaveLength(1);
+      expect(
+        columns.filter((c) => c.is_done),
+        `project ${project.slug} done columns`
+      ).toHaveLength(1);
+    }
+  });
+});
+
+describe("the admin area is owner-only", () => {
+  it("does not let a client manager list other accounts", async () => {
+    const pb = await userPb(DEMO.managerEmail, DEMO.managerPassword);
+    const users = await pb.collection("users").getFullList();
+    expect(users).toHaveLength(1);
+  });
+
+  it("does not let a client manager create a client", async () => {
+    const pb = await userPb(DEMO.managerEmail, DEMO.managerPassword);
+    await expect(
+      pb.collection("clients").create({
+        name: "Injected",
+        slug: `injected-${Date.now()}`,
+        active: true,
+      })
+    ).rejects.toThrow();
+  });
+
+  it("does not let a client manager create a project", async () => {
+    const pb = await userPb(DEMO.managerEmail, DEMO.managerPassword);
+    const client = await admin
+      .collection("clients")
+      .getFirstListItem(`slug = "${DEMO.clientSlug}"`);
+
+    await expect(
+      pb.collection("projects").create({
+        client: client.id,
+        name: "Injected",
+        slug: `injected-${Date.now()}`,
+        status: "active",
+      })
+    ).rejects.toThrow();
+  });
+});
+
+describe("deactivated accounts cannot sign in", () => {
+  it("is refused with the same message as a wrong password", async () => {
+    const email = `deactivated-${Date.now()}@example.com`;
+    const password = "probe-password-123";
+    const client = await admin
+      .collection("clients")
+      .getFirstListItem(`slug = "${DEMO.clientSlug}"`);
+
+    const user = await admin.collection("users").create({
+      email,
+      password,
+      passwordConfirm: password,
+      name: "Deactivated probe",
+      role: "client_manager",
+      client: client.id,
+      active: false,
+      verified: true,
+    });
+
+    const response = await fetch(`${APP_URL}/api/auth/login`, {
+      method: "POST",
+      headers: { "content-type": "application/json" },
+      body: JSON.stringify({ email, password }),
+    });
+
+    expect(response.status).toBe(401);
+    const body = await response.json();
+    expect(body.error).toBe("Invalid email or password");
+
+    await admin.collection("users").delete(user.id);
+  });
+
+  it("still lets an active account in", async () => {
+    // Guards against the active check rejecting everyone, which would look
+    // identical to a wrong password and lock the product.
+    const cookie = await signIn(DEMO.managerEmail, DEMO.managerPassword);
+    expect(cookie).toContain("pb_auth=");
+  });
+});
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