diff --git a/drizzle/0005_accounts.sql b/drizzle/0005_accounts.sql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8a3dcd1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/drizzle/0005_accounts.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+CREATE TYPE "public"."user_role" AS ENUM('admin', 'author');--> statement-breakpoint
+CREATE TABLE "user_tags" (
+	"user_id" integer NOT NULL,
+	"tag_id" integer NOT NULL,
+	CONSTRAINT "user_tags_user_id_tag_id_pk" PRIMARY KEY("user_id","tag_id")
+);
+--> statement-breakpoint
+ALTER TABLE "posts" ADD COLUMN "author_id" integer;--> statement-breakpoint
+ALTER TABLE "users" ADD COLUMN "role" "user_role" DEFAULT 'author' NOT NULL;--> statement-breakpoint
+ALTER TABLE "user_tags" ADD CONSTRAINT "user_tags_user_id_users_id_fk" FOREIGN KEY ("user_id") REFERENCES "public"."users"("id") ON DELETE cascade ON UPDATE no action;--> statement-breakpoint
+ALTER TABLE "user_tags" ADD CONSTRAINT "user_tags_tag_id_tags_id_fk" FOREIGN KEY ("tag_id") REFERENCES "public"."tags"("id") ON DELETE cascade ON UPDATE no action;--> statement-breakpoint
+CREATE INDEX "user_tags_tag_id_idx" ON "user_tags" USING btree ("tag_id");--> statement-breakpoint
+ALTER TABLE "posts" ADD CONSTRAINT "posts_author_id_users_id_fk" FOREIGN KEY ("author_id") REFERENCES "public"."users"("id") ON DELETE set null ON UPDATE no action;--> statement-breakpoint
+-- Backfill: every account that existed before roles was the admin account,
+-- and every existing post was written by it.
+UPDATE "users" SET "role" = 'admin';--> statement-breakpoint
+UPDATE "posts" SET "author_id" = (SELECT "id" FROM "users" WHERE "role" = 'admin' ORDER BY "id" LIMIT 1) WHERE "author_id" IS NULL;
diff --git a/drizzle/meta/0005_snapshot.json b/drizzle/meta/0005_snapshot.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..af34adb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/drizzle/meta/0005_snapshot.json
@@ -0,0 +1,1007 @@
+{
+  "id": "32da6541-c2e9-4bd5-8747-d4ec83671204",
+  "prevId": "b1253e7e-39b6-4405-b99a-427b27e0266f",
+  "version": "7",
+  "dialect": "postgresql",
+  "tables": {
+    "public.comments": {
+      "name": "comments",
+      "schema": "",
+      "columns": {
+        "id": {
+          "name": "id",
+          "type": "integer",
+          "primaryKey": true,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "identity": {
+            "type": "always",
+            "name": "comments_id_seq",
+            "schema": "public",
+            "increment": "1",
+            "startWith": "1",
+            "minValue": "1",
+            "maxValue": "2147483647",
+            "cache": "1",
+            "cycle": false
+          }
+        },
+        "post_id": {
+          "name": "post_id",
+          "type": "integer",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true
+        },
+        "parent_id": {
+          "name": "parent_id",
+          "type": "integer",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": false
+        },
+        "author_name": {
+          "name": "author_name",
+          "type": "text",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true
+        },
+        "author_email": {
+          "name": "author_email",
+          "type": "text",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true
+        },
+        "email_public": {
+          "name": "email_public",
+          "type": "boolean",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "default": false
+        },
+        "body": {
+          "name": "body",
+          "type": "text",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true
+        },
+        "status": {
+          "name": "status",
+          "type": "comment_status",
+          "typeSchema": "public",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "default": "'pending'"
+        },
+        "created_at": {
+          "name": "created_at",
+          "type": "timestamp with time zone",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "default": "now()"
+        }
+      },
+      "indexes": {
+        "comments_post_id_status_idx": {
+          "name": "comments_post_id_status_idx",
+          "columns": [
+            {
+              "expression": "post_id",
+              "isExpression": false,
+              "asc": true,
+              "nulls": "last"
+            },
+            {
+              "expression": "status",
+              "isExpression": false,
+              "asc": true,
+              "nulls": "last"
+            }
+          ],
+          "isUnique": false,
+          "concurrently": false,
+          "method": "btree",
+          "with": {}
+        },
+        "comments_parent_id_idx": {
+          "name": "comments_parent_id_idx",
+          "columns": [
+            {
+              "expression": "parent_id",
+              "isExpression": false,
+              "asc": true,
+              "nulls": "last"
+            }
+          ],
+          "isUnique": false,
+          "concurrently": false,
+          "method": "btree",
+          "with": {}
+        },
+        "comments_status_idx": {
+          "name": "comments_status_idx",
+          "columns": [
+            {
+              "expression": "status",
+              "isExpression": false,
+              "asc": true,
+              "nulls": "last"
+            }
+          ],
+          "isUnique": false,
+          "concurrently": false,
+          "method": "btree",
+          "with": {}
+        }
+      },
+      "foreignKeys": {
+        "comments_post_id_posts_id_fk": {
+          "name": "comments_post_id_posts_id_fk",
+          "tableFrom": "comments",
+          "tableTo": "posts",
+          "columnsFrom": [
+            "post_id"
+          ],
+          "columnsTo": [
+            "id"
+          ],
+          "onDelete": "cascade",
+          "onUpdate": "no action"
+        },
+        "comments_parent_id_comments_id_fk": {
+          "name": "comments_parent_id_comments_id_fk",
+          "tableFrom": "comments",
+          "tableTo": "comments",
+          "columnsFrom": [
+            "parent_id"
+          ],
+          "columnsTo": [
+            "id"
+          ],
+          "onDelete": "cascade",
+          "onUpdate": "no action"
+        }
+      },
+      "compositePrimaryKeys": {},
+      "uniqueConstraints": {},
+      "policies": {},
+      "checkConstraints": {},
+      "isRLSEnabled": false
+    },
+    "public.nav_items": {
+      "name": "nav_items",
+      "schema": "",
+      "columns": {
+        "id": {
+          "name": "id",
+          "type": "integer",
+          "primaryKey": true,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "identity": {
+            "type": "always",
+            "name": "nav_items_id_seq",
+            "schema": "public",
+            "increment": "1",
+            "startWith": "1",
+            "minValue": "1",
+            "maxValue": "2147483647",
+            "cache": "1",
+            "cycle": false
+          }
+        },
+        "label": {
+          "name": "label",
+          "type": "text",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true
+        },
+        "url": {
+          "name": "url",
+          "type": "text",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": false
+        },
+        "page_id": {
+          "name": "page_id",
+          "type": "integer",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": false
+        },
+        "sort_order": {
+          "name": "sort_order",
+          "type": "integer",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "default": 0
+        }
+      },
+      "indexes": {},
+      "foreignKeys": {
+        "nav_items_page_id_pages_id_fk": {
+          "name": "nav_items_page_id_pages_id_fk",
+          "tableFrom": "nav_items",
+          "tableTo": "pages",
+          "columnsFrom": [
+            "page_id"
+          ],
+          "columnsTo": [
+            "id"
+          ],
+          "onDelete": "cascade",
+          "onUpdate": "no action"
+        }
+      },
+      "compositePrimaryKeys": {},
+      "uniqueConstraints": {},
+      "policies": {},
+      "checkConstraints": {
+        "nav_items_target_check": {
+          "name": "nav_items_target_check",
+          "value": "(\"nav_items\".\"url\" IS NULL) <> (\"nav_items\".\"page_id\" IS NULL)"
+        }
+      },
+      "isRLSEnabled": false
+    },
+    "public.pages": {
+      "name": "pages",
+      "schema": "",
+      "columns": {
+        "id": {
+          "name": "id",
+          "type": "integer",
+          "primaryKey": true,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "identity": {
+            "type": "always",
+            "name": "pages_id_seq",
+            "schema": "public",
+            "increment": "1",
+            "startWith": "1",
+            "minValue": "1",
+            "maxValue": "2147483647",
+            "cache": "1",
+            "cycle": false
+          }
+        },
+        "title": {
+          "name": "title",
+          "type": "text",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true
+        },
+        "slug": {
+          "name": "slug",
+          "type": "text",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true
+        },
+        "body": {
+          "name": "body",
+          "type": "text",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "default": "''"
+        },
+        "status": {
+          "name": "status",
+          "type": "content_status",
+          "typeSchema": "public",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "default": "'draft'"
+        },
+        "created_at": {
+          "name": "created_at",
+          "type": "timestamp with time zone",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "default": "now()"
+        },
+        "updated_at": {
+          "name": "updated_at",
+          "type": "timestamp with time zone",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "default": "now()"
+        }
+      },
+      "indexes": {},
+      "foreignKeys": {},
+      "compositePrimaryKeys": {},
+      "uniqueConstraints": {
+        "pages_slug_unique": {
+          "name": "pages_slug_unique",
+          "nullsNotDistinct": false,
+          "columns": [
+            "slug"
+          ]
+        }
+      },
+      "policies": {},
+      "checkConstraints": {},
+      "isRLSEnabled": false
+    },
+    "public.post_tags": {
+      "name": "post_tags",
+      "schema": "",
+      "columns": {
+        "post_id": {
+          "name": "post_id",
+          "type": "integer",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true
+        },
+        "tag_id": {
+          "name": "tag_id",
+          "type": "integer",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true
+        }
+      },
+      "indexes": {
+        "post_tags_tag_id_idx": {
+          "name": "post_tags_tag_id_idx",
+          "columns": [
+            {
+              "expression": "tag_id",
+              "isExpression": false,
+              "asc": true,
+              "nulls": "last"
+            }
+          ],
+          "isUnique": false,
+          "concurrently": false,
+          "method": "btree",
+          "with": {}
+        }
+      },
+      "foreignKeys": {
+        "post_tags_post_id_posts_id_fk": {
+          "name": "post_tags_post_id_posts_id_fk",
+          "tableFrom": "post_tags",
+          "tableTo": "posts",
+          "columnsFrom": [
+            "post_id"
+          ],
+          "columnsTo": [
+            "id"
+          ],
+          "onDelete": "cascade",
+          "onUpdate": "no action"
+        },
+        "post_tags_tag_id_tags_id_fk": {
+          "name": "post_tags_tag_id_tags_id_fk",
+          "tableFrom": "post_tags",
+          "tableTo": "tags",
+          "columnsFrom": [
+            "tag_id"
+          ],
+          "columnsTo": [
+            "id"
+          ],
+          "onDelete": "cascade",
+          "onUpdate": "no action"
+        }
+      },
+      "compositePrimaryKeys": {
+        "post_tags_post_id_tag_id_pk": {
+          "name": "post_tags_post_id_tag_id_pk",
+          "columns": [
+            "post_id",
+            "tag_id"
+          ]
+        }
+      },
+      "uniqueConstraints": {},
+      "policies": {},
+      "checkConstraints": {},
+      "isRLSEnabled": false
+    },
+    "public.posts": {
+      "name": "posts",
+      "schema": "",
+      "columns": {
+        "id": {
+          "name": "id",
+          "type": "integer",
+          "primaryKey": true,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "identity": {
+            "type": "always",
+            "name": "posts_id_seq",
+            "schema": "public",
+            "increment": "1",
+            "startWith": "1",
+            "minValue": "1",
+            "maxValue": "2147483647",
+            "cache": "1",
+            "cycle": false
+          }
+        },
+        "title": {
+          "name": "title",
+          "type": "text",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true
+        },
+        "slug": {
+          "name": "slug",
+          "type": "text",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true
+        },
+        "body": {
+          "name": "body",
+          "type": "text",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "default": "''"
+        },
+        "author_name": {
+          "name": "author_name",
+          "type": "text",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true
+        },
+        "author_id": {
+          "name": "author_id",
+          "type": "integer",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": false
+        },
+        "featured_image_url": {
+          "name": "featured_image_url",
+          "type": "text",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": false
+        },
+        "featured_image_alt": {
+          "name": "featured_image_alt",
+          "type": "text",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": false
+        },
+        "status": {
+          "name": "status",
+          "type": "content_status",
+          "typeSchema": "public",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "default": "'draft'"
+        },
+        "created_at": {
+          "name": "created_at",
+          "type": "timestamp with time zone",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "default": "now()"
+        },
+        "updated_at": {
+          "name": "updated_at",
+          "type": "timestamp with time zone",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "default": "now()"
+        },
+        "published_at": {
+          "name": "published_at",
+          "type": "timestamp with time zone",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": false
+        }
+      },
+      "indexes": {
+        "posts_status_published_at_idx": {
+          "name": "posts_status_published_at_idx",
+          "columns": [
+            {
+              "expression": "status",
+              "isExpression": false,
+              "asc": true,
+              "nulls": "last"
+            },
+            {
+              "expression": "published_at",
+              "isExpression": false,
+              "asc": true,
+              "nulls": "last"
+            }
+          ],
+          "isUnique": false,
+          "concurrently": false,
+          "method": "btree",
+          "with": {}
+        }
+      },
+      "foreignKeys": {
+        "posts_author_id_users_id_fk": {
+          "name": "posts_author_id_users_id_fk",
+          "tableFrom": "posts",
+          "tableTo": "users",
+          "columnsFrom": [
+            "author_id"
+          ],
+          "columnsTo": [
+            "id"
+          ],
+          "onDelete": "set null",
+          "onUpdate": "no action"
+        }
+      },
+      "compositePrimaryKeys": {},
+      "uniqueConstraints": {
+        "posts_slug_unique": {
+          "name": "posts_slug_unique",
+          "nullsNotDistinct": false,
+          "columns": [
+            "slug"
+          ]
+        }
+      },
+      "policies": {},
+      "checkConstraints": {},
+      "isRLSEnabled": false
+    },
+    "public.sessions": {
+      "name": "sessions",
+      "schema": "",
+      "columns": {
+        "id": {
+          "name": "id",
+          "type": "text",
+          "primaryKey": true,
+          "notNull": true
+        },
+        "user_id": {
+          "name": "user_id",
+          "type": "integer",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true
+        },
+        "expires_at": {
+          "name": "expires_at",
+          "type": "timestamp with time zone",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true
+        },
+        "created_at": {
+          "name": "created_at",
+          "type": "timestamp with time zone",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "default": "now()"
+        }
+      },
+      "indexes": {},
+      "foreignKeys": {
+        "sessions_user_id_users_id_fk": {
+          "name": "sessions_user_id_users_id_fk",
+          "tableFrom": "sessions",
+          "tableTo": "users",
+          "columnsFrom": [
+            "user_id"
+          ],
+          "columnsTo": [
+            "id"
+          ],
+          "onDelete": "cascade",
+          "onUpdate": "no action"
+        }
+      },
+      "compositePrimaryKeys": {},
+      "uniqueConstraints": {},
+      "policies": {},
+      "checkConstraints": {},
+      "isRLSEnabled": false
+    },
+    "public.settings": {
+      "name": "settings",
+      "schema": "",
+      "columns": {
+        "id": {
+          "name": "id",
+          "type": "integer",
+          "primaryKey": true,
+          "notNull": true
+        },
+        "site_title": {
+          "name": "site_title",
+          "type": "text",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "default": "'My Blog'"
+        },
+        "header_text": {
+          "name": "header_text",
+          "type": "text",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "default": "''"
+        },
+        "footer_text": {
+          "name": "footer_text",
+          "type": "text",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "default": "''"
+        },
+        "posts_per_page": {
+          "name": "posts_per_page",
+          "type": "integer",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "default": 10
+        },
+        "excerpt_words": {
+          "name": "excerpt_words",
+          "type": "integer",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "default": 40
+        },
+        "home_mode": {
+          "name": "home_mode",
+          "type": "home_mode",
+          "typeSchema": "public",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "default": "'posts'"
+        },
+        "home_tag_id": {
+          "name": "home_tag_id",
+          "type": "integer",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": false
+        },
+        "home_page_id": {
+          "name": "home_page_id",
+          "type": "integer",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": false
+        },
+        "theme": {
+          "name": "theme",
+          "type": "theme",
+          "typeSchema": "public",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "default": "'solarized-dark'"
+        },
+        "font": {
+          "name": "font",
+          "type": "font",
+          "typeSchema": "public",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "default": "'geist'"
+        }
+      },
+      "indexes": {},
+      "foreignKeys": {
+        "settings_home_tag_id_tags_id_fk": {
+          "name": "settings_home_tag_id_tags_id_fk",
+          "tableFrom": "settings",
+          "tableTo": "tags",
+          "columnsFrom": [
+            "home_tag_id"
+          ],
+          "columnsTo": [
+            "id"
+          ],
+          "onDelete": "set null",
+          "onUpdate": "no action"
+        },
+        "settings_home_page_id_pages_id_fk": {
+          "name": "settings_home_page_id_pages_id_fk",
+          "tableFrom": "settings",
+          "tableTo": "pages",
+          "columnsFrom": [
+            "home_page_id"
+          ],
+          "columnsTo": [
+            "id"
+          ],
+          "onDelete": "set null",
+          "onUpdate": "no action"
+        }
+      },
+      "compositePrimaryKeys": {},
+      "uniqueConstraints": {},
+      "policies": {},
+      "checkConstraints": {
+        "settings_single_row_check": {
+          "name": "settings_single_row_check",
+          "value": "\"settings\".\"id\" = 1"
+        },
+        "settings_posts_per_page_check": {
+          "name": "settings_posts_per_page_check",
+          "value": "\"settings\".\"posts_per_page\" BETWEEN 1 AND 50"
+        },
+        "settings_excerpt_words_check": {
+          "name": "settings_excerpt_words_check",
+          "value": "\"settings\".\"excerpt_words\" BETWEEN 5 AND 200"
+        }
+      },
+      "isRLSEnabled": false
+    },
+    "public.tags": {
+      "name": "tags",
+      "schema": "",
+      "columns": {
+        "id": {
+          "name": "id",
+          "type": "integer",
+          "primaryKey": true,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "identity": {
+            "type": "always",
+            "name": "tags_id_seq",
+            "schema": "public",
+            "increment": "1",
+            "startWith": "1",
+            "minValue": "1",
+            "maxValue": "2147483647",
+            "cache": "1",
+            "cycle": false
+          }
+        },
+        "name": {
+          "name": "name",
+          "type": "text",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true
+        },
+        "slug": {
+          "name": "slug",
+          "type": "text",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true
+        }
+      },
+      "indexes": {},
+      "foreignKeys": {},
+      "compositePrimaryKeys": {},
+      "uniqueConstraints": {
+        "tags_name_unique": {
+          "name": "tags_name_unique",
+          "nullsNotDistinct": false,
+          "columns": [
+            "name"
+          ]
+        },
+        "tags_slug_unique": {
+          "name": "tags_slug_unique",
+          "nullsNotDistinct": false,
+          "columns": [
+            "slug"
+          ]
+        }
+      },
+      "policies": {},
+      "checkConstraints": {},
+      "isRLSEnabled": false
+    },
+    "public.user_tags": {
+      "name": "user_tags",
+      "schema": "",
+      "columns": {
+        "user_id": {
+          "name": "user_id",
+          "type": "integer",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true
+        },
+        "tag_id": {
+          "name": "tag_id",
+          "type": "integer",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true
+        }
+      },
+      "indexes": {
+        "user_tags_tag_id_idx": {
+          "name": "user_tags_tag_id_idx",
+          "columns": [
+            {
+              "expression": "tag_id",
+              "isExpression": false,
+              "asc": true,
+              "nulls": "last"
+            }
+          ],
+          "isUnique": false,
+          "concurrently": false,
+          "method": "btree",
+          "with": {}
+        }
+      },
+      "foreignKeys": {
+        "user_tags_user_id_users_id_fk": {
+          "name": "user_tags_user_id_users_id_fk",
+          "tableFrom": "user_tags",
+          "tableTo": "users",
+          "columnsFrom": [
+            "user_id"
+          ],
+          "columnsTo": [
+            "id"
+          ],
+          "onDelete": "cascade",
+          "onUpdate": "no action"
+        },
+        "user_tags_tag_id_tags_id_fk": {
+          "name": "user_tags_tag_id_tags_id_fk",
+          "tableFrom": "user_tags",
+          "tableTo": "tags",
+          "columnsFrom": [
+            "tag_id"
+          ],
+          "columnsTo": [
+            "id"
+          ],
+          "onDelete": "cascade",
+          "onUpdate": "no action"
+        }
+      },
+      "compositePrimaryKeys": {
+        "user_tags_user_id_tag_id_pk": {
+          "name": "user_tags_user_id_tag_id_pk",
+          "columns": [
+            "user_id",
+            "tag_id"
+          ]
+        }
+      },
+      "uniqueConstraints": {},
+      "policies": {},
+      "checkConstraints": {},
+      "isRLSEnabled": false
+    },
+    "public.users": {
+      "name": "users",
+      "schema": "",
+      "columns": {
+        "id": {
+          "name": "id",
+          "type": "integer",
+          "primaryKey": true,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "identity": {
+            "type": "always",
+            "name": "users_id_seq",
+            "schema": "public",
+            "increment": "1",
+            "startWith": "1",
+            "minValue": "1",
+            "maxValue": "2147483647",
+            "cache": "1",
+            "cycle": false
+          }
+        },
+        "username": {
+          "name": "username",
+          "type": "text",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true
+        },
+        "password_hash": {
+          "name": "password_hash",
+          "type": "text",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true
+        },
+        "role": {
+          "name": "role",
+          "type": "user_role",
+          "typeSchema": "public",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "default": "'author'"
+        },
+        "created_at": {
+          "name": "created_at",
+          "type": "timestamp with time zone",
+          "primaryKey": false,
+          "notNull": true,
+          "default": "now()"
+        }
+      },
+      "indexes": {},
+      "foreignKeys": {},
+      "compositePrimaryKeys": {},
+      "uniqueConstraints": {
+        "users_username_unique": {
+          "name": "users_username_unique",
+          "nullsNotDistinct": false,
+          "columns": [
+            "username"
+          ]
+        }
+      },
+      "policies": {},
+      "checkConstraints": {},
+      "isRLSEnabled": false
+    }
+  },
+  "enums": {
+    "public.comment_status": {
+      "name": "comment_status",
+      "schema": "public",
+      "values": [
+        "pending",
+        "approved"
+      ]
+    },
+    "public.content_status": {
+      "name": "content_status",
+      "schema": "public",
+      "values": [
+        "draft",
+        "published"
+      ]
+    },
+    "public.font": {
+      "name": "font",
+      "schema": "public",
+      "values": [
+        "geist",
+        "inter",
+        "lora",
+        "merriweather",
+        "jetbrains-mono",
+        "source-serif",
+        "eb-garamond",
+        "playfair-display",
+        "open-sans",
+        "work-sans",
+        "atkinson-hyperlegible",
+        "space-grotesk"
+      ]
+    },
+    "public.home_mode": {
+      "name": "home_mode",
+      "schema": "public",
+      "values": [
+        "posts",
+        "tag",
+        "page"
+      ]
+    },
+    "public.theme": {
+      "name": "theme",
+      "schema": "public",
+      "values": [
+        "solarized-dark",
+        "solarized-light",
+        "dracula",
+        "nord",
+        "gruvbox-dark",
+        "mono",
+        "mono-dark",
+        "catppuccin-mocha",
+        "catppuccin-latte",
+        "tokyo-night",
+        "one-dark",
+        "rose-pine",
+        "everforest-dark",
+        "monokai",
+        "github-light"
+      ]
+    },
+    "public.user_role": {
+      "name": "user_role",
+      "schema": "public",
+      "values": [
+        "admin",
+        "author"
+      ]
+    }
+  },
+  "schemas": {},
+  "sequences": {},
+  "roles": {},
+  "policies": {},
+  "views": {},
+  "_meta": {
+    "columns": {},
+    "schemas": {},
+    "tables": {}
+  }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/drizzle/meta/_journal.json b/drizzle/meta/_journal.json
index af87bbb..7007ce5 100644
--- a/drizzle/meta/_journal.json
+++ b/drizzle/meta/_journal.json
@@ -36,6 +36,13 @@
       "when": 1783213112664,
       "tag": "0004_comments",
       "breakpoints": true
+    },
+    {
+      "idx": 5,
+      "version": "7",
+      "when": 1783214024801,
+      "tag": "0005_accounts",
+      "breakpoints": true
     }
   ]
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/scripts/seed.ts b/scripts/seed.ts
index 66581d1..0e98cf6 100644
--- a/scripts/seed.ts
+++ b/scripts/seed.ts
@@ -535,8 +535,11 @@ export async function seed(databaseUrl: string, log: (msg: string) => void = ()
     const passwordHash = await hashPassword(password);
     await db
       .insert(users)
-      .values({ username, passwordHash })
-      .onConflictDoUpdate({ target: users.username, set: { passwordHash } });
+      .values({ username, passwordHash, role: "admin" })
+      .onConflictDoUpdate({
+        target: users.username,
+        set: { passwordHash, role: "admin" },
+      });
     log(`admin user “${username}” ready`);
 
     // --- Site settings (only created, never overwritten) -------------------
diff --git a/src/actions/posts.ts b/src/actions/posts.ts
index b893878..78e32d5 100644
--- a/src/actions/posts.ts
+++ b/src/actions/posts.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,8 @@
 import { revalidatePath } from "next/cache";
 import { redirect } from "next/navigation";
 import { z } from "zod";
-import { requireAdmin } from "@/lib/auth/dal";
+import { requireAdmin, requireUser } from "@/lib/auth/dal";
+import type { SessionUser } from "@/lib/auth/session";
 import type { FormState } from "@/lib/forms";
 import { zodErrorToFormState } from "@/lib/forms";
 import { sanitizeHtml } from "@/lib/html";
@@ -11,10 +12,12 @@ import { isUniqueViolation, SlugConflictError } from "@/lib/services/errors";
 import {
   createPost,
   deletePost,
+  getPostById,
   type PostInput,
   setPostStatus,
   updatePost,
 } from "@/lib/services/posts";
+import { getAllowedTagIds } from "@/lib/services/users";
 import { postFormSchema } from "@/lib/validation";
 
 function readPostForm(formData: FormData) {
@@ -27,7 +30,8 @@ function readPostForm(formData: FormData) {
     featuredImageAlt: formData.get("featuredImageAlt"),
     status: formData.get("status"),
     tagIds: formData.getAll("tagIds"),
-    newTags: formData.get("newTags"),
+    // Author forms omit the new-tags input entirely — treat missing as "".
+    newTags: formData.get("newTags") ?? "",
   });
 }
 
@@ -46,18 +50,60 @@ function toPostInput(data: z.infer<typeof postFormSchema>): PostInput {
   };
 }
 
+/**
+ * Author-role restrictions on a post's tags: no creating tags, and every
+ * tag must come from the account's grants — with at least one, so the
+ * post stays inside the author's sandbox. Admins skip this entirely.
+ */
+async function checkAuthorTagRules(
+  user: SessionUser,
+  input: PostInput,
+): Promise<FormState | null> {
+  if (input.newTagNames.length > 0) {
+    return { fieldErrors: { newTags: ["Only the admin can create new tags."] } };
+  }
+  const allowed = new Set(await getAllowedTagIds(user.id));
+  if (input.tagIds.length === 0) {
+    return {
+      fieldErrors: {
+        tagIds: [
+          allowed.size === 0
+            ? "You have not been given access to any tags yet — ask the admin."
+            : "Choose at least one of your tags.",
+        ],
+      },
+    };
+  }
+  if (input.tagIds.some((id) => !allowed.has(id))) {
+    return { fieldErrors: { tagIds: ["You can only use tags you have been given access to."] } };
+  }
+  return null;
+}
+
 async function savePost(id: number | null, formData: FormData): Promise<FormState> {
-  await requireAdmin();
+  const user = await requireUser();
   const parsed = readPostForm(formData);
   if (!parsed.success) return zodErrorToFormState(parsed.error);
+  const input = toPostInput(parsed.data);
+  if (user.role !== "admin") {
+    if (id !== null) {
+      const existing = await getPostById(id);
+      if (!existing) return { formError: "This post no longer exists." };
+      if (existing.authorId !== user.id) {
+        return { formError: "You can only edit your own posts." };
+      }
+    }
+    const tagError = await checkAuthorTagRules(user, input);
+    if (tagError) return tagError;
+  }
 
   let postId: number;
   try {
     if (id === null) {
-      const post = await createPost(toPostInput(parsed.data));
+      const post = await createPost(input, user.id);
       postId = post.id;
     } else {
-      const post = await updatePost(id, toPostInput(parsed.data));
+      const post = await updatePost(id, input);
       if (!post) return { formError: "This post no longer exists." };
       postId = post.id;
     }
@@ -86,14 +132,20 @@ export async function updatePostAction(id: number, _prev: FormState, formData: F
 }
 
 export async function setPostStatusAction(id: number, status: "draft" | "published") {
-  await requireAdmin();
+  const user = await requireUser();
   const postId = z.number().int().positive().parse(id);
   const nextStatus = z.enum(["draft", "published"]).parse(status);
+  if (user.role !== "admin") {
+    const post = await getPostById(postId);
+    // Authors may publish/unpublish their own posts only.
+    if (!post || post.authorId !== user.id) return;
+  }
   await setPostStatus(postId, nextStatus);
   revalidatePath("/", "layout");
 }
 
 export async function deletePostAction(id: number) {
+  // Deleting is admin-only, even for a post the author owns.
   await requireAdmin();
   const postId = z.number().int().positive().parse(id);
   await deletePost(postId);
diff --git a/src/actions/users.ts b/src/actions/users.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1de5ae6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/actions/users.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+"use server";
+
+import { revalidatePath } from "next/cache";
+import { redirect } from "next/navigation";
+import { z } from "zod";
+import { requireAdmin } from "@/lib/auth/dal";
+import type { FormState } from "@/lib/forms";
+import { zodErrorToFormState } from "@/lib/forms";
+import { isUniqueViolation } from "@/lib/services/errors";
+import { createUser, deleteUser, updateUser } from "@/lib/services/users";
+import { createUserFormSchema, updateUserFormSchema } from "@/lib/validation";
+
+export async function createUserAction(
+  _prev: FormState,
+  formData: FormData,
+): Promise<FormState> {
+  await requireAdmin();
+  const parsed = createUserFormSchema.safeParse({
+    username: formData.get("username"),
+    password: formData.get("password"),
+    tagIds: formData.getAll("tagIds"),
+  });
+  if (!parsed.success) return zodErrorToFormState(parsed.error);
+
+  try {
+    await createUser(parsed.data);
+  } catch (error) {
+    if (isUniqueViolation(error)) {
+      return { fieldErrors: { username: ["That username is already taken."] } };
+    }
+    console.error("createUserAction failed", error);
+    return { formError: "Something went wrong while creating the account." };
+  }
+  redirect("/admin/users?created=1");
+}
+
+export async function updateUserAction(
+  id: number,
+  _prev: FormState,
+  formData: FormData,
+): Promise<FormState> {
+  await requireAdmin();
+  const userId = z.number().int().positive().parse(id);
+  const parsed = updateUserFormSchema.safeParse({
+    password: formData.get("password"),
+    tagIds: formData.getAll("tagIds"),
+  });
+  if (!parsed.success) return zodErrorToFormState(parsed.error);
+
+  try {
+    const user = await updateUser(userId, parsed.data);
+    if (!user) return { formError: "That account no longer exists." };
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.error("updateUserAction failed", error);
+    return { formError: "Something went wrong while saving the account." };
+  }
+  // Tag grants gate what authors can post — refresh admin pages.
+  revalidatePath("/admin", "layout");
+  return { status: "success" };
+}
+
+export async function deleteUserAction(id: number): Promise<void> {
+  const admin = await requireAdmin();
+  const userId = z.number().int().positive().parse(id);
+  // requireAdmin + the service's admin-role guard both protect the admin
+  // account; this guards the sillier accident of deleting yourself.
+  if (userId === admin.id) return;
+  await deleteUser(userId);
+  revalidatePath("/admin", "layout");
+  redirect("/admin/users?deleted=1");
+}
diff --git a/src/app/admin/(panel)/layout.tsx b/src/app/admin/(panel)/layout.tsx
index 3b7876f..df06781 100644
--- a/src/app/admin/(panel)/layout.tsx
+++ b/src/app/admin/(panel)/layout.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import Link from "next/link";
 import { logoutAction } from "@/actions/auth";
-import { requireAdmin } from "@/lib/auth/dal";
+import { requireUser } from "@/lib/auth/dal";
 import { countCommentsByStatus } from "@/lib/services/comments";
 import { getSettings } from "@/lib/services/settings";
 
@@ -13,10 +13,11 @@ const navLinkClasses =
  * depth), and every mutating server action re-checks on its own.
  */
 export default async function AdminLayout({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
-  const user = await requireAdmin();
+  const user = await requireUser();
+  const isAdmin = user.role === "admin";
   const [settings, commentCounts] = await Promise.all([
     getSettings(),
-    countCommentsByStatus(),
+    isAdmin ? countCommentsByStatus() : { pending: 0, approved: 0 },
   ]);
 
   return (
@@ -32,21 +33,27 @@ export default async function AdminLayout({ children }: { children: React.ReactN
               <span className="font-normal text-ink-muted"> · Admin</span>
             </Link>
             <nav aria-label="Admin sections">
+              {/* Authors only manage posts; everything else is the admin's. */}
               <ul className="flex items-center gap-1">
-                <li><Link href="/admin" className={navLinkClasses}>Dashboard</Link></li>
+                {isAdmin && <li><Link href="/admin" className={navLinkClasses}>Dashboard</Link></li>}
                 <li><Link href="/admin/posts" className={navLinkClasses}>Posts</Link></li>
-                <li><Link href="/admin/pages" className={navLinkClasses}>Pages</Link></li>
-                <li>
-                  <Link href="/admin/comments" className={navLinkClasses}>
-                    Comments
-                    {commentCounts.pending > 0 && (
-                      <span className="ml-1.5 inline-flex min-w-5 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-warning/20 px-1.5 py-0.5 text-xs font-semibold text-warning">
-                        {commentCounts.pending}
-                      </span>
-                    )}
-                  </Link>
-                </li>
-                <li><Link href="/admin/settings" className={navLinkClasses}>Settings</Link></li>
+                {isAdmin && (
+                  <>
+                    <li><Link href="/admin/pages" className={navLinkClasses}>Pages</Link></li>
+                    <li>
+                      <Link href="/admin/comments" className={navLinkClasses}>
+                        Comments
+                        {commentCounts.pending > 0 && (
+                          <span className="ml-1.5 inline-flex min-w-5 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-warning/20 px-1.5 py-0.5 text-xs font-semibold text-warning">
+                            {commentCounts.pending}
+                          </span>
+                        )}
+                      </Link>
+                    </li>
+                    <li><Link href="/admin/users" className={navLinkClasses}>Users</Link></li>
+                    <li><Link href="/admin/settings" className={navLinkClasses}>Settings</Link></li>
+                  </>
+                )}
               </ul>
             </nav>
           </div>
diff --git a/src/app/admin/(panel)/posts/[id]/edit/page.tsx b/src/app/admin/(panel)/posts/[id]/edit/page.tsx
index 956387e..b17734d 100644
--- a/src/app/admin/(panel)/posts/[id]/edit/page.tsx
+++ b/src/app/admin/(panel)/posts/[id]/edit/page.tsx
@@ -4,10 +4,11 @@ import { notFound } from "next/navigation";
 import { updatePostAction } from "@/actions/posts";
 import { Flash } from "@/components/admin/Flash";
 import { PostForm } from "@/components/admin/PostForm";
-import { requireAdmin } from "@/lib/auth/dal";
+import { requireUser } from "@/lib/auth/dal";
 import { parseIdParam } from "@/lib/params";
 import { getPostById } from "@/lib/services/posts";
 import { listAllTags } from "@/lib/services/tags";
+import { getUserWithTags } from "@/lib/services/users";
 
 export const metadata: Metadata = { title: "Edit post" };
 
@@ -18,14 +19,20 @@ export default async function EditPostPage({
   params: Promise<{ id: string }>;
   searchParams: Promise<Record<string, string | string[] | undefined>>;
 }) {
-  const user = await requireAdmin();
+  const user = await requireUser();
+  const isAdmin = user.role === "admin";
   const [{ id: rawId }, sp] = await Promise.all([params, searchParams]);
 
   const id = parseIdParam(rawId);
   if (id === null) notFound();
 
-  const [post, allTags] = await Promise.all([getPostById(id), listAllTags()]);
+  const [post, allTags] = await Promise.all([
+    getPostById(id),
+    isAdmin ? listAllTags() : getUserWithTags(user.id).then((u) => u?.tags ?? []),
+  ]);
   if (!post) notFound();
+  // Authors only reach their own posts; others 404 like unknown ids.
+  if (!isAdmin && post.authorId !== user.id) notFound();
 
   return (
     <div>
@@ -55,6 +62,7 @@ export default async function EditPostPage({
         post={post}
         allTags={allTags}
         defaultAuthor={user.username}
+        canCreateTags={isAdmin}
         action={updatePostAction.bind(null, post.id)}
       />
     </div>
diff --git a/src/app/admin/(panel)/posts/[id]/preview/page.tsx b/src/app/admin/(panel)/posts/[id]/preview/page.tsx
index aaf9dc8..cef6ee6 100644
--- a/src/app/admin/(panel)/posts/[id]/preview/page.tsx
+++ b/src/app/admin/(panel)/posts/[id]/preview/page.tsx
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import Link from "next/link";
 import { notFound } from "next/navigation";
 import { StatusBadge } from "@/components/admin/StatusBadge";
 import { PostArticle } from "@/components/public/PostArticle";
-import { requireAdmin } from "@/lib/auth/dal";
+import { requireUser } from "@/lib/auth/dal";
 import { parseIdParam } from "@/lib/params";
 import { getPostById } from "@/lib/services/posts";
 
@@ -15,13 +15,14 @@ export default async function PostPreviewPage({
 }: {
   params: Promise<{ id: string }>;
 }) {
-  await requireAdmin();
+  const user = await requireUser();
   const { id: rawId } = await params;
   const id = parseIdParam(rawId);
   if (id === null) notFound();
 
   const post = await getPostById(id);
   if (!post) notFound();
+  if (user.role !== "admin" && post.authorId !== user.id) notFound();
 
   return (
     <div>
diff --git a/src/app/admin/(panel)/posts/new/page.tsx b/src/app/admin/(panel)/posts/new/page.tsx
index 9fc76ef..1646004 100644
--- a/src/app/admin/(panel)/posts/new/page.tsx
+++ b/src/app/admin/(panel)/posts/new/page.tsx
@@ -1,19 +1,29 @@
 import type { Metadata } from "next";
 import { createPostAction } from "@/actions/posts";
 import { PostForm } from "@/components/admin/PostForm";
-import { requireAdmin } from "@/lib/auth/dal";
+import { requireUser } from "@/lib/auth/dal";
 import { listAllTags } from "@/lib/services/tags";
+import { getUserWithTags } from "@/lib/services/users";
 
 export const metadata: Metadata = { title: "New post" };
 
 export default async function NewPostPage() {
-  const user = await requireAdmin();
-  const allTags = await listAllTags();
+  const user = await requireUser();
+  const isAdmin = user.role === "admin";
+  // Authors only ever see (and can only use) their granted tags.
+  const allTags = isAdmin
+    ? await listAllTags()
+    : ((await getUserWithTags(user.id))?.tags ?? []);
 
   return (
     <div>
       <h1 className="mb-6 text-2xl font-bold tracking-tight text-ink-bright">New post</h1>
-      <PostForm allTags={allTags} defaultAuthor={user.username} action={createPostAction} />
+      <PostForm
+        allTags={allTags}
+        defaultAuthor={user.username}
+        canCreateTags={isAdmin}
+        action={createPostAction}
+      />
     </div>
   );
 }
diff --git a/src/app/admin/(panel)/posts/page.tsx b/src/app/admin/(panel)/posts/page.tsx
index 7c1c50b..fc39747 100644
--- a/src/app/admin/(panel)/posts/page.tsx
+++ b/src/app/admin/(panel)/posts/page.tsx
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import { ConfirmButton } from "@/components/admin/ConfirmButton";
 import { Flash } from "@/components/admin/Flash";
 import { StatusBadge } from "@/components/admin/StatusBadge";
 import { LinkButton } from "@/components/ui";
-import { requireAdmin } from "@/lib/auth/dal";
+import { requireUser } from "@/lib/auth/dal";
 import { formatDate } from "@/lib/format";
 import { listAllPosts } from "@/lib/services/posts";
 
@@ -19,8 +19,13 @@ export default async function AdminPostsPage({
 }: {
   searchParams: Promise<Record<string, string | string[] | undefined>>;
 }) {
-  await requireAdmin();
-  const [sp, posts] = await Promise.all([searchParams, listAllPosts()]);
+  const user = await requireUser();
+  const isAdmin = user.role === "admin";
+  const [sp, posts] = await Promise.all([
+    searchParams,
+    // Authors manage only their own posts; the admin manages everything.
+    listAllPosts(isAdmin ? undefined : { authorId: user.id }),
+  ]);
 
   return (
     <div>
@@ -87,14 +92,16 @@ export default async function AdminPostsPage({
                           {post.status === "published" ? "Unpublish" : "Publish"}
                         </button>
                       </form>
-                      <form action={deletePostAction.bind(null, post.id)}>
-                        <ConfirmButton
-                          confirmMessage={`Delete “${post.title}”? This cannot be undone.`}
-                          className="border-none px-2 py-1 text-xs"
-                        >
-                          Delete
-                        </ConfirmButton>
-                      </form>
+                      {isAdmin && (
+                        <form action={deletePostAction.bind(null, post.id)}>
+                          <ConfirmButton
+                            confirmMessage={`Delete “${post.title}”? This cannot be undone.`}
+                            className="border-none px-2 py-1 text-xs"
+                          >
+                            Delete
+                          </ConfirmButton>
+                        </form>
+                      )}
                     </div>
                   </td>
                 </tr>
diff --git a/src/app/admin/(panel)/users/[id]/edit/page.tsx b/src/app/admin/(panel)/users/[id]/edit/page.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1fbb3ee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/admin/(panel)/users/[id]/edit/page.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+import type { Metadata } from "next";
+import { notFound } from "next/navigation";
+import { updateUserAction } from "@/actions/users";
+import { UserForm } from "@/components/admin/UserForm";
+import { requireAdmin } from "@/lib/auth/dal";
+import { parseIdParam } from "@/lib/params";
+import { listAllTags } from "@/lib/services/tags";
+import { getUserWithTags } from "@/lib/services/users";
+
+export const metadata: Metadata = { title: "Edit account" };
+
+export default async function EditUserPage({
+  params,
+}: {
+  params: Promise<{ id: string }>;
+}) {
+  await requireAdmin();
+  const { id: rawId } = await params;
+  const id = parseIdParam(rawId);
+  if (id === null) notFound();
+
+  const [user, allTags] = await Promise.all([getUserWithTags(id), listAllTags()]);
+  if (!user) notFound();
+
+  return (
+    <div>
+      <h1 className="mb-6 text-2xl font-bold tracking-tight text-ink-bright">Edit account</h1>
+      <UserForm user={user} allTags={allTags} action={updateUserAction.bind(null, user.id)} />
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/src/app/admin/(panel)/users/new/page.tsx b/src/app/admin/(panel)/users/new/page.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f187f39
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/admin/(panel)/users/new/page.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+import type { Metadata } from "next";
+import { createUserAction } from "@/actions/users";
+import { UserForm } from "@/components/admin/UserForm";
+import { requireAdmin } from "@/lib/auth/dal";
+import { listAllTags } from "@/lib/services/tags";
+
+export const metadata: Metadata = { title: "New account" };
+
+export default async function NewUserPage() {
+  await requireAdmin();
+  const allTags = await listAllTags();
+
+  return (
+    <div>
+      <h1 className="mb-6 text-2xl font-bold tracking-tight text-ink-bright">New account</h1>
+      <UserForm allTags={allTags} action={createUserAction} />
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/src/app/admin/(panel)/users/page.tsx b/src/app/admin/(panel)/users/page.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..66b8c7d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/admin/(panel)/users/page.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+import type { Metadata } from "next";
+import Link from "next/link";
+import { deleteUserAction } from "@/actions/users";
+import { ConfirmButton } from "@/components/admin/ConfirmButton";
+import { Flash } from "@/components/admin/Flash";
+import { LinkButton } from "@/components/ui";
+import { requireAdmin } from "@/lib/auth/dal";
+import { formatDate } from "@/lib/format";
+import { listUsersWithTags } from "@/lib/services/users";
+
+export const metadata: Metadata = { title: "Users" };
+
+export default async function AdminUsersPage({
+  searchParams,
+}: {
+  searchParams: Promise<Record<string, string | string[] | undefined>>;
+}) {
+  await requireAdmin();
+  const [sp, users] = await Promise.all([searchParams, listUsersWithTags()]);
+
+  return (
+    <div>
+      <div className="mb-6 flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-4">
+        <h1 className="text-2xl font-bold tracking-tight text-ink-bright">Users</h1>
+        <LinkButton href="/admin/users/new">New account</LinkButton>
+      </div>
+
+      {sp.created === "1" && <Flash>Account created.</Flash>}
+      {sp.deleted === "1" && <Flash>Account deleted.</Flash>}
+
+      <div className="overflow-x-auto rounded-lg border border-edge bg-surface">
+        <table className="w-full min-w-[38rem] border-collapse text-sm">
+          <thead>
+            <tr className="border-b border-edge text-left text-xs uppercase tracking-wider text-ink-muted">
+              <th scope="col" className="px-4 py-3 font-medium">Username</th>
+              <th scope="col" className="px-4 py-3 font-medium">Role</th>
+              <th scope="col" className="px-4 py-3 font-medium">Tag access</th>
+              <th scope="col" className="px-4 py-3 font-medium">Created</th>
+              <th scope="col" className="px-4 py-3 text-right font-medium">Actions</th>
+            </tr>
+          </thead>
+          <tbody className="divide-y divide-edge">
+            {users.map((user) => (
+              <tr key={user.id}>
+                <td className="px-4 py-3">
+                  <Link
+                    href={`/admin/users/${user.id}/edit`}
+                    className="font-medium text-ink-strong transition-colors hover:text-link"
+                  >
+                    {user.username}
+                  </Link>
+                </td>
+                <td className="px-4 py-3">
+                  {user.role === "admin" ? (
+                    <span className="inline-flex items-center rounded-full border border-link/40 bg-link/10 px-2 py-0.5 text-xs font-medium text-link">
+                      Admin
+                    </span>
+                  ) : (
+                    <span className="inline-flex items-center rounded-full border border-edge-strong px-2 py-0.5 text-xs font-medium text-ink-muted">
+                      Author
+                    </span>
+                  )}
+                </td>
+                <td className="px-4 py-3 text-ink-muted">
+                  {user.role === "admin"
+                    ? "All tags"
+                    : user.tags.length === 0
+                      ? "None yet"
+                      : user.tags.map((t) => t.name).join(", ")}
+                </td>
+                <td className="whitespace-nowrap px-4 py-3 text-ink-muted">
+                  {formatDate(user.createdAt)}
+                </td>
+                <td className="px-4 py-3">
+                  <div className="flex items-center justify-end gap-1">
+                    <Link
+                      href={`/admin/users/${user.id}/edit`}
+                      className="rounded-md px-2 py-1 text-xs font-medium text-ink-muted transition-colors hover:bg-background hover:text-ink-strong"
+                    >
+                      Edit
+                    </Link>
+                    {user.role !== "admin" && (
+                      <form action={deleteUserAction.bind(null, user.id)}>
+                        <ConfirmButton
+                          confirmMessage={`Delete the account “${user.username}”? Their posts are kept and become admin-managed. This cannot be undone.`}
+                          className="border-none px-2 py-1 text-xs"
+                        >
+                          Delete
+                        </ConfirmButton>
+                      </form>
+                    )}
+                  </div>
+                </td>
+              </tr>
+            ))}
+          </tbody>
+        </table>
+      </div>
+      <p className="mt-3 text-sm text-ink-muted">
+        Authors can write, edit, and publish their own posts under the tags you grant them.
+        Only you can delete posts, manage pages, moderate comments, or change settings.
+      </p>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/src/components/admin/PostForm.tsx b/src/components/admin/PostForm.tsx
index 9c55454..343ae2e 100644
--- a/src/components/admin/PostForm.tsx
+++ b/src/components/admin/PostForm.tsx
@@ -15,8 +15,11 @@ import { uploadImageFile } from "@/lib/upload-client";
 
 type Props = {
   post?: PostWithTags;
+  /** For authors this is just their granted tags, not every tag. */
   allTags: Tag[];
   defaultAuthor: string;
+  /** Admins can mint tags inline; authors cannot. */
+  canCreateTags: boolean;
   action: (prev: FormState, formData: FormData) => Promise<FormState>;
 };
 
@@ -39,7 +42,7 @@ const SETTINGS_FIELDS = [
  * all fields regardless of the visible tab, and the sticky action bar
  * keeps status + save reachable from either.
  */
-export function PostForm({ post, allTags, defaultAuthor, action }: Props) {
+export function PostForm({ post, allTags, defaultAuthor, canCreateTags, action }: Props) {
   const [state, formAction] = useActionState(action, initialFormState);
   const ids = useId();
 
@@ -287,22 +290,32 @@ export function PostForm({ post, allTags, defaultAuthor, action }: Props) {
               ))}
             </ul>
           ) : (
-            <p className="text-sm text-ink-muted">No tags exist yet — create some below.</p>
+            <p className="text-sm text-ink-muted">
+              {canCreateTags
+                ? "No tags exist yet — create some below."
+                : "You have not been given access to any tags yet — ask the admin."}
+            </p>
+          )}
+          <ErrorText>{err("tagIds")}</ErrorText>
+          {canCreateTags ? (
+            <div className="mt-4">
+              <Label htmlFor={`${ids}-new-tags`}>New tags (optional)</Label>
+              <Input
+                id={`${ids}-new-tags`}
+                name="newTags"
+                value={newTags}
+                onChange={(e) => setNewTags(e.target.value)}
+                placeholder="design, typescript"
+                aria-describedby={`${ids}-new-tags-help`}
+              />
+              <HelpText id={`${ids}-new-tags-help`}>
+                Comma-separated. Created and attached to this post on save.
+              </HelpText>
+              <ErrorText>{err("newTags")}</ErrorText>
+            </div>
+          ) : (
+            <HelpText>Posts must carry at least one of your tags.</HelpText>
           )}
-          <div className="mt-4">
-            <Label htmlFor={`${ids}-new-tags`}>New tags (optional)</Label>
-            <Input
-              id={`${ids}-new-tags`}
-              name="newTags"
-              value={newTags}
-              onChange={(e) => setNewTags(e.target.value)}
-              placeholder="design, typescript"
-              aria-describedby={`${ids}-new-tags-help`}
-            />
-            <HelpText id={`${ids}-new-tags-help`}>
-              Comma-separated. Created and attached to this post on save.
-            </HelpText>
-          </div>
         </fieldset>
       </div>
     </form>
diff --git a/src/components/admin/UserForm.tsx b/src/components/admin/UserForm.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aa49c7b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/components/admin/UserForm.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+"use client";
+
+import { useActionState, useId, useState } from "react";
+import { Flash, FormErrorBanner } from "@/components/admin/Flash";
+import { SubmitButton } from "@/components/admin/SubmitButton";
+import { ErrorText, HelpText, Input, Label } from "@/components/ui";
+import type { Tag } from "@/db/schema";
+import { type FormState, firstFieldError, initialFormState } from "@/lib/forms";
+import type { UserWithTags } from "@/lib/services/users";
+
+type Props = {
+  /** Absent when creating a new account. */
+  user?: UserWithTags;
+  allTags: Tag[];
+  action: (prev: FormState, formData: FormData) => Promise<FormState>;
+};
+
+export function UserForm({ user, allTags, action }: Props) {
+  const [state, formAction] = useActionState(action, initialFormState);
+  const ids = useId();
+  const isNew = user === undefined;
+  const isAdminAccount = user?.role === "admin";
+  const [selectedTagIds, setSelectedTagIds] = useState<Set<number>>(
+    () => new Set(user?.tags.map((t) => t.id) ?? []),
+  );
+  const err = (field: string) => firstFieldError(state, field);
+
+  function toggleTag(id: number) {
+    setSelectedTagIds((prev) => {
+      const next = new Set(prev);
+      if (next.has(id)) next.delete(id);
+      else next.add(id);
+      return next;
+    });
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <form action={formAction} className="max-w-xl space-y-6">
+      {state.status === "success" && <Flash>Account saved.</Flash>}
+      <FormErrorBanner>{state.formError}</FormErrorBanner>
+
+      {isNew ? (
+        <div>
+          <Label htmlFor={`${ids}-username`}>Username</Label>
+          <Input
+            id={`${ids}-username`}
+            name="username"
+            required
+            maxLength={120}
+            autoComplete="off"
+            aria-invalid={err("username") ? true : undefined}
+          />
+          <HelpText>Letters, numbers, dots, dashes, and underscores.</HelpText>
+          <ErrorText>{err("username")}</ErrorText>
+        </div>
+      ) : (
+        <p className="text-sm text-ink">
+          <span className="font-semibold text-ink-strong">{user.username}</span>{" "}
+          <span className="text-ink-muted">
+            · {isAdminAccount ? "administrator" : "author"}
+          </span>
+        </p>
+      )}
+
+      <div>
+        <Label htmlFor={`${ids}-password`}>
+          {isNew ? "Password" : "New password (optional)"}
+        </Label>
+        <Input
+          id={`${ids}-password`}
+          name="password"
+          type="password"
+          required={isNew}
+          maxLength={200}
+          autoComplete="new-password"
+          aria-invalid={err("password") ? true : undefined}
+        />
+        <HelpText>
+          {isNew
+            ? "At least 8 characters. Share it with the author out of band."
+            : "Leave blank to keep the current password."}
+        </HelpText>
+        <ErrorText>{err("password")}</ErrorText>
+      </div>
+
+      {!isAdminAccount && (
+        <fieldset className="rounded-lg border border-edge p-4">
+          <legend className="px-1 text-sm font-medium text-ink-strong">Tag access</legend>
+          <p className="mb-3 text-sm text-ink-muted">
+            The author can write posts only under the tags checked here.
+          </p>
+          {allTags.length > 0 ? (
+            <ul className="flex flex-wrap gap-x-5 gap-y-2">
+              {allTags.map((tag) => (
+                <li key={tag.id}>
+                  <label className="inline-flex cursor-pointer items-center gap-2 text-sm text-ink">
+                    <input
+                      type="checkbox"
+                      name="tagIds"
+                      value={tag.id}
+                      checked={selectedTagIds.has(tag.id)}
+                      onChange={() => toggleTag(tag.id)}
+                      className="size-4 accent-(--link)"
+                    />
+                    {tag.name}
+                  </label>
+                </li>
+              ))}
+            </ul>
+          ) : (
+            <p className="text-sm text-ink-muted">
+              No tags exist yet — create some from a post first.
+            </p>
+          )}
+          <ErrorText>{err("tagIds")}</ErrorText>
+        </fieldset>
+      )}
+
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-3 border-t border-edge pt-6">
+        <SubmitButton>{isNew ? "Create account" : "Save account"}</SubmitButton>
+      </div>
+    </form>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/src/db/schema.ts b/src/db/schema.ts
index f102a73..7948051 100644
--- a/src/db/schema.ts
+++ b/src/db/schema.ts
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import {
 
 export const contentStatusEnum = pgEnum("content_status", ["draft", "published"]);
 export const commentStatusEnum = pgEnum("comment_status", ["pending", "approved"]);
+export const userRoleEnum = pgEnum("user_role", ["admin", "author"]);
 export const homeModeEnum = pgEnum("home_mode", ["posts", "tag", "page"]);
 export const themeEnum = pgEnum("theme", [
   "solarized-dark",
@@ -51,9 +52,27 @@ export const users = pgTable("users", {
   id: integer("id").primaryKey().generatedAlwaysAsIdentity(),
   username: text("username").notNull().unique(),
   passwordHash: text("password_hash").notNull(),
+  role: userRoleEnum("role").notNull().default("author"),
   createdAt: timestamp("created_at", { withTimezone: true }).notNull().defaultNow(),
 });
 
+/** Tags an author account may publish under; irrelevant for admins. */
+export const userTags = pgTable(
+  "user_tags",
+  {
+    userId: integer("user_id")
+      .notNull()
+      .references(() => users.id, { onDelete: "cascade" }),
+    tagId: integer("tag_id")
+      .notNull()
+      .references(() => tags.id, { onDelete: "cascade" }),
+  },
+  (t) => [
+    primaryKey({ columns: [t.userId, t.tagId] }),
+    index("user_tags_tag_id_idx").on(t.tagId),
+  ],
+);
+
 export const sessions = pgTable("sessions", {
   // sha-256 hex digest of the bearer token; the raw token never touches the DB.
   id: text("id").primaryKey(),
@@ -71,7 +90,10 @@ export const posts = pgTable(
     title: text("title").notNull(),
     slug: text("slug").notNull().unique(),
     body: text("body").notNull().default(""),
+    // Display byline (free text); authorId is the owning account. Posts
+    // survive account deletion as unowned (admin-managed) rows.
     authorName: text("author_name").notNull(),
+    authorId: integer("author_id").references(() => users.id, { onDelete: "set null" }),
     featuredImageUrl: text("featured_image_url"),
     featuredImageAlt: text("featured_image_alt"),
     status: contentStatusEnum("status").notNull().default("draft"),
@@ -180,6 +202,7 @@ export const navItems = pgTable(
 );
 
 export type User = typeof users.$inferSelect;
+export type UserRole = User["role"];
 export type Session = typeof sessions.$inferSelect;
 export type Post = typeof posts.$inferSelect;
 export type Tag = typeof tags.$inferSelect;
diff --git a/src/lib/auth/dal.ts b/src/lib/auth/dal.ts
index 6f32bb6..4b6fb75 100644
--- a/src/lib/auth/dal.ts
+++ b/src/lib/auth/dal.ts
@@ -14,8 +14,16 @@ export const getSessionUser = cache(async (): Promise<SessionUser | null> => {
   return validateSessionToken(token);
 });
 
-export async function requireAdmin(): Promise<SessionUser> {
+/** Any signed-in account (admin or author). */
+export async function requireUser(): Promise<SessionUser> {
   const user = await getSessionUser();
   if (!user) redirect("/admin/login");
   return user;
 }
+
+/** Admin only; signed-in authors are sent to their posts list. */
+export async function requireAdmin(): Promise<SessionUser> {
+  const user = await requireUser();
+  if (user.role !== "admin") redirect("/admin/posts");
+  return user;
+}
diff --git a/src/lib/auth/session.ts b/src/lib/auth/session.ts
index 96a1e8f..703d028 100644
--- a/src/lib/auth/session.ts
+++ b/src/lib/auth/session.ts
@@ -1,14 +1,14 @@
 import { createHash, randomBytes } from "node:crypto";
 import { eq, lt } from "drizzle-orm";
 import { db } from "@/db";
-import { sessions, users } from "@/db/schema";
+import { sessions, type UserRole, users } from "@/db/schema";
 
 // Deliberately free of next/* imports so it can be exercised directly by
 // integration tests; cookie handling lives in cookies.ts.
 
 export const SESSION_TTL_MS = 7 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000; // 7 days
 
-export type SessionUser = { id: number; username: string };
+export type SessionUser = { id: number; username: string; role: UserRole };
 
 function hashToken(token: string): string {
   return createHash("sha256").update(token).digest("hex");
@@ -29,7 +29,12 @@ export async function validateSessionToken(token: string): Promise<SessionUser |
   if (!token) return null;
   const id = hashToken(token);
   const [row] = await db
-    .select({ userId: users.id, username: users.username, expiresAt: sessions.expiresAt })
+    .select({
+      userId: users.id,
+      username: users.username,
+      role: users.role,
+      expiresAt: sessions.expiresAt,
+    })
     .from(sessions)
     .innerJoin(users, eq(users.id, sessions.userId))
     .where(eq(sessions.id, id))
@@ -39,7 +44,7 @@ export async function validateSessionToken(token: string): Promise<SessionUser |
     await db.delete(sessions).where(eq(sessions.id, id));
     return null;
   }
-  return { id: row.userId, username: row.username };
+  return { id: row.userId, username: row.username, role: row.role };
 }
 
 export async function deleteSession(token: string): Promise<void> {
diff --git a/src/lib/services/import-export.ts b/src/lib/services/import-export.ts
index c5523d7..494c9c2 100644
--- a/src/lib/services/import-export.ts
+++ b/src/lib/services/import-export.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { asc, eq } from "drizzle-orm";
+import { asc, eq, inArray } from "drizzle-orm";
 import { z } from "zod";
 import { db } from "@/db";
 import {
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import {
   settings,
   tags,
   themeEnum,
+  users,
 } from "@/db/schema";
 import { sanitizeHtml } from "@/lib/html";
 import { isValidLinkUrl } from "@/lib/validation";
@@ -22,9 +23,10 @@ import { getSettings } from "./settings";
  * columns are regenerated on import).
  */
 export const SITE_EXPORT_FORMAT = "yap-blog-export";
-// v1: posts/pages/tags/nav/settings. v2 adds comments. v1 files still
-// import fine (they simply carry no comments).
-export const SITE_EXPORT_VERSION = 2;
+// v1: posts/pages/tags/nav/settings. v2 adds comments. v3 adds
+// posts.authorUsername so post ownership survives a restore. Older
+// files still import (missing fields default to empty/unowned).
+export const SITE_EXPORT_VERSION = 3;
 
 const slugValue = z.string().trim().min(1).max(120);
 const statusValue = z.enum(["draft", "published"]);
@@ -34,7 +36,7 @@ const timestampValue = z.coerce.date();
 export const siteExportSchema = z
   .object({
     format: z.literal(SITE_EXPORT_FORMAT),
-    version: z.union([z.literal(1), z.literal(2)]),
+    version: z.union([z.literal(1), z.literal(2), z.literal(3)]),
     exportedAt: timestampValue,
     settings: z.object({
       siteTitle: z.string().trim().min(1).max(120),
@@ -79,6 +81,12 @@ export const siteExportSchema = z
           slug: slugValue,
           body: bodyValue,
           authorName: z.string().trim().min(1).max(120),
+          /**
+           * Owning account's username. Accounts are not part of the export;
+           * on import this is matched against existing usernames and posts
+           * without a match become unowned (admin-managed).
+           */
+          authorUsername: z.string().trim().min(1).max(120).nullable().default(null),
           featuredImageUrl: z.string().trim().max(2000).nullable(),
           featuredImageAlt: z.string().trim().max(300).nullable(),
           status: statusValue,
@@ -264,7 +272,11 @@ export async function buildSiteExport(): Promise<SiteExport> {
       .orderBy(asc(navItems.sortOrder), asc(navItems.id)),
     db.select().from(tags).orderBy(asc(tags.slug)),
     db.select().from(pages).orderBy(asc(pages.id)),
-    db.select().from(posts).orderBy(asc(posts.id)),
+    db
+      .select({ post: posts, authorUsername: users.username })
+      .from(posts)
+      .leftJoin(users, eq(users.id, posts.authorId))
+      .orderBy(asc(posts.id)),
     db
       .select({ postId: postTags.postId, tagSlug: tags.slug })
       .from(postTags)
@@ -296,7 +308,8 @@ export async function buildSiteExport(): Promise<SiteExport> {
       excerptWords: settingsRow.excerptWords,
       homeMode: settingsRow.homeMode,
       homeTagSlug: tagRows.find((t) => t.id === settingsRow.homeTagId)?.slug ?? null,
-      homePageSlug: pageRows.find((p) => p.id === settingsRow.homePageId)?.slug ?? null,
+      homePageSlug:
+        pageRows.find((p) => p.id === settingsRow.homePageId)?.slug ?? null,
       theme: settingsRow.theme,
       font: settingsRow.font,
     },
@@ -314,11 +327,12 @@ export async function buildSiteExport(): Promise<SiteExport> {
       createdAt: p.createdAt,
       updatedAt: p.updatedAt,
     })),
-    posts: postRows.map((p) => ({
+    posts: postRows.map(({ post: p, authorUsername }) => ({
       title: p.title,
       slug: p.slug,
       body: p.body,
       authorName: p.authorName,
+      authorUsername,
       featuredImageUrl: p.featuredImageUrl,
       featuredImageAlt: p.featuredImageAlt,
       status: p.status,
@@ -392,6 +406,22 @@ export async function importSiteExport(data: SiteExport): Promise<void> {
       for (const row of inserted) pageIdBySlug.set(row.slug, row.id);
     }
 
+    // Accounts survive an import untouched; posts re-attach to them by
+    // username. Unknown usernames leave the post unowned (admin-managed).
+    const exportUsernames = [
+      ...new Set(
+        data.posts.flatMap((p) => (p.authorUsername !== null ? [p.authorUsername] : [])),
+      ),
+    ];
+    const userIdByUsername = new Map<string, number>();
+    if (exportUsernames.length > 0) {
+      const userRows = await tx
+        .select({ id: users.id, username: users.username })
+        .from(users)
+        .where(inArray(users.username, exportUsernames));
+      for (const row of userRows) userIdByUsername.set(row.username, row.id);
+    }
+
     const postIdBySlug = new Map<string, number>();
     const links: Array<{ postId: number; tagId: number }> = [];
     for (const batch of chunk(data.posts, 1000)) {
@@ -403,6 +433,10 @@ export async function importSiteExport(data: SiteExport): Promise<void> {
             slug: p.slug,
             body: sanitizeHtml(p.body),
             authorName: p.authorName,
+            authorId:
+              p.authorUsername !== null
+                ? (userIdByUsername.get(p.authorUsername) ?? null)
+                : null,
             featuredImageUrl: p.featuredImageUrl,
             featuredImageAlt: p.featuredImageAlt,
             status: p.status,
diff --git a/src/lib/services/posts.ts b/src/lib/services/posts.ts
index ade62c6..52acaf8 100644
--- a/src/lib/services/posts.ts
+++ b/src/lib/services/posts.ts
@@ -111,7 +111,11 @@ async function syncPostTags(
   }
 }
 
-export async function createPost(input: PostInput): Promise<Post> {
+/** `authorId` is the owning account; ownership never changes on edit. */
+export async function createPost(
+  input: PostInput,
+  authorId: number | null = null,
+): Promise<Post> {
   const slug = await resolvePostSlug(input);
   return db.transaction(async (tx) => {
     const [post] = await tx
@@ -121,6 +125,7 @@ export async function createPost(input: PostInput): Promise<Post> {
         slug,
         body: input.body,
         authorName: input.authorName,
+        authorId,
         featuredImageUrl: input.featuredImageUrl,
         featuredImageAlt: input.featuredImageAlt,
         status: input.status,
@@ -265,9 +270,15 @@ export async function getPostById(id: number): Promise<PostWithTags | null> {
   return { ...post, tags: tagMap.get(post.id) ?? [] };
 }
 
-/** Admin listing: all posts, most recently updated first. */
-export async function listAllPosts(): Promise<Post[]> {
-  return db.select().from(posts).orderBy(desc(posts.updatedAt), desc(posts.id));
+/**
+ * Admin listing: all posts, most recently updated first.
+ * Pass `authorId` to restrict to one account's posts (author view).
+ */
+export async function listAllPosts(options?: { authorId?: number }): Promise<Post[]> {
+  const base = db.select().from(posts);
+  const query =
+    options?.authorId === undefined ? base : base.where(eq(posts.authorId, options.authorId));
+  return query.orderBy(desc(posts.updatedAt), desc(posts.id));
 }
 
 export async function countPostsByStatus(): Promise<{ published: number; draft: number }> {
diff --git a/src/lib/services/users.ts b/src/lib/services/users.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0d87012
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/services/users.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,122 @@
+import { asc, eq, inArray } from "drizzle-orm";
+import { db } from "@/db";
+import { type Tag, type User, tags, userTags, users } from "@/db/schema";
+import { hashPassword } from "@/lib/auth/password";
+
+/** User row without the password hash — safe to hand to pages. */
+export type SafeUser = Omit<User, "passwordHash">;
+export type UserWithTags = SafeUser & { tags: Tag[] };
+
+const safeColumns = {
+  id: users.id,
+  username: users.username,
+  role: users.role,
+  createdAt: users.createdAt,
+} as const;
+
+export async function listUsersWithTags(): Promise<UserWithTags[]> {
+  const [userRows, grantRows] = await Promise.all([
+    db.select(safeColumns).from(users).orderBy(asc(users.createdAt), asc(users.id)),
+    db
+      .select({ userId: userTags.userId, tag: tags })
+      .from(userTags)
+      .innerJoin(tags, eq(tags.id, userTags.tagId))
+      .orderBy(asc(tags.name)),
+  ]);
+  const tagsByUser = new Map<number, Tag[]>();
+  for (const row of grantRows) {
+    const list = tagsByUser.get(row.userId) ?? [];
+    list.push(row.tag);
+    tagsByUser.set(row.userId, list);
+  }
+  return userRows.map((u) => ({ ...u, tags: tagsByUser.get(u.id) ?? [] }));
+}
+
+export async function getUserWithTags(id: number): Promise<UserWithTags | null> {
+  const [user] = await db.select(safeColumns).from(users).where(eq(users.id, id)).limit(1);
+  if (!user) return null;
+  const grants = await db
+    .select({ tag: tags })
+    .from(userTags)
+    .innerJoin(tags, eq(tags.id, userTags.tagId))
+    .where(eq(userTags.userId, id))
+    .orderBy(asc(tags.name));
+  return { ...user, tags: grants.map((g) => g.tag) };
+}
+
+/** Tag ids an author may publish under. (Admins bypass this check.) */
+export async function getAllowedTagIds(userId: number): Promise<number[]> {
+  const rows = await db
+    .select({ tagId: userTags.tagId })
+    .from(userTags)
+    .where(eq(userTags.userId, userId));
+  return rows.map((r) => r.tagId);
+}
+
+async function replaceTagGrants(userId: number, tagIds: number[]): Promise<void> {
+  await db.transaction(async (tx) => {
+    await tx.delete(userTags).where(eq(userTags.userId, userId));
+    if (tagIds.length > 0) {
+      // Silently drop ids for tags deleted since the form rendered.
+      const existing = await tx
+        .select({ id: tags.id })
+        .from(tags)
+        .where(inArray(tags.id, tagIds));
+      if (existing.length > 0) {
+        await tx.insert(userTags).values(existing.map((t) => ({ userId, tagId: t.id })));
+      }
+    }
+  });
+}
+
+/** New accounts are always authors — there is exactly one admin. */
+export async function createUser(input: {
+  username: string;
+  password: string;
+  tagIds: number[];
+}): Promise<SafeUser> {
+  const passwordHash = await hashPassword(input.password);
+  const [user] = await db
+    .insert(users)
+    .values({ username: input.username, passwordHash, role: "author" })
+    .returning(safeColumns);
+  await replaceTagGrants(user.id, input.tagIds);
+  return user;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Updates an account's tag grants and optionally its password.
+ * Roles are never changed here — the single admin stays the admin.
+ */
+export async function updateUser(
+  id: number,
+  input: { password: string | null; tagIds: number[] },
+): Promise<SafeUser | null> {
+  const [existing] = await db.select(safeColumns).from(users).where(eq(users.id, id)).limit(1);
+  if (!existing) return null;
+
+  if (input.password !== null) {
+    const passwordHash = await hashPassword(input.password);
+    await db.update(users).set({ passwordHash }).where(eq(users.id, id));
+  }
+  // Tag grants only mean something for authors.
+  if (existing.role === "author") {
+    await replaceTagGrants(id, input.tagIds);
+  }
+  return existing;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Deletes an author account. The admin account cannot be deleted. The
+ * account's posts survive as unowned rows (posts.author_id -> NULL);
+ * its sessions cascade away, signing the account out everywhere.
+ */
+export async function deleteUser(id: number): Promise<{ ok: boolean; error?: string }> {
+  const [user] = await db.select(safeColumns).from(users).where(eq(users.id, id)).limit(1);
+  if (!user) return { ok: false, error: "That account no longer exists." };
+  if (user.role === "admin") {
+    return { ok: false, error: "The admin account cannot be deleted." };
+  }
+  await db.delete(users).where(eq(users.id, id));
+  return { ok: true };
+}
diff --git a/src/lib/validation.ts b/src/lib/validation.ts
index f1b6445..06bcf7a 100644
--- a/src/lib/validation.ts
+++ b/src/lib/validation.ts
@@ -82,6 +82,36 @@ export const loginFormSchema = z.object({
   password: z.string().min(1, "Password is required.").max(200),
 });
 
+const usernameInput = z
+  .string()
+  .trim()
+  .min(1, "Username is required.")
+  .max(120, "Username is too long.")
+  .regex(
+    /^[a-zA-Z0-9._-]+$/,
+    "Usernames may only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, and underscores.",
+  );
+
+const newPasswordInput = z
+  .string()
+  .min(8, "Password must be at least 8 characters.")
+  .max(200, "Password is too long.");
+
+export const createUserFormSchema = z.object({
+  username: usernameInput,
+  password: newPasswordInput,
+  tagIds: z.array(z.coerce.number().int().positive()).max(200).default([]),
+});
+
+export const updateUserFormSchema = z.object({
+  // Blank means "keep the current password".
+  password: z.preprocess(
+    (v) => (v === "" || v === null ? null : v),
+    newPasswordInput.nullable(),
+  ),
+  tagIds: z.array(z.coerce.number().int().positive()).max(200).default([]),
+});
+
 export const navItemSchema = z
   .object({
     label: z.string().trim().min(1, "Every navigation item needs a label.").max(80),
diff --git a/tests/integration/auth.test.ts b/tests/integration/auth.test.ts
index bd5e60a..b38421f 100644
--- a/tests/integration/auth.test.ts
+++ b/tests/integration/auth.test.ts
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ describe("sessions", () => {
     expect(expiresAt.getTime()).toBeGreaterThan(Date.now());
 
     const sessionUser = await validateSessionToken(token);
-    expect(sessionUser).toEqual({ id: user.id, username: "admin" });
+    expect(sessionUser).toEqual({ id: user.id, username: "admin", role: "author" });
 
     // Only a hash of the token is stored.
     const rows = await db.select().from(sessions);
diff --git a/tests/integration/import-export.test.ts b/tests/integration/import-export.test.ts
index 9322591..548f0e7 100644
--- a/tests/integration/import-export.test.ts
+++ b/tests/integration/import-export.test.ts
@@ -170,6 +170,7 @@ describe("export/import round trip", () => {
       slug: "sneaky",
       body: '<p>ok</p><script>alert("x")</script>',
       authorName: "Mallory",
+      authorUsername: null,
       featuredImageUrl: null,
       featuredImageAlt: null,
       status: "published",
@@ -198,6 +199,7 @@ describe("parseSiteExportJson", () => {
       slug: "orphan",
       body: "",
       authorName: "A",
+      authorUsername: null,
       featuredImageUrl: null,
       featuredImageAlt: null,
       status: "draft",
@@ -228,6 +230,7 @@ describe("parseSiteExportJson", () => {
       slug: "p",
       body: "",
       authorName: "A",
+      authorUsername: null,
       featuredImageUrl: null,
       featuredImageAlt: null,
       status: "published",
diff --git a/tests/integration/users.test.ts b/tests/integration/users.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5a441c7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/integration/users.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,152 @@
+import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import { db } from "@/db";
+import { tags } from "@/db/schema";
+import { verifyPassword } from "@/lib/auth/password";
+import { buildSiteExport, importSiteExport } from "@/lib/services/import-export";
+import { createPost, getPostById, listAllPosts, type PostInput } from "@/lib/services/posts";
+import {
+  createUser,
+  deleteUser,
+  getAllowedTagIds,
+  getUserWithTags,
+  listUsersWithTags,
+  updateUser,
+} from "@/lib/services/users";
+import { resetDb } from "../helpers/db";
+
+const postInput = (overrides: Partial<PostInput> = {}): PostInput => ({
+  title: `Post ${Math.random().toString(36).slice(2, 8)}`,
+  slug: "",
+  body: "body",
+  authorName: "Someone",
+  featuredImageUrl: null,
+  featuredImageAlt: null,
+  status: "published",
+  tagIds: [],
+  newTagNames: [],
+  ...overrides,
+});
+
+async function seedTags(...names: string[]) {
+  return db
+    .insert(tags)
+    .values(names.map((name) => ({ name, slug: name.toLowerCase() })))
+    .returning();
+}
+
+async function seedAdmin() {
+  const [admin] = await db
+    .insert((await import("@/db/schema")).users)
+    .values({ username: "boss", passwordHash: "x", role: "admin" })
+    .returning();
+  return admin;
+}
+
+beforeEach(resetDb);
+
+describe("account management", () => {
+  it("creates author accounts with tag grants", async () => {
+    const [design, writing] = await seedTags("Design", "Writing");
+    const user = await createUser({
+      username: "casey",
+      password: "hunter2hunter2",
+      tagIds: [design.id, writing.id],
+    });
+    expect(user.role).toBe("author");
+    expect((await getAllowedTagIds(user.id)).sort()).toEqual(
+      [design.id, writing.id].sort(),
+    );
+
+    const listed = await listUsersWithTags();
+    expect(listed.find((u) => u.username === "casey")?.tags.map((t) => t.name).sort()).toEqual(
+      ["Design", "Writing"],
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("hashes passwords and updates them only when provided", async () => {
+    const user = await createUser({ username: "casey", password: "first-password", tagIds: [] });
+    const { users } = await import("@/db/schema");
+    const { eq } = await import("drizzle-orm");
+    const [row] = await db.select().from(users).where(eq(users.id, user.id));
+    expect(row.passwordHash).not.toContain("first-password");
+    expect(await verifyPassword(row.passwordHash, "first-password")).toBe(true);
+
+    await updateUser(user.id, { password: null, tagIds: [] });
+    const [same] = await db.select().from(users).where(eq(users.id, user.id));
+    expect(same.passwordHash).toBe(row.passwordHash);
+
+    await updateUser(user.id, { password: "second-password", tagIds: [] });
+    const [changed] = await db.select().from(users).where(eq(users.id, user.id));
+    expect(await verifyPassword(changed.passwordHash, "second-password")).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it("replaces tag grants on update", async () => {
+    const [design, writing] = await seedTags("Design", "Writing");
+    const user = await createUser({
+      username: "casey",
+      password: "hunter2hunter2",
+      tagIds: [design.id],
+    });
+    await updateUser(user.id, { password: null, tagIds: [writing.id] });
+    expect(await getAllowedTagIds(user.id)).toEqual([writing.id]);
+  });
+
+  it("refuses to delete the admin and keeps a deleted author's posts", async () => {
+    const admin = await seedAdmin();
+    expect((await deleteUser(admin.id)).ok).toBe(false);
+
+    const author = await createUser({ username: "casey", password: "hunter2hunter2", tagIds: [] });
+    const post = await createPost(postInput(), author.id);
+    expect((await deleteUser(author.id)).ok).toBe(true);
+
+    // Post survives, now unowned.
+    const kept = await getPostById(post.id);
+    expect(kept).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(kept?.authorId).toBeNull();
+    expect(await getUserWithTags(author.id)).toBeNull();
+  });
+});
+
+describe("post ownership", () => {
+  it("stamps the creating account and filters listAllPosts by author", async () => {
+    const admin = await seedAdmin();
+    const author = await createUser({ username: "casey", password: "hunter2hunter2", tagIds: [] });
+
+    await createPost(postInput({ title: "Admin post" }), admin.id);
+    await createPost(postInput({ title: "Casey post" }), author.id);
+
+    const all = await listAllPosts();
+    expect(all).toHaveLength(2);
+    const mine = await listAllPosts({ authorId: author.id });
+    expect(mine.map((p) => p.title)).toEqual(["Casey post"]);
+  });
+
+  it("round-trips ownership through export/import by username", async () => {
+    await seedAdmin();
+    const author = await createUser({ username: "casey", password: "hunter2hunter2", tagIds: [] });
+    const post = await createPost(postInput({ title: "Owned" }), author.id);
+
+    const snapshot = await buildSiteExport();
+    expect(snapshot.posts.find((p) => p.slug === post.slug)?.authorUsername).toBe("casey");
+
+    await importSiteExport(snapshot);
+    const restored = (await listAllPosts({ authorId: author.id })).find(
+      (p) => p.title === "Owned",
+    );
+    expect(restored).toBeDefined();
+    expect(restored?.authorId).toBe(author.id);
+  });
+
+  it("leaves posts unowned when the export references an unknown username", async () => {
+    await seedAdmin();
+    const author = await createUser({ username: "casey", password: "hunter2hunter2", tagIds: [] });
+    await createPost(postInput({ title: "Orphan-to-be" }), author.id);
+
+    const snapshot = await buildSiteExport();
+    await deleteUser(author.id);
+    await importSiteExport(snapshot);
+
+    const [post] = await listAllPosts();
+    expect(post.authorId).toBeNull();
+  });
+});