Implement Play Menu Tags management: add endpoints for retrieving and updating tags; enhance database schema and UI integration

DorkNet.Server/Controllers/API/Rooms/V2/RoomsController.cs

@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ public class RoomsController(
     OnlinePresenceService onlinePresence,
     DomainConfig domain,
     NotificationService notifications,
+    ServerSettingsService serverSettings,
     ILogger<RoomsController> logger) : ControllerBase
 {
     private long? CurrentPlayerId => ControllerBaseExtensions.CurrentPlayerId(this);
@@ -143,23 +144,30 @@ public class RoomsController(
     // '#' at render time, so sending "#community" produces "##community" in
     // the UI. Names stored in the DB also drop the prefix.
     [HttpGet("api/rooms/v1/filters")]
-    public IActionResult Filters() => Ok(new
+    public async Task<IActionResult> Filters()
     {
-        PinnedFilters = new[] { "community", "recroomoriginal", "featured", "quest" },
+        var tags = await serverSettings.GetPlayMenuTagsAsync();
-        PopularFilters = new[] { "paintball", "dodgeball", "soccer", "lasertag", "discgolf" },
+        return Ok(new
-    });
+        {
+            PinnedFilters = tags.PinnedTags,
+            PopularFilters = tags.PopularTags,
+        });
+    }
 
     [HttpGet("api/rooms/v1/tags")]
-    public IActionResult Tags() => Ok(new[] {
+    public async Task<IActionResult> Tags()
-        "community", "recroomoriginal", "featured", "quest",
+    {
-        "paintball", "dodgeball", "soccer", "lasertag", "discgolf",
+        var tags = await serverSettings.GetPlayMenuTagsAsync();
-    });
+        return Ok(tags.PinnedTags.Concat(tags.PopularTags).Distinct(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase).ToArray());
+    }
 
     [HttpGet("api/rooms/v1/pinnedtags")]
-    public IActionResult PinnedTags() => Ok(new[] { "community", "recroomoriginal", "featured" });
+    public async Task<IActionResult> PinnedTags()
+        => Ok((await serverSettings.GetPlayMenuTagsAsync()).PinnedTags);
 
     [HttpGet("api/rooms/v1/populartags")]
-    public IActionResult PopularTags() => Ok(new[] { "paintball", "dodgeball", "soccer" });
+    public async Task<IActionResult> PopularTags()
+        => Ok((await serverSettings.GetPlayMenuTagsAsync()).PopularTags);
 
     // ── Single room lookups ──────────────────────────────────────────────
 

DorkNet.Server/Controllers/Admin/AdminController.cs

@@ -1494,6 +1494,26 @@ public class AdminController(
         return Ok(weekly);
     }
 
+    [HttpGet("settings/play-menu-tags")]
+    public async Task<ActionResult> GetPlayMenuTags()
+        => Ok(await serverSettings.GetPlayMenuTagsAsync());
+
+    public sealed record PlayMenuTagsRequest(
+        List<string>? PinnedTags,
+        List<string>? PopularTags);
+
+    [HttpPost("settings/play-menu-tags")]
+    public async Task<ActionResult> SetPlayMenuTags([FromBody] PlayMenuTagsRequest body)
+    {
+        var tags = await serverSettings.SetPlayMenuTagsAsync(
+            body.PinnedTags ?? [],
+            body.PopularTags ?? []);
+        await LogAsync("play_menu_tags_updated", "system", 0,
+            $"pinned={string.Join(",", tags.PinnedTags)} popular={string.Join(",", tags.PopularTags)}");
+        await db.SaveChangesAsync();
+        return Ok(tags);
+    }
+
     // ── Signup codes ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
     /// <summary>GET <c>api/admin/v1/signup-codes</c> — every issued code

DorkNet.Server/Data/DorkNetDbContext.cs

@@ -609,6 +609,7 @@ public class DorkNetDbContext(DbContextOptions<DorkNetDbContext> options) : DbCo
             e.Property(s => s.WeeklyChallengesCompletedRequired).HasDefaultValue(true);
             e.Property(s => s.WeeklyChallengesJson).HasDefaultValue(string.Empty);
             e.Property(s => s.WeeklyChallengeRewardJson).HasDefaultValue(string.Empty);
+            e.Property(s => s.PlayMenuTagsJson).HasDefaultValue(string.Empty);
         });
 
         modelBuilder.Entity<RoomKeyEntity>(e =>

DorkNet.Server/Data/Entities/ServerSettingsEntity.cs

@@ -38,5 +38,10 @@ public class ServerSettingsEntity
     /// server-side XP/token grant.</summary>
     public string WeeklyChallengeRewardJson { get; set; } = string.Empty;
 
+    /// <summary>Admin-managed Play menu room filter chips as JSON. Stores
+    /// separate pinned and popular tag lists; wire endpoints serve them to
+    /// the watch without leading # characters.</summary>
+    public string PlayMenuTagsJson { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+
     public DateTime UpdatedAt { get; set; } = DateTime.UtcNow;
 }

DorkNet.Server/Services/ConfigService.cs

@@ -41,6 +41,19 @@ public class ConfigService(IConfiguration config, DomainConfig domain)
                 ["FriendsEnabled"]     = "true",
                 ["ChatEnabled"]        = "true",
                 ["VoiceEnabled"]       = "true",
+                // Rec Center category doors are baked with these
+                // config lookups. Missing values leave the door browser
+                // and door-specific return spawns without a category.
+                ["Door.Shooters.Title"] = "Shooters",
+                ["Door.Shooters.Query"] = "#paintball,#lasertag,#recroyale",
+                ["Door.Creative.Title"] = "Creative",
+                ["Door.Creative.Query"] = "#creative,#makerpen,#template",
+                ["Door.Quests.Title"]   = "Quests",
+                ["Door.Quests.Query"]   = "#quest",
+                ["Door.Sports.Title"]   = "Sports",
+                ["Door.Sports.Query"]   = "#sport",
+                ["Door.Featured.Title"] = "Featured",
+                ["Door.Featured.Query"] = "#featured",
             },
         };
     }

DorkNet.Server/Services/RoomService.cs

@@ -77,50 +77,50 @@ public class RoomService(DorkNetDbContext db)
             // tools/extract-locations-binary.py. Output cached at data/room_locations.json.
             // Each Location has a SceneName matching one of the .unity scenes the client
             // ships (see tools/dump-all-scenes.py for the 96-scene index).
-            ("RecCenter",        "Rec Center",         "A social hub to meet and mingle with friends new and old.", "cbad71af-0831-44d8-b8ef-69edafa841f6", "recroomoriginal,featured", "image_RecCenter.png"),
+            ("RecCenter",        "Rec Center",         "A social hub to meet and mingle with friends new and old.", "cbad71af-0831-44d8-b8ef-69edafa841f6", "recroomoriginal,featured,hangout,chill,social", "image_RecCenter.png"),
-            ("3DCharades",       "3D Charades",        "Take turns drawing, acting, and guessing funny phrases with your friends!", "4078dfed-24bb-4db7-863f-578ba48d726b", "recroomoriginal", "image_3DCharades.png"),
+            ("3DCharades",       "3D Charades",        "Take turns drawing, acting, and guessing funny phrases with your friends!", "4078dfed-24bb-4db7-863f-578ba48d726b", "recroomoriginal,charades,party,creative", "image_3DCharades.png"),
-            ("DiscGolfLake",     "DiscGolf Lake",      "A leisurely stroll through the grass. Throw your disc into the goal.", "f6f7256c-e438-4299-b99e-d20bef8cf7e0", "recroomoriginal,sport", "image_DiscGolfLake.png"),
+            ("DiscGolfLake",     "DiscGolf Lake",      "A leisurely stroll through the grass. Throw your disc into the goal.", "f6f7256c-e438-4299-b99e-d20bef8cf7e0", "recroomoriginal,sport,discgolf", "image_DiscGolfLake.png"),
-            ("DiscGolfPropulsion","DiscGolf Propulsion","Throw your disc through hazards and around wind machines on this challenging course!", "d9378c9f-80bc-46fb-ad1e-1bed8a674f55", "recroomoriginal,sport", "image_DiscGolfPropulsion.png"),
+            ("DiscGolfPropulsion","DiscGolf Propulsion","Throw your disc through hazards and around wind machines on this challenging course!", "d9378c9f-80bc-46fb-ad1e-1bed8a674f55", "recroomoriginal,sport,discgolf", "image_DiscGolfPropulsion.png"),
-            ("Dodgeball",        "Dodgeball",          "Throw dodgeballs to knock out your friends in this gym classic!", "3d474b26-26f7-45e9-9a36-9b02847d5e6f", "recroomoriginal,sport", "image_Dodgeball.png"),
+            ("Dodgeball",        "Dodgeball",          "Throw dodgeballs to knock out your friends in this gym classic!", "3d474b26-26f7-45e9-9a36-9b02847d5e6f", "recroomoriginal,sport,dodgeball,pvp", "image_Dodgeball.png"),
-            ("Paddleball",       "Paddleball",         "A simple rally game between two players in a plexiglass tube with a zero-g ball.", "d89f74fa-d51e-477a-a425-025a891dd499", "recroomoriginal,sport", "image_Paddleball.png"),
+            ("Paddleball",       "Paddleball",         "A simple rally game between two players in a plexiglass tube with a zero-g ball.", "d89f74fa-d51e-477a-a425-025a891dd499", "recroomoriginal,sport,paddleball,pvp", "image_Paddleball.png"),
-            ("Paintball",        "Paintball",          "Red and Blue teams splat each other in capture the flag and team battle.", "e122fe98-e7db-49e8-a1b1-105424b6e1f0", "recroomoriginal,sport", "image_Paintball.png"),
+            ("Paintball",        "Paintball",          "Red and Blue teams splat each other in capture the flag and team battle.", "e122fe98-e7db-49e8-a1b1-105424b6e1f0", "recroomoriginal,sport,paintball,pvp", "image_Paintball.png"),
             // Soccer scene = soccer.unity, Location ReplicationId verified
             // (was previously mis-mapped to IsleOfLostSkulls' GUID).
-            ("Soccer",           "Soccer",             "Teams of three run around slamming themselves into an over-sized soccer ball. Goal!", "6d5eea4b-f069-4ed0-9916-0e2f07df0d03", "recroomoriginal,sport", "image_Soccer.png"),
+            ("Soccer",           "Soccer",             "Teams of three run around slamming themselves into an over-sized soccer ball. Goal!", "6d5eea4b-f069-4ed0-9916-0e2f07df0d03", "recroomoriginal,sport,soccer,pvp", "image_Soccer.png"),
             // LaserTag in the 2020 build IS the CyberJunkCity arena scene
             // (Arena_Cyberjunk_City.unity). Was previously mis-mapped to
             // soccer's GUID. Hangar (Arena_Hangar3.unity) is the alternate
             // map players reach via the in-game lobby.
-            ("LaserTag",         "Laser Tag",          "Teams battle each other and waves of robots in a totally cyber neon future city.", "9d6456ce-6264-48b4-808d-2d96b3d91038", "recroomoriginal,sport", "image_LaserTag.png"),
+            ("LaserTag",         "Laser Tag",          "Teams battle each other and waves of robots in a totally cyber neon future city.", "9d6456ce-6264-48b4-808d-2d96b3d91038", "recroomoriginal,sport,lasertag,pvp", "image_LaserTag.png"),
-            ("CyberJunkCity",    "Laser Tag CyberJunk","Teams battle each other and waves of robots in a totally cyber neon future city.", "9d6456ce-6264-48b4-808d-2d96b3d91038", "recroomoriginal,sport", "image_CyberJunkCity.png"),
+            ("CyberJunkCity",    "Laser Tag CyberJunk","Teams battle each other and waves of robots in a totally cyber neon future city.", "9d6456ce-6264-48b4-808d-2d96b3d91038", "recroomoriginal,sport,lasertag,pvp", "image_CyberJunkCity.png"),
-            ("LaserTagHangar",   "Laser Tag Hangar",   "Teams battle in an industrial warehouse map.", "239e676c-f12f-489f-bf3a-d4c383d692c3", "recroomoriginal,sport", "image_LaserTag.png"),
+            ("LaserTagHangar",   "Laser Tag Hangar",   "Teams battle in an industrial warehouse map.", "239e676c-f12f-489f-bf3a-d4c383d692c3", "recroomoriginal,sport,lasertag,pvp", "image_LaserTag.png"),
-            ("RecRoyaleSquads",  "Rec Royale Squads",  "Squads of three battle it out on Frontier Island. Last squad standing wins!", "253fa009-6e65-4c90-91a1-7137a56a267f", "recroomoriginal,featured,sport", "image_RecRoyaleSquads.png"),
+            ("RecRoyaleSquads",  "Rec Royale Squads",  "Squads of three battle it out on Frontier Island. Last squad standing wins!", "253fa009-6e65-4c90-91a1-7137a56a267f", "recroomoriginal,featured,sport,recroyale,pvp,battle", "image_RecRoyaleSquads.png"),
             // RecRoyaleSolos was previously pointing at a Home location
             // GUID (85b43509-…); the real Solos Location is b010171f-….
-            ("RecRoyaleSolos",   "Rec Royale Solos",   "Battle it out on Frontier Island. Last person standing wins!", "b010171f-4875-4e89-baba-61e878cd41e1", "recroomoriginal,sport", "image_RecRoyaleSolos.png"),
+            ("RecRoyaleSolos",   "Rec Royale Solos",   "Battle it out on Frontier Island. Last person standing wins!", "b010171f-4875-4e89-baba-61e878cd41e1", "recroomoriginal,sport,recroyale,pvp,battle", "image_RecRoyaleSolos.png"),
-            ("GoldenTrophy",     "Quest For The Golden Trophy", "The goblin king stole Coach's Golden Trophy. Team up and embark on an epic quest to recover it!", "91e16e35-f48f-4700-ab8a-a1b79e50e51b", "recroomoriginal,quest", "image_GoldenTrophy.png"),
+            ("GoldenTrophy",     "Quest For The Golden Trophy", "The goblin king stole Coach's Golden Trophy. Team up and embark on an epic quest to recover it!", "91e16e35-f48f-4700-ab8a-a1b79e50e51b", "recroomoriginal,quest,co-op,adventure", "image_GoldenTrophy.png"),
-            ("TheRiseofJumbotron","The Rise of Jumbotron", "Robot invaders threaten the galaxy! Team up with your friends and bring the laser heat!", "acc06e66-c2d0-4361-b0cd-46246a4c455c", "recroomoriginal,quest", "image_TheRiseofJumbotron.png"),
+            ("TheRiseofJumbotron","The Rise of Jumbotron", "Robot invaders threaten the galaxy! Team up with your friends and bring the laser heat!", "acc06e66-c2d0-4361-b0cd-46246a4c455c", "recroomoriginal,quest,co-op,adventure", "image_TheRiseofJumbotron.png"),
-            ("CrimsonCauldron",  "Curse of the Crimson Cauldron", "Can your band of adventurers brave the enchanted wilds, and lift the curse of the crimson cauldron?", "949fa41f-4347-45c0-b7ac-489129174045", "recroomoriginal,quest", "image_CrimsonCauldron.png"),
+            ("CrimsonCauldron",  "Curse of the Crimson Cauldron", "Can your band of adventurers brave the enchanted wilds, and lift the curse of the crimson cauldron?", "949fa41f-4347-45c0-b7ac-489129174045", "recroomoriginal,quest,co-op,adventure", "image_CrimsonCauldron.png"),
             // IsleOfLostSkulls was previously pointing at Quarry's GUID;
             // real Location ReplicationId is 7e01cfe0-… (scene Quest_Pirate1_additive).
-            ("IsleOfLostSkulls", "The Isle of Lost Skulls", "Can your pirate crew get to the Isle, defeat its fearsome guardian, and escape with the gold?", "7e01cfe0-820a-406f-b1b3-0a5bf575235c", "recroomoriginal,quest", "image_IsleOfLostSkulls.png"),
+            ("IsleOfLostSkulls", "The Isle of Lost Skulls", "Can your pirate crew get to the Isle, defeat its fearsome guardian, and escape with the gold?", "7e01cfe0-820a-406f-b1b3-0a5bf575235c", "recroomoriginal,quest,co-op,adventure", "image_IsleOfLostSkulls.png"),
-            ("Crescendo",        "Crescendo of the Blood Moon", "Brave the haunted halls of Castle Dracula and survive the night.", "49cb8993-a956-43e2-86f4-1318f279b22a", "recroomoriginal,quest", "image_Crescendo.png"),
+            ("Crescendo",        "Crescendo of the Blood Moon", "Brave the haunted halls of Castle Dracula and survive the night.", "49cb8993-a956-43e2-86f4-1318f279b22a", "recroomoriginal,quest,co-op,adventure", "image_Crescendo.png"),
-            ("StuntRunner",      "Stunt Runner",       "A solo platforming gauntlet — sprint, climb and dodge to reach the trophy at the top.", "b7281665-a715-4051-826b-8e08e69c6172", "recroomoriginal,sport,quest", "image_StuntRunner.png"),
+            ("StuntRunner",      "Stunt Runner",       "A solo platforming gauntlet — sprint, climb and dodge to reach the trophy at the top.", "b7281665-a715-4051-826b-8e08e69c6172", "recroomoriginal,sport,quest,stuntrunner,parkour", "image_StuntRunner.png"),
-            ("Drive-In",         "Rec Drive-In",       "Watch movies, hang out with friends, or chill at the bar.", "65ddbb48-5a01-4e3e-972d-e5c7419e2bc3", "recroomoriginal,featured", "image_DriveIn.png"),
+            ("Drive-In",         "Rec Drive-In",       "Watch movies, hang out with friends, or chill at the bar.", "65ddbb48-5a01-4e3e-972d-e5c7419e2bc3", "recroomoriginal,featured,hangout,chill", "image_DriveIn.png"),
             // Hub / hang rooms — no specific gameplay, just shared spaces.
-            ("Park",             "The Park",           "An outdoor park with picnic tables and lawn games — a chill place to hang out.", "0a864c86-5a71-4e18-8041-8124e4dc9d98", "recroomoriginal,featured", "image_Park.png"),
+            ("Park",             "The Park",           "An outdoor park with picnic tables and lawn games — a chill place to hang out.", "0a864c86-5a71-4e18-8041-8124e4dc9d98", "recroomoriginal,featured,hangout,chill", "image_Park.png"),
-            ("PerformanceHall",  "Performance Hall",   "A big stage for live performances. Sing, perform, or just enjoy the show.", "9932f88f-3929-43a0-a012-a40b5128e346", "recroomoriginal", "image_PerformanceHall.png"),
+            ("PerformanceHall",  "Performance Hall",   "A big stage for live performances. Sing, perform, or just enjoy the show.", "9932f88f-3929-43a0-a012-a40b5128e346", "recroomoriginal,hangout,music", "image_PerformanceHall.png"),
-            ("EventRoom",        "The Lounge",         "A modular event hall with movable furniture for parties and meetings.", "a067557f-ca32-43e6-b6e5-daaec60b4f5a", "recroomoriginal", "image_EventRoom.png"),
+            ("EventRoom",        "The Lounge",         "A modular event hall with movable furniture for parties and meetings.", "a067557f-ca32-43e6-b6e5-daaec60b4f5a", "recroomoriginal,hangout,chill", "image_EventRoom.png"),
-            ("BowlingAlley",     "Bowling Alley",      "Classic ten-pin bowling. Roll strikes, beat your friends.", "ae929543-9a07-41d5-8ee9-dbbee8c36800", "recroomoriginal,sport", "image_BowlingAlley.png"),
+            ("BowlingAlley",     "Bowling Alley",      "Classic ten-pin bowling. Roll strikes, beat your friends.", "ae929543-9a07-41d5-8ee9-dbbee8c36800", "recroomoriginal,sport,bowling", "image_BowlingAlley.png"),
             // Sandbox templates (cloning canvases) — every "Home"-named
             // Location with a recognizable scene. Players land in these
             // when picking a stage for a custom room.
-            ("River",            "River",              "An outdoor template for building. Mountains, river, and forest as your starting canvas.", "e122fe98-e7db-49e8-a1b1-105424b6e1f0", "recroomoriginal,template", "image_River.png"),
+            ("River",            "River",              "An outdoor template for building. Mountains, river, and forest as your starting canvas.", "e122fe98-e7db-49e8-a1b1-105424b6e1f0", "recroomoriginal,template,creative,makerpen", "image_River.png"),
-            ("Homestead",        "Homestead",          "A frontier-themed template — barn, fences, dusty trails. Build your homestead.", "a785267d-c579-42ea-be43-fec1992d1ca7", "recroomoriginal,template", "image_Homestead.png"),
+            ("Homestead",        "Homestead",          "A frontier-themed template — barn, fences, dusty trails. Build your homestead.", "a785267d-c579-42ea-be43-fec1992d1ca7", "recroomoriginal,template,creative,makerpen", "image_Homestead.png"),
-            ("Quarry",           "Quarry",             "A rocky open-pit template, ideal for industrial and obstacle-course builds.", "ff4c6427-7079-4f59-b22a-69b089420827", "recroomoriginal,template", "image_Quarry.png"),
+            ("Quarry",           "Quarry",             "A rocky open-pit template, ideal for industrial and obstacle-course builds.", "ff4c6427-7079-4f59-b22a-69b089420827", "recroomoriginal,template,creative,makerpen", "image_Quarry.png"),
-            ("Clearcut",         "Clearcut",           "An open clearing template — flat ground, mountains in the distance.", "380d18b5-de9c-49f3-80f7-f4a95c1de161", "recroomoriginal,template", "image_Clearcut.png"),
+            ("Clearcut",         "Clearcut",           "An open clearing template — flat ground, mountains in the distance.", "380d18b5-de9c-49f3-80f7-f4a95c1de161", "recroomoriginal,template,creative,makerpen", "image_Clearcut.png"),
-            ("Spillway",         "Spillway",           "A water-park template — pools, waterslides, and concrete chutes for action builds.", "58763055-2dfb-4814-80b8-16fac5c85709", "recroomoriginal,template", "image_Spillway.png"),
+            ("Spillway",         "Spillway",           "A water-park template — pools, waterslides, and concrete chutes for action builds.", "58763055-2dfb-4814-80b8-16fac5c85709", "recroomoriginal,template,creative,makerpen", "image_Spillway.png"),
-            ("MakerRoom",        "Maker Room",         "A blank-walled canvas. The classic starting point for a Maker Pen build.", "a75f7547-79eb-47c6-8986-6767abcb4f92", "recroomoriginal,template,featured", "image_RecCenter.png"),
+            ("MakerRoom",        "Maker Room",         "A blank-walled canvas. The classic starting point for a Maker Pen build.", "a75f7547-79eb-47c6-8986-6767abcb4f92", "recroomoriginal,template,featured,creative,makerpen", "image_RecCenter.png"),
         };
 
         // Stable id allocation: 100..1000 reserved for seeded rooms. User
@@ -571,7 +571,10 @@ public class RoomService(DorkNetDbContext db)
             if (bareTag.Length > 0)
             {
                 var needle = $"%{bareTag}%";
-                q = q.Where(r => EF.Functions.Like(r.TagsCsv, needle));
+                q = q.Where(r =>
+                    EF.Functions.Like(r.TagsCsv, needle) ||
+                    EF.Functions.Like(r.Name, needle) ||
+                    EF.Functions.Like(r.Description, needle));
             }
         }
         return await q.OrderByDescending(r => r.HotScore).Take(take).ToListAsync();

DorkNet.Server/Services/ServerSettingsService.cs

@@ -54,6 +54,24 @@ public class ServerSettingsService(DorkNetDbContext db)
         return ToWeeklySettings(row);
     }
 
+    public async Task<PlayMenuTagSettings> GetPlayMenuTagsAsync()
+    {
+        var row = await GetAsync();
+        return ToPlayMenuTags(row);
+    }
+
+    public async Task<PlayMenuTagSettings> SetPlayMenuTagsAsync(
+        IReadOnlyList<string> pinned,
+        IReadOnlyList<string> popular)
+    {
+        var normalized = NormalizePlayMenuTags(pinned, popular);
+        var existing = await GetTrackedRowAsync();
+        existing.PlayMenuTagsJson = JsonSerializer.Serialize(normalized, JsonOptions);
+        existing.UpdatedAt = DateTime.UtcNow;
+        await db.SaveChangesAsync();
+        return normalized with { UpdatedAt = existing.UpdatedAt };
+    }
+
     public async Task<WeeklyChallengeSettings> SetWeeklyChallengesAsync(
         bool completedRequired,
         IReadOnlyList<WeeklyChallengeTemplate> challenges,
@@ -122,6 +140,29 @@ public class ServerSettingsService(DorkNetDbContext db)
             row.UpdatedAt);
     }
 
+    private static PlayMenuTagSettings ToPlayMenuTags(ServerSettingsEntity row)
+    {
+        if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(row.PlayMenuTagsJson))
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                var parsed = JsonSerializer.Deserialize<PlayMenuTagSettings>(
+                    row.PlayMenuTagsJson,
+                    JsonOptions);
+                if (parsed is not null)
+                    return NormalizePlayMenuTags(parsed.PinnedTags, parsed.PopularTags)
+                        with { UpdatedAt = row.UpdatedAt };
+            }
+            catch
+            {
+                // Bad settings should not break the Play menu; admins can
+                // overwrite them from the SPA.
+            }
+        }
+
+        return DefaultPlayMenuTags() with { UpdatedAt = row.UpdatedAt };
+    }
+
     private static List<WeeklyChallengeTemplate> NormalizeWeeklyChallenges(
         IReadOnlyList<WeeklyChallengeTemplate> challenges)
     {
@@ -189,6 +230,65 @@ public class ServerSettingsService(DorkNetDbContext db)
             ConsumableItemDesc: string.Empty,
             EquipmentPrefabName: string.Empty,
             EquipmentModificationGuid: string.Empty);
+
+    public static PlayMenuTagSettings DefaultPlayMenuTags() =>
+        new(
+            PinnedTags:
+            [
+                "community",
+                "recroomoriginal",
+                "featured",
+                "quest",
+                "sport",
+                "template",
+                "hangout",
+                "creative",
+            ],
+            PopularTags:
+            [
+                "paintball",
+                "dodgeball",
+                "soccer",
+                "lasertag",
+                "recroyale",
+                "discgolf",
+                "charades",
+                "bowling",
+                "paddleball",
+                "stuntrunner",
+                "makerpen",
+                "pvp",
+                "co-op",
+                "chill",
+                "music",
+                "parkour",
+            ],
+            UpdatedAt: DateTime.UtcNow);
+
+    private static PlayMenuTagSettings NormalizePlayMenuTags(
+        IReadOnlyList<string> pinned,
+        IReadOnlyList<string> popular)
+    {
+        static List<string> Normalize(IReadOnlyList<string> tags, int max)
+        {
+            var seen = new HashSet<string>(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+            return tags
+                .Select(t => (t ?? string.Empty).Trim().TrimStart('#').ToLowerInvariant())
+                .Where(t => t.Length > 0)
+                .Where(t => t.All(c => char.IsLetterOrDigit(c) || c is '-' or '_'))
+                .Where(seen.Add)
+                .Take(max)
+                .ToList();
+        }
+
+        var defaults = DefaultPlayMenuTags();
+        var pinnedTags = Normalize(pinned, 16);
+        var popularTags = Normalize(popular, 32);
+        return new PlayMenuTagSettings(
+            pinnedTags.Count > 0 ? pinnedTags : defaults.PinnedTags,
+            popularTags.Count > 0 ? popularTags : defaults.PopularTags,
+            DateTime.UtcNow);
+    }
 }
 
 public sealed record WeeklyChallengeSettings(
@@ -215,3 +315,8 @@ public sealed record WeeklyChallengeReward(
     string ConsumableItemDesc,
     string EquipmentPrefabName,
     string EquipmentModificationGuid);
+
+public sealed record PlayMenuTagSettings(
+    List<string> PinnedTags,
+    List<string> PopularTags,
+    DateTime UpdatedAt);

DorkNet.Server/Startup/DatabaseBootstrap.cs

@@ -100,6 +100,7 @@ public static class DatabaseBootstrap
         // idempotent raw SQL that works on a fresh DB too (CREATE TABLE
         // IF NOT EXISTS no-ops when EnsureCreated already built them).
         await EnsureSignupCodeTablesAsync(db);
+        await EnsureServerSettingsColumnsAsync(db);
 
         // Coach system account at Player.Id=1. The RR-Original room seeder
         // below assigns CreatorPlayerId=1 to every canonical room
@@ -236,6 +237,29 @@ public static class DatabaseBootstrap
             await db.Database.ExecuteSqlRawAsync(sql);
     }
 
+    private static async Task EnsureServerSettingsColumnsAsync(DorkNetDbContext db)
+    {
+        var provider = db.Database.ProviderName ?? string.Empty;
+        if (provider.Contains("Npgsql", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+        {
+            await db.Database.ExecuteSqlRawAsync(
+                @"ALTER TABLE ""ServerSettings"" ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS ""PlayMenuTagsJson"" text NOT NULL DEFAULT '';");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        try
+        {
+            await db.Database.ExecuteSqlRawAsync(
+                @"ALTER TABLE ""ServerSettings"" ADD COLUMN ""PlayMenuTagsJson"" TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT '';");
+        }
+        catch
+        {
+            // SQLite has no ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS. If it already exists,
+            // ignore the duplicate-column error; any other schema problem
+            // will surface when EF reads ServerSettings.
+        }
+    }
+
     /// <summary>SQLite migration-history reconciliation. Handles two
     /// cutover scenarios so legacy DBs boot cleanly without manual SQL:
     /// <list type="number">

DorkNet.Server/admin-ui/src/pages/Rooms.tsx

@@ -10,8 +10,20 @@ import { useToast } from '../components/Toast';
 import { Confirm } from '../components/Confirm';
 import { RefreshCw, Trash, Upload } from '../components/Icons';
 
+interface PlayMenuTagSettings {
+  pinnedTags: string[];
+  popularTags: string[];
+  updatedAt: string;
+}
+
 export function Rooms() {
   const { data, loading, error, refresh } = useApi<Room[]>('/rooms');
+  const {
+    data: playMenuTags,
+    loading: tagsLoading,
+    error: tagsError,
+    refresh: refreshPlayMenuTags,
+  } = useApi<PlayMenuTagSettings>('/settings/play-menu-tags');
   const [filter, setFilter] = useState('');
   const [filterKind, setFilterKind] = useState<'all' | 'original' | 'custom' | 'dorm'>('all');
   const [pendingDelete, setPendingDelete] = useState<Room | null>(null);
@@ -64,6 +76,13 @@ export function Rooms() {
         </>}
       />
 
+      <PlayMenuTagsPanel
+        tags={playMenuTags}
+        loading={tagsLoading}
+        error={tagsError}
+        onSaved={refreshPlayMenuTags}
+      />
+
       <div className="card overflow-hidden">
         <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-2 border-b border-ink-800 px-3 py-2.5">
           <input value={filter} onChange={e => setFilter(e.target.value)} placeholder="Filter by name…" className="input max-w-xs" />
@@ -156,6 +175,102 @@ export function Rooms() {
   );
 }
 
+function PlayMenuTagsPanel({
+  tags,
+  loading,
+  error,
+  onSaved,
+}: {
+  tags: PlayMenuTagSettings | null;
+  loading: boolean;
+  error: string | null;
+  onSaved: () => void;
+}) {
+  const [pinnedText, setPinnedText] = useState('');
+  const [popularText, setPopularText] = useState('');
+  const [busy, setBusy] = useState(false);
+  const toast = useToast();
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!tags) return;
+    setPinnedText(tags.pinnedTags.join('\n'));
+    setPopularText(tags.popularTags.join('\n'));
+  }, [tags]);
+
+  const parseTags = (text: string) =>
+    text
+      .split(/[\n,]+/)
+      .map(t => t.trim().replace(/^#+/, '').toLowerCase())
+      .filter(Boolean);
+
+  const save = async (reset = false) => {
+    setBusy(true);
+    try {
+      await api<PlayMenuTagSettings>('/settings/play-menu-tags', {
+        method: 'POST',
+        body: reset
+          ? { PinnedTags: [], PopularTags: [] }
+          : { PinnedTags: parseTags(pinnedText), PopularTags: parseTags(popularText) },
+      });
+      toast.push(reset ? 'Play menu tags reset.' : 'Play menu tags saved.', 'success');
+      onSaved();
+    } catch (e) {
+      toast.push((e as Error).message, 'error');
+    } finally {
+      setBusy(false);
+    }
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <div className="card !p-4 mb-4">
+      <div className="flex flex-wrap items-start justify-between gap-3">
+        <div>
+          <h2 className="text-sm font-semibold text-ink-50">Play menu tags</h2>
+          <p className="mt-1 text-xs text-ink-400">
+            Filter chips shown in the watch Play menu. Use one tag per line or commas; leave off the #.
+          </p>
+          {tags && (
+            <p className="mt-1 text-[11px] text-ink-500">
+              Last changed {new Date(tags.updatedAt).toLocaleString()}.
+            </p>
+          )}
+        </div>
+        <div className="flex gap-2">
+          <button onClick={() => save(true)} disabled={busy || loading} className="btn-secondary text-xs">
+            Defaults
+          </button>
+          <button onClick={() => save(false)} disabled={busy || loading} className="btn-primary text-xs">
+            {busy ? 'Saving...' : 'Save tags'}
+          </button>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      {error && <div className="mt-3 text-sm text-danger">{error}</div>}
+      {loading && !tags && <div className="mt-3 text-xs text-ink-400">Loading tags...</div>}
+      {tags && (
+        <div className="mt-4 grid gap-3 md:grid-cols-2">
+          <label className="block">
+            <span className="label">Pinned tags</span>
+            <textarea
+              value={pinnedText}
+              onChange={e => setPinnedText(e.target.value)}
+              className="input mt-1 min-h-36 font-mono text-xs"
+            />
+          </label>
+          <label className="block">
+            <span className="label">Popular tags</span>
+            <textarea
+              value={popularText}
+              onChange={e => setPopularText(e.target.value)}
+              className="input mt-1 min-h-36 font-mono text-xs"
+            />
+          </label>
+        </div>
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
 // ── Per-room hard-delete modal with two typed-name confirmations ─────────
 // The previous bulk "purge all custom" button was removed — too easy to
 // click by accident. Each room now gets its own purge flow that requires