diff --git a/supabase/migrations/20251105181046_3fa8a35b-81e7-4940-af1d-95d1e0913143.sql b/supabase/migrations/20251105181046_3fa8a35b-81e7-4940-af1d-95d1e0913143.sql
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+++ b/supabase/migrations/20251105181046_3fa8a35b-81e7-4940-af1d-95d1e0913143.sql
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+-- =====================================================
+-- Automatic Cleanup of Temporary References
+-- =====================================================
+-- Trigger to delete submission_item_temp_refs when items are approved
+-- This acts as a safety net if edge function cleanup fails
+
+-- Function to cleanup temp refs on approval
+CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION public.cleanup_temp_refs_on_approval()
+RETURNS TRIGGER
+LANGUAGE plpgsql
+SECURITY DEFINER
+SET search_path TO 'public'
+AS $function$
+DECLARE
+  v_deleted_count INTEGER;
+BEGIN
+  -- Only cleanup when status changes to approved
+  IF NEW.status = 'approved' AND OLD.status != 'approved' THEN
+    -- Delete all temp refs for this submission item
+    DELETE FROM public.submission_item_temp_refs
+    WHERE submission_item_id = NEW.id;
+    
+    GET DIAGNOSTICS v_deleted_count = ROW_COUNT;
+    
+    IF v_deleted_count > 0 THEN
+      RAISE NOTICE 'Cleaned up % temp refs for submission_item %', v_deleted_count, NEW.id;
+    END IF;
+  END IF;
+  
+  RETURN NEW;
+EXCEPTION WHEN OTHERS THEN
+  -- Log but don't block the approval
+  RAISE NOTICE 'Failed to cleanup temp refs for item %: %', NEW.id, SQLERRM;
+  RETURN NEW;
+END;
+$function$;
+
+-- Create trigger on submission_items
+CREATE TRIGGER trigger_cleanup_temp_refs_on_approval
+  AFTER UPDATE OF status ON public.submission_items
+  FOR EACH ROW
+  WHEN (NEW.status = 'approved' AND OLD.status IS DISTINCT FROM 'approved')
+  EXECUTE FUNCTION public.cleanup_temp_refs_on_approval();
+
+COMMENT ON FUNCTION public.cleanup_temp_refs_on_approval() IS 
+  'Automatically deletes temporary reference records when submission items are approved. Acts as safety net for edge function cleanup.';
+
+COMMENT ON TRIGGER trigger_cleanup_temp_refs_on_approval ON public.submission_items IS
+  'Ensures temp refs are cleaned up even if edge function cleanup fails';
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