diff --git a/src/components/moderation/ModerationQueue.tsx b/src/components/moderation/ModerationQueue.tsx
index bb308199..2340a517 100644
--- a/src/components/moderation/ModerationQueue.tsx
+++ b/src/components/moderation/ModerationQueue.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { useState, useImperativeHandle, forwardRef, useMemo } from 'react';
 import { Card, CardContent } from '@/components/ui/card';
+import { Tabs, TabsList, TabsTrigger } from '@/components/ui/tabs';
 import { useToast } from '@/hooks/use-toast';
 import { useUserRole } from '@/hooks/useUserRole';
 import { useAuth } from '@/hooks/useAuth';
@@ -19,7 +20,8 @@ import { AutoRefreshIndicator } from './AutoRefreshIndicator';
 import { NewItemsAlert } from './NewItemsAlert';
 import { EmptyQueueState } from './EmptyQueueState';
 import { QueuePagination } from './QueuePagination';
-import type { ModerationQueueRef } from '@/types/moderation';
+import type { ModerationQueueRef, QueueTab } from '@/types/moderation';
+import { AlertTriangle, Clock, Archive } from 'lucide-react';
 
 export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
   const isMobile = useIsMobile();
@@ -87,6 +89,28 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
   
   return (
     <div className="space-y-4">
+      {/* Queue Tabs */}
+      <Tabs 
+        value={queueManager.filters.activeTab} 
+        onValueChange={(value) => queueManager.filters.setActiveTab(value as QueueTab)}
+        className="w-full"
+      >
+        <TabsList className="grid w-full grid-cols-3">
+          <TabsTrigger value="mainQueue" className="flex items-center gap-2">
+            <Clock className="w-4 h-4" />
+            Main Queue
+          </TabsTrigger>
+          <TabsTrigger value="escalated" className="flex items-center gap-2">
+            <AlertTriangle className="w-4 h-4" />
+            Escalated
+          </TabsTrigger>
+          <TabsTrigger value="archive" className="flex items-center gap-2">
+            <Archive className="w-4 h-4" />
+            Archive
+          </TabsTrigger>
+        </TabsList>
+      </Tabs>
+      
       {/* Queue Statistics & Lock Status */}
       {queueManager.queue.queueStats && (
         <Card className="bg-gradient-to-r from-primary/5 to-primary/10 border-primary/20">
diff --git a/src/hooks/moderation/useModerationQueueManager.ts b/src/hooks/moderation/useModerationQueueManager.ts
index fca62d6c..129b4ce0 100644
--- a/src/hooks/moderation/useModerationQueueManager.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/moderation/useModerationQueueManager.ts
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ import {
 } from "./index";
 import { useModerationQueue } from "@/hooks/useModerationQueue";
 import { smartMergeArray } from "@/lib/smartStateUpdate";
-import type { ModerationItem, EntityFilter, StatusFilter, LoadingState, SortConfig, SortField } from "@/types/moderation";
+import type { ModerationItem, EntityFilter, StatusFilter, LoadingState, SortConfig } from "@/types/moderation";
 
 /**
  * Configuration for useModerationQueueManager
@@ -100,29 +100,11 @@ export function useModerationQueueManager(config: ModerationQueueManagerConfig):
   });
 
   const sort = useModerationSort({
-    initialConfig: { field: "created_at", direction: "desc" },
+    initialConfig: { field: "created_at", direction: "asc" },
     persist: true,
     storageKey: "moderationQueue_sortConfig",
   });
 
-  /**
-   * Map UI sort field to actual database column
-   */
-  const getSortColumn = (field: SortField): string => {
-    switch (field) {
-      case 'created_at':
-        return 'created_at';
-      case 'submission_type':
-        return 'submission_type';
-      case 'status':
-        return 'status';
-      case 'escalated':
-        return 'escalated';
-      default:
-        return 'created_at';
-    }
-  };
-
   const queue = useModerationQueue();
   const entityCache = useEntityCache();
   const profileCache = useProfileCache();
@@ -145,7 +127,9 @@ export function useModerationQueueManager(config: ModerationQueueManagerConfig):
   const isMountingRef = useRef(true);
   const fetchItemsRef = useRef<((silent?: boolean) => Promise<void>) | null>(null);
 
-  const FETCH_COOLDOWN_MS = 300; // Match filter debounce delay for responsive sort changes
+  const FETCH_COOLDOWN_MS = 1000;
+  const EFFECT_DEBOUNCE_MS = 50; // Short debounce to let all effects settle
+  const effectFetchTimerRef = useRef<NodeJS.Timeout | null>(null);
 
   // Store settings in refs to avoid re-creating fetchItems
   const settingsRef = useRef(settings);
@@ -162,14 +146,7 @@ export function useModerationQueueManager(config: ModerationQueueManagerConfig):
    * Fetch queue items from database
    */
   const fetchItems = useCallback(
-    async (silent = false, bypassCooldown = false) => {
-      console.log('🔄 [fetchItems RECREATED]', {
-        sortField: sort.field,
-        sortDirection: sort.direction,
-        bypassCooldown,
-        timestamp: new Date().toISOString()
-      });
-
+    async (silent = false) => {
       if (!user) return;
 
       // Get caller info
@@ -196,10 +173,10 @@ export function useModerationQueueManager(config: ModerationQueueManagerConfig):
         return;
       }
 
-      // Cooldown check (can be bypassed for critical operations like sort changes)
+      // Cooldown check
       const now = Date.now();
       const timeSinceLastFetch = now - lastFetchTimeRef.current;
-      if (!bypassCooldown && timeSinceLastFetch < FETCH_COOLDOWN_MS && lastFetchTimeRef.current > 0) {
+      if (timeSinceLastFetch < FETCH_COOLDOWN_MS && lastFetchTimeRef.current > 0) {
         console.log(`⏸️ Fetch cooldown active (${timeSinceLastFetch}ms)`);
         return;
       }
@@ -245,15 +222,48 @@ export function useModerationQueueManager(config: ModerationQueueManagerConfig):
             item_data,
             status
           )
-        `
+        `,
           );
+        
+        // Validate sort field is an actual column in content_submissions
+        const validSortFields = ['created_at', 'submission_type', 'status', 'escalated', 'submitted_at'];
+        let sortField = sort.config.field;
+        
+        if (!validSortFields.includes(sortField)) {
+          console.warn('[Query] Invalid sort field:', sortField, '- falling back to created_at');
+          sortField = 'created_at';
+        }
+        
+        console.log('[Query] Sorting by:', {
+          field: sortField,
+          direction: sort.config.direction,
+          ascending: sort.config.direction === 'asc'
+        });
+        
+        // Apply sorting by user's chosen field only
+        submissionsQuery = submissionsQuery
+          .order(sortField, { ascending: sort.config.direction === 'asc' });
 
-        // Apply tab-based status filtering FIRST
+        // Apply tab-based status filtering
         const tab = filters.activeTab;
         const statusFilter = filters.debouncedStatusFilter;
         const entityFilter = filters.debouncedEntityFilter;
 
         if (tab === "mainQueue") {
+          // Main queue: non-escalated pending items
+          submissionsQuery = submissionsQuery.eq("escalated", false);
+          
+          if (statusFilter === "all") {
+            submissionsQuery = submissionsQuery.in("status", ["pending", "flagged", "partially_approved"]);
+          } else if (statusFilter === "pending") {
+            submissionsQuery = submissionsQuery.in("status", ["pending", "partially_approved"]);
+          } else {
+            submissionsQuery = submissionsQuery.eq("status", statusFilter);
+          }
+        } else if (tab === "escalated") {
+          // Escalated queue: only escalated items
+          submissionsQuery = submissionsQuery.eq("escalated", true);
+          
           if (statusFilter === "all") {
             submissionsQuery = submissionsQuery.in("status", ["pending", "flagged", "partially_approved"]);
           } else if (statusFilter === "pending") {
@@ -262,6 +272,7 @@ export function useModerationQueueManager(config: ModerationQueueManagerConfig):
             submissionsQuery = submissionsQuery.eq("status", statusFilter);
           }
         } else {
+          // Archive: completed items (non-escalated and escalated)
           if (statusFilter === "all") {
             submissionsQuery = submissionsQuery.in("status", ["approved", "rejected"]);
           } else {
@@ -276,7 +287,7 @@ export function useModerationQueueManager(config: ModerationQueueManagerConfig):
           submissionsQuery = submissionsQuery.neq("submission_type", "photo");
         }
 
-        // Apply access control (must be AFTER status/entity filters to work as AND)
+        // Apply access control
         if (!isAdmin && !isSuperuser) {
           const now = new Date().toISOString();
           submissionsQuery = submissionsQuery.or(
@@ -284,41 +295,25 @@ export function useModerationQueueManager(config: ModerationQueueManagerConfig):
           );
         }
 
-        // Apply user-selected sort configuration
-        const sortColumn = getSortColumn(sort.field);
-        const sortAscending = sort.direction === 'asc';
-
-        console.log('[Query] Applying sort:', {
-          sortLevels: [
-            '1. escalated DESC (always first)',
-            `2. ${sortColumn} ${sortAscending ? 'ASC' : 'DESC'} (user selected)`,
-            sortColumn !== 'created_at' ? '3. created_at ASC (tie-breaker)' : null
-          ].filter(Boolean),
-          uiField: sort.field,
-          dbColumn: sortColumn,
-          direction: sort.direction,
-          ascending: sortAscending,
-          timestamp: new Date().toISOString()
-        });
-
-        // Always prioritize escalated submissions first
-        submissionsQuery = submissionsQuery.order('escalated', { ascending: false });
-
-        // Then apply user-selected sort
-        submissionsQuery = submissionsQuery.order(sortColumn, { ascending: sortAscending });
-
-        // Tertiary sort by created_at for consistency (only if not already the user's sort choice)
-        if (sortColumn !== 'created_at') {
-          submissionsQuery = submissionsQuery.order('created_at', { ascending: true });
-        }
-
-        // Get total count for pagination (rebuild query with same filters in SAME ORDER)
+        // Get total count - rebuild query with same filters
         let countQuery = supabase
           .from("content_submissions")
           .select("*", { count: "exact", head: true });
 
-        // Apply same filters as main query - status filter FIRST
+        // Apply the exact same filters as the main query
         if (tab === "mainQueue") {
+          countQuery = countQuery.eq("escalated", false);
+          
+          if (statusFilter === "all") {
+            countQuery = countQuery.in("status", ["pending", "flagged", "partially_approved"]);
+          } else if (statusFilter === "pending") {
+            countQuery = countQuery.in("status", ["pending", "partially_approved"]);
+          } else {
+            countQuery = countQuery.eq("status", statusFilter);
+          }
+        } else if (tab === "escalated") {
+          countQuery = countQuery.eq("escalated", true);
+          
           if (statusFilter === "all") {
             countQuery = countQuery.in("status", ["pending", "flagged", "partially_approved"]);
           } else if (statusFilter === "pending") {
@@ -334,14 +329,14 @@ export function useModerationQueueManager(config: ModerationQueueManagerConfig):
           }
         }
 
-        // Entity type filter
+        // Apply entity type filter
         if (entityFilter === "photos") {
           countQuery = countQuery.eq("submission_type", "photo");
         } else if (entityFilter === "submissions") {
           countQuery = countQuery.neq("submission_type", "photo");
         }
 
-        // Access control (AFTER status/entity filters)
+        // Apply access control
         if (!isAdmin && !isSuperuser) {
           const now = new Date().toISOString();
           countQuery = countQuery.or(
@@ -357,40 +352,10 @@ export function useModerationQueueManager(config: ModerationQueueManagerConfig):
         const endIndex = pagination.endIndex;
         submissionsQuery = submissionsQuery.range(startIndex, endIndex);
 
-        // Log the final query for debugging
-        console.log('[Query] Final query about to execute:', {
-          sortApplied: sortColumn,
-          sortDirection: sortAscending ? 'ASC' : 'DESC',
-          filtersApplied: {
-            tab: filters.activeTab,
-            status: filters.debouncedStatusFilter,
-            entity: filters.debouncedEntityFilter,
-          },
-          pagination: {
-            startIndex,
-            endIndex
-          }
-        });
-
         const { data: submissions, error: submissionsError } = await submissionsQuery;
 
         if (submissionsError) throw submissionsError;
 
-        // VALIDATE: Log first few items to verify sort is working
-        if (submissions && submissions.length > 0) {
-          console.log('[Query] Results returned (first 3 items):', {
-            sortLevels: `escalated DESC → ${sortColumn} ${sortAscending ? 'ASC' : 'DESC'}`,
-            items: submissions.slice(0, 3).map(s => ({
-              id: s.id.substring(0, 8),
-              escalated: s.escalated,
-              type: s.submission_type,
-              status: s.status,
-              created: s.created_at,
-              sortValue: s[sortColumn as keyof typeof s]
-            }))
-          });
-        }
-
         // Fetch related profiles and entities
         const userIds = [
           ...new Set([
@@ -565,7 +530,7 @@ export function useModerationQueueManager(config: ModerationQueueManagerConfig):
         setLoadingState("ready");
       }
     },
-    [user, isAdmin, isSuperuser, filters, pagination, profileCache, entityCache, toast, sort.field, sort.direction],
+    [user, isAdmin, isSuperuser, filters, pagination, sort, profileCache, entityCache, toast],
   );
 
   // Store fetchItems in ref to avoid re-creating visibility listener
@@ -893,20 +858,53 @@ export function useModerationQueueManager(config: ModerationQueueManagerConfig):
     // eslint-disable-next-line react-hooks/exhaustive-deps
   }, [user?.id]);
 
-  // Filter changes trigger refetch
+  // Debounced fetch for effects - prevents race conditions
+  const debouncedEffectFetch = useCallback(() => {
+    if (effectFetchTimerRef.current) {
+      clearTimeout(effectFetchTimerRef.current);
+    }
+    
+    effectFetchTimerRef.current = setTimeout(() => {
+      console.log('[Debounced Fetch] Executing after effects settled');
+      fetchItemsRef.current?.(true);
+    }, EFFECT_DEBOUNCE_MS);
+  }, []);
+
+  // Filter and tab changes trigger refetch
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!user || !initialFetchCompleteRef.current || isMountingRef.current) return;
 
+    console.log('[Filter/Tab Change] Queuing debounced fetch');
     pagination.reset();
-    fetchItems(true);
-  }, [filters.debouncedEntityFilter, filters.debouncedStatusFilter]);
+    debouncedEffectFetch();
+  }, [filters.activeTab, filters.debouncedEntityFilter, filters.debouncedStatusFilter, user, debouncedEffectFetch, pagination]);
+
+  // Sort changes trigger refetch
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!user || !initialFetchCompleteRef.current || isMountingRef.current) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    console.log('[Sort Change] Queuing debounced fetch');
+    pagination.reset();
+    debouncedEffectFetch();
+  }, [sort.field, sort.direction, user, pagination, debouncedEffectFetch]);
 
   // Pagination changes trigger refetch
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!user || !initialFetchCompleteRef.current || pagination.currentPage === 1) return;
 
-    fetchItemsRef.current?.(true);
-  }, [pagination.currentPage, pagination.pageSize]);
+    debouncedEffectFetch();
+  }, [pagination.currentPage, pagination.pageSize, debouncedEffectFetch]);
+
+  // Cleanup effect timer on unmount
+  useEffect(() => {
+    return () => {
+      if (effectFetchTimerRef.current) {
+        clearTimeout(effectFetchTimerRef.current);
+      }
+    };
+  }, []);
 
   // Polling effect (when realtime disabled)
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -988,36 +986,6 @@ export function useModerationQueueManager(config: ModerationQueueManagerConfig):
     };
   }, [settings.refreshOnTabVisible]);
 
-  // Refetch when sort configuration changes
-  useEffect(() => {
-    console.log('🔄 [Sort Changed]', {
-      field: sort.field,
-      direction: sort.direction,
-      timestamp: new Date().toISOString()
-    });
-
-    // Skip if initial fetch hasn't completed yet
-    if (!initialFetchCompleteRef.current) {
-      console.log('⏭️ Skipping sort refetch (initial fetch not complete)');
-      return;
-    }
-
-    // Skip if mounting
-    if (isMountingRef.current) {
-      console.log('⏭️ Skipping sort refetch (mounting)');
-      return;
-    }
-
-    console.log('✅ Triggering refetch due to sort change', {
-      willUseField: sort.field,
-      willUseDirection: sort.direction
-    });
-    
-    // Call fetchItems directly (guaranteed to have latest sort values in closure)
-    // Use bypass to skip cooldown for immediate sort response
-    fetchItems(false, true);
-  }, [sort.field, sort.direction, fetchItems]);
-
   // Initialize realtime subscriptions
   useRealtimeSubscriptions({
     enabled: settings.useRealtimeQueue && !!user,
diff --git a/src/hooks/moderation/useModerationSort.ts b/src/hooks/moderation/useModerationSort.ts
index 1aaefae7..35daef6e 100644
--- a/src/hooks/moderation/useModerationSort.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/moderation/useModerationSort.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
  * Manages sort configuration for the moderation queue with persistence.
  */
 
-import { useState, useCallback, useEffect, useMemo } from 'react';
+import { useState, useCallback, useEffect } from 'react';
 import type { SortConfig, SortField, SortDirection } from '@/types/moderation';
 import {
   getDefaultSortConfig,
@@ -87,24 +87,9 @@ export function useModerationSort(config: ModerationSortConfig = {}): Moderation
 
   // Load persisted or use initial/default config
   const [sortConfig, setSortConfig] = useState<SortConfig>(() => {
-    // Priority order:
-    // 1. Saved config from localStorage (if persist enabled and exists)
-    // 2. initialConfig prop (if provided)
-    // 3. Global default (fallback)
-    
-    if (persist) {
-      try {
-        const saved = localStorage.getItem(storageKey);
-        if (saved) {
-          return JSON.parse(saved);
-        }
-      } catch (error) {
-        console.error('Failed to load sort config:', error);
-      }
-    }
-    
-    // Use initialConfig if provided, otherwise use global default
-    return initialConfig || getDefaultSortConfig();
+    if (initialConfig) return initialConfig;
+    if (persist) return loadSortConfig(storageKey);
+    return getDefaultSortConfig();
   });
 
   // Persist changes
@@ -146,7 +131,7 @@ export function useModerationSort(config: ModerationSortConfig = {}): Moderation
   // Check if using default config
   const isDefault = isDefaultSortConfig(sortConfig);
 
-  return useMemo(() => ({
+  return {
     config: sortConfig,
     field: sortConfig.field,
     direction: sortConfig.direction,
@@ -156,5 +141,5 @@ export function useModerationSort(config: ModerationSortConfig = {}): Moderation
     setConfig,
     reset,
     isDefault,
-  }), [sortConfig, setField, setDirection, toggleSortDirection, setConfig, reset, isDefault]);
+  };
 }
diff --git a/src/lib/moderation/queries.ts b/src/lib/moderation/queries.ts
index 737b8723..264b689d 100644
--- a/src/lib/moderation/queries.ts
+++ b/src/lib/moderation/queries.ts
@@ -73,9 +73,7 @@ export function buildSubmissionQuery(
         item_data,
         status
       )
-    `)
-    .order('escalated', { ascending: false })
-    .order('created_at', { ascending: true });
+    `);
 
   // Apply tab-based status filtering
   if (tab === 'mainQueue') {
diff --git a/src/lib/moderation/sorting.ts b/src/lib/moderation/sorting.ts
index fdf658e4..61e9cba7 100644
--- a/src/lib/moderation/sorting.ts
+++ b/src/lib/moderation/sorting.ts
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ export function sortModerationItems(
 export function getDefaultSortConfig(): SortConfig {
   return {
     field: 'created_at',
-    direction: 'desc', // Newest first by default
+    direction: 'asc',
   };
 }
 
@@ -71,7 +71,16 @@ export function loadSortConfig(key: string = 'moderationQueue_sortConfig'): Sort
   try {
     const saved = localStorage.getItem(key);
     if (saved) {
-      return JSON.parse(saved);
+      const config = JSON.parse(saved);
+      
+      // Migrate old 'username' sort to 'created_at'
+      if (config.field === 'username') {
+        console.warn('[Sort] Migrating deprecated username sort to created_at');
+        config.field = 'created_at';
+        saveSortConfig(config, key); // Save the migrated config
+      }
+      
+      return config;
     }
   } catch (error) {
     console.error('Failed to load sort config:', error);
diff --git a/src/types/moderation.ts b/src/types/moderation.ts
index ae93bd55..17edbf32 100644
--- a/src/types/moderation.ts
+++ b/src/types/moderation.ts
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ export type StatusFilter = 'all' | 'pending' | 'partially_approved' | 'flagged'
 /**
  * Available tabs in the moderation interface
  */
-export type QueueTab = 'mainQueue' | 'archive';
+export type QueueTab = 'mainQueue' | 'escalated' | 'archive';
 
 /**
  * Fields that can be used for sorting the moderation queue