diff --git a/src/components/admin/DesignerForm.tsx b/src/components/admin/DesignerForm.tsx
index 4f489092..8433b28b 100644
--- a/src/components/admin/DesignerForm.tsx
+++ b/src/components/admin/DesignerForm.tsx
@@ -7,9 +7,11 @@ import { Textarea } from '@/components/ui/textarea';
 import { Label } from '@/components/ui/label';
 import { RadioGroup, RadioGroupItem } from '@/components/ui/radio-group';
 import { Card, CardContent, CardHeader, CardTitle } from '@/components/ui/card';
+import { SlugField } from '@/components/ui/slug-field';
 import { Ruler, Save, X } from 'lucide-react';
 import { Combobox } from '@/components/ui/combobox';
 import { useCompanyHeadquarters } from '@/hooks/useAutocompleteData';
+import { useUserRole } from '@/hooks/useUserRole';
 
 const designerSchema = z.object({
   name: z.string().min(1, 'Name is required'),
@@ -30,6 +32,7 @@ interface DesignerFormProps {
 }
 
 export function DesignerForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, initialData }: DesignerFormProps) {
+  const { isModerator } = useUserRole();
   const { headquarters } = useCompanyHeadquarters();
   
   const {
@@ -51,20 +54,6 @@ export function DesignerForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, initialData }: DesignerFormPr
     }
   });
 
-  const generateSlug = (name: string) => {
-    return name
-      .toLowerCase()
-      .replace(/[^a-z0-9\s-]/g, '')
-      .replace(/\s+/g, '-')
-      .replace(/-+/g, '-')
-      .trim();
-  };
-
-  const handleNameChange = (e: React.ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
-    const name = e.target.value;
-    const slug = generateSlug(name);
-    setValue('slug', slug);
-  };
 
   return (
     <Card>
@@ -83,10 +72,6 @@ export function DesignerForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, initialData }: DesignerFormPr
               <Input
                 id="name"
                 {...register('name')}
-                onChange={(e) => {
-                  register('name').onChange(e);
-                  handleNameChange(e);
-                }}
                 placeholder="Enter designer name"
               />
               {errors.name && (
@@ -94,17 +79,12 @@ export function DesignerForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, initialData }: DesignerFormPr
               )}
             </div>
 
-            <div className="space-y-2">
-              <Label htmlFor="slug">URL Slug *</Label>
-              <Input
-                id="slug"
-                {...register('slug')}
-                placeholder="designer-slug"
-              />
-              {errors.slug && (
-                <p className="text-sm text-destructive">{errors.slug.message}</p>
-              )}
-            </div>
+            <SlugField
+              name={watch('name')}
+              slug={watch('slug')}
+              onSlugChange={(slug) => setValue('slug', slug)}
+              isModerator={isModerator()}
+            />
           </div>
 
           {/* Description */}
diff --git a/src/components/admin/ManufacturerForm.tsx b/src/components/admin/ManufacturerForm.tsx
index c3f78005..4557c7d4 100644
--- a/src/components/admin/ManufacturerForm.tsx
+++ b/src/components/admin/ManufacturerForm.tsx
@@ -7,9 +7,11 @@ import { Textarea } from '@/components/ui/textarea';
 import { Label } from '@/components/ui/label';
 import { RadioGroup, RadioGroupItem } from '@/components/ui/radio-group';
 import { Card, CardContent, CardHeader, CardTitle } from '@/components/ui/card';
+import { SlugField } from '@/components/ui/slug-field';
 import { Building2, Save, X } from 'lucide-react';
 import { Combobox } from '@/components/ui/combobox';
 import { useCompanyHeadquarters } from '@/hooks/useAutocompleteData';
+import { useUserRole } from '@/hooks/useUserRole';
 
 const manufacturerSchema = z.object({
   name: z.string().min(1, 'Name is required'),
@@ -30,6 +32,7 @@ interface ManufacturerFormProps {
 }
 
 export function ManufacturerForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, initialData }: ManufacturerFormProps) {
+  const { isModerator } = useUserRole();
   const { headquarters } = useCompanyHeadquarters();
   
   const {
@@ -51,20 +54,6 @@ export function ManufacturerForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, initialData }: Manufactur
     }
   });
 
-  const generateSlug = (name: string) => {
-    return name
-      .toLowerCase()
-      .replace(/[^a-z0-9\s-]/g, '')
-      .replace(/\s+/g, '-')
-      .replace(/-+/g, '-')
-      .trim();
-  };
-
-  const handleNameChange = (e: React.ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
-    const name = e.target.value;
-    const slug = generateSlug(name);
-    setValue('slug', slug);
-  };
 
   return (
     <Card>
@@ -83,10 +72,6 @@ export function ManufacturerForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, initialData }: Manufactur
               <Input
                 id="name"
                 {...register('name')}
-                onChange={(e) => {
-                  register('name').onChange(e);
-                  handleNameChange(e);
-                }}
                 placeholder="Enter manufacturer name"
               />
               {errors.name && (
@@ -94,17 +79,12 @@ export function ManufacturerForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, initialData }: Manufactur
               )}
             </div>
 
-            <div className="space-y-2">
-              <Label htmlFor="slug">URL Slug *</Label>
-              <Input
-                id="slug"
-                {...register('slug')}
-                placeholder="manufacturer-slug"
-              />
-              {errors.slug && (
-                <p className="text-sm text-destructive">{errors.slug.message}</p>
-              )}
-            </div>
+            <SlugField
+              name={watch('name')}
+              slug={watch('slug')}
+              onSlugChange={(slug) => setValue('slug', slug)}
+              isModerator={isModerator()}
+            />
           </div>
 
           {/* Description */}
diff --git a/src/components/admin/OperatorForm.tsx b/src/components/admin/OperatorForm.tsx
index 4d9e6307..5e59bcd3 100644
--- a/src/components/admin/OperatorForm.tsx
+++ b/src/components/admin/OperatorForm.tsx
@@ -7,9 +7,11 @@ import { Textarea } from '@/components/ui/textarea';
 import { Label } from '@/components/ui/label';
 import { RadioGroup, RadioGroupItem } from '@/components/ui/radio-group';
 import { Card, CardContent, CardHeader, CardTitle } from '@/components/ui/card';
+import { SlugField } from '@/components/ui/slug-field';
 import { FerrisWheel, Save, X } from 'lucide-react';
 import { Combobox } from '@/components/ui/combobox';
 import { useCompanyHeadquarters } from '@/hooks/useAutocompleteData';
+import { useUserRole } from '@/hooks/useUserRole';
 
 const operatorSchema = z.object({
   name: z.string().min(1, 'Name is required'),
@@ -30,6 +32,7 @@ interface OperatorFormProps {
 }
 
 export function OperatorForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, initialData }: OperatorFormProps) {
+  const { isModerator } = useUserRole();
   const { headquarters } = useCompanyHeadquarters();
   
   const {
@@ -51,20 +54,6 @@ export function OperatorForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, initialData }: OperatorFormPr
     }
   });
 
-  const generateSlug = (name: string) => {
-    return name
-      .toLowerCase()
-      .replace(/[^a-z0-9\s-]/g, '')
-      .replace(/\s+/g, '-')
-      .replace(/-+/g, '-')
-      .trim();
-  };
-
-  const handleNameChange = (e: React.ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
-    const name = e.target.value;
-    const slug = generateSlug(name);
-    setValue('slug', slug);
-  };
 
   return (
     <Card>
@@ -83,10 +72,6 @@ export function OperatorForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, initialData }: OperatorFormPr
               <Input
                 id="name"
                 {...register('name')}
-                onChange={(e) => {
-                  register('name').onChange(e);
-                  handleNameChange(e);
-                }}
                 placeholder="Enter operator name"
               />
               {errors.name && (
@@ -94,17 +79,12 @@ export function OperatorForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, initialData }: OperatorFormPr
               )}
             </div>
 
-            <div className="space-y-2">
-              <Label htmlFor="slug">URL Slug *</Label>
-              <Input
-                id="slug"
-                {...register('slug')}
-                placeholder="operator-slug"
-              />
-              {errors.slug && (
-                <p className="text-sm text-destructive">{errors.slug.message}</p>
-              )}
-            </div>
+            <SlugField
+              name={watch('name')}
+              slug={watch('slug')}
+              onSlugChange={(slug) => setValue('slug', slug)}
+              isModerator={isModerator()}
+            />
           </div>
 
           {/* Description */}
diff --git a/src/components/admin/ParkForm.tsx b/src/components/admin/ParkForm.tsx
index d9161e09..32323306 100644
--- a/src/components/admin/ParkForm.tsx
+++ b/src/components/admin/ParkForm.tsx
@@ -10,16 +10,18 @@ import { Label } from '@/components/ui/label';
 import { UppyPhotoUpload } from '@/components/upload/UppyPhotoUpload';
 import { Select, SelectContent, SelectItem, SelectTrigger, SelectValue } from '@/components/ui/select';
 import { DatePicker } from '@/components/ui/date-picker';
+import { SlugField } from '@/components/ui/slug-field';
 import { toast } from '@/hooks/use-toast';
 import { MapPin, Save, X, Plus } from 'lucide-react';
 import { Badge } from '@/components/ui/badge';
 import { Combobox } from '@/components/ui/combobox';
 import { Dialog, DialogContent, DialogDescription, DialogHeader, DialogTitle } from '@/components/ui/dialog';
 import { useOperators, usePropertyOwners } from '@/hooks/useAutocompleteData';
+import { useUserRole } from '@/hooks/useUserRole';
 
 const parkSchema = z.object({
   name: z.string().min(1, 'Park name is required'),
-  slug: z.string().min(1, 'Slug is required'),
+  slug: z.string().min(1, 'Slug is required'), // Auto-generated, validated on submit
   description: z.string().optional(),
   park_type: z.string().min(1, 'Park type is required'),
   status: z.string().min(1, 'Status is required'),
@@ -77,6 +79,7 @@ const statusOptions = [
 ];
 
 export function ParkForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, initialData, isEditing = false }: ParkFormProps) {
+  const { isModerator } = useUserRole();
   const [submitting, setSubmitting] = useState(false);
   const [bannerImage, setBannerImage] = useState<string>(initialData?.banner_image_url || '');
   const [cardImage, setCardImage] = useState<string>(initialData?.card_image_url || '');
@@ -127,20 +130,6 @@ export function ParkForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, initialData, isEditing = false }:
     }
   });
 
-  const generateSlug = (name: string) => {
-    return name
-      .toLowerCase()
-      .replace(/[^a-z0-9\s-]/g, '')
-      .replace(/\s+/g, '-')
-      .replace(/-+/g, '-')
-      .trim();
-  };
-
-  const handleNameChange = (e: React.ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
-    const name = e.target.value;
-    const slug = generateSlug(name);
-    setValue('slug', slug);
-  };
 
   const handleFormSubmit = async (data: ParkFormData) => {
     setSubmitting(true);
@@ -213,10 +202,6 @@ export function ParkForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, initialData, isEditing = false }:
               <Input
                 id="name"
                 {...register('name')}
-                onChange={(e) => {
-                  register('name').onChange(e);
-                  handleNameChange(e);
-                }}
                 placeholder="Enter park name"
               />
               {errors.name && (
@@ -224,17 +209,12 @@ export function ParkForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, initialData, isEditing = false }:
               )}
             </div>
 
-            <div className="space-y-2">
-              <Label htmlFor="slug">URL Slug *</Label>
-              <Input
-                id="slug"
-                {...register('slug')}
-                placeholder="park-url-slug"
-              />
-              {errors.slug && (
-                <p className="text-sm text-destructive">{errors.slug.message}</p>
-              )}
-            </div>
+            <SlugField
+              name={watch('name')}
+              slug={watch('slug')}
+              onSlugChange={(slug) => setValue('slug', slug)}
+              isModerator={isModerator()}
+            />
           </div>
 
           {/* Description */}
diff --git a/src/components/admin/PropertyOwnerForm.tsx b/src/components/admin/PropertyOwnerForm.tsx
index e0d73076..afdc14f3 100644
--- a/src/components/admin/PropertyOwnerForm.tsx
+++ b/src/components/admin/PropertyOwnerForm.tsx
@@ -7,9 +7,11 @@ import { Textarea } from '@/components/ui/textarea';
 import { Label } from '@/components/ui/label';
 import { RadioGroup, RadioGroupItem } from '@/components/ui/radio-group';
 import { Card, CardContent, CardHeader, CardTitle } from '@/components/ui/card';
+import { SlugField } from '@/components/ui/slug-field';
 import { Building2, Save, X } from 'lucide-react';
 import { Combobox } from '@/components/ui/combobox';
 import { useCompanyHeadquarters } from '@/hooks/useAutocompleteData';
+import { useUserRole } from '@/hooks/useUserRole';
 
 const propertyOwnerSchema = z.object({
   name: z.string().min(1, 'Name is required'),
@@ -30,6 +32,7 @@ interface PropertyOwnerFormProps {
 }
 
 export function PropertyOwnerForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, initialData }: PropertyOwnerFormProps) {
+  const { isModerator } = useUserRole();
   const { headquarters } = useCompanyHeadquarters();
   
   const {
@@ -51,20 +54,6 @@ export function PropertyOwnerForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, initialData }: PropertyO
     }
   });
 
-  const generateSlug = (name: string) => {
-    return name
-      .toLowerCase()
-      .replace(/[^a-z0-9\s-]/g, '')
-      .replace(/\s+/g, '-')
-      .replace(/-+/g, '-')
-      .trim();
-  };
-
-  const handleNameChange = (e: React.ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
-    const name = e.target.value;
-    const slug = generateSlug(name);
-    setValue('slug', slug);
-  };
 
   return (
     <Card>
@@ -83,10 +72,6 @@ export function PropertyOwnerForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, initialData }: PropertyO
               <Input
                 id="name"
                 {...register('name')}
-                onChange={(e) => {
-                  register('name').onChange(e);
-                  handleNameChange(e);
-                }}
                 placeholder="Enter property owner name"
               />
               {errors.name && (
@@ -94,17 +79,12 @@ export function PropertyOwnerForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, initialData }: PropertyO
               )}
             </div>
 
-            <div className="space-y-2">
-              <Label htmlFor="slug">URL Slug *</Label>
-              <Input
-                id="slug"
-                {...register('slug')}
-                placeholder="property-owner-slug"
-              />
-              {errors.slug && (
-                <p className="text-sm text-destructive">{errors.slug.message}</p>
-              )}
-            </div>
+            <SlugField
+              name={watch('name')}
+              slug={watch('slug')}
+              onSlugChange={(slug) => setValue('slug', slug)}
+              isModerator={isModerator()}
+            />
           </div>
 
           {/* Description */}
diff --git a/src/components/admin/RideForm.tsx b/src/components/admin/RideForm.tsx
index 6fc35c6f..3e5989d8 100644
--- a/src/components/admin/RideForm.tsx
+++ b/src/components/admin/RideForm.tsx
@@ -13,10 +13,12 @@ import { Select, SelectContent, SelectItem, SelectTrigger, SelectValue } from '@
 import { DatePicker } from '@/components/ui/date-picker';
 import { Dialog, DialogContent, DialogDescription, DialogHeader, DialogTitle } from '@/components/ui/dialog';
 import { Combobox } from '@/components/ui/combobox';
+import { SlugField } from '@/components/ui/slug-field';
 import { toast } from '@/hooks/use-toast';
 import { Plus, Zap, Save, X } from 'lucide-react';
 import { useUnitPreferences } from '@/hooks/useUnitPreferences';
 import { useManufacturers, useRideModels } from '@/hooks/useAutocompleteData';
+import { useUserRole } from '@/hooks/useUserRole';
 import { ManufacturerForm } from './ManufacturerForm';
 import { RideModelForm } from './RideModelForm';
 import { 
@@ -127,6 +129,7 @@ const intensityLevels = [
 ];
 
 export function RideForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, initialData, isEditing = false }: RideFormProps) {
+  const { isModerator } = useUserRole();
   const [submitting, setSubmitting] = useState(false);
   const [bannerImageUrl, setBannerImageUrl] = useState<string>(initialData?.banner_image_url || '');
   const [bannerImageId, setBannerImageId] = useState<string>(initialData?.banner_image_id || '');
@@ -200,20 +203,6 @@ export function RideForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, initialData, isEditing = false }:
 
   const selectedCategory = watch('category');
 
-  const generateSlug = (name: string) => {
-    return name
-      .toLowerCase()
-      .replace(/[^a-z0-9\s-]/g, '')
-      .replace(/\s+/g, '-')
-      .replace(/-+/g, '-')
-      .trim();
-  };
-
-  const handleNameChange = (e: React.ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
-    const name = e.target.value;
-    const slug = generateSlug(name);
-    setValue('slug', slug);
-  };
 
   const handleFormSubmit = async (data: RideFormData) => {
     setSubmitting(true);
@@ -301,10 +290,6 @@ export function RideForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, initialData, isEditing = false }:
               <Input
                 id="name"
                 {...register('name')}
-                onChange={(e) => {
-                  register('name').onChange(e);
-                  handleNameChange(e);
-                }}
                 placeholder="Enter ride name"
               />
               {errors.name && (
@@ -312,17 +297,12 @@ export function RideForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, initialData, isEditing = false }:
               )}
             </div>
 
-            <div className="space-y-2">
-              <Label htmlFor="slug">URL Slug *</Label>
-              <Input
-                id="slug"
-                {...register('slug')}
-                placeholder="ride-url-slug"
-              />
-              {errors.slug && (
-                <p className="text-sm text-destructive">{errors.slug.message}</p>
-              )}
-            </div>
+            <SlugField
+              name={watch('name')}
+              slug={watch('slug')}
+              onSlugChange={(slug) => setValue('slug', slug)}
+              isModerator={isModerator()}
+            />
           </div>
 
           {/* Description */}
diff --git a/src/components/admin/RideModelForm.tsx b/src/components/admin/RideModelForm.tsx
index 278030bf..50b813e4 100644
--- a/src/components/admin/RideModelForm.tsx
+++ b/src/components/admin/RideModelForm.tsx
@@ -8,7 +8,9 @@ import { Label } from '@/components/ui/label';
 import { Select, SelectContent, SelectItem, SelectTrigger, SelectValue } from '@/components/ui/select';
 import { Card, CardContent, CardHeader, CardTitle } from '@/components/ui/card';
 import { Badge } from '@/components/ui/badge';
+import { SlugField } from '@/components/ui/slug-field';
 import { Layers, Save, X } from 'lucide-react';
+import { useUserRole } from '@/hooks/useUserRole';
 
 const rideModelSchema = z.object({
   name: z.string().min(1, 'Name is required'),
@@ -45,6 +47,8 @@ export function RideModelForm({
   onCancel, 
   initialData 
 }: RideModelFormProps) {
+  const { isModerator } = useUserRole();
+  
   const {
     register,
     handleSubmit,
@@ -63,20 +67,6 @@ export function RideModelForm({
     }
   });
 
-  const generateSlug = (name: string) => {
-    return name
-      .toLowerCase()
-      .replace(/[^a-z0-9\s-]/g, '')
-      .replace(/\s+/g, '-')
-      .replace(/-+/g, '-')
-      .trim();
-  };
-
-  const handleNameChange = (e: React.ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
-    const name = e.target.value;
-    const slug = generateSlug(name);
-    setValue('slug', slug);
-  };
 
   return (
     <Card>
@@ -99,10 +89,6 @@ export function RideModelForm({
               <Input
                 id="name"
                 {...register('name')}
-                onChange={(e) => {
-                  register('name').onChange(e);
-                  handleNameChange(e);
-                }}
                 placeholder="e.g. Mega Coaster, Sky Screamer"
               />
               {errors.name && (
@@ -110,17 +96,12 @@ export function RideModelForm({
               )}
             </div>
 
-            <div className="space-y-2">
-              <Label htmlFor="slug">URL Slug *</Label>
-              <Input
-                id="slug"
-                {...register('slug')}
-                placeholder="model-slug"
-              />
-              {errors.slug && (
-                <p className="text-sm text-destructive">{errors.slug.message}</p>
-              )}
-            </div>
+            <SlugField
+              name={watch('name')}
+              slug={watch('slug')}
+              onSlugChange={(slug) => setValue('slug', slug)}
+              isModerator={isModerator()}
+            />
           </div>
 
           {/* Category and Type */}
diff --git a/src/components/ui/slug-field.tsx b/src/components/ui/slug-field.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..84ef0f31
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/components/ui/slug-field.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
+import { Input } from '@/components/ui/input';
+import { Label } from '@/components/ui/label';
+import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
+import { Badge } from '@/components/ui/badge';
+import { RefreshCw, Lock } from 'lucide-react';
+import { generateSlugFromName } from '@/lib/slugUtils';
+
+interface SlugFieldProps {
+  name: string;
+  slug: string;
+  onSlugChange: (slug: string) => void;
+  isModerator: boolean;
+  label?: string;
+  hideForNonModerators?: boolean;
+}
+
+export function SlugField({ 
+  name, 
+  slug, 
+  onSlugChange, 
+  isModerator,
+  label = 'URL Slug',
+  hideForNonModerators = true
+}: SlugFieldProps) {
+  const [isEditing, setIsEditing] = useState(false);
+
+  // Auto-generate slug when name changes
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!isEditing && name) {
+      const generatedSlug = generateSlugFromName(name);
+      onSlugChange(generatedSlug);
+    }
+  }, [name, isEditing, onSlugChange]);
+
+  const handleRegenerate = () => {
+    if (name) {
+      const generatedSlug = generateSlugFromName(name);
+      onSlugChange(generatedSlug);
+      setIsEditing(false);
+    }
+  };
+
+  // Hide completely for non-moderators if configured
+  if (!isModerator && hideForNonModerators) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <div className="space-y-2">
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+        <Label htmlFor="slug">{label}</Label>
+        {!isModerator && (
+          <Badge variant="secondary" className="text-xs">
+            <Lock className="w-3 h-3 mr-1" />
+            Auto-generated
+          </Badge>
+        )}
+        {isModerator && (
+          <Badge variant="outline" className="text-xs">
+            Moderator
+          </Badge>
+        )}
+      </div>
+      
+      <div className="flex gap-2">
+        <Input
+          id="slug"
+          value={slug}
+          onChange={(e) => {
+            onSlugChange(e.target.value);
+            setIsEditing(true);
+          }}
+          placeholder="url-slug"
+          readOnly={!isModerator}
+          className={!isModerator ? 'bg-muted cursor-not-allowed' : ''}
+        />
+        
+        {isModerator && (
+          <Button
+            type="button"
+            variant="outline"
+            size="icon"
+            onClick={handleRegenerate}
+            title="Regenerate from name"
+          >
+            <RefreshCw className="w-4 h-4" />
+          </Button>
+        )}
+      </div>
+      
+      {!isModerator && (
+        <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+          URL will be automatically generated from the name
+        </p>
+      )}
+      
+      {isModerator && slug && (
+        <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+          Preview: <span className="font-mono">.../{slug}</span>
+        </p>
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/src/lib/slugUtils.ts b/src/lib/slugUtils.ts
index 83d5139c..f1a78260 100644
--- a/src/lib/slugUtils.ts
+++ b/src/lib/slugUtils.ts
@@ -2,16 +2,28 @@ import { supabase } from '@/integrations/supabase/client';
 
 /**
  * Generate a URL-safe slug from a name
+ * This is the canonical slug generation function used throughout the app
  */
 export function generateSlugFromName(name: string): string {
+  if (!name) return '';
+  
   return name
     .toLowerCase()
-    .replace(/[^a-z0-9\s-]/g, '')
-    .replace(/\s+/g, '-')
-    .replace(/-+/g, '-')
+    .replace(/[^a-z0-9\s-]/g, '') // Remove non-alphanumeric except spaces and hyphens
+    .replace(/\s+/g, '-')          // Replace spaces with hyphens
+    .replace(/-+/g, '-')           // Replace multiple hyphens with single hyphen
+    .replace(/^-+|-+$/g, '')       // Remove leading/trailing hyphens
     .trim();
 }
 
+/**
+ * Validate that a user has permission to edit slugs
+ * Only moderators should be able to manually edit slugs
+ */
+export function canEditSlug(isModerator: boolean): boolean {
+  return isModerator;
+}
+
 /**
  * Ensure slug is unique by checking database and appending number if needed
  */