diff --git a/app/controllers/goals_controller.rb b/app/controllers/goals_controller.rb
index 5de8aa24a..684b5ce0a 100644
--- a/app/controllers/goals_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/goals_controller.rb
@@ -122,12 +122,13 @@ class GoalsController < ApplicationController
     render :edit, status: :unprocessable_entity
   end
 
+  # Deletable from any state. Destroying a goal cascades only to its own
+  # goal_accounts / goal_pledges — and GoalPledge#clear_matched_transaction_extra
+  # unstamps the pledge id it wrote onto a matched transaction. No account,
+  # balance, entry or transaction is removed, so the archive-first gate this
+  # used to enforce bought no safety; it only hid the action behind a two-step
+  # flow no other Sure resource requires.
   def destroy
-    unless @goal.archived?
-      redirect_to goal_path(@goal), alert: t(".archive_first")
-      return
-    end
-
     @goal.destroy!
     redirect_to goals_path, notice: t(".success")
   end
diff --git a/app/helpers/custom_confirm.rb b/app/helpers/custom_confirm.rb
index f2d59a009..b4bc52be6 100644
--- a/app/helpers/custom_confirm.rb
+++ b/app/helpers/custom_confirm.rb
@@ -2,13 +2,24 @@
 # default browser confirm API via Turbo.
 class CustomConfirm
   class << self
+    # `body` is the one field the dialog renders as HTML — confirm_dialog_controller
+    # assigns it to innerHTML so bodies such as accounts' `confirm_body_html` can
+    # carry markup, while title and button label go through textContent. Every
+    # caller passes a user-named record here, so the name is escaped on its way
+    # into the body: without it a record named "<img src=x onerror=…>" executes
+    # as soon as someone opens the confirmation.
+    # `titleize` / `downcase` are English-shaped and stay applied to the record
+    # name so the English copy is unchanged; a locale that needs different
+    # casing can absorb it in its own string.
     def for_resource_deletion(resource_name, high_severity: false)
       new(
         destructive: true,
         high_severity: high_severity,
-        title: "Delete #{resource_name.titleize}?",
-        body: "Are you sure you want to delete #{resource_name.downcase}? This is not reversible.",
-        btn_text: "Delete #{resource_name.titleize}"
+        title: I18n.t("shared.custom_confirm.resource_deletion_title", resource: resource_name.titleize),
+        # Escaped, unlike the other two: this is the only field the dialog
+        # renders as HTML.
+        body: I18n.t("shared.custom_confirm.resource_deletion_body", resource: ERB::Util.html_escape(resource_name.downcase)),
+        btn_text: I18n.t("shared.custom_confirm.resource_deletion_btn_text", resource: resource_name.titleize)
       )
     end
   end
diff --git a/app/models/goal.rb b/app/models/goal.rb
index e0a2598ed..bc0142035 100644
--- a/app/models/goal.rb
+++ b/app/models/goal.rb
@@ -476,6 +476,27 @@ class Goal < ApplicationRecord
     end
   end
 
+  # Confirm dialog for deleting this goal, shared by the show-page kebab and
+  # the index card kebab so the two can't drift. Spelled out rather than using
+  # CustomConfirm.for_resource_deletion, whose generic "This is not reversible"
+  # reads scarier than a goal delete is: only the goal, its account links and
+  # its pledge history go — the accounts, balances and transactions behind it
+  # are untouched.
+  def deletion_confirm
+    CustomConfirm.new(
+      destructive: true,
+      high_severity: true,
+      title: I18n.t("goals.show.confirm_delete_title"),
+      # Escaped: the dialog assigns `body` to innerHTML (so bodies like the
+      # accounts' confirm_body_html can carry <p>), so a goal named
+      # "<img src=x onerror=…>" would otherwise run when a family member opens
+      # the confirmation. Only `body` needs this — the dialog sets its title and
+      # button label with textContent.
+      body: I18n.t("goals.show.confirm_delete_body", name: ERB::Util.html_escape(name)),
+      btn_text: I18n.t("goals.show.confirm_delete_cta")
+    )
+  end
+
   # Single-line state summary rendered between the header and the ring on
   # the show page. Replaces the stacked catch-up alert + inline status pill;
   # carries the same actionable copy without owning a CTA. Returns nil when
diff --git a/app/views/goals/show.html.erb b/app/views/goals/show.html.erb
index 5a79115a2..36c46d99f 100644
--- a/app/views/goals/show.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/goals/show.html.erb
@@ -79,17 +79,17 @@
         <% if @goal.may_reopen? %>
           <% menu.with_item(variant: "button", text: t(".reopen"), icon: "rotate-ccw", href: reopen_goal_path(@goal), method: :patch) %>
         <% end %>
-        <% if @goal.archived? %>
-          <% menu.with_item(
-               variant: "button",
-               text: t(".delete"),
-               icon: "trash-2",
-               href: goal_path(@goal),
-               method: :delete,
-               destructive: true,
-               confirm: CustomConfirm.for_resource_deletion(@goal.name, high_severity: true)
-             ) %>
-        <% end %>
+        <%# Available in any state — see GoalsController#destroy for why there's
+            no archive-first gate. %>
+        <% menu.with_item(
+             variant: "button",
+             text: t(".delete"),
+             icon: "trash-2",
+             href: goal_path(@goal),
+             method: :delete,
+             destructive: true,
+             confirm: @goal.deletion_confirm
+           ) %>
       <% end %>
     </div>
   </header>
diff --git a/config/locales/views/goals/de.yml b/config/locales/views/goals/de.yml
index a00cdca1d..261af0cfb 100644
--- a/config/locales/views/goals/de.yml
+++ b/config/locales/views/goals/de.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@ de:
     create:
       success: Ziel erstellt.
     destroy:
-      archive_first: Archivier das Ziel, bevor du es löschst.
       success: Ziel gelöscht.
     edit:
       heading: Ziel bearbeiten
@@ -185,7 +184,10 @@ de:
       confirm_complete_body_short: Du stehst bei %{progress} %, also %{saved} von %{target}. Wenn du abschließt, wird dieser Stand als dein Ergebnis festgehalten statt des ursprünglichen Ziels. Weiter, oder lieber schließen und das Ziel anpassen?
       confirm_complete_cta: Als erreicht markieren
       confirm_complete_title: Dieses Ziel als erreicht markieren?
-      delete: Endgültig löschen
+      confirm_delete_body: "%{name} und der zugehörige Verlauf der Zusagen werden endgültig entfernt. Deine verknüpften Konten, Salden und Transaktionen sind davon nicht betroffen. Wenn du es stattdessen als Beleg behalten willst, archivier es."
+      confirm_delete_cta: Ziel löschen
+      confirm_delete_title: Dieses Ziel löschen?
+      delete: Löschen
       edit: Bearbeiten
       empty:
         body: Überweis Geld auf dein verknüpftes Konto. Sure erkennt es beim nächsten Sync. Oder aktualisier den Saldo deines manuellen Kontos.
diff --git a/config/locales/views/goals/en.yml b/config/locales/views/goals/en.yml
index cfe336a6c..e3524b78f 100644
--- a/config/locales/views/goals/en.yml
+++ b/config/locales/views/goals/en.yml
@@ -77,7 +77,6 @@ en:
       success: Goal updated.
     destroy:
       success: Goal deleted.
-      archive_first: Archive the goal before deleting it.
     pause:
       success: Goal paused.
       invalid_transition: Goal can't be paused from its current state.
@@ -104,7 +103,7 @@ en:
       archive: Archive
       unarchive: Restore
       reopen: Reopen goal
-      delete: Delete permanently
+      delete: Delete
       record_pledge_cta: Record pledge
       pledge_just_transferred: Log a transfer you made
       pledge_just_saved: Log money you set aside
@@ -172,6 +171,9 @@ en:
       confirm_archive_title: Archive this goal?
       confirm_archive_body: Archived goals disappear from the main list. You can restore them later.
       confirm_archive_cta: Archive
+      confirm_delete_title: Delete this goal?
+      confirm_delete_body: "%{name} and its pledge history are removed for good. Your linked accounts, balances and transactions are not affected. To keep it as a record instead, archive it."
+      confirm_delete_cta: Delete goal
       paused_banner:
         title: This goal is paused
         body: Resume it to keep tracking your progress.
diff --git a/config/locales/views/goals/fr.yml b/config/locales/views/goals/fr.yml
index 840659ef9..e7d44ea6b 100644
--- a/config/locales/views/goals/fr.yml
+++ b/config/locales/views/goals/fr.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@ fr:
     create:
       success: Objectif créé.
     destroy:
-      archive_first: Archivez l'objectif avant de le supprimer.
       success: Objectif supprimé.
     edit:
       heading: Modifier l'objectif
@@ -176,11 +175,14 @@ fr:
       confirm_archive_body: Les objectifs archivés disparaissent de la liste principale. Vous pourrez les restaurer plus tard.
       confirm_archive_cta: Archiver
       confirm_archive_title: Archiver cet objectif ?
+      confirm_delete_title: "Supprimer cet objectif ?"
+      confirm_delete_body: "%{name} et son historique de versements sont supprimés définitivement. Vos comptes liés, soldes et transactions ne sont pas affectés. Pour en garder une trace, archivez-le plutôt."
+      confirm_delete_cta: "Supprimer l'objectif"
       confirm_complete_body: Il quittera la liste En cours. Vous pourrez toujours l'archiver ou le restaurer plus tard.
       confirm_complete_body_short: Vous êtes à %{progress}%, %{saved} sur %{target}. Marquer comme terminé enregistrera cela comme votre réussite à la place de l'objectif initial. Continuer, ou fermer ceci et ajuster l'objectif à la place ?
       confirm_complete_cta: Marquer comme terminé
       confirm_complete_title: Marquer cet objectif comme terminé ?
-      delete: Supprimer définitivement
+      delete: Supprimer
       edit: Modifier
       empty:
         body: Effectuez un virement sur votre compte lié. Sure le détectera lors de la prochaine synchronisation. Ou mettez à jour manuellement le solde du compte.
diff --git a/config/locales/views/goals/it.yml b/config/locales/views/goals/it.yml
index 71b8531fd..09beb57b8 100644
--- a/config/locales/views/goals/it.yml
+++ b/config/locales/views/goals/it.yml
@@ -76,7 +76,6 @@ it:
       success: Obiettivo aggiornato.
     destroy:
       success: Obiettivo eliminato.
-      archive_first: Archivia l'obiettivo prima di eliminarlo.
     pause:
       success: Obiettivo messo in pausa.
       invalid_transition: L'obiettivo non può essere messo in pausa dal suo stato attuale.
@@ -103,7 +102,7 @@ it:
       archive: Archivia
       unarchive: Ripristina
       reopen: Riapri obiettivo
-      delete: Elimina definitivamente
+      delete: Elimina
       record_pledge_cta: Registra impegno
       pledge_just_transferred: Registra un trasferimento effettuato
       pledge_just_saved: Registra denaro messo da parte
@@ -171,6 +170,9 @@ it:
       confirm_archive_title: Archiviare questo obiettivo?
       confirm_archive_body: Gli obiettivi archiviati scompaiono dalla lista principale. Puoi ripristinarli in seguito.
       confirm_archive_cta: Archivia
+      confirm_delete_title: "Eliminare questo obiettivo?"
+      confirm_delete_body: "%{name} e la sua cronologia dei versamenti vengono eliminati definitivamente. I conti collegati, i saldi e le transazioni non vengono toccati. Per conservarlo come traccia, archivialo invece."
+      confirm_delete_cta: "Elimina obiettivo"
       paused_banner:
         title: Questo obiettivo è in pausa
         body: Riprendi per continuare a monitorare i tuoi progressi.
diff --git a/config/locales/views/goals/pl.yml b/config/locales/views/goals/pl.yml
index 4e7e87acd..4106dbd42 100644
--- a/config/locales/views/goals/pl.yml
+++ b/config/locales/views/goals/pl.yml
@@ -86,7 +86,6 @@ pl:
       success: Cel zaktualizowany.
     destroy:
       success: Cel usunięty.
-      archive_first: Zarchiwizuj cel przed jego usunięciem.
     pause:
       success: Cel wstrzymany.
       invalid_transition: Cel nie może być wstrzymany z bieżącego stanu.
@@ -113,7 +112,7 @@ pl:
       archive: Archiwizuj
       unarchive: Przywróć
       reopen: Otwórz ponownie
-      delete: Usuń na stałe
+      delete: Usuń
       record_pledge_cta: Zapisz zobowiązanie
       pledge_just_transferred: Zarejestruj wykonany przelew
       pledge_just_saved: Zarejestruj odłożone pieniądze
@@ -183,6 +182,9 @@ pl:
       confirm_archive_title: Zarchiwizować ten cel?
       confirm_archive_body: Zarchiwizowane cele znikną z głównej listy. Możesz je później przywrócić.
       confirm_archive_cta: Archiwizuj
+      confirm_delete_title: "Usunąć ten cel?"
+      confirm_delete_body: "%{name} i jego historia wpłat zostaną trwale usunięte. Powiązane konta, salda i transakcje pozostaną bez zmian. Aby zachować go jako zapis, zarchiwizuj go zamiast usuwać."
+      confirm_delete_cta: "Usuń cel"
       paused_banner:
         title: Ten cel jest wstrzymany
         body: Wznów go, aby kontynuować śledzenie postępów.
diff --git a/config/locales/views/goals/ru.yml b/config/locales/views/goals/ru.yml
index 5ab84f351..42a1323d1 100644
--- a/config/locales/views/goals/ru.yml
+++ b/config/locales/views/goals/ru.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@ ru:
     create:
       success: Цель создана.
     destroy:
-      archive_first: Сначала архивируйте цель перед удалением.
       success: Цель удалена.
     edit:
       heading: Редактировать цель
@@ -194,6 +193,9 @@ ru:
       confirm_archive_body: Архивные цели скрываются из списка. Их можно восстановить позже.
       confirm_archive_cta: Архивировать
       confirm_archive_title: Архивировать цель?
+      confirm_delete_title: "Удалить эту цель?"
+      confirm_delete_body: "%{name} и история взносов будут удалены безвозвратно. Связанные счета, балансы и транзакции не затрагиваются. Чтобы сохранить её как запись, заархивируйте её вместо удаления."
+      confirm_delete_cta: "Удалить цель"
       confirm_complete_body: Цель исчезнет из активных.
       confirm_complete_body_short: Вы достигли %{progress}%, %{saved} из %{target}.
       confirm_complete_cta: Отметить выполненной
diff --git a/config/locales/views/goals/tr.yml b/config/locales/views/goals/tr.yml
index 961d60fd0..b44516e19 100644
--- a/config/locales/views/goals/tr.yml
+++ b/config/locales/views/goals/tr.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@ tr:
     create:
       success: Hedef oluşturuldu.
     destroy:
-      archive_first: Hedefi silmeden önce arşivleyin.
       success: Hedef silindi.
     edit:
       heading: Hedefi düzenle
@@ -183,6 +182,9 @@ tr:
         geri yükleyebilirsiniz.
       confirm_archive_cta: Arşivle
       confirm_archive_title: Bu hedef arşivlensin mi?
+      confirm_delete_title: "Bu hedef silinsin mi?"
+      confirm_delete_body: "%{name} ve taahhüt geçmişi kalıcı olarak silinir. Bağlı hesaplarınız, bakiyeleriniz ve işlemleriniz etkilenmez. Kayıt olarak saklamak için bunun yerine arşivleyin."
+      confirm_delete_cta: "Hedefi sil"
       confirm_complete_body: Devam Eden listesinden çıkar. Daha sonra yine de arşivleyebilir
         veya geri yükleyebilirsiniz.
       confirm_complete_body_short: "%{progress}%'desiniz, %{target} hedefinin %{saved}
@@ -190,7 +192,7 @@ tr:
         yerine başarınız olarak kaydeder. Devam edin ya da bunu kapatıp hedefi ayarlayın."
       confirm_complete_cta: Tamamlandı olarak işaretle
       confirm_complete_title: Bu hedef tamamlandı olarak işaretlensin mi?
-      delete: Kalıcı olarak sil
+      delete: Sil
       edit: Düzenle
       empty:
         body: Bağlı hesabınıza bir transfer yapın. Sure bir sonraki eşitlemede bunu
diff --git a/config/locales/views/goals/zh-CN.yml b/config/locales/views/goals/zh-CN.yml
index 6727a0f71..fedb67925 100644
--- a/config/locales/views/goals/zh-CN.yml
+++ b/config/locales/views/goals/zh-CN.yml
@@ -76,7 +76,6 @@ zh-CN:
       success: 目标已更新。
     destroy:
       success: 目标已删除。
-      archive_first: 删除前请先归档该目标。
     pause:
       success: 目标已暂停。
       invalid_transition: 目标当前状态不能暂停。
@@ -103,7 +102,7 @@ zh-CN:
       archive: 归档
       unarchive: 恢复
       reopen: 重新开启目标
-      delete: 永久删除
+      delete: 删除
       record_pledge_cta: 记录承诺
       pledge_just_transferred: 记录你完成的转账
       pledge_just_saved: 记录你留出的资金
@@ -171,6 +170,9 @@ zh-CN:
       confirm_archive_title: 归档此目标？
       confirm_archive_body: 归档后的目标会从主列表隐藏。之后可以恢复。
       confirm_archive_cta: 归档
+      confirm_delete_title: "删除此目标？"
+      confirm_delete_body: "%{name} 及其存款记录将被永久删除。你的关联账户、余额和交易不受影响。如果想保留记录，请改为归档。"
+      confirm_delete_cta: "删除目标"
       paused_banner:
         title: 此目标已暂停
         body: 恢复它以继续跟踪进度。
diff --git a/config/locales/views/goals/zh-TW.yml b/config/locales/views/goals/zh-TW.yml
index c79a6ee22..ba2d0c8a6 100644
--- a/config/locales/views/goals/zh-TW.yml
+++ b/config/locales/views/goals/zh-TW.yml
@@ -76,7 +76,6 @@ zh-TW:
       success: 目標已更新。
     destroy:
       success: 目標已刪除。
-      archive_first: 請先封存目標再刪除。
     pause:
       success: 目標已暫停。
       invalid_transition: 目標在目前的狀態下無法暫停。
@@ -103,7 +102,7 @@ zh-TW:
       archive: 封存
       unarchive: 還原
       reopen: 重新開啟目標
-      delete: 永久刪除
+      delete: 刪除
       record_pledge_cta: 記錄投入
       pledge_just_transferred: 記錄一筆您已完成的轉帳
       pledge_just_saved: 記錄一筆您已存起來的錢
@@ -171,6 +170,9 @@ zh-TW:
       confirm_archive_title: 要封存這個目標嗎？
       confirm_archive_body: 封存的目標不會出現在主清單中，您之後可以再還原。
       confirm_archive_cta: 封存
+      confirm_delete_title: 要刪除這個目標嗎？
+      confirm_delete_body: "%{name} 和它的投入紀錄會被永久移除。您已連結的帳戶、餘額與交易都不會受到影響。若想保留成紀錄，請改為封存。"
+      confirm_delete_cta: 刪除目標
       paused_banner:
         title: 這個目標已暫停
         body: 恢復它就能繼續追蹤您的進度。
diff --git a/config/locales/views/shared/ca.yml b/config/locales/views/shared/ca.yml
index 66e3f7bd6..3cd96803b 100644
--- a/config/locales/views/shared/ca.yml
+++ b/config/locales/views/shared/ca.yml
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@ ca:
       default_body: Aquesta acció no es pot desfer.
       default_btn_text: Confirma
       default_title: Segur que vols continuar?
+      resource_deletion_title: "Voleu eliminar %{resource}?"
+      resource_deletion_body: "Segur que voleu eliminar %{resource}? Aquesta acció no es pot desfer."
+      resource_deletion_btn_text: "Elimina %{resource}"
     exchange_rate_tabs:
       calculate_rate_tab: Calcular la taxa FX
       convert_tab: Convertir amb la taxa FX
diff --git a/config/locales/views/shared/en.yml b/config/locales/views/shared/en.yml
index 056cb521e..9d7606cf2 100644
--- a/config/locales/views/shared/en.yml
+++ b/config/locales/views/shared/en.yml
@@ -29,6 +29,9 @@ en:
       default_title: "Are you sure?"
       default_body: "This is not reversible."
       default_btn_text: "Confirm"
+      resource_deletion_title: "Delete %{resource}?"
+      resource_deletion_body: "Are you sure you want to delete %{resource}? This is not reversible."
+      resource_deletion_btn_text: "Delete %{resource}"
     family_moniker:
       group_plural: Groups
       group_singular: Group
diff --git a/config/locales/views/shared/fr.yml b/config/locales/views/shared/fr.yml
index ed1652a13..06d54e075 100644
--- a/config/locales/views/shared/fr.yml
+++ b/config/locales/views/shared/fr.yml
@@ -15,6 +15,9 @@ fr:
       default_body: Ceci n’est pas réversible.
       default_btn_text: Confirmer
       default_title: Êtes-vous sûr?
+      resource_deletion_title: "Supprimer %{resource} ?"
+      resource_deletion_body: "Êtes-vous sûr de vouloir supprimer %{resource} ? Ceci n’est pas réversible."
+      resource_deletion_btn_text: "Supprimer %{resource}"
     exchange_rate_tabs:
       calculate_rate_tab: Calculer le taux FX
       convert_tab: Convertir avec le taux FX
diff --git a/config/locales/views/shared/hu.yml b/config/locales/views/shared/hu.yml
index 33191380c..50d7fd000 100644
--- a/config/locales/views/shared/hu.yml
+++ b/config/locales/views/shared/hu.yml
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@ hu:
       default_title: "Biztosan?"
       default_body: "Ez a művelet nem vonható vissza."
       default_btn_text: "Megerősítés"
+      resource_deletion_title: "Törli a következőt: %{resource}?"
+      resource_deletion_body: "Biztosan törli a következőt: %{resource}? Ez a művelet nem vonható vissza."
+      resource_deletion_btn_text: "%{resource} törlése"
     family_moniker:
       singular: Háztartás
       plural: Háztartások
diff --git a/config/locales/views/shared/it.yml b/config/locales/views/shared/it.yml
index c67223cb2..aef40f7e0 100644
--- a/config/locales/views/shared/it.yml
+++ b/config/locales/views/shared/it.yml
@@ -29,6 +29,9 @@ it:
       default_title: "Sei sicuro?"
       default_body: "Questa operazione non è reversibile."
       default_btn_text: "Conferma"
+      resource_deletion_title: "Eliminare %{resource}?"
+      resource_deletion_body: "Sei sicuro di voler eliminare %{resource}? Questa operazione non è reversibile."
+      resource_deletion_btn_text: "Elimina %{resource}"
     family_moniker:
       group_plural: Gruppi
       group_singular: Gruppo
diff --git a/config/locales/views/shared/ru.yml b/config/locales/views/shared/ru.yml
index c4c3f9cb8..bb42f4337 100644
--- a/config/locales/views/shared/ru.yml
+++ b/config/locales/views/shared/ru.yml
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@ ru:
       default_body: Это действие необратимо.
       default_btn_text: Подтвердить
       default_title: Вы уверены?
+      resource_deletion_title: "Удалить %{resource}?"
+      resource_deletion_body: "Вы уверены, что хотите удалить %{resource}? Это действие необратимо."
+      resource_deletion_btn_text: "Удалить %{resource}"
     exchange_rate_tabs:
       calculate_rate_tab: Рассчитать курс
       convert_tab: Конвертировать по курсу
diff --git a/config/locales/views/shared/tr.yml b/config/locales/views/shared/tr.yml
index 09579e0dd..03a069a30 100644
--- a/config/locales/views/shared/tr.yml
+++ b/config/locales/views/shared/tr.yml
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@ tr:
       default_body: Bu işlem geri alınamaz.
       default_btn_text: Onayla
       default_title: Emin misiniz?
+      resource_deletion_title: "%{resource} silinsin mi?"
+      resource_deletion_body: "%{resource} ögesini silmek istediğinize emin misiniz? Bu işlem geri alınamaz."
+      resource_deletion_btn_text: "%{resource} sil"
     exchange_rate_tabs:
       calculate_rate_tab: Döviz Kuru Hesapla
       convert_tab: Döviz Kuru ile Dönüştür
diff --git a/config/locales/views/shared/vi.yml b/config/locales/views/shared/vi.yml
index db485cb38..cb27d9428 100644
--- a/config/locales/views/shared/vi.yml
+++ b/config/locales/views/shared/vi.yml
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@ vi:
       default_title: "Bạn có chắc không?"
       default_body: "Thao tác này không thể hoàn tác."
       default_btn_text: "Xác nhận"
+      resource_deletion_title: "Xóa %{resource}?"
+      resource_deletion_body: "Bạn có chắc muốn xóa %{resource} không? Thao tác này không thể hoàn tác."
+      resource_deletion_btn_text: "Xóa %{resource}"
     family_moniker:
       group_plural: Nhóm
       group_singular: Nhóm
diff --git a/config/locales/views/shared/zh-CN.yml b/config/locales/views/shared/zh-CN.yml
index 5f2d3499f..1e285dac4 100644
--- a/config/locales/views/shared/zh-CN.yml
+++ b/config/locales/views/shared/zh-CN.yml
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@ zh-CN:
       default_title: 确定吗？
       default_body: 此操作不可逆。
       default_btn_text: 确认
+      resource_deletion_title: "删除%{resource}？"
+      resource_deletion_body: "确定要删除%{resource}吗？此操作不可逆。"
+      resource_deletion_btn_text: "删除%{resource}"
     family_moniker:
       group_plural: 组
       group_singular: 组
diff --git a/docs/llm-guides/goals.md b/docs/llm-guides/goals.md
index 7592d917d..ccd6966c3 100644
--- a/docs/llm-guides/goals.md
+++ b/docs/llm-guides/goals.md
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ Model layer:
 
 Controllers / routes:
 
-- `app/controllers/goals_controller.rb` — index / show / new / create / edit / update / destroy / pause / resume / complete / archive / unarchive.
+- `app/controllers/goals_controller.rb` — index / show / new / create / edit / update / destroy (any state) / pause / resume / complete / archive / unarchive.
 - `app/controllers/goal_pledges_controller.rb` — new / create / renew / destroy.
 - `config/routes.rb` — `resources :goals do resources :pledges ... member { patch :renew } end`.
 
@@ -117,6 +117,17 @@ The AASM `state` is independent. Read `Goal#display_status` (not `#status`)
 to get the right pill label: it returns the AASM state when it's not
 `:active`, otherwise falls through to `#status`.
 
+`archived` is a "keep it as a record" state, **not** a prerequisite for
+deleting. `GoalsController#destroy` accepts a goal in any state. The only
+affordance is the kebab on the show page — index cards deliberately carry
+no actions, so the card stays a single click target. A delete cascades
+only to `goal_accounts` and `goal_pledges`;
+`GoalPledge#clear_matched_transaction_extra` unstamps
+`extra["goal"]["pledge_id"]` from any transaction a matched pledge
+claimed. No account, balance, entry or transaction is removed. Reuse
+`Goal#deletion_confirm` rather than building a second `CustomConfirm` at
+a new call site.
+
 `Goal#pace` is the rolling 90-day net inflow into the linked accounts,
 divided by three. The query joins `entries` with `transactions`
 (valuations excluded by join shape), drops excluded entries, and drops
diff --git a/test/controllers/goals_controller_test.rb b/test/controllers/goals_controller_test.rb
index cfc5c6d5b..cd2023d62 100644
--- a/test/controllers/goals_controller_test.rb
+++ b/test/controllers/goals_controller_test.rb
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 require "test_helper"
 
 class GoalsControllerTest < ActionDispatch::IntegrationTest
+  include EntriesTestHelper
+
   setup do
     @user = users(:family_admin)
     @user.update!(preferences: (@user.preferences || {}).merge("preview_features_enabled" => true))
@@ -210,6 +212,23 @@ class GoalsControllerTest < ActionDispatch::IntegrationTest
     assert fresh.reload.active?
   end
 
+  # The reported bug: Delete rendered only when the goal was archived, so an
+  # active goal had no delete affordance anywhere in the UI. The kebab is the
+  # only route to it, so assert the form is actually in the markup per state —
+  # a 200 alone would not have caught the original miss.
+  test "show exposes delete for a goal in every state" do
+    delete_form = "form[action='#{goal_path(@goal)}'] input[name='_method'][value='delete']"
+
+    %w[active paused completed archived].each do |state|
+      @goal.update_column(:state, state)
+
+      get goal_url(@goal)
+
+      assert_response :success
+      assert_select delete_form, 1, "no delete affordance on a #{state} goal"
+    end
+  end
+
   # A goal whose last funding account is deleted survives with zero links and
   # fails `must_have_at_least_one_linked_account` from then on. Editing is the
   # only way back, so update must validate the accounts the user SUBMITTED,
@@ -240,14 +259,16 @@ class GoalsControllerTest < ActionDispatch::IntegrationTest
     assert_equal "active", orphan.reload.state
   end
 
-  test "destroy on non-archived is rejected" do
-    assert_no_difference "Goal.count" do
+  test "destroy deletes an active goal and cascades to its links and pledges" do
+    assert_difference -> { Goal.count } => -1,
+                      -> { GoalAccount.count } => -2,
+                      -> { GoalPledge.count } => -2 do
       delete goal_url(@goal)
     end
-    assert_redirected_to goal_path(@goal)
+    assert_redirected_to goals_path
   end
 
-  test "destroy on archived deletes" do
+  test "destroy deletes an archived goal" do
     @goal.archive!
     assert_difference "Goal.count", -1 do
       delete goal_url(@goal)
@@ -255,6 +276,23 @@ class GoalsControllerTest < ActionDispatch::IntegrationTest
     assert_redirected_to goals_path
   end
 
+  # The one thing a goal delete reaches outside its own tables: a matched
+  # pledge stamps `extra["goal"]["pledge_id"]` onto the transaction it claimed,
+  # and GoalPledge#clear_matched_transaction_extra must unstamp it on the way
+  # out. The transaction itself must survive untouched.
+  test "destroy unstamps the transaction a matched pledge claimed" do
+    txn = create_transaction(account: @connected, amount: -300).entryable
+    pledge = goal_pledges(:matched_transfer)
+    txn.update!(extra: { "goal" => { "pledge_id" => pledge.id } })
+    pledge.update_column(:matched_transaction_id, txn.id)
+
+    delete goal_url(@goal)
+
+    assert_redirected_to goals_path
+    assert Transaction.exists?(txn.id), "deleting a goal must not delete the transaction"
+    assert_nil txn.reload.extra.dig("goal", "pledge_id")
+  end
+
   test "index KPI swaps to 'All caught up' when every tracked goal is reached" do
     family = users(:family_admin).family
     family.goals.destroy_all
diff --git a/test/helpers/custom_confirm_test.rb b/test/helpers/custom_confirm_test.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7fc7c6be1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/helpers/custom_confirm_test.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+require "test_helper"
+
+class CustomConfirmTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
+  # `confirm_dialog_controller` assigns `body` to innerHTML so bodies like
+  # accounts' `confirm_body_html` can carry markup. Every caller passes a
+  # user-named record, so an account named "<img src=x onerror=…>" would run
+  # when someone opened the confirmation.
+  test "escapes the resource name in the HTML-rendered body" do
+    data = CustomConfirm.for_resource_deletion("<img src=x onerror=alert(1)>").to_data_attribute
+
+    assert_includes data[:body], "&lt;img src=x onerror=alert(1)&gt;"
+    assert_no_match(/<img/, data[:body])
+  end
+
+  # Title and button label reach the dialog through textContent, so they are
+  # inert — pinned here so a future move to innerHTML doesn't pass silently.
+  test "keeps the English copy the hardcoded strings produced" do
+    data = CustomConfirm.for_resource_deletion("rule").to_data_attribute
+
+    assert_equal "Delete Rule?", data[:title]
+    assert_equal "Are you sure you want to delete rule? This is not reversible.", data[:body]
+    assert_equal "Delete Rule", data[:confirmText]
+  end
+
+  # These back ~40 call sites across the app, so a locale that ships the
+  # sibling `default_*` copy should ship these too. Locales without a
+  # `custom_confirm` block at all are left out on purpose — adding one would
+  # invent structure they have not adopted, and fallbacks cover them.
+  test "resource-deletion copy resolves wherever the sibling default copy lives" do
+    localized = Dir["config/locales/views/shared/*.yml"].filter_map do |path|
+      locale = File.basename(path, ".yml")
+      next unless I18n.exists?("shared.custom_confirm.default_title", locale)
+      locale
+    end
+
+    assert_operator localized.size, :>, 1, "expected more than just English to define this block"
+
+    localized.each do |locale|
+      body = I18n.t("shared.custom_confirm.resource_deletion_body", resource: "Wedding", locale: locale)
+      assert_includes body, "Wedding", "#{locale} dropped the %{resource} interpolation"
+      assert I18n.t("shared.custom_confirm.resource_deletion_title", resource: "x", locale: locale).present?
+      assert I18n.t("shared.custom_confirm.resource_deletion_btn_text", resource: "x", locale: locale).present?
+    end
+  end
+
+  test "high severity picks the destructive button variant" do
+    assert_equal "destructive", CustomConfirm.for_resource_deletion("rule", high_severity: true).to_data_attribute[:variant]
+    assert_equal "outline-destructive", CustomConfirm.for_resource_deletion("rule").to_data_attribute[:variant]
+  end
+end
diff --git a/test/models/goal_test.rb b/test/models/goal_test.rb
index e6af35e84..3c9da94cf 100644
--- a/test/models/goal_test.rb
+++ b/test/models/goal_test.rb
@@ -14,6 +14,38 @@ class GoalTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
     assert @goal.valid?
   end
 
+  # The confirm dialog assigns `body` to innerHTML, so an unescaped goal name
+  # would execute when a family member opens the delete confirmation.
+  test "deletion_confirm escapes the goal name in the dialog body" do
+    @goal.name = "<img src=x onerror=alert(1)>"
+
+    body = @goal.deletion_confirm.to_data_attribute[:body]
+
+    assert_includes body, "&lt;img src=x onerror=alert(1)&gt;"
+    assert_no_match(/<img/, body)
+  end
+
+  # Derived, not a hardcoded list: a locale added later ships a goals YAML
+  # without these keys otherwise. `fallback: false` carries as much weight —
+  # the backend has I18n::Backend::Fallbacks mixed in, so a missing German key
+  # resolves to the English string and a plain `.present?` assertion passes
+  # while a German family reads English in the dialog.
+  test "confirm_delete copy resolves in every locale that ships goal translations" do
+    locales = Rails.root.glob("config/locales/views/goals/*.yml").map { |f| f.basename(".yml").to_s.to_sym }
+    assert_operator locales.size, :>=, 7, "goal locale files disappeared — check the glob"
+
+    locales.each do |locale|
+      body = I18n.t("goals.show.confirm_delete_body", name: "Wedding", locale: locale, fallback: false, default: nil)
+      assert body, "#{locale} is missing goals.show.confirm_delete_body"
+      assert_includes body, "Wedding", "#{locale} dropped the %{name} interpolation"
+
+      %w[confirm_delete_title confirm_delete_cta].each do |key|
+        assert I18n.t("goals.show.#{key}", locale: locale, fallback: false, default: nil).present?,
+               "#{locale} is missing goals.show.#{key}"
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
   # The days-left segment is returned separately so the view can keep it
   # unbroken; joined into one string it wrapped after "days" on a phone.
   test "header_summary_parts keeps the days-left phrase in its own segment" do