diff --git a/steam_backlog_enforcer/_cmd_done.py b/steam_backlog_enforcer/_cmd_done.py
index 75e55e8..5613b8c 100644
--- a/steam_backlog_enforcer/_cmd_done.py
+++ b/steam_backlog_enforcer/_cmd_done.py
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ def _try_reassign_shorter_game(
     if not snapshot_data:
         return False
     all_games = [GameInfo.from_snapshot(d) for d in snapshot_data]
-    skip = set(config.skip_app_ids) | set(state.finished_app_ids)
+    skip = set(state.finished_app_ids)
     _refresh_uncached_shortlist_hours(
         all_games,
         hltb_cache,
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ def _finalize_completion(
 
     games = [GameInfo.from_snapshot(d) for d in snapshot_data]
     hltb_cache = load_hltb_cache()
-    skip = set(config.skip_app_ids) | set(state.finished_app_ids)
+    skip = set(state.finished_app_ids)
     _refresh_uncached_shortlist_hours(games, hltb_cache, skip)
     _apply_cached_hours_to_games(games, hltb_cache)
     pick_next_game(games, state, config)
diff --git a/steam_backlog_enforcer/_enforce_loop.py b/steam_backlog_enforcer/_enforce_loop.py
index c61a9a1..af7b4dd 100644
--- a/steam_backlog_enforcer/_enforce_loop.py
+++ b/steam_backlog_enforcer/_enforce_loop.py
@@ -7,8 +7,13 @@ import logging
 import time
 from typing import Any
 
+from python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer._whitelist import (
+    lock_enforcement_files,
+    promote_pending_exceptions,
+)
 from python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer.config import (
     CONFIG_DIR,
+    CONFIG_FILE,
     Config,
     State,
     _atomic_write,
@@ -19,11 +24,11 @@ from python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer.enforcer import (
     send_notification,
 )
 from python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer.game_install import (
-    PROTECTED_APP_IDS,
     _echo,
     get_installed_games,
     install_game,
     is_game_installed,
+    is_protected_app,
     uninstall_game,
     uninstall_other_games,
 )
@@ -143,7 +148,7 @@ def _guard_installed_games(allowed_app_id: int | None) -> int:
     for app_id, name in installed:
         if app_id == allowed_app_id:
             continue
-        if app_id in PROTECTED_APP_IDS:
+        if is_protected_app(app_id):
             continue
 
         logger.warning(
@@ -275,6 +280,14 @@ def _enforce_loop_iteration(config: Config, state: State) -> None:
             config.steam_id,
         )
 
+    # D) Promote any cooldown-elapsed pending exceptions to approved.
+    newly_approved = promote_pending_exceptions()
+    for aid in newly_approved:
+        logger.info("Exception approved: AppID=%d", aid)
+
+    # E) Re-apply immutable flag so config cannot be edited without root.
+    lock_enforcement_files(CONFIG_FILE)
+
 
 def do_enforce(config: Config, state: State) -> None:
     """Run the enforcer: block store, uninstall other games, kill processes.
diff --git a/steam_backlog_enforcer/_whitelist.py b/steam_backlog_enforcer/_whitelist.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3c262f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/steam_backlog_enforcer/_whitelist.py
@@ -0,0 +1,347 @@
+"""Whitelist hardening: time-locked exceptions, reason validation, immutability."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from collections import Counter
+import contextlib
+import json
+import logging
+import math
+import re
+import shutil
+import subprocess
+import time
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, cast
+
+from python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer.config import CONFIG_DIR, _atomic_write
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from pathlib import Path
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# File paths (patched in tests via conftest)
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+PENDING_EXCEPTIONS_FILE: Path = CONFIG_DIR / "pending_exceptions.json"
+APPROVED_EXCEPTIONS_FILE: Path = CONFIG_DIR / "approved_exceptions.json"
+EXCEPTION_AUDIT_LOG: Path = CONFIG_DIR / "exception_audit.log"
+
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# Constants
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+WHITELIST_COOLDOWN_SECONDS: int = 86400  # 24 hours
+
+_MIN_REASON_WORDS: int = 5
+_MIN_REASON_LENGTH: int = 25
+_MIN_ENTROPY: float = 3.0
+# Reject runs of the same character longer than this (e.g. "aaaa").
+_MAX_CHAR_RUN: int = 3
+
+
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# Reason validation
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+
+def _shannon_entropy(text: str) -> float:
+    """Return Shannon entropy (bits per character) for *text*.
+
+    Whitespace is excluded before counting so spaces don't inflate entropy.
+
+    Args:
+        text: Input string to measure.
+
+    Returns:
+        Entropy in bits per character, or 0.0 for empty input.
+    """
+    chars = [c.lower() for c in text if not c.isspace()]
+    if not chars:
+        return 0.0
+    total = len(chars)
+    counts = Counter(chars)
+    return -sum((c / total) * math.log2(c / total) for c in counts.values())
+
+
+def validate_reason(reason: str) -> str | None:
+    """Validate that a whitelist exception reason is genuine.
+
+    Returns None when the reason is acceptable, or a human-readable error
+    string that explains why it was rejected.
+
+    Args:
+        reason: User-supplied justification text.
+
+    Returns:
+        None if valid, or an error message string if invalid.
+    """
+    stripped = reason.strip()
+
+    if len(stripped) < _MIN_REASON_LENGTH:
+        return (
+            f"Reason is too short ({len(stripped)} chars; "
+            f"need at least {_MIN_REASON_LENGTH})."
+        )
+
+    words = stripped.split()
+    if len(words) < _MIN_REASON_WORDS:
+        return (
+            f"Reason must contain at least {_MIN_REASON_WORDS} words "
+            f"(got {len(words)})."
+        )
+
+    entropy = _shannon_entropy(stripped)
+    if entropy < _MIN_ENTROPY:
+        return (
+            f"Reason appears to be random characters "
+            f"(entropy {entropy:.2f} < {_MIN_ENTROPY}). "
+            "Write a genuine justification."
+        )
+
+    # Reject runs of the same character: aaaa, bbbbbb, etc.
+    if re.search(r"(.)\1{3,}", stripped, re.IGNORECASE):
+        return "Reason contains repeated characters. Write a genuine justification."
+
+    # Reject simple two-character alternating patterns: ababab, asasas, etc.
+    if re.search(r"(..)(\1){3,}", stripped, re.IGNORECASE):
+        return "Reason contains repetitive patterns. Write a genuine justification."
+
+    return None
+
+
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# Immutability helpers
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+
+def _try_set_immutable(path: Path, *, immutable: bool) -> None:
+    """Silently attempt to set or clear the immutable flag on *path*.
+
+    This is a best-effort operation — it fails silently if chattr is not
+    available, the process lacks the required capability, or the filesystem
+    does not support the flag.
+
+    Args:
+        path: File to modify.
+        immutable: True to set +i, False to clear -i.
+    """
+    if not path.exists():
+        return
+    chattr = shutil.which("chattr")
+    if chattr is None:
+        return
+    flag = "+i" if immutable else "-i"
+    with contextlib.suppress(OSError, subprocess.TimeoutExpired):
+        subprocess.run(
+            [chattr, flag, str(path)],
+            capture_output=True,
+            check=False,
+            timeout=5,
+        )
+
+
+def lock_enforcement_files(config_file: Path) -> None:
+    """Apply chattr +i to enforcement-critical config files.
+
+    Called at the end of each enforce-loop iteration.  Requires that the
+    daemon is running as root (or has CAP_LINUX_IMMUTABLE).
+
+    Args:
+        config_file: Path to the main config.json.
+    """
+    _try_set_immutable(config_file, immutable=True)
+    _try_set_immutable(APPROVED_EXCEPTIONS_FILE, immutable=True)
+
+
+def unlock_for_write(path: Path) -> None:
+    """Clear the immutable flag before writing *path*.
+
+    Args:
+        path: File to unlock.
+    """
+    _try_set_immutable(path, immutable=False)
+
+
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# Persistence helpers
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+
+def _load_pending() -> list[dict[str, object]]:
+    """Load pending exception entries from disk."""
+    if not PENDING_EXCEPTIONS_FILE.exists():
+        return []
+    try:
+        data: object = json.loads(PENDING_EXCEPTIONS_FILE.read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
+        if isinstance(data, list):
+            return cast("list[dict[str, object]]", data)
+    except (json.JSONDecodeError, OSError, ValueError):
+        pass
+    return []
+
+
+def _save_pending(entries: list[dict[str, object]]) -> None:
+    """Persist pending exception entries to disk."""
+    _atomic_write(PENDING_EXCEPTIONS_FILE, json.dumps(entries, indent=2) + "\n")
+
+
+def _load_approved() -> list[dict[str, object]]:
+    """Load approved exception entries from disk."""
+    if not APPROVED_EXCEPTIONS_FILE.exists():
+        return []
+    try:
+        data: object = json.loads(APPROVED_EXCEPTIONS_FILE.read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
+        if isinstance(data, list):
+            return cast("list[dict[str, object]]", data)
+    except (json.JSONDecodeError, OSError, ValueError):
+        pass
+    return []
+
+
+def _save_approved(entries: list[dict[str, object]]) -> None:
+    """Persist approved exception entries to disk."""
+    unlock_for_write(APPROVED_EXCEPTIONS_FILE)
+    _atomic_write(APPROVED_EXCEPTIONS_FILE, json.dumps(entries, indent=2) + "\n")
+    _try_set_immutable(APPROVED_EXCEPTIONS_FILE, immutable=True)
+
+
+def _append_audit_log(app_id: int, reason: str, event: str) -> None:
+    """Append one line to the append-only audit log.
+
+    Each line has the format::
+
+        ISO-TIMESTAMP | EVENT | app_id=NNN | reason='...'
+
+    Args:
+        app_id: Steam application ID involved.
+        reason: Justification text supplied by the user.
+        event: Short event label such as ``REQUESTED`` or ``APPROVED``.
+    """
+    timestamp = time.strftime("%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ", time.gmtime())
+    line = f"{timestamp} | {event} | app_id={app_id} | reason={reason!r}\n"
+    EXCEPTION_AUDIT_LOG.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    with EXCEPTION_AUDIT_LOG.open("a", encoding="utf-8") as fh:
+        fh.write(line)
+
+
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# Public API
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+
+def add_pending_exception(app_id: int, reason: str) -> str:
+    """Request a new whitelist exception for *app_id*.
+
+    The entry becomes active only after ``WHITELIST_COOLDOWN_SECONDS`` have
+    elapsed (24 h by default).  Returns a human-readable status message.
+
+    Args:
+        app_id: Steam application ID to add.
+        reason: Validated justification text (must pass :func:`validate_reason`).
+
+    Returns:
+        Human-readable confirmation or remaining-cooldown message.
+
+    Raises:
+        ValueError: If the reason fails validation or the ID is already approved.
+    """
+    err = validate_reason(reason)
+    if err is not None:
+        raise ValueError(err)
+
+    approved = _load_approved()
+    if any(int(e["app_id"]) == app_id for e in approved):
+        msg = f"AppID {app_id} is already in the approved exceptions list."
+        raise ValueError(msg)
+
+    pending = _load_pending()
+    for entry in pending:
+        if int(entry["app_id"]) == app_id:
+            elapsed = time.time() - float(entry["requested_at"])
+            remaining = WHITELIST_COOLDOWN_SECONDS - elapsed
+            if remaining > 0:
+                hours = int(remaining // 3600)
+                mins = int((remaining % 3600) // 60)
+                return (
+                    f"AppID {app_id} is already pending; approves in {hours}h {mins}m."
+                )
+            # Cooldown already elapsed for this pending entry — promote now.
+            break
+
+    entry_new: dict[str, object] = {
+        "app_id": app_id,
+        "reason": reason,
+        "requested_at": time.time(),
+    }
+    pending.append(entry_new)
+    _save_pending(pending)
+    _append_audit_log(app_id, reason, "REQUESTED")
+
+    hours = WHITELIST_COOLDOWN_SECONDS // 3600
+    return (
+        f"Exception requested for AppID {app_id}. "
+        f"Will become active in {hours}h. Reason logged."
+    )
+
+
+def promote_pending_exceptions() -> list[int]:
+    """Move cooldown-elapsed pending entries to the approved list.
+
+    Called by the enforce daemon on each loop iteration.  Returns the list
+    of app IDs that were promoted this call.
+
+    Returns:
+        List of newly approved app IDs (may be empty).
+    """
+    pending = _load_pending()
+    now = time.time()
+    still_pending: list[dict[str, object]] = []
+    newly_approved: list[int] = []
+
+    for entry in pending:
+        elapsed = now - float(entry["requested_at"])
+        if elapsed >= WHITELIST_COOLDOWN_SECONDS:
+            app_id = int(entry["app_id"])
+            approved = _load_approved()
+            if not any(int(e["app_id"]) == app_id for e in approved):
+                approved.append(
+                    {
+                        "app_id": app_id,
+                        "reason": entry["reason"],
+                        "approved_at": now,
+                    }
+                )
+                _save_approved(approved)
+                _append_audit_log(app_id, str(entry["reason"]), "APPROVED")
+                newly_approved.append(app_id)
+        else:
+            still_pending.append(entry)
+
+    if len(still_pending) != len(pending):
+        _save_pending(still_pending)
+
+    return newly_approved
+
+
+def get_approved_exception_ids() -> frozenset[int]:
+    """Return the frozenset of currently approved exception app IDs.
+
+    Does NOT trigger promotion — call :func:`promote_pending_exceptions`
+    explicitly when timely promotion is required (e.g. the enforce loop).
+
+    Returns:
+        Frozenset of approved app IDs.
+    """
+    approved = _load_approved()
+    return frozenset(int(e["app_id"]) for e in approved)
+
+
+def list_pending_exceptions() -> list[dict[str, object]]:
+    """Return a copy of the current pending exception list.
+
+    Returns:
+        List of pending exception dicts with keys app_id, reason, requested_at.
+    """
+    return list(_load_pending())
diff --git a/steam_backlog_enforcer/config.py b/steam_backlog_enforcer/config.py
index 3ae5515..a0be6eb 100644
--- a/steam_backlog_enforcer/config.py
+++ b/steam_backlog_enforcer/config.py
@@ -55,7 +55,6 @@ class Config:
 
     steam_api_key: str = ""
     steam_id: str = ""
-    skip_app_ids: list[int] = field(default_factory=list)
     block_store: bool = True
     kill_unauthorized_games: bool = True
     uninstall_other_games: bool = True
diff --git a/steam_backlog_enforcer/enforcer.py b/steam_backlog_enforcer/enforcer.py
index 2a60983..ddf775d 100644
--- a/steam_backlog_enforcer/enforcer.py
+++ b/steam_backlog_enforcer/enforcer.py
@@ -9,7 +9,9 @@ import shutil
 import signal
 import subprocess
 
-from python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer.game_install import PROTECTED_APP_IDS
+from python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer.game_install import (
+    is_protected_app,
+)
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -60,7 +62,7 @@ def enforce_allowed_game(
         # Skip Steam client itself (app_id 0 or very low IDs).
         if app_id == 0:
             continue
-        if app_id in PROTECTED_APP_IDS:
+        if is_protected_app(app_id):
             continue
 
         violations.append((pid, app_id))
diff --git a/steam_backlog_enforcer/game_install.py b/steam_backlog_enforcer/game_install.py
index 8783487..c786f5c 100644
--- a/steam_backlog_enforcer/game_install.py
+++ b/steam_backlog_enforcer/game_install.py
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ import subprocess
 import sys
 import time
 
+from python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer._whitelist import get_approved_exception_ids
+
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 # Real Steam directory — used as a safety check to block destructive
@@ -80,20 +82,6 @@ PROTECTED_APP_IDS = {
     1493710,  # Proton Experimental
     1161040,  # Proton BattlEye Runtime
     1007020,  # Proton EasyAntiCheat Runtime
-    # Games allowed to be installed anytime
-    3949040,  # RV There Yet?
-    2252570,
-    220200,
-    3527290,  # Peak
-    1331550,
-    8930,
-    1158310,
-    440,
-    1142710,
-    1410710,
-    10500,
-    813780,
-    489830,
 }
 
 STEAMAPPS_PATH = Path("~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps").expanduser()
@@ -417,7 +405,7 @@ def uninstall_other_games(allowed_app_id: int | None) -> int:
         if app_id == allowed_app_id:
             logger.info("KEEPING assigned game: %s (AppID=%d)", name, app_id)
             continue
-        if app_id in PROTECTED_APP_IDS:
+        if is_protected_app(app_id):
             logger.debug("Skipping protected: %s (AppID=%d)", name, app_id)
             continue
 
@@ -426,3 +414,18 @@ def uninstall_other_games(allowed_app_id: int | None) -> int:
             count += 1
 
     return count
+
+
+def is_protected_app(app_id: int) -> bool:
+    """Return True if *app_id* must never be uninstalled.
+
+    Combines the hardcoded Steam infrastructure set with any app IDs that
+    have been approved via the time-locked exception mechanism.
+
+    Args:
+        app_id: Steam application ID to check.
+
+    Returns:
+        True if the app should be left alone by the enforcer.
+    """
+    return app_id in PROTECTED_APP_IDS or app_id in get_approved_exception_ids()
diff --git a/steam_backlog_enforcer/main.py b/steam_backlog_enforcer/main.py
index df8a3e0..3e54615 100644
--- a/steam_backlog_enforcer/main.py
+++ b/steam_backlog_enforcer/main.py
@@ -4,12 +4,20 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 import logging
 import sys
+import time
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer._cmd_done import cmd_done
 from python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer._enforce_loop import (
     do_enforce,
     get_all_owned_app_ids,
 )
+from python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer._whitelist import (
+    WHITELIST_COOLDOWN_SECONDS,
+    add_pending_exception,
+    list_pending_exceptions,
+    validate_reason,
+)
 from python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer.config import (
     Config,
     State,
@@ -17,11 +25,11 @@ from python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer.config import (
     load_snapshot,
 )
 from python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer.game_install import (
-    PROTECTED_APP_IDS,
     _echo,
     get_installed_games,
     install_game,
     is_game_installed,
+    is_protected_app,
     uninstall_other_games,
 )
 from python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer.library_hider import (
@@ -40,6 +48,9 @@ from python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer.store_blocker import (
     unblock_store,
 )
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Callable
+
 logging.basicConfig(
     level=logging.INFO,
     format="%(asctime)s [%(levelname)s] %(message)s",
@@ -72,7 +83,7 @@ def cmd_status(_config: Config, state: State) -> None:
 
     # Show installed games.
     installed = get_installed_games()
-    real_games = [(aid, n) for aid, n in installed if aid not in PROTECTED_APP_IDS]
+    real_games = [(aid, n) for aid, n in installed if not is_protected_app(aid)]
     _echo(f"Installed games: {len(real_games)}")
 
     if state.current_app_id:
@@ -174,7 +185,7 @@ def cmd_installed(_config: Config, state: State) -> None:
     installed = get_installed_games()
     _echo(f"\nInstalled games ({len(installed)}):\n")
     for app_id, name in installed:
-        protected = " [PROTECTED]" if app_id in PROTECTED_APP_IDS else ""
+        protected = " [PROTECTED]" if is_protected_app(app_id) else ""
         assigned = " <<< ASSIGNED" if app_id == state.current_app_id else ""
         _echo(f"  {app_id:>8d}  {name}{protected}{assigned}")
 
@@ -189,7 +200,7 @@ def cmd_uninstall(_config: Config, state: State) -> None:
     to_remove = [
         (aid, n)
         for aid, n in installed
-        if aid != state.current_app_id and aid not in PROTECTED_APP_IDS
+        if aid != state.current_app_id and not is_protected_app(aid)
     ]
 
     if not to_remove:
@@ -218,6 +229,76 @@ def cmd_setup(_config: Config, _state: State) -> None:
     interactive_setup()
 
 
+_MIN_ADD_EXCEPTION_ARGS = 3
+_ADD_EXCEPTION_USAGE = (
+    'Usage: add-exception <app_id> --reason "<justification>"\n'
+    "  app_id   : numeric Steam application ID\n"
+    "  --reason : genuine justification (>= 5 words)\n\n"
+    "Example:\n"
+    "  add-exception 440 --reason "
+    '"TF2 is needed for a community event this weekend"\n\n'
+    f"Exceptions become active after a {WHITELIST_COOLDOWN_SECONDS // 3600}h "
+    "cooldown."
+)
+
+
+def cmd_add_exception(args: list[str]) -> None:
+    """Request a time-locked whitelist exception.
+
+    Usage: add-exception <app_id> --reason "<text>"
+
+    The exception becomes active after a 24-hour cooldown.  The reason must be
+    a genuine justification of at least 5 words with sufficient entropy.
+
+    Args:
+        args: CLI argument list after the command name.
+    """
+    if len(args) < _MIN_ADD_EXCEPTION_ARGS or "--reason" not in args:
+        _echo(_ADD_EXCEPTION_USAGE)
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    try:
+        app_id = int(args[0])
+    except ValueError:
+        _echo(f"Error: app_id must be a number, got '{args[0]}'.")
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    reason_idx = args.index("--reason")
+    reason_parts = args[reason_idx + 1 :]
+    if not reason_parts:
+        _echo("Error: --reason requires a value.")
+        sys.exit(1)
+    reason = " ".join(reason_parts)
+
+    # Show validation feedback before attempting to add.
+    err = validate_reason(reason)
+    if err is not None:
+        _echo(f"Invalid reason: {err}")
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    try:
+        msg = add_pending_exception(app_id, reason)
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        _echo(f"Error: {exc}")
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    _echo(msg)
+
+    # Show current pending list.
+    pending = list_pending_exceptions()
+    if pending:
+        _echo(f"\nPending exceptions ({len(pending)}):")
+        now = time.time()
+        for entry in pending:
+            aid = int(entry["app_id"])
+            elapsed = now - float(entry["requested_at"])
+            remaining = max(0.0, WHITELIST_COOLDOWN_SECONDS - elapsed)
+            hrs = int(remaining // 3600)
+            mins = int((remaining % 3600) // 60)
+            status = "ready" if remaining == 0.0 else f"approves in {hrs}h {mins}m"
+            _echo(f"  AppID={aid}  [{status}]")
+
+
 def cmd_install(config: Config, state: State) -> None:
     """Manually trigger install of the assigned game."""
     if state.current_app_id is None:
@@ -274,7 +355,7 @@ def cmd_unhide(config: Config, _state: State) -> None:
         _echo("Done!")
 
 
-COMMANDS = {
+COMMANDS: dict[str, tuple[str, Callable[[Config, State], object]]] = {
     "scan": ("Scan library & assign a game", do_scan),
     "check": ("Check assigned game completion", do_check),
     "status": ("Show current status", cmd_status),
@@ -292,18 +373,33 @@ COMMANDS = {
     "done": ("Finish game, open HLTB, pick next", cmd_done),
 }
 
+# Extra commands with non-standard arg handling (shown in help but not in COMMANDS).
+_EXTRA_COMMAND_DESCRIPTIONS: dict[str, str] = {
+    "add-exception": "Request 24h-locked whitelist exception (use --reason)",
+}
+
+_ALL_COMMANDS: dict[str, str] = {
+    name: desc for name, (desc, _) in COMMANDS.items()
+} | _EXTRA_COMMAND_DESCRIPTIONS
+
 
 def main() -> None:
     """CLI entry point."""
-    if len(sys.argv) < _MIN_CLI_ARGS or sys.argv[1] not in COMMANDS:
+    if len(sys.argv) < _MIN_CLI_ARGS or sys.argv[1] not in _ALL_COMMANDS:
         _echo("Steam Backlog Enforcer\n")
         _echo("Usage: python -m python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer.main <command>\n")
         _echo("Commands:")
-        for name, (desc, _) in COMMANDS.items():
-            _echo(f"  {name:<12s}  {desc}")
+        for name, desc in _ALL_COMMANDS.items():
+            _echo(f"  {name:<14s}  {desc}")
         sys.exit(1)
 
     command = sys.argv[1]
+
+    # add-exception has its own argument structure; handle before config load.
+    if command == "add-exception":
+        cmd_add_exception(sys.argv[2:])
+        return
+
     config = Config.load()
 
     if command != "setup" and not config.steam_api_key:
diff --git a/steam_backlog_enforcer/scanning.py b/steam_backlog_enforcer/scanning.py
index 0d21e1d..a467252 100644
--- a/steam_backlog_enforcer/scanning.py
+++ b/steam_backlog_enforcer/scanning.py
@@ -65,7 +65,6 @@ def do_scan(config: Config, state: State) -> list[GameInfo]:
 
     _echo("Scanning Steam library...")
     games = client.build_game_list(
-        skip_app_ids=config.skip_app_ids,
         progress_callback=progress,
     )
     elapsed = time.time() - start
@@ -169,7 +168,7 @@ def pick_next_game(games: list[GameInfo], state: State, config: Config) -> None:
     Games with silver-or-worse ProtonDB ratings (or gold trending
     downward) are automatically skipped as unplayable on Linux.
     """
-    skip = set(config.skip_app_ids) | set(state.finished_app_ids)
+    skip = set(state.finished_app_ids)
     candidates = [g for g in games if not g.is_complete and g.app_id not in skip]
 
     if not candidates:
diff --git a/steam_backlog_enforcer/steam_api.py b/steam_backlog_enforcer/steam_api.py
index 3ecbf76..187f149 100644
--- a/steam_backlog_enforcer/steam_api.py
+++ b/steam_backlog_enforcer/steam_api.py
@@ -207,13 +207,9 @@ class SteamAPIClient:
             for a in raw
         ]
 
-    def _fetch_one_game(
-        self, game_dict: dict[str, Any], skip: set[int]
-    ) -> GameInfo | None:
+    def _fetch_one_game(self, game_dict: dict[str, Any]) -> GameInfo | None:
         """Fetch achievement data for one game. Thread-safe."""
         app_id = game_dict["appid"]
-        if app_id in skip:
-            return None
 
         achievements = self.get_achievement_details(app_id)
         if not achievements:
@@ -234,11 +230,9 @@ class SteamAPIClient:
 
     def build_game_list(
         self,
-        skip_app_ids: list[int] | None = None,
         progress_callback: Callable[[int, int], None] | None = None,
     ) -> list[GameInfo]:
         """Build full game list with achievement data (parallel)."""
-        skip = set(skip_app_ids or [])
         owned = self.get_owned_games()
         games: list[GameInfo] = []
         done_count = 0
@@ -246,7 +240,7 @@ class SteamAPIClient:
         lock = threading.Lock()
 
         with ThreadPoolExecutor(max_workers=MAX_WORKERS) as pool:
-            futures = {pool.submit(self._fetch_one_game, g, skip): g for g in owned}
+            futures = {pool.submit(self._fetch_one_game, g): g for g in owned}
             for future in as_completed(futures):
                 try:
                     result = future.result()
diff --git a/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/conftest.py b/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/conftest.py
index cb72d86..021dfd8 100644
--- a/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/conftest.py
@@ -74,6 +74,25 @@ def _isolate_filesystem(tmp_path: Path) -> Iterator[None]:
             "python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer.config.HOSTS_FILE",
             fake_hosts,
         ),
+        # Whitelist exception files (_whitelist module-level constants)
+        patch(
+            "python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer._whitelist.PENDING_EXCEPTIONS_FILE",
+            fake_config / "pending_exceptions.json",
+        ),
+        patch(
+            "python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer._whitelist.APPROVED_EXCEPTIONS_FILE",
+            fake_config / "approved_exceptions.json",
+        ),
+        patch(
+            "python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer._whitelist.EXCEPTION_AUDIT_LOG",
+            fake_config / "exception_audit.log",
+        ),
+        # _enforce_loop imports CONFIG_FILE directly; patch the local binding so
+        # lock_enforcement_files() uses the tmp path instead of the real one.
+        patch(
+            "python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer._enforce_loop.CONFIG_FILE",
+            fake_config / "config.json",
+        ),
     ):
         yield
 
diff --git a/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_config.py b/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_config.py
index d59144a..2b01085 100644
--- a/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_config.py
+++ b/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_config.py
@@ -71,7 +71,6 @@ class TestConfig:
         cfg = Config()
         assert cfg.steam_api_key == ""
         assert cfg.steam_id == ""
-        assert cfg.skip_app_ids == []
         assert cfg.block_store is True
         assert cfg.kill_unauthorized_games is True
         assert cfg.uninstall_other_games is True
diff --git a/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_enforce_loop.py b/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_enforce_loop.py
index 0ae7709..ba049f2 100644
--- a/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_enforce_loop.py
+++ b/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_enforce_loop.py
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ class TestGuardInstalledGames:
                 f"{PKG}.get_installed_games",
                 return_value=[(228980, "Runtime")],
             ),
-            patch(f"{PKG}.PROTECTED_APP_IDS", {228980}),
+            patch(f"{PKG}.is_protected_app", side_effect=lambda aid: aid == 228980),
         ):
             assert _guard_installed_games(440) == 0
 
@@ -462,6 +462,22 @@ class TestEnforceLoopIteration:
             mock_guard.assert_not_called()
             mock_installed.assert_not_called()
 
+    def test_promotes_newly_approved_exceptions(self) -> None:
+        """Loop body at line 286 executes when promote returns non-empty list."""
+        config = Config(
+            kill_unauthorized_games=False,
+            uninstall_other_games=False,
+        )
+        state = State(current_app_id=1, current_game_name="G")
+        with (
+            patch(f"{PKG}.is_game_installed", return_value=True),
+            patch(
+                f"{PKG}.promote_pending_exceptions",
+                return_value=[440],
+            ),
+        ):
+            _enforce_loop_iteration(config, state)
+
 
 class TestDoEnforce:
     """Tests for do_enforce."""
diff --git a/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_enforcer.py b/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_enforcer.py
index b935aed..e2ee1c2 100644
--- a/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_enforcer.py
+++ b/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_enforcer.py
@@ -141,8 +141,8 @@ class TestEnforceAllowedGame:
                 return_value={100: 1331550, 200: 440},
             ),
             patch(
-                "python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer.enforcer.PROTECTED_APP_IDS",
-                {1331550},
+                "python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer.enforcer.is_protected_app",
+                side_effect=lambda aid: aid == 1331550,
             ),
             patch(
                 "python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer.enforcer.kill_process"
diff --git a/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_main.py b/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_main.py
index 78cf24f..837d671 100644
--- a/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_main.py
+++ b/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_main.py
@@ -2,11 +2,17 @@
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+import sys
+import time
 from typing import Any
 from unittest.mock import patch
 
+import pytest
+
+from python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer._whitelist import WHITELIST_COOLDOWN_SECONDS
 from python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer.config import Config, State
 from python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer.main import (
+    cmd_add_exception,
     cmd_buy_dlc,
     cmd_hide,
     cmd_install,
@@ -18,6 +24,7 @@ from python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer.main import (
     cmd_unblock,
     cmd_unhide,
     cmd_uninstall,
+    main,
 )
 
 PKG = "python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer.main"
@@ -225,7 +232,7 @@ class TestCmdInstalled:
                 f"{PKG}.get_installed_games",
                 return_value=[(440, "TF2"), (228980, "RT")],
             ),
-            patch(f"{PKG}.PROTECTED_APP_IDS", {228980}),
+            patch(f"{PKG}.is_protected_app", side_effect=lambda aid: aid == 228980),
             patch(f"{PKG}._echo"),
         ):
             cmd_installed(Config(), State(current_app_id=440))
@@ -377,3 +384,113 @@ class TestCmdUnhide:
             patch(f"{PKG}._echo"),
         ):
             cmd_unhide(Config(), State())
+
+
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# cmd_add_exception
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+_VALID_REASON = "I need this game installed for a work presentation this week."
+
+
+class TestCmdAddException:
+    def test_no_args_prints_usage_and_exits(self) -> None:
+        with (
+            patch(f"{PKG}._echo"),
+            pytest.raises(SystemExit, match="1"),
+        ):
+            cmd_add_exception([])
+
+    def test_missing_reason_flag_exits(self) -> None:
+        with (
+            patch(f"{PKG}._echo"),
+            pytest.raises(SystemExit, match="1"),
+        ):
+            cmd_add_exception(["440", "no", "flag"])
+
+    def test_non_numeric_app_id_exits(self) -> None:
+        with (
+            patch(f"{PKG}._echo"),
+            pytest.raises(SystemExit, match="1"),
+        ):
+            cmd_add_exception(["notanumber", "--reason", _VALID_REASON])
+
+    def test_reason_flag_with_no_value_exits(self) -> None:
+        with (
+            patch(f"{PKG}._echo"),
+            pytest.raises(SystemExit, match="1"),
+        ):
+            cmd_add_exception(["440", "--reason"])
+
+    def test_reason_flag_last_position_with_no_value_exits(self) -> None:
+        # 3 args passes the len/flag guard but --reason is last so reason_parts=[]
+        with (
+            patch(f"{PKG}._echo"),
+            pytest.raises(SystemExit, match="1"),
+        ):
+            cmd_add_exception(["440", "extra", "--reason"])
+
+    def test_invalid_reason_exits(self) -> None:
+        with (
+            patch(f"{PKG}._echo"),
+            pytest.raises(SystemExit, match="1"),
+        ):
+            cmd_add_exception(["440", "--reason", "too short"])
+
+    def test_add_pending_exception_raises_value_error(self) -> None:
+        with (
+            patch(f"{PKG}._echo"),
+            patch(
+                f"{PKG}.add_pending_exception",
+                side_effect=ValueError("already approved"),
+            ),
+            pytest.raises(SystemExit, match="1"),
+        ):
+            cmd_add_exception(["440", "--reason", _VALID_REASON])
+
+    def test_happy_path_no_pending(self) -> None:
+        with (
+            patch(f"{PKG}._echo") as mock_echo,
+            patch(
+                f"{PKG}.add_pending_exception",
+                return_value="Exception requested for AppID 440.",
+            ),
+            patch(f"{PKG}.list_pending_exceptions", return_value=[]),
+        ):
+            cmd_add_exception(["440", "--reason", _VALID_REASON])
+        mock_echo.assert_called()
+
+    def test_happy_path_with_pending_list(self) -> None:
+        now = time.time()
+        pending = [
+            {"app_id": 440, "requested_at": now - WHITELIST_COOLDOWN_SECONDS - 1},
+            {"app_id": 730, "requested_at": now},
+        ]
+        with (
+            patch(f"{PKG}._echo") as mock_echo,
+            patch(
+                f"{PKG}.add_pending_exception",
+                return_value="Exception requested for AppID 440.",
+            ),
+            patch(f"{PKG}.list_pending_exceptions", return_value=pending),
+        ):
+            cmd_add_exception(["440", "--reason", _VALID_REASON])
+        # At least the "Pending exceptions" line should be echoed
+        calls = [str(c) for c in mock_echo.call_args_list]
+        assert any("Pending" in s for s in calls)
+
+
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# main() dispatch to add-exception
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+
+class TestMainDispatchAddException:
+    def test_dispatches_add_exception(self) -> None:
+        argv = ["prog", "add-exception", "440", "--reason", _VALID_REASON]
+        with (
+            patch.object(sys, "argv", argv),
+            patch(f"{PKG}.cmd_add_exception") as mock_cmd,
+        ):
+            main()
+        mock_cmd.assert_called_once_with(["440", "--reason", _VALID_REASON])
diff --git a/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_scanning.py b/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_scanning.py
index 98be132..5d45d29 100644
--- a/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_scanning.py
+++ b/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_scanning.py
@@ -50,7 +50,6 @@ class TestDoScan:
         mock_client = MagicMock()
 
         def build_game_list(
-            skip_app_ids: object = None,
             progress_callback: Callable[..., object] | None = None,
         ) -> list[GameInfo]:
             # Trigger progress callback to cover those lines.
@@ -93,7 +92,6 @@ class TestDoScan:
         mock_client = MagicMock()
 
         def build_game_list(
-            skip_app_ids: object = None,
             progress_callback: Callable[..., object] | None = None,
         ) -> list[GameInfo]:
             if progress_callback:
diff --git a/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_steam_api.py b/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_steam_api.py
index 6571dc9..d3207dc 100644
--- a/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_steam_api.py
+++ b/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_steam_api.py
@@ -257,20 +257,14 @@ class TestSteamAPIClient:
         with patch.object(client, "get_achievement_details", return_value=[ach]):
             result = client._fetch_one_game(
                 {"appid": 440, "name": "TF2", "playtime_forever": 60},
-                set(),
             )
             assert result is not None
             assert result.app_id == 440
 
-    def test_fetch_one_game_skipped(self) -> None:
-        client = SteamAPIClient("key", "id")
-        result = client._fetch_one_game({"appid": 440}, {440})
-        assert result is None
-
     def test_fetch_one_game_no_achievements(self) -> None:
         client = SteamAPIClient("key", "id")
         with patch.object(client, "get_achievement_details", return_value=[]):
-            result = client._fetch_one_game({"appid": 440}, set())
+            result = client._fetch_one_game({"appid": 440})
             assert result is None
 
     def test_build_game_list(self) -> None:
@@ -293,14 +287,18 @@ class TestSteamAPIClient:
             assert len(games) == 1
             assert len(progress_calls) > 0
 
-    def test_build_game_list_with_skip(self) -> None:
+    def test_build_game_list_no_achievements_excluded(self) -> None:
+        """Games without achievements are excluded from results."""
         client = SteamAPIClient("key", "id")
-        with patch.object(
-            client,
-            "get_owned_games",
-            return_value=[{"appid": 440, "name": "TF2"}],
+        with (
+            patch.object(
+                client,
+                "get_owned_games",
+                return_value=[{"appid": 440, "name": "TF2"}],
+            ),
+            patch.object(client, "get_achievement_details", return_value=[]),
         ):
-            games = client.build_game_list(skip_app_ids=[440])
+            games = client.build_game_list()
             assert games == []
 
     def test_build_game_list_exception_in_future(self) -> None:
diff --git a/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_whitelist.py b/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_whitelist.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b91a53a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/steam_backlog_enforcer/tests/test_whitelist.py
@@ -0,0 +1,496 @@
+"""Tests for _whitelist.py: time-locked exceptions, reason validation, chattr."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import time
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+import pytest
+
+from python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer._whitelist import (
+    WHITELIST_COOLDOWN_SECONDS,
+    _append_audit_log,
+    _load_approved,
+    _load_pending,
+    _save_approved,
+    _save_pending,
+    _shannon_entropy,
+    _try_set_immutable,
+    add_pending_exception,
+    get_approved_exception_ids,
+    list_pending_exceptions,
+    lock_enforcement_files,
+    promote_pending_exceptions,
+    unlock_for_write,
+    validate_reason,
+)
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from pathlib import Path
+
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# Helpers
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+_VALID_REASON = "I need this game installed for a work presentation this week."
+
+
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# Shannon entropy
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+
+class TestShannonEntropy:
+    def test_empty_string(self) -> None:
+        assert _shannon_entropy("") == 0.0
+
+    def test_all_whitespace(self) -> None:
+        assert _shannon_entropy("   ") == 0.0
+
+    def test_single_char(self) -> None:
+        # one unique char → entropy = 0
+        assert _shannon_entropy("aaaa") == 0.0
+
+    def test_high_entropy(self) -> None:
+        # natural English sentence has decent entropy
+        assert _shannon_entropy("The quick brown fox jumps") > 3.0
+
+
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# validate_reason
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+
+class TestValidateReason:
+    def test_valid_reason_returns_none(self) -> None:
+        assert validate_reason(_VALID_REASON) is None
+
+    def test_too_short(self) -> None:
+        err = validate_reason("short")
+        assert err is not None
+        assert "too short" in err
+
+    def test_too_few_words(self) -> None:
+        # 25+ chars but only 4 words
+        err = validate_reason("word1 word2 word3 word4xxx")
+        assert err is not None
+        assert "words" in err
+
+    def test_low_entropy_rejected(self) -> None:
+        # repeating 'ab' has low entropy
+        err = validate_reason("ababababababababababababababab")
+        assert err is not None
+        # could be caught by entropy or alternating-pattern check
+        assert err is not None
+
+    def test_char_run_rejected(self) -> None:
+        err = validate_reason("I neeeeed this game to play it")
+        assert err is not None
+        assert "repeated characters" in err
+
+    def test_alternating_pattern_rejected(self) -> None:
+        # "ababababab..." repeated many times
+        err = validate_reason("abababababababababababababababababababababab")
+        assert err is not None
+        assert "repetitive" in err or "random" in err or err is not None
+
+
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# chattr helpers
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+
+class TestTrySetImmutable:
+    def test_file_does_not_exist(self, tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+        # Should silently do nothing when the file doesn't exist
+        _try_set_immutable(tmp_path / "nonexistent.txt", immutable=True)
+
+    def test_chattr_not_available(self, tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+        target = tmp_path / "file.txt"
+        target.write_text("data", encoding="utf-8")
+        with patch("shutil.which", return_value=None):
+            _try_set_immutable(target, immutable=True)  # no-op, no crash
+
+    def test_chattr_called_set(self, tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+        target = tmp_path / "file.txt"
+        target.write_text("data", encoding="utf-8")
+        fake_chattr = tmp_path / "chattr"
+        with (
+            patch("shutil.which", return_value=str(fake_chattr)),
+            patch("subprocess.run") as mock_run,
+        ):
+            _try_set_immutable(target, immutable=True)
+            mock_run.assert_called_once()
+            args = mock_run.call_args[0][0]
+            assert "+i" in args
+
+    def test_chattr_called_clear(self, tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+        target = tmp_path / "file.txt"
+        target.write_text("data", encoding="utf-8")
+        fake_chattr = tmp_path / "chattr"
+        with (
+            patch("shutil.which", return_value=str(fake_chattr)),
+            patch("subprocess.run") as mock_run,
+        ):
+            _try_set_immutable(target, immutable=False)
+            args = mock_run.call_args[0][0]
+            assert "-i" in args
+
+    def test_oserror_swallowed(self, tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+        target = tmp_path / "file.txt"
+        target.write_text("data", encoding="utf-8")
+        with (
+            patch("shutil.which", return_value="/usr/bin/chattr"),
+            patch("subprocess.run", side_effect=OSError("no permission")),
+        ):
+            _try_set_immutable(target, immutable=True)  # must not raise
+
+    def test_timeout_swallowed(self, tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+        import subprocess
+
+        target = tmp_path / "file.txt"
+        target.write_text("data", encoding="utf-8")
+        with (
+            patch("shutil.which", return_value="/usr/bin/chattr"),
+            patch(
+                "subprocess.run",
+                side_effect=subprocess.TimeoutExpired(cmd="chattr", timeout=5),
+            ),
+        ):
+            _try_set_immutable(target, immutable=True)  # must not raise
+
+
+class TestLockAndUnlock:
+    def test_lock_enforcement_files(self, tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+        cfg = tmp_path / "config.json"
+        cfg.write_text("{}", encoding="utf-8")
+        approved = tmp_path / "approved.json"
+        approved.write_text("[]", encoding="utf-8")
+
+        with (
+            patch(
+                "python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer._whitelist.APPROVED_EXCEPTIONS_FILE",
+                approved,
+            ),
+            patch("shutil.which", return_value="/usr/bin/chattr"),
+            patch("subprocess.run") as mock_run,
+        ):
+            lock_enforcement_files(cfg)
+            assert mock_run.call_count == 2
+            all_calls = [c[0][0] for c in mock_run.call_args_list]
+            assert all("+i" in c for c in all_calls)
+
+    def test_unlock_for_write(self, tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+        target = tmp_path / "file.txt"
+        target.write_text("data", encoding="utf-8")
+        with (
+            patch("shutil.which", return_value="/usr/bin/chattr"),
+            patch("subprocess.run") as mock_run,
+        ):
+            unlock_for_write(target)
+            args = mock_run.call_args[0][0]
+            assert "-i" in args
+
+
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# Persistence helpers (_load_pending, _save_pending, etc.)
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+
+class TestPersistence:
+    def test_load_pending_missing_file(self) -> None:
+        assert _load_pending() == []
+
+    def test_load_pending_corrupt_file(self, tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+        bad = tmp_path / "pending.json"
+        bad.write_text("not json{{", encoding="utf-8")
+        with patch(
+            "python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer._whitelist.PENDING_EXCEPTIONS_FILE",
+            bad,
+        ):
+            assert _load_pending() == []
+
+    def test_load_pending_non_list(self, tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+        bad = tmp_path / "pending.json"
+        bad.write_text('{"key": "value"}', encoding="utf-8")
+        with patch(
+            "python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer._whitelist.PENDING_EXCEPTIONS_FILE",
+            bad,
+        ):
+            assert _load_pending() == []
+
+    def test_save_and_load_pending_roundtrip(self) -> None:
+        entries: list[dict[str, object]] = [
+            {"app_id": 440, "reason": "test", "requested_at": 12345.0}
+        ]
+        _save_pending(entries)
+        assert _load_pending() == entries
+
+    def test_load_approved_missing_file(self) -> None:
+        assert _load_approved() == []
+
+    def test_load_approved_corrupt_file(self, tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+        bad = tmp_path / "approved.json"
+        bad.write_text("{{broken", encoding="utf-8")
+        with patch(
+            "python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer._whitelist.APPROVED_EXCEPTIONS_FILE",
+            bad,
+        ):
+            assert _load_approved() == []
+
+    def test_load_approved_non_list(self, tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+        bad = tmp_path / "approved.json"
+        bad.write_text('"just a string"', encoding="utf-8")
+        with patch(
+            "python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer._whitelist.APPROVED_EXCEPTIONS_FILE",
+            bad,
+        ):
+            assert _load_approved() == []
+
+    def test_save_approved_roundtrip(self) -> None:
+        entries: list[dict[str, object]] = [
+            {"app_id": 730, "reason": "cs2", "approved_at": 99999.0}
+        ]
+        with (
+            patch("shutil.which", return_value=None),  # skip chattr
+        ):
+            _save_approved(entries)
+        assert _load_approved() == entries
+
+
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# Audit log
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+
+class TestAppendAuditLog:
+    def test_audit_log_written(self, tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+        log_file = tmp_path / "audit.log"
+        with patch(
+            "python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer._whitelist.EXCEPTION_AUDIT_LOG",
+            log_file,
+        ):
+            _append_audit_log(440, "some reason", "REQUESTED")
+            content = log_file.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+        assert "REQUESTED" in content
+        assert "app_id=440" in content
+        assert "some reason" in content
+
+    def test_audit_log_appends(self, tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+        log_file = tmp_path / "audit.log"
+        with patch(
+            "python_pkg.steam_backlog_enforcer._whitelist.EXCEPTION_AUDIT_LOG",
+            log_file,
+        ):
+            _append_audit_log(440, "first", "REQUESTED")
+            _append_audit_log(730, "second", "APPROVED")
+            content = log_file.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+        assert "app_id=440" in content
+        assert "app_id=730" in content
+
+
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# add_pending_exception
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+
+class TestAddPendingException:
+    def test_add_new_exception(self) -> None:
+        with patch("shutil.which", return_value=None):
+            msg = add_pending_exception(440, _VALID_REASON)
+        assert "440" in msg
+        assert "24h" in msg or "hours" in msg or "active" in msg.lower()
+        pending = _load_pending()
+        assert len(pending) == 1
+        assert int(pending[0]["app_id"]) == 440
+
+    def test_invalid_reason_raises(self) -> None:
+        with pytest.raises(
+            ValueError, match=r"short|words|entropy|repeated|repetitive"
+        ):
+            add_pending_exception(440, "too short")
+
+    def test_already_approved_raises(self) -> None:
+        approved: list[dict[str, object]] = [
+            {"app_id": 440, "reason": _VALID_REASON, "approved_at": 0.0}
+        ]
+        _save_approved(approved)
+        with (
+            patch("shutil.which", return_value=None),
+            pytest.raises(ValueError, match="already in the approved"),
+        ):
+            add_pending_exception(440, _VALID_REASON)
+
+    def test_already_pending_cooldown_remaining(self) -> None:
+        existing: list[dict[str, object]] = [
+            {
+                "app_id": 440,
+                "reason": _VALID_REASON,
+                "requested_at": time.time(),  # just now → full cooldown remaining
+            }
+        ]
+        _save_pending(existing)
+        with patch("shutil.which", return_value=None):
+            msg = add_pending_exception(440, _VALID_REASON)
+        assert "already pending" in msg
+
+    def test_already_pending_cooldown_elapsed_promotes(self) -> None:
+        past = time.time() - WHITELIST_COOLDOWN_SECONDS - 1
+        existing: list[dict[str, object]] = [
+            {"app_id": 440, "reason": _VALID_REASON, "requested_at": past}
+        ]
+        _save_pending(existing)
+        with patch("shutil.which", return_value=None):
+            msg = add_pending_exception(440, _VALID_REASON)
+        # The elapsed entry is broken out of the pending-check loop via break,
+        # then a new entry is appended → still gets the "Will become active" msg.
+        assert "440" in msg
+
+
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# promote_pending_exceptions
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+
+class TestPromotePendingExceptions:
+    def test_no_entries(self) -> None:
+        result = promote_pending_exceptions()
+        assert result == []
+
+    def test_cooldown_not_elapsed(self) -> None:
+        entries: list[dict[str, object]] = [
+            {"app_id": 440, "reason": _VALID_REASON, "requested_at": time.time()}
+        ]
+        _save_pending(entries)
+        with patch("shutil.which", return_value=None):
+            result = promote_pending_exceptions()
+        assert result == []
+        # Still pending
+        assert len(_load_pending()) == 1
+
+    def test_cooldown_elapsed_promotes(self) -> None:
+        past = time.time() - WHITELIST_COOLDOWN_SECONDS - 1
+        entries: list[dict[str, object]] = [
+            {"app_id": 440, "reason": _VALID_REASON, "requested_at": past}
+        ]
+        _save_pending(entries)
+        with patch("shutil.which", return_value=None):
+            result = promote_pending_exceptions()
+        assert 440 in result
+        assert _load_pending() == []
+        approved_ids = get_approved_exception_ids()
+        assert 440 in approved_ids
+
+    def test_already_in_approved_not_duplicated(self) -> None:
+        """If somehow already approved, skip duplicating it."""
+        past = time.time() - WHITELIST_COOLDOWN_SECONDS - 1
+        entries: list[dict[str, object]] = [
+            {"app_id": 440, "reason": _VALID_REASON, "requested_at": past}
+        ]
+        _save_pending(entries)
+        existing_approved: list[dict[str, object]] = [
+            {"app_id": 440, "reason": _VALID_REASON, "approved_at": 0.0}
+        ]
+        _save_approved(existing_approved)
+        with patch("shutil.which", return_value=None):
+            result = promote_pending_exceptions()
+        # Not added again
+        assert 440 not in result
+        approved = _load_approved()
+        assert sum(1 for e in approved if int(e["app_id"]) == 440) == 1
+
+    def test_pending_list_saved_when_entries_removed(self) -> None:
+        """_save_pending is called when the pending list shrinks."""
+        past = time.time() - WHITELIST_COOLDOWN_SECONDS - 1
+        future = time.time()
+        entries: list[dict[str, object]] = [
+            {"app_id": 440, "reason": _VALID_REASON, "requested_at": past},
+            {"app_id": 730, "reason": _VALID_REASON, "requested_at": future},
+        ]
+        _save_pending(entries)
+        with patch("shutil.which", return_value=None):
+            result = promote_pending_exceptions()
+        assert 440 in result
+        remaining = _load_pending()
+        assert len(remaining) == 1
+        assert int(remaining[0]["app_id"]) == 730
+
+
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# get_approved_exception_ids
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+
+class TestGetApprovedExceptionIds:
+    def test_empty(self) -> None:
+        result = get_approved_exception_ids()
+        assert result == frozenset()
+
+    def test_populated(self) -> None:
+        approved: list[dict[str, object]] = [
+            {"app_id": 440, "reason": "r", "approved_at": 0.0},
+            {"app_id": 730, "reason": "r", "approved_at": 0.0},
+        ]
+        _save_approved(approved)
+        with patch("shutil.which", return_value=None):
+            pass
+        result = get_approved_exception_ids()
+        assert result == frozenset({440, 730})
+
+
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# list_pending_exceptions
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+
+class TestListPendingExceptions:
+    def test_returns_copy(self) -> None:
+        """Mutating the result must not affect stored state."""
+        entries: list[dict[str, object]] = [
+            {"app_id": 440, "reason": "r", "requested_at": 1.0}
+        ]
+        _save_pending(entries)
+        result = list_pending_exceptions()
+        result.clear()
+        # Still present on next load
+        assert len(_load_pending()) == 1
+
+    def test_empty_when_no_pending(self) -> None:
+        assert list_pending_exceptions() == []
+
+
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# Extra coverage for validate_reason branches 94 & 106
+# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+
+class TestValidateReasonExtraBranches:
+    """Cover lines 94 and 106 that need multi-word, long, low-entropy inputs."""
+
+    def test_low_entropy_multi_word(self) -> None:
+        # 8 words, 31+ chars, entropy ≈ 2.0 (< 3.0), no char run, no alt pattern
+        err = validate_reason("the the the the the the the the")
+        assert err is not None
+        assert "entropy" in err
+
+    def test_alternating_pattern_multi_word(self) -> None:
+        # "abababab" satisfies (..)(\1){3,}, rest provides uniqueness for entropy
+        reason = "abababab xyz pqr uvw lmn"  # 5 words, 24 chars → need 25+
+        reason = "abababab xyz pqr uvw lmnop"  # 5 words, 26 chars
+        err = validate_reason(reason)
+        assert err is not None
+        assert "repetitive" in err
+
+    def test_different_app_id_in_pending_does_not_block(self) -> None:
+        """Pending entry with a different app_id must not block a new add (covers
+        the 264→263 loop-continue branch)."""
+        other: list[dict[str, object]] = [
+            {"app_id": 440, "reason": _VALID_REASON, "requested_at": 1.0}
+        ]
+        _save_pending(other)
+        with patch("shutil.which", return_value=None):
+            msg = add_pending_exception(730, _VALID_REASON)
+        assert "730" in msg
+        pending = _load_pending()
+        assert len(pending) == 2  # original + new