diff --git a/app/api/routers/admin_dbops.py b/app/api/routers/admin_dbops.py
index 0f4d1f6..ce63ea2 100644
--- a/app/api/routers/admin_dbops.py
+++ b/app/api/routers/admin_dbops.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import logging
 from fastapi import APIRouter, Depends, Path, Query, Request
 from sqlalchemy.ext.asyncio import AsyncSession
 
-from app.api.deps import get_api_admin_user
+from app.api.deps import get_api_admin_user, get_api_current_user
 from app.api.errors import ApiException
 from app.api.responses import success_payload
 from app.api.schemas import (
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ async def get_pdf_queue(
     offset: int | None = Query(default=None, ge=0),
     status: str | None = Query(default=None),
     db_session: AsyncSession = Depends(get_db_session),
-    admin_user: User = Depends(get_api_admin_user),
+    current_user: User = Depends(get_api_current_user),
 ):
     normalized_status = (status or "").strip().lower() or None
     resolved_page, resolved_limit, resolved_offset = _resolve_pdf_queue_paging(
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ async def get_pdf_queue(
         logger,
         "info",
         "api.admin.db.pdf_queue_listed",
-        admin_user_id=int(admin_user.id),
+        user_id=int(current_user.id),
         page=int(resolved_page),
         page_size=int(resolved_limit),
         offset=int(resolved_offset),
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/patterns/ScrapeSafetyBadge.test.ts b/frontend/src/components/patterns/ScrapeSafetyBadge.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8d17969
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/patterns/ScrapeSafetyBadge.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+// @vitest-environment happy-dom
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import { mount } from "@vue/test-utils";
+import ScrapeSafetyBadge from "./ScrapeSafetyBadge.vue";
+import { createDefaultSafetyState, type ScrapeSafetyState } from "@/features/safety";
+
+function buildState(overrides: Partial<ScrapeSafetyState> = {}): ScrapeSafetyState {
+  return { ...createDefaultSafetyState(), ...overrides };
+}
+
+describe("ScrapeSafetyBadge", () => {
+  it("shows ready tooltip when cooldown is inactive", () => {
+    const wrapper = mount(ScrapeSafetyBadge, {
+      props: { state: buildState({ cooldown_active: false }) },
+    });
+    expect(wrapper.text()).toContain("Safety ready");
+    const hint = wrapper.findComponent({ name: "AppHelpHint" });
+    expect(hint.exists()).toBe(true);
+    expect(hint.props("text")).toContain("No active cooldown");
+  });
+
+  it("shows cooldown tooltip with reason and action when active", () => {
+    const wrapper = mount(ScrapeSafetyBadge, {
+      props: {
+        state: buildState({
+          cooldown_active: true,
+          cooldown_reason: "blocked_failure_threshold_exceeded",
+          cooldown_reason_label: "Too many blocked requests",
+          recommended_action: "Wait for cooldown to expire",
+          cooldown_remaining_seconds: 120,
+        }),
+      },
+    });
+    expect(wrapper.text()).toContain("Safety cooldown");
+    const hint = wrapper.findComponent({ name: "AppHelpHint" });
+    expect(hint.exists()).toBe(true);
+    const text = hint.props("text") as string;
+    expect(text).toContain("Google Scholar rate-limits");
+    expect(text).toContain("Too many blocked requests");
+    expect(text).toContain("Wait for cooldown to expire");
+  });
+
+  it("shows cooldown tooltip without optional fields", () => {
+    const wrapper = mount(ScrapeSafetyBadge, {
+      props: {
+        state: buildState({
+          cooldown_active: true,
+          cooldown_reason: "some_reason",
+          cooldown_reason_label: null,
+          recommended_action: null,
+          cooldown_remaining_seconds: 60,
+        }),
+      },
+    });
+    const hint = wrapper.findComponent({ name: "AppHelpHint" });
+    const text = hint.props("text") as string;
+    expect(text).toContain("Google Scholar rate-limits");
+    expect(text).not.toContain("Why:");
+    expect(text).not.toContain("Action:");
+  });
+});
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/patterns/ScrapeSafetyBadge.vue b/frontend/src/components/patterns/ScrapeSafetyBadge.vue
index b40c1c9..845fb2f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/patterns/ScrapeSafetyBadge.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/patterns/ScrapeSafetyBadge.vue
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
 import { computed } from "vue";
 
+import AppHelpHint from "@/components/ui/AppHelpHint.vue";
 import { type ScrapeSafetyState } from "@/features/safety";
 
 const props = defineProps<{
@@ -18,10 +19,30 @@ const toneClass = computed(() => {
   }
   return "border-state-warning-border bg-state-warning-bg text-state-warning-text";
 });
+
+const READY_TOOLTIP = "No active cooldown. Scraping can proceed normally.";
+const RATE_LIMIT_INTRO =
+  "Google Scholar rate-limits automated requests. The cooldown pauses scraping to avoid your IP being blocked.";
+
+const tooltipText = computed(() => {
+  if (!props.state.cooldown_active) return READY_TOOLTIP;
+
+  const parts = [RATE_LIMIT_INTRO];
+  if (props.state.cooldown_reason_label) {
+    parts.push(`Why: ${props.state.cooldown_reason_label}`);
+  }
+  if (props.state.recommended_action) {
+    parts.push(`Action: ${props.state.recommended_action}`);
+  }
+  return parts.join(" \u2014 ");
+});
 </script>
 
 <template>
-  <span class="inline-flex items-center rounded-full border px-2 py-0.5 text-xs font-semibold" :class="toneClass">
-    {{ label }}
+  <span class="inline-flex items-center gap-1">
+    <span class="inline-flex items-center rounded-full border px-2 py-0.5 text-xs font-semibold" :class="toneClass">
+      {{ label }}
+    </span>
+    <AppHelpHint :text="tooltipText" />
   </span>
 </template>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/patterns/ScrapeSafetyBanner.vue b/frontend/src/components/patterns/ScrapeSafetyBanner.vue
index 300b05a..6ea343d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/patterns/ScrapeSafetyBanner.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/patterns/ScrapeSafetyBanner.vue
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 import { computed, onBeforeUnmount, onMounted, ref } from "vue";
 
 import AppAlert from "@/components/ui/AppAlert.vue";
+import AppHelpHint from "@/components/ui/AppHelpHint.vue";
 import {
   formatCooldownCountdown,
   type ScrapeSafetyState,
@@ -79,6 +80,10 @@ const actionText = computed(() => {
   return props.safetyState.recommended_action;
 });
 
+const bannerHintText = computed(() => {
+  return "Google Scholar rate-limits automated requests. The cooldown pauses scraping to avoid your IP being blocked.";
+});
+
 onMounted(() => {
   timer = setInterval(() => {
     now.value = Date.now();
@@ -95,7 +100,12 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => {
 
 <template>
   <AppAlert v-if="isVisible" :tone="tone">
-    <template #title>{{ title }}</template>
+    <template #title>
+      <span class="inline-flex items-center gap-1">
+        {{ title }}
+        <AppHelpHint :text="bannerHintText" />
+      </span>
+    </template>
     <p>{{ detailText }}</p>
     <p v-if="actionText" class="text-secondary">{{ actionText }}</p>
   </AppAlert>
diff --git a/frontend/src/features/settings/SettingsAdminPanel.test.ts b/frontend/src/features/settings/SettingsAdminPanel.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..47a9e96
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/features/settings/SettingsAdminPanel.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+// @vitest-environment happy-dom
+import { describe, expect, it, vi, beforeEach } from "vitest";
+import { mount, flushPromises } from "@vue/test-utils";
+import { nextTick } from "vue";
+import SettingsAdminPanel from "./SettingsAdminPanel.vue";
+
+vi.mock("@/features/admin_users", () => ({
+  listAdminUsers: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([]),
+  createAdminUser: vi.fn(),
+  setAdminUserActive: vi.fn(),
+  resetAdminUserPassword: vi.fn(),
+}));
+
+vi.mock("@/features/admin_dbops", () => ({
+  getAdminDbIntegrityReport: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
+    status: "ok",
+    warnings: [],
+    failures: [],
+    checked_at: null,
+    checks: [],
+  }),
+  listAdminPdfQueue: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
+    items: [],
+    total_count: 0,
+    has_next: false,
+    has_prev: false,
+    page: 1,
+    page_size: 50,
+  }),
+  requeueAdminPdfLookup: vi.fn(),
+  requeueAllAdminPdfLookups: vi.fn(),
+}));
+
+vi.mock("@/stores/auth", () => ({
+  useAuthStore: () => ({ isAdmin: true }),
+}));
+
+vi.mock("@/features/admin_repairs", () => ({
+  listAdminRepairTasks: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([]),
+  runAdminRepairTask: vi.fn(),
+}));
+
+import { listAdminUsers } from "@/features/admin_users";
+import { getAdminDbIntegrityReport, listAdminPdfQueue } from "@/features/admin_dbops";
+
+const mockedListUsers = vi.mocked(listAdminUsers);
+const mockedGetReport = vi.mocked(getAdminDbIntegrityReport);
+const mockedListPdfQueue = vi.mocked(listAdminPdfQueue);
+
+describe("SettingsAdminPanel", () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    mockedListUsers.mockClear();
+    mockedGetReport.mockClear();
+    mockedListPdfQueue.mockClear();
+  });
+
+  it("calls load on users section after nextTick when section=users", async () => {
+    mount(SettingsAdminPanel, { props: { section: "users" } });
+    await nextTick();
+    await nextTick();
+    await flushPromises();
+    expect(mockedListUsers).toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("calls load on integrity section after nextTick when section=integrity", async () => {
+    mount(SettingsAdminPanel, { props: { section: "integrity" } });
+    await nextTick();
+    await nextTick();
+    await flushPromises();
+    expect(mockedGetReport).toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("calls load on new section when section prop changes", async () => {
+    const wrapper = mount(SettingsAdminPanel, { props: { section: "users" } });
+    await nextTick();
+    await nextTick();
+    await flushPromises();
+    mockedListUsers.mockClear();
+    mockedGetReport.mockClear();
+
+    await wrapper.setProps({ section: "integrity" });
+    await nextTick();
+    await flushPromises();
+    expect(mockedGetReport).toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("calls load on pdf section when section=pdf", async () => {
+    mount(SettingsAdminPanel, { props: { section: "pdf" } });
+    await nextTick();
+    await nextTick();
+    await flushPromises();
+    expect(mockedListPdfQueue).toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/frontend/src/features/settings/SettingsAdminPanel.vue b/frontend/src/features/settings/SettingsAdminPanel.vue
index b306d1e..c281de1 100644
--- a/frontend/src/features/settings/SettingsAdminPanel.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/features/settings/SettingsAdminPanel.vue
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
-import { onMounted, ref, watch } from "vue";
+import { nextTick, onMounted, watch } from "vue";
+import { ref } from "vue";
 
-import AsyncStateGate from "@/components/patterns/AsyncStateGate.vue";
 import RequestStateAlerts from "@/components/patterns/RequestStateAlerts.vue";
 import AdminIntegritySection from "@/features/settings/components/AdminIntegritySection.vue";
 import AdminPdfQueueSection from "@/features/settings/components/AdminPdfQueueSection.vue";
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ const props = defineProps<{
   section: "users" | "integrity" | "repairs" | "pdf";
 }>();
 
-const loading = ref(true);
 const { errorMessage, errorRequestId, successMessage, clearAlerts, assignError } = useRequestState();
 
 const usersRef = ref<InstanceType<typeof AdminUsersSection> | null>(null);
@@ -26,39 +25,28 @@ const integrityRef = ref<InstanceType<typeof AdminIntegritySection> | null>(null
 const repairsRef = ref<InstanceType<typeof AdminRepairsSection> | null>(null);
 const pdfQueueRef = ref<InstanceType<typeof AdminPdfQueueSection> | null>(null);
 
-async function refreshForSection(): Promise<void> {
-  if (props.section === SECTION_USERS && usersRef.value) {
-    await usersRef.value.load();
-    return;
-  }
-  if (props.section === SECTION_INTEGRITY && integrityRef.value) {
-    await integrityRef.value.load();
-    return;
-  }
-  if (props.section === SECTION_REPAIRS) {
-    await usersRef.value?.load();
-    await repairsRef.value?.load();
-    return;
-  }
-  if (props.section === SECTION_PDF && pdfQueueRef.value) {
-    await pdfQueueRef.value.load();
-  }
-}
-
 async function loadSection(): Promise<void> {
-  loading.value = true;
   clearAlerts();
   try {
-    await refreshForSection();
+    if (props.section === SECTION_USERS && usersRef.value) {
+      await usersRef.value.load();
+    } else if (props.section === SECTION_INTEGRITY && integrityRef.value) {
+      await integrityRef.value.load();
+    } else if (props.section === SECTION_REPAIRS) {
+      await usersRef.value?.load();
+      await repairsRef.value?.load();
+    } else if (props.section === SECTION_PDF && pdfQueueRef.value) {
+      await pdfQueueRef.value.load();
+    }
   } catch (error) {
     assignError(error, "Unable to load admin data.");
-  } finally {
-    loading.value = false;
   }
 }
 
-onMounted(loadSection);
-watch(() => props.section, loadSection);
+onMounted(() => {
+  nextTick(loadSection);
+});
+watch(() => props.section, loadSection, { flush: "post" });
 </script>
 
 <template>
@@ -72,11 +60,9 @@ watch(() => props.section, loadSection);
       @dismiss-success="successMessage = null"
     />
 
-    <AsyncStateGate :loading="loading" :loading-lines="10" :show-empty="false">
-      <AdminUsersSection v-if="props.section === SECTION_USERS || props.section === SECTION_REPAIRS" v-show="props.section === SECTION_USERS" ref="usersRef" />
-      <AdminIntegritySection v-if="props.section === SECTION_INTEGRITY" ref="integrityRef" />
-      <AdminRepairsSection v-if="props.section === SECTION_REPAIRS" ref="repairsRef" :users="usersRef?.users ?? []" />
-      <AdminPdfQueueSection v-if="props.section === SECTION_PDF" ref="pdfQueueRef" />
-    </AsyncStateGate>
+    <AdminUsersSection v-if="props.section === SECTION_USERS || props.section === SECTION_REPAIRS" v-show="props.section === SECTION_USERS" ref="usersRef" />
+    <AdminIntegritySection v-if="props.section === SECTION_INTEGRITY" ref="integrityRef" />
+    <AdminRepairsSection v-if="props.section === SECTION_REPAIRS" ref="repairsRef" :users="usersRef?.users ?? []" />
+    <AdminPdfQueueSection v-if="props.section === SECTION_PDF" ref="pdfQueueRef" />
   </section>
 </template>
diff --git a/frontend/src/features/settings/components/AdminPdfQueueSection.test.ts b/frontend/src/features/settings/components/AdminPdfQueueSection.test.ts
index bdd0793..c312922 100644
--- a/frontend/src/features/settings/components/AdminPdfQueueSection.test.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/features/settings/components/AdminPdfQueueSection.test.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 // @vitest-environment happy-dom
 import { describe, expect, it, vi, beforeEach } from "vitest";
 import { mount, flushPromises } from "@vue/test-utils";
+import { setActivePinia, createPinia } from "pinia";
+import { useAuthStore } from "@/stores/auth";
 import AdminPdfQueueSection from "./AdminPdfQueueSection.vue";
 
 vi.mock("@/features/admin_dbops", () => ({
@@ -36,6 +38,9 @@ function buildQueueItem(overrides: Record<string, unknown> = {}) {
 
 describe("AdminPdfQueueSection", () => {
   beforeEach(() => {
+    setActivePinia(createPinia());
+    const auth = useAuthStore();
+    auth.$patch({ state: "authenticated", user: { id: 1, email: "admin@test.com", is_admin: true, is_active: true } });
     mockedListQueue.mockReset();
   });
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/features/settings/components/AdminPdfQueueSection.vue b/frontend/src/features/settings/components/AdminPdfQueueSection.vue
index fdeb98a..91ec2a9 100644
--- a/frontend/src/features/settings/components/AdminPdfQueueSection.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/features/settings/components/AdminPdfQueueSection.vue
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
 import { computed, ref } from "vue";
+import { useAuthStore } from "@/stores/auth";
 import AppBadge from "@/components/ui/AppBadge.vue";
 import AppButton from "@/components/ui/AppButton.vue";
 import AppCard from "@/components/ui/AppCard.vue";
@@ -17,6 +18,7 @@ import {
 import { useRequestState } from "@/composables/useRequestState";
 
 const { errorMessage, errorRequestId, successMessage, clearAlerts, assignError, setSuccess } = useRequestState();
+const auth = useAuthStore();
 
 const refreshingPdfQueue = ref(false);
 const requeueingPublicationId = ref<number | null>(null);
@@ -162,7 +164,7 @@ defineExpose({ load });
           <option value="50">50 / page</option>
           <option value="100">100 / page</option>
         </AppSelect>
-        <AppButton variant="secondary" class="!min-h-8 whitespace-nowrap !px-2.5 !py-1 !text-xs" :disabled="requeueingAllPdfs" title="Queue all missing PDFs" @click="onRequeueAllPdfs">
+        <AppButton v-if="auth.isAdmin" variant="secondary" class="!min-h-8 whitespace-nowrap !px-2.5 !py-1 !text-xs" :disabled="requeueingAllPdfs" title="Queue all missing PDFs" @click="onRequeueAllPdfs">
           {{ requeueingAllPdfs ? "Queueing..." : "Queue all" }}
         </AppButton>
         <AppRefreshButton variant="secondary" size="sm" :loading="refreshingPdfQueue" title="Refresh PDF queue" loading-title="Refreshing PDF queue" @click="refreshPdfQueue" />
@@ -194,7 +196,7 @@ defineExpose({ load });
           <td>{{ formatTimestamp(item.last_attempt_at) }}</td>
           <td>{{ formatTimestamp(item.resolved_at) }}</td>
           <td>
-            <AppButton variant="ghost" :disabled="requeueingPublicationId === item.publication_id || !canRequeuePdf(item)" @click="onRequeuePdf(item)">
+            <AppButton v-if="auth.isAdmin" variant="ghost" :disabled="requeueingPublicationId === item.publication_id || !canRequeuePdf(item)" @click="onRequeuePdf(item)">
               {{ requeueingPublicationId === item.publication_id ? "Requeueing..." : "Requeue" }}
             </AppButton>
           </td>
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/DashboardPage.vue b/frontend/src/pages/DashboardPage.vue
index 8623927..c7da221 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/DashboardPage.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/DashboardPage.vue
@@ -404,7 +404,7 @@ watch(
                     </div>
                     <div class="flex items-center gap-2">
                       <AppButton
-                        v-if="auth.isAdmin && runStatus.isLikelyRunning"
+                        v-if="runStatus.isLikelyRunning"
                         variant="danger"
                         :disabled="!activeRunId || isCancelAnimating"
                         @click="onCancelRun"
@@ -420,7 +420,6 @@ watch(
                         </span>
                       </AppButton>
                       <AppButton
-                        v-if="auth.isAdmin"
                         :disabled="isStartBlocked"
                         :title="startCheckDisabledReason || undefined"
                         :class="isStartCheckAnimating ? 'shadow-[0_0_0_1px_var(--color-state-info-border)]' : ''"
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/SettingsPage.vue b/frontend/src/pages/SettingsPage.vue
index 4040f0e..e1c0e2b 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/SettingsPage.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/SettingsPage.vue
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ const savingScholarHttp = ref(false);
 const updatingPassword = ref(false);
 
 const autoRunEnabled = ref(false);
-const runIntervalMinutes = ref("60");
+const runIntervalHours = ref("1");
 const requestDelaySeconds = ref("2");
 const navVisiblePages = ref<string[]>([]);
 const openalexApiKey = ref("");
@@ -77,13 +77,13 @@ const tabItems = computed<AppTabItem[]>(() => {
   const tabs: AppTabItem[] = [
     { id: TAB_CHECKING, label: "Checking" },
     { id: TAB_ACCOUNT, label: "Account" },
+    { id: TAB_ADMIN_PDF, label: "PDF Queue" },
   ];
   if (auth.isAdmin) {
     tabs.push(
       { id: TAB_ADMIN_USERS, label: "Users" },
       { id: TAB_ADMIN_INTEGRITY, label: "Integrity" },
       { id: TAB_ADMIN_REPAIRS, label: "Repairs" },
-      { id: TAB_ADMIN_PDF, label: "PDF Queue" },
       { id: TAB_ADMIN_INTEGRATIONS, label: "Integrations" },
     );
   }
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ function hydrateSettings(settings: UserSettings): void {
   manualRunAllowed.value = Boolean(settings.policy?.manual_run_allowed ?? true);
 
   autoRunEnabled.value = Boolean(settings.auto_run_enabled) && automationAllowed.value;
-  runIntervalMinutes.value = String(settings.run_interval_minutes);
+  runIntervalHours.value = String(Number(settings.run_interval_minutes) / 60);
   requestDelaySeconds.value = String(settings.request_delay_seconds);
   navVisiblePages.value = normalizeUserNavVisiblePages(settings.nav_visible_pages);
 
@@ -168,6 +168,18 @@ function parseBoundedInteger(value: string, label: string, minimum: number): num
   return parsed;
 }
 
+function parseHoursToMinutes(value: string, minMinutes: number): number {
+  const hours = Number(value);
+  if (!Number.isFinite(hours) || hours <= 0) {
+    throw new Error("Check interval must be a positive number of hours.");
+  }
+  const minutes = Math.round(hours * 60);
+  if (minutes < minMinutes) {
+    throw new Error(`Check interval must be at least ${minMinutes / 60} hours.`);
+  }
+  return minutes;
+}
+
 async function loadSettings(): Promise<void> {
   loading.value = true;
   errorMessage.value = null;
@@ -225,9 +237,8 @@ async function onSaveSettings(): Promise<void> {
   try {
     const payload: UserSettingsUpdate = {
       auto_run_enabled: autoRunEnabled.value,
-      run_interval_minutes: parseBoundedInteger(
-        runIntervalMinutes.value,
-        "Check interval (minutes)",
+      run_interval_minutes: parseHoursToMinutes(
+        runIntervalHours.value,
         minCheckIntervalMinutes.value,
       ),
       request_delay_seconds: parseBoundedInteger(
@@ -357,11 +368,11 @@ onMounted(async () => {
 
             <label class="grid gap-2 text-sm font-medium text-ink-secondary">
               <span class="inline-flex items-center gap-1">
-                Check interval (minutes)
+                Check interval (hours)
                 <AppHelpHint text="Minimum is controlled by server policy." />
               </span>
-              <AppInput v-model="runIntervalMinutes" inputmode="numeric" />
-              <span class="text-xs text-secondary">Minimum: {{ minCheckIntervalMinutes }}</span>
+              <AppInput v-model="runIntervalHours" inputmode="decimal" />
+              <span class="text-xs text-secondary">Minimum: {{ minCheckIntervalMinutes / 60 }} hours</span>
             </label>
 
             <label class="grid gap-2 text-sm font-medium text-ink-secondary">
diff --git a/tests/integration/test_api_admin.py b/tests/integration/test_api_admin.py
index fb63f34..f80a8e3 100644
--- a/tests/integration/test_api_admin.py
+++ b/tests/integration/test_api_admin.py
@@ -340,10 +340,11 @@ async def test_api_admin_dbops_forbidden_for_non_admin_and_validates_scope(db_se
     assert forbidden_integrity.status_code == 403
     assert forbidden_integrity.json()["error"]["code"] == "forbidden"
 
-    forbidden_pdf_queue = client.get("/api/v1/admin/db/pdf-queue")
-    assert forbidden_pdf_queue.status_code == 403
-    assert forbidden_pdf_queue.json()["error"]["code"] == "forbidden"
+    # PDF queue listing is accessible to all authenticated users (not admin-only).
+    allowed_pdf_queue = client.get("/api/v1/admin/db/pdf-queue")
+    assert allowed_pdf_queue.status_code == 200
 
+    # But requeue actions still require admin.
     forbidden_requeue = client.post(
         "/api/v1/admin/db/pdf-queue/1/requeue",
         headers=headers,