diff --git a/src/main/chapters.ts b/src/main/chapters.ts
index 08bab3b..dae6226 100644
--- a/src/main/chapters.ts
+++ b/src/main/chapters.ts
@@ -106,3 +106,11 @@ export function reorderChapters(bookPath: string, newOrder: string[]): void {
   meta.chapterOrder = newOrder;
   saveMeta(bookPath, meta);
 }
+
+export function moveInOrder<T>(items: T[], fromIndex: number, toIndex: number): T[] {
+  if (fromIndex === toIndex) return items;
+  const copy = items.slice();
+  const [moved] = copy.splice(fromIndex, 1);
+  copy.splice(toIndex, 0, moved);
+  return copy;
+}
diff --git a/src/main/index.ts b/src/main/index.ts
index ffd0fc0..7103689 100644
--- a/src/main/index.ts
+++ b/src/main/index.ts
@@ -103,6 +103,10 @@ function refreshMenu() {
   );
 }
 
+function notifyChange() {
+  getWindow()?.webContents.send("folio:chapters-changed");
+}
+
 async function openBookAt(p: string): Promise<BookResult | ErrResult> {
   try {
     const meta = loadBook(p);
@@ -189,6 +193,7 @@ ipcMain.handle("folio:getChapterContent", (_e, id: string) => {
 ipcMain.handle("folio:createChapter", (_e, title: string) => {
   try {
     const entry = createChapter(requireBook(), title);
+    notifyChange();
     return { id: entry.id, title: entry.title, file: entry.file };
   } catch (e) {
     return { error: (e as Error).message };
@@ -198,6 +203,7 @@ ipcMain.handle("folio:createChapter", (_e, title: string) => {
 ipcMain.handle("folio:renameChapter", (_e, id: string, title: string) => {
   try {
     renameChapter(requireBook(), id, title);
+    notifyChange();
     return { ok: true };
   } catch (e) {
     return { error: (e as Error).message };
@@ -207,6 +213,7 @@ ipcMain.handle("folio:renameChapter", (_e, id: string, title: string) => {
 ipcMain.handle("folio:deleteChapter", (_e, id: string) => {
   try {
     deleteChapter(requireBook(), id);
+    notifyChange();
     return { ok: true };
   } catch (e) {
     return { error: (e as Error).message };
@@ -216,6 +223,7 @@ ipcMain.handle("folio:deleteChapter", (_e, id: string) => {
 ipcMain.handle("folio:duplicateChapter", (_e, id: string, title?: string) => {
   try {
     const entry = duplicateChapter(requireBook(), id, title);
+    notifyChange();
     return { id: entry.id, title: entry.title };
   } catch (e) {
     return { error: (e as Error).message };
@@ -225,6 +233,7 @@ ipcMain.handle("folio:duplicateChapter", (_e, id: string, title?: string) => {
 ipcMain.handle("folio:reorderChapters", (_e, newOrder: string[]) => {
   try {
     reorderChapters(requireBook(), newOrder);
+    notifyChange();
     return { ok: true };
   } catch (e) {
     return { error: (e as Error).message };
diff --git a/src/main/preload.ts b/src/main/preload.ts
index 2b4374c..d4b3ece 100644
--- a/src/main/preload.ts
+++ b/src/main/preload.ts
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@ contextBridge.exposeInMainWorld("folio", {
     ipcRenderer.on("folio:bookOpened", (_e, data) => cb(data)),
   onBookClosed: (cb: () => void) =>
     ipcRenderer.on("folio:bookClosed", () => cb()),
+  onChaptersChanged: (cb: () => void) =>
+    ipcRenderer.on("folio:chapters-changed", () => cb()),
   onNewBookRequested: (cb: () => void) =>
     ipcRenderer.on("folio:new-book-requested", () => cb()),
   onOpenBookRequested: (cb: () => void) =>
diff --git a/src/renderer/book.ts b/src/renderer/book.ts
index 19c07a4..15e2d0b 100644
--- a/src/renderer/book.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/book.ts
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ export type FolioAPI = {
   reorderChapters: (newOrder: string[]) => Promise<any>;
   onBookOpened: (cb: (data: { path: string; title: string }) => void) => void;
   onBookClosed: (cb: () => void) => void;
+  onChaptersChanged: (cb: () => void) => void;
   onNewBookRequested: (cb: () => void) => void;
   onOpenBookRequested: (cb: () => void) => void;
   onOpenRecent: (cb: (p: string) => void) => void;
@@ -37,9 +38,18 @@ interface Recent {
   lastOpened: string;
 }
 
+function moveInList<T>(items: T[], fromIndex: number, toIndex: number): T[] {
+  if (fromIndex === toIndex) return items;
+  const copy = items.slice();
+  const [moved] = copy.splice(fromIndex, 1);
+  copy.splice(toIndex, 0, moved);
+  return copy;
+}
+
 export function initBook(api: FolioAPI) {
   let currentBook: { path: string; title: string } | null = null;
   let meta: BookMeta | null = null;
+  let ordered: ChapterEntry[] = [];
   let selectedId: string | null = null;
 
   const chapterList = $("chapterList") as HTMLUListElement;
@@ -62,9 +72,9 @@ export function initBook(api: FolioAPI) {
     projectBar.classList.add("hidden");
     currentBook = null;
     meta = null;
+    ordered = [];
     selectedId = null;
     renderChapterList();
-    void renderRecents();
   }
 
   function showPlaceholder() {
@@ -72,7 +82,7 @@ export function initBook(api: FolioAPI) {
     editorPlaceholder.classList.remove("hidden");
   }
 
-  function openBook(data: { path: string; title: string }) {
+  function setCurrentBook(data: { path: string; title: string }) {
     currentBook = data;
     bookTitleEl.textContent = data.title;
     bookPathEl.textContent = data.path;
@@ -90,16 +100,18 @@ export function initBook(api: FolioAPI) {
       meta = null;
     } else {
       meta = res as BookMeta;
+      ordered = meta.chapterOrder
+        .map((id) => meta!.chapters[id])
+        .filter(Boolean) as ChapterEntry[];
     }
     renderChapterList();
-    showPlaceholder();
+    if (ordered.length) showPlaceholder();
+    else showPlaceholder();
   }
 
   async function refreshMeta() {
     await loadMeta();
-    if (meta && meta.chapters[selectedId ?? ""]) {
-      // keep selection if still valid
-    } else {
+    if (meta && ordered.length === 0) {
       selectedId = null;
       showPlaceholder();
     }
@@ -107,14 +119,12 @@ export function initBook(api: FolioAPI) {
 
   function renderChapterList() {
     chapterList.innerHTML = "";
-    if (!meta) return;
-    const ordered = meta.chapterOrder
-      .map((id) => meta!.chapters[id])
-      .filter(Boolean) as ChapterEntry[];
     for (const ch of ordered) {
       const li = document.createElement("li");
       li.className = "chapter-row" + (selectedId === ch.id ? " active" : "");
       li.dataset.id = ch.id;
+      li.draggable = true;
+      li.tabIndex = -1;
       li.innerHTML = `
         <span class="row-title" title="${ch.title}">${ch.title}</span>
         <span class="row-actions">
@@ -124,6 +134,7 @@ export function initBook(api: FolioAPI) {
         </span>`;
       li.addEventListener("click", (e) => {
         e.stopPropagation();
+        li.focus();
         void selectChapter(ch.id);
       });
       li.querySelector('[data-act="rename"]')?.addEventListener("click", (e) => {
@@ -138,6 +149,11 @@ export function initBook(api: FolioAPI) {
         e.stopPropagation();
         void del(ch.id);
       });
+      li.addEventListener("keydown", (e) => {
+        if (!e.altKey) return;
+        if (e.key === "ArrowDown") { e.preventDefault(); moveSelectedDown(); }
+        else if (e.key === "ArrowUp") { e.preventDefault(); moveSelectedUp(); }
+      });
       chapterList.appendChild(li);
     }
   }
@@ -171,11 +187,10 @@ export function initBook(api: FolioAPI) {
     const title = prompt("Chapter title", `Chapter ${count}`);
     if (!title || !title.trim()) return;
     const res = await api.createChapter(title.trim());
-    if (res && "error" in res) {
-      alert((res as { error: string }).error);
-    } else if (res && "id" in res) {
+    if (res && "error" in res) alert((res as { error: string }).error);
+    else {
       await refreshMeta();
-      void selectChapter((res as ChapterEntry).id);
+      if (res && "id" in res) void selectChapter((res as ChapterEntry).id);
     }
   }
 
@@ -201,10 +216,7 @@ export function initBook(api: FolioAPI) {
     const res = await api.deleteChapter(id);
     if (res && "error" in res) alert((res as { error: string }).error);
     else {
-      if (selectedId === id) {
-        selectedId = null;
-        showPlaceholder();
-      }
+      if (selectedId === id) { selectedId = null; showPlaceholder(); }
       await refreshMeta();
     }
   }
@@ -222,36 +234,61 @@ export function initBook(api: FolioAPI) {
     }
   }
 
-  async function handleResult(res: any) {
+  async function persistOrder() {
+    if (!meta) return;
+    meta.chapterOrder = ordered.map((c) => c.id);
+    const res = await api.reorderChapters(meta.chapterOrder);
+    if (res && "error" in res) alert((res as { error: string }).error);
+    else renderChapterList();
+  }
+
+  function moveSelectedDown() {
+    if (!selectedId) return;
+    const i = ordered.findIndex((c) => c.id === selectedId);
+    if (i < 0 || i >= ordered.length - 1) return;
+    ordered = moveInList(ordered, i, i + 1);
+    meta!.chapterOrder = ordered.map((c) => c.id);
+    renderChapterList();
+    void persistOrder();
+  }
+
+  function moveSelectedUp() {
+    if (!selectedId) return;
+    const i = ordered.findIndex((c) => c.id === selectedId);
+    if (i <= 0) return;
+    ordered = moveInList(ordered, i, i - 1);
+    meta!.chapterOrder = ordered.map((c) => c.id);
+    renderChapterList();
+    void persistOrder();
+  }
+
+  function handleResult(res: any) {
     if (!res) return;
     if ("canceled" in res) return;
-    if ("error" in res) {
-      alert((res as { error: string }).error);
-      return;
-    }
-    if ("path" in res) openBook({ path: res.path, title: res.title });
+    if ("error" in res) { alert((res as { error: string }).error); return; }
+    if ("path" in res) setCurrentBook({ path: res.path, title: res.title });
   }
 
   async function startNewBook() {
     const res = await api.newBook();
-    await handleResult(res);
+    handleResult(res);
     await renderRecents();
   }
 
   async function startOpenBook() {
     const res = await api.openBook();
-    await handleResult(res);
+    handleResult(res);
     await renderRecents();
   }
 
   async function openPath(p: string) {
     const res = await api.openBookPath(p);
-    await handleResult(res);
+    handleResult(res);
     await renderRecents();
   }
 
   async function renderRecents() {
-    const recents = (await api.getRecents()) as Recent[];
+    const recents = await api.getRecents();
     recentList.innerHTML = "";
     if (!recents.length) {
       const li = document.createElement("li");
@@ -260,15 +297,77 @@ export function initBook(api: FolioAPI) {
       recentList.appendChild(li);
       return;
     }
-    for (const r of recents) {
+    for (const r of recents as Recent[]) {
       const li = document.createElement("li");
       li.textContent = r.title || r.path;
       li.title = r.path;
-      li.addEventListener("click", () => void openPath(r.path));
+      li.addEventListener("mousedown", (e) => {
+        e.preventDefault();
+        void openPath(r.path);
+      });
       recentList.appendChild(li);
     }
   }
 
+  // ---- drag and drop reordering ----
+  let draggingId: string | null = null;
+
+  chapterList.addEventListener("dragstart", (e) => {
+    const li = (e.target as HTMLElement).closest("li.chapter-row") as HTMLElement | null;
+    if (!li) return;
+    draggingId = li.dataset.id ?? null;
+    li.classList.add("dragging");
+    if (e.dataTransfer) {
+      e.dataTransfer.effectAllowed = "move";
+      e.dataTransfer.setData("text/plain", draggingId ?? "");
+    }
+  });
+
+  chapterList.addEventListener("dragend", (e) => {
+    const li = (e.target as HTMLElement).closest("li.chapter-row") as HTMLElement | null;
+    li?.classList.remove("dragging");
+    draggingId = null;
+  });
+
+  chapterList.addEventListener("dragover", (e) => {
+    e.preventDefault();
+    if (!draggingId || !e.dataTransfer) return;
+    const li = (e.target as HTMLElement).closest("li.chapter-row") as HTMLElement | null;
+    if (!li) return;
+    const overId = li.dataset.id;
+    if (overId === draggingId) return;
+    chapterList.querySelectorAll(".chapter-row").forEach((n) => n.classList.remove("drop-target"));
+    li.classList.add("drop-target");
+    e.dataTransfer.dropEffect = "move";
+  });
+
+  chapterList.addEventListener("dragleave", (e) => {
+    const related = e.relatedTarget as HTMLElement | null;
+    if (!related || !(related?.closest(".chapter-row"))) {
+      chapterList.querySelectorAll(".chapter-row").forEach((n) => n.classList.remove("drop-target"));
+    }
+  });
+
+  chapterList.addEventListener("drop", (e) => {
+    e.preventDefault();
+    if (!draggingId) return;
+    const li = (e.target as HTMLElement).closest("li.chapter-row") as HTMLElement | null;
+    if (!li) return;
+    const targetId = li.dataset.id;
+    if (targetId === draggingId) return;
+    const from = ordered.findIndex((c) => c.id === draggingId);
+    const to = ordered.findIndex((c) => c.id === targetId);
+    if (from >= 0 && to >= 0) {
+      ordered = moveInList(ordered, from, to);
+      meta!.chapterOrder = ordered.map((c) => c.id);
+      renderChapterList();
+      // re-select dragged item
+      selectedId = draggingId;
+      void persistOrder();
+    }
+    chapterList.querySelectorAll(".chapter-row").forEach((n) => n.classList.remove("drop-target"));
+  });
+
   $("welcomeNewBook").addEventListener("click", () => void startNewBook());
   $("welcomeOpenBook").addEventListener("click", () => void startOpenBook());
   newChapterBtn.addEventListener("click", () => void create());
@@ -276,8 +375,9 @@ export function initBook(api: FolioAPI) {
     if (currentBook) void api.revealInFolder(currentBook.path);
   });
 
-  api.onBookOpened((data) => openBook(data));
+  api.onBookOpened((data) => setCurrentBook(data));
   api.onBookClosed(showWelcome);
+  api.onChaptersChanged(() => void refreshMeta());
   api.onNewBookRequested(() => void startNewBook());
   api.onOpenBookRequested(() => void startOpenBook());
   api.onOpenRecent((p) => void openPath(p));
diff --git a/src/renderer/index.css b/src/renderer/index.css
index 15c676f..57c0270 100644
--- a/src/renderer/index.css
+++ b/src/renderer/index.css
@@ -291,15 +291,32 @@ html, body {
   justify-content: space-between;
   padding: 8px 10px;
   border-radius: var(--radius);
-  cursor: pointer;
+  cursor: grab;
   font-family: var(--font-serif);
   font-size: 0.95rem;
   color: var(--color-text);
-  transition: background 0.12s ease, color 0.12s ease;
+  transition: background 0.12s ease, color 0.12s ease, border-color 0.12s ease;
   white-space: nowrap;
   overflow: hidden;
   text-overflow: ellipsis;
   opacity: 0.85;
+  border: 1px solid transparent;
+}
+
+.chapter-row.dragging {
+  opacity: 0.4;
+  cursor: grabbing;
+}
+
+.chapter-row.drop-target {
+  border-color: var(--color-accent);
+  background: var(--color-accent);
+  color: #fff;
+}
+
+.chapter-row:focus-visible {
+  outline: 2px solid var(--color-accent);
+  outline-offset: -2px;
 }
 
 .chapter-row:hover {
@@ -307,7 +324,10 @@ html, body {
   background: var(--color-accent);
   color: #fff;
   border-color: var(--color-accent);
-  border: 1px solid var(--color-accent);
+}
+
+.chapter-row:hover .row-actions {
+  display: inline-flex;
 }
 
 .chapter-row.active {
diff --git a/tests/run-chapters-test.mjs b/tests/run-chapters-test.mjs
index 5ea3237..546b2d1 100644
--- a/tests/run-chapters-test.mjs
+++ b/tests/run-chapters-test.mjs
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ const {
   deleteChapter,
   duplicateChapter,
   reorderChapters,
+  moveInOrder,
 } = chapters;
 
 let failures = 0;
@@ -105,6 +106,11 @@ threw = false;
 try { createChapter(dir, "   "); } catch { threw = true; }
 ok(threw, "createChapter rejects empty title");
 
+// moveInOrder (pure reorder math used by drag & keyboard reorder)
+ok(JSON.stringify(moveInOrder(["a", "b", "c", "d"], 0, 2)) === JSON.stringify(["b", "c", "a", "d"]), "move item to middle");
+ok(JSON.stringify(moveInOrder(["a", "b", "c", "d"], 3, 0)) === JSON.stringify(["d", "a", "b", "c"]), "move last to top");
+ok(JSON.stringify(moveInOrder(["a", "b", "c", "d"], 1, 1)) === JSON.stringify(["a", "b", "c", "d"]), "no-op on same index");
+
 fs.rmSync(projOut, { force: true });
 fs.rmSync(chapOut, { force: true });
 fs.rmSync(dir, { recursive: true, force: true });
diff --git a/tests/selftest-scenario.js b/tests/selftest-scenario.js
index 4c6eef9..550fa7f 100644
--- a/tests/selftest-scenario.js
+++ b/tests/selftest-scenario.js
@@ -31,6 +31,44 @@ const BOOK_DIR = __BOOKDIR_VALUE__;
 
     out.dupContent = await window.folio.getChapterContent(did);
 
+    // --- drag & drop reorder test ---
+    const a = (await window.folio.createChapter("Alpha")).id;
+    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 80));
+    const b = (await window.folio.createChapter("Bravo")).id;
+    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 80));
+    const c = (await window.folio.createChapter("Charlie")).id;
+    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 200));
+    const orderBefore = (await window.folio.getBookMeta()).chapterOrder;
+    out.orderBeforeDnD = orderBefore;
+    const rows = document.getElementById("chapterList").querySelectorAll(".chapter-row");
+    out.dndRowCount = rows.length;
+    const draggedId = rows[0].dataset.id;
+    const targetId = rows[2].dataset.id;
+    const dt = new DataTransfer();
+    rows[0].dispatchEvent(new DragEvent("dragstart", { dataTransfer: dt, bubbles: true }));
+    rows[2].dispatchEvent(new DragEvent("dragover", { dataTransfer: dt, bubbles: true }));
+    rows[2].dispatchEvent(new DragEvent("drop", { dataTransfer: dt, bubbles: true }));
+    rows[0].dispatchEvent(new DragEvent("dragend", { dataTransfer: dt, bubbles: true }));
+    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 250));
+    const orderAfter = (await window.folio.getBookMeta()).chapterOrder;
+    out.orderAfterDnD = orderAfter;
+    out.dndMoved =
+      orderAfter[0] === orderBefore[1] &&
+      orderAfter[2] === orderBefore[0] &&
+      orderAfter[3] === orderBefore[3];
+
+    // keyboard reorder: select first visible row, Alt+ArrowDown moves it down
+    const fresh1 = document.getElementById("chapterList").querySelectorAll(".chapter-row");
+    fresh1[0].dispatchEvent(new MouseEvent("click", { bubbles: true }));
+    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 120));
+    const fresh2 = document.getElementById("chapterList").querySelectorAll(".chapter-row");
+    fresh2[0].focus();
+    fresh2[0].dispatchEvent(new KeyboardEvent("keydown", { key: "ArrowDown", altKey: true, bubbles: true }));
+    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 250));
+    const orderKb = (await window.folio.getBookMeta()).chapterOrder;
+    out.orderAfterKb = orderKb;
+    out.kbMoved = orderKb[0] === orderAfter[1] && orderKb[1] === orderAfter[0];
+
     out.all = true;
   } catch (e) {
     out.error = String((e && e.message) || e);