diff --git a/docs/plans/2026-06-29-textgate-protected-design.md b/docs/plans/2026-06-29-textgate-protected-design.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c163015
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/plans/2026-06-29-textgate-protected-design.md
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+# Text Gate — "Protected" mode (standalone text node)
+
+**Goal:** A `protected` switch that turns the Text Gate into a standalone text
+node: no pause, it outputs the text you typed every run, ignoring upstream. Toggle
+off → back to the normal pause/edit/Pass gate using the upstream text.
+
+Decisions (from brainstorming):
+- Protected = **plain-text-node behavior** (no pause), not a "still-pause-but-lock".
+- The upstream wire is **kept but its value ignored** while protected (toggle off
+  resumes upstream seamlessly — no reconnecting).
+
+## Backend (`gates/textgate.py`)
+
+The authored text and the flag must reach `run()`, so:
+
+- `text` input: `required` → **`optional`** (`forceInput` kept), so the node runs
+  standalone. Existing connections still work.
+- New serializing widgets:
+  - `protected` (BOOLEAN, default `False`) — the switch.
+  - `stored_text` (STRING) — the authored text, hidden in the UI behind the DOM
+    editor; the textarea syncs into it.
+- `run(self, unique_id=None, text=None, signal=None, protected=False, stored_text="")`:
+  - `protected` → `return (stored_text, signal)` immediately — no `GateBus`, no
+    pause, upstream ignored. (Returns early *before* importing comfy, so it stays
+    import-safe/unit-testable.)
+  - else → current pause flow, guarding an unconnected input with `text or ""`.
+- `IS_CHANGED`: `protected` → return `stored_text` (cache-friendly like a real text
+  node; downstream only re-runs when the text changes). Else → `float("nan")` (so
+  the existing NaN test still passes).
+
+## Frontend (`web/text_gate.js`)
+
+- Hide the auto-created `stored_text` widget (`computeSize → [0,-4]`, the pool
+  node's trick); the DOM textarea stays the single editor and writes its value into
+  `stored_text` on every edit (persists + reaches the backend).
+- Read the `protected` boolean toggle (label "🔒 Protected (text node)"). On **ON**:
+  snapshot the current textarea into `stored_text`, hide Pass / Run-from-here, show
+  status "🔒 protected — outputs this text, upstream ignored", keep the textarea
+  editable. On **OFF**: revert to the normal pause UI.
+- Ignore the `datasete-textgate-show` socket while protected. On load, populate the
+  textarea from `stored_text`.
+
+## Persistence & compat
+
+`protected` + `stored_text` are real widgets → save/reload restores mode + text.
+Old saved TextGates get `protected=false`, `stored_text=""` defaults (the DOM editor
+is `serialize:false`, so old nodes carry no conflicting widgets_values).
+
+## Testing
+
+- Unit: `run(protected=True, stored_text="hi")` → `("hi", signal)` without touching
+  `GateBus`; `IS_CHANGED(protected=True, stored_text="hi")` → `"hi"`;
+  `IS_CHANGED(protected=False)` → `NaN`; `text` is in `INPUT_TYPES()["optional"]`.
+- Frontend: `node --check`; manual — toggle protect, edit freely, Run doesn't
+  overwrite, save/reload keeps text, toggle off resumes upstream.
+
+## Rejected
+
+A frontend-only "lock" that still pauses — doesn't give true text-node behavior
+(you'd still click Pass each run), which is the point of the switch.