diff --git a/app/controllers/api/v1/accounts/portals_controller.rb b/app/controllers/api/v1/accounts/portals_controller.rb
index 8eb24b757..972b244fa 100644
--- a/app/controllers/api/v1/accounts/portals_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/api/v1/accounts/portals_controller.rb
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ class Api::V1::Accounts::PortalsController < Api::V1::Accounts::BaseController
   def portal_params
     params.require(:portal).permit(
       :id, :color, :custom_domain, :header_text, :homepage_link,
-      :name, :page_title, :slug, :archived, { config: [:default_locale, { allowed_locales: [] }] }
+      :name, :page_title, :slug, :archived, { config: [:default_locale, { allowed_locales: [] }, { draft_locales: [] }] }
     )
   end
 
diff --git a/app/javascript/dashboard/components-next/HelpCenter/LocaleCard/LocaleCard.story.vue b/app/javascript/dashboard/components-next/HelpCenter/LocaleCard/LocaleCard.story.vue
index d51d3dc71..4b00fdb0c 100644
--- a/app/javascript/dashboard/components-next/HelpCenter/LocaleCard/LocaleCard.story.vue
+++ b/app/javascript/dashboard/components-next/HelpCenter/LocaleCard/LocaleCard.story.vue
@@ -1,8 +1,22 @@
 <script setup>
 import LocaleCard from './LocaleCard.vue';
 const locales = [
-  { name: 'English', isDefault: true, articleCount: 29, categoryCount: 5 },
-  { name: 'Spanish', isDefault: false, articleCount: 29, categoryCount: 5 },
+  {
+    name: 'English',
+    code: 'en',
+    isDefault: true,
+    isDraft: false,
+    articleCount: 29,
+    categoryCount: 5,
+  },
+  {
+    name: 'Spanish',
+    code: 'es',
+    isDefault: false,
+    isDraft: true,
+    articleCount: 29,
+    categoryCount: 5,
+  },
 ];
 </script>
 
@@ -19,6 +33,8 @@ const locales = [
           <LocaleCard
             :locale="locale.name"
             :is-default="locale.isDefault"
+            :is-draft="locale.isDraft"
+            :locale-code="locale.code"
             :article-count="locale.articleCount"
             :category-count="locale.categoryCount"
           />
diff --git a/app/javascript/dashboard/components-next/HelpCenter/LocaleCard/LocaleCard.vue b/app/javascript/dashboard/components-next/HelpCenter/LocaleCard/LocaleCard.vue
index 36f90a93f..8619e5b77 100644
--- a/app/javascript/dashboard/components-next/HelpCenter/LocaleCard/LocaleCard.vue
+++ b/app/javascript/dashboard/components-next/HelpCenter/LocaleCard/LocaleCard.vue
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 import { computed } from 'vue';
 import { useI18n } from 'vue-i18n';
 import { useToggle } from '@vueuse/core';
-import { LOCALE_MENU_ITEMS } from 'dashboard/helper/portalHelper';
+import { buildLocaleMenuItems } from 'dashboard/helper/portalHelper';
 
 import CardLayout from 'dashboard/components-next/CardLayout.vue';
 import Button from 'dashboard/components-next/button/Button.vue';
@@ -17,6 +17,10 @@ const props = defineProps({
     type: Boolean,
     required: true,
   },
+  isDraft: {
+    type: Boolean,
+    required: true,
+  },
   localeCode: {
     type: String,
     required: true,
@@ -37,11 +41,28 @@ const { t } = useI18n();
 
 const [showDropdownMenu, toggleDropdown] = useToggle();
 
+const localeLabel = computed(() => `${props.locale} (${props.localeCode})`);
+
+const localeMenuLabels = computed(() => ({
+  'change-default': t(
+    'HELP_CENTER.LOCALES_PAGE.LOCALE_CARD.DROPDOWN_MENU.MAKE_DEFAULT'
+  ),
+  'move-to-draft': t(
+    'HELP_CENTER.LOCALES_PAGE.LOCALE_CARD.DROPDOWN_MENU.MOVE_TO_DRAFT'
+  ),
+  'publish-locale': t(
+    'HELP_CENTER.LOCALES_PAGE.LOCALE_CARD.DROPDOWN_MENU.PUBLISH_LOCALE'
+  ),
+  delete: t('HELP_CENTER.LOCALES_PAGE.LOCALE_CARD.DROPDOWN_MENU.DELETE'),
+}));
+
 const localeMenuItems = computed(() =>
-  LOCALE_MENU_ITEMS.map(item => ({
+  buildLocaleMenuItems({
+    isDefault: props.isDefault,
+    isDraft: props.isDraft,
+  }).map(item => ({
     ...item,
-    label: t(item.label),
-    disabled: props.isDefault,
+    label: localeMenuLabels.value[item.action],
   }))
 );
 
@@ -56,7 +77,7 @@ const handleAction = ({ action, value }) => {
     <div class="flex justify-between gap-2">
       <div class="flex items-center justify-start gap-2">
         <span class="text-sm font-medium text-n-slate-12 line-clamp-1">
-          {{ locale }} ({{ localeCode }})
+          {{ localeLabel }}
         </span>
         <span
           v-if="isDefault"
@@ -64,6 +85,12 @@ const handleAction = ({ action, value }) => {
         >
           {{ $t('HELP_CENTER.LOCALES_PAGE.LOCALE_CARD.DEFAULT') }}
         </span>
+        <span
+          v-else-if="isDraft"
+          class="bg-n-alpha-2 h-6 inline-flex items-center justify-center rounded-md text-xs border-px border-transparent text-n-slate-11 px-2 py-0.5"
+        >
+          {{ $t('HELP_CENTER.LOCALES_PAGE.LOCALE_CARD.DRAFT') }}
+        </span>
       </div>
       <div class="flex items-center justify-end gap-4">
         <div class="flex items-center gap-4">
@@ -86,6 +113,7 @@ const handleAction = ({ action, value }) => {
           </span>
         </div>
         <div
+          v-if="localeMenuItems.length"
           v-on-clickaway="() => toggleDropdown(false)"
           class="relative group"
         >
diff --git a/app/javascript/dashboard/components-next/HelpCenter/Pages/LocalePage/AddLocaleDialog.vue b/app/javascript/dashboard/components-next/HelpCenter/Pages/LocalePage/AddLocaleDialog.vue
index 30044a564..5b7573123 100644
--- a/app/javascript/dashboard/components-next/HelpCenter/Pages/LocalePage/AddLocaleDialog.vue
+++ b/app/javascript/dashboard/components-next/HelpCenter/Pages/LocalePage/AddLocaleDialog.vue
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 <script setup>
-import { ref, computed } from 'vue';
+import { ref, computed, watch } from 'vue';
 import { useI18n } from 'vue-i18n';
 import { useStore } from 'dashboard/composables/store';
 import { useAlert, useTrack } from 'dashboard/composables';
@@ -24,12 +24,20 @@ const dialogRef = ref(null);
 const isUpdating = ref(false);
 
 const selectedLocale = ref('');
+const localeStatus = ref('published');
 
 const addedLocales = computed(() => {
   const { allowed_locales: allowedLocales = [] } = props.portal?.config || {};
   return allowedLocales.map(locale => locale.code);
 });
 
+const draftedLocales = computed(() => {
+  const { allowed_locales: allowedLocales = [] } = props.portal?.config || {};
+  return allowedLocales
+    .filter(locale => locale.draft)
+    .map(locale => locale.code);
+});
+
 const locales = computed(() => {
   return Object.keys(allLocales)
     .map(key => {
@@ -41,17 +49,44 @@ const locales = computed(() => {
     .filter(locale => !addedLocales.value.includes(locale.value));
 });
 
+const statusOptions = computed(() => [
+  {
+    value: 'published',
+    label: t('HELP_CENTER.LOCALES_PAGE.ADD_LOCALE_DIALOG.STATUS.OPTIONS.LIVE'),
+  },
+  {
+    value: 'draft',
+    label: t('HELP_CENTER.LOCALES_PAGE.ADD_LOCALE_DIALOG.STATUS.OPTIONS.DRAFT'),
+  },
+]);
+
+const resetForm = () => {
+  selectedLocale.value = '';
+  localeStatus.value = 'published';
+};
+
+watch(localeStatus, value => {
+  if (!value) {
+    localeStatus.value = 'published';
+  }
+});
+
 const onCreate = async () => {
   if (!selectedLocale.value) return;
 
   isUpdating.value = true;
   const updatedLocales = [...addedLocales.value, selectedLocale.value];
+  const updatedDraftLocales =
+    localeStatus.value === 'draft'
+      ? [...new Set([...draftedLocales.value, selectedLocale.value])]
+      : draftedLocales.value;
 
   try {
     await store.dispatch('portals/update', {
       portalSlug: props.portal?.slug,
       config: {
         allowed_locales: updatedLocales,
+        draft_locales: updatedDraftLocales,
         default_locale: props.portal?.meta?.default_locale,
       },
     });
@@ -62,7 +97,7 @@ const onCreate = async () => {
       from: route.name,
     });
 
-    selectedLocale.value = '';
+    resetForm();
     dialogRef.value?.close();
     useAlert(
       t('HELP_CENTER.LOCALES_PAGE.ADD_LOCALE_DIALOG.API.SUCCESS_MESSAGE')
@@ -87,6 +122,7 @@ defineExpose({ dialogRef });
     type="edit"
     :title="t('HELP_CENTER.LOCALES_PAGE.ADD_LOCALE_DIALOG.TITLE')"
     :description="t('HELP_CENTER.LOCALES_PAGE.ADD_LOCALE_DIALOG.DESCRIPTION')"
+    @close="resetForm"
     @confirm="onCreate"
   >
     <div class="flex flex-col gap-6">
@@ -98,6 +134,16 @@ defineExpose({ dialogRef });
         "
         class="[&>div>button:not(.focused)]:!outline-n-slate-5 [&>div>button:not(.focused)]:dark:!outline-n-slate-5"
       />
+      <div class="flex flex-col gap-2">
+        <span class="text-sm font-medium text-n-slate-12">
+          {{ t('HELP_CENTER.LOCALES_PAGE.ADD_LOCALE_DIALOG.STATUS.LABEL') }}
+        </span>
+        <ComboBox
+          v-model="localeStatus"
+          :options="statusOptions"
+          class="[&>div>button:not(.focused)]:!outline-n-slate-5 [&>div>button:not(.focused)]:dark:!outline-n-slate-5"
+        />
+      </div>
     </div>
   </Dialog>
 </template>
diff --git a/app/javascript/dashboard/components-next/HelpCenter/Pages/LocalePage/LocaleList.vue b/app/javascript/dashboard/components-next/HelpCenter/Pages/LocalePage/LocaleList.vue
index 9f72b1aca..62c644655 100644
--- a/app/javascript/dashboard/components-next/HelpCenter/Pages/LocalePage/LocaleList.vue
+++ b/app/javascript/dashboard/components-next/HelpCenter/Pages/LocalePage/LocaleList.vue
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ const isLocaleDefault = code => {
 
 const updatePortalLocales = async ({
   newAllowedLocales,
+  newDraftLocales,
   defaultLocale,
   messageKey,
 }) => {
@@ -39,6 +40,7 @@ const updatePortalLocales = async ({
       config: {
         default_locale: defaultLocale,
         allowed_locales: newAllowedLocales,
+        draft_locales: newDraftLocales,
       },
     });
 
@@ -53,8 +55,12 @@ const updatePortalLocales = async ({
 
 const changeDefaultLocale = ({ localeCode }) => {
   const newAllowedLocales = props.locales.map(locale => locale.code);
+  const newDraftLocales = props.locales
+    .filter(locale => locale.isDraft)
+    .map(locale => locale.code);
   updatePortalLocales({
     newAllowedLocales,
+    newDraftLocales,
     defaultLocale: localeCode,
     messageKey: 'CHANGE_DEFAULT_LOCALE',
   });
@@ -81,11 +87,15 @@ const deletePortalLocale = async ({ localeCode }) => {
   const updatedLocales = props.locales
     .filter(locale => locale.code !== localeCode)
     .map(locale => locale.code);
+  const updatedDraftLocales = props.locales
+    .filter(locale => locale.code !== localeCode && locale.isDraft)
+    .map(locale => locale.code);
 
   const defaultLocale = props.portal.meta.default_locale;
 
   await updatePortalLocales({
     newAllowedLocales: updatedLocales,
+    newDraftLocales: updatedDraftLocales,
     defaultLocale,
     messageKey: 'DELETE_LOCALE',
   });
@@ -98,9 +108,46 @@ const deletePortalLocale = async ({ localeCode }) => {
   });
 };
 
+const updateDraftLocales = async ({ localeCode, shouldDraft, messageKey }) => {
+  const newAllowedLocales = props.locales.map(locale => locale.code);
+  const currentDraftLocales = props.locales
+    .filter(locale => locale.isDraft)
+    .map(locale => locale.code);
+  const newDraftLocales = shouldDraft
+    ? [...new Set([...currentDraftLocales, localeCode])]
+    : currentDraftLocales.filter(locale => locale !== localeCode);
+
+  await updatePortalLocales({
+    newAllowedLocales,
+    newDraftLocales,
+    defaultLocale: props.portal.meta.default_locale,
+    messageKey,
+  });
+};
+
+const moveLocaleToDraft = async ({ localeCode }) => {
+  await updateDraftLocales({
+    localeCode,
+    shouldDraft: true,
+    messageKey: 'DRAFT_LOCALE',
+  });
+};
+
+const publishLocale = async ({ localeCode }) => {
+  await updateDraftLocales({
+    localeCode,
+    shouldDraft: false,
+    messageKey: 'PUBLISH_LOCALE',
+  });
+};
+
 const handleAction = ({ action }, localeCode) => {
   if (action === 'change-default') {
     changeDefaultLocale({ localeCode: localeCode });
+  } else if (action === 'move-to-draft') {
+    moveLocaleToDraft({ localeCode: localeCode });
+  } else if (action === 'publish-locale') {
+    publishLocale({ localeCode: localeCode });
   } else if (action === 'delete') {
     deletePortalLocale({ localeCode: localeCode });
   }
@@ -114,6 +161,7 @@ const handleAction = ({ action }, localeCode) => {
       :key="index"
       :locale="locale.name"
       :is-default="isLocaleDefault(locale.code)"
+      :is-draft="locale.isDraft"
       :locale-code="locale.code"
       :article-count="locale.articlesCount || 0"
       :category-count="locale.categoriesCount || 0"
diff --git a/app/javascript/dashboard/components-next/HelpCenter/Pages/LocalePage/LocalesPage.story.vue b/app/javascript/dashboard/components-next/HelpCenter/Pages/LocalePage/LocalesPage.story.vue
index 54adbcb3b..82e80892b 100644
--- a/app/javascript/dashboard/components-next/HelpCenter/Pages/LocalePage/LocalesPage.story.vue
+++ b/app/javascript/dashboard/components-next/HelpCenter/Pages/LocalePage/LocalesPage.story.vue
@@ -4,37 +4,49 @@ import LocalesPage from './LocalesPage.vue';
 const locales = [
   {
     name: 'English (en-US)',
+    code: 'en',
     isDefault: true,
+    isDraft: false,
     articleCount: 5,
     categoryCount: 5,
   },
   {
     name: 'Spanish (es-ES)',
+    code: 'es',
     isDefault: false,
+    isDraft: true,
     articleCount: 20,
     categoryCount: 10,
   },
   {
     name: 'English (en-UK)',
+    code: 'en_GB',
     isDefault: false,
+    isDraft: false,
     articleCount: 15,
     categoryCount: 7,
   },
   {
     name: 'Malay (ms-MY)',
+    code: 'ms',
     isDefault: false,
+    isDraft: false,
     articleCount: 15,
     categoryCount: 7,
   },
   {
     name: 'Malayalam (ml-IN)',
+    code: 'ml',
     isDefault: false,
+    isDraft: false,
     articleCount: 10,
     categoryCount: 5,
   },
   {
     name: 'Hindi (hi-IN)',
+    code: 'hi',
     isDefault: false,
+    isDraft: false,
     articleCount: 15,
     categoryCount: 7,
   },
diff --git a/app/javascript/dashboard/helper/portalHelper.js b/app/javascript/dashboard/helper/portalHelper.js
index a640ed6ca..37d09337f 100644
--- a/app/javascript/dashboard/helper/portalHelper.js
+++ b/app/javascript/dashboard/helper/portalHelper.js
@@ -133,20 +133,55 @@ export const ARTICLE_TABS_OPTIONS = [
   },
 ];
 
-export const LOCALE_MENU_ITEMS = [
-  {
+export const LOCALE_MENU_ITEMS = {
+  makeDefault: {
     label: 'HELP_CENTER.LOCALES_PAGE.LOCALE_CARD.DROPDOWN_MENU.MAKE_DEFAULT',
     action: 'change-default',
     value: 'default',
     icon: 'i-lucide-star',
   },
-  {
+  moveToDraft: {
+    label: 'HELP_CENTER.LOCALES_PAGE.LOCALE_CARD.DROPDOWN_MENU.MOVE_TO_DRAFT',
+    action: 'move-to-draft',
+    value: 'draft',
+    icon: 'i-lucide-eye-off',
+  },
+  publishLocale: {
+    label: 'HELP_CENTER.LOCALES_PAGE.LOCALE_CARD.DROPDOWN_MENU.PUBLISH_LOCALE',
+    action: 'publish-locale',
+    value: 'publish',
+    icon: 'i-lucide-eye',
+  },
+  delete: {
     label: 'HELP_CENTER.LOCALES_PAGE.LOCALE_CARD.DROPDOWN_MENU.DELETE',
     action: 'delete',
     value: 'delete',
     icon: 'i-lucide-trash',
   },
-];
+};
+
+const disableLocaleMenuItems = menuItems =>
+  menuItems.map(item => ({ ...item, disabled: true }));
+
+export const buildLocaleMenuItems = ({ isDefault, isDraft }) => {
+  if (isDefault) {
+    return disableLocaleMenuItems([
+      LOCALE_MENU_ITEMS.makeDefault,
+      LOCALE_MENU_ITEMS.moveToDraft,
+      LOCALE_MENU_ITEMS.delete,
+    ]);
+  }
+
+  if (isDraft) {
+    return [LOCALE_MENU_ITEMS.publishLocale, LOCALE_MENU_ITEMS.delete];
+  }
+
+  return [
+    LOCALE_MENU_ITEMS.makeDefault,
+    LOCALE_MENU_ITEMS.moveToDraft,
+    LOCALE_MENU_ITEMS.delete,
+  ];
+};
 
 export const ARTICLE_EDITOR_STATUS_OPTIONS = {
   published: ['archive', 'draft'],
diff --git a/app/javascript/dashboard/helper/specs/portalHelper.spec.js b/app/javascript/dashboard/helper/specs/portalHelper.spec.js
index db3e41583..631714095 100644
--- a/app/javascript/dashboard/helper/specs/portalHelper.spec.js
+++ b/app/javascript/dashboard/helper/specs/portalHelper.spec.js
@@ -1,4 +1,8 @@
-import { buildPortalArticleURL, buildPortalURL } from '../portalHelper';
+import {
+  buildLocaleMenuItems,
+  buildPortalArticleURL,
+  buildPortalURL,
+} from '../portalHelper';
 
 describe('PortalHelper', () => {
   describe('buildPortalURL', () => {
@@ -68,4 +72,39 @@ describe('PortalHelper', () => {
       ).toEqual('https://app.chatwoot.com/hc/handbook/articles/article-slug');
     });
   });
+
+  describe('buildLocaleMenuItems', () => {
+    it('returns disabled actions for the default locale', () => {
+      expect(
+        buildLocaleMenuItems({
+          isDefault: true,
+          isDraft: false,
+        })
+      ).toEqual(
+        expect.arrayContaining([
+          expect.objectContaining({ action: 'change-default', disabled: true }),
+          expect.objectContaining({ action: 'move-to-draft', disabled: true }),
+          expect.objectContaining({ action: 'delete', disabled: true }),
+        ])
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('returns publish and delete actions for draft locales', () => {
+      expect(
+        buildLocaleMenuItems({
+          isDefault: false,
+          isDraft: true,
+        }).map(({ action }) => action)
+      ).toEqual(['publish-locale', 'delete']);
+    });
+
+    it('returns default, draft, and delete actions for live locales', () => {
+      expect(
+        buildLocaleMenuItems({
+          isDefault: false,
+          isDraft: false,
+        }).map(({ action }) => action)
+      ).toEqual(['change-default', 'move-to-draft', 'delete']);
+    });
+  });
 });
diff --git a/app/javascript/dashboard/i18n/locale/en/helpCenter.json b/app/javascript/dashboard/i18n/locale/en/helpCenter.json
index 69a72f163..51e2586aa 100644
--- a/app/javascript/dashboard/i18n/locale/en/helpCenter.json
+++ b/app/javascript/dashboard/i18n/locale/en/helpCenter.json
@@ -316,6 +316,18 @@
           "SUCCESS_MESSAGE": "Locale removed from portal successfully",
           "ERROR_MESSAGE": "Unable to remove locale from portal. Try again."
         }
+      },
+      "DRAFT_LOCALE": {
+        "API": {
+          "SUCCESS_MESSAGE": "Locale moved to draft successfully",
+          "ERROR_MESSAGE": "Unable to move locale to draft. Try again."
+        }
+      },
+      "PUBLISH_LOCALE": {
+        "API": {
+          "SUCCESS_MESSAGE": "Locale published successfully",
+          "ERROR_MESSAGE": "Unable to publish locale. Try again."
+        }
       }
     },
     "TABLE": {
@@ -644,8 +656,11 @@
         "ARTICLES_COUNT": "{count} article | {count} articles",
         "CATEGORIES_COUNT": "{count} category | {count} categories",
         "DEFAULT": "Default",
+        "DRAFT": "Draft",
         "DROPDOWN_MENU": {
           "MAKE_DEFAULT": "Make default",
+          "MOVE_TO_DRAFT": "Move to draft",
+          "PUBLISH_LOCALE": "Publish locale",
           "DELETE": "Delete"
         }
       },
@@ -655,6 +670,13 @@
         "COMBOBOX": {
           "PLACEHOLDER": "Select locale..."
         },
+        "STATUS": {
+          "LABEL": "Status",
+          "OPTIONS": {
+            "LIVE": "Published",
+            "DRAFT": "Draft"
+          }
+        },
         "API": {
           "SUCCESS_MESSAGE": "Locale added successfully",
           "ERROR_MESSAGE": "Unable to add locale. Try again."
diff --git a/app/javascript/dashboard/routes/dashboard/helpcenter/pages/PortalsLocalesIndexPage.vue b/app/javascript/dashboard/routes/dashboard/helpcenter/pages/PortalsLocalesIndexPage.vue
index 95a650e88..c66bab9ef 100644
--- a/app/javascript/dashboard/routes/dashboard/helpcenter/pages/PortalsLocalesIndexPage.vue
+++ b/app/javascript/dashboard/routes/dashboard/helpcenter/pages/PortalsLocalesIndexPage.vue
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ const allowedLocales = computed(() => {
       id: locale?.code,
       name: allLocales[locale?.code],
       code: locale?.code,
+      isDraft: locale?.draft || false,
       articlesCount: locale?.articles_count || 0,
       categoriesCount: locale?.categories_count || 0,
     };
diff --git a/app/models/category.rb b/app/models/category.rb
index 7c6cab3d6..352372191 100644
--- a/app/models/category.rb
+++ b/app/models/category.rb
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ class Category < ApplicationRecord
   def allowed_locales
     return if portal.blank?
 
-    allowed_locales = portal.config['allowed_locales']
+    allowed_locales = portal.allowed_locale_codes
 
     return true if allowed_locales.include?(locale)
 
diff --git a/app/models/portal.rb b/app/models/portal.rb
index e04e40f6a..55879c164 100644
--- a/app/models/portal.rb
+++ b/app/models/portal.rb
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ class Portal < ApplicationRecord
 
   scope :active, -> { where(archived: false) }
 
-  CONFIG_JSON_KEYS = %w[allowed_locales default_locale website_token].freeze
+  CONFIG_JSON_KEYS = %w[allowed_locales default_locale draft_locales website_token].freeze
 
   def file_base_data
     {
@@ -61,7 +61,29 @@ class Portal < ApplicationRecord
   end
 
   def default_locale
-    config['default_locale'] || 'en'
+    config_value('default_locale').presence || allowed_locale_codes.first || 'en'
+  end
+
+  def allowed_locale_codes
+    allowed_locale_codes = normalize_locale_codes(config_value('allowed_locales'))
+    return allowed_locale_codes if allowed_locale_codes.present?
+
+    [config_value('default_locale').presence || 'en']
+  end
+
+  def draft_locale_codes
+    allowed_locales = allowed_locale_codes
+    drafted_locales = normalize_locale_codes(drafted_locale_values)
+
+    allowed_locales.select { |locale| drafted_locales.include?(locale) }
+  end
+
+  def public_locale_codes
+    allowed_locale_codes - draft_locale_codes
+  end
+
+  def draft_locale?(locale)
+    draft_locale_codes.include?(locale)
   end
 
   def color
@@ -75,9 +97,37 @@ class Portal < ApplicationRecord
   private
 
   def config_json_format
+    self.config = (config || {}).deep_stringify_keys
+    config['allowed_locales'] = allowed_locale_codes
     config['default_locale'] = default_locale
+    config['draft_locales'] = draft_locale_codes
     denied_keys = config.keys - CONFIG_JSON_KEYS
     errors.add(:cofig, "in portal on #{denied_keys.join(',')} is not supported.") if denied_keys.any?
+    errors.add(:config, 'default locale cannot be drafted.') if draft_locale?(default_locale)
+  end
+
+  def normalize_locale_codes(locale_codes)
+    Array(locale_codes).filter_map(&:presence).uniq
+  end
+
+  def persisted_config
+    (attribute_in_database('config') || {}).deep_stringify_keys
+  end
+
+  def drafted_locale_values
+    return config_value('draft_locales') if config_has_key?('draft_locales')
+
+    persisted_config['draft_locales']
+  end
+
+  def config_has_key?(key)
+    config.is_a?(Hash) && (config.key?(key) || config.key?(key.to_sym))
+  end
+
+  def config_value(key)
+    return unless config.is_a?(Hash)
+
+    config[key] || config[key.to_sym]
   end
 end
 
diff --git a/app/views/api/v1/accounts/portals/_portal.json.jbuilder b/app/views/api/v1/accounts/portals/_portal.json.jbuilder
index 37020b5dd..e3c6192f3 100644
--- a/app/views/api/v1/accounts/portals/_portal.json.jbuilder
+++ b/app/views/api/v1/accounts/portals/_portal.json.jbuilder
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ json.account_id portal.account_id
 
 json.config do
   json.allowed_locales do
-    json.array! portal.config['allowed_locales'].each do |locale|
+    json.array! portal.allowed_locale_codes.each do |locale|
       json.partial! 'api/v1/models/portal_config', formats: [:json], locale: locale, portal: portal
     end
   end
diff --git a/app/views/api/v1/models/_portal_config.json.jbuilder b/app/views/api/v1/models/_portal_config.json.jbuilder
index 38e4fdd50..13b7ef1e7 100644
--- a/app/views/api/v1/models/_portal_config.json.jbuilder
+++ b/app/views/api/v1/models/_portal_config.json.jbuilder
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 json.code locale
 json.articles_count portal.articles.search({ locale: locale }).size
 json.categories_count portal.categories.search_by_locale(locale).size
+json.draft portal.draft_locale?(locale)
diff --git a/app/views/public/api/v1/portals/_header.html.erb b/app/views/public/api/v1/portals/_header.html.erb
index ae1162e05..3db8efa59 100644
--- a/app/views/public/api/v1/portals/_header.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/public/api/v1/portals/_header.html.erb
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@
       </div>
 
       <%# Locale switcher section %>
-      <% if @portal.config["allowed_locales"].length > 1 %>
+      <% if @portal.public_locale_codes.length > 1 %>
         <div id="header-action-button" class="flex items-center stroke-slate-700 dark:stroke-slate-200 text-slate-800 dark:text-slate-100">
           <div class="flex items-center gap-1 px-1 py-2 cursor-pointer">
             <%= render partial: 'icons/globe' %>
@@ -86,7 +86,10 @@
               data-portal-slug="<%= @portal.slug %>"
               class="w-24 overflow-hidden text-sm font-medium leading-tight bg-white appearance-none cursor-pointer dark:bg-slate-900 text-ellipsis whitespace-nowrap focus:outline-none focus:shadow-outline locale-switcher"
             >
-              <% @portal.config["allowed_locales"].each do |locale| %>
+              <% if @portal.draft_locale?(@locale) %>
+                <option selected disabled value="<%= @locale %>"><%= "#{language_name(@locale)} (#{@locale})" %></option>
+              <% end %>
+              <% @portal.public_locale_codes.each do |locale| %>
                 <option <%= locale == @locale ? 'selected': '' %> value="<%= locale %>"><%= "#{language_name(locale)} (#{locale})" %></option>
               <% end %>
             </select>
diff --git a/app/views/public/api/v1/portals/_mobile_menu.html.erb b/app/views/public/api/v1/portals/_mobile_menu.html.erb
index fa66677bc..2624d4e61 100644
--- a/app/views/public/api/v1/portals/_mobile_menu.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/public/api/v1/portals/_mobile_menu.html.erb
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-<% has_multiple_locales = @portal.config["allowed_locales"].length > 1 %>
+<% has_multiple_locales = @portal.public_locale_codes.length > 1 %>
 
 <input type="checkbox" id="mobile-menu-toggle" class="peer/menu hidden" />
 
@@ -63,7 +63,10 @@
                 data-portal-slug="<%= @portal.slug %>"
                 class="flex-1 bg-transparent text-lg font-medium cursor-pointer focus:outline-none locale-switcher text-slate-800 dark:text-slate-100 hover:text-slate-700 dark:hover:text-slate-200"
               >
-                <% @portal.config["allowed_locales"].each do |locale| %>
+                <% if @portal.draft_locale?(@locale) %>
+                  <option selected disabled value="<%= @locale %>"><%= "#{language_name(@locale)} (#{@locale})" %></option>
+                <% end %>
+                <% @portal.public_locale_codes.each do |locale| %>
                   <option <%= locale == @locale ? 'selected': '' %> value="<%= locale %>"><%= "#{language_name(locale)} (#{locale})" %></option>
                 <% end %>
               </select>
diff --git a/spec/controllers/api/v1/accounts/portals_controller_spec.rb b/spec/controllers/api/v1/accounts/portals_controller_spec.rb
index f38660706..19bc795c3 100644
--- a/spec/controllers/api/v1/accounts/portals_controller_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/controllers/api/v1/accounts/portals_controller_spec.rb
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ RSpec.describe 'Api::V1::Accounts::Portals', type: :request do
         portal_params = {
           portal: {
             name: 'updated_test_portal',
-            config: { 'allowed_locales' => %w[en es] }
+            config: { 'allowed_locales' => %w[en es], 'draft_locales' => ['es'], 'default_locale' => 'en' }
           }
         }
 
@@ -130,8 +130,33 @@ RSpec.describe 'Api::V1::Accounts::Portals', type: :request do
         expect(response).to have_http_status(:success)
         json_response = response.parsed_body
         expect(json_response['name']).to eql(portal_params[:portal][:name])
-        expect(json_response['config']).to eql({ 'allowed_locales' => [{ 'articles_count' => 0, 'categories_count' => 0, 'code' => 'en' },
-                                                                       { 'articles_count' => 0, 'categories_count' => 0, 'code' => 'es' }] })
+        expect(json_response['config']).to eql(
+          {
+            'allowed_locales' => [
+              { 'articles_count' => 0, 'categories_count' => 0, 'code' => 'en', 'draft' => false },
+              { 'articles_count' => 0, 'categories_count' => 0, 'code' => 'es', 'draft' => true }
+            ]
+          }
+        )
+      end
+
+      it 'preserves drafted locales when draft_locales is omitted' do
+        portal.update!(config: { allowed_locales: %w[en es fr], draft_locales: ['es'], default_locale: 'en' })
+
+        put "/api/v1/accounts/#{account.id}/portals/#{portal.slug}",
+            params: {
+              portal: {
+                config: { allowed_locales: %w[en es fr], default_locale: 'en' }
+              }
+            },
+            headers: admin.create_new_auth_token
+
+        expect(response).to have_http_status(:success)
+        portal.reload
+        expect(portal.draft_locale_codes).to eq(['es'])
+        expect(response.parsed_body.dig('config', 'allowed_locales')).to include(
+          a_hash_including('code' => 'es', 'draft' => true)
+        )
       end
 
       it 'archive portal' do
diff --git a/spec/controllers/public/api/v1/portals_controller_spec.rb b/spec/controllers/public/api/v1/portals_controller_spec.rb
index 9cc77a19c..c5fa94cff 100644
--- a/spec/controllers/public/api/v1/portals_controller_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/controllers/public/api/v1/portals_controller_spec.rb
@@ -56,6 +56,48 @@ RSpec.describe Public::Api::V1::PortalsController, type: :request do
         expect(response.body).not_to include('<link rel="icon" href=')
       end
     end
+
+    it 'hides drafted locales from the public locale switcher' do
+      portal.update!(config: { allowed_locales: %w[en es], draft_locales: ['es'], default_locale: 'en' })
+
+      get "/hc/#{portal.slug}/en"
+
+      expect(response).to have_http_status(:success)
+      expect(response.body).not_to include('value="es"')
+      expect(response.body).not_to include('locale-switcher')
+    end
+
+    it 'allows direct access to drafted locale pages' do
+      portal.update!(config: { allowed_locales: %w[en es], draft_locales: ['es'], default_locale: 'en' })
+
+      get "/hc/#{portal.slug}/es"
+
+      expect(response).to have_http_status(:success)
+    end
+
+    it 'shows the active drafted locale in the switcher state on direct locale access' do
+      portal.update!(config: { allowed_locales: %w[en es fr], draft_locales: ['es'], default_locale: 'en' })
+
+      get "/hc/#{portal.slug}/es"
+
+      expect(response).to have_http_status(:success)
+
+      document = Nokogiri::HTML(response.body)
+      switchers = document.css('select.locale-switcher')
+
+      expect(switchers).not_to be_empty
+
+      switchers.each do |switcher|
+        options = switcher.css('option')
+
+        expect(options.map { |option| option['value'] }).to include('en', 'es', 'fr')
+        expect(
+          options.any? do |option|
+            option['value'] == 'es' && option['selected'].present? && option['disabled'].present?
+          end
+        ).to be(true)
+      end
+    end
   end
 
   describe 'GET /public/api/v1/portals/{portal_slug}/sitemap' do
diff --git a/spec/models/portal_spec.rb b/spec/models/portal_spec.rb
index 1a108bbd6..f171009e8 100644
--- a/spec/models/portal_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/portal_spec.rb
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ RSpec.describe Portal do
         expect(portal.config).to be_present
         expect(portal.config['allowed_locales']).to eq(['en'])
         expect(portal.config['default_locale']).to eq('en')
+        expect(portal.config['draft_locales']).to eq([])
       end
 
       it 'Does not allow any other config than allowed_locales' do
@@ -32,6 +33,29 @@ RSpec.describe Portal do
         expect(portal.errors.full_messages[0]).to eq('Cofig in portal on some_other_key is not supported.')
       end
 
+      it 'falls back to no drafted locales for existing portals' do
+        portal.config = { 'allowed_locales' => %w[en es], 'default_locale' => 'en' }
+
+        expect(portal.draft_locale_codes).to eq([])
+        expect(portal.public_locale_codes).to eq(%w[en es])
+      end
+
+      it 'preserves drafted locales when draft_locales is omitted on update' do
+        portal.update!(config: { allowed_locales: %w[en es fr], draft_locales: ['es'], default_locale: 'en' })
+
+        portal.assign_attributes(config: { allowed_locales: %w[en es fr], default_locale: 'en' })
+        portal.valid?
+
+        expect(portal.config['draft_locales']).to eq(['es'])
+      end
+
+      it 'does not allow drafting the default locale' do
+        portal.update(config: { allowed_locales: %w[en es], draft_locales: ['en'], default_locale: 'en' })
+
+        expect(portal).not_to be_valid
+        expect(portal.errors.full_messages).to include('Config default locale cannot be drafted.')
+      end
+
       it 'converts empty string to nil' do
         portal.update(custom_domain: '')
         expect(portal.custom_domain).to be_nil