diff --git a/convex/lib/public.test.ts b/convex/lib/public.test.ts
index 7c5fe9050..52b519cdb 100644
--- a/convex/lib/public.test.ts
+++ b/convex/lib/public.test.ts
@@ -65,4 +65,32 @@ describe('public skill mapping', () => {
       comments: 0,
     })
   })
+
+  it('returns skill when moderationStatus is active', () => {
+    const skill = makeSkill({ moderationStatus: 'active' })
+    expect(toPublicSkill(skill)).not.toBeNull()
+  })
+
+  it('filters out skill when moderationStatus is hidden', () => {
+    const skill = makeSkill({ moderationStatus: 'hidden' })
+    expect(toPublicSkill(skill)).toBeNull()
+  })
+
+  it('returns skill when moderationStatus is undefined (legacy)', () => {
+    const skill = makeSkill({ moderationStatus: undefined as unknown as string })
+    expect(toPublicSkill(skill)).not.toBeNull()
+  })
+
+  it('filters out soft-deleted skills', () => {
+    const skill = makeSkill({ softDeletedAt: Date.now() })
+    expect(toPublicSkill(skill)).toBeNull()
+  })
+
+  it('filters out skills with blocked.malware flag', () => {
+    const skill = makeSkill({
+      moderationStatus: 'active',
+      moderationFlags: ['blocked.malware'],
+    })
+    expect(toPublicSkill(skill)).toBeNull()
+  })
 })
diff --git a/convex/vt.ts b/convex/vt.ts
index 2838bcb87..5440e2969 100644
--- a/convex/vt.ts
+++ b/convex/vt.ts
@@ -305,7 +305,21 @@ export const scanWithVirusTotal = internalAction({
   handler: async (ctx, args) => {
     const apiKey = process.env.VT_API_KEY
     if (!apiKey) {
-      console.log('VT_API_KEY not configured, skipping scan')
+      console.log('VT_API_KEY not configured, skipping scan — activating skill')
+      // Activate the skill so it appears in search despite no VT scan.
+      const version = await ctx.runQuery(internal.skills.getVersionByIdInternal, {
+        versionId: args.versionId,
+      })
+      if (version) {
+        const skill = await ctx.runQuery(internal.skills.getSkillByIdInternal, {
+          skillId: version.skillId,
+        })
+        if (skill?.moderationReason !== 'quality.low') {
+          await ctx.runMutation(internal.skills.setSkillModerationStatusActiveInternal, {
+            skillId: version.skillId,
+          })
+        }
+      }
       return
     }
 
@@ -524,6 +538,14 @@ export const pollPendingScans = internalAction({
               versionId,
               vtAnalysis: { status: 'stale', checkedAt: Date.now() },
             })
+            // Activate the skill so it appears in search — absence of a VT
+            // verdict should not permanently hide a published skill.
+            const skill = await ctx.runQuery(internal.skills.getSkillByIdInternal, { skillId })
+            if (skill?.moderationReason !== 'quality.low') {
+              await ctx.runMutation(internal.skills.setSkillModerationStatusActiveInternal, {
+                skillId,
+              })
+            }
             staled++
           }
           continue
@@ -549,6 +571,14 @@ export const pollPendingScans = internalAction({
               versionId,
               vtAnalysis: { status: 'stale', checkedAt: Date.now() },
             })
+            // Activate the skill so it appears in search — absence of a VT
+            // verdict should not permanently hide a published skill.
+            const skill = await ctx.runQuery(internal.skills.getSkillByIdInternal, { skillId })
+            if (skill?.moderationReason !== 'quality.low') {
+              await ctx.runMutation(internal.skills.setSkillModerationStatusActiveInternal, {
+                skillId,
+              })
+            }
             staled++
           }
           continue