diff --git a/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/api/avatars.rs b/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/api/avatars.rs
index 4eb8723..4542443 100644
--- a/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/api/avatars.rs
+++ b/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/api/avatars.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ use chattyness_db::{
     models::{CreateServerAvatarRequest, ServerAvatar, ServerAvatarSummary, UpdateServerAvatarRequest},
     queries::server_avatars,
 };
-use chattyness_error::AppError;
+use chattyness_error::{AppError, OptionExt};
 use serde::Serialize;
 use sqlx::PgPool;
 use uuid::Uuid;
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ pub async fn get_avatar(
 ) -> Result<Json<ServerAvatar>, AppError> {
     let avatar = server_avatars::get_server_avatar_by_id(&pool, avatar_id)
         .await?
-        .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Avatar not found".to_string()))?;
+        .or_not_found("Avatar")?;
     Ok(Json(avatar))
 }
 
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ pub async fn update_avatar(
     // Check avatar exists
     let existing = server_avatars::get_server_avatar_by_id(&mut *guard, avatar_id)
         .await?
-        .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Avatar not found".to_string()))?;
+        .or_not_found("Avatar")?;
 
     // Update the avatar
     let avatar = server_avatars::update_server_avatar(&mut *guard, avatar_id, &req).await?;
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ pub async fn delete_avatar(
     // Get the avatar first to log its name
     let avatar = server_avatars::get_server_avatar_by_id(&mut *guard, avatar_id)
         .await?
-        .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Avatar not found".to_string()))?;
+        .or_not_found("Avatar")?;
 
     // Delete from database
     server_avatars::delete_server_avatar(&mut *guard, avatar_id).await?;
diff --git a/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/api/loose_props.rs b/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/api/loose_props.rs
index 5231a2c..a1446bd 100644
--- a/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/api/loose_props.rs
+++ b/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/api/loose_props.rs
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 use axum::Json;
 use axum::extract::Path;
 use chattyness_db::{models::LooseProp, queries::loose_props};
-use chattyness_error::AppError;
+use chattyness_error::{AppError, OptionExt};
 use serde::Deserialize;
 use uuid::Uuid;
 
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ pub async fn get_loose_prop(
 
     let prop = loose_props::get_loose_prop_by_id(&mut *guard, loose_prop_id)
         .await?
-        .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Loose prop not found or has expired".to_string()))?;
+        .or_not_found("Loose prop (may have expired)")?;
 
     Ok(Json(prop))
 }
diff --git a/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/api/props.rs b/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/api/props.rs
index c7c7d7f..549a08a 100644
--- a/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/api/props.rs
+++ b/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/api/props.rs
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ use chattyness_db::{
     models::{CreateServerPropRequest, ServerProp, ServerPropSummary},
     queries::props,
 };
-use chattyness_error::AppError;
+use chattyness_error::{AppError, OptionExt};
 use serde::Deserialize;
 use serde::Serialize;
 use sha2::{Digest, Sha256};
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ pub async fn get_prop(
 ) -> Result<Json<ServerProp>, AppError> {
     let prop = props::get_server_prop_by_id(&pool, prop_id)
         .await?
-        .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Prop not found".to_string()))?;
+        .or_not_found("Prop")?;
     Ok(Json(prop))
 }
 
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ pub async fn delete_prop(
     // Get the prop first to get the asset path
     let prop = props::get_server_prop_by_id(&mut *guard, prop_id)
         .await?
-        .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Prop not found".to_string()))?;
+        .or_not_found("Prop")?;
 
     // Delete from database
     props::delete_server_prop(&mut *guard, prop_id).await?;
diff --git a/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/api/realms.rs b/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/api/realms.rs
index 0cb1cbd..92f1b9a 100644
--- a/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/api/realms.rs
+++ b/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/api/realms.rs
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use chattyness_db::{
     },
     queries::{owner as queries, realm_avatars},
 };
-use chattyness_error::AppError;
+use chattyness_error::{AppError, OptionExt};
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use sqlx::PgPool;
 use uuid::Uuid;
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ pub async fn get_realm_avatar(
 
     let avatar = realm_avatars::get_realm_avatar_by_id(&pool, avatar_id)
         .await?
-        .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Avatar not found".to_string()))?;
+        .or_not_found("Avatar")?;
     Ok(Json(avatar))
 }
 
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ pub async fn update_realm_avatar(
     // Check avatar exists
     let existing = realm_avatars::get_realm_avatar_by_id(&mut *guard, avatar_id)
         .await?
-        .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Avatar not found".to_string()))?;
+        .or_not_found("Avatar")?;
 
     // Update the avatar
     let avatar = realm_avatars::update_realm_avatar(&mut *guard, avatar_id, &req).await?;
@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ pub async fn delete_realm_avatar(
     // Get the avatar first to log its name
     let avatar = realm_avatars::get_realm_avatar_by_id(&mut *guard, avatar_id)
         .await?
-        .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Avatar not found".to_string()))?;
+        .or_not_found("Avatar")?;
 
     // Delete from database
     realm_avatars::delete_realm_avatar(&mut *guard, avatar_id).await?;
diff --git a/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/api/scenes.rs b/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/api/scenes.rs
index c5d3d74..5d7c649 100644
--- a/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/api/scenes.rs
+++ b/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/api/scenes.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ use chattyness_db::{
     models::{CreateSceneRequest, Scene, SceneSummary, UpdateSceneRequest},
     queries::{realms, scenes},
 };
-use chattyness_error::AppError;
+use chattyness_error::{AppError, OptionExt};
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use sqlx::PgPool;
 use std::path::PathBuf;
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ pub async fn get_scene(
 ) -> Result<Json<Scene>, AppError> {
     let scene = scenes::get_scene_by_id(&pool, scene_id)
         .await?
-        .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Scene not found".to_string()))?;
+        .or_not_found("Scene")?;
     Ok(Json(scene))
 }
 
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ pub async fn update_scene(
     // Get the existing scene to get realm_id
     let existing_scene = scenes::get_scene_by_id(&mut *guard, scene_id)
         .await?
-        .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Scene not found".to_string()))?;
+        .or_not_found("Scene")?;
 
     // Handle clear background image
     if req.clear_background_image {
diff --git a/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/api/spots.rs b/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/api/spots.rs
index 7500f7b..8351ab7 100644
--- a/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/api/spots.rs
+++ b/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/api/spots.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ use chattyness_db::{
     models::{CreateSpotRequest, Spot, SpotSummary, UpdateSpotRequest},
     queries::spots,
 };
-use chattyness_error::AppError;
+use chattyness_error::{AppError, OptionExt};
 use serde::Serialize;
 use sqlx::PgPool;
 use uuid::Uuid;
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ pub async fn get_spot(
 ) -> Result<Json<Spot>, AppError> {
     let spot = spots::get_spot_by_id(&pool, spot_id)
         .await?
-        .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Spot not found".to_string()))?;
+        .or_not_found("Spot")?;
     Ok(Json(spot))
 }
 
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ pub async fn update_spot(
     if let Some(ref new_slug) = req.slug {
         let existing = spots::get_spot_by_id(&mut *guard, spot_id)
             .await?
-            .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Spot not found".to_string()))?;
+            .or_not_found("Spot")?;
 
         if Some(new_slug.clone()) != existing.slug {
             let available =
diff --git a/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/pages/avatars_new.rs b/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/pages/avatars_new.rs
index a01b2fd..9ba1da2 100644
--- a/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/pages/avatars_new.rs
+++ b/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/pages/avatars_new.rs
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ use leptos::prelude::*;
 use leptos::task::spawn_local;
 
 use crate::components::{Card, PageHeader};
+use crate::utils::name_to_slug;
 
 /// Server avatar new page component.
 #[component]
@@ -28,14 +29,7 @@ pub fn AvatarsNewPage() -> impl IntoView {
         let new_name = event_target_value(&ev);
         set_name.set(new_name.clone());
         if slug_auto.get() {
-            let new_slug = new_name
-                .to_lowercase()
-                .chars()
-                .map(|c| if c.is_alphanumeric() { c } else { '-' })
-                .collect::<String>()
-                .trim_matches('-')
-                .to_string();
-            set_slug.set(new_slug);
+            set_slug.set(name_to_slug(&new_name));
         }
     };
 
diff --git a/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/pages/props_new.rs b/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/pages/props_new.rs
index da961fe..1b97e8c 100644
--- a/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/pages/props_new.rs
+++ b/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/pages/props_new.rs
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ use leptos::prelude::*;
 use leptos::task::spawn_local;
 
 use crate::components::{Card, PageHeader};
+use crate::utils::name_to_slug;
 
 /// Prop new page component with file upload.
 #[component]
@@ -32,14 +33,7 @@ pub fn PropsNewPage() -> impl IntoView {
         let new_name = event_target_value(&ev);
         set_name.set(new_name.clone());
         if slug_auto.get() {
-            let new_slug = new_name
-                .to_lowercase()
-                .chars()
-                .map(|c| if c.is_alphanumeric() { c } else { '-' })
-                .collect::<String>()
-                .trim_matches('-')
-                .to_string();
-            set_slug.set(new_slug);
+            set_slug.set(name_to_slug(&new_name));
         }
     };
 
diff --git a/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/pages/realm_avatars_new.rs b/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/pages/realm_avatars_new.rs
index e8e8118..b41cb74 100644
--- a/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/pages/realm_avatars_new.rs
+++ b/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/pages/realm_avatars_new.rs
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ use leptos::task::spawn_local;
 use leptos_router::hooks::use_params_map;
 
 use crate::components::{Card, PageHeader};
+use crate::utils::name_to_slug;
 #[cfg(feature = "hydrate")]
 use crate::utils::get_api_base;
 
@@ -36,14 +37,7 @@ pub fn RealmAvatarsNewPage() -> impl IntoView {
         let new_name = event_target_value(&ev);
         set_name.set(new_name.clone());
         if slug_auto.get() {
-            let new_slug = new_name
-                .to_lowercase()
-                .chars()
-                .map(|c| if c.is_alphanumeric() { c } else { '-' })
-                .collect::<String>()
-                .trim_matches('-')
-                .to_string();
-            set_avatar_slug.set(new_slug);
+            set_avatar_slug.set(name_to_slug(&new_name));
         }
     };
 
diff --git a/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/pages/realm_new.rs b/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/pages/realm_new.rs
index f520428..0a7085d 100644
--- a/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/pages/realm_new.rs
+++ b/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/pages/realm_new.rs
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ use leptos::prelude::*;
 use leptos::task::spawn_local;
 
 use crate::components::{Card, PageHeader};
+use crate::utils::name_to_slug;
 
 /// Realm new page component.
 #[component]
@@ -40,14 +41,7 @@ pub fn RealmNewPage() -> impl IntoView {
         let new_name = event_target_value(&ev);
         set_name.set(new_name.clone());
         if slug_auto.get() {
-            let new_slug = new_name
-                .to_lowercase()
-                .chars()
-                .map(|c| if c.is_alphanumeric() { c } else { '-' })
-                .collect::<String>()
-                .trim_matches('-')
-                .to_string();
-            set_slug.set(new_slug);
+            set_slug.set(name_to_slug(&new_name));
         }
     };
 
diff --git a/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/pages/scene_new.rs b/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/pages/scene_new.rs
index 32dee1a..a4b9e8e 100644
--- a/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/pages/scene_new.rs
+++ b/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/pages/scene_new.rs
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ use leptos::task::spawn_local;
 use leptos_router::hooks::use_params_map;
 
 use crate::components::{Card, PageHeader};
+use crate::utils::name_to_slug;
 #[cfg(feature = "hydrate")]
 use crate::utils::fetch_image_dimensions_client;
 
@@ -40,14 +41,7 @@ pub fn SceneNewPage() -> impl IntoView {
         let new_name = event_target_value(&ev);
         set_name.set(new_name.clone());
         if slug_auto.get() {
-            let new_slug = new_name
-                .to_lowercase()
-                .chars()
-                .map(|c| if c.is_alphanumeric() { c } else { '-' })
-                .collect::<String>()
-                .trim_matches('-')
-                .to_string();
-            set_slug.set(new_slug);
+            set_slug.set(name_to_slug(&new_name));
         }
     };
 
diff --git a/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/utils.rs b/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/utils.rs
index 77c37a2..4c5341f 100644
--- a/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/utils.rs
+++ b/crates/chattyness-admin-ui/src/utils.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,24 @@
 //! Utility functions for the admin UI.
 
+/// Generate a URL-friendly slug from a name.
+///
+/// Converts to lowercase, replaces non-alphanumeric chars with hyphens,
+/// and trims leading/trailing hyphens.
+///
+/// # Example
+/// ```rust
+/// assert_eq!(name_to_slug("My Cool Realm!"), "my-cool-realm-");
+/// assert_eq!(name_to_slug("Test 123"), "test-123");
+/// ```
+pub fn name_to_slug(name: &str) -> String {
+    name.to_lowercase()
+        .chars()
+        .map(|c| if c.is_alphanumeric() { c } else { '-' })
+        .collect::<String>()
+        .trim_matches('-')
+        .to_string()
+}
+
 /// Gets the API base path based on the current URL.
 ///
 /// Returns `/api/admin` if the current path starts with `/admin`,
diff --git a/crates/chattyness-db/src/queries/loose_props.rs b/crates/chattyness-db/src/queries/loose_props.rs
index b1de987..70eb3cb 100644
--- a/crates/chattyness-db/src/queries/loose_props.rs
+++ b/crates/chattyness-db/src/queries/loose_props.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ use sqlx::PgExecutor;
 use uuid::Uuid;
 
 use crate::models::{InventoryItem, LooseProp};
-use chattyness_error::AppError;
+use chattyness_error::{AppError, OptionExt};
 
 /// Ensure an instance exists for a scene.
 ///
@@ -330,7 +330,7 @@ pub async fn pick_up_loose_prop<'e>(
     .bind(user_id)
     .fetch_optional(executor)
     .await?
-    .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Loose prop not found or has expired".to_string()))?;
+    .or_not_found("Loose prop (may have expired)")?;
 
     Ok(item)
 }
@@ -396,7 +396,7 @@ pub async fn update_loose_prop_scale<'e>(
     .bind(scale)
     .fetch_optional(executor)
     .await?
-    .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Loose prop not found or has expired".to_string()))?;
+    .or_not_found("Loose prop (may have expired)")?;
 
     Ok(prop)
 }
@@ -490,7 +490,7 @@ pub async fn move_loose_prop<'e>(
     .bind(y as f32)
     .fetch_optional(executor)
     .await?
-    .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Loose prop not found or has expired".to_string()))?;
+    .or_not_found("Loose prop (may have expired)")?;
 
     Ok(prop)
 }
@@ -546,7 +546,7 @@ pub async fn lock_loose_prop<'e>(
     .bind(locked_by)
     .fetch_optional(executor)
     .await?
-    .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Loose prop not found or has expired".to_string()))?;
+    .or_not_found("Loose prop (may have expired)")?;
 
     Ok(prop)
 }
@@ -600,7 +600,7 @@ pub async fn unlock_loose_prop<'e>(
     .bind(loose_prop_id)
     .fetch_optional(executor)
     .await?
-    .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Loose prop not found or has expired".to_string()))?;
+    .or_not_found("Loose prop (may have expired)")?;
 
     Ok(prop)
 }
diff --git a/crates/chattyness-db/src/queries/scenes.rs b/crates/chattyness-db/src/queries/scenes.rs
index 5d6405e..7b8f4ed 100644
--- a/crates/chattyness-db/src/queries/scenes.rs
+++ b/crates/chattyness-db/src/queries/scenes.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ use sqlx::PgExecutor;
 use uuid::Uuid;
 
 use crate::models::{CreateSceneRequest, Scene, SceneSummary, UpdateSceneRequest};
-use chattyness_error::AppError;
+use chattyness_error::{AppError, OptionExt};
 
 /// List all scenes for a realm.
 pub async fn list_scenes_for_realm<'e>(
@@ -374,7 +374,7 @@ pub async fn update_scene<'e>(
     let scene = query_builder
         .fetch_optional(executor)
         .await?
-        .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Scene not found".to_string()))?;
+        .or_not_found("Scene")?;
 
     Ok(scene)
 }
diff --git a/crates/chattyness-db/src/queries/spots.rs b/crates/chattyness-db/src/queries/spots.rs
index 7160c9f..3b6fa7b 100644
--- a/crates/chattyness-db/src/queries/spots.rs
+++ b/crates/chattyness-db/src/queries/spots.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ use sqlx::PgExecutor;
 use uuid::Uuid;
 
 use crate::models::{CreateSpotRequest, Spot, SpotSummary, UpdateSpotRequest};
-use chattyness_error::AppError;
+use chattyness_error::{AppError, OptionExt};
 
 /// List all spots for a scene.
 pub async fn list_spots_for_scene<'e>(
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ pub async fn update_spot<'e>(
     let spot = query_builder
         .fetch_optional(executor)
         .await?
-        .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Spot not found".to_string()))?;
+        .or_not_found("Spot")?;
 
     Ok(spot)
 }
diff --git a/crates/chattyness-error/src/lib.rs b/crates/chattyness-error/src/lib.rs
index fb6e4ff..d516d19 100644
--- a/crates/chattyness-error/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/chattyness-error/src/lib.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,27 @@
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use thiserror::Error;
 
+/// Extension trait for Option to convert to AppError::NotFound.
+///
+/// Reduces boilerplate when fetching entities that may not exist.
+///
+/// # Example
+/// ```rust
+/// use chattyness_error::OptionExt;
+///
+/// let scene = get_scene_by_id(&pool, id).await?.or_not_found("Scene")?;
+/// ```
+pub trait OptionExt<T> {
+    /// Convert None to AppError::NotFound with a descriptive message.
+    fn or_not_found(self, entity: &str) -> Result<T, AppError>;
+}
+
+impl<T> OptionExt<T> for Option<T> {
+    fn or_not_found(self, entity: &str) -> Result<T, AppError> {
+        self.ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound(format!("{} not found", entity)))
+    }
+}
+
 /// Application error types for chattyness.
 ///
 /// All errors derive From for automatic conversion where applicable.
diff --git a/crates/chattyness-user-ui/src/api/scenes.rs b/crates/chattyness-user-ui/src/api/scenes.rs
index d83f99a..8d9f857 100644
--- a/crates/chattyness-user-ui/src/api/scenes.rs
+++ b/crates/chattyness-user-ui/src/api/scenes.rs
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use chattyness_db::{
     models::{Scene, SceneSummary, Spot, SpotSummary},
     queries::{realms, scenes, spots},
 };
-use chattyness_error::AppError;
+use chattyness_error::{AppError, OptionExt};
 
 /// Get the entry scene for a realm.
 ///
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ pub async fn get_spot(
 ) -> Result<Json<Spot>, AppError> {
     let spot = spots::get_spot_by_id(&pool, spot_id)
         .await?
-        .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Spot not found".to_string()))?;
+        .or_not_found("Spot")?;
 
     Ok(Json(spot))
 }