diff --git a/solitaire_engine/src/animation_plugin.rs b/solitaire_engine/src/animation_plugin.rs
index 94eee73..348055f 100644
--- a/solitaire_engine/src/animation_plugin.rs
+++ b/solitaire_engine/src/animation_plugin.rs
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ use crate::auto_complete_plugin::AutoCompleteState;
 use crate::card_plugin::CardEntity;
 use crate::challenge_plugin::ChallengeAdvancedEvent;
 use crate::daily_challenge_plugin::{DailyChallengeCompletedEvent, DailyGoalAnnouncementEvent};
+use crate::events::NewGameConfirmEvent;
 use crate::events::{AchievementUnlockedEvent, GameWonEvent};
 use crate::game_plugin::GameMutation;
 use crate::layout::LayoutResource;
@@ -91,6 +92,7 @@ impl Plugin for AnimationPlugin {
             .add_event::<TimeAttackEndedEvent>()
             .add_event::<ChallengeAdvancedEvent>()
             .add_event::<SettingsChangedEvent>()
+            .add_event::<NewGameConfirmEvent>()
             .init_resource::<EffectiveSlideDuration>()
             .add_systems(Startup, init_slide_duration)
             .add_systems(
@@ -108,6 +110,7 @@ impl Plugin for AnimationPlugin {
                     handle_challenge_toast,
                     handle_settings_toast,
                     handle_auto_complete_toast,
+                    handle_new_game_confirm_toast,
                     tick_toasts,
                 )
                     .after(GameMutation),
@@ -310,6 +313,15 @@ fn handle_auto_complete_toast(
     }
 }
 
+fn handle_new_game_confirm_toast(
+    mut commands: Commands,
+    mut events: EventReader<NewGameConfirmEvent>,
+) {
+    for _ in events.read() {
+        spawn_toast(&mut commands, "Press N again to start a new game".to_string(), 3.0);
+    }
+}
+
 fn tick_toasts(
     mut commands: Commands,
     time: Res<Time>,
diff --git a/solitaire_engine/src/events.rs b/solitaire_engine/src/events.rs
index d40da20..a26a065 100644
--- a/solitaire_engine/src/events.rs
+++ b/solitaire_engine/src/events.rs
@@ -68,3 +68,10 @@ pub struct AchievementUnlockedEvent(pub AchievementRecord);
 /// starting a new pull task if one is not already in flight.
 #[derive(Event, Debug, Clone, Copy, Default)]
 pub struct ManualSyncRequestEvent;
+
+/// Fired by `InputPlugin` when N is pressed while a game is in progress
+/// but confirmation has not yet been received. The animation plugin shows
+/// a "Press N again to confirm" toast. A second N press within the
+/// confirmation window sends `NewGameRequestEvent`.
+#[derive(Event, Debug, Clone, Copy, Default)]
+pub struct NewGameConfirmEvent;
diff --git a/solitaire_engine/src/help_plugin.rs b/solitaire_engine/src/help_plugin.rs
index 69669ed..cdd7b28 100644
--- a/solitaire_engine/src/help_plugin.rs
+++ b/solitaire_engine/src/help_plugin.rs
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ fn spawn_help_screen(commands: &mut Commands) {
         "  Click stock  Draw".to_string(),
         String::new(),
         "-- New Game --".to_string(),
-        "  N            New Classic game".to_string(),
+        "  N            New Classic game (N twice if in progress)".to_string(),
         "  C            Start today's daily challenge".to_string(),
         "  Z            Start a Zen game (level 5+)".to_string(),
         "  X            Start the next Challenge (level 5+)".to_string(),
diff --git a/solitaire_engine/src/input_plugin.rs b/solitaire_engine/src/input_plugin.rs
index cbf529b..c7a16c9 100644
--- a/solitaire_engine/src/input_plugin.rs
+++ b/solitaire_engine/src/input_plugin.rs
@@ -25,8 +25,8 @@ use solitaire_core::rules::{can_place_on_foundation, can_place_on_tableau};
 use crate::card_plugin::{CardEntity, TABLEAU_FAN_FRAC};
 use crate::challenge_plugin::CHALLENGE_UNLOCK_LEVEL;
 use crate::events::{
-    DrawRequestEvent, MoveRejectedEvent, MoveRequestEvent, NewGameRequestEvent, StateChangedEvent,
-    UndoRequestEvent,
+    DrawRequestEvent, MoveRejectedEvent, MoveRequestEvent, NewGameConfirmEvent, NewGameRequestEvent,
+    StateChangedEvent, UndoRequestEvent,
 };
 use crate::game_plugin::GameMutation;
 use crate::progress_plugin::ProgressResource;
@@ -47,32 +47,62 @@ pub struct InputPlugin;
 
 impl Plugin for InputPlugin {
     fn build(&self, app: &mut App) {
-        app.add_systems(
-            Update,
-            (
-                handle_keyboard,
-                handle_stock_click,
-                start_drag,
-                follow_drag,
-                end_drag.before(GameMutation),
-            )
-                .chain(),
-        );
+        app.add_event::<NewGameConfirmEvent>()
+            .add_systems(
+                Update,
+                (
+                    handle_keyboard,
+                    handle_stock_click,
+                    start_drag,
+                    follow_drag,
+                    end_drag.before(GameMutation),
+                )
+                    .chain(),
+            );
     }
 }
 
+/// Seconds after the first N press during which a second N confirms new game.
+const NEW_GAME_CONFIRM_WINDOW: f32 = 3.0;
+
+#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
 fn handle_keyboard(
     keys: Res<ButtonInput<KeyCode>>,
     progress: Option<Res<ProgressResource>>,
+    game: Option<Res<crate::resources::GameStateResource>>,
+    time: Res<Time>,
+    mut confirm_countdown: Local<f32>,
     mut undo: EventWriter<UndoRequestEvent>,
     mut new_game: EventWriter<NewGameRequestEvent>,
+    mut confirm_event: EventWriter<NewGameConfirmEvent>,
     mut draw: EventWriter<DrawRequestEvent>,
 ) {
+    // Tick down any active confirmation window.
+    if *confirm_countdown > 0.0 {
+        *confirm_countdown -= time.delta_secs();
+        if *confirm_countdown <= 0.0 {
+            *confirm_countdown = 0.0;
+        }
+    }
+
     if keys.just_pressed(KeyCode::KeyU) {
         undo.send(UndoRequestEvent);
     }
     if keys.just_pressed(KeyCode::KeyN) {
-        new_game.send(NewGameRequestEvent::default());
+        let active_game = game.as_ref().is_some_and(|g| g.0.move_count > 0 && !g.0.is_won);
+        if !active_game {
+            // No active game — start immediately.
+            new_game.send(NewGameRequestEvent::default());
+            *confirm_countdown = 0.0;
+        } else if *confirm_countdown > 0.0 {
+            // Second press within the window — confirmed.
+            new_game.send(NewGameRequestEvent::default());
+            *confirm_countdown = 0.0;
+        } else {
+            // First press on an active game — require confirmation.
+            *confirm_countdown = NEW_GAME_CONFIRM_WINDOW;
+            confirm_event.send(NewGameConfirmEvent);
+        }
     }
     if keys.just_pressed(KeyCode::KeyZ) {
         // Zen / Challenge / Time Attack are gated to level >= CHALLENGE_UNLOCK_LEVEL.
diff --git a/solitaire_engine/src/lib.rs b/solitaire_engine/src/lib.rs
index 5d678de..b762b7f 100644
--- a/solitaire_engine/src/lib.rs
+++ b/solitaire_engine/src/lib.rs
@@ -40,7 +40,8 @@ pub use audio_plugin::{AudioPlugin, AudioState, SoundLibrary};
 pub use card_plugin::{CardEntity, CardLabel, CardPlugin};
 pub use events::{
     AchievementUnlockedEvent, CardFlippedEvent, DrawRequestEvent, GameWonEvent, ManualSyncRequestEvent,
-    MoveRejectedEvent, MoveRequestEvent, NewGameRequestEvent, StateChangedEvent, UndoRequestEvent,
+    MoveRejectedEvent, MoveRequestEvent, NewGameConfirmEvent, NewGameRequestEvent, StateChangedEvent,
+    UndoRequestEvent,
 };
 pub use game_plugin::{GameMutation, GamePlugin, GameStatePath};
 pub use help_plugin::{HelpPlugin, HelpScreen};