diff --git a/telegram/bot.py b/telegram/bot.py
index 9e51516..b6c66ab 100755
--- a/telegram/bot.py
+++ b/telegram/bot.py
@@ -140,6 +140,7 @@ async def help_command(update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE):
 *Claude Sessions:*
 /new <name> [persona] - Create new Claude session
 /session <name> - Switch to a session
+/archive <name> - Archive and remove a session
 
 *Status & Monitoring:*
 /status - Quick service overview
@@ -407,6 +408,38 @@ async def switch_session_cmd(update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE)
         logger.error(f"Error switching session: {e}")
         await update.message.reply_text(f"Error switching session: {e}")
 
+async def archive_session_cmd(update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE):
+    """Archive a Claude session (compress and remove)."""
+    if not is_authorized(update.effective_user.id):
+        return
+
+    if not context.args:
+        await update.message.reply_text("Usage: /archive <name>")
+        return
+
+    name = context.args[0]
+
+    try:
+        # Terminate subprocess if running
+        if name in subprocesses:
+            if subprocesses[name].is_alive:
+                await subprocesses[name].terminate()
+            del subprocesses[name]
+
+        # Archive the session
+        archive_path = session_manager.archive_session(name)
+        size_mb = archive_path.stat().st_size / (1024 * 1024)
+        await update.message.reply_text(
+            f"Session '{name}' archived ({size_mb:.1f} MB)\n{archive_path.name}"
+        )
+        logger.info(f"Archived session '{name}' to {archive_path}")
+
+    except ValueError as e:
+        await update.message.reply_text(str(e))
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Error archiving session: {e}")
+        await update.message.reply_text(f"Error archiving session: {e}")
+
 async def handle_message(update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE):
     """Handle free text messages - route to active Claude session."""
     if not is_authorized(update.effective_user.id):
@@ -535,6 +568,7 @@ def main():
     app.add_handler(CommandHandler("chatid", chatid))
     app.add_handler(CommandHandler("new", new_session))
     app.add_handler(CommandHandler("session", switch_session_cmd))
+    app.add_handler(CommandHandler("archive", archive_session_cmd))
     app.add_handler(CommandHandler("status", status))
     app.add_handler(CommandHandler("pbs", pbs))
     app.add_handler(CommandHandler("pbs_status", pbs_status))
diff --git a/telegram/session_manager.py b/telegram/session_manager.py
index afb8f92..57457c0 100644
--- a/telegram/session_manager.py
+++ b/telegram/session_manager.py
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ Directory structure:
 import json
 import logging
 import re
+import shutil
+import subprocess
 from datetime import datetime, timezone
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Optional
@@ -316,6 +318,49 @@ class SessionManager:
         """
         return self.base_dir / name
 
+    def archive_session(self, name: str) -> Path:
+        """
+        Archive a session by compressing it with tar+pigz and removing the original.
+
+        Args:
+            name: Session name to archive
+
+        Returns:
+            Path to the archive file
+
+        Raises:
+            ValueError: If session does not exist
+        """
+        if not self.session_exists(name):
+            raise ValueError(f"Session '{name}' does not exist")
+
+        # Clear active session if archiving the active one
+        if self.active_session == name:
+            self.active_session = None
+
+        # Create archive directory
+        archive_dir = self.base_dir.parent / "sessions_archive"
+        archive_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+
+        # Build archive filename with timestamp
+        timestamp = datetime.now().strftime("%Y%m%d_%H%M%S")
+        archive_name = f"{name}_{timestamp}.tar.gz"
+        archive_path = archive_dir / archive_name
+
+        # Compress with tar + pigz
+        session_dir = self.base_dir / name
+        subprocess.run(
+            ["tar", "--use-compress-program=pigz", "-cf", str(archive_path),
+             "-C", str(self.base_dir), name],
+            check=True,
+        )
+
+        # Remove original session directory
+        shutil.rmtree(session_dir)
+
+        logger.info(f"Archived session '{name}' to {archive_path}")
+        return archive_path
+
     def load_persona(self, name: str) -> dict:
         """
         Load persona from library.