Update loader.py

loader.py

@@ -109,13 +109,35 @@ def load_manual_qa() -> None:
     qa_store.NEXT_MANUAL_ID = max_num + 1 if max_num > 0 else 1
 
 
+# loader.py
+
 def generate_new_manual_id() -> str:
     """
-    Generate a new manual entry ID and increment the counter.
+    Generate the smallest free manual_XXXX ID based on the
+    current MANUAL_QA_LIST (so gaps like 11 after delete
+    are reused).
     """
-    new_id = f"manual_{qa_store.NEXT_MANUAL_ID:04d}"
-    qa_store.NEXT_MANUAL_ID += 1
-    return new_id
+    import re as _re
+
+    used_nums = set()
+
+    # collect all numbers that are already used in IDs
+    for e in qa_store.MANUAL_QA_LIST:
+        raw_id = str(e.get("id") or "")
+        m = _re.search(r"(\d+)$", raw_id)
+        if m:
+            used_nums.add(int(m.group(1)))
+
+    # find the smallest positive integer that is not used
+    i = 1
+    while i in used_nums:
+        i += 1
+
+    # keep the global counter roughly in sync (optional)
+    qa_store.NEXT_MANUAL_ID = i + 1
+
+    return f"manual_{i:04d}"
+
 
 
 def save_manual_qa_file() -> None: