diff --git a/sync.py b/sync.py
index 57ed024..05c8519 100644
--- a/sync.py
+++ b/sync.py
@@ -353,15 +353,18 @@ def get_oldest_unsynced_projects(db, fraction: float = 0.2) -> List[int]:
     try:
         projects_ref = db.collection("projects")
         all_docs = list(projects_ref.stream())
-        total = len(all_docs)
+
+        # Exclude archived projects from the sync pool
+        active_docs = [doc for doc in all_docs if not doc.to_dict().get("is_archived")]
+        total = len(active_docs)
         count_to_sync = max(1, int(total * fraction))
 
         # Sort by last_synced_at ascending (empty strings first, then oldest timestamps)
-        sorted_docs = sorted(all_docs, key=lambda doc: doc.to_dict().get("last_synced_at", ""))
+        sorted_docs = sorted(active_docs, key=lambda doc: doc.to_dict().get("last_synced_at", ""))
         selected_docs = sorted_docs[:count_to_sync]
         result_ids = [int(doc.id) for doc in selected_docs if doc.id and doc.id != "None"]
 
-        print(f"[SYNC STRATEGY] {total} projects in Firestore, will sync oldest {len(result_ids)} ({fraction*100:.0f}%)")
+        print(f"[SYNC STRATEGY] {total} active projects in Firestore, will sync oldest {len(result_ids)} ({fraction*100:.0f}%)")
         if selected_docs:
             sample = selected_docs[0].to_dict()
             print(f"[SYNC STRATEGY] Oldest: ID={result_ids[0]}, last_synced_at='{sample.get('last_synced_at', 'N/A')}'")