diff --git a/public/forum/post.php b/public/forum/post.php
index e76411a..0fedca1 100644
--- a/public/forum/post.php
+++ b/public/forum/post.php
@@ -11,22 +11,10 @@ $postId = !empty($_GET['p']) && is_string($_GET['p']) ? (int)$_GET['p'] : 0;
 $postMode = !empty($_GET['m']) && is_string($_GET['m']) ? (string)$_GET['m'] : '';
 $submissionConfirmed = !empty($_GET['confirm']) && is_string($_GET['confirm']) && $_GET['confirm'] === '1';
 
-// basing whether or not this is an xhr request on whether a referrer header is present
-// this page is never directy accessed, under normal circumstances
-$redirect = !empty($_SERVER['HTTP_REFERER']) && empty($_SERVER['HTTP_X_MISUZU_XHR']) ? $_SERVER['HTTP_REFERER'] : '';
-$isXHR = !$redirect;
-
-if($isXHR) {
-    header('Content-Type: application/json; charset=utf-8');
-} elseif(!is_local_url($redirect)) {
-    echo render_info('Possible request forgery detected.', 403);
-    return;
-}
-
 $postRequestVerified = CSRF::validateRequest();
 
 if(!empty($postMode) && !UserSession::hasCurrent()) {
-    echo render_info_or_json($isXHR, 'You must be logged in to manage posts.', 401);
+    echo render_info('You must be logged in to manage posts.', 401);
     return;
 }
 
@@ -34,27 +22,14 @@ $currentUser = User::getCurrent();
 $currentUserId = $currentUser === null ? 0 : $currentUser->getId();
 
 if(isset($currentUser) && $currentUser->isBanned()) {
-    echo render_info_or_json($isXHR, 'You have been banned, check your profile for more information.', 403);
+    echo render_info('You have been banned, check your profile for more information.', 403);
     return;
 }
 if(isset($currentUser) && $currentUser->isSilenced()) {
-    echo render_info_or_json($isXHR, 'You have been silenced, check your profile for more information.', 403);
+    echo render_info('You have been silenced, check your profile for more information.', 403);
     return;
 }
 
-if($isXHR) {
-    if(!$postRequestVerified) {
-        http_response_code(403);
-        echo json_encode([
-            'success' => false,
-            'message' => 'Possible request forgery detected.',
-        ]);
-        return;
-    }
-
-    header(CSRF::header());
-}
-
 $postInfo = forum_post_get($postId, true);
 $perms = empty($postInfo)
     ? 0
@@ -103,40 +78,27 @@ switch($postMode) {
         }
 
         if($canDelete !== MSZ_E_FORUM_POST_DELETE_OK) {
-            if($isXHR) {
-                http_response_code($responseCode);
-                echo json_encode([
-                    'success' => false,
-                    'post_id' => $postInfo['post_id'],
-                    'code' => $canDelete,
-                    'message' => $canDeleteMsg,
-                ]);
-                break;
-            }
-
             echo render_info($canDeleteMsg, $responseCode);
             break;
         }
 
-        if(!$isXHR) {
-            if($postRequestVerified && !$submissionConfirmed) {
-                url_redirect('forum-post', [
-                    'post' => $postInfo['post_id'],
-                    'post_fragment' => 'p' . $postInfo['post_id'],
-                ]);
-                break;
-            } elseif(!$postRequestVerified) {
-                Template::render('forum.confirm', [
-                    'title' => 'Confirm post deletion',
-                    'class' => 'far fa-trash-alt',
-                    'message' => sprintf('You are about to delete post #%d. Are you sure about that?', $postInfo['post_id']),
-                    'params' => [
-                        'p' => $postInfo['post_id'],
-                        'm' => 'delete',
-                    ],
-                ]);
-                break;
-            }
+        if($postRequestVerified && !$submissionConfirmed) {
+            url_redirect('forum-post', [
+                'post' => $postInfo['post_id'],
+                'post_fragment' => 'p' . $postInfo['post_id'],
+            ]);
+            break;
+        } elseif(!$postRequestVerified) {
+            Template::render('forum.confirm', [
+                'title' => 'Confirm post deletion',
+                'class' => 'far fa-trash-alt',
+                'message' => sprintf('You are about to delete post #%d. Are you sure about that?', $postInfo['post_id']),
+                'params' => [
+                    'p' => $postInfo['post_id'],
+                    'm' => 'delete',
+                ],
+            ]);
+            break;
         }
 
         $deletePost = forum_post_delete($postInfo['post_id']);
@@ -145,15 +107,6 @@ switch($postMode) {
             AuditLog::create(AuditLog::FORUM_POST_DELETE, [$postInfo['post_id']]);
         }
 
-        if($isXHR) {
-            echo json_encode([
-                'success' => $deletePost,
-                'post_id' => $postInfo['post_id'],
-                'message' => $deletePost ? 'Post deleted!' : 'Failed to delete post.',
-            ]);
-            break;
-        }
-
         if(!$deletePost) {
             echo render_error(500);
             break;
@@ -168,25 +121,23 @@ switch($postMode) {
             break;
         }
 
-        if(!$isXHR) {
-            if($postRequestVerified && !$submissionConfirmed) {
-                url_redirect('forum-post', [
-                    'post' => $postInfo['post_id'],
-                    'post_fragment' => 'p' . $postInfo['post_id'],
-                ]);
-                break;
-            } elseif(!$postRequestVerified) {
-                Template::render('forum.confirm', [
-                    'title' => 'Confirm post nuke',
-                    'class' => 'fas fa-radiation',
-                    'message' => sprintf('You are about to PERMANENTLY DELETE post #%d. Are you sure about that?', $postInfo['post_id']),
-                    'params' => [
-                        'p' => $postInfo['post_id'],
-                        'm' => 'nuke',
-                    ],
-                ]);
-                break;
-            }
+        if($postRequestVerified && !$submissionConfirmed) {
+            url_redirect('forum-post', [
+                'post' => $postInfo['post_id'],
+                'post_fragment' => 'p' . $postInfo['post_id'],
+            ]);
+            break;
+        } elseif(!$postRequestVerified) {
+            Template::render('forum.confirm', [
+                'title' => 'Confirm post nuke',
+                'class' => 'fas fa-radiation',
+                'message' => sprintf('You are about to PERMANENTLY DELETE post #%d. Are you sure about that?', $postInfo['post_id']),
+                'params' => [
+                    'p' => $postInfo['post_id'],
+                    'm' => 'nuke',
+                ],
+            ]);
+            break;
         }
 
         $nukePost = forum_post_nuke($postInfo['post_id']);
@@ -197,11 +148,8 @@ switch($postMode) {
         }
 
         AuditLog::create(AuditLog::FORUM_POST_NUKE, [$postInfo['post_id']]);
-        http_response_code(204);
 
-        if(!$isXHR) {
-            url_redirect('forum-topic', ['topic' => $postInfo['topic_id']]);
-        }
+        url_redirect('forum-topic', ['topic' => $postInfo['topic_id']]);
         break;
 
     case 'restore':
@@ -210,25 +158,23 @@ switch($postMode) {
             break;
         }
 
-        if(!$isXHR) {
-            if($postRequestVerified && !$submissionConfirmed) {
-                url_redirect('forum-post', [
-                    'post' => $postInfo['post_id'],
-                    'post_fragment' => 'p' . $postInfo['post_id'],
-                ]);
-                break;
-            } elseif(!$postRequestVerified) {
-                Template::render('forum.confirm', [
-                    'title' => 'Confirm post restore',
-                    'class' => 'fas fa-magic',
-                    'message' => sprintf('You are about to restore post #%d. Are you sure about that?', $postInfo['post_id']),
-                    'params' => [
-                        'p' => $postInfo['post_id'],
-                        'm' => 'restore',
-                    ],
-                ]);
-                break;
-            }
+        if($postRequestVerified && !$submissionConfirmed) {
+            url_redirect('forum-post', [
+                'post' => $postInfo['post_id'],
+                'post_fragment' => 'p' . $postInfo['post_id'],
+            ]);
+            break;
+        } elseif(!$postRequestVerified) {
+            Template::render('forum.confirm', [
+                'title' => 'Confirm post restore',
+                'class' => 'fas fa-magic',
+                'message' => sprintf('You are about to restore post #%d. Are you sure about that?', $postInfo['post_id']),
+                'params' => [
+                    'p' => $postInfo['post_id'],
+                    'm' => 'restore',
+                ],
+            ]);
+            break;
         }
 
         $restorePost = forum_post_restore($postInfo['post_id']);
@@ -239,11 +185,8 @@ switch($postMode) {
         }
 
         AuditLog::create(AuditLog::FORUM_POST_RESTORE, [$postInfo['post_id']]);
-        http_response_code(204);
 
-        if(!$isXHR) {
-            url_redirect('forum-topic', ['topic' => $postInfo['topic_id']]);
-        }
+        url_redirect('forum-topic', ['topic' => $postInfo['topic_id']]);
         break;
 
     default: // function as an alt for topic.php?p= by default
@@ -267,13 +210,9 @@ switch($postMode) {
 
         unset($postInfo['preceeding_post_deleted_count']);
 
-        if($isXHR) {
-            echo json_encode($postFind);
-            break;
-        }
-
         url_redirect('forum-topic', [
             'topic' => $postFind['topic_id'],
             'page' => floor($postFind['preceeding_post_count'] / MSZ_FORUM_POSTS_PER_PAGE) + 1,
         ]);
+        break;
 }
diff --git a/public/forum/topic.php b/public/forum/topic.php
index 681a37e..347a61b 100644
--- a/public/forum/topic.php
+++ b/public/forum/topic.php
@@ -67,34 +67,24 @@ $validModerationModes = [
 ];
 
 if(in_array($moderationMode, $validModerationModes, true)) {
-    $redirect = !empty($_SERVER['HTTP_REFERER']) && empty($_SERVER['HTTP_X_MISUZU_XHR']) ? $_SERVER['HTTP_REFERER'] : '';
-    $isXHR = !$redirect;
-
-    if($isXHR) {
-        header('Content-Type: application/json; charset=utf-8');
-    } elseif(!is_local_url($redirect)) {
-        echo render_info('Possible request forgery detected.', 403);
-        return;
-    }
-
     if(!CSRF::validateRequest()) {
-        echo render_info_or_json($isXHR, "Couldn't verify this request, please refresh the page and try again.", 403);
+        echo render_info("Couldn't verify this request, please refresh the page and try again.", 403);
         return;
     }
 
     header(CSRF::header());
 
     if(!UserSession::hasCurrent()) {
-        echo render_info_or_json($isXHR, 'You must be logged in to manage posts.', 401);
+        echo render_info('You must be logged in to manage posts.', 401);
         return;
     }
 
     if($topicUser->isBanned()) {
-        echo render_info_or_json($isXHR, 'You have been banned, check your profile for more information.', 403);
+        echo render_info('You have been banned, check your profile for more information.', 403);
         return;
     }
     if($topicUser->isSilenced()) {
-        echo render_info_or_json($isXHR, 'You have been silenced, check your profile for more information.', 403);
+        echo render_info('You have been silenced, check your profile for more information.', 403);
         return;
     }
 
@@ -141,56 +131,33 @@ if(in_array($moderationMode, $validModerationModes, true)) {
             }
 
             if($canDeleteCode !== MSZ_E_FORUM_TOPIC_DELETE_OK) {
-                if($isXHR) {
-                    http_response_code($responseCode);
-                    echo json_encode([
-                        'success' => false,
-                        'topic_id' => $topic['topic_id'],
-                        'code' => $canDeleteCode,
-                        'message' => $canDeleteMsg,
-                    ]);
-                    break;
-                }
-
                 echo render_info($canDeleteMsg, $responseCode);
                 break;
             }
 
-            if(!$isXHR) {
-                if(!isset($_GET['confirm'])) {
-                    Template::render('forum.confirm', [
-                        'title' => 'Confirm topic deletion',
-                        'class' => 'far fa-trash-alt',
-                        'message' => sprintf('You are about to delete topic #%d. Are you sure about that?', $topic['topic_id']),
-                        'params' => [
-                            't' => $topic['topic_id'],
-                            'm' => 'delete',
-                        ],
-                    ]);
-                    break;
-                } elseif(!$submissionConfirmed) {
-                    url_redirect(
-                        'forum-topic',
-                        ['topic' => $topic['topic_id']]
-                    );
-                    break;
-                }
+            if(!isset($_GET['confirm'])) {
+                Template::render('forum.confirm', [
+                    'title' => 'Confirm topic deletion',
+                    'class' => 'far fa-trash-alt',
+                    'message' => sprintf('You are about to delete topic #%d. Are you sure about that?', $topic['topic_id']),
+                    'params' => [
+                        't' => $topic['topic_id'],
+                        'm' => 'delete',
+                    ],
+                ]);
+                break;
+            } elseif(!$submissionConfirmed) {
+                url_redirect(
+                    'forum-topic',
+                    ['topic' => $topic['topic_id']]
+                );
+                break;
             }
 
             $deleteTopic = forum_topic_delete($topic['topic_id']);
 
-            if($deleteTopic) {
+            if($deleteTopic)
                 AuditLog::create(AuditLog::FORUM_TOPIC_DELETE, [$topic['topic_id']]);
-            }
-
-            if($isXHR) {
-                echo json_encode([
-                    'success' => $deleteTopic,
-                    'topic_id' => $topic['topic_id'],
-                    'message' => $deleteTopic ? 'Topic deleted!' : 'Failed to delete topic.',
-                ]);
-                break;
-            }
 
             if(!$deleteTopic) {
                 echo render_error(500);
@@ -208,24 +175,22 @@ if(in_array($moderationMode, $validModerationModes, true)) {
                 break;
             }
 
-            if(!$isXHR) {
-                if(!isset($_GET['confirm'])) {
-                    Template::render('forum.confirm', [
-                        'title' => 'Confirm topic restore',
-                        'class' => 'fas fa-magic',
-                        'message' => sprintf('You are about to restore topic #%d. Are you sure about that?', $topic['topic_id']),
-                        'params' => [
-                            't' => $topic['topic_id'],
-                            'm' => 'restore',
-                        ],
-                    ]);
-                    break;
-                } elseif(!$submissionConfirmed) {
-                    url_redirect('forum-topic', [
-                        'topic' => $topic['topic_id'],
-                    ]);
-                    break;
-                }
+            if(!isset($_GET['confirm'])) {
+                Template::render('forum.confirm', [
+                    'title' => 'Confirm topic restore',
+                    'class' => 'fas fa-magic',
+                    'message' => sprintf('You are about to restore topic #%d. Are you sure about that?', $topic['topic_id']),
+                    'params' => [
+                        't' => $topic['topic_id'],
+                        'm' => 'restore',
+                    ],
+                ]);
+                break;
+            } elseif(!$submissionConfirmed) {
+                url_redirect('forum-topic', [
+                    'topic' => $topic['topic_id'],
+                ]);
+                break;
             }
 
             $restoreTopic = forum_topic_restore($topic['topic_id']);
@@ -236,13 +201,10 @@ if(in_array($moderationMode, $validModerationModes, true)) {
             }
 
             AuditLog::create(AuditLog::FORUM_TOPIC_RESTORE, [$topic['topic_id']]);
-            http_response_code(204);
 
-            if(!$isXHR) {
-                url_redirect('forum-category', [
-                    'forum' => $topic['forum_id'],
-                ]);
-            }
+            url_redirect('forum-category', [
+                'forum' => $topic['forum_id'],
+            ]);
             break;
 
         case 'nuke':
@@ -251,24 +213,22 @@ if(in_array($moderationMode, $validModerationModes, true)) {
                 break;
             }
 
-            if(!$isXHR) {
-                if(!isset($_GET['confirm'])) {
-                    Template::render('forum.confirm', [
-                        'title' => 'Confirm topic nuke',
-                        'class' => 'fas fa-radiation',
-                        'message' => sprintf('You are about to PERMANENTLY DELETE topic #%d. Are you sure about that?', $topic['topic_id']),
-                        'params' => [
-                            't' => $topic['topic_id'],
-                            'm' => 'nuke',
-                        ],
-                    ]);
-                    break;
-                } elseif(!$submissionConfirmed) {
-                    url_redirect('forum-topic', [
-                        'topic' => $topic['topic_id'],
-                    ]);
-                    break;
-                }
+            if(!isset($_GET['confirm'])) {
+                Template::render('forum.confirm', [
+                    'title' => 'Confirm topic nuke',
+                    'class' => 'fas fa-radiation',
+                    'message' => sprintf('You are about to PERMANENTLY DELETE topic #%d. Are you sure about that?', $topic['topic_id']),
+                    'params' => [
+                        't' => $topic['topic_id'],
+                        'm' => 'nuke',
+                    ],
+                ]);
+                break;
+            } elseif(!$submissionConfirmed) {
+                url_redirect('forum-topic', [
+                    'topic' => $topic['topic_id'],
+                ]);
+                break;
             }
 
             $nukeTopic = forum_topic_nuke($topic['topic_id']);
@@ -279,13 +239,10 @@ if(in_array($moderationMode, $validModerationModes, true)) {
             }
 
             AuditLog::create(AuditLog::FORUM_TOPIC_NUKE, [$topic['topic_id']]);
-            http_response_code(204);
 
-            if(!$isXHR) {
-                url_redirect('forum-category', [
-                    'forum' => $topic['forum_id'],
-                ]);
-            }
+            url_redirect('forum-category', [
+                'forum' => $topic['forum_id'],
+            ]);
             break;
 
         case 'bump':
diff --git a/utility.php b/utility.php
index c93acd8..b7c011e 100644
--- a/utility.php
+++ b/utility.php
@@ -117,17 +117,6 @@ function render_info(?string $message, int $httpCode, string $template = 'errors
     return \Misuzu\Template::renderRaw(sprintf($template, $httpCode));
 }
 
-function render_info_or_json(bool $json, string $message, int $httpCode = 200, string $template = 'errors.%d'): string {
-    $error = $httpCode >= 400;
-    http_response_code($httpCode);
-
-    if($json) {
-        return json_encode([($error ? 'error' : 'message') => $message, 'success' => $error]);
-    }
-
-    return render_info($message, $httpCode, $template);
-}
-
 function html_colour(?int $colour, $attribs = '--user-colour'): string {
     $colour = $colour == null ? \Misuzu\Colour::none() : new \Misuzu\Colour($colour);