Closed ≠ Final

District courts frequently “administratively close” an inactive matter, but that housekeeping measure does not create an appealable order: ‘”A ‘final decision’ generally is one which ends the litigation on the merits and leaves nothing for the court to do but execute the judgment.” In contrast, “a district court order staying and administratively closing a case lacks the finality of an outright dismissal or closure.” By administratively closing the case, the district court retains jurisdiction, meaning it can “reopen the case—either on its own or at the request of a party—at any time.” “[R]eservation of jurisdiction for the purpose of hearing substantive claims . . . precludes appellate jurisdiction because an order framed this way is not a final judgment.”’ Sentry Select Ins. Co. v. Ruiz, No. 18-50605 (May 23, 2019) (unpubl.)