<p>To address the issue of repetitive production system deployment in irregular mining areas under longwall mining, an innovative concept for gob-side entry retaining in retracement channel is proposed, along with an in-depth investigation of its retaining mechanism. A roof mechanical model was developed to analyze deformation and failure mechanisms in the retracement channel. Utilizing energy conservation theory, roof deformation under varying fracture positions of the main roof was calculated, revealing that roof deformation was minimized when the main roof fractured above the interface between the retracement channel and the gob. Based on these findings, a control technology for retracement channel retention was developed and validated through FLAC^3D numerical simulation. This research has formulated a novel method for gob-side entry retaining in retracement channel that transcends the conventional “roadway excavation-equipment transfer-roadway abandonment” model, achieving integrated mining-retreating-retaining process in fully mechanized coal faces. Field engineering test was finally conducted at the 1705 working face in Xinyi coal mine. Monitoring results indicated that during the retreating-retaining phase, the deformation of the retracement channel remained within controllable limits, validating the successful application of this method. The method not only effectively resolves the technical challenge associated with gob-side entry retaining in retracement channel, but also provides practical guidance for mining coal in similar irregular mining areas.</p>