Can I play Tactical Retreat during cleanup?

No, you cannot play Tactical Retreat during a cleanup.

According to Rule 320, while a cleanup is occurring, chain items cannot be resolved, and players cannot pass or be awarded priority to start new chains. Because playing Tactical Retreat (a [Reaction] spell) requires placing it onto the chain (which is an action that requires priority/focus), you cannot initiate this process while a cleanup is in progress.

Why this is the case:

• Finalization/FEPR: As clarified in the 2026-04-29 Rules FAQ, the "Finalize, Execute, Pass, Resolve" (FEPR) process—which is how you play spells and abilities—cannot occur during a cleanup. Cleanups pause the FEPR process, not the other way around.
• Timing: Cleanups occur after adding an item to the chain, after finalizing it, and after it resolves (Rule 318). If a cleanup is triggered, the game must complete that cleanup process entirely before you can resume playing cards or adding new items to the chain.

In summary: You must play Tactical Retreat to create its replacement effect before a cleanup begins. Once a cleanup has started, you must wait for it to complete before you can take further actions.