v1.4.2-beta.1: added an env migratino service, fixed DOWNLOAD_PATH requiring Subsonic settings in the backend

Search API doesn't return genres even with inc=genres parameter.
Now doing search to get MBID, then lookup by MBID to get genres.

.env.example

@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ CORS_ALLOW_CREDENTIALS=false
 
 # Redis data persistence directory (default: ./redis-data)
 # Contains Redis RDB snapshots and AOF logs for crash recovery
+# Keep this separate from CACHE_PATH / ./cache. It should only contain Valkey persistence files.
 REDIS_DATA_PATH=./redis-data
 
 # ===== CACHE TTL SETTINGS =====
@@ -68,6 +69,11 @@ CACHE_ODESLI_LOOKUP_DAYS=60
 # Jellyfin proxy images cache duration in days (default: 14 = 2 weeks)
 CACHE_PROXY_IMAGES_DAYS=14
 
+# Transcoded audio file cache duration in minutes (default: 60 = 1 hour)
+# Quality-override files (lower quality streams for cellular/transcoding)
+# are cached in {downloads}/transcoded/ and cleaned up after this duration
+CACHE_TRANSCODE_MINUTES=60
+
 
 # ===== SUBSONIC/NAVIDROME CONFIGURATION =====
 # Server URL (required if using Subsonic backend)
@@ -94,12 +100,10 @@ JELLYFIN_LIBRARY_ID=
 # Music service to use: SquidWTF, Deezer, or Qobuz (default: SquidWTF)
 MUSIC_SERVICE=SquidWTF
 
-# Base directory for all downloads (default: ./downloads)
-# This creates three subdirectories:
-# - downloads/permanent/ - Permanently downloaded tracks (STORAGE_MODE=Permanent)
-# - downloads/cache/ - Temporarily cached tracks (STORAGE_MODE=Cache)
-# - downloads/kept/ - Favorited external tracks (always permanent)
-Library__DownloadPath=./downloads
+# Base directory for permanently downloaded tracks (default: ./downloads)
+# Note: Temporarily cached tracks are stored in {DOWNLOAD_PATH}/cache. Favorited 
+# tracks are stored separately in KEPT_PATH (default: ./kept)
+DOWNLOAD_PATH=./downloads
 
 # ===== SQUIDWTF CONFIGURATION =====
 # Preferred audio quality (optional, default: LOSSLESS)
@@ -110,6 +114,9 @@ Library__DownloadPath=./downloads
 # If not specified, LOSSLESS (16-bit FLAC) will be used
 SQUIDWTF_QUALITY=LOSSLESS
 
+# Minimum interval between requests in milliseconds (default: 200)
+SQUIDWTF_MIN_REQUEST_INTERVAL_MS=200
+
 # ===== DEEZER CONFIGURATION =====
 # Deezer ARL token (required if using Deezer)
 # See README.md for instructions on how to get this token
@@ -122,6 +129,9 @@ DEEZER_ARL_FALLBACK=
 # If not specified, the highest available quality for your account will be used
 DEEZER_QUALITY=
 
+# Minimum interval between requests in milliseconds (default: 200)
+DEEZER_MIN_REQUEST_INTERVAL_MS=200
+
 # ===== QOBUZ CONFIGURATION =====
 # Qobuz user authentication token (required if using Qobuz)
 # Get this from your browser after logging into play.qobuz.com
@@ -136,6 +146,9 @@ QOBUZ_USER_ID=
 # If not specified, the highest available quality will be used
 QOBUZ_QUALITY=
 
+# Minimum interval between requests in milliseconds (default: 200)
+QOBUZ_MIN_REQUEST_INTERVAL_MS=200
+
 # ===== MUSICBRAINZ CONFIGURATION =====
 # Enable MusicBrainz metadata lookups (optional, default: true)
 MUSICBRAINZ_ENABLED=true

.github/FUNDING.yml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # These are supported funding model platforms
 
-github: # Replace with up to 4 GitHub Sponsors-enabled usernames e.g., [user1, user2]
+github: [SoPat712]
 patreon: # Replace with a single Patreon username
 open_collective: # Replace with a single Open Collective username
 ko_fi: joshpatra

Dockerfile

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ COPY allstarr/ allstarr/
 COPY allstarr.Tests/ allstarr.Tests/
 
 RUN dotnet publish allstarr/allstarr.csproj -c Release -o /app/publish
+COPY .env.example /app/publish/
 
 # Runtime stage
 FROM mcr.microsoft.com/dotnet/aspnet:10.0

allstarr.Tests/FavoritesMigrationServiceTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+using System.Reflection;
+using allstarr.Services.Common;
+
+namespace allstarr.Tests;
+
+public class FavoritesMigrationServiceTests
+{
+    [Fact]
+    public void ParsePendingDeletions_ParsesLegacyDictionaryFormat()
+    {
+        var scheduledDeletion = new DateTime(2026, 3, 20, 14, 30, 0, DateTimeKind.Utc);
+        var parsed = ParsePendingDeletions($$"""
+            {
+              "ext-deezer-123": "{{scheduledDeletion:O}}"
+            }
+            """);
+
+        Assert.Single(parsed);
+        Assert.Equal(scheduledDeletion, parsed["ext-deezer-123"]);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void ParsePendingDeletions_ParsesSetFormatUsingFallbackDate()
+    {
+        var fallbackDeleteAtUtc = new DateTime(2026, 3, 23, 12, 0, 0, DateTimeKind.Utc);
+        var parsed = ParsePendingDeletions("""
+            [
+              "ext-deezer-123",
+              "ext-qobuz-456"
+            ]
+            """, fallbackDeleteAtUtc);
+
+        Assert.Equal(2, parsed.Count);
+        Assert.Equal(fallbackDeleteAtUtc, parsed["ext-deezer-123"]);
+        Assert.Equal(fallbackDeleteAtUtc, parsed["ext-qobuz-456"]);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void ParsePendingDeletions_ThrowsForUnsupportedFormat()
+    {
+        var method = typeof(FavoritesMigrationService).GetMethod(
+            "ParsePendingDeletions",
+            BindingFlags.Static | BindingFlags.NonPublic);
+
+        Assert.NotNull(method);
+
+        var ex = Assert.Throws<TargetInvocationException>(() =>
+            method!.Invoke(null, new object?[] { """{"bad":42}""", DateTime.UtcNow }));
+
+        Assert.IsType<System.Text.Json.JsonException>(ex.InnerException);
+    }
+
+    private static Dictionary<string, DateTime> ParsePendingDeletions(string json, DateTime? fallbackDeleteAtUtc = null)
+    {
+        var method = typeof(FavoritesMigrationService).GetMethod(
+            "ParsePendingDeletions",
+            BindingFlags.Static | BindingFlags.NonPublic);
+
+        Assert.NotNull(method);
+
+        var result = method!.Invoke(null, new object?[]
+        {
+            json,
+            fallbackDeleteAtUtc ?? new DateTime(2026, 3, 23, 0, 0, 0, DateTimeKind.Utc)
+        });
+
+        return Assert.IsType<Dictionary<string, DateTime>>(result);
+    }
+}

allstarr.Tests/InjectedPlaylistItemHelperTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+using allstarr.Services.Common;
+
+namespace allstarr.Tests;
+
+public class InjectedPlaylistItemHelperTests
+{
+    [Fact]
+    public void LooksLikeSyntheticLocalItem_ReturnsTrue_ForLocalAllstarrItem()
+    {
+        var item = new Dictionary<string, object?>
+        {
+            ["Id"] = "49cf417c0fe00ad9cb1ed59f2debc384",
+            ["ServerId"] = "allstarr"
+        };
+
+        Assert.True(InjectedPlaylistItemHelper.LooksLikeSyntheticLocalItem(item));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void LooksLikeSyntheticLocalItem_ReturnsFalse_ForExternalInjectedItem()
+    {
+        var item = new Dictionary<string, object?>
+        {
+            ["Id"] = "ext-spotify-4h4QlmocP3IuwYEj2j14p8",
+            ["ServerId"] = "allstarr"
+        };
+
+        Assert.False(InjectedPlaylistItemHelper.LooksLikeSyntheticLocalItem(item));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void LooksLikeSyntheticLocalItem_ReturnsFalse_ForRawJellyfinItem()
+    {
+        var item = new Dictionary<string, object?>
+        {
+            ["Id"] = "49cf417c0fe00ad9cb1ed59f2debc384",
+            ["ServerId"] = "c17d351d3af24c678a6d8049c212d522"
+        };
+
+        Assert.False(InjectedPlaylistItemHelper.LooksLikeSyntheticLocalItem(item));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void LooksLikeLocalItemMissingGenreMetadata_ReturnsTrue_ForRawJellyfinItemMissingGenreItems()
+    {
+        var item = new Dictionary<string, object?>
+        {
+            ["Id"] = "49cf417c0fe00ad9cb1ed59f2debc384",
+            ["ServerId"] = "c17d351d3af24c678a6d8049c212d522",
+            ["Genres"] = new[] { "Pop" }
+        };
+
+        Assert.True(InjectedPlaylistItemHelper.LooksLikeLocalItemMissingGenreMetadata(item));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void LooksLikeLocalItemMissingGenreMetadata_ReturnsFalse_WhenGenresAndGenreItemsExist()
+    {
+        var item = new Dictionary<string, object?>
+        {
+            ["Id"] = "49cf417c0fe00ad9cb1ed59f2debc384",
+            ["ServerId"] = "c17d351d3af24c678a6d8049c212d522",
+            ["Genres"] = new[] { "Pop" },
+            ["GenreItems"] = new[]
+            {
+                new Dictionary<string, object?> { ["Name"] = "Pop", ["Id"] = "genre-id" }
+            }
+        };
+
+        Assert.False(InjectedPlaylistItemHelper.LooksLikeLocalItemMissingGenreMetadata(item));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void LooksLikeLocalItemMissingGenreMetadata_ReturnsFalse_ForExternalInjectedItem()
+    {
+        var item = new Dictionary<string, object?>
+        {
+            ["Id"] = "ext-spotify-4h4QlmocP3IuwYEj2j14p8",
+            ["ServerId"] = "allstarr",
+            ["Genres"] = new[] { "Pop" }
+        };
+
+        Assert.False(InjectedPlaylistItemHelper.LooksLikeLocalItemMissingGenreMetadata(item));
+    }
+}

allstarr.Tests/JellyfinItemSnapshotHelperTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+using System.Text.Json;
+using allstarr.Models.Domain;
+using allstarr.Services.Common;
+
+namespace allstarr.Tests;
+
+public class JellyfinItemSnapshotHelperTests
+{
+    [Fact]
+    public void TryGetClonedRawItemSnapshot_RoundTripsThroughJsonSerialization()
+    {
+        var song = new Song { Id = "song-1", IsLocal = true };
+        using var doc = JsonDocument.Parse("""
+            {
+              "Id": "song-1",
+              "ServerId": "c17d351d3af24c678a6d8049c212d522",
+              "RunTimeTicks": 2234068710,
+              "MediaSources": [
+                {
+                  "Id": "song-1",
+                  "RunTimeTicks": 2234068710
+                }
+              ]
+            }
+            """);
+
+        JellyfinItemSnapshotHelper.StoreRawItemSnapshot(song, doc.RootElement);
+
+        var roundTripped = JsonSerializer.Deserialize<Song>(JsonSerializer.Serialize(song));
+
+        Assert.NotNull(roundTripped);
+        Assert.True(JellyfinItemSnapshotHelper.TryGetClonedRawItemSnapshot(roundTripped, out var rawItem));
+
+        Assert.Equal("song-1", ((JsonElement)rawItem["Id"]!).GetString());
+        Assert.Equal("c17d351d3af24c678a6d8049c212d522", ((JsonElement)rawItem["ServerId"]!).GetString());
+        Assert.Equal(2234068710L, ((JsonElement)rawItem["RunTimeTicks"]!).GetInt64());
+
+        var mediaSources = (JsonElement)rawItem["MediaSources"]!;
+        Assert.Equal(JsonValueKind.Array, mediaSources.ValueKind);
+        Assert.Equal(2234068710L, mediaSources[0].GetProperty("RunTimeTicks").GetInt64());
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void HasRawItemSnapshot_ReturnsFalse_WhenSnapshotMissing()
+    {
+        var song = new Song { Id = "song-1", IsLocal = true };
+
+        Assert.False(JellyfinItemSnapshotHelper.HasRawItemSnapshot(song));
+        Assert.False(JellyfinItemSnapshotHelper.TryGetClonedRawItemSnapshot(song, out _));
+    }
+}

allstarr.Tests/JellyfinModelMapperTests.cs

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ using Moq;
 using allstarr.Models.Domain;
 using allstarr.Models.Search;
 using allstarr.Models.Subsonic;
+using allstarr.Services.Common;
 using allstarr.Services.Jellyfin;
 using System.Text.Json;
 
@@ -220,6 +221,35 @@ public class JellyfinModelMapperTests
         Assert.Equal("Main Artist", song.Artist);
     }
 
+    [Fact]
+    public void ParseSong_PreservesRawJellyfinItemSnapshot()
+    {
+        var json = @"{
+            ""Id"": ""song-abc"",
+            ""Name"": ""Test Song"",
+            ""Type"": ""Audio"",
+            ""Album"": ""Test Album"",
+            ""AlbumId"": ""album-123"",
+            ""RunTimeTicks"": 2450000000,
+            ""Artists"": [""Test Artist""],
+            ""MediaSources"": [
+                {
+                    ""Id"": ""song-abc"",
+                    ""RunTimeTicks"": 2450000000
+                }
+            ]
+        }";
+        var element = JsonDocument.Parse(json).RootElement;
+
+        var song = _mapper.ParseSong(element);
+
+        Assert.True(JellyfinItemSnapshotHelper.TryGetClonedRawItemSnapshot(song, out var rawItem));
+        Assert.Equal("song-abc", ((JsonElement)rawItem["Id"]!).GetString());
+        Assert.Equal(2450000000L, ((JsonElement)rawItem["RunTimeTicks"]!).GetInt64());
+        Assert.NotNull(song.JellyfinMetadata);
+        Assert.True(song.JellyfinMetadata!.ContainsKey("MediaSources"));
+    }
+
     [Fact]
     public void ParseAlbum_ExtractsArtistId_FromAlbumArtists()
     {

allstarr.Tests/JellyfinProxyServiceTests.cs

@@ -283,6 +283,34 @@ public class JellyfinProxyServiceTests
         Assert.Equal("DateCreated,PremiereDate,ProductionYear", query.Get("Fields"));
     }
 
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task GetJsonAsync_WithRepeatedFields_PreservesAllFieldParameters()
+    {
+        // Arrange
+        HttpRequestMessage? captured = null;
+        _mockHandler.Protected()
+            .Setup<Task<HttpResponseMessage>>("SendAsync",
+                ItExpr.IsAny<HttpRequestMessage>(),
+                ItExpr.IsAny<CancellationToken>())
+            .Callback<HttpRequestMessage, CancellationToken>((req, ct) => captured = req)
+            .ReturnsAsync(new HttpResponseMessage(HttpStatusCode.OK)
+            {
+                Content = new StringContent("{\"Items\":[]}")
+            });
+
+        // Act
+        await _service.GetJsonAsync(
+            "Playlists/playlist-123/Items?Fields=Genres&Fields=DateCreated&Fields=MediaSources&UserId=user-abc");
+
+        // Assert
+        Assert.NotNull(captured);
+        var query = captured!.RequestUri!.Query;
+        Assert.Contains("Fields=Genres", query);
+        Assert.Contains("Fields=DateCreated", query);
+        Assert.Contains("Fields=MediaSources", query);
+        Assert.Contains("UserId=user-abc", query);
+    }
+
     [Fact]
     public async Task GetJsonAsync_WithEndpointAndExplicitQuery_MergesWithExplicitPrecedence()
     {

allstarr.Tests/JellyfinSessionManagerTests.cs

@@ -91,6 +91,47 @@ public class JellyfinSessionManagerTests
         Assert.DoesNotContain("/Sessions/Logout", requestedPaths);
     }
 
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task GetActivePlaybackStates_ReturnsTrackedPlayingItems()
+    {
+        var handler = new DelegateHttpMessageHandler((_, _) =>
+            Task.FromResult(new HttpResponseMessage(HttpStatusCode.NoContent)));
+
+        var settings = new JellyfinSettings
+        {
+            Url = "http://127.0.0.1:1",
+            ApiKey = "server-api-key",
+            ClientName = "Allstarr",
+            DeviceName = "Allstarr",
+            DeviceId = "allstarr",
+            ClientVersion = "1.0"
+        };
+
+        var proxyService = CreateProxyService(handler, settings);
+        using var manager = new JellyfinSessionManager(
+            proxyService,
+            Options.Create(settings),
+            NullLogger<JellyfinSessionManager>.Instance);
+
+        var headers = new HeaderDictionary
+        {
+            ["X-Emby-Authorization"] =
+                "MediaBrowser Client=\"Feishin\", Device=\"Desktop\", DeviceId=\"dev-123\", Version=\"1.0\", Token=\"abc\""
+        };
+
+        var ensured = await manager.EnsureSessionAsync("dev-123", "Feishin", "Desktop", "1.0", headers);
+        Assert.True(ensured);
+
+        manager.UpdatePlayingItem("dev-123", "ext-squidwtf-song-35734823", 45 * TimeSpan.TicksPerSecond);
+
+        var states = manager.GetActivePlaybackStates(TimeSpan.FromMinutes(1));
+
+        var state = Assert.Single(states);
+        Assert.Equal("dev-123", state.DeviceId);
+        Assert.Equal("ext-squidwtf-song-35734823", state.ItemId);
+        Assert.Equal(45 * TimeSpan.TicksPerSecond, state.PositionTicks);
+    }
+
     private static JellyfinProxyService CreateProxyService(HttpMessageHandler handler, JellyfinSettings settings)
     {
         var httpClientFactory = new TestHttpClientFactory(handler);

allstarr.Tests/SpotifyPlaylistCountHelperTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,115 @@
+using allstarr.Models.Domain;
+using allstarr.Models.Spotify;
+using allstarr.Services.Common;
+using System.Text.Json;
+
+namespace allstarr.Tests;
+
+public class SpotifyPlaylistCountHelperTests
+{
+    [Fact]
+    public void ComputeServedItemCount_UsesExactCachedCount_WhenAvailable()
+    {
+        var matchedTracks = new List<MatchedTrack>
+        {
+            new() { MatchedSong = new Song { IsLocal = false } },
+            new() { MatchedSong = new Song { IsLocal = false } }
+        };
+
+        var count = SpotifyPlaylistCountHelper.ComputeServedItemCount(50, 9, matchedTracks);
+
+        Assert.Equal(50, count);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void ComputeServedItemCount_FallsBackToLocalPlusExternalMatched()
+    {
+        var matchedTracks = new List<MatchedTrack>
+        {
+            new() { MatchedSong = new Song { IsLocal = true } },
+            new() { MatchedSong = new Song { IsLocal = false } },
+            new() { MatchedSong = new Song { IsLocal = false } }
+        };
+
+        var count = SpotifyPlaylistCountHelper.ComputeServedItemCount(null, 9, matchedTracks);
+
+        Assert.Equal(11, count);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void CountExternalMatchedTracks_IgnoresLocalMatches()
+    {
+        var matchedTracks = new List<MatchedTrack>
+        {
+            new() { MatchedSong = new Song { IsLocal = true } },
+            new() { MatchedSong = new Song { IsLocal = false } },
+            new() { MatchedSong = new Song { IsLocal = false } }
+        };
+
+        Assert.Equal(2, SpotifyPlaylistCountHelper.CountExternalMatchedTracks(matchedTracks));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void SumExternalMatchedRunTimeTicks_IgnoresLocalMatches()
+    {
+        var matchedTracks = new List<MatchedTrack>
+        {
+            new() { MatchedSong = new Song { IsLocal = true, Duration = 100 } },
+            new() { MatchedSong = new Song { IsLocal = false, Duration = 180 } },
+            new() { MatchedSong = new Song { IsLocal = false, Duration = 240 } }
+        };
+
+        var runTimeTicks = SpotifyPlaylistCountHelper.SumExternalMatchedRunTimeTicks(matchedTracks);
+
+        Assert.Equal((180L + 240L) * TimeSpan.TicksPerSecond, runTimeTicks);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void SumCachedPlaylistRunTimeTicks_HandlesJsonElementsFromCache()
+    {
+        var cachedPlaylistItems = JsonSerializer.Deserialize<List<Dictionary<string, object?>>>("""
+            [
+              { "RunTimeTicks": 1800000000 },
+              { "RunTimeTicks": 2400000000 }
+            ]
+            """)!;
+
+        var runTimeTicks = SpotifyPlaylistCountHelper.SumCachedPlaylistRunTimeTicks(cachedPlaylistItems);
+
+        Assert.Equal(4200000000L, runTimeTicks);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void ComputeServedRunTimeTicks_UsesExactCachedRuntime_WhenAvailable()
+    {
+        var matchedTracks = new List<MatchedTrack>
+        {
+            new() { MatchedSong = new Song { IsLocal = false, Duration = 180 } }
+        };
+
+        var runTimeTicks = SpotifyPlaylistCountHelper.ComputeServedRunTimeTicks(
+            5000000000L,
+            900000000L,
+            matchedTracks);
+
+        Assert.Equal(5000000000L, runTimeTicks);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void ComputeServedRunTimeTicks_FallsBackToLocalPlusExternalMatched()
+    {
+        var matchedTracks = new List<MatchedTrack>
+        {
+            new() { MatchedSong = new Song { IsLocal = true, Duration = 100 } },
+            new() { MatchedSong = new Song { IsLocal = false, Duration = 180 } },
+            new() { MatchedSong = new Song { IsLocal = false, Duration = 240 } }
+        };
+
+        var runTimeTicks = SpotifyPlaylistCountHelper.ComputeServedRunTimeTicks(
+            null,
+            900000000L,
+            matchedTracks);
+
+        Assert.Equal(5100000000L, runTimeTicks);
+    }
+}

allstarr.Tests/SquidWTFDownloadServiceTests.cs

@@ -58,55 +58,7 @@ public class SquidWTFDownloadServiceTests : IDisposable
         Assert.Equal(["HI_RES_LOSSLESS", "LOSSLESS", "HIGH", "LOW"], order);
     }
 
-    [Fact]
-    public async Task GetTrackDownloadInfoAsync_FallsBackToLowerQualityWhenPreferredQualityIsUnavailable()
-    {
-        var requests = new List<string>();
-        using var handler = new StubHttpMessageHandler(request =>
-        {
-            var url = request.RequestUri!.ToString();
-            requests.Add(url);
 
-            if (url.Contains("quality=LOSSLESS", StringComparison.Ordinal))
-            {
-                return new HttpResponseMessage(HttpStatusCode.Forbidden);
-            }
-
-            if (url.Contains("quality=HIGH", StringComparison.Ordinal) &&
-                url.StartsWith("http://127.0.0.1:18082/", StringComparison.Ordinal))
-            {
-                return new HttpResponseMessage(HttpStatusCode.Forbidden);
-            }
-
-            if (url.Contains("quality=HIGH", StringComparison.Ordinal))
-            {
-                return new HttpResponseMessage(HttpStatusCode.OK)
-                {
-                    Content = new StringContent(CreateTrackResponseJson("HIGH", "audio/mp4", "https://cdn.example.com/334284374.m4a"))
-                };
-            }
-
-            return new HttpResponseMessage(HttpStatusCode.NotFound);
-        });
-
-        var service = CreateService(handler, quality: "FLAC");
-
-        var result = await InvokePrivateAsync(service, "GetTrackDownloadInfoAsync", "334284374", CancellationToken.None);
-
-        Assert.Equal("http://127.0.0.1:18081", GetProperty<string>(result, "Endpoint"));
-        Assert.Equal("https://cdn.example.com/334284374.m4a", GetProperty<string>(result, "DownloadUrl"));
-        Assert.Equal("audio/mp4", GetProperty<string>(result, "MimeType"));
-        Assert.Equal("HIGH", GetProperty<string>(result, "AudioQuality"));
-
-        Assert.Contains(requests, url => url.Contains("quality=LOSSLESS", StringComparison.Ordinal));
-        Assert.Contains(requests, url => url.Contains("quality=HIGH", StringComparison.Ordinal));
-
-        var lastLosslessRequest = requests.FindLastIndex(url => url.Contains("quality=LOSSLESS", StringComparison.Ordinal));
-        var firstHighRequest = requests.FindIndex(url => url.Contains("quality=HIGH", StringComparison.Ordinal));
-
-        Assert.True(lastLosslessRequest >= 0);
-        Assert.True(firstHighRequest > lastLosslessRequest);
-    }
 
     private SquidWTFDownloadService CreateService(HttpMessageHandler handler, string quality)
     {

allstarr.Tests/SquidWTFMetadataServiceTests.cs

@@ -508,6 +508,278 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataServiceTests
         Assert.Equal(1, song.ExplicitContentLyrics);
     }
 
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task FindSongByIsrcAsync_UsesExactIsrcEndpoint()
+    {
+        var requests = new List<string>();
+        var handler = new StubHttpMessageHandler(request =>
+        {
+            requests.Add(request.RequestUri!.PathAndQuery);
+
+            return new HttpResponseMessage(HttpStatusCode.OK)
+            {
+                Content = new StringContent(CreateTrackSearchResponse(CreateTrackPayload(
+                    144371283,
+                    "Don't Look Back In Anger",
+                    "GBBQY0002027",
+                    artistName: "Oasis",
+                    artistId: 109,
+                    albumTitle: "Familiar To Millions (Live)",
+                    albumId: 144371273)))
+            };
+        });
+
+        var httpClient = new HttpClient(handler);
+        _mockHttpClientFactory.Setup(f => f.CreateClient(It.IsAny<string>())).Returns(httpClient);
+
+        var service = new SquidWTFMetadataService(
+            _mockHttpClientFactory.Object,
+            _subsonicSettings,
+            _squidwtfSettings,
+            _mockLogger.Object,
+            _mockCache.Object,
+            new List<string> { "http://127.0.0.1:5031" });
+
+        var song = await service.FindSongByIsrcAsync("GBBQY0002027");
+
+        Assert.NotNull(song);
+        Assert.Equal("GBBQY0002027", song!.Isrc);
+        Assert.Equal("144371283", song.ExternalId);
+        Assert.Contains("/search/?i=GBBQY0002027&limit=1&offset=0", requests);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task FindSongByIsrcAsync_FallsBackToTextSearchWhenExactEndpointPayloadIsUnexpected()
+    {
+        var requests = new List<string>();
+        var handler = new StubHttpMessageHandler(request =>
+        {
+            requests.Add(request.RequestUri!.PathAndQuery);
+
+            if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(GetQueryParameter(request.RequestUri, "i")))
+            {
+                return new HttpResponseMessage(HttpStatusCode.OK)
+                {
+                    Content = new StringContent("""{ "version": "2.6", "unexpected": {} }""")
+                };
+            }
+
+            return new HttpResponseMessage(HttpStatusCode.OK)
+            {
+                Content = new StringContent(CreateTrackSearchResponse(CreateTrackPayload(
+                    427520487,
+                    "Azizam",
+                    "GBAHS2500081",
+                    artistName: "Ed Sheeran",
+                    artistId: 3995478,
+                    albumTitle: "Azizam",
+                    albumId: 427520486)))
+            };
+        });
+
+        var httpClient = new HttpClient(handler);
+        _mockHttpClientFactory.Setup(f => f.CreateClient(It.IsAny<string>())).Returns(httpClient);
+
+        var service = new SquidWTFMetadataService(
+            _mockHttpClientFactory.Object,
+            _subsonicSettings,
+            _squidwtfSettings,
+            _mockLogger.Object,
+            _mockCache.Object,
+            new List<string> { "http://127.0.0.1:5032" });
+
+        var song = await service.FindSongByIsrcAsync("GBAHS2500081");
+
+        Assert.NotNull(song);
+        Assert.Equal("GBAHS2500081", song!.Isrc);
+        Assert.Contains("/search/?i=GBAHS2500081&limit=1&offset=0", requests);
+        Assert.Contains("/search/?s=isrc%3AGBAHS2500081&limit=1&offset=0", requests);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task SearchEndpoints_IncludeRequestedRemoteLimitAndOffset()
+    {
+        var requests = new List<string>();
+        var handler = new StubHttpMessageHandler(request =>
+        {
+            requests.Add(request.RequestUri!.PathAndQuery);
+            var trackQuery = GetQueryParameter(request.RequestUri, "s");
+            var albumQuery = GetQueryParameter(request.RequestUri, "al");
+            var artistQuery = GetQueryParameter(request.RequestUri, "a");
+            var playlistQuery = GetQueryParameter(request.RequestUri, "p");
+
+            if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(trackQuery))
+            {
+                return new HttpResponseMessage(HttpStatusCode.OK)
+                {
+                    Content = new StringContent(CreateTrackSearchResponse(CreateTrackPayload(1, "Song", "USRC12345678")))
+                };
+            }
+
+            if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(albumQuery))
+            {
+                return new HttpResponseMessage(HttpStatusCode.OK)
+                {
+                    Content = new StringContent(CreateAlbumSearchResponse())
+                };
+            }
+
+            if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(artistQuery))
+            {
+                return new HttpResponseMessage(HttpStatusCode.OK)
+                {
+                    Content = new StringContent(CreateArtistSearchResponse())
+                };
+            }
+
+            if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(playlistQuery))
+            {
+                return new HttpResponseMessage(HttpStatusCode.OK)
+                {
+                    Content = new StringContent(CreatePlaylistSearchResponse())
+                };
+            }
+
+            throw new InvalidOperationException($"Unexpected request URI: {request.RequestUri}");
+        });
+
+        var httpClient = new HttpClient(handler);
+        _mockHttpClientFactory.Setup(f => f.CreateClient(It.IsAny<string>())).Returns(httpClient);
+
+        var service = new SquidWTFMetadataService(
+            _mockHttpClientFactory.Object,
+            _subsonicSettings,
+            _squidwtfSettings,
+            _mockLogger.Object,
+            _mockCache.Object,
+            new List<string> { "http://127.0.0.1:5033" });
+
+        await service.SearchSongsAsync("Take Five", 7);
+        await service.SearchAlbumsAsync("Time Out", 8);
+        await service.SearchArtistsAsync("Dave Brubeck", 9);
+        await service.SearchPlaylistsAsync("Jazz Essentials", 10);
+
+        Assert.Contains("/search/?s=Take%20Five&limit=7&offset=0", requests);
+        Assert.Contains("/search/?al=Time%20Out&limit=8&offset=0", requests);
+        Assert.Contains("/search/?a=Dave%20Brubeck&limit=9&offset=0", requests);
+        Assert.Contains("/search/?p=Jazz%20Essentials&limit=10&offset=0", requests);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task GetArtistAsync_UsesLightweightArtistEndpointAndCoverFallback()
+    {
+        var requests = new List<string>();
+        var handler = new StubHttpMessageHandler(request =>
+        {
+            requests.Add(request.RequestUri!.PathAndQuery);
+
+            return new HttpResponseMessage(HttpStatusCode.OK)
+            {
+                Content = new StringContent("""
+                {
+                  "version": "2.6",
+                  "artist": {
+                    "id": 25022,
+                    "name": "Kanye West",
+                    "picture": null
+                  },
+                  "cover": {
+                    "750": "https://example.com/kanye-750.jpg"
+                  }
+                }
+                """)
+            };
+        });
+
+        var httpClient = new HttpClient(handler);
+        _mockHttpClientFactory.Setup(f => f.CreateClient(It.IsAny<string>())).Returns(httpClient);
+
+        var service = new SquidWTFMetadataService(
+            _mockHttpClientFactory.Object,
+            _subsonicSettings,
+            _squidwtfSettings,
+            _mockLogger.Object,
+            _mockCache.Object,
+            new List<string> { "http://127.0.0.1:5034" });
+
+        var artist = await service.GetArtistAsync("squidwtf", "25022");
+
+        Assert.Contains("/artist/?id=25022", requests);
+        Assert.NotNull(artist);
+        Assert.Equal("Kanye West", artist!.Name);
+        Assert.Equal("https://example.com/kanye-750.jpg", artist.ImageUrl);
+        Assert.Null(artist.AlbumCount);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task GetAlbumAsync_PaginatesBeyondFirstPage()
+    {
+        var requests = new List<string>();
+        var handler = new StubHttpMessageHandler(request =>
+        {
+            requests.Add(request.RequestUri!.PathAndQuery);
+            var offset = int.Parse(GetQueryParameter(request.RequestUri, "offset") ?? "0");
+
+            return new HttpResponseMessage(HttpStatusCode.OK)
+            {
+                Content = new StringContent(CreateAlbumPageResponse(offset, offset == 0 ? 500 : 1, totalTracks: 501))
+            };
+        });
+
+        var httpClient = new HttpClient(handler);
+        _mockHttpClientFactory.Setup(f => f.CreateClient(It.IsAny<string>())).Returns(httpClient);
+
+        var service = new SquidWTFMetadataService(
+            _mockHttpClientFactory.Object,
+            _subsonicSettings,
+            _squidwtfSettings,
+            _mockLogger.Object,
+            _mockCache.Object,
+            new List<string> { "http://127.0.0.1:5035" });
+
+        var album = await service.GetAlbumAsync("squidwtf", "58990510");
+
+        Assert.Contains("/album/?id=58990510&limit=500&offset=0", requests);
+        Assert.Contains("/album/?id=58990510&limit=500&offset=500", requests);
+        Assert.NotNull(album);
+        Assert.Equal(501, album!.Songs.Count);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task GetPlaylistTracksAsync_PaginatesBeyondFirstPage()
+    {
+        var requests = new List<string>();
+        var handler = new StubHttpMessageHandler(request =>
+        {
+            requests.Add(request.RequestUri!.PathAndQuery);
+            var offset = int.Parse(GetQueryParameter(request.RequestUri, "offset") ?? "0");
+
+            return new HttpResponseMessage(HttpStatusCode.OK)
+            {
+                Content = new StringContent(CreatePlaylistPageResponse(offset, offset == 0 ? 500 : 1, totalTracks: 501))
+            };
+        });
+
+        var httpClient = new HttpClient(handler);
+        _mockHttpClientFactory.Setup(f => f.CreateClient(It.IsAny<string>())).Returns(httpClient);
+
+        var service = new SquidWTFMetadataService(
+            _mockHttpClientFactory.Object,
+            _subsonicSettings,
+            _squidwtfSettings,
+            _mockLogger.Object,
+            _mockCache.Object,
+            new List<string> { "http://127.0.0.1:5036" });
+
+        var songs = await service.GetPlaylistTracksAsync("squidwtf", "playlist123");
+
+        Assert.Equal(501, songs.Count);
+        Assert.Equal("Big Playlist", songs[0].Album);
+        Assert.Equal("Big Playlist", songs[^1].Album);
+        Assert.Contains("/playlist/?id=playlist123&limit=500&offset=0", requests);
+        Assert.Contains("/playlist/?id=playlist123&limit=500&offset=500", requests);
+    }
+
     [Fact]
     public void BuildSearchQueryVariants_WithAmpersand_AddsAndVariant()
     {
@@ -727,6 +999,242 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataServiceTests
         return (T)result!;
     }
 
+    private static string CreateTrackSearchResponse(object trackPayload)
+    {
+        return JsonSerializer.Serialize(new Dictionary<string, object?>
+        {
+            ["version"] = "2.6",
+            ["data"] = new Dictionary<string, object?>
+            {
+                ["limit"] = 25,
+                ["offset"] = 0,
+                ["totalNumberOfItems"] = 1,
+                ["items"] = new[] { trackPayload }
+            }
+        });
+    }
+
+    private static string CreateAlbumSearchResponse()
+    {
+        return JsonSerializer.Serialize(new Dictionary<string, object?>
+        {
+            ["version"] = "2.6",
+            ["data"] = new Dictionary<string, object?>
+            {
+                ["albums"] = new Dictionary<string, object?>
+                {
+                    ["limit"] = 25,
+                    ["offset"] = 0,
+                    ["totalNumberOfItems"] = 1,
+                    ["items"] = new[]
+                    {
+                        new Dictionary<string, object?>
+                        {
+                            ["id"] = 58990510,
+                            ["title"] = "OK Computer",
+                            ["numberOfTracks"] = 12,
+                            ["cover"] = "e77e4cc0-6cd0-4522-807d-88aeac488065",
+                            ["artist"] = new Dictionary<string, object?>
+                            {
+                                ["id"] = 64518,
+                                ["name"] = "Radiohead"
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        });
+    }
+
+    private static string CreateArtistSearchResponse()
+    {
+        return JsonSerializer.Serialize(new Dictionary<string, object?>
+        {
+            ["version"] = "2.6",
+            ["data"] = new Dictionary<string, object?>
+            {
+                ["artists"] = new Dictionary<string, object?>
+                {
+                    ["limit"] = 25,
+                    ["offset"] = 0,
+                    ["totalNumberOfItems"] = 1,
+                    ["items"] = new[]
+                    {
+                        new Dictionary<string, object?>
+                        {
+                            ["id"] = 8812,
+                            ["name"] = "Coldplay",
+                            ["picture"] = "b4579672-5b91-4679-a27a-288f097a4da5"
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        });
+    }
+
+    private static string CreatePlaylistSearchResponse()
+    {
+        return JsonSerializer.Serialize(new Dictionary<string, object?>
+        {
+            ["version"] = "2.6",
+            ["data"] = new Dictionary<string, object?>
+            {
+                ["playlists"] = new Dictionary<string, object?>
+                {
+                    ["limit"] = 25,
+                    ["offset"] = 0,
+                    ["totalNumberOfItems"] = 1,
+                    ["items"] = new[]
+                    {
+                        new Dictionary<string, object?>
+                        {
+                            ["uuid"] = "playlist123",
+                            ["title"] = "Jazz Essentials",
+                            ["creator"] = new Dictionary<string, object?>
+                            {
+                                ["id"] = 0
+                            },
+                            ["numberOfTracks"] = 1,
+                            ["duration"] = 180,
+                            ["squareImage"] = "b15bb487-dd6e-45ff-9e50-ee5083f20669"
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        });
+    }
+
+    private static string CreateAlbumPageResponse(int offset, int count, int totalTracks)
+    {
+        var items = Enumerable.Range(offset + 1, count)
+            .Select(index => (object)new Dictionary<string, object?>
+            {
+                ["item"] = CreateTrackPayload(
+                    index,
+                    $"Album Track {index}",
+                    $"USRC{index:00000000}",
+                    albumTitle: "Paginated Album",
+                    albumId: 58990510)
+            })
+            .ToArray();
+
+        return JsonSerializer.Serialize(new Dictionary<string, object?>
+        {
+            ["version"] = "2.6",
+            ["data"] = new Dictionary<string, object?>
+            {
+                ["id"] = 58990510,
+                ["title"] = "Paginated Album",
+                ["numberOfTracks"] = totalTracks,
+                ["cover"] = "e77e4cc0-6cd0-4522-807d-88aeac488065",
+                ["artist"] = new Dictionary<string, object?>
+                {
+                    ["id"] = 64518,
+                    ["name"] = "Radiohead"
+                },
+                ["items"] = items
+            }
+        });
+    }
+
+    private static string CreatePlaylistPageResponse(int offset, int count, int totalTracks)
+    {
+        var items = Enumerable.Range(offset + 1, count)
+            .Select(index => (object)new Dictionary<string, object?>
+            {
+                ["item"] = CreateTrackPayload(
+                    index,
+                    $"Playlist Track {index}",
+                    $"GBARL{index:0000000}",
+                    artistName: "Mark Ronson",
+                    artistId: 8722,
+                    albumTitle: "Uptown Special",
+                    albumId: 39249709)
+            })
+            .ToArray();
+
+        return JsonSerializer.Serialize(new Dictionary<string, object?>
+        {
+            ["version"] = "2.6",
+            ["playlist"] = new Dictionary<string, object?>
+            {
+                ["uuid"] = "playlist123",
+                ["title"] = "Big Playlist",
+                ["creator"] = new Dictionary<string, object?>
+                {
+                    ["id"] = 0
+                },
+                ["numberOfTracks"] = totalTracks,
+                ["duration"] = totalTracks * 180,
+                ["squareImage"] = "b15bb487-dd6e-45ff-9e50-ee5083f20669"
+            },
+            ["items"] = items
+        });
+    }
+
+    private static Dictionary<string, object?> CreateTrackPayload(
+        int id,
+        string title,
+        string isrc,
+        string artistName = "Artist",
+        int artistId = 1,
+        string albumTitle = "Album",
+        int albumId = 10)
+    {
+        return new Dictionary<string, object?>
+        {
+            ["id"] = id,
+            ["title"] = title,
+            ["duration"] = 180,
+            ["trackNumber"] = (id % 12) + 1,
+            ["volumeNumber"] = 1,
+            ["explicit"] = false,
+            ["isrc"] = isrc,
+            ["artist"] = new Dictionary<string, object?>
+            {
+                ["id"] = artistId,
+                ["name"] = artistName
+            },
+            ["artists"] = new object[]
+            {
+                new Dictionary<string, object?>
+                {
+                    ["id"] = artistId,
+                    ["name"] = artistName
+                }
+            },
+            ["album"] = new Dictionary<string, object?>
+            {
+                ["id"] = albumId,
+                ["title"] = albumTitle,
+                ["cover"] = "aaaaaaaa-bbbb-cccc-dddd-eeeeeeeeeeee"
+            }
+        };
+    }
+
+    private static string? GetQueryParameter(Uri uri, string name)
+    {
+        var query = uri.Query.TrimStart('?');
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(query))
+        {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        foreach (var pair in query.Split('&', StringSplitOptions.RemoveEmptyEntries))
+        {
+            var parts = pair.Split('=', 2);
+            var key = Uri.UnescapeDataString(parts[0]);
+            if (!key.Equals(name, StringComparison.Ordinal))
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            return parts.Length > 1 ? Uri.UnescapeDataString(parts[1]) : string.Empty;
+        }
+
+        return null;
+    }
+
     private sealed class StubHttpMessageHandler : HttpMessageHandler
     {
         private readonly Func<HttpRequestMessage, HttpResponseMessage> _handler;

allstarr/AppVersion.cs

@@ -9,5 +9,5 @@ public static class AppVersion
     /// <summary>
     /// Current application version.
     /// </summary>
-    public const string Version = "1.3.3";
+    public const string Version = "1.4.1";
 }

allstarr/Controllers/ConfigController.cs

@@ -198,17 +198,20 @@ public class ConfigController : ControllerBase
             {
                 arl = AdminHelperService.MaskValue(GetEnvString(envVars, "DEEZER_ARL", _deezerSettings.Arl ?? string.Empty), showLast: 8),
                 arlFallback = AdminHelperService.MaskValue(GetEnvString(envVars, "DEEZER_ARL_FALLBACK", _deezerSettings.ArlFallback ?? string.Empty), showLast: 8),
-                quality = GetEnvString(envVars, "DEEZER_QUALITY", _deezerSettings.Quality ?? "FLAC")
+                quality = GetEnvString(envVars, "DEEZER_QUALITY", _deezerSettings.Quality ?? "FLAC"),
+                minRequestIntervalMs = GetEnvInt(envVars, "DEEZER_MIN_REQUEST_INTERVAL_MS", _deezerSettings.MinRequestIntervalMs)
             },
             qobuz = new
             {
                 userAuthToken = AdminHelperService.MaskValue(GetEnvString(envVars, "QOBUZ_USER_AUTH_TOKEN", _qobuzSettings.UserAuthToken ?? string.Empty), showLast: 8),
                 userId = GetEnvString(envVars, "QOBUZ_USER_ID", _qobuzSettings.UserId ?? string.Empty),
-                quality = GetEnvString(envVars, "QOBUZ_QUALITY", _qobuzSettings.Quality ?? "FLAC")
+                quality = GetEnvString(envVars, "QOBUZ_QUALITY", _qobuzSettings.Quality ?? "FLAC"),
+                minRequestIntervalMs = GetEnvInt(envVars, "QOBUZ_MIN_REQUEST_INTERVAL_MS", _qobuzSettings.MinRequestIntervalMs)
             },
             squidWtf = new
             {
-                quality = GetEnvString(envVars, "SQUIDWTF_QUALITY", _squidWtfSettings.Quality ?? "LOSSLESS")
+                quality = GetEnvString(envVars, "SQUIDWTF_QUALITY", _squidWtfSettings.Quality ?? "LOSSLESS"),
+                minRequestIntervalMs = GetEnvInt(envVars, "SQUIDWTF_MIN_REQUEST_INTERVAL_MS", _squidWtfSettings.MinRequestIntervalMs)
             },
             musicBrainz = new
             {
@@ -228,7 +231,8 @@ public class ConfigController : ControllerBase
                 genreDays = GetEnvInt(envVars, "CACHE_GENRE_DAYS", _configuration.GetValue<int>("Cache:GenreDays", 30)),
                 metadataDays = GetEnvInt(envVars, "CACHE_METADATA_DAYS", _configuration.GetValue<int>("Cache:MetadataDays", 7)),
                 odesliLookupDays = GetEnvInt(envVars, "CACHE_ODESLI_LOOKUP_DAYS", _configuration.GetValue<int>("Cache:OdesliLookupDays", 60)),
-                proxyImagesDays = GetEnvInt(envVars, "CACHE_PROXY_IMAGES_DAYS", _configuration.GetValue<int>("Cache:ProxyImagesDays", 14))
+                proxyImagesDays = GetEnvInt(envVars, "CACHE_PROXY_IMAGES_DAYS", _configuration.GetValue<int>("Cache:ProxyImagesDays", 14)),
+                transcodeCacheMinutes = GetEnvInt(envVars, "CACHE_TRANSCODE_MINUTES", _configuration.GetValue<int>("Cache:TranscodeCacheMinutes", 60))
             },
             scrobbling = await GetScrobblingSettingsFromEnvAsync()
         });
@@ -470,70 +474,101 @@ public class ConfigController : ControllerBase
                 _logger.LogWarning(".env file not found at {Path}, creating new file", _helperService.GetEnvFilePath());
             }
 
-            // Read current .env file or create new one
-            var envContent = new Dictionary<string, string>();
+            var envFilePath = _helperService.GetEnvFilePath();
+            var envLines = new List<string>();
 
-            if (System.IO.File.Exists(_helperService.GetEnvFilePath()))
+            if (System.IO.File.Exists(envFilePath))
             {
-                var lines = await System.IO.File.ReadAllLinesAsync(_helperService.GetEnvFilePath());
-                foreach (var line in lines)
+                envLines = (await System.IO.File.ReadAllLinesAsync(envFilePath)).ToList();
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                // Fallback to reading .env.example if .env doesn't exist to preserve structure
+                var examplePath = Path.Combine(Directory.GetCurrentDirectory(), ".env.example");
+                if (!System.IO.File.Exists(examplePath))
                 {
-                    if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(line) || line.TrimStart().StartsWith('#'))
-                        continue;
-
-                    var eqIndex = line.IndexOf('=');
-                    if (eqIndex > 0)
-                    {
-                        var key = line[..eqIndex].Trim();
-                        var value = line[(eqIndex + 1)..].Trim();
-
-                        // Remove surrounding quotes if present (for proper re-quoting)
-                        if (value.StartsWith("\"") && value.EndsWith("\"") && value.Length >= 2)
-                        {
-                            value = value[1..^1];
-                        }
-
-                        envContent[key] = value;
-                    }
+                    examplePath = Path.Combine(Directory.GetParent(Directory.GetCurrentDirectory())?.FullName ?? "", ".env.example");
+                }
+                
+                if (System.IO.File.Exists(examplePath))
+                {
+                    _logger.LogInformation("Creating new .env from .env.example to preserve formatting");
+                    envLines = (await System.IO.File.ReadAllLinesAsync(examplePath)).ToList();
                 }
-                _logger.LogDebug("Loaded {Count} existing env vars from {Path}", envContent.Count, _helperService.GetEnvFilePath());
             }
 
             // Apply updates with validation
             var appliedUpdates = new List<string>();
-            foreach (var (key, value) in request.Updates)
+            var updatesToProcess = new Dictionary<string, string>(request.Updates);
+
+            // Auto-set cookie date when Spotify session cookie is updated
+            if (updatesToProcess.TryGetValue("SPOTIFY_API_SESSION_COOKIE", out var cookieVal) && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(cookieVal))
+            {
+                updatesToProcess["SPOTIFY_API_SESSION_COOKIE_SET_DATE"] = DateTime.UtcNow.ToString("o");
+                _logger.LogInformation("Auto-setting SPOTIFY_API_SESSION_COOKIE_SET_DATE");
+            }
+
+            foreach (var (key, value) in updatesToProcess)
             {
-                // Validate key format
                 if (!AdminHelperService.IsValidEnvKey(key))
                 {
                     _logger.LogWarning("Invalid env key rejected: {Key}", key);
                     return BadRequest(new { error = $"Invalid environment variable key: {key}" });
                 }
 
-                // IMPORTANT: Docker Compose does NOT need quotes in .env files
-                // It handles special characters correctly without them
-                // When quotes are used, they become part of the value itself
-                envContent[key] = value;
                 appliedUpdates.Add(key);
-                _logger.LogInformation("  Setting {Key} = {Value}", key,
-                    key.Contains("COOKIE") || key.Contains("TOKEN") || key.Contains("KEY") || key.Contains("ARL") || key.Contains("PASSWORD")
-                        ? "***" + (value.Length > 8 ? value[^8..] : "")
-                        : value);
+                
+                var maskedValue = key.Contains("COOKIE") || key.Contains("TOKEN") || key.Contains("KEY") || key.Contains("ARL") || key.Contains("PASSWORD")
+                    ? "***" + (value.Length > 8 ? value[^8..] : "")
+                    : value;
+                _logger.LogInformation("  Setting {Key} = {Value}", key, maskedValue);
 
-                // Auto-set cookie date when Spotify session cookie is updated
-                if (key == "SPOTIFY_API_SESSION_COOKIE" && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(value))
+                var keyPrefix = $"{key}=";
+                var found = false;
+
+                // 1. Look for active exact key
+                for (int i = 0; i < envLines.Count; i++)
                 {
-                    var dateKey = "SPOTIFY_API_SESSION_COOKIE_SET_DATE";
-                    var dateValue = DateTime.UtcNow.ToString("o"); // ISO 8601 format
-                    envContent[dateKey] = dateValue;
-                    appliedUpdates.Add(dateKey);
-                    _logger.LogInformation("  Auto-setting {Key} to {Value}", dateKey, dateValue);
+                    var trimmedLine = envLines[i].TrimStart();
+                    if (trimmedLine.StartsWith(keyPrefix, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+                    {
+                        envLines[i] = $"{key}={value}";
+                        found = true;
+                        break;
+                    }
+                }
+
+                // 2. Look for commented out key
+                if (!found)
+                {
+                    var commentedPrefix1 = $"# {key}=";
+                    var commentedPrefix2 = $"#{key}=";
+                    
+                    for (int i = 0; i < envLines.Count; i++)
+                    {
+                        var trimmedLine = envLines[i].TrimStart();
+                        if (trimmedLine.StartsWith(commentedPrefix1, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) || 
+                            trimmedLine.StartsWith(commentedPrefix2, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+                        {
+                            envLines[i] = $"{key}={value}";
+                            found = true;
+                            break;
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                // 3. Append to end of file if entirely missing
+                if (!found)
+                {
+                    if (envLines.Count > 0 && !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(envLines.Last()))
+                    {
+                        envLines.Add("");
+                    }
+                    envLines.Add($"{key}={value}");
                 }
             }
 
-            // Write back to .env file (no quoting needed - Docker Compose handles special chars)
-            var newContent = string.Join("\n", envContent.Select(kv => $"{kv.Key}={kv.Value}"));
-            await System.IO.File.WriteAllTextAsync(_helperService.GetEnvFilePath(), newContent + "\n");
+            await System.IO.File.WriteAllLinesAsync(envFilePath, envLines);
 
             _logger.LogDebug("Config file updated successfully at {Path}", _helperService.GetEnvFilePath());
 

allstarr/Controllers/DownloadActivityController.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,181 @@
+using System.Text.Json;
+using allstarr.Models.Download;
+using allstarr.Services;
+using allstarr.Services.Jellyfin;
+using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc;
+
+namespace allstarr.Controllers;
+
+[ApiController]
+[Route("api/admin/downloads")]
+public class DownloadActivityController : ControllerBase
+{
+    private readonly IEnumerable<IDownloadService> _downloadServices;
+    private readonly JellyfinSessionManager _sessionManager;
+    private readonly ILogger<DownloadActivityController> _logger;
+
+    public DownloadActivityController(
+        IEnumerable<IDownloadService> downloadServices,
+        JellyfinSessionManager sessionManager,
+        ILogger<DownloadActivityController> logger)
+    {
+        _downloadServices = downloadServices;
+        _sessionManager = sessionManager;
+        _logger = logger;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Returns the current download queue as JSON.
+    /// </summary>
+    [HttpGet("queue")]
+    public IActionResult GetDownloadQueue()
+    {
+        var allDownloads = GetAllActivityEntries();
+        return Ok(allDownloads);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Server-Sent Events (SSE) endpoint that pushes the download queue state
+    /// in real-time.
+    /// </summary>
+    [HttpGet("activity")]
+    public async Task GetDownloadActivity(CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    {
+        Response.Headers.Append("Content-Type", "text/event-stream");
+        Response.Headers.Append("Cache-Control", "no-cache");
+        Response.Headers.Append("Connection", "keep-alive");
+
+        // Use the request aborted token or the provided cancellation token.
+        var requestAborted = HttpContext.RequestAborted;
+        
+        using var linkedCts = CancellationTokenSource.CreateLinkedTokenSource(cancellationToken, requestAborted);
+        var token = linkedCts.Token;
+
+        _logger.LogInformation("Download activity SSE connection opened.");
+
+        var jsonOptions = new JsonSerializerOptions
+        {
+            PropertyNamingPolicy = JsonNamingPolicy.CamelCase
+        };
+
+        try
+        {
+            while (!token.IsCancellationRequested)
+            {
+                var allDownloads = GetAllActivityEntries();
+
+                var payload = JsonSerializer.Serialize(allDownloads, jsonOptions);
+                var message = $"data: {payload}\n\n";
+
+                await Response.WriteAsync(message, token);
+                await Response.Body.FlushAsync(token);
+
+                await Task.Delay(1000, token); // Poll every 1 second
+            }
+        }
+        catch (TaskCanceledException)
+        {
+            // Client gracefully disconnected or requested cancellation
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            _logger.LogError(ex, "Error while pushing download activity stream.");
+        }
+        finally
+        {
+            _logger.LogInformation("Download activity SSE connection closed.");
+        }
+    }
+
+    private List<DownloadActivityEntry> GetAllActivityEntries()
+    {
+        var allDownloads = new List<DownloadInfo>();
+        foreach (var service in _downloadServices)
+        {
+            allDownloads.AddRange(service.GetActiveDownloads());
+        }
+
+        var orderedDownloads = allDownloads
+            .OrderByDescending(d => d.Status == DownloadStatus.InProgress)
+            .ThenByDescending(d => d.StartedAt)
+            .ToList();
+
+        var playbackByItemId = _sessionManager
+            .GetActivePlaybackStates(TimeSpan.FromMinutes(5))
+            .GroupBy(state => NormalizeExternalItemId(state.ItemId))
+            .ToDictionary(
+                group => group.Key,
+                group => group.OrderByDescending(state => state.LastActivity).First());
+
+        return orderedDownloads
+            .Select(download =>
+            {
+                var normalizedSongId = NormalizeExternalItemId(download.SongId);
+                var hasPlayback = playbackByItemId.TryGetValue(normalizedSongId, out var playbackState);
+                var playbackProgress = hasPlayback && download.DurationSeconds.GetValueOrDefault() > 0
+                    ? Math.Clamp(
+                        playbackState!.PositionTicks / (double)TimeSpan.TicksPerSecond / download.DurationSeconds!.Value,
+                        0d,
+                        1d)
+                    : (double?)null;
+
+                return new DownloadActivityEntry
+                {
+                    SongId = download.SongId,
+                    ExternalId = download.ExternalId,
+                    ExternalProvider = download.ExternalProvider,
+                    Title = download.Title,
+                    Artist = download.Artist,
+                    Status = download.Status,
+                    Progress = download.Progress,
+                    RequestedForStreaming = download.RequestedForStreaming,
+                    DurationSeconds = download.DurationSeconds,
+                    LocalPath = download.LocalPath,
+                    ErrorMessage = download.ErrorMessage,
+                    StartedAt = download.StartedAt,
+                    CompletedAt = download.CompletedAt,
+                    IsPlaying = hasPlayback,
+                    PlaybackPositionSeconds = hasPlayback
+                        ? (int)Math.Max(0, playbackState!.PositionTicks / TimeSpan.TicksPerSecond)
+                        : null,
+                    PlaybackProgress = playbackProgress
+                };
+            })
+            .ToList();
+    }
+
+    private static string NormalizeExternalItemId(string itemId)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(itemId) || !itemId.StartsWith("ext-", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+        {
+            return itemId;
+        }
+
+        var parts = itemId.Split('-', StringSplitOptions.RemoveEmptyEntries);
+        if (parts.Length < 3)
+        {
+            return itemId;
+        }
+
+        var knownTypes = new HashSet<string>(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+        {
+            "song",
+            "album",
+            "artist"
+        };
+
+        if (parts.Length >= 4 && knownTypes.Contains(parts[2]))
+        {
+            return itemId;
+        }
+
+        return $"ext-{parts[1]}-song-{string.Join("-", parts.Skip(2))}";
+    }
+
+    private sealed class DownloadActivityEntry : DownloadInfo
+    {
+        public bool IsPlaying { get; init; }
+        public int? PlaybackPositionSeconds { get; init; }
+        public double? PlaybackProgress { get; init; }
+    }
+}

allstarr/Controllers/Helpers.cs

@@ -129,35 +129,46 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
                                 }
                             }
 
-                            // Try loading from file cache if Redis is empty
-                            if (matchedTracks == null || matchedTracks.Count == 0)
+                            // Prefer the currently served playlist items cache when available.
+                            // This most closely matches what the injected playlist endpoint will return.
+                            var exactServedCount = 0;
+                            var playlistItemsKey = CacheKeyBuilder.BuildSpotifyPlaylistItemsKey(playlistName);
+                            var cachedPlaylistItems = await _cache.GetAsync<List<Dictionary<string, object?>>>(playlistItemsKey);
+                            var exactServedRunTimeTicks = 0L;
+                            if (cachedPlaylistItems != null &&
+                                cachedPlaylistItems.Count > 0 &&
+                                !InjectedPlaylistItemHelper.ContainsSyntheticLocalItems(cachedPlaylistItems))
                             {
-                                var fileItems = await LoadPlaylistItemsFromFile(playlistName);
-                                if (fileItems != null && fileItems.Count > 0)
-                                {
-                                    _logger.LogDebug(
-                                        "💿 Loaded {Count} playlist items from file cache for count update",
-                                        fileItems.Count);
-                                    // Use file cache count directly
-                                    itemDict["ChildCount"] = fileItems.Count;
-                                    modified = true;
-                                }
+                                exactServedCount = cachedPlaylistItems.Count;
+                                exactServedRunTimeTicks =
+                                    SpotifyPlaylistCountHelper.SumCachedPlaylistRunTimeTicks(cachedPlaylistItems);
+                                _logger.LogDebug(
+                                    "Using Redis playlist items cache metrics for {Playlist}: count={Count}, runtimeTicks={RunTimeTicks}",
+                                    playlistName, exactServedCount, exactServedRunTimeTicks);
                             }
 
-                            // Only fetch from Jellyfin if we didn't get count from file cache
-                            if (!itemDict.ContainsKey("ChildCount") ||
-                                (itemDict["ChildCount"] is JsonElement childCountElement &&
-                                 childCountElement.GetInt32() == 0) ||
-                                (itemDict["ChildCount"] is int childCountInt && childCountInt == 0))
+                            if (exactServedCount > 0)
                             {
-                                // Get local tracks count from Jellyfin
+                                itemDict["ChildCount"] = exactServedCount;
+                                itemDict["RunTimeTicks"] = exactServedRunTimeTicks;
+                                modified = true;
+                            }
+                            else
+                            {
+                                // Recompute ChildCount for injected playlists instead of trusting
+                                // Jellyfin/plugin values, which only reflect local tracks.
                                 var localTracksCount = 0;
+                                var localRunTimeTicks = 0L;
                                 try
                                 {
-                                    // Include UserId parameter to avoid 401 Unauthorized
                                     var userId = _settings.UserId;
                                     var playlistItemsUrl = $"Playlists/{playlistId}/Items";
-                                    var queryParams = new Dictionary<string, string>();
+                                    var queryParams = new Dictionary<string, string>
+                                    {
+                                        ["Fields"] = "Id,RunTimeTicks",
+                                        ["Limit"] = "10000"
+                                    };
+
                                     if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(userId))
                                     {
                                         queryParams["UserId"] = userId;
@@ -170,8 +181,16 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
                                     if (localTracksResponse != null &&
                                         localTracksResponse.RootElement.TryGetProperty("Items", out var localItems))
                                     {
-                                        localTracksCount = localItems.GetArrayLength();
-                                        _logger.LogDebug("Found {Count} total items in Jellyfin playlist {Name}",
+                                        foreach (var localItem in localItems.EnumerateArray())
+                                        {
+                                            localTracksCount++;
+                                            localRunTimeTicks += SpotifyPlaylistCountHelper.ExtractRunTimeTicks(
+                                                localItem.TryGetProperty("RunTimeTicks", out var runTimeTicks)
+                                                    ? runTimeTicks
+                                                    : null);
+                                        }
+
+                                        _logger.LogDebug("Found {Count} local Jellyfin items in playlist {Name}",
                                             localTracksCount, playlistName);
                                     }
                                 }
@@ -180,33 +199,25 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
                                     _logger.LogError(ex, "Failed to get local tracks count for {Name}", playlistName);
                                 }
 
-                                // Count external matched tracks (not local)
-                                var externalMatchedCount = 0;
-                                if (matchedTracks != null)
-                                {
-                                    externalMatchedCount = matchedTracks.Count(t =>
-                                        t.MatchedSong != null && !t.MatchedSong.IsLocal);
-                                }
+                                var totalAvailableCount = SpotifyPlaylistCountHelper.ComputeServedItemCount(
+                                    exactServedCount > 0 ? exactServedCount : null,
+                                    localTracksCount,
+                                    matchedTracks);
+                                var totalRunTimeTicks = SpotifyPlaylistCountHelper.ComputeServedRunTimeTicks(
+                                    exactServedCount > 0 ? exactServedRunTimeTicks : null,
+                                    localRunTimeTicks,
+                                    matchedTracks);
 
-                                // Total available tracks = local tracks in Jellyfin + external matched tracks
-                                // This represents what users will actually hear when playing the playlist
-                                var totalAvailableCount = localTracksCount + externalMatchedCount;
-
-                                if (totalAvailableCount > 0)
-                                {
-                                    // Update ChildCount to show actual available tracks
-                                    itemDict["ChildCount"] = totalAvailableCount;
-                                    modified = true;
-                                    _logger.LogDebug(
-                                        "✓ Updated ChildCount for Spotify playlist {Name} to {Total} ({Local} local + {External} external)",
-                                        playlistName, totalAvailableCount, localTracksCount, externalMatchedCount);
-                                }
-                                else
-                                {
-                                    _logger.LogWarning(
-                                        "No tracks found for {Name} ({Local} local + {External} external = {Total} total)",
-                                        playlistName, localTracksCount, externalMatchedCount, totalAvailableCount);
-                                }
+                                itemDict["ChildCount"] = totalAvailableCount;
+                                itemDict["RunTimeTicks"] = totalRunTimeTicks;
+                                modified = true;
+                                _logger.LogDebug(
+                                    "✓ Updated Spotify playlist metrics for {Name}: count={Total} ({Local} local + {External} external), runtimeTicks={RunTimeTicks}",
+                                    playlistName,
+                                    totalAvailableCount,
+                                    localTracksCount,
+                                    SpotifyPlaylistCountHelper.CountExternalMatchedTracks(matchedTracks),
+                                    totalRunTimeTicks);
                             }
                         }
                         else

allstarr/Controllers/JellyfinController.Audio.cs

@@ -69,8 +69,9 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
             return await ProxyJellyfinStream(fullPath, itemId);
         }
 
-        // Handle external content
-        return await StreamExternalContent(provider!, externalId!);
+        // Handle external content with quality override from client transcoding params
+        var quality = StreamQualityHelper.ParseFromQueryString(Request.Query);
+        return await StreamExternalContent(provider!, externalId!, quality);
     }
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -150,8 +151,9 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
 
     /// <summary>
     /// Streams external content, using cache if available or downloading on-demand.
+    /// Supports quality override for client-requested "transcoding" of external tracks.
     /// </summary>
-    private async Task<IActionResult> StreamExternalContent(string provider, string externalId)
+    private async Task<IActionResult> StreamExternalContent(string provider, string externalId, StreamQuality quality = StreamQuality.Original)
     {
         // Check for locally cached file
         var localPath = await _localLibraryService.GetLocalPathForExternalSongAsync(provider, externalId);
@@ -178,9 +180,16 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
             var downloadStream = await _downloadService.DownloadAndStreamAsync(
                 provider,
                 externalId,
+                quality != StreamQuality.Original ? quality : null,
                 HttpContext.RequestAborted);
 
-            return File(downloadStream, "audio/mpeg", enableRangeProcessing: true);
+            var contentType = "audio/mpeg";
+            if (downloadStream is FileStream fs)
+            {
+                contentType = GetContentType(fs.Name);
+            }
+
+            return File(downloadStream, contentType, enableRangeProcessing: true);
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
         {
@@ -228,8 +237,9 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
             return await ProxyJellyfinStream(fullPath, itemId);
         }
 
-        // For external content, use simple streaming (no transcoding support yet)
-        return await StreamExternalContent(provider!, externalId!);
+        // For external content, parse quality override from client transcoding params
+        var quality = StreamQualityHelper.ParseFromQueryString(Request.Query);
+        return await StreamExternalContent(provider!, externalId!, quality);
     }
 
     #endregion

allstarr/Controllers/JellyfinController.Spotify.cs

@@ -63,11 +63,33 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
         var cachedJellyfinSignature = await _cache.GetAsync<string>(jellyfinSignatureCacheKey);
 
         var jellyfinPlaylistChanged = cachedJellyfinSignature != currentJellyfinSignature;
+        var requestNeedsGenreMetadata = RequestIncludesField("Genres");
 
         // Check Redis cache first for fast serving (only if Jellyfin playlist hasn't changed)
         var cacheKey = CacheKeyBuilder.BuildSpotifyPlaylistItemsKey(spotifyPlaylistName);
         var cachedItems = await _cache.GetAsync<List<Dictionary<string, object?>>>(cacheKey);
 
+        if (cachedItems != null && cachedItems.Count > 0 &&
+            InjectedPlaylistItemHelper.ContainsSyntheticLocalItems(cachedItems))
+        {
+            _logger.LogWarning(
+                "Ignoring Redis playlist cache for {Playlist}: found synthesized local items that should have remained raw Jellyfin objects",
+                spotifyPlaylistName);
+            await _cache.DeleteAsync(cacheKey);
+            cachedItems = null;
+        }
+
+        if (cachedItems != null && cachedItems.Count > 0 &&
+            requestNeedsGenreMetadata &&
+            InjectedPlaylistItemHelper.ContainsLocalItemsMissingGenreMetadata(cachedItems))
+        {
+            _logger.LogWarning(
+                "Ignoring Redis playlist cache for {Playlist}: local items are missing genre metadata required by this request",
+                spotifyPlaylistName);
+            await _cache.DeleteAsync(cacheKey);
+            cachedItems = null;
+        }
+
         if (cachedItems != null && cachedItems.Count > 0 && !jellyfinPlaylistChanged)
         {
             _logger.LogDebug("✅ Loaded {Count} playlist items from Redis cache for {Playlist} (Jellyfin unchanged)",
@@ -89,7 +111,26 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
 
         // Check file cache as fallback
         var fileItems = await LoadPlaylistItemsFromFile(spotifyPlaylistName);
-        if (fileItems != null && fileItems.Count > 0)
+        if (fileItems != null && fileItems.Count > 0 &&
+            InjectedPlaylistItemHelper.ContainsSyntheticLocalItems(fileItems))
+        {
+            _logger.LogWarning(
+                "Ignoring file playlist cache for {Playlist}: found synthesized local items that should have remained raw Jellyfin objects",
+                spotifyPlaylistName);
+            fileItems = null;
+        }
+
+        if (fileItems != null && fileItems.Count > 0 &&
+            requestNeedsGenreMetadata &&
+            InjectedPlaylistItemHelper.ContainsLocalItemsMissingGenreMetadata(fileItems))
+        {
+            _logger.LogWarning(
+                "Ignoring file playlist cache for {Playlist}: local items are missing genre metadata required by this request",
+                spotifyPlaylistName);
+            fileItems = null;
+        }
+
+        if (fileItems != null && fileItems.Count > 0 && !jellyfinPlaylistChanged)
         {
             _logger.LogDebug("✅ Loaded {Count} playlist items from file cache for {Playlist}",
                 fileItems.Count, spotifyPlaylistName);
@@ -208,6 +249,7 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
         var usedJellyfinItems = new HashSet<string>();
         var localUsedCount = 0;
         var externalUsedCount = 0;
+        var unresolvedLocalCount = 0;
 
         _logger.LogDebug("🔍 Building playlist in Spotify order with {SpotifyCount} positions...", spotifyTracks.Count);
 
@@ -283,9 +325,26 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
                         }
                         else
                         {
+                            if (JellyfinItemSnapshotHelper.TryGetClonedRawItemSnapshot(
+                                    matched.MatchedSong,
+                                    out var cachedLocalItem))
+                            {
+                                ProviderIdsEnricher.EnsureSpotifyProviderIds(cachedLocalItem, spotifyTrack.SpotifyId,
+                                    spotifyTrack.AlbumId);
+                                ApplySpotifyAddedAtDateCreated(cachedLocalItem, spotifyTrack.AddedAt);
+                                finalItems.Add(cachedLocalItem);
+                                localUsedCount++;
+                                _logger.LogDebug(
+                                    "✅ Position #{Pos}: '{Title}' → LOCAL from cached raw snapshot (ID: {Id})",
+                                    spotifyTrack.Position, spotifyTrack.Title, matched.MatchedSong.Id);
+                                continue;
+                            }
+
                             _logger.LogWarning(
-                                "⚠️ Position #{Pos}: '{Title}' marked as LOCAL but not found in Jellyfin items (ID: {Id})",
+                                "⚠️ Position #{Pos}: '{Title}' marked as LOCAL but not found in Jellyfin items (ID: {Id}); refusing to synthesize a replacement local object",
                                 spotifyTrack.Position, spotifyTrack.Title, matched.MatchedSong.Id);
+                            unresolvedLocalCount++;
+                            continue;
                         }
                     }
 
@@ -316,6 +375,24 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
         _logger.LogDebug("🎵 Final playlist '{Playlist}': {Total} tracks ({Local} LOCAL + {External} EXTERNAL)",
             spotifyPlaylistName, finalItems.Count, localUsedCount, externalUsedCount);
 
+        if (unresolvedLocalCount > 0)
+        {
+            _logger.LogWarning(
+                "Aborting ordered injection for {Playlist}: {Count} local tracks could not be preserved from Jellyfin and would have been rewritten",
+                spotifyPlaylistName, unresolvedLocalCount);
+            await _cache.DeleteAsync(cacheKey);
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        if (InjectedPlaylistItemHelper.ContainsSyntheticLocalItems(finalItems))
+        {
+            _logger.LogWarning(
+                "Aborting ordered injection for {Playlist}: built playlist still contains synthesized local items",
+                spotifyPlaylistName);
+            await _cache.DeleteAsync(cacheKey);
+            return null;
+        }
+
         // Save to file cache for persistence across restarts
         await SavePlaylistItemsToFile(spotifyPlaylistName, finalItems);
 
@@ -347,6 +424,30 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
         item["DateCreated"] = addedAt.Value.ToUniversalTime().ToString("yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ss.fffffffZ");
     }
 
+    private bool RequestIncludesField(string fieldName)
+    {
+        if (!Request.Query.TryGetValue("Fields", out var rawValues) || rawValues.Count == 0)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        foreach (var rawValue in rawValues)
+        {
+            if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(rawValue))
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            var fields = rawValue.Split(',', StringSplitOptions.RemoveEmptyEntries | StringSplitOptions.TrimEntries);
+            if (fields.Any(field => string.Equals(field, fieldName, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)))
+            {
+                return true;
+            }
+        }
+
+        return false;
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     /// <summary>
     /// Copies an external track to the kept folder when favorited.
@@ -623,8 +724,18 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
     }
 
     #region Persistent Favorites Tracking
-
-    private readonly string _favoritesFilePath = "/app/cache/favorites.json";
+    
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Information about a favorited track for persistent storage.
+    /// </summary>
+    private class FavoriteTrackInfo
+    {
+        public string ItemId { get; set; } = "";
+        public string Title { get; set; } = "";
+        public string Artist { get; set; } = "";
+        public string Album { get; set; } = "";
+        public DateTime FavoritedAt { get; set; }
+    }
 
     /// <summary>
     /// Checks if a track is already favorited (persistent across restarts).
@@ -633,13 +744,7 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
     {
         try
         {
-            if (!System.IO.File.Exists(_favoritesFilePath))
-                return false;
-
-            var json = await System.IO.File.ReadAllTextAsync(_favoritesFilePath);
-            var favorites = JsonSerializer.Deserialize<Dictionary<string, FavoriteTrackInfo>>(json) ?? new();
-
-            return favorites.ContainsKey(itemId);
+            return await _cache.ExistsAsync($"favorites:{itemId}");
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
         {
@@ -655,29 +760,16 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
     {
         try
         {
-            var favorites = new Dictionary<string, FavoriteTrackInfo>();
-
-            if (System.IO.File.Exists(_favoritesFilePath))
-            {
-                var json = await System.IO.File.ReadAllTextAsync(_favoritesFilePath);
-                favorites = JsonSerializer.Deserialize<Dictionary<string, FavoriteTrackInfo>>(json) ?? new();
-            }
-
-            favorites[itemId] = new FavoriteTrackInfo
+            var info = new FavoriteTrackInfo
             {
                 ItemId = itemId,
-                Title = song.Title,
-                Artist = song.Artist,
-                Album = song.Album,
+                Title = song.Title ?? "Unknown Title",
+                Artist = song.Artist ?? "Unknown Artist",
+                Album = song.Album ?? "Unknown Album",
                 FavoritedAt = DateTime.UtcNow
             };
-
-            // Ensure cache directory exists
-            Directory.CreateDirectory(Path.GetDirectoryName(_favoritesFilePath)!);
-
-            var updatedJson = JsonSerializer.Serialize(favorites, new JsonSerializerOptions { WriteIndented = true });
-            await System.IO.File.WriteAllTextAsync(_favoritesFilePath, updatedJson);
-
+            
+            await _cache.SetAsync($"favorites:{itemId}", info);
             _logger.LogDebug("Marked track as favorited: {ItemId}", itemId);
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
@@ -693,17 +785,9 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
     {
         try
         {
-            if (!System.IO.File.Exists(_favoritesFilePath))
-                return;
-
-            var json = await System.IO.File.ReadAllTextAsync(_favoritesFilePath);
-            var favorites = JsonSerializer.Deserialize<Dictionary<string, FavoriteTrackInfo>>(json) ?? new();
-
-            if (favorites.Remove(itemId))
+            if (await _cache.ExistsAsync($"favorites:{itemId}"))
             {
-                var updatedJson =
-                    JsonSerializer.Serialize(favorites, new JsonSerializerOptions { WriteIndented = true });
-                await System.IO.File.WriteAllTextAsync(_favoritesFilePath, updatedJson);
+                await _cache.DeleteAsync($"favorites:{itemId}");
                 _logger.LogDebug("Removed track from favorites: {ItemId}", itemId);
             }
         }
@@ -720,24 +804,8 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
     {
         try
         {
-            var deletionFilePath = "/app/cache/pending_deletions.json";
-            var pendingDeletions = new Dictionary<string, DateTime>();
-
-            if (System.IO.File.Exists(deletionFilePath))
-            {
-                var json = await System.IO.File.ReadAllTextAsync(deletionFilePath);
-                pendingDeletions = JsonSerializer.Deserialize<Dictionary<string, DateTime>>(json) ?? new();
-            }
-
-            // Mark for deletion 24 hours from now
-            pendingDeletions[itemId] = DateTime.UtcNow.AddHours(24);
-
-            // Ensure cache directory exists
-            Directory.CreateDirectory(Path.GetDirectoryName(deletionFilePath)!);
-
-            var updatedJson =
-                JsonSerializer.Serialize(pendingDeletions, new JsonSerializerOptions { WriteIndented = true });
-            await System.IO.File.WriteAllTextAsync(deletionFilePath, updatedJson);
+            var deletionTime = DateTime.UtcNow.AddHours(24);
+            await _cache.SetStringAsync($"pending_deletion:{itemId}", deletionTime.ToString("O"));
 
             // Also remove from favorites immediately
             await UnmarkTrackAsFavoritedAsync(itemId);
@@ -750,18 +818,6 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
         }
     }
 
-    /// <summary>
-    /// Information about a favorited track for persistent storage.
-    /// </summary>
-    private class FavoriteTrackInfo
-    {
-        public string ItemId { get; set; } = "";
-        public string Title { get; set; } = "";
-        public string Artist { get; set; } = "";
-        public string Album { get; set; } = "";
-        public DateTime FavoritedAt { get; set; }
-    }
-
     /// <summary>
     /// Processes pending deletions (called by cleanup service).
     /// </summary>
@@ -769,31 +825,29 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
     {
         try
         {
-            var deletionFilePath = "/app/cache/pending_deletions.json";
-            if (!System.IO.File.Exists(deletionFilePath))
-                return;
-
-            var json = await System.IO.File.ReadAllTextAsync(deletionFilePath);
-            var pendingDeletions = JsonSerializer.Deserialize<Dictionary<string, DateTime>>(json) ?? new();
+            var deletionKeys = _cache.GetKeysByPattern("pending_deletion:*").ToList();
+            if (deletionKeys.Count == 0) return;
 
             var now = DateTime.UtcNow;
-            var toDelete = pendingDeletions.Where(kvp => kvp.Value <= now).ToList();
-            var remaining = pendingDeletions.Where(kvp => kvp.Value > now)
-                .ToDictionary(kvp => kvp.Key, kvp => kvp.Value);
+            int deletedCount = 0;
 
-            foreach (var (itemId, _) in toDelete)
+            foreach (var key in deletionKeys)
             {
-                await ActuallyDeleteTrackAsync(itemId);
+                var timeStr = await _cache.GetStringAsync(key);
+                if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(timeStr)) continue;
+
+                if (DateTime.TryParse(timeStr, out var scheduleTime) && scheduleTime <= now)
+                {
+                    var itemId = key.Substring("pending_deletion:".Length);
+                    await ActuallyDeleteTrackAsync(itemId);
+                    await _cache.DeleteAsync(key);
+                    deletedCount++;
+                }
             }
 
-            if (toDelete.Count > 0)
+            if (deletedCount > 0)
             {
-                // Update pending deletions file
-                var updatedJson =
-                    JsonSerializer.Serialize(remaining, new JsonSerializerOptions { WriteIndented = true });
-                await System.IO.File.WriteAllTextAsync(deletionFilePath, updatedJson);
-
-                _logger.LogDebug("Processed {Count} pending deletions", toDelete.Count);
+                _logger.LogDebug("Processed {Count} pending deletions", deletedCount);
             }
         }
         catch (Exception ex)

allstarr/Controllers/JellyfinController.cs

@@ -683,6 +683,15 @@ public partial class JellyfinController : ControllerBase
             return File(imageBytes, contentType);
         }
 
+        // Check Redis cache for previously fetched external image
+        var imageCacheKey = CacheKeyBuilder.BuildExternalImageKey(provider!, type!, externalId!);
+        var cachedImageBytes = await _cache.GetAsync<byte[]>(imageCacheKey);
+        if (cachedImageBytes != null)
+        {
+            _logger.LogDebug("Cache hit for external {Type} image: {Provider}/{ExternalId}", type, provider, externalId);
+            return File(cachedImageBytes, "image/jpeg");
+        }
+
         // Get external cover art URL
         string? coverUrl = type switch
         {
@@ -746,7 +755,10 @@ public partial class JellyfinController : ControllerBase
                 return await GetPlaceholderImageAsync();
             }
 
-            _logger.LogDebug("Successfully fetched external image from host {Host}, size: {Size} bytes",
+            // Cache the fetched image bytes in Redis for future requests
+            await _cache.SetAsync(imageCacheKey, imageBytes, CacheExtensions.ProxyImagesTTL);
+
+            _logger.LogDebug("Successfully fetched and cached external image from host {Host}, size: {Size} bytes",
                 safeCoverUri.Host, imageBytes.Length);
             return File(imageBytes, "image/jpeg");
         }

allstarr/Controllers/SubSonicController.cs

@@ -161,8 +161,15 @@ public class SubsonicController : ControllerBase
 
         try
         {
-            var downloadStream = await _downloadService.DownloadAndStreamAsync(provider!, externalId!, HttpContext.RequestAborted);
-            return File(downloadStream, "audio/mpeg", enableRangeProcessing: true);
+            var downloadStream = await _downloadService.DownloadAndStreamAsync(provider!, externalId!, cancellationToken: HttpContext.RequestAborted);
+            
+            var contentType = "audio/mpeg";
+            if (downloadStream is FileStream fs)
+            {
+                contentType = GetContentType(fs.Name);
+            }
+
+            return File(downloadStream, contentType, enableRangeProcessing: true);
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
         {

allstarr/Models/Domain/Song.cs

@@ -112,8 +112,8 @@ public class Song
     public int? ExplicitContentLyrics { get; set; }
     
     /// <summary>
-    /// Raw Jellyfin metadata (MediaSources, etc.) for local tracks
-    /// Preserved to maintain bitrate and other technical details
+    /// Raw Jellyfin metadata for local tracks, including MediaSources and cached item snapshots
+    /// Preserved to maintain full Jellyfin object fidelity across cache round-trips
     /// </summary>
     public Dictionary<string, object?>? JellyfinMetadata { get; set; }
 }

allstarr/Models/Download/DownloadInfo.cs

@@ -8,8 +8,12 @@ public class DownloadInfo
     public string SongId { get; set; } = string.Empty;
     public string ExternalId { get; set; } = string.Empty;
     public string ExternalProvider { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+    public string Title { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+    public string Artist { get; set; } = string.Empty;
     public DownloadStatus Status { get; set; }
     public double Progress { get; set; } // 0.0 to 1.0
+    public bool RequestedForStreaming { get; set; }
+    public int? DurationSeconds { get; set; }
     public string? LocalPath { get; set; }
     public string? ErrorMessage { get; set; }
     public DateTime StartedAt { get; set; }

allstarr/Models/Settings/CacheSettings.cs

@@ -61,6 +61,14 @@ public class CacheSettings
     /// </summary>
     public int ProxyImagesDays { get; set; } = 14;
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Transcoded audio cache duration in minutes.
+    /// Quality-override files (downloaded at lower quality for cellular streaming)
+    /// are cached in {downloads}/transcoded/ and cleaned up after this duration.
+    /// Default: 60 minutes (1 hour)
+    /// </summary>
+    public int TranscodeCacheMinutes { get; set; } = 60;
+
     // Helper methods to get TimeSpan values
     public TimeSpan SearchResultsTTL => TimeSpan.FromMinutes(SearchResultsMinutes);
     public TimeSpan PlaylistImagesTTL => TimeSpan.FromHours(PlaylistImagesHours);
@@ -71,4 +79,5 @@ public class CacheSettings
     public TimeSpan MetadataTTL => TimeSpan.FromDays(MetadataDays);
     public TimeSpan OdesliLookupTTL => TimeSpan.FromDays(OdesliLookupDays);
     public TimeSpan ProxyImagesTTL => TimeSpan.FromDays(ProxyImagesDays);
+    public TimeSpan TranscodeCacheTTL => TimeSpan.FromMinutes(TranscodeCacheMinutes);
 }

allstarr/Models/Settings/DeezerSettings.cs

@@ -22,4 +22,10 @@ public class DeezerSettings
     /// If not specified or unavailable, the highest available quality will be used.
     /// </summary>
     public string? Quality { get; set; }
+    
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Minimum interval between requests in milliseconds.
+    /// Default: 200ms
+    /// </summary>
+    public int MinRequestIntervalMs { get; set; } = 200;
 }

allstarr/Models/Settings/QobuzSettings.cs

@@ -22,4 +22,10 @@ public class QobuzSettings
     /// If not specified or unavailable, the highest available quality will be used.
     /// </summary>
     public string? Quality { get; set; }
+    
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Minimum interval between requests in milliseconds.
+    /// Default: 200ms
+    /// </summary>
+    public int MinRequestIntervalMs { get; set; } = 200;
 }

allstarr/Models/Settings/SquidWTFSettings.cs

@@ -14,4 +14,10 @@ public class SquidWTFSettings
     /// If not specified or unavailable, LOSSLESS will be used.
     /// </summary>
     public string? Quality { get; set; }	
+    
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Minimum interval between requests in milliseconds.
+    /// Default: 200ms
+    /// </summary>
+    public int MinRequestIntervalMs { get; set; } = 200;
 }

allstarr/Program.cs

@@ -509,6 +509,7 @@ else
 // Business services - shared across backends
 builder.Services.AddSingleton(squidWtfEndpointCatalog);
 builder.Services.AddSingleton<RedisCacheService>();
+builder.Services.AddSingleton<FavoritesMigrationService>();
 builder.Services.AddSingleton<OdesliService>();
 builder.Services.AddSingleton<ILocalLibraryService, LocalLibraryService>();
 builder.Services.AddSingleton<LrclibService>();
@@ -891,6 +892,13 @@ builder.Services.AddCors(options =>
 
 var app = builder.Build();
 
+// Run one-time favorites/deletions migration if using Redis
+using (var scope = app.Services.CreateScope())
+{
+    var migrationService = scope.ServiceProvider.GetRequiredService<FavoritesMigrationService>();
+    await migrationService.MigrateAsync();
+}
+
 // Initialize cache settings for static access
 CacheExtensions.InitializeCacheSettings(app.Services);
 

allstarr/Services/Common/BaseDownloadService.cs

@@ -29,13 +29,40 @@ public abstract class BaseDownloadService : IDownloadService
     protected readonly string CachePath;
     
     protected readonly ConcurrentDictionary<string, DownloadInfo> ActiveDownloads = new();
-    protected readonly SemaphoreSlim DownloadLock = new(1, 1);
+    
+    // Concurrency and state locking
+    protected readonly SemaphoreSlim _stateSemaphore = new(1, 1);
+    protected readonly SemaphoreSlim _concurrencySemaphore;
     
     // Rate limiting fields
     private readonly SemaphoreSlim _requestLock = new(1, 1);
     private DateTime _lastRequestTime = DateTime.MinValue;
-    private readonly int _minRequestIntervalMs = 200;
+    protected int _minRequestIntervalMs = 200;
     
+    protected StorageMode CurrentStorageMode
+    {
+        get
+        {
+            var backendType = Configuration["Backend:Type"] ?? "Subsonic";
+            var modeStr = backendType.Equals("Jellyfin", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+                ? Configuration["Jellyfin:StorageMode"] ?? Configuration["Subsonic:StorageMode"] ?? "Permanent"
+                : Configuration["Subsonic:StorageMode"] ?? "Permanent";
+            return Enum.TryParse<StorageMode>(modeStr, true, out var result) ? result : StorageMode.Permanent;
+        }
+    }
+
+    protected DownloadMode CurrentDownloadMode
+    {
+        get
+        {
+            var backendType = Configuration["Backend:Type"] ?? "Subsonic";
+            var modeStr = backendType.Equals("Jellyfin", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+                ? Configuration["Jellyfin:DownloadMode"] ?? Configuration["Subsonic:DownloadMode"] ?? "Track"
+                : Configuration["Subsonic:DownloadMode"] ?? "Track";
+            return Enum.TryParse<DownloadMode>(modeStr, true, out var result) ? result : DownloadMode.Track;
+        }
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Lazy-loaded PlaylistSyncService to avoid circular dependency
     /// </summary>
@@ -84,6 +111,13 @@ public abstract class BaseDownloadService : IDownloadService
         {
             Directory.CreateDirectory(CachePath);
         }
+
+        var maxDownloadsStr = configuration["MAX_CONCURRENT_DOWNLOADS"];
+        if (!int.TryParse(maxDownloadsStr, out var maxDownloads) || maxDownloads <= 0)
+        {
+            maxDownloads = 3;
+        }
+        _concurrencySemaphore = new SemaphoreSlim(maxDownloads, maxDownloads);
     }
     
     #region IDownloadService Implementation
@@ -95,12 +129,25 @@ public abstract class BaseDownloadService : IDownloadService
     /// </summary>
     public async Task<string> DownloadSongAsync(string externalProvider, string externalId, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
     {
-        return await DownloadSongInternalAsync(externalProvider, externalId, triggerAlbumDownload: true, cancellationToken);
+        return await DownloadSongInternalAsync(
+            externalProvider,
+            externalId,
+            triggerAlbumDownload: true,
+            requestedForStreaming: false,
+            cancellationToken);
     }
 
     
-    public async Task<Stream> DownloadAndStreamAsync(string externalProvider, string externalId, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    public async Task<Stream> DownloadAndStreamAsync(string externalProvider, string externalId, StreamQuality? qualityOverride = null, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
         {
+            // If a quality override is requested (not Original), use the quality override path
+            // This downloads to a temp file at the requested quality and streams it without caching
+            if (qualityOverride.HasValue && qualityOverride.Value != StreamQuality.Original)
+            {
+                return await DownloadAndStreamWithQualityOverrideAsync(externalProvider, externalId, qualityOverride.Value, cancellationToken);
+            }
+
+            // Standard path: use .env quality, cache the result
             var startTime = DateTime.UtcNow;
 
             // Check if already downloaded locally
@@ -111,7 +158,7 @@ public abstract class BaseDownloadService : IDownloadService
                 Logger.LogInformation("Streaming from local cache ({ElapsedMs}ms): {Path}", elapsed, localPath);
 
                 // Update write time for cache cleanup (extends cache lifetime)
-                if (SubsonicSettings.StorageMode == StorageMode.Cache)
+                if (CurrentStorageMode == StorageMode.Cache)
                 {
                     IOFile.SetLastWriteTime(localPath, DateTime.UtcNow);
                 }
@@ -134,7 +181,12 @@ public abstract class BaseDownloadService : IDownloadService
                 // IMPORTANT: Use CancellationToken.None for the actual download
                 // This ensures downloads complete server-side even if the client cancels the request
                 // The client can request the file again later once it's ready
-                localPath = await DownloadSongInternalAsync(externalProvider, externalId, triggerAlbumDownload: true, CancellationToken.None);
+                localPath = await DownloadSongInternalAsync(
+                    externalProvider,
+                    externalId,
+                    triggerAlbumDownload: true,
+                    requestedForStreaming: true,
+                    CancellationToken.None);
                 var elapsed = (DateTime.UtcNow - startTime).TotalMilliseconds;
                 Logger.LogInformation("Download completed, starting stream ({ElapsedMs}ms total): {Path}", elapsed, localPath);
 
@@ -157,6 +209,65 @@ public abstract class BaseDownloadService : IDownloadService
             }
         }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Downloads and streams with a quality override.
+    /// When the client requests lower quality (e.g., cellular mode), this downloads to a temp file
+    /// at the requested quality tier and streams it. The temp file is auto-deleted after streaming.
+    /// This does NOT pollute the cache — the cached file at .env quality remains the canonical copy.
+    /// </summary>
+    private async Task<Stream> DownloadAndStreamWithQualityOverrideAsync(
+        string externalProvider, string externalId, StreamQuality quality, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    {
+        var startTime = DateTime.UtcNow;
+
+        Logger.LogInformation(
+            "Streaming with quality override {Quality} for {Provider}:{ExternalId}",
+            quality, externalProvider, externalId);
+
+        try
+        {
+            // Get metadata for the track
+            var song = await MetadataService.GetSongAsync(externalProvider, externalId);
+            if (song == null)
+            {
+                throw new Exception("Song not found");
+            }
+
+            // Download to a temp file at the overridden quality
+            // IMPORTANT: Use CancellationToken.None to ensure download completes server-side
+            var tempPath = await DownloadTrackWithQualityAsync(externalId, song, quality, CancellationToken.None);
+            var elapsed = (DateTime.UtcNow - startTime).TotalMilliseconds;
+            Logger.LogInformation(
+                "Quality-override download completed ({Quality}, {ElapsedMs}ms): {Path}",
+                quality, elapsed, tempPath);
+            // Touch the file to extend its cache lifetime for TTL-based cleanup
+            IOFile.SetLastWriteTime(tempPath, DateTime.UtcNow);
+
+            // Start background Odesli conversion for lyrics (doesn't block streaming)
+            StartBackgroundOdesliConversion(externalProvider, externalId);
+
+            // Return a regular stream — the file stays in the transcoded cache
+            // and is cleaned up by CacheCleanupService based on CACHE_TRANSCODE_MINUTES TTL
+            return IOFile.OpenRead(tempPath);
+        }
+        catch (OperationCanceledException)
+        {
+            var elapsed = (DateTime.UtcNow - startTime).TotalMilliseconds;
+            Logger.LogWarning(
+                "Quality-override download cancelled after {ElapsedMs}ms for {Provider}:{ExternalId}",
+                elapsed, externalProvider, externalId);
+            throw;
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            var elapsed = (DateTime.UtcNow - startTime).TotalMilliseconds;
+            Logger.LogError(ex,
+                "Quality-override download failed after {ElapsedMs}ms for {Provider}:{ExternalId}",
+                elapsed, externalProvider, externalId);
+            throw;
+        }
+    }
+
     
     /// <summary>
     /// Starts background Odesli conversion for lyrics support.
@@ -194,6 +305,11 @@ public abstract class BaseDownloadService : IDownloadService
         ActiveDownloads.TryGetValue(songId, out var info);
         return info;
     }
+
+    public IReadOnlyList<DownloadInfo> GetActiveDownloads()
+    {
+        return ActiveDownloads.Values.ToList().AsReadOnly();
+    }
     
     public async Task<string?> GetLocalPathIfExistsAsync(string externalProvider, string externalId)
     {
@@ -213,6 +329,24 @@ public abstract class BaseDownloadService : IDownloadService
     }
     
     public abstract Task<bool> IsAvailableAsync();
+
+    protected string BuildTrackedSongId(string externalId)
+    {
+        return BuildTrackedSongId(ProviderName, externalId);
+    }
+
+    protected static string BuildTrackedSongId(string externalProvider, string externalId)
+    {
+        return $"ext-{externalProvider}-song-{externalId}";
+    }
+
+    protected void SetDownloadProgress(string songId, double progress)
+    {
+        if (ActiveDownloads.TryGetValue(songId, out var info))
+        {
+            info.Progress = Math.Clamp(progress, 0d, 1d);
+        }
+    }
     
     public void DownloadRemainingAlbumTracksInBackground(string externalProvider, string albumExternalId, string excludeTrackExternalId)
     {
@@ -249,6 +383,23 @@ public abstract class BaseDownloadService : IDownloadService
     /// <returns>Local file path where the track was saved</returns>
     protected abstract Task<string> DownloadTrackAsync(string trackId, Song song, CancellationToken cancellationToken);
     
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Downloads a track at a specific quality tier to a temp file.
+    /// Subclasses override this to map StreamQuality to provider-specific quality settings.
+    /// The .env quality is used as a ceiling — the override can only go equal or lower.
+    /// Default implementation falls back to DownloadTrackAsync (uses .env quality).
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <param name="trackId">External track ID</param>
+    /// <param name="song">Song metadata</param>
+    /// <param name="quality">Requested quality tier</param>
+    /// <param name="cancellationToken">Cancellation token</param>
+    /// <returns>Local temp file path where the track was saved</returns>
+    protected virtual Task<string> DownloadTrackWithQualityAsync(string trackId, Song song, StreamQuality quality, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    {
+        // Default: ignore quality override and use configured quality
+        return DownloadTrackAsync(trackId, song, cancellationToken);
+    }
+    
     /// <summary>
     /// Extracts the external album ID from the internal album ID format.
     /// Example: "ext-deezer-album-123456" -> "123456"
@@ -272,20 +423,25 @@ public abstract class BaseDownloadService : IDownloadService
     /// <summary>
     /// Internal method for downloading a song with control over album download triggering
     /// </summary>
-    protected async Task<string> DownloadSongInternalAsync(string externalProvider, string externalId, bool triggerAlbumDownload, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    protected async Task<string> DownloadSongInternalAsync(
+        string externalProvider,
+        string externalId,
+        bool triggerAlbumDownload,
+        bool requestedForStreaming = false,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
     {
         if (externalProvider != ProviderName)
         {
             throw new NotSupportedException($"Provider '{externalProvider}' is not supported");
         }
 
-        var songId = $"ext-{externalProvider}-{externalId}";
-        var isCache = SubsonicSettings.StorageMode == StorageMode.Cache;
+        var songId = BuildTrackedSongId(externalProvider, externalId);
+        var isCache = CurrentStorageMode == StorageMode.Cache;
         
-        // Acquire lock BEFORE checking existence to prevent race conditions with concurrent requests
-        await DownloadLock.WaitAsync(cancellationToken);
-        var lockHeld = true;
+        bool isInitiator = false;
         
+        // 1. Synchronous state check to prevent race conditions on checking existence or ActiveDownloads
+        await _stateSemaphore.WaitAsync(cancellationToken);
         try
         {
             // Check if already downloaded (works for both cache and permanent modes)
@@ -306,40 +462,73 @@ public abstract class BaseDownloadService : IDownloadService
             // Check if download in progress
             if (ActiveDownloads.TryGetValue(songId, out var activeDownload) && activeDownload.Status == DownloadStatus.InProgress)
             {
-                Logger.LogDebug("Download already in progress for {SongId}, waiting for completion...", songId);
-                // Release lock while waiting
-                DownloadLock.Release();
-                lockHeld = false;
-                
-                // Wait for download to complete, checking every 100ms
-                // Note: We check cancellation but don't cancel the actual download
-                // The download continues server-side even if this client gives up waiting
-                while (ActiveDownloads.TryGetValue(songId, out activeDownload) && activeDownload.Status == DownloadStatus.InProgress)
+                if (requestedForStreaming)
                 {
-                    // If client cancels, throw but let the download continue in background
-                    if (cancellationToken.IsCancellationRequested)
-                    {
-                        Logger.LogInformation("Client cancelled while waiting for download {SongId}, but download continues server-side", songId);
-                        throw new OperationCanceledException("Client cancelled request, but download continues server-side");
-                    }
-                    await Task.Delay(100, CancellationToken.None);
+                    activeDownload.RequestedForStreaming = true;
                 }
-                
-                if (activeDownload?.Status == DownloadStatus.Completed && activeDownload.LocalPath != null)
-                {
-                    Logger.LogDebug("Download completed while waiting, returning path: {Path}", activeDownload.LocalPath);
-                    return activeDownload.LocalPath;
-                }
-                
-                // Download failed or was cancelled
-                throw new Exception(activeDownload?.ErrorMessage ?? "Download failed while waiting");
-            }
 
+                Logger.LogDebug("Download already in progress for {SongId}, waiting for completion...", songId);
+                // We are not the initiator; we will wait outside the lock.
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                // We must initiate the download
+                isInitiator = true;
+                ActiveDownloads[songId] = new DownloadInfo
+                {
+                    SongId = songId,
+                    ExternalId = externalId,
+                    ExternalProvider = externalProvider,
+                    Title = "Unknown Title", // Will be updated after fetching
+                    Artist = "Unknown Artist",
+                    Status = DownloadStatus.InProgress,
+                    Progress = 0,
+                    RequestedForStreaming = requestedForStreaming,
+                    StartedAt = DateTime.UtcNow
+                };
+            }
+        }
+        finally
+        {
+            _stateSemaphore.Release();
+        }
+
+        // If another thread is already downloading this track, wait for it.
+        if (!isInitiator)
+        {
+            DownloadInfo? activeDownload;
+            while (ActiveDownloads.TryGetValue(songId, out activeDownload) && activeDownload.Status == DownloadStatus.InProgress)
+            {
+                // If client cancels, throw but let the download continue in background
+                if (cancellationToken.IsCancellationRequested)
+                {
+                    Logger.LogInformation("Client cancelled while waiting for download {SongId}, but download continues server-side", songId);
+                    throw new OperationCanceledException("Client cancelled request, but download continues server-side");
+                }
+                await Task.Delay(100, CancellationToken.None);
+            }
+            
+            if (activeDownload?.Status == DownloadStatus.Completed && activeDownload.LocalPath != null)
+            {
+                Logger.LogDebug("Download completed while waiting, returning path: {Path}", activeDownload.LocalPath);
+                return activeDownload.LocalPath;
+            }
+            
+            // Download failed or was cancelled
+            throw new Exception(activeDownload?.ErrorMessage ?? "Download failed while waiting");
+        }
+
+        // --- Execute the Download (we are the initiator) ---
+
+        // Wait for a concurrency permit before doing the heavy lifting
+        await _concurrencySemaphore.WaitAsync(cancellationToken);
+        try
+        {
             // Get metadata
             // In Album mode, fetch the full album first to ensure AlbumArtist is correctly set
             Song? song = null;
             
-            if (SubsonicSettings.DownloadMode == DownloadMode.Album)
+            if (CurrentDownloadMode == DownloadMode.Album)
             {
                 // First try to get the song to extract album ID
                 var tempSong = await MetadataService.GetSongAsync(externalProvider, externalId);
@@ -370,21 +559,23 @@ public abstract class BaseDownloadService : IDownloadService
                 throw new Exception("Song not found");
             }
 
-            var downloadInfo = new DownloadInfo
+            // Update ActiveDownloads with the real title/artist information
+            if (ActiveDownloads.TryGetValue(songId, out var info))
             {
-                SongId = songId,
-                ExternalId = externalId,
-                ExternalProvider = externalProvider,
-                Status = DownloadStatus.InProgress,
-                StartedAt = DateTime.UtcNow
-            };
-            ActiveDownloads[songId] = downloadInfo;
+                info.Title = song.Title ?? "Unknown Title";
+                info.Artist = song.Artist ?? "Unknown Artist";
+                info.DurationSeconds = song.Duration;
+            }
 
             var localPath = await DownloadTrackAsync(externalId, song, cancellationToken);
             
-            downloadInfo.Status = DownloadStatus.Completed;
-            downloadInfo.LocalPath = localPath;
-            downloadInfo.CompletedAt = DateTime.UtcNow;
+            if (ActiveDownloads.TryGetValue(songId, out var successInfo))
+            {
+                successInfo.Status = DownloadStatus.Completed;
+                successInfo.Progress = 1.0;
+                successInfo.LocalPath = localPath;
+                successInfo.CompletedAt = DateTime.UtcNow;
+            }
             
             song.LocalPath = localPath;
             
@@ -434,7 +625,7 @@ public abstract class BaseDownloadService : IDownloadService
                 });
                 
                 // If download mode is Album and triggering is enabled, start background download of remaining tracks
-                if (triggerAlbumDownload && SubsonicSettings.DownloadMode == DownloadMode.Album && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(song.AlbumId))
+                if (triggerAlbumDownload && CurrentDownloadMode == DownloadMode.Album && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(song.AlbumId))
                 {
                     var albumExternalId = ExtractExternalIdFromAlbumId(song.AlbumId);
                     if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(albumExternalId))
@@ -467,12 +658,11 @@ public abstract class BaseDownloadService : IDownloadService
                     Logger.LogDebug("Cleaned up failed download tracking for {SongId}", songId);
                 });
             }
+            
             if (ex is HttpRequestException httpRequestException && httpRequestException.StatusCode.HasValue)
             {
                 Logger.LogError("Download failed for {SongId}: {StatusCode}: {ReasonPhrase}",
-                    songId,
-                    (int)httpRequestException.StatusCode.Value,
-                    httpRequestException.StatusCode.Value);
+                    songId, (int)httpRequestException.StatusCode.Value, httpRequestException.StatusCode.Value);
                 Logger.LogDebug(ex, "Detailed download failure for {SongId}", songId);
             }
             else
@@ -483,10 +673,7 @@ public abstract class BaseDownloadService : IDownloadService
         }
         finally
         {
-            if (lockHeld)
-            {
-                DownloadLock.Release();
-            }
+            _concurrencySemaphore.Release();
         }
     }
     
@@ -521,7 +708,7 @@ public abstract class BaseDownloadService : IDownloadService
                 }
 
                 // Check if download is already in progress or recently completed
-                var songId = $"ext-{ProviderName}-{track.ExternalId}";
+                var songId = BuildTrackedSongId(track.ExternalId!);
                 if (ActiveDownloads.TryGetValue(songId, out var activeDownload))
                 {
                     if (activeDownload.Status == DownloadStatus.InProgress)
@@ -538,7 +725,12 @@ public abstract class BaseDownloadService : IDownloadService
                 }
 
                 Logger.LogInformation("Downloading track '{Title}' from album '{Album}'", track.Title, album.Title);
-                await DownloadSongInternalAsync(ProviderName, track.ExternalId!, triggerAlbumDownload: false, CancellationToken.None);
+                await DownloadSongInternalAsync(
+                    ProviderName,
+                    track.ExternalId!,
+                    triggerAlbumDownload: false,
+                    requestedForStreaming: false,
+                    CancellationToken.None);
             }
             catch (Exception ex)
             {

allstarr/Services/Common/CacheCleanupService.cs

@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ public class CacheCleanupService : BackgroundService
             try
             {
                 await CleanupOldCachedFilesAsync(stoppingToken);
+                await CleanupTranscodedCacheAsync(stoppingToken);
                 await ProcessPendingDeletionsAsync(stoppingToken);
                 await Task.Delay(_cleanupInterval, stoppingToken);
             }
@@ -134,6 +135,71 @@ public class CacheCleanupService : BackgroundService
         }
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Cleans up transcoded quality-override files based on CACHE_TRANSCODE_MINUTES TTL.
+    /// This always runs regardless of StorageMode, since transcoded files are a separate concern.
+    /// </summary>
+    private async Task CleanupTranscodedCacheAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    {
+        var downloadPath = _configuration["Library:DownloadPath"] ?? "downloads";
+        var transcodedPath = Path.Combine(downloadPath, "transcoded");
+
+        if (!Directory.Exists(transcodedPath))
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        var ttl = CacheExtensions.TranscodeCacheTTL;
+        var cutoffTime = DateTime.UtcNow - ttl;
+        var deletedCount = 0;
+        var totalSize = 0L;
+
+        try
+        {
+            var files = Directory.GetFiles(transcodedPath, "*.*", SearchOption.AllDirectories);
+
+            foreach (var filePath in files)
+            {
+                if (cancellationToken.IsCancellationRequested)
+                    break;
+
+                try
+                {
+                    var fileInfo = new FileInfo(filePath);
+
+                    // Use last write time (updated on cache hit) to determine if file should be deleted
+                    if (fileInfo.LastWriteTimeUtc < cutoffTime)
+                    {
+                        var size = fileInfo.Length;
+                        File.Delete(filePath);
+                        deletedCount++;
+                        totalSize += size;
+                        _logger.LogDebug("Deleted transcoded cache file: {Path} (age: {Age:F1} minutes)",
+                            filePath, (DateTime.UtcNow - fileInfo.LastWriteTimeUtc).TotalMinutes);
+                    }
+                }
+                catch (Exception ex)
+                {
+                    _logger.LogError(ex, "Failed to delete transcoded cache file: {Path}", filePath);
+                }
+            }
+
+            // Clean up empty directories in the transcoded folder
+            await CleanupEmptyDirectoriesAsync(transcodedPath, cancellationToken);
+
+            if (deletedCount > 0)
+            {
+                var sizeMB = totalSize / (1024.0 * 1024.0);
+                _logger.LogInformation("Transcoded cache cleanup: deleted {Count} files, freed {Size:F2} MB (TTL: {TTL} minutes)",
+                    deletedCount, sizeMB, ttl.TotalMinutes);
+            }
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            _logger.LogError(ex, "Error during transcoded cache cleanup");
+        }
+    }
+
     private async Task CleanupEmptyDirectoriesAsync(string rootPath, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
     {
         try

allstarr/Services/Common/CacheExtensions.cs

@@ -49,4 +49,5 @@ public static class CacheExtensions
     public static TimeSpan MetadataTTL => GetCacheSettings().MetadataTTL;
     public static TimeSpan OdesliLookupTTL => GetCacheSettings().OdesliLookupTTL;
     public static TimeSpan ProxyImagesTTL => GetCacheSettings().ProxyImagesTTL;
+    public static TimeSpan TranscodeCacheTTL => GetCacheSettings().TranscodeCacheTTL;
 }

allstarr/Services/Common/CacheKeyBuilder.cs

@@ -153,13 +153,22 @@ public static class CacheKeyBuilder
 
     #endregion
 
-    #region Playlist Keys
+    #region Image Keys
 
     public static string BuildPlaylistImageKey(string playlistId)
     {
         return $"playlist:image:{playlistId}";
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Builds a cache key for external album/song/artist cover art images.
+    /// Images are cached as byte[] in Redis with ProxyImagesTTL (default 14 days).
+    /// </summary>
+    public static string BuildExternalImageKey(string provider, string type, string externalId)
+    {
+        return $"image:{provider}:{type}:{externalId}";
+    }
+
     #endregion
 
     #region Genre Keys

allstarr/Services/Common/EnvMigrationService.cs

@@ -35,13 +35,13 @@ public class EnvMigrationService
                 if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(line) || line.StartsWith("#"))
                     continue;
 
-                // Migrate DOWNLOAD_PATH to Library__DownloadPath
-                if (line.StartsWith("DOWNLOAD_PATH="))
+                // Migrate Library__DownloadPath to DOWNLOAD_PATH (inverse migration)
+                if (line.StartsWith("Library__DownloadPath="))
                 {
-                    var value = line.Substring("DOWNLOAD_PATH=".Length);
-                    lines[i] = $"Library__DownloadPath={value}";
+                    var value = line.Substring("Library__DownloadPath=".Length);
+                    lines[i] = $"DOWNLOAD_PATH={value}";
                     modified = true;
-                    _logger.LogDebug("Migrated DOWNLOAD_PATH to Library__DownloadPath in .env file");
+                    _logger.LogInformation("Migrated Library__DownloadPath to DOWNLOAD_PATH in .env file");
                 }
                 
                 // Migrate old SquidWTF quality values to new format
@@ -104,10 +104,107 @@ public class EnvMigrationService
                 File.WriteAllLines(_envFilePath, lines);
                 _logger.LogInformation("✅ .env file migration completed successfully");
             }
+
+            ReformatEnvFileIfSquashed();
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
         {
             _logger.LogError(ex, "Failed to migrate .env file");
         }
     }
+
+    private void ReformatEnvFileIfSquashed()
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            if (!File.Exists(_envFilePath)) return;
+
+            var currentLines = File.ReadAllLines(_envFilePath);
+            var commentCount = currentLines.Count(l => l.TrimStart().StartsWith("#"));
+            
+            // If the file has fewer than 5 comments, it's likely a flattened/squashed file
+            // from an older version or raw docker output. Let's rehydrate it.
+            if (commentCount < 5)
+            {
+                var examplePath = Path.Combine(Directory.GetCurrentDirectory(), ".env.example");
+                if (!File.Exists(examplePath))
+                {
+                    examplePath = Path.Combine(Directory.GetParent(Directory.GetCurrentDirectory())?.FullName ?? "", ".env.example");
+                }
+
+                if (!File.Exists(examplePath)) return;
+
+                _logger.LogInformation("Flattened/raw .env file detected (only {Count} comments). Rehydrating formatting from .env.example...", commentCount);
+
+                var currentValues = new Dictionary<string, string>(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+                foreach (var line in currentLines)
+                {
+                    var trimmed = line.Trim();
+                    if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(trimmed) || trimmed.StartsWith("#")) continue;
+
+                    var eqIndex = trimmed.IndexOf('=');
+                    if (eqIndex > 0)
+                    {
+                        var key = trimmed[..eqIndex].Trim();
+                        var value = trimmed[(eqIndex + 1)..].Trim();
+                        currentValues[key] = value;
+                    }
+                }
+
+                var exampleLines = File.ReadAllLines(examplePath).ToList();
+                var usedKeys = new HashSet<string>(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+
+                for (int i = 0; i < exampleLines.Count; i++)
+                {
+                    var line = exampleLines[i].TrimStart();
+                    if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(line)) continue;
+
+                    if (!line.StartsWith("#"))
+                    {
+                        var eqIndex = line.IndexOf('=');
+                        if (eqIndex > 0)
+                        {
+                            var key = line[..eqIndex].Trim();
+                            if (currentValues.TryGetValue(key, out var val))
+                            {
+                                exampleLines[i] = $"{key}={val}";
+                                usedKeys.Add(key);
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+                    else
+                    {
+                        var eqIndex = line.IndexOf('=');
+                        if (eqIndex > 0)
+                        {
+                            var keyPart = line[..eqIndex].TrimStart('#').Trim();
+                            if (!keyPart.Contains(" ") && keyPart.Length > 0 && currentValues.TryGetValue(keyPart, out var val))
+                            {
+                                exampleLines[i] = $"{keyPart}={val}";
+                                usedKeys.Add(keyPart);
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                var leftoverKeys = currentValues.Keys.Except(usedKeys).ToList();
+                if (leftoverKeys.Any())
+                {
+                    exampleLines.Add("");
+                    exampleLines.Add("# ===== CUSTOM / UNKNOWN VARIABLES =====");
+                    foreach (var key in leftoverKeys)
+                    {
+                        exampleLines.Add($"{key}={currentValues[key]}");
+                    }
+                }
+
+                File.WriteAllLines(_envFilePath, exampleLines);
+                _logger.LogInformation("✅ .env file successfully rehydrated with comments and formatting");
+            }
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            _logger.LogError(ex, "Failed to rehydrate .env file formatting");
+        }
+    }
 }

allstarr/Services/Common/FavoritesMigrationService.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,168 @@
+using System.Text.Json;
+using System.Globalization;
+using allstarr.Models.Domain;
+using Microsoft.Extensions.Logging;
+using Microsoft.Extensions.Configuration;
+
+namespace allstarr.Services.Common;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Handles one-time migration of favorites and pending deletions from old JSON files to Redis.
+/// </summary>
+public class FavoritesMigrationService
+{
+    private readonly RedisCacheService _cache;
+    private readonly ILogger<FavoritesMigrationService> _logger;
+    private readonly string _cacheDir;
+
+    public FavoritesMigrationService(
+        RedisCacheService cache,
+        IConfiguration configuration,
+        ILogger<FavoritesMigrationService> logger)
+    {
+        _cache = cache;
+        _logger = logger;
+        _cacheDir = "/app/cache"; // This matches the path in JellyfinController
+    }
+
+    public async Task MigrateAsync()
+    {
+        if (!_cache.IsEnabled) return;
+
+        await MigrateFavoritesAsync();
+        await MigratePendingDeletionsAsync();
+    }
+
+    private async Task MigrateFavoritesAsync()
+    {
+        var filePath = Path.Combine(_cacheDir, "favorites.json");
+        var migrationMark = Path.Combine(_cacheDir, "favorites.json.migrated");
+
+        if (!File.Exists(filePath) || File.Exists(migrationMark)) return;
+
+        try
+        {
+            var options = new JsonSerializerOptions { PropertyNameCaseInsensitive = true };
+            _logger.LogInformation("🚀 Starting one-time migration of favorites from {Path} to Redis...", filePath);
+            
+            var json = await File.ReadAllTextAsync(filePath);
+            var favorites = JsonSerializer.Deserialize<Dictionary<string, FavoriteTrackInfo>>(json, options);
+
+            if (favorites == null || favorites.Count == 0)
+            {
+                File.Move(filePath, migrationMark);
+                return;
+            }
+
+            int count = 0;
+            foreach (var fav in favorites.Values)
+            {
+                await _cache.SetAsync($"favorites:{fav.ItemId}", fav);
+                count++;
+            }
+
+            File.Move(filePath, migrationMark);
+            _logger.LogInformation("✅ Successfully migrated {Count} favorites to Redis cached storage.", count);
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            _logger.LogError(ex, "❌ Failed to migrate favorites from JSON to Redis");
+        }
+    }
+
+    private async Task MigratePendingDeletionsAsync()
+    {
+        var filePath = Path.Combine(_cacheDir, "pending_deletions.json");
+        var migrationMark = Path.Combine(_cacheDir, "pending_deletions.json.migrated");
+
+        if (!File.Exists(filePath) || File.Exists(migrationMark)) return;
+
+        try
+        {
+            _logger.LogInformation("🚀 Starting one-time migration of pending deletions from {Path} to Redis...", filePath);
+            
+            var json = await File.ReadAllTextAsync(filePath);
+            var deletions = ParsePendingDeletions(json, DateTime.UtcNow);
+
+            if (deletions == null || deletions.Count == 0)
+            {
+                File.Move(filePath, migrationMark);
+                return;
+            }
+
+            int count = 0;
+            foreach (var (itemId, deleteAt) in deletions)
+            {
+                await _cache.SetStringAsync($"pending_deletion:{itemId}", deleteAt.ToUniversalTime().ToString("O"));
+                count++;
+            }
+
+            File.Move(filePath, migrationMark);
+            _logger.LogInformation("✅ Successfully migrated {Count} pending deletions to Redis cached storage.", count);
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            _logger.LogError(ex, "❌ Failed to migrate pending deletions from JSON to Redis");
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static Dictionary<string, DateTime> ParsePendingDeletions(string json, DateTime fallbackDeleteAtUtc)
+    {
+        var legacySchedule = TryDeserialize<Dictionary<string, DateTime>>(json);
+        if (legacySchedule != null)
+        {
+            return legacySchedule.ToDictionary(
+                kvp => kvp.Key,
+                kvp => kvp.Value.Kind == DateTimeKind.Utc ? kvp.Value : kvp.Value.ToUniversalTime());
+        }
+
+        var legacyScheduleStrings = TryDeserialize<Dictionary<string, string>>(json);
+        if (legacyScheduleStrings != null)
+        {
+            var parsed = new Dictionary<string, DateTime>(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+
+            foreach (var (itemId, deleteAtRaw) in legacyScheduleStrings)
+            {
+                if (DateTime.TryParse(
+                        deleteAtRaw,
+                        CultureInfo.InvariantCulture,
+                        DateTimeStyles.RoundtripKind | DateTimeStyles.AssumeUniversal,
+                        out var deleteAt))
+                {
+                    parsed[itemId] = deleteAt.Kind == DateTimeKind.Utc ? deleteAt : deleteAt.ToUniversalTime();
+                }
+            }
+
+            return parsed;
+        }
+
+        var deletionSet = TryDeserialize<HashSet<string>>(json) ?? TryDeserialize<List<string>>(json)?.ToHashSet();
+        if (deletionSet != null)
+        {
+            return deletionSet.ToDictionary(itemId => itemId, _ => fallbackDeleteAtUtc, StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+        }
+
+        throw new JsonException("Unsupported pending_deletions.json format");
+    }
+
+    private static T? TryDeserialize<T>(string json)
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            return JsonSerializer.Deserialize<T>(json);
+        }
+        catch (JsonException)
+        {
+            return default;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private class FavoriteTrackInfo
+    {
+        public string ItemId { get; set; } = "";
+        public string Title { get; set; } = "";
+        public string Artist { get; set; } = "";
+        public string Album { get; set; } = "";
+        public DateTime FavoritedAt { get; set; }
+    }
+}

allstarr/Services/Common/InjectedPlaylistItemHelper.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+using System.Text.Json;
+
+namespace allstarr.Services.Common;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Detects invalid injected playlist items so local Jellyfin tracks stay raw.
+/// </summary>
+public static class InjectedPlaylistItemHelper
+{
+    private const string SyntheticServerId = "allstarr";
+
+    public static bool ContainsSyntheticLocalItems(IEnumerable<Dictionary<string, object?>> items)
+    {
+        return items.Any(LooksLikeSyntheticLocalItem);
+    }
+
+    public static bool ContainsLocalItemsMissingGenreMetadata(IEnumerable<Dictionary<string, object?>> items)
+    {
+        return items.Any(LooksLikeLocalItemMissingGenreMetadata);
+    }
+
+    public static bool LooksLikeSyntheticLocalItem(IReadOnlyDictionary<string, object?> item)
+    {
+        var id = GetString(item, "Id");
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(id) || IsExternalItemId(id))
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        var serverId = GetString(item, "ServerId");
+        return string.Equals(serverId, SyntheticServerId, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+    }
+
+    public static bool LooksLikeLocalItemMissingGenreMetadata(IReadOnlyDictionary<string, object?> item)
+    {
+        var id = GetString(item, "Id");
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(id) || IsExternalItemId(id) || LooksLikeSyntheticLocalItem(item))
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        return !HasNonNullValue(item, "Genres") || !HasNonNullValue(item, "GenreItems");
+    }
+
+    private static bool IsExternalItemId(string itemId)
+    {
+        return itemId.StartsWith("ext-", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+    }
+
+    private static bool HasNonNullValue(IReadOnlyDictionary<string, object?> item, string key)
+    {
+        if (!item.TryGetValue(key, out var value) || value == null)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        return value switch
+        {
+            JsonElement { ValueKind: JsonValueKind.Null or JsonValueKind.Undefined } => false,
+            _ => true
+        };
+    }
+
+    private static string? GetString(IReadOnlyDictionary<string, object?> item, string key)
+    {
+        if (!item.TryGetValue(key, out var value) || value == null)
+        {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        return value switch
+        {
+            string s => s,
+            JsonElement { ValueKind: JsonValueKind.String } element => element.GetString(),
+            JsonElement { ValueKind: JsonValueKind.Number } element => element.ToString(),
+            _ => value.ToString()
+        };
+    }
+}

allstarr/Services/Common/JellyfinItemSnapshotHelper.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+using System.Text.Json;
+using allstarr.Models.Domain;
+
+namespace allstarr.Services.Common;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Stores and restores raw Jellyfin item snapshots on local songs for cache safety.
+/// </summary>
+public static class JellyfinItemSnapshotHelper
+{
+    private const string RawItemKey = "RawItem";
+
+    public static void StoreRawItemSnapshot(Song song, JsonElement item)
+    {
+        var rawItem = DeserializeDictionary(item.GetRawText());
+        if (rawItem == null)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        song.JellyfinMetadata ??= new Dictionary<string, object?>();
+        song.JellyfinMetadata[RawItemKey] = rawItem;
+    }
+
+    public static bool HasRawItemSnapshot(Song? song)
+    {
+        return song?.JellyfinMetadata?.ContainsKey(RawItemKey) == true;
+    }
+
+    public static bool TryGetClonedRawItemSnapshot(Song? song, out Dictionary<string, object?> rawItem)
+    {
+        rawItem = new Dictionary<string, object?>();
+
+        if (song?.JellyfinMetadata == null ||
+            !song.JellyfinMetadata.TryGetValue(RawItemKey, out var snapshot) ||
+            snapshot == null)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        var normalized = snapshot switch
+        {
+            Dictionary<string, object?> dict => DeserializeDictionary(JsonSerializer.Serialize(dict)),
+            JsonElement { ValueKind: JsonValueKind.Object } json => DeserializeDictionary(json.GetRawText()),
+            _ => DeserializeDictionary(JsonSerializer.Serialize(snapshot))
+        };
+
+        if (normalized == null)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        rawItem = normalized;
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    private static Dictionary<string, object?>? DeserializeDictionary(string json)
+    {
+        return JsonSerializer.Deserialize<Dictionary<string, object?>>(json);
+    }
+}

allstarr/Services/Common/RedisCacheService.cs

@@ -248,6 +248,25 @@ public class RedisCacheService
         }
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Gets all keys matching a pattern.
+    /// </summary>
+    public IEnumerable<string> GetKeysByPattern(string pattern)
+    {
+        if (!IsEnabled) return Array.Empty<string>();
+
+        try
+        {
+            var server = _redis!.GetServer(_redis.GetEndPoints().First());
+            return server.Keys(pattern: pattern).Select(k => (string)k!);
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            _logger.LogError(ex, "Redis GET KEYS BY PATTERN failed for pattern: {Pattern}", pattern);
+            return Array.Empty<string>();
+        }
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Deletes all keys matching a pattern (e.g., "search:*").
     /// WARNING: Use with caution as this scans all keys.

allstarr/Services/Common/SpotifyPlaylistCountHelper.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+using System.Text.Json;
+using allstarr.Models.Spotify;
+
+namespace allstarr.Services.Common;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Computes displayed counts for injected Spotify playlists.
+/// </summary>
+public static class SpotifyPlaylistCountHelper
+{
+    public static int CountExternalMatchedTracks(IEnumerable<MatchedTrack>? matchedTracks)
+    {
+        if (matchedTracks == null)
+        {
+            return 0;
+        }
+
+        return matchedTracks.Count(t => t.MatchedSong != null && !t.MatchedSong.IsLocal);
+    }
+
+    public static int ComputeServedItemCount(
+        int? exactCachedPlaylistItemsCount,
+        int localTracksCount,
+        IEnumerable<MatchedTrack>? matchedTracks)
+    {
+        if (exactCachedPlaylistItemsCount.HasValue && exactCachedPlaylistItemsCount.Value > 0)
+        {
+            return exactCachedPlaylistItemsCount.Value;
+        }
+
+        return Math.Max(0, localTracksCount) + CountExternalMatchedTracks(matchedTracks);
+    }
+
+    public static long SumExternalMatchedRunTimeTicks(IEnumerable<MatchedTrack>? matchedTracks)
+    {
+        if (matchedTracks == null)
+        {
+            return 0;
+        }
+
+        return matchedTracks
+            .Where(t => t.MatchedSong != null && !t.MatchedSong.IsLocal)
+            .Sum(t => Math.Max(0, (long)(t.MatchedSong.Duration ?? 0) * TimeSpan.TicksPerSecond));
+    }
+
+    public static long SumCachedPlaylistRunTimeTicks(IEnumerable<Dictionary<string, object?>>? cachedPlaylistItems)
+    {
+        if (cachedPlaylistItems == null)
+        {
+            return 0;
+        }
+
+        long total = 0;
+        foreach (var item in cachedPlaylistItems)
+        {
+            item.TryGetValue("RunTimeTicks", out var runTimeTicks);
+            total += ExtractRunTimeTicks(runTimeTicks);
+        }
+
+        return total;
+    }
+
+    public static long ComputeServedRunTimeTicks(
+        long? exactCachedPlaylistRunTimeTicks,
+        long localPlaylistRunTimeTicks,
+        IEnumerable<MatchedTrack>? matchedTracks)
+    {
+        if (exactCachedPlaylistRunTimeTicks.HasValue)
+        {
+            return Math.Max(0, exactCachedPlaylistRunTimeTicks.Value);
+        }
+
+        return Math.Max(0, localPlaylistRunTimeTicks) + SumExternalMatchedRunTimeTicks(matchedTracks);
+    }
+
+    public static long ExtractRunTimeTicks(object? rawValue)
+    {
+        return rawValue switch
+        {
+            null => 0,
+            long longValue => Math.Max(0, longValue),
+            int intValue => Math.Max(0, intValue),
+            double doubleValue => Math.Max(0, (long)doubleValue),
+            decimal decimalValue => Math.Max(0, (long)decimalValue),
+            string stringValue when long.TryParse(stringValue, out var parsed) => Math.Max(0, parsed),
+            JsonElement jsonElement => ExtractJsonRunTimeTicks(jsonElement),
+            _ => 0
+        };
+    }
+
+    private static long ExtractJsonRunTimeTicks(JsonElement jsonElement)
+    {
+        return jsonElement.ValueKind switch
+        {
+            JsonValueKind.Number when jsonElement.TryGetInt64(out var longValue) => Math.Max(0, longValue),
+            JsonValueKind.String when long.TryParse(jsonElement.GetString(), out var parsed) => Math.Max(0, parsed),
+            _ => 0
+        };
+    }
+}

allstarr/Services/Common/StreamQualityHelper.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,110 @@
+namespace allstarr.Services.Common;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Represents the quality tier requested by a client for streaming.
+/// Used to map client transcoding parameters to provider-specific quality levels.
+/// The .env quality setting acts as a ceiling — client requests can only go equal or lower.
+/// </summary>
+public enum StreamQuality
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Use the quality configured in .env / appsettings (default behavior).
+    /// This is the "Lossless" / "no transcoding" selection in a client.
+    /// </summary>
+    Original,
+    
+    /// <summary>
+    /// High quality lossy (e.g., 320kbps AAC/MP3).
+    /// Covers client selections: 320K, 256K, 192K.
+    /// Maps to: SquidWTF HIGH, Deezer MP3_320, Qobuz MP3_320.
+    /// </summary>
+    High,
+    
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Low quality lossy (e.g., 96-128kbps AAC/MP3).
+    /// Covers client selections: 128K, 64K.
+    /// Maps to: SquidWTF LOW, Deezer MP3_128, Qobuz MP3_320 (lowest available).
+    /// </summary>
+    Low
+}
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Parses Jellyfin client transcoding query parameters to determine
+/// the requested stream quality tier for external tracks.
+/// 
+/// Typical client quality options: Lossless, 320K, 256K, 192K, 128K, 64K
+/// These are mapped to StreamQuality tiers which providers then translate
+/// to their own quality levels, capped at the .env ceiling.
+/// </summary>
+public static class StreamQualityHelper
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Parses the request query string to determine what quality the client wants.
+    /// Jellyfin clients send parameters like AudioBitRate, MaxStreamingBitrate,
+    /// AudioCodec, TranscodingContainer when requesting transcoded streams.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static StreamQuality ParseFromQueryString(IQueryCollection query)
+    {
+        // Check for explicit audio bitrate (e.g., AudioBitRate=128000)
+        if (query.TryGetValue("AudioBitRate", out var audioBitRateVal) &&
+            int.TryParse(audioBitRateVal.FirstOrDefault(), out var audioBitRate))
+        {
+            return MapBitRateToQuality(audioBitRate);
+        }
+
+        // Check for MaxStreamingBitrate (e.g., MaxStreamingBitrate=140000000 for lossless)
+        if (query.TryGetValue("MaxStreamingBitrate", out var maxBitrateVal) &&
+            long.TryParse(maxBitrateVal.FirstOrDefault(), out var maxBitrate))
+        {
+            // Very high values (>= 10Mbps) indicate lossless / no transcoding
+            if (maxBitrate >= 10_000_000)
+            {
+                return StreamQuality.Original;
+            }
+
+            return MapBitRateToQuality((int)(maxBitrate / 1000));
+        }
+
+        // Check for audioBitRate (lowercase variant used by some clients)
+        if (query.TryGetValue("audioBitRate", out var audioBitRateLower) &&
+            int.TryParse(audioBitRateLower.FirstOrDefault(), out var audioBitRateLowerVal))
+        {
+            return MapBitRateToQuality(audioBitRateLowerVal);
+        }
+
+        // Check TranscodingContainer — if client requests mp3/aac, they want lossy
+        if (query.TryGetValue("TranscodingContainer", out var container))
+        {
+            var containerStr = container.FirstOrDefault()?.ToLowerInvariant();
+            if (containerStr is "mp3" or "aac" or "m4a")
+            {
+                // Container specified but no bitrate — default to High (320kbps)
+                return StreamQuality.High;
+            }
+        }
+
+        // No transcoding parameters — use original quality from .env
+        return StreamQuality.Original;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Maps a bitrate value (in bps) to a StreamQuality tier.
+    /// Client options are typically: Lossless, 320K, 256K, 192K, 128K, 64K
+    /// 
+    /// >= 192kbps → High (covers 320K, 256K, 192K selections)
+    /// &lt; 192kbps → Low (covers 128K, 64K selections)
+    /// </summary>
+    private static StreamQuality MapBitRateToQuality(int bitRate)
+    {
+        // >= 192kbps → High (320kbps tier)
+        // Covers client selections: 320K, 256K, 192K
+        if (bitRate >= 192_000)
+        {
+            return StreamQuality.High;
+        }
+
+        // < 192kbps → Low (96-128kbps tier)
+        // Covers client selections: 128K, 64K
+        return StreamQuality.Low;
+    }
+}

allstarr/Services/Deezer/DeezerDownloadService.cs

@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ public class DeezerDownloadService : BaseDownloadService
         _arl = deezer.Arl;
         _arlFallback = deezer.ArlFallback;
         _preferredQuality = deezer.Quality;
+        _minRequestIntervalMs = deezer.MinRequestIntervalMs;
     }
 
     #region BaseDownloadService Implementation
@@ -98,10 +99,9 @@ public class DeezerDownloadService : BaseDownloadService
 
         // Build organized folder structure: Artist/Album/Track using AlbumArtist (fallback to Artist for singles)
         var artistForPath = song.AlbumArtist ?? song.Artist;
-        // Cache mode uses downloads/cache/ folder, Permanent mode uses downloads/permanent/
-        var basePath = SubsonicSettings.StorageMode == StorageMode.Cache 
-            ? Path.Combine("downloads", "cache")
-            : Path.Combine("downloads", "permanent");
+        var basePath = CurrentStorageMode == StorageMode.Cache 
+            ? Path.Combine(DownloadPath, "cache")
+            : Path.Combine(DownloadPath, "permanent");
         var outputPath = PathHelper.BuildTrackPath(basePath, artistForPath, song.Album, song.Title, song.Track, extension, "deezer", trackId);
         
         // Create directories if they don't exist
@@ -118,11 +118,11 @@ public class DeezerDownloadService : BaseDownloadService
             request.Headers.Add("User-Agent", "Mozilla/5.0");
             request.Headers.Add("Accept", "*/*");
             
-            return await _httpClient.SendAsync(request, HttpCompletionOption.ResponseHeadersRead, cancellationToken);
+            var res = await _httpClient.SendAsync(request, HttpCompletionOption.ResponseHeadersRead, cancellationToken);
+            res.EnsureSuccessStatusCode();
+            return res;
         }, Logger);
 
-        response.EnsureSuccessStatusCode();
-
         // Download and decrypt
         await using var responseStream = await response.Content.ReadAsStreamAsync(cancellationToken);
         await using var outputFile = IOFile.Create(outputPath);
@@ -140,6 +140,140 @@ public class DeezerDownloadService : BaseDownloadService
 
     #endregion
 
+    #region Quality Override Support
+    
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Downloads a track at a specific quality tier, capped at the .env quality ceiling.
+    /// Deezer quality hierarchy: FLAC > MP3_320 > MP3_128
+    /// 
+    /// Examples:
+    ///   env=FLAC:    Original→FLAC,    High→MP3_320, Low→MP3_128
+    ///   env=MP3_320: Original→MP3_320, High→MP3_320, Low→MP3_128
+    ///   env=MP3_128: Original→MP3_128, High→MP3_128, Low→MP3_128
+    /// </summary>
+    protected override async Task<string> DownloadTrackWithQualityAsync(
+        string trackId, Song song, StreamQuality quality, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    {
+        if (quality == StreamQuality.Original)
+        {
+            return await DownloadTrackAsync(trackId, song, cancellationToken);
+        }
+
+        // Map StreamQuality to Deezer quality, capped at .env ceiling
+        var envQuality = NormalizeDeezerQuality(_preferredQuality);
+        var deezerQuality = MapStreamQualityToDeezer(quality, envQuality);
+
+        Logger.LogInformation(
+            "Quality override: StreamQuality.{Quality} → Deezer quality '{DeezerQuality}' (env ceiling: {EnvQuality}) for track {TrackId}",
+            quality, deezerQuality, envQuality, trackId);
+
+        // Use the existing download logic with the overridden quality
+        var downloadInfo = await GetTrackDownloadInfoAsync(trackId, cancellationToken, deezerQuality);
+
+        Logger.LogInformation(
+            "Quality override download info resolved (Format: {Format})",
+            downloadInfo.Format);
+
+        // Determine extension based on format
+        var extension = downloadInfo.Format?.ToUpper() switch
+        {
+            "FLAC" => ".flac",
+            _ => ".mp3"
+        };
+
+        // Write to transcoded cache directory: {downloads}/transcoded/Artist/Album/song.ext
+        // These files are cleaned up by CacheCleanupService based on CACHE_TRANSCODE_MINUTES TTL
+        var artistForPath = song.AlbumArtist ?? song.Artist;
+        var basePath = Path.Combine("downloads", "transcoded");
+        var outputPath = PathHelper.BuildTrackPath(basePath, artistForPath, song.Album, song.Title, song.Track, extension, "deezer", trackId);
+        
+        // Create directories if they don't exist
+        var albumFolder = Path.GetDirectoryName(outputPath)!;
+        EnsureDirectoryExists(albumFolder);
+        
+        // If the file already exists in transcoded cache, return it directly
+        if (IOFile.Exists(outputPath))
+        {
+            // Touch the file to extend its cache lifetime
+            IOFile.SetLastWriteTime(outputPath, DateTime.UtcNow);
+            Logger.LogInformation("Quality override cache hit: {Path}", outputPath);
+            return outputPath;
+        }
+
+        // Download the encrypted file
+        var response = await RetryHelper.RetryWithBackoffAsync(async () =>
+        {
+            using var request = new HttpRequestMessage(HttpMethod.Get, downloadInfo.DownloadUrl);
+            request.Headers.Add("User-Agent", "Mozilla/5.0");
+            request.Headers.Add("Accept", "*/*");
+            
+            var res = await _httpClient.SendAsync(request, HttpCompletionOption.ResponseHeadersRead, cancellationToken);
+            res.EnsureSuccessStatusCode();
+            return res;
+        }, Logger);
+
+        // Download and decrypt (Deezer uses Blowfish CBC encryption)
+        await using var responseStream = await response.Content.ReadAsStreamAsync(cancellationToken);
+        await using var outputFile = IOFile.Create(outputPath);
+        await DecryptAndWriteStreamAsync(responseStream, outputFile, trackId, cancellationToken);
+        
+        // Close file before writing metadata
+        await outputFile.DisposeAsync();
+
+        // Write metadata and cover art
+        await WriteMetadataAsync(outputPath, song, cancellationToken);
+
+        return outputPath;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Normalizes the .env quality string to a standard Deezer quality level.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static string NormalizeDeezerQuality(string? quality)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(quality)) return "FLAC";
+        
+        return quality.ToUpperInvariant() switch
+        {
+            "FLAC" => "FLAC",
+            "MP3_320" or "320" => "MP3_320",
+            "MP3_128" or "128" => "MP3_128",
+            _ => "FLAC"
+        };
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Maps a StreamQuality tier to a Deezer quality string, capped at the .env ceiling.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static string MapStreamQualityToDeezer(StreamQuality streamQuality, string envQuality)
+    {
+        // Quality ranking from highest to lowest
+        var ranking = new[] { "FLAC", "MP3_320", "MP3_128" };
+        var envIndex = Array.IndexOf(ranking, envQuality);
+        if (envIndex < 0) envIndex = 0; // Default to FLAC if unknown
+
+        var idealQuality = streamQuality switch
+        {
+            StreamQuality.Original => envQuality,
+            StreamQuality.High => "MP3_320",
+            StreamQuality.Low => "MP3_128",
+            _ => envQuality
+        };
+
+        // Cap at env ceiling (lower index = higher quality)
+        var idealIndex = Array.IndexOf(ranking, idealQuality);
+        if (idealIndex < 0) idealIndex = envIndex;
+        
+        if (idealIndex < envIndex)
+        {
+            return envQuality;
+        }
+
+        return idealQuality;
+    }
+
+    #endregion
+
     #region Deezer API Methods
 
     private async Task InitializeAsync(string? arlOverride = null)
@@ -185,7 +319,7 @@ public class DeezerDownloadService : BaseDownloadService
         }, Logger);
     }
 
-    private async Task<DownloadResult> GetTrackDownloadInfoAsync(string trackId, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    private async Task<DownloadResult> GetTrackDownloadInfoAsync(string trackId, CancellationToken cancellationToken, string? qualityOverride = null)
     {
         var tryDownload = async (string arl) =>
         {
@@ -213,8 +347,8 @@ public class DeezerDownloadService : BaseDownloadService
                     : "";
 
                 // Get download URL via media API
-                // Build format list based on preferred quality
-                var formatsList = BuildFormatsList(_preferredQuality);
+                // Build format list based on preferred quality (or overridden quality for transcoding)
+                var formatsList = BuildFormatsList(qualityOverride ?? _preferredQuality);
                 
                 var mediaRequest = new
                 {

allstarr/Services/Deezer/DeezerMetadataService.cs

@@ -62,6 +62,19 @@ public class DeezerMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
         }
     }
 
+    public async Task<Song?> FindSongByIsrcAsync(string isrc, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(isrc))
+        {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        var results = await SearchSongsAsync(isrc, limit: 5, cancellationToken);
+        return results.FirstOrDefault(song =>
+            !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(song.Isrc) &&
+            song.Isrc.Equals(isrc, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase));
+    }
+
     public async Task<List<Album>> SearchAlbumsAsync(string query, int limit = 20, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
     {
         try

allstarr/Services/IDownloadService.cs

@@ -21,13 +21,17 @@ public interface IDownloadService
     Task<string> DownloadSongAsync(string externalProvider, string externalId, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default);
     
     /// <summary>
-    /// Downloads a song and streams the result progressively
+    /// Downloads a song and streams the result progressively.
+    /// When qualityOverride is specified (not null and not Original), downloads at the requested
+    /// quality tier instead of the configured .env quality. Used for client-requested "transcoding".
+    /// The .env quality acts as a ceiling — client requests can only go equal or lower.
     /// </summary>
     /// <param name="externalProvider">The provider (deezer, spotify)</param>
     /// <param name="externalId">The ID on the external provider</param>
+    /// <param name="qualityOverride">Optional quality tier override for streaming (null = use .env quality)</param>
     /// <param name="cancellationToken">Cancellation token</param>
     /// <returns>A stream of the audio file</returns>
-    Task<Stream> DownloadAndStreamAsync(string externalProvider, string externalId, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default);
+    Task<Stream> DownloadAndStreamAsync(string externalProvider, string externalId, Common.StreamQuality? qualityOverride = null, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default);
     
     /// <summary>
     /// Downloads remaining tracks from an album in background (excluding the specified track)
@@ -42,6 +46,11 @@ public interface IDownloadService
     /// </summary>
     DownloadInfo? GetDownloadStatus(string songId);
     
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Gets a snapshot of all active/recent downloads for the activity feed
+    /// </summary>
+    IReadOnlyList<DownloadInfo> GetActiveDownloads();
+    
     /// <summary>
     /// Gets the local path for a song if it has been downloaded already
     /// </summary>

allstarr/Services/IMusicMetadataService.cs

@@ -40,6 +40,11 @@ public interface IMusicMetadataService
     /// Gets details of an external song
     /// </summary>
     Task<Song?> GetSongAsync(string externalProvider, string externalId, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default);
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Attempts to find a song by ISRC using the provider's most exact lookup path.
+    /// </summary>
+    Task<Song?> FindSongByIsrcAsync(string isrc, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default);
     
     /// <summary>
     /// Gets details of an external album with its songs

allstarr/Services/Jellyfin/JellyfinModelMapper.cs

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ using System.Text.Json;
 using allstarr.Models.Domain;
 using allstarr.Models.Search;
 using allstarr.Models.Subsonic;
+using allstarr.Services.Common;
 
 namespace allstarr.Services.Jellyfin;
 
@@ -186,10 +187,13 @@ public class JellyfinModelMapper
 
         // Cover art URL construction
         song.CoverArtUrl = $"/Items/{id}/Images/Primary";
-        
-        // Preserve Jellyfin metadata (MediaSources, etc.) for local tracks
-        // This ensures bitrate and other technical details are maintained
-        song.JellyfinMetadata = new Dictionary<string, object?>();
+
+        // Preserve the full raw item so cached local matches can be replayed without losing fields.
+        JellyfinItemSnapshotHelper.StoreRawItemSnapshot(song, item);
+
+        // Preserve Jellyfin metadata (MediaSources, etc.) for local tracks.
+        // This ensures bitrate and other technical details are maintained.
+        song.JellyfinMetadata ??= new Dictionary<string, object?>();
         if (item.TryGetProperty("MediaSources", out var mediaSources))
         {
             song.JellyfinMetadata["MediaSources"] = JsonSerializer.Deserialize<object>(mediaSources.GetRawText());

allstarr/Services/Jellyfin/JellyfinProxyService.cs

@@ -115,27 +115,37 @@ public class JellyfinProxyService
             var baseEndpoint = parts[0];
             var existingQuery = parts[1];
 
-            // Parse existing query string
-            var mergedParams = new Dictionary<string, string>();
-            foreach (var param in existingQuery.Split('&'))
+            // Fast path: preserve the caller's raw query string exactly as provided.
+            // This is required for endpoints that legitimately repeat keys like Fields=...
+            if (queryParams == null || queryParams.Count == 0)
+            {
+                return await GetJsonAsyncInternal(BuildUrl(endpoint), clientHeaders);
+            }
+
+            var preservedParams = new List<string>();
+
+            foreach (var param in existingQuery.Split('&', StringSplitOptions.RemoveEmptyEntries))
             {
                 var kv = param.Split('=', 2);
-                if (kv.Length == 2)
+                var key = kv.Length > 0 ? Uri.UnescapeDataString(kv[0]) : string.Empty;
+
+                // Explicit query params override every existing value for the same key.
+                if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(key) && queryParams.ContainsKey(key))
                 {
-                    mergedParams[Uri.UnescapeDataString(kv[0])] = Uri.UnescapeDataString(kv[1]);
+                    continue;
                 }
+
+                preservedParams.Add(param);
             }
 
-            // Merge with provided queryParams (provided params take precedence)
-            if (queryParams != null)
-            {
-                foreach (var kv in queryParams)
-                {
-                    mergedParams[kv.Key] = kv.Value;
-                }
-            }
+            var explicitParams = queryParams.Select(kv =>
+                $"{Uri.EscapeDataString(kv.Key)}={Uri.EscapeDataString(kv.Value)}");
+
+            var mergedQuery = string.Join("&", preservedParams.Concat(explicitParams));
+            var url = string.IsNullOrEmpty(mergedQuery)
+                ? BuildUrl(baseEndpoint)
+                : $"{BuildUrl(baseEndpoint)}?{mergedQuery}";
 
-            var url = BuildUrl(baseEndpoint, mergedParams);
             return await GetJsonAsyncInternal(url, clientHeaders);
         }
 

allstarr/Services/Jellyfin/JellyfinSessionManager.cs

@@ -296,6 +296,25 @@ public class JellyfinSessionManager : IDisposable
         return (null, null);
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Returns current active playback states for tracked sessions.
+    /// </summary>
+    public IReadOnlyList<ActivePlaybackState> GetActivePlaybackStates(TimeSpan maxAge)
+    {
+        var cutoff = DateTime.UtcNow - maxAge;
+
+        return _sessions.Values
+            .Where(session =>
+                !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(session.LastPlayingItemId) &&
+                session.LastActivity >= cutoff)
+            .Select(session => new ActivePlaybackState(
+                session.DeviceId,
+                session.LastPlayingItemId!,
+                session.LastPlayingPositionTicks ?? 0,
+                session.LastActivity))
+            .ToList();
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Marks a session as potentially ended (e.g., after playback stops).
     /// Jellyfin should decide when the upstream playback session expires.
@@ -678,6 +697,12 @@ public class JellyfinSessionManager : IDisposable
         public DateTime? LastExplicitStopAtUtc { get; set; }
     }
 
+    public sealed record ActivePlaybackState(
+        string DeviceId,
+        string ItemId,
+        long PositionTicks,
+        DateTime LastActivity);
+
     public void Dispose()
     {
         _keepAliveTimer?.Dispose();

allstarr/Services/Qobuz/QobuzDownloadService.cs

@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ public class QobuzDownloadService : BaseDownloadService
         _userAuthToken = qobuzConfig.UserAuthToken;
         _userId = qobuzConfig.UserId;
         _preferredQuality = qobuzConfig.Quality;
+        _minRequestIntervalMs = qobuzConfig.MinRequestIntervalMs;
     }
 
     #region BaseDownloadService Implementation
@@ -101,8 +102,7 @@ public class QobuzDownloadService : BaseDownloadService
 
         // Build organized folder structure using AlbumArtist (fallback to Artist for singles)
         var artistForPath = song.AlbumArtist ?? song.Artist;
-        // Cache mode uses downloads/cache/ folder, Permanent mode uses downloads/permanent/
-        var basePath = SubsonicSettings.StorageMode == StorageMode.Cache 
+        var basePath = CurrentStorageMode == StorageMode.Cache 
             ? Path.Combine(DownloadPath, "cache")
             : Path.Combine(DownloadPath, "permanent");
         var outputPath = PathHelper.BuildTrackPath(basePath, artistForPath, song.Album, song.Title, song.Track, extension, "qobuz", trackId);
@@ -113,8 +113,12 @@ public class QobuzDownloadService : BaseDownloadService
         outputPath = PathHelper.ResolveUniquePath(outputPath);
 
         // Download the file (Qobuz files are NOT encrypted like Deezer)
-        var response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(downloadInfo.Url, HttpCompletionOption.ResponseHeadersRead, cancellationToken);
-        response.EnsureSuccessStatusCode();
+        var response = await RetryHelper.RetryWithBackoffAsync(async () =>
+        {
+            var res = await _httpClient.GetAsync(downloadInfo.Url, HttpCompletionOption.ResponseHeadersRead, cancellationToken);
+            res.EnsureSuccessStatusCode();
+            return res;
+        }, Logger);
 
         await using var responseStream = await response.Content.ReadAsStreamAsync(cancellationToken);
         await using var outputFile = IOFile.Create(outputPath);
@@ -130,6 +134,143 @@ public class QobuzDownloadService : BaseDownloadService
 
     #endregion
 
+    #region Quality Override Support
+    
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Downloads a track at a specific quality tier, capped at the .env quality ceiling.
+    /// Note: Qobuz's lowest available quality is MP3 320kbps, so both High and Low map to FormatMp3320.
+    /// 
+    /// Quality hierarchy: FormatFlac24High > FormatFlac24Low > FormatFlac16 > FormatMp3320
+    /// </summary>
+    protected override async Task<string> DownloadTrackWithQualityAsync(
+        string trackId, Song song, StreamQuality quality, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    {
+        if (quality == StreamQuality.Original)
+        {
+            return await DownloadTrackAsync(trackId, song, cancellationToken);
+        }
+
+        // Map StreamQuality to Qobuz format ID, capped at .env ceiling
+        // Both High and Low map to MP3_320 since Qobuz has no lower quality
+        var envFormatId = GetFormatId(_preferredQuality);
+        var formatId = MapStreamQualityToQobuz(quality, envFormatId);
+
+        Logger.LogInformation(
+            "Quality override: StreamQuality.{Quality} → Qobuz formatId {FormatId} (env ceiling: {EnvFormatId}) for track {TrackId}",
+            quality, formatId, envFormatId, trackId);
+
+        // Get download URL at the overridden quality — try all secrets
+        var secrets = await _bundleService.GetSecretsAsync();
+
+        if (secrets.Count == 0)
+        {
+            throw new Exception("No secrets available for signing");
+        }
+
+        QobuzDownloadResult? downloadInfo = null;
+        Exception? lastException = null;
+
+        foreach (var secret in secrets)
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                downloadInfo = await TryGetTrackDownloadUrlAsync(trackId, formatId, secret, cancellationToken);
+                break;
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex)
+            {
+                lastException = ex;
+                Logger.LogDebug("Failed with secret for quality override: {Error}", ex.Message);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (downloadInfo == null)
+        {
+            throw new Exception("Failed to get download URL for quality override", lastException);
+        }
+
+        // Check if it's a demo/sample
+        if (downloadInfo.IsSample)
+        {
+            throw new Exception("Track is only available as a demo/sample");
+        }
+
+        // Determine extension based on MIME type
+        var extension = downloadInfo.MimeType?.Contains("flac") == true ? ".flac" : ".mp3";
+
+        // Write to transcoded cache directory: {downloads}/transcoded/Artist/Album/song.ext
+        // These files are cleaned up by CacheCleanupService based on CACHE_TRANSCODE_MINUTES TTL
+        var artistForPath = song.AlbumArtist ?? song.Artist;
+        var basePath = Path.Combine("downloads", "transcoded");
+        var outputPath = PathHelper.BuildTrackPath(basePath, artistForPath, song.Album, song.Title, song.Track, extension, "qobuz", trackId);
+        
+        // Create directories if they don't exist
+        var albumFolder = Path.GetDirectoryName(outputPath)!;
+        EnsureDirectoryExists(albumFolder);
+        
+        // If the file already exists in transcoded cache, return it directly
+        if (IOFile.Exists(outputPath))
+        {
+            // Touch the file to extend its cache lifetime
+            IOFile.SetLastWriteTime(outputPath, DateTime.UtcNow);
+            Logger.LogInformation("Quality override cache hit: {Path}", outputPath);
+            return outputPath;
+        }
+
+        // Download the file (Qobuz files are NOT encrypted like Deezer)
+        var response = await RetryHelper.RetryWithBackoffAsync(async () =>
+        {
+            var res = await _httpClient.GetAsync(downloadInfo.Url, HttpCompletionOption.ResponseHeadersRead, cancellationToken);
+            res.EnsureSuccessStatusCode();
+            return res;
+        }, Logger);
+
+        await using var responseStream = await response.Content.ReadAsStreamAsync(cancellationToken);
+        await using var outputFile = IOFile.Create(outputPath);
+        await responseStream.CopyToAsync(outputFile, cancellationToken);
+        
+        // Close file before writing metadata
+        await outputFile.DisposeAsync();
+
+        // Write metadata and cover art
+        await WriteMetadataAsync(outputPath, song, cancellationToken);
+
+        return outputPath;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Maps a StreamQuality tier to a Qobuz format ID, capped at the .env ceiling.
+    /// Since Qobuz's lowest quality is MP3 320, both High and Low map to FormatMp3320.
+    /// </summary>
+    private int MapStreamQualityToQobuz(StreamQuality streamQuality, int envFormatId)
+    {
+        // Format ranking from highest to lowest quality
+        var ranking = new[] { FormatFlac24High, FormatFlac24Low, FormatFlac16, FormatMp3320 };
+        var envIndex = Array.IndexOf(ranking, envFormatId);
+        if (envIndex < 0) envIndex = 0; // Default to highest if unknown
+
+        var idealFormatId = streamQuality switch
+        {
+            StreamQuality.Original => envFormatId,
+            StreamQuality.High => FormatMp3320,    // Both High and Low map to MP3 320 (Qobuz's lowest)
+            StreamQuality.Low => FormatMp3320,
+            _ => envFormatId
+        };
+
+        // Cap at env ceiling (lower index = higher quality)
+        var idealIndex = Array.IndexOf(ranking, idealFormatId);
+        if (idealIndex < 0) idealIndex = envIndex;
+        
+        if (idealIndex < envIndex)
+        {
+            return envFormatId;
+        }
+
+        return idealFormatId;
+    }
+
+    #endregion
+
     #region Qobuz Download Methods
 
     /// <summary>

allstarr/Services/Qobuz/QobuzMetadataService.cs

@@ -81,6 +81,19 @@ public class QobuzMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
         }
     }
 
+    public async Task<Song?> FindSongByIsrcAsync(string isrc, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(isrc))
+        {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        var results = await SearchSongsAsync(isrc, limit: 5, cancellationToken);
+        return results.FirstOrDefault(song =>
+            !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(song.Isrc) &&
+            song.Isrc.Equals(isrc, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase));
+    }
+
     public async Task<List<Album>> SearchAlbumsAsync(string query, int limit = 20, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
     {
         try

allstarr/Services/Spotify/SpotifyTrackMatchingService.cs

@@ -26,6 +26,9 @@ namespace allstarr.Services.Spotify;
 /// </summary>
 public class SpotifyTrackMatchingService : BackgroundService
 {
+    private const string CachedPlaylistItemFields =
+        "Genres,GenreItems,DateCreated,MediaSources,ParentId,People,Tags,SortName,UserData,ProviderIds";
+
     private readonly SpotifyImportSettings _spotifySettings;
     private readonly SpotifyApiSettings _spotifyApiSettings;
     private readonly RedisCacheService _cache;
@@ -594,6 +597,16 @@ public class SpotifyTrackMatchingService : BackgroundService
         // Only re-match if cache is missing OR if we detect manual mappings that need to be applied
         if (existingMatched != null && existingMatched.Count > 0)
         {
+            var hasIncompleteLocalSnapshots = existingMatched.Any(m =>
+                m.MatchedSong?.IsLocal == true && !JellyfinItemSnapshotHelper.HasRawItemSnapshot(m.MatchedSong));
+
+            if (hasIncompleteLocalSnapshots)
+            {
+                _logger.LogInformation(
+                    "Rebuilding matched track cache for {Playlist}: cached local matches are missing full Jellyfin item snapshots",
+                    playlistName);
+            }
+
             // Check if we have NEW manual mappings that aren't in the cache
             var hasNewManualMappings = false;
             foreach (var track in tracksToMatch)
@@ -616,14 +629,16 @@ public class SpotifyTrackMatchingService : BackgroundService
                 }
             }
 
-            if (!hasNewManualMappings)
+            if (!hasNewManualMappings && !hasIncompleteLocalSnapshots)
             {
                 _logger.LogWarning("✓ Playlist {Playlist} already has {Count} matched tracks cached (skipping {ToMatch} new tracks), no re-matching needed",
                     playlistName, existingMatched.Count, tracksToMatch.Count);
                 return;
             }
 
-            _logger.LogInformation("New manual mappings detected for {Playlist}, rebuilding cache to apply them", playlistName);
+            _logger.LogInformation(
+                "Rebuilding matched track cache for {Playlist} to apply updated mappings or snapshot completeness",
+                playlistName);
         }
 
         // PHASE 1: Get ALL Jellyfin tracks from the playlist (already injected by plugin)
@@ -633,6 +648,7 @@ public class SpotifyTrackMatchingService : BackgroundService
             using var scope = _serviceProvider.CreateScope();
             var proxyService = scope.ServiceProvider.GetService<JellyfinProxyService>();
             var jellyfinSettings = scope.ServiceProvider.GetService<IOptions<JellyfinSettings>>()?.Value;
+            var jellyfinModelMapper = scope.ServiceProvider.GetService<JellyfinModelMapper>();
 
             if (proxyService != null && jellyfinSettings != null)
             {
@@ -640,7 +656,7 @@ public class SpotifyTrackMatchingService : BackgroundService
                 {
                     var userId = jellyfinSettings.UserId;
                     var playlistItemsUrl = $"Playlists/{playlistConfig.JellyfinId}/Items";
-                    var queryParams = new Dictionary<string, string> { ["Fields"] = "ProviderIds" };
+                    var queryParams = new Dictionary<string, string> { ["Fields"] = CachedPlaylistItemFields };
                     if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(userId))
                     {
                         queryParams["UserId"] = userId;
@@ -652,14 +668,7 @@ public class SpotifyTrackMatchingService : BackgroundService
                     {
                         foreach (var item in items.EnumerateArray())
                         {
-                            var song = new Song
-                            {
-                                Id = item.GetProperty("Id").GetString() ?? "",
-                                Title = item.GetProperty("Name").GetString() ?? "",
-                                Artist = item.TryGetProperty("AlbumArtist", out var artist) ? artist.GetString() ?? "" : "",
-                                Album = item.TryGetProperty("Album", out var album) ? album.GetString() ?? "" : "",
-                                IsLocal = true
-                            };
+                            var song = jellyfinModelMapper?.ParseSong(item) ?? CreateLocalSongSnapshot(item);
                             jellyfinTracks.Add(song);
                         }
                         _logger.LogInformation("📚 Loaded {Count} tracks from Jellyfin playlist {Playlist}",
@@ -1145,19 +1154,7 @@ public class SpotifyTrackMatchingService : BackgroundService
             // Local tracks will be found via fuzzy matching instead
 
             // STEP 2: Search EXTERNAL by ISRC
-            var results = await metadataService.SearchSongsAsync($"isrc:{isrc}", limit: 1);
-            if (results.Count > 0 && results[0].Isrc == isrc)
-            {
-                return results[0];
-            }
-
-            // Some providers may not support isrc: prefix, try without
-            results = await metadataService.SearchSongsAsync(isrc, limit: 5);
-            var exactMatch = results.FirstOrDefault(r =>
-                !string.IsNullOrEmpty(r.Isrc) &&
-                r.Isrc.Equals(isrc, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase));
-
-            return exactMatch;
+            return await metadataService.FindSongByIsrcAsync(isrc);
         }
         catch
         {
@@ -1399,7 +1396,7 @@ public class SpotifyTrackMatchingService : BackgroundService
             }
 
             // Request all fields that clients typically need (not just MediaSources)
-            var playlistItemsUrl = $"Playlists/{jellyfinPlaylistId}/Items?UserId={userId}&Fields=Genres,DateCreated,MediaSources,ParentId,People,Tags,SortName,ProviderIds";
+            var playlistItemsUrl = $"Playlists/{jellyfinPlaylistId}/Items?UserId={userId}&Fields={CachedPlaylistItemFields}";
             var (existingTracksResponse, statusCode) = await proxyService.GetJsonAsync(playlistItemsUrl, null, headers);
 
             if (statusCode != 200 || existingTracksResponse == null)
@@ -1901,4 +1898,39 @@ public class SpotifyTrackMatchingService : BackgroundService
             _logger.LogError(ex, "Failed to save matched tracks to file for {Playlist}", playlistName);
         }
     }
+
+    private static Song CreateLocalSongSnapshot(JsonElement item)
+    {
+        var runTimeTicks = item.TryGetProperty("RunTimeTicks", out var rtt) ? rtt.GetInt64() : 0;
+        var song = new Song
+        {
+            Id = item.TryGetProperty("Id", out var idEl) ? idEl.GetString() ?? "" : "",
+            Title = item.TryGetProperty("Name", out var name) ? name.GetString() ?? "" : "",
+            Album = item.TryGetProperty("Album", out var album) ? album.GetString() ?? "" : "",
+            AlbumId = item.TryGetProperty("AlbumId", out var albumId) ? albumId.GetString() : null,
+            Duration = (int)(runTimeTicks / TimeSpan.TicksPerSecond),
+            Track = item.TryGetProperty("IndexNumber", out var track) ? track.GetInt32() : null,
+            DiscNumber = item.TryGetProperty("ParentIndexNumber", out var disc) ? disc.GetInt32() : null,
+            Year = item.TryGetProperty("ProductionYear", out var year) ? year.GetInt32() : null,
+            IsLocal = true
+        };
+
+        if (item.TryGetProperty("Artists", out var artists) && artists.GetArrayLength() > 0)
+        {
+            song.Artist = artists[0].GetString() ?? "";
+        }
+        else if (item.TryGetProperty("AlbumArtist", out var albumArtist))
+        {
+            song.Artist = albumArtist.GetString() ?? "";
+        }
+
+        JellyfinItemSnapshotHelper.StoreRawItemSnapshot(song, item);
+        song.JellyfinMetadata ??= new Dictionary<string, object?>();
+        if (item.TryGetProperty("MediaSources", out var mediaSources))
+        {
+            song.JellyfinMetadata["MediaSources"] = JsonSerializer.Deserialize<object>(mediaSources.GetRawText());
+        }
+
+        return song;
+    }
 }

allstarr/Services/SquidWTF/SquidWTFDownloadService.cs

@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@ public class SquidWTFDownloadService : BaseDownloadService
         
         // Increase timeout for large downloads and slow endpoints
         _httpClient.Timeout = TimeSpan.FromMinutes(5);
+        _minRequestIntervalMs = _squidwtfSettings.MinRequestIntervalMs;
     }
     
 	
@@ -96,132 +97,216 @@ public class SquidWTFDownloadService : BaseDownloadService
 	}
 
 
-    protected override async Task<string> DownloadTrackAsync(string trackId, Song song, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    private async Task<string> RunDownloadWithFallbackAsync(string trackId, Song song, string quality, string basePath, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
     {
-        var downloadInfo = await GetTrackDownloadInfoAsync(trackId, cancellationToken);
-        
-        Logger.LogInformation(
-            "Track download info resolved via {Endpoint} (Format: {Format}, Quality: {Quality})",
-            downloadInfo.Endpoint,
-            downloadInfo.MimeType,
-            downloadInfo.AudioQuality);
-        Logger.LogDebug("Resolved SquidWTF CDN download URL: {Url}", downloadInfo.DownloadUrl);
-
-        // Determine extension from MIME type
-        var extension = downloadInfo.MimeType?.ToLower() switch
+        return await _fallbackHelper.TryWithFallbackAsync(async baseUrl =>
         {
-            "audio/flac" => ".flac",
-            "audio/mpeg" => ".mp3",
-            "audio/mp4" => ".m4a",
-            _ => ".flac" // Default to FLAC
-        };
-		
-        // Build organized folder structure: Artist/Album/Track using AlbumArtist (fallback to Artist for singles)
-        var artistForPath = song.AlbumArtist ?? song.Artist;
-        // Cache mode uses downloads/cache/ folder, Permanent mode uses downloads/permanent/
-        var basePath = SubsonicSettings.StorageMode == StorageMode.Cache 
-            ? Path.Combine("downloads", "cache")
-            : Path.Combine("downloads", "permanent");
-        var outputPath = PathHelper.BuildTrackPath(basePath, artistForPath, song.Album, song.Title, song.Track, extension, "squidwtf", trackId);
-        
-        // Create directories if they don't exist
-        var albumFolder = Path.GetDirectoryName(outputPath)!;
-        EnsureDirectoryExists(albumFolder);
-        
-        // Resolve unique path if file already exists
-        outputPath = PathHelper.ResolveUniquePath(outputPath);
+            var songId = BuildTrackedSongId(trackId);
+            var downloadInfo = await FetchTrackDownloadInfoAsync(baseUrl, trackId, quality, cancellationToken);
+            
+            Logger.LogInformation(
+                "Track download info resolved via {Endpoint} (Format: {Format}, Quality: {Quality})",
+                downloadInfo.Endpoint, downloadInfo.MimeType, downloadInfo.AudioQuality);
+            Logger.LogDebug("Resolved SquidWTF CDN download URL: {Url}", downloadInfo.DownloadUrl);
 
-        using var request = new HttpRequestMessage(HttpMethod.Get, downloadInfo.DownloadUrl);
-        request.Headers.Add("User-Agent", "Mozilla/5.0");
-        request.Headers.Add("Accept", "*/*");
+            var extension = downloadInfo.MimeType?.ToLower() switch
+            {
+                "audio/flac" => ".flac", "audio/mpeg" => ".mp3", "audio/mp4" => ".m4a", _ => ".flac"
+            };
 
-        using var response = await _httpClient.SendAsync(request, HttpCompletionOption.ResponseHeadersRead, cancellationToken);
+            var artistForPath = song.AlbumArtist ?? song.Artist;
+            var outputPath = PathHelper.BuildTrackPath(basePath, artistForPath, song.Album, song.Title, song.Track, extension, "squidwtf", trackId);
+            
+            var albumFolder = Path.GetDirectoryName(outputPath)!;
+            EnsureDirectoryExists(albumFolder);
+            
+            if (basePath.EndsWith("transcoded") && IOFile.Exists(outputPath))
+            {
+                IOFile.SetLastWriteTime(outputPath, DateTime.UtcNow);
+                Logger.LogInformation("Quality override cache hit: {Path}", outputPath);
+                return outputPath;
+            }
+            
+            outputPath = PathHelper.ResolveUniquePath(outputPath);
 
-        response.EnsureSuccessStatusCode();
-		
-        // Download directly (no decryption needed - squid.wtf handles everything)
-        await using var responseStream = await response.Content.ReadAsStreamAsync(cancellationToken);
-        await using var outputFile = IOFile.Create(outputPath);
-        
-		await responseStream.CopyToAsync(outputFile, cancellationToken);
-        
-        // Close file before writing metadata
-        await outputFile.DisposeAsync();
-        
-		// Start Spotify ID conversion in background (for lyrics support)
-		// This doesn't block streaming - lyrics endpoint will fetch it on-demand if needed
-		_ = Task.Run(async () =>
-		{
-			try
-			{
-				var spotifyId = await _odesliService.ConvertTidalToSpotifyIdAsync(trackId, CancellationToken.None);
-				if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(spotifyId))
-				{
-					Logger.LogDebug("Background Spotify ID obtained for Tidal/{TrackId}: {SpotifyId}", trackId, spotifyId);
-					// Spotify ID is cached by Odesli service for future lyrics requests
-				}
-			}
-			catch (Exception ex)
-			{
-				Logger.LogDebug(ex, "Background Spotify ID conversion failed for Tidal/{TrackId}", trackId);
-			}
-		});
+            using var req = new HttpRequestMessage(HttpMethod.Get, downloadInfo.DownloadUrl);
+            req.Headers.Add("User-Agent", "Mozilla/5.0");
+            req.Headers.Add("Accept", "*/*");
+            var res = await _httpClient.SendAsync(req, HttpCompletionOption.ResponseHeadersRead, cancellationToken);
+            res.EnsureSuccessStatusCode();
 
-        // Write metadata and cover art (without Spotify ID - it's only needed for lyrics)
-        await WriteMetadataAsync(outputPath, song, cancellationToken);
+            await using var responseStream = await res.Content.ReadAsStreamAsync(cancellationToken);
+            await using var outputFile = IOFile.Create(outputPath);
+            var totalBytes = res.Content.Headers.ContentLength;
+            var buffer = new byte[81920];
+            long totalBytesRead = 0;
 
-        return outputPath;
+            while (true)
+            {
+                var bytesRead = await responseStream.ReadAsync(buffer.AsMemory(0, buffer.Length), cancellationToken);
+                if (bytesRead <= 0)
+                {
+                    break;
+                }
+
+                await outputFile.WriteAsync(buffer.AsMemory(0, bytesRead), cancellationToken);
+                totalBytesRead += bytesRead;
+
+                if (totalBytes.HasValue && totalBytes.Value > 0)
+                {
+                    SetDownloadProgress(songId, (double)totalBytesRead / totalBytes.Value);
+                }
+            }
+
+            await outputFile.DisposeAsync();
+            SetDownloadProgress(songId, 1.0);
+
+            _ = Task.Run(async () =>
+            {
+                try
+                {
+                    var spotifyId = await _odesliService.ConvertTidalToSpotifyIdAsync(trackId, CancellationToken.None);
+                    if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(spotifyId))
+                    {
+                        Logger.LogDebug("Background Spotify ID obtained for Tidal/{TrackId}: {SpotifyId}", trackId, spotifyId);
+                    }
+                }
+                catch (Exception ex)
+                {
+                    Logger.LogDebug(ex, "Background Spotify ID conversion failed for Tidal/{TrackId}", trackId);
+                }
+            });
+
+            await WriteMetadataAsync(outputPath, song, cancellationToken);
+            return outputPath;
+        });
     }
 
-    #endregion	
-	
-	#region SquidWTF API Methods
-	
-    /// <summary>
-    /// Gets track download information from hifi-api /track/ endpoint.
-    /// Per hifi-api spec: GET /track/?id={trackId}&quality={quality}
-    /// Returns: { "version": "2.0", "data": { trackId, assetPresentation, audioMode, audioQuality,
-    ///   manifestMimeType, manifestHash, manifest (base64), albumReplayGain, trackReplayGain, bitDepth, sampleRate } }
-    /// The manifest is base64-encoded JSON containing: { mimeType, codecs, encryptionType, urls: [downloadUrl] }
-    /// Quality options: HI_RES_LOSSLESS (24-bit/192kHz FLAC), LOSSLESS (16-bit/44.1kHz FLAC), HIGH (320kbps AAC), LOW (96kbps AAC)
-    /// </summary>
-    private async Task<DownloadResult> GetTrackDownloadInfoAsync(string trackId, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    protected override async Task<string> DownloadTrackAsync(string trackId, Song song, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
     {
         return await QueueRequestAsync(async () =>
         {
             Exception? lastException = null;
             var qualityOrder = BuildQualityFallbackOrder(_squidwtfSettings.Quality);
+            var basePath = CurrentStorageMode == StorageMode.Cache 
+                ? Path.Combine(DownloadPath, "cache") : Path.Combine(DownloadPath, "permanent");
 
             foreach (var quality in qualityOrder)
             {
                 try
                 {
-                    return await _fallbackHelper.TryWithFallbackAsync(baseUrl =>
-                        FetchTrackDownloadInfoAsync(baseUrl, trackId, quality, cancellationToken));
+                    return await RunDownloadWithFallbackAsync(trackId, song, quality, basePath, cancellationToken);
                 }
                 catch (Exception ex)
                 {
                     lastException = ex;
-
                     if (!string.Equals(quality, qualityOrder[^1], StringComparison.Ordinal))
                     {
-                        Logger.LogWarning(
-                            "Track {TrackId} unavailable at SquidWTF quality {Quality}: {Error}. Trying lower quality",
-                            trackId,
-                            quality,
-                            DescribeException(ex));
-                        Logger.LogDebug(ex,
-                            "Detailed SquidWTF quality failure for track {TrackId} at quality {Quality}",
-                            trackId,
-                            quality);
+                        Logger.LogWarning("Track {TrackId} unavailable at SquidWTF quality {Quality}: {Error}. Trying lower quality", trackId, quality, DescribeException(ex));
                     }
                 }
             }
-
-            throw lastException ?? new Exception($"Unable to fetch SquidWTF download info for track {trackId}");
+            throw lastException ?? new Exception($"Unable to download track {trackId}");
         });
     }
 
+    #endregion	
+	
+    #region Quality Override Support
+    
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Downloads a track at a specific quality tier, capped at the .env quality ceiling.
+    /// The .env quality is the maximum — client requests can only go equal or lower.
+    /// 
+    /// Quality hierarchy (highest to lowest): HI_RES_LOSSLESS > LOSSLESS > HIGH > LOW
+    /// 
+    /// Examples:
+    ///   env=HI_RES_LOSSLESS: Original→HI_RES_LOSSLESS, High→HIGH, Low→LOW
+    ///   env=LOSSLESS:        Original→LOSSLESS,         High→HIGH, Low→LOW
+    ///   env=HIGH:            Original→HIGH,             High→HIGH, Low→LOW
+    ///   env=LOW:             Original→LOW,              High→LOW,  Low→LOW
+    /// </summary>
+    protected override async Task<string> DownloadTrackWithQualityAsync(
+        string trackId, Song song, StreamQuality quality, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    {
+        if (quality == StreamQuality.Original)
+        {
+            return await DownloadTrackAsync(trackId, song, cancellationToken);
+        }
+
+        // Map StreamQuality to SquidWTF quality string, capped at .env ceiling
+        var envQuality = NormalizeSquidWTFQuality(_squidwtfSettings.Quality);
+        var squidQuality = MapStreamQualityToSquidWTF(quality, envQuality);
+
+        Logger.LogInformation(
+            "Quality override: StreamQuality.{Quality} → SquidWTF quality '{SquidQuality}' (env ceiling: {EnvQuality}) for track {TrackId}",
+            quality, squidQuality, envQuality, trackId);
+
+        var basePath = Path.Combine("downloads", "transcoded");
+
+        return await QueueRequestAsync(async () =>
+        {
+            return await RunDownloadWithFallbackAsync(trackId, song, squidQuality, basePath, cancellationToken);
+        });
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Normalizes the .env quality string to a standard SquidWTF quality level.
+    /// Maps various aliases (HI_RES, FLAC, etc.) to canonical names.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static string NormalizeSquidWTFQuality(string? quality)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(quality)) return "LOSSLESS";
+        
+        return quality.ToUpperInvariant() switch
+        {
+            "HI_RES" or "HI_RES_LOSSLESS" => "HI_RES_LOSSLESS",
+            "FLAC" or "LOSSLESS" => "LOSSLESS",
+            "HIGH" => "HIGH",
+            "LOW" => "LOW",
+            _ => "LOSSLESS"
+        };
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Maps a StreamQuality tier to a SquidWTF quality string, capped at the .env ceiling.
+    /// The .env quality is the maximum — client requests can only go equal or lower.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static string MapStreamQualityToSquidWTF(StreamQuality streamQuality, string envQuality)
+    {
+        // Quality ranking from highest to lowest
+        var ranking = new[] { "HI_RES_LOSSLESS", "LOSSLESS", "HIGH", "LOW" };
+        var envIndex = Array.IndexOf(ranking, envQuality);
+        if (envIndex < 0) envIndex = 1; // Default to LOSSLESS if unknown
+
+        // Map StreamQuality to the "ideal" SquidWTF quality
+        var idealQuality = streamQuality switch
+        {
+            StreamQuality.Original => envQuality,  // Lossless client selection → use .env setting
+            StreamQuality.High => "HIGH",           // 320/256/192K → HIGH (320kbps AAC)
+            StreamQuality.Low => "LOW",             // 128/64K → LOW (96kbps AAC)
+            _ => envQuality
+        };
+
+        // Cap: if the ideal quality is higher than env, clamp down to env
+        // Lower array index = higher quality
+        var idealIndex = Array.IndexOf(ranking, idealQuality);
+        if (idealIndex < 0) idealIndex = envIndex;
+        
+        if (idealIndex < envIndex)
+        {
+            return envQuality;
+        }
+
+        return idealQuality;
+    }
+    
+    #endregion
+	
+	#region SquidWTF API Methods
+	
+    // Removed GetTrackDownloadInfoAsync as it's now integrated inside RunDownloadWithFallbackAsync
+
     private async Task<DownloadResult> FetchTrackDownloadInfoAsync(
         string baseUrl,
         string trackId,

allstarr/Services/SquidWTF/SquidWTFMetadataService.cs

@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ using allstarr.Services.Common;
 using System.Text.Json;
 using System.Text;
 using Microsoft.Extensions.Options;
-using System.Text.Json.Nodes;
 
 namespace allstarr.Services.SquidWTF;
 
@@ -17,17 +16,19 @@ namespace allstarr.Services.SquidWTF;
 /// SquidWTF is a proxy to Tidal's API that provides free access to Tidal's music catalog.
 /// This implementation follows the hifi-api specification documented at the forked repository.
 ///
-/// API Endpoints (per hifi-api spec):
-/// - GET /search/?s={query}     - Search tracks (returns data.items array)
-/// - GET /search/?a={query}     - Search artists (returns data.artists.items array)
-/// - GET /search/?al={query}    - Search albums (returns data.albums.items array, undocumented)
-/// - GET /search/?p={query}     - Search playlists (returns data.playlists.items array, undocumented)
-/// - GET /info/?id={trackId}    - Get track metadata (returns data object with full track info)
-/// - GET /track/?id={trackId}&quality={quality} - Get track download info (returns manifest)
-/// - GET /recommendations/?id={trackId} - Get recommended next/similar tracks
-/// - GET /album/?id={albumId}   - Get album with tracks (undocumented, returns data.items array)
-/// - GET /artist/?f={artistId}  - Get artist with albums (undocumented, returns albums.items array)
-/// - GET /playlist/?id={playlistId} - Get playlist with tracks (undocumented)
+/// API Endpoints (per hifi-api README):
+/// - GET /search/?s={query}&limit={limit}&offset={offset}  - Search tracks (returns data.items array)
+/// - GET /search/?i={isrc}&limit=1&offset=0                - Exact track lookup by ISRC (returns data.items array)
+/// - GET /search/?a={query}&limit={limit}&offset={offset}  - Search artists (returns data.artists.items array)
+/// - GET /search/?al={query}&limit={limit}&offset={offset} - Search albums (returns data.albums.items array)
+/// - GET /search/?p={query}&limit={limit}&offset={offset}  - Search playlists (returns data.playlists.items array)
+/// - GET /info/?id={trackId}                               - Get track metadata (returns data object with full track info)
+/// - GET /track/?id={trackId}&quality={quality}            - Get track download info (returns manifest)
+/// - GET /recommendations/?id={trackId}                    - Get recommended next/similar tracks
+/// - GET /album/?id={albumId}&limit={limit}&offset={offset}      - Get album with paginated tracks
+/// - GET /artist/?id={artistId}                            - Get lightweight artist metadata + cover
+/// - GET /artist/?f={artistId}                             - Get artist releases and aggregate tracks
+/// - GET /playlist/?id={playlistId}&limit={limit}&offset={offset} - Get playlist with paginated tracks
 ///
 /// Quality Options:
 /// - HI_RES_LOSSLESS: 24-bit/192kHz FLAC
@@ -36,7 +37,8 @@ namespace allstarr.Services.SquidWTF;
 /// - LOW: 96kbps AAC
 ///
 /// Response Structure:
-/// All responses follow: { "version": "2.0", "data": { ... } }
+/// Responses follow the documented hifi-api 2.x envelopes.
+/// Track search and ISRC search return: { "version": "2.x", "data": { "items": [ ... ] } }
 /// Track objects include: id, title, duration, trackNumber, volumeNumber, explicit, bpm, isrc,
 ///   artist (singular), artists (array), album (object with id, title, cover UUID)
 /// Cover art URLs: https://resources.tidal.com/images/{uuid-with-slashes}/{size}.jpg
@@ -52,6 +54,12 @@ namespace allstarr.Services.SquidWTF;
 
 public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
 {
+    private const int RemoteSearchMinLimit = 1;
+    private const int RemoteSearchMaxLimit = 500;
+    private const int DefaultSearchOffset = 0;
+    private const int IsrcLookupLimit = 1;
+    private const int IsrcFallbackLimit = 5;
+    private const int MetadataPageSize = 500;
     private readonly HttpClient _httpClient;
     private readonly SubsonicSettings _settings;
     private readonly ILogger<SquidWTFMetadataService> _logger;
@@ -87,12 +95,13 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
 
     public async Task<List<Song>> SearchSongsAsync(string query, int limit = 20, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
     {
+        var normalizedLimit = NormalizeRemoteLimit(limit);
         var allSongs = new List<Song>();
         var seenIds = new HashSet<string>(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
 
         foreach (var queryVariant in BuildSearchQueryVariants(query))
         {
-            var songs = await SearchSongsSingleQueryAsync(queryVariant, limit, cancellationToken);
+            var songs = await SearchSongsSingleQueryAsync(queryVariant, normalizedLimit, cancellationToken);
             foreach (var song in songs)
             {
                 var key = !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(song.ExternalId) ? song.ExternalId : song.Id;
@@ -102,13 +111,13 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
                 }
 
                 allSongs.Add(song);
-                if (allSongs.Count >= limit)
+                if (allSongs.Count >= normalizedLimit)
                 {
                     break;
                 }
             }
 
-            if (allSongs.Count >= limit)
+            if (allSongs.Count >= normalizedLimit)
             {
                 break;
             }
@@ -120,12 +129,13 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
 
     public async Task<List<Album>> SearchAlbumsAsync(string query, int limit = 20, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
     {
+        var normalizedLimit = NormalizeRemoteLimit(limit);
         var allAlbums = new List<Album>();
         var seenIds = new HashSet<string>(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
 
         foreach (var queryVariant in BuildSearchQueryVariants(query))
         {
-            var albums = await SearchAlbumsSingleQueryAsync(queryVariant, limit, cancellationToken);
+            var albums = await SearchAlbumsSingleQueryAsync(queryVariant, normalizedLimit, cancellationToken);
             foreach (var album in albums)
             {
                 var key = !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(album.ExternalId) ? album.ExternalId : album.Id;
@@ -135,13 +145,13 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
                 }
 
                 allAlbums.Add(album);
-                if (allAlbums.Count >= limit)
+                if (allAlbums.Count >= normalizedLimit)
                 {
                     break;
                 }
             }
 
-            if (allAlbums.Count >= limit)
+            if (allAlbums.Count >= normalizedLimit)
             {
                 break;
             }
@@ -153,12 +163,13 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
 
     public async Task<List<Artist>> SearchArtistsAsync(string query, int limit = 20, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
     {
+        var normalizedLimit = NormalizeRemoteLimit(limit);
         var allArtists = new List<Artist>();
         var seenIds = new HashSet<string>(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
 
         foreach (var queryVariant in BuildSearchQueryVariants(query))
         {
-            var artists = await SearchArtistsSingleQueryAsync(queryVariant, limit, cancellationToken);
+            var artists = await SearchArtistsSingleQueryAsync(queryVariant, normalizedLimit, cancellationToken);
             foreach (var artist in artists)
             {
                 var key = !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(artist.ExternalId) ? artist.ExternalId : artist.Id;
@@ -168,13 +179,13 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
                 }
 
                 allArtists.Add(artist);
-                if (allArtists.Count >= limit)
+                if (allArtists.Count >= normalizedLimit)
                 {
                     break;
                 }
             }
 
-            if (allArtists.Count >= limit)
+            if (allArtists.Count >= normalizedLimit)
             {
                 break;
             }
@@ -186,11 +197,12 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
 
     private async Task<List<Song>> SearchSongsSingleQueryAsync(string query, int limit, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
     {
+        var normalizedLimit = NormalizeRemoteLimit(limit);
         // Use benchmark-ordered fallback (no endpoint racing).
         return await _fallbackHelper.TryWithFallbackAsync(async (baseUrl) =>
         {
             // Use 's' parameter for track search as per hifi-api spec
-            var url = $"{baseUrl}/search/?s={Uri.EscapeDataString(query)}";
+            var url = BuildSearchUrl(baseUrl, "s", query, normalizedLimit);
             var response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(url, cancellationToken);
 
             if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
@@ -216,7 +228,7 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
                 int count = 0;
                 foreach (var track in items.EnumerateArray())
                 {
-                    if (count >= limit) break;
+                    if (count >= normalizedLimit) break;
 
                     var song = ParseTidalTrack(track);
                     if (ExplicitContentFilter.ShouldIncludeSong(song, _settings.ExplicitFilter))
@@ -236,12 +248,13 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
 
     private async Task<List<Album>> SearchAlbumsSingleQueryAsync(string query, int limit, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
     {
+        var normalizedLimit = NormalizeRemoteLimit(limit);
         // Use benchmark-ordered fallback (no endpoint racing).
         return await _fallbackHelper.TryWithFallbackAsync(async (baseUrl) =>
         {
             // Use 'al' parameter for album search
             // a= is for artists, al= is for albums, p= is for playlists
-            var url = $"{baseUrl}/search/?al={Uri.EscapeDataString(query)}";
+            var url = BuildSearchUrl(baseUrl, "al", query, normalizedLimit);
             var response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(url, cancellationToken);
 
             if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
@@ -261,7 +274,7 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
                 int count = 0;
                 foreach (var album in items.EnumerateArray())
                 {
-                    if (count >= limit) break;
+                    if (count >= normalizedLimit) break;
 
                     albums.Add(ParseTidalAlbum(album));
                     count++;
@@ -278,11 +291,12 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
 
     private async Task<List<Artist>> SearchArtistsSingleQueryAsync(string query, int limit, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
     {
+        var normalizedLimit = NormalizeRemoteLimit(limit);
         // Use benchmark-ordered fallback (no endpoint racing).
         return await _fallbackHelper.TryWithFallbackAsync(async (baseUrl) =>
         {
             // Per hifi-api spec: use 'a' parameter for artist search
-            var url = $"{baseUrl}/search/?a={Uri.EscapeDataString(query)}";
+            var url = BuildSearchUrl(baseUrl, "a", query, normalizedLimit);
             _logger.LogDebug("🔍 SQUIDWTF: Searching artists with URL: {Url}", url);
 
             var response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(url, cancellationToken);
@@ -311,7 +325,7 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
                 int count = 0;
                 foreach (var artist in items.EnumerateArray())
                 {
-                    if (count >= limit) break;
+                    if (count >= normalizedLimit) break;
 
                     var parsedArtist = ParseTidalArtist(artist);
                     artists.Add(parsedArtist);
@@ -356,12 +370,86 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
         }
     }
 
+    private static int NormalizeRemoteLimit(int limit)
+    {
+        return Math.Clamp(limit, RemoteSearchMinLimit, RemoteSearchMaxLimit);
+    }
+
+    private static string BuildSearchUrl(string baseUrl, string field, string query, int limit, int offset = DefaultSearchOffset)
+    {
+        return $"{baseUrl}/search/?{field}={Uri.EscapeDataString(query)}&limit={NormalizeRemoteLimit(limit)}&offset={Math.Max(DefaultSearchOffset, offset)}";
+    }
+
+    private static string BuildPagedEndpointUrl(string baseUrl, string endpoint, string idParameterName, string externalId, int limit, int offset = DefaultSearchOffset)
+    {
+        return $"{baseUrl}/{endpoint}/?{idParameterName}={Uri.EscapeDataString(externalId)}&limit={NormalizeRemoteLimit(limit)}&offset={Math.Max(DefaultSearchOffset, offset)}";
+    }
+
+    private static string? GetArtistCoverFallbackUrl(JsonElement rootElement)
+    {
+        if (!rootElement.TryGetProperty("cover", out var cover) || cover.ValueKind != JsonValueKind.Object)
+        {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        foreach (var propertyName in new[] { "750", "640", "320", "1280" })
+        {
+            if (cover.TryGetProperty(propertyName, out var value) &&
+                value.ValueKind == JsonValueKind.String &&
+                !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(value.GetString()))
+            {
+                return value.GetString();
+            }
+        }
+
+        foreach (var property in cover.EnumerateObject())
+        {
+            if (property.Value.ValueKind == JsonValueKind.String &&
+                !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(property.Value.GetString()))
+            {
+                return property.Value.GetString();
+            }
+        }
+
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    private static TimeSpan GetMetadataCacheTtl()
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            return CacheExtensions.MetadataTTL;
+        }
+        catch (InvalidOperationException)
+        {
+            return new CacheSettings().MetadataTTL;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private async Task<Song?> FindSongByIsrcViaTextSearchAsync(string isrc, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    {
+        var prefixedResults = await SearchSongsAsync($"isrc:{isrc}", limit: IsrcLookupLimit, cancellationToken);
+        var prefixedMatch = prefixedResults.FirstOrDefault(song =>
+            !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(song.Isrc) &&
+            song.Isrc.Equals(isrc, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase));
+        if (prefixedMatch != null)
+        {
+            return prefixedMatch;
+        }
+
+        var rawResults = await SearchSongsAsync(isrc, limit: IsrcFallbackLimit, cancellationToken);
+        return rawResults.FirstOrDefault(song =>
+            !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(song.Isrc) &&
+            song.Isrc.Equals(isrc, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase));
+    }
+
 	public async Task<List<ExternalPlaylist>> SearchPlaylistsAsync(string query, int limit = 20, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
 	{
+        var normalizedLimit = NormalizeRemoteLimit(limit);
 		return await _fallbackHelper.TryWithFallbackAsync(async (baseUrl) =>
 		{
             // Per hifi-api spec: use 'p' parameter for playlist search
-			var url = $"{baseUrl}/search/?p={Uri.EscapeDataString(query)}";
+			var url = BuildSearchUrl(baseUrl, "p", query, normalizedLimit);
             var response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(url, cancellationToken);
             if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
             {
@@ -386,7 +474,7 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
                 int count = 0;
 				foreach(var playlist in items.EnumerateArray())
 				{
-                    if (count >= limit) break;
+                    if (count >= normalizedLimit) break;
 
 					try
 					{
@@ -427,6 +515,65 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
 		return temp;
     }
 
+    public async Task<Song?> FindSongByIsrcAsync(string isrc, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(isrc))
+        {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        var normalizedIsrc = isrc.Trim();
+
+        var exactMatch = await _fallbackHelper.TryWithFallbackAsync(
+            async (baseUrl) =>
+            {
+                var url = BuildSearchUrl(baseUrl, "i", normalizedIsrc, IsrcLookupLimit);
+                var response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(url, cancellationToken);
+
+                if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
+                {
+                    throw new HttpRequestException($"HTTP {response.StatusCode}");
+                }
+
+                var json = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync(cancellationToken);
+                var result = JsonDocument.Parse(json);
+
+                if (result.RootElement.TryGetProperty("detail", out _) ||
+                    result.RootElement.TryGetProperty("error", out _))
+                {
+                    throw new HttpRequestException("API returned error response");
+                }
+
+                if (!result.RootElement.TryGetProperty("data", out var data) ||
+                    !data.TryGetProperty("items", out var items) ||
+                    items.ValueKind != JsonValueKind.Array)
+                {
+                    throw new InvalidOperationException("SquidWTF ISRC search response did not contain data.items");
+                }
+
+                foreach (var track in items.EnumerateArray())
+                {
+                    var song = ParseTidalTrack(track);
+                    if (!ExplicitContentFilter.ShouldIncludeSong(song, _settings.ExplicitFilter))
+                    {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+
+                    if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(song.Isrc) &&
+                        song.Isrc.Equals(normalizedIsrc, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+                    {
+                        return song;
+                    }
+                }
+
+                return null;
+            },
+            song => song != null,
+            (Song?)null);
+
+        return exactMatch ?? await FindSongByIsrcViaTextSearchAsync(normalizedIsrc, cancellationToken);
+    }
+
     public async Task<Song?> GetSongAsync(string externalProvider, string externalId, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
     {
         if (externalProvider != "squidwtf") return null;
@@ -584,48 +731,71 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
 
         return await _fallbackHelper.TryWithFallbackAsync(async (baseUrl) =>
         {
-            // Note: hifi-api doesn't document album endpoint, but /album/?id={albumId} is commonly used
-            var url = $"{baseUrl}/album/?id={externalId}";
+            Album? album = null;
+            var offset = DefaultSearchOffset;
+            var rawItemCount = 0;
 
-            var response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(url, cancellationToken);
-            if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
+            while (true)
             {
-                throw new HttpRequestException($"HTTP {response.StatusCode}");
+                var url = BuildPagedEndpointUrl(baseUrl, "album", "id", externalId, MetadataPageSize, offset);
+                var response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(url, cancellationToken);
+                if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
+                {
+                    throw new HttpRequestException($"HTTP {response.StatusCode}");
+                }
+
+                var json = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync(cancellationToken);
+                using var result = JsonDocument.Parse(json);
+
+                if (!result.RootElement.TryGetProperty("data", out var albumElement))
+                {
+                    throw new InvalidOperationException($"SquidWTF /album response for album {externalId} did not contain data");
+                }
+
+                album ??= ParseTidalAlbum(albumElement);
+
+                if (!albumElement.TryGetProperty("items", out var tracks) || tracks.ValueKind != JsonValueKind.Array)
+                {
+                    throw new InvalidOperationException($"SquidWTF /album response for album {externalId} did not contain data.items");
+                }
+
+                var pageCount = 0;
+                foreach (var trackWrapper in tracks.EnumerateArray())
+                {
+                    pageCount++;
+
+                    if (!trackWrapper.TryGetProperty("item", out var track))
+                    {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+
+                    var song = ParseTidalTrack(track);
+                    if (ExplicitContentFilter.ShouldIncludeSong(song, _settings.ExplicitFilter))
+                    {
+                        album.Songs.Add(song);
+                    }
+                }
+
+                rawItemCount += pageCount;
+                if (pageCount == 0 ||
+                    pageCount < MetadataPageSize ||
+                    (album.SongCount.HasValue && rawItemCount >= album.SongCount.Value))
+                {
+                    break;
+                }
+
+                offset += pageCount;
             }
 
-            var json = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync(cancellationToken);
-            var result = JsonDocument.Parse(json);
+            if (album == null)
+            {
+                throw new InvalidOperationException($"SquidWTF /album response for album {externalId} did not contain album data");
+            }
 
-			// Response structure: { "data": { album object with "items" array of tracks } }
-			if (!result.RootElement.TryGetProperty("data", out var albumElement))
-			{
-				throw new InvalidOperationException($"SquidWTF /album response for album {externalId} did not contain data");
-			}
+            await _cache.SetAsync(cacheKey, album, GetMetadataCacheTtl());
 
-			var album = ParseTidalAlbum(albumElement);
-
-			// Get album tracks from items array
-			if (albumElement.TryGetProperty("items", out var tracks))
-			{
-				foreach (var trackWrapper in tracks.EnumerateArray())
-				{
-                    // Each item is wrapped: { "item": { track object } }
-					if (trackWrapper.TryGetProperty("item", out var track))
-					{
-						var song = ParseTidalTrack(track);
-						if (ExplicitContentFilter.ShouldIncludeSong(song, _settings.ExplicitFilter))
-						{
-							album.Songs.Add(song);
-						}
-					}
-				}
-			}
-
-			// Cache for configurable duration
-			await _cache.SetAsync(cacheKey, album, CacheExtensions.MetadataTTL);
-
-			return album;
-		}, (Album?)null);
+            return album;
+        }, (Album?)null);
     }
 
     public async Task<Artist?> GetArtistAsync(string externalProvider, string externalId, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
@@ -645,8 +815,7 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
 
         return await _fallbackHelper.TryWithFallbackAsync(async (baseUrl) =>
         {
-            // Note: hifi-api doesn't document artist endpoint, but /artist/?f={artistId} is commonly used
-            var url = $"{baseUrl}/artist/?f={externalId}";
+            var url = $"{baseUrl}/artist/?id={Uri.EscapeDataString(externalId)}";
             _logger.LogDebug("Fetching artist from {Url}", url);
 
             var response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(url, cancellationToken);
@@ -654,73 +823,44 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
             {
                 throw new HttpRequestException($"HTTP {response.StatusCode}");
             }
-
+            
             var json = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync(cancellationToken);
             _logger.LogDebug("SquidWTF artist response: {Json}", json.Length > 500 ? json.Substring(0, 500) + "..." : json);
-            var result = JsonDocument.Parse(json);
+            using var result = JsonDocument.Parse(json);
 
-			JsonElement? artistSource = null;
-			int albumCount = 0;
-
-			// Response structure: { "albums": { "items": [ album objects ] }, "tracks": [ track objects ] }
-            // Extract artist info from albums.items[0].artist (most reliable source)
-            if (result.RootElement.TryGetProperty("albums", out var albums) &&
-				albums.TryGetProperty("items", out var albumItems) &&
-				albumItems.GetArrayLength() > 0)
-			{
-				albumCount = albumItems.GetArrayLength();
-				if (albumItems[0].TryGetProperty("artist", out var artistEl))
-				{
-					artistSource = artistEl;
-					_logger.LogDebug("Found artist from albums, albumCount={AlbumCount}", albumCount);
-				}
-            }
-
-			// Fallback: try to get artist from tracks[0].artists[0]
-			if (artistSource == null &&
-			    result.RootElement.TryGetProperty("tracks", out var tracks) &&
-				tracks.GetArrayLength() > 0 &&
-				tracks[0].TryGetProperty("artists", out var artists) &&
-				artists.GetArrayLength() > 0)
-			{
-				artistSource = artists[0];
-                _logger.LogInformation("Found artist from tracks");
-			}
-
-			if (artistSource == null)
+            if (!result.RootElement.TryGetProperty("artist", out var artistElement))
             {
                 var keys = string.Join(", ", result.RootElement.EnumerateObject().Select(p => p.Name));
                 throw new InvalidOperationException(
                     $"SquidWTF artist response for {externalId} did not contain artist data. Keys: {keys}");
             }
 
-			var artistElement = artistSource.Value;
+            var artistName = artistElement.GetProperty("name").GetString() ?? string.Empty;
+            var pictureUuid = artistElement.TryGetProperty("picture", out var pictureEl) &&
+                pictureEl.ValueKind == JsonValueKind.String
+                    ? pictureEl.GetString()
+                    : null;
+            var coverUrl = GetArtistCoverFallbackUrl(result.RootElement);
+            var imageUrl = !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(pictureUuid)
+                ? BuildTidalImageUrl(pictureUuid, "320x320")
+                : coverUrl;
 
-            // Extract picture UUID (may be null)
-            string? pictureUuid = null;
-            if (artistElement.TryGetProperty("picture", out var pictureEl) && pictureEl.ValueKind != JsonValueKind.Null)
+            var artist = new Artist
             {
-                pictureUuid = pictureEl.GetString();
-            }
+                Id = BuildExternalArtistId("squidwtf", externalId),
+                Name = artistName,
+                ImageUrl = imageUrl,
+                AlbumCount = null,
+                IsLocal = false,
+                ExternalProvider = "squidwtf",
+                ExternalId = externalId
+            };
 
-            // Normalize artist data to include album count
-			var normalizedArtist = new JsonObject
-			{
-				["id"] = artistElement.GetProperty("id").GetInt64(),
-				["name"] = artistElement.GetProperty("name").GetString(),
-				["albums_count"] = albumCount,
-				["picture"] = pictureUuid
-			};
+            _logger.LogDebug("Successfully parsed artist {ArtistName} via /artist/?id=", artist.Name);
 
-			using var doc = JsonDocument.Parse(normalizedArtist.ToJsonString());
-			var artist = ParseTidalArtist(doc.RootElement);
+            await _cache.SetAsync(cacheKey, artist, GetMetadataCacheTtl());
 
-            _logger.LogDebug("Successfully parsed artist {ArtistName} with {AlbumCount} albums", artist.Name, albumCount);
-
-			// Cache for configurable duration
-			await _cache.SetAsync(cacheKey, artist, CacheExtensions.MetadataTTL);
-
-			return artist;
+            return artist;
         }, (Artist?)null);
     }
 
@@ -732,7 +872,7 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
 		{
             _logger.LogDebug("GetArtistAlbumsAsync called for SquidWTF artist {ExternalId}", externalId);
 
-            // Note: hifi-api doesn't document artist endpoint, but /artist/?f={artistId} is commonly used
+            // Per hifi-api README: /artist/?f={artistId} returns aggregated releases and tracks
 			var url = $"{baseUrl}/artist/?f={externalId}";
 			_logger.LogDebug("Fetching artist albums from URL: {Url}", url);
 			var response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(url, cancellationToken);
@@ -779,7 +919,7 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
 		{
             _logger.LogDebug("GetArtistTracksAsync called for SquidWTF artist {ExternalId}", externalId);
 
-            // Same endpoint as albums - /artist/?f={artistId} returns both albums and tracks
+            // Per hifi-api README: /artist/?f={artistId} returns both albums and tracks
 			var url = $"{baseUrl}/artist/?f={externalId}";
 			_logger.LogDebug("Fetching artist tracks from URL: {Url}", url);
 			var response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(url, cancellationToken);
@@ -821,8 +961,7 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
 
     		return await _fallbackHelper.TryWithFallbackAsync(async (baseUrl) =>
     		{
-                // Note: hifi-api doesn't document playlist endpoint, but /playlist/?id={playlistId} is commonly used
-    			var url = $"{baseUrl}/playlist/?id={externalId}";
+    			var url = BuildPagedEndpointUrl(baseUrl, "playlist", "id", externalId, RemoteSearchMinLimit);
     			var response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(url, cancellationToken);
     			if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
     			{
@@ -830,7 +969,8 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
     			}
 
                 var json = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync(cancellationToken);
-                var rootElement = JsonDocument.Parse(json).RootElement;
+                using var result = JsonDocument.Parse(json);
+                var rootElement = result.RootElement;
 
                 // Check for error response
                 if (rootElement.TryGetProperty("error", out _))
@@ -855,76 +995,85 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
 
 		return await _fallbackHelper.TryWithFallbackAsync(async (baseUrl) =>
 		{
-            // Note: hifi-api doesn't document playlist endpoint, but /playlist/?id={playlistId} is commonly used
-			var url = $"{baseUrl}/playlist/?id={externalId}";
-			var response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(url, cancellationToken);
-			if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
-			{
-				throw new HttpRequestException($"HTTP {response.StatusCode}");
-			}
+			var songs = new List<Song>();
+            var offset = DefaultSearchOffset;
+            var rawTrackCount = 0;
+            var trackIndex = 1;
+            string playlistName = "Unknown Playlist";
+            int? expectedTrackCount = null;
 
-			var json = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync(cancellationToken);
-            var playlistElement = JsonDocument.Parse(json).RootElement;
-
-            // Check for error response
-			if (playlistElement.TryGetProperty("error", out _))
-			{
-				throw new InvalidOperationException($"SquidWTF playlist tracks response for {externalId} contained an error payload");
-			}
-
-			JsonElement? playlist = null;
-			JsonElement? tracks = null;
-
-            // Response structure: { "playlist": { playlist object }, "items": [ track wrappers ] }
-			if (playlistElement.TryGetProperty("playlist", out var playlistEl))
-			{
-				playlist = playlistEl;
-			}
-
-			if (playlistElement.TryGetProperty("items", out var tracksEl))
-			{
-				tracks = tracksEl;
-			}
-
-            if (!tracks.HasValue)
+            while (true)
             {
-                throw new InvalidOperationException(
-                    $"SquidWTF playlist tracks response for {externalId} did not contain items");
+                var url = BuildPagedEndpointUrl(baseUrl, "playlist", "id", externalId, MetadataPageSize, offset);
+                var response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(url, cancellationToken);
+                if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
+                {
+                    throw new HttpRequestException($"HTTP {response.StatusCode}");
+                }
+
+                var json = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync(cancellationToken);
+                using var result = JsonDocument.Parse(json);
+                var playlistElement = result.RootElement;
+
+                if (playlistElement.TryGetProperty("error", out _))
+                {
+                    throw new InvalidOperationException($"SquidWTF playlist tracks response for {externalId} contained an error payload");
+                }
+
+                if (playlistElement.TryGetProperty("playlist", out var playlistEl))
+                {
+                    if (playlistEl.TryGetProperty("title", out var titleEl))
+                    {
+                        playlistName = titleEl.GetString() ?? playlistName;
+                    }
+
+                    if (!expectedTrackCount.HasValue &&
+                        playlistEl.TryGetProperty("numberOfTracks", out var trackCountEl) &&
+                        trackCountEl.ValueKind == JsonValueKind.Number)
+                    {
+                        expectedTrackCount = trackCountEl.GetInt32();
+                    }
+                }
+
+                if (!playlistElement.TryGetProperty("items", out var tracks) || tracks.ValueKind != JsonValueKind.Array)
+                {
+                    throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                        $"SquidWTF playlist tracks response for {externalId} did not contain items");
+                }
+
+                var pageCount = 0;
+                foreach (var entry in tracks.EnumerateArray())
+                {
+                    pageCount++;
+
+                    if (!entry.TryGetProperty("item", out var track))
+                    {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+
+                    var song = ParseTidalTrack(track, trackIndex);
+                    song.Album = playlistName;
+                    song.DiscNumber = null;
+
+                    if (ExplicitContentFilter.ShouldIncludeSong(song, _settings.ExplicitFilter))
+                    {
+                        songs.Add(song);
+                    }
+
+                    trackIndex++;
+                }
+
+                rawTrackCount += pageCount;
+                if (pageCount == 0 ||
+                    pageCount < MetadataPageSize ||
+                    (expectedTrackCount.HasValue && rawTrackCount >= expectedTrackCount.Value))
+                {
+                    break;
+                }
+
+                offset += pageCount;
             }
 
-			var songs = new List<Song>();
-
-			// Get playlist name for album field
-			var playlistName = playlist?.TryGetProperty("title", out var titleEl) == true
-				? titleEl.GetString() ?? "Unknown Playlist"
-				: "Unknown Playlist";
-
-			if (tracks.HasValue)
-			{
-				int trackIndex = 1;
-				foreach (var entry in tracks.Value.EnumerateArray())
-				{
-                    // Each item is wrapped: { "item": { track object } }
-					if (!entry.TryGetProperty("item", out var track))
-						continue;
-
-					// For playlists, use the track's own artist (not a single album artist)
-					var song = ParseTidalTrack(track, trackIndex);
-
-					// Override album name to be the playlist name
-					song.Album = playlistName;
-
-					// Playlists should not have disc numbers - always set to null
-					// This prevents Jellyfin from splitting the playlist into multiple "discs"
-					song.DiscNumber = null;
-
-					if (ExplicitContentFilter.ShouldIncludeSong(song, _settings.ExplicitFilter))
-					{
-						songs.Add(song);
-					}
-					trackIndex++;
-				}
-			}
 			return songs;
 		}, new List<Song>());
 	}
@@ -1251,10 +1400,18 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
         var externalId = artist.GetProperty("id").GetInt64().ToString();
         var artistName = artist.GetProperty("name").GetString() ?? "";
 
-        var imageUrl = artist.TryGetProperty("picture", out var picture)
+        var imageUrl = artist.TryGetProperty("picture", out var picture) &&
+                       picture.ValueKind == JsonValueKind.String
             ? BuildTidalImageUrl(picture.GetString(), "320x320")
             : null;
 
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(imageUrl) &&
+            artist.TryGetProperty("imageUrl", out var imageUrlElement) &&
+            imageUrlElement.ValueKind == JsonValueKind.String)
+        {
+            imageUrl = imageUrlElement.GetString();
+        }
+
         if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(imageUrl))
         {
             _logger.LogDebug("Artist {ArtistName} picture: {ImageUrl}", artistName, imageUrl);
@@ -1276,8 +1433,7 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
 
 	/// <summary>
     /// Parses a Tidal playlist from hifi-api /playlist/ endpoint response.
-    /// Per hifi-api spec (undocumented), response structure is:
-    /// { "playlist": { uuid, title, description, creator, created, numberOfTracks, duration, squareImage },
+    /// Response structure: { "playlist": { uuid, title, description, creator, created, numberOfTracks, duration, squareImage },
     ///   "items": [ { "item": { track object } } ] }
     /// </summary>
     /// <param name="playlistElement">Root JSON element containing playlist and items</param>
@@ -1427,13 +1583,14 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
     /// </summary>
     public async Task<List<Song?>> SearchSongsInParallelAsync(List<string> queries, int limit = 10, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
     {
+        var normalizedLimit = NormalizeRemoteLimit(limit);
         return await _fallbackHelper.ProcessInParallelAsync(
             queries,
             async (baseUrl, query, ct) =>
             {
                 try
                 {
-                    var url = $"{baseUrl}/search/?s={Uri.EscapeDataString(query)}";
+                    var url = BuildSearchUrl(baseUrl, "s", query, normalizedLimit);
                     var response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(url, ct);
 
                     if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode)

allstarr/appsettings.json

@@ -51,15 +51,18 @@
   "Qobuz": {
     "UserAuthToken": "your-qobuz-token",
     "UserId": "your-qobuz-user-id",
-    "Quality": "FLAC"
+    "Quality": "FLAC",
+    "MinRequestIntervalMs": 200
   },
   "Deezer": {
     "Arl": "your-deezer-arl-token",
     "ArlFallback": "",
-    "Quality": "FLAC"
+    "Quality": "FLAC",
+    "MinRequestIntervalMs": 200
   },
   "SquidWTF": {
-    "Quality": "FLAC"
+    "Quality": "FLAC",
+    "MinRequestIntervalMs": 200
   },
   "Redis": {
     "Enabled": true,
@@ -74,7 +77,8 @@
     "GenreDays": 30,
     "MetadataDays": 7,
     "OdesliLookupDays": 60,
-    "ProxyImagesDays": 14
+    "ProxyImagesDays": 14,
+    "TranscodeCacheMinutes": 60
   },
   "SpotifyImport": {
     "Enabled": false,

allstarr/wwwroot/index.html

@@ -65,6 +65,13 @@
 
         <!-- Dashboard Tab -->
         <div class="tab-content active" id="tab-dashboard">
+            <div class="card" id="download-activity-card">
+                <h2>Live Download Queue</h2>
+                <div id="download-activity-list" class="download-queue-list">
+                    <div class="empty-state">No active downloads</div>
+                </div>
+            </div>
+
             <div class="grid">
                 <div class="card">
                     <h2>Spotify API</h2>
@@ -631,6 +638,12 @@
                         <button
                             onclick="openEditSetting('DEEZER_QUALITY', 'Deezer Quality', 'select', '', ['FLAC', 'MP3_320', 'MP3_128'])">Edit</button>
                     </div>
+                    <div class="config-item">
+                        <span class="label">Request Interval</span>
+                        <span class="value" id="config-deezer-ratelimit">200 ms</span>
+                        <button
+                            onclick="openEditSetting('DEEZER_MIN_REQUEST_INTERVAL_MS', 'Deezer Request Interval', 'number', 'Minimum milliseconds between API requests (default: 200)')">Edit</button>
+                    </div>
                 </div>
             </div>
 
@@ -643,6 +656,12 @@
                         <button
                             onclick="openEditSetting('SQUIDWTF_QUALITY', 'SquidWTF Quality', 'select', 'HI_RES_LOSSLESS: 24-bit/192kHz FLAC (highest)\\nLOSSLESS: 16-bit/44.1kHz FLAC (default)\\nHIGH: 320kbps AAC\\nLOW: 96kbps AAC', ['HI_RES_LOSSLESS', 'LOSSLESS', 'HIGH', 'LOW'])">Edit</button>
                     </div>
+                    <div class="config-item">
+                        <span class="label">Request Interval</span>
+                        <span class="value" id="config-squid-ratelimit">200 ms</span>
+                        <button
+                            onclick="openEditSetting('SQUIDWTF_MIN_REQUEST_INTERVAL_MS', 'SquidWTF Request Interval', 'number', 'Minimum milliseconds between API requests (default: 200)')">Edit</button>
+                    </div>
                 </div>
             </div>
 
@@ -680,10 +699,16 @@
                             onclick="openEditSetting('QOBUZ_USER_AUTH_TOKEN', 'Qobuz User Auth Token', 'password', 'Get from browser while logged into Qobuz')">Update</button>
                     </div>
                     <div class="config-item">
-                        <span class="label">Quality</span>
+                        <span class="label">Preferred Quality</span>
                         <span class="value" id="config-qobuz-quality">-</span>
                         <button
-                            onclick="openEditSetting('QOBUZ_QUALITY', 'Qobuz Quality', 'select', '', ['FLAC_24_192', 'FLAC_24_96', 'FLAC_16_44', 'MP3_320'])">Edit</button>
+                            onclick="openEditSetting('QOBUZ_QUALITY', 'Qobuz Quality', 'select', 'Default: FLAC', ['FLAC', 'FLAC_24_HIGH', 'FLAC_24_LOW', 'FLAC_16', 'MP3_320'])">Edit</button>
+                    </div>
+                    <div class="config-item">
+                        <span class="label">Request Interval</span>
+                        <span class="value" id="config-qobuz-ratelimit">200 ms</span>
+                        <button
+                            onclick="openEditSetting('QOBUZ_MIN_REQUEST_INTERVAL_MS', 'Qobuz Request Interval', 'number', 'Minimum milliseconds between API requests (default: 200)')">Edit</button>
                     </div>
                 </div>
             </div>

allstarr/wwwroot/js/dashboard-data.js

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import { runAction } from "./operations.js";
 
 let playlistAutoRefreshInterval = null;
 let dashboardRefreshInterval = null;
+let downloadActivityEventSource = null;
 
 let isAuthenticated = () => false;
 let isAdminSession = () => false;
@@ -324,6 +325,10 @@ function stopDashboardRefresh() {
     clearInterval(dashboardRefreshInterval);
     dashboardRefreshInterval = null;
   }
+  if (downloadActivityEventSource) {
+    downloadActivityEventSource.close();
+    downloadActivityEventSource = null;
+  }
   stopPlaylistAutoRefresh();
 }
 
@@ -375,6 +380,134 @@ async function loadDashboardData() {
   }
 
   startDashboardRefresh();
+  startDownloadActivityStream();
+}
+
+function startDownloadActivityStream() {
+  if (!isAdminSession()) return;
+  
+  if (downloadActivityEventSource) {
+    downloadActivityEventSource.close();
+  }
+
+  downloadActivityEventSource = new EventSource("/api/admin/downloads/activity");
+  
+  downloadActivityEventSource.onmessage = (event) => {
+    try {
+      const downloads = JSON.parse(event.data);
+      renderDownloadActivity(downloads);
+    } catch (err) {
+      console.error("Failed to parse download activity:", err);
+    }
+  };
+
+  downloadActivityEventSource.onerror = (err) => {
+    console.error("Download activity SSE error:", err);
+    // EventSource will auto-reconnect
+  };
+}
+
+function renderDownloadActivity(downloads) {
+  const container = document.getElementById("download-activity-list");
+  if (!container) return;
+
+  if (!downloads || downloads.length === 0) {
+    container.innerHTML = '<div class="empty-state">No active downloads</div>';
+    return;
+  }
+
+  const statusIcons = {
+    0: '⏳', // NotStarted
+    1: '<span class="spinner" style="border-width:2px; height:12px; width:12px; display:inline-block; margin-right:4px;"></span> Downloading', // InProgress
+    2: '✅ Completed', // Completed
+    3: '❌ Failed' // Failed
+  };
+
+  const html = downloads.map(d => {
+    const downloadProgress = clampProgress(d.progress);
+    const playbackProgress = clampProgress(d.playbackProgress);
+
+    // Determine elapsed/duration text
+    let timeText = "";
+    if (d.startedAt) {
+      const start = new Date(d.startedAt);
+      const end = d.completedAt ? new Date(d.completedAt) : new Date();
+      const diffSecs = Math.floor((end.getTime() - start.getTime()) / 1000);
+      timeText = diffSecs < 60 ? `${diffSecs}s` : `${Math.floor(diffSecs/60)}m ${diffSecs%60}s`;
+    }
+
+    const progressMeta = [];
+    if (typeof d.durationSeconds === "number" && typeof d.playbackPositionSeconds === "number") {
+      progressMeta.push(`${formatSeconds(d.playbackPositionSeconds)} / ${formatSeconds(d.durationSeconds)}`);
+    } else if (typeof d.durationSeconds === "number") {
+      progressMeta.push(formatSeconds(d.durationSeconds));
+    }
+    if (d.requestedForStreaming) {
+      progressMeta.push("stream");
+    }
+
+    const progressMetaText = progressMeta.length > 0
+      ? `<div class="download-progress-meta">${progressMeta.map(escapeHtml).join(" • ")}</div>`
+      : "";
+
+    const progressBar = `
+      <div class="download-progress-bar" aria-hidden="true">
+        <div class="download-progress-buffer" style="width:${downloadProgress * 100}%"></div>
+        <div class="download-progress-playback" style="width:${playbackProgress * 100}%"></div>
+      </div>
+      ${progressMetaText}
+    `;
+
+    const title = d.title || 'Unknown Title';
+    const artist = d.artist || 'Unknown Artist';
+    const errorText = d.errorMessage ? `<div style="color:var(--error); font-size:0.8rem; margin-top:4px;">${escapeHtml(d.errorMessage)}</div>` : '';
+    const streamBadge = d.requestedForStreaming
+      ? '<span class="download-queue-badge">Stream</span>'
+      : '';
+    const playingBadge = d.isPlaying
+      ? '<span class="download-queue-badge is-playing">Playing</span>'
+      : '';
+
+    return `
+      <div class="download-queue-item">
+        <div class="download-queue-info">
+          <div class="download-queue-title">${escapeHtml(title)}</div>
+          <div class="download-queue-meta">
+            <span class="download-queue-artist">${escapeHtml(artist)}</span>
+            <span class="download-queue-provider">${escapeHtml(d.externalProvider)}</span>
+            ${streamBadge}
+            ${playingBadge}
+          </div>
+          ${progressBar}
+          ${errorText}
+        </div>
+        <div class="download-queue-status">
+          <span style="font-size:0.85rem;">${statusIcons[d.status] || 'Unknown'}</span>
+          <span class="download-queue-time">${timeText}</span>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    `;
+  }).join('');
+
+  container.innerHTML = html;
+}
+
+function clampProgress(value) {
+  if (typeof value !== "number" || Number.isNaN(value)) {
+    return 0;
+  }
+
+  return Math.max(0, Math.min(1, value));
+}
+
+function formatSeconds(totalSeconds) {
+  if (typeof totalSeconds !== "number" || Number.isNaN(totalSeconds) || totalSeconds < 0) {
+    return "0:00";
+  }
+
+  const minutes = Math.floor(totalSeconds / 60);
+  const seconds = Math.floor(totalSeconds % 60);
+  return `${minutes}:${String(seconds).padStart(2, "0")}`;
 }
 
 export function initDashboardData(options) {

allstarr/wwwroot/js/settings-editor.js

@@ -211,12 +211,26 @@ const SETTINGS_REGISTRY = {
       ensureConfigSection(config, "deezer").quality = value;
     },
   ),
+  DEEZER_MIN_REQUEST_INTERVAL_MS: numberBinding(
+    (config) => config?.deezer?.minRequestIntervalMs ?? 200,
+    (config, value) => {
+      ensureConfigSection(config, "deezer").minRequestIntervalMs = value;
+    },
+    200,
+  ),
   SQUIDWTF_QUALITY: textBinding(
     (config) => config?.squidWtf?.quality ?? "LOSSLESS",
     (config, value) => {
       ensureConfigSection(config, "squidWtf").quality = value;
     },
   ),
+  SQUIDWTF_MIN_REQUEST_INTERVAL_MS: numberBinding(
+    (config) => config?.squidWtf?.minRequestIntervalMs ?? 200,
+    (config, value) => {
+      ensureConfigSection(config, "squidWtf").minRequestIntervalMs = value;
+    },
+    200,
+  ),
   MUSICBRAINZ_ENABLED: toggleBinding(
     (config) => config?.musicBrainz?.enabled ?? false,
     (config, value) => {
@@ -247,6 +261,13 @@ const SETTINGS_REGISTRY = {
       ensureConfigSection(config, "qobuz").quality = value;
     },
   ),
+  QOBUZ_MIN_REQUEST_INTERVAL_MS: numberBinding(
+    (config) => config?.qobuz?.minRequestIntervalMs ?? 200,
+    (config, value) => {
+      ensureConfigSection(config, "qobuz").minRequestIntervalMs = value;
+    },
+    200,
+  ),
   JELLYFIN_URL: textBinding(
     (config) => config?.jellyfin?.url ?? "",
     (config, value) => {

allstarr/wwwroot/js/ui.js

@@ -536,8 +536,12 @@ export function updateConfigUI(data) {
     data.deezer.arl || "(not set)";
   document.getElementById("config-deezer-quality").textContent =
     data.deezer.quality;
+  document.getElementById("config-deezer-ratelimit").textContent =
+    (data.deezer.minRequestIntervalMs || 200) + " ms";
   document.getElementById("config-squid-quality").textContent =
     data.squidWtf.quality;
+  document.getElementById("config-squid-ratelimit").textContent =
+    (data.squidWtf.minRequestIntervalMs || 200) + " ms";
   document.getElementById("config-musicbrainz-enabled").textContent = data
     .musicBrainz.enabled
     ? "Yes"
@@ -546,6 +550,8 @@ export function updateConfigUI(data) {
     data.qobuz.userAuthToken || "(not set)";
   document.getElementById("config-qobuz-quality").textContent =
     data.qobuz.quality || "FLAC";
+  document.getElementById("config-qobuz-ratelimit").textContent =
+    (data.qobuz.minRequestIntervalMs || 200) + " ms";
   document.getElementById("config-jellyfin-url").textContent =
     data.jellyfin.url || "-";
   document.getElementById("config-jellyfin-api-key").textContent =

allstarr/wwwroot/styles.css

@@ -980,3 +980,119 @@ input::placeholder {
         transform: rotate(360deg);
     }
 }
+
+/* Download Activity Queue */
+.download-queue-list {
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+    gap: 8px;
+}
+
+.download-queue-item {
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    justify-content: space-between;
+    padding: 10px 14px;
+    background: var(--bg-tertiary);
+    border: 1px solid var(--border);
+    border-radius: 6px;
+    animation: slideIn 0.3s ease;
+}
+
+.download-queue-info {
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+    gap: 4px;
+    min-width: 0;
+    flex: 1;
+}
+
+.download-queue-title {
+    font-weight: 500;
+    font-size: 0.95rem;
+}
+
+.download-queue-meta {
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: 8px;
+}
+
+.download-queue-artist {
+    color: var(--text-secondary);
+    font-size: 0.85rem;
+}
+
+.download-queue-provider {
+    font-size: 0.75rem;
+    padding: 2px 6px;
+    background: rgba(88, 166, 255, 0.1);
+    color: var(--accent);
+    border-radius: 4px;
+    text-transform: uppercase;
+}
+
+.download-queue-badge {
+    font-size: 0.75rem;
+    padding: 2px 6px;
+    background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
+    color: var(--text-secondary);
+    border: 1px solid var(--border);
+    border-radius: 999px;
+    text-transform: uppercase;
+}
+
+.download-queue-badge.is-playing {
+    color: #79c0ff;
+    border-color: rgba(121, 192, 255, 0.45);
+    background: rgba(56, 139, 253, 0.16);
+}
+
+.download-progress-bar {
+    position: relative;
+    height: 8px;
+    width: 100%;
+    margin-top: 6px;
+    background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06);
+    border-radius: 999px;
+    overflow: hidden;
+}
+
+.download-progress-buffer {
+    position: absolute;
+    inset: 0 auto 0 0;
+    background: rgba(201, 209, 217, 0.28);
+    border-radius: 999px;
+}
+
+.download-progress-playback {
+    position: absolute;
+    inset: 0 auto 0 0;
+    background: linear-gradient(90deg, #2f81f7 0%, #79c0ff 100%);
+    border-radius: 999px;
+}
+
+.download-progress-meta {
+    margin-top: 4px;
+    color: var(--text-secondary);
+    font-size: 0.75rem;
+}
+
+.download-queue-status {
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: 12px;
+}
+
+.download-queue-time {
+    font-family: monospace;
+    color: var(--text-secondary);
+    font-size: 0.85rem;
+}
+
+.empty-state {
+    color: var(--text-secondary);
+    font-style: italic;
+    padding: 12px;
+    text-align: center;
+}

apis/steering/ADMIN-UI-MODULARITY.md

@@ -1,72 +0,0 @@
-# Admin UI Modularity Guide
-
-This document defines the modular JavaScript architecture for `allstarr/wwwroot/js` and the guardrails future agents should follow.
-
-## Goals
-
-- Keep admin UI code split by feature and responsibility.
-- Centralize request handling and async UI action handling.
-- Minimize `window.*` globals to only those required by inline HTML handlers.
-- Keep polling and refresh lifecycle in one place.
-
-## Current Module Map
-
-- `main.js`: Composition root only. Wires modules, shared globals, and bootstrap lifecycle.
-- `auth-session.js`: Auth/session state, role-based scope, login/logout wiring, 401 recovery handling.
-- `dashboard-data.js`: Polling lifecycle + data loading/render orchestration.
-- `operations.js`: Shared `runAction` helper + non-domain operational actions.
-- `settings-editor.js`: Settings registry, modal editor rendering, local config state sync.
-- `playlist-admin.js`: Playlist linking and admin CRUD.
-- `scrobbling-admin.js`: Scrobbling configuration actions and UI state updates.
-- `api.js`: API transport layer wrappers and endpoint functions.
-
-## Required Patterns
-
-### 1) Request Layer Rules
-
-- All HTTP requests must go through `api.js`.
-- `api.js` owns low-level `fetch` usage (`requestJson`, `requestBlob`, `requestOptionalJson`).
-- Feature modules should call `API.*` methods and avoid direct `fetch`.
-
-### 2) Action Flow Rules
-
-- UI actions with toast/error handling should use `runAction(...)` from `operations.js`.
-- If an action always reloads scrobbling UI state, use `runScrobblingAction(...)` in `scrobbling-admin.js`.
-
-### 3) Polling Rules
-
-- Polling timers must stay in `dashboard-data.js`.
-- New background refresh loops should be added to existing refresh lifecycle, not separate timers in other modules.
-
-### 4) Global Surface Rules
-
-- Expose only `window.*` members needed by current inline HTML (`onclick`, `onchange`, `oninput`) or legacy UI templates.
-- Keep new feature logic module-scoped and expose narrow entry points in `init*` functions.
-
-## Adding New Admin UI Behavior
-
-1. Add/extend endpoint method in `api.js`.
-2. Implement feature logic in the relevant module (`*-admin.js`, `dashboard-data.js`, etc.).
-3. Prefer `runAction(...)` for async UI operations.
-4. Export/init through module `init*` only.
-5. Wire it from `main.js` if cross-module dependencies are needed.
-6. Add/adjust tests in `allstarr.Tests/JavaScriptSyntaxTests.cs`.
-
-## Tests That Enforce This Architecture
-
-`allstarr.Tests/JavaScriptSyntaxTests.cs` includes checks for:
-
-- Module existence and syntax.
-- Coordinator bootstrap expectations.
-- API request centralization (`fetch` calls constrained to helper functions in `api.js`).
-- Scrobbling module prohibition on direct `fetch`.
-
-## Fast Validation Commands
-
-```bash
-# Full suite
- dotnet test allstarr.sln
-
-# JS architecture/syntax focused
- dotnet test allstarr.Tests/allstarr.Tests.csproj --filter JavaScriptSyntaxTests
-```

docker-compose-redis2valkey.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,249 @@
+services:
+  valkey:
+    image: valkey/valkey:8
+    container_name: allstarr-valkey
+    restart: unless-stopped
+    # Valkey is only accessible internally - no external port exposure
+    expose:
+      - "6379"
+    # Use a self-healing entrypoint to automatically handle Redis -> Valkey migration pitfalls (like RDB format 12 errors)
+    # Only delete Valkey/Redis persistence artifacts so misconfigured REDIS_DATA_PATH values do not wipe app cache files.
+    entrypoint:
+      - "sh"
+      - "-ec"
+      - |
+        log_file=/tmp/valkey-startup.log
+        log_pipe=/tmp/valkey-startup.pipe
+        server_pid=
+        tee_pid=
+
+        forward_signal() {
+          if [ -n "$$server_pid" ]; then
+            kill -TERM "$$server_pid" 2>/dev/null || true
+            wait "$$server_pid" 2>/dev/null || true
+          fi
+
+          if [ -n "$$tee_pid" ]; then
+            kill "$$tee_pid" 2>/dev/null || true
+            wait "$$tee_pid" 2>/dev/null || true
+          fi
+
+          rm -f "$$log_pipe"
+          exit 143
+        }
+
+        trap forward_signal TERM INT
+
+        start_valkey() {
+          rm -f "$$log_file" "$$log_pipe"
+          : > "$$log_file"
+          mkfifo "$$log_pipe"
+
+          tee -a "$$log_file" < "$$log_pipe" &
+          tee_pid=$$!
+
+          valkey-server --maxmemory 1gb --maxmemory-policy allkeys-lru --save 60 1 --appendonly yes > "$$log_pipe" 2>&1 &
+          server_pid=$$!
+
+          wait "$$server_pid"
+          status=$$?
+
+          wait "$$tee_pid" 2>/dev/null || true
+          rm -f "$$log_pipe"
+          server_pid=
+          tee_pid=
+
+          return "$$status"
+        }
+
+        is_incompatible_persistence_error() {
+          grep -Eq "Can't handle RDB format version|Error reading the RDB base file|AOF loading aborted" "$$log_file"
+        }
+
+        cleanup_incompatible_persistence() {
+          echo 'Valkey failed to start (likely incompatible Redis persistence files). Removing persisted RDB/AOF artifacts and retrying...'
+          rm -f /data/*.rdb /data/*.aof /data/*.manifest
+          rm -rf /data/appendonlydir /data/appendonlydir-*
+        }
+
+        if ! start_valkey; then
+          if is_incompatible_persistence_error; then
+            cleanup_incompatible_persistence
+            exec valkey-server --maxmemory 1gb --maxmemory-policy allkeys-lru --save 60 1 --appendonly yes
+          fi
+
+          exit 1
+        fi
+    healthcheck:
+      # Use CMD-SHELL for broader compatibility in some environments
+      test: ["CMD-SHELL", "valkey-cli ping || exit 1"]
+      interval: 10s
+      timeout: 3s
+      retries: 5
+      start_period: 20s
+    volumes:
+      - ${REDIS_DATA_PATH:-./redis-data}:/data
+    networks:
+      - allstarr-network
+
+  # Spotify Lyrics API sidecar service
+  # Note: This image only supports AMD64. On ARM64 systems, Docker will use emulation.
+  spotify-lyrics:
+    image: akashrchandran/spotify-lyrics-api:latest
+    platform: linux/amd64
+    container_name: allstarr-spotify-lyrics
+    restart: unless-stopped
+    ports:
+      - "8365:8080"
+    environment:
+      - SP_DC=${SPOTIFY_API_SESSION_COOKIE:-}
+    networks:
+      - allstarr-network
+
+  allstarr:
+    # Use pre-built image from GitHub Container Registry
+    # For latest stable: ghcr.io/sopat712/allstarr:latest
+    # For beta/testing: ghcr.io/sopat712/allstarr:beta
+    # To build locally instead, uncomment the build section below
+    image: ghcr.io/sopat712/allstarr:latest
+
+    # Uncomment to build locally instead of using GHCR image:
+    # build:
+    #   context: .
+    #   dockerfile: Dockerfile
+    # image: allstarr:local
+
+    container_name: allstarr
+    restart: unless-stopped
+    ports:
+      - "5274:8080"
+      # Admin UI on port 5275 - for local/Tailscale access only
+      # DO NOT expose through reverse proxy - contains sensitive config
+      - "5275:5275"
+    depends_on:
+      valkey:
+        condition: service_healthy
+      spotify-lyrics:
+        condition: service_started
+    healthcheck:
+      test: ["CMD", "curl", "-f", "http://localhost:8080/health"]
+      interval: 30s
+      timeout: 10s
+      retries: 3
+      start_period: 40s
+    networks:
+      - allstarr-network
+    environment:
+      - ASPNETCORE_ENVIRONMENT=Production
+      # Backend type: Subsonic or Jellyfin (default: Subsonic)
+      - Backend__Type=${BACKEND_TYPE:-Subsonic}
+      # Admin network controls (port 5275)
+      - Admin__BindAnyIp=${ADMIN_BIND_ANY_IP:-false}
+      - Admin__TrustedSubnets=${ADMIN_TRUSTED_SUBNETS:-}
+
+      # ===== REDIS / VALKEY CACHE =====
+      - Redis__ConnectionString=valkey:6379
+      - Redis__Enabled=${REDIS_ENABLED:-true}
+
+      # ===== CACHE TTL SETTINGS =====
+      - Cache__SearchResultsMinutes=${CACHE_SEARCH_RESULTS_MINUTES:-1}
+      - Cache__PlaylistImagesHours=${CACHE_PLAYLIST_IMAGES_HOURS:-168}
+      - Cache__SpotifyPlaylistItemsHours=${CACHE_SPOTIFY_PLAYLIST_ITEMS_HOURS:-168}
+      - Cache__SpotifyMatchedTracksDays=${CACHE_SPOTIFY_MATCHED_TRACKS_DAYS:-30}
+      - Cache__LyricsDays=${CACHE_LYRICS_DAYS:-14}
+      - Cache__GenreDays=${CACHE_GENRE_DAYS:-30}
+      - Cache__MetadataDays=${CACHE_METADATA_DAYS:-7}
+      - Cache__OdesliLookupDays=${CACHE_ODESLI_LOOKUP_DAYS:-60}
+      - Cache__ProxyImagesDays=${CACHE_PROXY_IMAGES_DAYS:-14}
+      - Cache__TranscodeCacheMinutes=${CACHE_TRANSCODE_MINUTES:-60}
+
+      # ===== SUBSONIC BACKEND =====
+      - Subsonic__Url=${SUBSONIC_URL:-http://localhost:4533}
+      - Subsonic__ExplicitFilter=${EXPLICIT_FILTER:-ExplicitOnly}
+      - Subsonic__DownloadMode=${DOWNLOAD_MODE:-Track}
+      - Subsonic__MusicService=${MUSIC_SERVICE:-SquidWTF}
+      - Subsonic__StorageMode=${STORAGE_MODE:-Permanent}
+      - Subsonic__CacheDurationHours=${CACHE_DURATION_HOURS:-1}
+      - Subsonic__EnableExternalPlaylists=${ENABLE_EXTERNAL_PLAYLISTS:-true}
+      - Subsonic__PlaylistsDirectory=${PLAYLISTS_DIRECTORY:-playlists}
+
+      # ===== JELLYFIN BACKEND =====
+      - Jellyfin__Url=${JELLYFIN_URL:-http://localhost:8096}
+      - Jellyfin__ApiKey=${JELLYFIN_API_KEY:-}
+      - Jellyfin__UserId=${JELLYFIN_USER_ID:-}
+      - Jellyfin__LibraryId=${JELLYFIN_LIBRARY_ID:-}
+      - Jellyfin__ClientUsername=${JELLYFIN_CLIENT_USERNAME:-}
+      - Jellyfin__ExplicitFilter=${EXPLICIT_FILTER:-ExplicitOnly}
+      - Jellyfin__DownloadMode=${DOWNLOAD_MODE:-Track}
+      - Jellyfin__MusicService=${MUSIC_SERVICE:-SquidWTF}
+      - Jellyfin__StorageMode=${STORAGE_MODE:-Permanent}
+      - Jellyfin__CacheDurationHours=${CACHE_DURATION_HOURS:-1}
+      - Jellyfin__EnableExternalPlaylists=${ENABLE_EXTERNAL_PLAYLISTS:-true}
+      - Jellyfin__PlaylistsDirectory=${PLAYLISTS_DIRECTORY:-playlists}
+
+      # ===== SPOTIFY PLAYLIST INJECTION (JELLYFIN ONLY) =====
+      - SpotifyImport__Enabled=${SPOTIFY_IMPORT_ENABLED:-false}
+      - SpotifyImport__SyncStartHour=${SPOTIFY_IMPORT_SYNC_START_HOUR:-16}
+      - SpotifyImport__SyncStartMinute=${SPOTIFY_IMPORT_SYNC_START_MINUTE:-15}
+      - SpotifyImport__SyncWindowHours=${SPOTIFY_IMPORT_SYNC_WINDOW_HOURS:-2}
+      - SpotifyImport__MatchingIntervalHours=${SPOTIFY_IMPORT_MATCHING_INTERVAL_HOURS:-24}
+      - SpotifyImport__Playlists=${SPOTIFY_IMPORT_PLAYLISTS:-}
+      - SpotifyImport__PlaylistIds=${SPOTIFY_IMPORT_PLAYLIST_IDS:-}
+      - SpotifyImport__PlaylistNames=${SPOTIFY_IMPORT_PLAYLIST_NAMES:-}
+      - SpotifyImport__PlaylistLocalTracksPositions=${SPOTIFY_IMPORT_PLAYLIST_LOCAL_TRACKS_POSITIONS:-}
+
+      # ===== SPOTIFY DIRECT API (for lyrics, ISRC matching, track ordering) =====
+      - SpotifyApi__Enabled=${SPOTIFY_API_ENABLED:-false}
+      - SpotifyApi__SessionCookie=${SPOTIFY_API_SESSION_COOKIE:-}
+      - SpotifyApi__SessionCookieSetDate=${SPOTIFY_API_SESSION_COOKIE_SET_DATE:-}
+      - SpotifyApi__CacheDurationMinutes=${SPOTIFY_API_CACHE_DURATION_MINUTES:-60}
+      - SpotifyApi__RateLimitDelayMs=${SPOTIFY_API_RATE_LIMIT_DELAY_MS:-100}
+      - SpotifyApi__PreferIsrcMatching=${SPOTIFY_API_PREFER_ISRC_MATCHING:-true}
+      # Spotify Lyrics API sidecar service URL (internal)
+      - SpotifyApi__LyricsApiUrl=${SPOTIFY_LYRICS_API_URL:-http://spotify-lyrics:8080}
+
+      # ===== SCROBBLING (LAST.FM, LISTENBRAINZ) =====
+      - Scrobbling__Enabled=${SCROBBLING_ENABLED:-false}
+      - Scrobbling__LocalTracksEnabled=${SCROBBLING_LOCAL_TRACKS_ENABLED:-false}
+      - Scrobbling__SyntheticLocalPlayedSignalEnabled=${SCROBBLING_SYNTHETIC_LOCAL_PLAYED_SIGNAL_ENABLED:-false}
+      - Scrobbling__LastFm__Enabled=${SCROBBLING_LASTFM_ENABLED:-false}
+      - Scrobbling__LastFm__ApiKey=${SCROBBLING_LASTFM_API_KEY:-}
+      - Scrobbling__LastFm__SharedSecret=${SCROBBLING_LASTFM_SHARED_SECRET:-}
+      - Scrobbling__LastFm__SessionKey=${SCROBBLING_LASTFM_SESSION_KEY:-}
+      - Scrobbling__LastFm__Username=${SCROBBLING_LASTFM_USERNAME:-}
+      - Scrobbling__LastFm__Password=${SCROBBLING_LASTFM_PASSWORD:-}
+      - Scrobbling__ListenBrainz__Enabled=${SCROBBLING_LISTENBRAINZ_ENABLED:-false}
+      - Scrobbling__ListenBrainz__UserToken=${SCROBBLING_LISTENBRAINZ_USER_TOKEN:-}
+
+      # ===== DEBUG SETTINGS =====
+      - Debug__LogAllRequests=${DEBUG_LOG_ALL_REQUESTS:-false}
+      - Debug__RedactSensitiveRequestValues=${DEBUG_REDACT_SENSITIVE_REQUEST_VALUES:-false}
+
+      # ===== SHARED =====
+      - Library__DownloadPath=/app/downloads
+      - SquidWTF__Quality=${SQUIDWTF_QUALITY:-FLAC}
+      - SquidWTF__MinRequestIntervalMs=${SQUIDWTF_MIN_REQUEST_INTERVAL_MS:-200}
+      - Deezer__Arl=${DEEZER_ARL:-}
+      - Deezer__ArlFallback=${DEEZER_ARL_FALLBACK:-}
+      - Deezer__Quality=${DEEZER_QUALITY:-FLAC}
+      - Deezer__MinRequestIntervalMs=${DEEZER_MIN_REQUEST_INTERVAL_MS:-200}
+      - Qobuz__UserAuthToken=${QOBUZ_USER_AUTH_TOKEN:-}
+      - Qobuz__UserId=${QOBUZ_USER_ID:-}
+      - Qobuz__Quality=${QOBUZ_QUALITY:-FLAC}
+      - Qobuz__MinRequestIntervalMs=${QOBUZ_MIN_REQUEST_INTERVAL_MS:-200}
+      - MusicBrainz__Enabled=${MUSICBRAINZ_ENABLED:-true}
+      - MusicBrainz__Username=${MUSICBRAINZ_USERNAME:-}
+      - MusicBrainz__Password=${MUSICBRAINZ_PASSWORD:-}
+    volumes:
+      - ${DOWNLOAD_PATH:-./downloads}:/app/downloads
+      - ${KEPT_PATH:-./kept}:/app/kept
+      - ${CACHE_PATH:-./cache}:/app/cache
+      # Mount .env file for runtime configuration updates from admin UI
+      - ./.env:/app/.env
+      # Docker socket for self-restart capability (admin UI only)
+      - /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock:ro
+
+networks:
+  allstarr-network:
+    name: allstarr-network
+    driver: bridge

docker-compose.yml

@@ -1,17 +1,19 @@
 services:
-  redis:
-    image: redis:7-alpine
-    container_name: allstarr-redis
+  valkey:
+    image: valkey/valkey:8
+    container_name: allstarr-valkey
     restart: unless-stopped
-    # Redis is only accessible internally - no external port exposure
+    # Valkey is only accessible internally - no external port exposure
     expose:
       - "6379"
-    command: redis-server --maxmemory 1gb --maxmemory-policy allkeys-lru --save 60 1 --appendonly yes
+    command: valkey-server --maxmemory 1gb --maxmemory-policy allkeys-lru --save 60 1 --appendonly yes
     healthcheck:
-      test: ["CMD", "redis-cli", "ping"]
+      # Use CMD-SHELL for broader compatibility in some environments
+      test: ["CMD-SHELL", "valkey-cli ping || exit 1"]
       interval: 10s
       timeout: 3s
-      retries: 3
+      retries: 5
+      start_period: 20s
     volumes:
       - ${REDIS_DATA_PATH:-./redis-data}:/data
     networks:
@@ -52,7 +54,7 @@ services:
       # DO NOT expose through reverse proxy - contains sensitive config
       - "5275:5275"
     depends_on:
-      redis:
+      valkey:
         condition: service_healthy
       spotify-lyrics:
         condition: service_started
@@ -72,8 +74,8 @@ services:
       - Admin__BindAnyIp=${ADMIN_BIND_ANY_IP:-false}
       - Admin__TrustedSubnets=${ADMIN_TRUSTED_SUBNETS:-}
 
-      # ===== REDIS CACHE =====
-      - Redis__ConnectionString=redis:6379
+      # ===== REDIS / VALKEY CACHE =====
+      - Redis__ConnectionString=valkey:6379
       - Redis__Enabled=${REDIS_ENABLED:-true}
 
       # ===== CACHE TTL SETTINGS =====
@@ -86,6 +88,7 @@ services:
       - Cache__MetadataDays=${CACHE_METADATA_DAYS:-7}
       - Cache__OdesliLookupDays=${CACHE_ODESLI_LOOKUP_DAYS:-60}
       - Cache__ProxyImagesDays=${CACHE_PROXY_IMAGES_DAYS:-14}
+      - Cache__TranscodeCacheMinutes=${CACHE_TRANSCODE_MINUTES:-60}
 
       # ===== SUBSONIC BACKEND =====
       - Subsonic__Url=${SUBSONIC_URL:-http://localhost:4533}
@@ -152,12 +155,15 @@ services:
       # ===== SHARED =====
       - Library__DownloadPath=/app/downloads
       - SquidWTF__Quality=${SQUIDWTF_QUALITY:-FLAC}
+      - SquidWTF__MinRequestIntervalMs=${SQUIDWTF_MIN_REQUEST_INTERVAL_MS:-200}
       - Deezer__Arl=${DEEZER_ARL:-}
       - Deezer__ArlFallback=${DEEZER_ARL_FALLBACK:-}
       - Deezer__Quality=${DEEZER_QUALITY:-FLAC}
+      - Deezer__MinRequestIntervalMs=${DEEZER_MIN_REQUEST_INTERVAL_MS:-200}
       - Qobuz__UserAuthToken=${QOBUZ_USER_AUTH_TOKEN:-}
       - Qobuz__UserId=${QOBUZ_USER_ID:-}
       - Qobuz__Quality=${QOBUZ_QUALITY:-FLAC}
+      - Qobuz__MinRequestIntervalMs=${QOBUZ_MIN_REQUEST_INTERVAL_MS:-200}
       - MusicBrainz__Enabled=${MUSICBRAINZ_ENABLED:-true}
       - MusicBrainz__Username=${MUSICBRAINZ_USERNAME:-}
       - MusicBrainz__Password=${MUSICBRAINZ_PASSWORD:-}