v1.3.3-beta.1: MAJOR FIX - fix auto logging out behavior, harden Jellyfin Auth, block bot probes earlier, let Jellyfin handle playback sessions, add [E] tag to explicit external tracks

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

@@ -40,8 +40,8 @@ REDIS_DATA_PATH=./redis-data
 # All values are configurable via Web UI (Configuration tab > Cache Settings)
 # Changes require container restart to apply
 
-# Search results cache duration in minutes (default: 120 = 2 hours)
-CACHE_SEARCH_RESULTS_MINUTES=120
+# Search results cache duration in minutes (default: 1)
+CACHE_SEARCH_RESULTS_MINUTES=1
 
 # Playlist cover images cache duration in hours (default: 168 = 1 week)
 CACHE_PLAYLIST_IMAGES_HOURS=168

README.md

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 [![Docker Image](https://img.shields.io/badge/docker-ghcr.io%2Fsopat712%2Fallstarr-blue)](https://github.com/SoPat712/allstarr/pkgs/container/allstarr)
 [![License](https://img.shields.io/badge/license-GPL--3.0-green)](LICENSE)
 
-A media server proxy that integrates music streaming providers with your local library. Works with **Jellyfin** and **Subsonic-compatible** servers. When a song isn't in your local library, it gets fetched from your configured provider, downloaded, and served to your client. The downloaded song then lives in your library for next time.
+A media server proxy that integrates music streaming providers with your local library. Works with **Jellyfin** servers. When a song isn't in your local library, it gets fetched from your configured provider, downloaded, and served to your client. The downloaded song then lives in your library for next time.
 
 ## Quick Start
 
@@ -39,7 +39,6 @@ The proxy will be available at `http://localhost:5274`.
 Allstarr includes a web UI for easy configuration and playlist management, accessible at `http://localhost:5275`
 <img width="1664" height="1101" alt="image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/9159100b-7e11-449e-8530-517d336d6bd2" />
 
-
 ### Features
 
 - **Playlist Management**: Link Jellyfin playlists to Spotify playlists with just a few clicks
@@ -76,7 +75,6 @@ The web UI updates your `.env` file directly. Changes persist across container r
 
 There's an environment variable to modify this.
 
-
 **Recommended workflow**: Use the `sp_dc` cookie method alongside the [Spotify Import Plugin](https://github.com/Viperinius/jellyfin-plugin-spotify-import?tab=readme-ov-file).
 
 ### Nginx Proxy Setup (Optional)
@@ -87,20 +85,20 @@ This service only exposes ports internally. You can use nginx to proxy to it, ho
 server {
     listen 443 ssl http2;
     server_name your-domain.com;
-    
+
     ssl_certificate /etc/letsencrypt/live/your-domain.com/fullchain.pem;
     ssl_certificate_key /etc/letsencrypt/live/your-domain.com/privkey.pem;
     ssl_protocols TLSv1.2 TLSv1.3;
-    
+
     # Security headers
     add_header Strict-Transport-Security "max-age=31536000" always;
     add_header X-Content-Type-Options "nosniff" always;
-    
+
     # Streaming settings
     proxy_buffering off;
     proxy_request_buffering off;
     proxy_read_timeout 600s;
-    
+
     location / {
         proxy_pass http://allstarr:8080;
         proxy_set_header Host $host;
@@ -119,7 +117,7 @@ This project brings together all the music streaming providers into one unified
 
 ## Features
 
-- **Dual Backend Support**: Works with Jellyfin and Subsonic-compatible servers (Navidrome, Airsonic, etc.)
+- **Dual Backend Support**: Works with Jellyfin
 - **Multi-Provider Architecture**: Pluggable system for streaming providers (Deezer, Qobuz, SquidWTF)
 - **Transparent Proxy**: Sits between your music clients and media server
 - **Automatic Search**: Searches streaming providers when songs aren't local
@@ -139,43 +137,21 @@ This project brings together all the music streaming providers into one unified
 ## Supported Backends
 
 ### Jellyfin
+
 [Jellyfin](https://jellyfin.org/) is a free and open-source media server. Allstarr connects via the Jellyfin API using your Jellyfin user login. (I plan to move this to api key if possible)
 
 **Compatible Jellyfin clients:**
 
 - [Feishin](https://github.com/jeffvli/feishin) (Mac/Windows/Linux)
-<img width="1691" height="1128" alt="image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/c602f71c-c4dd-49a9-b533-1558e24a9f45" />
-
+  <img width="1691" height="1128" alt="image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/c602f71c-c4dd-49a9-b533-1558e24a9f45" />
 
 - [Musiver](https://music.aqzscn.cn/en/) (Android/iOS/Windows/Android)
-<img width="523" height="1025" alt="image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/135e2721-5fd7-482f-bb06-b0736003cfe7" />
-
+  <img width="523" height="1025" alt="image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/135e2721-5fd7-482f-bb06-b0736003cfe7" />
 
 - [Finamp](https://github.com/jmshrv/finamp) (Android/iOS)
 
 - [Finer Player](https://monk-studio.com/finer) (iOS/iPadOS/macOS/tvOS)
 
-_Working on getting more currently_
-
-### Subsonic/Navidrome
-[Navidrome](https://www.navidrome.org/) and other Subsonic-compatible servers are supported via the Subsonic API.
-
-**Compatible Subsonic clients:**
-
-#### PC
-- [Aonsoku](https://github.com/victoralvesf/aonsoku)
-- [Feishin](https://github.com/jeffvli/feishin)
-- [Subplayer](https://github.com/peguerosdc/subplayer)
-- [Aurial](https://github.com/shrimpza/aurial)
-
-#### Android
-- [Tempus](https://github.com/eddyizm/tempus)
-- [Substreamer](https://substreamerapp.com/)
-
-#### iOS
-- [Narjo](https://www.reddit.com/r/NarjoApp/)
-- [Arpeggi](https://www.reddit.com/r/arpeggiApp/)
-
 > **Want to improve client compatibility?** Pull requests are welcome!
 
 ### Incompatible Clients
@@ -198,13 +174,12 @@ Choose your preferred provider via the `MUSIC_SERVICE` environment variable. Add
 
 - A running media server:
   - **Jellyfin**: Any recent version with API access enabled
-  - **Subsonic**: Navidrome or other Subsonic-compatible server
 - **Docker and Docker Compose** (recommended) - includes Redis and Spotify Lyrics API sidecars
   - Redis is used for caching (search results, playlists, lyrics, etc.)
   - Spotify Lyrics API provides synchronized lyrics for Spotify tracks
 - Credentials for at least one music provider (IF NOT USING SQUIDWTF):
   - **Deezer**: ARL token from browser cookies
-  - **Qobuz**: User ID + User Auth Token from browser localStorage ([see Wiki guide](https://github.com/V1ck3s/octo-fiesta/wiki/Getting-Qobuz-Credentials-(User-ID-&-Token)))
+  - **Qobuz**: User ID + User Auth Token from browser localStorage ([see Wiki guide](<https://github.com/V1ck3s/octo-fiesta/wiki/Getting-Qobuz-Credentials-(User-ID-&-Token)>))
 - **OR** [.NET 10.0 SDK](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet/10.0) for manual installation (requires separate Redis setup)
 
 ## Configuration
@@ -212,47 +187,39 @@ Choose your preferred provider via the `MUSIC_SERVICE` environment variable. Add
 ### Environment Setup
 
 1. **Create your environment file**
+
    ```bash
    cp .env.example .env
    ```
 
 2. **Edit the `.env` file** with your configuration:
 
-   **For Jellyfin backend:**
+   **Server Settings:**
+
    ```bash
    # Backend selection
    BACKEND_TYPE=Jellyfin
-   
+
    # Jellyfin server URL
    JELLYFIN_URL=http://localhost:8096
-   
+
    # API key (get from Jellyfin Dashboard > API Keys)
    JELLYFIN_API_KEY=your-api-key-here
-   
+
    # User ID (from Jellyfin Dashboard > Users > click user > check URL)
    JELLYFIN_USER_ID=your-user-id-here
-   
+
    # Music library ID (optional, auto-detected if not set)
    JELLYFIN_LIBRARY_ID=
    ```
 
-   **For Subsonic/Navidrome backend:**
-   ```bash
-   # Backend selection
-   BACKEND_TYPE=Subsonic
-   
-   # Navidrome/Subsonic server URL
-   SUBSONIC_URL=http://localhost:4533
-   ```
-
-   **Common settings (both backends):**
    ```bash
    # Path where downloaded songs will be stored
    DOWNLOAD_PATH=./downloads
-   
+
    # Music service to use: SquidWTF, Deezer, or Qobuz
    MUSIC_SERVICE=SquidWTF
-   
+
    # Storage mode: Permanent or Cache
    STORAGE_MODE=Permanent
    ```
@@ -260,7 +227,7 @@ Choose your preferred provider via the `MUSIC_SERVICE` environment variable. Add
    See the full `.env.example` for all available options including Deezer/Qobuz credentials.
 
 3. **Configure your client**
-   
+
    Point your music client to `http://localhost:5274` instead of your media server directly.
 
 > **Tip**: Make sure the `DOWNLOAD_PATH` points to a directory that your media server can scan, so downloaded songs appear in your library.
@@ -272,21 +239,24 @@ For detailed configuration options, see [CONFIGURATION.md](CONFIGURATION.md).
 If you prefer to run Allstarr without Docker:
 
 1. **Clone the repository**
+
    ```bash
    git clone https://github.com/SoPat712/allstarr.git
    cd allstarr
    ```
 
 2. **Restore dependencies**
+
    ```bash
    dotnet restore
    ```
 
 3. **Configure the application**
-   
+
    Edit `allstarr/appsettings.json`:
-   
+
    **For Jellyfin:**
+
    ```json
    {
      "Backend": {
@@ -303,33 +273,18 @@ If you prefer to run Allstarr without Docker:
      }
    }
    ```
-   
-   **For Subsonic/Navidrome:**
-   ```json
-   {
-     "Backend": {
-       "Type": "Subsonic"
-     },
-     "Subsonic": {
-       "Url": "http://localhost:4533",
-       "MusicService": "SquidWTF"
-     },
-     "Library": {
-       "DownloadPath": "./downloads"
-     }
-   }
-   ```
 
 4. **Run the server**
+
    ```bash
    cd allstarr
    dotnet run
    ```
-   
+
    The proxy will start on `http://localhost:5274` by default.
 
 5. **Configure your client**
-   
+
    Point your music client to `http://localhost:5274` instead of your media server directly.
 
 ## Documentation
@@ -341,7 +296,6 @@ If you prefer to run Allstarr without Docker:
 
 ## Limitations
 
-- **Playlist Search**: Subsonic clients like Aonsoku filter playlists client-side from a cached `getPlaylists` call. Streaming provider playlists appear in global search (`search3`) but not in the Playlists tab filter.
 - **Region Restrictions**: Some tracks may be unavailable depending on your region and provider.
 - **Token Expiration**: Provider authentication tokens expire and need periodic refresh.
 
@@ -356,7 +310,6 @@ GPL-3.0
 - [Jellyfin Spotify Import Plugin](https://github.com/Viperinius/jellyfin-plugin-spotify-import?tab=readme-ov-file) - The plugin that I **strongly** recommend using alongside this repo
 - [Jellyfin](https://jellyfin.org/) - The free and open-source media server
 - [Navidrome](https://www.navidrome.org/) - The excellent self-hosted music server
-- [Subsonic API](http://www.subsonic.org/pages/api.jsp) - The API specification
 - [Hi-Fi API](https://github.com/binimum/hifi-api) - These people do some great work, and you should thank them for this even existing!
 - [Deezer](https://www.deezer.com/) - Music streaming service
 - [Qobuz](https://www.qobuz.com/) - Hi-Res music streaming service

allstarr.Tests/AuthHeaderHelperTests.cs

@@ -39,6 +39,22 @@ public class AuthHeaderHelperTests
         Assert.True(request.Headers.Contains("X-Emby-Authorization"));
     }
 
+    [Fact]
+    public void ForwardAuthHeaders_ShouldForwardXEmbyToken()
+    {
+        var headers = new HeaderDictionary
+        {
+            ["X-Emby-Token"] = "abc"
+        };
+
+        using var request = new HttpRequestMessage();
+        var forwarded = AuthHeaderHelper.ForwardAuthHeaders(headers, request);
+
+        Assert.True(forwarded);
+        Assert.True(request.Headers.TryGetValues("X-Emby-Token", out var values));
+        Assert.Contains("abc", values);
+    }
+
     [Fact]
     public void ForwardAuthHeaders_ShouldForwardStandardAuthorization()
     {

allstarr.Tests/BotProbeBlockMiddlewareTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+using System.Net;
+using allstarr.Middleware;
+using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Http;
+using Microsoft.Extensions.Logging.Abstractions;
+
+namespace allstarr.Tests;
+
+public class BotProbeBlockMiddlewareTests
+{
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task InvokeAsync_ScannerPath_Returns404WithoutCallingNext()
+    {
+        var nextInvoked = false;
+        var middleware = new BotProbeBlockMiddleware(
+            _ =>
+            {
+                nextInvoked = true;
+                return Task.CompletedTask;
+            },
+            NullLogger<BotProbeBlockMiddleware>.Instance);
+
+        var context = CreateContext("/.env");
+
+        await middleware.InvokeAsync(context);
+
+        Assert.False(nextInvoked);
+        Assert.Equal(StatusCodes.Status404NotFound, context.Response.StatusCode);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task InvokeAsync_NormalPath_CallsNext()
+    {
+        var nextInvoked = false;
+        var middleware = new BotProbeBlockMiddleware(
+            context =>
+            {
+                nextInvoked = true;
+                context.Response.StatusCode = StatusCodes.Status204NoContent;
+                return Task.CompletedTask;
+            },
+            NullLogger<BotProbeBlockMiddleware>.Instance);
+
+        var context = CreateContext("/System/Info/Public");
+
+        await middleware.InvokeAsync(context);
+
+        Assert.True(nextInvoked);
+        Assert.Equal(StatusCodes.Status204NoContent, context.Response.StatusCode);
+    }
+
+    private static DefaultHttpContext CreateContext(string path)
+    {
+        var context = new DefaultHttpContext();
+        context.Request.Path = path;
+        context.Request.Method = HttpMethods.Get;
+        context.Connection.RemoteIpAddress = IPAddress.Parse("203.0.113.10");
+        context.Response.Body = new MemoryStream();
+        return context;
+    }
+}

allstarr.Tests/BotProbeDetectorTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+using allstarr.Services.Common;
+
+namespace allstarr.Tests;
+
+public class BotProbeDetectorTests
+{
+    [Theory]
+    [InlineData("/.env")]
+    [InlineData("/.git/config")]
+    [InlineData("/wordpress")]
+    [InlineData("/wp")]
+    [InlineData("/wp-admin/install.php")]
+    [InlineData("/vendor/phpunit/phpunit/src/Util/PHP/eval-stdin.php")]
+    [InlineData("/public/vendor/laravel-filemanager/js/script.js")]
+    [InlineData("/_ignition/execute-solution")]
+    [InlineData("/debug/default/index")]
+    [InlineData("https://jellyfin.joshpatra.me/.git/config")]
+    public void IsHighConfidenceProbeUrl_ScannerPaths_ReturnsTrue(string path)
+    {
+        Assert.True(BotProbeDetector.IsHighConfidenceProbeUrl(path));
+    }
+
+    [Theory]
+    [InlineData("/System/Info/Public")]
+    [InlineData("/web/index.html")]
+    [InlineData("/Items/123")]
+    [InlineData("/Users/AuthenticateByName")]
+    [InlineData("/new")]
+    [InlineData("/blog")]
+    public void IsHighConfidenceProbeUrl_NormalProxyPaths_ReturnsFalse(string path)
+    {
+        Assert.False(BotProbeDetector.IsHighConfidenceProbeUrl(path));
+    }
+}

allstarr.Tests/CacheKeyBuilderTests.cs

@@ -20,10 +20,42 @@ public class CacheKeyBuilderTests
             "1635cd7d23144ba08251ebe22a56119e");
 
         Assert.Equal(
-            "search:data:musicalbum:500:0:efa26829c37196b030fa31d127e0715b:datecreated,sortname:descending:true:1635cd7d23144ba08251ebe22a56119e",
+            "search:data:musicalbum:500:0:efa26829c37196b030fa31d127e0715b:datecreated,sortname:descending:true:1635cd7d23144ba08251ebe22a56119e:",
             key);
     }
 
+    [Fact]
+    public void SearchKey_ShouldDifferentiateFavoriteOnlyQueries()
+    {
+        var normalKey = CacheKeyBuilder.BuildSearchKey(
+            "Sunflower",
+            "Audio",
+            100,
+            0,
+            "parent",
+            "SortName",
+            "Ascending",
+            true,
+            "user-1",
+            "false");
+
+        var favoritesOnlyKey = CacheKeyBuilder.BuildSearchKey(
+            "Sunflower",
+            "Audio",
+            100,
+            0,
+            "parent",
+            "SortName",
+            "Ascending",
+            true,
+            "user-1",
+            "true");
+
+        Assert.NotEqual(normalKey, favoritesOnlyKey);
+        Assert.EndsWith(":false", normalKey);
+        Assert.EndsWith(":true", favoritesOnlyKey);
+    }
+
     [Fact]
     public void SearchKey_OldOverload_ShouldRemainCompatible()
     {

allstarr.Tests/JellyfinProxyServiceTests.cs

@@ -117,6 +117,35 @@ public class JellyfinProxyServiceTests
         Assert.False(captured.Headers.Contains("X-Emby-Authorization"));
     }
 
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task GetJsonAsync_WithXEmbyToken_ForwardsTokenHeader()
+    {
+        // 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("{}")
+            });
+
+        var headers = new HeaderDictionary
+        {
+            ["X-Emby-Token"] = "token-123"
+        };
+
+        // Act
+        await _service.GetJsonAsync("Items", null, headers);
+
+        // Assert
+        Assert.NotNull(captured);
+        Assert.True(captured!.Headers.TryGetValues("X-Emby-Token", out var values));
+        Assert.Contains("token-123", values);
+    }
+
     [Fact]
     public async Task GetBytesAsync_ReturnsBodyAndContentType()
     {

allstarr.Tests/JellyfinResponseBuilderTests.cs

@@ -75,6 +75,44 @@ public class JellyfinResponseBuilderTests
         Assert.Equal("USRC12345678", providerIds["ISRC"]);
     }
 
+    [Fact]
+    public void ConvertSongToJellyfinItem_ExternalExplicitSong_AppendsStreamingAndExplicitLabels()
+    {
+        var song = new Song
+        {
+            Id = "ext-squidwtf-song-12345",
+            Title = "Sunflower",
+            Artist = "Artist",
+            IsLocal = false,
+            ExternalProvider = "squidwtf",
+            ExternalId = "12345",
+            ExplicitContentLyrics = 1
+        };
+
+        var result = _builder.ConvertSongToJellyfinItem(song);
+
+        Assert.Equal("Sunflower [S] [E]", result["Name"]);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void ConvertSongToJellyfinItem_ExternalCleanSong_AppendsOnlyStreamingLabel()
+    {
+        var song = new Song
+        {
+            Id = "ext-squidwtf-song-12345",
+            Title = "Sunflower",
+            Artist = "Artist",
+            IsLocal = false,
+            ExternalProvider = "squidwtf",
+            ExternalId = "12345",
+            ExplicitContentLyrics = 0
+        };
+
+        var result = _builder.ConvertSongToJellyfinItem(song);
+
+        Assert.Equal("Sunflower [S]", result["Name"]);
+    }
+
     [Theory]
     [InlineData("deezer")]
     [InlineData("qobuz")]

allstarr.Tests/JellyfinSessionManagerTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,145 @@
+using System.Collections.Concurrent;
+using System.Net;
+using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Http;
+using Microsoft.Extensions.Logging.Abstractions;
+using Microsoft.Extensions.Options;
+using allstarr.Models.Settings;
+using allstarr.Services.Common;
+using allstarr.Services.Jellyfin;
+
+namespace allstarr.Tests;
+
+public class JellyfinSessionManagerTests
+{
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task MarkSessionPotentiallyEnded_DoesNotAutoRemoveSession()
+    {
+        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.MarkSessionPotentiallyEnded("dev-123", TimeSpan.FromMilliseconds(25));
+        await Task.Delay(100);
+
+        Assert.True(manager.HasSession("dev-123"));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task RemoveSessionAsync_ReportsPlaybackStopButDoesNotLogoutUserSession()
+    {
+        var requestedPaths = new ConcurrentBag<string>();
+        var handler = new DelegateHttpMessageHandler((request, _) =>
+        {
+            requestedPaths.Add(request.RequestUri?.AbsolutePath ?? string.Empty);
+            return 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", "item-123", 42);
+        await manager.RemoveSessionAsync("dev-123");
+
+        Assert.Contains("/Sessions/Capabilities/Full", requestedPaths);
+        Assert.Contains("/Sessions/Playing/Stopped", requestedPaths);
+        Assert.DoesNotContain("/Sessions/Logout", requestedPaths);
+    }
+
+    private static JellyfinProxyService CreateProxyService(HttpMessageHandler handler, JellyfinSettings settings)
+    {
+        var httpClientFactory = new TestHttpClientFactory(handler);
+        var httpContextAccessor = new HttpContextAccessor
+        {
+            HttpContext = new DefaultHttpContext()
+        };
+
+        var cache = new RedisCacheService(
+            Options.Create(new RedisSettings { Enabled = false }),
+            NullLogger<RedisCacheService>.Instance);
+
+        return new JellyfinProxyService(
+            httpClientFactory,
+            Options.Create(settings),
+            httpContextAccessor,
+            NullLogger<JellyfinProxyService>.Instance,
+            cache);
+    }
+
+    private sealed class TestHttpClientFactory : IHttpClientFactory
+    {
+        private readonly HttpClient _client;
+
+        public TestHttpClientFactory(HttpMessageHandler handler)
+        {
+            _client = new HttpClient(handler, disposeHandler: false);
+        }
+
+        public HttpClient CreateClient(string name)
+        {
+            return _client;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private sealed class DelegateHttpMessageHandler : HttpMessageHandler
+    {
+        private readonly Func<HttpRequestMessage, CancellationToken, Task<HttpResponseMessage>> _handler;
+
+        public DelegateHttpMessageHandler(Func<HttpRequestMessage, CancellationToken, Task<HttpResponseMessage>> handler)
+        {
+            _handler = handler;
+        }
+
+        protected override Task<HttpResponseMessage> SendAsync(
+            HttpRequestMessage request,
+            CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+        {
+            return _handler(request, cancellationToken);
+        }
+    }
+}

allstarr.Tests/SquidWTFDownloadServiceTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,229 @@
+using System.Net;
+using System.Reflection;
+using System.Text;
+using allstarr.Models.Settings;
+using allstarr.Services;
+using allstarr.Services.Common;
+using allstarr.Services.Local;
+using allstarr.Services.SquidWTF;
+using Microsoft.Extensions.Configuration;
+using Microsoft.Extensions.Logging;
+using Microsoft.Extensions.Options;
+using Moq;
+
+namespace allstarr.Tests;
+
+public class SquidWTFDownloadServiceTests : IDisposable
+{
+    private readonly Mock<IHttpClientFactory> _httpClientFactoryMock = new();
+    private readonly Mock<ILocalLibraryService> _localLibraryServiceMock = new();
+    private readonly Mock<IMusicMetadataService> _metadataServiceMock = new();
+    private readonly Mock<IServiceProvider> _serviceProviderMock = new();
+    private readonly Mock<ILogger<SquidWTFDownloadService>> _loggerMock = new();
+    private readonly Mock<ILogger<OdesliService>> _odesliLoggerMock = new();
+    private readonly Mock<ILogger<RedisCacheService>> _redisLoggerMock = new();
+    private readonly string _testDownloadPath;
+    private readonly List<string> _apiUrls =
+    [
+        "http://127.0.0.1:18081",
+        "http://127.0.0.1:18082"
+    ];
+
+    public SquidWTFDownloadServiceTests()
+    {
+        _testDownloadPath = Path.Combine(Path.GetTempPath(), "allstarr-squidwtf-download-tests-" + Guid.NewGuid());
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(_testDownloadPath);
+
+        _serviceProviderMock
+            .Setup(sp => sp.GetService(typeof(allstarr.Services.Subsonic.PlaylistSyncService)))
+            .Returns((object?)null);
+    }
+
+    public void Dispose()
+    {
+        if (Directory.Exists(_testDownloadPath))
+        {
+            Directory.Delete(_testDownloadPath, true);
+        }
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void BuildQualityFallbackOrder_MapsConfiguredQualityToDescendingFallbacks()
+    {
+        var order = InvokePrivateStaticMethod<IReadOnlyList<string>>(
+            typeof(SquidWTFDownloadService),
+            "BuildQualityFallbackOrder",
+            "HI_RES");
+
+        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)
+    {
+        var httpClient = new HttpClient(handler);
+        _httpClientFactoryMock.Setup(f => f.CreateClient(It.IsAny<string>())).Returns(httpClient);
+
+        var configuration = new ConfigurationBuilder()
+            .AddInMemoryCollection(new Dictionary<string, string?>
+            {
+                ["Library:DownloadPath"] = _testDownloadPath
+            })
+            .Build();
+
+        var subsonicSettings = Options.Create(new SubsonicSettings
+        {
+            DownloadMode = DownloadMode.Track,
+            StorageMode = StorageMode.Cache
+        });
+
+        var squidwtfSettings = Options.Create(new SquidWTFSettings
+        {
+            Quality = quality
+        });
+
+        var cache = new RedisCacheService(
+            Options.Create(new RedisSettings { Enabled = false }),
+            _redisLoggerMock.Object);
+
+        var odesliService = new OdesliService(_httpClientFactoryMock.Object, _odesliLoggerMock.Object, cache);
+
+        return new SquidWTFDownloadService(
+            _httpClientFactoryMock.Object,
+            configuration,
+            _localLibraryServiceMock.Object,
+            _metadataServiceMock.Object,
+            subsonicSettings,
+            squidwtfSettings,
+            _serviceProviderMock.Object,
+            _loggerMock.Object,
+            odesliService,
+            _apiUrls);
+    }
+
+    private static string CreateTrackResponseJson(string audioQuality, string mimeType, string downloadUrl)
+    {
+        var manifestJson = $$"""
+        {
+          "mimeType": "{{mimeType}}",
+          "codecs": "aac",
+          "encryptionType": "NONE",
+          "urls": ["{{downloadUrl}}"]
+        }
+        """;
+
+        var manifestBase64 = Convert.ToBase64String(Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(manifestJson));
+
+        return $$"""
+        {
+          "version": "2.4",
+          "data": {
+            "audioQuality": "{{audioQuality}}",
+            "manifest": "{{manifestBase64}}"
+          }
+        }
+        """;
+    }
+
+    private static async Task<object> InvokePrivateAsync(object target, string methodName, params object?[] parameters)
+    {
+        var method = target.GetType().GetMethod(methodName, BindingFlags.Instance | BindingFlags.NonPublic);
+        Assert.NotNull(method);
+
+        var task = method!.Invoke(target, parameters) as Task;
+        Assert.NotNull(task);
+
+        await task!;
+
+        var resultProperty = task.GetType().GetProperty("Result");
+        Assert.NotNull(resultProperty);
+
+        var result = resultProperty!.GetValue(task);
+        Assert.NotNull(result);
+        return result!;
+    }
+
+    private static T InvokePrivateStaticMethod<T>(Type targetType, string methodName, params object?[] parameters)
+    {
+        var method = targetType.GetMethod(methodName, BindingFlags.Static | BindingFlags.NonPublic);
+        Assert.NotNull(method);
+
+        var result = method!.Invoke(null, parameters);
+        Assert.NotNull(result);
+        return (T)result!;
+    }
+
+    private static T GetProperty<T>(object target, string propertyName)
+    {
+        var property = target.GetType().GetProperty(propertyName, BindingFlags.Instance | BindingFlags.Public);
+        Assert.NotNull(property);
+
+        var value = property!.GetValue(target);
+        Assert.NotNull(value);
+        return (T)value!;
+    }
+
+    private sealed class StubHttpMessageHandler : HttpMessageHandler
+    {
+        private readonly Func<HttpRequestMessage, HttpResponseMessage> _handler;
+
+        public StubHttpMessageHandler(Func<HttpRequestMessage, HttpResponseMessage> handler)
+        {
+            _handler = handler;
+        }
+
+        protected override Task<HttpResponseMessage> SendAsync(HttpRequestMessage request, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+        {
+            return Task.FromResult(_handler(request));
+        }
+    }
+}

allstarr.Tests/SquidWTFMetadataServiceTests.cs

@@ -7,8 +7,11 @@ using allstarr.Services.Common;
 using allstarr.Models.Domain;
 using allstarr.Models.Settings;
 using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Net;
 using System.Reflection;
 using System.Text.Json;
+using System.Threading;
+using System.Threading.Tasks;
 
 namespace allstarr.Tests;
 
@@ -343,6 +346,168 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataServiceTests
         Assert.NotNull(service);
     }
 
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task GetTrackRecommendationsAsync_FallsBackWhenFirstEndpointReturnsEmpty()
+    {
+        var handler = new StubHttpMessageHandler(request =>
+        {
+            var port = request.RequestUri?.Port;
+
+            if (port == 5011)
+            {
+                return new HttpResponseMessage(HttpStatusCode.OK)
+                {
+                    Content = new StringContent("""
+                    {
+                      "version": "2.4",
+                      "data": {
+                        "limit": 20,
+                        "offset": 0,
+                        "totalNumberOfItems": 0,
+                        "items": []
+                      }
+                    }
+                    """)
+                };
+            }
+
+            if (port == 5012)
+            {
+                return new HttpResponseMessage(HttpStatusCode.OK)
+                {
+                    Content = new StringContent("""
+                    {
+                      "version": "2.4",
+                      "data": {
+                        "limit": 20,
+                        "offset": 0,
+                        "totalNumberOfItems": 1,
+                        "items": [
+                          {
+                            "track": {
+                              "id": 371921532,
+                              "title": "Take It Slow",
+                              "duration": 139,
+                              "trackNumber": 1,
+                              "volumeNumber": 1,
+                              "explicit": false,
+                              "artist": { "id": 10330497, "name": "Isaac Dunbar" },
+                              "artists": [
+                                { "id": 10330497, "name": "Isaac Dunbar" }
+                              ],
+                              "album": {
+                                "id": 371921525,
+                                "title": "Take It Slow",
+                                "cover": "aeb70f15-78ef-4230-929d-2d62c70ac00c"
+                              }
+                            }
+                          }
+                        ]
+                      }
+                    }
+                    """)
+                };
+            }
+
+            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://127.0.0.1:5011",
+                "http://127.0.0.1:5012"
+            });
+
+        var result = await service.GetTrackRecommendationsAsync("227242909", 20);
+
+        Assert.Single(result);
+        Assert.Equal("371921532", result[0].ExternalId);
+        Assert.Equal("Take It Slow", result[0].Title);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task GetSongAsync_FallsBackWhenFirstEndpointReturnsErrorPayload()
+    {
+        var handler = new StubHttpMessageHandler(request =>
+        {
+            var port = request.RequestUri?.Port;
+
+            if (port == 5021)
+            {
+                return new HttpResponseMessage(HttpStatusCode.OK)
+                {
+                    Content = new StringContent("""
+                    {
+                      "detail": "Upstream API error"
+                    }
+                    """)
+                };
+            }
+
+            if (port == 5022)
+            {
+                return new HttpResponseMessage(HttpStatusCode.OK)
+                {
+                    Content = new StringContent("""
+                    {
+                      "version": "2.4",
+                      "data": {
+                        "id": 227242909,
+                        "title": "Monica Lewinsky",
+                        "duration": 132,
+                        "trackNumber": 1,
+                        "volumeNumber": 1,
+                        "explicit": true,
+                        "artist": { "id": 8420542, "name": "UPSAHL" },
+                        "artists": [
+                          { "id": 8420542, "name": "UPSAHL" }
+                        ],
+                        "album": {
+                          "id": 227242908,
+                          "title": "Monica Lewinsky",
+                          "cover": "32522342-3903-42ab-aaea-a6f4f46ca0cc"
+                        }
+                      }
+                    }
+                    """)
+                };
+            }
+
+            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://127.0.0.1:5021",
+                "http://127.0.0.1:5022"
+            });
+
+        var song = await service.GetSongAsync("squidwtf", "227242909");
+
+        Assert.NotNull(song);
+        Assert.Equal("227242909", song!.ExternalId);
+        Assert.Equal("Monica Lewinsky", song.Title);
+        Assert.Equal(1, song.ExplicitContentLyrics);
+    }
+
     [Fact]
     public void BuildSearchQueryVariants_WithAmpersand_AddsAndVariant()
     {
@@ -561,4 +726,19 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataServiceTests
         Assert.NotNull(result);
         return (T)result!;
     }
+
+    private sealed class StubHttpMessageHandler : HttpMessageHandler
+    {
+        private readonly Func<HttpRequestMessage, HttpResponseMessage> _handler;
+
+        public StubHttpMessageHandler(Func<HttpRequestMessage, HttpResponseMessage> handler)
+        {
+            _handler = handler;
+        }
+
+        protected override Task<HttpResponseMessage> SendAsync(HttpRequestMessage request, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+        {
+            return Task.FromResult(_handler(request));
+        }
+    }
 }

allstarr/AppVersion.cs

@@ -9,5 +9,5 @@ public static class AppVersion
     /// <summary>
     /// Current application version.
     /// </summary>
-    public const string Version = "1.3.0";
+    public const string Version = "1.3.3";
 }

allstarr/Controllers/JellyfinController.Audio.cs

@@ -184,7 +184,19 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
         {
-            _logger.LogError(ex, "Failed to stream external song {Provider}:{ExternalId}", provider, externalId);
+            if (ex is HttpRequestException httpRequestException && httpRequestException.StatusCode.HasValue)
+            {
+                _logger.LogError("Failed to stream external song {Provider}:{ExternalId}: {StatusCode}: {ReasonPhrase}",
+                    provider,
+                    externalId,
+                    (int)httpRequestException.StatusCode.Value,
+                    httpRequestException.StatusCode.Value);
+                _logger.LogDebug(ex, "Detailed streaming failure for external song {Provider}:{ExternalId}", provider, externalId);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                _logger.LogError(ex, "Failed to stream external song {Provider}:{ExternalId}", provider, externalId);
+            }
             return StatusCode(500, new { error = "Streaming failed" });
         }
     }

allstarr/Controllers/JellyfinController.Authentication.cs

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 using System.Text.Json;
 using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc;
+using allstarr.Services.Common;
 
 namespace allstarr.Controllers;
 
@@ -53,8 +54,10 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
                     // Post session capabilities in background if we have a token
                     if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(accessToken))
                     {
+                        var (deviceId, client, device, version) = ExtractDeviceInfo(Request.Headers);
                         // Capture token in closure - don't use Request.Headers (will be disposed)
                         var token = accessToken;
+                        var authHeader = AuthHeaderHelper.CreateAuthHeader(token, client, device, deviceId, version);
                         _ = Task.Run(async () =>
                         {
                             try
@@ -64,6 +67,7 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
                                 // Build auth header with the new token
                                 var authHeaders = new HeaderDictionary
                                 {
+                                    ["X-Emby-Authorization"] = authHeader,
                                     ["X-Emby-Token"] = token
                                 };
 

allstarr/Controllers/JellyfinController.Lyrics.cs

@@ -145,12 +145,11 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
             return NotFound(new { error = "Song not found" });
         }
 
-        // Strip [S] suffix from title, artist, and album for lyrics search
-        // The [S] tag is added to external tracks but shouldn't be used in lyrics queries
-        var searchTitle = song.Title.Replace(" [S]", "").Trim();
-        var searchArtist = song.Artist?.Replace(" [S]", "").Trim() ?? "";
-        var searchAlbum = song.Album?.Replace(" [S]", "").Trim() ?? "";
-        var searchArtists = song.Artists.Select(a => a.Replace(" [S]", "").Trim()).ToList();
+        // Strip external track labels from lyrics search terms.
+        var searchTitle = StripTrackDecorators(song.Title);
+        var searchArtist = StripTrackDecorators(song.Artist);
+        var searchAlbum = StripTrackDecorators(song.Album);
+        var searchArtists = song.Artists.Select(StripTrackDecorators).ToList();
 
         if (searchArtists.Count == 0 && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(searchArtist))
         {
@@ -379,11 +378,11 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
                 return;
             }
 
-            // Strip [S] suffix for lyrics search
-            var searchTitle = song.Title.Replace(" [S]", "").Trim();
-            var searchArtist = song.Artist?.Replace(" [S]", "").Trim() ?? "";
-            var searchAlbum = song.Album?.Replace(" [S]", "").Trim() ?? "";
-            var searchArtists = song.Artists.Select(a => a.Replace(" [S]", "").Trim()).ToList();
+            // Strip external track labels for lyrics search.
+            var searchTitle = StripTrackDecorators(song.Title);
+            var searchArtist = StripTrackDecorators(song.Artist);
+            var searchAlbum = StripTrackDecorators(song.Album);
+            var searchArtists = song.Artists.Select(StripTrackDecorators).ToList();
 
             if (searchArtists.Count == 0 && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(searchArtist))
             {
@@ -467,5 +466,18 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
         }
     }
 
+    private static string StripTrackDecorators(string? value)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(value))
+        {
+            return string.Empty;
+        }
+
+        return value
+            .Replace(" [S]", "", StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            .Replace(" [E]", "", StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            .Trim();
+    }
+
     #endregion
-}
+}

allstarr/Controllers/JellyfinController.Search.cs

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 using System.Text.Json;
 using System.Text;
+using allstarr.Models.Search;
 using allstarr.Models.Subsonic;
 using allstarr.Services.Common;
 using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc;
@@ -34,6 +35,7 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
 
         // AlbumArtistIds takes precedence over ArtistIds if both are provided
         var effectiveArtistIds = albumArtistIds ?? artistIds;
+        var favoritesOnlyRequest = IsFavoritesOnlyRequest();
 
         _logger.LogDebug("=== SEARCHITEMS V2 CALLED === searchTerm={SearchTerm}, includeItemTypes={ItemTypes}, parentId={ParentId}, artistIds={ArtistIds}, albumArtistIds={AlbumArtistIds}, albumIds={AlbumIds}, userId={UserId}",
             searchTerm, includeItemTypes, parentId, artistIds, albumArtistIds, albumIds, userId);
@@ -63,6 +65,12 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
 
             if (isExternal)
             {
+                if (favoritesOnlyRequest)
+                {
+                    _logger.LogDebug("Suppressing external artist results for favorites-only request: {ArtistId}", artistId);
+                    return CreateEmptyItemsResponse(startIndex);
+                }
+
                 // Check if this is a curator ID (format: ext-{provider}-curator-{name})
                 if (artistId.Contains("-curator-", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
                 {
@@ -85,6 +93,12 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
 
             if (isExternal)
             {
+                if (favoritesOnlyRequest)
+                {
+                    _logger.LogDebug("Suppressing external album results for favorites-only request: {AlbumId}", albumId);
+                    return CreateEmptyItemsResponse(startIndex);
+                }
+
                 _logger.LogDebug("Fetching songs for external album: {Provider}/{ExternalId}", provider,
                     externalId);
 
@@ -120,6 +134,12 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
 
             if (isExternal)
             {
+                if (favoritesOnlyRequest)
+                {
+                    _logger.LogDebug("Suppressing external parent results for favorites-only request: {ParentId}", parentId);
+                    return CreateEmptyItemsResponse(startIndex);
+                }
+
                 // External parent - get external content
                 _logger.LogDebug("Fetching children for external parent: {Provider}/{Type}/{ExternalId}",
                     provider, type, externalId);
@@ -170,7 +190,8 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
                     sortBy,
                     Request.Query["SortOrder"].ToString(),
                     recursive,
-                    userId);
+                    userId,
+                    Request.Query["IsFavorite"].ToString());
                 var cachedResult = await _cache.GetAsync<object>(cacheKey);
 
                 if (cachedResult != null)
@@ -291,13 +312,15 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
             userId);
 
         // Use parallel metadata service if available (races providers), otherwise use primary
-        var externalTask = _parallelMetadataService != null
-            ? _parallelMetadataService.SearchAllAsync(cleanQuery, limit, limit, limit, HttpContext.RequestAborted)
-            : _metadataService.SearchAllAsync(cleanQuery, limit, limit, limit, HttpContext.RequestAborted);
+        var externalTask = favoritesOnlyRequest
+            ? Task.FromResult(new SearchResult())
+            : _parallelMetadataService != null
+                ? _parallelMetadataService.SearchAllAsync(cleanQuery, limit, limit, limit, HttpContext.RequestAborted)
+                : _metadataService.SearchAllAsync(cleanQuery, limit, limit, limit, HttpContext.RequestAborted);
 
-        var playlistTask = _settings.EnableExternalPlaylists
-            ? _metadataService.SearchPlaylistsAsync(cleanQuery, limit, HttpContext.RequestAborted)
-            : Task.FromResult(new List<ExternalPlaylist>());
+        var playlistTask = favoritesOnlyRequest || !_settings.EnableExternalPlaylists
+            ? Task.FromResult(new List<ExternalPlaylist>())
+            : _metadataService.SearchPlaylistsAsync(cleanQuery, limit, HttpContext.RequestAborted);
 
         _logger.LogDebug("Playlist search enabled: {Enabled}, searching for: '{Query}'",
             _settings.EnableExternalPlaylists, cleanQuery);
@@ -516,7 +539,7 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
                 StartIndex = startIndex
             };
 
-            // Cache search results in Redis (15 min TTL, no file persistence)
+            // Cache search results in Redis using the configured search TTL.
             if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(searchTerm) && string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(effectiveArtistIds))
             {
                 if (externalHasRequestedTypeResults)
@@ -530,7 +553,8 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
                         sortBy,
                         Request.Query["SortOrder"].ToString(),
                         recursive,
-                        userId);
+                        userId,
+                        Request.Query["IsFavorite"].ToString());
                     await _cache.SetAsync(cacheKey, response, CacheExtensions.SearchResultsTTL);
                     _logger.LogDebug("💾 Cached search results for '{SearchTerm}' ({Minutes} min TTL)", searchTerm,
                         CacheExtensions.SearchResultsTTL.TotalMinutes);
@@ -722,6 +746,21 @@ public partial class JellyfinController
         return MaskSensitiveQueryString(query);
     }
 
+    private bool IsFavoritesOnlyRequest()
+    {
+        return string.Equals(Request.Query["IsFavorite"].ToString(), "true", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+    }
+
+    private static IActionResult CreateEmptyItemsResponse(int startIndex)
+    {
+        return new JsonResult(new
+        {
+            Items = Array.Empty<object>(),
+            TotalRecordCount = 0,
+            StartIndex = startIndex
+        });
+    }
+
     private List<Dictionary<string, object?>> ApplyRequestedAlbumOrderingIfApplicable(
         List<Dictionary<string, object?>> items,
         string[]? requestedTypes,

allstarr/Controllers/JellyfinController.cs

@@ -201,6 +201,16 @@ public partial class JellyfinController : ControllerBase
     /// </summary>
     private async Task<IActionResult> GetExternalChildItems(string provider, string type, string externalId, string? includeItemTypes, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
     {
+        if (IsFavoritesOnlyRequest())
+        {
+            _logger.LogDebug(
+                "Suppressing external child items for favorites-only request: provider={Provider}, type={Type}, externalId={ExternalId}",
+                provider,
+                type,
+                externalId);
+            return CreateEmptyItemsResponse(GetRequestedStartIndex());
+        }
+
         var itemTypes = ParseItemTypes(includeItemTypes);
         var itemTypesUnspecified = itemTypes == null || itemTypes.Length == 0;
 
@@ -280,6 +290,13 @@ public partial class JellyfinController : ControllerBase
         return _responseBuilder.CreateItemsResponse(new List<Song>());
     }
 
+    private int GetRequestedStartIndex()
+    {
+        return int.TryParse(Request.Query["StartIndex"], out var startIndex) && startIndex > 0
+            ? startIndex
+            : 0;
+    }
+
     private List<Song> ApplySongSortAndPagingForCurrentRequest(IReadOnlyCollection<Song> songs, out int totalRecordCount, out int startIndex)
     {
         var sortBy = Request.Query["SortBy"].ToString();

allstarr/Middleware/BotProbeBlockMiddleware.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+using allstarr.Services.Common;
+
+namespace allstarr.Middleware;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Short-circuits common internet scanner paths before they reach the Jellyfin proxy.
+/// </summary>
+public class BotProbeBlockMiddleware
+{
+    private readonly RequestDelegate _next;
+    private readonly ILogger<BotProbeBlockMiddleware> _logger;
+
+    public BotProbeBlockMiddleware(
+        RequestDelegate next,
+        ILogger<BotProbeBlockMiddleware> logger)
+    {
+        _next = next;
+        _logger = logger;
+    }
+
+    public async Task InvokeAsync(HttpContext context)
+    {
+        var requestPath = context.Request.Path.Value;
+        if (!BotProbeDetector.IsHighConfidenceProbePath(requestPath))
+        {
+            await _next(context);
+            return;
+        }
+
+        _logger.LogDebug("Short-circuited likely bot probe from {RemoteIp}: {Method} {Path}",
+            context.Connection.RemoteIpAddress?.ToString() ?? "(null)",
+            context.Request.Method,
+            requestPath);
+
+        context.Response.StatusCode = StatusCodes.Status404NotFound;
+    }
+}

allstarr/Middleware/WebSocketProxyMiddleware.cs

@@ -120,6 +120,11 @@ public class WebSocketProxyMiddleware
                 serverWebSocket.Options.SetRequestHeader("X-Emby-Authorization", embyAuthHeader.ToString());
                 _logger.LogDebug("🔑 WEBSOCKET: Forwarded X-Emby-Authorization header");
             }
+            else if (context.Request.Headers.TryGetValue("X-Emby-Token", out var tokenHeader))
+            {
+                serverWebSocket.Options.SetRequestHeader("X-Emby-Token", tokenHeader.ToString());
+                _logger.LogDebug("🔑 WEBSOCKET: Forwarded X-Emby-Token header");
+            }
             else if (context.Request.Headers.TryGetValue("Authorization", out var authHeader2))
             {
                 var authValue = authHeader2.ToString();

allstarr/Program.cs

@@ -911,6 +911,9 @@ catch (Exception ex)
 // This processes X-Forwarded-For, X-Real-IP, etc. from nginx
 app.UseForwardedHeaders();
 
+// Drop high-confidence scanner paths before they hit the proxy or request logging.
+app.UseMiddleware<BotProbeBlockMiddleware>();
+
 // Request logging middleware (when DEBUG_LOG_ALL_REQUESTS=true)
 app.UseMiddleware<RequestLoggingMiddleware>();
 

allstarr/Services/Common/AuthHeaderHelper.cs

@@ -28,7 +28,18 @@ public static class AuthHeaderHelper
                 return true;
             }
         }
-        
+
+        // Some Jellyfin clients send the raw token separately instead of a MediaBrowser auth header.
+        foreach (var header in sourceHeaders)
+        {
+            if (header.Key.Equals("X-Emby-Token", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+            {
+                var headerValue = header.Value.ToString();
+                targetRequest.Headers.TryAddWithoutValidation("X-Emby-Token", headerValue);
+                return true;
+            }
+        }
+
         // If no X-Emby-Authorization, check if Authorization header contains MediaBrowser format
         foreach (var header in sourceHeaders)
         {

allstarr/Services/Common/BaseDownloadService.cs

@@ -467,7 +467,18 @@ public abstract class BaseDownloadService : IDownloadService
                     Logger.LogDebug("Cleaned up failed download tracking for {SongId}", songId);
                 });
             }
-            Logger.LogError(ex, "Download failed 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);
+                Logger.LogDebug(ex, "Detailed download failure for {SongId}", songId);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                Logger.LogError(ex, "Download failed for {SongId}", songId);
+            }
             throw;
         }
         finally

allstarr/Services/Common/BotProbeDetector.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+using System.Globalization;
+
+namespace allstarr.Services.Common;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Identifies high-confidence internet scanner paths that should never hit Jellyfin.
+/// </summary>
+public static class BotProbeDetector
+{
+    private static readonly string[] PrefixMatches =
+    {
+        ".env",
+        ".git",
+        ".hg",
+        ".svn",
+        "_ignition/",
+        "debug/default",
+        "vendor/",
+        "public/vendor/"
+    };
+
+    private static readonly string[] FragmentMatches =
+    {
+        "/.env",
+        "/.git/",
+        "/vendor/",
+        "phpunit",
+        "laravel-filemanager",
+        "eval-stdin.php"
+    };
+
+    private static readonly string[] SuffixMatches =
+    {
+        ".php"
+    };
+
+    public static bool IsHighConfidenceProbePath(string? rawPath)
+    {
+        var path = NormalizePath(rawPath);
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(path))
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        if (path.Equals("wp", StringComparison.Ordinal) ||
+            path.StartsWith("wp-", StringComparison.Ordinal) ||
+            path.StartsWith("wp/", StringComparison.Ordinal) ||
+            path.Equals("wordpress", StringComparison.Ordinal) ||
+            path.StartsWith("wordpress/", StringComparison.Ordinal))
+        {
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        if (PrefixMatches.Any(prefix => path.StartsWith(prefix, StringComparison.Ordinal)))
+        {
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        if (FragmentMatches.Any(fragment => path.Contains(fragment, StringComparison.Ordinal)))
+        {
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        return SuffixMatches.Any(suffix => path.EndsWith(suffix, StringComparison.Ordinal));
+    }
+
+    public static bool IsHighConfidenceProbeUrl(string? rawUrlOrPath)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(rawUrlOrPath))
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        if (Uri.TryCreate(rawUrlOrPath, UriKind.Absolute, out var uri))
+        {
+            return IsHighConfidenceProbePath(uri.AbsolutePath);
+        }
+
+        return IsHighConfidenceProbePath(rawUrlOrPath);
+    }
+
+    private static string NormalizePath(string? rawPath)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(rawPath))
+        {
+            return string.Empty;
+        }
+
+        var path = rawPath.Trim();
+
+        if (Uri.TryCreate(path, UriKind.Absolute, out var uri))
+        {
+            path = uri.AbsolutePath;
+        }
+
+        path = Uri.UnescapeDataString(path)
+            .Replace('\\', '/')
+            .TrimStart('/');
+
+        while (path.Contains("//", StringComparison.Ordinal))
+        {
+            path = path.Replace("//", "/", StringComparison.Ordinal);
+        }
+
+        return path.ToLower(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture);
+    }
+}

allstarr/Services/Common/CacheKeyBuilder.cs

@@ -22,7 +22,8 @@ public static class CacheKeyBuilder
         string? sortBy,
         string? sortOrder,
         bool? recursive,
-        string? userId)
+        string? userId,
+        string? isFavorite = null)
     {
         var normalizedTerm = Normalize(searchTerm);
         var normalizedItemTypes = Normalize(itemTypes);
@@ -30,9 +31,10 @@ public static class CacheKeyBuilder
         var normalizedSortBy = Normalize(sortBy);
         var normalizedSortOrder = Normalize(sortOrder);
         var normalizedUserId = Normalize(userId);
+        var normalizedIsFavorite = Normalize(isFavorite);
         var normalizedRecursive = recursive.HasValue ? (recursive.Value ? "true" : "false") : string.Empty;
 
-        return $"search:{normalizedTerm}:{normalizedItemTypes}:{limit}:{startIndex}:{normalizedParentId}:{normalizedSortBy}:{normalizedSortOrder}:{normalizedRecursive}:{normalizedUserId}";
+        return $"search:{normalizedTerm}:{normalizedItemTypes}:{limit}:{startIndex}:{normalizedParentId}:{normalizedSortBy}:{normalizedSortOrder}:{normalizedRecursive}:{normalizedUserId}:{normalizedIsFavorite}";
     }
 
     private static string Normalize(string? value)

allstarr/Services/Common/RoundRobinFallbackHelper.cs

@@ -235,8 +235,7 @@ public class RoundRobinFallbackHelper
             }
             catch (Exception ex)
             {
-                _logger.LogError(ex, "{Service} request failed with endpoint {Endpoint}, trying next...", 
-                    _serviceName, baseUrl);
+                LogEndpointFailure(baseUrl, ex, willRetry: attempt < orderedEndpoints.Count - 1);
                 
                 // Mark as unhealthy in cache
                 lock (_healthCacheLock)
@@ -351,8 +350,7 @@ public class RoundRobinFallbackHelper
             }
             catch (Exception ex)
             {
-                _logger.LogError(ex, "{Service} request failed with endpoint {Endpoint}, trying next...", 
-                    _serviceName, baseUrl);
+                LogEndpointFailure(baseUrl, ex, willRetry: attempt < orderedEndpoints.Count - 1);
                 
                 // Mark as unhealthy in cache
                 lock (_healthCacheLock)
@@ -371,10 +369,110 @@ public class RoundRobinFallbackHelper
         return defaultValue;
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Tries endpoints until one both succeeds and returns an acceptable result.
+    /// Unacceptable results continue to the next endpoint without poisoning health state.
+    /// </summary>
+    public async Task<T> TryWithFallbackAsync<T>(
+        Func<string, Task<T>> action,
+        Func<T, bool> isAcceptableResult,
+        T defaultValue)
+    {
+        if (isAcceptableResult == null)
+        {
+            throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(isAcceptableResult));
+        }
+
+        // Get healthy endpoints first (with caching to avoid excessive checks)
+        var healthyEndpoints = await GetHealthyEndpointsAsync();
+
+        // Try healthy endpoints first, then fall back to all if needed
+        var endpointsToTry = healthyEndpoints.Count < _apiUrls.Count
+            ? healthyEndpoints.Concat(_apiUrls.Except(healthyEndpoints)).ToList()
+            : healthyEndpoints;
+
+        var orderedEndpoints = BuildTryOrder(endpointsToTry);
+
+        for (int attempt = 0; attempt < orderedEndpoints.Count; attempt++)
+        {
+            var baseUrl = orderedEndpoints[attempt];
+
+            try
+            {
+                _logger.LogDebug("Trying {Service} endpoint {Endpoint} (attempt {Attempt}/{Total})",
+                    _serviceName, baseUrl, attempt + 1, orderedEndpoints.Count);
+
+                var result = await action(baseUrl);
+                if (isAcceptableResult(result))
+                {
+                    return result;
+                }
+
+                _logger.LogDebug("{Service} endpoint {Endpoint} returned an unacceptable result, trying next...",
+                    _serviceName, baseUrl);
+
+                if (attempt == orderedEndpoints.Count - 1)
+                {
+                    _logger.LogWarning("All {Count} {Service} endpoints returned unacceptable results, returning default value",
+                        orderedEndpoints.Count, _serviceName);
+                    return defaultValue;
+                }
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex)
+            {
+                LogEndpointFailure(baseUrl, ex, willRetry: attempt < orderedEndpoints.Count - 1);
+
+                lock (_healthCacheLock)
+                {
+                    _healthCache[baseUrl] = (false, DateTime.UtcNow);
+                }
+
+                if (attempt == orderedEndpoints.Count - 1)
+                {
+                    _logger.LogError("All {Count} {Service} endpoints failed, returning default value",
+                        orderedEndpoints.Count, _serviceName);
+                    return defaultValue;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        return defaultValue;
+    }
+
+    private void LogEndpointFailure(string baseUrl, Exception ex, bool willRetry)
+    {
+        var message = BuildFailureSummary(ex);
+
+        if (willRetry)
+        {
+            _logger.LogWarning("{Service} request failed at {Endpoint}: {Error}. Trying next...",
+                _serviceName, baseUrl, message);
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            _logger.LogError("{Service} request failed at {Endpoint}: {Error}",
+                _serviceName, baseUrl, message);
+        }
+
+        _logger.LogDebug(ex, "{Service} detailed failure for endpoint {Endpoint}",
+            _serviceName, baseUrl);
+    }
+
+    private static string BuildFailureSummary(Exception ex)
+    {
+        if (ex is HttpRequestException httpRequestException && httpRequestException.StatusCode.HasValue)
+        {
+            var statusCode = (int)httpRequestException.StatusCode.Value;
+            return $"{statusCode}: {httpRequestException.StatusCode.Value}";
+        }
+
+        return ex.Message;
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Processes multiple items in parallel across all available endpoints.
     /// Each endpoint processes items sequentially. Failed endpoints are blacklisted.
-    /// </summary>
+     /// </summary>
     public async Task<List<TResult>> ProcessInParallelAsync<TItem, TResult>(
         List<TItem> items,
         Func<string, TItem, CancellationToken, Task<TResult>> action,

allstarr/Services/Jellyfin/JellyfinProxyService.cs

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc;
 using Microsoft.Extensions.Options;
 using allstarr.Models.Settings;
 using allstarr.Services.Common;
+using System.Net;
 using System.Net.Http.Headers;
 using System.Text.Json;
 
@@ -209,14 +210,9 @@ public class JellyfinProxyService
 
         if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
         {
-            if (response.StatusCode == System.Net.HttpStatusCode.Unauthorized)
+            if (!isBrowserStaticRequest && !isPublicEndpoint)
             {
-                // 401 means token expired or invalid - client needs to re-authenticate
-                _logger.LogDebug("Jellyfin returned 401 Unauthorized for {Url} - client should re-authenticate", url);
-            }
-            else if (!isBrowserStaticRequest && !isPublicEndpoint)
-            {
-                _logger.LogError("Jellyfin request failed: {StatusCode} for {Url}", response.StatusCode, url);
+                LogUpstreamFailure(HttpMethod.Get, response.StatusCode, url);
             }
 
             // Try to parse error response to pass through to client
@@ -310,17 +306,7 @@ public class JellyfinProxyService
         if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
         {
             var errorContent = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync();
-
-            // 401 is expected when tokens expire - don't spam logs
-            if (response.StatusCode == System.Net.HttpStatusCode.Unauthorized)
-            {
-                _logger.LogDebug("Jellyfin POST returned 401 for {Url} - client should re-authenticate", url);
-            }
-            else
-            {
-                _logger.LogError("Jellyfin POST request failed: {StatusCode} for {Url}. Response: {Response}",
-                    response.StatusCode, url, errorContent.Length > 200 ? errorContent[..200] + "..." : errorContent);
-            }
+            LogUpstreamFailure(HttpMethod.Post, response.StatusCode, url, errorContent);
 
             // Try to parse error response as JSON to pass through to client
             if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(errorContent))
@@ -455,8 +441,7 @@ public class JellyfinProxyService
         if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
         {
             var errorContent = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync();
-            _logger.LogError("Jellyfin DELETE request failed: {StatusCode} for {Url}. Response: {Response}",
-                response.StatusCode, url, errorContent);
+            LogUpstreamFailure(HttpMethod.Delete, response.StatusCode, url, errorContent);
             return (null, statusCode);
         }
 
@@ -915,6 +900,62 @@ public class JellyfinProxyService
         return url;
     }
 
+    private void LogUpstreamFailure(HttpMethod method, HttpStatusCode statusCode, string url, string? responseBody = null)
+    {
+        if (statusCode == HttpStatusCode.Unauthorized)
+        {
+            _logger.LogDebug("Jellyfin {Method} returned 401 for {Url} - client should re-authenticate",
+                method.Method, url);
+            return;
+        }
+
+        var isLikelyBotProbe = BotProbeDetector.IsHighConfidenceProbeUrl(url);
+
+        if (statusCode == HttpStatusCode.NotFound)
+        {
+            if (isLikelyBotProbe)
+            {
+                _logger.LogDebug("Likely bot probe returned 404 for {Url}", url);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                _logger.LogDebug("Jellyfin {Method} returned 404 for {Url}", method.Method, url);
+            }
+
+            return;
+        }
+
+        var responsePreview = string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(responseBody)
+            ? null
+            : responseBody.Length > 200 ? responseBody[..200] + "..." : responseBody;
+
+        if (isLikelyBotProbe)
+        {
+            if (responsePreview == null)
+            {
+                _logger.LogWarning("Likely bot probe returned {StatusCode} for {Url}", statusCode, url);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                _logger.LogWarning("Likely bot probe returned {StatusCode} for {Url}. Response: {Response}",
+                    statusCode, url, responsePreview);
+            }
+
+            return;
+        }
+
+        if (responsePreview == null)
+        {
+            _logger.LogError("Jellyfin {Method} request failed: {StatusCode} for {Url}",
+                method.Method, statusCode, url);
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            _logger.LogError("Jellyfin {Method} request failed: {StatusCode} for {Url}. Response: {Response}",
+                method.Method, statusCode, url, responsePreview);
+        }
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Sends a GET request to the Jellyfin server using the server's API key for internal operations.
     /// This should only be used for server-side operations, not for proxying client requests.

allstarr/Services/Jellyfin/JellyfinResponseBuilder.cs

@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ public class JellyfinResponseBuilder
     /// </summary>
     public Dictionary<string, object?> ConvertSongToJellyfinItem(Song song)
     {
-        // Add " [S]" suffix to external song titles (S = streaming source)
+        // Add external/explicit labels to song titles for external tracks.
         var songTitle = song.Title;
         var artistName = song.Artist;
         var albumName = song.Album;
@@ -302,7 +302,7 @@ public class JellyfinResponseBuilder
 
         if (!song.IsLocal)
         {
-            songTitle = $"{song.Title} [S]";
+            songTitle = BuildExternalSongTitle(song);
 
             // Also add [S] to artist and album names for consistency
             if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(artistName) && !artistName.EndsWith(" [S]"))
@@ -502,6 +502,18 @@ public class JellyfinResponseBuilder
         return item;
     }
 
+    private static string BuildExternalSongTitle(Song song)
+    {
+        var title = $"{song.Title} [S]";
+
+        if (song.ExplicitContentLyrics == 1)
+        {
+            title = $"{title} [E]";
+        }
+
+        return title;
+    }
+
     private static bool ShouldDisableTranscoding(string provider)
     {
         return provider.Equals("deezer", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) ||

allstarr/Services/Jellyfin/JellyfinSessionManager.cs

@@ -298,32 +298,16 @@ public class JellyfinSessionManager : IDisposable
 
     /// <summary>
     /// Marks a session as potentially ended (e.g., after playback stops).
-    /// The session will be cleaned up if no new activity occurs within the timeout.
+    /// Jellyfin should decide when the upstream playback session expires.
     /// </summary>
     public void MarkSessionPotentiallyEnded(string deviceId, TimeSpan timeout)
     {
-        if (_sessions.TryGetValue(deviceId, out var session))
+        if (_sessions.TryGetValue(deviceId, out _))
         {
-            _logger.LogDebug("⏰ SESSION: Marking session {DeviceId} as potentially ended, will cleanup in {Seconds}s if no activity",
-                deviceId, timeout.TotalSeconds);
-
-            _ = Task.Run(async () =>
-            {
-                var markedTime = DateTime.UtcNow;
-                await Task.Delay(timeout);
-
-                // Check if there's been activity since we marked it
-                if (_sessions.TryGetValue(deviceId, out var currentSession) &&
-                    currentSession.LastActivity <= markedTime)
-                {
-                    _logger.LogDebug("🧹 SESSION: Auto-removing inactive session {DeviceId} after playback stop", deviceId);
-                    await RemoveSessionAsync(deviceId);
-                }
-                else
-                {
-                    _logger.LogDebug("✓ SESSION: Session {DeviceId} had activity, keeping alive", deviceId);
-                }
-            });
+            _logger.LogDebug(
+                "⏰ SESSION: Playback stopped for {DeviceId}; leaving upstream session lifetime to Jellyfin (timeout hint {Seconds}s ignored)",
+                deviceId,
+                timeout.TotalSeconds);
         }
     }
 
@@ -398,8 +382,7 @@ public class JellyfinSessionManager : IDisposable
                         deviceId, session.LastPlayingItemId, session.LastPlayingPositionTicks);
                 }
 
-                // Notify Jellyfin that the session is ending
-                await _proxyService.PostJsonAsync("Sessions/Logout", "{}", session.Headers);
+                // Let Jellyfin retire the session naturally; internal cleanup must not revoke the user's token.
             }
             catch (Exception ex)
             {
@@ -452,6 +435,12 @@ public class JellyfinSessionManager : IDisposable
                 _logger.LogDebug("🔑 WEBSOCKET: Using X-Emby-Authorization for {DeviceId}", deviceId);
                 authFound = true;
             }
+            else if (sessionHeaders.TryGetValue("X-Emby-Token", out var token))
+            {
+                webSocket.Options.SetRequestHeader("X-Emby-Token", token.ToString());
+                _logger.LogDebug("🔑 WEBSOCKET: Using X-Emby-Token for {DeviceId}", deviceId);
+                authFound = true;
+            }
             else if (sessionHeaders.TryGetValue("Authorization", out var auth))
             {
                 var authValue = auth.ToString();

allstarr/Services/SquidWTF/SquidWTFDownloadService.cs

@@ -100,8 +100,12 @@ public class SquidWTFDownloadService : BaseDownloadService
     {
         var downloadInfo = await GetTrackDownloadInfoAsync(trackId, cancellationToken);
         
-        Logger.LogInformation("Track download URL obtained from hifi-api: {Url}", downloadInfo.DownloadUrl);
-        Logger.LogInformation("Using format: {Format} (Quality: {Quality})", downloadInfo.MimeType, downloadInfo.AudioQuality);
+        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
@@ -127,65 +131,11 @@ public class SquidWTFDownloadService : BaseDownloadService
         // Resolve unique path if file already exists
         outputPath = PathHelper.ResolveUniquePath(outputPath);
 
-        // Use round-robin with fallback for downloads to reduce CPU usage
-        Logger.LogDebug("Using round-robin endpoint selection for download");
-        
-        var response = await _fallbackHelper.TryWithFallbackAsync(async (baseUrl) =>
-        {
-            // Map quality settings to Tidal's quality levels per hifi-api spec
-            var quality = _squidwtfSettings.Quality?.ToUpperInvariant() switch
-            {
-                "FLAC" => "LOSSLESS",
-                "HI_RES" => "HI_RES_LOSSLESS",
-                "LOSSLESS" => "LOSSLESS",
-                "HIGH" => "HIGH",
-                "LOW" => "LOW",
-                _ => "LOSSLESS"
-            };
-            
-            var url = $"{baseUrl}/track/?id={trackId}&quality={quality}";
-            
-            Logger.LogDebug("Requesting track download info: {Url}", url);
-            
-            // Get download info from this endpoint
-            var infoResponse = await _httpClient.GetAsync(url, cancellationToken);
-            
-            if (!infoResponse.IsSuccessStatusCode)
-            {
-                Logger.LogWarning("Track download request failed: {StatusCode} {Url}", infoResponse.StatusCode, url);
-                infoResponse.EnsureSuccessStatusCode();
-            }
-            
-            var json = await infoResponse.Content.ReadAsStringAsync(cancellationToken);
-            var doc = JsonDocument.Parse(json);
-            
-            if (!doc.RootElement.TryGetProperty("data", out var data))
-            {
-                throw new Exception("Invalid response from API");
-            }
-            
-            var manifestBase64 = data.GetProperty("manifest").GetString()
-                ?? throw new Exception("No manifest in response");
-            
-            // Decode base64 manifest to get actual CDN URL
-            var manifestJson = Encoding.UTF8.GetString(Convert.FromBase64String(manifestBase64));
-            var manifest = JsonDocument.Parse(manifestJson);
-            
-            if (!manifest.RootElement.TryGetProperty("urls", out var urls) || urls.GetArrayLength() == 0)
-            {
-                throw new Exception("No download URLs in manifest");
-            }
-            
-            var downloadUrl = urls[0].GetString()
-                ?? throw new Exception("Download URL is null");
-            
-            // Start the actual download from Tidal CDN (no encryption - squid.wtf handles everything)
-            using var request = new HttpRequestMessage(HttpMethod.Get, downloadUrl);
-            request.Headers.Add("User-Agent", "Mozilla/5.0");
-            request.Headers.Add("Accept", "*/*");
-            
-            return await _httpClient.SendAsync(request, HttpCompletionOption.ResponseHeadersRead, cancellationToken);
-        });
+        using var request = new HttpRequestMessage(HttpMethod.Get, downloadInfo.DownloadUrl);
+        request.Headers.Add("User-Agent", "Mozilla/5.0");
+        request.Headers.Add("Accept", "*/*");
+
+        using var response = await _httpClient.SendAsync(request, HttpCompletionOption.ResponseHeadersRead, cancellationToken);
 
         response.EnsureSuccessStatusCode();
 		
@@ -235,81 +185,139 @@ public class SquidWTFDownloadService : BaseDownloadService
     /// 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)
+    private async Task<DownloadResult> GetTrackDownloadInfoAsync(string trackId, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
     {
         return await QueueRequestAsync(async () =>
         {
-            // Use round-robin with fallback instead of racing to reduce CPU usage
-            return await _fallbackHelper.TryWithFallbackAsync(async (baseUrl) =>
+            Exception? lastException = null;
+            var qualityOrder = BuildQualityFallbackOrder(_squidwtfSettings.Quality);
+
+            foreach (var quality in qualityOrder)
             {
-                // Map quality settings to Tidal's quality levels per hifi-api spec
-                var quality = _squidwtfSettings.Quality?.ToUpperInvariant() switch
+                try
                 {
-                    "FLAC" => "LOSSLESS",
-                    "HI_RES" => "HI_RES_LOSSLESS",
-                    "LOSSLESS" => "LOSSLESS",
-                    "HIGH" => "HIGH",
-                    "LOW" => "LOW",
-                    _ => "LOSSLESS" // Default to lossless
-                };
-                
-                var url = $"{baseUrl}/track/?id={trackId}&quality={quality}";
+                    return await _fallbackHelper.TryWithFallbackAsync(baseUrl =>
+                        FetchTrackDownloadInfoAsync(baseUrl, trackId, quality, cancellationToken));
+                }
+                catch (Exception ex)
+                {
+                    lastException = ex;
 
-                Logger.LogDebug("Fetching track download info from: {Url}", url);
+                    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);
+                    }
+                }
+            }
 
-                var response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(url, cancellationToken);
-                
-                if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
-                {
-                    Logger.LogWarning("Track download info request failed: {StatusCode} {Url}", response.StatusCode, url);
-                    response.EnsureSuccessStatusCode();
-                }
-                
-                var json = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync(cancellationToken);
-                var doc = JsonDocument.Parse(json);
-                
-                if (!doc.RootElement.TryGetProperty("data", out var data))
-                {
-                    throw new Exception("Invalid response from API");
-                }
-                
-                // Get the manifest (base64 encoded JSON containing the actual CDN URL)
-                var manifestBase64 = data.GetProperty("manifest").GetString()
-                    ?? throw new Exception("No manifest in response");
-                
-                // Decode the manifest
-                var manifestJson = Encoding.UTF8.GetString(Convert.FromBase64String(manifestBase64));
-                var manifest = JsonDocument.Parse(manifestJson);
-                
-                // Extract the download URL from the manifest
-                if (!manifest.RootElement.TryGetProperty("urls", out var urls) || urls.GetArrayLength() == 0)
-                {
-                    throw new Exception("No download URLs in manifest");
-                }
-                
-                var downloadUrl = urls[0].GetString()
-                    ?? throw new Exception("Download URL is null");
-                
-                var mimeType = manifest.RootElement.TryGetProperty("mimeType", out var mimeTypeEl)
-                    ? mimeTypeEl.GetString()
-                    : "audio/flac";
-                
-                var audioQuality = data.TryGetProperty("audioQuality", out var audioQualityEl)
-                    ? audioQualityEl.GetString()
-                    : "LOSSLESS";
-                
-                Logger.LogInformation("Track download URL obtained from hifi-api: {Url}", downloadUrl);
-                
-                return new DownloadResult
-                {
-                    DownloadUrl = downloadUrl,
-                    MimeType = mimeType ?? "audio/flac",
-                    AudioQuality = audioQuality ?? "LOSSLESS"
-                };
-            });
+            throw lastException ?? new Exception($"Unable to fetch SquidWTF download info for track {trackId}");
         });
     }
 
+    private async Task<DownloadResult> FetchTrackDownloadInfoAsync(
+        string baseUrl,
+        string trackId,
+        string quality,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    {
+        var url = $"{baseUrl}/track/?id={trackId}&quality={quality}";
+
+        Logger.LogDebug("Fetching track download info from: {Url}", url);
+
+        using var response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(url, cancellationToken);
+        
+        if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
+        {
+            response.EnsureSuccessStatusCode();
+        }
+        
+        var json = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync(cancellationToken);
+        using var doc = JsonDocument.Parse(json);
+        
+        if (!doc.RootElement.TryGetProperty("data", out var data))
+        {
+            throw new Exception("Invalid response from API");
+        }
+        
+        // Get the manifest (base64 encoded JSON containing the actual CDN URL)
+        var manifestBase64 = data.GetProperty("manifest").GetString()
+            ?? throw new Exception("No manifest in response");
+        
+        // Decode the manifest
+        var manifestJson = Encoding.UTF8.GetString(Convert.FromBase64String(manifestBase64));
+        using var manifest = JsonDocument.Parse(manifestJson);
+        
+        // Extract the download URL from the manifest
+        if (!manifest.RootElement.TryGetProperty("urls", out var urls) || urls.GetArrayLength() == 0)
+        {
+            throw new Exception("No download URLs in manifest");
+        }
+        
+        var downloadUrl = urls[0].GetString()
+            ?? throw new Exception("Download URL is null");
+        
+        var mimeType = manifest.RootElement.TryGetProperty("mimeType", out var mimeTypeEl)
+            ? mimeTypeEl.GetString()
+            : "audio/flac";
+        
+        var audioQuality = data.TryGetProperty("audioQuality", out var audioQualityEl)
+            ? audioQualityEl.GetString()
+            : quality;
+        
+        return new DownloadResult
+        {
+            Endpoint = baseUrl,
+            DownloadUrl = downloadUrl,
+            MimeType = mimeType ?? "audio/flac",
+            AudioQuality = audioQuality ?? quality
+        };
+    }
+
+    private static IReadOnlyList<string> BuildQualityFallbackOrder(string? configuredQuality)
+    {
+        return NormalizeQuality(configuredQuality) switch
+        {
+            "HI_RES_LOSSLESS" => ["HI_RES_LOSSLESS", "LOSSLESS", "HIGH", "LOW"],
+            "LOSSLESS" => ["LOSSLESS", "HIGH", "LOW"],
+            "HIGH" => ["HIGH", "LOW"],
+            "LOW" => ["LOW"],
+            _ => ["LOSSLESS", "HIGH", "LOW"]
+        };
+    }
+
+    private static string NormalizeQuality(string? configuredQuality)
+    {
+        return configuredQuality?.ToUpperInvariant() switch
+        {
+            "FLAC" => "LOSSLESS",
+            "HI_RES" => "HI_RES_LOSSLESS",
+            "HI_RES_LOSSLESS" => "HI_RES_LOSSLESS",
+            "LOSSLESS" => "LOSSLESS",
+            "HIGH" => "HIGH",
+            "LOW" => "LOW",
+            _ => "LOSSLESS"
+        };
+    }
+
+    private static string DescribeException(Exception ex)
+    {
+        if (ex is HttpRequestException httpRequestException && httpRequestException.StatusCode.HasValue)
+        {
+            var statusCode = (int)httpRequestException.StatusCode.Value;
+            return $"{statusCode}: {httpRequestException.StatusCode.Value}";
+        }
+
+        return ex.Message;
+    }
+
 	
 	#endregion
 	
@@ -367,8 +375,9 @@ public class SquidWTFDownloadService : BaseDownloadService
 
     private class DownloadResult
     {
+        public string Endpoint { get; set; } = string.Empty;
         public string DownloadUrl { get; set; } = string.Empty;
         public string MimeType { get; set; } = string.Empty;
         public string AudioQuality { get; set; } = string.Empty;
     }
-}	
+}	

allstarr/Services/SquidWTF/SquidWTFMetadataService.cs

@@ -226,6 +226,10 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
                     count++;
                 }
             }
+            else
+            {
+                throw new InvalidOperationException("SquidWTF song search response did not contain data.items");
+            }
             return songs;
         }, new List<Song>());
     }
@@ -263,6 +267,10 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
                     count++;
                 }
             }
+            else
+            {
+                throw new InvalidOperationException("SquidWTF album search response did not contain data.albums.items");
+            }
 
             return albums;
         }, new List<Album>());
@@ -288,6 +296,12 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
             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");
+            }
+
             var artists = new List<Artist>();
             // Per hifi-api spec: artist search returns data.artists.items array
             if (result.RootElement.TryGetProperty("data", out var data) &&
@@ -305,6 +319,10 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
                     count++;
                 }
             }
+            else
+            {
+                throw new InvalidOperationException("SquidWTF artist search response did not contain data.artists.items");
+            }
 
             return artists;
         }, new List<Artist>());
@@ -345,11 +363,20 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
             // Per hifi-api spec: use 'p' parameter for playlist search
 			var url = $"{baseUrl}/search/?p={Uri.EscapeDataString(query)}";
             var response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(url, cancellationToken);
-            if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode) return new List<ExternalPlaylist>();
+            if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
+            {
+                throw new HttpRequestException($"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");
+            }
+
             var playlists = new List<ExternalPlaylist>();
             // Per hifi-api spec: playlist search returns data.playlists.items array
 			if (result.RootElement.TryGetProperty("data", out var data) &&
@@ -370,9 +397,13 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
 					{
 						_logger.LogWarning(ex, "Failed to parse playlist, skipping");
 						// Skip this playlist and continue with others
+						}
 					}
 				}
-			}
+            else
+            {
+                throw new InvalidOperationException("SquidWTF playlist search response did not contain data.playlists.items");
+            }
 			return playlists;
 		}, new List<ExternalPlaylist>());
 	}
@@ -406,14 +437,19 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
             var url = $"{baseUrl}/info/?id={externalId}";
 
             var response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(url, cancellationToken);
-            if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode) return null;
+            if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
+            {
+                throw new HttpRequestException($"HTTP {response.StatusCode}");
+            }
 
             var json = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync(cancellationToken);
             var result = JsonDocument.Parse(json);
 
             // Per hifi-api spec: response is { "version": "2.0", "data": { track object } }
 			if (!result.RootElement.TryGetProperty("data", out var track))
-				return null;
+			{
+				throw new InvalidOperationException($"SquidWTF /info response for track {externalId} did not contain data");
+			}
 
 			var song = ParseTidalTrackFull(track);
 
@@ -445,84 +481,96 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
     {
         if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(externalId)) return new List<Song>();
 
-        return await _fallbackHelper.TryWithFallbackAsync(async (baseUrl) =>
-        {
-            var url = $"{baseUrl}/recommendations/?id={Uri.EscapeDataString(externalId)}";
-            var response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(url, cancellationToken);
-
-            if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
+        return await _fallbackHelper.TryWithFallbackAsync(
+            async (baseUrl) =>
             {
-                _logger.LogDebug("SquidWTF recommendations request failed for track {TrackId} with status {StatusCode}",
-                    externalId, response.StatusCode);
-                return new List<Song>();
-            }
-
-            var json = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync(cancellationToken);
-            var result = JsonDocument.Parse(json);
-
-            if (!result.RootElement.TryGetProperty("data", out var data) ||
-                !data.TryGetProperty("items", out var items) ||
-                items.ValueKind != JsonValueKind.Array)
-            {
-                return new List<Song>();
-            }
-
-            var songs = new List<Song>();
-            var seenIds = new HashSet<string>(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
-
-            foreach (var recommendation in items.EnumerateArray())
-            {
-                JsonElement track;
-                if (recommendation.TryGetProperty("track", out var wrappedTrack))
+                var url = $"{baseUrl}/recommendations/?id={Uri.EscapeDataString(externalId)}";
+                if (limit > 0)
                 {
-                    track = wrappedTrack;
-                }
-                else
-                {
-                    track = recommendation;
+                    url += $"&limit={limit}";
                 }
 
-                if (!track.TryGetProperty("id", out _))
+                var response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(url, cancellationToken);
+
+                if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
                 {
-                    continue;
+                    throw new HttpRequestException(
+                        $"SquidWTF recommendations request failed for track {externalId} with status {response.StatusCode}");
                 }
 
-                Song song;
-                try
+                var json = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync(cancellationToken);
+                var result = JsonDocument.Parse(json);
+
+                if (!result.RootElement.TryGetProperty("data", out var data) ||
+                    !data.TryGetProperty("items", out var items) ||
+                    items.ValueKind != JsonValueKind.Array)
                 {
-                    song = ParseTidalTrack(track);
-                }
-                catch
-                {
-                    continue;
+                    throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                        $"SquidWTF recommendations response for track {externalId} did not contain data.items");
                 }
 
-                if (string.Equals(song.ExternalId, externalId, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+                var songs = new List<Song>();
+                var seenIds = new HashSet<string>(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+
+                foreach (var recommendation in items.EnumerateArray())
                 {
-                    continue;
+                    JsonElement track;
+                    if (recommendation.TryGetProperty("track", out var wrappedTrack))
+                    {
+                        track = wrappedTrack;
+                    }
+                    else
+                    {
+                        track = recommendation;
+                    }
+
+                    if (!track.TryGetProperty("id", out _))
+                    {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+
+                    Song song;
+                    try
+                    {
+                        song = ParseTidalTrack(track);
+                    }
+                    catch
+                    {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+
+                    if (string.Equals(song.ExternalId, externalId, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+                    {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+
+                    var songKey = !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(song.ExternalId) ? song.ExternalId : song.Id;
+                    if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(songKey) || !seenIds.Add(songKey))
+                    {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+
+                    if (!ShouldIncludeSong(song))
+                    {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+
+                    songs.Add(song);
+                    if (songs.Count >= limit)
+                    {
+                        break;
+                    }
                 }
 
-                var songKey = !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(song.ExternalId) ? song.ExternalId : song.Id;
-                if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(songKey) || !seenIds.Add(songKey))
-                {
-                    continue;
-                }
-
-                if (!ShouldIncludeSong(song))
-                {
-                    continue;
-                }
-
-                songs.Add(song);
-                if (songs.Count >= limit)
-                {
-                    break;
-                }
-            }
-
-            _logger.LogDebug("SQUIDWTF: Recommendations returned {Count} songs for track {TrackId}", songs.Count, externalId);
-            return songs;
-        }, new List<Song>());
+                _logger.LogDebug(
+                    "SQUIDWTF: Recommendations returned {Count} songs for track {TrackId} from {BaseUrl}",
+                    songs.Count,
+                    externalId,
+                    baseUrl);
+                return songs;
+            },
+            songs => songs.Count > 0,
+            new List<Song>());
     }
 
     public async Task<Album?> GetAlbumAsync(string externalProvider, string externalId, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
@@ -540,14 +588,19 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
             var url = $"{baseUrl}/album/?id={externalId}";
 
             var response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(url, cancellationToken);
-            if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode) return null;
+            if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
+            {
+                throw new HttpRequestException($"HTTP {response.StatusCode}");
+            }
 
             var json = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync(cancellationToken);
             var result = JsonDocument.Parse(json);
 
 			// Response structure: { "data": { album object with "items" array of tracks } }
 			if (!result.RootElement.TryGetProperty("data", out var albumElement))
-				return null;
+			{
+				throw new InvalidOperationException($"SquidWTF /album response for album {externalId} did not contain data");
+			}
 
 			var album = ParseTidalAlbum(albumElement);
 
@@ -599,8 +652,7 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
             var response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(url, cancellationToken);
             if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
             {
-                _logger.LogError("SquidWTF artist request failed with status {StatusCode}", response.StatusCode);
-                return null;
+                throw new HttpRequestException($"HTTP {response.StatusCode}");
             }
 
             var json = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync(cancellationToken);
@@ -637,9 +689,9 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
 
 			if (artistSource == null)
             {
-                _logger.LogDebug("Could not find artist data in response. Response keys: {Keys}",
-                    string.Join(", ", result.RootElement.EnumerateObject().Select(p => p.Name)));
-                return null;
+                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;
@@ -687,8 +739,7 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
 
 			if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
             {
-                _logger.LogError("SquidWTF artist albums request failed with status {StatusCode}", response.StatusCode);
-                return new List<Album>();
+                throw new HttpRequestException($"HTTP {response.StatusCode}");
             }
 
 			var json = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync(cancellationToken);
@@ -712,7 +763,8 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
 			}
             else
             {
-                _logger.LogWarning("No albums found in response for artist {ExternalId}", externalId);
+                throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                    $"SquidWTF artist albums response for {externalId} did not contain albums.items");
             }
 
 			return albums;
@@ -734,8 +786,7 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
 
 			if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
             {
-                _logger.LogError("SquidWTF artist tracks request failed with status {StatusCode}", response.StatusCode);
-                return new List<Song>();
+                throw new HttpRequestException($"HTTP {response.StatusCode}");
             }
 
 			var json = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync(cancellationToken);
@@ -756,7 +807,8 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
 			}
             else
             {
-                _logger.LogWarning("No tracks found in response for artist {ExternalId}", externalId);
+                throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                    $"SquidWTF artist tracks response for {externalId} did not contain tracks");
             }
 
 			return tracks;
@@ -772,18 +824,26 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
                 // Note: hifi-api doesn't document playlist endpoint, but /playlist/?id={playlistId} is commonly used
     			var url = $"{baseUrl}/playlist/?id={externalId}";
     			var response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(url, cancellationToken);
-    			if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode) return null;
+    			if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
+    			{
+    				throw new HttpRequestException($"HTTP {response.StatusCode}");
+    			}
 
                 var json = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync(cancellationToken);
                 var rootElement = JsonDocument.Parse(json).RootElement;
 
                 // Check for error response
-                if (rootElement.TryGetProperty("error", out _)) return null;
+                if (rootElement.TryGetProperty("error", out _))
+                {
+                    throw new InvalidOperationException($"SquidWTF playlist response for {externalId} contained an error payload");
+                }
 
                 // Response structure: { "playlist": { playlist object }, "items": [ track wrappers ] }
     			// Extract the playlist object from the response
     			if (!rootElement.TryGetProperty("playlist", out var playlistElement))
-    				return null;
+    			{
+    				throw new InvalidOperationException($"SquidWTF playlist response for {externalId} did not contain playlist");
+    			}
 
     			return ParseTidalPlaylist(playlistElement);
     		}, (ExternalPlaylist?)null);
@@ -798,13 +858,19 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
             // Note: hifi-api doesn't document playlist endpoint, but /playlist/?id={playlistId} is commonly used
 			var url = $"{baseUrl}/playlist/?id={externalId}";
 			var response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(url, cancellationToken);
-			if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode) return new List<Song>();
+			if (!response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
+			{
+				throw new HttpRequestException($"HTTP {response.StatusCode}");
+			}
 
 			var json = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync(cancellationToken);
             var playlistElement = JsonDocument.Parse(json).RootElement;
 
             // Check for error response
-			if (playlistElement.TryGetProperty("error", out _)) return new List<Song>();
+			if (playlistElement.TryGetProperty("error", out _))
+			{
+				throw new InvalidOperationException($"SquidWTF playlist tracks response for {externalId} contained an error payload");
+			}
 
 			JsonElement? playlist = null;
 			JsonElement? tracks = null;
@@ -820,6 +886,12 @@ public class SquidWTFMetadataService : TrackParserBase, IMusicMetadataService
 				tracks = tracksEl;
 			}
 
+            if (!tracks.HasValue)
+            {
+                throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                    $"SquidWTF playlist tracks response for {externalId} did not contain items");
+            }
+
 			var songs = new List<Song>();
 
 			// Get playlist name for album field

docker-compose.yml

@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ services:
       - Redis__Enabled=${REDIS_ENABLED:-true}
 
       # ===== CACHE TTL SETTINGS =====
-      - Cache__SearchResultsMinutes=${CACHE_SEARCH_RESULTS_MINUTES:-120}
+      - Cache__SearchResultsMinutes=${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}