Add MA_BETA14_IMPACT.md

Required by F-Droid for Flutter apps using --split-per-abi: each
per-ABI APK gets a unique versionCode = base * 10 + abiCode
(armeabi-v7a=1, arm64-v8a=2, x86_64=3).

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.7 <noreply@anthropic.com>

ANDROID_AUTO_PLAN.md

@@ -0,0 +1,388 @@
+# Android Auto Implementation Plan for Ensemble
+
+## 1. Overview
+
+This document describes adding Android Auto support to Ensemble. When a user connects their Android phone to a car head unit, Android Auto will browse and play music through Ensemble without touching the phone.
+
+### What we're building
+
+- A browse hierarchy (Favorites, Playlists, Albums, Radio) accessible from the car screen
+- Playback from Android Auto routes through the builtin (local) player, which streams through MA as normal
+- Voice search support
+
+### Why builtin player only
+
+Android Auto requires local audio output. The builtin player plays audio through `just_audio` on the device, which the car receives over Bluetooth. Remote MA players are irrelevant in a car context.
+
+---
+
+## 2. Architecture
+
+### Provider reference
+
+`MassivAudioHandler` has no reference to `MusicAssistantProvider` today. The handler is created before the provider (in `main()` before `runApp`). Solution: add a `setProvider()` method and call it from `_MusicAssistantAppState.initState()`.
+
+```
+main.dart
+  audioHandler = await AudioService.init(...)   // global, created first
+  runApp(MusicAssistantApp())
+    _MusicAssistantAppState.initState()
+      _musicProvider = MusicAssistantProvider()
+      audioHandler.setProvider(_musicProvider)  // NEW
+```
+
+### Browse → play call flow
+
+```
+Android Auto          MassivAudioHandler              MusicAssistantProvider
+     |                       |                                |
+  getChildren('root') -----> | returns category items        |
+  getChildren('cat|playlists')-> | SyncService.cachedPlaylists  |
+  getChildren('playlist|lib|5')-> | provider.getPlaylistTracksWithCache()
+                             |  populates _trackQueueCache   |
+  playFromMediaId('track|lib|7|plist|lib|5') ->               |
+                             | lookup _trackQueueCache        |
+                             | provider.playTracks(builtinId, tracks, startIndex: i)
+```
+
+---
+
+## 3. Media ID Scheme
+
+Separator: `|` (pipe). Provider names use underscores/colons, never pipes — safe.
+
+| ID | Meaning |
+|----|---------|
+| `root` | Root (browsable) |
+| `recent` | Currently playing track (playable) |
+| `cat\|favorites` | Favorites category (browsable) |
+| `cat\|playlists` | Playlists category (browsable) |
+| `cat\|albums` | Albums category (browsable) |
+| `cat\|radio` | Radio stations category (browsable) |
+| `playlist\|{provider}\|{itemId}` | A playlist (browsable) |
+| `album\|{provider}\|{itemId}` | An album (browsable) |
+| `track\|{tProvider}\|{tItemId}\|{ctxType}\|{ctxProvider}\|{ctxId}` | A track in context (playable) |
+| `radio\|{provider}\|{itemId}` | A radio station (playable) |
+
+The `ctxType|ctxProvider|ctxId` suffix in track IDs encodes the parent container. Context types: `plist`, `album`, `favs`, `search`.
+
+**Track queue cache key** = `{ctxType}|{ctxProvider}|{ctxId}` (e.g. `plist|spotify|abc`). Stored when building children, looked up in `playFromMediaId`.
+
+---
+
+## 4. Browse Hierarchy
+
+```
+root
+├── recent              (playable, shown if something is/was playing)
+├── cat|favorites       (browsable → favorite tracks, all playable)
+├── cat|playlists       (browsable → list of playlists, each browsable)
+│   └── playlist|{provider}|{id}  → tracks (playable)
+├── cat|albums          (browsable → list of albums, each browsable)
+│   └── album|{provider}|{id}     → tracks (playable)
+└── cat|radio           (browsable → radio stations, each playable)
+```
+
+Artists are **not included**. Navigating Artist → Albums → Album → Tracks is four taps — too many while driving. Can be added later.
+
+---
+
+## 5. Track Queue Cache
+
+Tapping a track in Android Auto should play the full album/playlist from that track, not just the single track. The handler caches track lists when building children:
+
+```dart
+// Key: ctxKey e.g. "plist|spotify|abc" or "album|library|42" or "favs||"
+// Value: ordered list of tracks in that container
+final Map<String, List<ma.Track>> _trackQueueCache = {};
+```
+
+When `getChildren('playlist|spotify|abc')` is called:
+1. Fetch tracks via `provider.getPlaylistTracksWithCache('spotify', 'abc')`
+2. Store `_trackQueueCache['plist|spotify|abc'] = tracks`
+3. Return each track as a playable `MediaItem` with id `track|{t.provider}|{t.itemId}|plist|spotify|abc`
+
+When `playFromMediaId('track|lib|7|plist|spotify|abc')` is called:
+1. Parse ctxKey = `plist|spotify|abc`
+2. Look up `_trackQueueCache['plist|spotify|abc']`
+3. Find track index where `itemId == '7'`
+4. Call `provider.playTracks(builtinId, tracks, startIndex: index)`
+
+---
+
+## 6. Key Code for `massiv_audio_handler.dart`
+
+### New imports
+
+```dart
+import 'package:rxdart/rxdart.dart';
+import '../../providers/music_assistant_provider.dart';
+import '../settings_service.dart';
+import '../sync_service.dart';
+import '../../models/media_item.dart' as ma;
+```
+
+Note: `audio_service` exports its own `MediaItem`. Use `ma.MediaItem`, `ma.Track`, `ma.Album`, `ma.Playlist` for app models. The bare `MediaItem` refers to the audio_service type throughout new methods.
+
+### New fields
+
+```dart
+MusicAssistantProvider? _provider;
+final Map<String, ma.Track> _trackQueueCache = {}; // ctxKey -> tracks (see section 5)
+final Map<String, BehaviorSubject<Map<String, dynamic>>> _childrenSubjects = {};
+
+void setProvider(MusicAssistantProvider provider) {
+  _provider = provider;
+}
+```
+
+### `getChildren`
+
+```dart
+@override
+Future<List<MediaItem>> getChildren(String parentMediaId,
+    [Map<String, dynamic>? options]) async {
+  final provider = _provider;
+  if (provider == null) return [];
+
+  switch (parentMediaId) {
+    case AudioService.browsableRootId:
+      return _buildRoot(provider);
+    case 'cat|favorites':
+      return _buildFavorites(provider);
+    case 'cat|playlists':
+      return _buildPlaylistList(provider);
+    case 'cat|albums':
+      return _buildAlbumList(provider);
+    case 'cat|radio':
+      return _buildRadioList(provider);
+    default:
+      if (parentMediaId.startsWith('playlist|')) {
+        final parts = parentMediaId.split('|');
+        if (parts.length >= 3) return _buildPlaylistTracks(provider, parts[1], parts[2]);
+      }
+      if (parentMediaId.startsWith('album|')) {
+        final parts = parentMediaId.split('|');
+        if (parts.length >= 3) return _buildAlbumTracks(provider, parts[1], parts[2]);
+      }
+      return [];
+  }
+}
+```
+
+### `playFromMediaId`
+
+```dart
+@override
+Future<void> playFromMediaId(String mediaId, [Map<String, dynamic>? extras]) async {
+  final provider = _provider;
+  if (provider == null) return;
+
+  final playerId = await SettingsService.getBuiltinPlayerId();
+  if (playerId == null) return;
+
+  _logger.log('AndroidAuto: playFromMediaId $mediaId');
+
+  try {
+    if (mediaId == 'recent') {
+      await provider.playPauseSelectedPlayer();
+      return;
+    }
+
+    if (mediaId.startsWith('radio|')) {
+      final parts = mediaId.split('|'); // ['radio', provider, itemId]
+      if (parts.length < 3) return;
+      final station = provider.radioStations.firstWhere(
+        (s) => s.provider == parts[1] && s.itemId == parts[2],
+        orElse: () => throw Exception('Station not found: $mediaId'),
+      );
+      await provider.playRadio(playerId, station);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    if (mediaId.startsWith('track|')) {
+      // Format: track|{tProvider}|{tItemId}|{ctxType}|{ctxProvider}|{ctxId}
+      final parts = mediaId.split('|');
+      if (parts.length < 6) return;
+      final tProvider = parts[1];
+      final tItemId = parts[2];
+      final ctxKey = parts.sublist(3).join('|');
+
+      final trackList = _trackQueueCache[ctxKey];
+      if (trackList == null || trackList.isEmpty) {
+        // Fallback: play single track (minimal Track object)
+        await provider.playTrack(playerId, ma.Track(itemId: tItemId, provider: tProvider, name: ''));
+        return;
+      }
+
+      final index = trackList.indexWhere((t) => t.provider == tProvider && t.itemId == tItemId);
+      await provider.playTracks(playerId, trackList, startIndex: index < 0 ? 0 : index);
+      return;
+    }
+  } catch (e) {
+    _logger.log('AndroidAuto: playFromMediaId error: $e');
+  }
+}
+```
+
+### `search`
+
+```dart
+@override
+Future<List<MediaItem>> search(String query, [Map<String, dynamic>? extras]) async {
+  final provider = _provider;
+  if (provider == null || query.trim().isEmpty) return [];
+
+  try {
+    final results = await provider.searchWithCache(query);
+    final tracks = (results['tracks'] ?? []).whereType<ma.Track>().toList();
+    const ctxKey = 'search||';
+    _trackQueueCache[ctxKey] = tracks;
+
+    return tracks.map((t) => MediaItem(
+      id: 'track|${t.provider}|${t.itemId}|$ctxKey',
+      title: t.name,
+      artist: t.artistsString,
+      album: t.album?.name,
+      duration: t.duration,
+      artUri: _artUri(provider, t),
+      playable: true,
+    )).toList();
+  } catch (e) {
+    _logger.log('AndroidAuto: search error: $e');
+    return [];
+  }
+}
+```
+
+### `subscribeToChildren`
+
+```dart
+@override
+ValueStream<Map<String, dynamic>> subscribeToChildren(String parentMediaId) {
+  _childrenSubjects[parentMediaId] ??= BehaviorSubject.seeded({});
+  return _childrenSubjects[parentMediaId]!.stream;
+}
+```
+
+### `_artUri` helper
+
+```dart
+Uri? _artUri(MusicAssistantProvider provider, ma.MediaItem item) {
+  final url = provider.getImageUrl(item, size: 256);
+  return url != null ? Uri.tryParse(url) : null;
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+## 7. Files to Change
+
+### `pubspec.yaml`
+Add `rxdart: ^0.28.0` as direct dependency. The `^0.28.0` constraint matches the already-resolved transitive version so no upgrade occurs.
+
+### `android/app/build.gradle`
+Change:
+```groovy
+minSdkVersion flutter.minSdkVersion
+```
+To:
+```groovy
+minSdkVersion 23
+```
+Android Auto requires API 23+. `flutter.minSdkVersion` resolves to 21 — too low.
+
+### `android/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml`
+Add inside `<application>` tag:
+```xml
+<meta-data
+    android:name="com.google.android.gms.car.application"
+    android:resource="@xml/automotive_app_desc" />
+```
+The `MediaBrowserService` intent filter on `AudioService` is already present — no changes needed there.
+
+### `android/app/src/main/res/xml/automotive_app_desc.xml` (NEW)
+```xml
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<automotiveApp>
+    <uses name="media" />
+</automotiveApp>
+```
+
+### `lib/main.dart`
+In `_MusicAssistantAppState.initState()`, after creating `_musicProvider`:
+```dart
+audioHandler.setProvider(_musicProvider);
+```
+
+### `lib/services/audio/massiv_audio_handler.dart`
+Add ~200 lines. New imports, fields, `setProvider()`, `getChildren()`, `playFromMediaId()`, `search()`, `subscribeToChildren()`, and private builder helpers. All existing code is untouched.
+
+---
+
+## 8. Testing with DHU (No Car Required)
+
+### Install DHU
+In Android Studio: SDK Manager → SDK Tools → Android Auto Desktop Head Unit Emulator.
+
+Or via command line:
+```bash
+sdkmanager "extras;google;auto"
+```
+
+### Enable Android Auto developer mode on phone
+1. Settings → Apps → Android Auto → tap version number 10 times
+2. In Android Auto developer settings: enable "Unknown sources"
+
+### Run the test session
+```bash
+# Terminal 1: forward the port
+adb forward tcp:5277 tcp:5277
+
+# Terminal 2: start the DHU
+$ANDROID_SDK_ROOT/extras/google/auto/desktop-head-unit
+```
+
+In Android Auto developer settings on phone: tap "Start head unit server".
+
+### Build and install
+```bash
+flutter build apk --debug
+adb install build/app/outputs/flutter-apk/app-debug.apk
+```
+
+Launch Ensemble on phone first (so audio service starts). Then tap the media icon in DHU — Ensemble should appear.
+
+### Troubleshooting
+
+| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
+|---------|-------|-----|
+| App not visible in DHU | Missing `automotive_app_desc.xml` or wrong meta-data name | Check manifest and XML |
+| App visible, browse is empty | `setProvider` not yet called | Check `initState` wiring |
+| Build fails | `minSdkVersion` too low | Check `build.gradle` |
+| Track plays but wrong song | `_trackQueueCache` miss | Ensure `getChildren` ran before `playFromMediaId` |
+
+---
+
+## 9. Implementation Order
+
+Do these steps in order to test incrementally:
+
+1. Android config files (`build.gradle`, `AndroidManifest.xml`, `automotive_app_desc.xml`) — verify app appears in DHU before writing Dart
+2. `pubspec.yaml` + `flutter pub get`
+3. `massiv_audio_handler.dart`: add `setProvider`, fields, `subscribeToChildren` — minimum to not crash
+4. `main.dart`: wire `setProvider`
+5. `massiv_audio_handler.dart`: `getChildren` with hardcoded root categories — verify tree appears in DHU
+6. `massiv_audio_handler.dart`: add all `_build*` helpers one by one, test each
+7. `massiv_audio_handler.dart`: add `playFromMediaId` — test track playback
+8. `massiv_audio_handler.dart`: add `search` — test voice search
+
+---
+
+## 10. Not In Scope
+
+- **Artists browse** — too many taps for driving; albums alone suffice
+- **Audiobooks/podcasts** — different UX needs; add later
+- **Queue management from Android Auto** — MA queue model is complex
+- **Push updates** — `notifyChildrenChanged` stubbed but not wired to sync events
+- **Android Automotive OS** — different platform, requires a separate flavor

MA_BETA14_IMPACT.md

@@ -0,0 +1,167 @@
+# Music Assistant 2.8.0 Beta 14 — Impact on Ensemble
+
+**Date:** 2026-03-03
+**Current server:** 2.8.0 beta 12
+**Target server:** 2.8.0 beta 14 (released March 2, 2026)
+
+---
+
+## Summary
+
+Beta 14 is a large release (50+ PRs). The headline change — merging multi-protocol players into a single entity — directly overlaps with Ensemble's client-side Cast↔Sendspin consolidation logic. Sendspin also received a major v4.0 overhaul. Most changes should degrade gracefully but player ID persistence will break on upgrade.
+
+---
+
+## Breaking: Player Merging (PR #3150)
+
+MA now merges players that support multiple protocols (e.g. a Chromecast with Cast + Sendspin) into a **single player entity** server-side. Previously these appeared as two separate players.
+
+> *"After this change, all your players will be reset. If you previously had multiple players in Music Assistant per protocol, this will now show up as one single player."*
+
+### What Ensemble does today
+
+Ensemble handles this client-side in `music_assistant_provider.dart:4271-4406`:
+
+- `_castToSendspinIdMap` maps Cast IDs → Sendspin IDs
+- When Sendspin is grouped: hides Cast player, shows Sendspin (renamed to base name)
+- When ungrouped: hides Sendspin, shows original Cast
+- Mappings persisted to database for cold start restoration
+
+### Impact on Ensemble
+
+| Component | Location | Impact | Severity |
+|---|---|---|---|
+| `_castToSendspinIdMap` + consolidation logic | `provider:4271-4406` | Dead code — server no longer sends separate players | Medium |
+| `isManuallySyncedPlayer()` ID translation | `provider:533-595` | Lookups against stale map fail silently (returns `false`) | Low |
+| Player selection persistence | Settings + DB | **Stored player IDs invalid after upgrade** — all players reset | **High** |
+| `_handlePlayerUpdatedEvent()` ID matching | `provider:2956-3358` | Events arrive with new merged IDs, old translation won't match | Medium |
+| Database-persisted Cast↔Sendspin mappings | `DatabaseService` | Stale data, won't match anything | Low |
+
+### Assessment
+
+The consolidation logic should degrade gracefully — it won't find Sendspin suffixes to strip or Cast pairs to merge, so the server's already-merged players pass through `filterPlayers()` as-is. The main risk is **player selection breaking** because saved player IDs no longer exist.
+
+### Action required
+
+1. Verify the existing fallback logic (`provider:4427-4465`) gracefully re-selects when the stored `selectedPlayerId` doesn't exist in the player list
+2. Remove or gate the Cast↔Sendspin consolidation code behind a server version check (on beta 14+ it's unnecessary and could cause confusion)
+3. Clear stale database mappings on first connection to a beta 14+ server
+
+---
+
+## Sendspin v4.0 (PR #3158)
+
+Major rewrite of the Sendspin server.
+
+### Changes
+
+- New `SendspinPlaybackSession` coordinator architecture
+- Per-member DSP pipelines, dynamic group membership, late-join audio backfill
+- Max buffer capacity 5 → 30 seconds
+- Multiple Sendspin servers with automatic failover
+- Per-client codec/sample-rate/bit-depth options
+- Album artwork persists during skip/pause
+- Reduced latency for live streams
+
+### Impact on Ensemble
+
+| Change | Impact |
+|---|---|
+| New session architecture | **Likely compatible** — sendspin-js only bumped 2.0.0 → 2.0.1 (minor), suggesting wire protocol didn't fundamentally change |
+| Per-client codec options | `stream/start` may contain new fields — safe if Ensemble ignores unknown fields |
+| Multiple servers with failover | Ensemble's 3-tier connection strategy may need awareness |
+| Buffer increase | No client impact |
+
+### Action required
+
+1. Test Sendspin connection against beta 14 — verify `client/hello`, `stream/start`, state reporting all still work
+2. Confirm unknown fields in protocol messages are ignored gracefully
+
+---
+
+## Sendspin-Chromecast Bridge (PR #3255)
+
+Replaces the inline experimental Sendspin mode in `ChromecastPlayer` with a dedicated bridge. Cast devices now use a Cast receiver app with an embedded JS Sendspin client.
+
+### Impact on Ensemble
+
+- **Direct impact: None** — Ensemble is a Sendspin client itself, not going through Cast
+- **Indirect:** Changes how grouped Cast players behave, which could affect `GroupVolumeManager`
+
+---
+
+## Group Volume / Grouping Fixes
+
+| PR | Change | Ensemble Impact |
+|---|---|---|
+| #3192 | Fix grouping for players whose native protocol is also a protocol of other players | Bidirectional grouping translation — may affect group detection logic |
+| #3205 | Fix group mute for protocol-synced players (`player.state.group_members` vs `player.group_members`) | `GroupVolumeManager` may see different/correct member lists |
+| #3277 | Fix `volume_up`/`volume_down` for group players | Server-side fix, should improve behavior |
+| #3118 | Fix sync groups losing members on power off | Affects dynamic group management |
+
+### Action required
+
+1. Test group volume behavior — may "just work better" with server-side fixes
+2. Verify `GroupVolumeManager` handles any changes to `group_members` field population
+
+---
+
+## Sendspin Bug Fixes
+
+| PR | Fix | Ensemble Relevance |
+|---|---|---|
+| #3191 | DSP not applying for Sendspin players | DSP config stored on parent player, looked up by protocol player ID — now fixed |
+| #3249 | Update to aiosendspin 4.2.0 | Library update, potential behavior changes |
+| #3250 | Metadata sending wrong progress when paused | Progress reporting fix — Ensemble's position tracker may see better data |
+| #3258 | Floating point for internal audio data | Audio quality improvement, no client impact |
+
+---
+
+## New APIs — Opportunities
+
+| Feature | PR | Details | Ensemble Opportunity |
+|---|---|---|---|
+| Playback speed | #3198 | `player_queues/set_playback_speed`, stored in `queue.extra_attributes["playback_speed"]` | Great for audiobooks/podcasts |
+| Save queue to playlist | #3149 | `save_as_playlist` command on player queue controller | Easy feature add |
+| Mixed-media playlists | #3216 | Playlists can contain tracks + podcasts + audiobooks. DB schema bumped to v30. `get_playlist_tracks()` returns `Sequence[PlaylistPlayableItem]` | Playlist screens may need to handle heterogeneous items |
+| Genres v2 | #3164 | New browsing category with icons and SVG support | New library section |
+
+---
+
+## Also Changed in Beta 13 (Skipped)
+
+Relevant changes from beta 13 (between current beta 12 and target beta 14):
+
+- Group volume mute support (#3034)
+- Frontend prepared for multiprotocol support (#1409) — groundwork for beta 14 merging
+- IPv6 support for zeroconf, stream server, AirPlay (#3086)
+- Snapcast player availability alignment (#3104)
+- DLNA reconnection fix (#3132)
+
+---
+
+## Recommended Action Plan
+
+### Before upgrading
+
+- [ ] Verify player selection fallback handles missing player IDs gracefully
+- [ ] Back up current configuration
+
+### Immediate (after upgrading)
+
+- [ ] Test Sendspin protocol compatibility (connection, streaming, state reporting)
+- [ ] Test player list — confirm merged players appear correctly without client-side consolidation
+- [ ] Test group volume behavior with new server-side fixes
+- [ ] Test player selection persistence across app restarts
+
+### Short-term
+
+- [ ] Remove or version-gate Cast↔Sendspin consolidation code
+- [ ] Clear stale database mappings on beta 14+ detection
+- [ ] Test mixed-media playlist handling if playlists are used
+
+### Opportunistic
+
+- [ ] Add playback speed control (audiobook/podcast feature)
+- [ ] Add save-queue-to-playlist
+- [ ] Explore Genres v2 browsing

README.md

@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 <div align="center">
   <img src="assets/images/ensemble_logo.png" alt="Ensemble Logo" height="200">
 
-  [![GitHub release](https://img.shields.io/github/v/release/CollotsSpot/Ensemble?style=for-the-badge&logo=github)](https://github.com/CollotsSpot/Ensemble/releases)
+  [![GitHub release](https://img.shields.io/badge/Release-v3.0.4-blue?style=for-the-badge&logo=github)](https://github.com/CollotsSpot/Ensemble/releases)
+  [![GitHub Downloads](https://img.shields.io/github/downloads/CollotsSpot/Ensemble/latest/total?style=for-the-badge&logo=android&label=APK%20Downloads&color=green)](https://github.com/CollotsSpot/Ensemble/releases/latest)
   [![License: MIT](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-MIT-purple.svg?style=for-the-badge)](https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)
   [![GitHub Sponsors](https://img.shields.io/badge/Sponsor-GitHub-EA4AAA?style=for-the-badge&logo=GitHub%20Sponsors&logoColor=white)](https://github.com/sponsors/CollotsSpot)
   [![Ko-fi](https://img.shields.io/badge/Ko--fi-FF5E5B?style=for-the-badge&logo=Ko-fi&logoColor=white)](https://ko-fi.com/collotsspot)
@@ -85,6 +86,13 @@ This application was built with AI-assisted development using **Claude Code** an
 - **Skip Controls** - Skip forward/backward during playback
 - **High-Resolution Artwork** - Fetched via iTunes for best quality
 
+### Android Auto
+- **Media Browsing** - Browse your library from your car's display with categories for Home, Music, Audiobooks, Podcasts, and Radio
+- **Voice Search** - Find and play tracks using voice commands
+- **Full Playback Controls** - Play, pause, and skip from your car's head unit
+- **Album Art & Metadata** - Track info and artwork displayed on your car's screen
+- **Smart Queueing** - Tap any track in an album or playlist to play from that point with the full queue
+
 ### Smart Features
 - **Instant App Restore** - App loads instantly with cached library data while syncing in background
 - **Auto-Reconnect** - Automatically reconnects when connection is lost
@@ -140,6 +148,17 @@ If you run Music Assistant as a Home Assistant add-on:
 - Use the IP address of your Home Assistant server
 - Do **not** use your Home Assistant URL or ingress URL
 
+### Android Auto
+
+Since Ensemble is not installed from the Play Store, you need to enable unknown sources in Android Auto:
+
+1. Open **Android Auto** settings on your phone
+2. Tap the **Version** number at the bottom 10 times to enable developer mode
+3. Tap the three-dot menu and open **Developer settings**
+4. Enable **Unknown sources**
+5. Connect your phone to your car via USB or wirelessly
+6. Ensemble will appear in Android Auto's app list
+
 ### Remote Access
 
 For access outside your home network, you'll need to expose Music Assistant through a reverse proxy (e.g., Traefik, Nginx Proxy Manager, Cloudflare Tunnel).
@@ -156,6 +175,7 @@ For access outside your home network, you'll need to expose Music Assistant thro
 A huge thank you to my sponsors! 💖
 
 <a href="https://github.com/pcsokonay"><img src="https://github.com/pcsokonay.png" width="60px" alt="pcsokonay" /></a>
+<a href="https://github.com/githubchb"><img src="https://github.com/githubchb.png" width="60px" alt="githubchb" /></a>
 
 ## License
 

android/app/build.gradle

@@ -77,6 +77,16 @@ android {
     }
 }
 
+def abiCodes = ['armeabi-v7a': 1, 'arm64-v8a': 2, 'x86_64': 3]
+android.applicationVariants.configureEach { variant ->
+    variant.outputs.each { output ->
+        def abiVersionCode = abiCodes[output.getFilter('ABI')]
+        if (abiVersionCode != null) {
+            output.versionCodeOverride = variant.versionCode * 10 + abiVersionCode
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 flutter {
     source '../..'
 }

android/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml

@@ -54,6 +54,10 @@
             </intent-filter>
         </receiver>
 
+        <meta-data
+            android:name="com.google.android.gms.car.application"
+            android:resource="@xml/automotive_app_desc" />
+
         <meta-data
             android:name="flutterEmbedding"
             android:value="2" />

android/app/src/main/res/drawable/ic_auto_album.xml

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+<vector xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
+    android:width="24dp"
+    android:height="24dp"
+    android:viewportWidth="24"
+    android:viewportHeight="24"
+    android:tint="#FFFFFF">
+  <path android:fillColor="#FFFFFF"
+      android:pathData="M12,2C6.48,2 2,6.48 2,12s4.48,10 10,10 10,-4.48 10,-10S17.52,2 12,2zM12,16.5c-2.49,0 -4.5,-2.01 -4.5,-4.5S9.51,7.5 12,7.5s4.5,2.01 4.5,4.5 -2.01,4.5 -4.5,4.5zM12,11c-0.55,0 -1,0.45 -1,1s0.45,1 1,1 1,-0.45 1,-1 -0.45,-1 -1,-1z"/>
+</vector>

android/app/src/main/res/drawable/ic_auto_artist.xml

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+<vector xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
+    android:width="24dp"
+    android:height="24dp"
+    android:viewportWidth="24"
+    android:viewportHeight="24"
+    android:tint="#FFFFFF">
+  <path android:fillColor="#FFFFFF"
+      android:pathData="M12,12c2.21,0 4,-1.79 4,-4s-1.79,-4 -4,-4 -4,1.79 -4,4 1.79,4 4,4zM12,14c-2.67,0 -8,1.34 -8,4v2h16v-2c0,-2.66 -5.33,-4 -8,-4z"/>
+</vector>

android/app/src/main/res/drawable/ic_auto_book.xml

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+<vector xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
+    android:width="24dp"
+    android:height="24dp"
+    android:viewportWidth="24"
+    android:viewportHeight="24"
+    android:tint="#FFFFFF">
+  <path android:fillColor="#FFFFFF"
+      android:pathData="M18,2H6c-1.1,0 -2,0.9 -2,2v16c0,1.1 0.9,2 2,2h12c1.1,0 2,-0.9 2,-2V4c0,-1.1 -0.9,-2 -2,-2zM6,4h5v8l-2.5,-1.5L6,12V4z"/>
+</vector>

android/app/src/main/res/drawable/ic_auto_favorite.xml

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+<vector xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
+    android:width="24dp"
+    android:height="24dp"
+    android:viewportWidth="24"
+    android:viewportHeight="24"
+    android:tint="#FFFFFF">
+  <path android:fillColor="#FFFFFF"
+      android:pathData="M12,21.35l-1.45,-1.32C5.4,15.36 2,12.28 2,8.5 2,5.42 4.42,3 7.5,3c1.74,0 3.41,0.81 4.5,2.09C13.09,3.81 14.76,3 16.5,3 19.58,3 22,5.42 22,8.5c0,3.78 -3.4,6.86 -8.55,11.54L12,21.35z"/>
+</vector>

android/app/src/main/res/drawable/ic_auto_home.xml

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+<vector xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
+    android:width="24dp"
+    android:height="24dp"
+    android:viewportWidth="24"
+    android:viewportHeight="24"
+    android:tint="#FFFFFF">
+  <path android:fillColor="#FFFFFF"
+      android:pathData="M10,20v-6h4v6h5v-8h3L12,3 2,12h3v8z"/>
+</vector>

android/app/src/main/res/drawable/ic_auto_music.xml

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+<vector xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
+    android:width="24dp"
+    android:height="24dp"
+    android:viewportWidth="24"
+    android:viewportHeight="24"
+    android:tint="#FFFFFF">
+  <path android:fillColor="#FFFFFF"
+      android:pathData="M12,3v10.55c-0.59,-0.34 -1.27,-0.55 -2,-0.55C7.79,13 6,14.79 6,17s1.79,4 4,4 4,-1.79 4,-4V7h4V3h-6z"/>
+</vector>

android/app/src/main/res/drawable/ic_auto_playlist.xml

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+<vector xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
+    android:width="24dp"
+    android:height="24dp"
+    android:viewportWidth="24"
+    android:viewportHeight="24"
+    android:tint="#FFFFFF">
+  <path android:fillColor="#FFFFFF"
+      android:pathData="M15,6H3v2h12V6zM15,10H3v2h12V10zM3,16h8v-2H3V16zM17,6v8.18C16.69,14.07 16.35,14 16,14c-1.66,0 -3,1.34 -3,3s1.34,3 3,3 3,-1.34 3,-3V8h3V6H17z"/>
+</vector>

android/app/src/main/res/drawable/ic_auto_podcast.xml

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+<vector xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
+    android:width="24dp"
+    android:height="24dp"
+    android:viewportWidth="24"
+    android:viewportHeight="24"
+    android:tint="#FFFFFF">
+  <path android:fillColor="#FFFFFF"
+      android:pathData="M12,14c1.66,0 3,-1.34 3,-3V5c0,-1.66 -1.34,-3 -3,-3S9,3.34 9,5v6c0,1.66 1.34,3 3,3z"/>
+  <path android:fillColor="#FFFFFF"
+      android:pathData="M17,11c0,2.76 -2.24,5 -5,5s-5,-2.24 -5,-5H5c0,3.53 2.61,6.43 6,6.92V21h2v-3.08c3.39,-0.49 6,-3.39 6,-6.92h-2z"/>
+</vector>

android/app/src/main/res/drawable/ic_auto_radio.xml

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+<vector xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
+    android:width="24dp"
+    android:height="24dp"
+    android:viewportWidth="24"
+    android:viewportHeight="24"
+    android:tint="#FFFFFF">
+  <path android:fillColor="#FFFFFF"
+      android:pathData="M3.24,6.15C2.51,6.43 2,7.17 2,8v12c0,1.1 0.89,2 2,2h16c1.1,0 2,-0.9 2,-2V8c0,-1.1 -0.9,-2 -2,-2H8.3l8.26,-3.34 -0.37,-0.92L3.24,6.15zM7,20c-1.66,0 -3,-1.34 -3,-3s1.34,-3 3,-3 3,1.34 3,3 -1.34,3 -3,3zM20,12H12V9h8v3z"/>
+</vector>

android/app/src/main/res/xml/automotive_app_desc.xml

@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<automotiveApp>
+    <uses name="media" />
+</automotiveApp>

lib/database/database.dart

@@ -190,12 +190,37 @@ class SearchHistory extends Table {
   DateTimeColumn get searchedAt => dateTime()();
 }
 
-@DriftDatabase(tables: [Profiles, RecentlyPlayed, LibraryCache, SyncMetadata, PlaybackState, CachedPlayers, CachedQueue, HomeRowCache, SearchHistory])
+/// Cached detail tracks for album/playlist detail screens
+/// Persists across app restarts so detail screens load instantly
+class DetailTrackCache extends Table {
+  /// Composite key: "{parentType}_{parentKey}"
+  TextColumn get cacheKey => text()();
+
+  /// Type: 'album' or 'playlist'
+  TextColumn get parentType => text()();
+
+  /// The parent item's cache key (e.g., "provider_itemId")
+  TextColumn get parentKey => text()();
+
+  /// Serialized list of tracks as JSON array
+  TextColumn get tracksJson => text()();
+
+  /// When this was fetched from API
+  DateTimeColumn get lastFetched => dateTime()();
+
+  /// When this was last accessed (for LRU eviction)
+  DateTimeColumn get lastAccessed => dateTime()();
+
+  @override
+  Set<Column> get primaryKey => {cacheKey};
+}
+
+@DriftDatabase(tables: [Profiles, RecentlyPlayed, LibraryCache, SyncMetadata, PlaybackState, CachedPlayers, CachedQueue, HomeRowCache, SearchHistory, DetailTrackCache])
 class AppDatabase extends _$AppDatabase {
   AppDatabase([QueryExecutor? executor]) : super(executor ?? _openConnection());
 
   @override
-  int get schemaVersion => 6;
+  int get schemaVersion => 7;
 
   @override
   MigrationStrategy get migration {
@@ -234,6 +259,10 @@ class AppDatabase extends _$AppDatabase {
         if (from < 6) {
           await customStatement("ALTER TABLE library_cache ADD COLUMN source_providers TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT '[]'");
         }
+        // Migration from v6 to v7: Add detail track cache table
+        if (from < 7) {
+          await m.createTable(detailTrackCache);
+        }
       },
     );
   }
@@ -696,6 +725,66 @@ class AppDatabase extends _$AppDatabase {
     await delete(searchHistory).go();
   }
 
+  // ============================================
+  // Detail Track Cache Operations
+  // ============================================
+
+  /// Save detail tracks for an album or playlist
+  Future<void> saveDetailTracks(String parentType, String parentKey, String tracksJson) async {
+    final cacheKey = '${parentType}_$parentKey';
+    final now = DateTime.now();
+    await into(detailTrackCache).insertOnConflictUpdate(
+      DetailTrackCacheCompanion.insert(
+        cacheKey: cacheKey,
+        parentType: parentType,
+        parentKey: parentKey,
+        tracksJson: tracksJson,
+        lastFetched: now,
+        lastAccessed: now,
+      ),
+    );
+    // Evict old entries if cache grows too large
+    await _evictDetailTrackCache();
+  }
+
+  /// Get cached detail tracks for an album or playlist
+  /// Returns null if not cached, updates lastAccessed on hit
+  Future<DetailTrackCacheData?> getDetailTracks(String parentType, String parentKey) async {
+    final cacheKey = '${parentType}_$parentKey';
+    final result = await (select(detailTrackCache)
+      ..where((d) => d.cacheKey.equals(cacheKey)))
+      .getSingleOrNull();
+    if (result != null) {
+      // Update last accessed time
+      await (update(detailTrackCache)..where((d) => d.cacheKey.equals(cacheKey)))
+          .write(DetailTrackCacheCompanion(lastAccessed: Value(DateTime.now())));
+    }
+    return result;
+  }
+
+  /// Evict oldest detail track cache entries when over limit
+  Future<void> _evictDetailTrackCache() async {
+    const maxEntries = 100;
+    final count = await (selectOnly(detailTrackCache)..addColumns([countAll()]))
+        .map((row) => row.read(countAll())!)
+        .getSingle();
+    if (count <= maxEntries) return;
+
+    // Delete oldest by lastAccessed
+    final oldest = await (select(detailTrackCache)
+      ..orderBy([(d) => OrderingTerm.asc(d.lastAccessed)])
+      ..limit(count - maxEntries))
+      .get();
+    for (final entry in oldest) {
+      await (delete(detailTrackCache)..where((d) => d.cacheKey.equals(entry.cacheKey))).go();
+    }
+  }
+
+  /// Clear all detail track cache
+  Future<void> clearDetailTrackCache() async {
+    await delete(detailTrackCache).go();
+  }
+
   // ============================================
   // Batch Cache Operations
   // ============================================

lib/database/database.g.dart

@@ -2916,6 +2916,381 @@ class SearchHistoryCompanion extends UpdateCompanion<SearchHistoryData> {
   }
 }
 
+class $DetailTrackCacheTable extends DetailTrackCache
+    with TableInfo<$DetailTrackCacheTable, DetailTrackCacheData> {
+  @override
+  final GeneratedDatabase attachedDatabase;
+  final String? _alias;
+  $DetailTrackCacheTable(this.attachedDatabase, [this._alias]);
+  static const VerificationMeta _cacheKeyMeta =
+      const VerificationMeta('cacheKey');
+  @override
+  late final GeneratedColumn<String> cacheKey = GeneratedColumn<String>(
+      'cache_key', aliasedName, false,
+      type: DriftSqlType.string, requiredDuringInsert: true);
+  static const VerificationMeta _parentTypeMeta =
+      const VerificationMeta('parentType');
+  @override
+  late final GeneratedColumn<String> parentType = GeneratedColumn<String>(
+      'parent_type', aliasedName, false,
+      type: DriftSqlType.string, requiredDuringInsert: true);
+  static const VerificationMeta _parentKeyMeta =
+      const VerificationMeta('parentKey');
+  @override
+  late final GeneratedColumn<String> parentKey = GeneratedColumn<String>(
+      'parent_key', aliasedName, false,
+      type: DriftSqlType.string, requiredDuringInsert: true);
+  static const VerificationMeta _tracksJsonMeta =
+      const VerificationMeta('tracksJson');
+  @override
+  late final GeneratedColumn<String> tracksJson = GeneratedColumn<String>(
+      'tracks_json', aliasedName, false,
+      type: DriftSqlType.string, requiredDuringInsert: true);
+  static const VerificationMeta _lastFetchedMeta =
+      const VerificationMeta('lastFetched');
+  @override
+  late final GeneratedColumn<DateTime> lastFetched = GeneratedColumn<DateTime>(
+      'last_fetched', aliasedName, false,
+      type: DriftSqlType.dateTime, requiredDuringInsert: true);
+  static const VerificationMeta _lastAccessedMeta =
+      const VerificationMeta('lastAccessed');
+  @override
+  late final GeneratedColumn<DateTime> lastAccessed = GeneratedColumn<DateTime>(
+      'last_accessed', aliasedName, false,
+      type: DriftSqlType.dateTime, requiredDuringInsert: true);
+  @override
+  List<GeneratedColumn> get $columns =>
+      [cacheKey, parentType, parentKey, tracksJson, lastFetched, lastAccessed];
+  @override
+  String get aliasedName => _alias ?? actualTableName;
+  @override
+  String get actualTableName => $name;
+  static const String $name = 'detail_track_cache';
+  @override
+  VerificationContext validateIntegrity(
+      Insertable<DetailTrackCacheData> instance,
+      {bool isInserting = false}) {
+    final context = VerificationContext();
+    final data = instance.toColumns(true);
+    if (data.containsKey('cache_key')) {
+      context.handle(_cacheKeyMeta,
+          cacheKey.isAcceptableOrUnknown(data['cache_key']!, _cacheKeyMeta));
+    } else if (isInserting) {
+      context.missing(_cacheKeyMeta);
+    }
+    if (data.containsKey('parent_type')) {
+      context.handle(
+          _parentTypeMeta,
+          parentType.isAcceptableOrUnknown(
+              data['parent_type']!, _parentTypeMeta));
+    } else if (isInserting) {
+      context.missing(_parentTypeMeta);
+    }
+    if (data.containsKey('parent_key')) {
+      context.handle(_parentKeyMeta,
+          parentKey.isAcceptableOrUnknown(data['parent_key']!, _parentKeyMeta));
+    } else if (isInserting) {
+      context.missing(_parentKeyMeta);
+    }
+    if (data.containsKey('tracks_json')) {
+      context.handle(
+          _tracksJsonMeta,
+          tracksJson.isAcceptableOrUnknown(
+              data['tracks_json']!, _tracksJsonMeta));
+    } else if (isInserting) {
+      context.missing(_tracksJsonMeta);
+    }
+    if (data.containsKey('last_fetched')) {
+      context.handle(
+          _lastFetchedMeta,
+          lastFetched.isAcceptableOrUnknown(
+              data['last_fetched']!, _lastFetchedMeta));
+    } else if (isInserting) {
+      context.missing(_lastFetchedMeta);
+    }
+    if (data.containsKey('last_accessed')) {
+      context.handle(
+          _lastAccessedMeta,
+          lastAccessed.isAcceptableOrUnknown(
+              data['last_accessed']!, _lastAccessedMeta));
+    } else if (isInserting) {
+      context.missing(_lastAccessedMeta);
+    }
+    return context;
+  }
+
+  @override
+  Set<GeneratedColumn> get $primaryKey => {cacheKey};
+  @override
+  DetailTrackCacheData map(Map<String, dynamic> data, {String? tablePrefix}) {
+    final effectivePrefix = tablePrefix != null ? '$tablePrefix.' : '';
+    return DetailTrackCacheData(
+      cacheKey: attachedDatabase.typeMapping
+          .read(DriftSqlType.string, data['${effectivePrefix}cache_key'])!,
+      parentType: attachedDatabase.typeMapping
+          .read(DriftSqlType.string, data['${effectivePrefix}parent_type'])!,
+      parentKey: attachedDatabase.typeMapping
+          .read(DriftSqlType.string, data['${effectivePrefix}parent_key'])!,
+      tracksJson: attachedDatabase.typeMapping
+          .read(DriftSqlType.string, data['${effectivePrefix}tracks_json'])!,
+      lastFetched: attachedDatabase.typeMapping
+          .read(DriftSqlType.dateTime, data['${effectivePrefix}last_fetched'])!,
+      lastAccessed: attachedDatabase.typeMapping.read(
+          DriftSqlType.dateTime, data['${effectivePrefix}last_accessed'])!,
+    );
+  }
+
+  @override
+  $DetailTrackCacheTable createAlias(String alias) {
+    return $DetailTrackCacheTable(attachedDatabase, alias);
+  }
+}
+
+class DetailTrackCacheData extends DataClass
+    implements Insertable<DetailTrackCacheData> {
+  /// Composite key: "{parentType}_{parentKey}"
+  final String cacheKey;
+
+  /// Type: 'album' or 'playlist'
+  final String parentType;
+
+  /// The parent item's cache key (e.g., "provider_itemId")
+  final String parentKey;
+
+  /// Serialized list of tracks as JSON array
+  final String tracksJson;
+
+  /// When this was fetched from API
+  final DateTime lastFetched;
+
+  /// When this was last accessed (for LRU eviction)
+  final DateTime lastAccessed;
+  const DetailTrackCacheData(
+      {required this.cacheKey,
+      required this.parentType,
+      required this.parentKey,
+      required this.tracksJson,
+      required this.lastFetched,
+      required this.lastAccessed});
+  @override
+  Map<String, Expression> toColumns(bool nullToAbsent) {
+    final map = <String, Expression>{};
+    map['cache_key'] = Variable<String>(cacheKey);
+    map['parent_type'] = Variable<String>(parentType);
+    map['parent_key'] = Variable<String>(parentKey);
+    map['tracks_json'] = Variable<String>(tracksJson);
+    map['last_fetched'] = Variable<DateTime>(lastFetched);
+    map['last_accessed'] = Variable<DateTime>(lastAccessed);
+    return map;
+  }
+
+  DetailTrackCacheCompanion toCompanion(bool nullToAbsent) {
+    return DetailTrackCacheCompanion(
+      cacheKey: Value(cacheKey),
+      parentType: Value(parentType),
+      parentKey: Value(parentKey),
+      tracksJson: Value(tracksJson),
+      lastFetched: Value(lastFetched),
+      lastAccessed: Value(lastAccessed),
+    );
+  }
+
+  factory DetailTrackCacheData.fromJson(Map<String, dynamic> json,
+      {ValueSerializer? serializer}) {
+    serializer ??= driftRuntimeOptions.defaultSerializer;
+    return DetailTrackCacheData(
+      cacheKey: serializer.fromJson<String>(json['cacheKey']),
+      parentType: serializer.fromJson<String>(json['parentType']),
+      parentKey: serializer.fromJson<String>(json['parentKey']),
+      tracksJson: serializer.fromJson<String>(json['tracksJson']),
+      lastFetched: serializer.fromJson<DateTime>(json['lastFetched']),
+      lastAccessed: serializer.fromJson<DateTime>(json['lastAccessed']),
+    );
+  }
+  @override
+  Map<String, dynamic> toJson({ValueSerializer? serializer}) {
+    serializer ??= driftRuntimeOptions.defaultSerializer;
+    return <String, dynamic>{
+      'cacheKey': serializer.toJson<String>(cacheKey),
+      'parentType': serializer.toJson<String>(parentType),
+      'parentKey': serializer.toJson<String>(parentKey),
+      'tracksJson': serializer.toJson<String>(tracksJson),
+      'lastFetched': serializer.toJson<DateTime>(lastFetched),
+      'lastAccessed': serializer.toJson<DateTime>(lastAccessed),
+    };
+  }
+
+  DetailTrackCacheData copyWith(
+          {String? cacheKey,
+          String? parentType,
+          String? parentKey,
+          String? tracksJson,
+          DateTime? lastFetched,
+          DateTime? lastAccessed}) =>
+      DetailTrackCacheData(
+        cacheKey: cacheKey ?? this.cacheKey,
+        parentType: parentType ?? this.parentType,
+        parentKey: parentKey ?? this.parentKey,
+        tracksJson: tracksJson ?? this.tracksJson,
+        lastFetched: lastFetched ?? this.lastFetched,
+        lastAccessed: lastAccessed ?? this.lastAccessed,
+      );
+  DetailTrackCacheData copyWithCompanion(DetailTrackCacheCompanion data) {
+    return DetailTrackCacheData(
+      cacheKey: data.cacheKey.present ? data.cacheKey.value : this.cacheKey,
+      parentType:
+          data.parentType.present ? data.parentType.value : this.parentType,
+      parentKey: data.parentKey.present ? data.parentKey.value : this.parentKey,
+      tracksJson:
+          data.tracksJson.present ? data.tracksJson.value : this.tracksJson,
+      lastFetched:
+          data.lastFetched.present ? data.lastFetched.value : this.lastFetched,
+      lastAccessed: data.lastAccessed.present
+          ? data.lastAccessed.value
+          : this.lastAccessed,
+    );
+  }
+
+  @override
+  String toString() {
+    return (StringBuffer('DetailTrackCacheData(')
+          ..write('cacheKey: $cacheKey, ')
+          ..write('parentType: $parentType, ')
+          ..write('parentKey: $parentKey, ')
+          ..write('tracksJson: $tracksJson, ')
+          ..write('lastFetched: $lastFetched, ')
+          ..write('lastAccessed: $lastAccessed')
+          ..write(')'))
+        .toString();
+  }
+
+  @override
+  int get hashCode => Object.hash(
+      cacheKey, parentType, parentKey, tracksJson, lastFetched, lastAccessed);
+  @override
+  bool operator ==(Object other) =>
+      identical(this, other) ||
+      (other is DetailTrackCacheData &&
+          other.cacheKey == this.cacheKey &&
+          other.parentType == this.parentType &&
+          other.parentKey == this.parentKey &&
+          other.tracksJson == this.tracksJson &&
+          other.lastFetched == this.lastFetched &&
+          other.lastAccessed == this.lastAccessed);
+}
+
+class DetailTrackCacheCompanion extends UpdateCompanion<DetailTrackCacheData> {
+  final Value<String> cacheKey;
+  final Value<String> parentType;
+  final Value<String> parentKey;
+  final Value<String> tracksJson;
+  final Value<DateTime> lastFetched;
+  final Value<DateTime> lastAccessed;
+  final Value<int> rowid;
+  const DetailTrackCacheCompanion({
+    this.cacheKey = const Value.absent(),
+    this.parentType = const Value.absent(),
+    this.parentKey = const Value.absent(),
+    this.tracksJson = const Value.absent(),
+    this.lastFetched = const Value.absent(),
+    this.lastAccessed = const Value.absent(),
+    this.rowid = const Value.absent(),
+  });
+  DetailTrackCacheCompanion.insert({
+    required String cacheKey,
+    required String parentType,
+    required String parentKey,
+    required String tracksJson,
+    required DateTime lastFetched,
+    required DateTime lastAccessed,
+    this.rowid = const Value.absent(),
+  })  : cacheKey = Value(cacheKey),
+        parentType = Value(parentType),
+        parentKey = Value(parentKey),
+        tracksJson = Value(tracksJson),
+        lastFetched = Value(lastFetched),
+        lastAccessed = Value(lastAccessed);
+  static Insertable<DetailTrackCacheData> custom({
+    Expression<String>? cacheKey,
+    Expression<String>? parentType,
+    Expression<String>? parentKey,
+    Expression<String>? tracksJson,
+    Expression<DateTime>? lastFetched,
+    Expression<DateTime>? lastAccessed,
+    Expression<int>? rowid,
+  }) {
+    return RawValuesInsertable({
+      if (cacheKey != null) 'cache_key': cacheKey,
+      if (parentType != null) 'parent_type': parentType,
+      if (parentKey != null) 'parent_key': parentKey,
+      if (tracksJson != null) 'tracks_json': tracksJson,
+      if (lastFetched != null) 'last_fetched': lastFetched,
+      if (lastAccessed != null) 'last_accessed': lastAccessed,
+      if (rowid != null) 'rowid': rowid,
+    });
+  }
+
+  DetailTrackCacheCompanion copyWith(
+      {Value<String>? cacheKey,
+      Value<String>? parentType,
+      Value<String>? parentKey,
+      Value<String>? tracksJson,
+      Value<DateTime>? lastFetched,
+      Value<DateTime>? lastAccessed,
+      Value<int>? rowid}) {
+    return DetailTrackCacheCompanion(
+      cacheKey: cacheKey ?? this.cacheKey,
+      parentType: parentType ?? this.parentType,
+      parentKey: parentKey ?? this.parentKey,
+      tracksJson: tracksJson ?? this.tracksJson,
+      lastFetched: lastFetched ?? this.lastFetched,
+      lastAccessed: lastAccessed ?? this.lastAccessed,
+      rowid: rowid ?? this.rowid,
+    );
+  }
+
+  @override
+  Map<String, Expression> toColumns(bool nullToAbsent) {
+    final map = <String, Expression>{};
+    if (cacheKey.present) {
+      map['cache_key'] = Variable<String>(cacheKey.value);
+    }
+    if (parentType.present) {
+      map['parent_type'] = Variable<String>(parentType.value);
+    }
+    if (parentKey.present) {
+      map['parent_key'] = Variable<String>(parentKey.value);
+    }
+    if (tracksJson.present) {
+      map['tracks_json'] = Variable<String>(tracksJson.value);
+    }
+    if (lastFetched.present) {
+      map['last_fetched'] = Variable<DateTime>(lastFetched.value);
+    }
+    if (lastAccessed.present) {
+      map['last_accessed'] = Variable<DateTime>(lastAccessed.value);
+    }
+    if (rowid.present) {
+      map['rowid'] = Variable<int>(rowid.value);
+    }
+    return map;
+  }
+
+  @override
+  String toString() {
+    return (StringBuffer('DetailTrackCacheCompanion(')
+          ..write('cacheKey: $cacheKey, ')
+          ..write('parentType: $parentType, ')
+          ..write('parentKey: $parentKey, ')
+          ..write('tracksJson: $tracksJson, ')
+          ..write('lastFetched: $lastFetched, ')
+          ..write('lastAccessed: $lastAccessed, ')
+          ..write('rowid: $rowid')
+          ..write(')'))
+        .toString();
+  }
+}
+
 abstract class _$AppDatabase extends GeneratedDatabase {
   _$AppDatabase(QueryExecutor e) : super(e);
   $AppDatabaseManager get managers => $AppDatabaseManager(this);
@@ -2928,6 +3303,8 @@ abstract class _$AppDatabase extends GeneratedDatabase {
   late final $CachedQueueTable cachedQueue = $CachedQueueTable(this);
   late final $HomeRowCacheTable homeRowCache = $HomeRowCacheTable(this);
   late final $SearchHistoryTable searchHistory = $SearchHistoryTable(this);
+  late final $DetailTrackCacheTable detailTrackCache =
+      $DetailTrackCacheTable(this);
   late final Index idxRecentlyPlayedProfile = Index(
       'idx_recently_played_profile',
       'CREATE INDEX idx_recently_played_profile ON recently_played (profile_username)');
@@ -2958,6 +3335,7 @@ abstract class _$AppDatabase extends GeneratedDatabase {
         cachedQueue,
         homeRowCache,
         searchHistory,
+        detailTrackCache,
         idxRecentlyPlayedProfile,
         idxRecentlyPlayedProfilePlayed,
         idxLibraryCacheType,
@@ -4701,6 +5079,198 @@ typedef $$SearchHistoryTableProcessedTableManager = ProcessedTableManager<
     ),
     SearchHistoryData,
     PrefetchHooks Function()>;
+typedef $$DetailTrackCacheTableCreateCompanionBuilder
+    = DetailTrackCacheCompanion Function({
+  required String cacheKey,
+  required String parentType,
+  required String parentKey,
+  required String tracksJson,
+  required DateTime lastFetched,
+  required DateTime lastAccessed,
+  Value<int> rowid,
+});
+typedef $$DetailTrackCacheTableUpdateCompanionBuilder
+    = DetailTrackCacheCompanion Function({
+  Value<String> cacheKey,
+  Value<String> parentType,
+  Value<String> parentKey,
+  Value<String> tracksJson,
+  Value<DateTime> lastFetched,
+  Value<DateTime> lastAccessed,
+  Value<int> rowid,
+});
+
+class $$DetailTrackCacheTableFilterComposer
+    extends Composer<_$AppDatabase, $DetailTrackCacheTable> {
+  $$DetailTrackCacheTableFilterComposer({
+    required super.$db,
+    required super.$table,
+    super.joinBuilder,
+    super.$addJoinBuilderToRootComposer,
+    super.$removeJoinBuilderFromRootComposer,
+  });
+  ColumnFilters<String> get cacheKey => $composableBuilder(
+      column: $table.cacheKey, builder: (column) => ColumnFilters(column));
+
+  ColumnFilters<String> get parentType => $composableBuilder(
+      column: $table.parentType, builder: (column) => ColumnFilters(column));
+
+  ColumnFilters<String> get parentKey => $composableBuilder(
+      column: $table.parentKey, builder: (column) => ColumnFilters(column));
+
+  ColumnFilters<String> get tracksJson => $composableBuilder(
+      column: $table.tracksJson, builder: (column) => ColumnFilters(column));
+
+  ColumnFilters<DateTime> get lastFetched => $composableBuilder(
+      column: $table.lastFetched, builder: (column) => ColumnFilters(column));
+
+  ColumnFilters<DateTime> get lastAccessed => $composableBuilder(
+      column: $table.lastAccessed, builder: (column) => ColumnFilters(column));
+}
+
+class $$DetailTrackCacheTableOrderingComposer
+    extends Composer<_$AppDatabase, $DetailTrackCacheTable> {
+  $$DetailTrackCacheTableOrderingComposer({
+    required super.$db,
+    required super.$table,
+    super.joinBuilder,
+    super.$addJoinBuilderToRootComposer,
+    super.$removeJoinBuilderFromRootComposer,
+  });
+  ColumnOrderings<String> get cacheKey => $composableBuilder(
+      column: $table.cacheKey, builder: (column) => ColumnOrderings(column));
+
+  ColumnOrderings<String> get parentType => $composableBuilder(
+      column: $table.parentType, builder: (column) => ColumnOrderings(column));
+
+  ColumnOrderings<String> get parentKey => $composableBuilder(
+      column: $table.parentKey, builder: (column) => ColumnOrderings(column));
+
+  ColumnOrderings<String> get tracksJson => $composableBuilder(
+      column: $table.tracksJson, builder: (column) => ColumnOrderings(column));
+
+  ColumnOrderings<DateTime> get lastFetched => $composableBuilder(
+      column: $table.lastFetched, builder: (column) => ColumnOrderings(column));
+
+  ColumnOrderings<DateTime> get lastAccessed => $composableBuilder(
+      column: $table.lastAccessed,
+      builder: (column) => ColumnOrderings(column));
+}
+
+class $$DetailTrackCacheTableAnnotationComposer
+    extends Composer<_$AppDatabase, $DetailTrackCacheTable> {
+  $$DetailTrackCacheTableAnnotationComposer({
+    required super.$db,
+    required super.$table,
+    super.joinBuilder,
+    super.$addJoinBuilderToRootComposer,
+    super.$removeJoinBuilderFromRootComposer,
+  });
+  GeneratedColumn<String> get cacheKey =>
+      $composableBuilder(column: $table.cacheKey, builder: (column) => column);
+
+  GeneratedColumn<String> get parentType => $composableBuilder(
+      column: $table.parentType, builder: (column) => column);
+
+  GeneratedColumn<String> get parentKey =>
+      $composableBuilder(column: $table.parentKey, builder: (column) => column);
+
+  GeneratedColumn<String> get tracksJson => $composableBuilder(
+      column: $table.tracksJson, builder: (column) => column);
+
+  GeneratedColumn<DateTime> get lastFetched => $composableBuilder(
+      column: $table.lastFetched, builder: (column) => column);
+
+  GeneratedColumn<DateTime> get lastAccessed => $composableBuilder(
+      column: $table.lastAccessed, builder: (column) => column);
+}
+
+class $$DetailTrackCacheTableTableManager extends RootTableManager<
+    _$AppDatabase,
+    $DetailTrackCacheTable,
+    DetailTrackCacheData,
+    $$DetailTrackCacheTableFilterComposer,
+    $$DetailTrackCacheTableOrderingComposer,
+    $$DetailTrackCacheTableAnnotationComposer,
+    $$DetailTrackCacheTableCreateCompanionBuilder,
+    $$DetailTrackCacheTableUpdateCompanionBuilder,
+    (
+      DetailTrackCacheData,
+      BaseReferences<_$AppDatabase, $DetailTrackCacheTable,
+          DetailTrackCacheData>
+    ),
+    DetailTrackCacheData,
+    PrefetchHooks Function()> {
+  $$DetailTrackCacheTableTableManager(
+      _$AppDatabase db, $DetailTrackCacheTable table)
+      : super(TableManagerState(
+          db: db,
+          table: table,
+          createFilteringComposer: () =>
+              $$DetailTrackCacheTableFilterComposer($db: db, $table: table),
+          createOrderingComposer: () =>
+              $$DetailTrackCacheTableOrderingComposer($db: db, $table: table),
+          createComputedFieldComposer: () =>
+              $$DetailTrackCacheTableAnnotationComposer($db: db, $table: table),
+          updateCompanionCallback: ({
+            Value<String> cacheKey = const Value.absent(),
+            Value<String> parentType = const Value.absent(),
+            Value<String> parentKey = const Value.absent(),
+            Value<String> tracksJson = const Value.absent(),
+            Value<DateTime> lastFetched = const Value.absent(),
+            Value<DateTime> lastAccessed = const Value.absent(),
+            Value<int> rowid = const Value.absent(),
+          }) =>
+              DetailTrackCacheCompanion(
+            cacheKey: cacheKey,
+            parentType: parentType,
+            parentKey: parentKey,
+            tracksJson: tracksJson,
+            lastFetched: lastFetched,
+            lastAccessed: lastAccessed,
+            rowid: rowid,
+          ),
+          createCompanionCallback: ({
+            required String cacheKey,
+            required String parentType,
+            required String parentKey,
+            required String tracksJson,
+            required DateTime lastFetched,
+            required DateTime lastAccessed,
+            Value<int> rowid = const Value.absent(),
+          }) =>
+              DetailTrackCacheCompanion.insert(
+            cacheKey: cacheKey,
+            parentType: parentType,
+            parentKey: parentKey,
+            tracksJson: tracksJson,
+            lastFetched: lastFetched,
+            lastAccessed: lastAccessed,
+            rowid: rowid,
+          ),
+          withReferenceMapper: (p0) => p0
+              .map((e) => (e.readTable(table), BaseReferences(db, table, e)))
+              .toList(),
+          prefetchHooksCallback: null,
+        ));
+}
+
+typedef $$DetailTrackCacheTableProcessedTableManager = ProcessedTableManager<
+    _$AppDatabase,
+    $DetailTrackCacheTable,
+    DetailTrackCacheData,
+    $$DetailTrackCacheTableFilterComposer,
+    $$DetailTrackCacheTableOrderingComposer,
+    $$DetailTrackCacheTableAnnotationComposer,
+    $$DetailTrackCacheTableCreateCompanionBuilder,
+    $$DetailTrackCacheTableUpdateCompanionBuilder,
+    (
+      DetailTrackCacheData,
+      BaseReferences<_$AppDatabase, $DetailTrackCacheTable,
+          DetailTrackCacheData>
+    ),
+    DetailTrackCacheData,
+    PrefetchHooks Function()>;
 
 class $AppDatabaseManager {
   final _$AppDatabase _db;
@@ -4723,4 +5293,6 @@ class $AppDatabaseManager {
       $$HomeRowCacheTableTableManager(_db, _db.homeRowCache);
   $$SearchHistoryTableTableManager get searchHistory =>
       $$SearchHistoryTableTableManager(_db, _db.searchHistory);
+  $$DetailTrackCacheTableTableManager get detailTrackCache =>
+      $$DetailTrackCacheTableTableManager(_db, _db.detailTrackCache);
 }

lib/main.dart

@@ -144,6 +144,7 @@ class _MusicAssistantAppState extends State<MusicAssistantApp> with WidgetsBindi
     _musicProvider = MusicAssistantProvider();
     _themeProvider = ThemeProvider();
     _localeProvider = LocaleProvider();
+    audioHandler.setProvider(_musicProvider);
     WidgetsBinding.instance.addObserver(this);
     _initHardwareVolumeControl();
     // Listen to player selection changes to toggle volume interception

lib/providers/music_assistant_provider.dart

@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import '../services/group_volume_manager.dart';
 import '../services/sendspin_service.dart';
 import '../services/pcm_audio_player.dart';
 import '../services/offline_action_queue.dart';
+import '../services/image_prefetch_service.dart';
 import '../constants/timings.dart';
 import '../services/database_service.dart';
 import '../services/library_status_service.dart';
@@ -47,6 +48,7 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
   final DebugLogger _logger = DebugLogger();
   final CacheService _cacheService = CacheService();
   final PositionTracker _positionTracker = PositionTracker();
+  ImagePrefetchService? _imagePrefetchService;
   final GroupVolumeManager _groupVolumeManager = GroupVolumeManager();
 
   MAConnectionState _connectionState = MAConnectionState.disconnected;
@@ -58,6 +60,8 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
   List<Album> _albums = [];
   List<Track> _tracks = [];
   List<Track> _cachedFavoriteTracks = []; // Cached for instant display before full library loads
+  List<Audiobook> _audiobooks = [];
+  final Map<String, List<Audiobook>> _seriesAudiobooksCache = {};
   List<MediaItem> _radioStations = [];
   List<MediaItem> _podcasts = [];
   bool _isLoading = false;
@@ -165,6 +169,7 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
   List<Artist> get artists => filterByProvider(_artists);
   List<Album> get albums => filterByProvider(_albums);
   List<Track> get tracks => filterByProvider(_tracks);
+  List<Audiobook> get audiobooks => filterByProvider(_audiobooks);
   List<MediaItem> get radioStations => filterByProvider(_radioStations);
   List<MediaItem> get podcasts => filterByProvider(_podcasts);
 
@@ -307,7 +312,7 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
 
   /// Get providers that have audiobooks (with item counts)
   Map<String, int> getProvidersWithAudiobooks() {
-    return _getProvidersWithCounts(SyncService.instance.cachedAudiobooks);
+    return _getProvidersWithCounts(_audiobooks);
   }
 
   /// Get providers that have radio stations (with item counts)
@@ -596,6 +601,9 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
   /// Home refresh counter - increments when home rows should refresh their data
   int get homeRefreshCounter => _homeRefreshCounter;
 
+  /// Current local (Sendspin) player volume as tracked by MA (0-100).
+  int get localPlayerVolume => _localPlayerVolume;
+
   /// Currently playing audiobook context (with chapters) - set when playing an audiobook
   Audiobook? get currentAudiobook => _currentAudiobook;
 
@@ -942,7 +950,6 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
       if (syncService.hasCache) {
         _albums = syncService.cachedAlbums;
         _artists = syncService.cachedArtists;
-        // Note: tracks are loaded separately via API, not cached in SyncService
         _logger.log('📦 Pre-loaded library for favorites: ${_albums.length} albums, ${_artists.length} artists');
         _syncLibraryStatusToService();
         notifyListeners();
@@ -1724,6 +1731,9 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
           _cacheService.invalidateAllPlaylistTracksCaches();
         } else if (mediaType == 'artist') {
           _cacheService.invalidateHomeArtistCaches();
+        } else if (mediaType == 'audiobook') {
+          _cacheService.invalidateAudiobookCaches();
+          _cacheService.invalidateHomeCache();
         }
         return true;
       } catch (e) {
@@ -1762,6 +1772,9 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
         _cacheService.invalidateAllPlaylistTracksCaches();
       } else if (mediaType == 'artist') {
         _cacheService.invalidateHomeArtistCaches();
+      } else if (mediaType == 'audiobook') {
+        _cacheService.invalidateAudiobookCaches();
+        _cacheService.invalidateHomeCache();
       }
 
       try {
@@ -1842,6 +1855,12 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
         !matchesLibraryId(p.provider, p.itemId, p.providerMappings)
       ).toList();
       updated = _podcasts.length != before;
+    } else if (mediaType == 'audiobook') {
+      final before = _audiobooks.length;
+      _audiobooks = _audiobooks.where((a) =>
+        !matchesLibraryId(a.provider, a.itemId, a.providerMappings)
+      ).toList();
+      updated = _audiobooks.length != before;
     }
 
     if (updated) {
@@ -1871,6 +1890,9 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
           _radioStations = await _api!.getRadioStations(limit: 100);
         } else if (mediaType == 'podcast') {
           _podcasts = await _api!.getPodcasts(limit: 100);
+        } else if (mediaType == 'audiobook') {
+          _audiobooks = await _api!.getAudiobooks(limit: LibraryConstants.maxLibraryItems);
+          _cacheService.invalidateAudiobookCaches();
         }
         _syncLibraryStatusToService();
         notifyListeners();
@@ -1892,6 +1914,8 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
     _mediaItemAddedEventSubscription?.cancel();
     _mediaItemDeletedEventSubscription?.cancel();
     _positionTracker.clear();
+    _imagePrefetchService?.cancel();
+    _imagePrefetchService = null;
     // Disconnect Sendspin and PCM player if connected
     if (_sendspinConnected) {
       await _pcmAudioPlayer?.disconnect();
@@ -2418,11 +2442,21 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
   }
 
   /// Handle Sendspin volume command
-  void _handleSendspinVolume(int volumeLevel) async {
+  void _handleSendspinVolume(int volumeLevel) {
     _logger.log('🔊 Sendspin: Set volume to $volumeLevel');
     _localPlayerVolume = volumeLevel;
-    await FlutterVolumeController.setVolume(volumeLevel / 100.0);
+    FlutterVolumeController.setVolume(volumeLevel / 100.0);
     _sendspinService?.reportState(volume: volumeLevel);
+    notifyListeners();
+  }
+
+  /// Called when the user changes the local player volume from within Ensemble.
+  /// Updates [_localPlayerVolume] so the periodic state report reflects the real
+  /// volume, and applies the same gain to the PCM stream.
+  void updateLocalPlayerVolume(int volumeLevel) {
+    _localPlayerVolume = volumeLevel.clamp(0, 100);
+    _sendspinService?.reportState(volume: _localPlayerVolume);
+    notifyListeners();
   }
 
   /// Handle Sendspin stream start - server is about to send PCM audio data
@@ -2679,7 +2713,8 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
           final volume = event['volume_level'] as int? ?? event['volume'] as int?;
           if (volume != null) {
             _localPlayerVolume = volume;
-            await FlutterVolumeController.setVolume(volume / 100.0);
+            FlutterVolumeController.setVolume(volume / 100.0);
+            notifyListeners();
           }
           break;
 
@@ -2786,6 +2821,14 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
           _availablePlayers[idx] =
               _availablePlayers[idx].copyWith(volumeLevel: eventVolume);
         }
+        // If this is the local Sendspin player, sync the tracked volume and slider.
+        // Do NOT call FlutterVolumeController here — _handleSendspinVolume already
+        // sets system volume from the server/command message; calling it again from
+        // player_updated would create a feedback loop via the volume listener.
+        if (playerId == _sendspinService?.playerId && eventVolume != _localPlayerVolume) {
+          _localPlayerVolume = eventVolume;
+          notifyListeners();
+        }
       }
 
       final currentMedia = event['current_media'] as Map<String, dynamic>?;
@@ -3020,7 +3063,7 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
             _cacheService.setCachedTrackForPlayer(playerId, mergedTrack);
             _logger.log('📋 Merged album info into existing track for $playerName: ${albumName}');
           } else {
-            _logger.log('📋 Skipped caching for $playerName - already have better data (artist: $existingHasProperArtist, image: $existingHasImage)');
+            _logger.debug('📋 Skipped caching for $playerName - already have better data (artist: $existingHasProperArtist, image: $existingHasImage)');
           }
 
           // For selected player, _updatePlayerState() is already called above which fetches queue data
@@ -3430,7 +3473,7 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
 
   /// Get favorite tracks from the library
   Future<List<Track>> getFavoriteTracks() async {
-    // If full tracks list is loaded, filter from it
+    // Tier 1: filter from in-memory tracks list
     if (_tracks.isNotEmpty) {
       final favTracks = _tracks.where((t) => t.favorite == true).toList();
       // Update cache if we have new data
@@ -3440,8 +3483,24 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
       }
       return favTracks;
     }
-    // Otherwise return cached favorites (for instant display before full library loads)
-    return _cachedFavoriteTracks;
+    // Tier 2: return persisted cache
+    if (_cachedFavoriteTracks.isNotEmpty) {
+      return _cachedFavoriteTracks;
+    }
+    // Tier 3: fetch from API directly (e.g. Android Auto before library loads)
+    if (_api != null) {
+      try {
+        final apiFavs = await _api!.getTracks(favoriteOnly: true);
+        if (apiFavs.isNotEmpty) {
+          _cachedFavoriteTracks = apiFavs;
+          _persistFavoriteTracks(apiFavs);
+        }
+        return apiFavs;
+      } catch (e) {
+        _logger.log('❌ Failed to fetch favorite tracks from API: $e');
+      }
+    }
+    return [];
   }
 
   /// Get favorite playlists from the library
@@ -3607,7 +3666,7 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
   // DETAIL SCREEN CACHING
   // ============================================================================
 
-  Future<List<Track>> getAlbumTracksWithCache(String provider, String itemId, {bool forceRefresh = false}) async {
+  Future<List<Track>> getAlbumTracksWithCache(String provider, String itemId, {bool forceRefresh = false, Album? album}) async {
     final cacheKey = '${provider}_$itemId';
 
     if (_cacheService.isAlbumTracksCacheValid(cacheKey, forceRefresh: forceRefresh)) {
@@ -3615,12 +3674,36 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
       return _cacheService.getCachedAlbumTracks(cacheKey)!;
     }
 
+    // Try database fallback before hitting API
+    if (!forceRefresh) {
+      final dbTracks = await _cacheService.getAlbumTracksWithDbFallback(cacheKey);
+      if (dbTracks != null) return dbTracks;
+    }
+
     if (_api == null) return _cacheService.getCachedAlbumTracks(cacheKey) ?? [];
 
+    // Use actual provider mapping instead of "library" provider when available.
+    // The MA server caches tracks per provider, so using the actual Spotify/etc
+    // provider ID hits the server-side cache instead of re-resolving every time.
+    var fetchProvider = provider;
+    var fetchItemId = itemId;
+    if (album?.providerMappings != null) {
+      final nonLibrary = album!.providerMappings!
+          .where((m) => m.providerInstance != 'library' && m.available)
+          .toList();
+      if (nonLibrary.isNotEmpty) {
+        fetchProvider = nonLibrary.first.providerInstance;
+        fetchItemId = nonLibrary.first.itemId;
+        _logger.log('🔀 Using provider mapping: $fetchProvider/$fetchItemId instead of $provider/$itemId');
+      }
+    }
+
     try {
-      _logger.log('🔄 Fetching fresh album tracks for $cacheKey...');
-      final tracks = await _api!.getAlbumTracks(provider, itemId);
-      _cacheService.setCachedAlbumTracks(cacheKey, tracks);
+      _logger.log('🔄 Fetching fresh album tracks for $fetchProvider/$fetchItemId...');
+      final tracks = await _api!.getAlbumTracks(fetchProvider, fetchItemId);
+      if (tracks.isNotEmpty) {
+        _cacheService.setCachedAlbumTracks(cacheKey, tracks);
+      }
       return tracks;
     } catch (e) {
       _logger.log('❌ Failed to fetch album tracks: $e');
@@ -3636,12 +3719,20 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
       return _cacheService.getCachedPlaylistTracks(cacheKey)!;
     }
 
+    // Try database fallback before hitting API
+    if (!forceRefresh) {
+      final dbTracks = await _cacheService.getPlaylistTracksWithDbFallback(cacheKey);
+      if (dbTracks != null) return dbTracks;
+    }
+
     if (_api == null) return _cacheService.getCachedPlaylistTracks(cacheKey) ?? [];
 
     try {
       _logger.log('🔄 Fetching fresh playlist tracks for $cacheKey...');
       final tracks = await _api!.getPlaylistTracks(provider, itemId);
-      _cacheService.setCachedPlaylistTracks(cacheKey, tracks);
+      if (tracks.isNotEmpty) {
+        _cacheService.setCachedPlaylistTracks(cacheKey, tracks);
+      }
       return tracks;
     } catch (e) {
       _logger.log('❌ Failed to fetch playlist tracks: $e');
@@ -3649,6 +3740,76 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
     }
   }
 
+  Future<Audiobook?> getAudiobookDetailsWithCache(String provider, String itemId, {bool forceRefresh = false}) async {
+    final cacheKey = '${provider}_$itemId';
+
+    if (_cacheService.isAudiobookDetailCacheValid(cacheKey, forceRefresh: forceRefresh)) {
+      _logger.log('📦 Using cached audiobook detail for $cacheKey');
+      final json = _cacheService.getCachedAudiobookDetail(cacheKey)!;
+      try {
+        return Audiobook.fromJson(jsonDecode(json) as Map<String, dynamic>);
+      } catch (_) {}
+    }
+
+    // Try database fallback before hitting API
+    if (!forceRefresh) {
+      final dbJson = await _cacheService.getAudiobookDetailWithDbFallback(cacheKey);
+      if (dbJson != null) {
+        try {
+          return Audiobook.fromJson(jsonDecode(dbJson) as Map<String, dynamic>);
+        } catch (_) {}
+      }
+    }
+
+    if (_api == null) return null;
+
+    try {
+      _logger.log('🔄 Fetching audiobook details for $cacheKey...');
+      final audiobook = await _api!.getAudiobookDetails(provider, itemId);
+      if (audiobook != null) {
+        _cacheService.setCachedAudiobookDetail(cacheKey, jsonEncode(audiobook.toJson()));
+      }
+      return audiobook;
+    } catch (e) {
+      _logger.log('❌ Failed to fetch audiobook details: $e');
+      // Try cached version on error
+      final cached = _cacheService.getCachedAudiobookDetail(cacheKey);
+      if (cached != null) {
+        try {
+          return Audiobook.fromJson(jsonDecode(cached) as Map<String, dynamic>);
+        } catch (_) {}
+      }
+      return null;
+    }
+  }
+
+  Future<List<MediaItem>> getPodcastEpisodesWithCache(String podcastId, {String? provider, bool forceRefresh = false}) async {
+    final cacheKey = '${provider ?? 'default'}_$podcastId';
+
+    if (_cacheService.isPodcastEpisodesCacheValid(cacheKey, forceRefresh: forceRefresh)) {
+      _logger.log('📦 Using cached podcast episodes for $cacheKey');
+      return _cacheService.getCachedPodcastEpisodes(cacheKey)!;
+    }
+
+    // Try database fallback before hitting API
+    if (!forceRefresh) {
+      final dbEpisodes = await _cacheService.getPodcastEpisodesWithDbFallback(cacheKey);
+      if (dbEpisodes != null) return dbEpisodes;
+    }
+
+    if (_api == null) return _cacheService.getCachedPodcastEpisodes(cacheKey) ?? [];
+
+    try {
+      _logger.log('🔄 Fetching podcast episodes for $cacheKey...');
+      final episodes = await _api!.getPodcastEpisodes(podcastId, provider: provider);
+      _cacheService.setCachedPodcastEpisodes(cacheKey, episodes);
+      return episodes;
+    } catch (e) {
+      _logger.log('❌ Failed to fetch podcast episodes: $e');
+      return _cacheService.getCachedPodcastEpisodes(cacheKey) ?? [];
+    }
+  }
+
   Future<List<Album>> getArtistAlbumsWithCache(String artistName, {bool forceRefresh = false}) async {
     final cacheKey = artistName.toLowerCase();
 
@@ -3662,10 +3823,8 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
     try {
       _logger.log('🔄 Fetching albums for artist "$artistName"...');
 
-      // Fetch all library albums (with high limit to get full library)
-      final libraryAlbums = await _api!.getAlbums(limit: LibraryConstants.maxLibraryItems);
-      _logger.log('📚 Fetched ${libraryAlbums.length} total library albums');
-      final artistAlbums = libraryAlbums.where((album) {
+      // Use already-loaded library albums instead of re-fetching from API
+      final artistAlbums = _albums.where((album) {
         final albumArtists = album.artists;
         if (albumArtists == null || albumArtists.isEmpty) return false;
         return albumArtists.any((a) => a.name.toLowerCase() == artistName.toLowerCase());
@@ -3767,6 +3926,52 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
     return _cacheService.getCachedArtistAlbums(artistName.toLowerCase());
   }
 
+  /// Get artist albums from in-memory library (synchronous, no API call)
+  List<Album> getArtistAlbumsFromLibrary(String artistName) {
+    final lowerName = artistName.toLowerCase();
+    return _albums.where((album) {
+      final albumArtists = album.artists;
+      if (albumArtists == null || albumArtists.isEmpty) return false;
+      return albumArtists.any((a) => a.name.toLowerCase() == lowerName);
+    }).toList();
+  }
+
+  /// Get cached audiobook detail from memory (synchronous, for instant display)
+  Audiobook? getCachedAudiobookDetail(String provider, String itemId) {
+    final cacheKey = '${provider}_$itemId';
+    final json = _cacheService.getCachedAudiobookDetail(cacheKey);
+    if (json == null) return null;
+    try {
+      return Audiobook.fromJson(jsonDecode(json) as Map<String, dynamic>);
+    } catch (_) {
+      return null;
+    }
+  }
+
+  /// Get cached podcast episodes from memory (synchronous, for instant display)
+  List<MediaItem>? getCachedPodcastEpisodes(String podcastId, {String? provider}) {
+    final cacheKey = '${provider ?? 'default'}_$podcastId';
+    return _cacheService.getCachedPodcastEpisodes(cacheKey);
+  }
+
+  /// Get cached series audiobooks (synchronous, for instant display)
+  List<Audiobook>? getCachedSeriesAudiobooks(String seriesPath) {
+    return _seriesAudiobooksCache[seriesPath];
+  }
+
+  /// Get series audiobooks with cache-first pattern
+  Future<List<Audiobook>> getSeriesAudiobooksWithCache(String seriesPath, {bool forceRefresh = false}) async {
+    if (!forceRefresh && _seriesAudiobooksCache.containsKey(seriesPath)) {
+      return _seriesAudiobooksCache[seriesPath]!;
+    }
+
+    if (_api == null) return _seriesAudiobooksCache[seriesPath] ?? [];
+
+    final books = await _api!.getSeriesAudiobooks(seriesPath);
+    _seriesAudiobooksCache[seriesPath] = books;
+    return books;
+  }
+
   // ============================================================================
   // PLAYER SELECTION
   // ============================================================================
@@ -4351,7 +4556,7 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
         return;
       }
       // Sendspin PCM player - continue to start timer
-      _logger.log('🔔 Starting notification timer for Sendspin PCM player');
+      _logger.debug('🔔 Starting notification timer for Sendspin PCM player');
     }
 
     // Only run timer if player is playing
@@ -4595,7 +4800,7 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
   /// Called when playback stops (player state becomes idle)
   void _startIdleServiceTimer() {
     _idleServiceTimer?.cancel();
-    _logger.log('⏱️ Starting idle service timer (${_idleServiceTimeout.inMinutes} min)');
+    _logger.debug('⏱️ Starting idle service timer (${_idleServiceTimeout.inMinutes} min)');
     _idleServiceTimer = Timer(_idleServiceTimeout, () {
       _logger.log('⏱️ Idle service timeout reached - stopping foreground service');
       audioHandler.stopService();
@@ -4648,6 +4853,9 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
   Future<void> _updatePlayerState() async {
     if (_selectedPlayer == null || _api == null) return;
 
+    // Don't poll when not connected - avoids "Not authenticated" spam
+    if (_api!.currentConnectionState != MAConnectionState.authenticated) return;
+
     // Capture player ID at start to detect stale operations
     // If player changes during async operations, we should abort
     final operationPlayerId = _selectedPlayer!.playerId;
@@ -4784,10 +4992,17 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
 
       if (!shouldShowTrack) {
         if (_currentTrack != null) {
-          _currentTrack = null;
+          // Player went idle - try to keep last-known track visible for resume
+          final lastKnown = _cacheService.getLastKnownTrack(_selectedPlayer!.playerId);
+          if (lastKnown != null && _selectedPlayer!.state == 'idle') {
+            _logger.log('🔄 Player idle-out: keeping last-known track "${lastKnown.name}" for resume');
+            _currentTrack = lastKnown;
+          } else {
+            _currentTrack = null;
+            // Persist cleared track state
+            _persistPlaybackState();
+          }
           stateChanged = true;
-          // Persist cleared track state
-          _persistPlaybackState();
         }
         // Clear audiobook context when playback stops
         if (_currentAudiobook != null) {
@@ -4901,6 +5116,9 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
           }
         }
 
+        // Save last-known track for resume after idle-out
+        _cacheService.setLastKnownTrack(_selectedPlayer!.playerId, _currentTrack!);
+
         // Update notification for ALL players
         final track = _currentTrack!;
         final artworkUrl = _api?.getImageUrl(track, size: 512);
@@ -5041,7 +5259,15 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
       // For pause: Don't refresh - we already did optimistic UI update
       // The player_updated event from MA will handle final state sync
     } else {
-      await resumePlayer(_selectedPlayer!.playerId);
+      // If player is idle with no active queue but has a last-known track, re-queue it
+      final isIdle = _selectedPlayer!.state == 'idle';
+      final lastKnown = _cacheService.getLastKnownTrack(_selectedPlayer!.playerId);
+      if (isIdle && lastKnown != null) {
+        _logger.log('🔄 Player idle with last-known track - re-queuing "${lastKnown.name}"');
+        await playTrack(_selectedPlayer!.playerId, lastKnown);
+      } else {
+        await resumePlayer(_selectedPlayer!.playerId);
+      }
       // For resume: Refresh in background to get updated track info
       unawaited(refreshPlayers());
     }
@@ -5108,24 +5334,12 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
       if (syncService.hasCache) {
         _albums = syncService.cachedAlbums;
         _artists = syncService.cachedArtists;
-        _logger.log('📦 Loaded ${_albums.length} albums, ${_artists.length} artists from cache');
+        _audiobooks = syncService.cachedAudiobooks;
+        _logger.log('📦 Loaded ${_albums.length} albums, ${_artists.length} artists, ${_audiobooks.length} audiobooks from cache');
         _syncLibraryStatusToService();
         notifyListeners();
       }
 
-      // Fetch tracks from API (not cached - too many items)
-      if (_api != null) {
-        try {
-          _tracks = await _api!.getTracks(
-            limit: LibraryConstants.maxLibraryItems,
-            providerInstanceIds: providerIdsForApiCalls,
-          );
-          _logger.log('📥 Fetched ${_tracks.length} tracks from MA');
-        } catch (e) {
-          _logger.log('⚠️ Failed to fetch tracks: $e');
-        }
-      }
-
       _isLoading = false;
       _syncLibraryStatusToService();
       notifyListeners();
@@ -5153,9 +5367,14 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
       if (syncService.status == SyncStatus.completed) {
         _albums = syncService.cachedAlbums;
         _artists = syncService.cachedArtists;
-        _logger.log('🔄 Updated library from background sync: ${_albums.length} albums, ${_artists.length} artists');
+        _audiobooks = syncService.cachedAudiobooks;
+        if (syncService.cachedPodcasts.isNotEmpty) {
+          _podcasts = syncService.cachedPodcasts;
+        }
+        _logger.log('🔄 Updated library from background sync: ${_albums.length} albums, ${_artists.length} artists, ${_audiobooks.length} audiobooks, ${_podcasts.length} podcasts');
         _syncLibraryStatusToService();
         notifyListeners();
+        _prefetchAlbumImages();
       }
       syncService.removeListener(onSyncComplete);
     }
@@ -5164,6 +5383,26 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
     await syncService.syncFromApi(_api!, providerInstanceIds: providerIdsForApiCalls);
   }
 
+  /// Prefetch album and audiobook images in background after sync
+  void _prefetchAlbumImages() {
+    _imagePrefetchService?.cancel();
+    _imagePrefetchService = ImagePrefetchService();
+
+    final urls = <String>[];
+    for (final album in _albums) {
+      final url = _api?.getImageUrl(album, size: 256);
+      if (url != null) urls.add(url);
+    }
+    for (final audiobook in SyncService.instance.cachedAudiobooks) {
+      final url = _api?.getImageUrl(audiobook, size: 256);
+      if (url != null) urls.add(url);
+    }
+
+    if (urls.isEmpty) return;
+    _logger.log('🖼️ Starting image prefetch for ${urls.length} items');
+    _imagePrefetchService!.prefetchImages(urls);
+  }
+
   /// Load radio stations from the library
   Future<void> loadRadioStations({String? orderBy}) async {
     if (!isConnected || _api == null) return;
@@ -5185,9 +5424,17 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
   Future<void> loadPodcasts({String? orderBy}) async {
     if (!isConnected || _api == null) return;
 
+    // Load from cache first (instant)
+    final syncService = SyncService.instance;
+    if (syncService.cachedPodcasts.isNotEmpty && _podcasts.isEmpty) {
+      _podcasts = syncService.cachedPodcasts;
+      _logger.log('📦 Loaded ${_podcasts.length} podcasts from cache');
+      notifyListeners();
+    }
+
     try {
       _isLoadingPodcasts = true;
-      notifyListeners();
+      if (_podcasts.isEmpty) notifyListeners();
 
       _podcasts = await _api!.getPodcasts(limit: 100, orderBy: orderBy);
 
@@ -5483,7 +5730,7 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
 
         final itemJsonList = queue.items.map((item) => jsonEncode(item.toJson())).toList();
         await DatabaseService.instance.saveQueue(playerId, itemJsonList);
-        _logger.log('💾 Persisted ${queue.items.length} queue items to database');
+        _logger.debug('💾 Persisted ${queue.items.length} queue items to database');
       } catch (e) {
         _logger.log('⚠️ Error persisting queue to database: $e');
       }
@@ -6114,7 +6361,7 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
       final builtinPlayerId = await SettingsService.getBuiltinPlayerId();
       if (builtinPlayerId != null && playerId == builtinPlayerId) {
         _localPlayerVolume = volumeLevel;
-        await FlutterVolumeController.setVolume(volumeLevel / 100.0);
+        FlutterVolumeController.setVolume(volumeLevel / 100.0);
       }
       await _api?.setVolume(playerId, volumeLevel);
     } catch (e) {

lib/providers/navigation_provider.dart

@@ -17,14 +17,14 @@ class NavigationProvider extends ChangeNotifier {
     if (previousIndex != index) {
       _selectedIndex = index;
       notifyListeners();
+    }
 
-      // Trigger search focus callback when switching to search tab
-      if (index == 2 && onSearchTabSelected != null) {
-        // Use post-frame callback to ensure SearchScreen is built first
-        WidgetsBinding.instance.addPostFrameCallback((_) {
-          onSearchTabSelected?.call();
-        });
-      }
+    // Trigger search focus callback when switching to or re-tapping search tab
+    if (index == 2 && onSearchTabSelected != null) {
+      // Use post-frame callback to ensure SearchScreen is built first
+      WidgetsBinding.instance.addPostFrameCallback((_) {
+        onSearchTabSelected?.call();
+      });
     }
   }
 

lib/screens/album_details_screen.dart

@@ -573,6 +573,7 @@ class _AlbumDetailsScreenState extends State<AlbumDetailsScreen> with SingleTick
         widget.album.provider,
         widget.album.itemId,
         forceRefresh: cachedTracks != null, // Force refresh if we had cache
+        album: widget.album,
       );
 
       // 3. Update if we got different data

lib/screens/artist_details_screen.dart

@@ -680,6 +680,19 @@ class _ArtistDetailsScreenState extends State<ArtistDetailsScreen> with LibraryS
           _isLoading = false;
         });
       }
+    } else {
+      // No cache yet - show library albums from memory instantly (no API call)
+      final memoryAlbums = provider.getArtistAlbumsFromLibrary(widget.artist.name);
+      if (memoryAlbums.isNotEmpty && mounted) {
+        final libraryAlbums = memoryAlbums.where((a) => a.inLibrary).toList();
+        final providerOnlyAlbums = memoryAlbums.where((a) => !a.inLibrary).toList();
+        setState(() {
+          _albums = libraryAlbums;
+          _providerAlbums = providerOnlyAlbums;
+          _sortAlbums();
+          _isLoading = false;
+        });
+      }
     }
 
     // 2. Fetch fresh data in background (silent refresh)
@@ -690,13 +703,14 @@ class _ArtistDetailsScreenState extends State<ArtistDetailsScreen> with LibraryS
       );
 
       if (mounted && allAlbums.isNotEmpty) {
+        final libraryAlbums = allAlbums.where((a) => a.inLibrary).toList();
+        final providerOnlyAlbums = allAlbums.where((a) => !a.inLibrary).toList();
+
         // Check if data actually changed
-        final albumsChanged = _albums.length != allAlbums.where((a) => a.inLibrary).length;
-
-        if (albumsChanged || _albums.isEmpty) {
-          final libraryAlbums = allAlbums.where((a) => a.inLibrary).toList();
-          final providerOnlyAlbums = allAlbums.where((a) => !a.inLibrary).toList();
+        final changed = _albums.length != libraryAlbums.length ||
+            _providerAlbums.length != providerOnlyAlbums.length;
 
+        if (changed) {
           setState(() {
             _albums = libraryAlbums;
             _providerAlbums = providerOnlyAlbums;

lib/screens/audiobook_detail_screen.dart

@@ -68,53 +68,70 @@ class _AudiobookDetailScreenState extends State<AudiobookDetailScreen> {
         markDetailScreenEntered(context);
         _extractColors(); // Extract colors immediately - async so won't block
       }
-      // Load full audiobook details with chapters
-      _loadAudiobookDetails();
+    });
+
+    // Defer detail loading until after hero animation completes
+    // This prevents setState with new data during animation → jank
+    WidgetsBinding.instance.addPostFrameCallback((_) {
+      Future.delayed(const Duration(milliseconds: 350), () {
+        if (mounted) {
+          _loadAudiobookDetails();
+        }
+      });
     });
   }
 
   Future<void> _loadAudiobookDetails() async {
     if (_isLoadingDetails) return;
 
-    setState(() {
-      _isLoadingDetails = true;
-    });
+    final maProvider = context.read<MusicAssistantProvider>();
 
+    // 1. Show cached data immediately (if available)
+    final cached = maProvider.getCachedAudiobookDetail(
+      widget.audiobook.provider,
+      widget.audiobook.itemId,
+    );
+    if (cached != null && mounted) {
+      _logger.log('📚 Showing cached audiobook: ${cached.name}, chapters: ${cached.chapters?.length ?? 0}');
+      setState(() {
+        _fullAudiobook = cached;
+        _isLoadingDetails = false;
+      });
+    } else {
+      setState(() {
+        _isLoadingDetails = true;
+      });
+    }
+
+    // 2. Fetch fresh data in background
     try {
-      final maProvider = context.read<MusicAssistantProvider>();
+      final fullBook = await maProvider.getAudiobookDetailsWithCache(
+        widget.audiobook.provider,
+        widget.audiobook.itemId,
+        forceRefresh: cached != null,
+      );
 
-      if (maProvider.api != null) {
-        final fullBook = await maProvider.api!.getAudiobookDetails(
-          widget.audiobook.provider,
-          widget.audiobook.itemId,
-        );
-
-        if (mounted && fullBook != null) {
-          _logger.log('📚 Loaded full audiobook: ${fullBook.name}, chapters: ${fullBook.chapters?.length ?? 0}');
-          setState(() {
-            _fullAudiobook = fullBook;
-          });
-        }
-      }
-
-      if (mounted) {
+      if (mounted && fullBook != null) {
+        _logger.log('📚 Loaded full audiobook: ${fullBook.name}, chapters: ${fullBook.chapters?.length ?? 0}');
         setState(() {
+          _fullAudiobook = fullBook;
           _isLoadingDetails = false;
         });
       }
     } catch (e) {
       _logger.log('Error loading audiobook details: $e');
-      if (mounted) {
-        setState(() {
-          _isLoadingDetails = false;
-        });
-      }
+    }
+
+    if (mounted && _isLoadingDetails) {
+      setState(() {
+        _isLoadingDetails = false;
+      });
     }
   }
 
   Future<void> _extractColors() async {
     final maProvider = context.read<MusicAssistantProvider>();
-    final imageUrl = maProvider.getImageUrl(widget.audiobook, size: 512);
+    final imageUrl = maProvider.getImageUrl(_audiobook, size: 512);
     if (imageUrl == null) return;
 
     try {
@@ -480,7 +497,7 @@ class _AudiobookDetailScreenState extends State<AudiobookDetailScreen> {
   @override
   Widget build(BuildContext context) {
     final maProvider = context.read<MusicAssistantProvider>();
-    final providerImageUrl = maProvider.getImageUrl(widget.audiobook, size: 512);
+    final providerImageUrl = maProvider.getImageUrl(_audiobook, size: 512);
     // Use initialImageUrl as fallback for seamless hero animation
     final imageUrl = providerImageUrl ?? widget.initialImageUrl;
 

lib/screens/audiobook_series_screen.dart

@@ -44,24 +44,30 @@ class _AudiobookSeriesScreenState extends State<AudiobookSeriesScreen> {
   // Extracted colors from book covers
   List<Color> _extractedColors = [];
 
-  // Cover URLs - start with initial covers, update when books load
+  // Cover URLs - set once from initialCovers or first book load, then frozen
   List<String> _coverUrls = [];
 
+  // Cached cover widget - built once, never rebuilt
+  Widget? _cachedCoverWidget;
+
   @override
   void initState() {
     super.initState();
     // Use initial covers immediately for smooth Hero animation
     if (widget.initialCovers != null && widget.initialCovers!.isNotEmpty) {
       _coverUrls = List.from(widget.initialCovers!);
-      // Start color extraction from initial covers
-      _extractColorsFromUrls(widget.initialCovers!);
     }
     _loadViewPreferences();
-    // Defer loading until after first frame to ensure UI renders first
+    // Defer color extraction and loading until after hero animation completes
     WidgetsBinding.instance.addPostFrameCallback((_) {
-      if (mounted) {
-        _loadSeriesBooks();
-      }
+      Future.delayed(const Duration(milliseconds: 350), () {
+        if (mounted) {
+          if (_coverUrls.isNotEmpty) {
+            _extractColorsFromUrls(_coverUrls);
+          }
+          _loadSeriesBooks();
+        }
+      });
     });
   }
 
@@ -158,35 +164,68 @@ class _AudiobookSeriesScreenState extends State<AudiobookSeriesScreen> {
 
   Future<void> _loadSeriesBooks() async {
     _logger.log('📚 SeriesScreen _loadSeriesBooks START');
-    try {
+    final maProvider = context.read<MusicAssistantProvider>();
+
+    // 1. Show cached data immediately (if available)
+    final cached = maProvider.getCachedSeriesAudiobooks(widget.series.id);
+    if (cached != null && cached.isNotEmpty && mounted) {
+      _logger.log('📚 Showing ${cached.length} cached series books');
+      _applyBooks(cached, maProvider);
+    } else {
       setState(() {
         _isLoading = true;
         _error = null;
       });
-      _logger.log('📚 SeriesScreen setState done, getting provider...');
-
-      final maProvider = context.read<MusicAssistantProvider>();
-      _logger.log('📚 SeriesScreen got provider, api=${maProvider.api != null}');
+    }
 
+    // 2. Fetch fresh data in background
+    try {
       if (maProvider.api == null) {
-        setState(() {
-          _error = S.of(context)!.notConnected;
-          _isLoading = false;
-        });
+        if (cached == null || cached.isEmpty) {
+          setState(() {
+            _error = S.of(context)!.notConnected;
+            _isLoading = false;
+          });
+        }
         return;
       }
 
-      _logger.log('📚 SeriesScreen calling getSeriesAudiobooks: path=${widget.series.id}');
-      final books = await maProvider.api!.getSeriesAudiobooks(widget.series.id);
+      final books = await maProvider.getSeriesAudiobooksWithCache(
+        widget.series.id,
+        forceRefresh: cached != null && cached.isNotEmpty,
+      );
       _logger.log('📚 SeriesScreen got ${books.length} books');
 
-      // Debug: Log sequence data for each book
-      for (final book in books) {
-        _logger.log('📚 Book: "${book.name}" | position=${book.position} | browseOrder=${book.browseOrder} | sortName=${book.sortName} | seq=${book.seriesSequence} | metadata.series=${book.metadata?['series']}');
+      if (mounted && books.isNotEmpty) {
+        final changed = _audiobooks.length != books.length;
+        if (changed || _audiobooks.isEmpty) {
+          _applyBooks(books, maProvider);
+        }
       }
+    } catch (e, stack) {
+      _logger.log('📚 SeriesScreen error: $e');
+      _logger.log('📚 SeriesScreen stack: $stack');
+      if (mounted && _audiobooks.isEmpty) {
+        setState(() {
+          _error = 'Failed to load books: $e';
+          _isLoading = false;
+        });
+      }
+    }
 
-      if (mounted) {
-        // Update cover URLs from loaded books
+    if (mounted && _isLoading) {
+      setState(() => _isLoading = false);
+    }
+  }
+
+  void _applyBooks(List<Audiobook> books, MusicAssistantProvider maProvider) {
+    // Only populate covers if we have none yet (initialCovers was empty)
+    final needsCovers = _coverUrls.isEmpty;
+
+    setState(() {
+      _audiobooks = books;
+      _sortAudiobooks();
+      if (needsCovers) {
         final newCovers = <String>[];
         for (final book in books.take(9)) {
           final imageUrl = maProvider.getImageUrl(book);
@@ -194,34 +233,15 @@ class _AudiobookSeriesScreenState extends State<AudiobookSeriesScreen> {
             newCovers.add(imageUrl);
           }
         }
-
-        setState(() {
-          _audiobooks = books;
-          _sortAudiobooks(); // Sort inside setState so UI updates
-          // Update covers if we got new ones (may have more than initial)
-          if (newCovers.isNotEmpty) {
-            _coverUrls = newCovers;
-          }
-          _isLoading = false;
-        });
-        // Debug: Log sorted order
-        _logger.log('📚 Sorted order ($_sortOrder):');
-        for (final book in _audiobooks) {
-          _logger.log('  - ${book.seriesSequence ?? "null"}: ${book.name}');
+        if (newCovers.isNotEmpty) {
+          _coverUrls = newCovers;
         }
+      }
+      _isLoading = false;
+    });
 
-        // Extract colors from book covers asynchronously
-        _extractCoverColors(maProvider);
-      }
-    } catch (e, stack) {
-      _logger.log('📚 SeriesScreen error: $e');
-      _logger.log('📚 SeriesScreen stack: $stack');
-      if (mounted) {
-        setState(() {
-          _error = 'Failed to load books: $e';
-          _isLoading = false;
-        });
-      }
+    if (needsCovers && _extractedColors.isEmpty) {
+      _extractCoverColors(maProvider);
     }
   }
 
@@ -303,25 +323,31 @@ class _AudiobookSeriesScreenState extends State<AudiobookSeriesScreen> {
                 children: [
                   const SizedBox(height: 60),
                   // Series cover collage - responsive size
-                  Hero(
-                    tag: widget.heroTag ?? 'series_cover_${widget.series.id}',
-                    child: Container(
-                      width: coverSize,
-                      height: coverSize,
-                      decoration: BoxDecoration(
-                        color: colorScheme.surfaceContainerHighest,
-                        borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(12),
-                        boxShadow: [
-                          BoxShadow(
-                            color: Colors.black.withOpacity(0.2),
-                            blurRadius: 10,
-                            offset: const Offset(0, 4),
+                  // Shadow container outside Hero to avoid widget tree mismatch
+                  Container(
+                    width: coverSize,
+                    height: coverSize,
+                    decoration: BoxDecoration(
+                      borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(12),
+                      boxShadow: [
+                        BoxShadow(
+                          color: Colors.black.withOpacity(0.2),
+                          blurRadius: 10,
+                          offset: const Offset(0, 4),
+                        ),
+                      ],
+                    ),
+                    // Hero child matches source: RepaintBoundary > AspectRatio > ClipRRect
+                    child: Hero(
+                      tag: widget.heroTag ?? 'series_cover_${widget.series.id}',
+                      child: RepaintBoundary(
+                        child: AspectRatio(
+                          aspectRatio: 1,
+                          child: ClipRRect(
+                            borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(12),
+                            child: _buildSeriesCover(colorScheme, maProvider),
                           ),
-                        ],
-                      ),
-                      child: ClipRRect(
-                        borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(12),
-                        child: _buildSeriesCover(colorScheme, maProvider),
+                        ),
                       ),
                     ),
                   ),
@@ -515,6 +541,9 @@ class _AudiobookSeriesScreenState extends State<AudiobookSeriesScreen> {
       );
     }
 
+    // Return cached cover widget if already built (prevents rebuilds from unrelated setState)
+    if (_cachedCoverWidget != null) return _cachedCoverWidget!;
+
     final covers = _coverUrls;
 
     // Dynamic grid size based on number of covers (matches library screen)
@@ -538,7 +567,8 @@ class _AudiobookSeriesScreenState extends State<AudiobookSeriesScreen> {
     }
 
     // Build grid using Column/Row for proper sizing (no scrolling issues)
-    return Column(
+    // Cache the widget so it never rebuilds from unrelated setState calls
+    _cachedCoverWidget = Column(
       children: List.generate(gridSize, (row) {
         return Expanded(
           child: Row(
@@ -549,8 +579,11 @@ class _AudiobookSeriesScreenState extends State<AudiobookSeriesScreen> {
               return Expanded(
                 child: coverUrl != null
                       ? CachedNetworkImage(
+                          key: ValueKey(coverUrl),
                           imageUrl: coverUrl,
                           fit: BoxFit.cover,
+                          memCacheWidth: 256,
+                          memCacheHeight: 256,
                           fadeInDuration: Duration.zero,
                           fadeOutDuration: Duration.zero,
                           placeholder: (_, __) => Container(
@@ -572,6 +605,7 @@ class _AudiobookSeriesScreenState extends State<AudiobookSeriesScreen> {
         );
       }),
     );
+    return _cachedCoverWidget!;
   }
 
   /// Builds an empty cell with either a solid color or a nested grid
@@ -689,6 +723,8 @@ class _AudiobookSeriesScreenState extends State<AudiobookSeriesScreen> {
                               fit: BoxFit.cover,
                               width: double.infinity,
                               height: double.infinity,
+                              memCacheWidth: 256,
+                              memCacheHeight: 256,
                               fadeInDuration: Duration.zero,
                               fadeOutDuration: Duration.zero,
                               placeholder: (_, __) => Center(

lib/screens/home_screen.dart

@@ -148,11 +148,11 @@ class _HomeScreenState extends State<HomeScreen> {
   /// Moved here from GlobalPlayerOverlay so it has proper Overlay ancestry
   /// (required by BottomNavigationBar's internal Tooltip widgets).
   Widget? _buildBottomNavigationBar(BuildContext context, ColorScheme colorScheme) {
-    // Hide nav bar when not connected
-    final isConnected = context.select<MusicAssistantProvider, bool>(
-      (p) => p.isConnected,
+    // Hide nav bar when not connected and no cached players
+    final showNavBar = context.select<MusicAssistantProvider, bool>(
+      (p) => p.isConnected || p.hasCachedPlayers,
     );
-    if (!isConnected) return null;
+    if (!showNavBar) return null;
 
     return Consumer<ThemeProvider>(
       builder: (context, themeProvider, _) {

lib/screens/new_home_screen.dart

@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ import '../services/settings_service.dart';
 import '../services/debug_logger.dart';
 import '../services/sync_service.dart';
 import '../widgets/global_player_overlay.dart';
-import '../widgets/player/mini_player_content.dart' show MiniPlayerLayout;
 import '../widgets/player_selector.dart';
 import '../widgets/album_row.dart';
 import '../widgets/artist_row.dart';
@@ -34,7 +33,6 @@ class NewHomeScreen extends StatefulWidget {
 class _NewHomeScreenState extends State<NewHomeScreen> with AutomaticKeepAliveClientMixin {
   static final _logger = DebugLogger();
   final ValueNotifier<int> _refreshSignal = ValueNotifier<int>(0);
-  double? _cachedRowHeight; // Cached to avoid size jumps when nav bar toggles
   // Main rows (default on)
   bool _showRecentAlbums = true;
   bool _showDiscoverArtists = true;
@@ -432,6 +430,29 @@ class _NewHomeScreenState extends State<NewHomeScreen> with AutomaticKeepAliveCl
                       ),
                     ),
                   ),
+                // Bottom fade gradient to mask content behind mini player
+                Positioned(
+                  left: 0,
+                  right: 0,
+                  bottom: 0,
+                  height: BottomSpacing.miniPlayerHeight + 22.0,
+                  child: IgnorePointer(
+                    child: DecoratedBox(
+                      decoration: BoxDecoration(
+                        gradient: LinearGradient(
+                          begin: Alignment.topCenter,
+                          end: Alignment.bottomCenter,
+                          colors: [
+                            colorScheme.background.withOpacity(0.0),
+                            colorScheme.background.withOpacity(0.25),
+                            colorScheme.background.withOpacity(0.85),
+                          ],
+                          stops: const [0.0, 0.5, 1.0],
+                        ),
+                      ),
+                    ),
+                  ),
+                ),
               ],
             );
           },
@@ -483,8 +504,8 @@ class _NewHomeScreenState extends State<NewHomeScreen> with AutomaticKeepAliveCl
         // Each row is always 1/3 of screen height
         // 1 row = 1/3, 2 rows = 2/3, 3 rows = full screen, 4+ rows scroll
         // With extendBody: true, constraints include the area behind the nav bar.
-        // Only subtract mini player space (not nav bar) since nav bar is Scaffold chrome.
-        final miniPlayerSpace = MiniPlayerLayout.height + 12.0 + 22.0; // 72 + 12 + 22 = 106
+        // Subtract mini player overlay space (mini player + its margins sit above the nav bar).
+        final miniPlayerSpace = BottomSpacing.miniPlayerHeight + 22.0; // 84 + 22 = 106
         final availableHeight = constraints.maxHeight - miniPlayerSpace;
 
         // Account for margins between rows (2px each, 2 margins for 3 rows).
@@ -493,19 +514,7 @@ class _NewHomeScreenState extends State<NewHomeScreen> with AutomaticKeepAliveCl
         const marginSize = 2.0;
         final enabledRows = _countEnabledRows();
         const marginsInView = 2 * marginSize; // always 2 margins for 3-row layout
-        final candidateRowHeight = (availableHeight - marginsInView) / 3;
-
-        // Cache rowHeight to prevent size jumps when the bottom nav bar toggles
-        // on connect/disconnect. The nav bar hides when disconnected, giving more
-        // vertical space and taller rows. When it reappears, rows shrink visibly.
-        // Fix: always ratchet down to the smaller (nav-bar-present) value, and
-        // only allow increases on large changes like screen rotation.
-        if (_cachedRowHeight == null || (candidateRowHeight - _cachedRowHeight!).abs() > 50) {
-          _cachedRowHeight = candidateRowHeight;
-        } else if (candidateRowHeight < _cachedRowHeight!) {
-          _cachedRowHeight = candidateRowHeight;
-        }
-        final rowHeight = _cachedRowHeight!;
+        final rowHeight = (availableHeight - marginsInView) / 3 + 2;
 
         // Use Android 12+ stretch overscroll effect
         return NotificationListener<ScrollNotification>(
@@ -527,8 +536,8 @@ class _NewHomeScreenState extends State<NewHomeScreen> with AutomaticKeepAliveCl
             behavior: const _StretchScrollBehavior(),
             child: SingleChildScrollView(
               physics: const AlwaysScrollableScrollPhysics(),
-              // For ≤3 rows: no padding needed (rows + miniPlayerSpace = viewport)
-              // For 4+ rows: pad by miniPlayerSpace so last row scrolls above mini player
+              // For ≤3 rows: no padding needed (rows fit within viewport)
+              // For 4+ rows: pad so last row scrolls above mini player
               padding: enabledRows >= 4
                   ? EdgeInsets.only(bottom: miniPlayerSpace)
                   : EdgeInsets.zero,

lib/screens/new_library_screen.dart

@@ -6079,8 +6079,9 @@ class _OptionsMenuOverlayState extends State<_OptionsMenuOverlay>
 
     // Position menu below and to the left of the button
     final menuWidth = 220.0;
-    final screenWidth = MediaQuery.of(context).size.width;
-    final left = (widget.position.dx + widget.buttonSize.width - menuWidth).clamp(8.0, screenWidth - menuWidth - 8);
+    final screenSize = MediaQuery.of(context).size;
+    final bottomInset = BottomSpacing.withMiniPlayer + MediaQuery.of(context).viewPadding.bottom;
+    final left = (widget.position.dx + widget.buttonSize.width - menuWidth).clamp(8.0, screenSize.width - menuWidth - 8);
     final top = widget.position.dy + widget.buttonSize.height + 4;
 
     return Stack(
@@ -6110,7 +6111,7 @@ class _OptionsMenuOverlayState extends State<_OptionsMenuOverlay>
                 child: Container(
                   width: menuWidth,
                   constraints: BoxConstraints(
-                    maxHeight: MediaQuery.of(context).size.height - top - 50,
+                    maxHeight: screenSize.height - top - bottomInset,
                   ),
                   child: SingleChildScrollView(
                     child: Column(

lib/screens/playlist_details_screen.dart

@@ -59,7 +59,6 @@ class _PlaylistDetailsScreenState extends State<PlaylistDetailsScreen> with Sing
     super.initState();
     _isFavorite = widget.playlist.favorite ?? false;
     _isInLibrary = widget.playlist.inLibrary;
-    _loadTracks();
 
     // Mark that we're on a detail screen and extract colors immediately
     WidgetsBinding.instance.addPostFrameCallback((_) {
@@ -68,6 +67,15 @@ class _PlaylistDetailsScreenState extends State<PlaylistDetailsScreen> with Sing
         _extractColors(); // Extract colors immediately - async so won't block
       }
     });
+
+    // Defer track loading until after hero animation completes
+    WidgetsBinding.instance.addPostFrameCallback((_) {
+      Future.delayed(const Duration(milliseconds: 350), () {
+        if (mounted) {
+          _loadTracks();
+        }
+      });
+    });
   }
 
   Future<void> _extractColors() async {

lib/screens/podcast_detail_screen.dart

@@ -61,7 +61,15 @@ class _PodcastDetailScreenState extends State<PodcastDetailScreen> {
         markDetailScreenEntered(context);
         _extractColors(); // Extract colors immediately - async so won't block
       }
-      _loadEpisodes();
+    });
+
+    // Defer episode loading until after hero animation completes
+    WidgetsBinding.instance.addPostFrameCallback((_) {
+      Future.delayed(const Duration(milliseconds: 350), () {
+        if (mounted) {
+          _loadEpisodes();
+        }
+      });
     });
   }
 
@@ -380,54 +388,62 @@ class _PodcastDetailScreenState extends State<PodcastDetailScreen> {
   Future<void> _loadEpisodes() async {
     if (_isLoadingEpisodes) return;
 
-    setState(() {
-      _isLoadingEpisodes = true;
-    });
+    final maProvider = context.read<MusicAssistantProvider>();
 
+    // 1. Show cached episodes immediately (if available)
+    final cached = maProvider.getCachedPodcastEpisodes(
+      widget.podcast.itemId,
+      provider: widget.podcast.provider,
+    );
+    if (cached != null && cached.isNotEmpty && mounted) {
+      _logger.log('🎙️ Showing ${cached.length} cached episodes for ${widget.podcast.name}');
+      setState(() {
+        _episodes = cached;
+        _sortEpisodes();
+        _isLoadingEpisodes = false;
+      });
+    } else {
+      setState(() {
+        _isLoadingEpisodes = true;
+      });
+    }
+
+    // 2. Fetch fresh data in background
     try {
-      final maProvider = context.read<MusicAssistantProvider>();
-      if (maProvider.api != null) {
-        List<MediaItem> episodes = [];
+      List<MediaItem> episodes = [];
 
-        // Try loading with the podcast's own ID and provider first
-        try {
-          episodes = await maProvider.api!.getPodcastEpisodes(
-            widget.podcast.itemId,
-            provider: widget.podcast.provider,
-          );
-        } catch (e) {
-          _logger.log('🎙️ Primary episode load failed: $e');
-        }
+      // Try loading with the podcast's own ID and provider first
+      episodes = await maProvider.getPodcastEpisodesWithCache(
+        widget.podcast.itemId,
+        provider: widget.podcast.provider,
+        forceRefresh: cached != null && cached.isNotEmpty,
+      );
 
-        // If that failed and we have provider mappings, try those
-        if (episodes.isEmpty && widget.podcast.providerMappings != null) {
-          for (final mapping in widget.podcast.providerMappings!) {
-            if (mapping.itemId.isNotEmpty && mapping.providerInstance.isNotEmpty) {
-              try {
-                _logger.log('🎙️ Trying provider mapping: ${mapping.providerInstance}');
-                episodes = await maProvider.api!.getPodcastEpisodes(
-                  mapping.itemId,
-                  provider: mapping.providerInstance,
-                );
-                if (episodes.isNotEmpty) {
-                  _logger.log('🎙️ Loaded episodes via provider mapping');
-                  break;
-                }
-              } catch (e) {
-                _logger.log('🎙️ Provider mapping failed: $e');
+      // If that failed and we have provider mappings, try those
+      if (episodes.isEmpty && widget.podcast.providerMappings != null) {
+        for (final mapping in widget.podcast.providerMappings!) {
+          if (mapping.itemId.isNotEmpty && mapping.providerInstance.isNotEmpty) {
+            try {
+              _logger.log('🎙️ Trying provider mapping: ${mapping.providerInstance}');
+              episodes = await maProvider.getPodcastEpisodesWithCache(
+                mapping.itemId,
+                provider: mapping.providerInstance,
+              );
+              if (episodes.isNotEmpty) {
+                _logger.log('🎙️ Loaded episodes via provider mapping');
+                break;
               }
+            } catch (e) {
+              _logger.log('🎙️ Provider mapping failed: $e');
             }
           }
         }
+      }
 
-        if (mounted) {
+      if (mounted && episodes.isNotEmpty) {
+        final changed = _episodes.length != episodes.length;
+        if (changed || _episodes.isEmpty) {
           _logger.log('🎙️ Loaded ${episodes.length} episodes for ${widget.podcast.name}');
-          // Debug: Log first episode metadata to see available fields
-          if (episodes.isNotEmpty) {
-            final first = episodes.first;
-            _logger.log('🎙️ First episode metadata keys: ${first.metadata?.keys.toList()}');
-            _logger.log('🎙️ First episode metadata: ${first.metadata}');
-          }
           setState(() {
             _episodes = episodes;
             _sortEpisodes();
@@ -436,12 +452,12 @@ class _PodcastDetailScreenState extends State<PodcastDetailScreen> {
       }
     } catch (e) {
       _logger.log('🎙️ Error loading episodes: $e');
-    } finally {
-      if (mounted) {
-        setState(() {
-          _isLoadingEpisodes = false;
-        });
-      }
+    }
+
+    if (mounted && _isLoadingEpisodes) {
+      setState(() {
+        _isLoadingEpisodes = false;
+      });
     }
   }
 

lib/screens/search_screen.dart

@@ -314,6 +314,10 @@ class SearchScreenState extends State<SearchScreen> {
 
   void requestFocus() {
     if (mounted) {
+      setState(() {
+        _isSearchBarVisible = true;
+        _lastVerticalScrollOffset = 0;
+      });
       _focusNode.requestFocus();
     }
   }
@@ -817,6 +821,7 @@ class SearchScreenState extends State<SearchScreen> {
                       child: ListView.builder(
                         // PERF: Use key to preserve scroll position per filter
                         key: PageStorageKey('list_$filterForPage'),
+                        keyboardDismissBehavior: ScrollViewKeyboardDismissBehavior.onDrag,
                         padding: EdgeInsets.fromLTRB(16, 16, 16, BottomSpacing.navBarOnly),
                         cacheExtent: 1000,
                         addAutomaticKeepAlives: false,
@@ -1196,6 +1201,7 @@ class SearchScreenState extends State<SearchScreen> {
     return RepaintBoundary(
       child: GestureDetector(
         onLongPressStart: (details) {
+          removeFocus();
           MediaContextMenu.show(
             context: context,
             position: details.globalPosition,
@@ -1238,6 +1244,7 @@ class SearchScreenState extends State<SearchScreen> {
                   style: TextStyle(color: colorScheme.onSurface.withOpacity(0.6), fontSize: 12),
                 ),
           onTap: () {
+            removeFocus();
             updateAdaptiveColorsFromImage(context, imageUrl);
             Navigator.push(
               context,
@@ -1266,6 +1273,7 @@ class SearchScreenState extends State<SearchScreen> {
     return RepaintBoundary(
       child: GestureDetector(
         onLongPressStart: (details) {
+          removeFocus();
           MediaContextMenu.show(
             context: context,
             position: details.globalPosition,
@@ -1344,6 +1352,7 @@ class SearchScreenState extends State<SearchScreen> {
             ),
           ),
           onTap: () {
+            removeFocus();
             updateAdaptiveColorsFromImage(context, imageUrl);
             Navigator.push(
               context,
@@ -1372,6 +1381,7 @@ class SearchScreenState extends State<SearchScreen> {
     return RepaintBoundary(
       child: GestureDetector(
         onLongPressStart: (details) {
+          removeFocus();
           MediaContextMenu.show(
             context: context,
             position: details.globalPosition,
@@ -1440,7 +1450,10 @@ class SearchScreenState extends State<SearchScreen> {
                   style: TextStyle(color: colorScheme.onSurface.withOpacity(0.5), fontSize: 12),
                 )
               : null,
-          onTap: () => _playTrack(track),
+          onTap: () {
+            removeFocus();
+            _playTrack(track);
+          },
         ),
       ),
     );
@@ -1458,6 +1471,7 @@ class SearchScreenState extends State<SearchScreen> {
     return RepaintBoundary(
       child: GestureDetector(
         onLongPressStart: (details) {
+          removeFocus();
           MediaContextMenu.show(
             context: context,
             position: details.globalPosition,
@@ -1546,6 +1560,7 @@ class SearchScreenState extends State<SearchScreen> {
                 )
               : null,
           onTap: () {
+            removeFocus();
             updateAdaptiveColorsFromImage(context, imageUrl);
             Navigator.push(
               context,
@@ -1576,6 +1591,7 @@ class SearchScreenState extends State<SearchScreen> {
     return RepaintBoundary(
       child: GestureDetector(
         onLongPressStart: (details) {
+          removeFocus();
           MediaContextMenu.show(
             context: context,
             position: details.globalPosition,
@@ -1651,7 +1667,7 @@ class SearchScreenState extends State<SearchScreen> {
                 )
               : null,
           onTap: () {
-            // Update adaptive colors before navigation
+            removeFocus();
             updateAdaptiveColorsFromImage(context, imageUrl);
             Navigator.push(
               context,
@@ -1678,6 +1694,7 @@ class SearchScreenState extends State<SearchScreen> {
     return RepaintBoundary(
       child: GestureDetector(
         onLongPressStart: (details) {
+          removeFocus();
           MediaContextMenu.show(
             context: context,
             position: details.globalPosition,
@@ -1726,7 +1743,10 @@ class SearchScreenState extends State<SearchScreen> {
                   maxLines: 1,
                   overflow: TextOverflow.ellipsis,
                 ),
-          onTap: () => _playRadioStation(radio),
+          onTap: () {
+            removeFocus();
+            _playRadioStation(radio);
+          },
         ),
       ),
     );
@@ -1744,6 +1764,7 @@ class SearchScreenState extends State<SearchScreen> {
     return RepaintBoundary(
       child: GestureDetector(
         onLongPressStart: (details) {
+          removeFocus();
           MediaContextMenu.show(
             context: context,
             position: details.globalPosition,
@@ -1800,7 +1821,7 @@ class SearchScreenState extends State<SearchScreen> {
                   overflow: TextOverflow.ellipsis,
                 ),
           onTap: () {
-            // Update adaptive colors before navigation
+            removeFocus();
             updateAdaptiveColorsFromImage(context, imageUrl);
             Navigator.push(
               context,

lib/services/audio/massiv_audio_handler.dart

@@ -2,12 +2,17 @@ import 'dart:async';
 import 'package:audio_service/audio_service.dart';
 import 'package:audio_session/audio_session.dart';
 import 'package:just_audio/just_audio.dart';
+import 'package:rxdart/rxdart.dart';
 import '../debug_logger.dart';
 import '../auth/auth_manager.dart';
+import '../settings_service.dart';
+import '../sync_service.dart';
+import '../../providers/music_assistant_provider.dart';
+import '../../models/media_item.dart' as ma;
 
 /// Custom AudioHandler for Ensemble that provides full control over
 /// notification actions and metadata updates.
-class MassivAudioHandler extends BaseAudioHandler with SeekHandler {
+class MassivAudioHandler extends BaseAudioHandler with QueueHandler, SeekHandler {
   final AudioPlayer _player = AudioPlayer();
   final AuthManager authManager;
   final _logger = DebugLogger();
@@ -32,6 +37,16 @@ class MassivAudioHandler extends BaseAudioHandler with SeekHandler {
   // Track whether we're in remote control mode (controlling MA player, not playing locally)
   bool _isRemoteMode = false;
 
+  // Android Auto: provider reference (set after app initialises)
+  MusicAssistantProvider? _autoProvider;
+
+  // Android Auto: track queue cache — maps context key to ordered track list.
+  // Populated during getChildren so playFromMediaId can queue the full album/playlist.
+  final Map<String, List<ma.Track>> _autoTrackCache = {};
+
+  // Android Auto: subjects for subscribeToChildren
+  final Map<String, BehaviorSubject<Map<String, dynamic>>> _autoChildrenSubjects = {};
+
   // Custom control for switching players (uses stop action with custom icon)
   static const _switchPlayerControl = MediaControl(
     androidIcon: 'drawable/ic_switch_player',
@@ -312,6 +327,760 @@ class MassivAudioHandler extends BaseAudioHandler with SeekHandler {
 
   MediaItem? get currentMediaItem => _currentMediaItem;
 
+  // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+  // Android Auto — media browsing and playback
+  // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+  /// Wire the provider in after the app has initialised.
+  /// Called from _MusicAssistantAppState.initState().
+  void setProvider(MusicAssistantProvider provider) {
+    _autoProvider = provider;
+    _logger.log('AndroidAuto: provider set');
+  }
+
+  // Media ID constants — root categories
+  static const _autoIdHome = 'cat|home';
+  static const _autoIdMusic = 'cat|music';
+  static const _autoIdAudiobooks = 'cat|audiobooks';
+  static const _autoIdPodcasts = 'cat|podcasts';
+  static const _autoIdRadio = 'cat|radio';
+
+  // Media ID constants — Music subcategories
+  static const _autoIdPlaylists = 'cat|playlists';
+  static const _autoIdArtists = 'cat|artists';
+  static const _autoIdAlbums = 'cat|albums';
+  static const _autoIdFavorites = 'cat|favorites';
+
+  // Media ID constants — Audiobook subcategories
+  static const _autoIdAbAuthors = 'cat|ab_authors';
+  static const _autoIdAbBooks = 'cat|ab_books';
+  static const _autoIdAbSeries = 'cat|ab_series';
+
+  // Android Auto content style hints
+  static const _gridHints = {
+    'android.media.browse.CONTENT_STYLE_BROWSABLE_HINT': 2,
+    'android.media.browse.CONTENT_STYLE_PLAYABLE_HINT': 2,
+  };
+
+  // Icon URIs for category items
+  static const _iconPkg = 'com.collotsspot.ensemble';
+  static final _iconHome = Uri.parse('android.resource://$_iconPkg/drawable/ic_auto_home');
+  static final _iconMusic = Uri.parse('android.resource://$_iconPkg/drawable/ic_auto_music');
+  static final _iconBook = Uri.parse('android.resource://$_iconPkg/drawable/ic_auto_book');
+  static final _iconPodcast = Uri.parse('android.resource://$_iconPkg/drawable/ic_auto_podcast');
+  static final _iconRadio = Uri.parse('android.resource://$_iconPkg/drawable/ic_auto_radio');
+  static final _iconArtist = Uri.parse('android.resource://$_iconPkg/drawable/ic_auto_artist');
+  static final _iconAlbum = Uri.parse('android.resource://$_iconPkg/drawable/ic_auto_album');
+  static final _iconPlaylist = Uri.parse('android.resource://$_iconPkg/drawable/ic_auto_playlist');
+  static final _iconFavorite = Uri.parse('android.resource://$_iconPkg/drawable/ic_auto_favorite');
+
+  @override
+  Future<List<MediaItem>> getChildren(String parentMediaId,
+      [Map<String, dynamic>? options]) async {
+    final provider = _autoProvider;
+    if (provider == null) {
+      _logger.log('AndroidAuto: getChildren("$parentMediaId") — provider not set yet');
+      return [];
+    }
+
+    // Ensure provider is connected — AA may browse before app is fully ready
+    if (!provider.isConnected) {
+      _logger.log('AndroidAuto: provider disconnected, starting reconnect');
+      // Don't await — reconnection can take seconds and AA may timeout
+      // getChildren. Cached data is served immediately; live API calls
+      // inside builders will await their own reconnect if needed.
+      provider.checkAndReconnect();
+    }
+
+    try {
+      final result = await _autoGetChildren(provider, parentMediaId);
+      _logger.log('AndroidAuto: getChildren "$parentMediaId" → ${result.length} items');
+      return result;
+    } catch (e, st) {
+      _logger.log('AndroidAuto: getChildren error for "$parentMediaId": $e\n$st');
+      return [];
+    }
+  }
+
+  Future<List<MediaItem>> _autoGetChildren(
+      MusicAssistantProvider provider, String parentMediaId) async {
+    switch (parentMediaId) {
+      // Root
+      case AudioService.browsableRootId:
+        return _autoBuildRoot();
+
+      // Home — subcategory folders matching user's homescreen settings
+      case _autoIdHome:
+        return _autoBuildHome();
+
+      // Music
+      case _autoIdMusic:
+        return _autoBuildMusicCategories();
+      case _autoIdPlaylists:
+        return _autoBuildPlaylistList(provider);
+      case _autoIdArtists:
+        return _autoBuildArtistList(provider);
+      case _autoIdAlbums:
+        return _autoBuildAlbumList(provider);
+      case _autoIdFavorites:
+        return _autoBuildFavorites(provider);
+
+      // Audiobooks
+      case _autoIdAudiobooks:
+        return _autoBuildAudiobookCategories();
+      case _autoIdAbAuthors:
+        return _autoBuildAudiobookAuthorList(provider);
+      case _autoIdAbBooks:
+        return _autoBuildAudiobookList(provider);
+      case _autoIdAbSeries:
+        return _autoBuildAudiobookSeriesList(provider);
+
+      // Podcasts
+      case _autoIdPodcasts:
+        return _autoBuildPodcastList(provider);
+
+      // Radio
+      case _autoIdRadio:
+        return _autoBuildRadioList(provider);
+
+      default:
+        // Home row content (home|recent-albums, etc.)
+        if (parentMediaId.startsWith('home|')) {
+          return _autoBuildHomeRowContent(provider, parentMediaId.substring(5));
+        }
+        return _autoBuildDynamicChildren(provider, parentMediaId);
+    }
+  }
+
+  /// Route prefix-based dynamic media IDs (albums, playlists, artists, etc.)
+  Future<List<MediaItem>> _autoBuildDynamicChildren(
+      MusicAssistantProvider provider, String parentMediaId) async {
+    final parts = parentMediaId.split('|');
+    if (parts.length < 2) return [];
+
+    switch (parts[0]) {
+      case 'playlist':
+        if (parts.length >= 3) {
+          return _autoBuildPlaylistTracks(provider, parts[1], parts[2]);
+        }
+      case 'album':
+        if (parts.length >= 3) {
+          return _autoBuildAlbumTracks(provider, parts[1], parts[2]);
+        }
+      case 'artist':
+        final name = parts.sublist(1).join('|');
+        return _autoBuildArtistAlbums(provider, name);
+      case 'podcast':
+        if (parts.length >= 3) {
+          return _autoBuildPodcastEpisodes(provider, parts[1], parts[2]);
+        }
+      case 'ab_author':
+        final authorName = parts.sublist(1).join('|');
+        return _autoBuildAuthorAudiobooks(provider, authorName);
+      case 'ab_series':
+        final seriesPath = parts.sublist(1).join('|');
+        return _autoBuildSeriesAudiobooks(provider, seriesPath);
+    }
+
+    _logger.log('AndroidAuto: unhandled parentMediaId "$parentMediaId"');
+    return [];
+  }
+
+  @override
+  ValueStream<Map<String, dynamic>> subscribeToChildren(String parentMediaId) {
+    _autoChildrenSubjects[parentMediaId] ??= BehaviorSubject.seeded({});
+    return _autoChildrenSubjects[parentMediaId]!.stream;
+  }
+
+  @override
+  Future<void> playFromMediaId(String mediaId,
+      [Map<String, dynamic>? extras]) async {
+    final provider = _autoProvider;
+    if (provider == null) {
+      _logger.log('AndroidAuto: playFromMediaId called before provider is set');
+      return;
+    }
+
+    final playerId = await SettingsService.getBuiltinPlayerId();
+    if (playerId == null) {
+      _logger.log('AndroidAuto: no builtin player ID — cannot play');
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // Auto-switch to the builtin (local) player when AA triggers playback
+    if (provider.selectedPlayer?.playerId != playerId) {
+      final builtinPlayer = provider.availablePlayersUnfiltered
+          .where((p) => p.playerId == playerId)
+          .firstOrNull;
+      if (builtinPlayer != null) {
+        _logger.log('AndroidAuto: switching to builtin player "${builtinPlayer.name}"');
+        provider.selectPlayer(builtinPlayer);
+      }
+    }
+
+    _logger.log('AndroidAuto: playFromMediaId $mediaId');
+
+    try {
+      if (mediaId.startsWith('track|')) {
+        // Format: track|{tProvider}|{tItemId}|{ctxType}|{ctxProvider}|{ctxId}
+        final parts = mediaId.split('|');
+        if (parts.length < 6) return;
+        final tProvider = parts[1];
+        final tItemId = parts[2];
+        final ctxKey = parts.sublist(3).join('|');
+
+        final trackList = _autoTrackCache[ctxKey];
+        if (trackList == null || trackList.isEmpty) {
+          _logger.log('AndroidAuto: cache miss for $ctxKey, playing single track');
+          await provider.playTrack(
+            playerId,
+            ma.Track(itemId: tItemId, provider: tProvider, name: ''),
+          );
+          return;
+        }
+
+        final index = trackList.indexWhere(
+          (t) => t.provider == tProvider && t.itemId == tItemId,
+        );
+        await provider.playTracks(
+          playerId,
+          trackList,
+          startIndex: index < 0 ? 0 : index,
+        );
+        return;
+      }
+
+      if (mediaId.startsWith('radio|')) {
+        // Format: radio|{provider}|{itemId}
+        final parts = mediaId.split('|');
+        if (parts.length < 3) return;
+        if (provider.api == null) await provider.checkAndReconnect();
+        if (provider.api == null) {
+          _logger.log('AndroidAuto: no API, cannot play radio');
+          return;
+        }
+        final station = provider.radioStations.firstWhere(
+          (s) => s.provider == parts[1] && s.itemId == parts[2],
+          orElse: () => provider.radioStationsUnfiltered.firstWhere(
+            (s) => s.provider == parts[1] && s.itemId == parts[2],
+            orElse: () => throw Exception('Radio station not found: $mediaId'),
+          ),
+        );
+        await provider.api!.playRadioStation(playerId, station);
+        return;
+      }
+
+      if (mediaId.startsWith('audiobook|')) {
+        // Format: audiobook|{provider}|{itemId}
+        final parts = mediaId.split('|');
+        if (parts.length < 3) return;
+        if (provider.api == null) {
+          await provider.checkAndReconnect();
+        }
+        if (provider.api == null) {
+          _logger.log('AndroidAuto: no API, cannot play audiobook');
+          return;
+        }
+        final book = SyncService.instance.cachedAudiobooks.firstWhere(
+          (b) => b.provider == parts[1] && b.itemId == parts[2],
+          orElse: () => throw Exception('Audiobook not found: $mediaId'),
+        );
+        await provider.api!.playAudiobook(playerId, book);
+        return;
+      }
+
+      if (mediaId.startsWith('podcast_ep|')) {
+        // Format: podcast_ep|{provider}|{itemId}
+        final parts = mediaId.split('|');
+        if (parts.length < 3) return;
+        if (provider.api == null) await provider.checkAndReconnect();
+        if (provider.api == null) {
+          _logger.log('AndroidAuto: no API, cannot play podcast');
+          return;
+        }
+        // Use provider-specific URI (e.g. spotify--xxx://podcast_episode/id)
+        // instead of library:// which fails for non-library items
+        final uri = '${parts[1]}://podcast_episode/${parts[2]}';
+        final episode = ma.MediaItem(
+          itemId: parts[2],
+          provider: parts[1],
+          name: '',
+          mediaType: ma.MediaType.podcastEpisode,
+          uri: uri,
+        );
+        _logger.log('AndroidAuto: playing podcast episode URI: $uri');
+        await provider.api!.playPodcastEpisode(playerId, episode);
+        return;
+      }
+    } catch (e) {
+      _logger.log('AndroidAuto: playFromMediaId error: $e');
+    }
+  }
+
+  @override
+  Future<List<MediaItem>> search(String query,
+      [Map<String, dynamic>? extras]) async {
+    final provider = _autoProvider;
+    if (provider == null || query.trim().isEmpty) return [];
+
+    try {
+      final results = await provider.searchWithCache(query);
+      final tracks = (results['tracks'] ?? []).whereType<ma.Track>().toList();
+      const ctxKey = 'search||';
+      _autoTrackCache[ctxKey] = tracks;
+      return tracks
+          .map((t) => _autoTrackItem(provider, t, ctxKey))
+          .toList();
+    } catch (e) {
+      _logger.log('AndroidAuto: search error: $e');
+      return [];
+    }
+  }
+
+  // --- Root & category builders ---
+
+  List<MediaItem> _autoBuildRoot() {
+    return [
+      MediaItem(id: _autoIdHome, title: 'Home', playable: false,
+          artUri: _iconHome),
+      MediaItem(id: _autoIdMusic, title: 'Music', playable: false,
+          artUri: _iconMusic),
+      MediaItem(id: _autoIdAudiobooks, title: 'Audiobooks', playable: false,
+          artUri: _iconBook),
+      MediaItem(id: _autoIdPodcasts, title: 'Podcasts', playable: false,
+          artUri: _iconPodcast, extras: _gridHints),
+      MediaItem(id: _autoIdRadio, title: 'Radio', playable: false,
+          artUri: _iconRadio, extras: _gridHints),
+    ];
+  }
+
+  // Row ID → display title mapping
+  static const _homeRowTitles = {
+    'recent-albums': 'Recent Albums',
+    'discover-artists': 'Discover Artists',
+    'discover-albums': 'Discover Albums',
+    'continue-listening': 'Continue Listening',
+    'discover-audiobooks': 'Discover Audiobooks',
+    'discover-series': 'Discover Series',
+    'favorite-albums': 'Favourite Albums',
+    'favorite-artists': 'Favourite Artists',
+    'favorite-tracks': 'Favourite Tracks',
+    'favorite-playlists': 'Favourite Playlists',
+    'favorite-radio-stations': 'Favourite Radio',
+    'favorite-podcasts': 'Favourite Podcasts',
+  };
+
+  /// Home shows subcategory folders matching the user's homescreen settings.
+  Future<List<MediaItem>> _autoBuildHome() async {
+    final rowOrder = await SettingsService.getHomeRowOrder();
+    final items = <MediaItem>[];
+
+    for (final rowId in rowOrder) {
+      if (!await _isHomeRowEnabled(rowId)) continue;
+      final title = _homeRowTitles[rowId];
+      if (title == null) continue; // skip discovery rows for now
+      items.add(MediaItem(
+        id: 'home|$rowId',
+        title: title,
+        playable: false,
+        extras: _gridHints,
+      ));
+    }
+
+    _logger.log('AndroidAuto: Home built ${items.length} rows');
+    return items;
+  }
+
+  Future<bool> _isHomeRowEnabled(String rowId) async {
+    switch (rowId) {
+      case 'recent-albums': return SettingsService.getShowRecentAlbums();
+      case 'discover-artists': return SettingsService.getShowDiscoverArtists();
+      case 'discover-albums': return SettingsService.getShowDiscoverAlbums();
+      case 'continue-listening': return SettingsService.getShowContinueListeningAudiobooks();
+      case 'discover-audiobooks': return SettingsService.getShowDiscoverAudiobooks();
+      case 'discover-series': return SettingsService.getShowDiscoverSeries();
+      case 'favorite-albums': return SettingsService.getShowFavoriteAlbums();
+      case 'favorite-artists': return SettingsService.getShowFavoriteArtists();
+      case 'favorite-tracks': return SettingsService.getShowFavoriteTracks();
+      case 'favorite-playlists': return SettingsService.getShowFavoritePlaylists();
+      case 'favorite-radio-stations': return SettingsService.getShowFavoriteRadioStations();
+      case 'favorite-podcasts': return SettingsService.getShowFavoritePodcasts();
+      default: return false;
+    }
+  }
+
+  /// Build content for a specific home row.
+  Future<List<MediaItem>> _autoBuildHomeRowContent(
+      MusicAssistantProvider provider, String rowId) async {
+    switch (rowId) {
+      case 'recent-albums':
+        var albums = await provider.getRecentAlbumsWithCache();
+        if (albums.isEmpty) albums = SyncService.instance.cachedAlbums.take(20).toList();
+        return albums.take(20).map((a) => MediaItem(
+          id: 'album|${a.provider}|${a.itemId}',
+          title: a.name, artist: a.artistsString,
+          artUri: _autoArtUri(provider, a), playable: false,
+        )).toList();
+
+      case 'discover-artists':
+        var artists = await provider.getDiscoverArtistsWithCache();
+        if (artists.isEmpty) artists = SyncService.instance.cachedArtists.take(10).toList();
+        return artists.take(10).map((a) => MediaItem(
+          id: 'artist|${a.name}',
+          title: a.name,
+          artUri: _autoArtUri(provider, a), playable: false,
+        )).toList();
+
+      case 'discover-albums':
+        final albums = await provider.getDiscoverAlbumsWithCache();
+        return albums.take(20).map((a) => MediaItem(
+          id: 'album|${a.provider}|${a.itemId}',
+          title: a.name, artist: a.artistsString,
+          artUri: _autoArtUri(provider, a), playable: false,
+        )).toList();
+
+      case 'continue-listening':
+        final books = await provider.getInProgressAudiobooksWithCache();
+        return books.map((b) => MediaItem(
+          id: 'audiobook|${b.provider}|${b.itemId}',
+          title: b.name, artist: b.authorsString,
+          artUri: _autoArtUri(provider, b), playable: true,
+        )).toList();
+
+      case 'discover-audiobooks':
+        final books = await provider.getDiscoverAudiobooksWithCache();
+        return books.map((b) => MediaItem(
+          id: 'audiobook|${b.provider}|${b.itemId}',
+          title: b.name, artist: b.authorsString,
+          artUri: _autoArtUri(provider, b), playable: true,
+        )).toList();
+
+      case 'discover-series':
+        return _autoBuildAudiobookSeriesList(provider);
+
+      case 'favorite-albums':
+        final albums = await provider.getFavoriteAlbums();
+        return albums.map((a) => MediaItem(
+          id: 'album|${a.provider}|${a.itemId}',
+          title: a.name, artist: a.artistsString,
+          artUri: _autoArtUri(provider, a), playable: false,
+        )).toList();
+
+      case 'favorite-artists':
+        final artists = await provider.getFavoriteArtists();
+        return artists.map((a) => MediaItem(
+          id: 'artist|${a.name}',
+          title: a.name,
+          artUri: _autoArtUri(provider, a), playable: false,
+        )).toList();
+
+      case 'favorite-tracks':
+        final tracks = await provider.getFavoriteTracks();
+        const ctxKey = 'favs||';
+        _autoTrackCache[ctxKey] = tracks;
+        return tracks.map((t) => _autoTrackItem(provider, t, ctxKey)).toList();
+
+      case 'favorite-playlists':
+        final playlists = await provider.getFavoritePlaylists();
+        return playlists.map((p) => MediaItem(
+          id: 'playlist|${p.provider}|${p.itemId}',
+          title: p.name, artist: p.owner,
+          artUri: _autoArtUri(provider, p), playable: false,
+        )).toList();
+
+      case 'favorite-radio-stations':
+        final stations = await provider.getFavoriteRadioStations();
+        return stations.map((s) => MediaItem(
+          id: 'radio|${s.provider}|${s.itemId}',
+          title: s.name,
+          artUri: _autoArtUri(provider, s), playable: true,
+        )).toList();
+
+      case 'favorite-podcasts':
+        // Use cached podcasts filtered by favorite
+        final podcasts = SyncService.instance.cachedPodcasts
+            .where((p) => p.favorite == true).toList();
+        return podcasts.map((p) => MediaItem(
+          id: 'podcast|${p.provider}|${p.itemId}',
+          title: p.name,
+          artUri: _autoArtUri(provider, p), playable: false,
+        )).toList();
+
+      default:
+        return [];
+    }
+  }
+
+  List<MediaItem> _autoBuildMusicCategories() {
+    return [
+      MediaItem(id: _autoIdArtists, title: 'Artists', playable: false,
+          artUri: _iconArtist, extras: _gridHints),
+      MediaItem(id: _autoIdAlbums, title: 'Albums', playable: false,
+          artUri: _iconAlbum, extras: _gridHints),
+      MediaItem(id: _autoIdPlaylists, title: 'Playlists', playable: false,
+          artUri: _iconPlaylist, extras: _gridHints),
+      MediaItem(id: _autoIdFavorites, title: 'Favourites', playable: false,
+          artUri: _iconFavorite),
+    ];
+  }
+
+  List<MediaItem> _autoBuildAudiobookCategories() {
+    return [
+      MediaItem(id: _autoIdAbAuthors, title: 'Authors', playable: false,
+          artUri: _iconArtist),
+      MediaItem(id: _autoIdAbBooks, title: 'Books', playable: false,
+          artUri: _iconBook, extras: _gridHints),
+      MediaItem(id: _autoIdAbSeries, title: 'Series', playable: false,
+          artUri: _iconBook, extras: _gridHints),
+    ];
+  }
+
+  // --- Music builders ---
+
+  Future<List<MediaItem>> _autoBuildFavorites(
+      MusicAssistantProvider provider) async {
+    final tracks = await provider.getFavoriteTracks();
+    _logger.log('AndroidAuto: Favorites returned ${tracks.length} tracks');
+    const ctxKey = 'favs||';
+    _autoTrackCache[ctxKey] = tracks;
+    return tracks.map((t) => _autoTrackItem(provider, t, ctxKey)).toList();
+  }
+
+  List<MediaItem> _autoBuildPlaylistList(MusicAssistantProvider provider) {
+    final playlists = SyncService.instance.cachedPlaylists;
+    _logger.log('AndroidAuto: Playlists: ${playlists.length}');
+    return playlists.map((p) => MediaItem(
+      id: 'playlist|${p.provider}|${p.itemId}',
+      title: p.name,
+      artist: p.owner,
+      artUri: _autoArtUri(provider, p),
+      playable: false,
+    )).toList();
+  }
+
+  Future<List<MediaItem>> _autoBuildPlaylistTracks(
+      MusicAssistantProvider provider, String plProvider, String plItemId) async {
+    final tracks =
+        await provider.getPlaylistTracksWithCache(plProvider, plItemId);
+    final ctxKey = 'plist|$plProvider|$plItemId';
+    _autoTrackCache[ctxKey] = tracks;
+    return tracks.map((t) => _autoTrackItem(provider, t, ctxKey)).toList();
+  }
+
+  List<MediaItem> _autoBuildArtistList(MusicAssistantProvider provider) {
+    final artists = SyncService.instance.cachedArtists;
+    _logger.log('AndroidAuto: Artists: ${artists.length}');
+    return artists.map((a) => MediaItem(
+      id: 'artist|${a.name}',
+      title: a.name,
+      artUri: _autoArtUri(provider, a),
+      playable: false,
+    )).toList();
+  }
+
+  Future<List<MediaItem>> _autoBuildArtistAlbums(
+      MusicAssistantProvider provider, String artistName) async {
+    var albums = await provider.getArtistAlbumsWithCache(artistName);
+    if (albums.isEmpty) {
+      // Fallback to library if API unavailable
+      albums = provider.getArtistAlbumsFromLibrary(artistName);
+    }
+    _logger.log('AndroidAuto: Artist "$artistName" albums: ${albums.length}');
+    return albums.map((a) => MediaItem(
+      id: 'album|${a.provider}|${a.itemId}',
+      title: a.name,
+      artist: a.artistsString,
+      artUri: _autoArtUri(provider, a),
+      playable: false,
+    )).toList();
+  }
+
+  List<MediaItem> _autoBuildAlbumList(MusicAssistantProvider provider) {
+    final albums = SyncService.instance.cachedAlbums;
+    _logger.log('AndroidAuto: Albums: ${albums.length}');
+    return albums.map((a) => MediaItem(
+      id: 'album|${a.provider}|${a.itemId}',
+      title: a.name,
+      artist: a.artistsString,
+      artUri: _autoArtUri(provider, a),
+      playable: false,
+    )).toList();
+  }
+
+  Future<List<MediaItem>> _autoBuildAlbumTracks(
+      MusicAssistantProvider provider, String alProvider, String alItemId) async {
+    final tracks =
+        await provider.getAlbumTracksWithCache(alProvider, alItemId);
+    _logger.log('AndroidAuto: Album $alProvider/$alItemId tracks: ${tracks.length}');
+    final ctxKey = 'album|$alProvider|$alItemId';
+    _autoTrackCache[ctxKey] = tracks;
+    return tracks.map((t) => _autoTrackItem(provider, t, ctxKey)).toList();
+  }
+
+  // --- Audiobook builders ---
+
+  List<MediaItem> _autoBuildAudiobookAuthorList(
+      MusicAssistantProvider provider) {
+    final books = SyncService.instance.cachedAudiobooks;
+    final seen = <String>{};
+    final items = <MediaItem>[];
+    for (final b in books) {
+      final author = b.authorsString;
+      if (seen.add(author)) {
+        items.add(MediaItem(
+          id: 'ab_author|$author',
+          title: author,
+          artUri: _autoArtUri(provider, b),
+          playable: false,
+        ));
+      }
+    }
+    _logger.log('AndroidAuto: Audiobook authors: ${items.length}');
+    return items;
+  }
+
+  List<MediaItem> _autoBuildAuthorAudiobooks(
+      MusicAssistantProvider provider, String authorName) {
+    final books = SyncService.instance.cachedAudiobooks
+        .where((b) => b.authorsString == authorName)
+        .toList();
+    return books.map((b) => MediaItem(
+      id: 'audiobook|${b.provider}|${b.itemId}',
+      title: b.name,
+      artist: b.authorsString,
+      artUri: _autoArtUri(provider, b),
+      playable: true,
+    )).toList();
+  }
+
+  Future<List<MediaItem>> _autoBuildAudiobookList(MusicAssistantProvider provider) async {
+    var books = SyncService.instance.cachedAudiobooks;
+    if (books.isEmpty) {
+      // Sync cache may not be loaded yet — wait for it
+      _logger.log('AndroidAuto: cachedAudiobooks empty, loading from cache');
+      await SyncService.instance.loadFromCache();
+      books = SyncService.instance.cachedAudiobooks;
+    }
+    _logger.log('AndroidAuto: Books: ${books.length}');
+    // Sort alphabetically and cap to avoid overwhelming Android Auto
+    books.sort((a, b) => a.name.compareTo(b.name));
+    return books.take(500).map((b) => MediaItem(
+      id: 'audiobook|${b.provider}|${b.itemId}',
+      title: b.name,
+      artist: b.authorsString,
+      artUri: _autoArtUri(provider, b),
+      playable: true,
+    )).toList();
+  }
+
+  Future<List<MediaItem>> _autoBuildAudiobookSeriesList(
+      MusicAssistantProvider provider) async {
+    final series = await provider.getDiscoverSeriesWithCache();
+    _logger.log('AndroidAuto: Audiobook series: ${series.length}');
+    final items = <MediaItem>[];
+    for (final s in series) {
+      // Use first book's artwork instead of series mosaic thumbnail
+      Uri? artUri;
+      var cachedBooks = provider.getCachedSeriesAudiobooks(s.id);
+      if (cachedBooks == null || cachedBooks.isEmpty) {
+        // Fetch books for this series (result is cached for future use)
+        try {
+          cachedBooks = await provider.getSeriesAudiobooksWithCache(s.id);
+        } catch (_) {}
+      }
+      if (cachedBooks != null && cachedBooks.isNotEmpty) {
+        artUri = _autoArtUri(provider, cachedBooks.first);
+      }
+      items.add(MediaItem(
+        id: 'ab_series|${s.id}',
+        title: s.name,
+        artUri: artUri,
+        playable: false,
+      ));
+    }
+    return items;
+  }
+
+  Future<List<MediaItem>> _autoBuildSeriesAudiobooks(
+      MusicAssistantProvider provider, String seriesPath) async {
+    final books = await provider.getSeriesAudiobooksWithCache(seriesPath);
+    return books.map((b) => MediaItem(
+      id: 'audiobook|${b.provider}|${b.itemId}',
+      title: b.name,
+      artist: b.authorsString,
+      artUri: _autoArtUri(provider, b),
+      playable: true,
+    )).toList();
+  }
+
+  // --- Podcast builders ---
+
+  List<MediaItem> _autoBuildPodcastList(MusicAssistantProvider provider) {
+    final podcasts = SyncService.instance.cachedPodcasts;
+    _logger.log('AndroidAuto: Podcasts: ${podcasts.length}');
+    return podcasts.map((p) => MediaItem(
+      id: 'podcast|${p.provider}|${p.itemId}',
+      title: p.name,
+      artUri: _autoArtUri(provider, p),
+      playable: false,
+    )).toList();
+  }
+
+  Future<List<MediaItem>> _autoBuildPodcastEpisodes(
+      MusicAssistantProvider provider, String podProvider, String podItemId) async {
+    final episodes = await provider.getPodcastEpisodesWithCache(
+      podItemId,
+      provider: podProvider,
+    );
+    return episodes.map((e) => MediaItem(
+      id: 'podcast_ep|${e.provider}|${e.itemId}',
+      title: e.name,
+      duration: e.duration,
+      artUri: _autoArtUri(provider, e),
+      playable: true,
+    )).toList();
+  }
+
+  // --- Radio builder ---
+
+  Future<List<MediaItem>> _autoBuildRadioList(MusicAssistantProvider provider) async {
+    // Radio stations are lazily loaded — trigger load if empty
+    if (provider.radioStations.isEmpty) {
+      _logger.log('AndroidAuto: Radio empty, loading stations');
+      await provider.loadRadioStations();
+    }
+    final stations = provider.radioStations;
+    _logger.log('AndroidAuto: Radio stations: ${stations.length}');
+    return stations.map((s) => MediaItem(
+      id: 'radio|${s.provider}|${s.itemId}',
+      title: s.name,
+      artUri: _autoArtUri(provider, s),
+      playable: true,
+    )).toList();
+  }
+
+  // --- Helpers ---
+
+  MediaItem _autoTrackItem(
+      MusicAssistantProvider provider, ma.Track t, String ctxKey) {
+    return MediaItem(
+      id: 'track|${t.provider}|${t.itemId}|$ctxKey',
+      title: t.name,
+      artist: t.artistsString,
+      album: t.album?.name,
+      duration: t.duration,
+      artUri: _autoArtUri(provider, t),
+      playable: true,
+    );
+  }
+
+  Uri? _autoArtUri(MusicAssistantProvider provider, ma.MediaItem item) {
+    final url = provider.getImageUrl(item, size: 256);
+    return url != null ? Uri.tryParse(url) : null;
+  }
+
+  // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
   /// Dispose of resources and cancel all subscriptions
   Future<void> dispose() async {
     await _interruptionSubscription?.cancel();

lib/services/cache_service.dart

@@ -55,6 +55,9 @@ class CacheService {
   final Map<String, Track?> _playerTrackCache = {};
   final Map<String, DateTime> _playerTrackCacheTime = {};
 
+  // Last-known track cache (survives idle-out, for resume after Chromecast idle)
+  final Map<String, Track> _lastKnownTrackCache = {};
+
   // ============================================================================
   // HOME SCREEN ROW CACHING
   // ============================================================================
@@ -319,6 +322,7 @@ class CacheService {
     _albumTracksCacheTime[cacheKey] = DateTime.now();
     _evictOldestEntries(_albumTracksCache, _albumTracksCacheTime, _maxDetailCacheSize);
     _logger.log('✅ Cached ${tracks.length} tracks for album $cacheKey');
+    _persistDetailTracks('album', cacheKey, tracks);
   }
 
   /// Invalidate album tracks cache for a specific album
@@ -353,6 +357,7 @@ class CacheService {
     _playlistTracksCacheTime[cacheKey] = DateTime.now();
     _evictOldestEntries(_playlistTracksCache, _playlistTracksCacheTime, _maxDetailCacheSize);
     _logger.log('✅ Cached ${tracks.length} tracks for playlist $cacheKey');
+    _persistDetailTracks('playlist', cacheKey, tracks);
   }
 
   /// Invalidate playlist tracks cache for a specific playlist
@@ -484,6 +489,14 @@ class CacheService {
     _playerTrackCacheTime.remove(playerId);
   }
 
+  /// Get last-known track for a player (survives idle-out)
+  Track? getLastKnownTrack(String playerId) => _lastKnownTrackCache[playerId];
+
+  /// Save last-known track for a player (only called when a real track is playing/paused)
+  void setLastKnownTrack(String playerId, Track track) {
+    _lastKnownTrackCache[playerId] = track;
+  }
+
   // ============================================================================
   // CLEAR ALL
   // ============================================================================
@@ -500,7 +513,21 @@ class CacheService {
     _searchCacheTime.clear();
     _playerTrackCache.clear();
     _playerTrackCacheTime.clear();
+    _audiobookDetailCache.clear();
+    _audiobookDetailCacheTime.clear();
+    _podcastEpisodesCache.clear();
+    _podcastEpisodesCacheTime.clear();
     _logger.log('🗑️ All detail caches cleared');
+    // Also clear DB detail cache
+    () async {
+      try {
+        if (DatabaseService.instance.isInitialized) {
+          await DatabaseService.instance.clearDetailTrackCache();
+        }
+      } catch (e) {
+        _logger.log('⚠️ Failed to clear detail track DB cache: $e');
+      }
+    }();
   }
 
   /// Clear all caches
@@ -644,4 +671,177 @@ class CacheService {
       _logger.log('🗑️ LRU evicted ${keysToRemove.length} cache entries');
     }
   }
+
+  // ============================================================================
+  // AUDIOBOOK DETAIL CACHING
+  // ============================================================================
+
+  final Map<String, String> _audiobookDetailCache = {};  // cacheKey -> JSON
+  final Map<String, DateTime> _audiobookDetailCacheTime = {};
+
+  bool isAudiobookDetailCacheValid(String cacheKey, {bool forceRefresh = false}) {
+    if (forceRefresh) return false;
+    final cacheTime = _audiobookDetailCacheTime[cacheKey];
+    return _audiobookDetailCache.containsKey(cacheKey) &&
+        cacheTime != null &&
+        DateTime.now().difference(cacheTime) < const Duration(minutes: 5);
+  }
+
+  String? getCachedAudiobookDetail(String cacheKey) => _audiobookDetailCache[cacheKey];
+
+  void setCachedAudiobookDetail(String cacheKey, String audiobookJson) {
+    _audiobookDetailCache[cacheKey] = audiobookJson;
+    _audiobookDetailCacheTime[cacheKey] = DateTime.now();
+    _evictOldestEntries(_audiobookDetailCache, _audiobookDetailCacheTime, _maxDetailCacheSize);
+    _logger.log('✅ Cached audiobook detail for $cacheKey');
+    _persistDetailData('audiobook', cacheKey, audiobookJson);
+  }
+
+  Future<String?> getAudiobookDetailWithDbFallback(String cacheKey) async {
+    final memCached = _audiobookDetailCache[cacheKey];
+    if (memCached != null) return memCached;
+
+    try {
+      if (!DatabaseService.instance.isInitialized) return null;
+      final dbResult = await DatabaseService.instance.getDetailTracks('audiobook', cacheKey);
+      if (dbResult == null) return null;
+
+      _audiobookDetailCache[cacheKey] = dbResult.tracksJson;
+      _audiobookDetailCacheTime[cacheKey] = dbResult.lastFetched;
+      _logger.log('📦 Loaded audiobook detail from database for $cacheKey');
+      return dbResult.tracksJson;
+    } catch (e) {
+      _logger.log('⚠️ Failed to load audiobook detail from database: $e');
+      return null;
+    }
+  }
+
+  // ============================================================================
+  // PODCAST EPISODE CACHING
+  // ============================================================================
+
+  final Map<String, List<MediaItem>> _podcastEpisodesCache = {};
+  final Map<String, DateTime> _podcastEpisodesCacheTime = {};
+
+  bool isPodcastEpisodesCacheValid(String cacheKey, {bool forceRefresh = false}) {
+    if (forceRefresh) return false;
+    final cacheTime = _podcastEpisodesCacheTime[cacheKey];
+    return _podcastEpisodesCache.containsKey(cacheKey) &&
+        cacheTime != null &&
+        DateTime.now().difference(cacheTime) < const Duration(minutes: 5);
+  }
+
+  List<MediaItem>? getCachedPodcastEpisodes(String cacheKey) => _podcastEpisodesCache[cacheKey];
+
+  void setCachedPodcastEpisodes(String cacheKey, List<MediaItem> episodes) {
+    _podcastEpisodesCache[cacheKey] = episodes;
+    _podcastEpisodesCacheTime[cacheKey] = DateTime.now();
+    _evictOldestEntries(_podcastEpisodesCache, _podcastEpisodesCacheTime, _maxDetailCacheSize);
+    _logger.log('✅ Cached ${episodes.length} episodes for podcast $cacheKey');
+    _persistDetailMediaItems('podcast', cacheKey, episodes);
+  }
+
+  Future<List<MediaItem>?> getPodcastEpisodesWithDbFallback(String cacheKey) async {
+    final memCached = _podcastEpisodesCache[cacheKey];
+    if (memCached != null) return memCached;
+
+    try {
+      if (!DatabaseService.instance.isInitialized) return null;
+      final dbResult = await DatabaseService.instance.getDetailTracks('podcast', cacheKey);
+      if (dbResult == null) return null;
+
+      final episodes = (jsonDecode(dbResult.tracksJson) as List)
+          .map((json) => MediaItem.fromJson(json as Map<String, dynamic>))
+          .toList();
+
+      _podcastEpisodesCache[cacheKey] = episodes;
+      _podcastEpisodesCacheTime[cacheKey] = dbResult.lastFetched;
+      _logger.log('📦 Loaded ${episodes.length} podcast episodes from database for $cacheKey');
+      return episodes;
+    } catch (e) {
+      _logger.log('⚠️ Failed to load podcast episodes from database: $e');
+      return null;
+    }
+  }
+
+  // ============================================================================
+  // DATABASE PERSISTENCE FOR DETAIL TRACKS
+  // ============================================================================
+
+  /// Persist detail tracks to database (fire-and-forget)
+  void _persistDetailTracks(String parentType, String cacheKey, List<Track> tracks) {
+    _persistDetailData(parentType, cacheKey, jsonEncode(tracks.map((t) => t.toJson()).toList()));
+  }
+
+  /// Persist detail media items to database (fire-and-forget)
+  void _persistDetailMediaItems(String parentType, String cacheKey, List<MediaItem> items) {
+    _persistDetailData(parentType, cacheKey, jsonEncode(items.map((i) => i.toJson()).toList()));
+  }
+
+  /// Persist raw JSON detail data to database (fire-and-forget)
+  void _persistDetailData(String parentType, String cacheKey, String dataJson) {
+    () async {
+      try {
+        if (!DatabaseService.instance.isInitialized) return;
+        await DatabaseService.instance.saveDetailTracks(parentType, cacheKey, dataJson);
+        _logger.log('💾 Persisted detail data ($parentType/$cacheKey) to database');
+      } catch (e) {
+        _logger.log('⚠️ Failed to persist detail data: $e');
+      }
+    }();
+  }
+
+  /// Get album tracks with database fallback (memory → DB → null)
+  Future<List<Track>?> getAlbumTracksWithDbFallback(String cacheKey) async {
+    // Check memory cache first
+    final memCached = _albumTracksCache[cacheKey];
+    if (memCached != null) return memCached;
+
+    // Try database
+    try {
+      if (!DatabaseService.instance.isInitialized) return null;
+      final dbResult = await DatabaseService.instance.getDetailTracks('album', cacheKey);
+      if (dbResult == null) return null;
+
+      final tracks = (jsonDecode(dbResult.tracksJson) as List)
+          .map((json) => Track.fromJson(json as Map<String, dynamic>))
+          .toList();
+
+      // Warm memory cache
+      _albumTracksCache[cacheKey] = tracks;
+      _albumTracksCacheTime[cacheKey] = dbResult.lastFetched;
+      _logger.log('📦 Loaded ${tracks.length} album tracks from database for $cacheKey');
+      return tracks;
+    } catch (e) {
+      _logger.log('⚠️ Failed to load album tracks from database: $e');
+      return null;
+    }
+  }
+
+  /// Get playlist tracks with database fallback (memory → DB → null)
+  Future<List<Track>?> getPlaylistTracksWithDbFallback(String cacheKey) async {
+    // Check memory cache first
+    final memCached = _playlistTracksCache[cacheKey];
+    if (memCached != null) return memCached;
+
+    // Try database
+    try {
+      if (!DatabaseService.instance.isInitialized) return null;
+      final dbResult = await DatabaseService.instance.getDetailTracks('playlist', cacheKey);
+      if (dbResult == null) return null;
+
+      final tracks = (jsonDecode(dbResult.tracksJson) as List)
+          .map((json) => Track.fromJson(json as Map<String, dynamic>))
+          .toList();
+
+      // Warm memory cache
+      _playlistTracksCache[cacheKey] = tracks;
+      _playlistTracksCacheTime[cacheKey] = dbResult.lastFetched;
+      _logger.log('📦 Loaded ${tracks.length} playlist tracks from database for $cacheKey');
+      return tracks;
+    } catch (e) {
+      _logger.log('⚠️ Failed to load playlist tracks from database: $e');
+      return null;
+    }
+  }
 }

lib/services/database_service.dart

@@ -323,6 +323,23 @@ class DatabaseService {
   /// Clear all search history
   Future<void> clearSearchHistory() => db.clearSearchHistory();
 
+  // ============================================
+  // Detail Track Cache Convenience Methods
+  // ============================================
+
+  /// Save detail tracks for an album or playlist
+  Future<void> saveDetailTracks(String parentType, String parentKey, String tracksJson) {
+    return db.saveDetailTracks(parentType, parentKey, tracksJson);
+  }
+
+  /// Get cached detail tracks for an album or playlist
+  Future<DetailTrackCacheData?> getDetailTracks(String parentType, String parentKey) {
+    return db.getDetailTracks(parentType, parentKey);
+  }
+
+  /// Clear all detail track cache
+  Future<void> clearDetailTrackCache() => db.clearDetailTrackCache();
+
   // ============================================
   // Cast-to-Sendspin Mapping Methods
   // ============================================

lib/services/image_prefetch_service.dart

@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+import 'package:flutter_cache_manager/flutter_cache_manager.dart';
+import 'debug_logger.dart';
+
+/// Custom cache manager for album images with extended retention
+class AlbumImageCacheManager extends CacheManager with ImageCacheManager {
+  static const key = 'albumImageCache';
+
+  static final AlbumImageCacheManager _instance = AlbumImageCacheManager._();
+  factory AlbumImageCacheManager() => _instance;
+
+  AlbumImageCacheManager._()
+      : super(Config(
+          key,
+          stalePeriod: const Duration(days: 30),
+          maxNrOfCacheObjects: 2000,
+        ));
+}
+
+/// Service to prefetch album images in the background after sync
+class ImagePrefetchService {
+  static final _logger = DebugLogger();
+  bool _cancelled = false;
+
+  /// Cancel any in-progress prefetch
+  void cancel() {
+    _cancelled = true;
+  }
+
+  /// Prefetch images in batches, skipping already-cached URLs
+  Future<void> prefetchImages(List<String> urls) async {
+    _cancelled = false;
+    if (urls.isEmpty) return;
+
+    final cacheManager = AlbumImageCacheManager();
+    int cached = 0;
+    int skipped = 0;
+    int failed = 0;
+
+    const batchSize = 10;
+    for (var i = 0; i < urls.length; i += batchSize) {
+      if (_cancelled) {
+        _logger.log('🖼️ Image prefetch cancelled after $cached cached, $skipped skipped');
+        return;
+      }
+
+      final batch = urls.skip(i).take(batchSize);
+      await Future.wait(batch.map((url) async {
+        try {
+          final fileInfo = await cacheManager.getFileFromCache(url);
+          if (fileInfo != null) {
+            skipped++;
+            return;
+          }
+          await cacheManager.downloadFile(url);
+          cached++;
+        } catch (_) {
+          failed++;
+        }
+      }));
+    }
+
+    _logger.log('🖼️ Image prefetch complete: $cached cached, $skipped already cached, $failed failed (${urls.length} total)');
+  }
+}

lib/services/metadata_service.dart

@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
+import 'dart:async';
 import 'dart:convert';
 import 'package:http/http.dart' as http;
+import 'package:shared_preferences/shared_preferences.dart';
 import 'debug_logger.dart';
 import 'settings_service.dart';
 import '../utils/lru_cache.dart';
@@ -259,8 +261,17 @@ class MetadataService {
   /// Cache for album images - includes null entries for failed lookups (200 entries)
   static final NullableLruCache<String, String> _albumImageCache = NullableLruCache(maxSize: 200);
 
-  /// Cache for author images (audiobooks) - includes null entries for failed lookups (100 entries)
-  static final NullableLruCache<String, String> _authorImageCache = NullableLruCache(maxSize: 100);
+  /// Cache for author images (audiobooks) - includes null entries for failed lookups (500 entries)
+  static final NullableLruCache<String, String> _authorImageCache = NullableLruCache(maxSize: 500);
+
+  /// In-flight author image requests for deduplication
+  static final Map<String, Completer<String?>> _authorImageInFlight = {};
+
+  /// SharedPreferences key for persisted author images
+  static const _authorImagePrefsKey = 'author_image_urls';
+
+  /// Whether persisted author images have been loaded into memory cache
+  static bool _authorImageCacheWarmed = false;
 
   /// Fetches album cover URL from Deezer (free, no API key required)
   /// Returns the image URL if found, null otherwise
@@ -649,33 +660,122 @@ class MetadataService {
     return null;
   }
 
-  /// Fetches author image URL from multiple sources with fuzzy name matching
-  /// Priority: 1. Audnexus, 2. Open Library, 3. Wikipedia
-  /// Tries name variations if exact match fails
+  /// Load persisted author image URLs into memory cache on first access
+  static Future<void> _warmAuthorImageCache() async {
+    if (_authorImageCacheWarmed) return;
+    _authorImageCacheWarmed = true;
+
+    try {
+      final prefs = await SharedPreferences.getInstance();
+      final jsonStr = prefs.getString(_authorImagePrefsKey);
+      if (jsonStr != null) {
+        final map = (json.decode(jsonStr) as Map<String, dynamic>).cast<String, String>();
+        for (final entry in map.entries) {
+          _authorImageCache[entry.key] = entry.value;
+        }
+        _logger.log('📸 Loaded ${map.length} persisted author images');
+      }
+    } catch (e) {
+      _logger.warning('Failed to load persisted author images: $e', context: 'Metadata');
+    }
+  }
+
+  /// Persist an author image URL to SharedPreferences
+  static Future<void> _persistAuthorImage(String cacheKey, String url) async {
+    try {
+      final prefs = await SharedPreferences.getInstance();
+      final jsonStr = prefs.getString(_authorImagePrefsKey);
+      final map = jsonStr != null
+          ? (json.decode(jsonStr) as Map<String, dynamic>).cast<String, String>()
+          : <String, String>{};
+      map[cacheKey] = url;
+      // Cap at 500 entries to prevent unbounded growth
+      if (map.length > 500) {
+        final keys = map.keys.toList();
+        for (var i = 0; i < map.length - 500; i++) {
+          map.remove(keys[i]);
+        }
+      }
+      await prefs.setString(_authorImagePrefsKey, json.encode(map));
+    } catch (e) {
+      _logger.warning('Failed to persist author image: $e', context: 'Metadata');
+    }
+  }
+
+  /// Validate that an image URL actually returns an image
+  static Future<bool> _validateImageUrl(String url) async {
+    try {
+      final response = await http.head(Uri.parse(url)).timeout(const Duration(seconds: 3));
+      return response.statusCode == 200 || response.statusCode == 301 ||
+             response.statusCode == 302 || response.statusCode == 307 || response.statusCode == 308;
+    } catch (_) {
+      return false;
+    }
+  }
+
+  /// Try a single source with all name variations, return first validated result
+  static Future<String?> _trySourceWithVariations(
+    Future<String?> Function(String name) source,
+    List<String> variations, {
+    bool alreadyValidated = false,
+  }) async {
+    for (final name in variations) {
+      final url = await source(name);
+      if (url != null) {
+        if (alreadyValidated || await _validateImageUrl(url)) {
+          return url;
+        }
+      }
+    }
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  /// Fetches author image URL from multiple sources in parallel
+  /// Sources: 1. Audnexus, 2. Open Library, 3. Wikidata, 4. Wikipedia
+  /// All sources run in parallel; first validated result wins
   static Future<String?> getAuthorImageUrl(String authorName) async {
+    // Warm cache from persistence on first access
+    await _warmAuthorImageCache();
+
     // Check cache first
     final cacheKey = 'authorImage:$authorName';
     if (_authorImageCache.containsKey(cacheKey)) {
       return _authorImageCache[cacheKey];
     }
 
+    // Deduplicate concurrent requests for the same author
+    if (_authorImageInFlight.containsKey(cacheKey)) {
+      return _authorImageInFlight[cacheKey]!.future;
+    }
+
+    final completer = Completer<String?>();
+    _authorImageInFlight[cacheKey] = completer;
+
+    try {
+      final result = await _fetchAuthorImage(authorName, cacheKey);
+      completer.complete(result);
+      return result;
+    } catch (e) {
+      completer.complete(null);
+      return null;
+    } finally {
+      _authorImageInFlight.remove(cacheKey);
+    }
+  }
+
+  /// Internal fetch logic (called once per author, deduplicated)
+  static Future<String?> _fetchAuthorImage(String authorName, String cacheKey) async {
     // Handle comma-separated author names (e.g., "Neil Gaiman, Dirk Maggs")
-    // Try to get image for the first/primary author
     if (authorName.contains(',')) {
       final authors = authorName.split(',').map((s) => s.trim()).where((s) => s.isNotEmpty).toList();
 
-      // Skip if this looks like "Lastname, Firstname" format or has suffixes
-      // - Second part is initials (J.R.R., J.K., etc.)
-      // - Second part is a suffix (Jr., Sr., III, PhD, etc.)
       final suffixes = ['jr', 'jr.', 'sr', 'sr.', 'ii', 'iii', 'iv', 'phd', 'ph.d.', 'md', 'm.d.'];
       if (authors.length == 2) {
         final secondPart = authors[1].toLowerCase();
-        // Check if second part is a suffix or looks like initials
         if (suffixes.contains(secondPart) ||
             RegExp(r'^[a-z]\.?\s*[a-z]?\.?\s*[a-z]?\.?$').hasMatch(secondPart)) {
-          // This is "Lastname, First" or "Name, Jr." - don't split
+          // "Lastname, First" or "Name, Jr." - don't split
         } else if (authors[0].split(' ').length > 1 && authors[1].split(' ').length > 1) {
-          // Both parts have multiple words - likely "Author1, Author2"
           for (final author in authors) {
             final result = await getAuthorImageUrl(author);
             if (result != null) {
@@ -683,10 +783,8 @@ class MetadataService {
               return result;
             }
           }
-          // Don't cache null here - fall through to try the full name
         }
       } else if (authors.length > 2) {
-        // Multiple commas = definitely multiple authors
         for (final author in authors) {
           final result = await getAuthorImageUrl(author);
           if (result != null) {
@@ -694,55 +792,28 @@ class MetadataService {
             return result;
           }
         }
-        // Don't cache null - fall through to try full name
       }
     }
 
     // Generate name variations for fuzzy matching
     final variations = _generateNameVariations(authorName);
 
-    // Try each source with all variations before moving to next source
-    // This prioritizes source quality over name variation
+    // Run all sources in parallel - first validated result wins
+    final results = await Future.wait([
+      _trySourceWithVariations(_tryAudnexus, variations),
+      _trySourceWithVariations(_tryOpenLibrary, variations, alreadyValidated: true),
+      _trySourceWithVariations(_tryWikidata, variations.take(2).toList()),
+      _trySourceWithVariations(_tryWikipedia, variations.take(3).toList()),
+    ]);
 
-    // 1. Try Audnexus (best for audiobook authors)
-    for (final name in variations) {
-      final result = await _tryAudnexus(name);
-      if (result != null) {
-        _authorImageCache[cacheKey] = result;
-        return result;
-      }
+    // Pick first non-null result (priority: Audnexus > OpenLibrary > Wikidata > Wikipedia)
+    final result = results[0] ?? results[1] ?? results[2] ?? results[3];
+
+    _authorImageCache[cacheKey] = result;
+    if (result != null) {
+      _persistAuthorImage(cacheKey, result);
     }
-
-    // 2. Try Open Library
-    for (final name in variations) {
-      final result = await _tryOpenLibrary(name);
-      if (result != null) {
-        _authorImageCache[cacheKey] = result;
-        return result;
-      }
-    }
-
-    // 3. Try Wikidata (structured data, good for finding exact person)
-    for (final name in variations.take(2)) {
-      final wikidataResult = await _tryWikidata(name);
-      if (wikidataResult != null) {
-        _authorImageCache[cacheKey] = wikidataResult;
-        return wikidataResult;
-      }
-    }
-
-    // 4. Try Wikipedia (search-based, good fallback)
-    for (final name in variations.take(3)) {
-      final wikiResult = await _tryWikipedia(name);
-      if (wikiResult != null) {
-        _authorImageCache[cacheKey] = wikiResult;
-        return wikiResult;
-      }
-    }
-
-    // Cache the null result to avoid repeated failed lookups
-    _authorImageCache[cacheKey] = null;
-    return null;
+    return result;
   }
 
   /// Cache for lyrics - uses bounded Map with manual size limiting (500 entries max)

lib/services/music_assistant_api.dart

@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ class MusicAssistantAPI {
   void _handleMessage(dynamic message) {
     try {
       final data = jsonDecode(message as String) as Map<String, dynamic>;
-      _logger.log('Received message: ${data.keys}');
+      _logger.debug('Received message: ${data.keys}');
 
       // Check for server info message (first message on connect)
       if (data.containsKey('server_version')) {
@@ -1621,36 +1621,28 @@ class MusicAssistantAPI {
   }
 
   Future<List<Track>> getAlbumTracks(String provider, String itemId) async {
-    return await RetryHelper.retryNetwork(
-      operation: () async {
-        try {
-          final response = await _sendCommand(
-            'music/albums/album_tracks',
-            args: {
-              'provider_instance_id_or_domain': provider,
-              'item_id': itemId,
-            },
-          );
+    try {
+      final response = await _sendCommand(
+        'music/albums/album_tracks',
+        args: {
+          'provider_instance_id_or_domain': provider,
+          'item_id': itemId,
+        },
+      );
 
-          final items = response['result'] as List<dynamic>?;
-          if (items == null) {
-            _logger.log('No result for album tracks');
-            return <Track>[];
-          }
+      final items = response['result'] as List<dynamic>?;
+      if (items == null) {
+        _logger.log('No result for album tracks');
+        return <Track>[];
+      }
 
-
-          return items
-              .map((item) => Track.fromJson(item as Map<String, dynamic>))
-              .toList();
-        } catch (e) {
-          _logger.log('Error getting album tracks: $e');
-          return <Track>[];
-        }
-      },
-    ).catchError((e) {
-      _logger.log('Error getting album tracks after retries: $e');
-      return <Track>[];
-    });
+      return items
+          .map((item) => Track.fromJson(item as Map<String, dynamic>))
+          .toList();
+    } catch (e) {
+      _logger.log('Error getting album tracks: $e');
+      rethrow;
+    }
   }
 
   /// Get playlists
@@ -1711,35 +1703,28 @@ class MusicAssistantAPI {
 
   /// Get playlist tracks
   Future<List<Track>> getPlaylistTracks(String provider, String itemId) async {
-    return await RetryHelper.retryNetwork(
-      operation: () async {
-        try {
-          final response = await _sendCommand(
-            'music/playlists/playlist_tracks',
-            args: {
-              'provider_instance_id_or_domain': provider,
-              'item_id': itemId,
-            },
-          );
+    try {
+      final response = await _sendCommand(
+        'music/playlists/playlist_tracks',
+        args: {
+          'provider_instance_id_or_domain': provider,
+          'item_id': itemId,
+        },
+      );
 
-          final items = response['result'] as List<dynamic>?;
-          if (items == null) {
-            _logger.log('No result for playlist tracks');
-            return <Track>[];
-          }
+      final items = response['result'] as List<dynamic>?;
+      if (items == null) {
+        _logger.log('No result for playlist tracks');
+        return <Track>[];
+      }
 
-          return items
-              .map((item) => Track.fromJson(item as Map<String, dynamic>))
-              .toList();
-        } catch (e) {
-          _logger.log('Error getting playlist tracks: $e');
-          return <Track>[];
-        }
-      },
-    ).catchError((e) {
-      _logger.log('Error getting playlist tracks after retries: $e');
-      return <Track>[];
-    });
+      return items
+          .map((item) => Track.fromJson(item as Map<String, dynamic>))
+          .toList();
+    } catch (e) {
+      _logger.log('Error getting playlist tracks: $e');
+      rethrow;
+    }
   }
 
   // Favorites
@@ -1996,7 +1981,7 @@ class MusicAssistantAPI {
               currentIndex = queueResult['current_index'] as int?;
               shuffleEnabled = queueResult['shuffle_enabled'] as bool?;
               repeatMode = queueResult['repeat_mode'] as String?;
-              _logger.log('🔀 Queue metadata: shuffle_enabled=$shuffleEnabled, repeat_mode=$repeatMode');
+              _logger.debug('🔀 Queue metadata: shuffle_enabled=$shuffleEnabled, repeat_mode=$repeatMode');
 
               final currentItemData = queueResult['current_item'] as Map<String, dynamic>?;
               final currentItemName = currentItemData?['name'] as String?;
@@ -2032,7 +2017,7 @@ class MusicAssistantAPI {
           }
 
           if (items.isEmpty) {
-            _logger.log('⚠️ Queue is empty or all items failed to parse');
+            _logger.debug('⚠️ Queue is empty or all items failed to parse');
             return null;
           }
 

lib/services/pcm_audio_player.dart

@@ -88,6 +88,9 @@ class PcmAudioPlayer {
   // Each chunk is ~4KB, so max ~500 chunks
   static const int _maxBufferChunks = 500;
 
+  // Software volume gain (0.0 = silent, 1.0 = full volume)
+  double _volumeGain = 1.0;
+
   // Stats
   int _framesPlayed = 0;
   int _bytesPlayed = 0;
@@ -113,6 +116,11 @@ class PcmAudioPlayer {
                                _state == PcmPlayerState.resuming ||
                                _state == PcmPlayerState.stopping;
 
+  /// Set software volume gain (0.0 = silent, 1.0 = full). Applied to PCM samples at feed time.
+  void setVolumeGain(double gain) {
+    _volumeGain = gain.clamp(0.0, 1.0);
+  }
+
   /// Check if feeding should be blocked
   bool get _shouldBlockFeeding => isTransitioning || _state == PcmPlayerState.paused;
 
@@ -360,7 +368,10 @@ class PcmAudioPlayer {
 
         // Convert Uint8List (raw bytes) to Int16 samples
         // Sendspin sends 16-bit little-endian PCM
-        final samples = _bytesToInt16List(chunk);
+        final rawSamples = _bytesToInt16List(chunk);
+        final samples = _volumeGain == 1.0
+            ? rawSamples
+            : rawSamples.map((s) => (s * _volumeGain).round().clamp(-32768, 32767)).toList();
 
         // Check state again before the async feed call
         if (samples.isNotEmpty && !_shouldBlockFeeding) {

lib/services/position_tracker.dart

@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ class PositionTracker {
     Duration? duration,
     double? serverTimestamp,
   }) {
-    _logger.log('⏱️ PositionTracker.updateFromServer: pos=${position.toStringAsFixed(1)}s, isPlaying=$isPlaying, playerId=$playerId');
+    _logger.debug('⏱️ PositionTracker.updateFromServer: pos=${position.toStringAsFixed(1)}s, isPlaying=$isPlaying, playerId=$playerId');
     final bool playerChanged = _playerId != playerId;
     final bool playStateChanged = _isPlaying != isPlaying;
     final bool durationChanged = duration != null && _duration != duration;
@@ -179,11 +179,11 @@ class PositionTracker {
       final newAnchorPos = anchorIsGettingStale && !playerChanged && !playStateChanged && isPlaying
           ? currentInterpolated  // Keep our interpolated position, just refresh the anchor time
           : anchorPos;           // Use server position for other cases
-      _logger.log('⏱️ PositionTracker: Anchor updated ${_anchorPosition.toStringAsFixed(1)}s -> ${newAnchorPos.toStringAsFixed(1)}s (playerChanged=$playerChanged, playStateChanged=$playStateChanged, positionDiff=${positionDiff.toStringAsFixed(1)}, suspiciousReset=$isSuspiciousReset, anchorStale=$anchorIsGettingStale)');
+      _logger.debug('⏱️ PositionTracker: Anchor updated ${_anchorPosition.toStringAsFixed(1)}s -> ${newAnchorPos.toStringAsFixed(1)}s (playerChanged=$playerChanged, playStateChanged=$playStateChanged, positionDiff=${positionDiff.toStringAsFixed(1)}, suspiciousReset=$isSuspiciousReset, anchorStale=$anchorIsGettingStale)');
       _anchorPosition = newAnchorPos;
       _anchorTime = DateTime.now();
     } else if (positionDiff > 2) {
-      _logger.log('⏱️ PositionTracker: Anchor NOT updated (suspiciousReset=$isSuspiciousReset, staleTimestamp=$hasStaleTimestamp, interpolated=${currentInterpolated.toStringAsFixed(1)}s)');
+      _logger.debug('⏱️ PositionTracker: Anchor NOT updated (suspiciousReset=$isSuspiciousReset, staleTimestamp=$hasStaleTimestamp, interpolated=${currentInterpolated.toStringAsFixed(1)}s)');
     }
 
     _isPlaying = isPlaying;
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ class PositionTracker {
 
   /// Clear tracker state (e.g., when disconnecting)
   void clear() {
-    _logger.log('⏱️ PositionTracker.clear() called');
+    _logger.debug('⏱️ PositionTracker.clear() called');
     _stopInterpolationTimer();
     _playerId = null;
     _isPlaying = false;
@@ -238,17 +238,17 @@ class PositionTracker {
 
   void _startInterpolationTimer() {
     if (_interpolationTimer != null) {
-      _logger.log('⏱️ PositionTracker: Timer already running, skipping start');
+      _logger.debug('⏱️ PositionTracker: Timer already running, skipping start');
       return;
     }
 
-    _logger.log('⏱️ PositionTracker: Starting interpolation timer (anchor=${_anchorPosition.toStringAsFixed(1)}s)');
+    _logger.debug('⏱️ PositionTracker: Starting interpolation timer (anchor=${_anchorPosition.toStringAsFixed(1)}s)');
     _interpolationTimer = Timer.periodic(const Duration(milliseconds: 250), (timer) {
       // Log every 4 ticks (1 second) if no emission happened
       if (timer.tick % 4 == 0) {
         final pos = currentPosition;
         if (pos.inSeconds == _lastEmittedSeconds) {
-          _logger.log('⏱️ PositionTracker: Timer tick ${timer.tick}, pos=${pos.inSeconds}s unchanged');
+          _logger.debug('⏱️ PositionTracker: Timer tick ${timer.tick}, pos=${pos.inSeconds}s unchanged');
         }
       }
       _emitPosition();
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ class PositionTracker {
   }
 
   void _stopInterpolationTimer() {
-    _logger.log('⏱️ PositionTracker: Stopping interpolation timer (was ${_interpolationTimer != null ? "running" : "null"})');
+    _logger.debug('⏱️ PositionTracker: Stopping interpolation timer (was ${_interpolationTimer != null ? "running" : "null"})');
     _interpolationTimer?.cancel();
     _interpolationTimer = null;
   }
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ class PositionTracker {
     // Only emit if second changed (reduces unnecessary updates)
     if (seconds != _lastEmittedSeconds) {
       _lastEmittedSeconds = seconds;
-      _logger.log('⏱️ PositionTracker: Emitting position ${seconds}s (anchor=${_anchorPosition.toStringAsFixed(1)}s, playing=$_isPlaying)');
+      _logger.debug('⏱️ PositionTracker: Emitting position ${seconds}s (anchor=${_anchorPosition.toStringAsFixed(1)}s, playing=$_isPlaying)');
       _positionController.add(pos);
     }
   }

lib/services/sendspin_service.dart

@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ class SendspinService {
           'name': _playerName,
           'version': 1,  // Protocol version (integer)
           'supported_roles': ['player@v1'],
-          'player_support': {
+          'player@v1_support': {
             'supported_formats': [
               {
                 'codec': 'pcm',
@@ -427,7 +427,25 @@ class SendspinService {
           }
           break;
 
+        case 'server/command':
+          final cmdPayload = data['payload'] as Map<String, dynamic>?;
+          final playerCmd = cmdPayload?['player'] as Map<String, dynamic>?;
+          final command = playerCmd?['command'] as String?;
+          if (command == 'volume') {
+            final level = playerCmd?['volume'] as int?;
+            if (level != null) {
+              _volume = level;
+              onVolume?.call(level);
+            }
+          } else if (command == 'mute') {
+            final muted = playerCmd?['mute'] as bool? ?? false;
+            _isMuted = muted;
+            onVolume?.call(muted ? 0 : _volume);
+          }
+          break;
+
         case 'volume':
+          // Legacy protocol - kept for compatibility
           final level = data['level'] as int?;
           if (level != null) {
             _volume = level;
@@ -523,7 +541,7 @@ class SendspinService {
 
     try {
       final json = jsonEncode(message);
-      _logger.log('Sendspin: Sending message: ${message['type']}');
+      _logger.debug('Sendspin: Sending message: ${message['type']}');
       _channel!.sink.add(json);
     } catch (e) {
       _logger.log('Sendspin: Error sending message: $e');

lib/services/sync_service.dart

@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ class SyncService with ChangeNotifier {
   List<Artist> _cachedArtists = [];
   List<Audiobook> _cachedAudiobooks = [];
   List<Playlist> _cachedPlaylists = [];
+  List<MediaItem> _cachedPodcasts = [];
 
   // Source provider tracking for client-side filtering
   // Maps itemId -> list of provider instance IDs that provided the item
@@ -50,7 +51,6 @@ class SyncService with ChangeNotifier {
   Map<String, List<String>> _artistSourceProviders = {};
   Map<String, List<String>> _audiobookSourceProviders = {};
   Map<String, List<String>> _playlistSourceProviders = {};
-
   // Getters
   SyncStatus get status => _status;
   String? get lastError => _lastError;
@@ -60,15 +60,16 @@ class SyncService with ChangeNotifier {
   List<Artist> get cachedArtists => _cachedArtists;
   List<Audiobook> get cachedAudiobooks => _cachedAudiobooks;
   List<Playlist> get cachedPlaylists => _cachedPlaylists;
+  List<MediaItem> get cachedPodcasts => _cachedPodcasts;
   bool get hasCache => _cachedAlbums.isNotEmpty || _cachedArtists.isNotEmpty ||
-                       _cachedAudiobooks.isNotEmpty || _cachedPlaylists.isNotEmpty;
+                       _cachedAudiobooks.isNotEmpty || _cachedPlaylists.isNotEmpty ||
+                       _cachedPodcasts.isNotEmpty;
 
   // Source provider getters for client-side filtering
   Map<String, List<String>> get albumSourceProviders => _albumSourceProviders;
   Map<String, List<String>> get artistSourceProviders => _artistSourceProviders;
   Map<String, List<String>> get audiobookSourceProviders => _audiobookSourceProviders;
   Map<String, List<String>> get playlistSourceProviders => _playlistSourceProviders;
-
   /// Load library data from database cache (instant)
   /// Call this on app startup for immediate data
   /// Also loads source provider info for client-side filtering
@@ -145,8 +146,20 @@ class SyncService with ChangeNotifier {
         }
       }
 
+      // Load podcasts from cache (no source provider tracking - API doesn't support filtering)
+      final podcastData = await _db.getCachedItems('podcast');
+      _cachedPodcasts = [];
+      for (final data in podcastData) {
+        try {
+          _cachedPodcasts.add(MediaItem.fromJson(data));
+        } catch (e) {
+          _logger.log('⚠️ Failed to parse cached podcast: $e');
+        }
+      }
+
       _logger.log('📦 Loaded ${_cachedAlbums.length} albums, ${_cachedArtists.length} artists, '
-                  '${_cachedAudiobooks.length} audiobooks, ${_cachedPlaylists.length} playlists from cache');
+                  '${_cachedAudiobooks.length} audiobooks, ${_cachedPlaylists.length} playlists, '
+                  '${_cachedPodcasts.length} podcasts from cache');
       _logger.log('📦 Source providers: ${_albumSourceProviders.length} albums, ${_artistSourceProviders.length} artists tracked');
       notifyListeners();
     } catch (e) {
@@ -180,8 +193,9 @@ class SyncService with ChangeNotifier {
       final artistsNeedSync = await _db.needsSync('artists', maxAge: const Duration(minutes: 5));
       final audiobooksNeedSync = await _db.needsSync('audiobooks', maxAge: const Duration(minutes: 5));
       final playlistsNeedSync = await _db.needsSync('playlists', maxAge: const Duration(minutes: 5));
+      final podcastsNeedSync = await _db.needsSync('podcasts', maxAge: const Duration(minutes: 5));
 
-      if (!albumsNeedSync && !artistsNeedSync && !audiobooksNeedSync && !playlistsNeedSync) {
+      if (!albumsNeedSync && !artistsNeedSync && !audiobooksNeedSync && !playlistsNeedSync && !podcastsNeedSync) {
         _logger.log('✅ Cache is fresh, skipping sync');
         return;
       }
@@ -207,6 +221,7 @@ class SyncService with ChangeNotifier {
         await _db.clearCacheForType('artist');
         await _db.clearCacheForType('audiobook');
         await _db.clearCacheForType('playlist');
+        await _db.clearCacheForType('podcast');
       }
 
       // Build NEW source tracking maps - don't modify existing until sync is complete
@@ -251,6 +266,9 @@ class SyncService with ChangeNotifier {
           _logger.log('  📡 Syncing provider: $providerId');
 
           // Fetch from this specific provider
+          // Note: Tracks are NOT fetched during background sync to avoid
+          // overwhelming provider rate limits (especially Spotify).
+          // Tracks are loaded on-demand when the user visits the tracks tab.
           final results = await Future.wait([
             api.getAlbums(limit: 1000, providerInstanceIds: [providerId]),
             api.getArtists(limit: 1000, albumArtistsOnly: showOnlyArtistsWithAlbums, providerInstanceIds: [providerId]),
@@ -263,7 +281,7 @@ class SyncService with ChangeNotifier {
           final audiobooks = results[2] as List<Audiobook>;
           final playlists = results[3] as List<Playlist>;
 
-          _logger.log('  📥 Got ${albums.length} albums, ${artists.length} artists, ${audiobooks.length} audiobooks from $providerId');
+          _logger.log('  📥 Got ${albums.length} albums, ${artists.length} artists, ${audiobooks.length} audiobooks, ${playlists.length} playlists from $providerId');
 
           // Add to maps and track source provider in NEW tracking maps
           for (final album in albums) {
@@ -325,20 +343,31 @@ class SyncService with ChangeNotifier {
       final audiobooks = audiobookMap.values.toList();
       final playlists = playlistMap.values.toList();
 
+      // Fetch podcasts separately (API doesn't support providerInstanceIds)
+      List<MediaItem> podcasts = [];
+      try {
+        podcasts = await api.getPodcasts(limit: 100);
+      } catch (e) {
+        _logger.log('⚠️ Failed to fetch podcasts: $e');
+      }
+
       _logger.log('📥 Total: ${albums.length} albums, ${artists.length} artists, '
-                  '${audiobooks.length} audiobooks, ${playlists.length} playlists');
+                  '${audiobooks.length} audiobooks, ${playlists.length} playlists, '
+                  '${podcasts.length} podcasts');
 
       // Save to database cache with source provider info (using NEW tracking maps)
       await _saveAlbumsToCache(albums, newAlbumSourceProviders);
       await _saveArtistsToCache(artists, newArtistSourceProviders);
       await _saveAudiobooksToCache(audiobooks, newAudiobookSourceProviders);
       await _savePlaylistsToCache(playlists, newPlaylistSourceProviders);
+      await _savePodcastsToCache(podcasts);
 
       // Update sync metadata
       await _db.updateSyncMetadata('albums', albums.length);
       await _db.updateSyncMetadata('artists', artists.length);
       await _db.updateSyncMetadata('audiobooks', audiobooks.length);
       await _db.updateSyncMetadata('playlists', playlists.length);
+      await _db.updateSyncMetadata('podcasts', podcasts.length);
 
       // Update in-memory cache
       if (isPartialSync) {
@@ -372,6 +401,9 @@ class SyncService with ChangeNotifier {
         _cachedAudiobooks = audiobooks;
         _cachedPlaylists = playlists;
       }
+      // Podcasts always full replace (no per-provider tracking)
+      _cachedPodcasts = podcasts;
+
       // Atomically swap in the new source tracking maps
       // This ensures filtering always sees complete data, never partial
       _albumSourceProviders = newAlbumSourceProviders;
@@ -474,6 +506,24 @@ class SyncService with ChangeNotifier {
     }
   }
 
+  /// Save podcasts to database cache (batched, no source provider tracking)
+  Future<void> _savePodcastsToCache(List<MediaItem> podcasts) async {
+    final batchItems = <BatchCacheItem>[];
+    for (final podcast in podcasts) {
+      batchItems.add(BatchCacheItem(
+        itemType: 'podcast',
+        itemId: podcast.itemId,
+        data: jsonEncode(podcast.toJson()),
+      ));
+    }
+    try {
+      await _db.batchCacheItems(batchItems);
+      _logger.log('💾 Batch saved ${podcasts.length} podcasts to cache');
+    } catch (e) {
+      _logger.log('⚠️ Failed to batch cache podcasts: $e');
+    }
+  }
+
   /// Force a fresh sync (for pull-to-refresh)
   /// [providerInstanceIds] - optional list of provider IDs to filter by (null = all providers)
   Future<void> forceSync(MusicAssistantAPI api, {List<String>? providerInstanceIds}) async {
@@ -489,6 +539,7 @@ class SyncService with ChangeNotifier {
     _cachedArtists = [];
     _cachedAudiobooks = [];
     _cachedPlaylists = [];
+    _cachedPodcasts = [];
     _albumSourceProviders = {};
     _artistSourceProviders = {};
     _audiobookSourceProviders = {};
@@ -574,9 +625,13 @@ class SyncService with ChangeNotifier {
   /// Get playlists (from cache or empty if not loaded)
   List<Playlist> getPlaylists() => _cachedPlaylists;
 
+  /// Get podcasts (from cache or empty if not loaded)
+  List<MediaItem> getPodcasts() => _cachedPodcasts;
+
   /// Check if we have data available (from cache or sync)
   bool get hasData => _cachedAlbums.isNotEmpty || _cachedArtists.isNotEmpty ||
-                      _cachedAudiobooks.isNotEmpty || _cachedPlaylists.isNotEmpty;
+                      _cachedAudiobooks.isNotEmpty || _cachedPlaylists.isNotEmpty ||
+                      _cachedPodcasts.isNotEmpty;
 
   /// Update cached albums with sorted data from provider
   /// Used when sort order changes - preserves source provider tracking

lib/widgets/album_card.dart

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
 import 'package:flutter/services.dart';
 import 'package:provider/provider.dart';
 import 'package:cached_network_image/cached_network_image.dart';
+import '../services/image_prefetch_service.dart';
 import '../models/media_item.dart';
 import '../providers/music_assistant_provider.dart';
 import '../screens/album_details_screen.dart';
@@ -377,6 +378,7 @@ class _AlbumCardState extends State<AlbumCard> with LibraryStatusMixin {
                                 fit: BoxFit.cover,
                                 memCacheWidth: cacheSize,
                                 memCacheHeight: cacheSize,
+                                cacheManager: AlbumImageCacheManager(),
                                 fadeInDuration: Duration.zero,
                                 fadeOutDuration: Duration.zero,
                                 placeholder: (context, url) => const SizedBox(),

lib/widgets/album_row.dart

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
 import 'package:provider/provider.dart';
 import 'package:cached_network_image/cached_network_image.dart';
+import '../services/image_prefetch_service.dart';
 import '../l10n/app_localizations.dart';
 import '../models/media_item.dart';
 import '../providers/music_assistant_provider.dart';
@@ -101,7 +102,7 @@ class _AlbumRowState extends State<AlbumRow> with AutomaticKeepAliveClientMixin
       if (imageUrl != null) {
         // Use CachedNetworkImageProvider to warm the cache
         precacheImage(
-          CachedNetworkImageProvider(imageUrl),
+          CachedNetworkImageProvider(imageUrl, cacheManager: AlbumImageCacheManager()),
           context,
         ).catchError((_) {
           // Silently ignore precache errors

lib/widgets/audiobook_row.dart

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import 'package:flutter/services.dart';
 import 'package:provider/provider.dart';
 import 'package:cached_network_image/cached_network_image.dart';
 import 'package:material_design_icons_flutter/material_design_icons_flutter.dart';
+import '../services/image_prefetch_service.dart';
 import '../l10n/app_localizations.dart';
 import '../models/media_item.dart';
 import '../providers/music_assistant_provider.dart';
@@ -95,7 +96,7 @@ class _AudiobookRowState extends State<AudiobookRow> with AutomaticKeepAliveClie
       final imageUrl = maProvider.api?.getImageUrl(audiobook, size: 256);
       if (imageUrl != null) {
         precacheImage(
-          CachedNetworkImageProvider(imageUrl),
+          CachedNetworkImageProvider(imageUrl, cacheManager: AlbumImageCacheManager()),
           context,
         ).catchError((_) {
           // Silently ignore precache errors
@@ -449,6 +450,7 @@ class _AudiobookCardState extends State<_AudiobookCard> with LibraryStatusMixin
                           ? CachedNetworkImage(
                               imageUrl: imageUrl,
                               fit: BoxFit.cover,
+                              cacheManager: AlbumImageCacheManager(),
                               // PERF: Duration.zero for hero-wrapped images
                               fadeInDuration: Duration.zero,
                               fadeOutDuration: Duration.zero,

lib/widgets/cached_image.dart

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
 import 'package:cached_network_image/cached_network_image.dart';
+import 'package:flutter_cache_manager/flutter_cache_manager.dart';
 
 /// A wrapper around CachedNetworkImage for consistent image caching throughout the app.
 ///
@@ -18,6 +19,7 @@ class CachedImage extends StatelessWidget {
   final int? cacheWidth;
   final int? cacheHeight;
   final BorderRadius? borderRadius;
+  final BaseCacheManager? cacheManager;
 
   const CachedImage({
     super.key,
@@ -30,6 +32,7 @@ class CachedImage extends StatelessWidget {
     this.cacheWidth,
     this.cacheHeight,
     this.borderRadius,
+    this.cacheManager,
   });
 
   @override
@@ -43,6 +46,7 @@ class CachedImage extends StatelessWidget {
       fit: fit,
       memCacheWidth: cacheWidth,
       memCacheHeight: cacheHeight,
+      cacheManager: cacheManager,
       fadeInDuration: const Duration(milliseconds: 150),
       fadeOutDuration: const Duration(milliseconds: 150),
       placeholder: (context, url) => placeholder ?? Container(

lib/widgets/expandable_player.dart

@@ -657,7 +657,7 @@ class ExpandablePlayerState extends State<ExpandablePlayer>
     _logger.log('📊 Subscribing to positionStream for progress bar');
     _positionSubscription = maProvider.positionTracker.positionStream.listen((position) {
       if (!mounted) return;
-      _logger.log('📊 Progress received position: ${position.inSeconds}s');
+      _logger.debug('📊 Progress received position: ${position.inSeconds}s');
       _progressNotifier.value = position.inSeconds;
     });
   }

lib/widgets/global_player_overlay.dart

@@ -638,15 +638,16 @@ class _GlobalPlayerOverlayState extends State<GlobalPlayerOverlay>
 
         // Global player overlay - renders ON TOP so cards slide behind it
         // Use Selector instead of Consumer to avoid rebuilds during animation
-        Selector<MusicAssistantProvider, ({bool isConnected, bool hasPlayer, bool hasTrack})>(
+        Selector<MusicAssistantProvider, ({bool isConnected, bool hasPlayer, bool hasTrack, bool hasCachedPlayers})>(
           selector: (_, provider) => (
             isConnected: provider.isConnected,
             hasPlayer: provider.selectedPlayer != null,
             hasTrack: provider.currentTrack != null,
+            hasCachedPlayers: provider.hasCachedPlayers,
           ),
           builder: (context, state, child) {
-            // Only show player if connected and has a selected player
-            if (!state.isConnected || !state.hasPlayer) {
+            // Show player if connected with a player, or if cached players exist (brief disconnect)
+            if ((!state.isConnected && !state.hasCachedPlayers) || !state.hasPlayer) {
               // Reset expansion state to prevent stale values from causing
               // invisible/non-interactive nav bar when connection restores.
               // This fixes a bug where expanded player state persisted after

lib/widgets/media_context_menu.dart

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import 'package:material_symbols_icons/symbols.dart';
 import '../models/media_item.dart';
 import '../providers/music_assistant_provider.dart';
 import '../widgets/global_player_overlay.dart' show GlobalPlayerOverlay, BottomSpacing;
+import '../theme/theme_provider.dart';
 import '../l10n/app_localizations.dart';
 import '../services/debug_logger.dart';
 
@@ -500,39 +501,42 @@ class _MediaContextMenuOverlayState extends State<_MediaContextMenuOverlay>
     final screenSize = MediaQuery.of(context).size;
     final viewPadding = MediaQuery.of(context).viewPadding;
 
-    // Account for mini player and bottom nav bar
-    final bottomInset = BottomSpacing.withMiniPlayer + viewPadding.bottom;
+    // Account for mini player and bottom nav bar.
+    // On detail screens the nav bar hides and mini player drops to bottom edge.
+    final isOnDetailScreen = context.read<ThemeProvider>().isOnDetailScreen;
+    final bottomInset = isOnDetailScreen
+        ? BottomSpacing.miniPlayerHeight + 22.0 + viewPadding.bottom
+        : BottomSpacing.withMiniPlayer + viewPadding.bottom;
 
     // Position near the tap, but keep on screen
     double left = widget.position.dx - menuWidth / 2;
-    double top = widget.position.dy;
 
     // Keep menu on screen horizontally
     left = left.clamp(8.0, screenSize.width - menuWidth - 8);
 
     // Estimate menu height based on content
-    double estimatedHeight;
+    double estimatedHeight = 8.0; // vertical padding (4 top + 4 bottom)
     if (widget.mediaType == ContextMenuMediaType.podcastEpisode) {
-      // Episode menu: 4 items + divider = ~200px
-      estimatedHeight = 200.0;
+      estimatedHeight += 4 * 46.0; // 4 menu items
     } else {
-      estimatedHeight = widget.showTopRow ? 280.0 : 180.0;
-      // Add height for sort section (header + items)
+      if (widget.showTopRow) estimatedHeight += 60.0; // icon button row
+      estimatedHeight += 3 * 46.0; // Play on, Start radio, Start radio on
       if (widget.onToggleSort != null) {
-        // Podcast has 4 sort options, others have 2
-        estimatedHeight += widget.mediaType == ContextMenuMediaType.podcast ? 170.0 : 110.0;
+        estimatedHeight += 1.0 + 32.0; // divider + header
+        final sortCount = widget.mediaType == ContextMenuMediaType.podcast ? 4 : 2;
+        estimatedHeight += sortCount * 42.0; // sort items
       }
-      // Add height for view section (divider + header + 3 items)
       if (widget.onCycleView != null) {
-        estimatedHeight += 140.0;
+        estimatedHeight += 1.0 + 32.0; // divider + header
+        estimatedHeight += 3 * 42.0; // view mode items
       }
     }
 
-    // If menu would go off bottom (accounting for mini player), position above the tap point
-    if (top + estimatedHeight > screenSize.height - bottomInset) {
-      top = widget.position.dy - estimatedHeight;
-    }
-    top = top.clamp(viewPadding.top + 8, screenSize.height - estimatedHeight - bottomInset);
+    // Keep menu below the tap point but above the mini player
+    final top = widget.position.dy.clamp(
+      viewPadding.top + 8,
+      screenSize.height - estimatedHeight - bottomInset,
+    );
 
     return Stack(
       children: [

lib/widgets/volume_control.dart

@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@ class _VolumeControlState extends State<VolumeControl> {
         setState(() {
           _systemVolume = volume;
         });
+        context.read<MusicAssistantProvider>().updateLocalPlayerVolume((volume * 100).round());
       }
     });
   }
@@ -140,6 +141,7 @@ class _VolumeControlState extends State<VolumeControl> {
             _systemVolume = newVolume / 100.0;
           });
         }
+        maProvider.updateLocalPlayerVolume(newVolume);
       } catch (e) {
         _logger.log('Volume: Error setting system volume - $e');
       }
@@ -163,6 +165,7 @@ class _VolumeControlState extends State<VolumeControl> {
 
       if (_isLocalPlayer) {
         FlutterVolumeController.setVolume(volume);
+        maProvider.updateLocalPlayerVolume(volumeLevel);
       } else {
         maProvider.setVolume(playerId, volumeLevel);
       }
@@ -171,8 +174,9 @@ class _VolumeControlState extends State<VolumeControl> {
 
   @override
   Widget build(BuildContext context) {
-    // Use select to only rebuild when selectedPlayer changes (not on every provider update)
+    // Use select to only rebuild when selectedPlayer or localPlayerVolume changes
     final player = context.select<MusicAssistantProvider, dynamic>((p) => p.selectedPlayer);
+    final maLocalVolume = context.select<MusicAssistantProvider, int>((p) => p.localPlayerVolume);
 
     if (player == null) {
       return const SizedBox.shrink();
@@ -182,9 +186,9 @@ class _VolumeControlState extends State<VolumeControl> {
 
     // Use pending volume during drag or button tap to prevent stale state issues
     final currentVolume = (_isDragging || _showButtonIndicator)
-        ? (_pendingVolume ?? (_isLocalPlayer ? (_systemVolume ?? 0.5) : player.volume.toDouble() / 100.0))
+        ? (_pendingVolume ?? (_isLocalPlayer ? maLocalVolume / 100.0 : player.volume.toDouble() / 100.0))
         : _isLocalPlayer
-            ? (_systemVolume ?? 0.5)
+            ? maLocalVolume / 100.0
             : player.volume.toDouble() / 100.0;
 
     // Use accent color if provided, otherwise fall back to theme primary
@@ -298,6 +302,7 @@ class _VolumeControlState extends State<VolumeControl> {
                         if (_isLocalPlayer) {
                           FlutterVolumeController.setVolume(finalVolume);
                           _systemVolume = finalVolume;
+                          context.read<MusicAssistantProvider>().updateLocalPlayerVolume(volumeLevel);
                         } else {
                           context.read<MusicAssistantProvider>().setVolume(player.playerId, volumeLevel);
                         }

pubspec.lock

@@ -351,7 +351,7 @@ packages:
     source: sdk
     version: "0.0.0"
   flutter_cache_manager:
-    dependency: transitive
+    dependency: "direct main"
     description:
       name: flutter_cache_manager
       sha256: "400b6592f16a4409a7f2bb929a9a7e38c72cceb8ffb99ee57bbf2cb2cecf8386"
@@ -854,7 +854,7 @@ packages:
     source: hosted
     version: "4.1.0"
   rxdart:
-    dependency: transitive
+    dependency: "direct main"
     description:
       name: rxdart
       sha256: "5c3004a4a8dbb94bd4bf5412a4def4acdaa12e12f269737a5751369e12d1a962"

pubspec.yaml

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 name: ensemble
 description: A minimalistic Music Assistant client built with Flutter
 publish_to: 'none'
-version: 3.0.3+55
+version: 3.0.5+57
 
 environment:
   sdk: '>=3.0.0 <4.0.0'
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ dependencies:
   web_socket_channel: ^2.4.0
   http: ^1.1.0
   cached_network_image: ^3.3.1
+  flutter_cache_manager: ^3.3.1
 
   # Storage
   shared_preferences: ^2.2.2
@@ -49,6 +50,7 @@ dependencies:
   audio_service: ^0.18.12
   audio_session: ^0.1.18
   flutter_volume_controller: ^1.3.2
+  rxdart: ^0.28.0
 
   # Raw PCM Audio Playback (for Sendspin streaming)
   flutter_pcm_sound: ^3.3.3