diff --git a/frontend/src/App.tsx b/frontend/src/App.tsx
index 56593f5..6a2ceca 100644
--- a/frontend/src/App.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/App.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 import { useState } from 'react'
-import { useQueryClient } from '@tanstack/react-query'
 import { Timeline } from './components/timeline/Timeline'
 import { LeftSidebar } from './components/layout/LeftSidebar'
 import { RightSidebar } from './components/layout/RightSidebar'
@@ -7,36 +6,37 @@ import { TopBar } from './components/layout/TopBar'
 import { ScanProgress } from './components/ScanProgress'
 import { ToastContainer } from './components/ToastContainer'
 import { KeyboardHints } from './components/KeyboardHints'
-import { LoupeView } from './components/loupe/LoupeView'
+import { PreviewView } from './components/preview/PreviewView'
 import { FilterBar } from './components/filter/FilterBar'
 import { ActiveFilterChips } from './components/filter/ActiveFilterChips'
 import { usePhotoStore } from './store/photoStore'
 import { useKeyboardShortcuts } from './hooks/useKeyboardShortcuts'
 import { useFilterUrlSync } from './hooks/useFilterUrlSync'
-import type { Photo } from './types/photo'
+import { usePhotosQuery } from './hooks/usePhotosQuery'
 
 function App() {
   const [leftSidebarOpen, setLeftSidebarOpen] = useState(true)
   const [rightSidebarOpen, setRightSidebarOpen] = useState(false)
   const selectedPhotos = usePhotoStore((state) => state.selectedPhotos)
   const viewMode = usePhotoStore((state) => state.viewMode)
-  const queryClient = useQueryClient()
 
   // Bidirectional sync of filter store with URL query params.
   useFilterUrlSync()
 
+  // Subscribe to the same photos query the Timeline uses, so the keyboard
+  // "open preview on first photo" path can read from the live cache regardless
+  // of what filter key it's stored under.
+  const { data: allPhotos } = usePhotosQuery()
+
   // Set up global keyboard shortcuts
   useKeyboardShortcuts({
     onToggleLeftSidebar: () => setLeftSidebarOpen(!leftSidebarOpen),
     onToggleRightSidebar: () => setRightSidebarOpen(!rightSidebarOpen),
-    getFirstPhotoId: () => {
-      const photos = queryClient.getQueryData<Photo[]>(['photos'])
-      return photos && photos.length > 0 ? photos[0].id : null
-    },
+    getFirstPhotoId: () => allPhotos?.[0]?.id ?? null,
   })
 
   // Auto-show right sidebar when photos are selected — but only in grid mode,
-  // so leaving loupe doesn't fight the user's prior sidebar state.
+  // so leaving the preview doesn't fight the user's prior sidebar state.
   if (viewMode === 'grid') {
     if (selectedPhotos.length > 0 && !rightSidebarOpen) {
       setRightSidebarOpen(true)
@@ -85,8 +85,8 @@ function App() {
       {/* Toast Notifications */}
       <ToastContainer />
 
-      {/* Loupe overlay — covers TopBar when active */}
-      {viewMode === 'loupe' && <LoupeView />}
+      {/* Preview overlay — covers TopBar when active */}
+      {viewMode === 'preview' && <PreviewView />}
     </div>
   )
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/KeyboardHints.tsx b/frontend/src/components/KeyboardHints.tsx
index a278318..6fa2a10 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/KeyboardHints.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/KeyboardHints.tsx
@@ -4,23 +4,23 @@ export function KeyboardHints() {
   const selectedCount = usePhotoStore((state) => state.selectedPhotos.length)
   const viewMode = usePhotoStore((state) => state.viewMode)
 
-  // In loupe mode the photo viewer has its own context, so the grid hints
+  // In preview mode the viewer has its own context, so the grid hints
   // would just be confusing. Hide them.
-  if (viewMode === 'loupe') return null
+  if (viewMode === 'preview') return null
 
   const hints = selectedCount > 0
     ? [
         { key: '1-5', action: 'Rate' },
         { key: 'P', action: 'Pick' },
         { key: 'X', action: 'Trash' },
-        { key: 'E', action: 'Loupe' },
+        { key: 'E / Space', action: 'Preview' },
         { key: 'Esc', action: 'Deselect' },
       ]
     : [
         { key: '↑↓←→', action: 'Navigate' },
         { key: 'Click', action: 'Select' },
         { key: 'Shift+Click', action: 'Range' },
-        { key: 'Space', action: 'Preview' },
+        { key: 'E / Space', action: 'Preview' },
         { key: '\\', action: 'Filters' },
         { key: '/', action: 'Search' },
       ]
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/loupe/LoupeFilmstrip.tsx b/frontend/src/components/preview/PreviewFilmstrip.tsx
similarity index 92%
rename from frontend/src/components/loupe/LoupeFilmstrip.tsx
rename to frontend/src/components/preview/PreviewFilmstrip.tsx
index bc627d0..e044da8 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/loupe/LoupeFilmstrip.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/preview/PreviewFilmstrip.tsx
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import clsx from 'clsx'
 import type { Photo } from '../../types/photo'
 import { photos as photosApi } from '../../services/api'
 
-interface LoupeFilmstripProps {
+interface PreviewFilmstripProps {
   photos: Photo[]
   currentIndex: number
   onSelect: (id: string) => void
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ interface LoupeFilmstripProps {
 
 const CELL_SIZE = 72
 
-export function LoupeFilmstrip({ photos, currentIndex, onSelect }: LoupeFilmstripProps) {
+export function PreviewFilmstrip({ photos, currentIndex, onSelect }: PreviewFilmstripProps) {
   const activeRef = useRef<HTMLButtonElement>(null)
 
   useEffect(() => {
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/loupe/LoupeImage.tsx b/frontend/src/components/preview/PreviewImage.tsx
similarity index 81%
rename from frontend/src/components/loupe/LoupeImage.tsx
rename to frontend/src/components/preview/PreviewImage.tsx
index 897ec98..3f4af97 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/loupe/LoupeImage.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/preview/PreviewImage.tsx
@@ -1,15 +1,14 @@
 import { useState, useEffect, useRef, useCallback } from 'react'
 import { useHotkeys } from 'react-hotkeys-hook'
-import clsx from 'clsx'
 import type { Photo } from '../../types/photo'
 import {
-  getLoupeImageSrc,
-  getLoupeFallbackSrc,
+  getPreviewImageSrc,
+  getPreviewFallbackSrc,
   getVideoSrc,
   isVideo,
-} from './loupeSrc'
+} from './previewSrc'
 
-interface LoupeImageProps {
+interface PreviewImageProps {
   photo: Photo
 }
 
@@ -17,14 +16,14 @@ const MIN_SCALE = 1
 const MAX_SCALE = 8
 const WHEEL_STEP = 1.15
 
-export function LoupeImage({ photo }: LoupeImageProps) {
+export function PreviewImage({ photo }: PreviewImageProps) {
   if (isVideo(photo)) {
-    return <LoupeVideo photo={photo} />
+    return <PreviewVideo photo={photo} />
   }
-  return <LoupeStillImage photo={photo} />
+  return <PreviewStillImage photo={photo} />
 }
 
-function LoupeVideo({ photo }: { photo: Photo }) {
+function PreviewVideo({ photo }: { photo: Photo }) {
   return (
     <div className="flex flex-1 items-center justify-center bg-black">
       <video
@@ -39,7 +38,7 @@ function LoupeVideo({ photo }: { photo: Photo }) {
   )
 }
 
-function LoupeStillImage({ photo }: { photo: Photo }) {
+function PreviewStillImage({ photo }: { photo: Photo }) {
   const [loaded, setLoaded] = useState(false)
   const [usingFallback, setUsingFallback] = useState(false)
 
@@ -58,8 +57,8 @@ function LoupeStillImage({ photo }: { photo: Photo }) {
     setOffset({ x: 0, y: 0 })
   }, [photo.id])
 
-  const primarySrc = getLoupeImageSrc(photo)
-  const fallbackSrc = getLoupeFallbackSrc(photo)
+  const primarySrc = getPreviewImageSrc(photo)
+  const fallbackSrc = getPreviewFallbackSrc(photo)
   const src = usingFallback ? fallbackSrc : primarySrc
 
   const handleError = () => {
@@ -83,10 +82,15 @@ function LoupeStillImage({ photo }: { photo: Photo }) {
     setScale(Math.min(ratio, MAX_SCALE))
   }, [scale])
 
-  useHotkeys('z', (e) => {
-    e.preventDefault()
-    toggleZoom()
-  }, [toggleZoom])
+  useHotkeys(
+    'z',
+    (e) => {
+      e.preventDefault()
+      toggleZoom()
+    },
+    { preventDefault: true },
+    [toggleZoom]
+  )
 
   const handleWheel = (e: React.WheelEvent) => {
     e.preventDefault()
@@ -140,11 +144,6 @@ function LoupeStillImage({ photo }: { photo: Photo }) {
       onMouseLeave={endDrag}
       style={{ cursor }}
     >
-      {!loaded && (
-        <div className="absolute left-1/2 top-1/2 -translate-x-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 text-text-muted">
-          <div className="h-10 w-10 animate-spin rounded-full border-2 border-primary/30 border-t-primary" />
-        </div>
-      )}
       <img
         ref={imgRef}
         key={`${photo.id}-${usingFallback}`}
@@ -155,18 +154,18 @@ function LoupeStillImage({ photo }: { photo: Photo }) {
         draggable={false}
         onLoad={() => setLoaded(true)}
         onError={handleError}
-        className={clsx(
-          'max-h-full max-w-full object-contain transition-opacity duration-150',
-          loaded ? 'opacity-100' : 'opacity-0'
-        )}
+        className="max-h-full max-w-full object-contain"
         style={{
           transform: `translate(${offset.x}px, ${offset.y}px) scale(${scale})`,
           transformOrigin: 'center center',
-          // Disable transition during pan/zoom — only fade-in is animated.
-          transition: 'opacity 150ms',
           willChange: 'transform',
         }}
       />
+      {!loaded && (
+        <div className="pointer-events-none absolute inset-0 flex items-center justify-center text-text-muted">
+          <div className="h-10 w-10 animate-spin rounded-full border-2 border-primary/30 border-t-primary" />
+        </div>
+      )}
 
       {/* Zoom indicator */}
       {isZoomed && (
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/loupe/LoupeView.tsx b/frontend/src/components/preview/PreviewView.tsx
similarity index 75%
rename from frontend/src/components/loupe/LoupeView.tsx
rename to frontend/src/components/preview/PreviewView.tsx
index 3b92205..e92195a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/loupe/LoupeView.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/preview/PreviewView.tsx
@@ -1,25 +1,24 @@
 import { useCallback, useEffect, useRef } from 'react'
 import { useHotkeys } from 'react-hotkeys-hook'
-import { useQueryClient } from '@tanstack/react-query'
 import { X } from 'lucide-react'
 import { usePhotoStore } from '../../store/photoStore'
+import { usePhotosQuery } from '../../hooks/usePhotosQuery'
 import type { Photo } from '../../types/photo'
-import { LoupeImage } from './LoupeImage'
-import { LoupeFilmstrip } from './LoupeFilmstrip'
-import { getLoupeImageSrc, isVideo } from './loupeSrc'
+import { PreviewImage } from './PreviewImage'
+import { PreviewFilmstrip } from './PreviewFilmstrip'
+import { getPreviewImageSrc, isVideo } from './previewSrc'
 
-export function LoupeView() {
+export function PreviewView() {
   const activePhotoId = usePhotoStore((s) => s.activePhotoId)
   const setActivePhoto = usePhotoStore((s) => s.setActivePhoto)
-  const closeLoupe = usePhotoStore((s) => s.closeLoupe)
+  const closePreview = usePhotoStore((s) => s.closePreview)
 
   const containerRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null)
   const previouslyFocusedRef = useRef<HTMLElement | null>(null)
 
-  // Read photos from the TanStack Query cache populated by Timeline.
-  // Same query key so we share the cache and never refetch.
-  const queryClient = useQueryClient()
-  const photos = queryClient.getQueryData<Photo[]>(['photos']) ?? []
+  // Same hook Timeline uses, so we share one cache entry rather than looking
+  // it up by key (which broke when the key gained the filter params).
+  const { data: photos = [] } = usePhotosQuery()
 
   const currentIndex = activePhotoId
     ? photos.findIndex((p) => p.id === activePhotoId)
@@ -39,21 +38,10 @@ export function LoupeView() {
     setActivePhoto(photos[next].id)
   }, [photos, safeIndex, setActivePhoto])
 
-  // Loupe-scoped hotkeys: only mounted while LoupeView is rendered.
-  useHotkeys('escape', (e) => {
-    e.preventDefault()
-    closeLoupe()
-  })
-
-  useHotkeys('left', (e) => {
-    e.preventDefault()
-    goPrev()
-  }, [goPrev])
-
-  useHotkeys('right', (e) => {
-    e.preventDefault()
-    goNext()
-  }, [goNext])
+  // Preview-scoped hotkeys: only mounted while PreviewView is rendered.
+  useHotkeys('escape', closePreview, { preventDefault: true })
+  useHotkeys('left', goPrev, { preventDefault: true }, [goPrev])
+  useHotkeys('right', goNext, { preventDefault: true }, [goNext])
 
   // Preload the immediate neighbors so arrow nav feels instant. Skip videos
   // (browsers can't preload them via Image()) and skip when at the edges.
@@ -64,13 +52,13 @@ export function LoupeView() {
     for (const p of neighbors) {
       if (isVideo(p)) continue
       const img = new Image()
-      img.src = getLoupeImageSrc(p)
+      img.src = getPreviewImageSrc(p)
     }
   }, [safeIndex, photos])
 
-  // Focus trap: focus the loupe container on mount, restore focus on unmount.
-  // The container is keyboard-focusable (tabIndex=-1) so screen readers and
-  // tab navigation stay scoped here.
+  // Focus trap: focus the preview container on mount, restore focus on
+  // unmount. The container is keyboard-focusable (tabIndex=-1) so screen
+  // readers and tab navigation stay scoped here.
   useEffect(() => {
     previouslyFocusedRef.current = document.activeElement as HTMLElement | null
     containerRef.current?.focus()
@@ -111,13 +99,13 @@ export function LoupeView() {
         ref={containerRef}
         role="dialog"
         aria-modal="true"
-        aria-label="Photo viewer"
+        aria-label="Photo preview"
         tabIndex={-1}
         className="fixed inset-0 z-40 flex flex-col items-center justify-center bg-black text-text-muted outline-none"
       >
         <div>No photo to display</div>
         <button
-          onClick={closeLoupe}
+          onClick={closePreview}
           className="mt-4 rounded border border-border px-3 py-1 text-sm hover:bg-surface"
         >
           Close
@@ -131,17 +119,17 @@ export function LoupeView() {
       ref={containerRef}
       role="dialog"
       aria-modal="true"
-      aria-label={`Photo viewer: ${currentPhoto.filename}`}
+      aria-label={`Photo preview: ${currentPhoto.filename}`}
       tabIndex={-1}
       onKeyDown={handleKeyDown}
       className="fixed inset-0 z-40 flex flex-col bg-black outline-none"
     >
       {/* Close button */}
       <button
-        onClick={closeLoupe}
+        onClick={closePreview}
         className="absolute right-3 top-3 z-10 flex h-9 w-9 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-black/60 text-white transition hover:bg-black/80"
         title="Close (Esc)"
-        aria-label="Close photo viewer"
+        aria-label="Close preview"
       >
         <X className="h-5 w-5" />
       </button>
@@ -154,9 +142,9 @@ export function LoupeView() {
         </div>
       </div>
 
-      <LoupeImage photo={currentPhoto} />
+      <PreviewImage photo={currentPhoto} />
 
-      <LoupeFilmstrip
+      <PreviewFilmstrip
         photos={photos}
         currentIndex={safeIndex}
         onSelect={setActivePhoto}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/loupe/loupeSrc.ts b/frontend/src/components/preview/previewSrc.ts
similarity index 79%
rename from frontend/src/components/loupe/loupeSrc.ts
rename to frontend/src/components/preview/previewSrc.ts
index 918568e..2de66ce 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/loupe/loupeSrc.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/components/preview/previewSrc.ts
@@ -6,11 +6,11 @@ const VIDEO_EXTENSIONS = ['.mp4', '.mov', '.webm', '.mkv', '.m4v']
 export function isVideo(photo: Photo): boolean {
   if (photo.media_type === 'video') return true
   const lower = photo.filepath.toLowerCase()
-  return VIDEO_EXTENSIONS.some(ext => lower.endsWith(ext))
+  return VIDEO_EXTENSIONS.some((ext) => lower.endsWith(ext))
 }
 
 /**
- * Pick the best display URL for a still photo in the loupe view.
+ * Pick the best display URL for a still photo in the preview view.
  *
  * Always uses the /proxy endpoint, which the backend resolves to:
  *   - the original file for web-safe formats (JPEG/PNG/WebP/GIF)
@@ -18,13 +18,13 @@ export function isVideo(photo: Photo): boolean {
  *
  * Videos go through `getVideoSrc` instead and use /original directly.
  */
-export function getLoupeImageSrc(photo: Photo): string {
+export function getPreviewImageSrc(photo: Photo): string {
   return photosApi.getProxyUrl(photo.id)
 }
 
 /** Fallback used when the proxy endpoint fails or 404s — shows the 1280px
  *  large thumbnail so the user still sees something. */
-export function getLoupeFallbackSrc(photo: Photo): string {
+export function getPreviewFallbackSrc(photo: Photo): string {
   return photosApi.getThumbnailUrl(photo.id, 'large')
 }
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/timeline/Timeline.tsx b/frontend/src/components/timeline/Timeline.tsx
index 38b7c86..530a0c1 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/timeline/Timeline.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/timeline/Timeline.tsx
@@ -1,10 +1,8 @@
 import { useRef, useEffect, useMemo, useState } from 'react'
 import { useVirtualizer } from '@tanstack/react-virtual'
 import { usePhotoStore } from '../../store/photoStore'
-import { useFilterStore, filtersToParams } from '../../store/filterStore'
 import { PhotoThumbnail } from './PhotoThumbnail'
-import { useQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query'
-import axios from 'axios'
+import { usePhotosQuery } from '../../hooks/usePhotosQuery'
 import type { Photo } from '../../types/photo'
 
 export function Timeline() {
@@ -18,7 +16,7 @@ export function Timeline() {
     selectPhoto,
     togglePhotoSelection,
     clearSelection,
-    openLoupe,
+    openPreview,
   } = usePhotoStore()
   
   // Helper function for range selection
@@ -46,51 +44,9 @@ export function Timeline() {
     return Math.floor((containerWidth - padding * 2) / (thumbnailSize + gap))
   }, [containerWidth, thumbnailSize, gap, padding])
 
-  // Filter state — included in the query key so the cache invalidates when
-  // any filter changes. Subscribing field-by-field keeps re-renders cheap.
-  const q = useFilterStore((s) => s.q)
-  const dateFrom = useFilterStore((s) => s.dateFrom)
-  const dateTo = useFilterStore((s) => s.dateTo)
-  const mediaTypes = useFilterStore((s) => s.mediaTypes)
-  const ratingMin = useFilterStore((s) => s.ratingMin)
-  const colorLabel = useFilterStore((s) => s.colorLabel)
-  const flag = useFilterStore((s) => s.flag)
-
-  const filterParams = useMemo(
-    () =>
-      filtersToParams({
-        q,
-        dateFrom,
-        dateTo,
-        mediaTypes,
-        ratingMin,
-        colorLabel,
-        flag,
-      }),
-    [q, dateFrom, dateTo, mediaTypes, ratingMin, colorLabel, flag]
-  )
-
-  // Fetch photos from backend. Note: backend uses page/per_page (max 500),
-  // not limit/offset — sending limit/offset previously was a silent no-op.
-  const { data: photos = [], isLoading } = useQuery({
-    queryKey: ['photos', filterParams],
-    queryFn: async () => {
-      const response = await axios.get<{ photos: Photo[]; total: number }>(
-        'http://localhost:8001/api/v1/photos',
-        {
-          params: {
-            page: 1,
-            per_page: 500,
-            sort: 'taken_at',
-            order: 'desc',
-            ...filterParams,
-          },
-        }
-      )
-      return response.data.photos || []
-    },
-    staleTime: 30000,
-  })
+  // Shared photos query — both Timeline and PreviewView use the same hook so
+  // they share one cache entry, regardless of filter state.
+  const { data: photos = [], isLoading } = usePhotosQuery()
 
   // Group photos into rows for grid layout
   const rows = useMemo(() => {
@@ -265,7 +221,7 @@ export function Timeline() {
                           selectPhoto(photo.id, globalIndex)
                         }
                       }}
-                      onDoubleClick={() => openLoupe(photo.id)}
+                      onDoubleClick={() => openPreview(photo.id)}
                     />
                   )
                 })}
diff --git a/frontend/src/hooks/useKeyboardShortcuts.ts b/frontend/src/hooks/useKeyboardShortcuts.ts
index 8856c52..709d244 100644
--- a/frontend/src/hooks/useKeyboardShortcuts.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/hooks/useKeyboardShortcuts.ts
@@ -26,15 +26,20 @@ const COLOR_LABELS: Record<string, string> = {
   '9': 'green',
 }
 
+// Default options shared by every shortcut: preventDefault stops the browser
+// from claiming the event (Firefox quick-find on letter keys, Cmd+F search,
+// `/` quick-find, Tab focus traversal). enableOnFormTags is left default-off
+// so typing in inputs doesn't fire culling shortcuts.
+const HK_OPTS = { preventDefault: true } as const
+
 export function useKeyboardShortcuts(props: KeyboardShortcutsProps) {
   const { onToggleLeftSidebar, onToggleRightSidebar, getFirstPhotoId } = props
 
   const viewMode = usePhotoStore((s) => s.viewMode)
-  const openLoupe = usePhotoStore((s) => s.openLoupe)
-  const closeLoupe = usePhotoStore((s) => s.closeLoupe)
+  const openPreview = usePhotoStore((s) => s.openPreview)
+  const closePreview = usePhotoStore((s) => s.closePreview)
 
-  const isGrid = viewMode === 'grid'
-  const isLoupe = viewMode === 'loupe'
+  const isPreview = viewMode === 'preview'
 
   // Photo mutation shared by every culling shortcut. Reads the active photo
   // id from the store at fire time so the closure stays fresh without forcing
@@ -55,98 +60,78 @@ export function useKeyboardShortcuts(props: KeyboardShortcutsProps) {
     updateMutation.mutate({ id, data })
   }
 
-  // Toggle sidebars (allowed in both modes; right sidebar is hidden in loupe
-  // by App-level CSS so toggling it is effectively grid-only.)
-  useHotkeys('tab', (e) => {
-    e.preventDefault()
-    onToggleLeftSidebar()
-  })
-
-  useHotkeys('i', (e) => {
-    e.preventDefault()
-    onToggleRightSidebar()
-  })
+  // Toggle sidebars
+  useHotkeys('tab', onToggleLeftSidebar, HK_OPTS)
+  useHotkeys('i', onToggleRightSidebar, HK_OPTS)
 
   // Filter bar toggle (\) and search focus (/ or Cmd/Ctrl+F).
-  useHotkeys('\\', (e) => {
-    e.preventDefault()
-    useFilterStore.getState().toggleFilterBar()
-  })
+  useHotkeys('\\', () => useFilterStore.getState().toggleFilterBar(), HK_OPTS)
 
-  const focusSearch = (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
-    e.preventDefault()
+  const focusSearch = () => {
     const el = document.getElementById('topbar-search') as HTMLInputElement | null
     el?.focus()
     el?.select()
   }
-  useHotkeys('/', focusSearch)
-  useHotkeys('mod+f', focusSearch)
+  useHotkeys('/', focusSearch, HK_OPTS)
+  useHotkeys('mod+f', focusSearch, HK_OPTS)
 
-  // G always returns to grid (closes loupe if open).
-  useHotkeys('g', () => {
-    closeLoupe()
-  })
-
-  // E toggles loupe (open from grid, close from loupe). Enter opens from grid.
-  const openLoupeFromGrid = () => {
+  // E and Space both toggle the preview view (open from grid, close from
+  // preview). Double-click on a thumbnail does the same.
+  const openPreviewFromGrid = () => {
     const id = usePhotoStore.getState().activePhotoId ?? getFirstPhotoId?.() ?? null
-    if (id) openLoupe(id)
+    if (id) openPreview(id)
   }
 
-  useHotkeys(
-    'e',
-    () => {
-      if (isLoupe) {
-        closeLoupe()
-      } else {
-        openLoupeFromGrid()
-      }
-    },
-    [isLoupe, getFirstPhotoId]
-  )
+  const togglePreview = () => {
+    if (isPreview) closePreview()
+    else openPreviewFromGrid()
+  }
 
-  useHotkeys(
-    'enter',
-    (e) => {
-      if (isGrid) {
-        e.preventDefault()
-        openLoupeFromGrid()
-      }
-    },
-    { enabled: isGrid },
-    [isGrid, getFirstPhotoId]
-  )
+  useHotkeys('e', togglePreview, HK_OPTS, [isPreview, getFirstPhotoId])
+  useHotkeys('space', togglePreview, HK_OPTS, [isPreview, getFirstPhotoId])
 
-  // ── Culling shortcuts (work in both grid and loupe) ──────────────────────
+  // ── Culling shortcuts (work in both grid and preview) ────────────────────
 
   // Star rating: 1-5 set, 0 clears.
-  useHotkeys('1,2,3,4,5', (_e, handler) => {
-    const rating = parseInt(handler.keys![0])
-    if (Number.isFinite(rating)) updateActive({ rating })
-  })
+  useHotkeys(
+    '1,2,3,4,5',
+    (_e, handler) => {
+      const rating = parseInt(handler.keys![0])
+      if (Number.isFinite(rating)) updateActive({ rating })
+    },
+    HK_OPTS
+  )
 
-  useHotkeys('0', () => {
-    updateActive({ rating: 0 })
-  })
+  useHotkeys('0', () => updateActive({ rating: 0 }), HK_OPTS)
 
   // Pick / trash / unflag. Trash is the merged "rejected" concept — a soft
   // flag that hides the photo from the default timeline view; restore via
   // the trash view (or the U shortcut).
-  useHotkeys('p', () => {
-    updateActive({ is_picked: true, is_trashed: false })
-  })
+  useHotkeys(
+    'p',
+    () => updateActive({ is_picked: true, is_trashed: false }),
+    HK_OPTS
+  )
 
-  useHotkeys('x', () => {
-    updateActive({ is_trashed: true, is_picked: false })
-  })
+  useHotkeys(
+    'x',
+    () => updateActive({ is_trashed: true, is_picked: false }),
+    HK_OPTS
+  )
 
-  useHotkeys('u', () => {
-    updateActive({ is_picked: false, is_trashed: false })
-  })
+  useHotkeys(
+    'u',
+    () => updateActive({ is_picked: false, is_trashed: false }),
+    HK_OPTS
+  )
 
   // Color labels 6-9 (red/orange/yellow/green per spec §6.4).
-  useHotkeys('6,7,8,9', (_e, handler) => {
-    const label = COLOR_LABELS[handler.keys![0]]
-    if (label) updateActive({ color_label: label })
-  })
+  useHotkeys(
+    '6,7,8,9',
+    (_e, handler) => {
+      const label = COLOR_LABELS[handler.keys![0]]
+      if (label) updateActive({ color_label: label })
+    },
+    HK_OPTS
+  )
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/hooks/usePhotosQuery.ts b/frontend/src/hooks/usePhotosQuery.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..996a049
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/hooks/usePhotosQuery.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+import { useMemo } from 'react'
+import { useQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query'
+import axios from 'axios'
+import { useFilterStore, filtersToParams } from '../store/filterStore'
+import type { Photo } from '../types/photo'
+
+/**
+ * Single source of truth for the timeline photos query. Both Timeline and
+ * PreviewView call this so they share one cache entry — previously
+ * PreviewView looked the cache up by key directly, which broke the moment
+ * Timeline's key gained the filter params.
+ */
+export function usePhotosQuery() {
+  const q = useFilterStore((s) => s.q)
+  const dateFrom = useFilterStore((s) => s.dateFrom)
+  const dateTo = useFilterStore((s) => s.dateTo)
+  const mediaTypes = useFilterStore((s) => s.mediaTypes)
+  const ratingMin = useFilterStore((s) => s.ratingMin)
+  const colorLabel = useFilterStore((s) => s.colorLabel)
+  const flag = useFilterStore((s) => s.flag)
+
+  const filterParams = useMemo(
+    () =>
+      filtersToParams({
+        q,
+        dateFrom,
+        dateTo,
+        mediaTypes,
+        ratingMin,
+        colorLabel,
+        flag,
+      }),
+    [q, dateFrom, dateTo, mediaTypes, ratingMin, colorLabel, flag]
+  )
+
+  return useQuery({
+    queryKey: ['photos', filterParams],
+    queryFn: async () => {
+      const response = await axios.get<{ photos: Photo[]; total: number }>(
+        'http://localhost:8001/api/v1/photos',
+        {
+          params: {
+            page: 1,
+            per_page: 500,
+            sort: 'taken_at',
+            order: 'desc',
+            ...filterParams,
+          },
+        }
+      )
+      return response.data.photos || []
+    },
+    staleTime: 30_000,
+  })
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/store/photoStore.ts b/frontend/src/store/photoStore.ts
index 057cf64..40d7496 100644
--- a/frontend/src/store/photoStore.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/store/photoStore.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { create } from 'zustand'
 import type { Photo } from '../types/photo'
 
-type ViewMode = 'grid' | 'loupe'
+type ViewMode = 'grid' | 'preview'
 
 interface PhotoStore {
   photos: Photo[]
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ interface PhotoStore {
   clearSelection: () => void
   setActivePhoto: (id: string | null) => void
   setViewMode: (mode: ViewMode) => void
-  openLoupe: (id: string) => void
-  closeLoupe: () => void
+  openPreview: (id: string) => void
+  closePreview: () => void
 }
 
 export const usePhotoStore = create<PhotoStore>((set) => ({
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ export const usePhotoStore = create<PhotoStore>((set) => ({
 
   setViewMode: (mode) => set({ viewMode: mode }),
 
-  openLoupe: (id) => set({ viewMode: 'loupe', activePhotoId: id }),
+  openPreview: (id) => set({ viewMode: 'preview', activePhotoId: id }),
 
-  closeLoupe: () => set({ viewMode: 'grid' }),
+  closePreview: () => set({ viewMode: 'grid' }),
 }))
\ No newline at end of file