feat(settings,index): per-user index sub-path, strip dead PP settings, scope duplicates

Lets a user pick a sub-folder under their library as a working index root,
stored server-side (new sidecar user_prefs table). The Library tree, reindex,
and both duplicate views (stacks + cross-folder scan) now re-root to it via a
single userLibraryBase() helper. Also fixes the cross-folder scan/archive
endpoints, which previously walked/touched the whole originals root instead
of being scoped per-user (archive now rejects out-of-scope paths, 403).

Removes PhotoPrism settings (Search/Maps/Server-UI/Features/Import) that only
steered PhotoPrism's own bundled SPA and were never read by mulimage's UI.

Also fixes the Library tree occasionally getting stuck on "Loading folders…"
by dropping gcTime:0 and gating the spinner on isLoading instead of isPending.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

sidecar/db.go

@@ -26,6 +26,21 @@ type Mark struct {
 // nothing surprising lands in the schema.
 func (Mark) TableName() string { return "marks" }
 
+// UserPref holds the per-user, server-side preferences PhotoPrism's account
+// model has no slot for. Today that's just `IndexPath` — the originals-
+// relative sub-folder (under the user's BasePath) the web client re-roots the
+// Library tree to and scopes the reindex to. Empty string = "whole folder".
+// Keyed by username so each user has independent prefs, matching `Mark`.
+type UserPref struct {
+	UserName  string    `gorm:"primaryKey;size:128;column:user_name" json:"-"`
+	IndexPath string    `gorm:"size:1024;column:index_path" json:"indexPath"`
+	UpdatedAt time.Time `gorm:"column:updated_at" json:"-"`
+}
+
+// TableName pins the table name (GORM would pluralise to `user_prefs` anyway,
+// but pin it explicitly to stay consistent with Mark).
+func (UserPref) TableName() string { return "user_prefs" }
+
 // asJSON returns the wire shape clients expect — same flat object the
 // Node prototype emitted. An empty Mark (rating=nil, color=nil) renders
 // as `{}` which the client treats as "no mark on this photo".
@@ -56,7 +71,7 @@ func openDB(dsn string) (*gorm.DB, error) {
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	if err := db.AutoMigrate(&Mark{}); err != nil {
+	if err := db.AutoMigrate(&Mark{}, &UserPref{}); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	return db, nil

sidecar/handlers_dups.go

@@ -9,10 +9,12 @@ import (
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"sort"
+	"strings"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/gin-gonic/gin"
+	"gorm.io/gorm"
 )
 
 const quarantineDir = ".duplicates"
@@ -36,17 +38,41 @@ type dupListPhoto struct {
 	Files []ppFile `json:"Files"`
 }
 
-func handleDupScan(cfg *Config, pp *ppClient) gin.HandlerFunc {
+func handleDupScan(cfg *Config, pp *ppClient, db *gorm.DB) gin.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(c *gin.Context) {
 		token := ctxToken(c)
 		start := time.Now()
-		slog.Info("dup.scan starting", "root", cfg.OriginalsRoot)
 
-		all, err := walkFiles(cfg.OriginalsRoot)
+		// Scope the walk to the user's effective library root (BasePath +
+		// chosen index sub-path), same as the folders/timeline/reindex scope —
+		// otherwise a narrowed root would still surface every other user's
+		// files in the cross-folder duplicate scan. "" means whole library
+		// (today's admin-without-BasePath default).
+		root := effectiveLibraryRoot(c, db)
+		scanRoot := cfg.OriginalsRoot
+		if root != "" {
+			abs, err := resolveUnderRoot(cfg.OriginalsRoot, root, true)
+			if err != nil {
+				c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "invalid library root"})
+				return
+			}
+			scanRoot = abs
+		}
+		slog.Info("dup.scan starting", "root", scanRoot)
+
+		all, err := walkFiles(scanRoot)
 		if err != nil {
 			c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": err.Error()})
 			return
 		}
+		// walkFiles computes RelPath relative to scanRoot; re-prefix with the
+		// scoped sub-path so RelPath stays originals-root-relative, matching
+		// what handleDupArchive (and the rest of the API) expects.
+		if root != "" {
+			for i := range all {
+				all[i].RelPath = root + "/" + all[i].RelPath
+			}
+		}
 
 		// Group by size first: byte-identical files necessarily share size,
 		// so size-collision is a cheap O(N) prefilter that lets us skip
@@ -149,7 +175,7 @@ type dupArchiveErr struct {
 	Error string `json:"error"`
 }
 
-func handleDupArchive(cfg *Config, pp *ppClient) gin.HandlerFunc {
+func handleDupArchive(cfg *Config, pp *ppClient, db *gorm.DB) gin.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(c *gin.Context) {
 		token := ctxToken(c)
 		var body dupArchiveBody
@@ -158,6 +184,23 @@ func handleDupArchive(cfg *Config, pp *ppClient) gin.HandlerFunc {
 			return
 		}
 
+		// Authz: every path must live under the caller's effective library
+		// root. The scan above already only ever returns paths from there,
+		// but this endpoint takes paths straight from the request body, so a
+		// scoped (non-admin, or admin-with-sub-path) user could otherwise
+		// pass an arbitrary originals-relative path and archive (move) files
+		// outside their own folder.
+		root := effectiveLibraryRoot(c, db)
+		if root != "" {
+			for _, p := range body.Paths {
+				clean := strings.Trim(p, "/")
+				if clean != root && !strings.HasPrefix(clean, root+"/") {
+					c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "path outside your library root"})
+					return
+				}
+			}
+		}
+
 		// Each archive batch lands in its own timestamped subdir so the
 		// user can browse what was quarantined when (and recover by hand
 		// if they change their mind).

sidecar/handlers_prefs.go

@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"net/http"
+	"os"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/gin-gonic/gin"
+	"gorm.io/gorm"
+)
+
+// Per-user preferences the PhotoPrism account model can't hold. Currently a
+// single field — the index sub-path the web client re-roots the Library tree
+// to and scopes the reindex to. Stored in the sidecar's own DB keyed by
+// username (see UserPref in db.go); never touches PhotoPrism's auth_users.
+
+// prefsBody is the wire shape for GET responses and PUT requests alike.
+type prefsBody struct {
+	IndexPath string `json:"indexPath"`
+}
+
+// loadUserPref reads the row for a user, returning a zero-value pref (empty
+// IndexPath) when none exists yet — the "whole folder" default.
+func loadUserPref(db *gorm.DB, userName string) (UserPref, error) {
+	var p UserPref
+	err := db.Where("user_name = ?", userName).First(&p).Error
+	if errors.Is(err, gorm.ErrRecordNotFound) {
+		return UserPref{UserName: userName}, nil
+	}
+	return p, err
+}
+
+func handlePrefsGet(db *gorm.DB) gin.HandlerFunc {
+	return func(c *gin.Context) {
+		p, err := loadUserPref(db, ctxUserName(c))
+		if err != nil {
+			c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": err.Error()})
+			return
+		}
+		c.JSON(http.StatusOK, prefsBody{IndexPath: p.IndexPath})
+	}
+}
+
+// handlePrefsPut validates the requested index sub-path lives under the user's
+// BasePath (an existing directory, no traversal) and upserts it. An empty
+// string clears the sub-path back to "whole folder".
+func handlePrefsPut(cfg *Config, db *gorm.DB) gin.HandlerFunc {
+	return func(c *gin.Context) {
+		var body prefsBody
+		if err := c.ShouldBindJSON(&body); err != nil {
+			c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "invalid body"})
+			return
+		}
+
+		// Normalise to originals-relative, no leading/trailing slashes —
+		// the same shape the web client and auth_users.base_path use.
+		sub := strings.Trim(strings.TrimSpace(body.IndexPath), "/")
+
+		if sub != "" {
+			// The sub-path is relative to the user's BasePath; resolve the
+			// combined originals-relative path and require it to be an
+			// existing directory inside the originals root. resolveUnderRoot
+			// already rejects traversal and symlink escapes.
+			base := strings.Trim(ctxBasePath(c), "/")
+			combined := sub
+			if base != "" {
+				combined = base + "/" + sub
+			}
+			abs, err := resolveUnderRoot(cfg.OriginalsRoot, combined, true)
+			if err != nil {
+				c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "invalid index path: " + err.Error()})
+				return
+			}
+			info, err := os.Stat(abs)
+			if err != nil || !info.IsDir() {
+				c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "index path is not a folder"})
+				return
+			}
+		}
+
+		userName := ctxUserName(c)
+		p := UserPref{UserName: userName, IndexPath: sub, UpdatedAt: time.Now().UTC()}
+		// Upsert: a clear (sub == "") persists an empty string rather than
+		// deleting the row, so the GET path stays a single code branch.
+		if err := db.Save(&p).Error; err != nil {
+			c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": err.Error()})
+			return
+		}
+		c.JSON(http.StatusOK, prefsBody{IndexPath: sub})
+	}
+}
+
+// effectiveLibraryRoot returns the requesting user's working library root,
+// originals-relative with no leading/trailing slash: their BasePath narrowed
+// by their chosen index sub-path (if any). Mirrors the web client's
+// `userLibraryBase()` — handlers that walk the filesystem on a user's behalf
+// (duplicate scan/archive) should scope to this instead of cfg.OriginalsRoot
+// so a narrowed root also narrows what those handlers can see or touch.
+// Returns "" for "whole library" (no BasePath and no sub-path set — today's
+// admin default).
+func effectiveLibraryRoot(c *gin.Context, db *gorm.DB) string {
+	base := strings.Trim(ctxBasePath(c), "/")
+	pref, err := loadUserPref(db, ctxUserName(c))
+	sub := ""
+	if err == nil {
+		sub = strings.Trim(pref.IndexPath, "/")
+	}
+	if sub == "" {
+		return base
+	}
+	if base == "" {
+		return sub
+	}
+	return base + "/" + sub
+}

sidecar/main.go

@@ -81,6 +81,9 @@ func main() {
 	// under one group keeps the middleware wiring obvious.
 		auth := r.Group("/api/sidecar", requireSession(pp))
 		{
+			auth.GET("/prefs", handlePrefsGet(db))
+			auth.PUT("/prefs", handlePrefsPut(cfg, db))
+
 			auth.GET("/photos/marks", handleMarksAll(db))
 			auth.GET("/photos/:uid/marks", handleMarkGet(db))
 			auth.PUT("/photos/:uid/marks", handleMarkPut(db))
@@ -97,8 +100,8 @@ func main() {
 			auth.POST("/albums/:uid/convert", handleHeapConvert(cfg, pp))
 			auth.POST("/photos/move", handlePhotosMove(cfg, pp))
 
-			auth.GET("/duplicates/scan", handleDupScan(cfg, pp))
-			auth.POST("/duplicates/archive", handleDupArchive(cfg, pp))
+			auth.GET("/duplicates/scan", handleDupScan(cfg, pp, db))
+			auth.POST("/duplicates/archive", handleDupArchive(cfg, pp, db))
 
 						// User-scoped proxies — require PpDSN connection.
 						if ppDb != nil {

web/src/lib/components/duplicates/DuplicatesView.svelte

@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
 		type CrossFolderScanResult
 	} from '$lib/services/photoprism';
 	import type { DuplicateGroup } from '$lib/services/adapters/duplicates';
+	import { userLibraryBase } from '$lib/stores/session.svelte';
 	import StackGroupCard from './StackGroupCard.svelte';
 	import CrossFolderGroupCard from './CrossFolderGroupCard.svelte';
 	import { EmptyState, InlineLoader } from '$lib/components/feedback';
@@ -50,14 +51,14 @@
 	// "Rescan filesystem" button invalidates to force a re-scan after
 	// the user has moved files around.
 	const crossQuery = createQuery<CrossFolderScanResult>(() => ({
-		queryKey: ['duplicates-cross-folder'],
+		queryKey: ['duplicates-cross-folder', userLibraryBase()],
 		queryFn: scanCrossFolderDuplicates,
 		enabled: activeTab === 'cross-folder',
 		staleTime: 5 * 60_000
 	}));
 
 	function rescan() {
-		void qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['duplicates-cross-folder'] });
+		void qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['duplicates-cross-folder', userLibraryBase()] });
 	}
 
 	$effect(() => {

web/src/lib/components/layout/GeneralSettingsDialog.svelte

@@ -1,24 +1,20 @@
 <!--
-	General app preferences. The UI tab owns the SvelteKit shell's
-	light/dark/system theme (mode-watcher) plus the per-user UI knobs
-	PhotoPrism's /settings exposes. Search and Maps follow the same
-	pattern — server prefs round-trip via /api/v1/settings.
+	General app preferences. Two tabs: the SvelteKit shell's
+	light/dark/system theme (mode-watcher) and the signed-in user's account
+	(identity + password change).
 
-	The Library admin dialog and this one share the ['settings'] cache,
-	so saves from either invalidate the other.
+	PhotoPrism's own per-user UI/search/maps knobs used to live here too, but
+	they only steer PhotoPrism's bundled SPA — which mulimage's users never
+	see — so they were removed. mulimage's own view prefs live in the view
+	store; the library admin knobs live under Folders → ⚙ (SettingsDialog).
 -->
 <script lang="ts">
 	import { Dialog, Tabs } from 'bits-ui';
-	import { createMutation, createQuery, useQueryClient } from '@tanstack/svelte-query';
+	import { createMutation } from '@tanstack/svelte-query';
 	import { mode, setMode } from 'mode-watcher';
 	import { toast } from 'svelte-sonner';
 	import { Loader2, Monitor, Moon, Settings as SettingsIcon, Sun, X } from 'lucide-svelte';
-	import {
-		getSettings,
-		saveSettings,
-		setUserPassword,
-		type PpSettings
-	} from '$lib/services/photoprism';
+	import { setUserPassword } from '$lib/services/photoprism';
 	import { session } from '$lib/stores/session.svelte';
 
 	interface Props {
@@ -27,9 +23,7 @@
 	}
 	let { open, onClose }: Props = $props();
 
-	const qc = useQueryClient();
-
-	let activeTab = $state<'ui' | 'search' | 'maps' | 'account'>('ui');
+	let activeTab = $state<'ui' | 'account'>('ui');
 
 	// ── Account tab — password change ─────────────────────────────────────
 	let pwOld = $state('');
@@ -59,107 +53,6 @@
 		{ value: 'system', label: 'System', Icon: Monitor }
 	] as const;
 
-	// PhotoPrism palette names from its built-in themes. Any value
-	// outside this list is preserved verbatim (see `withCurrent`).
-	const ppThemes = [
-		'default',
-		'abyss',
-		'gemstone',
-		'grayscale',
-		'lavender',
-		'legacy',
-		'neon',
-		'onyx',
-		'raspberry',
-		'shadow',
-		'yellowstone'
-	];
-
-	// IETF subtags PhotoPrism ships translations for. Extend without
-	// fear — `withCurrent` keeps unknown values visible.
-	const ppLanguages = [
-		'en', 'de', 'es', 'fr', 'it', 'pt', 'nl', 'pl', 'cs', 'sk',
-		'sv', 'no', 'da', 'fi', 'hu', 'ro', 'bg', 'el', 'ru', 'uk',
-		'tr', 'ar', 'he', 'hi', 'vi', 'th', 'ja', 'ko', 'zh'
-	];
-
-	const ppStartPages = [
-		'default',
-		'browse',
-		'albums',
-		'calendar',
-		'moments',
-		'people',
-		'places',
-		'labels',
-		'states',
-		'library'
-	];
-
-	const ppMapStyles = ['default', 'streets', 'hybrid', 'topographique', 'offline'];
-
-	// Returns `opts` with `current` prepended if it's set and not
-	// already in the list — so e.g. an experimental theme name in the
-	// server response shows up selected and editable instead of
-	// silently being overwritten by the dropdown's default.
-	function withCurrent(opts: string[], current?: string): string[] {
-		if (!current) return opts;
-		return opts.includes(current) ? opts : [current, ...opts];
-	}
-
-	const settingsQuery = createQuery<PpSettings>(() => ({
-		queryKey: ['settings'],
-		queryFn: getSettings,
-		enabled: open
-	}));
-
-	/**
-	 * Some PhotoPrism deployments return `/settings` without the
-	 * `ui` / `search` / `maps` keys (older versions, custom edits to
-	 * settings.yml). The form's `bind:value={draft.ui!.theme}` etc.
-	 * non-null-asserts those sub-objects — when they're missing the
-	 * assertion lies and the bind getter throws on the next tick. Force
-	 * the shape on every clone so every binding has a real object to
-	 * write into, and so `draft.ui` is never null while `draft` is non-
-	 * null (template gates only check `draft`).
-	 */
-	function normalize(s: PpSettings): PpSettings {
-		return {
-			...s,
-			ui: s.ui ?? {},
-			search: s.search ?? {},
-			maps: s.maps ?? {}
-		};
-	}
-
-	let draft = $state<PpSettings | null>(null);
-	// Re-clone on each open so reopening the dialog shows the freshest
-	// server state. Eagerly nulling on close used to introduce a window
-	// where Dialog's exit animation kept the form mounted while draft
-	// was already null — and bind:value getters read null, triggering
-	// "$.get(...) is null" / can't access .ui at runtime. Resetting on
-	// open instead avoids that race entirely.
-	$effect(() => {
-		if (open && settingsQuery.data) {
-			draft = normalize(structuredClone(settingsQuery.data));
-		}
-	});
-
-	const saveMut = createMutation(() => ({
-		mutationFn: (patch: PpSettings) => saveSettings(patch),
-		onSuccess: (next) => {
-			qc.setQueryData(['settings'], next);
-			draft = normalize(structuredClone(next));
-			toast.success('Settings saved');
-		},
-		onError: (err) =>
-			toast.error(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Could not save settings')
-	}));
-
-	function resetDraft() {
-		if (settingsQuery.data) draft = normalize(structuredClone(settingsQuery.data));
-	}
-
 	const selectClass =
 		'rounded border border-input bg-background px-2 py-1 focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-ring';
 </script>
@@ -198,7 +91,7 @@
 
 			<Tabs.Root bind:value={activeTab}>
 				<Tabs.List class="mb-3 flex gap-1 border-b border-border">
-					{#each ['ui', 'search', 'maps', 'account'] as const as t (t)}
+					{#each ['ui', 'account'] as const as t (t)}
 						<Tabs.Trigger
 							value={t}
 							class="-mb-px border-b-2 border-transparent px-3 py-1.5 text-[12px] capitalize text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground data-[state=active]:border-primary data-[state=active]:text-foreground"
@@ -208,8 +101,7 @@
 					{/each}
 				</Tabs.List>
 
-				<!-- UI — local app theme (mode-watcher) on top, then the
-				     PhotoPrism per-user UI knobs that go to /settings. -->
+				<!-- UI — local app theme (mode-watcher). Persists itself; no Save. -->
 				<Tabs.Content value="ui" class="space-y-4 text-[12px] outline-none">
 					<section class="space-y-2">
 						<h3 class="text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[0.14em] text-muted-foreground">
@@ -239,126 +131,10 @@
 							Light/dark for this app. Persists locally; no Save needed.
 						</p>
 					</section>
-
-					{#if settingsQuery.isPending}
-						<p class="px-1 text-muted-foreground">Loading server settings…</p>
-					{:else if settingsQuery.isError}
-						<p class="px-1 text-destructive">Could not load server settings.</p>
-					{:else if draft}
-						<section class="space-y-3">
-							<h3 class="text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[0.14em] text-muted-foreground">
-								Server UI
-							</h3>
-							<label class="flex flex-col gap-1">
-								<span class="text-muted-foreground">Theme</span>
-								<select bind:value={draft.ui!.theme} class={selectClass}>
-									{#each withCurrent(ppThemes, draft.ui!.theme) as v (v)}
-										<option value={v}>{v}</option>
-									{/each}
-								</select>
-							</label>
-							<label class="flex flex-col gap-1">
-								<span class="text-muted-foreground">Language</span>
-								<select bind:value={draft.ui!.language} class={selectClass}>
-									{#each withCurrent(ppLanguages, draft.ui!.language) as v (v)}
-										<option value={v}>{v}</option>
-									{/each}
-								</select>
-							</label>
-							<label class="flex flex-col gap-1">
-								<span class="text-muted-foreground">Time zone</span>
-								<!-- IANA tz list is ~400 entries, browser support varies; use
-								     a datalist so we get autocomplete without spamming a
-								     gigantic <select>. "Local" is PhotoPrism's special
-								     "follow system" sentinel. -->
-								<input
-									type="text"
-									list="general-tz-list"
-									placeholder="Local"
-									bind:value={draft.ui!.timeZone}
-									class={selectClass}
-								/>
-							</label>
-							<label class="flex flex-col gap-1">
-								<span class="text-muted-foreground">Start page</span>
-								<select bind:value={draft.ui!.startPage} class={selectClass}>
-									{#each withCurrent(ppStartPages, draft.ui!.startPage) as v (v)}
-										<option value={v}>{v}</option>
-									{/each}
-								</select>
-							</label>
-							<label class="flex items-center gap-2">
-								<input type="checkbox" bind:checked={draft.ui!.scrollbar} />
-								Always show scrollbars
-							</label>
-							<label class="flex items-center gap-2">
-								<input type="checkbox" bind:checked={draft.ui!.zoom} />
-								Allow image zoom
-							</label>
-						</section>
-					{/if}
 				</Tabs.Content>
 
-				{#if settingsQuery.isPending && activeTab !== 'ui' && activeTab !== 'account'}
-					<Tabs.Content value={activeTab} class="outline-none">
-						<p class="px-1 text-[12px] text-muted-foreground">Loading settings…</p>
-					</Tabs.Content>
-				{:else if settingsQuery.isError && activeTab !== 'ui' && activeTab !== 'account'}
-					<Tabs.Content value={activeTab} class="outline-none">
-						<p class="px-1 text-[12px] text-destructive">
-							Could not load settings.
-						</p>
-					</Tabs.Content>
-				{:else if draft}
-					<Tabs.Content value="search" class="space-y-3 text-[12px] outline-none">
-						<label class="flex items-center gap-2">
-							<input type="checkbox" bind:checked={draft.search!.listView} />
-							Default to list view
-						</label>
-						<label class="flex items-center gap-2">
-							<input type="checkbox" bind:checked={draft.search!.showTitles} />
-							Show titles
-						</label>
-						<label class="flex items-center gap-2">
-							<input type="checkbox" bind:checked={draft.search!.showCaptions} />
-							Show captions
-						</label>
-						<label class="flex flex-col gap-1">
-							<span class="text-muted-foreground">
-								Batch size (-1 = server default)
-							</span>
-							<input
-								type="number"
-								bind:value={draft.search!.batchSize}
-								class={selectClass}
-							/>
-						</label>
-					</Tabs.Content>
-
-					<Tabs.Content value="maps" class="space-y-3 text-[12px] outline-none">
-						<label class="flex flex-col gap-1">
-							<span class="text-muted-foreground">Style</span>
-							<select bind:value={draft.maps!.style} class={selectClass}>
-								{#each withCurrent(ppMapStyles, draft.maps!.style) as v (v)}
-									<option value={v}>{v}</option>
-								{/each}
-							</select>
-						</label>
-						<label class="flex flex-col gap-1">
-							<span class="text-muted-foreground">
-								Animation duration (ms, 0 = off)
-							</span>
-							<input
-								type="number"
-								bind:value={draft.maps!.animate}
-								class={selectClass}
-							/>
-						</label>
-					</Tabs.Content>
-				{/if}
-
-				<!-- Account — independent of /settings; reads from the session
-				     store and round-trips its own mutation. -->
+				<!-- Account — reads from the session store and round-trips its own
+				     password mutation. -->
 				<Tabs.Content value="account" class="space-y-4 text-[12px] outline-none">
 					<section class="space-y-2">
 						<h3 class="text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[0.14em] text-muted-foreground">
@@ -448,59 +224,6 @@
 					</form>
 				</Tabs.Content>
 			</Tabs.Root>
-
-			<!-- Datalist for time-zone autocomplete. Falls back to the
-			     "Local" sentinel when the browser can't enumerate the
-			     IANA list (older Safari, etc.). -->
-			<datalist id="general-tz-list">
-				<option value="Local"></option>
-				{#each tzOptions() as tz (tz)}<option value={tz}></option>{/each}
-			</datalist>
-
-			<!-- Save/Revert apply to draft (the PhotoPrism /settings round
-			     trip). The App theme group above persists itself, so we
-			     only show the action row when there's something to save.
-			     Account tab has its own Update-password button, so skip. -->
-			{#if draft && activeTab !== 'account'}
-				<div class="flex items-center justify-end gap-2 border-t border-border pt-3">
-					<button
-						type="button"
-						class="rounded border border-border px-3 py-1 text-[12px] hover:bg-accent"
-						onclick={resetDraft}
-						disabled={saveMut.isPending}
-					>
-						Revert
-					</button>
-					<button
-						type="button"
-						class="flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded bg-primary px-3 py-1 text-[12px] text-primary-foreground hover:bg-primary/90 disabled:opacity-50"
-						onclick={() => draft && saveMut.mutate(draft)}
-						disabled={saveMut.isPending}
-					>
-						{#if saveMut.isPending}
-							<Loader2 class="h-3 w-3 animate-spin" />
-						{/if}
-						Save
-					</button>
-				</div>
-			{/if}
 		</Dialog.Content>
 	</Dialog.Portal>
 </Dialog.Root>
-
-<script lang="ts" module>
-	// `Intl.supportedValuesOf` is a 2022+ API; older browsers (Safari
-	// 15.3 and below) return undefined here. The component handles that
-	// by simply showing only the "Local" sentinel in the datalist.
-	export function tzOptions(): string[] {
-		const fn = (Intl as unknown as {
-			supportedValuesOf?: (k: string) => string[];
-		}).supportedValuesOf;
-		if (typeof fn !== 'function') return [];
-		try {
-			return fn('timeZone');
-		} catch {
-			return [];
-		}
-	}
-</script>

web/src/lib/components/layout/LeftSidebar.svelte

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 		deleteFolder,
 		deleteHeap,
 		duplicateHeap,
+		getIndexSubpath,
 		heapDownloadUrl,
 		listFolders,
 		listHeaps,
@@ -45,8 +46,11 @@
 	} from '$lib/stores/filters.svelte';
 	import {
 		isAuthenticated,
+		prefs,
 		session,
+		setIndexSubpathState,
 		userBasePath,
+		userLibraryBase,
 		toOriginalsPath,
 		toUserPath
 	} from '$lib/stores/session.svelte';
@@ -84,25 +88,48 @@
 		enabled: isAuthenticated()
 	}));
 
+	// Keyed on the effective library base (BasePath + chosen index sub-path)
+	// so re-rooting refetches, and so the post-bootstrap identity change forces
+	// a fresh fetch instead of leaving the query wedged in pending/idle (the
+	// old `gcTime: 0` + `enabled` toggle could strand it there on first paint).
 	const foldersQuery = createQuery<PpFolder[]>(() => ({
-		queryKey: ['folders'],
+		queryKey: ['folders', userLibraryBase()],
 		queryFn: listFolders,
 		enabled: isAuthenticated(),
-		gcTime: 0
+		staleTime: 30_000,
+		retry: 2,
+		refetchOnMount: 'always'
 	}));
 
+	// Hydrate the per-user index sub-path into the session store on load so the
+	// Library tree re-roots to it without waiting for the settings dialog to be
+	// opened. Shares the ['prefs'] key with SettingsDialog's setter.
+	const prefsQuery = createQuery<string>(() => ({
+		queryKey: ['prefs'],
+		queryFn: getIndexSubpath,
+		enabled: isAuthenticated(),
+		staleTime: 5 * 60_000
+	}));
+	$effect(() => {
+		if (prefsQuery.data !== undefined) setIndexSubpathState(prefsQuery.data);
+	});
+
 	// Stacks + cross-folder duplicate caches are warmed here so the
 	// /duplicates view (and its review tab strip) hits a warm cache. The
 	// sidebar only observes these — cross-folder is an O(disk) scan, so it
 	// stays enabled:false and the duplicates page populates it on first visit.
 	const stacksQuery = createQuery<DuplicateGroup[]>(() => ({
-		queryKey: ['duplicates', userBasePath()],
-		queryFn: () => listDuplicateGroups(userBasePath()),
+		queryKey: ['duplicates', userLibraryBase()],
+		queryFn: () => listDuplicateGroups(userLibraryBase()),
 		enabled: isAuthenticated(),
 		staleTime: 60_000
 	}));
+	// The cross-folder scan is server-scoped to the caller's effective
+	// library root (sidecar reads BasePath + the stored index sub-path
+	// itself), but the query is still keyed on userLibraryBase() so changing
+	// the index folder invalidates the stale, differently-scoped result.
 	const crossFolderQuery = createQuery<CrossFolderScanResult>(() => ({
-		queryKey: ['duplicates-cross-folder'],
+		queryKey: ['duplicates-cross-folder', userLibraryBase()],
 		queryFn: scanCrossFolderDuplicates,
 		enabled: false,
 		staleTime: 5 * 60_000
@@ -244,6 +271,17 @@
 		session.user?.DisplayName?.trim() || session.user?.Name || '/'
 	);
 
+	// When the user has narrowed their library to an index sub-folder, the
+	// root row stands for that sub-folder — surface its leaf name so it's
+	// obvious the tree is re-rooted rather than showing the whole account.
+	const rootSubLabel = $derived(
+		prefs.indexSubpath === '' ? '' : (prefs.indexSubpath.split('/').pop() ?? '')
+	);
+	const rootTitle = $derived.by(() => {
+		const base = userBasePath() === '' ? 'Your library' : `Your library (${userBasePath()})`;
+		return prefs.indexSubpath === '' ? base : `${base} → ${prefs.indexSubpath}`;
+	});
+
 	async function onSignOut() {
 		await logout();
 		await goto('/login', { replaceState: true });
@@ -320,7 +358,9 @@
 		if (indexer.active) return;
 		const tid = toast.loading('Starting reindex…');
 		try {
-			await startIndex({ path: '/', rescan: false, cleanup: false });
+			// Scope the one-click reindex to the effective library root
+			// (BasePath + chosen index sub-path) rather than the whole library.
+			await startIndex({ path: '/' + toOriginalsPath('/'), rescan: false, cleanup: false });
 			toast.success('Reindex started — new files will appear as they’re found', { id: tid });
 		} catch (err) {
 			toast.error(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Reindex failed', { id: tid });
@@ -550,11 +590,16 @@
 			{/if}
 			<button
 				type="button"
-				class="flex min-w-0 flex-1 items-center pl-1 text-left"
+				class="flex min-w-0 flex-1 items-center gap-1 pl-1 text-left"
 				onclick={() => pickFolder('/')}
-				title={userBasePath() === '' ? 'Your library' : `Your library (${userBasePath()})`}
+				title={rootTitle}
 			>
 				<span class="truncate">{rootLabel}</span>
+				{#if rootSubLabel}
+					<span class="truncate text-muted-foreground" class:text-primary-foreground={rootActive}>
+						/ {rootSubLabel}
+					</span>
+				{/if}
 			</button>
 			<!-- Root-row kebab. Only "New subfolder" applies — root itself
 			     can't be renamed or deleted, so those entries are omitted
@@ -572,7 +617,7 @@
 				</KebabMenu>
 			</div>
 		</div>
-		{#if foldersQuery.isPending}
+		{#if foldersQuery.isLoading}
 			<InlineLoader size="sm" label="Loading folders…" />
 		{:else if foldersQuery.isError}
 			<EmptyState size="compact" tone="destructive" icon={FolderOpen} title="Failed to load folders" description="Try reloading the page." />

web/src/lib/components/layout/MoveToFolderDialog.svelte

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
 		type PpFolder
 	} from '$lib/services/photoprism';
 	import { filters, setSection, setFolderPath } from '$lib/stores/filters.svelte';
-	import { isAuthenticated, toOriginalsPath } from '$lib/stores/session.svelte';
+	import { isAuthenticated, toOriginalsPath, userLibraryBase } from '$lib/stores/session.svelte';
 	import { moveDialog, closeMove } from '$lib/stores/moveDialog.svelte';
 	import FolderTree, { buildTree } from './FolderTree.svelte';
 
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
 	// Reuse the same folders cache the sidebar uses — same key so we share the
 	// in-flight request, and the picker invalidates it on success.
 	const foldersQuery = createQuery<PpFolder[]>(() => ({
-		queryKey: ['folders'],
+		queryKey: ['folders', userLibraryBase()],
 		queryFn: listFolders,
 		enabled: isAuthenticated()
 	}));

web/src/lib/components/layout/SettingsDialog.svelte

@@ -9,24 +9,30 @@
 	import { Dialog, Tabs } from 'bits-ui';
 	import { createMutation, createQuery, useQueryClient } from '@tanstack/svelte-query';
 	import { toast } from 'svelte-sonner';
-	import { AlertCircle, CheckCircle2, Loader2, RefreshCw, Settings, X } from 'lucide-svelte';
+	import { AlertCircle, CheckCircle2, FolderOpen, Loader2, RefreshCw, Settings, X } from 'lucide-svelte';
 	import { EmptyState, InlineLoader } from '$lib/components/feedback';
 	import {
-		cancelImport,
 		cancelIndex,
 		getConfig,
 		getErrors,
 		getSettings,
+		getIndexSubpath,
+		listFoldersUnderBase,
 		saveSettings,
-		startImport,
+		setIndexSubpath,
 		startIndex,
-		type ImportBody,
 		type IndexBody,
+		type PpFolder,
 		type PpLogEntry,
 		type PpSettings
 	} from '$lib/services/photoprism';
 	import type { PpClientConfig } from '$lib/types/photoprism';
-	import { userBasePath } from '$lib/stores/session.svelte';
+	import {
+		prefs,
+		setIndexSubpathState,
+		toOriginalsPath
+	} from '$lib/stores/session.svelte';
+	import FolderTree, { buildTree } from './FolderTree.svelte';
 
 	interface Props {
 		open: boolean;
@@ -36,7 +42,7 @@
 
 	const qc = useQueryClient();
 
-	let activeTab = $state<'library' | 'index' | 'import' | 'logs' | 'about'>('library');
+	let activeTab = $state<'library' | 'index' | 'logs' | 'about'>('library');
 
 	// ── Library tab ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 	// Pull settings only while the dialog is open so we don't keep them
@@ -62,7 +68,6 @@
 		return {
 			...s,
 			index: s.index ?? {},
-			import: s.import ?? {},
 			stack: s.stack ?? {},
 			download: s.download ?? {}
 		};
@@ -94,17 +99,68 @@
 		if (settingsQuery.data) draft = normalize(structuredClone(settingsQuery.data));
 	}
 
+	// ── Index folder (per-user, server-side) ──────────────────────────────
+	// The originals-relative sub-folder, under the user's BasePath, that the
+	// whole app re-roots to (Library tree) and the reindex scopes to. Picked
+	// from the *full* BasePath tree (listFoldersUnderBase) so the user can
+	// choose any sub-folder — including ones outside the current root. Stored
+	// by the sidecar; mirrored into the `prefs` store so the sidebar reacts.
+	const subpathFoldersQuery = createQuery<PpFolder[]>(() => ({
+		queryKey: ['folders-under-base'],
+		queryFn: listFoldersUnderBase,
+		enabled: open && activeTab === 'library'
+	}));
+	const subpathTree = $derived(
+		buildTree((subpathFoldersQuery.data ?? []).map((f) => f.Path))
+	);
+
+	// Hydrate the picker selection from the server pref when the dialog opens,
+	// so it reflects the current choice instead of the in-memory store alone.
+	const indexPrefQuery = createQuery<string>(() => ({
+		queryKey: ['prefs'],
+		queryFn: getIndexSubpath,
+		enabled: open
+	}));
+	// Local selection: '' = whole folder. Seeded from the store, then from the
+	// server pref once it loads.
+	let pickedSubpath = $state<string>(prefs.indexSubpath);
+	$effect(() => {
+		if (open && indexPrefQuery.data !== undefined) {
+			pickedSubpath = indexPrefQuery.data;
+		}
+	});
+
+	const saveSubpathMut = createMutation(() => ({
+		mutationFn: (sub: string) => setIndexSubpath(sub),
+		onSuccess: (saved) => {
+			setIndexSubpathState(saved);
+			qc.setQueryData(['prefs'], saved);
+			// Re-root the sidebar tree + grid: both are keyed on the effective
+			// library base, which just changed.
+			qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['folders'] });
+			qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['photos'] });
+			toast.success(saved === '' ? 'Indexing whole folder' : `Index folder: ${saved}`);
+		},
+		onError: (err) =>
+			toast.error(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Could not save index folder')
+	}));
+
 	// ── Index tab ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-	// Default the reindex path to the user's BasePath when scoping is on,
-	// so non-admins (and admins-with-BasePath) only rescan their own
-	// subtree. PhotoPrism's /index expects originals-relative paths with
-	// a leading slash; `'/'` means the whole library.
-	const _bp = userBasePath();
+	// Default the reindex path to the effective library root (BasePath +
+	// chosen index sub-path), so a manual run only rescans the user's working
+	// subtree. PhotoPrism's /index expects originals-relative paths with a
+	// leading slash; `'/'` means the whole library.
 	let indexForm = $state<IndexBody>({
-		path: _bp === '' ? '/' : `/${_bp}`,
+		path: '/' + toOriginalsPath('/'),
 		rescan: false,
 		cleanup: false
 	});
+	// SettingsDialog is mounted (open=false) before the index sub-path
+	// hydrates, so re-seed the manual-run path to the effective library root
+	// each time the dialog opens (and whenever the chosen root changes).
+	$effect(() => {
+		if (open) indexForm.path = '/' + toOriginalsPath('/');
+	});
 	const startIndexMut = createMutation(() => ({
 		mutationFn: (b: IndexBody) => startIndex(b),
 		onSuccess: (r) => toast.success(r.message || 'Indexing complete'),
@@ -118,21 +174,6 @@
 			toast.error(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Cancel failed')
 	}));
 
-	// ── Import tab ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-	let importForm = $state<ImportBody>({ path: '/', move: false, dest: '' });
-	const startImportMut = createMutation(() => ({
-		mutationFn: (b: ImportBody) => startImport(b),
-		onSuccess: (r) => toast.success(r.message || 'Import complete'),
-		onError: (err) =>
-			toast.error(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Import failed')
-	}));
-	const cancelImportMut = createMutation(() => ({
-		mutationFn: () => cancelImport(),
-		onSuccess: () => toast.success('Import canceled'),
-		onError: (err) =>
-			toast.error(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Cancel failed')
-	}));
-
 	// ── Logs tab ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 	// Poll while the Logs tab is showing; pause otherwise so the dialog
 	// doesn't burn requests when the user is in another tab.
@@ -237,7 +278,7 @@
 				<Tabs.List
 					class="mb-3 flex gap-1 border-b border-border"
 				>
-					{#each ['library', 'index', 'import', 'logs', 'about'] as const as t (t)}
+					{#each ['library', 'index', 'logs', 'about'] as const as t (t)}
 						<Tabs.Trigger
 							value={t}
 							class="-mb-px border-b-2 border-transparent px-3 py-1.5 text-[12px] capitalize text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground data-[state=active]:border-primary data-[state=active]:text-foreground"
@@ -248,7 +289,73 @@
 				</Tabs.List>
 
 				<!-- Library — general settings -->
-				<Tabs.Content value="library" class="outline-none">
+				<Tabs.Content value="library" class="space-y-4 outline-none">
+					<!-- Index folder — the per-user sub-folder the Library tree
+					     re-roots to and the reindex scopes to. Picked from the
+					     full BasePath tree so any sub-folder is reachable. -->
+					<section class="space-y-2 text-[12px]">
+						<h3 class="text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[0.14em] text-muted-foreground">
+							Index folder
+						</h3>
+						<p class="text-muted-foreground">
+							Pick the sub-folder PhotoPrism should treat as your library
+							root. The folder tree re-roots here and the reindex only scans
+							this subtree. Leave on “Whole folder” to use everything.
+						</p>
+						<div class="rounded-md border border-border bg-background p-2">
+							<div class="max-h-[180px] overflow-y-auto">
+								{#if subpathFoldersQuery.isPending}
+									<InlineLoader size="sm" label="Loading folders…" />
+								{:else if subpathFoldersQuery.isError}
+									<EmptyState
+										size="compact"
+										tone="destructive"
+										icon={FolderOpen}
+										title="Could not load folders"
+									/>
+								{:else}
+									<!-- Whole-folder reset: '' is the "no sub-path" sentinel. -->
+									<button
+										type="button"
+										class="flex w-full items-center rounded px-2 py-1 text-left text-[12px] hover:bg-accent"
+										class:bg-primary={pickedSubpath === ''}
+										class:text-primary-foreground={pickedSubpath === ''}
+										class:hover:bg-primary={pickedSubpath === ''}
+										onclick={() => (pickedSubpath = '')}
+									>
+										Whole folder
+									</button>
+									{#if (subpathFoldersQuery.data ?? []).length > 0}
+										<FolderTree
+											nodes={subpathTree}
+											onPick={(p) => (pickedSubpath = p)}
+											selectedPath={pickedSubpath}
+											readonly
+										/>
+									{/if}
+								{/if}
+							</div>
+						</div>
+						<div class="flex items-center justify-between gap-2">
+							<span class="truncate text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">
+								Current: {prefs.indexSubpath === '' ? 'Whole folder' : prefs.indexSubpath}
+							</span>
+							<button
+								type="button"
+								class="flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded bg-primary px-3 py-1 text-[12px] text-primary-foreground hover:bg-primary/90 disabled:opacity-50"
+								onclick={() => saveSubpathMut.mutate(pickedSubpath)}
+								disabled={saveSubpathMut.isPending || pickedSubpath === prefs.indexSubpath}
+							>
+								{#if saveSubpathMut.isPending}
+									<Loader2 class="h-3 w-3 animate-spin" />
+								{/if}
+								Set index folder
+							</button>
+						</div>
+					</section>
+
+					<div class="h-px bg-border"></div>
+
 					{#if settingsQuery.isPending}
 						<p class="px-1 text-[12px] text-muted-foreground">Loading settings…</p>
 					{:else if settingsQuery.isError}
@@ -284,25 +391,6 @@
 								</label>
 							</section>
 
-							<section class="space-y-1.5">
-								<h3 class="text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[0.14em] text-muted-foreground">
-									Importer defaults
-								</h3>
-								<label class="flex items-center gap-2">
-									<input type="checkbox" bind:checked={draft.import!.move} />
-									Move (instead of copy) on import
-								</label>
-								<label class="flex flex-col gap-1">
-									<span class="text-muted-foreground">Default destination subpath</span>
-									<input
-										type="text"
-										placeholder="e.g. 2026/05"
-										bind:value={draft.import!.dest}
-										class="rounded border border-input bg-background px-2 py-1 focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-ring"
-									/>
-								</label>
-							</section>
-
 							<section class="space-y-1.5">
 								<h3 class="text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[0.14em] text-muted-foreground">
 									Stacks
@@ -411,34 +499,6 @@
 								</section>
 							{/if}
 
-							<!-- Features — PhotoPrism's gating bag. Render only the
-							     keys actually present in the response (PP version
-							     drift), labelled human-readably. -->
-							{#if draft.features && Object.keys(draft.features).length > 0}
-								<section class="space-y-1.5">
-									<h3 class="text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[0.14em] text-muted-foreground">
-										Features
-									</h3>
-									<p class="text-muted-foreground">
-										Toggling a feature off hides it from PhotoPrism's own
-										UI and disables the underlying API surface.
-									</p>
-									<div class="grid grid-cols-2 gap-x-3 gap-y-1">
-										{#each Object.keys(draft.features).sort() as key (key)}
-											{#if typeof draft.features![key] === 'boolean'}
-												<label class="flex items-center gap-2">
-													<input
-														type="checkbox"
-														bind:checked={draft.features![key]}
-													/>
-													<span class="capitalize">{key}</span>
-												</label>
-											{/if}
-										{/each}
-									</div>
-								</section>
-							{/if}
-
 						</div>
 
 						<div class="mt-4 flex items-center justify-end gap-2">
@@ -511,58 +571,6 @@
 					</div>
 				</Tabs.Content>
 
-				<!-- Import — manual import run -->
-				<Tabs.Content value="import" class="space-y-3 text-[12px] outline-none">
-					<p class="text-muted-foreground">
-						Pulls files from the import folder into the library. With "move"
-						enabled, files are deleted from the import folder after a
-						successful import.
-					</p>
-					<label class="flex flex-col gap-1">
-						<span class="text-muted-foreground">Source path</span>
-						<input
-							type="text"
-							bind:value={importForm.path}
-							placeholder="/"
-							class="rounded border border-input bg-background px-2 py-1 focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-ring"
-						/>
-					</label>
-					<label class="flex items-center gap-2">
-						<input type="checkbox" bind:checked={importForm.move} />
-						Move files (don't copy) after import
-					</label>
-					<label class="flex flex-col gap-1">
-						<span class="text-muted-foreground">Destination subpath (optional)</span>
-						<input
-							type="text"
-							bind:value={importForm.dest}
-							placeholder="e.g. 2026/05"
-							class="rounded border border-input bg-background px-2 py-1 focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-ring"
-						/>
-					</label>
-					<div class="flex items-center justify-end gap-2 pt-1">
-						<button
-							type="button"
-							class="rounded border border-border px-3 py-1 hover:bg-accent disabled:opacity-50"
-							onclick={() => cancelImportMut.mutate()}
-							disabled={cancelImportMut.isPending || startImportMut.isPending}
-						>
-							Cancel current
-						</button>
-						<button
-							type="button"
-							class="flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded bg-primary px-3 py-1 text-primary-foreground hover:bg-primary/90 disabled:opacity-50"
-							onclick={() => startImportMut.mutate(importForm)}
-							disabled={startImportMut.isPending}
-						>
-							{#if startImportMut.isPending}
-								<Loader2 class="h-3 w-3 animate-spin" />
-							{/if}
-							Start import
-						</button>
-					</div>
-				</Tabs.Content>
-
 				<!-- About — version, library counts, env-driven config help -->
 				<Tabs.Content value="about" class="space-y-4 text-[12px] outline-none">
 					{#if configQuery.isPending}

web/src/lib/services/photoprism.ts

@@ -7,7 +7,8 @@ import {
 	session,
 	toOriginalsPath,
 	toUserPath,
-	userBasePath
+	userBasePath,
+	userLibraryBase
 } from '$lib/stores/session.svelte';
 import { primaryFile } from '$lib/types/photoprism';
 import type {
@@ -503,23 +504,45 @@ export interface PpFolder {
  * row itself is dropped — the sidebar synthesises the root entry. When
  * BasePath is empty (today's admin default) this is a no-op.
  */
-export async function listFolders(): Promise<PpFolder[]> {
+async function fetchFolders(): Promise<PpFolder[]> {
 	const { data } = await sidecar.get<{ folders?: PpFolder[] }>(
 		'/api/sidecar/folders',
 		{ params: { recursive: true, uncached: true, files: false } }
 	);
-	const bp = userBasePath();
-	// Sidecar already filters by BasePath; the frontend still applies the
-	// filter + path rewrite as a safety net for admin (bp="") and for any
-	// folders that might have slipped through.
-	const folders = data.folders ?? [];
-	if (bp === '') return folders;
+	return data.folders ?? [];
+}
+
+/**
+ * Filter a flat folder list to those at/under `base` (server-absolute,
+ * originals-relative) and rewrite each `Path` to be `base`-relative, dropping
+ * the `base` row itself. `base === ''` (whole library) is a no-op. Sidecar
+ * already filters by BasePath; this is the frontend's safety net + the
+ * narrowing to the chosen index sub-path.
+ */
+function scopeFolders(folders: PpFolder[], base: string): PpFolder[] {
+	if (base === '') return folders;
 	return folders
-		.filter((f) => f.Path === bp || f.Path.startsWith(bp + '/'))
-		.map((f) => ({ ...f, Path: toUserPath(f.Path) }))
+		.filter((f) => f.Path === base || f.Path.startsWith(base + '/'))
+		.map((f) => ({ ...f, Path: f.Path === base ? '' : f.Path.slice(base.length + 1) }))
 		.filter((f) => f.Path !== '');
 }
 
+export async function listFolders(): Promise<PpFolder[]> {
+	// Scoped to the *effective* library root (BasePath + chosen index
+	// sub-path) so the sidebar tree re-roots to whatever the user picked.
+	return scopeFolders(await fetchFolders(), userLibraryBase());
+}
+
+/**
+ * Like `listFolders` but scoped to the user's *whole* BasePath, ignoring the
+ * chosen index sub-path. The index-folder picker uses this so the user can
+ * choose any sub-folder of their library as a new root — including ones
+ * outside the current sub-path.
+ */
+export async function listFoldersUnderBase(): Promise<PpFolder[]> {
+	return scopeFolders(await fetchFolders(), userBasePath());
+}
+
 /**
  * Per-folder photo count for each `paths[]` entry. PhotoPrism's `/folders`
  * endpoint reports `FileCount: 0` even when populated, so the count has
@@ -1077,26 +1100,17 @@ export async function renameOnDisk(photoUid: string, newName: string): Promise<R
 // ── Settings / Admin ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 //
 // Thin wrappers over PhotoPrism's admin endpoints driving the settings dialog
-// (Library / Index / Import / Logs). Shapes are deliberately partial — newer
+// (Library / Index / Logs). Shapes are deliberately partial — newer
 // PhotoPrism versions ship extra fields we don't render, and the POST endpoint
 // merges server-side, so it's safe to round-trip an incomplete object.
 
+// PhotoPrism's /settings payload. muleimage only drives the indexer/stack/
+// download knobs from its own UI — the `ui`/`search`/`maps`/`import`/`features`
+// blocks PhotoPrism also returns only steer PhotoPrism's own SPA (which our
+// users never see), so they're intentionally omitted here and never surfaced.
+// The `[k: string]` index signature means an unknown round-tripped block is
+// preserved on save without us having to model it.
 export interface PpSettings {
-	ui?: {
-		theme?: string;
-		language?: string;
-		timeZone?: string;
-		startPage?: string;
-		scrollbar?: boolean;
-		zoom?: boolean;
-	};
-	search?: {
-		batchSize?: number;
-		listView?: boolean;
-		showTitles?: boolean;
-		showCaptions?: boolean;
-	};
-	maps?: { animate?: number; style?: string };
 	index?: {
 		path?: string;
 		convert?: boolean;
@@ -1106,7 +1120,6 @@ export interface PpSettings {
 		skipRaw?: boolean;
 		skipHidden?: boolean;
 	};
-	import?: { path?: string; move?: boolean; dest?: string };
 	stack?: { uuid?: boolean; meta?: boolean; name?: boolean };
 	download?: {
 		name?: string;
@@ -1117,42 +1130,27 @@ export interface PpSettings {
 		crc32?: boolean;
 		sha1?: boolean;
 	};
-	/**
-	 * PhotoPrism's feature-flag bag. Each key gates a UI surface (and the
-	 * matching API endpoints) inside PP's own SPA — disabling `share` for
-	 * example hides every share button. Optional because older PP versions
-	 * don't return the block; the Library tab only renders toggles for
-	 * keys it actually sees in the response.
-	 */
-	features?: {
-		archive?: boolean;
-		private?: boolean;
-		review?: boolean;
-		files?: boolean;
-		folders?: boolean;
-		moments?: boolean;
-		calendar?: boolean;
-		places?: boolean;
-		edit?: boolean;
-		share?: boolean;
-		library?: boolean;
-		import?: boolean;
-		logs?: boolean;
-		search?: boolean;
-		account?: boolean;
-		settings?: boolean;
-		services?: boolean;
-		people?: boolean;
-		labels?: boolean;
-		download?: boolean;
-		upload?: boolean;
-		delete?: boolean;
-		ratings?: boolean;
-		[k: string]: boolean | undefined;
-	};
 	[k: string]: unknown;
 }
 
+// ── Per-user prefs (sidecar) ──────────────────────────────────────────────────
+//
+// The index sub-path: an originals-relative folder under the user's BasePath
+// that re-roots the Library tree and scopes the reindex. Stored server-side by
+// the sidecar, keyed by username. Empty string = "whole folder".
+
+export async function getIndexSubpath(): Promise<string> {
+	const data = (await callSidecar('GET', '/prefs')) as { indexPath?: string };
+	return (data.indexPath ?? '').replace(/^\/+|\/+$/g, '');
+}
+
+export async function setIndexSubpath(indexPath: string): Promise<string> {
+	const data = (await callSidecar('PUT', '/prefs', {
+		indexPath: indexPath.replace(/^\/+|\/+$/g, '')
+	})) as { indexPath?: string };
+	return (data.indexPath ?? '').replace(/^\/+|\/+$/g, '');
+}
+
 export async function getSettings(): Promise<PpSettings> {
 	const { data } = await http.get<PpSettings>('/settings');
 	return data;
@@ -1183,26 +1181,6 @@ export async function cancelIndex(): Promise<void> {
 	await http.delete('/index');
 }
 
-export interface ImportBody {
-	path?: string;
-	move?: boolean;
-	dest?: string;
-}
-
-export async function startImport(body: ImportBody = {}): Promise<{ message: string }> {
-	const { data } = await http.post<{ message: string }>('/import', {
-		path: '/',
-		move: false,
-		dest: '',
-		...body
-	});
-	return data;
-}
-
-export async function cancelImport(): Promise<void> {
-	await http.delete('/import');
-}
-
 export interface PpLogEntry {
 	Time: string;
 	Level: string;

web/src/lib/stores/session.svelte.ts

@@ -57,6 +57,10 @@ export function adoptSession(resp: PpSessionResponse, cfg?: PpClientConfig): voi
 	// (Hit this with the `test` user seeing the admin's library counts
 	// in the left sidebar.)
 	queryClient.clear();
+	// The index sub-path is per-user; drop the prior identity's value so the
+	// app re-roots to the new user's whole folder until the ['prefs'] query
+	// rehydrates it from the sidecar.
+	prefs.indexSubpath = '';
 	session.id = resp.id;
 	session.accessToken = resp.access_token;
 	session.previewToken = (cfg ?? resp.config)?.previewToken ?? '';
@@ -71,6 +75,7 @@ export function clearSession(): void {
 	session.previewToken = null;
 	session.downloadToken = null;
 	session.user = null;
+	prefs.indexSubpath = '';
 	if (browser) localStorage.removeItem(STORAGE_KEY);
 	// Same reasoning as adoptSession — wipe the cache so the next user
 	// who logs in (or the login screen itself) doesn't render with the
@@ -163,43 +168,73 @@ export function videoUrl(hash: string, format = 'avc'): string {
 /**
  * The signed-in user's library root, originals-relative, no leading/trailing
  * slash. `""` means "whole library" — used today by admin accounts whose
- * BasePath isn't configured in PhotoPrism. Non-empty values gate every place
- * that crosses the user↔server seam (sidebar tree, timeline `path:` filter,
- * folder counts, heap convert) so each user sees only their own subtree.
+ * BasePath isn't configured in PhotoPrism. This is the user's *whole* folder
+ * as set on their PhotoPrism account; the working library root the rest of
+ * the app re-roots to is `userLibraryBase()` (BasePath + chosen sub-path).
  */
 export function userBasePath(): string {
 	return (session.user?.BasePath ?? '').replace(/^\/+|\/+$/g, '');
 }
 
+/**
+ * Per-user "index sub-path": a folder *under* the user's BasePath that they've
+ * chosen as their working library root. Stored server-side by the sidecar
+ * (keyed by username) and hydrated into this reactive state at startup via the
+ * `['prefs']` query. Empty string = "whole folder" (no narrowing). Normalized
+ * to no leading/trailing slash.
+ */
+export const prefs = $state<{ indexSubpath: string }>({ indexSubpath: '' });
+
+export function setIndexSubpathState(sub: string): void {
+	prefs.indexSubpath = (sub ?? '').replace(/^\/+|\/+$/g, '');
+}
+
+/**
+ * The effective working library root, originals-relative, no leading/trailing
+ * slash: the user's BasePath narrowed by their chosen index sub-path. This is
+ * the single point the whole app re-roots through — `toOriginalsPath` /
+ * `toUserPath` (and thus the sidebar tree, timeline `path:` filter, folder
+ * counts, folder CRUD, reindex) all derive from it. When both are empty it's
+ * `""` (whole library), matching the prior BasePath-only behavior.
+ */
+export function userLibraryBase(): string {
+	const bp = userBasePath();
+	const sub = prefs.indexSubpath;
+	if (sub === '') return bp;
+	return bp === '' ? sub : `${bp}/${sub}`;
+}
+
 /**
  * Translate a user-relative path (what the sidebar and URL deal in) to a
  * server-absolute, originals-relative path (what PhotoPrism's `path:`
- * operator and the sidecar's filesystem ops want).
+ * operator and the sidecar's filesystem ops want). Relative to the effective
+ * library root (`userLibraryBase()`), so the chosen index sub-path is folded
+ * in automatically.
  *
- *   "" or "/"          → BasePath                (user's root)
- *   "2024/01"          → "<basePath>/2024/01"
+ *   "" or "/"          → libraryBase             (user's working root)
+ *   "2024/01"          → "<libraryBase>/2024/01"
  *   null               → "" (caller decides to omit the filter entirely)
  */
 export function toOriginalsPath(uiPath: string | null): string {
 	if (uiPath === null) return '';
-	const bp = userBasePath();
+	const base = userLibraryBase();
 	const rel = uiPath.replace(/^\/+|\/+$/g, '');
-	if (rel === '') return bp;
-	return bp === '' ? rel : `${bp}/${rel}`;
+	if (rel === '') return base;
+	return base === '' ? rel : `${base}/${rel}`;
 }
 
 /**
- * Inverse of `toOriginalsPath` — strips the user's BasePath prefix so the
- * UI can render `2024/01` instead of `users/alice/2024/01`. Paths that
- * are equal to the BasePath collapse to `""` (the user's root sentinel).
- * Paths outside the BasePath are returned as-is, but callers should
- * already have filtered those out via `listFolders`'s post-filter.
+ * Inverse of `toOriginalsPath` — strips the effective library-root prefix so
+ * the UI can render `2024/01` instead of `users/alice/2024/01`. Paths that
+ * are equal to the root collapse to `""` (the user's root sentinel). Paths
+ * outside the root are returned as-is, but callers should already have
+ * filtered those out via `listFolders`'s post-filter.
  */
 export function toUserPath(serverPath: string): string {
-	const bp = userBasePath();
+	const base = userLibraryBase();
 	const sp = serverPath.replace(/^\/+|\/+$/g, '');
-	if (bp === '') return sp;
-	if (sp === bp) return '';
-	if (sp.startsWith(bp + '/')) return sp.slice(bp.length + 1);
+	if (base === '') return sp;
+	if (sp === base) return '';
+	if (sp.startsWith(base + '/')) return sp.slice(base.length + 1);
 	return sp;
 }

web/src/routes/review/+page.svelte

@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
 		scanCrossFolderDuplicates,
 		type CrossFolderScanResult
 	} from '$lib/services/photoprism';
-	import { isAuthenticated, userBasePath } from '$lib/stores/session.svelte';
+	import { isAuthenticated, userLibraryBase } from '$lib/stores/session.svelte';
 	import { clearSelection, selection } from '$lib/stores/selection.svelte';
 	import { filters, setSection, type Section } from '$lib/stores/filters.svelte';
 	import {
@@ -85,13 +85,16 @@
 	// observes its cache (enabled:false) and DuplicatesView is what
 	// triggers the actual scan when its tab is active.
 	const stacksQuery = createQuery<DuplicateGroup[]>(() => ({
-		queryKey: ['duplicates', userBasePath()],
-		queryFn: () => listDuplicateGroups(userBasePath()),
+		queryKey: ['duplicates', userLibraryBase()],
+		queryFn: () => listDuplicateGroups(userLibraryBase()),
 		enabled: isAuthenticated(),
 		staleTime: 30_000
 	}));
+	// Scope is enforced server-side (sidecar reads the caller's BasePath +
+	// stored index sub-path), but key on userLibraryBase() so switching the
+	// index folder doesn't show a stale, differently-scoped cached result.
 	const crossFolderQuery = createQuery<CrossFolderScanResult>(() => ({
-		queryKey: ['duplicates-cross-folder'],
+		queryKey: ['duplicates-cross-folder', userLibraryBase()],
 		queryFn: scanCrossFolderDuplicates,
 		enabled: false,
 		staleTime: 5 * 60_000