diff --git a/frontend/src/components/KeyboardHints.tsx b/frontend/src/components/KeyboardHints.tsx
index 16f8b49..4a80720 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/KeyboardHints.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/KeyboardHints.tsx
@@ -65,7 +65,6 @@ function getHints(opts: {
     { key: 'Space', action: 'Preview' },
     { key: 'Tab', action: 'Library panel' },
     { key: 'I', action: 'Info panel' },
-    { key: '/', action: 'Search' },
   ]
 }
 
@@ -81,8 +80,7 @@ export function KeyboardHints() {
     localStorage.setItem(STORAGE_KEY, collapsed ? '1' : '0')
   }, [collapsed])
 
-  // `H` toggles the panel. `?` (shift+/) collides with the global `/`
-  // search shortcut, so we use a plain letter instead.
+  // `H` toggles the panel.
   useHotkeys('h', () => setCollapsed((c) => !c), { preventDefault: true })
 
   const hints = getHints({ selectedCount, currentSection, viewMode })
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/filter/FilterBar.tsx b/frontend/src/components/filter/FilterBar.tsx
index 9bfacf8..06d9866 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/filter/FilterBar.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/filter/FilterBar.tsx
@@ -1,10 +1,8 @@
-import { useEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react'
 import {
   Star,
   X,
   ArrowDown,
   ArrowUp,
-  Search,
   PanelLeftOpen,
   PanelLeftClose,
   PanelRightOpen,
@@ -26,7 +24,6 @@ import {
 import { useTagsQuery } from '../../hooks/useTagsQuery'
 import { FilterPill } from './FilterPill'
 import { COLOR_LABEL_OPTIONS } from '../../constants/colorLabels'
-import { Input } from '@/components/ui/input'
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button'
 import {
   Select,
@@ -37,8 +34,6 @@ import {
 } from '@/components/ui/select'
 import { MultiSelect } from '@/components/ui/multi-select'
 
-const SEARCH_DEBOUNCE_MS = 300
-
 const MEDIA_TYPES: { value: MediaType; label: string }[] = [
   { value: 'photo', label: 'Photo' },
   { value: 'video', label: 'Video' },
@@ -112,26 +107,6 @@ export function FilterBar({
 
   const { data: allTags = [] } = useTagsQuery()
 
-  // Search box. Local state mirrors the store so typing stays responsive
-  // while we debounce store writes (each store write triggers a re-fetch).
-  const storeQ = useFilterStore((s) => s.q)
-  const setStoreQ = useFilterStore((s) => s.setQ)
-  const [searchQuery, setSearchQuery] = useState(storeQ)
-  useEffect(() => {
-    setSearchQuery(storeQ)
-  }, [storeQ])
-  const debounceRef = useRef<number | null>(null)
-  useEffect(() => {
-    if (searchQuery === storeQ) return
-    if (debounceRef.current) window.clearTimeout(debounceRef.current)
-    debounceRef.current = window.setTimeout(() => {
-      setStoreQ(searchQuery)
-    }, SEARCH_DEBOUNCE_MS)
-    return () => {
-      if (debounceRef.current) window.clearTimeout(debounceRef.current)
-    }
-  }, [searchQuery, storeQ, setStoreQ])
-
   // Pre-compute pill values + active flags so the JSX stays terse.
   const typeActive = mediaTypes.length > 0
   const typeValue = typeActive
@@ -527,40 +502,6 @@ export function FilterBar({
         )}
       </div>
 
-      {/* Search — pinned to the right edge of the bar. Same id as before
-       *  so the global "/" focus shortcut still finds it. */}
-      <div className="relative w-56 flex-shrink-0">
-        <Search className="pointer-events-none absolute left-2.5 top-1/2 h-3.5 w-3.5 -translate-y-1/2 text-text-muted" />
-        <Input
-          id="topbar-search"
-          type="text"
-          value={searchQuery}
-          onChange={(e) => setSearchQuery(e.target.value)}
-          onKeyDown={(e) => {
-            if (e.key === 'Escape') {
-              setSearchQuery('')
-              setStoreQ('')
-              e.currentTarget.blur()
-            }
-          }}
-          placeholder="Search photos…"
-          className="h-7 w-full rounded-full bg-surface-2 pl-8 pr-7 text-xs"
-        />
-        {searchQuery && (
-          <button
-            onClick={() => {
-              setSearchQuery('')
-              setStoreQ('')
-            }}
-            className="absolute right-1.5 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 rounded-full p-0.5 text-text-muted hover:bg-surface-offset hover:text-text"
-            title="Clear search (Esc)"
-            aria-label="Clear search"
-          >
-            <X className="h-3 w-3" />
-          </button>
-        )}
-      </div>
-
       {/* Right sidebar toggle — pinned to the far-right edge. */}
       <button
         onClick={onToggleRightSidebar}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/memories/MemoriesView.tsx b/frontend/src/components/memories/MemoriesView.tsx
index 7ffa31d..8374b1a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/memories/MemoriesView.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/memories/MemoriesView.tsx
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ import {
 } from '../../services/api'
 import type { Photo } from '../../types/photo'
 import { usePhotoStore } from '../../store/photoStore'
-import { useFilterStore } from '../../store/filterStore'
 import { useViewSettingsStore } from '../../store/viewSettingsStore'
 import { PhotoThumbnail } from '../timeline/PhotoThumbnail'
 import { useActiveHeapMembers } from '../../hooks/useActiveHeapMembersQuery'
@@ -53,7 +52,6 @@ export function MemoriesView() {
   const selectRange = usePhotoStore((s) => s.selectRange)
   const openPreview = usePhotoStore((s) => s.openPreview)
   const viewMode = usePhotoStore((s) => s.viewMode)
-  const searchQuery = useFilterStore((s) => s.q)
   const { memberIds: activeHeapMembers } = useActiveHeapMembers()
 
   const visibleSequenceRef = useRef<string[]>([])
@@ -216,7 +214,6 @@ export function MemoriesView() {
                     fill
                     isSelected={selectedPhotos.includes(m.id)}
                     isInActiveHeap={activeHeapMembers.has(m.id)}
-                    searchQuery={searchQuery}
                     onClick={handleCellClick}
                     onDoubleClick={handleCellDoubleClick}
                   />
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/preview/PreviewView.tsx b/frontend/src/components/preview/PreviewView.tsx
index dcf5937..46e04aa 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/preview/PreviewView.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/preview/PreviewView.tsx
@@ -3,10 +3,8 @@ import { useQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query'
 import { useHotkeys } from 'react-hotkeys-hook'
 import { X, Info } from 'lucide-react'
 import { usePhotoStore } from '../../store/photoStore'
-import { useFilterStore } from '../../store/filterStore'
 import { usePhotosQuery } from '../../hooks/usePhotosQuery'
 import { photos as photosApi } from '../../services/api'
-import { findSearchMatch } from '../../lib/searchMatch'
 import type { Photo } from '../../types/photo'
 import { PreviewImage } from './PreviewImage'
 import { PreviewFilmstrip } from './PreviewFilmstrip'
@@ -86,15 +84,6 @@ export function PreviewView() {
   const currentPhoto: Photo | undefined =
     photoInListById ?? photos[safeIndex] ?? standalonePhoto
 
-  // Carry the timeline's search-match chip into preview so the user
-  // doesn't lose the "why did this photo come back" context when they
-  // zoom in. Pure recompute — same helper the thumbnail uses.
-  const searchQuery = useFilterStore((s) => s.q)
-  const searchMatch =
-    currentPhoto && searchQuery.trim()
-      ? findSearchMatch(currentPhoto, searchQuery)
-      : null
-
   // Keep the latest photos array + active id in a ref so the keyboard
   // handlers ALWAYS read the freshest state. Without this, react-hotkeys-
   // hook can fire a closure that captured an older photos array (e.g.
@@ -237,34 +226,6 @@ export function PreviewView() {
           <div className="text-text-muted">
             {safeIndex + 1} / {photos.length}
           </div>
-          {searchMatch && (
-            <div
-              className="mt-1 flex items-center gap-1.5 text-[11px]"
-              title={`Matched on ${searchMatch.label.toLowerCase()}: ${searchMatch.excerpt}`}
-            >
-              <span className="shrink-0 rounded-sm bg-primary/80 px-1 text-[9px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider">
-                {searchMatch.label}
-              </span>
-              <span className="truncate">
-                {searchMatch.matchLength > 0 ? (
-                  <>
-                    {searchMatch.excerpt.slice(0, searchMatch.matchStart)}
-                    <mark className="rounded-sm bg-amber-400/90 px-0.5 font-semibold text-black">
-                      {searchMatch.excerpt.slice(
-                        searchMatch.matchStart,
-                        searchMatch.matchStart + searchMatch.matchLength,
-                      )}
-                    </mark>
-                    {searchMatch.excerpt.slice(
-                      searchMatch.matchStart + searchMatch.matchLength,
-                    )}
-                  </>
-                ) : (
-                  searchMatch.excerpt
-                )}
-              </span>
-            </div>
-          )}
         </div>
 
         {/* Top-right action buttons */}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/timeline/PhotoThumbnail.tsx b/frontend/src/components/timeline/PhotoThumbnail.tsx
index 4e28761..8dff680 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/timeline/PhotoThumbnail.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/timeline/PhotoThumbnail.tsx
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ import { photos as photosApi } from '../../services/api'
 import type { Photo } from '../../types/photo'
 import { usePhotoStore } from '../../store/photoStore'
 import { COLOR_LABEL_OPTIONS } from '../../constants/colorLabels'
-import { findSearchMatch } from '../../lib/searchMatch'
 
 /** Custom MIME used by HeapsPanel to recognise our drag payload. */
 export const PHOTO_DRAG_MIME = 'application/x-mulita-photos'
@@ -82,10 +81,6 @@ interface PhotoThumbnailProps {
    *  view is filtered to the active heap, where every cell would
    *  otherwise be wash-green. */
   hideActiveHeapTint?: boolean
-  /** Active text-search query, passed in from Timeline rather than
-   *  subscribed-to here so we don't have N thumbnails each running a
-   *  per-keystroke selector. Empty string disables the highlight. */
-  searchQuery?: string
   /** Called with the photo + the native event. Pass a stable handler
    *  (useCallback with store-action deps) so React.memo can actually
    *  elide re-renders on unrelated store updates. */
@@ -101,7 +96,6 @@ function PhotoThumbnailImpl({
   isInActiveHeap = false,
   hideDiscardedTint = false,
   hideActiveHeapTint = false,
-  searchQuery = '',
   onClick,
   onDoubleClick,
 }: PhotoThumbnailProps) {
@@ -127,16 +121,6 @@ function PhotoThumbnailImpl({
   // thumbnail badge all read from one source of truth.
   const dateWarning = photo.has_date_warning === true
 
-  // When a query is active we compute which field on this photo
-  // matched so the user can see *why* the photo came back from the
-  // search instead of guessing. The query itself is passed down as a
-  // prop (subscribed once at the Timeline level) — having every
-  // thumbnail subscribe individually multiplied keystroke renders by
-  // the row count.
-  const searchMatch = searchQuery.trim()
-    ? findSearchMatch(photo, searchQuery)
-    : null
-
   // Square cells (Lightroom-style grid). Variable-aspect cells previously
   // overflowed their row because TanStack Virtual estimates row height as a
   // single fixed value — portraits in a landscape row would overlap the row
@@ -347,42 +331,6 @@ function PhotoThumbnailImpl({
        *  Corner ownership is fixed: TL=selection, TR=file-type,
        *  BL=rating, BR=flags. This keeps badges from stacking or colliding. */}
 
-      {/* Top banner — shown only when a text search is active, explains
-       *  which metadata field of this photo matched the user's query so
-       *  they don't have to guess why the photo came back. The matched
-       *  substring is wrapped in an amber highlight span so the user
-       *  can see *exactly* what hit — e.g. "**Mul**ti-segment" when
-       *  searching "mul". Sits above the TL/TR corner badges (lower
-       *  z-index) so they still read on top of long excerpts. */}
-      {searchMatch && (
-        <div
-          className="pointer-events-none absolute inset-x-0 top-0 z-[1] flex items-center gap-1 bg-black/75 px-1.5 py-0.5 text-[10px] font-medium text-white backdrop-blur-sm"
-          title={`Matched on ${searchMatch.label.toLowerCase()}: ${searchMatch.excerpt}`}
-        >
-          <span className="shrink-0 rounded-sm bg-primary/80 px-1 text-[9px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider">
-            {searchMatch.label}
-          </span>
-          <span className="truncate">
-            {searchMatch.matchLength > 0 ? (
-              <>
-                {searchMatch.excerpt.slice(0, searchMatch.matchStart)}
-                <mark className="rounded-sm bg-amber-400/90 px-0.5 font-semibold text-black">
-                  {searchMatch.excerpt.slice(
-                    searchMatch.matchStart,
-                    searchMatch.matchStart + searchMatch.matchLength
-                  )}
-                </mark>
-                {searchMatch.excerpt.slice(
-                  searchMatch.matchStart + searchMatch.matchLength
-                )}
-              </>
-            ) : (
-              searchMatch.excerpt
-            )}
-          </span>
-        </div>
-      )}
-
       {/* TL — owner badge for shared photos. Selection itself is
        *  conveyed by the ring/outline on the wrapper, no badge needed. */}
       {photo.owner_username && (
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/timeline/Timeline.tsx b/frontend/src/components/timeline/Timeline.tsx
index b5a05f5..399c47b 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/timeline/Timeline.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/timeline/Timeline.tsx
@@ -177,10 +177,6 @@ export function Timeline() {
   const currentSection = useFilterStore((s) => s.currentSection)
   const flag = useFilterStore((s) => s.flag)
   const filterHeapId = useFilterStore((s) => s.heapId)
-  // Subscribed once at this level and passed down to each
-  // PhotoThumbnail as a prop. Previously every thumbnail had its own
-  // subscription, multiplying keystroke renders by the row count.
-  const searchQuery = useFilterStore((s) => s.q)
   const viewMode = usePhotoStore((s) => s.viewMode)
   const thumbnailSize = useViewSettingsStore((s) => s.thumbnailSize)
 
@@ -856,7 +852,6 @@ export function Timeline() {
                       isInActiveHeap={activeHeapMembers.has(photo.id)}
                       hideDiscardedTint={hideDiscardedTint}
                       hideActiveHeapTint={hideActiveHeapTint}
-                      searchQuery={searchQuery}
                       onClick={handleCellClick}
                       onDoubleClick={handleCellDoubleClick}
                     />
diff --git a/frontend/src/hooks/useFilterUrlSync.ts b/frontend/src/hooks/useFilterUrlSync.ts
index 7bbf369..e8ac524 100644
--- a/frontend/src/hooks/useFilterUrlSync.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/hooks/useFilterUrlSync.ts
@@ -37,9 +37,6 @@ function parseUrl(): HydratePayload {
   const sp = new URLSearchParams(window.location.search)
   const out: HydratePayload = {}
 
-  const q = sp.get('q')
-  if (q) out.q = q
-
   const df = sp.get('date_from')
   if (df) out.dateFrom = df
 
@@ -112,7 +109,6 @@ function parseUrl(): HydratePayload {
 
 function writeUrl(f: FilterState & { currentSection?: string }) {
   const sp = new URLSearchParams()
-  if (f.q.trim()) sp.set('q', f.q.trim())
   if (f.dateFrom) sp.set('date_from', f.dateFrom)
   if (f.dateTo) sp.set('date_to', f.dateTo)
   if (f.mediaTypes.length > 0) sp.set('media_type', f.mediaTypes.join(','))
diff --git a/frontend/src/hooks/useKeyboardShortcuts.ts b/frontend/src/hooks/useKeyboardShortcuts.ts
index 07c8547..504ef21 100644
--- a/frontend/src/hooks/useKeyboardShortcuts.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/hooks/useKeyboardShortcuts.ts
@@ -403,15 +403,6 @@ export function useKeyboardShortcuts(props: KeyboardShortcutsProps) {
     HK_OPTS
   )
 
-  // Search focus (/ or Cmd/Ctrl+F).
-  const focusSearch = () => {
-    const el = document.getElementById('topbar-search') as HTMLInputElement | null
-    el?.focus()
-    el?.select()
-  }
-  useHotkeys('/', focusSearch, HK_OPTS)
-  useHotkeys('mod+f', focusSearch, HK_OPTS)
-
   // Space toggles the preview view (open from grid, close from preview).
   // Double-click on a thumbnail does the same.
   const openPreviewFromGrid = () => {
diff --git a/frontend/src/hooks/usePhotosQuery.ts b/frontend/src/hooks/usePhotosQuery.ts
index 05c44bd..a894c8f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/hooks/usePhotosQuery.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/hooks/usePhotosQuery.ts
@@ -49,7 +49,6 @@ export function usePhotosQuery() {
   const filterParams = useFilterStore(
     useShallow((s) =>
       filtersToParams({
-        q: s.q,
         dateFrom: s.dateFrom,
         dateTo: s.dateTo,
         mediaTypes: s.mediaTypes,
diff --git a/frontend/src/hooks/useSearchQuery.ts b/frontend/src/hooks/useSearchQuery.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 4b46275..0000000
--- a/frontend/src/hooks/useSearchQuery.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,37 +0,0 @@
-import { useQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query'
-import { search, type SearchResult } from '../services/api'
-import { useFilterStore } from '../store/filterStore'
-
-/**
- * Hybrid search hook — fires POST /photos/search when the user has a
- * non-empty search query. Returns results ranked by RRF (FTS + semantic).
- *
- * When `q` is empty, this hook is disabled and returns no data — the
- * normal usePhotosQuery takes over for browse mode.
- */
-export function useSearchQuery() {
-  const q = useFilterStore((s) => s.q)
-  const tagIds = useFilterStore((s) => s.tagIds)
-  const dateFrom = useFilterStore((s) => s.dateFrom)
-  const dateTo = useFilterStore((s) => s.dateTo)
-
-  const hasQuery = q.trim().length > 0
-
-  return useQuery<SearchResult[]>({
-    queryKey: ['search', q, tagIds, dateFrom, dateTo],
-    queryFn: async () => {
-      const resp = await search.query({
-        q: q.trim(),
-        filters: {
-          tag_ids: tagIds.length > 0 ? tagIds : undefined,
-          date_from: dateFrom ?? undefined,
-          date_to: dateTo ?? undefined,
-        },
-        limit: 200,
-      })
-      return resp.results
-    },
-    enabled: hasQuery,
-    staleTime: 30_000,
-  })
-}
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/searchMatch.ts b/frontend/src/lib/searchMatch.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 4447424..0000000
--- a/frontend/src/lib/searchMatch.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,175 +0,0 @@
-/**
- * Client-side re-implementation of the backend list-endpoint text search,
- * used to explain on each thumbnail *which* metadata field actually
- * matched the user's query. The backend search at
- * `backend/app/routers/photos.py` walks filename, user_title,
- * user_notes, exif_json, and tag names with case-insensitive ILIKE; we
- * mirror that here over the PhotoResponse fields that the list endpoint
- * already returns on the wire.
- *
- * Pure, deterministic, no I/O. Returns `null` when the query is empty
- * or no field matches (the latter shouldn't happen when the backend
- * and frontend logic agree, but we'd rather render nothing than lie).
- */
-import type { Photo } from '../types/photo'
-
-export type SearchMatchField =
-  | 'filename'
-  | 'title'
-  | 'notes'
-  | 'tag'
-  | 'exif'
-
-export interface SearchMatch {
-  field: SearchMatchField
-  /** Human-friendly label shown before the excerpt, e.g. "Tag" or
-   *  "EXIF: Make". The backend doesn't store per-field breakdowns for
-   *  exif so we parse the blob and name the key whose value matched. */
-  label: string
-  /** Short excerpt centred on the matched substring — up to ~40 chars
-   *  of context on either side, ellipsed when trimmed. */
-  excerpt: string
-  /** Char offset of the match WITHIN ``excerpt`` (not the original
-   *  value), so the UI can wrap the matched run in a highlight span
-   *  without redoing the search. */
-  matchStart: number
-  /** Length of the matched run inside ``excerpt``. Together with
-   *  ``matchStart`` this fully describes where to highlight. */
-  matchLength: number
-}
-
-const MAX_EXCERPT = 48
-
-interface Excerpt {
-  text: string
-  /** Offset of the matched substring inside ``text``. */
-  matchStart: number
-  matchLength: number
-}
-
-/** Build a compact excerpt of ``value`` centred on the first occurrence
- *  of ``needle`` (case-insensitive) and return it alongside the exact
- *  offset of the match inside the excerpt, so the caller can highlight
- *  it without re-searching. Preserves the original casing so the user
- *  reads what the metadata actually contains. */
-function excerpt(value: string, needleLower: string): Excerpt {
-  const lower = value.toLowerCase()
-  const idx = lower.indexOf(needleLower)
-  if (idx === -1) {
-    return {
-      text: value.slice(0, MAX_EXCERPT),
-      matchStart: 0,
-      matchLength: 0,
-    }
-  }
-  const half = Math.floor((MAX_EXCERPT - needleLower.length) / 2)
-  const start = Math.max(0, idx - half)
-  const end = Math.min(value.length, idx + needleLower.length + half)
-  const prefix = start > 0 ? '…' : ''
-  const suffix = end < value.length ? '…' : ''
-  const text = prefix + value.slice(start, end) + suffix
-  return {
-    text,
-    matchStart: prefix.length + (idx - start),
-    matchLength: needleLower.length,
-  }
-}
-
-function wrap(
-  field: SearchMatchField,
-  label: string,
-  ex: Excerpt,
-): SearchMatch {
-  return {
-    field,
-    label,
-    excerpt: ex.text,
-    matchStart: ex.matchStart,
-    matchLength: ex.matchLength,
-  }
-}
-
-/** Walk a parsed EXIF object looking for the first (key, value) pair
- *  whose stringified value contains the needle. Keys are stripped of
- *  their `Group:` prefix for display (EXIF output from exiftool looks
- *  like `EXIF:Make` / `IFD0:Model`). Returns null when nothing inside
- *  the blob matches. */
-function findExifMatch(
-  exifJson: string | null | undefined,
-  needleLower: string,
-): { key: string; value: string } | null {
-  if (!exifJson) return null
-  let parsed: unknown
-  try {
-    parsed = JSON.parse(exifJson)
-  } catch {
-    // Not JSON? Fall back to substring — the whole blob still
-    // counts as "EXIF" in the chip.
-    const lower = exifJson.toLowerCase()
-    if (lower.includes(needleLower)) {
-      return { key: 'metadata', value: exifJson }
-    }
-    return null
-  }
-  if (!parsed || typeof parsed !== 'object') return null
-  for (const [rawKey, rawVal] of Object.entries(parsed as Record<string, unknown>)) {
-    if (rawVal == null) continue
-    const str = typeof rawVal === 'string' ? rawVal : JSON.stringify(rawVal)
-    if (str.toLowerCase().includes(needleLower)) {
-      // Drop the `Group:` prefix some exiftool outputs carry.
-      const label = rawKey.includes(':') ? rawKey.split(':').slice(-1)[0] : rawKey
-      return { key: label, value: str }
-    }
-  }
-  return null
-}
-
-/**
- * Figure out which field of ``photo`` the user's ``query`` matches and
- * return a compact chip-ready description. Field priority mirrors what
- * a human would look at first: filename → title → notes → tag → EXIF.
- * Returns `null` for an empty query or (rarely) a photo that somehow
- * came back from the backend without any client-visible match.
- */
-export function findSearchMatch(
-  photo: Photo,
-  query: string,
-): SearchMatch | null {
-  const trimmed = query.trim()
-  if (!trimmed) return null
-  const needle = trimmed.toLowerCase()
-
-  if (photo.filename && photo.filename.toLowerCase().includes(needle)) {
-    return wrap('filename', 'Filename', excerpt(photo.filename, needle))
-  }
-
-  // PhotoResponse's user_title/user_notes aren't on the Photo type used
-  // by the timeline (that's the lighter list shape), but any extra
-  // props are still carried through React Query's cache — cast through
-  // `unknown` so we can read them opportunistically without widening
-  // the Photo type for every consumer.
-  const anyPhoto = photo as unknown as Record<string, unknown>
-  const title = typeof anyPhoto.user_title === 'string' ? anyPhoto.user_title : null
-  if (title && title.toLowerCase().includes(needle)) {
-    return wrap('title', 'Title', excerpt(title, needle))
-  }
-  const notes = typeof anyPhoto.user_notes === 'string' ? anyPhoto.user_notes : null
-  if (notes && notes.toLowerCase().includes(needle)) {
-    return wrap('notes', 'Note', excerpt(notes, needle))
-  }
-
-  if (photo.tags && photo.tags.length > 0) {
-    const hit = photo.tags.find((t) => t.name.toLowerCase().includes(needle))
-    if (hit) {
-      return wrap('tag', 'Tag', excerpt(hit.name, needle))
-    }
-  }
-
-  const exifJson = typeof anyPhoto.exif_json === 'string' ? anyPhoto.exif_json : null
-  const exifHit = findExifMatch(exifJson, needle)
-  if (exifHit) {
-    return wrap('exif', `EXIF: ${exifHit.key}`, excerpt(exifHit.value, needle))
-  }
-
-  return null
-}
diff --git a/frontend/src/store/filterStore.ts b/frontend/src/store/filterStore.ts
index 13f863f..e057e4d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/store/filterStore.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/store/filterStore.ts
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ export type SortOrder = 'asc' | 'desc'
 export type GroupBy = 'date' | 'tag' | 'rating' | 'color'
 
 export interface FilterState {
-  q: string
   dateFrom: string | null // ISO yyyy-mm-dd
   dateTo: string | null
   mediaTypes: MediaType[]
@@ -57,7 +56,6 @@ interface FilterStore extends FilterState {
    *  navigating away. */
   sectionPresets: Record<string, Partial<FilterState>>
 
-  setQ: (q: string) => void
   setDateFrom: (date: string | null) => void
   setDateTo: (date: string | null) => void
   toggleMediaType: (t: MediaType) => void
@@ -93,7 +91,6 @@ interface FilterStore extends FilterState {
 }
 
 export const INITIAL_FILTERS: FilterState = {
-  q: '',
   dateFrom: null,
   dateTo: null,
   mediaTypes: [],
@@ -116,7 +113,6 @@ export const INITIAL_FILTERS: FilterState = {
  *  per-section map. */
 function snapshotFilters(s: FilterState): FilterState {
   return {
-    q: s.q,
     dateFrom: s.dateFrom,
     dateTo: s.dateTo,
     mediaTypes: [...s.mediaTypes],
@@ -141,7 +137,6 @@ export const useFilterStore = create<FilterStore>((set) => ({
   sectionFilters: {},
   sectionPresets: { [ALL_PHOTOS_SECTION]: {} },
 
-  setQ: (q) => set({ q }),
   setDateFrom: (dateFrom) => set({ dateFrom }),
   setDateTo: (dateTo) => set({ dateTo }),
   toggleMediaType: (t) =>
@@ -211,7 +206,6 @@ export const useFilterStore = create<FilterStore>((set) => ({
  *  Empty / default values are omitted so the cache key is stable. */
 export function filtersToParams(f: FilterState): Record<string, string | number> {
   const params: Record<string, string | number> = {}
-  if (f.q.trim()) params.q = f.q.trim()
   // Both bounds need an explicit time component because pydantic v2
   // rejects bare date strings ("2026-04-10") for datetime params with
   // 422. The from is start-of-day; the to is inclusive end-of-day so
@@ -235,10 +229,9 @@ export function filtersToParams(f: FilterState): Record<string, string | number>
   return params
 }
 
-/** True if any filter (other than the search box) is active. */
+/** True if any filter is active. */
 export function hasActiveFilters(f: FilterState): boolean {
   return (
-    f.q.trim() !== '' ||
     f.dateFrom !== null ||
     f.dateTo !== null ||
     f.mediaTypes.length > 0 ||