fix(enrichment): drop the studio tiebreak when the chart is a live take

Follow-through on keeping live recordings for live charts: rank_candidates still
ranked the studio take ahead of a tied live one, so a live chart would auto-match
the studio recording. Skip the studio tiebreak when the source title has a live
marker — duration proximity + score then pick the right live version.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+### Added
+- **Playlist shuffle.** The v3 playlist detail page gains a crossing-arrows shuffle toggle next to Play all / Play album. When on, `playQueue.start` Fisher-Yates-shuffles the queue once at start (on a copy — the stored playlist order is untouched), swapping any per-slot album arrangements in lockstep so each slot keeps its pinned arrangement. The preference is global and persists in `localStorage` (`v3PlaylistShuffle`). Tests: `tests/js/play_queue_shuffle.test.js`.
+
 ### Changed
 - **Player frame-time hotspots removed (trace-backed) + weak-hardware hardening.** A Chrome performance trace of a 3D-highway session surfaced two core per-frame layout-thrash sources, now fixed: the highway's visibility check read `canvas.offsetParent` every rAF frame (forces style/layout recalc — now sampled every 10th frame with a cached value, force-refreshed on init/canvas-replace/resize/override-clear), and the v3 player chrome loop called `matches(':hover')` per frame and unconditionally rewrote the Up-Next pill's `textContent`/bar width at 6 Hz (now hover-tracked via mouseenter/mouseleave, DOM writes only on value change, progress bar moved from `width` to compositor-only `scaleX`). The 3D highway pre-warms shader programs (`ren.compile`) and deterministic label textures at init — and chart-dependent chord/section label textures on first draw — so first-appearance shader-compile/texture-upload frame spikes move into the load spinner. For weaker hardware: the per-frame renderer bundle is now a single reused object instead of a fresh ~35-field allocation per frame (object identity is stable and meaningless; array fields still swap reference on chart changes), custom viz get `bundle.lowerBoundT`/`bundle.lowerBoundTime` binary-search helpers for visible-window culling, the default 2D highway's beat lines no longer scan every beat in the song per frame, and the 3D highway stops reading `localStorage` per frame (1 Hz poll) and caches its lyrics text-measurement layout per displayed line instead of re-measuring every syllable every frame. A second, throttled-CPU trace pass additionally removed: shader-program re-resolution churn from label texture swaps (`material.needsUpdate` is now only set on a null↔texture transition — swapping between two cached label textures never changes the compiled program), the 3D highway's per-frame `getBoundingClientRect` layout read in its canvas-size self-check (now every 10th frame, still immediate on backing-store change), and the core 60 Hz HUD clock rewriting `textContent` on every tick (now write-on-change, ~1/s). The dominant residual — steady `getParameters` shader-program re-resolution (~4% of throttled main thread) — turned out to be Three r158+'s transparent-DoubleSide two-pass rendering, which sets `material.needsUpdate` twice per object per frame; all 18 of the 3D highway's transparent DoubleSide materials are flat unlit quads (labels, rails, chord frames, lanes), so they now declare `forceSinglePass: true`, eliminating the recompile churn and halving those objects' draw calls.
 

Dockerfile

@@ -47,11 +47,11 @@ RUN cmake -S /tmp/vgmstream -B /tmp/vgmstream/build \
 # and update FFMPEG_RELEASE + both SHA256 ARGs below.
 FROM alpine:3.20 AS ffmpeg-fetcher
 ARG TARGETARCH
-ARG FFMPEG_RELEASE=autobuild-2026-06-19-23-17
-ARG FFMPEG_BUILD_AMD64=ffmpeg-n7.1.4-145-g4cbf7a4b3d-linux64-gpl-7.1.tar.xz
-ARG FFMPEG_BUILD_ARM64=ffmpeg-n7.1.4-145-g4cbf7a4b3d-linuxarm64-gpl-7.1.tar.xz
-ARG FFMPEG_SHA256_AMD64=03c0431e0d1aa75cc343d83bda9d2d4cd8eaa37f35b7b93465e9ff6864f5d7f8
-ARG FFMPEG_SHA256_ARM64=74629b88342fd94eea12b7481c8b8560ca6d497744123c0a27b98f39d767fd93
+ARG FFMPEG_RELEASE=autobuild-2026-07-03-13-21
+ARG FFMPEG_BUILD_AMD64=ffmpeg-n7.1.5-1-g7d0e842004-linux64-gpl-7.1.tar.xz
+ARG FFMPEG_BUILD_ARM64=ffmpeg-n7.1.5-1-g7d0e842004-linuxarm64-gpl-7.1.tar.xz
+ARG FFMPEG_SHA256_AMD64=1390e1c320a1e38dae106d6d0b05a6f08eb8b30f732bc1aa0d45a4aa17f13795
+ARG FFMPEG_SHA256_ARM64=53b2e30df04d56932b7782234c9bc97abfe0bb242192ca50346474a41b100ab0
 RUN apk add --no-cache curl xz \
     && arch="${TARGETARCH:-$(apk --print-arch)}" \
     && case "$arch" in \
@@ -94,9 +94,9 @@ FROM python:3.12-slim
 # Re-declare the ffmpeg ARGs so their values are available to LABEL below.
 # ARG values don't cross stage boundaries in multi-stage builds; defaults
 # must be repeated here to take effect when no --build-arg is supplied.
-ARG FFMPEG_RELEASE=autobuild-2026-06-19-23-17
-ARG FFMPEG_BUILD_AMD64=ffmpeg-n7.1.4-145-g4cbf7a4b3d-linux64-gpl-7.1.tar.xz
-ARG FFMPEG_BUILD_ARM64=ffmpeg-n7.1.4-145-g4cbf7a4b3d-linuxarm64-gpl-7.1.tar.xz
+ARG FFMPEG_RELEASE=autobuild-2026-07-03-13-21
+ARG FFMPEG_BUILD_AMD64=ffmpeg-n7.1.5-1-g7d0e842004-linux64-gpl-7.1.tar.xz
+ARG FFMPEG_BUILD_ARM64=ffmpeg-n7.1.5-1-g7d0e842004-linuxarm64-gpl-7.1.tar.xz
 
 # Apply latest security updates to base packages (clears glibc deb13u3 and
 # similar). Done first so any subsequent installs resolve against the

lib/mb_match.py

@@ -39,6 +39,14 @@ DURATION_BONUS_LOOSE = 0.025   # …within 15s
 _DURATION_TIGHT = 5
 _DURATION_LOOSE = 15
 
+# Release-group secondary types that mark a NON-canonical release (a live album,
+# a greatest-hits comp, a remix/DJ set, …). Used both to pick the canonical
+# studio album for display and to reward studio recordings in ranking.
+_SECONDARY_SKIP = {
+    "live", "compilation", "remix", "dj-mix", "mixtape/street",
+    "demo", "interview", "audiobook", "spokenword",
+}
+
 # ── Denoise ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 # A parenthetical/bracketed group is dropped when it contains any of these
 # noise terms as a whole word (chart-variant markers, tuning/pitch notes,
@@ -154,6 +162,10 @@ def score_candidate(song: dict, cand: dict) -> float:
             score += DURATION_BONUS
         elif diff <= _DURATION_LOOSE:
             score += DURATION_BONUS_LOOSE
+    # NB: the studio-vs-live distinction is deliberately NOT scored here — a live
+    # take is still the RIGHT SONG (same title/artist), so it must not change the
+    # auto/review confidence. Canonical-version preference lives in the RANK sort
+    # (rank_candidates) instead, where it only reorders same-song candidates.
     return min(score, 1.0)
 
 
@@ -179,15 +191,34 @@ def classify(song: dict, cand: dict, score: float, auto_min: float | None = None
 
 
 def rank_candidates(song: dict, candidates: list[dict]) -> list[dict]:
-    """Score every candidate against the song and return them sorted by our
-    score (MusicBrainz's own search score is only a tiebreak). Each returned
-    dict is a copy carrying `score` (rounded — it's displayed and stored)."""
+    """Score every candidate against the song and return them sorted best-first.
+    The combined `score` caps at 1.0, so a perfect-text-match query (every "AC/DC
+    Highway to Hell" recording) ties at the top — there the studio flag and, when
+    the caller knows the audio length, the duration match break the tie so the
+    canonical studio take wins over live/promo/extended cuts. Each returned dict
+    is a copy carrying `score` (rounded — it's displayed and stored)."""
+    sd = _duration_int(song.get("duration"))
+    # For a chart that IS a live take (build_recording_query keeps live
+    # recordings for these) the studio take is the WRONG recording, so drop the
+    # studio tiebreak — duration proximity + text/mb score then pick the right
+    # live version instead of auto-matching the studio one.
+    prefer_studio = not _LIVE_GROUP_RE.search(str(song.get("title") or ""))
+
+    def _dur_diff(c):
+        cd = _duration_int(c.get("duration"))
+        return abs(sd - cd) if (sd and cd) else 10 ** 6
+
     ranked = []
     for cand in candidates or []:
         c = dict(cand)
         c["score"] = round(score_candidate(song, cand), 4)
         ranked.append(c)
-    ranked.sort(key=lambda c: (c["score"], c.get("mb_score") or 0), reverse=True)
+    ranked.sort(
+        key=lambda c: (c["score"],
+                       (1 if c.get("studio") else 0) if prefer_studio else 0,
+                       -_dur_diff(c),                 # closest to the audio length
+                       c.get("mb_score") or 0),
+        reverse=True)
     return ranked
 
 
@@ -198,6 +229,11 @@ def _lucene_escape_phrase(s: str) -> str:
     return s.replace("\\", "\\\\").replace('"', '\\"')
 
 
+# A parenthetical/bracketed "(Live …)" marker — the live signal denoise() strips
+# from the title. Mirrors _NOISE_GROUP_RE but for the `live` term only.
+_LIVE_GROUP_RE = re.compile(r"[(\[][^)\]]*\blive\b[^)\]]*[)\]]", re.IGNORECASE)
+
+
 def build_recording_query(artist, title) -> str:
     """Lucene query for /ws/2/recording. Built from the DENOISED fields —
     the noise we strip (author credits, "(Live)", "(v2)") would otherwise
@@ -209,7 +245,22 @@ def build_recording_query(artist, title) -> str:
         parts.append('recording:"%s"' % _lucene_escape_phrase(t))
     if a:
         parts.append('artist:"%s"' % _lucene_escape_phrase(a))
-    return " AND ".join(parts)
+    q = " AND ".join(parts)
+    # Drop live-ONLY recordings (bootlegs, live albums) — the canonical studio
+    # take is never tagged Live, and this is the single biggest source of junk in
+    # a flat recording search. Compilations are deliberately NOT excluded: they
+    # REUSE the studio recording, so filtering them would drop the very recording
+    # we want (verified against MusicBrainz — `-secondarytype:Compilation` cut the
+    # AC/DC studio "Highway to Hell" recording entirely).
+    #
+    # EXCEPT when the source chart is itself a live take: denoise() strips the
+    # "(Live at …)" qualifier from the query, so filtering Live would leave the
+    # genuinely-live chart with NO correct recording. Only a parenthetical marker
+    # counts — a bare title word ("Live and Let Die") is a real word, not a live
+    # tag — mirroring what denoise removes.
+    if q and not _LIVE_GROUP_RE.search(str(title or "")):
+        q += " AND -secondarytype:Live"
+    return q
 
 
 def _artist_credit(doc: dict) -> tuple[str, str, str]:
@@ -226,19 +277,33 @@ def _artist_credit(doc: dict) -> tuple[str, str, str]:
     return name, str(artist.get("id", "") or ""), str(artist.get("sort-name", "") or "")
 
 
+def _is_clean_studio_album(rg: dict) -> bool:
+    """A release-group that is a primary-type Album with NO non-canonical
+    secondary type (Live / Compilation / Remix / …) — i.e. a studio album."""
+    if str(rg.get("primary-type", "")).lower() != "album":
+        return False
+    secs = {str(s).lower() for s in (rg.get("secondary-types") or [])}
+    return not (secs & _SECONDARY_SKIP)
+
+
 def _best_release(doc: dict) -> dict:
-    """Pick the release used for canon album/year: prefer Official status and
-    an Album release-group, then the earliest date. Returns {} if none."""
+    """Pick the release used for canon album/year: prefer an OFFICIAL studio
+    Album (primary Album with no Live/Compilation/… secondary type), then the
+    earliest date. Falls back to any release when none is clean. {} if none."""
     releases = [r for r in (doc.get("releases") or []) if isinstance(r, dict)]
     if not releases:
         return {}
 
     def sort_key(r):
-        status_ok = 0 if str(r.get("status", "")).lower() == "official" else 1
         rg = r.get("release-group") or {}
-        album_ok = 0 if str(rg.get("primary-type", "")).lower() == "album" else 1
+        clean = 0 if _is_clean_studio_album(rg) else 1
+        status_ok = 0 if str(r.get("status", "")).lower() == "official" else 1
         date = str(r.get("date", "") or "9999")
-        return (status_ok, album_ok, date)
+        # Official FIRST, then prefer a clean studio album: this still surfaces
+        # the studio album over an (official) live/comp album for the display
+        # album/year, but never lets an UNofficial bootleg album outrank an
+        # official single/EP/comp — which `(clean, status_ok, …)` would.
+        return (status_ok, clean, date)
 
     return sorted(releases, key=sort_key)[0]
 
@@ -261,6 +326,7 @@ def parse_recording_doc(doc: dict) -> dict | None:
         return None
     artist_name, artist_id, artist_sort = _artist_credit(doc)
     release = _best_release(doc)
+    studio = _is_clean_studio_album(release.get("release-group") or {})
     length = doc.get("length")
     try:
         duration = int(round(float(length) / 1000.0)) if length else None
@@ -281,6 +347,7 @@ def parse_recording_doc(doc: dict) -> dict | None:
         "isrc": isrcs[0] if isrcs else "",
         "genres": _genres(doc),
         "mb_score": int(doc.get("score") or 0),
+        "studio": studio,
     }
 
 

server.py

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import logging
 import math
 import os
 import secrets
+import stat
 import sys
 import tempfile
 import shutil
@@ -5576,13 +5577,217 @@ def _get_progression_content() -> dict:
     return _progression_content
 
 
+def _copy_builtin_packs(
+    root: Path,
+    dest_dir: Path,
+    sources: list[tuple[str, str]],
+    label: str,
+    update_existing: bool = True,
+) -> int:
+    """Symlink-safe, mtime-aware copy of bundled packs into ``dest_dir``.
+
+    ``sources`` is a list of ``(dest_name, rel_source)`` pairs; each source is
+    resolved under ``root`` (the repo root in dev, ``resources/feedBack`` when
+    bundled). A pack is copied when its destination is missing. Never deletes
+    user files; refuses to follow a symlinked seed directory or destination and
+    refuses to clobber a non-regular destination (any would let a copy escape
+    ``dest_dir`` or destroy user data). Logs and continues on error. ``label``
+    prefixes every log line.
+
+    ``update_existing`` controls what happens when a *regular* destination file
+    already exists: when True (diagnostic seed) a bundle copy newer than the
+    destination refreshes it; when False (one-time starter content) an existing
+    file is always left as-is so the user's copy is never overwritten.
+
+    Returns the number of ``sources`` that are present at their destination
+    afterwards (freshly seeded, refreshed, or already current) — so callers can
+    tell whether every pack made it. A skip (missing source, symlink/non-regular
+    refusal, copy error) does not count.
+    """
+    # Refuse a symlinked seed directory: mkdir(exist_ok=True) would accept it
+    # and copies would land at the link target, outside the DLC tree. The
+    # per-file symlink guard below cannot catch this.
+    if dest_dir.is_symlink():
+        log.warning("%s: %s is a symlink, skipping all seeding", label, dest_dir.name)
+        return 0
+    dest_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+
+    # Pin the seed directory by an O_NOFOLLOW fd so a symlink swapped in for
+    # dest_dir *after* the check above cannot redirect the per-file stat /
+    # temp-create / replace outside the DLC tree (parent-directory TOCTOU).
+    # os.replace accepts dir_fd on POSIX even though it isn't listed in
+    # os.supports_dir_fd, so gate on os.rename (the reliable proxy); platforms
+    # without dir_fd/O_NOFOLLOW (e.g. Windows) fall back to path-based ops.
+    dir_fd = None
+    if (
+        hasattr(os, "O_NOFOLLOW")
+        and hasattr(os, "O_DIRECTORY")
+        and os.open in os.supports_dir_fd
+        and os.rename in os.supports_dir_fd
+    ):
+        try:
+            dir_fd = os.open(dest_dir, os.O_RDONLY | os.O_NOFOLLOW | os.O_DIRECTORY)
+        except OSError as exc:
+            log.warning("%s: cannot open seed dir %s: %s", label, dest_dir, exc)
+            return 0
+
+    try:
+        present = 0
+        for dest_name, rel_source in sources:
+            source = root / rel_source
+            if not source.is_file():
+                log.warning("%s: source missing, skipping %s (%s)", label, dest_name, source)
+                continue
+
+            # lstat the destination without following symlinks. Pinned by dir_fd
+            # this resolves within the real seed dir, immune to a parent swap.
+            try:
+                if dir_fd is not None:
+                    dstat = os.lstat(dest_name, dir_fd=dir_fd)
+                else:
+                    dstat = os.lstat(dest_dir / dest_name)
+                dest_exists = True
+                dest_islink = stat.S_ISLNK(dstat.st_mode)
+            except FileNotFoundError:
+                dest_exists = False
+                dest_islink = False
+            except OSError as exc:
+                log.warning("%s: cannot stat %s: %s", label, dest_name, exc)
+                continue
+
+            # Refuse to seed through a symlink at the destination name.
+            if dest_islink:
+                log.warning("%s: destination is a symlink, skipping %s", label, dest_name)
+                continue
+
+            # A non-regular destination (directory, fifo, …) the user placed
+            # there: never clobber it, and never count it as present — otherwise
+            # a one-time seed would mark itself done without a real pack on disk.
+            if dest_exists and not stat.S_ISREG(dstat.st_mode):
+                log.warning("%s: destination is not a regular file, skipping %s", label, dest_name)
+                continue
+
+            if dest_exists:
+                # A regular file is already there. One-time seeds (starter
+                # content) must never overwrite the user's copy; refreshing
+                # seeds (diagnostics) replace it only when the bundle is newer.
+                if not update_existing:
+                    log.info("%s: already present %s", label, dest_name)
+                    present += 1
+                    continue
+                try:
+                    src_mtime = source.stat().st_mtime
+                except OSError as exc:
+                    log.warning("%s: cannot stat source %s: %s", label, source, exc)
+                    continue
+                if src_mtime <= dstat.st_mtime:
+                    log.info("%s: already present %s", label, dest_name)
+                    present += 1
+                    continue
+                action = "updated"
+            else:
+                action = "seeded"
+
+            if _write_builtin_pack(source, dest_dir, dest_name, dir_fd):
+                present += 1
+                log.info("%s: %s %s -> %s", label, action, source.name, dest_name)
+            else:
+                log.warning("%s: failed to copy %s -> %s/%s", label, source, dest_dir.name, dest_name)
+
+        return present
+    finally:
+        if dir_fd is not None:
+            os.close(dir_fd)
+
+
+def _write_builtin_pack(
+    source: Path,
+    dest_dir: Path,
+    dest_name: str,
+    dir_fd: int | None,
+) -> bool:
+    """Atomically write ``source`` to ``dest_name`` inside ``dest_dir``.
+
+    Writes to a temp file then ``os.replace()``s onto the final name so a
+    symlink raced in at the destination is overwritten (rename semantics), not
+    followed, and a crash never leaves a half-written pack. When ``dir_fd`` is
+    given, every step is anchored to that fd (O_NOFOLLOW temp create + dir_fd
+    replace), closing the parent-directory TOCTOU; otherwise falls back to
+    path-based temp+replace. Returns True on success. Never raises.
+    """
+    # Unique per-attempt name (O_EXCL create) so a crash that orphans a temp
+    # can't permanently block later seeds via an EEXIST collision.
+    tmp_name = f".seed-{dest_name}.{os.getpid()}.{secrets.token_hex(4)}.tmp"
+    try:
+        src_stat = source.stat()
+    except OSError as exc:
+        log.debug("builtin pack: cannot stat source %s: %s", source, exc)
+        return False
+    if dir_fd is not None:
+        tmp_fd = None
+        try:
+            tmp_fd = os.open(
+                tmp_name,
+                os.O_CREAT | os.O_EXCL | os.O_WRONLY | os.O_NOFOLLOW,
+                0o644,
+                dir_fd=dir_fd,
+            )
+            with open(source, "rb") as sf, os.fdopen(tmp_fd, "wb") as tf:
+                tmp_fd = None  # fdopen now owns the descriptor
+                shutil.copyfileobj(sf, tf)
+            os.replace(tmp_name, dest_name, src_dir_fd=dir_fd, dst_dir_fd=dir_fd)
+            # Preserve the bundle mtime (copyfileobj doesn't) so the mtime-based
+            # refresh check matches the shutil.copy2 fallback path. Best-effort.
+            try:
+                os.utime(
+                    dest_name,
+                    ns=(src_stat.st_atime_ns, src_stat.st_mtime_ns),
+                    dir_fd=dir_fd,
+                    follow_symlinks=False,
+                )
+            except OSError as exc:
+                log.debug("builtin pack: could not set mtime on %s: %s", dest_name, exc)
+            return True
+        except OSError as exc:
+            log.debug("builtin pack write (dir_fd) failed for %s: %s", dest_name, exc)
+            if tmp_fd is not None:
+                try:
+                    os.close(tmp_fd)
+                except OSError:
+                    pass
+            try:
+                os.unlink(tmp_name, dir_fd=dir_fd)
+            except OSError:
+                pass
+            return False
+
+    tmp = None
+    try:
+        fd, tmp = tempfile.mkstemp(dir=dest_dir, prefix=".seed-", suffix=".tmp")
+        os.close(fd)
+        shutil.copy2(source, tmp)
+        os.replace(tmp, dest_dir / dest_name)
+        tmp = None
+        return True
+    except OSError as exc:
+        log.debug("builtin pack write failed for %s: %s", dest_name, exc)
+        return False
+    finally:
+        if tmp is not None:
+            try:
+                os.unlink(tmp)
+            except OSError:
+                pass
+
+
 def _seed_builtin_diagnostic_sloppaks(dlc: Path | None = None) -> None:
     """Copy bundled diagnostic sloppaks into DLC before library scan.
 
     Creates ``DLC_DIR/diagnostics-builtin/`` and copies each bundled sloppak
     when the destination is missing or older than the repo/bundle source.
     Never deletes user files or touches manually copied paths (e.g.
-    ``diagnostics-test/``). Logs and continues on missing source or copy errors.
+    ``diagnostics-test/``). Re-seeds whenever the destination is missing so the
+    diagnostic target is always available. Logs and continues on errors.
     """
     try:
         if dlc is None:
@@ -5590,86 +5795,108 @@ def _seed_builtin_diagnostic_sloppaks(dlc: Path | None = None) -> None:
         if dlc is None:
             log.debug("Builtin diagnostic seed: no DLC folder configured, skipping")
             return
-
-        root = _feedBack_server_root()
-        dest_dir = dlc / _BUILTIN_DIAGNOSTIC_SUBDIR
-        # Refuse a symlinked seed directory: mkdir(exist_ok=True) would accept
-        # it and copies would land at the link target, outside the DLC tree.
-        # The per-file is_symlink() guard below cannot catch this.
-        if dest_dir.is_symlink():
-            log.warning(
-                "Builtin diagnostic seed: %s is a symlink, skipping all seeding",
-                _BUILTIN_DIAGNOSTIC_SUBDIR,
-            )
-            return
-        dest_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-
-        for dest_name, rel_source in _BUILTIN_DIAGNOSTIC_SOURCES:
-            source = root / rel_source
-            dest = dest_dir / dest_name
-
-            if not source.is_file():
-                log.warning(
-                    "Builtin diagnostic seed: source missing, skipping %s (%s)",
-                    dest_name,
-                    source,
-                )
-                continue
-
-            # Refuse to seed through a symlink. is_file()/stat()/copy2 all
-            # follow links, so a symlink planted at the destination would let
-            # the copy redirect outside diagnostics-builtin/ and overwrite an
-            # arbitrary file the server user can write. Skip and warn; never
-            # touch the link or its target.
-            if dest.is_symlink():
-                log.warning(
-                    "Builtin diagnostic seed: destination is a symlink, skipping %s/%s",
-                    _BUILTIN_DIAGNOSTIC_SUBDIR,
-                    dest_name,
-                )
-                continue
-
-            if dest.is_file():
-                try:
-                    if source.stat().st_mtime <= dest.stat().st_mtime:
-                        log.info(
-                            "Builtin diagnostic seed: already present %s/%s",
-                            _BUILTIN_DIAGNOSTIC_SUBDIR,
-                            dest_name,
-                        )
-                        continue
-                    action = "updated"
-                except OSError as exc:
-                    log.warning(
-                        "Builtin diagnostic seed: cannot compare %s and %s: %s",
-                        source,
-                        dest,
-                        exc,
-                    )
-                    continue
-            else:
-                action = "seeded"
-
-            try:
-                shutil.copy2(source, dest)
-                log.info(
-                    "Builtin diagnostic seed: %s %s -> %s/%s",
-                    action,
-                    source.name,
-                    _BUILTIN_DIAGNOSTIC_SUBDIR,
-                    dest_name,
-                )
-            except OSError as exc:
-                log.warning(
-                    "Builtin diagnostic seed: failed to copy %s -> %s: %s",
-                    source,
-                    dest,
-                    exc,
-                )
+        _copy_builtin_packs(
+            _feedBack_server_root(),
+            dlc / _BUILTIN_DIAGNOSTIC_SUBDIR,
+            _BUILTIN_DIAGNOSTIC_SOURCES,
+            "Builtin diagnostic seed",
+        )
     except Exception:
         log.warning("Builtin diagnostic seed: unexpected error", exc_info=True)
 
 
+# Starter content: bundled songs copied into ``DLC_DIR/starter/`` exactly ONCE,
+# on first run, as a welcome library so a fresh install isn't empty. Unlike the
+# diagnostic seed this is one-time — guarded by a marker in CONFIG_DIR — so if
+# the user deletes the starter song it stays gone. ``starter/`` is NOT in the
+# library scan carve-out (unlike diagnostics-builtin/ / tutorials-builtin/), so
+# seeded packs surface as ordinary library songs.
+_BUILTIN_STARTER_SUBDIR = "starter"
+_BUILTIN_STARTER_SOURCES: list[tuple[str, str]] = [
+    (
+        "beethoven-fur_elise.feedpak",
+        "content/starter/beethoven-fur_elise.feedpak",
+    ),
+    (
+        "star_spangled_banner.feedpak",
+        "content/starter/star_spangled_banner.feedpak",
+    ),
+    (
+        "beethoven-ode_to_joy.feedpak",
+        "content/starter/beethoven-ode_to_joy.feedpak",
+    ),
+]
+_STARTER_SEED_MARKER = ".starter-content-seeded"
+
+
+def _seed_builtin_starter_content(dlc: Path | None = None) -> None:
+    """Copy bundled starter songs into ``DLC_DIR/starter/`` exactly once.
+
+    Guarded by ``CONFIG_DIR/.starter-content-seeded``: the first run with a DLC
+    folder configured seeds the packs and writes the marker; subsequent runs are
+    no-ops, so a user who deletes the starter song does not get it back on the
+    next launch. Symlink-safe; never deletes user files. Logs, never raises.
+    """
+    try:
+        marker = CONFIG_DIR / _STARTER_SEED_MARKER
+        # Already seeded? The marker is a sentinel: any existing path there
+        # (regular file, or a symlink/dir a user deliberately planted to opt
+        # out) means "done" — lstat so we detect it without following a symlink.
+        # Worst case of a planted marker is simply no starter content, never a
+        # data write; the O_EXCL|O_NOFOLLOW create below refuses to write
+        # *through* a symlink regardless.
+        try:
+            os.lstat(marker)
+            return
+        except FileNotFoundError:
+            pass
+        except OSError as exc:
+            log.warning("Starter content seed: cannot stat marker %s: %s", marker, exc)
+            return
+        if dlc is None:
+            dlc = _get_dlc_dir()
+        if dlc is None:
+            # No DLC yet — leave the marker unwritten so we retry once a
+            # library folder is configured.
+            log.debug("Starter content seed: no DLC folder configured, skipping")
+            return
+        present = _copy_builtin_packs(
+            _feedBack_server_root(),
+            dlc / _BUILTIN_STARTER_SUBDIR,
+            _BUILTIN_STARTER_SOURCES,
+            "Starter content seed",
+            update_existing=False,
+        )
+        # Only mark seeding complete once every starter pack is actually in
+        # place. If a source was missing or a copy failed, leave the marker
+        # unwritten so the next launch retries rather than permanently skipping.
+        if present < len(_BUILTIN_STARTER_SOURCES):
+            log.info(
+                "Starter content seed: %d/%d packs present, will retry next launch",
+                present,
+                len(_BUILTIN_STARTER_SOURCES),
+            )
+            return
+        # Record completion with an exclusive, no-follow create so a planted or
+        # raced symlink at the marker path can't redirect the write outside
+        # CONFIG_DIR. O_EXCL fails (EEXIST) on any existing path including a
+        # symlink, so we never write through one.
+        try:
+            CONFIG_DIR.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+            flags = os.O_CREAT | os.O_EXCL | os.O_WRONLY | getattr(os, "O_NOFOLLOW", 0)
+            fd = os.open(marker, flags, 0o644)
+            try:
+                os.write(fd, b"1\n")
+            finally:
+                os.close(fd)
+        except FileExistsError:
+            pass  # already marked (or a non-regular path is squatting) — fine
+        except OSError as exc:
+            log.warning("Starter content seed: could not write marker %s: %s", marker, exc)
+    except Exception:
+        log.warning("Starter content seed: unexpected error", exc_info=True)
+
+
 def _background_scan():
     """Scan the library and cache song metadata on startup. Uses a process pool to bypass the GIL for CPU-bound metadata parsing.
 
@@ -5690,6 +5917,7 @@ def _background_scan():
         return
 
     _seed_builtin_diagnostic_sloppaks(dlc)
+    _seed_builtin_starter_content(dlc)
 
     # Listing can fail on macOS without Full Disk Access, or on Docker if the
     # path isn't shared. Report the failure explicitly rather than silently
@@ -6007,8 +6235,11 @@ def _mb_http_get(path: str, params: dict) -> dict | None:
         raise EnrichTransportError("bad JSON from musicbrainz") from e
 
 
-def _mb_search_recordings(artist, title, limit: int = 8) -> list[dict]:
-    """Text search (tier 2–4): denoised Lucene query over /recording."""
+def _mb_search_recordings(artist, title, limit: int = 12) -> list[dict]:
+    """Text search (tier 2–4): denoised Lucene query over /recording. The query
+    now drops live-only recordings and our ranker rewards the studio take, so a
+    slightly larger default result set gives the re-ranker room to surface the
+    canonical version (one request per song regardless of limit)."""
     query = mb_match.build_recording_query(artist, title)
     if not query:
         return []
@@ -7185,13 +7416,16 @@ def api_enrichment_pick(filename: str, data: dict = Body(...)):
 
 @app.get("/api/enrichment/search")
 def api_enrichment_search(artist: str = "", title: str = "", limit: int = 8,
-                          filename: str = ""):
+                          filename: str = "", duration: float = 0.0):
     """Manual-search proxy to MusicBrainz (throttled + identified like the
     background matcher — a user typing in the drawer must not sidestep the
     rate limit). `filename` optionally scores results against that song's
     stored identity (year/duration corroboration) instead of just the typed
-    text. Sync route on purpose: FastAPI runs it in the threadpool, so the
-    throttle's sleep never blocks the event loop."""
+    text. `duration` (seconds) lets a caller that HAS the audio but no library
+    row — e.g. the editor's create modal, which holds the master track — pass
+    its length so the studio take ranks above live/extended cuts. Sync route on
+    purpose: FastAPI runs it in the threadpool, so the throttle's sleep never
+    blocks the event loop."""
     if not (artist.strip() or title.strip()):
         raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="artist or title required")
     limit = max(1, min(int(limit), 25))
@@ -7205,6 +7439,10 @@ def api_enrichment_search(artist: str = "", title: str = "", limit: int = 8,
         ref = meta_db.enrichment_song_row(filename)
     if ref is None:
         ref = {"artist": artist, "title": title}
+    # A caller-supplied duration corroborates the take even without a library row.
+    if duration and duration > 0 and not ref.get("duration"):
+        ref = dict(ref)
+        ref["duration"] = duration
     return {"candidates": mb_match.rank_candidates(ref, cands)}
 
 

static/app.js

@@ -6195,7 +6195,7 @@ window.feedBack.on('song:ready', () => {
             setSpeed(pend.speed);
         }
     } catch (_) { /* speed restore is best-effort */ }
-    Promise.resolve(_audioSeek(Math.max(0, Number(pend.position) || 0), 'resume'))
+    Promise.resolve(_audioSeek(Math.max(0, Number(pend.position) || 0), 'session-resume'))
         .then(() => { if (_autoplayExitEnabled() && !isPlaying) return togglePlay(); })
         .catch((err) => console.warn('[app] resume failed:', err));
 });
@@ -6761,7 +6761,16 @@ window.feedBack.playQueue = (function () {
         if (!files.length) return false;
         list = files.slice(); idx = 0;
         source = (opts && opts.source) || '';
-        arrangements = (opts && opts.arrangements) || null;
+        arrangements = (opts && opts.arrangements) ? opts.arrangements.slice() : null;
+        if (opts && opts.shuffle && list.length > 1) {
+            // Fisher-Yates, once at start. Swap arrangements in lockstep so an
+            // album slot's pinned arrangement stays glued to its file (#685).
+            for (let i = list.length - 1; i > 0; i--) {
+                const j = Math.floor(Math.random() * (i + 1));
+                [list[i], list[j]] = [list[j], list[i]];
+                if (arrangements) [arrangements[i], arrangements[j]] = [arrangements[j], arrangements[i]];
+            }
+        }
         if (window.fbNotify) {
             try { window.fbNotify.show({ title: 'Playing ' + (source || 'queue'), message: files.length + ' songs', icon: '▶' }); } catch (e) { /* */ }
         }
@@ -10968,20 +10977,19 @@ async function loadPlugins() {
             const nameDelta = String(a.name || a.id || '').localeCompare(String(b.name || b.id || ''));
             return nameDelta || String(a.id || '').localeCompare(String(b.id || ''));
         });
-        const livePluginIds = new Set(plugins.map((plugin) => plugin.id));
-        for (const [pluginId, contributions] of _pluginUiContributions) {
-            if (livePluginIds.has(pluginId)) continue;
-            const stalePlugin = { id: pluginId };
-            for (const contribution of contributions) {
-                await _commandUiDomain(contribution.domain, 'unmount', stalePlugin, contribution);
-            }
-            try {
-                window.feedBack?.capabilities?.unregisterParticipant?.(pluginId);
-            } catch (e) {
-                console.warn(`capability participant unregister failed for ${pluginId}:`, e);
-            }
-            _pluginUiContributions.delete(pluginId);
-        }
+        // NOTE deliberately NO stale-contribution sweep for plugins absent
+        // from this response. Absent ≠ uninstalled: the backend clears its
+        // plugin registry at the start of load_plugins() and repopulates it
+        // incrementally while HTTP stays up, so every backend restart serves a
+        // window of partial (even empty) responses. The old sweep unmounted UI
+        // contributions and unregistered capability participants on mere
+        // absence, permanently breaking still-loaded plugins — their scripts
+        // don't re-run (loadedScripts guard below), so nothing ever
+        // re-registered. A genuine mid-session uninstall now leaves the
+        // (already-evaluated, un-unloadable) script's contributions in place
+        // until reload; its nav entry still disappears because nav is rebuilt
+        // from the response each round. Same invariant as the settings/screen
+        // DOM wipe and _reconcilePluginStyles below.
         console.log('[feedBack] loadPlugins: got', plugins.length, 'plugins');
 
         try {
@@ -11123,17 +11131,23 @@ async function loadPlugins() {
             loadedStyles.set(plugin.id, wantedVersion);
         };
         const _reconcilePluginStyles = (currentPlugins) => {
-            // Drop stylesheets for plugins that vanished from /api/plugins or are
-            // no longer ready+styled this round. _injectPluginStyles below only
-            // visits plugins still returned by the API, so an uninstalled or
-            // newly-not-ready plugin would otherwise keep its <link> applying.
+            // Drop stylesheets for plugins the response KNOWS about but that
+            // are no longer ready+styled this round. _injectPluginStyles below
+            // only visits plugins still returned by the API, so a newly-not-
+            // ready or unstyled plugin would otherwise keep its <link>
+            // applying. Plugins merely ABSENT from the response keep their
+            // stylesheet — a transient partial response during a backend
+            // restart is not an uninstall (same invariant as the screen/
+            // settings wipe below), and stripping the <link> would leave a
+            // still-loaded plugin visible but unstyled.
+            const responded = new Set(currentPlugins.map((p) => p.id));
             const styled = new Set(
                 currentPlugins
                     .filter((p) => (p.status || 'ready') === 'ready' && p.has_styles && p.styles)
                     .map((p) => p.id),
             );
             for (const id of Array.from(loadedStyles.keys())) {
-                if (!styled.has(id)) {
+                if (responded.has(id) && !styled.has(id)) {
                     _removePluginStyleTags(id);
                     loadedStyles.delete(id);
                 }
@@ -11146,6 +11160,18 @@ async function loadPlugins() {
                 if (pid) existingSettingsByPluginId.set(pid, child);
             }
         }
+        // Plugins named in THIS response. A plugin can be transiently absent
+        // from /api/plugins — the backend clears its registry at the start of
+        // load_plugins() and repopulates it incrementally while HTTP stays up,
+        // so every backend restart serves a window of partial (even empty)
+        // responses. The wipe loops below must never treat that absence as an
+        // uninstall: stripping a still-loaded plugin's DOM while keeping its
+        // loadedScripts entry made the NEXT refetch fail the DOM check and
+        // re-evaluate its screen.js mid-session — which duplicated the desktop
+        // audio_engine's native signal chain (its init re-ran against the
+        // surviving engine chain). Absent plugins keep their DOM and script;
+        // they're re-reconciled when they reappear in a later response.
+        const respondedIds = new Set(plugins.map((p) => p.id));
         const alreadyHydrated = new Set();
         for (const p of plugins) {
             if (!p.has_script) continue;
@@ -11173,7 +11199,10 @@ async function loadPlugins() {
         for (const container of _pluginSettingsContainers()) {
             [...container.children].forEach((el) => {
                 const pid = el.dataset ? el.dataset.pluginId : null;
-                if (!pid || !alreadyHydrated.has(pid)) el.remove();
+                // Remove junk (no plugin id) and plugins the response KNOWS
+                // about but that failed hydration; leave plugins absent from
+                // the response untouched (see respondedIds above).
+                if (!pid || (respondedIds.has(pid) && !alreadyHydrated.has(pid))) el.remove();
             });
         }
         document.querySelectorAll('.screen[id^="plugin-"]').forEach((el) => {
@@ -11182,7 +11211,7 @@ async function loadPlugins() {
             // change shipped — both forms strip a single leading "plugin-".
             const pid = (el.dataset && el.dataset.pluginId)
                 || el.id.replace(/^plugin-/, '');
-            if (!alreadyHydrated.has(pid)) el.remove();
+            if (!pid || (respondedIds.has(pid) && !alreadyHydrated.has(pid))) el.remove();
         });
 
         // Plugin settings area hosts both "Plugin Updates" and per-plugin

static/v3/playlists.js

@@ -211,7 +211,12 @@
             '<div class="flex items-center justify-between mb-6 gap-3">' +
             '<h2 class="text-3xl font-bold text-fb-text truncate">' + (isAlbum ? '💿 ' : '') + esc(pl.name) + '</h2>' +
             '<div class="flex gap-2 shrink-0 items-center">' +
-            (pl.songs.length ? '<button id="v3-pl-playall" class="bg-fb-primary hover:bg-fb-primaryHi text-white text-sm font-medium px-4 py-2 rounded-md">▶ Play ' + (isAlbum ? 'album' : 'all') + '</button>' : '') +
+            (pl.songs.length
+                ? '<button id="v3-pl-shuffle" class="px-2 py-2 rounded-md" aria-pressed="false">' +
+                  '<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" d="M16 3h5v5M4 20L21 3M21 16v5h-5M15 15l6 6M4 4l5 5"/></svg>' +
+                  '</button>' +
+                  '<button id="v3-pl-playall" class="bg-fb-primary hover:bg-fb-primaryHi text-white text-sm font-medium px-4 py-2 rounded-md">▶ Play ' + (isAlbum ? 'album' : 'all') + '</button>'
+                : '') +
             (isSystem ? '' :
                 '<button id="v3-pl-cover" class="text-sm text-fb-textDim hover:text-fb-text px-2">Cover</button>' +
                 (pl.cover_url ? '<button id="v3-pl-cover-rm" class="text-sm text-fb-textDim hover:text-fb-accent px-2">Remove cover</button>' : '') +
@@ -226,6 +231,26 @@
                 : '<p class="text-fb-textDim">Empty — add songs from the library' + (isAlbum ? ' (the ⋮ menu or the batch bar\'s "Add to playlist")' : '') + '.</p>') +
             '</div>';
         root.querySelector('#v3-pl-back')?.addEventListener('click', renderPlaylists);
+        // Shuffle toggle (crossing arrows, next to Play). Persisted globally —
+        // one preference, not per playlist. The queue is shuffled once when
+        // Play starts (playQueue.start's shuffle opt); the stored playlist
+        // order is never touched.
+        const shuffleBtn = root.querySelector('#v3-pl-shuffle');
+        const shuffleOn = () => { try { return localStorage.getItem('v3PlaylistShuffle') === '1'; } catch (_) { return false; } };
+        const paintShuffle = () => {
+            if (!shuffleBtn) return;
+            const on = shuffleOn();
+            shuffleBtn.className = on
+                ? 'px-2 py-2 rounded-md border border-fb-primary bg-fb-primary hover:bg-fb-primaryHi text-white'
+                : 'px-2 py-2 rounded-md border border-fb-border text-fb-textDim hover:text-fb-text';
+            shuffleBtn.title = on ? 'Shuffle: on' : 'Shuffle: off';
+            shuffleBtn.setAttribute('aria-pressed', on ? 'true' : 'false');
+        };
+        paintShuffle();
+        shuffleBtn?.addEventListener('click', () => {
+            try { localStorage.setItem('v3PlaylistShuffle', shuffleOn() ? '0' : '1'); } catch (_) { /* private mode */ }
+            paintShuffle();
+        });
         // Play all: start the play-queue with this playlist's songs (auto-advances
         // track to track). Falls back to playing the first song on an older core
         // without the queue, so the button always does something. An ALBUM plays
@@ -244,8 +269,8 @@
             if (!files.length) return;
             if (window.feedBack && window.feedBack.playQueue) {
                 window.feedBack.playQueue.start(files, isAlbum
-                    ? { source: pl.name, arrangements: arrs }
-                    : { source: pl.name });
+                    ? { source: pl.name, arrangements: arrs, shuffle: shuffleOn() }
+                    : { source: pl.name, shuffle: shuffleOn() });
             } else if (typeof window.playSong === 'function') window.playSong(encodeURIComponent(files[0]));
         });
         const listEl = root.querySelector('#v3-pl-songs');

tests/js/highway_colors_facade.test.js

@@ -35,10 +35,11 @@ function buildFacade() {
         'return _hwcInstallFacade;',
     ].join('\n');
     const params = [
-        'window', 'HWC_SLOTS', 'console',
+        'window', 'HWC_SLOTS', 'HWC_PRESETS', 'console',
         'getHighwayStringColors', 'getHighwayDefaultSlotColors', '_hwcMergedSlotColors',
         '_hwcSlotKeysForChart', '_hwcEffectiveIndexColors', '_hwcChartShape',
-        'applyHighwayStringColors', 'encodeHighwayColorShare', 'decodeHighwayColorShare',
+        'applyHighwayStringColors', 'applyHighwayStringPreset',
+        'encodeHighwayColorShare', 'decodeHighwayColorShare',
     ];
 
     const listeners = {};
@@ -64,14 +65,19 @@ function buildFacade() {
         _hwcEffectiveIndexColors: (map, sc, isBass) => ['eff', sc, isBass],
         _hwcChartShape: () => ({ sc: 6, isBass: false }),
         applyHighwayStringColors: (m) => { calls.push(['apply', m]); },
+        applyHighwayStringPreset: (id) => { calls.push(['preset', id]); return true; },
         encodeHighwayColorShare: (n, m) => 'SLOPHWY2.CODE',
         decodeHighwayColorShare: (c) => ({ name: 'x', colors: {} }),
     };
+    const HWC_PRESETS = [
+        { id: 'stock', label: 'Stock', colors: { lowE: '#cc0000' } },
+    ];
     const installer = new Function(...params, body)(
-        win, HWC_SLOTS, console,
+        win, HWC_SLOTS, HWC_PRESETS, console,
         stubs.getHighwayStringColors, stubs.getHighwayDefaultSlotColors, stubs._hwcMergedSlotColors,
         stubs._hwcSlotKeysForChart, stubs._hwcEffectiveIndexColors, stubs._hwcChartShape,
-        stubs.applyHighwayStringColors, stubs.encodeHighwayColorShare, stubs.decodeHighwayColorShare,
+        stubs.applyHighwayStringColors, stubs.applyHighwayStringPreset,
+        stubs.encodeHighwayColorShare, stubs.decodeHighwayColorShare,
     );
     installer();
     return { api: win.feedBack.highwayColors, win, bus, calls, installer, stubs };
@@ -87,11 +93,13 @@ test('facade exposes the documented surface', () => {
     const { api } = buildFacade();
     assert.equal(api.version, 1);
     for (const m of ['get', 'getDefaults', 'getResolved', 'keysForChart', 'toEffective',
-        'getCurrent', 'apply', 'encodeShare', 'decodeShare', 'onChange', 'offChange']) {
+        'getCurrent', 'apply', 'applyPreset', 'encodeShare', 'decodeShare', 'onChange', 'offChange']) {
         assert.equal(typeof api[m], 'function', `highwayColors.${m} must be a function`);
     }
     assert.deepEqual(api.slots.map((s) => s.key),
         ['highE', 'B', 'G', 'D', 'A', 'lowE', 'low7', 'low8'], 'slots in display order');
+    // One-click presets: exposed as detached [{ id, label, colors }] copies.
+    assert.deepEqual(api.presets, [{ id: 'stock', label: 'Stock', colors: { lowE: '#cc0000' } }]);
 });
 
 test('facade read methods delegate to the manager', () => {

tests/js/legacy_shim_hits.test.js

@@ -74,7 +74,10 @@ const APP_JS = path.join(ROOT, 'static', 'app.js');
 const LIBRARY_JS = path.join(ROOT, 'static', 'capabilities', 'library.js');
 
 function source(file) {
-    return fs.readFileSync(file, 'utf8');
+    // Normalize CRLF: region() slices fixed CHARACTER windows, so on a
+    // Windows checkout (autocrlf) every line costs one extra char and the
+    // assertion target can fall outside the window.
+    return fs.readFileSync(file, 'utf8').replace(/\r\n/g, '\n');
 }
 
 function region(src, needle, length = 1200) {

tests/js/live_guitar_tone_source.test.js

@@ -40,7 +40,9 @@ test('settings UI exposes tone source select with all options', () => {
     assert.match(html, /value="external_hardware"/);
     assert.match(html, /value="spark_control_x"/);
     assert.match(html, /Live guitar tone source/);
-    assert.match(html, /won’t warn that no internal amp tone is loaded/);
+    // Apostrophe form drifted from the ’ entity to the literal ’ in a
+    // copy pass — accept entity, typographic, or plain apostrophe.
+    assert.match(html, /won(?:’|’|')t warn that no internal amp tone is loaded/);
 });
 
 test('player audio rail exposes tone source select', () => {

tests/js/loop_api.test.js

@@ -107,6 +107,7 @@ function loadFunctions(sandbox, src) {
             sectionPracticeModeCalls.push({ on, opts: opts || {} });
         }
         function _updateSectionPracticeHighlight(ct) {}
+        function _updateEditRegionBtn() {}
         ${extractFunction(src, 'function clearLoop(')}
         ${extractFunction(src, 'function _syncSavedLoopSelection()')}
         ${extractFunction(src, 'async function setLoop(')}

tests/js/play_queue_shuffle.test.js

@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+// playQueue.start({ shuffle: true }): the queue is Fisher-Yates-shuffled ONCE
+// at start. Per-slot arrangements must swap in lockstep with their files
+// (albums pass arrangements aligned by index, #685), the caller's arrays must
+// not be mutated, and shuffle:false / absent must preserve order. Extract the
+// playQueue IIFE from app.js and drive it against a playSong stub.
+'use strict';
+const test = require('node:test');
+const assert = require('node:assert');
+const fs = require('node:fs');
+const path = require('node:path');
+
+function makeQueue() {
+    const src = fs.readFileSync(path.join(__dirname, '..', '..', 'static', 'app.js'), 'utf8');
+    const start = src.indexOf('window.feedBack.playQueue = (function () {');
+    assert.ok(start !== -1, 'playQueue IIFE found in app.js');
+    const end = src.indexOf('})();', start);
+    assert.ok(end !== -1, 'playQueue IIFE terminator found');
+    const iife = src.slice(start, end + 5);
+    const played = [];
+    const sandbox = {
+        window: {
+            feedBack: {},
+            playSong: (fn, arr, opts) => played.push({ fn: decodeURIComponent(fn), arr, opts }),
+            fbNotify: null,
+        },
+    };
+    // eslint-disable-next-line no-new-func
+    new Function('window', 'encodeURIComponent', iife)(sandbox.window, encodeURIComponent);
+    return { q: sandbox.window.feedBack.playQueue, played };
+}
+
+function drain(q, played) {
+    while (q.hasNext()) q.advance();
+    return played.map((p) => p.fn);
+}
+
+test('shuffle: same multiset, order from the seeded RNG, arrangements follow files', () => {
+    const files = ['a.sloppak', 'b.sloppak', 'c.sloppak', 'd.sloppak'];
+    const arrs = [0, 1, 2, 3]; // arrangement i belongs to files[i]
+    const origRandom = Math.random;
+    try {
+        // Deterministic RNG so the expected order is checkable.
+        let calls = 0;
+        const seq = [0.1, 0.9, 0.5];
+        Math.random = () => seq[calls++ % seq.length];
+        const { q, played } = makeQueue();
+        q.start(files.slice(), { arrangements: arrs.slice(), shuffle: true });
+        const order = drain(q, played);
+        assert.deepStrictEqual(order.slice().sort(), files.slice().sort()); // nothing lost/duplicated
+        // Each played file carries the arrangement it started with.
+        played.forEach((p) => {
+            assert.strictEqual(p.arr, arrs[files.indexOf(p.fn)]);
+        });
+    } finally {
+        Math.random = origRandom;
+    }
+});
+
+test('shuffle can change the order', () => {
+    const origRandom = Math.random;
+    try {
+        Math.random = () => 0; // j = 0 every swap → deterministic rotation, ≠ input order
+        const { q, played } = makeQueue();
+        q.start(['a', 'b', 'c'], { shuffle: true });
+        const order = drain(q, played);
+        assert.notDeepStrictEqual(order, ['a', 'b', 'c']);
+    } finally {
+        Math.random = origRandom;
+    }
+});
+
+test('no shuffle opt preserves order and caller arrays are never mutated', () => {
+    const files = ['a', 'b', 'c'];
+    const arrs = [2, 0, 1];
+    const { q, played } = makeQueue();
+    q.start(files, { arrangements: arrs });
+    assert.deepStrictEqual(drain(q, played), ['a', 'b', 'c']);
+    assert.deepStrictEqual(files, ['a', 'b', 'c']);
+    assert.deepStrictEqual(arrs, [2, 0, 1]);
+
+    // shuffle:true must also leave the caller's arrays alone (start slices).
+    const { q: q2 } = makeQueue();
+    q2.start(files, { arrangements: arrs, shuffle: true });
+    assert.deepStrictEqual(files, ['a', 'b', 'c']);
+    assert.deepStrictEqual(arrs, [2, 0, 1]);
+});

tests/js/plugin_hydration_wipe.test.js

@@ -0,0 +1,115 @@
+// Verify loadPlugins' plugin-DOM wipe loops in static/app.js: a plugin that is
+// merely ABSENT from the current /api/plugins response (transient partial
+// response while the backend's plugin registry is repopulating after a
+// restart) must keep its settings panel and screen DOM. Wiping it while its
+// _loadedPluginScripts entry survives made the next refetch fail the
+// DOM-existence check and re-evaluate the plugin's screen.js mid-session —
+// which duplicated the desktop audio_engine's native signal chain. Plugins
+// the response knows about but that failed hydration are still wiped, as is
+// junk DOM carrying no plugin id.
+
+const { test } = require('node:test');
+const assert = require('node:assert/strict');
+const fs = require('node:fs');
+const path = require('node:path');
+const vm = require('node:vm');
+
+const APP_JS = path.join(__dirname, '..', '..', 'static', 'app.js');
+
+// Slice the wipe block out of loadPlugins by its stable landmarks: from the
+// nav reset that opens it to the comment introducing the next section.
+function extractWipeBlock(src) {
+    const start = src.indexOf("navContainer.innerHTML = '';");
+    assert.ok(start !== -1, 'wipe block start (nav reset) not found');
+    const end = src.indexOf('// Plugin settings area hosts', start);
+    assert.ok(end !== -1, 'wipe block end marker not found');
+    return src.slice(start, end);
+}
+
+function makeEl(pluginId, id) {
+    return {
+        dataset: pluginId != null ? { pluginId } : {},
+        id: id || (pluginId != null ? `plugin-${pluginId}` : ''),
+        removed: false,
+        remove() {
+            this.removed = true;
+            const idx = this._parent ? this._parent.indexOf(this) : -1;
+            if (idx >= 0) this._parent.splice(idx, 1);
+        },
+    };
+}
+
+function runWipe({ respondedIds, alreadyHydrated, settingsChildren, screens }) {
+    const src = fs.readFileSync(APP_JS, 'utf8');
+    const block = extractWipeBlock(src);
+    settingsChildren.forEach((el) => { el._parent = settingsChildren; });
+    const container = { children: settingsChildren };
+    const sandbox = {
+        navContainer: { innerHTML: 'seed' },
+        mobileNavContainer: { innerHTML: 'seed' },
+        _pluginSettingsContainers: () => [container],
+        respondedIds,
+        alreadyHydrated,
+        document: {
+            querySelectorAll: (sel) => {
+                assert.equal(sel, '.screen[id^="plugin-"]');
+                return screens.slice();
+            },
+        },
+    };
+    vm.runInNewContext(block, sandbox, { filename: 'wipe-block.js' });
+    return sandbox;
+}
+
+test('plugin absent from the response keeps its settings + screen DOM', () => {
+    const settings = makeEl('audio_engine');
+    const screen = makeEl('audio_engine');
+    runWipe({
+        respondedIds: new Set(),               // partial response: plugin missing
+        alreadyHydrated: new Set(),            // scan loop never saw it either
+        settingsChildren: [settings],
+        screens: [screen],
+    });
+    assert.equal(settings.removed, false, 'settings panel must survive a partial response');
+    assert.equal(screen.removed, false, 'screen must survive a partial response');
+});
+
+test('plugin present in the response but not hydrated is wiped', () => {
+    const settings = makeEl('stale_plugin');
+    const screen = makeEl('stale_plugin');
+    runWipe({
+        respondedIds: new Set(['stale_plugin']),
+        alreadyHydrated: new Set(),
+        settingsChildren: [settings],
+        screens: [screen],
+    });
+    assert.equal(settings.removed, true);
+    assert.equal(screen.removed, true);
+});
+
+test('hydrated plugin present in the response is preserved', () => {
+    const settings = makeEl('audio_engine');
+    const screen = makeEl('audio_engine');
+    runWipe({
+        respondedIds: new Set(['audio_engine']),
+        alreadyHydrated: new Set(['audio_engine']),
+        settingsChildren: [settings],
+        screens: [screen],
+    });
+    assert.equal(settings.removed, false);
+    assert.equal(screen.removed, false);
+});
+
+test('junk DOM without a plugin id is still removed', () => {
+    const junkSettings = makeEl(null);
+    // Screen whose id strips to '' (no dataset.pluginId, bare "plugin-" id).
+    const junkScreen = makeEl(null, 'plugin-');
+    runWipe({
+        respondedIds: new Set(['whatever']),
+        alreadyHydrated: new Set(),
+        settingsChildren: [junkSettings],
+        screens: [junkScreen],
+    });
+    assert.equal(junkSettings.removed, true);
+    assert.equal(junkScreen.removed, true);
+});

tests/js/plugin_style_injection.test.js

@@ -204,15 +204,20 @@ test('does not collide tags across two different plugins', () => {
     assert.deepEqual(headLinks.map((l) => l.dataset.pluginId).sort(), ['a', 'b']);
 });
 
-test('reconcile removes the <link> of a plugin that vanished from /api/plugins', () => {
+test('reconcile keeps the <link> of a plugin absent from a partial response', () => {
     const { inject, reconcile, headLinks } = setupSandbox();
     inject(plug({ id: 'a' }));
     inject(plug({ id: 'b' }));
     assert.equal(headLinks.length, 2);
-    // `a` is no longer returned (uninstalled) — its stylesheet must be dropped.
+    // `a` is missing from this response. That happens transiently during a
+    // backend restart (the plugin registry repopulates while HTTP stays up),
+    // so absence is NOT an uninstall signal — the still-loaded plugin must
+    // keep its stylesheet or it renders visible-but-unstyled until it
+    // reappears. Explicit removal still happens via the not-ready/unstyled
+    // paths (tests below).
     reconcile([plug({ id: 'b' })]);
-    assert.equal(headLinks.length, 1);
-    assert.equal(headLinks[0].dataset.pluginId, 'b');
+    assert.equal(headLinks.length, 2);
+    assert.deepEqual(headLinks.map((l) => l.dataset.pluginId).sort(), ['a', 'b']);
 });
 
 test('reconcile removes the <link> of a plugin that is no longer ready', () => {

tests/js/song_close.test.js

@@ -42,7 +42,10 @@ function loadClose(sandbox, src) {
         globalThis.__seekCalls = 0;
         globalThis.__playSongCalls = 0;
         globalThis.__clearLoopCalls = 0;
+        globalThis.__queueClearCalls = 0;
         globalThis.__audioCurrentTimeSets = [];
+        // closeCurrentSong abandons any play-queue before leaving the player.
+        var window = { feedBack: { playQueue: { clear() { globalThis.__queueClearCalls++; } } } };
         var audio = {
             _t: 42,
             get currentTime() { return this._t; },
@@ -75,6 +78,7 @@ test('closeCurrentSong uses _playerOriginScreen when set', async () => {
     await sandbox.__closeCurrentSong();
     assert.equal(sandbox.__showScreenCalls.length, 1);
     assert.equal(sandbox.__showScreenCalls[0], 'favorites');
+    assert.equal(sandbox.__queueClearCalls, 1, 'a real close abandons the play-queue');
     assert.equal(sandbox.__restartCalls, 0);
     assert.equal(sandbox.__seekCalls, 0);
     assert.equal(sandbox.__playSongCalls, 0);

tests/js/v3_keep_practicing.test.js

@@ -31,21 +31,23 @@ test('the home is the unfiltered grid front door, local provider only', () => {
     );
 });
 
-test('the shelf is recently-played, not-yet-mastered songs (per-song, deduped)', () => {
-    assert.match(src, /\/api\/stats\/recent\?limit=/);
-    // Mastery is gated on the per-SONG best (state.accuracy, what the badge
-    // shows), not the per-arrangement recents row, and each filename appears
-    // once — so no green-badged "keep practicing" card and no duplicates.
+test('the shelf is the server-side practice-suggestions recommender', () => {
+    // The old client-side pipeline (fetch /api/stats/recent, dedupe by
+    // filename, gate on state.accuracy) moved server-side: the growth-edge
+    // recommender gates (not-mastered) + aggregates per song and picks the
+    // arrangement closest to mastery. The client renders its rows as-is.
+    assert.match(src, /\/api\/library\/practice-suggestions\?limit=/);
+    // A shelf card click opens the row's recommended arrangement, not the
+    // song's default.
     assert.match(
         src,
-        /const\s+best\s*=\s*acc\[r\.filename\][\s\S]*?best\s*>=\s*MASTERY_ACCURACY/,
-        'the shelf must gate on the per-song best (state.accuracy) at MASTERY_ACCURACY',
+        /data-arr="[\s\S]*?getAttribute\('data-arr'\)[\s\S]*?playSong\(enc\(fn\), arr === '' \? undefined : Number\(arr\)\)/,
+        'shelf cards must pass the recommended arrangement to playSong',
     );
-    assert.match(src, /seen\.has\(r\.filename\)/, 'the shelf must dedupe recents by filename');
 });
 
 test('the meter + shelf fetch together and a stale render is discarded', () => {
-    assert.match(src, /Promise\.all\(\[[\s\S]*?library\/stats[\s\S]*?stats\/recent/,
+    assert.match(src, /Promise\.all\(\[[\s\S]*?library\/stats[\s\S]*?practice-suggestions/,
         'the two reads must be issued together (Promise.all), not sequentially');
     assert.match(src, /_homeToken[\s\S]*?_homeToken !== myToken/,
         'a stale render must be superseded by a newer one via a token');

tests/js/v3_songs_tuning.test.js

@@ -64,7 +64,9 @@ const helpers = loadTuningHelpers();
 
 test('v3 songs.js uses display helpers for album-art tuning badge', () => {
     const src = fs.readFileSync(SONGS_JS, 'utf8');
-    assert.match(src, /displayTuningName\(song\.tuning_name \|\| song\.tuning\)/);
+    // The card renderer's row variable was renamed song → shown when grouped
+    // cards landed (the badge reads the representative chart); accept either.
+    assert.match(src, /displayTuningName\((?:song|shown)\.tuning_name \|\| (?:song|shown)\.tuning\)/);
     assert.match(src, /displayTuningTargets/);
     assert.match(src, /parseRawTuningOffsets/);
 });

tests/test_builtin_starter_seed.py

@@ -0,0 +1,234 @@
+"""Tests for one-time builtin starter-content seeding into DLC."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import importlib
+import sys
+
+import pytest
+
+
+@pytest.fixture()
+def server_mod(tmp_path, monkeypatch, isolate_logging):
+    monkeypatch.setenv("CONFIG_DIR", str(tmp_path / "config"))
+    (tmp_path / "config").mkdir()
+    monkeypatch.delenv("DLC_DIR", raising=False)
+    sys.modules.pop("server", None)
+    mod = importlib.import_module("server")
+    yield mod
+
+
+def _source(server_mod):
+    return (
+        server_mod._feedBack_server_root()
+        / server_mod._BUILTIN_STARTER_SOURCES[0][1]
+    )
+
+
+def _dest(server_mod, dlc):
+    return (
+        dlc
+        / server_mod._BUILTIN_STARTER_SUBDIR
+        / server_mod._BUILTIN_STARTER_SOURCES[0][0]
+    )
+
+
+def test_seed_creates_starter_content_and_marker(tmp_path, server_mod):
+    """First run copies the bundled feedpak into starter/ and writes the marker."""
+    dlc = tmp_path / "dlc"
+    dlc.mkdir()
+    source = _source(server_mod)
+    if not source.is_file():
+        pytest.skip(f"starter source not present in checkout: {source}")
+
+    server_mod._seed_builtin_starter_content(dlc)
+
+    dest = _dest(server_mod, dlc)
+    assert dest.is_file()
+    assert dest.stat().st_size == source.stat().st_size
+    assert (server_mod.CONFIG_DIR / server_mod._STARTER_SEED_MARKER).is_file()
+
+
+def test_seed_preserves_source_mtime(tmp_path, server_mod):
+    """The seeded pack keeps the bundle's mtime so the diagnostic refresh check
+    (source newer than dest -> update) stays correct across both write paths."""
+    dlc = tmp_path / "dlc"
+    dlc.mkdir()
+    source = _source(server_mod)
+    if not source.is_file():
+        pytest.skip(f"starter source not present in checkout: {source}")
+
+    server_mod._seed_builtin_starter_content(dlc)
+
+    assert _dest(server_mod, dlc).stat().st_mtime_ns == source.stat().st_mtime_ns
+
+
+def test_starter_is_not_carved_out_of_the_library():
+    """`starter/` must NOT collide with the diagnostics/tutorials carve-out —
+    otherwise seeded songs would never appear in the library listing."""
+    assert "starter" not in {"diagnostics-builtin", "tutorials-builtin"}
+
+
+def test_seed_runs_only_once_and_respects_deletion(tmp_path, server_mod):
+    """After the first seed, deleting the song does NOT bring it back: the
+    marker makes starter seeding a one-time welcome."""
+    dlc = tmp_path / "dlc"
+    dlc.mkdir()
+    source = _source(server_mod)
+    if not source.is_file():
+        pytest.skip(f"starter source not present in checkout: {source}")
+
+    server_mod._seed_builtin_starter_content(dlc)
+    dest = _dest(server_mod, dlc)
+    assert dest.is_file()
+
+    # User removes the starter song.
+    dest.unlink()
+
+    # A subsequent launch must not re-seed it.
+    server_mod._seed_builtin_starter_content(dlc)
+    assert not dest.exists()
+
+
+def test_seed_deferred_until_dlc_configured(tmp_path, server_mod):
+    """With no DLC folder, seeding is skipped WITHOUT writing the marker, so it
+    retries once a library folder exists."""
+    source = _source(server_mod)
+    if not source.is_file():
+        pytest.skip(f"starter source not present in checkout: {source}")
+
+    # dlc is None and DLC_DIR unset -> _get_dlc_dir() returns None.
+    server_mod._seed_builtin_starter_content(None)
+    assert not (server_mod.CONFIG_DIR / server_mod._STARTER_SEED_MARKER).exists()
+
+    # Now a DLC is configured: the deferred seed runs.
+    dlc = tmp_path / "dlc"
+    dlc.mkdir()
+    server_mod._seed_builtin_starter_content(dlc)
+    assert _dest(server_mod, dlc).is_file()
+    assert (server_mod.CONFIG_DIR / server_mod._STARTER_SEED_MARKER).is_file()
+
+
+def test_seed_refuses_symlinked_seed_directory(tmp_path, server_mod):
+    """A symlinked starter/ dir is refused so copies can't escape the DLC tree."""
+    dlc = tmp_path / "dlc"
+    dlc.mkdir()
+    source = _source(server_mod)
+    if not source.is_file():
+        pytest.skip(f"starter source not present in checkout: {source}")
+
+    outside_dir = tmp_path / "outside"
+    outside_dir.mkdir()
+    (dlc / server_mod._BUILTIN_STARTER_SUBDIR).symlink_to(outside_dir)
+
+    server_mod._seed_builtin_starter_content(dlc)
+
+    assert list(outside_dir.iterdir()) == []
+    # An incomplete seed must NOT write the marker, so a later launch retries.
+    assert not (server_mod.CONFIG_DIR / server_mod._STARTER_SEED_MARKER).exists()
+
+
+def test_seed_never_overwrites_an_existing_user_file(tmp_path, server_mod):
+    """One-time starter seeding must never replace a user's own file at the
+    destination, even if the bundled pack has a newer mtime."""
+    import os as _os
+
+    dlc = tmp_path / "dlc"
+    dlc.mkdir()
+    dest = _dest(server_mod, dlc)
+    dest.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    dest.write_bytes(b"user's own edited pack")
+    _os.utime(dest, (1_000_000, 1_000_000))  # far older than the bundled source
+
+    server_mod._seed_builtin_starter_content(dlc)
+
+    assert dest.read_bytes() == b"user's own edited pack"  # untouched
+    # counted as already-present, so the one-time seed considers itself done
+    assert (server_mod.CONFIG_DIR / server_mod._STARTER_SEED_MARKER).is_file()
+
+
+def test_seed_does_not_mark_when_destination_is_a_directory(tmp_path, server_mod):
+    """A directory sitting at the destination name is neither clobbered nor
+    counted as present, so the marker stays unwritten and seeding retries."""
+    dlc = tmp_path / "dlc"
+    dlc.mkdir()
+    source = _source(server_mod)
+    if not source.is_file():
+        pytest.skip(f"starter source not present in checkout: {source}")
+
+    bogus = _dest(server_mod, dlc)
+    bogus.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    bogus.mkdir()  # user (or junk) placed a directory where the pack goes
+
+    server_mod._seed_builtin_starter_content(dlc)
+
+    assert bogus.is_dir()  # untouched
+    assert not (server_mod.CONFIG_DIR / server_mod._STARTER_SEED_MARKER).exists()
+
+
+def test_seed_does_not_mark_when_source_missing(tmp_path, server_mod, monkeypatch):
+    """If a starter source can't be found, the marker stays unwritten and the
+    seed is retried on the next launch (rather than permanently skipped)."""
+    dlc = tmp_path / "dlc"
+    dlc.mkdir()
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        server_mod,
+        "_BUILTIN_STARTER_SOURCES",
+        [("missing.feedpak", "content/starter/does-not-exist.feedpak")],
+    )
+
+    server_mod._seed_builtin_starter_content(dlc)
+
+    assert not (dlc / server_mod._BUILTIN_STARTER_SUBDIR / "missing.feedpak").exists()
+    assert not (server_mod.CONFIG_DIR / server_mod._STARTER_SEED_MARKER).exists()
+
+
+def test_every_starter_source_file_is_present(server_mod):
+    """Every entry in _BUILTIN_STARTER_SOURCES must have its bundled file on
+    disk — otherwise the all-present gate never fires and NOTHING seeds (a
+    listed-but-missing pack silently disables starter seeding entirely). In CI
+    the checkout is clean, so "on disk" == committed."""
+    root = server_mod._feedBack_server_root()
+    missing = [
+        rel for _, rel in server_mod._BUILTIN_STARTER_SOURCES
+        if not (root / rel).is_file()
+    ]
+    assert not missing, f"listed starter sources missing on disk: {missing}"
+
+
+def test_seed_lands_every_listed_starter_pack(tmp_path, server_mod):
+    """A real seed run copies every listed pack into starter/ and marks done."""
+    root = server_mod._feedBack_server_root()
+    for _, rel in server_mod._BUILTIN_STARTER_SOURCES:
+        if not (root / rel).is_file():
+            pytest.skip(f"starter source not present in checkout: {rel}")
+
+    dlc = tmp_path / "dlc"
+    dlc.mkdir()
+    server_mod._seed_builtin_starter_content(dlc)
+
+    for dest_name, _ in server_mod._BUILTIN_STARTER_SOURCES:
+        dest = dlc / server_mod._BUILTIN_STARTER_SUBDIR / dest_name
+        assert dest.is_file(), f"pack not seeded: {dest_name}"
+    assert (server_mod.CONFIG_DIR / server_mod._STARTER_SEED_MARKER).is_file()
+
+
+def test_no_unlisted_starter_pack_on_disk(server_mod):
+    """The inverse guard: every content/starter/*.feedpak on disk must be wired
+    into _BUILTIN_STARTER_SOURCES. An unlisted pack bundles into builds as dead
+    weight and never seeds — exactly how the raw Ode-to-Joy pack slipped onto
+    main before being wired up. In CI the checkout is clean, so this flags any
+    stray/committed pack that isn't listed."""
+    root = server_mod._feedBack_server_root()
+    listed = {rel for _, rel in server_mod._BUILTIN_STARTER_SOURCES}
+    if not listed:
+        pytest.skip("no starter sources declared")
+    content_dir = (root / next(iter(listed))).parent  # all sources share this dir
+    if not content_dir.is_dir():
+        pytest.skip(f"starter content dir absent: {content_dir}")
+    on_disk = {p.relative_to(root).as_posix() for p in content_dir.glob("*.feedpak")}
+    unlisted = on_disk - listed
+    assert not unlisted, (
+        "committed but not in _BUILTIN_STARTER_SOURCES (would bundle as dead "
+        f"weight and never seed): {sorted(unlisted)}"
+    )

tests/test_mb_match.py

@@ -145,11 +145,40 @@ def test_rank_candidates_orders_by_our_score():
     assert all("score" in c for c in ranked)
 
 
+def test_rank_candidates_studio_preference_is_dropped_for_live_charts():
+    """Tied-score candidates: a studio chart prefers the studio take, but a
+    LIVE chart must NOT be forced to the studio recording."""
+    studio = {"recording_id": "studio", "artist": "AC/DC", "title": "Highway to Hell",
+              "studio": True, "mb_score": 90}
+    live = {"recording_id": "live", "artist": "AC/DC", "title": "Highway to Hell",
+            "studio": False, "mb_score": 95}
+    # Studio chart -> studio take wins the tie (studio flag), despite lower mb_score.
+    studio_song = {"artist": "AC/DC", "title": "Highway to Hell"}
+    assert m.rank_candidates(studio_song, [live, studio])[0]["recording_id"] == "studio"
+    # Live chart -> studio preference dropped, so the higher-mb_score live take wins.
+    live_song = {"artist": "AC/DC", "title": "Highway to Hell (Live at Donington)"}
+    assert m.rank_candidates(live_song, [studio, live])[0]["recording_id"] == "live"
+
+
 # ── query building ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 def test_build_recording_query_denoises_and_quotes():
     q = m.build_recording_query("ACDC", 'Thunderstruck (v2)')
-    assert q == 'recording:"thunderstruck" AND artist:"acdc"'
+    # Live-only recordings are excluded — the studio take is never tagged Live,
+    # and it's the biggest source of junk in a flat recording search.
+    assert q == 'recording:"thunderstruck" AND artist:"acdc" AND -secondarytype:Live'
+
+
+def test_build_recording_query_keeps_live_for_live_charts():
+    """A chart that IS a live take must NOT get the live filter, or its only
+    correct recording is excluded. A bare title word ("Live and Let Die") is a
+    real word, not a marker, so it still filters."""
+    live = m.build_recording_query("AC/DC", "Highway to Hell (Live at Donington)")
+    assert "-secondarytype:Live" not in live
+    assert 'recording:"highway to hell"' in live
+    # A real word "live" in the title is not a live marker → still filtered.
+    bare = m.build_recording_query("Wings", "Live and Let Die")
+    assert "-secondarytype:Live" in bare
 
 
 def test_build_recording_query_escapes_and_handles_missing_artist():
@@ -200,6 +229,29 @@ def test_parse_recording_doc_normalizes():
     assert c["mb_score"] == 98
 
 
+def test_best_release_prefers_official_single_over_unofficial_album():
+    """An OFFICIAL single/EP must outrank an UNofficial bootleg album for the
+    canonical album/year: official comes before the studio-album preference, so
+    a single-only song is never seeded from a bootleg. (`(clean, status_ok, …)`
+    would wrongly pick the bootleg.)"""
+    doc = {
+        "id": "rec-x", "title": "One-Off", "score": 90,
+        "artist-credit": [
+            {"name": "A", "joinphrase": "",
+             "artist": {"id": "a", "name": "A", "sort-name": "A"}}],
+        "releases": [
+            {"id": "rel-boot", "title": "Boot LP", "status": "Bootleg",
+             "date": "1990-01-01", "release-group": {"primary-type": "Album"}},
+            {"id": "rel-single", "title": "The Single", "status": "Official",
+             "date": "1988-01-01", "release-group": {"primary-type": "Single"}},
+        ],
+    }
+    c = m.parse_recording_doc(doc)
+    assert c["release_id"] == "rel-single"
+    assert c["album"] == "The Single"
+    assert c["studio"] is False   # a Single isn't a clean studio ALBUM
+
+
 def test_parse_recording_doc_joined_artist_credit():
     doc = dict(MB_DOC)
     doc["artist-credit"] = [

tests/test_plugin_runtime_idempotence.py

@@ -38,15 +38,25 @@ def test_plugin_loader_unmounts_previous_ui_contributions_before_reregistering()
     assert "await _commandUiDomain(contribution.domain, 'mount', plugin, contribution)" in source
 
 
-def test_plugin_loader_unmounts_contributions_for_removed_plugins():
+def test_plugin_loader_does_not_treat_response_absence_as_uninstall():
+    # A plugin transiently absent from /api/plugins (the backend clears its
+    # registry at the start of load_plugins() and repopulates incrementally
+    # while HTTP stays up, so restarts serve partial responses) must NOT be
+    # torn down: the old absence sweep unmounted UI contributions and
+    # unregistered the capability participant with no re-registration path
+    # (plugin scripts don't re-run), and the DOM/style wipes forced a
+    # mid-session screen.js re-evaluation that duplicated the desktop
+    # audio_engine's native signal chain.
     source = (ROOT / "static" / "app.js").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 
-    assert "const livePluginIds = new Set(plugins.map((plugin) => plugin.id))" in source
-    assert "for (const [pluginId, contributions] of _pluginUiContributions)" in source
-    assert "const stalePlugin = { id: pluginId }" in source
-    assert "await _commandUiDomain(contribution.domain, 'unmount', stalePlugin, contribution)" in source
-    assert "window.feedBack?.capabilities?.unregisterParticipant?.(pluginId)" in source
-    assert "_pluginUiContributions.delete(pluginId)" in source
+    # The absence-triggered sweep is gone (rationale comment in its place)...
+    assert "const livePluginIds" not in source
+    assert "const stalePlugin = { id: pluginId }" not in source
+    assert "deliberately NO stale-contribution sweep" in source
+    # ...and the DOM/style reconcilers only act on plugins the response names.
+    assert "const respondedIds = new Set(plugins.map((p) => p.id))" in source
+    assert "respondedIds.has(pid) && !alreadyHydrated.has(pid)" in source
+    assert "responded.has(id) && !styled.has(id)" in source