diff --git a/.github/workflows/web.yml b/.github/workflows/web.yml
index 5edbe93a..c88c66b8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/web.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/web.yml
@@ -34,8 +34,8 @@ jobs:
       # - name: Lint
       # run: deno task lint
 
-      # - name: Typecheck
-      # run: deno task check
+      - name: Typecheck
+        run: deno task check
 
       - name: Build
         run: deno task build
@@ -46,11 +46,11 @@ jobs:
   #   needs: test
 
   #   steps:
-      - name: checkout repository
-        uses: actions/checkout@v6
+  #     - name: checkout repository
+  #       uses: actions/checkout@v6
 
-      - name: setup
-        uses: './.github/actions/shared_setup'
+  #     - name: setup
+  #       uses: './.github/actions/shared_setup'
 
   #     - name: Build
   #       run: deno task build
diff --git a/deno.json b/deno.json
index eee795aa..7332215a 100644
--- a/deno.json
+++ b/deno.json
@@ -15,7 +15,11 @@
   "imports": {
     "@std/datetime": "jsr:@std/datetime@^0.225.3",
     "@std/yaml": "jsr:@std/yaml@^1.0.5",
-    "@std/fmt": "jsr:@std/fmt@0.225.6",
+    // NOTE mapped as an explicit subpath rather than a bare "@std/fmt" or an "@std/fmt/"
+    // prefix: `jsrDepsInNodeModules` rewrites those to their npm form
+    // ("npm:@jsr/std__fmt@0.225.6/"), which cannot resolve a subpath. Any other
+    // @std/fmt subpath we start importing needs its own entry here.
+    "@std/fmt/bytes": "jsr:@std/fmt@0.225.6/bytes",
     "@std/fs": "jsr:@std/fs@0.229.3",
     "@std/log": "jsr:@std/log@^0.224.6",
     "@std/media-types": "jsr:@std/media-types@0.224.0",
@@ -31,5 +35,6 @@
   "unstable": ["raw-imports"],
 
   "nodeModulesDir": "auto",
+  "jsrDepsInNodeModules": true,
   "allowScripts": ["npm:@sveltejs/kit@2.5.24", "npm:@tailwindcss/oxide@4.1.14", "npm:esbuild@0.25.10", "npm:fsevents@2.3.3"]
 }
diff --git a/deno.lock b/deno.lock
index 7058ed2c..e44c3f5d 100644
--- a/deno.lock
+++ b/deno.lock
@@ -65,15 +65,26 @@
     "jsr:@std/yaml@*": "1.0.9",
     "jsr:@std/yaml@^1.0.5": "1.0.9",
     "jsr:@torm/sqlite@^1.9.7": "1.9.7",
-    "npm:@deno/vite-plugin@1.0.6": "1.0.6_vite@7.1.8__@types+node@24.2.0__picomatch@4.0.3_@types+node@24.2.0",
+    "npm:@deno/vite-plugin@1.0.6": "1.0.6_vite@7.1.8_@types+node@24.2.0",
+    "npm:@jsr/andykais__ts-rpc@~0.2.2": "0.2.4_svelte@5.56.4",
     "npm:@jsr/andykais__ts-rpc@~0.2.4": "0.2.4_svelte@5.56.4",
+    "npm:@jsr/cliffy__command@1.0.0-rc.8": "1.0.0-rc.8",
+    "npm:@jsr/std__datetime@~0.225.3": "0.225.7",
+    "npm:@jsr/std__fmt@0.225.6": "0.225.6",
+    "npm:@jsr/std__fs@0.229.3": "0.229.3",
+    "npm:@jsr/std__http@0.224.5": "0.224.5",
+    "npm:@jsr/std__log@~0.224.6": "0.224.14",
+    "npm:@jsr/std__media-types@0.224.0": "0.224.0",
+    "npm:@jsr/std__path@1.0.3": "1.0.3",
+    "npm:@jsr/std__yaml@^1.0.5": "1.3.0",
     "npm:@jsr/torm__sqlite@^1.9.7": "1.9.7",
     "npm:@opentelemetry/api@1.9.0": "1.9.0",
     "npm:@opentelemetry/api@^1.9.0": "1.9.0",
-    "npm:@sveltejs/kit@2.43.7": "2.43.7_@opentelemetry+api@1.9.0_@sveltejs+vite-plugin-svelte@6.2.1__svelte@5.56.4__vite@7.1.8___@types+node@24.2.0___picomatch@4.0.3_svelte@5.56.4_vite@7.1.8__@types+node@24.2.0__picomatch@4.0.3",
-    "npm:@sveltejs/kit@2.5.24": "2.5.24_@sveltejs+vite-plugin-svelte@6.2.1__svelte@5.56.4__vite@7.1.8___@types+node@24.2.0___picomatch@4.0.3_svelte@5.56.4_vite@7.1.8__@types+node@24.2.0__picomatch@4.0.3",
-    "npm:@sveltejs/vite-plugin-svelte@6.2.1": "6.2.1_svelte@5.56.4_vite@7.1.8__@types+node@24.2.0__picomatch@4.0.3",
-    "npm:@tailwindcss/vite@4.1.14": "4.1.14_vite@7.1.8__@types+node@24.2.0__picomatch@4.0.3_@types+node@24.2.0",
+    "npm:@sveltejs/kit@2.43.7": "2.43.7_@opentelemetry+api@1.9.0_@sveltejs+vite-plugin-svelte@6.2.1_svelte@5.56.4_vite@7.1.8",
+    "npm:@sveltejs/kit@2.5.24": "2.5.24_@sveltejs+vite-plugin-svelte@6.2.1_svelte@5.56.4_vite@7.1.8",
+    "npm:@sveltejs/vite-plugin-svelte@6.2.1": "6.2.1_svelte@5.56.4_vite@7.1.8",
+    "npm:@tailwindcss/vite@4.1.14": "4.1.14_vite@7.1.8_@types+node@24.2.0",
+    "npm:@types/deno@^2.5.0": "2.7.0",
     "npm:@types/node@*": "24.2.0",
     "npm:esbuild@*": "0.25.10",
     "npm:path-to-regexp@6.2.1": "6.2.1",
@@ -353,7 +364,7 @@
     }
   },
   "npm": {
-    "@deno/vite-plugin@1.0.6_vite@7.1.8__@types+node@24.2.0__picomatch@4.0.3_@types+node@24.2.0": {
+    "@deno/vite-plugin@1.0.6_vite@7.1.8_@types+node@24.2.0": {
       "integrity": "sha512-Sh5XqvFuKAwjARTesi0n6xRpEXm1V0UeqKh+SxIrexCofxOaieNDMqXZD02RiZCg0mrJ43V8eCMuVrDfq6mLmg==",
       "dependencies": [
         "vite"
@@ -526,10 +537,42 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-q8DSNIQLpPw/z+VcVcY+rrbRsmzZmw+bwopW4u95buXRLO/Bet8uYRddroAA8AI5zZkvuHJnxlNppwUmIFU5rA==",
       "dependencies": [
         "@jsr/oak__oak",
-        "@sveltejs/kit@2.5.24_@sveltejs+vite-plugin-svelte@6.2.1__svelte@5.56.4__vite@7.1.8___@types+node@24.2.0___picomatch@4.0.3_svelte@5.56.4_vite@7.1.8__@types+node@24.2.0__picomatch@4.0.3"
+        "@sveltejs/kit@2.5.24_@sveltejs+vite-plugin-svelte@6.2.1_svelte@5.56.4_vite@7.1.8"
       ],
       "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/andykais__ts-rpc/0.2.4.tgz"
     },
+    "@jsr/cliffy__command@1.0.0-rc.8": {
+      "integrity": "sha512-ayYncuw/PTIiceKKMEZPyv9Qu39Pt6bNTBariKjZi0th5Je4am6RNC+FSXEAHPJBH+bAY3S0lwaFsEGC9uPEmg==",
+      "dependencies": [
+        "@jsr/cliffy__flags",
+        "@jsr/cliffy__internal",
+        "@jsr/cliffy__table",
+        "@jsr/std__fmt@1.0.10",
+        "@jsr/std__text"
+      ],
+      "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/cliffy__command/1.0.0-rc.8.tgz"
+    },
+    "@jsr/cliffy__flags@1.0.0-rc.8": {
+      "integrity": "sha512-gbIPx2XIxkNlAQikraWm4h+C77tHmE8NQhwIX6Qn2rrU32uh/Vg4OXklXvlrkfrcs3wMbOd/SZ9e/wVqM0H8/w==",
+      "dependencies": [
+        "@jsr/std__text"
+      ],
+      "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/cliffy__flags/1.0.0-rc.8.tgz"
+    },
+    "@jsr/cliffy__internal@1.0.0-rc.8": {
+      "integrity": "sha512-xKIMr2v5+R5qNw7CWqic2ulhZE3cXPKB40rb5mibsUrtJkC55Ha/3PGgTm1W9SWH1+IqA/FfC2ikpjzCXSKVBw==",
+      "dependencies": [
+        "@jsr/std__fmt@1.0.10"
+      ],
+      "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/cliffy__internal/1.0.0-rc.8.tgz"
+    },
+    "@jsr/cliffy__table@1.0.0-rc.8": {
+      "integrity": "sha512-7r94r56TLd17raKyZQHV3/qLngy2Lusuy4rjA/5QMDNM0lDIwZw67lmRMxpyX6+qzAxzRAJ8dtTvFSvGwrSqgg==",
+      "dependencies": [
+        "@jsr/std__fmt@1.0.10"
+      ],
+      "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/cliffy__table/1.0.0-rc.8.tgz"
+    },
     "@jsr/oak__commons@0.10.2": {
       "integrity": "sha512-E7aBj8qrfgPiAhmXCTpq/ZhErnlbMwsG6WO2cthuXrwEDl5pNf90nTi6Q/Jjw0ngC/9ElfueXmGEuWydhGYJBQ==",
       "dependencies": [
@@ -574,7 +617,7 @@
     "@jsr/std__assert@0.226.0": {
       "integrity": "sha512-xCuUFDfHkIZd96glKgjZbnYFqu6blu8Y53SyvDMlFDJm1Y/j+/FcW6xq7TzGFIaF5B9QecIlDfamfhzA8ZdVbg==",
       "dependencies": [
-        "@jsr/std__internal@1.0.10"
+        "@jsr/std__internal@1.0.14"
       ],
       "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__assert/0.226.0.tgz"
     },
@@ -628,6 +671,10 @@
       ],
       "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__crypto/0.224.0.tgz"
     },
+    "@jsr/std__datetime@0.225.7": {
+      "integrity": "sha512-z1N0Ompk9zzcrwExq2uMxGAvnXDjV9W9m5Lun+OE27/Y2F+jvDWdZ766a28h+U3XKKoDq0hByYVuhOZ7pzWuhw==",
+      "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__datetime/0.225.7.tgz"
+    },
     "@jsr/std__encoding@0.223.0": {
       "integrity": "sha512-auQ0wUZFsVGXU+6qfjGeonWe8utBhp+y43etR1lanCJXXUzL5W3yS+i73Fki+RLjvxUG4Pwd1CrGSR57kIvrIg==",
       "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__encoding/0.223.0.tgz"
@@ -652,6 +699,25 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-5wll7CImyrJfen4fecziNSxZ5S6Fo3H1rQqKMQDewRGHAnFVqcHLe8wwCuDLK+HTbSPy6AkR3b136WpjVdOjTQ==",
       "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__fmt/0.225.6.tgz"
     },
+    "@jsr/std__fmt@1.0.10": {
+      "integrity": "sha512-Q2N8XDNkh/c1IKTi+sO4Vm64M5m4W0o47qTURmMX0vgHm9AJ6jL7jEQ2kw0M1T2rBZiwAY78eUbYzFyOYWaCqQ==",
+      "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__fmt/1.0.10.tgz"
+    },
+    "@jsr/std__fs@0.229.3": {
+      "integrity": "sha512-hXsLcP1dumz3VbRKVhPtzs7Wigxhqp2rtBzwzrF9Cz9IMqZkp7EoKHxeqcUiduf7yYxVV/vbnfhjqbOLvlljjA==",
+      "dependencies": [
+        "@jsr/std__path@1.0.0-rc.1"
+      ],
+      "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__fs/0.229.3.tgz"
+    },
+    "@jsr/std__fs@1.0.24": {
+      "integrity": "sha512-UunW2Rg++9sA74NJnYMGTsMVQgoFRAwPP02wRRohL0PQBNorbyxHiyCMRaxYQCtLepTLkC4nUyMtcwrGKqTR6g==",
+      "dependencies": [
+        "@jsr/std__internal@1.0.14",
+        "@jsr/std__path@1.1.6"
+      ],
+      "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__fs/1.0.24.tgz"
+    },
     "@jsr/std__http@0.223.0": {
       "integrity": "sha512-v60Hv8J1GXM1ExsJgBXVcmhbyt4Ip3RFaIdkVrycujbBL5qFuhNnvkmggAonP+nwXy5V0crU/tkLNWTyncoPXQ==",
       "dependencies": [
@@ -687,9 +753,9 @@
       ],
       "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__internal/0.224.0.tgz"
     },
-    "@jsr/std__internal@1.0.10": {
-      "integrity": "sha512-fmD6yKep/sMnB2yPQU/REZG7Z4N9SZwcUBNnceo4QkXk67l3JEfxHoROQ/YHeVSOmq6x55Ra6nuMjz2ib3nj3g==",
-      "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__internal/1.0.10.tgz"
+    "@jsr/std__internal@1.0.14": {
+      "integrity": "sha512-JT8b/t40WcR9q0GDwRZUooY7aXeXnFal8iidE/5TckdAFtvpVAsaJ71/Xgf1SfoChs41s6CZkuCYM8toaNgdvA==",
+      "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__internal/1.0.14.tgz"
     },
     "@jsr/std__io@0.223.0": {
       "integrity": "sha512-VUPpfHeLvhooQFyujLSj6/KDCqgF+joBpb6eO9dg+JJWvy5wHj1Nl2EMRQe6Pl8nNVUwjt+ZraydkGTdlDS1jw==",
@@ -706,10 +772,30 @@
       ],
       "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__io/0.224.9.tgz"
     },
+    "@jsr/std__io@0.225.3": {
+      "integrity": "sha512-IDXY253ipW6FV34CJVxO+3ubfvSEEzw9N2W303KnLe9K/Y9+v/ID1dQYf9VsCCOFMpFtCmOLqzIZsRqv6yQnWw==",
+      "dependencies": [
+        "@jsr/std__bytes@1.0.6"
+      ],
+      "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__io/0.225.3.tgz"
+    },
+    "@jsr/std__log@0.224.14": {
+      "integrity": "sha512-EHT7E0plakyzk/gxMrwqUf3YGCCxN3Is25QrEh7toYA7qwj46R4qY7cIaDEKy8QqI5JHOFHwWXOClcPK6goIoQ==",
+      "dependencies": [
+        "@jsr/std__fmt@1.0.10",
+        "@jsr/std__fs@1.0.24",
+        "@jsr/std__io@0.225.3"
+      ],
+      "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__log/0.224.14.tgz"
+    },
     "@jsr/std__media-types@0.223.0": {
       "integrity": "sha512-wJe0dRZiL1OqU8oGXReVuMK5stHERyGgpR/6yS4qW9+p74+XXSIP+OGubfzl8TjeKeULd82zLbk1QNo5FvwXNw==",
       "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__media-types/0.223.0.tgz"
     },
+    "@jsr/std__media-types@0.224.0": {
+      "integrity": "sha512-ua4EvwuGmFFB0KREfJGROd+EeVxGE6IwNJnfP4jHGyIuH7JLxX78r1cNbPxVjTrNso2GbjFdBQ2pKcyPQOOhUQ==",
+      "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__media-types/0.224.0.tgz"
+    },
     "@jsr/std__media-types@0.224.1": {
       "integrity": "sha512-L3kF5zNOA0KNibbdKwxmjaHUOpa7vWTb6BNwv41QZEjOtmS8GWPTRAXkglLEUfu2gl6pXlOoT3BmXv/naO5tKA==",
       "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__media-types/0.224.1.tgz"
@@ -729,10 +815,29 @@
       ],
       "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__path/0.223.0.tgz"
     },
+    "@jsr/std__path@1.0.0-rc.1": {
+      "integrity": "sha512-bGolWCcaF8HGT0QVZr/heEaHm6MEgpOI7LyrV4JLuBYrLb81FAX7m3Li77JnF06RNhJViY8K7zvPpuVIiakyvA==",
+      "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__path/1.0.0-rc.1.tgz"
+    },
     "@jsr/std__path@1.0.0-rc.2": {
       "integrity": "sha512-qUHfVMqAtMGPFmdkOfmkCONqgpe4UFVAaD+wL6ZdlQxtvQiNxHQWsje+djri+0095s/kkoBOPH4CpYxBq+zh3A==",
       "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__path/1.0.0-rc.2.tgz"
     },
+    "@jsr/std__path@1.0.3": {
+      "integrity": "sha512-XH7cE38WHq4J3ICVKrVs0GvKf9EXfMxAzvXkVewHXJeyh7TW/bN47yIPArDQUybHlyLkTQvQaDW0hWDY3TP2xQ==",
+      "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__path/1.0.3.tgz"
+    },
+    "@jsr/std__path@1.1.6": {
+      "integrity": "sha512-H1Cmg6z8jFyIsQbVV+vZB4eOx4k6Qg8lyUM6l7nZysj5MZumg89kb0M1bsPBTGQis3fw6mJFkJELo5+AK6oCFA==",
+      "dependencies": [
+        "@jsr/std__internal@1.0.14"
+      ],
+      "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__path/1.1.6.tgz"
+    },
+    "@jsr/std__regexp@1.0.2": {
+      "integrity": "sha512-wvJnzBWsPW4YLdAhCSggh4NyNia/qtzsuJr0kSYuqUBtvOU/RsI/WKB5lu7ehlzuZ5Sy+efr0ACyogCCZmw0YQ==",
+      "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__regexp/1.0.2.tgz"
+    },
     "@jsr/std__streams@0.223.0": {
       "integrity": "sha512-YfOfRTpnTocgC5h22aRMgu74ByBO6763PgwG2p7iFWYZFBRrDNW6WqYK1MFXcbU8VrwlgpUEvkS3Xk9dJnd+hw==",
       "dependencies": [
@@ -750,6 +855,17 @@
       ],
       "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__streams/0.224.5.tgz"
     },
+    "@jsr/std__text@1.0.19": {
+      "integrity": "sha512-OIXUoD4gty+GH+ZOpe7LT1jVr+31ctOoIoxBzLN1m3fvAOtqWyEz6Ap3NwDiuEgHpAIMz/O5L2SKDr0F2bChCA==",
+      "dependencies": [
+        "@jsr/std__regexp"
+      ],
+      "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__text/1.0.19.tgz"
+    },
+    "@jsr/std__yaml@1.3.0": {
+      "integrity": "sha512-TuFbXlSy3nRuQuR8co2t7yzhv53ObdYZZidn8M958Glj6vBp5b7nxg7wTN8VTyCwC3vpbr6Mfdx9auNe/BMAVA==",
+      "tarball": "https://npm.jsr.io/~/11/@jsr/std__yaml/1.3.0.tgz"
+    },
     "@jsr/torm__sqlite@1.9.7": {
       "integrity": "sha512-naligACB12UtWD43fd0QtUCIgNotPoiib3r/qFHAMj0Hy2RxapfR24dSH2U5gHQM4DSBCt2/sqwcjojY2T3SMw==",
       "dependencies": [
@@ -883,7 +999,7 @@
         "acorn"
       ]
     },
-    "@sveltejs/kit@2.43.7_@opentelemetry+api@1.9.0_@sveltejs+vite-plugin-svelte@6.2.1__svelte@5.56.4__vite@7.1.8___@types+node@24.2.0___picomatch@4.0.3_svelte@5.56.4_vite@7.1.8__@types+node@24.2.0__picomatch@4.0.3": {
+    "@sveltejs/kit@2.43.7_@opentelemetry+api@1.9.0_@sveltejs+vite-plugin-svelte@6.2.1_svelte@5.56.4_vite@7.1.8": {
       "integrity": "sha512-6trpyltB9XZNkM8cfVHG9U2urAH4NPD7UeO0wiBvZjD8gHj6w9bVeWnBQgnO8LPNpzOhSlwnZDk355OOAa/9Zw==",
       "dependencies": [
         "@opentelemetry/api",
@@ -909,7 +1025,7 @@
       ],
       "bin": true
     },
-    "@sveltejs/kit@2.5.24_@sveltejs+vite-plugin-svelte@6.2.1__svelte@5.56.4__vite@7.1.8___@types+node@24.2.0___picomatch@4.0.3_svelte@5.56.4_vite@7.1.8__@types+node@24.2.0__picomatch@4.0.3": {
+    "@sveltejs/kit@2.5.24_@sveltejs+vite-plugin-svelte@6.2.1_svelte@5.56.4_vite@7.1.8": {
       "integrity": "sha512-Nr2oxsCsDfEkdS/zzQQQbsPYTbu692Qs3/iE3L7VHzCVjG2+WujF9oMUozWI7GuX98KxYSoPMlAsfmDLSg44hQ==",
       "dependencies": [
         "@sveltejs/vite-plugin-svelte",
@@ -934,7 +1050,7 @@
     "@sveltejs/sv-utils@0.0.2": {
       "integrity": "sha512-vmH85dvUP5UtlSgu/dmlybSUT9ZGURkrKlLNzKJ5fO5ZmnV/kzlS3UlzlTrffqbVEkaZwEJV3RW45RK19z0vVg=="
     },
-    "@sveltejs/vite-plugin-svelte-inspector@5.0.1_@sveltejs+vite-plugin-svelte@6.2.1__svelte@5.56.4__vite@7.1.8___@types+node@24.2.0___picomatch@4.0.3_svelte@5.56.4_vite@7.1.8__@types+node@24.2.0__picomatch@4.0.3": {
+    "@sveltejs/vite-plugin-svelte-inspector@5.0.1_@sveltejs+vite-plugin-svelte@6.2.1_svelte@5.56.4_vite@7.1.8": {
       "integrity": "sha512-ubWshlMk4bc8mkwWbg6vNvCeT7lGQojE3ijDh3QTR6Zr/R+GXxsGbyH4PExEPpiFmqPhYiVSVmHBjUcVc1JIrA==",
       "dependencies": [
         "@sveltejs/vite-plugin-svelte",
@@ -943,7 +1059,7 @@
         "vite"
       ]
     },
-    "@sveltejs/vite-plugin-svelte@6.2.1_svelte@5.56.4_vite@7.1.8__@types+node@24.2.0__picomatch@4.0.3": {
+    "@sveltejs/vite-plugin-svelte@6.2.1_svelte@5.56.4_vite@7.1.8": {
       "integrity": "sha512-YZs/OSKOQAQCnJvM/P+F1URotNnYNeU3P2s4oIpzm1uFaqUEqRxUB0g5ejMjEb5Gjb9/PiBI5Ktrq4rUUF8UVQ==",
       "dependencies": [
         "@sveltejs/vite-plugin-svelte-inspector",
@@ -1048,7 +1164,7 @@
       ],
       "scripts": true
     },
-    "@tailwindcss/vite@4.1.14_vite@7.1.8__@types+node@24.2.0__picomatch@4.0.3_@types+node@24.2.0": {
+    "@tailwindcss/vite@4.1.14_vite@7.1.8_@types+node@24.2.0": {
       "integrity": "sha512-BoFUoU0XqgCUS1UXWhmDJroKKhNXeDzD7/XwabjkDIAbMnc4ULn5e2FuEuBbhZ6ENZoSYzKlzvZ44Yr6EUDUSA==",
       "dependencies": [
         "@tailwindcss/node",
@@ -1060,6 +1176,9 @@
     "@types/cookie@0.6.0": {
       "integrity": "sha512-4Kh9a6B2bQciAhf7FSuMRRkUWecJgJu9nPnx3yzpsfXX/c50REIqpHY4C82bXP90qrLtXtkDxTZosYO3UpOwlA=="
     },
+    "@types/deno@2.7.0": {
+      "integrity": "sha512-Y6fWcV8KpYeO3Lik/RiYnUxtr/LWqoeACciU0CA+dr1U/45tGgaX3HWQQAPCNN53raN4Rr4Fht4y6qsUH57fDA=="
+    },
     "@types/estree@1.0.8": {
       "integrity": "sha512-dWHzHa2WqEXI/O1E9OjrocMTKJl2mSrEolh1Iomrv6U+JuNwaHXsXx9bLu5gG7BUWFIN0skIQJQ/L1rIex4X6w=="
     },
@@ -1527,7 +1646,7 @@
       ],
       "bin": true
     },
-    "vitefu@1.1.1_vite@7.1.8__@types+node@24.2.0__picomatch@4.0.3_@types+node@24.2.0": {
+    "vitefu@1.1.1_vite@7.1.8_@types+node@24.2.0": {
       "integrity": "sha512-B/Fegf3i8zh0yFbpzZ21amWzHmuNlLlmJT6n7bu5e+pCHUKQIfXSYokrqOBGEMMe9UG2sostKQF9mml/vYaWJQ==",
       "dependencies": [
         "vite"
@@ -1573,11 +1692,11 @@
           "dependencies": [
             "npm:@deno/vite-plugin@1.0.6",
             "npm:@jsr/andykais__ts-rpc@~0.2.4",
-            "npm:@jsr/torm__sqlite@^1.9.7",
             "npm:@opentelemetry/api@1.9.0",
             "npm:@sveltejs/kit@2.43.7",
             "npm:@sveltejs/vite-plugin-svelte@6.2.1",
             "npm:@tailwindcss/vite@4.1.14",
+            "npm:@types/deno@^2.5.0",
             "npm:svelte-check@4.3.2",
             "npm:svelte@5.56.4",
             "npm:tailwindcss@4.1.14",
diff --git a/packages/core/src/lib/file_processor.ts b/packages/core/src/lib/file_processor.ts
index 10646220..642c651e 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/lib/file_processor.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/lib/file_processor.ts
@@ -668,7 +668,11 @@ class FileProcessor {
   }
 
   static async * read_lines(stream: ReadableStream<Uint8Array>) {
-    const reader = stream.pipeThrough(new TextDecoderStream()).getReader()
+    // NOTE `deno check` passes without this cast, but @forager/web type-checks core's source
+    // under TypeScript's DOM lib, which types TextDecoderStream's writable side as
+    // WritableStream<BufferSource> and rejects piping a Uint8Array stream into it.
+    const decoder = new TextDecoderStream() as ReadableWritablePair<string, Uint8Array>
+    const reader = stream.pipeThrough(decoder).getReader()
     let buffer = ''
     while (true) {
       const read_result = await reader.read()
diff --git a/packages/web/package.json b/packages/web/package.json
index dd554f94..d34594bf 100644
--- a/packages/web/package.json
+++ b/packages/web/package.json
@@ -13,14 +13,14 @@
 	},
 	"dependencies": {
 		"@andykais/ts-rpc": "npm:@jsr/andykais__ts-rpc@^0.2.4",
-		"@opentelemetry/api": "1.9.0",
-		"@torm/sqlite": "npm:@jsr/torm__sqlite@^1.9.7"
+		"@opentelemetry/api": "1.9.0"
 	},
 	"devDependencies": {
 		"@deno/vite-plugin": "1.0.6",
 		"@sveltejs/kit": "2.43.7",
 		"@sveltejs/vite-plugin-svelte": "6.2.1",
 		"@tailwindcss/vite": "4.1.14",
+		"@types/deno": "^2.5.0",
 		"svelte": "5.56.4",
 		"svelte-check": "4.3.2",
 		"tailwindcss": "4.1.14",
diff --git a/packages/web/src/app.d.ts b/packages/web/src/app.d.ts
index da08e6da..591e5d15 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/app.d.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/app.d.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,15 @@
 // See https://svelte.dev/docs/kit/types#app.d.ts
 // for information about these interfaces
+import type { Forager } from '@forager/core'
+import type { Config } from '$lib/server/config.ts'
+
 declare global {
 	namespace App {
 		// interface Error {}
-		// interface Locals {}
+		interface Locals {
+			forager: Forager
+			config: Config
+		}
 		// interface PageData {}
 		// interface PageState {}
 		// interface Platform {}
diff --git a/packages/web/src/hooks.server.ts b/packages/web/src/hooks.server.ts
index d6b8e76f..787bc67a 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/hooks.server.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/hooks.server.ts
@@ -29,8 +29,10 @@ if (!building) {
     forager.init()
   } else {
     if (env.FORAGER_INSTANCE) {
-      forager = env.FORAGER_INSTANCE
-      config = env.FORAGER_CONFIG
+      // In production the CLI injects a live Forager instance and parsed config
+      // through these env slots, so they are not the plain strings $env types them as.
+      forager = env.FORAGER_INSTANCE as unknown as Forager
+      config = env.FORAGER_CONFIG as unknown as Config
     } else {
       throw new Error(`FORAGER_INSTANCE must be passed to sveltekit hooks`)
     }
diff --git a/packages/web/src/lib/actions/focusable.ts b/packages/web/src/lib/actions/focusable.ts
index c4534a0d..c04dfab6 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/lib/actions/focusable.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/lib/actions/focusable.ts
@@ -1,11 +1,15 @@
-export function focusable(node: HTMLElement) {
+export function focusable(node: HTMLElement, focused: boolean) {
+  const apply = (should_focus: boolean) => {
+    if (should_focus) {
+      node.focus()
+    } else {
+      node.blur()
+    }
+  }
+  apply(focused)
   return {
-    update(focused: boolean) {
-      if (focused) {
-        node.focus()
-      } else {
-        node.blur()
-      }
+    update(should_focus: boolean) {
+      apply(should_focus)
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/packages/web/src/lib/actions/scrollable.ts b/packages/web/src/lib/actions/scrollable.ts
index ea361469..991ec967 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/lib/actions/scrollable.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/lib/actions/scrollable.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-export function scrollable(node: HTMLElement) {
+export function scrollable(node: HTMLElement, _focused: boolean) {
   let is_visible = false
   const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries) => {
     is_visible = entries[0].isIntersecting
diff --git a/packages/web/src/lib/api.ts b/packages/web/src/lib/api.ts
index 039ddc95..b871b0d0 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/lib/api.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/lib/api.ts
@@ -18,11 +18,37 @@ class ForagerTagApi extends rpc.ApiController<Context> {
   parent_delete = this.context.forager.tag.parent_delete
 }
 
+class ForagerMediaApi extends rpc.ApiController<Context> {
+  create = this.context.forager.media.create
+  update = this.context.forager.media.update
+  upsert = this.context.forager.media.upsert
+  delete = this.context.forager.media.delete
+  search = this.context.forager.media.search
+  group = this.context.forager.media.group
+  get = this.context.forager.media.get
+  thumbnail = this.context.forager.media.thumbnail
+  reload = this.context.forager.media.reload
+}
+
+class ForagerSeriesApi extends rpc.ApiController<Context> {
+  create = this.context.forager.series.create
+  update = this.context.forager.series.update
+  upsert = this.context.forager.series.upsert
+  add = this.context.forager.series.add
+  get = this.context.forager.series.get
+  search = this.context.forager.series.search
+}
+
+class ForagerViewsApi extends rpc.ApiController<Context> {
+  start = this.context.forager.views.start
+  update = this.context.forager.views.update
+}
+
 class ForagerApi extends rpc.ApiController<Context> {
-  media = this.context.forager.media
-  series = this.context.forager.series
+  media = this.module(ForagerMediaApi)
+  series = this.module(ForagerSeriesApi)
   tag = this.module(ForagerTagApi)
-  views = this.context.forager.views
+  views = this.module(ForagerViewsApi)
 
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/web/src/lib/base_controller.ts b/packages/web/src/lib/base_controller.ts
index b221163e..9d0499b2 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/lib/base_controller.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/lib/base_controller.ts
@@ -26,8 +26,6 @@ abstract class BaseController {
     if (this.#config) return this.#config
     else throw new Error(`Controller::config not initialized`)
   }
-
-  abstract handlers: {}
 }
 
 export { BaseController }
diff --git a/packages/web/src/lib/components/Header.svelte b/packages/web/src/lib/components/Header.svelte
index 4ed3a0e7..18387468 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/lib/components/Header.svelte
+++ b/packages/web/src/lib/components/Header.svelte
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
     ...props
   }: {
     title: string
+    height?: number
     children: SvelteHTMLElements['div']['children']
   } = $props()
 
diff --git a/packages/web/src/lib/components/SelectInput.svelte b/packages/web/src/lib/components/SelectInput.svelte
index f8b7e702..428ec35c 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/lib/components/SelectInput.svelte
+++ b/packages/web/src/lib/components/SelectInput.svelte
@@ -4,10 +4,10 @@
     value: string
   }
   interface Props {
-    label: string
-    options: SelectOption
+    label?: string
+    options: SelectOption[]
     value: string
-    onchange: () => void | undefined
+    onchange?: (e: Event) => void
   }
   let {
     label,
diff --git a/packages/web/src/lib/components/Sidebar.svelte b/packages/web/src/lib/components/Sidebar.svelte
index efc532b4..6ec88ba9 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/lib/components/Sidebar.svelte
+++ b/packages/web/src/lib/components/Sidebar.svelte
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@
     screen: 0,
     button: 0,
     sidebar_max: 0,
+    // only the initial width comes from props, dragging the sidebar owns it afterwards
+    // svelte-ignore state_referenced_locally
     sidebar: props.width,
 
     mouse_button_offset: 0,
diff --git a/packages/web/src/lib/components/StarInput.svelte b/packages/web/src/lib/components/StarInput.svelte
index b72f7bbf..53ae452e 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/lib/components/StarInput.svelte
+++ b/packages/web/src/lib/components/StarInput.svelte
@@ -5,16 +5,16 @@
 
   let {
     star,
-    value = $bindable<number>(),
+    value = $bindable<number | undefined>(),
     onclick,
   }: {
     star: number
-    value: number
+    value: number | undefined
     onclick: () => void
   } = $props()
 
   let icon_color = $derived.by(() => {
-    if (value >= star) {
+    if ((value ?? 0) >= star) {
       // starred
       return theme.colors.gray[400]
     } else {
diff --git a/packages/web/src/lib/components/Tag.svelte b/packages/web/src/lib/components/Tag.svelte
index ba630442..ebbe7401 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/lib/components/Tag.svelte
+++ b/packages/web/src/lib/components/Tag.svelte
@@ -1,14 +1,14 @@
 <script lang="ts">
-  import type { Forager } from '@forager/core'
+  import type { model_types } from '@forager/core'
 	import type { ClassValue } from 'svelte/elements';
   import * as parsers from '$lib/parsers.ts'
 
-  type Tag = ReturnType<Forager['tag']['search']>['results'][0]
+  type Tag = model_types.Tag
   let props: {tag: Tag, transparent?: boolean; show_group?: boolean; hide_count?: boolean; class?: ClassValue} = $props()
 
-  const tag_identifier = props.tag.group === '' || props.show_group === false
+  const tag_identifier = $derived(props.tag.group === '' || props.show_group === false
     ? `${props.tag.name}`
-    : parsers.Tag.encode(props.tag)
+    : parsers.Tag.encode(props.tag))
 
   let color_style = $derived.by(() => {
     if (props.transparent) {
diff --git a/packages/web/src/lib/components/TagAutoCompleteInput.svelte b/packages/web/src/lib/components/TagAutoCompleteInput.svelte
index 91e928c5..29b603b8 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/lib/components/TagAutoCompleteInput.svelte
+++ b/packages/web/src/lib/components/TagAutoCompleteInput.svelte
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 <script lang="ts">
   import * as parsers from '$lib/parsers.ts'
-  import type { Forager } from '@forager/core'
+  import type { Forager, inputs } from '@forager/core'
   import type { BaseController } from "$lib/base_controller.ts";
   import * as contexts from '$lib/contexts/index.ts'
   import Tag from '$lib/components/Tag.svelte'
 
   const debounce = <Args>(fn: (...args: Args[]) => void, pause: number) => {
-    let timer: number | undefined
+    let timer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | undefined
     return (...args: Args[]) => {
       clearTimeout(timer)
       timer = setTimeout(() => {
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
       this.#last_query_hash = current_query_hash
 
       // TODO only do this when the query has changed. Currently any time we focus in/out of the browser tab, it will re-search
-      const search_options = {query:{tag_match}, sort_by}
+      const search_options: Parameters<typeof controller.client.forager.tag.search>[0] = {query:{tag_match}, sort_by}
       if (contextual_query) {
         search_options.contextual_query = contextual_query
       }
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@
     input_classes?: string
     allow_multiple_tags?: boolean
     // NOTE contextual_query works, but it is too slow on large tag/media_reference databases, so we need to rethink this
-    contextual_query?: {}
+    contextual_query?: inputs.PaginatedSearch['query']
   } = $props()
 
   const controller = contexts.controller.get<BaseController>()
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@
     text_position: 0,
     current_hover_selection_index: -1,
 
-    suggestion_buttons: [],
+    suggestion_buttons: [] as (HTMLButtonElement | null)[],
   })
 
   const tag_suggestions = new TagSuggestions()
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@
         const length = tag_suggestions.state.length
         const index = input_state.current_hover_selection_index
         input_state.current_hover_selection_index = (index + 1) % length
-        input_state.suggestion_buttons[input_state.current_hover_selection_index].focus()
+        input_state.suggestion_buttons[input_state.current_hover_selection_index]?.focus()
       }
     },
     PrevTagSuggestion: e => {
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@
         const length = tag_suggestions.state.length
         const index = input_state.current_hover_selection_index
         input_state.current_hover_selection_index = (index - 1 + length) % length
-        input_state.suggestion_buttons[input_state.current_hover_selection_index].focus()
+        input_state.suggestion_buttons[input_state.current_hover_selection_index]?.focus()
       }
     },
     Escape: e => {
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@
     bind:this={input_element}
     list="taglist"
     onselectionchange={async e => {
-      input_state.text_position = e.target.selectionStart
+      input_state.text_position = e.currentTarget.selectionStart ?? 0
       input_state.lost_focus = false
       tag_suggestions.refresh()
       // await get_tag_suggestions_debounced(e.target.value, e.target.selectionStart)
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@
     oninput={async e => {
       input_state.show_suggestions = true
       input_state.lost_focus = false
-      search_string = e.target.value
+      search_string = e.currentTarget.value
       tag_suggestions.refresh()
     }}
     onfocusin={async e => {
@@ -212,11 +212,11 @@
       tag_suggestions.refresh()
     }}
     onfocusout={(e: FocusEvent) => {
-      if (suggestions_element && suggestions_element.contains(e.relatedTarget)) {
+      if (suggestions_element && suggestions_element.contains(e.relatedTarget as Node | null)) {
       } else {
         input_state.show_suggestions = false
       }
-      controller.runes.focus.pop('TagAutoCompleteInput', kind)
+      controller.runes.focus.pop({component: 'TagAutoCompleteInput', focus: kind})
       input_state.lost_focus = true
     }}
     value={search_string}
diff --git a/packages/web/src/lib/keybinds.ts b/packages/web/src/lib/keybinds.ts
index b1f28301..008b5024 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/lib/keybinds.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/lib/keybinds.ts
@@ -101,6 +101,8 @@ export class Keybinds {
   }
 
   public listen(event: KeybindAction, handler: KeybindActionListener) {
+    // keybind handlers receive the KeyboardEvent dispatched via CustomEvent detail,
+    // but the DOM addEventListener signature is typed against the base Event.
     this.emitter.addEventListener(event, handler as EventListener)
     return handler
   }
diff --git a/packages/web/src/lib/parsers.ts b/packages/web/src/lib/parsers.ts
index d8e17ef8..c53e4804 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/lib/parsers.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/lib/parsers.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
-import type { Forager } from '@forager/core'
-type TagModel = Awaited<ReturnType<Forager['tag']['search']>>['results'][0]
+interface TagEncodable {
+  group?: string | null
+  name: string
+}
 
 class Tag {
-  static encode(tag: TagModel) {
+  static encode(tag: TagEncodable) {
     if (tag.group) {
       return `${tag.group}:${tag.name}`
     } else {
diff --git a/packages/web/src/lib/runes/base_queryparams.svelte.ts b/packages/web/src/lib/runes/base_queryparams.svelte.ts
index f0973022..fb84cdfa 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/lib/runes/base_queryparams.svelte.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/lib/runes/base_queryparams.svelte.ts
@@ -17,11 +17,13 @@ export abstract class BaseQueryParams<TParams extends Record<string, any>> exten
   public current: TParams = $state() as TParams
   public draft: TParams = $state() as TParams
   public current_serialized: string = '?'
+  public readonly DEFAULTS: TParams
 
-  constructor(client: BaseController['client']) {
+  constructor(client: BaseController['client'], defaults: TParams) {
     super(client)
-    this.current = { ...this.DEFAULTS }
-    this.draft = { ...this.DEFAULTS }
+    this.DEFAULTS = defaults
+    this.current = { ...defaults }
+    this.draft = { ...defaults }
 
     onMount(async () => {
       const params = this.parse_url(new URL(window.location.toString()))
@@ -38,7 +40,6 @@ export abstract class BaseQueryParams<TParams extends Record<string, any>> exten
     })
   }
 
-  abstract get DEFAULTS(): TParams
   abstract get URL_PARAM_MAP(): Partial<Record<keyof TParams, string>>
 
   protected get URL_PARAM_MAP_REVERSED(): Record<string, keyof TParams> {
diff --git a/packages/web/src/lib/runes/media_list_rune.svelte.ts b/packages/web/src/lib/runes/media_list_rune.svelte.ts
index 9388acf7..4c40944a 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/lib/runes/media_list_rune.svelte.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/lib/runes/media_list_rune.svelte.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import {Rune} from '$lib/runes/rune.ts'
-import type { Forager, MediaResponse, outputs } from '@forager/core'
+import type { Forager, inputs } from '@forager/core'
 import { MediaViewRune } from '.'
+import type { AnyMediaResponse, AnyMediaViewRune, MediaSearchInput } from '.'
 
 
 type Result =
@@ -27,12 +28,12 @@ export type Input =
 interface MediaListState {
   loading: boolean
   content: Result | null
-  results: MediaViewRune[]
+  results: AnyMediaViewRune[]
 }
 
 export class MediaListRune extends Rune {
-  #saved_params_type: 'media' | 'group_by' = 'media'
-  #saved_params: {} | undefined
+  #saved_params_type: Input['type'] = 'media'
+  #saved_params: MediaSearchInput = {}
   #prev_query_hash: string = ''
   #fetch_count = 0
   #has_more = true
@@ -47,7 +48,7 @@ export class MediaListRune extends Rune {
 
   get content(): Result | null { return this.#state.content }
 
-  get results(): Result['results'] { return this.#state.results }
+  get results(): AnyMediaViewRune[] { return this.#state.results }
 
   get total() { return this.#state.content?.total ?? 0 }
 
@@ -55,7 +56,7 @@ export class MediaListRune extends Rune {
     this.#has_more = true
     this.#cursor = undefined
     this.#fetch_count = 0
-    this.#saved_params = undefined
+    this.#saved_params = {}
     this.#state = {
       loading: false,
       results: [],
@@ -73,25 +74,27 @@ export class MediaListRune extends Rune {
     this.#fetch_count ++
     this.#state.loading = true
 
-    let fetch_params: Input['params'] | undefined = this.#saved_params
+    let fetch_params: MediaSearchInput = this.#saved_params
     if (this.#cursor !== undefined) {
-      fetch_params = {...fetch_params, cursor: this.#cursor} as any
+      fetch_params = {...fetch_params, cursor: this.#cursor}
     }
 
     const params_type = params?.type ?? this.#saved_params_type
     this.#saved_params_type = params_type
     let content: Result
     if (params_type === 'media') {
-      content = await this.client.forager.media.search(fetch_params)
+      content = await this.client.forager.media.search(fetch_params as inputs.PaginatedSearch)
     }
     else if (params_type === 'group_by') {
-      fetch_params.limit = fetch_params.limit ?? 30
-      content = await this.client.forager.media.group(fetch_params)
+      // NOTE not mutated in place: when there is no cursor, fetch_params still aliases
+      // #saved_params, and writing through it would leak into saved state
+      fetch_params = {...fetch_params, limit: fetch_params.limit ?? 30}
+      content = await this.client.forager.media.group(fetch_params as inputs.PaginatedSearchGroupBy)
     } else {
       throw new Error('unimplemented')
     }
 
-    const results = content.results.map(result => {
+    const results = (content.results as AnyMediaResponse[]).map(result => {
       return MediaViewRune.create(this.client, result, fetch_params)
     })
 
@@ -112,7 +115,7 @@ export class MediaListRune extends Rune {
     }
   }
 
-  async fetch_tag_summary(params: Input) {
+  async fetch_tag_summary(params?: Input) {
     // NOTE this currently just does a "union". We want an "intersection" for this view. Otherwise our default view returns all tags!
     /*
 
diff --git a/packages/web/src/lib/runes/media_view_rune.svelte.ts b/packages/web/src/lib/runes/media_view_rune.svelte.ts
index b0b56bc3..bb722e6d 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/lib/runes/media_view_rune.svelte.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/lib/runes/media_view_rune.svelte.ts
@@ -1,81 +1,99 @@
 import {Rune} from '$lib/runes/rune.ts'
+import type { MediaResponse, MediaFileResponse, MediaSeriesResponse, MediaGroupResponse, inputs, model_types } from '@forager/core'
 import type { BaseController } from '$lib/base_controller.ts'
-import type { MediaResponse, inputs, type model_types } from '@forager/core'
 
 
-interface State {
-  media: MediaResponse
+export type AnyMediaResponse = MediaResponse | MediaGroupResponse
+
+/**
+ * The search/group params that produced a given result. These are threaded straight
+ * through from the media list without favoring one search variant over another; the
+ * rune that needs them (the grouped rune) narrows to the shape it requires.
+ */
+export type MediaSearchInput = inputs.PaginatedSearch | inputs.PaginatedSearchGroupBy
+
+
+interface State<M extends AnyMediaResponse> {
+  media: M
   full_thumbnails: MediaResponse['thumbnails'] | undefined
 }
 
 
-interface SearchParams {}
-
-export class MediaViewRune extends Rune {
-  media_type!: MediaResponse['media_type'] | 'grouped'
-  state = $state<State>()
-  current_view: model_types.View
+/**
+ * Base class for a single item rendered in the media list. The data getters and
+ * mutations below are only meaningful for the media types that actually carry the
+ * relevant data, so the base implementations error and each subclass overrides the
+ * ones it supports.
+ */
+export abstract class MediaViewRune<M extends AnyMediaResponse = AnyMediaResponse> extends Rune {
+  abstract media_type: M['media_type']
+  state = $state<State<M>>()
+  current_view: model_types.View | undefined
 
-  protected constructor(client: BaseController['client'], media_response: MediaResponse) {
+  protected constructor(client: BaseController['client'], media_response: M) {
     super(client)
     this.state = {
       media: media_response,
-      full_thumbnails: undefined
+      full_thumbnails: undefined,
     }
   }
 
-  get media() {
+  get media(): M {
     return this.state!.media
   }
 
-  set media(media: MediaResponse) {
-    return this.state!.media = media
+  set media(media: M) {
+    this.state!.media = media
   }
 
-  get tags() {
-    return this.media.tags
+  /**
+   * Grouped results have no reference of their own, and the media under a group may not
+   * be loaded yet, so this is optional on the base. Narrow on `media_type` (or use the
+   * file/series runes directly) to get a guaranteed reference.
+   */
+  get media_reference(): model_types.MediaReference | undefined {
+    throw new Error(`media_reference is not available on ${this.media_type} media`)
   }
 
-  get media_reference() {
-    return this.media.media_reference
+  get tags(): model_types.Tag[] {
+    throw new Error(`tags are not available on ${this.media_type} media`)
   }
 
-  get media_file() {
-    return this.media.media_file
+  get media_file(): model_types.MediaFile {
+    throw new Error(`media_file is not available on ${this.media_type} media`)
+  }
+
+  get thumbnails(): MediaResponse['thumbnails'] {
+    throw new Error(`thumbnails are not available on ${this.media_type} media`)
   }
 
   get preview_thumbnail(): string | undefined {
-    return `/files/thumbnail/${this.media.thumbnails.results.at(0)?.id}`
+    throw new Error(`preview_thumbnail is not available on ${this.media_type} media`)
   }
 
-  get thumbnails() {
-    return this.media.thumbnails
+  // NOTE these are async so that the base implementations reject rather than throwing
+  // synchronously past a caller's `.catch()`, which their declared types promise.
+  public async update(media_info?: inputs.MediaInfo, tags?: inputs.MediaReferenceUpdateTags): Promise<void> {
+    throw new Error(`update is not available on ${this.media_type} media`)
   }
 
-  public update(media_info: inputs.MediaInfo, tags: inputs.MediaReferenceUpdateTags) {
-    throw new Error('requires override')
+  public async star(stars: number): Promise<void> {
+    throw new Error(`star is not available on ${this.media_type} media`)
   }
 
-  public async star(stars: number) {
-    const updated = await this.client.forager.media.update(
-      this.media_reference.id,
-      {stars}
-    )
-    this.media = updated
+  public async add_view(): Promise<void> {
+    throw new Error(`add_view is not available on ${this.media_type} media`)
   }
 
-  public async load_detailed_view() {
-    throw new Error('requires override')
+  public async load_detailed_view(): Promise<void> {
+    throw new Error(`load_detailed_view is not available on ${this.media_type} media`)
   }
 
-  public async add_view() {
-    // TODO track view and update it as a video loops, or as an image has stayed open for a while
-    const view_response = await this.client.forager.views.start({media_reference_id: this.media_reference.id })
-    this.current_view = view_response.view
-    this.state.media.media_reference.view_count = view_response.media_reference.view_count
+  public img_fit_classes(): string {
+    throw new Error(`img_fit_classes is not available on ${this.media_type} media`)
   }
 
-  static create(client: BaseController['client'], media_response: MediaResponse, search_params: SearchParams) {
+  static create(client: BaseController['client'], media_response: AnyMediaResponse, search_params: MediaSearchInput) {
     if (media_response.media_type === 'media_file') {
       return new MediaFileRune(client, media_response)
     } else if (media_response.media_type === 'media_series') {
@@ -86,18 +104,44 @@ export class MediaViewRune extends Rune {
       throw new Error(`Unexpected media_response ${JSON.stringify(media_response)}`)
     }
   }
+}
+
+
+/** Shared behavior for runes backed by a concrete media reference (files and series). */
+abstract class MediaReferenceRune<M extends MediaFileResponse | MediaSeriesResponse> extends MediaViewRune<M> {
+  override get media_reference(): model_types.MediaReference {
+    return this.media.media_reference
+  }
+
+  override get tags(): model_types.Tag[] {
+    return this.media.tags
+  }
+
+  override get thumbnails(): MediaResponse['thumbnails'] {
+    return this.media.thumbnails
+  }
 
-  public img_fit_classes() {
-    throw new Error('requires override')
+  override get preview_thumbnail(): string | undefined {
+    return `/files/thumbnail/${this.media.thumbnails.results.at(0)?.id}`
   }
 
+  public override async add_view() {
+    // TODO track view and update it as a video loops, or as an image has stayed open for a while
+    const view_response = await this.client.forager.views.start({media_reference_id: this.media_reference.id })
+    this.current_view = view_response.view
+    this.media_reference.view_count = view_response.media_reference.view_count
+  }
 }
 
 
-export class MediaFileRune extends MediaViewRune {
-  media_type  = 'media_file' as const satisfies MediaResponse['media_type']
+export class MediaFileRune extends MediaReferenceRune<MediaFileResponse> {
+  media_type = 'media_file' as const
+
+  override get media_file(): model_types.MediaFile {
+    return this.media.media_file
+  }
 
-  public override async update(media_info: inputs.MediaInfo, tags: inputs.MediaReferenceUpdateTags) {
+  public override async update(media_info?: inputs.MediaInfo, tags?: inputs.MediaReferenceUpdateTags) {
     const updated = await this.client.forager.media.update(
       this.media_reference.id,
       media_info,
@@ -106,14 +150,22 @@ export class MediaFileRune extends MediaViewRune {
     this.media = updated
   }
 
+  public override async star(stars: number) {
+    const updated = await this.client.forager.media.update(
+      this.media_reference.id,
+      {stars}
+    )
+    this.media = updated
+  }
+
   public override async load_detailed_view() {
     if (this.state!.full_thumbnails) return
     const result = await this.client.forager.media.get({media_reference_id: this.media_reference.id })
     this.state!.full_thumbnails = result.thumbnails
   }
 
-  public img_fit_classes() {
-    if (this.media.media_file.width > this.media.media_file.height) {
+  public override img_fit_classes() {
+    if ((this.media_file.width ?? 0) > (this.media_file.height ?? 0)) {
       // its long edge is wide
       return "w-full"
     } else {
@@ -124,18 +176,18 @@ export class MediaFileRune extends MediaViewRune {
 }
 
 
-export class MediaSeriesRune extends MediaViewRune {
-  media_type  = 'media_series' as const satisfies MediaResponse['media_type']
+export class MediaSeriesRune extends MediaReferenceRune<MediaSeriesResponse> {
+  media_type = 'media_series' as const
 
   public override async load_detailed_view() {
     if (this.state!.full_thumbnails) return
-    const series = await forager.series.get({series_id: media_response.media_reference.id })
+    const series = await this.client.forager.series.get({series_id: this.media_reference.id })
     this.state!.full_thumbnails = series.thumbnails
-    const series_items = await forager.media.search({query: {series_id: media_response.media_reference.id }})
     // TODO attach series items
+    // const series_items = await this.client.forager.media.search({query: {series_id: this.media_reference.id }})
   }
 
-  public img_fit_classes() {
+  public override img_fit_classes() {
     console.warn(`media series img fit functions are not implemented`)
     return "w-full"
   }
@@ -145,37 +197,37 @@ export class MediaSeriesRune extends MediaViewRune {
 interface GroupState {
   media_list: MediaResponse[]
 }
-export class MediaGroupRune extends MediaViewRune {
-  media_type  = 'grouped' as const
+export class MediaGroupRune extends MediaViewRune<MediaGroupResponse> {
+  media_type = 'grouped' as const
   grouped_state = $state<GroupState>({
     media_list: []
   })
 
-  protected constructor(client: BaseController['client'], media_response: MediaResponse, search_params: SearchParams) {
-    // debugger
+  constructor(client: BaseController['client'], media_response: MediaGroupResponse, search_params: MediaSearchInput) {
     super(client, media_response)
 
-    const {group_by, cursor, ...merged_search_params} = search_params
-
-    if (group_by['tag_group'] !== undefined) {
-      merged_search_params.query = {...merged_search_params.query}
-      merged_search_params.query.tags = merged_search_params.query.tags
-          ? [...merged_search_params.query.tags]
-          : []
-      const tag = `${group_by.tag_group}:${media_response.group.value}`
-      merged_search_params.query.tags.push(tag)
-      // 'count' sorting only exists on group_by searches, so fall back to the default media search sort
-      if (merged_search_params.sort_by === 'count') {
-        delete merged_search_params.sort_by
-        delete merged_search_params.order
-      }
-      merged_search_params.limit = 1 // TODO until we implement a filmstrip render, we only need one image
-    } else {
+    if (!('group_by' in search_params) || search_params.group_by?.tag_group === undefined) {
       throw new Error(`unexpected search group`)
     }
 
-    this.client.forager.media.search(merged_search_params)
-      .then((result: {}) => {
+    const {group_by, cursor, ...merged_search_params} = search_params
+    merged_search_params.query = {...merged_search_params.query}
+    merged_search_params.query.tags = merged_search_params.query.tags
+        ? [...merged_search_params.query.tags]
+        : []
+    const tag = `${group_by.tag_group}:${media_response.group.value}`
+    merged_search_params.query.tags.push(tag)
+    // 'count' sorting only exists on group_by searches, so fall back to the default media search sort
+    if (merged_search_params.sort_by === 'count') {
+      delete merged_search_params.sort_by
+      delete merged_search_params.order
+    }
+    merged_search_params.limit = 1 // TODO until we implement a filmstrip render, we only need one image
+
+    // `merged_search_params` is the group-by query with its grouping fields removed, so
+    // it maps onto a standard media search that fetches the media under this group.
+    this.client.forager.media.search(merged_search_params as inputs.PaginatedSearch)
+      .then(result => {
         this.grouped_state.media_list = result.results
       })
   }
@@ -184,28 +236,39 @@ export class MediaGroupRune extends MediaViewRune {
     return this.media.group
   }
 
-  get preview_thumbnail(): string | undefined {
-    const media_entry = this.grouped_state.media_list.at(0)
+  /**
+   * The media standing in for this group. Core supplies it on `group.media` when the
+   * search asks for `grouped_media`, otherwise we fall back to the list this rune
+   * fetches itself. Undefined until one of those has loaded.
+   */
+  get #representative_media(): MediaResponse | undefined {
+    return this.media.group.media?.at(0) ?? this.grouped_state.media_list.at(0)
+  }
+
+  override get media_reference(): model_types.MediaReference | undefined {
+    return this.#representative_media?.media_reference
+  }
+
+  override get preview_thumbnail(): string | undefined {
+    const media_entry = this.#representative_media
     if (media_entry) {
       return `/files/thumbnail/${media_entry.thumbnails.results[0].id}`
     }
     return undefined
   }
 
-  public img_fit_classes() {
-    if (this.grouped_state.media_list.length === 0) {
+  public override img_fit_classes() {
+    const media = this.#representative_media
+    if (media === undefined) {
       return "w-full h-full"
+    } else if (media.media_type === 'media_file' && (media.media_file.width ?? 0) > (media.media_file.height ?? 0)) {
+      // its long edge is wide
+      return "w-full"
     } else {
-      const media = this.grouped_state.media_list[0]
-      if (media.media_file.width > media.media_file.height) {
-        // its long edge is wide
-        return "w-full"
-      } else {
-        // its long edge is tall
-        return "h-full"
-      }
+      // its long edge is tall
+      return "h-full"
     }
   }
 }
 
-export type MediaViewRunes = MediaSeriesRune | MediaFileRune
+export type AnyMediaViewRune = MediaFileRune | MediaSeriesRune | MediaGroupRune
diff --git a/packages/web/src/lib/runes/settings_rune.svelte.ts b/packages/web/src/lib/runes/settings_rune.svelte.ts
index ffa75c32..634e97ff 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/lib/runes/settings_rune.svelte.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/lib/runes/settings_rune.svelte.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,11 @@ import type { Config } from '$lib/server/config.ts'
 import { Rune } from './rune';
 import type { BaseController } from '$lib/base_controller.ts'
 
-interface MutatableSettings {
+
+// Note that this file in general is weird. Svelte runes specifically need static accessors and static getters, so we cannot just have generic key/value accessors.
+// I landed on this design, where all the accessors are explicit. It looks unnecessary, but in practice its still ergonomic to use outside this module, and updating it is very straight forward.
+
+interface MutableSettings {
   'ui.media_list.thumbnail_size': Config['web']['ui_defaults']['media_list']['thumbnail_size']
   'ui.media_list.thumbnail_shape': Config['web']['ui_defaults']['media_list']['thumbnail_shape']
   'ui.media_view.fit.mode': Config['web']['ui_defaults']['media_view']['fit']['mode']
@@ -10,6 +14,12 @@ interface MutatableSettings {
   'ui.sidebar.hide': Config['web']['ui_defaults']['sidebar']['hide']
 }
 
+
+type MutableSettingsUpdate = {
+  [K in keyof MutableSettings]: { path: K; value: MutableSettings[K] }
+}[keyof MutableSettings]
+
+
 export class SettingsRune extends Rune {
   #state = $state<Config>({} as Config);
 
@@ -26,43 +36,54 @@ export class SettingsRune extends Rune {
     return this.#state.web.ui_defaults
   }
 
-  public set<K extends keyof MutatableSettings>(path: K, value: MutatableSettings[K]) {
-    switch(path) {
+  public set<K extends keyof MutableSettings>(path: K, value: MutableSettings[K]) {
+    const update = {path, value} as MutableSettingsUpdate
+    switch(update.path) {
       case 'ui.media_list.thumbnail_size': {
-        this.ui.media_list.thumbnail_size = value
+        this.ui.media_list.thumbnail_size = update.value
         break
       }
       case 'ui.media_list.thumbnail_shape': {
-        this.ui.media_list.thumbnail_shape = value
+        this.ui.media_list.thumbnail_shape = update.value
         break
       }
       case 'ui.media_view.fit.mode': {
-        this.ui.media_view.fit.mode = value
+        this.ui.media_view.fit.mode = update.value
         break
       }
       case 'ui.search.advanced_filters.hide': {
-        this.ui.search.advanced_filters.hide = value
+        this.ui.search.advanced_filters.hide = update.value
         break
       }
       case 'ui.sidebar.hide': {
-        this.ui.sidebar.hide = value
+        this.ui.sidebar.hide = update.value
         break
       }
       default: {
-        throw new Error(`Unexpected path '${path}'`)
+        // adding a MutableSettings key without a case above fails to compile here
+        const unhandled: never = update
+        throw new Error(`Unexpected path '${path}' (${JSON.stringify(unhandled)})`)
       }
     }
   }
 
-  public toggle<K extends keyof MutatableSettings>(path: K) {
+  public toggle<K extends keyof MutableSettings>(path: K) {
     const value = this.get(path)
     if (typeof value !== 'boolean') {
       throw new Error(`Unexpected value '${value}' for path '${path}'`)
     }
-    this.set(path, !value)
+    this.set(path, !value as MutableSettings[K])
+  }
+
+  private get<K extends keyof MutableSettings>(path: K): MutableSettings[K] {
+    return this.#read(path) as MutableSettings[K]
   }
 
-  private get<K extends keyof MutatableSettings>(path: K): MutatableSettings[K] {
+  // NOTE this is deliberately non-generic. With a plain union `path` narrows per case,
+  // so the default branch can assert exhaustiveness and adding a MutableSettings key
+  // without a case here fails to compile. Each case still reads exactly one setting,
+  // so a caller only subscribes to the value it asked for.
+  #read(path: keyof MutableSettings): MutableSettings[keyof MutableSettings] {
     switch(path) {
       case 'ui.media_list.thumbnail_size': {
         return this.ui.media_list.thumbnail_size
@@ -70,14 +91,18 @@ export class SettingsRune extends Rune {
       case 'ui.media_list.thumbnail_shape': {
         return this.ui.media_list.thumbnail_shape
       }
+      case 'ui.media_view.fit.mode': {
+        return this.ui.media_view.fit.mode
+      }
       case 'ui.search.advanced_filters.hide': {
         return this.ui.search.advanced_filters.hide
       }
-      case 'ui.media_view.fit.mode': {
-        return this.ui.media_view.fit.mode
+      case 'ui.sidebar.hide': {
+        return this.ui.sidebar.hide
       }
       default: {
-        throw new Error(`Unexpected path '${path}'`)
+        const unhandled: never = path
+        throw new Error(`Unexpected path '${unhandled}'`)
       }
     }
   }
diff --git a/packages/web/src/lib/server/config.ts b/packages/web/src/lib/server/config.ts
index a41dd73c..16b91bee 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/lib/server/config.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/lib/server/config.ts
@@ -58,8 +58,8 @@ export const PackagesConfig = z.object({
         }).strict().prefault({}),
         filmstrip: z.object({
           enabled: z.boolean().default(false),
-            thumbnail_size: z.number().default(100),
-        }).strict().optional().transform(f => f ?? {enabled: false})
+          thumbnail_size: z.number().default(100),
+        }).strict().prefault({})
       }).strict().prefault({}),
     }).strict().prefault({}),
 
diff --git a/packages/web/src/routes/browse/+page.svelte b/packages/web/src/routes/browse/+page.svelte
index ba93db55..a85b963e 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/routes/browse/+page.svelte
+++ b/packages/web/src/routes/browse/+page.svelte
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@
 	/** @type {import('./$types').PageProps} */
   let props  = $props()
 
+  // the controller is created once per page, from the config the page was loaded with
+  // svelte-ignore state_referenced_locally
   const controller = contexts.controller.set(new BrowseController(props.data.config))
   let { dimensions, focus, queryparams } = controller.runes
   focus.stack({component: 'BrowsePage', focus: 'page'})
diff --git a/packages/web/src/routes/browse/components/Footer.svelte b/packages/web/src/routes/browse/components/Footer.svelte
index fc9617da..99a2df89 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/routes/browse/components/Footer.svelte
+++ b/packages/web/src/routes/browse/components/Footer.svelte
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@
         max={500}
         value={controller.runes.settings.ui.media_list.thumbnail_size}
         oninput={e => {
-          controller.runes.settings.set('ui.media_list.thumbnail_size', e.target.value)
+          controller.runes.settings.set('ui.media_list.thumbnail_size', Number(e.currentTarget.value))
         }}>
       <span>{controller.runes.settings.ui.media_list.thumbnail_size}px</span>
     </div>
diff --git a/packages/web/src/routes/browse/components/MediaDetailEntry.svelte b/packages/web/src/routes/browse/components/MediaDetailEntry.svelte
index bc580cea..f1267804 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/routes/browse/components/MediaDetailEntry.svelte
+++ b/packages/web/src/routes/browse/components/MediaDetailEntry.svelte
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
     return props.content
   })
 
-  let display_inline = ['Views', 'Stars'].includes(props.label)
+  let display_inline = $derived(['Views', 'Stars'].includes(props.label))
 </script>
 
 {#if !(props.hide_if_null && props.content === null)}
diff --git a/packages/web/src/routes/browse/components/MediaDetails.svelte b/packages/web/src/routes/browse/components/MediaDetails.svelte
index 9b526406..f508e5ad 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/routes/browse/components/MediaDetails.svelte
+++ b/packages/web/src/routes/browse/components/MediaDetails.svelte
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 <script lang="ts">
   import * as path from '@std/path'
-  import type { Forager } from '@forager/core'
+  import type { model_types } from '@forager/core'
   import Sidebar from '$lib/components/Sidebar.svelte'
   import MediaDetailEntry from './MediaDetailEntry.svelte'
   import TagAutoCompleteInput from '$lib/components/TagAutoCompleteInput.svelte'
@@ -18,10 +18,16 @@
 
   let new_tag_str = $state<string>('')
 
-  type TagRecord = ReturnType<Forager['tag']['search']>['results'][0]
-  let sorted_tags: [string, TagRecord[]][] = $derived.by(() => {
-    const grouped_tags: Record<string, TagRecord[]> = {}
-    media_selections.current_selection.media_response?.tags.map(t => {
+  // this sidebar renders media reference data (tags, stars, title, file), which grouped
+  // results do not carry, so they are treated as having nothing to show
+  let selected_media = $derived.by(() => {
+    const selection = media_selections.current_selection.media_response
+    return selection?.media_type === 'grouped' ? undefined : selection
+  })
+
+  let sorted_tags: [string, model_types.Tag[]][] = $derived.by(() => {
+    const grouped_tags: Record<string, model_types.Tag[]> = {}
+    selected_media?.tags.map(t => {
       if (grouped_tags[t.group] === undefined) {
         grouped_tags[t.group] = []
       }
@@ -71,16 +77,18 @@
       if (new_tag_str) {
         tags = {add: [new_tag_str]}
       }
-      media_selections.current_selection.media_response!.update(media_info, tags)
+      selected_media?.update(media_info, tags)
       new_tag_str = ''
     }}
     >
-    {#if media_selections.current_selection.media_response}
-      <MediaDetailEntry        label="Views"
-        content={media_selections.current_selection.media_response.media_reference.view_count}/>
+    {#if selected_media}
+      <MediaDetailEntry
+        label="Views"
+        content={selected_media.media_reference.view_count}/>
 
-      <MediaDetailEntry        label="Stars"
-        content={media_selections.current_selection.media_response.media_reference.stars}/>
+      <MediaDetailEntry
+        label="Stars"
+        content={selected_media.media_reference.stars}/>
 
       <label class="text-green-50" for="tags"><span>Tags</span></label>
       {#each sorted_tags as tag_group_entry, tag_entry_index (tag_group_entry[0])}
@@ -96,13 +104,14 @@
               title="Remove from media"
               type="button"
               onclick={async () => {
-                await media_selections.current_selection.media_response!.update(undefined, {remove: [`${tag.group}:${tag.name}`]})
+                await selected_media!.update(undefined, {remove: [`${tag.group}:${tag.name}`]})
               }}>
               <Icon class="stroke-green-50 hover:stroke-green-300" data={TrashOutline} stroke_width={1.5} size="20px" color="none" />
             </button>
             <SearchLink
               class="hover:cursor-pointer"
-              title="Apply to search"              params={queryparams.merge({tags: parsers.Tag.encode(tag)})}>
+              title="Apply to search"
+              params={queryparams.merge({search_string: parsers.Tag.encode(tag)})}>
               <Icon class="fill-green-50 hover:fill-green-300" data={MagnifyingGlassPlus} size="20px" color="none" />
             </SearchLink>
             <SearchLink
@@ -124,39 +133,41 @@
       <MediaDetailEntry        editable
         hide_if_null
         label="Title"
-        content={media_selections.current_selection.media_response.media_reference.title}/>
+        content={selected_media.media_reference.title}/>
 
       <MediaDetailEntry        editable
         hide_if_null
         label="Description"
-        content={media_selections.current_selection.media_response.media_reference.description}/>
+        content={selected_media.media_reference.description}/>
 
       <MediaDetailEntry        editable
         hide_if_null
         label="Created"
         type="datetime-local"
-        content={media_selections.current_selection.media_response.media_reference.source_created_at}/>
+        content={selected_media.media_reference.source_created_at}/>
 
       <!-- TODO we should support datetimes in @andykais/ts-rpc -->
       <MediaDetailEntry        editable
         label="Added"
         type="datetime-local"
-        content={media_selections.current_selection.media_response.media_reference.created_at}/>
+        content={selected_media.media_reference.created_at}/>
 
       <MediaDetailEntry        hide_if_null
         label="Source URL"
-        content={media_selections.current_selection.media_response.media_reference.source_url}/>
+        content={selected_media.media_reference.source_url}/>
 
       <MediaDetailEntry        hide_if_null
         label="Metadata"
-        content={media_selections.current_selection.media_response.media_reference.metadata}/>
+        content={selected_media.media_reference.metadata}/>
 
-      {#if media_selections.current_selection.media_response.media_type === 'media_file'}
-        <MediaDetailEntry          label="File"
-          content={media_selections.current_selection.media_response.media_file.filepath}/>
+      {#if selected_media.media_type === 'media_file'}
+        <MediaDetailEntry
+          label="File"
+          content={selected_media.media_file.filepath}/>
 
-        <MediaDetailEntry          label="Filename"
-          content={path.basename(media_selections.current_selection.media_response.media_file.filepath)}/>
+        <MediaDetailEntry
+          label="Filename"
+          content={path.basename(selected_media.media_file.filepath)}/>
       {/if}
 
     {:else}
diff --git a/packages/web/src/routes/browse/components/MediaView.svelte b/packages/web/src/routes/browse/components/MediaView.svelte
index ecb71a37..379f4601 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/routes/browse/components/MediaView.svelte
+++ b/packages/web/src/routes/browse/components/MediaView.svelte
@@ -80,9 +80,9 @@
     }
   })
 
-  function video_loader(node: HTMLVideoElement) {
+  function video_loader(node: HTMLVideoElement, video_url: string | undefined) {
     return {
-      update(_video_source_url: string) {
+      update(_video_source_url: string | undefined) {
         animation_progress = 0
         node.load()
       }
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@
             max={controller.runes.media_selections.current_selection.media_response.media_file.duration} value={animation_progress}></progress>
           {#if controller.runes.settings.ui.media_view.filmstrip.enabled}
             <div class="w-full flex flex-row justify-center gap-1 overflow-x-scroll" style="height: {controller.runes.settings.ui.media_view.filmstrip.thumbnail_size}px;">
-              {#each controller.runes.media_selections.current_selection.thumbnails.results as thumbnail, index (thumbnail.id)}
+              {#each controller.runes.media_selections.current_selection.media_response.thumbnails.results as thumbnail, index (thumbnail.id)}
                 <div class="h-full">
                   <img class="h-full" src="/files/thumbnail/{controller.runes.media_selections.current_selection.media_response.media_reference.id}?index={index}" alt="Thumbnail {index}"></div>
               {/each}
diff --git a/packages/web/src/routes/browse/components/SearchLink.svelte b/packages/web/src/routes/browse/components/SearchLink.svelte
index dc58f261..b077ccd8 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/routes/browse/components/SearchLink.svelte
+++ b/packages/web/src/routes/browse/components/SearchLink.svelte
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 <script lang="ts">
   import type {BrowseController} from '../controller.ts'
+  import type { SearchParams } from '../runes/queryparams.svelte.ts'
   import type { SvelteHTMLElements, ClassValue } from 'svelte/elements';
   import * as contexts from '$lib/contexts/index.ts'
 
   interface Props {
-    params: Partial<BrowseController['runes']['queryparams']['DEFAULTS']>
+    params: SearchParams
     class?: ClassValue
     title?: string
     children: SvelteHTMLElements['div']['children']
diff --git a/packages/web/src/routes/browse/components/SearchResults.svelte b/packages/web/src/routes/browse/components/SearchResults.svelte
index 49c96b64..90c0e66d 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/routes/browse/components/SearchResults.svelte
+++ b/packages/web/src/routes/browse/components/SearchResults.svelte
@@ -51,7 +51,6 @@
   {#each media_list.results as result, result_index}
     <div>
       <div 
-        type="button"
         class="inline-flex items-center justify-center p-1
                outline-none"
         use:scrollable={media_selections.current_selection.result_index === result_index}
@@ -127,11 +126,11 @@
               <Icon data={icons.Copy} fill={icon_color} stroke="none" size={icon_size} />
               <SearchLink
                 class="hover:text-green-500 hover:bg-gray-700 px-2 rounded-sm"
-                params={queryparams.merge({mode: 'media', tags: `${queryparams.current.group_by ?? ''}:${result.group_metadata.value}`})}> {result.group_metadata.value} 
+                params={queryparams.merge({search_mode: 'media', search_string: `${queryparams.current.group_by ?? ''}:${result.group_metadata.value}`})}> {result.group_metadata.value} 
               </SearchLink>
               <span>{result.group_metadata.count}</span>
           {:else}
-            UNEXPECTED MEDIA TYPE {result.media_type}
+            UNEXPECTED MEDIA TYPE {(result as { media_type: string }).media_type}
           {/if}
         </div>
         </div>
diff --git a/packages/web/src/routes/browse/controller.ts b/packages/web/src/routes/browse/controller.ts
index b505140f..4f77a189 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/routes/browse/controller.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/routes/browse/controller.ts
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ class BrowseController extends BaseController {
   public constructor(config: Config) {
     super(config)
 
-    const media_list_rune = new MediaListRune(this.client, this.settings)
+    const media_list_rune = new MediaListRune(this.client)
     this.runes = {
       media_list: media_list_rune,
       focus: create_focuser(),
diff --git a/packages/web/src/routes/browse/runes/media_selections.svelte.ts b/packages/web/src/routes/browse/runes/media_selections.svelte.ts
index 71687f60..e7fc8a13 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/routes/browse/runes/media_selections.svelte.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/routes/browse/runes/media_selections.svelte.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 import {Rune} from '$lib/runes/rune.ts'
-import type { Forager, MediaResponse } from '@forager/core'
 import type * as runes from '$lib/runes/index.ts'
 import type { BaseController } from '$lib/base_controller.ts'
 
@@ -26,13 +25,12 @@ export type ThumbnailSelections =
 
 export interface CurrentSelection {
   show: boolean
-  media_response: runes.MediaViewRunes | null
+  media_response: runes.AnyMediaViewRune | null
   result_index: number
 }
 
 const CURRENT_SELECTION_DEFAULTS: CurrentSelection = {
   show: false,
-  thumbnails: null,
   media_response: null,
   result_index: 0,
 }
@@ -40,7 +38,7 @@ export class MediaSelectionsRune extends Rune {
   #selected_thumbnails = $state<ThumbnailSelections>({type: 'none'})
   #current_selection = $state<CurrentSelection>({...CURRENT_SELECTION_DEFAULTS})
 
-  public constructor(client: BaseController['client'], media_list_rune: MediaListRune) {
+  public constructor(client: BaseController['client'], media_list_rune: runes.MediaListRune) {
     super(client)
   }
 
@@ -53,16 +51,20 @@ export class MediaSelectionsRune extends Rune {
   }
 
 
-  private is_currently_selected(media_reference_id: number) {
-    if (this.#current_selection.media_response?.media_reference.id === media_reference_id) {
-      return true
-    }
-    return false
+  private is_currently_selected(media_response: runes.AnyMediaViewRune) {
+    const current = this.#current_selection.media_response
+    if (!current) return false
+    // grouped results have no media reference until their media loads, so fall back to
+    // rune identity, which is what distinguishes one tile from another anyway
+    if (current === media_response) return true
+    const current_media_reference_id = current.media_reference?.id
+    return current_media_reference_id !== undefined
+      && current_media_reference_id === media_response.media_reference?.id
   }
 
-  public async set_current_selection(media_response: runes.MediaViewRune, result_index: number) {
+  public async set_current_selection(media_response: runes.AnyMediaViewRune, result_index: number) {
     this.#current_selection.show
-    if (this.is_currently_selected(media_response.media_reference.id)) {
+    if (this.is_currently_selected(media_response)) {
       await this.open_media()
     } else {
       this.#current_selection.media_response = media_response
@@ -82,9 +84,10 @@ export class MediaSelectionsRune extends Rune {
   }
 
   public async open_media() {
-    if (this.#current_selection.media_response) {
-      this.#current_selection.show = true
-    }
+    const media_response = this.#current_selection.media_response
+    // a group has no single media to view, its tile link navigates into the group instead
+    if (!media_response || media_response.media_type === 'grouped') return
+    this.#current_selection.show = true
     await this.view_media()
   }
 
@@ -92,7 +95,7 @@ export class MediaSelectionsRune extends Rune {
     this.#current_selection.show = false
   }
 
-  public async next_media(results: MediaResponse[]) {
+  public async next_media(results: runes.AnyMediaViewRune[]) {
     let next_index = 0
     if (
       this.#selected_thumbnails.type === 'ids' && this.#selected_thumbnails.media_reference_ids.length <= 1
@@ -109,7 +112,7 @@ export class MediaSelectionsRune extends Rune {
     await this.view_media()
   }
 
-  async prev_media(results: MediaResponse[]) {
+  async prev_media(results: runes.AnyMediaViewRune[]) {
     let prev_index = 0
     if (
       this.#selected_thumbnails.type === 'ids' && this.#selected_thumbnails.media_reference_ids.length <= 1
diff --git a/packages/web/src/routes/browse/runes/queryparams.svelte.ts b/packages/web/src/routes/browse/runes/queryparams.svelte.ts
index 6908c590..3d4945f2 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/routes/browse/runes/queryparams.svelte.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/routes/browse/runes/queryparams.svelte.ts
@@ -8,13 +8,43 @@ import { Rune } from '$lib/runes/rune.ts'
 
 type MediaTypeFilter = 'all' | 'animated' | 'image' | 'video' | 'audio'
 
-const MEDIA_TYPE_FILTER_VALUES = new Set<MediaTypeFilter>([
-  'all',
-  'animated',
-  'image',
-  'video',
-  'audio',
-])
+/** 'count' is only valid for group_by searches, the rest are shared with media searches */
+type SortBy = NonNullable<inputs.PaginatedSearchGroupBy['sort_by']>
+type SearchMode = 'media' | 'group_by' | 'filesystem'
+type StarsEquality = 'gte' | 'eq'
+type Order = 'desc' | 'asc'
+
+// declared as Records rather than Sets so that a value added to any of the unions above
+// fails to compile until it is listed here too
+const MEDIA_TYPE_FILTER_VALUES: Record<MediaTypeFilter, true> = {
+  all: true,
+  animated: true,
+  image: true,
+  video: true,
+  audio: true,
+}
+const SORT_BY_VALUES: Record<SortBy, true> = {
+  count: true,
+  created_at: true,
+  updated_at: true,
+  source_created_at: true,
+  view_count: true,
+  last_viewed_at: true,
+  duration: true,
+}
+const SEARCH_MODE_VALUES: Record<SearchMode, true> = {
+  media: true,
+  group_by: true,
+  filesystem: true,
+}
+const STARS_EQUALITY_VALUES: Record<StarsEquality, true> = { gte: true, eq: true }
+const ORDER_VALUES: Record<Order, true> = { desc: true, asc: true }
+
+const is_media_type_filter = (v: string): v is MediaTypeFilter => v in MEDIA_TYPE_FILTER_VALUES
+const is_sort_by = (v: string): v is SortBy => v in SORT_BY_VALUES
+const is_search_mode = (v: string): v is SearchMode => v in SEARCH_MODE_VALUES
+const is_stars_equality = (v: string): v is StarsEquality => v in STARS_EQUALITY_VALUES
+const is_order = (v: string): v is Order => v in ORDER_VALUES
 
 // maps the lowercase URL/UI value to the uppercase core enum value
 const MEDIA_TYPE_TO_CORE = {
@@ -27,23 +57,25 @@ function is_core_media_type(v: MediaTypeFilter): v is keyof typeof MEDIA_TYPE_TO
   return v in MEDIA_TYPE_TO_CORE
 }
 
-interface SearchParams {
+export interface SearchParams {
   search_string: string
   filepath: string | undefined
-  sort: inputs.PaginatedSearch['sort_by']
+  sort: SortBy
   unread_only: boolean
-  search_mode: 'media' | 'group_by' | 'filesystem'
+  search_mode: SearchMode
   group_by: string | undefined
   stars: number | undefined
-  stars_equality: 'gte' | 'eq' | undefined
-  order: 'desc' | 'asc'
+  stars_equality: StarsEquality | undefined
+  order: Order
   media_type: MediaTypeFilter
 }
 
+const DEFAULTS_MEDIA_SORT = 'source_created_at' as const satisfies inputs.PaginatedSearch['sort_by']
+
 const DEFAULTS: SearchParams = {
   search_string: '',
   filepath: undefined,
-  sort: 'source_created_at',
+  sort: DEFAULTS_MEDIA_SORT,
   order: 'desc',
   unread_only: false,
   search_mode: 'media',
@@ -53,19 +85,22 @@ const DEFAULTS: SearchParams = {
   media_type: 'all',
 }
 
-// Map internal names to URL param names
+// Map internal names to URL param names. Every SearchParams key is listed, so adding a
+// param without deciding its URL name is a compile error.
 const URL_PARAM_MAP = {
   search_string: 'tags',
+  filepath: 'filepath',
+  sort: 'sort',
   unread_only: 'unread',
   search_mode: 'mode',
+  group_by: 'group_by',
+  stars: 'stars',
+  stars_equality: 'stars_equality',
+  order: 'order',
   media_type: 'type',
-} as const satisfies Partial<Record<keyof SearchParams, string>>
-type UrlParamMap = typeof URL_PARAM_MAP
+} as const satisfies Record<keyof SearchParams, string>
 
-type SearchParamsReversed = { [K in keyof UrlParamMap as UrlParamMap[K]]: K}
-const URL_PARAM_MAP_REVERSED = Object.fromEntries(
-  Object.entries(URL_PARAM_MAP).map(([key, val]) => [val, key])
-) as SearchParamsReversed
+const SEARCH_PARAMS_KEYS = Object.keys(URL_PARAM_MAP) as (keyof SearchParams)[]
 
 /**
  * Manages browser URL query parameters and syncs them with search state.
@@ -119,31 +154,65 @@ export class QueryParamsManager extends Rune {
 
     this.current_serialized = url.search
 
-    // Parse each param with type coercion
-    if (search) {
-      for (const [key, val] of search.entries()) {
-        const params_key: keyof SearchParams = URL_PARAM_MAP_REVERSED[key] ?? key
+    // Only known params are read, and each is parsed explicitly. Values that don't match
+    // the expected shape are dropped in favor of the default rather than being passed
+    // through to core as raw strings.
+    for (const params_key of SEARCH_PARAMS_KEYS) {
+      const val = search.get(URL_PARAM_MAP[params_key])
+      if (val === null) continue
 
-        if (params_key === 'search_string') {
+      switch (params_key) {
+        case 'search_string': {
           params.search_string = val.replaceAll(',', ' ')
-        } else if (params_key === 'stars') {
-          params.stars = parseInt(val)
-        } else if (params_key === 'filepath') {
+          break
+        }
+        case 'filepath': {
           params.filepath = decodeURIComponent(val)
-        } else if (params_key === 'media_type') {
-          if (MEDIA_TYPE_FILTER_VALUES.has(val as MediaTypeFilter)) {
-            params.media_type = val as MediaTypeFilter
-          }
-        } else {
-          // @ts-ignore - dynamic assignment
-          params[params_key] = val
+          break
+        }
+        case 'sort': {
+          if (is_sort_by(val)) params.sort = val
+          break
+        }
+        case 'unread_only': {
+          params.unread_only = val === 'true'
+          break
+        }
+        case 'search_mode': {
+          if (is_search_mode(val)) params.search_mode = val
+          break
+        }
+        case 'group_by': {
+          params.group_by = val
+          break
+        }
+        case 'stars': {
+          const stars = parseInt(val)
+          if (!Number.isNaN(stars)) params.stars = stars
+          break
+        }
+        case 'stars_equality': {
+          if (is_stars_equality(val)) params.stars_equality = val
+          break
+        }
+        case 'order': {
+          if (is_order(val)) params.order = val
+          break
+        }
+        case 'media_type': {
+          if (is_media_type_filter(val)) params.media_type = val
+          break
+        }
+        default: {
+          const unhandled: never = params_key
+          throw new Error(`Unexpected search param '${unhandled}'`)
         }
       }
+    }
 
-      // Infer search_mode from group_by presence
-      if (search.has('group_by')) {
-        params.search_mode = 'group_by'
-      }
+    // Infer search_mode from group_by presence
+    if (search.has(URL_PARAM_MAP.group_by)) {
+      params.search_mode = 'group_by'
     }
 
     return params
@@ -152,13 +221,13 @@ export class QueryParamsManager extends Rune {
   /**
    * Serialize SearchParams to URL string (for SearchLink components)
    */
-  public serialize(params: SearchParams): string {
+  public serialize(params: SearchParams): string | null {
     const url_params = new Map<string, string>()
 
     // Only include non-default values
     for (const [key, value] of Object.entries(params)) {
       if (value !== DEFAULTS[key as keyof SearchParams] && value !== undefined) {
-        const param_name = URL_PARAM_MAP[key as keyof SearchParams] ?? key
+        const param_name = (URL_PARAM_MAP as Partial<Record<keyof SearchParams, string>>)[key as keyof SearchParams] ?? key
 
         // Special encoding for tags (preserve : and ,)
         if (key === 'search_string') {
@@ -199,7 +268,7 @@ export class QueryParamsManager extends Rune {
     const serialized = this.serialize(params)
 
     if (this.current_serialized !== serialized) {
-      this.current_serialized = serialized
+      this.current_serialized = serialized ?? ''
       this.current = { ...params }
       if (serialized) {
         pushState(serialized, {})
@@ -224,9 +293,7 @@ export class QueryParamsManager extends Rune {
 
     // Handle boolean and numeric filters
     if (params.unread_only) {
-      if (params.unread_only === 'true' || params.unread_only === true) {
-        query.unread = true
-      }
+      query.unread = true
     }
 
     if (params.stars !== undefined) {
@@ -245,11 +312,13 @@ export class QueryParamsManager extends Rune {
 
     // Execute appropriate search
     if (params.search_mode === 'media') {
+      // 'count' only exists for group_by searches, so fall back when leaving that mode
+      const sort_by = params.sort === 'count' ? DEFAULTS_MEDIA_SORT : params.sort
       await this.#media_list.paginate({
         type: 'media',
         params: {
           query,
-          sort_by: params.sort,
+          sort_by,
           order: params.order,
         },
       })
@@ -285,35 +354,26 @@ export class QueryParamsManager extends Rune {
   }
 
   /**
-   * Merge partial params with current params
-   * Supports URL param names (e.g., 'tags') or internal names (e.g., 'search_string')
+   * Merge partial params into the current params, keyed by internal param names.
+   * `search_string` is additive (tags accumulate) rather than replacing.
    */
-  public merge(partial_params: Partial<Record<string, any>>): SearchParams {
-    const params = { ...this.current }
+  public merge(partial_params: Partial<SearchParams>): SearchParams {
+    const params = { ...this.current, ...partial_params }
 
-    for (const [key, val] of Object.entries(partial_params)) {
-      const params_key: keyof SearchParams = URL_PARAM_MAP_REVERSED[key] ?? key
-
-      if (params_key === 'search_string') {
-        // Merge tags instead of replacing
-        const search_strings = new Set(params.search_string.split(/\s+/))
-        search_strings.add(val)
-        params.search_string = [...search_strings].join(' ').trim()
-      } else if (params_key === 'search_mode') {
-        params.search_mode = val
-        // Clear group_by only params if switching away from group_by mode
-        if (val !== 'group_by') {
-          params.group_by = undefined
-          // 'count' sorting only exists on group_by searches, core rejects it elsewhere.
-          // The order was chosen for the count sort, so drop it along with the sort
-          if (params.sort === 'count') {
-            params.sort = DEFAULTS.sort
-            params.order = DEFAULTS.order
-          }
-        }
-      } else {
-        // @ts-ignore - dynamic assignment
-        params[params_key] = val
+    if (partial_params.search_string !== undefined) {
+      const search_strings = new Set(this.current.search_string.split(/\s+/))
+      search_strings.add(partial_params.search_string)
+      params.search_string = [...search_strings].join(' ').trim()
+    }
+
+    // Clear group_by only params if switching away from group_by mode
+    if (partial_params.search_mode !== undefined && partial_params.search_mode !== 'group_by') {
+      params.group_by = undefined
+      // 'count' sorting only exists on group_by searches, core rejects it elsewhere.
+      // The order was chosen for the count sort, so drop it along with the sort
+      if (params.sort === 'count') {
+        params.sort = DEFAULTS.sort
+        params.order = DEFAULTS.order
       }
     }
 
diff --git a/packages/web/src/routes/files/media_file/[id]/+server.ts b/packages/web/src/routes/files/media_file/[id]/+server.ts
index 190378e9..29908e3a 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/routes/files/media_file/[id]/+server.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/routes/files/media_file/[id]/+server.ts
@@ -29,6 +29,12 @@ export const GET: RequestHandler = async ({ params, request, locals }) => {
     throw err
   }
 
+  // the reference exists, it is just the wrong kind, so this is a bad request rather than
+  // a missing resource
+  if (media.media_type !== 'media_file') {
+    throw error(400, 'Media reference is not a media file')
+  }
+
   const filepath = media.media_file.filepath
 
   // Security: Validate file path is within allowed directories
diff --git a/packages/web/src/routes/rpc/[signature]/+server.ts b/packages/web/src/routes/rpc/[signature]/+server.ts
index d08bd725..bf659824 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/routes/rpc/[signature]/+server.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/routes/rpc/[signature]/+server.ts
@@ -5,13 +5,10 @@ import {Api} from '$lib/api.ts'
 
 
 // this adapter stores stateful information like realtime connections. It should be instantiated once and reused
-let API_SINGLETON: rpc.ServerAdapter | undefined
+let API_SINGLETON: rpc.SvektekitRouterFunction | undefined
 
 
 export const PUT: RequestHandler = async (params) => {
-  if (API_SINGLETON === undefined) {
-    const context = params.locals
-    API_SINGLETON = rpc.adapt(Api, context)
-  }
-  return await API_SINGLETON(params)
+  const api = API_SINGLETON ??= rpc.adapt(Api, params.locals)
+  return await api(params)
 }
diff --git a/packages/web/src/routes/tags/+page.svelte b/packages/web/src/routes/tags/+page.svelte
index 484fa6bc..df058418 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/routes/tags/+page.svelte
+++ b/packages/web/src/routes/tags/+page.svelte
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 
 	/** @type {import('./$types').PageProps} */
   let props = $props()
+  // the controller is created once per page, from the config the page was loaded with
+  // svelte-ignore state_referenced_locally
   contexts.controller.set(new TagsController(props.data.config))
 </script>
 
diff --git a/packages/web/src/routes/tags/[slug]/+page.svelte b/packages/web/src/routes/tags/[slug]/+page.svelte
index 62cf88cc..d1bd0f19 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/routes/tags/[slug]/+page.svelte
+++ b/packages/web/src/routes/tags/[slug]/+page.svelte
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@
   import Numeric from '$lib/components/Numeric.svelte';
 
   let props = $props()
+  // the controller is created once per page, from the config the page was loaded with
+  // svelte-ignore state_referenced_locally
   const controller = contexts.controller.set(new TagDetailController(props.data.config))
 
   let alias_input = $state('')
@@ -18,7 +20,7 @@
   let parent_input = $state('')
 
   $effect(() => {
-    const slug = decodeURIComponent(page.params.slug)
+    const slug = decodeURIComponent(page.params.slug ?? '')
     controller.load(slug)
   })
 </script>
@@ -69,11 +71,11 @@
                 class="rounded-md py-1 px-3 text-slate-100 bg-gray-800 text-sm min-h-16"
                 bind:value={controller.draft.description}
               ></textarea>
-              <label class="text-slate-400 text-sm">Media</label>
+              <span class="text-slate-400 text-sm">Media</span>
               <span class="text-slate-300 text-sm"><Numeric number={controller.detail.tag.media_reference_count} /></span>
-              <label class="text-slate-400 text-sm">Unread</label>
+              <span class="text-slate-400 text-sm">Unread</span>
               <span class="text-slate-300 text-sm"><Numeric number={controller.detail.tag.unread_media_reference_count} /></span>
-              <label class="text-slate-400 text-sm">Created</label>
+              <span class="text-slate-400 text-sm">Created</span>
               <Datetime value={controller.detail.tag.created_at} class="text-slate-300 text-sm" />
             </div>
             <div class="flex gap-3 items-center">
@@ -149,7 +151,7 @@
             }
           }}>
             <div class="flex-grow">
-              <label class="text-slate-400 text-xs">Set this tag as an alias that hides the following tags:</label>
+              <span class="text-slate-400 text-xs">Set this tag as an alias that hides the following tags:</span>
               <TagAutoCompleteInput
                 bind:search_string={alias_input}
                 kind="details"
diff --git a/packages/web/src/routes/tags/runes/queryparams.svelte.ts b/packages/web/src/routes/tags/runes/queryparams.svelte.ts
index 81b2a61a..e9859415 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/routes/tags/runes/queryparams.svelte.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/routes/tags/runes/queryparams.svelte.ts
@@ -29,11 +29,10 @@ export class TagQueryParams extends BaseQueryParams<SearchParams> {
   public loading: boolean = $state(false)
   #has_more: boolean = false
 
-  get DEFAULTS() { return DEFAULTS }
   get URL_PARAM_MAP() { return URL_PARAM_MAP }
 
   constructor(client: BaseController['client']) {
-    super(client)
+    super(client, DEFAULTS)
   }
 
   #build_search_options(params: SearchParams, limit: number) {
diff --git a/packages/web/svelte.config.js b/packages/web/svelte.config.js
index 02299a17..ff7da84e 100644
--- a/packages/web/svelte.config.js
+++ b/packages/web/svelte.config.js
@@ -9,8 +9,14 @@ const config = {
 
 	kit: {
 		adapter: adapter(),
-    experimental: {
-      remoteFunctions: true,
+    // resolve @forager/core to its TypeScript source so svelte-check can infer types
+    // across the workspace. Declaring these here (rather than as `paths` in
+    // tsconfig.json) lets `svelte-kit sync` generate them into
+    // .svelte-kit/tsconfig.json alongside the $lib/$app aliases, so there is no
+    // hand-maintained copy to keep in sync.
+    alias: {
+      '@forager/core': '../core/src/mod.ts',
+      '~': '../core/src',
     },
     prerender: {
       crawl: false,
diff --git a/packages/web/tsconfig.json b/packages/web/tsconfig.json
index 45be027a..27393233 100644
--- a/packages/web/tsconfig.json
+++ b/packages/web/tsconfig.json
@@ -11,17 +11,23 @@
 		"strict": true,
 		"moduleResolution": "bundler",
 
+    // `@forager/core` is a Deno project whose source is pulled into the program
+    // through the `kit.alias` mapping. `verbatimModuleSyntax` is disabled so its
+    // (Deno-valid) value/type imports don't surface here, and `DOM.AsyncIterable`
+    // is added so async-iterable web streams (e.g. `for await (…of readable)`)
+    // type-check the same way they run under Deno.
+    "verbatimModuleSyntax": false,
+    "lib": ["esnext", "DOM", "DOM.Iterable", "DOM.AsyncIterable"],
+
     "plugins": [{
       "name": "typescript-svelte-plugin",
       "enabled": true,
       "assumeIsSvelteProject": true
     }],
 
+    // NOTE `paths` intentionally lives in svelte.config.js under `kit.alias`, which
+    // `svelte-kit sync` compiles into ./.svelte-kit/tsconfig.json for us. Declaring
+    // paths here instead would replace (not merge with) that generated mapping.
     "allowImportingTsExtensions": true
 	}
-	// Path aliases are handled by https://svelte.dev/docs/kit/configuration#alias
-	// except $lib which is handled by https://svelte.dev/docs/kit/configuration#files
-	//
-	// If you want to overwrite includes/excludes, make sure to copy over the relevant includes/excludes
-	// from the referenced tsconfig.json - TypeScript does not merge them in
 }
diff --git a/packages/web/vite.config.ts b/packages/web/vite.config.ts
index c7bd6c15..2c3ba88e 100644
--- a/packages/web/vite.config.ts
+++ b/packages/web/vite.config.ts
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ const monorepo_root = path.resolve(__dirname, '..', '..')
   * Note that npm depedencies like you may put into package.json like `npm:@jsr/torm__sqlite@^1.9.7` do _not_ work */
 function resolve_workspace_imports(workspace_package: string) {
   const package_root = path.join(monorepo_root, 'packages', workspace_package)
-  const denojson = JSON.parse(new TextDecoder().decode(Deno.readFileSync(path.join(package_root, 'deno.json'))))
+  const denojson: { imports: Record<string, string> } = JSON.parse(new TextDecoder().decode(Deno.readFileSync(path.join(package_root, 'deno.json'))))
   const resolved_imports: Record<string, string> = {}
 
   for (const [package_alias, specifier] of Object.entries(denojson.imports)) {