diff --git a/app/assets/api/routes.py b/app/assets/api/routes.py
index fdddc653d..a0b7984e7 100644
--- a/app/assets/api/routes.py
+++ b/app/assets/api/routes.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ from app.assets.api.schemas_in import (
     UploadError,
 )
 from app.assets.api.upload import parse_multipart_upload
-from app.assets.services.scanner import seed_assets
+from app.assets.services.scanner import seed_assets as scanner_seed_assets
 from typing import Any
 
 
@@ -46,22 +46,22 @@ def register_assets_system(app: web.Application, user_manager_instance: user_man
     USER_MANAGER = user_manager_instance
     app.add_routes(ROUTES)
 
-def _error_response(status: int, code: str, message: str, details: dict | None = None) -> web.Response:
+def _build_error_response(status: int, code: str, message: str, details: dict | None = None) -> web.Response:
     return web.json_response({"error": {"code": code, "message": message, "details": details or {}}}, status=status)
 
 
-def _validation_error_response(code: str, ve: ValidationError) -> web.Response:
-    return _error_response(400, code, "Validation failed.", {"errors": ve.json()})
+def _build_validation_error_response(code: str, ve: ValidationError) -> web.Response:
+    return _build_error_response(400, code, "Validation failed.", {"errors": ve.json()})
 
 
 @ROUTES.head("/api/assets/hash/{hash}")
 async def head_asset_by_hash(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
     hash_str = request.match_info.get("hash", "").strip().lower()
     if not hash_str or ":" not in hash_str:
-        return _error_response(400, "INVALID_HASH", "hash must be like 'blake3:<hex>'")
+        return _build_error_response(400, "INVALID_HASH", "hash must be like 'blake3:<hex>'")
     algo, digest = hash_str.split(":", 1)
     if algo != "blake3" or not digest or any(c for c in digest if c not in "0123456789abcdef"):
-        return _error_response(400, "INVALID_HASH", "hash must be like 'blake3:<hex>'")
+        return _build_error_response(400, "INVALID_HASH", "hash must be like 'blake3:<hex>'")
     exists = manager.asset_exists(asset_hash=hash_str)
     return web.Response(status=200 if exists else 404)
 
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ async def list_assets(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
     try:
         q = schemas_in.ListAssetsQuery.model_validate(query_dict)
     except ValidationError as ve:
-        return _validation_error_response("INVALID_QUERY", ve)
+        return _build_validation_error_response("INVALID_QUERY", ve)
 
     payload = manager.list_assets(
         include_tags=q.include_tags,
@@ -103,14 +103,14 @@ async def get_asset(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
             owner_id=USER_MANAGER.get_request_user_id(request),
         )
     except ValueError as e:
-        return _error_response(404, "ASSET_NOT_FOUND", str(e), {"id": asset_info_id})
+        return _build_error_response(404, "ASSET_NOT_FOUND", str(e), {"id": asset_info_id})
     except Exception:
         logging.exception(
             "get_asset failed for asset_info_id=%s, owner_id=%s",
             asset_info_id,
             USER_MANAGER.get_request_user_id(request),
         )
-        return _error_response(500, "INTERNAL", "Unexpected server error.")
+        return _build_error_response(500, "INTERNAL", "Unexpected server error.")
     return web.json_response(result.model_dump(mode="json"), status=200)
 
 
@@ -127,11 +127,11 @@ async def download_asset_content(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
             owner_id=USER_MANAGER.get_request_user_id(request),
         )
     except ValueError as ve:
-        return _error_response(404, "ASSET_NOT_FOUND", str(ve))
+        return _build_error_response(404, "ASSET_NOT_FOUND", str(ve))
     except NotImplementedError as nie:
-        return _error_response(501, "BACKEND_UNSUPPORTED", str(nie))
+        return _build_error_response(501, "BACKEND_UNSUPPORTED", str(nie))
     except FileNotFoundError:
-        return _error_response(404, "FILE_NOT_FOUND", "Underlying file not found on disk.")
+        return _build_error_response(404, "FILE_NOT_FOUND", "Underlying file not found on disk.")
 
     quoted = (filename or "").replace("\r", "").replace("\n", "").replace('"', "'")
     cd = f'{disposition}; filename="{quoted}"; filename*=UTF-8\'\'{urllib.parse.quote(filename)}'
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ async def download_asset_content(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
         filename,
     )
 
-    async def file_sender():
+    async def stream_file_chunks():
         chunk_size = 64 * 1024
         with open(abs_path, "rb") as f:
             while True:
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ async def download_asset_content(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
                 yield chunk
 
     return web.Response(
-        body=file_sender(),
+        body=stream_file_chunks(),
         content_type=content_type,
         headers={
             "Content-Disposition": cd,
@@ -171,9 +171,9 @@ async def create_asset_from_hash(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
         payload = await request.json()
         body = schemas_in.CreateFromHashBody.model_validate(payload)
     except ValidationError as ve:
-        return _validation_error_response("INVALID_BODY", ve)
+        return _build_validation_error_response("INVALID_BODY", ve)
     except Exception:
-        return _error_response(400, "INVALID_JSON", "Request body must be valid JSON.")
+        return _build_error_response(400, "INVALID_JSON", "Request body must be valid JSON.")
 
     result = manager.create_asset_from_hash(
         hash_str=body.hash,
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ async def create_asset_from_hash(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
         owner_id=USER_MANAGER.get_request_user_id(request),
     )
     if result is None:
-        return _error_response(404, "ASSET_NOT_FOUND", f"Asset content {body.hash} does not exist")
+        return _build_error_response(404, "ASSET_NOT_FOUND", f"Asset content {body.hash} does not exist")
     return web.json_response(result.model_dump(mode="json"), status=201)
 
 
@@ -193,21 +193,21 @@ async def upload_asset(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
     try:
         parsed = await parse_multipart_upload(request, check_hash_exists=manager.asset_exists)
     except UploadError as e:
-        return _error_response(e.status, e.code, e.message)
+        return _build_error_response(e.status, e.code, e.message)
 
     owner_id = USER_MANAGER.get_request_user_id(request)
 
     try:
         result = manager.process_upload(parsed=parsed, owner_id=owner_id)
     except AssetValidationError as e:
-        return _error_response(400, e.code, str(e))
+        return _build_error_response(400, e.code, str(e))
     except AssetNotFoundError as e:
-        return _error_response(404, "ASSET_NOT_FOUND", str(e))
+        return _build_error_response(404, "ASSET_NOT_FOUND", str(e))
     except HashMismatchError as e:
-        return _error_response(400, "HASH_MISMATCH", str(e))
+        return _build_error_response(400, "HASH_MISMATCH", str(e))
     except Exception:
         logging.exception("process_upload failed for owner_id=%s", owner_id)
-        return _error_response(500, "INTERNAL", "Unexpected server error.")
+        return _build_error_response(500, "INTERNAL", "Unexpected server error.")
 
     status = 201 if result.created_new else 200
     return web.json_response(result.model_dump(mode="json"), status=status)
@@ -219,9 +219,9 @@ async def update_asset(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
     try:
         body = schemas_in.UpdateAssetBody.model_validate(await request.json())
     except ValidationError as ve:
-        return _validation_error_response("INVALID_BODY", ve)
+        return _build_validation_error_response("INVALID_BODY", ve)
     except Exception:
-        return _error_response(400, "INVALID_JSON", "Request body must be valid JSON.")
+        return _build_error_response(400, "INVALID_JSON", "Request body must be valid JSON.")
 
     try:
         result = manager.update_asset(
@@ -231,14 +231,14 @@ async def update_asset(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
             owner_id=USER_MANAGER.get_request_user_id(request),
         )
     except (ValueError, PermissionError) as ve:
-        return _error_response(404, "ASSET_NOT_FOUND", str(ve), {"id": asset_info_id})
+        return _build_error_response(404, "ASSET_NOT_FOUND", str(ve), {"id": asset_info_id})
     except Exception:
         logging.exception(
             "update_asset failed for asset_info_id=%s, owner_id=%s",
             asset_info_id,
             USER_MANAGER.get_request_user_id(request),
         )
-        return _error_response(500, "INTERNAL", "Unexpected server error.")
+        return _build_error_response(500, "INTERNAL", "Unexpected server error.")
     return web.json_response(result.model_dump(mode="json"), status=200)
 
 
@@ -260,10 +260,10 @@ async def delete_asset(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
             asset_info_id,
             USER_MANAGER.get_request_user_id(request),
         )
-        return _error_response(500, "INTERNAL", "Unexpected server error.")
+        return _build_error_response(500, "INTERNAL", "Unexpected server error.")
 
     if not deleted:
-        return _error_response(404, "ASSET_NOT_FOUND", f"AssetInfo {asset_info_id} not found.")
+        return _build_error_response(404, "ASSET_NOT_FOUND", f"AssetInfo {asset_info_id} not found.")
     return web.Response(status=204)
 
 
@@ -300,9 +300,9 @@ async def add_asset_tags(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
         payload = await request.json()
         data = schemas_in.TagsAdd.model_validate(payload)
     except ValidationError as ve:
-        return _error_response(400, "INVALID_BODY", "Invalid JSON body for tags add.", {"errors": ve.errors()})
+        return _build_error_response(400, "INVALID_BODY", "Invalid JSON body for tags add.", {"errors": ve.errors()})
     except Exception:
-        return _error_response(400, "INVALID_JSON", "Request body must be valid JSON.")
+        return _build_error_response(400, "INVALID_JSON", "Request body must be valid JSON.")
 
     try:
         result = manager.add_tags_to_asset(
@@ -312,14 +312,14 @@ async def add_asset_tags(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
             owner_id=USER_MANAGER.get_request_user_id(request),
         )
     except (ValueError, PermissionError) as ve:
-        return _error_response(404, "ASSET_NOT_FOUND", str(ve), {"id": asset_info_id})
+        return _build_error_response(404, "ASSET_NOT_FOUND", str(ve), {"id": asset_info_id})
     except Exception:
         logging.exception(
             "add_tags_to_asset failed for asset_info_id=%s, owner_id=%s",
             asset_info_id,
             USER_MANAGER.get_request_user_id(request),
         )
-        return _error_response(500, "INTERNAL", "Unexpected server error.")
+        return _build_error_response(500, "INTERNAL", "Unexpected server error.")
 
     return web.json_response(result.model_dump(mode="json"), status=200)
 
@@ -331,9 +331,9 @@ async def delete_asset_tags(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
         payload = await request.json()
         data = schemas_in.TagsRemove.model_validate(payload)
     except ValidationError as ve:
-        return _error_response(400, "INVALID_BODY", "Invalid JSON body for tags remove.", {"errors": ve.errors()})
+        return _build_error_response(400, "INVALID_BODY", "Invalid JSON body for tags remove.", {"errors": ve.errors()})
     except Exception:
-        return _error_response(400, "INVALID_JSON", "Request body must be valid JSON.")
+        return _build_error_response(400, "INVALID_JSON", "Request body must be valid JSON.")
 
     try:
         result = manager.remove_tags_from_asset(
@@ -342,20 +342,20 @@ async def delete_asset_tags(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
             owner_id=USER_MANAGER.get_request_user_id(request),
         )
     except ValueError as ve:
-        return _error_response(404, "ASSET_NOT_FOUND", str(ve), {"id": asset_info_id})
+        return _build_error_response(404, "ASSET_NOT_FOUND", str(ve), {"id": asset_info_id})
     except Exception:
         logging.exception(
             "remove_tags_from_asset failed for asset_info_id=%s, owner_id=%s",
             asset_info_id,
             USER_MANAGER.get_request_user_id(request),
         )
-        return _error_response(500, "INTERNAL", "Unexpected server error.")
+        return _build_error_response(500, "INTERNAL", "Unexpected server error.")
 
     return web.json_response(result.model_dump(mode="json"), status=200)
 
 
 @ROUTES.post("/api/assets/seed")
-async def seed_assets_endpoint(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
+async def seed_assets(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
     """Trigger asset seeding for specified roots (models, input, output)."""
     try:
         payload = await request.json()
@@ -365,12 +365,12 @@ async def seed_assets_endpoint(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
 
     valid_roots = [r for r in roots if r in ("models", "input", "output")]
     if not valid_roots:
-        return _error_response(400, "INVALID_BODY", "No valid roots specified")
+        return _build_error_response(400, "INVALID_BODY", "No valid roots specified")
 
     try:
-        seed_assets(tuple(valid_roots))
+        scanner_seed_assets(tuple(valid_roots))
     except Exception:
-        logging.exception("seed_assets failed for roots=%s", valid_roots)
-        return _error_response(500, "INTERNAL", "Seed operation failed")
+        logging.exception("scanner_seed_assets failed for roots=%s", valid_roots)
+        return _build_error_response(500, "INTERNAL", "Seed operation failed")
 
     return web.json_response({"seeded": valid_roots}, status=200)
diff --git a/app/assets/api/schemas_in.py b/app/assets/api/schemas_in.py
index b141e957c..38d335845 100644
--- a/app/assets/api/schemas_in.py
+++ b/app/assets/api/schemas_in.py
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ class UpdateAssetBody(BaseModel):
     user_metadata: dict[str, Any] | None = None
 
     @model_validator(mode="after")
-    def _at_least_one(self):
+    def _validate_at_least_one_field(self):
         if self.name is None and self.user_metadata is None:
             raise ValueError("Provide at least one of: name, user_metadata.")
         return self
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ class CreateFromHashBody(BaseModel):
 
     @field_validator("tags", mode="before")
     @classmethod
-    def _tags_norm(cls, v):
+    def _normalize_tags_field(cls, v):
         if v is None:
             return []
         if isinstance(v, list):
diff --git a/app/assets/api/schemas_out.py b/app/assets/api/schemas_out.py
index b6fb3da0c..f36447856 100644
--- a/app/assets/api/schemas_out.py
+++ b/app/assets/api/schemas_out.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ class AssetSummary(BaseModel):
     model_config = ConfigDict(from_attributes=True)
 
     @field_serializer("created_at", "updated_at", "last_access_time")
-    def _ser_dt(self, v: datetime | None, _info):
+    def _serialize_datetime(self, v: datetime | None, _info):
         return v.isoformat() if v else None
 
 
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ class AssetUpdated(BaseModel):
     model_config = ConfigDict(from_attributes=True)
 
     @field_serializer("updated_at")
-    def _ser_updated(self, v: datetime | None, _info):
+    def _serialize_updated_at(self, v: datetime | None, _info):
         return v.isoformat() if v else None
 
 
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ class AssetDetail(BaseModel):
     model_config = ConfigDict(from_attributes=True)
 
     @field_serializer("created_at", "last_access_time")
-    def _ser_dt(self, v: datetime | None, _info):
+    def _serialize_datetime(self, v: datetime | None, _info):
         return v.isoformat() if v else None
 
 
diff --git a/app/assets/database/models.py b/app/assets/database/models.py
index 3cd28f68b..ea9fc198e 100644
--- a/app/assets/database/models.py
+++ b/app/assets/database/models.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ from sqlalchemy import (
 )
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, foreign, mapped_column, relationship
 
-from app.assets.helpers import utcnow
+from app.assets.helpers import get_utc_now
 from app.database.models import to_dict, Base
 
 
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ class Asset(Base):
     size_bytes: Mapped[int] = mapped_column(BigInteger, nullable=False, default=0)
     mime_type: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(String(255))
     created_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(
-        DateTime(timezone=False), nullable=False, default=utcnow
+        DateTime(timezone=False), nullable=False, default=get_utc_now
     )
 
     infos: Mapped[list[AssetInfo]] = relationship(
@@ -105,9 +105,9 @@ class AssetInfo(Base):
     asset_id: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(String(36), ForeignKey("assets.id", ondelete="RESTRICT"), nullable=False)
     preview_id: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(String(36), ForeignKey("assets.id", ondelete="SET NULL"))
     user_metadata: Mapped[dict[str, Any] | None] = mapped_column(JSON(none_as_null=True))
-    created_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(DateTime(timezone=False), nullable=False, default=utcnow)
-    updated_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(DateTime(timezone=False), nullable=False, default=utcnow)
-    last_access_time: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(DateTime(timezone=False), nullable=False, default=utcnow)
+    created_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(DateTime(timezone=False), nullable=False, default=get_utc_now)
+    updated_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(DateTime(timezone=False), nullable=False, default=get_utc_now)
+    last_access_time: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(DateTime(timezone=False), nullable=False, default=get_utc_now)
 
     asset: Mapped[Asset] = relationship(
         "Asset",
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ class AssetInfoTag(Base):
     )
     origin: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(String(32), nullable=False, default="manual")
     added_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(
-        DateTime(timezone=False), nullable=False, default=utcnow
+        DateTime(timezone=False), nullable=False, default=get_utc_now
     )
 
     asset_info: Mapped[AssetInfo] = relationship(back_populates="tag_links")
diff --git a/app/assets/database/queries/asset_info.py b/app/assets/database/queries/asset_info.py
index c523059c3..952bac569 100644
--- a/app/assets/database/queries/asset_info.py
+++ b/app/assets/database/queries/asset_info.py
@@ -18,10 +18,10 @@ from sqlalchemy.orm import Session, contains_eager, noload
 from app.assets.database.models import (
     Asset, AssetInfo, AssetInfoMeta, AssetInfoTag, Tag
 )
-from app.assets.helpers import escape_like_prefix, normalize_tags, utcnow
+from app.assets.helpers import escape_like_prefix, normalize_tags, get_utc_now
 
 
-def is_scalar(v):
+def check_is_scalar(v):
     if v is None:
         return True
     if isinstance(v, bool):
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ def is_scalar(v):
     return False
 
 
-def project_kv(key: str, value):
+def expand_metadata_to_rows(key: str, value):
     """
     Turn a metadata key/value into typed projection rows.
     Returns list[dict] with keys:
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ def project_kv(key: str, value):
         rows.append(_null_row(0))
         return rows
 
-    if is_scalar(value):
+    if check_is_scalar(value):
         if isinstance(value, bool):
             rows.append({"key": key, "ordinal": 0, "val_bool": bool(value)})
         elif isinstance(value, (int, float, Decimal)):
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ def project_kv(key: str, value):
         return rows
 
     if isinstance(value, list):
-        if all(is_scalar(x) for x in value):
+        if all(check_is_scalar(x) for x in value):
             for i, x in enumerate(value):
                 if x is None:
                     rows.append(_null_row(i))
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ def _iter_chunks(seq, n: int):
         yield seq[i : i + n]
 
 
-def _visible_owner_clause(owner_id: str) -> sa.sql.ClauseElement:
+def _build_visible_owner_clause(owner_id: str) -> sa.sql.ClauseElement:
     """Build owner visibility predicate for reads. Owner-less rows are visible to everyone."""
     owner_id = (owner_id or "").strip()
     if owner_id == "":
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ def insert_asset_info(
     preview_id: str | None = None,
 ) -> AssetInfo | None:
     """Insert a new AssetInfo. Returns None if unique constraint violated."""
-    now = utcnow()
+    now = get_utc_now()
     try:
         with session.begin_nested():
             info = AssetInfo(
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ def update_asset_info_timestamps(
     preview_id: str | None = None,
 ) -> None:
     """Update timestamps and optionally preview_id on existing AssetInfo."""
-    now = utcnow()
+    now = get_utc_now()
     if preview_id and asset_info.preview_id != preview_id:
         asset_info.preview_id = preview_id
     asset_info.updated_at = now
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ def list_asset_infos_page(
         select(AssetInfo)
         .join(Asset, Asset.id == AssetInfo.asset_id)
         .options(contains_eager(AssetInfo.asset), noload(AssetInfo.tags))
-        .where(_visible_owner_clause(owner_id))
+        .where(_build_visible_owner_clause(owner_id))
     )
 
     if name_contains:
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@ def list_asset_infos_page(
         select(sa.func.count())
         .select_from(AssetInfo)
         .join(Asset, Asset.id == AssetInfo.asset_id)
-        .where(_visible_owner_clause(owner_id))
+        .where(_build_visible_owner_clause(owner_id))
     )
     if name_contains:
         escaped, esc = escape_like_prefix(name_contains)
@@ -359,7 +359,7 @@ def fetch_asset_info_asset_and_tags(
         .join(Tag, Tag.name == AssetInfoTag.tag_name, isouter=True)
         .where(
             AssetInfo.id == asset_info_id,
-            _visible_owner_clause(owner_id),
+            _build_visible_owner_clause(owner_id),
         )
         .options(noload(AssetInfo.tags))
         .order_by(Tag.name.asc())
@@ -389,7 +389,7 @@ def fetch_asset_info_and_asset(
         .join(Asset, Asset.id == AssetInfo.asset_id)
         .where(
             AssetInfo.id == asset_info_id,
-            _visible_owner_clause(owner_id),
+            _build_visible_owner_clause(owner_id),
         )
         .limit(1)
         .options(noload(AssetInfo.tags))
@@ -407,7 +407,7 @@ def touch_asset_info_by_id(
     ts: datetime | None = None,
     only_if_newer: bool = True,
 ) -> None:
-    ts = ts or utcnow()
+    ts = ts or get_utc_now()
     stmt = sa.update(AssetInfo).where(AssetInfo.id == asset_info_id)
     if only_if_newer:
         stmt = stmt.where(
@@ -426,7 +426,7 @@ def replace_asset_info_metadata_projection(
         raise ValueError(f"AssetInfo {asset_info_id} not found")
 
     info.user_metadata = user_metadata or {}
-    info.updated_at = utcnow()
+    info.updated_at = get_utc_now()
     session.flush()
 
     session.execute(delete(AssetInfoMeta).where(AssetInfoMeta.asset_info_id == asset_info_id))
@@ -437,7 +437,7 @@ def replace_asset_info_metadata_projection(
 
     rows: list[AssetInfoMeta] = []
     for k, v in user_metadata.items():
-        for r in project_kv(k, v):
+        for r in expand_metadata_to_rows(k, v):
             rows.append(
                 AssetInfoMeta(
                     asset_info_id=asset_info_id,
@@ -461,7 +461,7 @@ def delete_asset_info_by_id(
 ) -> bool:
     stmt = sa.delete(AssetInfo).where(
         AssetInfo.id == asset_info_id,
-        _visible_owner_clause(owner_id),
+        _build_visible_owner_clause(owner_id),
     )
     return int((session.execute(stmt)).rowcount or 0) > 0
 
@@ -483,7 +483,7 @@ def set_asset_info_preview(
             raise ValueError(f"Preview Asset {preview_asset_id} not found")
         info.preview_id = preview_asset_id
 
-    info.updated_at = utcnow()
+    info.updated_at = get_utc_now()
     session.flush()
 
 
diff --git a/app/assets/database/queries/tags.py b/app/assets/database/queries/tags.py
index 5e6fbc066..63dec9022 100644
--- a/app/assets/database/queries/tags.py
+++ b/app/assets/database/queries/tags.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from sqlalchemy.exc import IntegrityError
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
 
 from app.assets.database.models import AssetInfo, AssetInfoMeta, AssetInfoTag, Tag
-from app.assets.helpers import escape_like_prefix, normalize_tags, utcnow
+from app.assets.helpers import escape_like_prefix, normalize_tags, get_utc_now
 
 MAX_BIND_PARAMS = 800
 
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ def _rows_per_stmt(cols: int) -> int:
     return max(1, MAX_BIND_PARAMS // max(1, cols))
 
 
-def _chunk_rows(rows: list[dict], cols_per_row: int) -> Iterable[list[dict]]:
+def _iter_row_chunks(rows: list[dict], cols_per_row: int) -> Iterable[list[dict]]:
     if not rows:
         return []
     rows_per_stmt = max(1, MAX_BIND_PARAMS // max(1, cols_per_row))
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ def _chunk_rows(rows: list[dict], cols_per_row: int) -> Iterable[list[dict]]:
         yield rows[i : i + rows_per_stmt]
 
 
-def _visible_owner_clause(owner_id: str) -> sa.sql.ClauseElement:
+def _build_visible_owner_clause(owner_id: str) -> sa.sql.ClauseElement:
     """Build owner visibility predicate for reads. Owner-less rows are visible to everyone."""
     owner_id = (owner_id or "").strip()
     if owner_id == "":
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ def set_asset_info_tags(
     if to_add:
         ensure_tags_exist(session, to_add, tag_type="user")
         session.add_all([
-            AssetInfoTag(asset_info_id=asset_info_id, tag_name=t, origin=origin, added_at=utcnow())
+            AssetInfoTag(asset_info_id=asset_info_id, tag_name=t, origin=origin, added_at=get_utc_now())
             for t in to_add
         ])
         session.flush()
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ def add_tags_to_asset_info(
                             asset_info_id=asset_info_id,
                             tag_name=t,
                             origin=origin,
-                            added_at=utcnow(),
+                            added_at=get_utc_now(),
                         )
                         for t in to_add
                     ]
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ def add_missing_tag_for_asset_id(
             AssetInfo.id.label("asset_info_id"),
             sa.literal("missing").label("tag_name"),
             sa.literal(origin).label("origin"),
-            sa.literal(utcnow()).label("added_at"),
+            sa.literal(get_utc_now()).label("added_at"),
         )
         .where(AssetInfo.asset_id == asset_id)
         .where(
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ def list_tags_with_usage(
         )
         .select_from(AssetInfoTag)
         .join(AssetInfo, AssetInfo.id == AssetInfoTag.asset_info_id)
-        .where(_visible_owner_clause(owner_id))
+        .where(_build_visible_owner_clause(owner_id))
         .group_by(AssetInfoTag.tag_name)
         .subquery()
     )
@@ -305,12 +305,12 @@ def bulk_insert_tags_and_meta(
         ins_tags = sqlite.insert(AssetInfoTag).on_conflict_do_nothing(
             index_elements=[AssetInfoTag.asset_info_id, AssetInfoTag.tag_name]
         )
-        for chunk in _chunk_rows(tag_rows, cols_per_row=4):
+        for chunk in _iter_row_chunks(tag_rows, cols_per_row=4):
             session.execute(ins_tags, chunk)
 
     if meta_rows:
         ins_meta = sqlite.insert(AssetInfoMeta).on_conflict_do_nothing(
             index_elements=[AssetInfoMeta.asset_info_id, AssetInfoMeta.key, AssetInfoMeta.ordinal]
         )
-        for chunk in _chunk_rows(meta_rows, cols_per_row=7):
+        for chunk in _iter_row_chunks(meta_rows, cols_per_row=7):
             session.execute(ins_meta, chunk)
diff --git a/app/assets/helpers.py b/app/assets/helpers.py
index a0002b37f..f37965702 100644
--- a/app/assets/helpers.py
+++ b/app/assets/helpers.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ def escape_like_prefix(s: str, escape: str = "!") -> tuple[str, str]:
     return s, escape
 
 
-def utcnow() -> datetime:
+def get_utc_now() -> datetime:
     """Naive UTC timestamp (no tzinfo). We always treat DB datetimes as UTC."""
     return datetime.now(timezone.utc).replace(tzinfo=None)
 
diff --git a/app/assets/manager.py b/app/assets/manager.py
index 63fe4acde..dd18551b8 100644
--- a/app/assets/manager.py
+++ b/app/assets/manager.py
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ from app.assets.services import (
 from app.assets.services.tagging import list_tags as svc_list_tags
 
 
-def _safe_sort_field(requested: str | None) -> str:
+def _validate_sort_field(requested: str | None) -> str:
     if not requested:
         return "created_at"
     v = requested.lower()
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ def _get_size_mtime_ns(path: str) -> tuple[int, int]:
     return st.st_size, getattr(st, "st_mtime_ns", int(st.st_mtime * 1_000_000_000))
 
 
-def _safe_filename(name: str | None, fallback: str) -> str:
+def _sanitize_filename(name: str | None, fallback: str) -> str:
     n = os.path.basename((name or "").strip() or fallback)
     if n:
         return n
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ def list_assets(
     order: str = "desc",
     owner_id: str = "",
 ) -> schemas_out.AssetsList:
-    sort = _safe_sort_field(sort)
+    sort = _validate_sort_field(sort)
     order = "desc" if (order or "desc").lower() not in {"asc", "desc"} else order.lower()
 
     with create_session() as session:
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ def upload_asset_from_temp_path(
     expected_asset_hash: str | None = None,
 ) -> schemas_out.AssetCreated:
     try:
-        digest = hashing.blake3_hash(temp_path)
+        digest = hashing.compute_blake3_hash(temp_path)
     except Exception as e:
         raise RuntimeError(f"failed to hash uploaded file: {e}")
     asset_hash = "blake3:" + digest
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ def upload_asset_from_temp_path(
             if temp_path and os.path.exists(temp_path):
                 os.remove(temp_path)
 
-        display_name = _safe_filename(spec.name or (client_filename or ""), fallback=digest)
+        display_name = _sanitize_filename(spec.name or (client_filename or ""), fallback=digest)
         result = register_existing_asset(
             asset_hash=asset_hash,
             name=display_name,
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ def upload_asset_from_temp_path(
         size_bytes=size_bytes,
         mtime_ns=mtime_ns,
         mime_type=content_type,
-        info_name=_safe_filename(spec.name or (client_filename or ""), fallback=digest),
+        info_name=_sanitize_filename(spec.name or (client_filename or ""), fallback=digest),
         owner_id=owner_id,
         preview_id=None,
         user_metadata=spec.user_metadata or {},
@@ -456,7 +456,7 @@ def create_asset_from_hash(
 
     result = register_existing_asset(
         asset_hash=canonical,
-        name=_safe_filename(name, fallback=canonical.split(":", 1)[1] if ":" in canonical else canonical),
+        name=_sanitize_filename(name, fallback=canonical.split(":", 1)[1] if ":" in canonical else canonical),
         user_metadata=user_metadata or {},
         tags=tags or [],
         tag_origin="manual",
diff --git a/app/assets/services/asset_management.py b/app/assets/services/asset_management.py
index 2a4ce55aa..acbd57874 100644
--- a/app/assets/services/asset_management.py
+++ b/app/assets/services/asset_management.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ from typing import Sequence
 
 from app.assets.database.models import Asset
 from app.database.db import create_session
-from app.assets.helpers import pick_best_live_path, utcnow
+from app.assets.helpers import pick_best_live_path, get_utc_now
 from app.assets.services.path_utils import compute_relative_filename
 from app.assets.database.queries import (
     asset_info_exists_for_asset_id,
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ def update_asset_metadata(
             touched = True
 
         if touched and user_metadata is None:
-            info.updated_at = utcnow()
+            info.updated_at = get_utc_now()
             session.flush()
 
         # Fetch updated info with tags
diff --git a/app/assets/services/hashing.py b/app/assets/services/hashing.py
index 4b72084b9..4b8db4e9b 100644
--- a/app/assets/services/hashing.py
+++ b/app/assets/services/hashing.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import asyncio
 DEFAULT_CHUNK = 8 * 1024 *1024 # 8MB
 
 # NOTE: this allows hashing different representations of a file-like object
-def blake3_hash(
+def compute_blake3_hash(
     fp: str | IO[bytes],
     chunk_size: int = DEFAULT_CHUNK,
 ) -> str:
@@ -27,16 +27,16 @@ def blake3_hash(
         return _hash_file_obj(f, chunk_size)
 
 
-async def blake3_hash_async(
+async def compute_compute_blake3_hash_async(
     fp: str | IO[bytes],
     chunk_size: int = DEFAULT_CHUNK,
 ) -> str:
-    """Async wrapper for ``blake3_hash_sync``.
+    """Async wrapper for ``compute_blake3_hash_sync``.
     Uses a worker thread so the event loop remains responsive.
     """
     # If it is a path, open inside the worker thread to keep I/O off the loop.
     if hasattr(fp, "read"):
-        return await asyncio.to_thread(blake3_hash, fp, chunk_size)
+        return await asyncio.to_thread(compute_blake3_hash, fp, chunk_size)
 
     def _worker() -> str:
         with open(os.fspath(fp), "rb") as f:
diff --git a/app/assets/services/path_utils.py b/app/assets/services/path_utils.py
index 8fa2454b8..f4d8897b2 100644
--- a/app/assets/services/path_utils.py
+++ b/app/assets/services/path_utils.py
@@ -101,33 +101,33 @@ def get_relative_to_root_category_path_of_asset(file_path: str) -> tuple[Literal
     """
     fp_abs = os.path.abspath(file_path)
 
-    def _is_within(child: str, parent: str) -> bool:
+    def _check_is_within(child: str, parent: str) -> bool:
         try:
             return os.path.commonpath([child, parent]) == parent
         except Exception:
             return False
 
-    def _rel(child: str, parent: str) -> str:
+    def _compute_relative(child: str, parent: str) -> str:
         return os.path.relpath(os.path.join(os.sep, os.path.relpath(child, parent)), os.sep)
 
     # 1) input
     input_base = os.path.abspath(folder_paths.get_input_directory())
-    if _is_within(fp_abs, input_base):
-        return "input", _rel(fp_abs, input_base)
+    if _check_is_within(fp_abs, input_base):
+        return "input", _compute_relative(fp_abs, input_base)
 
     # 2) output
     output_base = os.path.abspath(folder_paths.get_output_directory())
-    if _is_within(fp_abs, output_base):
-        return "output", _rel(fp_abs, output_base)
+    if _check_is_within(fp_abs, output_base):
+        return "output", _compute_relative(fp_abs, output_base)
 
     # 3) models (check deepest matching base to avoid ambiguity)
     best: tuple[int, str, str] | None = None  # (base_len, bucket, rel_inside_bucket)
     for bucket, bases in get_comfy_models_folders():
         for b in bases:
             base_abs = os.path.abspath(b)
-            if not _is_within(fp_abs, base_abs):
+            if not _check_is_within(fp_abs, base_abs):
                 continue
-            cand = (len(base_abs), bucket, _rel(fp_abs, base_abs))
+            cand = (len(base_abs), bucket, _compute_relative(fp_abs, base_abs))
             if best is None or cand[0] > best[0]:
                 best = cand
 
diff --git a/app/assets/services/scanner.py b/app/assets/services/scanner.py
index 4b3d0c95c..f2866bb50 100644
--- a/app/assets/services/scanner.py
+++ b/app/assets/services/scanner.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ from app.assets.database.queries import (
     get_asset_info_ids_by_ids,
     bulk_insert_tags_and_meta,
 )
-from app.assets.helpers import utcnow
+from app.assets.helpers import get_utc_now
 from app.assets.services.path_utils import (
     compute_relative_filename,
     get_comfy_models_folders,
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ from app.database.db import create_session, dependencies_available
 RootType = Literal["models", "input", "output"]
 
 
-def fast_asset_file_check(
+def check_asset_file_fast(
     mtime_db: int | None,
     size_db: int | None,
     stat_result: os.stat_result,
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ def list_tree(base_dir: str) -> list[str]:
     return out
 
 
-def prefixes_for_root(root: RootType) -> list[str]:
+def get_prefixes_for_root(root: RootType) -> list[str]:
     if root == "models":
         bases: list[str] = []
         for _bucket, paths in get_comfy_models_folders():
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ def _seed_from_paths_batch(
     if not specs:
         return {"inserted_infos": 0, "won_states": 0, "lost_states": 0}
 
-    now = utcnow()
+    now = get_utc_now()
     asset_rows: list[dict] = []
     state_rows: list[dict] = []
     path_to_asset: dict[str, str] = {}
@@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ def reconcile_cache_states_for_root(
     Returns:
         Set of surviving absolute paths if collect_existing_paths=True, else None
     """
-    prefixes = prefixes_for_root(root)
+    prefixes = get_prefixes_for_root(root)
     if not prefixes:
         return set() if collect_existing_paths else None
 
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ def reconcile_cache_states_for_root(
         fast_ok = False
         try:
             exists = True
-            fast_ok = fast_asset_file_check(
+            fast_ok = check_asset_file_fast(
                 mtime_db=row.mtime_ns,
                 size_db=acc["size_db"],
                 stat_result=os.stat(row.file_path, follow_symlinks=True),
@@ -400,7 +400,7 @@ def seed_assets(roots: tuple[RootType, ...], enable_logging: bool = False) -> No
         try:
             with create_session() as sess:
                 all_prefixes = [
-                    os.path.abspath(p) for r in roots for p in prefixes_for_root(r)
+                    os.path.abspath(p) for r in roots for p in get_prefixes_for_root(r)
                 ]
                 orphans_pruned = prune_orphaned_assets(sess, all_prefixes)
                 sess.commit()
diff --git a/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_asset_info.py b/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_asset_info.py
index 981a0b297..354ad4e11 100644
--- a/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_asset_info.py
+++ b/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_asset_info.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ from app.assets.database.queries import (
     ensure_tags_exist,
     add_tags_to_asset_info,
 )
-from app.assets.helpers import utcnow
+from app.assets.helpers import get_utc_now
 
 
 def _make_asset(session: Session, hash_val: str | None = None, size: int = 1024) -> Asset:
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ def _make_asset_info(
     name: str = "test",
     owner_id: str = "",
 ) -> AssetInfo:
-    now = utcnow()
+    now = get_utc_now()
     info = AssetInfo(
         owner_id=owner_id,
         name=name,
@@ -423,7 +423,7 @@ class TestReplaceAssetInfoMetadataProjection:
 class TestBulkInsertAssetInfosIgnoreConflicts:
     def test_inserts_multiple_infos(self, session: Session):
         asset = _make_asset(session, "hash1")
-        now = utcnow()
+        now = get_utc_now()
         rows = [
             {
                 "id": str(uuid.uuid4()),
@@ -459,7 +459,7 @@ class TestBulkInsertAssetInfosIgnoreConflicts:
         _make_asset_info(session, asset, name="existing.bin", owner_id="")
         session.commit()
 
-        now = utcnow()
+        now = get_utc_now()
         rows = [
             {
                 "id": str(uuid.uuid4()),
diff --git a/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_cache_state.py b/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_cache_state.py
index 3068db1ec..5cde91f5f 100644
--- a/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_cache_state.py
+++ b/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_cache_state.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ from app.assets.database.queries import (
     bulk_insert_cache_states_ignore_conflicts,
     get_cache_states_by_paths_and_asset_ids,
 )
-from app.assets.helpers import pick_best_live_path, utcnow
+from app.assets.helpers import pick_best_live_path, get_utc_now
 
 
 def _make_asset(session: Session, hash_val: str | None = None, size: int = 1024) -> Asset:
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ class TestGetOrphanedSeedAssetIds:
 class TestDeleteAssetsByIds:
     def test_deletes_assets_and_infos(self, session: Session):
         asset = _make_asset(session, "hash1")
-        now = utcnow()
+        now = get_utc_now()
         info = AssetInfo(
             owner_id="", name="test", asset_id=asset.id,
             created_at=now, updated_at=now, last_access_time=now
@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@ class TestDeleteCacheStatesByIds:
 class TestDeleteOrphanedSeedAsset:
     def test_deletes_seed_asset_and_infos(self, session: Session):
         asset = _make_asset(session, hash_val=None)
-        now = utcnow()
+        now = get_utc_now()
         info = AssetInfo(
             owner_id="", name="test", asset_id=asset.id,
             created_at=now, updated_at=now, last_access_time=now
diff --git a/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_metadata.py b/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_metadata.py
index 233b3c012..368c7c282 100644
--- a/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_metadata.py
+++ b/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_metadata.py
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@ from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
 
 from app.assets.database.models import Asset, AssetInfo, AssetInfoMeta
 from app.assets.database.queries import list_asset_infos_page
-from app.assets.database.queries.asset_info import project_kv
-from app.assets.helpers import utcnow
+from app.assets.database.queries.asset_info import expand_metadata_to_rows
+from app.assets.helpers import get_utc_now
 
 
 def _make_asset(session: Session, hash_val: str) -> Asset:
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ def _make_asset_info(
     name: str,
     metadata: dict | None = None,
 ) -> AssetInfo:
-    now = utcnow()
+    now = get_utc_now()
     info = AssetInfo(
         owner_id="",
         name=name,
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ def _make_asset_info(
 
     if metadata:
         for key, val in metadata.items():
-            for row in project_kv(key, val):
+            for row in expand_metadata_to_rows(key, val):
                 meta_row = AssetInfoMeta(
                     asset_info_id=info.id,
                     key=row["key"],
diff --git a/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_tags.py b/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_tags.py
index aaf4d3099..83073a87c 100644
--- a/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_tags.py
+++ b/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_tags.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ from app.assets.database.queries import (
     list_tags_with_usage,
     bulk_insert_tags_and_meta,
 )
-from app.assets.helpers import utcnow
+from app.assets.helpers import get_utc_now
 
 
 def _make_asset(session: Session, hash_val: str | None = None) -> Asset:
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ def _make_asset(session: Session, hash_val: str | None = None) -> Asset:
 
 
 def _make_asset_info(session: Session, asset: Asset, name: str = "test", owner_id: str = "") -> AssetInfo:
-    now = utcnow()
+    now = get_utc_now()
     info = AssetInfo(
         owner_id=owner_id,
         name=name,
@@ -87,8 +87,8 @@ class TestGetAssetTags:
 
         ensure_tags_exist(session, ["tag1", "tag2"])
         session.add_all([
-            AssetInfoTag(asset_info_id=info.id, tag_name="tag1", origin="manual", added_at=utcnow()),
-            AssetInfoTag(asset_info_id=info.id, tag_name="tag2", origin="manual", added_at=utcnow()),
+            AssetInfoTag(asset_info_id=info.id, tag_name="tag1", origin="manual", added_at=get_utc_now()),
+            AssetInfoTag(asset_info_id=info.id, tag_name="tag2", origin="manual", added_at=get_utc_now()),
         ])
         session.flush()
 
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ class TestBulkInsertTagsAndMeta:
         ensure_tags_exist(session, ["bulk-tag1", "bulk-tag2"])
         session.commit()
 
-        now = utcnow()
+        now = get_utc_now()
         tag_rows = [
             {"asset_info_id": info.id, "tag_name": "bulk-tag1", "origin": "manual", "added_at": now},
             {"asset_info_id": info.id, "tag_name": "bulk-tag2", "origin": "manual", "added_at": now},
@@ -347,7 +347,7 @@ class TestBulkInsertTagsAndMeta:
         add_tags_to_asset_info(session, asset_info_id=info.id, tags=["existing-tag"])
         session.commit()
 
-        now = utcnow()
+        now = get_utc_now()
         tag_rows = [
             {"asset_info_id": info.id, "tag_name": "existing-tag", "origin": "duplicate", "added_at": now},
         ]
diff --git a/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_asset_management.py b/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_asset_management.py
index 1bff4344c..9c1112b77 100644
--- a/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_asset_management.py
+++ b/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_asset_management.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
 
 from app.assets.database.models import Asset, AssetInfo
 from app.assets.database.queries import ensure_tags_exist, add_tags_to_asset_info
-from app.assets.helpers import utcnow
+from app.assets.helpers import get_utc_now
 from app.assets.services import (
     get_asset_detail,
     update_asset_metadata,
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ def _make_asset_info(
     name: str = "test",
     owner_id: str = "",
 ) -> AssetInfo:
-    now = utcnow()
+    now = get_utc_now()
     info = AssetInfo(
         owner_id=owner_id,
         name=name,
diff --git a/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_ingest.py b/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_ingest.py
index 9270a3ce0..faf3319bf 100644
--- a/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_ingest.py
+++ b/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_ingest.py
@@ -177,14 +177,14 @@ class TestRegisterExistingAsset:
         session.add(asset)
         session.flush()
 
-        from app.assets.helpers import utcnow
+        from app.assets.helpers import get_utc_now
         info = AssetInfo(
             owner_id="",
             name="Existing Info",
             asset_id=asset.id,
-            created_at=utcnow(),
-            updated_at=utcnow(),
-            last_access_time=utcnow(),
+            created_at=get_utc_now(),
+            updated_at=get_utc_now(),
+            last_access_time=get_utc_now(),
         )
         session.add(info)
         session.flush()  # Flush to get the ID
diff --git a/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_tagging.py b/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_tagging.py
index 396ae407f..d9e7b2a5b 100644
--- a/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_tagging.py
+++ b/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_tagging.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
 
 from app.assets.database.models import Asset, AssetInfo
 from app.assets.database.queries import ensure_tags_exist, add_tags_to_asset_info
-from app.assets.helpers import utcnow
+from app.assets.helpers import get_utc_now
 from app.assets.services import apply_tags, remove_tags, list_tags
 
 
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ def _make_asset_info(
     name: str = "test",
     owner_id: str = "",
 ) -> AssetInfo:
-    now = utcnow()
+    now = get_utc_now()
     info = AssetInfo(
         owner_id=owner_id,
         name=name,