diff --git a/alembic_db/versions/0006_add_loader_path.py b/alembic_db/versions/0006_add_loader_path.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..afa65312d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/alembic_db/versions/0006_add_loader_path.py
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+"""
+Add loader_path column to asset_references.
+
+Stores the in-root loader path (path relative to the storage root with the
+top-level model category dropped) derived from file_path at scan/ingest time,
+so the assets API can return it without re-resolving against every registered
+model-folder base on every request.
+
+Revision ID: 0006_add_loader_path
+Revises: 0005_allow_case_sensitive_tags
+Create Date: 2026-07-02
+"""
+
+from alembic import op
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+
+revision = "0006_add_loader_path"
+down_revision = "0005_allow_case_sensitive_tags"
+branch_labels = None
+depends_on = None
+
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    with op.batch_alter_table("asset_references") as batch_op:
+        batch_op.add_column(sa.Column("loader_path", sa.Text(), nullable=True))
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    with op.batch_alter_table("asset_references") as batch_op:
+        batch_op.drop_column("loader_path")
diff --git a/app/assets/api/routes.py b/app/assets/api/routes.py
index 6cc43c498..40dd35933 100644
--- a/app/assets/api/routes.py
+++ b/app/assets/api/routes.py
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ from app.assets.services import (
     upload_from_temp_path,
 )
 from app.assets.services.cursor import InvalidCursorError
-from app.assets.services.path_utils import compute_asset_response_paths
+from app.assets.services.path_utils import compute_display_name
 from app.assets.services.tagging import list_tag_histogram
 
 ROUTES = web.RouteTableDef()
@@ -162,16 +162,17 @@ def _build_asset_response(result: schemas.AssetDetailResult | schemas.UploadResu
     else:
         preview_url = _build_preview_url_from_view(result.tags, result.ref.user_metadata)
     if result.ref.file_path:
-        paths = compute_asset_response_paths(result.ref.file_path)
-        file_path, display_name = paths if paths else (None, None)
+        display_name = compute_display_name(result.ref.file_path)
+        # In-root loader path (model category dropped): what model loaders consume.
+        loader_path = result.ref.loader_path
     else:
-        file_path, display_name = None, None
+        display_name, loader_path = None, None
     asset_content_hash = result.asset.hash if result.asset else None
     return schemas_out.Asset(
         id=result.ref.id,
         name=result.ref.name,
         hash=asset_content_hash,
-        file_path=file_path,
+        loader_path=loader_path,
         display_name=display_name,
         asset_hash=asset_content_hash,
         size=int(result.asset.size_bytes) if result.asset else None,
diff --git a/app/assets/api/schemas_out.py b/app/assets/api/schemas_out.py
index d4d2c699d..da8251499 100644
--- a/app/assets/api/schemas_out.py
+++ b/app/assets/api/schemas_out.py
@@ -12,16 +12,16 @@ class Asset(BaseModel):
     name: str = Field(
         ...,
         deprecated=True,
-        description="Reference label, often caller-provided or derived from the filename. Deprecated for storage path/display semantics; use `file_path` and `display_name` when present.",
+        description="Reference label, often caller-provided or derived from the filename. Deprecated for storage path/display semantics; use `loader_path` and `display_name` when present.",
     )
     hash: str | None = None
-    file_path: str | None = Field(
+    loader_path: str | None = Field(
         default=None,
-        description="Runtime storage locator for filesystem-backed assets, using Comfy storage namespaces such as `input/`, `output/`, `temp/`, or `models/`. Not an absolute filesystem path, unique identity, or model loader path.",
+        description="The value a loader consumes to load this asset. `None` when no loader can resolve the file.",
     )
     display_name: str | None = Field(
         default=None,
-        description="Human-facing label derived from `file_path`, usually the path below the top-level storage namespace. Not unique.",
+        description="Human-facing label for the asset. Not unique.",
     )
     asset_hash: str | None = None
     size: int | None = None
diff --git a/app/assets/database/models.py b/app/assets/database/models.py
index 9b61d309a..329cd483d 100644
--- a/app/assets/database/models.py
+++ b/app/assets/database/models.py
@@ -76,6 +76,8 @@ class AssetReference(Base):
 
     # Cache state fields (from former AssetCacheState)
     file_path: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=True)
+    # In-root loader path derived from file_path at scan/ingest time.
+    loader_path: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=True)
     mtime_ns: Mapped[int | None] = mapped_column(BigInteger, nullable=True)
     needs_verify: Mapped[bool] = mapped_column(Boolean, nullable=False, default=False)
     is_missing: Mapped[bool] = mapped_column(Boolean, nullable=False, default=False)
diff --git a/app/assets/database/queries/asset_reference.py b/app/assets/database/queries/asset_reference.py
index 792411800..967b0e43a 100644
--- a/app/assets/database/queries/asset_reference.py
+++ b/app/assets/database/queries/asset_reference.py
@@ -650,6 +650,7 @@ def upsert_reference(
     name: str,
     mtime_ns: int,
     owner_id: str = "",
+    loader_path: str | None = None,
 ) -> tuple[bool, bool]:
     """Upsert a reference by file_path. Returns (created, updated).
 
@@ -659,6 +660,7 @@ def upsert_reference(
     vals = {
         "asset_id": asset_id,
         "file_path": file_path,
+        "loader_path": loader_path,
         "name": name,
         "owner_id": owner_id,
         "mtime_ns": int(mtime_ns),
@@ -686,13 +688,14 @@ def upsert_reference(
                 AssetReference.asset_id != asset_id,
                 AssetReference.mtime_ns.is_(None),
                 AssetReference.mtime_ns != int(mtime_ns),
+                AssetReference.loader_path.is_distinct_from(loader_path),
                 AssetReference.is_missing == True,  # noqa: E712
                 AssetReference.deleted_at.isnot(None),
             )
         )
         .values(
-            asset_id=asset_id, mtime_ns=int(mtime_ns), is_missing=False,
-            deleted_at=None, updated_at=now,
+            asset_id=asset_id, mtime_ns=int(mtime_ns), loader_path=loader_path,
+            is_missing=False, deleted_at=None, updated_at=now,
         )
     )
     res2 = session.execute(upd)
diff --git a/app/assets/scanner.py b/app/assets/scanner.py
index 2c1e97840..42c4c1e9d 100644
--- a/app/assets/scanner.py
+++ b/app/assets/scanner.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ from app.assets.services.hashing import HashCheckpoint, compute_blake3_hash
 from app.assets.services.image_dimensions import extract_image_dimensions
 from app.assets.services.metadata_extract import extract_file_metadata
 from app.assets.services.path_utils import (
-    compute_relative_filename,
+    compute_loader_path,
     get_comfy_models_folders,
     get_name_and_tags_from_asset_path,
 )
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ RootType = Literal["models", "input", "output"]
 def get_prefixes_for_root(root: RootType) -> list[str]:
     if root == "models":
         bases: list[str] = []
-        for _bucket, paths in get_comfy_models_folders():
+        for _bucket, paths, _exts in get_comfy_models_folders():
             bases.extend(paths)
         return [os.path.abspath(p) for p in bases]
     if root == "input":
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ def get_all_known_prefixes() -> list[str]:
 
 def collect_models_files() -> list[str]:
     out: list[str] = []
-    for folder_name, bases in get_comfy_models_folders():
+    for folder_name, bases, _exts in get_comfy_models_folders():
         rel_files = folder_paths.get_filename_list(folder_name) or []
         for rel_path in rel_files:
             if not all(is_visible(part) for part in Path(rel_path).parts):
@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@ def build_asset_specs(
         if not stat_p.st_size:
             continue
         name, tags = get_name_and_tags_from_asset_path(abs_p)
-        rel_fname = compute_relative_filename(abs_p)
+        rel_fname = compute_loader_path(abs_p)
 
         # Extract metadata (tier 1: filesystem, tier 2: safetensors header)
         metadata = None
@@ -430,7 +430,7 @@ def enrich_asset(
         return new_level
 
     initial_mtime_ns = get_mtime_ns(stat_p)
-    rel_fname = compute_relative_filename(file_path)
+    rel_fname = compute_loader_path(file_path)
     mime_type: str | None = None
     metadata = None
 
diff --git a/app/assets/services/asset_management.py b/app/assets/services/asset_management.py
index d4e4fc61c..a4c8b5a75 100644
--- a/app/assets/services/asset_management.py
+++ b/app/assets/services/asset_management.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ from app.assets.database.queries import (
     update_reference_updated_at,
 )
 from app.assets.helpers import select_best_live_path
-from app.assets.services.path_utils import compute_relative_filename
+from app.assets.services.path_utils import compute_loader_path
 from app.assets.services.schemas import (
     AssetData,
     AssetDetailResult,
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ def update_asset_metadata(
             update_reference_name(session, reference_id=reference_id, name=name)
             touched = True
 
-        computed_filename = compute_relative_filename(ref.file_path) if ref.file_path else None
+        computed_filename = compute_loader_path(ref.file_path) if ref.file_path else None
 
         new_meta: dict | None = None
         if user_metadata is not None:
diff --git a/app/assets/services/bulk_ingest.py b/app/assets/services/bulk_ingest.py
index 4036530e6..c98658bf1 100644
--- a/app/assets/services/bulk_ingest.py
+++ b/app/assets/services/bulk_ingest.py
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ class ReferenceRow(TypedDict):
     id: str
     asset_id: str
     file_path: str
+    loader_path: str | None
     mtime_ns: int
     owner_id: str
     name: str
@@ -172,6 +173,8 @@ def batch_insert_seed_assets(
                 "id": reference_id,
                 "asset_id": asset_id,
                 "file_path": absolute_path,
+                # spec["fname"] is compute_loader_path(abs_path) from build_asset_specs.
+                "loader_path": spec["fname"],
                 "mtime_ns": spec["mtime_ns"],
                 "owner_id": owner_id,
                 "name": spec["info_name"],
diff --git a/app/assets/services/ingest.py b/app/assets/services/ingest.py
index 61359464c..1ffb3d634 100644
--- a/app/assets/services/ingest.py
+++ b/app/assets/services/ingest.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ from app.assets.services.bulk_ingest import batch_insert_seed_assets
 from app.assets.services.file_utils import get_size_and_mtime_ns
 from app.assets.services.image_dimensions import extract_image_dimensions
 from app.assets.services.path_utils import (
-    compute_relative_filename,
+    compute_loader_path,
     get_name_and_tags_from_asset_path,
     get_path_derived_tags_from_path,
     resolve_destination_from_tags,
@@ -92,6 +92,7 @@ def _ingest_file_from_path(
             name=info_name or os.path.basename(locator),
             mtime_ns=mtime_ns,
             owner_id=owner_id,
+            loader_path=compute_loader_path(locator),
         )
 
         # Get the reference we just created/updated
@@ -244,7 +245,7 @@ def ingest_existing_file(
             "mtime_ns": mtime_ns,
             "info_name": name,
             "tags": tags,
-            "fname": os.path.basename(abs_path),
+            "fname": compute_loader_path(abs_path),
             "metadata": None,
             "hash": None,
             "mime_type": mime_type,
@@ -304,7 +305,7 @@ def _register_existing_asset(
             return result
 
         new_meta = dict(user_metadata)
-        computed_filename = compute_relative_filename(ref.file_path) if ref.file_path else None
+        computed_filename = compute_loader_path(ref.file_path) if ref.file_path else None
         if computed_filename:
             new_meta["filename"] = computed_filename
 
@@ -351,7 +352,7 @@ def _update_metadata_with_filename(
     current_metadata: dict | None,
     user_metadata: dict[str, Any],
 ) -> None:
-    computed_filename = compute_relative_filename(file_path) if file_path else None
+    computed_filename = compute_loader_path(file_path) if file_path else None
 
     current_meta = current_metadata or {}
     new_meta = dict(current_meta)
diff --git a/app/assets/services/path_utils.py b/app/assets/services/path_utils.py
index 3430f5561..7c27c8878 100644
--- a/app/assets/services/path_utils.py
+++ b/app/assets/services/path_utils.py
@@ -9,20 +9,23 @@ _NON_MODEL_FOLDER_NAMES = frozenset({"configs", "custom_nodes"})
 _KNOWN_SUBFOLDER_TAGS = frozenset({"3d", "pasted", "painter", "threed", "webcam"})
 
 
-def get_comfy_models_folders() -> list[tuple[str, list[str]]]:
-    """Build list of (folder_name, base_paths[]) for all model locations.
+def get_comfy_models_folders() -> list[tuple[str, list[str], set[str]]]:
+    """Build list of (folder_name, base_paths[], extensions) for all model locations.
 
     Includes every category registered in folder_names_and_paths,
     regardless of whether its paths are under the main models_dir,
     but excludes non-model entries like configs and custom_nodes.
+
+    An empty extensions set means the category accepts any extension,
+    matching folder_paths.filter_files_extensions semantics.
     """
-    targets: list[tuple[str, list[str]]] = []
+    targets: list[tuple[str, list[str], set[str]]] = []
     for name, values in folder_paths.folder_names_and_paths.items():
         if name in _NON_MODEL_FOLDER_NAMES:
             continue
-        paths, _exts = values[0], values[1]
+        paths, exts = values[0], values[1]
         if paths:
-            targets.append((name, paths))
+            targets.append((name, paths, set(exts)))
     return targets
 
 
@@ -44,7 +47,9 @@ def resolve_destination_from_tags(tags: list[str]) -> tuple[str, list[str]]:
         folder_name = model_type_tags[0].split(":", 1)[1]
         if not folder_name:
             raise ValueError("models uploads require exactly one model_type:<folder_name> tag")
-        model_folder_paths = dict(get_comfy_models_folders())
+        model_folder_paths = {
+            name: paths for name, paths, _exts in get_comfy_models_folders()
+        }
         try:
             bases = model_folder_paths[folder_name]
         except KeyError:
@@ -79,11 +84,14 @@ def _is_relative_to(child: str, parent: str) -> bool:
 
 
 def compute_asset_response_paths(file_path: str) -> tuple[str, str | None] | None:
-    """Return public (file_path, display_name) response fields for a file path.
+    """Return (logical_path, display_name) for a file path.
 
-    These fields are storage locators, not model-loader namespaces. Registered
-    model-folder membership is represented by backend tags such as
-    ``model_type:<folder_name>``; response paths only use known storage roots.
+    ``logical_path`` is the internal namespaced storage locator (e.g.
+    ``models/checkpoints/foo/bar.safetensors``); ``display_name`` is the
+    human-facing label below that namespace, served on Asset responses. These
+    are storage locators, not model-loader namespaces. Registered model-folder
+    membership is represented by backend tags such as
+    ``model_type:<folder_name>``; these paths only use known storage roots.
     """
     fp_abs = os.path.abspath(file_path)
     candidates: list[tuple[int, int, str, str]] = []
@@ -117,23 +125,26 @@ def compute_display_name(file_path: str) -> str | None:
     return result[1] if result else None
 
 
-def compute_file_path(file_path: str) -> str | None:
-    """Return the asset's logical storage `file_path`, or None for unknown paths."""
+def compute_logical_path(file_path: str) -> str | None:
+    """Return the internal namespaced storage locator, or None for unknown paths."""
     result = compute_asset_response_paths(file_path)
     return result[0] if result else None
 
 
-def compute_relative_filename(file_path: str) -> str | None:
+def compute_loader_path(file_path: str) -> str | None:
     """
-    Return the model's path relative to the last well-known folder (the model category),
-    using forward slashes, eg:
+    Return the asset's in-root loader path: the path relative to the last
+    well-known folder (the model category), using forward slashes, eg:
       /.../models/checkpoints/flux/123/flux.safetensors -> "flux/123/flux.safetensors"
       /.../models/text_encoders/clip_g.safetensors -> "clip_g.safetensors"
 
-    This is legacy metadata/view filename logic, not the public Asset response
-    `display_name`. Response fields should use compute_asset_response_paths().
+    This is the value model loaders consume (the model category is dropped). It
+    is persisted as ``AssetReference.loader_path`` and served as the public
+    Asset response `loader_path` field. The human-facing `display_name` comes
+    from compute_asset_response_paths().
 
-    For non-model paths, returns None.
+    For input/output/temp paths the full path relative to that root is returned.
+    For paths outside any known root, returns None.
     """
     try:
         root_category, rel_path = get_asset_category_and_relative_path(file_path)
@@ -198,8 +209,14 @@ def get_asset_category_and_relative_path(
         return "temp", _compute_relative(fp_abs, temp_base)
 
     # 4) models (check deepest matching base to avoid ambiguity)
+    ext = os.path.splitext(fp_abs)[1].lower()
     best: tuple[int, str, str] | None = None  # (base_len, bucket, rel_inside_bucket)
-    for bucket, bases in get_comfy_models_folders():
+    for bucket, bases, extensions in get_comfy_models_folders():
+        # A bucket only lists files within its extension set (empty set
+        # accepts any extension), so a bucket that cannot load the file
+        # must not contribute a loader path.
+        if extensions and ext not in extensions:
+            continue
         for b in bases:
             base_abs = os.path.abspath(b)
             if not _check_is_within(fp_abs, base_abs):
@@ -225,6 +242,12 @@ def get_backend_system_tags_from_path(path: str) -> list[str]:
     The returned tags are only the backend-generated system tags: ``models``,
     ``model_type:<folder_name>``, ``input``, ``output``, and ``temp``. Model
     type tags are based on registered folder names, not path components.
+
+    A ``model_type:<folder_name>`` tag is only emitted when the file's
+    extension is accepted by that folder's registered extension set, so
+    categories sharing a base directory tag only the files they can
+    actually load. Files under a model base whose extension matches no
+    category still get the ``models`` tag.
     """
     fp_abs = os.path.abspath(path)
     fp_path = Path(fp_abs)
@@ -242,17 +265,23 @@ def get_backend_system_tags_from_path(path: str) -> list[str]:
         if fp_path.is_relative_to(os.path.abspath(base)):
             _add(role)
 
+    ext = os.path.splitext(fp_abs)[1].lower()
     model_types: list[str] = []
-    for folder_name, bases in get_comfy_models_folders():
+    under_models_base = False
+    for folder_name, bases, extensions in get_comfy_models_folders():
         for base in bases:
             if fp_path.is_relative_to(os.path.abspath(base)):
-                model_types.append(folder_name)
+                under_models_base = True
+                # Empty set accepts any extension, matching
+                # folder_paths.filter_files_extensions semantics.
+                if not extensions or ext in extensions:
+                    model_types.append(folder_name)
                 break
 
-    if model_types:
+    if under_models_base:
         _add("models")
-        for folder_name in model_types:
-            _add(f"model_type:{folder_name}")
+    for folder_name in model_types:
+        _add(f"model_type:{folder_name}")
 
     if not tags:
         raise ValueError(
diff --git a/app/assets/services/schemas.py b/app/assets/services/schemas.py
index 4d2af8a02..0fda6871d 100644
--- a/app/assets/services/schemas.py
+++ b/app/assets/services/schemas.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ class ReferenceData:
     preview_id: str | None
     created_at: datetime
     updated_at: datetime
+    loader_path: str | None = None
     system_metadata: dict[str, Any] | None = None
     job_id: str | None = None
     last_access_time: datetime | None = None
@@ -93,6 +94,7 @@ def extract_reference_data(ref: AssetReference) -> ReferenceData:
         id=ref.id,
         name=ref.name,
         file_path=ref.file_path,
+        loader_path=ref.loader_path,
         user_metadata=ref.user_metadata,
         preview_id=ref.preview_id,
         system_metadata=ref.system_metadata,
diff --git a/openapi.yaml b/openapi.yaml
index 1f1378c19..0cf177815 100644
--- a/openapi.yaml
+++ b/openapi.yaml
@@ -11,12 +11,12 @@ components:
                     description: Blake3 hash of the asset content.
                     pattern: ^blake3:[a-f0-9]{64}$
                     type: string
-                file_path:
-                    description: Runtime storage locator for filesystem-backed assets, using Comfy storage namespaces such as `input/`, `output/`, `temp/`, or `models/`. Not an absolute filesystem path, unique identity, or model loader path.
+                loader_path:
+                    description: The value a loader consumes to load this asset. Null when no loader can resolve the file.
                     nullable: true
                     type: string
                 display_name:
-                    description: Human-facing label derived from `file_path`, usually the path below the top-level storage namespace. Not unique.
+                    description: Human-facing label for the asset. Not unique.
                     nullable: true
                     type: string
                 id:
diff --git a/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_cache_state.py b/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_cache_state.py
index ead60e570..49d0e8d4c 100644
--- a/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_cache_state.py
+++ b/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_cache_state.py
@@ -176,6 +176,39 @@ class TestUpsertReference:
         ref = session.query(AssetReference).filter_by(file_path=file_path).one()
         assert ref.mtime_ns == final_mtime
 
+    def test_upsert_refreshes_loader_path_on_existing_reference(self, session: Session):
+        """Re-ingesting an existing reference writes the loader_path computed
+        by that ingest, healing NULL or stale values even when nothing else
+        about the row changed."""
+        asset = _make_asset(session, "hash1")
+        file_path = "/models/checkpoints/sub/model.safetensors"
+
+        upsert_reference(
+            session, asset_id=asset.id, file_path=file_path, name="model",
+            mtime_ns=100, loader_path=None,
+        )
+        session.commit()
+
+        created, updated = upsert_reference(
+            session, asset_id=asset.id, file_path=file_path, name="model",
+            mtime_ns=100, loader_path="sub/model.safetensors",
+        )
+        session.commit()
+
+        assert created is False
+        assert updated is True
+        ref = session.query(AssetReference).filter_by(file_path=file_path).one()
+        assert ref.loader_path == "sub/model.safetensors"
+
+        # Identical loader_path is a no-op, not a spurious update.
+        created, updated = upsert_reference(
+            session, asset_id=asset.id, file_path=file_path, name="model",
+            mtime_ns=100, loader_path="sub/model.safetensors",
+        )
+        session.commit()
+        assert created is False
+        assert updated is False
+
     def test_upsert_restores_missing_reference(self, session: Session):
         """Upserting a reference that was marked missing should restore it."""
         asset = _make_asset(session, "hash1")
diff --git a/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_asset_response_loader_path.py b/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_asset_response_loader_path.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f128a25e1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_asset_response_loader_path.py
@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+"""Tests for how _build_asset_response derives the response `loader_path`.
+
+Guards the persist-and-read contract: the response reads the stored
+`loader_path` verbatim, with no read-time recomputation. Like tags, the
+value is a seed-time derivative healed by the scan lifecycle.
+"""
+
+from datetime import datetime
+from pathlib import Path
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+from app.assets.api.routes import _build_asset_response
+from app.assets.services.schemas import AssetDetailResult, ReferenceData
+
+_TS = datetime(2024, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0)
+
+
+def _make_result(
+    *, file_path: str | None, loader_path: str | None
+) -> AssetDetailResult:
+    ref = ReferenceData(
+        id="ref-1",
+        name="model.safetensors",
+        file_path=file_path,
+        loader_path=loader_path,
+        user_metadata=None,
+        preview_id=None,
+        created_at=_TS,
+        updated_at=_TS,
+        last_access_time=_TS,
+    )
+    return AssetDetailResult(ref=ref, asset=None, tags=[])
+
+
+def test_uses_persisted_loader_path_without_recomputing():
+    """A stored loader_path is returned verbatim, not re-derived from file_path.
+
+    The sentinel value could never be produced by compute_loader_path for this
+    file_path, so seeing it in the response proves the stored column is read.
+    """
+    result = _make_result(
+        file_path="/unmatched/root/model.safetensors",
+        loader_path="SENTINEL/stored.safetensors",
+    )
+
+    resp = _build_asset_response(result)
+
+    assert resp.loader_path == "SENTINEL/stored.safetensors"
+
+
+def test_null_stored_loader_path_is_served_as_null(tmp_path: Path):
+    """No read-time recomputation: a NULL column is served as null even when
+    the path would resolve."""
+    models = tmp_path / "models"
+    ckpt = models / "checkpoints"
+    ckpt.mkdir(parents=True)
+    f = ckpt / "bar.safetensors"
+    f.touch()
+
+    with patch("app.assets.services.path_utils.folder_paths") as mock_fp, patch(
+        "app.assets.services.path_utils.get_comfy_models_folders",
+        return_value=[("checkpoints", [str(ckpt)], {".safetensors"})],
+    ):
+        mock_fp.get_input_directory.return_value = str(tmp_path / "in")
+        mock_fp.get_output_directory.return_value = str(tmp_path / "out")
+        mock_fp.get_temp_directory.return_value = str(tmp_path / "tmp")
+        mock_fp.models_dir = str(models)
+
+        result = _make_result(file_path=str(f), loader_path=None)
+        resp = _build_asset_response(result)
+
+        assert resp.loader_path is None
+        assert resp.display_name == "checkpoints/bar.safetensors"
+
+
+def test_all_path_fields_null_without_file_path():
+    """API-created / hash-only references (no file_path) expose no paths."""
+    result = _make_result(file_path=None, loader_path=None)
+
+    resp = _build_asset_response(result)
+
+    assert resp.loader_path is None
+    assert resp.display_name is None
diff --git a/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_bulk_ingest.py b/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_bulk_ingest.py
index 3754ece32..a3889f235 100644
--- a/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_bulk_ingest.py
+++ b/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_bulk_ingest.py
@@ -191,6 +191,8 @@ class TestBatchInsertSeedAssets:
         refs = session.query(AssetReference).all()
         assert len(refs) == 1
         assert refs[0].file_path == absolute_path
+        # loader_path is persisted from the spec's fname (compute_loader_path).
+        assert refs[0].loader_path == "same-file.safetensors"
         assert set(get_reference_tags(session, reference_id=refs[0].id)) == {
             "models",
             "model_type:checkpoints",
@@ -215,8 +217,8 @@ class TestBatchInsertSeedAssets:
             patch(
                 "app.assets.services.path_utils.get_comfy_models_folders",
                 return_value=[
-                    ("checkpoints", [str(shared_root)]),
-                    ("diffusion_models", [str(shared_root)]),
+                    ("checkpoints", [str(shared_root)], {".safetensors"}),
+                    ("diffusion_models", [str(shared_root)], {".safetensors"}),
                 ],
             ),
         ):
@@ -251,6 +253,36 @@ class TestBatchInsertSeedAssets:
             "model_type:diffusion_models",
         }
 
+    def test_loader_path_persisted_as_null_when_fname_is_none(
+        self, session: Session, temp_dir: Path
+    ):
+        """A file with no in-root loader path (fname=None, e.g. an orphan under
+        models_root) persists loader_path as NULL rather than a synthesized value."""
+        file_path = temp_dir / "orphan.bin"
+        file_path.write_bytes(b"x")
+
+        specs: list[SeedAssetSpec] = [
+            {
+                "abs_path": str(file_path),
+                "size_bytes": 1,
+                "mtime_ns": 1234567890000000000,
+                "info_name": "orphan.bin",
+                "tags": [],
+                "fname": None,
+                "metadata": None,
+                "hash": None,
+                "mime_type": None,
+            }
+        ]
+
+        result = batch_insert_seed_assets(session, specs=specs, owner_id="")
+
+        assert result.inserted_refs == 1
+        refs = session.query(AssetReference).all()
+        assert len(refs) == 1
+        assert refs[0].file_path == str(file_path)
+        assert refs[0].loader_path is None
+
 
 class TestMetadataExtraction:
     def test_extracts_mime_type_for_model_files(self, temp_dir: Path):
diff --git a/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_ingest.py b/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_ingest.py
index 93e2469fe..7fa882df0 100644
--- a/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_ingest.py
+++ b/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_ingest.py
@@ -329,6 +329,45 @@ class TestIngestExistingFileTagFK:
             assert "output" in ref_tag_names
 
 
+class TestIngestExistingFileLoaderPath:
+    """Outputs saved into a subfolder must persist the subfolder-qualified
+    loader path, not the bare basename (regression: spec["fname"] was
+    os.path.basename)."""
+
+    def test_subfoldered_output_persists_relative_loader_path(
+        self, mock_create_session, temp_dir: Path, session: Session
+    ):
+        input_dir = temp_dir / "input"
+        output_dir = temp_dir / "output"
+        temp_root = temp_dir / "temp"
+        for directory in (input_dir, output_dir, temp_root):
+            directory.mkdir()
+        file_path = output_dir / "sub" / "img_00001_.png"
+        file_path.parent.mkdir()
+        file_path.write_bytes(b"image data")
+
+        with (
+            patch("app.assets.services.path_utils.folder_paths") as mock_fp,
+            patch(
+                "app.assets.services.path_utils.get_comfy_models_folders",
+                return_value=[],
+            ),
+        ):
+            mock_fp.get_input_directory.return_value = str(input_dir)
+            mock_fp.get_output_directory.return_value = str(output_dir)
+            mock_fp.get_temp_directory.return_value = str(temp_root)
+
+            assert ingest_existing_file(abs_path=str(file_path)) is True
+
+        ref = (
+            session.query(AssetReference)
+            .filter_by(file_path=str(file_path))
+            .one()
+        )
+        assert ref.loader_path == "sub/img_00001_.png"
+        assert (ref.user_metadata or {}).get("filename") == "sub/img_00001_.png"
+
+
 class TestIngestImageDimensions:
     """system_metadata should carry {kind, width, height} for image assets."""
 
diff --git a/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_path_utils.py b/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_path_utils.py
index af08afa30..ddf23c676 100644
--- a/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_path_utils.py
+++ b/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_path_utils.py
@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@ import pytest
 
 from app.assets.services.path_utils import (
     compute_display_name,
-    compute_file_path,
+    compute_loader_path,
+    compute_logical_path,
     get_asset_category_and_relative_path,
     get_known_input_subfolder_tags_from_path,
     get_known_subfolder_tags,
@@ -38,7 +39,7 @@ def fake_dirs():
 
             with patch(
                 "app.assets.services.path_utils.get_comfy_models_folders",
-                return_value=[("checkpoints", [str(models_dir)])],
+                return_value=[("checkpoints", [str(models_dir)], {".safetensors"})],
             ):
                 yield {
                     "input": input_dir,
@@ -107,7 +108,7 @@ class TestGetAssetCategoryAndRelativePath:
 
         with patch(
             "app.assets.services.path_utils.get_comfy_models_folders",
-            return_value=[("LLM", [str(llm_dir)])],
+            return_value=[("LLM", [str(llm_dir)], {".safetensors"})],
         ):
             _name, tags = get_name_and_tags_from_asset_path(str(f))
 
@@ -136,8 +137,8 @@ class TestGetAssetCategoryAndRelativePath:
         with patch(
             "app.assets.services.path_utils.get_comfy_models_folders",
             return_value=[
-                ("checkpoints", [str(shared_root)]),
-                ("loras", [str(shared_root)]),
+                ("checkpoints", [str(shared_root)], {".safetensors"}),
+                ("loras", [str(shared_root)], {".safetensors"}),
             ],
         ):
             _name, tags = get_name_and_tags_from_asset_path(str(f))
@@ -146,6 +147,55 @@ class TestGetAssetCategoryAndRelativePath:
         assert "model_type:checkpoints" in tags
         assert "model_type:loras" in tags
 
+    def test_shared_root_model_type_tags_respect_bucket_extensions(self, fake_dirs):
+        """Buckets sharing a base dir only tag files matching their extensions."""
+        shared_root = fake_dirs["models"].parent / "unet"
+        shared_root.mkdir()
+        safetensors_file = shared_root / "wan.safetensors"
+        gguf_file = shared_root / "wan.gguf"
+        safetensors_file.touch()
+        gguf_file.touch()
+
+        with patch(
+            "app.assets.services.path_utils.get_comfy_models_folders",
+            return_value=[
+                ("diffusion_models", [str(shared_root)], {".safetensors"}),
+                ("unet_gguf", [str(shared_root)], {".gguf"}),
+            ],
+        ):
+            _name, safetensors_tags = get_name_and_tags_from_asset_path(str(safetensors_file))
+            _name, gguf_tags = get_name_and_tags_from_asset_path(str(gguf_file))
+
+        assert "model_type:diffusion_models" in safetensors_tags
+        assert "model_type:unet_gguf" not in safetensors_tags
+        assert "model_type:unet_gguf" in gguf_tags
+        assert "model_type:diffusion_models" not in gguf_tags
+
+    def test_empty_extension_set_tags_any_extension(self, fake_dirs):
+        """Custom buckets registered without extensions accept every file."""
+        custom_root = fake_dirs["models"].parent / "custom_bucket"
+        custom_root.mkdir()
+        f = custom_root / "weights.bin"
+        f.touch()
+
+        with patch(
+            "app.assets.services.path_utils.get_comfy_models_folders",
+            return_value=[("custom_bucket", [str(custom_root)], set())],
+        ):
+            _name, tags = get_name_and_tags_from_asset_path(str(f))
+
+        assert "models" in tags
+        assert "model_type:custom_bucket" in tags
+
+    def test_no_extension_match_keeps_models_tag_without_model_type(self, fake_dirs):
+        f = fake_dirs["models"] / "notes.txt"
+        f.touch()
+
+        _name, tags = get_name_and_tags_from_asset_path(str(f))
+
+        assert "models" in tags
+        assert not any(tag.startswith("model_type:") for tag in tags)
+
     def test_output_backed_registered_folder_gets_model_and_output_tags(self, fake_dirs):
         output_checkpoints_dir = fake_dirs["output"] / "checkpoints"
         output_checkpoints_dir.mkdir()
@@ -154,7 +204,7 @@ class TestGetAssetCategoryAndRelativePath:
 
         with patch(
             "app.assets.services.path_utils.get_comfy_models_folders",
-            return_value=[("checkpoints", [str(output_checkpoints_dir)])],
+            return_value=[("checkpoints", [str(output_checkpoints_dir)], {".safetensors"})],
         ):
             _name, tags = get_name_and_tags_from_asset_path(str(f))
 
@@ -209,7 +259,7 @@ class TestResponseStoragePaths:
         f = sub / "image.png"
         f.touch()
 
-        assert compute_file_path(str(f)) == "input/some/folder/image.png"
+        assert compute_logical_path(str(f)) == "input/some/folder/image.png"
         assert compute_display_name(str(f)) == "some/folder/image.png"
 
     def test_output_file_path_and_display_name_include_subfolder(self, fake_dirs):
@@ -218,18 +268,18 @@ class TestResponseStoragePaths:
         f = sub / "ComfyUI_00001_.png"
         f.touch()
 
-        assert compute_file_path(str(f)) == "output/renders/ComfyUI_00001_.png"
+        assert compute_logical_path(str(f)) == "output/renders/ComfyUI_00001_.png"
         assert compute_display_name(str(f)) == "renders/ComfyUI_00001_.png"
 
     def test_temp_file_path_and_display_name(self, fake_dirs):
         f = fake_dirs["temp"] / "preview.png"
         f.touch()
 
-        assert compute_file_path(str(f)) == "temp/preview.png"
+        assert compute_logical_path(str(f)) == "temp/preview.png"
         assert compute_display_name(str(f)) == "preview.png"
 
     def test_exact_storage_root_has_no_display_name(self, fake_dirs):
-        assert compute_file_path(str(fake_dirs["input"])) == "input"
+        assert compute_logical_path(str(fake_dirs["input"])) == "input"
         assert compute_display_name(str(fake_dirs["input"])) is None
 
     def test_longest_matching_builtin_root_wins(self, fake_dirs, tmp_path: Path):
@@ -244,7 +294,7 @@ class TestResponseStoragePaths:
             mock_fp.get_temp_directory.return_value = str(tmp_path / "temp")
             mock_fp.models_dir = str(fake_dirs["models_root"])
 
-            assert compute_file_path(str(f)) == "output/image.png"
+            assert compute_logical_path(str(f)) == "output/image.png"
             assert compute_display_name(str(f)) == "image.png"
 
     def test_model_file_path_is_relative_to_physical_models_root(self, fake_dirs):
@@ -253,7 +303,7 @@ class TestResponseStoragePaths:
         f = sub / "model.safetensors"
         f.touch()
 
-        assert compute_file_path(str(f)) == "models/checkpoints/flux/model.safetensors"
+        assert compute_logical_path(str(f)) == "models/checkpoints/flux/model.safetensors"
         assert compute_display_name(str(f)) == "checkpoints/flux/model.safetensors"
 
         name, tags = get_name_and_tags_from_asset_path(str(f))
@@ -277,9 +327,11 @@ class TestResponseStoragePaths:
 
         with patch(
             "app.assets.services.path_utils.get_comfy_models_folders",
-            return_value=[(folder_name, [str(default_model_dir), str(output_model_dir)])],
+            return_value=[
+                (folder_name, [str(default_model_dir), str(output_model_dir)], {".safetensors"})
+            ],
         ):
-            assert compute_file_path(str(f)) == f"output/{folder_name}/saved.safetensors"
+            assert compute_logical_path(str(f)) == f"output/{folder_name}/saved.safetensors"
             assert compute_display_name(str(f)) == f"{folder_name}/saved.safetensors"
 
             name, tags = get_name_and_tags_from_asset_path(str(f))
@@ -299,10 +351,10 @@ class TestResponseStoragePaths:
 
         with patch(
             "app.assets.services.path_utils.get_comfy_models_folders",
-            return_value=[(folder_name, [str(output_model_dir)])],
+            return_value=[(folder_name, [str(output_model_dir)], {".safetensors"})],
         ):
             assert (
-                compute_file_path(str(f))
+                compute_logical_path(str(f))
                 == "output/loras/experiments/my_lora.safetensors"
             )
             assert compute_display_name(str(f)) == "loras/experiments/my_lora.safetensors"
@@ -323,9 +375,9 @@ class TestResponseStoragePaths:
 
         with patch(
             "app.assets.services.path_utils.get_comfy_models_folders",
-            return_value=[("checkpoints", [str(external_checkpoints_dir)])],
+            return_value=[("checkpoints", [str(external_checkpoints_dir)], {".safetensors"})],
         ):
-            assert compute_file_path(str(f)) is None
+            assert compute_logical_path(str(f)) is None
             assert compute_display_name(str(f)) is None
 
             name, tags = get_name_and_tags_from_asset_path(str(f))
@@ -347,10 +399,10 @@ class TestResponseStoragePaths:
 
         with patch(
             "app.assets.services.path_utils.get_comfy_models_folders",
-            return_value=[("checkpoints", [str(foo_dir), str(bar_dir)])],
+            return_value=[("checkpoints", [str(foo_dir), str(bar_dir)], {".safetensors"})],
         ):
-            assert compute_file_path(str(foo_file)) is None
-            assert compute_file_path(str(bar_file)) is None
+            assert compute_logical_path(str(foo_file)) is None
+            assert compute_logical_path(str(bar_file)) is None
             assert compute_display_name(str(foo_file)) is None
             assert compute_display_name(str(bar_file)) is None
 
@@ -362,9 +414,9 @@ class TestResponseStoragePaths:
 
         with patch(
             "app.assets.services.path_utils.get_comfy_models_folders",
-            return_value=[("text_encoders", [str(output_clip_dir)])],
+            return_value=[("text_encoders", [str(output_clip_dir)], {".safetensors"})],
         ):
-            assert compute_file_path(str(f)) == "output/clip/clip_l.safetensors"
+            assert compute_logical_path(str(f)) == "output/clip/clip_l.safetensors"
             assert compute_display_name(str(f)) == "clip/clip_l.safetensors"
 
             name, tags = get_name_and_tags_from_asset_path(str(f))
@@ -384,9 +436,11 @@ class TestResponseStoragePaths:
 
         with patch(
             "app.assets.services.path_utils.get_comfy_models_folders",
-            return_value=[("diffusion_models", [str(unet_dir), str(diffusion_models_dir)])],
+            return_value=[
+                ("diffusion_models", [str(unet_dir), str(diffusion_models_dir)], {".safetensors"})
+            ],
         ):
-            assert compute_file_path(str(f)) == "models/unet/wan.safetensors"
+            assert compute_logical_path(str(f)) == "models/unet/wan.safetensors"
             assert compute_display_name(str(f)) == "unet/wan.safetensors"
 
             name, tags = get_name_and_tags_from_asset_path(str(f))
@@ -400,7 +454,7 @@ class TestResponseStoragePaths:
         f.parent.mkdir()
         f.touch()
 
-        assert compute_file_path(str(f)) == "models/not_registered/orphan.bin"
+        assert compute_logical_path(str(f)) == "models/not_registered/orphan.bin"
         assert compute_display_name(str(f)) == "not_registered/orphan.bin"
 
     def test_output_checkpoint_folder_without_registration_has_only_output_tag(self, fake_dirs):
@@ -412,7 +466,7 @@ class TestResponseStoragePaths:
             "app.assets.services.path_utils.get_comfy_models_folders",
             return_value=[],
         ):
-            assert compute_file_path(str(f)) == "output/checkpoints/saved.safetensors"
+            assert compute_logical_path(str(f)) == "output/checkpoints/saved.safetensors"
             assert compute_display_name(str(f)) == "checkpoints/saved.safetensors"
 
             name, tags = get_name_and_tags_from_asset_path(str(f))
@@ -422,10 +476,119 @@ class TestResponseStoragePaths:
             assert not any(tag.startswith("model_type:") for tag in tags)
 
     def test_unknown_path_returns_none(self):
-        assert compute_file_path("/some/random/path.png") is None
+        assert compute_logical_path("/some/random/path.png") is None
         assert compute_display_name("/some/random/path.png") is None
 
 
+class TestLoaderPath:
+    """In-root loader path: relative to the storage root, model category dropped."""
+
+    def test_model_loader_path_drops_category(self, fake_dirs):
+        sub = fake_dirs["models"] / "flux"
+        sub.mkdir()
+        f = sub / "model.safetensors"
+        f.touch()
+
+        # logical_path keeps the category, file_path (loader) drops it
+        assert compute_logical_path(str(f)) == "models/checkpoints/flux/model.safetensors"
+        assert compute_loader_path(str(f)) == "flux/model.safetensors"
+
+    def test_model_loader_path_flat_file(self, fake_dirs):
+        f = fake_dirs["models"] / "model.safetensors"
+        f.touch()
+
+        assert compute_loader_path(str(f)) == "model.safetensors"
+
+    def test_input_loader_path_keeps_subfolders(self, fake_dirs):
+        sub = fake_dirs["input"] / "some" / "folder"
+        sub.mkdir(parents=True)
+        f = sub / "image.png"
+        f.touch()
+
+        assert compute_loader_path(str(f)) == "some/folder/image.png"
+
+    def test_temp_loader_path(self, fake_dirs):
+        f = fake_dirs["temp"] / "preview.png"
+        f.touch()
+
+        assert compute_loader_path(str(f)) == "preview.png"
+
+    def test_unregistered_file_under_models_root_has_no_loader_path(self, fake_dirs):
+        # Under models_root but not within any registered category base.
+        f = fake_dirs["models_root"] / "not_registered" / "orphan.bin"
+        f.parent.mkdir()
+        f.touch()
+
+        # It still has a namespaced logical_path, but no loader path.
+        assert compute_logical_path(str(f)) == "models/not_registered/orphan.bin"
+        assert compute_loader_path(str(f)) is None
+
+    def test_extension_mismatch_in_registered_bucket_has_no_loader_path(self, fake_dirs):
+        # Inside a registered bucket, but the bucket's extension set cannot
+        # load it: no model_type tag, and no loader path either.
+        f = fake_dirs["models"] / "notes.txt"
+        f.touch()
+
+        assert compute_logical_path(str(f)) == "models/checkpoints/notes.txt"
+        assert compute_loader_path(str(f)) is None
+
+    def test_shared_base_loader_path_uses_extension_matching_bucket(self, fake_dirs):
+        shared_root = fake_dirs["models"].parent / "unet"
+        shared_root.mkdir()
+        f = shared_root / "wan.gguf"
+        f.touch()
+
+        with patch(
+            "app.assets.services.path_utils.get_comfy_models_folders",
+            return_value=[
+                ("diffusion_models", [str(shared_root)], {".safetensors"}),
+                ("unet_gguf", [str(shared_root)], {".gguf"}),
+            ],
+        ):
+            assert compute_loader_path(str(f)) == "wan.gguf"
+
+    def test_match_all_bucket_provides_loader_path_for_any_extension(self, fake_dirs):
+        custom_root = fake_dirs["models"].parent / "custom_bucket"
+        custom_root.mkdir()
+        f = custom_root / "weights.bin"
+        f.touch()
+
+        with patch(
+            "app.assets.services.path_utils.get_comfy_models_folders",
+            return_value=[("custom_bucket", [str(custom_root)], set())],
+        ):
+            assert compute_loader_path(str(f)) == "weights.bin"
+
+    def test_extra_path_model_has_loader_path_but_no_logical_path(self, tmp_path: Path):
+        """Registered category base outside models_dir (extra_model_paths style).
+
+        Loadable, so loader_path resolves; but it is not under any canonical
+        storage root, so logical_path/display_name are None. This asymmetry is
+        intentional: loader_path resolves every registered model-folder base,
+        logical_path only resolves the canonical storage roots.
+        """
+        extra = tmp_path / "extra_ckpts"
+        extra.mkdir()
+        f = extra / "foo.safetensors"
+        f.touch()
+
+        with patch("app.assets.services.path_utils.folder_paths") as mock_fp, patch(
+            "app.assets.services.path_utils.get_comfy_models_folders",
+            return_value=[("checkpoints", [str(extra)], {".safetensors"})],
+        ):
+            mock_fp.get_input_directory.return_value = str(tmp_path / "in")
+            mock_fp.get_output_directory.return_value = str(tmp_path / "out")
+            mock_fp.get_temp_directory.return_value = str(tmp_path / "tmp")
+            mock_fp.models_dir = str(tmp_path / "models")  # extra is NOT under this
+
+            assert compute_loader_path(str(f)) == "foo.safetensors"
+            assert compute_logical_path(str(f)) is None
+            assert compute_display_name(str(f)) is None
+
+    def test_unknown_path_returns_none(self):
+        assert compute_loader_path("/some/random/path.png") is None
+
+
 class TestResolveDestinationFromTags:
     def test_extra_tags_are_not_path_components(self, fake_dirs):
         base_dir, subdirs = resolve_destination_from_tags(["input", "unit-tests", "foo"])
diff --git a/tests-unit/assets_test/test_uploads.py b/tests-unit/assets_test/test_uploads.py
index 09262b25e..7be7b0935 100644
--- a/tests-unit/assets_test/test_uploads.py
+++ b/tests-unit/assets_test/test_uploads.py
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ def test_upload_ok_duplicate_reference(http: requests.Session, api_base: str, ma
     assert a2["asset_hash"] == a1["asset_hash"]
     assert a2["hash"] == a1["hash"]
     assert a2["id"] != a1["id"]  # new reference with same content
-    assert a2.get("file_path") is None
+    assert a2.get("loader_path") is None
     assert a2.get("display_name") is None
 
     # Third upload with the same data but different name also creates new AssetReference
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ def test_upload_ok_duplicate_reference(http: requests.Session, api_base: str, ma
     assert a3["asset_hash"] == a1["asset_hash"]
     assert a3["id"] != a1["id"]
     assert a3["id"] != a2["id"]
-    assert a3.get("file_path") is None
+    assert a3.get("loader_path") is None
     assert a3.get("display_name") is None
 
 
@@ -102,17 +102,17 @@ def test_upload_fastpath_from_existing_hash_no_file(http: requests.Session, api_
     assert "checkpoints" in b2["tags"]
     assert "uploaded" not in b2["tags"]
     assert not any(tag.startswith("model_type:") for tag in b2["tags"])
-    assert b2.get("file_path") is None
+    assert b2.get("loader_path") is None
     assert b2.get("display_name") is None
 
     rg = http.get(f"{api_base}/api/assets/{b2['id']}", timeout=120)
     detail = rg.json()
     assert rg.status_code == 200, detail
-    assert detail.get("file_path") is None
+    assert detail.get("loader_path") is None
     assert detail.get("display_name") is None
 
 
-def test_create_from_hash_with_model_tags_does_not_synthesize_file_path(
+def test_create_from_hash_with_model_tags_does_not_synthesize_loader_path(
     http: requests.Session, api_base: str
 ):
     seed_name = "from_hash_seed.safetensors"
@@ -137,13 +137,13 @@ def test_create_from_hash_with_model_tags_does_not_synthesize_file_path(
     assert created_r.status_code == 201, created
     assert created["created_new"] is False
     assert created["asset_hash"] == seed["asset_hash"]
-    assert created.get("file_path") is None
+    assert created.get("loader_path") is None
     assert created.get("display_name") is None
 
     detail_r = http.get(f"{api_base}/api/assets/{created['id']}", timeout=120)
     detail = detail_r.json()
     assert detail_r.status_code == 200, detail
-    assert detail.get("file_path") is None
+    assert detail.get("loader_path") is None
     assert detail.get("display_name") is None
 
 
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ def test_duplicate_byte_upload_is_reference_only_and_does_not_need_destination(
     assert "not-a-destination" in duplicate["tags"]
     assert "uploaded" not in duplicate["tags"]
     assert "input" not in duplicate["tags"]
-    assert duplicate.get("file_path") is None
+    assert duplicate.get("loader_path") is None
     assert duplicate.get("display_name") is None
 
 
@@ -233,23 +233,20 @@ def test_upload_multiple_tags_fields_are_merged(http: requests.Session, api_base
     (
         "tags",
         "extension",
-        "expected_prefix",
         "expected_display_prefix",
     ),
     [
-        (["input", "unit-tests"], ".png", "input", ""),
+        (["input", "unit-tests"], ".png", ""),
         (
             ["models", "model_type:checkpoints", "unit-tests"],
             ".safetensors",
-            "models/checkpoints",
             "checkpoints/",
         ),
     ],
 )
-def test_upload_response_includes_file_path_and_display_name(
+def test_upload_response_includes_loader_path_and_display_name(
     tags: list[str],
     extension: str,
-    expected_prefix: str,
     expected_display_prefix: str,
     http: requests.Session,
     api_base: str,
@@ -270,16 +267,18 @@ def test_upload_response_includes_file_path_and_display_name(
     assert created_r.status_code in (200, 201), created
     stored_filename = get_asset_filename(created["asset_hash"], extension)
     expected_suffix = stored_filename
-    expected_file_path = f"{expected_prefix}/{expected_suffix}"
     expected_display_name = f"{expected_display_prefix}{expected_suffix}"
+    # In-root loader path: model category dropped, no subfolders here -> just the filename.
+    expected_loader_path = expected_suffix
 
-    assert created["file_path"] == expected_file_path
+    assert created["loader_path"] == expected_loader_path
     assert created["display_name"] == expected_display_name
+    assert "logical_path" not in created
 
     detail_r = http.get(f"{api_base}/api/assets/{created['id']}", timeout=120)
     detail = detail_r.json()
     assert detail_r.status_code == 200, detail
-    assert detail["file_path"] == expected_file_path
+    assert detail["loader_path"] == expected_loader_path
     assert detail["display_name"] == expected_display_name
 
     list_r = http.get(
@@ -290,7 +289,7 @@ def test_upload_response_includes_file_path_and_display_name(
     listed = list_r.json()
     assert list_r.status_code == 200, listed
     match = next(a for a in listed["assets"] if a["id"] == created["id"])
-    assert match["file_path"] == expected_file_path
+    assert match["loader_path"] == expected_loader_path
     assert match["display_name"] == expected_display_name