diff --git a/.github/scripts/check-ai-co-authors.sh b/.github/scripts/check-ai-co-authors.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..842b1f2d8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/scripts/check-ai-co-authors.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Checks pull request commits for AI agent Co-authored-by trailers.
+# Exits non-zero when any are found and prints fix instructions.
+set -euo pipefail
+
+base_sha="${1:?usage: check-ai-co-authors.sh <base_sha> <head_sha>}"
+head_sha="${2:?usage: check-ai-co-authors.sh <base_sha> <head_sha>}"
+
+# Known AI coding-agent trailer patterns (case-insensitive).
+# Each entry is an extended-regex fragment matched against Co-authored-by lines.
+AGENT_PATTERNS=(
+    # Anthropic — Claude Code / Amp
+    'noreply@anthropic\.com'
+    # Cursor
+    'cursoragent@cursor\.com'
+    # GitHub Copilot
+    'copilot-swe-agent\[bot\]'
+    'copilot@github\.com'
+    # OpenAI Codex
+    'noreply@openai\.com'
+    'codex@openai\.com'
+    # Aider
+    'aider@aider\.chat'
+    # Google — Gemini / Jules
+    'gemini@google\.com'
+    'jules@google\.com'
+    # Windsurf / Codeium
+    '@codeium\.com'
+    # Devin
+    'devin-ai-integration\[bot\]'
+    'devin@cognition\.ai'
+    'devin@cognition-labs\.com'
+    # Amazon Q Developer
+    'amazon-q-developer'
+    '@amazon\.com.*[Qq].[Dd]eveloper'
+    # Cline
+    'cline-bot'
+    'cline@cline\.ai'
+    # Continue
+    'continue-agent'
+    'continue@continue\.dev'
+    # Sourcegraph
+    'noreply@sourcegraph\.com'
+    # Generic catch-alls for common agent name patterns
+    'Co-authored-by:.*\b[Cc]laude\b'
+    'Co-authored-by:.*\b[Cc]opilot\b'
+    'Co-authored-by:.*\b[Cc]ursor\b'
+    'Co-authored-by:.*\b[Cc]odex\b'
+    'Co-authored-by:.*\b[Gg]emini\b'
+    'Co-authored-by:.*\b[Aa]ider\b'
+    'Co-authored-by:.*\b[Dd]evin\b'
+    'Co-authored-by:.*\b[Ww]indsurf\b'
+    'Co-authored-by:.*\b[Cc]line\b'
+    'Co-authored-by:.*\b[Aa]mazon Q\b'
+    'Co-authored-by:.*\b[Jj]ules\b'
+    'Co-authored-by:.*\bOpenCode\b'
+)
+
+# Build a single alternation regex from all patterns.
+regex=""
+for pattern in "${AGENT_PATTERNS[@]}"; do
+    if [[ -n "$regex" ]]; then
+        regex="${regex}|${pattern}"
+    else
+        regex="$pattern"
+    fi
+done
+
+# Collect Co-authored-by lines from every commit in the PR range.
+violations=""
+while IFS= read -r sha; do
+    message="$(git log -1 --format='%B' "$sha")"
+    matched_lines="$(echo "$message" | grep -iE "^Co-authored-by:" || true)"
+    if [[ -z "$matched_lines" ]]; then
+        continue
+    fi
+
+    while IFS= read -r line; do
+        if echo "$line" | grep -iqE "$regex"; then
+            short="$(git log -1 --format='%h' "$sha")"
+            violations="${violations}  ${short}: ${line}"$'\n'
+        fi
+    done <<< "$matched_lines"
+done < <(git rev-list "${base_sha}..${head_sha}")
+
+if [[ -n "$violations" ]]; then
+    echo "::error::AI agent Co-authored-by trailers detected in PR commits."
+    echo ""
+    echo "The following commits contain Co-authored-by trailers from AI coding agents:"
+    echo ""
+    echo "$violations"
+    echo "These trailers should be removed before merging."
+    echo ""
+    echo "To fix, rewrite the commit messages with:"
+    echo "  git rebase -i ${base_sha}"
+    echo ""
+    echo "and remove the Co-authored-by lines, then force-push your branch."
+    echo ""
+    echo "If you believe this is a false positive, please open an issue."
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+echo "No AI agent Co-authored-by trailers found."
diff --git a/.github/workflows/check-ai-co-authors.yml b/.github/workflows/check-ai-co-authors.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2ad9ac972
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/check-ai-co-authors.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+name: Check AI Co-Authors
+
+on:
+  pull_request:
+    branches: ['*']
+
+jobs:
+  check-ai-co-authors:
+    name: Check for AI agent co-author trailers
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
+
+      - name: Check commits for AI co-author trailers
+        run: bash .github/scripts/check-ai-co-authors.sh "${{ github.event.pull_request.base.sha }}" "${{ github.event.pull_request.head.sha }}"
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 56b7966cf..62c4f528c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ ComfyUI lets you design and execute advanced stable diffusion pipelines using a
 
 ## Get Started
 
+### Local
+
 #### [Desktop Application](https://www.comfy.org/download)
 - The easiest way to get started.
 - Available on Windows & macOS.
@@ -49,8 +51,13 @@ ComfyUI lets you design and execute advanced stable diffusion pipelines using a
 #### [Manual Install](#manual-install-windows-linux)
 Supports all operating systems and GPU types (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, Apple Silicon, Ascend).
 
-## [Examples](https://comfyanonymous.github.io/ComfyUI_examples/)
-See what ComfyUI can do with the [example workflows](https://comfyanonymous.github.io/ComfyUI_examples/).
+### Cloud
+
+#### [Comfy Cloud](https://www.comfy.org/cloud)
+- Our official paid cloud version for those who can't afford local hardware.
+
+## Examples
+See what ComfyUI can do with the [newer template workflows](https://comfy.org/workflows) or old [example workflows](https://comfyanonymous.github.io/ComfyUI_examples/).
 
 ## Features
 - Nodes/graph/flowchart interface to experiment and create complex Stable Diffusion workflows without needing to code anything.
diff --git a/alembic_db/env.py b/alembic_db/env.py
index 4d7770679..4ce37c012 100644
--- a/alembic_db/env.py
+++ b/alembic_db/env.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ from alembic import context
 config = context.config
 
 
-from app.database.models import Base
+from app.database.models import Base, NAMING_CONVENTION
 target_metadata = Base.metadata
 
 # other values from the config, defined by the needs of env.py,
@@ -51,7 +51,10 @@ def run_migrations_online() -> None:
 
     with connectable.connect() as connection:
         context.configure(
-            connection=connection, target_metadata=target_metadata
+            connection=connection,
+            target_metadata=target_metadata,
+            render_as_batch=True,
+            naming_convention=NAMING_CONVENTION,
         )
 
         with context.begin_transaction():
diff --git a/alembic_db/versions/0003_add_metadata_job_id.py b/alembic_db/versions/0003_add_metadata_job_id.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2a14ee924
--- /dev/null
+++ b/alembic_db/versions/0003_add_metadata_job_id.py
@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+"""
+Add system_metadata and job_id columns to asset_references.
+Change preview_id FK from assets.id to asset_references.id.
+
+Revision ID: 0003_add_metadata_job_id
+Revises: 0002_merge_to_asset_references
+Create Date: 2026-03-09
+"""
+
+from alembic import op
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+
+from app.database.models import NAMING_CONVENTION
+
+revision = "0003_add_metadata_job_id"
+down_revision = "0002_merge_to_asset_references"
+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("system_metadata", sa.JSON(), nullable=True)
+        )
+        batch_op.add_column(
+            sa.Column("job_id", sa.String(length=36), nullable=True)
+        )
+
+    # Change preview_id FK from assets.id to asset_references.id (self-ref).
+    # Existing values are asset-content IDs that won't match reference IDs,
+    # so null them out first.
+    op.execute("UPDATE asset_references SET preview_id = NULL WHERE preview_id IS NOT NULL")
+    with op.batch_alter_table(
+        "asset_references", naming_convention=NAMING_CONVENTION
+    ) as batch_op:
+        batch_op.drop_constraint(
+            "fk_asset_references_preview_id_assets", type_="foreignkey"
+        )
+        batch_op.create_foreign_key(
+            "fk_asset_references_preview_id_asset_references",
+            "asset_references",
+            ["preview_id"],
+            ["id"],
+            ondelete="SET NULL",
+        )
+        batch_op.create_index(
+            "ix_asset_references_preview_id", ["preview_id"]
+        )
+
+    # Purge any all-null meta rows before adding the constraint
+    op.execute(
+        "DELETE FROM asset_reference_meta"
+        " WHERE val_str IS NULL AND val_num IS NULL AND val_bool IS NULL AND val_json IS NULL"
+    )
+    with op.batch_alter_table("asset_reference_meta") as batch_op:
+        batch_op.create_check_constraint(
+            "ck_asset_reference_meta_has_value",
+            "val_str IS NOT NULL OR val_num IS NOT NULL OR val_bool IS NOT NULL OR val_json IS NOT NULL",
+        )
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    # SQLite doesn't reflect CHECK constraints, so we must declare it
+    # explicitly via table_args for the batch recreate to find it.
+    # Use the fully-rendered constraint name to avoid the naming convention
+    # doubling the prefix.
+    with op.batch_alter_table(
+        "asset_reference_meta",
+        table_args=[
+            sa.CheckConstraint(
+                "val_str IS NOT NULL OR val_num IS NOT NULL OR val_bool IS NOT NULL OR val_json IS NOT NULL",
+                name="ck_asset_reference_meta_has_value",
+            ),
+        ],
+    ) as batch_op:
+        batch_op.drop_constraint(
+            "ck_asset_reference_meta_has_value", type_="check"
+        )
+
+    with op.batch_alter_table(
+        "asset_references", naming_convention=NAMING_CONVENTION
+    ) as batch_op:
+        batch_op.drop_index("ix_asset_references_preview_id")
+        batch_op.drop_constraint(
+            "fk_asset_references_preview_id_asset_references", type_="foreignkey"
+        )
+        batch_op.create_foreign_key(
+            "fk_asset_references_preview_id_assets",
+            "assets",
+            ["preview_id"],
+            ["id"],
+            ondelete="SET NULL",
+        )
+
+    with op.batch_alter_table("asset_references") as batch_op:
+        batch_op.drop_column("job_id")
+        batch_op.drop_column("system_metadata")
diff --git a/app/assets/api/routes.py b/app/assets/api/routes.py
index 40dee9f46..68126b6a5 100644
--- a/app/assets/api/routes.py
+++ b/app/assets/api/routes.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ from pydantic import ValidationError
 import folder_paths
 from app import user_manager
 from app.assets.api import schemas_in, schemas_out
+from app.assets.services import schemas
 from app.assets.api.schemas_in import (
     AssetValidationError,
     UploadError,
@@ -38,6 +39,7 @@ from app.assets.services import (
     update_asset_metadata,
     upload_from_temp_path,
 )
+from app.assets.services.tagging import list_tag_histogram
 
 ROUTES = web.RouteTableDef()
 USER_MANAGER: user_manager.UserManager | None = None
@@ -122,6 +124,61 @@ def _validate_sort_field(requested: str | None) -> str:
     return "created_at"
 
 
+def _build_preview_url_from_view(tags: list[str], user_metadata: dict[str, Any] | None) -> str | None:
+    """Build a /api/view preview URL from asset tags and user_metadata filename."""
+    if not user_metadata:
+        return None
+    filename = user_metadata.get("filename")
+    if not filename:
+        return None
+
+    if "input" in tags:
+        view_type = "input"
+    elif "output" in tags:
+        view_type = "output"
+    else:
+        return None
+
+    subfolder = ""
+    if "/" in filename:
+        subfolder, filename = filename.rsplit("/", 1)
+
+    encoded_filename = urllib.parse.quote(filename, safe="")
+    url = f"/api/view?type={view_type}&filename={encoded_filename}"
+    if subfolder:
+        url += f"&subfolder={urllib.parse.quote(subfolder, safe='')}"
+    return url
+
+
+def _build_asset_response(result: schemas.AssetDetailResult | schemas.UploadResult) -> schemas_out.Asset:
+    """Build an Asset response from a service result."""
+    if result.ref.preview_id:
+        preview_detail = get_asset_detail(result.ref.preview_id)
+        if preview_detail:
+            preview_url = _build_preview_url_from_view(preview_detail.tags, preview_detail.ref.user_metadata)
+        else:
+            preview_url = None
+    else:
+        preview_url = _build_preview_url_from_view(result.tags, result.ref.user_metadata)
+    return schemas_out.Asset(
+        id=result.ref.id,
+        name=result.ref.name,
+        asset_hash=result.asset.hash if result.asset else None,
+        size=int(result.asset.size_bytes) if result.asset else None,
+        mime_type=result.asset.mime_type if result.asset else None,
+        tags=result.tags,
+        preview_url=preview_url,
+        preview_id=result.ref.preview_id,
+        user_metadata=result.ref.user_metadata or {},
+        metadata=result.ref.system_metadata,
+        job_id=result.ref.job_id,
+        prompt_id=result.ref.job_id,  # deprecated: mirrors job_id for cloud compat
+        created_at=result.ref.created_at,
+        updated_at=result.ref.updated_at,
+        last_access_time=result.ref.last_access_time,
+    )
+
+
 @ROUTES.head("/api/assets/hash/{hash}")
 @_require_assets_feature_enabled
 async def head_asset_by_hash(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
@@ -164,20 +221,7 @@ async def list_assets_route(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
         order=order,
     )
 
-    summaries = [
-        schemas_out.AssetSummary(
-            id=item.ref.id,
-            name=item.ref.name,
-            asset_hash=item.asset.hash if item.asset else None,
-            size=int(item.asset.size_bytes) if item.asset else None,
-            mime_type=item.asset.mime_type if item.asset else None,
-            tags=item.tags,
-            created_at=item.ref.created_at,
-            updated_at=item.ref.updated_at,
-            last_access_time=item.ref.last_access_time,
-        )
-        for item in result.items
-    ]
+    summaries = [_build_asset_response(item) for item in result.items]
 
     payload = schemas_out.AssetsList(
         assets=summaries,
@@ -207,18 +251,7 @@ async def get_asset_route(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
                 {"id": reference_id},
             )
 
-        payload = schemas_out.AssetDetail(
-            id=result.ref.id,
-            name=result.ref.name,
-            asset_hash=result.asset.hash if result.asset else None,
-            size=int(result.asset.size_bytes) if result.asset else None,
-            mime_type=result.asset.mime_type if result.asset else None,
-            tags=result.tags,
-            user_metadata=result.ref.user_metadata or {},
-            preview_id=result.ref.preview_id,
-            created_at=result.ref.created_at,
-            last_access_time=result.ref.last_access_time,
-        )
+        payload = _build_asset_response(result)
     except ValueError as e:
         return _build_error_response(
             404, "ASSET_NOT_FOUND", str(e), {"id": reference_id}
@@ -230,7 +263,7 @@ async def get_asset_route(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
             USER_MANAGER.get_request_user_id(request),
         )
         return _build_error_response(500, "INTERNAL", "Unexpected server error.")
-    return web.json_response(payload.model_dump(mode="json"), status=200)
+    return web.json_response(payload.model_dump(mode="json", exclude_none=True), status=200)
 
 
 @ROUTES.get(f"/api/assets/{{id:{UUID_RE}}}/content")
@@ -312,32 +345,31 @@ async def create_asset_from_hash_route(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
             400, "INVALID_JSON", "Request body must be valid JSON."
         )
 
+    # Derive name from hash if not provided
+    name = body.name
+    if name is None:
+        name = body.hash.split(":", 1)[1] if ":" in body.hash else body.hash
+
     result = create_from_hash(
         hash_str=body.hash,
-        name=body.name,
+        name=name,
         tags=body.tags,
         user_metadata=body.user_metadata,
         owner_id=USER_MANAGER.get_request_user_id(request),
+        mime_type=body.mime_type,
+        preview_id=body.preview_id,
     )
     if result is None:
         return _build_error_response(
             404, "ASSET_NOT_FOUND", f"Asset content {body.hash} does not exist"
         )
 
+    asset = _build_asset_response(result)
     payload_out = schemas_out.AssetCreated(
-        id=result.ref.id,
-        name=result.ref.name,
-        asset_hash=result.asset.hash,
-        size=int(result.asset.size_bytes),
-        mime_type=result.asset.mime_type,
-        tags=result.tags,
-        user_metadata=result.ref.user_metadata or {},
-        preview_id=result.ref.preview_id,
-        created_at=result.ref.created_at,
-        last_access_time=result.ref.last_access_time,
+        **asset.model_dump(),
         created_new=result.created_new,
     )
-    return web.json_response(payload_out.model_dump(mode="json"), status=201)
+    return web.json_response(payload_out.model_dump(mode="json", exclude_none=True), status=201)
 
 
 @ROUTES.post("/api/assets")
@@ -358,6 +390,8 @@ async def upload_asset(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
                 "name": parsed.provided_name,
                 "user_metadata": parsed.user_metadata_raw,
                 "hash": parsed.provided_hash,
+                "mime_type": parsed.provided_mime_type,
+                "preview_id": parsed.provided_preview_id,
             }
         )
     except ValidationError as ve:
@@ -386,6 +420,8 @@ async def upload_asset(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
                 tags=spec.tags,
                 user_metadata=spec.user_metadata or {},
                 owner_id=owner_id,
+                mime_type=spec.mime_type,
+                preview_id=spec.preview_id,
             )
             if result is None:
                 delete_temp_file_if_exists(parsed.tmp_path)
@@ -410,6 +446,8 @@ async def upload_asset(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
                 client_filename=parsed.file_client_name,
                 owner_id=owner_id,
                 expected_hash=spec.hash,
+                mime_type=spec.mime_type,
+                preview_id=spec.preview_id,
             )
     except AssetValidationError as e:
         delete_temp_file_if_exists(parsed.tmp_path)
@@ -428,21 +466,13 @@ async def upload_asset(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
         logging.exception("upload_asset failed for owner_id=%s", owner_id)
         return _build_error_response(500, "INTERNAL", "Unexpected server error.")
 
-    payload = schemas_out.AssetCreated(
-        id=result.ref.id,
-        name=result.ref.name,
-        asset_hash=result.asset.hash,
-        size=int(result.asset.size_bytes),
-        mime_type=result.asset.mime_type,
-        tags=result.tags,
-        user_metadata=result.ref.user_metadata or {},
-        preview_id=result.ref.preview_id,
-        created_at=result.ref.created_at,
-        last_access_time=result.ref.last_access_time,
+    asset = _build_asset_response(result)
+    payload_out = schemas_out.AssetCreated(
+        **asset.model_dump(),
         created_new=result.created_new,
     )
     status = 201 if result.created_new else 200
-    return web.json_response(payload.model_dump(mode="json"), status=status)
+    return web.json_response(payload_out.model_dump(mode="json", exclude_none=True), status=status)
 
 
 @ROUTES.put(f"/api/assets/{{id:{UUID_RE}}}")
@@ -464,15 +494,9 @@ async def update_asset_route(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
             name=body.name,
             user_metadata=body.user_metadata,
             owner_id=USER_MANAGER.get_request_user_id(request),
+            preview_id=body.preview_id,
         )
-        payload = schemas_out.AssetUpdated(
-            id=result.ref.id,
-            name=result.ref.name,
-            asset_hash=result.asset.hash if result.asset else None,
-            tags=result.tags,
-            user_metadata=result.ref.user_metadata or {},
-            updated_at=result.ref.updated_at,
-        )
+        payload = _build_asset_response(result)
     except PermissionError as pe:
         return _build_error_response(403, "FORBIDDEN", str(pe), {"id": reference_id})
     except ValueError as ve:
@@ -486,7 +510,7 @@ async def update_asset_route(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
             USER_MANAGER.get_request_user_id(request),
         )
         return _build_error_response(500, "INTERNAL", "Unexpected server error.")
-    return web.json_response(payload.model_dump(mode="json"), status=200)
+    return web.json_response(payload.model_dump(mode="json", exclude_none=True), status=200)
 
 
 @ROUTES.delete(f"/api/assets/{{id:{UUID_RE}}}")
@@ -555,7 +579,7 @@ async def get_tags(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
     payload = schemas_out.TagsList(
         tags=tags, total=total, has_more=(query.offset + len(tags)) < total
     )
-    return web.json_response(payload.model_dump(mode="json"))
+    return web.json_response(payload.model_dump(mode="json", exclude_none=True))
 
 
 @ROUTES.post(f"/api/assets/{{id:{UUID_RE}}}/tags")
@@ -603,7 +627,7 @@ async def add_asset_tags(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
         )
         return _build_error_response(500, "INTERNAL", "Unexpected server error.")
 
-    return web.json_response(payload.model_dump(mode="json"), status=200)
+    return web.json_response(payload.model_dump(mode="json", exclude_none=True), status=200)
 
 
 @ROUTES.delete(f"/api/assets/{{id:{UUID_RE}}}/tags")
@@ -650,7 +674,29 @@ async def delete_asset_tags(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
         )
         return _build_error_response(500, "INTERNAL", "Unexpected server error.")
 
-    return web.json_response(payload.model_dump(mode="json"), status=200)
+    return web.json_response(payload.model_dump(mode="json", exclude_none=True), status=200)
+
+
+@ROUTES.get("/api/assets/tags/refine")
+@_require_assets_feature_enabled
+async def get_tags_refine(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
+    """GET request to get tag histogram for filtered assets."""
+    query_dict = get_query_dict(request)
+    try:
+        q = schemas_in.TagsRefineQuery.model_validate(query_dict)
+    except ValidationError as ve:
+        return _build_validation_error_response("INVALID_QUERY", ve)
+
+    tag_counts = list_tag_histogram(
+        owner_id=USER_MANAGER.get_request_user_id(request),
+        include_tags=q.include_tags,
+        exclude_tags=q.exclude_tags,
+        name_contains=q.name_contains,
+        metadata_filter=q.metadata_filter,
+        limit=q.limit,
+    )
+    payload = schemas_out.TagHistogram(tag_counts=tag_counts)
+    return web.json_response(payload.model_dump(mode="json", exclude_none=True), status=200)
 
 
 @ROUTES.post("/api/assets/seed")
diff --git a/app/assets/api/schemas_in.py b/app/assets/api/schemas_in.py
index d255c938e..186a6ae1e 100644
--- a/app/assets/api/schemas_in.py
+++ b/app/assets/api/schemas_in.py
@@ -45,6 +45,8 @@ class ParsedUpload:
     user_metadata_raw: str | None
     provided_hash: str | None
     provided_hash_exists: bool | None
+    provided_mime_type: str | None = None
+    provided_preview_id: str | None = None
 
 
 class ListAssetsQuery(BaseModel):
@@ -98,11 +100,17 @@ class ListAssetsQuery(BaseModel):
 class UpdateAssetBody(BaseModel):
     name: str | None = None
     user_metadata: dict[str, Any] | None = None
+    preview_id: str | None = None  # references an asset_reference id, not an asset id
 
     @model_validator(mode="after")
     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.")
+        if all(
+            v is None
+            for v in (self.name, self.user_metadata, self.preview_id)
+        ):
+            raise ValueError(
+                "Provide at least one of: name, user_metadata, preview_id."
+            )
         return self
 
 
@@ -110,9 +118,11 @@ class CreateFromHashBody(BaseModel):
     model_config = ConfigDict(extra="ignore", str_strip_whitespace=True)
 
     hash: str
-    name: str
+    name: str | None = None
     tags: list[str] = Field(default_factory=list)
     user_metadata: dict[str, Any] = Field(default_factory=dict)
+    mime_type: str | None = None
+    preview_id: str | None = None  # references an asset_reference id, not an asset id
 
     @field_validator("hash")
     @classmethod
@@ -138,6 +148,44 @@ class CreateFromHashBody(BaseModel):
         return []
 
 
+class TagsRefineQuery(BaseModel):
+    include_tags: list[str] = Field(default_factory=list)
+    exclude_tags: list[str] = Field(default_factory=list)
+    name_contains: str | None = None
+    metadata_filter: dict[str, Any] | None = None
+    limit: conint(ge=1, le=1000) = 100
+
+    @field_validator("include_tags", "exclude_tags", mode="before")
+    @classmethod
+    def _split_csv_tags(cls, v):
+        if v is None:
+            return []
+        if isinstance(v, str):
+            return [t.strip() for t in v.split(",") if t.strip()]
+        if isinstance(v, list):
+            out: list[str] = []
+            for item in v:
+                if isinstance(item, str):
+                    out.extend([t.strip() for t in item.split(",") if t.strip()])
+            return out
+        return v
+
+    @field_validator("metadata_filter", mode="before")
+    @classmethod
+    def _parse_metadata_json(cls, v):
+        if v is None or isinstance(v, dict):
+            return v
+        if isinstance(v, str) and v.strip():
+            try:
+                parsed = json.loads(v)
+            except Exception as e:
+                raise ValueError(f"metadata_filter must be JSON: {e}") from e
+            if not isinstance(parsed, dict):
+                raise ValueError("metadata_filter must be a JSON object")
+            return parsed
+        return None
+
+
 class TagsListQuery(BaseModel):
     model_config = ConfigDict(extra="ignore", str_strip_whitespace=True)
 
@@ -186,21 +234,25 @@ class TagsRemove(TagsAdd):
 class UploadAssetSpec(BaseModel):
     """Upload Asset operation.
 
-    - tags: ordered; first is root ('models'|'input'|'output');
+    - tags: optional list; if provided, first is root ('models'|'input'|'output');
             if root == 'models', second must be a valid category
     - name: display name
     - user_metadata: arbitrary JSON object (optional)
     - hash: optional canonical 'blake3:<hex>' for validation / fast-path
+    - mime_type: optional MIME type override
+    - preview_id: optional asset_reference ID for preview
 
     Files are stored using the content hash as filename stem.
     """
 
     model_config = ConfigDict(extra="ignore", str_strip_whitespace=True)
 
-    tags: list[str] = Field(..., min_length=1)
+    tags: list[str] = Field(default_factory=list)
     name: str | None = Field(default=None, max_length=512, description="Display Name")
     user_metadata: dict[str, Any] = Field(default_factory=dict)
     hash: str | None = Field(default=None)
+    mime_type: str | None = Field(default=None)
+    preview_id: str | None = Field(default=None)  # references an asset_reference id
 
     @field_validator("hash", mode="before")
     @classmethod
@@ -279,7 +331,7 @@ class UploadAssetSpec(BaseModel):
     @model_validator(mode="after")
     def _validate_order(self):
         if not self.tags:
-            raise ValueError("tags must be provided and non-empty")
+            raise ValueError("at least one tag is required for uploads")
         root = self.tags[0]
         if root not in {"models", "input", "output"}:
             raise ValueError("first tag must be one of: models, input, output")
diff --git a/app/assets/api/schemas_out.py b/app/assets/api/schemas_out.py
index f36447856..d99b1098d 100644
--- a/app/assets/api/schemas_out.py
+++ b/app/assets/api/schemas_out.py
@@ -4,7 +4,10 @@ from typing import Any
 from pydantic import BaseModel, ConfigDict, Field, field_serializer
 
 
-class AssetSummary(BaseModel):
+class Asset(BaseModel):
+    """API view of an asset. Maps to DB ``AssetReference`` joined with its ``Asset`` blob;
+    ``id`` here is the AssetReference id, not the content-addressed Asset id."""
+
     id: str
     name: str
     asset_hash: str | None = None
@@ -12,8 +15,14 @@ class AssetSummary(BaseModel):
     mime_type: str | None = None
     tags: list[str] = Field(default_factory=list)
     preview_url: str | None = None
-    created_at: datetime | None = None
-    updated_at: datetime | None = None
+    preview_id: str | None = None  # references an asset_reference id, not an asset id
+    user_metadata: dict[str, Any] = Field(default_factory=dict)
+    is_immutable: bool = False
+    metadata: dict[str, Any] | None = None
+    job_id: str | None = None
+    prompt_id: str | None = None  # deprecated: use job_id
+    created_at: datetime
+    updated_at: datetime
     last_access_time: datetime | None = None
 
     model_config = ConfigDict(from_attributes=True)
@@ -23,50 +32,16 @@ class AssetSummary(BaseModel):
         return v.isoformat() if v else None
 
 
+class AssetCreated(Asset):
+    created_new: bool
+
+
 class AssetsList(BaseModel):
-    assets: list[AssetSummary]
+    assets: list[Asset]
     total: int
     has_more: bool
 
 
-class AssetUpdated(BaseModel):
-    id: str
-    name: str
-    asset_hash: str | None = None
-    tags: list[str] = Field(default_factory=list)
-    user_metadata: dict[str, Any] = Field(default_factory=dict)
-    updated_at: datetime | None = None
-
-    model_config = ConfigDict(from_attributes=True)
-
-    @field_serializer("updated_at")
-    def _serialize_updated_at(self, v: datetime | None, _info):
-        return v.isoformat() if v else None
-
-
-class AssetDetail(BaseModel):
-    id: str
-    name: str
-    asset_hash: str | None = None
-    size: int | None = None
-    mime_type: str | None = None
-    tags: list[str] = Field(default_factory=list)
-    user_metadata: dict[str, Any] = Field(default_factory=dict)
-    preview_id: str | None = None
-    created_at: datetime | None = None
-    last_access_time: datetime | None = None
-
-    model_config = ConfigDict(from_attributes=True)
-
-    @field_serializer("created_at", "last_access_time")
-    def _serialize_datetime(self, v: datetime | None, _info):
-        return v.isoformat() if v else None
-
-
-class AssetCreated(AssetDetail):
-    created_new: bool
-
-
 class TagUsage(BaseModel):
     name: str
     count: int
@@ -91,3 +66,7 @@ class TagsRemove(BaseModel):
     removed: list[str] = Field(default_factory=list)
     not_present: list[str] = Field(default_factory=list)
     total_tags: list[str] = Field(default_factory=list)
+
+
+class TagHistogram(BaseModel):
+    tag_counts: dict[str, int]
diff --git a/app/assets/api/upload.py b/app/assets/api/upload.py
index 721c12f4d..13d3d372c 100644
--- a/app/assets/api/upload.py
+++ b/app/assets/api/upload.py
@@ -52,6 +52,8 @@ async def parse_multipart_upload(
     user_metadata_raw: str | None = None
     provided_hash: str | None = None
     provided_hash_exists: bool | None = None
+    provided_mime_type: str | None = None
+    provided_preview_id: str | None = None
 
     file_written = 0
     tmp_path: str | None = None
@@ -128,6 +130,16 @@ async def parse_multipart_upload(
             provided_name = (await field.text()) or None
         elif fname == "user_metadata":
             user_metadata_raw = (await field.text()) or None
+        elif fname == "id":
+            raise UploadError(
+                400,
+                "UNSUPPORTED_FIELD",
+                "Client-provided 'id' is not supported. Asset IDs are assigned by the server.",
+            )
+        elif fname == "mime_type":
+            provided_mime_type = ((await field.text()) or "").strip() or None
+        elif fname == "preview_id":
+            provided_preview_id = ((await field.text()) or "").strip() or None
 
     if not file_present and not (provided_hash and provided_hash_exists):
         raise UploadError(
@@ -152,6 +164,8 @@ async def parse_multipart_upload(
         user_metadata_raw=user_metadata_raw,
         provided_hash=provided_hash,
         provided_hash_exists=provided_hash_exists,
+        provided_mime_type=provided_mime_type,
+        provided_preview_id=provided_preview_id,
     )
 
 
diff --git a/app/assets/database/models.py b/app/assets/database/models.py
index 03c1c1707..a3af8a192 100644
--- a/app/assets/database/models.py
+++ b/app/assets/database/models.py
@@ -45,13 +45,7 @@ class Asset(Base):
         passive_deletes=True,
     )
 
-    preview_of: Mapped[list[AssetReference]] = relationship(
-        "AssetReference",
-        back_populates="preview_asset",
-        primaryjoin=lambda: Asset.id == foreign(AssetReference.preview_id),
-        foreign_keys=lambda: [AssetReference.preview_id],
-        viewonly=True,
-    )
+    # preview_id on AssetReference is a self-referential FK to asset_references.id
 
     __table_args__ = (
         Index("uq_assets_hash", "hash", unique=True),
@@ -91,11 +85,15 @@ class AssetReference(Base):
     owner_id: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(String(128), nullable=False, default="")
     name: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(String(512), nullable=False)
     preview_id: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(
-        String(36), ForeignKey("assets.id", ondelete="SET NULL")
+        String(36), ForeignKey("asset_references.id", ondelete="SET NULL")
     )
     user_metadata: Mapped[dict[str, Any] | None] = mapped_column(
         JSON(none_as_null=True)
     )
+    system_metadata: Mapped[dict[str, Any] | None] = mapped_column(
+        JSON(none_as_null=True), nullable=True, default=None
+    )
+    job_id: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(String(36), nullable=True, default=None)
     created_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(
         DateTime(timezone=False), nullable=False, default=get_utc_now
     )
@@ -115,10 +113,10 @@ class AssetReference(Base):
         foreign_keys=[asset_id],
         lazy="selectin",
     )
-    preview_asset: Mapped[Asset | None] = relationship(
-        "Asset",
-        back_populates="preview_of",
+    preview_ref: Mapped[AssetReference | None] = relationship(
+        "AssetReference",
         foreign_keys=[preview_id],
+        remote_side=lambda: [AssetReference.id],
     )
 
     metadata_entries: Mapped[list[AssetReferenceMeta]] = relationship(
@@ -152,6 +150,7 @@ class AssetReference(Base):
         Index("ix_asset_references_created_at", "created_at"),
         Index("ix_asset_references_last_access_time", "last_access_time"),
         Index("ix_asset_references_deleted_at", "deleted_at"),
+        Index("ix_asset_references_preview_id", "preview_id"),
         Index("ix_asset_references_owner_name", "owner_id", "name"),
         CheckConstraint(
             "(mtime_ns IS NULL) OR (mtime_ns >= 0)", name="ck_ar_mtime_nonneg"
@@ -192,6 +191,10 @@ class AssetReferenceMeta(Base):
         Index("ix_asset_reference_meta_key_val_str", "key", "val_str"),
         Index("ix_asset_reference_meta_key_val_num", "key", "val_num"),
         Index("ix_asset_reference_meta_key_val_bool", "key", "val_bool"),
+        CheckConstraint(
+            "val_str IS NOT NULL OR val_num IS NOT NULL OR val_bool IS NOT NULL OR val_json IS NOT NULL",
+            name="has_value",
+        ),
     )
 
 
diff --git a/app/assets/database/queries/__init__.py b/app/assets/database/queries/__init__.py
index 7888d0645..1632937b2 100644
--- a/app/assets/database/queries/__init__.py
+++ b/app/assets/database/queries/__init__.py
@@ -31,16 +31,21 @@ from app.assets.database.queries.asset_reference import (
     get_unenriched_references,
     get_unreferenced_unhashed_asset_ids,
     insert_reference,
+    list_all_file_paths_by_asset_id,
     list_references_by_asset_id,
     list_references_page,
     mark_references_missing_outside_prefixes,
+    rebuild_metadata_projection,
+    reference_exists,
     reference_exists_for_asset_id,
     restore_references_by_paths,
     set_reference_metadata,
     set_reference_preview,
+    set_reference_system_metadata,
     soft_delete_reference_by_id,
     update_reference_access_time,
     update_reference_name,
+    update_is_missing_by_asset_id,
     update_reference_timestamps,
     update_reference_updated_at,
     upsert_reference,
@@ -54,6 +59,7 @@ from app.assets.database.queries.tags import (
     bulk_insert_tags_and_meta,
     ensure_tags_exist,
     get_reference_tags,
+    list_tag_counts_for_filtered_assets,
     list_tags_with_usage,
     remove_missing_tag_for_asset_id,
     remove_tags_from_reference,
@@ -97,20 +103,26 @@ __all__ = [
     "get_unenriched_references",
     "get_unreferenced_unhashed_asset_ids",
     "insert_reference",
+    "list_all_file_paths_by_asset_id",
     "list_references_by_asset_id",
     "list_references_page",
+    "list_tag_counts_for_filtered_assets",
     "list_tags_with_usage",
     "mark_references_missing_outside_prefixes",
     "reassign_asset_references",
+    "rebuild_metadata_projection",
+    "reference_exists",
     "reference_exists_for_asset_id",
     "remove_missing_tag_for_asset_id",
     "remove_tags_from_reference",
     "restore_references_by_paths",
     "set_reference_metadata",
     "set_reference_preview",
+    "set_reference_system_metadata",
     "soft_delete_reference_by_id",
     "set_reference_tags",
     "update_asset_hash_and_mime",
+    "update_is_missing_by_asset_id",
     "update_reference_access_time",
     "update_reference_name",
     "update_reference_timestamps",
diff --git a/app/assets/database/queries/asset.py b/app/assets/database/queries/asset.py
index a21f5b68f..594d1f1b2 100644
--- a/app/assets/database/queries/asset.py
+++ b/app/assets/database/queries/asset.py
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ def upsert_asset(
         if asset.size_bytes != int(size_bytes) and int(size_bytes) > 0:
             asset.size_bytes = int(size_bytes)
             changed = True
-        if mime_type and asset.mime_type != mime_type:
+        if mime_type and not asset.mime_type:
             asset.mime_type = mime_type
             changed = True
         if changed:
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ def update_asset_hash_and_mime(
         return False
     if asset_hash is not None:
         asset.hash = asset_hash
-    if mime_type is not None:
+    if mime_type is not None and not asset.mime_type:
         asset.mime_type = mime_type
     return True
 
diff --git a/app/assets/database/queries/asset_reference.py b/app/assets/database/queries/asset_reference.py
index 6524791cc..084a32512 100644
--- a/app/assets/database/queries/asset_reference.py
+++ b/app/assets/database/queries/asset_reference.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ from decimal import Decimal
 from typing import NamedTuple, Sequence
 
 import sqlalchemy as sa
-from sqlalchemy import delete, exists, select
+from sqlalchemy import delete, select
 from sqlalchemy.dialects import sqlite
 from sqlalchemy.exc import IntegrityError
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session, noload
@@ -24,12 +24,14 @@ from app.assets.database.models import (
 )
 from app.assets.database.queries.common import (
     MAX_BIND_PARAMS,
+    apply_metadata_filter,
+    apply_tag_filters,
     build_prefix_like_conditions,
     build_visible_owner_clause,
     calculate_rows_per_statement,
     iter_chunks,
 )
-from app.assets.helpers import escape_sql_like_string, get_utc_now, normalize_tags
+from app.assets.helpers import escape_sql_like_string, get_utc_now
 
 
 def _check_is_scalar(v):
@@ -44,15 +46,6 @@ def _check_is_scalar(v):
 
 def _scalar_to_row(key: str, ordinal: int, value) -> dict:
     """Convert a scalar value to a typed projection row."""
-    if value is None:
-        return {
-            "key": key,
-            "ordinal": ordinal,
-            "val_str": None,
-            "val_num": None,
-            "val_bool": None,
-            "val_json": None,
-        }
     if isinstance(value, bool):
         return {"key": key, "ordinal": ordinal, "val_bool": bool(value)}
     if isinstance(value, (int, float, Decimal)):
@@ -66,96 +59,19 @@ def _scalar_to_row(key: str, ordinal: int, value) -> dict:
 def convert_metadata_to_rows(key: str, value) -> list[dict]:
     """Turn a metadata key/value into typed projection rows."""
     if value is None:
-        return [_scalar_to_row(key, 0, None)]
+        return []
 
     if _check_is_scalar(value):
         return [_scalar_to_row(key, 0, value)]
 
     if isinstance(value, list):
         if all(_check_is_scalar(x) for x in value):
-            return [_scalar_to_row(key, i, x) for i, x in enumerate(value)]
-        return [{"key": key, "ordinal": i, "val_json": x} for i, x in enumerate(value)]
+            return [_scalar_to_row(key, i, x) for i, x in enumerate(value) if x is not None]
+        return [{"key": key, "ordinal": i, "val_json": x} for i, x in enumerate(value) if x is not None]
 
     return [{"key": key, "ordinal": 0, "val_json": value}]
 
 
-def _apply_tag_filters(
-    stmt: sa.sql.Select,
-    include_tags: Sequence[str] | None = None,
-    exclude_tags: Sequence[str] | None = None,
-) -> sa.sql.Select:
-    """include_tags: every tag must be present; exclude_tags: none may be present."""
-    include_tags = normalize_tags(include_tags)
-    exclude_tags = normalize_tags(exclude_tags)
-
-    if include_tags:
-        for tag_name in include_tags:
-            stmt = stmt.where(
-                exists().where(
-                    (AssetReferenceTag.asset_reference_id == AssetReference.id)
-                    & (AssetReferenceTag.tag_name == tag_name)
-                )
-            )
-
-    if exclude_tags:
-        stmt = stmt.where(
-            ~exists().where(
-                (AssetReferenceTag.asset_reference_id == AssetReference.id)
-                & (AssetReferenceTag.tag_name.in_(exclude_tags))
-            )
-        )
-    return stmt
-
-
-def _apply_metadata_filter(
-    stmt: sa.sql.Select,
-    metadata_filter: dict | None = None,
-) -> sa.sql.Select:
-    """Apply filters using asset_reference_meta projection table."""
-    if not metadata_filter:
-        return stmt
-
-    def _exists_for_pred(key: str, *preds) -> sa.sql.ClauseElement:
-        return sa.exists().where(
-            AssetReferenceMeta.asset_reference_id == AssetReference.id,
-            AssetReferenceMeta.key == key,
-            *preds,
-        )
-
-    def _exists_clause_for_value(key: str, value) -> sa.sql.ClauseElement:
-        if value is None:
-            no_row_for_key = sa.not_(
-                sa.exists().where(
-                    AssetReferenceMeta.asset_reference_id == AssetReference.id,
-                    AssetReferenceMeta.key == key,
-                )
-            )
-            null_row = _exists_for_pred(
-                key,
-                AssetReferenceMeta.val_json.is_(None),
-                AssetReferenceMeta.val_str.is_(None),
-                AssetReferenceMeta.val_num.is_(None),
-                AssetReferenceMeta.val_bool.is_(None),
-            )
-            return sa.or_(no_row_for_key, null_row)
-
-        if isinstance(value, bool):
-            return _exists_for_pred(key, AssetReferenceMeta.val_bool == bool(value))
-        if isinstance(value, (int, float, Decimal)):
-            num = value if isinstance(value, Decimal) else Decimal(str(value))
-            return _exists_for_pred(key, AssetReferenceMeta.val_num == num)
-        if isinstance(value, str):
-            return _exists_for_pred(key, AssetReferenceMeta.val_str == value)
-        return _exists_for_pred(key, AssetReferenceMeta.val_json == value)
-
-    for k, v in metadata_filter.items():
-        if isinstance(v, list):
-            ors = [_exists_clause_for_value(k, elem) for elem in v]
-            if ors:
-                stmt = stmt.where(sa.or_(*ors))
-        else:
-            stmt = stmt.where(_exists_clause_for_value(k, v))
-    return stmt
 
 
 def get_reference_by_id(
@@ -212,6 +128,21 @@ def reference_exists_for_asset_id(
     return session.execute(q).first() is not None
 
 
+def reference_exists(
+    session: Session,
+    reference_id: str,
+) -> bool:
+    """Return True if a reference with the given ID exists (not soft-deleted)."""
+    q = (
+        select(sa.literal(True))
+        .select_from(AssetReference)
+        .where(AssetReference.id == reference_id)
+        .where(AssetReference.deleted_at.is_(None))
+        .limit(1)
+    )
+    return session.execute(q).first() is not None
+
+
 def insert_reference(
     session: Session,
     asset_id: str,
@@ -336,8 +267,8 @@ def list_references_page(
         escaped, esc = escape_sql_like_string(name_contains)
         base = base.where(AssetReference.name.ilike(f"%{escaped}%", escape=esc))
 
-    base = _apply_tag_filters(base, include_tags, exclude_tags)
-    base = _apply_metadata_filter(base, metadata_filter)
+    base = apply_tag_filters(base, include_tags, exclude_tags)
+    base = apply_metadata_filter(base, metadata_filter)
 
     sort = (sort or "created_at").lower()
     order = (order or "desc").lower()
@@ -366,8 +297,8 @@ def list_references_page(
         count_stmt = count_stmt.where(
             AssetReference.name.ilike(f"%{escaped}%", escape=esc)
         )
-    count_stmt = _apply_tag_filters(count_stmt, include_tags, exclude_tags)
-    count_stmt = _apply_metadata_filter(count_stmt, metadata_filter)
+    count_stmt = apply_tag_filters(count_stmt, include_tags, exclude_tags)
+    count_stmt = apply_metadata_filter(count_stmt, metadata_filter)
 
     total = int(session.execute(count_stmt).scalar_one() or 0)
     refs = session.execute(base).unique().scalars().all()
@@ -379,7 +310,7 @@ def list_references_page(
             select(AssetReferenceTag.asset_reference_id, Tag.name)
             .join(Tag, Tag.name == AssetReferenceTag.tag_name)
             .where(AssetReferenceTag.asset_reference_id.in_(id_list))
-            .order_by(AssetReferenceTag.added_at)
+            .order_by(AssetReferenceTag.tag_name.asc())
         )
         for ref_id, tag_name in rows.all():
             tag_map[ref_id].append(tag_name)
@@ -492,6 +423,42 @@ def update_reference_updated_at(
     )
 
 
+def rebuild_metadata_projection(session: Session, ref: AssetReference) -> None:
+    """Delete and rebuild AssetReferenceMeta rows from merged system+user metadata.
+
+    The merged dict is ``{**system_metadata, **user_metadata}`` so user keys
+    override system keys of the same name.
+    """
+    session.execute(
+        delete(AssetReferenceMeta).where(
+            AssetReferenceMeta.asset_reference_id == ref.id
+        )
+    )
+    session.flush()
+
+    merged = {**(ref.system_metadata or {}), **(ref.user_metadata or {})}
+    if not merged:
+        return
+
+    rows: list[AssetReferenceMeta] = []
+    for k, v in merged.items():
+        for r in convert_metadata_to_rows(k, v):
+            rows.append(
+                AssetReferenceMeta(
+                    asset_reference_id=ref.id,
+                    key=r["key"],
+                    ordinal=int(r["ordinal"]),
+                    val_str=r.get("val_str"),
+                    val_num=r.get("val_num"),
+                    val_bool=r.get("val_bool"),
+                    val_json=r.get("val_json"),
+                )
+            )
+    if rows:
+        session.add_all(rows)
+        session.flush()
+
+
 def set_reference_metadata(
     session: Session,
     reference_id: str,
@@ -505,33 +472,24 @@ def set_reference_metadata(
     ref.updated_at = get_utc_now()
     session.flush()
 
-    session.execute(
-        delete(AssetReferenceMeta).where(
-            AssetReferenceMeta.asset_reference_id == reference_id
-        )
-    )
+    rebuild_metadata_projection(session, ref)
+
+
+def set_reference_system_metadata(
+    session: Session,
+    reference_id: str,
+    system_metadata: dict | None = None,
+) -> None:
+    """Set system_metadata on a reference and rebuild the merged projection."""
+    ref = session.get(AssetReference, reference_id)
+    if not ref:
+        raise ValueError(f"AssetReference {reference_id} not found")
+
+    ref.system_metadata = system_metadata or {}
+    ref.updated_at = get_utc_now()
     session.flush()
 
-    if not user_metadata:
-        return
-
-    rows: list[AssetReferenceMeta] = []
-    for k, v in user_metadata.items():
-        for r in convert_metadata_to_rows(k, v):
-            rows.append(
-                AssetReferenceMeta(
-                    asset_reference_id=reference_id,
-                    key=r["key"],
-                    ordinal=int(r["ordinal"]),
-                    val_str=r.get("val_str"),
-                    val_num=r.get("val_num"),
-                    val_bool=r.get("val_bool"),
-                    val_json=r.get("val_json"),
-                )
-            )
-    if rows:
-        session.add_all(rows)
-        session.flush()
+    rebuild_metadata_projection(session, ref)
 
 
 def delete_reference_by_id(
@@ -571,19 +529,19 @@ def soft_delete_reference_by_id(
 def set_reference_preview(
     session: Session,
     reference_id: str,
-    preview_asset_id: str | None = None,
+    preview_reference_id: str | None = None,
 ) -> None:
     """Set or clear preview_id and bump updated_at. Raises on unknown IDs."""
     ref = session.get(AssetReference, reference_id)
     if not ref:
         raise ValueError(f"AssetReference {reference_id} not found")
 
-    if preview_asset_id is None:
+    if preview_reference_id is None:
         ref.preview_id = None
     else:
-        if not session.get(Asset, preview_asset_id):
-            raise ValueError(f"Preview Asset {preview_asset_id} not found")
-        ref.preview_id = preview_asset_id
+        if not session.get(AssetReference, preview_reference_id):
+            raise ValueError(f"Preview AssetReference {preview_reference_id} not found")
+        ref.preview_id = preview_reference_id
 
     ref.updated_at = get_utc_now()
     session.flush()
@@ -609,6 +567,8 @@ def list_references_by_asset_id(
         session.execute(
             select(AssetReference)
             .where(AssetReference.asset_id == asset_id)
+            .where(AssetReference.is_missing == False)  # noqa: E712
+            .where(AssetReference.deleted_at.is_(None))
             .order_by(AssetReference.id.asc())
         )
         .scalars()
@@ -616,6 +576,25 @@ def list_references_by_asset_id(
     )
 
 
+def list_all_file_paths_by_asset_id(
+    session: Session,
+    asset_id: str,
+) -> list[str]:
+    """Return every file_path for an asset, including soft-deleted/missing refs.
+
+    Used for orphan cleanup where all on-disk files must be removed.
+    """
+    return list(
+        session.execute(
+            select(AssetReference.file_path)
+            .where(AssetReference.asset_id == asset_id)
+            .where(AssetReference.file_path.isnot(None))
+        )
+        .scalars()
+        .all()
+    )
+
+
 def upsert_reference(
     session: Session,
     asset_id: str,
@@ -855,6 +834,22 @@ def bulk_update_is_missing(
     return total
 
 
+def update_is_missing_by_asset_id(
+    session: Session, asset_id: str, value: bool
+) -> int:
+    """Set is_missing flag for ALL references belonging to an asset.
+
+    Returns: Number of rows updated
+    """
+    result = session.execute(
+        sa.update(AssetReference)
+        .where(AssetReference.asset_id == asset_id)
+        .where(AssetReference.deleted_at.is_(None))
+        .values(is_missing=value)
+    )
+    return result.rowcount
+
+
 def delete_references_by_ids(session: Session, reference_ids: list[str]) -> int:
     """Delete references by their IDs.
 
diff --git a/app/assets/database/queries/common.py b/app/assets/database/queries/common.py
index 194c39a1e..89bb49327 100644
--- a/app/assets/database/queries/common.py
+++ b/app/assets/database/queries/common.py
@@ -1,12 +1,14 @@
 """Shared utilities for database query modules."""
 
 import os
-from typing import Iterable
+from decimal import Decimal
+from typing import Iterable, Sequence
 
 import sqlalchemy as sa
+from sqlalchemy import exists
 
-from app.assets.database.models import AssetReference
-from app.assets.helpers import escape_sql_like_string
+from app.assets.database.models import AssetReference, AssetReferenceMeta, AssetReferenceTag
+from app.assets.helpers import escape_sql_like_string, normalize_tags
 
 MAX_BIND_PARAMS = 800
 
@@ -52,3 +54,74 @@ def build_prefix_like_conditions(
         escaped, esc = escape_sql_like_string(base)
         conds.append(AssetReference.file_path.like(escaped + "%", escape=esc))
     return conds
+
+
+def apply_tag_filters(
+    stmt: sa.sql.Select,
+    include_tags: Sequence[str] | None = None,
+    exclude_tags: Sequence[str] | None = None,
+) -> sa.sql.Select:
+    """include_tags: every tag must be present; exclude_tags: none may be present."""
+    include_tags = normalize_tags(include_tags)
+    exclude_tags = normalize_tags(exclude_tags)
+
+    if include_tags:
+        for tag_name in include_tags:
+            stmt = stmt.where(
+                exists().where(
+                    (AssetReferenceTag.asset_reference_id == AssetReference.id)
+                    & (AssetReferenceTag.tag_name == tag_name)
+                )
+            )
+
+    if exclude_tags:
+        stmt = stmt.where(
+            ~exists().where(
+                (AssetReferenceTag.asset_reference_id == AssetReference.id)
+                & (AssetReferenceTag.tag_name.in_(exclude_tags))
+            )
+        )
+    return stmt
+
+
+def apply_metadata_filter(
+    stmt: sa.sql.Select,
+    metadata_filter: dict | None = None,
+) -> sa.sql.Select:
+    """Apply filters using asset_reference_meta projection table."""
+    if not metadata_filter:
+        return stmt
+
+    def _exists_for_pred(key: str, *preds) -> sa.sql.ClauseElement:
+        return sa.exists().where(
+            AssetReferenceMeta.asset_reference_id == AssetReference.id,
+            AssetReferenceMeta.key == key,
+            *preds,
+        )
+
+    def _exists_clause_for_value(key: str, value) -> sa.sql.ClauseElement:
+        if value is None:
+            return sa.not_(
+                sa.exists().where(
+                    AssetReferenceMeta.asset_reference_id == AssetReference.id,
+                    AssetReferenceMeta.key == key,
+                )
+            )
+
+        if isinstance(value, bool):
+            return _exists_for_pred(key, AssetReferenceMeta.val_bool == bool(value))
+        if isinstance(value, (int, float, Decimal)):
+            num = value if isinstance(value, Decimal) else Decimal(str(value))
+            return _exists_for_pred(key, AssetReferenceMeta.val_num == num)
+        if isinstance(value, str):
+            return _exists_for_pred(key, AssetReferenceMeta.val_str == value)
+        return _exists_for_pred(key, AssetReferenceMeta.val_json == value)
+
+    for k, v in metadata_filter.items():
+        if isinstance(v, list):
+            ors = [_exists_clause_for_value(k, elem) for elem in v]
+            if ors:
+                stmt = stmt.where(sa.or_(*ors))
+        else:
+            stmt = stmt.where(_exists_clause_for_value(k, v))
+    return stmt
diff --git a/app/assets/database/queries/tags.py b/app/assets/database/queries/tags.py
index 8b25fee67..f4126dba8 100644
--- a/app/assets/database/queries/tags.py
+++ b/app/assets/database/queries/tags.py
@@ -8,12 +8,15 @@ from sqlalchemy.exc import IntegrityError
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
 
 from app.assets.database.models import (
+    Asset,
     AssetReference,
     AssetReferenceMeta,
     AssetReferenceTag,
     Tag,
 )
 from app.assets.database.queries.common import (
+    apply_metadata_filter,
+    apply_tag_filters,
     build_visible_owner_clause,
     iter_row_chunks,
 )
@@ -72,9 +75,9 @@ def get_reference_tags(session: Session, reference_id: str) -> list[str]:
         tag_name
         for (tag_name,) in (
             session.execute(
-                select(AssetReferenceTag.tag_name).where(
-                    AssetReferenceTag.asset_reference_id == reference_id
-                )
+                select(AssetReferenceTag.tag_name)
+                .where(AssetReferenceTag.asset_reference_id == reference_id)
+                .order_by(AssetReferenceTag.tag_name.asc())
             )
         ).all()
     ]
@@ -117,7 +120,7 @@ def set_reference_tags(
         )
         session.flush()
 
-    return SetTagsResult(added=to_add, removed=to_remove, total=desired)
+    return SetTagsResult(added=sorted(to_add), removed=sorted(to_remove), total=sorted(desired))
 
 
 def add_tags_to_reference(
@@ -272,6 +275,12 @@ def list_tags_with_usage(
         .select_from(AssetReferenceTag)
         .join(AssetReference, AssetReference.id == AssetReferenceTag.asset_reference_id)
         .where(build_visible_owner_clause(owner_id))
+        .where(
+            sa.or_(
+                AssetReference.is_missing == False,  # noqa: E712
+                AssetReferenceTag.tag_name == "missing",
+            )
+        )
         .where(AssetReference.deleted_at.is_(None))
         .group_by(AssetReferenceTag.tag_name)
         .subquery()
@@ -308,6 +317,12 @@ def list_tags_with_usage(
             select(AssetReferenceTag.tag_name)
             .join(AssetReference, AssetReference.id == AssetReferenceTag.asset_reference_id)
             .where(build_visible_owner_clause(owner_id))
+            .where(
+                sa.or_(
+                    AssetReference.is_missing == False,  # noqa: E712
+                    AssetReferenceTag.tag_name == "missing",
+                )
+            )
             .where(AssetReference.deleted_at.is_(None))
             .group_by(AssetReferenceTag.tag_name)
         )
@@ -320,6 +335,53 @@ def list_tags_with_usage(
     return rows_norm, int(total or 0)
 
 
+def list_tag_counts_for_filtered_assets(
+    session: Session,
+    owner_id: str = "",
+    include_tags: Sequence[str] | None = None,
+    exclude_tags: Sequence[str] | None = None,
+    name_contains: str | None = None,
+    metadata_filter: dict | None = None,
+    limit: int = 100,
+) -> dict[str, int]:
+    """Return tag counts for assets matching the given filters.
+
+    Uses the same filtering logic as list_references_page but returns
+    {tag_name: count} instead of paginated references.
+    """
+    # Build a subquery of matching reference IDs
+    ref_sq = (
+        select(AssetReference.id)
+        .join(Asset, Asset.id == AssetReference.asset_id)
+        .where(build_visible_owner_clause(owner_id))
+        .where(AssetReference.is_missing == False)  # noqa: E712
+        .where(AssetReference.deleted_at.is_(None))
+    )
+
+    if name_contains:
+        escaped, esc = escape_sql_like_string(name_contains)
+        ref_sq = ref_sq.where(AssetReference.name.ilike(f"%{escaped}%", escape=esc))
+
+    ref_sq = apply_tag_filters(ref_sq, include_tags, exclude_tags)
+    ref_sq = apply_metadata_filter(ref_sq, metadata_filter)
+    ref_sq = ref_sq.subquery()
+
+    # Count tags across those references
+    q = (
+        select(
+            AssetReferenceTag.tag_name,
+            func.count(AssetReferenceTag.asset_reference_id).label("cnt"),
+        )
+        .where(AssetReferenceTag.asset_reference_id.in_(select(ref_sq.c.id)))
+        .group_by(AssetReferenceTag.tag_name)
+        .order_by(func.count(AssetReferenceTag.asset_reference_id).desc(), AssetReferenceTag.tag_name.asc())
+        .limit(limit)
+    )
+
+    rows = session.execute(q).all()
+    return {tag_name: int(cnt) for tag_name, cnt in rows}
+
+
 def bulk_insert_tags_and_meta(
     session: Session,
     tag_rows: list[dict],
diff --git a/app/assets/scanner.py b/app/assets/scanner.py
index e27ea5123..4e05a97b5 100644
--- a/app/assets/scanner.py
+++ b/app/assets/scanner.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ from app.assets.database.queries import (
     mark_references_missing_outside_prefixes,
     reassign_asset_references,
     remove_missing_tag_for_asset_id,
-    set_reference_metadata,
+    set_reference_system_metadata,
     update_asset_hash_and_mime,
 )
 from app.assets.services.bulk_ingest import (
@@ -490,8 +490,8 @@ def enrich_asset(
             logging.warning("Failed to hash %s: %s", file_path, e)
 
     if extract_metadata and metadata:
-        user_metadata = metadata.to_user_metadata()
-        set_reference_metadata(session, reference_id, user_metadata)
+        system_metadata = metadata.to_user_metadata()
+        set_reference_system_metadata(session, reference_id, system_metadata)
 
     if full_hash:
         existing = get_asset_by_hash(session, full_hash)
diff --git a/app/assets/services/asset_management.py b/app/assets/services/asset_management.py
index 3fe7115c8..5aefd9956 100644
--- a/app/assets/services/asset_management.py
+++ b/app/assets/services/asset_management.py
@@ -16,10 +16,12 @@ from app.assets.database.queries import (
     get_reference_by_id,
     get_reference_with_owner_check,
     list_references_page,
+    list_all_file_paths_by_asset_id,
     list_references_by_asset_id,
     set_reference_metadata,
     set_reference_preview,
     set_reference_tags,
+    update_asset_hash_and_mime,
     update_reference_access_time,
     update_reference_name,
     update_reference_updated_at,
@@ -67,6 +69,8 @@ def update_asset_metadata(
     user_metadata: UserMetadata = None,
     tag_origin: str = "manual",
     owner_id: str = "",
+    mime_type: str | None = None,
+    preview_id: str | None = None,
 ) -> AssetDetailResult:
     with create_session() as session:
         ref = get_reference_with_owner_check(session, reference_id, owner_id)
@@ -103,6 +107,21 @@ def update_asset_metadata(
             )
             touched = True
 
+        if mime_type is not None:
+            updated = update_asset_hash_and_mime(
+                session, asset_id=ref.asset_id, mime_type=mime_type
+            )
+            if updated:
+                touched = True
+
+        if preview_id is not None:
+            set_reference_preview(
+                session,
+                reference_id=reference_id,
+                preview_reference_id=preview_id,
+            )
+            touched = True
+
         if touched and user_metadata is None:
             update_reference_updated_at(session, reference_id=reference_id)
 
@@ -159,11 +178,9 @@ def delete_asset_reference(
             session.commit()
             return True
 
-        # Orphaned asset - delete it and its files
-        refs = list_references_by_asset_id(session, asset_id=asset_id)
-        file_paths = [
-            r.file_path for r in (refs or []) if getattr(r, "file_path", None)
-        ]
+        # Orphaned asset - gather ALL file paths (including
+        # soft-deleted / missing refs) so their on-disk files get cleaned up.
+        file_paths = list_all_file_paths_by_asset_id(session, asset_id=asset_id)
         # Also include the just-deleted file path
         if file_path:
             file_paths.append(file_path)
@@ -185,7 +202,7 @@ def delete_asset_reference(
 
 def set_asset_preview(
     reference_id: str,
-    preview_asset_id: str | None = None,
+    preview_reference_id: str | None = None,
     owner_id: str = "",
 ) -> AssetDetailResult:
     with create_session() as session:
@@ -194,7 +211,7 @@ def set_asset_preview(
         set_reference_preview(
             session,
             reference_id=reference_id,
-            preview_asset_id=preview_asset_id,
+            preview_reference_id=preview_reference_id,
         )
 
         result = fetch_reference_asset_and_tags(
@@ -263,6 +280,47 @@ def list_assets_page(
         return ListAssetsResult(items=items, total=total)
 
 
+def resolve_hash_to_path(
+    asset_hash: str,
+    owner_id: str = "",
+) -> DownloadResolutionResult | None:
+    """Resolve a blake3 hash to an on-disk file path.
+
+    Only references visible to *owner_id* are considered (owner-less
+    references are always visible).
+
+    Returns a DownloadResolutionResult with abs_path, content_type, and
+    download_name, or None if no asset or live path is found.
+    """
+    with create_session() as session:
+        asset = queries_get_asset_by_hash(session, asset_hash)
+        if not asset:
+            return None
+        refs = list_references_by_asset_id(session, asset_id=asset.id)
+        visible = [
+            r for r in refs
+            if r.owner_id == "" or r.owner_id == owner_id
+        ]
+        abs_path = select_best_live_path(visible)
+        if not abs_path:
+            return None
+        display_name = os.path.basename(abs_path)
+        for ref in visible:
+            if ref.file_path == abs_path and ref.name:
+                display_name = ref.name
+                break
+        ctype = (
+            asset.mime_type
+            or mimetypes.guess_type(display_name)[0]
+            or "application/octet-stream"
+        )
+    return DownloadResolutionResult(
+        abs_path=abs_path,
+        content_type=ctype,
+        download_name=display_name,
+    )
+
+
 def resolve_asset_for_download(
     reference_id: str,
     owner_id: str = "",
diff --git a/app/assets/services/ingest.py b/app/assets/services/ingest.py
index 44d7aef36..90c51994f 100644
--- a/app/assets/services/ingest.py
+++ b/app/assets/services/ingest.py
@@ -11,13 +11,14 @@ from app.assets.database.queries import (
     add_tags_to_reference,
     fetch_reference_and_asset,
     get_asset_by_hash,
-    get_existing_asset_ids,
     get_reference_by_file_path,
     get_reference_tags,
     get_or_create_reference,
+    reference_exists,
     remove_missing_tag_for_asset_id,
     set_reference_metadata,
     set_reference_tags,
+    update_asset_hash_and_mime,
     upsert_asset,
     upsert_reference,
     validate_tags_exist,
@@ -26,6 +27,7 @@ from app.assets.helpers import normalize_tags
 from app.assets.services.file_utils import get_size_and_mtime_ns
 from app.assets.services.path_utils import (
     compute_relative_filename,
+    get_name_and_tags_from_asset_path,
     resolve_destination_from_tags,
     validate_path_within_base,
 )
@@ -65,7 +67,7 @@ def _ingest_file_from_path(
 
     with create_session() as session:
         if preview_id:
-            if preview_id not in get_existing_asset_ids(session, [preview_id]):
+            if not reference_exists(session, preview_id):
                 preview_id = None
 
         asset, asset_created, asset_updated = upsert_asset(
@@ -135,6 +137,8 @@ def _register_existing_asset(
     tags: list[str] | None = None,
     tag_origin: str = "manual",
     owner_id: str = "",
+    mime_type: str | None = None,
+    preview_id: str | None = None,
 ) -> RegisterAssetResult:
     user_metadata = user_metadata or {}
 
@@ -143,14 +147,25 @@ def _register_existing_asset(
         if not asset:
             raise ValueError(f"No asset with hash {asset_hash}")
 
+        if mime_type and not asset.mime_type:
+            update_asset_hash_and_mime(session, asset_id=asset.id, mime_type=mime_type)
+
+        if preview_id:
+            if not reference_exists(session, preview_id):
+                preview_id = None
+
         ref, ref_created = get_or_create_reference(
             session,
             asset_id=asset.id,
             owner_id=owner_id,
             name=name,
+            preview_id=preview_id,
         )
 
         if not ref_created:
+            if preview_id and ref.preview_id != preview_id:
+                ref.preview_id = preview_id
+
             tag_names = get_reference_tags(session, reference_id=ref.id)
             result = RegisterAssetResult(
                 ref=extract_reference_data(ref),
@@ -242,6 +257,8 @@ def upload_from_temp_path(
     client_filename: str | None = None,
     owner_id: str = "",
     expected_hash: str | None = None,
+    mime_type: str | None = None,
+    preview_id: str | None = None,
 ) -> UploadResult:
     try:
         digest, _ = hashing.compute_blake3_hash(temp_path)
@@ -270,6 +287,8 @@ def upload_from_temp_path(
             tags=tags or [],
             tag_origin="manual",
             owner_id=owner_id,
+            mime_type=mime_type,
+            preview_id=preview_id,
         )
         return UploadResult(
             ref=result.ref,
@@ -291,7 +310,7 @@ def upload_from_temp_path(
     dest_abs = os.path.abspath(os.path.join(dest_dir, hashed_basename))
     validate_path_within_base(dest_abs, base_dir)
 
-    content_type = (
+    content_type = mime_type or (
         mimetypes.guess_type(os.path.basename(src_for_ext), strict=False)[0]
         or mimetypes.guess_type(hashed_basename, strict=False)[0]
         or "application/octet-stream"
@@ -315,7 +334,7 @@ def upload_from_temp_path(
         mime_type=content_type,
         info_name=_sanitize_filename(name or client_filename, fallback=digest),
         owner_id=owner_id,
-        preview_id=None,
+        preview_id=preview_id,
         user_metadata=user_metadata or {},
         tags=tags,
         tag_origin="manual",
@@ -342,30 +361,99 @@ def upload_from_temp_path(
     )
 
 
+def register_file_in_place(
+    abs_path: str,
+    name: str,
+    tags: list[str],
+    owner_id: str = "",
+    mime_type: str | None = None,
+) -> UploadResult:
+    """Register an already-saved file in the asset database without moving it.
+
+    Tags are derived from the filesystem path (root category + subfolder names),
+    merged with any caller-provided tags, matching the behavior of the scanner.
+    If the path is not under a known root, only the caller-provided tags are used.
+    """
+    try:
+        _, path_tags = get_name_and_tags_from_asset_path(abs_path)
+    except ValueError:
+        path_tags = []
+    merged_tags = normalize_tags([*path_tags, *tags])
+
+    try:
+        digest, _ = hashing.compute_blake3_hash(abs_path)
+    except ImportError as e:
+        raise DependencyMissingError(str(e))
+    except Exception as e:
+        raise RuntimeError(f"failed to hash file: {e}")
+    asset_hash = "blake3:" + digest
+
+    size_bytes, mtime_ns = get_size_and_mtime_ns(abs_path)
+    content_type = mime_type or (
+        mimetypes.guess_type(abs_path, strict=False)[0]
+        or "application/octet-stream"
+    )
+
+    ingest_result = _ingest_file_from_path(
+        abs_path=abs_path,
+        asset_hash=asset_hash,
+        size_bytes=size_bytes,
+        mtime_ns=mtime_ns,
+        mime_type=content_type,
+        info_name=_sanitize_filename(name, fallback=digest),
+        owner_id=owner_id,
+        tags=merged_tags,
+        tag_origin="upload",
+        require_existing_tags=False,
+    )
+    reference_id = ingest_result.reference_id
+    if not reference_id:
+        raise RuntimeError("failed to create asset reference")
+
+    with create_session() as session:
+        pair = fetch_reference_and_asset(
+            session, reference_id=reference_id, owner_id=owner_id
+        )
+        if not pair:
+            raise RuntimeError("inconsistent DB state after ingest")
+        ref, asset = pair
+        tag_names = get_reference_tags(session, reference_id=ref.id)
+
+    return UploadResult(
+        ref=extract_reference_data(ref),
+        asset=extract_asset_data(asset),
+        tags=tag_names,
+        created_new=ingest_result.asset_created,
+    )
+
+
 def create_from_hash(
     hash_str: str,
     name: str,
     tags: list[str] | None = None,
     user_metadata: dict | None = None,
     owner_id: str = "",
+    mime_type: str | None = None,
+    preview_id: str | None = None,
 ) -> UploadResult | None:
     canonical = hash_str.strip().lower()
 
-    with create_session() as session:
-        asset = get_asset_by_hash(session, asset_hash=canonical)
-        if not asset:
-            return None
-
-    result = _register_existing_asset(
-        asset_hash=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",
-        owner_id=owner_id,
-    )
+    try:
+        result = _register_existing_asset(
+            asset_hash=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",
+            owner_id=owner_id,
+            mime_type=mime_type,
+            preview_id=preview_id,
+        )
+    except ValueError:
+        logging.warning("create_from_hash: no asset found for hash %s", canonical)
+        return None
 
     return UploadResult(
         ref=result.ref,
diff --git a/app/assets/services/schemas.py b/app/assets/services/schemas.py
index 8b1f1f4dc..0eb128f58 100644
--- a/app/assets/services/schemas.py
+++ b/app/assets/services/schemas.py
@@ -25,7 +25,9 @@ class ReferenceData:
     preview_id: str | None
     created_at: datetime
     updated_at: datetime
-    last_access_time: datetime | None
+    system_metadata: dict[str, Any] | None = None
+    job_id: str | None = None
+    last_access_time: datetime | None = None
 
 
 @dataclass(frozen=True)
@@ -93,6 +95,8 @@ def extract_reference_data(ref: AssetReference) -> ReferenceData:
         file_path=ref.file_path,
         user_metadata=ref.user_metadata,
         preview_id=ref.preview_id,
+        system_metadata=ref.system_metadata,
+        job_id=ref.job_id,
         created_at=ref.created_at,
         updated_at=ref.updated_at,
         last_access_time=ref.last_access_time,
diff --git a/app/assets/services/tagging.py b/app/assets/services/tagging.py
index 28900464d..37b612753 100644
--- a/app/assets/services/tagging.py
+++ b/app/assets/services/tagging.py
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+from typing import Sequence
+
 from app.assets.database.queries import (
     AddTagsResult,
     RemoveTagsResult,
@@ -6,6 +8,7 @@ from app.assets.database.queries import (
     list_tags_with_usage,
     remove_tags_from_reference,
 )
+from app.assets.database.queries.tags import list_tag_counts_for_filtered_assets
 from app.assets.services.schemas import TagUsage
 from app.database.db import create_session
 
@@ -73,3 +76,23 @@ def list_tags(
         )
 
     return [TagUsage(name, tag_type, count) for name, tag_type, count in rows], total
+
+
+def list_tag_histogram(
+    owner_id: str = "",
+    include_tags: Sequence[str] | None = None,
+    exclude_tags: Sequence[str] | None = None,
+    name_contains: str | None = None,
+    metadata_filter: dict | None = None,
+    limit: int = 100,
+) -> dict[str, int]:
+    with create_session() as session:
+        return list_tag_counts_for_filtered_assets(
+            session,
+            owner_id=owner_id,
+            include_tags=include_tags,
+            exclude_tags=exclude_tags,
+            name_contains=name_contains,
+            metadata_filter=metadata_filter,
+            limit=limit,
+        )
diff --git a/app/database/models.py b/app/database/models.py
index e7572677a..b02856f6e 100644
--- a/app/database/models.py
+++ b/app/database/models.py
@@ -1,9 +1,18 @@
 from typing import Any
 from datetime import datetime
+from sqlalchemy import MetaData
 from sqlalchemy.orm import DeclarativeBase
 
+NAMING_CONVENTION = {
+    "ix": "ix_%(table_name)s_%(column_0_N_name)s",
+    "uq": "uq_%(table_name)s_%(column_0_N_name)s",
+    "ck": "ck_%(table_name)s_%(constraint_name)s",
+    "fk": "fk_%(table_name)s_%(column_0_name)s_%(referred_table_name)s",
+    "pk": "pk_%(table_name)s",
+}
+
 class Base(DeclarativeBase):
-    pass
+    metadata = MetaData(naming_convention=NAMING_CONVENTION)
 
 def to_dict(obj: Any, include_none: bool = False) -> dict[str, Any]:
     fields = obj.__table__.columns.keys()
diff --git a/app/user_manager.py b/app/user_manager.py
index e2c00dab2..e18afb71b 100644
--- a/app/user_manager.py
+++ b/app/user_manager.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import uuid
 import glob
 import shutil
 import logging
+import tempfile
 from aiohttp import web
 from urllib import parse
 from comfy.cli_args import args
@@ -377,8 +378,15 @@ class UserManager():
             try:
                 body = await request.read()
 
-                with open(path, "wb") as f:
-                    f.write(body)
+                dir_name = os.path.dirname(path)
+                fd, tmp_path = tempfile.mkstemp(dir=dir_name)
+                try:
+                    with os.fdopen(fd, "wb") as f:
+                        f.write(body)
+                    os.replace(tmp_path, path)
+                except:
+                    os.unlink(tmp_path)
+                    raise
             except OSError as e:
                 logging.warning(f"Error saving file '{path}': {e}")
                 return web.Response(
diff --git a/comfy/cli_args.py b/comfy/cli_args.py
index e9832acaf..13612175e 100644
--- a/comfy/cli_args.py
+++ b/comfy/cli_args.py
@@ -83,6 +83,8 @@ fpte_group.add_argument("--fp16-text-enc", action="store_true", help="Store text
 fpte_group.add_argument("--fp32-text-enc", action="store_true", help="Store text encoder weights in fp32.")
 fpte_group.add_argument("--bf16-text-enc", action="store_true", help="Store text encoder weights in bf16.")
 
+parser.add_argument("--fp16-intermediates", action="store_true", help="Experimental: Use fp16 for intermediate tensors between nodes instead of fp32.")
+
 parser.add_argument("--force-channels-last", action="store_true", help="Force channels last format when inferencing the models.")
 
 parser.add_argument("--directml", type=int, nargs="?", metavar="DIRECTML_DEVICE", const=-1, help="Use torch-directml.")
@@ -147,6 +149,7 @@ parser.add_argument("--reserve-vram", type=float, default=None, help="Set the am
 parser.add_argument("--async-offload", nargs='?', const=2, type=int, default=None, metavar="NUM_STREAMS", help="Use async weight offloading. An optional argument controls the amount of offload streams. Default is 2. Enabled by default on Nvidia.")
 parser.add_argument("--disable-async-offload", action="store_true", help="Disable async weight offloading.")
 parser.add_argument("--disable-dynamic-vram", action="store_true", help="Disable dynamic VRAM and use estimate based model loading.")
+parser.add_argument("--enable-dynamic-vram", action="store_true", help="Enable dynamic VRAM on systems where it's not enabled by default.")
 
 parser.add_argument("--force-non-blocking", action="store_true", help="Force ComfyUI to use non-blocking operations for all applicable tensors. This may improve performance on some non-Nvidia systems but can cause issues with some workflows.")
 
@@ -260,4 +263,6 @@ else:
     args.fast = set(args.fast)
 
 def enables_dynamic_vram():
+    if args.enable_dynamic_vram:
+        return True
     return not args.disable_dynamic_vram and not args.highvram and not args.gpu_only and not args.novram and not args.cpu
diff --git a/comfy/float.py b/comfy/float.py
index 88c47cd80..184b3d6d0 100644
--- a/comfy/float.py
+++ b/comfy/float.py
@@ -209,3 +209,39 @@ def stochastic_round_quantize_nvfp4_by_block(x, per_tensor_scale, pad_16x, seed=
         output_block[i:i + slice_size].copy_(block)
 
     return output_fp4, to_blocked(output_block, flatten=False)
+
+
+def stochastic_round_quantize_mxfp8_by_block(x, pad_32x, seed=0):
+    def roundup(x_val, multiple):
+        return ((x_val + multiple - 1) // multiple) * multiple
+
+    if pad_32x:
+        rows, cols = x.shape
+        padded_rows = roundup(rows, 32)
+        padded_cols = roundup(cols, 32)
+        if padded_rows != rows or padded_cols != cols:
+            x = torch.nn.functional.pad(x, (0, padded_cols - cols, 0, padded_rows - rows))
+
+    F8_E4M3_MAX = 448.0
+    E8M0_BIAS = 127
+    BLOCK_SIZE = 32
+
+    rows, cols = x.shape
+    x_blocked = x.reshape(rows, -1, BLOCK_SIZE)
+    max_abs = torch.amax(torch.abs(x_blocked), dim=-1)
+
+    # E8M0 block scales (power-of-2 exponents)
+    scale_needed = torch.clamp(max_abs.float() / F8_E4M3_MAX, min=2**(-127))
+    exp_biased = torch.clamp(torch.ceil(torch.log2(scale_needed)).to(torch.int32) + E8M0_BIAS, 0, 254)
+    block_scales_e8m0 = exp_biased.to(torch.uint8)
+
+    zero_mask = (max_abs == 0)
+    block_scales_f32 = (block_scales_e8m0.to(torch.int32) << 23).view(torch.float32)
+    block_scales_f32 = torch.where(zero_mask, torch.ones_like(block_scales_f32), block_scales_f32)
+
+    # Scale per-block then stochastic round
+    data_scaled = (x_blocked.float() / block_scales_f32.unsqueeze(-1)).reshape(rows, cols)
+    output_fp8 = stochastic_rounding(data_scaled, torch.float8_e4m3fn, seed=seed)
+
+    block_scales_e8m0 = torch.where(zero_mask, torch.zeros_like(block_scales_e8m0), block_scales_e8m0)
+    return output_fp8, to_blocked(block_scales_e8m0, flatten=False).view(torch.float8_e8m0fnu)
diff --git a/comfy/ldm/hunyuan3dv2_1/hunyuandit.py b/comfy/ldm/hunyuan3dv2_1/hunyuandit.py
index d48d9d642..f67ba84e9 100644
--- a/comfy/ldm/hunyuan3dv2_1/hunyuandit.py
+++ b/comfy/ldm/hunyuan3dv2_1/hunyuandit.py
@@ -343,6 +343,7 @@ class CrossAttention(nn.Module):
             k.reshape(b, s2, self.num_heads * self.head_dim),
             v,
             heads=self.num_heads,
+            low_precision_attention=False,
         )
 
         out = self.out_proj(x)
@@ -412,6 +413,7 @@ class Attention(nn.Module):
             key.reshape(B, N, self.num_heads * self.head_dim),
             value,
             heads=self.num_heads,
+            low_precision_attention=False,
         )
 
         x = self.out_proj(x)
diff --git a/comfy/ldm/lightricks/vae/causal_video_autoencoder.py b/comfy/ldm/lightricks/vae/causal_video_autoencoder.py
index 5b57dfc5e..9f14f64a5 100644
--- a/comfy/ldm/lightricks/vae/causal_video_autoencoder.py
+++ b/comfy/ldm/lightricks/vae/causal_video_autoencoder.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ from .causal_conv3d import CausalConv3d
 from .pixel_norm import PixelNorm
 from ..model import PixArtAlphaCombinedTimestepSizeEmbeddings
 import comfy.ops
+import comfy.model_management
 from comfy.ldm.modules.diffusionmodules.model import torch_cat_if_needed
 
 ops = comfy.ops.disable_weight_init
@@ -536,7 +537,7 @@ class Decoder(nn.Module):
                     mark_conv3d_ended(self.conv_out)
                 sample = self.conv_out(sample, causal=self.causal)
                 if sample is not None and sample.shape[2] > 0:
-                    output.append(sample)
+                    output.append(sample.to(comfy.model_management.intermediate_device()))
                 return
 
             up_block = self.up_blocks[idx]
diff --git a/comfy/memory_management.py b/comfy/memory_management.py
index 0b7da2852..563224098 100644
--- a/comfy/memory_management.py
+++ b/comfy/memory_management.py
@@ -1,9 +1,68 @@
 import math
+import ctypes
+import threading
+import dataclasses
 import torch
 from typing import NamedTuple
 
 from comfy.quant_ops import QuantizedTensor
 
+
+class TensorFileSlice(NamedTuple):
+    file_ref: object
+    thread_id: int
+    offset: int
+    size: int
+
+
+def read_tensor_file_slice_into(tensor, destination):
+
+    if isinstance(tensor, QuantizedTensor):
+        if not isinstance(destination, QuantizedTensor):
+            return False
+        if tensor._layout_cls != destination._layout_cls:
+            return False
+
+        if not read_tensor_file_slice_into(tensor._qdata, destination._qdata):
+            return False
+
+        dst_orig_dtype = destination._params.orig_dtype
+        destination._params.copy_from(tensor._params, non_blocking=False)
+        destination._params = dataclasses.replace(destination._params, orig_dtype=dst_orig_dtype)
+        return True
+
+    info = getattr(tensor.untyped_storage(), "_comfy_tensor_file_slice", None)
+    if info is None:
+        return False
+
+    file_obj = info.file_ref
+    if (destination.device.type != "cpu"
+            or file_obj is None
+            or threading.get_ident() != info.thread_id
+            or destination.numel() * destination.element_size() < info.size):
+        return False
+
+    if info.size == 0:
+        return True
+
+    buf_type = ctypes.c_ubyte * info.size
+    view = memoryview(buf_type.from_address(destination.data_ptr()))
+
+    try:
+        file_obj.seek(info.offset)
+        done = 0
+        while done < info.size:
+            try:
+                n = file_obj.readinto(view[done:])
+            except OSError:
+                return False
+            if n <= 0:
+                return False
+            done += n
+        return True
+    finally:
+        view.release()
+
 class TensorGeometry(NamedTuple):
     shape: any
     dtype: torch.dtype
diff --git a/comfy/model_management.py b/comfy/model_management.py
index 81c89b180..2c250dacc 100644
--- a/comfy/model_management.py
+++ b/comfy/model_management.py
@@ -400,7 +400,7 @@ try:
         if args.use_split_cross_attention == False and args.use_quad_cross_attention == False:
             if aotriton_supported(arch):  # AMD efficient attention implementation depends on aotriton.
                 if torch_version_numeric >= (2, 7):  # works on 2.6 but doesn't actually seem to improve much
-                    if any((a in arch) for a in ["gfx90a", "gfx942", "gfx950", "gfx1100", "gfx1101", "gfx1151"]):  # TODO: more arches, TODO: gfx950
+                    if any((a in arch) for a in ["gfx90a", "gfx942", "gfx950", "gfx1100", "gfx1101", "gfx1150", "gfx1151"]):  # TODO: more arches, TODO: gfx950
                         ENABLE_PYTORCH_ATTENTION = True
                 if rocm_version >= (7, 0):
                    if any((a in arch) for a in ["gfx1200", "gfx1201"]):
@@ -505,6 +505,28 @@ def module_size(module):
         module_mem += t.nbytes
     return module_mem
 
+def module_mmap_residency(module, free=False):
+    mmap_touched_mem = 0
+    module_mem = 0
+    bounced_mmaps = set()
+    sd = module.state_dict()
+    for k in sd:
+        t = sd[k]
+        module_mem += t.nbytes
+        storage = t._qdata.untyped_storage() if isinstance(t, comfy.quant_ops.QuantizedTensor) else t.untyped_storage()
+        if not getattr(storage, "_comfy_tensor_mmap_touched", False):
+            continue
+        mmap_touched_mem += t.nbytes
+        if not free:
+            continue
+        storage._comfy_tensor_mmap_touched = False
+        mmap_obj = storage._comfy_tensor_mmap_refs[0]
+        if mmap_obj in bounced_mmaps:
+            continue
+        mmap_obj.bounce()
+        bounced_mmaps.add(mmap_obj)
+    return mmap_touched_mem, module_mem
+
 class LoadedModel:
     def __init__(self, model):
         self._set_model(model)
@@ -519,6 +541,7 @@ class LoadedModel:
         if model.parent is not None:
             self._parent_model = weakref.ref(model.parent)
             self._patcher_finalizer = weakref.finalize(model, self._switch_parent)
+            self._patcher_finalizer.atexit = False
 
     def _switch_parent(self):
         model = self._parent_model()
@@ -532,6 +555,9 @@ class LoadedModel:
     def model_memory(self):
         return self.model.model_size()
 
+    def model_mmap_residency(self, free=False):
+        return self.model.model_mmap_residency(free=free)
+
     def model_loaded_memory(self):
         return self.model.loaded_size()
 
@@ -562,6 +588,7 @@ class LoadedModel:
 
         self.real_model = weakref.ref(real_model)
         self.model_finalizer = weakref.finalize(real_model, cleanup_models)
+        self.model_finalizer.atexit = False
         return real_model
 
     def should_reload_model(self, force_patch_weights=False):
@@ -633,7 +660,7 @@ def extra_reserved_memory():
 def minimum_inference_memory():
     return (1024 * 1024 * 1024) * 0.8 + extra_reserved_memory()
 
-def free_memory(memory_required, device, keep_loaded=[], for_dynamic=False, ram_required=0):
+def free_memory(memory_required, device, keep_loaded=[], for_dynamic=False, pins_required=0, ram_required=0):
     cleanup_models_gc()
     unloaded_model = []
     can_unload = []
@@ -646,13 +673,14 @@ def free_memory(memory_required, device, keep_loaded=[], for_dynamic=False, ram_
                 can_unload.append((-shift_model.model_offloaded_memory(), sys.getrefcount(shift_model.model), shift_model.model_memory(), i))
                 shift_model.currently_used = False
 
-    for x in sorted(can_unload):
+    can_unload_sorted = sorted(can_unload)
+    for x in can_unload_sorted:
         i = x[-1]
         memory_to_free = 1e32
-        ram_to_free = 1e32
+        pins_to_free = 1e32
         if not DISABLE_SMART_MEMORY:
             memory_to_free = memory_required - get_free_memory(device)
-            ram_to_free = ram_required - get_free_ram()
+            pins_to_free = pins_required - get_free_ram()
             if current_loaded_models[i].model.is_dynamic() and for_dynamic:
                 #don't actually unload dynamic models for the sake of other dynamic models
                 #as that works on-demand.
@@ -661,9 +689,18 @@ def free_memory(memory_required, device, keep_loaded=[], for_dynamic=False, ram_
         if memory_to_free > 0 and current_loaded_models[i].model_unload(memory_to_free):
             logging.debug(f"Unloading {current_loaded_models[i].model.model.__class__.__name__}")
             unloaded_model.append(i)
-        if ram_to_free > 0:
+        if pins_to_free > 0:
+            logging.debug(f"PIN Unloading {current_loaded_models[i].model.model.__class__.__name__}")
+            current_loaded_models[i].model.partially_unload_ram(pins_to_free)
+
+    for x in can_unload_sorted:
+        i = x[-1]
+        ram_to_free = ram_required - psutil.virtual_memory().available
+        if ram_to_free <= 0 and i not in unloaded_model:
+            continue
+        resident_memory, _ = current_loaded_models[i].model_mmap_residency(free=True)
+        if resident_memory > 0:
             logging.debug(f"RAM Unloading {current_loaded_models[i].model.model.__class__.__name__}")
-            current_loaded_models[i].model.partially_unload_ram(ram_to_free)
 
     for i in sorted(unloaded_model, reverse=True):
         unloaded_models.append(current_loaded_models.pop(i))
@@ -729,17 +766,27 @@ def load_models_gpu(models, memory_required=0, force_patch_weights=False, minimu
 
 
     total_memory_required = {}
+    total_pins_required = {}
     total_ram_required = {}
     for loaded_model in models_to_load:
-        total_memory_required[loaded_model.device] = total_memory_required.get(loaded_model.device, 0) + loaded_model.model_memory_required(loaded_model.device)
-        #x2, one to make sure the OS can fit the model for loading in disk cache, and for us to do any pinning we
-        #want to do.
-        #FIXME: This should subtract off the to_load current pin consumption.
-        total_ram_required[loaded_model.device] = total_ram_required.get(loaded_model.device, 0) + loaded_model.model_memory() * 2
+        device = loaded_model.device
+        total_memory_required[device] = total_memory_required.get(device, 0) + loaded_model.model_memory_required(device)
+        resident_memory, model_memory = loaded_model.model_mmap_residency()
+        pinned_memory = loaded_model.model.pinned_memory_size()
+        #FIXME: This can over-free the pins as it budgets to pin the entire model. We should
+        #make this JIT to keep as much pinned as possible.
+        pins_required = model_memory - pinned_memory
+        ram_required = model_memory - resident_memory
+        total_pins_required[device] = total_pins_required.get(device, 0) + pins_required
+        total_ram_required[device] = total_ram_required.get(device, 0) + ram_required
 
     for device in total_memory_required:
         if device != torch.device("cpu"):
-            free_memory(total_memory_required[device] * 1.1 + extra_mem, device, for_dynamic=free_for_dynamic, ram_required=total_ram_required[device])
+            free_memory(total_memory_required[device] * 1.1 + extra_mem,
+                        device,
+                        for_dynamic=free_for_dynamic,
+                        pins_required=total_pins_required[device],
+                        ram_required=total_ram_required[device])
 
     for device in total_memory_required:
         if device != torch.device("cpu"):
@@ -1005,6 +1052,12 @@ def intermediate_device():
     else:
         return torch.device("cpu")
 
+def intermediate_dtype():
+    if args.fp16_intermediates:
+        return torch.float16
+    else:
+        return torch.float32
+
 def vae_device():
     if args.cpu_vae:
         return torch.device("cpu")
@@ -1225,6 +1278,11 @@ def cast_to_gathered(tensors, r, non_blocking=False, stream=None):
             dest_view = dest_views.pop(0)
             if tensor is None:
                 continue
+            if comfy.memory_management.read_tensor_file_slice_into(tensor, dest_view):
+                continue
+            storage = tensor._qdata.untyped_storage() if isinstance(tensor, comfy.quant_ops.QuantizedTensor) else tensor.untyped_storage()
+            if hasattr(storage, "_comfy_tensor_mmap_touched"):
+                storage._comfy_tensor_mmap_touched = True
             dest_view.copy_(tensor, non_blocking=non_blocking)
 
 
@@ -1662,6 +1720,19 @@ def supports_nvfp4_compute(device=None):
 
     return True
 
+def supports_mxfp8_compute(device=None):
+    if not is_nvidia():
+        return False
+
+    if torch_version_numeric < (2, 10):
+        return False
+
+    props = torch.cuda.get_device_properties(device)
+    if props.major < 10:
+        return False
+
+    return True
+
 def extended_fp16_support():
     # TODO: check why some models work with fp16 on newer torch versions but not on older
     if torch_version_numeric < (2, 7):
diff --git a/comfy/model_patcher.py b/comfy/model_patcher.py
index bc3a8f446..c26d37db2 100644
--- a/comfy/model_patcher.py
+++ b/comfy/model_patcher.py
@@ -297,6 +297,9 @@ class ModelPatcher:
         self.size = comfy.model_management.module_size(self.model)
         return self.size
 
+    def model_mmap_residency(self, free=False):
+        return comfy.model_management.module_mmap_residency(self.model, free=free)
+
     def get_ram_usage(self):
         return self.model_size()
 
@@ -1063,6 +1066,10 @@ class ModelPatcher:
 
             return self.model.model_loaded_weight_memory - current_used
 
+    def pinned_memory_size(self):
+        # Pinned memory pressure tracking is only implemented for DynamicVram loading
+        return 0
+
     def partially_unload_ram(self, ram_to_unload):
         pass
 
@@ -1653,6 +1660,16 @@ class ModelPatcherDynamic(ModelPatcher):
 
         return freed
 
+    def pinned_memory_size(self):
+        total = 0
+        loading = self._load_list(for_dynamic=True)
+        for x in loading:
+            _, _, _, _, m, _ = x
+            pin = comfy.pinned_memory.get_pin(m)
+            if pin is not None:
+                total += pin.numel() * pin.element_size()
+        return total
+
     def partially_unload_ram(self, ram_to_unload):
         loading = self._load_list(for_dynamic=True, default_device=self.offload_device)
         for x in loading:
diff --git a/comfy/ops.py b/comfy/ops.py
index 87b36b5c5..1518ec9de 100644
--- a/comfy/ops.py
+++ b/comfy/ops.py
@@ -306,10 +306,40 @@ class CastWeightBiasOp:
     bias_function = []
 
 class disable_weight_init:
+    @staticmethod
+    def _lazy_load_from_state_dict(module, state_dict, prefix, local_metadata,
+                                   missing_keys, unexpected_keys, weight_shape,
+                                   bias_shape=None):
+        assign_to_params_buffers = local_metadata.get("assign_to_params_buffers", False)
+        prefix_len = len(prefix)
+        for k, v in state_dict.items():
+            key = k[prefix_len:]
+            if key == "weight":
+                if not assign_to_params_buffers:
+                    v = v.clone()
+                module.weight = torch.nn.Parameter(v, requires_grad=False)
+            elif bias_shape is not None and key == "bias" and v is not None:
+                if not assign_to_params_buffers:
+                    v = v.clone()
+                module.bias = torch.nn.Parameter(v, requires_grad=False)
+            else:
+                unexpected_keys.append(k)
+
+        if module.weight is None:
+            module.weight = torch.nn.Parameter(torch.zeros(weight_shape), requires_grad=False)
+            missing_keys.append(prefix + "weight")
+
+        if bias_shape is not None and module.bias is None and getattr(module, "comfy_need_lazy_init_bias", False):
+            module.bias = torch.nn.Parameter(torch.zeros(bias_shape), requires_grad=False)
+            missing_keys.append(prefix + "bias")
+
     class Linear(torch.nn.Linear, CastWeightBiasOp):
 
         def __init__(self, in_features, out_features, bias=True, device=None, dtype=None):
-            if not comfy.model_management.WINDOWS or not comfy.memory_management.aimdo_enabled:
+            # don't trust subclasses that BYO state dict loader to call us.
+            if (not comfy.model_management.WINDOWS
+                or not comfy.memory_management.aimdo_enabled
+                or type(self)._load_from_state_dict is not disable_weight_init.Linear._load_from_state_dict):
                 super().__init__(in_features, out_features, bias, device, dtype)
                 return
 
@@ -330,32 +360,21 @@ class disable_weight_init:
         def _load_from_state_dict(self, state_dict, prefix, local_metadata,
                                 strict, missing_keys, unexpected_keys, error_msgs):
 
-            if not comfy.model_management.WINDOWS or not comfy.memory_management.aimdo_enabled:
+            if (not comfy.model_management.WINDOWS
+                or not comfy.memory_management.aimdo_enabled
+                or type(self)._load_from_state_dict is not disable_weight_init.Linear._load_from_state_dict):
                 return super()._load_from_state_dict(state_dict, prefix, local_metadata, strict,
                                                      missing_keys, unexpected_keys, error_msgs)
-            assign_to_params_buffers = local_metadata.get("assign_to_params_buffers", False)
-            prefix_len = len(prefix)
-            for k,v in state_dict.items():
-                if k[prefix_len:] == "weight":
-                    if not assign_to_params_buffers:
-                        v = v.clone()
-                    self.weight = torch.nn.Parameter(v, requires_grad=False)
-                elif k[prefix_len:] == "bias" and v is not None:
-                    if not assign_to_params_buffers:
-                        v = v.clone()
-                    self.bias = torch.nn.Parameter(v, requires_grad=False)
-                else:
-                    unexpected_keys.append(k)
-
-            #Reconcile default construction of the weight if its missing.
-            if self.weight is None:
-                v = torch.zeros(self.in_features, self.out_features)
-                self.weight = torch.nn.Parameter(v, requires_grad=False)
-                missing_keys.append(prefix+"weight")
-            if self.bias is None and self.comfy_need_lazy_init_bias:
-                v = torch.zeros(self.out_features,)
-                self.bias = torch.nn.Parameter(v, requires_grad=False)
-                missing_keys.append(prefix+"bias")
+            disable_weight_init._lazy_load_from_state_dict(
+                self,
+                state_dict,
+                prefix,
+                local_metadata,
+                missing_keys,
+                unexpected_keys,
+                weight_shape=(self.in_features, self.out_features),
+                bias_shape=(self.out_features,),
+            )
 
 
         def reset_parameters(self):
@@ -547,6 +566,53 @@ class disable_weight_init:
                 return super().forward(*args, **kwargs)
 
     class Embedding(torch.nn.Embedding, CastWeightBiasOp):
+        def __init__(self, num_embeddings, embedding_dim, padding_idx=None, max_norm=None,
+                     norm_type=2.0, scale_grad_by_freq=False, sparse=False, _weight=None,
+                     _freeze=False, device=None, dtype=None):
+            # don't trust subclasses that BYO state dict loader to call us.
+            if (not comfy.model_management.WINDOWS
+                or not comfy.memory_management.aimdo_enabled
+                or type(self)._load_from_state_dict is not disable_weight_init.Embedding._load_from_state_dict):
+                super().__init__(num_embeddings, embedding_dim, padding_idx, max_norm,
+                                 norm_type, scale_grad_by_freq, sparse, _weight,
+                                 _freeze, device, dtype)
+                return
+
+            torch.nn.Module.__init__(self)
+            self.num_embeddings = num_embeddings
+            self.embedding_dim = embedding_dim
+            self.padding_idx = padding_idx
+            self.max_norm = max_norm
+            self.norm_type = norm_type
+            self.scale_grad_by_freq = scale_grad_by_freq
+            self.sparse = sparse
+            # Keep shape/dtype visible for module introspection without reserving storage.
+            embedding_dtype = dtype if dtype is not None else torch.get_default_dtype()
+            self.weight = torch.nn.Parameter(
+                torch.empty((num_embeddings, embedding_dim), device="meta", dtype=embedding_dtype),
+                requires_grad=False,
+            )
+            self.bias = None
+            self.weight_comfy_model_dtype = dtype
+
+        def _load_from_state_dict(self, state_dict, prefix, local_metadata,
+                                strict, missing_keys, unexpected_keys, error_msgs):
+
+            if (not comfy.model_management.WINDOWS
+                or not comfy.memory_management.aimdo_enabled
+                or type(self)._load_from_state_dict is not disable_weight_init.Embedding._load_from_state_dict):
+                return super()._load_from_state_dict(state_dict, prefix, local_metadata, strict,
+                                                     missing_keys, unexpected_keys, error_msgs)
+            disable_weight_init._lazy_load_from_state_dict(
+                self,
+                state_dict,
+                prefix,
+                local_metadata,
+                missing_keys,
+                unexpected_keys,
+                weight_shape=(self.num_embeddings, self.embedding_dim),
+            )
+
         def reset_parameters(self):
             self.bias = None
             return None
@@ -710,6 +776,71 @@ from .quant_ops import (
 )
 
 
+class QuantLinearFunc(torch.autograd.Function):
+    """Custom autograd function for quantized linear: quantized forward, compute_dtype backward.
+    Handles any input rank by flattening to 2D for matmul and restoring shape after.
+    """
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def forward(ctx, input_float, weight, bias, layout_type, input_scale, compute_dtype):
+        input_shape = input_float.shape
+        inp = input_float.detach().flatten(0, -2)  # zero-cost view to 2D
+
+        # Quantize input (same as inference path)
+        if layout_type is not None:
+            q_input = QuantizedTensor.from_float(inp, layout_type, scale=input_scale)
+        else:
+            q_input = inp
+
+        w = weight.detach() if weight.requires_grad else weight
+        b = bias.detach() if bias is not None and bias.requires_grad else bias
+
+        output = torch.nn.functional.linear(q_input, w, b)
+
+        # Restore original input shape
+        if len(input_shape) > 2:
+            output = output.unflatten(0, input_shape[:-1])
+
+        ctx.save_for_backward(input_float, weight)
+        ctx.input_shape = input_shape
+        ctx.has_bias = bias is not None
+        ctx.compute_dtype = compute_dtype
+        ctx.weight_requires_grad = weight.requires_grad
+
+        return output
+
+    @staticmethod
+    @torch.autograd.function.once_differentiable
+    def backward(ctx, grad_output):
+        input_float, weight = ctx.saved_tensors
+        compute_dtype = ctx.compute_dtype
+        grad_2d = grad_output.flatten(0, -2).to(compute_dtype)
+
+        # Dequantize weight to compute dtype for backward matmul
+        if isinstance(weight, QuantizedTensor):
+            weight_f = weight.dequantize().to(compute_dtype)
+        else:
+            weight_f = weight.to(compute_dtype)
+
+        # grad_input = grad_output @ weight
+        grad_input = torch.mm(grad_2d, weight_f)
+        if len(ctx.input_shape) > 2:
+            grad_input = grad_input.unflatten(0, ctx.input_shape[:-1])
+
+        # grad_weight (only if weight requires grad, typically frozen for quantized training)
+        grad_weight = None
+        if ctx.weight_requires_grad:
+            input_f = input_float.flatten(0, -2).to(compute_dtype)
+            grad_weight = torch.mm(grad_2d.t(), input_f)
+
+        # grad_bias
+        grad_bias = None
+        if ctx.has_bias:
+            grad_bias = grad_2d.sum(dim=0)
+
+        return grad_input, grad_weight, grad_bias, None, None, None
+
+
 def mixed_precision_ops(quant_config={}, compute_dtype=torch.bfloat16, full_precision_mm=False, disabled=[]):
     class MixedPrecisionOps(manual_cast):
         _quant_config = quant_config
@@ -801,6 +932,22 @@ def mixed_precision_ops(quant_config={}, compute_dtype=torch.bfloat16, full_prec
                             orig_shape=(self.out_features, self.in_features),
                         )
 
+                    elif self.quant_format == "mxfp8":
+                        # MXFP8: E8M0 block scales stored as uint8 in safetensors
+                        block_scale = self._load_scale_param(state_dict, prefix, "weight_scale", device, manually_loaded_keys,
+                                                             dtype=torch.uint8)
+
+                        if block_scale is None:
+                            raise ValueError(f"Missing MXFP8 block scales for layer {layer_name}")
+
+                        block_scale = block_scale.view(torch.float8_e8m0fnu)
+
+                        params = layout_cls.Params(
+                            scale=block_scale,
+                            orig_dtype=MixedPrecisionOps._compute_dtype,
+                            orig_shape=(self.out_features, self.in_features),
+                        )
+
                     elif self.quant_format == "nvfp4":
                         # NVFP4: tensor_scale (weight_scale_2) + block_scale (weight_scale)
                         tensor_scale = self._load_scale_param(state_dict, prefix, "weight_scale_2", device, manually_loaded_keys)
@@ -888,10 +1035,37 @@ def mixed_precision_ops(quant_config={}, compute_dtype=torch.bfloat16, full_prec
                 #If cast needs to apply lora, it should be done in the compute dtype
                 compute_dtype = input.dtype
 
-                if (getattr(self, 'layout_type', None) is not None and
+                _use_quantized = (
+                    getattr(self, 'layout_type', None) is not None and
                     not isinstance(input, QuantizedTensor) and not self._full_precision_mm and
                     not getattr(self, 'comfy_force_cast_weights', False) and
-                    len(self.weight_function) == 0 and len(self.bias_function) == 0):
+                    len(self.weight_function) == 0 and len(self.bias_function) == 0
+                )
+
+                # Training path: quantized forward with compute_dtype backward via autograd function
+                if (input.requires_grad and _use_quantized):
+
+                    weight, bias, offload_stream = cast_bias_weight(
+                        self,
+                        input,
+                        offloadable=True,
+                        compute_dtype=compute_dtype,
+                        want_requant=True
+                    )
+
+                    scale = getattr(self, 'input_scale', None)
+                    if scale is not None:
+                        scale = comfy.model_management.cast_to_device(scale, input.device, None)
+
+                    output = QuantLinearFunc.apply(
+                        input, weight, bias, self.layout_type, scale, compute_dtype
+                    )
+
+                    uncast_bias_weight(self, weight, bias, offload_stream)
+                    return output
+
+                # Inference path (unchanged)
+                if _use_quantized:
 
                     # Reshape 3D tensors to 2D for quantization (needed for NVFP4 and others)
                     input_reshaped = input.reshape(-1, input_shape[2]) if input.ndim == 3 else input
@@ -939,7 +1113,10 @@ def mixed_precision_ops(quant_config={}, compute_dtype=torch.bfloat16, full_prec
                 for key, param in self._parameters.items():
                     if param is None:
                         continue
-                    self.register_parameter(key, torch.nn.Parameter(fn(param), requires_grad=False))
+                    p = fn(param)
+                    if p.is_inference():
+                        p = p.clone()
+                    self.register_parameter(key, torch.nn.Parameter(p, requires_grad=False))
                 for key, buf in self._buffers.items():
                     if buf is not None:
                         self._buffers[key] = fn(buf)
@@ -950,12 +1127,15 @@ def mixed_precision_ops(quant_config={}, compute_dtype=torch.bfloat16, full_prec
 def pick_operations(weight_dtype, compute_dtype, load_device=None, disable_fast_fp8=False, fp8_optimizations=False, model_config=None):
     fp8_compute = comfy.model_management.supports_fp8_compute(load_device) # TODO: if we support more ops this needs to be more granular
     nvfp4_compute = comfy.model_management.supports_nvfp4_compute(load_device)
+    mxfp8_compute = comfy.model_management.supports_mxfp8_compute(load_device)
 
     if model_config and hasattr(model_config, 'quant_config') and model_config.quant_config:
         logging.info("Using mixed precision operations")
         disabled = set()
         if not nvfp4_compute:
             disabled.add("nvfp4")
+        if not mxfp8_compute:
+            disabled.add("mxfp8")
         if not fp8_compute:
             disabled.add("float8_e4m3fn")
             disabled.add("float8_e5m2")
diff --git a/comfy/pinned_memory.py b/comfy/pinned_memory.py
index 8acc327a7..f6fb806c4 100644
--- a/comfy/pinned_memory.py
+++ b/comfy/pinned_memory.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
-import torch
 import comfy.model_management
 import comfy.memory_management
+import comfy_aimdo.host_buffer
+import comfy_aimdo.torch
 
 from comfy.cli_args import args
 
@@ -12,18 +13,31 @@ def pin_memory(module):
         return
     #FIXME: This is a RAM cache trigger event
     size = comfy.memory_management.vram_aligned_size([ module.weight, module.bias ])
-    pin = torch.empty((size,), dtype=torch.uint8)
-    if comfy.model_management.pin_memory(pin):
-        module._pin = pin
-    else:
+
+    if comfy.model_management.MAX_PINNED_MEMORY <= 0 or (comfy.model_management.TOTAL_PINNED_MEMORY + size) > comfy.model_management.MAX_PINNED_MEMORY:
         module.pin_failed = True
         return False
+
+    try:
+        hostbuf = comfy_aimdo.host_buffer.HostBuffer(size)
+    except RuntimeError:
+        module.pin_failed = True
+        return False
+
+    module._pin = comfy_aimdo.torch.hostbuf_to_tensor(hostbuf)
+    module._pin_hostbuf = hostbuf
+    comfy.model_management.TOTAL_PINNED_MEMORY += size
     return True
 
 def unpin_memory(module):
     if get_pin(module) is None:
         return 0
     size = module._pin.numel() * module._pin.element_size()
-    comfy.model_management.unpin_memory(module._pin)
+
+    comfy.model_management.TOTAL_PINNED_MEMORY -= size
+    if comfy.model_management.TOTAL_PINNED_MEMORY < 0:
+        comfy.model_management.TOTAL_PINNED_MEMORY = 0
+
     del module._pin
+    del module._pin_hostbuf
     return size
diff --git a/comfy/quant_ops.py b/comfy/quant_ops.py
index 15a4f457b..42ee08fb2 100644
--- a/comfy/quant_ops.py
+++ b/comfy/quant_ops.py
@@ -43,6 +43,18 @@ except ImportError as e:
     def get_layout_class(name):
         return None
 
+_CK_MXFP8_AVAILABLE = False
+if _CK_AVAILABLE:
+    try:
+        from comfy_kitchen.tensor import TensorCoreMXFP8Layout as _CKMxfp8Layout
+        _CK_MXFP8_AVAILABLE = True
+    except ImportError:
+        logging.warning("comfy_kitchen does not support MXFP8, please update comfy_kitchen.")
+
+if not _CK_MXFP8_AVAILABLE:
+    class _CKMxfp8Layout:
+        pass
+
 import comfy.float
 
 # ==============================================================================
@@ -84,6 +96,31 @@ class _TensorCoreFP8LayoutBase(_CKFp8Layout):
         return qdata, params
 
 
+class TensorCoreMXFP8Layout(_CKMxfp8Layout):
+    @classmethod
+    def quantize(cls, tensor, scale=None, stochastic_rounding=0, inplace_ops=False):
+        if tensor.dim() != 2:
+            raise ValueError(f"MXFP8 requires 2D tensor, got {tensor.dim()}D")
+
+        orig_dtype = tensor.dtype
+        orig_shape = tuple(tensor.shape)
+
+        padded_shape = cls.get_padded_shape(orig_shape)
+        needs_padding = padded_shape != orig_shape
+
+        if stochastic_rounding > 0:
+            qdata, block_scale = comfy.float.stochastic_round_quantize_mxfp8_by_block(tensor, pad_32x=needs_padding, seed=stochastic_rounding)
+        else:
+            qdata, block_scale = ck.quantize_mxfp8(tensor, pad_32x=needs_padding)
+
+        params = cls.Params(
+            scale=block_scale,
+            orig_dtype=orig_dtype,
+            orig_shape=orig_shape,
+        )
+        return qdata, params
+
+
 class TensorCoreNVFP4Layout(_CKNvfp4Layout):
     @classmethod
     def quantize(cls, tensor, scale=None, stochastic_rounding=0, inplace_ops=False):
@@ -137,6 +174,8 @@ register_layout_class("TensorCoreFP8Layout", TensorCoreFP8Layout)
 register_layout_class("TensorCoreFP8E4M3Layout", TensorCoreFP8E4M3Layout)
 register_layout_class("TensorCoreFP8E5M2Layout", TensorCoreFP8E5M2Layout)
 register_layout_class("TensorCoreNVFP4Layout", TensorCoreNVFP4Layout)
+if _CK_MXFP8_AVAILABLE:
+    register_layout_class("TensorCoreMXFP8Layout", TensorCoreMXFP8Layout)
 
 QUANT_ALGOS = {
     "float8_e4m3fn": {
@@ -157,6 +196,14 @@ QUANT_ALGOS = {
     },
 }
 
+if _CK_MXFP8_AVAILABLE:
+    QUANT_ALGOS["mxfp8"] = {
+        "storage_t": torch.float8_e4m3fn,
+        "parameters": {"weight_scale", "input_scale"},
+        "comfy_tensor_layout": "TensorCoreMXFP8Layout",
+        "group_size": 32,
+    }
+
 
 # ==============================================================================
 # Re-exports for backward compatibility
diff --git a/comfy/sd.py b/comfy/sd.py
index adcd67767..4d427bb9a 100644
--- a/comfy/sd.py
+++ b/comfy/sd.py
@@ -871,13 +871,16 @@ class VAE:
                 pixels = torch.nn.functional.pad(pixels, (0, self.output_channels - pixels.shape[-1]), mode=mode, value=value)
         return pixels
 
+    def vae_output_dtype(self):
+        return model_management.intermediate_dtype()
+
     def decode_tiled_(self, samples, tile_x=64, tile_y=64, overlap = 16):
         steps = samples.shape[0] * comfy.utils.get_tiled_scale_steps(samples.shape[3], samples.shape[2], tile_x, tile_y, overlap)
         steps += samples.shape[0] * comfy.utils.get_tiled_scale_steps(samples.shape[3], samples.shape[2], tile_x // 2, tile_y * 2, overlap)
         steps += samples.shape[0] * comfy.utils.get_tiled_scale_steps(samples.shape[3], samples.shape[2], tile_x * 2, tile_y // 2, overlap)
         pbar = comfy.utils.ProgressBar(steps)
 
-        decode_fn = lambda a: self.first_stage_model.decode(a.to(self.vae_dtype).to(self.device)).float()
+        decode_fn = lambda a: self.first_stage_model.decode(a.to(self.vae_dtype).to(self.device)).to(dtype=self.vae_output_dtype())
         output = self.process_output(
             (comfy.utils.tiled_scale(samples, decode_fn, tile_x // 2, tile_y * 2, overlap, upscale_amount = self.upscale_ratio, output_device=self.output_device, pbar = pbar) +
             comfy.utils.tiled_scale(samples, decode_fn, tile_x * 2, tile_y // 2, overlap, upscale_amount = self.upscale_ratio, output_device=self.output_device, pbar = pbar) +
@@ -887,16 +890,16 @@ class VAE:
 
     def decode_tiled_1d(self, samples, tile_x=256, overlap=32):
         if samples.ndim == 3:
-            decode_fn = lambda a: self.first_stage_model.decode(a.to(self.vae_dtype).to(self.device)).float()
+            decode_fn = lambda a: self.first_stage_model.decode(a.to(self.vae_dtype).to(self.device)).to(dtype=self.vae_output_dtype())
         else:
             og_shape = samples.shape
             samples = samples.reshape((og_shape[0], og_shape[1] * og_shape[2], -1))
-            decode_fn = lambda a: self.first_stage_model.decode(a.reshape((-1, og_shape[1], og_shape[2], a.shape[-1])).to(self.vae_dtype).to(self.device)).float()
+            decode_fn = lambda a: self.first_stage_model.decode(a.reshape((-1, og_shape[1], og_shape[2], a.shape[-1])).to(self.vae_dtype).to(self.device)).to(dtype=self.vae_output_dtype())
 
         return self.process_output(comfy.utils.tiled_scale_multidim(samples, decode_fn, tile=(tile_x,), overlap=overlap, upscale_amount=self.upscale_ratio, out_channels=self.output_channels, output_device=self.output_device))
 
     def decode_tiled_3d(self, samples, tile_t=999, tile_x=32, tile_y=32, overlap=(1, 8, 8)):
-        decode_fn = lambda a: self.first_stage_model.decode(a.to(self.vae_dtype).to(self.device)).float()
+        decode_fn = lambda a: self.first_stage_model.decode(a.to(self.vae_dtype).to(self.device)).to(dtype=self.vae_output_dtype())
         return self.process_output(comfy.utils.tiled_scale_multidim(samples, decode_fn, tile=(tile_t, tile_x, tile_y), overlap=overlap, upscale_amount=self.upscale_ratio, out_channels=self.output_channels, index_formulas=self.upscale_index_formula, output_device=self.output_device))
 
     def encode_tiled_(self, pixel_samples, tile_x=512, tile_y=512, overlap = 64):
@@ -905,7 +908,7 @@ class VAE:
         steps += pixel_samples.shape[0] * comfy.utils.get_tiled_scale_steps(pixel_samples.shape[3], pixel_samples.shape[2], tile_x * 2, tile_y // 2, overlap)
         pbar = comfy.utils.ProgressBar(steps)
 
-        encode_fn = lambda a: self.first_stage_model.encode((self.process_input(a)).to(self.vae_dtype).to(self.device)).float()
+        encode_fn = lambda a: self.first_stage_model.encode((self.process_input(a)).to(self.vae_dtype).to(self.device)).to(dtype=self.vae_output_dtype())
         samples = comfy.utils.tiled_scale(pixel_samples, encode_fn, tile_x, tile_y, overlap, upscale_amount = (1/self.downscale_ratio), out_channels=self.latent_channels, output_device=self.output_device, pbar=pbar)
         samples += comfy.utils.tiled_scale(pixel_samples, encode_fn, tile_x * 2, tile_y // 2, overlap, upscale_amount = (1/self.downscale_ratio), out_channels=self.latent_channels, output_device=self.output_device, pbar=pbar)
         samples += comfy.utils.tiled_scale(pixel_samples, encode_fn, tile_x // 2, tile_y * 2, overlap, upscale_amount = (1/self.downscale_ratio), out_channels=self.latent_channels, output_device=self.output_device, pbar=pbar)
@@ -914,7 +917,7 @@ class VAE:
 
     def encode_tiled_1d(self, samples, tile_x=256 * 2048, overlap=64 * 2048):
         if self.latent_dim == 1:
-            encode_fn = lambda a: self.first_stage_model.encode((self.process_input(a)).to(self.vae_dtype).to(self.device)).float()
+            encode_fn = lambda a: self.first_stage_model.encode((self.process_input(a)).to(self.vae_dtype).to(self.device)).to(dtype=self.vae_output_dtype())
             out_channels = self.latent_channels
             upscale_amount = 1 / self.downscale_ratio
         else:
@@ -923,7 +926,7 @@ class VAE:
             tile_x = tile_x // extra_channel_size
             overlap = overlap // extra_channel_size
             upscale_amount = 1 / self.downscale_ratio
-            encode_fn = lambda a: self.first_stage_model.encode((self.process_input(a)).to(self.vae_dtype).to(self.device)).reshape(1, out_channels, -1).float()
+            encode_fn = lambda a: self.first_stage_model.encode((self.process_input(a)).to(self.vae_dtype).to(self.device)).reshape(1, out_channels, -1).to(dtype=self.vae_output_dtype())
 
         out = comfy.utils.tiled_scale_multidim(samples, encode_fn, tile=(tile_x,), overlap=overlap, upscale_amount=upscale_amount, out_channels=out_channels, output_device=self.output_device)
         if self.latent_dim == 1:
@@ -932,7 +935,7 @@ class VAE:
             return out.reshape(samples.shape[0], self.latent_channels, extra_channel_size, -1)
 
     def encode_tiled_3d(self, samples, tile_t=9999, tile_x=512, tile_y=512, overlap=(1, 64, 64)):
-        encode_fn = lambda a: self.first_stage_model.encode((self.process_input(a)).to(self.vae_dtype).to(self.device)).float()
+        encode_fn = lambda a: self.first_stage_model.encode((self.process_input(a)).to(self.vae_dtype).to(self.device)).to(dtype=self.vae_output_dtype())
         return comfy.utils.tiled_scale_multidim(samples, encode_fn, tile=(tile_t, tile_x, tile_y), overlap=overlap, upscale_amount=self.downscale_ratio, out_channels=self.latent_channels, downscale=True, index_formulas=self.downscale_index_formula, output_device=self.output_device)
 
     def decode(self, samples_in, vae_options={}):
@@ -950,9 +953,9 @@ class VAE:
 
             for x in range(0, samples_in.shape[0], batch_number):
                 samples = samples_in[x:x+batch_number].to(self.vae_dtype).to(self.device)
-                out = self.process_output(self.first_stage_model.decode(samples, **vae_options).to(self.output_device).float())
+                out = self.process_output(self.first_stage_model.decode(samples, **vae_options).to(self.output_device).to(dtype=self.vae_output_dtype()))
                 if pixel_samples is None:
-                    pixel_samples = torch.empty((samples_in.shape[0],) + tuple(out.shape[1:]), device=self.output_device)
+                    pixel_samples = torch.empty((samples_in.shape[0],) + tuple(out.shape[1:]), device=self.output_device, dtype=self.vae_output_dtype())
                 pixel_samples[x:x+batch_number] = out
         except Exception as e:
             model_management.raise_non_oom(e)
@@ -1025,9 +1028,9 @@ class VAE:
             samples = None
             for x in range(0, pixel_samples.shape[0], batch_number):
                 pixels_in = self.process_input(pixel_samples[x:x + batch_number]).to(self.vae_dtype).to(self.device)
-                out = self.first_stage_model.encode(pixels_in).to(self.output_device).float()
+                out = self.first_stage_model.encode(pixels_in).to(self.output_device).to(dtype=self.vae_output_dtype())
                 if samples is None:
-                    samples = torch.empty((pixel_samples.shape[0],) + tuple(out.shape[1:]), device=self.output_device)
+                    samples = torch.empty((pixel_samples.shape[0],) + tuple(out.shape[1:]), device=self.output_device, dtype=self.vae_output_dtype())
                 samples[x:x + batch_number] = out
 
         except Exception as e:
diff --git a/comfy/utils.py b/comfy/utils.py
index 6e1d14419..13b7ca6c8 100644
--- a/comfy/utils.py
+++ b/comfy/utils.py
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@
 import torch
 import math
 import struct
+import ctypes
+import os
 import comfy.memory_management
 import safetensors.torch
 import numpy as np
@@ -32,7 +34,7 @@ from einops import rearrange
 from comfy.cli_args import args
 import json
 import time
-import mmap
+import threading
 import warnings
 
 MMAP_TORCH_FILES = args.mmap_torch_files
@@ -81,14 +83,17 @@ _TYPES = {
 }
 
 def load_safetensors(ckpt):
-    f = open(ckpt, "rb")
-    mapping = mmap.mmap(f.fileno(), 0, access=mmap.ACCESS_READ)
-    mv = memoryview(mapping)
+    import comfy_aimdo.model_mmap
 
-    header_size = struct.unpack("<Q", mapping[:8])[0]
-    header = json.loads(mapping[8:8+header_size].decode("utf-8"))
+    f = open(ckpt, "rb", buffering=0)
+    model_mmap = comfy_aimdo.model_mmap.ModelMMAP(ckpt)
+    file_size = os.path.getsize(ckpt)
+    mv = memoryview((ctypes.c_uint8 * file_size).from_address(model_mmap.get()))
 
-    mv = mv[8 + header_size:]
+    header_size = struct.unpack("<Q", mv[:8])[0]
+    header = json.loads(mv[8:8 + header_size].tobytes().decode("utf-8"))
+
+    mv = mv[(data_base_offset := 8 + header_size):]
 
     sd = {}
     for name, info in header.items():
@@ -102,7 +107,14 @@ def load_safetensors(ckpt):
             with warnings.catch_warnings():
                 #We are working with read-only RAM by design
                 warnings.filterwarnings("ignore", message="The given buffer is not writable")
-                sd[name] = torch.frombuffer(mv[start:end], dtype=_TYPES[info["dtype"]]).view(info["shape"])
+                tensor = torch.frombuffer(mv[start:end], dtype=_TYPES[info["dtype"]]).view(info["shape"])
+                storage = tensor.untyped_storage()
+                setattr(storage,
+                        "_comfy_tensor_file_slice",
+                        comfy.memory_management.TensorFileSlice(f, threading.get_ident(), data_base_offset + start, end - start))
+                setattr(storage, "_comfy_tensor_mmap_refs", (model_mmap, mv))
+                setattr(storage, "_comfy_tensor_mmap_touched", False)
+                sd[name] = tensor
 
     return sd, header.get("__metadata__", {}),
 
@@ -885,6 +897,10 @@ def set_attr(obj, attr, value):
     return prev
 
 def set_attr_param(obj, attr, value):
+    # Clone inference tensors (created under torch.inference_mode) since
+    # their version counter is frozen and nn.Parameter() cannot wrap them.
+    if (not torch.is_inference_mode_enabled()) and value.is_inference():
+        value = value.clone()
     return set_attr(obj, attr, torch.nn.Parameter(value, requires_grad=False))
 
 def set_attr_buffer(obj, attr, value):
diff --git a/comfy_api_nodes/nodes_kling.py b/comfy_api_nodes/nodes_kling.py
index 8963c335d..9a37ccc53 100644
--- a/comfy_api_nodes/nodes_kling.py
+++ b/comfy_api_nodes/nodes_kling.py
@@ -1459,6 +1459,7 @@ class OmniProEditVideoNode(IO.ComfyNode):
             node_id="KlingOmniProEditVideoNode",
             display_name="Kling 3.0 Omni Edit Video",
             category="api node/video/Kling",
+            essentials_category="Video Generation",
             description="Edit an existing video with the latest model from Kling.",
             inputs=[
                 IO.Combo.Input("model_name", options=["kling-v3-omni", "kling-video-o1"]),
diff --git a/comfy_api_nodes/nodes_recraft.py b/comfy_api_nodes/nodes_recraft.py
index 4d1d508fa..c60cfbc4a 100644
--- a/comfy_api_nodes/nodes_recraft.py
+++ b/comfy_api_nodes/nodes_recraft.py
@@ -833,6 +833,7 @@ class RecraftVectorizeImageNode(IO.ComfyNode):
             node_id="RecraftVectorizeImageNode",
             display_name="Recraft Vectorize Image",
             category="api node/image/Recraft",
+            essentials_category="Image Tools",
             description="Generates SVG synchronously from an input image.",
             inputs=[
                 IO.Image.Input("image"),
diff --git a/comfy_extras/nodes_audio.py b/comfy_extras/nodes_audio.py
index 5d8d9bf6f..a395392d8 100644
--- a/comfy_extras/nodes_audio.py
+++ b/comfy_extras/nodes_audio.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ class EmptyLatentAudio(IO.ComfyNode):
             node_id="EmptyLatentAudio",
             display_name="Empty Latent Audio",
             category="latent/audio",
+            essentials_category="Audio",
             inputs=[
                 IO.Float.Input("seconds", default=47.6, min=1.0, max=1000.0, step=0.1),
                 IO.Int.Input(
@@ -185,6 +186,7 @@ class SaveAudioMP3(IO.ComfyNode):
             search_aliases=["export mp3"],
             display_name="Save Audio (MP3)",
             category="audio",
+            essentials_category="Audio",
             inputs=[
                 IO.Audio.Input("audio"),
                 IO.String.Input("filename_prefix", default="audio/ComfyUI"),
diff --git a/comfy_extras/nodes_image_compare.py b/comfy_extras/nodes_image_compare.py
index 8e9f809e6..3d943be67 100644
--- a/comfy_extras/nodes_image_compare.py
+++ b/comfy_extras/nodes_image_compare.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ class ImageCompare(IO.ComfyNode):
             display_name="Image Compare",
             description="Compares two images side by side with a slider.",
             category="image",
+            essentials_category="Image Tools",
             is_experimental=True,
             is_output_node=True,
             inputs=[
diff --git a/comfy_extras/nodes_images.py b/comfy_extras/nodes_images.py
index 4c57bb5cb..a8223cf8b 100644
--- a/comfy_extras/nodes_images.py
+++ b/comfy_extras/nodes_images.py
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ class ImageCropV2(IO.ComfyNode):
             search_aliases=["trim"],
             display_name="Image Crop",
             category="image/transform",
+            essentials_category="Image Tools",
             inputs=[
                 IO.Image.Input("image"),
                 IO.BoundingBox.Input("crop_region", component="ImageCrop"),
diff --git a/comfy_extras/nodes_post_processing.py b/comfy_extras/nodes_post_processing.py
index 4a0f7141a..06626f9dd 100644
--- a/comfy_extras/nodes_post_processing.py
+++ b/comfy_extras/nodes_post_processing.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ class Blend(io.ComfyNode):
             node_id="ImageBlend",
             display_name="Image Blend",
             category="image/postprocessing",
+            essentials_category="Image Tools",
             inputs=[
                 io.Image.Input("image1"),
                 io.Image.Input("image2"),
diff --git a/comfy_extras/nodes_train.py b/comfy_extras/nodes_train.py
index aa2d88673..0ad0acee6 100644
--- a/comfy_extras/nodes_train.py
+++ b/comfy_extras/nodes_train.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import comfy.sampler_helpers
 import comfy.sd
 import comfy.utils
 import comfy.model_management
+from comfy.cli_args import args, PerformanceFeature
 import comfy_extras.nodes_custom_sampler
 import folder_paths
 import node_helpers
@@ -138,6 +139,7 @@ class TrainSampler(comfy.samplers.Sampler):
         training_dtype=torch.bfloat16,
         real_dataset=None,
         bucket_latents=None,
+        use_grad_scaler=False,
     ):
         self.loss_fn = loss_fn
         self.optimizer = optimizer
@@ -152,6 +154,8 @@ class TrainSampler(comfy.samplers.Sampler):
         self.bucket_latents: list[torch.Tensor] | None = (
             bucket_latents  # list of (Bi, C, Hi, Wi)
         )
+        # GradScaler for fp16 training
+        self.grad_scaler = torch.amp.GradScaler() if use_grad_scaler else None
         # Precompute bucket offsets and weights for sampling
         if bucket_latents is not None:
             self._init_bucket_data(bucket_latents)
@@ -204,10 +208,13 @@ class TrainSampler(comfy.samplers.Sampler):
                 batch_sigmas.requires_grad_(True),
                 **batch_extra_args,
             )
-            loss = self.loss_fn(x0_pred, x0)
+            loss = self.loss_fn(x0_pred.float(), x0.float())
         if bwd:
             bwd_loss = loss / self.grad_acc
-            bwd_loss.backward()
+            if self.grad_scaler is not None:
+                self.grad_scaler.scale(bwd_loss).backward()
+            else:
+                bwd_loss.backward()
         return loss
 
     def _generate_batch_sigmas(self, model_wrap, batch_size, device):
@@ -307,7 +314,10 @@ class TrainSampler(comfy.samplers.Sampler):
             )
             total_loss += loss
         total_loss = total_loss / self.grad_acc / len(indicies)
-        total_loss.backward()
+        if self.grad_scaler is not None:
+            self.grad_scaler.scale(total_loss).backward()
+        else:
+            total_loss.backward()
         if self.loss_callback:
             self.loss_callback(total_loss.item())
         pbar.set_postfix({"loss": f"{total_loss.item():.4f}"})
@@ -348,12 +358,18 @@ class TrainSampler(comfy.samplers.Sampler):
                 self._train_step_multires_mode(model_wrap, cond, extra_args, noisegen, latent_image, dataset_size, pbar)
 
             if (i + 1) % self.grad_acc == 0:
+                if self.grad_scaler is not None:
+                    self.grad_scaler.unscale_(self.optimizer)
                 for param_groups in self.optimizer.param_groups:
                     for param in param_groups["params"]:
                         if param.grad is None:
                             continue
                         param.grad.data = param.grad.data.to(param.data.dtype)
-                self.optimizer.step()
+                if self.grad_scaler is not None:
+                    self.grad_scaler.step(self.optimizer)
+                    self.grad_scaler.update()
+                else:
+                    self.optimizer.step()
                 self.optimizer.zero_grad()
             ui_pbar.update(1)
         torch.cuda.empty_cache()
@@ -1004,9 +1020,9 @@ class TrainLoraNode(io.ComfyNode):
                 ),
                 io.Combo.Input(
                     "training_dtype",
-                    options=["bf16", "fp32"],
+                    options=["bf16", "fp32", "none"],
                     default="bf16",
-                    tooltip="The dtype to use for training.",
+                    tooltip="The dtype to use for training. 'none' preserves the model's native compute dtype instead of overriding it. For fp16 models, GradScaler is automatically enabled.",
                 ),
                 io.Combo.Input(
                     "lora_dtype",
@@ -1035,7 +1051,7 @@ class TrainLoraNode(io.ComfyNode):
                 io.Boolean.Input(
                     "offloading",
                     default=False,
-                    tooltip="Offload the Model to RAM. Requires Bypass Mode.",
+                    tooltip="Offload model weights to CPU during training to save GPU memory.",
                 ),
                 io.Combo.Input(
                     "existing_lora",
@@ -1120,22 +1136,32 @@ class TrainLoraNode(io.ComfyNode):
 
         # Setup model and dtype
         mp = model.clone()
-        dtype = node_helpers.string_to_torch_dtype(training_dtype)
+        use_grad_scaler = False
+        if training_dtype != "none":
+            dtype = node_helpers.string_to_torch_dtype(training_dtype)
+            mp.set_model_compute_dtype(dtype)
+        else:
+            # Detect model's native dtype for autocast
+            model_dtype = mp.model.get_dtype()
+            if model_dtype == torch.float16:
+                dtype = torch.float16
+                use_grad_scaler = True
+                # Warn about fp16 accumulation instability during training
+                if PerformanceFeature.Fp16Accumulation in args.fast:
+                    logging.warning(
+                        "WARNING: FP16 model detected with fp16_accumulation enabled. "
+                        "This combination can be numerically unstable during training and may cause NaN values. "
+                        "Suggested fixes: 1) Set training_dtype to 'bf16', or 2) Disable fp16_accumulation (remove from --fast flags)."
+                    )
+            else:
+                # For fp8, bf16, or other dtypes, use bf16 autocast
+                dtype = torch.bfloat16
         lora_dtype = node_helpers.string_to_torch_dtype(lora_dtype)
-        mp.set_model_compute_dtype(dtype)
-
-        if mp.is_dynamic():
-            if not bypass_mode:
-                logging.info("Training MP is Dynamic - forcing bypass mode. Start comfy with --highvram to force weight diff mode")
-                bypass_mode = True
-            offloading = True
-        elif offloading:
-            if not bypass_mode:
-                logging.info("Training Offload selected - forcing bypass mode. Set bypass = True to remove this message")
 
         # Prepare latents and compute counts
+        latents_dtype = dtype if dtype not in (None,) else torch.bfloat16
         latents, num_images, multi_res = _prepare_latents_and_count(
-            latents, dtype, bucket_mode
+            latents, latents_dtype, bucket_mode
         )
 
         # Validate and expand conditioning
@@ -1201,6 +1227,7 @@ class TrainLoraNode(io.ComfyNode):
                     seed=seed,
                     training_dtype=dtype,
                     bucket_latents=latents,
+                    use_grad_scaler=use_grad_scaler,
                 )
             else:
                 train_sampler = TrainSampler(
@@ -1213,6 +1240,7 @@ class TrainLoraNode(io.ComfyNode):
                     seed=seed,
                     training_dtype=dtype,
                     real_dataset=latents if multi_res else None,
+                    use_grad_scaler=use_grad_scaler,
                 )
 
             # Setup guider
@@ -1337,7 +1365,7 @@ class SaveLoRA(io.ComfyNode):
                 io.Int.Input(
                     "steps",
                     optional=True,
-                    tooltip="Optional: The number of steps to LoRA has been trained for, used to name the saved file.",
+                    tooltip="Optional: The number of steps the LoRA has been trained for, used to name the saved file.",
                 ),
             ],
             outputs=[],
diff --git a/main.py b/main.py
index 8905fd09a..f99aee38e 100644
--- a/main.py
+++ b/main.py
@@ -206,8 +206,8 @@ import hook_breaker_ac10a0
 import comfy.memory_management
 import comfy.model_patcher
 
-if enables_dynamic_vram() and comfy.model_management.is_nvidia() and not comfy.model_management.is_wsl():
-    if comfy.model_management.torch_version_numeric < (2, 8):
+if args.enable_dynamic_vram or (enables_dynamic_vram() and comfy.model_management.is_nvidia() and not comfy.model_management.is_wsl()):
+    if (not args.enable_dynamic_vram) and (comfy.model_management.torch_version_numeric < (2, 8)):
         logging.warning("Unsupported Pytorch detected. DynamicVRAM support requires Pytorch version 2.8 or later. Falling back to legacy ModelPatcher. VRAM estimates may be unreliable especially on Windows")
     elif comfy_aimdo.control.init_device(comfy.model_management.get_torch_device().index):
         if args.verbose == 'DEBUG':
diff --git a/manager_requirements.txt b/manager_requirements.txt
index 37a33bd4f..1c5e8f071 100644
--- a/manager_requirements.txt
+++ b/manager_requirements.txt
@@ -1 +1 @@
-comfyui_manager==4.1b4
\ No newline at end of file
+comfyui_manager==4.1b5
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/middleware/cache_middleware.py b/middleware/cache_middleware.py
index f02135369..7a18821b0 100644
--- a/middleware/cache_middleware.py
+++ b/middleware/cache_middleware.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ async def cache_control(
     )
 
     if request.path.endswith(".js") or request.path.endswith(".css") or is_entry_point:
-        response.headers.setdefault("Cache-Control", "no-cache")
+        response.headers.setdefault("Cache-Control", "no-store")
         return response
 
     # Early return for non-image files - no cache headers needed
diff --git a/nodes.py b/nodes.py
index 63b045103..e93fa9767 100644
--- a/nodes.py
+++ b/nodes.py
@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@ class CLIPTextEncode(ComfyNodeABC):
 
 
 class ConditioningCombine:
+    ESSENTIALS_CATEGORY = "Image Generation"
     @classmethod
     def INPUT_TYPES(s):
         return {"required": {"conditioning_1": ("CONDITIONING", ), "conditioning_2": ("CONDITIONING", )}}
@@ -1211,9 +1212,6 @@ class GLIGENTextBoxApply:
         return (c, )
 
 class EmptyLatentImage:
-    def __init__(self):
-        self.device = comfy.model_management.intermediate_device()
-
     @classmethod
     def INPUT_TYPES(s):
         return {
@@ -1232,7 +1230,7 @@ class EmptyLatentImage:
     SEARCH_ALIASES = ["empty", "empty latent", "new latent", "create latent", "blank latent", "blank"]
 
     def generate(self, width, height, batch_size=1):
-        latent = torch.zeros([batch_size, 4, height // 8, width // 8], device=self.device)
+        latent = torch.zeros([batch_size, 4, height // 8, width // 8], device=comfy.model_management.intermediate_device(), dtype=comfy.model_management.intermediate_dtype())
         return ({"samples": latent, "downscale_ratio_spacial": 8}, )
 
 
@@ -1724,6 +1722,8 @@ class LoadImage:
         output_masks = []
         w, h = None, None
 
+        dtype = comfy.model_management.intermediate_dtype()
+
         for i in ImageSequence.Iterator(img):
             i = node_helpers.pillow(ImageOps.exif_transpose, i)
 
@@ -1748,8 +1748,8 @@ class LoadImage:
                 mask = 1. - torch.from_numpy(mask)
             else:
                 mask = torch.zeros((64,64), dtype=torch.float32, device="cpu")
-            output_images.append(image)
-            output_masks.append(mask.unsqueeze(0))
+            output_images.append(image.to(dtype=dtype))
+            output_masks.append(mask.unsqueeze(0).to(dtype=dtype))
 
             if img.format == "MPO":
                 break  # ignore all frames except the first one for MPO format
@@ -1779,6 +1779,7 @@ class LoadImage:
         return True
 
 class LoadImageMask:
+    ESSENTIALS_CATEGORY = "Image Tools"
     SEARCH_ALIASES = ["import mask", "alpha mask", "channel mask"]
 
     _color_channels = ["alpha", "red", "green", "blue"]
@@ -1887,6 +1888,7 @@ class ImageScale:
         return (s,)
 
 class ImageScaleBy:
+    ESSENTIALS_CATEGORY = "Image Tools"
     upscale_methods = ["nearest-exact", "bilinear", "area", "bicubic", "lanczos"]
 
     @classmethod
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index 6efb77f29..0ce163f71 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-comfyui-frontend-package==1.41.19
-comfyui-workflow-templates==0.9.21
+comfyui-frontend-package==1.41.20
+comfyui-workflow-templates==0.9.26
 comfyui-embedded-docs==0.4.3
 torch
 torchsde
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ SQLAlchemy
 filelock
 av>=14.2.0
 comfy-kitchen>=0.2.8
-comfy-aimdo>=0.2.10
+comfy-aimdo>=0.2.12
 requests
 simpleeval>=1.0.0
 blake3
diff --git a/server.py b/server.py
index 76904ebc9..173a28376 100644
--- a/server.py
+++ b/server.py
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@ from app.frontend_management import FrontendManager, parse_version
 from comfy_api.internal import _ComfyNodeInternal
 from app.assets.seeder import asset_seeder
 from app.assets.api.routes import register_assets_routes
+from app.assets.services.ingest import register_file_in_place
+from app.assets.services.asset_management import resolve_hash_to_path
 
 from app.user_manager import UserManager
 from app.model_manager import ModelFileManager
@@ -310,7 +312,7 @@ class PromptServer():
         @routes.get("/")
         async def get_root(request):
             response = web.FileResponse(os.path.join(self.web_root, "index.html"))
-            response.headers['Cache-Control'] = 'no-cache'
+            response.headers['Cache-Control'] = 'no-store, must-revalidate'
             response.headers["Pragma"] = "no-cache"
             response.headers["Expires"] = "0"
             return response
@@ -419,7 +421,24 @@ class PromptServer():
                         with open(filepath, "wb") as f:
                             f.write(image.file.read())
 
-                return web.json_response({"name" : filename, "subfolder": subfolder, "type": image_upload_type})
+                resp = {"name" : filename, "subfolder": subfolder, "type": image_upload_type}
+
+                if args.enable_assets:
+                    try:
+                        tag = image_upload_type if image_upload_type in ("input", "output") else "input"
+                        result = register_file_in_place(abs_path=filepath, name=filename, tags=[tag])
+                        resp["asset"] = {
+                            "id": result.ref.id,
+                            "name": result.ref.name,
+                            "asset_hash": result.asset.hash,
+                            "size": result.asset.size_bytes,
+                            "mime_type": result.asset.mime_type,
+                            "tags": result.tags,
+                        }
+                    except Exception:
+                        logging.warning("Failed to register uploaded image as asset", exc_info=True)
+
+                return web.json_response(resp)
             else:
                 return web.Response(status=400)
 
@@ -479,30 +498,43 @@ class PromptServer():
         async def view_image(request):
             if "filename" in request.rel_url.query:
                 filename = request.rel_url.query["filename"]
-                filename, output_dir = folder_paths.annotated_filepath(filename)
 
-                if not filename:
-                    return web.Response(status=400)
+                # The frontend's LoadImage combo widget uses asset_hash values
+                # (e.g. "blake3:...") as widget values. When litegraph renders the
+                # node preview, it constructs /view?filename=<asset_hash>, so this
+                # endpoint must resolve blake3 hashes to their on-disk file paths.
+                if filename.startswith("blake3:"):
+                    owner_id = self.user_manager.get_request_user_id(request)
+                    result = resolve_hash_to_path(filename, owner_id=owner_id)
+                    if result is None:
+                        return web.Response(status=404)
+                    file, filename, resolved_content_type = result.abs_path, result.download_name, result.content_type
+                else:
+                    resolved_content_type = None
+                    filename, output_dir = folder_paths.annotated_filepath(filename)
 
-                # validation for security: prevent accessing arbitrary path
-                if filename[0] == '/' or '..' in filename:
-                    return web.Response(status=400)
+                    if not filename:
+                        return web.Response(status=400)
 
-                if output_dir is None:
-                    type = request.rel_url.query.get("type", "output")
-                    output_dir = folder_paths.get_directory_by_type(type)
+                    # validation for security: prevent accessing arbitrary path
+                    if filename[0] == '/' or '..' in filename:
+                        return web.Response(status=400)
 
-                if output_dir is None:
-                    return web.Response(status=400)
+                    if output_dir is None:
+                        type = request.rel_url.query.get("type", "output")
+                        output_dir = folder_paths.get_directory_by_type(type)
 
-                if "subfolder" in request.rel_url.query:
-                    full_output_dir = os.path.join(output_dir, request.rel_url.query["subfolder"])
-                    if os.path.commonpath((os.path.abspath(full_output_dir), output_dir)) != output_dir:
-                        return web.Response(status=403)
-                    output_dir = full_output_dir
+                    if output_dir is None:
+                        return web.Response(status=400)
 
-                filename = os.path.basename(filename)
-                file = os.path.join(output_dir, filename)
+                    if "subfolder" in request.rel_url.query:
+                        full_output_dir = os.path.join(output_dir, request.rel_url.query["subfolder"])
+                        if os.path.commonpath((os.path.abspath(full_output_dir), output_dir)) != output_dir:
+                            return web.Response(status=403)
+                        output_dir = full_output_dir
+
+                    filename = os.path.basename(filename)
+                    file = os.path.join(output_dir, filename)
 
                 if os.path.isfile(file):
                     if 'preview' in request.rel_url.query:
@@ -562,8 +594,13 @@ class PromptServer():
                             return web.Response(body=alpha_buffer.read(), content_type='image/png',
                                                 headers={"Content-Disposition": f"filename=\"{filename}\""})
                     else:
-                        # Get content type from mimetype, defaulting to 'application/octet-stream'
-                        content_type = mimetypes.guess_type(filename)[0] or 'application/octet-stream'
+                        # Use the content type from asset resolution if available,
+                        # otherwise guess from the filename.
+                        content_type = (
+                            resolved_content_type
+                            or mimetypes.guess_type(filename)[0]
+                            or 'application/octet-stream'
+                        )
 
                         # For security, force certain mimetypes to download instead of display
                         if content_type in {'text/html', 'text/html-sandboxed', 'application/xhtml+xml', 'text/javascript', 'text/css'}:
diff --git a/tests-unit/app_test/test_migrations.py b/tests-unit/app_test/test_migrations.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..fa10c1727
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests-unit/app_test/test_migrations.py
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+"""Test that Alembic migrations run cleanly on a file-backed SQLite DB.
+
+This catches problems like unnamed FK constraints that prevent batch-mode
+drop_constraint from working on real SQLite files (see MB-2).
+
+Migrations 0001 and 0002 are already shipped, so we only exercise
+upgrade/downgrade for 0003+.
+"""
+
+import os
+
+import pytest
+from alembic import command
+from alembic.config import Config
+
+
+# Oldest shipped revision — we upgrade to here as a baseline and never
+# downgrade past it.
+_BASELINE = "0002_merge_to_asset_references"
+
+
+def _make_config(db_path: str) -> Config:
+    root = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "../..")
+    config_path = os.path.abspath(os.path.join(root, "alembic.ini"))
+    scripts_path = os.path.abspath(os.path.join(root, "alembic_db"))
+
+    cfg = Config(config_path)
+    cfg.set_main_option("script_location", scripts_path)
+    cfg.set_main_option("sqlalchemy.url", f"sqlite:///{db_path}")
+    return cfg
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def migration_db(tmp_path):
+    """Yield an alembic Config pre-upgraded to the baseline revision."""
+    db_path = str(tmp_path / "test_migration.db")
+    cfg = _make_config(db_path)
+    command.upgrade(cfg, _BASELINE)
+    yield cfg
+
+
+def test_upgrade_to_head(migration_db):
+    """Upgrade from baseline to head must succeed on a file-backed DB."""
+    command.upgrade(migration_db, "head")
+
+
+def test_downgrade_to_baseline(migration_db):
+    """Upgrade to head then downgrade back to baseline."""
+    command.upgrade(migration_db, "head")
+    command.downgrade(migration_db, _BASELINE)
+
+
+def test_upgrade_downgrade_cycle(migration_db):
+    """Full cycle: upgrade → downgrade → upgrade again."""
+    command.upgrade(migration_db, "head")
+    command.downgrade(migration_db, _BASELINE)
+    command.upgrade(migration_db, "head")
diff --git a/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_asset.py b/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_asset.py
index 08f84cd11..9b7eb4bac 100644
--- a/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_asset.py
+++ b/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_asset.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ from app.assets.database.queries import (
     get_asset_by_hash,
     upsert_asset,
     bulk_insert_assets,
+    update_asset_hash_and_mime,
 )
 
 
@@ -142,3 +143,45 @@ class TestBulkInsertAssets:
         session.commit()
 
         assert session.query(Asset).count() == 200
+
+
+class TestMimeTypeImmutability:
+    """mime_type on Asset is write-once: set on first ingest, never overwritten."""
+
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize(
+        "initial_mime,second_mime,expected_mime",
+        [
+            ("image/png", "image/jpeg", "image/png"),
+            (None, "image/png", "image/png"),
+        ],
+        ids=["preserves_existing", "fills_null"],
+    )
+    def test_upsert_mime_immutability(self, session: Session, initial_mime, second_mime, expected_mime):
+        h = f"blake3:upsert_{initial_mime}_{second_mime}"
+        upsert_asset(session, asset_hash=h, size_bytes=100, mime_type=initial_mime)
+        session.commit()
+
+        asset, created, _ = upsert_asset(session, asset_hash=h, size_bytes=100, mime_type=second_mime)
+        assert created is False
+        assert asset.mime_type == expected_mime
+
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize(
+        "initial_mime,update_mime,update_hash,expected_mime,expected_hash",
+        [
+            (None, "image/png", None, "image/png", "blake3:upd0"),
+            ("image/png", "image/jpeg", None, "image/png", "blake3:upd1"),
+            ("image/png", "image/jpeg", "blake3:upd2_new", "image/png", "blake3:upd2_new"),
+        ],
+        ids=["fills_null", "preserves_existing", "hash_updates_mime_locked"],
+    )
+    def test_update_asset_hash_and_mime_immutability(
+        self, session: Session, initial_mime, update_mime, update_hash, expected_mime, expected_hash,
+    ):
+        h = expected_hash.removesuffix("_new")
+        asset = Asset(hash=h, size_bytes=100, mime_type=initial_mime)
+        session.add(asset)
+        session.flush()
+
+        update_asset_hash_and_mime(session, asset_id=asset.id, mime_type=update_mime, asset_hash=update_hash)
+        assert asset.mime_type == expected_mime
+        assert asset.hash == expected_hash
diff --git a/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_asset_info.py b/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_asset_info.py
index 8f6c7fcdb..fe510e342 100644
--- a/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_asset_info.py
+++ b/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_asset_info.py
@@ -242,22 +242,24 @@ class TestSetReferencePreview:
         asset = _make_asset(session, "hash1")
         preview_asset = _make_asset(session, "preview_hash")
         ref = _make_reference(session, asset)
+        preview_ref = _make_reference(session, preview_asset, name="preview.png")
         session.commit()
 
-        set_reference_preview(session, reference_id=ref.id, preview_asset_id=preview_asset.id)
+        set_reference_preview(session, reference_id=ref.id, preview_reference_id=preview_ref.id)
         session.commit()
 
         session.refresh(ref)
-        assert ref.preview_id == preview_asset.id
+        assert ref.preview_id == preview_ref.id
 
     def test_clears_preview(self, session: Session):
         asset = _make_asset(session, "hash1")
         preview_asset = _make_asset(session, "preview_hash")
         ref = _make_reference(session, asset)
-        ref.preview_id = preview_asset.id
+        preview_ref = _make_reference(session, preview_asset, name="preview.png")
+        ref.preview_id = preview_ref.id
         session.commit()
 
-        set_reference_preview(session, reference_id=ref.id, preview_asset_id=None)
+        set_reference_preview(session, reference_id=ref.id, preview_reference_id=None)
         session.commit()
 
         session.refresh(ref)
@@ -265,15 +267,15 @@ class TestSetReferencePreview:
 
     def test_raises_for_nonexistent_reference(self, session: Session):
         with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="not found"):
-            set_reference_preview(session, reference_id="nonexistent", preview_asset_id=None)
+            set_reference_preview(session, reference_id="nonexistent", preview_reference_id=None)
 
     def test_raises_for_nonexistent_preview(self, session: Session):
         asset = _make_asset(session, "hash1")
         ref = _make_reference(session, asset)
         session.commit()
 
-        with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="Preview Asset"):
-            set_reference_preview(session, reference_id=ref.id, preview_asset_id="nonexistent")
+        with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="Preview AssetReference"):
+            set_reference_preview(session, reference_id=ref.id, preview_reference_id="nonexistent")
 
 
 class TestInsertReference:
@@ -351,13 +353,14 @@ class TestUpdateReferenceTimestamps:
         asset = _make_asset(session, "hash1")
         preview_asset = _make_asset(session, "preview_hash")
         ref = _make_reference(session, asset)
+        preview_ref = _make_reference(session, preview_asset, name="preview.png")
         session.commit()
 
-        update_reference_timestamps(session, ref, preview_id=preview_asset.id)
+        update_reference_timestamps(session, ref, preview_id=preview_ref.id)
         session.commit()
 
         session.refresh(ref)
-        assert ref.preview_id == preview_asset.id
+        assert ref.preview_id == preview_ref.id
 
 
 class TestSetReferenceMetadata:
diff --git a/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_metadata.py b/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_metadata.py
index 6a545e819..d7a747789 100644
--- a/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_metadata.py
+++ b/tests-unit/assets_test/queries/test_metadata.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ def _make_reference(
     asset: Asset,
     name: str,
     metadata: dict | None = None,
+    system_metadata: dict | None = None,
 ) -> AssetReference:
     now = get_utc_now()
     ref = AssetReference(
@@ -27,6 +28,7 @@ def _make_reference(
         name=name,
         asset_id=asset.id,
         user_metadata=metadata,
+        system_metadata=system_metadata,
         created_at=now,
         updated_at=now,
         last_access_time=now,
@@ -34,8 +36,10 @@ def _make_reference(
     session.add(ref)
     session.flush()
 
-    if metadata:
-        for key, val in metadata.items():
+    # Build merged projection: {**system_metadata, **user_metadata}
+    merged = {**(system_metadata or {}), **(metadata or {})}
+    if merged:
+        for key, val in merged.items():
             for row in convert_metadata_to_rows(key, val):
                 meta_row = AssetReferenceMeta(
                     asset_reference_id=ref.id,
@@ -182,3 +186,46 @@ class TestMetadataFilterEmptyDict:
 
         refs, _, total = list_references_page(session, metadata_filter={})
         assert total == 2
+
+
+class TestSystemMetadataProjection:
+    """Tests for system_metadata merging into the filter projection."""
+
+    def test_system_metadata_keys_are_filterable(self, session: Session):
+        """system_metadata keys should appear in the merged projection."""
+        asset = _make_asset(session, "hash1")
+        _make_reference(
+            session, asset, "with_sys",
+            system_metadata={"source": "scanner"},
+        )
+        _make_reference(session, asset, "without_sys")
+        session.commit()
+
+        refs, _, total = list_references_page(
+            session, metadata_filter={"source": "scanner"}
+        )
+        assert total == 1
+        assert refs[0].name == "with_sys"
+
+    def test_user_metadata_overrides_system_metadata(self, session: Session):
+        """user_metadata should win when both have the same key."""
+        asset = _make_asset(session, "hash1")
+        _make_reference(
+            session, asset, "overridden",
+            metadata={"origin": "user_upload"},
+            system_metadata={"origin": "auto_scan"},
+        )
+        session.commit()
+
+        # Should match the user value, not the system value
+        refs, _, total = list_references_page(
+            session, metadata_filter={"origin": "user_upload"}
+        )
+        assert total == 1
+        assert refs[0].name == "overridden"
+
+        # Should NOT match the system value (it was overridden)
+        refs, _, total = list_references_page(
+            session, metadata_filter={"origin": "auto_scan"}
+        )
+        assert total == 0
diff --git a/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_asset_management.py b/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_asset_management.py
index 101ef7292..e8ff989e9 100644
--- a/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_asset_management.py
+++ b/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_asset_management.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ from app.assets.services import (
     delete_asset_reference,
     set_asset_preview,
 )
+from app.assets.services.asset_management import resolve_hash_to_path
 
 
 def _make_asset(session: Session, hash_val: str = "blake3:test", size: int = 1024) -> Asset:
@@ -219,31 +220,33 @@ class TestSetAssetPreview:
         asset = _make_asset(session, hash_val="blake3:main")
         preview_asset = _make_asset(session, hash_val="blake3:preview")
         ref = _make_reference(session, asset)
+        preview_ref = _make_reference(session, preview_asset, name="preview.png")
         ref_id = ref.id
-        preview_id = preview_asset.id
+        preview_ref_id = preview_ref.id
         session.commit()
 
         set_asset_preview(
             reference_id=ref_id,
-            preview_asset_id=preview_id,
+            preview_reference_id=preview_ref_id,
         )
 
         # Verify by re-fetching from DB
         session.expire_all()
         updated_ref = session.get(AssetReference, ref_id)
-        assert updated_ref.preview_id == preview_id
+        assert updated_ref.preview_id == preview_ref_id
 
     def test_clears_preview(self, mock_create_session, session: Session):
         asset = _make_asset(session)
         preview_asset = _make_asset(session, hash_val="blake3:preview")
         ref = _make_reference(session, asset)
-        ref.preview_id = preview_asset.id
+        preview_ref = _make_reference(session, preview_asset, name="preview.png")
+        ref.preview_id = preview_ref.id
         ref_id = ref.id
         session.commit()
 
         set_asset_preview(
             reference_id=ref_id,
-            preview_asset_id=None,
+            preview_reference_id=None,
         )
 
         # Verify by re-fetching from DB
@@ -263,6 +266,45 @@ class TestSetAssetPreview:
         with pytest.raises(PermissionError, match="not owner"):
             set_asset_preview(
                 reference_id=ref.id,
-                preview_asset_id=None,
+                preview_reference_id=None,
                 owner_id="user2",
             )
+
+
+class TestResolveHashToPath:
+    def test_returns_none_for_unknown_hash(self, mock_create_session):
+        result = resolve_hash_to_path("blake3:" + "a" * 64)
+        assert result is None
+
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize(
+        "ref_owner, query_owner, expect_found",
+        [
+            ("user1", "user1", True),
+            ("user1", "user2", False),
+            ("", "anyone", True),
+            ("", "", True),
+        ],
+        ids=[
+            "owner_sees_own_ref",
+            "other_owner_blocked",
+            "ownerless_visible_to_anyone",
+            "ownerless_visible_to_empty",
+        ],
+    )
+    def test_owner_visibility(
+        self, ref_owner, query_owner, expect_found,
+        mock_create_session, session: Session, temp_dir,
+    ):
+        f = temp_dir / "file.bin"
+        f.write_bytes(b"data")
+        asset = _make_asset(session, hash_val="blake3:" + "b" * 64)
+        ref = _make_reference(session, asset, name="file.bin", owner_id=ref_owner)
+        ref.file_path = str(f)
+        session.commit()
+
+        result = resolve_hash_to_path(asset.hash, owner_id=query_owner)
+        if expect_found:
+            assert result is not None
+            assert result.abs_path == str(f)
+        else:
+            assert result is None
diff --git a/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_ingest.py b/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_ingest.py
index 367bc7721..dbb8441c2 100644
--- a/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_ingest.py
+++ b/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_ingest.py
@@ -113,11 +113,19 @@ class TestIngestFileFromPath:
         file_path = temp_dir / "with_preview.bin"
         file_path.write_bytes(b"data")
 
-        # Create a preview asset first
+        # Create a preview asset and reference
         preview_asset = Asset(hash="blake3:preview", size_bytes=100)
         session.add(preview_asset)
+        session.flush()
+        from app.assets.helpers import get_utc_now
+        now = get_utc_now()
+        preview_ref = AssetReference(
+            asset_id=preview_asset.id, name="preview.png", owner_id="",
+            created_at=now, updated_at=now, last_access_time=now,
+        )
+        session.add(preview_ref)
         session.commit()
-        preview_id = preview_asset.id
+        preview_id = preview_ref.id
 
         result = _ingest_file_from_path(
             abs_path=str(file_path),
diff --git a/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_tag_histogram.py b/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_tag_histogram.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7bcd518ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_tag_histogram.py
@@ -0,0 +1,123 @@
+"""Tests for list_tag_histogram service function."""
+from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
+
+from app.assets.database.models import Asset, AssetReference
+from app.assets.database.queries import ensure_tags_exist, add_tags_to_reference
+from app.assets.helpers import get_utc_now
+from app.assets.services.tagging import list_tag_histogram
+
+
+def _make_asset(session: Session, hash_val: str = "blake3:test") -> Asset:
+    asset = Asset(hash=hash_val, size_bytes=1024)
+    session.add(asset)
+    session.flush()
+    return asset
+
+
+def _make_reference(
+    session: Session,
+    asset: Asset,
+    name: str = "test",
+    owner_id: str = "",
+) -> AssetReference:
+    now = get_utc_now()
+    ref = AssetReference(
+        owner_id=owner_id,
+        name=name,
+        asset_id=asset.id,
+        created_at=now,
+        updated_at=now,
+        last_access_time=now,
+    )
+    session.add(ref)
+    session.flush()
+    return ref
+
+
+class TestListTagHistogram:
+    def test_returns_counts_for_all_tags(self, mock_create_session, session: Session):
+        ensure_tags_exist(session, ["alpha", "beta"])
+        a1 = _make_asset(session, "blake3:aaa")
+        r1 = _make_reference(session, a1, name="r1")
+        add_tags_to_reference(session, reference_id=r1.id, tags=["alpha", "beta"])
+
+        a2 = _make_asset(session, "blake3:bbb")
+        r2 = _make_reference(session, a2, name="r2")
+        add_tags_to_reference(session, reference_id=r2.id, tags=["alpha"])
+        session.commit()
+
+        result = list_tag_histogram()
+
+        assert result["alpha"] == 2
+        assert result["beta"] == 1
+
+    def test_empty_when_no_assets(self, mock_create_session, session: Session):
+        ensure_tags_exist(session, ["unused"])
+        session.commit()
+
+        result = list_tag_histogram()
+
+        assert result == {}
+
+    def test_include_tags_filter(self, mock_create_session, session: Session):
+        ensure_tags_exist(session, ["models", "loras", "input"])
+        a1 = _make_asset(session, "blake3:aaa")
+        r1 = _make_reference(session, a1, name="r1")
+        add_tags_to_reference(session, reference_id=r1.id, tags=["models", "loras"])
+
+        a2 = _make_asset(session, "blake3:bbb")
+        r2 = _make_reference(session, a2, name="r2")
+        add_tags_to_reference(session, reference_id=r2.id, tags=["input"])
+        session.commit()
+
+        result = list_tag_histogram(include_tags=["models"])
+
+        # Only r1 has "models", so only its tags appear
+        assert "models" in result
+        assert "loras" in result
+        assert "input" not in result
+
+    def test_exclude_tags_filter(self, mock_create_session, session: Session):
+        ensure_tags_exist(session, ["models", "loras", "input"])
+        a1 = _make_asset(session, "blake3:aaa")
+        r1 = _make_reference(session, a1, name="r1")
+        add_tags_to_reference(session, reference_id=r1.id, tags=["models", "loras"])
+
+        a2 = _make_asset(session, "blake3:bbb")
+        r2 = _make_reference(session, a2, name="r2")
+        add_tags_to_reference(session, reference_id=r2.id, tags=["input"])
+        session.commit()
+
+        result = list_tag_histogram(exclude_tags=["models"])
+
+        # r1 excluded, only r2's tags remain
+        assert "input" in result
+        assert "loras" not in result
+
+    def test_name_contains_filter(self, mock_create_session, session: Session):
+        ensure_tags_exist(session, ["alpha", "beta"])
+        a1 = _make_asset(session, "blake3:aaa")
+        r1 = _make_reference(session, a1, name="my_model.safetensors")
+        add_tags_to_reference(session, reference_id=r1.id, tags=["alpha"])
+
+        a2 = _make_asset(session, "blake3:bbb")
+        r2 = _make_reference(session, a2, name="picture.png")
+        add_tags_to_reference(session, reference_id=r2.id, tags=["beta"])
+        session.commit()
+
+        result = list_tag_histogram(name_contains="model")
+
+        assert "alpha" in result
+        assert "beta" not in result
+
+    def test_limit_caps_results(self, mock_create_session, session: Session):
+        tags = [f"tag{i}" for i in range(10)]
+        ensure_tags_exist(session, tags)
+        a = _make_asset(session, "blake3:aaa")
+        r = _make_reference(session, a, name="r1")
+        add_tags_to_reference(session, reference_id=r.id, tags=tags)
+        session.commit()
+
+        result = list_tag_histogram(limit=3)
+
+        assert len(result) == 3
diff --git a/tests-unit/assets_test/test_uploads.py b/tests-unit/assets_test/test_uploads.py
index d68e5b5d7..0f2b124a3 100644
--- a/tests-unit/assets_test/test_uploads.py
+++ b/tests-unit/assets_test/test_uploads.py
@@ -243,6 +243,15 @@ def test_upload_tags_traversal_guard(http: requests.Session, api_base: str):
     assert body["error"]["code"] in ("BAD_REQUEST", "INVALID_BODY")
 
 
+def test_upload_empty_tags_rejected(http: requests.Session, api_base: str):
+    files = {"file": ("notags.bin", b"A" * 64, "application/octet-stream")}
+    form = {"tags": json.dumps([]), "name": "notags.bin", "user_metadata": json.dumps({})}
+    r = http.post(api_base + "/api/assets", data=form, files=files, timeout=120)
+    body = r.json()
+    assert r.status_code == 400
+    assert body["error"]["code"] == "INVALID_BODY"
+
+
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("root", ["input", "output"])
 def test_duplicate_upload_same_display_name_does_not_clobber(
     root: str,
diff --git a/tests-unit/server_test/test_cache_control.py b/tests-unit/server_test/test_cache_control.py
index fa68d9408..1d0366387 100644
--- a/tests-unit/server_test/test_cache_control.py
+++ b/tests-unit/server_test/test_cache_control.py
@@ -28,31 +28,31 @@ CACHE_SCENARIOS = [
     },
     # JavaScript/CSS scenarios
     {
-        "name": "js_no_cache",
+        "name": "js_no_store",
         "path": "/script.js",
         "status": 200,
-        "expected_cache": "no-cache",
+        "expected_cache": "no-store",
         "should_have_header": True,
     },
     {
-        "name": "css_no_cache",
+        "name": "css_no_store",
         "path": "/styles.css",
         "status": 200,
-        "expected_cache": "no-cache",
+        "expected_cache": "no-store",
         "should_have_header": True,
     },
     {
-        "name": "index_json_no_cache",
+        "name": "index_json_no_store",
         "path": "/api/index.json",
         "status": 200,
-        "expected_cache": "no-cache",
+        "expected_cache": "no-store",
         "should_have_header": True,
     },
     {
-        "name": "localized_index_json_no_cache",
+        "name": "localized_index_json_no_store",
         "path": "/templates/index.zh.json",
         "status": 200,
-        "expected_cache": "no-cache",
+        "expected_cache": "no-store",
         "should_have_header": True,
     },
     # Non-matching files