diff --git a/media_server/__init__.py b/media_server/__init__.py
index 8069df0..48e7669 100644
--- a/media_server/__init__.py
+++ b/media_server/__init__.py
@@ -1,18 +1,32 @@
 """Media Server - REST API for controlling system media playback."""
 
+import re
 from importlib.metadata import PackageNotFoundError, version
 from pathlib import Path
 
+_VERSION_RE = re.compile(r'^version\s*=\s*"([^"]+)"', re.MULTILINE)
+
 
 def _detect_version() -> str:
-    # 1. Package metadata (works when pip-installed in dev)
+    # 1. Live pyproject.toml — only present in dev checkouts. Prefer this
+    # over installed package metadata so `pip install -e .` users don't
+    # see stale versions after editing pyproject.toml without reinstalling.
+    pyproject = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent / "pyproject.toml"
+    if pyproject.is_file():
+        try:
+            match = _VERSION_RE.search(pyproject.read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
+            if match:
+                return match.group(1)
+        except OSError:
+            pass
+
+    # 2. Package metadata (works for any pip-installed copy).
     try:
         return version("media-server")
     except PackageNotFoundError:
         pass
 
-    # 2. VERSION file written by build scripts (production builds)
-    # Located at install root, two levels up from this package
+    # 3. VERSION file written by build scripts (production builds).
     version_file = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent.parent / "VERSION"
     if version_file.is_file():
         return version_file.read_text().strip()
diff --git a/media_server/config.py b/media_server/config.py
index 7edd4c8..2820ba9 100644
--- a/media_server/config.py
+++ b/media_server/config.py
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 """Configuration management for the media server."""
 
+import logging
 import os
+import secrets
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Optional
 
@@ -8,6 +10,8 @@ import yaml
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
 from pydantic_settings import BaseSettings, SettingsConfigDict
 
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
 
 class MediaFolderConfig(BaseModel):
     """Configuration for a media folder."""
@@ -81,8 +85,35 @@ class Settings(BaseSettings):
     )
 
     # Server settings
-    host: str = Field(default="0.0.0.0", description="Server bind address")
+    host: str = Field(
+        default="127.0.0.1",
+        description=(
+            "Server bind address. Use 127.0.0.1 for loopback-only (default, safest),"
+            " or 0.0.0.0 to expose on the LAN (requires api_tokens to be set)."
+        ),
+    )
     port: int = Field(default=8765, description="Server port")
+    allow_lan_without_auth: bool = Field(
+        default=False,
+        description=(
+            "Allow binding to a non-loopback address with no api_tokens configured."
+            " Off by default to prevent unauthenticated LAN exposure."
+        ),
+    )
+    cors_origins: list[str] = Field(
+        default_factory=list,
+        description=(
+            "Allowed CORS origins. Empty (default) means only same-origin requests"
+            " from http://localhost:<port> and http://127.0.0.1:<port>."
+        ),
+    )
+
+    # Admin-grade operations (script / callback / link / folder create/update/delete).
+    # When True the same token used for read/play can also persist arbitrary shell
+    # commands. Disable to make the API read+execute only.
+    scripts_management: bool = Field(default=True, description="Allow scripts CRUD via API")
+    callbacks_management: bool = Field(default=True, description="Allow callbacks CRUD via API")
+    links_management: bool = Field(default=True, description="Allow links CRUD via API")
 
     # Authentication (empty = auth disabled, anyone can access the API)
     api_tokens: dict[str, str] = Field(
@@ -218,21 +249,25 @@ def get_config_dir() -> Path:
 
 
 def generate_default_config(path: Optional[Path] = None) -> Path:
-    """Generate a default configuration file with a new API token."""
+    """Generate a default configuration file with a freshly generated API token.
+
+    The token is written into ``api_tokens.default`` and printed to the logger
+    so first-run users can copy it. Subsequent runs preserve whatever the user
+    has set.
+    """
     if path is None:
         path = get_config_dir() / "config.yaml"
 
+    default_token = secrets.token_urlsafe(32)
+
     config = {
-        "host": "0.0.0.0",
+        "host": "127.0.0.1",
         "port": 8765,
-        # "api_tokens": {
-        #     "default": "your-secret-token-here",
-        # },
+        "api_tokens": {
+            "default": default_token,
+        },
         "poll_interval": 1.0,
         "log_level": "INFO",
-        # Audio device to control (use GET /api/audio/devices to list available devices)
-        # Set to null or remove to use default device
-        # "audio_device": "Speakers (Realtek",
         "scripts": {
             "example_script": {
                 "command": "echo Hello from Media Server!",
@@ -240,26 +275,38 @@ def generate_default_config(path: Optional[Path] = None) -> Path:
                 "timeout": 10,
                 "shell": True,
             },
-            # Add your custom scripts here:
-            # "shutdown": {
-            #     "command": "shutdown /s /t 60",
-            #     "description": "Shutdown computer in 60 seconds",
-            #     "timeout": 5,
-            # },
-            # "lock_screen": {
-            #     "command": "rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation",
-            #     "description": "Lock the workstation",
-            #     "timeout": 5,
-            # },
         },
     }
 
     path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-    with open(path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-        yaml.dump(config, f, default_flow_style=False, sort_keys=False)
+    _write_yaml_atomic(path, config)
+    _restrict_config_perms(path)
+
+    logger.info("Generated default config at %s", path)
+    logger.info("API token (label=default): %s", default_token)
 
     return path
 
 
+def _write_yaml_atomic(path: Path, data: dict) -> None:
+    """Write YAML to disk atomically via tmp file + rename, with restricted perms."""
+    tmp = path.with_suffix(path.suffix + ".tmp")
+    with open(tmp, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+        yaml.dump(data, f, default_flow_style=False, sort_keys=False)
+    _restrict_config_perms(tmp)
+    os.replace(tmp, path)
+
+
+def _restrict_config_perms(path: Path) -> None:
+    """On POSIX, ensure config file is readable only by owner (0600)."""
+    if os.name == "nt":
+        return
+    try:
+        os.chmod(path, 0o600)
+        os.chmod(path.parent, 0o700)
+    except OSError:
+        logger.debug("Could not chmod %s", path, exc_info=True)
+
+
 # Global settings instance
 settings = Settings.load_from_yaml()
diff --git a/media_server/config_manager.py b/media_server/config_manager.py
index 0bbf56b..575c4ce 100644
--- a/media_server/config_manager.py
+++ b/media_server/config_manager.py
@@ -1,52 +1,50 @@
-"""Thread-safe configuration file manager for runtime script updates."""
+"""Thread-safe configuration file manager for runtime updates."""
 
 import logging
 import os
 import threading
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Optional
+from typing import Any, Optional
 
 import yaml
 
-from .config import CallbackConfig, LinkConfig, MediaFolderConfig, ScriptConfig, settings
+from .config import (
+    CallbackConfig,
+    LinkConfig,
+    MediaFolderConfig,
+    ScriptConfig,
+    _restrict_config_perms,
+    _write_yaml_atomic,
+    settings,
+)
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
 class ConfigManager:
-    """Thread-safe configuration file manager."""
+    """Thread-safe configuration file manager.
+
+    All writes go through ``_save()`` which writes to ``config.yaml.tmp`` and
+    then ``os.replace()``s it into place so a crash mid-write cannot corrupt
+    the only persistent user data. On POSIX the file is also chmodded to 0600
+    so co-tenant users cannot read the API token.
+    """
 
     def __init__(self, config_path: Optional[Path] = None):
-        """Initialize the config manager.
-
-        Args:
-            config_path: Path to config file. If None, will search standard locations.
-        """
         self._lock = threading.Lock()
         self._config_path = config_path or self._find_config_path()
         logger.info(f"ConfigManager initialized with path: {self._config_path}")
 
-    def _find_config_path(self) -> Path:
-        """Find the active config file path.
+    @staticmethod
+    def _find_config_path() -> Path:
+        """Find the active config file path (or the default if none exists yet)."""
+        search_paths = [Path("config.yaml"), Path("config.yml")]
 
-        Returns:
-            Path to the config file.
-
-        Raises:
-            FileNotFoundError: If no config file is found.
-        """
-        # Same search logic as Settings.load_from_yaml()
-        search_paths = [
-            Path("config.yaml"),
-            Path("config.yml"),
-        ]
-
-        # Add platform-specific config directory
-        if os.name == "nt":  # Windows
+        if os.name == "nt":
             appdata = os.environ.get("APPDATA", "")
             if appdata:
                 search_paths.append(Path(appdata) / "media-server" / "config.yaml")
-        else:  # Linux/Unix/macOS
+        else:
             search_paths.append(Path.home() / ".config" / "media-server" / "config.yaml")
             search_paths.append(Path("/etc/media-server/config.yaml"))
 
@@ -54,7 +52,6 @@ class ConfigManager:
             if search_path.exists():
                 return search_path
 
-        # If not found, use the default location
         if os.name == "nt":
             default_path = Path(os.environ.get("APPDATA", "")) / "media-server" / "config.yaml"
         else:
@@ -63,422 +60,170 @@ class ConfigManager:
         logger.warning(f"No config file found, using default path: {default_path}")
         return default_path
 
-    def add_script(self, name: str, config: ScriptConfig) -> None:
-        """Add a new script to config.
+    def _load(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
+        """Read the config YAML, returning an empty dict if the file is missing."""
+        if not self._config_path.exists():
+            return {}
+        with open(self._config_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            return yaml.safe_load(f) or {}
 
-        Args:
-            name: Script name (must be unique).
-            config: Script configuration.
+    def _save(self, data: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
+        """Atomically write the config YAML and lock down its permissions."""
+        self._config_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+        _write_yaml_atomic(self._config_path, data)
+        _restrict_config_perms(self._config_path)
 
-        Raises:
-            ValueError: If script already exists.
-            IOError: If config file cannot be written.
-        """
+    # --- Generic per-section CRUD --------------------------------------
+
+    def _upsert(
+        self,
+        section: str,
+        key: str,
+        value: Any,
+        *,
+        require_absent: bool = False,
+        require_present: bool = False,
+        in_memory_target: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
+        verb: str = "set",
+    ) -> None:
         with self._lock:
-            # Read YAML
-            if not self._config_path.exists():
-                data = {}
-            else:
-                with open(self._config_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                    data = yaml.safe_load(f) or {}
+            data = self._load()
+            existing = data.get(section, {})
+            if require_absent and key in existing:
+                raise ValueError(f"{section[:-1].title()} '{key}' already exists")
+            if require_present and (not isinstance(existing, dict) or key not in existing):
+                raise ValueError(f"{section[:-1].title()} '{key}' does not exist")
 
-            # Check if script already exists
-            if "scripts" in data and name in data["scripts"]:
-                raise ValueError(f"Script '{name}' already exists")
+            if not isinstance(existing, dict):
+                existing = {}
+            existing[key] = value.model_dump(exclude_none=True)
+            data[section] = existing
 
-            # Add script
-            if "scripts" not in data:
-                data["scripts"] = {}
-            data["scripts"][name] = config.model_dump(exclude_none=True)
+            self._save(data)
 
-            # Write YAML
-            self._config_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-            with open(self._config_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                yaml.dump(data, f, default_flow_style=False, sort_keys=False)
+            if in_memory_target is not None:
+                in_memory_target[key] = value
+            logger.info(f"{section[:-1].title()} '{key}' {verb} in config")
 
-            # Update in-memory settings
-            settings.scripts[name] = config
+    def _delete(
+        self,
+        section: str,
+        key: str,
+        *,
+        in_memory_target: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
+    ) -> None:
+        with self._lock:
+            data = self._load()
+            existing = data.get(section, {})
+            if not isinstance(existing, dict) or key not in existing:
+                raise ValueError(f"{section[:-1].title()} '{key}' does not exist")
+            del existing[key]
+            data[section] = existing
 
-            logger.info(f"Script '{name}' added to config")
+            self._save(data)
+
+            if in_memory_target is not None and key in in_memory_target:
+                del in_memory_target[key]
+            logger.info(f"{section[:-1].title()} '{key}' deleted from config")
+
+    # --- Scripts -------------------------------------------------------
+
+    def add_script(self, name: str, config: ScriptConfig) -> None:
+        self._upsert(
+            "scripts", name, config,
+            require_absent=True,
+            in_memory_target=settings.scripts,
+            verb="added",
+        )
 
     def update_script(self, name: str, config: ScriptConfig) -> None:
-        """Update an existing script.
-
-        Args:
-            name: Script name.
-            config: New script configuration.
-
-        Raises:
-            ValueError: If script does not exist.
-            IOError: If config file cannot be written.
-        """
-        with self._lock:
-            # Read YAML
-            if not self._config_path.exists():
-                raise ValueError(f"Config file not found: {self._config_path}")
-
-            with open(self._config_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                data = yaml.safe_load(f) or {}
-
-            # Check if script exists
-            if "scripts" not in data or name not in data["scripts"]:
-                raise ValueError(f"Script '{name}' does not exist")
-
-            # Update script
-            data["scripts"][name] = config.model_dump(exclude_none=True)
-
-            # Write YAML
-            with open(self._config_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                yaml.dump(data, f, default_flow_style=False, sort_keys=False)
-
-            # Update in-memory settings
-            settings.scripts[name] = config
-
-            logger.info(f"Script '{name}' updated in config")
+        self._upsert(
+            "scripts", name, config,
+            require_present=True,
+            in_memory_target=settings.scripts,
+            verb="updated",
+        )
 
     def delete_script(self, name: str) -> None:
-        """Delete a script from config.
+        self._delete("scripts", name, in_memory_target=settings.scripts)
 
-        Args:
-            name: Script name.
-
-        Raises:
-            ValueError: If script does not exist.
-            IOError: If config file cannot be written.
-        """
-        with self._lock:
-            # Read YAML
-            if not self._config_path.exists():
-                raise ValueError(f"Config file not found: {self._config_path}")
-
-            with open(self._config_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                data = yaml.safe_load(f) or {}
-
-            # Check if script exists
-            if "scripts" not in data or name not in data["scripts"]:
-                raise ValueError(f"Script '{name}' does not exist")
-
-            # Delete script
-            del data["scripts"][name]
-
-            # Write YAML
-            with open(self._config_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                yaml.dump(data, f, default_flow_style=False, sort_keys=False)
-
-            # Update in-memory settings
-            if name in settings.scripts:
-                del settings.scripts[name]
-
-            logger.info(f"Script '{name}' deleted from config")
+    # --- Callbacks -----------------------------------------------------
 
     def add_callback(self, name: str, config: CallbackConfig) -> None:
-        """Add a new callback to config.
-
-        Args:
-            name: Callback name (must be unique).
-            config: Callback configuration.
-
-        Raises:
-            ValueError: If callback already exists.
-            IOError: If config file cannot be written.
-        """
-        with self._lock:
-            # Read YAML
-            if not self._config_path.exists():
-                data = {}
-            else:
-                with open(self._config_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                    data = yaml.safe_load(f) or {}
-
-            # Check if callback already exists
-            if "callbacks" in data and name in data["callbacks"]:
-                raise ValueError(f"Callback '{name}' already exists")
-
-            # Add callback
-            if "callbacks" not in data:
-                data["callbacks"] = {}
-            data["callbacks"][name] = config.model_dump(exclude_none=True)
-
-            # Write YAML
-            self._config_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-            with open(self._config_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                yaml.dump(data, f, default_flow_style=False, sort_keys=False)
-
-            # Update in-memory settings
-            settings.callbacks[name] = config
-
-            logger.info(f"Callback '{name}' added to config")
+        self._upsert(
+            "callbacks", name, config,
+            require_absent=True,
+            in_memory_target=settings.callbacks,
+            verb="added",
+        )
 
     def update_callback(self, name: str, config: CallbackConfig) -> None:
-        """Update an existing callback.
-
-        Args:
-            name: Callback name.
-            config: New callback configuration.
-
-        Raises:
-            ValueError: If callback does not exist.
-            IOError: If config file cannot be written.
-        """
-        with self._lock:
-            # Read YAML
-            if not self._config_path.exists():
-                raise ValueError(f"Config file not found: {self._config_path}")
-
-            with open(self._config_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                data = yaml.safe_load(f) or {}
-
-            # Check if callback exists
-            if "callbacks" not in data or name not in data["callbacks"]:
-                raise ValueError(f"Callback '{name}' does not exist")
-
-            # Update callback
-            data["callbacks"][name] = config.model_dump(exclude_none=True)
-
-            # Write YAML
-            with open(self._config_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                yaml.dump(data, f, default_flow_style=False, sort_keys=False)
-
-            # Update in-memory settings
-            settings.callbacks[name] = config
-
-            logger.info(f"Callback '{name}' updated in config")
+        self._upsert(
+            "callbacks", name, config,
+            require_present=True,
+            in_memory_target=settings.callbacks,
+            verb="updated",
+        )
 
     def delete_callback(self, name: str) -> None:
-        """Delete a callback from config.
+        self._delete("callbacks", name, in_memory_target=settings.callbacks)
 
-        Args:
-            name: Callback name.
-
-        Raises:
-            ValueError: If callback does not exist.
-            IOError: If config file cannot be written.
-        """
-        with self._lock:
-            # Read YAML
-            if not self._config_path.exists():
-                raise ValueError(f"Config file not found: {self._config_path}")
-
-            with open(self._config_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                data = yaml.safe_load(f) or {}
-
-            # Check if callback exists
-            if "callbacks" not in data or name not in data["callbacks"]:
-                raise ValueError(f"Callback '{name}' does not exist")
-
-            # Delete callback
-            del data["callbacks"][name]
-
-            # Write YAML
-            with open(self._config_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                yaml.dump(data, f, default_flow_style=False, sort_keys=False)
-
-            # Update in-memory settings
-            if name in settings.callbacks:
-                del settings.callbacks[name]
-
-            logger.info(f"Callback '{name}' deleted from config")
+    # --- Media folders -------------------------------------------------
 
     def add_media_folder(self, folder_id: str, config: MediaFolderConfig) -> None:
-        """Add a new media folder to config.
-
-        Args:
-            folder_id: Folder ID (must be unique).
-            config: Media folder configuration.
-
-        Raises:
-            ValueError: If folder already exists.
-            IOError: If config file cannot be written.
-        """
-        with self._lock:
-            # Read YAML
-            if not self._config_path.exists():
-                data = {}
-            else:
-                with open(self._config_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                    data = yaml.safe_load(f) or {}
-
-            # Check if folder already exists
-            if "media_folders" in data and folder_id in data["media_folders"]:
-                raise ValueError(f"Media folder '{folder_id}' already exists")
-
-            # Add folder
-            if "media_folders" not in data:
-                data["media_folders"] = {}
-            data["media_folders"][folder_id] = config.model_dump(exclude_none=True)
-
-            # Write YAML
-            self._config_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-            with open(self._config_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                yaml.dump(data, f, default_flow_style=False, sort_keys=False)
-
-            # Update in-memory settings
-            settings.media_folders[folder_id] = config
-
-            logger.info(f"Media folder '{folder_id}' added to config")
+        self._upsert(
+            "media_folders", folder_id, config,
+            require_absent=True,
+            in_memory_target=settings.media_folders,
+            verb="added",
+        )
 
     def update_media_folder(self, folder_id: str, config: MediaFolderConfig) -> None:
-        """Update an existing media folder.
-
-        Args:
-            folder_id: Folder ID.
-            config: New media folder configuration.
-
-        Raises:
-            ValueError: If folder does not exist.
-            IOError: If config file cannot be written.
-        """
-        with self._lock:
-            # Read YAML
-            if not self._config_path.exists():
-                raise ValueError(f"Config file not found: {self._config_path}")
-
-            with open(self._config_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                data = yaml.safe_load(f) or {}
-
-            # Check if folder exists
-            if "media_folders" not in data or folder_id not in data["media_folders"]:
-                raise ValueError(f"Media folder '{folder_id}' does not exist")
-
-            # Update folder
-            data["media_folders"][folder_id] = config.model_dump(exclude_none=True)
-
-            # Write YAML
-            with open(self._config_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                yaml.dump(data, f, default_flow_style=False, sort_keys=False)
-
-            # Update in-memory settings
-            settings.media_folders[folder_id] = config
-
-            logger.info(f"Media folder '{folder_id}' updated in config")
+        self._upsert(
+            "media_folders", folder_id, config,
+            require_present=True,
+            in_memory_target=settings.media_folders,
+            verb="updated",
+        )
 
     def delete_media_folder(self, folder_id: str) -> None:
-        """Delete a media folder from config.
+        self._delete("media_folders", folder_id, in_memory_target=settings.media_folders)
 
-        Args:
-            folder_id: Folder ID.
-
-        Raises:
-            ValueError: If folder does not exist.
-            IOError: If config file cannot be written.
-        """
-        with self._lock:
-            # Read YAML
-            if not self._config_path.exists():
-                raise ValueError(f"Config file not found: {self._config_path}")
-
-            with open(self._config_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                data = yaml.safe_load(f) or {}
-
-            # Check if folder exists
-            if "media_folders" not in data or folder_id not in data["media_folders"]:
-                raise ValueError(f"Media folder '{folder_id}' does not exist")
-
-            # Delete folder
-            del data["media_folders"][folder_id]
-
-            # Write YAML
-            with open(self._config_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                yaml.dump(data, f, default_flow_style=False, sort_keys=False)
-
-            # Update in-memory settings
-            if folder_id in settings.media_folders:
-                del settings.media_folders[folder_id]
-
-            logger.info(f"Media folder '{folder_id}' deleted from config")
+    # --- Links ---------------------------------------------------------
 
     def add_link(self, name: str, config: LinkConfig) -> None:
-        """Add a new link to config."""
-        with self._lock:
-            if not self._config_path.exists():
-                data = {}
-            else:
-                with open(self._config_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                    data = yaml.safe_load(f) or {}
-
-            if "links" in data and name in data["links"]:
-                raise ValueError(f"Link '{name}' already exists")
-
-            if "links" not in data:
-                data["links"] = {}
-            data["links"][name] = config.model_dump(exclude_none=True)
-
-            self._config_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-            with open(self._config_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                yaml.dump(data, f, default_flow_style=False, sort_keys=False)
-
-            settings.links[name] = config
-            logger.info(f"Link '{name}' added to config")
+        self._upsert(
+            "links", name, config,
+            require_absent=True,
+            in_memory_target=settings.links,
+            verb="added",
+        )
 
     def update_link(self, name: str, config: LinkConfig) -> None:
-        """Update an existing link."""
-        with self._lock:
-            if not self._config_path.exists():
-                raise ValueError(f"Config file not found: {self._config_path}")
-
-            with open(self._config_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                data = yaml.safe_load(f) or {}
-
-            if "links" not in data or name not in data["links"]:
-                raise ValueError(f"Link '{name}' does not exist")
-
-            data["links"][name] = config.model_dump(exclude_none=True)
-
-            with open(self._config_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                yaml.dump(data, f, default_flow_style=False, sort_keys=False)
-
-            settings.links[name] = config
-            logger.info(f"Link '{name}' updated in config")
+        self._upsert(
+            "links", name, config,
+            require_present=True,
+            in_memory_target=settings.links,
+            verb="updated",
+        )
 
     def delete_link(self, name: str) -> None:
-        """Delete a link from config."""
+        self._delete("links", name, in_memory_target=settings.links)
+
+    # --- Top-level settings --------------------------------------------
+
+    def set_setting(self, key: str, value: Any) -> None:
+        """Set a top-level config setting and persist to YAML."""
         with self._lock:
-            if not self._config_path.exists():
-                raise ValueError(f"Config file not found: {self._config_path}")
-
-            with open(self._config_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                data = yaml.safe_load(f) or {}
-
-            if "links" not in data or name not in data["links"]:
-                raise ValueError(f"Link '{name}' does not exist")
-
-            del data["links"][name]
-
-            with open(self._config_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                yaml.dump(data, f, default_flow_style=False, sort_keys=False)
-
-            if name in settings.links:
-                del settings.links[name]
-            logger.info(f"Link '{name}' deleted from config")
-
-    def set_setting(self, key: str, value) -> None:
-        """Set a top-level config setting and persist to YAML.
-
-        Args:
-            key: Setting name (e.g., "visualizer_device").
-            value: Setting value (None removes the key).
-        """
-        with self._lock:
-            if not self._config_path.exists():
-                data = {}
-            else:
-                with open(self._config_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                    data = yaml.safe_load(f) or {}
-
+            data = self._load()
             if value is None:
                 data.pop(key, None)
             else:
                 data[key] = value
-
-            self._config_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-            with open(self._config_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                yaml.dump(data, f, default_flow_style=False, sort_keys=False)
-
-            # Update in-memory settings
+            self._save(data)
             if hasattr(settings, key):
                 setattr(settings, key, value)
             logger.info("Setting '%s' updated to: %s", key, value)
 
 
-# Global config manager instance
 config_manager = ConfigManager()
diff --git a/media_server/main.py b/media_server/main.py
index d6fd69b..59f9ae6 100644
--- a/media_server/main.py
+++ b/media_server/main.py
@@ -63,10 +63,10 @@ async def lifespan(app: FastAPI):
     logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
     logger.info(f"Media Server starting on {settings.host}:{settings.port}")
 
-    # Log authentication status
+    # Log authentication status — never log full or partial token material.
     if settings.api_tokens:
-        for label, token in settings.api_tokens.items():
-            logger.info(f"API Token [{label}]: {token[:8]}...")
+        labels = ", ".join(settings.api_tokens.keys())
+        logger.info(f"Authentication enabled. Tokens configured: [{labels}]")
     else:
         logger.warning("No API tokens configured — authentication is DISABLED")
 
@@ -87,6 +87,24 @@ async def lifespan(app: FastAPI):
         # Store globally so health endpoint can access cached result
         app.state.update_checker = update_checker
 
+    # Schedule periodic thumbnail cache cleanup so the 500 MB cap is actually
+    # enforced. Runs once at startup and then hourly until shutdown.
+    from .services.thumbnail_service import ThumbnailService
+
+    async def _thumbnail_cleanup_loop() -> None:
+        while True:
+            try:
+                await asyncio.to_thread(ThumbnailService.cleanup_cache)
+            except Exception as e:
+                logger.warning("Thumbnail cache cleanup failed: %s", e)
+            try:
+                await asyncio.sleep(3600)
+            except asyncio.CancelledError:
+                break
+
+    import asyncio
+    cleanup_task = asyncio.create_task(_thumbnail_cleanup_loop())
+
     # Register audio visualizer (capture starts on-demand when clients subscribe)
     analyzer = None
     if settings.visualizer_enabled:
@@ -109,6 +127,13 @@ async def lifespan(app: FastAPI):
     if update_checker is not None:
         await update_checker.stop()
 
+    # Cancel periodic thumbnail cleanup
+    cleanup_task.cancel()
+    try:
+        await cleanup_task
+    except asyncio.CancelledError:
+        pass
+
     # Stop audio visualizer
     await ws_manager.stop_audio_monitor()
     if analyzer and analyzer.running:
@@ -117,6 +142,13 @@ async def lifespan(app: FastAPI):
     # Stop WebSocket status monitor
     await ws_manager.stop_status_monitor()
 
+    # Shut down dedicated thread pools so pending scripts don't leak threads
+    from .routes.callbacks import shutdown_callback_executor
+    from .routes.scripts import shutdown_script_executor
+
+    shutdown_script_executor()
+    shutdown_callback_executor()
+
     # Clean up platform-specific resources
     import platform as _platform
     if _platform.system() == "Windows":
@@ -138,16 +170,43 @@ def create_app() -> FastAPI:
     # Compress responses > 1KB
     app.add_middleware(GZipMiddleware, minimum_size=1000)
 
-    # Add CORS middleware for cross-origin requests
-    # Token auth is via Authorization header, not cookies, so credentials are not needed
+    # CORS — restrict to same-origin by default; users that integrate the API
+    # from another origin (e.g. Home Assistant on a different host) can set
+    # cors_origins in config.yaml.
+    cors_origins = settings.cors_origins or [
+        f"http://localhost:{settings.port}",
+        f"http://127.0.0.1:{settings.port}",
+    ]
     app.add_middleware(
         CORSMiddleware,
-        allow_origins=["*"],
+        allow_origins=cors_origins,
         allow_credentials=False,
-        allow_methods=["*"],
-        allow_headers=["*"],
+        allow_methods=["GET", "POST", "PUT", "DELETE", "OPTIONS"],
+        allow_headers=["Authorization", "Content-Type"],
     )
 
+    # Security headers — strict CSP for the bundled UI, disallow framing, hide referrer.
+    @app.middleware("http")
+    async def security_headers_middleware(request: Request, call_next):
+        response = await call_next(request)
+        response.headers.setdefault(
+            "Content-Security-Policy",
+            (
+                "default-src 'self'; "
+                "img-src 'self' data: blob: https://api.iconify.design; "
+                "connect-src 'self' https://api.iconify.design ws: wss:; "
+                "script-src 'self'; "
+                "style-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline'; "
+                "font-src 'self' data:; "
+                "frame-ancestors 'none'; "
+                "base-uri 'self'"
+            ),
+        )
+        response.headers.setdefault("X-Frame-Options", "DENY")
+        response.headers.setdefault("X-Content-Type-Options", "nosniff")
+        response.headers.setdefault("Referrer-Policy", "no-referrer")
+        return response
+
     # Add token logging middleware
     @app.middleware("http")
     async def token_logging_middleware(request: Request, call_next):
@@ -247,7 +306,8 @@ def main():
     if args.generate_config:
         config_path = generate_default_config()
         print(f"Configuration file generated at: {config_path}")
-        print("Authentication is disabled by default. Add api_tokens to enable it.")
+        print("A random API token was generated under api_tokens.default.")
+        print("Run `python -m media_server.main --show-token` to view it.")
         return
 
     if args.show_token:
@@ -260,6 +320,32 @@ def main():
             print("\nAuthentication is DISABLED (no tokens configured)")
         return
 
+    # First-run bootstrap: if no config has ever been written, generate one
+    # with a random token instead of starting in the insecure "no-auth" mode.
+    config_path = get_config_dir() / "config.yaml"
+    if not config_path.exists() and not settings.api_tokens:
+        try:
+            generate_default_config(config_path)
+            print(
+                f"\nFirst run: generated default config at {config_path}.\n"
+                "Run --show-token to retrieve the API token, then restart.",
+                file=sys.stderr,
+            )
+            sys.exit(0)
+        except OSError as e:
+            print(f"WARNING: could not bootstrap config: {e}", file=sys.stderr)
+
+    # Refuse to bind a non-loopback address with no tokens, unless explicitly opted in.
+    non_loopback = args.host not in ("127.0.0.1", "localhost", "::1")
+    if non_loopback and not settings.api_tokens and not settings.allow_lan_without_auth:
+        print(
+            "ERROR: refusing to bind a non-loopback address with no api_tokens configured.\n"
+            "Either set api_tokens in config.yaml, bind to 127.0.0.1,"
+            " or set allow_lan_without_auth: true in config.yaml to override.",
+            file=sys.stderr,
+        )
+        sys.exit(1)
+
     # Check if port is available before starting
     with socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM) as sock:
         try:
diff --git a/media_server/routes/browser.py b/media_server/routes/browser.py
index a0b0edb..5986bd0 100644
--- a/media_server/routes/browser.py
+++ b/media_server/routes/browser.py
@@ -23,6 +23,17 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 router = APIRouter(prefix="/api/browser", tags=["browser"])
 
+# Strong refs to background tasks so they don't get garbage-collected mid-flight.
+_background_tasks: set[asyncio.Task] = set()
+
+
+def _spawn_background(coro) -> asyncio.Task:
+    """Schedule a background coroutine and keep a strong ref to its Task."""
+    task = asyncio.create_task(coro)
+    _background_tasks.add(task)
+    task.add_done_callback(_background_tasks.discard)
+    return task
+
 
 def _require_folder_management() -> None:
     """Raise 403 if media folder management is disabled in config."""
@@ -38,16 +49,23 @@ async def _broadcast_after_open(controller, label: str, max_wait: float = 2.0) -
 
     Fires as a background task so the HTTP response returns immediately.
     """
+    status = None
     try:
         interval = 0.3
         elapsed = 0.0
         while elapsed < max_wait:
             await asyncio.sleep(interval)
             elapsed += interval
-            status = await controller.get_status()
+            try:
+                status = await controller.get_status()
+            except Exception as poll_err:  # noqa: BLE001 — broadcast is best-effort
+                logger.debug("get_status during broadcast poll failed: %s", poll_err)
+                continue
             if status.state in ("playing", "paused"):
                 break
 
+        if status is None:
+            return
         status_dict = status.model_dump()
         await ws_manager.broadcast({"type": "status", "data": status_dict})
         logger.info(f"Broadcasted status update after opening: {label}")
@@ -74,9 +92,14 @@ class FolderUpdateRequest(BaseModel):
 
 
 class PlayRequest(BaseModel):
-    """Request model for playing a media file."""
+    """Request model for playing a media file.
 
-    path: str = Field(..., description="Full path to the media file")
+    Both ``folder_id`` and ``path`` are required so the server can validate
+    the file lives inside a configured media folder.
+    """
+
+    folder_id: str = Field(..., description="Media folder ID")
+    path: str = Field(..., description="Path relative to folder root")
 
 
 class PlayFolderRequest(BaseModel):
@@ -128,8 +151,10 @@ async def create_folder(
     """
     _require_folder_management()
     try:
-        # Validate folder_id format (alphanumeric and underscore only)
-        if not request.folder_id.replace("_", "").isalnum():
+        # Validate folder_id format (alphanumeric and underscore only).
+        # Same constraint is enforced when validating paths so traversal can't
+        # be smuggled through the ID itself.
+        if not request.folder_id or not request.folder_id.replace("_", "").isalnum():
             raise HTTPException(
                 status_code=400,
                 detail="Folder ID must contain only alphanumeric characters and underscores",
@@ -277,13 +302,15 @@ async def browse(
         # URL decode the path
         decoded_path = unquote(path)
 
-        # Browse directory
-        result = BrowserService.browse_directory(
-            folder_id=folder_id,
-            path=decoded_path,
-            offset=offset,
-            limit=limit,
-            nocache=nocache,
+        # Browse directory in a thread — iterdir() + stat() can block on
+        # network shares for many seconds; never run on the event loop.
+        result = await asyncio.to_thread(
+            BrowserService.browse_directory,
+            folder_id,
+            decoded_path,
+            offset,
+            limit,
+            nocache,
         )
 
         return result
@@ -307,41 +334,40 @@ async def browse(
 # Metadata Endpoint
 @router.get("/metadata")
 async def get_metadata(
-    path: str = Query(..., description="Full path to media file (URL-encoded)"),
+    folder_id: str = Query(..., description="Media folder ID"),
+    path: str = Query(..., description="Path relative to folder root (URL-encoded)"),
     _: str = Depends(verify_token),
 ):
-    """Get metadata for a media file.
+    """Get metadata for a media file inside a configured media folder.
 
     Args:
-        path: Full path to the media file (URL-encoded).
+        folder_id: ID of the media folder.
+        path: Path relative to folder root (URL-encoded).
 
     Returns:
         Media file metadata.
-
-    Raises:
-        HTTPException: If file not found or metadata extraction fails.
     """
     try:
-        # URL decode the path
         decoded_path = unquote(path)
-        file_path = Path(decoded_path)
-
-        if not file_path.exists():
-            raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="File not found")
+        file_path = BrowserService.validate_path(folder_id, decoded_path)
 
         if not file_path.is_file():
             raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Path is not a file")
+        if not BrowserService.is_media_file(file_path):
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="File is not a media file")
 
-        # Extract metadata in executor (blocking operation)
-        loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
+        loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
         metadata = await loop.run_in_executor(
             None,
             MetadataService.extract_metadata,
             file_path,
         )
-
         return metadata
 
+    except ValueError as e:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail=str(e))
+    except FileNotFoundError as e:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail=str(e))
     except HTTPException:
         raise
     except Exception as e:
@@ -352,59 +378,47 @@ async def get_metadata(
 # Thumbnail Endpoint
 @router.get("/thumbnail")
 async def get_thumbnail(
-    path: str = Query(..., description="Full path to media file (URL-encoded)"),
+    folder_id: str = Query(..., description="Media folder ID"),
+    path: str = Query(..., description="Path relative to folder root (URL-encoded)"),
     size: str = Query(default="medium", description='Thumbnail size: "small" or "medium"'),
     _: str = Depends(verify_token),
 ):
-    """Get thumbnail for a media file.
-
-    Args:
-        path: Full path to the media file (URL-encoded).
-        size: Thumbnail size ("small" or "medium").
-
-    Returns:
-        JPEG image bytes.
-
-    Raises:
-        HTTPException: If file not found or thumbnail generation fails.
-    """
+    """Get thumbnail for a media file inside a configured media folder."""
     try:
-        # URL decode the path
         decoded_path = unquote(path)
-        file_path = Path(decoded_path)
-
-        if not file_path.exists():
-            raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="File not found")
+        file_path = BrowserService.validate_path(folder_id, decoded_path)
 
         if not file_path.is_file():
             raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Path is not a file")
+        if not BrowserService.is_media_file(file_path):
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="File is not a media file")
 
-        # Validate size
         if size not in ("small", "medium"):
             size = "medium"
 
-        # Get thumbnail
         thumbnail_data = await ThumbnailService.get_thumbnail(file_path, size)
 
         if thumbnail_data is None:
             return Response(status_code=204)
 
-        # Calculate ETag (hash of path + mtime)
         import hashlib
         stat = file_path.stat()
         etag_data = f"{file_path}:{stat.st_mtime}:{size}".encode()
         etag = hashlib.md5(etag_data).hexdigest()
 
-        # Return image with caching headers
         return Response(
             content=thumbnail_data,
             media_type="image/jpeg",
             headers={
                 "ETag": f'"{etag}"',
-                "Cache-Control": "public, max-age=86400",  # 24 hours
+                "Cache-Control": "public, max-age=86400",
             },
         )
 
+    except ValueError as e:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail=str(e))
+    except FileNotFoundError as e:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail=str(e))
     except HTTPException:
         raise
     except Exception as e:
@@ -420,44 +434,37 @@ async def play_file(
 ):
     """Open a media file with the default system player.
 
-    Args:
-        request: Play request with file path.
-
-    Returns:
-        Success message.
-
-    Raises:
-        HTTPException: If file not found or playback fails.
+    Requires both ``folder_id`` and a folder-relative ``path``; the resolved
+    file must live inside the configured media folder and be a recognized
+    media file. This prevents arbitrary OS-handler invocation (e.g.,
+    ``os.startfile`` on Windows ``.lnk``/UNC paths).
     """
     try:
-        file_path = Path(request.path)
-
-        # Validate file exists
-        if not file_path.exists():
-            raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="File not found")
+        decoded_path = unquote(request.path)
+        file_path = BrowserService.validate_path(request.folder_id, decoded_path)
 
         if not file_path.is_file():
             raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Path is not a file")
-
-        # Validate file is a media file
         if not BrowserService.is_media_file(file_path):
             raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="File is not a media file")
 
-        # Get media controller and open file
         controller = get_media_controller()
         success = await controller.open_file(str(file_path))
 
         if not success:
             raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail="Failed to open file")
 
-        # Poll until player registers with media session API (up to 2s)
-        asyncio.create_task(_broadcast_after_open(controller, file_path.name))
+        _spawn_background(_broadcast_after_open(controller, file_path.name))
 
         return {
             "success": True,
             "message": f"Playing {file_path.name}",
         }
 
+    except ValueError as e:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail=str(e))
+    except FileNotFoundError as e:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail=str(e))
     except HTTPException:
         raise
     except Exception as e:
@@ -489,26 +496,38 @@ async def play_folder(
         if not full_path.is_dir():
             raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Path is not a directory")
 
-        # Collect all media files sorted by name
-        media_files = sorted(
-            [f for f in full_path.iterdir() if f.is_file() and BrowserService.is_media_file(f)],
-            key=lambda f: f.name.lower(),
-        )
+        def _scan(directory: Path) -> list[Path]:
+            return sorted(
+                (
+                    f for f in directory.iterdir()
+                    if f.is_file() and BrowserService.is_media_file(f)
+                ),
+                key=lambda f: f.name.lower(),
+            )
+
+        media_files = await asyncio.to_thread(_scan, full_path)
 
         if not media_files:
             raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="No media files found in this folder")
 
-        # Generate M3U playlist with absolute paths and EXTINF entries
-        # Written to local temp dir to avoid extra SMB file handle on network shares
-        # Uses utf-8-sig (BOM) so players detect encoding properly
+        # Generate M3U playlist with absolute paths and EXTINF entries.
+        # Use NamedTemporaryFile to get a fresh per-call path — prevents
+        # symlink-clobber races between concurrent /play-folder requests
+        # and any local user pre-creating a fixed temp filename.
         lines = ["#EXTM3U"]
         for f in media_files:
             lines.append(f"#EXTINF:-1,{f.stem}")
             lines.append(str(f))
-        m3u_content = "\r\n".join(lines) + "\r\n"
+        m3u_content = ("\r\n".join(lines) + "\r\n").encode("utf-8-sig")
 
-        playlist_path = Path(tempfile.gettempdir()) / ".media_server_playlist.m3u"
-        playlist_path.write_text(m3u_content, encoding="utf-8-sig")
+        with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile(
+            mode="wb",
+            prefix=".media_server_playlist_",
+            suffix=".m3u",
+            delete=False,
+        ) as f:
+            f.write(m3u_content)
+            playlist_path = Path(f.name)
 
         # Open playlist with default player
         controller = get_media_controller()
@@ -517,8 +536,9 @@ async def play_folder(
         if not success:
             raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail="Failed to open playlist")
 
-        # Poll until player registers with media session API (up to 2s)
-        asyncio.create_task(_broadcast_after_open(controller, f"playlist ({len(media_files)} files)"))
+        _spawn_background(
+            _broadcast_after_open(controller, f"playlist ({len(media_files)} files)")
+        )
 
         return {
             "success": True,
diff --git a/media_server/routes/callbacks.py b/media_server/routes/callbacks.py
index 677321d..09ca170 100644
--- a/media_server/routes/callbacks.py
+++ b/media_server/routes/callbacks.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 import asyncio
 import logging
 import subprocess
+import sys
 import time
 from concurrent.futures import ThreadPoolExecutor
 from typing import Any
@@ -21,6 +22,22 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 _callback_executor = ThreadPoolExecutor(max_workers=4, thread_name_prefix="callback")
 
 
+def shutdown_callback_executor() -> None:
+    """Shut down the callback executor cleanly on application teardown."""
+    _callback_executor.shutdown(wait=False, cancel_futures=True)
+
+
+def _require_callbacks_management() -> None:
+    if not settings.callbacks_management:
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=status.HTTP_403_FORBIDDEN,
+            detail=(
+                "Callbacks management is disabled. Set callbacks_management: true"
+                " in config.yaml to enable."
+            ),
+        )
+
+
 class CallbackInfo(BaseModel):
     """Information about a configured callback."""
 
@@ -131,7 +148,7 @@ async def execute_callback(
 
     try:
         # Execute in dedicated thread pool to not block the default executor
-        loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
+        loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
         result = await loop.run_in_executor(
             _callback_executor,
             lambda: _run_callback(
@@ -178,6 +195,11 @@ def _run_callback(
         Dict with exit_code, stdout, stderr, execution_time
     """
     start_time = time.time()
+    popen_kwargs: dict[str, Any] = {}
+    if sys.platform == "win32":
+        popen_kwargs["creationflags"] = subprocess.CREATE_NEW_PROCESS_GROUP
+    else:
+        popen_kwargs["start_new_session"] = True
     try:
         result = subprocess.run(
             command,
@@ -186,6 +208,7 @@ def _run_callback(
             capture_output=True,
             text=True,
             timeout=timeout,
+            **popen_kwargs,
         )
         execution_time = time.time() - start_time
         return {
@@ -230,7 +253,7 @@ async def create_callback(
     Raises:
         HTTPException: If callback already exists or name is invalid.
     """
-    # Validate name
+    _require_callbacks_management()
     _validate_callback_name(callback_name)
 
     # Check if callback already exists
@@ -278,7 +301,7 @@ async def update_callback(
     Raises:
         HTTPException: If callback does not exist.
     """
-    # Validate name
+    _require_callbacks_management()
     _validate_callback_name(callback_name)
 
     # Check if callback exists
@@ -324,7 +347,7 @@ async def delete_callback(
     Raises:
         HTTPException: If callback does not exist.
     """
-    # Validate name
+    _require_callbacks_management()
     _validate_callback_name(callback_name)
 
     # Check if callback exists
diff --git a/media_server/routes/display.py b/media_server/routes/display.py
index 00ca07b..c7cbc98 100644
--- a/media_server/routes/display.py
+++ b/media_server/routes/display.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 """Display brightness, power, contrast, input-source, color-preset and picture-mode API."""
 
+import asyncio
 import logging
 
 from fastapi import APIRouter, Depends
@@ -45,19 +46,21 @@ class PictureModeRequest(BaseModel):
     code: int = Field(ge=0, le=255)
 
 
+# DDC/CI hardware writes open a per-monitor handle and can take seconds —
+# every public endpoint dispatches into a worker thread so the event loop
+# stays responsive.
+
+
 @router.get("/monitors")
 async def get_monitors(
     refresh: bool = False,
     rediscover: bool = False,
     _: str = Depends(verify_token),
 ) -> list[dict]:
-    """List all connected monitors with their reported DDC/CI capabilities.
-
-    - `refresh=true` bypasses the response TTL cache (re-reads current state).
-    - `rediscover=true` also drops the per-monitor capability cache, forcing
-      a full DDC/CI capability probe. Use after a monitor hot-swap.
-    """
-    monitors = list_monitors(force_refresh=refresh, rediscover=rediscover)
+    """List all connected monitors with their reported DDC/CI capabilities."""
+    monitors = await asyncio.to_thread(
+        list_monitors, force_refresh=refresh, rediscover=rediscover
+    )
     logger.debug("Found %d monitors", len(monitors))
     return [m.to_dict() for m in monitors]
 
@@ -67,7 +70,7 @@ async def set_monitor_brightness(
     monitor_id: int, request: BrightnessRequest, _: str = Depends(verify_token)
 ) -> dict:
     """Set brightness for a specific monitor."""
-    success = set_brightness(monitor_id, request.brightness)
+    success = await asyncio.to_thread(set_brightness, monitor_id, request.brightness)
     if success:
         logger.info("Set monitor %d brightness to %d", monitor_id, request.brightness)
     return {"success": success}
@@ -79,7 +82,7 @@ async def set_monitor_power(
 ) -> dict:
     """Turn a monitor on or off."""
     action = "on" if request.on else "off"
-    success = set_power(monitor_id, request.on)
+    success = await asyncio.to_thread(set_power, monitor_id, request.on)
     if success:
         logger.info("Set monitor %d power %s", monitor_id, action)
     return {"success": success}
@@ -90,7 +93,7 @@ async def set_monitor_contrast(
     monitor_id: int, request: ContrastRequest, _: str = Depends(verify_token)
 ) -> dict:
     """Set DDC/CI contrast for a specific monitor."""
-    success = set_contrast(monitor_id, request.contrast)
+    success = await asyncio.to_thread(set_contrast, monitor_id, request.contrast)
     if success:
         logger.info("Set monitor %d contrast to %d", monitor_id, request.contrast)
     return {"success": success}
@@ -101,7 +104,7 @@ async def set_monitor_input_source(
     monitor_id: int, request: InputSourceRequest, _: str = Depends(verify_token)
 ) -> dict:
     """Switch a monitor's DDC/CI input source (e.g. HDMI1, DP1)."""
-    success = set_input_source(monitor_id, request.source)
+    success = await asyncio.to_thread(set_input_source, monitor_id, request.source)
     if success:
         logger.info("Set monitor %d input source to %s", monitor_id, request.source)
     return {"success": success}
@@ -112,7 +115,7 @@ async def set_monitor_color_preset(
     monitor_id: int, request: ColorPresetRequest, _: str = Depends(verify_token)
 ) -> dict:
     """Apply a DDC/CI color preset (color temperature) to the monitor."""
-    success = set_color_preset(monitor_id, request.preset)
+    success = await asyncio.to_thread(set_color_preset, monitor_id, request.preset)
     if success:
         logger.info("Set monitor %d color preset to %s", monitor_id, request.preset)
     return {"success": success}
@@ -123,7 +126,7 @@ async def set_monitor_picture_mode(
     monitor_id: int, request: PictureModeRequest, _: str = Depends(verify_token)
 ) -> dict:
     """Apply a DDC/CI picture/scene mode (VCP 0xDC) by raw code."""
-    success = set_picture_mode(monitor_id, request.code)
+    success = await asyncio.to_thread(set_picture_mode, monitor_id, request.code)
     if success:
         logger.info("Set monitor %d picture mode to code %d", monitor_id, request.code)
     return {"success": success}
diff --git a/media_server/routes/links.py b/media_server/routes/links.py
index e8e2891..87ea4c9 100644
--- a/media_server/routes/links.py
+++ b/media_server/routes/links.py
@@ -3,9 +3,10 @@
 import logging
 import re
 from typing import Any
+from urllib.parse import urlparse
 
 from fastapi import APIRouter, Depends, HTTPException, status
-from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
+from pydantic import BaseModel, Field, field_validator
 
 from ..auth import verify_token
 from ..config import LinkConfig, settings
@@ -15,6 +16,35 @@ from ..services.websocket_manager import ws_manager
 router = APIRouter(prefix="/api/links", tags=["links"])
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
+# Only allow MDI iconify slugs and safe `http(s)`-ish URLs through the API.
+_MDI_ICON_RE = re.compile(r"^mdi:[a-z0-9][a-z0-9-]{0,63}$")
+_ALLOWED_URL_SCHEMES = {"http", "https"}
+
+
+def _validate_url(url: str) -> str:
+    """Ensure the URL is well-formed http(s) — no ``javascript:`` etc."""
+    parsed = urlparse(url)
+    if parsed.scheme.lower() not in _ALLOWED_URL_SCHEMES:
+        raise ValueError("URL must start with http:// or https://")
+    if not parsed.netloc:
+        raise ValueError("URL must include a host")
+    return url
+
+
+def _validate_icon(icon: str) -> str:
+    """Restrict icon names to safe Material Design Icons slugs."""
+    if not _MDI_ICON_RE.match(icon):
+        raise ValueError("Icon must be of the form 'mdi:<lowercase-slug>'")
+    return icon
+
+
+def _require_links_management() -> None:
+    if not settings.links_management:
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=status.HTTP_403_FORBIDDEN,
+            detail="Links management is disabled. Set links_management: true in config.yaml to enable.",
+        )
+
 
 class LinkInfo(BaseModel):
     """Information about a configured link."""
@@ -29,22 +59,25 @@ class LinkInfo(BaseModel):
 class LinkCreateRequest(BaseModel):
     """Request model for creating or updating a link."""
 
-    url: str = Field(..., description="URL to open", min_length=1)
+    url: str = Field(..., description="URL to open", min_length=1, max_length=2048)
     icon: str = Field(default="mdi:link", description="MDI icon name (e.g., 'mdi:led-strip-variant')")
-    label: str = Field(default="", description="Tooltip text")
-    description: str = Field(default="", description="Optional description")
+    label: str = Field(default="", description="Tooltip text", max_length=128)
+    description: str = Field(default="", description="Optional description", max_length=512)
+
+    @field_validator("url")
+    @classmethod
+    def _check_url(cls, v: str) -> str:
+        return _validate_url(v)
+
+    @field_validator("icon")
+    @classmethod
+    def _check_icon(cls, v: str) -> str:
+        return _validate_icon(v)
 
 
 def _validate_link_name(name: str) -> None:
-    """Validate link name.
-
-    Args:
-        name: Link name to validate.
-
-    Raises:
-        HTTPException: If name is invalid.
-    """
-    if not re.match(r'^[a-zA-Z0-9_]+$', name):
+    """Validate link name."""
+    if not re.match(r"^[a-zA-Z0-9_]+$", name):
         raise HTTPException(
             status_code=status.HTTP_400_BAD_REQUEST,
             detail="Link name must contain only letters, numbers, and underscores",
@@ -90,6 +123,7 @@ async def create_link(
     Returns:
         Success response with link name.
     """
+    _require_links_management()
     _validate_link_name(link_name)
 
     if link_name in settings.links:
@@ -129,6 +163,7 @@ async def update_link(
     Returns:
         Success response with link name.
     """
+    _require_links_management()
     _validate_link_name(link_name)
 
     if link_name not in settings.links:
@@ -166,6 +201,7 @@ async def delete_link(
     Returns:
         Success response with link name.
     """
+    _require_links_management()
     _validate_link_name(link_name)
 
     if link_name not in settings.links:
diff --git a/media_server/routes/media.py b/media_server/routes/media.py
index 745f644..67c346b 100644
--- a/media_server/routes/media.py
+++ b/media_server/routes/media.py
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ def _run_callback(callback_name: str) -> None:
 
         try:
             callback = settings.callbacks[callback_name]
-            loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
+            loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
             result = await loop.run_in_executor(
                 None,
                 lambda: _run_script(
@@ -285,7 +285,7 @@ async def visualizer_devices(_: str = Depends(verify_token)) -> list[dict[str, s
     """List available loopback audio devices for the visualizer."""
     from ..services.audio_analyzer import AudioAnalyzer
 
-    loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
+    loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
     return await loop.run_in_executor(None, AudioAnalyzer.list_loopback_devices)
 
 
diff --git a/media_server/routes/scripts.py b/media_server/routes/scripts.py
index c2b8c76..53516f5 100644
--- a/media_server/routes/scripts.py
+++ b/media_server/routes/scripts.py
@@ -2,8 +2,10 @@
 
 import asyncio
 import logging
+import os
 import re
 import subprocess
+import sys
 import time
 from concurrent.futures import ThreadPoolExecutor
 from typing import Any
@@ -23,6 +25,22 @@ _script_executor = ThreadPoolExecutor(max_workers=4, thread_name_prefix="script"
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
+def shutdown_script_executor() -> None:
+    """Shut down the dedicated executor cleanly on application teardown."""
+    _script_executor.shutdown(wait=False, cancel_futures=True)
+
+
+def _require_scripts_management() -> None:
+    if not settings.scripts_management:
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=status.HTTP_403_FORBIDDEN,
+            detail=(
+                "Scripts management is disabled. Set scripts_management: true"
+                " in config.yaml to enable."
+            ),
+        )
+
+
 class ScriptExecuteRequest(BaseModel):
     """Request model for script execution with optional parameters."""
 
@@ -233,7 +251,7 @@ async def execute_script(
 
     try:
         # Execute in dedicated thread pool to not block the default executor
-        loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
+        loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
         result = await loop.run_in_executor(
             _script_executor,
             lambda: _run_script(
@@ -285,8 +303,16 @@ def _run_script(
     start_time = time.time()
     env = None
     if extra_env:
-        import os
         env = {**os.environ, **extra_env}
+
+    # Spawn the script in its own process group / job so a timeout kills the
+    # whole tree, not just the shell (POSIX) and not just the parent (Windows).
+    popen_kwargs: dict[str, Any] = {}
+    if sys.platform == "win32":
+        popen_kwargs["creationflags"] = subprocess.CREATE_NEW_PROCESS_GROUP
+    else:
+        popen_kwargs["start_new_session"] = True
+
     try:
         result = subprocess.run(
             command,
@@ -296,6 +322,7 @@ def _run_script(
             text=True,
             timeout=timeout,
             env=env,
+            **popen_kwargs,
         )
         execution_time = time.time() - start_time
         return {
@@ -455,7 +482,7 @@ async def create_script(
     Raises:
         HTTPException: If script already exists or name is invalid.
     """
-    # Validate name
+    _require_scripts_management()
     _validate_script_name(script_name)
 
     # Check if script already exists
@@ -511,7 +538,7 @@ async def update_script(
     Raises:
         HTTPException: If script does not exist.
     """
-    # Validate name
+    _require_scripts_management()
     _validate_script_name(script_name)
 
     # Check if script exists
@@ -565,7 +592,7 @@ async def delete_script(
     Raises:
         HTTPException: If script does not exist.
     """
-    # Validate name
+    _require_scripts_management()
     _validate_script_name(script_name)
 
     # Check if script exists
diff --git a/media_server/services/audio_analyzer.py b/media_server/services/audio_analyzer.py
index 321abc6..b711b88 100644
--- a/media_server/services/audio_analyzer.py
+++ b/media_server/services/audio_analyzer.py
@@ -72,6 +72,11 @@ class AudioAnalyzer:
         self._lifecycle_lock = threading.Lock()
         self._data: dict | None = None
         self._current_device_name: str | None = None
+        # Sticky "no usable device" flag — flipped to True if a capture
+        # attempt fails because no loopback device exists. Prevents the
+        # WebSocket manager from looping on start()/stop()/start() forever
+        # when there's nothing to capture. Cleared by set_device().
+        self._unavailable = False
         # Generation counter — bumped each time _data is refreshed.
         # Lets the broadcast loop dedupe without comparing dict identity
         # (which is fragile because we always allocate a new dict).
@@ -123,6 +128,10 @@ class AudioAnalyzer:
                 return True
             if not self.available:
                 return False
+            if self._unavailable:
+                # We already tried and failed to acquire a device. Don't
+                # spin a new capture thread for each new subscriber.
+                return False
 
             # Reset AGC envelope so a long silent gap between sessions
             # doesn't make the first new transients clip at the ceiling.
@@ -235,6 +244,9 @@ class AudioAnalyzer:
 
         self.device_name = device_name
         self._current_device_name = None
+        # Clear the "no device" sticky flag — the user is asking for a
+        # different device so it's worth attempting capture again.
+        self._unavailable = False
 
         if was_running:
             return self.start()
@@ -269,6 +281,7 @@ class AudioAnalyzer:
         if device is None:
             logger.warning("No loopback audio device found - visualizer disabled")
             self._running = False
+            self._unavailable = True
             return
 
         interval = 1.0 / self.target_fps
diff --git a/media_server/services/browser_service.py b/media_server/services/browser_service.py
index 0be8f43..a11ff0a 100644
--- a/media_server/services/browser_service.py
+++ b/media_server/services/browser_service.py
@@ -63,14 +63,28 @@ class BrowserService:
         if not base_path.is_dir():
             raise ValueError(f"Media folder path is not a directory: {base_path}")
 
-        # Handle relative vs absolute paths
-        if requested_path.startswith("/") or requested_path.startswith("\\"):
-            # Relative to folder root (remove leading slash)
-            requested_path = requested_path.lstrip("/\\")
+        # Reject absolute paths, drive letters, UNC paths, and NUL bytes outright.
+        # Only true folder-relative paths are accepted.
+        if "\x00" in requested_path:
+            raise ValueError("Path contains NUL byte")
+
+        # Strip a single leading "/" or "\\" (legacy callers send "/sub/dir") but
+        # then refuse anything that still looks absolute.
+        cleaned = requested_path.lstrip("/\\")
+        # Detect Windows drive letter like "C:/..." after stripping.
+        if len(cleaned) >= 2 and cleaned[1] == ":":
+            raise ValueError("Absolute paths are not allowed")
+        # Detect raw UNC ("\\\\server\\share") — the lstrip above strips at most
+        # one leading slash, so a UNC original starts with another "\\" or "/".
+        if cleaned.startswith("\\") or cleaned.startswith("/"):
+            raise ValueError("Absolute paths are not allowed")
+        candidate = Path(cleaned) if cleaned else None
+        if candidate is not None and candidate.is_absolute():
+            raise ValueError("Absolute paths are not allowed")
 
         # Build and resolve full path
-        if requested_path:
-            full_path = (base_path / requested_path).resolve()
+        if cleaned:
+            full_path = (base_path / cleaned).resolve()
         else:
             full_path = base_path
 
diff --git a/media_server/services/linux_media.py b/media_server/services/linux_media.py
index c6628e8..b022677 100644
--- a/media_server/services/linux_media.py
+++ b/media_server/services/linux_media.py
@@ -151,22 +151,19 @@ class LinuxMediaController(MediaController):
             logger.error(f"Failed to toggle mute: {e}")
             return False
 
-    async def get_status(self) -> MediaStatus:
-        """Get current media playback status."""
+    def _sync_get_status(self) -> MediaStatus:
+        """Synchronous status read (called from a worker thread)."""
         status = MediaStatus()
 
-        # Get system volume
         volume, muted = self._get_volume_pulseaudio()
         status.volume = volume
         status.muted = muted
 
-        # Get active player
         player_name = self._get_active_player()
         if player_name is None:
             status.state = MediaState.IDLE
             return status
 
-        # Get playback status
         playback_status = self._get_property(player_name, "PlaybackStatus")
         if playback_status == "Playing":
             status.state = MediaState.PLAYING
@@ -177,114 +174,70 @@ class LinuxMediaController(MediaController):
         else:
             status.state = MediaState.IDLE
 
-        # Get metadata
         metadata = self._get_property(player_name, "Metadata")
         if metadata:
             status.title = str(metadata.get("xesam:title", "")) or None
-
             artists = metadata.get("xesam:artist", [])
             if artists:
                 status.artist = str(artists[0]) if isinstance(artists, list) else str(artists)
-
             status.album = str(metadata.get("xesam:album", "")) or None
             status.album_art_url = str(metadata.get("mpris:artUrl", "")) or None
-
-            # Duration in microseconds
             length = metadata.get("mpris:length", 0)
             if length:
                 status.duration = int(length) / 1_000_000
 
-        # Get position (in microseconds)
         position = self._get_property(player_name, "Position")
         if position is not None:
             status.position = int(position) / 1_000_000
 
-        # Get source name
         status.source = player_name.replace(self.MPRIS_PREFIX, "")
-
         return status
 
-    async def play(self) -> bool:
-        """Resume playback."""
+    async def get_status(self) -> MediaStatus:
+        """Get current media playback status (off the event loop)."""
+        # pactl + DBus calls each take 5-100ms on a Pi and would block every
+        # other coroutine on the server. Run them in a worker thread.
+        return await asyncio.to_thread(self._sync_get_status)
+
+    def _call_player(self, method_name: str) -> bool:
         player_name = self._get_active_player()
         if player_name is None:
             return False
         try:
             player = self._get_player_interface(player_name)
-            player.Play()
+            getattr(player, method_name)()
             return True
         except Exception as e:
-            logger.error(f"Failed to play: {e}")
+            logger.error(f"Failed to call player.{method_name}: {e}")
             return False
 
+    async def play(self) -> bool:
+        return await asyncio.to_thread(self._call_player, "Play")
+
     async def pause(self) -> bool:
-        """Pause playback."""
-        player_name = self._get_active_player()
-        if player_name is None:
-            return False
-        try:
-            player = self._get_player_interface(player_name)
-            player.Pause()
-            return True
-        except Exception as e:
-            logger.error(f"Failed to pause: {e}")
-            return False
+        return await asyncio.to_thread(self._call_player, "Pause")
 
     async def stop(self) -> bool:
-        """Stop playback."""
-        player_name = self._get_active_player()
-        if player_name is None:
-            return False
-        try:
-            player = self._get_player_interface(player_name)
-            player.Stop()
-            return True
-        except Exception as e:
-            logger.error(f"Failed to stop: {e}")
-            return False
+        return await asyncio.to_thread(self._call_player, "Stop")
 
     async def next_track(self) -> bool:
-        """Skip to next track."""
-        player_name = self._get_active_player()
-        if player_name is None:
-            return False
-        try:
-            player = self._get_player_interface(player_name)
-            player.Next()
-            return True
-        except Exception as e:
-            logger.error(f"Failed to skip next: {e}")
-            return False
+        return await asyncio.to_thread(self._call_player, "Next")
 
     async def previous_track(self) -> bool:
-        """Go to previous track."""
-        player_name = self._get_active_player()
-        if player_name is None:
-            return False
-        try:
-            player = self._get_player_interface(player_name)
-            player.Previous()
-            return True
-        except Exception as e:
-            logger.error(f"Failed to skip previous: {e}")
-            return False
+        return await asyncio.to_thread(self._call_player, "Previous")
 
     async def set_volume(self, volume: int) -> bool:
-        """Set system volume."""
-        return self._set_volume_pulseaudio(volume)
+        return await asyncio.to_thread(self._set_volume_pulseaudio, volume)
 
     async def toggle_mute(self) -> bool:
-        """Toggle mute state."""
-        return self._toggle_mute_pulseaudio()
+        return await asyncio.to_thread(self._toggle_mute_pulseaudio)
 
-    async def seek(self, position: float) -> bool:
-        """Seek to position in seconds."""
+    def _sync_seek(self, position: float) -> bool:
         player_name = self._get_active_player()
         if player_name is None:
             return False
         try:
             player = self._get_player_interface(player_name)
-            # MPRIS expects position in microseconds
             player.SetPosition(
                 self._get_property(player_name, "Metadata").get("mpris:trackid", "/"),
                 int(position * 1_000_000),
@@ -294,6 +247,9 @@ class LinuxMediaController(MediaController):
             logger.error(f"Failed to seek: {e}")
             return False
 
+    async def seek(self, position: float) -> bool:
+        return await asyncio.to_thread(self._sync_seek, position)
+
     async def open_file(self, file_path: str) -> bool:
         """Open a media file with the default system player (Linux).
 
diff --git a/media_server/services/thumbnail_service.py b/media_server/services/thumbnail_service.py
index 36742f2..5b40235 100644
--- a/media_server/services/thumbnail_service.py
+++ b/media_server/services/thumbnail_service.py
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ class ThumbnailService:
 
         if suffix in AUDIO_EXTENSIONS:
             # Audio files - run in executor (sync operation)
-            loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
+            loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
             thumbnail_data = await loop.run_in_executor(
                 None,
                 ThumbnailService.generate_audio_thumbnail,
diff --git a/media_server/services/websocket_manager.py b/media_server/services/websocket_manager.py
index 5f2d57e..d70fac2 100644
--- a/media_server/services/websocket_manager.py
+++ b/media_server/services/websocket_manager.py
@@ -70,16 +70,27 @@ class ConnectionManager:
         )
 
     async def broadcast(self, message: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
-        """Broadcast a message to all connected clients concurrently."""
+        """Broadcast a message to all connected clients concurrently.
+
+        The payload is serialized once and pushed via ``send_text`` to every
+        client, instead of having Starlette/Pydantic encode it N times via
+        ``send_json``.
+        """
         async with self._lock:
             connections = list(self._active_connections)
 
         if not connections:
             return
 
+        try:
+            payload = json.dumps(message, default=str)
+        except (TypeError, ValueError) as e:
+            logger.error("Failed to encode broadcast message: %s", e)
+            return
+
         async def _send(ws: WebSocket) -> WebSocket | None:
             try:
-                await ws.send_json(message)
+                await ws.send_text(payload)
                 return None
             except Exception as e:
                 logger.debug("Failed to send to client: %s", e)
@@ -129,7 +140,7 @@ class ConnectionManager:
     async def _maybe_start_capture(self) -> None:
         """Start audio capture if not already running (called on first subscriber)."""
         if self._audio_analyzer and not self._audio_analyzer.running:
-            loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
+            loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
             started = await loop.run_in_executor(None, self._audio_analyzer.start)
             if started:
                 logger.info("Audio capture started (first subscriber)")
@@ -139,7 +150,7 @@ class ConnectionManager:
     async def _maybe_stop_capture(self) -> None:
         """Stop audio capture if running (called when last subscriber leaves)."""
         if self._audio_analyzer and self._audio_analyzer.running:
-            loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
+            loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
             await loop.run_in_executor(None, self._audio_analyzer.stop)
             logger.info("Audio capture stopped (no subscribers)")
 
@@ -171,7 +182,7 @@ class ConnectionManager:
         idle_interval = 1.0 / max(1, settings.visualizer_fps)
         # Bounded wait so we still notice subscribe/unsubscribe transitions.
         wake_timeout = max(0.05, idle_interval)
-        loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
+        loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
 
         last_seq = -1
 
diff --git a/media_server/services/windows_media.py b/media_server/services/windows_media.py
index 2441ffe..a073fc6 100644
--- a/media_server/services/windows_media.py
+++ b/media_server/services/windows_media.py
@@ -15,6 +15,22 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 # Thread pool for WinRT operations (they don't play well with asyncio)
 _executor = ThreadPoolExecutor(max_workers=2, thread_name_prefix="winrt")
 
+# Cache an asyncio event loop per worker thread so the 500ms status poll
+# doesn't allocate + tear down a new loop on every tick. Creating a loop
+# every 0.5s churns CPU and leaks finalized loop references that linger in
+# WinRT callbacks. With this helper a thread reuses one loop forever and
+# we only pay the setup cost once per worker.
+_thread_local = threading.local()
+
+
+def _thread_loop() -> asyncio.AbstractEventLoop:
+    loop = getattr(_thread_local, "loop", None)
+    if loop is None or loop.is_closed():
+        loop = asyncio.new_event_loop()
+        asyncio.set_event_loop(loop)
+        _thread_local.loop = loop
+    return loop
+
 # Global storage for current album art (as bytes)
 _current_album_art_bytes: bytes | None = None
 
@@ -161,8 +177,6 @@ WINDOWS_AVAILABLE = WINSDK_AVAILABLE
 
 def _sync_get_media_status() -> dict[str, Any]:
     """Synchronously get media status (runs in thread pool)."""
-    import asyncio
-
     result = {
         "state": "idle",
         "title": None,
@@ -174,9 +188,7 @@ def _sync_get_media_status() -> dict[str, Any]:
     }
 
     try:
-        # Create a new event loop for this thread
-        loop = asyncio.new_event_loop()
-        asyncio.set_event_loop(loop)
+        loop = _thread_loop()
 
         try:
             # Get media session manager
@@ -393,7 +405,8 @@ def _sync_get_media_status() -> dict[str, Any]:
             result["source"] = session.source_app_user_model_id
 
         finally:
-            loop.close()
+            # Reuse the loop across calls — see _thread_loop above.
+            pass
 
     except Exception as e:
         logger.error(f"Error getting media status: {e}")
@@ -439,35 +452,28 @@ def _find_best_session(manager, loop):
 
 def _sync_media_command(command: str) -> bool:
     """Synchronously execute a media command (runs in thread pool)."""
-    import asyncio
-
     try:
-        loop = asyncio.new_event_loop()
-        asyncio.set_event_loop(loop)
-
-        try:
-            manager = loop.run_until_complete(MediaManager.request_async())
-            if manager is None:
-                return False
-
-            session = _find_best_session(manager, loop)
-            if session is None:
-                return False
-
-            if command == "play":
-                return loop.run_until_complete(session.try_play_async())
-            elif command == "pause":
-                return loop.run_until_complete(session.try_pause_async())
-            elif command == "stop":
-                return loop.run_until_complete(session.try_stop_async())
-            elif command == "next":
-                return loop.run_until_complete(session.try_skip_next_async())
-            elif command == "previous":
-                return loop.run_until_complete(session.try_skip_previous_async())
-
+        loop = _thread_loop()
+        manager = loop.run_until_complete(MediaManager.request_async())
+        if manager is None:
             return False
-        finally:
-            loop.close()
+
+        session = _find_best_session(manager, loop)
+        if session is None:
+            return False
+
+        if command == "play":
+            return loop.run_until_complete(session.try_play_async())
+        elif command == "pause":
+            return loop.run_until_complete(session.try_pause_async())
+        elif command == "stop":
+            return loop.run_until_complete(session.try_stop_async())
+        elif command == "next":
+            return loop.run_until_complete(session.try_skip_next_async())
+        elif command == "previous":
+            return loop.run_until_complete(session.try_skip_previous_async())
+
+        return False
 
     except Exception as e:
         logger.error(f"Error executing media command {command}: {e}")
@@ -476,27 +482,20 @@ def _sync_media_command(command: str) -> bool:
 
 def _sync_seek(position: float) -> bool:
     """Synchronously seek to position."""
-    import asyncio
-
     try:
-        loop = asyncio.new_event_loop()
-        asyncio.set_event_loop(loop)
+        loop = _thread_loop()
+        manager = loop.run_until_complete(MediaManager.request_async())
+        if manager is None:
+            return False
 
-        try:
-            manager = loop.run_until_complete(MediaManager.request_async())
-            if manager is None:
-                return False
+        session = _find_best_session(manager, loop)
+        if session is None:
+            return False
 
-            session = _find_best_session(manager, loop)
-            if session is None:
-                return False
-
-            position_ticks = int(position * 10_000_000)
-            return loop.run_until_complete(
-                session.try_change_playback_position_async(position_ticks)
-            )
-        finally:
-            loop.close()
+        position_ticks = int(position * 10_000_000)
+        return loop.run_until_complete(
+            session.try_change_playback_position_async(position_ticks)
+        )
 
     except Exception as e:
         logger.error(f"Error seeking: {e}")
@@ -559,7 +558,7 @@ class WindowsMediaController(MediaController):
 
         # Get media info in thread pool (avoids asyncio/WinRT issues)
         try:
-            loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
+            loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
             media_info = await asyncio.wait_for(
                 loop.run_in_executor(_executor, _sync_get_media_status),
                 timeout=5.0
@@ -592,7 +591,7 @@ class WindowsMediaController(MediaController):
     async def _run_command(self, command: str) -> bool:
         """Run a media command in the thread pool."""
         try:
-            loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
+            loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
             return await asyncio.wait_for(
                 loop.run_in_executor(_executor, _sync_media_command, command),
                 timeout=5.0
@@ -616,16 +615,15 @@ class WindowsMediaController(MediaController):
         """Stop playback."""
         return await self._run_command("stop")
 
-    async def next_track(self) -> bool:
-        """Skip to next track."""
-        # Get current title before skipping
-        try:
-            status = await self.get_status()
-            old_title = status.title or ""
-        except Exception:
-            old_title = ""
+    async def _skip_track(self, command: str) -> bool:
+        # Read the current title from the position cache instead of doing a
+        # full WinRT round-trip (which can take up to 5s) just for one field.
+        with _position_lock:
+            track_id = _position_cache.get("track_id") or ""
+        # track_id is "title:artist:duration" — extract just the title.
+        old_title = track_id.split(":", 1)[0] if track_id else ""
 
-        result = await self._run_command("next")
+        result = await self._run_command(command)
         if result:
             with _position_lock:
                 _track_skip_pending["active"] = True
@@ -634,23 +632,13 @@ class WindowsMediaController(MediaController):
             logger.debug(f"Track skip initiated, old title: {old_title}")
         return result
 
+    async def next_track(self) -> bool:
+        """Skip to next track."""
+        return await self._skip_track("next")
+
     async def previous_track(self) -> bool:
         """Go to previous track."""
-        # Get current title before skipping
-        try:
-            status = await self.get_status()
-            old_title = status.title or ""
-        except Exception:
-            old_title = ""
-
-        result = await self._run_command("previous")
-        if result:
-            with _position_lock:
-                _track_skip_pending["active"] = True
-                _track_skip_pending["old_title"] = old_title
-                _track_skip_pending["skip_time"] = _time.time()
-            logger.debug(f"Track skip initiated, old title: {old_title}")
-        return result
+        return await self._skip_track("previous")
 
     async def set_volume(self, volume: int) -> bool:
         """Set system volume."""
@@ -680,7 +668,7 @@ class WindowsMediaController(MediaController):
     async def seek(self, position: float) -> bool:
         """Seek to position in seconds."""
         try:
-            loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
+            loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
             return await asyncio.wait_for(
                 loop.run_in_executor(_executor, _sync_seek, position),
                 timeout=5.0
@@ -705,7 +693,7 @@ class WindowsMediaController(MediaController):
         """
         try:
             import os
-            loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
+            loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
             await loop.run_in_executor(None, lambda: os.startfile(file_path))
             logger.info(f"Opened file with default player: {file_path}")
             return True
diff --git a/media_server/static/css/styles.css b/media_server/static/css/styles.css
index 7a2ebba..114cef6 100644
--- a/media_server/static/css/styles.css
+++ b/media_server/static/css/styles.css
@@ -329,7 +329,7 @@ body.translations-loaded {
 button:focus-visible {
     outline: 2px solid var(--accent);
     outline-offset: 2px;
-    box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px rgba(29, 185, 84, 0.2);
+    box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px rgba(var(--copper-rgb), 0.2);
 }
 
 input:focus-visible,
@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ select:focus-visible,
 textarea:focus-visible {
     outline: none;
     border-color: var(--accent);
-    box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(29, 185, 84, 0.15);
+    box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(var(--copper-rgb), 0.15);
 }
 
 .tab-btn:focus-visible {
@@ -1004,7 +1004,7 @@ button:disabled {
 .controls button:focus-visible {
     outline: 2px solid var(--accent);
     outline-offset: 3px;
-    box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px rgba(29, 185, 84, 0.25);
+    box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px rgba(var(--copper-rgb), 0.25);
 }
 
 .mute-btn:focus-visible,
@@ -1012,7 +1012,7 @@ button:disabled {
 .vinyl-toggle-btn:focus-visible {
     outline: 2px solid var(--accent);
     outline-offset: 2px;
-    box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px rgba(29, 185, 84, 0.25);
+    box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px rgba(var(--copper-rgb), 0.25);
 }
 
 .controls button.primary {
@@ -1060,7 +1060,7 @@ button:disabled {
 
 #volume-slider:hover::-webkit-slider-thumb {
     transform: scale(1.3);
-    box-shadow: 0 0 6px rgba(29, 185, 84, 0.4);
+    box-shadow: 0 0 6px rgba(var(--copper-rgb), 0.4);
 }
 
 #volume-slider::-moz-range-thumb {
@@ -1075,7 +1075,7 @@ button:disabled {
 
 #volume-slider:hover::-moz-range-thumb {
     transform: scale(1.3);
-    box-shadow: 0 0 6px rgba(29, 185, 84, 0.4);
+    box-shadow: 0 0 6px rgba(var(--copper-rgb), 0.4);
 }
 
 .volume-display {
@@ -1169,7 +1169,7 @@ button:disabled {
 .vinyl-toggle-btn.active {
     color: var(--accent);
     border-color: var(--accent);
-    background: rgba(29, 185, 84, 0.1);
+    background: rgba(var(--copper-rgb), 0.1);
 }
 
 .vinyl-toggle-btn svg {
@@ -1393,7 +1393,7 @@ button:disabled {
     border-radius: 4px;
     background: var(--bg-tertiary);
     color: var(--text-primary);
-    font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, sans-serif;
+    font-family: var(--sans, inherit);
     font-size: 1rem;
     cursor: pointer;
     transition: border-color 0.25s ease, box-shadow 0.25s ease;
@@ -1402,7 +1402,7 @@ button:disabled {
 .audio-device-selector select:focus {
     outline: none;
     border-color: var(--accent);
-    box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(29, 185, 84, 0.15);
+    box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(var(--copper-rgb), 0.15);
 }
 
 .audio-device-status {
@@ -1836,13 +1836,18 @@ button:disabled {
 dialog {
     background: var(--bg-secondary);
     color: var(--text-primary);
+    /* Editorial chrome to match the rest of the Studio Reference layout:
+       no rounded corners, hairline border, and a copper top accent that
+       lets the dialog read as a continuation of the magazine rather than
+       a generic Material modal. */
     border: 1px solid var(--border);
-    border-radius: 12px;
+    border-top: 1px solid var(--copper);
+    border-radius: 0;
     padding: 0;
-    max-width: 500px;
+    max-width: 520px;
     width: 90%;
     margin: auto;
-    box-shadow: 0 8px 32px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8);
+    box-shadow: 0 12px 32px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65);
     animation: dialogIn 0.25s ease-out;
     overflow: visible;
 }
@@ -2827,7 +2832,7 @@ button.primary svg {
 
 .breadcrumb-item:hover {
     color: var(--accent);
-    background: rgba(29, 185, 84, 0.08);
+    background: rgba(var(--copper-rgb), 0.08);
     text-decoration: none;
 }
 
@@ -3235,12 +3240,14 @@ button.primary svg {
 }
 
 .browser-item {
-    background: var(--bg-tertiary);
+    /* Match the editorial card language used elsewhere on the page —
+       transparent background, hairline border, copper-on-hover. */
+    background: transparent;
     border: 1px solid transparent;
-    border-radius: 10px;
+    border-radius: 0;
     padding: 0.6rem;
     cursor: pointer;
-    transition: all 0.2s ease;
+    transition: border-color 0.2s ease, background 0.2s ease, transform 0.2s ease;
     display: flex;
     flex-direction: column;
     align-items: center;
@@ -3250,6 +3257,11 @@ button.primary svg {
     animation-delay: calc(var(--item-index, 0) * 25ms);
 }
 
+.browser-item:hover {
+    border-color: rgba(var(--copper-rgb), 0.45);
+    background: rgba(var(--copper-rgb), 0.04);
+}
+
 @keyframes itemFadeIn {
     from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(10px); }
     to { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }
@@ -3286,14 +3298,14 @@ button.primary svg {
     height: 56px;
     font-size: 1.75rem;
     border-radius: 14px;
-    background: rgba(29, 185, 84, 0.1);
-    border: 1px solid rgba(29, 185, 84, 0.15);
+    background: rgba(var(--copper-rgb), 0.1);
+    border: 1px solid rgba(var(--copper-rgb), 0.15);
     transition: all 0.25s;
 }
 
 .browser-item.browser-root-folder:hover .browser-icon {
-    background: rgba(29, 185, 84, 0.18);
-    border-color: rgba(29, 185, 84, 0.3);
+    background: rgba(var(--copper-rgb), 0.18);
+    border-color: rgba(var(--copper-rgb), 0.3);
     transform: scale(1.05);
 }
 
@@ -3963,7 +3975,13 @@ html {
 }
 
 @media (max-width: 720px) {
-    .container { padding: 48px 18px 24px; }
+    .container { padding: 32px 18px 20px; }
+}
+
+/* Phones: trim the editorial spread further so the first viewport isn't
+   90% chrome. The 56px top pad eats a third of a 360x640 screen. */
+@media (max-width: 480px) {
+    .container { padding: 16px 12px 16px; }
 }
 
 /* ─── Folio marks (page corners, all tabs) ────────────────── */
diff --git a/media_server/static/index.html b/media_server/static/index.html
index 3abb78b..f1b1732 100644
--- a/media_server/static/index.html
+++ b/media_server/static/index.html
@@ -522,7 +522,7 @@
                                 <td colspan="4" class="empty-state">
                                     <div class="empty-state-illustration">
                                         <svg viewBox="0 0 64 64"><circle cx="32" cy="32" r="24"/><path d="M32 20v12l8 8"/></svg>
-                                        <p>No callbacks configured. Click "Add" to create one.</p>
+                                        <p data-i18n="callbacks.empty">No callbacks configured. Click "Add" to create one.</p>
                                     </div>
                                 </td>
                             </tr>
@@ -608,7 +608,7 @@
     <!-- Script Parameters Input Dialog (shown before executing scripts with params) -->
     <dialog id="scriptParamsDialog">
         <div class="dialog-header">
-            <h3 id="scriptParamsDialogTitle">Execute Script</h3>
+            <h3 id="scriptParamsDialogTitle" data-i18n="scripts.params.execute">Execute Script</h3>
         </div>
         <form id="scriptParamsForm" onsubmit="submitScriptWithParams(event)">
             <div class="dialog-body">
diff --git a/media_server/static/js/browser.js b/media_server/static/js/browser.js
index 5a26d67..f5ae045 100644
--- a/media_server/static/js/browser.js
+++ b/media_server/static/js/browser.js
@@ -66,12 +66,14 @@ function showRootFolders() {
     // Hide search at root level
     showBrowserSearch(false);
 
-    // Render breadcrumb with just "Home" (not clickable at root)
+    // Render breadcrumb with just "Home" (already at root — not interactive).
     const breadcrumb = document.getElementById('breadcrumb');
     breadcrumb.innerHTML = '';
     const root = document.createElement('span');
     root.className = 'breadcrumb-item breadcrumb-home';
-    root.innerHTML = '<svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="16" height="16"><path fill="currentColor" d="M10 20v-6h4v6h5v-8h3L12 3 2 12h3v8z"/></svg>';
+    root.setAttribute('aria-current', 'page');
+    root.setAttribute('aria-label', t('browser.home') || 'Home');
+    root.innerHTML = '<svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="16" height="16" aria-hidden="true"><path fill="currentColor" d="M10 20v-6h4v6h5v-8h3L12 3 2 12h3v8z"/></svg>';
     breadcrumb.appendChild(root);
 
     // Hide play all button and pagination
@@ -133,8 +135,10 @@ function showRootFolders() {
 }
 
 async function browsePath(folderId, path, offset = 0, nocache = false) {
-    // Clear search when navigating
+    // Clear search when navigating; bump browse generation so in-flight
+    // thumbnail fetches from the previous folder can be discarded.
     showBrowserSearch(false);
+    bumpBrowseGen();
 
     try {
         if (!hasCredentials()) return;
@@ -195,10 +199,13 @@ function renderBreadcrumbs(currentPathStr, parentPath) {
     const parts = (currentPathStr || '').split('/').filter(p => p);
     let path = '/';
 
-    // Home link (back to folder list)
-    const home = document.createElement('span');
+    // Home link (back to folder list) — use a real <button> so it's
+    // keyboard-focusable and reachable by screen readers.
+    const home = document.createElement('button');
+    home.type = 'button';
     home.className = 'breadcrumb-item breadcrumb-home';
-    home.innerHTML = '<svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="16" height="16"><path fill="currentColor" d="M10 20v-6h4v6h5v-8h3L12 3 2 12h3v8z"/></svg>';
+    home.setAttribute('aria-label', t('browser.home') || 'Home');
+    home.innerHTML = '<svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="16" height="16" aria-hidden="true"><path fill="currentColor" d="M10 20v-6h4v6h5v-8h3L12 3 2 12h3v8z"/></svg>';
     home.onclick = () => showRootFolders();
     breadcrumb.appendChild(home);
 
@@ -512,16 +519,33 @@ function formatBitrate(bps) {
     return Math.round(bps / 1000) + ' kbps';
 }
 
+// Bump this whenever the user changes folder/path so in-flight fetches from
+// the previous view can be ignored when they finally resolve.
+let _browseGen = 0;
+function bumpBrowseGen() { return ++_browseGen; }
+function currentBrowseGen() { return _browseGen; }
+
+function buildRelativeFilePath(relativePath, fileName) {
+    const base = (relativePath === '/' || relativePath === '') ? '' : relativePath.replace(/\/$/, '');
+    return base + '/' + fileName;
+}
+
 async function loadThumbnail(imgElement, fileName) {
+    const myGen = currentBrowseGen();
+    const folderId = currentFolderId;
+    const relPath = buildRelativeFilePath(currentPath, fileName);
+    const cacheKey = `${folderId}|${relPath}`;
     try {
         if (!hasCredentials()) return;
-
-        const absolutePath = buildAbsolutePath(currentFolderId, currentPath, fileName);
+        // If the user navigates away before this fetch resolves, the imgElement
+        // may already be detached. Bail in that case.
+        if (!imgElement.isConnected) return;
 
         // Check cache first
-        if (thumbnailCache.has(absolutePath)) {
-            const cachedUrl = thumbnailCache.get(absolutePath);
+        if (thumbnailCache.has(cacheKey)) {
+            const cachedUrl = thumbnailCache.get(cacheKey);
             imgElement.onload = () => {
+                if (!imgElement.isConnected) return;
                 imgElement.classList.remove('loading');
                 imgElement.classList.add('loaded');
             };
@@ -529,17 +553,24 @@ async function loadThumbnail(imgElement, fileName) {
             return;
         }
 
-        const encodedPath = encodeURIComponent(absolutePath);
-
+        const params = new URLSearchParams({
+            folder_id: folderId,
+            path: relPath,
+            size: 'medium',
+        });
         const response = await fetch(
-            `/api/browser/thumbnail?path=${encodedPath}&size=medium`,
+            `/api/browser/thumbnail?${params.toString()}`,
             { headers: getAuthHeaders() }
         );
 
+        // Drop the response if the user has since navigated away.
+        if (myGen !== currentBrowseGen() || !imgElement.isConnected) return;
+
         if (response.status === 200) {
             const blob = await response.blob();
+            if (myGen !== currentBrowseGen() || !imgElement.isConnected) return;
             const url = URL.createObjectURL(blob);
-            thumbnailCache.set(absolutePath, url);
+            thumbnailCache.set(cacheKey, url);
 
             // Evict oldest entries when cache exceeds limit
             if (thumbnailCache.size > THUMBNAIL_CACHE_MAX) {
@@ -548,13 +579,11 @@ async function loadThumbnail(imgElement, fileName) {
                 thumbnailCache.delete(oldest);
             }
 
-            // Wait for image to actually load before showing it
             imgElement.onload = () => {
                 imgElement.classList.remove('loading');
                 imgElement.classList.add('loaded');
             };
 
-            // Revoke previous blob URL if not managed by cache
             if (imgElement.src && imgElement.src.startsWith('blob:')) {
                 let isCached = false;
                 for (const cachedUrl of thumbnailCache.values()) {
@@ -564,8 +593,8 @@ async function loadThumbnail(imgElement, fileName) {
             }
             imgElement.src = url;
         } else {
-            // Fallback to icon (204 = no thumbnail available)
             const parent = imgElement.parentElement;
+            if (!parent) return;
             const isList = parent.classList.contains('browser-list-icon');
             imgElement.remove();
             if (isList) {
@@ -579,7 +608,7 @@ async function loadThumbnail(imgElement, fileName) {
         }
     } catch (error) {
         console.error('Error loading thumbnail:', error);
-        imgElement.classList.remove('loading');
+        if (imgElement.isConnected) imgElement.classList.remove('loading');
     }
 }
 
@@ -601,12 +630,12 @@ async function playMediaFile(fileName) {
     try {
         if (!hasCredentials()) return;
 
-        const absolutePath = buildAbsolutePath(currentFolderId, currentPath, fileName);
+        const relativePath = buildRelativeFilePath(currentPath, fileName);
 
         const response = await fetch('/api/browser/play', {
             method: 'POST',
             headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json', ...getAuthHeaders() },
-            body: JSON.stringify({ path: absolutePath })
+            body: JSON.stringify({ folder_id: currentFolderId, path: relativePath })
         });
 
         if (!response.ok) throw new Error('Failed to play file');
diff --git a/media_server/static/js/callbacks.js b/media_server/static/js/callbacks.js
index 4a98607..7ad8585 100644
--- a/media_server/static/js/callbacks.js
+++ b/media_server/static/js/callbacks.js
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ async function _loadCallbacksTableImpl() {
         `).join('');
     } catch (error) {
         console.error('Error loading callbacks:', error);
-        tbody.innerHTML = '<tr><td colspan="4" class="empty-state" style="color: var(--error);">Failed to load callbacks</td></tr>';
+        tbody.innerHTML = `<tr><td colspan="4" class="empty-state" style="color: var(--error);">${escapeHtml(t('callbacks.msg.load_failed'))}</td></tr>`;
     }
 }
 
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ export async function showEditCallbackDialog(callbackName) {
         const callback = callbacksList.find(c => c.name === callbackName);
 
         if (!callback) {
-            showToast('Callback not found', 'error');
+            showToast(t('callbacks.msg.not_found'), 'error');
             return;
         }
 
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ export async function showEditCallbackDialog(callbackName) {
         dialog.showModal();
     } catch (error) {
         console.error('Error loading callback for edit:', error);
-        showToast('Failed to load callback details', 'error');
+        showToast(t('callbacks.msg.load_failed'), 'error');
     }
 }
 
@@ -175,9 +175,10 @@ export async function saveCallback(event) {
         shell: true
     };
 
+    const encodedName = encodeURIComponent(callbackName);
     const endpoint = isEdit ?
-        `/api/callbacks/update/${callbackName}` :
-        `/api/callbacks/create/${callbackName}`;
+        `/api/callbacks/update/${encodedName}` :
+        `/api/callbacks/create/${encodedName}`;
 
     const method = isEdit ? 'PUT' : 'POST';
 
@@ -191,16 +192,16 @@ export async function saveCallback(event) {
         const result = await response.json();
 
         if (response.ok && result.success) {
-            showToast(`Callback ${isEdit ? 'updated' : 'created'} successfully`, 'success');
+            showToast(t(isEdit ? 'callbacks.msg.updated' : 'callbacks.msg.created'), 'success');
             callbackFormDirty = false;
             closeCallbackDialog();
             loadCallbacksTable();
         } else {
-            showToast(result.detail || `Failed to ${isEdit ? 'update' : 'create'} callback`, 'error');
+            showToast(result.detail || t(isEdit ? 'callbacks.msg.update_failed' : 'callbacks.msg.create_failed'), 'error');
         }
     } catch (error) {
         console.error('Error saving callback:', error);
-        showToast(`Error ${isEdit ? 'updating' : 'creating'} callback`, 'error');
+        showToast(t(isEdit ? 'callbacks.msg.update_failed' : 'callbacks.msg.create_failed'), 'error');
     } finally {
         if (submitBtn) submitBtn.disabled = false;
     }
@@ -212,7 +213,7 @@ export async function deleteCallbackConfirm(callbackName) {
     }
 
     try {
-        const response = await fetch(`/api/callbacks/delete/${callbackName}`, {
+        const response = await fetch(`/api/callbacks/delete/${encodeURIComponent(callbackName)}`, {
             method: 'DELETE',
             headers: getAuthHeaders()
         });
@@ -220,13 +221,13 @@ export async function deleteCallbackConfirm(callbackName) {
         const result = await response.json();
 
         if (response.ok && result.success) {
-            showToast('Callback deleted successfully', 'success');
+            showToast(t('callbacks.msg.deleted'), 'success');
             loadCallbacksTable();
         } else {
-            showToast(result.detail || 'Failed to delete callback', 'error');
+            showToast(result.detail || t('callbacks.msg.delete_failed'), 'error');
         }
     } catch (error) {
         console.error('Error deleting callback:', error);
-        showToast('Error deleting callback', 'error');
+        showToast(t('callbacks.msg.delete_failed'), 'error');
     }
 }
diff --git a/media_server/static/js/core.js b/media_server/static/js/core.js
index 2215702..1a7f20c 100644
--- a/media_server/static/js/core.js
+++ b/media_server/static/js/core.js
@@ -155,6 +155,7 @@ export const VOLUME_RELEASE_DELAY_MS = 500;
 // Shared state (accessed across multiple modules)
 export let ws = null;
 export function setWs(value) { ws = value; }
+export function getWs() { return ws; }
 export let currentState = 'idle';
 export function setCurrentState(value) { currentState = value; }
 export let currentDuration = 0;
@@ -513,6 +514,12 @@ export function setVolume(volume) {
         sendCommand('volume', { volume: volume });
     }
 }
+// Reset the de-dupe cache whenever the server reports a fresh volume value
+// (e.g., another client moved the slider). Otherwise the user can end up
+// unable to "set volume back to the value we last sent" after a remote change.
+export function notifyRemoteVolume(volume) {
+    lastSentVolume = volume;
+}
 
 export function toggleMute() {
     sendCommand('mute');
@@ -536,23 +543,68 @@ function _persistMdiCache() {
     try { localStorage.setItem('mdiIconCache', JSON.stringify(mdiIconCache)); } catch {}
 }
 
+// Strict iconify MDI slug — used to reject anything that could be path-traversal
+// or query injection before we even hit the network.
+const MDI_SLUG_RE = /^[a-z0-9][a-z0-9-]{0,63}$/;
+
+function sanitizeSvg(rawSvg) {
+    // Parse the SVG and strip anything that could execute script. Anything
+    // unparseable returns null so callers fall back to the placeholder.
+    try {
+        const doc = new DOMParser().parseFromString(rawSvg, 'image/svg+xml');
+        const root = doc.documentElement;
+        if (!root || root.tagName.toLowerCase() !== 'svg' || root.querySelector('parsererror')) {
+            return null;
+        }
+        const walker = doc.createTreeWalker(root, NodeFilter.SHOW_ELEMENT);
+        const toRemove = [];
+        let node = walker.currentNode;
+        while (node) {
+            const tag = node.tagName?.toLowerCase();
+            if (tag === 'script' || tag === 'foreignobject') {
+                toRemove.push(node);
+            } else if (node.attributes) {
+                for (const attr of Array.from(node.attributes)) {
+                    const name = attr.name.toLowerCase();
+                    if (name.startsWith('on') ||
+                        ((name === 'href' || name === 'xlink:href') &&
+                            /^\s*(javascript|data):/i.test(attr.value))) {
+                        node.removeAttribute(attr.name);
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            node = walker.nextNode();
+        }
+        toRemove.forEach((el) => el.remove());
+        return root.outerHTML;
+    } catch {
+        return null;
+    }
+}
+
+const PLACEHOLDER_SVG = '<svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="16" height="16"><path fill="currentColor" d="M3.9 12c0-1.71 1.39-3.1 3.1-3.1h4V7H7c-2.76 0-5 2.24-5 5s2.24 5 5 5h4v-1.9H7c-1.71 0-3.1-1.39-3.1-3.1zM8 13h8v-2H8v2zm9-6h-4v1.9h4c1.71 0 3.1 1.39 3.1 3.1s-1.39 3.1-3.1 3.1h-4V17h4c2.76 0 5-2.24 5-5s-2.24-5-5-5z"/></svg>';
+
 export async function fetchMdiIcon(iconName) {
-    const name = iconName.replace(/^mdi:/, '');
+    const name = String(iconName || '').replace(/^mdi:/, '');
+    if (!MDI_SLUG_RE.test(name)) return PLACEHOLDER_SVG;
     if (mdiIconCache[name]) return mdiIconCache[name];
 
     try {
-        const response = await fetch(`https://api.iconify.design/mdi/${name}.svg?width=16&height=16`);
+        const response = await fetch(`https://api.iconify.design/mdi/${encodeURIComponent(name)}.svg?width=16&height=16`);
         if (response.ok) {
-            const svg = await response.text();
-            mdiIconCache[name] = svg;
-            _persistMdiCache();
-            return svg;
+            const raw = await response.text();
+            const safe = sanitizeSvg(raw);
+            if (safe) {
+                mdiIconCache[name] = safe;
+                _persistMdiCache();
+                return safe;
+            }
         }
     } catch (e) {
         console.warn('Failed to fetch MDI icon:', name, e);
     }
 
-    return '<svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="16" height="16"><path fill="currentColor" d="M3.9 12c0-1.71 1.39-3.1 3.1-3.1h4V7H7c-2.76 0-5 2.24-5 5s2.24 5 5 5h4v-1.9H7c-1.71 0-3.1-1.39-3.1-3.1zM8 13h8v-2H8v2zm9-6h-4v1.9h4c1.71 0 3.1 1.39 3.1 3.1s-1.39 3.1-3.1 3.1h-4V17h4c2.76 0 5-2.24 5-5s-2.24-5-5-5z"/></svg>';
+    return PLACEHOLDER_SVG;
 }
 
 export async function resolveMdiIcons(container) {
diff --git a/media_server/static/js/links.js b/media_server/static/js/links.js
index d6e448d..f1a0f78 100644
--- a/media_server/static/js/links.js
+++ b/media_server/static/js/links.js
@@ -148,16 +148,19 @@ export async function loadDisplayMonitors() {
 
             let powerBtn = '';
             if (monitor.power_supported) {
+                // Inline onclick with string-interpolated monitor.name is a DOM-XSS
+                // foot-gun if the OS ever reports a name containing quotes / angle
+                // brackets. Use a delegated click handler bound to data-* attrs.
                 powerBtn = `
                     <button class="display-power-btn ${monitor.power_on ? 'on' : 'off'}" id="power-btn-${monitor.id}"
-                            onclick="toggleDisplayPower(${monitor.id}, '${monitor.name.replace(/'/g, "\\'")}')"
-                            title="${monitor.power_on ? t('display.power_off') : t('display.power_on')}">
+                            data-action="toggle-power" data-monitor-id="${monitor.id}"
+                            title="${escapeHtml(monitor.power_on ? t('display.power_off') : t('display.power_on'))}">
                         <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="18" height="18"><path fill="currentColor" d="M13 3h-2v10h2V3zm4.83 2.17l-1.42 1.42A6.92 6.92 0 0119 12c0 3.87-3.13 7-7 7s-7-3.13-7-7c0-2.27 1.08-4.28 2.76-5.56L6.34 5.02A8.95 8.95 0 003 12c0 4.97 4.03 9 9 9s9-4.03 9-9a8.95 8.95 0 00-3.17-6.83z"/></svg>
                     </button>`;
             }
 
             const details = [monitor.resolution, monitor.manufacturer].filter(Boolean).join(' \u00B7 ');
-            const detailsHtml = details ? `<span class="display-monitor-details">${details}</span>` : '';
+            const detailsHtml = details ? `<span class="display-monitor-details">${escapeHtml(details)}</span>` : '';
             const primaryBadge = monitor.is_primary
                 ? `<span class="display-primary-badge" title="${t('display.primary')}" aria-label="${t('display.primary')}">
                        <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="14" height="14" aria-hidden="true">
@@ -282,7 +285,7 @@ export async function loadDisplayMonitors() {
                         <path fill="currentColor" d="M20 3H4c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2v10c0 1.1.9 2 2 2h6v2H8v2h8v-2h-2v-2h6c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2V5c0-1.1-.9-2-2-2zm0 12H4V5h16v10z"/>
                     </svg>
                     <div class="display-monitor-info">
-                        <span class="display-monitor-name"><span class="display-monitor-name-text">${monitor.name}</span>${primaryBadge}</span>
+                        <span class="display-monitor-name"><span class="display-monitor-name-text">${escapeHtml(monitor.name)}</span>${primaryBadge}</span>
                         ${detailsHtml}
                     </div>
                     ${powerBtn}
@@ -303,6 +306,11 @@ export async function loadDisplayMonitors() {
             container.appendChild(card);
         });
 
+        // Bind a single delegated click handler for the power buttons.
+        // Avoids inline onclick="..." with interpolated monitor data.
+        container.removeEventListener('click', _onPowerButtonClick);
+        container.addEventListener('click', _onPowerButtonClick);
+
         // Enhance every tuning <select> with an IconSelect now that the
         // cards are in the DOM (IconSelect needs offsetParent + sibling).
         pendingIconSelects.forEach(({ kind, monitorId, items }) => {
@@ -441,7 +449,14 @@ export async function onDisplayPictureModeChange(monitorId, codeRaw) {
     }
 }
 
-export async function toggleDisplayPower(monitorId, monitorName) {
+function _onPowerButtonClick(event) {
+    const btn = event.target.closest('[data-action="toggle-power"]');
+    if (!btn) return;
+    const id = Number(btn.dataset.monitorId);
+    if (Number.isFinite(id)) toggleDisplayPower(id);
+}
+
+export async function toggleDisplayPower(monitorId) {
     const btn = document.getElementById(`power-btn-${monitorId}`);
     const isOn = btn && btn.classList.contains('on');
     const newState = !isOn;
@@ -459,13 +474,13 @@ export async function toggleDisplayPower(monitorId, monitorName) {
                 btn.classList.toggle('off', !newState);
                 btn.title = newState ? t('display.power_off') : t('display.power_on');
             }
-            showToast(newState ? 'Monitor turned on' : 'Monitor turned off', 'success');
+            showToast(t(newState ? 'display.msg.power_on' : 'display.msg.power_off'), 'success');
         } else {
-            showToast('Failed to change monitor power', 'error');
+            showToast(t('display.msg.power_failed'), 'error');
         }
     } catch (e) {
         console.error('Failed to set display power:', e);
-        showToast('Failed to change monitor power', 'error');
+        showToast(t('display.msg.power_failed'), 'error');
     }
 }
 
@@ -562,7 +577,7 @@ async function _loadLinksTableImpl() {
         resolveMdiIcons(tbody);
     } catch (error) {
         console.error('Error loading links:', error);
-        tbody.innerHTML = '<tr><td colspan="4" class="empty-state" style="color: var(--error);">Failed to load links</td></tr>';
+        tbody.innerHTML = `<tr><td colspan="4" class="empty-state" style="color: var(--error);">${escapeHtml(t('links.msg.load_failed'))}</td></tr>`;
     }
 }
 
@@ -665,9 +680,10 @@ export async function saveLink(event) {
         description: document.getElementById('linkDescription').value || ''
     };
 
+    const encodedName = encodeURIComponent(linkName);
     const endpoint = isEdit ?
-        `/api/links/update/${linkName}` :
-        `/api/links/create/${linkName}`;
+        `/api/links/update/${encodedName}` :
+        `/api/links/create/${encodedName}`;
 
     const method = isEdit ? 'PUT' : 'POST';
 
@@ -701,7 +717,7 @@ export async function deleteLinkConfirm(linkName) {
     }
 
     try {
-        const response = await fetch(`/api/links/delete/${linkName}`, {
+        const response = await fetch(`/api/links/delete/${encodeURIComponent(linkName)}`, {
             method: 'DELETE',
             headers: getAuthHeaders()
         });
diff --git a/media_server/static/js/player.js b/media_server/static/js/player.js
index c4d861c..fecc11b 100644
--- a/media_server/static/js/player.js
+++ b/media_server/static/js/player.js
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import {
     ws, currentState, setCurrentState, currentDuration, setCurrentDuration,
     currentPosition, setCurrentPosition, isUserAdjustingVolume,
     lastStatus, setLastStatus, currentPlayState, setCurrentPlayState,
-    POSITION_INTERPOLATION_MS, seek,
+    POSITION_INTERPOLATION_MS, seek, notifyRemoteVolume,
     getAuthHeaders, hasCredentials,
 } from './core.js';
 import { updateBackgroundColors } from './background.js';
@@ -687,54 +687,49 @@ export async function onAudioDeviceChanged() {
 
 let lastArtworkKey = null;
 let currentArtworkBlobUrl = null;
+let artworkFetchGen = 0;
+let artworkAbort = null;
 let lastPositionUpdate = 0;
 let lastPositionValue = 0;
 let interpolationInterval = null;
 
 export function setupProgressDrag(bar, fill) {
-    let dragging = false;
-
+    // Listeners are attached on mousedown and removed on mouseup so the
+    // document doesn't carry per-progress-bar move handlers for the entire
+    // session (especially expensive on mobile).
     function getPercent(clientX) {
         const rect = bar.getBoundingClientRect();
         return Math.max(0, Math.min(1, (clientX - rect.left) / rect.width));
     }
+    function updatePreview(percent) { fill.style.width = (percent * 100) + '%'; }
 
-    function updatePreview(percent) {
-        fill.style.width = (percent * 100) + '%';
-    }
-
-    function handleStart(clientX) {
+    function pointerStart(getX, moveEvent, endEvent, getMoveX, getEndX) {
         if (currentDuration <= 0) return;
-        dragging = true;
         bar.classList.add('dragging');
-        updatePreview(getPercent(clientX));
-    }
+        updatePreview(getPercent(getX));
 
-    function handleMove(clientX) {
-        if (!dragging) return;
-        updatePreview(getPercent(clientX));
-    }
-
-    function handleEnd(clientX) {
-        if (!dragging) return;
-        dragging = false;
-        bar.classList.remove('dragging');
-        const percent = getPercent(clientX);
-        seek(percent * currentDuration);
-    }
-
-    bar.addEventListener('mousedown', (e) => { e.preventDefault(); handleStart(e.clientX); });
-    document.addEventListener('mousemove', (e) => { handleMove(e.clientX); });
-    document.addEventListener('mouseup', (e) => { handleEnd(e.clientX); });
-
-    bar.addEventListener('touchstart', (e) => { handleStart(e.touches[0].clientX); }, { passive: true });
-    document.addEventListener('touchmove', (e) => { if (dragging) handleMove(e.touches[0].clientX); });
-    document.addEventListener('touchend', (e) => {
-        if (dragging) {
-            const touch = e.changedTouches[0];
-            handleEnd(touch.clientX);
+        function onMove(e) { updatePreview(getPercent(getMoveX(e))); }
+        function onEnd(e) {
+            document.removeEventListener(moveEvent, onMove);
+            document.removeEventListener(endEvent, onEnd);
+            bar.classList.remove('dragging');
+            const clientX = getEndX(e);
+            if (clientX !== undefined) seek(getPercent(clientX) * currentDuration);
         }
+        document.addEventListener(moveEvent, onMove);
+        document.addEventListener(endEvent, onEnd);
+    }
+
+    bar.addEventListener('mousedown', (e) => {
+        e.preventDefault();
+        pointerStart(e.clientX, 'mousemove', 'mouseup',
+            (ev) => ev.clientX, (ev) => ev.clientX);
     });
+    bar.addEventListener('touchstart', (e) => {
+        pointerStart(e.touches[0].clientX, 'touchmove', 'touchend',
+            (ev) => ev.touches[0].clientX,
+            (ev) => ev.changedTouches?.[0]?.clientX);
+    }, { passive: true });
 
     bar.addEventListener('click', (e) => {
         if (currentDuration > 0) {
@@ -811,28 +806,35 @@ export function updateUI(status) {
         lastArtworkKey = artworkKey;
         const placeholderArt = "data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 300 300'%3E%3Cpath fill='%236a6a6a' opacity='0.35' d='M150 80c-38.66 0-70 31.34-70 70s31.34 70 70 70 70-31.34 70-70-31.34-70-70-70zm0 20c27.614 0 50 22.386 50 50s-22.386 50-50 50-50-22.386-50-50 22.386-50 50-50zm0 30a20 20 0 100 40 20 20 0 000-40z'/%3E%3C/svg%3E";
         const placeholderGlow = "data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 300 300'%3E%3Crect fill='%23282828' width='300' height='300'/%3E%3C/svg%3E";
+        // Cancel any in-flight artwork fetch and bump the generation so a
+        // late response from a previous track cannot overwrite the new one.
+        if (artworkAbort) {
+            try { artworkAbort.abort(); } catch { /* ignore */ }
+        }
+        const myGen = ++artworkFetchGen;
+        artworkAbort = new AbortController();
+
         if (artworkSource) {
-            // No cache-buster: when album_art_url is unchanged the
-            // browser can reuse the decoded bitmap. The artworkKey gate
-            // already skips fetches when the user hasn't switched tracks.
             fetch('/api/media/artwork', {
-                headers: getAuthHeaders()
+                headers: getAuthHeaders(),
+                signal: artworkAbort.signal,
             })
             .then(r => r.ok ? r.blob() : null)
             .then(blob => {
-                if (!blob) return;
+                if (!blob || myGen !== artworkFetchGen) return;
                 const oldBlobUrl = currentArtworkBlobUrl;
                 const url = URL.createObjectURL(blob);
                 currentArtworkBlobUrl = url;
                 swapArtworkSrc(dom.albumArt, url);
                 if (dom.miniAlbumArt.src !== url) dom.miniAlbumArt.src = url;
                 if (dom.albumArtGlow && dom.albumArtGlow.src !== url) dom.albumArtGlow.src = url;
-                // Mirror to fullscreen bloom directly — drops the
-                // MutationObserver fan-out path.
                 syncFullscreenBloomArt(url);
                 if (oldBlobUrl) setTimeout(() => URL.revokeObjectURL(oldBlobUrl), 1000);
             })
-            .catch(err => console.error('Artwork fetch failed:', err));
+            .catch(err => {
+                if (err && err.name === 'AbortError') return;
+                console.error('Artwork fetch failed:', err);
+            });
         } else {
             if (currentArtworkBlobUrl) {
                 URL.revokeObjectURL(currentArtworkBlobUrl);
@@ -858,6 +860,9 @@ export function updateUI(status) {
     }
 
     if (!isUserAdjustingVolume) {
+        // Re-seed the throttling cache so a future call to setVolume() with
+        // the previously-sent value still propagates after an external change.
+        notifyRemoteVolume(status.volume);
         dom.volumeSlider.value = status.volume;
         dom.volumeDisplay.textContent = `${status.volume}%`;
         dom.miniVolumeSlider.value = status.volume;
diff --git a/media_server/static/js/scripts.js b/media_server/static/js/scripts.js
index 84a5695..f120653 100644
--- a/media_server/static/js/scripts.js
+++ b/media_server/static/js/scripts.js
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ async function executeScript(scriptName, buttonElement) {
 
 async function _doExecuteScript(scriptName, params) {
     try {
-        const response = await fetch(`/api/scripts/execute/${scriptName}`, {
+        const response = await fetch(`/api/scripts/execute/${encodeURIComponent(scriptName)}`, {
             method: 'POST',
             headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json', ...getAuthHeaders() },
             body: JSON.stringify({ params })
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@ async function _loadScriptsTableImpl() {
         resolveMdiIcons(tbody);
     } catch (error) {
         console.error('Error loading scripts:', error);
-        tbody.innerHTML = '<tr><td colspan="5" class="empty-state" style="color: var(--error);">Failed to load scripts</td></tr>';
+        tbody.innerHTML = `<tr><td colspan="5" class="empty-state" style="color: var(--error);">${escapeHtml(t('scripts.msg.load_failed'))}</td></tr>`;
     }
 }
 
@@ -433,7 +433,7 @@ export async function showEditScriptDialog(scriptName) {
         const script = scriptsList.find(s => s.name === scriptName);
 
         if (!script) {
-            showToast('Script not found', 'error');
+            showToast(t('scripts.msg.not_found'), 'error');
             return;
         }
 
@@ -470,7 +470,7 @@ export async function showEditScriptDialog(scriptName) {
         dialog.showModal();
     } catch (error) {
         console.error('Error loading script for edit:', error);
-        showToast('Failed to load script details', 'error');
+        showToast(t('scripts.msg.load_failed'), 'error');
     }
 }
 
@@ -508,9 +508,10 @@ export async function saveScript(event) {
         parameters: _collectParameterDefinitions(),
     };
 
+    const encodedName = encodeURIComponent(scriptName);
     const endpoint = isEdit ?
-        `/api/scripts/update/${scriptName}` :
-        `/api/scripts/create/${scriptName}`;
+        `/api/scripts/update/${encodedName}` :
+        `/api/scripts/create/${encodedName}`;
 
     const method = isEdit ? 'PUT' : 'POST';
 
@@ -524,15 +525,15 @@ export async function saveScript(event) {
         const result = await response.json();
 
         if (response.ok && result.success) {
-            showToast(`Script ${isEdit ? 'updated' : 'created'} successfully`, 'success');
+            showToast(t(isEdit ? 'scripts.msg.updated' : 'scripts.msg.created'), 'success');
             scriptFormDirty = false;
             closeScriptDialog();
         } else {
-            showToast(result.detail || `Failed to ${isEdit ? 'update' : 'create'} script`, 'error');
+            showToast(result.detail || t(isEdit ? 'scripts.msg.update_failed' : 'scripts.msg.create_failed'), 'error');
         }
     } catch (error) {
         console.error('Error saving script:', error);
-        showToast(`Error ${isEdit ? 'updating' : 'creating'} script`, 'error');
+        showToast(t(isEdit ? 'scripts.msg.update_failed' : 'scripts.msg.create_failed'), 'error');
     } finally {
         if (submitBtn) submitBtn.disabled = false;
     }
@@ -544,7 +545,7 @@ export async function deleteScriptConfirm(scriptName) {
     }
 
     try {
-        const response = await fetch(`/api/scripts/delete/${scriptName}`, {
+        const response = await fetch(`/api/scripts/delete/${encodeURIComponent(scriptName)}`, {
             method: 'DELETE',
             headers: getAuthHeaders()
         });
@@ -552,13 +553,13 @@ export async function deleteScriptConfirm(scriptName) {
         const result = await response.json();
 
         if (response.ok && result.success) {
-            showToast('Script deleted successfully', 'success');
+            showToast(t('scripts.msg.deleted'), 'success');
         } else {
-            showToast(result.detail || 'Failed to delete script', 'error');
+            showToast(result.detail || t('scripts.msg.delete_failed'), 'error');
         }
     } catch (error) {
         console.error('Error deleting script:', error);
-        showToast('Error deleting script', 'error');
+        showToast(t('scripts.msg.delete_failed'), 'error');
     }
 }
 
@@ -581,23 +582,23 @@ function showExecutionResult(name, result, type = 'script') {
     const outputPre = document.getElementById('executionOutput');
     const errorPre = document.getElementById('executionError');
 
-    title.textContent = `Execution Result: ${name}`;
+    title.textContent = `${t('execution.result')}: ${name}`;
 
     const success = result.success && result.exit_code === 0;
     const statusClass = success ? 'success' : 'error';
-    const statusText = success ? 'Success' : 'Failed';
+    const statusText = t(success ? 'execution.success' : 'execution.failed');
 
     statusDiv.innerHTML = `
         <div class="status-item ${statusClass}">
-            <label>Status</label>
-            <value>${statusText}</value>
+            <label>${escapeHtml(t('execution.status'))}</label>
+            <value>${escapeHtml(statusText)}</value>
         </div>
         <div class="status-item">
-            <label>Exit Code</label>
+            <label>${escapeHtml(t('execution.exit_code'))}</label>
             <value>${result.exit_code !== undefined ? result.exit_code : 'N/A'}</value>
         </div>
         <div class="status-item">
-            <label>Duration</label>
+            <label>${escapeHtml(t('execution.duration'))}</label>
             <value>${result.execution_time !== undefined && result.execution_time !== null ? result.execution_time.toFixed(3) + 's' : 'N/A'}</value>
         </div>
     `;
@@ -606,7 +607,7 @@ function showExecutionResult(name, result, type = 'script') {
     if (result.stdout && result.stdout.trim()) {
         outputPre.textContent = result.stdout;
     } else {
-        outputPre.textContent = '(no output)';
+        outputPre.textContent = t('execution.no_output');
         outputPre.style.fontStyle = 'italic';
         outputPre.style.color = 'var(--text-secondary)';
     }
@@ -642,11 +643,11 @@ async function _executeScriptDebugWithParams(scriptName, params) {
     const title = document.getElementById('executionDialogTitle');
     const statusDiv = document.getElementById('executionStatus');
 
-    title.textContent = `Executing: ${scriptName}`;
+    title.textContent = `${t('execution.executing')}: ${scriptName}`;
     statusDiv.innerHTML = `
         <div class="status-item">
-            <label>Status</label>
-            <value><span class="loading-spinner"></span> Running...</value>
+            <label>${escapeHtml(t('execution.status'))}</label>
+            <value><span class="loading-spinner"></span> ${escapeHtml(t('execution.running'))}</value>
         </div>
     `;
     document.getElementById('outputSection').style.display = 'none';
@@ -813,11 +814,11 @@ export async function executeCallbackDebug(callbackName) {
     const title = document.getElementById('executionDialogTitle');
     const statusDiv = document.getElementById('executionStatus');
 
-    title.textContent = `Executing: ${callbackName}`;
+    title.textContent = `${t('execution.executing')}: ${callbackName}`;
     statusDiv.innerHTML = `
         <div class="status-item">
-            <label>Status</label>
-            <value><span class="loading-spinner"></span> Running...</value>
+            <label>${escapeHtml(t('execution.status'))}</label>
+            <value><span class="loading-spinner"></span> ${escapeHtml(t('execution.running'))}</value>
         </div>
     `;
     document.getElementById('outputSection').style.display = 'none';
@@ -826,7 +827,7 @@ export async function executeCallbackDebug(callbackName) {
     dialog.showModal();
 
     try {
-        const response = await fetch(`/api/callbacks/execute/${callbackName}`, {
+        const response = await fetch(`/api/callbacks/execute/${encodeURIComponent(callbackName)}`, {
             method: 'POST',
             headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json', ...getAuthHeaders() }
         });
diff --git a/media_server/static/js/websocket.js b/media_server/static/js/websocket.js
index f90c214..f294b7b 100644
--- a/media_server/static/js/websocket.js
+++ b/media_server/static/js/websocket.js
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 // ============================================================
 
 import {
-    dom, t, showToast, setWs,
+    dom, t, setWs, getWs,
     WS_BACKOFF_BASE_MS, WS_BACKOFF_MAX_MS,
     WS_MAX_RECONNECT_ATTEMPTS, WS_PING_INTERVAL_MS,
     authRequired, showUpdateBanner,
@@ -14,8 +14,26 @@ import { loadCallbacksTable } from './callbacks.js';
 import { loadHeaderLinks, loadLinksTable } from './links.js';
 
 let reconnectTimeout = null;
-let pingInterval = null;
 let wsReconnectAttempts = 0;
+// Track the ping interval against the socket that owns it so we never leak
+// a timer if connectWebSocket() is called while a previous socket is still
+// alive. The pair is wiped on close to avoid double-clear races.
+let activeSocket = null;
+let activePingInterval = null;
+
+function clearReconnect() {
+    if (reconnectTimeout) {
+        clearTimeout(reconnectTimeout);
+        reconnectTimeout = null;
+    }
+}
+
+function clearPing() {
+    if (activePingInterval) {
+        clearInterval(activePingInterval);
+        activePingInterval = null;
+    }
+}
 
 export function showAuthForm(errorMessage = '') {
     const overlay = document.getElementById('auth-overlay');
@@ -47,19 +65,24 @@ export function authenticate() {
 
 export function clearToken() {
     localStorage.removeItem('media_server_token');
-    // Access ws via import
-    import('./core.js').then(core => {
-        if (core.ws) {
-            core.ws.close();
-        }
-    });
+    const current = getWs();
+    if (current) {
+        try { current.close(1000, 'token cleared'); } catch { /* ignore */ }
+    }
     showAuthForm(t('auth.cleared'));
 }
 
 export function connectWebSocket(token) {
-    if (pingInterval) {
-        clearInterval(pingInterval);
-        pingInterval = null;
+    // Always cancel a pending reconnect first — otherwise a user-triggered
+    // reconnect can race a scheduled one and create two live sockets.
+    clearReconnect();
+    clearPing();
+
+    // Close any previous socket cleanly before opening a new one.
+    const previous = activeSocket;
+    activeSocket = null;
+    if (previous && previous.readyState <= WebSocket.OPEN) {
+        try { previous.close(1000, 'reconnecting'); } catch { /* ignore */ }
     }
 
     const protocol = window.location.protocol === 'https:' ? 'wss:' : 'ws:';
@@ -67,6 +90,7 @@ export function connectWebSocket(token) {
     const wsUrl = token ? `${wsBase}?token=${encodeURIComponent(token)}` : wsBase;
 
     const newWs = new WebSocket(wsUrl);
+    activeSocket = newWs;
     setWs(newWs);
 
     newWs.onopen = () => {
@@ -84,7 +108,13 @@ export function connectWebSocket(token) {
     };
 
     newWs.onmessage = (event) => {
-        const msg = JSON.parse(event.data);
+        let msg;
+        try {
+            msg = JSON.parse(event.data);
+        } catch (err) {
+            console.warn('Ignoring malformed WebSocket frame:', err);
+            return;
+        }
 
         if (msg.type === 'status' || msg.type === 'status_update') {
             updateUI(msg.data);
@@ -116,6 +146,13 @@ export function connectWebSocket(token) {
         updateConnectionStatus(false);
         stopPositionInterpolation();
 
+        // Drop this socket's ping interval. Guard so we don't kill a newer
+        // socket's interval if reconnect already started.
+        if (activeSocket === newWs) {
+            clearPing();
+            activeSocket = null;
+        }
+
         if (event.code === 4001) {
             localStorage.removeItem('media_server_token');
             showAuthForm(t('auth.invalid'));
@@ -133,7 +170,9 @@ export function connectWebSocket(token) {
                     showConnectionBanner(t('connection.reconnecting').replace('{attempt}', wsReconnectAttempts), false);
                 }
 
+                clearReconnect();
                 reconnectTimeout = setTimeout(() => {
+                    reconnectTimeout = null;
                     const savedToken = localStorage.getItem('media_server_token');
                     if (savedToken || !authRequired) {
                         connectWebSocket(savedToken || '');
@@ -145,9 +184,10 @@ export function connectWebSocket(token) {
         }
     };
 
-    pingInterval = setInterval(() => {
-        if (newWs && newWs.readyState === WebSocket.OPEN) {
-            newWs.send(JSON.stringify({ type: 'ping' }));
+    clearPing();
+    activePingInterval = setInterval(() => {
+        if (newWs.readyState === WebSocket.OPEN) {
+            try { newWs.send(JSON.stringify({ type: 'ping' })); } catch { /* ignore */ }
         }
     }, WS_PING_INTERVAL_MS);
 }
@@ -182,3 +222,23 @@ export function manualReconnect() {
         connectWebSocket(savedToken || '');
     }
 }
+
+// When the browser regains connectivity or the tab becomes visible again,
+// drop the backoff and reconnect immediately rather than waiting out the
+// current timer.
+function reconnectIfNeeded() {
+    const current = activeSocket;
+    if (current && (current.readyState === WebSocket.OPEN || current.readyState === WebSocket.CONNECTING)) {
+        return;
+    }
+    const savedToken = localStorage.getItem('media_server_token');
+    if (savedToken || !authRequired) {
+        wsReconnectAttempts = 0;
+        connectWebSocket(savedToken || '');
+    }
+}
+
+window.addEventListener('online', reconnectIfNeeded);
+document.addEventListener('visibilitychange', () => {
+    if (!document.hidden) reconnectIfNeeded();
+});
diff --git a/media_server/static/locales/en.json b/media_server/static/locales/en.json
index 5bb2f8f..75830e2 100644
--- a/media_server/static/locales/en.json
+++ b/media_server/static/locales/en.json
@@ -174,6 +174,18 @@
   "display.msg.color_failed": "Failed to apply color preset",
   "display.msg.mode_changed": "Picture mode applied",
   "display.msg.mode_failed": "Failed to apply picture mode",
+  "display.msg.power_on": "Monitor turned on",
+  "display.msg.power_off": "Monitor turned off",
+  "display.msg.power_failed": "Failed to change monitor power",
+  "execution.result": "Execution Result",
+  "execution.executing": "Executing",
+  "execution.status": "Status",
+  "execution.exit_code": "Exit Code",
+  "execution.duration": "Duration",
+  "execution.success": "Success",
+  "execution.failed": "Failed",
+  "execution.running": "Running...",
+  "execution.no_output": "(no output)",
   "browser.title": "Media Browser",
   "browser.home": "Home",
   "browser.manage_folders": "Manage Folders",
diff --git a/media_server/static/locales/ru.json b/media_server/static/locales/ru.json
index 33bf8f4..2d4725e 100644
--- a/media_server/static/locales/ru.json
+++ b/media_server/static/locales/ru.json
@@ -174,6 +174,18 @@
   "display.msg.color_failed": "Не удалось применить цветовую температуру",
   "display.msg.mode_changed": "Режим изображения применён",
   "display.msg.mode_failed": "Не удалось применить режим изображения",
+  "display.msg.power_on": "Монитор включён",
+  "display.msg.power_off": "Монитор выключен",
+  "display.msg.power_failed": "Не удалось переключить питание монитора",
+  "execution.result": "Результат выполнения",
+  "execution.executing": "Выполняется",
+  "execution.status": "Статус",
+  "execution.exit_code": "Код выхода",
+  "execution.duration": "Длительность",
+  "execution.success": "Успешно",
+  "execution.failed": "Ошибка",
+  "execution.running": "Выполняется...",
+  "execution.no_output": "(нет вывода)",
   "browser.title": "Медиа Браузер",
   "browser.home": "Главная",
   "browser.manage_folders": "Управление папками",
diff --git a/media_server/static/sw.js b/media_server/static/sw.js
index 83bd7bc..314d505 100644
--- a/media_server/static/sw.js
+++ b/media_server/static/sw.js
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
-// Minimal service worker for PWA installability.
+// Minimal service worker for PWA installability only.
 // This app requires a live WebSocket connection, so offline caching is not useful.
-// All fetch requests are passed through to the network.
+// We intentionally do NOT register a `fetch` handler — a pass-through handler
+// forces every navigation through the SW for no benefit and breaks the
+// browser's normal HTTP cache + error semantics.
 
 self.addEventListener('install', () => {
     self.skipWaiting();
@@ -9,7 +11,3 @@ self.addEventListener('install', () => {
 self.addEventListener('activate', (event) => {
     event.waitUntil(self.clients.claim());
 });
-
-self.addEventListener('fetch', (event) => {
-    event.respondWith(fetch(event.request));
-});