fix immich handling [CI SKIP]

.drone.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+kind: pipeline
+type: docker
+name: build
+
+steps:
+- name: build-deb-amd64
+  image: cache.coadcorp.com/library/buildpack-deps:jammy
+  environment:
+    DEBIAN_FRONTEND: noninteractive
+  commands:
+  - apt-get update
+  - apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends build-essential qt5-qmake qtbase5-dev qtbase5-dev-tools libexif-dev qt5-image-formats-plugins libmosquitto-dev dpkg-dev fakeroot ca-certificates
+  - ARCH=amd64 BUILD_DIR=build-amd64 bash sbin/build_deb.sh "${DRONE_TAG:-${DRONE_COMMIT_SHA:0:8}}"
+  - ls -la dist
+
+- name: build-deb-armhf
+  image: cache.coadcorp.com/library/buildpack-deps:bullseye
+  environment:
+    DEBIAN_FRONTEND: noninteractive
+    ARM_CFLAGS: -march=armv6 -mfpu=vfp -mfloat-abi=hard -marm
+  commands:
+  - dpkg --add-architecture armhf
+  - |
+    cat > /etc/apt/sources.list <<'EOF'
+    deb [arch=amd64] http://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye main contrib non-free
+    deb [arch=amd64] http://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye-updates main contrib non-free
+    deb [arch=amd64] http://security.debian.org/debian-security bullseye-security main contrib non-free
+    deb [arch=armhf] http://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye main contrib non-free
+    deb [arch=armhf] http://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye-updates main contrib non-free
+    deb [arch=armhf] http://security.debian.org/debian-security bullseye-security main contrib non-free
+    EOF
+  - apt-get update
+  - apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends build-essential qt5-qmake qtbase5-dev qtbase5-dev-tools libexif-dev qt5-image-formats-plugins libmosquitto-dev dpkg-dev fakeroot ca-certificates gcc-arm-linux-gnueabihf g++-arm-linux-gnueabihf qtbase5-dev:armhf libqt5core5a:armhf libqt5gui5:armhf libqt5widgets5:armhf libqt5network5:armhf libexif-dev:armhf libmosquitto-dev:armhf qt5-image-formats-plugins:armhf
+  - ARCH=armhf BUILD_DIR=build-armhf QMAKESPEC=$PWD/mkspecs/linux-armhf-g++ QMAKE_QTCONF=$PWD/mkspecs/qt-armhf.conf QMAKE_CFLAGS="$ARM_CFLAGS" QMAKE_CXXFLAGS="$ARM_CFLAGS" bash sbin/build_deb.sh "${DRONE_TAG:-${DRONE_COMMIT_SHA:0:8}}"
+  - ls -la dist
+
+- name: build-deb-arm64
+  image: cache.coadcorp.com/library/buildpack-deps:bullseye
+  environment:
+    DEBIAN_FRONTEND: noninteractive
+    ARM64_CFLAGS: -march=armv8-a
+  commands:
+  - dpkg --add-architecture arm64
+  - |
+    cat > /etc/apt/sources.list <<'EOF'
+    deb [arch=amd64] http://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye main contrib non-free
+    deb [arch=amd64] http://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye-updates main contrib non-free
+    deb [arch=amd64] http://security.debian.org/debian-security bullseye-security main contrib non-free
+    deb [arch=arm64] http://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye main contrib non-free
+    deb [arch=arm64] http://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye-updates main contrib non-free
+    deb [arch=arm64] http://security.debian.org/debian-security bullseye-security main contrib non-free
+    EOF
+  - apt-get update
+  - apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends build-essential qt5-qmake qtbase5-dev qtbase5-dev-tools libexif-dev qt5-image-formats-plugins libmosquitto-dev dpkg-dev fakeroot ca-certificates gcc-aarch64-linux-gnu g++-aarch64-linux-gnu qtbase5-dev:arm64 libqt5core5a:arm64 libqt5gui5:arm64 libqt5widgets5:arm64 libqt5network5:arm64 libexif-dev:arm64 libmosquitto-dev:arm64 qt5-image-formats-plugins:arm64
+  - ARCH=arm64 BUILD_DIR=build-arm64 QMAKESPEC=$PWD/mkspecs/linux-arm64-g++ QMAKE_QTCONF=$PWD/mkspecs/qt-arm64.conf QMAKE_CFLAGS="$ARM64_CFLAGS" QMAKE_CXXFLAGS="$ARM64_CFLAGS" bash sbin/build_deb.sh "${DRONE_TAG:-${DRONE_COMMIT_SHA:0:8}}"
+  - ls -la dist
+
+- name: build-deps-image
+  image: cache.coadcorp.com/plugins/docker
+  settings:
+    registry: registry.coadcorp.com
+    repo: slide/build-deps
+    dockerfile: Dockerfile.builddeps
+    username:
+      from_secret: REGISTRY_USER
+    password:
+      from_secret: REGISTRY_PASS
+    tags:
+    - latest
+    - ${DRONE_COMMIT_SHA}
+  when:
+    event:
+    - promote
+    target:
+    - build-deps
+
+- name: gitea-release
+  image: cache.coadcorp.com/plugins/gitea-release
+  depends_on:
+  - build-deb-amd64
+  - build-deb-armhf
+  - build-deb-arm64
+  settings:
+    api_key:
+      from_secret: GITEA_TOKEN
+    base_url: https://git.coadcorp.com
+    files:
+    - dist/*.deb
+    draft: false
+    prerelease: false
+    title: ${DRONE_TAG}
+    note: Automated release for ${DRONE_TAG}
+  when:
+    event:
+    - tag

Dockerfile.builddeps

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+FROM cache.coadcorp.com/library/ubuntu:22.04
+
+ENV DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive
+
+RUN apt-get update \
+  && apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends \
+    build-essential \
+    qt5-qmake \
+    qtbase5-dev \
+    qtbase5-dev-tools \
+    libexif-dev \
+    qt5-image-formats-plugins \
+    libmosquitto-dev \
+    dpkg-dev \
+    fakeroot \
+    ca-certificates \
+  && rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*

INSTALL.md

@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ This project depends on the following dynamically linked libraries:
 
 * qt5
 * libexif
+* qt5-image-formats-plugins
+* libmosquitto1
 
 ### OSX
 
@@ -13,28 +15,29 @@ This project depends on the following dynamically linked libraries:
 brew install qt libexif
 ```
 
-### Raspbian Stretch
+### Debian / Ubuntu / Raspberry Pi OS (runtime dependencies)
 
 ```
-brew install qt5 libexif12
+sudo apt-get install -y qt5-image-formats-plugins libmosquitto1
 ```
 
-## Extract binaries
+### Raspberry Pi Zero / Raspbian (additional image format support)
 
 ```
-tar xf slide_<arch>_<version>.tar.gz
+sudo apt-get install -y qt5-image-formats-plugins libmosquitto1 libmng1
 ```
 
-## Move binary to executable folder
+## Install .deb package
 
-### OSX
+Use apt so dependencies are resolved automatically:
 
 ```
-mv slide_<version>/slide.app/Contents/MacOS/slide /usr/local/bin/
+sudo apt-get install ./slide_<version>_<arch>.deb
 ```
 
-### Linux
+If you must use dpkg, install runtime dependencies first:
 
 ```
-mv slide_<version>/slide /usr/bin/
+sudo apt-get install -y qt5-image-formats-plugins libmosquitto1
+sudo dpkg -i slide_<version>_<arch>.deb
 ```

Makefile

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ all: build
 
 .PHONY: install-deps-deb
 install-deps-deb:
-	apt install qt5-qmake libexif12 qt5-default libexif-dev qt5-image-formats-plugins
+	apt install qt5-qmake libexif12 qt5-default libexif-dev qt5-image-formats-plugins libmosquitto-dev
 
 check-deps-deb:
 	dpkg -l | grep qt5-qmake
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ check-deps-deb:
 	dpkg -l | grep libexif-dev
 	dpkg -l | grep qt5-default
 	dpkg -l | grep qt5-image-formats-plugins
+	dpkg -l | grep libmosquitto-dev
 
 .PHONY: clean
 clean:

README.md

@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ slide [-t rotation_seconds] [-T transition_seconds] [-h/--overlay-color overlay_
 
 * `image_folder`: where to search for images (.jpg files)
 * `-i imageFile,...`: comma delimited list of full paths to image files to display
-* `-c path_to_config_json`: the path to an optional slide.options.json file containing configuration parameters
+* `-c path_to_config_json`: path to a JSON config file, or a directory containing `slide.options.json`
 * `-t` how many seconds to display each picture for
 * `-r` for recursive traversal of `image_folder`
 * `-s` for shuffle instead of random image rotation
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ slide [-t rotation_seconds] [-T transition_seconds] [-h/--overlay-color overlay_
 To exit the application, press escape. If you're using a touch display, touch all 4 corners at the same time.
 
 ## Configuration file
-Slide supports loading configuration from a JSON formatted file called `slide.options.json`. This file can be specified by the `-c` command line option, we will also attempt to read `~/.config/slide/slide.options.json` and `/etc/slide/slide.options.json` in that order. The first file to load is used and its options will override command line parameters.
+Slide supports loading configuration from a JSON formatted file called `slide.options.json`. This file can be specified by the `-c` command line option (file path or directory), and we will also attempt to read `~/.config/slide/slide.options.json` and `/etc/slide/slide.options.json` in that order. The first file to load is used and its options will override command line parameters.
 The file format is:
 ```
 {
@@ -117,6 +117,7 @@ Supported keys and values in the JSON configuration are:
 * `opacity` : the same as the command line `-o` argument
 * `blur` : the same as the command line `-b` argument
 * `debug` : set to true to enable verbose output from the program
+* `mqtt` : MQTT playback control (see below)
 * `immich` : connect to an Immich server instead of a local path (see below)
 * `scheduler` : this entry is an array of possible path values and associated settings. This key lets you manage display times/settings for a collection of paths. In the example above the top entry shows ONLY files from a Redit feed between 2 and 4pm, ONLY files from the `show_peak_times` folder from 8am to 10am and then 4pm to 7pm. At all other times it alternates displaying files in the `always_show_1` and `always_show_2` folder.
    * `exclusive` : When set to `true` only this entry will be used when it is in its valid time window. 
@@ -124,9 +125,60 @@ Supported keys and values in the JSON configuration are:
    * `path` : the path to image files
    * `stretch` : as above
 
+### MQTT control
+
+Add an `mqtt` block to control playback remotely. Publish one of the commands below to the configured topic.
+
+Example:
+```
+{
+  "mqtt": {
+    "host": "mqtt.local",
+    "port": 1883,
+    "topic": "slide/control",
+    "immichTopic": "slide/immich",
+    "clientId": "slide-frame",
+    "username": "slide",
+    "password": "secret",
+    "keepAlive": 30,
+    "qos": 0
+  }
+}
+```
+
+Commands:
+* `play` / `resume` — resume slideshow
+* `pause` — pause slideshow
+* `next` / `next-image` — advance to next image
+* `next-folder` — jump to next configured path (if multiple paths are configured)
+* `restart` / `reset` — recreate the selector and restart playback
+If `immichTopic` is not set, it defaults to `<topic>/immich`.
+
+Immich control topic (`immichTopic`):
+* `album:<id>` or `albumIds:id1,id2` — filter to one or more album IDs
+* `person:<id>` or `personIds:id1,id2` — filter to one or more person IDs
+* `user:<id>` / `userId:<id>` / `ownerId:<id>` — show all assets owned by a user (clears album/person filters)
+* `extensions:jpg,jpeg,png` — filter by file extension (useful for RAW exclusion)
+* `reset` / `clear` — clear album/person/user filters
+* JSON payloads are also accepted, for example:
+```
+{"albumIds":["..."],"personIds":["..."],"order":"desc","size":"fullsize","userId":"...","extensions":["jpg","jpeg"]}
+```
+
 ### Immich configuration (lightweight + low power)
 
-Immich uses an API key and a `/api` base path. This integration requests the asset search endpoint and downloads thumbnail images into a local cache before displaying them. That keeps bandwidth and power usage low while still letting `slide` do its normal scaling and transitions.
+Immich uses an API key and a `/api` base path. This integration requests the asset search endpoint and downloads the configured image size into a local cache before displaying them. That keeps bandwidth and power usage low while still letting `slide` do its normal scaling and transitions. If you have RAW images, set `size` to `preview`/`thumbnail` or use `extensions` to limit results to JPEG/PNG.
+
+#### Getting an Immich API key
+
+In the Immich web UI, go to Settings and find **API Keys** (menu labels can vary by version), then create a new key and copy it.
+
+#### Required API key permissions
+
+`slide` uses Immich search plus the asset view/download endpoints, so the API key should include:
+* `asset.read` — required by Immich search endpoints (used to retrieve asset metadata).
+* `asset.view` — required for the viewAsset endpoint (thumbnail/preview/fullsize).
+* `asset.download` — required if you set `size` to `original` (download endpoint).
 
 Example (single source):
 ```
@@ -166,14 +218,19 @@ Example (scheduler entry):
 Immich settings:
 * `url`: base Immich server URL (the integration appends `/api` automatically if missing).
 * `apiKey`: Immich API key (needs `asset.view`, and `asset.download` if `size` is `original`).
+* `userId`: optional user id to retrieve all assets owned by that user via the assets endpoint.
 * `albumId` or `albumIds`: optional album filters.
+* `personId` or `personIds`: optional person filters.
+* `extensions` / `allowedExtensions`: optional list of file extensions to include (for example `["jpg","jpeg","png"]`).
 * `size`: `"fullsize"`, `"preview"`, `"thumbnail"`, or `"original"` (original uses the download endpoint).
 * `order`: `"asc"` or `"desc"` ordering for asset search.
 * `pageSize`: assets fetched per page.
 * `maxAssets`: cap on total assets fetched (0 means no cap).
-* `cachePath`: local cache directory for downloaded thumbnails.
+* `cachePath`: local cache directory for downloaded images.
 * `cacheMaxMB`: maximum cache size in MB (0 disables cleanup).
 * `includeArchived`: include archived assets in search results.
+If you omit `albumId`/`albumIds`/`personIds`, Immich returns all assets visible to the API key’s user.
+If `userId` is set, album/person filters are ignored and all assets for that user are fetched.
 When `immich` is set on an entry, `path` and `imageList` are ignored.
 
 ## Folder Options file
@@ -205,6 +262,7 @@ See the `Configuration File` section for details of each setting.
 * qt5
 * qt5-image-formats-plugins
 * libexif
+* libmosquitto-dev
 
 Ubuntu/Raspbian:
 

mkspecs/linux-arm64-g++/qmake.conf

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+exists(/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/qt5/mkspecs/linux-g++/qmake.conf) {
+  include(/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/qt5/mkspecs/linux-g++/qmake.conf)
+} else: exists(/usr/share/qt5/mkspecs/linux-g++/qmake.conf) {
+  include(/usr/share/qt5/mkspecs/linux-g++/qmake.conf)
+} else: exists($$[QT_HOST_DATA]/mkspecs/linux-g++/qmake.conf) {
+  include($$[QT_HOST_DATA]/mkspecs/linux-g++/qmake.conf)
+} else {
+  include($$[QT_INSTALL_DATA]/mkspecs/linux-g++/qmake.conf)
+}
+
+QMAKE_CC = aarch64-linux-gnu-gcc
+QMAKE_CXX = aarch64-linux-gnu-g++
+QMAKE_LINK = aarch64-linux-gnu-g++
+QMAKE_AR = aarch64-linux-gnu-ar cqs
+QMAKE_STRIP = aarch64-linux-gnu-strip
+
+QMAKE_INCDIR_QT = /usr/include/aarch64-linux-gnu/qt5
+QMAKE_LIBDIR_QT = /usr/lib/aarch64-linux-gnu
+QMAKE_INCDIR += /usr/include/aarch64-linux-gnu/qt5
+QMAKE_LIBDIR += /usr/lib/aarch64-linux-gnu
+QMAKE_LFLAGS += -Wl,-rpath-link,/usr/lib/aarch64-linux-gnu

mkspecs/linux-arm64-g++/qplatformdefs.h

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+#include "/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/qt5/mkspecs/linux-g++/qplatformdefs.h"

mkspecs/linux-armhf-g++/qmake.conf

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+exists(/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/qt5/mkspecs/linux-g++/qmake.conf) {
+  include(/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/qt5/mkspecs/linux-g++/qmake.conf)
+} else: exists(/usr/share/qt5/mkspecs/linux-g++/qmake.conf) {
+  include(/usr/share/qt5/mkspecs/linux-g++/qmake.conf)
+} else: exists($$[QT_HOST_DATA]/mkspecs/linux-g++/qmake.conf) {
+  include($$[QT_HOST_DATA]/mkspecs/linux-g++/qmake.conf)
+} else {
+  include($$[QT_INSTALL_DATA]/mkspecs/linux-g++/qmake.conf)
+}
+
+QMAKE_CC = arm-linux-gnueabihf-gcc
+QMAKE_CXX = arm-linux-gnueabihf-g++
+QMAKE_LINK = arm-linux-gnueabihf-g++
+QMAKE_AR = arm-linux-gnueabihf-ar cqs
+QMAKE_STRIP = arm-linux-gnueabihf-strip
+
+QMAKE_INCDIR_QT = /usr/include/arm-linux-gnueabihf/qt5
+QMAKE_LIBDIR_QT = /usr/lib/arm-linux-gnueabihf
+QMAKE_INCDIR += /usr/include/arm-linux-gnueabihf/qt5
+QMAKE_LIBDIR += /usr/lib/arm-linux-gnueabihf
+QMAKE_LFLAGS += -Wl,-rpath-link,/usr/lib/arm-linux-gnueabihf

mkspecs/linux-armhf-g++/qplatformdefs.h

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+#include "/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/qt5/mkspecs/linux-g++/qplatformdefs.h"

mkspecs/qt-arm64.conf

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+[Paths]
+Prefix=/usr
+Headers=/usr/include/aarch64-linux-gnu/qt5
+Libraries=/usr/lib/aarch64-linux-gnu
+ArchData=/usr/lib/aarch64-linux-gnu/qt5
+Data=/usr/lib/aarch64-linux-gnu/qt5
+Plugins=/usr/lib/aarch64-linux-gnu/qt5/plugins
+HostPrefix=/usr
+HostData=/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/qt5
+HostBinaries=/usr/lib/qt5/bin
+HostLibraries=/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu

mkspecs/qt-armhf.conf

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+[Paths]
+Prefix=/usr
+Headers=/usr/include/arm-linux-gnueabihf/qt5
+Libraries=/usr/lib/arm-linux-gnueabihf
+ArchData=/usr/lib/arm-linux-gnueabihf/qt5
+Data=/usr/lib/arm-linux-gnueabihf/qt5
+Plugins=/usr/lib/arm-linux-gnueabihf/qt5/plugins
+HostPrefix=/usr
+HostData=/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/qt5
+HostBinaries=/usr/lib/qt5/bin
+HostLibraries=/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu

sbin/build_deb.sh

@@ -5,15 +5,49 @@ set -euo pipefail
 ROOT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")/.." && pwd)"
 VERSION="${1:-${VERSION:-0.0.0}}"
 VERSION="${VERSION#v}"
+# Debian versions must start with a digit; fall back to 0.0.0+<sha/tag>.
+if [[ ! "$VERSION" =~ ^[0-9] ]]; then
+  VERSION="0.0.0+${VERSION}"
+fi
 ARCH="${ARCH:-$(dpkg --print-architecture)}"
-
+BUILD_DIR="${BUILD_DIR:-$ROOT_DIR/build-$ARCH}"
-PACKAGE_NAME="slide"
-BUILD_DIR="$ROOT_DIR/build"
 DIST_DIR="$ROOT_DIR/dist"
 STAGE_DIR="$BUILD_DIR/deb"
+QMAKE_BIN="${QMAKE_BIN:-qmake}"
+MAKE_JOBS="${MAKE_JOBS:-2}"
+
+QMAKE_ARGS=()
+if [[ -n "${QMAKESPEC:-}" ]]; then
+  QMAKE_ARGS+=("-spec" "$QMAKESPEC")
+fi
+if [[ -n "${QMAKE_QTCONF:-}" ]]; then
+  QMAKE_ARGS+=("-qtconf" "$QMAKE_QTCONF")
+fi
+if [[ -n "${QMAKE_CC:-}" ]]; then
+  QMAKE_ARGS+=("QMAKE_CC=$QMAKE_CC")
+fi
+if [[ -n "${QMAKE_CXX:-}" ]]; then
+  QMAKE_ARGS+=("QMAKE_CXX=$QMAKE_CXX")
+fi
+if [[ -n "${QMAKE_LINK:-}" ]]; then
+  QMAKE_ARGS+=("QMAKE_LINK=$QMAKE_LINK")
+fi
+if [[ -n "${QMAKE_CFLAGS:-}" ]]; then
+  QMAKE_ARGS+=("QMAKE_CFLAGS=$QMAKE_CFLAGS")
+fi
+if [[ -n "${QMAKE_CXXFLAGS:-}" ]]; then
+  QMAKE_ARGS+=("QMAKE_CXXFLAGS=$QMAKE_CXXFLAGS")
+fi
+if [[ -n "${QMAKE_LFLAGS:-}" ]]; then
+  QMAKE_ARGS+=("QMAKE_LFLAGS=$QMAKE_LFLAGS")
+fi
+
+PACKAGE_NAME="slide"
 
 cd "$ROOT_DIR"
-make build
+mkdir -p "$BUILD_DIR"
+"$QMAKE_BIN" "${QMAKE_ARGS[@]}" "$ROOT_DIR/src/slide.pro" -o "$BUILD_DIR/Makefile"
+make -C "$BUILD_DIR" -j"$MAKE_JOBS"
 
 rm -rf "$STAGE_DIR"
 mkdir -p "$STAGE_DIR/DEBIAN" "$STAGE_DIR/usr/local/bin" "$DIST_DIR"
@@ -27,9 +61,9 @@ Section: graphics
 Priority: optional
 Architecture: ${ARCH}
 Maintainer: slide build
-Depends: libqt5core5a, libqt5gui5, libqt5widgets5, libqt5network5, libexif12, qt5-image-formats-plugins
+Depends: libqt5core5a, libqt5gui5, libqt5widgets5, libqt5network5, libexif12, qt5-image-formats-plugins, libmosquitto1
 Description: Lightweight slideshow for photo frames
  Simple, lightweight slideshow designed for low power devices.
 EOF
 
-dpkg-deb --build "$STAGE_DIR" "$DIST_DIR/${PACKAGE_NAME}_${VERSION}_${ARCH}.deb"
+dpkg-deb --build -Zgzip "$STAGE_DIR" "$DIST_DIR/${PACKAGE_NAME}_${VERSION}_${ARCH}.deb"

src/appconfig.cpp

@@ -71,6 +71,19 @@ std::vector<std::string> ParseJSONStrings(QJsonObject jsonDoc, const char *key)
   return values;
 }
 
+std::vector<std::string> NormalizeExtensions(const std::vector<std::string> &values) {
+  std::vector<std::string> normalized;
+  for (const auto &value : values)
+  {
+    std::string s = value;
+    for (auto &c : s)
+      c = static_cast<char>(::tolower(c));
+    if (!s.empty())
+      normalized.push_back(s);
+  }
+  return normalized;
+}
+
 ImmichConfig ParseImmichConfigObject(QJsonObject immichJson) {
   ImmichConfig config;
 
@@ -81,6 +94,13 @@ ImmichConfig ParseImmichConfigObject(QJsonObject immichJson) {
   if(!apiKey.empty())
     config.apiKey = apiKey;
 
+  std::string userId = ParseJSONString(immichJson, "userId");
+  if(!userId.empty())
+    config.userId = userId;
+  std::string ownerId = ParseJSONString(immichJson, "ownerId");
+  if(!ownerId.empty() && config.userId.empty())
+    config.userId = ownerId;
+
   std::string size = ParseJSONString(immichJson, "size");
   if(!size.empty())
     config.size = size;
@@ -101,6 +121,20 @@ ImmichConfig ParseImmichConfigObject(QJsonObject immichJson) {
   if(albumIds.size() > 0)
     config.albumIds = albumIds;
 
+  std::string personId = ParseJSONString(immichJson, "personId");
+  if(!personId.empty())
+    config.personIds.push_back(personId);
+
+  std::vector<std::string> personIds = ParseJSONStrings(immichJson, "personIds");
+  if(personIds.size() > 0)
+    config.personIds = personIds;
+
+  std::vector<std::string> allowedExtensions = ParseJSONStrings(immichJson, "extensions");
+  if(allowedExtensions.size() == 0)
+    allowedExtensions = ParseJSONStrings(immichJson, "allowedExtensions");
+  if(allowedExtensions.size() > 0)
+    config.allowedExtensions = NormalizeExtensions(allowedExtensions);
+
   SetJSONInt(config.pageSize, immichJson, "pageSize");
   SetJSONInt(config.maxAssets, immichJson, "maxAssets");
   SetJSONInt(config.cacheMaxMB, immichJson, "cacheMaxMB");
@@ -112,6 +146,46 @@ ImmichConfig ParseImmichConfigObject(QJsonObject immichJson) {
   return config;
 }
 
+MqttConfig ParseMqttConfigObject(QJsonObject mqttJson) {
+  MqttConfig config;
+
+  std::string host = ParseJSONString(mqttJson, "host");
+  if(!host.empty())
+    config.host = host;
+
+  std::string topic = ParseJSONString(mqttJson, "topic");
+  if(!topic.empty())
+    config.topic = topic;
+
+  std::string immichTopic = ParseJSONString(mqttJson, "immichTopic");
+  if(!immichTopic.empty())
+    config.immichTopic = immichTopic;
+
+  std::string clientId = ParseJSONString(mqttJson, "clientId");
+  if(!clientId.empty())
+    config.clientId = clientId;
+
+  std::string username = ParseJSONString(mqttJson, "username");
+  if(!username.empty())
+    config.username = username;
+
+  std::string password = ParseJSONString(mqttJson, "password");
+  if(!password.empty())
+    config.password = password;
+
+  SetJSONInt(config.port, mqttJson, "port");
+  SetJSONInt(config.keepAlive, mqttJson, "keepAlive");
+  SetJSONInt(config.qos, mqttJson, "qos");
+
+  if(config.immichTopic.empty() && !config.topic.empty())
+    config.immichTopic = config.topic + "/immich";
+
+  if(!config.host.empty() && !config.topic.empty())
+    config.enabled = true;
+
+  return config;
+}
+
 Config loadConfiguration(const std::string &configFilePath, const Config &currentConfig) {
   if(configFilePath.empty())
   {
@@ -200,28 +274,36 @@ QString getAppConfigFilePath(const std::string &configPath) {
   std::string systemConfigFolder = "/etc/slide";
   QString baseConfigFilename("slide.options.json");
 
-  QDir directory(userConfigFolder.c_str());
-  QString jsonFile = "";
   if (!configPath.empty())
   {
-    directory.setPath(configPath.c_str());
+    QFileInfo configInfo(QString::fromStdString(configPath));
-    jsonFile = directory.filePath(baseConfigFilename);    
+    if (configInfo.exists() && configInfo.isFile())
-  }
-   if(!directory.exists(jsonFile))
     {
-    directory.setPath(userConfigFolder.c_str());
+      return configInfo.absoluteFilePath();
-    jsonFile = directory.filePath(baseConfigFilename);    
-  }
-  if(!directory.exists(jsonFile))
-  {
-    directory.setPath(systemConfigFolder.c_str());
-    jsonFile = directory.filePath(baseConfigFilename);
     }
 
-  if(directory.exists(jsonFile))
+    QDir directory(configInfo.isDir() ? configInfo.absoluteFilePath()
+                                      : QString::fromStdString(configPath));
+    QString jsonFile = directory.filePath(baseConfigFilename);
+    if (directory.exists(jsonFile))
     {
       return jsonFile;
     }
+  }
+
+  QDir userDir(userConfigFolder.c_str());
+  QString userFile = userDir.filePath(baseConfigFilename);
+  if (userDir.exists(userFile))
+  {
+    return userFile;
+  }
+
+  QDir systemDir(systemConfigFolder.c_str());
+  QString systemFile = systemDir.filePath(baseConfigFilename);
+  if (systemDir.exists(systemFile))
+  {
+    return systemFile;
+  }
 
   return "";
 }
@@ -327,6 +409,11 @@ AppConfig loadAppConfiguration(const AppConfig &commandLineConfig) {
     loadedConfig.overlay = overlayString;
   }
 
+  if(jsonDoc.contains("mqtt") && jsonDoc["mqtt"].isObject())
+  {
+    loadedConfig.mqtt = ParseMqttConfigObject(jsonDoc["mqtt"].toObject());
+  }
+
   loadedConfig.paths = parsePathEntry(jsonDoc, baseRecursive, baseShuffle, baseSorted);
   if(loadedConfig.paths.count() <= 0)
   {

src/appconfig.h

@@ -10,7 +10,10 @@ struct ImmichConfig {
   bool enabled = false;
   std::string url = "";
   std::string apiKey = "";
+  std::string userId = "";
   std::vector<std::string> albumIds;
+  std::vector<std::string> personIds;
+  std::vector<std::string> allowedExtensions;
   std::string size = "fullsize";
   std::string order = "desc";
   int pageSize = 200;
@@ -25,6 +28,8 @@ struct ImmichConfig {
       return false;
     if (url != b.url || apiKey != b.apiKey)
       return false;
+    if (userId != b.userId)
+      return false;
     if (size != b.size || order != b.order)
       return false;
     if (pageSize != b.pageSize || maxAssets != b.maxAssets)
@@ -40,6 +45,20 @@ struct ImmichConfig {
       if (albumIds[i] != b.albumIds[i])
         return false;
     }
+    if (personIds.size() != b.personIds.size())
+      return false;
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < personIds.size(); ++i)
+    {
+      if (personIds[i] != b.personIds[i])
+        return false;
+    }
+    if (allowedExtensions.size() != b.allowedExtensions.size())
+      return false;
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < allowedExtensions.size(); ++i)
+    {
+      if (allowedExtensions[i] != b.allowedExtensions[i])
+        return false;
+    }
     return true;
   }
 
@@ -49,6 +68,38 @@ struct ImmichConfig {
   }
 };
 
+struct MqttConfig {
+  bool enabled = false;
+  std::string host = "localhost";
+  int port = 1883;
+  std::string topic = "slide/control";
+  std::string immichTopic = "";
+  std::string clientId = "slide";
+  std::string username = "";
+  std::string password = "";
+  int keepAlive = 30;
+  int qos = 0;
+
+  bool operator==(const MqttConfig &b) const
+  {
+    return enabled == b.enabled &&
+           host == b.host &&
+           port == b.port &&
+           topic == b.topic &&
+           immichTopic == b.immichTopic &&
+           clientId == b.clientId &&
+           username == b.username &&
+           password == b.password &&
+           keepAlive == b.keepAlive &&
+           qos == b.qos;
+  }
+
+  bool operator!=(const MqttConfig &b) const
+  {
+    return !operator==(b);
+  }
+};
+
 // configuration options that apply to an image/folder of images
 struct Config {
   public:
@@ -106,6 +157,7 @@ struct AppConfig : public Config {
     std::string overlay = "";
     QString overlayHexRGB = "#FFFFFF";
     QVector<PathEntry> paths;
+    MqttConfig mqtt;
 
     bool debugMode = false;
 

src/imageswitcher.cpp

@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ ImageSwitcher::ImageSwitcher(MainWindow& w, unsigned int timeoutMsec, std::uniqu
 
 void ImageSwitcher::updateImage()
 {
+    if (paused)
+      return;
     if(reloadConfigIfNeeded)
     {
       reloadConfigIfNeeded(window, this);
@@ -60,6 +62,7 @@ void ImageSwitcher::setConfigFileReloader(std::function<void(MainWindow &w, Imag
 void ImageSwitcher::setRotationTime(unsigned int timeoutMsecIn)
 {
   timeout = timeoutMsecIn;
+  if (!paused)
     timer.start(timeout);
 }
 
@@ -67,3 +70,56 @@ void ImageSwitcher::setImageSelector(std::unique_ptr<ImageSelector>& selectorIn)
 {
   selector = std::move(selectorIn);
 }
+
+void ImageSwitcher::pause()
+{
+  paused = true;
+  timer.stop();
+  timerNoContent.stop();
+}
+
+void ImageSwitcher::resume()
+{
+  if (!paused)
+    return;
+  paused = false;
+  timer.start(timeout);
+  scheduleImageUpdate();
+}
+
+void ImageSwitcher::stepOnce()
+{
+  bool wasPaused = paused;
+  if (wasPaused)
+    paused = false;
+  updateImage();
+  if (wasPaused)
+  {
+    paused = true;
+    timer.stop();
+    timerNoContent.stop();
+  }
+}
+
+void ImageSwitcher::restart(std::unique_ptr<ImageSelector>& selectorIn)
+{
+  paused = false;
+  timerNoContent.stop();
+  setImageSelector(selectorIn);
+  timer.start(timeout);
+  scheduleImageUpdate();
+}
+
+bool ImageSwitcher::skipToNextFolder()
+{
+  auto *listSelector = dynamic_cast<ListImageSelector*>(selector.get());
+  if (!listSelector)
+    return false;
+  stepOnce();
+  return true;
+}
+
+bool ImageSwitcher::isPaused() const
+{
+  return paused;
+}

src/imageswitcher.h

@@ -19,6 +19,12 @@ public:
     void setConfigFileReloader(std::function<void(MainWindow &w, ImageSwitcher *switcher)> reloadConfigIfNeededIn);
     void setRotationTime(unsigned int timeoutMsec);
     void setImageSelector(std::unique_ptr<ImageSelector>& selector);
+    void pause();
+    void resume();
+    void stepOnce();
+    void restart(std::unique_ptr<ImageSelector>& selector);
+    bool skipToNextFolder();
+    bool isPaused() const;
 
 public slots:
     void updateImage();
@@ -30,6 +36,7 @@ private:
     const unsigned int timeoutNoContent = 5 * 1000; // 5 sec
     QTimer timerNoContent;
     std::function<void(MainWindow &w, ImageSwitcher *switcher)> reloadConfigIfNeeded;
+    bool paused = false;
 };
 
 #endif // IMAGESWITCHER_H

src/immichclient.cpp

@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@
 #include <QEventLoop>
 #include <QFile>
 #include <QFileInfo>
+#include <QBuffer>
+#include <QImageReader>
 #include <QJsonArray>
 #include <QJsonDocument>
 #include <QJsonObject>
@@ -12,10 +14,25 @@
 #include <QSaveFile>
 #include <QTimer>
 #include <QUrlQuery>
+#include <QFileInfo>
 
 namespace {
 const int kMetadataTimeoutMs = 15000;
 const int kAssetTimeoutMs = 30000;
+QString DetectImageExtension(const QByteArray &data)
+{
+  QBuffer buffer;
+  buffer.setData(data);
+  if (!buffer.open(QIODevice::ReadOnly))
+    return "";
+  QImageReader reader(&buffer);
+  if (!reader.canRead())
+    return "";
+  QByteArray fmt = reader.format().toLower();
+  if (fmt == "jpeg")
+    fmt = "jpg";
+  return QString::fromUtf8(fmt);
+}
 }
 
 ImmichClient::ImmichClient(const ImmichConfig &configIn)
@@ -93,18 +110,41 @@ QByteArray ImmichClient::getBytes(const QUrl &url, QString *contentType, int tim
 
 QVector<ImmichAsset> ImmichClient::fetchAssets()
 {
-  QVector<ImmichAsset> assets;
   if (!config.enabled)
   {
     Log("Immich config is missing url or apiKey.");
-    return assets;
+    return QVector<ImmichAsset>();
   }
 
+  if (!config.userId.empty() && config.albumIds.empty() && config.personIds.empty())
+    return fetchAssetsByUser();
+
+  if (!config.userId.empty() && (!config.albumIds.empty() || !config.personIds.empty()))
+  {
+    Log("Immich userId is set but album/person filters are also set; ignoring userId for search filters.");
+  }
+
+  return fetchAssetsBySearch();
+}
+
+QVector<ImmichAsset> ImmichClient::fetchAssetsBySearch()
+{
+  QVector<ImmichAsset> assets;
+
   int pageSize = config.pageSize > 0 ? config.pageSize : 200;
   int maxAssets = config.maxAssets;
   bool triedZero = false;
   int page = 1;
 
+  if (ShouldLog())
+  {
+    Log("Immich search: size=", config.size, ", order=", config.order,
+        ", pageSize=", pageSize, ", maxAssets=", maxAssets,
+        ", albumIds=", config.albumIds.size(),
+        ", personIds=", config.personIds.size(),
+        ", allowedExtensions=", config.allowedExtensions.size());
+  }
+
   while (true)
   {
     QJsonObject body;
@@ -121,6 +161,13 @@ QVector<ImmichAsset> ImmichClient::fetchAssets()
         ids.append(QString::fromStdString(id));
       body["albumIds"] = ids;
     }
+    if (config.personIds.size() > 0)
+    {
+      QJsonArray ids;
+      for (const auto &id : config.personIds)
+        ids.append(QString::fromStdString(id));
+      body["personIds"] = ids;
+    }
 
     QByteArray response = postJson(apiUrl("/search/metadata"), body, nullptr, kMetadataTimeoutMs);
     if (response.isEmpty())
@@ -134,6 +181,7 @@ QVector<ImmichAsset> ImmichClient::fetchAssets()
     QJsonObject assetsObj = root["assets"].toObject();
     QJsonArray items = assetsObj["items"].toArray();
     int total = assetsObj["total"].toInt();
+    Log("Immich page ", page, ": ", items.size(), " assets (total ", total, ")");
     if (items.isEmpty())
     {
       if (total > 0 && page == 1 && !triedZero)
@@ -154,6 +202,11 @@ QVector<ImmichAsset> ImmichClient::fetchAssets()
       ImmichAsset asset;
       asset.id = id;
       asset.originalFileName = item["originalFileName"].toString();
+      if (!extensionAllowed(asset.originalFileName))
+      {
+        Log("Immich skip by extension: ", asset.originalFileName.toStdString());
+        continue;
+      }
       assets.append(asset);
       if (maxAssets > 0 && assets.size() >= maxAssets)
         return assets;
@@ -167,6 +220,88 @@ QVector<ImmichAsset> ImmichClient::fetchAssets()
   return assets;
 }
 
+QVector<ImmichAsset> ImmichClient::fetchAssetsByUser()
+{
+  QVector<ImmichAsset> assets;
+
+  int pageSize = config.pageSize > 0 ? config.pageSize : 200;
+  int maxAssets = config.maxAssets;
+  int skip = 0;
+
+  if (ShouldLog())
+  {
+    Log("Immich assets: userId=", config.userId,
+        ", pageSize=", pageSize,
+        ", maxAssets=", maxAssets,
+        ", includeArchived=", config.includeArchived);
+  }
+
+  while (true)
+  {
+    QUrl url = apiUrl("/assets");
+    QUrlQuery query;
+    query.addQueryItem("take", QString::number(pageSize));
+    query.addQueryItem("skip", QString::number(skip));
+    query.addQueryItem("userId", QString::fromStdString(config.userId));
+    if (!config.includeArchived)
+      query.addQueryItem("isArchived", "false");
+    url.setQuery(query);
+
+    QByteArray response = getBytes(url, nullptr, kMetadataTimeoutMs);
+    if (response.isEmpty())
+      break;
+
+    QJsonDocument doc = QJsonDocument::fromJson(response);
+    if (!doc.isArray())
+      break;
+
+    QJsonArray items = doc.array();
+    Log("Immich user assets skip ", skip, ": ", items.size(), " assets");
+    if (items.isEmpty())
+      break;
+
+    for (const auto &value : items)
+    {
+      QJsonObject item = value.toObject();
+      QString id = item["id"].toString();
+      if (id.isEmpty())
+        continue;
+      ImmichAsset asset;
+      asset.id = id;
+      asset.originalFileName = item["originalFileName"].toString();
+      if (!extensionAllowed(asset.originalFileName))
+      {
+        Log("Immich skip by extension: ", asset.originalFileName.toStdString());
+        continue;
+      }
+      assets.append(asset);
+      if (maxAssets > 0 && assets.size() >= maxAssets)
+        return assets;
+    }
+
+    if (items.size() < pageSize)
+      break;
+    skip += pageSize;
+  }
+
+  return assets;
+}
+
+bool ImmichClient::extensionAllowed(const QString &filename) const
+{
+  if (config.allowedExtensions.empty())
+    return true;
+  QString ext = QFileInfo(filename).suffix().toLower();
+  if (ext.isEmpty())
+    return false;
+  for (const auto &allowed : config.allowedExtensions)
+  {
+    if (ext == QString::fromStdString(allowed))
+      return true;
+  }
+  return false;
+}
+
 bool ImmichClient::downloadAsset(const QString &assetId, QByteArray &data, QString &contentType)
 {
   if (!config.enabled)
@@ -194,6 +329,7 @@ bool ImmichClient::downloadAsset(const QString &assetId, QByteArray &data, QStri
     url.setQuery(query);
   }
 
+  Log("Immich download asset ", assetId.toStdString(), " (", size.toStdString(), ")");
   QByteArray payload = getBytes(url, &contentType, kAssetTimeoutMs);
   if (payload.isEmpty())
     return false;
@@ -236,6 +372,11 @@ QString ImmichAssetCache::findExisting(const QString &assetId) const
   QStringList matches = dir.entryList(QStringList() << (assetId + "_*"), QDir::Files, QDir::Time);
   if (matches.isEmpty())
     return "";
+  for (const auto &match : matches)
+  {
+    if (match.endsWith(".skip"))
+      return dir.filePath(match);
+  }
   return dir.filePath(matches.first());
 }
 
@@ -297,15 +438,68 @@ QString ImmichAssetCache::getCachedPath(const QString &assetId, const QString &a
 
   QString existing = findExisting(assetId);
   if (!existing.isEmpty())
+  {
+    if (existing.endsWith(".skip"))
+    {
+      Log("Immich skip marker: ", assetId.toStdString());
+      return "";
+    }
+    QFileInfo info(existing);
+    if (info.size() <= 0)
+    {
+      QFile::remove(existing);
+    }
+    else if (existing.endsWith(".img"))
+    {
+      QImageReader reader(existing);
+      if (!reader.canRead())
+      {
+        Log("Immich cache invalid: ", existing.toStdString());
+        QFile::remove(existing);
+      }
+      else
+      {
+        Log("Immich cache hit: ", assetId.toStdString());
         return existing;
+      }
+    }
+    else
+    {
+      Log("Immich cache hit: ", assetId.toStdString());
+      return existing;
+    }
+  }
 
   QByteArray data;
   QString contentType;
   if (!client.downloadAsset(assetId, data, contentType))
     return "";
 
+  QString detectedExt = DetectImageExtension(data);
+  if (detectedExt.isEmpty())
+  {
+    Log("Immich download not an image for asset: ", assetId.toStdString());
+    QString skipName = assetId + "_unsupported.skip";
+    QDir dir(cacheDirPath);
+    QFile skipFile(dir.filePath(skipName));
+    if (skipFile.open(QIODevice::WriteOnly))
+    {
+      skipFile.write("unsupported");
+      skipFile.close();
+    }
+    return "";
+  }
+
   QString safeName = sanitizeFileName(assetName);
-  QString extension = extensionForContentType(contentType);
+  QString extension = detectedExt;
+  if (extension.isEmpty())
+    extension = extensionForContentType(contentType);
+  if (extension == "img")
+  {
+    QString suffix = QFileInfo(assetName).suffix().toLower();
+    if (!suffix.isEmpty())
+      extension = suffix;
+  }
   QString filename = assetId + "_" + safeName + "." + extension;
 
   QDir dir(cacheDirPath);
@@ -318,6 +512,8 @@ QString ImmichAssetCache::getCachedPath(const QString &assetId, const QString &a
   if (!file.commit())
     return "";
 
+  Log("Immich cached asset: ", assetId.toStdString(), " -> ", filePath.toStdString());
+
   if (cacheMaxBytes > 0)
   {
     if (!cacheSizeKnown)

src/immichclient.h

@@ -23,6 +23,9 @@ class ImmichClient {
     bool downloadAsset(const QString &assetId, QByteArray &data, QString &contentType);
 
   private:
+    QVector<ImmichAsset> fetchAssetsBySearch();
+    QVector<ImmichAsset> fetchAssetsByUser();
+    bool extensionAllowed(const QString &filename) const;
     QUrl apiUrl(const QString &path) const;
     QNetworkRequest makeRequest(const QUrl &url) const;
     QByteArray postJson(const QUrl &url, const QJsonObject &body, QString *contentType, int timeoutMs);

src/main.cpp

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #include "imageswitcher.h"
 #include "pathtraverser.h"
 #include "immichpathtraverser.h"
+#include "mqttcontroller.h"
 #include "overlay.h"
 #include "appconfig.h"
 #include "logger.h"
@@ -18,6 +19,9 @@
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include <stdio.h>
 #include <memory>
+#include <QJsonDocument>
+#include <QJsonObject>
+#include <QJsonArray>
 
 void usage(std::string programName) {
     std::cerr << "Usage: " << programName << " [-t rotation_seconds] [-T transition_seconds] [-h/--overlay-color #rrggbb] [-a aspect('l','p','a', 'm')] [-o background_opacity(0..255)] [-b blur_radius] -p image_folder [-r] [-s] [-S] [-v] [--verbose] [--stretch] [-c config_file_path]" << std::endl;
@@ -242,6 +246,292 @@ void ReloadConfigIfNeeded(AppConfig &appConfig, MainWindow &w, ImageSwitcher *sw
   }
 }
 
+static bool ParseBooleanString(const QString &value, bool &outValue)
+{
+  QString v = value.trimmed().toLower();
+  if (v == "true" || v == "1" || v == "yes" || v == "on")
+  {
+    outValue = true;
+    return true;
+  }
+  if (v == "false" || v == "0" || v == "no" || v == "off")
+  {
+    outValue = false;
+    return true;
+  }
+  return false;
+}
+
+static std::vector<std::string> SplitCsv(const QString &value)
+{
+  std::vector<std::string> output;
+  QStringList parts = value.split(',', Qt::SkipEmptyParts);
+  for (const auto &part : parts)
+  {
+    QString trimmed = part.trimmed();
+    if (!trimmed.isEmpty())
+      output.push_back(trimmed.toStdString());
+  }
+  return output;
+}
+
+static bool ApplyImmichPayload(ImmichConfig &config, const QString &payload)
+{
+  bool changed = false;
+  QString trimmed = payload.trimmed();
+  if (trimmed.isEmpty())
+    return false;
+
+  if (trimmed.startsWith("{"))
+  {
+    QJsonDocument doc = QJsonDocument::fromJson(trimmed.toUtf8());
+    if (!doc.isObject())
+      return false;
+    QJsonObject obj = doc.object();
+
+    if (obj.contains("albumId") && obj["albumId"].isString())
+    {
+      config.albumIds = { obj["albumId"].toString().toStdString() };
+      config.userId.clear();
+      config.allowedExtensions.clear();
+      changed = true;
+    }
+    if (obj.contains("albumIds") && obj["albumIds"].isArray())
+    {
+      config.albumIds.clear();
+      QJsonArray arr = obj["albumIds"].toArray();
+      for (const auto &value : arr)
+      {
+        if (value.isString())
+          config.albumIds.push_back(value.toString().toStdString());
+      }
+      config.userId.clear();
+      config.allowedExtensions.clear();
+      changed = true;
+    }
+    if (obj.contains("personId") && obj["personId"].isString())
+    {
+      config.personIds = { obj["personId"].toString().toStdString() };
+      config.userId.clear();
+      config.allowedExtensions.clear();
+      changed = true;
+    }
+    if (obj.contains("personIds") && obj["personIds"].isArray())
+    {
+      config.personIds.clear();
+      QJsonArray arr = obj["personIds"].toArray();
+      for (const auto &value : arr)
+      {
+        if (value.isString())
+          config.personIds.push_back(value.toString().toStdString());
+      }
+      config.userId.clear();
+      config.allowedExtensions.clear();
+      changed = true;
+    }
+    if (obj.contains("userId") && obj["userId"].isString())
+    {
+      config.userId = obj["userId"].toString().toStdString();
+      config.albumIds.clear();
+      config.personIds.clear();
+      config.allowedExtensions.clear();
+      changed = true;
+    }
+    if (obj.contains("ownerId") && obj["ownerId"].isString())
+    {
+      config.userId = obj["ownerId"].toString().toStdString();
+      config.albumIds.clear();
+      config.personIds.clear();
+      config.allowedExtensions.clear();
+      changed = true;
+    }
+    if (obj.contains("order") && obj["order"].isString())
+    {
+      config.order = obj["order"].toString().toStdString();
+      changed = true;
+    }
+    if (obj.contains("size") && obj["size"].isString())
+    {
+      config.size = obj["size"].toString().toStdString();
+      changed = true;
+    }
+    if (obj.contains("pageSize") && obj["pageSize"].isDouble())
+    {
+      config.pageSize = (int)obj["pageSize"].toDouble();
+      changed = true;
+    }
+    if (obj.contains("maxAssets") && obj["maxAssets"].isDouble())
+    {
+      config.maxAssets = (int)obj["maxAssets"].toDouble();
+      changed = true;
+    }
+    if (obj.contains("includeArchived"))
+    {
+      if (obj["includeArchived"].isBool())
+      {
+        config.includeArchived = obj["includeArchived"].toBool();
+        changed = true;
+      }
+      else if (obj["includeArchived"].isString())
+      {
+        bool parsed = false;
+        bool boolValue = false;
+        parsed = ParseBooleanString(obj["includeArchived"].toString(), boolValue);
+        if (parsed)
+        {
+          config.includeArchived = boolValue;
+          changed = true;
+        }
+      }
+    }
+    if (obj.contains("reset") && obj["reset"].isBool() && obj["reset"].toBool())
+    {
+      config.albumIds.clear();
+      config.personIds.clear();
+      config.userId.clear();
+      config.allowedExtensions.clear();
+      changed = true;
+    }
+    if (obj.contains("extensions") && obj["extensions"].isArray())
+    {
+      config.allowedExtensions.clear();
+      QJsonArray arr = obj["extensions"].toArray();
+      for (const auto &value : arr)
+      {
+        if (value.isString())
+          config.allowedExtensions.push_back(value.toString().toLower().toStdString());
+      }
+      changed = true;
+    }
+    if (obj.contains("allowedExtensions") && obj["allowedExtensions"].isArray())
+    {
+      config.allowedExtensions.clear();
+      QJsonArray arr = obj["allowedExtensions"].toArray();
+      for (const auto &value : arr)
+      {
+        if (value.isString())
+          config.allowedExtensions.push_back(value.toString().toLower().toStdString());
+      }
+      changed = true;
+    }
+    return changed;
+  }
+
+  QString key;
+  QString value;
+  int idx = trimmed.indexOf('=');
+  if (idx < 0)
+    idx = trimmed.indexOf(':');
+  if (idx < 0)
+    idx = trimmed.indexOf(' ');
+
+  if (idx >= 0)
+  {
+    key = trimmed.left(idx).trimmed().toLower();
+    value = trimmed.mid(idx + 1).trimmed();
+  }
+  else
+  {
+    key = trimmed.toLower();
+  }
+
+  if (key == "reset" || key == "clear" || key == "all")
+  {
+    config.albumIds.clear();
+    config.personIds.clear();
+    config.userId.clear();
+    config.allowedExtensions.clear();
+    return true;
+  }
+  if (key == "album" || key == "albumid")
+  {
+    config.albumIds = { value.toStdString() };
+    config.userId.clear();
+    config.allowedExtensions.clear();
+    return true;
+  }
+  if (key == "albums" || key == "albumids")
+  {
+    config.albumIds = SplitCsv(value);
+    config.userId.clear();
+    config.allowedExtensions.clear();
+    return true;
+  }
+  if (key == "person" || key == "personid")
+  {
+    config.personIds = { value.toStdString() };
+    config.userId.clear();
+    config.allowedExtensions.clear();
+    return true;
+  }
+  if (key == "persons" || key == "personids")
+  {
+    config.personIds = SplitCsv(value);
+    config.userId.clear();
+    config.allowedExtensions.clear();
+    return true;
+  }
+  if (key == "user" || key == "userid" || key == "ownerid")
+  {
+    config.userId = value.toStdString();
+    config.albumIds.clear();
+    config.personIds.clear();
+    config.allowedExtensions.clear();
+    return true;
+  }
+  if (key == "extensions" || key == "allowedextensions")
+  {
+    config.allowedExtensions = SplitCsv(value);
+    for (auto &ext : config.allowedExtensions)
+    {
+      for (auto &c : ext)
+        c = static_cast<char>(::tolower(c));
+    }
+    return true;
+  }
+  if (key == "order")
+  {
+    config.order = value.toStdString();
+    return true;
+  }
+  if (key == "size")
+  {
+    config.size = value.toStdString();
+    return true;
+  }
+  if (key == "includearchived")
+  {
+    bool boolValue = false;
+    if (ParseBooleanString(value, boolValue))
+    {
+      config.includeArchived = boolValue;
+      return true;
+    }
+  }
+  if (key == "pagesize")
+  {
+    bool ok = false;
+    int parsed = value.toInt(&ok);
+    if (ok)
+    {
+      config.pageSize = parsed;
+      return true;
+    }
+  }
+  if (key == "maxassets")
+  {
+    bool ok = false;
+    int parsed = value.toInt(&ok);
+    if (ok)
+    {
+      config.maxAssets = parsed;
+      return true;
+    }
+  }
+
+  return false;
+}
+
 int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 {
   QApplication a(argc, argv);
@@ -275,6 +565,50 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
   w.setImageSwitcher(&switcher);
   std::function<void(MainWindow &w, ImageSwitcher *switcher)> reloader = [&appConfig](MainWindow &w, ImageSwitcher *switcher) { ReloadConfigIfNeeded(appConfig, w, switcher); };
   switcher.setConfigFileReloader(reloader);
+
+  std::unique_ptr<MqttController> mqttController;
+  if (appConfig.mqtt.enabled)
+  {
+    mqttController = std::unique_ptr<MqttController>(new MqttController(appConfig.mqtt, &a));
+    QObject::connect(mqttController.get(), &MqttController::play, [&switcher]() { switcher.resume(); });
+    QObject::connect(mqttController.get(), &MqttController::pause, [&switcher]() { switcher.pause(); });
+    QObject::connect(mqttController.get(), &MqttController::nextImage, [&switcher]() { switcher.stepOnce(); });
+    QObject::connect(mqttController.get(), &MqttController::nextFolder, [&switcher]() {
+      if (!switcher.skipToNextFolder())
+        switcher.stepOnce();
+    });
+    QObject::connect(mqttController.get(), &MqttController::restart, [&appConfig, &switcher]() {
+      std::unique_ptr<ImageSelector> newSelector = GetSelectorForApp(appConfig);
+      switcher.restart(newSelector);
+    });
+    QObject::connect(mqttController.get(), &MqttController::immichControl, [&appConfig, &switcher](const QString &payload) {
+      bool updated = false;
+      for (int i = 0; i < appConfig.paths.count(); ++i)
+      {
+        if (!appConfig.paths[i].immich.enabled)
+          continue;
+        ImmichConfig newConfig = appConfig.paths[i].immich;
+        if (ApplyImmichPayload(newConfig, payload))
+        {
+          appConfig.paths[i].immich = newConfig;
+          updated = true;
+        }
+      }
+      if (updated)
+      {
+        Log("MQTT immich update applied.");
+        std::unique_ptr<ImageSelector> newSelector = GetSelectorForApp(appConfig);
+        switcher.setImageSelector(newSelector);
+        if (!switcher.isPaused())
+          switcher.scheduleImageUpdate();
+      }
+      else
+      {
+        Log("MQTT immich update ignored: ", payload.toStdString());
+      }
+    });
+    mqttController->start();
+  }
   switcher.start();
   return a.exec();
 }

src/mainwindow.cpp

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 #include <QGraphicsPixmapItem>
 #include <QApplication>
 #include <QScreen>
+#include <QTransform>
 
 MainWindow::MainWindow(QWidget *parent) :
     QMainWindow(parent),
@@ -170,16 +171,26 @@ void MainWindow::updateImage()
       return;
 
     QLabel *label = this->findChild<QLabel*>("image");
-    const QPixmap* oldImage = label->pixmap();
+    QPixmap oldImage = label->pixmap(Qt::ReturnByValue);
-    if (oldImage != NULL && transitionSeconds > 0)
+    if (!oldImage.isNull() && transitionSeconds > 0)
     {
       QPalette palette;
-      palette.setBrush(QPalette::Background, *oldImage);
+      palette.setBrush(QPalette::Window, oldImage);
       this->setPalette(palette);
     }
 
     QPixmap p;
     p.load( currentImage.filename.c_str() );
+    if (p.isNull())
+    {
+      Log("Error: failed to load image: ", currentImage.filename);
+      warn("Failed to load image.");
+      if (switcher != nullptr)
+      {
+        switcher->scheduleImageUpdate();
+      }
+      return;
+    }
 
     Log("size:", p.width(), "x", p.height(), "(window:", width(), ",", height(), ")");
 
@@ -213,7 +224,7 @@ void MainWindow::updateImage()
 
     label->setPixmap(background);
 
-    if (oldImage != NULL && transitionSeconds > 0)
+    if (!oldImage.isNull() && transitionSeconds > 0)
     {
       auto effect = new QGraphicsOpacityEffect(label);
       effect->setOpacity(0.0);
@@ -273,9 +284,9 @@ QPixmap MainWindow::getBlurredBackground(const QPixmap& originalSize, const QPix
 
 QPixmap MainWindow::getRotatedPixmap(const QPixmap& p)
 {
-    QMatrix matrix;
+    QTransform transform;
-    matrix.rotate(currentImage.rotation);
+    transform.rotate(currentImage.rotation);
-    return p.transformed(matrix);
+    return p.transformed(transform);
 }
 
 QPixmap MainWindow::getScaledPixmap(const QPixmap& p)
@@ -325,12 +336,12 @@ void MainWindow::drawBackground(const QPixmap& originalSize, const QPixmap& scal
         QPixmap background = blur(originalSize.scaledToHeight(height()));
         QRect rect((background.width() - width())/2, 0, width(), height());
         background = background.copy(rect);
-        palette.setBrush(QPalette::Background, background);
+        palette.setBrush(QPalette::Window, background);
     } else {
         QPixmap background = blur(originalSize.scaledToHeight(height()));
         QRect rect((background.width() - width())/2, 0, width(), height());
         background = background.copy(rect);
-        palette.setBrush(QPalette::Background, background);
+        palette.setBrush(QPalette::Window, background);
     }
     this->setPalette(palette);
 }

src/mqttcontroller.cpp

@@ -0,0 +1,177 @@
+#include "mqttcontroller.h"
+#include "logger.h"
+
+#include <QMetaObject>
+
+#include <mosquitto.h>
+
+namespace {
+bool g_mqttInitialized = false;
+}
+
+MqttController::MqttController(const MqttConfig &configIn, QObject *parent)
+  : QObject(parent),
+    config(configIn)
+{
+  if (!g_mqttInitialized)
+  {
+    mosquitto_lib_init();
+    g_mqttInitialized = true;
+  }
+  controlTopic = QString::fromStdString(config.topic);
+  immichTopic = QString::fromStdString(config.immichTopic);
+}
+
+MqttController::~MqttController()
+{
+  if (client)
+  {
+    mosquitto_disconnect(client);
+    mosquitto_loop_stop(client, true);
+    mosquitto_destroy(client);
+    client = nullptr;
+  }
+}
+
+void MqttController::start()
+{
+  if (!config.enabled)
+  {
+    Log("MQTT disabled or missing host/topic.");
+    return;
+  }
+
+  QString clientId = QString::fromStdString(config.clientId);
+  if (clientId.isEmpty())
+    clientId = "slide";
+
+  client = mosquitto_new(clientId.toUtf8().constData(), true, this);
+  if (!client)
+  {
+    Log("MQTT: failed to create client.");
+    return;
+  }
+
+  mosquitto_connect_callback_set(client, &MqttController::HandleConnect);
+  mosquitto_message_callback_set(client, &MqttController::HandleMessage);
+
+  if (!config.username.empty())
+  {
+    mosquitto_username_pw_set(client, config.username.c_str(),
+                              config.password.empty() ? nullptr : config.password.c_str());
+  }
+
+  mosquitto_reconnect_delay_set(client, 2, 30, true);
+
+  int rc = mosquitto_connect_async(client, config.host.c_str(), config.port, config.keepAlive);
+  if (rc != MOSQ_ERR_SUCCESS)
+  {
+    Log("MQTT connect failed: ", mosquitto_strerror(rc));
+    return;
+  }
+
+  rc = mosquitto_loop_start(client);
+  if (rc != MOSQ_ERR_SUCCESS)
+  {
+    Log("MQTT loop start failed: ", mosquitto_strerror(rc));
+    return;
+  }
+}
+
+void MqttController::HandleConnect(struct mosquitto *mosq, void *userdata, int rc)
+{
+  auto *self = static_cast<MqttController *>(userdata);
+  if (!self || !mosq)
+    return;
+  if (rc != 0)
+  {
+    Log("MQTT connect error: ", mosquitto_strerror(rc));
+    return;
+  }
+  self->connected = true;
+  self->subscribe();
+}
+
+void MqttController::subscribe()
+{
+  if (!client || !connected)
+    return;
+  int rc = mosquitto_subscribe(client, nullptr, config.topic.c_str(), config.qos);
+  if (rc != MOSQ_ERR_SUCCESS)
+  {
+    Log("MQTT subscribe failed: ", mosquitto_strerror(rc));
+  }
+  else
+  {
+    Log("MQTT subscribed to ", config.topic);
+  }
+  if (!config.immichTopic.empty() && config.immichTopic != config.topic)
+  {
+    rc = mosquitto_subscribe(client, nullptr, config.immichTopic.c_str(), config.qos);
+    if (rc != MOSQ_ERR_SUCCESS)
+    {
+      Log("MQTT subscribe (immich) failed: ", mosquitto_strerror(rc));
+    }
+    else
+    {
+      Log("MQTT subscribed to ", config.immichTopic);
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+void MqttController::HandleMessage(struct mosquitto *mosq, void *userdata, const struct mosquitto_message *message)
+{
+  Q_UNUSED(mosq);
+  auto *self = static_cast<MqttController *>(userdata);
+  if (!self || !message || !message->payload)
+    return;
+
+  QString payload = QString::fromUtf8(static_cast<const char *>(message->payload), message->payloadlen);
+  QString topic = QString::fromUtf8(message->topic);
+  QMetaObject::invokeMethod(self, "handleMessage", Qt::QueuedConnection,
+                            Q_ARG(QString, topic),
+                            Q_ARG(QString, payload));
+}
+
+void MqttController::handleMessage(const QString &topic, const QString &payload)
+{
+  QString cmd = payload.trimmed().toLower();
+  if (cmd.isEmpty())
+    return;
+
+  Log("MQTT message on ", topic.toStdString(), ": ", cmd.toStdString());
+
+  if (!immichTopic.isEmpty() && topic == immichTopic)
+  {
+    emit immichControl(payload);
+    return;
+  }
+
+  if (cmd == "play" || cmd == "resume")
+  {
+    emit play();
+    return;
+  }
+  if (cmd == "pause")
+  {
+    emit pause();
+    return;
+  }
+  if (cmd == "next" || cmd == "skip" || cmd == "next-image")
+  {
+    emit nextImage();
+    return;
+  }
+  if (cmd == "next-folder" || cmd == "folder-next" || cmd == "skip-folder")
+  {
+    emit nextFolder();
+    return;
+  }
+  if (cmd == "restart" || cmd == "reset")
+  {
+    emit restart();
+    return;
+  }
+
+  Log("MQTT unknown command: ", cmd.toStdString());
+}

src/mqttcontroller.h

@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+#ifndef MQTTCONTROLLER_H
+#define MQTTCONTROLLER_H
+
+#include <QObject>
+#include <QString>
+
+#include "appconfig.h"
+
+struct mosquitto;
+struct mosquitto_message;
+
+class MqttController : public QObject
+{
+  Q_OBJECT
+public:
+  explicit MqttController(const MqttConfig &config, QObject *parent = nullptr);
+  ~MqttController();
+
+  void start();
+
+signals:
+  void play();
+  void pause();
+  void nextImage();
+  void nextFolder();
+  void restart();
+  void immichControl(const QString &payload);
+
+private slots:
+  void handleMessage(const QString &topic, const QString &payload);
+
+private:
+  static void HandleConnect(struct mosquitto *mosq, void *userdata, int rc);
+  static void HandleMessage(struct mosquitto *mosq, void *userdata, const struct mosquitto_message *message);
+
+  void subscribe();
+
+  MqttConfig config;
+  QString controlTopic;
+  QString immichTopic;
+  struct mosquitto *client = nullptr;
+  bool connected = false;
+};
+
+#endif // MQTTCONTROLLER_H

src/slide.pro

@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ SOURCES += \
         pathtraverser.cpp \
         immichpathtraverser.cpp \
         immichclient.cpp \
+        mqttcontroller.cpp \
         overlay.cpp \
         imageselector.cpp \
         appconfig.cpp \
@@ -49,6 +50,7 @@ HEADERS += \
         pathtraverser.h \
         immichpathtraverser.h \
         immichclient.h \
+        mqttcontroller.h \
         overlay.h \
         imageswitcher.h \
         imagestructs.h \
@@ -62,3 +64,4 @@ target.path = /usr/local/bin/
 INSTALLS += target
 
 unix|win32: LIBS += -lexif
+unix|win32: LIBS += -lmosquitto