fix sidecar handling

immich improvements
improve handling of images from immich albums
2026-02-02 09:55:28 +11:00 · 2026-02-02 09:23:38 +11:00 · 2026-02-02 09:02:06 +11:00 · 2026-02-02 08:51:58 +11:00 · 2026-02-02 08:48:20 +11:00 · 2026-02-01 21:24:24 +11:00
19 changed files with 1249 additions and 63 deletions
--- a/.drone.yml
+++ b/.drone.yml
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ steps:
  - ls -la dist

 - name: build-deb-armhf
-  image: cache.coadcorp.com/library/buildpack-deps:jammy
+  image: cache.coadcorp.com/library/buildpack-deps:bullseye
  environment:
    DEBIAN_FRONTEND: noninteractive
    ARM_CFLAGS: -march=armv6 -mfpu=vfp -mfloat-abi=hard -marm
@@ -22,14 +22,12 @@ steps:
  - dpkg --add-architecture armhf
  - |
    cat > /etc/apt/sources.list <<'EOF'
-    deb [arch=amd64] http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy main restricted universe multiverse
-    deb [arch=amd64] http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-updates main restricted universe multiverse
-    deb [arch=amd64] http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-backports main restricted universe multiverse
-    deb [arch=amd64] http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-security main restricted universe multiverse
-    deb [arch=armhf] http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports jammy main restricted universe multiverse
-    deb [arch=armhf] http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports jammy-updates main restricted universe multiverse
-    deb [arch=armhf] http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports jammy-backports main restricted universe multiverse
-    deb [arch=armhf] http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports jammy-security main restricted universe multiverse
+    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
@@ -37,7 +35,7 @@ steps:
  - ls -la dist

 - name: build-deb-arm64
-  image: cache.coadcorp.com/library/buildpack-deps:jammy
+  image: cache.coadcorp.com/library/buildpack-deps:bullseye
  environment:
    DEBIAN_FRONTEND: noninteractive
    ARM64_CFLAGS: -march=armv8-a
@@ -45,14 +43,12 @@ steps:
  - dpkg --add-architecture arm64
  - |
    cat > /etc/apt/sources.list <<'EOF'
-    deb [arch=amd64] http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy main restricted universe multiverse
-    deb [arch=amd64] http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-updates main restricted universe multiverse
-    deb [arch=amd64] http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-backports main restricted universe multiverse
-    deb [arch=amd64] http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-security main restricted universe multiverse
-    deb [arch=arm64] http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports jammy main restricted universe multiverse
-    deb [arch=arm64] http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports jammy-updates main restricted universe multiverse
-    deb [arch=arm64] http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports jammy-backports main restricted universe multiverse
-    deb [arch=arm64] http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports jammy-security main restricted universe multiverse
+    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
--- a/INSTALL.md
+++ b/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
 ```
--- a/README.md
+++ b/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
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ slide [-t rotation_seconds] [-T transition_seconds] [-h/--overlay-color overlay_
 * `aspect(default=a)`: the required aspect ratio of the picture to display. Valid values are 'a' (all), 'l' (landscape) and 'p' (portrait)
 * `background_opacity(default=150)`: opacity of the background filling image between 0 (black background) and 255
 * `blur_radius(default=20)`: blur radius of the background filling image
-* `-v` or `--verbose`: Verbose debug output when running, plus a thumbnail of the original image in the bottom left of the screen
+* `-v` or `--verbose`: Verbose debug output when running
 * `--stretch`: When in aspect mode 'l','p' or 'm' crop the image rather than leaving a blurred background. For example, in landscape mode this will make images as wide as the screen and crop the top and bottom to fit.
 * `-h` or `--overlay-color` the color of the overlay text, in the form of 3 or 6 digits hex rgb string prefixed by `#`, for example `#00FF00` or `#0F0` for color 🟢
 * `-O` is used to create a overlay string.
@@ -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:
 ```
 {
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ The file format is:
   "rotationSeconds" : 300,
   "opacity" : 200,
   "debug" : false,
+   "debugThumbnail" : false,
   "scheduler" : [
      {
         "exclusive" : true,
@@ -117,6 +118,7 @@ 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
+* `debugThumbnail` : set to true to draw a small thumbnail of the source image in the bottom left
 * `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.
@@ -136,6 +138,7 @@ Example:
    "host": "mqtt.local",
    "port": 1883,
    "topic": "slide/control",
+    "immichTopic": "slide/immich",
    "clientId": "slide-frame",
    "username": "slide",
    "password": "secret",
@@ -151,10 +154,44 @@ Commands:
 * `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 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.
+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/HEIC images, set `size` to `preview`/`thumbnail` or use `extensions` to limit results to JPEG/PNG; `slide` will also fall back to `preview` if a `fullsize` download isn't readable. Immich metadata (EXIF original time / created time) is stored alongside cached assets so `<exifdatetime>` continues to work even if the cached image doesn't contain EXIF data.
+
+#### 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).
+
+#### Finding an Immich user ID
+
+You can use a user ID to show all assets owned by that user.
+
+Common ways to find it:
+* **Admin UI**: In Immich, open the Admin/Users page, click the user, and copy the UUID shown in the user details or URL.
+* **API (non-admin)**: Call the `users/me` endpoint with the API key and read the `id` field:
+```
+curl -H "x-api-key: IMMICH_API_KEY" http://immich.local:2283/api/users/me
+```

 Example (single source):
 ```
@@ -167,6 +204,8 @@ Example (single source):
    "order": "desc",
    "pageSize": 200,
    "maxAssets": 1000,
+    "refreshSeconds": 300,
+    "skipRetrySeconds": 3600,
    "cachePath": "~/.cache/slide/immich",
    "cacheMaxMB": 512,
    "includeArchived": false
@@ -194,14 +233,21 @@ 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 (see “Finding an Immich user ID” above).
 * `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).
+* `refreshSeconds`: refresh interval for reloading Immich assets (0 disables).
+* `skipRetrySeconds`: retry interval for assets marked unsupported (0 disables retry).
 * `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
@@ -235,6 +281,10 @@ See the `Configuration File` section for details of each setting.
 * libexif
 * libmosquitto-dev

+## Home Assistant
+
+See `doc/homeassistant.md` for a ready-to-use MQTT dashboard and scripts.
+
 Ubuntu/Raspbian:

 ```
--- a/doc/homeassistant.md
+++ b/doc/homeassistant.md
@@ -0,0 +1,273 @@
+# Home Assistant MQTT Dashboard for slide
+
+This guide adds a Home Assistant dashboard to control `slide` via MQTT (play/pause/next, plus Immich filters).
+
+Default MQTT topics used by `slide`:
+
+- Control: `slide/control`
+- Immich control: `slide/immich`
+
+If you changed topics in your `slide` config, update the YAML below to match.
+
+---
+
+## 1) Helpers
+
+Add these helpers in `configuration.yaml` (or your helpers include file):
+
+```yaml
+input_text:
+  slide_album_id:
+    name: Slide Album ID
+  slide_person_id:
+    name: Slide Person ID
+  slide_user_id:
+    name: Slide User ID
+  slide_extensions:
+    name: Slide Extensions (csv)
+    initial: "jpg,jpeg,png"
+  slide_refresh_seconds:
+    name: Slide Refresh Seconds
+    initial: "300"
+
+input_select:
+  slide_size:
+    name: Slide Size
+    options:
+      - fullsize
+      - preview
+      - thumbnail
+      - original
+    initial: fullsize
+  slide_order:
+    name: Slide Order
+    options:
+      - desc
+      - asc
+    initial: desc
+```
+
+---
+
+## 2) Scripts
+
+Add these scripts in `scripts.yaml`:
+
+```yaml
+slide_mqtt_play:
+  alias: Slide Play
+  sequence:
+    - service: mqtt.publish
+      data:
+        topic: slide/control
+        payload: "play"
+
+slide_mqtt_pause:
+  alias: Slide Pause
+  sequence:
+    - service: mqtt.publish
+      data:
+        topic: slide/control
+        payload: "pause"
+
+slide_mqtt_next:
+  alias: Slide Next Image
+  sequence:
+    - service: mqtt.publish
+      data:
+        topic: slide/control
+        payload: "next"
+
+slide_mqtt_next_folder:
+  alias: Slide Next Folder
+  sequence:
+    - service: mqtt.publish
+      data:
+        topic: slide/control
+        payload: "next-folder"
+
+slide_mqtt_restart:
+  alias: Slide Restart
+  sequence:
+    - service: mqtt.publish
+      data:
+        topic: slide/control
+        payload: "restart"
+
+slide_mqtt_reset_filters:
+  alias: Slide Reset Filters
+  sequence:
+    - service: mqtt.publish
+      data:
+        topic: slide/immich
+        payload: "reset"
+
+slide_mqtt_set_album:
+  alias: Slide Set Album
+  sequence:
+    - service: mqtt.publish
+      data:
+        topic: slide/immich
+        payload: "album:{{ states('input_text.slide_album_id') }}"
+
+slide_mqtt_set_person:
+  alias: Slide Set Person
+  sequence:
+    - service: mqtt.publish
+      data:
+        topic: slide/immich
+        payload: "person:{{ states('input_text.slide_person_id') }}"
+
+slide_mqtt_set_user:
+  alias: Slide Set User
+  sequence:
+    - service: mqtt.publish
+      data:
+        topic: slide/immich
+        payload: "user:{{ states('input_text.slide_user_id') }}"
+
+slide_mqtt_set_extensions:
+  alias: Slide Set Extensions
+  sequence:
+    - service: mqtt.publish
+      data:
+        topic: slide/immich
+        payload: "extensions:{{ states('input_text.slide_extensions') }}"
+
+slide_mqtt_set_refresh:
+  alias: Slide Set Refresh Seconds
+  sequence:
+    - service: mqtt.publish
+      data:
+        topic: slide/immich
+        payload: "refreshSeconds:{{ states('input_text.slide_refresh_seconds') }}"
+
+slide_mqtt_set_size:
+  alias: Slide Set Size
+  sequence:
+    - service: mqtt.publish
+      data:
+        topic: slide/immich
+        payload: "size:{{ states('input_select.slide_size') }}"
+
+slide_mqtt_set_order:
+  alias: Slide Set Order
+  sequence:
+    - service: mqtt.publish
+      data:
+        topic: slide/immich
+        payload: "order:{{ states('input_select.slide_order') }}"
+```
+
+---
+
+## 3) Lovelace Dashboard
+
+Add this view in `ui-lovelace.yaml` (or a raw YAML dashboard):
+
+```yaml
+title: Slide
+views:
+  - title: Slide Control
+    path: slide
+    icon: mdi:image-frame
+    cards:
+      - type: grid
+        columns: 3
+        cards:
+          - type: button
+            name: Play
+            icon: mdi:play
+            tap_action:
+              action: call-service
+              service: script.slide_mqtt_play
+          - type: button
+            name: Pause
+            icon: mdi:pause
+            tap_action:
+              action: call-service
+              service: script.slide_mqtt_pause
+          - type: button
+            name: Next
+            icon: mdi:skip-next
+            tap_action:
+              action: call-service
+              service: script.slide_mqtt_next
+          - type: button
+            name: Next Folder
+            icon: mdi:folder-arrow-right
+            tap_action:
+              action: call-service
+              service: script.slide_mqtt_next_folder
+          - type: button
+            name: Restart
+            icon: mdi:restart
+            tap_action:
+              action: call-service
+              service: script.slide_mqtt_restart
+          - type: button
+            name: Reset Filters
+            icon: mdi:filter-remove
+            tap_action:
+              action: call-service
+              service: script.slide_mqtt_reset_filters
+
+      - type: entities
+        title: Immich Filters
+        entities:
+          - entity: input_text.slide_album_id
+          - entity: input_text.slide_person_id
+          - entity: input_text.slide_user_id
+          - entity: input_text.slide_extensions
+          - entity: input_text.slide_refresh_seconds
+          - entity: input_select.slide_size
+          - entity: input_select.slide_order
+
+      - type: grid
+        columns: 3
+        cards:
+          - type: button
+            name: Set Album
+            icon: mdi:album
+            tap_action:
+              action: call-service
+              service: script.slide_mqtt_set_album
+          - type: button
+            name: Set Person
+            icon: mdi:account
+            tap_action:
+              action: call-service
+              service: script.slide_mqtt_set_person
+          - type: button
+            name: Set User
+            icon: mdi:account-cog
+            tap_action:
+              action: call-service
+              service: script.slide_mqtt_set_user
+          - type: button
+            name: Set Extensions
+            icon: mdi:file-image
+            tap_action:
+              action: call-service
+              service: script.slide_mqtt_set_extensions
+          - type: button
+            name: Set Refresh
+            icon: mdi:clock-sync
+            tap_action:
+              action: call-service
+              service: script.slide_mqtt_set_refresh
+          - type: button
+            name: Set Size/Order
+            icon: mdi:image-size-select-large
+            tap_action:
+              action: call-service
+              service: script.slide_mqtt_set_size
+```
+
+---
+
+## Notes
+
+- If you changed the MQTT topics in `slide`’s config, update all `topic:` entries to match.
+- `extensions` filters by file extension (e.g., `jpg,jpeg,png`) to avoid RAW/HEIC if your display environment can’t decode them.
+- `refreshSeconds` controls how often `slide` refreshes the Immich asset list.
--- a/src/appconfig.cpp
+++ b/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;
@@ -101,8 +121,26 @@ 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.refreshSeconds, immichJson, "refreshSeconds");
+  SetJSONInt(config.refreshSeconds, immichJson, "refreshIntervalSeconds");
+  SetJSONInt(config.skipRetrySeconds, immichJson, "skipRetrySeconds");
+  SetJSONInt(config.skipRetrySeconds, immichJson, "skipRetryIntervalSeconds");
  SetJSONInt(config.cacheMaxMB, immichJson, "cacheMaxMB");
  SetJSONBool(config.includeArchived, immichJson, "includeArchived");

@@ -123,6 +161,10 @@ MqttConfig ParseMqttConfigObject(QJsonObject mqttJson) {
  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;
@@ -139,6 +181,9 @@ MqttConfig ParseMqttConfigObject(QJsonObject mqttJson) {
  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;

@@ -233,28 +278,36 @@ 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());
-    jsonFile = directory.filePath(baseConfigFilename);    
-  }
-   if(!directory.exists(jsonFile))
+    QFileInfo configInfo(QString::fromStdString(configPath));
+    if (configInfo.exists() && configInfo.isFile())
    {
-    directory.setPath(userConfigFolder.c_str());
-    jsonFile = directory.filePath(baseConfigFilename);    
-  }
-  if(!directory.exists(jsonFile))
-  {
-    directory.setPath(systemConfigFolder.c_str());
-    jsonFile = directory.filePath(baseConfigFilename);
+      return configInfo.absoluteFilePath();
    }

-  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 "";
 }
@@ -353,6 +406,7 @@ AppConfig loadAppConfiguration(const AppConfig &commandLineConfig) {
  SetJSONBool(baseShuffle, jsonDoc, "shuffle");
  SetJSONBool(baseSorted, jsonDoc, "sorted");
  SetJSONBool(loadedConfig.debugMode, jsonDoc, "debug");
+  SetJSONBool(loadedConfig.debugThumbnail, jsonDoc, "debugThumbnail");

  std::string overlayString = ParseJSONString(jsonDoc, "overlay");
  if(!overlayString.empty())
--- a/src/appconfig.h
+++ b/src/appconfig.h
@@ -10,11 +10,16 @@ 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;
  int maxAssets = 1000;
+  int refreshSeconds = 300;
+  int skipRetrySeconds = 3600;
  std::string cachePath = "";
  int cacheMaxMB = 512;
  bool includeArchived = false;
@@ -25,6 +30,8 @@ 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 +47,24 @@ 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;
+    }
+    if (refreshSeconds != b.refreshSeconds)
+      return false;
+    if (skipRetrySeconds != b.skipRetrySeconds)
+      return false;
    return true;
  }

@@ -54,6 +79,7 @@ struct MqttConfig {
  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 = "";
@@ -66,6 +92,7 @@ struct MqttConfig {
           host == b.host &&
           port == b.port &&
           topic == b.topic &&
+           immichTopic == b.immichTopic &&
           clientId == b.clientId &&
           username == b.username &&
           password == b.password &&
@@ -139,6 +166,7 @@ struct AppConfig : public Config {
    MqttConfig mqtt;

    bool debugMode = false;
+    bool debugThumbnail = false;

    static const std::string valid_aspects; 
  public:
--- a/src/imageselector.cpp
+++ b/src/imageselector.cpp
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ const ImageDetails ShuffleImageSelector::getNextImage(const ImageDisplayOptions

 void ShuffleImageSelector::reloadImagesIfNoneLeft()
 {
-  if (images.size() == 0 || current_image_shuffle >= images.size())
+  if (images.size() == 0 || current_image_shuffle >= images.size() || pathTraverser->shouldReloadImages())
  {
    current_image_shuffle = 0;
    images = pathTraverser->getImages();
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ const ImageDetails SortedImageSelector::getNextImage(const ImageDisplayOptions &

 void SortedImageSelector::reloadImagesIfEmpty()
 {
-  if (images.size() == 0)
+  if (images.size() == 0 || pathTraverser->shouldReloadImages())
  {
    images = pathTraverser->getImages();
    std::sort(images.begin(), images.end());
--- a/src/immichclient.cpp
+++ b/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 +14,56 @@
 #include <QSaveFile>
 #include <QTimer>
 #include <QUrlQuery>
+#include <QDateTime>
+#include <QFileInfo>

 namespace {
 const int kMetadataTimeoutMs = 15000;
 const int kAssetTimeoutMs = 30000;
+QString ReadJsonString(const QJsonObject &obj, const char *key)
+{
+  auto value = obj.value(key);
+  if (!value.isString())
+    return "";
+  return value.toString();
+}
+
+QString ExtractAssetDateTime(const QJsonObject &item)
+{
+  QJsonObject exifInfo = item.value("exifInfo").toObject();
+  const char *exifKeys[] = {"dateTimeOriginal", "dateTimeDigitized", "dateTime", "createDate"};
+  for (const auto *key : exifKeys)
+  {
+    QString value = ReadJsonString(exifInfo, key);
+    if (!value.isEmpty())
+      return value;
+  }
+
+  const char *fallbackKeys[] = {"localDateTime", "fileCreatedAt", "createdAt", "fileModifiedAt", "updatedAt"};
+  for (const auto *key : fallbackKeys)
+  {
+    QString value = ReadJsonString(item, key);
+    if (!value.isEmpty())
+      return value;
+  }
+
+  return "";
+}
+
+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 +141,41 @@ 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 +192,13 @@ 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 +212,7 @@ 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 +233,12 @@ QVector<ImmichAsset> ImmichClient::fetchAssets()
      ImmichAsset asset;
      asset.id = id;
      asset.originalFileName = item["originalFileName"].toString();
+      asset.exifDateTime = ExtractAssetDateTime(item);
+      if (!extensionAllowed(asset.originalFileName))
+      {
+        Log("Immich skip by extension: ", asset.originalFileName.toStdString());
+        continue;
+      }
      assets.append(asset);
      if (maxAssets > 0 && assets.size() >= maxAssets)
        return assets;
@@ -167,12 +252,100 @@ 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();
+      asset.exifDateTime = ExtractAssetDateTime(item);
+      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)
+{
+  return downloadAssetWithSize(assetId, QString::fromStdString(config.size), data, contentType);
+}
+
+bool ImmichClient::downloadAssetWithSize(const QString &assetId, const QString &sizeOverride, QByteArray &data, QString &contentType)
 {
  if (!config.enabled)
    return false;

-  QString size = QString::fromStdString(config.size).trimmed().toLower();
+  QString size = sizeOverride.trimmed().toLower();
  if (size.isEmpty())
    size = "fullsize";

@@ -194,6 +367,7 @@ 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;
@@ -208,6 +382,7 @@ ImmichAssetCache::ImmichAssetCache(const ImmichConfig &config)
  cacheDirPath = resolveCachePath(rawPath);
  if (config.cacheMaxMB > 0)
    cacheMaxBytes = static_cast<qint64>(config.cacheMaxMB) * 1024 * 1024;
+  skipRetrySeconds = config.skipRetrySeconds;
 }

 QString ImmichAssetCache::resolveCachePath(const QString &rawPath) const
@@ -236,7 +411,20 @@ QString ImmichAssetCache::findExisting(const QString &assetId) const
  QStringList matches = dir.entryList(QStringList() << (assetId + "_*"), QDir::Files, QDir::Time);
  if (matches.isEmpty())
    return "";
-  return dir.filePath(matches.first());
+  QString skipFile;
+  for (const auto &match : matches)
+  {
+    if (match.endsWith(".skip"))
+    {
+      if (skipFile.isEmpty())
+        skipFile = dir.filePath(match);
+      continue;
+    }
+    if (match.endsWith(".exif"))
+      continue;
+    return dir.filePath(match);
+  }
+  return skipFile;
 }

 QString ImmichAssetCache::sanitizeFileName(const QString &name) const
@@ -297,15 +485,101 @@ QString ImmichAssetCache::getCachedPath(const QString &assetId, const QString &a

  QString existing = findExisting(assetId);
  if (!existing.isEmpty())
+  {
+    if (existing.endsWith(".skip"))
+    {
+      if (skipRetrySeconds > 0)
+      {
+        QFileInfo info(existing);
+        if (info.exists() && info.lastModified().secsTo(QDateTime::currentDateTime()) >= skipRetrySeconds)
+        {
+          Log("Immich skip expired, retrying: ", assetId.toStdString());
+          QFile::remove(existing);
+        }
+        else
+        {
+          Log("Immich skip marker: ", assetId.toStdString());
+          return "";
+        }
+      }
+      else
+      {
+        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());
+    QByteArray fallbackData;
+    QString fallbackType;
+    if (client.downloadAssetWithSize(assetId, "preview", fallbackData, fallbackType))
+    {
+      QString fallbackExt = DetectImageExtension(fallbackData);
+      if (!fallbackExt.isEmpty())
+      {
+        Log("Immich fallback to preview succeeded for asset: ", assetId.toStdString());
+        data = fallbackData;
+        contentType = fallbackType;
+        detectedExt = fallbackExt;
+      }
+    }
+    if (detectedExt.isEmpty())
+    {
+      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 +592,8 @@ 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)
--- a/src/immichclient.h
+++ b/src/immichclient.h
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 struct ImmichAsset {
  QString id;
  QString originalFileName;
+  QString exifDateTime;
 };

 class ImmichClient {
@@ -21,8 +22,12 @@ class ImmichClient {
    explicit ImmichClient(const ImmichConfig &config);
    QVector<ImmichAsset> fetchAssets();
    bool downloadAsset(const QString &assetId, QByteArray &data, QString &contentType);
+    bool downloadAssetWithSize(const QString &assetId, const QString &sizeOverride, 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);
@@ -51,6 +56,7 @@ class ImmichAssetCache {
    qint64 cacheMaxBytes = 0;
    bool cacheSizeKnown = false;
    qint64 cacheSizeBytes = 0;
+    int skipRetrySeconds = 0;
 };

 #endif // IMMICHCLIENT_H
--- a/src/immichpathtraverser.cpp
+++ b/src/immichpathtraverser.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 #include "immichpathtraverser.h"
 #include "logger.h"
+#include <QDateTime>
+#include <QFile>
+#include <QFileInfo>
+#include <QSaveFile>

 ImmichPathTraverser::ImmichPathTraverser(const ImmichConfig &configIn)
  : PathTraverser(""),
@@ -16,6 +20,7 @@ void ImmichPathTraverser::loadAssets()
 {
  assetIds.clear();
  assetNames.clear();
+  assetDateTimes.clear();
  QVector<ImmichAsset> assets = client.fetchAssets();
  for (const auto &asset : assets)
  {
@@ -23,12 +28,20 @@ void ImmichPathTraverser::loadAssets()
      continue;
    assetIds.append(asset.id);
    assetNames.insert(asset.id, asset.originalFileName);
+    if (!asset.exifDateTime.isEmpty())
+      assetDateTimes.insert(asset.id, asset.exifDateTime);
  }
  Log("Immich assets loaded: ", assetIds.size());
+  lastRefresh = QDateTime::currentDateTime();
 }

 QStringList ImmichPathTraverser::getImages() const
 {
+  if (refreshDue())
+  {
+    Log("Immich refresh due, reloading assets.");
+    const_cast<ImmichPathTraverser*>(this)->loadAssets();
+  }
  return assetIds;
 }

@@ -37,6 +50,12 @@ const std::string ImmichPathTraverser::getImagePath(const std::string image) con
  QString assetId = QString::fromStdString(image);
  QString name = assetNames.value(assetId);
  QString path = cache.getCachedPath(assetId, name, client);
+  if (!path.isEmpty())
+  {
+    QString dateTime = assetDateTimes.value(assetId);
+    if (!dateTime.isEmpty())
+      writeExifSidecar(path, dateTime);
+  }
  return path.toStdString();
 }

@@ -45,3 +64,45 @@ ImageDisplayOptions ImmichPathTraverser::UpdateOptionsForImage(const std::string
  Q_UNUSED(filename);
  return options;
 }
+
+bool ImmichPathTraverser::refreshDue() const
+{
+  if (config.refreshSeconds <= 0)
+    return false;
+  if (!lastRefresh.isValid())
+    return true;
+  return lastRefresh.secsTo(QDateTime::currentDateTime()) >= config.refreshSeconds;
+}
+
+bool ImmichPathTraverser::shouldReloadImages() const
+{
+  return refreshDue();
+}
+
+void ImmichPathTraverser::writeExifSidecar(const QString &imagePath, const QString &dateTime) const
+{
+  if (imagePath.isEmpty() || dateTime.isEmpty())
+    return;
+  if (imagePath.endsWith(".exif") || imagePath.endsWith(".skip"))
+    return;
+
+  QString sidecarPath = imagePath + ".exif";
+  QFileInfo info(sidecarPath);
+  if (info.exists())
+  {
+    QFile existing(sidecarPath);
+    if (existing.open(QIODevice::ReadOnly | QIODevice::Text))
+    {
+      QString current = QString::fromUtf8(existing.readAll()).trimmed();
+      existing.close();
+      if (current == dateTime.trimmed())
+        return;
+    }
+  }
+
+  QSaveFile file(sidecarPath);
+  if (!file.open(QIODevice::WriteOnly | QIODevice::Text))
+    return;
+  file.write(dateTime.trimmed().toUtf8());
+  file.commit();
+}
--- a/src/immichpathtraverser.h
+++ b/src/immichpathtraverser.h
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #include "immichclient.h"

 #include <QHash>
+#include <QDateTime>

 class ImmichPathTraverser : public PathTraverser
 {
@@ -14,15 +15,20 @@ class ImmichPathTraverser : public PathTraverser
    QStringList getImages() const override;
    virtual const std::string getImagePath(const std::string image) const override;
    virtual ImageDisplayOptions UpdateOptionsForImage(const std::string& filename, const ImageDisplayOptions& options) const override;
+    bool shouldReloadImages() const override;

  private:
    void loadAssets();
+    void writeExifSidecar(const QString &imagePath, const QString &dateTime) const;
+    bool refreshDue() const;

    ImmichConfig config;
    mutable ImmichClient client;
    mutable ImmichAssetCache cache;
    QStringList assetIds;
    QHash<QString, QString> assetNames;
+    QHash<QString, QString> assetDateTimes;
+    QDateTime lastRefresh;
 };

 #endif // IMMICHPATHTRAVERSER_H
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -19,6 +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;
@@ -153,6 +156,7 @@ void ConfigureWindowFromSettings(MainWindow &w, const AppConfig &appConfig)
    std::unique_ptr<Overlay> o = std::unique_ptr<Overlay>(new Overlay(appConfig.overlay));
    w.setOverlay(o);
  }
+  w.setDebugThumbnail(appConfig.debugThumbnail);
  w.setBaseOptions(appConfig.baseDisplayOptions);
 }

@@ -243,6 +247,322 @@ 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("refreshSeconds") && obj["refreshSeconds"].isDouble())
+    {
+      config.refreshSeconds = (int)obj["refreshSeconds"].toDouble();
+      changed = true;
+    }
+    if (obj.contains("skipRetrySeconds") && obj["skipRetrySeconds"].isDouble())
+    {
+      config.skipRetrySeconds = (int)obj["skipRetrySeconds"].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;
+    }
+  }
+  if (key == "refreshseconds")
+  {
+    bool ok = false;
+    int parsed = value.toInt(&ok);
+    if (ok)
+    {
+      config.refreshSeconds = parsed;
+      return true;
+    }
+  }
+  if (key == "skipretryseconds")
+  {
+    bool ok = false;
+    int parsed = value.toInt(&ok);
+    if (ok)
+    {
+      config.skipRetrySeconds = parsed;
+      return true;
+    }
+  }
+
+  return false;
+}
+
 int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 {
  QApplication a(argc, argv);
@@ -292,6 +612,32 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
      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();
--- a/src/mainwindow.cpp
+++ b/src/mainwindow.cpp
@@ -164,6 +164,11 @@ void MainWindow::setImage(const ImageDetails &imageDetails)
    updateImage();
 }

+void MainWindow::setDebugThumbnail(bool enabled)
+{
+    debugThumbnail = enabled;
+}
+
 void MainWindow::updateImage()
 {
    checkWindowSize();
@@ -181,6 +186,16 @@ void MainWindow::updateImage()

    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(), ")");

@@ -195,7 +210,7 @@ void MainWindow::updateImage()
      drawText(background, overlay->getMarginTopRight(), overlay->getFontsizeTopRight(), overlay->getRenderedTopRight(currentImage.filename).c_str(), Qt::AlignTop|Qt::AlignRight);
      drawText(background, overlay->getMarginBottomLeft(), overlay->getFontsizeBottomLeft(), overlay->getRenderedBottomLeft(currentImage.filename).c_str(), Qt::AlignBottom|Qt::AlignLeft);
      drawText(background, overlay->getMarginBottomRight(), overlay->getFontsizeBottomRight(), overlay->getRenderedBottomRight(currentImage.filename).c_str(), Qt::AlignBottom|Qt::AlignRight);
-      if (ShouldLog())
+      if (debugThumbnail)
      {
        // draw a thumbnail version of the source image in the bottom left, to check for cropping issues
        QPainter pt(&background);
--- a/src/mainwindow.h
+++ b/src/mainwindow.h
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ public:
    const ImageDisplayOptions &getBaseOptions();
    void setImageSwitcher(ImageSwitcher *switcherIn);
    void setOverlayHexRGB(QString overlayHexRGB);
+    void setDebugThumbnail(bool enabled);
 public slots:
    void checkWindowSize();
 private:
@@ -47,6 +48,7 @@ private:
    QSize lastScreenSize = {0,0};
    QString overlayHexRGB = "#FFFF";
    unsigned int transitionSeconds = 1;
+    bool debugThumbnail = false;

    std::unique_ptr<Overlay> overlay;
    ImageSwitcher *switcher = nullptr;
--- a/src/mqttcontroller.cpp
+++ b/src/mqttcontroller.cpp
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ MqttController::MqttController(const MqttConfig &configIn, QObject *parent)
    mosquitto_lib_init();
    g_mqttInitialized = true;
  }
+  controlTopic = QString::fromStdString(config.topic);
+  immichTopic = QString::fromStdString(config.immichTopic);
 }

 MqttController::~MqttController()
@@ -103,6 +105,18 @@ void MqttController::subscribe()
  {
    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)
@@ -113,15 +127,26 @@ void MqttController::HandleMessage(struct mosquitto *mosq, void *userdata, const
    return;

  QString payload = QString::fromUtf8(static_cast<const char *>(message->payload), message->payloadlen);
-  QMetaObject::invokeMethod(self, "handleCommand", Qt::QueuedConnection, Q_ARG(QString, payload));
+  QString topic = QString::fromUtf8(message->topic);
+  QMetaObject::invokeMethod(self, "handleMessage", Qt::QueuedConnection,
+                            Q_ARG(QString, topic),
+                            Q_ARG(QString, payload));
 }

-void MqttController::handleCommand(const 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();
--- a/src/mqttcontroller.h
+++ b/src/mqttcontroller.h
@@ -24,9 +24,10 @@ signals:
  void nextImage();
  void nextFolder();
  void restart();
+  void immichControl(const QString &payload);

 private slots:
-  void handleCommand(const QString &payload);
+  void handleMessage(const QString &topic, const QString &payload);

 private:
  static void HandleConnect(struct mosquitto *mosq, void *userdata, int rc);
@@ -35,6 +36,8 @@ private:
  void subscribe();

  MqttConfig config;
+  QString controlTopic;
+  QString immichTopic;
  struct mosquitto *client = nullptr;
  bool connected = false;
 };
--- a/src/overlay.cpp
+++ b/src/overlay.cpp
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 #include <QLocale>
 #include <QTime>
 #include <QFileInfo>
+#include <QFile>
 #include <QStringList>
 #include <QRegExp>
 #include <iostream>
@@ -162,9 +163,47 @@ QString Overlay::getExifDate(std::string filename) {
      dateTime = exif_entry_get_value(exifEntry, buf, sizeof(buf));
    }
    exif_data_free(exifData);
-    QString exifDateFormat = "yyyy:MM:dd hh:mm:ss";
-    QDateTime exifDateTime = QDateTime::fromString(dateTime, exifDateFormat);
-    return QLocale::system().toString(exifDateTime);
  }
-  return dateTime;
+  QString formatted = formatExifDateString(dateTime);
+  if (!formatted.isEmpty())
+    return formatted;
+
+  QString sidecar = readSidecarExifDate(QString::fromStdString(filename));
+  if (!sidecar.isEmpty())
+    return formatExifDateString(sidecar);
+
+  return "";
+}
+
+QString Overlay::readSidecarExifDate(const QString &filePath)
+{
+  QString sidecarPath = filePath + ".exif";
+  QFile file(sidecarPath);
+  if (!file.exists())
+    return "";
+  if (!file.open(QIODevice::ReadOnly | QIODevice::Text))
+    return "";
+  QString contents = QString::fromUtf8(file.readAll()).trimmed();
+  file.close();
+  return contents;
+}
+
+QString Overlay::formatExifDateString(const QString &raw)
+{
+  QString trimmed = raw.trimmed();
+  if (trimmed.isEmpty())
+    return "";
+
+  QDateTime parsed = QDateTime::fromString(trimmed, Qt::ISODate);
+  if (!parsed.isValid())
+    parsed = QDateTime::fromString(trimmed, Qt::ISODateWithMs);
+  if (!parsed.isValid())
+    parsed = QDateTime::fromString(trimmed, "yyyy:MM:dd hh:mm:ss");
+  if (!parsed.isValid())
+    parsed = QDateTime::fromString(trimmed, "yyyy-MM-dd hh:mm:ss");
+
+  if (parsed.isValid())
+    return QLocale::system().toString(parsed);
+
+  return trimmed;
 }
--- a/src/overlay.h
+++ b/src/overlay.h
@@ -59,5 +59,7 @@ class Overlay
    QString getBasename(std::string filename);
    void parseInput();
    std::string renderString(QString overlayTemplate, std::string filename);
+    QString readSidecarExifDate(const QString &filePath);
+    QString formatExifDateString(const QString &raw);
 };
 #endif
--- a/src/pathtraverser.h
+++ b/src/pathtraverser.h
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ class PathTraverser
    virtual QStringList getImages() const = 0;
    virtual const std::string getImagePath(const std::string image) const = 0;
    virtual ImageDisplayOptions UpdateOptionsForImage(const std::string& filename, const ImageDisplayOptions& baseOptions) const = 0;
+    virtual bool shouldReloadImages() const { return false; }

  protected:
    const std::string path;
Author	SHA1	Message	Date
Nathan Coad	bc672256fb	fix sidecar handling Some checks failed continuous-integration/drone/push Build was killed Details continuous-integration/drone/tag Build is passing Details	2026-02-02 09:55:28 +11:00
Nathan Coad	86b19d5513	immich improvements Some checks failed continuous-integration/drone/tag Build is passing Details continuous-integration/drone/push Build was killed Details	2026-02-02 09:23:38 +11:00
Nathan Coad	3958da1983	improve handling of images from immich albums Some checks failed continuous-integration/drone/push Build was killed Details continuous-integration/drone/tag Build is passing Details	2026-02-02 09:02:06 +11:00
Nathan Coad	76c98f63dd	fix immich handling [CI SKIP] All checks were successful continuous-integration/drone/tag Build is passing Details	2026-02-02 08:51:58 +11:00
Nathan Coad	7a75083cf3	filter out unsupported images [CI SKIP] All checks were successful continuous-integration/drone/tag Build is passing Details	2026-02-02 08:48:20 +11:00
Nathan Coad	806d701535	add more immich control options All checks were successful continuous-integration/drone/push Build is passing Details continuous-integration/drone/tag Build is passing Details	2026-02-01 21:24:24 +11:00