[ci skip] add ability to skip immich photos via tag

.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://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye main contrib non-free
-    deb [arch=amd64] http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-updates main restricted universe multiverse
+    deb [arch=amd64] http://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye-updates main contrib non-free
-    deb [arch=amd64] http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-backports main restricted universe multiverse
+    deb [arch=amd64] http://security.debian.org/debian-security bullseye-security main contrib non-free
-    deb [arch=amd64] http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-security main restricted universe multiverse
+    deb [arch=armhf] http://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye main contrib non-free
-    deb [arch=armhf] http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports jammy main restricted universe multiverse
+    deb [arch=armhf] http://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye-updates main contrib non-free
-    deb [arch=armhf] http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports jammy-updates main restricted universe multiverse
+    deb [arch=armhf] http://security.debian.org/debian-security bullseye-security main contrib non-free
-    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
     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://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye main contrib non-free
-    deb [arch=amd64] http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-updates main restricted universe multiverse
+    deb [arch=amd64] http://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye-updates main contrib non-free
-    deb [arch=amd64] http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-backports main restricted universe multiverse
+    deb [arch=amd64] http://security.debian.org/debian-security bullseye-security main contrib non-free
-    deb [arch=amd64] http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-security main restricted universe multiverse
+    deb [arch=arm64] http://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye main contrib non-free
-    deb [arch=arm64] http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports jammy main restricted universe multiverse
+    deb [arch=arm64] http://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye-updates main contrib non-free
-    deb [arch=arm64] http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports jammy-updates main restricted universe multiverse
+    deb [arch=arm64] http://security.debian.org/debian-security bullseye-security main contrib non-free
-    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
     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

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+# Changelog
+
+# [Unreleased]
+
+- Nothing yet.
+
+# [0.0.9] - 2026-02-01
+- Fix sidecar handling

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
 ```

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 +204,9 @@ Example (single source):
     "order": "desc",
     "pageSize": 200,
     "maxAssets": 1000,
+    "refreshSeconds": 300,
+    "skipRetrySeconds": 3600,
+    "skipTags": ["frame-ignore"],
     "cachePath": "~/.cache/slide/immich",
     "cacheMaxMB": 512,
     "includeArchived": false
@@ -194,14 +234,25 @@ 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"]`).
+* `skipTags`: optional list of tag names to exclude (case-insensitive).
+* `skipTagIds`: optional list of tag IDs to exclude (case-insensitive).
 * `size`: `"fullsize"`, `"preview"`, `"thumbnail"`, or `"original"` (original uses the download endpoint).
 * `order`: `"asc"` or `"desc"` ordering for asset search.
+
+Note: tag filtering requires Immich to include tag data in search results. If your server doesn’t return tags on `/search/metadata`, `skipTags`/`skipTagIds` won’t apply.
 * `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 +286,10 @@ 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:
 
 ```

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.

src/appconfig.cpp

@@ -71,6 +71,32 @@ 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;
+}
+
+std::vector<std::string> NormalizeStrings(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 +107,13 @@ 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 +134,42 @@ 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);
+
+  std::vector<std::string> skipTags = ParseJSONStrings(immichJson, "skipTags");
+  if(skipTags.size() == 0)
+    skipTags = ParseJSONStrings(immichJson, "excludeTags");
+  std::string skipTag = ParseJSONString(immichJson, "skipTag");
+  if(!skipTag.empty())
+    skipTags.push_back(skipTag);
+  if(skipTags.size() > 0)
+    config.skipTags = NormalizeStrings(skipTags);
+
+  std::vector<std::string> skipTagIds = ParseJSONStrings(immichJson, "skipTagIds");
+  std::string skipTagId = ParseJSONString(immichJson, "skipTagId");
+  if(!skipTagId.empty())
+    skipTagIds.push_back(skipTagId);
+  if(skipTagIds.size() > 0)
+    config.skipTagIds = NormalizeStrings(skipTagIds);
+
   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 +190,10 @@ 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 +210,9 @@ 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 +307,36 @@ 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);
     }
 
+    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 +435,7 @@ 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())

src/appconfig.h

@@ -10,11 +10,18 @@ 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::vector<std::string> skipTags;
+  std::vector<std::string> skipTagIds;
   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 +32,8 @@ 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 +49,38 @@ 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 (skipTags.size() != b.skipTags.size())
+      return false;
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < skipTags.size(); ++i)
+    {
+      if (skipTags[i] != b.skipTags[i])
+        return false;
+    }
+    if (skipTagIds.size() != b.skipTagIds.size())
+      return false;
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < skipTagIds.size(); ++i)
+    {
+      if (skipTagIds[i] != b.skipTagIds[i])
+        return false;
+    }
+    if (refreshSeconds != b.refreshSeconds)
+      return false;
+    if (skipRetrySeconds != b.skipRetrySeconds)
+      return false;
     return true;
   }
 
@@ -54,6 +95,7 @@ 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 +108,7 @@ 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 +182,7 @@ struct AppConfig : public Config {
     MqttConfig mqtt;
 
     bool debugMode = false;
+    bool debugThumbnail = false;
 
     static const std::string valid_aspects; 
   public:

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());

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)
@@ -93,22 +141,51 @@ 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 fetchAssetsBySearch();
+
+  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;
+  QString userFilterKey;
+  QByteArray firstResponse;
+  QJsonArray items;
+  int total = 0;
 
-  while (true)
+  if (ShouldLog())
   {
+    Log("Immich search: size=", config.size, ", order=", config.order,
+        ", pageSize=", pageSize, ", maxAssets=", maxAssets,
+        ", userId=", config.userId,
+        ", albumIds=", config.albumIds.size(),
+        ", personIds=", config.personIds.size(),
+        ", allowedExtensions=", config.allowedExtensions.size(),
+        ", skipTags=", config.skipTags.size(),
+        ", skipTagIds=", config.skipTagIds.size());
+  }
+
+  auto fetchPage = [&](int pageIndex, const QString &userKey) -> QByteArray {
     QJsonObject body;
-    body["page"] = page;
+    body["page"] = pageIndex;
     body["size"] = pageSize;
     body["type"] = "IMAGE";
     body["order"] = QString::fromStdString(config.order);
@@ -121,19 +198,77 @@ 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;
+    }
+    if (!config.userId.empty() && !userKey.isEmpty())
+    {
+      body[userKey] = QString::fromStdString(config.userId);
+    }
+    return postJson(apiUrl("/search/metadata"), body, nullptr, kMetadataTimeoutMs);
+  };
 
-    QByteArray response = postJson(apiUrl("/search/metadata"), body, nullptr, kMetadataTimeoutMs);
+  auto parseSearch = [&](const QByteArray &response, QJsonArray &outItems, int &outTotal) -> bool {
-    if (response.isEmpty())
-      break;
-
     QJsonDocument doc = QJsonDocument::fromJson(response);
     if (!doc.isObject())
-      break;
+      return false;
-
     QJsonObject root = doc.object();
+    if (root.contains("error") || root.contains("statusCode"))
+      return false;
+    if (!root.contains("assets"))
+      return false;
     QJsonObject assetsObj = root["assets"].toObject();
-    QJsonArray items = assetsObj["items"].toArray();
+    outItems = assetsObj["items"].toArray();
-    int total = assetsObj["total"].toInt();
+    outTotal = assetsObj["total"].toInt();
+    return true;
+  };
+
+  QStringList userKeyCandidates;
+  if (!config.userId.empty())
+    userKeyCandidates << "ownerId" << "userId";
+  userKeyCandidates << "";
+
+  bool firstResponseReady = false;
+  for (const auto &candidate : userKeyCandidates)
+  {
+    QByteArray response = fetchPage(page, candidate);
+    if (response.isEmpty())
+      continue;
+    if (!parseSearch(response, items, total))
+      continue;
+    userFilterKey = candidate;
+    firstResponse = response;
+    firstResponseReady = true;
+    if (!config.userId.empty() && userFilterKey.isEmpty())
+    {
+      Log("Immich search user filter not accepted by server; falling back to search without userId.");
+    }
+    break;
+  }
+
+  if (!firstResponseReady)
+    return assets;
+
+  while (true)
+  {
+    if (firstResponseReady)
+    {
+      firstResponseReady = false;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+      QByteArray response = fetchPage(page, userFilterKey);
+      if (response.isEmpty())
+        break;
+      if (!parseSearch(response, items, total))
+        break;
+    }
+
+    Log("Immich page ", page, ": ", items.size(), " assets (total ", total, ")");
     if (items.isEmpty())
     {
       if (total > 0 && page == 1 && !triedZero)
@@ -154,6 +289,17 @@ QVector<ImmichAsset> ImmichClient::fetchAssets()
       ImmichAsset asset;
       asset.id = id;
       asset.originalFileName = item["originalFileName"].toString();
+      asset.exifDateTime = ExtractAssetDateTime(item);
+      if (shouldSkipByTag(item))
+      {
+        Log("Immich skip by tag: ", asset.originalFileName.toStdString());
+        continue;
+      }
+      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 +313,196 @@ 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;
+  QString endpointPath = "/assets";
+  QByteArray initialResponse;
+  bool endpointResolved = false;
+
+  if (ShouldLog())
+  {
+    Log("Immich assets: userId=", config.userId,
+        ", pageSize=", pageSize,
+        ", maxAssets=", maxAssets,
+        ", includeArchived=", config.includeArchived);
+  }
+
+  auto fetchPage = [&](const QString &path, int offset) -> QByteArray {
+    QUrl url = apiUrl(path);
+    QUrlQuery query;
+    query.addQueryItem("take", QString::number(pageSize));
+    query.addQueryItem("skip", QString::number(offset));
+    query.addQueryItem("userId", QString::fromStdString(config.userId));
+    if (!config.includeArchived)
+      query.addQueryItem("isArchived", "false");
+    url.setQuery(query);
+    return getBytes(url, nullptr, kMetadataTimeoutMs);
+  };
+
+  initialResponse = fetchPage(endpointPath, skip);
+  if (initialResponse.isEmpty())
+  {
+    endpointPath = "/asset";
+    initialResponse = fetchPage(endpointPath, skip);
+  }
+  if (initialResponse.isEmpty())
+  {
+    Log("Immich user assets endpoint not available; falling back to metadata search (userId filter may be ignored).");
+    return fetchAssetsBySearch();
+  }
+  endpointResolved = true;
+
+  while (true)
+  {
+    QByteArray response;
+    if (endpointResolved)
+    {
+      response = initialResponse;
+      endpointResolved = false;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+      response = fetchPage(endpointPath, skip);
+    }
+    if (response.isEmpty())
+      break;
+
+    QJsonDocument doc = QJsonDocument::fromJson(response);
+    if (!doc.isArray())
+    {
+      Log("Immich user assets response was not an array; falling back to metadata search.");
+      return fetchAssetsBySearch();
+    }
+
+    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::shouldSkipByTag(const QJsonObject &item) const
+{
+  if (config.skipTags.empty() && config.skipTagIds.empty())
+    return false;
+
+  auto matchesName = [&](const QString &name) -> bool {
+    if (name.isEmpty())
+      return false;
+    QString lowered = name.toLower();
+    for (const auto &tag : config.skipTags)
+    {
+      if (lowered == QString::fromStdString(tag))
+        return true;
+    }
+    return false;
+  };
+
+  auto matchesId = [&](const QString &id) -> bool {
+    if (id.isEmpty())
+      return false;
+    QString lowered = id.toLower();
+    for (const auto &tagId : config.skipTagIds)
+    {
+      if (lowered == QString::fromStdString(tagId))
+        return true;
+    }
+    return false;
+  };
+
+  if (item.contains("tagIds") && item["tagIds"].isArray())
+  {
+    QJsonArray tagIds = item["tagIds"].toArray();
+    for (const auto &value : tagIds)
+    {
+      if (value.isString() && matchesId(value.toString()))
+        return true;
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (item.contains("tags") && item["tags"].isArray())
+  {
+    QJsonArray tags = item["tags"].toArray();
+    for (const auto &value : tags)
+    {
+      if (value.isString())
+      {
+        if (matchesName(value.toString()))
+          return true;
+        continue;
+      }
+      if (!value.isObject())
+        continue;
+      QJsonObject tagObj = value.toObject();
+      if (matchesId(tagObj["id"].toString()))
+        return true;
+      if (matchesName(tagObj["name"].toString()))
+        return true;
+      if (matchesName(tagObj["value"].toString()))
+        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 +524,7 @@ 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 +539,7 @@ 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 +568,20 @@ 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 +642,104 @@ 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 safeName = sanitizeFileName(assetName);
+  QString detectedExt = DetectImageExtension(data);
-  QString extension = extensionForContentType(contentType);
+  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 baseName = QFileInfo(assetName).completeBaseName();
+  if (baseName.isEmpty())
+    baseName = assetName;
+  QString safeName = sanitizeFileName(baseName);
+  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 +752,8 @@ 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

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 struct ImmichAsset {
   QString id;
   QString originalFileName;
+  QString exifDateTime;
 };
 
 class ImmichClient {
@@ -21,8 +22,13 @@ 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 shouldSkipByTag(const QJsonObject &item) const;
+    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 +57,7 @@ class ImmichAssetCache {
     qint64 cacheMaxBytes = 0;
     bool cacheSizeKnown = false;
     qint64 cacheSizeBytes = 0;
+    int skipRetrySeconds = 0;
 };
 
 #endif // IMMICHCLIENT_H

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();
+}

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

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();

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);

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;

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();

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;
 };

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;
 }

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

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;