perf: reduce CPU usage and unify next-track buffering settings

- Throttle audio:progress from 100ms to 500ms; WaveformSeek and
  FsSeekbar use imperative DOM updates instead of React re-renders
- Fix all usePlayerStore() calls without selectors across pages and
  components (useShallow / individual selectors throughout)
- Remove filter:blur and transform:scale from Hero, AlbumDetail and
  FullscreenPlayer backgrounds — eliminated expensive software
  compositing layers on WebKitGTK
- Replace translate3d with 2D translate in FS mesh and portrait
  animations; remove will-change:transform from mesh blobs
- Move Hot Cache section from Storage tab to Audio tab; group Preload
  and Hot Cache under a shared 'Next Track Buffering' section with a
  mutual-exclusivity note and auto-disable logic
- Add 'off' toggle to Preload (replaces Off button with toggle switch);
  enabling either method now automatically disables the other

Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

src-tauri/src/audio.rs

@@ -2345,8 +2345,8 @@ fn spawn_progress_task(
         let mut samples_played = samples_played;
 
         loop {
-            // 100 ms tick — tight enough for responsive UI, low enough CPU cost.
-            tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_millis(100)).await;
+            // 500 ms tick — frontend interpolates visually at 60 fps via rAF.
+            tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_millis(500)).await;
 
             if gen_counter.load(Ordering::SeqCst) != gen {
                 break;

src/components/ContextMenu.tsx

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import LastfmIcon from './LastfmIcon';
 import StarRating from './StarRating';
 import { lastfmLoveTrack, lastfmUnloveTrack } from '../api/lastfm';
 import { usePlayerStore, Track, songToTrack } from '../store/playerStore';
+import { useShallow } from 'zustand/react/shallow';
 import { SubsonicAlbum, SubsonicArtist, star, unstar, getSimilarSongs2, getTopSongs, buildDownloadUrl, getAlbum, getPlaylists, getPlaylist, createPlaylist, updatePlaylist, SubsonicPlaylist, setRating } from '../api/subsonic';
 import { useNavigate } from 'react-router-dom';
 import { useAuthStore } from '../store/authStore';
@@ -175,7 +176,24 @@ function AlbumToPlaylistSubmenu({ albumId, onDone }: { albumId: string; onDone:
 
 export default function ContextMenu() {
   const { t } = useTranslation();
-  const { contextMenu, closeContextMenu, playTrack, enqueue, queue, currentTrack, removeTrack, lastfmLovedCache, setLastfmLovedForSong, starredOverrides, setStarredOverride, openSongInfo, userRatingOverrides, setUserRatingOverride } = usePlayerStore();
+  const { contextMenu, closeContextMenu, playTrack, enqueue, queue, currentTrack, removeTrack, lastfmLovedCache, setLastfmLovedForSong, starredOverrides, setStarredOverride, openSongInfo, userRatingOverrides, setUserRatingOverride } = usePlayerStore(
+    useShallow(s => ({
+      contextMenu: s.contextMenu,
+      closeContextMenu: s.closeContextMenu,
+      playTrack: s.playTrack,
+      enqueue: s.enqueue,
+      queue: s.queue,
+      currentTrack: s.currentTrack,
+      removeTrack: s.removeTrack,
+      lastfmLovedCache: s.lastfmLovedCache,
+      setLastfmLovedForSong: s.setLastfmLovedForSong,
+      starredOverrides: s.starredOverrides,
+      setStarredOverride: s.setStarredOverride,
+      openSongInfo: s.openSongInfo,
+      userRatingOverrides: s.userRatingOverrides,
+      setUserRatingOverride: s.setUserRatingOverride,
+    }))
+  );
   const auth = useAuthStore();
   const requestDownloadFolder = useDownloadModalStore(s => s.requestFolder);
   const navigate = useNavigate();

src/components/FullscreenPlayer.tsx

@@ -192,34 +192,50 @@ const FsPortrait = memo(function FsPortrait({ url }: { url: string }) {
   );
 });
 
-// ─── Full-width seekbar (isolated — re-renders every tick) ────────────────────
+// ─── Full-width seekbar — imperative DOM updates, zero React re-renders on tick ─
 const FsSeekbar = memo(function FsSeekbar({ duration }: { duration: number }) {
-  const progress    = usePlayerStore(s => s.progress);
-  const buffered    = usePlayerStore(s => s.buffered);
-  const currentTime = usePlayerStore(s => s.currentTime);
   const seek        = usePlayerStore(s => s.seek);
+  const timeRef     = useRef<HTMLSpanElement>(null);
+  const playedRef   = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
+  const bufRef      = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
+  const inputRef    = useRef<HTMLInputElement>(null);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const s = usePlayerStore.getState();
+    const pct = s.progress * 100;
+    if (timeRef.current)   timeRef.current.textContent  = formatTime(s.currentTime);
+    if (playedRef.current) playedRef.current.style.width = `${pct}%`;
+    if (bufRef.current)    bufRef.current.style.width    = `${Math.max(pct, s.buffered * 100)}%`;
+    if (inputRef.current)  inputRef.current.value        = String(s.progress);
+
+    return usePlayerStore.subscribe(state => {
+      const p = state.progress * 100;
+      if (timeRef.current)   timeRef.current.textContent  = formatTime(state.currentTime);
+      if (playedRef.current) playedRef.current.style.width = `${p}%`;
+      if (bufRef.current)    bufRef.current.style.width    = `${Math.max(p, state.buffered * 100)}%`;
+      if (inputRef.current)  inputRef.current.value        = String(state.progress);
+    });
+  }, []);
 
   const handleSeek = useCallback(
     (e: React.ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => seek(parseFloat(e.target.value)),
     [seek]
   );
 
-  const pct = progress * 100;
-  const buf = Math.max(pct, buffered * 100);
-
   return (
     <div className="fs-seekbar-wrap">
       <div className="fs-seekbar-times">
-        <span>{formatTime(currentTime)}</span>
+        <span ref={timeRef} />
         <span>{formatTime(duration)}</span>
       </div>
       <div className="fs-seekbar">
         <div className="fs-seekbar-bg" />
-        <div className="fs-seekbar-buf" style={{ width: `${buf}%` }} />
-        <div className="fs-seekbar-played" style={{ width: `${pct}%` }} />
+        <div className="fs-seekbar-buf" ref={bufRef} />
+        <div className="fs-seekbar-played" ref={playedRef} />
         <input
+          ref={inputRef}
           type="range" min={0} max={1} step={0.001}
-          value={progress}
+          defaultValue={0}
           onChange={handleSeek}
           aria-label="seek"
         />

src/components/Hero.tsx

@@ -40,7 +40,6 @@ function HeroBg({ url }: { url: string }) {
           style={{
             backgroundImage: `url(${layer.url})`,
             opacity: layer.visible ? 1 : 0,
-            filter: layer.visible ? 'blur(0px)' : 'blur(18px)',
           }}
           aria-hidden="true"
         />

src/components/PlayerBar.tsx

@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
-import React, { useCallback, useMemo, useState } from 'react';
+import React, { memo, useCallback, useEffect, useMemo, useRef, useState } from 'react';
 import { createPortal } from 'react-dom';
 import {
   Play, Pause, SkipBack, SkipForward, Volume2, VolumeX, Music,
   Square, Repeat, Repeat1, Maximize2, SlidersVertical, X, Heart, MicVocal, Cast
 } from 'lucide-react';
 import { usePlayerStore } from '../store/playerStore';
+import { useShallow } from 'zustand/react/shallow';
 import { useAuthStore } from '../store/authStore';
 import { buildCoverArtUrl, coverArtCacheKey, star, unstar, setRating } from '../api/subsonic';
 import CachedImage from './CachedImage';
@@ -25,6 +26,21 @@ function formatTime(seconds: number): string {
   return `${m}:${s.toString().padStart(2, '0')}`;
 }
 
+// Renders the playback clock without ever causing PlayerBar to re-render.
+// Updates the DOM directly via an imperative store subscription.
+const PlaybackTime = memo(function PlaybackTime({ className }: { className?: string }) {
+  const spanRef = useRef<HTMLSpanElement>(null);
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (spanRef.current) {
+      spanRef.current.textContent = formatTime(usePlayerStore.getState().currentTime);
+    }
+    return usePlayerStore.subscribe(state => {
+      if (spanRef.current) spanRef.current.textContent = formatTime(state.currentTime);
+    });
+  }, []);
+  return <span className={className} ref={spanRef} />;
+});
+
 export default function PlayerBar() {
   const { t } = useTranslation();
   const navigate = useNavigate();
@@ -32,15 +48,37 @@ export default function PlayerBar() {
   const [showVolPct, setShowVolPct] = useState(false);
   const showLyrics   = useLyricsStore(s => s.showLyrics);
   const activeTab    = useLyricsStore(s => s.activeTab);
+  // currentTime is intentionally excluded — PlaybackTime handles it via direct DOM update.
   const {
-    currentTrack, currentRadio, isPlaying, currentTime, volume,
+    currentTrack, currentRadio, isPlaying, volume,
     togglePlay, next, previous, setVolume,
     stop, toggleRepeat, repeatMode, toggleFullscreen,
     lastfmLoved, toggleLastfmLove,
     isQueueVisible, toggleQueue,
     starredOverrides, setStarredOverride,
     userRatingOverrides, setUserRatingOverride,
-  } = usePlayerStore();
+  } = usePlayerStore(useShallow(s => ({
+    currentTrack: s.currentTrack,
+    currentRadio: s.currentRadio,
+    isPlaying: s.isPlaying,
+    volume: s.volume,
+    togglePlay: s.togglePlay,
+    next: s.next,
+    previous: s.previous,
+    setVolume: s.setVolume,
+    stop: s.stop,
+    toggleRepeat: s.toggleRepeat,
+    repeatMode: s.repeatMode,
+    toggleFullscreen: s.toggleFullscreen,
+    lastfmLoved: s.lastfmLoved,
+    toggleLastfmLove: s.toggleLastfmLove,
+    isQueueVisible: s.isQueueVisible,
+    toggleQueue: s.toggleQueue,
+    starredOverrides: s.starredOverrides,
+    setStarredOverride: s.setStarredOverride,
+    userRatingOverrides: s.userRatingOverrides,
+    setUserRatingOverride: s.setUserRatingOverride,
+  })));
   const { lastfmSessionKey } = useAuthStore();
 
   const isRadio = !!currentRadio;
@@ -241,7 +279,7 @@ export default function PlayerBar() {
               </>
             ) : (
               <>
-                <span className="player-time">{formatTime(currentTime)}</span>
+                <PlaybackTime className="player-time" />
                 <div className="player-waveform-wrap" style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', justifyContent: 'center' }}>
                   <span className="radio-live-badge">{t('radio.live')}</span>
                 </div>
@@ -251,7 +289,7 @@ export default function PlayerBar() {
           </>
         ) : (
           <>
-            <span className="player-time">{formatTime(currentTime)}</span>
+            <PlaybackTime className="player-time" />
             <div className="player-waveform-wrap">
               <WaveformSeek trackId={currentTrack?.id} />
             </div>

src/components/SongInfoModal.tsx

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import React, { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
 import { createPortal } from 'react-dom';
 import { X } from 'lucide-react';
 import { usePlayerStore } from '../store/playerStore';
+import { useShallow } from 'zustand/react/shallow';
 import { getSong, SubsonicSong } from '../api/subsonic';
 import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
 
@@ -33,7 +34,9 @@ function Divider() {
 
 export default function SongInfoModal() {
   const { t } = useTranslation();
-  const { songInfoModal, closeSongInfo } = usePlayerStore();
+  const { songInfoModal, closeSongInfo } = usePlayerStore(
+    useShallow(s => ({ songInfoModal: s.songInfoModal, closeSongInfo: s.closeSongInfo }))
+  );
   const [song, setSong] = useState<SubsonicSong | null>(null);
   const [loading, setLoading] = useState(false);
 

src/components/WaveformSeek.tsx

@@ -784,6 +784,15 @@ export function SeekbarPreview({
 }
 
 // ── main component ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+//
+// Architecture:
+//   Static styles  (waveform, bar, …): drawn directly in the Zustand subscription
+//     callback — no React re-renders, no rAF loop.  2 draws/s at the 500 ms
+//     Rust interval.  shadowBlur + 500 canvas bars on a software-rendered
+//     WebKitGTK context is too expensive for a continuous 60 fps loop.
+//   Animated styles (pulsewave, particletrail, …): rAF loop at 60 fps, reads
+//     refs that the subscription keeps up-to-date.
+//   Drag: draws synchronously in seekToFraction for 1:1 responsiveness.
 
 interface Props {
   trackId: string | undefined;
@@ -792,35 +801,48 @@ interface Props {
 export default function WaveformSeek({ trackId }: Props) {
   const canvasRef    = useRef<HTMLCanvasElement>(null);
   const heightsRef   = useRef<Float32Array | null>(null);
-  const progressRef  = useRef(0);
-  const bufferedRef  = useRef(0);
+  const progressRef  = useRef(usePlayerStore.getState().progress);
+  const bufferedRef  = useRef(usePlayerStore.getState().buffered);
   const isDragging   = useRef(false);
   const animStateRef = useRef<AnimState>(makeAnimState());
 
   const [hoverPct, setHoverPct] = useState<number | null>(null);
 
-  const progress     = usePlayerStore(s => s.progress);
-  const buffered     = usePlayerStore(s => s.buffered);
   const seek         = usePlayerStore(s => s.seek);
   const duration     = usePlayerStore(s => s.currentTrack?.duration ?? 0);
   const seekbarStyle = useAuthStore(s => s.seekbarStyle);
 
-  progressRef.current = progress;
-  bufferedRef.current = buffered;
+  // Ref so the subscription callback (closed over at mount) can read the
+  // current style without stale-closure issues.
+  const styleRef = useRef(seekbarStyle);
+  styleRef.current = seekbarStyle;
 
   useEffect(() => {
     heightsRef.current = trackId ? makeHeights(trackId) : null;
   }, [trackId]);
 
-  // Static styles: redraw on progress / buffered / track changes
+  // Imperative subscription — no React re-renders from progress changes.
+  // Static styles draw here; animated styles only update refs.
+  useEffect(() => {
+    return usePlayerStore.subscribe((state, prev) => {
+      if (state.progress === prev.progress && state.buffered === prev.buffered) return;
+      progressRef.current = state.progress;
+      bufferedRef.current = state.buffered;
+      if (!ANIMATED_STYLES.has(styleRef.current)) {
+        const canvas = canvasRef.current;
+        if (canvas) drawSeekbar(canvas, styleRef.current, heightsRef.current, state.progress, state.buffered);
+      }
+    });
+  }, []);
+
+  // Initial draw for static styles when style or track changes.
   useEffect(() => {
     if (ANIMATED_STYLES.has(seekbarStyle)) return;
-    if (canvasRef.current) {
-      drawSeekbar(canvasRef.current, seekbarStyle, heightsRef.current, progress, buffered);
-    }
-  }, [progress, buffered, trackId, seekbarStyle]);
+    const canvas = canvasRef.current;
+    if (canvas) drawSeekbar(canvas, seekbarStyle, heightsRef.current, progressRef.current, bufferedRef.current);
+  }, [seekbarStyle, trackId]);
 
-  // Animated styles: rAF loop
+  // rAF loop — animated styles only.
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!ANIMATED_STYLES.has(seekbarStyle)) return;
     const canvas = canvasRef.current;
@@ -829,21 +851,14 @@ export default function WaveformSeek({ trackId }: Props) {
     let rafId: number;
     const tick = () => {
       animStateRef.current.time += 0.016;
-      drawSeekbar(
-        canvas,
-        seekbarStyle,
-        heightsRef.current,
-        progressRef.current,
-        bufferedRef.current,
-        animStateRef.current,
-      );
+      drawSeekbar(canvas, seekbarStyle, heightsRef.current, progressRef.current, bufferedRef.current, animStateRef.current);
       rafId = requestAnimationFrame(tick);
     };
     rafId = requestAnimationFrame(tick);
     return () => cancelAnimationFrame(rafId);
   }, [seekbarStyle]);
 
-  // Resize observer
+  // Resize observer.
   useEffect(() => {
     const canvas = canvasRef.current;
     if (!canvas) return;
@@ -859,12 +874,23 @@ export default function WaveformSeek({ trackId }: Props) {
   const seekRef = useRef(seek);
   seekRef.current = seek;
 
+  // Seek to a 0–1 fraction: draw immediately for 1:1 responsiveness, then
+  // let the store + Rust catch up asynchronously.
+  const seekToFraction = (fraction: number) => {
+    progressRef.current = fraction;
+    const canvas = canvasRef.current;
+    if (canvas && !ANIMATED_STYLES.has(styleRef.current)) {
+      drawSeekbar(canvas, styleRef.current, heightsRef.current, fraction, bufferedRef.current);
+    }
+    seekRef.current(fraction);
+  };
+
   useEffect(() => {
     const seekFromX = (clientX: number) => {
       const canvas = canvasRef.current;
       if (!canvas || !trackIdRef.current) return;
       const rect = canvas.getBoundingClientRect();
-      seekRef.current(Math.max(0, Math.min(1, (clientX - rect.left) / rect.width)));
+      seekToFraction(Math.max(0, Math.min(1, (clientX - rect.left) / rect.width)));
     };
     const onMove = (e: MouseEvent) => { if (isDragging.current) seekFromX(e.clientX); };
     const onUp   = () => { isDragging.current = false; };
@@ -892,7 +918,7 @@ export default function WaveformSeek({ trackId }: Props) {
         onMouseDown={e => {
           isDragging.current = true;
           const rect = e.currentTarget.getBoundingClientRect();
-          seekRef.current(Math.max(0, Math.min(1, (e.clientX - rect.left) / rect.width)));
+          seekToFraction(Math.max(0, Math.min(1, (e.clientX - rect.left) / rect.width)));
         }}
         onMouseMove={e => {
           if (!trackId) return;

src/locales/de.ts

@@ -571,6 +571,9 @@ export const deTranslation = {
     gaplessDesc: 'Nächsten Track vorpuffern um Lücken zwischen Songs zu vermeiden',
     preloadMode: 'Nächsten Track vorpuffern',
     preloadModeDesc: 'Wann mit dem Puffern des nächsten Tracks begonnen werden soll',
+    nextTrackBufferingTitle: 'Nächster Track – Pufferung',
+    preloadHotCacheMutualExclusive: 'Preload und Hot Cache erfüllen denselben Zweck – nur eine Methode kann gleichzeitig aktiv sein. Das Aktivieren einer deaktiviert die andere automatisch.',
+    preloadOff: 'Aus',
     preloadBalanced: 'Ausgewogen (30 s vor Ende)',
     preloadEarly: 'Früh (nach 5 s Wiedergabe)',
     preloadCustom: 'Benutzerdefiniert',

src/locales/en.ts

@@ -572,6 +572,9 @@ export const enTranslation = {
     gaplessDesc: 'Pre-buffer next track to eliminate gaps between songs',
     preloadMode: 'Preload Next Track',
     preloadModeDesc: 'When to start buffering the next track in the queue',
+    nextTrackBufferingTitle: 'Next Track Buffering',
+    preloadHotCacheMutualExclusive: 'Preload and Hot Cache serve the same purpose — only one can be active at a time. Enabling one will automatically disable the other.',
+    preloadOff: 'Off',
     preloadBalanced: 'Balanced (30 s before end)',
     preloadEarly: 'Early (after 5 s of playback)',
     preloadCustom: 'Custom',

src/locales/fr.ts

@@ -569,6 +569,9 @@ export const frTranslation = {
     gaplessDesc: 'Préparer la piste suivante pour éliminer les silences entre les morceaux',
     preloadMode: 'Précharger la piste suivante',
     preloadModeDesc: 'Quand commencer à mettre en mémoire tampon la piste suivante',
+    nextTrackBufferingTitle: 'Piste suivante – mise en mémoire tampon',
+    preloadHotCacheMutualExclusive: "Preload et Hot Cache remplissent le même rôle — un seul peut être actif à la fois. Activer l'un désactive automatiquement l'autre.",
+    preloadOff: 'Désactivé',
     preloadBalanced: 'Équilibré (30 s avant la fin)',
     preloadEarly: 'Tôt (après 5 s de lecture)',
     preloadCustom: 'Personnalisé',

src/locales/nb.ts

@@ -571,6 +571,9 @@ export const nbTranslation = {
     experimental: 'Eksperimentell',
     preloadMode: 'Forhåndslast neste spor',
     preloadModeDesc: 'Når buffering av neste spor i køen skal starte',
+    nextTrackBufferingTitle: 'Neste spor – bufring',
+    preloadHotCacheMutualExclusive: 'Forhåndslasting og Hot Cache tjener samme formål – bare én kan være aktiv om gangen. Å aktivere den ene deaktiverer automatisk den andre.',
+    preloadOff: 'Av',
     preloadBalanced: 'Balansert (30 s før slutt)',
     preloadEarly: 'Tidlig (etter 5 s avspilling)',
     preloadCustom: 'Egendefinert',

src/locales/nl.ts

@@ -569,6 +569,9 @@ export const nlTranslation = {
     gaplessDesc: 'Volgend nummer vooraf bufferen om stiltes tussen nummers te elimineren',
     preloadMode: 'Volgend nummer vooraf laden',
     preloadModeDesc: 'Wanneer met het bufferen van het volgende nummer wordt begonnen',
+    nextTrackBufferingTitle: 'Volgend nummer – buffering',
+    preloadHotCacheMutualExclusive: 'Preload en Hot Cache dienen hetzelfde doel — slechts één kan tegelijk actief zijn. Het inschakelen van de ene schakelt de andere automatisch uit.',
+    preloadOff: 'Uit',
     preloadBalanced: 'Gebalanceerd (30 s voor einde)',
     preloadEarly: 'Vroeg (na 5 s afspelen)',
     preloadCustom: 'Aangepast',

src/locales/ru.ts

@@ -597,6 +597,9 @@ export const ruTranslation = {
     gaplessDesc: 'Заранее подгружать следующий трек, чтобы не было тишины',
     preloadMode: 'Предзагрузка следующего трека',
     preloadModeDesc: 'Когда начинать буферизацию следующего в очереди',
+    nextTrackBufferingTitle: 'Буферизация следующего трека',
+    preloadHotCacheMutualExclusive: 'Предзагрузка и Hot Cache выполняют одну функцию — одновременно может быть активна только одна. Включение одной автоматически отключает другую.',
+    preloadOff: 'Выкл.',
     preloadBalanced: 'Умеренно (за 30 с до конца)',
     preloadEarly: 'Рано (через 5 с после старта)',
     preloadCustom: 'Свой интервал',

src/locales/zh.ts

@@ -565,6 +565,9 @@ export const zhTranslation = {
     gaplessDesc: '预缓冲下一首曲目以消除歌曲间的间隙',
     preloadMode: '预加载下一曲目',
     preloadModeDesc: '何时开始缓冲队列中的下一曲目',
+    nextTrackBufferingTitle: '下一曲目缓冲',
+    preloadHotCacheMutualExclusive: '预加载与热缓存用途相同——两者不能同时启用。启用其中一个会自动禁用另一个。',
+    preloadOff: '关闭',
     preloadBalanced: '均衡（结束前30秒）',
     preloadEarly: '提前（播放5秒后）',
     preloadCustom: '自定义',

src/pages/Favorites.tsx

@@ -43,7 +43,10 @@ export default function Favorites() {
 
   const [ratings, setRatings] = useState<Record<string, number>>({});
 
-  const { playTrack, enqueue, playRadio, stop } = usePlayerStore();
+  const playTrack = usePlayerStore(s => s.playTrack);
+  const enqueue = usePlayerStore(s => s.enqueue);
+  const playRadio = usePlayerStore(s => s.playRadio);
+  const stop = usePlayerStore(s => s.stop);
   const currentTrack = usePlayerStore(s => s.currentTrack);
   const currentRadio = usePlayerStore(s => s.currentRadio);
   const isPlaying = usePlayerStore(s => s.isPlaying);

src/pages/InternetRadio.tsx

@@ -19,7 +19,10 @@ import { showToast } from '../utils/toast';
 
 export default function InternetRadio() {
   const { t } = useTranslation();
-  const { playRadio, stop, currentRadio, isPlaying } = usePlayerStore();
+  const playRadio = usePlayerStore(s => s.playRadio);
+  const stop = usePlayerStore(s => s.stop);
+  const currentRadio = usePlayerStore(s => s.currentRadio);
+  const isPlaying = usePlayerStore(s => s.isPlaying);
 
   const [stations, setStations] = useState<InternetRadioStation[]>([]);
   const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true);

src/pages/Playlists.tsx

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ function formatDuration(seconds: number): string {
 export default function Playlists() {
   const { t } = useTranslation();
   const navigate = useNavigate();
-  const { playTrack } = usePlayerStore();
+  const playTrack = usePlayerStore(s => s.playTrack);
   const touchPlaylist = usePlaylistStore((s) => s.touchPlaylist);
   const removeId = usePlaylistStore((s) => s.removeId);
 

src/pages/Settings.tsx

@@ -249,6 +249,10 @@ export default function Settings() {
   }, [auth.lastfmSessionKey, auth.lastfmUsername]);
 
   useEffect(() => {
+    if (activeTab === 'audio') {
+      invoke<number>('get_hot_cache_size', { customDir: auth.hotCacheDownloadDir || null }).then(setHotCacheBytes).catch(() => setHotCacheBytes(0));
+      return;
+    }
     if (activeTab !== 'storage') return;
     getImageCacheSize().then(setImageCacheBytes);
     invoke<number>('get_offline_cache_size', { customDir: auth.offlineDownloadDir || null }).then(setOfflineCacheBytes).catch(() => setOfflineCacheBytes(0));
@@ -524,8 +528,19 @@ export default function Settings() {
                   <span className="toggle-track" />
                 </label>
               </div>
+            </div>
+          </section>
 
-              <div className="divider" />
+          {/* Next Track Buffering */}
+          <section className="settings-section">
+            <div className="settings-section-header">
+              <Download size={18} />
+              <h2>{t('settings.nextTrackBufferingTitle')}</h2>
+            </div>
+            <div className="settings-card">
+              <div style={{ fontSize: 12, color: 'var(--text-muted)', lineHeight: 1.5, marginBottom: '0.75rem' }}>
+                {t('settings.preloadHotCacheMutualExclusive')}
+              </div>
 
               {/* Preload mode */}
               <div className="settings-toggle-row">
@@ -533,31 +548,170 @@ export default function Settings() {
                   <div style={{ fontWeight: 500 }}>{t('settings.preloadMode')}</div>
                   <div style={{ fontSize: 12, color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>{t('settings.preloadModeDesc')}</div>
                 </div>
-              </div>
-              <div style={{ paddingLeft: '1rem', marginTop: '0.5rem', display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: '0.75rem' }}>
-                {(['balanced', 'early', 'custom'] as const).map(mode => (
-                  <button
-                    key={mode}
-                    className={`btn ${auth.preloadMode === mode ? 'btn-primary' : 'btn-surface'}`}
-                    style={{ fontSize: 12, padding: '3px 12px' }}
-                    onClick={() => auth.setPreloadMode(mode)}
-                  >
-                    {t(`settings.preload${mode.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + mode.slice(1)}` as any)}
-                  </button>
-                ))}
-              </div>
-              {auth.preloadMode === 'custom' && (
-                <div style={{ paddingLeft: '1rem', marginTop: '0.5rem', display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: '0.75rem' }}>
+                <label className="toggle-switch" aria-label={t('settings.preloadMode')}>
                   <input
-                    type="range"
-                    min={5} max={120} step={5}
-                    value={auth.preloadCustomSeconds}
-                    onChange={e => auth.setPreloadCustomSeconds(parseInt(e.target.value))}
-                    style={{ width: 120 }}
+                    type="checkbox"
+                    checked={auth.preloadMode !== 'off'}
+                    onChange={e => {
+                      if (e.target.checked) {
+                        auth.setPreloadMode('balanced');
+                        if (auth.hotCacheEnabled) auth.setHotCacheEnabled(false);
+                      } else {
+                        auth.setPreloadMode('off');
+                      }
+                    }}
                   />
-                  <span style={{ fontSize: 13, color: 'var(--text-secondary)', minWidth: 36 }}>
-                    {t('settings.preloadCustomSeconds', { n: auth.preloadCustomSeconds })}
-                  </span>
+                  <span className="toggle-track" />
+                </label>
+              </div>
+              {auth.preloadMode !== 'off' && (
+                <>
+                  <div style={{ paddingLeft: '1rem', marginTop: '0.5rem', display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: '0.75rem' }}>
+                    {(['balanced', 'early', 'custom'] as const).map(mode => (
+                      <button
+                        key={mode}
+                        className={`btn ${auth.preloadMode === mode ? 'btn-primary' : 'btn-surface'}`}
+                        style={{ fontSize: 12, padding: '3px 12px' }}
+                        onClick={() => auth.setPreloadMode(mode)}
+                      >
+                        {t(`settings.preload${mode.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + mode.slice(1)}` as any)}
+                      </button>
+                    ))}
+                  </div>
+                  {auth.preloadMode === 'custom' && (
+                    <div style={{ paddingLeft: '1rem', marginTop: '0.5rem', display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: '0.75rem' }}>
+                      <input
+                        type="range"
+                        min={5} max={120} step={5}
+                        value={auth.preloadCustomSeconds}
+                        onChange={e => auth.setPreloadCustomSeconds(parseInt(e.target.value))}
+                        style={{ width: 120 }}
+                      />
+                      <span style={{ fontSize: 13, color: 'var(--text-secondary)', minWidth: 36 }}>
+                        {t('settings.preloadCustomSeconds', { n: auth.preloadCustomSeconds })}
+                      </span>
+                    </div>
+                  )}
+                </>
+              )}
+
+              <div className="divider" />
+
+              {/* Hot Cache */}
+              <div className="settings-toggle-row">
+                <div>
+                  <div style={{ fontWeight: 500, display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: 8 }}>
+                    {t('settings.hotCacheTitle')}
+                    <span style={{ fontSize: 10, fontWeight: 600, textTransform: 'uppercase', letterSpacing: '0.04em', padding: '2px 6px', borderRadius: 4, background: 'color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-warning, #f59e0b) 22%, transparent)', color: 'var(--text-primary)' }}>
+                      {t('settings.hotCacheAlphaBadge')}
+                    </span>
+                  </div>
+                  <div style={{ fontSize: 12, color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>{t('settings.hotCacheDisclaimer')}</div>
+                </div>
+                <label className="toggle-switch" aria-label={t('settings.hotCacheEnabled')}>
+                  <input
+                    type="checkbox"
+                    checked={auth.hotCacheEnabled}
+                    onChange={async e => {
+                      const enabled = e.target.checked;
+                      if (!enabled) {
+                        await clearHotCacheDisk(auth.hotCacheDownloadDir || null);
+                        setHotCacheBytes(0);
+                        auth.setHotCacheEnabled(false);
+                      } else {
+                        auth.setHotCacheEnabled(true);
+                        if (auth.preloadMode !== 'off') auth.setPreloadMode('off');
+                        invoke<number>('get_hot_cache_size', { customDir: auth.hotCacheDownloadDir || null })
+                          .then(setHotCacheBytes)
+                          .catch(() => setHotCacheBytes(0));
+                      }
+                    }}
+                    id="hot-cache-enabled-toggle"
+                  />
+                  <span className="toggle-track" />
+                </label>
+              </div>
+
+              {auth.hotCacheEnabled && (
+                <div style={{ marginTop: '1.25rem' }}>
+                  <div style={{ display: 'flex', gap: 8, alignItems: 'center' }}>
+                    <input
+                      className="input"
+                      type="text"
+                      readOnly
+                      value={auth.hotCacheDownloadDir || t('settings.hotCacheDirDefault')}
+                      style={{ flex: 1, fontSize: 13, color: auth.hotCacheDownloadDir ? 'var(--text-primary)' : 'var(--text-muted)', cursor: 'default' }}
+                    />
+                    {auth.hotCacheDownloadDir && (
+                      <button
+                        type="button"
+                        className="btn btn-ghost"
+                        onClick={() => {
+                          auth.setHotCacheDownloadDir('');
+                          useHotCacheStore.setState({ entries: {} });
+                          invoke<number>('get_hot_cache_size', { customDir: null }).then(setHotCacheBytes).catch(() => setHotCacheBytes(0));
+                        }}
+                        data-tooltip={t('settings.hotCacheDirClear')}
+                        style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)', flexShrink: 0 }}
+                      >
+                        <X size={16} />
+                      </button>
+                    )}
+                    <button type="button" className="btn btn-surface" onClick={pickHotCacheDir} style={{ flexShrink: 0 }}>
+                      <FolderOpen size={16} /> {t('settings.hotCacheDirChange')}
+                    </button>
+                  </div>
+                  {auth.hotCacheDownloadDir && (
+                    <div style={{ fontSize: 11, color: 'var(--text-muted)', marginTop: 8, lineHeight: 1.4 }}>
+                      {t('settings.hotCacheDirHint')}
+                    </div>
+                  )}
+
+                  <div style={{ borderTop: '1px solid var(--border)', margin: '16px 0' }} />
+
+                  <div style={{ fontSize: 12, marginBottom: 12, display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', gap: 3 }}>
+                    <div style={{ color: 'var(--text-secondary)' }}>
+                      <span style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)', marginRight: 4 }}>{t('settings.cacheUsedHot')}</span>
+                      {hotCacheBytes !== null ? formatBytes(hotCacheBytes) : '…'}
+                    </div>
+                    <div style={{ color: 'var(--text-secondary)' }}>
+                      <span style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)', marginRight: 4 }}>{t('settings.hotCacheTrackCount')}</span>
+                      {hotCacheTrackCount}
+                    </div>
+                  </div>
+
+                  <div>
+                    <div style={{ fontWeight: 500, marginBottom: 6 }}>{t('settings.hotCacheMaxMb')}</div>
+                    <div style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: '0.75rem' }}>
+                      <input type="range" min={32} max={20000} step={32} value={snapHotCacheMb(auth.hotCacheMaxMb)} onChange={e => auth.setHotCacheMaxMb(parseInt(e.target.value, 10))} style={{ width: 140 }} id="hot-cache-max-mb-slider" />
+                      <span style={{ fontSize: 13, color: 'var(--text-secondary)', minWidth: 72 }}>{snapHotCacheMb(auth.hotCacheMaxMb)} MB</span>
+                    </div>
+                  </div>
+                  <div style={{ marginTop: '0.75rem' }}>
+                    <div style={{ fontWeight: 500, marginBottom: 6 }}>{t('settings.hotCacheDebounce')}</div>
+                    <div style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: '0.75rem' }}>
+                      <input type="range" min={0} max={600} step={1} value={Math.min(600, Math.max(0, auth.hotCacheDebounceSec))} onChange={e => auth.setHotCacheDebounceSec(parseInt(e.target.value, 10))} style={{ width: 140 }} id="hot-cache-debounce-slider" />
+                      <span style={{ fontSize: 13, color: 'var(--text-secondary)', minWidth: 100 }}>
+                        {Math.min(600, Math.max(0, auth.hotCacheDebounceSec)) === 0
+                          ? t('settings.hotCacheDebounceImmediate')
+                          : t('settings.hotCacheDebounceSeconds', { n: Math.min(600, Math.max(0, auth.hotCacheDebounceSec)) })}
+                      </span>
+                    </div>
+                  </div>
+
+                  <div style={{ borderTop: '1px solid var(--border)', margin: '16px 0' }} />
+                  <button
+                    type="button"
+                    className="btn btn-ghost"
+                    style={{ fontSize: 13 }}
+                    onClick={async () => {
+                      await clearHotCacheDisk(auth.hotCacheDownloadDir || null);
+                      const b = await invoke<number>('get_hot_cache_size', { customDir: auth.hotCacheDownloadDir || null }).catch(() => 0);
+                      setHotCacheBytes(b);
+                    }}
+                  >
+                    <Trash2 size={14} /> {t('settings.hotCacheClearBtn')}
+                  </button>
                 </div>
               )}
 
@@ -1002,164 +1156,6 @@ export default function Settings() {
             </div>
           </section>
 
-          <section className="settings-section">
-            <div className="settings-section-header">
-              <HardDrive size={18} />
-              <h2 style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: 8, flexWrap: 'wrap' }}>
-                {t('settings.hotCacheTitle')}
-                <span
-                  style={{
-                    fontSize: 10,
-                    fontWeight: 600,
-                    textTransform: 'uppercase',
-                    letterSpacing: '0.04em',
-                    padding: '2px 6px',
-                    borderRadius: 4,
-                    background: 'color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-warning, #f59e0b) 22%, transparent)',
-                    color: 'var(--text-primary)',
-                  }}
-                >
-                  {t('settings.hotCacheAlphaBadge')}
-                </span>
-              </h2>
-            </div>
-            <div className="settings-card">
-              <div style={{ fontSize: 12, color: 'var(--text-muted)', marginBottom: 14, lineHeight: 1.5 }}>
-                {t('settings.hotCacheDisclaimer')}
-              </div>
-
-              <div className="settings-toggle-row">
-                <div>
-                  <div style={{ fontWeight: 500 }}>{t('settings.hotCacheEnabled')}</div>
-                </div>
-                <label className="toggle-switch" aria-label={t('settings.hotCacheEnabled')}>
-                  <input
-                    type="checkbox"
-                    checked={auth.hotCacheEnabled}
-                    onChange={async e => {
-                      const enabled = e.target.checked;
-                      if (!enabled) {
-                        await clearHotCacheDisk(auth.hotCacheDownloadDir || null);
-                        setHotCacheBytes(0);
-                        auth.setHotCacheEnabled(false);
-                      } else {
-                        auth.setHotCacheEnabled(true);
-                        invoke<number>('get_hot_cache_size', { customDir: auth.hotCacheDownloadDir || null })
-                          .then(setHotCacheBytes)
-                          .catch(() => setHotCacheBytes(0));
-                      }
-                    }}
-                    id="hot-cache-enabled-toggle"
-                  />
-                  <span className="toggle-track" />
-                </label>
-              </div>
-
-              {auth.hotCacheEnabled && (
-                <div style={{ marginTop: '1.25rem' }}>
-                  <div style={{ display: 'flex', gap: 8, alignItems: 'center' }}>
-                    <input
-                      className="input"
-                      type="text"
-                      readOnly
-                      value={auth.hotCacheDownloadDir || t('settings.hotCacheDirDefault')}
-                      style={{ flex: 1, fontSize: 13, color: auth.hotCacheDownloadDir ? 'var(--text-primary)' : 'var(--text-muted)', cursor: 'default' }}
-                    />
-                    {auth.hotCacheDownloadDir && (
-                      <button
-                        type="button"
-                        className="btn btn-ghost"
-                        onClick={() => {
-                          auth.setHotCacheDownloadDir('');
-                          useHotCacheStore.setState({ entries: {} });
-                          invoke<number>('get_hot_cache_size', { customDir: null }).then(setHotCacheBytes).catch(() => setHotCacheBytes(0));
-                        }}
-                        data-tooltip={t('settings.hotCacheDirClear')}
-                        style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)', flexShrink: 0 }}
-                      >
-                        <X size={16} />
-                      </button>
-                    )}
-                    <button type="button" className="btn btn-surface" onClick={pickHotCacheDir} style={{ flexShrink: 0 }}>
-                      <FolderOpen size={16} /> {t('settings.hotCacheDirChange')}
-                    </button>
-                  </div>
-                  {auth.hotCacheDownloadDir && (
-                    <div style={{ fontSize: 11, color: 'var(--text-muted)', marginTop: 8, lineHeight: 1.4 }}>
-                      {t('settings.hotCacheDirHint')}
-                    </div>
-                  )}
-
-                  <div style={{ borderTop: '1px solid var(--border)', margin: '16px 0' }} />
-
-                  <div style={{ fontSize: 12, marginBottom: 12, display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', gap: 3 }}>
-                    <div style={{ color: 'var(--text-secondary)' }}>
-                      <span style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)', marginRight: 4 }}>{t('settings.cacheUsedHot')}</span>
-                      {hotCacheBytes !== null ? formatBytes(hotCacheBytes) : '…'}
-                    </div>
-                    <div style={{ color: 'var(--text-secondary)' }}>
-                      <span style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)', marginRight: 4 }}>{t('settings.hotCacheTrackCount')}</span>
-                      {hotCacheTrackCount}
-                    </div>
-                  </div>
-
-                  <div>
-                    <div style={{ fontWeight: 500, marginBottom: 6 }}>{t('settings.hotCacheMaxMb')}</div>
-                    <div style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: '0.75rem' }}>
-                      <input
-                        type="range"
-                        min={32}
-                        max={20000}
-                        step={32}
-                        value={snapHotCacheMb(auth.hotCacheMaxMb)}
-                        onChange={e => auth.setHotCacheMaxMb(parseInt(e.target.value, 10))}
-                        style={{ width: 140 }}
-                        id="hot-cache-max-mb-slider"
-                      />
-                      <span style={{ fontSize: 13, color: 'var(--text-secondary)', minWidth: 72 }}>
-                        {snapHotCacheMb(auth.hotCacheMaxMb)} MB
-                      </span>
-                    </div>
-                  </div>
-                  <div style={{ marginTop: '0.75rem' }}>
-                    <div style={{ fontWeight: 500, marginBottom: 6 }}>{t('settings.hotCacheDebounce')}</div>
-                    <div style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: '0.75rem' }}>
-                      <input
-                        type="range"
-                        min={0}
-                        max={600}
-                        step={1}
-                        value={Math.min(600, Math.max(0, auth.hotCacheDebounceSec))}
-                        onChange={e => auth.setHotCacheDebounceSec(parseInt(e.target.value, 10))}
-                        style={{ width: 140 }}
-                        id="hot-cache-debounce-slider"
-                      />
-                      <span style={{ fontSize: 13, color: 'var(--text-secondary)', minWidth: 100 }}>
-                        {Math.min(600, Math.max(0, auth.hotCacheDebounceSec)) === 0
-                          ? t('settings.hotCacheDebounceImmediate')
-                          : t('settings.hotCacheDebounceSeconds', { n: Math.min(600, Math.max(0, auth.hotCacheDebounceSec)) })}
-                      </span>
-                    </div>
-                  </div>
-
-                  <div style={{ borderTop: '1px solid var(--border)', margin: '16px 0' }} />
-                  <button
-                    type="button"
-                    className="btn btn-ghost"
-                    style={{ fontSize: 13 }}
-                    onClick={async () => {
-                      await clearHotCacheDisk(auth.hotCacheDownloadDir || null);
-                      const b = await invoke<number>('get_hot_cache_size', { customDir: auth.hotCacheDownloadDir || null }).catch(() => 0);
-                      setHotCacheBytes(b);
-                    }}
-                  >
-                    <Trash2 size={14} /> {t('settings.hotCacheClearBtn')}
-                  </button>
-                </div>
-              )}
-            </div>
-          </section>
-
           {/* ZIP Export & Archiving */}
           <section className="settings-section">
             <div className="settings-section-header">

src/store/authStore.ts

@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ interface AuthState {
   crossfadeEnabled: boolean;
   crossfadeSecs: number;
   gaplessEnabled: boolean;
-  preloadMode: 'balanced' | 'early' | 'custom';
+  preloadMode: 'off' | 'balanced' | 'early' | 'custom';
   preloadCustomSeconds: number;
   infiniteQueueEnabled: boolean;
   showArtistImages: boolean;
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ interface AuthState {
   setCrossfadeEnabled: (v: boolean) => void;
   setCrossfadeSecs: (v: number) => void;
   setGaplessEnabled: (v: boolean) => void;
-  setPreloadMode: (v: 'balanced' | 'early' | 'custom') => void;
+  setPreloadMode: (v: 'off' | 'balanced' | 'early' | 'custom') => void;
   setPreloadCustomSeconds: (v: number) => void;
   setInfiniteQueueEnabled: (v: boolean) => void;
   setShowArtistImages: (v: boolean) => void;
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@ export const useAuthStore = create<AuthState>()(
       setCrossfadeEnabled: (v) => set({ crossfadeEnabled: v }),
       setCrossfadeSecs: (v) => set({ crossfadeSecs: v }),
       setGaplessEnabled: (v) => set({ gaplessEnabled: v }),
-      setPreloadMode: (v: 'balanced' | 'early' | 'custom') => set({ preloadMode: v }),
+      setPreloadMode: (v: 'off' | 'balanced' | 'early' | 'custom') => set({ preloadMode: v }),
       setPreloadCustomSeconds: (v: number) => set({ preloadCustomSeconds: v }),
       setInfiniteQueueEnabled: (v) => set({ infiniteQueueEnabled: v }),
       setShowArtistImages: (v) => set({ showArtistImages: v }),

src/store/playerStore.ts

@@ -331,11 +331,13 @@ function handleAudioProgress(current_time: number, duration: number) {
   // Pre-buffer / pre-chain next track based on preload mode.
   const { gaplessEnabled, preloadMode, preloadCustomSeconds } = useAuthStore.getState();
   const remaining = dur - current_time;
-  const shouldPreload = preloadMode === 'early'
-    ? current_time >= 5
-    : preloadMode === 'custom'
-      ? remaining < preloadCustomSeconds && remaining > 0
-      : remaining < 30 && remaining > 0; // balanced (default)
+  const shouldPreload = preloadMode !== 'off' && (
+    preloadMode === 'early'
+      ? current_time >= 5
+      : preloadMode === 'custom'
+        ? remaining < preloadCustomSeconds && remaining > 0
+        : remaining < 30 && remaining > 0 // balanced (default)
+  );
   if (shouldPreload) {
     const { queue, queueIndex, repeatMode } = store;
     const nextIdx = queueIndex + 1;
@@ -483,11 +485,28 @@ function handleAudioError(message: string) {
  * set of listeners before creating the second, avoiding duplicate handlers.
  */
 export function initAudioListeners(): () => void {
+  // Dev-only: warn when audio:progress events arrive faster than 10/s.
+  // This would indicate the Rust emit interval was accidentally lowered.
+  let _devEventCount = 0;
+  let _devWindowStart = 0;
+
   const pending = [
     listen<number>('audio:playing', ({ payload }) => handleAudioPlaying(payload)),
-    listen<{ current_time: number; duration: number }>('audio:progress', ({ payload }) =>
-      handleAudioProgress(payload.current_time, payload.duration)
-    ),
+    listen<{ current_time: number; duration: number }>('audio:progress', ({ payload }) => {
+      if (import.meta.env.DEV) {
+        _devEventCount++;
+        const now = Date.now();
+        if (_devWindowStart === 0) _devWindowStart = now;
+        if (now - _devWindowStart >= 1000) {
+          if (_devEventCount > 10) {
+            console.warn(`[psysonic] audio:progress: ${_devEventCount} events/s (threshold: 10) — check Rust emit interval`);
+          }
+          _devEventCount = 0;
+          _devWindowStart = now;
+        }
+      }
+      handleAudioProgress(payload.current_time, payload.duration);
+    }),
     listen<void>('audio:ended', () => handleAudioEnded()),
     listen<string>('audio:error', ({ payload }) => handleAudioError(payload)),
     listen<number>('audio:track_switched', ({ payload }) => handleAudioTrackSwitched(payload)),

src/styles/components.css

@@ -21,17 +21,7 @@
   inset: 0;
   background-size: cover;
   background-position: center;
-  transition: transform 8s ease, opacity 0.8s ease, filter 0.8s ease;
-  transform: scale(1.05);
-  filter: blur(12px);
-}
-
-.hero:hover .hero-bg {
-  filter: blur(8px);
-}
-
-.hero:hover .hero-bg {
-  transform: scale(1);
+  transition: opacity 0.8s ease;
 }
 
 .hero-dots {
@@ -909,11 +899,8 @@
   inset: 0;
   background-size: cover;
   background-position: center;
-  filter: blur(20px) brightness(0.6);
-  transform: scale(1.1);
-  /* Hide blur edges */
   z-index: 0;
-  opacity: 0.8;
+  opacity: 0.35;
   transition: opacity var(--transition-slow);
 }
 
@@ -3014,23 +3001,22 @@
   to   { transform: translateY(0);    opacity: 1; }
 }
 
-/* ── Animated dark mesh — GPU-only: only transform3d, no scale, real divs for will-change ── */
 @keyframes mesh-aura-a {
-  0%   { transform: translate3d(0,    0,   0); }
-  33%  { transform: translate3d(5%,  -6%,  0); }
-  66%  { transform: translate3d(-3%,  2%,  0); }
-  100% { transform: translate3d(0,    0,   0); }
+  0%   { transform: translate(0,    0  ); }
+  33%  { transform: translate(5%,  -6% ); }
+  66%  { transform: translate(-3%,  2% ); }
+  100% { transform: translate(0,    0  ); }
 }
 
 @keyframes mesh-aura-b {
-  0%   { transform: translate3d(0,    0,  0); }
-  50%  { transform: translate3d(-6%,  5%, 0); }
-  100% { transform: translate3d(0,    0,  0); }
+  0%   { transform: translate(0,   0  ); }
+  50%  { transform: translate(-6%, 5% ); }
+  100% { transform: translate(0,   0  ); }
 }
 
 @keyframes portrait-drift {
-  0%, 100% { transform: translate3d(0,     0, 0); }
-  50%       { transform: translate3d(0, -10px, 0); }
+  0%, 100% { transform: translateY(0    ); }
+  50%       { transform: translateY(-10px); }
 }
 
 .fs-mesh-bg {
@@ -3042,12 +3028,11 @@
   pointer-events: none;
 }
 
-/* Blobs are real divs so will-change: transform applies (pseudo-elements can't have it) */
+/* Blobs are real divs — no will-change/filter to avoid software compositing layers */
 .fs-mesh-blob {
   position: absolute;
   border-radius: 50%;
   pointer-events: none;
-  will-change: transform;
 }
 
 .fs-mesh-blob-a {
@@ -3058,8 +3043,8 @@
   bottom: -35%;
   background: radial-gradient(ellipse,
     color-mix(in srgb, var(--dynamic-fs-accent, var(--accent)), transparent 86%) 0%,
-    transparent 65%);
-  filter: blur(55px);
+    color-mix(in srgb, var(--dynamic-fs-accent, var(--accent)), transparent 96%) 45%,
+    transparent 70%);
   animation: mesh-aura-a 26s ease-in-out infinite;
   animation-delay: 350ms;
   transition: background 400ms ease-in-out;
@@ -3072,8 +3057,8 @@
   top: -25%;
   background: radial-gradient(ellipse,
     color-mix(in srgb, var(--dynamic-fs-accent, var(--accent)), transparent 92%) 0%,
-    transparent 65%);
-  filter: blur(65px);
+    color-mix(in srgb, var(--dynamic-fs-accent, var(--accent)), transparent 98%) 45%,
+    transparent 70%);
   animation: mesh-aura-b 20s ease-in-out infinite;
   animation-delay: 350ms;
   transition: background 400ms ease-in-out;