Keep fallback active while adding queued media

* commit 'cedd0c6aa23e8004e88b6ea1b530b1dd99c90890':
  ios: simplify share extension to saved-player tap-to-play

README.md

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ It allows you to remotely manage mpv's playqueue as well as the ability to searc
 ## Sharing video links
 
 The iOS and Mac Catalyst app includes a QueueCube share extension. Share one
-video link, choose a player, and tap **Queue & Play** to append and play it while
+video link and tap a saved player to append and play it while
 keeping the existing queue. See [share extension setup, API behavior, and validation](ios/SHARE_EXTENSION.md).
 
 ## iOS TestFlight releases

ios/CLAUDE.md

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ QueueCube is a SwiftUI-based jukebox client application for iOS and macOS (via M
 - **API.swift**: Central networking layer that handles all communication with the jukebox server. Includes REST API methods for playback control, playlist management, and WebSocket events for real-time updates.
 - **ContentView.swift**: Main view controller containing the `MainViewModel` that coordinates between UI components and API calls. Handles WebSocket event processing and data flow.
 - **Server.swift**: Represents individual jukebox servers with support for both manual configuration and Bonjour service discovery.
-- **ServerDiscovery.swift**: Shared Bonjour browsing and bounded, cancellation-safe endpoint resolution for the app and share extension.
+- **ServerDiscovery.swift**: Main-app Bonjour browsing and bounded, cancellation-safe endpoint resolution for Add Server.
 - **RequestBuilder.swift**: Shared extension-safe HTTP builder and error handling.
 - **SharePlayback.swift**: Append once, select the new queue item, unpause, and verify playback using existing endpoints.
 - **Settings.swift**: Manages multiple server configurations stored in UserDefaults with validation through `SettingsViewModel` that tests connectivity on URL changes.
@@ -99,5 +99,6 @@ QueueCubeApp
 ## Share extension
 
 `QueueCubeShare` is embedded in iOS and Mac Catalyst builds. It reads an App Group
-settings snapshot and reuses the API/discovery code. See [SHARE_EXTENSION.md](SHARE_EXTENSION.md)
+settings snapshot and reuses the API code. Tapping a saved player queues and plays
+the shared link; discovery remains in the main app. See [SHARE_EXTENSION.md](SHARE_EXTENSION.md)
 for authentication limitations, queue/play failure semantics, signing setup, and focused tests.

ios/QueueCube.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj

@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@
 		CD2026102000000000000201 /* RequestBuilder.swift in Sources */ = {isa = PBXBuildFile; fileRef = CD2026102000000000000101 /* RequestBuilder.swift */; };
 		CD2026102000000000000202 /* Server.swift in Sources */ = {isa = PBXBuildFile; fileRef = CD2026102000000000000102 /* Server.swift */; };
 		CD2026102000000000000203 /* Settings.swift in Sources */ = {isa = PBXBuildFile; fileRef = CD2026102000000000000103 /* Settings.swift */; };
-		CD2026102000000000000204 /* ServerDiscovery.swift in Sources */ = {isa = PBXBuildFile; fileRef = CD2026102000000000000104 /* ServerDiscovery.swift */; };
 		CD2026102000000000000205 /* SharedVideo.swift in Sources */ = {isa = PBXBuildFile; fileRef = CD2026102000000000000105 /* SharedVideo.swift */; };
 		CD2026102000000000000206 /* SharePlayback.swift in Sources */ = {isa = PBXBuildFile; fileRef = CD2026102000000000000106 /* SharePlayback.swift */; };
 		CD2026102000000000000207 /* SharedInput.swift in Sources */ = {isa = PBXBuildFile; fileRef = CD2026102000000000000107 /* SharedInput.swift */; };
@@ -49,7 +48,6 @@
 		CD2026102000000000000101 /* RequestBuilder.swift */ = {isa = PBXFileReference; lastKnownFileType = sourcecode.swift; path = RequestBuilder.swift; sourceTree = "<group>"; };
 		CD2026102000000000000102 /* Server.swift */ = {isa = PBXFileReference; lastKnownFileType = sourcecode.swift; path = Server.swift; sourceTree = "<group>"; };
 		CD2026102000000000000103 /* Settings.swift */ = {isa = PBXFileReference; lastKnownFileType = sourcecode.swift; path = Settings.swift; sourceTree = "<group>"; };
-		CD2026102000000000000104 /* ServerDiscovery.swift */ = {isa = PBXFileReference; lastKnownFileType = sourcecode.swift; path = ServerDiscovery.swift; sourceTree = "<group>"; };
 		CD2026102000000000000105 /* SharedVideo.swift */ = {isa = PBXFileReference; lastKnownFileType = sourcecode.swift; path = SharedVideo.swift; sourceTree = "<group>"; };
 		CD2026102000000000000106 /* SharePlayback.swift */ = {isa = PBXFileReference; lastKnownFileType = sourcecode.swift; path = SharePlayback.swift; sourceTree = "<group>"; };
 		CD2026102000000000000107 /* SharedInput.swift */ = {isa = PBXFileReference; lastKnownFileType = sourcecode.swift; path = SharedInput.swift; sourceTree = "<group>"; };
@@ -137,7 +135,6 @@
 				CD2026102000000000000101 /* RequestBuilder.swift */,
 				CD2026102000000000000102 /* Server.swift */,
 				CD2026102000000000000103 /* Settings.swift */,
-				CD2026102000000000000104 /* ServerDiscovery.swift */,
 				CD2026102000000000000105 /* SharedVideo.swift */,
 				CD2026102000000000000106 /* SharePlayback.swift */,
 				CD2026102000000000000107 /* SharedInput.swift */,
@@ -272,7 +269,6 @@
 				CD2026102000000000000201 /* RequestBuilder.swift in Sources */,
 				CD2026102000000000000202 /* Server.swift in Sources */,
 				CD2026102000000000000203 /* Settings.swift in Sources */,
-				CD2026102000000000000204 /* ServerDiscovery.swift in Sources */,
 				CD2026102000000000000205 /* SharedVideo.swift in Sources */,
 				CD2026102000000000000206 /* SharePlayback.swift in Sources */,
 				CD2026102000000000000207 /* SharedInput.swift in Sources */,

ios/QueueCube/Backend/ServerDiscovery.swift

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Shared Bonjour discovery for the app and share extension.
+// Bonjour discovery for the main app's Add Server view.
 
 import Foundation
 import Network

ios/QueueCubeShare/Info.plist

@@ -4,12 +4,8 @@
 <dict>
 	<key>ITSAppUsesNonExemptEncryption</key>
 	<false/>
-	<key>NSBonjourServices</key>
-	<array>
-		<string>_queuecube._tcp.</string>
-	</array>
 	<key>NSLocalNetworkUsageDescription</key>
-	<string>QueueCube discovers nearby players so you can choose where to play this video.</string>
+	<string>QueueCube connects to your saved players to queue and play this video.</string>
 	<key>NSAppTransportSecurity</key>
 	<dict>
 		<key>NSAllowsArbitraryLoads</key>

ios/QueueCubeShare/ShareViewController.swift

@@ -9,8 +9,8 @@ final class ShareViewController: UIViewController {
     override func viewDidLoad() {
         super.viewDidLoad()
         preferredContentSize = CGSize(width: 480, height: 600)
-        let host = UIHostingController(rootView: ShareView(model: model, send: { [weak self] in
+        let host = UIHostingController(rootView: ShareView(model: model, send: { [weak self] server in
-            self?.send()
+            self?.send(to: server)
         }, close: { [weak self] in
             self?.close()
         }))
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ final class ShareViewController: UIViewController {
             host.view.bottomAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.bottomAnchor)
         ])
         host.didMove(toParent: self)
-        model.discovery.start()
         inputTask = Task { [weak self] in
             guard let self else { return }
             do {
@@ -37,12 +36,10 @@ final class ShareViewController: UIViewController {
         }
     }
 
-    private func send() {
+    private func send(to server: Server) {
-        guard !model.sending, !model.finished, let url = model.url,
+        guard !model.sending, !model.finished, let url = model.url else { return }
-              let server = model.selectedServer else { return }
         model.sending = true
         model.message = nil
-        model.discovery.stop()
         playbackTask = Task { [weak self] in
             guard let self else { return }
             do {
@@ -55,7 +52,6 @@ final class ShareViewController: UIViewController {
                 guard !Task.isCancelled else { return }
                 model.message = error.localizedDescription
                 model.finished = !error.canRetry
-                if error.canRetry { model.discovery.start() }
             } catch {
                 guard !Task.isCancelled else { return }
                 model.message = "The request could not be confirmed. Check the player in QueueCube before sharing again."
@@ -68,7 +64,6 @@ final class ShareViewController: UIViewController {
     private func close() {
         inputTask?.cancel()
         playbackTask?.cancel()
-        model.stop()
         if model.finished {
             extensionContext?.completeRequest(returningItems: nil)
         } else {
@@ -80,7 +75,6 @@ final class ShareViewController: UIViewController {
         super.viewDidDisappear(animated)
         inputTask?.cancel()
         playbackTask?.cancel()
-        model.stop()
     }
 
     deinit {
@@ -91,53 +85,18 @@ final class ShareViewController: UIViewController {
 
 @MainActor @Observable
 private final class ShareViewModel {
-    let discovery = ServerDiscovery()
+    let configuredServers = Settings.fromSharedDefaults().configuredServers
-    let configuredServers: [Server]
-    var selectedServer: Server?
     var url: URL?
     var loading = true
     var sending = false
     var finished = false
     var succeeded = false
-    var resolving = false
     var message: String?
-    private var resolutionTask: Task<Void, Never>?
-
-    init() {
-        let settings = Settings.fromSharedDefaults()
-        configuredServers = settings.configuredServers
-        selectedServer = settings.selectedServer.flatMap { selected in
-            settings.configuredServers.first { $0.id == selected.id }
-        } ?? settings.configuredServers.first
-    }
-
-    func select(_ endpoint: DiscoveredEndpoint) {
-        resolutionTask?.cancel()
-        resolving = true
-        message = nil
-        resolutionTask = Task {
-            do {
-                let server = try await endpoint.resolve()
-                try Task.checkCancellation()
-                selectedServer = server
-            } catch {
-                if !Task.isCancelled {
-                    message = "Could not connect to that player. Check its connection and try again."
-                }
-            }
-            if !Task.isCancelled { resolving = false }
-        }
-    }
-
-    func stop() {
-        resolutionTask?.cancel()
-        discovery.stop()
-    }
 }
 
 private struct ShareView: View {
     @Bindable var model: ShareViewModel
-    let send: () -> Void
+    let send: (Server) -> Void
     let close: () -> Void
 
     var body: some View {
@@ -149,40 +108,35 @@ private struct ShareView: View {
                     } else if let url = model.url {
                         Text(url.absoluteString)
                             .font(.callout)
-                            .lineLimit(3)
+                            .lineLimit(1)
+                            .truncationMode(.middle)
                     }
                 }
                 if !model.finished {
                     Section("Choose player") {
                         if model.configuredServers.isEmpty {
-                            Text("Open QueueCube once to share your saved players, or choose a nearby player below. Allow local network access in QueueCube to reach nearby players.")
+                            Text("Open QueueCube to set up your players.")
                                 .foregroundStyle(.secondary)
                         }
                         ForEach(model.configuredServers) { server in
                             Button {
-                                model.selectedServer = server
+                                send(server)
                             } label: {
-                                playerLabel(server.displayName, selected: model.selectedServer?.id == server.id)
+                                HStack {
+                                    Label(server.displayName, systemImage: "hifispeaker.fill")
+                                    Spacer()
+                                }
+                                .foregroundStyle(Color.primary)
+                                .contentShape(Rectangle())
                             }
-                            .disabled(model.sending || model.resolving)
+                            .tint(.primary)
-                        }
+                            .disabled(model.url == nil || model.sending)
-                        if let selected = model.selectedServer,
-                           !model.configuredServers.contains(where: { $0.id == selected.id }) {
-                            playerLabel(selected.displayName, selected: true)
                         }
                     }
-                    if !model.sending {
+                }
-                        Section("Nearby players") {
+                if model.sending {
-                            if model.discovery.servers.isEmpty {
+                    Section {
-                                Text(model.discovery.errorMessage ?? "Looking for QueueCube players on your local network…")
+                        ProgressView("Queuing and starting playback…")
-                                    .foregroundStyle(.secondary)
-                            }
-                            ForEach(model.discovery.servers) { endpoint in
-                                Button(endpoint.displayName) { model.select(endpoint) }
-                                    .disabled(model.resolving)
-                            }
-                            if model.resolving { ProgressView("Connecting…") }
-                        }
                     }
                 }
                 if let message = model.message {
@@ -191,22 +145,6 @@ private struct ShareView: View {
                             .foregroundStyle(model.succeeded ? Color.green : Color.primary)
                     }
                 }
-                if !model.finished {
-                    Section {
-                        Button(action: send) {
-                            HStack {
-                                Spacer()
-                                if model.sending { ProgressView() }
-                                Text(model.sending ? "Queuing and starting playback…" : "Queue & Play")
-                                Spacer()
-                            }
-                        }
-                        .disabled(model.url == nil || model.selectedServer == nil || model.sending || model.resolving)
-                        Text("Adds this link to the queue and plays it now. Existing queued items are kept.")
-                            .font(.caption)
-                            .foregroundStyle(.secondary)
-                    }
-                }
             }
             .navigationTitle("QueueCube")
             .navigationBarTitleDisplayMode(.inline)
@@ -218,12 +156,4 @@ private struct ShareView: View {
             }
         }
     }
-
-    private func playerLabel(_ name: String, selected: Bool) -> some View {
-        HStack {
-            Label(name, systemImage: "hifispeaker.fill")
-            Spacer()
-            if selected { Image(systemName: "checkmark").accessibilityLabel("Selected") }
-        }
-    }
 }

ios/SHARE_EXTENSION.md

@@ -2,15 +2,15 @@
 
 Open QueueCube once after updating to make saved players available to the share
 extension. In Safari or a video app, share one HTTP(S) link, choose QueueCube,
-select a saved or nearby player, and tap **Queue & Play**. The link is appended
+and tap a saved player. The link is appended
 and played immediately; existing queue entries remain. A successful request
 shows the selected player and a Done button. Video support depends on the
 player's existing mpv/yt-dlp support.
 
-Nearby players use the same `_queuecube._tcp.` Bonjour discovery as Add Server.
+The extension shows only saved players and does not browse for nearby players.
-Resolved IPv4 interface suffixes are removed; scoped IPv6 addresses remain valid.
+Add players manually or with Bonjour discovery in QueueCube Settings first.
-Allow local network access in the containing app first. Players can also be
+Allow local network access in the containing app to reach local players.
-configured manually in QueueCube Settings. The extension handles URL attachments
+The extension handles URL attachments
 (including UTF-8 data and the absolute-URL property-list form observed from
 UIKit) and plain text containing one link. URL data keeps the same single-link
 validation; property lists with a nonempty base or properties dictionary and
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ The app and `net.buzzert.QueueCube.Share` extension share
 publishes a single versioned settings snapshot on read/save. The extension reads
 that snapshot without changing the app's selected player or server list. No
 queued link, credentials store, background transfer, or keychain group is added.
-The extension has Bonjour/local network declarations and the same HTTP transport
+The extension has a local network usage declaration and the same HTTP transport
 compatibility as the existing app; Catalyst adds only app sandbox and outgoing
 network access.
 
@@ -94,8 +94,8 @@ app/extension versions synchronized. Do not apply a single global bundle ID or
 provisioning profile override to both targets.
 
 For manual UI validation, use a dedicated simulator or test installation:
-configure a test player in QueueCube, share a URL from Safari, verify saved and
+configure a test player in QueueCube, share a URL from Safari, verify saved-player
-nearby player selection, Queue & Play success, cancellation, invalid text, and
+tap-to-play, the empty saved-player state, cancellation, invalid text, and
 an offline/partially failing player. Confirm the old queue is retained and the
 new item is current and unpaused. On macOS also confirm QueueCube appears in
 Share extensions and can be invoked from a host app. Record signed-device and

web/backend/package.json

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
   "main": "build/server.js",
   "scripts": {
     "build": "tsc -b",
+    "test": "npm run build && node test/run.cjs",
     "dev": "concurrently \"tsc -w -p src\" \"nodemon build/server.js\"",
     "start": "node build/index.js"
   },

web/backend/src/ChromiumFallback.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,164 @@
+import { ChildProcess, spawn } from "child_process";
+import { accessSync, constants } from "fs";
+import { mkdtemp, rm } from "fs/promises";
+import os from "os";
+import path from "path";
+
+export interface ChromiumProcess {
+    process: ChildProcess;
+    profilePath: string;
+    generation: number;
+}
+
+export class ChromiumFallback {
+    private active: ChromiumProcess | null = null;
+    private generation = 0;
+
+    constructor(
+        private readonly onExit: (url: string) => void = () => undefined,
+        private readonly executable = process.env.QUEUECUBE_CHROME_BIN || ChromiumFallback.findExecutable(),
+    ) {}
+
+    private static findExecutable(): string {
+        const directories = (process.env.PATH || "").split(path.delimiter);
+        for (const name of ["chromium", "chromium-browser", "google-chrome"]) {
+            for (const directory of directories) {
+                if (!directory) continue;
+                const candidate = path.join(directory, name);
+                try {
+                    accessSync(candidate, constants.X_OK);
+                    return candidate;
+                } catch {
+                    // Keep checking the remaining supported executable names.
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        return "chromium";
+    }
+
+    public get isRunning(): boolean {
+        return this.active !== null;
+    }
+
+    public async start(url: string, isCurrent: () => boolean): Promise<boolean> {
+        await this.stop();
+        const generation = ++this.generation;
+        const profilePath = await mkdtemp(path.join(os.tmpdir(), "queuecube-chrome-"));
+
+        if (generation !== this.generation || !isCurrent()) {
+            await this.removeProfile(profilePath);
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        let child: ChildProcess;
+        try {
+            child = spawn(this.executable, [
+                "--kiosk",
+                "--no-first-run",
+                "--no-default-browser-check",
+                `--user-data-dir=${profilePath}`,
+                "--",
+                url,
+            ], { detached: true, stdio: "ignore" });
+        } catch (error) {
+            await this.removeProfile(profilePath);
+            throw error;
+        }
+
+        const active = { process: child, profilePath, generation };
+        this.active = active;
+        child.once("spawn", () => {
+            if (this.active !== active || generation !== this.generation) {
+                this.signalOwnedGroup(child, "SIGTERM");
+            }
+        });
+
+        return new Promise<boolean>((resolve, reject) => {
+            let settled = false;
+            const cleanup = () => {
+                if (this.active === active) {
+                    this.active = null;
+                    // Chromium can exit before its helper processes. Reap only the
+                    // process group created for this fallback instance.
+                    this.signalOwnedGroup(child, "SIGTERM");
+                    this.onExit(url);
+                }
+                void this.removeProfile(profilePath);
+            };
+
+            child.once("error", (error) => {
+                cleanup();
+                if (!settled) {
+                    settled = true;
+                    reject(error);
+                }
+            });
+            child.once("exit", () => {
+                cleanup();
+                if (!settled) {
+                    settled = true;
+                    resolve(false);
+                }
+            });
+            child.once("spawn", () => {
+                if (settled) return;
+                settled = true;
+                if (generation !== this.generation || !isCurrent()) {
+                    void this.stopActive(active);
+                    resolve(false);
+                    return;
+                }
+                resolve(true);
+            });
+        });
+    }
+
+    public async stop(): Promise<void> {
+        this.generation++;
+        const active = this.active;
+        if (active) await this.stopActive(active);
+    }
+
+    private async stopActive(active: ChromiumProcess): Promise<void> {
+        if (this.active === active) this.active = null;
+
+        const child = active.process;
+        if (child.exitCode === null && child.signalCode === null) {
+            if (child.pid) this.signalOwnedGroup(child, "SIGTERM");
+
+            await Promise.race([
+                new Promise<void>((resolve) => child.once("exit", () => resolve())),
+                new Promise<void>((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 2000)),
+            ]);
+
+            if (child.exitCode === null && child.signalCode === null) {
+                if (child.pid) this.signalOwnedGroup(child, "SIGKILL");
+                await Promise.race([
+                    new Promise<void>((resolve) => child.once("exit", () => resolve())),
+                    new Promise<void>((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 1000)),
+                ]);
+            }
+        }
+
+        await this.removeProfile(active.profilePath);
+    }
+
+    private async removeProfile(profilePath: string): Promise<void> {
+        try {
+            await rm(profilePath, { recursive: true, force: true });
+        } catch (error) {
+            console.error(`Failed to remove Chromium profile ${profilePath}:`, error);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private signalOwnedGroup(child: ChildProcess, signal: NodeJS.Signals): void {
+        if (!child.pid) return;
+        try {
+            // detached=true gives this instance its own process group. Signal only
+            // that group so Chromium helpers cannot outlive the owned browser.
+            process.kill(-child.pid, signal);
+        } catch (error: any) {
+            if (error.code !== "ESRCH") child.kill(signal);
+        }
+    }
+}

web/backend/src/MediaPlayer.ts

@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import { PlaylistItem, LinkMetadata } from './types';
 import { FavoritesStore } from "./FavoritesStore";
 import { Bonjour } from "bonjour-service";
 import os from 'os';
+import { ChromiumFallback } from "./ChromiumFallback";
 
 interface PendingCommand {
     resolve: (value: any) => void;
@@ -68,6 +69,21 @@ export class MediaPlayer {
     private lastLoadCandidate: string | null = null;
     private currentMediaTitle: string | null = null;
     private currentPlaybackMetadata: Record<string, string> = {};
+    private activeAttemptGeneration = 0;
+    private fallbackCandidates: Set<string> = new Set();
+    private entryCandidates: Map<number, string> = new Map();
+    private pendingCandidateUrls: string[] = [];
+    private activeEntryId: number | null = null;
+    private activeUrl: string | null = null;
+    private fallbackSuppressedUntilStart = false;
+    private fallbackPendingUrl: string | null = null;
+    private browserUrl: string | null = null;
+    private browserFallback = new ChromiumFallback((url) => {
+        if (this.browserUrl === url) {
+            this.browserUrl = null;
+            this.handleEvent(UserEvent.NowPlayingUpdate, {});
+        }
+    });
 
     constructor() {
         this.socket = this.tryRespawnPlayerProcess();
@@ -271,6 +287,10 @@ export class MediaPlayer {
     }
 
     public async getNowPlaying(): Promise<PlaylistItem> {
+        if (this.browserUrl) {
+            return { id: -1, filename: this.browserUrl, title: this.browserUrl, playing: true, current: true };
+        }
+
         const playlist = await this.getPlaylist();
         const currentlyPlayingSong = playlist.find((item: PlaylistItem) => item.current);
         const fetchMediaTitle = async (): Promise<string | null> => { 
@@ -310,6 +330,7 @@ export class MediaPlayer {
     }
 
     public async getCurrentFile(): Promise<string | null> {
+        if (this.browserUrl) return this.browserUrl;
         return this.writeCommand("get_property", ["stream-open-filename"])
             .then((response) => {
                 return response.data;
@@ -317,6 +338,7 @@ export class MediaPlayer {
     }
 
     public async getPauseState(): Promise<boolean> {
+        if (this.browserUrl) return false;
         return this.writeCommand("get_property", ["pause"])
             .then((response) => {
                 return response.data;
@@ -331,6 +353,7 @@ export class MediaPlayer {
     }
 
     public async getTimePosition(): Promise<number | null> {
+        if (this.browserUrl) return null;
         return this.writeCommand("get_property", ["time-pos"])
             .then((response) => {
                 return response.data;
@@ -338,6 +361,7 @@ export class MediaPlayer {
     }
 
     public async getDuration(): Promise<number | null> {
+        if (this.browserUrl) return null;
         return this.writeCommand("get_property", ["duration"])
             .then((response) => {
                 return response.data;
@@ -345,6 +369,7 @@ export class MediaPlayer {
     }
 
     public async getSeekable(): Promise<boolean | null> {
+        if (this.browserUrl) return false;
         return this.writeCommand("get_property", ["seekable"])
             .then((response) => {
                 return response.data;
@@ -352,6 +377,7 @@ export class MediaPlayer {
     }
 
     public async getIdle(): Promise<boolean> {
+        if (this.browserUrl) return false;
         return this.writeCommand("get_property", ["idle"])
             .then((response) => {
                 return response.data;
@@ -359,14 +385,21 @@ export class MediaPlayer {
     }
 
     public async append(url: string) {
-        await this.loadFile(url, "append-play");
+        const mode = this.browserUrl || this.fallbackPendingUrl || this.browserFallback.isRunning
+            ? "append"
+            : "append-play";
+        await this.loadFile(url, mode);
     }
 
     public async replace(url: string) {
-        await this.loadFile(url, "replace");
+        await this.cancelBrowserFallback();
+        this.clearFallbackCandidates();
+        await this.loadFile(url, "replace", true, [], false);
     }
 
     public async initiateScreenSharing(url: string) {
+        await this.cancelBrowserFallback();
+        this.clearFallbackCandidates();
         console.log(`Initiating screen sharing with file: ${url}`);
 
         this.metadata.set(url, {
@@ -375,29 +408,27 @@ export class MediaPlayer {
             siteName: "Screen Sharing",
         });
 
-        // Special options for mpv to better handle screen sharing (AI recommended...)
+        // Start from mpv's maintained low-latency profile, then keep only a
+        // couple of frames of demuxed data ready for smooth 60 fps playback.
         await this.loadFile(url, "replace", false, [
-            "demuxer-lavf-o=fflags=+nobuffer+discardcorrupt",  // Reduce buffering and discard corrupt frames
+            "profile=low-latency",
-            "demuxer-lavf-o=analyzeduration=100000",           // Reduce analyze duration
+            "cache=no",
-            "demuxer-lavf-o=probesize=1000000",                // Reduce probe size
+            "force-seekable=no",
-            "untimed=yes",                                     // Ignore timing info
+            "demuxer-readahead-secs=0.05",
-            "cache=no",                                        // Disable cache
+            "demuxer-max-bytes=256K",
-            "force-seekable=yes",                              // Force seekable
+            "demuxer-mkv-probe-start-time=no",
-            "no-cache=yes",                                    // Disable cache
+            "vd-lavc-threads=2",
-            "demuxer-max-bytes=500K",                          // Limit demuxer buffer
+            "vd-lavc-fast=yes",
-            "demuxer-readahead-secs=0.1",                      // Reduce readahead
+            "audio-buffer=0",
-            "hr-seek=no",                                      // Disable high-res seeking
+            "pulse-buffer=20",
-            "video-sync=display-resample",                     // Better sync mode
+            "pipewire-buffer=20",
-            "video-latency-hacks=yes",                         // Enable latency hacks
+            "alsa-buffer-time=20000",
-            "audio-sync=yes",                                  // Enable audio sync
+            "initial-audio-sync=no",
-            "audio-buffer=0.1",                                // Reduce audio buffer
-            "audio-channels=stereo",                           // Force stereo audio
-            "audio-samplerate=44100",                          // Match sample rate
-            "audio-format=s16",                                // Use 16-bit audio
         ]);
 
-        // Make sure it's playing
+        // loadfile normally unpauses, but make that explicit without adding the
-        setTimeout(() => this.play(), 100);
+        // previous fixed 100 ms startup delay.
+        await this.play();
     }
 
     public async play() {
@@ -409,18 +440,36 @@ export class MediaPlayer {
     }
 
     public async stop() {
+        await this.cancelBrowserFallback();
         return this.modify(UserEvent.NowPlayingUpdate, () => this.writeCommand("stop", []));
     }
 
+    public async shutdown() {
+        await this.cancelBrowserFallback();
+    }
+
     public async skip() {
+        await this.cancelBrowserFallback();
         return this.modify(UserEvent.PlaylistUpdate, () => this.writeCommand("playlist-next", []));
     }
 
     public async skipTo(index: number) {
+        await this.cancelBrowserFallback();
+        try {
+            const playlist = (await this.writeCommand("get_property", ["playlist"])).data as PlaylistItem[];
+            const target = playlist[index];
+            if (target && this.fallbackCandidates.has(target.filename)) {
+                this.entryCandidates.set(target.id, target.filename);
+                this.removePendingCandidate(target.filename);
+            }
+        } catch {
+            // Existing entry-to-URL mappings remain available if MPV is transitioning.
+        }
         return this.modify(UserEvent.PlaylistUpdate, () => this.writeCommand("playlist-play-index", [index]));
     }
 
     public async previous() {
+        await this.cancelBrowserFallback();
         return this.modify(UserEvent.PlaylistUpdate, () => this.writeCommand("playlist-prev", []));
     }
 
@@ -472,16 +521,36 @@ export class MediaPlayer {
         };
     }
 
-    private async loadFile(url: string, mode: string, fetchMetadata: boolean = true, options: string[] = []) {
+    private async loadFile(url: string, mode: string, fetchMetadata: boolean = true, options: string[] = [], fallbackEligible: boolean = true) {
+        if (fallbackEligible) {
+            this.fallbackCandidates.add(url);
+            this.pendingCandidateUrls.push(url);
+        }
         this.lastLoadCandidate = url;
         this.playbackErrors.delete(url);
-        this.modify(UserEvent.PlaylistUpdate, () => this.writeCommand("loadfile", [url, mode, "-1", options.join(',')]));
+        const loadPromise = this.modify(
+            UserEvent.PlaylistUpdate,
+            () => this.writeCommand("loadfile", [url, mode, "-1", options.join(',')]),
+        );
 
         if (fetchMetadata && this.shouldFetchLinkPreview(url)) {
             this.fetchMetadataAndNotify(url).catch(error => {
                 console.warn(`Failed to fetch metadata for ${this.loggableUrl(url)}:`, error);
             });
         }
+
+        const result = await loadPromise;
+        if (result?.error !== "success") {
+            if (fallbackEligible) {
+                this.removePendingCandidate(url);
+                if (!this.pendingCandidateUrls.includes(url) &&
+                    ![...this.entryCandidates.values()].includes(url)) {
+                    this.fallbackCandidates.delete(url);
+                }
+            }
+            return;
+        }
+        if (fallbackEligible) void this.rememberPlaylistEntry(url);
     }
 
     private async modify<T>(event: UserEvent, func: () => Promise<T>): Promise<T> {
@@ -671,26 +740,35 @@ export class MediaPlayer {
                         }
                     } else if (response.event) {
                         if (response.event === "start-file") {
-                            // Clear any previous error for the file that is starting
+                            // A new MPV entry supersedes pending browser startup and playback state.
-                            const file = response.file || this.lastLoadCandidate;
+                            const hadBrowser = !!this.browserUrl || this.browserFallback.isRunning;
-                            if (file) {
+                            this.activeAttemptGeneration++;
-                                this.currentFile = file;
+                            this.fallbackSuppressedUntilStart = false;
-                                this.playbackErrors.delete(file);
+                            this.fallbackPendingUrl = null;
+                            this.browserUrl = null;
+                            if (hadBrowser) void this.browserFallback.stop();
+                            const entryId = typeof response.playlist_entry_id === "number"
+                                ? response.playlist_entry_id
+                                : null;
+                            let file = response.file || (entryId === null ? null : this.entryCandidates.get(entryId)) || null;
+                            if (!file && this.pendingCandidateUrls.length > 0) {
+                                file = this.pendingCandidateUrls.shift() || null;
+                                if (entryId !== null && file) this.entryCandidates.set(entryId, file);
                             }
+                            this.activeEntryId = entryId;
+                            this.activeUrl = file;
+                            this.currentFile = file || null;
+                            if (file) this.playbackErrors.delete(file);
+                            if (entryId !== null && !file) void this.refreshCurrentFile(entryId, this.activeAttemptGeneration);
 
                             this.currentMediaTitle = null;
                             this.currentPlaybackMetadata = {};
                         } else if (response.event === "property-change") {
                             this.handlePropertyChange(response);
                         } else if (response.event === "end-file" && response.reason === "error") {
-                            const file = response.file || this.currentFile || this.lastLoadCandidate || "Unknown file";
+                            void this.handlePlaybackFailure(response);
-                            const errorMessage = response.error || response["file-error"] || "Unknown playback error";
+                        } else if (response.event === "end-file") {
-
+                            // Keep entry eligibility for a later replay of this queue item.
-                            this.playbackErrors.set(file, errorMessage);
-                            this.handleEvent(UserEvent.PlaybackError, {
-                                filename: file,
-                                error: errorMessage
-                            });
                         }
 
                         this.handleEvent(UserEvent.MPDUpdate, response);
@@ -704,6 +782,110 @@ export class MediaPlayer {
         }
     }
 
+    private async handlePlaybackFailure(response: any) {
+        const entryId = typeof response.playlist_entry_id === "number"
+            ? response.playlist_entry_id
+            : this.activeEntryId;
+        if (entryId === null) return;
+
+        const attemptGeneration = this.activeAttemptGeneration;
+        const file = this.entryCandidates.get(entryId) || response.file ||
+            (entryId === this.activeEntryId ? this.activeUrl : null);
+        if (!file) return;
+        if (this.activeEntryId === null && !this.fallbackSuppressedUntilStart) {
+            // MPV can clear its current entry before delivering end-file. Restore
+            // this event's known entry from its playlist_entry_id for mirroring.
+            this.activeEntryId = entryId;
+            this.activeUrl = file;
+            this.currentFile = file;
+        }
+        const errorMessage = response.file_error || response.error || response["file-error"] || "Unknown playback error";
+        this.playbackErrors.set(file, errorMessage);
+        this.handleEvent(UserEvent.PlaybackError, { filename: file, error: errorMessage });
+
+        // end-file identifies the failed playlist entry even if MPV has already
+        // cleared its current entry or advanced before any asynchronous query.
+        // A user transition increments the attempt generation and prevents stale
+        // failures from opening a browser.
+        if (this.fallbackCandidates.has(file) &&
+            (entryId === this.activeEntryId || (this.activeEntryId === null && !this.fallbackSuppressedUntilStart)) &&
+            attemptGeneration === this.activeAttemptGeneration) {
+            this.fallbackPendingUrl = file;
+            void this.startBrowserFallback(file, attemptGeneration, entryId);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private async refreshCurrentFile(entryId: number, attemptGeneration: number) {
+        try {
+            const playlist = (await this.writeCommand("get_property", ["playlist"])).data as PlaylistItem[];
+            if (this.activeEntryId !== entryId || this.activeAttemptGeneration !== attemptGeneration) return;
+            const file = playlist.find((item) => item.id === entryId)?.filename || null;
+            this.currentFile = file;
+            this.activeUrl = file;
+            if (file && this.fallbackCandidates.has(file)) this.entryCandidates.set(entryId, file);
+            if (this.browserUrl && this.browserUrl !== file) void this.cancelBrowserFallback();
+        } catch {
+            // The player may be transitioning; a later start-file event will refresh it.
+        }
+    }
+
+    private async rememberPlaylistEntry(url: string) {
+        try {
+            const playlist = (await this.writeCommand("get_property", ["playlist"])).data as PlaylistItem[];
+            const entry = playlist.filter((item) => item.filename === url && !this.entryCandidates.has(item.id)).at(-1);
+            if (entry) {
+                this.entryCandidates.set(entry.id, url);
+                this.removePendingCandidate(url);
+            }
+        } catch {
+            // The pending candidate is associated when MPV emits start-file instead.
+        }
+    }
+
+    private async startBrowserFallback(url: string, generation: number, entryId: number) {
+        try {
+            const started = await this.browserFallback.start(url, () =>
+                generation === this.activeAttemptGeneration &&
+                this.activeEntryId === entryId &&
+                this.activeUrl === url,
+            );
+            if (started && this.browserFallback.isRunning &&
+                generation === this.activeAttemptGeneration &&
+                this.activeEntryId === entryId && this.activeUrl === url) {
+                this.browserUrl = url;
+                this.handleEvent(UserEvent.NowPlayingUpdate, {});
+            }
+        } catch (error) {
+            console.error(`Failed to start Chromium fallback for ${url}:`, error);
+        } finally {
+            if (generation === this.activeAttemptGeneration && this.fallbackPendingUrl === url) {
+                this.fallbackPendingUrl = null;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private async cancelBrowserFallback() {
+        this.activeAttemptGeneration++;
+        this.fallbackSuppressedUntilStart = true;
+        this.activeEntryId = null;
+        this.activeUrl = null;
+        this.currentFile = null;
+        this.fallbackPendingUrl = null;
+        this.browserUrl = null;
+        await this.browserFallback.stop();
+    }
+
+    private clearFallbackCandidates() {
+        this.fallbackCandidates.clear();
+        this.entryCandidates.clear();
+        this.pendingCandidateUrls = [];
+    }
+
+    private removePendingCandidate(url: string) {
+        const index = this.pendingCandidateUrls.indexOf(url);
+        if (index >= 0) this.pendingCandidateUrls.splice(index, 1);
+    }
+
     private handlePropertyChange(response: any) {
         const previousTitle = this.getCurrentDynamicTitle();
 

web/backend/src/server.ts

@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import { searchInvidious, fetchThumbnail } from "./InvidiousAPI";
 import { PlaylistItem } from './types';
 import { PassThrough } from "stream";
 import { AddressInfo } from "net";
+import { WebSocket } from "ws";
 
 const app = express();
 app.use(express.json());
@@ -43,6 +44,21 @@ const mediaPlayer = new MediaPlayer();
 // Create a shared stream that both endpoints can access
 let activeScreenshareStream: PassThrough | null = null;
 let activeScreenshareMimeType: string | null = null;
+let activeScreenshareSocket: WebSocket | null = null;
+const screenshareStreamsClosedByViewer = new WeakSet<PassThrough>();
+
+const SCREENSHARE_STREAM_HIGH_WATER_MARK = 32 * 1024;
+
+const getScreenshareContentType = (mimeType: unknown): string => {
+    if (typeof mimeType !== "string") {
+        return "application/octet-stream";
+    }
+
+    const contentType = mimeType.split(";", 1)[0].trim().toLowerCase();
+    return contentType === "video/webm" || contentType === "video/mp4"
+        ? contentType
+        : "application/octet-stream";
+};
 
 const withErrorHandling = (func: (req: any, res: any) => Promise<any>) => {
     return async (req: any, res: any) => {
@@ -158,75 +174,104 @@ apiRouter.ws("/events", (ws, req) => {
 // using the fact that QueueCube/MPV is based all around streaming URLs, so the active 
 // screenshare stream manifests as just another URL to play. 
 apiRouter.get("/screenshareStream", withErrorHandling(async (req, res) => {
-    res.setHeader("Content-Type", activeScreenshareMimeType || "video/mp4");
+    const screenshareStream = activeScreenshareStream;
+    if (!screenshareStream) {
+        res.status(503).send("No active screen sharing session");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    req.socket.setNoDelay(true);
+    res.setHeader("Content-Type", activeScreenshareMimeType || "application/octet-stream");
     res.setHeader("Cache-Control", "no-cache, no-store, must-revalidate");
     res.setHeader("Pragma", "no-cache");
     res.setHeader("Expires", "0");
     res.setHeader("Connection", "keep-alive");
     res.setHeader("Transfer-Encoding", "chunked");
+    res.setHeader("Accept-Ranges", "none");
+    res.flushHeaders();
 
-    if (!activeScreenshareStream) {
+    res.on('close', () => {
-        res.status(503).send("No active screen sharing session");
+        screenshareStream.unpipe(res);
-        return;
-    }
-
-    // Handle client disconnection
-    req.on('close', () => {
         console.log("Screenshare viewer disconnected");
+
+        // If mpv goes away unexpectedly, stop capture instead of leaving an
+        // unconsumed stream to build backpressure forever.
+        if (activeScreenshareStream === screenshareStream && !screenshareStream.writableEnded) {
+            screenshareStreamsClosedByViewer.add(screenshareStream);
+            activeScreenshareSocket?.close(1011, "Screen sharing viewer disconnected");
+        }
     });
 
-    // Configure stream for low latency
+    screenshareStream.pipe(res);
-    activeScreenshareStream.setMaxListeners(0);
-    
-    // Pipe with immediate flush
-    activeScreenshareStream.pipe(res, { end: false });
 }));
 
 apiRouter.ws("/screenshare", (ws, req) => {
-    const mimeType = req.query.mimeType as string;
+    const mimeType = getScreenshareContentType(req.query.mimeType);
     console.log("Screen sharing client connected with mimeType: " + mimeType);
-    ws.binaryType = "arraybuffer";
+    req.socket.setNoDelay(true);
 
-    let firstChunk = false;
+    // Supersede an old sender without allowing its close handler to tear down
+    // the new session.
+    const previousSocket = activeScreenshareSocket;
+    const previousStream = activeScreenshareStream;
+    activeScreenshareSocket = ws;
+    activeScreenshareMimeType = mimeType;
+    activeScreenshareStream = new PassThrough({
+        highWaterMark: SCREENSHARE_STREAM_HIGH_WATER_MARK,
+        allowHalfOpen: false,
+    });
+    const screenshareStream = activeScreenshareStream;
+    let waitingForDrain = false;
 
-    // Configure WebSocket for low latency
+    previousStream?.end();
-    ws.setMaxListeners(0);
+    if (previousSocket && previousSocket.readyState === WebSocket.OPEN) {
-    ws.binaryType = "arraybuffer";
+        previousSocket.close(1000, "A newer screen sharing session started");
+    }
+
+    // Start mpv while the browser starts its recorder, instead of waiting for a
+    // whole encoded chunk before beginning the HTTP connection and demux setup.
+    const port = (server.address() as AddressInfo).port;
+    const url = `http://127.0.0.1:${port}/api/screenshareStream`;
+    console.log(`Starting screen share stream at ${url}`);
+    mediaPlayer.initiateScreenSharing(url).catch((error: unknown) => {
+        console.error("Failed to start screen sharing:", error);
+        if (activeScreenshareSocket === ws) {
+            ws.close(1011, "Unable to start the media player");
+        }
+    });
 
     ws.on('message', (data: any) => {
         const buffer = data instanceof Buffer ? data : Buffer.from(data);
-        
-        if (!firstChunk) {
-            firstChunk = true;
 
-            const port = (server.address() as AddressInfo).port;
+        if (activeScreenshareStream !== screenshareStream) {
-            const url = `http://localhost:${port}/api/screenshareStream`;
+            return;
-            console.log(`Starting screen share stream at ${url}`);
+        }
-            
+
-            // Create new shared stream with immediate flush
+        if (!screenshareStream.write(buffer) && !waitingForDrain) {
-            activeScreenshareStream = new PassThrough({
+            waitingForDrain = true;
-                highWaterMark: 1024 * 1024, // 1MB buffer
+            ws.pause();
-                allowHalfOpen: false
+            screenshareStream.once('drain', () => {
-            });
+                waitingForDrain = false;
-            
+                if (activeScreenshareStream === screenshareStream && ws.readyState === WebSocket.OPEN) {
-            activeScreenshareStream.write(buffer);
+                    ws.resume();
-            mediaPlayer.initiateScreenSharing(url);
+                }
-        } else if (activeScreenshareStream) {
-            // Write with immediate flush
-            activeScreenshareStream.write(buffer, () => {
-                activeScreenshareStream?.cork();
-                activeScreenshareStream?.uncork();
             });
         }
     });
 
     ws.on('close', () => {
         console.log("Screen sharing client disconnected");
-        if (activeScreenshareStream) {
+        if (activeScreenshareStream === screenshareStream) {
-            activeScreenshareStream.end();
+            screenshareStream.end();
             activeScreenshareStream = null;
+            activeScreenshareMimeType = null;
+            activeScreenshareSocket = null;
+            if (!screenshareStreamsClosedByViewer.has(screenshareStream)) {
+                mediaPlayer.stop().catch((error: unknown) => {
+                    console.error("Failed to stop screen sharing:", error);
+                });
+            }
         }
-        mediaPlayer.stop();
     });
 });
 
@@ -327,6 +372,9 @@ const server = app.listen(port, () => {
 // Add graceful shutdown handling
 const shutdown = async () => {
     console.log('Received shutdown signal. Closing server...');
+
+    // Invalidate pending playback failures and close only QueueCube's owned browser.
+    await mediaPlayer.shutdown();
     
     // Stop zeroconf service
     mediaPlayer.stopZeroconfService();

web/backend/test/ChromiumFallback.test.cjs

@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+const test = require("node:test");
+const assert = require("node:assert/strict");
+const fs = require("node:fs/promises");
+const os = require("node:os");
+const path = require("node:path");
+const { ChromiumFallback } = require("../build/ChromiumFallback");
+
+const waitFor = async (predicate) => {
+  const deadline = Date.now() + 3000;
+  while (Date.now() < deadline) {
+    if (await predicate()) return;
+    await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 20));
+  }
+  throw new Error("timed out waiting for subprocess fixture");
+};
+
+test("uses isolated profile and safe argv; stop kills only its process and cleans profile", async () => {
+  const fixture = await fs.mkdtemp(path.join(os.tmpdir(), "queuecube-test-"));
+  const argsFile = path.join(fixture, "argv.json");
+  const executable = path.join(fixture, "fake-chrome.js");
+  await fs.writeFile(executable, `#!/usr/bin/env node\nconst fs=require('fs'); fs.writeFileSync(${JSON.stringify(argsFile)}, JSON.stringify(process.argv.slice(2))); setInterval(()=>{},1000);\n`);
+  await fs.chmod(executable, 0o700);
+  const browser = new ChromiumFallback(() => undefined, executable);
+  const url = "https://example.test/?x=1; touch /tmp/should-not-exist";
+
+  try {
+    assert.equal(await browser.start(url, () => true), true);
+    await waitFor(async () => { try { await fs.access(argsFile); return true; } catch { return false; } });
+    const args = JSON.parse(await fs.readFile(argsFile, "utf8"));
+    assert.equal(args.at(-1), url);
+    assert.ok(args.some((arg) => arg.startsWith("--user-data-dir=")));
+    assert.ok(args.includes("--kiosk"));
+    assert.ok(!args.some((arg) => /no-sandbox|disable-web-security|ignore-certificate/i.test(arg)));
+    const profilePath = args.find((arg) => arg.startsWith("--user-data-dir=")).split("=", 2)[1];
+    await browser.stop();
+    assert.equal(browser.isRunning, false);
+    await assert.rejects(fs.access(profilePath));
+  } finally {
+    await browser.stop();
+    await fs.rm(fixture, { recursive: true, force: true });
+  }
+});
+
+test("discovers chromium-browser when that is the installed executable", async () => {
+  const fixture = await fs.mkdtemp(path.join(os.tmpdir(), "queuecube-browser-path-test-"));
+  const argsFile = path.join(fixture, "argv.json");
+  const executable = path.join(fixture, "chromium-browser");
+  const previousPath = process.env.PATH;
+  const previousOverride = process.env.QUEUECUBE_CHROME_BIN;
+  await fs.writeFile(executable, `#!/usr/bin/env node\nconst fs=require('fs'); fs.writeFileSync(${JSON.stringify(argsFile)}, JSON.stringify(process.argv.slice(2))); setInterval(()=>{},1000);\n`);
+  await fs.chmod(executable, 0o700);
+  await fs.symlink(process.execPath, path.join(fixture, "node"));
+
+  try {
+    process.env.PATH = fixture;
+    delete process.env.QUEUECUBE_CHROME_BIN;
+    const browser = new ChromiumFallback();
+    assert.equal(await browser.start("https://example.test/browser-discovery", () => true), true);
+    await waitFor(async () => { try { await fs.access(argsFile); return true; } catch { return false; } });
+    assert.equal(JSON.parse(await fs.readFile(argsFile, "utf8")).at(-1), "https://example.test/browser-discovery");
+    await browser.stop();
+  } finally {
+    process.env.PATH = previousPath;
+    if (previousOverride === undefined) delete process.env.QUEUECUBE_CHROME_BIN;
+    else process.env.QUEUECUBE_CHROME_BIN = previousOverride;
+    await fs.rm(fixture, { recursive: true, force: true });
+  }
+});
+
+test("canceled startup cleans its profile without spawning", async () => {
+  const browser = new ChromiumFallback(() => undefined, "/bin/false");
+  assert.equal(await browser.start("https://example.test/", () => false), false);
+  assert.equal(browser.isRunning, false);
+});
+
+test("cancellation during process startup stops the late process and removes its profile", async () => {
+  const fixture = await fs.mkdtemp(path.join(os.tmpdir(), "queuecube-race-test-"));
+  const executable = path.join(fixture, "fake-chrome.js");
+  await fs.writeFile(executable, "#!/usr/bin/env node\nsetInterval(()=>{},1000);\n");
+  await fs.chmod(executable, 0o700);
+  const browser = new ChromiumFallback(() => undefined, executable);
+  const cleanedProfiles = [];
+  const removeProfile = browser.removeProfile.bind(browser);
+  browser.removeProfile = async (profile) => { cleanedProfiles.push(profile); await removeProfile(profile); };
+  let checks = 0;
+  try {
+    assert.equal(await browser.start("https://example.test/race", () => ++checks === 1), false);
+    assert.equal(checks, 2, "the request became stale after process startup");
+    await waitFor(async () => {
+      if (!cleanedProfiles.length) return false;
+      try { await fs.access(cleanedProfiles[0]); return false; } catch { return true; }
+    });
+    assert.equal(browser.isRunning, false);
+  } finally {
+    await browser.stop();
+    await fs.rm(fixture, { recursive: true, force: true });
+  }
+});
+
+test("missing browser executable reports startup failure and clears ownership", async () => {
+  const browser = new ChromiumFallback(() => undefined, "/definitely/missing/queuecube-chrome");
+  await assert.rejects(browser.start("https://example.test/", () => true), /ENOENT/);
+  assert.equal(browser.isRunning, false);
+});

web/backend/test/MediaPlayerFallback.test.cjs

@@ -0,0 +1,191 @@
+const test = require("node:test");
+const assert = require("node:assert/strict");
+const { MediaPlayer } = require("../build/MediaPlayer");
+
+const makePlayer = (url = "https://example.test/watch?v=abc", playlist = [{ id: 42, filename: url }]) => {
+  const player = Object.create(MediaPlayer.prototype);
+  const starts = [];
+  const commands = [];
+  let stops = 0;
+  const state = {
+    eventSubscribers: [],
+    playbackErrors: new Map(),
+    currentFile: null,
+    lastLoadCandidate: null,
+    activeEntryId: null,
+    activeUrl: null,
+    currentMediaTitle: null,
+    currentPlaybackMetadata: {},
+    dataBuffer: "",
+    activeAttemptGeneration: 0,
+    fallbackSuppressedUntilStart: false,
+    fallbackCandidates: new Set(),
+    entryCandidates: new Map(),
+    pendingCandidateUrls: [],
+    browserUrl: null,
+    metadata: new Map(),
+  };
+  Object.assign(player, state);
+  player.browserFallback = {
+    isRunning: false,
+    start: async (requestedUrl, isCurrent) => {
+      starts.push(requestedUrl);
+      if (!isCurrent()) return false;
+      player.browserFallback.isRunning = true;
+      return true;
+    },
+    stop: async () => {
+      stops += 1;
+      player.browserFallback.isRunning = false;
+    },
+  };
+  player.writeCommand = async (command, args) => {
+    commands.push([command, args]);
+    if (command === "loadfile") return { error: "success" };
+    if (command === "get_property") return { data: playlist };
+    return { error: "success" };
+  };
+  player.fetchMetadataAndNotify = async () => undefined;
+  return { player, starts, commands, get stops() { return stops; }, set playlist(value) { playlist = value; } };
+};
+
+const begin = (player, entryId = 42) => player.receiveData(`${JSON.stringify({ event: "start-file", playlist_entry_id: entryId })}\n`);
+const send = (player, event, entryId = player.activeEntryId) => player.receiveData(`${JSON.stringify({
+  event: "end-file", playlist_entry_id: entryId, ...event,
+})}\n`);
+const settle = async () => { await new Promise((resolve) => setImmediate(resolve)); await new Promise((resolve) => setImmediate(resolve)); };
+
+test("successful MPV completion does not start fallback", async () => {
+  const { player, starts } = makePlayer();
+  player.fallbackCandidates.add("https://example.test/watch?v=abc");
+  player.entryCandidates.set(42, "https://example.test/watch?v=abc");
+  begin(player);
+  send(player, { reason: "eof" });
+  await settle();
+  assert.deepEqual(starts, []);
+});
+
+test("actual MPV error opens the exact original URL and mirrors indeterminate state", async () => {
+  const url = "https://example.test/watch?v=x&next=1;touch%20/tmp/nope";
+  const { player, starts } = makePlayer(url);
+  player.fallbackCandidates.add(url);
+  player.entryCandidates.set(42, url);
+  begin(player);
+  send(player, { reason: "error", file_error: "demux failed" });
+  await settle();
+  assert.deepEqual(starts, [url]);
+  assert.equal(player.browserUrl, url);
+  assert.equal((await player.getNowPlaying()).filename, url);
+  assert.equal(await player.getPauseState(), false);
+  assert.equal(await player.getIdle(), false);
+  assert.equal(await player.getTimePosition(), null);
+  assert.equal(await player.getDuration(), null);
+  assert.equal(await player.getSeekable(), false);
+});
+
+test("queue append leaves active A eligible when queued B is added", async () => {
+  const a = "https://example.test/a";
+  const b = "https://example.test/b";
+  const { player, starts, commands } = makePlayer(a, [{ id: 42, filename: a }]);
+  player.fallbackCandidates.add(a);
+  player.entryCandidates.set(42, a);
+  begin(player, 42);
+  await player.append(b);
+  await settle();
+  assert.equal(commands.filter(([name]) => name === "loadfile").at(-1)[1][1], "append-play");
+  send(player, { reason: "error", file_error: "failed A" }, 42);
+  await settle();
+  assert.deepEqual(starts, [a]);
+  assert.equal(player.browserUrl, a);
+  assert.equal(player.fallbackCandidates.has(b), true);
+});
+
+test("queue append during fallback startup keeps browser A open without starting B", async () => {
+  const a = "https://example.test/a";
+  const b = "https://example.test/b";
+  const { player, starts, commands } = makePlayer(a, [{ id: 42, filename: a }]);
+  player.fallbackCandidates.add(a);
+  player.entryCandidates.set(42, a);
+  begin(player, 42);
+  send(player, { reason: "error", file_error: "failed A" }, 42);
+  await player.append(b);
+  await settle();
+  const load = commands.filter(([name]) => name === "loadfile").at(-1);
+  assert.equal(load[1][1], "append");
+  assert.deepEqual(starts, [a]);
+  assert.equal(player.browserUrl, a);
+});
+
+test("append then skipTo keeps the selected entry eligible for its actual MPV error", async () => {
+  const url = "https://example.test/shared-original?x=1&y=2";
+  const { player, starts } = makePlayer(url, [{ id: 42, filename: url }]);
+  await player.append(url);
+  await settle();
+  await player.skipTo(0);
+  begin(player, 42);
+  send(player, { reason: "error", file_error: "load failed" }, 42);
+  await settle();
+  assert.deepEqual(starts, [url]);
+});
+
+test("failure is correlated from MPV end-file entry id without querying a cleared playlist", async () => {
+  const url = "https://example.test/fails";
+  const { player, starts } = makePlayer(url);
+  player.fallbackCandidates.add(url);
+  player.entryCandidates.set(42, url);
+  begin(player, 42);
+  player.writeCommand = async (command) => {
+    assert.notEqual(command, "get_property", "failure correlation must use the emitted entry id");
+    return { data: [] };
+  };
+  player.activeEntryId = null;
+  player.activeUrl = null;
+  player.currentFile = null;
+  send(player, { reason: "error", file_error: "network unavailable" }, 42);
+  await settle();
+  assert.deepEqual(starts, [url]);
+  assert.equal(player.playbackErrors.get(url), "network unavailable");
+});
+
+test("EOF, user stop, cancel, replacement, or stale queue events do not fallback", async () => {
+  const eof = makePlayer();
+  eof.player.fallbackCandidates.add("https://example.test/watch?v=abc");
+  eof.player.entryCandidates.set(42, "https://example.test/watch?v=abc");
+  begin(eof.player);
+  send(eof.player, { reason: "eof" });
+
+  for (const action of ["stop", "cancel", "replacement", "shutdown"]) {
+    const replacementUrl = "https://example.test/replacement";
+    const { player, starts } = makePlayer(replacementUrl);
+    if (action === "shutdown") await player.shutdown();
+    else if (action === "stop") await player.stop();
+    else if (action === "replacement") await player.replace(replacementUrl);
+    else await player.cancelBrowserFallback();
+    send(player, { reason: "error" }, 42);
+    await settle();
+    assert.deepEqual(starts, [], `${action} must invalidate the callback`);
+  }
+
+  const stale = makePlayer();
+  stale.player.fallbackCandidates.add("https://example.test/watch?v=abc");
+  stale.player.entryCandidates.set(42, "https://example.test/watch?v=abc");
+  begin(stale.player, 42);
+  begin(stale.player, 43);
+  send(stale.player, { reason: "error" }, 42);
+  await settle();
+  assert.deepEqual(stale.starts, []);
+});
+
+test("fallback startup failure leaves MPV state usable", async () => {
+  const { player, starts } = makePlayer();
+  const url = "https://example.test/watch?v=abc";
+  player.fallbackCandidates.add(url);
+  player.entryCandidates.set(42, url);
+  player.browserFallback.start = async () => { throw new Error("chromium missing"); };
+  begin(player);
+  send(player, { reason: "error" });
+  await settle();
+  assert.equal(player.browserUrl, null);
+  assert.deepEqual(starts, []);
+  assert.equal(player.playbackErrors.get(url), "Unknown playback error");
+});

web/backend/test/run.cjs

@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+require("./ChromiumFallback.test.cjs");
+require("./MediaPlayerFallback.test.cjs");

web/frontend/src/api/player.tsx

@@ -203,7 +203,9 @@ export const API = {
 
   startScreenShare(mimeType: string): WebSocket {
     const protocol = window.location.protocol === 'https:' ? 'wss' : 'ws';
-    const ws = new WebSocket(`${protocol}://${window.location.host}/api/screenshare?mimeType=${mimeType}`);
+    const ws = new WebSocket(
+      `${protocol}://${window.location.host}/api/screenshare?mimeType=${encodeURIComponent(mimeType)}`,
+    );
     return ws;
   }
 };

web/frontend/src/hooks/useScreenShare.ts

@@ -1,6 +1,17 @@
 import { useState, useEffect, useRef, useCallback } from 'react';
 import { API } from '../api/player';
 
+const TARGET_FRAME_RATE = 60;
+const MAX_CAPTURE_WIDTH = 1920;
+const MAX_CAPTURE_HEIGHT = 1080;
+const RECORDER_TIMESLICE_MS = 16;
+const MIN_VIDEO_BIT_RATE = 2_500_000;
+const MAX_VIDEO_BIT_RATE = 8_000_000;
+const VIDEO_BITS_PER_PIXEL = 0.065;
+const SOCKET_BUFFER_TARGET_MS = 75;
+const MIN_SOCKET_BUFFER_BYTES = 32 * 1024;
+const MIN_RESUME_BUFFER_BYTES = 8 * 1024;
+
 interface UseScreenShareResult {
   isScreenSharing: boolean;
   isScreenSharingSupported: boolean;
@@ -8,15 +19,21 @@ interface UseScreenShareResult {
   stopScreenShare: () => void;
 }
 
-function getBestSupportedMimeType() {
+function getBestSupportedMimeType(hasAudio: boolean): string | undefined {
-  // Ordered by preference (best first) - all of these include audio+video
+  // VP8 is substantially cheaper to encode than VP9 on most systems. Prefer it
-  const mimeTypes = [
+  // for real-time capture, then use hardware-friendly H.264 where available.
-    'video/webm;codecs=vp9,opus',     // Best quality, good compression
+  const mimeTypes = hasAudio ? [
-    'video/webm;codecs=vp8,opus',     // Good fallback, well supported
+    'video/webm;codecs=vp8,opus',
-    'video/webm;codecs=h264,opus',    // Better compatibility with some systems
+    'video/mp4;codecs=avc1.42E01E,mp4a.40.2',
-    'video/mp4;codecs=h264,aac',      // Good for Safari but may not be supported for MediaRecorder
+    'video/webm;codecs=vp9,opus',
-    'video/webm',                     // Generic fallback (browser will choose codecs)
+    'video/webm',
-    'video/mp4'                       // Last resort
+    'video/mp4',
+  ] : [
+    'video/webm;codecs=vp8',
+    'video/mp4;codecs=avc1.42E01E',
+    'video/webm;codecs=vp9',
+    'video/webm',
+    'video/mp4',
   ];
 
   // Find the first supported mimetype
@@ -27,15 +44,42 @@ function getBestSupportedMimeType() {
     }
   }
 
-  // If none are supported, return null or a basic fallback
   console.warn('No preferred mime types supported by this browser');
-  return 'video/webm'; // Most basic fallback
+  return undefined;
+}
+
+function getTargetVideoBitRate(track: MediaStreamTrack): number {
+  const settings = track.getSettings();
+  const width = settings.width ?? MAX_CAPTURE_WIDTH;
+  const height = settings.height ?? MAX_CAPTURE_HEIGHT;
+  const frameRate = Math.min(settings.frameRate ?? TARGET_FRAME_RATE, TARGET_FRAME_RATE);
+  const target = width * height * frameRate * VIDEO_BITS_PER_PIXEL;
+
+  return Math.round(Math.min(MAX_VIDEO_BIT_RATE, Math.max(MIN_VIDEO_BIT_RATE, target)));
+}
+
+function getSocketBufferLimits(recorder: MediaRecorder) {
+  const bytesPerSecond = (recorder.videoBitsPerSecond + recorder.audioBitsPerSecond) / 8;
+  const maximum = Math.max(
+    MIN_SOCKET_BUFFER_BYTES,
+    Math.ceil(bytesPerSecond * SOCKET_BUFFER_TARGET_MS / 1000),
+  );
+
+  return {
+    maximum,
+    resumeAt: Math.max(MIN_RESUME_BUFFER_BYTES, Math.floor(maximum / 4)),
+  };
 }
 
 export const useScreenShare = (): UseScreenShareResult => {
   const [isScreenSharing, setIsScreenSharing] = useState(false);
   const [isScreenSharingSupported, setIsScreenSharingSupported] = useState(false);
   const screenShareSocketRef = useRef<WebSocket | null>(null);
+  const mediaRecorderRef = useRef<MediaRecorder | null>(null);
+  const mediaStreamRef = useRef<MediaStream | null>(null);
+  const backpressureTimerRef = useRef<number | null>(null);
+  const isStartingRef = useRef(false);
+  const sessionGenerationRef = useRef(0);
 
   // Check if screen sharing is supported
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -47,80 +91,205 @@ export const useScreenShare = (): UseScreenShareResult => {
   }, []);
 
   const stopScreenShare = useCallback(() => {
-    if (screenShareSocketRef.current) {
+    sessionGenerationRef.current += 1;
-      screenShareSocketRef.current.close();
+    isStartingRef.current = false;
-      screenShareSocketRef.current = null;
+
+    if (backpressureTimerRef.current !== null) {
+      window.clearInterval(backpressureTimerRef.current);
+      backpressureTimerRef.current = null;
     }
+
+    const recorder = mediaRecorderRef.current;
+    mediaRecorderRef.current = null;
+    if (recorder) {
+      recorder.ondataavailable = null;
+      recorder.onerror = null;
+      if (recorder.state !== 'inactive') {
+        recorder.stop();
+      }
+    }
+
+    const mediaStream = mediaStreamRef.current;
+    mediaStreamRef.current = null;
+    mediaStream?.getTracks().forEach((track) => {
+      track.onended = null;
+      track.stop();
+    });
+
+    const socket = screenShareSocketRef.current;
+    screenShareSocketRef.current = null;
+    if (socket) {
+      socket.onopen = null;
+      socket.onclose = null;
+      socket.onerror = null;
+      if (socket.readyState === WebSocket.CONNECTING || socket.readyState === WebSocket.OPEN) {
+        socket.close();
+      }
+    }
+
     setIsScreenSharing(false);
   }, []);
 
   const startScreenShare = useCallback(async () => {
+    if (isStartingRef.current || screenShareSocketRef.current) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    isStartingRef.current = true;
+    const sessionGeneration = ++sessionGenerationRef.current;
+
     try {
       const mediaStream = await navigator.mediaDevices.getDisplayMedia({
-        video: true,
+        video: {
+          frameRate: { ideal: TARGET_FRAME_RATE, max: TARGET_FRAME_RATE },
+          width: { max: MAX_CAPTURE_WIDTH },
+          height: { max: MAX_CAPTURE_HEIGHT },
+        },
         audio: true,
       });
 
-      let mimeType = getBestSupportedMimeType();
+      // getDisplayMedia cannot be programmatically dismissed. If the user
-      console.log('Using MIME type:', mimeType);
+      // stopped or restarted while its picker was open, discard this result.
+      if (sessionGenerationRef.current !== sessionGeneration) {
+        mediaStream.getTracks().forEach((track) => track.stop());
+        return;
+      }
 
-      const mediaRecorder = new MediaRecorder(mediaStream, {
+      mediaStreamRef.current = mediaStream;
-        mimeType: mimeType,
+
-        videoBitsPerSecond: 2500000, // 2.5 Mbps
+      const videoTrack = mediaStream.getVideoTracks()[0];
-        audioBitsPerSecond: 128000,  // 128 kbps
+      if (!videoTrack) {
+        throw new Error('The selected source did not provide a video track');
+      }
+
+      // Favor smooth motion over static-text quality when the browser needs to
+      // trade capture resolution for frame rate.
+      videoTrack.contentHint = 'motion';
+      mediaStream.getAudioTracks().forEach((track) => {
+        track.contentHint = 'music';
       });
 
+      const hasAudio = mediaStream.getAudioTracks().length > 0;
+      const preferredMimeType = getBestSupportedMimeType(hasAudio);
+      const recorderOptions: MediaRecorderOptions = {
+        videoBitsPerSecond: getTargetVideoBitRate(videoTrack),
+      };
+
+      if (preferredMimeType) {
+        recorderOptions.mimeType = preferredMimeType;
+      }
+      if (hasAudio) {
+        recorderOptions.audioBitsPerSecond = 128_000;
+      }
+
+      const mediaRecorder = new MediaRecorder(mediaStream, recorderOptions);
+      mediaRecorderRef.current = mediaRecorder;
+      const mimeType = mediaRecorder.mimeType || preferredMimeType || 'application/octet-stream';
+      const socketBufferLimits = getSocketBufferLimits(mediaRecorder);
+      console.log(
+        `Screen sharing at up to ${TARGET_FRAME_RATE} fps, ${Math.round(mediaRecorder.videoBitsPerSecond / 1000)} kbps, using ${mimeType}`,
+      );
+
       // Connect to WebSocket
-      screenShareSocketRef.current = API.startScreenShare(mimeType);
+      const socket = API.startScreenShare(mimeType);
+      screenShareSocketRef.current = socket;
+      isStartingRef.current = false;
+
+      const resumeRecorderWhenDrained = () => {
+        if (screenShareSocketRef.current !== socket || mediaRecorderRef.current !== mediaRecorder) {
+          if (backpressureTimerRef.current !== null) {
+            window.clearInterval(backpressureTimerRef.current);
+            backpressureTimerRef.current = null;
+          }
+          return;
+        }
+
+        if (socket.bufferedAmount <= socketBufferLimits.resumeAt && mediaRecorder.state === 'paused') {
+          mediaRecorder.resume();
+          if (backpressureTimerRef.current !== null) {
+            window.clearInterval(backpressureTimerRef.current);
+            backpressureTimerRef.current = null;
+          }
+        }
+      };
+
+      const pauseRecorderForBackpressure = () => {
+        if (mediaRecorder.state === 'recording') {
+          mediaRecorder.pause();
+        }
+
+        if (backpressureTimerRef.current === null) {
+          backpressureTimerRef.current = window.setInterval(
+            resumeRecorderWhenDrained,
+            RECORDER_TIMESLICE_MS,
+          );
+        }
+      };
 
       // Set up WebSocket event handlers
-      screenShareSocketRef.current.onopen = () => {
+      socket.onopen = () => {
+        if (screenShareSocketRef.current !== socket) {
+          socket.close();
+          return;
+        }
+
         console.log('Screen sharing WebSocket connected');
         setIsScreenSharing(true);
-
+        mediaRecorder.start(RECORDER_TIMESLICE_MS);
-        mediaRecorder.start(100);
       };
 
-      screenShareSocketRef.current.onclose = () => {
+      socket.onclose = () => {
         console.log('Screen sharing WebSocket closed');
-        setIsScreenSharing(false);
+        if (screenShareSocketRef.current === socket) {
-
+          stopScreenShare();
-        // Stop all tracks when WebSocket is closed
+        }
-        mediaStream.getTracks().forEach(track => track.stop());
       };
 
-      screenShareSocketRef.current.onerror = (error) => {
+      socket.onerror = (error) => {
         console.error('Screen sharing WebSocket error:', error);
-        setIsScreenSharing(false);
+        if (screenShareSocketRef.current === socket) {
-        
+          stopScreenShare();
-        // Stop all tracks on error
+        }
-        mediaStream.getTracks().forEach(track => track.stop());
+      };
+
+      mediaRecorder.onerror = (error) => {
+        console.error('Screen sharing recorder error:', error);
+        if (mediaRecorderRef.current === mediaRecorder) {
+          stopScreenShare();
+        }
       };
 
       // Send data over WebSocket when available
       mediaRecorder.ondataavailable = (event) => {
-        if (event.data && event.data.size > 0 && screenShareSocketRef.current && screenShareSocketRef.current.readyState === WebSocket.OPEN) {
+        if (event.data.size > 0 && screenShareSocketRef.current === socket && socket.readyState === WebSocket.OPEN) {
-          screenShareSocketRef.current.send(event.data);
+          socket.send(event.data);
+
+          // Browser WebSockets otherwise queue without a limit, turning a brief
+          // network slowdown into permanently stale playback. Pausing capture
+          // bounds that queue and resumes at the live edge once it drains.
+          if (socket.bufferedAmount >= socketBufferLimits.maximum) {
+            pauseRecorderForBackpressure();
+          }
         }
       };
 
       // Handle stream ending (user clicks "Stop sharing")
-      mediaStream.getVideoTracks()[0].onended = () => {
+      videoTrack.onended = stopScreenShare;
-        if (screenShareSocketRef.current) {
-          screenShareSocketRef.current.close();
-          screenShareSocketRef.current = null;
-        }
-        setIsScreenSharing(false);
-      };
 
     } catch (error) {
-      console.error('Error starting screen share:', error);
+      if (sessionGenerationRef.current === sessionGeneration) {
-      setIsScreenSharing(false);
+        console.error('Error starting screen share:', error);
+        stopScreenShare();
+      }
     }
-  }, []);
+  }, [stopScreenShare]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    return () => stopScreenShare();
+  }, [stopScreenShare]);
 
   const toggleScreenShare = useCallback(async () => {
-    if (screenShareSocketRef.current) {
+    if (screenShareSocketRef.current || isStartingRef.current) {
       stopScreenShare();
     } else {
       await startScreenShare();
@@ -133,4 +302,4 @@ export const useScreenShare = (): UseScreenShareResult => {
     toggleScreenShare,
     stopScreenShare
   };
-}; 
+};