diff --git a/backend/app/main.py b/backend/app/main.py
index 9690916..bdce514 100644
--- a/backend/app/main.py
+++ b/backend/app/main.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ from starlette.middleware.sessions import SessionMiddleware
 
 from app import auth
 from app.config import settings
-from app.routes import feed, health, me, sync, tags
+from app.routes import channels, feed, health, me, sync, tags
 from app.scheduler import shutdown_scheduler, start_scheduler
 
 
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ app.include_router(sync.router)
 app.include_router(tags.router)
 app.include_router(feed.router)
 app.include_router(me.router)
+app.include_router(channels.router)
 
 # The built SPA (populated by the Docker frontend build stage).
 STATIC_DIR = Path(__file__).parent / "static_spa"
diff --git a/backend/app/routes/channels.py b/backend/app/routes/channels.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..32c80b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/app/routes/channels.py
@@ -0,0 +1,143 @@
+"""Channel manager: the user's subscriptions with their personal overrides (priority,
+hidden, tags) and per-channel sync state. Read + local-write only — YouTube-side writes
+(unsubscribe) live behind the optional write scope and are added in a later phase."""
+from fastapi import APIRouter, Depends, HTTPException
+from sqlalchemy import and_, func, select
+from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
+
+from app.auth import current_user
+from app.db import get_db
+from app.models import Channel, ChannelTag, Subscription, Tag, User, Video
+
+router = APIRouter(prefix="/api/channels", tags=["channels"])
+
+
+@router.get("")
+def list_channels(
+    user: User = Depends(current_user), db: Session = Depends(get_db)
+) -> list[dict]:
+    rows = db.execute(
+        select(Subscription, Channel)
+        .join(Channel, Channel.id == Subscription.channel_id)
+        .where(Subscription.user_id == user.id)
+        .order_by(Subscription.priority.desc(), func.lower(Channel.title))
+    ).all()
+
+    # Per-channel stored video count (shared data) in one grouped query.
+    channel_ids = [c.id for _, c in rows]
+    stored: dict[str, int] = {}
+    if channel_ids:
+        for cid, count in db.execute(
+            select(Video.channel_id, func.count(Video.id))
+            .where(Video.channel_id.in_(channel_ids))
+            .group_by(Video.channel_id)
+        ).all():
+            stored[cid] = count
+
+    # The user's personal tag links, grouped by channel.
+    tags_by_channel: dict[str, list[int]] = {}
+    for cid, tag_id in db.execute(
+        select(ChannelTag.channel_id, ChannelTag.tag_id).where(
+            ChannelTag.user_id == user.id
+        )
+    ).all():
+        tags_by_channel.setdefault(cid, []).append(tag_id)
+
+    return [
+        {
+            "id": ch.id,
+            "title": ch.title,
+            "handle": ch.handle,
+            "thumbnail_url": ch.thumbnail_url,
+            "subscriber_count": ch.subscriber_count,
+            "video_count": ch.video_count,
+            "stored_videos": stored.get(ch.id, 0),
+            "priority": sub.priority,
+            "hidden": sub.hidden,
+            "tag_ids": tags_by_channel.get(ch.id, []),
+            "details_synced": ch.details_synced_at is not None,
+            "recent_synced": ch.recent_synced_at is not None,
+            "backfill_done": ch.backfill_done,
+        }
+        for sub, ch in rows
+    ]
+
+
+def _user_subscription(db: Session, user: User, channel_id: str) -> Subscription:
+    sub = db.execute(
+        select(Subscription).where(
+            Subscription.user_id == user.id, Subscription.channel_id == channel_id
+        )
+    ).scalar_one_or_none()
+    if sub is None:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Not subscribed to this channel")
+    return sub
+
+
+@router.patch("/{channel_id}")
+def update_channel(
+    channel_id: str,
+    payload: dict,
+    user: User = Depends(current_user),
+    db: Session = Depends(get_db),
+) -> dict:
+    sub = _user_subscription(db, user, channel_id)
+    if "priority" in payload:
+        sub.priority = int(payload["priority"])
+    if "hidden" in payload:
+        sub.hidden = bool(payload["hidden"])
+    db.commit()
+    return {"id": channel_id, "priority": sub.priority, "hidden": sub.hidden}
+
+
+@router.post("/{channel_id}/tags")
+def attach_tag(
+    channel_id: str,
+    payload: dict,
+    user: User = Depends(current_user),
+    db: Session = Depends(get_db),
+) -> dict:
+    _user_subscription(db, user, channel_id)
+    tag_id = payload.get("tag_id")
+    tag = db.get(Tag, tag_id) if tag_id is not None else None
+    # Only the user's own tags may be attached as personal links.
+    if tag is None or tag.user_id != user.id:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Unknown tag")
+    exists = db.execute(
+        select(ChannelTag).where(
+            ChannelTag.channel_id == channel_id,
+            ChannelTag.tag_id == tag_id,
+            ChannelTag.user_id == user.id,
+        )
+    ).scalar_one_or_none()
+    if exists is None:
+        db.add(
+            ChannelTag(
+                channel_id=channel_id,
+                tag_id=tag_id,
+                user_id=user.id,
+                source="user",
+            )
+        )
+        db.commit()
+    return {"channel_id": channel_id, "tag_id": tag_id}
+
+
+@router.delete("/{channel_id}/tags/{tag_id}")
+def detach_tag(
+    channel_id: str,
+    tag_id: int,
+    user: User = Depends(current_user),
+    db: Session = Depends(get_db),
+) -> dict:
+    row = db.execute(
+        select(ChannelTag).where(
+            ChannelTag.channel_id == channel_id,
+            ChannelTag.tag_id == tag_id,
+            ChannelTag.user_id == user.id,
+        )
+    ).scalar_one_or_none()
+    if row is not None:
+        db.delete(row)
+        db.commit()
+    return {"channel_id": channel_id, "tag_id": tag_id}
diff --git a/backend/app/routes/feed.py b/backend/app/routes/feed.py
index 10af4de..2fc5044 100644
--- a/backend/app/routes/feed.py
+++ b/backend/app/routes/feed.py
@@ -208,6 +208,8 @@ SORTS = {
     "duration_asc": Video.duration_seconds.asc().nulls_last(),
     "title": func.lower(Video.title).asc().nulls_last(),
     "subscribers": Channel.subscriber_count.desc().nulls_last(),
+    # Your per-channel priority (set in the channel manager), newest first within a tier.
+    "priority": Subscription.priority.desc(),
 }
 
 
@@ -222,10 +224,15 @@ def get_feed(
     db: Session = Depends(get_db),
 ) -> dict:
     query, _status = _filtered_query(db, user, **params)
-    order = SORTS.get(sort)
-    if order is None and sort == "shuffle":
-        order = func.md5(func.concat(Video.id, str(seed)))
-    query = query.order_by(order if order is not None else SORTS["newest"])
+    if sort == "priority":
+        query = query.order_by(
+            Subscription.priority.desc(), Video.published_at.desc().nulls_last()
+        )
+    else:
+        order = SORTS.get(sort)
+        if order is None and sort == "shuffle":
+            order = func.md5(func.concat(Video.id, str(seed)))
+        query = query.order_by(order if order is not None else SORTS["newest"])
 
     rows = db.execute(query.offset(offset).limit(limit + 1)).all()
     has_more = len(rows) > limit
diff --git a/backend/app/routes/sync.py b/backend/app/routes/sync.py
index 4efd941..a6cb902 100644
--- a/backend/app/routes/sync.py
+++ b/backend/app/routes/sync.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 from fastapi import APIRouter, Depends, HTTPException
-from sqlalchemy import func, select
+from sqlalchemy import and_, case, func, select
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
 
 from app import quota, state
@@ -93,6 +93,50 @@ def sync_status(
     }
 
 
+@router.get("/my-status")
+def my_status(
+    user: User = Depends(current_user), db: Session = Depends(get_db)
+) -> dict:
+    """Per-user sync progress: how far the channels *this* user subscribes to have synced."""
+    sub_join = and_(
+        Subscription.channel_id == Channel.id, Subscription.user_id == user.id
+    )
+    total, details_synced, recent_synced, deep_done = db.execute(
+        select(
+            func.count(Channel.id),
+            func.count(Channel.details_synced_at),
+            func.count(Channel.recent_synced_at),
+            func.sum(case((Channel.backfill_done.is_(True), 1), else_=0)),
+        )
+        .select_from(Channel)
+        .join(Subscription, sub_join)
+    ).one()
+    total = total or 0
+    deep_done = int(deep_done or 0)
+    my_videos = db.scalar(
+        select(func.count(Video.id)).join(
+            Subscription,
+            and_(
+                Subscription.channel_id == Video.channel_id,
+                Subscription.user_id == user.id,
+                Subscription.hidden.is_(False),
+            ),
+        )
+    )
+    return {
+        "channels_total": total,
+        "channels_details_synced": details_synced,
+        "channels_recent_synced": recent_synced,
+        "channels_deep_done": deep_done,
+        "channels_recent_pending": total - recent_synced,
+        "channels_deep_pending": total - deep_done,
+        "my_videos": my_videos or 0,
+        "quota_used_today": quota.units_used_today(db),
+        "quota_remaining_today": quota.remaining_today(db),
+        "paused": state.is_sync_paused(db),
+    }
+
+
 @router.post("/pause")
 def pause_sync(
     user: User = Depends(current_user), db: Session = Depends(get_db)
diff --git a/backend/app/routes/tags.py b/backend/app/routes/tags.py
index 0269f20..1eb8546 100644
--- a/backend/app/routes/tags.py
+++ b/backend/app/routes/tags.py
@@ -32,6 +32,66 @@ def list_tags(user: User = Depends(current_user), db: Session = Depends(get_db))
     ]
 
 
+@router.post("")
+def create_tag(
+    payload: dict,
+    user: User = Depends(current_user),
+    db: Session = Depends(get_db),
+) -> dict:
+    name = (payload.get("name") or "").strip()
+    if not name:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="name is required")
+    category = payload.get("category") or "other"
+    tag = Tag(
+        user_id=user.id,
+        name=name,
+        color=payload.get("color"),
+        category=category if category in ("language", "topic", "other") else "other",
+    )
+    db.add(tag)
+    db.commit()
+    return {"id": tag.id, "name": tag.name, "color": tag.color, "category": tag.category}
+
+
+def _own_tag(db: Session, user: User, tag_id: int) -> Tag:
+    tag = db.get(Tag, tag_id)
+    if tag is None or tag.user_id != user.id:
+        # System tags (user_id NULL) are not user-editable.
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Unknown tag")
+    return tag
+
+
+@router.patch("/{tag_id}")
+def update_tag(
+    tag_id: int,
+    payload: dict,
+    user: User = Depends(current_user),
+    db: Session = Depends(get_db),
+) -> dict:
+    tag = _own_tag(db, user, tag_id)
+    if "name" in payload:
+        name = (payload.get("name") or "").strip()
+        if not name:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="name cannot be empty")
+        tag.name = name
+    if "color" in payload:
+        tag.color = payload.get("color")
+    db.commit()
+    return {"id": tag.id, "name": tag.name, "color": tag.color, "category": tag.category}
+
+
+@router.delete("/{tag_id}")
+def delete_tag(
+    tag_id: int,
+    user: User = Depends(current_user),
+    db: Session = Depends(get_db),
+) -> dict:
+    tag = _own_tag(db, user, tag_id)
+    db.delete(tag)  # ChannelTag rows cascade on tag delete.
+    db.commit()
+    return {"deleted": tag_id}
+
+
 @router.post("/recompute")
 def recompute(
     user: User = Depends(current_user),
diff --git a/frontend/src/App.tsx b/frontend/src/App.tsx
index 9dd4d3c..3569a9f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/App.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/App.tsx
@@ -8,17 +8,21 @@ import {
   saveLocalTheme,
   type ThemePrefs,
 } from "./lib/theme";
-import { hasFilterParams, paramsToFilters, syncUrl } from "./lib/urlState";
+import { hasFilterParams, paramsToFilters, readPage, syncUrl, type Page } from "./lib/urlState";
 import {
   loadLayout,
   normalizeLayout,
   saveLayoutLocal,
   type SidebarLayout,
 } from "./lib/sidebarLayout";
+import { configureNotifications } from "./lib/notifications";
+import { setHintsEnabled } from "./lib/hints";
 import Login from "./components/Login";
 import Header from "./components/Header";
 import Sidebar from "./components/Sidebar";
 import Feed from "./components/Feed";
+import Channels from "./components/Channels";
+import SettingsPanel from "./components/SettingsPanel";
 import Toaster from "./components/Toaster";
 
 const DEFAULT_FILTERS: FeedFilters = {
@@ -54,11 +58,18 @@ export default function App() {
   const [filters, setFiltersState] = useState<FeedFilters>(loadInitialFilters);
   const [view, setView] = useState<"grid" | "list">("grid");
   const [sidebarLayout, setSidebarLayoutState] = useState<SidebarLayout>(loadLayout);
+  const [page, setPageState] = useState<Page>(readPage);
+  const [settingsOpen, setSettingsOpen] = useState(false);
 
   function setFilters(next: FeedFilters) {
     setFiltersState(next);
     localStorage.setItem(FILTERS_KEY, JSON.stringify(next));
-    syncUrl(next);
+    syncUrl(next, page);
+  }
+
+  function setPage(next: Page) {
+    setPageState(next);
+    syncUrl(filters, next);
   }
 
   function setSidebarLayout(next: SidebarLayout) {
@@ -69,9 +80,8 @@ export default function App() {
 
   useEffect(() => applyTheme(theme), [theme]);
 
-  // Reflect the initial filters (from localStorage or URL) into the address bar
-  // so the URL is always shareable, even before the first filter change.
-  useEffect(() => syncUrl(filters), []); // eslint-disable-line react-hooks/exhaustive-deps
+  // Reflect the initial filters + page into the address bar so the URL is always shareable.
+  useEffect(() => syncUrl(filters, page), []); // eslint-disable-line react-hooks/exhaustive-deps
 
   const meQuery = useQuery({ queryKey: ["me"], queryFn: api.me });
 
@@ -90,6 +100,10 @@ export default function App() {
       setSidebarLayoutState(l);
       saveLayoutLocal(l);
     }
+    if (prefs.notifications) configureNotifications(prefs.notifications);
+    if (typeof prefs.hints === "boolean") setHintsEnabled(prefs.hints);
+    if (typeof prefs.performanceMode === "boolean")
+      document.documentElement.dataset.perf = prefs.performanceMode ? "1" : "";
     // eslint-disable-next-line react-hooks/exhaustive-deps
   }, [meQuery.data?.id]);
 
@@ -118,24 +132,44 @@ export default function App() {
     <div className="h-screen flex flex-col bg-bg text-fg">
       <Header
         me={meQuery.data!}
-        theme={theme}
-        setTheme={setTheme}
         filters={filters}
         setFilters={setFilters}
-        view={view}
-        setView={changeView}
+        page={page}
+        setPage={setPage}
+        onOpenSettings={() => setSettingsOpen(true)}
       />
       <div className="flex flex-1 min-h-0">
-        <Sidebar
-          filters={filters}
-          setFilters={setFilters}
-          layout={sidebarLayout}
-          setLayout={setSidebarLayout}
-        />
+        {page === "feed" && (
+          <Sidebar
+            filters={filters}
+            setFilters={setFilters}
+            layout={sidebarLayout}
+            setLayout={setSidebarLayout}
+          />
+        )}
         <main className="flex-1 min-w-0 overflow-y-auto">
-          <Feed filters={filters} setFilters={setFilters} view={view} />
+          {page === "feed" ? (
+            <Feed filters={filters} setFilters={setFilters} view={view} />
+          ) : (
+            <Channels
+              onViewChannel={(id, name) => {
+                setFilters({ ...filters, channelId: id, channelName: name, show: "all" });
+                setPage("feed");
+              }}
+            />
+          )}
         </main>
       </div>
+      {settingsOpen && (
+        <SettingsPanel
+          me={meQuery.data!}
+          theme={theme}
+          setTheme={setTheme}
+          view={view}
+          setView={changeView}
+          onClose={() => setSettingsOpen(false)}
+        />
+      )}
       <Toaster />
     </div>
   );
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/Channels.tsx b/frontend/src/components/Channels.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4540535
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/Channels.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,319 @@
+import { useState } from "react";
+import { useMutation, useQuery, useQueryClient } from "@tanstack/react-query";
+import {
+  ArrowDown,
+  ArrowUp,
+  Eye,
+  EyeOff,
+  Plus,
+  RefreshCw,
+  Search,
+  X,
+} from "lucide-react";
+import { api, type ManagedChannel, type Tag } from "../lib/api";
+import { notify } from "../lib/notifications";
+import Tooltip from "./Tooltip";
+
+export default function Channels({
+  onViewChannel,
+}: {
+  onViewChannel: (id: string, name: string) => void;
+}) {
+  const qc = useQueryClient();
+  const channelsQuery = useQuery({ queryKey: ["channels"], queryFn: api.channels });
+  const tagsQuery = useQuery({ queryKey: ["tags"], queryFn: api.tags });
+  const statusQuery = useQuery({ queryKey: ["my-status"], queryFn: api.myStatus });
+  const [q, setQ] = useState("");
+  const [newTag, setNewTag] = useState("");
+
+  const invalidate = () => {
+    qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ["channels"] });
+    qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ["tags"] });
+    qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ["my-status"] });
+  };
+
+  const userTags = (tagsQuery.data ?? []).filter((t) => !t.system);
+
+  const patch = useMutation({
+    mutationFn: (v: { id: string; body: { priority?: number; hidden?: boolean } }) =>
+      api.updateChannel(v.id, v.body),
+    onSuccess: () => qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ["channels"] }),
+  });
+  const attach = useMutation({
+    mutationFn: (v: { id: string; tagId: number }) => api.attachChannelTag(v.id, v.tagId),
+    onSuccess: () => qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ["channels"] }),
+  });
+  const detach = useMutation({
+    mutationFn: (v: { id: string; tagId: number }) => api.detachChannelTag(v.id, v.tagId),
+    onSuccess: () => qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ["channels"] }),
+  });
+  const syncSubs = useMutation({
+    mutationFn: () => api.syncSubscriptions(),
+    onSuccess: (r: { subscriptions?: number }) => {
+      invalidate();
+      notify({ level: "success", message: `Synced ${r.subscriptions ?? 0} subscriptions` });
+    },
+    onError: () => notify({ level: "error", message: "Subscription sync failed" }),
+  });
+  const createTag = useMutation({
+    mutationFn: (name: string) => api.createTag({ name, category: "other" }),
+    onSuccess: () => {
+      setNewTag("");
+      qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ["tags"] });
+    },
+  });
+  const deleteTag = useMutation({
+    mutationFn: (id: number) => api.deleteTag(id),
+    onSuccess: () => invalidate(),
+  });
+
+  const channels = (channelsQuery.data ?? []).filter(
+    (c) => !q || (c.title ?? "").toLowerCase().includes(q.toLowerCase())
+  );
+  const s = statusQuery.data;
+
+  return (
+    <div className="p-4 max-w-4xl mx-auto">
+      {/* Per-user sync status */}
+      {s && (
+        <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-x-5 gap-y-1 text-sm text-muted mb-4">
+          <Stat label="Channels" value={s.channels_total} hint="Channels you're subscribed to." />
+          <Stat
+            label="Recent synced"
+            value={`${s.channels_recent_synced}/${s.channels_total}`}
+            hint="Channels whose recent uploads are in the local DB and show in your feed."
+          />
+          <Stat
+            label="Full history"
+            value={`${s.channels_deep_done}/${s.channels_total}`}
+            hint="Channels whose entire back-catalog is fetched. The rest backfill gradually."
+          />
+          <Stat label="My videos" value={s.my_videos.toLocaleString()} hint="Total videos available across your channels." />
+          <Stat
+            label="Quota left"
+            value={s.quota_remaining_today.toLocaleString()}
+            hint="Shared YouTube API budget left today (resets midnight US Pacific)."
+          />
+        </div>
+      )}
+
+      {/* Toolbar */}
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-2 mb-4">
+        <div className="relative flex-1">
+          <Search className="w-4 h-4 absolute left-3 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 text-muted" />
+          <input
+            value={q}
+            onChange={(e) => setQ(e.target.value)}
+            placeholder="Filter channels…"
+            className="w-full bg-card border border-border rounded-full pl-9 pr-4 py-2 text-sm outline-none focus:border-accent"
+          />
+        </div>
+        <Tooltip
+          side="bottom"
+          hint="Re-import your subscription list from YouTube — adds channels you've newly followed and drops ones you've unfollowed. The videos themselves keep syncing automatically in the background; this does not re-fetch them."
+        >
+          <button
+            onClick={() => syncSubs.mutate()}
+            disabled={syncSubs.isPending}
+            className="glass-card glass-hover flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 rounded-xl text-sm disabled:opacity-50 transition"
+          >
+            <RefreshCw className={`w-4 h-4 ${syncSubs.isPending ? "animate-spin" : ""}`} />
+            Sync subscriptions
+          </button>
+        </Tooltip>
+      </div>
+
+      <p className="text-xs text-muted mb-4 leading-relaxed">
+        Set a channel's <b className="text-fg/80">priority</b> to push its videos up when you sort
+        by “Channel priority”, attach your own <b className="text-fg/80">tags</b> to filter the feed,
+        or <b className="text-fg/80">hide</b> a channel to drop it from the feed without unsubscribing.
+      </p>
+
+      {/* Your tags */}
+      <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-1.5 mb-4">
+        <Tooltip hint="Your personal labels. Attach them to channels below, then filter the feed by tag from the sidebar. (Separate from the automatic language/topic tags.)">
+          <span className="text-xs uppercase tracking-wide text-muted mr-1 cursor-help underline decoration-dotted decoration-muted/40 underline-offset-4">
+            Your tags
+          </span>
+        </Tooltip>
+        {userTags.map((t) => (
+          <span
+            key={t.id}
+            className="inline-flex items-center gap-1 text-xs px-2 py-1 rounded-full bg-card border border-border"
+          >
+            {t.name}
+            <button onClick={() => deleteTag.mutate(t.id)} className="text-muted hover:text-red-400">
+              <X className="w-3 h-3" />
+            </button>
+          </span>
+        ))}
+        <form
+          onSubmit={(e) => {
+            e.preventDefault();
+            if (newTag.trim()) createTag.mutate(newTag.trim());
+          }}
+          className="inline-flex items-center gap-1"
+        >
+          <input
+            value={newTag}
+            onChange={(e) => setNewTag(e.target.value)}
+            placeholder="new tag"
+            className="w-24 bg-card border border-border rounded-full px-2.5 py-1 text-xs outline-none focus:border-accent"
+          />
+          <button type="submit" className="text-muted hover:text-accent" title="Create tag">
+            <Plus className="w-4 h-4" />
+          </button>
+        </form>
+      </div>
+
+      {/* Channel list */}
+      {channelsQuery.isLoading ? (
+        <div className="text-muted py-8">Loading channels…</div>
+      ) : channels.length === 0 ? (
+        <div className="text-muted py-8">No channels.</div>
+      ) : (
+        <div className="flex flex-col gap-1.5">
+          {channels.map((c) => (
+            <ChannelRow
+              key={c.id}
+              c={c}
+              userTags={userTags}
+              onView={() => onViewChannel(c.id, c.title ?? "This channel")}
+              onPriority={(d) => patch.mutate({ id: c.id, body: { priority: c.priority + d } })}
+              onHide={() => patch.mutate({ id: c.id, body: { hidden: !c.hidden } })}
+              onToggleTag={(tagId) =>
+                c.tag_ids.includes(tagId)
+                  ? detach.mutate({ id: c.id, tagId })
+                  : attach.mutate({ id: c.id, tagId })
+              }
+            />
+          ))}
+        </div>
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function Stat({
+  label,
+  value,
+  hint,
+}: {
+  label: string;
+  value: string | number;
+  hint?: string;
+}) {
+  return (
+    <Tooltip hint={hint ?? ""}>
+      <span className={hint ? "cursor-help" : ""}>
+        <span className="text-fg font-semibold">{value}</span> {label}
+      </span>
+    </Tooltip>
+  );
+}
+
+function SyncBadge({ ok, label, hint }: { ok: boolean; label: string; hint?: string }) {
+  return (
+    <Tooltip hint={hint ?? ""}>
+      <span
+        className={`text-[10px] px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded-full border ${
+          ok ? "border-accent/40 text-accent" : "border-border text-muted"
+        }`}
+      >
+        {label}
+      </span>
+    </Tooltip>
+  );
+}
+
+function ChannelRow({
+  c,
+  userTags,
+  onView,
+  onPriority,
+  onHide,
+  onToggleTag,
+}: {
+  c: ManagedChannel;
+  userTags: Tag[];
+  onView: () => void;
+  onPriority: (delta: number) => void;
+  onHide: () => void;
+  onToggleTag: (tagId: number) => void;
+}) {
+  return (
+    <div
+      className={`glass-card glass-hover flex items-center gap-3 p-2.5 rounded-xl transition ${
+        c.hidden ? "opacity-60" : ""
+      }`}
+    >
+      <Tooltip hint="Your ranking for this channel. Sort the feed by “Channel priority” to bring higher-priority channels to the top.">
+        <div className="flex flex-col items-center cursor-help">
+          <button onClick={() => onPriority(1)} className="text-muted hover:text-accent" aria-label="Raise priority">
+            <ArrowUp className="w-3.5 h-3.5" />
+          </button>
+          <span className="text-xs text-muted tabular-nums">{c.priority}</span>
+          <button onClick={() => onPriority(-1)} className="text-muted hover:text-accent" aria-label="Lower priority">
+            <ArrowDown className="w-3.5 h-3.5" />
+          </button>
+        </div>
+      </Tooltip>
+
+      {c.thumbnail_url ? (
+        <img src={c.thumbnail_url} alt="" className="w-10 h-10 rounded-full shrink-0" />
+      ) : (
+        <div className="w-10 h-10 rounded-full bg-card shrink-0" />
+      )}
+
+      <div className="min-w-0 flex-1">
+        <button onClick={onView} className="text-sm font-semibold truncate hover:text-accent block max-w-full text-left">
+          {c.title ?? c.id}
+        </button>
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-2 text-[11px] text-muted">
+          <span>{c.stored_videos.toLocaleString()} stored</span>
+          {c.subscriber_count != null && <span>· {c.subscriber_count.toLocaleString()} subs</span>}
+        </div>
+        <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-1 mt-1">
+          <SyncBadge
+            ok={c.recent_synced}
+            label="recent"
+            hint={c.recent_synced ? "Recent uploads synced." : "Recent uploads not fetched yet."}
+          />
+          <SyncBadge
+            ok={c.backfill_done}
+            label="full"
+            hint={c.backfill_done ? "Full history fetched." : "Only recent videos so far; full history pending."}
+          />
+          {userTags.map((t) => {
+            const on = c.tag_ids.includes(t.id);
+            return (
+              <button
+                key={t.id}
+                onClick={() => onToggleTag(t.id)}
+                className={`text-[10px] px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded-full border transition ${
+                  on
+                    ? "bg-accent text-accent-fg border-accent"
+                    : "bg-card border-border text-muted hover:border-accent"
+                }`}
+              >
+                {t.name}
+              </button>
+            );
+          })}
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <Tooltip
+        hint={
+          c.hidden
+            ? "Hidden — this channel's videos are kept out of your feed. Click to show them again."
+            : "Hide this channel's videos from your feed. It stays subscribed; this doesn't unsubscribe on YouTube."
+        }
+      >
+        <button onClick={onHide} className="text-muted hover:text-fg shrink-0" aria-label={c.hidden ? "Unhide" : "Hide from feed"}>
+          {c.hidden ? <EyeOff className="w-4 h-4" /> : <Eye className="w-4 h-4" />}
+        </button>
+      </Tooltip>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/Header.tsx b/frontend/src/components/Header.tsx
index 46f73c0..bd5ca99 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/Header.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/Header.tsx
@@ -1,140 +1,66 @@
 import { useRef, useState } from "react";
-import {
-  LayoutGrid,
-  List,
-  LogOut,
-  Moon,
-  Palette,
-  Search,
-  Shield,
-  Sun,
-} from "lucide-react";
-import { SCHEMES, type Scheme, type ThemePrefs } from "../lib/theme";
+import { Home, LogOut, Search, Settings, Shield, Tv } from "lucide-react";
 import type { FeedFilters, Me } from "../lib/api";
+import type { Page } from "../lib/urlState";
 import SyncStatus from "./SyncStatus";
 import NotificationCenter from "./NotificationCenter";
 
-function IconBtn(props: React.ButtonHTMLAttributes<HTMLButtonElement>) {
-  const { className = "", ...rest } = props;
-  return (
-    <button
-      {...rest}
-      className={`p-2 rounded-lg text-muted hover:text-fg hover:bg-card transition ${className}`}
-    />
-  );
-}
-
-function ThemeMenu({
-  theme,
-  setTheme,
-}: {
-  theme: ThemePrefs;
-  setTheme: (t: ThemePrefs) => void;
-}) {
-  return (
-    <div className="absolute right-0 mt-2 w-60 rounded-xl border border-border bg-surface shadow-2xl p-3 z-30">
-      <div className="text-xs uppercase tracking-wide text-muted mb-2">Color scheme</div>
-      <div className="grid grid-cols-4 gap-2 mb-3">
-        {SCHEMES.map((s) => (
-          <button
-            key={s.id}
-            onClick={() => setTheme({ ...theme, scheme: s.id as Scheme })}
-            title={s.name}
-            className={`h-9 rounded-lg border-2 transition ${
-              theme.scheme === s.id ? "border-fg" : "border-transparent"
-            }`}
-            style={{ background: s.swatch }}
-          />
-        ))}
-      </div>
-      <div className="text-xs uppercase tracking-wide text-muted mb-2">Text size</div>
-      <input
-        type="range"
-        min={0.9}
-        max={1.3}
-        step={0.02}
-        value={theme.fontScale}
-        onChange={(e) => setTheme({ ...theme, fontScale: Number(e.target.value) })}
-        className="w-full accent-accent"
-      />
-      <div className="text-right text-xs text-muted">
-        {Math.round(theme.fontScale * 100)}%
-      </div>
-    </div>
-  );
-}
-
 export default function Header({
   me,
-  theme,
-  setTheme,
   filters,
   setFilters,
-  view,
-  setView,
+  page,
+  setPage,
+  onOpenSettings,
 }: {
   me: Me;
-  theme: ThemePrefs;
-  setTheme: (t: ThemePrefs) => void;
   filters: FeedFilters;
   setFilters: (f: FeedFilters) => void;
-  view: "grid" | "list";
-  setView: (v: "grid" | "list") => void;
+  page: Page;
+  setPage: (p: Page) => void;
+  onOpenSettings: () => void;
 }) {
-  const [menuOpen, setMenuOpen] = useState(false);
-
   async function logout() {
     await fetch("/auth/logout", { method: "POST", credentials: "include" });
     location.reload();
   }
 
   return (
-    <header className="h-14 shrink-0 border-b border-border bg-surface/80 backdrop-blur flex items-center gap-3 px-4 z-20">
-      <div className="text-xl font-bold tracking-tight select-none">
+    <header className="h-14 shrink-0 border-b border-border bg-surface/95 flex items-center gap-3 px-4 z-20">
+      <button
+        onClick={() => setPage("feed")}
+        className="text-xl font-bold tracking-tight select-none"
+        title="Feed"
+      >
         Sub<span className="text-accent">feed</span>
-      </div>
+      </button>
 
       <SyncStatus />
 
-      <div className="flex-1 max-w-xl mx-auto relative">
-        <Search className="w-4 h-4 absolute left-3 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 text-muted" />
-        <input
-          value={filters.q}
-          onChange={(e) => setFilters({ ...filters, q: e.target.value })}
-          placeholder="Search your subscriptions…"
-          className="w-full bg-card border border-border rounded-full pl-9 pr-4 py-2 text-sm outline-none focus:border-accent"
-        />
-      </div>
+      {page === "feed" ? (
+        <div className="flex-1 max-w-xl mx-auto relative">
+          <Search className="w-4 h-4 absolute left-3 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 text-muted" />
+          <input
+            value={filters.q}
+            onChange={(e) => setFilters({ ...filters, q: e.target.value })}
+            placeholder="Search your subscriptions…"
+            className="w-full bg-card border border-border rounded-full pl-9 pr-4 py-2 text-sm outline-none focus:border-accent"
+          />
+        </div>
+      ) : (
+        <div className="flex-1 text-center text-sm font-semibold">Channel manager</div>
+      )}
 
       <div className="flex items-center gap-1">
-        <IconBtn
-          onClick={() => setView(view === "grid" ? "list" : "grid")}
-          title={view === "grid" ? "List view" : "Grid view"}
-        >
-          {view === "grid" ? <List className="w-5 h-5" /> : <LayoutGrid className="w-5 h-5" />}
-        </IconBtn>
-        <IconBtn
-          onClick={() => setTheme({ ...theme, mode: theme.mode === "dark" ? "light" : "dark" })}
-          title="Toggle dark / light"
-        >
-          {theme.mode === "dark" ? <Sun className="w-5 h-5" /> : <Moon className="w-5 h-5" />}
-        </IconBtn>
-        <div className="relative">
-          <IconBtn onClick={() => setMenuOpen((o) => !o)} title="Theme">
-            <Palette className="w-5 h-5" />
-          </IconBtn>
-          {menuOpen && (
-            <>
-              <div className="fixed inset-0 z-20" onClick={() => setMenuOpen(false)} />
-              <ThemeMenu theme={theme} setTheme={setTheme} />
-            </>
-          )}
-        </div>
-
         <NotificationCenter filters={filters} setFilters={setFilters} />
-
         <div className="pl-1">
-          <AccountMenu me={me} logout={logout} />
+          <AccountMenu
+            me={me}
+            logout={logout}
+            page={page}
+            setPage={setPage}
+            onOpenSettings={onOpenSettings}
+          />
         </div>
       </div>
     </header>
@@ -151,7 +77,19 @@ function Avatar({ me, className = "" }: { me: Me; className?: string }) {
   );
 }
 
-function AccountMenu({ me, logout }: { me: Me; logout: () => void }) {
+function AccountMenu({
+  me,
+  logout,
+  page,
+  setPage,
+  onOpenSettings,
+}: {
+  me: Me;
+  logout: () => void;
+  page: Page;
+  setPage: (p: Page) => void;
+  onOpenSettings: () => void;
+}) {
   const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
   const closeTimer = useRef<ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null>(null);
 
@@ -163,12 +101,11 @@ function AccountMenu({ me, logout }: { me: Me; logout: () => void }) {
     closeTimer.current = setTimeout(() => setOpen(false), 220);
   }
 
+  const itemClass =
+    "w-full flex items-center gap-2 text-sm px-2 py-2 rounded-lg text-muted hover:text-fg hover:bg-card transition";
+
   return (
-    <div
-      className="relative"
-      onMouseEnter={openNow}
-      onMouseLeave={closeSoon}
-    >
+    <div className="relative" onMouseEnter={openNow} onMouseLeave={closeSoon}>
       <button
         onClick={() => setOpen((o) => !o)}
         title={me.email}
@@ -178,7 +115,7 @@ function AccountMenu({ me, logout }: { me: Me; logout: () => void }) {
       </button>
 
       {open && (
-        <div className="absolute right-0 mt-2 w-64 rounded-xl border border-border bg-surface shadow-2xl p-3 z-30">
+        <div className="glass absolute right-0 mt-2 w-64 rounded-xl p-3 z-30 animate-[popIn_0.16s_ease]">
           <div className="flex items-center gap-3 pb-3 border-b border-border">
             <Avatar me={me} className="w-10 h-10 text-sm shrink-0" />
             <div className="min-w-0">
@@ -196,13 +133,27 @@ function AccountMenu({ me, logout }: { me: Me; logout: () => void }) {
             </div>
           )}
 
-          <button
-            onClick={logout}
-            className="mt-2 w-full flex items-center gap-2 text-sm px-2 py-2 rounded-lg text-muted hover:text-fg hover:bg-card transition"
-          >
-            <LogOut className="w-4 h-4" />
-            Sign out
-          </button>
+          <div className="mt-2 flex flex-col">
+            {page === "channels" ? (
+              <button onClick={() => { setPage("feed"); setOpen(false); }} className={itemClass}>
+                <Home className="w-4 h-4" />
+                Feed
+              </button>
+            ) : (
+              <button onClick={() => { setPage("channels"); setOpen(false); }} className={itemClass}>
+                <Tv className="w-4 h-4" />
+                Channels
+              </button>
+            )}
+            <button onClick={() => { onOpenSettings(); setOpen(false); }} className={itemClass}>
+              <Settings className="w-4 h-4" />
+              Settings
+            </button>
+            <button onClick={logout} className={itemClass}>
+              <LogOut className="w-4 h-4" />
+              Sign out
+            </button>
+          </div>
         </div>
       )}
     </div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/Login.tsx b/frontend/src/components/Login.tsx
index a79f418..3c20228 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/Login.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/Login.tsx
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 export default function Login() {
   return (
     <div className="min-h-screen grid place-items-center bg-bg text-fg">
-      <div className="w-[min(92vw,420px)] rounded-2xl border border-border bg-card/70 backdrop-blur p-10 text-center shadow-2xl">
+      <div className="glass w-[min(92vw,420px)] rounded-2xl p-10 text-center">
         <div className="text-3xl font-bold tracking-tight">
           Sub<span className="text-accent">feed</span>
         </div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/NotificationCenter.tsx b/frontend/src/components/NotificationCenter.tsx
index 38bf67c..5ba96e4 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/NotificationCenter.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/NotificationCenter.tsx
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ export default function NotificationCenter({
       </button>
 
       {open && (
-        <div className="absolute right-0 mt-2 w-80 max-w-[calc(100vw-2rem)] rounded-xl border border-border bg-surface shadow-2xl z-30 flex flex-col max-h-[70vh]">
+        <div className="glass absolute right-0 mt-2 w-80 max-w-[calc(100vw-2rem)] rounded-xl z-30 flex flex-col max-h-[70vh] animate-[popIn_0.16s_ease]">
           <div className="flex items-center justify-between px-3 py-2 border-b border-border">
             <div className="text-sm font-semibold">Notifications</div>
             {notifications.length > 0 && (
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/SettingsPanel.tsx b/frontend/src/components/SettingsPanel.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..51e01a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/SettingsPanel.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,427 @@
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useState, useSyncExternalStore } from "react";
+import { useMutation, useQuery, useQueryClient } from "@tanstack/react-query";
+import { Bell, Monitor, Pause, Play, RefreshCw, User, X } from "lucide-react";
+import { SCHEMES, type Scheme, type ThemePrefs } from "../lib/theme";
+import { api, type Me } from "../lib/api";
+import {
+  configureNotifications,
+  getNotifSettings,
+  notify,
+  type NotifSettings,
+} from "../lib/notifications";
+import { hintsEnabled, setHintsEnabled, subscribeHints } from "../lib/hints";
+import Tooltip from "./Tooltip";
+
+type TabId = "appearance" | "notifications" | "sync" | "account";
+const TABS: { id: TabId; label: string; icon: typeof Monitor }[] = [
+  { id: "appearance", label: "Appearance", icon: Monitor },
+  { id: "notifications", label: "Notifications", icon: Bell },
+  { id: "sync", label: "Sync", icon: RefreshCw },
+  { id: "account", label: "Account", icon: User },
+];
+
+export default function SettingsPanel({
+  me,
+  theme,
+  setTheme,
+  view,
+  setView,
+  onClose,
+}: {
+  me: Me;
+  theme: ThemePrefs;
+  setTheme: (t: ThemePrefs) => void;
+  view: "grid" | "list";
+  setView: (v: "grid" | "list") => void;
+  onClose: () => void;
+}) {
+  const [tab, setTab] = useState<TabId>("appearance");
+  const [closing, setClosing] = useState(false);
+
+  const close = useCallback(() => {
+    setClosing(true);
+    setTimeout(onClose, 190);
+  }, [onClose]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    function onKey(e: KeyboardEvent) {
+      if (e.key === "Escape") close();
+    }
+    document.addEventListener("keydown", onKey);
+    return () => document.removeEventListener("keydown", onKey);
+  }, [close]);
+
+  return (
+    <div className="fixed inset-0 z-40 flex justify-end">
+      <div
+        className={`absolute inset-0 bg-black/50 ${
+          closing ? "animate-[overlayOut_0.19s_ease_forwards]" : "animate-[overlayIn_0.2s_ease]"
+        }`}
+        onClick={close}
+      />
+      <div
+        className={`glass relative self-start m-3 w-[min(94vw,520px)] max-h-[calc(100vh-1.5rem)] rounded-2xl overflow-hidden flex flex-col ${
+          closing
+            ? "animate-[panelOut_0.19s_ease-in_forwards]"
+            : "animate-[panelIn_0.26s_cubic-bezier(0.22,1,0.36,1)]"
+        }`}
+      >
+        <div className="flex items-center justify-between px-4 h-14 border-b border-border/60 shrink-0">
+          <div className="text-base font-semibold">Settings</div>
+          <button
+            onClick={close}
+            className="p-2 rounded-lg text-muted hover:text-fg hover:bg-card/60 transition"
+          >
+            <X className="w-5 h-5" />
+          </button>
+        </div>
+
+        <div className="flex flex-1 min-h-0">
+          {/* Vertical tab rail — never wraps; active is a clear accent pill. */}
+          <nav className="w-32 sm:w-36 shrink-0 border-r border-border/60 p-2 flex flex-col gap-1">
+            {TABS.map((t) => {
+              const active = tab === t.id;
+              return (
+                <button
+                  key={t.id}
+                  onClick={() => setTab(t.id)}
+                  className={`flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 rounded-lg text-sm text-left transition ${
+                    active
+                      ? "bg-accent text-accent-fg font-medium shadow-md shadow-accent/20"
+                      : "text-muted hover:text-fg hover:bg-card/60"
+                  }`}
+                >
+                  <t.icon className="w-4 h-4 shrink-0" />
+                  {t.label}
+                </button>
+              );
+            })}
+          </nav>
+
+          {/* All tabs stacked in one grid cell so the panel sizes to the tallest tab
+              (stable height, no jump on switch); the active one is shown on top. */}
+          <div className="grid flex-1 overflow-y-auto">
+            {TABS.map((t) => (
+              <div
+                key={t.id}
+                className={`[grid-area:1/1] p-4 ${
+                  tab === t.id ? "" : "invisible pointer-events-none"
+                }`}
+              >
+                {t.id === "appearance" && (
+                  <Appearance theme={theme} setTheme={setTheme} view={view} setView={setView} />
+                )}
+                {t.id === "notifications" && <Notifications />}
+                {t.id === "sync" && <Sync me={me} />}
+                {t.id === "account" && <Account me={me} />}
+              </div>
+            ))}
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function Section({ title, children }: { title: string; children: React.ReactNode }) {
+  return (
+    <div className="mb-6">
+      <div className="text-xs uppercase tracking-wide text-muted mb-2">{title}</div>
+      {children}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function Row({
+  label,
+  hint,
+  children,
+}: {
+  label: string;
+  hint?: string;
+  children: React.ReactNode;
+}) {
+  return (
+    <div className="flex items-center justify-between gap-3 py-1.5 text-sm">
+      <Tooltip hint={hint ?? ""}>
+        <span
+          className={
+            hint ? "underline decoration-dotted decoration-muted/40 underline-offset-4 cursor-help" : ""
+          }
+        >
+          {label}
+        </span>
+      </Tooltip>
+      {children}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function Switch({ checked, onChange }: { checked: boolean; onChange: (v: boolean) => void }) {
+  return (
+    <button
+      type="button"
+      onClick={() => onChange(!checked)}
+      className={`w-9 h-5 rounded-full transition relative shrink-0 ${checked ? "bg-accent" : "bg-border"}`}
+    >
+      <span
+        className={`absolute top-0.5 w-4 h-4 rounded-full bg-white shadow transition-all ${
+          checked ? "left-[18px]" : "left-0.5"
+        }`}
+      />
+    </button>
+  );
+}
+
+const PERF_KEY = "subfeed.perfMode";
+
+function Appearance({
+  theme,
+  setTheme,
+  view,
+  setView,
+}: {
+  theme: ThemePrefs;
+  setTheme: (t: ThemePrefs) => void;
+  view: "grid" | "list";
+  setView: (v: "grid" | "list") => void;
+}) {
+  const [perf, setPerf] = useState(() => localStorage.getItem(PERF_KEY) === "1");
+  const hints = useSyncExternalStore(subscribeHints, hintsEnabled, hintsEnabled);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    document.documentElement.dataset.perf = perf ? "1" : "";
+  }, [perf]);
+  function togglePerf(v: boolean) {
+    setPerf(v);
+    localStorage.setItem(PERF_KEY, v ? "1" : "0");
+    api.savePrefs({ performanceMode: v }).catch(() => {});
+  }
+  function toggleHints(v: boolean) {
+    setHintsEnabled(v);
+    api.savePrefs({ hints: v }).catch(() => {});
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <>
+      <Section title="Color scheme">
+        <div className="grid grid-cols-4 gap-2">
+          {SCHEMES.map((s) => (
+            <Tooltip key={s.id} hint={s.name}>
+              <button
+                onClick={() => setTheme({ ...theme, scheme: s.id as Scheme })}
+                className={`h-9 w-full rounded-lg border-2 transition ${
+                  theme.scheme === s.id ? "border-fg" : "border-transparent"
+                }`}
+                style={{ background: s.swatch }}
+              />
+            </Tooltip>
+          ))}
+        </div>
+      </Section>
+
+      <Section title="Display">
+        <Row label="Dark mode">
+          <Switch
+            checked={theme.mode === "dark"}
+            onChange={(v) => setTheme({ ...theme, mode: v ? "dark" : "light" })}
+          />
+        </Row>
+        <Row label="List view" hint="Show the feed as a compact list instead of a grid of cards.">
+          <Switch checked={view === "list"} onChange={(v) => setView(v ? "list" : "grid")} />
+        </Row>
+        <Row
+          label="Performance mode"
+          hint="Turns off the translucent glass blur and soft shadows for snappier rendering on slower machines."
+        >
+          <Switch checked={perf} onChange={togglePerf} />
+        </Row>
+        <Row
+          label="Show hints"
+          hint="These little hover explanations. Turn them off once you know your way around."
+        >
+          <Switch checked={hints} onChange={toggleHints} />
+        </Row>
+      </Section>
+
+      <Section title="Text size">
+        <input
+          type="range"
+          min={0.9}
+          max={1.3}
+          step={0.02}
+          value={theme.fontScale}
+          onChange={(e) => setTheme({ ...theme, fontScale: Number(e.target.value) })}
+          className="w-full accent-accent"
+        />
+        <div className="text-right text-xs text-muted">{Math.round(theme.fontScale * 100)}%</div>
+      </Section>
+    </>
+  );
+}
+
+function Notifications() {
+  const [cfg, setCfg] = useState<NotifSettings>(() => getNotifSettings());
+  function update(p: Partial<NotifSettings>) {
+    const next = { ...cfg, ...p };
+    setCfg(next);
+    configureNotifications(next);
+    api.savePrefs({ notifications: next }).catch(() => {});
+  }
+  const autoOn = cfg.durationMs > 0;
+
+  return (
+    <Section title="Notifications">
+      <Row
+        label="Sound on alerts"
+        hint="Play a short tone when a notification needs your attention (e.g. errors, prompts)."
+      >
+        <Switch checked={cfg.sound} onChange={(v) => update({ sound: v })} />
+      </Row>
+      <Row
+        label="Auto-dismiss toasts"
+        hint="When off, pop-up toasts stay until you close them. When on, they fade after the set time."
+      >
+        <Switch checked={autoOn} onChange={(v) => update({ durationMs: v ? 6000 : 0 })} />
+      </Row>
+      {autoOn && (
+        <div className="py-1.5 text-sm">
+          <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
+            <span className="text-muted text-xs">Dismiss after</span>
+            <span className="text-muted text-xs">{(cfg.durationMs / 1000).toFixed(0)}s</span>
+          </div>
+          <input
+            type="range"
+            min={2000}
+            max={15000}
+            step={1000}
+            value={cfg.durationMs}
+            onChange={(e) => update({ durationMs: Number(e.target.value) })}
+            className="w-full accent-accent mt-1"
+          />
+        </div>
+      )}
+      <button
+        onClick={() =>
+          notify({
+            level: "info",
+            title: "Test notification",
+            message: "This is what a notification looks like.",
+            sound: true,
+          })
+        }
+        className="mt-2 text-sm text-accent hover:underline"
+      >
+        Send a test notification
+      </button>
+    </Section>
+  );
+}
+
+function Sync({ me }: { me: Me }) {
+  const qc = useQueryClient();
+  const status = useQuery({ queryKey: ["my-status"], queryFn: api.myStatus });
+  const s = status.data;
+  const syncSubs = useMutation({
+    mutationFn: () => api.syncSubscriptions(),
+    onSuccess: (r: { subscriptions?: number }) => {
+      qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ["my-status"] });
+      qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ["channels"] });
+      notify({ level: "success", message: `Synced ${r.subscriptions ?? 0} subscriptions` });
+    },
+    onError: () => notify({ level: "error", message: "Sync failed" }),
+  });
+  const pauseResume = useMutation({
+    mutationFn: (paused: boolean) => (paused ? api.resumeSync() : api.pauseSync()),
+    onSuccess: () => qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ["my-status"] }),
+  });
+
+  return (
+    <>
+      <Section title="My sync status">
+        {s ? (
+          <div className="space-y-1.5 text-sm">
+            <Row label="Channels" hint="How many channels you're subscribed to.">
+              {s.channels_total}
+            </Row>
+            <Row
+              label="Recent synced"
+              hint="Channels whose recent uploads (~last year) are already in the local database, so they show in your feed."
+            >
+              {`${s.channels_recent_synced}/${s.channels_total}`}
+            </Row>
+            <Row
+              label="Full history"
+              hint="Channels whose entire back-catalog has been fetched. The rest backfill gradually (opt in per channel)."
+            >
+              {`${s.channels_deep_done}/${s.channels_total}`}
+            </Row>
+            <Row label="My videos" hint="Total videos available to you across your subscribed channels.">
+              {s.my_videos.toLocaleString()}
+            </Row>
+            <Row
+              label="Quota left today"
+              hint="Shared YouTube API budget remaining today (resets midnight US Pacific). Backfill yields to it."
+            >
+              {s.quota_remaining_today.toLocaleString()}
+            </Row>
+          </div>
+        ) : (
+          <div className="text-muted text-sm">Loading…</div>
+        )}
+      </Section>
+
+      <Section title="Actions">
+        <Tooltip hint="Re-import your YouTube subscriptions and pull in any newly-followed channels.">
+          <button
+            onClick={() => syncSubs.mutate()}
+            disabled={syncSubs.isPending}
+            className="glass-card glass-hover flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 rounded-xl text-sm disabled:opacity-50 transition"
+          >
+            <RefreshCw className={`w-4 h-4 ${syncSubs.isPending ? "animate-spin" : ""}`} />
+            Sync subscriptions
+          </button>
+        </Tooltip>
+      </Section>
+
+      {me.role === "admin" && s && (
+        <Section title="Admin">
+          <Tooltip hint="Pause or resume the background sync for the whole app (all users).">
+            <button
+              onClick={() => pauseResume.mutate(s.paused)}
+              className="glass-card glass-hover flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 rounded-xl text-sm transition"
+            >
+              {s.paused ? <Play className="w-4 h-4" /> : <Pause className="w-4 h-4" />}
+              {s.paused ? "Resume background sync" : "Pause background sync"}
+            </button>
+          </Tooltip>
+        </Section>
+      )}
+    </>
+  );
+}
+
+function Account({ me }: { me: Me }) {
+  return (
+    <Section title="Account">
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-3 mb-3">
+        {me.avatar_url ? (
+          <img src={me.avatar_url} alt="" className="w-12 h-12 rounded-full" />
+        ) : (
+          <div className="w-12 h-12 rounded-full bg-card grid place-items-center font-semibold">
+            {(me.display_name?.[0] ?? me.email[0] ?? "?").toUpperCase()}
+          </div>
+        )}
+        <div className="min-w-0">
+          <div className="font-semibold truncate">{me.display_name ?? me.email.split("@")[0]}</div>
+          <div className="text-xs text-muted truncate">{me.email}</div>
+          <div className="text-xs text-muted capitalize">{me.role}</div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+      <p className="text-xs text-muted leading-relaxed">
+        Playlist editing &amp; YouTube export, and the admin approval queue, arrive in the next
+        phases of this milestone.
+      </p>
+    </Section>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/Sidebar.tsx b/frontend/src/components/Sidebar.tsx
index d7258e6..af58adb 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/Sidebar.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/Sidebar.tsx
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ const SORTS = [
   { id: "duration_asc", label: "Shortest" },
   { id: "title", label: "Name (A–Z)" },
   { id: "subscribers", label: "Channel subscribers" },
+  { id: "priority", label: "Channel priority" },
   { id: "shuffle", label: "Surprise me" },
 ];
 
@@ -401,7 +402,7 @@ export default function Sidebar({
       )}
 
       {filters.channelId && !editing && (
-        <div className="rounded-xl border border-border bg-card/30">
+        <div className="glass-card rounded-xl">
           <div className="px-3 pt-2 text-xs uppercase tracking-wide text-muted">Channel</div>
           <div className="px-3 pb-3 pt-2">
             <button
@@ -474,7 +475,7 @@ function WidgetCard({
     <div
       ref={setNodeRef}
       style={style}
-      className={`rounded-xl border border-border bg-card/30 ${
+      className={`glass-card rounded-xl ${
         isDragging ? "relative z-10 shadow-2xl ring-1 ring-accent" : ""
       } ${hidden && editing ? "opacity-50" : ""}`}
     >
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/Toaster.tsx b/frontend/src/components/Toaster.tsx
index e08e6b3..3a5f08d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/Toaster.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/Toaster.tsx
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ export default function Toaster() {
         return (
           <div
             key={t.id}
-            className="relative overflow-hidden bg-surface border border-border rounded-xl shadow-2xl px-3 py-3 flex items-start gap-3"
+            className="glass relative overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-3 py-3 flex items-start gap-3 animate-[popIn_0.16s_ease]"
           >
             <Icon className={`w-5 h-5 shrink-0 mt-0.5 ${color}`} />
             <div className="min-w-0 flex-1">
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/Tooltip.tsx b/frontend/src/components/Tooltip.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3c77373
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/Tooltip.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+import { useRef, useState, useSyncExternalStore } from "react";
+import { createPortal } from "react-dom";
+import { hintsEnabled, subscribeHints } from "../lib/hints";
+
+type Side = "top" | "bottom";
+type Coords = { left: number; top: number; placement: Side };
+
+/** Wrap any element to show a short glass hint caption on hover — but only while the
+ *  app-wide hints toggle (Settings → Appearance) is on. Rendered in a portal with
+ *  fixed positioning so it is never clipped by an overflow/stacking ancestor. */
+export default function Tooltip({
+  hint,
+  side = "top",
+  children,
+}: {
+  hint: string;
+  side?: Side;
+  children: React.ReactNode;
+}) {
+  const enabled = useSyncExternalStore(subscribeHints, hintsEnabled, hintsEnabled);
+  const ref = useRef<HTMLSpanElement>(null);
+  const [coords, setCoords] = useState<Coords | null>(null);
+
+  function show() {
+    const el = ref.current;
+    if (!el) return;
+    const r = el.getBoundingClientRect();
+    // Prefer the requested side; flip to bottom if there's no room above.
+    const placement: Side = side === "bottom" || r.top < 90 ? "bottom" : "top";
+    setCoords({
+      left: Math.min(Math.max(r.left + r.width / 2, 92), window.innerWidth - 92),
+      top: placement === "top" ? r.top - 8 : r.bottom + 8,
+      placement,
+    });
+  }
+  function hide() {
+    setCoords(null);
+  }
+
+  if (!enabled || !hint) return <>{children}</>;
+
+  return (
+    <span
+      ref={ref}
+      onMouseEnter={show}
+      onMouseLeave={hide}
+      onFocus={show}
+      onBlur={hide}
+      className="inline-flex"
+    >
+      {children}
+      {coords &&
+        createPortal(
+          <div
+            role="tooltip"
+            style={{
+              position: "fixed",
+              left: coords.left,
+              top: coords.top,
+              transform: `translateX(-50%) translateY(${coords.placement === "top" ? "-100%" : "0"})`,
+            }}
+            className="glass pointer-events-none z-[100] w-max max-w-[240px] px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded-lg text-xs leading-snug text-fg font-normal normal-case tracking-normal animate-[fadeIn_0.12s_ease]"
+          >
+            {hint}
+          </div>,
+          document.body
+        )}
+    </span>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/VideoCard.tsx b/frontend/src/components/VideoCard.tsx
index c364fdf..8a4f7d5 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/VideoCard.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/VideoCard.tsx
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ export default function VideoCard({
   return (
     <div
       className={clsx(
-        "group rounded-2xl border border-border bg-card/50 p-2.5 shadow-sm transition-all duration-150 hover:-translate-y-1 hover:shadow-2xl hover:bg-card hover:border-accent/40",
+        "group glass-card glass-hover rounded-2xl p-2.5 transition-all duration-150 hover:-translate-y-1",
         watched && "opacity-55"
       )}
     >
diff --git a/frontend/src/index.css b/frontend/src/index.css
index e9e3683..ebea9ae 100644
--- a/frontend/src/index.css
+++ b/frontend/src/index.css
@@ -21,8 +21,81 @@ html {
 
 body {
   margin: 0;
-  background: var(--bg);
   color: var(--fg);
+  /* Ambient backdrop so translucent "glass" surfaces have soft color to refract. */
+  background:
+    radial-gradient(1100px 620px at 12% -8%, color-mix(in srgb, var(--accent) 14%, transparent), transparent 60%),
+    radial-gradient(1000px 700px at 112% 8%, color-mix(in srgb, var(--accent) 9%, transparent), transparent 55%),
+    var(--bg);
+  background-attachment: fixed;
+}
+
+/* ===== Liquid-glass surface system (theme-aware, GPU-light) ===== */
+.glass {
+  /* Frosted overlay surface: translucent enough that the blurred backdrop shows
+     through (the glassy look), opaque enough that the background isn't distracting.
+     The strong blur turns whatever is behind into soft colour, not a sharp image. */
+  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--surface) 78%, transparent);
+  backdrop-filter: blur(30px) saturate(1.8);
+  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(30px) saturate(1.8);
+  border: 1px solid color-mix(in srgb, var(--border) 78%, transparent);
+  box-shadow:
+    inset 0 1px 0 color-mix(in srgb, #fff 16%, transparent),
+    0 18px 44px -16px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6);
+}
+.glass-card {
+  /* No backdrop-filter here: cards render in bulk (feed grid) over a solid background
+     where blur adds almost nothing visually but is GPU-expensive and triggers reflow.
+     Translucency + border + depth keep the look; blur is reserved for .glass overlays. */
+  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--card) 84%, transparent);
+  border: 1px solid color-mix(in srgb, var(--border) 65%, transparent);
+  box-shadow:
+    inset 0 1px 0 color-mix(in srgb, #fff 8%, transparent),
+    0 8px 22px -14px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.45);
+}
+.glass-hover:hover {
+  border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--accent) 55%, transparent);
+  box-shadow:
+    inset 0 1px 0 color-mix(in srgb, #fff 12%, transparent),
+    0 14px 30px -14px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
+}
+
+/* Performance mode (Settings → Appearance) drops the expensive blur + soft shadows. */
+html[data-perf="1"] .glass,
+html[data-perf="1"] .glass-card {
+  backdrop-filter: none;
+  -webkit-backdrop-filter: none;
+  background: var(--surface);
+  box-shadow: 0 2px 8px -4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);
+}
+html[data-perf="1"] body {
+  background: var(--bg);
+}
+
+/* ===== Motion ===== */
+@keyframes fadeIn {
+  from { opacity: 0; }
+  to { opacity: 1; }
+}
+@keyframes overlayIn {
+  from { opacity: 0; }
+  to { opacity: 1; }
+}
+@keyframes overlayOut {
+  from { opacity: 1; }
+  to { opacity: 0; }
+}
+@keyframes panelIn {
+  from { transform: translateX(100%); }
+  to { transform: translateX(0); }
+}
+@keyframes panelOut {
+  from { transform: translateX(0); }
+  to { transform: translateX(100%); }
+}
+@keyframes popIn {
+  from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(-6px) scale(0.97); }
+  to { opacity: 1; transform: none; }
 }
 
 /* ===== Color schemes (accent + neutrals), each with dark + light ===== */
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/api.ts b/frontend/src/lib/api.ts
index 093ca15..ea3426a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/api.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/api.ts
@@ -68,6 +68,16 @@ class HttpError extends Error {
   }
 }
 
+// Collapse bursts of connection failures (e.g. while the server restarts) into a
+// single notification rather than one per failed request.
+let lastErrorNotifiedAt = 0;
+function notifyErrorThrottled(title: string, message: string): void {
+  const now = Date.now();
+  if (now - lastErrorNotifiedAt < 30_000) return;
+  lastErrorNotifiedAt = now;
+  notify({ level: "error", title, message });
+}
+
 async function req(url: string, opts: RequestInit = {}): Promise<any> {
   const method = opts.method ?? "GET";
   let r: Response;
@@ -78,22 +88,16 @@ async function req(url: string, opts: RequestInit = {}): Promise<any> {
       ...opts,
     });
   } catch (e) {
-    // Network/connection failure — surface it in the notification center.
-    notify({
-      level: "error",
-      title: "Network error",
-      message: `Couldn't reach the server (${method} ${url}).`,
-    });
+    notifyErrorThrottled(
+      "Connection lost",
+      "Couldn't reach the server — it may be restarting. This will clear once it's back."
+    );
     throw e;
   }
   if (!r.ok) {
-    // Server faults are worth logging; 401/403/404 etc. are handled by callers.
+    // Server faults are worth surfacing; 401/403/404 etc. are handled by callers.
     if (r.status >= 500) {
-      notify({
-        level: "error",
-        title: `Server error ${r.status}`,
-        message: `${method} ${url}`,
-      });
+      notifyErrorThrottled(`Server error ${r.status}`, `${method} ${url}`);
     }
     throw new HttpError(r.status);
   }
@@ -133,6 +137,35 @@ export interface SyncStatus {
   is_admin: boolean;
 }
 
+export interface MyStatus {
+  channels_total: number;
+  channels_details_synced: number;
+  channels_recent_synced: number;
+  channels_deep_done: number;
+  channels_recent_pending: number;
+  channels_deep_pending: number;
+  my_videos: number;
+  quota_used_today: number;
+  quota_remaining_today: number;
+  paused: boolean;
+}
+
+export interface ManagedChannel {
+  id: string;
+  title: string | null;
+  handle: string | null;
+  thumbnail_url: string | null;
+  subscriber_count: number | null;
+  video_count: number | null;
+  stored_videos: number;
+  priority: number;
+  hidden: boolean;
+  tag_ids: number[];
+  details_synced: boolean;
+  recent_synced: boolean;
+  backfill_done: boolean;
+}
+
 export const api = {
   me: (): Promise<Me> => req("/api/me"),
   tags: (): Promise<Tag[]> => req("/api/tags"),
@@ -147,6 +180,24 @@ export const api = {
   resumeSync: () => req("/api/sync/resume", { method: "POST" }),
   savePrefs: (p: Record<string, any>) =>
     req("/api/me/preferences", { method: "PUT", body: JSON.stringify(p) }),
+
+  // --- channel manager ---
+  myStatus: (): Promise<MyStatus> => req("/api/sync/my-status"),
+  channels: (): Promise<ManagedChannel[]> => req("/api/channels"),
+  updateChannel: (id: string, patch: { priority?: number; hidden?: boolean }) =>
+    req(`/api/channels/${id}`, { method: "PATCH", body: JSON.stringify(patch) }),
+  attachChannelTag: (id: string, tagId: number) =>
+    req(`/api/channels/${id}/tags`, { method: "POST", body: JSON.stringify({ tag_id: tagId }) }),
+  detachChannelTag: (id: string, tagId: number) =>
+    req(`/api/channels/${id}/tags/${tagId}`, { method: "DELETE" }),
+  syncSubscriptions: () => req("/api/sync/subscriptions", { method: "POST" }),
+
+  // --- user tags ---
+  createTag: (t: { name: string; color?: string; category?: string }) =>
+    req("/api/tags", { method: "POST", body: JSON.stringify(t) }),
+  updateTag: (id: number, patch: { name?: string; color?: string }) =>
+    req(`/api/tags/${id}`, { method: "PATCH", body: JSON.stringify(patch) }),
+  deleteTag: (id: number) => req(`/api/tags/${id}`, { method: "DELETE" }),
 };
 
 export { HttpError };
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/hints.ts b/frontend/src/lib/hints.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4b8bd1e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/hints.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+// App-wide "hints" toggle: when on, Tooltip components reveal short explanatory
+// captions on hover so the UI is somewhat self-documenting for new users. Experienced
+// users can turn it off in Settings. Persisted to localStorage (+ server preferences).
+const KEY = "subfeed.hints";
+
+let enabled = load();
+let listeners: Array<() => void> = [];
+
+function load(): boolean {
+  try {
+    return localStorage.getItem(KEY) !== "0"; // default ON
+  } catch {
+    return true;
+  }
+}
+
+export function hintsEnabled(): boolean {
+  return enabled;
+}
+
+export function setHintsEnabled(v: boolean): void {
+  enabled = v;
+  try {
+    localStorage.setItem(KEY, v ? "1" : "0");
+  } catch {
+    /* ignore */
+  }
+  listeners.forEach((l) => l());
+}
+
+export function subscribeHints(listener: () => void): () => void {
+  listeners.push(listener);
+  return () => {
+    listeners = listeners.filter((l) => l !== listener);
+  };
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/notifications.ts b/frontend/src/lib/notifications.ts
index 71f25a2..f131d39 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/notifications.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/notifications.ts
@@ -41,13 +41,63 @@ export interface NotifyInput {
   action?: NotifAction;
   meta?: NotifMeta;
   requiresInteraction?: boolean;
+  sound?: boolean; // force the alert tone (when sound is enabled) even for an info toast
 }
 
 const HISTORY_KEY = "subfeed.notifications";
+const SETTINGS_KEY = "subfeed.notifSettings";
 const MAX_HISTORY = 100;
-const DEFAULT_TTL = 6000;
 const ERROR_TTL = 15000;
 
+// 6b: per-account notification settings (persisted by the Settings panel into the
+// server `preferences`, mirrored to localStorage so they apply before login).
+export interface NotifSettings {
+  sound: boolean; // play a short tone on attention-needing notifications
+  durationMs: number; // auto-dismiss time for info/success toasts
+}
+const DEFAULT_SETTINGS: NotifSettings = { sound: false, durationMs: 6000 };
+let config: NotifSettings = loadSettings();
+
+function loadSettings(): NotifSettings {
+  try {
+    return { ...DEFAULT_SETTINGS, ...JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem(SETTINGS_KEY) || "{}") };
+  } catch {
+    return DEFAULT_SETTINGS;
+  }
+}
+
+export function getNotifSettings(): NotifSettings {
+  return config;
+}
+
+export function configureNotifications(p: Partial<NotifSettings>): void {
+  config = { ...config, ...p };
+  try {
+    localStorage.setItem(SETTINGS_KEY, JSON.stringify(config));
+  } catch {
+    /* ignore */
+  }
+}
+
+let audioCtx: AudioContext | null = null;
+function beep(): void {
+  try {
+    const Ctx = window.AudioContext || (window as unknown as { webkitAudioContext: typeof AudioContext }).webkitAudioContext;
+    audioCtx = audioCtx || new Ctx();
+    if (audioCtx.state === "suspended") void audioCtx.resume();
+    const osc = audioCtx.createOscillator();
+    const gain = audioCtx.createGain();
+    osc.connect(gain);
+    gain.connect(audioCtx.destination);
+    osc.frequency.value = 660;
+    gain.gain.value = 0.04;
+    osc.start();
+    osc.stop(audioCtx.currentTime + 0.12);
+  } catch {
+    /* autoplay blocked or unsupported — ignore */
+  }
+}
+
 let items: Notification[] = load();
 let listeners: Array<() => void> = [];
 let counter = items.reduce((m, n) => Math.max(m, n.id), 0) + 1;
@@ -103,11 +153,14 @@ export function notify(input: NotifyInput): number {
   const id = counter++;
   const requiresInteraction = input.requiresInteraction ?? false;
   const level = input.level ?? "info";
+  // config.durationMs === 0 means "don't auto-dismiss" (toast stays until dismissed).
   const duration = requiresInteraction
     ? undefined
     : level === "error" || level === "fatal"
       ? ERROR_TTL
-      : DEFAULT_TTL;
+      : config.durationMs > 0
+        ? config.durationMs
+        : undefined;
   items = [
     ...items,
     {
@@ -125,6 +178,9 @@ export function notify(input: NotifyInput): number {
     },
   ];
   emit();
+  if (config.sound && (input.sound || requiresInteraction || level === "error" || level === "fatal")) {
+    beep();
+  }
   if (duration) setTimeout(() => dismiss(id), duration);
   return id;
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/urlState.ts b/frontend/src/lib/urlState.ts
index 3db19e2..c4fcb4f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/urlState.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/urlState.ts
@@ -74,9 +74,19 @@ export function hasFilterParams(params: URLSearchParams): boolean {
   return KEYS.some((k) => params.has(k));
 }
 
-/** Reflect the current filters into the address bar without adding history entries. */
-export function syncUrl(f: FeedFilters): void {
-  const qs = filtersToParams(f).toString();
+export type Page = "feed" | "channels";
+
+export function readPage(): Page {
+  return new URLSearchParams(window.location.search).get("page") === "channels"
+    ? "channels"
+    : "feed";
+}
+
+/** Reflect the current filters + page into the address bar without adding history entries. */
+export function syncUrl(f: FeedFilters, page: Page = "feed"): void {
+  const params = filtersToParams(f);
+  if (page !== "feed") params.set("page", page);
+  const qs = params.toString();
   const url = qs ? `${window.location.pathname}?${qs}` : window.location.pathname;
   window.history.replaceState(null, "", url);
 }
diff --git a/frontend/vite.config.ts b/frontend/vite.config.ts
index 77d2204..1026675 100644
--- a/frontend/vite.config.ts
+++ b/frontend/vite.config.ts
@@ -2,10 +2,13 @@ import { defineConfig } from "vite";
 import react from "@vitejs/plugin-react";
 
 // During `vite dev` (host with Node), proxy API calls to the backend container.
+// Use 127.0.0.1 (not "localhost") so Node doesn't resolve to IPv6 ::1, which the
+// Docker port publish may not answer — that surfaces as proxy connection failures.
+const target = "http://127.0.0.1:8080";
 const proxy = {
-  "/api": "http://localhost:8080",
-  "/auth": "http://localhost:8080",
-  "/healthz": "http://localhost:8080",
+  "/api": target,
+  "/auth": target,
+  "/healthz": target,
 };
 
 export default defineConfig({