Folder sync patch (#22)

* Refactored folder synchronization logic and improved migration handling

- Updated `MainViewModel` to skip synchronization until folder migration is completed and added metadata syncing when opening books.
- Modified folder migration to detach existing folder books (converting them to standard local files) before starting a fresh scan.
- Added `detachAllFolderBooks` to `RecentFileDao` and `RecentFilesRepository` to facilitate the migration process.
- Updated `MetadataExtractionWorker` to sync local metadata to the folder immediately after extraction.
- Simplified `FolderSyncWorker` by removing legacy migration lookups and streamlining the reconciliation of local and remote metadata.
- Updated `FolderMigrationDialog` UI text to reflect that books are now read directly from folders without duplication.
- Fixed various indentation and formatting issues across several files.

* Removed the `.episteme` sync directory and moved book metadata files directly to the folder root as hidden files.

app/src/main/java/com/aryan/reader/FolderSyncWorker.kt

@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
 package com.aryan.reader
 
 import android.content.Context
-import android.net.Uri
 import timber.log.Timber
 import androidx.core.net.toUri
 import androidx.documentfile.provider.DocumentFile
@@ -32,9 +31,6 @@ import androidx.work.CoroutineWorker
 import androidx.work.WorkerParameters
 import com.aryan.reader.data.RecentFileItem
 import com.aryan.reader.data.RecentFilesRepository
-import com.aryan.reader.epub.EpubParser
-import com.aryan.reader.epub.MobiParser
-import com.aryan.reader.pdf.PdfCoverGenerator
 import kotlinx.coroutines.Dispatchers
 import kotlinx.coroutines.sync.Mutex
 import kotlinx.coroutines.sync.withLock
@@ -48,10 +44,6 @@ class FolderSyncWorker(
 ) : CoroutineWorker(appContext, workerParams) {
 
     private val recentFilesRepository = RecentFilesRepository(appContext)
-    private val epubParser = EpubParser(appContext)
-    private val mobiParser = MobiParser(appContext)
-    private val pdfCoverGenerator = PdfCoverGenerator(appContext)
-    private val bookImporter = BookImporter(appContext)
 
     companion object {
         const val WORK_NAME = "FolderSyncWorker"
@@ -62,6 +54,13 @@ class FolderSyncWorker(
 
     override suspend fun doWork(): Result {
         val isMetadataOnly = inputData.getBoolean(KEY_METADATA_ONLY, false)
+        // Check if folder is still linked before starting
+        val prefs = appContext.getSharedPreferences("reader_user_prefs", Context.MODE_PRIVATE)
+        if (!prefs.contains(MainViewModel.KEY_SYNCED_FOLDER_URI)) {
+            Timber.tag("FolderSync").w("Worker: Folder unlinked. Aborting work.")
+            return Result.success()
+        }
+
         Timber.tag("FolderSync").d("Worker: Request received (MetadataOnly=$isMetadataOnly). Waiting for lock...")
 
         return withContext(Dispatchers.IO) {
@@ -80,6 +79,7 @@ class FolderSyncWorker(
         val folderUri = folderUriString.toUri()
 
         try {
+            // Permission checks ...
             try {
                 appContext.contentResolver.takePersistableUriPermission(
                     folderUri,
@@ -94,21 +94,55 @@ class FolderSyncWorker(
                 return Result.failure()
             }
 
+            // PHASE 1: IMPORT METADATA (Always run this to catch updates from other devices)
+            Timber.tag("FolderSync").d("Phase 1: Importing JSON metadata from folder...")
             val folderMetadataMap = LocalSyncUtils.getAllFolderMetadata(appContext, folderUri)
 
+            // Apply updates to local DB
+            folderMetadataMap.forEach { (bookId, remoteMeta) ->
+                val existingItem = recentFilesRepository.getFileByBookId(bookId)
+
+                if (existingItem != null) {
+                    // Update local if remote is newer
+                    if (remoteMeta.lastModifiedTimestamp > existingItem.lastModifiedTimestamp) {
+                        Timber.tag("FolderSync").d("Applying remote update for $bookId (Progress: ${remoteMeta.progressPercentage}%)")
+                        val itemToUpdate = existingItem.copy(
+                            lastChapterIndex = remoteMeta.lastChapterIndex,
+                            lastPage = remoteMeta.lastPage,
+                            lastPositionCfi = remoteMeta.lastPositionCfi,
+                            progressPercentage = remoteMeta.progressPercentage,
+                            bookmarksJson = remoteMeta.bookmarksJson,
+                            locatorBlockIndex = remoteMeta.locatorBlockIndex,
+                            locatorCharOffset = remoteMeta.locatorCharOffset,
+                            lastModifiedTimestamp = remoteMeta.lastModifiedTimestamp,
+                            // Crucial: If remote says it's recent, we make it recent locally
+                            isRecent = remoteMeta.isRecent || existingItem.isRecent,
+                            timestamp = if (remoteMeta.isRecent) remoteMeta.lastModifiedTimestamp else existingItem.timestamp
+                        )
+                        recentFilesRepository.addRecentFile(itemToUpdate)
+                    }
+                }
+                // We do NOT create new items from JSON alone. We wait for Phase 2 to find the file.
+            }
+
+            // PHASE 2: SCAN PHYSICAL FILES (Only if !metadataOnly)
             if (!metadataOnly) {
+                Timber.tag("FolderSync").d("Phase 2: Scanning physical files...")
                 val currentDiskFiles = mutableListOf<DocumentFile>()
                 val fileQueue = ArrayDeque<DocumentFile>()
                 documentTree.listFiles().let { fileQueue.addAll(it) }
 
                 while (fileQueue.isNotEmpty()) {
+                    if (isStopped) break
+
                     val file = fileQueue.removeAt(0)
                     if (file.isDirectory) {
-                        if (file.name == ".episteme") continue
+                        // REMOVED: if (file.name == ".episteme") continue
                         file.listFiles().let { fileQueue.addAll(it) }
                     } else if (file.isFile) {
                         val name = file.name ?: ""
-                        if (isValidExtension(name)) {
+                        // UPDATED: Ensure we ignore .json files and hidden files during book scan
+                        if (isValidExtension(name) && !name.endsWith(".json") && !name.startsWith(".")) {
                             currentDiskFiles.add(file)
                         }
                     }
@@ -117,12 +151,15 @@ class FolderSyncWorker(
                 val foundBookIds = mutableSetOf<String>()
 
                 for (file in currentDiskFiles) {
+                    if (isStopped) break
+
                     val stableId = "local_${file.name}_${file.length()}"
                     foundBookIds.add(stableId)
 
                     val existingItem = recentFilesRepository.getFileByBookId(stableId)
 
                     if (existingItem == null) {
+                        // NEW FILE DISCOVERED
                         val remoteMeta = folderMetadataMap[stableId]
                         val type = getFileType(file.name ?: "", file.type) ?: FileType.EPUB
                         val placeholderTitle = file.name ?: "Unknown"
@@ -132,6 +169,7 @@ class FolderSyncWorker(
                             uriString = file.uri.toString(),
                             type = type,
                             displayName = file.name ?: "Unknown",
+                            // Use remote timestamp if available, else NOW
                             timestamp = remoteMeta?.lastModifiedTimestamp ?: System.currentTimeMillis(),
                             lastModifiedTimestamp = remoteMeta?.lastModifiedTimestamp ?: System.currentTimeMillis(),
                             coverImagePath = null,
@@ -139,7 +177,8 @@ class FolderSyncWorker(
                             author = remoteMeta?.author,
                             isAvailable = true,
                             isDeleted = false,
-                            isRecent = false,
+                            // If remote says recent, mark it. If new and no remote data, it is NOT recent.
+                            isRecent = remoteMeta?.isRecent ?: false,
                             sourceFolderUri = folderUriString,
                             lastChapterIndex = remoteMeta?.lastChapterIndex,
                             lastPage = remoteMeta?.lastPage,
@@ -149,37 +188,22 @@ class FolderSyncWorker(
                             locatorBlockIndex = remoteMeta?.locatorBlockIndex,
                             locatorCharOffset = remoteMeta?.locatorCharOffset
                         )
+
+                        // Insert. Note: We do NOT call syncLocalMetadataToFolder here.
+                        // It is "Clean" until the user opens it.
                         recentFilesRepository.addRecentFile(newItem)
                     } else {
-                        var itemToUpdate = existingItem
+                        // EXISTING FILE - Just ensure it is marked available
-
+                        if (existingItem.isDeleted || !existingItem.isAvailable) {
-                        if (existingItem.isDeleted) {
+                            val revived = existingItem.copy(isDeleted = false, isAvailable = true)
-                            itemToUpdate = itemToUpdate.copy(isDeleted = false, isAvailable = true)
+                            recentFilesRepository.addRecentFile(revived)
-                        }
-
-                        val remoteMeta = folderMetadataMap[stableId]
-                        if (remoteMeta != null && remoteMeta.lastModifiedTimestamp > itemToUpdate.lastModifiedTimestamp) {
-                            itemToUpdate = itemToUpdate.copy(
-                                lastChapterIndex = remoteMeta.lastChapterIndex,
-                                lastPage = remoteMeta.lastPage,
-                                lastPositionCfi = remoteMeta.lastPositionCfi,
-                                progressPercentage = remoteMeta.progressPercentage,
-                                bookmarksJson = remoteMeta.bookmarksJson,
-                                locatorBlockIndex = remoteMeta.locatorBlockIndex,
-                                locatorCharOffset = remoteMeta.locatorCharOffset,
-                                lastModifiedTimestamp = remoteMeta.lastModifiedTimestamp,
-                                timestamp = remoteMeta.lastModifiedTimestamp
-                            )
-                        }
-
-                        recentFilesRepository.addRecentFile(itemToUpdate)
-
-                        if (remoteMeta == null || itemToUpdate.lastModifiedTimestamp > remoteMeta.lastModifiedTimestamp) {
-                            recentFilesRepository.syncLocalMetadataToFolder(stableId)
                         }
+                        // Metadata updates were already handled in Phase 1
                     }
                 }
 
+                // Cleanup removed files
+                if (!isStopped) {
                     val dbFolderBooks = recentFilesRepository.getFilesBySourceFolder(folderUriString)
                     val idsToRemove = dbFolderBooks.filter { !foundBookIds.contains(it.bookId) }.map { it.bookId }
 
@@ -188,9 +212,11 @@ class FolderSyncWorker(
                         recentFilesRepository.deleteFilePermanently(idsToRemove)
                     }
                 }
+            }
 
             prefs.edit { putLong(MainViewModel.KEY_LAST_FOLDER_SCAN_TIME, System.currentTimeMillis()) }
 
+            if (!isStopped) {
                 Timber.tag("FolderSync").i("Folder scan complete. Enqueuing metadata extraction.")
                 val metaRequest = OneTimeWorkRequestBuilder<MetadataExtractionWorker>().build()
                 WorkManager.getInstance(appContext).enqueueUniqueWork(
@@ -198,6 +224,7 @@ class FolderSyncWorker(
                     ExistingWorkPolicy.APPEND_OR_REPLACE,
                     metaRequest
                 )
+            }
 
             return Result.success()
 
@@ -207,53 +234,6 @@ class FolderSyncWorker(
         }
     }
 
-    private data class ExtractedInfo(
-        val title: String? = null,
-        val author: String? = null,
-        val coverPath: String? = null
-    )
-
-    private suspend fun extractFileInfo(uri: Uri, type: FileType, displayName: String): ExtractedInfo {
-        var coverPath: String? = null
-        var title: String? = null
-        var author: String? = null
-
-        try {
-            if (type == FileType.EPUB || type == FileType.MOBI) {
-                val book = withContext(Dispatchers.IO) {
-                    appContext.contentResolver.openInputStream(uri)?.use { inputStream ->
-                        if (type == FileType.EPUB) {
-                            epubParser.createEpubBook(
-                                inputStream = inputStream,
-                                originalBookNameHint = displayName,
-                                parseContent = false
-                            )
-                        } else {
-                            mobiParser.createMobiBook(
-                                inputStream = inputStream,
-                                originalBookNameHint = displayName
-                            )
-                        }
-                    }
-                }
-                if (book != null) {
-                    title = book.title.takeIf { it.isNotBlank() }
-                    author = book.author.takeIf { it.isNotBlank() }
-                    book.coverImage?.let {
-                        coverPath = recentFilesRepository.saveCoverToCache(it, uri)
-                    }
-                }
-            } else if (type == FileType.PDF) {
-                pdfCoverGenerator.generateCover(uri)?.let {
-                    coverPath = recentFilesRepository.saveCoverToCache(it, uri)
-                }
-            }
-        } catch (e: Exception) {
-            Timber.e(e, "Failed to extract info for file: $displayName")
-        }
-        return ExtractedInfo(title, author, coverPath)
-    }
-
     private fun isValidExtension(name: String): Boolean {
         return name.endsWith(".pdf", true) ||
                 name.endsWith(".epub", true) ||

app/src/main/java/com/aryan/reader/MainViewModel.kt

@@ -1373,9 +1373,21 @@ open class MainViewModel(application: Application) : AndroidViewModel(applicatio
     fun disconnectSyncedFolder() {
         viewModelScope.launch {
             val folderUriString = _internalState.value.syncedFolderUri
+
+            Timber.tag("FolderSync").d("Cancelling all folder sync workers...")
+            WorkManager.getInstance(appContext).cancelUniqueWork(FolderSyncWorker.WORK_NAME)
+            WorkManager.getInstance(appContext).cancelUniqueWork(FolderSyncWorker.WORK_NAME_ONETIME)
+            WorkManager.getInstance(appContext).cancelUniqueWork(MetadataExtractionWorker.WORK_NAME)
+
+            prefs.edit {
+                remove(KEY_SYNCED_FOLDER_URI)
+                remove(KEY_LAST_FOLDER_SCAN_TIME)
+            }
+            _internalState.update { it.copy(syncedFolderUri = null, lastFolderScanTime = null) }
+
             if (folderUriString != null) {
                 Timber.tag("FolderSync").d("Disconnecting folder. Removing all associated books from DB.")
-                recentFilesRepository.deleteFilesBySourceFolder(folderUriString) // New DAO method call
+                recentFilesRepository.deleteFilesBySourceFolder(folderUriString)
 
                 try {
                     val uri = folderUriString.toUri()
@@ -1387,14 +1399,6 @@ open class MainViewModel(application: Application) : AndroidViewModel(applicatio
                     Timber.e(e, "Failed to release permission")
                 }
             }
-
-            prefs.edit {
-                remove(KEY_SYNCED_FOLDER_URI)
-                remove(KEY_LAST_FOLDER_SCAN_TIME)
-            }
-            _internalState.update { it.copy(syncedFolderUri = null, lastFolderScanTime = null) }
-
-            WorkManager.getInstance(appContext).cancelUniqueWork(FolderSyncWorker.WORK_NAME)
         }
     }
 
@@ -3100,14 +3104,15 @@ open class MainViewModel(application: Application) : AndroidViewModel(applicatio
                             try {
                                 val rootUri = item.sourceFolderUri.toUri()
                                 val rootDoc = DocumentFile.fromTreeUri(appContext, rootUri)
-                                val syncDir = rootDoc?.findFile("episteme") ?: rootDoc?.findFile(".episteme")
 
-                                if (syncDir != null) {
+                                if (rootDoc != null) {
-                                    // Try hidden first, then legacy
+                                    val hiddenMeta = rootDoc.findFile(".${item.bookId}.json")
-                                    val metaFile = syncDir.findFile(".${item.bookId}.json")
+                                    val legacyVisibleMeta = rootDoc.findFile("${item.bookId}.json")
-                                        ?: syncDir.findFile("${item.bookId}.json")
 
-                                    metaFile?.delete()
+                                    hiddenMeta?.delete()
+                                    legacyVisibleMeta?.delete()
+
+                                    Timber.tag("FolderSync").d("Deleted metadata for ${item.bookId} from root.")
                                 }
                             } catch (e: Exception) {
                                 Timber.e(e, "Error deleting metadata file for ${item.bookId}")

app/src/main/java/com/aryan/reader/MetadataExtractionWorker.kt

@@ -28,8 +28,13 @@ class MetadataExtractionWorker(
     }
 
     override suspend fun doWork(): Result = withContext(Dispatchers.IO) {
+        val prefs = appContext.getSharedPreferences("reader_user_prefs", Context.MODE_PRIVATE)
+        if (!prefs.contains(MainViewModel.KEY_SYNCED_FOLDER_URI)) {
+            Timber.tag("MetadataWorker").w("Folder disconnected. Stopping extraction worker.")
+            return@withContext Result.success()
+        }
+
         try {
-            // Fetch all books that are from a folder but don't have a cover yet (implies metadata likely missing/basic)
             val filesToProcess = recentFilesRepository.getFolderBooksWithoutCovers()
 
             if (filesToProcess.isEmpty()) {
@@ -41,6 +46,8 @@ class MetadataExtractionWorker(
             filesToProcess.forEach { item ->
                 if (isStopped) return@forEach
 
+                if (!prefs.contains(MainViewModel.KEY_SYNCED_FOLDER_URI)) return@forEach
+
                 try {
                     val uri = item.uriString?.toUri() ?: return@forEach
                     val type = item.type
@@ -49,7 +56,6 @@ class MetadataExtractionWorker(
                     var title: String? = null
                     var author: String? = null
 
-                    // We open the stream briefly to extract metadata
                     appContext.contentResolver.openInputStream(uri)?.use { inputStream ->
                         when (type) {
                             FileType.EPUB -> {
@@ -58,35 +64,25 @@ class MetadataExtractionWorker(
                                     originalBookNameHint = item.displayName,
                                     parseContent = false
                                 )
-                                book.let {
+                                title = book.title.takeIf { it.isNotBlank() }
-                                    title = it.title.takeIf { t -> t.isNotBlank() }
+                                author = book.author.takeIf { it.isNotBlank() }
-                                    author = it.author.takeIf { a -> a.isNotBlank() }
+                                book.coverImage?.let { coverPath = recentFilesRepository.saveCoverToCache(it, uri) }
-                                    it.coverImage?.let { img ->
-                                        coverPath = recentFilesRepository.saveCoverToCache(img, uri)
-                                    }
-                                }
                             }
                             FileType.MOBI -> {
-                                val book = mobiParser.createMobiBook(
+                                val book = mobiParser.createMobiBook(inputStream, item.displayName)
-                                    inputStream = inputStream,
-                                    originalBookNameHint = item.displayName
-                                )
                                 book?.let {
                                     title = it.title.takeIf { t -> t.isNotBlank() }
                                     author = it.author.takeIf { a -> a.isNotBlank() }
-                                    it.coverImage?.let { img ->
+                                    it.coverImage?.let { img -> coverPath = recentFilesRepository.saveCoverToCache(img, uri) }
-                                        coverPath = recentFilesRepository.saveCoverToCache(img, uri)
-                                    }
                                 }
                             }
                             FileType.PDF -> {
-                                // PDF cover generation is heavy, but necessary
                                 pdfCoverGenerator.generateCover(uri)?.let {
                                     coverPath = recentFilesRepository.saveCoverToCache(it, uri)
                                 }
-                                title = item.displayName.substringBeforeLast(".") // Clean filename
+                                title = item.displayName.substringBeforeLast(".")
                             }
-                            else -> { /* Text/MD files usually don't have covers */ }
+                            else -> {}
                         }
                     }
 
@@ -97,14 +93,8 @@ class MetadataExtractionWorker(
                             author = author ?: item.author
                         )
                         recentFilesRepository.addRecentFile(updatedItem)
-                        Timber.tag("MetadataWorker").d("Updated metadata for: ${item.displayName}")
+                        Timber.tag("MetadataWorker").d("Updated local metadata for: ${item.displayName}")
 
-                        try {
-                            recentFilesRepository.syncLocalMetadataToFolder(updatedItem.bookId)
-                            Timber.tag("MetadataWorker").d("Created/Updated JSON for: ${item.displayName}")
-                        } catch (_: Exception) {
-                            Timber.tag("MetadataWorker").w("Failed to save JSON during extraction for ${item.displayName}")
-                        }
                     }
 
                 } catch (e: Exception) {

app/src/main/java/com/aryan/reader/data/LocalSyncUtils.kt

@@ -3,13 +3,15 @@ package com.aryan.reader.data
 
 import android.content.Context
 import android.net.Uri
+import android.os.Environment
+import android.provider.DocumentsContract
 import androidx.documentfile.provider.DocumentFile
 import kotlinx.coroutines.Dispatchers
 import kotlinx.coroutines.withContext
 import timber.log.Timber
 
 object LocalSyncUtils {
-    private const val SYNC_DIR_NAME = "episteme"
+    // REMOVED: private const val SYNC_DIR_NAME = "episteme"
     private const val TAG = "FolderSync"
 
     suspend fun saveMetadataToFolder(
@@ -20,62 +22,41 @@ object LocalSyncUtils {
         try {
             val rootTree = DocumentFile.fromTreeUri(context, sourceFolderUri) ?: return@withContext
 
-            val syncDir = getOrCreateSyncDir(rootTree)
+            // CHANGED: Primary filename now starts with a dot
+            val syncFileName = ".${metadata.bookId}.json"
+            val legacyVisibleName = "${metadata.bookId}.json"
 
-            if (syncDir == null) {
+            val existingHidden = rootTree.findFile(syncFileName)
-                Timber.tag(TAG).e("Could not create/find $SYNC_DIR_NAME directory in $sourceFolderUri")
+            val existingVisible = rootTree.findFile(legacyVisibleName)
-                return@withContext
-            }
 
-            // Ensure .nomedia exists to prevent gallery clutter
+            val fileToCheck = existingHidden ?: existingVisible
-            ensureNoMedia(syncDir)
 
-            // Use hidden filename to avoid "Recents" clutter
+            if (fileToCheck != null && fileToCheck.exists()) {
-            val hiddenFileName = ".${metadata.bookId}.json"
-            val legacyFileName = "${metadata.bookId}.json"
-
-            // Check for existing files (Hidden OR Legacy)
-            val existingHidden = syncDir.findFile(hiddenFileName)
-            val existingLegacy = syncDir.findFile(legacyFileName)
-
-            // Prefer hidden, fallback to legacy for conflict check
-            val existingFile = existingHidden ?: existingLegacy
-
-            if (existingFile != null && existingFile.exists()) {
                 try {
-                    val existingContent = context.contentResolver.openInputStream(existingFile.uri)?.use { input ->
+                    val existingContent = context.contentResolver.openInputStream(fileToCheck.uri)?.use { input ->
                         input.bufferedReader().use { it.readText() }
                     }
-
                     if (existingContent != null) {
                         val existingMeta = FolderBookMetadata.fromJsonString(existingContent)
-                        val diff = existingMeta.lastModifiedTimestamp - metadata.lastModifiedTimestamp
-
-                        // Clobber Protection
                         if (existingMeta.lastModifiedTimestamp > metadata.lastModifiedTimestamp) {
-                            Timber.tag(TAG).w("ClobberCheck: ABORTING save for ${metadata.bookId}. Folder has newer data.")
+                            Timber.tag(TAG).w("ClobberCheck: ABORTING save. Folder has newer data.")
                             return@withContext
                         }
                     }
-                } catch (e: Exception) {
+                } catch (_: Exception) {}
-                    Timber.tag(TAG).e(e, "Failed to read existing metadata for conflict check")
             }
 
-                // Delete the existing file (whether hidden or legacy) before writing new one
+            var targetFile = existingHidden
-                try {
+
-                    existingFile.delete()
+            if (targetFile == null) {
-                } catch (e: Exception) {
+                // Migrate: If a visible one existed, we'll replace it with hidden
-                    Timber.tag(TAG).w("Failed to delete existing metadata file: ${e.message}")
+                if (existingVisible != null && existingVisible.exists()) {
+                    try { existingVisible.delete() } catch (_: Exception) {}
                 }
+                targetFile = rootTree.createFile("application/json", syncFileName)
             }
 
-            // If we had a legacy file that wasn't the 'existingFile' (edge case), delete it too
+            if (targetFile == null) {
-            if (existingLegacy != null && existingLegacy.exists()) {
-                try { existingLegacy.delete() } catch (_: Exception) {}
-            }
-
-            val newFile = syncDir.createFile("application/json", hiddenFileName)
-            if (newFile == null) {
                 Timber.tag(TAG).e("Could not create metadata file for ${metadata.bookId}")
                 return@withContext
             }
@@ -83,13 +64,32 @@ object LocalSyncUtils {
             val jsonString = metadata.toJsonString()
 
             try {
-                context.contentResolver.openOutputStream(newFile.uri)?.use { output ->
+                context.contentResolver.openFileDescriptor(targetFile.uri, "rwt")?.use { pfd ->
-                    output.write(jsonString.toByteArray())
+                    java.io.FileOutputStream(pfd.fileDescriptor).use { fos ->
+                        fos.write(jsonString.toByteArray())
+                        fos.flush()
+                        try {
+                            pfd.fileDescriptor.sync()
+                        } catch (_: Exception) {
+                            Timber.tag(TAG).w("FileDescriptor sync not supported on this device/filesystem")
                         }
-                Timber.tag(TAG).d("Saved metadata for ${metadata.bookId} (Hidden)")
+                    }
+                }
+
+                val absolutePath = getPathFromUri(context, targetFile.uri)
+                if (absolutePath != null) {
+                    android.media.MediaScannerConnection.scanFile(
+                        context,
+                        arrayOf(absolutePath),
+                        arrayOf("application/json"),
+                        null
+                    )
+                }
+
+                Timber.tag(TAG).d("Saved hidden metadata for ${metadata.bookId}")
+
             } catch (e: Exception) {
-                Timber.tag(TAG).e(e, "Failed to write content to metadata file for ${metadata.bookId}")
+                Timber.tag(TAG).e(e, "Failed to write metadata for ${metadata.bookId}")
-                try { newFile.delete() } catch (_: Exception) {}
             }
 
         } catch (e: Exception) {
@@ -97,29 +97,30 @@ object LocalSyncUtils {
         }
     }
 
-    suspend fun getBookMetadata(
+    /**
-        context: Context,
+     * Helper to attempt to resolve a SAF URI to an absolute filesystem path.
-        sourceFolderUri: Uri,
+     * This is required because MediaScannerConnection does not accept content:// URIs.
-        bookId: String
+     */
-    ): FolderBookMetadata? = withContext(Dispatchers.IO) {
+    private fun getPathFromUri(context: Context, uri: Uri): String? {
         try {
-            val rootTree = DocumentFile.fromTreeUri(context, sourceFolderUri) ?: return@withContext null
+            if (DocumentsContract.isDocumentUri(context, uri) && isExternalStorageDocument(uri)) {
-            val syncDir = findSyncDir(rootTree) ?: return@withContext null
+                val docId = DocumentsContract.getDocumentId(uri)
+                val split = docId.split(":")
+                val type = split[0]
 
-            // Find all related files: hidden, legacy, and conflicts
+                if ("primary".equals(type, ignoreCase = true)) {
-            val relatedFiles = syncDir.listFiles().filter { file ->
+                    @Suppress("DEPRECATION")
-                val name = file.name ?: ""
+                    return Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory().toString() + "/" + split[1]
-                // Match: .bookId.json, bookId.json, or containing .sync-conflict
+                }
-                (name.contains(bookId)) && (name.endsWith(".json") || name.contains(".sync-conflict"))
+            }
+        } catch (_: Exception) {
+            Timber.tag(TAG).w("Could not resolve absolute path for URI: $uri")
+        }
+        return null
     }
 
-            if (relatedFiles.isEmpty()) return@withContext null
+    private fun isExternalStorageDocument(uri: Uri): Boolean {
-
+        return "com.android.externalstorage.documents" == uri.authority
-            return@withContext resolveAndCleanConflicts(context, relatedFiles, bookId)
-        } catch (e: Exception) {
-            Timber.tag(TAG).e(e, "Error resolving book metadata for $bookId")
-        }
-        return@withContext null
     }
 
     /**
@@ -142,9 +143,8 @@ object LocalSyncUtils {
                 }
                 if (jsonString != null) {
                     val meta = FolderBookMetadata.fromJsonString(jsonString)
-                    // Ensure this file actually belongs to the book (defensive check against partial name matches)
                     if (meta.bookId == bookId) {
-                        if (bestMeta == null || meta.lastModifiedTimestamp > bestMeta!!.lastModifiedTimestamp) {
+                        if (bestMeta == null || meta.lastModifiedTimestamp > bestMeta.lastModifiedTimestamp) {
                             bestMeta = meta
                             bestFile = file
                         }
@@ -157,23 +157,19 @@ object LocalSyncUtils {
 
         // 2. Clean up losers
         if (bestMeta != null && bestFile != null) {
-            val filesToDelete = files.filter { it.uri != bestFile!!.uri }
+            val filesToDelete = files.filter { it.uri != bestFile.uri }
 
             if (filesToDelete.isNotEmpty()) {
-                Timber.tag(TAG).i("Resolving conflicts for $bookId. Winner: ${bestFile!!.name}. Deleting ${filesToDelete.size} obsolete files.")
+                Timber.tag(TAG).i("Resolving conflicts for $bookId. Winner: ${bestFile.name}. Deleting ${filesToDelete.size} obsolete files.")
                 filesToDelete.forEach {
                     try { it.delete() } catch(_: Exception) {}
                 }
             }
 
             // 3. Migrate Legacy to Hidden if needed
-            val winnerName = bestFile!!.name ?: ""
+            val winnerName = bestFile.name ?: ""
             if (!winnerName.startsWith(".")) {
                 Timber.tag(TAG).i("Migrating legacy file to hidden: $winnerName")
-                // We can't always rename easily with DocumentFile, so we allow 'saveMetadataToFolder'
-                // to handle the actual file swap next time a write happens, OR we could force a rewrite.
-                // For now, we leave it. The clutter is reduced by deleting conflicts.
-                // The next save operation will create the hidden file and delete this one.
             }
         }
 
@@ -188,30 +184,16 @@ object LocalSyncUtils {
 
         try {
             val rootTree = DocumentFile.fromTreeUri(context, sourceFolderUri) ?: return@withContext finalResults
-            val syncDir = findSyncDir(rootTree) ?: return@withContext finalResults
 
-            // Ensure .nomedia exists while scanning
+            // CHANGED: Scanning rootTree directly
-            ensureNoMedia(syncDir)
+            val allFiles = rootTree.listFiles()
 
-            val allFiles = syncDir.listFiles()
-
-            // Group files by bookId.
-            // Filename formats:
-            // 1. hidden: .[bookId].json
-            // 2. legacy: [bookId].json
-            // 3. conflict: .[bookId].sync-conflict... or [bookId].sync-conflict...
             val groupedFiles = allFiles
                 .filter { it.name?.endsWith(".json") == true || it.name?.contains(".sync-conflict") == true }
                 .groupBy { file ->
                     var name = file.name ?: ""
-
-                    // Remove leading dot
                     if (name.startsWith(".")) name = name.substring(1)
-
-                    // Remove conflict suffix
                     name = name.substringBefore(".sync-conflict")
-
-                    // Remove extension
                     name.substringBefore(".json")
                 }
 
@@ -222,39 +204,11 @@ object LocalSyncUtils {
                 }
             }
 
-            Timber.tag(TAG).d("getAllFolderMetadata: Consolidated ${groupedFiles.size} book records.")
+            Timber.tag(TAG).d("getAllFolderMetadata: Consolidated ${groupedFiles.size} book records from root.")
 
         } catch (e: Exception) {
-            Timber.tag(TAG).e(e, "Error scanning .episteme folder")
+            Timber.tag(TAG).e(e, "Error scanning root folder for metadata")
         }
         return@withContext finalResults
     }
-
-    private fun findSyncDir(root: DocumentFile): DocumentFile? {
-        // Look for exact match first
-        val standardDir = root.findFile(SYNC_DIR_NAME)
-        if (standardDir != null && standardDir.isDirectory) return standardDir
-
-        // Fallback search
-        val files = root.listFiles()
-        return files.firstOrNull {
-            it.isDirectory && (it.name == SYNC_DIR_NAME)
-        }
-    }
-
-    private fun getOrCreateSyncDir(root: DocumentFile): DocumentFile? {
-        val existing = findSyncDir(root)
-        if (existing != null) return existing
-        return root.createDirectory(SYNC_DIR_NAME)
-    }
-
-    private fun ensureNoMedia(dir: DocumentFile) {
-        if (dir.findFile(".nomedia") == null) {
-            try {
-                dir.createFile("application/octet-stream", ".nomedia")
-            } catch (e: Exception) {
-                Timber.tag(TAG).w("Failed to create .nomedia file")
-            }
-        }
-    }
 }

app/src/main/java/com/aryan/reader/data/RecentFilesRepository.kt

@@ -120,6 +120,15 @@ class RecentFilesRepository(private val context: Context) {
         val folderUriString = entity.sourceFolderUri
 
         if (folderUriString != null) {
+            val hasProgress = (entity.progressPercentage != null && entity.progressPercentage > 0f)
+            val hasBookmarks = !entity.bookmarks.isNullOrEmpty() && entity.bookmarks != "[]"
+            val isDirty = entity.isRecent || hasProgress || hasBookmarks
+
+            if (!isDirty) {
+                Timber.d("SyncDebug: Book $bookId is 'Clean' (Unread/Not Recent). Skipping JSON creation.")
+                return@withContext
+            }
+
             Timber.d("Syncing metadata to local folder for book: $bookId")
 
             val metadata = FolderBookMetadata(
@@ -140,7 +149,7 @@ class RecentFilesRepository(private val context: Context) {
             )
 
             LocalSyncUtils.saveMetadataToFolder(
-                context = context, // Now correctly references the property
+                context = context,
                 sourceFolderUri = folderUriString.toUri(),
                 metadata = metadata
             )