Added home and back links to gallery view.

Add tests for clear_search_url context and template clear-search button when a search is active.

.gitignore

@@ -362,3 +362,5 @@ Icon
 Network Trash Folder
 Temporary Items
 .apdisk
+
+.kateproject*

AGENTS.md

@@ -22,13 +22,13 @@ This document is intentionally explicit so tasks can be completed with minimal r
 
 ## 3) Environment and Setup Commands
 
-- Create venv: `python -m venv .venv`
+- Create venv: `.venv/bin/python -m venv .venv`
 - Activate venv (bash): `source .venv/bin/activate`
 - Install deps: `pip install -r requirements.txt`
-- Apply migrations: `python manage.py migrate`
-- Run server: `python manage.py runserver`
+- Apply migrations: `.venv/bin/python manage.py migrate`
+- Run server: `.venv/bin/python manage.py runserver`
 
-Local configuration is loaded from `.env` via `python-dotenv`.
+Local configuration is loaded from `.env` via `.venv/bin/python-dotenv`.
 
 Use this minimum `.env` content for gallery paths:
 
@@ -49,30 +49,30 @@ There is no dedicated linter or formatter config in-repo (no `ruff`, `flake8`, `
 
 Use these commands as the standard validation set:
 
-- Django system checks: `python manage.py check`
-- Migration consistency check: `python manage.py makemigrations --check --dry-run`
-- Python syntax sanity: `python -m compileall NibasaViewer viewer`
-- Run Django tests (all): `python manage.py test`
+- Django system checks: `.venv/bin/python manage.py check`
+- Migration consistency check: `.venv/bin/python manage.py makemigrations --check --dry-run`
+- Python syntax sanity: `.venv/bin/python -m compileall NibasaViewer viewer`
+- Run Django tests (all): `.venv/bin/python manage.py test`
 
 Single-test execution patterns (important for fast iteration):
 
-- Single test module: `python manage.py test viewer.test`
-- Single test class: `python manage.py test viewer.test.GalleryViewTests`
-- Single test method: `python manage.py test viewer.test.GalleryViewTests.test_search_action_url_uses_nested_path`
+- Single test module: `.venv/bin/python manage.py test viewer.test`
+- Single test class: `.venv/bin/python manage.py test viewer.test.GalleryViewTests`
+- Single test method: `.venv/bin/python manage.py test viewer.test.GalleryViewTests.test_search_action_url_uses_nested_path`
 
 Notes:
 
 - If there are currently no tests, add focused tests near the changed behavior before large refactors.
-- Prefer `python manage.py test ...` style labels over introducing a second test runner.
+- Prefer `.venv/bin/python manage.py test ...` style labels over introducing a second test runner.
 
 ## 5) Operational Commands
 
-- Pre-generate thumbnails: `python manage.py makethumbnails`
+- Pre-generate thumbnails: `.venv/bin/python manage.py makethumbnails`
 - Create auth user (shell):
-  - `python manage.py shell`
+  - `.venv/bin/python manage.py shell`
   - `from django.contrib.auth.models import User`
   - `User.objects.create_user('<USERNAME>', '<EMAIL>', '<PASSWORD>')`
-- Collect static files (deploy-time): `python manage.py collectstatic`
+- Collect static files (deploy-time): `.venv/bin/python manage.py collectstatic`
 
 ## 6) Architecture and Change Boundaries
 
@@ -90,6 +90,10 @@ Notes:
 - `_render_image` in `viewer/views.py` now exposes additional context keys used by the template and tests: `prev_url`, `next_url`, `prev_thumb`, `next_thumb`, `back_url`, `back_thumb`, `home_url`, `home_thumb`, and `image_meta` (dictionary with `filename`, `width`, `height`, `filesize`, `created`, `modified`). Agents modifying image-view behavior should update tests in `viewer/test.py` as well.
 - The top-bar sort button for the image view was replaced by an Info button (`fa-circle-info`) which shows a dropdown containing image metadata. The dropdown is vertically scrollable for long content.
 - The displayed main image now uses the same drop shadow and rounded corners as thumbnails (styles added to `viewer/static/css/styles.css`).
+ - The gallery view and image view were split into focused modules: `viewer/directory.py` handles directory browsing and search, `viewer/image.py` handles single-image rendering and metadata, `viewer/common.py` contains shared helpers (URL/query builders, sort helpers, breadcrumbs), and `viewer/utils.py` contains thumbnail helpers (`THUMB_SIZE`, `is_image_file`, `make_thumbnail`). `viewer/views.py` is now a thin delegating layer that routes requests to those modules.
+ - The image view (`viewer/image.py`) exposes richer context keys used by the template and tests: `prev_url`, `next_url`, `prev_thumb`, `next_thumb`, `back_url`, `back_thumb`, `home_url`, `home_thumb`, and `image_meta` (dictionary with `filename`, `width`, `height`, `filesize`, `created`, `modified`). Agents modifying image-view behavior should update tests in `viewer/test.py` as well.
+ - The top-bar sort button for the gallery view remains; the image view uses an Info button (`fa-circle-info`) which shows a dropdown containing image metadata. The dropdown is vertically scrollable for long content.
+ - Thumbnails are 128×128 (`THUMB_SIZE`) and generated lazily on-demand in `viewer/utils.py`; `IMAGE_EXTENSIONS` provides fast extension-based filtering. A management command `.venv/bin/python manage.py makethumbnails` exists for batch pre-generation.
 
 ## 7) Code Style Guidelines (Repository-Specific)
 
@@ -169,8 +173,8 @@ When implementing a change, follow this minimum loop:
 
 Suggested pre-handoff command bundle:
 
-- `python manage.py check`
-- `python manage.py test` (or a targeted test label)
-- `python -m compileall NibasaViewer viewer`
+- `.venv/bin/python manage.py check`
+- `.venv/bin/python manage.py test` (or a targeted test label)
+- `.venv/bin/python -m compileall NibasaViewer viewer`
 
 This repository values stability, compatibility, and straightforward Django patterns over novelty.

CLAUDE.md

@@ -49,6 +49,13 @@ The project has one Django app: **`viewer`**. All gallery functionality is conso
 - `utils.py` - Thumbnail generation helpers
 - `templates/` - Pure HTML templates (no JavaScript)
 - `static/` - CSS styling and navigation icons
+ - `views.py` - Thin delegating entry points that route to `viewer/directory.py` and `viewer/image.py` (see `gallery_view` in `viewer/views.py`).
+ - `directory.py` - Directory browsing, search, and list rendering helpers.
+ - `image.py` - Single-image rendering and metadata helpers.
+ - `common.py` - Shared helpers: URL/query builders, sorting, breadcrumbs, thumbnail utilities.
+ - `utils.py` - Thumbnail generation helpers.
+ - `templates/` - HTML templates (minimal JS via Bootstrap where needed).
+ - `static/` - CSS styling and navigation icons
 
 ### Gallery Data Flow
 
@@ -77,20 +84,22 @@ Uses Django's built-in `django.contrib.auth` system:
 
 1. **Directory browsing** when path points to folder:
     - Lists subdirectories and images
-   - Supports search with recursive directory scanning (viewer/views.py:32-52)
-   - Paginates images at 28 per page (7 columns × 4 rows)
-   - Converts flat image lists to table rows for HTML rendering
+    - Supports search with recursive directory scanning (`viewer/directory.py:do_recursive_search`)
+    - Does not use server-side pagination; the gallery returns full image lists and templates render them in a grid
+    - Converts image lists to structured context used by templates
 
 2. **Image viewing** when path points to file:
     - Displays single image with prev/next navigation
     - Finds sibling images in same directory
     - Links to full-resolution image
 
+The image view logic now lives in `viewer/image.py` and exposes additional context keys used by templates and tests (see `viewer/test.py`): `prev_url`, `next_url`, `prev_thumb`, `next_thumb`, `back_url`, `back_thumb`, `home_url`, `home_thumb`, and `image_meta` (filename/width/height/filesize/created/modified).
+
 ### Thumbnail Generation
 
 **Lazy generation approach** (viewer/utils.py):
 - Thumbnails created on-demand when viewing gallery
-- 128×128 pixel size (hardcoded)
+ - 128×128 pixel size (`THUMB_SIZE`) and cached under `THUMBNAILS_ROOT`
 - Uses Pillow for image processing
 - Fast extension-based image detection (no MIME-type I/O)
 

NibasaViewer/middleware.py

@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+from django.template.response import TemplateResponse
+from django.core.exceptions import MultipleObjectsReturned
+
+from viewer.models import UserSettings
+
+
+class UserSettingsMiddleware:
+    """Middleware that injects `theme` and `sort` into template response context.
+
+    On each request it looks for a UserSettings instance for the authenticated
+    user. The found values (or model defaults) are attached to the request and
+    then added to any TemplateResponse's context under the `theme` and `sort`
+    keys.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, get_response):
+        self.get_response = get_response
+
+    def __call__(self, request):
+        # Populate request attributes with user settings or defaults.
+        request.theme = None
+        request.sort = None
+
+        user = getattr(request, "user", None)
+        if user and getattr(user, "is_authenticated", False):
+            # Use filter().first() to avoid exceptions if no settings exist.
+            try:
+                settings_obj = UserSettings.objects.get(user=user)
+            except UserSettings.DoesNotExist:
+                settings_obj = UserSettings(user=user)
+                settings_obj.save()
+            except MultipleObjectsReturned:
+                settings_obj = UserSettings.objects.filter(user=user).first()
+            finally:
+                request.theme = settings_obj.theme
+                request.sort = settings_obj.sort
+
+        # Fall back to the model defaults when not set from DB.
+        if request.theme is None:
+            request.theme = UserSettings._meta.get_field("theme").get_default()
+        if request.sort is None:
+            request.sort = UserSettings._meta.get_field("sort").get_default()
+
+        response = self.get_response(request)
+        return response
+
+    def process_template_response(self, request, response):
+        """Add `theme` and `sort` to TemplateResponse.context_data.
+
+        This method is only called for responses that implement
+        `render()` (TemplateResponse-like). We update or create
+        `context_data` so templates can access `theme` and `sort`.
+        """
+        if not isinstance(response, TemplateResponse):
+            return response
+
+        ctx = getattr(response, "context_data", None)
+        if ctx is None:
+            response.context_data = {"theme": request.theme, "sort": request.sort}
+        else:
+            # Do not overwrite existing keys if templates or other processors set them
+            ctx.setdefault("theme", request.theme)
+            ctx.setdefault("sort", request.sort)
+
+        return response

NibasaViewer/settings.py

@@ -105,6 +105,7 @@ MIDDLEWARE = [
     "django.middleware.common.CommonMiddleware",
     "django.middleware.csrf.CsrfViewMiddleware",
     "django.contrib.auth.middleware.AuthenticationMiddleware",
+    "NibasaViewer.middleware.UserSettingsMiddleware",
     "django.contrib.messages.middleware.MessageMiddleware",
     "django.middleware.clickjacking.XFrameOptionsMiddleware",
 ]

README.md

@@ -9,3 +9,69 @@ To login a user should be manually created by running the following commands in
     from django.contrib.auth.models import User
     user = User.objects.create_user('<USERNAME>', '<EMAIL>', '<PASSWORD>')
     user.save()
+
+## Running the project
+
+This project uses Django. The instructions below show how to run the site in a local/testing (development) mode and a simple release (production) mode. All commands assume you're in the repository root.
+
+- Create and activate a virtualenv (recommended):
+
+    .venv/bin/python -m venv .venv
+    source .venv/bin/activate
+
+- Install dependencies:
+
+    pip install -r requirements.txt
+
+- Configure environment variables in a `.env` file (the app reads `GALLERY_ROOT` and `THUMBNAILS_ROOT`). Example `.env` contents:
+
+    GALLERY_ROOT=/path/to/images
+    THUMBNAILS_ROOT=/path/to/thumb-cache
+
+Development / testing mode
+
+- Apply migrations and run the development server:
+
+    .venv/bin/python manage.py migrate
+    .venv/bin/python manage.py runserver
+
+This runs Django's built-in development server (DEBUG mode). It's suitable for local testing and development only.
+
+Release / production mode (simple guide)
+
+- Collect static files and run with a WSGI server like `gunicorn` (example):
+
+    .venv/bin/python manage.py collectstatic --noinput
+    GALLERY_ROOT=/path/to/images THUMBNAILS_ROOT=/path/to/thumb-cache \
+      gunicorn NibasaViewer.wsgi:application --bind 0.0.0.0:8000 --workers 3
+
+Set `DEBUG=False` and provide a proper `ALLOWED_HOSTS` value in your environment or settings when running in production. Use a reverse proxy (nginx) for serving static files and handling HTTPS in front of your WSGI server.
+
+Running tests
+
+- Run the full Django test suite:
+
+    .venv/bin/python manage.py test
+
+- Useful focused test commands (fast iteration):
+
+    .venv/bin/python manage.py test viewer.test
+    .venv/bin/python manage.py test viewer.test.GalleryViewTests
+    .venv/bin/python manage.py test viewer.test.GalleryViewTests.test_search_action_url_uses_nested_path
+
+- Sanity checks recommended before pushing changes:
+
+    .venv/bin/python manage.py check
+    .venv/bin/python manage.py makemigrations --check --dry-run
+    .venv/bin/python -m compileall NibasaViewer viewer
+
+Other useful management commands
+
+- Pre-generate thumbnails (batch):
+
+    .venv/bin/python manage.py makethumbnails
+
+Notes
+
+- Keep `.env` local and out of version control; use `.env.example` as a template if you want to commit a sample file.
+- For production deployments follow standard Django deployment guides (use a dedicated WSGI server, reverse proxy, secure secret management, and proper file permissions).

viewer/common.py

@@ -0,0 +1,227 @@
+# Standard library imports.
+from pathlib import Path
+from urllib.parse import urlencode
+from functools import cmp_to_key
+
+# Django imports.
+from django.conf import settings
+
+# Project imports.
+from .utils import make_thumbnail, is_image_file
+
+###########################################################################################
+# Constants.                                                                              #
+###########################################################################################
+
+SORT_OPTIONS = [
+    ("abc", "Alphabetical A-Z"),
+    ("cba", "Alphabetical Z-A"),
+    ("old", "Creation date old to new"),
+    ("new", "Creation date new to old"),
+    ("recent", "Modification date most recent"),
+    ("tnecer", "Modification date least recent"),
+]
+
+SORT_LABELS = dict(SORT_OPTIONS)
+
+
+def normalize_sort(sort_value):
+    return sort_value if sort_value in SORT_LABELS else "abc"
+
+
+def normalize_theme(theme_value):
+    return theme_value if theme_value in ("dark", "light") else "dark"
+
+
+def get_creation_timestamp(path_obj):
+    try:
+        stat_data = path_obj.stat()
+        return getattr(stat_data, "st_birthtime", stat_data.st_ctime)
+    except OSError:
+        return 0
+
+
+def get_modification_timestamp(path_obj):
+    try:
+        return path_obj.stat().st_mtime
+    except OSError:
+        return 0
+
+
+def build_query(search_text):
+    query = {}
+
+    if search_text != "":
+        query["search"] = search_text
+
+    return query
+
+
+def append_query(url, query_dict):
+    if len(query_dict) == 0:
+        return url
+
+    return url + "?" + urlencode(query_dict)
+
+
+def gallery_url(path_obj=None, is_dir=False, query_dict=None):
+    if query_dict is None:
+        query_dict = {}
+
+    if path_obj is None:
+        base_url = "/gallery/"
+    else:
+        path_text = str(path_obj).replace("\\", "/")
+        base_url = "/gallery/" + path_text
+
+        if is_dir and not base_url.endswith("/"):
+            base_url += "/"
+
+    return append_query(base_url, query_dict)
+
+
+def sort_images(images, sort_key):
+    def compare(img_a, img_b):
+        name_a = img_a.name.lower()
+        name_b = img_b.name.lower()
+        rel_a = str(img_a.relative_to(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)).lower()
+        rel_b = str(img_b.relative_to(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)).lower()
+
+        if sort_key == "abc":
+            if name_a < name_b:
+                return -1
+            if name_a > name_b:
+                return 1
+
+        elif sort_key == "cba":
+            if name_a > name_b:
+                return -1
+            if name_a < name_b:
+                return 1
+
+        elif sort_key == "old":
+            created_a = get_creation_timestamp(img_a)
+            created_b = get_creation_timestamp(img_b)
+
+            if created_a < created_b:
+                return -1
+            if created_a > created_b:
+                return 1
+
+        elif sort_key == "new":
+            created_a = get_creation_timestamp(img_a)
+            created_b = get_creation_timestamp(img_b)
+
+            if created_a > created_b:
+                return -1
+            if created_a < created_b:
+                return 1
+
+        elif sort_key == "recent":
+            modified_a = get_modification_timestamp(img_a)
+            modified_b = get_modification_timestamp(img_b)
+
+            if modified_a > modified_b:
+                return -1
+            if modified_a < modified_b:
+                return 1
+
+        elif sort_key == "tnecer":
+            modified_a = get_modification_timestamp(img_a)
+            modified_b = get_modification_timestamp(img_b)
+
+            if modified_a < modified_b:
+                return -1
+            if modified_a > modified_b:
+                return 1
+
+        if name_a < name_b:
+            return -1
+        if name_a > name_b:
+            return 1
+        if rel_a < rel_b:
+            return -1
+        if rel_a > rel_b:
+            return 1
+        return 0
+
+    return sorted(images, key=cmp_to_key(compare))
+
+
+def build_breadcrumbs(path_text, query_dict):
+    breadcrumbs = [{"label": "Gallery", "path": gallery_url(None, True, query_dict)}]
+
+    if path_text == "":
+        return breadcrumbs
+
+    segments = Path(path_text).parts
+    current = Path("")
+
+    for segment in segments:
+        current = current.joinpath(segment)
+        breadcrumbs.append(
+            {"label": segment, "path": gallery_url(current, True, query_dict)}
+        )
+
+    return breadcrumbs
+
+
+def build_sort_options(request, search_text, sort_key, theme):
+    options = []
+
+    for option_key, label in SORT_OPTIONS:
+        # Build a URL that points to the settings toggle endpoint which will
+        # persist the chosen sort (and optionally theme) in the user's
+        # UserSettings and then redirect back to the current view. Include
+        # the current full path as the `next` parameter so the toggle view
+        # can return to the same page.
+        query = {"next": request.get_full_path(), "sort": option_key, "theme": theme}
+
+        if search_text != "":
+            # Include search top-level so templates/tests can assert its presence
+            query["search"] = search_text
+
+        options.append(
+            {
+                "key": option_key,
+                "label": label,
+                "url": append_query("/gallery/toggle-settings/", query),
+                "is_active": option_key == sort_key,
+            }
+        )
+
+    return options
+
+
+def get_first_image_thumbnail_url(subdir):
+    try:
+        images = sorted(
+            [
+                entry
+                for entry in subdir.iterdir()
+                if entry.is_file() and not entry.is_symlink() and is_image_file(entry)
+            ],
+            key=lambda item: (
+                item.name.lower(),
+                str(item.relative_to(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)).lower(),
+            ),
+        )
+    except OSError:
+        return None
+
+    if len(images) == 0:
+        return None
+
+    first_image = images[0]
+
+    try:
+        make_thumbnail(first_image)
+        rel_path = first_image.relative_to(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)
+        thumb_path = settings.THUMBNAILS_ROOT.joinpath(rel_path)
+
+        if thumb_path.exists():
+            return "/thumbs/" + str(rel_path).replace("\\", "/")
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+    return None

viewer/directory.py

@@ -0,0 +1,202 @@
+"""
+Directory-related rendering helpers for the gallery view.
+"""
+
+# Standard library imports.
+from pathlib import Path
+
+# Django imports.
+from django.http import HttpResponseNotFound
+from django.shortcuts import render
+from django.conf import settings
+
+# Project imports.
+from .common import (
+    normalize_sort,
+    normalize_theme,
+    build_query,
+    gallery_url,
+    append_query,
+    sort_images,
+    build_sort_options,
+    build_breadcrumbs,
+    get_first_image_thumbnail_url,
+    is_image_file,
+    make_thumbnail,
+)
+
+
+def do_recursive_search(start_path, query):
+    """
+    Gets all images and sub-directories inside the start_path whose name matches the given query,
+    and then joins the results recursively by iterating in each sub-directory.
+    """
+
+    try:
+        entries = [entry for entry in start_path.iterdir() if not entry.is_symlink()]
+    except OSError:
+        return [], []
+
+    all_subdirs = sorted(
+        [entry for entry in entries if entry.is_dir()],
+        key=lambda item: (item.name.lower(), str(item).lower()),
+    )
+
+    subdirs = [entry for entry in all_subdirs if query.lower() in entry.name.lower()]
+
+    images = sorted(
+        [
+            entry
+            for entry in entries
+            if entry.is_file()
+            and is_image_file(entry)
+            and query.lower() in entry.name.lower()
+        ],
+        key=lambda item: (item.name.lower(), str(item).lower()),
+    )
+
+    for subdir in all_subdirs:
+        rec_subdirs, rec_images = do_recursive_search(subdir, query.lower())
+        subdirs.extend(rec_subdirs)
+        images.extend(rec_images)
+
+    return subdirs, images
+
+
+def render_directory(request, path_text, full_path):
+    """
+    Renders the gallery view related to directories, be it the contents of an actual directory
+    in the file system, or logical gallery directories like search result pages.
+    """
+
+    # Search remains a GET parameter. For sort and theme prefer explicit
+    # GET parameters when present (so query-preserving links behave as
+    # callers expect), otherwise fall back to middleware-provided settings.
+    search_text = request.GET.get("search", "").strip()
+    sort_key = normalize_sort(
+        request.GET.get("sort") or getattr(request, "sort", None) or "abc"
+    )
+    theme = normalize_theme(
+        request.GET.get("theme") or getattr(request, "theme", None) or "dark"
+    )
+    query_state = build_query(search_text)
+
+    try:
+        current_entries = [
+            entry for entry in full_path.iterdir() if not entry.is_symlink()
+        ]
+    except OSError:
+        return HttpResponseNotFound("Not found")
+
+    current_subdirs = sorted(
+        [entry for entry in current_entries if entry.is_dir()],
+        key=lambda item: (
+            item.name.lower(),
+            str(item.relative_to(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)).lower(),
+        ),
+    )
+
+    if search_text == "":
+        images = [
+            entry
+            for entry in current_entries
+            if entry.is_file() and is_image_file(entry)
+        ]
+    else:
+        _, images = do_recursive_search(full_path, search_text)
+
+    images = sort_images(images, sort_key)
+
+    image_data = []
+    for image in images:
+        rel_path = image.relative_to(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)
+        image_url = gallery_url(rel_path, False, query_state)
+
+        thumbnail = None
+        try:
+            # use shared make_thumbnail so tests can patch viewer.common.make_thumbnail
+            make_thumbnail(image)
+            thumb_path = settings.THUMBNAILS_ROOT.joinpath(rel_path)
+            if thumb_path.exists():
+                thumbnail = "/thumbs/" + str(rel_path).replace("\\", "/")
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+
+        image_data.append(
+            {"path": image_url, "name": image.name, "thumbnail": thumbnail}
+        )
+
+    subdir_data = []
+    for subdir in current_subdirs:
+        rel_path = subdir.relative_to(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)
+        subdir_data.append(
+            {
+                "path": gallery_url(rel_path, True, query_state),
+                "name": subdir.name,
+                "thumbnail": get_first_image_thumbnail_url(subdir),
+            }
+        )
+
+    next_theme = "light" if theme == "dark" else "dark"
+
+    # The theme toggle button now calls the persistent settings endpoint.
+    # Include `next` (for redirect back) and also surface `sort` and `search`
+    # as top-level query parameters so templates/tests can inspect them easily.
+    theme_toggle_query = {
+        "next": request.get_full_path(),
+        "theme": next_theme,
+        "sort": sort_key,
+    }
+
+    if search_text != "":
+        theme_toggle_query["search"] = search_text
+
+    search_action_query = {"sort": sort_key, "theme": theme}
+
+    # Back (directory) and Home (root) links and thumbnails
+    dir_rel = None
+    try:
+        # derive directory path text relative to gallery root
+        dir_rel = full_path.parent.relative_to(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)
+        dir_text = str(dir_rel).replace("\\", "/")
+    except Exception:
+        dir_text = ""
+
+    back_url = gallery_url(
+        Path(dir_text) if dir_text != "" else None, True, query_state
+    )
+    back_thumb = get_first_image_thumbnail_url(full_path.parent)
+    home_url = gallery_url(None, True, query_state)
+    home_thumb = get_first_image_thumbnail_url(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)
+
+    context = {
+        "path": path_text,
+        "search_text": search_text,
+        "theme": theme,
+        "sort_key": sort_key,
+        "sort_label": "",
+        "sort_options": build_sort_options(request, search_text, sort_key, theme),
+        "breadcrumbs": build_breadcrumbs(path_text, query_state),
+        "images": image_data,
+        "subdirs": subdir_data,
+        "back_url": back_url,
+        "back_thumb": back_thumb,
+        "home_url": home_url,
+        "home_thumb": home_thumb,
+        "theme_toggle_url": append_query(
+            "/gallery/toggle-settings/", theme_toggle_query
+        ),
+        "search_action_url": gallery_url(
+            Path(path_text) if path_text != "" else None, True, search_action_query
+        ),
+        "clear_search_url":  gallery_url(
+            Path(path_text) if path_text != "" else None, True, None
+        ),
+    }
+
+    # sort_label depends on SORT_LABELS in common; import lazily to avoid circulars
+    from .common import SORT_LABELS
+
+    context["sort_label"] = SORT_LABELS.get(sort_key, "")
+
+    return render(request, "gallery_view.html", context)

viewer/image.py

@@ -0,0 +1,225 @@
+"""
+Image-related rendering helpers for the gallery image view.
+"""
+
+# Standard library imports.
+from pathlib import Path
+import datetime
+
+# Django imports.
+from django.http import HttpResponseNotFound
+from django.shortcuts import render, redirect
+from django.conf import settings
+from django.utils import timezone
+
+# Third-party
+from PIL import Image
+
+# Project imports.
+from .models import Image as Im
+
+from .common import (
+    normalize_sort,
+    normalize_theme,
+    build_query,
+    gallery_url,
+    append_query,
+    sort_images,
+    build_sort_options,
+    build_breadcrumbs,
+    get_first_image_thumbnail_url,
+    is_image_file,
+    make_thumbnail,
+)
+
+
+def render_image(request, path_text, full_path):
+    """
+    Renders the view corresponding to an image file.
+    """
+
+    try:
+        img = Im.objects.get(path=full_path, user=request.user)
+
+        if request.method == "POST":
+            img.favorite = not img.favorite
+
+    except Im.DoesNotExist:
+        img = Im(path=full_path, user=request.user)
+
+    finally:
+        img.last_visited = timezone.now()
+        img.visits = img.visits + 1
+        img.save()
+
+    # Search remains a GET parameter. For sort and theme prefer explicit
+    # GET parameters when present, otherwise fall back to middleware-provided
+    # settings on the request.
+    search_text = request.GET.get("search", "").strip()
+    sort_key = normalize_sort(
+        request.GET.get("sort") or getattr(request, "sort", None) or "abc"
+    )
+    theme = normalize_theme(
+        request.GET.get("theme") or getattr(request, "theme", None) or "dark"
+    )
+    query_state = build_query(search_text)
+
+    image = Path("/imgs/").joinpath(path_text)
+    img_dir = full_path.parent
+
+    try:
+        entries = [
+            entry
+            for entry in img_dir.iterdir()
+            if entry.is_file() and not entry.is_symlink() and is_image_file(entry)
+        ]
+    except OSError:
+        return HttpResponseNotFound("Not found")
+
+    # Sort siblings according to requested sort mode
+    images_sorted = sort_images(entries, sort_key)
+
+    # Find index of current image
+    try:
+        index = next(i for i, p in enumerate(images_sorted) if p.name == full_path.name)
+    except StopIteration:
+        return HttpResponseNotFound("Not found")
+
+    prev_path = images_sorted[index - 1] if index > 0 else None
+    next_path = images_sorted[index + 1] if index < len(images_sorted) - 1 else None
+
+    # Helper to produce thumb url for a Path or None
+    def thumb_for(path_obj):
+        if path_obj is None:
+            return None
+        try:
+            make_thumbnail(path_obj)
+            rel = path_obj.relative_to(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)
+            thumb_path = settings.THUMBNAILS_ROOT.joinpath(rel)
+            if thumb_path.exists():
+                return "/thumbs/" + str(rel).replace("\\", "/")
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+        return None
+
+    # Build URLs (preserving query state)
+    prev_url = None
+    next_url = None
+    if prev_path is not None:
+        rel = prev_path.relative_to(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)
+        prev_url = gallery_url(rel, False, query_state)
+
+    if next_path is not None:
+        rel = next_path.relative_to(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)
+        next_url = gallery_url(rel, False, query_state)
+
+    # Back (directory) and Home (root) links and thumbnails
+    dir_rel = None
+    try:
+        # derive directory path text relative to gallery root
+        dir_rel = full_path.parent.relative_to(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)
+        dir_text = str(dir_rel).replace("\\", "/")
+    except Exception:
+        dir_text = ""
+
+    back_url = gallery_url(
+        Path(dir_text) if dir_text != "" else None, True, query_state
+    )
+    back_thumb = get_first_image_thumbnail_url(full_path.parent)
+    home_url = gallery_url(None, True, query_state)
+    home_thumb = get_first_image_thumbnail_url(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)
+
+    # Prev/next thumbnails
+    prev_thumb = thumb_for(prev_path)
+    next_thumb = thumb_for(next_path)
+
+    # Image metadata
+    width = height = None
+    filesize = None
+    created_ts = None
+    modified_ts = None
+    try:
+        img_file = full_path
+        with Image.open(img_file) as im:
+            width, height = im.size
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+    try:
+        stat = full_path.stat()
+        filesize = stat.st_size
+        created_ts = getattr(stat, "st_birthtime", stat.st_ctime)
+        modified_ts = stat.st_mtime
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+    def human_size(bytes_val):
+        if bytes_val is None:
+            return None
+        kb = 1024.0
+        if bytes_val < kb * 1024:
+            return f"{bytes_val / kb:.2f} KB"
+        return f"{bytes_val / (kb * kb):.2f} MB"
+
+    def fmt_ts(ts):
+        if ts is None:
+            return None
+        try:
+            return datetime.datetime.fromtimestamp(ts).strftime("%c")
+        except Exception:
+            return None
+
+    # Breadcrumbs: include directory breadcrumbs then append file name as label-only
+    # build_breadcrumbs expects a path_text representing directories only
+    dir_path_text = dir_text if dir_text != "" else ""
+    breadcrumbs = build_breadcrumbs(dir_path_text, query_state)
+    breadcrumbs.append({"label": full_path.name, "path": None})
+
+    next_theme = "light" if theme == "dark" else "dark"
+    theme_query = {
+        "next": request.get_full_path(),
+        "sort": sort_key,
+        "theme": next_theme,
+    }
+    if search_text != "":
+        theme_query["next"] = request.get_full_path()
+
+    context = {
+        "image_path": image,
+        # keep legacy prev/next names for tests
+        "prev": prev_path.name if prev_path is not None else None,
+        "next": next_path.name if next_path is not None else None,
+        # new richer values
+        "prev_url": prev_url,
+        "next_url": next_url,
+        "prev_thumb": prev_thumb,
+        "next_thumb": next_thumb,
+        "back_url": back_url,
+        "back_thumb": back_thumb,
+        "home_url": home_url,
+        "home_thumb": home_thumb,
+        "image_meta": {
+            "filename": full_path.name,
+            "width": width,
+            "height": height,
+            "filesize": human_size(filesize),
+            "created": fmt_ts(created_ts),
+            "modified": fmt_ts(modified_ts),
+            "visits": img.visits,
+            "visited": fmt_ts(img.last_visited.timestamp()),
+            "favorite": img.favorite,
+        },
+        "breadcrumbs": breadcrumbs,
+        "theme": theme,
+        "sort_key": sort_key,
+        "sort_label": "",
+        "sort_options": build_sort_options(request, search_text, sort_key, theme),
+        "theme_toggle_url": append_query("/gallery/toggle-settings/", theme_query),
+        "path": path_text,
+    }
+
+    from .common import SORT_LABELS
+
+    context["sort_label"] = SORT_LABELS.get(sort_key, "")
+
+    return render(request, "image_view.html", context)

viewer/migrations/0001_initial.py

@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+# Generated by Django 6.0.3 on 2026-03-24 18:56
+
+import django.db.models.deletion
+import django.utils.timezone
+import pathlib
+from django.conf import settings
+from django.db import migrations, models
+
+
+class Migration(migrations.Migration):
+
+    initial = True
+
+    dependencies = [
+        migrations.swappable_dependency(settings.AUTH_USER_MODEL),
+    ]
+
+    operations = [
+        migrations.CreateModel(
+            name="Image",
+            fields=[
+                (
+                    "id",
+                    models.BigAutoField(
+                        auto_created=True,
+                        primary_key=True,
+                        serialize=False,
+                        verbose_name="ID",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                (
+                    "path",
+                    models.FilePathField(
+                        path=pathlib.PurePosixPath("/home/miky/Imágenes")
+                    ),
+                ),
+                ("favorite", models.BooleanField(default=False)),
+                (
+                    "last_visited",
+                    models.DateTimeField(default=django.utils.timezone.now),
+                ),
+                ("visits", models.IntegerField(default=0)),
+                (
+                    "user",
+                    models.ForeignKey(
+                        on_delete=django.db.models.deletion.CASCADE,
+                        to=settings.AUTH_USER_MODEL,
+                    ),
+                ),
+            ],
+        ),
+    ]

viewer/migrations/0002_alter_image_path.py

@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+# Generated by Django 6.0.3 on 2026-03-24 19:38
+
+import viewer.models
+from django.db import migrations, models
+
+
+class Migration(migrations.Migration):
+
+    dependencies = [
+        ("viewer", "0001_initial"),
+    ]
+
+    operations = [
+        migrations.AlterField(
+            model_name="image",
+            name="path",
+            field=models.FilePathField(path=viewer.models.get_gallery_root),
+        ),
+    ]

viewer/migrations/0003_usersettings.py

@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+# Generated by Django 6.0.3 on 2026-03-25 08:19
+
+import django.db.models.deletion
+from django.conf import settings
+from django.db import migrations, models
+
+
+class Migration(migrations.Migration):
+
+    dependencies = [
+        ("viewer", "0002_alter_image_path"),
+        migrations.swappable_dependency(settings.AUTH_USER_MODEL),
+    ]
+
+    operations = [
+        migrations.CreateModel(
+            name="UserSettings",
+            fields=[
+                (
+                    "id",
+                    models.BigAutoField(
+                        auto_created=True,
+                        primary_key=True,
+                        serialize=False,
+                        verbose_name="ID",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                ("theme", models.CharField(default="dark", max_length=5)),
+                ("sort", models.CharField(default="abc", max_length=6)),
+                (
+                    "user",
+                    models.ForeignKey(
+                        on_delete=django.db.models.deletion.CASCADE,
+                        to=settings.AUTH_USER_MODEL,
+                    ),
+                ),
+            ],
+        ),
+    ]

viewer/models.py

@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+from django.utils import timezone
+from django.conf import settings
+from django.db.models import (
+    Model,
+    CharField,
+    BooleanField,
+    DateTimeField,
+    IntegerField,
+    FilePathField,
+    ForeignKey,
+    CASCADE
+)
+
+
+def get_gallery_root():
+    return settings.GALLERY_ROOT
+
+
+class UserSettings(Model):
+    """
+    User relations to a specific image file by path.
+    """
+
+    user = ForeignKey(settings.AUTH_USER_MODEL, blank=False, null=False, on_delete=CASCADE)
+    theme = CharField(max_length=5, blank=False, null=False, default='dark')
+    sort = CharField(max_length=6, blank=False, null=False, default='abc')
+
+    class meta:
+        ordering = ["pk"]
+
+
+class Image(Model):
+    """
+    User relations to a specific image file by path.
+    """
+
+    user = ForeignKey(settings.AUTH_USER_MODEL, blank=False, null=False, on_delete=CASCADE)
+    path = FilePathField(path=get_gallery_root, blank=False, null=False)
+    favorite = BooleanField(blank=False, null=False, default=False)
+    last_visited = DateTimeField(blank=False, null=False, default=timezone.now)
+    visits = IntegerField(blank=False, null=False, default=0)
+
+    class meta:
+        ordering = ["pk"]
+        get_latest_by = "-last_visited"

viewer/static/css/styles.css

@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ body {
     min-width: 0;
 }
 
-.crumb-link {
+.crumb-link, .crumb-link-last {
     color: var(--text);
     text-decoration: none;
     font-size: 15px;
@@ -189,7 +189,6 @@ body {
 /* Image view specific styles */
 .image-content {
     overflow: auto;
-    padding: 18px;
     flex: 1 1 auto; /* occupy available vertical space inside main-area */
     display: flex;
     align-items: center; /* center the image vertically */
@@ -240,7 +239,7 @@ body {
 }
 
 .info-menu {
-    min-width: 220px;
+    min-width: 275px;
     border-radius: 8px;
 }
 
@@ -381,13 +380,30 @@ body.theme-dark .small.text-muted {
 
 @media (max-width: 991.98px) {
     .app-shell {
-        padding: 12px;
+        padding: 0px;
         gap: 12px;
     }
 
     .offcanvas {
         width: 100vw !important;
     }
+
+    .top-bar {
+        border-radius: 0px;
+    }
+
+    .crumb-link {
+        display: none;
+    }
+
+    .crumb-sep {
+        display: none;
+    }
+
+    .gallery-scroll {
+        padding-left: 16px;
+        padding-right: 16px;
+    }
 }
 
 @media (max-width: 575.98px) {

viewer/templates/gallery_view.html

@@ -33,6 +33,11 @@
                     <div class="input-group input-group-sm">
                         <input type="search" name="search" class="form-control search-input" placeholder="Search..." value="{{ search_text }}">
                         <span class="input-group-text search-addon"><i class="fa-solid fa-magnifying-glass"></i></span>
+                        {% if search_text %}
+                        <a class="btn btn-sm btn-plain ms-auto" href="{{ clear_search_url }}" aria-label="Clear search">
+                            <i class="fa-solid fa-xmark"></i>
+                        </a>
+                        {% endif %}
                     </div>
                 </form>
 
@@ -42,6 +47,28 @@
                 <a href="#" class="sidebar-link">Most visited</a>
                 <a href="#" class="sidebar-link">Recently visited</a>
 
+                {% if path != '' %}
+                <hr>
+
+                <a href="{{ back_url }}" class="subdir-item">
+                    {% if back_thumb %}
+                        <img src="{{ back_thumb }}" class="subdir-thumb" alt="back thumb">
+                    {% else %}
+                        <span class="subdir-fallback"><i class="fa-solid fa-image"></i></span>
+                    {% endif %}
+                    <span>Back</span>
+                </a>
+
+                <a href="{{ home_url }}" class="subdir-item">
+                    {% if home_thumb %}
+                        <img src="{{ home_thumb }}" class="subdir-thumb" alt="home thumb">
+                    {% else %}
+                        <span class="subdir-fallback"><i class="fa-solid fa-image"></i></span>
+                    {% endif %}
+                    <span>Home</span>
+                </a>
+                {% endif %}
+
                 <hr>
 
                 <div class="sidebar-scroll flex-grow-1">
@@ -98,6 +125,28 @@
                 <a href="#" class="sidebar-link">Most visited</a>
                 <a href="#" class="sidebar-link">Recently visited</a>
 
+                {% if path != '' %}
+                <hr>
+
+                <a href="{{ back_url }}" class="subdir-item">
+                    {% if back_thumb %}
+                        <img src="{{ back_thumb }}" class="subdir-thumb" alt="back thumb">
+                    {% else %}
+                        <span class="subdir-fallback"><i class="fa-solid fa-image"></i></span>
+                    {% endif %}
+                    <span>Back</span>
+                </a>
+
+                <a href="{{ home_url }}" class="subdir-item">
+                    {% if home_thumb %}
+                        <img src="{{ home_thumb }}" class="subdir-thumb" alt="home thumb">
+                    {% else %}
+                        <span class="subdir-fallback"><i class="fa-solid fa-image"></i></span>
+                    {% endif %}
+                    <span>Home</span>
+                </a>
+                {% endif %}
+
                 <hr>
 
                 <div class="sidebar-scroll" style="max-height: 200px;">
@@ -137,7 +186,7 @@
                             {% if not forloop.first %}
                                 <span class="crumb-sep">/</span>
                             {% endif %}
-                            <a href="{{ crumb.path }}" class="crumb-link">{{ crumb.label|truncatechars:45 }}</a>
+                            <a href="{{ crumb.path }}" class="{% if not forloop.last %}crumb-link{% else %}crumb-link-last{% endif %}">{{ crumb.label|truncatechars:45 }}</a>
                         {% endfor %}
                     </div>
 
@@ -212,6 +261,28 @@
                 <a href="#" class="sidebar-link">Most visited</a>
                 <a href="#" class="sidebar-link">Recently visited</a>
 
+                {% if path != '' %}
+                <hr>
+
+                <a href="{{ back_url }}" class="subdir-item">
+                    {% if back_thumb %}
+                        <img src="{{ back_thumb }}" class="subdir-thumb" alt="back thumb">
+                    {% else %}
+                        <span class="subdir-fallback"><i class="fa-solid fa-image"></i></span>
+                    {% endif %}
+                    <span>Back</span>
+                </a>
+
+                <a href="{{ home_url }}" class="subdir-item">
+                    {% if home_thumb %}
+                        <img src="{{ home_thumb }}" class="subdir-thumb" alt="home thumb">
+                    {% else %}
+                        <span class="subdir-fallback"><i class="fa-solid fa-image"></i></span>
+                    {% endif %}
+                    <span>Home</span>
+                </a>
+                {% endif %}
+
                 <hr>
 
                 <div class="sidebar-scroll flex-grow-1">

viewer/templates/image_view.html

@@ -117,12 +117,23 @@
                         {% endfor %}
                     </div>
 
+                    <form method="post" action="{% url 'gallery_view_path' path=path %}">
+                        {% csrf_token %}
+                        <button class="btn btn-sm btn-plain" type="submit" title="Favorite" aria-label="Fav image" name="favorite">
+                            {% if image_meta.favorite %}
+                                <i class="fa-solid fa-star"></i>
+                            {% else %}
+                                <i class="fa-regular fa-star"></i>
+                            {% endif %}
+                        </button>
+                    </form>
+
                     <div class="dropdown ms-auto">
                         <button class="btn btn-sm btn-plain" type="button" data-bs-toggle="dropdown" aria-expanded="false" title="Info" aria-label="Image info">
                             <i class="fa-solid fa-circle-info"></i>
                         </button>
                         <div class="dropdown-menu dropdown-menu-end info-menu p-2">
-                            <div style="max-height:220px; overflow:auto;">
+                            <div style="max-height:300px; overflow:auto;">
                                 <div class="small text-muted">{{ image_meta.filename|truncatechars:40 }}</div>
                                 {% if image_meta.width and image_meta.height %}
                                     <div>{{ image_meta.width }} x {{ image_meta.height }} px</div>
@@ -138,6 +149,14 @@
                                     <div class="small text-muted">Modification date</div>
                                     <div>{{ image_meta.modified }}</div>
                                 {% endif %}
+                                {% if image_meta.visits %}
+                                    <div class="small text-muted">Visits:</div>
+                                    <div>{{ image_meta.visits }}</div>
+                                {% endif %}
+                                {% if image_meta.visited %}
+                                    <div class="small text-muted">Last visit:</div>
+                                    <div>{{ image_meta.visited }}</div>
+                                {% endif %}
                             </div>
                         </div>
                     </div>
@@ -145,12 +164,12 @@
 
                 <section class="gallery-scroll flex-grow-1 d-flex">
                     <div class="image-content w-100">
-                        <a href="{{ image_path }}" target="_blank">
                         <div class="image-wrapper">
+                            <a href="{{ image_path }}" target="_blank">
                                 <img src="{{ image_path }}" alt="{{ image_path.name }}" class="image-full">
-                            </div>
                             </a>
                         </div>
+                    </div>
                 </section>
             </main>
         </div>

viewer/test.py

@@ -10,9 +10,16 @@ from PIL import Image
 # Django imports.
 from django.test import Client, RequestFactory, TestCase, override_settings
 from django.contrib.auth.models import User
+from django.utils import timezone
+from django.http import HttpResponse
+from django.template.response import TemplateResponse
 
 # Project imports.
-from viewer.views import SORT_LABELS, do_recursive_search, gallery_view
+from viewer.common import SORT_LABELS
+from viewer.directory import do_recursive_search
+from viewer.views import gallery_view
+from viewer.models import Image as Im, UserSettings
+from NibasaViewer.middleware import UserSettingsMiddleware
 
 
 class GalleryBaseTests(TestCase):
@@ -34,6 +41,10 @@ class GalleryBaseTests(TestCase):
         self.client = Client()
         self.client.force_login(self.user)
         self.factory = RequestFactory()
+        # Ensure UserSettings exists for the test user so middleware-backed
+        # attributes (`theme`, `sort`) are available during view rendering
+        # even when tests call views directly via RequestFactory.
+        UserSettings.objects.get_or_create(user=self.user)
 
         self._build_fixture_tree()
 
@@ -93,6 +104,12 @@ class GalleryViewTests(GalleryBaseTests):
         request = self.factory.get("/gallery/../")
         request.user = self.user
 
+        # When calling the view directly we still need to allow any
+        # TemplateResponse processing to see the settings. Ensure the
+        # request has the attributes the middleware would provide.
+        request.theme = UserSettings._meta.get_field("theme").get_default()
+        request.sort = UserSettings._meta.get_field("sort").get_default()
+
         response = gallery_view(request, "../")
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 404)
 
@@ -176,26 +193,29 @@ class GalleryViewTests(GalleryBaseTests):
         breadcrumbs = response.context["breadcrumbs"]
         self.assertTrue(breadcrumbs[0]["path"].find("/gallery/?") == 0)
         self.assertIn("search=match", breadcrumbs[0]["path"])
-        self.assertIn("sort=recent", breadcrumbs[0]["path"])
-        self.assertIn("theme=light", breadcrumbs[0]["path"])
+        # build_query now only preserves search; sort/theme are not included
+        self.assertNotIn("sort=", breadcrumbs[0]["path"])
+        self.assertNotIn("theme=", breadcrumbs[0]["path"])
 
     def test_subdir_links_preserve_query(self):
         response = self.client.get("/gallery/?search=match&sort=recent&theme=light")
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
 
         subdir_paths = [subdir["path"] for subdir in response.context["subdirs"]]
+        # Only search is preserved in gallery links via build_query
         self.assertTrue(any(path.find("search=match") != -1 for path in subdir_paths))
-        self.assertTrue(any(path.find("sort=recent") != -1 for path in subdir_paths))
-        self.assertTrue(any(path.find("theme=light") != -1 for path in subdir_paths))
+        self.assertFalse(any(path.find("sort=") != -1 for path in subdir_paths))
+        self.assertFalse(any(path.find("theme=") != -1 for path in subdir_paths))
 
     def test_image_links_preserve_query(self):
         response = self.client.get("/gallery/?search=match&sort=recent&theme=light")
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
 
         image_paths = [image["path"] for image in response.context["images"]]
+        # Only search is preserved in gallery links via build_query
         self.assertTrue(any(path.find("search=match") != -1 for path in image_paths))
-        self.assertTrue(any(path.find("sort=recent") != -1 for path in image_paths))
-        self.assertTrue(any(path.find("theme=light") != -1 for path in image_paths))
+        self.assertFalse(any(path.find("sort=") != -1 for path in image_paths))
+        self.assertFalse(any(path.find("theme=") != -1 for path in image_paths))
 
     def test_theme_toggle_url_preserves_query(self):
         response = self.client.get("/gallery/?search=match&sort=recent&theme=dark")
@@ -215,6 +235,26 @@ class GalleryViewTests(GalleryBaseTests):
         self.assertIn("sort=recent", url)
         self.assertIn("theme=light", url)
 
+    def test_clear_search_url_present_and_clears_query(self):
+        # When a search is active the context should provide a URL that
+        # clears the search (no query parameters) for the current path.
+        response = self.client.get("/gallery/?search=match&sort=recent&theme=light")
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
+
+        clear_url = response.context.get("clear_search_url")
+        # For the root path the clear URL should be the gallery root without query
+        self.assertEqual(clear_url, "/gallery/")
+
+    def test_clear_search_url_uses_nested_path(self):
+        # Ensure clear_search_url respects nested paths (clears search but preserves path)
+        response = self.client.get(
+            "/gallery/sub_a/?search=match&sort=recent&theme=light"
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
+
+        clear_url = response.context.get("clear_search_url")
+        self.assertTrue(clear_url.find("/gallery/sub_a/") == 0)
+
     def test_search_action_url_uses_nested_path(self):
         response = self.client.get("/gallery/sub_a/?sort=recent&theme=light")
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
@@ -280,7 +320,7 @@ class GalleryViewTests(GalleryBaseTests):
         self.assertNotIn("symlink_sub", names)
 
     def test_thumbnail_failure_does_not_break_render(self):
-        with patch("viewer.views.make_thumbnail", side_effect=Exception("fail")):
+        with patch("viewer.common.make_thumbnail", side_effect=Exception("fail")):
             response = self.client.get("/gallery/")
 
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
@@ -337,8 +377,9 @@ class GalleryViewTests(GalleryBaseTests):
         norm = lambda u: u.replace("/./", "/") if u is not None else u
         self.assertEqual(norm(back_url), norm(home_url))
         self.assertIn("/gallery/", norm(back_url))
-        self.assertIn("sort=abc", back_url)
-        self.assertIn("theme=dark", back_url)
+        # build_query no longer injects sort/theme into gallery URLs
+        self.assertNotIn("sort=", back_url)
+        self.assertNotIn("theme=", back_url)
 
         # Back and Home thumbnails should be available and point to /thumbs/
         back_thumb = response.context.get("back_thumb")
@@ -361,6 +402,14 @@ class GalleryViewTests(GalleryBaseTests):
         )
         self.assertIsNotNone(image_meta.get("created"))
         self.assertIsNotNone(image_meta.get("modified"))
+        # New image metadata fields: visits (int), visited (formatted ts), favorite (bool)
+        self.assertIn("visits", image_meta)
+        self.assertIsInstance(image_meta.get("visits"), int)
+        self.assertGreaterEqual(image_meta.get("visits"), 1)
+        self.assertIn("visited", image_meta)
+        self.assertIsNotNone(image_meta.get("visited"))
+        self.assertIn("favorite", image_meta)
+        self.assertIsInstance(image_meta.get("favorite"), bool)
 
     def test_sort_modes_recent_and_tnecer_use_mtime(self):
         recent = self.client.get("/gallery/?sort=recent")
@@ -383,7 +432,7 @@ class GalleryViewTests(GalleryBaseTests):
         def fake_creation(path_obj):
             return creation_values.get(path_obj.name, 0)
 
-        with patch("viewer.views.get_creation_timestamp", side_effect=fake_creation):
+        with patch("viewer.common.get_creation_timestamp", side_effect=fake_creation):
             old = self.client.get("/gallery/?sort=old")
             new = self.client.get("/gallery/?sort=new")
 
@@ -416,6 +465,17 @@ class GalleryTemplateTests(GalleryBaseTests):
         self.assertIn("Most visited", body)
         self.assertIn("Recently visited", body)
 
+    def test_clear_search_button_shown_when_searching(self):
+        # The template should render a clear-search button when a search is active
+        resp = self.client.get("/gallery/?search=match")
+        body = resp.content.decode("utf-8")
+        self.assertIn('aria-label="Clear search"', body)
+
+        # And it should not be present when there's no search
+        resp2 = self.client.get("/gallery/")
+        body2 = resp2.content.decode("utf-8")
+        self.assertNotIn('aria-label="Clear search"', body2)
+
     def test_template_shows_fallback_icon_for_empty_subdir(self):
         response = self.client.get("/gallery/")
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
@@ -449,3 +509,100 @@ class GalleryTemplateTests(GalleryBaseTests):
         css_path = Path(__file__).resolve().parent / "static" / "css" / "styles.css"
         css = css_path.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
         self.assertIn("box-shadow: 0 5px 20px", css)
+
+
+class ImageModelTests(GalleryBaseTests):
+    def test_image_model_defaults_and_path_storage(self):
+        # Create a model entry and verify defaults
+        path_str = str(self.gallery_root / "alpha.jpg")
+        img = Im.objects.create(user=self.user, path=path_str)
+
+        self.assertEqual(img.visits, 0)
+        self.assertFalse(img.favorite)
+        self.assertIsNotNone(img.last_visited)
+        # FilePathField should store the provided path string
+        self.assertEqual(img.path, path_str)
+
+    def test_get_request_increments_visits_and_updates_last_visited(self):
+        path_url = "/gallery/alpha.jpg/"
+        before = timezone.now()
+        response = self.client.get(path_url, follow=True)
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
+
+        img = Im.objects.get(user=self.user, path=str(self.gallery_root / "alpha.jpg"))
+        self.assertGreaterEqual(img.visits, 1)
+        self.assertIsNotNone(img.last_visited)
+        # last_visited should be updated to a recent timestamp
+        self.assertGreaterEqual(img.last_visited, before)
+
+    def test_post_toggles_favorite_flag(self):
+        path_url = "/gallery/alpha.jpg/"
+        # Ensure initial state
+        img, _ = Im.objects.get_or_create(
+            user=self.user, path=str(self.gallery_root / "alpha.jpg")
+        )
+        img.favorite = False
+        img.save()
+
+        response = self.client.post(path_url, follow=True)
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
+
+        img.refresh_from_db()
+        self.assertTrue(img.favorite)
+
+
+class UserSettingsModelTests(TestCase):
+    def test_usersettings_defaults(self):
+        user = User.objects.create_user("usertest", "u@example.com", "pw")
+        us = UserSettings.objects.create(user=user)
+
+        self.assertEqual(us.theme, "dark")
+        self.assertEqual(us.sort, "abc")
+
+
+class UserSettingsMiddlewareTests(TestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.user = User.objects.create_user("mwuser", "mw@example.com", "pw")
+        self.factory = RequestFactory()
+
+    def test_middleware_creates_settings_and_sets_request(self):
+        request = self.factory.get("/")
+        request.user = self.user
+
+        def get_response(req):
+            return HttpResponse("ok")
+
+        mw = UserSettingsMiddleware(get_response)
+        response = mw(request)
+
+        # UserSettings should have been created and request attrs populated
+        self.assertTrue(UserSettings.objects.filter(user=self.user).exists())
+        self.assertEqual(
+            request.theme, UserSettings._meta.get_field("theme").get_default()
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            request.sort, UserSettings._meta.get_field("sort").get_default()
+        )
+
+    def test_process_template_response_injects_and_preserves(self):
+        # Create a UserSettings with non-defaults
+        UserSettings.objects.create(user=self.user, theme="light", sort="cba")
+
+        request = self.factory.get("/")
+        request.user = self.user
+
+        def get_response(req):
+            # Provide a TemplateResponse that already sets `theme` to ensure
+            # the middleware does not overwrite existing keys.
+            return TemplateResponse(
+                req, "viewer/gallery_view.html", {"theme": "override-theme"}
+            )
+
+        mw = UserSettingsMiddleware(get_response)
+        response = mw(request)
+
+        # process_template_response should set missing keys but preserve existing ones
+        resp = mw.process_template_response(request, response)
+        self.assertIsInstance(resp, TemplateResponse)
+        self.assertEqual(resp.context_data.get("theme"), "override-theme")
+        self.assertEqual(resp.context_data.get("sort"), "cba")

viewer/urls.py

@@ -2,9 +2,7 @@
 from django.urls import path
 
 # Module imports
-from .views import (
-    gallery_view
-)
+from .views import gallery_view, toggle_settings
 
 ###########################################################################################
 # URL Patterns.                                                                           #
@@ -13,6 +11,7 @@ from .views import (
 
 urlpatterns = [
     # Views.
-    path('',             gallery_view, name = 'gallery_view_root'),
-    path('<path:path>/', gallery_view, name = 'gallery_view_path'),
+    path("", gallery_view, name="gallery_view_root"),
+    path("toggle-settings/", toggle_settings, name="toggle_settings"),
+    path("<path:path>/", gallery_view, name="gallery_view_path"),
 ]

viewer/views.py

@@ -1,275 +1,23 @@
-# Standard library imports.
-from pathlib import Path
-from urllib.parse import urlencode
-from functools import cmp_to_key
+"""Top-level views module.
+
+After refactor this file only keeps the minimal public view entry points and imports
+helpers from the new `directory` and `image` modules. Also provides the
+`toggle_settings` view used by template buttons to persist theme/sort.
+"""
 
 # Django imports.
+from urllib.parse import urlparse
 from django.http import HttpResponseNotFound
 from django.conf import settings
 from django.contrib.auth.decorators import login_required
-from django.shortcuts import render, redirect
+from django.shortcuts import redirect
+from django.core.exceptions import MultipleObjectsReturned
 
-# Project imports.
-from .utils import make_thumbnail, is_image_file
-from PIL import Image
-import datetime
+# Local helpers split into modules
+from .directory import render_directory
+from .image import render_image
 
-###########################################################################################
-# Constants.                                                                              #
-###########################################################################################
-
-SORT_OPTIONS = [
-    ("abc", "Alphabetical A-Z"),
-    ("cba", "Alphabetical Z-A"),
-    ("old", "Creation date old to new"),
-    ("new", "Creation date new to old"),
-    ("recent", "Modification date most recent"),
-    ("tnecer", "Modification date least recent"),
-]
-
-SORT_LABELS = dict(SORT_OPTIONS)
-
-###########################################################################################
-# Helper functions.                                                                       #
-###########################################################################################
-
-
-def normalize_sort(sort_value):
-    return sort_value if sort_value in SORT_LABELS else "abc"
-
-
-def normalize_theme(theme_value):
-    return theme_value if theme_value in ("dark", "light") else "dark"
-
-
-def get_creation_timestamp(path_obj):
-    try:
-        stat_data = path_obj.stat()
-        return getattr(stat_data, "st_birthtime", stat_data.st_ctime)
-    except OSError:
-        return 0
-
-
-def get_modification_timestamp(path_obj):
-    try:
-        return path_obj.stat().st_mtime
-    except OSError:
-        return 0
-
-
-def build_query(search_text, sort_key, theme):
-    query = {"sort": sort_key, "theme": theme}
-
-    if search_text != "":
-        query["search"] = search_text
-
-    return query
-
-
-def append_query(url, query_dict):
-    if len(query_dict) == 0:
-        return url
-
-    return url + "?" + urlencode(query_dict)
-
-
-def gallery_url(path_obj=None, is_dir=False, query_dict=None):
-    if query_dict is None:
-        query_dict = {}
-
-    if path_obj is None:
-        base_url = "/gallery/"
-    else:
-        path_text = str(path_obj).replace("\\", "/")
-        base_url = "/gallery/" + path_text
-
-        if is_dir and not base_url.endswith("/"):
-            base_url += "/"
-
-    return append_query(base_url, query_dict)
-
-
-def do_recursive_search(start_path, query):
-    """
-    Gets all images and sub-directories inside the start_path whose name matches the given query,
-    and then joins the results recursively by iterating in each sub-directory.
-    """
-
-    try:
-        entries = [entry for entry in start_path.iterdir() if not entry.is_symlink()]
-    except OSError:
-        return [], []
-
-    all_subdirs = sorted(
-        [entry for entry in entries if entry.is_dir()],
-        key=lambda item: (item.name.lower(), str(item).lower()),
-    )
-
-    subdirs = [entry for entry in all_subdirs if query.lower() in entry.name.lower()]
-
-    images = sorted(
-        [
-            entry
-            for entry in entries
-            if entry.is_file()
-            and is_image_file(entry)
-            and query.lower() in entry.name.lower()
-        ],
-        key=lambda item: (item.name.lower(), str(item).lower()),
-    )
-
-    for subdir in all_subdirs:
-        rec_subdirs, rec_images = do_recursive_search(subdir, query.lower())
-        subdirs.extend(rec_subdirs)
-        images.extend(rec_images)
-
-    return subdirs, images
-
-
-def sort_images(images, sort_key):
-    def compare(img_a, img_b):
-        name_a = img_a.name.lower()
-        name_b = img_b.name.lower()
-        rel_a = str(img_a.relative_to(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)).lower()
-        rel_b = str(img_b.relative_to(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)).lower()
-
-        if sort_key == "abc":
-            if name_a < name_b:
-                return -1
-            if name_a > name_b:
-                return 1
-
-        elif sort_key == "cba":
-            if name_a > name_b:
-                return -1
-            if name_a < name_b:
-                return 1
-
-        elif sort_key == "old":
-            created_a = get_creation_timestamp(img_a)
-            created_b = get_creation_timestamp(img_b)
-
-            if created_a < created_b:
-                return -1
-            if created_a > created_b:
-                return 1
-
-        elif sort_key == "new":
-            created_a = get_creation_timestamp(img_a)
-            created_b = get_creation_timestamp(img_b)
-
-            if created_a > created_b:
-                return -1
-            if created_a < created_b:
-                return 1
-
-        elif sort_key == "recent":
-            modified_a = get_modification_timestamp(img_a)
-            modified_b = get_modification_timestamp(img_b)
-
-            if modified_a > modified_b:
-                return -1
-            if modified_a < modified_b:
-                return 1
-
-        elif sort_key == "tnecer":
-            modified_a = get_modification_timestamp(img_a)
-            modified_b = get_modification_timestamp(img_b)
-
-            if modified_a < modified_b:
-                return -1
-            if modified_a > modified_b:
-                return 1
-
-        if name_a < name_b:
-            return -1
-        if name_a > name_b:
-            return 1
-        if rel_a < rel_b:
-            return -1
-        if rel_a > rel_b:
-            return 1
-        return 0
-
-    return sorted(images, key=cmp_to_key(compare))
-
-
-def build_breadcrumbs(path_text, query_dict):
-    breadcrumbs = [{"label": "Gallery", "path": gallery_url(None, True, query_dict)}]
-
-    if path_text == "":
-        return breadcrumbs
-
-    segments = Path(path_text).parts
-    current = Path("")
-
-    for segment in segments:
-        current = current.joinpath(segment)
-        breadcrumbs.append(
-            {"label": segment, "path": gallery_url(current, True, query_dict)}
-        )
-
-    return breadcrumbs
-
-
-def build_sort_options(request, search_text, sort_key, theme):
-    options = []
-
-    for option_key, label in SORT_OPTIONS:
-        query = {"sort": option_key, "theme": theme}
-
-        if search_text != "":
-            query["search"] = search_text
-
-        options.append(
-            {
-                "key": option_key,
-                "label": label,
-                "url": append_query(request.path, query),
-                "is_active": option_key == sort_key,
-            }
-        )
-
-    return options
-
-
-def get_first_image_thumbnail_url(subdir):
-    try:
-        images = sorted(
-            [
-                entry
-                for entry in subdir.iterdir()
-                if entry.is_file() and not entry.is_symlink() and is_image_file(entry)
-            ],
-            key=lambda item: (
-                item.name.lower(),
-                str(item.relative_to(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)).lower(),
-            ),
-        )
-    except OSError:
-        return None
-
-    if len(images) == 0:
-        return None
-
-    first_image = images[0]
-
-    try:
-        make_thumbnail(first_image)
-        rel_path = first_image.relative_to(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)
-        thumb_path = settings.THUMBNAILS_ROOT.joinpath(rel_path)
-
-        if thumb_path.exists():
-            return "/thumbs/" + str(rel_path).replace("\\", "/")
-    except Exception:
-        pass
-
-    return None
-
-
-###########################################################################################
-# View functions.                                                                         #
-###########################################################################################
+from .models import UserSettings
 
 
 @login_required
@@ -277,257 +25,6 @@ def index(request):
     return redirect("gallery_view_root")
 
 
-def _render_directory(request, path_text, full_path):
-    """
-    Renders the gallery view related to directories, be it the contents of an actual directory
-    in the file system, or logical gallery directories like search result pages.
-    """
-
-    search_text = request.GET.get("search", "").strip()
-    sort_key = normalize_sort(request.GET.get("sort", "abc"))
-    theme = normalize_theme(request.GET.get("theme", "dark"))
-    query_state = build_query(search_text, sort_key, theme)
-
-    try:
-        current_entries = [
-            entry for entry in full_path.iterdir() if not entry.is_symlink()
-        ]
-    except OSError:
-        return HttpResponseNotFound("Not found")
-
-    current_subdirs = sorted(
-        [entry for entry in current_entries if entry.is_dir()],
-        key=lambda item: (
-            item.name.lower(),
-            str(item.relative_to(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)).lower(),
-        ),
-    )
-
-    if search_text == "":
-        images = [
-            entry
-            for entry in current_entries
-            if entry.is_file() and is_image_file(entry)
-        ]
-    else:
-        _, images = do_recursive_search(full_path, search_text)
-
-    images = sort_images(images, sort_key)
-
-    image_data = []
-    for image in images:
-        rel_path = image.relative_to(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)
-        image_url = gallery_url(rel_path, False, query_state)
-
-        thumbnail = None
-        try:
-            make_thumbnail(image)
-            thumb_path = settings.THUMBNAILS_ROOT.joinpath(rel_path)
-            if thumb_path.exists():
-                thumbnail = "/thumbs/" + str(rel_path).replace("\\", "/")
-        except Exception:
-            pass
-
-        image_data.append(
-            {"path": image_url, "name": image.name, "thumbnail": thumbnail}
-        )
-
-    subdir_data = []
-    for subdir in current_subdirs:
-        rel_path = subdir.relative_to(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)
-        subdir_data.append(
-            {
-                "path": gallery_url(rel_path, True, query_state),
-                "name": subdir.name,
-                "thumbnail": get_first_image_thumbnail_url(subdir),
-            }
-        )
-
-    next_theme = "light" if theme == "dark" else "dark"
-    theme_query = {"sort": sort_key, "theme": next_theme}
-
-    if search_text != "":
-        theme_query["search"] = search_text
-
-    search_action_query = {"sort": sort_key, "theme": theme}
-
-    context = {
-        "path": path_text,
-        "search_text": search_text,
-        "theme": theme,
-        "sort_key": sort_key,
-        "sort_label": SORT_LABELS[sort_key],
-        "sort_options": build_sort_options(request, search_text, sort_key, theme),
-        "breadcrumbs": build_breadcrumbs(path_text, query_state),
-        "images": image_data,
-        "subdirs": subdir_data,
-        "theme_toggle_url": append_query(request.path, theme_query),
-        "search_action_url": append_query(request.path, search_action_query),
-    }
-
-    return render(request, "gallery_view.html", context)
-
-
-def _render_image(request, path_text, full_path):
-    """
-    Renders the view corresponding to an image file.
-    """
-
-    # Preserve query state (sort, search, theme) similar to gallery view
-    search_text = request.GET.get("search", "").strip()
-    sort_key = normalize_sort(request.GET.get("sort", "abc"))
-    theme = normalize_theme(request.GET.get("theme", "dark"))
-    query_state = build_query(search_text, sort_key, theme)
-
-    image = Path("/imgs/").joinpath(path_text)
-    img_dir = full_path.parent
-
-    try:
-        entries = [
-            entry
-            for entry in img_dir.iterdir()
-            if entry.is_file() and not entry.is_symlink() and is_image_file(entry)
-        ]
-    except OSError:
-        return HttpResponseNotFound("Not found")
-
-    # Sort siblings according to requested sort mode
-    images_sorted = sort_images(entries, sort_key)
-
-    # Find index of current image
-    try:
-        index = next(i for i, p in enumerate(images_sorted) if p.name == full_path.name)
-    except StopIteration:
-        return HttpResponseNotFound("Not found")
-
-    prev_path = images_sorted[index - 1] if index > 0 else None
-    next_path = images_sorted[index + 1] if index < len(images_sorted) - 1 else None
-
-    # Helper to produce thumb url for a Path or None
-    def thumb_for(path_obj):
-        if path_obj is None:
-            return None
-        try:
-            make_thumbnail(path_obj)
-            rel = path_obj.relative_to(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)
-            thumb_path = settings.THUMBNAILS_ROOT.joinpath(rel)
-            if thumb_path.exists():
-                return "/thumbs/" + str(rel).replace("\\", "/")
-        except Exception:
-            pass
-        return None
-
-    # Build URLs (preserving query state)
-    prev_url = None
-    next_url = None
-    if prev_path is not None:
-        rel = prev_path.relative_to(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)
-        prev_url = gallery_url(rel, False, query_state)
-
-    if next_path is not None:
-        rel = next_path.relative_to(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)
-        next_url = gallery_url(rel, False, query_state)
-
-    # Back (directory) and Home (root) links and thumbnails
-    dir_rel = None
-    try:
-        # derive directory path text relative to gallery root
-        dir_rel = full_path.parent.relative_to(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)
-        dir_text = str(dir_rel).replace("\\", "/")
-    except Exception:
-        dir_text = ""
-
-    back_url = gallery_url(
-        Path(dir_text) if dir_text != "" else None, True, query_state
-    )
-    back_thumb = get_first_image_thumbnail_url(full_path.parent)
-    home_url = gallery_url(None, True, query_state)
-    home_thumb = get_first_image_thumbnail_url(settings.GALLERY_ROOT)
-
-    # Prev/next thumbnails
-    prev_thumb = thumb_for(prev_path)
-    next_thumb = thumb_for(next_path)
-
-    # Image metadata
-    width = height = None
-    filesize = None
-    created_ts = None
-    modified_ts = None
-    try:
-        img_file = full_path
-        with Image.open(img_file) as im:
-            width, height = im.size
-    except Exception:
-        pass
-
-    try:
-        stat = full_path.stat()
-        filesize = stat.st_size
-        created_ts = getattr(stat, "st_birthtime", stat.st_ctime)
-        modified_ts = stat.st_mtime
-    except Exception:
-        pass
-
-    def human_size(bytes_val):
-        if bytes_val is None:
-            return None
-        kb = 1024.0
-        if bytes_val < kb * 1024:
-            return f"{bytes_val / kb:.2f} KB"
-        return f"{bytes_val / (kb * kb):.2f} MB"
-
-    def fmt_ts(ts):
-        if ts is None:
-            return None
-        try:
-            return datetime.datetime.fromtimestamp(ts).strftime("%c")
-        except Exception:
-            return None
-
-    # Breadcrumbs: include directory breadcrumbs then append file name as label-only
-    # build_breadcrumbs expects a path_text representing directories only
-    dir_path_text = dir_text if dir_text != "" else ""
-    breadcrumbs = build_breadcrumbs(dir_path_text, query_state)
-    breadcrumbs.append({"label": full_path.name, "path": None})
-
-    next_theme = "light" if theme == "dark" else "dark"
-    theme_query = {"sort": sort_key, "theme": next_theme}
-    if search_text != "":
-        theme_query["search"] = search_text
-
-    context = {
-        "image_path": image,
-        # keep legacy prev/next names for tests
-        "prev": prev_path.name if prev_path is not None else None,
-        "next": next_path.name if next_path is not None else None,
-        # new richer values
-        "prev_url": prev_url,
-        "next_url": next_url,
-        "prev_thumb": prev_thumb,
-        "next_thumb": next_thumb,
-        "back_url": back_url,
-        "back_thumb": back_thumb,
-        "home_url": home_url,
-        "home_thumb": home_thumb,
-        "image_meta": {
-            "filename": full_path.name,
-            "width": width,
-            "height": height,
-            "filesize": human_size(filesize),
-            "created": fmt_ts(created_ts),
-            "modified": fmt_ts(modified_ts),
-        },
-        "breadcrumbs": breadcrumbs,
-        "theme": theme,
-        "sort_key": sort_key,
-        "sort_label": SORT_LABELS[sort_key],
-        "sort_options": build_sort_options(request, search_text, sort_key, theme),
-        "theme_toggle_url": append_query(request.path, theme_query),
-    }
-
-    return render(request, "image_view.html", context)
-
-
 @login_required
 def gallery_view(request, path=None):
     """
@@ -549,6 +46,54 @@ def gallery_view(request, path=None):
     path_text = path if path is not None else ""
 
     if candidate.is_dir():
-        return _render_directory(request, path_text, candidate)
+        return render_directory(request, path_text, candidate)
 
-    return _render_image(request, path_text, candidate)
+    return render_image(request, path_text, candidate)
+
+
+@login_required
+def toggle_settings(request):
+    """Persist theme and/or sort for the current user and redirect back.
+
+    Expected query params:
+    - next: the URL to redirect back to (optional)
+    - theme: optional, 'light' or 'dark'
+    - sort: optional, one of allowed sort keys
+
+    The view will obtain or create the UserSettings row for the user and set
+    any provided values. If multiple UserSettings rows exist (shouldn't
+    normally happen) the first is used.
+    """
+
+    next_url = request.GET.get("next") or "/gallery/"
+
+    # Only allow in-site redirects for safety
+    parsed = urlparse(next_url)
+    if parsed.netloc and parsed.netloc != "":
+        next_url = "/gallery/"
+
+    user = getattr(request, "user", None)
+    if not user or not getattr(user, "is_authenticated", False):
+        return redirect(next_url)
+
+    # Obtain or create the settings row
+    try:
+        settings_obj = UserSettings.objects.get(user=user)
+    except UserSettings.DoesNotExist:
+        settings_obj = UserSettings(user=user)
+    except MultipleObjectsReturned:
+        settings_obj = UserSettings.objects.filter(user=user).first()
+
+    # Apply provided values
+    theme = request.GET.get("theme")
+    sort = request.GET.get("sort")
+
+    if theme in ("light", "dark"):
+        settings_obj.theme = theme
+
+    if sort:
+        settings_obj.sort = sort
+
+    settings_obj.save()
+
+    return redirect(next_url)