diff --git a/TESTING.md b/TESTING.md
index d9bf971..3ac99b4 100644
--- a/TESTING.md
+++ b/TESTING.md
@@ -657,12 +657,18 @@ Recorded deviations on this page (spec §8):
   `Host` and `Origin`. Such a client can open a folder of a listed file on the host's
   screen, at most once a second, and learn whether that file exists (which the
   listing routes already tell it). Operators who expose ComfyUI that way accept this.
-- **D39**: a recipe-linked image shows its recipe's own category and tags (#224), not
-  its positive's. The concept shows the prompt's category and tags for every image;
-  the concept fixture's recipes have neither, so their images show no category chip
-  and no tag row. `positive_links` on `/__test__/concept/reset` links the newest
-  images to their positive alone, so the inspector comparison sees the positive's
-  category ("Positive prompt category: " hidden prefix, D21) and tag filters.
+- **D39** (ruled 2026-10-21: fallback): a recipe-linked image shows its recipe's own
+  category when set, otherwise the linked positive prompt's, and its recipe's own tags
+  when it has any, otherwise the positive's; each field falls back on its own and the
+  two tag sets are never merged. Set category (#259) writes the positive's category and
+  the Images category and Tags filters match the positive's, so the panel now agrees
+  with them whenever the recipe adds nothing. The inspection response names each
+  field's source (`library.category_scope`, `library.tags_scope`: `pair`, `positive` or
+  null); the category chip's visually hidden prefix (D21) says "Recipe category: " or
+  "Positive prompt category: " from it, and tag chips are Tags filter buttons only when
+  they are the positive's (#260 D2). History's media inspector uses the same rule. The
+  concept shows the prompt's category and tags for every image and the concept
+  fixture's recipes have neither, so the inspector comparison needs no mapping for it.
 - **D42**: the concept never shows a toast and a page alert together. Production keeps
   the concept's fixed toast (centred, 22px from the bottom, 12px at 700px and below)
   and, when an Import → Rescan toast leaves the Images discovery alert
diff --git a/database/history_gallery.py b/database/history_gallery.py
index 08d8324..2e2b9e0 100644
--- a/database/history_gallery.py
+++ b/database/history_gallery.py
@@ -4,9 +4,17 @@ import os
 import sqlite3
 
 try:
-    from ..utils.inspection_response import MAX_LIBRARY_BYTES, _library_projection
+    from ..utils.inspection_response import (
+        MAX_LIBRARY_BYTES,
+        _library_projection,
+        library_metadata,
+    )
 except ImportError:
-    from utils.inspection_response import MAX_LIBRARY_BYTES, _library_projection
+    from utils.inspection_response import (
+        MAX_LIBRARY_BYTES,
+        _library_projection,
+        library_metadata,
+    )
 
 
 def _display_bytes(value: bytes | None) -> str | None:
@@ -52,15 +60,21 @@ def _saved_projection(conn: sqlite3.Connection, row: sqlite3.Row) -> tuple[dict,
         return saved, _library_projection({"status": "limited"})
     pair = pairs[0] if pairs else None
     title = pair["title"] if pair is not None else None
-    category = pair["category"] if pair is not None else row["category"]
-    tags, limited = _tags(
-        conn,
-        pair["id"] if pair is not None else row["prompt_id"],
-        pair=pair is not None,
+    recipe_tags, limited = (
+        _tags(conn, pair["id"], pair=True) if pair is not None else ([], False)
+    )
+    positive_tags = []
+    if not recipe_tags and not limited:
+        # D39: only read the positive's tags when they are what the panel shows.
+        positive_tags, limited = _tags(conn, row["prompt_id"], pair=False)
+    metadata = library_metadata(
+        row["category"],
+        positive_tags,
+        (pair["category"], recipe_tags) if pair is not None else None,
     )
     limited = limited or any(
         value is not None and len(value) > MAX_LIBRARY_BYTES
-        for value in (title, category)
+        for value in (title, metadata["category"])
     )
     if pair is not None:
         saved["pair"] = {
@@ -73,9 +87,8 @@ def _saved_projection(conn: sqlite3.Connection, row: sqlite3.Row) -> tuple[dict,
             "positive_id": row["prompt_id"],
             "pair_id": pair["id"] if pair is not None else None,
             "title": _display_bytes(title),
-            "category": _display_bytes(category),
-            "tags": tags,
-            "metadata_scope": "pair" if pair is not None else "positive",
+            **metadata,
+            "category": _display_bytes(metadata["category"]),
         }
     )
     if limited:
diff --git a/py/api/images.py b/py/api/images.py
index aef3656..1ed0642 100644
--- a/py/api/images.py
+++ b/py/api/images.py
@@ -36,7 +36,10 @@ try:
     from ...database.models import normalize_image_path
     from ...utils.card_seed import card_seed, header_params, parsed_positive
     from ...utils.parallel import map_parallel
-    from ...utils.inspection_response import encode_inspection_response
+    from ...utils.inspection_response import (
+        encode_inspection_response,
+        library_metadata,
+    )
     from ...utils.prompt_inspector import MetadataReadError, read_inspection_file
     from ...utils.file_reveal import (
         OpenerUnavailable,
@@ -52,7 +55,10 @@ except ImportError:
     from database.models import normalize_image_path
     from utils.card_seed import card_seed, header_params, parsed_positive
     from utils.parallel import map_parallel
-    from utils.inspection_response import encode_inspection_response
+    from utils.inspection_response import (
+        encode_inspection_response,
+        library_metadata,
+    )
     from utils.prompt_inspector import MetadataReadError, read_inspection_file
     from utils.file_reveal import (
         OpenerUnavailable,
@@ -2464,7 +2470,8 @@ class ImageRoutesMixin:
             "title": None,
             "category": None,
             "tags": [],
-            "metadata_scope": None,
+            "category_scope": None,
+            "tags_scope": None,
         }
         if not isinstance(saved, dict) or not saved:
             return result
@@ -2472,23 +2479,19 @@ class ImageRoutesMixin:
             result["status"] = "ambiguous"
             return result
         pair = saved.get("pair")
-        if isinstance(pair, dict):
-            result.update(
-                status="linked",
-                positive_id=pair.get("positive_prompt_id"),
-                pair_id=pair.get("id"),
-                category=pair.get("category"),
-                tags=pair.get("tags"),
-                metadata_scope="pair",
-            )
-        else:
-            result.update(
-                status="linked",
-                positive_id=saved.get("prompt_id"),
-                category=saved.get("category"),
-                tags=saved.get("tags"),
-                metadata_scope="positive",
-            )
+        recipe = isinstance(pair, dict)
+        result.update(
+            status="linked",
+            positive_id=(
+                pair.get("positive_prompt_id") if recipe else saved.get("prompt_id")
+            ),
+            pair_id=pair.get("id") if recipe else None,
+            **library_metadata(
+                saved.get("category"),
+                saved.get("tags"),
+                (pair.get("category"), pair.get("tags")) if recipe else None,
+            ),
+        )
         return result
 
     async def get_image_prompt(self, request):
diff --git a/tests/browser/full-inspector.spec.mjs b/tests/browser/full-inspector.spec.mjs
index bca64e5..6c6e2f9 100644
--- a/tests/browser/full-inspector.spec.mjs
+++ b/tests/browser/full-inspector.spec.mjs
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ test('inspection wire preserves exact rooted envelope', async ({ request }) => {
     expect(result.metadata.prompt_graph.value['3'].inputs.cfg).toBe('6.5');
     expect(result.metadata.record_formats).toEqual({ prompt: 'original-text', workflow: 'original-text' });
     expect(result.file).toMatchObject({ observation: 'current-file', format: 'PNG', width: 720, height: 480 });
-    expect(result.library).toMatchObject({ status: 'linked', metadata_scope: 'pair', title: POSITIVE_TITLE, category: 'Inspection', tags: ['fixture', 'geometric'] });
+    expect(result.library).toMatchObject({ status: 'linked', category_scope: 'pair', tags_scope: 'pair', title: POSITIVE_TITLE, category: 'Inspection', tags: ['fixture', 'geometric'] });
     expect((await inspect(collision)).prompts.positive.text).toBe('Input collision');
     const gallery = await (await request.get(`/prompt_manager/library/${result.library.positive_id}/images?pair_id=${result.library.pair_id}`)).json();
     expect(gallery.images[0].root_scope).toBe(complete.root_scope);
@@ -163,10 +163,20 @@ test('panel matches the concept order and copy',async({page,request})=>{
         inner:['div.panel-heading','p.small','section.prompt-section.positive','section.prompt-section.negative','dl.meta-grid']});
     await expect(panel.locator('.meta-grid dd')).toHaveText(Array(6).fill('Not recorded'));
     // Ambiguous saved association: the same honest absence.
-    reads.patch=data=>{data.library={...data.library,status:'ambiguous',positive_id:null,pair_id:null,title:null,category:null,tags:[],metadata_scope:null};};
+    reads.patch=data=>{data.library={...data.library,status:'ambiguous',positive_id:null,pair_id:null,title:null,category:null,tags:[],category_scope:null,tags_scope:null};};
     await selectFile(page,'workflow-only.png');await expect(panel.locator('.panel-heading h2')).toHaveText('workflow-only.png');
     await expect(panel.locator('.chip:not(.blue)')).toHaveCount(1);await expect(panel.locator('.detail-inner > .tags button')).toHaveCount(0);
     await expect(panel.getByRole('button',{name:'Prompt history',exact:true})).toHaveCount(0);
+    // D39 mixed scopes: each field follows its own source, so the prefix and the tag chips can disagree.
+    const tagRow=panel.locator('.detail-inner > .tags').last();
+    reads.patch=data=>{data.library={...data.library,status:'linked',category:'Subject',category_scope:'pair',tags_scope:'positive',tags:['alpha','beta']};};
+    await selectFile(page,'complete.png');
+    await expect(panel.locator('span.chip:not(.blue) .ca-visually-hidden')).toHaveText('Recipe category: ');
+    await expect(tagRow.getByRole('button')).toHaveText(['alpha','beta']);
+    reads.patch=data=>{data.library={...data.library,status:'linked',category:'Subject',category_scope:'positive',tags_scope:'pair',tags:['alpha','beta']};};
+    await selectFile(page,'workflow-only.png');
+    await expect(panel.locator('span.chip:not(.blue) .ca-visually-hidden')).toHaveText('Positive prompt category: ');
+    await expect(tagRow.locator('span.chip')).toHaveText(['alpha','beta']);await expect(tagRow.getByRole('button')).toHaveCount(0);
     // Loading and error states render in `.detail-inner` as `.small` text with the existing buttons.
     reads.patch=null;await page.unroute('**/images/inspect/**');
     await page.route('**/images/inspect/**',route=>route.fulfill({status:500,json:{success:false,error:'broken'}}));
diff --git a/tests/browser/inspector-concept.spec.mjs b/tests/browser/inspector-concept.spec.mjs
index 6090796..6a7f32f 100644
--- a/tests/browser/inspector-concept.spec.mjs
+++ b/tests/browser/inspector-concept.spec.mjs
@@ -5,16 +5,15 @@ import {SIZES,THEMES,seedConcept,openConcept,openProduction,inspectorOf,diffInve
 
 // Task D4 of #249: the Images side panel (app.js imageDetails a400–414) and the viewer's full details (imageDetails(i,
 // true)) against the immutable concept, on the concept-shaped real fixture, at 1600x1100 and 390x844 in both themes.
-// Both documents select the first listed image, alpine_00001.png (D19: the first load selects it), which the fixture
-// links to its positive prompt alone (`positive_links`, D39), so its panel shows the positive's own category and tags
-// as the concept's does. The panel's box in the gallery layout is the Images spec's. Paired captures are artifacts only;
-// there are no PNG baselines.
+// Both documents select the first listed image, alpine_00001.png (D19: the first load selects it). The fixture links it
+// to a recipe without a category or tags, so (D39, ruled 2026-10-21) its panel falls back to the positive's own category
+// and tags, as the concept's does. The panel's box in the gallery layout is the Images spec's. Paired captures are
+// artifacts only; there are no PNG baselines.
 test.use({locale:'en-US',timezoneId:'UTC'});
 
 const CARDS='.gallery-body > .image-grid > .media-card';
 const TITLE='Alpine observatory';
 const FIXTURE_IMAGES=24;
-const SEED={positive_links:1};
 // The concept's sticky panel never scrolls; production's scrolls inside the window above 700px (D20/D21 side panel).
 const PANEL_INSET=40;
 // D34: coarse pointers keep 40px targets for the viewer details' disclosure summaries and "Download original" (the
@@ -39,15 +38,15 @@ function withFocusablePrompts(inventory) {
     return {...inventory,controls,sections:inventory.sections.map(section=>({...section,text:{...section.text,tabIndex:0}}))};
 }
 
-/** D21: the category chip names its scope in a visually hidden prefix; here the linked positive's. */
+/** D21: the category chip names its scope in a visually hidden prefix; here the linked positive's (D39 fallback). */
 function withCategoryScope(inventory) {
     const [badge,category,...rest]=inventory.badges.chips;
     return {...inventory,badges:{...inventory.badges,chips:[badge,{...category,hidden:'Positive prompt category: '},...rest]}};
 }
 
 /**
- * Recorded inspector deviations only (spec §8, TESTING.md D3, D20–D22, D34, D38 and D39 through the fixture's
- * `positive_links`); everything else must equal production. `reference.viewerPlain` is the concept's own full details
+ * Recorded inspector deviations only (spec §8, TESTING.md D3, D20–D22, D34 and D38); everything else must equal
+ * production. `reference.viewerPlain` is the concept's own full details
  * with its tag chips made plain (D20) and, under a coarse pointer, D34's targets, both at runtime: the browser lays out
  * what follows them, as the Images spec's removed toolbar items do.
  */
@@ -232,7 +231,7 @@ const historyOf=async page=>{
     return page.evaluate(()=>location.hash);
 };
 
-test.beforeEach(async({request},testInfo)=>{testInfo.manifest=await seedConcept(request,SEED);});
+test.beforeEach(async({request},testInfo)=>{testInfo.manifest=await seedConcept(request);});
 
 for(const [width,height] of SIZES)for(const theme of THEMES)test(`inspector panel geometry, tokens and controls match the concept ${width}x${height} ${theme}`,async({page,context,browserName},testInfo)=>{
     test.setTimeout(180_000);
@@ -303,15 +302,20 @@ for(const [width,height] of SIZES)for(const theme of THEMES)test(`inspector pane
     expect.soft(production.history,'history').toBe(`#/library/${manifest.prompts[0].positive_id}`);
 });
 
-// D39: a recipe-linked image shows its recipe's own category and tags (#224), which the concept fixture's recipes do
-// not have, so its panel has neither (the concept shows the prompt's for every image).
-test('a recipe-linked image shows only its recipe metadata (D39)',async({page})=>{
+// D39 (ruled 2026-10-21): a recipe-linked image shows its recipe's own category and tags when set, otherwise its
+// positive's, field by field. The concept fixture's recipes have neither, so this recipe-linked image shows its
+// positive's, as the concept does, and its tag chips are Tags filter buttons again (D21: the positive's own tags).
+test('a recipe-linked image without recipe metadata shows its positive prompt metadata (D39)',async({page})=>{
     await page.setViewportSize({width:1600,height:1100});
     await openProductionPanel(page,'dark');
     await page.locator(CARDS).nth(1).locator('[aria-label^="Inspect"]').click();
     await expect(panelOf(page).locator('.panel-heading h2')).toHaveText('Quiet geometry');
-    await expect(panelOf(page).locator('.detail-inner > .tags')).toHaveCount(1);
-    await expect(panelOf(page).locator('.detail-inner > .tags .chip')).toHaveText(['Execution recorded']);
+    const rows=panelOf(page).locator('.detail-inner > .tags');
+    await expect(rows).toHaveCount(2);
+    await expect(rows.first().locator('.chip')).toHaveText(['Execution recorded','Positive prompt category: Architecture']);
+    await expect(rows.first().locator('.chip .ca-visually-hidden')).toHaveText('Positive prompt category: ');
+    await expect(rows.nth(1).locator('button.chip')).toHaveText(['minimal','warm_light','editorial']);
+    await expect(rows.nth(1).locator('span.chip')).toHaveCount(0);
     await expect(panelOf(page).locator('.detail-footer button')).toHaveText(['Send to ComfyUI','Prompt history']);
 });
 
diff --git a/tests/browser/server.py b/tests/browser/server.py
index 53333bc..efecf55 100644
--- a/tests/browser/server.py
+++ b/tests/browser/server.py
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ from PIL.PngImagePlugin import PngInfo
 from tests.browser.workspace_concept_fixture import (
     MAX_EXTRA_IMAGES as CONCEPT_MAX_EXTRA_IMAGES,
     MAX_SEEDLESS_IMAGES as CONCEPT_MAX_SEEDLESS_IMAGES,
-    MAX_POSITIVE_LINKS as CONCEPT_MAX_POSITIVE_LINKS,
     seed_workspace_concept,
 )
 from tests.browser.workspace_visual_fixture import seed_workspace_visual
@@ -443,7 +442,6 @@ def create_app(root: Path) -> web.Application:
         limits = {
             "extra_images": CONCEPT_MAX_EXTRA_IMAGES,
             "seedless_images": CONCEPT_MAX_SEEDLESS_IMAGES,
-            "positive_links": CONCEPT_MAX_POSITIVE_LINKS,
         }
         if (
             request.query
@@ -467,7 +465,6 @@ def create_app(root: Path) -> web.Application:
                 root,
                 extra_images=data.get("extra_images", 0),
                 seedless_images=data.get("seedless_images", 0),
-                positive_links=data.get("positive_links", 0),
             )
         )
         return web.json_response({"success": True, **manifest})
diff --git a/tests/browser/workspace_concept_fixture.py b/tests/browser/workspace_concept_fixture.py
index ef9d4a5..66c3da5 100644
--- a/tests/browser/workspace_concept_fixture.py
+++ b/tests/browser/workspace_concept_fixture.py
@@ -157,9 +157,6 @@ CONCEPT_MODEL = "illustrative-model.safetensors"
 MAX_EXTRA_IMAGES = 120
 # Unlinked, seedless images (D11 "W × H · PNG") newer than the concept's, for D3 checks.
 MAX_SEEDLESS_IMAGES = 2
-# The newest images linked to their positive alone (no recipe), for the inspector's
-# positive-scope category and tag chips (D39).
-MAX_POSITIVE_LINKS = 6
 SEEDLESS_SIZE = (1536, 1152)
 SESSION = "5c1f9a7e-3f0b-4a55-9d0e-2b8c4f6a7d10"
 _TABLES = (
@@ -344,7 +341,6 @@ def seed_workspace_concept(
     *,
     extra_images: int = 0,
     seedless_images: int = 0,
-    positive_links: int = 0,
 ) -> dict:
     """Replace this server's disposable rows and files with the concept's data.
 
@@ -354,7 +350,6 @@ def seed_workspace_concept(
     """
     _bounded("extra_images", extra_images, MAX_EXTRA_IMAGES)
     _bounded("seedless_images", seedless_images, MAX_SEEDLESS_IMAGES)
-    _bounded("positive_links", positive_links, MAX_POSITIVE_LINKS)
     _clear(api, root)
     db = api.db
     epoch = db.get_execution_epoch()
@@ -410,9 +405,8 @@ def seed_workspace_concept(
             os.utime(path, (stamp, stamp))
             owner = prompts[prompt_index]
             image_id = db.link_image_to_prompt(owner["positive_id"], str(path))
-            pair_id = None if index < positive_links else owner["pair_ids"][variant]
-            if pair_id is not None:
-                db.link_image_to_pair(pair_id, image_id, {"source": "concept fixture"})
+            pair_id = owner["pair_ids"][variant]
+            db.link_image_to_pair(pair_id, image_id, {"source": "concept fixture"})
             if concept_starred(prompt_index, round_index):
                 db.set_image_favorite(
                     favorite_root, _favorite_relative_key(f"concepts/{name}")
diff --git a/tests/js/workspace-file-inspector.test.js b/tests/js/workspace-file-inspector.test.js
index 3a01d7a..16d5a17 100644
--- a/tests/js/workspace-file-inspector.test.js
+++ b/tests/js/workspace-file-inspector.test.js
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ const modulePath='../../web/js/workspace/file-inspector.mjs';
 const load=()=>import(modulePath);
 const rawWorkflow='{ "nodes": [], "seed": 9007199254740993, "cfg": 1.0000000000000000001 }';
 function record() {
-    return {identity:{kind:'rooted-file',key:'2:a.png',root_index:2,path:'a.png',root_scope:'a'.repeat(64)},file:{format:'PNG'},prompts:{positive:{status:'resolved',text:'a\n猫'}},generation:{seed:{status:'known',value:'9007199254740993',source:'workflow',evidence:'configuration'}},library:{metadata_scope:'pair',tags:['saved']},download:{filename:'a.png',url:'/prompt_manager/images/serve/a.png?root=2'},metadata:{status:'available',omitted_reason:null,raw:{workflow:rawWorkflow,prompt:'{broken',parameters:'literal <svg> </pre>'},record_formats:{workflow:'original-text',prompt:'original-text',parameters:'original-text'},workflow_graph:{status:'parsed',value:{seed:'9007199254740993'}},prompt_graph:{status:'malformed',value:null},parameters:'literal <svg> </pre>'}};
+    return {identity:{kind:'rooted-file',key:'2:a.png',root_index:2,path:'a.png',root_scope:'a'.repeat(64)},file:{format:'PNG'},prompts:{positive:{status:'resolved',text:'a\n猫'}},generation:{seed:{status:'known',value:'9007199254740993',source:'workflow',evidence:'configuration'}},library:{category_scope:'pair',tags_scope:'pair',tags:['saved']},download:{filename:'a.png',url:'/prompt_manager/images/serve/a.png?root=2'},metadata:{status:'available',omitted_reason:null,raw:{workflow:rawWorkflow,prompt:'{broken',parameters:'literal <svg> </pre>'},record_formats:{workflow:'original-text',prompt:'original-text',parameters:'original-text'},workflow_graph:{status:'parsed',value:{seed:'9007199254740993'}},prompt_graph:{status:'malformed',value:null},parameters:'literal <svg> </pre>'}};
 }
 
 test('metadata export retains literal raw and scoped evidence',async()=>{
diff --git a/tests/js/workspace-history-media.test.js b/tests/js/workspace-history-media.test.js
index fdc908c..6a95a37 100644
--- a/tests/js/workspace-history-media.test.js
+++ b/tests/js/workspace-history-media.test.js
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ const m=await import('../../web/js/workspace/history-media.mjs').catch(e=>{if(e.
 const epoch='11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111',run='22222222-2222-2222-2222-222222222222',scope='a'.repeat(64),location='b'.repeat(64);
 function media(node='1',ordinal=0,key=location) {const occurrence={run_id:run,output_node_id:node,image_ordinal:ordinal},reference={folder_type:'output',subfolder:'folder',filename:'a #%.png',path_style:'posix',root_key:'c'.repeat(64)},base=`/prompt_manager/history/runs/${run}/output/current`,query=new URLSearchParams({node,ordinal:String(ordinal),epoch,current_scope:scope});return {kind:'reported-location',occurrence,reference,history_epoch:epoch,current_scope:scope,location_key:key,filename:reference.filename,is_video:false,url:`${base}/media?${query}`,inspection_url:`${base}/inspection?${query}`,thumbnail_url:`${base}/thumbnail?${query}`};}
 const receipt=value=>({occurrence:value.occurrence,reference:value.reference,file_identity:'unverified',newly_generated:'unknown',context_membership:'unknown',transient:false,current_candidate:{status:'available',reason:null,evidence_class:'locator_candidate',current_scope:value.current_scope,location_key:value.location_key,relative_path:'folder/a #%.png',source_label:'output',gallery_match:'none',gallery_image_id:null,media:value}});
-function envelope(target=media()) {return {success:true,inspection_version:1,history_version:1,history_epoch:epoch,current_output:{occurrence:target.occurrence,reference:target.reference,history_epoch:epoch,current_scope:scope,location_key:target.location_key,evidence_class:'locator_candidate',observation:'current-file',file_identity:'unverified',newly_generated:'unknown',context_membership:'unknown',transient:false},prompts:{positive:{status:'resolved',text:'current metadata only',source:'execution'},negative:{status:'unresolved',text:null,source:null}},file:{observation:'current-file',source_label:'output',media_type:'image',extension:'.png',format:'PNG',size:10,width:2,height:3,modified_time:1},metadata:{status:'absent',omitted_reason:null,raw:{},record_formats:{},prompt_graph:{status:'absent',value:null},workflow_graph:{status:'absent',value:null},parameters:null},resolution:{state:'absent',sampler_id:null,reason:'no graph'},library:{status:'none',scope:'saved-library',tags:[],metadata_scope:null,positive_id:null,pair_id:null,title:null,category:null}};}
+function envelope(target=media()) {return {success:true,inspection_version:1,history_version:1,history_epoch:epoch,current_output:{occurrence:target.occurrence,reference:target.reference,history_epoch:epoch,current_scope:scope,location_key:target.location_key,evidence_class:'locator_candidate',observation:'current-file',file_identity:'unverified',newly_generated:'unknown',context_membership:'unknown',transient:false},prompts:{positive:{status:'resolved',text:'current metadata only',source:'execution'},negative:{status:'unresolved',text:null,source:null}},file:{observation:'current-file',source_label:'output',media_type:'image',extension:'.png',format:'PNG',size:10,width:2,height:3,modified_time:1},metadata:{status:'absent',omitted_reason:null,raw:{},record_formats:{},prompt_graph:{status:'absent',value:null},workflow_graph:{status:'absent',value:null},parameters:null},resolution:{state:'absent',sampler_id:null,reason:'no graph'},library:{status:'none',scope:'saved-library',tags:[],category_scope:null,tags_scope:null,positive_id:null,pair_id:null,title:null,category:null}};}
 function adapter(){assert.ok(m.reportedLocationAdapter,'reported location adapter is exported');return m.reportedLocationAdapter;}
 
 test('reported location uses explicit occurrence routes and never widens rooted defaults',()=>{const target=media(),a=adapter();assert.doesNotThrow(()=>a.validate(target));assert.equal(a.key(target),location);assert.equal(a.scope(target),`${epoch}:${scope}`);assert.equal(a.inspectionPath(target),target.inspection_url);assert.deepEqual(a.originalDownload(target),{url:target.url,filename:'a #%.png'});assert.throws(()=>originalMediaDownload(target),TypeError);assert.throws(()=>createViewerSession({items:[target],initialKey:location}),TypeError);});
diff --git a/tests/js/workspace-inspection-state.test.js b/tests/js/workspace-inspection-state.test.js
index 2ea7976..92bc176 100644
--- a/tests/js/workspace-inspection-state.test.js
+++ b/tests/js/workspace-inspection-state.test.js
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ function envelope(entry = image()) {
             workflow_graph: { status: 'absent', value: null }, parameters: null,
         },
         resolution: { state: 'ambiguous', sampler_id: null, reason: 'unknown negative' },
-        library: { status: 'linked', scope: 'saved-library', positive_id: 7, pair_id: 8, title: 'Recipe', category: 'Subject', tags: ['cat'], metadata_scope: 'pair' },
+        library: { status: 'linked', scope: 'saved-library', positive_id: 7, pair_id: 8, title: 'Recipe', category: 'Subject', tags: ['cat'], category_scope: 'pair', tags_scope: 'pair' },
     };
 }
 function pendingApi() {
@@ -276,6 +276,10 @@ test('record rejects root path media and invalid versioned fields with retryable
         data => { data.file.size = -1; }, data => { data.library.positive_id = 9007199254740992; },
         data => { data.metadata.prompt_graph = { status: 'limited', value: {} }; },
         data => { data.resolution.sampler_id = {}; },
+        data => { data.library.tags_scope = 'recipe'; },
+        data => { data.library.category_scope = 'recipe'; },
+        data => { delete data.library.category_scope; },
+        data => { delete data.library.tags_scope; },
     ]) {
         const data = envelope(); mutate(data);
         assert.throws(() => toRecord(data, image(), extractGenerationFacts), error => error instanceof TypeError && !error.refreshRequired);
diff --git a/tests/js/workspace-media-viewer.test.js b/tests/js/workspace-media-viewer.test.js
index 216ee7a..6fe3d91 100644
--- a/tests/js/workspace-media-viewer.test.js
+++ b/tests/js/workspace-media-viewer.test.js
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ function currentInspectionEnvelope(target) {
         file:{observation:'current-file',source_label:'output',media_type:'image',extension:'.png',format:'PNG',size:10,width:2,height:3,modified_time:1},
         prompts:{positive:{status:'resolved',text:'current positive',source:'execution'},negative:{status:'resolved',text:'',source:'execution'}},
         metadata:{status:'absent',omitted_reason:null,raw:{},record_formats:{},prompt_graph:{status:'absent',value:null},workflow_graph:{status:'absent',value:null},parameters:null},
-        resolution:{state:'absent',sampler_id:null,reason:'no graph'},library:{status:'none',scope:'saved-library',positive_id:null,pair_id:null,title:null,category:null,tags:[],metadata_scope:null}};
+        resolution:{state:'absent',sampler_id:null,reason:'no graph'},library:{status:'none',scope:'saved-library',positive_id:null,pair_id:null,title:null,category:null,tags:[],category_scope:null,tags_scope:null}};
 }
 
 test('real inspection navigation preserves slideshow across two advances and deferred metadata loads',async()=>{
diff --git a/tests/test_api_library.py b/tests/test_api_library.py
index ae0a9c6..80597a5 100644
--- a/tests/test_api_library.py
+++ b/tests/test_api_library.py
@@ -375,7 +375,9 @@ class TestLibraryAPI(ImageAPITestCase):
             result["image"],
             {"root_index": 0, "path": relative, "filename": "猫 % #.png"},
         )
-        self.assertEqual(result["library"]["metadata_scope"], "pair")
+        # D39: the recipe has no category or tags, so both fall back.
+        self.assertEqual(result["library"]["category_scope"], "positive")
+        self.assertEqual(result["library"]["tags_scope"], "positive")
         self.assertEqual(result["library"]["pair_id"], pair)
         self.assertEqual(result["library"]["positive_id"], positive)
         # D10/D20: the linked positive's title; "Pair title" names the variant.
diff --git a/tests/test_api_prompt_inspector.py b/tests/test_api_prompt_inspector.py
index cc41e1b..ae9a082 100644
--- a/tests/test_api_prompt_inspector.py
+++ b/tests/test_api_prompt_inspector.py
@@ -1302,6 +1302,64 @@ class TestPromptInspector(ImageAPITestCase):
         )
         roots.assert_called_once_with()
 
+    async def test_recipe_link_falls_back_to_positive_category_and_tags_per_field(
+        self,
+    ):
+        # D39 ruling (2026-10-21): a recipe's own category and tags win when set;
+        # otherwise each field falls back to the linked positive's, separately, and
+        # the scopes say where each value came from (no merging of tag sets).
+        cases = (
+            ("Recipe cat", ["recipe"], "Recipe cat", "pair", ["recipe"], "pair"),
+            (None, [], "Positive cat", "positive", ["positive"], "positive"),
+            ("  ", [], "Positive cat", "positive", ["positive"], "positive"),
+            ("Recipe cat", [], "Recipe cat", "pair", ["positive"], "positive"),
+            (None, ["recipe"], "Positive cat", "positive", ["recipe"], "pair"),
+        )
+        for index, case in enumerate(cases):
+            recipe_category, recipe_tags = case[:2]
+            category, category_scope, tags, tags_scope = case[2:]
+            with self.subTest(case=index):
+                text = f"Fallback owner {index}"
+                positive = self._save_prompt(
+                    text, category="Positive cat", tags=["positive"]
+                )
+                pair = self.api.db.save_prompt_pair(
+                    text,
+                    f"Fallback noise {index}",
+                    category=recipe_category,
+                    tags=recipe_tags,
+                )
+                self.assertEqual(
+                    self.api.db.get_prompt_pair(pair)["positive_prompt_id"], positive
+                )
+                filename = f"fallback-{index}.png"
+                path = png(self.output_dir / filename)
+                image = self.api.db.link_image_to_prompt(positive, str(path))
+                self.api.db.link_image_to_pair(pair, image, {"source": "fixture"})
+                response, result = await self.inspect(filename)
+                self.assertEqual(response.status, 200)
+                library = result["library"]
+                self.assertEqual(library["status"], "linked")
+                self.assertEqual(library["pair_id"], pair)
+                self.assertEqual(library["category"], category)
+                self.assertEqual(library["category_scope"], category_scope)
+                self.assertEqual(library["tags"], tags)
+                self.assertEqual(library["tags_scope"], tags_scope)
+                self.assertNotIn("metadata_scope", library)
+
+    async def test_positive_only_link_keeps_positive_scopes(self):
+        positive = self._save_prompt("Solo owner", tags=["solo"])
+        path = png(self.output_dir / "solo.png")
+        self.api.db.link_image_to_prompt(positive, str(path))
+        response, result = await self.inspect("solo.png")
+        self.assertEqual(response.status, 200)
+        library = result["library"]
+        self.assertEqual(library["pair_id"], None)
+        self.assertEqual(library["category"], None)
+        self.assertEqual(library["category_scope"], "positive")
+        self.assertEqual(library["tags"], ["solo"])
+        self.assertEqual(library["tags_scope"], "positive")
+
     async def test_exact_saved_association_ambiguity_preserves_physical_file_evidence(
         self,
     ):
@@ -1340,8 +1398,9 @@ class TestPromptInspector(ImageAPITestCase):
                     if count == 1:
                         self.assertEqual(result["library"]["positive_id"], positive)
                         self.assertEqual(
-                            result["library"]["metadata_scope"], "positive"
+                            result["library"]["category_scope"], "positive"
                         )
+                        self.assertEqual(result["library"]["tags_scope"], "positive")
                         self.assertEqual(result["library"]["category"], "Category 1")
                         self.assertEqual(result["library"]["tags"], ["owner-1"])
                         if not readable:
@@ -1361,7 +1420,8 @@ class TestPromptInspector(ImageAPITestCase):
                         "title": None,
                         "category": None,
                         "tags": [],
-                        "metadata_scope": None,
+                        "category_scope": None,
+                        "tags_scope": None,
                     },
                 )
                 for field in (
diff --git a/tests/test_history_current.py b/tests/test_history_current.py
index d9836eb..8d5c379 100644
--- a/tests/test_history_current.py
+++ b/tests/test_history_current.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ from tests.test_api_images import make_png
 from database.operations import PromptDatabase
 from py.config import GalleryConfig
 from utils.execution_outputs import snapshot_output_roots
+from utils.hashing import generate_prompt_hash
 
 
 class CurrentLocationTests(unittest.TestCase):
@@ -331,6 +332,93 @@ class CurrentLocationTests(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(result[unique_locator]["library"]["status"], "limited")
         self.assertIsNone(result[unique_locator]["library"].get("pair_id"))
 
+    def test_gallery_recipe_display_falls_back_to_positive_per_field(self):
+        # D39 ruling (2026-10-21), shared with the Images inspector.
+        mod = self.module("database.history_gallery")
+        db = PromptDatabase(str(self.base / "gallery.db"))
+        self.addCleanup(db.close_all)
+        cases = (
+            ("Recipe cat", ["recipe"], ("Recipe cat", "pair", ["recipe"], "pair")),
+            (None, [], ("Positive cat", "positive", ["positive"], "positive")),
+            ("Recipe cat", [], ("Recipe cat", "pair", ["positive"], "positive")),
+            ("", ["recipe"], ("Positive cat", "positive", ["recipe"], "pair")),
+        )
+        for index, (recipe_category, recipe_tags, expected) in enumerate(cases):
+            with self.subTest(case=index):
+                text = f"owner {index}"
+                positive = db.save_prompt(
+                    text,
+                    prompt_hash=generate_prompt_hash(text),
+                    category="Positive cat",
+                )
+                db.set_prompt_tags(positive, ["positive"])
+                pair = db.save_prompt_pair(
+                    text, "noise", category=recipe_category, tags=recipe_tags
+                )
+                path = make_png(self.output / f"fallback-{index}.png")
+                locator = os.path.normcase(str(path))
+                image = db.link_image_to_prompt(positive, str(path))
+                db.link_image_to_pair(pair, image, {"source": "fixture"})
+                conn = db.model.get_connection()
+                with db.recorded_history_snapshot():
+                    result = mod.read_history_gallery(conn, (locator,))
+                library = result[locator]["library"]
+                self.assertEqual(library["pair_id"], pair)
+                self.assertEqual(
+                    (
+                        library["category"],
+                        library["category_scope"],
+                        library["tags"],
+                        library["tags_scope"],
+                    ),
+                    expected,
+                )
+
+    def test_gallery_blank_recipe_category_and_skipped_positive_tags_query(self):
+        mod = self.module("database.history_gallery")
+        db = PromptDatabase(str(self.base / "blank.db"))
+        self.addCleanup(db.close_all)
+        cases = (
+            ("  ", ["recipe"], 0),
+            ("\u3000", [], 1),
+            ("\u00a0 ", ["recipe"], 0),
+        )
+        for index, (blank, recipe_tags, positive_tag_queries) in enumerate(cases):
+            with self.subTest(case=index):
+                text = f"blank owner {index}"
+                positive = db.save_prompt(
+                    text,
+                    prompt_hash=generate_prompt_hash(text),
+                    category="Positive cat",
+                )
+                db.set_prompt_tags(positive, ["positive"])
+                pair = db.save_prompt_pair(text, "noise", tags=recipe_tags)
+                path = make_png(self.output / f"blank-{index}.png")
+                locator = os.path.normcase(str(path))
+                image = db.link_image_to_prompt(positive, str(path))
+                db.link_image_to_pair(pair, image, {"source": "fixture"})
+                conn = db.model.get_connection()
+                # Legacy rows can hold a blank-looking category the writers now trim.
+                conn.execute(
+                    "UPDATE prompt_pairs SET category=? WHERE id=?", (blank, pair)
+                )
+                conn.commit()
+                statements = []
+                conn.set_trace_callback(statements.append)
+                self.addCleanup(conn.set_trace_callback, None)
+                with db.recorded_history_snapshot():
+                    result = mod.read_history_gallery(conn, (locator,))
+                conn.set_trace_callback(None)
+                library = result[locator]["library"]
+                self.assertEqual(library["category"], "Positive cat")
+                self.assertEqual(library["category_scope"], "positive")
+                tag_queries = [
+                    statement
+                    for statement in statements
+                    if "FROM prompt_tags pt" in statement
+                ]
+                self.assertEqual(len(tag_queries), positive_tag_queries, statements)
+
     def test_host_root_failure_and_removal_do_not_search_another_root(self):
         make_png(self.output / "image.png")
         make_png(self.temp / "image.png")
diff --git a/tests/test_inspection_parity_facts.py b/tests/test_inspection_parity_facts.py
index 469c1fa..392897b 100644
--- a/tests/test_inspection_parity_facts.py
+++ b/tests/test_inspection_parity_facts.py
@@ -36,7 +36,8 @@ LIBRARY = {
     "title": None,
     "category": None,
     "tags": [],
-    "metadata_scope": None,
+    "category_scope": None,
+    "tags_scope": None,
 }
 NODE_TIMEOUT_SECONDS = 120
 
diff --git a/tests/test_inspection_response.py b/tests/test_inspection_response.py
index 382dadb..37de619 100644
--- a/tests/test_inspection_response.py
+++ b/tests/test_inspection_response.py
@@ -77,7 +77,8 @@ def encode(read, *, prompts=None, file=None, library=None):
             "title": None,
             "category": None,
             "tags": [],
-            "metadata_scope": None,
+            "category_scope": None,
+            "tags_scope": None,
         },
     )
 
@@ -663,6 +664,21 @@ class TestInspectionResponse(unittest.TestCase):
         for key in ("positive_id", "pair_id", "category", "title"):
             self.assertNotIn(key, result["library"])
         self.assertEqual(result["library"]["tags"], ["valid"])
+        # An unknown or non-string scope is dropped, never passed through.
+        for bad in ("recipe", 3, ["pair"]):
+            result = json.loads(
+                encode(
+                    None,
+                    library={
+                        "status": "linked",
+                        "category_scope": bad,
+                        "tags_scope": bad,
+                        "tags": [],
+                    },
+                )
+            )
+            self.assertNotIn("category_scope", result["library"])
+            self.assertNotIn("tags_scope", result["library"])
         result = json.loads(
             encode(inspection({}), library={"status": "linked", "tags": ["猫" * 12000]})
         )
diff --git a/utils/inspection_response.py b/utils/inspection_response.py
index 8dffb4e..84d4530 100644
--- a/utils/inspection_response.py
+++ b/utils/inspection_response.py
@@ -289,6 +289,39 @@ def _file_projection(file: dict, inspection: "InspectionRead | None") -> dict:
     return result
 
 
+def _blank(value: str | bytes | None) -> bool:
+    if isinstance(value, bytes):
+        value = value.decode("utf-8", "replace")
+    return value is None or not value.strip()
+
+
+def library_metadata(
+    positive_category: str | bytes | None,
+    positive_tags: list,
+    recipe: tuple | None = None,
+) -> dict:
+    """The panel's saved category and tags, each with the scope it came from.
+
+    D39 (maintainer ruling, 2026-10-21): a recipe-linked image shows the recipe's
+    own category and tags when set; otherwise each field separately falls back to
+    the linked positive prompt's, the values Set category writes and the Images
+    filters match. Tag sets are never merged. ``recipe`` is (category, tags).
+    """
+    category, category_scope = positive_category, "positive"
+    tags, tags_scope = positive_tags, "positive"
+    if recipe is not None:
+        if not _blank(recipe[0]):
+            category, category_scope = recipe[0], "pair"
+        if recipe[1]:
+            tags, tags_scope = recipe[1], "pair"
+    return {
+        "category": category,
+        "category_scope": category_scope,
+        "tags": tags,
+        "tags_scope": tags_scope,
+    }
+
+
 def _library_projection(library: dict) -> dict:
     status = library.get("status")
     result = {
@@ -307,9 +340,10 @@ def _library_projection(library: dict) -> dict:
         value = library.get(key)
         if value is None or isinstance(value, str):
             result[key] = value
-    scope = library.get("metadata_scope")
-    if scope in ("pair", "positive", None):
-        result["metadata_scope"] = scope
+    for key in ("category_scope", "tags_scope"):
+        scope = library.get(key)
+        if scope in ("pair", "positive", None):
+            result[key] = scope
     tags = library.get("tags")
     result["tags"] = (
         [tag for tag in tags if isinstance(tag, str)] if isinstance(tags, list) else []
@@ -323,7 +357,8 @@ def _library_projection(library: dict) -> dict:
             "title": None,
             "category": None,
             "tags": [],
-            "metadata_scope": None,
+            "category_scope": None,
+            "tags_scope": None,
         }
     return result
 
diff --git a/web/js/workspace/file-inspector.mjs b/web/js/workspace/file-inspector.mjs
index 7e694c2..b7b592d 100644
--- a/web/js/workspace/file-inspector.mjs
+++ b/web/js/workspace/file-inspector.mjs
@@ -206,15 +206,16 @@ export function mountFileInspector(container, {api, sender, parentScope, variant
         inner.append(heading, el('p', filename, 'small'));
         const badges = el('div', undefined, 'tags'), badge = evidenceBadge(record.prompts);
         if (badge) badges.append(el('span', badge, 'chip blue'));
-        if (linked && library.category) badges.append(prefixedChip(library.metadata_scope === 'pair' ? 'Recipe category: ' : 'Positive prompt category: ', library.category));
+        if (linked && library.category) badges.append(prefixedChip(library.category_scope === 'pair' ? 'Recipe category: ' : 'Positive prompt category: ', library.category));
         if (badges.childNodes.length) inner.append(badges);
         const prompts = el('div'); inner.append(prompts);
         const blocks = mountPromptBlocks(prompts, {sender, parentScope:contentScope, includePairAction:false, contextLabel:promptContext, title});
         blocks.setState({prompts:record.prompts}); contentScope.cleanup(blocks.dispose);
         if (linked && library.tags.length) {
             // D21: a chip sets the Images Tags filter, which matches the linked positive's tags; a recipe's own tags are
-            // not what it matches, so they (and chips where no Tags filter exists, as in the viewer) stay plain.
-            const filterable = onTagFilter && library.metadata_scope === 'positive';
+            // not what it matches, so they (and chips where no Tags filter exists, as in the viewer) stay plain. With the
+            // D39 fallback a recipe without tags shows its positive's, which are filter buttons again.
+            const filterable = onTagFilter && library.tags_scope === 'positive';
             const tags = el('div', undefined, 'tags');
             for (const tag of library.tags) {
                 if (!filterable) {tags.append(el('span', tag, 'chip')); continue;}
diff --git a/web/js/workspace/inspection-state.mjs b/web/js/workspace/inspection-state.mjs
index 920f1f9..98fb521 100644
--- a/web/js/workspace/inspection-state.mjs
+++ b/web/js/workspace/inspection-state.mjs
@@ -153,8 +153,10 @@ function resolutionFor(value) {
 
 function libraryFor(value) {
     if (!object(value) || !['linked', 'none', 'ambiguous', 'unavailable', 'limited'].includes(value.status) || value.scope !== 'saved-library' ||
-        !Array.isArray(value.tags) || value.tags.some(tag => typeof tag !== 'string') || ![null, 'pair', 'positive'].includes(value.metadata_scope)) throw new TypeError('Invalid inspection library');
-    const library = { status: value.status, scope: value.scope, tags: [...value.tags], metadata_scope: value.metadata_scope };
+        !Array.isArray(value.tags) || value.tags.some(tag => typeof tag !== 'string') ||
+        ![value.category_scope, value.tags_scope].every(scope => [null, 'pair', 'positive'].includes(scope))) throw new TypeError('Invalid inspection library');
+    // D39: each field names its own source, so a recipe's category can sit beside its positive's tags.
+    const library = { status: value.status, scope: value.scope, tags: [...value.tags], category_scope: value.category_scope, tags_scope: value.tags_scope };
     for (const key of ['positive_id', 'pair_id', 'title', 'category']) {
         const item = value[key] ?? null;
         if (item !== null && (key.endsWith('_id') ? !Number.isSafeInteger(item) || item <= 0 : typeof item !== 'string')) throw new TypeError('Invalid inspection library field');