diff --git a/database/duplicate_copies.py b/database/duplicate_copies.py
index 2baea72b..ee4c07b4 100644
--- a/database/duplicate_copies.py
+++ b/database/duplicate_copies.py
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ IMMEDIATE`` transaction, so no row ever names a deleted file:
   already links the kept copy: then its saved-pair links join that record
   and it is deleted;
 - its favorite;
+- its collection memberships (#331), joined onto the kept copy's as their
+  union under the same keys a favorite moves by;
 - its image tags (``media_image_tags`` of its byte record), joined onto the
   kept copy's byte record as their union, in order;
 - its pending Needs review items, settled: only an item still ``pending`` at
@@ -50,6 +52,15 @@ INSERT_FAVORITE_SQL = "INSERT OR IGNORE INTO image_favorites VALUES (?, ?, ?)"
 DELETE_FAVORITE_SQL = (
     "DELETE FROM image_favorites WHERE root_key = ? AND relative_path = ?"
 )
+COPY_MEMBERSHIPS_SQL = (
+    "INSERT OR IGNORE INTO image_collection_items "
+    "(collection_id, root_key, relative_path, added_at) "
+    "SELECT collection_id, ?, ?, added_at FROM image_collection_items "
+    "WHERE root_key = ? AND relative_path = ?"
+)
+DELETE_MEMBERSHIPS_SQL = (
+    "DELETE FROM image_collection_items WHERE root_key = ? AND relative_path = ?"
+)
 COPY_BYTE_SQL = (
     f"SELECT b.id FROM {FILES_TABLE} f JOIN {BYTES_TABLE} b "  # nosec B608
     "ON b.file_id=f.id WHERE f.locator=? AND b.sha256=?"
@@ -73,6 +84,8 @@ FILE_LINK_SQL = (
     DELETE_LINK_SQL,
     FAVORITE_SQL,
     DELETE_FAVORITE_SQL,
+    COPY_MEMBERSHIPS_SQL,
+    DELETE_MEMBERSHIPS_SQL,
     COPY_BYTE_SQL,
     COPY_TAG_COUNT_SQL,
     PENDING_COUNT_SQL,
@@ -135,12 +148,15 @@ class DuplicateCopyOperations:
         by), ``targets`` (``{removed spelling: kept spelling}``, the spelling
         a moved record takes; else ``kept_path``), ``favorites`` (``(root key,
         removed key, kept root key, kept key)`` per listed root holding the
-        file), ``removed_locator``,
-        ``kept_locator``, ``sha256`` and the kept copy's ``kept_size`` and
-        ``kept_mtime_ns``. Returns ``{moved, merged, favorites, tags,
-        review}``.
+        file; they move its favorite and its collection memberships),
+        ``removed_locator``, ``kept_locator``, ``sha256`` and the kept copy's
+        ``kept_size`` and ``kept_mtime_ns``. Returns ``{moved, merged,
+        favorites, tags, review, collections}`` (``collections``: the
+        memberships inserted on the kept copy).
         """
-        counts = dict.fromkeys(("moved", "merged", "favorites", "tags", "review"), 0)
+        counts = dict.fromkeys(
+            ("moved", "merged", "favorites", "tags", "review", "collections"), 0
+        )
         kept_keys = [normalize_image_path(path) for path in move["kept"]]
         with self._pair_transaction() as conn:
             for spelled in dict.fromkeys(move["removed"]):
@@ -173,6 +189,7 @@ class DuplicateCopyOperations:
                     counts["moved"] += 1
             for favorite in move.get("favorites", ()):
                 counts["favorites"] += _move_favorite(conn, *favorite)
+                counts["collections"] += _move_memberships(conn, *favorite)
             counts["tags"] = self._move_copy_tags(conn, move)
             for (item_id,) in conn.execute(
                 _PENDING_OF_LOCATOR, (move["removed_locator"],)
@@ -213,3 +230,12 @@ def _move_favorite(conn, root_key, removed_key, kept_root, kept_key):
     conn.execute(INSERT_FAVORITE_SQL, (kept_root, kept_key, row[0]))
     conn.execute(DELETE_FAVORITE_SQL, (root_key, removed_key))
     return 1
+
+
+def _move_memberships(conn, root_key, removed_key, kept_root, kept_key):
+    """Copy a removed copy's memberships to the kept copy; the rows inserted."""
+    inserted = conn.execute(
+        COPY_MEMBERSHIPS_SQL, (kept_root, kept_key, root_key, removed_key)
+    ).rowcount
+    conn.execute(DELETE_MEMBERSHIPS_SQL, (root_key, removed_key))
+    return inserted
diff --git a/database/image_collections.py b/database/image_collections.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..43193b0b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/database/image_collections.py
@@ -0,0 +1,459 @@
+"""Collections (#331): named, hand-picked groups of image files.
+
+A member names its file exactly as a favorite does (``image_favorites.py``):
+the source folder's real, case-normalized path (``root_key``) and the path
+below it (``relative_path``), both server-side only. A member whose file is
+moved, renamed or deleted outside PromptManager is kept and simply not listed;
+nothing follows a file to a new place.
+
+Names are trimmed with each run of whitespace collapsed to one space, 1 to 100
+characters without control characters; ``name_key`` (NFC of the case-folded
+NFC name) is UNIQUE, so names are unique ignoring case and Unicode form.
+
+The two tables install like ``image_favorites`` and ``saved_views``: optional
+in old backups, required once a database is current, created empty with no
+backfill. Startup checks only the structure, so a value saved under older
+rules never stops the library from opening; restore checks the values too.
+"""
+
+import re
+import sqlite3
+import unicodedata
+from typing import Optional
+
+from .image_favorites import MAX_KEY_LENGTH
+
+COLLECTIONS_TABLE = "image_collections"
+ITEMS_TABLE = "image_collection_items"
+FILE_INDEX = "idx_image_collection_items_file"
+TABLES = (COLLECTIONS_TABLE, ITEMS_TABLE)
+MAX_NAME_LENGTH = 100
+_TIMESTAMP_BYTES = 64
+_CONTROL = re.compile(r"[\x00-\x1f\x7f]")
+_WHITESPACE = re.compile(r"\s+")
+
+_TABLE_DDL = {
+    COLLECTIONS_TABLE: (
+        f"CREATE TABLE {COLLECTIONS_TABLE} (id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT, "
+        "name TEXT NOT NULL, name_key TEXT NOT NULL UNIQUE, "
+        "created_at TEXT NOT NULL)"
+    ),
+    ITEMS_TABLE: (
+        f"CREATE TABLE {ITEMS_TABLE} (collection_id INTEGER NOT NULL REFERENCES "
+        f"{COLLECTIONS_TABLE}(id) ON DELETE CASCADE, root_key TEXT NOT NULL, "
+        "relative_path TEXT NOT NULL, added_at TEXT NOT NULL, "
+        "PRIMARY KEY (collection_id, root_key, relative_path))"
+    ),
+}
+_INDEX_DDL = f"CREATE INDEX {FILE_INDEX} ON {ITEMS_TABLE}(root_key, relative_path)"
+# (name, declared type, not null, default, primary key position)
+_COLUMNS = {
+    COLLECTIONS_TABLE: (
+        ("id", "INTEGER", 0, None, 1),
+        ("name", "TEXT", 1, None, 0),
+        ("name_key", "TEXT", 1, None, 0),
+        ("created_at", "TEXT", 1, None, 0),
+    ),
+    ITEMS_TABLE: (
+        ("collection_id", "INTEGER", 1, None, 1),
+        ("root_key", "TEXT", 1, None, 2),
+        ("relative_path", "TEXT", 1, None, 3),
+        ("added_at", "TEXT", 1, None, 0),
+    ),
+}
+# (column, parent table, parent column, on delete)
+_FOREIGN_KEYS = {
+    COLLECTIONS_TABLE: set(),
+    ITEMS_TABLE: {("collection_id", COLLECTIONS_TABLE, "id", "CASCADE")},
+}
+
+
+class CollectionInvalid(ValueError):
+    """A name, id or target breaks the write rules (a 400)."""
+
+
+def normalize_collection_name(name: object) -> str:
+    """The stored spelling of *name*: trimmed, whitespace collapsed, checked.
+
+    Raises ``CollectionInvalid`` unless the result is 1 to 100 characters
+    without control characters.
+    """
+    if not isinstance(name, str):
+        raise CollectionInvalid("Name must be a string")
+    collapsed = _WHITESPACE.sub(" ", name).strip()
+    if not 1 <= len(collapsed) <= MAX_NAME_LENGTH:
+        raise CollectionInvalid(f"Name must be 1 to {MAX_NAME_LENGTH} characters")
+    if _CONTROL.search(collapsed):
+        raise CollectionInvalid("Name contains control characters")
+    return collapsed
+
+
+def collection_name_key(name: str) -> str:
+    """The uniqueness key of a name: NFC of the case-folded NFC spelling."""
+    return unicodedata.normalize("NFC", unicodedata.normalize("NFC", name).casefold())
+
+
+def _compact(sql: str) -> str:
+    return re.sub(r"\s+", "", sql).lower()
+
+
+def _expected_catalog() -> set:
+    objects = {("table", name, _compact(sql)) for name, sql in _TABLE_DDL.items()}
+    objects.add(("index", FILE_INDEX, _compact(_INDEX_DDL)))
+    objects |= {("index", f"sqlite_autoindex_{table}_1", "") for table in TABLES}
+    return objects
+
+
+def _catalog(conn: sqlite3.Connection) -> list:
+    # sqlite_sequence (AUTOINCREMENT) is shared with other tables and ignored.
+    return conn.execute(
+        "SELECT type,name,sql FROM sqlite_master "
+        "WHERE name IN (?,?,?) OR tbl_name IN (?,?)",
+        (*TABLES, FILE_INDEX, *TABLES),
+    ).fetchall()
+
+
+def _structure_error(conn: sqlite3.Connection) -> Optional[str]:
+    for table, expected in _COLUMNS.items():
+        columns = tuple(
+            (row[1], row[2].upper(), row[3], row[4], row[5])
+            for row in conn.execute(f"PRAGMA table_info({table})")
+        )
+        if columns != expected:
+            return f"Image collections table {table} has invalid columns"
+        foreign_keys = {
+            (row[3], row[2], row[4], row[6])
+            for row in conn.execute(f"PRAGMA foreign_key_list({table})")
+        }
+        if foreign_keys != _FOREIGN_KEYS[table]:
+            return f"Image collections table {table} has invalid foreign keys"
+    return None
+
+
+def _decoded_too_long(conn, sql: str, limit: int) -> bool:
+    """Whether a byte-bounded candidate row decodes to over *limit* characters."""
+    for row in conn.execute(sql):
+        for raw in row:
+            if len(bytes(raw).decode("utf-8", "replace")) > limit:
+                return True
+    return False
+
+
+def _value_error(conn: sqlite3.Connection) -> Optional[str]:
+    # Only this module's constants are interpolated into the SQL below. Bytes
+    # bound characters from above (UTF-8 is at most 4 bytes each); the few
+    # candidates over the character bound are measured decoded in Python.
+    if conn.execute(
+        f"SELECT 1 FROM {COLLECTIONS_TABLE} WHERE "  # nosec B608
+        "typeof(id) != 'integer' OR typeof(name) != 'text' "
+        "OR typeof(name_key) != 'text' OR typeof(created_at) != 'text' "
+        f"OR length(CAST(name AS BLOB)) > {MAX_NAME_LENGTH * 4} "
+        f"OR length(CAST(created_at AS BLOB)) > {_TIMESTAMP_BYTES} LIMIT 1"
+    ).fetchone():
+        return "Image collections contains invalid values"
+    for name, name_key in conn.execute(
+        f"SELECT name, name_key FROM {COLLECTIONS_TABLE}"  # nosec B608
+    ):
+        if (
+            not 1 <= len(name) <= MAX_NAME_LENGTH
+            or _CONTROL.search(name)
+            or name != name.strip()
+            or name_key != collection_name_key(name)
+        ):
+            return "Image collections contains invalid names"
+    limit = MAX_KEY_LENGTH * 4
+    if conn.execute(
+        f"SELECT 1 FROM {ITEMS_TABLE} WHERE "  # nosec B608
+        "typeof(collection_id) != 'integer' OR typeof(root_key) != 'text' "
+        "OR typeof(relative_path) != 'text' OR typeof(added_at) != 'text' "
+        f"OR length(CAST(root_key AS BLOB)) > {limit} "
+        f"OR length(CAST(relative_path AS BLOB)) > {limit} "
+        f"OR length(CAST(added_at AS BLOB)) > {_TIMESTAMP_BYTES} LIMIT 1"
+    ).fetchone() or _decoded_too_long(
+        conn,
+        f"SELECT CAST(root_key AS BLOB), CAST(relative_path AS BLOB) "  # nosec B608
+        f"FROM {ITEMS_TABLE} WHERE length(CAST(root_key AS BLOB)) > {MAX_KEY_LENGTH} "
+        f"OR length(CAST(relative_path AS BLOB)) > {MAX_KEY_LENGTH}",
+        MAX_KEY_LENGTH,
+    ):
+        return "Image collections contains invalid members"
+    if conn.execute(f"PRAGMA foreign_key_check({ITEMS_TABLE})").fetchone():
+        return "Image collections contains members of a missing collection"
+    return None
+
+
+def image_collections_schema_error(
+    conn: sqlite3.Connection,
+    *,
+    allow_missing: bool = True,
+    check_values: bool = True,
+) -> Optional[str]:
+    """Reject partial or unsupported collections schemas and invalid rows.
+
+    Reads only: nothing is ever repaired. A database without either table is
+    acceptable for backups that predate them unless ``allow_missing`` is
+    false. ``check_values=False`` (live startup) checks the structure only.
+    """
+    objects = _catalog(conn)
+    if not objects:
+        return None if allow_missing else "Missing image collections schema"
+    present = {name for kind, name, _sql in objects if kind == "table"}
+    if present != set(TABLES):
+        return "Incomplete image collections schema"
+    actual = {(kind, name, _compact(sql or "")) for kind, name, sql in objects}
+    if actual != _expected_catalog():
+        return "Image collections has an invalid schema definition"
+    error = _structure_error(conn)
+    if error or not check_values:
+        return error
+    return _value_error(conn)
+
+
+def migrate_image_collections(conn: sqlite3.Connection) -> None:
+    """Install both tables atomically; validate before and after creating them."""
+    conn.execute("SAVEPOINT image_collections_schema")
+    try:
+        error = image_collections_schema_error(conn, check_values=False)
+        if error:
+            raise sqlite3.DatabaseError(error)
+        for sql in _TABLE_DDL.values():
+            conn.execute(sql.replace("CREATE TABLE", "CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS", 1))
+        conn.execute(_INDEX_DDL.replace("INDEX", "INDEX IF NOT EXISTS", 1))
+        error = image_collections_schema_error(
+            conn, allow_missing=False, check_values=False
+        )
+        if error:
+            raise sqlite3.DatabaseError(error)
+        conn.execute("RELEASE image_collections_schema")
+    except BaseException:
+        conn.execute("ROLLBACK TO image_collections_schema")
+        conn.execute("RELEASE image_collections_schema")
+        raise
+
+
+class CollectionMissing(LookupError):
+    """No collection has the id (a 404 ``collection-not-found``)."""
+
+
+class CollectionNameTaken(ValueError):
+    """Another collection already has the name's key (a 409 ``name-taken``)."""
+
+    def __init__(self, collection_id: int):
+        super().__init__("Another collection has this name")
+        self.collection_id = collection_id
+
+
+class CollectionFilesMissing(LookupError):
+    """A new name with nothing to insert (a 404 ``files-not-found``)."""
+
+
+LIST_SQL = f"SELECT id, name FROM {COLLECTIONS_TABLE} ORDER BY name_key, id"
+GET_SQL = f"SELECT id, name FROM {COLLECTIONS_TABLE} WHERE id = ?"
+BY_KEY_SQL = f"SELECT id, name FROM {COLLECTIONS_TABLE} WHERE name_key = ?"
+MEMBERS_SQL = (
+    f"SELECT relative_path FROM {ITEMS_TABLE} "
+    "WHERE collection_id = ? AND root_key = ?"
+)
+ROOT_MEMBERS_SQL = (
+    f"SELECT collection_id, relative_path FROM {ITEMS_TABLE} WHERE root_key = ?"
+)
+COUNTS_SQL = (
+    f"SELECT c.id, (SELECT COUNT(*) FROM {ITEMS_TABLE} i "
+    f"WHERE i.collection_id = c.id) FROM {COLLECTIONS_TABLE} c"
+)
+FILE_SQL = (
+    f"SELECT collection_id FROM {ITEMS_TABLE} "
+    "WHERE root_key = ? AND relative_path = ? ORDER BY collection_id"
+)
+# Every read, for the EXPLAIN QUERY PLAN check: none scans the items table and
+# only the two whole-list reads (LIST_SQL, COUNTS_SQL) scan the collections.
+READ_SQL = (
+    LIST_SQL,
+    GET_SQL,
+    BY_KEY_SQL,
+    MEMBERS_SQL,
+    ROOT_MEMBERS_SQL,
+    COUNTS_SQL,
+    FILE_SQL,
+)
+_INSERT_ITEM_SQL = f"INSERT OR IGNORE INTO {ITEMS_TABLE} VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?)"
+_DELETE_ITEM_SQL = (
+    f"DELETE FROM {ITEMS_TABLE} "
+    "WHERE collection_id = ? AND root_key = ? AND relative_path = ?"
+)
+
+
+def _collection_id(value: object) -> int:
+    if type(value) is not int or not 1 <= value <= 999_999_999:
+        raise CollectionInvalid("Collection id must be a positive integer")
+    return value
+
+
+def _items(items: object) -> list:
+    """Distinct ``(root key, relative key)`` pairs, in order."""
+    if not isinstance(items, (list, tuple)):
+        raise CollectionInvalid("Items must be a list")
+    found = []
+    for item in items:
+        if (
+            not isinstance(item, (list, tuple))
+            or len(item) != 2
+            or not all(
+                isinstance(part, str) and 1 <= len(part) <= MAX_KEY_LENGTH
+                for part in item
+            )
+        ):
+            raise CollectionInvalid("Each item is a root key and a relative key")
+        found.append((item[0], item[1]))
+    return list(dict.fromkeys(found))
+
+
+def _row(row) -> dict:
+    return {"id": row[0], "name": row[1]}
+
+
+class ImageCollectionOperations:
+    """PromptDatabase mixin: collections and their members.
+
+    Each write runs in its own ``BEGIN IMMEDIATE`` transaction
+    (``_pair_transaction``), so two tabs creating one name are serialized.
+    """
+
+    def list_collections(self) -> list[dict]:
+        """Every collection ``{id, name}`` in name-key order, then id."""
+        rows = self.model.get_connection().execute(LIST_SQL)
+        return [_row(row) for row in rows]
+
+    def get_collection(self, collection_id: int) -> Optional[dict]:
+        """``{id, name}`` of one collection, or None."""
+        row = (
+            self.model.get_connection()
+            .execute(GET_SQL, (_collection_id(collection_id),))
+            .fetchone()
+        )
+        return _row(row) if row else None
+
+    def collection_exists(self, collection_id: int) -> bool:
+        return self.get_collection(collection_id) is not None
+
+    def collection_members(self, collection_id: int, root_key: str) -> set[str]:
+        """The relative keys stored for one collection under one source."""
+        rows = self.model.get_connection().execute(
+            MEMBERS_SQL, (_collection_id(collection_id), root_key)
+        )
+        return {path for (path,) in rows}
+
+    def root_collection_members(self, root_key: str) -> dict[int, set[str]]:
+        """``{collection id: relative keys}`` stored under one source."""
+        found: dict[int, set[str]] = {}
+        for collection_id, path in self.model.get_connection().execute(
+            ROOT_MEMBERS_SQL, (root_key,)
+        ):
+            found.setdefault(collection_id, set()).add(path)
+        return found
+
+    def collection_counts(self) -> dict[int, int]:
+        """``{collection id: stored rows}`` for every collection."""
+        rows = self.model.get_connection().execute(COUNTS_SQL)
+        return {collection_id: count for collection_id, count in rows}
+
+    def file_collections(self, root_key: str, relative_path: str) -> list[int]:
+        """Ids of the collections holding one file."""
+        rows = self.model.get_connection().execute(FILE_SQL, (root_key, relative_path))
+        return [collection_id for (collection_id,) in rows]
+
+    def add_to_collection(
+        self, *, items: object, collection_id: object = None, name: object = None
+    ) -> dict:
+        """Add files to an existing id or a name; create the name when needed.
+
+        A name whose key exists uses that collection; otherwise a collection
+        is created only when at least one item is inserted. Returns
+        ``{collection, created, added, already}``.
+        """
+        from .models import utc_now_iso  # models imports this module's schema
+
+        if (collection_id is None) == (name is None):
+            raise CollectionInvalid("Give either a collection id or a name")
+        pairs = _items(items)
+        if name is not None:
+            spelled = normalize_collection_name(name)
+        else:
+            collection_id = _collection_id(collection_id)
+        now = utc_now_iso()
+        with self._pair_transaction() as conn:
+            created = False
+            if name is not None:
+                row = conn.execute(
+                    BY_KEY_SQL, (collection_name_key(spelled),)
+                ).fetchone()
+                if row is None:
+                    if not pairs:
+                        raise CollectionFilesMissing("Nothing to add")
+                    cursor = conn.execute(
+                        f"INSERT INTO {COLLECTIONS_TABLE} "  # nosec B608
+                        "(name, name_key, created_at) VALUES (?, ?, ?)",
+                        (spelled, collection_name_key(spelled), now),
+                    )
+                    row, created = (cursor.lastrowid, spelled), True
+            else:
+                row = conn.execute(GET_SQL, (collection_id,)).fetchone()
+                if row is None:
+                    raise CollectionMissing("No such collection")
+            collection = _row(row)
+            added = sum(
+                conn.execute(
+                    _INSERT_ITEM_SQL, (collection["id"], root, path, now)
+                ).rowcount
+                for root, path in pairs
+            )
+        return {
+            "collection": collection,
+            "created": created,
+            "added": added,
+            "already": len(pairs) - added,
+        }
+
+    def remove_from_collection(self, collection_id: object, items: object) -> dict:
+        """Remove files from one collection; ``{collection, removed}``."""
+        collection_id = _collection_id(collection_id)
+        pairs = _items(items)
+        with self._pair_transaction() as conn:
+            row = conn.execute(GET_SQL, (collection_id,)).fetchone()
+            if row is None:
+                raise CollectionMissing("No such collection")
+            removed = sum(
+                conn.execute(_DELETE_ITEM_SQL, (collection_id, root, path)).rowcount
+                for root, path in pairs
+            )
+        return {"collection": _row(row), "removed": removed}
+
+    def rename_collection(self, collection_id: object, name: object) -> dict:
+        """The renamed ``{id, name}``; a case variant of its own name is fine."""
+        collection_id = _collection_id(collection_id)
+        spelled = normalize_collection_name(name)
+        key = collection_name_key(spelled)
+        with self._pair_transaction() as conn:
+            if conn.execute(GET_SQL, (collection_id,)).fetchone() is None:
+                raise CollectionMissing("No such collection")
+            taken = conn.execute(BY_KEY_SQL, (key,)).fetchone()
+            if taken is not None and taken[0] != collection_id:
+                raise CollectionNameTaken(taken[0])
+            conn.execute(
+                f"UPDATE {COLLECTIONS_TABLE} SET name = ?, name_key = ? "  # nosec B608
+                "WHERE id = ?",
+                (spelled, key, collection_id),
+            )
+        return {"id": collection_id, "name": spelled}
+
+    def delete_collection(self, collection_id: object) -> bool:
+        """Delete one collection and its members (never a file). True."""
+        collection_id = _collection_id(collection_id)
+        with self._pair_transaction() as conn:
+            cursor = conn.execute(
+                f"DELETE FROM {COLLECTIONS_TABLE} WHERE id = ?",  # nosec B608
+                (collection_id,),
+            )
+            if cursor.rowcount == 0:
+                raise CollectionMissing("No such collection")
+        return True
diff --git a/database/models.py b/database/models.py
index dad9cf07..fe30685e 100644
--- a/database/models.py
+++ b/database/models.py
@@ -22,6 +22,10 @@ from .managed_connection import (
 from . import restore_stage
 from .library_schema import library_schema_error, migrate_library_state
 from .image_favorites import image_favorites_schema_error, migrate_image_favorites
+from .image_collections import (
+    image_collections_schema_error,
+    migrate_image_collections,
+)
 from .annotation_schema import annotation_schema_error, migrate_annotation_state
 from .autotag_schema import (
     autotag_schema_error,
@@ -337,6 +341,7 @@ class PromptModel:
         migrate_library_state(conn)
         migrate_image_favorites(conn)
         migrate_saved_views(conn)
+        migrate_image_collections(conn)
         # A review group without its annotation group is refused before the
         # annotation install could make it look valid (catalog only; the rows
         # are validated once, in migrate_review_state).
@@ -1156,7 +1161,7 @@ class PromptModel:
             path: File to inspect
             require_library_state: Also require the tables every current
                 database has (Library state, image favorites, saved views,
-                image annotations and the review queue), as a migrated
+                collections, image annotations and the review queue), as a migrated
                 restore stage must; old backups may lack them.
             documents: Read every workflow document and refuse a damaged
                 one. A restore checks its upload without it and repairs
@@ -1225,6 +1230,11 @@ class PromptModel:
             )
             if views_error:
                 return False, views_error
+            collections_error = image_collections_schema_error(
+                conn, allow_missing=not require_library_state
+            )
+            if collections_error:
+                return False, collections_error
             annotation_error = annotation_schema_error(
                 conn, allow_missing=not require_library_state
             )
diff --git a/database/operations.py b/database/operations.py
index 0f45097f..def1adeb 100644
--- a/database/operations.py
+++ b/database/operations.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ from .models import PromptModel, normalize_image_path, utc_now_iso
 from .pairs import PairDependencyError, PairOperations  # noqa: F401 (re-exported)
 from .library import LibraryOperations, titled
 from .image_favorites import ImageFavoriteOperations
+from .image_collections import ImageCollectionOperations
 from .annotations import AnnotationOperations
 from .review import ReviewOperations
 from .review_decisions import ReviewDecisionOperations
@@ -359,6 +360,7 @@ class PromptDatabase(
     ExecutionOutputOperations,
     HistoryReadOperations,
     ImageFavoriteOperations,
+    ImageCollectionOperations,
     AnnotationOperations,
     ReviewOperations,
     ReviewDecisionOperations,
diff --git a/database/restore_stage.py b/database/restore_stage.py
index 75d8883a..704435bf 100644
--- a/database/restore_stage.py
+++ b/database/restore_stage.py
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ SUMMARY_KEYS = (
     "image_links",
     "runs",
     "saved_views",
+    "collections",
 )
 
 
@@ -144,7 +145,8 @@ def library_summary(conn: sqlite3.Connection) -> Dict[str, int]:
     ``positives`` are the Library's prompts (``library_counts``'s
     ``positive_prompts``); ``pairs`` the active saved pairs and
     ``archived_pairs`` the archived ones; ``image_links`` the indexed image
-    rows; ``runs`` the recorded executions.
+    rows; ``runs`` the recorded executions; ``collections`` the image
+    collections (#331).
     """
     from .library import _ELIGIBLE
 
@@ -169,6 +171,7 @@ def library_summary(conn: sqlite3.Connection) -> Dict[str, int]:
         "image_links": _count(conn, "generated_images"),
         "runs": _count(conn, "execution_runs"),
         "saved_views": _count(conn, "saved_views"),
+        "collections": _count(conn, "image_collections"),
     }
 
 
@@ -180,6 +183,7 @@ _FINGERPRINT_SQL = (
     ("prompt_pairs", "SELECT MAX(id), MAX(updated_at) FROM prompt_pairs"),
     ("execution_runs", "SELECT COUNT(*), MAX(rowid) FROM execution_runs"),
     ("saved_views", "SELECT MAX(rowid) FROM saved_views"),
+    ("image_collections", "SELECT MAX(rowid) FROM image_collections"),
 )
 
 
@@ -190,9 +194,9 @@ def live_fingerprint(conn: sqlite3.Connection):
     tables a restore replaces, or when a prompt, pair, run or saved view is
     the newest edited (counts plus the newest row and edit of each table);
     the apply refuses with ``plan-changed`` then. It does not see every
-    edit (a tag or favorite change on an older row); those are kept in the
-    restore's safety backup. A read transaction the caller already has is
-    used and left open; one opened here is ended here.
+    edit (a tag, favorite or collection membership change on an older row);
+    those are kept in the restore's safety backup. A read transaction the
+    caller already has is used and left open; one opened here is ended here.
     """
     import json
 
diff --git a/py/api/__init__.py b/py/api/__init__.py
index 485578c7..ed94ecea 100644
--- a/py/api/__init__.py
+++ b/py/api/__init__.py
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ from .review import ReviewRoutesMixin
 from .review_recording import ReviewRecordingMixin
 from .review_events import ReviewEventsMixin
 from .saved_views import SavedViewRoutesMixin
+from .collections import CollectionRoutesMixin
 from .history import HistoryRoutesMixin
 from .images import ImageRoutesMixin
 from .gallery_listing import WALK_STOPPED, RootListing, WalkOutcome
@@ -314,6 +315,7 @@ class PromptManagerAPI(
     ReviewRecordingMixin,
     ReviewEventsMixin,
     SavedViewRoutesMixin,
+    CollectionRoutesMixin,
     HistoryRoutesMixin,
     PromptRoutesMixin,
     ImageRoutesMixin,
@@ -684,6 +686,7 @@ class PromptManagerAPI(
         self._register_review_routes(routes)
         self._register_review_event_routes(routes)
         self._register_saved_view_routes(routes)
+        self._register_collection_routes(routes)
         self._register_history_routes(routes)
         self._register_prompt_routes(routes)
         self._register_image_routes(routes)
@@ -1107,196 +1110,3 @@ class PromptManagerAPI(
                         result["parameters"][field] = metadata[field]
 
         return result
-
-    def _extract_readable_prompt(self, parsed_data):
-        """Extract human-readable prompt text from ComfyUI/A1111 data."""
-
-        def safe_to_string(value):
-            if isinstance(value, str):
-                return value
-            elif isinstance(value, list):
-                return " ".join(str(item) for item in value if item)
-            elif value is not None:
-                return str(value)
-            return None
-
-        # First check if we already extracted a positive prompt (A1111 format)
-        if parsed_data.get("positive_prompt"):
-            return parsed_data["positive_prompt"]
-
-        # Check if prompt is already a string
-        if isinstance(parsed_data.get("prompt"), str):
-            return parsed_data["prompt"]
-
-        # Check if prompt is a simple value that can be converted
-        if parsed_data.get("prompt") and not isinstance(
-            parsed_data.get("prompt"), dict
-        ):
-            return safe_to_string(parsed_data["prompt"])
-
-        prompt_data = parsed_data.get("prompt")
-        if isinstance(prompt_data, dict):
-            # Use the enhanced logic from parse-metadata.py
-            positive_prompt = self._extract_positive_prompt_from_comfyui_data(
-                prompt_data
-            )
-            if positive_prompt:
-                return positive_prompt
-
-        # Check workflow data if available
-        workflow_data = parsed_data.get("workflow")
-        if isinstance(workflow_data, dict):
-            positive_prompt = self._extract_positive_prompt_from_comfyui_data(
-                workflow_data
-            )
-            if positive_prompt:
-                return positive_prompt
-
-        # Check parameters for positive prompt
-        if parsed_data.get("parameters", {}).get("positive"):
-            return safe_to_string(parsed_data["parameters"]["positive"])
-
-        return None
-
-    def _get_node_inputs(self, node):
-        """Safely get inputs from a node, handling both dict and list formats.
-
-        Old format: inputs is a dict with direct key-value pairs
-            inputs = {"text": "my prompt", "seed": 123}
-
-        New format: inputs is a list of connection objects
-            inputs = [
-                {"name": "text", "type": "STRING", "link": null,
-                 "widget": {"name": "text"}},
-                {"name": "clip", "type": "CLIP", "link": 11}
-            ]
-        """
-        if not isinstance(node, dict):
-            return {}
-
-        inputs = node.get("inputs", {})
-
-        # If inputs is already a dict, return it
-        if isinstance(inputs, dict):
-            return inputs
-
-        # If inputs is a list, convert to dict format
-        if isinstance(inputs, list):
-            inputs_dict = {}
-            for input_item in inputs:
-                if isinstance(input_item, dict) and "name" in input_item:
-                    name = input_item["name"]
-                    inputs_dict[name] = input_item
-            return inputs_dict
-
-        return {}
-
-    def _find_text_in_node(self, node):
-        """Try to find text content in a node using various strategies.
-
-        Handles both old and new workflow formats.
-        """
-        if not isinstance(node, dict):
-            return None
-
-        # Strategy 1: Check normalized inputs for 'text' field
-        inputs = self._get_node_inputs(node)
-        if "text" in inputs and isinstance(inputs["text"], str):
-            return inputs["text"]
-
-        # Strategy 2: For text encoder nodes, check widgets_values
-        class_type = node.get("class_type", node.get("type", ""))
-        text_encoder_types = [
-            "CLIPTextEncode",
-            "CLIPTextEncodeSDXL",
-            "CLIPTextEncodeSDXLRefiner",
-            "CLIPTextEncodeFlux",
-            "PromptManager",
-            "PromptManagerText",
-            "BNK_CLIPTextEncoder",
-            "Text Encoder",
-            "CLIP Text Encode",
-        ]
-
-        if any(
-            encoder_type.lower() in class_type.lower()
-            for encoder_type in text_encoder_types
-        ):
-            widgets_values = node.get("widgets_values", [])
-            if widgets_values and len(widgets_values) > 0:
-                if isinstance(widgets_values[0], str) and widgets_values[0].strip():
-                    return widgets_values[0]
-
-        return None
-
-    def _extract_positive_prompt_from_comfyui_data(self, data):
-        """Extract positive prompt from ComfyUI data.
-
-        Handles both old and new formats.
-        """
-        if not isinstance(data, dict):
-            return None
-
-        # Build nodes dictionary
-        nodes_by_id = {}
-        if "nodes" in data:
-            # Handle nodes array format
-            for node in data["nodes"]:
-                if isinstance(node, dict):
-                    nid = node.get("id")
-                    if nid is not None:
-                        nodes_by_id[nid] = node
-        else:
-            # Handle flat dictionary format (node_id -> node_data)
-            for nid_str, node in data.items():
-                try:
-                    nid = int(nid_str)
-                except (ValueError, TypeError):
-                    nid = nid_str
-                if isinstance(node, dict):
-                    if "id" in node:
-                        nid = node["id"]
-                    nodes_by_id[nid] = node
-
-        if not nodes_by_id:
-            return None
-
-        # First, try to find positive/negative connection pattern
-        pos_id = None
-        for node in nodes_by_id.values():
-            if isinstance(node, dict):
-                inputs = self._get_node_inputs(node)
-                if "positive" in inputs and "negative" in inputs:
-                    try:
-                        pos_input = inputs["positive"]
-                        if isinstance(pos_input, list) and len(pos_input) > 0:
-                            pos_id = int(pos_input[0])
-                            break
-                    except (ValueError, TypeError, IndexError):
-                        continue
-
-        # Get text from the positive node
-        if pos_id is not None and pos_id in nodes_by_id:
-            text_val = self._find_text_in_node(nodes_by_id[pos_id])
-            if text_val:
-                return text_val
-
-        # Fallback: find any text encoder node with text content
-        text_nodes = []
-        for node in nodes_by_id.values():
-            if isinstance(node, dict):
-                text_val = self._find_text_in_node(node)
-                if text_val:
-                    # Try to determine if this is positive or negative
-                    node_title = node.get("title", "").lower()
-                    if "neg" not in node_title and "negative" not in node_title:
-                        # Prioritize non-negative prompts
-                        text_nodes.insert(0, text_val)
-                    else:
-                        text_nodes.append(text_val)
-
-        # Return the first positive-looking prompt
-        if text_nodes:
-            return text_nodes[0]
-
-        return None
diff --git a/py/api/admin.py b/py/api/admin.py
index 4ebf8eea..ec3f6db7 100644
--- a/py/api/admin.py
+++ b/py/api/admin.py
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ try:
         extract_generation_params,
         parse_page_json,
     )
-    from ...utils.prompt_pair_resolver import resolve_prompt_pair
+    from ...utils.prompt_pair_resolver import resolve_prompt_pair, sampler_less_prompt
     from ...utils.review_capture import reviewable
 except ImportError:
     from database.pair_ingestion import blank_positive, ingest_resolved_pair
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ except ImportError:
         extract_generation_params,
         parse_page_json,
     )
-    from utils.prompt_pair_resolver import resolve_prompt_pair
+    from utils.prompt_pair_resolver import resolve_prompt_pair, sampler_less_prompt
     from utils.review_capture import reviewable
 
 
@@ -1754,13 +1754,24 @@ class AdminRoutesMixin:
             canonical.get("parameters"), str
         ):
             return resolution["state"]
+        elif canonical.get("prompt"):
+            # No node takes a positive or negative input (a guider or wrapper
+            # graph): the one wired text, never a guess (#252).
+            found = sampler_less_prompt(canonical["prompt"])
+            prompt_text = found["text"]
+            if prompt_text is None and isinstance(canonical.get("parameters"), str):
+                # A metadata saver also wrote A1111 text: its positive prompt.
+                parsed = self._parse_comfyui_prompt(metadata)["positive_prompt"]
+                prompt_text = parsed.strip() if parsed and parsed.strip() else None
+            if prompt_text is None:
+                linked = self._link_recorded_run(
+                    media_file, canonical, detailed, history
+                )
+                if linked is not None:
+                    return linked
+                return "unresolved" if found["state"] == "ambiguous" else "found"
         else:
-            parsed = self._parse_comfyui_prompt(metadata)
-            if not (parsed.get("prompt") or parsed.get("parameters")):
-                return None
-            prompt_text = self._extract_readable_prompt(parsed)
-            if prompt_text is not None and not isinstance(prompt_text, str):
-                prompt_text = str(prompt_text)
+            prompt_text = self._parse_comfyui_prompt(metadata)["positive_prompt"]
             if not (prompt_text and prompt_text.strip()):
                 return "found"
             prompt_text = prompt_text.strip()
diff --git a/py/api/annotations.py b/py/api/annotations.py
index 47f905e6..d9a27a0f 100644
--- a/py/api/annotations.py
+++ b/py/api/annotations.py
@@ -27,7 +27,12 @@ from .annotation_suggest import (
     validate_options,
 )
 from .autotag_routes import model_busy_response
-from .images import _forbidden, _has_traversal, _unavailable_link, _verified_title
+
+# The target check is shared with the collection routes (#331); both names
+# stay importable from here.
+from .media_target import MAX_TARGET_PATH  # noqa: F401
+from .media_target import media_target as _target
+from .images import _unavailable_link, _verified_title
 from .prompts import bad_request
 from .. import model_gate
 
@@ -40,7 +45,7 @@ try:
     )
     from ...database.execution_history import subscribe_history_restore
     from ...database.library_commands import LibraryCommandError
-    from ...utils.media_capture import CAPTURE_EXTENSIONS, CaptureError, CaptureStore
+    from ...utils.media_capture import CaptureError, CaptureStore
 except ImportError:
     from database.annotations import (
         MAX_IMAGE_TAGS,
@@ -50,15 +55,13 @@ except ImportError:
     )
     from database.execution_history import subscribe_history_restore
     from database.library_commands import LibraryCommandError
-    from utils.media_capture import CAPTURE_EXTENSIONS, CaptureError, CaptureStore
+    from utils.media_capture import CaptureError, CaptureStore
 
 # Request bodies of the annotation routes are small (a target plus a tag set).
 MAX_BODY_BYTES = 64 * 1024
-MAX_TARGET_PATH = 1024
 CAPTURE_URL = "/prompt_manager/image-annotations/capture/"
 _PREVIEW_CHUNK = 64 * 1024
 
-_TARGET_FIELDS = frozenset({"root_index", "root_scope", "path"})
 _OBSERVE_FIELDS = frozenset({"target"})
 _SAVE_FIELDS = frozenset(
     {
@@ -188,37 +191,6 @@ def _capture_error(exc: CaptureError) -> web.Response:
     return _coded(exc.code, _MESSAGES.get(exc.code) or str(exc))
 
 
-def _target(data: object):
-    """``((index, scope, relative), None)`` for a target, else ``(None, error)``.
-
-    Only the listing identity is accepted: an int root index, the root's
-    64-hex scope and a bounded root-relative POSIX media path, never an
-    absolute, drive-qualified, backslash or ``..`` path. Nothing here touches
-    the filesystem or the database.
-    """
-    if not isinstance(data, dict) or set(data) != _TARGET_FIELDS:
-        return None, bad_request("target must name root_index, root_scope and path")
-    index, scope, relative = data["root_index"], data["root_scope"], data["path"]
-    if type(index) is not int or index < 0:
-        return None, bad_request("Invalid gallery root")
-    if not isinstance(scope, str) or _HEX64.fullmatch(scope) is None:
-        return None, bad_request("Invalid gallery root scope")
-    if not isinstance(relative, str) or not relative or len(relative) > MAX_TARGET_PATH:
-        return None, bad_request("path must be a relative media path")
-    parts = relative.split("/")
-    if (
-        "\0" in relative
-        or "\\" in relative
-        or relative.startswith("/")
-        or _has_traversal(relative)
-        or any(part in ("", ".", "..") or ":" in part for part in parts)
-    ):
-        return None, _forbidden()
-    if os.path.splitext(parts[-1])[1].lower() not in CAPTURE_EXTENSIONS:
-        return None, _forbidden("Only media files can be tagged")
-    return (index, scope, relative), None
-
-
 def _expires_at(seconds: float | None) -> str:
     moment = datetime.datetime.now(datetime.timezone.utc) + datetime.timedelta(
         seconds=max(0.0, seconds or 0.0)
diff --git a/py/api/collections.py b/py/api/collections.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..51fab44d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/py/api/collections.py
@@ -0,0 +1,325 @@
+"""Collections (#331): named, hand-picked groups of images.
+
+Routes under ``/prompt_manager/collections``. A file is named by its listing
+identity ``{root_index, root_scope, path}`` (``media_target.py``) and stored
+under the favorites' keys (``_favorite_root_key``, ``_favorite_relative_key``),
+which never leave the server. A stale scope (the sources were reordered) is a
+409 ``source-changed`` before anything is written. Responses are
+``{"success": bool, ...}``; an unexpected failure is a logged 500 with a
+generic message, never the exception text.
+"""
+
+import hmac
+import re
+from functools import wraps
+from typing import Callable
+
+from aiohttp import web
+
+from .images import (
+    _favorite_relative_key,
+    _favorite_root_key,
+    _forbidden,
+    _json_body_or_error,
+    collection_not_found,
+)
+from .media_target import media_target
+from .prompts import bad_request
+
+try:
+    from ...database.image_collections import (
+        CollectionFilesMissing,
+        CollectionInvalid,
+        CollectionMissing,
+        CollectionNameTaken,
+        normalize_collection_name,
+    )
+    from ...database.image_favorites import MAX_KEY_LENGTH
+except ImportError:
+    from database.image_collections import (
+        CollectionFilesMissing,
+        CollectionInvalid,
+        CollectionMissing,
+        CollectionNameTaken,
+        normalize_collection_name,
+    )
+    from database.image_favorites import MAX_KEY_LENGTH
+
+BASE = "/prompt_manager/collections"
+# The most files one add or remove names (the bulk tagging cap, MC12).
+MAX_ITEMS = 500
+MAX_ID = 999_999_999
+_PATH_ID = re.compile(r"[0-9]{1,9}")
+_ROOT_INDEX = re.compile(r"[0-9]{1,9}")
+_ADD_TARGETS = (frozenset({"collection_id", "items"}), frozenset({"name", "items"}))
+_REMOVE_FIELDS = frozenset({"collection_id", "items"})
+_RENAME_FIELDS = frozenset({"name"})
+_MEDIA_MESSAGE = "Only media files can be added to a collection"
+READ_FAILED = "Collections could not be read."
+CHANGE_FAILED = "The collection could not be changed."
+SOURCES_CHANGED = "The sources changed. Refresh the images and try again."
+FILES_NOT_FOUND = (
+    "None of the selected images could be found. Refresh the images and try again."
+)
+NAME_TAKEN = "Another collection already has this name."
+
+
+class _Refused(Exception):
+    """A request refused before any write; carries its response."""
+
+    def __init__(self, response: web.Response):
+        super().__init__(response.status)
+        self.response = response
+
+
+def _coded(status: int, code: str, message: str, **extra) -> web.Response:
+    return web.json_response(
+        {"success": False, "code": code, "error": message, **extra},
+        status=status,
+        headers={"Cache-Control": "no-store"},
+    )
+
+
+def _collection_response(failure: str) -> Callable:
+    """Map the database's refusals to their status; anything else to a 500."""
+
+    def decorate(handler: Callable) -> Callable:
+        @wraps(handler)
+        async def wrapped(self, request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
+            try:
+                return await handler(self, request)
+            except _Refused as refused:
+                return refused.response
+            except CollectionInvalid as exc:
+                return bad_request(str(exc))
+            except CollectionMissing:
+                return collection_not_found()
+            except CollectionFilesMissing:
+                return _coded(404, "files-not-found", FILES_NOT_FOUND)
+            except CollectionNameTaken as exc:
+                return _coded(
+                    409, "name-taken", NAME_TAKEN, collection_id=exc.collection_id
+                )
+            except Exception:
+                self.logger.exception("Collection request failed")
+                return web.json_response(
+                    {"success": False, "error": failure}, status=500
+                )
+
+        return wrapped
+
+    return decorate
+
+
+def _path_id(request: web.Request) -> int:
+    raw = request.match_info["collection_id"]
+    if not raw.isascii() or _PATH_ID.fullmatch(raw) is None or int(raw) < 1:
+        raise _Refused(bad_request("Invalid collection id"))
+    return int(raw)
+
+
+def _body_id(value: object) -> int:
+    if type(value) is not int or not 1 <= value <= MAX_ID:
+        raise _Refused(bad_request("Invalid collection id"))
+    return value
+
+
+async def _body(request: web.Request, allowed: tuple) -> dict:
+    data, error = await _json_body_or_error(request)
+    if error is not None:
+        raise _Refused(error)
+    if frozenset(data) not in allowed:
+        names = " or ".join(", ".join(sorted(fields)) for fields in allowed)
+        raise _Refused(bad_request(f"Request must contain exactly {names}"))
+    return data
+
+
+class CollectionRoutesMixin:
+    """Mixin providing the collection routes (#331)."""
+
+    def _register_collection_routes(self, routes: web.RouteTableDef) -> None:
+        # The fixed paths go first: "/items" must never match "/{collection_id}".
+        routes.get(BASE)(self.list_collections)
+        routes.post(BASE + "/items")(self.add_collection_items)
+        routes.delete(BASE + "/items")(self.remove_collection_items)
+        routes.get(BASE + "/membership")(self.collection_membership)
+        routes.patch(BASE + "/{collection_id}")(self.rename_collection)
+        routes.delete(BASE + "/{collection_id}")(self.delete_collection)
+
+    # -- reads -------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    @_collection_response(READ_FAILED)
+    async def list_collections(self, request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
+        """Every collection with its listed ``count`` and its ``missing`` rows.
+
+        ``count`` is the members listed under every configured source (one
+        primary-key range read per source, matched against its cached
+        listing); ``missing`` the stored rows beyond it. When a scan or a read
+        fails both are null for every collection and the names still return.
+        """
+        collections = await self._run_in_executor(self.db.list_collections)
+        counts = None
+        if collections:
+            try:
+                counts = await self._collection_counts()
+            except Exception:
+                self.logger.warning(
+                    "Collection counts could not be read", exc_info=True
+                )
+        rows = []
+        for collection in collections:
+            listed, stored = (None, None) if counts is None else counts
+            count = None if listed is None else listed.get(collection["id"], 0)
+            missing = None if stored is None else stored.get(collection["id"], 0)
+            rows.append(
+                {
+                    **collection,
+                    "count": count,
+                    "missing": None if count is None else missing - count,
+                }
+            )
+        return web.json_response({"success": True, "collections": rows})
+
+    async def _collection_counts(self) -> tuple[dict, dict]:
+        """``({id: listed members}, {id: stored rows})`` over every source."""
+        listed: dict[int, int] = {}
+        seen = set()
+        for root in self._get_all_output_dirs():
+            root_key = _favorite_root_key(root)
+            if root_key in seen:  # one folder configured twice counts once
+                continue
+            seen.add(root_key)
+            files = await self._get_gallery_files(root)
+            listing = await self._run_in_executor(self._favorite_listing, root, files)
+            members = await self._run_in_executor(
+                self.db.root_collection_members, root_key
+            )
+            for collection_id, keys in members.items():
+                found = sum(1 for key in keys if key in listing)
+                listed[collection_id] = listed.get(collection_id, 0) + found
+        stored = await self._run_in_executor(self.db.collection_counts)
+        return listed, stored
+
+    @_collection_response(READ_FAILED)
+    async def collection_membership(self, request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
+        """GET ``?root_index&root_scope&path``: the ids holding that file."""
+        query = request.query
+        if set(query) != {"root_index", "root_scope", "path"}:
+            return bad_request("Query must name root_index, root_scope and path")
+        raw_index = query["root_index"]
+        if not raw_index.isascii() or _ROOT_INDEX.fullmatch(raw_index) is None:
+            return bad_request("Invalid gallery root")
+        roots = list(self._get_all_output_dirs())
+        root_key, key = self._collection_key(
+            {
+                "root_index": int(raw_index),
+                "root_scope": query["root_scope"],
+                "path": query["path"],
+            },
+            roots,
+        )
+        ids = await self._run_in_executor(self.db.file_collections, root_key, key)
+        return web.json_response({"success": True, "collection_ids": ids})
+
+    # -- writes ------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    @_collection_response(CHANGE_FAILED)
+    async def add_collection_items(self, request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
+        """POST ``{collection_id | name, items}``: add the listed files.
+
+        Only files the source's listing holds are added; the rest count in
+        ``not_found``. A new name with nothing to add creates nothing (404
+        ``files-not-found``).
+        """
+        data = await _body(request, _ADD_TARGETS)
+        target = {}
+        if "name" in data:
+            target["name"] = normalize_collection_name(data["name"])
+        else:
+            target["collection_id"] = _body_id(data["collection_id"])
+        roots = list(self._get_all_output_dirs())
+        keys = self._collection_items(data["items"], roots)
+        found, not_found = [], 0
+        listings = {}
+        for index, root_key, key in keys:
+            if index not in listings:
+                root = roots[index]
+                files = await self._get_gallery_files(root)
+                listings[index] = await self._run_in_executor(
+                    self._favorite_listing, root, files
+                )
+            if key in listings[index]:
+                found.append((root_key, key))
+            else:
+                not_found += 1
+        result = await self._run_in_executor(
+            lambda: self.db.add_to_collection(items=found, **target)
+        )
+        return web.json_response({"success": True, **result, "not_found": not_found})
+
+    @_collection_response(CHANGE_FAILED)
+    async def remove_collection_items(self, request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
+        """DELETE ``{collection_id, items}``: listed or not, every named file."""
+        data = await _body(request, (_REMOVE_FIELDS,))
+        collection_id = _body_id(data["collection_id"])
+        roots = list(self._get_all_output_dirs())
+        keys = self._collection_items(data["items"], roots)
+        result = await self._run_in_executor(
+            self.db.remove_from_collection,
+            collection_id,
+            [(root_key, key) for _index, root_key, key in keys],
+        )
+        return web.json_response({"success": True, **result})
+
+    @_collection_response(CHANGE_FAILED)
+    async def rename_collection(self, request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
+        """PATCH ``{name}``: a case variant of its own name is allowed."""
+        collection_id = _path_id(request)
+        data = await _body(request, (_RENAME_FIELDS,))
+        name = normalize_collection_name(data["name"])
+        collection = await self._run_in_executor(
+            self.db.rename_collection, collection_id, name
+        )
+        return web.json_response({"success": True, "collection": collection})
+
+    @_collection_response(CHANGE_FAILED)
+    async def delete_collection(self, request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
+        """DELETE: the collection and its members; files are never touched."""
+        collection_id = _path_id(request)
+        await self._run_in_executor(self.db.delete_collection, collection_id)
+        return web.json_response({"success": True, "deleted": True})
+
+    # -- request steps -----------------------------------------------------
+
+    def _collection_items(self, items: object, roots: list) -> list[tuple]:
+        """``(index, root key, relative key)`` per distinct file, in order.
+
+        Every item is checked before anything is written: 400 for a malformed
+        shape, 403 for an unsafe path, 409 for a stale scope. Two spellings
+        that fold to one key (Windows) count once.
+        """
+        if not isinstance(items, list) or not 1 <= len(items) <= MAX_ITEMS:
+            raise _Refused(bad_request(f"items must list 1 to {MAX_ITEMS} images"))
+        keys = {}
+        for item in items:
+            index = item.get("root_index") if isinstance(item, dict) else None
+            root_key, key = self._collection_key(item, roots)
+            keys.setdefault((root_key, key), index)
+        return [(index, root_key, key) for (root_key, key), index in keys.items()]
+
+    def _collection_key(self, item: object, roots: list) -> tuple[str, str]:
+        """The stored keys of one target, or raise its refusal."""
+        target, error = media_target(item, media_message=_MEDIA_MESSAGE)
+        if error is not None:
+            raise _Refused(error)
+        index, scope, relative = target
+        if index >= len(roots) or not hmac.compare_digest(
+            scope, self._gallery_root_scope(roots[index], index)
+        ):
+            raise _Refused(_coded(409, "source-changed", SOURCES_CHANGED))
+        root_key = _favorite_root_key(roots[index])
+        key = _favorite_relative_key(relative)
+        if max(len(root_key), len(key)) > MAX_KEY_LENGTH:
+            # A stored key past the schema bound would fail the next restore.
+            raise _Refused(_forbidden("Path is too long to add to a collection"))
+        return root_key, key
diff --git a/py/api/duplicate_files.py b/py/api/duplicate_files.py
index 6edf265d..9cf101f5 100644
--- a/py/api/duplicate_files.py
+++ b/py/api/duplicate_files.py
@@ -588,7 +588,9 @@ class DuplicateFilesMixin:
         job.update(total=len(targets), status_line="Removing duplicate files")
         spellings = await self._run_in_executor(self._source_spellings)
         removed, failure, keepers = 0, None, {}
-        totals = dict.fromkeys(("moved", "merged", "favorites", "tags", "review"), 0)
+        totals = dict.fromkeys(
+            ("moved", "merged", "favorites", "tags", "review", "collections"), 0
+        )
         for done, target in enumerate(targets, start=1):
             if failure is not None:
                 self._record_target(job, "kept", target, NOT_ATTEMPTED)
@@ -631,6 +633,11 @@ class DuplicateFilesMixin:
             job.log_line(
                 f"Moved {_plural(totals['favorites'], 'favorite')} to the kept copies"
             )
+        if totals["collections"]:
+            job.log_line(
+                f"Moved {_plural(totals['collections'], 'collection membership')} "
+                "to the kept copies"
+            )
         if totals["tags"]:
             job.log_line(
                 f"Added {_plural(totals['tags'], 'image tag')} to the kept copies"
diff --git a/py/api/duplicate_spellings.py b/py/api/duplicate_spellings.py
index 31e0f0b9..3653e5de 100644
--- a/py/api/duplicate_spellings.py
+++ b/py/api/duplicate_spellings.py
@@ -95,7 +95,8 @@ def copy_move(target, kept_stat, spellings):
 
     A record found under a folder spelling moves to the kept copy under
     the same spelling when that folder holds it too, else to its real
-    path. Its favorite moves under every listed root holding the file.
+    path. Its favorite and its collection memberships move under every
+    listed root holding the file.
     """
     removed = spellings.of(target["abs"])
     kept = spellings.of(target["keeper_abs"])
diff --git a/py/api/image_tag_jobs.py b/py/api/image_tag_jobs.py
index 1d611745..66f148f5 100644
--- a/py/api/image_tag_jobs.py
+++ b/py/api/image_tag_jobs.py
@@ -58,7 +58,9 @@ from .annotations import (
 from .autotag_routes import BATCH_CANCELLED, MODEL_BUSY_ERROR, model_busy_response
 from .images import (
     MAX_LISTING_SELECTION,
+    CollectionMissing,
     ListingSourceChanged,
+    collection_not_found,
     _current_fingerprint,
     _listing_posix,
     _public_path,
@@ -685,6 +687,8 @@ class ImageTagJobsMixin:
             selection = await self.resolve_listing_filter(spec.filter, cap)
         except ListingSourceChanged:
             return None, _coded("source-changed")
+        except CollectionMissing:
+            return None, collection_not_found()
         except ValueError as exc:
             return None, bad_request(str(exc))
         except Exception:
diff --git a/py/api/images.py b/py/api/images.py
index 439a2800..10e70070 100644
--- a/py/api/images.py
+++ b/py/api/images.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ import urllib.parse
 from bisect import bisect_left, bisect_right, insort
 from collections.abc import Mapping
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Callable, NamedTuple
+from typing import Callable, Iterable, NamedTuple
 
 from aiohttp import web
 from PIL import Image, UnidentifiedImageError
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ from .inspection_service import (
 )
 
 try:
+    from ...database.image_collections import CollectionMissing
     from ...database.image_favorites import MAX_KEY_LENGTH
     from ...database.library import display_title
     from ...database.models import normalize_image_path
@@ -78,6 +79,7 @@ try:
         reveal_in_file_manager,
     )
 except ImportError:
+    from database.image_collections import CollectionMissing
     from database.image_favorites import MAX_KEY_LENGTH
     from database.library import display_title
     from database.models import normalize_image_path
@@ -104,6 +106,21 @@ IMAGE_EXTENSIONS = _IMAGE_EXTENSIONS
 _CARD_RECORDS = ("prompt", "workflow")
 _PNG_SIGNATURE = b"\x89PNG\r\n\x1a\n"
 _LISTING_FAILED = "The image list could not be filtered. Check server logs for details."
+_COLLECTION_ID = re.compile(r"[1-9][0-9]{0,8}")
+COLLECTION_NOT_FOUND = "That collection no longer exists."
+
+
+def collection_not_found() -> web.Response:
+    """The 404 a write or a listing answers for an unknown collection (#331)."""
+    return web.json_response(
+        {
+            "success": False,
+            "code": "collection-not-found",
+            "error": COLLECTION_NOT_FOUND,
+        },
+        status=404,
+        headers={"Cache-Control": "no-store"},
+    )
 
 
 def _card_header(path: Path) -> tuple:
@@ -1056,8 +1073,9 @@ def _workspace_filters(query: Mapping) -> dict:
     the linked positive's text, title and tag names. ``category`` is exact,
     ``tags`` is a comma list that must all be present, ``sort=rating`` ranks by
     the linked positive, and ``favorites=1`` keeps only favorites (the
-    Favorites page, #249 D51). Raises ValueError for any unknown or oversized
-    value.
+    Favorites page, #249 D51). ``collection=<id>`` (1 to 9 digits) keeps only
+    that collection's members (#331); it wins over ``favorites`` (a page never
+    sets both). Raises ValueError for any unknown or oversized value.
     """
     text = query.get("q", "").strip()
     folded = text.casefold()
@@ -1071,8 +1089,10 @@ def _workspace_filters(query: Mapping) -> dict:
         {tag.strip() for tag in query.get("tags", "").split(",") if tag.strip()}
     )
     favorites = query.get("favorites", "0")
+    collection = query.get("collection", "")
     if (
         favorites not in ("0", "1")
+        or (collection != "" and _COLLECTION_ID.fullmatch(collection) is None)
         or len(text) > 500
         or len(folded) > 500
         or media not in ("all", "image", "video")
@@ -1095,7 +1115,8 @@ def _workspace_filters(query: Mapping) -> dict:
         "path": exact.casefold(),
         "category": category,
         "tags": tags,
-        "favorites": favorites == "1",
+        "favorites": favorites == "1" and not collection,
+        "collection": int(collection) if collection else None,
     }
 
 
@@ -1113,6 +1134,8 @@ LISTING_FILTER_KEYS = frozenset(
         "media",
         "sort",
         "favorites",
+        # A collection page's filter (#331): bulk actions act on its members.
+        "collection",
     }
 )
 MAX_LISTING_FILTER_VALUE = 2048
@@ -1169,7 +1192,7 @@ def _admitted_entries(
     entries: list,
     filters: dict,
     links: dict | None,
-    favorites: frozenset | None = None,
+    members: frozenset | None = None,
     image_tags: dict | None = None,
 ):
     """Yield ``(position, entry, link match)`` for each entry the filters admit.
@@ -1177,11 +1200,11 @@ def _admitted_entries(
     *links* maps normalized paths to (hit, rating, positive id) for every
     unambiguously linked image (see PromptDatabase.get_image_link_matches); a
     category or tag filter admits only those, and ``q`` admits a filename match
-    or a linked-positive hit. *favorites*, when given, admits only those listed
-    paths (``favorites=1``). *image_tags* maps normalized paths to their
-    _ImageTagMatch: a tag filter also admits a file whose current image tags
-    (with its linked positive's tags) carry every tag, and ``q`` also admits an
-    image tag name hit.
+    or a linked-positive hit. *members*, when given, admits only those listed
+    paths (the favorites of ``favorites=1`` or a ``collection``'s members).
+    *image_tags* maps normalized paths to their _ImageTagMatch: a tag filter
+    also admits a file whose current image tags (with its linked positive's
+    tags) carry every tag, and ``q`` also admits an image tag name hit.
     """
     query, media, folder = filters["query"], filters["media"], filters["folder"]
     members_only = filters["category"] is not None or bool(filters["tags"])
@@ -1197,7 +1220,7 @@ def _admitted_entries(
             continue
         if media != "all" and (media == "video") != entry.video:
             continue
-        if favorites is not None and entry.path not in favorites:
+        if members is not None and entry.path not in members:
             continue
         match = None if links is None else links.get(entry.normalized)
         image = None if image_tags is None else image_tags.get(entry.normalized)
@@ -1219,7 +1242,7 @@ def _filtered_page(
     size: int,
     filters: dict,
     links: dict | None,
-    favorites: frozenset | None = None,
+    members: frozenset | None = None,
     image_tags: dict | None = None,
 ) -> tuple[int, list, int | None]:
     """Count the *entries* the filters admit and take *size* from *start* on.
@@ -1230,7 +1253,7 @@ def _filtered_page(
     """
     total, page, positives = 0, [], set()
     for position, entry, match in _admitted_entries(
-        entries, filters, links, favorites, image_tags
+        entries, filters, links, members, image_tags
     ):
         total += 1
         if match is not None:
@@ -1934,6 +1957,7 @@ class ImageRoutesMixin:
                         filters["category"],
                         filters["tags"],
                         filters["favorites"],
+                        filters["collection"],
                     ]
                 ).encode()
             ).hexdigest()
@@ -1944,17 +1968,19 @@ class ImageRoutesMixin:
         except ValueError as exc:
             return bad_request(str(exc))
 
-        listings = [
-            (index, root, await self._get_gallery_files(root))
-            for index, root in enumerate(output_dirs)
-            if root_index is None or index == root_index
-        ]
         try:
+            if filters["collection"] is not None and not await self._run_in_executor(
+                self.db.collection_exists, filters["collection"]
+            ):
+                raise CollectionMissing("No such collection")
+            listings = await self._workspace_listings(output_dirs, root_index)
             page, total, has_more, next_cursor, positive_count = (
                 await self._run_in_executor(
                     self._select_workspace_page, listings, filters, after, limit, scope
                 )
             )
+        except CollectionMissing:
+            return collection_not_found()
         except Exception:
             # A filter that needs the prompt links or the image tags cannot be
             # served without them. Never echo the exception: it can carry SQL
@@ -2215,9 +2241,11 @@ class ImageRoutesMixin:
     ) -> tuple:
         """The ordered entries and what admits them (blocking; run in executor).
 
-        Returns ``(entries, key, links, image_tags, favorites)``: the listing in
-        the filters' order, its keyset key, and the link, image-tag and favorite
-        maps _admitted_entries reads. One SELECT (get_image_link_matches) reads
+        Returns ``(entries, key, links, image_tags, members)``: the listing in
+        the filters' order, its keyset key, and the link, image-tag and member
+        maps _admitted_entries reads (members: a collection's, else the
+        favorites, else None). A collection deleted since the route checked it
+        raises CollectionMissing. One SELECT (get_image_link_matches) reads
         every linked positive when *read_links*. A failed read raises when the
         filters need it (category, tags, the rating sort) or *strict*; else the
         listing stays usable without links (a search then matches filenames
@@ -2290,10 +2318,13 @@ class ImageRoutesMixin:
             def key(entry):
                 return _workspace_key(entry, order)
 
-        favorites = (
-            self._workspace_favorite_paths(listings) if filters["favorites"] else None
+        return (
+            entries,
+            key,
+            links,
+            image_tags,
+            self._workspace_members(listings, filters),
         )
-        return entries, key, links, image_tags, favorites
 
     def _select_workspace_page(
         self,
@@ -2322,7 +2353,7 @@ class ImageRoutesMixin:
             or bool(filters["tags"])
             or order == "rating"
         )
-        entries, key, links, image_tags, favorites = self._workspace_admission(
+        entries, key, links, image_tags, members = self._workspace_admission(
             listings, filters, read_links=needed or after is None
         )
         start = 0
@@ -2333,7 +2364,7 @@ class ImageRoutesMixin:
             else:
                 start = bisect_right(entries, after, key=key)
         total, page, positive_count = _filtered_page(
-            entries, start, limit + 1, filters, links, favorites, image_tags
+            entries, start, limit + 1, filters, links, members, image_tags
         )
         if not needed and after is not None:
             positive_count = _COUNT_OMITTED
@@ -2355,12 +2386,12 @@ class ImageRoutesMixin:
 
         The links are read strictly: the positives must be the listing's own.
         """
-        entries, _key, links, image_tags, favorites = self._workspace_admission(
+        entries, _key, links, image_tags, members = self._workspace_admission(
             listings, filters, read_links=True, strict=True
         )
         targets, positives, unlinked, scopes = [], {}, 0, {}
         for _position, entry, match in _admitted_entries(
-            entries, filters, links, favorites, image_tags
+            entries, filters, links, members, image_tags
         ):
             if len(targets) == cap:
                 return ListingSelection(targets, list(positives), unlinked, True)
@@ -2382,9 +2413,11 @@ class ImageRoutesMixin:
     ) -> ListingSelection:
         """The images a parse_listing_filter result admits right now (#392).
 
-        Raises ValueError for a root outside the current roots, and
+        Raises ValueError for a root outside the current roots,
         ListingSourceChanged when the filter's ``root_scope`` no longer names
-        its root (the sources were renumbered since the listing).
+        its root (the sources were renumbered since the listing), and
+        CollectionMissing when its ``collection`` no longer exists (checked
+        before any scan and again after the members are read).
         """
         output_dirs = list(self._get_all_output_dirs())
         root_index = _workspace_root(params, output_dirs)
@@ -2394,11 +2427,11 @@ class ImageRoutesMixin:
                 raise ListingSourceChanged()
             raise ValueError("Invalid gallery root scope")
         filters = _workspace_filters(params)
-        listings = [
-            (index, root, await self._get_gallery_files(root))
-            for index, root in enumerate(output_dirs)
-            if root_index is None or index == root_index
-        ]
+        if filters["collection"] is not None and not await self._run_in_executor(
+            self.db.collection_exists, filters["collection"]
+        ):
+            raise CollectionMissing("No such collection")
+        listings = await self._workspace_listings(output_dirs, root_index)
         return await self._run_in_executor(
             self._select_workspace_matches, listings, filters, cap
         )
@@ -3583,25 +3616,58 @@ class ImageRoutesMixin:
         self._favorite_listing_cache[cache_key] = (files, listing)
         return listing
 
-    def _workspace_favorite_paths(self, listings: list[tuple]) -> frozenset:
-        """The listed paths of every favorite in the selected roots (blocking).
+    def _workspace_members(self, listings: list[tuple], filters: dict):
+        """The member set the filters ask for, or None (blocking)."""
+        collection = filters.get("collection")
+        if collection is not None:
+            members = self._workspace_member_paths(
+                listings,
+                lambda root_key: self.db.collection_members(collection, root_key),
+            )
+            # Checked after the reads: a collection deleted before or while
+            # they ran is a 404, never an empty page passing for it.
+            if not self.db.collection_exists(collection):
+                raise CollectionMissing("No such collection")
+            return members
+        if filters["favorites"]:
+            return self._workspace_favorite_paths(listings)
+        return None
 
-        One primary-key read per root (get_root_favorites), matched against the
-        root's cached ``{relative key: listing spelling}``, so the work follows
-        the favorites rather than the files, and a key folds case exactly as
-        the toggle stored it (Windows). A favorite whose file is gone matches
-        nothing. A failed read raises: an unfiltered page must never pass for
-        the favorites.
+    def _workspace_favorite_paths(self, listings: list[tuple]) -> frozenset:
+        """The listed paths of every favorite in the selected roots (blocking)."""
+        return self._workspace_member_paths(listings, self.db.get_root_favorites)
+
+    def _workspace_member_paths(
+        self, listings: list[tuple], keys_for_source: Callable[[str], Iterable[str]]
+    ) -> frozenset:
+        """The listed paths of the stored keys of each selected root (blocking).
+
+        One read per root (``keys_for_source(root key)``: the favorites' or a
+        collection's primary-key range), matched against the root's cached
+        ``{relative key: listing spelling}``, so the work follows the members
+        rather than the files, and a key folds case exactly as it was stored
+        (Windows). A member whose file is gone matches nothing. A failed read
+        raises: an unfiltered page must never pass for the members.
         """
         paths = set()
         for _index, root, files in listings:
             listing = self._favorite_listing(root, files)
-            for key in self.db.get_root_favorites(_favorite_root_key(root)):
+            for key in keys_for_source(_favorite_root_key(root)):
                 listed = listing.get(key)
                 if listed is not None:
                     paths.add(root / listed)
         return frozenset(paths)
 
+    async def _workspace_listings(
+        self, output_dirs: list[Path], root_index: int | None
+    ) -> list[tuple]:
+        """``(index, root, scan)`` of every selected root (cached scans)."""
+        return [
+            (index, root, await self._get_gallery_files(root))
+            for index, root in enumerate(output_dirs)
+            if root_index is None or index == root_index
+        ]
+
     def _workspace_favorites(self, page: list[tuple]) -> set[tuple[int, str]]:
         """``(root index, listing path)`` of the favorites among *page* entries."""
         by_root: dict[tuple[int, Path], dict[str, str]] = {}
diff --git a/py/api/media_target.py b/py/api/media_target.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ee1fcadf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/py/api/media_target.py
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+"""The listing identity of one media file, as a request names it.
+
+Shared by the image-annotation routes and the collection routes (#331): a
+target is ``{root_index, root_scope, path}``, checked here without touching
+the filesystem or the database. The scope is compared with the current roots
+by the caller.
+"""
+
+import os
+import re
+
+from .images import _forbidden, _has_traversal
+from .prompts import bad_request
+
+try:
+    from ...utils.media_capture import CAPTURE_EXTENSIONS
+except ImportError:
+    from utils.media_capture import CAPTURE_EXTENSIONS
+
+MAX_TARGET_PATH = 1024
+TARGET_FIELDS = frozenset({"root_index", "root_scope", "path"})
+_HEX64 = re.compile(r"[0-9a-f]{64}")
+TAGGING_MEDIA_MESSAGE = "Only media files can be tagged"
+
+
+def media_target(data: object, *, media_message: str = TAGGING_MEDIA_MESSAGE):
+    """``((index, scope, relative), None)`` for a target, else ``(None, error)``.
+
+    Only the listing identity is accepted: an int root index, the root's
+    64-hex scope and a bounded root-relative POSIX media path, never an
+    absolute, drive-qualified, backslash or ``..`` path (a 400 for a malformed
+    shape, a 403 for an unsafe or non-media path, carrying *media_message*).
+    """
+    if not isinstance(data, dict) or set(data) != TARGET_FIELDS:
+        return None, bad_request("target must name root_index, root_scope and path")
+    index, scope, relative = data["root_index"], data["root_scope"], data["path"]
+    if type(index) is not int or index < 0:
+        return None, bad_request("Invalid gallery root")
+    if not isinstance(scope, str) or _HEX64.fullmatch(scope) is None:
+        return None, bad_request("Invalid gallery root scope")
+    if not isinstance(relative, str) or not relative or len(relative) > MAX_TARGET_PATH:
+        return None, bad_request("path must be a relative media path")
+    parts = relative.split("/")
+    if (
+        "\0" in relative
+        or "\\" in relative
+        or relative.startswith("/")
+        or _has_traversal(relative)
+        or any(part in ("", ".", "..") or ":" in part for part in parts)
+    ):
+        return None, _forbidden()
+    if os.path.splitext(parts[-1])[1].lower() not in CAPTURE_EXTENSIONS:
+        return None, _forbidden(media_message)
+    return (index, scope, relative), None
diff --git a/py/api/prompts.py b/py/api/prompts.py
index e48296ea..8f5a1554 100644
--- a/py/api/prompts.py
+++ b/py/api/prompts.py
@@ -1227,7 +1227,9 @@ class PromptRoutesMixin:
         """
         from .images import (
             MAX_LISTING_SELECTION,
+            CollectionMissing,
             ListingSourceChanged,
+            collection_not_found,
             parse_listing_filter,
         )
 
@@ -1252,6 +1254,8 @@ class PromptRoutesMixin:
                 },
                 status=409,
             )
+        except CollectionMissing:
+            return collection_not_found()
         except ValueError as exc:
             return refused(str(exc))
         if selection.truncated:
diff --git a/tests/browser/server.py b/tests/browser/server.py
index 71ea5669..95deff78 100644
--- a/tests/browser/server.py
+++ b/tests/browser/server.py
@@ -262,6 +262,8 @@ def create_app(root: Path) -> web.Application:
         with target.db.model.get_connection() as conn:
             for table in (
                 "saved_views",
+                "image_collection_items",
+                "image_collections",
                 "image_favorites",
                 "media_review_decisions",
                 "media_review_items",
diff --git a/tests/js/workspace-system-backups.test.js b/tests/js/workspace-system-backups.test.js
index 05899351..3a1454ae 100644
--- a/tests/js/workspace-system-backups.test.js
+++ b/tests/js/workspace-system-backups.test.js
@@ -63,9 +63,9 @@ test('status line shows only server-reported backups (D103)', async () => {
 
 const PREVIEW = Object.freeze({
     success: true, token: 'r'.repeat(43), expires_at: '2026-10-25T12:15:00+00:00',
-    summary: { prompts: 1234, positives: 900, pairs: 3, archived_pairs: 0, image_links: 56, runs: 1, saved_views: 2 },
+    summary: { prompts: 1234, positives: 900, pairs: 3, archived_pairs: 0, image_links: 56, runs: 1, saved_views: 2, collections: 1 },
     schema: { migrated: true, library_state: true }, integrity: 'ok', documents: { repaired: 0, cleared: 0, images: 0 },
-    live: { prompts: 1, positives: 1, pairs: 0, archived_pairs: 0, image_links: 0, runs: 0, saved_views: 0 }, size: 4096,
+    live: { prompts: 1, positives: 1, pairs: 0, archived_pairs: 0, image_links: 0, runs: 0, saved_views: 0, collections: 0 }, size: 4096,
     safety_backup: { destination_label: 'prompts.db.backup_<date and time>' },
 });
 
diff --git a/tests/test_api_admin.py b/tests/test_api_admin.py
index a5b85ba0..120c1e93 100644
--- a/tests/test_api_admin.py
+++ b/tests/test_api_admin.py
@@ -846,6 +846,14 @@ class TestSettingsReadMonitorThroughModule(AdminAPITestCase):
         self.assertEqual(data["settings"]["gallery_root_paths"], ["output"])
 
 
+def _wired_prompt(text):
+    """A sampler-less graph whose one encoder feeds a guider (#252)."""
+    return {
+        "1": {"class_type": "CLIPTextEncode", "inputs": {"text": text}},
+        "2": {"class_type": "BasicGuider", "inputs": {"conditioning": ["1", 0]}},
+    }
+
+
 def _raise(*args, **kwargs):
     raise RuntimeError("boom")
 
@@ -2186,11 +2194,7 @@ class TestOutputScanInternals(AdminAPITestCase):
 
     def test_ingest_outcomes(self):
         f = Path("gen.png")
-        meta = {
-            "prompt": json.dumps(
-                {"1": {"class_type": "CLIPTextEncode", "inputs": {"text": "a cat"}}}
-            )
-        }
+        meta = {"prompt": json.dumps(_wired_prompt("a cat"))}
         self.assertIsNone(self.api._ingest_scanned_file(f, {}))
         self.assertIsNone(self.api._ingest_scanned_file(f, {"prompt": "{}"}))
         self.assertEqual(
@@ -2202,31 +2206,19 @@ class TestOutputScanInternals(AdminAPITestCase):
 
     def test_ingest_link_failures_are_tolerated(self):
         f = Path("gen.png")
-        meta = {
-            "prompt": json.dumps(
-                {"1": {"class_type": "CLIPTextEncode", "inputs": {"text": "a dog"}}}
-            )
-        }
+        meta = {"prompt": json.dumps(_wired_prompt("a dog"))}
         self.api.db.link_image_to_prompt = _raise
         self.assertEqual(self.api._ingest_scanned_file(f, meta), "added")
         self.assertEqual(self.api._ingest_scanned_file(f, meta), "found")
 
     def test_ingest_save_failure_counts_as_found(self):
         f = Path("gen.png")
-        meta = {
-            "prompt": json.dumps(
-                {"1": {"class_type": "CLIPTextEncode", "inputs": {"text": "a bird"}}}
-            )
-        }
+        meta = {"prompt": json.dumps(_wired_prompt("a bird"))}
         self.api.db.save_prompt = lambda *a, **k: None
         self.assertEqual(self.api._ingest_scanned_file(f, meta), "found")
 
     def test_batch_counts_and_per_file_errors(self):
-        meta = {
-            "prompt": json.dumps(
-                {"1": {"class_type": "CLIPTextEncode", "inputs": {"text": "a fish"}}}
-            )
-        }
+        meta = {"prompt": json.dumps(_wired_prompt("a fish"))}
         self.api.db.get_prompt_by_hash = _raise
         counts = self.api._ingest_scan_batch_sync(
             [(Path("a.png"), meta), (Path("b.png"), {})]
@@ -2915,7 +2907,7 @@ class TestScanReadsVideos(AdminAPITestCase):
         shutil.which("ffmpeg") and shutil.which("ffprobe"), "ffmpeg not installed"
     )
     async def test_scan_adds_prompts_found_in_videos(self):
-        graph = {"1": {"class_type": "CLIPTextEncode", "inputs": {"text": "a cat"}}}
+        graph = _wired_prompt("a cat")
         _write_mp4(
             self.output_dir / "clip.mp4", json.dumps({"prompt": json.dumps(graph)})
         )
diff --git a/tests/test_api_collections.py b/tests/test_api_collections.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c4dcdd86
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_api_collections.py
@@ -0,0 +1,494 @@
+"""Collections (#331): the routes under /prompt_manager/collections."""
+
+import json
+import ntpath
+import sqlite3
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+try:
+    from test_api_images import ImageAPITestCase, make_png
+    from open_handles import assert_closed
+except ImportError:
+    from tests.test_api_images import ImageAPITestCase, make_png
+    from tests.open_handles import assert_closed
+
+BASE = "/prompt_manager/collections"
+ITEMS = BASE + "/items"
+MEMBERSHIP = BASE + "/membership"
+SOURCES_CHANGED = "The sources changed. Refresh the images and try again."
+
+
+class CollectionRoutesTestCase(ImageAPITestCase):
+    async def tearDownAsync(self):
+        self.api.db.close_all()
+        assert_closed(self, self._temp_db.name, self._output_tmp.name)
+        await super().tearDownAsync()
+
+    def make(self, *names, root=None):
+        for name in names:
+            make_png((root or self.output_dir) / name)
+
+    def scope(self, index=0):
+        roots = list(self.api._get_all_output_dirs())
+        return self.api._gallery_root_scope(roots[index], index)
+
+    def item(self, path, index=0, scope=None):
+        return {
+            "root_index": index,
+            "root_scope": scope or self.scope(index),
+            "path": path,
+        }
+
+    def two_sources(self):
+        second = self.comfy_dir / "second"
+        second.mkdir()
+        self.api._get_all_output_dirs = lambda: [self.output_dir, second]
+        return second
+
+    async def call(self, method, url, body=None, status=200, **params):
+        response = await self.client.request(method, url, json=body, params=params)
+        text = await response.text()
+        self.assertEqual(response.status, status, text)
+        data = json.loads(text)
+        self.assertNotIn(self.comfy_dir.as_posix(), text)
+        self.assertNotIn(str(self.comfy_dir).replace("\\", "\\\\"), text)
+        return data
+
+    async def add(self, status=200, **body):
+        return await self.call("POST", ITEMS, body, status)
+
+    async def listed(self):
+        return (await self.call("GET", BASE))["collections"]
+
+
+class TestCollectionRoutes(CollectionRoutesTestCase):
+    async def test_each_route_succeeds(self):
+        self.make("a.png", "b.png", "c.png")
+        self.assertEqual(
+            await self.call("GET", BASE), {"success": True, "collections": []}
+        )
+        made = await self.add(
+            name="  LoRa   testing ", items=[self.item("a.png"), self.item("b.png")]
+        )
+        grids = made["collection"]
+        self.assertEqual(grids["name"], "LoRa testing")
+        self.assertEqual(
+            made,
+            {
+                "success": True,
+                "collection": grids,
+                "created": True,
+                "added": 2,
+                "already": 0,
+                "not_found": 0,
+            },
+        )
+        again = await self.add(
+            collection_id=grids["id"], items=[self.item("b.png"), self.item("c.png")]
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            (again["created"], again["added"], again["already"]), (False, 1, 1)
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            await self.listed(),
+            [{"id": grids["id"], "name": "LoRa testing", "count": 3, "missing": 0}],
+        )
+        membership = await self.call(
+            "GET", MEMBERSHIP, root_index="0", root_scope=self.scope(), path="a.png"
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(membership, {"success": True, "collection_ids": [grids["id"]]})
+        removed = await self.call(
+            "DELETE",
+            ITEMS,
+            {"collection_id": grids["id"], "items": [self.item("a.png")]},
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(removed, {"success": True, "collection": grids, "removed": 1})
+        renamed = await self.call(
+            "PATCH", f"{BASE}/{grids['id']}", {"name": "LoRA grids"}
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            renamed,
+            {"success": True, "collection": {"id": grids["id"], "name": "LoRA grids"}},
+        )
+        deleted = await self.call("DELETE", f"{BASE}/{grids['id']}")
+        self.assertEqual(deleted, {"success": True, "deleted": True})
+        self.assertEqual(await self.listed(), [])
+        # Files are never touched.
+        self.assertTrue((self.output_dir / "a.png").is_file())
+
+    async def test_names_are_unique_ignoring_case(self):
+        self.make("a.png", "b.png")
+        first = (await self.add(name="LoRa testing", items=[self.item("a.png")]))[
+            "collection"
+        ]
+        second = await self.add(name="lora TESTING", items=[self.item("b.png")])
+        self.assertEqual(second["collection"], first)
+        self.assertFalse(second["created"])
+        self.assertEqual(len(await self.listed()), 1)
+
+    async def test_bad_requests_are_400(self):
+        self.make("a.png")
+        made = await self.add(name="Set", items=[self.item("a.png")])
+        cid = made["collection"]["id"]
+        good = [self.item("a.png")]
+        for body in (
+            {"items": good},
+            {"name": "x", "collection_id": cid, "items": good},
+            {"name": "x"},
+            {"name": "x", "items": good, "extra": 1},
+            {"collection_id": "1", "items": good},
+            {"collection_id": True, "items": good},
+            {"collection_id": 0, "items": good},
+            {"collection_id": 10**10, "items": good},
+            {"name": "", "items": good},
+            {"name": "x" * 101, "items": good},
+            {"name": "bell\x07", "items": good},
+            {"name": 5, "items": good},
+            {"name": "x", "items": []},
+            {"name": "x", "items": "a.png"},
+            {"name": "x", "items": [self.item("a.png")] * 501},
+            {"name": "x", "items": [{"root_index": 0, "path": "a.png"}]},
+            {"name": "x", "items": [{**self.item("a.png"), "root_index": "0"}]},
+            {"name": "x", "items": [{**self.item("a.png"), "root_scope": "xyz"}]},
+        ):
+            with self.subTest(body=body):
+                data = await self.add(400, **body)
+                self.assertFalse(data["success"])
+        for body in ({"items": good}, {"collection_id": cid}):
+            with self.subTest(remove=body):
+                await self.call("DELETE", ITEMS, body, 400)
+        for raw in ("abc", "0", "1234567890", "-1", "1.0"):
+            with self.subTest(path_id=raw):
+                await self.call("PATCH", f"{BASE}/{raw}", {"name": "x"}, 400)
+                await self.call("DELETE", f"{BASE}/{raw}", None, 400)
+        await self.call("PATCH", f"{BASE}/{cid}", {"name": ""}, 400)
+        await self.call("PATCH", f"{BASE}/{cid}", {"label": "x"}, 400)
+        for params in (
+            {"root_index": "x", "root_scope": self.scope(), "path": "a.png"},
+            {"root_index": "0", "path": "a.png"},
+            {"root_index": "0", "root_scope": "nope", "path": "a.png"},
+        ):
+            with self.subTest(membership=params):
+                await self.call("GET", MEMBERSHIP, status=400, **params)
+        self.assertEqual((await self.listed())[0]["count"], 1)
+
+    async def test_unsafe_paths_are_403(self):
+        self.make("a.png")
+        for path in (
+            "../a.png",
+            "sub/../../a.png",
+            "C:/a.png",
+            "a\\b.png",
+            "/a.png",
+            "notes.txt",
+        ):
+            with self.subTest(path=path):
+                await self.add(403, name="Set", items=[self.item(path)])
+                await self.call(
+                    "GET",
+                    MEMBERSHIP,
+                    status=403,
+                    root_index="0",
+                    root_scope=self.scope(),
+                    path=path,
+                )
+        self.assertEqual(await self.listed(), [])
+
+    async def test_a_body_over_the_cap_is_413(self):
+        response = await self.client.post(
+            ITEMS, data=b'{"name":"x","items":[' + b" " * (1024 * 1024 + 1) + b"]}"
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(response.status, 413)
+
+    async def test_missing_collection_and_files_are_404(self):
+        self.make("a.png")
+        data = await self.add(404, collection_id=999, items=[self.item("a.png")])
+        self.assertEqual(data["code"], "collection-not-found")
+        data = await self.call(
+            "DELETE", ITEMS, {"collection_id": 999, "items": [self.item("a.png")]}, 404
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(data["code"], "collection-not-found")
+        data = await self.call("PATCH", f"{BASE}/999", {"name": "x"}, 404)
+        self.assertEqual(data["code"], "collection-not-found")
+        data = await self.call("DELETE", f"{BASE}/999", None, 404)
+        self.assertEqual(data["code"], "collection-not-found")
+        data = await self.add(404, name="New", items=[self.item("never.png")])
+        self.assertEqual(data["code"], "files-not-found")
+        self.assertEqual(await self.listed(), [])
+
+    async def test_unlisted_files_count_as_not_found(self):
+        self.make("a.png")
+        made = await self.add(
+            name="Set", items=[self.item("a.png"), self.item("later.png")]
+        )
+        self.assertEqual((made["added"], made["not_found"]), (1, 1))
+        again = await self.add(
+            collection_id=made["collection"]["id"],
+            items=[self.item("a.png"), self.item("later.png")],
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            (again["added"], again["already"], again["not_found"]), (0, 1, 1)
+        )
+
+    async def test_name_taken_is_409(self):
+        self.make("a.png")
+        first = (await self.add(name="First", items=[self.item("a.png")]))["collection"]
+        second = (await self.add(name="Second", items=[self.item("a.png")]))[
+            "collection"
+        ]
+        data = await self.call(
+            "PATCH", f"{BASE}/{second['id']}", {"name": "FIRST"}, 409
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            (data["code"], data["collection_id"]), ("name-taken", first["id"])
+        )
+        renamed = await self.call("PATCH", f"{BASE}/{second['id']}", {"name": "SECOND"})
+        self.assertEqual(renamed["collection"]["name"], "SECOND")
+
+    async def test_stale_scope_is_409_after_reordering_sources(self):
+        second = self.two_sources()
+        self.make("a.png")
+        self.make("b.png", root=second)
+        stale = self.item("b.png", 1)
+        made = await self.add(name="Set", items=[self.item("a.png")])
+        cid = made["collection"]["id"]
+        self.api._get_all_output_dirs = lambda: [second, self.output_dir]
+        for method, body in (
+            ("POST", {"collection_id": cid, "items": [self.item("b.png", 0), stale]}),
+            ("DELETE", {"collection_id": cid, "items": [stale]}),
+        ):
+            with self.subTest(method=method):
+                data = await self.call(method, ITEMS, body, 409)
+                self.assertEqual(data["code"], "source-changed")
+                self.assertEqual(data["error"], SOURCES_CHANGED)
+        data = await self.call(
+            "GET",
+            MEMBERSHIP,
+            status=409,
+            root_index="1",
+            root_scope=stale["root_scope"],
+            path="b.png",
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(data["code"], "source-changed")
+        # Nothing was written by the refused add; the member follows its folder.
+        listed = await self.listed()
+        self.assertEqual((listed[0]["count"], listed[0]["missing"]), (1, 0))
+        membership = await self.call(
+            "GET", MEMBERSHIP, root_index="1", root_scope=self.scope(1), path="a.png"
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(membership["collection_ids"], [cid])
+
+    async def test_counts_exclude_a_missing_member(self):
+        second = self.two_sources()
+        self.make("a.png", "b.png")
+        self.make("c.png", root=second)
+        made = await self.add(
+            name="Grids",
+            items=[self.item("a.png"), self.item("b.png"), self.item("c.png", 1)],
+        )
+        other = await self.add(name="Other", items=[self.item("c.png", 1)])
+        (self.output_dir / "b.png").unlink()
+        self.api.invalidate_gallery_cache()
+        listed = await self.listed()
+        self.assertEqual(
+            listed,
+            [
+                {
+                    "id": made["collection"]["id"],
+                    "name": "Grids",
+                    "count": 2,
+                    "missing": 1,
+                },
+                {
+                    "id": other["collection"]["id"],
+                    "name": "Other",
+                    "count": 1,
+                    "missing": 0,
+                },
+            ],
+        )
+        # The member is removable although it is no longer listed.
+        removed = await self.call(
+            "DELETE",
+            ITEMS,
+            {"collection_id": made["collection"]["id"], "items": [self.item("b.png")]},
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(removed["removed"], 1)
+
+    async def test_counts_are_null_when_a_source_scan_fails(self):
+        self.make("a.png")
+        await self.add(name="Set", items=[self.item("a.png")])
+
+        async def broken(_root):
+            raise OSError("scan failed at /secret/place")
+
+        with patch.object(self.api, "_get_gallery_files", side_effect=broken):
+            data = await self.call("GET", BASE)
+        self.assertEqual(
+            data["collections"][0] | {"id": 0},
+            {"id": 0, "name": "Set", "count": None, "missing": None},
+        )
+        self.assertNotIn("secret", json.dumps(data))
+
+    async def test_windows_case_spellings_are_one_member(self):
+        self.make("Sub/A.png")
+        with patch("py.api.images._path_flavor", ntpath):
+            made = await self.add(
+                name="Set", items=[self.item("Sub/A.png"), self.item("SUB/a.PNG")]
+            )
+            self.assertEqual((made["added"], made["already"]), (1, 0))
+            (self.output_dir / "Sub" / "A.png").rename(
+                self.output_dir / "Sub" / "a.png"
+            )
+            (self.output_dir / "Sub").rename(self.output_dir / "sub")
+            self.api.invalidate_gallery_cache()
+            listed = await self.listed()
+            self.assertEqual((listed[0]["count"], listed[0]["missing"]), (1, 0))
+            membership = await self.call(
+                "GET",
+                MEMBERSHIP,
+                root_index="0",
+                root_scope=self.scope(),
+                path="sub/a.png",
+            )
+            self.assertEqual(membership["collection_ids"], [made["collection"]["id"]])
+            response = await self.client.get(
+                "/prompt_manager/images/output",
+                params={
+                    "mode": "workspace",
+                    "collection": str(made["collection"]["id"]),
+                },
+            )
+            page = await response.json()
+            self.assertEqual([i["path"] for i in page["images"]], ["sub/a.png"])
+
+    async def test_posix_case_distinct_files_stay_two_members(self):
+        self.make("A.png", "a.png")
+        if len(list(self.output_dir.iterdir())) != 2:
+            self.skipTest("case-insensitive filesystem")
+        made = await self.add(
+            name="Set", items=[self.item("A.png"), self.item("a.png")]
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(made["added"], 2)
+
+    async def test_a_500_never_carries_the_exception_text(self):
+        self.make("a.png")
+        made = await self.add(name="Set", items=[self.item("a.png")])
+        cid = made["collection"]["id"]
+
+        def broken(*_args, **_kwargs):
+            raise sqlite3.OperationalError("disk I/O error at /secret/prompts.db")
+
+        cases = (
+            (
+                "list_collections",
+                "GET",
+                BASE,
+                None,
+                {},
+                "Collections could not be read.",
+            ),
+            (
+                "file_collections",
+                "GET",
+                MEMBERSHIP,
+                None,
+                {"root_index": "0", "root_scope": self.scope(), "path": "a.png"},
+                "Collections could not be read.",
+            ),
+            (
+                "add_to_collection",
+                "POST",
+                ITEMS,
+                {"collection_id": cid, "items": [self.item("a.png")]},
+                {},
+                "The collection could not be changed.",
+            ),
+            (
+                "remove_from_collection",
+                "DELETE",
+                ITEMS,
+                {"collection_id": cid, "items": [self.item("a.png")]},
+                {},
+                "The collection could not be changed.",
+            ),
+            (
+                "rename_collection",
+                "PATCH",
+                f"{BASE}/{cid}",
+                {"name": "x"},
+                {},
+                "The collection could not be changed.",
+            ),
+            (
+                "delete_collection",
+                "DELETE",
+                f"{BASE}/{cid}",
+                None,
+                {},
+                "The collection could not be changed.",
+            ),
+        )
+        for method_name, method, url, body, params, message in cases:
+            with self.subTest(method=method_name):
+                with patch.object(self.api.db, method_name, side_effect=broken):
+                    data = await self.call(method, url, body, 500, **params)
+                self.assertEqual(data, {"success": False, "error": message})
+
+
+class TestCollectionListingFilter(CollectionRoutesTestCase):
+    """#392's "all N matching" filter carries ``collection`` like the listing."""
+
+    async def test_a_filter_with_a_collection_resolves_only_members(self):
+        second = self.two_sources()
+        self.make("a.png", "b.png")
+        self.make("c.png", root=second)
+        made = await self.add(
+            name="Set", items=[self.item("a.png"), self.item("c.png", 1)]
+        )
+        cid = str(made["collection"]["id"])
+        selection = await self.api.resolve_listing_filter({"collection": cid})
+        self.assertEqual(
+            sorted((index, path) for index, _scope, path in selection.targets),
+            [(0, "a.png"), (1, "c.png")],
+        )
+        selection = await self.api.resolve_listing_filter(
+            {"collection": cid, "root": "1", "root_scope": self.scope(1)}
+        )
+        self.assertEqual([t[2] for t in selection.targets], ["c.png"])
+        for bad in ("0", "x", "1234567890"):
+            with self.subTest(bad=bad):
+                with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
+                    from py.api.images import parse_listing_filter
+
+                    parse_listing_filter({"collection": bad})
+
+    async def test_bulk_category_acts_on_collection_members_only(self):
+        self.make("a.png", "b.png")
+        inside = self._save_prompt("Inside", category="Old")
+        outside = self._save_prompt("Outside", category="Old")
+        self.api.db.link_image_to_prompt(inside, str(self.output_dir / "a.png"))
+        self.api.db.link_image_to_prompt(outside, str(self.output_dir / "b.png"))
+        made = await self.add(name="Set", items=[self.item("a.png")])
+        cid = str(made["collection"]["id"])
+        data = await self.call(
+            "POST",
+            "/prompt_manager/bulk/category",
+            {"images_filter": {"collection": cid}, "category": "New"},
+        )
+        self.assertEqual((data["updated_count"], data["prompt_count"]), (1, 1))
+        self.assertEqual(self.api.db.get_prompt_by_id(inside)["category"], "New")
+        self.assertEqual(self.api.db.get_prompt_by_id(outside)["category"], "Old")
+
+    async def test_a_deleted_collection_in_a_bulk_filter_is_a_404(self):
+        self.make("a.png")
+        data = await self.call(
+            "POST",
+            "/prompt_manager/bulk/category",
+            {"images_filter": {"collection": "77"}, "category": "New"},
+            status=404,
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(data["code"], "collection-not-found")
+        with self.assertRaises(Exception) as caught:
+            await self.api.resolve_listing_filter({"collection": "77"})
+        self.assertEqual(type(caught.exception).__name__, "CollectionMissing")
diff --git a/tests/test_api_core.py b/tests/test_api_core.py
index 07e6ffa7..bf46c323 100644
--- a/tests/test_api_core.py
+++ b/tests/test_api_core.py
@@ -835,7 +835,6 @@ class TestMetadataParsing(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(parsed["positive_prompt"], "a cat")
         self.assertEqual(parsed["negative_prompt"], "dog")
         self.assertEqual(parsed["parameters"]["parameters"], meta["parameters"])
-        self.assertEqual(self.api._extract_readable_prompt(parsed), "a cat")
 
     def test_parse_comfyui_fields(self):
         meta = {
@@ -856,97 +855,6 @@ class TestMetadataParsing(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(parsed["prompt"], "plain text")
         self.assertEqual(parsed["workflow"], {"nodes": []})
 
-    def test_extract_readable_prompt_variants(self):
-        extract = self.api._extract_readable_prompt
-        self.assertEqual(extract({"prompt": "plain"}), "plain")
-        self.assertEqual(extract({"prompt": ["a", "", "b"]}), "a b")
-        self.assertEqual(extract({"prompt": 42}), "42")
-        self.assertEqual(
-            extract({"prompt": None, "parameters": {"positive": ["x", "y"]}}), "x y"
-        )
-        self.assertIsNone(extract({"prompt": {}, "parameters": {}}))
-
-        graph = {
-            "1": {"class_type": "CLIPTextEncode", "inputs": {"text": "pos"}},
-            "2": {"class_type": "CLIPTextEncode", "inputs": {"text": "neg"}},
-            "3": {
-                "class_type": "KSampler",
-                "inputs": {"positive": ["1", 0], "negative": ["2", 0]},
-            },
-        }
-        self.assertEqual(extract({"prompt": graph}), "pos")
-        self.assertEqual(extract({"prompt": {"x": 1}, "workflow": graph}), "pos")
-
-    def test_node_inputs_and_text_lookup(self):
-        self.assertEqual(self.api._get_node_inputs("nope"), {})
-        self.assertEqual(self.api._get_node_inputs({"inputs": 5}), {})
-        self.assertEqual(self.api._get_node_inputs({"inputs": {"a": 1}}), {"a": 1})
-        listed = self.api._get_node_inputs(
-            {"inputs": [{"name": "text", "link": None}, {"nope": 1}, "junk"]}
-        )
-        self.assertEqual(list(listed), ["text"])
-
-        self.assertIsNone(self.api._find_text_in_node(None))
-        self.assertEqual(self.api._find_text_in_node({"inputs": {"text": "hi"}}), "hi")
-        self.assertEqual(
-            self.api._find_text_in_node(
-                {"type": "CLIPTextEncode", "widgets_values": ["w"]}
-            ),
-            "w",
-        )
-        self.assertIsNone(
-            self.api._find_text_in_node(
-                {"type": "CLIPTextEncode", "widgets_values": [" "]}
-            )
-        )
-        self.assertIsNone(self.api._find_text_in_node({"type": "KSampler"}))
-
-    def test_positive_prompt_from_nodes_array_and_fallbacks(self):
-        extract = self.api._extract_positive_prompt_from_comfyui_data
-        self.assertIsNone(extract("x"))
-        self.assertIsNone(extract({}))
-        self.assertIsNone(extract({"nodes": []}))
-
-        workflow = {
-            "nodes": [
-                {"id": 1, "type": "CLIPTextEncode", "widgets_values": ["pos"]},
-                {
-                    "id": 2,
-                    "type": "CLIPTextEncode",
-                    "widgets_values": ["neg"],
-                    "title": "Negative",
-                },
-                {"id": 3, "type": "KSampler", "inputs": [{"name": "seed", "link": 4}]},
-                "junk",
-            ]
-        }
-        self.assertEqual(extract(workflow), "pos")
-
-        only_negative = {
-            "nodes": [
-                {
-                    "id": 2,
-                    "type": "CLIPTextEncode",
-                    "widgets_values": ["neg"],
-                    "title": "neg",
-                },
-            ]
-        }
-        self.assertEqual(extract(only_negative), "neg")
-
-        bad_link = {
-            "1": {"class_type": "CLIPTextEncode", "inputs": {"text": "pos"}},
-            "3": {
-                "class_type": "KSampler",
-                "inputs": {"positive": "oops", "negative": []},
-            },
-            "4": {
-                "class_type": "KSampler",
-                "inputs": {"positive": ["zz", 0], "negative": []},
-            },
-        }
-        self.assertEqual(extract(bad_link), "pos")
-
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     unittest.main()
diff --git a/tests/test_api_duplicate_files.py b/tests/test_api_duplicate_files.py
index 91bd0ea3..a708e229 100644
--- a/tests/test_api_duplicate_files.py
+++ b/tests/test_api_duplicate_files.py
@@ -687,6 +687,39 @@ class TestCleanupJob(DuplicateFilesTestCase):
             "Moved 2 database links to the kept copies", "\n".join(cleanup.log)
         )
 
+    async def test_duplicate_removal_moves_collection_memberships(self):
+        self.trio()
+        db = self.api.db
+        root_key = duplicate_files.favorite_root_key(self.output_dir)
+        grids = db.add_to_collection(name="LoRA grids", items=[(root_key, "b.png")])
+        grids = grids["collection"]["id"]
+        other = db.add_to_collection(
+            name="Other", items=[(root_key, "sub/c.png"), (root_key, "d.png")]
+        )["collection"]["id"]
+        db.add_to_collection(collection_id=grids, items=[(root_key, "sub/c.png")])
+        _plan, cleanup = await self.remove_all_but("a.png")
+        # The union: a.png joins both; c.png's second grids row was a repeat.
+        self.assertEqual(db.collection_members(grids, root_key), {"a.png"})
+        self.assertEqual(db.collection_members(other, root_key), {"a.png", "d.png"})
+        self.assertEqual(sorted(db.file_collections(root_key, "a.png")), [grids, other])
+        self.assertEqual(db.file_collections(root_key, "b.png"), [])
+        self.assertEqual(db.file_collections(root_key, "sub/c.png"), [])
+        self.assertIn(
+            "Moved 2 collection memberships to the kept copies", "\n".join(cleanup.log)
+        )
+
+    def test_one_collection_membership_is_singular(self):
+        job = type(
+            "Job", (), {"log": [], "log_line": lambda s, line: s.log.append(line)}
+        )()
+        totals = dict.fromkeys(
+            ("moved", "merged", "favorites", "tags", "review", "collections"), 0
+        )
+        duplicate_files.DuplicateFilesMixin._log_moved_records(
+            job, {**totals, "collections": 1}
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(job.log, ["Moved 1 collection membership to the kept copies"])
+
     async def test_a_failed_removal_leaves_its_links_on_the_kept_copy(self):
         self.trio()
         prompt = self.save("Stays on c")
@@ -843,8 +876,11 @@ class TestLinkQueries(DuplicateFilesTestCase):
                 with self.subTest(sql=sql):
                     self.assertNotIn("SCAN generated_images", plan)
                     self.assertNotIn("SCAN image_favorites", plan)
+                    self.assertNotIn("SCAN image_collection_items", plan)
         finally:
             conn.close()
+        statements = duplicate_files.query_plan_sql()
+        self.assertTrue(any("image_collection_items" in sql for sql in statements))
 
 
 class TestReviewHelpers(DuplicateFilesTestCase):
diff --git a/tests/test_api_workspace_images.py b/tests/test_api_workspace_images.py
index f30f3947..26211a5b 100644
--- a/tests/test_api_workspace_images.py
+++ b/tests/test_api_workspace_images.py
@@ -2494,3 +2494,171 @@ class TestListingFilterSelection(ImageAPITestCase):
 
         self.assertEqual(response.status, 409)
         self.assertEqual((await response.json())["code"], "source-changed")
+
+
+class TestWorkspaceCollectionFilter(ImageAPITestCase):
+    """#331: ``collection=<id>`` keeps only that collection's listed members."""
+
+    media = TestWorkspaceImages.media
+    get = TestWorkspaceImages.get
+    _names = TestWorkspaceImages._names
+
+    async def tearDownAsync(self):
+        self.api.db.close_all()
+        assert_closed(self, self._temp_db.name, self._output_tmp.name)
+        await super().tearDownAsync()
+
+    def keys(self, root, relative):
+        from py.api.images import _favorite_relative_key, _favorite_root_key
+
+        return (_favorite_root_key(root), _favorite_relative_key(relative))
+
+    def collect(self, name, *members):
+        """A collection holding ``(root, relative)`` members; its id."""
+        result = self.api.db.add_to_collection(
+            name=name, items=[self.keys(root, rel) for root, rel in members]
+        )
+        return result["collection"]["id"]
+
+    def two_sources(self):
+        second = self.comfy_dir / "second"
+        second.mkdir()
+        self.api._get_all_output_dirs = lambda: [self.output_dir, second]
+        return second
+
+    async def test_listing_keeps_only_collection_members(self):
+        second = self.two_sources()
+        self.media("a.png", 300)
+        self.media("b.png", 200)
+        self.media("sub/c.png", 100, root=second)
+        self.media("d.png", 50, root=second)
+        grids = self.collect(
+            "Grids",
+            (self.output_dir, "a.png"),
+            (second, "sub/c.png"),
+            (self.output_dir, "gone.png"),  # stored, never listed
+        )
+        self.collect("Other", (self.output_dir, "b.png"))
+        response, data = await self.get(collection=str(grids))
+        self.assertEqual(response.status, 200, data)
+        self.assertEqual(self._names(data), ["a.png", "c.png"])
+        self.assertEqual(data["total"], 2)
+        _, data = await self.get(collection=str(grids), root="1")
+        self.assertEqual(self._names(data), ["c.png"])
+        # Without the filter the listing is unchanged.
+        _, data = await self.get()
+        self.assertEqual(data["total"], 4)
+
+    async def test_collection_filter_combines_with_the_other_filters(self):
+        night = self._save_prompt("Neon zebra", category="Night", tags=["a"])
+        day = self._save_prompt("Morning field", category="Day", tags=["a"])
+        files = {
+            name: self.media(name, 100 + index)
+            for index, name in enumerate(
+                ("night.png", "day.png", "zebra_plain.png", "clip.mp4", "out.png")
+            )
+        }
+        self.api.db.link_image_to_prompt(night, str(files["night.png"]))
+        self.api.db.link_image_to_prompt(day, str(files["day.png"]))
+        members = [(self.output_dir, name) for name in files if name != "out.png"]
+        grids = str(self.collect("Grids", *members))
+        cases = (
+            ({}, ["clip.mp4", "day.png", "night.png", "zebra_plain.png"]),
+            ({"q": "zebra"}, ["night.png", "zebra_plain.png"]),
+            ({"category": "Night"}, ["night.png"]),
+            ({"tags": "a"}, ["day.png", "night.png"]),
+            ({"media": "video"}, ["clip.mp4"]),
+            ({"media": "image", "q": "day"}, ["day.png"]),
+        )
+        for params, expected in cases:
+            with self.subTest(**params):
+                response, data = await self.get(collection=grids, sort="name", **params)
+                self.assertEqual(response.status, 200, data)
+                self.assertEqual(self._names(data), expected)
+                self.assertEqual(data["total"], len(expected))
+
+    async def test_invalid_collection_is_a_400(self):
+        for value in ("x", "0", "-1", "1.5", "1234567890", " 1"):
+            with self.subTest(value=value):
+                response, data = await self.get(collection=value)
+                self.assertEqual(response.status, 400, data)
+
+    async def test_unknown_collection_is_a_404(self):
+        self.media("a.png")
+        response, data = await self.get(collection="77")
+        self.assertEqual(response.status, 404)
+        self.assertEqual(data["code"], "collection-not-found")
+        self.assertNotIn("images", data)
+        self.api._get_all_output_dirs = lambda: []
+        response, data = await self.get(collection="77")
+        self.assertEqual((response.status, data["code"]), (404, "collection-not-found"))
+
+    async def test_a_collection_deleted_during_the_read_is_a_404(self):
+        self.media("a.png")
+        grids = self.collect("Grids", (self.output_dir, "a.png"))
+        real = self.api.db.collection_members
+
+        def deleted_meanwhile(collection_id, root_key):
+            self.api.db.delete_collection(collection_id)
+            return real(collection_id, root_key)
+
+        with patch.object(
+            self.api.db, "collection_members", side_effect=deleted_meanwhile
+        ):
+            response, data = await self.get(collection=str(grids))
+        self.assertEqual((response.status, data["code"]), (404, "collection-not-found"))
+
+    async def test_a_failed_members_read_is_a_500_never_an_unfiltered_page(self):
+        self.media("a.png")
+        self.media("b.png")
+        grids = self.collect("Grids", (self.output_dir, "a.png"))
+
+        def broken(*_args, **_kwargs):
+            raise sqlite3.OperationalError("database is locked")
+
+        with patch.object(self.api.db, "collection_members", side_effect=broken):
+            response, data = await self.get(collection=str(grids))
+        self.assertEqual(response.status, 500)
+        self.assertNotIn("images", data)
+        self.assertNotIn("locked", json.dumps(data))
+
+    async def test_reordering_sources_keeps_members(self):
+        second = self.two_sources()
+        self.media("a.png", root=second)
+        self.media("b.png")
+        grids = str(self.collect("Grids", (second, "a.png")))
+        _, data = await self.get(collection=grids)
+        self.assertEqual(
+            [(i["root_index"], i["path"]) for i in data["images"]], [(1, "a.png")]
+        )
+        self.api._get_all_output_dirs = lambda: [second, self.output_dir]
+        _, data = await self.get(collection=grids)
+        self.assertEqual(
+            [(i["root_index"], i["path"]) for i in data["images"]], [(0, "a.png")]
+        )
+
+    async def test_cursor_from_another_collection_is_refused(self):
+        for index, name in enumerate(("a.png", "b.png", "c.png")):
+            self.media(name, 100 + index)
+        everything = [(self.output_dir, name) for name in ("a.png", "b.png", "c.png")]
+        first = str(self.collect("First", *everything))
+        second = str(self.collect("Second", *everything))
+        _, page = await self.get(collection=first, limit=1)
+        token = page["next_cursor"]
+        self.assertIsInstance(token, str)
+        response, _ = await self.get(collection=first, limit=1, cursor=token)
+        self.assertEqual(response.status, 200)
+        for params in ({"collection": second}, {}, {"favorites": "1"}):
+            with self.subTest(**params):
+                response, _ = await self.get(cursor=token, limit=1, **params)
+                self.assertEqual(response.status, 400)
+
+    async def test_collection_wins_over_favorites(self):
+        self.media("a.png")
+        self.media("b.png")
+        grids = str(self.collect("Grids", (self.output_dir, "a.png")))
+        from py.api.images import _favorite_root_key
+
+        self.api.db.set_image_favorite(_favorite_root_key(self.output_dir), "b.png")
+        _, data = await self.get(collection=grids, favorites="1")
+        self.assertEqual(self._names(data), ["a.png"])
diff --git a/tests/test_database_backup.py b/tests/test_database_backup.py
index 2437220b..8e08b588 100644
--- a/tests/test_database_backup.py
+++ b/tests/test_database_backup.py
@@ -614,6 +614,50 @@ class TestRestoreFromFile(BackupTestCase):
             )
         assert_closed(self, str(backups[0]))
 
+    def test_backup_and_restore_keep_collections(self):
+        with self.db.model.get_connection() as conn:
+            conn.execute(
+                "INSERT INTO image_collections (id, name, name_key, created_at) "
+                "VALUES (4, 'LoRa testing', 'lora testing', '2026-10-27T00:00:00Z')"
+            )
+            conn.execute(
+                "INSERT INTO image_collection_items VALUES "
+                "(4, 'root', 'grid.png', '2026-10-27T00:00:00Z')"
+            )
+        with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as directory:
+            # The rows still sit in the WAL; a backup must carry them.
+            backup = os.path.join(directory, "backup.db")
+            self.assertTrue(self.db.model.backup_database(backup))
+            self.assertEqual(
+                PromptModel.verify_database_file(backup, require_library_state=True),
+                (True, "ok"),
+            )
+            with self.db.model.get_connection() as conn:
+                conn.execute("DELETE FROM image_collections")
+
+            self.db.model.restore_from_file(backup)
+
+            conn = self.db.model.get_connection()
+            self.assertEqual(
+                [
+                    tuple(r)
+                    for r in conn.execute("SELECT id, name FROM image_collections")
+                ],
+                [(4, "LoRa testing")],
+            )
+            self.assertEqual(
+                [
+                    tuple(r)
+                    for r in conn.execute(
+                        "SELECT collection_id, root_key, relative_path "
+                        "FROM image_collection_items"
+                    )
+                ],
+                [(4, "root", "grid.png")],
+            )
+            PromptModel.close_all_instances()
+            assert_closed(self, directory)
+
     def test_restore_without_a_live_database_returns_empty_backup_path(self):
         src = self._make_source_db(["fresh"])
         self.db.close_all()
diff --git a/tests/test_image_collections.py b/tests/test_image_collections.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9136c862
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_image_collections.py
@@ -0,0 +1,223 @@
+"""Collections (#331): the database operations."""
+
+import sqlite3
+import tempfile
+import unittest
+from pathlib import Path
+
+try:
+    from tests.open_handles import assert_closed
+except ImportError:  # discovered with tests/ as the top-level directory
+    from open_handles import assert_closed
+
+from database.models import PromptModel
+from database.operations import PromptDatabase
+
+try:  # guarded so a missing module fails assertions, not test loading
+    from database.image_collections import (
+        CollectionFilesMissing,
+        CollectionInvalid,
+        CollectionMissing,
+        CollectionNameTaken,
+        READ_SQL,
+    )
+except ImportError:
+    CollectionFilesMissing = CollectionMissing = CollectionNameTaken = None
+    CollectionInvalid = ValueError
+    READ_SQL = None
+
+ROOT = "/real/output"
+OTHER = "/real/other"
+
+
+class ImageCollectionOperationsTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.temp = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
+        self.addCleanup(self.temp.cleanup)
+        self.addCleanup(assert_closed, self, self.temp.name)
+        self.addCleanup(PromptModel.reset_schema_cache)
+        self.db = PromptDatabase(str(Path(self.temp.name) / "prompts.db"))
+        self.addCleanup(self.db.close_all)
+
+    def require(self):
+        self.assertTrue(
+            hasattr(self.db, "add_to_collection"),
+            "ImageCollectionOperations is not implemented",
+        )
+
+    def add(self, items, **target):
+        return self.db.add_to_collection(items=items, **target)
+
+    def test_add_creates_a_collection_by_name(self):
+        self.require()
+        result = self.add(
+            [(ROOT, "a.png"), (ROOT, "b.png"), (OTHER, "a.png")], name="LoRa testing"
+        )
+        collection = result["collection"]
+        self.assertEqual(collection["name"], "LoRa testing")
+        self.assertEqual(
+            result,
+            {"collection": collection, "created": True, "added": 3, "already": 0},
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(self.db.list_collections(), [collection])
+        self.assertTrue(self.db.collection_exists(collection["id"]))
+        self.assertEqual(self.db.get_collection(collection["id"]), collection)
+        self.assertEqual(
+            self.db.collection_members(collection["id"], ROOT), {"a.png", "b.png"}
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            self.db.root_collection_members(OTHER), {collection["id"]: {"a.png"}}
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(self.db.collection_counts(), {collection["id"]: 3})
+        self.assertEqual(self.db.file_collections(ROOT, "a.png"), [collection["id"]])
+        self.assertEqual(self.db.file_collections(ROOT, "zzz.png"), [])
+
+    def test_add_by_name_ignores_case_and_unicode_form(self):
+        self.require()
+        first = self.add([(ROOT, "a.png")], name="Café grids")["collection"]
+        # NFD spelling (macOS) in another case joins the same collection.
+        second = self.add([(ROOT, "b.png")], name="CAFÉ  GRIDS")
+        self.assertEqual(second["collection"], first)
+        self.assertFalse(second["created"])
+        self.assertEqual(len(self.db.list_collections()), 1)
+        self.assertEqual(
+            self.db.collection_members(first["id"], ROOT), {"a.png", "b.png"}
+        )
+
+    def test_add_counts_already_present(self):
+        self.require()
+        made = self.add([(ROOT, "a.png"), (ROOT, "b.png")], name="Set")
+        result = self.add(
+            [(ROOT, "b.png"), (ROOT, "c.png"), (ROOT, "c.png")],
+            collection_id=made["collection"]["id"],
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            (result["created"], result["added"], result["already"]), (False, 1, 1)
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(self.db.collection_counts(), {made["collection"]["id"]: 3})
+
+    def test_add_with_a_new_name_and_nothing_inserted_creates_nothing(self):
+        self.require()
+        with self.assertRaises(CollectionFilesMissing):
+            self.add([], name="Empty")
+        self.assertEqual(self.db.list_collections(), [])
+        # An existing name with nothing to add is not an error.
+        made = self.add([(ROOT, "a.png")], name="Kept")["collection"]
+        self.assertEqual(
+            self.add([], name="kept"),
+            {"collection": made, "created": False, "added": 0, "already": 0},
+        )
+
+    def test_add_to_a_deleted_collection_raises_missing(self):
+        self.require()
+        made = self.add([(ROOT, "a.png")], name="Gone")["collection"]
+        self.db.delete_collection(made["id"])
+        with self.assertRaises(CollectionMissing):
+            self.add([(ROOT, "b.png")], collection_id=made["id"])
+        with self.assertRaises(CollectionMissing):
+            self.db.remove_from_collection(made["id"], [(ROOT, "a.png")])
+        with self.assertRaises(CollectionMissing):
+            self.db.rename_collection(made["id"], "Back")
+        self.assertFalse(self.db.collection_exists(made["id"]))
+        self.assertIsNone(self.db.get_collection(made["id"]))
+
+    def test_remove_returns_the_count(self):
+        self.require()
+        made = self.add([(ROOT, "a.png"), (ROOT, "b.png")], name="Set")["collection"]
+        result = self.db.remove_from_collection(
+            made["id"], [(ROOT, "a.png"), (ROOT, "a.png"), (ROOT, "never.png")]
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result, {"collection": made, "removed": 1})
+        self.assertEqual(self.db.collection_members(made["id"], ROOT), {"b.png"})
+        # Removing the last member keeps the (now empty) collection.
+        self.db.remove_from_collection(made["id"], [(ROOT, "b.png")])
+        self.assertEqual(self.db.list_collections(), [made])
+        self.assertEqual(self.db.collection_counts(), {made["id"]: 0})
+
+    def test_rename_refuses_a_taken_name(self):
+        self.require()
+        first = self.add([(ROOT, "a.png")], name="First")["collection"]
+        second = self.add([(ROOT, "a.png")], name="Second")["collection"]
+        with self.assertRaises(CollectionNameTaken) as caught:
+            self.db.rename_collection(second["id"], " first ")
+        self.assertEqual(caught.exception.collection_id, first["id"])
+        self.assertEqual(self.db.get_collection(second["id"]), second)
+
+    def test_rename_accepts_a_case_variant_of_its_own_name(self):
+        self.require()
+        made = self.add([(ROOT, "a.png")], name="lora grids")["collection"]
+        renamed = self.db.rename_collection(made["id"], "LoRA   grids ")
+        self.assertEqual(renamed, {"id": made["id"], "name": "LoRA grids"})
+        self.assertEqual(self.db.list_collections(), [renamed])
+        other = self.db.rename_collection(made["id"], "Portraits")
+        self.assertEqual(other["name"], "Portraits")
+
+    def test_delete_unknown_raises_missing(self):
+        self.require()
+        made = self.add([(ROOT, "a.png")], name="Doomed")["collection"]
+        self.assertTrue(self.db.delete_collection(made["id"]))
+        self.assertEqual(self.db.root_collection_members(ROOT), {})
+        with self.assertRaises(CollectionMissing):
+            self.db.delete_collection(made["id"])
+        with self.assertRaises(CollectionMissing):
+            self.db.delete_collection(999)
+
+    def test_list_is_in_name_key_order(self):
+        self.require()
+        for name in ("beta", "Alpha", "été", "Zeta", "alpha two"):
+            self.add([(ROOT, "a.png")], name=name)
+        self.assertEqual(
+            [row["name"] for row in self.db.list_collections()],
+            ["Alpha", "alpha two", "beta", "Zeta", "été"],
+        )
+
+    def test_names_are_trimmed_and_collapsed(self):
+        self.require()
+        made = self.add([(ROOT, "a.png")], name="  LoRa \t testing\n ")["collection"]
+        self.assertEqual(made["name"], "LoRa testing")
+        for bad in ("", "   ", "x" * 101, "bell\x07", 5, None):
+            with self.subTest(name=bad):
+                with self.assertRaises(CollectionInvalid):
+                    self.add([(ROOT, "a.png")], name=bad)
+        self.assertEqual(len(self.db.list_collections()), 1)
+
+    def test_targets_and_items_are_validated(self):
+        self.require()
+        made = self.add([(ROOT, "a.png")], name="Set")["collection"]
+        for target in (
+            {},
+            {"name": "x", "collection_id": made["id"]},
+            {"collection_id": True},
+            {"collection_id": 0},
+            {"collection_id": "1"},
+        ):
+            with self.subTest(target=target):
+                with self.assertRaises(CollectionInvalid):
+                    self.add([(ROOT, "a.png")], **target)
+        for items in ([("root",)], [(ROOT, 5)], "a.png", [(ROOT, "x" * 4097)]):
+            with self.subTest(items=items):
+                with self.assertRaises(CollectionInvalid):
+                    self.add(items, collection_id=made["id"])
+
+    def test_reads_use_an_index(self):
+        self.require()
+        self.add([(ROOT, "a.png")], name="Set")
+        conn = sqlite3.connect(self.db.model.db_path)
+        try:
+            for sql in READ_SQL:
+                plan = " ".join(
+                    row[3]
+                    for row in conn.execute(
+                        "EXPLAIN QUERY PLAN " + sql, [None] * sql.count("?")
+                    )
+                )
+                with self.subTest(sql=sql):
+                    self.assertNotIn("SCAN image_collection_items", plan)
+                    if "?" in sql:  # a lookup, not the whole list
+                        self.assertNotIn("SCAN image_collections", plan)
+        finally:
+            conn.close()
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()
diff --git a/tests/test_image_collections_schema.py b/tests/test_image_collections_schema.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fb06ba2d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_image_collections_schema.py
@@ -0,0 +1,485 @@
+"""Collections schema (#331): install, validation and restore safety."""
+
+import re
+import sqlite3
+import tempfile
+import unittest
+import unicodedata
+from contextlib import closing
+from pathlib import Path
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+try:
+    from tests.open_handles import assert_closed
+    from tests.test_annotation_schema import LEGACY_TABLES, table_rows
+except ImportError:  # discovered with tests/ as the top-level directory
+    from open_handles import assert_closed
+    from test_annotation_schema import LEGACY_TABLES, table_rows
+
+from database.models import PromptModel
+
+try:  # guarded so a missing module fails assertions, not test loading
+    from database import image_collections
+    from database.image_collections import (
+        image_collections_schema_error,
+        migrate_image_collections,
+    )
+except ImportError:
+    image_collections = None
+    image_collections_schema_error = None
+    migrate_image_collections = None
+
+COLLECTIONS = "image_collections"
+ITEMS = "image_collection_items"
+INDEX = "idx_image_collection_items_file"
+TABLES = (COLLECTIONS, ITEMS)
+DDL = {
+    COLLECTIONS: (
+        f"CREATE TABLE {COLLECTIONS} (id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT, "
+        "name TEXT NOT NULL, name_key TEXT NOT NULL UNIQUE, "
+        "created_at TEXT NOT NULL)"
+    ),
+    ITEMS: (
+        f"CREATE TABLE {ITEMS} (collection_id INTEGER NOT NULL REFERENCES "
+        f"{COLLECTIONS}(id) ON DELETE CASCADE, root_key TEXT NOT NULL, "
+        "relative_path TEXT NOT NULL, added_at TEXT NOT NULL, "
+        "PRIMARY KEY (collection_id, root_key, relative_path))"
+    ),
+}
+INDEX_DDL = f"CREATE INDEX {INDEX} ON {ITEMS}(root_key, relative_path)"
+NOW = "2026-10-27T00:00:00.000000+00:00"
+IMAGES = 23_000
+
+
+def _compact(sql):
+    return re.sub(r"\s+", "", sql or "").lower()
+
+
+def expected_catalog():
+    return {
+        ("table", COLLECTIONS, _compact(DDL[COLLECTIONS])),
+        ("table", ITEMS, _compact(DDL[ITEMS])),
+        ("index", INDEX, _compact(INDEX_DDL)),
+        ("index", f"sqlite_autoindex_{COLLECTIONS}_1", ""),
+        ("index", f"sqlite_autoindex_{ITEMS}_1", ""),
+    }
+
+
+def catalog(conn):
+    return {
+        (kind, name, _compact(sql))
+        for kind, name, sql in conn.execute(
+            "SELECT type,name,sql FROM sqlite_master "
+            "WHERE name IN (?,?,?) OR tbl_name IN (?,?)",
+            (*TABLES, INDEX, *TABLES),
+        )
+    }
+
+
+def key(name):
+    return unicodedata.normalize("NFC", unicodedata.normalize("NFC", name).casefold())
+
+
+def schema(conn, exclude=()):
+    return sorted(
+        tuple(row)
+        for row in conn.execute(
+            "SELECT type,name,tbl_name,sql FROM sqlite_master ORDER BY name"
+        )
+        if row[1] not in exclude and row[2] not in exclude
+    )
+
+
+def row_counts(conn):
+    tables = [
+        name
+        for (name,) in conn.execute(
+            "SELECT name FROM sqlite_master WHERE type='table' ORDER BY name"
+        )
+    ]
+    return {
+        table: conn.execute(f"SELECT COUNT(*) FROM {table}").fetchone()[0]  # nosec
+        for table in tables
+    }
+
+
+class ImageCollectionsSchemaTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.temp = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
+        self.addCleanup(self.temp.cleanup)
+        self.addCleanup(assert_closed, self, self.temp.name)
+        self.addCleanup(PromptModel.reset_schema_cache)
+        self.models = []
+        self.addCleanup(self.close_models)
+        self.path = str(Path(self.temp.name) / "live.db")
+
+    def close_models(self):
+        for model in self.models:
+            model.close_all()
+
+    def model(self, path=None):
+        model = PromptModel(path or self.path)
+        self.models.append(model)
+        return model
+
+    def require_module(self):
+        self.assertIsNotNone(
+            image_collections_schema_error,
+            "database.image_collections is not implemented",
+        )
+
+    def closed_current(self, name="current.db", *statements):
+        """A closed current database, altered afterwards by *statements*."""
+        path = str(Path(self.temp.name) / name)
+        model = self.model(path)
+        model.close_all()
+        PromptModel.reset_schema_cache()
+        with closing(sqlite3.connect(path)) as raw, raw:
+            raw.execute("PRAGMA foreign_keys=OFF")
+            for statement in statements:
+                if isinstance(statement, tuple):
+                    raw.execute(*statement)
+                else:
+                    raw.execute(statement)
+        return path
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def drop_group(path):
+        with closing(sqlite3.connect(path)) as raw, raw:
+            raw.execute(f"DROP TABLE {ITEMS}")
+            raw.execute(f"DROP TABLE {COLLECTIONS}")
+
+    def test_migration_creates_tables_and_index(self):
+        self.require_module()
+        model = self.model()
+        with model.get_connection() as conn:
+            self.assertEqual(catalog(conn), expected_catalog())
+            self.assertIsNone(image_collections_schema_error(conn, allow_missing=False))
+            self.assertEqual(
+                conn.execute(f"SELECT COUNT(*) FROM {COLLECTIONS}").fetchone()[0], 0
+            )
+            self.assertEqual(
+                conn.execute(f"SELECT COUNT(*) FROM {ITEMS}").fetchone()[0], 0
+            )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            PromptModel.verify_database_file(self.path, require_library_state=True),
+            (True, "ok"),
+        )
+
+    def test_migration_is_idempotent(self):
+        self.require_module()
+        model = self.model()
+        with model.get_connection() as conn:
+            conn.execute(
+                f"INSERT INTO {COLLECTIONS} (name, name_key, created_at) "
+                "VALUES ('Kept', 'kept', ?)",
+                (NOW,),
+            )
+            conn.execute(f"INSERT INTO {ITEMS} VALUES (1, 'root', 'a.png', ?)", (NOW,))
+            before = schema(conn)
+        model.close_all()
+        for _ in range(2):
+            PromptModel.reset_schema_cache()
+            model = self.model()
+            with model.get_connection() as conn:
+                migrate_image_collections(conn)
+                self.assertEqual(schema(conn), before)
+                self.assertEqual(
+                    [tuple(r) for r in conn.execute(f"SELECT * FROM {ITEMS}")],
+                    [(1, "root", "a.png", NOW)],
+                )
+            model.close_all()
+
+    def test_migration_reads_only_its_own_tables(self):
+        self.require_module()
+        model = self.model()
+        with model.get_connection() as conn:
+            conn.execute("INSERT INTO prompts(id,text,hash) VALUES(1,'positive','p')")
+            conn.executemany(
+                "INSERT INTO generated_images(prompt_id,image_path,filename,"
+                "file_path) VALUES(1,?,?,?)",
+                ((f"/out/{n}.png", f"{n}.png", f"/out/{n}.png") for n in range(IMAGES)),
+            )
+            conn.execute("INSERT INTO image_favorites VALUES('root','a.png',?)", (NOW,))
+        model.close_all()
+        self.drop_group(self.path)
+        with closing(sqlite3.connect(self.path)) as raw:
+            raw.execute("PRAGMA foreign_keys=ON")
+            counts_before = row_counts(raw)
+            schema_before = schema(raw)
+            legacy_before = table_rows(raw, LEGACY_TABLES)
+            self.assertEqual(counts_before["generated_images"], IMAGES)
+            touched = []
+
+            def record(action, arg1, arg2, _db, _trigger):
+                touched.append((action, arg1, arg2))
+                return sqlite3.SQLITE_OK
+
+            raw.set_authorizer(record)
+            try:
+                migrate_image_collections(raw)
+            finally:
+                raw.set_authorizer(None)
+            raw.commit()
+            reads = {
+                arg1 for action, arg1, _arg2 in touched if action == sqlite3.SQLITE_READ
+            }
+            self.assertTrue(reads)
+            self.assertLessEqual(reads, {"sqlite_master", COLLECTIONS, ITEMS})
+            writes = {
+                arg1
+                for action, arg1, _arg2 in touched
+                if action
+                in (sqlite3.SQLITE_INSERT, sqlite3.SQLITE_UPDATE, sqlite3.SQLITE_DELETE)
+            }
+            self.assertLessEqual(writes, {"sqlite_master"})
+            self.assertEqual(catalog(raw), expected_catalog())
+            counts_after = row_counts(raw)
+            self.assertEqual(counts_after.pop(COLLECTIONS), 0)
+            self.assertEqual(counts_after.pop(ITEMS), 0)
+            self.assertEqual(counts_after, counts_before)
+            self.assertEqual(schema(raw, exclude=TABLES), schema_before)
+            self.assertEqual(table_rows(raw, LEGACY_TABLES), legacy_before)
+            # A second run is a no-op.
+            after_first = schema(raw)
+            changes = raw.total_changes
+            migrate_image_collections(raw)
+            raw.commit()
+            self.assertEqual(schema(raw), after_first)
+            self.assertEqual(raw.total_changes, changes)
+
+    def test_migration_refuses_a_foreign_object_of_the_same_name(self):
+        self.require_module()
+        for statements in (
+            (f"CREATE TABLE {COLLECTIONS} (x)",),
+            (f"CREATE VIEW {COLLECTIONS} AS SELECT 1",),
+            (f"CREATE INDEX {INDEX} ON prompts(text)",),
+        ):
+            with self.subTest(statements=statements):
+                path = str(Path(self.temp.name) / f"foreign{len(self.models)}.db")
+                self.model(path).close_all()
+                PromptModel.reset_schema_cache()
+                self.drop_group(path)
+                with closing(sqlite3.connect(path)) as raw, raw:
+                    for statement in statements:
+                        raw.execute(statement)
+                with closing(sqlite3.connect(path)) as raw:
+                    before = schema(raw)
+                    self.assertIsNotNone(image_collections_schema_error(raw))
+                with self.assertRaises(sqlite3.DatabaseError):
+                    self.model(path).get_connection()
+                PromptModel.close_all_instances()
+                PromptModel.reset_schema_cache()
+                with closing(sqlite3.connect(path)) as raw:
+                    self.assertEqual(schema(raw), before)
+                    self.assertIsNone(
+                        raw.execute(
+                            "SELECT 1 FROM sqlite_master WHERE name=?", (ITEMS,)
+                        ).fetchone()
+                    )
+                self.assertFalse(PromptModel.verify_database_file(path)[0])
+
+    def test_migration_rolls_back_on_error(self):
+        self.require_module()
+        self.model().close_all()
+        PromptModel.reset_schema_cache()
+        self.drop_group(self.path)
+        with closing(sqlite3.connect(self.path)) as raw:
+            with patch.object(
+                image_collections,
+                "image_collections_schema_error",
+                side_effect=[None, "Image collections went wrong"],
+            ):
+                with self.assertRaisesRegex(sqlite3.DatabaseError, "went wrong"):
+                    migrate_image_collections(raw)
+            raw.commit()
+            self.assertEqual(catalog(raw), set())
+
+    def test_startup_accepts_a_value_saved_under_older_rules(self):
+        self.require_module()
+        path = self.closed_current(
+            "older.db",
+            (
+                f"INSERT INTO {COLLECTIONS} (name, name_key, created_at) "
+                "VALUES (?, 'not the key', ?)",
+                (" " + "x" * 150 + " ", NOW),
+            ),
+        )
+        model = self.model(path)
+        with model.get_connection() as conn:
+            self.assertIsNone(image_collections_schema_error(conn, check_values=False))
+            self.assertIsNotNone(image_collections_schema_error(conn))
+            self.assertEqual(
+                conn.execute(f"SELECT COUNT(*) FROM {COLLECTIONS}").fetchone()[0], 1
+            )
+        model.close_all()
+        self.assertFalse(
+            PromptModel.verify_database_file(path, require_library_state=True)[0]
+        )
+
+    def test_restore_accepts_an_old_backup_without_collections(self):
+        self.require_module()
+        path = self.closed_current("old.db")
+        self.drop_group(path)
+        with closing(sqlite3.connect(path)) as raw:
+            self.assertIsNone(image_collections_schema_error(raw))
+            self.assertEqual(
+                image_collections_schema_error(raw, allow_missing=False),
+                "Missing image collections schema",
+            )
+        self.assertEqual(PromptModel.verify_database_file(path), (True, "ok"))
+        model = self.model(path)
+        with model.get_connection() as conn:
+            self.assertEqual(catalog(conn), expected_catalog())
+        model.close_all()
+        self.assertEqual(
+            PromptModel.verify_database_file(path, require_library_state=True),
+            (True, "ok"),
+        )
+
+    def test_restore_requires_collections_on_a_current_stage(self):
+        self.require_module()
+        path = self.closed_current("stage.db")
+        self.drop_group(path)
+        self.assertEqual(
+            PromptModel.verify_database_file(path, require_library_state=True),
+            (False, "Missing image collections schema"),
+        )
+        # One table without the other is never acceptable.
+        partial = self.closed_current("partial.db", f"DROP TABLE {ITEMS}")
+        self.assertFalse(PromptModel.verify_database_file(partial)[0])
+
+    def assert_refused(self, name, *statements):
+        self.require_module()
+        path = self.closed_current(
+            f"{name}.db",
+            (
+                f"INSERT INTO {COLLECTIONS} (id, name, name_key, created_at) "
+                "VALUES (1, 'Good', 'good', ?)",
+                (NOW,),
+            ),
+            (f"INSERT INTO {ITEMS} VALUES (1, 'root', 'a.png', ?)", (NOW,)),
+            *statements,
+        )
+        with closing(sqlite3.connect(path)) as raw:
+            self.assertIsNone(image_collections_schema_error(raw, check_values=False))
+            error = image_collections_schema_error(raw)
+        self.assertIsNotNone(error)
+        self.assertIn("collections", error.lower())
+        ok, reason = PromptModel.verify_database_file(path)
+        self.assertFalse(ok)
+        self.assertEqual(reason, error)
+        self.assertFalse(
+            PromptModel.verify_database_file(path, require_library_state=True)[0]
+        )
+
+    def test_a_valid_current_database_is_accepted(self):
+        self.require_module()
+        path = self.closed_current(
+            "valid.db",
+            (
+                f"INSERT INTO {COLLECTIONS} (id, name, name_key, created_at) "
+                "VALUES (1, ?, ?, ?)",
+                ("LoRa testing", key("LoRa testing"), NOW),
+            ),
+            (f"INSERT INTO {ITEMS} VALUES (1, 'root', ?, ?)", ("é" * 4096, NOW)),
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            PromptModel.verify_database_file(path, require_library_state=True),
+            (True, "ok"),
+        )
+
+    def test_restore_refuses_a_non_text_name(self):
+        self.assert_refused("int-name", f"UPDATE {COLLECTIONS} SET name = 5")
+
+    def test_restore_refuses_an_empty_name(self):
+        self.assert_refused("empty", f"UPDATE {COLLECTIONS} SET name = '', name_key=''")
+
+    def test_restore_refuses_a_name_over_100_characters(self):
+        name = "é" * 101
+        self.assert_refused(
+            "long",
+            (f"UPDATE {COLLECTIONS} SET name = ?, name_key = ?", (name, key(name))),
+        )
+
+    def test_restore_refuses_a_control_character(self):
+        name = "a\x07b"
+        self.assert_refused(
+            "control",
+            (f"UPDATE {COLLECTIONS} SET name = ?, name_key = ?", (name, key(name))),
+        )
+
+    def test_restore_refuses_a_leading_or_trailing_space(self):
+        for name in (" Good", "Good "):
+            with self.subTest(name=name):
+                self.assert_refused(
+                    f"padded{len(name)}{name[0] == ' '}",
+                    (
+                        f"UPDATE {COLLECTIONS} SET name = ?, name_key = ?",
+                        (name, key(name)),
+                    ),
+                )
+
+    def test_restore_refuses_a_wrong_name_key(self):
+        self.assert_refused("key", f"UPDATE {COLLECTIONS} SET name_key = 'Good'")
+
+    def test_restore_refuses_a_non_text_key(self):
+        # Column affinity turns a number into text; a blob stays a blob.
+        self.assert_refused("blob-key", f"UPDATE {ITEMS} SET relative_path = x'61'")
+
+    def test_restore_refuses_a_key_over_4096_characters(self):
+        self.assert_refused(
+            "long-key", (f"UPDATE {ITEMS} SET root_key = ?", ("é" * 4097,))
+        )
+
+    def test_restore_refuses_a_timestamp_over_64_bytes(self):
+        self.assert_refused(
+            "stamp", (f"UPDATE {COLLECTIONS} SET created_at = ?", ("t" * 65,))
+        )
+        self.assert_refused(
+            "item-stamp", (f"UPDATE {ITEMS} SET added_at = ?", ("t" * 65,))
+        )
+
+    def test_restore_refuses_an_item_of_a_missing_collection(self):
+        self.assert_refused("orphan", f"INSERT INTO {ITEMS} VALUES (9, 'r', 'b', 'n')")
+
+    def test_restore_refuses_a_non_integer_collection_id(self):
+        self.assert_refused("text-id", f"UPDATE {ITEMS} SET collection_id = 'one'")
+
+    def test_restore_refuses_a_trigger_or_extra_index(self):
+        self.require_module()
+        for name, statement in (
+            (
+                "trigger",
+                f"CREATE TRIGGER t AFTER INSERT ON {ITEMS} BEGIN SELECT 1; END",
+            ),
+            ("extra", f"CREATE INDEX extra ON {COLLECTIONS}(name)"),
+        ):
+            with self.subTest(name=name):
+                path = self.closed_current(f"{name}.db", statement)
+                with closing(sqlite3.connect(path)) as raw:
+                    self.assertIsNotNone(image_collections_schema_error(raw))
+                self.assertFalse(PromptModel.verify_database_file(path)[0])
+
+    def test_deleting_a_collection_deletes_its_members(self):
+        self.require_module()
+        model = self.model()
+        with model.get_connection() as conn:
+            conn.execute(
+                f"INSERT INTO {COLLECTIONS} (id, name, name_key, created_at) "
+                "VALUES (1, 'A', 'a', ?), (2, 'B', 'b', ?)",
+                (NOW, NOW),
+            )
+            conn.executemany(
+                f"INSERT INTO {ITEMS} VALUES (?, 'root', ?, ?)",
+                ((1, "a.png", NOW), (1, "b.png", NOW), (2, "a.png", NOW)),
+            )
+            conn.execute(f"DELETE FROM {COLLECTIONS} WHERE id = 1")
+            self.assertEqual(
+                [tuple(r) for r in conn.execute(f"SELECT collection_id FROM {ITEMS}")],
+                [(2,)],
+            )
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()
diff --git a/tests/test_image_tag_jobs.py b/tests/test_image_tag_jobs.py
index 0af74981..f593aaf5 100644
--- a/tests/test_image_tag_jobs.py
+++ b/tests/test_image_tag_jobs.py
@@ -884,6 +884,16 @@ class TestFilterStart(ImageTagJobTestCase):
         self.assertEqual((status, data["code"]), (400, "no-images"))
         self.assertEqual(self.api._jobs.list(), [])
 
+    async def test_filter_with_a_deleted_collection_is_a_404_without_a_job(self):
+        self.png("a.png")
+
+        status, data = await self.start(
+            {"mode": "add", "filter": {"collection": "77"}, "tags": ["x"]}
+        )
+
+        self.assertEqual((status, data["code"]), (404, "collection-not-found"))
+        self.assertEqual(self.api._jobs.list(), [])
+
     async def test_filter_over_the_cap_is_refused_without_a_job(self):
         from py.api import image_tag_jobs
 
diff --git a/tests/test_pair_scan.py b/tests/test_pair_scan.py
index 1597b1f9..2ee70151 100644
--- a/tests/test_pair_scan.py
+++ b/tests/test_pair_scan.py
@@ -115,7 +115,12 @@ class TestPairScan(AdminAPITestCase):
         self.assertEqual(second["pairs_added"], 0)
 
     def test_legacy_single_prompt_second_pass_not_reported_as_new_link(self):
-        meta = {"prompt": json.dumps({"1": graph()["1"]})}
+        # A sampler-less graph: one encoder wired into a guider (#252).
+        single = {
+            "1": graph()["1"],
+            "2": {"class_type": "BasicGuider", "inputs": {"conditioning": ["1", 0]}},
+        }
+        meta = {"prompt": json.dumps(single)}
         path = self.output_dir / "old.png"
         self.assertEqual(self.api._ingest_scanned_file(path, meta), "added")
         self.assertEqual(self.api._ingest_scanned_file(path, meta), "unchanged")
@@ -292,3 +297,155 @@ class TestPairScan(AdminAPITestCase):
             self.api.db.get_image_prompt_info(str(path))["workflow_data"], workflow
         )
         self.assertEqual(self.api._ingest_scanned_file(path, metadata), "unchanged")
+
+
+def flux_graph(text="a red fox", encoder="CLIPTextEncode"):
+    """A sampler-less Flux graph: the prompt reaches a guider's conditioning (#252)."""
+    return {
+        "1": {"class_type": "UNETLoader", "inputs": {"unet_name": "flux.safetensors"}},
+        "2": {"class_type": "DualCLIPLoader", "inputs": {"clip_name1": "t5"}},
+        "6": {"class_type": encoder, "inputs": {"text": text, "clip": ["2", 0]}},
+        "22": {
+            "class_type": "BasicGuider",
+            "inputs": {"model": ["1", 0], "conditioning": ["6", 0]},
+        },
+        "13": {
+            "class_type": "SamplerCustomAdvanced",
+            "inputs": {"guider": ["22", 0], "sigmas": ["17", 0]},
+        },
+        "17": {"class_type": "BasicScheduler", "inputs": {"steps": 20}},
+        "9": {"class_type": "SaveImage", "inputs": {"images": ["13", 0]}},
+    }
+
+
+class TestSamplerLessScan(AdminAPITestCase):
+    """Graphs where no node takes a positive or negative input (#252)."""
+
+    def _scanned(self, name, prompt_graph, workflow=None):
+        meta = {"prompt": json.dumps(prompt_graph)}
+        if workflow is not None:
+            meta["workflow"] = json.dumps(workflow)
+        return self.api._ingest_scanned_file(self.output_dir / name, meta)
+
+    def _texts(self):
+        return [p["text"] for p in self.api.db.get_recent_prompts()["prompts"]]
+
+    def test_the_one_wired_prompt_is_linked(self):
+        self.assertEqual(self._scanned("flux.png", flux_graph()), "added")
+        self.assertEqual(self._texts(), ["a red fox"])
+
+    def test_a_text_node_feeding_the_encoder_is_one_prompt(self):
+        g = flux_graph(text=["30", 0])
+        g["30"] = {"class_type": "TextInput", "inputs": {"text": "a red fox"}}
+        self.assertEqual(self._scanned("textinput.png", g), "added")
+        self.assertEqual(self._texts(), ["a red fox"])
+
+    def test_a_display_node_that_feeds_nothing_is_never_the_prompt(self):
+        # A real scan stored a "=== GIT CLONE REPORT ===" display text this way.
+        g = flux_graph()
+        g["40"] = {
+            "class_type": "easy showAnything",
+            "inputs": {"text": "=== GIT CLONE REPORT ===\nTotal repositories: 1"},
+        }
+        self.assertEqual(self._scanned("report.png", g), "added")
+        self.assertEqual(self._texts(), ["a red fox"])
+
+    def test_only_unconsumed_texts_store_nothing(self):
+        g = {
+            "40": {"class_type": "easy showAnything", "inputs": {"text": "report"}},
+            "41": {"class_type": "Textbox", "inputs": {"text": "install note"}},
+        }
+        self.assertEqual(self._scanned("notes.png", g), "found")
+        self.assertEqual(self._texts(), [])
+
+    def test_two_wired_texts_are_ambiguous_and_stay_unlinked(self):
+        # A LoRA loader's text input is wired too: the scan stored "<lora:...>".
+        g = flux_graph()
+        g["50"] = {
+            "class_type": "Lora Loader (LoraManager)",
+            "inputs": {
+                "model": ["1", 0],
+                "clip": ["2", 0],
+                "text": "<lora:style:1.00>",
+            },
+        }
+        g["22"]["inputs"]["model"] = ["50", 0]
+        g["6"]["inputs"]["clip"] = ["50", 1]
+        self.assertEqual(self._scanned("lora.png", g), "unresolved")
+        self.assertEqual(self._texts(), [])
+
+    def test_an_untraceable_wired_text_makes_the_graph_ambiguous(self):
+        # The encoder's text comes from a node no rule reads: never guess the other.
+        g = flux_graph(text=["60", 0])
+        g["60"] = {"class_type": "SomeLLMNode", "inputs": {"seed": 1}}
+        g["50"] = {
+            "class_type": "Lora Loader (LoraManager)",
+            "inputs": {"model": ["1", 0], "text": "<lora:style:1.00>"},
+        }
+        g["22"]["inputs"]["model"] = ["50", 0]
+        self.assertEqual(self._scanned("llm.png", g), "unresolved")
+        self.assertEqual(self._texts(), [])
+
+    def test_this_repositorys_prompt_node_is_authoritative(self):
+        g = flux_graph(text="a red fox", encoder="PromptManager")
+        g["50"] = {
+            "class_type": "Lora Loader (LoraManager)",
+            "inputs": {"model": ["1", 0], "text": "<lora:style:1.00>"},
+        }
+        g["22"]["inputs"]["model"] = ["50", 0]
+        self.assertEqual(self._scanned("own.png", g), "added")
+        self.assertEqual(self._texts(), ["a red fox"])
+
+    def test_a_numeric_text_is_never_stored_as_a_prompt(self):
+        self.assertEqual(self._scanned("number.png", flux_graph(text="2048")), "found")
+        self.assertEqual(self._texts(), [])
+
+    def test_workflow_widget_values_are_never_read(self):
+        # The API text is linked from a node no rule reads; the UI workflow
+        # still holds a stale widget value, which the old scan stored.
+        g = flux_graph(text=["70", 0])
+        g["70"] = {"class_type": "PromptBuilder", "inputs": {"prompt": "x", "n": 2}}
+        workflow = {
+            "nodes": [
+                {"id": 6, "type": "CLIPTextEncode", "widgets_values": ["stale text"]}
+            ]
+        }
+        self.assertEqual(self._scanned("stale.png", g, workflow), "unresolved")
+        self.assertEqual(self._texts(), [])
+
+    def test_a_lora_loaders_trigger_word_output_is_not_its_text(self):
+        # The encoder reads the loader's trigger-word output (slot 2), not its
+        # text input: the prompt is unknown, never the "<lora:...>" syntax.
+        g = flux_graph(text=["50", 2])
+        g["50"] = {
+            "class_type": "Lora Loader (LoraManager)",
+            "inputs": {"model": ["1", 0], "text": "<lora:style:1.00>"},
+        }
+        g["22"]["inputs"]["model"] = ["50", 0]
+        self.assertEqual(self._scanned("trigger.png", g), "unresolved")
+        self.assertEqual(self._texts(), [])
+
+    def test_a_seeded_text_node_holds_a_template_not_the_prompt(self):
+        g = flux_graph(text=["80", 0])
+        g["80"] = {
+            "class_type": "RandomPrompt",
+            "inputs": {"text": "a {red|blue} fox", "seed": 5},
+        }
+        self.assertEqual(self._scanned("random.png", g), "unresolved")
+        self.assertEqual(self._texts(), [])
+
+    def test_a1111_parameters_beside_an_undecided_graph_are_read(self):
+        # Metadata savers write both; the old scan read the A1111 positive.
+        g = flux_graph()
+        g["50"] = {
+            "class_type": "Lora Loader (LoraManager)",
+            "inputs": {"model": ["1", 0], "text": "<lora:style:1.00>"},
+        }
+        g["22"]["inputs"]["model"] = ["50", 0]
+        meta = {
+            "prompt": json.dumps(g),
+            "parameters": "a red fox\nNegative prompt: blur\nSteps: 20",
+        }
+        path = self.output_dir / "saver.png"
+        self.assertEqual(self.api._ingest_scanned_file(path, meta), "added")
+        self.assertEqual(self._texts(), ["a red fox"])
diff --git a/tests/test_restore_plans.py b/tests/test_restore_plans.py
index 5ad20eaa..f5825169 100644
--- a/tests/test_restore_plans.py
+++ b/tests/test_restore_plans.py
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ SUMMARY_KEYS = {
     "image_links",
     "runs",
     "saved_views",
+    "collections",
 }
 
 
diff --git a/tests/test_restore_stage.py b/tests/test_restore_stage.py
index 3c863799..72ae806e 100644
--- a/tests/test_restore_stage.py
+++ b/tests/test_restore_stage.py
@@ -226,6 +226,7 @@ class TestStageAndPublish(StageTestCase):
             for key in ("pairs", "archived_pairs", "image_links", "runs"):
                 self.assertEqual(staged.summary[key], 0, key)
             self.assertEqual(staged.summary["saved_views"], 0)
+            self.assertEqual(staged.summary["collections"], 0)
             self.assertEqual(staged.schema, {"migrated": False, "library_state": True})
             self.assertEqual(
                 staged.digest,
@@ -239,6 +240,48 @@ class TestStageAndPublish(StageTestCase):
             staged.discard()
 
 
+class TestCollectionsSummary(StageTestCase):
+    """#331: collections join the review's summary and the live fingerprint."""
+
+    def add_collection(self, db, name):
+        with db.model.get_connection() as conn:
+            conn.execute(
+                "INSERT INTO image_collections (name, name_key, created_at) "
+                "VALUES (?, ?, '2026-10-27T00:00:00+00:00')",
+                (name, name.casefold()),
+            )
+
+    def test_summary_counts_collections(self):
+        src_path = os.path.join(self.uploads, "with-collections.db")
+        src = PromptDatabase(src_path)
+        try:
+            self.save(src, "kept")
+            self.add_collection(src, "First")
+            self.add_collection(src, "Second")
+        finally:
+            src.close_all()
+        staged = self.db.model.stage_restore(src_path)
+        try:
+            self.assertEqual(staged.summary["collections"], 2)
+        finally:
+            staged.discard()
+        self.assertIn("collections", restore_stage.SUMMARY_KEYS)
+
+    def test_adding_a_collection_changes_the_fingerprint(self):
+        conn = self.db.model.get_connection()
+        summary, before = restore_stage.live_fingerprint(conn)
+        self.assertEqual(summary["collections"], 0)
+        self.add_collection(self.db, "After the review")
+        summary, after = restore_stage.live_fingerprint(conn)
+        self.assertEqual(summary["collections"], 1)
+        self.assertNotEqual(after, before)
+        # A delete and a re-add with the same count still changes it (rowid).
+        with self.db.model.get_connection() as write:
+            write.execute("DELETE FROM image_collections")
+        self.add_collection(self.db, "Replacement")
+        self.assertNotEqual(restore_stage.live_fingerprint(conn)[1], after)
+
+
 class TestOlderBackups(StageTestCase):
     """Rollback-journal and older-schema backups restore exactly as before."""
 
diff --git a/tests/test_sampler_less_prompt.py b/tests/test_sampler_less_prompt.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..62ee6fbe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_sampler_less_prompt.py
@@ -0,0 +1,112 @@
+"""``sampler_less_prompt``: the one wired text of a graph with no sampler (#252)."""
+
+import time
+import unittest
+
+from utils.prompt_pair_resolver import sampler_less_prompt
+
+
+def _guided(**nodes):
+    """``nodes`` plus a guider consuming node ``"1"``."""
+    graph = {"9": {"class_type": "BasicGuider", "inputs": {"conditioning": ["1", 0]}}}
+    graph.update(nodes)
+    return graph
+
+
+class TestSamplerLessPrompt(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_not_a_graph_or_too_large_is_absent(self):
+        for graph in (None, [], {}, "text"):
+            self.assertEqual(sampler_less_prompt(graph)["state"], "absent")
+        big = {str(i): {"class_type": "X", "inputs": {}} for i in range(3)}
+        self.assertEqual(sampler_less_prompt(big, max_visits=2)["state"], "absent")
+
+    def test_one_literal_text(self):
+        graph = _guided(**{"1": {"class_type": "Enc", "inputs": {"text": " a fox "}}})
+        self.assertEqual(
+            sampler_less_prompt(graph),
+            {"state": "resolved", "text": "a fox", "texts": ["a fox"]},
+        )
+
+    def test_a_number_literal_is_never_a_prompt(self):
+        for value in (2048, "2048", "1.5", " 7 "):
+            graph = _guided(**{"1": {"class_type": "Enc", "inputs": {"text": value}}})
+            self.assertEqual(sampler_less_prompt(graph)["state"], "absent", value)
+
+    def test_a_long_digit_run_with_a_letter_is_text_and_fast(self):
+        text = "9" * 50_000 + "x"
+        graph = _guided(**{"1": {"class_type": "Enc", "inputs": {"text": text}}})
+        started = time.monotonic()
+        self.assertEqual(sampler_less_prompt(graph)["text"], text)
+        self.assertLess(time.monotonic() - started, 1.0)
+
+    def test_number_like_words_are_prompts(self):
+        for value in ("nan", "inf", "Infinity", "1_000"):
+            graph = _guided(**{"1": {"class_type": "Enc", "inputs": {"text": value}}})
+            self.assertEqual(sampler_less_prompt(graph)["text"], value)
+
+    def test_an_own_node_with_unreadable_text_beside_another_text_is_ambiguous(self):
+        graph = _guided(
+            **{
+                "1": {"class_type": "PromptManager", "inputs": {"text": ["5", 0]}},
+                "5": {"class_type": "LLM", "inputs": {"seed": 3}},
+                "2": {"class_type": "Enc", "inputs": {"text": "<lora:x:1>"}},
+                "3": {"class_type": "Sink", "inputs": {"c": ["2", 0]}},
+            }
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(sampler_less_prompt(graph)["state"], "ambiguous")
+
+    def test_unhashable_class_type_is_an_unknown_node_not_a_crash(self):
+        graph = _guided(**{"1": {"class_type": ["x"], "inputs": {"text": "a fox"}}})
+        self.assertEqual(sampler_less_prompt(graph)["text"], "a fox")
+
+    def test_own_negative_node_is_not_authoritative(self):
+        graph = _guided(
+            **{
+                "1": {"class_type": "Enc", "inputs": {"text": "a fox"}},
+                "2": {
+                    "class_type": "PromptManagerNegative",
+                    "inputs": {"text": "blur"},
+                },
+                "3": {"class_type": "Sink", "inputs": {"c": ["2", 0]}},
+            }
+        )
+        found = sampler_less_prompt(graph)
+        self.assertEqual(found["state"], "ambiguous")
+        self.assertEqual(found["texts"], ["a fox", "blur"])
+
+    def test_own_node_text_wins_over_an_untraceable_text(self):
+        graph = _guided(
+            **{
+                "1": {"class_type": "PromptManagerText", "inputs": {"text": "a fox"}},
+                "2": {"class_type": "Enc", "inputs": {"text": ["5", 0]}},
+                "5": {"class_type": "LLM", "inputs": {"seed": 3}},
+                "6": {"class_type": "Sink", "inputs": {"c": ["2", 0]}},
+            }
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(sampler_less_prompt(graph)["text"], "a fox")
+
+    def test_two_own_texts_are_ambiguous(self):
+        graph = _guided(
+            **{
+                "1": {"class_type": "PromptManager", "inputs": {"text": "a fox"}},
+                "2": {"class_type": "PromptManager", "inputs": {"text": "a cat"}},
+                "3": {"class_type": "Sink", "inputs": {"c": ["2", 0]}},
+            }
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(sampler_less_prompt(graph)["state"], "ambiguous")
+
+    def test_only_an_untraceable_text_is_ambiguous_with_nothing_to_show(self):
+        graph = _guided(
+            **{
+                "1": {"class_type": "Enc", "inputs": {"text": ["5", 0]}},
+                "5": {"class_type": "LLM", "inputs": {"seed": 3}},
+            }
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            sampler_less_prompt(graph),
+            {"state": "ambiguous", "text": None, "texts": []},
+        )
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()
diff --git a/utils/prompt_pair_resolver.py b/utils/prompt_pair_resolver.py
index b45c948c..15200481 100644
--- a/utils/prompt_pair_resolver.py
+++ b/utils/prompt_pair_resolver.py
@@ -2578,3 +2578,115 @@ def resolve_text_input(
         return resolver.text(inputs.get(input_name), "string")[0]
     except _Unresolved:
         return None
+
+
+_NUMBER = re.compile(r"[+-]?(?:\d+(?:\.\d*)?|\.\d+)(?:[eE][+-]?\d+)?")
+
+
+def _numeric(text: str) -> bool:
+    """Whether ``text`` is a plain number (a widget value such as ``2048``)."""
+    return _NUMBER.fullmatch(text) is not None
+
+
+def sampler_less_prompt(graph: Any, *, max_visits: int = 500) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    """The positive prompt of an API graph with no sampler pair, if one (#252).
+
+    For graphs ``_no_sampler`` finds ``absent`` (no node takes a ``positive``
+    or ``negative`` input, such as a Flux guider or a video wrapper). Only the
+    executed API graph is read, never the UI workflow. A candidate is a node
+    with a ``text`` input whose output another node consumes: a text that
+    feeds nothing did not make the image. Its text is traced as a STRING
+    (``resolve_text_input``); a linked text no rule reads is unknown unless
+    it is built from a candidate's text (``_covered``). Blank and
+    numeric texts are never prompts, and a node with a seed input holds a
+    template, not the prompt (unknown). This repository's own positive-text
+    nodes are authoritative: when they give a text, only they count.
+
+    Returns ``{"state", "text", "texts"}``: ``resolved`` with the one distinct
+    text; ``ambiguous`` when several texts or an unknown one could be the
+    prompt (``texts`` lists the readable ones); ``absent`` when none.
+    """
+    absent = {"state": "absent", "text": None, "texts": []}
+    if not isinstance(graph, dict) or not graph or len(graph) > max_visits:
+        return absent
+    nodes = {str(key): value for key, value in graph.items()}
+    consumed = {
+        str(value[0])
+        for node in nodes.values()
+        if isinstance(node, dict) and isinstance(node.get("inputs"), dict)
+        for value in node["inputs"].values()
+        if _link(value)
+    }
+    own: list = []
+    other: list = []
+    unknown = False
+    for node_id, node in nodes.items():
+        inputs = node.get("inputs") if isinstance(node, dict) else None
+        if node_id not in consumed or not _has_text_input(node):
+            continue
+        if _seeded(inputs):
+            # Generated at run time (a wildcard or a language model): its
+            # text input is a template, not the prompt that ran.
+            unknown = True
+            continue
+        value = inputs["text"]
+        text = resolve_text_input(nodes, node_id, "text", max_visits=max_visits)
+        if text is None:
+            # A literal that is not a string (a number) is never a prompt.
+            if _link(value) and not _covered(nodes, value):
+                unknown = True
+            continue
+        text = text.strip()
+        if not text or _numeric(text):
+            continue
+        kind = node.get("class_type")
+        if isinstance(kind, str) and kind in _OWN_CLASSES and "Negative" not in kind:
+            own.append(text)
+        else:
+            other.append(text)
+    texts = list(dict.fromkeys(own or other))
+    if len(texts) == 1 and (own or not unknown):
+        return {"state": "resolved", "text": texts[0], "texts": texts}
+    if texts or unknown:
+        return {"state": "ambiguous", "text": None, "texts": texts}
+    return absent
+
+
+def _has_text_input(node: Any) -> bool:
+    inputs = node.get("inputs") if isinstance(node, dict) else None
+    return isinstance(inputs, dict) and "text" in inputs
+
+
+def _seeded(inputs: dict) -> bool:
+    """A seed input: the node's string output is a run-time value (the
+    resolver's ``runtime-value`` rule)."""
+    return any(isinstance(name, str) and name.endswith("seed") for name in inputs)
+
+
+def _covered(nodes: dict, link: list) -> bool:
+    """Whether an unreadable text link is built from a candidate's text.
+
+    True when a node upstream of ``link`` is read through its first output
+    (slot 0, the legacy encoder rule's text) and has an unseeded ``text``
+    input: that candidate is read on its own, and whatever else is joined to
+    it at run time (a caption, a language model) is no stored prompt to
+    choose. Another output of such a node (a loader's trigger words) is not
+    its text. False when the text comes only from inputs no candidate holds
+    (a builder's ``prompt`` field): the prompt is unknown then.
+    """
+    seen, stack = set(), [(str(link[0]), link[1])]
+    while stack:
+        node_id, slot = stack.pop()
+        if (node_id, slot) in seen:
+            continue
+        seen.add((node_id, slot))
+        node = nodes.get(node_id)
+        inputs = node.get("inputs") if isinstance(node, dict) else None
+        if not isinstance(inputs, dict):
+            continue
+        if "text" in inputs and slot == 0 and not _seeded(inputs):
+            return True
+        stack.extend(
+            (str(value[0]), value[1]) for value in inputs.values() if _link(value)
+        )
+    return False