diff --git a/movie_editor/frontend/player.js b/movie_editor/frontend/player.js
index 703dac03..1ccdeaf3 100644
--- a/movie_editor/frontend/player.js
+++ b/movie_editor/frontend/player.js
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
   const stage = document.createElement("div"); stage.className = "pm-stage";
   const pool = new Map();    // url -> <video>
   let _active = null;        // visible <video>
-  let _currentSeg = null;    // segment the active video belongs to
   let _seekPending = null;   // offset to apply once the active video has metadata
   let _playPending = false;
 
@@ -31,43 +30,37 @@
     _phListeners.forEach((fn) => { try { fn(_phSec, _playing); } catch (_) {} });
   }
 
-  // ── segment helpers ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-  // Segments are [{sceneIds, media, startSec, durationSec}], computed from store state.
-  let _segs = [];
+  // ── clips ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+  // Per-scene clips: { media, sceneId, startSec (timeline), durationSec, inSec (source
+  // in-point) }. Built from store.sceneRenders so splits/deletes play correct portions.
+  let _clips = [];
+  let _currentClip = null;
 
-  const _urlFor = (seg) => API.resultUrl(S.get().project?.id, seg.media);
-  const _clampT = (v, t) => Math.max(0, Math.min(t, (v.duration || t) - 0.02));
+  const _urlFor = (media) => API.resultUrl(S.get().project?.id, media);
+  const _clampT = (v, t) => Math.max(0, Math.min(t, (v.duration || (t + 1)) - 0.02));
 
-  function _buildSegs(st) {
+  function _buildClips(st) {
     if (!st.project) return [];
     const p = st.project;
+    const sr = st.sceneRenders || {};
     const sFps = (sc) => ((sc.fps_mode !== "project" && sc.fps != null) ? sc.fps : p.frame_rate) || 25;
     const sFrames = (sc) => ((sc.frames_mode !== "project" && sc.frames != null) ? sc.frames : p.num_frames_per_scene) || 1;
-
-    // Map sceneId → timeline start time
-    const startOf = {};
+    const out = [];
     let acc = 0;
     for (const sc of (p.scenes || [])) {
-      startOf[sc.id] = acc;
-      acc += sFrames(sc) / sFps(sc);
+      const dur = sFrames(sc) / sFps(sc);
+      const r = sr[sc.id];
+      if (r && r.media) out.push({ media: r.media, sceneId: sc.id, startSec: acc, durationSec: dur, inSec: r.inSec || 0 });
+      acc += dur;  // timeline advances even over ungenerated scenes (gaps)
     }
-
-    return (st.renderedSegments || []).flatMap((seg) => {
-      const ids = seg.sceneIds || [];
-      if (!ids.length || !seg.media) return [];
-      const starts = ids.map((id) => startOf[id]).filter((s) => s != null);
-      if (!starts.length) return [];
-      const startSec = Math.min(...starts);
-      const endSec = Math.max(...ids.map((id) => {
-        const sc = (p.scenes || []).find((s) => s.id === id);
-        return sc ? startOf[id] + sFrames(sc) / sFps(sc) : 0;
-      }));
-      return [{ ...seg, startSec, durationSec: Math.max(0, endSec - startSec) }];
-    });
+    return out;
   }
 
-  function _segAt(sec) {
-    return _segs.find((s) => sec >= s.startSec - 0.05 && sec < s.startSec + s.durationSec + 0.05) || null;
+  function _clipAt(sec) {
+    return _clips.find((c) => sec >= c.startSec - 0.05 && sec < c.startSec + c.durationSec - 0.001) || null;
+  }
+  function _clipFrom(sec) {  // first clip at/after sec (for play/skip-gap)
+    return _clipAt(sec) || _clips.find((c) => c.startSec >= sec - 0.05) || null;
   }
 
   // ── video pool management ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -81,30 +74,25 @@
       if (_seekPending != null) { v.currentTime = _clampT(v, _seekPending); _seekPending = null; }
       if (_playPending) { _playPending = false; v.play().catch(() => {}); }
     });
-    v.addEventListener("timeupdate", () => {
-      if (v !== _active || !_currentSeg) return;
-      _phSec = _currentSeg.startSec + v.currentTime; _notifyPh();
-    });
-    v.addEventListener("ended", () => { if (v === _active) _onEnded(); });
+    v.addEventListener("ended", () => { if (v === _active) _advance(); });
     stage.append(v); pool.set(url, v);
     return v;
   }
 
-  // Add videos for current segments (preload), drop ones no longer used. Keeps the pool
-  // in sync as the timeline is cut/regenerated on the fly.
   function _syncPool() {
-    const urls = new Set(_segs.map(_urlFor));
+    const urls = new Set(_clips.map((c) => _urlFor(c.media)));
     urls.forEach((u) => _ensureVideo(u));
     for (const [u, v] of [...pool]) {
       if (urls.has(u)) continue;
       v.pause(); v.remove(); pool.delete(u);
-      if (_active === v) { _active = null; _currentSeg = null; }
+      if (_active === v) { _active = null; }
     }
   }
 
   function _resetPool() {
+    _stopTick();
     for (const [, v] of pool) { v.pause(); v.remove(); }
-    pool.clear(); _active = null; _currentSeg = null; _seekPending = null; _playPending = false;
+    pool.clear(); _active = null; _currentClip = null; _seekPending = null; _playPending = false;
   }
 
   function _setActive(v) {
@@ -113,47 +101,64 @@
     _active = v; if (v) v.classList.add("active");
   }
 
-  // Show `seg` at `offset`; play if requested. The clip is preloaded, so the frame
-  // appears immediately on a same- or cross-clip jump (no black flash).
-  function _goto(seg, offset, play) {
-    if (!seg || !seg.media) return;
-    const v = _ensureVideo(_urlFor(seg));
-    _currentSeg = seg; _setActive(v);
+  // Show `clip` at `offset` seconds into the clip; play if requested. Seeks to the clip's
+  // in-point + offset within the (preloaded) source video.
+  function _goto(clip, offset, play) {
+    if (!clip || !clip.media) return;
+    const v = _ensureVideo(_urlFor(clip.media));
+    _currentClip = clip; _setActive(v);
+    const target = (clip.inSec || 0) + Math.max(0, offset);
     if (v.readyState >= 1) {
-      v.currentTime = _clampT(v, offset);
-      if (play) v.play().catch(() => {}); else _playPending = false;
+      v.currentTime = _clampT(v, target);
+      if (play) { v.play().catch(() => {}); _startTick(); } else _playPending = false;
     } else {
-      _seekPending = offset; _playPending = !!play;
+      _seekPending = target; _playPending = !!play;
+      if (play) _startTick();
     }
   }
 
-  function _onEnded() {
-    _playing = false;
-    if (_currentSeg) {
-      const endSec = _currentSeg.startSec + _currentSeg.durationSec;
-      const next = _segs.find((s) => s.startSec >= endSec - 0.05 && s !== _currentSeg);
-      if (next) { _phSec = next.startSec; _playing = true; _goto(next, 0, true); }
-      else _phSec = endSec;
-    }
+  // Advance to the next clip at a clip's out-point (or stop). Same-source contiguous
+  // clips (a split seam) continue without reseeking; otherwise seek; no next → stop.
+  function _advance() {
+    if (!_currentClip) { _pause(); return; }
+    const end = _currentClip.startSec + _currentClip.durationSec;
+    const next = _clips.find((c) => c.startSec >= end - 0.02 && c !== _currentClip);
+    if (!next) { _phSec = end; _pause(); return; }
+    const contiguous = _urlFor(next.media) === _urlFor(_currentClip.media)
+      && Math.abs((next.inSec || 0) - ((_currentClip.inSec || 0) + _currentClip.durationSec)) < 0.05;
+    _phSec = next.startSec;
+    _currentClip = next;
+    if (!contiguous) _goto(next, 0, _playing);  // jump (different source / non-contiguous)
     _notifyPh();
-    _renderTransport();
+  }
+
+  // ── playback tick (precise out-points, so deleted parts aren't played) ─────────
+  let _raf = null;
+  function _startTick() { if (!_raf) _raf = requestAnimationFrame(_tick); }
+  function _stopTick() { if (_raf) { cancelAnimationFrame(_raf); _raf = null; } }
+  function _tick() {
+    _raf = null;
+    if (!_playing || !_active || !_currentClip) return;
+    const within = _active.currentTime - (_currentClip.inSec || 0);
+    if (within >= _currentClip.durationSec - 0.001) { _advance(); }
+    else { _phSec = _currentClip.startSec + Math.max(0, within); _notifyPh(); }
+    if (_playing) _raf = requestAnimationFrame(_tick);
   }
 
   // ── transport actions ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
   function _seek(sec) {
     _phSec = Math.max(0, sec);
-    const seg = _segAt(_phSec);
-    if (seg) _goto(seg, _phSec - seg.startSec, false);
+    const clip = _clipAt(_phSec);
+    if (clip) _goto(clip, _phSec - clip.startSec, false);
     _notifyPh();
   }
 
   function _play() {
-    let seg = _segAt(_phSec);
-    if (!seg) seg = _segs.find((s) => s.startSec >= _phSec - 0.05);
-    if (!seg) return;
-    if (_phSec < seg.startSec) _phSec = seg.startSec;
+    const clip = _clipFrom(_phSec);
+    if (!clip) return;
+    if (_phSec < clip.startSec) _phSec = clip.startSec;
     _playing = true;
-    _goto(seg, _phSec - seg.startSec, true);
+    _goto(clip, _phSec - clip.startSec, true);
     _notifyPh();
     _renderTransport();
   }
@@ -162,6 +167,7 @@
     if (_active) _active.pause();
     _playing = false;
     _playPending = false;
+    _stopTick();
     _notifyPh();
     _renderTransport();
   }
@@ -171,7 +177,8 @@
     _phSec = 0;
     _playing = false;
     _playPending = false;
-    const first = _segs[0];
+    _stopTick();
+    const first = _clips[0];
     if (first) _goto(first, 0, false);
     _notifyPh();
     _renderTransport();
@@ -222,7 +229,7 @@
     _transportEl.append(stopBtn, playBtn, tc);
 
     // Anchor capture — only when a rendered frame is under the playhead.
-    if (_currentSeg) {
+    if (_currentClip) {
       const scenes = (S.get().project?.scenes || []).filter((s) => !s.excluded);
       if (scenes.length) {
         const sep = el("div", "pm-sep"); _transportEl.append(sep);
@@ -302,23 +309,16 @@
       _phSec = 0; _playing = false; _lastSegHash = "";
     }
 
-    _segs = _buildSegs(st);
+    _clips = _buildClips(st);
     _syncPool();  // preload current clips, drop stale ones (timeline is dynamic)
 
-    // Keep _currentSeg pointing at a fresh segment object (positions change with edits).
-    if (_currentSeg) {
-      const u = _urlFor(_currentSeg);
-      _currentSeg = _segAt(_phSec) && _urlFor(_segAt(_phSec)) === u ? _segAt(_phSec)
-        : (_segs.find((s) => _urlFor(s) === u) || _currentSeg);
-    }
-
-    const hash = _segs.map((s) => s.media?.filename || "").join("|");
+    // Re-resolve the clip under the playhead each render (positions change with edits).
+    const hash = _clips.map((c) => c.media?.filename + "@" + c.startSec.toFixed(2) + "+" + c.inSec.toFixed(2)).join("|");
     if (hash !== _lastSegHash) {
       _lastSegHash = hash;
-      // Segments changed — re-resolve the frame at the playhead (keep playing if we were).
-      const seg = _segAt(_phSec);
-      if (seg) _goto(seg, _phSec - seg.startSec, _playing);
-      else if (_segs.length && !_active) _goto(_segs[0], 0, false);
+      const clip = _clipAt(_phSec);
+      if (clip) _goto(clip, _phSec - clip.startSec, _playing);
+      else if (_clips.length && !_active) _goto(_clips[0], 0, false);
     }
 
     const p = st.project;
@@ -335,7 +335,7 @@
 
     // ── canvas (video + placeholder) ────────────────────────────────────────
     const canvas = el("div", "pm-canvas");
-    if (_segs.length) {
+    if (_clips.length) {
       canvas.append(stage);  // pooled videos live here; only the active one is visible
     } else if (["queuing", "running", "pending"].includes(gen.state)) {
       const splash = el("div", "pm-gen-splash");
@@ -382,7 +382,7 @@
       (p.scenes || []).forEach((sc) => {
         const d = sFrames(sc) / sFps(sc);
         const o = acc; acc += d;
-        const rendered = _segs.some((s) => (s.sceneIds || []).includes(sc.id));
+        const rendered = !!((st.sceneRenders || {})[sc.id] || {}).media;
         const chip = el("div", "pm-chip" + (rendered ? " rendered" : ""));
         chip.style.width = (d / _totalSecCur * 100).toFixed(3) + "%";
         chip.title = `Scene ${(p.scenes || []).indexOf(sc) + 1}${rendered ? " (rendered)" : " (not rendered)"}`;
diff --git a/movie_editor/frontend/store.js b/movie_editor/frontend/store.js
index 7e6b61de..aba7258e 100644
--- a/movie_editor/frontend/store.js
+++ b/movie_editor/frontend/store.js
@@ -10,10 +10,10 @@
     health: null,          // {ok, comfy_url, template_exists}
     preview: null,         // {combined_prompt, parsed, warning, parse_error}
     gen: { state: "idle", promptId: null, media: [], msg: "" },
-    // Rendered video segments: [{sceneIds, media, startSec (computed), durationSec (computed)}]
-    // Not persisted to disk — cleared on project switch. Player uses these to map
-    // timeline positions to video files and compute seek offsets.
-    renderedSegments: [],
+    // Per-scene render mapping: { sceneId: { media, inSec } } — `inSec` is the IN-point
+    // within that source video this clip starts at (so split halves / deleted clips play
+    // the correct portion). Not persisted to disk; cleared on project switch.
+    sceneRenders: {},
     saving: false,
     models: { slots: [] },   // pluggable node config (shared with Models modal)
     mediaBin: [],            // uploaded assets [{id,name,kind,...}]
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
     state.project = await API.getProject(id);
     state.selectedSceneId = state.project.scenes[0]?.id || null;
     state.gen = { state: "idle", promptId: null, media: [], msg: "" };
-    state.renderedSegments = [];  // segments are per-session; not persisted
+    state.sceneRenders = {};  // per-session; not persisted
     notify();
     refreshPreview();
     loadModels();  // models config is per-project — reload for this project
@@ -178,6 +178,7 @@
   function removeScene(id) {
     if (!state.project) return;
     state.project.scenes = state.project.scenes.filter((s) => s.id !== id);
+    delete state.sceneRenders[id];  // drop its render mapping (preview/render skip it)
     if (state.selectedSceneId === id) state.selectedSceneId = state.project.scenes[0]?.id || null;
     notify(); scheduleSave();
   }
@@ -185,6 +186,14 @@
   // LTX-valid frame counts are 8k+1 (so (frames-1) % 8 === 0); snap to the nearest.
   function snapFrames(n) { return Math.max(9, Math.round((Math.round(n) - 1) / 8) * 8 + 1); }
 
+  // A scene's duration in seconds (respecting per-scene frames/fps modes).
+  function sceneDurationSec(sc) {
+    const p = state.project; if (!p || !sc) return 0;
+    const fps = (sc.fps_mode !== "project" && sc.fps != null ? sc.fps : p.frame_rate) || 25;
+    const frames = (sc.frames_mode !== "project" && sc.frames != null ? sc.frames : p.num_frames_per_scene) || 1;
+    return frames / fps;
+  }
+
   // Resize a clip by setting its frame count from a target duration (seconds) × fps.
   // Uses silent save so the drag handle isn't interrupted by a re-render mid-drag.
   function resizeScene(id, durationSec) {
@@ -217,10 +226,13 @@
     second.transition_frames = s.transition_frames || null;
     s.frames = cut; s.transition_to_next = ""; s.transition_frames = null;
     arr.splice(i + 1, 0, second);
-    // Keep the existing render covering both halves (same source media spans the cut).
-    (state.renderedSegments || []).forEach((seg) => {
-      if ((seg.sceneIds || []).includes(id) && !seg.sceneIds.includes(second.id)) seg.sceneIds.push(second.id);
-    });
+    // Keep the render across the cut: the second half plays the SAME source video starting
+    // at the first half's out-point (its in-point + first-half duration).
+    const r = state.sceneRenders[id];
+    if (r && r.media) {
+      const fps = s.fps_mode !== "project" && s.fps != null ? s.fps : state.project.frame_rate;
+      state.sceneRenders[second.id] = { media: r.media, inSec: (r.inSec || 0) + cut / (fps || 25) };
+    }
     notify(); scheduleSave();
   }
 
@@ -361,14 +373,17 @@
     return runs;
   }
 
-  // Record a completed run's output so the player can map it onto the timeline.
+  // Record a completed run's output: map each of the run's scenes to the one source
+  // video at its cumulative in-point, so splits/deletes later play the right portions.
   function _recordSegment(mediaList, targetSceneIds) {
     if (!mediaList || !mediaList.length || !targetSceneIds || !targetSceneIds.length) return;
-    const keep = (state.renderedSegments || []).filter(
-      (seg) => !(seg.sceneIds || []).some((id) => targetSceneIds.includes(id))
-    );
     const primary = mediaList.find((m) => m.kind === "videos" || m.kind === "gifs") || mediaList[0];
-    state.renderedSegments = [...keep, { sceneIds: targetSceneIds, media: primary }];
+    let inAcc = 0;
+    for (const id of targetSceneIds) {
+      const sc = scene(id); if (!sc) continue;
+      state.sceneRenders[id] = { media: primary, inSec: inAcc };
+      inAcc += sceneDurationSec(sc);
+    }
   }
 
   // Poll a single queued prompt to completion. Resolves true on success, false on error.
@@ -499,32 +514,48 @@
     setTimeout(() => URL.revokeObjectURL(a.href), 4000);
   }
 
+  // Ordered list of rendered clips in timeline order: {media, inSec, durationSec} for
+  // each non-excluded scene that has a render. This is what plays/exports — so splits
+  // and deletes are honoured (deleted scenes simply aren't here).
+  function _renderClips() {
+    const out = [];
+    for (const sc of (state.project.scenes || [])) {
+      if (sc.excluded) continue;
+      const r = state.sceneRenders[sc.id];
+      if (r && r.media) out.push({ media: r.media, inSec: r.inSec || 0, durationSec: sceneDurationSec(sc) });
+    }
+    return out;
+  }
+
   // Export the render covering the selected clip via a Save dialog.
   async function exportSelected() {
     if (!state.project) return;
     const id = state.selectedSceneId;
     if (!id) { alert("Select a clip to export."); return; }
-    const seg = (state.renderedSegments || []).find((s) => s.media && (s.sceneIds || []).includes(id));
-    if (!seg) { alert("That clip hasn't been generated yet — generate it first."); return; }
+    const r = state.sceneRenders[id];
+    if (!r || !r.media) { alert("That clip hasn't been generated yet — generate it first."); return; }
     const idx = state.project.scenes.findIndex((s) => s.id === id);
-    await _saveBlobAs(API.resultUrl(state.project.id, seg.media), `scene_${idx >= 0 ? idx + 1 : "x"}.mp4`);
+    await _saveBlobAs(API.resultUrl(state.project.id, r.media), `scene_${idx >= 0 ? idx + 1 : "x"}.mp4`);
   }
 
-  // Stitch the rendered runs (hard cut, video + audio) into one final file.
+  // Stitch the kept clips (in/out per clip, hard cut, video + audio) into one final file.
   async function renderFinal() {
     if (!state.project) return;
-    const order = state.project.scenes.filter((s) => !s.excluded).map((s) => s.id);
-    const pos = (ids) => Math.min(...ids.map((id) => { const i = order.indexOf(id); return i < 0 ? 1e9 : i; }));
-    const segs = (state.renderedSegments || []).filter((s) => s.media)
-      .slice().sort((a, b) => pos(a.sceneIds || []) - pos(b.sceneIds || []));
-    if (!segs.length) { alert("No generated runs to stitch yet — generate first."); return; }
-    const clips = segs.map((s) => ({ filename: s.media.filename, subfolder: s.media.subfolder || "", type: s.media.type || "output" }));
-    set({ gen: { state: "running", promptId: null, media: [], msg: `Stitching ${clips.length} run(s)…` } });
+    const rc = _renderClips();
+    if (!rc.length) { alert("No generated clips to stitch yet — generate first."); return; }
+    const clips = rc.map((c) => ({
+      filename: c.media.filename, subfolder: c.media.subfolder || "", type: c.media.type || "output",
+      in: +c.inSec.toFixed(3), dur: +c.durationSec.toFixed(3),
+    }));
+    set({ gen: { state: "running", promptId: null, media: [], msg: `Stitching ${clips.length} clip(s)…` } });
     try {
       const r = await API.renderFinal(state.project.id, clips);
-      // Show the stitched file across the whole timeline in the program monitor.
-      state.renderedSegments = [{ sceneIds: order, media: r.media }];
-      set({ gen: { state: "done", promptId: null, media: [r.media], msg: `Final video rendered from ${r.clips} run(s) — saving…` } });
+      // Play the stitched file across the whole timeline (single source, in-point 0).
+      const order = state.project.scenes.filter((s) => !s.excluded);
+      state.sceneRenders = {};
+      let acc = 0;
+      for (const sc of order) { state.sceneRenders[sc.id] = { media: r.media, inSec: acc }; acc += sceneDurationSec(sc); }
+      set({ gen: { state: "done", promptId: null, media: [r.media], msg: `Final video rendered from ${r.clips} clip(s) — saving…` } });
       const name = (state.project.name || "montage").replace(/\s+/g, "_") + ".mp4";
       await _saveBlobAs(API.resultUrl(state.project.id, r.media), name);
     } catch (e) {
diff --git a/movie_editor/frontend/timeline.js b/movie_editor/frontend/timeline.js
index 3795d3c5..ce25bded 100644
--- a/movie_editor/frontend/timeline.js
+++ b/movie_editor/frontend/timeline.js
@@ -25,8 +25,7 @@
   const sFrames = (sc, p) => ((sc.frames_mode !== "project" && sc.frames != null) ? sc.frames : p.num_frames_per_scene) || 1;
   const sDur = (sc, p) => sFrames(sc, p) / sFps(sc, p);
 
-  const hasRender = (st, sceneId) =>
-    (st.renderedSegments || []).some((s) => s.media && (s.sceneIds || []).includes(sceneId));
+  const hasRender = (st, sceneId) => !!(st.sceneRenders && st.sceneRenders[sceneId] && st.sceneRenders[sceneId].media);
 
   const p2 = (n) => String(n).padStart(2, "0");
   function timecode(sec, fps) {
diff --git a/movie_editor/server.py b/movie_editor/server.py
index 4669eccf..cbc1bb12 100644
--- a/movie_editor/server.py
+++ b/movie_editor/server.py
@@ -552,18 +552,17 @@ if web is not None and PromptServer is not None:
             raise web.HTTPBadGateway(reason=f"could not fetch result: {e}")
         return web.Response(body=data, content_type=ctype.split(";")[0])
 
-    # --- API: final render (hard-cut concat of generated runs, video + audio) ---
+    # --- API: final render (hard-cut concat of kept clips, with per-clip in/out) ---
     @routes.post(UI_PREFIX + "/api/projects/{pid}/render")
     async def _render_final(req):
         _project_or_404(req.match_info["pid"])
         body = await req.json() if req.can_read_body else {}
-        clips = body.get("clips") or []  # ordered [{filename, subfolder, type}]
+        clips = body.get("clips") or []  # ordered [{filename, subfolder, type, in?, dur?}]
         if not clips:
-            return web.json_response({"detail": "Nothing to render — no generated runs."}, status=400)
+            return web.json_response({"detail": "Nothing to render — no generated clips."}, status=400)
         import os
         import shutil
         import subprocess
-        import tempfile
         import time as _time
         ff = shutil.which("ffmpeg")
         if not ff:
@@ -584,36 +583,33 @@ if web is not None and PromptServer is not None:
         if missing:
             return web.json_response({"detail": f"{len(missing)} clip file(s) not found on disk — regenerate then render."}, status=400)
 
-        # The final render is ALSO ephemeral (temp dir) — the user persists it via the
-        # Export Save dialog, not by us writing to the output directory.
+        # The final render is ephemeral (temp dir) — persist it via the Export Save dialog.
         out_name = f"funpack_final_{int(_time.time())}.mp4"
         out_path = os.path.join(tempdir, out_name)
-        # concat demuxer + re-encode → tolerates differing codecs/params between runs
-        # and keeps BOTH the video and the LTXAV audio stream.
-        list_fd, list_path = tempfile.mkstemp(suffix=".txt")
-        try:
-            with os.fdopen(list_fd, "w") as lf:
-                for pth in paths:
-                    safe = pth.replace("'", "'\\''")
-                    lf.write(f"file '{safe}'\n")
-            cmd = [
-                ff, "-y", "-f", "concat", "-safe", "0", "-i", list_path,
-                "-c:v", "libx264", "-pix_fmt", "yuv420p",
-                "-c:a", "aac", "-b:a", "192k",
-                "-movflags", "+faststart", out_path,
-            ]
-            proc = subprocess.run(cmd, capture_output=True, text=True)
-            if proc.returncode != 0:
-                tail = (proc.stderr or "")[-800:]
-                return web.json_response({"detail": f"ffmpeg concat failed: {tail}"}, status=500)
-        finally:
-            try:
-                os.unlink(list_path)
-            except OSError:
-                pass
+        # Per-clip in/out via -ss/-t before each input, concatenated with the concat filter
+        # (re-encode; keeps the LTXAV audio). This honours splits and deletions.
+        cmd = [ff, "-y"]
+        for c, pth in zip(clips, paths):
+            inn, dur = c.get("in"), c.get("dur")
+            if inn is not None:
+                cmd += ["-ss", f"{float(inn):.3f}"]
+            if dur is not None:
+                cmd += ["-t", f"{float(dur):.3f}"]
+            cmd += ["-i", pth]
+        n = len(clips)
+        filt = "".join(f"[{i}:v:0][{i}:a:0]" for i in range(n)) + f"concat=n={n}:v=1:a=1[v][a]"
+        cmd += [
+            "-filter_complex", filt, "-map", "[v]", "-map", "[a]",
+            "-c:v", "libx264", "-pix_fmt", "yuv420p", "-c:a", "aac", "-b:a", "192k",
+            "-movflags", "+faststart", out_path,
+        ]
+        proc = subprocess.run(cmd, capture_output=True, text=True)
+        if proc.returncode != 0:
+            tail = (proc.stderr or "")[-1000:]
+            return web.json_response({"detail": f"ffmpeg render failed: {tail}"}, status=500)
         return web.json_response({
             "media": {"filename": out_name, "subfolder": "", "type": "temp", "kind": "videos"},
-            "clips": len(paths),
+            "clips": n,
         })
 
     # --- API: models / pluggable node slots ---