Redesign desktop lobby as a workspace

desktop-client/README.md

@@ -1,5 +1,29 @@
 # VideoSync desktop client
 
+## Saved preferences
+
+The client remembers your display name, volume, window geometry, chat sidebar
+visibility and width, highlight panel visibility, and last selected media folder.
+Preferences are stored locally using Qt's platform settings store. File dialogs
+for both creating and joining rooms start in the remembered folder. The server
+address remains fixed. Detached chat opens docked on the next launch.
+
+## Active sessions
+
+The desktop workspace has a sidebar for your saved display name, **Create room**,
+and **Join by code**. Creation and code entry open in separate dialogs. Drag a
+video onto the lobby to prepare a new room. Enter your name to enable room actions.
+
+The lobby checks for listed rooms at startup and every 15 seconds while open.
+Select a session and click **Choose file & join**, or double-click it, to use the
+existing file verification flow. Enter your display name first. **Refresh** checks
+immediately; joining by code remains available when discovery fails.
+
+New rooms are listed by default. Clear **List room in active sessions** before
+creating a room to keep it out of the list; anyone with its code can still join.
+Only rooms with connected participants appear. Discovery requires the updated
+server's `/api/rooms` endpoint; older clients also create listed rooms by default.
+
 ## Chat
 
 Chat follows new messages while you are near the bottom. Scroll up to read older

desktop-client/lobby_widget.py

@@ -2,9 +2,38 @@ import os
 import re
 from PyQt6.QtWidgets import (
     QWidget, QVBoxLayout, QHBoxLayout, QLabel, QLineEdit, QPushButton, 
-    QFileDialog, QFrame, QApplication
-)
-from PyQt6.QtCore import Qt, pyqtSignal
+    QFileDialog, QFrame, QApplication, QCheckBox, QListWidget, QListWidgetItem, QDialog,
+    QStyledItemDelegate, QStyle
+)
+from PyQt6.QtCore import Qt, pyqtSignal, QSize
+from PyQt6.QtGui import QColor, QFont, QFontMetrics
+
+
+class SessionDelegate(QStyledItemDelegate):
+    """Draw readable session rows with elided filenames and secondary details."""
+    def paint(self, painter, option, index):
+        painter.save()
+        selected = bool(option.state & QStyle.StateFlag.State_Selected)
+        hovered = bool(option.state & QStyle.StateFlag.State_MouseOver)
+        painter.fillRect(option.rect, QColor("#29243f" if selected else
+                                            "#222839" if hovered else "#191e29"))
+        rect = option.rect.adjusted(22, 20, -22, -20)
+        lines = str(index.data()).splitlines()
+        for i, text in enumerate(lines[:3]):
+            font = QFont("Segoe UI", 10)
+            font.setWeight(QFont.Weight.DemiBold if i == 0 else QFont.Weight.Normal)
+            painter.setFont(font)
+            painter.setPen(QColor("#edf1fa" if i == 0 else "#9ca9c0"))
+            line = rect.adjusted(0, i * 24, 0, 0)
+            line.setHeight(24)
+            text = QFontMetrics(font).elidedText(text, Qt.TextElideMode.ElideRight, line.width())
+            painter.drawText(line, Qt.AlignmentFlag.AlignLeft | Qt.AlignmentFlag.AlignVCenter, text)
+        painter.setPen(QColor("#2c3546"))
+        painter.drawLine(option.rect.bottomLeft(), option.rect.bottomRight())
+        if option.state & QStyle.StateFlag.State_HasFocus:
+            painter.setPen(QColor("#9b8bff"))
+            painter.drawRect(option.rect.adjusted(1, 1, -1, -1))
+        painter.restore()
 
 class RoomCodeInput(QLineEdit):
     """QLineEdit that auto-fills from clipboard if it looks like a room code."""
@@ -24,6 +53,8 @@ class LobbyWidget(QWidget):
     # Signals to communicate to VlcSyncApp
     create_requested = pyqtSignal(str, str, str, object)  # username, path, filename, size
     join_requested = pyqtSignal(str, str)              # username, room_code
+    file_selected = pyqtSignal(str)
+    refresh_requested = pyqtSignal()
     
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__()
@@ -32,100 +63,238 @@ class LobbyWidget(QWidget):
         self.local_file_path = None
         self.local_file_name = None
         self.local_file_size = 0
+        self.media_folder = ""
         
         self._setup_ui()
         
     def _setup_ui(self):
+        self.setObjectName("desktopLobby")
+        self._connecting = False
         layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
-        layout.setAlignment(Qt.AlignmentFlag.AlignCenter)
-        
-        # Container for centering
-        container = QFrame()
-        container.setObjectName("lobbyCard")
-        container.setFixedWidth(500)
-        container_layout = QVBoxLayout(container)
-        container_layout.setContentsMargins(30, 30, 30, 30)
-        container_layout.setSpacing(15)
+        layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        layout.setSpacing(0)
 
-        # Brand
-        title = QLabel("VideoSync")
-        title.setObjectName("brandTitle")
-        title.setAlignment(Qt.AlignmentFlag.AlignCenter)
-        tagline = QLabel("Watch together, anywhere")
-        tagline.setObjectName("brandTagline")
-        tagline.setAlignment(Qt.AlignmentFlag.AlignCenter)
-        
-        container_layout.addWidget(title)
-        container_layout.addWidget(tagline)
-        container_layout.addSpacing(20)
+        header = QFrame()
+        header.setObjectName("lobbyHeader")
+        header_layout = QHBoxLayout(header)
+        header_layout.setContentsMargins(28, 18, 28, 18)
+        brand = QLabel("VideoSync")
+        brand.setObjectName("lobbyBrand")
+        header_layout.addWidget(brand)
+        header_layout.addStretch()
+        self.connection_label = QLabel("Watch together. Stay in sync.")
+        self.connection_label.setObjectName("lobbyMuted")
+        header_layout.addWidget(self.connection_label)
+        layout.addWidget(header)
 
-        # Username
+        body = QHBoxLayout()
+        body.setSpacing(0)
+        sidebar = QFrame()
+        sidebar.setObjectName("lobbySidebar")
+        sidebar.setFixedWidth(260)
+        side = QVBoxLayout(sidebar)
+        side.setContentsMargins(24, 32, 24, 24)
+        side.setSpacing(12)
+        title = QLabel("Watch together.")
+        title.setObjectName("sidebarTitle")
+        side.addWidget(title)
+        subtitle = QLabel("One room. Everyone in sync.")
+        subtitle.setObjectName("lobbyMuted")
+        side.addWidget(subtitle)
+        side.addSpacing(12)
+        self.create_action_btn = QPushButton("+  Create room")
+        self.create_action_btn.setObjectName("lobbyPrimary")
+        self.create_action_btn.clicked.connect(self.open_create_dialog)
+        side.addWidget(self.create_action_btn)
+        self.join_action_btn = QPushButton("Join by code")
+        self.join_action_btn.clicked.connect(self.open_join_dialog)
+        side.addWidget(self.join_action_btn)
+        side.addSpacing(28)
+        name_label = QLabel("Your display name")
+        side.addWidget(name_label)
         self.username_input = QLineEdit()
-        self.username_input.setPlaceholderText("Enter a display name")
-        container_layout.addWidget(QLabel("YOUR NAME"))
-        container_layout.addWidget(self.username_input)
-        
-        container_layout.addSpacing(20)
-        
-        # Actions Layout (Create vs Join)
-        actions_layout = QHBoxLayout()
-        actions_layout.setSpacing(20)
-        
-        # Create Room Panel
-        create_panel = QVBoxLayout()
-        create_panel.addWidget(QLabel("Create a Room"))
-        self.create_file_btn = QPushButton("Choose Video File")
-        self.create_file_btn.setObjectName("secondaryBtn")
+        self.username_input.setPlaceholderText("Enter your name")
+        self.username_input.setAccessibleName("Your display name")
+        side.addWidget(self.username_input)
+        name_label.setBuddy(self.username_input)
+        hint = QLabel("Remembered on this computer.")
+        hint.setObjectName("lobbyMuted")
+        hint.setWordWrap(True)
+        side.addWidget(hint)
+        side.addStretch()
+        privacy = QLabel("Your video stays on your computer.\nOnly playback and chat are shared.")
+        privacy.setObjectName("lobbyMuted")
+        privacy.setWordWrap(True)
+        side.addWidget(privacy)
+        body.addWidget(sidebar)
+
+        workspace = QVBoxLayout()
+        workspace.setContentsMargins(32, 32, 32, 24)
+        workspace.setSpacing(12)
+        heading = QHBoxLayout()
+        title_group = QVBoxLayout()
+        title_group.setSpacing(8)
+        title = QLabel("Active sessions")
+        title.setObjectName("workspaceTitle")
+        title_group.addWidget(title)
+        description = QLabel("See who’s watching and join in.")
+        description.setObjectName("lobbyMuted")
+        title_group.addWidget(description)
+        heading.addLayout(title_group)
+        heading.addStretch()
+        self.refresh_btn = QPushButton("Refresh")
+        self.refresh_btn.setObjectName("lobbyQuiet")
+        self.refresh_btn.clicked.connect(self.refresh_requested.emit)
+        heading.addWidget(self.refresh_btn)
+        workspace.addLayout(heading)
+        workspace.addSpacing(12)
+        self.sessions_status = QLabel("Checking for active sessions…")
+        self.sessions_status.setObjectName("lobbyMuted")
+        self.sessions_status.setWordWrap(True)
+        workspace.addWidget(self.sessions_status)
+        self.sessions_list = QListWidget()
+        self.sessions_list.setObjectName("lobbySessions")
+        self.sessions_list.setWordWrap(True)
+        self.sessions_list.setItemDelegate(SessionDelegate(self.sessions_list))
+        self.sessions_list.setAccessibleName("Active sessions")
+        workspace.addWidget(self.sessions_list, 1)
+        bottom = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.session_count = QLabel("Select a session to get started.")
+        self.session_count.setObjectName("lobbyMuted")
+        bottom.addWidget(self.session_count)
+        bottom.addStretch()
+        self.session_join_btn = QPushButton("Choose file && join")
+        self.session_join_btn.setObjectName("lobbyPrimary")
+        self.session_join_btn.setEnabled(False)
+        self.session_join_btn.clicked.connect(self.join_selected_session)
+        bottom.addWidget(self.session_join_btn)
+        workspace.addLayout(bottom)
+        self.sessions_list.itemDoubleClicked.connect(lambda _: self.join_selected_session())
+        self.sessions_list.itemSelectionChanged.connect(self.check_inputs)
+        body.addLayout(workspace, 1)
+        layout.addLayout(body, 1)
+
+        self.create_dialog = self._make_dialog("Create a room", "Choose a local video, then invite your friends.")
+        create = self.create_dialog.layout()
+        self.create_file_btn = QPushButton("Choose video file")
         self.create_file_btn.clicked.connect(self.select_file)
-        
+        create.addWidget(self.create_file_btn)
         self.create_file_info = QLabel("")
-        self.create_file_info.setObjectName("fileInfo")
+        self.create_file_info.setObjectName("lobbyFileInfo")
         self.create_file_info.setWordWrap(True)
         self.create_file_info.hide()
-        
-        self.create_room_btn = QPushButton("Create Room")
-        self.create_room_btn.setObjectName("primaryBtn")
-        self.create_room_btn.setEnabled(False)
+        create.addWidget(self.create_file_info)
+        self.listed_checkbox = QCheckBox("List room in active sessions")
+        self.listed_checkbox.setChecked(True)
+        create.addWidget(self.listed_checkbox)
+        hint = QLabel("Unlisted rooms can still be joined using their code.")
+        hint.setObjectName("lobbyMuted")
+        hint.setWordWrap(True)
+        create.addWidget(hint)
+        self.create_room_btn = QPushButton("Create room")
+        self.create_room_btn.setObjectName("lobbyPrimary")
         self.create_room_btn.clicked.connect(self.create_room)
-        
-        create_panel.addWidget(self.create_file_btn)
-        create_panel.addWidget(self.create_file_info)
-        create_panel.addWidget(self.create_room_btn)
-        
-        # Join Room Panel
-        join_panel = QVBoxLayout()
-        join_panel.addWidget(QLabel("Join a Room"))
+        self._dialog_actions(self.create_dialog, self.create_room_btn)
+
+        self.join_dialog = self._make_dialog("Join by code", "Enter the room code your friend shared.")
         self.room_code_input = RoomCodeInput()
         self.room_code_input.setPlaceholderText("e.g. ABC123")
-        self.join_room_btn = QPushButton("Join Room")
-        self.join_room_btn.setObjectName("secondaryBtn")
-        self.join_room_btn.setEnabled(False)
+        self.room_code_input.setAccessibleName("Room code")
+        self.room_code_input.setMaxLength(8)
+        self.room_code_input.returnPressed.connect(self._join_if_valid)
+        self.join_dialog.layout().addWidget(self.room_code_input)
+        self.join_room_btn = QPushButton("Join room")
+        self.join_room_btn.setObjectName("lobbyPrimary")
         self.join_room_btn.clicked.connect(self.join_room)
-        
-        join_panel.addWidget(self.room_code_input)
-        join_panel.addWidget(self.join_room_btn)
-        
-        actions_layout.addLayout(create_panel)
-        
-        # Divider
-        divider = QLabel("OR")
-        divider.setAlignment(Qt.AlignmentFlag.AlignCenter)
-        divider.setObjectName("divider")
-        actions_layout.addWidget(divider)
-        
-        actions_layout.addLayout(join_panel)
-        
-        container_layout.addLayout(actions_layout)
-        layout.addWidget(container)
-
-        # Signals to enable/disable buttons
+        self._dialog_actions(self.join_dialog, self.join_room_btn)
         self.username_input.textChanged.connect(self.check_inputs)
         self.room_code_input.textChanged.connect(self.check_inputs)
+        self._apply_lobby_style()
+        self.check_inputs()
+
+    def _make_dialog(self, title, description):
+        dialog = QDialog(self)
+        dialog.setWindowTitle(title)
+        dialog.setObjectName("lobbyDialog")
+        dialog.setModal(True)
+        dialog.setMinimumWidth(420)
+        layout = QVBoxLayout(dialog)
+        layout.setContentsMargins(28, 28, 28, 28)
+        layout.setSpacing(18)
+        label = QLabel(title)
+        label.setObjectName("dialogTitle")
+        layout.addWidget(label)
+        text = QLabel(description)
+        text.setObjectName("lobbyMuted")
+        text.setWordWrap(True)
+        layout.addWidget(text)
+        return dialog
+
+    def _dialog_actions(self, dialog, action):
+        row = QHBoxLayout()
+        row.addStretch()
+        cancel = QPushButton("Cancel")
+        cancel.clicked.connect(dialog.reject)
+        row.addWidget(cancel)
+        row.addWidget(action)
+        dialog.layout().addLayout(row)
+
+    def open_create_dialog(self):
+        if not self.username_input.text().strip():
+            self.username_input.setFocus()
+            return
+        self.create_dialog.show()
+        self.create_dialog.raise_()
+        self.create_file_btn.setFocus()
+
+    def open_join_dialog(self):
+        if not self.username_input.text().strip():
+            self.username_input.setFocus()
+            return
+        self.join_dialog.show()
+        self.join_dialog.raise_()
+        self.room_code_input.setFocus()
+
+    def _join_if_valid(self):
+        if self.join_room_btn.isEnabled():
+            self.join_room()
+
+    def _apply_lobby_style(self):
+        self.setStyleSheet("""
+            QWidget#desktopLobby, QDialog#lobbyDialog { background: #10131b; }
+            QLabel { color: #edf1fa; font-family: 'Segoe UI'; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; }
+            QFrame#lobbyHeader { background: #191e29; border-bottom: 1px solid #2c3546; }
+            QFrame#lobbySidebar { background: #191e29; border-right: 1px solid #2c3546; }
+            QLabel#lobbyBrand { font-size: 20px; font-weight: 600; }
+            QLabel#sidebarTitle, QLabel#dialogTitle { font-size: 23px; font-weight: 600; }
+            QLabel#workspaceTitle { font-size: 28px; font-weight: 600; }
+            QLabel#lobbyMuted { color: #9ca9c0; font-size: 12px; }
+            QLabel#lobbyFileInfo { background: #29243f; color: #c6bcff; padding: 14px; border-radius: 7px; }
+            QLineEdit { background: #10131b; color: #edf1fa; border: 1px solid #364157;
+                        border-radius: 7px; padding: 11px; font: 14px 'Segoe UI'; }
+            QLineEdit:focus { border-color: #9b8bff; }
+            QPushButton { background: #191e29; color: #edf1fa; border: 1px solid #364157;
+                          border-radius: 7px; padding: 11px 15px; font: 13px 'Segoe UI'; }
+            QPushButton:hover { background: #242b3b; border-color: #9b8bff; }
+            QPushButton#lobbyPrimary { background: #9b8bff; color: #141020; border: none; font-weight: 600; }
+            QPushButton#lobbyPrimary:hover { background: #b1a4ff; }
+            QPushButton:disabled, QPushButton#lobbyPrimary:disabled { background: #242b38; color: #738099; border-color: #2c3546; }
+            QPushButton#lobbyQuiet { background: transparent; }
+            QCheckBox { color: #edf1fa; spacing: 9px; font: 13px 'Segoe UI'; }
+            QListWidget#lobbySessions { background: #191e29; color: #edf1fa;
+                border: 1px solid #2c3546; border-radius: 9px; outline: none; font: 14px 'Segoe UI'; }
+            QListWidget#lobbySessions::item { padding: 20px; border-bottom: 1px solid #2c3546; }
+            QListWidget#lobbySessions::item:selected { background: #29243f; color: #edf1fa; }
+            QListWidget#lobbySessions::item:hover { background: #222839; }
+            QListWidget#lobbySessions:focus { border-color: #9b8bff; }
+        """)
 
     def _set_local_file(self, file_path: str):
         self.local_file_path = file_path
         self.local_file_name = os.path.basename(file_path)
         self.local_file_size = os.path.getsize(file_path)
+        self.media_folder = os.path.dirname(file_path)
+        self.file_selected.emit(file_path)
         
         size_mb = self.local_file_size / (1024 * 1024)
         self.create_file_info.setText(f"{self.local_file_name}\n{size_mb:.1f} MB")
@@ -134,7 +303,7 @@ class LobbyWidget(QWidget):
 
     def select_file(self):
         file_path, _ = QFileDialog.getOpenFileName(
-            self, "Select Video File", "", "Video Files (*.mp4 *.mkv *.avi *.mov *.webm);;All Files (*)"
+            self, "Select Video File", self.media_folder, "Video Files (*.mp4 *.mkv *.avi *.mov *.webm);;All Files (*)"
         )
         if file_path:
             self._set_local_file(file_path)
@@ -152,6 +321,7 @@ class LobbyWidget(QWidget):
                 ext = os.path.splitext(file_path)[1].lower()
                 if ext in ['.mp4', '.mkv', '.avi', '.mov', '.webm']:
                     self._set_local_file(file_path)
+                    self.open_create_dialog()
                     break
 
     def check_inputs(self):
@@ -159,10 +329,47 @@ class LobbyWidget(QWidget):
         has_file = self.local_file_path is not None
         has_code = len(self.room_code_input.text().strip()) >= 4
         
-        self.create_room_btn.setEnabled(has_name and has_file)
-        self.join_room_btn.setEnabled(has_name and has_code)
+        self.create_room_btn.setEnabled(has_name and has_file and not self._connecting)
+        self.create_action_btn.setEnabled(has_name and not self._connecting)
+        self.join_action_btn.setEnabled(has_name and not self._connecting)
+        self.join_room_btn.setEnabled(has_name and has_code and not self._connecting)
+        self.session_join_btn.setEnabled(has_name and self.sessions_list.currentItem() is not None and not self._connecting)
+
+    def update_sessions(self, rooms):
+        selected = self.sessions_list.currentItem()
+        code = selected.data(Qt.ItemDataRole.UserRole) if selected else None
+        self.sessions_list.clear()
+        for room in rooms:
+            seconds = max(0, int(room.get("position", 0)))
+            state = "Playing" if room.get("playing") else "Paused"
+            users = room.get("users", [])
+            item = QListWidgetItem(f"{room['fileInfo']['name']}\n"
+                f"{state} · {seconds // 60}:{seconds % 60:02d} · {len(users)} connected\n"
+                f"{', '.join(users)}")
+            item.setSizeHint(QSize(0, 116))
+            item.setToolTip(item.text())
+            item.setData(Qt.ItemDataRole.UserRole, room['code'])
+            self.sessions_list.addItem(item)
+            if room['code'] == code:
+                self.sessions_list.setCurrentItem(item)
+        self.session_count.setText(f"{len(rooms)} room{'s' if len(rooms) != 1 else ''} available")
+        self.sessions_list.setVisible(bool(rooms))
+        self.sessions_status.setText("Select a session to join." if rooms else
+                                     "No active sessions. Create a room to get started.")
+        self.check_inputs()
+
+    def join_selected_session(self):
+        item = self.sessions_list.currentItem()
+        if item and self.username_input.text().strip():
+            self.room_code_input.setText(item.data(Qt.ItemDataRole.UserRole))
+            self.join_room()
 
     def create_room(self):
+        if not self.create_room_btn.isEnabled():
+            return
+        self._connecting = True
+        self.create_dialog.accept()
+        self.check_inputs()
         username = self.username_input.text().strip()
         self.create_room_btn.setText("Connecting...")
         self.create_room_btn.setEnabled(False)
@@ -170,6 +377,11 @@ class LobbyWidget(QWidget):
         self.create_requested.emit(username, self.local_file_path, self.local_file_name, self.local_file_size)
 
     def join_room(self):
+        if not self.join_room_btn.isEnabled():
+            return
+        self._connecting = True
+        self.join_dialog.accept()
+        self.check_inputs()
         username = self.username_input.text().strip()
         room_code = self.room_code_input.text().strip().upper()
         self.join_room_btn.setText("Connecting...")
@@ -178,8 +390,9 @@ class LobbyWidget(QWidget):
         self.join_requested.emit(username, room_code)
 
     def reset_ui(self):
-        self.create_room_btn.setText("Create Room")
-        self.join_room_btn.setText("Join Room")
+        self._connecting = False
+        self.create_room_btn.setText("Create room")
+        self.join_room_btn.setText("Join room")
         self.check_inputs()
 
     def clear_file(self):

desktop-client/main.py

@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 import sys
 import os
 import ctypes
+import json
 from PyQt6.QtWidgets import (
     QApplication, QMainWindow, QStackedWidget, QFileDialog, QMessageBox
 )
-from PyQt6.QtCore import Qt, QTimer
+from PyQt6.QtCore import Qt, QTimer, QSettings, QUrl
+from PyQt6.QtNetwork import QNetworkAccessManager, QNetworkRequest, QNetworkReply
 from PyQt6.QtGui import QIcon
 
 from sync_client import SyncClientThread
@@ -12,8 +14,9 @@ from lobby_widget import LobbyWidget
 from room_widget import RoomWidget
 
 class VlcSyncApp(QMainWindow):
-    def __init__(self):
+    def __init__(self, settings=None):
         super().__init__()
+        self.settings = settings if settings is not None else QSettings("VideoSync", "DesktopClient")
         self.setWindowTitle("VideoSync — Watch Together")
         
         icon_path = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "icon.png")
@@ -72,6 +75,88 @@ class VlcSyncApp(QMainWindow):
         self.sync_client.latency_updated.connect(self.room_widget.update_latency)
 
         self.apply_stylesheet()
+        self._restore_preferences()
+        self.lobby_widget.username_input.textChanged.connect(
+            lambda name: self.settings.setValue("username", name))
+        self.lobby_widget.file_selected.connect(self._remember_media_folder)
+        self.room_widget.volume_slider.valueChanged.connect(
+            lambda volume: self.settings.setValue("volume", volume))
+        self.discovery_network = QNetworkAccessManager(self)
+        self.discovery_reply = None
+        self.discovery_timer = QTimer(self)
+        self.discovery_timer.setInterval(15000)
+        self.discovery_timer.timeout.connect(self.refresh_sessions)
+        self.lobby_widget.refresh_requested.connect(self.refresh_sessions)
+        self.discovery_timer.start()
+        QTimer.singleShot(0, self.refresh_sessions)
+
+    def refresh_sessions(self):
+        if self.stacked_widget.currentIndex() != 0 or self.discovery_reply is not None:
+            return
+        url = self.sync_client.url.replace("wss://", "https://").replace("ws://", "http://")
+        request = QNetworkRequest(QUrl(url.rsplit("/", 1)[0] + "/api/rooms"))
+        request.setTransferTimeout(8000)
+        self.lobby_widget.refresh_btn.setEnabled(False)
+        reply = self.discovery_network.get(request)
+        self.discovery_reply = reply
+        reply.finished.connect(lambda: self._finish_discovery(reply))
+
+    def _finish_discovery(self, reply):
+        try:
+            if reply.error() != QNetworkReply.NetworkError.NoError:
+                raise ValueError("Discovery unavailable")
+            rooms = json.loads(bytes(reply.readAll()))["rooms"]
+            self.lobby_widget.update_sessions(rooms)
+        except (ValueError, KeyError, TypeError, OverflowError):
+            self.lobby_widget.sessions_list.clear()
+            self.lobby_widget.sessions_list.hide()
+            self.lobby_widget.session_count.setText("Join by code is still available.")
+            self.lobby_widget.check_inputs()
+            self.lobby_widget.sessions_status.setText("Couldn’t check for sessions. You can retry or join by code.")
+        finally:
+            self.discovery_reply = None
+            self.lobby_widget.refresh_btn.setEnabled(True)
+            reply.deleteLater()
+
+    def _restore_preferences(self):
+        self.lobby_widget.username_input.setText(self.settings.value("username", "", type=str))
+        folder = self.settings.value("media_folder", "", type=str)
+        self.lobby_widget.media_folder = folder if os.path.isdir(folder) else ""
+        volume = self.settings.value("volume", 100, type=int)
+        self.room_widget.volume_slider.setValue(max(0, min(100, volume)))
+        geometry = self.settings.value("window_geometry")
+        if geometry is not None:
+            self.restoreGeometry(geometry)
+        width = max(200, min(800, self.settings.value("chat_width", 320, type=int)))
+        self.room_widget._saved_chat_width = width
+        self.room_widget.splitter.setSizes([max(100, self.width() - width), width])
+        self.room_widget.chat_container.setVisible(self.settings.value("chat_visible", True, type=bool))
+        if not self.settings.value("highlights_visible", True, type=bool):
+            self.room_widget.tags_list.hide()
+            self.room_widget.tags_header_btn.setText("▶ Highlights")
+
+    def _remember_media_folder(self, path):
+        folder = os.path.dirname(path)
+        self.lobby_widget.media_folder = folder
+        self.settings.setValue("media_folder", folder)
+
+    def closeEvent(self, event):
+        self.discovery_timer.stop()
+        if self.discovery_reply is not None:
+            self.discovery_reply.abort()
+        room = self.room_widget
+        self.settings.setValue("window_geometry", self.saveGeometry())
+        width = (room.chat_container.width() if not room.popout_window and
+                 not room.chat_container.isHidden() else getattr(room, "_saved_chat_width", 320))
+        self.settings.setValue("chat_width", width)
+        self.settings.setValue("chat_visible", not room.chat_container.isHidden())
+        self.settings.setValue("highlights_visible", not room.tags_list.isHidden())
+        self.settings.sync()
+        if room.popout_window:
+            room.popout_window.close()
+        self.sync_client.stop()
+        room.cleanup()
+        super().closeEvent(event)
 
     def _on_lobby_create(self, username, file_path, file_name, file_size):
         self.username = username
@@ -81,6 +166,7 @@ class VlcSyncApp(QMainWindow):
         
         self.pending_connect_action = lambda: self.sync_client.send_message({
             "type": "create_room",
+            "listed": self.lobby_widget.listed_checkbox.isChecked(),
             "username": self.username,
             "fileInfo": {
                 "name": self.local_file_name,
@@ -115,6 +201,8 @@ class VlcSyncApp(QMainWindow):
         self.lobby_widget.clear_file()
         self.lobby_widget.reset_ui()
 
+        self.refresh_sessions()
+
     def _on_room_sync_action(self, action, position_s, req_id):
         self.sync_client.send_message({"type": "sync", "action": action, "position": position_s, "req_id": req_id})
         
@@ -164,10 +252,11 @@ class VlcSyncApp(QMainWindow):
         ext = os.path.splitext(req_name)[1].lower()
         file_filter = f"Video Files (*{ext});;All Files (*)" if ext else "All Files (*)"
         file_path, _ = QFileDialog.getOpenFileName(
-            self, f"Select {req_name}", "", file_filter
+            self, f"Select {req_name}", self.lobby_widget.media_folder, file_filter
         )
         
         if file_path:
+            self._remember_media_folder(file_path)
             self.local_file_path = file_path
             self.local_file_name = os.path.basename(file_path)
             self.local_file_size = os.path.getsize(file_path)

desktop-client/test_discovery.py

@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+import json
+from urllib.request import urlopen
+
+from test_ready_server import server_url, send, receive
+from websockets.sync.client import connect
+
+
+def test_discovery_visibility_and_connected_users(server_url):
+    endpoint = server_url.replace('ws://', 'http://').removesuffix('/ws') + '/api/rooms'
+    def listing():
+        with urlopen(endpoint, timeout=3) as response:
+            assert response.headers['Cache-Control'] == 'no-store'
+            return json.load(response)['rooms']
+
+    assert listing() == []
+    with connect(server_url) as public, connect(server_url) as private:
+        file_info = {'name': 'test.mkv', 'size': 1234, 'duration': 60}
+        send(public, type='create_room', username='Public', fileInfo=file_info)
+        public_code = receive(public, 'room_created')['code']
+        send(private, type='create_room', username='Private', fileInfo=file_info, listed=False)
+        private_code = receive(private, 'room_created')['code']
+        rooms = listing()
+        assert len(rooms) == 1
+        assert rooms[0]['code'] == public_code
+        assert rooms[0]['users'] == ['Public']
+        assert rooms[0]['playing'] is False
+        with connect(server_url) as guest:
+            send(guest, type='join_room', username='Guest', code=private_code)
+            receive(guest, 'room_file_check')
+            send(guest, type='confirm_join', fileInfo=file_info)
+            receive(guest, 'room_joined')
+            assert len(listing()) == 1
+    assert listing() == []

desktop-client/test_lobby_sessions.py

@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+from lobby_widget import LobbyWidget
+from PyQt6.QtCore import Qt
+
+
+def test_session_selection_uses_existing_join_flow(qtbot):
+    lobby = LobbyWidget()
+    qtbot.addWidget(lobby)
+    assert lobby.listed_checkbox.isChecked()
+    rooms = [{"code": "ABC123", "fileInfo": {"name": "movie.mkv"},
+              "users": ["Host"], "playing": True, "position": 75}]
+    lobby.update_sessions(rooms)
+    lobby.sessions_list.setCurrentRow(0)
+    assert not lobby.session_join_btn.isEnabled()
+    lobby.username_input.setText("Alex")
+    assert lobby.session_join_btn.isEnabled()
+    with qtbot.waitSignal(lobby.join_requested) as signal:
+        lobby.join_selected_session()
+    assert signal.args == ["Alex", "ABC123"]
+    lobby.reset_ui()
+    lobby.update_sessions(rooms)
+    assert lobby.sessions_list.currentItem().data(256) == "ABC123"
+    lobby.update_sessions([])
+    assert not lobby.session_join_btn.isEnabled()
+    assert "No active sessions" in lobby.sessions_status.text()
+
+
+def test_workspace_dialogs_and_connection_lock(qtbot, tmp_path):
+    lobby = LobbyWidget()
+    qtbot.addWidget(lobby)
+    lobby.show()
+    assert not lobby.create_action_btn.isEnabled()
+    lobby.username_input.setText("Alex")
+    qtbot.mouseClick(lobby.create_action_btn, Qt.MouseButton.LeftButton)
+    assert lobby.create_dialog.isVisible()
+    assert not lobby.create_room_btn.isEnabled()
+    video = tmp_path / "movie.mkv"
+    video.write_bytes(b"local video")
+    lobby._set_local_file(str(video))
+    lobby.listed_checkbox.setChecked(False)
+    with qtbot.waitSignal(lobby.create_requested) as signal:
+        qtbot.mouseClick(lobby.create_room_btn, Qt.MouseButton.LeftButton)
+    assert signal.args == ["Alex", str(video), "movie.mkv", 11]
+    assert not lobby.create_dialog.isVisible()
+    assert not lobby.create_action_btn.isEnabled()
+    assert not lobby.join_action_btn.isEnabled()
+    lobby.reset_ui()
+    qtbot.mouseClick(lobby.join_action_btn, Qt.MouseButton.LeftButton)
+    lobby.room_code_input.setText("abc123")
+    with qtbot.waitSignal(lobby.join_requested) as signal:
+        qtbot.keyClick(lobby.room_code_input, Qt.Key.Key_Return)
+    assert signal.args == ["Alex", "ABC123"]
+    assert not lobby.join_dialog.isVisible()

desktop-client/test_preferences.py

@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+from unittest.mock import Mock
+
+from PyQt6.QtCore import QSettings
+
+import room_widget
+from main import VlcSyncApp
+from test_chat import PlayerSignals
+
+
+def test_preferences_survive_restart(qtbot, monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(VlcSyncApp, "refresh_sessions", lambda self: None)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(room_widget, "VLCSyncPlayer",
+                        lambda frame: Mock(signals=PlayerSignals()))
+    path = str(tmp_path / "preferences.ini")
+    settings = QSettings(path, QSettings.Format.IniFormat)
+    first = VlcSyncApp(settings)
+    qtbot.addWidget(first)
+    first.show()
+    first.lobby_widget.username_input.setText("Alex")
+    first.room_widget.volume_slider.setValue(37)
+    first._remember_media_folder(str(tmp_path / "movie.mkv"))
+    first.room_widget.chat_container.hide()
+    first.room_widget.tags_list.hide()
+    first.resize(900, 650)
+    first.close()
+
+    second = VlcSyncApp(QSettings(path, QSettings.Format.IniFormat))
+    qtbot.addWidget(second)
+    assert second.lobby_widget.username_input.text() == "Alex"
+    assert second.room_widget.volume_slider.value() == 37
+    assert second.lobby_widget.media_folder == str(tmp_path)
+    assert second.room_widget.chat_container.isHidden()
+    assert second.room_widget.tags_list.isHidden()
+    assert second.size() == first.size()
+    assert second.sync_client.url == "wss://video-sync.peterstockings.com/ws"
+
+
+def test_missing_folder_and_volume_bounds(qtbot, monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(VlcSyncApp, "refresh_sessions", lambda self: None)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(room_widget, "VLCSyncPlayer",
+                        lambda frame: Mock(signals=PlayerSignals()))
+    settings = QSettings(str(tmp_path / "preferences.ini"), QSettings.Format.IniFormat)
+    settings.setValue("media_folder", str(tmp_path / "missing"))
+    settings.setValue("volume", 200)
+    window = VlcSyncApp(settings)
+    qtbot.addWidget(window)
+    assert window.lobby_widget.media_folder == ""
+    assert window.room_widget.volume_slider.value() == 100

server.ts

@@ -8,8 +8,9 @@ interface FileInfo {
   duration: number;
 }
 
-interface RoomState {
-  code: string;
+interface RoomState {
+  code: string;
+  listed: boolean;
   fileInfo: FileInfo;
   playing: boolean;
   position: number;
@@ -133,7 +134,17 @@ const server = Bun.serve<WSData>({
   port: Number(process.env.PORT) || 3000,
 
   fetch(req, server) {
-    const url = new URL(req.url);
+    const url = new URL(req.url);
+
+    if (url.pathname === "/api/rooms" && req.method === "GET") {
+      const activeRooms = Array.from(rooms.values()).flatMap(room => {
+        const users = Array.from(room.users).filter(([, ws]) => ws.readyState === 1)
+          .map(([name]) => name);
+        return room.listed && users.length ? [{ code: room.code, fileInfo: room.fileInfo,
+          users, playing: room.playing, position: getCurrentPosition(room) }] : [];
+      });
+      return Response.json({ rooms: activeRooms }, { headers: { "Cache-Control": "no-store" } });
+    }
 
     // WebSocket upgrade
     if (url.pathname === "/ws") {
@@ -179,8 +190,9 @@ const server = Bun.serve<WSData>({
           }
 
           const code = generateRoomCode();
-          const room: RoomState = {
-            code,
+          const room: RoomState = {
+            code,
+            listed: msg.listed !== false,
             fileInfo: {
               name: msg.fileInfo.name,
               size: msg.fileInfo.size,