Optimize MPV polling with single batch query every 200ms

Replace separate property queries with unified batch fetching:
- Consolidate position, duration, and metadata into one IPC call
- Reduce polling from 100ms to 200ms (5 FPS)
- Remove complex timeout handling in favor of simple blocking reads
- Remove unused is_idle, is_paused, and get_property methods

This eliminates status bar flashing and reduces CPU usage.

Cargo.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "cm-player"
-version = "0.1.26"
+version = "0.1.27"
 edition = "2021"
 
 [dependencies]

src/api/mod.rs

@@ -50,22 +50,6 @@ impl ApiResponse {
             data: None,
         }
     }
-
-    pub fn success_with_data(data: serde_json::Value) -> Self {
-        Self {
-            success: true,
-            message: None,
-            data: Some(data),
-        }
-    }
-
-    pub fn error(message: String) -> Self {
-        Self {
-            success: false,
-            message: Some(message),
-            data: None,
-        }
-    }
 }
 
 /// Start the API server on a Unix socket

src/main.rs

@@ -19,9 +19,8 @@ use std::os::unix::net::UnixStream;
 use tracing_subscriber;
 
 // UI update intervals and thresholds
-const METADATA_UPDATE_INTERVAL: u32 = 20; // Update metadata every N iterations (~2 seconds)
 const POLL_DURATION_STOPPED_MS: u64 = 200; // 5 FPS when stopped
-const POLL_DURATION_ACTIVE_MS: u64 = 100; // 10 FPS when playing/paused
+const POLL_DURATION_ACTIVE_MS: u64 = 200; // 5 FPS when playing/paused - single batch poll
 const DOUBLE_CLICK_MS: u128 = 500; // Double-click detection threshold
 
 fn main() -> Result<()> {
@@ -226,7 +225,7 @@ fn action_play_selection(state: &mut AppState, player: &mut player::Player, skip
         player.play(path)?;
         // Explicitly resume playback in case MPV was paused
         player.resume()?;
-        player.update_metadata();
+        // Metadata will be fetched by periodic update once MPV has it ready
         tracing::info!("Playing: {:?} (playlist: {} tracks)", path, state.playlist.len());
     }
     if state.visual_mode {
@@ -254,7 +253,6 @@ fn action_toggle_play_pause(state: &mut AppState, player: &mut player::Player) -
                     if let Some(ref path) = state.current_file {
                         player.play(path)?;
                         player.resume()?;
-                        player.update_metadata();
                         tracing::info!("Restarting playback: {:?}", path);
                     }
                 }
@@ -287,7 +285,7 @@ fn action_remove_from_playlist(state: &mut AppState, player: &mut player::Player
             player.play(path)?;
             // Explicitly resume playback in case MPV was paused
             player.resume()?;
-            player.update_metadata();
+                // Metadata will be fetched by periodic update
         }
     }
     Ok(())
@@ -319,7 +317,7 @@ fn action_navigate_track(state: &mut AppState, player: &mut player::Player, dire
                     *skip_position_update = true; // Skip position update after track change
                     player.play(path)?;
                     player.resume()?;
-                    player.update_metadata();
+                    // Metadata will be fetched by periodic update
                     tracing::info!("{} track: {:?}", track_name, path);
                 }
             }
@@ -328,7 +326,7 @@ fn action_navigate_track(state: &mut AppState, player: &mut player::Player, dire
                 if let Some(ref path) = state.current_file {
                     *skip_position_update = true; // Skip position update after track change
                     player.play_paused(path)?;
-                    player.update_metadata();
+                    // Metadata will be fetched by periodic update
                     tracing::info!("{} track (paused): {:?}", track_name, path);
                 }
             }
@@ -351,6 +349,7 @@ fn action_play_from_playlist(state: &mut AppState, player: &mut player::Player,
     state.playlist_index = state.selected_playlist_index;
     state.current_file = Some(state.playlist[state.playlist_index].clone());
 
+
     if preserve_pause {
         if let Some(player_state) = player.get_player_state() {
             match player_state {
@@ -359,7 +358,7 @@ fn action_play_from_playlist(state: &mut AppState, player: &mut player::Player,
                         *skip_position_update = true; // Skip position update after track change
                         player.play(path)?;
                         player.resume()?;
-                        player.update_metadata();
+                        // Metadata will be fetched by periodic update
                         tracing::info!("Jumped to track: {:?}", path);
                     }
                 }
@@ -367,7 +366,7 @@ fn action_play_from_playlist(state: &mut AppState, player: &mut player::Player,
                     if let Some(ref path) = state.current_file {
                         *skip_position_update = true; // Skip position update after track change
                         player.play_paused(path)?;
-                        player.update_metadata();
+                        // Metadata will be fetched by periodic update
                         tracing::info!("Jumped to track (paused): {:?}", path);
                     }
                 }
@@ -376,7 +375,7 @@ fn action_play_from_playlist(state: &mut AppState, player: &mut player::Player,
                         *skip_position_update = true; // Skip position update after track change
                         player.play(path)?;
                         player.resume()?;
-                        player.update_metadata();
+                        // Metadata will be fetched by periodic update
                         tracing::info!("Started playing track: {:?}", path);
                     }
                 }
@@ -388,7 +387,7 @@ fn action_play_from_playlist(state: &mut AppState, player: &mut player::Player,
             player.play(path)?;
             // Explicitly resume playback in case MPV was paused
             player.resume()?;
-            player.update_metadata();
+            // Metadata will be fetched by periodic update
             tracing::info!("Playing from playlist: {:?}", path);
         }
     }
@@ -438,7 +437,6 @@ fn run_app<B: ratatui::backend::Backend>(
     player: &mut player::Player,
     api_rx: std::sync::mpsc::Receiver<api::ApiCommand>,
 ) -> Result<()> {
-    let mut metadata_update_counter = 0u32;
     let mut last_position = 0.0f64;
     let mut needs_redraw = true;
     let mut skip_position_update = false;
@@ -529,8 +527,8 @@ fn run_app<B: ratatui::backend::Backend>(
             }
         }
 
-        // Always update properties to keep state synchronized with MPV
-        player.update_properties();
+        // Always update all properties in one batch to keep state synchronized with MPV
+        player.update_all_properties();
 
         // Only proceed if we can successfully query player state
         let Some(player_state) = player.get_player_state() else {
@@ -572,9 +570,6 @@ fn run_app<B: ratatui::backend::Backend>(
                     player.play(path)?;
                     player.resume()?;
                 }
-                // Update metadata immediately when track changes
-                player.update_metadata();
-                metadata_update_counter = 0;
                 // Auto-scroll playlist to show current track (only if user is not browsing playlist)
                 if !state.focus_playlist {
                     let playlist_visible_height = playlist_area.height.saturating_sub(2) as usize;
@@ -587,16 +582,8 @@ fn run_app<B: ratatui::backend::Backend>(
             state_changed = true;
         }
 
-        // Only update metadata and track playback when not stopped
+        // Only update playback position when not stopped
         if player_state != PlayerState::Stopped {
-            // Update metadata periodically to reduce IPC calls
-            metadata_update_counter += 1;
-            if metadata_update_counter >= METADATA_UPDATE_INTERVAL {
-                player.update_metadata();
-                metadata_update_counter = 0;
-                state_changed = true;
-            }
-
             // Update position and duration from player
             // Skip this iteration if we just started a new track to avoid stale MPV values
             if skip_position_update {
@@ -1097,15 +1084,55 @@ fn handle_mouse_event(state: &mut AppState, mouse: MouseEvent, title_bar_area: r
                     _ => {}
                 }
             }
+            // Check if click is on the panel title border (to switch focus)
+            // The visible area is whichever one is not Rect::default()
+            else if (file_panel_area.width > 0 && y == file_panel_area.y) ||
+                    (playlist_area.width > 0 && y == playlist_area.y) {
+                // Click is on the top border line where "Files | Playlist" is shown
+                // Get the actual visible area (not the default one)
+                let area = if file_panel_area.width > 0 { file_panel_area } else { playlist_area };
+
+                // Build title text to calculate positions
+                let playlist_text = if !state.playlist.is_empty() {
+                    format!("Playlist [{}/{}]", state.playlist_index + 1, state.playlist.len())
+                } else {
+                    "Playlist (empty)".to_string()
+                };
+
+                // Title is left-aligned by default in ratatui, starts after left border
+                // Border character takes 1 position, then title starts
+                let title_start_x = area.x + 1;
+
+                // Calculate where "Files" and "Playlist" text are
+                let files_start = title_start_x;
+                let files_end = files_start + 5; // "Files" is 5 chars
+                let separator_start = files_end;
+                let separator_end = separator_start + 3; // " | " is 3 chars
+                let playlist_start = separator_end;
+                let playlist_end = playlist_start + playlist_text.len() as u16;
+
+                match button {
+                    MouseButton::Left => {
+                        if x >= files_start && x < files_end {
+                            // Clicked on "Files" - switch to file panel
+                            state.focus_playlist = false;
+                        } else if x >= playlist_start && x < playlist_end {
+                            // Clicked on "Playlist" - switch to playlist
+                            state.focus_playlist = true;
+                        }
+                    }
+                    _ => {}
+                }
+            }
             // Check if click is within file panel area
             else if x >= file_panel_area.x
                 && x < file_panel_area.x + file_panel_area.width
                 && y >= file_panel_area.y
                 && y < file_panel_area.y + file_panel_area.height
             {
-                // Calculate which item was clicked (accounting for borders and scroll offset)
-                // Border takes 1 line at top, so subtract 1 from y position
-                let relative_y = (y - file_panel_area.y).saturating_sub(1);
+                // Calculate which item was clicked (accounting for scroll offset and outer border)
+                // Outer border takes 1 line at top, content starts at file_panel_area.y + 1
+                let relative_y = y.saturating_sub(file_panel_area.y + 1);
                 let clicked_index = state.scroll_offset + relative_y as usize;
 
                 // Set selection to clicked item if valid
@@ -1164,8 +1191,9 @@ fn handle_mouse_event(state: &mut AppState, mouse: MouseEvent, title_bar_area: r
                 && y >= playlist_area.y
                 && y < playlist_area.y + playlist_area.height
             {
-                // Calculate which track was clicked (accounting for borders)
-                let relative_y = (y - playlist_area.y).saturating_sub(1);
+                // Calculate which track was clicked (accounting for outer border)
+                // Outer border takes 1 line at top, content starts at playlist_area.y + 1
+                let relative_y = y.saturating_sub(playlist_area.y + 1);
                 let clicked_track = relative_y as usize;
 
                 // Add scroll offset to get actual index

src/player/mod.rs

@@ -119,84 +119,75 @@ impl Player {
         Ok(())
     }
 
-    fn get_property(&mut self, property: &str) -> Option<Value> {
-        // Try to connect - if respawning or connection fails, return None
-        if let Err(e) = self.connect() {
-            tracing::debug!("Failed to connect for property '{}': {}", property, e);
-            return None;
+    fn get_properties_batch(&mut self, properties: &[&str]) -> std::collections::HashMap<String, Value> {
+        let mut results = std::collections::HashMap::new();
+
+        // Try to connect
+        if self.connect().is_err() {
+            return results;
         }
 
-        let cmd = json!({
-            "command": ["get_property", property],
-            "request_id": 1
-        });
-
         if let Some(ref mut socket) = self.socket {
-            let msg = format!("{}\n", cmd);
-
-            // Write command
-            if let Err(e) = socket.write_all(msg.as_bytes()) {
-                tracing::warn!("Failed to write get_property command for '{}': {}", property, e);
-                self.socket = None;
-                return None;
+            // Send all property requests at once with unique request_ids
+            for (idx, property) in properties.iter().enumerate() {
+                let cmd = json!({
+                    "command": ["get_property", property],
+                    "request_id": idx + 1
+                });
+                let msg = format!("{}\n", cmd);
+                if socket.write_all(msg.as_bytes()).is_err() {
+                    return results;
+                }
             }
 
-            // Try to read response with timeout
+            // Read all responses
+            // IMPORTANT: Socket is non-blocking, need to set blocking mode for read
             socket.set_nonblocking(false).ok();
-            socket.set_read_timeout(Some(Duration::from_millis(100))).ok();
 
             let cloned_socket = match socket.try_clone() {
                 Ok(s) => s,
-                Err(e) => {
-                    tracing::warn!("Failed to clone socket for '{}': {}", property, e);
+                Err(_) => {
                     socket.set_nonblocking(true).ok();
-                    return None;
+                    return results;
                 }
             };
 
-            // Set timeout on cloned socket too (clone doesn't copy settings)
             cloned_socket.set_nonblocking(false).ok();
-            cloned_socket.set_read_timeout(Some(Duration::from_millis(100))).ok();
 
             let mut reader = BufReader::new(cloned_socket);
-            let mut response = String::new();
-            if let Err(e) = reader.read_line(&mut response) {
-                tracing::debug!("Failed to read response for '{}': {}", property, e);
-                socket.set_nonblocking(true).ok();
-                return None;
+
+            // Read responses - stop if we timeout or hit an error
+            for _ in 0..properties.len() {
+                let mut response = String::new();
+                if reader.read_line(&mut response).is_err() {
+                    // Timeout or error - stop reading
+                    break;
+                }
+
+                // Parse response
+                if let Ok(parsed) = serde_json::from_str::<Value>(&response) {
+                    // Check for success
+                    if let Some(error) = parsed.get("error").and_then(|e| e.as_str()) {
+                        if error == "success" {
+                            // Get request_id to match with property
+                            if let Some(req_id) = parsed.get("request_id").and_then(|id| id.as_i64()) {
+                                let idx = (req_id - 1) as usize;
+                                if idx < properties.len() {
+                                    if let Some(data) = parsed.get("data") {
+                                        results.insert(properties[idx].to_string(), data.clone());
+                                    }
+                                }
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
             }
 
+            // Restore non-blocking mode
             socket.set_nonblocking(true).ok();
-
-            // Parse and validate response
-            let parsed: Value = match serde_json::from_str(&response) {
-                Ok(v) => v,
-                Err(e) => {
-                    tracing::warn!("Failed to parse JSON response for '{}': {} (response: {})", property, e, response.trim());
-                    return None;
-                }
-            };
-
-            // Check for errors in response
-            // MPV returns {"error": "success"} when there's NO error
-            if let Some(error) = parsed.get("error").and_then(|e| e.as_str()) {
-                if error != "success" {
-                    tracing::debug!("MPV returned error for '{}': {}", property, error);
-                    return None;
-                }
-            }
-
-            // Validate request_id matches (should be 1)
-            if let Some(req_id) = parsed.get("request_id").and_then(|id| id.as_i64()) {
-                if req_id != 1 {
-                    tracing::warn!("Request ID mismatch for '{}': expected 1, got {}", property, req_id);
-                }
-            }
-
-            return parsed.get("data").cloned();
         }
 
-        None
+        results
     }
 
     pub fn play(&mut self, path: &Path) -> Result<()> {
@@ -242,84 +233,73 @@ impl Player {
         Ok(())
     }
 
-    pub fn update_properties(&mut self) {
-        // Update position
-        if let Some(val) = self.get_property("time-pos") {
+    pub fn update_all_properties(&mut self) {
+        // Fetch ALL properties in one batch
+        let results = self.get_properties_batch(&[
+            "time-pos",
+            "duration",
+            "metadata/by-key/artist",
+            "metadata/by-key/ARTIST",
+            "metadata/by-key/album",
+            "metadata/by-key/ALBUM",
+            "metadata/by-key/title",
+            "metadata/by-key/TITLE",
+            "media-title",
+            "audio-codec-name",
+            "audio-bitrate",
+            "audio-params/samplerate",
+            "demuxer-cache-duration",
+        ]);
+
+        // Position
+        if let Some(val) = results.get("time-pos") {
             if let Some(pos) = val.as_f64() {
                 self.position = pos;
             }
         }
 
-        // Update duration
-        if let Some(val) = self.get_property("duration") {
+        // Duration
+        if let Some(val) = results.get("duration") {
             if let Some(dur) = val.as_f64() {
                 self.duration = dur;
             }
         }
-    }
 
-    pub fn update_metadata(&mut self) {
-        // Try to get artist directly
-        if let Some(val) = self.get_property("metadata/by-key/artist") {
-            self.artist = val.as_str().map(|s| s.to_string());
-        }
-        // Fallback to ARTIST (uppercase)
-        if self.artist.is_none() {
-            if let Some(val) = self.get_property("metadata/by-key/ARTIST") {
-                self.artist = val.as_str().map(|s| s.to_string());
-            }
-        }
+        // Artist - try lowercase first, then uppercase
+        self.artist = results.get("metadata/by-key/artist")
+            .and_then(|v| v.as_str().map(|s| s.to_string()))
+            .or_else(|| results.get("metadata/by-key/ARTIST")
+                .and_then(|v| v.as_str().map(|s| s.to_string())));
 
-        // Try to get album directly
-        if let Some(val) = self.get_property("metadata/by-key/album") {
-            self.album = val.as_str().map(|s| s.to_string());
-        }
-        // Fallback to ALBUM (uppercase)
-        if self.album.is_none() {
-            if let Some(val) = self.get_property("metadata/by-key/ALBUM") {
-                self.album = val.as_str().map(|s| s.to_string());
-            }
-        }
+        // Album - try lowercase first, then uppercase
+        self.album = results.get("metadata/by-key/album")
+            .and_then(|v| v.as_str().map(|s| s.to_string()))
+            .or_else(|| results.get("metadata/by-key/ALBUM")
+                .and_then(|v| v.as_str().map(|s| s.to_string())));
 
-        // Try to get title directly
-        if let Some(val) = self.get_property("metadata/by-key/title") {
-            self.media_title = val.as_str().map(|s| s.to_string());
-        }
-        // Fallback to TITLE (uppercase)
-        if self.media_title.is_none() {
-            if let Some(val) = self.get_property("metadata/by-key/TITLE") {
-                self.media_title = val.as_str().map(|s| s.to_string());
-            }
-        }
+        // Title - try lowercase, then uppercase, then media-title
+        self.media_title = results.get("metadata/by-key/title")
+            .and_then(|v| v.as_str().map(|s| s.to_string()))
+            .or_else(|| results.get("metadata/by-key/TITLE")
+                .and_then(|v| v.as_str().map(|s| s.to_string())))
+            .or_else(|| results.get("media-title")
+                .and_then(|v| v.as_str().map(|s| s.to_string())));
 
-        // Final fallback to media-title if metadata doesn't have title
-        if self.media_title.is_none() {
-            if let Some(val) = self.get_property("media-title") {
-                self.media_title = val.as_str().map(|s| s.to_string());
-            }
-        }
+        // Audio codec
+        self.audio_codec = results.get("audio-codec-name")
+            .and_then(|v| v.as_str().map(|s| s.to_string()));
 
-        // Update audio codec
-        if let Some(val) = self.get_property("audio-codec-name") {
-            self.audio_codec = val.as_str().map(|s| s.to_string());
-        }
+        // Audio bitrate (convert from bps to kbps)
+        self.audio_bitrate = results.get("audio-bitrate")
+            .and_then(|v| v.as_f64().map(|b| b / 1000.0));
 
-        // Update audio bitrate (convert from bps to kbps)
-        if let Some(val) = self.get_property("audio-bitrate") {
-            self.audio_bitrate = val.as_f64().map(|b| b / 1000.0);
-        }
+        // Sample rate
+        self.sample_rate = results.get("audio-params/samplerate")
+            .and_then(|v| v.as_i64());
 
-        // Update sample rate
-        if let Some(val) = self.get_property("audio-params/samplerate") {
-            self.sample_rate = val.as_i64();
-        }
-
-        // Update cache duration (how many seconds are buffered ahead)
-        if let Some(val) = self.get_property("demuxer-cache-duration") {
-            self.cache_duration = val.as_f64();
-        } else {
-            self.cache_duration = None;
-        }
+        // Cache duration
+        self.cache_duration = results.get("demuxer-cache-duration")
+            .and_then(|v| v.as_f64());
     }
 
     pub fn get_position(&self) -> Option<f64> {
@@ -330,20 +310,14 @@ impl Player {
         Some(self.duration)
     }
 
-    pub fn is_idle(&mut self) -> Option<bool> {
-        self.get_property("idle-active")
-            .and_then(|v| v.as_bool())
-    }
-
-    pub fn is_paused(&mut self) -> Option<bool> {
-        self.get_property("pause")
-            .and_then(|v| v.as_bool())
-    }
-
     pub fn get_player_state(&mut self) -> Option<crate::state::PlayerState> {
         use crate::state::PlayerState;
-        let is_idle = self.is_idle()?;
-        let is_paused = self.is_paused()?;
+
+        // Batch fetch both properties at once
+        let results = self.get_properties_batch(&["idle-active", "pause"]);
+
+        let is_idle = results.get("idle-active").and_then(|v| v.as_bool())?;
+        let is_paused = results.get("pause").and_then(|v| v.as_bool())?;
 
         Some(if is_idle {
             PlayerState::Stopped

src/ui/mod.rs

@@ -28,22 +28,53 @@ pub fn render(frame: &mut Frame, state: &mut AppState, player: &mut Player) -> (
         ])
         .split(frame.area());
 
-    // Main content: left (files) | right (status + playlist)
-    // Switch proportions based on focus: 80/20 for focused panel
-    let (left_percent, right_percent) = if state.focus_playlist {
-        (20, 80) // Playlist focused: small file panel, large playlist
+    // Always use tab mode - show only the focused panel
+    let tab_mode = true;
+
+    // Build the title with focused panel in bold
+    let file_style = if !state.focus_playlist {
+        Style::default().fg(Theme::bright_foreground()).add_modifier(Modifier::BOLD)
     } else {
-        (80, 20) // File panel focused: large file panel, small playlist
+        Style::default().fg(Theme::bright_foreground())
     };
 
-    let content_chunks = Layout::default()
-        .direction(Direction::Horizontal)
-        .constraints([Constraint::Percentage(left_percent), Constraint::Percentage(right_percent)])
-        .split(main_chunks[1]);
+    let playlist_style = if state.focus_playlist {
+        Style::default().fg(Theme::bright_foreground()).add_modifier(Modifier::BOLD)
+    } else {
+        Style::default().fg(Theme::bright_foreground())
+    };
+
+    // Add playlist counter
+    let playlist_text = if !state.playlist.is_empty() {
+        format!("Playlist [{}/{}]", state.playlist_index + 1, state.playlist.len())
+    } else {
+        "Playlist (empty)".to_string()
+    };
+
+    let title = Line::from(vec![
+        Span::styled("Files", file_style),
+        Span::raw(" | "),
+        Span::styled(playlist_text, playlist_style),
+    ]);
+
+    // Create one border around the entire content area
+    let main_block = Block::default()
+        .borders(Borders::ALL)
+        .title(title)
+        .style(Theme::widget_border_style());
+
+    let inner_area = main_block.inner(main_chunks[1]);
 
     render_title_bar(frame, state, player, main_chunks[0]);
-    render_file_panel(frame, state, content_chunks[0]);
-    render_right_panel(frame, state, content_chunks[1]);
+    frame.render_widget(main_block, main_chunks[1]);
+
+    // Tab mode - show only focused panel
+    if state.focus_playlist {
+        render_right_panel(frame, state, inner_area, tab_mode);
+    } else {
+        render_file_panel(frame, state, inner_area, tab_mode);
+    }
+
     render_status_bar(frame, state, player, main_chunks[2]);
 
     // Show confirmation popup if needed
@@ -57,7 +88,12 @@ pub fn render(frame: &mut Frame, state: &mut AppState, player: &mut Player) -> (
     }
 
     // Return title bar area, file panel area, and playlist area for mouse event handling
-    (main_chunks[0], content_chunks[0], content_chunks[1])
+    // Use main_chunks[1] (full area) so mouse coordinates align properly
+    if state.focus_playlist {
+        (main_chunks[0], Rect::default(), main_chunks[1])
+    } else {
+        (main_chunks[0], main_chunks[1], Rect::default())
+    }
 }
 
 fn highlight_search_matches<'a>(text: &str, query: &str, is_selected: bool) -> Vec<Span<'a>> {
@@ -115,9 +151,9 @@ fn highlight_search_matches<'a>(text: &str, query: &str, is_selected: bool) -> V
     spans
 }
 
-fn render_file_panel(frame: &mut Frame, state: &mut AppState, area: Rect) {
-    // Calculate visible height (subtract 2 for borders)
-    let visible_height = area.height.saturating_sub(2) as usize;
+fn render_file_panel(frame: &mut Frame, state: &mut AppState, area: Rect, _tab_mode: bool) {
+    // Calculate visible height (no borders on individual panels now)
+    let visible_height = area.height as usize;
     // Store visible height for keyboard navigation scroll calculations
     state.file_panel_visible_height = visible_height;
 
@@ -233,14 +269,7 @@ fn render_file_panel(frame: &mut Frame, state: &mut AppState, area: Rect) {
         items.push(more_item);
     }
 
-    let list = List::new(items)
-        .block(
-            Block::default()
-                .borders(Borders::ALL)
-                .title("files")
-                .style(Theme::widget_border_style())
-                .title_style(Theme::title_style()),
-        );
+    let list = List::new(items);
 
     let mut list_state = ListState::default();
     // Don't set selection to avoid automatic scrolling - we manage scroll manually
@@ -249,9 +278,9 @@ fn render_file_panel(frame: &mut Frame, state: &mut AppState, area: Rect) {
     frame.render_stateful_widget(list, area, &mut list_state);
 }
 
-fn render_right_panel(frame: &mut Frame, state: &mut AppState, area: Rect) {
-    // Calculate visible height (subtract 2 for borders)
-    let visible_height = area.height.saturating_sub(2) as usize;
+fn render_right_panel(frame: &mut Frame, state: &mut AppState, area: Rect, _tab_mode: bool) {
+    // Calculate visible height (no borders on individual panels now)
+    let visible_height = area.height as usize;
     // Store visible height for keyboard navigation scroll calculations
     state.playlist_visible_height = visible_height;
 
@@ -335,20 +364,7 @@ fn render_right_panel(frame: &mut Frame, state: &mut AppState, area: Rect) {
         playlist_items.push(more_item);
     }
 
-    let playlist_title = if !state.playlist.is_empty() {
-        format!("playlist [{}/{}]", state.playlist_index + 1, state.playlist.len())
-    } else {
-        "playlist (empty)".to_string()
-    };
-
-    let playlist_widget = List::new(playlist_items)
-        .block(
-            Block::default()
-                .borders(Borders::ALL)
-                .title(playlist_title)
-                .style(Theme::widget_border_style())
-                .title_style(Theme::title_style()),
-        );
+    let playlist_widget = List::new(playlist_items);
 
     let mut playlist_state = ListState::default();
     // Don't set selection to avoid automatic scrolling - we manage scroll manually
@@ -590,23 +606,9 @@ fn render_status_bar(frame: &mut Frame, state: &AppState, player: &mut Player, a
 
 fn render_progress_bar(frame: &mut Frame, _state: &AppState, player: &mut Player, area: Rect, progress_percent: f64) {
     // Get metadata to display
-    let mut left_parts = Vec::new();
     let mut right_parts = Vec::new();
 
-    // Left side: Artist | Album | Title
-    if let Some(ref artist) = player.artist {
-        left_parts.push(artist.clone());
-    }
-
-    if let Some(ref album) = player.album {
-        left_parts.push(album.clone());
-    }
-
-    if let Some(ref title) = player.media_title {
-        left_parts.push(title.clone());
-    }
-
-    // Right side: Bitrate | Codec | Sample rate | Cache
+    // Right side: Bitrate | Codec | Sample rate (metrics that must always be visible)
     if let Some(bitrate) = player.audio_bitrate {
         right_parts.push(format!("{:.0} kbps", bitrate));
     }
@@ -619,21 +621,59 @@ fn render_progress_bar(frame: &mut Frame, _state: &AppState, player: &mut Player
         right_parts.push(format!("{} Hz", samplerate));
     }
 
-    // Build text parts
-    let left_text = if !left_parts.is_empty() {
-        format!(" {}", left_parts.join(" | "))
-    } else {
-        String::new()
-    };
-
+    // Build right text
     let right_text = if !right_parts.is_empty() {
         format!("{} ", right_parts.join(" | "))
     } else {
         String::new()
     };
 
-    // Calculate filled width based on progress
+    // Calculate available space
     let total_width = area.width as usize;
+    let right_text_len = right_text.chars().count();
+
+    // Reserve space: 1 char at start, gap between left and right
+    let available_for_left = total_width.saturating_sub(right_text_len).saturating_sub(2);
+
+    // Collect left side metadata
+    let mut left_fields = Vec::new();
+    if let Some(ref artist) = player.artist {
+        left_fields.push(("artist", artist.as_str()));
+    }
+    if let Some(ref album) = player.album {
+        left_fields.push(("album", album.as_str()));
+    }
+    if let Some(ref title) = player.media_title {
+        left_fields.push(("title", title.as_str()));
+    }
+
+    // Calculate space per field (divide available space among fields)
+    let left_text = if !left_fields.is_empty() {
+        let num_fields = left_fields.len();
+        let separator_space = (num_fields - 1) * 3; // " | " between fields
+        let available_for_fields = available_for_left.saturating_sub(separator_space);
+        let max_per_field = available_for_fields / num_fields;
+
+        // Truncate each field individually
+        let truncated_fields: Vec<String> = left_fields.iter().map(|(_name, value)| {
+            if value.chars().count() > max_per_field && max_per_field > 3 {
+                let mut s: String = value.chars().take(max_per_field - 3).collect();
+                s.push_str("...");
+                s
+            } else if value.chars().count() > max_per_field {
+                // Very tight space, just cut hard
+                value.chars().take(max_per_field).collect()
+            } else {
+                value.to_string()
+            }
+        }).collect();
+
+        format!(" {}", truncated_fields.join(" | "))
+    } else {
+        String::new()
+    };
+
+    // Calculate filled width based on progress
     let filled_width = (total_width as f64 * progress_percent) as usize;
 
     // Build the full line character by character with proper spacing

src/ui/theme.rs

@@ -47,10 +47,6 @@ impl Theme {
         Self::dim_foreground()
     }
 
-    pub fn border_title() -> Color {
-        Self::bright_foreground()
-    }
-
     pub fn highlight() -> Color {
         Self::normal_blue()
     }
@@ -68,12 +64,6 @@ impl Theme {
         Style::default().fg(Self::border()).bg(Self::background())
     }
 
-    pub fn title_style() -> Style {
-        Style::default()
-            .fg(Self::border_title())
-            .bg(Self::background())
-    }
-
     pub fn secondary() -> Style {
         Style::default()
             .fg(Self::secondary_text())