Solo watching and a clearer offline start

Putting anything up offline starts a solo session: an in-app server bound
to 127.0.0.1 only, joined like hosting, so tracking, next episode and the
player all work. Invite friends re-hosts on the Host card's port and
password with the same media and position; Stop needs no confirmation.
Offline, the Library opens with a welcome band (Join a friend, Host, Watch
solo); without a Jellyfin account it leads with Files and Link, Jellyfin
is an optional card. Play buttons work offline.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/app_shell.dart

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import '../jellyfin/accounts.dart';
 import '../jellyfin/browse_scope.dart' show BrowseStart;
 import '../jellyfin/session_media.dart';
 import '../screens/home/connect_flow.dart';
+import '../session/session_coordinator.dart' show ConnectParams;
 import '../screens/home/health_probe.dart';
 import '../screens/home/media_picker.dart';
 import '../screens/home/profile.dart';
@@ -31,6 +32,7 @@ import '../schedule/ui/schedule_page.dart';
 import 'session_player.dart';
 import 'settings_tab.dart';
 import 'toasts.dart';
+import 'welcome.dart';
 
 /// The one window: the party strip over a body that fades through between
 /// the tabs and the full player, the floating mini player, the chat panel
@@ -116,6 +118,11 @@ class AppShellState extends State<AppShell> with SingleTickerProviderStateMixin
   final _stops = <void Function()>[];
   // Rebuild the shell on these flips, not on every state broadcast.
   final _online = computed(() => SessionState.instance.route.value == AppRoute.session);
+  /// Nobody else watches: offline, solo, or solo becoming a server.
+  final _alone = computed(() {
+    final s = SessionState.instance;
+    return s.route.value != AppRoute.session || s.solo.value || s.switching.value;
+  });
   final _hasMedia = computed(() =>
       SessionState.instance.route.value == AppRoute.session &&
       SessionState.instance.coordinator.serverState.value?.media != null);
@@ -190,6 +197,17 @@ class AppShellState extends State<AppShell> with SingleTickerProviderStateMixin
       }
       wasOut = out;
     }));
+    // Solo becoming a hosted server: the player closes while the media
+    // moves over and comes back the way it was once it is up again.
+    _stops.add(effect(() {
+      if (!session.switching.value) return;
+      _later(() {
+        _lastMediaId = -1;
+        _autoFull = _mode == PlayerMode.full;
+        if (_fullscreen) _toggleFullscreen();
+        _show(PlayerMode.none);
+      });
+    }));
     // The hosted server died mid-session (SessionState leaves): say so.
     _stops.add(effect(() {
       final crash = session.serverCrash.value;
@@ -209,6 +227,7 @@ class AppShellState extends State<AppShell> with SingleTickerProviderStateMixin
     HardwareKeyboard.instance.removeHandler(_onKey);
     _fade.dispose();
     _online.dispose();
+    _alone.dispose();
     _hasMedia.dispose();
     _flow.dispose();
     _join.dispose();
@@ -343,7 +362,8 @@ class AppShellState extends State<AppShell> with SingleTickerProviderStateMixin
     _selectTab(ShellTab.library);
   }
 
-  /// Library → "Put it up for everyone"; the player opens full.
+  /// Library → "Put it up for everyone"; the player opens full. Offline
+  /// it starts a solo session first (just you, on this computer).
   Future<String?> _putUp(PickedMedia media) async {
     final session = SessionState.instance;
     if (media is JellyfinMedia) {
@@ -354,6 +374,12 @@ class AppShellState extends State<AppShell> with SingleTickerProviderStateMixin
       }
       unawaited(_jellyfin.rememberPick(media));
     }
+    if (!_online.peek()) {
+      final error = await _startSolo();
+      if (error != null || !mounted) return error;
+    }
+    // Alone, a link plays direct: there is nobody to pass it on to.
+    if (media is LinkMedia && session.solo.peek()) media = LinkMedia(media.url);
     final error = await session.coordinator.swapPicked(media);
     if (error != null || !mounted) return error;
     final f = session.lastForm;
@@ -366,6 +392,29 @@ class AppShellState extends State<AppShell> with SingleTickerProviderStateMixin
     return null;
   }
 
+  /// Starts a solo session; returns an error text, or null.
+  Future<String?> _startSolo() async {
+    final profile = Profile.instance;
+    try {
+      await profile.ensureLoaded();
+      final name = profile.name.peek().trim();
+      await SessionState.instance.startSolo(ConnectParams(
+        host: '127.0.0.1',
+        port: 0,
+        secret: '',
+        name: name.isEmpty ? 'Me' : name,
+        avatar: profile.avatarBase64(),
+      ));
+      return null;
+    } catch (e) {
+      return "couldn't start playing: $e";
+    }
+  }
+
+  /// Library's "Watch solo": somewhere to pick from (Jellyfin when linked,
+  /// else Files).
+  void _watchSolo() => _openLibrary(_jellyfin.isEmpty ? MediaKind.file : MediaKind.jellyfin);
+
   // --------------------------------------------------------------- handoff
 
   /// Nothing (a dialog, a popover) is over the shell.
@@ -406,11 +455,10 @@ class AppShellState extends State<AppShell> with SingleTickerProviderStateMixin
     final align = at == null || size.isEmpty
         ? Alignment.center
         : Alignment((at.dx / size.width * 2 - 1).clamp(-1, 1), (at.dy / size.height * 2 - 1).clamp(-1, 1));
-    final online = _online.peek();
     _handoffOpen = true;
     final HandoffAction? action;
     try {
-      action = await showPopover<HandoffAction>(context, at: align, child: HandoffCard(item: item, online: online));
+      action = await showPopover<HandoffAction>(context, at: align, child: HandoffCard(item: item, solo: _alone.peek()));
     } finally {
       _handoffOpen = false;
     }
@@ -424,10 +472,6 @@ class AppShellState extends State<AppShell> with SingleTickerProviderStateMixin
           await FolderStore.instance.ensureLoaded();
           FolderStore.instance.addRecent(paths.first);
         }
-      case (HandoffVideos(:final paths), HandoffAction.openInFiles):
-        await FolderStore.instance.ensureLoaded();
-        FolderStore.instance.addRecent(paths.first);
-        _openFiles(null);
       case (HandoffVideos(:final paths), HandoffAction.addFolder):
         await _addFolder(File(paths.first).parent.path);
       case (HandoffFolder(:final path), _):
@@ -484,7 +528,13 @@ class AppShellState extends State<AppShell> with SingleTickerProviderStateMixin
 
   // --------------------------------------------------------------- dialogs
 
+  /// Leave asks first; a solo session just stops.
   Future<void> _confirmLeave() async {
+    final session = SessionState.instance;
+    if (session.solo.peek()) {
+      await session.leave();
+      return;
+    }
     final ok = await showDialog<bool>(
       context: context,
       builder: (context) => AlertDialog(
@@ -542,6 +592,7 @@ class AppShellState extends State<AppShell> with SingleTickerProviderStateMixin
         backgroundColor: _fullscreen ? Colors.black : scheme.surface,
         body: SignalBuilder(builder: (context) {
           final online = _online.value;
+          final alone = _alone.value;
           final hasMedia = _hasMedia.value;
           return Column(
             children: [
@@ -556,6 +607,7 @@ class AppShellState extends State<AppShell> with SingleTickerProviderStateMixin
                   onJoin: () => _connect(ConnectMode.join),
                   onHost: () => _connect(ConnectMode.host),
                   onLeave: _confirmLeave,
+                  onInvite: () => _connect(ConnectMode.host),
                   onProfile: () => showProfileCard(context, onOpenSettings: _openSettings, updates: widget.updates),
                   onShowPlayer: hasMedia && _mode == PlayerMode.none ? () => _show(PlayerMode.mini) : null,
                   updates: widget.updates,
@@ -565,7 +617,7 @@ class AppShellState extends State<AppShell> with SingleTickerProviderStateMixin
                 key: const ValueKey('body'),
                 child: Row(
                   children: [
-                    Expanded(child: _body(online)),
+                    Expanded(child: _body(online, alone)),
                     AnimatedSize(
                       duration: easeTime,
                       curve: ease,
@@ -589,21 +641,29 @@ class AppShellState extends State<AppShell> with SingleTickerProviderStateMixin
     );
   }
 
-  Widget _body(bool online) {
+  Widget _body(bool online, bool alone) {
     final coord = SessionState.instance.coordinator;
     final tabBody = switch (_tab) {
       ShellTab.library => LibraryTab(
           key: ValueKey('library-$_libraryGen'),
           controller: _picker,
           accounts: _jellyfin,
-          online: online,
-          isHost: coord.hostFile != null,
+          solo: alone,
+          // Offline, a put-up starts a solo session, which hosts.
+          isHost: !online || coord.hostFile != null,
+          banner: online
+              ? null
+              : WelcomeBand(
+                  onJoin: () => _connect(ConnectMode.join),
+                  onHost: () => _connect(ConnectMode.host),
+                  onSolo: _watchSolo,
+                ),
           jellyfinStart: _libraryStart,
           onPutUp: _putUp,
           onOpenIntegrations: () => _openSettings(SettingsSection.integrations),
         ),
       ShellTab.schedule => SchedulePage(
-          online: online,
+          solo: alone,
           onPutUp: _putUp,
           onToast: coord.showToast,
         ),

apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/connect_cards.dart

@@ -41,8 +41,9 @@ class HostFields {
   }
 }
 
-/// The strip's Join / Host buttons: a card over the window. It closes
-/// itself once the attempt got in; a failed one shows its error inside.
+/// The strip's Join / Host buttons (and solo's Invite friends, the Host
+/// card): a card over the window. It closes itself once the attempt got
+/// in; a failed one shows its error inside.
 Future<void> showConnectCard(
   BuildContext context, {
   required ConnectMode mode,
@@ -77,7 +78,9 @@ class _CloseWhenOnlineState extends State<_CloseWhenOnline> {
   void initState() {
     super.initState();
     _stop = effect(() {
-      if (SessionState.instance.route.value != AppRoute.session) return;
+      final s = SessionState.instance;
+      // Solo is in a session too: wait until it is a hosted server.
+      if (s.route.value != AppRoute.session || s.solo.value || s.switching.value) return;
       WidgetsBinding.instance.addPostFrameCallback((_) {
         if (mounted) Navigator.of(context).maybePop();
       });
@@ -153,7 +156,7 @@ class JoinCard extends StatelessWidget {
       builder: (context, _) {
         final busy = flow.busy == ConnectMode.join;
         return _Card(
-          title: 'Join a server',
+          title: 'Join a friend',
           children: [
             SignalBuilder(builder: (context) {
               final list = [
@@ -221,6 +224,13 @@ class JoinCard extends StatelessWidget {
             const SizedBox(height: 16),
             ConnectButton(flow: flow, mode: ConnectMode.join, label: 'Join', onSubmit: _join, expand: true),
             ConnectFeedback(flow: flow, mode: ConnectMode.join),
+            const Padding(
+              padding: EdgeInsets.only(top: 8),
+              child: Text(
+                'Your friend gives you the address and password. No account or Jellyfin needed.',
+                style: TextStyle(color: Colors.grey, fontSize: 12),
+              ),
+            ),
           ],
         );
       },
@@ -243,10 +253,13 @@ class HostCard extends StatelessWidget {
 
   @override
   Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    // From a solo session this is "Invite friends": same server settings,
+    // and what plays carries over.
+    final solo = SessionState.instance.solo.peek();
     return ListenableBuilder(
       listenable: flow,
       builder: (context, _) => _Card(
-        title: 'Host a server',
+        title: solo ? 'Invite friends' : 'Host a server',
         children: [
           AbsorbPointer(
             absorbing: flow.busy == ConnectMode.host,
@@ -281,13 +294,16 @@ class HostCard extends StatelessWidget {
             ),
           ),
           const SizedBox(height: 16),
-          ConnectButton(flow: flow, mode: ConnectMode.host, label: 'Host', onSubmit: _host, expand: true),
+          ConnectButton(
+              flow: flow, mode: ConnectMode.host, label: solo ? 'Start hosting' : 'Host', onSubmit: _host, expand: true),
           ConnectFeedback(flow: flow, mode: ConnectMode.host),
-          const Padding(
-            padding: EdgeInsets.only(top: 8),
+          Padding(
+            padding: const EdgeInsets.only(top: 8),
             child: Text(
-              'You pick what to watch afterwards, in the library.',
-              style: TextStyle(color: Colors.grey, fontSize: 12),
+              solo
+                  ? 'Your video keeps playing from where it is; friends join with your address.'
+                  : 'You pick what to watch afterwards, in the library.',
+              style: const TextStyle(color: Colors.grey, fontSize: 12),
             ),
           ),
         ],

apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/handoff.dart

@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
 
 import '../files/scanner.dart' show FileKind, kindOf;
 import '../files/ui/file_tiles.dart' show baseName;
-import 'library_tab.dart' show offlinePutUpHint;
 
 // Something handed to the app, by a drop or by Ctrl+V outside a text
 // field: what it is ([classifyHandoff], pure) and the small card that asks
@@ -95,10 +94,8 @@ Handoff classifyHandoff({
 
 /// What the card's buttons ask the shell to do.
 enum HandoffAction {
-  /// Put the (first) video up for everyone.
+  /// Put the (first) video up (offline: watch it solo).
   putUp,
-  /// Offline: list the video in Files → Recent and open it there.
-  openInFiles,
   /// Add the video's folder (or the folder) to Files and open it.
   addFolder,
   /// Open Library → Link with the URL filled.
@@ -109,8 +106,9 @@ enum HandoffAction {
 /// pops the [HandoffAction] chosen.
 class HandoffCard extends StatelessWidget {
   final Handoff item;
-  final bool online;
-  const HandoffCard({super.key, required this.item, required this.online});
+  /// Nobody else watches (offline or solo): videos play, no relay talk.
+  final bool solo;
+  const HandoffCard({super.key, required this.item, required this.solo});
 
   @override
   Widget build(BuildContext context) {
@@ -128,10 +126,7 @@ class HandoffCard extends StatelessWidget {
           baseName(paths.first),
           paths.length > 1 ? 'and ${paths.length - 1} more · the first one goes up' : 'A video on this computer',
           [
-            if (online)
-              button(HandoffAction.putUp, Icons.play_arrow, 'Put it up', primary: true)
-            else
-              button(HandoffAction.openInFiles, Icons.history, 'Open in Files', primary: true),
+            button(HandoffAction.putUp, Icons.play_arrow, solo ? 'Play' : 'Put it up', primary: true),
             button(HandoffAction.addFolder, Icons.create_new_folder_outlined, 'Add its folder to Files'),
           ],
         ),
@@ -144,9 +139,9 @@ class HandoffCard extends StatelessWidget {
       HandoffLink(:final url) => (
           Icons.link,
           url,
-          online ? 'Pick how the others get it on the Link page' : offlinePutUpHint,
+          solo ? 'Opens it on the Link page' : 'Pick how the others get it on the Link page',
           [
-            button(HandoffAction.openLink, Icons.link, online ? 'Put it up as a link…' : 'Open in Link',
+            button(HandoffAction.openLink, Icons.link, solo ? 'Open in Link' : 'Put it up as a link…',
                 primary: true),
           ],
         ),

apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/library_link.dart

@@ -189,10 +189,14 @@ String linkRelayHelp(LinkRelay r) => switch (r) {
           'while it plays; the link is not shown to anyone.',
     };
 
-/// The Link source. [offlineHint] set: the button is off and says why.
+/// Under Play when nobody else watches.
+const soloPlayHint = 'Plays just for you. Invite friends any time; it keeps playing.';
+
+/// The Link source. [solo]: nobody else watches (offline or solo), so the
+/// button says Play and there are no relay modes (the link plays direct).
 class LibraryLinkSource extends StatefulWidget {
   final MediaPickerController controller;
-  final String? offlineHint;
+  final bool solo;
   /// Puts the link up; returns an error text, or null when sent.
   final Future<String?> Function(LinkMedia media) onPutUp;
   final RecentLinks recents;
@@ -202,7 +206,7 @@ class LibraryLinkSource extends StatefulWidget {
     required this.controller,
     required this.onPutUp,
     required this.recents,
-    this.offlineHint,
+    this.solo = false,
     this.probe = defaultLinkProber,
   });
 
@@ -261,14 +265,14 @@ class _LibraryLinkSourceState extends State<LibraryLinkSource> {
 
   Future<void> _go() async {
     final url = _c.link.text.trim();
-    if (url.isEmpty || _busy || widget.offlineHint != null) return;
+    if (url.isEmpty || _busy) return;
     setState(() {
       _busy = true;
       _error = null;
     });
     String? error;
     try {
-      error = await widget.onPutUp(LinkMedia(url, relay: _c.linkRelay));
+      error = await widget.onPutUp(LinkMedia(url, relay: widget.solo ? LinkRelay.direct : _c.linkRelay));
     } catch (e) {
       error = '$e';
     }
@@ -292,7 +296,7 @@ class _LibraryLinkSourceState extends State<LibraryLinkSource> {
   Widget build(BuildContext context) {
     final scheme = Theme.of(context).colorScheme;
     final t = Theme.of(context).textTheme;
-    final hint = widget.offlineHint;
+    final solo = widget.solo;
     final url = _c.link.text.trim();
     final preview = url.isEmpty ? null : _previews[url];
     final loading = url.isNotEmpty && !_previews.containsKey(url);
@@ -312,11 +316,11 @@ class _LibraryLinkSourceState extends State<LibraryLinkSource> {
     );
     final button = FilledButton.icon(
       key: const ValueKey('link-put-up'),
-      onPressed: url.isEmpty || _busy || hint != null ? null : _go,
+      onPressed: url.isEmpty || _busy ? null : _go,
       icon: _busy
           ? const SizedBox.square(dimension: 16, child: CircularProgressIndicator(strokeWidth: 2))
           : const Icon(Icons.play_arrow),
-      label: Text(hint == null ? 'Put it up' : 'Play'),
+      label: Text(solo ? 'Play' : 'Put it up'),
       style: FilledButton.styleFrom(
         minimumSize: const Size(0, 56),
         shape: RoundedRectangleBorder(borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(16)),
@@ -361,10 +365,10 @@ class _LibraryLinkSourceState extends State<LibraryLinkSource> {
                       ])
                     : Row(children: [Expanded(child: field), const SizedBox(width: 12), button]),
               ),
-              if (hint != null || _error != null) ...[
+              if (solo || _error != null) ...[
                 const SizedBox(height: 8),
                 Text(
-                  _error ?? hint!,
+                  _error ?? soloPlayHint,
                   key: const ValueKey('link-hint'),
                   textAlign: TextAlign.center,
                   style: t.bodySmall?.copyWith(color: _error != null ? scheme.error : Colors.grey),
@@ -380,7 +384,7 @@ class _LibraryLinkSourceState extends State<LibraryLinkSource> {
                         child: _PreviewCard(preview: preview, loading: loading),
                       ),
               ),
-              if (hint == null) ...[
+              if (!solo) ...[
                 const SizedBox(height: 28),
                 Text('How the others get it', style: t.titleSmall),
                 const SizedBox(height: 10),

apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/library_tab.dart

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import '../screens/home/media_picker.dart';
 import '../state/session_state.dart';
 import 'library_link.dart';
 import 'motion.dart';
+import 'welcome.dart';
 
 /// What putting up a Jellyfin pick sends: its ref (no URL, no token).
 /// Throws [FormatException] with a user-facing message when the server is
@@ -58,9 +59,6 @@ String? nowPlayingFile(Map<String, Object?>? media, String lastPath) {
   return name == media['name'] ? lastPath : null;
 }
 
-/// Offline, nothing goes up; this says why.
-const offlinePutUpHint = 'Join or host to watch together';
-
 /// Window width under which the details panel floats over the library.
 const detailsDockFrom = 1000.0;
 
@@ -68,12 +66,13 @@ const detailsDockFrom = 1000.0;
 /// through), the Jellyfin library chips beside it, and the source below.
 /// Jellyfin cards select on click and open their details in a panel at
 /// the right (docked from [detailsDockFrom], floating over the library
-/// below it); a double-click or the panel's button puts it up. Offline
-/// everything browses and the play buttons say [offlinePutUpHint].
+/// below it); a double-click or the panel's button puts it up. With
+/// nobody else watching ([solo]: offline or a solo session) the buttons
+/// say Play and putting something up starts (or uses) a solo session.
 class LibraryTab extends StatefulWidget {
   final MediaPickerController controller;
   final JellyfinAccounts accounts;
-  final bool online;
+  final bool solo;
   /// This app hosts the server: its files stream from here directly.
   final bool isHost;
   final BrowseStart? jellyfinStart;
@@ -85,15 +84,17 @@ class LibraryTab extends StatefulWidget {
   final RecentLinks? recentLinks;
   final LinkProber probe;
   /// The Files source (tests inject one); defaults to [FilesPage].
-  final Widget Function(BuildContext context, {required bool online, required bool relayed,
+  final Widget Function(BuildContext context, {required bool solo, required bool relayed,
       required Future<String?> Function(String path) onPlay, String? nowPlayingPath})? filesBuilder;
   /// Clock for the Jellyfin Continue row (tests pin it).
   final DateTime Function() now;
+  /// Over the source switch (the shell's welcome band while offline).
+  final Widget? banner;
   const LibraryTab({
     super.key,
     required this.controller,
     required this.accounts,
-    required this.online,
+    required this.solo,
     required this.isHost,
     required this.onPutUp,
     this.onPutUpDone,
@@ -103,6 +104,7 @@ class LibraryTab extends StatefulWidget {
     this.probe = defaultLinkProber,
     this.filesBuilder,
     this.now = DateTime.now,
+    this.banner,
   });
 
   @override
@@ -115,7 +117,6 @@ class _LibraryTabState extends State<LibraryTab> {
   JellyfinSelection? _shown;
 
   MediaPickerController get _c => widget.controller;
-  String? get _hint => widget.online ? null : offlinePutUpHint;
 
   @override
   void initState() {
@@ -163,7 +164,6 @@ class _LibraryTabState extends State<LibraryTab> {
 
   /// A Jellyfin card or episode: a series goes up as its next episode.
   Future<String?> _putUpJellyfin(JellyfinSelection sel) async {
-    if (!widget.online) return offlinePutUpHint;
     final account = widget.accounts.account(sel.serverId);
     final client = widget.accounts.clientFor(sel.serverId);
     if (account == null || client == null) return 'that Jellyfin server is not linked any more';
@@ -181,7 +181,6 @@ class _LibraryTabState extends State<LibraryTab> {
   /// Double-click on a card: put it up, errors as a snack bar.
   Future<void> _doublePutUp(JellyfinSelection sel) async {
     _c.select(sel);
-    if (!widget.online) return;
     final error = await _putUpJellyfin(sel);
     if (error != null && mounted) {
       ScaffoldMessenger.maybeOf(context)?.showSnackBar(SnackBar(content: Text(error)));
@@ -239,11 +238,16 @@ class _LibraryTabState extends State<LibraryTab> {
             onOpenIntegrations: widget.onOpenIntegrations,
             start: widget.jellyfinStart,
             libraryStrip: false,
+            empty: (context) => NoJellyfinPanel(
+              accounts: widget.accounts,
+              onFiles: () => _c.source = MediaKind.file,
+              onLink: () => _c.source = MediaKind.link,
+            ),
           ),
         ),
       MediaKind.link => LibraryLinkSource(
           controller: _c,
-          offlineHint: _hint,
+          solo: widget.solo,
           recents: widget.recentLinks ?? RecentLinks.instance,
           probe: widget.probe,
           onPutUp: _put,
@@ -253,6 +257,15 @@ class _LibraryTabState extends State<LibraryTab> {
 
     final main = Column(
       children: [
+        AnimatedSize(
+          duration: easeTime,
+          curve: ease,
+          alignment: Alignment.topCenter,
+          child: AnimatedSwitcher(
+            duration: easeTime,
+            child: widget.banner ?? const SizedBox(width: double.infinity),
+          ),
+        ),
         header,
         Expanded(child: fadeThrough(KeyedSubtree(key: ValueKey(source), child: content))),
       ],
@@ -267,7 +280,7 @@ class _LibraryTabState extends State<LibraryTab> {
             child: JellyfinDetailsPanel(
               controller: _browse,
               selection: shown,
-              offlineHint: _hint,
+              solo: widget.solo,
               onPutUp: _putUpJellyfin,
               onClose: () => _c.select(null),
             ),
@@ -328,14 +341,14 @@ class _LibraryTabState extends State<LibraryTab> {
     Future<String?> play(String path) => _put(FileMedia(path));
     return SignalBuilder(builder: (context) {
       final session = SessionState.instance;
-      final now = widget.online
+      final now = session.route.value == AppRoute.session
           ? nowPlayingFile(session.coordinator.serverState.value?.media, session.lastForm.mediaPath)
           : null;
       final b = widget.filesBuilder;
       if (b != null) {
-        return b(context, online: widget.online, relayed: relayed, onPlay: play, nowPlayingPath: now);
+        return b(context, solo: widget.solo, relayed: relayed, onPlay: play, nowPlayingPath: now);
       }
-      return FilesPage(online: widget.online, relayed: relayed, onPlay: play, nowPlayingPath: now);
+      return FilesPage(solo: widget.solo, relayed: relayed, onPlay: play, nowPlayingPath: now);
     });
   }
 }

apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/party_strip.dart

@@ -39,8 +39,9 @@ bool viaHostOf(MemberView m, JellyfinRef? ref) =>
     ref != null && m.jf[ref.serverId] == false;
 
 /// The 60 px strip over everything: your avatar (profile), the tabs, and
-/// the party: offline Join / Host, online the avatars (members card),
-/// server and readiness, chat and Leave. Empty space drags the window.
+/// the party: offline Join a friend / Host, solo a "Solo" chip, Invite
+/// friends and Stop, online the avatars (members card), server and
+/// readiness, chat and Leave. Empty space drags the window.
 class PartyStrip extends StatelessWidget {
   final ShellTab tab;
   final ValueChanged<ShellTab> onTab;
@@ -51,6 +52,8 @@ class PartyStrip extends StatelessWidget {
   final VoidCallback onHost;
   final VoidCallback onLeave;
   final VoidCallback onProfile;
+  /// Solo: host from here, keeping what plays.
+  final VoidCallback? onInvite;
 
   /// Online with something up but the player closed: brings it back.
   final VoidCallback? onShowPlayer;
@@ -69,6 +72,7 @@ class PartyStrip extends StatelessWidget {
     required this.onHost,
     required this.onLeave,
     required this.onProfile,
+    this.onInvite,
     this.onShowPlayer,
     this.updates,
     this.windowControls = true,
@@ -83,6 +87,7 @@ class PartyStrip extends StatelessWidget {
         final session = SessionState.instance;
         final coord = session.coordinator;
         final online = session.route.value == AppRoute.session;
+        final solo = online && (session.solo.value || session.switching.value);
         final self = online ? coord.selfMember.value : null;
         return Row(
           children: [
@@ -97,7 +102,7 @@ class PartyStrip extends StatelessWidget {
                 child: StatusAvatar(
                   info: selfAvatarInfo(
                     ready: self?.ready ?? false,
-                    host: online && coord.hostFile != null,
+                    host: online && !solo && coord.hostFile != null,
                   ),
                   size: stripAvatarSize,
                   ring: online,
@@ -130,14 +135,36 @@ class PartyStrip extends StatelessWidget {
             ),
             UpdateIndicator(controller: updates),
             const SizedBox(width: 8),
-            if (online) ...[
-              if (onShowPlayer != null)
-                IconButton(
-                  key: const ValueKey('show-player'),
-                  tooltip: 'Show the player',
-                  onPressed: onShowPlayer,
-                  icon: const Icon(Icons.smart_display_outlined, size: 20),
+            if (online && onShowPlayer != null)
+              IconButton(
+                key: const ValueKey('show-player'),
+                tooltip: 'Show the player',
+                onPressed: onShowPlayer,
+                icon: const Icon(Icons.smart_display_outlined, size: 20),
+              ),
+            if (solo) ...[
+              _SoloChip(compact: compact, busy: session.switching.value),
+              const SizedBox(width: 10),
+              if (compact)
+                FilledButton(
+                  key: const ValueKey('strip-invite'),
+                  onPressed: session.switching.value ? null : onInvite,
+                  child: const Text('Invite'),
+                )
+              else
+                FilledButton.icon(
+                  key: const ValueKey('strip-invite'),
+                  onPressed: session.switching.value ? null : onInvite,
+                  icon: const Icon(Icons.group_add_outlined, size: 18),
+                  label: const Text('Invite friends'),
                 ),
+              const SizedBox(width: 8),
+              OutlinedButton(
+                key: const ValueKey('strip-leave'),
+                onPressed: session.switching.value ? null : onLeave,
+                child: const Text('Stop'),
+              ),
+            ] else if (online) ...[
               PartyWatch(
                 builder: (context) => AvatarStack(
                   key: const ValueKey('party-avatars'),
@@ -177,23 +204,35 @@ class PartyStrip extends StatelessWidget {
                 child: const Text('Leave'),
               ),
             ] else ...[
-              if (!compact)
-                Text(
-                  'Offline',
-                  style: TextStyle(color: scheme.onSurfaceVariant),
+              if (!compact) ...[
+                Container(
+                  width: 7,
+                  height: 7,
+                  decoration: BoxDecoration(color: scheme.outline, shape: BoxShape.circle),
                 ),
-              const SizedBox(width: 12),
-              FilledButton.tonal(
-                key: const ValueKey('strip-join'),
-                onPressed: onJoin,
-                child: const Text('Join'),
-              ),
-              const SizedBox(width: 8),
-              FilledButton(
-                key: const ValueKey('strip-host'),
-                onPressed: onHost,
-                child: const Text('Host'),
-              ),
+                const SizedBox(width: 6),
+                Text('Offline', style: TextStyle(color: scheme.onSurfaceVariant)),
+                const SizedBox(width: 12),
+              ],
+              if (compact) ...[
+                FilledButton(key: const ValueKey('strip-join'), onPressed: onJoin, child: const Text('Join')),
+                const SizedBox(width: 8),
+                FilledButton.tonal(key: const ValueKey('strip-host'), onPressed: onHost, child: const Text('Host')),
+              ] else ...[
+                FilledButton.icon(
+                  key: const ValueKey('strip-join'),
+                  onPressed: onJoin,
+                  icon: const Icon(Icons.login_rounded, size: 18),
+                  label: const Text('Join a friend'),
+                ),
+                const SizedBox(width: 8),
+                FilledButton.tonalIcon(
+                  key: const ValueKey('strip-host'),
+                  onPressed: onHost,
+                  icon: const Icon(Icons.podcasts_rounded, size: 18),
+                  label: const Text('Host'),
+                ),
+              ],
             ],
             const SizedBox(width: 8),
             if (windowControls) ...[
@@ -270,13 +309,54 @@ class _ServerLabel extends StatelessWidget {
   );
 }
 
-/// "Your server" when hosting, else the address joined.
+/// "Solo" alone, "Your server" when hosting, else the address joined.
 String serverName() {
   final session = SessionState.instance;
+  if (session.solo.peek()) return 'Solo';
   if (session.coordinator.hostFile != null) return 'Your server';
   return session.lastForm.host;
 }
 
+/// Solo: just you, on your own; a spinner while it becomes a server.
+class _SoloChip extends StatelessWidget {
+  final bool compact;
+  final bool busy;
+  const _SoloChip({required this.compact, required this.busy});
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    final scheme = Theme.of(context).colorScheme;
+    return Tooltip(
+      message: busy
+          ? 'Starting your server…'
+          : 'Watching on your own. Nobody can join until you invite friends.',
+      child: Container(
+        key: const ValueKey('solo-chip'),
+        padding: const EdgeInsets.symmetric(horizontal: 10, vertical: 6),
+        decoration: BoxDecoration(
+          color: scheme.surfaceContainerHigh,
+          borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(20),
+        ),
+        child: Row(
+          mainAxisSize: MainAxisSize.min,
+          children: [
+            if (busy)
+              const SizedBox.square(dimension: 14, child: CircularProgressIndicator(strokeWidth: 2))
+            else
+              Icon(Icons.person_outline_rounded, size: 16, color: scheme.primary),
+            const SizedBox(width: 6),
+            Text(busy ? 'Inviting…' : 'Solo', style: const TextStyle(fontWeight: FontWeight.w600)),
+            if (!compact && !busy) ...[
+              const SizedBox(width: 6),
+              Text('only you', style: TextStyle(color: scheme.onSurfaceVariant, fontSize: 12)),
+            ],
+          ],
+        ),
+      ),
+    );
+  }
+}
+
 /// One strip tab: label and an underline that grows in when selected.
 class StripTab extends StatelessWidget {
   final String label;

apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/profile_card.dart

@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ class _ProfileCardState extends State<ProfileCard> {
           final coord = session.coordinator;
           final online = session.route.value == AppRoute.session;
           final self = online ? coord.selfMember.value : null;
-          final hosting = online && coord.hostFile != null;
+          final hosting = online && !session.solo.value && coord.hostFile != null;
           final color = _p.color.value;
           final png = _p.picture.value;
           final out = self?.out ?? false;

apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/welcome.dart

@@ -0,0 +1,332 @@
+import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
+
+import '../jellyfin/accounts.dart';
+import '../jellyfin/sign_in_panel.dart';
+import '../screens/home/ui.dart' show appName;
+import 'motion.dart';
+
+/// One line under the app name.
+const appTagline = 'Watch together, in sync';
+
+/// Window width from which the welcome band puts the three ways beside
+/// the app name (else under it).
+const welcomeWideFrom = 980.0;
+
+/// Top of the Library while not in a server: the app's name and the three
+/// ways in, Join a friend first (what most people came for), then Host and
+/// Watch solo. None of them needs Jellyfin.
+class WelcomeBand extends StatelessWidget {
+  final VoidCallback onJoin;
+  final VoidCallback onHost;
+  final VoidCallback onSolo;
+  const WelcomeBand({super.key, required this.onJoin, required this.onHost, required this.onSolo});
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    final scheme = Theme.of(context).colorScheme;
+    final t = Theme.of(context).textTheme;
+    final hero = Row(
+      mainAxisSize: MainAxisSize.min,
+      children: [
+        ClipRRect(
+          borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(14),
+          child: Image.asset('assets/icon/icon_256.png', width: 52, height: 52, filterQuality: FilterQuality.medium),
+        ),
+        const SizedBox(width: 14),
+        Column(
+          mainAxisSize: MainAxisSize.min,
+          crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.start,
+          children: [
+            Text(appName, style: t.titleLarge?.copyWith(fontWeight: FontWeight.w700, height: 1.1)),
+            const SizedBox(height: 2),
+            Text(appTagline, style: TextStyle(color: scheme.onSurfaceVariant)),
+          ],
+        ),
+      ],
+    );
+    final ways = [
+      WayCard(
+        key: const ValueKey('way-join'),
+        icon: Icons.login_rounded,
+        title: 'Join a friend',
+        caption: 'Got an address from a friend? Join with it. Nothing to set up.',
+        primary: true,
+        onTap: onJoin,
+      ),
+      WayCard(
+        key: const ValueKey('way-host'),
+        icon: Icons.podcasts_rounded,
+        title: 'Host',
+        caption: 'You have the video. Friends join you and watch it with you.',
+        onTap: onHost,
+      ),
+      WayCard(
+        key: const ValueKey('way-solo'),
+        icon: Icons.person_outline_rounded,
+        title: 'Watch solo',
+        caption: 'Just you: play anything below. Invite friends any time.',
+        onTap: onSolo,
+      ),
+    ];
+    Widget row(List<Widget> cards) => IntrinsicHeight(
+          child: Row(
+            crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.stretch,
+            children: [
+              for (final (i, c) in cards.indexed) ...[if (i > 0) const SizedBox(width: 10), Expanded(child: c)],
+            ],
+          ),
+        );
+    return Container(
+      key: const ValueKey('welcome-band'),
+      margin: const EdgeInsets.fromLTRB(20, 16, 20, 0),
+      padding: const EdgeInsets.all(14),
+      decoration: BoxDecoration(
+        borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(18),
+        gradient: LinearGradient(
+          begin: Alignment.topLeft,
+          end: Alignment.bottomRight,
+          colors: [scheme.primary.withValues(alpha: 0.16), scheme.primary.withValues(alpha: 0.03)],
+        ),
+        border: Border.all(color: scheme.outlineVariant.withValues(alpha: 0.4)),
+      ),
+      child: LayoutBuilder(builder: (context, box) {
+        if (box.maxWidth >= welcomeWideFrom - 40) {
+          return Row(
+            children: [
+              Padding(padding: const EdgeInsets.only(left: 4, right: 20), child: hero),
+              Expanded(child: row(ways)),
+            ],
+          );
+        }
+        return Column(
+          crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.start,
+          children: [
+            Padding(padding: const EdgeInsets.only(left: 4, bottom: 12), child: hero),
+            if (box.maxWidth >= 520)
+              row(ways)
+            else
+              for (final (i, c) in ways.indexed) ...[if (i > 0) const SizedBox(height: 8), c],
+          ],
+        );
+      }),
+    );
+  }
+}
+
+/// One way in: a tinted icon, a title and a one-line caption.
+class WayCard extends StatefulWidget {
+  final IconData icon;
+  final String title;
+  final String caption;
+  final bool primary;
+  final VoidCallback onTap;
+  const WayCard({
+    super.key,
+    required this.icon,
+    required this.title,
+    required this.caption,
+    required this.onTap,
+    this.primary = false,
+  });
+
+  @override
+  State<WayCard> createState() => _WayCardState();
+}
+
+class _WayCardState extends State<WayCard> {
+  bool _hover = false;
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    final scheme = Theme.of(context).colorScheme;
+    final primary = widget.primary;
+    final bg = primary ? scheme.primaryContainer : scheme.surfaceContainerHigh;
+    final fg = primary ? scheme.onPrimaryContainer : scheme.onSurface;
+    return MouseRegion(
+      onEnter: (_) => setState(() => _hover = true),
+      onExit: (_) => setState(() => _hover = false),
+      child: AnimatedScale(
+        duration: easeTime,
+        curve: ease,
+        scale: _hover ? 1.015 : 1,
+        child: Material(
+          color: bg,
+          borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(14),
+          clipBehavior: Clip.antiAlias,
+          child: InkWell(
+            onTap: widget.onTap,
+            child: Padding(
+              padding: const EdgeInsets.fromLTRB(12, 12, 14, 12),
+              child: Row(
+                crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.start,
+                children: [
+                  Container(
+                    width: 36,
+                    height: 36,
+                    decoration: BoxDecoration(
+                      color: primary ? scheme.primary : scheme.primary.withValues(alpha: 0.14),
+                      borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(10),
+                    ),
+                    child: Icon(widget.icon, size: 20, color: primary ? scheme.onPrimary : scheme.primary),
+                  ),
+                  const SizedBox(width: 12),
+                  Expanded(
+                    child: Column(
+                      crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.start,
+                      children: [
+                        Text(widget.title, style: TextStyle(fontWeight: FontWeight.w700, color: fg)),
+                        const SizedBox(height: 2),
+                        Text(widget.caption,
+                            maxLines: 2,
+                            overflow: TextOverflow.ellipsis,
+                            style: TextStyle(fontSize: 12, height: 1.3, color: fg.withValues(alpha: 0.72))),
+                      ],
+                    ),
+                  ),
+                ],
+              ),
+            ),
+          ),
+        ),
+      ),
+    );
+  }
+}
+
+/// The Library's Jellyfin source with no server linked: what plays with
+/// nothing set up (Files, Link), then Jellyfin as an optional extra that
+/// guests never need. The sign-in opens in place.
+class NoJellyfinPanel extends StatefulWidget {
+  final JellyfinAccounts accounts;
+  final VoidCallback onFiles;
+  final VoidCallback onLink;
+  const NoJellyfinPanel({super.key, required this.accounts, required this.onFiles, required this.onLink});
+
+  @override
+  State<NoJellyfinPanel> createState() => _NoJellyfinPanelState();
+}
+
+class _NoJellyfinPanelState extends State<NoJellyfinPanel> {
+  bool _signIn = false;
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    final scheme = Theme.of(context).colorScheme;
+    final t = Theme.of(context).textTheme;
+    final muted = TextStyle(color: scheme.onSurfaceVariant);
+    final sources = [
+      WayCard(
+        key: const ValueKey('source-files'),
+        icon: Icons.folder_outlined,
+        title: 'Files',
+        caption: 'Videos on this computer. Drop a file or folder anywhere.',
+        onTap: widget.onFiles,
+      ),
+      WayCard(
+        key: const ValueKey('source-link'),
+        icon: Icons.link,
+        title: 'Link',
+        caption: 'YouTube, X, or any video address. Ctrl+V anywhere.',
+        onTap: widget.onLink,
+      ),
+    ];
+    return SingleChildScrollView(
+      key: const ValueKey('media-jellyfin'),
+      padding: const EdgeInsets.only(bottom: 24),
+      child: Align(
+        alignment: Alignment.topLeft,
+        child: ConstrainedBox(
+          constraints: const BoxConstraints(maxWidth: 640),
+          child: Column(
+            crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.stretch,
+            children: [
+              Text('Pick something to watch', style: t.titleMedium),
+              const SizedBox(height: 4),
+              Text('No account needed: these work for everyone.', style: muted),
+              const SizedBox(height: 12),
+              LayoutBuilder(
+                builder: (context, box) => box.maxWidth < 460
+                    ? Column(children: [sources[0], const SizedBox(height: 8), sources[1]])
+                    : IntrinsicHeight(
+                        child: Row(
+                          crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.stretch,
+                          children: [
+                            Expanded(child: sources[0]),
+                            const SizedBox(width: 10),
+                            Expanded(child: sources[1]),
+                          ],
+                        ),
+                      ),
+              ),
+              const SizedBox(height: 20),
+              Material(
+                key: const ValueKey('jellyfin-optional'),
+                color: scheme.surfaceContainer,
+                shape: RoundedRectangleBorder(
+                  borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(14),
+                  side: BorderSide(color: scheme.outlineVariant.withValues(alpha: 0.5)),
+                ),
+                clipBehavior: Clip.antiAlias,
+                child: AnimatedSize(
+                  duration: easeTime,
+                  curve: ease,
+                  alignment: Alignment.topCenter,
+                  child: Padding(
+                    padding: const EdgeInsets.all(16),
+                    child: Column(
+                      crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.stretch,
+                      children: [
+                        Row(
+                          children: [
+                            Icon(Icons.video_library_outlined, color: scheme.onSurfaceVariant),
+                            const SizedBox(width: 12),
+                            Expanded(
+                              child: Column(
+                                crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.start,
+                                children: [
+                                  Wrap(spacing: 8, crossAxisAlignment: WrapCrossAlignment.center, children: [
+                                    const Text('Jellyfin', style: TextStyle(fontWeight: FontWeight.w600)),
+                                    Container(
+                                      padding: const EdgeInsets.symmetric(horizontal: 7, vertical: 1),
+                                      decoration: BoxDecoration(
+                                        color: scheme.surfaceContainerHighest,
+                                        borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(6),
+                                      ),
+                                      child: Text('optional', style: TextStyle(fontSize: 11, color: scheme.onSurfaceVariant)),
+                                    ),
+                                  ]),
+                                  Text(
+                                    'Only if you have a Jellyfin server: browse it here, '
+                                    'with progress and next episodes. Joining a friend never needs it.',
+                                    style: muted.copyWith(fontSize: 12),
+                                  ),
+                                ],
+                              ),
+                            ),
+                          ],
+                        ),
+                        if (!_signIn)
+                          Align(
+                            alignment: Alignment.centerRight,
+                            child: TextButton(
+                              key: const ValueKey('jellyfin-link'),
+                              onPressed: () => setState(() => _signIn = true),
+                              child: const Text('Link a server'),
+                            ),
+                          ),
+                        if (_signIn) ...[
+                          const SizedBox(height: 14),
+                          JellyfinSignInPanel(accounts: widget.accounts, onCancel: () => setState(() => _signIn = false)),
+                        ],
+                      ],
+                    ),
+                  ),
+                ),
+              ),
+            ],
+          ),
+        ),
+      ),
+    );
+  }
+}