diff --git a/src/components/pages/Discover.svelte b/src/components/pages/Discover.svelte
index e804535..b8f0cca 100644
--- a/src/components/pages/Discover.svelte
+++ b/src/components/pages/Discover.svelte
@@ -4,13 +4,12 @@
   import { gql, thumbUrl } from "../../lib/client";
   import { GET_SOURCES, FETCH_SOURCE_MANGA, UPDATE_MANGA } from "../../lib/queries";
   import { cache, CACHE_KEYS } from "../../lib/cache";
-  import { dedupeSources, dedupeMangaByTitle, dedupeMangaById, groupDuplicates, normalizeTitle } from "../../lib/util";
+  import { dedupeSources, dedupeMangaByTitle, dedupeMangaById } from "../../lib/util";
   import { settings, previewManga, activeSource, addFolder, assignMangaToFolder } from "../../store";
   import type { Manga, Source } from "../../lib/types";
   import ContextMenu from "../shared/ContextMenu.svelte";
   import type { MenuEntry } from "../shared/ContextMenu.svelte";
   import SourceBrowse from "../sources/SourceBrowse.svelte";
-  import MangaPreview from "../shared/MangaPreview.svelte";
 
   // ── Config ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
   const GENRE_TABS      = ["All", "Action", "Romance", "Fantasy", "Comedy", "Drama", "Horror", "Sci-Fi", "Adventure", "Thriller"];
@@ -57,39 +56,13 @@
   // Context menu
   let ctx: { x: number; y: number; manga: Manga } | null = null;
 
-  // Raw pool of ALL items before dedup — used to find alternates for the preview switcher.
-  // Keyed by normalised title → array of Manga with that title from different sources.
-  let rawPool = new Map<string, Manga[]>();
-
-  function addToPool(items: Manga[]) {
-    for (const m of items) {
-      const k = normalizeTitle(m.title);
-      if (!rawPool.has(k)) rawPool.set(k, []);
-      const group = rawPool.get(k)!;
-      if (!group.some(x => x.id === m.id)) group.push(m);
-    }
-  }
-
-  // Get alternates (other source variants) for a given manga, excluding itself
-  function getAlternates(m: Manga): Manga[] {
-    const k = normalizeTitle(m.title);
-    return (rawPool.get(k) ?? []).filter(x => x.id !== m.id);
-  }
-
-  // Open preview with alternates pre-computed
-  let previewAlternates: Manga[] = [];
-  function openPreview(m: Manga) {
-    previewAlternates = getAlternates(m);
-    previewManga.set(m);
-  }
-
   // ── Derived ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
   $: visibleGrid = genreResults.get(currentGenre) ?? [];
   $: isLoading   = genreLoading || (currentGenre === "All" && loadingLib);
 
   // ── Dedup helper — always apply id first then title ───────────────────────────
   function dedup(items: Manga[]): Manga[] {
-    return dedupeMangaByTitle(dedupeMangaById(items));
+    return dedupeMangaByTitle(dedupeMangaById(items), $settings.mangaLinks);
   }
 
   // ── Concurrent fan-out — conservative concurrency keeps connections free ──────
@@ -113,7 +86,6 @@
     batchTimer = setInterval(() => {
       if (batchAccum.size === 0) return;
       for (const [genre, incoming] of batchAccum) {
-        addToPool(incoming);
         const current = genreResults.get(genre) ?? [];
         genreResults.set(genre, dedup([...current, ...incoming]).slice(0, GRID_LIMIT));
       }
@@ -266,11 +238,10 @@
     const lang = $settings.preferredExtensionLang || "en";
 
     // Local library — populates "All" tab
-    cache.get(CACHE_KEYS.LIBRARY, () =>
+    cache.get(CACHE_KEYS.DISCOVER, () =>
       gql<{ mangas: { nodes: Manga[] } }>(EXPLORE_ALL_MANGA).then(d => d.mangas.nodes)
     ).then(m => {
       allManga = dedupeMangaById(m);
-      addToPool(allManga);
       genreResults.set("All", dedup(allManga).slice(0, GRID_LIMIT));
       genreResults = new Map(genreResults);
     }).catch(e => { console.error(e); loadError = true; })
@@ -342,7 +313,7 @@
           {#each visibleGrid as m (m.id)}
             <button
               class="manga-card"
-              on:click={() => openPreview(m)}
+              on:click={() => previewManga.set(m)}
               on:contextmenu={(e) => openCtx(e, m)}
             >
               <div class="cover-wrap">
@@ -372,8 +343,6 @@
   <ContextMenu x={ctx.x} y={ctx.y} items={buildCtxItems(ctx.manga)} onClose={() => ctx = null} />
 {/if}
 
-<MangaPreview alternates={previewAlternates} />
-
 <style>
   .root { display: flex; flex-direction: column; height: 100%; overflow: hidden; animation: fadeIn 0.14s ease both; }
 
diff --git a/src/components/pages/Library.svelte b/src/components/pages/Library.svelte
index 11e40df..d4fe056 100644
--- a/src/components/pages/Library.svelte
+++ b/src/components/pages/Library.svelte
@@ -33,15 +33,18 @@
   }
 
   function fetchLibrary() {
-    return cache.get(CACHE_KEYS.LIBRARY, () =>
-      gql<{ mangas: { nodes: Manga[] } }>(GET_LIBRARY).then((d) => d.mangas.nodes)
+    return cache.get(
+      CACHE_KEYS.LIBRARY,
+      () => gql<{ mangas: { nodes: Manga[] } }>(GET_LIBRARY).then((d) => d.mangas.nodes),
+      DEFAULT_TTL_MS,
+      CACHE_GROUPS.LIBRARY,
     );
   }
 
   function loadData() {
     fetchLibrary()
       .then((nodes) => {
-        allManga = dedupeMangaByTitle(dedupeMangaById(nodes));
+        allManga = dedupeMangaByTitle(dedupeMangaById(nodes), $settings.mangaLinks);
         error = null;
       })
       .catch((e) => error = e.message)
@@ -52,7 +55,7 @@
       DEFAULT_TTL_MS,
       CACHE_GROUPS.LIBRARY,
     ).then((nodes) => {
-      allMangaUnfiltered = dedupeMangaByTitle(dedupeMangaById(nodes));
+      allMangaUnfiltered = dedupeMangaByTitle(dedupeMangaById(nodes), $settings.mangaLinks);
     }).catch(console.error);
   }
 
@@ -136,8 +139,7 @@
   async function removeFromLibrary(manga: Manga) {
     await gql(UPDATE_MANGA, { id: manga.id, inLibrary: false }).catch(console.error);
     allManga = allManga.filter((m) => m.id !== manga.id);
-    cache.clear(CACHE_KEYS.LIBRARY);
-    cache.clearGroup(CACHE_GROUPS.LIBRARY);
+    cache.clearGroup(CACHE_GROUPS.LIBRARY); // clears "library" + "all_manga_unfiltered" + notifies subscribers
   }
 
   async function deleteAllDownloads(manga: Manga) {
diff --git a/src/components/search/Search.svelte b/src/components/search/Search.svelte
index c598b88..b46ef41 100644
--- a/src/components/search/Search.svelte
+++ b/src/components/search/Search.svelte
@@ -3,10 +3,9 @@
   import { gql, thumbUrl } from "../../lib/client";
   import { GET_SOURCES, FETCH_SOURCE_MANGA } from "../../lib/queries";
   import { cache, CACHE_KEYS, getPageSet } from "../../lib/cache";
-  import { dedupeSources, dedupeMangaById, dedupeMangaByTitle, normalizeTitle } from "../../lib/util";
+  import { dedupeSources, dedupeMangaById, dedupeMangaByTitle } from "../../lib/util";
   import { settings, searchPrefill, previewManga } from "../../store";
   import type { Manga, Source } from "../../lib/types";
-  import MangaPreview from "../shared/MangaPreview.svelte";
 
   
 
@@ -168,7 +167,6 @@
           ctrl.signal,
         );
         if (ctrl.signal.aborted) return;
-        addToPool(d.fetchSourceManga.mangas);
         kw_results = kw_results.map((r) =>
           r.source.id === src.id ? { ...r, mangas: d.fetchSourceManga.mangas, loading: false } : r,
         );
@@ -224,7 +222,7 @@
     tag_searchSources
       ? [...tag_localResults, ...tag_sourceResults.filter((m) => !tag_localIds.has(m.id))]
       : tag_localResults
-  ));
+  ), $settings.mangaLinks);
   $: tag_totalVisible  = tag_mergedResults.length;
   $: tag_sourceHasMore = tag_searchSources && [...tag_srcNextPage.values()].some((p) => p > 0);
 
@@ -236,9 +234,16 @@
   }
 
   // Auto-enable source search if local results are sparse (< 20 after initial load)
-  $: if (!tag_loadingLocal && tag_activeTags.length > 0 && tag_localResults.length < 20 && !tag_searchSources && !loadingSources) {
-    tag_searchSources = true;
+  // Use a flag so this only fires once per tag set, not on every reactive update
+  let tag_autoSearchFired = false;
+  $: if (!tag_loadingLocal && tag_activeTags.length > 0 && !tag_autoSearchFired && !tag_searchSources && !loadingSources) {
+    if (tag_localResults.length < 20) {
+      tag_autoSearchFired = true;
+      tag_searchSources = true;
+    }
   }
+  // Reset the flag when tags change
+  $: { tag_activeTags; tag_autoSearchFired = false; }
 
   $: {
     const _search = tag_searchSources;
@@ -265,7 +270,6 @@
       ctrl.signal,
     ).then((d) => {
       if (ctrl.signal.aborted) return;
-      addToPool(d.mangas.nodes);
       tag_localResults  = d.mangas.nodes;
       tag_totalCount    = d.mangas.totalCount;
       tag_localHasNext  = d.mangas.pageInfo.hasNextPage;
@@ -282,7 +286,8 @@
     const ctrl = new AbortController();
     tag_abortSource = ctrl;
 
-    tag_sourceResults     = [];
+    // Don't blank existing results — keep them visible while new ones load.
+    // Only reset if the tags actually changed (tracked by the calling reactive block).
     tag_srcNextPage       = new Map();
     tag_loadingSourceSearch = true;
 
@@ -323,8 +328,7 @@
         : result.mangas;
 
       if (matching.length > 0) {
-        addToPool(matching);
-        tag_sourceResults = dedupeMangaByTitle(dedupeMangaById([...tag_sourceResults, ...matching]));
+        tag_sourceResults = dedupeMangaByTitle(dedupeMangaById([...tag_sourceResults, ...matching]), $settings.mangaLinks);
         tag_loadingSourceSearch = false;
       }
     }, ctrl.signal).finally(() => {
@@ -397,8 +401,7 @@
           : result.mangas;
 
         if (matching.length > 0) {
-          addToPool(matching);
-          tag_sourceResults = dedupeMangaByTitle(dedupeMangaById([...tag_sourceResults, ...matching]));
+          tag_sourceResults = dedupeMangaByTitle(dedupeMangaById([...tag_sourceResults, ...matching]), $settings.mangaLinks);
         }
       }, ctrl.signal);
     } finally {
@@ -488,26 +491,6 @@
 
   
 
-  // ── Raw pool + alternates for MangaPreview thumbnail switcher ────────────────
-  // All manga seen across all sources — keyed by normalised title.
-  const rawPool = new Map<string, Manga[]>();
-
-  function addToPool(items: Manga[]) {
-    for (const m of items) {
-      const k = normalizeTitle(m.title);
-      if (!rawPool.has(k)) rawPool.set(k, []);
-      const g = rawPool.get(k)!;
-      if (!g.some(x => x.id === m.id)) g.push(m);
-    }
-  }
-
-  let previewAlternates: Manga[] = [];
-  function openPreview(m: Manga) {
-    const k = normalizeTitle(m.title);
-    previewAlternates = (rawPool.get(k) ?? []).filter(x => x.id !== m.id);
-    previewManga.set(m);
-  }
-
   onDestroy(() => {
     kw_abortCtrl?.abort();
     tag_abortLocal?.abort();
@@ -710,7 +693,7 @@
             {:else if mangas.length > 0}
               <div class="sourceRow">
                 {#each mangas.slice(0, ($settings.renderLimit ?? 48)) as m (m.id)}
-                  <button class="card" on:click={() => openPreview(m)}>
+                  <button class="card" on:click={() => previewManga.set(m)}>
                     <div class="coverWrap">
                       <img
                         src={thumbUrl(m.thumbnailUrl)}
@@ -860,7 +843,7 @@
           {:else if tag_mergedResults.length > 0}
             <div class="tagGrid">
               {#each tag_mergedResults as m (m.id)}
-                <button class="card" on:click={() => openPreview(m)}>
+                <button class="card" on:click={() => previewManga.set(m)}>
                   <div class="coverWrap">
                     <img src={thumbUrl(m.thumbnailUrl)} alt={m.title} class="cover" loading="lazy" decoding="async" />
                     {#if m.inLibrary}<span class="inLibBadge">Saved</span>{/if}
@@ -1039,7 +1022,7 @@
           {:else if src_browseResults.length > 0}
             <div class="tagGrid">
               {#each src_browseResults as m (m.id)}
-                <button class="card" on:click={() => openPreview(m)}>
+                <button class="card" on:click={() => previewManga.set(m)}>
                   <div class="coverWrap">
                     <img src={thumbUrl(m.thumbnailUrl)} alt={m.title} class="cover" loading="lazy" decoding="async" />
                     {#if m.inLibrary}<span class="inLibBadge">Saved</span>{/if}
@@ -1083,8 +1066,6 @@
   {/if}
 </div>
 
-<MangaPreview alternates={previewAlternates} />
-
 <style>
   /* ── Root ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
 
diff --git a/src/components/shared/MangaPreview.svelte b/src/components/shared/MangaPreview.svelte
index 53c8ba2..586e88e 100644
--- a/src/components/shared/MangaPreview.svelte
+++ b/src/components/shared/MangaPreview.svelte
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 <script lang="ts">
   import { onMount, onDestroy } from "svelte";
-  import { X, BookmarkSimple, ArrowSquareOut, Play, CircleNotch, Books, CaretDown, FolderSimplePlus, Folder } from "phosphor-svelte";
+  import { X, BookmarkSimple, ArrowSquareOut, Play, CircleNotch, Books, CaretDown, FolderSimplePlus, Folder, LinkSimpleHorizontalBreak } from "phosphor-svelte";
   import { gql, thumbUrl } from "../../lib/client";
   import { GET_MANGA, GET_CHAPTERS, FETCH_MANGA, FETCH_CHAPTERS, UPDATE_MANGA, ENQUEUE_CHAPTERS_DOWNLOAD } from "../../lib/queries";
   import { cache, CACHE_KEYS } from "../../lib/cache";
-  import { settings, previewManga, activeManga, navPage, genreFilter, openReader, addToast, addFolder, assignMangaToFolder, removeMangaFromFolder, checkAndMarkCompleted } from "../../store";
-  import { groupDuplicates } from "../../lib/util";
+  import { settings, previewManga, activeManga, navPage, genreFilter, openReader, addToast, addFolder, assignMangaToFolder, removeMangaFromFolder, checkAndMarkCompleted, linkManga, unlinkManga, getLinkedMangaIds } from "../../store";
   import type { Manga, Chapter } from "../../lib/types";
+  import { GET_ALL_MANGA } from "../../lib/queries";
 
   let manga: Manga | null      = null;
   let chapters: Chapter[]      = [];
@@ -21,12 +21,45 @@
   let fetchError: string|null  = null;
   let folderRef: HTMLDivElement;
 
-  // Alternate versions of this manga from other sources (same title/desc, diff source)
-  // Populated by the parent via the `alternates` prop if available.
-  export let alternates: Manga[] = [];
-  let selectedThumb: string | null = null; // null = use manga's own thumbnail
+  // ── Link picker ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+  let linkPickerOpen  = false;
+  let linkSearch      = "";
+  let allMangaForLink: Manga[] = [];
+  let loadingLinkList = false;
 
-  $: effectiveThumb = selectedThumb ?? ($previewManga?.thumbnailUrl ?? "");
+  $: linkedIds = $previewManga ? ($settings.mangaLinks?.[$previewManga.id] ?? []) : [];
+
+  $: linkPickerResults = (() => {
+    const others = allMangaForLink.filter(m => m.id !== $previewManga?.id);
+    const q = linkSearch.trim().toLowerCase();
+    const filtered = q ? others.filter(m => m.title.toLowerCase().includes(q)) : others;
+    // Linked entries bubble to the top
+    const linked = filtered.filter(m => linkedIds.includes(m.id));
+    const rest = filtered.filter(m => !linkedIds.includes(m.id)).slice(0, 30);
+    return [...linked, ...rest];
+  })();
+
+  async function openLinkPicker() {
+    linkPickerOpen = true;
+    linkSearch = "";
+    if (allMangaForLink.length) return;
+    loadingLinkList = true;
+    gql<{ mangas: { nodes: Manga[] } }>(GET_ALL_MANGA)
+      .then(d => { allMangaForLink = d.mangas.nodes; })
+      .catch(console.error)
+      .finally(() => { loadingLinkList = false; });
+  }
+
+  function closeLinkPicker() { linkPickerOpen = false; linkSearch = ""; }
+
+  function handleLink(other: Manga) {
+    if (!$previewManga) return;
+    if (linkedIds.includes(other.id)) {
+      unlinkManga($previewManga.id, other.id);
+    } else {
+      linkManga($previewManga.id, other.id);
+    }
+  }
 
   let detailAbort: AbortController | null  = null;
   let chapterAbort: AbortController | null = null;
@@ -36,7 +69,6 @@
     previewManga.set(null);
     manga = null; chapters = []; descExpanded = false;
     folderOpen = false; creatingFolder = false; newFolderName = ""; fetchError = null;
-    selectedThumb = null;
   }
 
   function formatDate(d: Date) { return d.toLocaleDateString(undefined, { year: "numeric", month: "short", day: "numeric" }); }
@@ -70,7 +102,10 @@
     detailAbort?.abort(); chapterAbort?.abort();
     const dCtrl = new AbortController(), cCtrl = new AbortController();
     detailAbort = dCtrl; chapterAbort = cCtrl;
-    manga = null; chapters = []; descExpanded = false; fetchError = null;
+    // Pre-populate from the shallow grid entry immediately — description/genres
+    // will appear as soon as the full fetch resolves, but title/cover show now.
+    manga = $previewManga as Manga;
+    chapters = []; descExpanded = false; fetchError = null;
     loadingDetail = true; loadingChapters = true;
 
     (async (): Promise<Manga> => {
@@ -172,57 +207,29 @@
     <!-- Cover column -->
     <div class="cover-col">
       <div class="cover-wrap">
-        <img src={thumbUrl(effectiveThumb)} alt={displayManga?.title} class="cover" />
+        <img src={thumbUrl($previewManga.thumbnailUrl)} alt={displayManga?.title} class="cover" />
         {#if loadingDetail}
           <div class="cover-spinner"><CircleNotch size={18} weight="light" class="anim-spin" /></div>
         {/if}
       </div>
-
-      <!-- Alternate source thumbnails — shown when this manga exists in multiple sources -->
-      {#if alternates.length > 0}
-        <div class="thumb-switcher">
-          <span class="thumb-switcher-label">Sources</span>
-          <div class="thumb-switcher-row">
-            <!-- Primary -->
-            <button
-              class="thumb-option"
-              class:thumb-option-active={selectedThumb === null}
-              on:click={() => selectedThumb = null}
-              title={displayManga?.source?.displayName ?? "Primary"}
-            >
-              <img src={thumbUrl($previewManga?.thumbnailUrl ?? "")} alt="Primary" class="thumb-option-img" loading="lazy" />
-              {#if displayManga?.source?.displayName}
-                <span class="thumb-option-label">{displayManga.source.displayName}</span>
-              {/if}
-            </button>
-            <!-- Alternates -->
-            {#each alternates as alt (alt.id)}
-              <button
-                class="thumb-option"
-                class:thumb-option-active={selectedThumb === alt.thumbnailUrl}
-                on:click={() => selectedThumb = alt.thumbnailUrl}
-                title={alt.source?.displayName ?? alt.title}
-              >
-                <img src={thumbUrl(alt.thumbnailUrl)} alt={alt.title} class="thumb-option-img" loading="lazy" />
-                {#if alt.source?.displayName}
-                  <span class="thumb-option-label">{alt.source.displayName}</span>
-                {/if}
-              </button>
-            {/each}
-          </div>
-        </div>
-      {/if}
       <div class="cover-actions">
+
+        <!-- Library -->
         <button class="action-btn" class:active={inLibrary} on:click={toggleLibrary} disabled={togglingLib || loadingDetail}>
-          <BookmarkSimple size={13} weight={inLibrary ? "fill" : "light"} />
-          {togglingLib ? "…" : inLibrary ? "In Library" : "Add to Library"}
+          <span class="action-icon"><BookmarkSimple size={13} weight={inLibrary ? "fill" : "light"} /></span>
+          <span class="action-label">{togglingLib ? "…" : inLibrary ? "In Library" : "Add to Library"}</span>
         </button>
+
+        <!-- Series Detail -->
         <button class="action-btn" on:click={openSeriesDetail}>
-          <Books size={13} weight="light" /> Series Detail
+          <span class="action-icon"><Books size={13} weight="light" /></span>
+          <span class="action-label">Series Detail</span>
         </button>
+
+        <!-- Folders -->
         <div class="folder-wrap" bind:this={folderRef}>
-          <button class="action-btn" class:folder-active={assignedFolders.length > 0} on:click={() => folderOpen = !folderOpen}>
-            <FolderSimplePlus size={13} weight={assignedFolders.length > 0 ? "fill" : "light"} />
+          <button class="action-btn" class:active={assignedFolders.length > 0} on:click={() => folderOpen = !folderOpen}>
+            <span class="action-icon"><FolderSimplePlus size={13} weight={assignedFolders.length > 0 ? "fill" : "light"} /></span>
             <span class="action-label">{assignedFolders.length > 0 ? assignedFolders.map((f) => f.name).join(", ") : "Add to folder"}</span>
           </button>
           {#if folderOpen}
@@ -249,6 +256,13 @@
             </div>
           {/if}
         </div>
+
+        <!-- Series Link -->
+        <button class="action-btn" class:active={linkedIds.length > 0} on:click={openLinkPicker}>
+          <span class="action-icon"><LinkSimpleHorizontalBreak size={13} weight={linkedIds.length > 0 ? "fill" : "light"} /></span>
+          <span class="action-label">{linkedIds.length > 0 ? `Series Link (${linkedIds.length})` : "Series Link"}</span>
+        </button>
+
       </div>
     </div>
 
@@ -364,6 +378,47 @@
     </div>
   </div>
 </div>
+
+<!-- ── Link picker modal ───────────────────────────────────────────────────── -->
+{#if linkPickerOpen}
+  <div class="link-backdrop" role="presentation"
+    on:click|self={closeLinkPicker}
+    on:keydown={(e) => e.key === "Escape" && closeLinkPicker()}>
+    <div class="link-modal">
+      <div class="link-header">
+        <span class="link-title">Link as same series</span>
+        <button class="close-btn" on:click={closeLinkPicker}><X size={14} weight="light" /></button>
+      </div>
+      <p class="link-hint">
+        Mark two manga as the same series so duplicates are merged in search and discover.
+        Click a linked entry again to unlink.
+      </p>
+      <div class="link-search-wrap">
+        <input class="link-search" placeholder="Search your library…" bind:value={linkSearch} use:focus />
+      </div>
+      <div class="link-list">
+        {#if loadingLinkList}
+          <p class="link-empty">Loading…</p>
+        {:else if linkPickerResults.length === 0}
+          <p class="link-empty">No results</p>
+        {:else}
+          {#each linkPickerResults as m (m.id)}
+            {@const isLinked = linkedIds.includes(m.id)}
+            <button class="link-row" class:link-row-linked={isLinked} on:click={() => handleLink(m)}>
+              <img src={thumbUrl(m.thumbnailUrl)} alt={m.title} class="link-thumb" loading="lazy" decoding="async" />
+              <div class="link-info">
+                <span class="link-manga-title">{m.title}</span>
+                {#if m.source?.displayName}<span class="link-source">{m.source.displayName}</span>{/if}
+              </div>
+              <span class="link-status">{isLinked ? "✓ Linked" : "Link"}</span>
+            </button>
+          {/each}
+        {/if}
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+{/if}
+
 {/if}
 
 <script context="module">
@@ -373,17 +428,24 @@
 <style>
   .backdrop { position: fixed; inset: 0; background: rgba(0,0,0,0.72); z-index: var(--z-settings); display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; animation: fadeIn 0.12s ease both; backdrop-filter: blur(4px); -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(4px); }
   .modal { width: min(800px, calc(100vw - 48px)); height: min(560px, calc(100vh - 80px)); display: flex; background: var(--bg-surface); border: 1px solid var(--border-base); border-radius: var(--radius-xl); overflow: hidden; animation: scaleIn 0.16s ease both; box-shadow: 0 0 0 1px var(--border-dim), 0 24px 64px rgba(0,0,0,0.6); }
-  .cover-col { width: 190px; flex-shrink: 0; background: var(--bg-raised); border-right: 1px solid var(--border-dim); display: flex; flex-direction: column; padding: var(--sp-5) var(--sp-4) var(--sp-4); gap: var(--sp-3); overflow-y: auto; overflow-x: hidden; scrollbar-width: none; }
-  .cover-col::-webkit-scrollbar { display: none; }
+  .cover-col { width: 190px; flex-shrink: 0; background: var(--bg-raised); border-right: 1px solid var(--border-dim); display: flex; flex-direction: column; padding: var(--sp-5) var(--sp-4) var(--sp-4); gap: var(--sp-3); overflow: hidden; }
   .cover-wrap { position: relative; width: 100%; }
   .cover { width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 2/3; object-fit: cover; border-radius: var(--radius-md); border: 1px solid var(--border-dim); display: block; }
   .cover-spinner { position: absolute; inset: 0; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; background: rgba(0,0,0,0.35); border-radius: var(--radius-md); color: var(--text-faint); }
   .cover-actions { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: var(--sp-2); }
-  .action-btn { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; gap: var(--sp-2); width: 100%; padding: 7px var(--sp-3); border-radius: var(--radius-md); font-family: var(--font-ui); font-size: var(--text-xs); letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide); border: 1px solid var(--border-strong); background: none; color: var(--text-muted); cursor: pointer; transition: color var(--t-base), border-color var(--t-base), background var(--t-base); white-space: nowrap; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-align: center; }
+  .action-btn {
+    display: flex; align-items: center; gap: var(--sp-2); width: 100%;
+    padding: 7px var(--sp-3); border-radius: var(--radius-md);
+    font-family: var(--font-ui); font-size: var(--text-xs); letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide);
+    border: 1px solid var(--border-strong); background: none; color: var(--text-muted);
+    cursor: pointer; text-align: left;
+    transition: color var(--t-base), border-color var(--t-base), background var(--t-base);
+  }
   .action-btn:hover:not(:disabled) { color: var(--accent-fg); border-color: var(--accent); background: var(--accent-muted); }
   .action-btn:disabled { opacity: 0.4; cursor: default; }
   .action-btn.active { background: var(--accent-muted); border-color: var(--accent-dim); color: var(--accent-fg); }
-  .action-btn.folder-active { color: var(--text-secondary); border-color: var(--border-strong); }
+  /* Fixed-width icon slot — keeps all labels optically aligned */
+  .action-icon { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; width: 16px; flex-shrink: 0; }
   .action-label { flex: 1; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; min-width: 0; }
   .folder-wrap { position: relative; width: 100%; }
   .folder-menu { position: absolute; bottom: calc(100% + 4px); left: 0; right: 0; background: var(--bg-raised); border: 1px solid var(--border-base); border-radius: var(--radius-md); padding: var(--sp-1); display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 1px; box-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgba(0,0,0,0.5); z-index: 10; animation: scaleIn 0.1s ease both; transform-origin: bottom center; }
@@ -408,7 +470,8 @@
   .sk-byline { height: 14px; width: 55%; background: var(--bg-overlay); border-radius: var(--radius-sm); animation: pulse 1.4s ease infinite; }
   .close-btn { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; width: 28px; height: 28px; border-radius: var(--radius-sm); color: var(--text-faint); background: none; border: none; cursor: pointer; flex-shrink: 0; transition: color var(--t-base), background var(--t-base); }
   .close-btn:hover { color: var(--text-muted); background: var(--bg-raised); }
-  .content-body { flex: 1; overflow-y: auto; padding: var(--sp-5) var(--sp-6); display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: var(--sp-4); scrollbar-width: thin; }
+  .content-body { flex: 1; overflow-y: auto; padding: var(--sp-5) var(--sp-6); display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: var(--sp-4); scrollbar-width: none; }
+  .content-body::-webkit-scrollbar { display: none; }
   .error-banner { font-family: var(--font-ui); font-size: var(--text-xs); color: #f59e0b; background: rgba(245,158,11,0.1); border: 1px solid rgba(245,158,11,0.25); border-radius: var(--radius-sm); padding: 6px var(--sp-3); }
   .sk-row { display: flex; gap: var(--sp-2); align-items: center; }
   .sk-badge { height: 20px; width: 54px; background: var(--bg-overlay); border-radius: var(--radius-sm); animation: pulse 1.4s ease infinite; }
@@ -445,40 +508,29 @@
   .meta-val { font-size: var(--text-sm); color: var(--text-secondary); line-height: var(--leading-snug); }
   .meta-link { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 4px; font-size: var(--text-sm); color: var(--accent-fg); text-decoration: none; transition: opacity var(--t-base); }
   .meta-link:hover { opacity: 0.75; }
-  /* ── Thumbnail switcher ──────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
-  .thumb-switcher {
-    display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: var(--sp-2);
-    border-top: 1px solid var(--border-dim); padding-top: var(--sp-3);
-  }
-  .thumb-switcher-label {
-    font-family: var(--font-ui); font-size: var(--text-2xs);
-    color: var(--text-faint); letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wider);
-    text-transform: uppercase;
-  }
-  .thumb-switcher-row {
-    display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: var(--sp-2);
-  }
-  .thumb-option {
-    display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; gap: 4px;
-    background: none; border: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
-    border-radius: var(--radius-sm); padding: 4px;
-    cursor: pointer; transition: border-color var(--t-base), background var(--t-base);
-    flex: 1; min-width: 52px; max-width: 64px;
-  }
-  .thumb-option:hover { border-color: var(--border-strong); background: var(--bg-overlay); }
-  .thumb-option-active { border-color: var(--accent) !important; background: var(--accent-muted) !important; }
-  .thumb-option-img {
-    width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 2/3; object-fit: cover;
-    border-radius: 2px; display: block;
-  }
-  .thumb-option-label {
-    font-family: var(--font-ui); font-size: 9px;
-    color: var(--text-faint); letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide);
-    text-align: center; line-height: 1.2;
-    overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;
-    width: 100%;
-  }
-  .thumb-option-active .thumb-option-label { color: var(--accent-fg); }
+  /* ── Link picker ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
+  .link-backdrop { position: fixed; inset: 0; background: rgba(0,0,0,0.65); z-index: calc(var(--z-settings) + 1); display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; backdrop-filter: blur(4px); -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(4px); animation: fadeIn 0.1s ease both; }
+  .link-modal { width: min(460px, calc(100vw - 48px)); max-height: 70vh; display: flex; flex-direction: column; background: var(--bg-surface); border: 1px solid var(--border-base); border-radius: var(--radius-xl); overflow: hidden; box-shadow: 0 24px 64px rgba(0,0,0,0.6); animation: scaleIn 0.14s ease both; }
+  .link-header { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between; padding: var(--sp-4) var(--sp-5); border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border-dim); flex-shrink: 0; }
+  .link-title { font-size: var(--text-sm); font-weight: var(--weight-medium); color: var(--text-secondary); }
+  .link-hint { font-family: var(--font-ui); font-size: var(--text-xs); color: var(--text-faint); letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide); line-height: var(--leading-snug); padding: var(--sp-3) var(--sp-5) 0; flex-shrink: 0; }
+  .link-search-wrap { padding: var(--sp-3) var(--sp-4); border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border-dim); flex-shrink: 0; }
+  .link-search { width: 100%; background: var(--bg-raised); border: 1px solid var(--border-dim); border-radius: var(--radius-md); padding: 6px 10px; color: var(--text-primary); font-size: var(--text-sm); outline: none; transition: border-color var(--t-base); }
+  .link-search:focus { border-color: var(--border-strong); }
+  .link-list { flex: 1; overflow-y: auto; padding: var(--sp-2); scrollbar-width: none; }
+  .link-list::-webkit-scrollbar { display: none; }
+  .link-empty { font-family: var(--font-ui); font-size: var(--text-xs); color: var(--text-faint); padding: var(--sp-4) var(--sp-3); text-align: center; letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide); }
+  .link-row { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: var(--sp-3); width: 100%; padding: 8px var(--sp-3); border-radius: var(--radius-md); border: none; background: none; text-align: left; cursor: pointer; transition: background var(--t-fast); }
+  .link-row:hover { background: var(--bg-raised); }
+  .link-row-linked { background: var(--accent-muted) !important; }
+  .link-thumb { width: 34px; height: 48px; border-radius: var(--radius-sm); object-fit: cover; flex-shrink: 0; border: 1px solid var(--border-dim); }
+  .link-info { flex: 1; display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 2px; overflow: hidden; min-width: 0; }
+  .link-manga-title { font-size: var(--text-sm); color: var(--text-secondary); white-space: nowrap; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; }
+  .link-source { font-family: var(--font-ui); font-size: var(--text-2xs); color: var(--text-faint); letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide); }
+  .link-status { font-family: var(--font-ui); font-size: var(--text-2xs); letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide); color: var(--text-faint); flex-shrink: 0; padding: 2px 8px; border-radius: var(--radius-sm); border: 1px solid var(--border-dim); }
+  .link-row-linked .link-status { color: var(--accent-fg); border-color: var(--accent-dim); background: var(--accent-muted); }
 
   @keyframes pulse { 0%,100% { opacity: 0.4 } 50% { opacity: 0.8 } }
+  @keyframes fadeIn  { from { opacity: 0 } to { opacity: 1 } }
+  @keyframes scaleIn { from { opacity: 0; transform: scale(0.97) } to { opacity: 1; transform: scale(1) } }
 </style>
diff --git a/src/lib/cache.ts b/src/lib/cache.ts
index a05c535..ad5e654 100644
--- a/src/lib/cache.ts
+++ b/src/lib/cache.ts
@@ -154,6 +154,7 @@ export const CACHE_GROUPS = {
 export const CACHE_KEYS = {
   LIBRARY:             "library",
   ALL_MANGA:           "all_manga_unfiltered",
+  DISCOVER:            "discover_all_manga",  // Discover's unfiltered fetch — separate from library
   SOURCES:             "sources",
   POPULAR:             "popular",
   GENRE:    (genre: string) => `genre:${genre}`,
diff --git a/src/lib/util.ts b/src/lib/util.ts
index 828f127..0b39cce 100644
--- a/src/lib/util.ts
+++ b/src/lib/util.ts
@@ -7,11 +7,6 @@ export function cn(...inputs: ClassValue[]) {
 
 // ── Source deduplication ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
-/**
- * Deduplicates sources by name, preferring the given language.
- * This prevents fetching MangaDex EN + MangaDex ES + MangaDex FR separately —
- * only the preferred-lang variant (or alphabetically first fallback) is kept.
- */
 export function dedupeSources(sources: Source[], preferredLang: string): Source[] {
   const byName = new Map<string, Source[]>();
   for (const src of sources) {
@@ -30,15 +25,10 @@ export function dedupeSources(sources: Source[], preferredLang: string): Source[
 // ── Manga deduplication ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 /**
- * Normalizes a title for fuzzy matching:
- * - Lowercases and trims
- * - Strips common subtitle suffixes: "(Official)", "(Web Comic)", etc.
- * - Removes all non-alphanumeric characters (punctuation, dashes, colons)
- * - Strips leading articles: "the ", "a ", "an "
- * - Collapses whitespace
- *
- * "The Solo Leveling: Official Comic" → "solo leveling official comic"
- * "Solo Leveling (Web Comic)"         → "solo leveling web comic"
+ * Normalizes a title for fuzzy matching.
+ * Strips punctuation, articles, and common source-specific suffixes so that
+ * "The Greatest Estate Developer" and "Yeokdaegeum Yeongji Seolgyesa" won't
+ * match on title alone — but their identical descriptions will catch them.
  */
 export function normalizeTitle(title: string): string {
   return title
@@ -51,47 +41,110 @@ export function normalizeTitle(title: string): string {
 }
 
 /**
- * Builds a short fingerprint from a description — first 120 chars, normalized.
- * Used as a secondary dedup signal when titles differ but the series is the same.
- * Returns null if the description is too short to be a reliable signal (< 40 chars).
+ * Normalizes a string for fingerprinting — strip all non-alpha, collapse spaces.
  */
-function descFingerprint(desc: string | null | undefined): string | null {
-  if (!desc) return null;
-  const norm = desc.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9\s]/g, " ").replace(/\s+/g, " ").trim();
-  if (norm.length < 40) return null;
-  return norm.slice(0, 120);
+function norm(s: string): string {
+  return s.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9]/g, " ").replace(/\s+/g, " ").trim();
 }
 
 /**
- * Deduplicates manga by normalized title OR description fingerprint, keeping the
- * first occurrence. Runs in a single O(n) pass — no nested loops.
- *
- * Use this when merging results across sources. Same series from different source
- * variants (e.g. MangaDex EN + Asura Scans) will be collapsed.
- *
- * The kept entry is the first one seen, so prefer passing library manga first so
- * the richer/preferred entry survives.
+ * Description fingerprint — first 200 normalized chars.
+ * Long enough to reliably identify the same series across sources even when
+ * translations differ in punctuation or minor wording.
+ * Returns null if too short (< 60 chars) to be a reliable signal.
  */
-export function dedupeMangaByTitle<T extends { id: number; title: string; description?: string | null }>(items: T[]): T[] {
-  const seenTitles = new Set<string>();
-  const seenDescs  = new Set<string>();
+function descFingerprint(desc: string | null | undefined): string | null {
+  if (!desc) return null;
+  const n = norm(desc);
+  if (n.length < 60) return null;
+  return n.slice(0, 200);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Author fingerprint — normalized concatenation of author + artist.
+ * Used as a tie-breaker / additional signal alongside description.
+ * Two manga with the same authors AND same description are almost certainly
+ * the same series. Returns null if no author info.
+ */
+function authorFingerprint(author?: string | null, artist?: string | null): string | null {
+  const parts = [author, artist].filter(Boolean).map(s => norm(s!));
+  if (!parts.length) return null;
+  return parts.sort().join("|");
+}
+
+/**
+ * Deduplicates manga by:
+ *   1. Normalized title
+ *   2. Description fingerprint (first 200 chars)
+ *   3. Author + description together
+ *   4. User-defined links (mangaLinks from store) — explicit "same series" overrides
+ *
+ * Pass `links` as `settings.mangaLinks` to honour user-registered pairs.
+ * When two entries match, the PREFERRED one is kept:
+ *   - Library membership wins
+ *   - Otherwise higher downloadCount wins
+ *   - Otherwise first occurrence wins
+ */
+export function dedupeMangaByTitle<T extends {
+  id: number;
+  title: string;
+  description?: string | null;
+  author?: string | null;
+  artist?: string | null;
+  inLibrary?: boolean;
+  downloadCount?: number;
+}>(items: T[], links: Record<number, number[]> = {}): T[] {
+  const byTitle      = new Map<string, number>();
+  const byDesc       = new Map<string, number>();
+  const byAuthorDesc = new Map<string, number>();
+  // id → index in out[]
+  const byId         = new Map<number, number>();
   const out: T[] = [];
+
   for (const m of items) {
     const tk = normalizeTitle(m.title);
     const dk = descFingerprint(m.description);
-    if (seenTitles.has(tk)) continue;
-    if (dk && seenDescs.has(dk)) continue;
-    seenTitles.add(tk);
-    if (dk) seenDescs.add(dk);
+    const ak = (dk && m.author) ? `${authorFingerprint(m.author, m.artist)}||${dk}` : null;
+
+    // Check user-defined links first (explicit override)
+    const linkedIds = links[m.id] ?? [];
+    const linkedIdx = linkedIds.map(lid => byId.get(lid)).find(i => i !== undefined);
+
+    const existingIdx =
+      linkedIdx ??
+      byTitle.get(tk) ??
+      (dk ? byDesc.get(dk)       : undefined) ??
+      (ak ? byAuthorDesc.get(ak) : undefined);
+
+    if (existingIdx !== undefined) {
+      const existing = out[existingIdx];
+      const mBetter =
+        (m.inLibrary && !existing.inLibrary) ||
+        (!existing.inLibrary && (m.downloadCount ?? 0) > (existing.downloadCount ?? 0));
+
+      if (mBetter) {
+        out[existingIdx] = m;
+        byTitle.set(tk, existingIdx);
+        byId.set(m.id, existingIdx);
+        if (dk) byDesc.set(dk, existingIdx);
+        if (ak) byAuthorDesc.set(ak, existingIdx);
+      }
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    const idx = out.length;
     out.push(m);
+    byTitle.set(tk, idx);
+    byId.set(m.id, idx);
+    if (dk) byDesc.set(dk, idx);
+    if (ak) byAuthorDesc.set(ak, idx);
   }
+
   return out;
 }
 
 /**
- * Deduplicates manga by id only (lossless — use when sources are already deduped).
- * Use this when merging library results with source results for the same query,
- * where the same manga id may appear in both sets.
+ * Deduplicates manga by id only (lossless).
  */
 export function dedupeMangaById<T extends { id: number }>(items: T[]): T[] {
   const seen = new Set<number>();
@@ -101,39 +154,3 @@ export function dedupeMangaById<T extends { id: number }>(items: T[]): T[] {
   }
   return out;
 }
-
-/**
- * Groups items that share a normalized title or description fingerprint.
- * Returns an array of groups — single-member groups are non-duplicates,
- * multi-member groups are the same series from different sources.
- *
- * Used by MangaPreview to show alternate thumbnails for merged entries.
- */
-export function groupDuplicates<T extends { id: number; title: string; description?: string | null }>(items: T[]): T[][] {
-  const titleMap = new Map<string, T[]>();
-  const descMap  = new Map<string, T[]>();
-
-  for (const m of items) {
-    const tk = normalizeTitle(m.title);
-    const dk = descFingerprint(m.description);
-
-    const existingGroup = titleMap.get(tk) ?? (dk ? descMap.get(dk) : undefined);
-    if (existingGroup) {
-      existingGroup.push(m);
-      if (!titleMap.has(tk)) titleMap.set(tk, existingGroup);
-      if (dk && !descMap.has(dk)) descMap.set(dk, existingGroup);
-    } else {
-      const group = [m];
-      titleMap.set(tk, group);
-      if (dk) descMap.set(dk, group);
-    }
-  }
-
-  // Return unique groups only
-  const seen = new Set<T[]>();
-  const out: T[][] = [];
-  for (const g of titleMap.values()) {
-    if (!seen.has(g)) { seen.add(g); out.push(g); }
-  }
-  return out;
-}
diff --git a/src/store/index.ts b/src/store/index.ts
index 6ba2e3a..8035db6 100644
--- a/src/store/index.ts
+++ b/src/store/index.ts
@@ -61,12 +61,13 @@ export interface Settings {
   markReadOnNext: boolean; readerDebounceMs: number; theme: Theme;
   libraryBranches: boolean;
   renderLimit: number;
-  /**
-   * Hero slot pinning for the Home page.
-   * 4 slots total. Index 0 = always auto (continue reading, not pinnable).
-   * Indices 1-3: null = auto (fill from recent history), number = pinned mangaId.
-   */
   heroSlots: (number | null)[];
+  /**
+   * User-defined manga links — manually registered "same series" pairs.
+   * Key: mangaId, Value: array of mangaIds this entry is linked to.
+   * Links are bidirectional at lookup time; only stored in one direction.
+   */
+  mangaLinks: Record<number, number[]>;
 }
 
 const COMPLETED_FOLDER_DEFAULT: Folder = {
@@ -87,6 +88,7 @@ export const DEFAULT_SETTINGS: Settings = {
   markReadOnNext: true, readerDebounceMs: 120, theme: "dark",
   libraryBranches: true, renderLimit: 48,
   heroSlots: [null, null, null, null],
+  mangaLinks: {},
 };
 
 // ── Persistence ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -115,6 +117,7 @@ function mergeSettings(saved: any): Settings {
     folders: [completedFolder, ...otherFolders],
     keybinds: { ...DEFAULT_KEYBINDS, ...saved?.settings?.keybinds },
     heroSlots: saved?.settings?.heroSlots ?? [null, null, null, null],
+    mangaLinks: saved?.settings?.mangaLinks ?? {},
   };
 }
 
@@ -248,6 +251,43 @@ export function checkAndMarkCompleted(mangaId: number, chapters: Chapter[]) {
   else unmarkMangaCompleted(mangaId);
 }
 
+// ── Manga links ("same series" user overrides) ────────────────────────────────
+
+/**
+ * Link two manga as "same series". Bidirectional — looking up either id
+ * will return the other. Idempotent.
+ */
+export function linkManga(idA: number, idB: number) {
+  if (idA === idB) return;
+  settings.update(s => {
+    const links = { ...s.mangaLinks };
+    links[idA] = [...new Set([...(links[idA] ?? []), idB])];
+    links[idB] = [...new Set([...(links[idB] ?? []), idA])];
+    return { ...s, mangaLinks: links };
+  });
+}
+
+/**
+ * Remove a link between two manga.
+ */
+export function unlinkManga(idA: number, idB: number) {
+  settings.update(s => {
+    const links = { ...s.mangaLinks };
+    links[idA] = (links[idA] ?? []).filter(id => id !== idB);
+    links[idB] = (links[idB] ?? []).filter(id => id !== idA);
+    if (!links[idA].length) delete links[idA];
+    if (!links[idB].length) delete links[idB];
+    return { ...s, mangaLinks: links };
+  });
+}
+
+/**
+ * Returns all mangaIds linked to a given mangaId (direct links only, not transitive).
+ */
+export function getLinkedMangaIds(mangaId: number): number[] {
+  return get(settings).mangaLinks[mangaId] ?? [];
+}
+
 // ── Hero slots ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 /**