feat: mobile opens posts as a scrolling feed instead of a modal

Tapping a post on a phone now opens a real feed page — header, media, actions,
caption, next post peeking in below — scrolled with the browser's own vertical
scrolling rather than swipe gestures. Desktop keeps the modal, where a centred
sheet with side arrows suits a pointer.

Only a window of posts is mounted: a profile here holds up to 1129 posts and
mounting them all would mean as many full-size images. The window grows in both
directions as you scroll. Growing upwards shifts everything below it, so the
scroll offset is corrected in the same frame, before paint — measured against
the real archive, an anchored post moves exactly one screen per scroll with no
jump.

Only the post crossing the viewport centre plays its video; the rest stay
paused, so a feed of reels doesn't play ten at once. The URL tracks that same
post, so scrolling updates /<archive>/p/<shortcode>/ the way Instagram does,
and the back button returns to the grid with its scroll position intact.

Feed video sizes to the container width rather than its intrinsic size: a
<video> reports 300x150 until metadata loads, which made it render narrow and
then jump to full width. It also gets a taller height ceiling than the modal so
ordinary portrait media fills the width instead of sitting in side bars.

The carousel is extracted into a shared MediaCarousel used by both surfaces, so
horizontal paging behaves identically; touch-action keeps vertical scrolling
passing through to the feed. PostModal loses its now-dead mobile swipe branch.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_011uBWhwV3wFQ5MBCcMHHem7

package-lock.json

@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "instaarchive-viewer",
-  "version": "1.3.2",
+  "version": "1.5.0",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "instaarchive-viewer",
-      "version": "1.3.2",
+      "version": "1.5.0",
       "dependencies": {
         "@tailwindcss/vite": "^4.1.14",
         "@vitejs/plugin-react": "^5.0.4",

package.json

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "instaarchive-viewer",
   "private": true,
-  "version": "1.3.2",
+  "version": "1.5.0",
   "type": "module",
   "scripts": {
     "dev": "vite --port=3000 --host=0.0.0.0",

src/App.tsx

@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ import {
 import { motion, AnimatePresence } from 'motion/react';
 
 import { cn } from './lib/utils';
+import { PRESS } from './lib/motion';
+import { buildPath, findPostBySlug, parseRoute, postSlug, tabForSource } from './lib/routing';
 import { LocalArchiveFile, RemoteArchiveFile } from './lib/archive-files';
 import {
   deleteCachedArchive,
@@ -36,6 +38,8 @@ import { CacheData, Post, ServerArchive, ServerArchiveFile } from './types';
 import { ArchiveDashboard } from './components/ArchiveDashboard';
 import { StoryViewer } from './components/StoryViewer';
 import { PostModal } from './components/PostModal';
+import { PostFeed } from './components/PostFeed';
+import { useIsMobile } from './hooks/useIsMobile';
 import { PostThumbnail } from './components/PostThumbnail';
 import { useArchiveScanner } from './hooks/useArchiveScanner';
 import { useThumbnailQueue } from './hooks/useThumbnailQueue';
@@ -60,14 +64,15 @@ export default function App() {
   const [hasInitialLoaded, setHasInitialLoaded] = useState(false);
 
   /**
-   * The query string as it was when the app booted.
+   * The route as it was when the app booted.
    *
    * Captured during the first render because the URL is rewritten from app
    * state as soon as anything loads; reading `window.location` later would see
    * the rewritten value rather than the link the user actually followed.
    */
-  const initialParamsRef = useRef(new URLSearchParams(window.location.search));
+  const initialRouteRef = useRef(parseRoute(window.location.pathname, window.location.search));
 
+  const isMobile = useIsMobile();
   const fileInputRef = useRef<HTMLInputElement>(null);
   const profilePicInputRef = useRef<HTMLInputElement>(null);
 
@@ -339,41 +344,28 @@ export default function App() {
     // loader below is waiting to read.
     if (!hasInitialLoaded) return;
 
-    const params = new URLSearchParams(window.location.search);
+    const archive = currentArchive?.name ?? (allPosts.length > 0 ? username : null) ?? null;
-    if (currentArchive) params.set('a', currentArchive.name);
+    const nextPath = buildPath({
-    else if (allPosts.length > 0 && username) params.set('a', username);
+      archive,
-    else params.delete('a');
+      tab: activeTab,
+      post: selectedPost ? postSlug(selectedPost) : null,
+    });
 
-    if (activeTab !== 'posts') params.set('t', activeTab);
+    if (nextPath !== window.location.pathname + window.location.search) {
-    else params.delete('t');
+      console.log(`[Permalink] Updating URL to: ${nextPath}`);
-
+      window.history.replaceState(null, '', nextPath);
-    if (selectedPost) params.set('p', selectedPost.id);
-    else params.delete('p');
-
-    const newSearch = params.toString();
-    const currentSearch = new URLSearchParams(window.location.search).toString();
-    if (newSearch !== currentSearch) {
-      console.log(`[Permalink] Updating URL to: ?${newSearch}`);
-      const newUrl = window.location.pathname + (newSearch ? `?${newSearch}` : '');
-      window.history.replaceState(null, '', newUrl);
     }
   }, [hasInitialLoaded, currentArchive?.name, username, allPosts.length, activeTab, selectedPost?.id]);
 
   useEffect(() => {
     if (hasInitialLoaded) return;
 
-    const params = initialParamsRef.current;
+    const route = initialRouteRef.current;
-    const archiveName = params.get('a');
+    console.log('[Permalink] Initial route:', route);
-    const tab = params.get('t');
-    console.log('[Permalink] Initial read from URL:', {
-      archiveName, tab, postId: params.get('p'),
-    });
 
-    if (tab && ['posts', 'reels', 'saved'].includes(tab)) {
+    if (route.tab !== 'posts') setActiveTab(route.tab);
-      setActiveTab(tab as 'posts' | 'reels' | 'saved');
-    }
 
-    if (!archiveName) {
+    if (!route.archive) {
       setHasInitialLoaded(true);
       return;
     }
@@ -381,12 +373,12 @@ export default function App() {
     // Wait for the archive list before deciding the link is unresolvable.
     if (!archivesFetched) return;
 
-    const archive = serverArchives.find(a => a.name === archiveName);
+    const archive = serverArchives.find(a => a.name === route.archive);
     if (archive) {
-      console.log(`[Permalink] Auto-loading archive: ?a=${archiveName}`);
+      console.log(`[Permalink] Auto-loading archive: ${route.archive}`);
       loadServerArchive(archive);
     } else {
-      console.warn(`[Permalink] No archive named "${archiveName}".`);
+      console.warn(`[Permalink] No archive named "${route.archive}".`);
     }
     setHasInitialLoaded(true);
   }, [serverArchives, archivesFetched, hasInitialLoaded, loadServerArchive]);
@@ -406,10 +398,14 @@ export default function App() {
     if (appliedPostParamRef.current === archiveKey) return;
     appliedPostParamRef.current = archiveKey;
 
-    const postId = initialParamsRef.current.get('p');
+    const slug = initialRouteRef.current.post;
-    if (!postId) return;
+    if (!slug) return;
-    const post = allPosts.find(p => p.id === postId);
+    const post = findPostBySlug(allPosts, slug);
-    if (post) setSelectedPost(post);
+    if (!post) return;
+    // A /p/<code>/ link carries no tab, so derive the one that contains it —
+    // otherwise next/prev would page through the wrong list.
+    setActiveTab(tabForSource(post.source));
+    setSelectedPost(post);
   }, [allPosts, currentArchive?.name, username]);
 
   return (
@@ -504,9 +500,11 @@ export default function App() {
             {highlightGroups.length > 0 && (
               <div className="flex gap-6 md:gap-8 overflow-x-auto scrollbar-hide px-4 pb-2">
                 {highlightGroups.map(group => (
-                  <button
+                  <motion.button
                     key={group.title}
                     onClick={() => setActiveHighlight(group.title)}
+                    whileTap={{ scale: 0.94 }}
+                    transition={PRESS}
                     className="flex flex-col items-center gap-2 shrink-0 group/hl"
                     title={`${group.title} — ${group.items.length} item${group.items.length === 1 ? '' : 's'}`}
                   >
@@ -522,7 +520,7 @@ export default function App() {
                       </div>
                     </div>
                     <span className="text-[11px] max-w-[80px] truncate text-gray-700">{group.title}</span>
-                  </button>
+                  </motion.button>
                 ))}
               </div>
             )}
@@ -538,7 +536,7 @@ export default function App() {
             <div className="grid grid-cols-3 gap-[2px] md:gap-[2px] text-black">
               {activeTab === 'posts' && Array.from({ length: gridOffset }).map((_, i) => (<div key={`blank-${i}`} className={cn("bg-gray-100/50 border border-dashed border-gray-200 flex items-center justify-center text-[10px] font-bold text-gray-300 uppercase tracking-tighter text-black", gridAspectRatio === '1:1' ? "aspect-square" : "aspect-[3/4]")}>Blank</div>))}
               {visiblePosts.map((post) => (
-                <motion.div key={post.id} layoutId={post.id} onClick={() => setSelectedPost(post)} className={cn("relative group cursor-pointer overflow-hidden bg-gray-200 transition-all duration-300 text-black", activeTab === 'reels' ? "aspect-[9/16]" : (gridAspectRatio === '1:1' ? "aspect-square" : "aspect-[3/4]"))}>
+                <motion.div key={post.id} layoutId={post.id} onClick={() => setSelectedPost(post)} whileTap={{ scale: 0.97 }} transition={PRESS} className={cn("relative group cursor-pointer overflow-hidden bg-gray-200 transition-all duration-300 text-black", activeTab === 'reels' ? "aspect-[9/16]" : (gridAspectRatio === '1:1' ? "aspect-square" : "aspect-[3/4]"))}>
                   <PostThumbnail 
                     post={post} 
                     thumbnailUrl={cacheHits.get(post.id)} 
@@ -554,21 +552,36 @@ export default function App() {
         )}
       </main>
 
-      <AnimatePresence>
+      {/*
-        {selectedPost && (
+        Mobile opens a real scrolling feed page, the way Instagram does; desktop
-          <PostModal 
+        keeps the modal, where a centred sheet with side arrows fits the pointer.
-            post={selectedPost} 
+      */}
-            nextPost={postIndex < filteredPosts.length - 1 ? filteredPosts[postIndex + 1] : undefined}
+      {selectedPost && isMobile ? (
-            prevPost={postIndex > 0 ? filteredPosts[postIndex - 1] : undefined}
+        <PostFeed
-            onClose={() => setSelectedPost(null)} 
+          posts={filteredPosts}
-            onNextPost={onNextPost} 
+          initialPostId={selectedPost.id}
-            onPrevPost={onPrevPost} 
+          profilePic={profilePic}
-            hasNextPost={postIndex < filteredPosts.length - 1} 
+          title={activeTab === 'reels' ? 'Reels' : 'Posts'}
-            hasPrevPost={postIndex > 0} 
+          onClose={() => setSelectedPost(null)}
-            profilePic={profilePic} 
+          onActivePostChange={setSelectedPost}
-          />
+        />
-        )}
+      ) : (
-      </AnimatePresence>
+        <AnimatePresence>
+          {selectedPost && (
+            <PostModal
+              post={selectedPost}
+              nextPost={postIndex < filteredPosts.length - 1 ? filteredPosts[postIndex + 1] : undefined}
+              prevPost={postIndex > 0 ? filteredPosts[postIndex - 1] : undefined}
+              onClose={() => setSelectedPost(null)}
+              onNextPost={onNextPost}
+              onPrevPost={onPrevPost}
+              hasNextPost={postIndex < filteredPosts.length - 1}
+              hasPrevPost={postIndex > 0}
+              profilePic={profilePic}
+            />
+          )}
+        </AnimatePresence>
+      )}
       <AnimatePresence>{showStoryViewer && allStories.length > 0 && <StoryViewer stories={allStories} onClose={() => setShowStoryViewer(false)} profilePic={profilePic} />}</AnimatePresence>
       <AnimatePresence>
         {activeHighlight && (

src/components/FeedPost.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+import React from 'react';
+import { Bookmark, Heart, MessageCircle, MoreHorizontal, Send } from 'lucide-react';
+import { Post } from '../types';
+import { formatDateSafe } from '../lib/utils';
+import { MediaCarousel } from './MediaCarousel';
+
+interface FeedPostProps {
+  post: Post;
+  profilePic: string | null;
+  /** Off-screen posts keep their video paused. */
+  paused: boolean;
+}
+
+/**
+ * One post in the mobile feed, laid out like Instagram's: header, media,
+ * action row, then caption.
+ *
+ * Media is capped below full viewport height so the next post always peeks in
+ * at the bottom — that overlap is what tells you the page scrolls rather than
+ * pages.
+ */
+export const FeedPost: React.FC<FeedPostProps> = ({ post, profilePic, paused }) => (
+  <article className="bg-white border-b border-gray-200">
+    <header className="flex items-center justify-between px-3 py-2.5">
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-2.5 min-w-0">
+        <div className="w-8 h-8 rounded-full bg-gradient-to-tr from-yellow-400 to-purple-600 p-0.5 shrink-0">
+          <div className="w-full h-full rounded-full bg-white p-0.5">
+            <div className="w-full h-full rounded-full bg-gray-200 overflow-hidden flex items-center justify-center text-[10px] font-bold uppercase">
+              {profilePic
+                ? <img src={profilePic} alt="" className="w-full h-full object-cover" referrerPolicy="no-referrer" />
+                : <span>{post.username[0]}</span>}
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+        <span className="font-semibold text-sm truncate">{post.username}</span>
+      </div>
+      <MoreHorizontal size={20} className="text-gray-500 shrink-0" />
+    </header>
+
+    {/*
+      Taller ceiling than the modal so ordinary portrait media (9:16 reels,
+      4:5 photos) fills the feed width instead of sitting in side bars, while
+      still stopping anything extreme from swallowing the screen.
+    */}
+    <MediaCarousel post={post} paused={paused} heightCap="max-h-[85vh]" fillWidth className="bg-black" />
+
+    <div className="px-3 pt-3 pb-1 flex items-center justify-between">
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-4">
+        <Heart size={24} className="cursor-pointer" />
+        <MessageCircle size={24} className="cursor-pointer" />
+        <Send size={24} className="cursor-pointer" />
+      </div>
+      <Bookmark size={24} className="cursor-pointer" />
+    </div>
+
+    {post.caption && (
+      <div className="px-3 pb-1 text-sm">
+        <span className="font-semibold mr-2">{post.username}</span>
+        <span className="whitespace-pre-wrap">{post.caption}</span>
+      </div>
+    )}
+
+    <div className="px-3 pb-3 pt-1 text-[10px] uppercase tracking-wide text-gray-400">
+      {formatDateSafe(post.date, 'MMMM d, yyyy')}
+    </div>
+  </article>
+);

src/components/MediaCarousel.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,112 @@
+import React, { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
+import { ChevronLeft, ChevronRight } from 'lucide-react';
+import { motion, AnimatePresence } from 'motion/react';
+import { Post } from '../types';
+import { cn } from '../lib/utils';
+import { NAVIGATE, prefersReducedMotion, withVelocity } from '../lib/motion';
+import { MediaRenderer } from './MediaRenderer';
+
+interface MediaCarouselProps {
+  post: Post;
+  /** Pause video even when this slide is on screen (feed: only one plays). */
+  paused?: boolean;
+  /** Override the media height ceiling (the feed allows taller media). */
+  heightCap?: string;
+  /** Size video to the container width (see MediaRenderer). */
+  fillWidth?: boolean;
+  className?: string;
+}
+
+/**
+ * The horizontal slide strip for one post.
+ *
+ * Shared by the desktop modal and the mobile feed so a carousel behaves the
+ * same in both. Horizontal drag belongs to the carousel and never navigates
+ * between posts — vertical movement is the page's to handle.
+ */
+export const MediaCarousel: React.FC<MediaCarouselProps> = ({ post, paused, heightCap, fillWidth, className }) => {
+  const [index, setIndex] = useState(0);
+  const [slide, setSlide] = useState<{ dir: number; velocity: number }>({ dir: 0, velocity: 0 });
+  const reduceMotion = prefersReducedMotion();
+
+  useEffect(() => setIndex(0), [post.id]);
+
+  const paginate = (dir: number, velocity = 0) => {
+    const next = index + dir;
+    if (next < 0 || next >= post.media.length) return;
+    setSlide({ dir, velocity });
+    setIndex(next);
+  };
+
+  const variants = {
+    enter: (d: number) => ({ x: d > 0 ? '100%' : '-100%', opacity: 1, zIndex: 0 }),
+    center: { x: 0, opacity: 1, zIndex: 1 },
+    exit: (d: number) => ({ x: d < 0 ? '100%' : '-100%', opacity: 1, zIndex: 0 }),
+  };
+  const swipePower = (offset: number, velocity: number) => Math.abs(offset) * velocity;
+  const current = post.media[index];
+
+  return (
+    <div className={cn('relative bg-black flex items-center justify-center group overflow-hidden w-full', className)}>
+      <div className="w-full grid grid-cols-1 grid-rows-1">
+        <AnimatePresence initial={false} custom={slide.dir}>
+          <motion.div
+            key={`${post.id}-${index}`}
+            custom={slide.dir}
+            variants={variants}
+            initial="enter"
+            animate="center"
+            exit="exit"
+            transition={reduceMotion ? { duration: 0 } : withVelocity(slide.velocity, NAVIGATE)}
+            drag={post.media.length > 1 ? 'x' : false}
+            dragDirectionLock
+            dragConstraints={{ left: 0, right: 0 }}
+            dragElastic={0.5}
+            onDragEnd={(e, { offset, velocity }) => {
+              const power = swipePower(offset.x, velocity.x);
+              if (power < -15000) paginate(1, velocity.x);
+              else if (power > 15000) paginate(-1, velocity.x);
+            }}
+            className="col-start-1 row-start-1 w-full flex items-center justify-center relative touch-pan-y"
+          >
+            {current && <MediaRenderer file={current} isFullView paused={paused} heightCap={heightCap} fillWidth={fillWidth} />}
+          </motion.div>
+        </AnimatePresence>
+      </div>
+
+      {post.media.length > 1 && (
+        <>
+          {index > 0 && (
+            <button
+              aria-label="Previous photo"
+              onClick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); paginate(-1); }}
+              className="hidden md:block absolute left-4 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 bg-white/20 hover:bg-white/40 text-white p-2 rounded-full backdrop-blur-md transition-all opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100 z-30"
+            >
+              <ChevronLeft size={24} />
+            </button>
+          )}
+          {index < post.media.length - 1 && (
+            <button
+              aria-label="Next photo"
+              onClick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); paginate(1); }}
+              className="hidden md:block absolute right-4 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 bg-white/20 hover:bg-white/40 text-white p-2 rounded-full backdrop-blur-md transition-all opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100 z-30"
+            >
+              <ChevronRight size={24} />
+            </button>
+          )}
+          <div className="absolute bottom-4 left-1/2 -translate-x-1/2 flex gap-1.5 z-30">
+            {post.media.map((_, i) => (
+              <div
+                key={i}
+                className={cn(
+                  'w-1.5 h-1.5 rounded-full transition-all',
+                  i === index ? 'bg-blue-500 scale-125' : 'bg-white/40 shadow-sm',
+                )}
+              />
+            ))}
+          </div>
+        </>
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
+};

src/components/MediaRenderer.tsx

@@ -3,7 +3,25 @@ import { Play, Volume2, VolumeX } from 'lucide-react';
 import { MediaFile } from '../types';
 import { cn } from '../lib/utils';
 
-export const MediaRenderer = ({ file, className, isFullView }: { file: MediaFile; className?: string; isFullView?: boolean }) => {
+interface MediaRendererProps {
+  file: MediaFile;
+  className?: string;
+  isFullView?: boolean;
+  /** Hold playback: the feed keeps every off-screen video paused. */
+  paused?: boolean;
+  /** Cap media height to this instead of the default full-view ceiling. */
+  heightCap?: string;
+  /**
+   * Size video to the container width rather than its own intrinsic size.
+   *
+   * A <video> reports 300x150 until metadata loads, so `w-auto` makes it render
+   * narrow and then jump to full width. The feed needs a stable width more than
+   * it needs a snug fit.
+   */
+  fillWidth?: boolean;
+}
+
+export const MediaRenderer = ({ file, className, isFullView, paused, heightCap, fillWidth }: MediaRendererProps) => {
   // Try to play with sound: opening the modal is a user gesture, so browsers
   // generally allow it. If this particular browser still refuses, the effect
   // below falls back to muted playback rather than leaving a stalled video.
@@ -14,6 +32,11 @@ export const MediaRenderer = ({ file, className, isFullView }: { file: MediaFile
     const video = videoRef.current;
     if (!video || file.type !== 'video') return;
 
+    if (paused) {
+      video.pause();
+      return;
+    }
+
     let cancelled = false;
     video.muted = false;
     video.play().catch(() => {
@@ -24,7 +47,7 @@ export const MediaRenderer = ({ file, className, isFullView }: { file: MediaFile
     });
 
     return () => { cancelled = true; };
-  }, [file.url, file.type]);
+  }, [file.url, file.type, paused]);
   /**
    * In full view the media must never outgrow the viewport.
    *
@@ -36,8 +59,11 @@ export const MediaRenderer = ({ file, className, isFullView }: { file: MediaFile
    * The desktop cap subtracts the modal's own padding (md:p-10 = 2.5rem each
    * side); mobile leaves room for the caption panel stacked underneath.
    */
-  const fullViewCap = "max-h-[70vh] md:max-h-[calc(100vh-5rem)] object-contain";
+  const fullViewCap = `${heightCap ?? 'max-h-[70vh] md:max-h-[calc(100vh-5rem)]'} object-contain`;
-  const videoSizing = isFullView ? `block w-auto max-w-full ${fullViewCap}` : "w-full h-full object-cover";
+  const videoFullView = fillWidth
+    ? `block w-full h-auto ${fullViewCap}`
+    : `block w-auto max-w-full ${fullViewCap}`;
+  const videoSizing = isFullView ? videoFullView : "w-full h-full object-cover";
   const imageSizing = isFullView ? `block w-full h-auto ${fullViewCap}` : "w-full h-full object-cover";
   const sizingClass = file.type === 'video' ? videoSizing : imageSizing;
   const mediaStyle = { transform: 'translateZ(0)' };

src/components/PostFeed.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,150 @@
+import React, { useCallback, useEffect, useLayoutEffect, useMemo, useRef, useState } from 'react';
+import { ChevronLeft } from 'lucide-react';
+import { Post } from '../types';
+import { FeedPost } from './FeedPost';
+
+interface PostFeedProps {
+  posts: Post[];
+  /** Post the feed should open at. */
+  initialPostId: string;
+  profilePic: string | null;
+  onClose: () => void;
+  /** Fires as the post crossing the viewport centre changes. */
+  onActivePostChange: (post: Post) => void;
+  title?: string;
+}
+
+/** Posts added each time the feed grows in either direction. */
+const BATCH = 6;
+/** Render this many ahead of the entry point so the first scroll is smooth. */
+const LOOKAHEAD = 3;
+
+/**
+ * The mobile post view: a real scrolling feed, not a modal.
+ *
+ * Only a window of posts around the entry point is mounted — a profile can hold
+ * thousands, and mounting them all would mean thousands of full-size images.
+ * The window grows in both directions as you scroll; growing *upwards* shifts
+ * everything below it, so the scroll position is corrected in the same frame to
+ * keep the content under your thumb still.
+ */
+export const PostFeed: React.FC<PostFeedProps> = ({
+  posts, initialPostId, profilePic, onClose, onActivePostChange, title,
+}) => {
+  const initialIndex = useMemo(() => {
+    const found = posts.findIndex(p => p.id === initialPostId);
+    return found === -1 ? 0 : found;
+  }, [posts, initialPostId]);
+
+  const [range, setRange] = useState(() => ({
+    start: initialIndex,
+    end: Math.min(posts.length, initialIndex + LOOKAHEAD + 1),
+  }));
+  const [activeId, setActiveId] = useState(initialPostId);
+
+  const scrollRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
+  const topSentinelRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
+  const bottomSentinelRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
+  /** Distance from the bottom of the content, captured before a prepend. */
+  const anchorRef = useRef<number | null>(null);
+
+  const visible = posts.slice(range.start, range.end);
+
+  const extendDown = useCallback(() => {
+    setRange(r => (r.end >= posts.length ? r : { ...r, end: Math.min(posts.length, r.end + BATCH) }));
+  }, [posts.length]);
+
+  const extendUp = useCallback(() => {
+    const el = scrollRef.current;
+    if (!el) return;
+    setRange(r => {
+      if (r.start === 0) return r;
+      // Measure from the bottom: prepending changes scrollHeight, but the
+      // distance between our position and the end of the content does not.
+      anchorRef.current = el.scrollHeight - el.scrollTop;
+      return { ...r, start: Math.max(0, r.start - BATCH) };
+    });
+  }, []);
+
+  // Restore the scroll position in the same frame the prepended posts appear,
+  // before the browser paints, so nothing visibly jumps.
+  useLayoutEffect(() => {
+    const el = scrollRef.current;
+    if (el && anchorRef.current !== null) {
+      el.scrollTop = el.scrollHeight - anchorRef.current;
+      anchorRef.current = null;
+    }
+  }, [range.start]);
+
+  // Grow the window when either end comes into view.
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const root = scrollRef.current;
+    if (!root) return;
+    const observer = new IntersectionObserver(entries => {
+      for (const entry of entries) {
+        if (!entry.isIntersecting) continue;
+        if (entry.target === bottomSentinelRef.current) extendDown();
+        if (entry.target === topSentinelRef.current) extendUp();
+      }
+    }, { root, rootMargin: '600px 0px' });
+
+    if (topSentinelRef.current) observer.observe(topSentinelRef.current);
+    if (bottomSentinelRef.current) observer.observe(bottomSentinelRef.current);
+    return () => observer.disconnect();
+  }, [extendDown, extendUp]);
+
+  // Track the post crossing the viewport centre. The negative margins collapse
+  // the root to a thin band, so exactly one post qualifies at a time.
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const root = scrollRef.current;
+    if (!root) return;
+    const observer = new IntersectionObserver(entries => {
+      for (const entry of entries) {
+        if (!entry.isIntersecting) continue;
+        const id = (entry.target as HTMLElement).dataset.postId;
+        if (id) setActiveId(id);
+      }
+    }, { root, rootMargin: '-45% 0px -45% 0px', threshold: 0 });
+
+    root.querySelectorAll('[data-post-id]').forEach(el => observer.observe(el));
+    return () => observer.disconnect();
+  }, [visible.length, range.start]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const post = posts.find(p => p.id === activeId);
+    if (post) onActivePostChange(post);
+  }, [activeId, posts, onActivePostChange]);
+
+  // Escape closes, matching the modal it replaces.
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const onKey = (e: KeyboardEvent) => { if (e.key === 'Escape') onClose(); };
+    window.addEventListener('keydown', onKey);
+    return () => window.removeEventListener('keydown', onKey);
+  }, [onClose]);
+
+  return (
+    <div className="fixed inset-0 z-50 bg-white flex flex-col">
+      <header className="flex items-center gap-3 px-2 h-12 border-b border-gray-200 bg-white/95 backdrop-blur-md shrink-0">
+        <button onClick={onClose} aria-label="Back" className="p-2 -ml-1 active:opacity-60">
+          <ChevronLeft size={24} />
+        </button>
+        <span className="font-semibold text-base">{title ?? 'Posts'}</span>
+      </header>
+
+      <div ref={scrollRef} className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto overscroll-contain">
+        <div ref={topSentinelRef} aria-hidden />
+        {visible.map(post => (
+          <div key={post.id} data-post-id={post.id}>
+            <FeedPost post={post} profilePic={profilePic} paused={post.id !== activeId} />
+          </div>
+        ))}
+        <div ref={bottomSentinelRef} aria-hidden />
+        {range.end >= posts.length && (
+          <div className="py-10 text-center text-xs uppercase tracking-widest text-gray-400">
+            End of {title?.toLowerCase() ?? 'posts'}
+          </div>
+        )}
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+};

src/components/PostModal.tsx

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import {
 import { motion, AnimatePresence } from 'motion/react';
 import { Post } from '../types';
 import { cn, formatDateSafe } from '../lib/utils';
+import { FADE, NAVIGATE, PRESENT, prefersReducedMotion, withVelocity } from '../lib/motion';
 import { MediaRenderer } from './MediaRenderer';
 
 interface PostModalProps {
@@ -30,7 +31,14 @@ export const PostModal: React.FC<PostModalProps> = ({
   post, nextPost, prevPost, onClose, onNextPost, onPrevPost, hasNextPost, hasPrevPost, profilePic
 }) => {
   const [currentIndex, setCurrentIndex] = useState(0);
-  const [direction, setDirection] = useState(0);
+  /**
+   * How the next slide/post should enter: along which axis, in which direction,
+   * and carrying how much velocity from the gesture that triggered it.
+   */
+  const [slideMotion, setSlideMotion] = useState<{ axis: 'x' | 'y'; dir: number; velocity: number }>(
+    { axis: 'x', dir: 0, velocity: 0 },
+  );
+  const reduceMotion = prefersReducedMotion();
 
   // Preloading Logic
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -75,8 +83,8 @@ export const PostModal: React.FC<PostModalProps> = ({
   useEffect(() => setCurrentIndex(0), [post.id]);
   useEffect(() => {
     const handleKeyDown = (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
-      if (e.key === 'ArrowRight') onNextPost?.();
+      if (e.key === 'ArrowRight') goToPost(1, 'x');
-      else if (e.key === 'ArrowLeft') onPrevPost?.();
+      else if (e.key === 'ArrowLeft') goToPost(-1, 'x');
       else if (e.key === '.') paginate(1);
       else if (e.key === ',') paginate(-1);
       else if (e.key === 'Escape') onClose();
@@ -85,44 +93,88 @@ export const PostModal: React.FC<PostModalProps> = ({
     return () => window.removeEventListener('keydown', handleKeyDown);
   }, [onNextPost, onPrevPost, currentIndex, post.media.length, onClose]);
 
-  const paginate = (newDirection: number) => {
+  const paginate = (newDirection: number, velocity = 0) => {
     const nextIndex = currentIndex + newDirection;
-    if (nextIndex >= 0 && nextIndex < post.media.length) { setDirection(newDirection); setCurrentIndex(nextIndex); }
+    if (nextIndex >= 0 && nextIndex < post.media.length) {
+      setSlideMotion({ axis: 'x', dir: newDirection, velocity });
+      setCurrentIndex(nextIndex);
+    }
   };
 
-  const variants = { 
+  /**
-    enter: (d: number) => ({ x: d > 0 ? '100%' : '-100%', opacity: 1, zIndex: 0 }), 
+   * Move between posts, animating along the axis the input implies: vertical
-    center: { zIndex: 1, x: 0, opacity: 1 }, 
+   * for a touch swipe, horizontal for the desktop arrows and arrow keys.
-    exit: (d: number) => ({ zIndex: 0, x: d < 0 ? '100%' : '-100%', opacity: 1 }) 
+   */
+  const goToPost = (dir: 1 | -1, axis: 'x' | 'y', velocity = 0) => {
+    if (dir > 0 ? !hasNextPost : !hasPrevPost) return;
+    setSlideMotion({ axis, dir, velocity });
+    if (dir > 0) onNextPost?.(); else onPrevPost?.();
+  };
+
+  type SlideMotion = { axis: 'x' | 'y'; dir: number };
+  const offscreen = (dir: number) => (dir > 0 ? '100%' : '-100%');
+  const variants = {
+    enter: ({ axis, dir }: SlideMotion) =>
+      axis === 'y'
+        ? { y: offscreen(dir), x: 0, opacity: 1, zIndex: 0 }
+        : { x: offscreen(dir), y: 0, opacity: 1, zIndex: 0 },
+    center: { zIndex: 1, x: 0, y: 0, opacity: 1 },
+    exit: ({ axis, dir }: SlideMotion) =>
+      axis === 'y'
+        ? { zIndex: 0, y: offscreen(-dir), x: 0, opacity: 1 }
+        : { zIndex: 0, x: offscreen(-dir), y: 0, opacity: 1 },
   };
   const swipePower = (offset: number, velocity: number) => Math.abs(offset) * velocity;
 
+  /**
+   * Desktop-only surface: mobile opens PostFeed instead, so the only vertical
+   * gesture left here is drag-to-dismiss.
+   */
+  const handleVerticalDragEnd = (offset: { y: number }, velocity: { y: number }) => {
+    if (offset.y > 200 || velocity.y > 800) onClose();
+  };
+
+  /*
+   * Horizontal padding on the overlay reserves a gutter for the prev/next
+   * arrows so they always sit *outside* the modal. Without it the modal grows
+   * until it sits under them and a white chevron lands on the white caption
+   * panel, leaving the control invisible until hovered.
+   *
+   * overscroll-contain stops wheel events chaining through to the very long
+   * post grid behind the overlay.
+   */
   return (
-    <motion.div initial={{ opacity: 0 }} animate={{ opacity: 1 }} exit={{ opacity: 0 }} className="fixed inset-0 z-50 flex items-start justify-center bg-[#0c1014]/95 md:bg-[#0c1014]/70 p-0 md:p-10 overflow-y-auto text-black" onClick={onClose}>
+    <motion.div initial={{ opacity: 0 }} animate={{ opacity: 1 }} exit={{ opacity: 0 }} transition={FADE} className="fixed inset-0 z-50 flex items-start justify-center bg-[#0c1014]/95 md:bg-[#0c1014]/70 p-0 md:py-10 md:px-16 lg:px-24 overflow-y-auto overscroll-contain text-black" onClick={onClose}>
       <div className="min-h-full w-full flex items-center justify-center md:py-0">
         <button onClick={onClose} className="fixed top-4 right-4 text-white hover:text-gray-300 z-50 p-2 md:p-3 bg-black/20 rounded-full backdrop-blur-sm"><X size={24} className="md:w-8 md:h-8" /></button>
-        {hasPrevPost && onPrevPost && <button onClick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); onPrevPost(); }} className="hidden md:block fixed left-4 md:left-10 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 text-white hover:text-gray-300 z-50 transition-transform hover:scale-110 active:scale-90"><ChevronLeft size={48} strokeWidth={1.5} /></button>}
+        {/* Solid pill so the arrows read against whatever sits behind them. */}
-        {hasNextPost && onNextPost && <button onClick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); onNextPost(); }} className="hidden md:block fixed right-4 md:right-10 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 text-white hover:text-gray-300 z-50 transition-transform hover:scale-110 active:scale-90"><ChevronRight size={48} strokeWidth={1.5} /></button>}
+        {hasPrevPost && onPrevPost && <button aria-label="Previous post" onClick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); goToPost(-1, 'x'); }} className="hidden md:flex items-center justify-center fixed md:left-3 lg:left-6 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 z-50 p-2 rounded-full bg-white/90 hover:bg-white text-gray-800 shadow-lg transition-transform hover:scale-110 active:scale-90"><ChevronLeft size={28} strokeWidth={2} /></button>}
-        <motion.div drag="y" dragDirectionLock dragConstraints={{ top: 0, bottom: 0 }} dragElastic={0.15} onDragEnd={(e, { offset, velocity }) => { if (offset.y > 200 || velocity.y > 800) onClose(); }} className="bg-black flex flex-col md:flex-row w-full max-w-6xl h-auto md:rounded-sm overflow-hidden shadow-2xl relative text-black" onClick={e => e.stopPropagation()}>
+        {hasNextPost && onNextPost && <button aria-label="Next post" onClick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); goToPost(1, 'x'); }} className="hidden md:flex items-center justify-center fixed md:right-3 lg:right-6 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 z-50 p-2 rounded-full bg-white/90 hover:bg-white text-gray-800 shadow-lg transition-transform hover:scale-110 active:scale-90"><ChevronRight size={28} strokeWidth={2} /></button>}
+        <motion.div drag="y" dragDirectionLock dragConstraints={{ top: 0, bottom: 0 }} dragElastic={0.15} onDragEnd={(e, { offset, velocity }) => handleVerticalDragEnd(offset, velocity)} initial={reduceMotion ? false : { opacity: 0, scale: 0.96 }} animate={{ opacity: 1, scale: 1 }} exit={reduceMotion ? { opacity: 0 } : { opacity: 0, scale: 0.96 }} transition={PRESENT} className="bg-black flex flex-col md:flex-row w-full max-w-6xl h-auto md:rounded-sm overflow-hidden shadow-2xl relative text-black" onClick={e => e.stopPropagation()}>
           <div className="relative bg-black flex items-center justify-center group overflow-hidden w-full h-auto text-black">
             <div className="w-full grid grid-cols-1 grid-rows-1 text-black">
-              <AnimatePresence initial={false} custom={direction}>
+              <AnimatePresence initial={false} custom={slideMotion}>
-                <motion.div 
+                <motion.div
-                  key={`${post.id}-${currentIndex}`} 
+                  key={`${post.id}-${currentIndex}`}
-                  custom={direction} 
+                  custom={slideMotion}
-                  variants={variants} 
+                  variants={variants}
-                  initial="enter" 
+                  initial="enter"
-                  animate="center" 
+                  animate="center"
-                  exit="exit" 
+                  exit="exit"
-                  transition={{ x: { type: "spring", stiffness: 200, damping: 26, bounce: 0 } }} 
+                  transition={reduceMotion
+                    ? { duration: 0 }
+                    : { x: withVelocity(slideMotion.velocity, NAVIGATE), y: withVelocity(slideMotion.velocity, NAVIGATE) }}
+                  
                   drag="x" 
                   dragDirectionLock 
                   dragConstraints={{ left: 0, right: 0 }} 
                   dragElastic={0.5} 
                   onDragEnd={(e, { offset, velocity }) => {
+                    // Carousel only. Crossing into the next post from the last
+                    // slide made a horizontal flick mean two different things.
                     const s = swipePower(offset.x, velocity.x);
-                    if (s < -15000) { if (currentIndex < post.media.length - 1) paginate(1); else if (hasNextPost && onNextPost && s < -40000) onNextPost(); }
+                    if (s < -15000) paginate(1, velocity.x);
-                    else if (s > 15000) { if (currentIndex > 0) paginate(-1); else if (hasPrevPost && onPrevPost && s > 40000) onPrevPost(); }
+                    else if (s > 15000) paginate(-1, velocity.x);
                   }} 
                   className="col-start-1 row-start-1 w-full flex items-center justify-center cursor-grab active:cursor-grabbing relative text-black"
                 >
@@ -138,7 +190,7 @@ export const PostModal: React.FC<PostModalProps> = ({
               </>
             )}
           </div>
-          <div className="w-full md:w-96 bg-white flex flex-col border-l border-gray-200 overflow-hidden shrink-0 text-black">
+          <div className="w-full md:w-80 lg:w-96 bg-white flex flex-col border-l border-gray-200 overflow-hidden shrink-0 text-black">
             <div className="p-3 md:p-4 border-b border-gray-100 flex items-center justify-between shrink-0 text-black">
               <div className="flex items-center gap-3 text-black">
                 <div className="w-8 h-8 rounded-full bg-gradient-to-tr from-yellow-400 to-purple-600 p-0.5 text-black"><div className="w-full h-full rounded-full bg-white p-0.5 text-black"><div className="w-full h-full rounded-full bg-gray-200 flex items-center justify-center overflow-hidden text-[10px] font-bold uppercase text-black">{profilePic ? <img src={profilePic} alt="" className="w-full h-full object-cover text-black" referrerPolicy="no-referrer" /> : <span className="text-black">{post.username[0]}</span>}</div></div></div>

src/components/StoryViewer.tsx

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import {
 import { motion } from 'motion/react';
 import { Post } from '../types';
 import { cn, formatDateSafe } from '../lib/utils';
+import { FADE, PRESENT, prefersReducedMotion } from '../lib/motion';
 
 interface StoryViewerProps {
   stories: Post[];
@@ -31,6 +32,7 @@ export const StoryViewer: React.FC<StoryViewerProps> = ({
   // the progress bar on the first video.
   const [isMuted, setIsMuted] = useState(false);
   const videoRef = useRef<HTMLVideoElement>(null);
+  const reduceMotion = prefersReducedMotion();
   const story = stories[currentStoryIndex];
   const primary = story?.media?.[0];
 
@@ -106,10 +108,11 @@ export const StoryViewer: React.FC<StoryViewerProps> = ({
   if (!story || !primary) return null;
 
   return (
-    <motion.div 
+    <motion.div
       initial={{ opacity: 0 }}
       animate={{ opacity: 1 }}
       exit={{ opacity: 0 }}
+      transition={FADE}
       className="fixed inset-0 z-[100] bg-[#1a1a1a] flex items-center justify-center overflow-hidden text-white"
       onClick={onClose}
     >
@@ -138,7 +141,11 @@ export const StoryViewer: React.FC<StoryViewerProps> = ({
         <ChevronRight size={32} strokeWidth={1.5} />
       </button>
 
-      <div 
+      <motion.div
+        initial={reduceMotion ? false : { scale: 0.94, opacity: 0 }}
+        animate={{ scale: 1, opacity: 1 }}
+        exit={reduceMotion ? { opacity: 0 } : { scale: 0.94, opacity: 0 }}
+        transition={PRESENT}
         className="relative w-full h-full md:h-[90vh] md:max-w-[45vh] bg-black overflow-hidden md:rounded-lg shadow-2xl z-10 text-white"
         onClick={e => e.stopPropagation()}
       >
@@ -223,7 +230,7 @@ export const StoryViewer: React.FC<StoryViewerProps> = ({
             {story.caption}
           </div>
         )}
-      </div>
+      </motion.div>
     </motion.div>
   );
 };

src/hooks/useIsMobile.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
+
+/** Matches Tailwind's `md` breakpoint, the point where the layout splits. */
+const MOBILE_QUERY = '(max-width: 767px)';
+
+/**
+ * True on phone-sized viewports.
+ *
+ * Drives more than styling: mobile opens posts as a scrollable feed page while
+ * desktop uses the modal, so this needs to be real state rather than a CSS
+ * media query.
+ */
+export const useIsMobile = () => {
+  const [isMobile, setIsMobile] = useState(
+    () => typeof window !== 'undefined' && window.matchMedia(MOBILE_QUERY).matches,
+  );
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const query = window.matchMedia(MOBILE_QUERY);
+    const onChange = (e: MediaQueryListEvent) => setIsMobile(e.matches);
+    query.addEventListener('change', onChange);
+    setIsMobile(query.matches);
+    return () => query.removeEventListener('change', onChange);
+  }, []);
+
+  return isMobile;
+};

src/lib/motion.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+import type { Transition } from 'motion/react';
+
+/**
+ * Shared motion vocabulary, tuned to feel like a native iOS app.
+ *
+ * Two rules do most of the work:
+ *  - UIKit animates with springs, not fixed-duration easing, so gestures hand
+ *    their exit velocity to the animation and motion continues rather than
+ *    restarting.
+ *  - iOS springs are critically damped. They settle firmly with no visible
+ *    bounce; overshoot reads as "web animation", not "native".
+ */
+
+/** The curve UIKit uses for sheet presentation. */
+export const IOS_EASE = [0.32, 0.72, 0, 1] as const;
+
+/** Moving between peers: carousel slides, next/previous post. */
+export const NAVIGATE: Transition = { type: 'spring', stiffness: 420, damping: 40, mass: 1 };
+
+/** Presenting or dismissing a surface. Slightly softer than navigation. */
+export const PRESENT: Transition = { type: 'spring', stiffness: 320, damping: 34, mass: 1 };
+
+/** Backdrops and cross-fades, where a spring would feel fussy. */
+export const FADE: Transition = { duration: 0.28, ease: IOS_EASE };
+
+/** Touch-down feedback. Fast enough to feel like a direct response. */
+export const PRESS: Transition = { type: 'spring', stiffness: 600, damping: 30 };
+
+/**
+ * Continue a drag into its animation.
+ *
+ * Handing the gesture's exit velocity to the spring is what separates "the
+ * sheet kept moving because I flicked it" from "the sheet started a new
+ * animation once I let go".
+ */
+export const withVelocity = (velocity: number, base: Transition = NAVIGATE): Transition => ({
+  ...base,
+  velocity,
+});
+
+/** True when the viewer has asked the OS to reduce motion. */
+export const prefersReducedMotion = () =>
+  typeof window !== 'undefined' &&
+  window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches;

src/lib/routing.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
+import { buildPath, findPostBySlug, parseRoute, postSlug, tabForSource } from './routing';
+import { Post } from '../types';
+
+const post = (id: string, source?: Post['source']): Post => ({
+  id, date: '2024-01-01', username: 'u', caption: '', media: [], thumbnail: '', source,
+});
+
+describe('parseRoute', () => {
+  it('reads the explorer root', () => {
+    expect(parseRoute('/')).toEqual({ archive: null, tab: 'posts', post: null });
+  });
+
+  it('reads a profile', () => {
+    expect(parseRoute('/4utumn07/')).toEqual({ archive: '4utumn07', tab: 'posts', post: null });
+  });
+
+  it('reads a profile without a trailing slash', () => {
+    expect(parseRoute('/4utumn07')).toEqual({ archive: '4utumn07', tab: 'posts', post: null });
+  });
+
+  it('reads a tab', () => {
+    expect(parseRoute('/4utumn07/reels/').tab).toBe('reels');
+    expect(parseRoute('/4utumn07/saved/').tab).toBe('saved');
+  });
+
+  it('reads a post in Instagram form', () => {
+    expect(parseRoute('/4utumn07/p/Db5tIoRCcvm/')).toEqual({
+      archive: '4utumn07', tab: 'posts', post: 'Db5tIoRCcvm',
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('decodes archive names containing spaces', () => {
+    expect(parseRoute('/Heejin_Bubble%20heejinmedia/').archive).toBe('Heejin_Bubble heejinmedia');
+  });
+
+  it('does not treat reserved prefixes as archives', () => {
+    for (const path of ['/api/archives', '/archives/x/y.jpg', '/assets/index.js']) {
+      expect(parseRoute(path).archive).toBeNull();
+    }
+  });
+
+  it('still understands the legacy query form', () => {
+    expect(parseRoute('/', '?a=4utumn07&t=reels&p=ABC')).toEqual({
+      archive: '4utumn07', tab: 'reels', post: 'ABC',
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('ignores an unknown tab', () => {
+    expect(parseRoute('/', '?a=u&t=bogus').tab).toBe('posts');
+  });
+});
+
+describe('buildPath', () => {
+  it.each([
+    [{ archive: null, tab: 'posts', post: null }, '/'],
+    [{ archive: '4utumn07', tab: 'posts', post: null }, '/4utumn07/'],
+    [{ archive: '4utumn07', tab: 'reels', post: null }, '/4utumn07/reels/'],
+    [{ archive: '4utumn07', tab: 'posts', post: 'Db5tIoRCcvm' }, '/4utumn07/p/Db5tIoRCcvm/'],
+  ] as const)('builds %j', (route, expected) => {
+    expect(buildPath(route as any)).toBe(expected);
+  });
+
+  it('omits the tab from a post URL, matching Instagram', () => {
+    expect(buildPath({ archive: 'u', tab: 'reels', post: 'ABC' })).toBe('/u/p/ABC/');
+  });
+
+  it('encodes archive names with spaces', () => {
+    expect(buildPath({ archive: 'a b', tab: 'posts', post: null })).toBe('/a%20b/');
+  });
+
+  it('round-trips through parseRoute', () => {
+    for (const route of [
+      { archive: '4utumn07', tab: 'posts' as const, post: null },
+      { archive: '4utumn07', tab: 'reels' as const, post: null },
+      { archive: 'Heejin_Bubble heejinmedia', tab: 'posts' as const, post: null },
+    ]) {
+      expect(parseRoute(buildPath(route))).toEqual(route);
+    }
+  });
+});
+
+describe('postSlug / findPostBySlug', () => {
+  it('uses the bare shortcode for base posts', () => {
+    expect(postSlug(post('Db5tIoRCcvm'))).toBe('Db5tIoRCcvm');
+  });
+
+  it('strips the sidecar directory from the slug', () => {
+    expect(postSlug(post('story highlights - u - Sunstory/C5dQPEYpd9W'))).toBe('C5dQPEYpd9W');
+  });
+
+  it('resolves a slug back to its post', () => {
+    const posts = [post('AAA'), post('4utumn07 - reels/BBB', 'reels')];
+    expect(findPostBySlug(posts, 'BBB')?.id).toBe('4utumn07 - reels/BBB');
+    expect(findPostBySlug(posts, 'AAA')?.id).toBe('AAA');
+  });
+
+  it('prefers an exact id match over a shortcode match', () => {
+    const posts = [post('x/ABC'), post('ABC')];
+    expect(findPostBySlug(posts, 'ABC')?.id).toBe('ABC');
+  });
+
+  it('returns undefined for an unknown slug', () => {
+    expect(findPostBySlug([post('AAA')], 'ZZZ')).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+});
+
+describe('tabForSource', () => {
+  it('sends reels to the reels tab and everything else to posts', () => {
+    expect(tabForSource('reels')).toBe('reels');
+    expect(tabForSource('posts')).toBe('posts');
+    expect(tabForSource(undefined)).toBe('posts');
+  });
+});

src/lib/routing.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+import { Post, SourceKind } from '../types';
+
+/**
+ * Instagram-shaped paths.
+ *
+ *   /                          the archive explorer
+ *   /<archive>/                a profile, posts tab
+ *   /<archive>/reels/          a profile, reels tab
+ *   /<archive>/saved/
+ *   /<archive>/p/<shortcode>/  a single post
+ *
+ * The older `?a=&t=&p=` query form is still parsed so existing links keep
+ * working; it is never written back.
+ */
+
+export type Tab = 'posts' | 'reels' | 'saved';
+
+const TABS: Tab[] = ['posts', 'reels', 'saved'];
+
+/**
+ * Path prefixes the app must never treat as an archive name, or a profile
+ * called "api" would shadow the backend.
+ */
+const RESERVED = new Set(['api', 'archives', 'assets', 'p', 'fonts', 'sw.js', 'manifest.webmanifest']);
+
+export interface Route {
+  archive: string | null;
+  tab: Tab;
+  /** Post shortcode, i.e. the trailing segment of a post id. */
+  post: string | null;
+}
+
+/**
+ * A post's URL slug.
+ *
+ * Sidecar posts carry a directory-scoped id (`story highlights - u - H/ABC`)
+ * so ids stay unique across sources, but only the shortcode belongs in a URL.
+ */
+export const postSlug = (post: Pick<Post, 'id'>): string => {
+  const tail = post.id.split('/').pop() ?? post.id;
+  return encodeURIComponent(tail);
+};
+
+/** Find the post a slug refers to, preferring an exact id match. */
+export const findPostBySlug = (posts: Post[], slug: string): Post | undefined => {
+  const decoded = decodeURIComponent(slug);
+  return posts.find(p => p.id === decoded)
+    ?? posts.find(p => (p.id.split('/').pop() ?? p.id) === decoded);
+};
+
+/** Which tab shows a given post, so a deep link lands on the right one. */
+export const tabForSource = (source?: SourceKind): Tab => (source === 'reels' ? 'reels' : 'posts');
+
+export const parseRoute = (pathname: string, search = ''): Route => {
+  const segments = pathname.split('/').filter(Boolean).map(decodeURIComponent);
+
+  if (segments.length && !RESERVED.has(segments[0])) {
+    const [archive, second, third] = segments;
+
+    if (second === 'p' && third) return { archive, tab: 'posts', post: third };
+    if (second && TABS.includes(second as Tab)) return { archive, tab: second as Tab, post: null };
+    return { archive, tab: 'posts', post: null };
+  }
+
+  // Legacy query form: ?a=<archive>&t=<tab>&p=<post id>
+  const params = new URLSearchParams(search);
+  const archive = params.get('a');
+  const tab = params.get('t');
+  return {
+    archive: archive || null,
+    tab: tab && TABS.includes(tab as Tab) ? (tab as Tab) : 'posts',
+    post: params.get('p'),
+  };
+};
+
+export const buildPath = ({ archive, tab, post }: Route): string => {
+  if (!archive) return '/';
+
+  const base = `/${encodeURIComponent(archive)}`;
+  // A post URL omits the tab, matching Instagram; the tab is re-derived from
+  // the post itself when the link is opened.
+  if (post) return `${base}/p/${post}/`;
+  if (tab !== 'posts') return `${base}/${tab}/`;
+  return `${base}/`;
+};