diff --git a/API.md b/API.md
index b5c1755f..fc477369 100644
--- a/API.md
+++ b/API.md
@@ -26,6 +26,10 @@ This document describes the available endpoints and their usage. All endpoints r
     - [POST /api/history/{id}](#post-apihistoryid)
     - [GET /api/history/{id}](#get-apihistoryid)
     - [GET /api/history](#get-apihistory)
+    - [GET /api/history/live](#get-apihistorylive)
+    - [POST /api/history/start](#post-apihistorystart)
+    - [POST /api/history/pause](#post-apihistorypause)
+    - [POST /api/history/cancel](#post-apihistorycancel)
     - [DELETE /api/history/{id}/archive](#delete-apihistoryidarchive)
     - [POST /api/history/{id}/archive](#post-apihistoryidarchive)
     - [GET /api/archiver](#get-apiarchiver)
@@ -99,7 +103,6 @@ This document describes the available endpoints and their usage. All endpoints r
       - [Connection Events](#connection-events)
         - [`connect` (Server → Client)](#connect-server--client)
         - [`disconnect` (Server → Client)](#disconnect-server--client)
-        - [`configuration` (Server → Client)](#configuration-server--client)
         - [`config_update` (Server → Client)](#config_update-server--client)
         - [`connected` (Server → Client)](#connected-server--client)
         - [`active_queue` (Server → Client)](#active_queue-server--client)
@@ -599,6 +602,124 @@ GET /api/history?type=queue&status=pending&order=ASC
 
 ---
 
+### GET /api/history/live
+**Purpose**: Get live queue data with real-time download progress.
+
+This endpoint returns the current state of active downloads from memory.
+
+**Response**:
+```json
+{
+    "history_count": 0, // total number of completed items in history
+    "queue":{
+      "id": "abc123",
+      "url": "https://example.com/video",
+      "title": "Video Title",
+      "status": "downloading",
+      "progress": 45.6,
+      "speed": "2.5 MiB/s",
+      "eta": "00:05:23",
+      ...
+    },
+    ...
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+### POST /api/history/start
+**Purpose**: Start one or more downloads in the queue.
+
+**Body**:
+```json
+{
+  "ids": ["<id1>", "<id2>", ...]
+}
+```
+
+**Response**:
+```json
+{
+  "<id1>": "started",
+  "<id2>": "started",
+  ...
+}
+```
+
+**Error Responses**:
+- `400 Bad Request` if `ids` is missing or not an array:
+  ```json
+  { "error": "ids is required and must be an array." }
+  ```
+
+**Notes**:
+- Items must exist in the queue
+- Sets `auto_start: true` for the specified items
+
+---
+
+### POST /api/history/pause
+**Purpose**: Pause one or more downloads in the queue.
+
+**Body**:
+```json
+{
+  "ids": ["<id1>", "<id2>", ...]
+}
+```
+
+**Response**:
+```json
+{
+  "<id1>": "paused",
+  "<id2>": "paused",
+  ...
+}
+```
+
+**Error Responses**:
+- `400 Bad Request` if `ids` is missing or not an array:
+  ```json
+  { "error": "ids is required and must be an array." }
+  ```
+
+**Notes**:
+- Items must exist in the queue
+- Sets `auto_start: false` for the specified items
+
+---
+
+### POST /api/history/cancel
+**Purpose**: Cancel one or more downloads and move them to history.
+
+**Body**:
+```json
+{
+  "ids": ["<id1>", "<id2>", ...]
+}
+```
+
+**Response**:
+```json
+{
+  "<id1>": "ok",
+  "<id2>": "ok",
+  ...
+}
+```
+
+**Error Responses**:
+- `400 Bad Request` if `ids` is missing or not an array:
+  ```json
+  { "error": "ids is required and must be an array." }
+  ```
+
+**Notes**:
+- Items must exist in the queue
+- Stops active downloads if they are currently running
+
+---
+
 ### DELETE /api/history/{id}/archive
 **Purpose**: Remove an item from archive file, allowing it to be re-downloaded.
 
@@ -2122,15 +2243,6 @@ Fired when WebSocket connection is closed. No data payload.
 socket.on('disconnect', (reason: string) => console.log('WebSocket disconnected:', reason));
 ```
 
-##### `configuration` (Server → Client)
-Sends the current application configuration.
-
-**Data Fields**:
-- `config`: Global configuration object
-- `presets`: Available download presets
-- `dl_fields`: Available download fields
-- `paused`: Queue pause status (boolean)
-
 ##### `config_update` (Server → Client)
 Emitted when configuration-backed resources change (presets, dl fields, conditions, notifications).
 
diff --git a/app/routes/api/history.py b/app/routes/api/history.py
index f0e6e1be..2ebdaaa8 100644
--- a/app/routes/api/history.py
+++ b/app/routes/api/history.py
@@ -116,6 +116,29 @@ async def items_list(request: Request, queue: DownloadQueue, encoder: Encoder, c
     )
 
 
+@route("GET", "api/history/live", "items_live")
+async def items_live(queue: DownloadQueue, encoder: Encoder) -> Response:
+    """
+    Get live queue data
+
+    Args:
+        queue (DownloadQueue): The download queue instance.
+        encoder (Encoder): The encoder instance.
+
+    Returns:
+        Response: The response object with live queue items.
+
+    """
+    return web.json_response(
+        data={
+            "queue": (await queue.get("queue"))["queue"],
+            "history_count": await queue.done.get_total_count(),
+        },
+        status=web.HTTPOk.status_code,
+        dumps=encoder.encode,
+    )
+
+
 @route("DELETE", "api/history/", "items_delete")
 async def items_delete(request: Request, queue: DownloadQueue, encoder: Encoder) -> Response:
     """
@@ -390,6 +413,84 @@ async def items_add(request: Request, queue: DownloadQueue, encoder: Encoder) ->
     return web.json_response(data=response, status=web.HTTPOk.status_code, dumps=encoder.encode)
 
 
+@route("POST", "api/history/start", "items_start")
+async def items_start(request: Request, queue: DownloadQueue, encoder: Encoder) -> Response:
+    """
+    Start one or more queued downloads.
+
+    Args:
+        request (Request): The request object.
+        queue (DownloadQueue): The download queue instance.
+        encoder (Encoder): The encoder instance.
+
+    Returns:
+        Response: The response object.
+
+    """
+    data = await request.json()
+    if not (ids := data.get("ids", [])):
+        return web.json_response(data={"error": "ids array is required."}, status=web.HTTPBadRequest.status_code)
+
+    if not isinstance(ids, list):
+        return web.json_response(data={"error": "ids must be an array."}, status=web.HTTPBadRequest.status_code)
+
+    status: dict[str, str] = await queue.start_items(ids)
+
+    return web.json_response(data=status, status=web.HTTPOk.status_code, dumps=encoder.encode)
+
+
+@route("POST", "api/history/pause", "items_pause")
+async def items_pause(request: Request, queue: DownloadQueue, encoder: Encoder) -> Response:
+    """
+    Pause one or more queued downloads.
+
+    Args:
+        request (Request): The request object.
+        queue (DownloadQueue): The download queue instance.
+        encoder (Encoder): The encoder instance.
+
+    Returns:
+        Response: The response object.
+
+    """
+    data = await request.json()
+    if not (ids := data.get("ids", [])):
+        return web.json_response(data={"error": "ids array is required."}, status=web.HTTPBadRequest.status_code)
+
+    if not isinstance(ids, list):
+        return web.json_response(data={"error": "ids must be an array."}, status=web.HTTPBadRequest.status_code)
+
+    status: dict[str, str] = await queue.pause_items(ids)
+
+    return web.json_response(data=status, status=web.HTTPOk.status_code, dumps=encoder.encode)
+
+
+@route("POST", "api/history/cancel", "items_cancel")
+async def items_cancel(request: Request, queue: DownloadQueue, encoder: Encoder) -> Response:
+    """
+    Cancel one or more queued downloads.
+
+    Args:
+        request (Request): The request object.
+        queue (DownloadQueue): The download queue instance.
+        encoder (Encoder): The encoder instance.
+
+    Returns:
+        Response: The response object.
+
+    """
+    data = await request.json()
+    if not (ids := data.get("ids", [])):
+        return web.json_response(data={"error": "ids array is required."}, status=web.HTTPBadRequest.status_code)
+
+    if not isinstance(ids, list):
+        return web.json_response(data={"error": "ids must be an array."}, status=web.HTTPBadRequest.status_code)
+
+    status: dict[str, str] = await queue.cancel(ids)
+
+    return web.json_response(data=status, status=web.HTTPOk.status_code, dumps=encoder.encode)
+
+
 @route("POST", r"api/history/{id}/archive", "history.item.archive.add")
 async def item_archive_add(request: Request, queue: DownloadQueue, notify: EventBus) -> Response:
     """
diff --git a/app/routes/api/system.py b/app/routes/api/system.py
index 84530365..c44bffab 100644
--- a/app/routes/api/system.py
+++ b/app/routes/api/system.py
@@ -4,18 +4,22 @@ import logging
 import os
 import shlex
 import time
+from pathlib import Path
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from aiohttp import web
 from aiohttp.web import Request, Response
 from aiohttp.web_runner import GracefulExit
 
+from app.features.dl_fields.service import DLFields
 from app.library.config import Config
 from app.library.downloads import DownloadQueue
 from app.library.encoder import Encoder
 from app.library.Events import EventBus, Events
+from app.library.Presets import Presets
 from app.library.router import route
 from app.library.UpdateChecker import UpdateChecker
+from app.library.Utils import list_folders
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from asyncio import Task
@@ -25,6 +29,39 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
 LOG: logging.Logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
+@route("GET", "api/system/configuration", "system.configuration")
+async def system_config(queue: DownloadQueue, config: Config, encoder: Encoder) -> Response:
+    """
+    Pause non-active downloads.
+
+    Args:
+        queue (DownloadQueue): The download queue instance.
+        config (Config): The config instance.
+        encoder (Encoder): The encoder instance.
+
+    Returns:
+        Response: The response object.
+
+    """
+    return web.json_response(
+        data={
+            "app": config.frontend(),
+            "presets": Presets.get_instance().get_all(),
+            "dl_fields": await DLFields.get_instance().get_all_serialized(),
+            "paused": queue.is_paused(),
+            "folders": list_folders(
+                path=Path(config.download_path),
+                base=Path(config.download_path),
+                depth_limit=config.download_path_depth - 1,
+            ),
+            "history_count": await queue.done.get_total_count(),
+            "queue": (await queue.get("queue"))["queue"],
+        },
+        status=web.HTTPOk.status_code,
+        dumps=encoder.encode,
+    )
+
+
 @route("POST", "api/system/pause", "system.pause")
 async def downloads_pause(queue: DownloadQueue, encoder: Encoder, notify: EventBus) -> Response:
     """
@@ -189,9 +226,6 @@ async def check_updates(config: Config, encoder: Encoder, update_checker: Update
     )
 
 
-LOG: logging.Logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
-
-
 @route("POST", "api/system/terminal", "system.terminal")
 async def stream_terminal(request: Request, config: Config, encoder: Encoder) -> Response | web.StreamResponse:
     if not config.console_enabled:
diff --git a/app/routes/socket/connection.py b/app/routes/socket/connection.py
index 57e8a1de..c05690c1 100644
--- a/app/routes/socket/connection.py
+++ b/app/routes/socket/connection.py
@@ -1,71 +1,15 @@
 import logging
-from pathlib import Path
 
-from app.features.dl_fields.service import DLFields
-from app.library.config import Config
-from app.library.downloads import DownloadQueue
-from app.library.Events import EventBus, Events
-from app.library.HttpSocket import WebSocketHub
-from app.library.Presets import Presets
 from app.library.router import RouteType, route
-from app.library.Utils import list_folders
 
 LOG: logging.Logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
-class _Data:
-    subscribers: dict[str, list[str]] = {}
-
-
 @route(RouteType.SOCKET, "connect", "socket_connect")
-async def connect(config: Config, queue: DownloadQueue, notify: EventBus, sid: str):
-    notify.emit(
-        Events.CONFIGURATION,
-        data={
-            "config": config.frontend(),
-            "presets": Presets.get_instance().get_all(),
-            "dl_fields": await DLFields.get_instance().get_all_serialized(),
-            "paused": queue.is_paused(),
-        },
-        title="Client connected",
-        message=f"Client '{sid}' connected.",
-        to=sid,
-    )
-
-    notify.emit(
-        Events.CONNECTED,
-        data={
-            "folders": list_folders(
-                path=Path(config.download_path),
-                base=Path(config.download_path),
-                depth_limit=config.download_path_depth - 1,
-            ),
-            "history_count": await queue.done.get_total_count(),
-            "queue": (await queue.get("queue"))["queue"],
-        },
-        title="Sending initial download data",
-        message=f"Sending initial download data to client '{sid}'.",
-        to=sid,
-    )
-
-    notify.emit(
-        Events.ACTIVE_QUEUE,
-        data={"queue": (await queue.get("queue"))["queue"]},
-        title="Sending initial active queue data",
-        message=f"Sending active queue data to client '{sid}'.",
-        to=sid,
-    )
+async def connect(sid: str):
+    pass
 
 
 @route(RouteType.SOCKET, "disconnect", "socket_disconnect")
-async def disconnect(sio: WebSocketHub, sid: str, data: str | None = None):  # noqa: ARG001
-    """
-    Handle client disconnection.
-
-    Args:
-        sio (WebSocketHub): The WebSocket hub instance.
-        sid (str): The session ID of the client.
-        data (str): The reason for disconnection.
-
-    """
-    LOG.debug(f"Client '{sid}' disconnected. {data}")
+async def disconnect(sid: str):
+    pass
diff --git a/ui/app/components/History.vue b/ui/app/components/History.vue
index 2978ba0a..668291cf 100644
--- a/ui/app/components/History.vue
+++ b/ui/app/components/History.vue
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@
                 <div class="field is-grouped is-grouped-centered">
                   <div class="control" v-if="item.status != 'finished' || !item.filename">
                     <button class="button is-warning is-fullwidth is-small" v-tooltip="'Retry download'"
-                      @click="() => retryItem(item, true)">
+                      @click="async () => await retryItem(item, true)">
                       <span class="icon"><i class="fa-solid fa-rotate-right" /></span>
                     </button>
                   </div>
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@
                       </NuxtLink>
 
                       <hr class="dropdown-divider" />
-                      <NuxtLink class="dropdown-item" @click="retryItem(item, true)">
+                      <NuxtLink class="dropdown-item" @click="async () => await retryItem(item, true)">
                         <span class="icon"><i class="fa-solid fa-rotate-right" /></span>
                         <span>Add to download form</span>
                       </NuxtLink>
@@ -335,7 +335,7 @@
           </div>
           <div class="columns is-mobile is-multiline">
             <div class="column is-half-mobile" v-if="item.status != 'finished' || !item.filename">
-              <a class="button is-warning is-fullwidth" @click="() => retryItem(item, false)">
+              <a class="button is-warning is-fullwidth" @click="async () => retryItem(item, false)">
                 <span class="icon-text is-block">
                   <span class="icon"><i class="fa-solid fa-rotate-right" /></span>
                   <span>Retry</span>
@@ -391,7 +391,7 @@
                 </NuxtLink>
 
                 <hr class="dropdown-divider" />
-                <NuxtLink class="dropdown-item" @click="retryItem(item, true)">
+                <NuxtLink class="dropdown-item" @click="async () => await retryItem(item, true)">
                   <span class="icon"><i class="fa-solid fa-rotate-right" /></span>
                   <span>Add to download form</span>
                 </NuxtLink>
@@ -452,8 +452,7 @@
           <li><code>source_name:task_name</code> - items added by the specified task.</li>
         </ul>
       </Message>
-      <Message v-else class="is-primary" title="No items" icon="fas fa-exclamation-triangle"
-        :new-style="true">
+      <Message v-else class="is-primary" title="No items" icon="fas fa-exclamation-triangle" :new-style="true">
         <p>Download history is empty.</p>
       </Message>
     </div>
@@ -584,7 +583,7 @@ watch(showCompleted, async isShown => {
 })
 
 onMounted(async () => {
-  if (showCompleted.value && !paginationInfo.value.isLoaded && socket.isConnected) {
+  if (showCompleted.value) {
     try {
       await stateStore.loadPaginated('history', 1, config.app.default_pagination, 'DESC', true)
     } catch (error) {
@@ -701,10 +700,7 @@ const deleteSelectedItems = async () => {
     return
   }
 
-  await stateStore.deleteItems('history', {
-    ids: [...selectedElms.value],
-    removeFile: config.app.remove_files
-  })
+  await stateStore.removeItems('history', [...selectedElms.value], config.app.remove_files)
   selectedElms.value = []
 }
 
@@ -803,7 +799,7 @@ const retryIncomplete = async () => {
     if ('finished' === item.status) {
       continue
     }
-    retryItem(item)
+    await retryItem(item)
   }
 }
 
@@ -831,7 +827,7 @@ const archiveItem = async (item: StoreItem, opts = {}) => {
   if (!(opts as any)?.remove_history) {
     return
   }
-  socket.emit('item_delete', { id: item._id, remove_file: false })
+  await stateStore.removeItems('history', [item._id], false)
 }
 
 const removeItem = async (item: StoreItem) => {
@@ -853,7 +849,7 @@ const removeItem = async (item: StoreItem) => {
   }
 }
 
-const retryItem = (item: StoreItem, re_add: boolean = false, remove_file: boolean = false) => {
+const retryItem = async (item: StoreItem, re_add: boolean = false, remove_file: boolean = false) => {
   const item_req: Partial<StoreItem> = {
     url: item.url,
     preset: item.preset,
@@ -865,7 +861,7 @@ const retryItem = (item: StoreItem, re_add: boolean = false, remove_file: boolea
     auto_start: item.auto_start,
   }
 
-  socket.emit('item_delete', { id: item._id, remove_file: remove_file })
+  await stateStore.removeItems('history', [item._id], remove_file)
 
   if (selectedElms.value.includes(item._id || '')) {
     selectedElms.value = selectedElms.value.filter(i => i !== item._id)
@@ -876,7 +872,7 @@ const retryItem = (item: StoreItem, re_add: boolean = false, remove_file: boolea
     emitter('add_new', item_req)
     return
   }
-  socket.emit('add_url', item_req)
+  await stateStore.addDownload(item_req)
 }
 
 const pImg = (e: Event) => {
@@ -990,12 +986,12 @@ const removeFromArchive = async (item: StoreItem, opts?: { re_add?: boolean, rem
   }
 
   if (opts?.re_add) {
-    retryItem(item, true, file_delete)
+    await retryItem(item, true, file_delete)
     return
   }
 
   if (opts?.remove_history) {
-    socket.emit('item_delete', { id: item._id, remove_file: file_delete })
+    await stateStore.removeItems('history', [item._id], file_delete)
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/ui/app/components/Queue.vue b/ui/app/components/Queue.vue
index d6cbf309..74f3c5f8 100644
--- a/ui/app/components/Queue.vue
+++ b/ui/app/components/Queue.vue
@@ -1,4 +1,20 @@
 <template>
+  <div class="columns is-multiline is-mobile has-text-centered is-justify-content-flex-end" v-if="!socket.isConnected">
+    <div class="column is-narrow">
+      <div class="field is-grouped">
+        <p class="control">
+          <button type="button" class="button is-info" @click="refreshQueue" :class="{ 'is-loading': isRefreshing }"
+            v-tooltip.bottom="'Refresh queue data'">
+            <span class="icon">
+              <i class="fa-solid fa-refresh" />
+            </span>
+            <span>Refresh</span>
+          </button>
+        </p>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
   <div class="columns is-multiline is-mobile has-text-centered is-justify-content-flex-end"
     v-if="filteredItems.length > 0">
     <div class="column is-narrow">
@@ -369,9 +385,71 @@ const show_popover = useStorage<boolean>('show_popover', true)
 const selectedElms = ref<string[]>([])
 const masterSelectAll = ref(false)
 const embed_url = ref('')
+const isRefreshing = ref(false)
+const autoRefreshInterval = ref<NodeJS.Timeout | null>(null)
+const autoRefreshEnabled = useStorage<boolean>('queue_auto_refresh', true)
+const autoRefreshDelay = useStorage<number>('queue_auto_refresh_delay', 10000)
 
 const showThumbnails = computed(() => !!props.thumbnails && !hideThumbnail.value)
 
+const refreshQueue = async () => {
+  isRefreshing.value = true
+  try {
+    await stateStore.loadQueue()
+  } catch {
+    toast.error('Failed to refresh queue')
+  } finally {
+    isRefreshing.value = false
+  }
+}
+
+const startAutoRefresh = () => {
+  if (autoRefreshInterval.value) {
+    clearInterval(autoRefreshInterval.value)
+  }
+
+  if (!autoRefreshEnabled.value || socket.isConnected) {
+    return
+  }
+
+  autoRefreshInterval.value = setInterval(async () => {
+    if (!socket.isConnected && autoRefreshEnabled.value) {
+      await refreshQueue()
+    }
+  }, autoRefreshDelay.value)
+}
+
+const stopAutoRefresh = () => {
+  if (autoRefreshInterval.value) {
+    clearInterval(autoRefreshInterval.value)
+    autoRefreshInterval.value = null
+  }
+}
+
+watch(() => socket.isConnected, (connected) => {
+  if (connected) {
+    stopAutoRefresh()
+  } else if (autoRefreshEnabled.value) {
+    startAutoRefresh()
+  }
+})
+
+watch(autoRefreshEnabled, (enabled) => {
+  if (enabled && !socket.isConnected) {
+    startAutoRefresh()
+  } else {
+    stopAutoRefresh()
+  }
+})
+
+onMounted(() => {
+  if (!socket.isConnected && autoRefreshEnabled.value) {
+    startAutoRefresh()
+  }
+})
+
+onBeforeUnmount(() => stopAutoRefresh())
+
 watch(masterSelectAll, (value) => {
   if (value) {
     selectedElms.value = Object.values(stateStore.queue).map((element: StoreItem) => element._id)
@@ -570,11 +648,11 @@ const cancelItems = (item: string | string[]) => {
   if (0 > items.length) {
     return
   }
-  items.forEach(id => socket.emit('item_cancel', id))
+  stateStore.cancelItems(items)
 }
 
-const startItem = (item: StoreItem) => socket.emit('item_start', item._id)
-const pauseItem = (item: StoreItem) => socket.emit('item_pause', item._id)
+const startItem = async (item: StoreItem) => await stateStore.startItems([item._id])
+const pauseItem = async (item: StoreItem) => await stateStore.pauseItems([item._id])
 
 const startItems = async () => {
   if (1 > selectedElms.value.length) {
@@ -595,7 +673,7 @@ const startItems = async () => {
   if (true !== (await box.confirm(`Start '${filtered.length}' selected items?`))) {
     return false
   }
-  filtered.forEach(id => socket.emit('item_start', id))
+  await stateStore.startItems(filtered)
 }
 
 const pauseSelected = async () => {
@@ -617,7 +695,7 @@ const pauseSelected = async () => {
   if (true !== (await box.confirm(`Pause '${filtered.length}' selected items?`))) {
     return false
   }
-  filtered.forEach(id => socket.emit('item_pause', id))
+  await stateStore.pauseItems(filtered)
 }
 
 const pImg = (e: Event) => {
diff --git a/ui/app/components/SettingsPanel.vue b/ui/app/components/SettingsPanel.vue
index 8c4ced72..626c13a8 100644
--- a/ui/app/components/SettingsPanel.vue
+++ b/ui/app/components/SettingsPanel.vue
@@ -155,6 +155,47 @@
           </div>
         </div>
 
+        <div class="box">
+          <p class="title is-5 mb-4">
+            <span class="icon-text">
+              <span class="icon"><i class="fas fa-download" /></span>
+              <span>Queue</span>
+            </span>
+          </p>
+
+          <div class="field">
+            <label class="label">Auto-refresh queue when disconnected</label>
+            <div class="control">
+              <input id="queue_auto_refresh" type="checkbox" class="switch is-success" v-model="queue_auto_refresh">
+              <label for="queue_auto_refresh" class="is-unselectable">
+                {{ queue_auto_refresh ? 'Enabled' : 'Disabled' }}
+              </label>
+            </div>
+            <p class="help">
+              <span class="icon"><i class="fa-solid fa-info-circle" /></span>
+              Automatically refresh queue data when WebSocket connection is unavailable.
+            </p>
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="field" v-if="queue_auto_refresh">
+            <label class="label">Auto-refresh interval (seconds)</label>
+            <div class="field has-addons">
+              <div class="control">
+                <a class="button is-static">
+                  <code>{{ queue_auto_refresh_delay / 1000 }}s</code>
+                </a>
+              </div>
+              <div class="control is-expanded">
+                <input class="input" type="range" v-model.number="queue_auto_refresh_delay" min="5000" max="60000" step="5000">
+              </div>
+            </div>
+            <p class="help">
+              <span class="icon"><i class="fa-solid fa-info-circle" /></span>
+              How often to refresh the queue (5-60 seconds). Lower values increase server load.
+            </p>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+
         <div class="box">
           <p class="title is-5 mb-4">
             <span class="icon-text">
@@ -261,6 +302,8 @@ const show_popover = useStorage<boolean>('show_popover', true)
 const thumbnail_ratio = useStorage<'is-16by9' | 'is-3by1'>('thumbnail_ratio', 'is-3by1')
 const separator = useStorage<string>('url_separator', separators[0]?.value ?? ',')
 const simpleMode = useStorage<boolean>('simple_mode', config.app.simple_mode || false)
+const queue_auto_refresh = useStorage<boolean>('queue_auto_refresh', true)
+const queue_auto_refresh_delay = useStorage<number>('queue_auto_refresh_delay', 10000)
 const isSecureContext = ref<boolean>(false)
 
 const handleKeydown = (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
diff --git a/ui/app/components/Simple.vue b/ui/app/components/Simple.vue
index 66ed5fb8..8f64e778 100644
--- a/ui/app/components/Simple.vue
+++ b/ui/app/components/Simple.vue
@@ -7,6 +7,11 @@
             <template v-if="!isMobile">{{ greetingMessage }}</template>
             <template v-else>What would you like to download?</template>
             <span class="is-pulled-right">
+              <span class="icon has-text-info is-pointer mr-2" v-if="!socketStore.isConnected" v-tooltip="'Reload queue'"
+                @click="async () => await refreshQueue()">
+                <i class="fas fa-sync-alt" :class="{ 'fa-spin': isRefreshing }" />
+              </span>
+
               <span class="icon is-pointer" :class="connectionStatusColor" @click="$emit('show_settings')"
                 v-tooltip="'WebUI Settings'">
                 <i class="fas fa-cogs" /></span>
@@ -77,6 +82,7 @@
 
     <Transition name="queue-fade">
       <section v-if="hasAnyItems" key="queue" class="queue-section">
+
         <TransitionGroup name="queue-card" tag="div" class="columns is-multiline queue-card-columns">
           <div v-for="entry in displayItems" :key="entry.item._id" class="column is-12-mobile is-6-tablet">
             <article class="queue-card card" :class="{ 'is-history': 'history' === entry.source }">
@@ -166,7 +172,7 @@
                     <span>Download</span>
                   </a>
                   <button v-if="entry.item.status != 'finished' || !entry.item.filename" class="button is-info is-light"
-                    type="button" @click="requeueItem(entry.item)">
+                    type="button" @click="async () => await requeueItem(entry.item)">
                     <span class="icon"><i class="fas fa-rotate-right" /></span>
                     <span>Requeue</span>
                   </button>
@@ -252,6 +258,23 @@ const formUrl = ref<string>('')
 const formPreset = ref<{ preset: string }>({ preset: app.value.default_preset || '' })
 const addInProgress = ref<boolean>(false)
 const showExtras = ref<boolean>(false)
+const isRefreshing = ref<boolean>(false)
+
+const refreshQueue = async (): Promise<void> => {
+  if (isRefreshing.value) {
+    return
+  }
+  isRefreshing.value = true
+  try {
+    await stateStore.loadQueue()
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.error('Failed to refresh queue:', error)
+    toast.error('Failed to refresh queue')
+  } finally {
+    isRefreshing.value = false
+  }
+  
+}
 
 const paginationInfo = computed(() => stateStore.getPagination())
 const queueItems = computed<StoreItem[]>(() => Object.values(queue.value ?? {}).slice().sort((a, b) => (b.timestamp ?? 0) - (a.timestamp ?? 0)))
@@ -575,16 +598,16 @@ const getProgressWidth = (item: StoreItem): string => {
 const canStart = (item: StoreItem): boolean => !item.status && false === item.auto_start
 const canPause = (item: StoreItem): boolean => !item.status && true === item.auto_start
 
-const startQueueItem = (item: StoreItem): void => {
-  socketStore.emit('item_start', item._id)
+const startQueueItem = async (item: StoreItem): Promise<void> => {
+  await stateStore.startItems([item._id])
 }
 
-const pauseQueueItem = (item: StoreItem): void => {
-  socketStore.emit('item_pause', item._id)
+const pauseQueueItem = async (item: StoreItem): Promise<void> => {
+  await stateStore.pauseItems([item._id])
 }
 
-const cancelDownload = (item: StoreItem): void => {
-  socketStore.emit('item_cancel', item._id)
+const cancelDownload = async (item: StoreItem): Promise<void> => {
+  await stateStore.cancelItems([item._id])
 }
 
 const getDownloadLink = (item: StoreItem): string => {
@@ -602,7 +625,7 @@ const getDownloadName = (item: StoreItem): string => {
   return segments[segments.length - 1] || 'download'
 }
 
-const requeueItem = (item: StoreItem): void => {
+const requeueItem = async (item: StoreItem): Promise<void> => {
   if (!item.url) {
     toast.error('Unable to requeue item; missing URL.')
     return
@@ -622,12 +645,12 @@ const requeueItem = (item: StoreItem): void => {
     payload.extras = JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(item.extras))
   }
 
-  socketStore.emit('item_delete', { id: item._id, remove_file: false })
-  socketStore.emit('add_url', payload)
+  await stateStore.removeItems('history', [item._id], false)
+  await stateStore.addDownload(payload)
 }
 
-const deleteHistoryItem = (item: StoreItem): void => {
-  socketStore.emit('item_delete', { id: item._id, remove_file: app.value.remove_files })
+const deleteHistoryItem = async (item: StoreItem): Promise<void> => {
+  await stateStore.removeItems('history', [item._id], app.value.remove_files)
   toast.info('Removed from history queue.')
 }
 
@@ -668,12 +691,10 @@ onMounted(async () => {
     window.history.replaceState({}, '', url.toString())
   }
 
-  if (socketStore.isConnected && !paginationInfo.value.isLoaded) {
-    try {
-      await stateStore.loadPaginated('history', 1, DEFAULT_PAGE_SIZE, 'DESC')
-    } catch (error) {
-      console.error('Failed to load history on mount:', error)
-    }
+  try {
+    await stateStore.loadPaginated('history', 1, DEFAULT_PAGE_SIZE, 'DESC')
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.error('Failed to load history on mount:', error)
   }
 
   if (window?.location && '/' !== window.location.pathname) {
@@ -776,6 +797,12 @@ useIntersectionObserver(loadMoreTrigger, ([entry]) => {
   transform-origin: top center;
 }
 
+.queue-header {
+  display: flex;
+  justify-content: flex-end;
+  align-items: center;
+}
+
 .queue-card-columns {
   margin-top: 0.75rem;
 }
diff --git a/ui/app/layouts/default.vue b/ui/app/layouts/default.vue
index e32ca61d..71b6635f 100644
--- a/ui/app/layouts/default.vue
+++ b/ui/app/layouts/default.vue
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 <template>
 
   <template v-if="simpleMode">
-    <Connection :status="socket.connectionStatus" @reconnect="() => socket.reconnect()" />
     <Simple @show_settings="() => show_settings = true" :class="{ 'settings-open': show_settings }" />
   </template>
 
@@ -12,7 +11,6 @@
     <Shutdown v-if="app_shutdown" />
     <div id="main_container" class="container" :class="{ 'settings-open': show_settings }" v-else>
       <NewVersion v-if="newVersionIsAvailable" />
-      <Connection :status="socket.connectionStatus" @reconnect="() => socket.reconnect()" />
       <nav class="navbar is-mobile is-dark">
 
         <div class="navbar-brand pl-5">
@@ -139,11 +137,8 @@
         <NuxtPage v-if="config.is_loaded" :isLoading="loadingImage" @reload_bg="() => loadImage(true)" />
         <Message v-if="!config.is_loaded" class="is-info mt-5" title="Loading Configuration"
           icon="fas fa-spinner fa-spin">
-          <p>This usually takes less than a second.
-            <span v-if="!socket.isConnected" class="mt-2">
-              If this is taking too long, please check that the backend server is running and that the WebSocket
-              connection is functional.
-            </span>
+          <p>This usually takes less than a second. If this is taking too long,
+            <NuxtLink class="button is-text p-0" @click="config.loadConfig">reload configuration</NuxtLink>.
           </p>
           <template v-if="socket.error">
             <hr>
@@ -162,7 +157,7 @@
         </ClientOnly>
       </div>
 
-      <footer class="footer py-5 mt-6 is-unselectable" v-if="socket.isConnected">
+      <footer class="footer py-5 mt-6 is-unselectable" v-if="config.is_loaded">
         <div class="columns is-multiline is-variable is-8">
           <div class="column is-12-mobile is-6-tablet">
             <div class="mb-3">
@@ -286,7 +281,6 @@ import Dialog from '~/components/Dialog.vue'
 import Simple from '~/components/Simple.vue'
 import Shutdown from '~/components/shutdown.vue'
 import Markdown from '~/components/Markdown.vue'
-import Connection from '~/components/Connection.vue'
 
 const selectedTheme = useStorage('theme', 'auto')
 const socket = useSocketStore()
@@ -423,9 +417,15 @@ const applyPreferredColorScheme = (scheme: string) => {
 
 onMounted(async () => {
   try {
-    await handleImage(bg_enable.value)
+    applyPreferredColorScheme(selectedTheme.value)
   } catch { }
 
+  try {
+    await config.loadConfig()
+  } catch {
+    // -- IGNORE --
+  }
+
   try {
     const opts = await request('/api/yt-dlp/options')
     if (!opts.ok) {
@@ -435,8 +435,10 @@ onMounted(async () => {
     config.ytdlp_options = data
   } catch { }
 
+  socket.connect()
+
   try {
-    applyPreferredColorScheme(selectedTheme.value)
+    await handleImage(bg_enable.value)
   } catch { }
 })
 
@@ -560,7 +562,7 @@ const { newVersionIsAvailable } = useVersionUpdate()
 const closeSettings = () => show_settings.value = false
 
 const shutdownApp = async () => {
-  const { alertDialog, confirmDialog: confirm_message } = useDialog()
+  const { alertDialog, confirmDialog: cDialog } = useDialog()
 
   if (false === config.app.is_native) {
     await alertDialog({
@@ -570,7 +572,7 @@ const shutdownApp = async () => {
     return
   }
 
-  const { status } = await confirm_message({
+  const { status } = await cDialog({
     title: 'Shutdown Application',
     message: 'Are you sure you want to shutdown the application?',
   })
diff --git a/ui/app/pages/browser/[...slug].vue b/ui/app/pages/browser/[...slug].vue
index fecaacef..73e646f2 100644
--- a/ui/app/pages/browser/[...slug].vue
+++ b/ui/app/pages/browser/[...slug].vue
@@ -342,8 +342,8 @@
       </template>
 
       <div class="column is-12" v-if="search && filteredItems.length < 1">
-        <Message class="is-warning" title="No results" icon="fas fa-filter" :useClose="true"
-          @close="() => search = ''" v-if="search">
+        <Message class="is-warning" title="No results" icon="fas fa-filter" :useClose="true" @close="() => search = ''"
+          v-if="search">
           <p class="is-block">
             No results found for '<span class="is-underlined is-bold">{{ search }}</span>'.
           </p>
@@ -351,8 +351,7 @@
       </div>
 
       <div class="column is-12" v-if="!items || items.length < 1">
-        <Message title="Loading content" class="is-info" icon="fas fa-refresh fa-spin"
-          v-if="isLoading">
+        <Message title="Loading content" class="is-info" icon="fas fa-refresh fa-spin" v-if="isLoading">
           Loading file browser contents...
         </Message>
         <Message v-else title="No Content" class="is-warning" icon="fas fa-exclamation-circle">
@@ -395,7 +394,6 @@ import type { FileItem, FileBrowserResponse } from '~/types/filebrowser'
 const route = useRoute()
 const toast = useNotification()
 const config = useConfigStore()
-const socket = useSocketStore()
 const isMobile = useMediaQuery({ maxWidth: 1024 })
 const dialog = useDialog()
 
@@ -409,7 +407,6 @@ const selectedElms = ref<string[]>([])
 const masterSelectAll = ref(false)
 
 const isLoading = ref<boolean>(false)
-const initialLoad = ref<boolean>(true)
 const items = ref<FileItem[]>([])
 const path = ref<string>((() => {
   const slug = route.params.slug
@@ -486,13 +483,6 @@ const sortedItems = (items: FileItem[]): FileItem[] => {
 const model_item = ref<any>()
 const closeModel = (): void => { model_item.value = null }
 
-watch(() => socket.isConnected, async () => {
-  if (socket.isConnected && initialLoad.value) {
-    await reloadContent(path.value, true)
-    initialLoad.value = false
-  }
-})
-
 const handleClick = (item: FileItem): void => {
   if (true === ['video', 'audio'].includes(item.content_type)) {
     model_item.value = {
@@ -602,11 +592,8 @@ const event_handler = (e: Event): void => {
 }
 
 onMounted(async () => {
-  if (socket.isConnected && initialLoad.value) {
-    await reloadContent(path.value, true)
-  }
-
   document.addEventListener('popstate', event_handler as EventListener)
+  await reloadContent(path.value, true)
 })
 
 onBeforeUnmount(() => document.removeEventListener('popstate', event_handler as EventListener))
diff --git a/ui/app/pages/conditions.vue b/ui/app/pages/conditions.vue
index 4fa88404..b22c41d3 100644
--- a/ui/app/pages/conditions.vue
+++ b/ui/app/pages/conditions.vue
@@ -297,7 +297,6 @@ import type { APIResponse } from '~/types/responses'
 
 type ConditionItemWithUI = Condition & { raw?: boolean }
 
-const socket = useSocketStore()
 const box = useConfirm()
 const isMobile = useMediaQuery({ maxWidth: 1024 })
 const display_style = useStorage<'list' | 'grid'>('conditions_display_style', 'grid')
@@ -311,7 +310,6 @@ const page = ref<number>(route.query.page ? parseInt(route.query.page as string,
 const item = ref<Partial<Condition>>({})
 const itemRef = ref<number | null | undefined>(null)
 const toggleForm = ref(false)
-const initialLoad = ref(true)
 const query = ref<string>('')
 const toggleFilter = ref(false)
 
@@ -351,13 +349,6 @@ const isExpanded = (itemId: number | undefined, field: string): boolean => {
   return expandedItems[itemId]?.has(field) ?? false
 }
 
-watch(() => socket.isConnected, async () => {
-  if (socket.isConnected && initialLoad.value) {
-    await loadContent(page.value)
-    initialLoad.value = false
-  }
-})
-
 watch(toggleFilter, val => {
   if (!val) {
     query.value = ''
@@ -414,9 +405,5 @@ const exportItem = (cond: Condition): void => copyText(encode({
   _version: '1.2',
 }))
 
-onMounted(async () => {
-  if (socket.isConnected) {
-    await loadContent(page.value)
-  }
-})
+onMounted(async () => await loadContent(page.value))
 </script>
diff --git a/ui/app/pages/presets.vue b/ui/app/pages/presets.vue
index cfd7aea9..46d38d1b 100644
--- a/ui/app/pages/presets.vue
+++ b/ui/app/pages/presets.vue
@@ -257,7 +257,6 @@ type PresetWithUI = Preset & { raw?: boolean, toggle_description?: boolean }
 
 const toast = useNotification()
 const config = useConfigStore()
-const socket = useSocketStore()
 const box = useConfirm()
 
 const display_style = useStorage<string>('preset_display_style', 'cards')
@@ -271,7 +270,6 @@ const preset = ref<Partial<Preset>>({})
 const presetRef = ref<string | null>('')
 const toggleForm = ref(false)
 const isLoading = ref(true)
-const initialLoad = ref(true)
 const addInProgress = ref(false)
 const remove_keys = ['raw', 'toggle_description']
 const expandedItems = ref<Record<string, Set<string>>>({})
@@ -303,12 +301,6 @@ const isExpanded = (itemId: string | undefined, field: string): boolean => {
   return expandedItems.value[itemId]?.has(field) ?? false
 }
 
-watch(() => socket.isConnected, async () => {
-  if (socket.isConnected && initialLoad.value) {
-    await reloadContent(true)
-    initialLoad.value = false
-  }
-})
 
 watch(toggleFilter, (val) => {
   if (!val) {
@@ -440,7 +432,7 @@ const editItem = (item: Preset) => {
   toggleForm.value = true
 }
 
-onMounted(async () => (socket.isConnected ? await reloadContent(true) : ''))
+onMounted(async () => await reloadContent(true))
 
 const exportItem = (item: Preset) => {
   const excludedKeys = ['id', 'default', 'raw', 'cookies', 'toggle_description']
diff --git a/ui/app/pages/tasks.vue b/ui/app/pages/tasks.vue
index a5e84e13..e70654e7 100644
--- a/ui/app/pages/tasks.vue
+++ b/ui/app/pages/tasks.vue
@@ -480,6 +480,7 @@ const box = useConfirm()
 const toast = useNotification()
 const config = useConfigStore()
 const socket = useSocketStore()
+const stateStore = useStateStore()
 const { confirmDialog: cDialog } = useDialog()
 const sessionCache = useSessionCache()
 const display_style = useStorage<string>("tasks_display_style", "cards")
@@ -490,7 +491,6 @@ const task = ref<task_item | Record<string, unknown>>({})
 const taskRef = ref<string>('')
 const toggleForm = ref<boolean>(false)
 const isLoading = ref<boolean>(true)
-const initialLoad = ref<boolean>(true)
 const addInProgress = ref<boolean>(false)
 const selectedElms = ref<Array<string>>([])
 const masterSelectAll = ref(false)
@@ -538,11 +538,10 @@ watch(masterSelectAll, value => {
 })
 
 watch(() => socket.isConnected, async () => {
-  if (socket.isConnected && initialLoad.value) {
-    socket.on('item_status', statusHandler)
-    await reloadContent(true)
-    initialLoad.value = false
+  if (!socket.isConnected) {
+    return
   }
+  socket.on('item_status', statusHandler)
 })
 
 const CACHE_KEY = 'tasks:handler_support'
@@ -858,10 +857,9 @@ const calcPath = (path: string) => {
 }
 
 onMounted(async () => {
-  if (!socket.isConnected) {
-    return;
+  if (socket.isConnected) {
+    socket.on('item_status', statusHandler)
   }
-  socket.on('item_status', statusHandler)
   await reloadContent(true)
 });
 
@@ -946,7 +944,7 @@ const runNow = async (item: task_item, mass: boolean = false) => {
     data.auto_start = item.auto_start
   }
 
-  socket.emit('add_url', data)
+  await stateStore.addDownload(data)
 
   if (true === mass) {
     return
diff --git a/ui/app/stores/ConfigStore.ts b/ui/app/stores/ConfigStore.ts
index 4dacdb4f..47a51739 100644
--- a/ui/app/stores/ConfigStore.ts
+++ b/ui/app/stores/ConfigStore.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import type { ConfigState } from '~/types/config';
 import type { DLField } from '~/types/dl_fields';
 import type { Preset } from '~/types/presets';
 import type { ConfigFeature, ConfigUpdateAction } from '~/types/sockets';
+import { request } from '~/utils';
 
 export const useConfigStore = defineStore('config', () => {
   const state = reactive<ConfigState>({
@@ -49,8 +50,42 @@ export const useConfigStore = defineStore('config', () => {
     ytdlp_options: [],
     paused: false,
     is_loaded: false,
+    is_loading: false,
   });
 
+  const loadConfig = async () => {
+    if (state.is_loading) {
+      return;
+    }
+    state.is_loaded = false;
+    state.is_loading = true;
+    try {
+      const resp = await request('/api/system/configuration');
+      if (!resp.ok) {
+        return;
+      }
+      const data = await resp.json();
+      const stateStore = useStateStore();
+
+      if ('number' === typeof data.history_count) {
+        stateStore.setHistoryCount(data.history_count);
+        delete data.history_count;
+      }
+
+      if (data.queue) {
+        stateStore.addAll('queue', data.queue);
+        delete data.queue;
+      }
+
+    } catch (e: any) {
+      console.error('Failed to load configuration', e);
+    }
+    finally {
+      state.is_loaded = true;
+      state.is_loading = false;
+    }
+  }
+
   const add = (key: string, value: any) => {
     if (key.includes('.')) {
       const [parentKey, subKey] = key.split('.') as [keyof ConfigState, string]
@@ -134,9 +169,8 @@ export const useConfigStore = defineStore('config', () => {
     }
   }
 
-
   return {
-    ...toRefs(state), add, get, update, getAll, setAll, isLoaded, patch
+    ...toRefs(state), add, get, update, getAll, setAll, isLoaded, patch, loadConfig
   } as { [K in keyof ConfigState]: Ref<ConfigState[K]> } & {
     add: typeof add
     get: typeof get
@@ -145,5 +179,6 @@ export const useConfigStore = defineStore('config', () => {
     setAll: typeof setAll
     patch: typeof patch
     isLoaded: typeof isLoaded
+    loadConfig: typeof loadConfig
   }
 });
diff --git a/ui/app/stores/SocketStore.ts b/ui/app/stores/SocketStore.ts
index 14f8867f..5ea9445e 100644
--- a/ui/app/stores/SocketStore.ts
+++ b/ui/app/stores/SocketStore.ts
@@ -397,10 +397,6 @@ export const useSocketStore = defineStore('socket', () => {
     config.patch(configUpdate.feature, configUpdate.action, configUpdate.data)
   })
 
-  if (false === isConnected.value) {
-    connect()
-  }
-
   return {
     connect, reconnect, disconnect,
     on, off, emit,
diff --git a/ui/app/stores/StateStore.ts b/ui/app/stores/StateStore.ts
index d6c8e06b..1188d269 100644
--- a/ui/app/stores/StateStore.ts
+++ b/ui/app/stores/StateStore.ts
@@ -183,6 +183,247 @@ export const useStateStore = defineStore('state', () => {
     }
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Load queue data from REST API.
+   * Uses the /live endpoint to get real-time in-memory data with live progress.
+   *
+   * @returns Promise that resolves when queue is loaded
+   */
+  const loadQueue = async (): Promise<void> => {
+    try {
+      const response = await request('/api/history/live')
+      const data = await response.json() as {
+        "queue": Record<KeyType, StoreItem>,
+        "history_count": number,
+      }
+
+      state.queue = data.queue || {}
+      setHistoryCount(data.history_count)
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error('Failed to load queue:', error)
+      throw error
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Add a download using WebSocket if connected, fallback to REST API.
+   *
+   * @param data - Download data (url, preset, folder, etc.)
+   * @returns Promise that resolves when download is added
+   */
+  const addDownload = async (data: Record<string, unknown>): Promise<void> => {
+    const socket = useSocketStore()
+    const toast = useNotification()
+
+    if (socket.isConnected) {
+      socket.emit('add_url', data)
+      return
+    }
+
+    try {
+      const response = await request('/api/history/', {
+        method: 'POST',
+        headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+        body: JSON.stringify(data)
+      })
+
+      if (!response.ok) {
+        const error = await response.json()
+        toast.error(error.error || 'Failed to add download')
+        throw new Error(error.error || 'Failed to add download')
+      }
+
+      toast.success('Download added successfully')
+      await loadQueue()
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error('Failed to add download:', error)
+      if (error instanceof Error && !error.message.includes('Failed to add download')) {
+        toast.error('Failed to add download')
+      }
+      throw error
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Start one or more downloads using WebSocket if connected, fallback to REST API.
+   *
+   * @param ids - Array of item IDs to start
+   * @returns Promise that resolves when items are started
+   */
+  const startItems = async (ids: string[]): Promise<void> => {
+    const socket = useSocketStore()
+    const toast = useNotification()
+
+    if (socket.isConnected) {
+      ids.forEach(id => socket.emit('item_start', id))
+      return
+    }
+
+    try {
+      const response = await request('/api/history/start', {
+        method: 'POST',
+        headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+        body: JSON.stringify({ ids })
+      })
+
+      if (!response.ok) {
+        const error = await response.json()
+        toast.error(error.error || 'Failed to start items')
+        throw new Error(error.error || 'Failed to start items')
+      }
+
+      const result = await response.json()
+
+      for (const id of ids) {
+        if ('started' === result[id]) {
+          const item = get('queue', id)
+          if (item) {
+            update('queue', id, { ...item, auto_start: true })
+          }
+        }
+      }
+
+      toast.success(`Started ${ids.length} item${1 === ids.length ? '' : 's'}`)
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error('Failed to start items:', error)
+      if (error instanceof Error && !error.message.includes('Failed to start items')) {
+        toast.error('Failed to start items')
+      }
+      throw error
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Pause one or more downloads using WebSocket if connected, fallback to REST API.
+   *
+   * @param ids - Array of item IDs to pause
+   * @returns Promise that resolves when items are paused
+   */
+  const pauseItems = async (ids: string[]): Promise<void> => {
+    const socket = useSocketStore()
+    const toast = useNotification()
+
+    if (socket.isConnected) {
+      ids.forEach(id => socket.emit('item_pause', id))
+      return
+    }
+
+    try {
+      const response = await request('/api/history/pause', {
+        method: 'POST',
+        headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+        body: JSON.stringify({ ids })
+      })
+
+      if (!response.ok) {
+        const error = await response.json()
+        toast.error(error.error || 'Failed to pause items')
+        throw new Error(error.error || 'Failed to pause items')
+      }
+
+      const result = await response.json()
+
+      for (const id of ids) {
+        if ('paused' === result[id]) {
+          const item = get('queue', id)
+          if (item) {
+            update('queue', id, { ...item, auto_start: false })
+          }
+        }
+      }
+
+      toast.success(`Paused ${ids.length} item${1 === ids.length ? '' : 's'}`)
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error('Failed to pause items:', error)
+      if (error instanceof Error && !error.message.includes('Failed to pause items')) {
+        toast.error('Failed to pause items')
+      }
+      throw error
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Cancel one or more downloads using WebSocket if connected, fallback to REST API.
+   *
+   * @param ids - Array of item IDs to cancel
+   * @returns Promise that resolves when items are cancelled
+   */
+  const cancelItems = async (ids: string[]): Promise<void> => {
+    const socket = useSocketStore()
+    const toast = useNotification()
+
+    if (socket.isConnected) {
+      ids.forEach(id => socket.emit('item_cancel', id))
+      return
+    }
+
+    const itemsToMove: Record<string, StoreItem> = {}
+    for (const id of ids) {
+      const item = get('queue', id)
+      if (item) {
+        itemsToMove[id] = { ...item }
+      }
+    }
+
+    try {
+      const response = await request('/api/history/cancel', {
+        method: 'POST',
+        headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+        body: JSON.stringify({ ids })
+      })
+
+      if (!response.ok) {
+        const error = await response.json()
+        toast.error(error.error || 'Failed to cancel items')
+        throw new Error(error.error || 'Failed to cancel items')
+      }
+
+      const result = await response.json()
+
+      for (const id of ids) {
+        if ('ok' === result[id] && itemsToMove[id]) {
+          remove('queue', id)
+          const cancelledItem = { ...itemsToMove[id], status: 'cancelled' } as StoreItem
+          add('history', id, cancelledItem)
+        }
+      }
+
+      toast.success(`Cancelled ${ids.length} item${1 === ids.length ? '' : 's'}`)
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error('Failed to cancel items:', error)
+      if (error instanceof Error && !error.message.includes('Failed to cancel items')) {
+        toast.error('Failed to cancel items')
+      }
+      throw error
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Remove items using WebSocket if connected, fallback to REST API.
+   *
+   * @param type - The store type ('queue' or 'history')
+   * @param ids - Array of item IDs to remove
+   * @param removeFile - Whether to remove files from disk (default: false)
+   * @returns Promise that resolves when items are removed
+   */
+  const removeItems = async (type: StateType, ids: string[], removeFile: boolean = false): Promise<void> => {
+    const socket = useSocketStore()
+    const toast = useNotification()
+
+    if (socket.isConnected) {
+      ids.forEach(id => socket.emit('item_delete', { id, remove_file: removeFile }))
+      return
+    }
+
+    try {
+      await deleteItems(type, { ids, removeFile })
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error('Failed to remove items:', error)
+      toast.error('Failed to remove items')
+      throw error
+    }
+  }
+
   /**
    * Delete items by specific IDs or status filter.
    *
@@ -263,6 +504,12 @@ export const useStateStore = defineStore('state', () => {
     reloadCurrentPage,
     getPagination,
     setHistoryCount,
+    loadQueue,
+    addDownload,
+    startItems,
+    pauseItems,
+    cancelItems,
+    removeItems,
     deleteItems,
   }
 })
diff --git a/ui/app/types/config.d.ts b/ui/app/types/config.d.ts
index 90be9755..7bb6d32d 100644
--- a/ui/app/types/config.d.ts
+++ b/ui/app/types/config.d.ts
@@ -68,6 +68,8 @@ type ConfigState = {
   paused: boolean
   /** Indicates if the configuration has been loaded */
   is_loaded: boolean
+  /** Indicates if the configuration is currently loading */
+  is_loading: boolean
 }
 
 export type { AppConfig, ConfigState }