diff --git a/MPV/LUA/main.lua b/MPV/LUA/main.lua
index 98ed348..6cc5944 100644
--- a/MPV/LUA/main.lua
+++ b/MPV/LUA/main.lua
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ local msg = require 'mp.msg'
 
 local M = {}
 
-local MEDEIA_LUA_VERSION = '2026-03-22.1'
+local MEDEIA_LUA_VERSION = '2026-03-22.3'
 
 -- Expose a tiny breadcrumb for debugging which script version is loaded.
 pcall(mp.set_property, 'user-data/medeia-lua-version', MEDEIA_LUA_VERSION)
@@ -750,6 +750,121 @@ local _refresh_current_store_url_status
 local _skip_next_store_check_url = ''
 local _pick_folder_windows
 
+function M._load_store_choices_direct_async(cb)
+    cb = cb or function() end
+
+    local refresh_state = M._store_direct_refresh_state or { inflight = false, callbacks = {} }
+    M._store_direct_refresh_state = refresh_state
+
+    if refresh_state.inflight then
+        table.insert(refresh_state.callbacks, cb)
+        _lua_log('stores: direct config load join existing request')
+        return
+    end
+
+    local python = _resolve_python_exe(false)
+    if not python or python == '' then
+        cb(nil, 'no python executable available')
+        return
+    end
+
+    local repo_root = _detect_repo_root()
+    if not repo_root or repo_root == '' then
+        cb(nil, 'repo root not found')
+        return
+    end
+
+    local function finish(resp, err)
+        local callbacks = refresh_state.callbacks or {}
+        refresh_state.callbacks = {}
+        refresh_state.inflight = false
+        for _, pending_cb in ipairs(callbacks) do
+            pcall(pending_cb, resp, err)
+        end
+    end
+
+    local bootstrap = table.concat({
+        'import json, os, sys',
+        'root = sys.argv[1]',
+        'if root:',
+        '    os.chdir(root)',
+        '    sys.path.insert(0, root) if root not in sys.path else None',
+        'from SYS.logger import set_thread_stream',
+        'set_thread_stream(sys.stderr)',
+        'from SYS.config import load_config',
+        'from Store.registry import list_configured_backend_names',
+        'config = load_config()',
+        'choices = list_configured_backend_names(config) or []',
+        'sys.stdout.write(json.dumps({"choices": choices}, ensure_ascii=False))',
+    }, '\n')
+
+    refresh_state.inflight = true
+    refresh_state.callbacks = { cb }
+    _lua_log('stores: spawning direct config scan python=' .. tostring(python) .. ' root=' .. tostring(repo_root))
+
+    mp.command_native_async(
+        {
+            name = 'subprocess',
+            args = { python, '-c', bootstrap, repo_root },
+            capture_stdout = true,
+            capture_stderr = true,
+            playback_only = false,
+        },
+        function(success, result, err)
+            if not success then
+                finish(nil, tostring(err or 'subprocess failed'))
+                return
+            end
+
+            if type(result) ~= 'table' then
+                finish(nil, 'invalid subprocess result')
+                return
+            end
+
+            local status = tonumber(result.status or 0) or 0
+            local stdout = trim(tostring(result.stdout or ''))
+            local stderr = trim(tostring(result.stderr or ''))
+            if status ~= 0 then
+                local detail = stderr
+                if detail == '' then
+                    detail = tostring(result.error or ('direct store scan exited with status ' .. tostring(status)))
+                end
+                finish(nil, detail)
+                return
+            end
+
+            if stdout == '' then
+                local detail = stderr
+                if detail == '' then
+                    detail = 'direct store scan returned no output'
+                end
+                finish(nil, detail)
+                return
+            end
+
+            local ok, resp = pcall(utils.parse_json, stdout)
+            if ok and type(resp) == 'string' then
+                ok, resp = pcall(utils.parse_json, resp)
+            end
+            if not ok or type(resp) ~= 'table' then
+                local stdout_preview = stdout
+                if #stdout_preview > 200 then
+                    stdout_preview = stdout_preview:sub(1, 200) .. '...'
+                end
+                local stderr_preview = stderr
+                if #stderr_preview > 200 then
+                    stderr_preview = stderr_preview:sub(1, 200) .. '...'
+                end
+                _lua_log('stores: direct config parse failed stdout=' .. tostring(stdout_preview) .. ' stderr=' .. tostring(stderr_preview))
+                finish(nil, 'failed to parse direct store scan output')
+                return
+            end
+
+            finish(resp, nil)
+        end
+    )
+end
+
 local function _normalize_store_name(store)
     store = trim(tostring(store or ''))
     store = store:gsub('^"', ''):gsub('"$', '')
@@ -2715,7 +2830,34 @@ end
 
 _pick_folder_windows = function()
     -- Native folder picker via PowerShell + WinForms.
-    local ps = [[Add-Type -AssemblyName System.Windows.Forms; $d = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.FolderBrowserDialog; $d.Description = 'Select download folder'; $d.ShowNewFolderButton = $true; if ($d.ShowDialog() -eq [System.Windows.Forms.DialogResult]::OK) { $d.SelectedPath }]]
+    local ps = [[
+Add-Type -AssemblyName System.Windows.Forms
+Add-Type -AssemblyName System.Drawing
+[System.Windows.Forms.Application]::EnableVisualStyles()
+$owner = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.Form
+$owner.Text = 'medeia-folder-owner'
+$owner.StartPosition = [System.Windows.Forms.FormStartPosition]::Manual
+$owner.Location = New-Object System.Drawing.Point(-32000, -32000)
+$owner.Size = New-Object System.Drawing.Size(1, 1)
+$owner.ShowInTaskbar = $false
+$owner.TopMost = $true
+$owner.Opacity = 0
+$owner.FormBorderStyle = [System.Windows.Forms.FormBorderStyle]::FixedToolWindow
+$owner.Add_Shown({ $owner.Activate() })
+$null = $owner.Show()
+$d = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.FolderBrowserDialog
+$d.Description = 'Select download folder'
+$d.ShowNewFolderButton = $true
+try {
+    if ($d.ShowDialog($owner) -eq [System.Windows.Forms.DialogResult]::OK) {
+        $d.SelectedPath
+    }
+} finally {
+    $d.Dispose()
+    $owner.Close()
+    $owner.Dispose()
+}
+]]
     local res = utils.subprocess({
         -- Hide the PowerShell console window (dialog still shows).
         args = { 'powershell', '-NoProfile', '-WindowStyle', 'Hidden', '-STA', '-ExecutionPolicy', 'Bypass', '-Command', ps },
@@ -2763,108 +2905,61 @@ _refresh_store_cache = function(timeout_seconds, on_complete)
     local prev_key = _store_names_key(_cached_store_names)
     local had_previous = prev_count > 0
 
-    local cached_json = mp.get_property('user-data/medeia-store-choices-cached')
-    _lua_log('stores: cache_read cached_json=' .. tostring(cached_json) .. ' len=' .. tostring(cached_json and #cached_json or 0))
+    local function apply_store_choices(resp, source)
+        if not resp or type(resp) ~= 'table' or type(resp.choices) ~= 'table' then
+            _lua_log('stores: ' .. tostring(source) .. ' result missing choices table; resp_type=' .. tostring(type(resp)))
+            return false
+        end
 
-    if cached_json and cached_json ~= '' then
-        local function handle_cached(resp)
-            if not resp or type(resp) ~= 'table' or type(resp.choices) ~= 'table' then
-                _lua_log('stores: cache_parse result missing choices table; resp_type=' .. tostring(type(resp)))
-                return false
+        local out = {}
+        for _, v in ipairs(resp.choices) do
+            local name = trim(tostring(v or ''))
+            if name ~= '' then
+                out[#out + 1] = name
             end
-
-            local out = {}
-            for _, v in ipairs(resp.choices) do
-                local name = trim(tostring(v or ''))
-                if name ~= '' then
-                    out[#out + 1] = name
-                end
-            end
-            if #out == 0 and had_previous then
-                _lua_log('stores: ignoring empty cache payload; keeping previous store list')
-                if type(on_complete) == 'function' then
-                    on_complete(true, false)
-                end
-                return true
-            end
-            _cached_store_names = out
-            _store_cache_loaded = (#out > 0) or _store_cache_loaded
-            local preview = ''
-            if #out > 0 then
-                preview = table.concat(out, ', ')
-            end
-            _lua_log('stores: loaded ' .. tostring(#out) .. ' stores from cache: ' .. tostring(preview))
+        end
+        if #out == 0 and had_previous then
+            _lua_log('stores: ignoring empty ' .. tostring(source) .. ' payload; keeping previous store list')
             if type(on_complete) == 'function' then
-                on_complete(true, _store_names_key(out) ~= prev_key)
+                on_complete(true, false)
             end
             return true
         end
 
-        local ok, cached_resp = pcall(utils.parse_json, cached_json)
-        _lua_log('stores: cache_parse ok=' .. tostring(ok) .. ' resp_type=' .. tostring(type(cached_resp)))
-        if ok then
-            if type(cached_resp) == 'string' then
-                _lua_log('stores: cache_parse returned string, trying again...')
-                ok, cached_resp = pcall(utils.parse_json, cached_resp)
-                _lua_log('stores: cache_parse retry ok=' .. tostring(ok) .. ' resp_type=' .. tostring(type(cached_resp)))
-            end
-            if ok then
-                if handle_cached(cached_resp) then
-                    return true
-                end
-            end
-        else
-            _lua_log('stores: cache_parse failed ok=' .. tostring(ok) .. ' resp=' .. tostring(cached_resp))
+        _cached_store_names = out
+        _store_cache_loaded = (#out > 0) or _store_cache_loaded
+
+        local payload = utils.format_json({ choices = out })
+        if type(payload) == 'string' and payload ~= '' then
+            pcall(mp.set_property, 'user-data/medeia-store-choices-cached', payload)
         end
-    else
-        _lua_log('stores: cache_empty cached_json=' .. tostring(cached_json))
+
+        local preview = ''
+        if #out > 0 then
+            preview = table.concat(out, ', ')
+        end
+        _lua_log('stores: loaded ' .. tostring(#out) .. ' stores from ' .. tostring(source) .. ': ' .. tostring(preview))
+        if type(on_complete) == 'function' then
+            on_complete(true, _store_names_key(out) ~= prev_key)
+        end
+        return true
     end
 
-    if not _is_pipeline_helper_ready() then
-        if not _store_cache_retry_pending then
-            _store_cache_retry_pending = true
-            _lua_log('stores: helper not ready; deferring dynamic store refresh')
-            attempt_start_pipeline_helper_async(function(success)
-                _lua_log('stores: deferred helper start success=' .. tostring(success))
-            end)
-            mp.add_timeout(1.0, function()
-                _store_cache_retry_pending = false
-                _refresh_store_cache(timeout_seconds, on_complete)
-            end)
-        else
-            _lua_log('stores: helper not ready; refresh already deferred')
+    local function request_helper_store_choices()
+        if not _is_pipeline_helper_ready() then
+            _lua_log('stores: helper not ready; skipping helper store refresh fallback')
+            if type(on_complete) == 'function' then
+                on_complete(false, false)
+            end
+            return false
         end
-        return false
-    end
 
-    _lua_log('stores: requesting store-choices via helper (fallback)')
-    _run_helper_request_async({ op = 'store-choices' }, math.max(timeout_seconds or 0, 6.0), function(resp, err)
-        local success = false
-        local changed = false
-        if resp and resp.success and type(resp.choices) == 'table' then
-            local out = {}
-            for _, v in ipairs(resp.choices) do
-                local name = trim(tostring(v or ''))
-                if name ~= '' then
-                    out[#out + 1] = name
-                end
+        _lua_log('stores: requesting store-choices via helper fallback')
+        _run_helper_request_async({ op = 'store-choices' }, math.max(timeout_seconds or 0, 6.0), function(resp, err)
+            if apply_store_choices(resp, 'helper fallback') then
+                return
             end
-            if #out == 0 and had_previous then
-                _lua_log('stores: helper returned empty store list; keeping previous store list')
-                success = true
-                changed = false
-            else
-                _cached_store_names = out
-                _store_cache_loaded = (#out > 0) or _store_cache_loaded
-                local preview = ''
-                if #out > 0 then
-                    preview = table.concat(out, ', ')
-                end
-                _lua_log('stores: loaded ' .. tostring(#out) .. ' stores via helper request: ' .. tostring(preview))
-                success = true
-                changed = (#out ~= prev_count) or (_store_names_key(out) ~= prev_key)
-            end
-        else
+
             _lua_log(
                 'stores: failed to load store choices via helper; success='
                     .. tostring(resp and resp.success or false)
@@ -2875,11 +2970,51 @@ _refresh_store_cache = function(timeout_seconds, on_complete)
                     .. ' error='
                     .. tostring(resp and resp.error or err or '')
             )
+            if type(on_complete) == 'function' then
+                on_complete(false, false)
+            end
+        end)
+        return true
+    end
+
+    local cached_json = mp.get_property('user-data/medeia-store-choices-cached')
+    _lua_log('stores: cache_read cached_json=' .. tostring(cached_json) .. ' len=' .. tostring(cached_json and #cached_json or 0))
+
+    if cached_json and cached_json ~= '' then
+        local ok, cached_resp = pcall(utils.parse_json, cached_json)
+        _lua_log('stores: cache_parse ok=' .. tostring(ok) .. ' resp_type=' .. tostring(type(cached_resp)))
+        if ok then
+            if type(cached_resp) == 'string' then
+                _lua_log('stores: cache_parse returned string, trying again...')
+                ok, cached_resp = pcall(utils.parse_json, cached_resp)
+                _lua_log('stores: cache_parse retry ok=' .. tostring(ok) .. ' resp_type=' .. tostring(type(cached_resp)))
+            end
+            if ok then
+                if apply_store_choices(cached_resp, 'cache') then
+                    return true
+                end
+            end
+        else
+            _lua_log('stores: cache_parse failed ok=' .. tostring(ok) .. ' resp=' .. tostring(cached_resp))
         end
-        if type(on_complete) == 'function' then
-            on_complete(success, changed)
-        end
-    end)
+    else
+        _lua_log('stores: cache_empty cached_json=' .. tostring(cached_json))
+    end
+
+    if not _store_cache_retry_pending then
+        _store_cache_retry_pending = true
+        M._load_store_choices_direct_async(function(resp, err)
+            _store_cache_retry_pending = false
+            if apply_store_choices(resp, 'direct config') then
+                return
+            end
+
+            _lua_log('stores: direct config load failed error=' .. tostring(err or 'unknown'))
+            request_helper_store_choices()
+        end)
+    else
+        _lua_log('stores: direct config refresh already pending')
+    end
     return false
 end
 
@@ -3271,22 +3406,8 @@ _refresh_current_store_url_status = function(reason)
 
     local generation = _begin_current_store_url_status(store, url, 'pending')
     if not _is_pipeline_helper_ready() then
-        _lua_log('store-check: helper not ready; deferring reason=' .. tostring(reason) .. ' store=' .. tostring(store))
-        attempt_start_pipeline_helper_async(function(success)
-            if _current_store_url_status.generation ~= generation then
-                return
-            end
-            if not success then
-                _set_current_store_url_status(store, url, 'error', 'helper not running')
-                return
-            end
-            mp.add_timeout(0.1, function()
-                if _current_store_url_status.generation ~= generation then
-                    return
-                end
-                _refresh_current_store_url_status((reason ~= '' and (reason .. '-retry')) or 'retry')
-            end)
-        end)
+        _lua_log('store-check: helper not ready; skipping lookup reason=' .. tostring(reason) .. ' store=' .. tostring(store))
+        _set_current_store_url_status(store, url, 'idle')
         return
     end