fix: a slot the resolver emptied folds only into a copy of its own song (M498)

On 2026-10-20 the emptied "Open the Gateway" slot of Auvic's Speed Demons
was folded by title into another file tagged "Open the Gateway" that holds
Onward (244 s against the song's 254 s), so the album was never wanted
back. A wrong-slot removal now stamps tracks.emptied_at (migration 0095)
when the album holds no copy of the song as long as its MusicBrainz slot,
and missing-pair folding pairs such a row by title only with a track added
since: a copy fetched again. A slot whose song the album does hold (VOID
DLC's Weeper beside Void's) folds into it as before.

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

internal/db/dbq/events.sql.go

@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ func (q *Queries) InsertSkipEvent(ctx context.Context, arg InsertSkipEventParams
 }
 
 const listRecentSessionTracks = `-- name: ListRecentSessionTracks :many
-SELECT t.id, t.title, t.album_id, t.artist_id, t.track_number, t.disc_number, t.duration_ms, t.file_path, t.file_size, t.file_format, t.bitrate, t.mbid, t.genre, t.added_at, t.updated_at, t.tag_source, t.tag_sources_version, t.tag_read_version, t.missing_since, t.mbid_source, t.song_id, t.song_key, t.source_verdict, t.source_verdict_at FROM tracks t
+SELECT t.id, t.title, t.album_id, t.artist_id, t.track_number, t.disc_number, t.duration_ms, t.file_path, t.file_size, t.file_format, t.bitrate, t.mbid, t.genre, t.added_at, t.updated_at, t.tag_source, t.tag_sources_version, t.tag_read_version, t.missing_since, t.mbid_source, t.song_id, t.song_key, t.source_verdict, t.source_verdict_at, t.emptied_at FROM tracks t
 JOIN play_events pe ON pe.track_id = t.id
 WHERE pe.session_id = $1
   AND pe.started_at < $2
@@ -312,6 +312,7 @@ func (q *Queries) ListRecentSessionTracks(ctx context.Context, arg ListRecentSes
 			&i.SongKey,
 			&i.SourceVerdict,
 			&i.SourceVerdictAt,
+			&i.EmptiedAt,
 		); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}

internal/db/dbq/history.sql.go

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ import (
 const listUserHistory = `-- name: ListUserHistory :many
 SELECT pe.id           AS event_id,
        pe.started_at,
-       t.id, t.title, t.album_id, t.artist_id, t.track_number, t.disc_number, t.duration_ms, t.file_path, t.file_size, t.file_format, t.bitrate, t.mbid, t.genre, t.added_at, t.updated_at, t.tag_source, t.tag_sources_version, t.tag_read_version, t.missing_since, t.mbid_source, t.song_id, t.song_key, t.source_verdict, t.source_verdict_at,
+       t.id, t.title, t.album_id, t.artist_id, t.track_number, t.disc_number, t.duration_ms, t.file_path, t.file_size, t.file_format, t.bitrate, t.mbid, t.genre, t.added_at, t.updated_at, t.tag_source, t.tag_sources_version, t.tag_read_version, t.missing_since, t.mbid_source, t.song_id, t.song_key, t.source_verdict, t.source_verdict_at, t.emptied_at,
        albums.title    AS album_title,
        artists.name    AS artist_name
   FROM play_events pe
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@ func (q *Queries) ListUserHistory(ctx context.Context, arg ListUserHistoryParams
 			&i.Track.SongKey,
 			&i.Track.SourceVerdict,
 			&i.Track.SourceVerdictAt,
+			&i.Track.EmptiedAt,
 			&i.AlbumTitle,
 			&i.ArtistName,
 		); err != nil {

internal/db/dbq/likes.sql.go

@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ func (q *Queries) ListLikedTrackIDs(ctx context.Context, userID pgtype.UUID) ([]
 }
 
 const listLikedTrackRows = `-- name: ListLikedTrackRows :many
-SELECT t.id, t.title, t.album_id, t.artist_id, t.track_number, t.disc_number, t.duration_ms, t.file_path, t.file_size, t.file_format, t.bitrate, t.mbid, t.genre, t.added_at, t.updated_at, t.tag_source, t.tag_sources_version, t.tag_read_version, t.missing_since, t.mbid_source, t.song_id, t.song_key, t.source_verdict, t.source_verdict_at FROM tracks t
+SELECT t.id, t.title, t.album_id, t.artist_id, t.track_number, t.disc_number, t.duration_ms, t.file_path, t.file_size, t.file_format, t.bitrate, t.mbid, t.genre, t.added_at, t.updated_at, t.tag_source, t.tag_sources_version, t.tag_read_version, t.missing_since, t.mbid_source, t.song_id, t.song_key, t.source_verdict, t.source_verdict_at, t.emptied_at FROM tracks t
 JOIN (SELECT DISTINCT ON (lt.song_key) l.track_id, l.liked_at
         FROM general_likes l
         JOIN tracks lt ON lt.id = l.track_id
@@ -335,6 +335,7 @@ func (q *Queries) ListLikedTrackRows(ctx context.Context, arg ListLikedTrackRows
 			&i.SongKey,
 			&i.SourceVerdict,
 			&i.SourceVerdictAt,
+			&i.EmptiedAt,
 		); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}

internal/db/dbq/missing_pairs.sql.go

@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ cand AS (
                  AND lower(p.title) = lower(m.title)
    WHERE m.missing_since IS NOT NULL
      AND (m.mbid IS NULL OR p.mbid IS NULL OR m.mbid = p.mbid)
+     AND (m.emptied_at IS DISTINCT FROM m.missing_since OR p.added_at > m.emptied_at)
 ),
 pairs AS (
   -- A pair both rules found is one candidate, credited to the stronger rule.
@@ -87,6 +88,10 @@ type ListMissingTrackPairsRow struct {
 // A pair whose MBIDs are both set and differ is not a title match: the tags say
 // they are different recordings. The caller folds a pair only when each side has
 // exactly one candidate; anything else is ambiguous and left alone.
+//
+// A slot the duplicate resolver emptied (emptied_at, migration 0095) pairs by
+// title only with a track added since: the album held no copy of the song as
+// long as it is, so one already there under the title is another song.
 func (q *Queries) ListMissingTrackPairs(ctx context.Context) ([]ListMissingTrackPairsRow, error) {
 	rows, err := q.db.Query(ctx, listMissingTrackPairs)
 	if err != nil {

internal/db/dbq/models.go

@@ -926,6 +926,7 @@ type Track struct {
 	SongKey           pgtype.UUID
 	SourceVerdict     *string
 	SourceVerdictAt   pgtype.Timestamptz
+	EmptiedAt         pgtype.Timestamptz
 }
 
 type TrackAcoustidLookup struct {

internal/db/dbq/recommendation.sql.go

@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ WITH plays AS (
     WHERE user_id = $2 AND was_skipped = false
     GROUP BY track_id
 )
-SELECT t.id, t.title, t.album_id, t.artist_id, t.track_number, t.disc_number, t.duration_ms, t.file_path, t.file_size, t.file_format, t.bitrate, t.mbid, t.genre, t.added_at, t.updated_at, t.tag_source, t.tag_sources_version, t.tag_read_version, t.missing_since, t.mbid_source, t.song_id, t.song_key, t.source_verdict, t.source_verdict_at,
+SELECT t.id, t.title, t.album_id, t.artist_id, t.track_number, t.disc_number, t.duration_ms, t.file_path, t.file_size, t.file_format, t.bitrate, t.mbid, t.genre, t.added_at, t.updated_at, t.tag_source, t.tag_sources_version, t.tag_read_version, t.missing_since, t.mbid_source, t.song_id, t.song_key, t.source_verdict, t.source_verdict_at, t.emptied_at,
        albums.title AS album_title,
        artists.name AS artist_name
 FROM plays p
@@ -275,6 +275,7 @@ func (q *Queries) ListMostPlayedTracksForArtist(ctx context.Context, arg ListMos
 			&i.Track.SongKey,
 			&i.Track.SourceVerdict,
 			&i.Track.SourceVerdictAt,
+			&i.Track.EmptiedAt,
 			&i.AlbumTitle,
 			&i.ArtistName,
 		); err != nil {
@@ -295,7 +296,7 @@ WITH plays AS (
     WHERE user_id = $1 AND was_skipped = false
     GROUP BY track_id
 )
-SELECT t.id, t.title, t.album_id, t.artist_id, t.track_number, t.disc_number, t.duration_ms, t.file_path, t.file_size, t.file_format, t.bitrate, t.mbid, t.genre, t.added_at, t.updated_at, t.tag_source, t.tag_sources_version, t.tag_read_version, t.missing_since, t.mbid_source, t.song_id, t.song_key, t.source_verdict, t.source_verdict_at,
+SELECT t.id, t.title, t.album_id, t.artist_id, t.track_number, t.disc_number, t.duration_ms, t.file_path, t.file_size, t.file_format, t.bitrate, t.mbid, t.genre, t.added_at, t.updated_at, t.tag_source, t.tag_sources_version, t.tag_read_version, t.missing_since, t.mbid_source, t.song_id, t.song_key, t.source_verdict, t.source_verdict_at, t.emptied_at,
        albums.title AS album_title,
        artists.name AS artist_name
 FROM plays p
@@ -364,6 +365,7 @@ func (q *Queries) ListMostPlayedTracksForUser(ctx context.Context, arg ListMostP
 			&i.Track.SongKey,
 			&i.Track.SourceVerdict,
 			&i.Track.SourceVerdictAt,
+			&i.Track.EmptiedAt,
 			&i.AlbumTitle,
 			&i.ArtistName,
 		); err != nil {
@@ -703,7 +705,7 @@ func (q *Queries) ListRediscoverArtistsForUser(ctx context.Context, arg ListRedi
 
 const loadRadioCandidates = `-- name: LoadRadioCandidates :many
 SELECT
-    t.id, t.title, t.album_id, t.artist_id, t.track_number, t.disc_number, t.duration_ms, t.file_path, t.file_size, t.file_format, t.bitrate, t.mbid, t.genre, t.added_at, t.updated_at, t.tag_source, t.tag_sources_version, t.tag_read_version, t.missing_since, t.mbid_source, t.song_id, t.song_key, t.source_verdict, t.source_verdict_at,
+    t.id, t.title, t.album_id, t.artist_id, t.track_number, t.disc_number, t.duration_ms, t.file_path, t.file_size, t.file_format, t.bitrate, t.mbid, t.genre, t.added_at, t.updated_at, t.tag_source, t.tag_sources_version, t.tag_read_version, t.missing_since, t.mbid_source, t.song_id, t.song_key, t.source_verdict, t.source_verdict_at, t.emptied_at,
     (l.user_id IS NOT NULL)::bool AS is_liked,
     pe.last_played_at::timestamptz AS last_played_at,
     pe.play_count,
@@ -789,6 +791,7 @@ func (q *Queries) LoadRadioCandidates(ctx context.Context, arg LoadRadioCandidat
 			&i.Track.SongKey,
 			&i.Track.SourceVerdict,
 			&i.Track.SourceVerdictAt,
+			&i.Track.EmptiedAt,
 			&i.IsLiked,
 			&i.LastPlayedAt,
 			&i.PlayCount,
@@ -937,7 +940,7 @@ random_fill AS (
     LIMIT $9
 )
 SELECT
-    t.id, t.title, t.album_id, t.artist_id, t.track_number, t.disc_number, t.duration_ms, t.file_path, t.file_size, t.file_format, t.bitrate, t.mbid, t.genre, t.added_at, t.updated_at, t.tag_source, t.tag_sources_version, t.tag_read_version, t.missing_since, t.mbid_source, t.song_id, t.song_key, t.source_verdict, t.source_verdict_at,
+    t.id, t.title, t.album_id, t.artist_id, t.track_number, t.disc_number, t.duration_ms, t.file_path, t.file_size, t.file_format, t.bitrate, t.mbid, t.genre, t.added_at, t.updated_at, t.tag_source, t.tag_sources_version, t.tag_read_version, t.missing_since, t.mbid_source, t.song_id, t.song_key, t.source_verdict, t.source_verdict_at, t.emptied_at,
     (l.user_id IS NOT NULL)::bool AS is_liked,
     pe.last_played_at::timestamptz AS last_played_at,
     pe.play_count,
@@ -1069,6 +1072,7 @@ func (q *Queries) LoadRadioCandidatesV2(ctx context.Context, arg LoadRadioCandid
 			&i.Track.SongKey,
 			&i.Track.SourceVerdict,
 			&i.Track.SourceVerdictAt,
+			&i.Track.EmptiedAt,
 			&i.IsLiked,
 			&i.LastPlayedAt,
 			&i.PlayCount,

internal/db/dbq/tracks.sql.go

@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ func (q *Queries) FlagSuspectSourceTracks(ctx context.Context, pattern string) (
 }
 
 const getTrackByID = `-- name: GetTrackByID :one
-SELECT id, title, album_id, artist_id, track_number, disc_number, duration_ms, file_path, file_size, file_format, bitrate, mbid, genre, added_at, updated_at, tag_source, tag_sources_version, tag_read_version, missing_since, mbid_source, song_id, song_key, source_verdict, source_verdict_at FROM tracks WHERE id = $1
+SELECT id, title, album_id, artist_id, track_number, disc_number, duration_ms, file_path, file_size, file_format, bitrate, mbid, genre, added_at, updated_at, tag_source, tag_sources_version, tag_read_version, missing_since, mbid_source, song_id, song_key, source_verdict, source_verdict_at, emptied_at FROM tracks WHERE id = $1
 `
 
 func (q *Queries) GetTrackByID(ctx context.Context, id pgtype.UUID) (Track, error) {
@@ -330,12 +330,13 @@ func (q *Queries) GetTrackByID(ctx context.Context, id pgtype.UUID) (Track, erro
 		&i.SongKey,
 		&i.SourceVerdict,
 		&i.SourceVerdictAt,
+		&i.EmptiedAt,
 	)
 	return i, err
 }
 
 const getTrackByPath = `-- name: GetTrackByPath :one
-SELECT id, title, album_id, artist_id, track_number, disc_number, duration_ms, file_path, file_size, file_format, bitrate, mbid, genre, added_at, updated_at, tag_source, tag_sources_version, tag_read_version, missing_since, mbid_source, song_id, song_key, source_verdict, source_verdict_at FROM tracks WHERE file_path = $1
+SELECT id, title, album_id, artist_id, track_number, disc_number, duration_ms, file_path, file_size, file_format, bitrate, mbid, genre, added_at, updated_at, tag_source, tag_sources_version, tag_read_version, missing_since, mbid_source, song_id, song_key, source_verdict, source_verdict_at, emptied_at FROM tracks WHERE file_path = $1
 `
 
 func (q *Queries) GetTrackByPath(ctx context.Context, filePath string) (Track, error) {
@@ -366,12 +367,13 @@ func (q *Queries) GetTrackByPath(ctx context.Context, filePath string) (Track, e
 		&i.SongKey,
 		&i.SourceVerdict,
 		&i.SourceVerdictAt,
+		&i.EmptiedAt,
 	)
 	return i, err
 }
 
 const getTracksByIDs = `-- name: GetTracksByIDs :many
-SELECT id, title, album_id, artist_id, track_number, disc_number, duration_ms, file_path, file_size, file_format, bitrate, mbid, genre, added_at, updated_at, tag_source, tag_sources_version, tag_read_version, missing_since, mbid_source, song_id, song_key, source_verdict, source_verdict_at FROM tracks WHERE id = ANY($1::uuid[])
+SELECT id, title, album_id, artist_id, track_number, disc_number, duration_ms, file_path, file_size, file_format, bitrate, mbid, genre, added_at, updated_at, tag_source, tag_sources_version, tag_read_version, missing_since, mbid_source, song_id, song_key, source_verdict, source_verdict_at, emptied_at FROM tracks WHERE id = ANY($1::uuid[])
 `
 
 // Batched lookup used by /api/library/sync to hydrate upsert payloads
@@ -410,6 +412,7 @@ func (q *Queries) GetTracksByIDs(ctx context.Context, dollar_1 []pgtype.UUID) ([
 			&i.SongKey,
 			&i.SourceVerdict,
 			&i.SourceVerdictAt,
+			&i.EmptiedAt,
 		); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
@@ -422,7 +425,7 @@ func (q *Queries) GetTracksByIDs(ctx context.Context, dollar_1 []pgtype.UUID) ([
 }
 
 const listArtistTracksForUser = `-- name: ListArtistTracksForUser :many
-SELECT t.id, t.title, t.album_id, t.artist_id, t.track_number, t.disc_number, t.duration_ms, t.file_path, t.file_size, t.file_format, t.bitrate, t.mbid, t.genre, t.added_at, t.updated_at, t.tag_source, t.tag_sources_version, t.tag_read_version, t.missing_since, t.mbid_source, t.song_id, t.song_key, t.source_verdict, t.source_verdict_at,
+SELECT t.id, t.title, t.album_id, t.artist_id, t.track_number, t.disc_number, t.duration_ms, t.file_path, t.file_size, t.file_format, t.bitrate, t.mbid, t.genre, t.added_at, t.updated_at, t.tag_source, t.tag_sources_version, t.tag_read_version, t.missing_since, t.mbid_source, t.song_id, t.song_key, t.source_verdict, t.source_verdict_at, t.emptied_at,
        albums.title AS album_title,
        artists.name AS artist_name
 FROM tracks t
@@ -487,6 +490,7 @@ func (q *Queries) ListArtistTracksForUser(ctx context.Context, arg ListArtistTra
 			&i.Track.SongKey,
 			&i.Track.SourceVerdict,
 			&i.Track.SourceVerdictAt,
+			&i.Track.EmptiedAt,
 			&i.AlbumTitle,
 			&i.ArtistName,
 		); err != nil {
@@ -587,7 +591,7 @@ func (q *Queries) ListMissingTracks(ctx context.Context, arg ListMissingTracksPa
 }
 
 const listRandomTracksForUser = `-- name: ListRandomTracksForUser :many
-SELECT t.id, t.title, t.album_id, t.artist_id, t.track_number, t.disc_number, t.duration_ms, t.file_path, t.file_size, t.file_format, t.bitrate, t.mbid, t.genre, t.added_at, t.updated_at, t.tag_source, t.tag_sources_version, t.tag_read_version, t.missing_since, t.mbid_source, t.song_id, t.song_key, t.source_verdict, t.source_verdict_at,
+SELECT t.id, t.title, t.album_id, t.artist_id, t.track_number, t.disc_number, t.duration_ms, t.file_path, t.file_size, t.file_format, t.bitrate, t.mbid, t.genre, t.added_at, t.updated_at, t.tag_source, t.tag_sources_version, t.tag_read_version, t.missing_since, t.mbid_source, t.song_id, t.song_key, t.source_verdict, t.source_verdict_at, t.emptied_at,
        albums.title AS album_title,
        artists.name AS artist_name
 FROM tracks t
@@ -649,6 +653,7 @@ func (q *Queries) ListRandomTracksForUser(ctx context.Context, arg ListRandomTra
 			&i.Track.SongKey,
 			&i.Track.SourceVerdict,
 			&i.Track.SourceVerdictAt,
+			&i.Track.EmptiedAt,
 			&i.AlbumTitle,
 			&i.ArtistName,
 		); err != nil {
@@ -836,7 +841,7 @@ func (q *Queries) ListTrackPathsForReconcile(ctx context.Context) ([]ListTrackPa
 }
 
 const listTracksByAlbum = `-- name: ListTracksByAlbum :many
-SELECT id, title, album_id, artist_id, track_number, disc_number, duration_ms, file_path, file_size, file_format, bitrate, mbid, genre, added_at, updated_at, tag_source, tag_sources_version, tag_read_version, missing_since, mbid_source, song_id, song_key, source_verdict, source_verdict_at FROM tracks
+SELECT id, title, album_id, artist_id, track_number, disc_number, duration_ms, file_path, file_size, file_format, bitrate, mbid, genre, added_at, updated_at, tag_source, tag_sources_version, tag_read_version, missing_since, mbid_source, song_id, song_key, source_verdict, source_verdict_at, emptied_at FROM tracks
 WHERE album_id = $1
   AND NOT EXISTS (
     SELECT 1 FROM quarantine q
@@ -887,6 +892,7 @@ func (q *Queries) ListTracksByAlbum(ctx context.Context, arg ListTracksByAlbumPa
 			&i.SongKey,
 			&i.SourceVerdict,
 			&i.SourceVerdictAt,
+			&i.EmptiedAt,
 		); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
@@ -936,6 +942,21 @@ func (q *Queries) ListTracksMissingMbidWithPath(ctx context.Context, limit int32
 	return items, nil
 }
 
+const markTracksEmptied = `-- name: MarkTracksEmptied :exec
+UPDATE tracks
+   SET emptied_at = missing_since
+ WHERE id = ANY($1::uuid[])
+   AND missing_since IS NOT NULL
+`
+
+// Stamps rows the duplicate resolver emptied, whose song the album holds no
+// other copy of, with the time they went missing (migration 0095): missing-pair
+// folding then waits for a copy fetched again.
+func (q *Queries) MarkTracksEmptied(ctx context.Context, ids []pgtype.UUID) error {
+	_, err := q.db.Exec(ctx, markTracksEmptied, ids)
+	return err
+}
+
 const markTracksMissing = `-- name: MarkTracksMissing :execrows
 UPDATE tracks
    SET missing_since = now()
@@ -960,7 +981,7 @@ func (q *Queries) MarkTracksMissing(ctx context.Context, ids []pgtype.UUID) (int
 }
 
 const searchTracks = `-- name: SearchTracks :many
-SELECT id, title, album_id, artist_id, track_number, disc_number, duration_ms, file_path, file_size, file_format, bitrate, mbid, genre, added_at, updated_at, tag_source, tag_sources_version, tag_read_version, missing_since, mbid_source, song_id, song_key, source_verdict, source_verdict_at FROM tracks
+SELECT id, title, album_id, artist_id, track_number, disc_number, duration_ms, file_path, file_size, file_format, bitrate, mbid, genre, added_at, updated_at, tag_source, tag_sources_version, tag_read_version, missing_since, mbid_source, song_id, song_key, source_verdict, source_verdict_at, emptied_at FROM tracks
 WHERE title ILIKE '%' || $1::text || '%'
   AND NOT EXISTS (
     SELECT 1 FROM quarantine q
@@ -1018,6 +1039,7 @@ func (q *Queries) SearchTracks(ctx context.Context, arg SearchTracksParams) ([]T
 			&i.SongKey,
 			&i.SourceVerdict,
 			&i.SourceVerdictAt,
+			&i.EmptiedAt,
 		); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
@@ -1096,7 +1118,7 @@ ON CONFLICT (file_path) DO UPDATE SET
     -- next scan can short-circuit them again (#2499).
     tag_read_version = EXCLUDED.tag_read_version,
     updated_at = now()
-RETURNING id, title, album_id, artist_id, track_number, disc_number, duration_ms, file_path, file_size, file_format, bitrate, mbid, genre, added_at, updated_at, tag_source, tag_sources_version, tag_read_version, missing_since, mbid_source, song_id, song_key, source_verdict, source_verdict_at
+RETURNING id, title, album_id, artist_id, track_number, disc_number, duration_ms, file_path, file_size, file_format, bitrate, mbid, genre, added_at, updated_at, tag_source, tag_sources_version, tag_read_version, missing_since, mbid_source, song_id, song_key, source_verdict, source_verdict_at, emptied_at
 `
 
 type UpsertTrackParams struct {
@@ -1160,6 +1182,7 @@ func (q *Queries) UpsertTrack(ctx context.Context, arg UpsertTrackParams) (Track
 		&i.SongKey,
 		&i.SourceVerdict,
 		&i.SourceVerdictAt,
+		&i.EmptiedAt,
 	)
 	return i, err
 }

internal/db/migrations/0095_tracks_emptied_at.down.sql

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+ALTER TABLE tracks DROP COLUMN emptied_at;

internal/db/migrations/0095_tracks_emptied_at.up.sql

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+-- 0095_tracks_emptied_at.up.sql — a slot the duplicate resolver emptied
+-- waits for a copy fetched again (Scribe milestone #498).
+--
+-- When the resolver removes a file filed under another song's title and the
+-- album holds no copy of that song as long as the song is, the row is marked
+-- missing and stamped here with the same time. Missing-pair folding then pairs
+-- it by title only with a track added after that time, a copy fetched again,
+-- and not with one already on the album: on 2026-10-20 an emptied "Open the
+-- Gateway" was folded into a file tagged so that holds another song.
+--
+-- The stamp counts only while it equals missing_since: a row whose file came
+-- back and later went missing again is an ordinary missing row.
+ALTER TABLE tracks ADD COLUMN emptied_at timestamptz;

internal/db/queries/missing_pairs.sql

@@ -25,6 +25,10 @@
 -- A pair whose MBIDs are both set and differ is not a title match: the tags say
 -- they are different recordings. The caller folds a pair only when each side has
 -- exactly one candidate; anything else is ambiguous and left alone.
+--
+-- A slot the duplicate resolver emptied (emptied_at, migration 0095) pairs by
+-- title only with a track added since: the album held no copy of the song as
+-- long as it is, so one already there under the title is another song.
 WITH grp AS (
   SELECT id AS album_id, COALESCE(release_group_mbid, id::text) AS g
     FROM albums
@@ -47,6 +51,7 @@ cand AS (
                  AND lower(p.title) = lower(m.title)
    WHERE m.missing_since IS NOT NULL
      AND (m.mbid IS NULL OR p.mbid IS NULL OR m.mbid = p.mbid)
+     AND (m.emptied_at IS DISTINCT FROM m.missing_since OR p.added_at > m.emptied_at)
 ),
 pairs AS (
   -- A pair both rules found is one candidate, credited to the stronger rule.

internal/db/queries/tracks.sql

@@ -226,6 +226,15 @@ UPDATE tracks
    SET mbid = NULL, mbid_source = NULL
  WHERE id = ANY(sqlc.arg(ids)::uuid[]);
 
+-- name: MarkTracksEmptied :exec
+-- Stamps rows the duplicate resolver emptied, whose song the album holds no
+-- other copy of, with the time they went missing (migration 0095): missing-pair
+-- folding then waits for a copy fetched again.
+UPDATE tracks
+   SET emptied_at = missing_since
+ WHERE id = ANY(sqlc.arg(ids)::uuid[])
+   AND missing_since IS NOT NULL;
+
 -- name: ClearTracksMissing :execrows
 -- Clears the mark on rows whose file is back. Runs independently of the mtime
 -- skip check, so a file that reappears unchanged is un-marked even though the

internal/library/duplicate_resolve_test.go

@@ -417,6 +417,54 @@ func TestResolveDuplicates_RemovesACopyFromAnotherSongsSlot_Integration(t *testi
 	}
 }
 
+// A slot emptied of another song's file folds into a copy of its own song the
+// album already holds (Savant's VOID DLC "Weeper" beside Void's). A copy under
+// the title that is not as long as the song is another song (the emptied "Open
+// the Gateway" folded into a file holding Onward, 2026-10-20): the slot waits
+// for a copy fetched again, and folds into that.
+func TestResolveDuplicates_EmptiedSlotFoldsOnlyIntoItsOwnSong_Integration(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, tc := range []struct {
+		name       string
+		heldMs     int32
+		foldsFirst int
+	}{
+		{"the album holds Reach", 281500, 1},
+		{"the album holds a file titled Reach that is not", 220000, 0},
+	} {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			f := newOneAlbumFixture(t, "acoustic", "Void", "Reach")
+			ctx := context.Background()
+			q := dbq.New(f.pool)
+			seedTrackList(t, f.pool, f.album, map[string]int{"Void": 220500, "Reach": 281000})
+			held := func(name string, ms int32) {
+				t.Helper()
+				if _, err := q.UpsertTrack(ctx, dbq.UpsertTrackParams{
+					Title: "Reach", AlbumID: f.album.ID, ArtistID: f.a.ArtistID,
+					DurationMs: ms, FilePath: filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(f.aPath), name), FileSize: 100, FileFormat: "m4a",
+				}); err != nil {
+					t.Fatal(err)
+				}
+			}
+			held("17 - Reach (other edition).m4a", tc.heldMs)
+			res, err := ResolveDuplicates(ctx, f.pool, nil, "", true)
+			if err != nil || res.WrongFiles != 1 {
+				t.Fatalf("resolve = %+v, %v; want Reach's slot emptied", res, err)
+			}
+			pairs, err := PairMissingTracks(ctx, f.pool, nil)
+			if err != nil || pairs.Folded() != tc.foldsFirst {
+				t.Fatalf("missing-pair pass = %+v, %v; want %d folded", pairs, err, tc.foldsFirst)
+			}
+			if tc.foldsFirst == 1 {
+				return
+			}
+			held("17 - Reach (fetched again).m4a", 281200)
+			if pairs, err := PairMissingTracks(ctx, f.pool, nil); err != nil || pairs.Folded() != 1 {
+				t.Fatalf("missing-pair pass after the fetch = %+v, %v; want the slot folded into the copy fetched", pairs, err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 // One recording filling two slots whose songs are both clearly something else
 // (Shnabubula's whole album in one file): both copies go, nothing is kept.
 func TestResolveDuplicates_RemovesEveryCopyWhenNoSlotIsTheirs_Integration(t *testing.T) {

internal/library/duplicate_settle.go

@@ -238,7 +238,8 @@ func settleWrongSlots(
 		// Set aside before the files go: a pass that dies between the two
 		// still does not fetch the same files again.
 		blocked := blockReleasesHolding(ctx, pool, logger, g)
-		n, err := removeWrongSlots(ctx, pool, logger, g, keep, losers, blocked)
+		emptied := emptiedSlots(ctx, q, logger, g, losers, tracks)
+		n, err := removeWrongSlots(ctx, pool, logger, g, keep, losers, emptied, blocked)
 		removed += n
 		if err != nil {
 			logger.Warn("duplicate resolve: removing wrong-slot copies failed", "group_id", syncpkg.FormatUUID(g.id), "err", err)
@@ -385,6 +386,46 @@ func blockReleasesHolding(ctx context.Context, pool *pgxpool.Pool, logger *slog.
 	return names
 }
 
+// emptiedSlots is the losers whose song the album holds no other copy of:
+// no present track on it under that title as long as the song's slot. Those
+// wait for a copy fetched again (migration 0095). The rest are the song held
+// twice, and missing-pair folding folds them into the copy held: Savant's
+// VOID DLC "Weeper" beside Void's. A failed read counts every loser as
+// emptied, which only makes the album wait for a copy it may not need.
+func emptiedSlots(
+	ctx context.Context, q *dbq.Queries, logger *slog.Logger, g *resolveGroup, losers []int, tracks []dbq.MbReleaseTrack,
+) []pgtype.UUID {
+	held, err := q.ListTracksByAlbum(ctx, dbq.ListTracksByAlbumParams{AlbumID: g.members[0].AlbumID})
+	if err != nil {
+		logger.Warn("duplicate resolve: reading the album's tracks failed", "group_id", syncpkg.FormatUUID(g.id), "err", err)
+	}
+	inGroup := map[pgtype.UUID]bool{}
+	for _, m := range g.members {
+		inGroup[m.TrackID] = true
+	}
+	var emptied []pgtype.UUID
+	for _, i := range losers {
+		m := g.members[i]
+		key := MatchTitleKey(m.Title, m.ArtistName)
+		covered := false
+		for _, h := range held {
+			if covered || h.MissingSince.Valid || inGroup[h.ID] || MatchTitleKey(h.Title, m.ArtistName) != key {
+				continue
+			}
+			for _, t := range tracks {
+				if t.LengthMs > 0 && MatchTitleKey(t.Title, m.ArtistName) == key && absMs(t.LengthMs-h.DurationMs) <= slotFit {
+					covered = true
+					break
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		if !covered {
+			emptied = append(emptied, m.TrackID)
+		}
+	}
+	return emptied
+}
+
 // neverRead reports whether the catalogue has never read a release group's
 // releases. A group read and found empty is not asked about again: the
 // catalogue's own refresh revisits it.
@@ -397,12 +438,14 @@ func neverRead(ctx context.Context, q *dbq.Queries, rg string) bool {
 // the same transaction that closes the group. The row is kept, with its likes
 // and plays: it is the slot, and a good copy fetched again takes it over. Its
 // recording MBID is dropped, being the wrong file's, so missing-pair folding
-// does not fold the slot into the copy that was kept. blocked names the
-// releases set aside, for the record. A file that cannot be removed stops the
-// group; the ones already gone are still marked, and the group waits for the
-// next pass.
+// does not fold the slot into the copy that was kept. The slots in emptied
+// are stamped to wait for a copy fetched again (emptiedSlots). blocked names
+// the releases set aside, for the record. A file that cannot be removed stops
+// the group; the ones already gone are still marked, and the group waits for
+// the next pass.
 func removeWrongSlots(
-	ctx context.Context, pool *pgxpool.Pool, logger *slog.Logger, g *resolveGroup, keep int, losers []int, blocked []string,
+	ctx context.Context, pool *pgxpool.Pool, logger *slog.Logger, g *resolveGroup, keep int, losers []int,
+	emptied []pgtype.UUID, blocked []string,
 ) (int, error) {
 	var gone []pgtype.UUID
 	var removedFiles []map[string]string
@@ -429,6 +472,9 @@ func removeWrongSlots(
 		if err := tq.ClearTrackMbids(ctx, gone); err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("clear mbids: %w", err)
 		}
+		if err := tq.MarkTracksEmptied(ctx, emptied); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("mark emptied: %w", err)
+		}
 		if err := logTrackChanges(ctx, tq, gone); err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("log changes: %w", err)
 		}