Code simplification, move to wizard style UI, JSON file cache (scans every 15 mins)

auth.php

@@ -6,8 +6,11 @@ function auth_session_start(): void
 {
     //$secure = (!empty($_SERVER['HTTPS']) && $_SERVER['HTTPS'] !== 'off');
 
+    // 7 days session persistence for stable media browsing
+    $sessionLifetime = 7 * 24 * 60 * 60; // 7 days in seconds
+
     session_set_cookie_params([
-        'lifetime' => 0,
+        'lifetime' => $sessionLifetime,
         'path'     => '/',
         'domain'   => '',
         'secure'   => true,