diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index cdf0e4b..3f93f07 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "aerofetch",
-  "version": "0.2.0",
+  "version": "0.3.2",
   "description": "A yt-dlp frontend for Windows",
   "main": "./out/main/index.js",
   "author": "AeroFetch",
diff --git a/src/main/download.ts b/src/main/download.ts
index ffa4431..c4fe548 100644
--- a/src/main/download.ts
+++ b/src/main/download.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { spawn, execFile, type ChildProcess } from 'child_process'
 import { existsSync } from 'fs'
 import { join } from 'path'
-import { app, BrowserWindow, Notification, type WebContents } from 'electron'
+import { BrowserWindow, Notification, type WebContents } from 'electron'
 import {
   getYtdlpPath,
   getBinDir,
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import {
   getFfprobePath,
   getSystem32Path
 } from './binaries'
-import { getSettings, getDownloadArchivePath } from './settings'
+import { getSettings, getDownloadArchivePath, getDefaultMediaDir } from './settings'
 import { getCookiesFilePath } from './cookies'
 import { listTemplates } from './templates'
 import { assertHttpUrl } from './url'
@@ -175,16 +175,18 @@ function resolveExtraArgs(opts: StartDownloadOptions, settings: Settings): strin
 /** Resolve settings + per-download overrides into the full yt-dlp argv. */
 export function buildCommand(opts: StartDownloadOptions): string[] {
   const settings = getSettings()
-  // A per-download outputDir override must clear the same safety check the
-  // persisted setting does (absolute path only); a renderer-supplied override is
-  // otherwise untrusted — it dictates where downloaded files get written. An
-  // unsafe override is ignored in favour of the validated setting, then the OS
-  // Downloads folder. (audit F4)
+  // Output dir resolution: a per-download override wins, then the user's explicit
+  // per-kind folder (Settings → Video/Audio folder), and finally — when that's
+  // blank — the per-kind default (Documents\Video for video, Documents\Audio for audio).
+  //
+  // A per-download outputDir override must clear the same safety check the persisted
+  // setting does (absolute path only); a renderer-supplied override is otherwise
+  // untrusted — it dictates where downloaded files get written. An unsafe override is
+  // ignored in favour of the per-kind folder, then the per-kind default. (audit F4)
   const override = opts.outputDir?.trim()
-  const outDir =
-    (override && isSafeOutputDir(override) ? override : '') ||
-    settings.outputDir ||
-    app.getPath('downloads')
+  const safeOverride = override && isSafeOutputDir(override) ? override : ''
+  const perKindDir = (opts.kind === 'audio' ? settings.audioDir : settings.videoDir)?.trim()
+  const outDir = safeOverride || perKindDir || getDefaultMediaDir(opts.kind)
   // A collection (media-manager) download is filed into <channel>/<playlist>/
   // <NNN> - <title> folders; an ordinary download uses the flat filenameTemplate.
   const filenameTemplate = settings.filenameTemplate?.trim() || '%(title)s.%(ext)s'
diff --git a/src/main/index.ts b/src/main/index.ts
index 377b594..6305fe0 100644
--- a/src/main/index.ts
+++ b/src/main/index.ts
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ import {
 import { getYtdlpVersion, updateYtdlp } from './ytdlp'
 import { probeMedia } from './probe'
 import { startDownload, cancelDownload, previewCommand } from './download'
-import { getSettings, setSettings } from './settings'
+import { getSettings, setSettings, ensureMediaDirs } from './settings'
 import { listHistory, addHistory, removeHistory, removeManyHistory, clearHistory } from './history'
 import { listTemplates, saveTemplate, removeTemplate } from './templates'
 import { setupPortableData } from './portable'
@@ -179,6 +179,8 @@ function createWindow(): void {
 }
 
 function registerIpcHandlers(): void {
+  ipcMain.handle(IpcChannels.appVersion, () => app.getVersion())
+
   ipcMain.handle(IpcChannels.ytdlpVersion, () => getYtdlpVersion())
 
   ipcMain.handle(IpcChannels.probe, (_e, url: string) => probeMedia(url))
@@ -331,6 +333,10 @@ if (isPrimaryInstance) {
   app.whenReady().then(() => {
     electronApp.setAppUserModelId('com.aerofetch.app')
 
+    // Create the default Documents\Video and Documents\Audio destinations so they
+    // exist from first launch (downloads are routed into them by kind).
+    ensureMediaDirs()
+
     app.on('browser-window-created', (_, window) => {
       optimizer.watchWindowShortcuts(window)
     })
diff --git a/src/main/settings.ts b/src/main/settings.ts
index 8b4add0..f99a049 100644
--- a/src/main/settings.ts
+++ b/src/main/settings.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { app } from 'electron'
 import { join } from 'path'
+import { mkdirSync } from 'fs'
 import Store from 'electron-store'
 import { isSafeFilenameTemplate, isSafeOutputDir } from './validation'
 import {
@@ -16,7 +17,10 @@ import {
 } from '@shared/ipc'
 
 const DEFAULTS: Settings = {
-  outputDir: '', // resolved to the OS Downloads folder on first read
+  // Both blank by default → downloads land in Documents\Video / Documents\Audio
+  // (see getDefaultMediaDir). A non-empty value is an explicit per-kind override.
+  videoDir: '',
+  audioDir: '',
   defaultKind: 'video',
   defaultVideoQuality: 'Best available',
   defaultAudioQuality: 'Best (MP3)',
@@ -45,6 +49,31 @@ export function getDownloadArchivePath(): string {
   return join(app.getPath('userData'), 'download-archive.txt')
 }
 
+/**
+ * The default per-kind download destination: video → Documents\Video,
+ * audio → Documents\Audio. Used when the user hasn't set an explicit output
+ * folder (Settings → Download folder), so downloads are sorted by type.
+ */
+export function getDefaultMediaDir(kind: 'video' | 'audio'): string {
+  return join(app.getPath('documents'), kind === 'audio' ? 'Audio' : 'Video')
+}
+
+/**
+ * Create the Documents\Video and Documents\Audio folders up front (called once
+ * at startup) so they exist the moment the app opens, not just after the first
+ * download. Best-effort: yt-dlp also creates the output dir at download time, so
+ * a failure here (read-only Documents, redirected folder) is non-fatal.
+ */
+export function ensureMediaDirs(): void {
+  for (const kind of ['video', 'audio'] as const) {
+    try {
+      mkdirSync(getDefaultMediaDir(kind), { recursive: true })
+    } catch {
+      /* non-fatal — the download path will be created on demand instead */
+    }
+  }
+}
+
 // Coerce an untrusted partial into a valid DownloadOptions, falling back to the
 // defaults for any missing/invalid field. Used both to migrate older settings
 // files (which predate downloadOptions) and to validate renderer writes.
@@ -100,10 +129,9 @@ export function getSettings(): Settings {
   // `set`, so only write when something actually changed — otherwise this churns
   // the settings file on every read. (audit P1)
   const cur = s.store
-  if (!cur.outputDir) {
-    // Fill in the real Downloads path the first time, and persist it once.
-    s.set('outputDir', app.getPath('downloads'))
-  }
+  // videoDir/audioDir are intentionally left blank by default — an empty value
+  // routes that kind into Documents\Video / Documents\Audio (see buildCommand).
+  // Only an explicit user choice (Settings → folders) overrides that.
   // Migrate settings files that predate downloadOptions (or hold a partial one),
   // but only persist when sanitizing actually altered the stored value.
   const sanitized = sanitizeOptions(cur.downloadOptions)
@@ -187,8 +215,13 @@ export function setSettings(partial: Partial<Settings>): Settings {
         // group (it merges field changes locally before calling setSettings).
         s.set('downloadOptions', sanitizeOptions(value))
         break
-      case 'outputDir':
-        if (typeof value === 'string' && isSafeOutputDir(value.trim())) s.set('outputDir', value.trim())
+      case 'videoDir':
+      case 'audioDir':
+        // An empty string is allowed — it clears the override and restores the
+        // Documents\Video / Documents\Audio default for that kind.
+        if (typeof value === 'string' && (value.trim() === '' || isSafeOutputDir(value.trim()))) {
+          s.set(key, value.trim())
+        }
         break
       case 'filenameTemplate':
         if (typeof value === 'string' && isSafeFilenameTemplate(value.trim())) {
diff --git a/src/preload/index.ts b/src/preload/index.ts
index 9628b65..aa93a80 100644
--- a/src/preload/index.ts
+++ b/src/preload/index.ts
@@ -28,6 +28,9 @@ import {
 
 // The surface exposed to the renderer. Keep this thin: it only forwards to IPC.
 const api = {
+  /** AeroFetch's own version string (e.g. '0.3.1'). */
+  getAppVersion: (): Promise<string> => ipcRenderer.invoke(IpcChannels.appVersion),
+
   getYtdlpVersion: (): Promise<YtdlpVersionResult> =>
     ipcRenderer.invoke(IpcChannels.ytdlpVersion),
 
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/App.tsx b/src/renderer/src/App.tsx
index 1645e4b..0be8f38 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/App.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/App.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { useState } from 'react'
+import { useState, useEffect } from 'react'
 import { FluentProvider, makeStyles, tokens } from '@fluentui/react-components'
 import { Sidebar, type TabValue } from './components/Sidebar'
 import { DownloadsView } from './components/DownloadsView'
@@ -35,6 +35,24 @@ function App(): React.JSX.Element {
   const systemPrefersDark = useSystemTheme((s) => s.shouldUseDarkColors)
   const isDark = theme === 'system' ? systemPrefersDark : theme === 'dark'
   const [tab, setTab] = useState<TabValue>('downloads')
+
+  // AeroFetch's own version, shown in the sidebar. Loaded once over IPC.
+  const [version, setVersion] = useState('')
+  useEffect(() => {
+    window.api?.getAppVersion?.().then(setVersion).catch(() => {})
+  }, [])
+
+  // Sidebar collapse, persisted across launches in localStorage.
+  const [collapsed, setCollapsed] = useState(
+    () => localStorage.getItem('aerofetch.sidebarCollapsed') === '1'
+  )
+  function toggleCollapsed(): void {
+    setCollapsed((c) => {
+      const next = !c
+      localStorage.setItem('aerofetch.sidebarCollapsed', next ? '1' : '0')
+      return next
+    })
+  }
   // Gate on `loaded` so a returning user's real settings never get clobbered
   // by a one-frame flash of the (default-false) onboarding state.
   const loaded = useSettings((s) => s.loaded)
@@ -60,9 +78,12 @@ function App(): React.JSX.Element {
             <Sidebar
               tab={tab}
               onTabChange={setTab}
+              theme={theme}
               isDark={isDark}
-              followingSystem={theme === 'system'}
-              onToggleTheme={() => updateSettings({ theme: isDark ? 'light' : 'dark' })}
+              onSetTheme={(mode) => updateSettings({ theme: mode })}
+              version={version}
+              collapsed={collapsed}
+              onToggleCollapsed={toggleCollapsed}
             />
 
             <main className={styles.content}>
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/DownloadBar.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/DownloadBar.tsx
index 3f2dfe8..a76f075 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/DownloadBar.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/DownloadBar.tsx
@@ -3,8 +3,6 @@ import {
   Input,
   Button,
   Checkbox,
-  Switch,
-  Field,
   Spinner,
   Text,
   Caption1,
@@ -16,36 +14,19 @@ import {
 import {
   ArrowDownloadRegular,
   ClipboardPasteRegular,
-  FolderRegular,
   SearchRegular,
   VideoClipRegular,
   MusicNote2Regular,
   ErrorCircleRegular,
   LinkRegular,
   DismissRegular,
-  OptionsRegular,
-  ChevronDownRegular,
-  ChevronUpRegular,
-  AppsListRegular,
-  CodeRegular,
-  EyeRegular,
-  EyeOffRegular,
-  CopyRegular
+  AppsListRegular
 } from '@fluentui/react-icons'
-import type {
-  MediaInfo,
-  FormatOption,
-  PlaylistInfo,
-  DownloadOptions,
-  CommandPreviewResult,
-  StartDownloadOptions
-} from '@shared/ipc'
+import type { MediaInfo, FormatOption, PlaylistInfo } from '@shared/ipc'
 import { useDownloads, QUALITY_OPTIONS, type MediaKind } from '../store/downloads'
 import { useSettings } from '../store/settings'
-import { useTemplates } from '../store/templates'
 import { Select } from './Select'
 import { Hint } from './Hint'
-import { DownloadOptionsForm } from './DownloadOptionsForm'
 
 /** A quick heuristic for "this clipboard text is a link worth offering". */
 function looksLikeUrl(text: string): boolean {
@@ -184,33 +165,6 @@ const useStyles = makeStyles({
   spacer: {
     flexGrow: 1
   },
-  // --- per-download options panel ---
-  optionsBar: {
-    display: 'flex',
-    alignItems: 'center',
-    gap: '8px'
-  },
-  optionsPanel: {
-    padding: '14px',
-    backgroundColor: tokens.colorNeutralBackground2,
-    ...shorthands.borderRadius(tokens.borderRadiusLarge),
-    border: `1px solid ${tokens.colorNeutralStroke2}`
-  },
-  // --- command preview ---
-  previewPanel: {
-    display: 'flex',
-    flexDirection: 'column',
-    gap: '8px',
-    padding: '14px',
-    backgroundColor: tokens.colorNeutralBackground2,
-    ...shorthands.borderRadius(tokens.borderRadiusLarge),
-    border: `1px solid ${tokens.colorNeutralStroke2}`
-  },
-  previewCommandText: {
-    fontFamily: tokens.fontFamilyMonospace,
-    whiteSpace: 'pre-wrap',
-    wordBreak: 'break-all'
-  },
   // --- playlist selection ---
   plPanel: {
     display: 'flex',
@@ -258,63 +212,21 @@ const useStyles = makeStyles({
   },
   plItemMeta: {
     color: tokens.colorNeutralForeground3
-  },
-  folder: {
-    display: 'flex',
-    alignItems: 'center',
-    gap: '6px',
-    color: tokens.colorNeutralForeground3,
-    maxWidth: '360px'
-  },
-  folderPath: {
-    overflow: 'hidden',
-    textOverflow: 'ellipsis',
-    whiteSpace: 'nowrap'
   }
 })
 
 export function DownloadBar(): React.JSX.Element {
   const styles = useStyles()
   const addFromUrl = useDownloads((s) => s.addFromUrl)
-  const outputDir = useSettings((s) => s.outputDir)
-  const chooseOutputDir = useSettings((s) => s.chooseOutputDir)
   const settingsLoaded = useSettings((s) => s.loaded)
   const defaultKind = useSettings((s) => s.defaultKind)
   const defaultVideoQuality = useSettings((s) => s.defaultVideoQuality)
   const defaultAudioQuality = useSettings((s) => s.defaultAudioQuality)
-  const downloadOptions = useSettings((s) => s.downloadOptions)
 
   const [url, setUrl] = useState('')
   const [kind, setKind] = useState<MediaKind>('video')
   const [quality, setQuality] = useState(QUALITY_OPTIONS.video[0])
 
-  // Per-download options override (null = use the persisted defaults).
-  const [override, setOverride] = useState<DownloadOptions | null>(null)
-  const [showOptions, setShowOptions] = useState(false)
-  const effectiveOptions = override ?? downloadOptions
-
-  // Private mode — sticky like an incognito tab; the download still runs and
-  // appears in the queue, but its completion is never recorded to history.
-  const [incognito, setIncognito] = useState(false)
-
-  // Per-download custom-command override: undefined = defer to the settings
-  // default (customCommandEnabled + defaultTemplateId); null = explicit
-  // "None" for just this download; a string = a chosen template id override.
-  const [templateOverride, setTemplateOverride] = useState<string | null | undefined>(undefined)
-  const [showCustomCommand, setShowCustomCommand] = useState(false)
-  const customCommandEnabled = useSettings((s) => s.customCommandEnabled)
-  const settingsDefaultTemplateId = useSettings((s) => s.defaultTemplateId)
-  const templates = useTemplates((s) => s.templates)
-  const effectiveTemplateId =
-    templateOverride !== undefined
-      ? templateOverride
-      : customCommandEnabled
-        ? settingsDefaultTemplateId
-        : null
-
-  const [previewResult, setPreviewResult] = useState<CommandPreviewResult | null>(null)
-  const [previewing, setPreviewing] = useState(false)
-
   // Apply the saved default format once, when persisted settings first arrive.
   const appliedDefaults = useRef(false)
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -393,7 +305,6 @@ export function DownloadBar(): React.JSX.Element {
     setSuggestion(null)
   }
 
-  const folder = outputDir || 'your Downloads folder'
   const usingFormats = kind === 'video' && info !== null && info.formats.length > 0
   const selectedFormat: FormatOption | undefined = usingFormats
     ? info.formats.find((f) => f.id === formatId) ?? info.formats[0]
@@ -468,61 +379,6 @@ export function DownloadBar(): React.JSX.Element {
     setSelected(allSelected ? new Set() : new Set(playlist.entries.map((e) => e.index)))
   }
 
-  // Resolves the per-download custom-command override to the raw extra-args
-  // string sent to main; undefined defers to the settings default there.
-  function resolveExtraArgs(): string | undefined {
-    if (templateOverride === undefined) return undefined
-    if (templateOverride === null) return ''
-    return templates.find((t) => t.id === templateOverride)?.args ?? ''
-  }
-
-  // The StartDownloadOptions the current form state would produce — shared by
-  // the real download() call and the command-preview button so they can never
-  // drift apart.
-  function currentStartOptions(): StartDownloadOptions {
-    const base: StartDownloadOptions = {
-      id: 'preview',
-      url: url.trim(),
-      kind,
-      quality,
-      outputDir: outputDir || undefined,
-      options: override ?? undefined,
-      extraArgs: resolveExtraArgs()
-    }
-    if (usingFormats && selectedFormat) {
-      return {
-        ...base,
-        kind: 'video',
-        quality: selectedFormat.label,
-        formatId: selectedFormat.id,
-        formatHasAudio: selectedFormat.hasAudio
-      }
-    }
-    return base
-  }
-
-  async function previewCommand(): Promise<void> {
-    if (!url.trim() || previewing) return
-    setPreviewing(true)
-    setPreviewResult(null)
-    try {
-      setPreviewResult(await window.api.previewCommand(currentStartOptions()))
-    } catch (e) {
-      setPreviewResult({ ok: false, error: e instanceof Error ? e.message : String(e) })
-    } finally {
-      setPreviewing(false)
-    }
-  }
-
-  async function copyPreview(): Promise<void> {
-    if (!previewResult?.command) return
-    try {
-      await navigator.clipboard.writeText(previewResult.command)
-    } catch {
-      /* clipboard blocked — ignore in preview */
-    }
-  }
-
   function download(): void {
     const trimmed = url.trim()
     if (!trimmed) return
@@ -543,18 +399,10 @@ export function DownloadBar(): React.JSX.Element {
           id: selectedFormat.id,
           hasAudio: selectedFormat.hasAudio,
           label: selectedFormat.label
-        },
-        options: override ?? undefined,
-        extraArgs: resolveExtraArgs(),
-        incognito
+        }
       })
     } else {
-      addFromUrl(trimmed, kind, quality, {
-        ...meta,
-        options: override ?? undefined,
-        extraArgs: resolveExtraArgs(),
-        incognito
-      })
+      addFromUrl(trimmed, kind, quality, meta)
     }
 
     setUrl('')
@@ -568,10 +416,7 @@ export function DownloadBar(): React.JSX.Element {
       addFromUrl(e.url, kind, quality, {
         title: e.title,
         channel: e.uploader,
-        durationLabel: e.durationLabel,
-        options: override ?? undefined,
-        extraArgs: resolveExtraArgs(),
-        incognito
+        durationLabel: e.durationLabel
       })
     }
     setUrl('')
@@ -769,148 +614,6 @@ export function DownloadBar(): React.JSX.Element {
           </Button>
         )}
       </div>
-
-      <div className={styles.optionsBar}>
-        {incognito ? <EyeOffRegular /> : <EyeRegular />}
-        <Switch
-          checked={incognito}
-          onChange={(_, d) => setIncognito(d.checked)}
-          label={incognito ? 'Private — won’t be saved to history' : 'Private mode'}
-        />
-      </div>
-
-      <div className={styles.optionsBar}>
-        <Button
-          appearance="subtle"
-          size="small"
-          icon={<OptionsRegular />}
-          iconPosition="before"
-          onClick={() => setShowOptions((v) => !v)}
-        >
-          Options {showOptions ? <ChevronUpRegular /> : <ChevronDownRegular />}
-        </Button>
-        {override && (
-          <>
-            <Caption1 className={styles.previewMeta}>Customised for this download</Caption1>
-            <Button appearance="subtle" size="small" onClick={() => setOverride(null)}>
-              Reset to defaults
-            </Button>
-          </>
-        )}
-      </div>
-
-      {showOptions && (
-        <div className={styles.optionsPanel}>
-          <DownloadOptionsForm value={effectiveOptions} onChange={(o) => setOverride(o)} />
-        </div>
-      )}
-
-      <div className={styles.optionsBar}>
-        <Button
-          appearance="subtle"
-          size="small"
-          icon={<CodeRegular />}
-          iconPosition="before"
-          onClick={() => setShowCustomCommand((v) => !v)}
-        >
-          Custom command {showCustomCommand ? <ChevronUpRegular /> : <ChevronDownRegular />}
-        </Button>
-        {templateOverride !== undefined && (
-          <>
-            <Caption1 className={styles.previewMeta}>Customised for this download</Caption1>
-            <Button appearance="subtle" size="small" onClick={() => setTemplateOverride(undefined)}>
-              Reset to default
-            </Button>
-          </>
-        )}
-        <div className={styles.spacer} />
-        <Hint label="Build and show the exact yt-dlp command line" placement="top" align="end">
-          <Button
-            appearance="subtle"
-            size="small"
-            icon={previewing ? <Spinner size="tiny" /> : <EyeRegular />}
-            iconPosition="before"
-            onClick={previewCommand}
-            disabled={!url.trim() || previewing}
-          >
-            Preview command
-          </Button>
-        </Hint>
-      </div>
-
-      {showCustomCommand && (
-        <div className={styles.optionsPanel}>
-          {!customCommandEnabled ? (
-            // Custom commands run arbitrary yt-dlp flags, so the main process
-            // ignores per-download extra args unless this consent flag is on
-            // (audit F2). Reflect that here rather than silently dropping a pick.
-            <Caption1 className={styles.previewMeta}>
-              Custom commands are off. Turn them on in Settings → Custom commands to
-              layer extra yt-dlp flags onto a download.
-            </Caption1>
-          ) : (
-            <>
-              <Field label="Template" hint="Extra yt-dlp flags layered onto this download, after every other option.">
-                <Select
-                  aria-label="Custom command template"
-                  value={effectiveTemplateId ?? 'none'}
-                  options={[
-                    { value: 'none', label: 'None' },
-                    ...templates.map((t) => ({ value: t.id, label: t.name }))
-                  ]}
-                  onChange={(v) => setTemplateOverride(v === 'none' ? null : v)}
-                />
-              </Field>
-              {templates.length === 0 && (
-                <Caption1 className={styles.previewMeta}>
-                  No templates yet — add one in Settings → Custom commands.
-                </Caption1>
-              )}
-            </>
-          )}
-        </div>
-      )}
-
-      {previewResult && (
-        <div className={styles.previewPanel}>
-          <div className={styles.plHeader}>
-            <Caption1 className={styles.plHeaderText}>
-              {previewResult.ok ? 'Command preview' : 'Could not build the command'}
-            </Caption1>
-            {previewResult.ok && (
-              <Button size="small" icon={<CopyRegular />} onClick={copyPreview}>
-                Copy
-              </Button>
-            )}
-            <Button
-              size="small"
-              appearance="subtle"
-              icon={<DismissRegular />}
-              onClick={() => setPreviewResult(null)}
-              aria-label="Dismiss preview"
-            />
-          </div>
-          {previewResult.ok ? (
-            <Text className={styles.previewCommandText}>{previewResult.command}</Text>
-          ) : (
-            <Caption1 className={mergeClasses(styles.previewMeta, styles.errorRow)}>
-              {previewResult.error}
-            </Caption1>
-          )}
-        </div>
-      )}
-
-      <div className={styles.folder}>
-        <FolderRegular />
-        <Caption1 className={styles.folderPath} title={folder}>
-          Saving to {folder}
-        </Caption1>
-        <Hint label="Change download folder" placement="top" align="start">
-          <Button size="small" appearance="transparent" onClick={chooseOutputDir}>
-            Change
-          </Button>
-        </Hint>
-      </div>
     </div>
   )
 }
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/Hint.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/Hint.tsx
index 57f99f3..767d084 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/Hint.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/Hint.tsx
@@ -30,13 +30,15 @@ const useStyles = makeStyles({
   },
   top: { bottom: 'calc(100% + 6px)' },
   bottom: { top: 'calc(100% + 6px)' },
+  right: { left: 'calc(100% + 6px)', top: '50%', transform: 'translateY(-50%)' },
+  left: { right: 'calc(100% + 6px)', top: '50%', transform: 'translateY(-50%)' },
   alignStart: { left: 0 },
   alignEnd: { right: 0 }
 })
 
 interface HintProps {
   label: string
-  placement?: 'top' | 'bottom'
+  placement?: 'top' | 'bottom' | 'left' | 'right'
   align?: 'start' | 'end'
   children: React.ReactNode
 }
@@ -56,8 +58,16 @@ export function Hint({
         aria-hidden
         className={mergeClasses(
           styles.bubble,
-          placement === 'bottom' ? styles.bottom : styles.top,
-          align === 'end' ? styles.alignEnd : styles.alignStart
+          placement === 'bottom'
+            ? styles.bottom
+            : placement === 'right'
+              ? styles.right
+              : placement === 'left'
+                ? styles.left
+                : styles.top,
+          // start/end alignment only applies to vertical (top/bottom) placements
+          (placement === 'top' || placement === 'bottom') &&
+            (align === 'end' ? styles.alignEnd : styles.alignStart)
         )}
       >
         {label}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/Onboarding.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/Onboarding.tsx
index 519ac20..82697da 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/Onboarding.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/Onboarding.tsx
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import {
   Body1,
   Caption1,
   Field,
-  Input,
   Button,
   makeStyles,
   tokens,
@@ -12,7 +11,6 @@ import {
 } from '@fluentui/react-components'
 import {
   ArrowDownloadFilled,
-  FolderRegular,
   ClipboardPasteRegular,
   HistoryRegular,
   OptionsRegular,
@@ -56,13 +54,8 @@ const useStyles = makeStyles({
     justifyContent: 'center',
     fontSize: '26px'
   },
-  folderRow: {
-    display: 'flex',
-    gap: '8px',
-    alignItems: 'flex-end'
-  },
-  folderInput: {
-    flexGrow: 1
+  folderNote: {
+    color: tokens.colorNeutralForeground3
   },
   tips: {
     display: 'flex',
@@ -99,8 +92,6 @@ const TIPS: { icon: React.JSX.Element; text: string }[] = [
 
 export function Onboarding(): React.JSX.Element {
   const styles = useStyles()
-  const outputDir = useSettings((s) => s.outputDir)
-  const chooseOutputDir = useSettings((s) => s.chooseOutputDir)
   const update = useSettings((s) => s.update)
 
   return (
@@ -118,18 +109,12 @@ export function Onboarding(): React.JSX.Element {
           audio. yt-dlp and ffmpeg are bundled, so there&apos;s nothing else to install.
         </Body1>
 
-        <Field label="Download folder">
-          <div className={styles.folderRow}>
-            <Input
-              readOnly
-              className={styles.folderInput}
-              value={outputDir}
-              contentBefore={<FolderRegular />}
-            />
-            <Button icon={<FolderRegular />} onClick={chooseOutputDir}>
-              Browse
-            </Button>
-          </div>
+        <Field label="Where downloads go">
+          <Caption1 className={styles.folderNote}>
+            Videos save to your <strong>Documents\Video</strong> folder and audio to{' '}
+            <strong>Documents\Audio</strong>. You can point each to a different folder any time
+            in Settings.
+          </Caption1>
         </Field>
 
         <div className={styles.tips}>
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/SettingsView.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/SettingsView.tsx
index 6558517..889d490 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/SettingsView.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/SettingsView.tsx
@@ -170,8 +170,10 @@ const UPDATE_CHANNEL_OPTIONS = [
 export function SettingsView(): React.JSX.Element {
   const styles = useStyles()
 
-  const outputDir = useSettings((s) => s.outputDir)
-  const chooseOutputDir = useSettings((s) => s.chooseOutputDir)
+  const videoDir = useSettings((s) => s.videoDir)
+  const audioDir = useSettings((s) => s.audioDir)
+  const chooseDir = useSettings((s) => s.chooseDir)
+  const clearDir = useSettings((s) => s.clearDir)
   const defaultKind = useSettings((s) => s.defaultKind)
   const defaultVideoQuality = useSettings((s) => s.defaultVideoQuality)
   const defaultAudioQuality = useSettings((s) => s.defaultAudioQuality)
@@ -328,17 +330,49 @@ export function SettingsView(): React.JSX.Element {
           <Subtitle2>Downloads</Subtitle2>
         </div>
 
-        <Field label="Download folder">
+        <Field
+          label="Video folder"
+          hint="Where video downloads are saved. Leave blank to use Documents\Video."
+        >
           <div className={styles.folderRow}>
             <Input
               readOnly
               className={styles.folderInput}
-              value={outputDir}
+              value={videoDir}
+              placeholder="Documents\Video (default)"
               contentBefore={<FolderRegular />}
             />
-            <Button icon={<FolderRegular />} onClick={chooseOutputDir}>
+            <Button icon={<FolderRegular />} onClick={() => chooseDir('videoDir')}>
               Browse
             </Button>
+            {videoDir && (
+              <Button appearance="subtle" onClick={() => clearDir('videoDir')}>
+                Reset
+              </Button>
+            )}
+          </div>
+        </Field>
+
+        <Field
+          label="Audio folder"
+          hint="Where audio downloads are saved. Leave blank to use Documents\Audio."
+        >
+          <div className={styles.folderRow}>
+            <Input
+              readOnly
+              className={styles.folderInput}
+              value={audioDir}
+              placeholder="Documents\Audio (default)"
+              contentBefore={<FolderRegular />}
+            />
+            <Button icon={<FolderRegular />} onClick={() => chooseDir('audioDir')}>
+              Browse
+            </Button>
+            {audioDir && (
+              <Button appearance="subtle" onClick={() => clearDir('audioDir')}>
+                Reset
+              </Button>
+            )}
           </div>
         </Field>
 
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/Sidebar.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/Sidebar.tsx
index 9473a62..550d66f 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/Sidebar.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/Sidebar.tsx
@@ -1,11 +1,4 @@
-import {
-  Caption1,
-  Switch,
-  makeStyles,
-  mergeClasses,
-  tokens,
-  shorthands
-} from '@fluentui/react-components'
+import { Caption1, makeStyles, mergeClasses, tokens, shorthands } from '@fluentui/react-components'
 import {
   ArrowDownloadFilled,
   ArrowDownloadRegular,
@@ -13,8 +6,13 @@ import {
   LibraryRegular,
   SettingsRegular,
   WeatherMoonRegular,
-  WeatherSunnyRegular
+  WeatherSunnyRegular,
+  DesktopRegular,
+  PanelLeftContractRegular,
+  PanelLeftExpandRegular
 } from '@fluentui/react-icons'
+import type { ThemeMode } from '@shared/ipc'
+import { Hint } from './Hint'
 
 export type TabValue = 'downloads' | 'library' | 'history' | 'settings'
 
@@ -27,13 +25,48 @@ const useStyles = makeStyles({
     gap: '4px',
     padding: '16px 12px',
     backgroundColor: tokens.colorNeutralBackground1,
-    borderRight: `1px solid ${tokens.colorNeutralStroke2}`
+    borderRight: `1px solid ${tokens.colorNeutralStroke2}`,
+    transition: 'width 0.15s ease'
+  },
+  rootCollapsed: {
+    width: '60px',
+    alignItems: 'center'
+  },
+  topBar: {
+    display: 'flex',
+    justifyContent: 'flex-end',
+    paddingBottom: '2px'
+  },
+  topBarCollapsed: {
+    justifyContent: 'center'
+  },
+  iconBtn: {
+    appearance: 'none',
+    border: 'none',
+    backgroundColor: 'transparent',
+    color: tokens.colorNeutralForeground3,
+    display: 'flex',
+    alignItems: 'center',
+    justifyContent: 'center',
+    width: '32px',
+    height: '32px',
+    fontSize: '18px',
+    cursor: 'pointer',
+    ...shorthands.borderRadius(tokens.borderRadiusMedium),
+    ':hover': {
+      backgroundColor: tokens.colorNeutralBackground1Hover,
+      color: tokens.colorNeutralForeground2
+    }
   },
   brand: {
     display: 'flex',
     alignItems: 'center',
     gap: '11px',
-    padding: '6px 10px 14px'
+    padding: '0 10px 14px'
+  },
+  brandCollapsed: {
+    padding: '0 0 12px',
+    justifyContent: 'center'
   },
   mark: {
     width: '36px',
@@ -64,7 +97,8 @@ const useStyles = makeStyles({
   nav: {
     display: 'flex',
     flexDirection: 'column',
-    gap: '3px'
+    gap: '3px',
+    alignSelf: 'stretch'
   },
   navItem: {
     display: 'flex',
@@ -84,6 +118,10 @@ const useStyles = makeStyles({
       backgroundColor: tokens.colorNeutralBackground1Hover
     }
   },
+  navItemCollapsed: {
+    justifyContent: 'center',
+    padding: '9px 0'
+  },
   navItemActive: {
     backgroundColor: tokens.colorBrandBackground2,
     color: tokens.colorBrandForeground2,
@@ -94,22 +132,46 @@ const useStyles = makeStyles({
   },
   navIcon: {
     fontSize: '18px',
-    flexShrink: 0
+    flexShrink: 0,
+    display: 'flex'
   },
   spacer: {
     flexGrow: 1
   },
-  themeRow: {
+  // --- theme control (expanded): a 3-way Light / Dark / Auto segmented switch ---
+  themeGroup: {
+    alignSelf: 'stretch',
     display: 'flex',
-    alignItems: 'center',
-    justifyContent: 'space-between',
-    padding: '8px 12px',
-    color: tokens.colorNeutralForeground3
+    width: '100%',
+    border: `1px solid ${tokens.colorNeutralStroke1}`,
+    ...shorthands.borderRadius(tokens.borderRadiusMedium),
+    overflow: 'hidden'
   },
-  themeLabel: {
+  themeSeg: {
+    flex: 1,
+    appearance: 'none',
+    border: 'none',
+    backgroundColor: 'transparent',
+    color: tokens.colorNeutralForeground2,
     display: 'flex',
     alignItems: 'center',
-    gap: '9px'
+    justifyContent: 'center',
+    gap: '5px',
+    padding: '7px 4px',
+    fontSize: tokens.fontSizeBase200,
+    fontFamily: tokens.fontFamilyBase,
+    cursor: 'pointer',
+    ':hover': {
+      backgroundColor: tokens.colorNeutralBackground1Hover
+    }
+  },
+  themeSegActive: {
+    backgroundColor: tokens.colorBrandBackground,
+    color: tokens.colorNeutralForegroundOnBrand,
+    fontWeight: tokens.fontWeightSemibold,
+    ':hover': {
+      backgroundColor: tokens.colorBrandBackgroundHover
+    }
   }
 })
 
@@ -120,67 +182,149 @@ const NAV: { value: TabValue; label: string; icon: React.JSX.Element }[] = [
   { value: 'settings', label: 'Settings', icon: <SettingsRegular /> }
 ]
 
+const THEMES: { value: ThemeMode; label: string; icon: React.JSX.Element }[] = [
+  { value: 'light', label: 'Light', icon: <WeatherSunnyRegular /> },
+  { value: 'dark', label: 'Dark', icon: <WeatherMoonRegular /> },
+  { value: 'system', label: 'Auto', icon: <DesktopRegular /> }
+]
+
 interface SidebarProps {
   tab: TabValue
   onTabChange: (t: TabValue) => void
+  /** the current theme preference: explicit light/dark, or 'system' to follow the OS */
+  theme: ThemeMode
+  /** whether the resolved theme is currently dark (drives the collapsed toggle icon) */
   isDark: boolean
-  /** true when theme is 'system' — the quick toggle still works (it sets an explicit mode) */
-  followingSystem: boolean
-  onToggleTheme: () => void
+  onSetTheme: (mode: ThemeMode) => void
+  /** AeroFetch version string, e.g. '0.3.2' ('' until loaded) */
+  version: string
+  collapsed: boolean
+  onToggleCollapsed: () => void
 }
 
 export function Sidebar({
   tab,
   onTabChange,
+  theme,
   isDark,
-  followingSystem,
-  onToggleTheme
+  onSetTheme,
+  version,
+  collapsed,
+  onToggleCollapsed
 }: SidebarProps): React.JSX.Element {
   const styles = useStyles()
+
+  // Collapsed view shows one button that cycles Light → Dark → Auto.
+  const order: ThemeMode[] = ['light', 'dark', 'system']
+  function cycleTheme(): void {
+    onSetTheme(order[(order.indexOf(theme) + 1) % order.length])
+  }
+  const themeIcon =
+    theme === 'system' ? (
+      <DesktopRegular fontSize={18} />
+    ) : isDark ? (
+      <WeatherMoonRegular fontSize={18} />
+    ) : (
+      <WeatherSunnyRegular fontSize={18} />
+    )
+  const themeLabel = theme === 'system' ? 'Auto (system)' : isDark ? 'Dark' : 'Light'
+
   return (
-    <nav className={styles.root}>
-      <div className={styles.brand}>
+    <nav className={mergeClasses(styles.root, collapsed && styles.rootCollapsed)}>
+      <div className={mergeClasses(styles.topBar, collapsed && styles.topBarCollapsed)}>
+        <Hint label={collapsed ? 'Expand sidebar' : 'Collapse sidebar'} placement="right">
+          <button
+            type="button"
+            className={styles.iconBtn}
+            onClick={onToggleCollapsed}
+            aria-label={collapsed ? 'Expand sidebar' : 'Collapse sidebar'}
+            aria-pressed={collapsed}
+          >
+            {collapsed ? <PanelLeftExpandRegular /> : <PanelLeftContractRegular />}
+          </button>
+        </Hint>
+      </div>
+
+      <div className={mergeClasses(styles.brand, collapsed && styles.brandCollapsed)}>
         <div className={styles.mark}>
           <ArrowDownloadFilled />
         </div>
-        <div className={styles.brandText}>
-          <span className={styles.brandName}>AeroFetch</span>
-          <Caption1 className={styles.caption}>yt-dlp frontend</Caption1>
-        </div>
+        {!collapsed && (
+          <div className={styles.brandText}>
+            <span className={styles.brandName}>AeroFetch</span>
+            <Caption1 className={styles.caption}>{version ? `v${version}` : 'yt-dlp frontend'}</Caption1>
+          </div>
+        )}
       </div>
 
       <div className={styles.nav}>
         {NAV.map((n) => {
           const active = tab === n.value
-          return (
+          const btn = (
             <button
               key={n.value}
               type="button"
-              className={mergeClasses(styles.navItem, active && styles.navItemActive)}
+              className={mergeClasses(
+                styles.navItem,
+                collapsed && styles.navItemCollapsed,
+                active && styles.navItemActive
+              )}
               style={
-                active
+                active && !collapsed
                   ? { boxShadow: `inset 3px 0 0 0 ${tokens.colorCompoundBrandStroke}` }
                   : undefined
               }
               onClick={() => onTabChange(n.value)}
               aria-current={active ? 'page' : undefined}
+              aria-label={n.label}
             >
               <span className={styles.navIcon}>{n.icon}</span>
-              {n.label}
+              {!collapsed && n.label}
             </button>
           )
+          return collapsed ? (
+            <Hint key={n.value} label={n.label} placement="right">
+              {btn}
+            </Hint>
+          ) : (
+            btn
+          )
         })}
       </div>
 
       <div className={styles.spacer} />
 
-      <div className={styles.themeRow}>
-        <span className={styles.themeLabel}>
-          {isDark ? <WeatherMoonRegular fontSize={18} /> : <WeatherSunnyRegular fontSize={18} />}
-          {(isDark ? 'Dark' : 'Light') + (followingSystem ? ' · Auto' : '')}
-        </span>
-        <Switch checked={isDark} onChange={onToggleTheme} aria-label="Toggle dark mode" />
-      </div>
+      {collapsed ? (
+        <Hint label={`Theme: ${themeLabel}`} placement="right">
+          <button
+            type="button"
+            className={styles.iconBtn}
+            onClick={cycleTheme}
+            aria-label={`Theme: ${themeLabel}. Click to change.`}
+          >
+            {themeIcon}
+          </button>
+        </Hint>
+      ) : (
+        <div className={styles.themeGroup} role="radiogroup" aria-label="Theme">
+          {THEMES.map((t) => {
+            const on = theme === t.value
+            return (
+              <button
+                key={t.value}
+                type="button"
+                role="radio"
+                aria-checked={on}
+                className={mergeClasses(styles.themeSeg, on && styles.themeSegActive)}
+                onClick={() => onSetTheme(t.value)}
+              >
+                <span className={styles.navIcon}>{t.icon}</span>
+                {t.label}
+              </button>
+            )
+          })}
+        </div>
+      )}
     </nav>
   )
 }
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/main.tsx b/src/renderer/src/main.tsx
index 524de57..18700db 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/main.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/main.tsx
@@ -11,7 +11,8 @@ import App from './App'
 // In the real Electron app this branch is skipped — preload provides window.api.
 if (import.meta.env.DEV && !window.api) {
   const MOCK_SETTINGS: Settings = {
-    outputDir: 'C:\\Users\\you\\Downloads',
+    videoDir: 'C:\\Users\\you\\Documents\\Video',
+    audioDir: 'C:\\Users\\you\\Documents\\Audio',
     defaultKind: 'video',
     defaultVideoQuality: 'Best available',
     defaultAudioQuality: 'Best (MP3)',
@@ -44,6 +45,7 @@ if (import.meta.env.DEV && !window.api) {
   ]
 
   window.api = {
+    getAppVersion: async () => '0.3.2-preview',
     getYtdlpVersion: async () => ({ ok: true, version: '2025.06.01 (UI preview mock)' }),
     probe: async (url: string) => {
       await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 700)) // simulate network latency
@@ -121,11 +123,11 @@ if (import.meta.env.DEV && !window.api) {
     previewCommand: async (opts) => {
       await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 300)) // simulate the main-process round-trip
       const extra = opts.extraArgs ? ` ${opts.extraArgs}` : ''
+      const dir = opts.kind === 'audio' ? MOCK_SETTINGS.audioDir : MOCK_SETTINGS.videoDir
       return {
         ok: true,
         command:
-          `yt-dlp.exe -f "bv*+ba/b" -o "${MOCK_SETTINGS.outputDir}\\%(title)s.%(ext)s"` +
-          `${extra} -- ${opts.url}`
+          `yt-dlp.exe -f "bv*+ba/b" -o "${dir}\\%(title)s.%(ext)s"` + `${extra} -- ${opts.url}`
       }
     },
     updateYtdlp: async (channel) => {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/store/downloads.ts b/src/renderer/src/store/downloads.ts
index d9e800c..14ce7ca 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/store/downloads.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/store/downloads.ts
@@ -247,7 +247,8 @@ export const useDownloads = create<DownloadState>((set, get) => {
         url: item.url,
         kind: item.kind,
         quality: item.quality,
-        outputDir: useSettings.getState().outputDir || undefined,
+        // No outputDir here: main routes each download into the user's per-kind
+        // folder (Settings → Video/Audio folder), or the Documents\… default.
         formatId: item.formatId,
         formatHasAudio: item.formatHasAudio,
         options: item.options,
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/store/settings.ts b/src/renderer/src/store/settings.ts
index 22a3ad5..bd5f490 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/store/settings.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/store/settings.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,8 @@ import { DEFAULT_DOWNLOAD_OPTIONS, type Settings } from '@shared/ipc'
 const PREVIEW = typeof window === 'undefined' || !window.electron
 
 const FALLBACK: Settings = {
-  outputDir: PREVIEW ? 'C:\\Users\\you\\Downloads' : '',
+  videoDir: PREVIEW ? 'C:\\Users\\you\\Documents\\Video' : '',
+  audioDir: PREVIEW ? 'C:\\Users\\you\\Documents\\Audio' : '',
   defaultKind: 'video',
   defaultVideoQuality: 'Best available',
   defaultAudioQuality: 'Best (MP3)',
@@ -35,7 +36,10 @@ interface SettingsState extends Settings {
   /** true once persisted settings have loaded (always true in preview) */
   loaded: boolean
   update: (partial: Partial<Settings>) => void
-  chooseOutputDir: () => void
+  /** open the OS folder picker and store the result as the video or audio folder */
+  chooseDir: (target: 'videoDir' | 'audioDir') => void
+  /** clear a per-kind folder override, restoring its Documents\… default */
+  clearDir: (target: 'videoDir' | 'audioDir') => void
 }
 
 export const useSettings = create<SettingsState>((set, get) => ({
@@ -47,12 +51,14 @@ export const useSettings = create<SettingsState>((set, get) => ({
     if (!PREVIEW) window.api.setSettings(partial).catch(() => {})
   },
 
-  chooseOutputDir: () => {
+  chooseDir: (target) => {
     if (PREVIEW) return
     window.api.chooseFolder().then((dir) => {
-      if (dir) get().update({ outputDir: dir })
+      if (dir) get().update({ [target]: dir })
     })
-  }
+  },
+
+  clearDir: (target) => get().update({ [target]: '' })
 }))
 
 // Load persisted settings on startup.
diff --git a/src/shared/ipc.ts b/src/shared/ipc.ts
index 5d95c38..bc88370 100644
--- a/src/shared/ipc.ts
+++ b/src/shared/ipc.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
  */
 
 export const IpcChannels = {
+  /** the AeroFetch app version (package.json / app.getVersion) */
+  appVersion: 'app:version',
   ytdlpVersion: 'ytdlp:version',
   probe: 'media:probe',
   downloadStart: 'download:start',
@@ -355,8 +357,10 @@ export type DownloadEvent =
 
 /** Persisted user settings (electron-store). */
 export interface Settings {
-  /** absolute output directory (empty string resolves to the OS Downloads folder) */
-  outputDir: string
+  /** where video downloads are saved; empty string = the default Documents\Video folder */
+  videoDir: string
+  /** where audio downloads are saved; empty string = the default Documents\Audio folder */
+  audioDir: string
   defaultKind: MediaKind
   defaultVideoQuality: string
   defaultAudioQuality: string