diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index d4a65c9..891a2f9 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -808,6 +808,19 @@ version = "1.0.4"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "b05b61dc5112cbb17e4b6cd61790d9845d13888356391624cbe7e41efeac1e75"
 
+[[package]]
+name = "console"
+version = "0.15.11"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "054ccb5b10f9f2cbf51eb355ca1d05c2d279ce1804688d0db74b4733a5aeafd8"
+dependencies = [
+ "encode_unicode",
+ "libc",
+ "once_cell",
+ "unicode-width",
+ "windows-sys 0.59.0",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "constant_time_eq"
 version = "0.4.2"
@@ -1150,6 +1163,12 @@ version = "1.15.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "48c757948c5ede0e46177b7add2e67155f70e33c07fea8284df6576da70b3719"
 
+[[package]]
+name = "encode_unicode"
+version = "1.0.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "34aa73646ffb006b8f5147f3dc182bd4bcb190227ce861fc4a4844bf8e3cb2c0"
+
 [[package]]
 name = "encoding_rs"
 version = "0.8.35"
@@ -1920,6 +1939,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "futures",
  "ical",
  "image",
+ "indicatif",
  "infer",
  "jsonwebtoken",
  "kamadak-exif",
@@ -1980,6 +2000,19 @@ dependencies = [
  "hashbrown 0.15.5",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "indicatif"
+version = "0.17.11"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "183b3088984b400f4cfac3620d5e076c84da5364016b4f49473de574b2586235"
+dependencies = [
+ "console",
+ "number_prefix",
+ "portable-atomic",
+ "unicode-width",
+ "web-time",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "infer"
 version = "0.16.0"
@@ -2451,6 +2484,12 @@ dependencies = [
  "autocfg",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "number_prefix"
+version = "0.4.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "830b246a0e5f20af87141b25c173cd1b609bd7779a4617d6ec582abaf90870f3"
+
 [[package]]
 name = "object"
 version = "0.36.7"
@@ -4333,6 +4372,16 @@ dependencies = [
  "wasm-bindgen",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "web-time"
+version = "1.1.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "5a6580f308b1fad9207618087a65c04e7a10bc77e02c8e84e9b00dd4b12fa0bb"
+dependencies = [
+ "js-sys",
+ "wasm-bindgen",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "weezl"
 version = "0.1.12"
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 847c9f6..0a25252 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -60,3 +60,4 @@ scraper = "0.20"
 base64 = "0.22"
 blake3 = "1.5"
 async-trait = "0.1"
+indicatif = "0.17"
diff --git a/src/bin/backfill_hashes.rs b/src/bin/backfill_hashes.rs
index ad9b20f..352b6b2 100644
--- a/src/bin/backfill_hashes.rs
+++ b/src/bin/backfill_hashes.rs
@@ -10,8 +10,10 @@ use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
 use std::time::Instant;
 
 use clap::Parser;
+use log::{error, warn};
 use rayon::prelude::*;
 
+use image_api::bin_progress;
 use image_api::content_hash;
 use image_api::database::{ExifDao, SqliteExifDao, connect};
 use image_api::libraries::{self, Library};
@@ -76,6 +78,8 @@ fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
     let mut total_errors = 0u64;
     let start = Instant::now();
 
+    let pb = bin_progress::spinner("hashing");
+
     loop {
         let rows = {
             let mut guard = dao.lock().expect("Unable to lock ExifDao");
@@ -86,7 +90,11 @@ fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         if rows.is_empty() {
             break;
         }
-        println!("Processing batch of {} rows", rows.len());
+        let batch_size = rows.len();
+        pb.set_message(format!(
+            "batch of {} (hashed={} missing={} errors={})",
+            batch_size, total_hashed, total_missing, total_errors
+        ));
 
         // Compute hashes in parallel (I/O-bound; rayon helps on local disks,
         // throttled by network on SMB mounts — use --parallelism to tune).
@@ -100,13 +108,13 @@ fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
                     Some(abs_path) if abs_path.exists() => match content_hash::compute(&abs_path) {
                         Ok(id) => (library_id, rel_path, Some(id)),
                         Err(e) => {
-                            eprintln!("hash error for {}: {:?}", abs_path.display(), e);
+                            error!("hash error for {}: {:?}", abs_path.display(), e);
                             (library_id, rel_path, None)
                         }
                     },
                     Some(_) => (library_id, rel_path, None), // file missing on disk
                     None => {
-                        eprintln!("Row refers to unknown library_id {}", library_id);
+                        warn!("Row refers to unknown library_id {}", library_id);
                         (library_id, rel_path, None)
                     }
                 }
@@ -126,9 +134,12 @@ fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
                             &id.content_hash,
                             id.size_bytes,
                         ) {
-                            Ok(_) => total_hashed += 1,
+                            Ok(_) => {
+                                total_hashed += 1;
+                                pb.inc(1);
+                            }
                             Err(e) => {
-                                eprintln!("persist error for {}: {:?}", rel_path, e);
+                                pb.println(format!("persist error for {}: {:?}", rel_path, e));
                                 total_errors += 1;
                             }
                         }
@@ -142,34 +153,28 @@ fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
             for (_, rel_path, ident) in &results {
                 match ident {
                     Some(id) => {
-                        println!(
+                        pb.println(format!(
                             "[dry-run] {} -> {} ({} bytes)",
                             rel_path, id.content_hash, id.size_bytes
-                        );
+                        ));
                         total_hashed += 1;
+                        pb.inc(1);
                     }
                     None => {
                         total_missing += 1;
                     }
                 }
             }
-            println!(
+            pb.println(format!(
                 "[dry-run] processed one batch of {}. Stopping — a real run would continue \
                  until no NULL content_hash rows remain.",
                 results.len()
-            );
+            ));
             break;
         }
-
-        let elapsed = start.elapsed().as_secs_f64().max(0.001);
-        let rate = total_hashed as f64 / elapsed;
-        println!(
-            "  hashed={} missing={} errors={} ({:.1} files/sec)",
-            total_hashed, total_missing, total_errors, rate
-        );
     }
 
-    println!();
+    pb.finish_and_clear();
     println!(
         "Done. hashed={}, skipped (missing on disk)={}, errors={}, elapsed={:.1}s",
         total_hashed,
diff --git a/src/bin/import_calendar.rs b/src/bin/import_calendar.rs
index 8dba110..c8f941b 100644
--- a/src/bin/import_calendar.rs
+++ b/src/bin/import_calendar.rs
@@ -2,10 +2,10 @@ use anyhow::{Context, Result};
 use chrono::Utc;
 use clap::Parser;
 use image_api::ai::ollama::OllamaClient;
+use image_api::bin_progress;
 use image_api::database::calendar_dao::{InsertCalendarEvent, SqliteCalendarEventDao};
 use image_api::parsers::ical_parser::parse_ics_file;
 use log::{error, info};
-use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
 
 // Import the trait to use its methods
 use image_api::database::CalendarEventDao;
@@ -64,9 +64,11 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
         None
     };
 
-    let inserted_count = Arc::new(Mutex::new(0));
-    let skipped_count = Arc::new(Mutex::new(0));
-    let error_count = Arc::new(Mutex::new(0));
+    let mut inserted_count = 0usize;
+    let mut skipped_count = 0usize;
+    let mut error_count = 0usize;
+
+    let pb = bin_progress::determinate(events.len() as u64, "importing");
 
     // Process events in batches
     // Can't use rayon with async, so process sequentially
@@ -82,7 +84,8 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
             )
             && exists
         {
-            *skipped_count.lock().unwrap() += 1;
+            skipped_count += 1;
+            pb.inc(1);
             continue;
         }
 
@@ -101,10 +104,7 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
             }) {
                 Ok(emb) => Some(emb),
                 Err(e) => {
-                    error!(
-                        "Failed to generate embedding for event '{}': {}",
-                        event.summary, e
-                    );
+                    pb.println(format!("embedding failed for '{}': {}", event.summary, e));
                     None
                 }
             }
@@ -133,28 +133,26 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
         };
 
         match dao_instance.store_event(&context, insert_event) {
-            Ok(_) => {
-                *inserted_count.lock().unwrap() += 1;
-                if *inserted_count.lock().unwrap() % 100 == 0 {
-                    info!("Imported {} events...", *inserted_count.lock().unwrap());
-                }
-            }
+            Ok(_) => inserted_count += 1,
             Err(e) => {
-                error!("Failed to store event '{}': {:?}", event.summary, e);
-                *error_count.lock().unwrap() += 1;
+                pb.println(format!("store failed for '{}': {:?}", event.summary, e));
+                error_count += 1;
             }
         }
+        pb.set_message(format!(
+            "inserted={} skipped={} errors={}",
+            inserted_count, skipped_count, error_count
+        ));
+        pb.inc(1);
     }
 
-    let final_inserted = *inserted_count.lock().unwrap();
-    let final_skipped = *skipped_count.lock().unwrap();
-    let final_errors = *error_count.lock().unwrap();
+    pb.finish_and_clear();
 
-    info!("\n=== Import Summary ===");
+    info!("=== Import Summary ===");
     info!("Total events found: {}", events.len());
-    info!("Successfully inserted: {}", final_inserted);
-    info!("Skipped (already exist): {}", final_skipped);
-    info!("Errors: {}", final_errors);
+    info!("Successfully inserted: {}", inserted_count);
+    info!("Skipped (already exist): {}", skipped_count);
+    info!("Errors: {}", error_count);
 
     if args.generate_embeddings {
         info!("Embeddings were generated for semantic search");
@@ -162,5 +160,12 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
         info!("No embeddings generated (use --generate-embeddings to enable semantic search)");
     }
 
+    if error_count > 0 {
+        error!(
+            "Completed with {} errors — review log output above",
+            error_count
+        );
+    }
+
     Ok(())
 }
diff --git a/src/bin/import_location_history.rs b/src/bin/import_location_history.rs
index baa0d54..4614673 100644
--- a/src/bin/import_location_history.rs
+++ b/src/bin/import_location_history.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 use anyhow::{Context, Result};
 use chrono::Utc;
 use clap::Parser;
+use image_api::bin_progress;
 use image_api::database::location_dao::{InsertLocationRecord, SqliteLocationHistoryDao};
 use image_api::parsers::location_json_parser::parse_location_json;
 use log::{error, info};
@@ -38,23 +39,20 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
 
     let context = opentelemetry::Context::current();
 
-    let mut inserted_count = 0;
-    let mut skipped_count = 0;
-    let mut error_count = 0;
+    let mut inserted_count = 0usize;
+    let mut skipped_count = 0usize;
+    let mut error_count = 0usize;
 
     let mut dao_instance = SqliteLocationHistoryDao::new();
     let created_at = Utc::now().timestamp();
 
-    // Process in batches using batch insert for massive speedup
-    for (batch_idx, chunk) in locations.chunks(args.batch_size).enumerate() {
-        info!(
-            "Processing batch {} ({} records)...",
-            batch_idx + 1,
-            chunk.len()
-        );
+    let pb = bin_progress::determinate(locations.len() as u64, "importing");
 
+    // Process in batches using batch insert for massive speedup
+    for chunk in locations.chunks(args.batch_size) {
         // Convert to InsertLocationRecord
         let mut batch_inserts = Vec::with_capacity(chunk.len());
+        let mut chunk_skipped = 0usize;
 
         for location in chunk {
             // Skip existing check if requested (makes import much slower)
@@ -68,6 +66,7 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
                 && exists
             {
                 skipped_count += 1;
+                chunk_skipped += 1;
                 continue;
             }
 
@@ -89,26 +88,35 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
         // Batch insert entire chunk in single transaction
         if !batch_inserts.is_empty() {
             match dao_instance.store_locations_batch(&context, batch_inserts) {
-                Ok(count) => {
-                    inserted_count += count;
-                    info!(
-                        "Imported {} locations (total: {})...",
-                        count, inserted_count
-                    );
-                }
+                Ok(count) => inserted_count += count,
                 Err(e) => {
-                    error!("Failed to store batch: {:?}", e);
-                    error_count += chunk.len();
+                    pb.println(format!("batch insert failed: {:?}", e));
+                    error_count += chunk.len() - chunk_skipped;
                 }
             }
         }
+
+        pb.set_message(format!(
+            "inserted={} skipped={} errors={}",
+            inserted_count, skipped_count, error_count
+        ));
+        pb.inc(chunk.len() as u64);
     }
 
-    info!("\n=== Import Summary ===");
+    pb.finish_and_clear();
+
+    info!("=== Import Summary ===");
     info!("Total locations found: {}", locations.len());
     info!("Successfully inserted: {}", inserted_count);
     info!("Skipped (already exist): {}", skipped_count);
     info!("Errors: {}", error_count);
 
+    if error_count > 0 {
+        error!(
+            "Completed with {} errors — review log output above",
+            error_count
+        );
+    }
+
     Ok(())
 }
diff --git a/src/bin/import_search_history.rs b/src/bin/import_search_history.rs
index f278ca1..21af659 100644
--- a/src/bin/import_search_history.rs
+++ b/src/bin/import_search_history.rs
@@ -2,9 +2,10 @@ use anyhow::{Context, Result};
 use chrono::Utc;
 use clap::Parser;
 use image_api::ai::ollama::OllamaClient;
+use image_api::bin_progress;
 use image_api::database::search_dao::{InsertSearchRecord, SqliteSearchHistoryDao};
 use image_api::parsers::search_html_parser::parse_search_html;
-use log::{error, info, warn};
+use log::{error, info};
 
 // Import the trait to use its methods
 use image_api::database::SearchHistoryDao;
@@ -49,24 +50,22 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
     let ollama = OllamaClient::new(primary_url, fallback_url, primary_model, fallback_model);
     let context = opentelemetry::Context::current();
 
-    let mut inserted_count = 0;
-    let mut skipped_count = 0;
-    let mut error_count = 0;
+    let mut inserted_count = 0usize;
+    let mut skipped_count = 0usize;
+    let mut error_count = 0usize;
 
     let mut dao_instance = SqliteSearchHistoryDao::new();
     let created_at = Utc::now().timestamp();
 
+    let pb = bin_progress::determinate(searches.len() as u64, "importing");
+    let total_batches = searches.len().div_ceil(args.batch_size);
+
     // Process searches in batches (embeddings are REQUIRED for searches)
     for (batch_idx, chunk) in searches.chunks(args.batch_size).enumerate() {
-        info!(
-            "Processing batch {} ({} searches)...",
-            batch_idx + 1,
-            chunk.len()
-        );
-
         // Generate embeddings for this batch
         let queries: Vec<String> = chunk.iter().map(|s| s.query.clone()).collect();
 
+        let pb_for_warn = pb.clone();
         let embeddings_result = tokio::task::spawn({
             let ollama_client = ollama.clone();
             async move {
@@ -76,7 +75,7 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
                     match ollama_client.generate_embedding(query).await {
                         Ok(emb) => embeddings.push(Some(emb)),
                         Err(e) => {
-                            warn!("Failed to generate embedding for query '{}': {}", query, e);
+                            pb_for_warn.println(format!("embedding failed for '{}': {}", query, e));
                             embeddings.push(None);
                         }
                     }
@@ -112,10 +111,7 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
                     source_file: Some(args.path.clone()),
                 });
             } else {
-                error!(
-                    "Skipping search '{}' due to missing embedding",
-                    search.query
-                );
+                pb.println(format!("skipping '{}' — missing embedding", search.query));
                 error_count += 1;
             }
         }
@@ -123,30 +119,41 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
         // Batch insert entire chunk in single transaction
         if !batch_inserts.is_empty() {
             match dao_instance.store_searches_batch(&context, batch_inserts) {
-                Ok(count) => {
-                    inserted_count += count;
-                    info!("Imported {} searches (total: {})...", count, inserted_count);
-                }
+                Ok(count) => inserted_count += count,
                 Err(e) => {
-                    error!("Failed to store batch: {:?}", e);
+                    pb.println(format!("batch insert failed: {:?}", e));
                     error_count += chunk.len();
                 }
             }
         }
 
+        pb.set_message(format!(
+            "inserted={} skipped={} errors={}",
+            inserted_count, skipped_count, error_count
+        ));
+        pb.inc(chunk.len() as u64);
+
         // Rate limiting between batches
-        if batch_idx < searches.len() / args.batch_size {
-            info!("Waiting 500ms before next batch...");
+        if batch_idx + 1 < total_batches {
             tokio::time::sleep(tokio::time::Duration::from_millis(500)).await;
         }
     }
 
-    info!("\n=== Import Summary ===");
+    pb.finish_and_clear();
+
+    info!("=== Import Summary ===");
     info!("Total searches found: {}", searches.len());
     info!("Successfully inserted: {}", inserted_count);
     info!("Skipped (already exist): {}", skipped_count);
     info!("Errors: {}", error_count);
     info!("All imported searches have embeddings for semantic search");
 
+    if error_count > 0 {
+        error!(
+            "Completed with {} errors — review log output above",
+            error_count
+        );
+    }
+
     Ok(())
 }
diff --git a/src/bin/populate_knowledge.rs b/src/bin/populate_knowledge.rs
index b3239ca..2cae014 100644
--- a/src/bin/populate_knowledge.rs
+++ b/src/bin/populate_knowledge.rs
@@ -1,14 +1,17 @@
-use std::path::PathBuf;
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
 
 use clap::Parser;
+use log::warn;
 use walkdir::WalkDir;
 
 use image_api::ai::{InsightGenerator, OllamaClient, SmsApiClient};
+use image_api::bin_progress;
 use image_api::database::{
     CalendarEventDao, DailySummaryDao, ExifDao, InsightDao, KnowledgeDao, LocationHistoryDao,
     SearchHistoryDao, SqliteCalendarEventDao, SqliteDailySummaryDao, SqliteExifDao,
     SqliteInsightDao, SqliteKnowledgeDao, SqliteLocationHistoryDao, SqliteSearchHistoryDao,
+    connect,
 };
 use image_api::file_types::{IMAGE_EXTENSIONS, VIDEO_EXTENSIONS};
 use image_api::libraries::{self, Library};
@@ -20,7 +23,13 @@ use image_api::tags::{SqliteTagDao, TagDao};
     about = "Batch populate the knowledge base by running the agentic insight loop over a folder"
 )]
 struct Args {
-    /// Directory to scan. Defaults to BASE_PATH from .env
+    /// Restrict to a single library by numeric id or name. Defaults to all
+    /// configured libraries.
+    #[arg(long)]
+    library: Option<String>,
+
+    /// Optional subdirectory to scan instead of full library roots. Must be
+    /// an absolute path under one of the selected libraries.
     #[arg(long)]
     path: Option<String>,
 
@@ -68,10 +77,57 @@ async fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
 
     let args = Args::parse();
 
-    let base_path = dotenv::var("BASE_PATH")?;
-    let scan_path = args.path.as_deref().unwrap_or(&base_path).to_string();
+    // Load libraries from the DB. Patch the placeholder row from BASE_PATH
+    // first when present so a fresh install still gets a valid root.
+    let env_base_path = dotenv::var("BASE_PATH").ok();
+    let mut seed_conn = connect();
+    if let Some(base) = env_base_path.as_deref() {
+        libraries::seed_or_patch_from_env(&mut seed_conn, base);
+    }
+    let all_libs = libraries::load_all(&mut seed_conn);
+    drop(seed_conn);
+    if all_libs.is_empty() {
+        anyhow::bail!("No libraries configured");
+    }
 
-    // Ollama config from env with CLI overrides
+    // Resolve --library to a concrete subset.
+    let selected_libs: Vec<Library> = match args.library.as_deref() {
+        None => all_libs.clone(),
+        Some(raw) => {
+            let raw = raw.trim();
+            let matched = if let Ok(id) = raw.parse::<i32>() {
+                all_libs.iter().find(|l| l.id == id).cloned()
+            } else {
+                all_libs.iter().find(|l| l.name == raw).cloned()
+            };
+            match matched {
+                Some(lib) => vec![lib],
+                None => anyhow::bail!("Unknown library: {}", raw),
+            }
+        }
+    };
+
+    // Resolve --path to (target_library, walk_root). When provided, the path
+    // must live under exactly one of the selected libraries.
+    let scan_targets: Vec<(Library, PathBuf)> = match args.path.as_deref() {
+        None => selected_libs
+            .iter()
+            .map(|lib| (lib.clone(), PathBuf::from(&lib.root_path)))
+            .collect(),
+        Some(raw) => {
+            let abs = PathBuf::from(raw);
+            let matched = selected_libs
+                .iter()
+                .find(|lib| abs.starts_with(&lib.root_path))
+                .cloned();
+            match matched {
+                Some(lib) => vec![(lib, abs)],
+                None => anyhow::bail!("--path {} is not under any selected library root", raw),
+            }
+        }
+    };
+
+    // Ollama config from env with CLI overrides.
     let primary_url = std::env::var("OLLAMA_PRIMARY_URL")
         .or_else(|_| std::env::var("OLLAMA_URL"))
         .unwrap_or_else(|_| "http://localhost:11434".to_string());
@@ -108,7 +164,6 @@ async fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
     let sms_api_token = std::env::var("SMS_API_TOKEN").ok();
     let sms_client = SmsApiClient::new(sms_api_url, sms_api_token);
 
-    // Wire up all DAOs
     let insight_dao: Arc<Mutex<Box<dyn InsightDao>>> =
         Arc::new(Mutex::new(Box::new(SqliteInsightDao::new())));
     let exif_dao: Arc<Mutex<Box<dyn ExifDao>>> =
@@ -126,12 +181,9 @@ async fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
     let knowledge_dao: Arc<Mutex<Box<dyn KnowledgeDao>>> =
         Arc::new(Mutex::new(Box::new(SqliteKnowledgeDao::new())));
 
-    let populate_lib = Library {
-        id: libraries::PRIMARY_LIBRARY_ID,
-        name: "main".to_string(),
-        root_path: base_path.clone(),
-    };
-
+    // Pass the full library set so `resolve_full_path` probes every root,
+    // even when --library restricts the walk. A rel_path shared across
+    // libraries will resolve against the first existing match.
     let generator = InsightGenerator::new(
         ollama,
         None,
@@ -144,12 +196,15 @@ async fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         search_dao,
         tag_dao,
         knowledge_dao,
-        vec![populate_lib],
+        all_libs.clone(),
     );
 
     println!("Knowledge Base Population");
     println!("=========================");
-    println!("Scan path:      {}", scan_path);
+    for (lib, root) in &scan_targets {
+        println!("Library:        {} (id={})", lib.name, lib.id);
+        println!("Scan root:      {}", root.display());
+    }
     println!("Model:          {}", primary_model);
     println!("Max iterations: {}", args.max_iterations);
     println!("Timeout:        {}s", args.timeout_secs);
@@ -178,30 +233,56 @@ async fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
     );
     println!();
 
-    // Collect all image and video files
     let all_extensions: Vec<&str> = IMAGE_EXTENSIONS
         .iter()
         .chain(VIDEO_EXTENSIONS.iter())
         .copied()
         .collect();
 
-    println!("Scanning {}...", scan_path);
-    let files: Vec<PathBuf> = WalkDir::new(&scan_path)
-        .into_iter()
-        .filter_map(|e| e.ok())
-        .filter(|e| e.file_type().is_file())
-        .filter(|e| {
-            e.path()
+    // Collect (library, abs_path, rel_path) for every media file across all
+    // scan targets so the progress counter spans the full job.
+    let mut files: Vec<(Library, PathBuf, String)> = Vec::new();
+    for (lib, walk_root) in &scan_targets {
+        let lib_root = Path::new(&lib.root_path);
+        let scan_pb = bin_progress::spinner(format!("scanning {}", walk_root.display()));
+        let count_before = files.len();
+        for entry in WalkDir::new(walk_root).into_iter().filter_map(|e| e.ok()) {
+            if !entry.file_type().is_file() {
+                continue;
+            }
+            let abs_path = entry.path().to_path_buf();
+            let ext_ok = abs_path
                 .extension()
                 .and_then(|ext| ext.to_str())
                 .map(|ext| all_extensions.contains(&ext.to_lowercase().as_str()))
-                .unwrap_or(false)
-        })
-        .map(|e| e.path().to_path_buf())
-        .collect();
+                .unwrap_or(false);
+            if !ext_ok {
+                continue;
+            }
+            let rel = match abs_path.strip_prefix(lib_root) {
+                Ok(p) => p.to_string_lossy().replace('\\', "/"),
+                Err(_) => {
+                    warn!(
+                        "{} is not under library root {}; skipping",
+                        abs_path.display(),
+                        lib_root.display()
+                    );
+                    continue;
+                }
+            };
+            files.push((lib.clone(), abs_path, rel));
+            scan_pb.inc(1);
+        }
+        let added = files.len() - count_before;
+        scan_pb.finish_with_message(format!(
+            "scanned {} ({} media files)",
+            walk_root.display(),
+            added
+        ));
+    }
 
     let total = files.len();
-    println!("Found {} files\n", total);
+    println!("\nTotal files to consider: {}\n", total);
 
     if total == 0 {
         println!("Nothing to process.");
@@ -213,35 +294,29 @@ async fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
     let mut skipped = 0usize;
     let mut errors = 0usize;
 
-    for (i, path) in files.iter().enumerate() {
-        let relative = match path.strip_prefix(&base_path) {
-            Ok(p) => p.to_string_lossy().replace('\\', "/"),
-            Err(_) => path.to_string_lossy().replace('\\', "/"),
-        };
+    let pb = bin_progress::determinate(total as u64, "");
 
-        let prefix = format!("[{}/{}]", i + 1, total);
+    for (lib, _abs_path, relative) in files.iter() {
+        pb.set_message(format!("{}: {}", lib.name, relative));
 
-        // Check for existing insight unless --reprocess
         if !args.reprocess {
             let has_insight = insight_dao
                 .lock()
                 .unwrap()
-                .get_insight(&cx, &relative)
+                .get_insight(&cx, relative)
                 .unwrap_or(None)
                 .is_some();
 
             if has_insight {
-                println!("{} skip  {}", prefix, relative);
                 skipped += 1;
+                pb.inc(1);
                 continue;
             }
         }
 
-        println!("{} start {}", prefix, relative);
-
         match generator
             .generate_agentic_insight_for_photo(
-                &relative,
+                relative,
                 args.model.clone(),
                 None,
                 args.num_ctx,
@@ -256,17 +331,17 @@ async fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
             )
             .await
         {
-            Ok(_) => {
-                println!("{} done  {}", prefix, relative);
-                processed += 1;
-            }
+            Ok(_) => processed += 1,
             Err(e) => {
-                eprintln!("{} error {} — {:?}", prefix, relative, e);
+                pb.println(format!("error  {}: {} — {:?}", lib.name, relative, e));
                 errors += 1;
             }
         }
+        pb.inc(1);
     }
 
+    pb.finish_and_clear();
+
     println!();
     println!("=========================");
     println!("Complete");
diff --git a/src/bin_progress.rs b/src/bin_progress.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..867bb40
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/bin_progress.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+//! Shared progress-bar styling for the utility binaries. Centralised so every
+//! `cargo run --bin ...` tool gets the same look and feel.
+
+use indicatif::{ProgressBar, ProgressStyle};
+
+const DETERMINATE_TEMPLATE: &str = "{spinner:.green} [{elapsed_precise}] [{wide_bar:.cyan/blue}] \
+     {human_pos}/{human_len} ({percent}%) {per_sec} eta {eta} {msg}";
+
+const SPINNER_TEMPLATE: &str = "{spinner:.green} [{elapsed_precise}] {human_pos} {per_sec} {msg}";
+
+/// Determinate progress bar used when the total work is known up front.
+pub fn determinate(total: u64, message: impl Into<String>) -> ProgressBar {
+    let pb = ProgressBar::new(total);
+    pb.set_style(
+        ProgressStyle::with_template(DETERMINATE_TEMPLATE)
+            .expect("hard-coded template parses")
+            .progress_chars("=> "),
+    );
+    pb.set_message(message.into());
+    pb
+}
+
+/// Spinner used for open-ended work (e.g. paginated DB scans that loop until
+/// empty). Throughput is shown via `{per_sec}`; tick at a steady cadence so
+/// it animates even when work is bursty.
+pub fn spinner(message: impl Into<String>) -> ProgressBar {
+    let pb = ProgressBar::new_spinner();
+    pb.set_style(
+        ProgressStyle::with_template(SPINNER_TEMPLATE).expect("hard-coded template parses"),
+    );
+    pb.set_message(message.into());
+    pb.enable_steady_tick(std::time::Duration::from_millis(120));
+    pb
+}
diff --git a/src/cleanup/phase1.rs b/src/cleanup/phase1.rs
index f3aed33..c48effa 100644
--- a/src/cleanup/phase1.rs
+++ b/src/cleanup/phase1.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
+use crate::bin_progress;
 use crate::cleanup::database_updater::DatabaseUpdater;
 use crate::cleanup::types::{CleanupConfig, CleanupStats};
 use crate::file_types::IMAGE_EXTENSIONS;
 use anyhow::Result;
-use log::{error, warn};
+use log::error;
 use std::path::PathBuf;
 
 // All supported image extensions to try
@@ -25,15 +26,17 @@ pub fn resolve_missing_files(
 
     stats.files_checked = all_paths.len();
 
-    println!("Checking file existence...");
     let mut missing_count = 0;
     let mut resolved_count = 0;
 
+    let pb = bin_progress::determinate(stats.files_checked as u64, "checking");
+
     for path_str in all_paths {
         let full_path = config.base_path.join(&path_str);
 
         // Check if file exists
         if full_path.exists() {
+            pb.inc(1);
             continue;
         }
 
@@ -43,16 +46,16 @@ pub fn resolve_missing_files(
         // Try to find the file with different extensions
         match find_file_with_alternative_extension(&config.base_path, &path_str) {
             Some(new_path_str) => {
-                println!(
-                    "✓ {} → found as {} {}",
+                pb.println(format!(
+                    "✓ {} → found as {}{}",
                     path_str,
                     new_path_str,
                     if config.dry_run {
-                        "(dry-run, not updated)"
+                        " (dry-run, not updated)"
                     } else {
                         ""
                     }
-                );
+                ));
 
                 if !config.dry_run {
                     // Update database
@@ -71,11 +74,18 @@ pub fn resolve_missing_files(
                 }
             }
             None => {
-                warn!("✗ {} → not found with any extension", path_str);
+                pb.println(format!("✗ {} — not found with any extension", path_str));
             }
         }
+        pb.set_message(format!(
+            "missing={} resolved={}",
+            missing_count, resolved_count
+        ));
+        pb.inc(1);
     }
 
+    pb.finish_and_clear();
+
     println!("\nResults:");
     println!("- Files checked: {}", stats.files_checked);
     println!("- Missing files: {}", missing_count);
diff --git a/src/cleanup/phase2.rs b/src/cleanup/phase2.rs
index 209a2f0..26942f0 100644
--- a/src/cleanup/phase2.rs
+++ b/src/cleanup/phase2.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
+use crate::bin_progress;
 use crate::cleanup::database_updater::DatabaseUpdater;
 use crate::cleanup::file_type_detector::{detect_file_type, should_rename};
 use crate::cleanup::types::{CleanupConfig, CleanupStats};
 use anyhow::Result;
+use indicatif::ProgressBar;
 use log::{error, warn};
 use std::fs;
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
@@ -32,16 +34,20 @@ pub fn validate_file_types(
     println!("Files found: {}\n", files.len());
     stats.files_checked = files.len();
 
-    println!("Detecting file types...");
     let mut mismatches_found = 0;
     let mut files_renamed = 0;
     let mut user_skipped = 0;
 
+    let pb = bin_progress::determinate(files.len() as u64, "detecting");
+
     for file_path in files {
         // Get current extension
         let current_ext = match file_path.extension() {
             Some(ext) => ext.to_str().unwrap_or(""),
-            None => continue, // Skip files without extensions
+            None => {
+                pb.inc(1);
+                continue;
+            }
         };
 
         // Detect actual file type
@@ -57,14 +63,15 @@ pub fn validate_file_types(
                         Ok(rel) => rel.to_str().unwrap_or(""),
                         Err(_) => {
                             error!("Failed to get relative path for {:?}", file_path);
+                            pb.inc(1);
                             continue;
                         }
                     };
 
-                    println!("\nFile type mismatch:");
-                    println!("  Path: {}", relative_path);
-                    println!("  Current: .{}", current_ext);
-                    println!("  Actual: .{}", detected_ext);
+                    pb.println(format!(
+                        "mismatch: {}  .{} → .{}",
+                        relative_path, current_ext, detected_ext
+                    ));
 
                     // Calculate new path
                     let new_file_path = file_path.with_extension(&detected_ext);
@@ -72,6 +79,7 @@ pub fn validate_file_types(
                         Ok(rel) => rel.to_str().unwrap_or(""),
                         Err(_) => {
                             error!("Failed to get new relative path for {:?}", new_file_path);
+                            pb.inc(1);
                             continue;
                         }
                     };
@@ -83,22 +91,26 @@ pub fn validate_file_types(
                             "Destination exists for {}: {}",
                             relative_path, new_relative_path
                         ));
+                        pb.inc(1);
                         continue;
                     }
 
                     // Determine if we should proceed
                     let should_proceed = if config.dry_run {
-                        println!("  (dry-run mode - would rename to {})", new_relative_path);
+                        pb.println(format!(
+                            "  (dry-run — would rename to {})",
+                            new_relative_path
+                        ));
                         false
                     } else if skip_all {
-                        println!("  Skipped (skip all)");
                         user_skipped += 1;
                         false
                     } else if auto_fix_all {
                         true
                     } else {
-                        // Interactive prompt
-                        match prompt_for_rename(new_relative_path) {
+                        // Interactive prompt — suspend the bar so the prompt is visible.
+                        let decision = pb.suspend(|| prompt_for_rename(new_relative_path, &pb));
+                        match decision {
                             RenameDecision::Yes => true,
                             RenameDecision::No => {
                                 user_skipped += 1;
@@ -120,8 +132,6 @@ pub fn validate_file_types(
                         // Rename the file
                         match fs::rename(&file_path, &new_file_path) {
                             Ok(_) => {
-                                println!("✓ Renamed file");
-
                                 // Update database
                                 match db_updater.update_file_path(relative_path, new_relative_path)
                                 {
@@ -160,8 +170,15 @@ pub fn validate_file_types(
                 warn!("Failed to detect type for {:?}: {:?}", file_path, e);
             }
         }
+        pb.set_message(format!(
+            "mismatches={} renamed={} skipped={}",
+            mismatches_found, files_renamed, user_skipped
+        ));
+        pb.inc(1);
     }
 
+    pb.finish_and_clear();
+
     println!("\nResults:");
     println!("- Files scanned: {}", stats.files_checked);
     println!("- Mismatches found: {}", mismatches_found);
@@ -195,8 +212,9 @@ enum RenameDecision {
     SkipAll,
 }
 
-/// Prompt the user for rename decision
-fn prompt_for_rename(new_path: &str) -> RenameDecision {
+/// Prompt the user for rename decision. Caller must `pb.suspend` so the
+/// progress bar isn't redrawing over the prompt.
+fn prompt_for_rename(new_path: &str, _pb: &ProgressBar) -> RenameDecision {
     println!("\nRename to {}?", new_path);
     println!("  [y] Yes");
     println!("  [n] No (default)");
diff --git a/src/lib.rs b/src/lib.rs
index cf0ba10..e6d2cc1 100644
--- a/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/lib.rs
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ extern crate diesel;
 
 pub mod ai;
 pub mod auth;
+pub mod bin_progress;
 pub mod cleanup;
 pub mod content_hash;
 pub mod data;