diff --git a/studio/backend/core/data_recipe/jobs/manager.py b/studio/backend/core/data_recipe/jobs/manager.py
index 0e0044702e..135c9fccf6 100644
--- a/studio/backend/core/data_recipe/jobs/manager.py
+++ b/studio/backend/core/data_recipe/jobs/manager.py
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@ from .constants import (
 )
 from .parse import apply_update, coerce_event, parse_log_message
 from .types import Job
-from .worker import run_job_process
 from loggers import get_logger
 
 logger = get_logger(__name__)
@@ -169,12 +168,18 @@ class JobManager:
                 native_path_secret_removed_for_child_start,
                 run_without_native_path_secret,
             )
+            from utils.hf_cache_settings import child_environment_for_spawn, get_hf_cache_paths
 
-            with native_path_secret_removed_for_child_start():
+            cache_env = get_hf_cache_paths().child_env({})
+
+            with (
+                child_environment_for_spawn(cache_env),
+                native_path_secret_removed_for_child_start(),
+            ):
                 mp_q = _CTX.Queue()
                 proc = _CTX.Process(
                     target = run_without_native_path_secret,
-                    args = (run_job_process,),
+                    args = ("core.data_recipe.jobs.worker", "run_job_process", cache_env),
                     kwargs = {"event_queue": mp_q, "recipe": recipe, "run": run_payload},
                     daemon = True,
                 )
diff --git a/studio/backend/core/export/orchestrator.py b/studio/backend/core/export/orchestrator.py
index 6d1a928f2e..aaf48615f0 100644
--- a/studio/backend/core/export/orchestrator.py
+++ b/studio/backend/core/export/orchestrator.py
@@ -230,16 +230,20 @@ class ExportOrchestrator:
             native_path_secret_removed_for_child_start,
             run_without_native_path_secret,
         )
+        from utils.hf_cache_settings import child_environment_for_spawn, get_hf_cache_paths
 
-        from .worker import run_export_process
+        cache_env = get_hf_cache_paths().child_env({})
 
-        with native_path_secret_removed_for_child_start():
+        with (
+            child_environment_for_spawn(cache_env),
+            native_path_secret_removed_for_child_start(),
+        ):
             self._cmd_queue = _CTX.Queue()
             self._resp_queue = _CTX.Queue()
 
             self._proc = _CTX.Process(
                 target = run_without_native_path_secret,
-                args = (run_export_process,),
+                args = ("core.export.worker", "run_export_process", cache_env),
                 kwargs = {
                     "cmd_queue": self._cmd_queue,
                     "resp_queue": self._resp_queue,
diff --git a/studio/backend/core/inference/audio_codecs.py b/studio/backend/core/inference/audio_codecs.py
index 93c7da72cb..b59f2bcce0 100644
--- a/studio/backend/core/inference/audio_codecs.py
+++ b/studio/backend/core/inference/audio_codecs.py
@@ -76,8 +76,14 @@ class AudioCodecManager:
         if self._snac_model is not None:
             return
         from snac import SNAC
+        from utils.hf_cache_settings import active_hf_hub_cache
 
-        self._snac_model = SNAC.from_pretrained("hubertsiuzdak/snac_24khz").to(device).eval()
+        # Route weights to the selected cache; this can run in the main process.
+        self._snac_model = (
+            SNAC.from_pretrained("hubertsiuzdak/snac_24khz", cache_dir = active_hf_hub_cache())
+            .to(device)
+            .eval()
+        )
         logger.info("Loaded SNAC codec (24kHz)")
 
     def _load_bicodec(
diff --git a/studio/backend/core/inference/llama_cpp.py b/studio/backend/core/inference/llama_cpp.py
index 1c9c76ebe9..fc58442a79 100644
--- a/studio/backend/core/inference/llama_cpp.py
+++ b/studio/backend/core/inference/llama_cpp.py
@@ -579,7 +579,14 @@ def _swa_entry_from_layer_types(lt) -> Optional[object]:
 def _fetch_swa_entry_from_hf(repo_id: str) -> Optional[object]:
     try:
         from huggingface_hub import hf_hub_download
-        cfg_path = hf_hub_download(repo_id, "config.json", repo_type = "model")
+        from utils.hf_cache_settings import active_hf_hub_cache
+
+        cfg_path = hf_hub_download(
+            repo_id,
+            "config.json",
+            repo_type = "model",
+            cache_dir = active_hf_hub_cache(),
+        )
         with open(cfg_path) as f:
             cfg = json.load(f)
     except Exception:
@@ -981,6 +988,7 @@ def _cached_hf_snapshot_file(
     filename: str,
     *,
     expected_size: Optional[int] = None,
+    cache_dir: Optional[str] = None,
 ) -> Optional[str]:
     """Return a cached snapshot file even when HF's current-ref probe misses it."""
     if not filename:
@@ -989,8 +997,22 @@ def _cached_hf_snapshot_file(
     if not parts or any(part in (".", "..") for part in parts):
         return None
     try:
-        from utils.models.model_config import _iter_hf_cache_snapshots
-        for snap in _iter_hf_cache_snapshots(repo_id):
+        if cache_dir is None:
+            from utils.models.model_config import _iter_hf_cache_snapshots
+            snapshots = _iter_hf_cache_snapshots(repo_id)
+        else:
+            from hub.utils.hf_cache_state import iter_active_repo_cache_dirs
+            snapshots = (
+                snapshot
+                for repo_dir in iter_active_repo_cache_dirs(
+                    "model",
+                    repo_id,
+                    root = Path(cache_dir),
+                )
+                for snapshot in (repo_dir / "snapshots").glob("*")
+                if snapshot.is_dir()
+            )
+        for snap in snapshots:
             candidate = snap.joinpath(*parts)
             if not candidate.is_file():
                 continue
@@ -1232,6 +1254,16 @@ def _snapshot_dir_of(path: str) -> Optional[Path]:
     return None
 
 
+def _hub_cache_dir_for_snapshot_path(path: Optional[str]) -> Optional[str]:
+    """Return the HF Hub cache root that owns a snapshot-contained path."""
+    if not path:
+        return None
+    snapshot = _snapshot_dir_of(path)
+    if snapshot is None or snapshot.parent.name != "snapshots":
+        return None
+    return str(snapshot.parent.parent.parent)
+
+
 def _companion_snapshot_sibling(
     near_path: str, pick: Callable[[list[str]], Optional[str]]
 ) -> Optional[str]:
@@ -5070,6 +5102,9 @@ class LlamaCppBackend:
         touching the shared one; defaults to the shared event.
         """
         cancel_event = cancel_event if cancel_event is not None else self._cancel_event
+        from utils.hf_cache_settings import get_hf_cache_paths
+
+        download_cache_dir = str(get_hf_cache_paths().hub_cache)
         try:
             import huggingface_hub  # noqa: F401 -- presence check only
         except ImportError:
@@ -5165,7 +5200,11 @@ class LlamaCppBackend:
                     if not p.size:
                         continue
                     try:
-                        cached_path = try_to_load_from_cache(hf_repo, p.path)
+                        cached_path = try_to_load_from_cache(
+                            hf_repo,
+                            p.path,
+                            cache_dir = download_cache_dir,
+                        )
                     except Exception:
                         cached_path = None
                     if (
@@ -5176,6 +5215,7 @@ class LlamaCppBackend:
                             hf_repo,
                             p.path,
                             expected_size = p.size,
+                            cache_dir = download_cache_dir,
                         )
                     if isinstance(cached_path, str) and os.path.exists(cached_path):
                         try:
@@ -5189,12 +5229,8 @@ class LlamaCppBackend:
             total_download_bytes = max(0, total_bytes - already_cached_bytes)
 
             if total_download_bytes > 0:
-                cache_dir = os.environ.get(
-                    "HF_HUB_CACHE",
-                    str(Path.home() / ".cache" / "huggingface" / "hub"),
-                )
-                Path(cache_dir).mkdir(parents = True, exist_ok = True)
-                free_bytes = shutil.disk_usage(cache_dir).free
+                Path(download_cache_dir).mkdir(parents = True, exist_ok = True)
+                free_bytes = shutil.disk_usage(download_cache_dir).free
 
                 total_gb = total_download_bytes / (1024**3)
                 free_gb = free_bytes / (1024**3)
@@ -5212,7 +5248,7 @@ class LlamaCppBackend:
                         # surface the disk shortfall for the requested variant.
                         raise RuntimeError(
                             f"Not enough disk space to download {gguf_filename}. "
-                            f"Only {free_gb:.1f} GB free in {cache_dir}"
+                            f"Only {free_gb:.1f} GB free in {download_cache_dir}"
                         )
                     smaller = self._find_smallest_fitting_variant(
                         hf_repo,
@@ -5243,7 +5279,7 @@ class LlamaCppBackend:
                     else:
                         raise RuntimeError(
                             f"Not enough disk space to download any variant. "
-                            f"Only {free_gb:.1f} GB free in {cache_dir}"
+                            f"Only {free_gb:.1f} GB free in {download_cache_dir}"
                         )
         except RuntimeError:
             raise
@@ -5266,6 +5302,7 @@ class LlamaCppBackend:
                 cancel_event = cancel_event,
                 on_status = lambda m: logger.info(m),
                 force_download = force,
+                cache_dir = download_cache_dir,
             )
             for shard in gguf_extra_shards:
                 if cancel_event.is_set():
@@ -5277,6 +5314,7 @@ class LlamaCppBackend:
                     hf_token,
                     cancel_event = cancel_event,
                     force_download = force,
+                    cache_dir = download_cache_dir,
                 )
         except Exception as e:
             if isinstance(e, RuntimeError) and "Cancelled" in str(e):
@@ -5322,6 +5360,12 @@ class LlamaCppBackend:
                 logger.info("Reusing cached %s: %s", label, cached)
                 return cached
 
+        from utils.hf_cache_settings import get_hf_cache_paths
+
+        companion_cache_dir = _hub_cache_dir_for_snapshot_path(near_path) or str(
+            get_hf_cache_paths().hub_cache
+        )
+
         if _hub_download_in_flight(hf_repo):
             logger.info("Skipping %s download while a hub download is active", label)
             return None
@@ -5356,7 +5400,7 @@ class LlamaCppBackend:
         if target is None:
             try:
                 from utils.models.model_config import _iter_hf_cache_snapshots
-                for snap in _iter_hf_cache_snapshots(hf_repo):
+                for snap in _iter_hf_cache_snapshots(hf_repo, companion_cache_dir):
                     rel_files = _gguf_snapshot_files(snap)
                     target = pick(rel_files)
                     if target is not None:
@@ -5374,7 +5418,11 @@ class LlamaCppBackend:
         # hf_hub_download with hf_repo would miss the canonical file and silently
         # drop the companion. _cached_hf_snapshot_file scans every case variant.
         if _hf_env_offline():
-            cached = _cached_hf_snapshot_file(hf_repo, target)
+            cached = _cached_hf_snapshot_file(
+                hf_repo,
+                target,
+                cache_dir = companion_cache_dir,
+            )
             if cached:
                 logger.info("Resolved %s from local HF cache: %s", label, cached)
                 return cached
@@ -5387,6 +5435,7 @@ class LlamaCppBackend:
                 target,
                 hf_token,
                 cancel_event = cancel_event,
+                cache_dir = companion_cache_dir,
             )
         except Exception as e:
             logger.warning(f"Could not download {label}: {e}")
@@ -5417,7 +5466,12 @@ class LlamaCppBackend:
             near_path = near_path,
         )
 
-    def _cached_repo_mtp_drafter(self, hf_repo: str) -> Optional[str]:
+    def _cached_repo_mtp_drafter(
+        self,
+        hf_repo: str,
+        *,
+        cache_dir: Optional[str] = None,
+    ) -> Optional[str]:
         """A drafter already in this repo's local HF cache, reused offline when a
         fresh copy can't be fetched. Prefers a repo-root ``mtp-*.gguf`` across all
         cached snapshots; else an existing ``MTP/`` copy (any precision -- the
@@ -5427,7 +5481,12 @@ class LlamaCppBackend:
 
             roots: list[Path] = []
             subdirs: list[Path] = []
-            for snap in _iter_hf_cache_snapshots(hf_repo):  # newest first
+            snapshots = (
+                _iter_hf_cache_snapshots(hf_repo)
+                if cache_dir is None
+                else _iter_hf_cache_snapshots(hf_repo, cache_dir)
+            )
+            for snap in snapshots:  # newest first
                 for f in sorted(_gguf_snapshot_files(snap)):
                     if _is_companion_gguf_path(f) and "mmproj" not in f.lower():
                         (roots if "/" not in f else subdirs).append(snap / f)
@@ -5480,7 +5539,10 @@ class LlamaCppBackend:
         # current cached file and refetch a changed one, so skip the probe here
         # rather than pair new weights with a stale draft.
         if _hf_env_offline():
-            cached = self._cached_repo_mtp_drafter(hf_repo)
+            cached = self._cached_repo_mtp_drafter(
+                hf_repo,
+                cache_dir = _hub_cache_dir_for_snapshot_path(near_path),
+            )
             if cached:
                 logger.info(f"Reusing cached MTP drafter (offline): {cached}")
                 return cached
diff --git a/studio/backend/core/inference/local_model_resolver.py b/studio/backend/core/inference/local_model_resolver.py
index 64ab38ec75..9e3eaeda3f 100644
--- a/studio/backend/core/inference/local_model_resolver.py
+++ b/studio/backend/core/inference/local_model_resolver.py
@@ -146,6 +146,7 @@ def _build_index() -> dict[str, _LocalGgufEntry]:
         _is_hidden_model,
     )
     from utils.paths import legacy_hf_cache_dir, hf_default_cache_dir, lmstudio_model_dirs
+    from utils.hf_cache_settings import known_hf_hub_caches
 
     index: dict[str, _LocalGgufEntry] = {}
     seen_hf: set[str] = set()
@@ -174,7 +175,12 @@ def _build_index() -> dict[str, _LocalGgufEntry]:
     except Exception as exc:
         logger.debug("auto-switch: ./models scan failed: %s", exc)
     try:
-        for hf_dir in (_resolve_hf_cache_dir(), legacy_hf_cache_dir(), hf_default_cache_dir()):
+        for hf_dir in (
+            *known_hf_hub_caches(),
+            _resolve_hf_cache_dir(),
+            legacy_hf_cache_dir(),
+            hf_default_cache_dir(),
+        ):
             found += _scan_hf_once(hf_dir)
     except Exception as exc:
         logger.debug("auto-switch: HF cache scan failed: %s", exc)
diff --git a/studio/backend/core/inference/orchestrator.py b/studio/backend/core/inference/orchestrator.py
index 75ef9c2399..409132d605 100644
--- a/studio/backend/core/inference/orchestrator.py
+++ b/studio/backend/core/inference/orchestrator.py
@@ -217,10 +217,14 @@ class InferenceOrchestrator:
             native_path_secret_removed_for_child_start,
             run_without_native_path_secret,
         )
+        from utils.hf_cache_settings import child_environment_for_spawn, get_hf_cache_paths
 
-        from .worker import run_inference_process
+        cache_env = get_hf_cache_paths().child_env({})
 
-        with native_path_secret_removed_for_child_start():
+        with (
+            child_environment_for_spawn(cache_env),
+            native_path_secret_removed_for_child_start(),
+        ):
             self._cmd_queue = _CTX.Queue()
             self._resp_queue = _CTX.Queue()
             self._cancel_event = _CTX.Event()
@@ -228,7 +232,7 @@ class InferenceOrchestrator:
 
             self._proc = _CTX.Process(
                 target = run_without_native_path_secret,
-                args = (run_inference_process,),
+                args = ("core.inference.worker", "run_inference_process", cache_env),
                 kwargs = {
                     "cmd_queue": self._cmd_queue,
                     "resp_queue": self._resp_queue,
diff --git a/studio/backend/core/rag/embed_llama_server.py b/studio/backend/core/rag/embed_llama_server.py
index b141e59422..facd989b27 100644
--- a/studio/backend/core/rag/embed_llama_server.py
+++ b/studio/backend/core/rag/embed_llama_server.py
@@ -188,7 +188,14 @@ class LlamaServerBackend:
         match = [f for f in files if variant in f.lower()] or files
         filename = sorted(match, key = len)[0]
         logger.info("resolving GGUF embedder %s/%s", repo, filename)
-        self._model_path = hf_hub_download(repo_id = repo, filename = filename, token = token)
+        from utils.hf_cache_settings import active_hf_hub_cache
+
+        self._model_path = hf_hub_download(
+            repo_id = repo,
+            filename = filename,
+            token = token,
+            cache_dir = active_hf_hub_cache(),
+        )
         self._model_repo = desired
         self._dim = None
         return self._model_path
diff --git a/studio/backend/core/rag/embeddings.py b/studio/backend/core/rag/embeddings.py
index 0c743e4ea4..3354585d2a 100644
--- a/studio/backend/core/rag/embeddings.py
+++ b/studio/backend/core/rag/embeddings.py
@@ -104,9 +104,15 @@ def _st_module_subdirs(name: str, token: str | None) -> tuple[str, ...]:
         else:
             from huggingface_hub import hf_hub_download
             from huggingface_hub.utils import EntryNotFoundError
+            from utils.hf_cache_settings import active_hf_hub_cache
 
             try:
-                local = hf_hub_download(name, "modules.json", token = token or None)
+                local = hf_hub_download(
+                    name,
+                    "modules.json",
+                    token = token or None,
+                    cache_dir = active_hf_hub_cache(),
+                )
             except EntryNotFoundError:
                 return ()
             data = json.loads(open(local).read())
@@ -183,11 +189,16 @@ def _get(model_name: str | None = None):
         if _model is None or _name != name:
             _install_torchao_stub_once()
             from sentence_transformers import SentenceTransformer
+            from utils.hf_cache_settings import active_hf_hub_cache
 
             device = _device()
             logger.info("loading embedding model %s on %s", name, device)
             _guard_model_security(name, local_only)
-            st_kwargs = dict(device = device, model_kwargs = dtype_kwargs("float16"))
+            st_kwargs = dict(
+                device = device,
+                cache_folder = active_hf_hub_cache(),
+                model_kwargs = dtype_kwargs("float16"),
+            )
             load_target = name
             if local_only:
                 from utils.utils import hf_cache_snapshot_dir
diff --git a/studio/backend/core/training/training.py b/studio/backend/core/training/training.py
index 26d8c23b66..7cfa61d60f 100644
--- a/studio/backend/core/training/training.py
+++ b/studio/backend/core/training/training.py
@@ -929,16 +929,21 @@ class TrainingBackend:
                 config["resolved_gpu_ids"] = resolved_gpu_ids
                 config["gpu_selection"] = gpu_selection
 
-            from .worker import run_training_process
+            from utils.hf_cache_settings import child_environment_for_spawn, get_hf_cache_paths
+
+            cache_env = get_hf_cache_paths().child_env({})
 
             try:
-                with native_path_secret_removed_for_child_start():
+                with (
+                    child_environment_for_spawn(cache_env),
+                    native_path_secret_removed_for_child_start(),
+                ):
                     event_queue = _CTX.Queue()
                     stop_queue = _CTX.Queue()
 
                     proc = _CTX.Process(
                         target = run_without_native_path_secret,
-                        args = (run_training_process,),
+                        args = ("core.training.worker", "run_training_process", cache_env),
                         kwargs = {
                             "event_queue": event_queue,
                             "stop_queue": stop_queue,
@@ -991,6 +996,7 @@ class TrainingBackend:
             self._db_started_at = datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat()
             # Start each job Xet-first; keep config so a stall can respawn over HTTP.
             self._last_full_config = config
+            self._last_hf_cache_env = cache_env
             self._in_model_load = False
             self._xet_fallback_used = False
             self._needs_xet_respawn = False
@@ -1400,7 +1406,11 @@ class TrainingBackend:
         self._last_full_config = config
         logger.warning("Respawning training worker with HF_HUB_DISABLE_XET=1 after Xet stall")
 
-        from .worker import run_training_process
+        cache_env = getattr(self, "_last_hf_cache_env", None)
+        if not cache_env:
+            from utils.hf_cache_settings import get_hf_cache_paths
+            cache_env = get_hf_cache_paths().child_env({})
+        from utils.hf_cache_settings import child_environment_for_spawn
 
         # This run is active, so an install request 409s rather than proceeds: a reservation seen here
         # is transient (an aborting install or short lazy repair). Wait it out instead of stranding the
@@ -1432,12 +1442,15 @@ class TrainingBackend:
         # crashed respawn cannot wedge is_training_active until restart.
         try:
             try:
-                with native_path_secret_removed_for_child_start():
+                with (
+                    child_environment_for_spawn(cache_env),
+                    native_path_secret_removed_for_child_start(),
+                ):
                     event_queue = _CTX.Queue()
                     stop_queue = _CTX.Queue()
                     new_proc = _CTX.Process(
                         target = run_without_native_path_secret,
-                        args = (run_training_process,),
+                        args = ("core.training.worker", "run_training_process", cache_env),
                         kwargs = {
                             "event_queue": event_queue,
                             "stop_queue": stop_queue,
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/routes/datasets.py b/studio/backend/hub/routes/datasets.py
index edf4f36ac0..7c7cc274d3 100644
--- a/studio/backend/hub/routes/datasets.py
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/routes/datasets.py
@@ -61,9 +61,11 @@ async def list_cached_datasets(current_subject: str = Depends(get_current_subjec
 
 @router.delete("/cached", response_model = DeleteCachedDatasetResponse)
 async def delete_cached_dataset(
-    repo_id: str = Body(..., embed = True), current_subject: str = Depends(get_current_subject)
+    repo_id: str = Body(..., embed = True),
+    cache_path: Optional[str] = Body(None, embed = True),
+    current_subject: str = Depends(get_current_subject),
 ):
-    return await cache_inventory.delete_cached_dataset_response(repo_id)
+    return await cache_inventory.delete_cached_dataset_response(repo_id, cache_path)
 
 
 @router.get("/download-progress", response_model = DownloadProgressResponse)
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/routes/inventory.py b/studio/backend/hub/routes/inventory.py
index 1ffadf0544..dc3e3641bc 100644
--- a/studio/backend/hub/routes/inventory.py
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/routes/inventory.py
@@ -233,7 +233,8 @@ async def list_hidden_models(current_subject: str = Depends(get_current_subject)
 async def delete_cached_model(
     repo_id: str = Body(...),
     variant: Optional[str] = Body(None),
+    cache_path: Optional[str] = Body(None),
     hf_token: Optional[str] = Depends(get_hf_token),
     current_subject: str = Depends(get_current_subject),
 ):
-    return await deletion.delete_cached_model_response(repo_id, variant, hf_token)
+    return await deletion.delete_cached_model_response(repo_id, variant, hf_token, cache_path)
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/schemas/inventory.py b/studio/backend/hub/schemas/inventory.py
index 19d6da3e11..ca0f4658a3 100644
--- a/studio/backend/hub/schemas/inventory.py
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/schemas/inventory.py
@@ -99,6 +99,10 @@ class LocalModelInfo(BaseModel):
         None,
         description = "HF repo id for cached models, e.g. org/model",
     )
+    active_cache: Optional[bool] = Field(
+        None,
+        description = "Whether this HF entry belongs to the current download cache.",
+    )
     base_model: Optional[str] = Field(
         None,
         description = "Base model from adapter_config.json when this is an adapter",
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/services/datasets/cache_inventory.py b/studio/backend/hub/services/datasets/cache_inventory.py
index a180c9df58..c106b62ab7 100644
--- a/studio/backend/hub/services/datasets/cache_inventory.py
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/services/datasets/cache_inventory.py
@@ -20,12 +20,11 @@ from hub.utils import inventory_scan as hf_cache_scan
 from hub.utils.hf_cache_state import (
     purge_partial_repo,
     purge_repo_cache_dirs,
+    resolve_delete_target_root,
     resolve_destructive_case_matches,
 )
 from hub.utils.paths import (
-    hf_default_cache_dir,
     is_valid_repo_id as _is_valid_repo_id,
-    legacy_hf_cache_dir,
     resolve_cached_repo_id_case,
 )
 
@@ -43,38 +42,8 @@ def _collect_hf_cache_scans() -> tuple[list, set[str]]:
 
 
 def _hf_hub_cache_roots() -> list[Path]:
-    roots: list[Path] = []
-    seen: set[str] = set()
-
-    def _add(path: Optional[Path]) -> None:
-        if path is None or not path.is_dir():
-            return
-        try:
-            resolved = str(path.resolve())
-        except OSError:
-            return
-        if resolved in seen:
-            return
-        seen.add(resolved)
-        roots.append(path)
-
-    try:
-        from huggingface_hub.constants import HF_HUB_CACHE
-        _add(Path(HF_HUB_CACHE))
-    except Exception:
-        pass
-
-    hf_hub_cache = os.environ.get("HF_HUB_CACHE")
-    if hf_hub_cache:
-        _add(Path(hf_hub_cache).expanduser())
-
-    hf_home = os.environ.get("HF_HOME")
-    if hf_home:
-        _add(Path(hf_home).expanduser() / "hub")
-
-    _add(legacy_hf_cache_dir())
-    _add(hf_default_cache_dir())
-    return roots
+    from hub.utils.hf_cache_state import hf_cache_roots
+    return hf_cache_roots()
 
 
 def _repo_id_from_hub_dataset_dir(name: str) -> str | None:
@@ -207,6 +176,21 @@ def _repo_id_from_datasets_cache_dir(name: str) -> str | None:
     return repo_id if _is_valid_repo_id(repo_id) else None
 
 
+def _is_processed_dataset_cache_path(repo_id: str, cache_path: str) -> bool:
+    """True when *cache_path* is this repo's processed Arrow cache dir
+    (``<owner>___<repo>`` directly under an HF_DATASETS_CACHE root). Such rows
+    have no Hub ``datasets--`` layout, so they are deleted via the processed
+    path and must not be rejected as an invalid cache_path."""
+    try:
+        resolved = Path(cache_path).expanduser().resolve(strict = False)
+    except (OSError, RuntimeError, ValueError):
+        return False
+    if resolved.name.lower() != repo_id.replace("/", "___").lower():
+        return False
+    roots = {r.resolve(strict = False) for r in _hf_datasets_cache_roots()}
+    return resolved.parent.resolve(strict = False) in roots
+
+
 def _processed_dataset_cache_size(path: Path) -> int:
     total = 0
     try:
@@ -361,7 +345,7 @@ async def list_cached_datasets_response() -> dict:
         ) from exc
 
 
-async def delete_cached_dataset_response(repo_id: str) -> dict:
+async def delete_cached_dataset_response(repo_id: str, cache_path: Optional[str] = None) -> dict:
     """Remove a cached dataset repo from the HF cache."""
     if not _is_valid_repo_id(repo_id):
         raise HTTPException(status_code = 400, detail = "Invalid repo_id format")
@@ -373,22 +357,40 @@ async def delete_cached_dataset_response(repo_id: str) -> dict:
             detail = "Cancel the active download before deleting.",
         )
     try:
-        return await asyncio.to_thread(_delete_cached_dataset_blocking, repo_key)
+        return await asyncio.to_thread(_delete_cached_dataset_blocking, repo_key, cache_path)
     finally:
         downloads.registry.end_delete(repo_key)
         hf_cache_scan.invalidate_hf_cache_scans()
 
 
-def _delete_cached_dataset_blocking(repo_id: str) -> dict:
+def _delete_cached_dataset_blocking(repo_id: str, cache_path: Optional[str] = None) -> dict:
     scans, _seen_roots = _collect_hf_cache_scans()
 
-    candidate_entries = []
+    # Group this dataset's copies by owning cache root, then target exactly one
+    # cache so a delete never removes copies in other, previously selected caches.
+    owners: dict = {}
     for hf_cache in scans:
         for repo_info in hf_cache.repos:
             if str(repo_info.repo_type) != "dataset":
                 continue
-            if repo_info.repo_id.lower() == repo_id.lower():
-                candidate_entries.append((hf_cache, repo_info))
+            if repo_info.repo_id.lower() != repo_id.lower():
+                continue
+            try:
+                owner = Path(repo_info.repo_path).parent.resolve(strict = False)
+            except (OSError, RuntimeError, ValueError):
+                continue
+            owners.setdefault(owner, []).append((hf_cache, repo_info))
+
+    target_root = resolve_delete_target_root("dataset", repo_id, cache_path, owners.keys())
+    # A processed-only dataset row sends its Arrow cache path (<owner>___<repo>
+    # under HF_DATASETS_CACHE), which is not a Hub datasets-- dir, so
+    # resolve_delete_target_root returns None. Accept it and fall through to the
+    # processed-cache delete rather than rejecting a legitimate row.
+    if target_root is None and not (
+        cache_path and _is_processed_dataset_cache_path(repo_id, cache_path)
+    ):
+        raise HTTPException(status_code = 400, detail = "Invalid cache_path")
+    candidate_entries = owners.get(target_root, []) if target_root is not None else []
     matched_repo_ids = resolve_destructive_repo_ids(
         repo_id,
         [str(repo_info.repo_id) for _hf_cache, repo_info in candidate_entries],
@@ -414,7 +416,26 @@ def _delete_cached_dataset_blocking(repo_id: str) -> dict:
                 exc_info = True,
             )
 
-    processed_deleted, processed_failures = _delete_processed_dataset_cache(repo_id)
+    # Restrict the processed Arrow-cache delete to the selected cache's datasets
+    # root so it never removes copies under other cache homes. A processed
+    # cache_path scopes to its own root; a Hub target scopes to the datasets root
+    # sharing its cache home; an unspecified cache_path stays global (legacy).
+    processed_roots: Optional[set[Path]]
+    if not cache_path:
+        processed_roots = None
+    elif _is_processed_dataset_cache_path(repo_id, cache_path):
+        processed_roots = {Path(cache_path).expanduser().resolve(strict = False).parent}
+    else:
+        home = target_root.parent if target_root is not None else None
+        processed_roots = {
+            root.resolve(strict = False)
+            for root in _hf_datasets_cache_roots()
+            if home is not None and root.resolve(strict = False).parent == home
+        }
+
+    processed_deleted, processed_failures = _delete_processed_dataset_cache(
+        repo_id, only_roots = processed_roots
+    )
     failures.extend(processed_failures)
     if failures:
         raise HTTPException(
@@ -427,15 +448,23 @@ def _delete_cached_dataset_blocking(repo_id: str) -> dict:
 
     # ``scan_cache_dir()`` skips blob-only/corrupt repos the revision delete
     # can't touch, yet the fallback scanner shows them; purge the whole dir.
-    cache_purged = purge_repo_cache_dirs("dataset", repo_id)
-    partial_purged = purge_partial_repo("dataset", repo_id)
-    state_purged = download_manifest.purge_all_state_for_repo("dataset", repo_id) > 0
+    # Only for a Hub cache target; a processed-only path has no Hub dir/state.
+    cache_purged = partial_purged = state_purged = False
+    if target_root is not None:
+        cache_purged = purge_repo_cache_dirs("dataset", repo_id, root = target_root)
+        partial_purged = purge_partial_repo("dataset", repo_id, root = target_root)
+        state_purged = (
+            download_manifest.purge_all_state_for_repo("dataset", repo_id, hub_cache = target_root)
+            > 0
+        )
     if not (deleted or processed_deleted or cache_purged or partial_purged or state_purged):
         raise HTTPException(status_code = 404, detail = "Dataset not found in cache")
     return {"status": "deleted", "repo_id": repo_id}
 
 
-def _delete_processed_dataset_cache(repo_id: str) -> tuple[bool, list[str]]:
+def _delete_processed_dataset_cache(
+    repo_id: str, only_roots: Optional[set[Path]] = None
+) -> tuple[bool, list[str]]:
     import shutil
 
     target = repo_id.replace("/", "___")
@@ -443,6 +472,10 @@ def _delete_processed_dataset_cache(repo_id: str) -> tuple[bool, list[str]]:
     deleted = False
     failures: list[str] = []
     for root in _hf_datasets_cache_roots():
+        # Scope to the selected cache's datasets root(s): a delete must not remove
+        # processed copies living under other, previously selected cache homes.
+        if only_roots is not None and root.resolve(strict = False) not in only_roots:
+            continue
         try:
             entries = [
                 entry
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/services/datasets/downloads.py b/studio/backend/hub/services/datasets/downloads.py
index 5efac562fa..b412a339e9 100644
--- a/studio/backend/hub/services/datasets/downloads.py
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/services/datasets/downloads.py
@@ -159,12 +159,18 @@ async def download_dataset_response(
 
     use_xet = download_lifecycle.resolve_effective_use_xet(body.use_xet)
     transport = download_lifecycle.resolve_transport(use_xet)
+    from utils.hf_cache_settings import get_hf_cache_paths
+
+    cache_paths = get_hf_cache_paths()
+    cache_env = cache_paths.child_env({})
 
     claimed, claim_state = _registry.claim(
         key,
         transport,
         repo_type = "dataset",
         repo_id = repo_id,
+        hub_cache = str(cache_paths.hub_cache),
+        xet_cache = str(cache_paths.xet_cache),
     )
     generation = _registry.current_generation(key)
     if not claimed:
@@ -176,7 +182,12 @@ async def download_dataset_response(
             "accepted": _registry.adoptable(key),
             "generation": generation,
         }
-    download_manifest.clear_cancel_marker("dataset", repo_id, None)
+    download_manifest.clear_cancel_marker(
+        "dataset",
+        repo_id,
+        None,
+        hub_cache = cache_paths.hub_cache,
+    )
 
     state = download_lifecycle.launch_worker(
         _registry,
@@ -185,6 +196,7 @@ async def download_dataset_response(
             ["--repo-id", repo_id, "--dataset"],
             hf_token,
             use_xet = use_xet,
+            cache_env = cache_env,
         ),
         hf_token = hf_token,
         label = repo_id,
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/services/download_lifecycle.py b/studio/backend/hub/services/download_lifecycle.py
index 23f8c7c911..8e14427a56 100644
--- a/studio/backend/hub/services/download_lifecycle.py
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/services/download_lifecycle.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import sys
 import time
 import threading
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Callable, Optional
+from typing import Callable, Mapping, Optional
 
 from fastapi import HTTPException
 
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ def spawn_worker(
     *,
     use_xet: bool,
     protected_blob_hashes: Optional[frozenset[str]] = None,
+    cache_env: Optional[Mapping[str, str]] = None,
 ) -> subprocess.Popen:
     """Spawn the download worker.
 
@@ -68,7 +69,11 @@ def spawn_worker(
     """
     cwd = backend_dir()
     mode = download_registry.TRANSPORT_XET if use_xet else download_registry.TRANSPORT_HTTP
-    env = os.environ.copy()
+    from utils.hf_cache_settings import get_hf_cache_paths
+
+    env = get_hf_cache_paths().child_env()
+    if cache_env is not None:
+        env.update(cache_env)
     if protected_blob_hashes:
         env["UNSLOTH_PROTECTED_BLOB_HASHES"] = ",".join(sorted(protected_blob_hashes))
     else:
@@ -230,6 +235,7 @@ def finalize_worker_exit(
         (stderr_data or b"").decode("utf-8", "replace").strip(),
         hf_token = hf_token,
     )
+    metadata = registry.get_job_metadata(key)
     state = classify_exit(rc, cancel_requested = cancel_requested)
     if state == "complete":
         registry.set_job(key, "complete")
@@ -252,13 +258,13 @@ def finalize_worker_exit(
                     repo_type,
                     repo_id,
                     download_registry.variant_from_key(key),
+                    hub_cache = metadata.hub_cache if metadata is not None else None,
                 )
             except Exception as exc:
                 logger.debug(f"clear_cancel_marker failed for {repo_id} (rc=0): {exc}")
     elif state == "cancelled":
         # Read metadata before the terminal set_job so a concurrent eviction
         # can't drop it; the job key is the fallback variant label.
-        metadata = registry.get_job_metadata(key)
         registry.set_job(key, "cancelled")
         logger.info(f"{log_prefix} cancelled: {label} (rc={rc})")
         download_registry.persist_cancel_marker(
@@ -268,6 +274,7 @@ def finalize_worker_exit(
             if metadata is not None and metadata.variant
             else download_registry.variant_from_key(key),
             cancel_marker_transport or transport,
+            hub_cache = metadata.hub_cache if metadata is not None else None,
             logger = logger,
         )
     else:
@@ -303,6 +310,7 @@ def _set_retry_failure_state(
             metadata.transport
             if metadata is not None and metadata.transport
             else fallback_transport,
+            hub_cache = metadata.hub_cache if metadata is not None else None,
             logger = logger,
         )
     return state
@@ -371,6 +379,7 @@ def _try_http_retry(
             repo_type,
             repo_id,
             progress_blob_hashes,
+            root = Path(original_metadata.hub_cache) if original_metadata.hub_cache else None,
         )
         if progress_blob_hashes
         else 0
@@ -403,6 +412,8 @@ def _try_http_retry(
             generation = generation,
             replace_active = True,
             cancel_marker_transport = original_metadata.transport,
+            hub_cache = original_metadata.hub_cache,
+            xet_cache = original_metadata.xet_cache,
         )
         if claimed:
             break
@@ -446,11 +457,24 @@ def _try_http_retry(
         label,
     )
     try:
+        cache_env = (
+            {
+                "HF_HUB_CACHE": original_metadata.hub_cache,
+                "HF_XET_CACHE": original_metadata.xet_cache,
+            }
+            if original_metadata.hub_cache and original_metadata.xet_cache
+            else None
+        )
+        spawn_kwargs = {
+            "use_xet": False,
+            "protected_blob_hashes": peer_hashes or None,
+        }
+        if cache_env is not None:
+            spawn_kwargs["cache_env"] = cache_env
         proc = spawn_worker(
             args,
             hf_token,
-            use_xet = False,
-            protected_blob_hashes = peer_hashes or None,
+            **spawn_kwargs,
         )
     except Exception as exc:
         scrubbed = download_registry.scrub_secrets(str(exc), hf_token = hf_token)
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/services/models/cache_inventory.py b/studio/backend/hub/services/models/cache_inventory.py
index c1b864bb63..76dd2337aa 100644
--- a/studio/backend/hub/services/models/cache_inventory.py
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/services/models/cache_inventory.py
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@ from hub.services.models.common import (
     _is_mmproj_filename,
     _is_transformers_safetensors_weight_name,
     _local_inventory_id,
-    _prefer_complete_larger,
     _runtime_for_format,
 )
 
@@ -250,24 +249,46 @@ def _repo_gguf_blob_map(repo_info, *, include_companions: bool = False) -> dict[
 def _prefer_cache_row(candidate: dict, existing: Optional[dict]) -> bool:
     if existing is None:
         return True
-    return _prefer_complete_larger(
-        bool(candidate.get("partial")),
-        int(candidate.get("size_bytes") or 0),
-        bool(existing.get("partial")),
-        int(existing.get("size_bytes") or 0),
-    )
+    candidate_partial = bool(candidate.get("partial"))
+    existing_partial = bool(existing.get("partial"))
+    if candidate_partial != existing_partial:
+        return not candidate_partial
+    candidate_active = bool(candidate.get("active_cache"))
+    existing_active = bool(existing.get("active_cache"))
+    if candidate_active != existing_active:
+        return candidate_active
+    return int(candidate.get("size_bytes") or 0) > int(existing.get("size_bytes") or 0)
 
 
 def _cache_inventory_fields(
     repo_id: str,
     model_format: ModelFormat,
     *,
+    repo_path: Optional[Path] = None,
+    snapshot_path: Optional[Path] = None,
+    active_hub_cache: Optional[Path] = None,
     partial: bool = False,
     requires_variant: bool = False,
 ) -> dict:
+    load_id = repo_id
+    active_cache = True
+    if repo_path is not None:
+        try:
+            if active_hub_cache is None:
+                from utils.hf_cache_settings import get_hf_cache_paths
+                active_hub_cache = get_hf_cache_paths().hub_cache
+            active_root = active_hub_cache.resolve(strict = False)
+            cached_root = repo_path.parent.resolve(strict = False)
+            if cached_root != active_root:
+                active_cache = False
+                load_id = str(snapshot_path or repo_path.resolve(strict = False))
+        except (OSError, RuntimeError, ValueError):
+            active_cache = False
+            load_id = str(snapshot_path or repo_path)
     return {
         "inventory_id": _local_inventory_id("cache", model_format, repo_id),
-        "load_id": repo_id,
+        "load_id": load_id,
+        "active_cache": active_cache,
         "model_format": model_format,
         "runtime": _runtime_for_format(model_format),
         "format_variant": None,
@@ -294,6 +315,9 @@ def _is_hidden_infra_repo(*values: str | None) -> bool:
 def _scan_cached_gguf() -> list[dict]:
     """Synchronous HF-cache disk walk for GGUF repos; runs in a worker thread."""
     cache_scans = all_hf_cache_scans()
+    from utils.hf_cache_settings import get_hf_cache_paths
+
+    active_hub_cache = get_hf_cache_paths().hub_cache
 
     seen_lower: dict[str, dict] = {}
     for hf_cache in cache_scans:
@@ -305,7 +329,10 @@ def _scan_cached_gguf() -> list[dict]:
                 repo_path = Path(repo_info.repo_path)
                 snapshot_path = _cached_model_snapshot_path(repo_path)
                 total_size = _repo_gguf_size_bytes(repo_info)
-                has_variant_state, variant_state_size = _gguf_variant_state_summary(repo_id)
+                has_variant_state, variant_state_size = _gguf_variant_state_summary(
+                    repo_id,
+                    hub_cache = repo_path.parent,
+                )
                 is_hidden_infra = _is_hidden_infra_repo(
                     repo_id,
                     str(repo_path),
@@ -342,6 +369,9 @@ def _scan_cached_gguf() -> list[dict]:
                     _cache_inventory_fields(
                         repo_id,
                         "gguf",
+                        repo_path = repo_path,
+                        snapshot_path = snapshot_path,
+                        active_hub_cache = active_hub_cache,
                         partial = bool(row["partial"]),
                         requires_variant = True,
                     )
@@ -543,6 +573,9 @@ def _cached_model_local_metadata(repo_path: Path) -> dict:
 def _scan_cached_models() -> list[dict]:
     """Synchronous HF-cache disk walk for non-GGUF model repos; runs in a worker thread."""
     cache_scans = all_hf_cache_scans()
+    from utils.hf_cache_settings import get_hf_cache_paths
+
+    active_hub_cache = get_hf_cache_paths().hub_cache
 
     seen_lower: dict[str, dict] = {}
     inspected = 0
@@ -606,6 +639,9 @@ def _scan_cached_models() -> list[dict]:
                     _cache_inventory_fields(
                         repo_id,
                         payload.model_format,
+                        repo_path = repo_path,
+                        snapshot_path = snapshot_path,
+                        active_hub_cache = active_hub_cache,
                         partial = bool(row["partial"]),
                     )
                 )
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/services/models/common.py b/studio/backend/hub/services/models/common.py
index f381bffe9c..4c0e296fdc 100644
--- a/studio/backend/hub/services/models/common.py
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/services/models/common.py
@@ -150,7 +150,9 @@ def _prefer_complete_larger(
     return candidate_size_bytes > existing_size_bytes
 
 
-def _gguf_variant_state_summary(repo_id: str) -> tuple[bool, int]:
+def _gguf_variant_state_summary(
+    repo_id: str, *, hub_cache: Optional[str | Path] = None
+) -> tuple[bool, int]:
     """Whether GGUF variant-scoped state exists and its expected size; a cancelled/in-progress variant may have only manifests/markers/`.incomplete` blobs, which inventory needs to avoid a generic fallback row."""
     from hub.utils import download_manifest
 
@@ -159,10 +161,16 @@ def _gguf_variant_state_summary(repo_id: str) -> tuple[bool, int]:
     for variant, _path in download_manifest.iter_variant_manifests(
         "model",
         repo_id,
+        hub_cache = hub_cache,
     ):
         key = variant.lower()
         variant_keys.add(key)
-        manifest = download_manifest.read_manifest("model", repo_id, variant)
+        manifest = download_manifest.read_manifest(
+            "model",
+            repo_id,
+            variant,
+            hub_cache = hub_cache,
+        )
         if manifest is None:
             continue
         size_by_variant[key] = max(
@@ -172,6 +180,7 @@ def _gguf_variant_state_summary(repo_id: str) -> tuple[bool, int]:
     for variant, _path in download_manifest.iter_variant_markers(
         "model",
         repo_id,
+        hub_cache = hub_cache,
     ):
         variant_keys.add(variant.lower())
     return bool(variant_keys), sum(size_by_variant.values())
@@ -432,8 +441,13 @@ def _local_model_info(
     base_model_source: Optional[str] = None,
     adapter_type: Optional[str] = None,
     training_method: Optional[str] = None,
+    active_cache: Optional[bool] = None,
 ) -> LocalModelInfo:
-    load_id = model_id if source == "hf_cache" and model_id else str(load_path)
+    load_id = (
+        model_id
+        if source == "hf_cache" and model_id and active_cache is not False
+        else str(load_path)
+    )
     semantic_id = model_id or str(load_path)
     return LocalModelInfo(
         id = load_id,
@@ -445,6 +459,7 @@ def _local_model_info(
         ),
         load_id = load_id,
         model_id = model_id,
+        active_cache = active_cache if source == "hf_cache" else None,
         display_name = display_name or (scan_path.stem if scan_path.is_file() else scan_path.name),
         path = str(load_path),
         size_bytes = max(0, int(size_bytes or 0)),
@@ -476,6 +491,7 @@ def _classify_local_path(
     model_id: Optional[str] = None,
     updated_at: Optional[float] = None,
     partial: bool = False,
+    active_cache: Optional[bool] = None,
 ) -> list[LocalModelInfo]:
     load_path = load_path or scan_path
     files = (
@@ -512,6 +528,7 @@ def _classify_local_path(
                 requires_variant = scan_path.is_dir(),
                 format_variant = variant,
                 size_bytes = gguf_size_bytes,
+                active_cache = active_cache,
             )
         )
 
@@ -574,6 +591,7 @@ def _classify_local_path(
                 ),
                 adapter_type = adapter_type if model_format == "adapter" else None,
                 training_method = training_method if model_format == "adapter" else None,
+                active_cache = active_cache,
             )
         )
     elif not rows:
@@ -592,6 +610,7 @@ def _classify_local_path(
                 updated_at = updated_at,
                 partial = partial or trusted_hf_cache_repo,
                 size_bytes = size_bytes,
+                active_cache = active_cache,
             )
         )
 
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/services/models/deletion.py b/studio/backend/hub/services/models/deletion.py
index 636a223d4e..c736908058 100644
--- a/studio/backend/hub/services/models/deletion.py
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/services/models/deletion.py
@@ -19,8 +19,10 @@ from hub.utils import inventory_scan as hf_cache_scan
 from hub.utils.gguf import extract_quant_label, extract_quant_token
 from hub.utils.hf_cache_state import (
     INCOMPLETE_SUFFIX,
+    iter_repo_cache_dirs,
     purge_partial_repo,
     purge_repo_cache_dirs,
+    resolve_delete_target_root,
 )
 from hub.utils.paths import (
     is_valid_gguf_variant as _is_valid_gguf_variant,
@@ -184,6 +186,7 @@ def _delete_gguf_variant_from_repos(
     hf_token: Optional[str],
     *,
     sibling_active: bool = False,
+    root: Optional[Path] = None,
 ) -> dict:
     failures: list[str] = []
     removed_snapshots = 0
@@ -265,6 +268,7 @@ def _delete_gguf_variant_from_repos(
         hf_token,
         extra_hashes = frozenset(completed_hashes),
         companions = not sibling_active,
+        root = root,
     )
     if incomplete_result.unresolved:
         raise HTTPException(
@@ -276,7 +280,7 @@ def _delete_gguf_variant_from_repos(
             ),
         )
 
-    state_purged = download_manifest.purge_state("model", repo_id, variant)
+    state_purged = download_manifest.purge_state("model", repo_id, variant, hub_cache = root)
     # Reclaim the empty quant folder so it stops 404ing on delete.
     removed_dirs, dir_failures = _remove_empty_variant_dirs(target_repos, variant)
     removed_snap_dirs, snap_dir_failures = _remove_empty_snapshot_dirs(target_repos)
@@ -316,6 +320,8 @@ def reclaim_replaced_gguf_variant(
     variant: str,
     keep_main_hashes: frozenset[str],
     hf_token: Optional[str] = None,
+    *,
+    hub_cache: Optional[str | Path] = None,
 ) -> dict:
     """Prune stale main-GGUF files for a variant after a replacement verified.
 
@@ -366,12 +372,22 @@ def reclaim_replaced_gguf_variant(
             "reason": "scan_failed",
         }
 
+    if hub_cache is None:
+        from utils.hf_cache_settings import get_hf_cache_paths
+        hub_cache = get_hf_cache_paths().hub_cache
+    try:
+        target_hub_cache = Path(hub_cache).expanduser().resolve(strict = False)
+    except (OSError, RuntimeError, ValueError):
+        target_hub_cache = Path(hub_cache).expanduser()
+
     candidate_repos = [
         repo_info
         for hf_cache in cache_scans
         for repo_info in hf_cache.repos
         if str(getattr(repo_info, "repo_type", "")) == "model"
         and str(getattr(repo_info, "repo_id", "")).lower() == repo_id.lower()
+        and getattr(repo_info, "repo_path", None)
+        and Path(repo_info.repo_path).parent.resolve(strict = False) == target_hub_cache
     ]
     try:
         matched_repo_ids = resolve_destructive_repo_ids(
@@ -493,10 +509,24 @@ def reclaim_replaced_gguf_variant(
 
 
 def _loaded_id_matches_repo(loaded_id: str, repo_id: str) -> bool:
-    """True when *loaded_id* is *repo_id* or a file within it; ``/``-boundary aware so ``org/model`` doesn't match sibling ``org/model-v2``."""
+    """Match a loaded repo ID or an on-disk path inside any copy of the repo."""
     rid = repo_id.lower()
     lid = loaded_id.lower()
-    return lid == rid or lid.startswith(f"{rid}/")
+    if lid == rid or lid.startswith(f"{rid}/"):
+        return True
+
+    try:
+        loaded_path = Path(loaded_id).expanduser().resolve(strict = False)
+    except (OSError, RuntimeError, ValueError):
+        return False
+    for repo_dir in iter_repo_cache_dirs("model", repo_id):
+        try:
+            resolved_repo = repo_dir.resolve(strict = False)
+            if loaded_path == resolved_repo or loaded_path.is_relative_to(resolved_repo):
+                return True
+        except (OSError, RuntimeError, ValueError):
+            continue
+    return False
 
 
 def _loaded_repo_variant_blocks_delete(
@@ -560,6 +590,7 @@ async def delete_cached_model_response(
     repo_id: str,
     variant: Optional[str] = None,
     hf_token: Optional[str] = None,
+    cache_path: Optional[str] = None,
 ):
     """Delete a cached model repo (or a specific GGUF variant) from the HF cache.
 
@@ -603,14 +634,19 @@ async def delete_cached_model_response(
         )
         raise HTTPException(status_code = 400, detail = detail)
     try:
-        return await asyncio.to_thread(_delete_cached_model_blocking, repo_id, variant, hf_token)
+        return await asyncio.to_thread(
+            _delete_cached_model_blocking, repo_id, variant, hf_token, cache_path
+        )
     finally:
         downloads.registry.end_delete(repo_key, variant)
         cache_inventory.invalidate_hf_cache_scans()
 
 
 def _delete_cached_model_blocking(
-    repo_id: str, variant: Optional[str], hf_token: Optional[str]
+    repo_id: str,
+    variant: Optional[str],
+    hf_token: Optional[str],
+    cache_path: Optional[str] = None,
 ) -> dict:
     try:
         # If a sibling quant is downloading concurrently, restrict this delete to
@@ -621,13 +657,26 @@ def _delete_cached_model_blocking(
 
         cache_scans = cache_inventory.all_hf_cache_scans()
 
-        candidate_entries = []
+        # A repo can live in several remembered caches. Group its copies by the
+        # cache root that owns each, then target exactly one cache so a delete
+        # never removes copies in other, previously selected caches.
+        owners: dict = {}
         for hf_cache in cache_scans:
             for repo_info in hf_cache.repos:
                 if str(repo_info.repo_type) != "model":
                     continue
-                if repo_info.repo_id.lower() == repo_id.lower():
-                    candidate_entries.append((hf_cache, repo_info))
+                if repo_info.repo_id.lower() != repo_id.lower():
+                    continue
+                try:
+                    owner = Path(repo_info.repo_path).parent.resolve(strict = False)
+                except (OSError, RuntimeError, ValueError):
+                    continue
+                owners.setdefault(owner, []).append((hf_cache, repo_info))
+
+        target_root = resolve_delete_target_root("model", repo_id, cache_path, owners.keys())
+        if target_root is None:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code = 400, detail = "Invalid cache_path")
+        candidate_entries = owners.get(target_root, [])
 
         matched_repo_ids = resolve_destructive_repo_ids(
             repo_id,
@@ -642,10 +691,15 @@ def _delete_cached_model_blocking(
 
         if not target_entries:
             if variant is None:
-                cache_purged = purge_repo_cache_dirs("model", repo_id) or purge_partial_repo(
-                    "model", repo_id
+                cache_purged = purge_repo_cache_dirs(
+                    "model", repo_id, root = target_root
+                ) or purge_partial_repo("model", repo_id, root = target_root)
+                state_purged = (
+                    download_manifest.purge_all_state_for_repo(
+                        "model", repo_id, hub_cache = target_root
+                    )
+                    > 0
                 )
-                state_purged = download_manifest.purge_all_state_for_repo("model", repo_id) > 0
                 if cache_purged or state_purged:
                     return {"status": "deleted", "repo_id": repo_id}
             if variant:
@@ -654,6 +708,7 @@ def _delete_cached_model_blocking(
                     variant,
                     hf_token,
                     companions = not sibling_active,
+                    root = target_root,
                 )
                 if incomplete_result.unresolved:
                     raise HTTPException(
@@ -668,6 +723,7 @@ def _delete_cached_model_blocking(
                     "model",
                     repo_id,
                     variant,
+                    hub_cache = target_root,
                 )
                 if incomplete_result.deleted > 0 or state_purged:
                     return {
@@ -684,6 +740,7 @@ def _delete_cached_model_blocking(
                 [repo for _cache, repo in target_entries],
                 hf_token,
                 sibling_active = sibling_active,
+                root = target_root,
             )
 
         deleted_revisions = False
@@ -702,9 +759,11 @@ def _delete_cached_model_blocking(
             delete_strategy.execute()
             deleted_revisions = True
 
-        cache_purged = purge_repo_cache_dirs("model", repo_id)
-        partial_purged = purge_partial_repo("model", repo_id)
-        state_purged = download_manifest.purge_all_state_for_repo("model", repo_id) > 0
+        cache_purged = purge_repo_cache_dirs("model", repo_id, root = target_root)
+        partial_purged = purge_partial_repo("model", repo_id, root = target_root)
+        state_purged = (
+            download_manifest.purge_all_state_for_repo("model", repo_id, hub_cache = target_root) > 0
+        )
 
         if not (deleted_revisions or cache_purged or partial_purged or state_purged):
             raise HTTPException(status_code = 404, detail = "No revisions found for model")
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/services/models/downloads.py b/studio/backend/hub/services/models/downloads.py
index 862af0141a..c93b21c082 100644
--- a/studio/backend/hub/services/models/downloads.py
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/services/models/downloads.py
@@ -90,6 +90,7 @@ def _spawn_download_worker(
     hf_token: Optional[str],
     use_xet: bool = True,
     protected_blob_hashes: Optional[frozenset[str]] = None,
+    cache_env: Optional[dict[str, str]] = None,
 ) -> subprocess.Popen:
     args = ["--repo-id", repo_id]
     if variant:
@@ -99,6 +100,7 @@ def _spawn_download_worker(
         hf_token,
         use_xet = use_xet,
         protected_blob_hashes = protected_blob_hashes,
+        cache_env = cache_env,
     )
 
 
@@ -125,6 +127,10 @@ async def download_model_response(body: DownloadModelRequest, hf_token: Optional
     key = _download_job_key(repo_id, variant)
     use_xet = download_lifecycle.resolve_effective_use_xet(body.use_xet)
     transport = download_lifecycle.resolve_transport(use_xet)
+    from utils.hf_cache_settings import get_hf_cache_paths
+
+    cache_paths = get_hf_cache_paths()
+    cache_env = cache_paths.child_env({})
     variant_blob_hashes = frozenset()
     variant_progress_blob_hashes = frozenset()
     completed_baseline_bytes = 0
@@ -175,6 +181,8 @@ async def download_model_response(body: DownloadModelRequest, hf_token: Optional
         progress_blob_hashes = variant_progress_blob_hashes,
         completed_baseline_bytes = completed_baseline_bytes,
         admission_check = lambda: not _load_in_flight(repo_id),
+        hub_cache = str(cache_paths.hub_cache),
+        xet_cache = str(cache_paths.xet_cache),
     )
     generation = _registry.current_generation(key)
     if not claimed:
@@ -189,7 +197,12 @@ async def download_model_response(body: DownloadModelRequest, hf_token: Optional
             "accepted": _registry.adoptable(key),
             "generation": generation,
         }
-    download_manifest.clear_cancel_marker("model", repo_id, variant)
+    download_manifest.clear_cancel_marker(
+        "model",
+        repo_id,
+        variant,
+        hub_cache = cache_paths.hub_cache,
+    )
     # Blobs a concurrent same-repo variant is already writing (e.g. a shared
     # mmproj). The worker must not purge these during cache preparation.
     protected_blob_hashes = _registry.peer_blob_hashes(key) if variant else frozenset()
@@ -204,6 +217,7 @@ async def download_model_response(body: DownloadModelRequest, hf_token: Optional
             hf_token,
             use_xet = use_xet,
             protected_blob_hashes = protected_blob_hashes,
+            cache_env = cache_env,
         ),
         hf_token = hf_token,
         label = label,
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/services/models/folder_browser.py b/studio/backend/hub/services/models/folder_browser.py
index 7d9c3ac665..effb6a32ae 100644
--- a/studio/backend/hub/services/models/folder_browser.py
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/services/models/folder_browser.py
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ from hub.utils.paths import (
 )
 from utils.paths.external_media import (
     linux_run_media_mount_roots,
+    macos_volume_roots,
     windows_drive_roots,
 )
 from hub.services.models.common import _safe_is_dir
@@ -187,7 +188,7 @@ def _build_browse_allowlist(
 
     _add(Path.home())
     if media_roots is None:
-        media_roots = linux_run_media_mount_roots()
+        media_roots = [*linux_run_media_mount_roots(), *macos_volume_roots()]
     if drive_roots is None:
         drive_roots = windows_drive_roots()
     for p in media_roots:
@@ -195,6 +196,12 @@ def _build_browse_allowlist(
     for p in drive_roots:
         _add(p)
     _add(_resolve_hf_cache_dir())
+    try:
+        from utils.hf_cache_settings import known_hf_cache_homes
+        for cache_home in known_hf_cache_homes():
+            _add(cache_home)
+    except Exception:  # noqa: BLE001 -- best-effort
+        pass
     try:
         _add(hf_default_cache_dir())
     except Exception:  # noqa: BLE001 -- best-effort
@@ -431,7 +438,7 @@ def browse_folders_response(
 
     # Probe removable-media and Windows drive roots once; the allowlist and
     # chips reuse the result so a disconnected mapped drive isn't scanned twice.
-    media_roots = linux_run_media_mount_roots()
+    media_roots = [*linux_run_media_mount_roots(), *macos_volume_roots()]
     drive_roots = windows_drive_roots()
     # Build the allowlist once -- the sandbox check and suggestion chips share
     # it so chips are always navigable.
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/services/models/gguf_variants.py b/studio/backend/hub/services/models/gguf_variants.py
index 33f0297ff5..533fd2ca5a 100644
--- a/studio/backend/hub/services/models/gguf_variants.py
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/services/models/gguf_variants.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import asyncio
 import threading
 import time
 from collections import OrderedDict
+from pathlib import Path
 from typing import NamedTuple, Optional
 
 from fastapi import HTTPException
@@ -22,6 +23,7 @@ from hub.utils.hf_errors import hf_error_status
 from hub.utils.hf_cache_state import (
     INCOMPLETE_SUFFIX,
     iter_destructive_repo_cache_dirs,
+    repo_cache_dir_name,
 )
 from hub.utils.gguf import (
     extract_quant_label,
@@ -233,8 +235,14 @@ def _manifest_variant_blob_hashes(
     variant: str,
     *,
     include_companions: bool = True,
+    repo_cache_dir: Optional[Path] = None,
 ) -> frozenset[str]:
-    manifest = download_manifest.read_manifest("model", repo_id, variant)
+    manifest = download_manifest.read_manifest(
+        "model",
+        repo_id,
+        variant,
+        hub_cache = repo_cache_dir.parent if repo_cache_dir is not None else None,
+    )
     if manifest is None:
         return frozenset()
     variant_key = variant.lower()
@@ -257,6 +265,7 @@ def gguf_variant_blob_hashes(
     *,
     include_companions: bool = True,
     allow_remote: bool = True,
+    repo_cache_dir: Optional[Path] = None,
 ) -> frozenset[str]:
     key = _variant_blob_hash_cache_key(
         repo_id,
@@ -271,9 +280,9 @@ def gguf_variant_blob_hashes(
         repo_id,
         variant,
         include_companions = include_companions,
+        repo_cache_dir = repo_cache_dir,
     )
     if hashes:
-        _variant_hash_cache_set(key, hashes)
         return hashes
     requirement_key = _variant_hash_cache_key(repo_id, variant, hf_token)
     requirement = _variant_requirement_cache_get(requirement_key)
@@ -287,11 +296,22 @@ def gguf_variant_blob_hashes(
     return frozenset()
 
 
-def _partial_transport_for_variant(repo_id: str, variant: str) -> Optional[str]:
-    return hf_cache_scan.partial_transport_for("model", repo_id, variant)
+def _partial_transport_for_variant(
+    repo_id: str,
+    variant: str,
+    repo_cache_dir: Optional[Path] = None,
+) -> Optional[str]:
+    return hf_cache_scan.partial_transport_for(
+        "model",
+        repo_id,
+        variant,
+        repo_cache_dir,
+    )
 
 
-def _local_main_gguf_blobs_by_quant(repo_id: str) -> dict[str, dict[str, set[str]]]:
+def _local_main_gguf_blobs_by_quant(
+    repo_id: str, repo_cache_dir: Optional[Path] = None
+) -> dict[str, dict[str, set[str]]]:
     """Map quant -> repo-relative expected GGUF filename -> cached blob hashes.
 
     Shared companions are copied into each main-quant bucket so update checks can
@@ -313,6 +333,14 @@ def _local_main_gguf_blobs_by_quant(repo_id: str) -> dict[str, dict[str, set[str
                 continue
             if str(getattr(repo_info, "repo_id", "")).lower() != target_lower:
                 continue
+            if repo_cache_dir is not None:
+                try:
+                    if Path(repo_info.repo_path).resolve(strict = False) != repo_cache_dir.resolve(
+                        strict = False
+                    ):
+                        continue
+                except (AttributeError, OSError, RuntimeError, ValueError):
+                    continue
             for path, hashes in cache_inventory._repo_gguf_blob_map(
                 repo_info,
                 include_companions = True,
@@ -388,6 +416,7 @@ def delete_variant_incomplete_blobs_result(
     *,
     extra_hashes: frozenset[str] = frozenset(),
     companions: bool = True,
+    root: Optional[Path] = None,
 ) -> VariantIncompleteDeleteResult:
     # With a sibling still downloading, ``companions=False`` keeps a shared mmproj
     # from being unlinked out from under it; the repo's last delete reclaims it.
@@ -409,8 +438,9 @@ def delete_variant_incomplete_blobs_result(
         )
     deleted = 0
     # Destructive iterator: only the exact-case match (or abort if ambiguous),
-    # so a case-variant sibling repo's partials are never unlinked.
-    for entry in iter_destructive_repo_cache_dirs("model", repo_id):
+    # so a case-variant sibling repo's partials are never unlinked. ``root`` scopes
+    # the purge to one cache so a delete never touches another cache's partials.
+    for entry in iter_destructive_repo_cache_dirs("model", repo_id, root = root):
         blobs_dir = entry / "blobs"
         if not blobs_dir.is_dir():
             continue
@@ -425,15 +455,37 @@ def delete_variant_incomplete_blobs_result(
     return VariantIncompleteDeleteResult(deleted = deleted, unresolved = False)
 
 
+def _repo_cache_dir_for_request(repo_id: str, local_path: Optional[str]) -> Path:
+    """Resolve the one Hub repo cache represented by this variant request."""
+    expected_name = repo_cache_dir_name("model", repo_id).lower()
+    if local_path:
+        try:
+            local = Path(local_path).expanduser().resolve(strict = False)
+            for candidate in (local, *local.parents):
+                if candidate.name.lower() == expected_name:
+                    return candidate
+        except (OSError, RuntimeError, ValueError):
+            pass
+    from utils.hf_cache_settings import get_hf_cache_paths
+
+    return get_hf_cache_paths().hub_cache / repo_cache_dir_name("model", repo_id)
+
+
 def _mark_empty_dir_cleanables(
-    repo_id: str, response: GgufVariantsResponse
+    repo_id: str,
+    response: GgufVariantsResponse,
+    repo_cache_dir: Optional[Path] = None,
 ) -> GgufVariantsResponse:
     """Surface empty leftover ``<quant>/`` folders (interrupted downloads) as
     partial so the UI can delete them -- on local/offline paths too, not just a
     remote listing. A listed quant is flipped to partial; an unlisted one is
     appended as a zero-byte cleanable entry."""
     try:
-        empty_labels = list_empty_gguf_variant_dirs(repo_id)
+        empty_labels = (
+            list_empty_gguf_variant_dirs(repo_id, root = repo_cache_dir.parent)
+            if repo_cache_dir is not None
+            else list_empty_gguf_variant_dirs(repo_id)
+        )
     except Exception as e:
         logger.warning(f"Failed to scan empty GGUF variant folders for {repo_id}: {e}")
         return response
@@ -468,6 +520,11 @@ async def get_gguf_variants_response(
     """
 
     def _compute() -> GgufVariantsResponse:
+        repo_cache_dir = (
+            None if is_local_path(repo_id) else _repo_cache_dir_for_request(repo_id, local_path)
+        )
+        hub_cache = repo_cache_dir.parent if repo_cache_dir is not None else None
+
         def _local_response(
             response_repo_id: str, variants, has_vision: bool
         ) -> GgufVariantsResponse:
@@ -511,6 +568,7 @@ async def get_gguf_variants_response(
                         partial_transport = _partial_transport_for_variant(
                             response_repo_id,
                             v.quant,
+                            repo_cache_dir,
                         ),
                     )
                     for v in variants
@@ -532,7 +590,7 @@ async def get_gguf_variants_response(
 
         local_only = prefer_local_cache or offline
         if local_only:
-            cached = list_gguf_variants_from_hf_cache(repo_id)
+            cached = list_gguf_variants_from_hf_cache(repo_id, root = hub_cache)
             if cached is not None:
                 variants, has_vision = cached
                 return _local_response(repo_id, variants, has_vision)
@@ -540,7 +598,7 @@ async def get_gguf_variants_response(
                 variants, has_vision = list_local_gguf_variants(local_path)
                 if variants or has_vision:
                     return _local_response(repo_id, variants, has_vision)
-            partial = list_partial_gguf_variants_from_state(repo_id)
+            partial = list_partial_gguf_variants_from_state(repo_id, hub_cache = hub_cache)
             if partial is not None:
                 variants, has_vision = partial
                 return _partial_local_response(repo_id, variants, has_vision)
@@ -560,11 +618,11 @@ async def get_gguf_variants_response(
         try:
             variants, has_vision, siblings = list_gguf_variants(repo_id, hf_token = hf_token)
         except Exception:
-            cached = list_gguf_variants_from_hf_cache(repo_id)
+            cached = list_gguf_variants_from_hf_cache(repo_id, root = hub_cache)
             if cached is not None:
                 variants, has_vision = cached
                 return _local_response(repo_id, variants, has_vision)
-            partial = list_partial_gguf_variants_from_state(repo_id)
+            partial = list_partial_gguf_variants_from_state(repo_id, hub_cache = hub_cache)
             if partial is not None:
                 variants, has_vision = partial
                 return _partial_local_response(repo_id, variants, has_vision)
@@ -581,7 +639,7 @@ async def get_gguf_variants_response(
         cached_filenames_by_snapshot: list[dict[str, int]] = []
         cached_quant_bytes_by_snapshot: list[dict[str, int]] = []
         if _is_valid_repo_id(repo_id):
-            for snap in iter_hf_cache_snapshots(repo_id):
+            for snap in iter_hf_cache_snapshots(repo_id, root = hub_cache):
                 try:
                     gguf_paths = list(_iter_gguf_paths(snap))
                 except (OSError, RuntimeError, ValueError) as e:
@@ -694,11 +752,20 @@ async def get_gguf_variants_response(
         partial_quants: set[str] = set()
         partial_quant_transports: dict[str, Optional[str]] = {}
         try:
-            incomplete_hashes = download_registry.incomplete_blob_hashes("model", repo_id)
+            incomplete_hashes = download_registry.incomplete_blob_hashes(
+                "model",
+                repo_id,
+                active_only = True,
+                root = hub_cache,
+            )
         except Exception as e:
             logger.warning(f"Failed to compute partial GGUF variants for {repo_id}: {e}")
             incomplete_hashes = set()
-        scan_snapshot_dir = hf_cache_scan.resolve_snapshot_dir_for_scan("model", repo_id)
+        scan_snapshot_dir = hf_cache_scan.resolve_snapshot_dir_for_scan(
+            "model",
+            repo_id,
+            repo_cache_dir,
+        )
         # Manifest + marker + main incomplete-blob check: catches variants whose
         # download was cancelled or whose expected shards are missing/undersized.
         for variant in variants:
@@ -711,6 +778,7 @@ async def get_gguf_variants_response(
                         variant.quant,
                         hf_token,
                         include_companions = False,
+                        repo_cache_dir = repo_cache_dir,
                     )
                 if hf_cache_scan.is_variant_partial(
                     repo_id,
@@ -718,11 +786,13 @@ async def get_gguf_variants_response(
                     scan_snapshot_dir,
                     incomplete_blob_hashes = incomplete_hashes,
                     variant_blob_hashes = variant_hashes,
+                    repo_cache_dir = repo_cache_dir,
                 ):
                     partial_quants.add(variant.quant)
                     partial_quant_transports[variant.quant] = _partial_transport_for_variant(
                         repo_id,
                         variant.quant,
+                        repo_cache_dir,
                     )
             except Exception as e:
                 logger.warning(
@@ -744,10 +814,14 @@ async def get_gguf_variants_response(
                     partial_quants.add(variant.quant)
                     partial_quant_transports.setdefault(
                         variant.quant,
-                        _partial_transport_for_variant(repo_id, variant.quant),
+                        _partial_transport_for_variant(
+                            repo_id,
+                            variant.quant,
+                            repo_cache_dir,
+                        ),
                     )
 
-        local_blobs_by_quant = _local_main_gguf_blobs_by_quant(repo_id)
+        local_blobs_by_quant = _local_main_gguf_blobs_by_quant(repo_id, repo_cache_dir)
 
         def _variant_detail(v) -> GgufVariantDetail:
             is_partial = v.quant in partial_quants
@@ -790,14 +864,20 @@ async def get_gguf_variants_response(
             if skip:
                 raise
             enriched = _mark_empty_dir_cleanables(
-                repo_id, GgufVariantsResponse(repo_id = repo_id, variants = [])
+                repo_id,
+                GgufVariantsResponse(repo_id = repo_id, variants = []),
+                _repo_cache_dir_for_request(repo_id, local_path),
             )
             if enriched.variants:
                 return enriched
             raise
         if skip:
             return response
-        return _mark_empty_dir_cleanables(repo_id, response)
+        return _mark_empty_dir_cleanables(
+            repo_id,
+            response,
+            _repo_cache_dir_for_request(repo_id, local_path),
+        )
 
     try:
         return await asyncio.to_thread(_compute_with_cleanables)
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/services/models/local_inventory.py b/studio/backend/hub/services/models/local_inventory.py
index b34532fa35..9cf260b157 100644
--- a/studio/backend/hub/services/models/local_inventory.py
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/services/models/local_inventory.py
@@ -106,11 +106,8 @@ def _is_model_directory_for_scan(path: Path, *, entry_limit: int | None) -> bool
 
 
 def _resolve_hf_cache_dir() -> Path:
-    try:
-        from huggingface_hub.constants import HF_HUB_CACHE
-        return Path(HF_HUB_CACHE)
-    except Exception:
-        return Path.home() / ".cache" / "huggingface" / "hub"
+    from utils.hf_cache_settings import get_hf_cache_paths
+    return get_hf_cache_paths().hub_cache
 
 
 def _scan_models_dir(
@@ -202,7 +199,12 @@ def _hf_repo_dir_has_content(repo_dir: Path) -> bool:
     return False
 
 
-def _scan_hf_cache(cache_dir: Path, *, entry_limit: int | None = None) -> List[LocalModelInfo]:
+def _scan_hf_cache(
+    cache_dir: Path,
+    *,
+    entry_limit: int | None = None,
+    active_cache: bool = True,
+) -> List[LocalModelInfo]:
     if not _safe_is_dir(cache_dir):
         return []
 
@@ -240,7 +242,10 @@ def _scan_hf_cache(cache_dir: Path, *, entry_limit: int | None = None) -> List[L
             repo_dir,
         )
         gguf_partial = hf_cache_scan.is_gguf_repo_partial(model_id, repo_dir)
-        has_gguf_variant_state, gguf_variant_state_size = _gguf_variant_state_summary(model_id)
+        has_gguf_variant_state, gguf_variant_state_size = _gguf_variant_state_summary(
+            model_id,
+            hub_cache = cache_dir,
+        )
         snapshot_partial_transport = (
             hf_cache_scan.partial_transport_for(
                 "model",
@@ -252,23 +257,25 @@ def _scan_hf_cache(cache_dir: Path, *, entry_limit: int | None = None) -> List[L
         )
         resolved = hf_cache_scan.resolve_hf_cache_realpath(repo_dir)
         scan_path = Path(resolved) if resolved else repo_dir
+        load_path = repo_dir if active_cache else scan_path
         # partial=False here; _apply_format_aware_partial below rewrites per-row
         # so a hybrid repo's gguf row doesn't taint its safetensors row.
         rows = _classify_local_path(
             scan_path,
             "hf_cache",
-            load_path = repo_dir,
+            load_path = load_path,
             display_name = model_id.split("/")[-1],
             model_id = model_id,
             updated_at = updated_at,
             partial = False,
+            active_cache = active_cache,
         )
         if not rows:
             if has_gguf_variant_state and gguf_partial:
                 rows = [
                     _local_model_info(
                         scan_path = repo_dir,
-                        load_path = repo_dir,
+                        load_path = load_path,
                         source = "hf_cache",
                         model_format = "gguf",
                         display_name = model_id.split("/")[-1],
@@ -277,6 +284,7 @@ def _scan_hf_cache(cache_dir: Path, *, entry_limit: int | None = None) -> List[L
                         partial = True,
                         requires_variant = True,
                         size_bytes = gguf_variant_state_size,
+                        active_cache = active_cache,
                     )
                 ]
             else:
@@ -285,13 +293,14 @@ def _scan_hf_cache(cache_dir: Path, *, entry_limit: int | None = None) -> List[L
                 rows = [
                     _local_model_info(
                         scan_path = repo_dir,
-                        load_path = repo_dir,
+                        load_path = load_path,
                         source = "hf_cache",
                         model_format = "unknown",
                         display_name = model_id.split("/")[-1],
                         model_id = model_id,
                         updated_at = updated_at,
                         partial = snapshot_partial or gguf_partial,
+                        active_cache = active_cache,
                     )
                 ]
         elif (
@@ -302,7 +311,7 @@ def _scan_hf_cache(cache_dir: Path, *, entry_limit: int | None = None) -> List[L
             rows.append(
                 _local_model_info(
                     scan_path = repo_dir,
-                    load_path = repo_dir,
+                    load_path = load_path,
                     source = "hf_cache",
                     model_format = "gguf",
                     display_name = model_id.split("/")[-1],
@@ -311,6 +320,7 @@ def _scan_hf_cache(cache_dir: Path, *, entry_limit: int | None = None) -> List[L
                     partial = True,
                     requires_variant = True,
                     size_bytes = gguf_variant_state_size,
+                    active_cache = active_cache,
                 )
             )
         rows = _apply_format_aware_partial(
@@ -515,14 +525,39 @@ async def _collect_models_from_default_sources(
     local_models += await _scan_source("HF cache", _scan_hf_cache, hf_cache_dir)
 
     if _safe_is_dir(legacy_hf) and legacy_hf.resolve() != hf_cache_dir.resolve():
-        local_models += await _scan_source("legacy HF cache", _scan_hf_cache, legacy_hf)
+        local_models += await _scan_source(
+            "legacy HF cache",
+            lambda path: _scan_hf_cache(path, active_cache = False),
+            legacy_hf,
+        )
 
     if (
         _safe_is_dir(hf_default)
         and hf_default.resolve() != hf_cache_dir.resolve()
         and hf_default.resolve() != legacy_hf.resolve()
     ):
-        local_models += await _scan_source("default HF cache", _scan_hf_cache, hf_default)
+        local_models += await _scan_source(
+            "default HF cache",
+            lambda path: _scan_hf_cache(path, active_cache = False),
+            hf_default,
+        )
+
+    from utils.hf_cache_settings import known_hf_hub_caches
+
+    seen_hf = {
+        os.path.normcase(str(path.resolve(strict = False)))
+        for path in (hf_cache_dir, legacy_hf, hf_default)
+    }
+    for previous_cache in known_hf_hub_caches():
+        key = os.path.normcase(str(previous_cache.resolve(strict = False)))
+        if key in seen_hf:
+            continue
+        seen_hf.add(key)
+        local_models += await _scan_source(
+            "previous HF cache",
+            lambda path: _scan_hf_cache(path, active_cache = False),
+            previous_cache,
+        )
 
     for lm_dir in lm_dirs:
         local_models += await _scan_source("LM Studio", _scan_lmstudio_dir, lm_dir)
@@ -543,7 +578,11 @@ def _scan_custom_folder(folder_path: Path) -> List[LocalModelInfo]:
                 limit = _MAX_MODELS_PER_CUSTOM_FOLDER,
                 entry_limit = _MAX_CUSTOM_FOLDER_ENTRIES,
             )
-            + _scan_hf_cache(folder_path, entry_limit = _MAX_CUSTOM_FOLDER_ENTRIES)
+            + _scan_hf_cache(
+                folder_path,
+                entry_limit = _MAX_CUSTOM_FOLDER_ENTRIES,
+                active_cache = False,
+            )
             + _scan_lmstudio_dir(folder_path, entry_limit = _MAX_CUSTOM_FOLDER_ENTRIES)
         )
         if m.model_format in supported_formats
@@ -610,12 +649,20 @@ def _dedupe_local_models(local_models: List[LocalModelInfo]) -> list[LocalModelI
             row_key = model.inventory_id or model.id
             key = f"{row_key}\x00custom" if model.source == "custom" else row_key
         existing = deduped.get(key)
-        if existing is None or _prefer_complete_larger(
-            model.partial,
-            model.size_bytes,
-            existing.partial,
-            existing.size_bytes,
-        ):
+        prefer_candidate = existing is None
+        if existing is not None:
+            if model.partial != existing.partial:
+                prefer_candidate = not model.partial
+            elif (model.active_cache is True) != (existing.active_cache is True):
+                prefer_candidate = model.active_cache is True
+            else:
+                prefer_candidate = _prefer_complete_larger(
+                    model.partial,
+                    model.size_bytes,
+                    existing.partial,
+                    existing.size_bytes,
+                )
+        if prefer_candidate:
             deduped[key] = model
     return sorted(
         deduped.values(),
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/services/snapshot_progress.py b/studio/backend/hub/services/snapshot_progress.py
index 1fdf05e2e5..c3db6fed7a 100644
--- a/studio/backend/hub/services/snapshot_progress.py
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/services/snapshot_progress.py
@@ -86,9 +86,20 @@ def _snapshot_complete_on_disk(
         return False
     if variant is None and hf_cache_scan.repo_cache_dir_has_incomplete_blobs(entry):
         return False
-    if download_manifest.has_cancel_marker(repo_type, repo_id, variant):
+    hub_cache = entry.parent
+    if download_manifest.has_cancel_marker(
+        repo_type,
+        repo_id,
+        variant,
+        hub_cache = hub_cache,
+    ):
         return False
-    manifest = download_manifest.read_manifest(repo_type, repo_id, variant)
+    manifest = download_manifest.read_manifest(
+        repo_type,
+        repo_id,
+        variant,
+        hub_cache = hub_cache,
+    )
     if manifest is None:
         return False
     return download_manifest.verify_against_disk(manifest, snapshot_dir).ok
@@ -118,6 +129,8 @@ def compute_snapshot_progress(
         0,
         int(getattr(metadata, "completed_baseline_bytes", 0) or 0),
     )
+    metadata_hub_cache = getattr(metadata, "hub_cache", None)
+    active_root = Path(metadata_hub_cache) if metadata_hub_cache else None
 
     expected_total = max(expected_bytes, 0)
     # Always resolve the revision's blob hashes so stale blobs from a superseded
@@ -134,11 +147,17 @@ def compute_snapshot_progress(
     count_finalized_unscoped = variant is None
 
     readings: list[tuple[int, int, Optional[str], bool]] = []
-    for entry in preferred_repo_cache_dirs(
-        repo_type,
-        repo_id,
-        force_active = force_active,
-    ):
+    cache_dirs = (
+        preferred_repo_cache_dirs(
+            repo_type,
+            repo_id,
+            force_active = force_active,
+            active_root = active_root,
+        )
+        if active_root is not None
+        else preferred_repo_cache_dirs(repo_type, repo_id, force_active = force_active)
+    )
+    for entry in cache_dirs:
         completed_bytes = 0
         in_progress_bytes = 0
         cache_path = hf_cache_scan.resolve_hf_cache_realpath(entry)
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/tests/test_dataset_services.py b/studio/backend/hub/tests/test_dataset_services.py
index 4890714cd0..6aab07cc46 100644
--- a/studio/backend/hub/tests/test_dataset_services.py
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/tests/test_dataset_services.py
@@ -72,57 +72,115 @@ def test_dataset_cache_scan_merges_raw_and_processed_rows(monkeypatch):
     assert rows[0]["partial"] is False
 
 
-def test_delete_cached_dataset_attempts_all_roots_before_raising(monkeypatch):
+def test_delete_cached_dataset_scopes_delete_to_selected_root(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    """A dataset present in the active cache and a previously selected cache is
+    deleted only from the selected root, so the other cache's copy survives."""
     calls = []
-    purged_state = []
+    target_hub = tmp_path / "active" / "hub"
+    other_hub = tmp_path / "previous" / "hub"
+    for hub in (target_hub, other_hub):
+        (hub / "datasets--Org--Data").mkdir(parents = True)
 
     class _DeleteStrategy:
-        def __init__(self, label: str, fail: bool):
+        def __init__(self, label: str):
             self.label = label
-            self.fail = fail
 
         def execute(self):
             calls.append(self.label)
-            if self.fail:
-                raise RuntimeError(f"{self.label} failed")
 
-    class _Cache:
-        def __init__(self, label: str, fail: bool):
-            self.cache_dir = label
-            self.repos = [
+    def _cache(label: str, hub):
+        return SimpleNamespace(
+            cache_dir = label,
+            repos = [
                 SimpleNamespace(
                     repo_type = "dataset",
                     repo_id = "Org/Data",
+                    repo_path = str(hub / "datasets--Org--Data"),
                     revisions = [SimpleNamespace(commit_hash = f"{label}-rev")],
                 )
-            ]
-            self.fail = fail
-
-        def delete_revisions(self, *_revisions):
-            return _DeleteStrategy(self.cache_dir, self.fail)
+            ],
+            delete_revisions = lambda *_revs, _label = label: _DeleteStrategy(_label),
+        )
 
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         cache_inventory,
         "_collect_hf_cache_scans",
-        lambda: ([_Cache("first", True), _Cache("second", False)], set()),
+        lambda: ([_cache("active", target_hub), _cache("previous", other_hub)], set()),
     )
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         cache_inventory,
         "_delete_processed_dataset_cache",
-        lambda _repo_id: (True, []),
+        lambda _repo_id, **_kwargs: (False, []),
     )
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         cache_inventory.download_manifest,
         "purge_all_state_for_repo",
-        lambda *_args: purged_state.append(True) or 1,
+        lambda *_args, **_kwargs: 0,
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "utils.hf_cache_settings.get_hf_cache_paths",
+        lambda: SimpleNamespace(hub_cache = target_hub),
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "hub.utils.hf_cache_state.hf_cache_roots",
+        lambda: [target_hub, other_hub],
     )
 
-    with pytest.raises(HTTPException) as exc_info:
-        cache_inventory._delete_cached_dataset_blocking("Org/Data")
+    result = cache_inventory._delete_cached_dataset_blocking("Org/Data")
 
-    assert exc_info.value.status_code == 500
-    assert calls == ["first", "second"]
-    assert purged_state == []
+    assert result == {"status": "deleted", "repo_id": "Org/Data"}
+    # Only the selected (active) cache's revision is deleted; the previous
+    # cache's copy is never touched.
+    assert calls == ["active"]
+    assert not (target_hub / "datasets--Org--Data").exists()
+    assert (other_hub / "datasets--Org--Data").exists()
+
+
+def test_delete_processed_only_dataset_accepts_processed_cache_path(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    """A processed-only dataset row sends its Arrow cache path (<owner>___<repo>
+    under HF_DATASETS_CACHE), which is not a Hub datasets-- dir. The delete must
+    accept it and run the processed-cache delete instead of raising 400."""
+    datasets_root = tmp_path / "datasets"
+    processed_dir = datasets_root / "Org___Data"
+    processed_dir.mkdir(parents = True)
+
+    # No Hub-cache copy exists; only the processed Arrow cache holds this repo.
+    monkeypatch.setattr(cache_inventory, "_collect_hf_cache_scans", lambda: ([], set()))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(cache_inventory, "_hf_datasets_cache_roots", lambda: [datasets_root])
+    processed_calls: list[str] = []
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        cache_inventory,
+        "_delete_processed_dataset_cache",
+        lambda repo_id, **_kwargs: (processed_calls.append(repo_id) or True, []),
+    )
+
+    result = cache_inventory._delete_cached_dataset_blocking("Org/Data", str(processed_dir))
+
+    assert result == {"status": "deleted", "repo_id": "Org/Data"}
+    assert processed_calls == ["Org/Data"]
+
+
+def test_delete_processed_dataset_scopes_to_selected_root(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    """A dataset processed under two HF_DATASETS_CACHE roots is deleted only from
+    the selected root; the copy under the other cache home survives (real delete,
+    not stubbed)."""
+    selected_root = tmp_path / "selected" / "datasets"
+    other_root = tmp_path / "other" / "datasets"
+    for root in (selected_root, other_root):
+        (root / "Org___Data").mkdir(parents = True)
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(cache_inventory, "_collect_hf_cache_scans", lambda: ([], set()))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        cache_inventory, "_hf_datasets_cache_roots", lambda: [selected_root, other_root]
+    )
+
+    result = cache_inventory._delete_cached_dataset_blocking(
+        "Org/Data", str(selected_root / "Org___Data")
+    )
+
+    assert result == {"status": "deleted", "repo_id": "Org/Data"}
+    assert not (selected_root / "Org___Data").exists()  # the selected copy is deleted
+    assert (other_root / "Org___Data").exists()  # the other cache home is untouched
 
 
 def test_delete_cached_dataset_purges_blob_only_repo_dir(monkeypatch):
@@ -139,22 +197,22 @@ def test_delete_cached_dataset_purges_blob_only_repo_dir(monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         cache_inventory,
         "_delete_processed_dataset_cache",
-        lambda _repo_id: (False, []),
+        lambda _repo_id, **_kwargs: (False, []),
     )
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         cache_inventory,
         "purge_repo_cache_dirs",
-        lambda _repo_type, repo_id: purged_dirs.append(repo_id) or True,
+        lambda _repo_type, repo_id, **_kwargs: purged_dirs.append(repo_id) or True,
     )
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         cache_inventory,
         "purge_partial_repo",
-        lambda *_args: False,
+        lambda *_args, **_kwargs: False,
     )
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         cache_inventory.download_manifest,
         "purge_all_state_for_repo",
-        lambda *_args: 0,
+        lambda *_args, **_kwargs: 0,
     )
 
     result = cache_inventory._delete_cached_dataset_blocking("Org/Data")
@@ -172,22 +230,22 @@ def test_delete_cached_dataset_absent_everywhere_raises_404(monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         cache_inventory,
         "_delete_processed_dataset_cache",
-        lambda _repo_id: (False, []),
+        lambda _repo_id, **_kwargs: (False, []),
     )
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         cache_inventory,
         "purge_repo_cache_dirs",
-        lambda *_args: False,
+        lambda *_args, **_kwargs: False,
     )
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         cache_inventory,
         "purge_partial_repo",
-        lambda *_args: False,
+        lambda *_args, **_kwargs: False,
     )
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         cache_inventory.download_manifest,
         "purge_all_state_for_repo",
-        lambda *_args: 0,
+        lambda *_args, **_kwargs: 0,
     )
 
     with pytest.raises(HTTPException) as exc_info:
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/tests/test_download_manifest_scoping.py b/studio/backend/hub/tests/test_download_manifest_scoping.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..966eeaf0c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/tests/test_download_manifest_scoping.py
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only
+# Copyright 2026-present the Unsloth AI Inc. team. All rights reserved. See /studio/LICENSE.AGPL-3.0
+
+import json
+from types import SimpleNamespace
+
+from hub.utils import download_manifest, state_dir
+
+
+def _write_manifest(path, payload):
+    path.parent.mkdir(parents = True, exist_ok = True)
+    path.write_text(json.dumps(payload), encoding = "utf-8")
+
+
+def test_purge_state_preserves_active_legacy_when_deleting_inactive_cache(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    """A scoped delete of an inactive cache must not erase the unscoped legacy
+    state, which _legacy_state_applies attributes to the active cache."""
+    active = tmp_path / "active" / "hub"
+    previous = tmp_path / "previous" / "hub"
+    for path in (active, previous):
+        path.mkdir(parents = True)
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(state_dir, "cache_root", lambda: tmp_path / "state")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "utils.hf_cache_settings.get_hf_cache_paths",
+        lambda: SimpleNamespace(hub_cache = str(active)),
+    )
+
+    # Unowned legacy manifest -> belongs to the active cache.
+    legacy = state_dir.manifest_path("model", "Org/Model")
+    _write_manifest(legacy, {"version": 1})
+    # The inactive cache's own scoped copy is the one being deleted.
+    scoped = state_dir.manifest_path("model", "Org/Model", hub_cache = str(previous))
+    _write_manifest(scoped, {"version": 1, "hub_cache": str(previous)})
+
+    removed = download_manifest.purge_state("model", "Org/Model", hub_cache = str(previous))
+
+    assert removed is True
+    assert not scoped.is_file()  # the inactive cache's copy is gone
+    assert legacy.is_file()  # the active cache's legacy state survives
+
+
+def test_purge_state_removes_legacy_owned_by_the_deleted_cache(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    """A legacy file that recorded the deleted cache as its owner is purged."""
+    active = tmp_path / "active" / "hub"
+    previous = tmp_path / "previous" / "hub"
+    for path in (active, previous):
+        path.mkdir(parents = True)
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(state_dir, "cache_root", lambda: tmp_path / "state")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "utils.hf_cache_settings.get_hf_cache_paths",
+        lambda: SimpleNamespace(hub_cache = str(active)),
+    )
+
+    legacy = state_dir.manifest_path("model", "Org/Model")
+    _write_manifest(legacy, {"version": 1, "hub_cache": str(previous)})
+
+    removed = download_manifest.purge_state("model", "Org/Model", hub_cache = str(previous))
+
+    assert removed is True
+    assert not legacy.is_file()  # owned by the deleted cache -> purged
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/tests/test_empty_variant_folder.py b/studio/backend/hub/tests/test_empty_variant_folder.py
index 33bf6c6819..3ed8e69e0d 100644
--- a/studio/backend/hub/tests/test_empty_variant_folder.py
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/tests/test_empty_variant_folder.py
@@ -120,10 +120,16 @@ def _force_compute_to_raise(monkeypatch):
 
     monkeypatch.setattr(gguf_variants, "list_gguf_variants", _boom, raising = False)
     monkeypatch.setattr(
-        gguf_variants, "list_gguf_variants_from_hf_cache", lambda repo_id: None, raising = False
+        gguf_variants,
+        "list_gguf_variants_from_hf_cache",
+        lambda repo_id, root = None: None,
+        raising = False,
     )
     monkeypatch.setattr(
-        gguf_variants, "list_partial_gguf_variants_from_state", lambda repo_id: None, raising = False
+        gguf_variants,
+        "list_partial_gguf_variants_from_state",
+        lambda repo_id, hub_cache = None: None,
+        raising = False,
     )
 
 
@@ -133,7 +139,11 @@ def test_get_variants_surfaces_cleanable_when_metadata_fails(monkeypatch):
     import asyncio
 
     _force_compute_to_raise(monkeypatch)
-    monkeypatch.setattr(gguf_variants, "list_empty_gguf_variant_dirs", lambda repo_id: {"UD-IQ1_S"})
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        gguf_variants,
+        "list_empty_gguf_variant_dirs",
+        lambda repo_id, root = None: {"UD-IQ1_S"},
+    )
 
     resp = asyncio.run(
         gguf_variants.get_gguf_variants_response(
@@ -152,7 +162,11 @@ def test_get_variants_reraises_when_no_cleanable(monkeypatch):
     from fastapi import HTTPException
 
     _force_compute_to_raise(monkeypatch)
-    monkeypatch.setattr(gguf_variants, "list_empty_gguf_variant_dirs", lambda repo_id: set())
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        gguf_variants,
+        "list_empty_gguf_variant_dirs",
+        lambda repo_id, root = None: set(),
+    )
 
     try:
         asyncio.run(
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/tests/test_model_services.py b/studio/backend/hub/tests/test_model_services.py
index 693d945ee1..fa5862a13c 100644
--- a/studio/backend/hub/tests/test_model_services.py
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/tests/test_model_services.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # Copyright 2026-present the Unsloth AI Inc. team. All rights reserved. See /studio/LICENSE.AGPL-3.0
 
 import asyncio
+import json
 import sys
 from pathlib import Path
 from types import SimpleNamespace
@@ -102,6 +103,236 @@ def test_big_endian_detection_ignores_model_name_be_token():
     )
 
 
+def _cached_model_row(tmp_path: Path, *, partial: bool, active_cache: bool | None, size_bytes: int):
+    path = tmp_path / f"cache-{active_cache}-{partial}-{size_bytes}"
+    return model_common._local_model_info(
+        scan_path = path,
+        load_path = path,
+        source = "hf_cache",
+        model_format = "safetensors",
+        model_id = "Org/Model",
+        partial = partial,
+        active_cache = active_cache,
+        size_bytes = size_bytes,
+    )
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("reverse", [False, True])
+def test_local_inventory_prefers_complete_previous_cache_copy(tmp_path, reverse):
+    active_partial = _cached_model_row(
+        tmp_path,
+        partial = True,
+        active_cache = True,
+        size_bytes = 20,
+    )
+    previous_complete = _cached_model_row(
+        tmp_path,
+        partial = False,
+        active_cache = False,
+        size_bytes = 10,
+    )
+    rows = [active_partial, previous_complete]
+    if reverse:
+        rows.reverse()
+
+    result = local_inventory._dedupe_local_models(rows)
+
+    assert result == [previous_complete]
+
+
+def test_local_inventory_compares_all_non_active_cache_copies(tmp_path):
+    inactive_partial = _cached_model_row(
+        tmp_path,
+        partial = True,
+        active_cache = False,
+        size_bytes = 20,
+    )
+    custom_complete = _cached_model_row(
+        tmp_path,
+        partial = False,
+        active_cache = None,
+        size_bytes = 10,
+    )
+
+    assert local_inventory._dedupe_local_models([inactive_partial, custom_complete]) == [
+        custom_complete
+    ]
+
+
+def test_local_inventory_prefers_active_cache_when_copies_are_equally_complete(tmp_path):
+    previous = _cached_model_row(
+        tmp_path,
+        partial = False,
+        active_cache = False,
+        size_bytes = 20,
+    )
+    active = _cached_model_row(
+        tmp_path,
+        partial = False,
+        active_cache = True,
+        size_bytes = 10,
+    )
+
+    assert local_inventory._dedupe_local_models([previous, active]) == [active]
+
+
+def test_loaded_repo_match_accepts_previous_cache_snapshot_path(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    repo_dir = tmp_path / "old-hub" / "models--Org--Model"
+    snapshot = repo_dir / "snapshots" / "revision"
+    snapshot.mkdir(parents = True)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(deletion, "iter_repo_cache_dirs", lambda *_args: iter([repo_dir]))
+
+    assert deletion._loaded_id_matches_repo(str(snapshot), "Org/Model") is True
+    assert deletion._loaded_id_matches_repo(str(snapshot / "model.gguf"), "Org/Model") is True
+    assert deletion._loaded_id_matches_repo(str(tmp_path / "other"), "Org/Model") is False
+
+
+def test_cached_inventory_loads_previous_cache_copy_by_snapshot(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    active_hub = tmp_path / "active-hub"
+    previous_repo = tmp_path / "previous-hub" / "models--Org--Model"
+    snapshot = previous_repo / "snapshots" / "revision"
+    snapshot.mkdir(parents = True)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "utils.hf_cache_settings.get_hf_cache_paths",
+        lambda: SimpleNamespace(hub_cache = active_hub),
+    )
+
+    fields = cache_inventory._cache_inventory_fields(
+        "Org/Model",
+        "safetensors",
+        repo_path = previous_repo,
+        snapshot_path = snapshot,
+    )
+
+    assert fields["load_id"] == str(snapshot)
+
+
+def test_cached_inventory_keeps_repo_id_for_active_cache(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    active_hub = tmp_path / "active-hub"
+    active_repo = active_hub / "models--Org--Model"
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "utils.hf_cache_settings.get_hf_cache_paths",
+        lambda: SimpleNamespace(hub_cache = active_hub),
+    )
+
+    fields = cache_inventory._cache_inventory_fields(
+        "Org/Model",
+        "safetensors",
+        repo_path = active_repo,
+    )
+
+    assert fields["load_id"] == "Org/Model"
+
+
+def test_cached_inventory_prefers_active_copy_when_completeness_matches():
+    previous = {"partial": False, "active_cache": False, "size_bytes": 200}
+    active = {"partial": False, "active_cache": True, "size_bytes": 100}
+
+    assert cache_inventory._prefer_cache_row(active, previous) is True
+    assert cache_inventory._prefer_cache_row(previous, active) is False
+
+
+def test_cached_inventory_prefers_complete_copy_before_active_cache():
+    previous = {"partial": False, "active_cache": False, "size_bytes": 100}
+    active_partial = {"partial": True, "active_cache": True, "size_bytes": 200}
+
+    assert cache_inventory._prefer_cache_row(previous, active_partial) is True
+    assert cache_inventory._prefer_cache_row(active_partial, previous) is False
+
+
+def test_inventory_scans_every_dynamic_cache_root(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    first = tmp_path / "first-hub"
+    second = tmp_path / "second-hub"
+    unreadable = tmp_path / "unreadable-hub"
+    first.mkdir()
+    second.mkdir()
+    unreadable.mkdir()
+    scanned = []
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        inventory_scan,
+        "hf_cache_roots",
+        lambda: [first, unreadable, second],
+    )
+
+    def scan_cache(cache_dir):
+        path = Path(cache_dir)
+        scanned.append(path)
+        if path == unreadable:
+            raise PermissionError("unreadable")
+        return SimpleNamespace(cache_dir = cache_dir)
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr("huggingface_hub.scan_cache_dir", scan_cache)
+
+    result = inventory_scan._compute_all_hf_cache_scans()
+
+    assert scanned == [first, unreadable, second]
+    assert [Path(scan.cache_dir) for scan in result] == [first, second]
+
+
+def test_inventory_applies_download_state_to_its_owning_cache(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    state_root = tmp_path / "state"
+    cache_a = tmp_path / "cache-a"
+    cache_b = tmp_path / "cache-b"
+    repo_id = "Org/Model"
+    repo_name = "models--Org--Model"
+    repo_a = cache_a / repo_name
+    repo_b = cache_b / repo_name
+    snapshot_a = repo_a / "snapshots" / "revision"
+    snapshot_b = repo_b / "snapshots" / "revision"
+    snapshot_a.mkdir(parents = True)
+    snapshot_b.mkdir(parents = True)
+    (snapshot_a / "config.json").write_bytes(b"x")
+    (snapshot_b / "config.json").write_bytes(b"xx")
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(state_dir, "cache_root", lambda: state_root)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "utils.hf_cache_settings.get_hf_cache_paths",
+        lambda: SimpleNamespace(hub_cache = cache_b),
+    )
+    assert download_manifest.write_manifest(
+        "model",
+        repo_id,
+        None,
+        [download_manifest.ExpectedFile(path = "config.json", size = 2)],
+        "http",
+        hub_cache = cache_a,
+    )
+
+    assert inventory_scan.is_snapshot_partial("model", repo_id, repo_a) is True
+    assert inventory_scan.is_snapshot_partial("model", repo_id, repo_b) is False
+    assert inventory_scan.partial_transport_for("model", repo_id, None, repo_a) == "http"
+    assert inventory_scan.partial_transport_for("model", repo_id, None, repo_b) is None
+
+
+def test_inventory_scopes_cancel_markers_to_their_owning_cache(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    state_root = tmp_path / "state"
+    cache_a = tmp_path / "cache-a"
+    cache_b = tmp_path / "cache-b"
+    repo_id = "Org/Model"
+    repo_name = "models--Org--Model"
+    repo_a = cache_a / repo_name
+    repo_b = cache_b / repo_name
+    repo_a.mkdir(parents = True)
+    repo_b.mkdir(parents = True)
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(state_dir, "cache_root", lambda: state_root)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "utils.hf_cache_settings.get_hf_cache_paths",
+        lambda: SimpleNamespace(hub_cache = cache_b),
+    )
+    assert download_manifest.write_cancel_marker(
+        "model",
+        repo_id,
+        "Q4_K_M",
+        "xet",
+        hub_cache = cache_a,
+    )
+
+    assert inventory_scan.is_variant_partial(repo_id, "Q4_K_M", repo_cache_dir = repo_a) is True
+    assert inventory_scan.is_variant_partial(repo_id, "Q4_K_M", repo_cache_dir = repo_b) is False
+
+
 def test_list_local_gguf_variants_skips_big_endian_sibling(tmp_path):
     (tmp_path / "model-Q4_K_M-be.gguf").write_bytes(b"x" * 100)
     (tmp_path / "model-Q4_K_M.gguf").write_bytes(b"y" * 10)
@@ -163,8 +394,19 @@ def test_download_state_bounds_long_repo_variant_filenames(monkeypatch, tmp_path
         "http",
     )
 
-    marker_path = state_dir.marker_path("model", repo_id, variant)
-    manifest_path = state_dir.manifest_path("model", repo_id, variant)
+    hub_cache = download_manifest._canonical_hub_cache()
+    marker_path = state_dir.marker_path(
+        "model",
+        repo_id,
+        variant,
+        hub_cache = hub_cache,
+    )
+    manifest_path = state_dir.manifest_path(
+        "model",
+        repo_id,
+        variant,
+        hub_cache = hub_cache,
+    )
 
     assert marker_path is not None
     assert manifest_path is not None
@@ -181,6 +423,97 @@ def test_download_state_bounds_long_repo_variant_filenames(monkeypatch, tmp_path
     ]
 
 
+def test_download_state_isolated_across_hub_cache_switches(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(state_dir, "cache_root", lambda: tmp_path)
+    cache_a = tmp_path / "cache-a"
+    cache_b = tmp_path / "cache-b"
+    selected = SimpleNamespace(hub_cache = cache_a)
+
+    from utils import hf_cache_settings
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(hf_cache_settings, "get_hf_cache_paths", lambda: selected)
+    expected_a = [download_manifest.ExpectedFile(path = "a.gguf", size = 1)]
+    expected_b = [download_manifest.ExpectedFile(path = "b.gguf", size = 2)]
+
+    assert download_manifest.write_manifest("model", "Owner/Repo", "Q4_K_M", expected_a)
+    assert download_manifest.write_cancel_marker("model", "Owner/Repo", "Q4_K_M", "http")
+
+    selected.hub_cache = cache_b
+    assert download_manifest.write_manifest("model", "Owner/Repo", "Q4_K_M", expected_b)
+
+    manifest_b = download_manifest.read_manifest("model", "Owner/Repo", "Q4_K_M")
+    manifest_a = download_manifest.read_manifest(
+        "model",
+        "Owner/Repo",
+        "Q4_K_M",
+        hub_cache = cache_a,
+    )
+
+    assert manifest_b is not None and manifest_b.expected_files == tuple(expected_b)
+    assert manifest_a is not None and manifest_a.expected_files == tuple(expected_a)
+    assert not download_manifest.has_cancel_marker("model", "Owner/Repo", "Q4_K_M")
+    assert download_manifest.has_cancel_marker(
+        "model",
+        "Owner/Repo",
+        "Q4_K_M",
+        hub_cache = cache_a,
+    )
+    assert len(list((tmp_path / "hub-state" / "manifests").rglob("*.json"))) == 2
+
+
+def test_legacy_unscoped_download_state_falls_back_only_for_selected_cache(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(state_dir, "cache_root", lambda: tmp_path)
+    cache_a = tmp_path / "cache-a"
+    cache_b = tmp_path / "cache-b"
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "utils.hf_cache_settings.get_hf_cache_paths",
+        lambda: SimpleNamespace(hub_cache = cache_a),
+    )
+    manifest = state_dir.manifest_path("model", "Owner/Repo", "Q4_K_M")
+    marker = state_dir.marker_path("model", "Owner/Repo", "Q4_K_M")
+    assert manifest is not None and marker is not None
+    manifest.write_text(
+        json.dumps(
+            {
+                "version": 1,
+                "repo_id": "Owner/Repo",
+                "variant": "Q4_K_M",
+                "expected_files": [{"path": "model.gguf", "size": 10}],
+                "transport": "http",
+            }
+        ),
+        encoding = "utf-8",
+    )
+    marker.write_text(
+        json.dumps({"version": 1, "repo_id": "Owner/Repo", "variant": "Q4_K_M"}),
+        encoding = "utf-8",
+    )
+
+    assert download_manifest.read_manifest("model", "Owner/Repo", "Q4_K_M") is not None
+    assert download_manifest.has_cancel_marker("model", "Owner/Repo", "Q4_K_M")
+    assert list(download_manifest.iter_variant_manifests("model", "Owner/Repo")) == [
+        ("Q4_K_M", manifest)
+    ]
+    assert list(download_manifest.iter_variant_markers("model", "Owner/Repo")) == [
+        ("Q4_K_M", marker)
+    ]
+    assert (
+        download_manifest.read_manifest(
+            "model",
+            "Owner/Repo",
+            "Q4_K_M",
+            hub_cache = cache_b,
+        )
+        is None
+    )
+    assert not download_manifest.has_cancel_marker(
+        "model",
+        "Owner/Repo",
+        "Q4_K_M",
+        hub_cache = cache_b,
+    )
+
+
 class _RecordingLogger:
     def __init__(self):
         self.warnings = []
@@ -416,8 +749,15 @@ def test_cached_gguf_scan_includes_variant_state_without_completed_gguf(monkeypa
         "Q4_K_M",
         [download_manifest.ExpectedFile(path = "model-Q4_K_M.gguf", size = 4096)],
         "http",
+        hub_cache = repo_path.parent,
+    )
+    assert download_manifest.write_cancel_marker(
+        "model",
+        "Org/PartialGguf",
+        "Q4_K_M",
+        "http",
+        hub_cache = repo_path.parent,
     )
-    assert download_manifest.write_cancel_marker("model", "Org/PartialGguf", "Q4_K_M", "http")
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         cache_inventory,
         "all_hf_cache_scans",
@@ -484,6 +824,7 @@ def test_cached_gguf_scan_keeps_infra_repo_with_user_downloaded_variant(monkeypa
         "Q8_0",
         [download_manifest.ExpectedFile(path = "bge-small-en-v1.5-Q8_0.gguf", size = 35_000_000)],
         "http",
+        hub_cache = Path(embedder.repo_path).parent,
     )
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         cache_inventory,
@@ -1206,6 +1547,7 @@ def test_gguf_progress_counts_completed_mmproj_with_expected_bytes(monkeypatch,
             ),
         ],
         "http",
+        hub_cache = entry.parent,
     )
 
     requirement = gguf_variants._GgufVariantRequirement(
@@ -1292,6 +1634,7 @@ def test_gguf_progress_subtracts_new_job_completed_baseline(monkeypatch, tmp_pat
             ),
         ],
         "http",
+        hub_cache = entry.parent,
     )
 
     requirement = gguf_variants._GgufVariantRequirement(
@@ -1462,6 +1805,7 @@ def test_gguf_progress_complete_on_disk_ignores_full_baseline(monkeypatch, tmp_p
             ),
         ],
         "http",
+        hub_cache = entry.parent,
     )
 
     requirement = gguf_variants._GgufVariantRequirement(
@@ -1861,8 +2205,15 @@ def test_hf_cache_scan_uses_gguf_partial_row_for_variant_state(monkeypatch, tmp_
         "Q4_K_M",
         [download_manifest.ExpectedFile(path = "model-Q4_K_M.gguf", size = 8192)],
         "http",
+        hub_cache = cache_dir,
+    )
+    assert download_manifest.write_cancel_marker(
+        "model",
+        "Org/PartialGguf",
+        "Q4_K_M",
+        "http",
+        hub_cache = cache_dir,
     )
-    assert download_manifest.write_cancel_marker("model", "Org/PartialGguf", "Q4_K_M", "http")
     monkeypatch.setattr(local_inventory, "_classify_local_path", lambda *_args, **_kwargs: [])
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         local_inventory.hf_cache_scan,
@@ -2117,7 +2468,7 @@ def test_gguf_variants_partial_marker_overrides_size_only_downloaded(monkeypatch
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         gguf_variants,
         "iter_hf_cache_snapshots",
-        lambda _repo_id: [snapshot],
+        lambda _repo_id, root = None: [snapshot],
     )
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         gguf_variants,
@@ -2136,6 +2487,70 @@ def test_gguf_variants_partial_marker_overrides_size_only_downloaded(monkeypatch
     assert result.variants[0].partial is True
 
 
+def test_gguf_variants_scopes_partial_state_to_requested_cache(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    async def _run_inline(fn, *args, **kwargs):
+        return fn(*args, **kwargs)
+
+    repo_id = "Org/SharedRepo"
+    repo_name = "models--Org--SharedRepo"
+    cache_a = tmp_path / "cache-a"
+    cache_b = tmp_path / "cache-b"
+    repo_a = cache_a / repo_name
+    snapshot_a = repo_a / "snapshots" / "revision"
+    snapshot_a.mkdir(parents = True)
+    (snapshot_a / "model-Q8_0.gguf").write_bytes(b"complete")
+    blobs_b = cache_b / repo_name / "blobs"
+    blobs_b.mkdir(parents = True)
+    (blobs_b / "q8-hash.incomplete").write_bytes(b"partial")
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(state_dir, "cache_root", lambda: tmp_path / "state")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gguf_variants.asyncio, "to_thread", _run_inline)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "utils.hf_cache_settings.get_hf_cache_paths",
+        lambda: SimpleNamespace(hub_cache = cache_b),
+    )
+    assert download_manifest.write_cancel_marker(
+        "model",
+        repo_id,
+        "Q8_0",
+        "http",
+        hub_cache = cache_b,
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        gguf_variants,
+        "list_gguf_variants",
+        lambda *_args, **_kwargs: (
+            [
+                SimpleNamespace(
+                    filename = "model-Q8_0.gguf",
+                    quant = "Q8_0",
+                    display_label = None,
+                    size_bytes = 8,
+                )
+            ],
+            False,
+            [
+                SimpleNamespace(
+                    rfilename = "model-Q8_0.gguf",
+                    size = 8,
+                    lfs = SimpleNamespace(sha256 = "q8-hash"),
+                )
+            ],
+        ),
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(cache_inventory, "all_hf_cache_scans", lambda: [])
+
+    result = asyncio.run(
+        gguf_variants.get_gguf_variants_response(
+            repo_id,
+            local_path = str(repo_a),
+        )
+    )
+
+    assert result.variants[0].downloaded is True
+    assert result.variants[0].partial is False
+
+
 def test_download_registry_repo_keys_are_case_insensitive():
     registry = download_registry.DownloadRegistry()
 
@@ -2444,6 +2859,34 @@ def test_prepare_cache_for_transport_purges_only_requested_hashes(monkeypatch, t
     assert (blobs / "shared-mmproj.incomplete").exists()
 
 
+def test_prepare_cache_for_transport_uses_captured_root(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    cache_a = tmp_path / "cache-a"
+    cache_b = tmp_path / "cache-b"
+    repo_name = "models--Org--Repo"
+    partial_a = cache_a / repo_name / "blobs" / "blob.incomplete"
+    partial_b = cache_b / repo_name / "blobs" / "blob.incomplete"
+    partial_a.parent.mkdir(parents = True)
+    partial_b.parent.mkdir(parents = True)
+    partial_a.write_bytes(b"a")
+    partial_b.write_bytes(b"b")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        download_registry,
+        "hf_cache_root",
+        lambda create = False, root = None: root or cache_b,
+    )
+
+    purged = download_registry.prepare_cache_for_transport(
+        "model",
+        "Org/Repo",
+        download_registry.TRANSPORT_HTTP,
+        root = cache_a,
+    )
+
+    assert purged == 1
+    assert not partial_a.exists()
+    assert partial_b.exists()
+
+
 def _vision_cache_root(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
     root = tmp_path / "hub"
     blobs = root / "models--Org--Vision" / "blobs"
@@ -2802,6 +3245,47 @@ def test_shutdown_skips_marker_for_worker_that_exits_cleanly(monkeypatch):
     assert markers == ["Org/Cut"]
 
 
+def test_orphan_reaper_uses_worker_cache_root_after_setting_changes(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    workers = tmp_path / "workers"
+    workers.mkdir()
+    cache_a = tmp_path / "cache-a" / "hub"
+    cache_b = tmp_path / "cache-b" / "hub"
+    partial = cache_a / "models--Org--Model" / "blobs" / "abc.incomplete"
+    partial.parent.mkdir(parents = True)
+    partial.write_bytes(b"partial")
+    cache_b.mkdir(parents = True)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(state_dir, "workers_dir", lambda: workers)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(download_registry, "_process_alive", lambda _pid: False)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "utils.hf_cache_settings.get_hf_cache_paths",
+        lambda: SimpleNamespace(hub_cache = cache_b),
+    )
+    markers = []
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        download_registry,
+        "persist_cancel_marker",
+        lambda *args, **kwargs: markers.append(args),
+    )
+    metadata = download_registry.DownloadMetadata(
+        repo_type = "model",
+        repo_id = "Org/Model",
+        variant = None,
+        transport = download_registry.TRANSPORT_HTTP,
+        hub_cache = str(cache_a),
+        xet_cache = str(tmp_path / "cache-a" / "xet"),
+    )
+    download_registry.write_worker_breadcrumb("org/model", 1234, metadata)
+    [breadcrumb] = list(workers.iterdir())
+    payload = json.loads(breadcrumb.read_text(encoding = "utf-8"))
+    assert payload["hub_cache"] == str(cache_a)
+    assert payload["xet_cache"] == str(tmp_path / "cache-a" / "xet")
+
+    download_registry.reap_orphan_workers()
+
+    assert markers == [("model", "Org/Model", None, "http")]
+    assert list(workers.iterdir()) == []
+
+
 def test_model_claim_register_cancel_uses_registry_marker_owner(monkeypatch):
     killed = []
 
@@ -3125,12 +3609,19 @@ def _build_variant_cache_repo(repo_dir, blob_specs, snapshot_links):
     return repo
 
 
-def _patch_variant_delete_side_effects(monkeypatch):
+def _patch_variant_delete_side_effects(monkeypatch, hub_cache = None):
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         deletion.download_manifest,
         "purge_state",
         lambda *_args, **_kwargs: False,
     )
+    # The repo under test lives in this cache; make it the active one so the
+    # delete scopes to it (default target root is the active hub cache).
+    if hub_cache is not None:
+        monkeypatch.setattr(
+            "utils.hf_cache_settings.get_hf_cache_paths",
+            lambda: SimpleNamespace(hub_cache = hub_cache),
+        )
 
 
 def test_snapshot_progress_filters_stale_blobs(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
@@ -3308,7 +3799,7 @@ def test_delete_variant_keeps_blob_shared_with_other_snapshot(monkeypatch, tmp_p
         "all_hf_cache_scans",
         lambda: [SimpleNamespace(repos = [repo])],
     )
-    _patch_variant_delete_side_effects(monkeypatch)
+    _patch_variant_delete_side_effects(monkeypatch, tmp_path)
 
     result = deletion._delete_cached_model_blocking("Org/Repo-GGUF", "Q4_K_M", None)
 
@@ -3335,7 +3826,7 @@ def test_delete_variant_unlinks_unshared_blob(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
         "all_hf_cache_scans",
         lambda: [SimpleNamespace(repos = [repo])],
     )
-    _patch_variant_delete_side_effects(monkeypatch)
+    _patch_variant_delete_side_effects(monkeypatch, tmp_path)
 
     result = deletion._delete_cached_model_blocking("Org/Repo-GGUF", "Q4_K_M", None)
 
@@ -3361,7 +3852,7 @@ def test_delete_variant_surfaces_locked_file_as_conflict(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
         "all_hf_cache_scans",
         lambda: [SimpleNamespace(repos = [repo])],
     )
-    _patch_variant_delete_side_effects(monkeypatch)
+    _patch_variant_delete_side_effects(monkeypatch, tmp_path)
 
     real_unlink = Path.unlink
 
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/utils/download_manifest.py b/studio/backend/hub/utils/download_manifest.py
index 5366689296..ac0ccb5490 100644
--- a/studio/backend/hub/utils/download_manifest.py
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/utils/download_manifest.py
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ class Manifest:
     started_at: str
     expected_files: tuple[ExpectedFile, ...]
     transport: Optional[str] = None
+    hub_cache: Optional[str] = None
 
 
 @dataclass(frozen = True)
@@ -86,6 +87,78 @@ class VerifyResult:
     size_mismatched: tuple[str, ...]
 
 
+def _canonical_hub_cache(hub_cache: Optional[str | Path] = None) -> Optional[str]:
+    if hub_cache is None:
+        try:
+            from utils.hf_cache_settings import get_hf_cache_paths
+            hub_cache = get_hf_cache_paths().hub_cache
+        except Exception:
+            return None
+    try:
+        return str(Path(hub_cache).expanduser().resolve(strict = False))
+    except (OSError, RuntimeError, ValueError):
+        return str(hub_cache)
+
+
+def _read_state_payload(path: Path) -> Optional[dict]:
+    try:
+        data = json.loads(path.read_text(encoding = "utf-8"))
+    except (OSError, ValueError) as exc:
+        logger.debug("Could not read Hub state %s: %s", path, exc)
+        return None
+    return data if isinstance(data, dict) else None
+
+
+def _legacy_state_applies(
+    path: Path,
+    requested_hub_cache: Optional[str],
+    *,
+    fail_closed: bool = False,
+) -> bool:
+    """Whether an old unscoped state file belongs to the requested cache.
+
+    Transitional files that recorded their cache keep that ownership. Older
+    files with no ownership can only be attributed to the currently selected
+    cache, which matches the single-cache behavior under which they were
+    written without leaking them into remembered inactive caches.
+    """
+    data = _read_state_payload(path)
+    if data is not None:
+        recorded = data.get("hub_cache")
+        if isinstance(recorded, str) and recorded:
+            return _canonical_hub_cache(recorded) == requested_hub_cache
+    elif not fail_closed:
+        return False
+    return requested_hub_cache == _canonical_hub_cache()
+
+
+def _state_read_path(
+    path_factory,
+    repo_type: RepoType,
+    repo_id: str,
+    variant: Optional[str],
+    hub_cache: Optional[str | Path],
+    *,
+    fail_closed: bool = False,
+) -> Optional[Path]:
+    requested = _canonical_hub_cache(hub_cache)
+    scoped = path_factory(repo_type, repo_id, variant, hub_cache = requested)
+    try:
+        if scoped is not None and scoped.is_file():
+            return scoped
+    except OSError:
+        pass
+    legacy = path_factory(repo_type, repo_id, variant)
+    if legacy is None or legacy == scoped:
+        return None
+    try:
+        if not legacy.is_file():
+            return None
+    except OSError:
+        return None
+    return legacy if _legacy_state_applies(legacy, requested, fail_closed = fail_closed) else None
+
+
 def _atomic_write_json(path: Path, payload: dict) -> bool:
     # Per-write uuid suffix so a concurrent caller or a stale tmp from a
     # previous crash cannot collide with the in-flight write.
@@ -124,6 +197,8 @@ def write_manifest(
     variant: Optional[str],
     expected_files: Sequence[ExpectedFile],
     transport: Optional[str] = None,
+    *,
+    hub_cache: Optional[str | Path] = None,
 ) -> bool:
     """Write/overwrite the manifest for this triple. Best-effort.
 
@@ -131,7 +206,13 @@ def write_manifest(
     worst-case fallback is the pre-fix scanner behavior (one missed
     partial detection), which is no regression.
     """
-    path = manifest_path(repo_type, repo_id, variant)
+    recorded_hub_cache = _canonical_hub_cache(hub_cache)
+    path = manifest_path(
+        repo_type,
+        repo_id,
+        variant,
+        hub_cache = recorded_hub_cache,
+    )
     if path is None:
         return False
     payload = {
@@ -149,6 +230,7 @@ def write_manifest(
             for f in expected_files
         ],
         "transport": transport,
+        "hub_cache": recorded_hub_cache,
     }
     return _atomic_write_json(path, payload)
 
@@ -157,6 +239,8 @@ def read_manifest(
     repo_type: RepoType,
     repo_id: str,
     variant: Optional[str] = None,
+    *,
+    hub_cache: Optional[str | Path] = None,
 ) -> Optional[Manifest]:
     """Return the manifest if present and parseable; ``None`` otherwise.
 
@@ -171,15 +255,17 @@ def read_manifest(
     ``_MANIFEST_VERSION`` and widen this check) or live under a different
     filename, so an incompatible payload can never mis-classify rows.
     """
-    path = manifest_path(repo_type, repo_id, variant)
+    path = _state_read_path(
+        manifest_path,
+        repo_type,
+        repo_id,
+        variant,
+        hub_cache,
+    )
     if path is None or not path.is_file():
         return None
-    try:
-        data = json.loads(path.read_text(encoding = "utf-8"))
-    except (OSError, ValueError) as exc:
-        logger.debug("Could not read manifest %s: %s", path, exc)
-        return None
-    if not isinstance(data, dict):
+    data = _read_state_payload(path)
+    if data is None:
         return None
     if data.get("version") != _MANIFEST_VERSION:
         logger.debug(
@@ -216,6 +302,7 @@ def read_manifest(
         started_at = str(data.get("started_at", "")),
         expected_files = tuple(expected),
         transport = transport if transport in ("http", "xet") else None,
+        hub_cache = data.get("hub_cache") if isinstance(data.get("hub_cache"), str) else None,
     )
 
 
@@ -289,6 +376,8 @@ def write_cancel_marker(
     repo_id: str,
     variant: Optional[str] = None,
     transport: Optional[str] = None,
+    *,
+    hub_cache: Optional[str | Path] = None,
 ) -> bool:
     """Record that this triple was cancelled. Idempotent across repeated cancels.
 
@@ -296,7 +385,13 @@ def write_cancel_marker(
     inventory rows so the UI labels HTTP retries as continuable and XET
     retries as full redownloads. None is accepted for forward-compat.
     """
-    path = marker_path(repo_type, repo_id, variant)
+    recorded_hub_cache = _canonical_hub_cache(hub_cache)
+    path = marker_path(
+        repo_type,
+        repo_id,
+        variant,
+        hub_cache = recorded_hub_cache,
+    )
     if path is None:
         return False
     payload = {
@@ -306,6 +401,7 @@ def write_cancel_marker(
         "variant": variant,
         "transport": transport,
         "cancelled_at": datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat(),
+        "hub_cache": recorded_hub_cache,
     }
     return _atomic_write_json(path, payload)
 
@@ -314,6 +410,8 @@ def read_cancel_marker_transport(
     repo_type: RepoType,
     repo_id: str,
     variant: Optional[str] = None,
+    *,
+    hub_cache: Optional[str | Path] = None,
 ) -> Optional[str]:
     """Return the transport recorded in the cancel marker, or ``None`` if no
     marker exists or it is unreadable.
@@ -330,15 +428,17 @@ def read_cancel_marker_transport(
       ``None`` keeps the neutral "Retry" label.
     * Unknown future versions → ``None`` (unknown layout, unknown transport).
     """
-    path = marker_path(repo_type, repo_id, variant)
+    path = _state_read_path(
+        marker_path,
+        repo_type,
+        repo_id,
+        variant,
+        hub_cache,
+    )
     if path is None or not path.is_file():
         return None
-    try:
-        data = json.loads(path.read_text(encoding = "utf-8"))
-    except (OSError, ValueError) as exc:
-        logger.debug("Could not read cancel marker %s: %s", path, exc)
-        return None
-    if not isinstance(data, dict):
+    data = _read_state_payload(path)
+    if data is None:
         return None
     version = data.get("version")
     if version == _LEGACY_MARKER_VERSION:
@@ -351,10 +451,30 @@ def read_cancel_marker_transport(
     return None
 
 
+def _all_matching_state_paths(
+    parent: Optional[Path], repo_type: RepoType, repo_id: str, variant: Optional[str]
+) -> tuple[Path, ...]:
+    if parent is None:
+        return ()
+    legacy_path = (
+        manifest_path(repo_type, repo_id, variant)
+        if parent.name == "manifests"
+        else marker_path(repo_type, repo_id, variant)
+    )
+    if legacy_path is None:
+        return ()
+    try:
+        return tuple(path for path in parent.rglob(legacy_path.name) if path.is_file())
+    except OSError:
+        return ()
+
+
 def clear_cancel_marker(
     repo_type: RepoType,
     repo_id: str,
     variant: Optional[str] = None,
+    *,
+    hub_cache: Optional[str | Path] = None,
 ) -> None:
     """Remove the cancel marker for this triple if present.
 
@@ -362,31 +482,48 @@ def clear_cancel_marker(
     download-start (a fresh attempt supersedes prior cancel state) and
     again at successful completion (cleans up if the start clear failed).
     """
-    path = marker_path(repo_type, repo_id, variant)
-    if path is None:
-        return
-    try:
-        path.unlink(missing_ok = True)
-    except OSError as exc:
-        logger.debug("Could not clear cancel marker %s: %s", path, exc)
+    requested = _canonical_hub_cache(hub_cache)
+    path = marker_path(
+        repo_type,
+        repo_id,
+        variant,
+        hub_cache = requested,
+    )
+    legacy = marker_path(repo_type, repo_id, variant)
+    paths = [path]
+    if (
+        legacy is not None
+        and legacy != path
+        and _legacy_state_applies(legacy, requested, fail_closed = True)
+    ):
+        paths.append(legacy)
+    for target in paths:
+        if target is None:
+            continue
+        try:
+            target.unlink(missing_ok = True)
+        except OSError as exc:
+            logger.debug("Could not clear cancel marker %s: %s", target, exc)
 
 
 def has_cancel_marker(
     repo_type: RepoType,
     repo_id: str,
     variant: Optional[str] = None,
+    *,
+    hub_cache: Optional[str | Path] = None,
 ) -> bool:
-    """File-existence check only. Body is never read.
-
-    Fail-closed: a corrupt marker still returns ``True`` because the
-    file's existence is the signal (the user once cancelled this
-    triple, even if the body is unreadable).
-    """
-    path = marker_path(repo_type, repo_id, variant)
-    if path is None:
-        return False
+    """Return whether a cancel marker applies to the selected cache."""
+    path = _state_read_path(
+        marker_path,
+        repo_type,
+        repo_id,
+        variant,
+        hub_cache,
+        fail_closed = True,
+    )
     try:
-        return path.is_file()
+        return path is not None and path.is_file()
     except OSError:
         return False
 
@@ -395,48 +532,124 @@ def delete_manifest(
     repo_type: RepoType,
     repo_id: str,
     variant: Optional[str] = None,
+    *,
+    hub_cache: Optional[str | Path] = None,
 ) -> bool:
-    path = manifest_path(repo_type, repo_id, variant)
-    if path is None:
-        return False
-    try:
-        if not path.is_file():
-            return False
-        path.unlink()
-        return True
-    except OSError as exc:
-        logger.debug("Could not delete manifest %s: %s", path, exc)
-        return False
+    requested = _canonical_hub_cache(hub_cache)
+    path = manifest_path(
+        repo_type,
+        repo_id,
+        variant,
+        hub_cache = requested,
+    )
+    legacy = manifest_path(repo_type, repo_id, variant)
+    paths = [path]
+    if legacy is not None and legacy != path and _legacy_state_applies(legacy, requested):
+        paths.append(legacy)
+    removed = False
+    for target in paths:
+        if target is None:
+            continue
+        try:
+            if target.is_file():
+                target.unlink()
+                removed = True
+        except OSError as exc:
+            logger.debug("Could not delete manifest %s: %s", target, exc)
+    return removed
 
 
 def purge_state(
     repo_type: RepoType,
     repo_id: str,
     variant: Optional[str] = None,
+    *,
+    hub_cache: Optional[str | Path] = None,
 ) -> bool:
     """Remove manifest + cancel marker for this triple. Returns ``True``
-    when anything was present on disk before the call. Idempotent."""
-    marker_existed = has_cancel_marker(repo_type, repo_id, variant)
-    manifest_removed = delete_manifest(repo_type, repo_id, variant)
-    clear_cancel_marker(repo_type, repo_id, variant)
-    return marker_existed or manifest_removed
+    when anything was present on disk before the call. Idempotent.
+
+    With ``hub_cache`` set, only that cache's scoped state (plus any legacy
+    unscoped file that belongs to it) is removed, so purging one cache's copy
+    never clears another cache's resumable/cancel state."""
+    if hub_cache is None:
+        paths = (
+            *_all_matching_state_paths(manifests_dir(), repo_type, repo_id, variant),
+            *_all_matching_state_paths(cancelled_dir(), repo_type, repo_id, variant),
+        )
+    else:
+        requested = _canonical_hub_cache(hub_cache)
+        candidates = [
+            manifest_path(repo_type, repo_id, variant, hub_cache = hub_cache),
+            marker_path(repo_type, repo_id, variant, hub_cache = hub_cache),
+        ]
+        # Legacy unscoped state is shared: an unowned file belongs to the active
+        # cache (per _legacy_state_applies), so only purge it when it belongs to
+        # the cache being deleted -- else deleting an inactive cache would erase
+        # the active cache's resume/cancel state.
+        for path_factory in (manifest_path, marker_path):
+            legacy = path_factory(repo_type, repo_id, variant)
+            if legacy is not None and _legacy_state_applies(legacy, requested):
+                candidates.append(legacy)
+        paths = tuple(p for p in candidates if p is not None)
+    removed = False
+    for path in paths:
+        try:
+            if path.is_file():
+                path.unlink()
+                removed = True
+        except OSError as exc:
+            logger.debug("Could not purge Hub state %s: %s", path, exc)
+    return removed
 
 
-def purge_all_state_for_repo(repo_type: RepoType, repo_id: str) -> int:
+def purge_all_state_for_repo(
+    repo_type: RepoType,
+    repo_id: str,
+    *,
+    hub_cache: Optional[str | Path] = None,
+) -> int:
     """Remove the snapshot-level manifest + marker AND every variant-keyed
     manifest + marker for this repo. Used by the route delete handlers so
     scanner state never outlives the cache it described. Returns the count
-    of (repo, variant) triples that had any state on disk."""
+    of (repo, variant) triples that had any state on disk.
+
+    With ``hub_cache`` set, only that cache's scoped state (plus any legacy
+    unscoped file) is enumerated and removed, so deleting one cache's copy does
+    not clear another cache's resumable/cancel state."""
     removed = 0
-    if purge_state(repo_type, repo_id, None):
+    if purge_state(repo_type, repo_id, None, hub_cache = hub_cache):
         removed += 1
     variants: set[str] = set()
-    for variant, _ in iter_variant_manifests(repo_type, repo_id):
-        variants.add(variant)
-    for variant, _ in iter_variant_markers(repo_type, repo_id):
-        variants.add(variant)
+    prefix = variant_filename_prefix(repo_type, repo_id)
+    if hub_cache is None:
+        search = [(p, True) for p in (manifests_dir(), cancelled_dir()) if p is not None]
+    else:
+        # This cache's scoped dir (parent of its scoped path) plus the legacy
+        # unscoped base; glob (not rglob) so other caches' dirs are not swept.
+        search = []
+        for scoped, base in (
+            (manifest_path(repo_type, repo_id, None, hub_cache = hub_cache), manifests_dir()),
+            (marker_path(repo_type, repo_id, None, hub_cache = hub_cache), cancelled_dir()),
+        ):
+            if scoped is not None:
+                search.append((scoped.parent, False))
+            if base is not None:
+                search.append((base, False))
+    for parent, recursive in search:
+        try:
+            entries = tuple(
+                parent.rglob(f"{prefix}*.json") if recursive else parent.glob(f"{prefix}*.json")
+            )
+        except OSError:
+            continue
+        for entry in entries:
+            if not entry.is_file():
+                continue
+            fallback = entry.stem[len(prefix) :]
+            variants.add(_variant_from_state_file(entry, fallback))
     for variant in variants:
-        if purge_state(repo_type, repo_id, variant):
+        if purge_state(repo_type, repo_id, variant, hub_cache = hub_cache):
             removed += 1
     return removed
 
@@ -453,35 +666,83 @@ def _variant_from_state_file(path: Path, fallback: str) -> str:
 
 
 def _iter_variant_state_files(
-    parent: Optional[Path], repo_type: RepoType, repo_id: str
+    parent: Optional[Path],
+    repo_type: RepoType,
+    repo_id: str,
+    hub_cache: Optional[str | Path],
+    *,
+    cancel_markers: bool,
 ) -> Iterator[tuple[str, Path]]:
     if parent is None:
         return
-    prefix = variant_filename_prefix(repo_type, repo_id)
-    try:
-        entries = list(parent.iterdir())
-    except OSError:
+    path_factory = marker_path if cancel_markers else manifest_path
+    requested = _canonical_hub_cache(hub_cache)
+    scoped_probe = path_factory(
+        repo_type,
+        repo_id,
+        None,
+        hub_cache = requested,
+    )
+    if scoped_probe is None:
         return
-    for entry in entries:
-        if not entry.is_file() or not entry.name.endswith(".json"):
+    prefix = variant_filename_prefix(repo_type, repo_id)
+    seen: set[str] = set()
+    for directory, legacy in ((scoped_probe.parent, False), (parent, True)):
+        if legacy and directory == scoped_probe.parent:
             continue
-        stem = entry.name[: -len(".json")]
-        if not stem.lower().startswith(prefix):
+        try:
+            entries = list(directory.iterdir())
+        except OSError:
             continue
-        variant = stem[len(prefix) :]
-        if variant:
-            yield _variant_from_state_file(entry, variant), entry
+        for entry in entries:
+            if not entry.is_file() or not entry.name.endswith(".json"):
+                continue
+            stem = entry.name[: -len(".json")]
+            if not stem.lower().startswith(prefix) or entry.name in seen:
+                continue
+            if legacy and not _legacy_state_applies(
+                entry,
+                requested,
+                fail_closed = cancel_markers,
+            ):
+                continue
+            fallback = stem[len(prefix) :]
+            if fallback:
+                seen.add(entry.name)
+                yield _variant_from_state_file(entry, fallback), entry
 
 
-def iter_variant_manifests(repo_type: RepoType, repo_id: str) -> Iterator[tuple[str, Path]]:
+def iter_variant_manifests(
+    repo_type: RepoType,
+    repo_id: str,
+    *,
+    hub_cache: Optional[str | Path] = None,
+) -> Iterator[tuple[str, Path]]:
     """Yield (variant, manifest_path) for every variant-keyed manifest
     written for this repo. Used by is_gguf_repo_partial to enumerate all
     variants present on disk so the all-variants-broken gate can run."""
-    yield from _iter_variant_state_files(manifests_dir(), repo_type, repo_id)
+    yield from _iter_variant_state_files(
+        manifests_dir(),
+        repo_type,
+        repo_id,
+        hub_cache,
+        cancel_markers = False,
+    )
 
 
-def iter_variant_markers(repo_type: RepoType, repo_id: str) -> Iterator[tuple[str, Path]]:
+def iter_variant_markers(
+    repo_type: RepoType,
+    repo_id: str,
+    *,
+    hub_cache: Optional[str | Path] = None,
+) -> Iterator[tuple[str, Path]]:
     """Yield (variant, marker_path) for every variant-keyed cancel marker.
     Companion to iter_variant_manifests: catches variants cancelled
     before download-start ever wrote a manifest (very early failures)."""
-    yield from _iter_variant_state_files(cancelled_dir(), repo_type, repo_id)
+    yield from _iter_variant_state_files(
+        cancelled_dir(),
+        repo_type,
+        repo_id,
+        hub_cache,
+        cancel_markers = True,
+    )
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/utils/download_registry.py b/studio/backend/hub/utils/download_registry.py
index b6bdee3bce..9e2b7d1a6d 100644
--- a/studio/backend/hub/utils/download_registry.py
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/utils/download_registry.py
@@ -129,6 +129,8 @@ def write_worker_breadcrumb(key: str, pid: int, metadata: Optional["DownloadMeta
         "cancel_marker_transport": metadata.cancel_marker_transport
         if metadata is not None
         else None,
+        "hub_cache": metadata.hub_cache if metadata is not None else None,
+        "xet_cache": metadata.xet_cache if metadata is not None else None,
     }
     tmp = path.with_name(f".{path.name}.tmp-{pid}")
     try:
@@ -236,6 +238,7 @@ def _settle_orphaned_download(
     repo_id: Optional[str],
     variant: Optional[str],
     transport: Optional[str],
+    hub_cache: Optional[str] = None,
 ) -> None:
     """Persist a cancel marker for a reaped orphan still mid-download so the next
     launch settles it to a resumable "cancelled" state instead of a phantom-running
@@ -251,18 +254,42 @@ def _settle_orphaned_download(
         return
     from hub.utils import download_manifest
 
-    manifest = download_manifest.read_manifest(repo_type, repo_id, variant)
+    cache_root = Path(hub_cache) if isinstance(hub_cache, str) and hub_cache else None
+
+    manifest = download_manifest.read_manifest(
+        repo_type,
+        repo_id,
+        variant,
+        hub_cache = cache_root,
+    )
     if repo_type == "model" and variant and manifest is None:
         return
     if manifest is None:
-        if not has_active_incomplete_blobs(repo_type, repo_id):
+        if not has_active_incomplete_blobs(repo_type, repo_id, root = cache_root):
             return
     else:
-        if _manifest_verifies_against_active_cache(repo_type, repo_id, manifest):
+        if _manifest_verifies_against_active_cache(
+            repo_type,
+            repo_id,
+            manifest,
+            root = cache_root,
+        ):
             return
-        if not _manifest_has_active_incomplete_blobs(repo_type, repo_id, manifest):
+        if not _manifest_has_active_incomplete_blobs(
+            repo_type,
+            repo_id,
+            manifest,
+            root = cache_root,
+        ):
             return
-    persist_cancel_marker(repo_type, repo_id, variant, transport, logger = logger)
+    persist_cancel_marker(
+        repo_type,
+        repo_id,
+        variant,
+        transport,
+        hub_cache = hub_cache,
+        logger = logger,
+    )
 
 
 def reap_orphan_workers() -> None:
@@ -309,6 +336,7 @@ def reap_orphan_workers() -> None:
                 repo_id,
                 data.get("variant"),
                 data.get("cancel_marker_transport") or data.get("transport"),
+                data.get("hub_cache"),
             )
         except Exception as exc:
             logger.debug("Reaper failed for breadcrumb %s: %s", entry, exc)
@@ -355,8 +383,13 @@ def _purge_incomplete_blobs(
     return removed
 
 
-def _iter_active_snapshot_dirs(repo_type: str, repo_id: str) -> Iterator[Path]:
-    for entry in iter_active_repo_cache_dirs(repo_type, repo_id):
+def _iter_active_snapshot_dirs(
+    repo_type: str,
+    repo_id: str,
+    *,
+    root: Optional[Path] = None,
+) -> Iterator[Path]:
+    for entry in iter_active_repo_cache_dirs(repo_type, repo_id, root = root):
         snapshots_dir = entry / "snapshots"
         if not snapshots_dir.is_dir():
             continue
@@ -369,24 +402,41 @@ def _iter_active_snapshot_dirs(repo_type: str, repo_id: str) -> Iterator[Path]:
                 yield snapshot
 
 
-def _manifest_verifies_against_active_cache(repo_type: str, repo_id: str, manifest) -> bool:
+def _manifest_verifies_against_active_cache(
+    repo_type: str,
+    repo_id: str,
+    manifest,
+    *,
+    root: Optional[Path] = None,
+) -> bool:
     from hub.utils import download_manifest
-    for snapshot_dir in _iter_active_snapshot_dirs(repo_type, repo_id):
+    for snapshot_dir in _iter_active_snapshot_dirs(repo_type, repo_id, root = root):
         if download_manifest.verify_against_disk(manifest, snapshot_dir).ok:
             return True
     return False
 
 
-def _manifest_has_active_incomplete_blobs(repo_type: str, repo_id: str, manifest) -> bool:
+def _manifest_has_active_incomplete_blobs(
+    repo_type: str,
+    repo_id: str,
+    manifest,
+    *,
+    root: Optional[Path] = None,
+) -> bool:
     if not getattr(manifest, "variant", None):
-        return has_active_incomplete_blobs(repo_type, repo_id)
+        return has_active_incomplete_blobs(repo_type, repo_id, root = root)
     expected_hashes = frozenset(
         expected.sha256 for expected in manifest.expected_files if expected.sha256
     )
     if not expected_hashes:
-        return has_active_incomplete_blobs(repo_type, repo_id)
+        return has_active_incomplete_blobs(repo_type, repo_id, root = root)
     return bool(
-        incomplete_blob_hashes(repo_type, repo_id, active_only = True).intersection(expected_hashes)
+        incomplete_blob_hashes(
+            repo_type,
+            repo_id,
+            active_only = True,
+            root = root,
+        ).intersection(expected_hashes)
     )
 
 
@@ -459,6 +509,7 @@ def prepare_cache_for_transport(
     only_blob_hashes: Optional[frozenset[str]] = None,
     companion_blob_hashes: Optional[frozenset[str]] = None,
     protected_blob_hashes: Optional[frozenset[str]] = None,
+    root: Optional[Path] = None,
 ) -> int:
     """Guarantee any pre-existing ``.incomplete`` blobs are SAFE to resume under
     *mode*. Returns the number of partial blobs purged for untrusted provenance.
@@ -485,14 +536,13 @@ def prepare_cache_for_transport(
     they are excluded from every purge so a shared companion is never deleted
     mid-write.
 
-    Scope: only the active ``HF_HUB_CACHE`` root is inspected. That suffices for
-    resume safety because ``snapshot_download`` runs without a ``cache_dir``
-    override and so can only read or resume a ``.incomplete`` under this same
-    active root. Markers are written for the new mode before returning.
+    Scope: ``root`` selects the cache captured by the caller. It defaults to the
+    active ``HF_HUB_CACHE`` root for workers that inherit their cache through
+    the environment. Markers are written for the new mode before returning.
     """
     if mode not in VALID_TRANSPORTS:
         raise ValueError(f"Invalid transport mode: {mode!r}")
-    root = hf_cache_root(create = True)
+    root = hf_cache_root(create = True) if root is None else hf_cache_root(create = True, root = root)
     if root is None:
         return 0
     target = target_dir_name(repo_type, repo_id)
@@ -618,10 +668,11 @@ def incomplete_blob_hashes(
     repo_id: str,
     *,
     active_only: bool = False,
+    root: Optional[Path] = None,
 ) -> set[str]:
     out: set[str] = set()
     entries = (
-        iter_active_repo_cache_dirs(repo_type, repo_id)
+        iter_active_repo_cache_dirs(repo_type, repo_id, root = root)
         if active_only
         else iter_repo_cache_dirs(repo_type, repo_id)
     )
@@ -638,16 +689,24 @@ def incomplete_blob_hashes(
     return out
 
 
-def completed_blob_bytes(repo_type: str, repo_id: str, blob_hashes: frozenset[str]) -> int:
-    """Sum finalized blob bytes for *blob_hashes* in the active HF cache root.
+def completed_blob_bytes(
+    repo_type: str,
+    repo_id: str,
+    blob_hashes: frozenset[str],
+    *,
+    root: Optional[Path] = None,
+) -> int:
+    """Sum finalized blob bytes for *blob_hashes* in a single HF cache root.
 
-    A worker only writes to the active ``HF_HUB_CACHE`` root, so a baseline must
-    ignore legacy/default roots that ``snapshot_download`` won't reuse this run.
+    A worker only writes to its captured ``HF_HUB_CACHE`` root, so a baseline
+    must be scoped to that root (``root``), not re-resolved to whatever cache is
+    active now; otherwise a runtime cache switch makes the retry baseline count
+    bytes from the wrong disk.
     """
     if not blob_hashes:
         return 0
     total = 0
-    for entry in iter_active_repo_cache_dirs(repo_type, repo_id):
+    for entry in iter_active_repo_cache_dirs(repo_type, repo_id, root = root):
         blobs_dir = entry / "blobs"
         if not blobs_dir.is_dir():
             continue
@@ -712,6 +771,8 @@ class DownloadMetadata:
     # Bytes already complete before this job started; not counted as this run's
     # progress.
     completed_baseline_bytes: int = 0
+    hub_cache: Optional[str] = None
+    xet_cache: Optional[str] = None
 
 
 @dataclass(frozen = True)
@@ -752,6 +813,7 @@ def persist_cancel_marker(
     variant: Optional[str],
     transport: Optional[str],
     *,
+    hub_cache: Optional[str] = None,
     logger = logger,
 ) -> None:
     if not repo_type or not repo_id:
@@ -763,6 +825,7 @@ def persist_cancel_marker(
             repo_id,
             variant,
             transport = transport,
+            hub_cache = hub_cache,
         ):
             logger.debug("write_cancel_marker returned False for %s", repo_id)
     except Exception as exc:
@@ -971,6 +1034,7 @@ class DownloadRegistry:
                 metadata_to_persist.repo_id,
                 metadata_to_persist.variant,
                 metadata_to_persist.transport,
+                hub_cache = metadata_to_persist.hub_cache,
             )
         return False
 
@@ -1033,6 +1097,8 @@ class DownloadRegistry:
         replace_active: bool = False,
         metadata_transport: Optional[str] = None,
         cancel_marker_transport: Optional[str] = None,
+        hub_cache: Optional[str] = None,
+        xet_cache: Optional[str] = None,
     ) -> tuple[bool, str]:
         key = normalize_job_key(key)
         repo = _repo_of_key(key)
@@ -1106,6 +1172,8 @@ class DownloadRegistry:
                         0,
                         int(completed_baseline_bytes or 0),
                     ),
+                    hub_cache = hub_cache,
+                    xet_cache = xet_cache,
                 )
                 if cancel_marker_transport is not None:
                     self._cancel_marker_transports[key] = cancel_marker_transport
@@ -1386,6 +1454,7 @@ class DownloadRegistry:
                     metadata.repo_id,
                     metadata.variant,
                     metadata.cancel_marker_transport or metadata.transport,
+                    hub_cache = metadata.hub_cache,
                 )
         reaped: list[tuple[str, subprocess.Popen, Optional[DownloadMetadata]]] = []
         for key, proc, metadata in live:
@@ -1401,6 +1470,7 @@ class DownloadRegistry:
                         metadata.repo_id,
                         metadata.variant,
                         metadata.cancel_marker_transport or metadata.transport,
+                        hub_cache = metadata.hub_cache,
                     )
                 continue
             reaped.append((key, proc, metadata))
@@ -1421,6 +1491,7 @@ class DownloadRegistry:
                     metadata.repo_id,
                     metadata.variant,
                     metadata.cancel_marker_transport or metadata.transport,
+                    hub_cache = metadata.hub_cache,
                 )
 
 
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/utils/gguf.py b/studio/backend/hub/utils/gguf.py
index 2e3de125f1..eb768db5d6 100644
--- a/studio/backend/hub/utils/gguf.py
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/utils/gguf.py
@@ -253,11 +253,16 @@ def _env_offline() -> bool:
     ) or os.environ.get("TRANSFORMERS_OFFLINE", "").lower() in ("1", "true", "yes")
 
 
-def iter_hf_cache_snapshots(repo_id: str):
-    from hub.utils.hf_cache_state import iter_repo_cache_dirs
+def iter_hf_cache_snapshots(repo_id: str, root: Optional[Path] = None):
+    from hub.utils.hf_cache_state import iter_active_repo_cache_dirs, iter_repo_cache_dirs
 
     snapshots: list[Path] = []
-    for repo_dir in iter_repo_cache_dirs("model", repo_id):
+    repo_dirs = (
+        iter_active_repo_cache_dirs("model", repo_id, root = root)
+        if root is not None
+        else iter_repo_cache_dirs("model", repo_id)
+    )
+    for repo_dir in repo_dirs:
         snapshots_dir = repo_dir / "snapshots"
         if not snapshots_dir.is_dir():
             continue
@@ -276,12 +281,17 @@ def iter_hf_cache_snapshots(repo_id: str):
     yield from snapshots
 
 
-def list_empty_gguf_variant_dirs(repo_id: str) -> set[str]:
+def list_empty_gguf_variant_dirs(repo_id: str, root: Optional[Path] = None) -> set[str]:
     """Quant labels present only as an EMPTY snapshot ``<quant>/`` folder (an
     interrupted split download); a quant with shards in any snapshot is excluded."""
     empty: dict[str, str] = {}
     nonempty: set[str] = set()
-    for snapshot in iter_hf_cache_snapshots(repo_id):
+    snapshots = (
+        iter_hf_cache_snapshots(repo_id, root = root)
+        if root is not None
+        else iter_hf_cache_snapshots(repo_id)
+    )
+    for snapshot in snapshots:
         try:
             entries = list(snapshot.iterdir())
         except OSError:
@@ -303,8 +313,15 @@ def list_empty_gguf_variant_dirs(repo_id: str) -> set[str]:
     return {label for key, label in empty.items() if key not in nonempty}
 
 
-def list_gguf_variants_from_hf_cache(repo_id: str) -> Optional[tuple[list[GgufVariantInfo], bool]]:
-    for snapshot in iter_hf_cache_snapshots(repo_id):
+def list_gguf_variants_from_hf_cache(
+    repo_id: str, root: Optional[Path] = None
+) -> Optional[tuple[list[GgufVariantInfo], bool]]:
+    snapshots = (
+        iter_hf_cache_snapshots(repo_id, root = root)
+        if root is not None
+        else iter_hf_cache_snapshots(repo_id)
+    )
+    for snapshot in snapshots:
         variants, has_vision = list_local_gguf_variants(str(snapshot))
         if variants or has_vision:
             return variants, has_vision
@@ -312,7 +329,7 @@ def list_gguf_variants_from_hf_cache(repo_id: str) -> Optional[tuple[list[GgufVa
 
 
 def list_partial_gguf_variants_from_state(
-    repo_id: str,
+    repo_id: str, hub_cache: Optional[Path] = None
 ) -> Optional[tuple[list[GgufVariantInfo], bool]]:
     """Reconstruct GGUF variants from download manifests/markers alone.
 
@@ -328,10 +345,26 @@ def list_partial_gguf_variants_from_state(
     # original-casing label over a lowercased cancel marker for the same variant.
     seen: set[str] = set()
     ordered: list[str] = []
-    for source in (
-        download_manifest.iter_variant_manifests("model", repo_id),
-        download_manifest.iter_variant_markers("model", repo_id),
-    ):
+    sources = (
+        (
+            download_manifest.iter_variant_manifests("model", repo_id),
+            download_manifest.iter_variant_markers("model", repo_id),
+        )
+        if hub_cache is None
+        else (
+            download_manifest.iter_variant_manifests(
+                "model",
+                repo_id,
+                hub_cache = hub_cache,
+            ),
+            download_manifest.iter_variant_markers(
+                "model",
+                repo_id,
+                hub_cache = hub_cache,
+            ),
+        )
+    )
+    for source in sources:
         for variant, _path in source:
             key = variant.lower()
             if key not in seen:
@@ -343,7 +376,16 @@ def list_partial_gguf_variants_from_state(
     variants: list[GgufVariantInfo] = []
     has_vision = False
     for variant in ordered:
-        manifest = download_manifest.read_manifest("model", repo_id, variant)
+        manifest = (
+            download_manifest.read_manifest("model", repo_id, variant)
+            if hub_cache is None
+            else download_manifest.read_manifest(
+                "model",
+                repo_id,
+                variant,
+                hub_cache = hub_cache,
+            )
+        )
         main_filename: Optional[str] = None
         size_bytes = 0
         companion_bytes = 0
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/utils/hf_cache_state.py b/studio/backend/hub/utils/hf_cache_state.py
index 22c948b683..49a28c813c 100644
--- a/studio/backend/hub/utils/hf_cache_state.py
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/utils/hf_cache_state.py
@@ -29,12 +29,10 @@ def _safe_is_dir(path: Path) -> bool:
         return False
 
 
-def hf_cache_root(*, create: bool = False) -> Optional[Path]:
-    try:
-        from huggingface_hub import constants as hf_constants
-    except ImportError:
-        return None
-    root = Path(hf_constants.HF_HUB_CACHE)
+def hf_cache_root(*, create: bool = False, root: Optional[Path] = None) -> Optional[Path]:
+    from utils.hf_cache_settings import get_hf_cache_paths
+
+    root = root or get_hf_cache_paths().hub_cache
     if create:
         try:
             root.mkdir(parents = True, exist_ok = True)
@@ -46,6 +44,7 @@ def hf_cache_root(*, create: bool = False) -> Optional[Path]:
 
 def hf_cache_roots() -> list[Path]:
     from hub.utils.paths import hf_default_cache_dir, legacy_hf_cache_dir
+    from utils.hf_cache_settings import known_hf_hub_caches
 
     roots: list[Path] = []
     seen: set[str] = set()
@@ -62,7 +61,8 @@ def hf_cache_roots() -> list[Path]:
         seen.add(key)
         roots.append(path)
 
-    _add(hf_cache_root())
+    for configured in known_hf_hub_caches():
+        _add(configured)
     _add(legacy_hf_cache_dir())
     _add(hf_default_cache_dir())
     return roots
@@ -181,12 +181,22 @@ def iter_repo_cache_dirs(repo_type: str, repo_id: str) -> Iterator[Path]:
             continue
 
 
-def iter_destructive_repo_cache_dirs(repo_type: str, repo_id: str) -> Iterator[Path]:
+def iter_destructive_repo_cache_dirs(
+    repo_type: str,
+    repo_id: str,
+    *,
+    root: Optional[Path] = None,
+) -> Iterator[Path]:
     target = repo_cache_dir_name(repo_type, repo_id)
     folded_target = target.lower()
-    for root in hf_cache_roots():
+    if root is not None:
+        scoped = hf_cache_root(root = root)
+        bases = [scoped] if scoped is not None else []
+    else:
+        bases = hf_cache_roots()
+    for base in bases:
         try:
-            entries = [entry for entry in root.iterdir() if entry.name.lower() == folded_target]
+            entries = [entry for entry in base.iterdir() if entry.name.lower() == folded_target]
         except OSError:
             continue
         matched_names = resolve_destructive_case_matches(
@@ -200,8 +210,13 @@ def iter_destructive_repo_cache_dirs(repo_type: str, repo_id: str) -> Iterator[P
                 yield entry
 
 
-def iter_active_repo_cache_dirs(repo_type: str, repo_id: str) -> Iterator[Path]:
-    root = hf_cache_root()
+def iter_active_repo_cache_dirs(
+    repo_type: str,
+    repo_id: str,
+    *,
+    root: Optional[Path] = None,
+) -> Iterator[Path]:
+    root = hf_cache_root(root = root)
     if root is None:
         return
     target = target_dir_name(repo_type, repo_id)
@@ -218,12 +233,13 @@ def preferred_repo_cache_dirs(
     repo_id: str,
     *,
     force_active: bool = False,
+    active_root: Optional[Path] = None,
 ) -> list[Path]:
-    active_entries = list(iter_active_repo_cache_dirs(repo_type, repo_id))
+    active_entries = list(iter_active_repo_cache_dirs(repo_type, repo_id, root = active_root))
     if active_entries:
         return active_entries
     if force_active:
-        root = hf_cache_root()
+        root = hf_cache_root(root = active_root)
         if root is not None:
             canonical = repo_cache_dir_name(repo_type, repo_id)
             return [root / canonical]
@@ -237,8 +253,13 @@ def has_incomplete_blobs(repo_type: str, repo_id: str) -> bool:
     return False
 
 
-def has_active_incomplete_blobs(repo_type: str, repo_id: str) -> bool:
-    for entry in iter_active_repo_cache_dirs(repo_type, repo_id):
+def has_active_incomplete_blobs(
+    repo_type: str,
+    repo_id: str,
+    *,
+    root: Optional[Path] = None,
+) -> bool:
+    for entry in iter_active_repo_cache_dirs(repo_type, repo_id, root = root):
         if repo_cache_dir_has_incomplete_blobs(entry):
             return True
     return False
@@ -273,9 +294,14 @@ def _prune_empty_dirs(root: Path) -> bool:
     return removed
 
 
-def purge_partial_repo(repo_type: str, repo_id: str) -> bool:
+def purge_partial_repo(
+    repo_type: str,
+    repo_id: str,
+    *,
+    root: Optional[Path] = None,
+) -> bool:
     removed = False
-    for entry in iter_destructive_repo_cache_dirs(repo_type, repo_id):
+    for entry in iter_destructive_repo_cache_dirs(repo_type, repo_id, root = root):
         blobs_dir = entry / "blobs"
         if blobs_dir.is_dir():
             for blob in blobs_dir.iterdir():
@@ -290,9 +316,14 @@ def purge_partial_repo(repo_type: str, repo_id: str) -> bool:
     return removed
 
 
-def purge_repo_cache_dirs(repo_type: str, repo_id: str) -> bool:
+def purge_repo_cache_dirs(
+    repo_type: str,
+    repo_id: str,
+    *,
+    root: Optional[Path] = None,
+) -> bool:
     removed = False
-    for entry in iter_destructive_repo_cache_dirs(repo_type, repo_id):
+    for entry in iter_destructive_repo_cache_dirs(repo_type, repo_id, root = root):
         try:
             if entry.is_symlink() or not entry.is_dir():
                 continue
@@ -301,3 +332,59 @@ def purge_repo_cache_dirs(repo_type: str, repo_id: str) -> bool:
         except FileNotFoundError:
             continue
     return removed
+
+
+def scoped_delete_root(repo_type: str, repo_id: str, cache_path: Optional[str]) -> Optional[Path]:
+    """Resolve the single cache root a delete of this repo may touch.
+
+    Returns the active hub cache when *cache_path* is falsy, the owning cache
+    root when *cache_path* points inside a known cache, or ``None`` when
+    *cache_path* is set but not inside any known cache (caller should reject).
+    This keeps a delete of one inventory row from removing copies in other,
+    previously selected caches.
+    """
+    from utils.hf_cache_settings import get_hf_cache_paths
+
+    if not cache_path:
+        return Path(get_hf_cache_paths().hub_cache).resolve(strict = False)
+    try:
+        resolved = Path(cache_path).expanduser().resolve(strict = False)
+    except (OSError, RuntimeError, ValueError):
+        return None
+    expected = repo_cache_dir_name(repo_type, repo_id).lower()
+    repo_dir = next(
+        (
+            candidate
+            for candidate in (resolved, *resolved.parents)
+            if candidate.name.lower() == expected
+        ),
+        None,
+    )
+    if repo_dir is None:
+        return None
+    allowed = {r.resolve(strict = False) for r in hf_cache_roots()}
+    root = repo_dir.parent.resolve(strict = False)
+    return root if root in allowed else None
+
+
+def resolve_delete_target_root(
+    repo_type: str, repo_id: str, cache_path: Optional[str], owner_roots
+) -> Optional[Path]:
+    """Pick the single cache root a delete of this repo should target.
+
+    An explicit *cache_path* wins (``None`` when it is not a known cache, so the
+    caller can reject it). Otherwise prefer the active cache when it holds a
+    copy, else the sole cache that does -- so a model that lives only in a
+    previously selected cache stays deletable while other caches are untouched.
+    """
+    if cache_path:
+        return scoped_delete_root(repo_type, repo_id, cache_path)
+    from utils.hf_cache_settings import get_hf_cache_paths
+
+    active = Path(get_hf_cache_paths().hub_cache).resolve(strict = False)
+    roots = list(owner_roots)
+    if active in roots:
+        return active
+    if len(roots) == 1:
+        return roots[0]
+    return active
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/utils/inventory_scan.py b/studio/backend/hub/utils/inventory_scan.py
index 57ad7f6655..058fdf9b65 100644
--- a/studio/backend/hub/utils/inventory_scan.py
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/utils/inventory_scan.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ from hub.utils.state_dir import RepoType
 from hub.utils.hf_cache_state import (
     INCOMPLETE_SUFFIX,
     has_incomplete_blobs,
-    hf_cache_root,
+    hf_cache_roots,
     iter_repo_cache_dirs,
     latest_snapshot_dir,
     repo_cache_dir_has_incomplete_blobs,
@@ -127,33 +127,13 @@ def all_hf_cache_scans() -> list:
 
 def _compute_all_hf_cache_scans() -> list:
     from huggingface_hub import scan_cache_dir
-    from hub.utils.paths import legacy_hf_cache_dir, hf_default_cache_dir
 
     scans: list = []
-    seen: set[str] = set()
-    try:
-        from huggingface_hub.constants import HF_HUB_CACHE
-
-        active = Path(HF_HUB_CACHE).resolve()
-        seen.add(str(active))
-        if active.is_dir():
-            scans.append(scan_cache_dir())
-    except Exception as exc:
-        logger.warning("Could not scan active HF cache: %s", exc)
-
-    for extra_fn in (legacy_hf_cache_dir, hf_default_cache_dir):
+    for cache_root in hf_cache_roots():
         try:
-            extra = extra_fn()
-            # is_dir()/resolve() can raise on an inaccessible path; skip it.
-            if not extra.is_dir():
-                continue
-            resolved = str(extra.resolve())
-            if resolved in seen:
-                continue
-            seen.add(resolved)
-            scans.append(scan_cache_dir(cache_dir = str(extra)))
+            scans.append(scan_cache_dir(cache_dir = str(cache_root)))
         except Exception as exc:
-            logger.warning("Could not scan HF cache %s: %s", extra_fn.__name__, exc)
+            logger.warning("Could not scan HF cache %s: %s", cache_root, exc)
     return scans
 
 
@@ -224,16 +204,8 @@ def _compose_partial(*signals: Callable[[], bool]) -> bool:
     return any(signal() for signal in signals)
 
 
-def _state_applies_to_repo_cache_dir(repo_cache_dir: Optional[Path]) -> bool:
-    if repo_cache_dir is None:
-        return True
-    root = hf_cache_root()
-    if root is None:
-        return False
-    try:
-        return repo_cache_dir.resolve().parent == root.resolve()
-    except OSError:
-        return False
+def _hub_cache_for_repo_dir(repo_cache_dir: Optional[Path]) -> Optional[Path]:
+    return repo_cache_dir.parent if repo_cache_dir is not None else None
 
 
 def _legacy_partial(
@@ -285,12 +257,24 @@ def _repo_cache_dir_has_non_gguf_broken_snapshot_symlinks(repo_cache_dir: Path)
     return False
 
 
-def _gguf_variant_manifest_blob_hashes(repo_id: str) -> frozenset[str]:
+def _gguf_variant_manifest_blob_hashes(
+    repo_id: str, repo_cache_dir: Optional[Path] = None
+) -> frozenset[str]:
     from hub.utils import download_manifest
 
     hashes: set[str] = set()
-    for variant, _path in download_manifest.iter_variant_manifests("model", repo_id):
-        manifest = download_manifest.read_manifest("model", repo_id, variant)
+    hub_cache = _hub_cache_for_repo_dir(repo_cache_dir)
+    for variant, _path in download_manifest.iter_variant_manifests(
+        "model",
+        repo_id,
+        hub_cache = hub_cache,
+    ):
+        manifest = download_manifest.read_manifest(
+            "model",
+            repo_id,
+            variant,
+            hub_cache = hub_cache,
+        )
         if manifest is None:
             continue
         for expected in manifest.expected_files:
@@ -315,7 +299,7 @@ def _snapshot_legacy_partial(
 ) -> bool:
     if repo_type != "model":
         return _legacy_partial(repo_type, repo_id, repo_cache_dir)
-    ignored_hashes = _gguf_variant_manifest_blob_hashes(repo_id)
+    ignored_hashes = _gguf_variant_manifest_blob_hashes(repo_id, repo_cache_dir)
     if repo_cache_dir is not None:
         return _repo_cache_dir_has_snapshot_legacy_partial(
             repo_cache_dir,
@@ -375,9 +359,12 @@ def _manifest_partial(
 ) -> bool:
     from hub.utils import download_manifest
 
-    if not _state_applies_to_repo_cache_dir(repo_cache_dir):
-        return False
-    manifest = download_manifest.read_manifest(repo_type, repo_id, variant)
+    manifest = download_manifest.read_manifest(
+        repo_type,
+        repo_id,
+        variant,
+        hub_cache = _hub_cache_for_repo_dir(repo_cache_dir),
+    )
     if manifest is None:
         return False
     resolved = (
@@ -452,10 +439,13 @@ def is_snapshot_partial(
     A manifest without a resolvable snapshot is partial: the worker got
     far enough to record expectations but did not leave a usable snapshot."""
     from hub.utils import download_manifest
-
-    state_applies = _state_applies_to_repo_cache_dir(repo_cache_dir)
     return _compose_partial(
-        lambda: state_applies and download_manifest.has_cancel_marker(repo_type, repo_id, None),
+        lambda: download_manifest.has_cancel_marker(
+            repo_type,
+            repo_id,
+            None,
+            hub_cache = _hub_cache_for_repo_dir(repo_cache_dir),
+        ),
         lambda: _snapshot_legacy_partial(repo_type, repo_id, repo_cache_dir),
         lambda: _manifest_partial(
             repo_type,
@@ -484,10 +474,13 @@ def is_variant_partial(
     caller is checking many variants of the same repo (see
     is_gguf_repo_partial for that usage)."""
     from hub.utils import download_manifest
-
-    state_applies = _state_applies_to_repo_cache_dir(repo_cache_dir)
     return _compose_partial(
-        lambda: state_applies and download_manifest.has_cancel_marker("model", repo_id, variant),
+        lambda: download_manifest.has_cancel_marker(
+            "model",
+            repo_id,
+            variant,
+            hub_cache = _hub_cache_for_repo_dir(repo_cache_dir),
+        ),
         lambda: bool(
             incomplete_blob_hashes
             and variant_blob_hashes
@@ -526,22 +519,38 @@ def is_gguf_repo_partial(repo_id: str, repo_cache_dir: Optional[Path] = None) ->
     from hub.utils import download_manifest
 
     has_legacy_partial = _legacy_partial("model", repo_id, repo_cache_dir)
-    state_applies = _state_applies_to_repo_cache_dir(repo_cache_dir)
     snapshot_dir = resolve_snapshot_dir_for_scan(
         "model",
         repo_id,
         repo_cache_dir,
     )
     variants: set[str] = set(_completed_gguf_variants(snapshot_dir))
-    if state_applies:
-        for variant, _path in download_manifest.iter_variant_manifests(
-            "model",
-            repo_id,
+    hub_cache = _hub_cache_for_repo_dir(repo_cache_dir)
+    for variant, _path in download_manifest.iter_variant_manifests(
+        "model",
+        repo_id,
+        hub_cache = hub_cache,
+    ):
+        if (
+            download_manifest.read_manifest(
+                "model",
+                repo_id,
+                variant,
+                hub_cache = hub_cache,
+            )
+            is not None
         ):
             variants.add(variant)
-        for variant, _path in download_manifest.iter_variant_markers(
+    for variant, _path in download_manifest.iter_variant_markers(
+        "model",
+        repo_id,
+        hub_cache = hub_cache,
+    ):
+        if download_manifest.has_cancel_marker(
             "model",
             repo_id,
+            variant,
+            hub_cache = hub_cache,
         ):
             variants.add(variant)
     if not variants:
@@ -576,14 +585,19 @@ def partial_transport_for(
     available."""
     from hub.utils import download_manifest
 
-    if not _state_applies_to_repo_cache_dir(repo_cache_dir):
-        return None
+    hub_cache = _hub_cache_for_repo_dir(repo_cache_dir)
     marker_transport = download_manifest.read_cancel_marker_transport(
         repo_type,
         repo_id,
         variant,
+        hub_cache = hub_cache,
     )
     if marker_transport is not None:
         return marker_transport
-    manifest = download_manifest.read_manifest(repo_type, repo_id, variant)
+    manifest = download_manifest.read_manifest(
+        repo_type,
+        repo_id,
+        variant,
+        hub_cache = hub_cache,
+    )
     return manifest.transport if manifest is not None else None
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/utils/paths.py b/studio/backend/hub/utils/paths.py
index 5435202565..81621edcf9 100644
--- a/studio/backend/hub/utils/paths.py
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/utils/paths.py
@@ -277,12 +277,8 @@ def _memo_drop(memo_key: tuple[str, str]) -> None:
 
 
 def _hf_hub_cache_dir() -> Path:
-    try:
-        from huggingface_hub.constants import HF_HUB_CACHE
-        return Path(HF_HUB_CACHE)
-    except Exception as exc:
-        logger.debug("Could not read huggingface_hub HF_HUB_CACHE, using default: %s", exc)
-        return Path.home() / ".cache" / "huggingface" / "hub"
+    from utils.hf_cache_settings import get_hf_cache_paths
+    return get_hf_cache_paths().hub_cache
 
 
 def _hf_hub_cache_dirs() -> list[Path]:
@@ -300,7 +296,10 @@ def _hf_hub_cache_dirs() -> list[Path]:
         seen.add(key)
         roots.append(resolved)
 
-    _add(_hf_hub_cache_dir())
+    from utils.hf_cache_settings import known_hf_hub_caches
+
+    for configured in known_hf_hub_caches():
+        _add(configured)
     try:
         _add(legacy_hf_cache_dir())
         _add(hf_default_cache_dir())
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/utils/state_dir.py b/studio/backend/hub/utils/state_dir.py
index 898c03c87d..4650b97381 100644
--- a/studio/backend/hub/utils/state_dir.py
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/utils/state_dir.py
@@ -8,9 +8,10 @@ so it survives ``huggingface-cli delete-cache`` and any other HF-side
 cache lifecycle. Two subdirectories:
 
     <studio cache>/hub-state/
-        manifests/   <key>.json   per-download expected-files manifest
-        cancelled/   <key>.json   per-download cancel marker
+        manifests/cache-<digest>/<key>.json   expected-files manifest
+        cancelled/cache-<digest>/<key>.json   cancel marker
 
+The cache digest isolates state for the same repo across selectable Hub caches.
 The ``<key>`` mirrors HF's cache dir naming while the resulting manifest,
 cancel-marker, and atomic-write temp filenames fit common filesystem basename
 limits. Very long repo IDs use a stable hash in the state key:
@@ -29,6 +30,7 @@ configuration failure.
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import hashlib
+import os
 import re
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Literal, Optional, get_args
@@ -55,6 +57,7 @@ _STATE_EXTENSION = ".json"
 # _atomic_write_json writes ".<target>.tmp-<8hex>" beside the final file.
 _ATOMIC_WRITE_TMP_OVERHEAD = len(".") + len(".tmp-") + 8
 _MAX_VARIANT_FRAGMENT_LENGTH = 64
+_CACHE_SCOPE_DIGEST_LENGTH = 32
 
 
 def state_root() -> Optional[Path]:
@@ -130,13 +133,32 @@ def _entry_key(repo_type: RepoType, repo_id: str, variant: Optional[str]) -> str
     return f"{variant_filename_prefix(repo_type, repo_id)}{variant_fragment}"
 
 
+def _cache_scope(parent: Path, hub_cache: Optional[str | Path]) -> Optional[Path]:
+    if hub_cache is None:
+        return parent
+    normalized = os.path.normcase(str(Path(hub_cache).expanduser()))
+    digest = hashlib.sha256(normalized.encode("utf-8")).hexdigest()[:_CACHE_SCOPE_DIGEST_LENGTH]
+    scoped = parent / f"cache-{digest}"
+    try:
+        scoped.mkdir(parents = True, exist_ok = True)
+    except OSError as exc:
+        logger.debug("Could not create cache-scoped Hub state dir %s: %s", scoped, exc)
+        return None
+    return scoped
+
+
 def manifest_path(
     repo_type: RepoType,
     repo_id: str,
     variant: Optional[str] = None,
+    *,
+    hub_cache: Optional[str | Path] = None,
 ) -> Optional[Path]:
     """Path to the manifest file for this triple. May or may not exist."""
     parent = _subdir(_MANIFESTS_SUBDIR)
+    if parent is None:
+        return None
+    parent = _cache_scope(parent, hub_cache)
     if parent is None:
         return None
     return parent / f"{_entry_key(repo_type, repo_id, variant)}.json"
@@ -146,9 +168,14 @@ def marker_path(
     repo_type: RepoType,
     repo_id: str,
     variant: Optional[str] = None,
+    *,
+    hub_cache: Optional[str | Path] = None,
 ) -> Optional[Path]:
     """Path to the cancel-marker file for this triple. May or may not exist."""
     parent = _subdir(_CANCELLED_SUBDIR)
+    if parent is None:
+        return None
+    parent = _cache_scope(parent, hub_cache)
     if parent is None:
         return None
     return parent / f"{_entry_key(repo_type, repo_id, variant)}.json"
diff --git a/studio/backend/hub/workers/hf_download.py b/studio/backend/hub/workers/hf_download.py
index e45357d311..9ff394b009 100644
--- a/studio/backend/hub/workers/hf_download.py
+++ b/studio/backend/hub/workers/hf_download.py
@@ -661,6 +661,7 @@ def _download_gguf_variant(repo_id: str, variant: str, hf_token: str | None, mod
                 variant,
                 plan.main_hashes,
                 hf_token,
+                hub_cache = Path(snapshot_path).parents[2],
             )
         except Exception as e:
             print(
diff --git a/studio/backend/models/models.py b/studio/backend/models/models.py
index 54e88fed58..df6725c9c9 100644
--- a/studio/backend/models/models.py
+++ b/studio/backend/models/models.py
@@ -178,6 +178,14 @@ class LocalModelInfo(BaseModel):
         None,
         description = "HF repo id for cached models, e.g. org/model",
     )
+    active_cache: Optional[bool] = Field(
+        None,
+        description = "Whether an HF model belongs to the current download cache.",
+    )
+    partial: bool = Field(
+        False,
+        description = "Whether the cached model has an incomplete download.",
+    )
     model_format: Optional[str] = Field(
         None,
         description = "Detected weights format ('gguf' when known). Lets the UI "
diff --git a/studio/backend/picker/service.py b/studio/backend/picker/service.py
index 13065b2920..ccf9c3e152 100644
--- a/studio/backend/picker/service.py
+++ b/studio/backend/picker/service.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ from utils.models.model_config import (
     _is_mmproj,
     _is_mtp_drafter,
 )
+from utils.hf_cache_settings import active_hf_hub_cache
 from utils.paths.path_utils import (
     is_local_path,
     normalize_path,
@@ -378,7 +379,12 @@ def read_default_chat_template(
             if _remote_exceeds_cap(rel):
                 return None
             try:
-                path = hf_hub_download(resolved, rel, token = hf_token)
+                path = hf_hub_download(
+                    resolved,
+                    rel,
+                    token = hf_token,
+                    cache_dir = active_hf_hub_cache(),
+                )
                 return _read_bounded_text(Path(path), MAX_TEMPLATE_METADATA_BYTES)
             except Exception:
                 return None
diff --git a/studio/backend/routes/datasets.py b/studio/backend/routes/datasets.py
index 5456080f34..331eb5e1e0 100644
--- a/studio/backend/routes/datasets.py
+++ b/studio/backend/routes/datasets.py
@@ -23,40 +23,6 @@ def _is_valid_repo_id(repo_id: str) -> bool:
     return bool(_VALID_REPO_ID.fullmatch(repo_id))
 
 
-_dataset_size_cache: dict[str, int] = {}
-
-
-def _get_dataset_size_cached(repo_id: str) -> int:
-    if repo_id in _dataset_size_cache:
-        return _dataset_size_cache[repo_id]
-    try:
-        from huggingface_hub import dataset_info as hf_dataset_info
-
-        info = hf_dataset_info(repo_id, token = None, files_metadata = True)
-        total = sum(s.size for s in info.siblings if getattr(s, "size", None))
-        _dataset_size_cache[repo_id] = total
-        return total
-    except Exception:
-        return 0
-
-
-def _resolve_hf_cache_realpath(repo_dir: Path) -> Optional[str]:
-    """Resolved realpath for a HF cache repo dir: most-recent snapshot, else cache root.
-
-    Mirrors routes/models.py; duplicated here to keep this module self-contained.
-    """
-    try:
-        snapshots_dir = repo_dir / "snapshots"
-        if snapshots_dir.is_dir():
-            snaps = [s for s in snapshots_dir.iterdir() if s.is_dir()]
-            if snaps:
-                latest = max(snaps, key = lambda s: s.stat().st_mtime)
-                return str(latest.resolve())
-        return str(repo_dir.resolve())
-    except Exception:
-        return None
-
-
 backend_path = Path(__file__).parent.parent.parent
 if str(backend_path) not in sys.path:
     sys.path.insert(0, str(backend_path))
@@ -64,6 +30,7 @@ if str(backend_path) not in sys.path:
 from utils.datasets import check_dataset_format
 from utils.upload_limits import get_upload_limit_bytes, get_upload_limit_label
 from auth.authentication import get_current_subject
+from hub.dependencies import get_hf_token
 
 router = APIRouter()
 logger = get_logger(__name__)
@@ -292,11 +259,13 @@ def _download_hf_metadata(*, repo_id: str, repo_files: list[str], token: str | N
 
     try:
         from huggingface_hub import hf_hub_download
+        from utils.hf_cache_settings import active_hf_hub_cache
         local_path = hf_hub_download(
             repo_id = repo_id,
             filename = metadata_file,
             repo_type = "dataset",
             token = token,
+            cache_dir = active_hf_hub_cache(),
         )
     except Exception as exc:
         logger.warning(f"Could not read HF dataset metadata for {repo_id}: {exc}")
@@ -525,77 +494,15 @@ def list_local_datasets(
 @router.get("/download-progress")
 async def get_dataset_download_progress(
     repo_id: str = Query(..., description = "HuggingFace dataset repo ID, e.g. 'unsloth/LaTeX_OCR'"),
+    hf_token: Optional[str] = Depends(get_hf_token),
     current_subject: str = Depends(get_current_subject),
 ):
-    """Return download progress for a HuggingFace dataset repo.
-
-    Mirrors ``GET /api/models/download-progress`` but scans the
-    ``datasets--owner--name`` cache dir under HF_HUB_CACHE, where in-progress
-    download bytes are visible. Returns ``cache_path`` so the UI can show it.
-    """
-    _empty = {
-        "downloaded_bytes": 0,
-        "expected_bytes": 0,
-        "progress": 0,
-        "cache_path": None,
-    }
-    try:
-        if not _is_valid_repo_id(repo_id):
-            return _empty
-
-        from huggingface_hub import constants as hf_constants
-
-        cache_dir = Path(hf_constants.HF_HUB_CACHE)
-        target = f"datasets--{repo_id.replace('/', '--')}".lower()
-        completed_bytes = 0
-        in_progress_bytes = 0
-        cache_path: Optional[str] = None
-
-        if cache_dir.is_dir():
-            for entry in cache_dir.iterdir():
-                if entry.name.lower() != target:
-                    continue
-                cache_path = _resolve_hf_cache_realpath(entry)
-                blobs_dir = entry / "blobs"
-                if not blobs_dir.is_dir():
-                    break
-                for f in blobs_dir.iterdir():
-                    if not f.is_file():
-                        continue
-                    if f.name.endswith(".incomplete"):
-                        in_progress_bytes += f.stat().st_size
-                    else:
-                        completed_bytes += f.stat().st_size
-                break
-
-        downloaded_bytes = completed_bytes + in_progress_bytes
-        if downloaded_bytes == 0:
-            return {**_empty, "cache_path": cache_path}
-
-        expected_bytes = _get_dataset_size_cached(repo_id)
-        if expected_bytes <= 0:
-            return {
-                "downloaded_bytes": downloaded_bytes,
-                "expected_bytes": 0,
-                "progress": 0,
-                "cache_path": cache_path,
-            }
-
-        # 95% threshold (as in the model endpoint): HF blob dedup makes
-        # completed_bytes drift under expected_bytes; inter-file gaps look "done".
-        if completed_bytes >= expected_bytes * 0.95:
-            progress = 1.0
-        else:
-            progress = min(downloaded_bytes / expected_bytes, 0.99)
-        return {
-            "downloaded_bytes": downloaded_bytes,
-            "expected_bytes": expected_bytes,
-            "progress": round(progress, 3),
-            "cache_path": cache_path,
-        }
-    except Exception as e:
-        logger.warning(f"Error checking dataset download progress for {repo_id}: {e}")
-        return _empty
+    """Compatibility route backed by the shared multi-cache progress service."""
+    from hub.services.datasets import downloads
+    return await downloads.get_dataset_download_progress_response(
+        repo_id,
+        hf_token = hf_token,
+    )
 
 
 @router.post("/check-format", response_model = CheckFormatResponse)
diff --git a/studio/backend/routes/models.py b/studio/backend/routes/models.py
index a5ce1a72f0..c225483acf 100644
--- a/studio/backend/routes/models.py
+++ b/studio/backend/routes/models.py
@@ -224,11 +224,8 @@ def derive_model_type(
 
 def _resolve_hf_cache_dir() -> Path:
     """Resolve local HF cache root used by hub downloads."""
-    try:
-        from huggingface_hub.constants import HF_HUB_CACHE
-        return Path(HF_HUB_CACHE)
-    except Exception:
-        return Path.home() / ".cache" / "huggingface" / "hub"
+    from utils.hf_cache_settings import get_hf_cache_paths
+    return get_hf_cache_paths().hub_cache
 
 
 def _is_model_directory(d: Path) -> bool:
@@ -370,10 +367,12 @@ def _scan_models_dir(models_dir: Path, *, limit: int | None = None) -> List[Loca
     return found
 
 
-def _scan_hf_cache(cache_dir: Path) -> List[LocalModelInfo]:
+def _scan_hf_cache(cache_dir: Path, *, active_cache: bool = True) -> List[LocalModelInfo]:
     if not cache_dir.exists() or not cache_dir.is_dir():
         return []
 
+    from hub.utils import inventory_scan as hf_cache_scan
+
     found: List[LocalModelInfo] = []
     for repo_dir in cache_dir.glob("models--*"):
         if not repo_dir.is_dir():
@@ -389,13 +388,21 @@ def _scan_hf_cache(cache_dir: Path) -> List[LocalModelInfo]:
         except OSError:
             updated_at = None
 
+        partial = hf_cache_scan.is_snapshot_partial("model", model_id, repo_dir)
+        partial = partial or hf_cache_scan.is_gguf_repo_partial(model_id, repo_dir)
+
+        load_id = model_id
+        if not active_cache:
+            load_id = _resolve_hf_cache_realpath(repo_dir) or str(repo_dir.resolve())
         found.append(
             LocalModelInfo(
-                id = model_id,
+                id = load_id,
                 model_id = model_id,
                 display_name = model_id.split("/")[-1],
-                path = str(repo_dir),
+                path = load_id if not active_cache else str(repo_dir),
                 source = "hf_cache",
+                active_cache = active_cache,
+                partial = partial,
                 updated_at = updated_at,
             ),
         )
@@ -776,26 +783,34 @@ def collect_local_models(models_root: Path) -> List[LocalModelInfo]:
         legacy_hf_cache_dir,
         lmstudio_model_dirs,
     )
+    from utils.hf_cache_settings import known_hf_hub_caches
 
     hf_cache_dir = _resolve_hf_cache_dir()
     legacy_hf = legacy_hf_cache_dir()
     hf_default = hf_default_cache_dir()
     lm_dirs = lmstudio_model_dirs()
 
-    local_models = _scan_models_dir(models_root) + _scan_hf_cache(hf_cache_dir)
-
-    # Resolve once; an inaccessible aux cache must skip that scan, not 500.
-    hf_cache_real = _safe_resolve(hf_cache_dir)
-    legacy_real = _safe_resolve(legacy_hf)
-    default_real = _safe_resolve(hf_default)
-
-    # Scan legacy Unsloth HF cache for backward compatibility.
-    if _safe_is_dir(legacy_hf) and legacy_real != hf_cache_real:
-        local_models += _scan_hf_cache(legacy_hf)
-
-    # Scan HF system default cache (may differ under env overrides).
-    if _safe_is_dir(hf_default) and default_real != hf_cache_real and default_real != legacy_real:
-        local_models += _scan_hf_cache(hf_default)
+    local_models = _scan_models_dir(models_root)
+    active_cache_real = _safe_resolve(hf_cache_dir)
+    active_cache_key = os.path.normcase(active_cache_real) if active_cache_real else None
+    seen_hf: set[str] = set()
+    for cache_dir in (
+        hf_cache_dir,
+        *known_hf_hub_caches(),
+        legacy_hf,
+        hf_default,
+    ):
+        cache_real = _safe_resolve(cache_dir)
+        if cache_real is None:
+            continue
+        cache_key = os.path.normcase(str(cache_real))
+        if cache_key in seen_hf:
+            continue
+        seen_hf.add(cache_key)
+        local_models += _scan_hf_cache(
+            cache_dir,
+            active_cache = cache_key == active_cache_key,
+        )
 
     # Scan LM Studio directories.
     for lm_dir in lm_dirs:
@@ -817,7 +832,7 @@ def collect_local_models(models_root: Path) -> List[LocalModelInfo]:
                 m
                 for m in (
                     _scan_models_dir(folder_path, limit = _MAX_MODELS_PER_FOLDER)
-                    + _scan_hf_cache(folder_path)
+                    + _scan_hf_cache(folder_path, active_cache = False)
                     + _scan_lmstudio_dir(folder_path)
                 )
                 if not any(p in (".studio_links", "ollama_links") for p in Path(m.path).parts)
@@ -838,8 +853,18 @@ def collect_local_models(models_root: Path) -> List[LocalModelInfo]:
     # even when the model is also in the HF cache.
     deduped: dict[str, LocalModelInfo] = {}
     for model in local_models:
-        key = f"{model.id}\x00custom" if model.source == "custom" else model.id
-        if key not in deduped:
+        semantic_id = model.model_id if model.source == "hf_cache" and model.model_id else model.id
+        key = f"{semantic_id}\x00custom" if model.source == "custom" else semantic_id
+        existing = deduped.get(key)
+        prefer_model = existing is None
+        if existing is not None and model.source == existing.source == "hf_cache":
+            if model.partial != existing.partial:
+                prefer_model = not model.partial
+            elif bool(model.active_cache) != bool(existing.active_cache):
+                prefer_model = bool(model.active_cache)
+            else:
+                prefer_model = (model.updated_at or 0) > (existing.updated_at or 0)
+        if prefer_model:
             deduped[key] = model
 
     models = sorted(
@@ -1202,10 +1227,7 @@ def _build_browse_allowlist(
         legacy_hf_cache_dir,
         well_known_model_dirs,
     )
-    from utils.paths.external_media import (
-        linux_run_media_mount_roots,
-        windows_drive_roots,
-    )
+    from utils.paths import external_media
     from storage.studio_db import list_scan_folders
 
     candidates: list[Path] = []
@@ -1222,9 +1244,12 @@ def _build_browse_allowlist(
 
     _add(Path.home())
     if media_roots is None:
-        media_roots = linux_run_media_mount_roots()
+        media_roots = [
+            *external_media.linux_run_media_mount_roots(),
+            *external_media.macos_volume_roots(),
+        ]
     if drive_roots is None:
-        drive_roots = windows_drive_roots()
+        drive_roots = external_media.windows_drive_roots()
     for p in media_roots:
         _add(p)
     for p in drive_roots:
@@ -1502,10 +1527,7 @@ def browse_folders(
     then hidden (if ``show_hidden=true``).
     """
     from utils.paths import hf_default_cache_dir, well_known_model_dirs
-    from utils.paths.external_media import (
-        linux_run_media_mount_roots,
-        windows_drive_roots,
-    )
+    from utils.paths import external_media
     from storage.studio_db import (
         contains_sensitive_path_component,
         is_denied_system_path,
@@ -1514,8 +1536,11 @@ def browse_folders(
 
     # Probe removable-media and Windows drive roots once; the allowlist and
     # chips reuse the result so a disconnected mapped drive isn't scanned twice.
-    media_roots = linux_run_media_mount_roots()
-    drive_roots = windows_drive_roots()
+    media_roots = [
+        *external_media.linux_run_media_mount_roots(),
+        *external_media.macos_volume_roots(),
+    ]
+    drive_roots = external_media.windows_drive_roots()
     # Build once; the sandbox check and suggestion chips share it.
     allowed_roots = _build_browse_allowlist(media_roots, drive_roots)
 
@@ -2034,19 +2059,19 @@ async def discard_remote_code_download(
 
     # Never delete a model that is loaded for inference.
     try:
+        from hub.services.models.deletion import _loaded_id_matches_repo
         from routes.inference import get_llama_cpp_backend
+
         llama_backend = get_llama_cpp_backend()
         if llama_backend.is_loaded and llama_backend.model_identifier:
-            loaded = llama_backend.model_identifier.lower()
-            if loaded == model_name.lower() or loaded.startswith(model_name.lower()):
+            if _loaded_id_matches_repo(llama_backend.model_identifier, model_name):
                 return {"deleted": False, "reason": "loaded"}
     except Exception:
         pass
     try:
         inference_backend = get_inference_backend()
         if inference_backend.active_model_name:
-            active = inference_backend.active_model_name.lower()
-            if active == model_name.lower() or active.startswith(model_name.lower()):
+            if _loaded_id_matches_repo(inference_backend.active_model_name, model_name):
                 return {"deleted": False, "reason": "loaded"}
     except Exception:
         pass
@@ -2588,13 +2613,10 @@ def _read_native_context_length(repo_id: str, is_local: bool) -> Optional[int]:
         if is_local:
             roots = [Path(repo_id)]
         else:
-            from huggingface_hub import constants as hf_constants
-
+            from hub.utils.hf_cache_state import iter_repo_cache_dirs
             if not _is_valid_repo_id(repo_id):
                 return None
-            cache_dir = Path(hf_constants.HF_HUB_CACHE)
-            target = f"models--{repo_id.replace('/', '--')}".lower()
-            roots = [e for e in cache_dir.iterdir() if e.name.lower() == target]
+            roots = list(iter_repo_cache_dirs("model", repo_id))
 
         for root in roots:
             for f in _iter_gguf_paths(root):
@@ -2623,18 +2645,15 @@ def _resolve_quant_gguf(repo_id: str, quant: str, is_local: bool) -> tuple[Optio
         if is_local:
             roots = [Path(repo_id)]
         else:
-            from huggingface_hub import constants as hf_constants
+            from hub.utils.hf_cache_state import iter_repo_cache_dirs
 
             if not _is_valid_repo_id(repo_id):
                 return None, 0
-            cache_dir = Path(hf_constants.HF_HUB_CACHE)
-            target = f"models--{repo_id.replace('/', '--')}".lower()
             roots = []
-            for entry in cache_dir.iterdir():
-                if entry.name.lower() == target:
-                    snaps = entry / "snapshots"
-                    if snaps.is_dir():
-                        roots.extend(s for s in snaps.iterdir() if s.is_dir())
+            for entry in iter_repo_cache_dirs("model", repo_id):
+                snaps = entry / "snapshots"
+                if snaps.is_dir():
+                    roots.extend(s for s in snaps.iterdir() if s.is_dir())
 
         want = _normalized_quant_label(quant)
         best_total = 0
@@ -2734,6 +2753,8 @@ async def get_gguf_variants(
     repo_id: str = Query(
         ..., description = "HuggingFace repo ID (e.g. 'unsloth/gemma-3-4b-it-GGUF')"
     ),
+    prefer_local_cache: bool = False,
+    local_path: Optional[str] = None,
     hf_token: Optional[str] = Query(None, description = "HuggingFace token for private repos"),
     hf_token_header: Optional[str] = Depends(get_hf_token),
     current_subject: str = Depends(get_current_subject),
@@ -2745,9 +2766,16 @@ async def get_gguf_variants(
 
         response = await hub_gguf_variants.get_gguf_variants_response(
             repo_id,
+            prefer_local_cache = prefer_local_cache,
+            local_path = local_path,
             hf_token = hf_token,
         )
-        local = is_local_path(repo_id)
+        context_model = (
+            local_path
+            if prefer_local_cache and local_path and is_local_path(local_path)
+            else repo_id
+        )
+        local = is_local_path(context_model)
 
         return GgufVariantsResponse(
             repo_id = response.repo_id,
@@ -2769,7 +2797,7 @@ async def get_gguf_variants(
             # The header walk reads tokenizer arrays on dense models (tens of
             # ms per uncached file); keep it off the event loop.
             context_length = await asyncio.to_thread(
-                _read_native_context_length, repo_id, is_local = local
+                _read_native_context_length, context_model, is_local = local
             ),
         )
     except HTTPException:
@@ -2787,69 +2815,17 @@ async def get_gguf_download_progress(
     repo_id: str = Query(..., description = "HuggingFace repo ID"),
     variant: str = Query("", description = "Quantization variant (e.g. UD-TQ1_0)"),
     expected_bytes: int = Query(0, description = "Expected total download size in bytes"),
+    hf_token: Optional[str] = Depends(get_hf_token),
     current_subject: str = Depends(get_current_subject),
 ):
-    """Download progress from cached GGUF files for a specific variant.
-
-    Tracks completed shards in snapshots and in-progress (.incomplete)
-    downloads in the blobs directory.
-    """
-    try:
-        if not _is_valid_repo_id(repo_id):
-            return {
-                "downloaded_bytes": 0,
-                "expected_bytes": expected_bytes,
-                "progress": 0,
-            }
-
-        from huggingface_hub import constants as hf_constants
-
-        cache_dir = Path(hf_constants.HF_HUB_CACHE)
-        target = f"models--{repo_id.replace('/', '--')}".lower()
-        variant_lower = variant.lower().replace("-", "").replace("_", "")
-        downloaded_bytes = 0
-        in_progress_bytes = 0
-        for entry in cache_dir.iterdir():
-            if entry.name.lower() == target:
-                # Completed .gguf files for this variant in snapshots.
-                # Exclude mmproj so a vision adapter can't satisfy a same-label
-                # main variant (e.g. mmproj-F16 vs an F16 weight).
-                for f in _iter_gguf_paths(entry):
-                    if _is_mmproj_filename(f.name):
-                        continue
-                    rel = f.relative_to(entry).as_posix()
-                    quant = _extract_quant_label(rel)
-                    if _is_big_endian_gguf_path(rel, quant):
-                        continue
-                    rel_key = rel.lower().replace("-", "").replace("_", "")
-                    if not variant_lower or variant_lower in rel_key:
-                        try:
-                            downloaded_bytes += f.stat().st_size
-                        except OSError:
-                            continue  # broken symlink / unreadable: skip
-                # In-progress (.incomplete) downloads in blobs.
-                blobs_dir = entry / "blobs"
-                if blobs_dir.is_dir():
-                    for f in blobs_dir.iterdir():
-                        if f.is_file() and f.name.endswith(".incomplete"):
-                            try:
-                                in_progress_bytes += f.stat().st_size
-                            except OSError:
-                                continue
-                break
-
-        total_progress_bytes = downloaded_bytes + in_progress_bytes
-        progress = min(total_progress_bytes / expected_bytes, 0.99) if expected_bytes > 0 else 0
-        # Report 1.0 only when all bytes are in completed files.
-        if expected_bytes > 0 and downloaded_bytes >= expected_bytes:
-            progress = 1.0
-        return {
-            "downloaded_bytes": total_progress_bytes,
-            "expected_bytes": expected_bytes,
-            "progress": round(progress, 3),
-        }
-    except Exception:
-        return {"downloaded_bytes": 0, "expected_bytes": expected_bytes, "progress": 0}
+    """Compatibility route backed by the shared multi-cache progress service."""
+    from hub.services.models import downloads
+    return await downloads.get_gguf_download_progress_response(
+        repo_id,
+        variant = variant,
+        expected_bytes = expected_bytes,
+        hf_token = hf_token,
+    )
 
 
 def _resolve_hf_cache_realpath(repo_dir: Path) -> Optional[str]:
@@ -2874,98 +2850,12 @@ def _resolve_hf_cache_realpath(repo_dir: Path) -> Optional[str]:
 @router.get("/download-progress")
 async def get_download_progress(
     repo_id: str = Query(..., description = "HuggingFace repo ID"),
+    hf_token: Optional[str] = Depends(get_hf_token),
     current_subject: str = Depends(get_current_subject),
 ):
-    """Return download progress for any HuggingFace model repo.
-
-    Checks the local HF cache for completed blobs and in-progress
-    (.incomplete) downloads. Gets the expected total size from the HF API
-    on the first call, then caches it for later polls. Also returns
-    ``cache_path``: the realpath of the snapshot dir (or cache repo root
-    if no snapshot yet) so the UI can show where weights live on disk.
-    """
-    _empty = {
-        "downloaded_bytes": 0,
-        "expected_bytes": 0,
-        "progress": 0,
-        "cache_path": None,
-    }
-    try:
-        if not _is_valid_repo_id(repo_id):
-            return _empty
-
-        from huggingface_hub import constants as hf_constants
-
-        cache_dir = Path(hf_constants.HF_HUB_CACHE)
-        target = f"models--{repo_id.replace('/', '--')}".lower()
-        completed_bytes = 0
-        in_progress_bytes = 0
-        cache_path: Optional[str] = None
-
-        for entry in cache_dir.iterdir():
-            if entry.name.lower() != target:
-                continue
-            cache_path = _resolve_hf_cache_realpath(entry)
-            blobs_dir = entry / "blobs"
-            if not blobs_dir.is_dir():
-                break
-            for f in blobs_dir.iterdir():
-                if not f.is_file():
-                    continue
-                if f.name.endswith(".incomplete"):
-                    in_progress_bytes += f.stat().st_size
-                else:
-                    completed_bytes += f.stat().st_size
-            break
-
-        downloaded_bytes = completed_bytes + in_progress_bytes
-        if downloaded_bytes == 0:
-            return {**_empty, "cache_path": cache_path}
-
-        expected_bytes = _get_repo_size_cached(repo_id)
-        if expected_bytes <= 0:
-            # Total unknown; report bytes only, no percentage.
-            return {
-                "downloaded_bytes": downloaded_bytes,
-                "expected_bytes": 0,
-                "progress": 0,
-                "cache_path": cache_path,
-            }
-
-        # 95% threshold (blob dedup can skew completed_bytes). Do NOT
-        # treat "no .incomplete files" as done: HF downloads sequentially,
-        # so none exist between files even when far from finished.
-        if completed_bytes >= expected_bytes * 0.95:
-            progress = 1.0
-        else:
-            progress = min(downloaded_bytes / expected_bytes, 0.99)
-        return {
-            "downloaded_bytes": downloaded_bytes,
-            "expected_bytes": expected_bytes,
-            "progress": round(progress, 3),
-            "cache_path": cache_path,
-        }
-    except Exception as e:
-        logger.warning(f"Error checking download progress for {repo_id}: {e}")
-        return _empty
-
-
-_repo_size_cache: dict[str, int] = {}
-
-
-def _get_repo_size_cached(repo_id: str) -> int:
-    if repo_id in _repo_size_cache:
-        return _repo_size_cache[repo_id]
-    try:
-        from huggingface_hub import model_info as hf_model_info
-
-        info = hf_model_info(repo_id, token = None, files_metadata = True)
-        total = sum(s.size for s in info.siblings if s.size)
-        _repo_size_cache[repo_id] = total
-        return total
-    except Exception as e:
-        logger.warning(f"Failed to get repo size for {repo_id}: {e}")
-        return 0
+    """Compatibility route backed by the shared multi-cache progress service."""
+    from hub.services.models import downloads
+    return await downloads.get_download_progress_response(repo_id, hf_token = hf_token)
 
 
 def _repo_in_any_hf_cache(model_name: str) -> bool:
@@ -2978,25 +2868,13 @@ def _repo_in_any_hf_cache(model_name: str) -> bool:
     would delete a model they did not download via the scan. Mirrors the cache set in
     ``_all_hf_cache_scans`` but only probes for the one repo dir (cheap, no full scan).
     """
-    from utils.paths import (
-        hf_default_cache_dir,
-        legacy_hf_cache_dir,
-        resolve_cached_repo_id_case,
-    )
+    from utils.paths import resolve_cached_repo_id_case
 
     dirname = f"models--{resolve_cached_repo_id_case(model_name).replace('/', '--')}"
     dirname_lower = dirname.lower()
-    candidates = []
-    try:
-        from huggingface_hub.constants import HF_HUB_CACHE
-        candidates.append(Path(HF_HUB_CACHE))
-    except Exception:
-        pass
-    for fn in (legacy_hf_cache_dir, hf_default_cache_dir):
-        try:
-            candidates.append(fn())
-        except Exception:
-            continue
+    from hub.utils.hf_cache_state import hf_cache_roots
+
+    candidates = hf_cache_roots()
     # resolve_cached_repo_id_case only normalizes the ACTIVE cache, but discard deletes
     # case-insensitively across all caches, so detect case-insensitively too -- else a
     # pre-existing case-variant repo is misreported as scan-created and deleted on decline.
@@ -3020,38 +2898,8 @@ def _all_hf_cache_scans():
     broken symlink, OS-redirected ~/.cache) is skipped, not fatal, so the
     Downloaded list never blanks out and downloads never leak into Recommended.
     """
-    from huggingface_hub import scan_cache_dir
-    from utils.paths import legacy_hf_cache_dir, hf_default_cache_dir
-
-    scans = []
-    # Guard the active cache too: degrade to "no downloads" instead of raising.
-    try:
-        scans.append(scan_cache_dir())
-    except Exception as exc:
-        logger.warning("Could not scan active HF cache: %s", exc)
-
-    seen: set[str] = set()
-    try:
-        # Resolve the active cache dir for dedup.
-        from huggingface_hub.constants import HF_HUB_CACHE
-        seen.add(str(Path(HF_HUB_CACHE).resolve()))
-    except Exception:
-        pass
-
-    for extra_fn in (legacy_hf_cache_dir, hf_default_cache_dir):
-        try:
-            extra = extra_fn()
-            # is_dir()/resolve() can raise on an inaccessible path; skip it.
-            if not extra.is_dir():
-                continue
-            resolved = str(extra.resolve())
-            if resolved in seen:
-                continue
-            seen.add(resolved)
-            scans.append(scan_cache_dir(cache_dir = str(extra)))
-        except Exception as exc:
-            logger.warning("Could not scan HF cache %s: %s", extra_fn.__name__, exc)
-    return scans
+    from hub.utils.inventory_scan import all_hf_cache_scans
+    return all_hf_cache_scans()
 
 
 def _is_gguf_filename(name: str) -> bool:
@@ -3293,124 +3141,13 @@ async def list_cached_models(
 async def delete_cached_model(
     repo_id: str = Body(...),
     variant: Optional[str] = Body(None),
+    cache_path: Optional[str] = Body(None),
+    hf_token: Optional[str] = Depends(get_hf_token),
     current_subject: str = Depends(get_current_subject),
 ):
-    """Delete a cached model repo (or a specific GGUF variant) from the HF cache.
-
-    With *variant*, only GGUF files matching that quant label are removed
-    (e.g. ``UD-Q4_K_XL``); otherwise the whole repo is deleted. Refuses
-    if the model is currently loaded for inference.
-    """
-    if not _is_valid_repo_id(repo_id):
-        raise HTTPException(status_code = 400, detail = "Invalid repo_id format")
-
-    # Refuse if the model is currently loaded.
-    try:
-        from routes.inference import get_llama_cpp_backend
-        llama_backend = get_llama_cpp_backend()
-        if llama_backend.is_loaded and llama_backend.model_identifier:
-            loaded_id = llama_backend.model_identifier.lower()
-            if loaded_id == repo_id.lower() or loaded_id.startswith(repo_id.lower()):
-                raise HTTPException(
-                    status_code = 400,
-                    detail = "Unload the model before deleting",
-                )
-    except HTTPException:
-        raise
-    except Exception:
-        pass
-
-    try:
-        inference_backend = get_inference_backend()
-        if inference_backend.active_model_name:
-            active = inference_backend.active_model_name.lower()
-            if active == repo_id.lower() or active.startswith(repo_id.lower()):
-                raise HTTPException(
-                    status_code = 400,
-                    detail = "Unload the model before deleting",
-                )
-    except HTTPException:
-        raise
-    except Exception:
-        pass
-
-    try:
-        cache_scans = _all_hf_cache_scans()
-
-        target_repo = None
-        for hf_cache in cache_scans:
-            for repo_info in hf_cache.repos:
-                if repo_info.repo_type != "model":
-                    continue
-                if repo_info.repo_id.lower() == repo_id.lower():
-                    target_repo = repo_info
-                    break
-            if target_repo is not None:
-                break
-
-        if target_repo is None:
-            raise HTTPException(status_code = 404, detail = "Model not found in cache")
-
-        # ── Per-variant GGUF deletion ────────────────────────────
-        if variant:
-            deleted_bytes = 0
-            deleted_count = 0
-            for rev in target_repo.revisions:
-                for f in rev.files:
-                    if not _is_gguf_filename(f.file_name):
-                        continue
-                    quant = _extract_quant_label(f.file_name)
-                    if quant.lower() != variant.lower():
-                        continue
-                    # Delete the blob (data) and the snapshot symlink.
-                    try:
-                        blob = Path(f.blob_path)
-                        snap = Path(f.file_path)
-                        size = blob.stat().st_size if blob.exists() else 0
-                        if snap.exists() or snap.is_symlink():
-                            snap.unlink()
-                        if blob.exists():
-                            blob.unlink()
-                        deleted_bytes += size
-                        deleted_count += 1
-                    except Exception as e:
-                        logger.warning(f"Failed to delete {f.file_name}: {e}")
-
-            if deleted_count == 0:
-                raise HTTPException(
-                    status_code = 404,
-                    detail = f"Variant {variant} not found in cache for {repo_id}",
-                )
-
-            freed_mb = deleted_bytes / (1024 * 1024)
-            logger.info(
-                f"Deleted {deleted_count} file(s) for {repo_id} variant {variant}: "
-                f"{freed_mb:.1f} MB freed"
-            )
-            return {"status": "deleted", "repo_id": repo_id, "variant": variant}
-
-        # ── Full repo deletion ───────────────────────────────────
-        revision_hashes = [rev.commit_hash for rev in target_repo.revisions]
-        if not revision_hashes:
-            raise HTTPException(status_code = 404, detail = "No revisions found for model")
-
-        delete_strategy = hf_cache.delete_revisions(*revision_hashes)
-        logger.info(
-            f"Deleting cached model {repo_id}: "
-            f"{delete_strategy.expected_freed_size_str} will be freed"
-        )
-        delete_strategy.execute()
-
-        return {"status": "deleted", "repo_id": repo_id}
-
-    except HTTPException:
-        raise
-    except Exception as e:
-        logger.error(f"Error deleting cached model {repo_id}: {e}", exc_info = True)
-        raise HTTPException(
-            status_code = 500,
-            detail = "Failed to delete cached model",
-        )
+    """Compatibility route backed by the shared multi-cache deletion service."""
+    from hub.services.models import deletion
+    return await deletion.delete_cached_model_response(repo_id, variant, hf_token, cache_path)
 
 
 def _resolve_cached_model_path(repo_id: str, variant: Optional[str]) -> Path:
diff --git a/studio/backend/routes/settings.py b/studio/backend/routes/settings.py
index f36c8870e3..fef18a9145 100644
--- a/studio/backend/routes/settings.py
+++ b/studio/backend/routes/settings.py
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ from utils.embedding_model_settings import (
     set_rag_embedding_model,
     validate_embedding_model,
 )
+from utils.hf_cache_settings import cache_status, get_hf_cache_paths, set_hf_cache_home
 
 router = APIRouter()
 
@@ -89,6 +90,23 @@ class HelperPrecacheResponse(BaseModel):
     disabled_by_env: bool
 
 
+class HuggingFaceCachePayload(BaseModel):
+    cache_home: Optional[str] = Field(default = None, max_length = 4096)
+
+
+class HuggingFaceCacheResponse(BaseModel):
+    cache_home: str
+    hub_cache: str
+    xet_cache: str
+    source: Literal["default", "studio", "environment"]
+    editable: bool
+    is_custom: bool
+    available: bool
+    writable: bool
+    free_bytes: Optional[int] = None
+    environment_variable: Optional[str] = None
+
+
 class OpenAIAutoSwitchPayload(BaseModel):
     enabled: bool
     # None leaves the stored value untouched (partial updates can't clobber it).
@@ -135,6 +153,30 @@ def _helper_precache_response(enabled: bool | None = None) -> HelperPrecacheResp
     )
 
 
+def _hugging_face_cache_response() -> HuggingFaceCacheResponse:
+    return HuggingFaceCacheResponse(**cache_status(get_hf_cache_paths()))
+
+
+@router.get("/hugging-face-cache", response_model = HuggingFaceCacheResponse)
+def get_hugging_face_cache(
+    current_subject: str = Depends(get_current_subject),
+) -> HuggingFaceCacheResponse:
+    return _hugging_face_cache_response()
+
+
+@router.put("/hugging-face-cache", response_model = HuggingFaceCacheResponse)
+def update_hugging_face_cache(
+    payload: HuggingFaceCachePayload, current_subject: str = Depends(get_current_subject)
+) -> HuggingFaceCacheResponse:
+    try:
+        set_hf_cache_home(payload.cache_home)
+    except RuntimeError as exc:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code = 409, detail = str(exc)) from exc
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code = 400, detail = str(exc)) from exc
+    return _hugging_face_cache_response()
+
+
 @router.get("/upload-limit", response_model = UploadLimitResponse)
 def get_upload_limit(current_subject: str = Depends(get_current_subject)) -> UploadLimitResponse:
     return _upload_limit_response(get_upload_limit_mb())
diff --git a/studio/backend/tests/test_cached_gguf_routes.py b/studio/backend/tests/test_cached_gguf_routes.py
index b3e6255d55..8ee72259f4 100644
--- a/studio/backend/tests/test_cached_gguf_routes.py
+++ b/studio/backend/tests/test_cached_gguf_routes.py
@@ -66,6 +66,66 @@ def test_iter_gguf_paths_matches_extension_case_insensitively(tmp_path):
     assert result == ["Q4_K_M.gguf", "Q8_0.GGUF"]
 
 
+def test_legacy_hf_scan_uses_snapshot_path_for_inactive_cache(tmp_path):
+    repo = tmp_path / "models--Org--Model"
+    snapshot = repo / "snapshots" / "revision"
+    snapshot.mkdir(parents = True)
+
+    [row] = models_route._scan_hf_cache(tmp_path, active_cache = False)
+
+    assert row.model_id == "Org/Model"
+    assert row.id == str(snapshot.resolve())
+    assert row.path == str(snapshot.resolve())
+
+
+def test_collect_local_models_scans_previous_cache(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    active = tmp_path / "active"
+    previous = tmp_path / "previous"
+    active.mkdir()
+    snapshot = previous / "models--Org--Previous" / "snapshots" / "revision"
+    snapshot.mkdir(parents = True)
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_route, "_resolve_hf_cache_dir", lambda: active)
+    monkeypatch.setattr("utils.paths.legacy_hf_cache_dir", lambda: tmp_path / "legacy")
+    monkeypatch.setattr("utils.paths.hf_default_cache_dir", lambda: tmp_path / "default")
+    monkeypatch.setattr("utils.paths.lmstudio_model_dirs", lambda: [])
+    monkeypatch.setattr("utils.hf_cache_settings.known_hf_hub_caches", lambda: [active, previous])
+    monkeypatch.setattr("storage.studio_db.list_scan_folders", lambda: [])
+
+    rows = models_route.collect_local_models(tmp_path / "models")
+
+    previous_row = next(row for row in rows if row.model_id == "Org/Previous")
+    assert previous_row.id == str(snapshot.resolve())
+
+
+def test_collect_local_models_prefers_complete_previous_copy(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    active = tmp_path / "active"
+    previous = tmp_path / "previous"
+    active_partial = active / "models--Org--Model" / "blobs" / "abc.incomplete"
+    active_partial.parent.mkdir(parents = True)
+    active_partial.write_bytes(b"partial")
+    snapshot = previous / "models--Org--Model" / "snapshots" / "revision"
+    snapshot.mkdir(parents = True)
+    (snapshot / "model.safetensors").write_bytes(b"complete")
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_route, "_resolve_hf_cache_dir", lambda: active)
+    monkeypatch.setattr("utils.paths.legacy_hf_cache_dir", lambda: tmp_path / "legacy")
+    monkeypatch.setattr("utils.paths.hf_default_cache_dir", lambda: tmp_path / "default")
+    monkeypatch.setattr("utils.paths.lmstudio_model_dirs", lambda: [])
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "utils.hf_cache_settings.known_hf_hub_caches",
+        lambda: [active, previous],
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr("storage.studio_db.list_scan_folders", lambda: [])
+
+    rows = models_route.collect_local_models(tmp_path / "models")
+
+    [row] = [row for row in rows if row.model_id == "Org/Model"]
+    assert row.id == str(snapshot.resolve())
+    assert row.partial is False
+    assert row.active_cache is False
+
+
 def test_list_cached_gguf_includes_non_suffix_repo_when_cache_contains_gguf(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
     repo = _repo(
         "HauhauCS/Gemma-4-E4B-Uncensored-HauhauCS-Aggressive",
@@ -573,33 +633,14 @@ def _gfile(name: str, size: int, mtime: float) -> SimpleNamespace:
     )
 
 
-def test_all_hf_cache_scans_survives_inaccessible_aux_cache(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
-    """An unreadable auxiliary cache (e.g. an inaccessible
-    ``~/.cache/huggingface/hub``) must be skipped, not abort the scan.
-    Regression guard for ``extra.is_dir()`` raising and wiping the response.
-    """
-    import huggingface_hub
-    import utils.paths as paths_mod
+def test_all_hf_cache_scans_uses_shared_inventory(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    from hub.utils import inventory_scan
 
     active = SimpleNamespace(
         repos = [_repo("Org/Active", [_file("Q4_K_M.gguf", 5_000)], tmp_path / "active")]
     )
 
-    def _fake_scan(cache_dir = None):
-        if cache_dir is None:
-            return active
-        raise AssertionError("auxiliary scan should have been skipped")
-
-    class _Boom:
-        def is_dir(self):
-            raise PermissionError(13, "Permission denied")
-
-        def resolve(self):
-            raise PermissionError(13, "Permission denied")
-
-    monkeypatch.setattr(huggingface_hub, "scan_cache_dir", _fake_scan)
-    monkeypatch.setattr(paths_mod, "legacy_hf_cache_dir", lambda: _Boom())
-    monkeypatch.setattr(paths_mod, "hf_default_cache_dir", lambda: _Boom())
+    monkeypatch.setattr(inventory_scan, "all_hf_cache_scans", lambda: [active])
 
     scans = models_route._all_hf_cache_scans()
     assert scans == [active]
@@ -686,13 +727,17 @@ def test_gguf_variants_mmproj_does_not_mark_quant_downloaded(monkeypatch, tmp_pa
         "list_gguf_variants",
         lambda repo_id, hf_token = None: (variants, True, []),
     )
-    monkeypatch.setattr(GV, "_local_main_gguf_blobs_by_quant", lambda _repo_id: {})
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        GV,
+        "_local_main_gguf_blobs_by_quant",
+        lambda _repo_id, repo_cache_dir = None: {},
+    )
 
     snap = tmp_path / "models--org--repo" / "snapshots" / "rev"
     snap.mkdir(parents = True)
     (snap / "model-Q4_K_M.gguf").write_bytes(b"x" * 10_000)  # real weight, fully present
     (snap / "mmproj-F16.gguf").write_bytes(b"y" * 20_000)  # mmproj adapter, label "F16"
-    monkeypatch.setattr(GV, "iter_hf_cache_snapshots", lambda _repo_id: [snap])
+    monkeypatch.setattr(GV, "iter_hf_cache_snapshots", lambda _repo_id, root = None: [snap])
 
     result = asyncio.run(
         models_route.get_gguf_variants(
@@ -705,6 +750,52 @@ def test_gguf_variants_mmproj_does_not_mark_quant_downloaded(monkeypatch, tmp_pa
     assert flags["F16"] is False
 
 
+def test_gguf_variants_route_scopes_local_probe_to_selected_cache(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    snapshot = tmp_path / "inactive" / "models--org--repo" / "snapshots" / "rev"
+    snapshot.mkdir(parents = True)
+    calls = []
+
+    async def scoped_variants(repo_id, **kwargs):
+        calls.append((repo_id, kwargs))
+        return SimpleNamespace(
+            repo_id = repo_id,
+            variants = [],
+            has_vision = False,
+            default_variant = None,
+        )
+
+    context_calls = []
+    monkeypatch.setattr(GV, "get_gguf_variants_response", scoped_variants)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        models_route,
+        "_read_native_context_length",
+        lambda model, *, is_local: context_calls.append((model, is_local)) or 8192,
+    )
+
+    result = asyncio.run(
+        models_route.get_gguf_variants(
+            repo_id = "org/repo",
+            prefer_local_cache = True,
+            local_path = str(snapshot),
+            hf_token = None,
+            current_subject = "test-user",
+        )
+    )
+
+    assert calls == [
+        (
+            "org/repo",
+            {
+                "prefer_local_cache": True,
+                "local_path": str(snapshot),
+                "hf_token": None,
+            },
+        )
+    ]
+    assert context_calls == [(str(snapshot), True)]
+    assert result.context_length == 8192
+
+
 def test_gguf_variants_ignore_big_endian_siblings(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
     siblings = [
         SimpleNamespace(rfilename = "model-Q4_K_M-be.gguf", size = 100),
@@ -726,12 +817,16 @@ def test_gguf_variants_ignore_big_endian_siblings(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
             siblings,
         ),
     )
-    monkeypatch.setattr(GV, "_local_main_gguf_blobs_by_quant", lambda _repo_id: {})
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        GV,
+        "_local_main_gguf_blobs_by_quant",
+        lambda _repo_id, repo_cache_dir = None: {},
+    )
 
     snap = tmp_path / "models--org--repo" / "snapshots" / "rev"
     snap.mkdir(parents = True)
     (snap / "model-Q4_K_M.gguf").write_bytes(b"x" * 10)
-    monkeypatch.setattr(GV, "iter_hf_cache_snapshots", lambda _repo_id: [snap])
+    monkeypatch.setattr(GV, "iter_hf_cache_snapshots", lambda _repo_id, root = None: [snap])
 
     result = asyncio.run(
         models_route.get_gguf_variants(
@@ -758,12 +853,16 @@ def test_gguf_variants_cached_big_endian_does_not_satisfy_variant(monkeypatch, t
         "list_gguf_variants",
         lambda repo_id, hf_token = None: (variants, False, []),
     )
-    monkeypatch.setattr(GV, "_local_main_gguf_blobs_by_quant", lambda _repo_id: {})
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        GV,
+        "_local_main_gguf_blobs_by_quant",
+        lambda _repo_id, repo_cache_dir = None: {},
+    )
 
     snap = tmp_path / "models--org--repo" / "snapshots" / "rev"
     snap.mkdir(parents = True)
     (snap / "model-Q4_K_M-be.gguf").write_bytes(b"x" * 10)
-    monkeypatch.setattr(GV, "iter_hf_cache_snapshots", lambda _repo_id: [snap])
+    monkeypatch.setattr(GV, "iter_hf_cache_snapshots", lambda _repo_id, root = None: [snap])
 
     result = asyncio.run(
         models_route.get_gguf_variants(
@@ -774,66 +873,82 @@ def test_gguf_variants_cached_big_endian_does_not_satisfy_variant(monkeypatch, t
     assert result.variants[0].downloaded is False
 
 
-def test_gguf_download_progress_excludes_mmproj(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
-    """A cached mmproj adapter must not count toward a same-label main
-    variant's download progress (mmproj-F16 vs an F16 weight)."""
-    import huggingface_hub.constants as hf_constants
+def test_legacy_gguf_progress_delegates_to_shared_service(monkeypatch):
+    calls = []
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr(hf_constants, "HF_HUB_CACHE", str(tmp_path))
-    snap = tmp_path / "models--org--repo" / "snapshots" / "rev"
-    snap.mkdir(parents = True)
-    (snap / "mmproj-F16.gguf").write_bytes(b"y" * 20_000)  # only the adapter on disk
+    async def shared(repo_id, *, variant, expected_bytes, hf_token):
+        calls.append((repo_id, variant, expected_bytes, hf_token))
+        return {"downloaded_bytes": 10, "expected_bytes": 20, "progress": 0.5}
 
-    result = asyncio.run(
-        models_route.get_gguf_download_progress(
-            repo_id = "org/repo",
-            variant = "F16",
-            expected_bytes = 20_000,
-            current_subject = "test-user",
-        )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "hub.services.models.downloads.get_gguf_download_progress_response",
+        shared,
     )
 
-    assert result["downloaded_bytes"] == 0
-    assert result["progress"] == 0
-
-
-def test_gguf_download_progress_excludes_big_endian_sibling(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
-    import huggingface_hub.constants as hf_constants
-
-    monkeypatch.setattr(hf_constants, "HF_HUB_CACHE", str(tmp_path))
-    snap = tmp_path / "models--org--repo" / "snapshots" / "rev"
-    snap.mkdir(parents = True)
-    (snap / "model-Q4_K_M-be.gguf").write_bytes(b"y" * 20_000)
-
     result = asyncio.run(
         models_route.get_gguf_download_progress(
             repo_id = "org/repo",
             variant = "Q4_K_M",
-            expected_bytes = 20_000,
+            expected_bytes = 20,
+            hf_token = "token",
             current_subject = "test-user",
         )
     )
 
-    assert result["downloaded_bytes"] == 0
-    assert result["progress"] == 0
+    assert result["progress"] == 0.5
+    assert calls == [("org/repo", "Q4_K_M", 20, "token")]
 
 
-def test_gguf_download_progress_counts_quant_subdir(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
-    import huggingface_hub.constants as hf_constants
+def test_legacy_model_progress_delegates_to_shared_service(monkeypatch):
+    calls = []
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr(hf_constants, "HF_HUB_CACHE", str(tmp_path))
-    snap = tmp_path / "models--org--repo" / "snapshots" / "rev" / "Q4_K_M"
-    snap.mkdir(parents = True)
-    (snap / "foo.gguf").write_bytes(b"x" * 20_000)
+    async def shared(repo_id, *, hf_token):
+        calls.append((repo_id, hf_token))
+        return {"downloaded_bytes": 10, "expected_bytes": 20, "progress": 0.5}
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "hub.services.models.downloads.get_download_progress_response",
+        shared,
+    )
 
     result = asyncio.run(
-        models_route.get_gguf_download_progress(
+        models_route.get_download_progress(
             repo_id = "org/repo",
-            variant = "Q4_K_M",
-            expected_bytes = 20_000,
+            hf_token = "token",
             current_subject = "test-user",
         )
     )
 
-    assert result["downloaded_bytes"] == 20_000
-    assert result["progress"] == 1.0
+    assert result["progress"] == 0.5
+    assert calls == [("org/repo", "token")]
+
+
+def test_legacy_delete_delegates_to_shared_service(monkeypatch):
+    calls = []
+
+    async def shared(
+        repo_id,
+        variant,
+        hf_token,
+        cache_path = None,
+    ):
+        calls.append((repo_id, variant, hf_token, cache_path))
+        return {"status": "deleted", "repo_id": repo_id}
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "hub.services.models.deletion.delete_cached_model_response",
+        shared,
+    )
+
+    result = asyncio.run(
+        models_route.delete_cached_model(
+            repo_id = "org/repo",
+            variant = None,
+            cache_path = "/data/hf/hub",
+            hf_token = "token",
+            current_subject = "test-user",
+        )
+    )
+
+    assert result == {"status": "deleted", "repo_id": "org/repo"}
+    assert calls == [("org/repo", None, "token", "/data/hf/hub")]
diff --git a/studio/backend/tests/test_consent_gate.py b/studio/backend/tests/test_consent_gate.py
index 804221ec7e..181e0c9fad 100644
--- a/studio/backend/tests/test_consent_gate.py
+++ b/studio/backend/tests/test_consent_gate.py
@@ -873,6 +873,7 @@ class TestScannerCoversAllExecutableCode:
             repo,
             fn,
             token = None,
+            cache_dir = None,
         ):
             if fn == "config.json":
                 import json
@@ -899,6 +900,7 @@ class TestScannerCoversAllExecutableCode:
             repo,
             fn,
             token = None,
+            cache_dir = None,
         ):
             import json
             import tempfile
@@ -932,6 +934,7 @@ class TestScannerCoversAllExecutableCode:
             repo,
             fn,
             token = None,
+            cache_dir = None,
         ):
             import json
             import tempfile
@@ -972,6 +975,7 @@ class TestScannerCoversAllExecutableCode:
             repo,
             fn,
             token = None,
+            cache_dir = None,
         ):
             import json
             import tempfile
@@ -1008,6 +1012,7 @@ class TestScannerCoversAllExecutableCode:
             repo,
             fn,
             token = None,
+            cache_dir = None,
         ):
             import json
             import tempfile
@@ -1037,6 +1042,7 @@ class TestScannerCoversAllExecutableCode:
             repo,
             fn,
             token = None,
+            cache_dir = None,
         ):
             import json
             import tempfile
@@ -1079,6 +1085,7 @@ class TestScannerCoversAllExecutableCode:
             repo,
             fn,
             token = None,
+            cache_dir = None,
         ):
             import json
             import tempfile
@@ -1120,6 +1127,7 @@ class TestScannerCoversAllExecutableCode:
             repo,
             fn,
             token = None,
+            cache_dir = None,
         ):
             import json
             import tempfile
@@ -1182,6 +1190,7 @@ class TestScannerCoversAllExecutableCode:
             repo,
             fn,
             token = None,
+            cache_dir = None,
         ):
             import json
             import tempfile
diff --git a/studio/backend/tests/test_gguf_load_cache_reuse.py b/studio/backend/tests/test_gguf_load_cache_reuse.py
index 62596fcc8a..6d1fac980b 100644
--- a/studio/backend/tests/test_gguf_load_cache_reuse.py
+++ b/studio/backend/tests/test_gguf_load_cache_reuse.py
@@ -103,6 +103,10 @@ def _build_cache(
 @pytest.fixture
 def hf_cache(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.setattr(hf_constants, "HF_HUB_CACHE", str(tmp_path))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "utils.hf_cache_settings.get_hf_cache_paths",
+        lambda: _types.SimpleNamespace(hub_cache = tmp_path),
+    )
     monkeypatch.delenv("HF_HUB_OFFLINE", raising = False)
     monkeypatch.delenv("TRANSFORMERS_OFFLINE", raising = False)
     return tmp_path
@@ -117,6 +121,61 @@ def _fail_get_paths_info(*_args, **_kwargs):
 
 
 class TestLoadReusesCachedCopy:
+    def test_download_uses_selected_cache_for_lookup_preflight_and_write(
+        self, tmp_path, monkeypatch
+    ):
+        backend = LlamaCppBackend()
+        selected = tmp_path / "selected" / "hub"
+        startup = tmp_path / "startup" / "hub"
+        monkeypatch.setattr(hf_constants, "HF_HUB_CACHE", str(startup))
+        monkeypatch.setattr(
+            "utils.hf_cache_settings.get_hf_cache_paths",
+            lambda: _types.SimpleNamespace(hub_cache = selected),
+        )
+        seen = {"lookups": [], "disk": [], "downloads": []}
+
+        def cached_lookup(
+            repo_id,
+            filename,
+            *,
+            cache_dir = None,
+            **_kwargs,
+        ):
+            seen["lookups"].append((repo_id, filename, cache_dir))
+            return None
+
+        def disk_usage(path):
+            seen["disk"].append(str(path))
+            return _types.SimpleNamespace(free = 1024)
+
+        def download(repo_id, filename, _token, **kwargs):
+            seen["downloads"].append((repo_id, filename, kwargs.get("cache_dir")))
+            return str(selected / filename)
+
+        with (
+            patch("huggingface_hub.list_repo_files", lambda *_a, **_k: [MAIN]),
+            patch(
+                "huggingface_hub.get_paths_info",
+                lambda _repo, paths, **_kwargs: [
+                    _types.SimpleNamespace(path = path, size = 4) for path in paths
+                ],
+            ),
+            patch("huggingface_hub.try_to_load_from_cache", cached_lookup),
+            patch("core.inference.llama_cpp.shutil.disk_usage", disk_usage),
+            patch(
+                "core.inference.llama_cpp.hf_hub_download_with_xet_fallback",
+                download,
+            ),
+        ):
+            out = backend._download_gguf(hf_repo = REPO, hf_variant = VARIANT)
+
+        assert out == str(selected / MAIN)
+        assert seen == {
+            "lookups": [(REPO, MAIN, str(selected))],
+            "disk": [str(selected)],
+            "downloads": [(REPO, MAIN, str(selected))],
+        }
+
     def test_online_reuse_after_revision_bump(self, hf_cache):
         """A new repo revision does not replace a complete cached model."""
         backend = LlamaCppBackend()
diff --git a/studio/backend/tests/test_hf_cache_settings.py b/studio/backend/tests/test_hf_cache_settings.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1875d61809
--- /dev/null
+++ b/studio/backend/tests/test_hf_cache_settings.py
@@ -0,0 +1,290 @@
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only
+# Copyright 2026-present the Unsloth AI Inc. team. All rights reserved. See /studio/LICENSE.AGPL-3.0
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+import sys
+import threading
+import time
+from pathlib import Path
+
+import pytest
+
+_BACKEND_DIR = str(Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent)
+if _BACKEND_DIR not in sys.path:
+    sys.path.insert(0, _BACKEND_DIR)
+
+from hub.services.models.common import _local_model_info
+from utils import hf_cache_settings
+from utils import native_path_leases
+
+
+@pytest.fixture()
+def settings_store(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    store = {}
+    monkeypatch.setattr(hf_cache_settings, "_EXPLICIT_CACHE_ENV", {})
+    monkeypatch.setenv("XDG_CACHE_HOME", str(tmp_path / "xdg"))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "storage.studio_db.get_app_setting",
+        lambda key, fallback = None: store.get(key, fallback),
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "storage.studio_db.upsert_app_settings",
+        lambda values: store.update(values) or values,
+    )
+    return store
+
+
+def test_studio_cache_switch_is_live_and_keeps_history(settings_store, tmp_path):
+    first = tmp_path / "external-a" / "huggingface"
+    second = tmp_path / "external-b" / "huggingface"
+    first.parent.mkdir()
+    second.parent.mkdir()
+
+    selected = hf_cache_settings.set_hf_cache_home(str(first))
+    assert selected.hub_cache == first / "hub"
+    assert selected.xet_cache == first / "xet"
+    assert selected.child_env({}) == {
+        "HF_HUB_CACHE": str(first / "hub"),
+        "HF_XET_CACHE": str(first / "xet"),
+    }
+
+    hf_cache_settings.set_hf_cache_home(str(second))
+    assert settings_store[hf_cache_settings.CACHE_HISTORY_SETTING_KEY] == [str(first)]
+    assert first / "hub" in hf_cache_settings.known_hf_hub_caches()
+
+    reset = hf_cache_settings.set_hf_cache_home(None)
+    assert reset.source == "default"
+    assert second in hf_cache_settings.known_hf_cache_homes()
+
+
+def test_environment_cache_is_read_only(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    custom = tmp_path / "managed"
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        hf_cache_settings,
+        "_EXPLICIT_CACHE_ENV",
+        {"HF_HOME": str(custom)},
+    )
+    paths = hf_cache_settings.get_hf_cache_paths()
+    assert paths.source == "environment"
+    assert paths.editable is False
+    assert paths.hub_cache == custom / "hub"
+    with pytest.raises(RuntimeError, match = "environment variable"):
+        hf_cache_settings.set_hf_cache_home(str(tmp_path / "other"))
+
+
+def test_explicit_hub_cache_is_the_displayed_location(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    custom_hub = tmp_path / "models-cache"
+    custom_hub.mkdir()
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        hf_cache_settings,
+        "_EXPLICIT_CACHE_ENV",
+        {"HF_HUB_CACHE": str(custom_hub)},
+    )
+
+    paths = hf_cache_settings.get_hf_cache_paths()
+    status = hf_cache_settings.cache_status(paths)
+
+    assert paths.cache_home == custom_hub
+    assert paths.hub_cache == custom_hub
+    assert status["cache_home"] == str(custom_hub)
+    assert status["available"] is True
+    assert custom_hub / "hub" not in hf_cache_settings.known_hf_hub_caches()
+
+
+def test_explicit_hub_cache_display_wins_over_hf_home(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    hf_home = tmp_path / "hf-home"
+    custom_hub = tmp_path / "other-disk" / "models-cache"
+    hf_home.mkdir()
+    custom_hub.mkdir(parents = True)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        hf_cache_settings,
+        "_EXPLICIT_CACHE_ENV",
+        {"HF_HOME": str(hf_home), "HF_HUB_CACHE": str(custom_hub)},
+    )
+
+    paths = hf_cache_settings.get_hf_cache_paths()
+
+    assert paths.cache_home == custom_hub
+    assert paths.hub_cache == custom_hub
+    assert paths.xet_cache == hf_home / "xet"
+    assert custom_hub / "hub" not in hf_cache_settings.known_hf_hub_caches()
+    assert hf_home / "hub" in hf_cache_settings.known_hf_hub_caches()
+
+
+def test_xet_only_override_keeps_model_cache_editable(settings_store, monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    xet_cache = tmp_path / "chunks"
+    stored = tmp_path / "stored-cache"
+    settings_store[hf_cache_settings.CACHE_HOME_SETTING_KEY] = str(stored)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        hf_cache_settings,
+        "_EXPLICIT_CACHE_ENV",
+        {"HF_XET_CACHE": str(xet_cache)},
+    )
+
+    paths = hf_cache_settings.get_hf_cache_paths()
+
+    assert paths.cache_home == stored
+    assert paths.hub_cache == stored / "hub"
+    assert paths.xet_cache == xet_cache
+    assert paths.editable is True
+
+    selected = tmp_path / "selected-cache"
+    selected.parent.mkdir(exist_ok = True)
+    updated = hf_cache_settings.set_hf_cache_home(str(selected))
+    assert updated.hub_cache == selected / "hub"
+    assert updated.xet_cache == xet_cache
+
+
+def test_worker_environment_is_applied_before_import(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    hub = str(tmp_path / "hub")
+    xet = str(tmp_path / "xet")
+    observed = {}
+
+    class Module:
+        @staticmethod
+        def run():
+            import os
+            return os.environ["HF_HUB_CACHE"], os.environ["HF_XET_CACHE"]
+
+    def fake_import(name):
+        import os
+
+        observed["name"] = name
+        observed["hub"] = os.environ.get("HF_HUB_CACHE")
+        return Module
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(native_path_leases.importlib, "import_module", fake_import)
+    result = native_path_leases.run_without_native_path_secret(
+        "fake.worker",
+        "run",
+        {"HF_HUB_CACHE": hub, "HF_XET_CACHE": xet},
+    )
+    assert observed == {"name": "fake.worker", "hub": hub}
+    assert result == (hub, xet)
+
+
+def test_spawn_environment_is_applied_then_restored(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    hub = str(tmp_path / "hub")
+    xet = str(tmp_path / "xet")
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HF_HUB_CACHE", "parent-hub")
+    monkeypatch.delenv("HF_XET_CACHE", raising = False)
+
+    with hf_cache_settings.child_environment_for_spawn({"HF_HUB_CACHE": hub, "HF_XET_CACHE": xet}):
+        import os
+        assert os.environ["HF_HUB_CACHE"] == hub
+        assert os.environ["HF_XET_CACHE"] == xet
+
+    assert os.environ["HF_HUB_CACHE"] == "parent-hub"
+    assert "HF_XET_CACHE" not in os.environ
+
+
+def test_spawn_environment_supports_nested_contexts(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HF_HUB_CACHE", "parent")
+
+    with hf_cache_settings.child_environment_for_spawn({"HF_HUB_CACHE": "outer"}):
+        assert os.environ["HF_HUB_CACHE"] == "outer"
+        with hf_cache_settings.child_environment_for_spawn({"HF_HUB_CACHE": "inner"}):
+            assert os.environ["HF_HUB_CACHE"] == "inner"
+        assert os.environ["HF_HUB_CACHE"] == "outer"
+
+    assert os.environ["HF_HUB_CACHE"] == "parent"
+
+
+def test_spawn_environment_serializes_threads(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HF_HUB_CACHE", "parent")
+    first_entered = threading.Event()
+    release_first = threading.Event()
+    observations: list[tuple[str, str]] = []
+
+    def first():
+        with hf_cache_settings.child_environment_for_spawn({"HF_HUB_CACHE": "first"}):
+            observations.append(("first", os.environ["HF_HUB_CACHE"]))
+            first_entered.set()
+            assert release_first.wait(timeout = 2)
+
+    def second():
+        assert first_entered.wait(timeout = 2)
+        with hf_cache_settings.child_environment_for_spawn({"HF_HUB_CACHE": "second"}):
+            observations.append(("second", os.environ["HF_HUB_CACHE"]))
+
+    first_thread = threading.Thread(target = first)
+    second_thread = threading.Thread(target = second)
+    first_thread.start()
+    second_thread.start()
+    assert first_entered.wait(timeout = 2)
+    time.sleep(0.02)
+    assert observations == [("first", "first")]
+    release_first.set()
+    first_thread.join(timeout = 2)
+    second_thread.join(timeout = 2)
+
+    assert observations == [("first", "first"), ("second", "second")]
+    assert os.environ["HF_HUB_CACHE"] == "parent"
+
+
+def test_cache_switch_invalidates_inventory(settings_store, tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    invalidations = []
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "hub.utils.inventory_scan.invalidate_hf_cache_scans",
+        lambda: invalidations.append(True),
+    )
+    selected = tmp_path / "external" / "huggingface"
+    selected.parent.mkdir()
+
+    hf_cache_settings.set_hf_cache_home(str(selected))
+
+    assert invalidations == [True]
+
+
+def test_cache_validation_write_tests_hub_and_xet(settings_store, tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    selected = tmp_path / "external" / "huggingface"
+    selected.parent.mkdir()
+    tested = []
+    real_named_temporary_file = hf_cache_settings.tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile
+
+    def recording_write_test(*args, **kwargs):
+        tested.append(Path(kwargs["dir"]))
+        return real_named_temporary_file(*args, **kwargs)
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        hf_cache_settings.tempfile,
+        "NamedTemporaryFile",
+        recording_write_test,
+    )
+
+    hf_cache_settings.set_hf_cache_home(str(selected))
+
+    assert tested == [selected / "hub", selected / "xet"]
+
+
+def test_cache_validation_rejects_unwritable_child(settings_store, tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    selected = tmp_path / "external" / "huggingface"
+    selected.parent.mkdir()
+
+    def reject_hub(*args, **kwargs):
+        if Path(kwargs["dir"]).name == "hub":
+            raise PermissionError("read-only")
+        raise AssertionError("xet should not be tested after hub fails")
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(hf_cache_settings.tempfile, "NamedTemporaryFile", reject_hub)
+
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError, match = "permission"):
+        hf_cache_settings.set_hf_cache_home(str(selected))
+
+
+def test_inactive_cache_model_loads_from_snapshot_path(tmp_path):
+    snapshot = tmp_path / "snapshots" / "revision"
+    snapshot.mkdir(parents = True)
+    row = _local_model_info(
+        scan_path = snapshot,
+        load_path = snapshot,
+        source = "hf_cache",
+        model_format = "safetensors",
+        model_id = "org/model",
+        active_cache = False,
+    )
+    assert row.model_id == "org/model"
+    assert row.active_cache is False
+    assert row.load_id == str(snapshot)
diff --git a/studio/backend/tests/test_hf_xet_fallback.py b/studio/backend/tests/test_hf_xet_fallback.py
index 48aff29659..a037ea2579 100644
--- a/studio/backend/tests/test_hf_xet_fallback.py
+++ b/studio/backend/tests/test_hf_xet_fallback.py
@@ -101,13 +101,23 @@ def test_shim_injects_studio_prepare_on_http_retry(monkeypatch):
     prepared = []
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         "hub.utils.download_registry.prepare_cache_for_transport",
-        lambda repo_type, repo_id, mode, *a, **k: prepared.append((repo_type, repo_id, mode)),
+        lambda repo_type, repo_id, mode, *a, **k: prepared.append(
+            (repo_type, repo_id, mode, k.get("root"))
+        ),
     )
 
-    out = xf.hf_hub_download_with_xet_fallback(DL_REPO, FILE, None)
+    selected_cache = "/captured/hub"
+    out = xf.hf_hub_download_with_xet_fallback(
+        DL_REPO,
+        FILE,
+        None,
+        cache_dir = selected_cache,
+    )
     assert out == "/cache/model.gguf"
     assert seen_disable_xet == [False, True]  # Xet first, then HTTP
-    assert prepared == [("model", DL_REPO, "http")], "shim must run Unsloth's marker-aware prep"
+    assert prepared == [
+        ("model", DL_REPO, "http", Path(selected_cache))
+    ], "shim must prepare the cache captured by the download"
 
 
 def test_shim_snapshot_injects_studio_prepare(monkeypatch):
@@ -120,10 +130,22 @@ def test_shim_snapshot_injects_studio_prepare(monkeypatch):
         return "/tmp/snap-dir"
 
     monkeypatch.setattr(xf, "_shared_snapshot_download_with_xet_fallback", fake_snapshot)
-    out = xf.snapshot_download_with_xet_fallback("org/model")
+    selected_cache = "/captured/hub"
+    out = xf.snapshot_download_with_xet_fallback(
+        "org/model",
+        cache_dir = selected_cache,
+    )
     assert out == "/tmp/snap-dir"
     assert captured["repo_id"] == "org/model"
-    assert captured["prepare_for_http_fn"] is xf._studio_prepare_for_http
+    prepared = []
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "hub.utils.download_registry.prepare_cache_for_transport",
+        lambda repo_type, repo_id, mode, *a, **k: prepared.append(
+            (repo_type, repo_id, mode, k.get("root"))
+        ),
+    )
+    captured["prepare_for_http_fn"]("model", "org/model")
+    assert prepared == [("model", "org/model", "http", Path(selected_cache))]
 
 
 def test_degrades_gracefully_without_shared_helper(monkeypatch):
diff --git a/studio/backend/tests/test_linux_external_media_paths.py b/studio/backend/tests/test_linux_external_media_paths.py
index b735bd1132..8373cdd6bb 100644
--- a/studio/backend/tests/test_linux_external_media_paths.py
+++ b/studio/backend/tests/test_linux_external_media_paths.py
@@ -254,8 +254,10 @@ def test_legacy_browse_allowlist_includes_linux_run_media_mounts(monkeypatch, tm
     )
     fake_external_media = SimpleNamespace(
         linux_run_media_mount_roots = lambda: [media_root],
+        macos_volume_roots = lambda: [],
         windows_drive_roots = lambda: [],
     )
+    fake_paths.external_media = fake_external_media
     fake_studio_db = SimpleNamespace(
         list_scan_folders = lambda: [],
         contains_sensitive_path_component = studio_db.contains_sensitive_path_component,
diff --git a/studio/backend/tests/test_model_update_robustness.py b/studio/backend/tests/test_model_update_robustness.py
index 7d98766616..7e5d793740 100644
--- a/studio/backend/tests/test_model_update_robustness.py
+++ b/studio/backend/tests/test_model_update_robustness.py
@@ -112,13 +112,21 @@ def patch_hub_gguf(monkeypatch):
             blob_ids = [local_blob],
             gguf_files = {"model-Q4_K_M.gguf": 1000},
         )
+        monkeypatch.setattr(
+            "utils.hf_cache_settings.get_hf_cache_paths",
+            lambda: SimpleNamespace(hub_cache = tmp_path),
+        )
         monkeypatch.setattr(
             GV,
             "list_gguf_variants",
             lambda r, hf_token = None: (_variants(), False, [remote_sibling]),
             raising = True,
         )
-        monkeypatch.setattr(GV, "iter_hf_cache_snapshots", lambda _repo_id: [snap])
+        monkeypatch.setattr(
+            GV,
+            "iter_hf_cache_snapshots",
+            lambda _repo_id, root = None: [snap],
+        )
         monkeypatch.setattr(
             CI,
             "all_hf_cache_scans",
@@ -217,6 +225,10 @@ def test_variant_update_check_detects_companion_only_update(
             companion_path: 100,
         },
     )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "utils.hf_cache_settings.get_hf_cache_paths",
+        lambda: SimpleNamespace(hub_cache = tmp_path),
+    )
     siblings = [
         patch_hub_gguf.sibling("model-Q4_K_M.gguf", 1000, "mainsha"),
         patch_hub_gguf.sibling(companion_path, 100, "new-companion"),
@@ -227,7 +239,11 @@ def test_variant_update_check_detects_companion_only_update(
         lambda r, hf_token = None: (_variants(), has_vision, siblings),
         raising = True,
     )
-    monkeypatch.setattr(GV, "iter_hf_cache_snapshots", lambda _repo_id: [snap])
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        GV,
+        "iter_hf_cache_snapshots",
+        lambda _repo_id, root = None: [snap],
+    )
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         CI,
         "all_hf_cache_scans",
@@ -372,7 +388,7 @@ def test_cached_gguf_scan_keeps_download_timestamp(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         CI,
         "_gguf_variant_state_summary",
-        lambda _repo_id: (False, 0),
+        lambda _repo_id, **_kwargs: (False, 0),
     )
 
     rows = CI._scan_cached_gguf()
@@ -630,7 +646,12 @@ def test_reclaim_replaced_gguf_variant_prunes_old_revision_only(monkeypatch, tmp
     invalidated = []
     monkeypatch.setattr(CI, "invalidate_hf_cache_scans", lambda: invalidated.append(True))
 
-    result = D.reclaim_replaced_gguf_variant(repo_id, "Q4_K_M", frozenset({"NEWsha"}))
+    result = D.reclaim_replaced_gguf_variant(
+        repo_id,
+        "Q4_K_M",
+        frozenset({"NEWsha"}),
+        hub_cache = tmp_path,
+    )
 
     assert result["removed_snapshots"] == 1
     assert result["deleted_blobs"] == 1
@@ -677,13 +698,75 @@ def test_reclaim_replaced_gguf_variant_keeps_no_symlink_current_file(monkeypatch
     monkeypatch.setattr(CI, "all_hf_cache_scans", lambda: [SimpleNamespace(repos = [repo_info])])
     monkeypatch.setattr(CI, "invalidate_hf_cache_scans", lambda: None)
 
-    result = D.reclaim_replaced_gguf_variant(repo_id, "Q4_K_M", frozenset({"REMOTEsha256"}))
+    result = D.reclaim_replaced_gguf_variant(
+        repo_id,
+        "Q4_K_M",
+        frozenset({"REMOTEsha256"}),
+        hub_cache = tmp_path,
+    )
 
     assert snap.exists() is True  # the current file must survive
     assert result["removed_snapshots"] == 0
     assert result["deleted_blobs"] == 0
 
 
+def test_reclaim_replaced_gguf_variant_only_mutates_worker_cache(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    repo_id = "org/repo-GGUF"
+    cache_a = tmp_path / "cache-a"
+    cache_b = tmp_path / "cache-b"
+
+    def cached_repo(cache_dir, revision):
+        repo_path = cache_dir / "models--org--repo-GGUF"
+        snap = repo_path / "snapshots" / revision / "model-Q4_K_M.gguf"
+        blob = repo_path / "blobs" / "OLDsha"
+        snap.parent.mkdir(parents = True, exist_ok = True)
+        blob.parent.mkdir(parents = True, exist_ok = True)
+        blob.write_bytes(b"old")
+        snap.symlink_to(blob)
+        return (
+            SimpleNamespace(
+                repo_id = repo_id,
+                repo_type = "model",
+                repo_path = repo_path,
+                revisions = [
+                    SimpleNamespace(
+                        files = [
+                            SimpleNamespace(
+                                file_name = snap.name,
+                                file_path = str(snap),
+                                blob_path = str(blob),
+                            )
+                        ]
+                    )
+                ],
+            ),
+            snap,
+            blob,
+        )
+
+    repo_a, snap_a, blob_a = cached_repo(cache_a, "a" * 40)
+    repo_b, snap_b, blob_b = cached_repo(cache_b, "b" * 40)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        CI,
+        "all_hf_cache_scans",
+        lambda: [SimpleNamespace(repos = [repo_a]), SimpleNamespace(repos = [repo_b])],
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(CI, "invalidate_hf_cache_scans", lambda: None)
+
+    result = D.reclaim_replaced_gguf_variant(
+        repo_id,
+        "Q4_K_M",
+        frozenset({"NEWsha"}),
+        hub_cache = cache_b,
+    )
+
+    assert result["removed_snapshots"] == 1
+    assert snap_b.exists() is False
+    assert blob_b.exists() is False
+    assert snap_a.exists() is True
+    assert blob_a.exists() is True
+
+
 def _mmproj_repo(*file_names: str):
     return SimpleNamespace(
         revisions = [SimpleNamespace(files = [SimpleNamespace(file_name = n) for n in file_names])]
diff --git a/studio/backend/tests/test_models_get_model_config_case_resolution.py b/studio/backend/tests/test_models_get_model_config_case_resolution.py
index 12f6c497ab..a50765898b 100644
--- a/studio/backend/tests/test_models_get_model_config_case_resolution.py
+++ b/studio/backend/tests/test_models_get_model_config_case_resolution.py
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ def test_repo_in_any_hf_cache_matches_case_variant_in_legacy_cache(tmp_path, mon
     # covers the active cache; discard deletes case-insensitively, so detection must too,
     # else a decline deletes a pre-existing user repo).
     import utils.paths as paths_pkg
-    import huggingface_hub.constants as hf_constants
+    import hub.utils.paths as hub_paths
 
     active = tmp_path / "active"
     legacy = tmp_path / "legacy"
@@ -96,9 +96,12 @@ def test_repo_in_any_hf_cache_matches_case_variant_in_legacy_cache(tmp_path, mon
 
     # No active-cache variant; case resolution is a no-op here.
     monkeypatch.setattr(paths_pkg, "resolve_cached_repo_id_case", lambda name: name)
-    monkeypatch.setattr(paths_pkg, "legacy_hf_cache_dir", lambda: legacy)
-    monkeypatch.setattr(paths_pkg, "hf_default_cache_dir", lambda: default)
-    monkeypatch.setattr(hf_constants, "HF_HUB_CACHE", str(active))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(hub_paths, "legacy_hf_cache_dir", lambda: legacy)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(hub_paths, "hf_default_cache_dir", lambda: default)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "utils.hf_cache_settings.known_hf_hub_caches",
+        lambda: [active],
+    )
 
     assert models_route._repo_in_any_hf_cache("unsloth/foo") is True
     # Absent from every cache -> reported absent.
diff --git a/studio/backend/tests/test_offline_embedding_minimal.py b/studio/backend/tests/test_offline_embedding_minimal.py
index 8862e231e5..7ff580c36d 100644
--- a/studio/backend/tests/test_offline_embedding_minimal.py
+++ b/studio/backend/tests/test_offline_embedding_minimal.py
@@ -85,11 +85,19 @@ def _is_embedding_model(*args, **kwargs):
 
 @pytest.fixture
 def hf_cache(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
-    """Point the HF cache at a fresh temp dir."""
+    """Point the HF cache at a fresh temp dir.
+
+    get_hf_cache_paths() reads an import-time env snapshot, not live os.environ,
+    so point it (and thus active_hf_hub_cache + the snapshot lookup's selected
+    root) at this temp cache too."""
     root = tmp_path / "hub"
     root.mkdir()
     monkeypatch.setenv("HF_HOME", str(tmp_path))
     monkeypatch.setenv("HF_HUB_CACHE", str(root))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "utils.hf_cache_settings.get_hf_cache_paths",
+        lambda: SimpleNamespace(hub_cache = root),
+    )
     return root
 
 
@@ -198,18 +206,25 @@ def test_snapshot_dir_uses_sentence_transformers_home(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     assert hf_cache_snapshot_dir("org/emb") == snapshot
 
 
-def test_snapshot_dir_st_home_is_exclusive(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
-    # With SENTENCE_TRANSFORMERS_HOME set, ST loads only from it, so a model living only under
-    # HF_HUB_CACHE must not be reported.
+def test_snapshot_dir_prefers_selected_cache_over_st_home(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    # The RAG loader passes cache_folder=active_hf_hub_cache(), which overrides
+    # SENTENCE_TRANSFORMERS_HOME, so the snapshot + offline security lookup must
+    # search the selected cache even when ST_HOME points elsewhere. Otherwise the
+    # gate scans a cache the model never loads from and a pickle weight in the
+    # selected cache slips through.
     st_home = tmp_path / "st_home"
     st_home.mkdir()
-    hub = tmp_path / "hub"
-    hub.mkdir()
+    selected = tmp_path / "hub"
+    selected.mkdir()
     monkeypatch.setenv("SENTENCE_TRANSFORMERS_HOME", str(st_home))
-    monkeypatch.setenv("HF_HUB_CACHE", str(hub))
+    monkeypatch.delenv("HF_HUB_CACHE", raising = False)
     monkeypatch.delenv("HF_HOME", raising = False)
-    _make_cache(hub, "org/emb", {"modules.json": MODULES_JSON})  # only in the HF hub cache
-    assert hf_cache_snapshot_dir("org/emb") is None
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "utils.hf_cache_settings.get_hf_cache_paths",
+        lambda: SimpleNamespace(hub_cache = selected),
+    )
+    snapshot = _make_cache(selected, "org/emb", {"modules.json": MODULES_JSON})  # only in selected
+    assert hf_cache_snapshot_dir("org/emb") == snapshot
 
 
 def test_snapshot_is_loadable_with_config_and_weights(hf_cache):
diff --git a/studio/backend/tests/test_offline_gguf_cache_fallback.py b/studio/backend/tests/test_offline_gguf_cache_fallback.py
index 35dd3979b1..d1e61d0546 100644
--- a/studio/backend/tests/test_offline_gguf_cache_fallback.py
+++ b/studio/backend/tests/test_offline_gguf_cache_fallback.py
@@ -130,6 +130,10 @@ def _symlink_or_skip(link: Path, target: Path) -> None:
 def hf_cache(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     """Point ``huggingface_hub.constants.HF_HUB_CACHE`` at a temp dir."""
     monkeypatch.setattr(hf_constants, "HF_HUB_CACHE", str(tmp_path))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "utils.hf_cache_settings.get_hf_cache_paths",
+        lambda: _types.SimpleNamespace(hub_cache = tmp_path),
+    )
     return tmp_path
 
 
@@ -227,6 +231,10 @@ class TestGgufVariantFileResolution:
             return f"/fake/{repo_id}/{filename}"
 
         monkeypatch.setattr(hf_constants, "HF_HUB_CACHE", str(tmp_path))
+        monkeypatch.setattr(
+            "utils.hf_cache_settings.get_hf_cache_paths",
+            lambda: _types.SimpleNamespace(hub_cache = tmp_path),
+        )
         with (
             patch(
                 "huggingface_hub.list_repo_files",
@@ -434,6 +442,40 @@ class TestGgufVariantFileResolution:
 
         assert out == str(snap / "mmproj-F16.gguf")
 
+    def test_download_companion_uses_selected_cache_not_import_time_default(
+        self, monkeypatch, tmp_path
+    ):
+        monkeypatch.setenv("HF_HUB_OFFLINE", "1")
+        import_time_cache = tmp_path / "import-time-cache"
+        selected_cache = tmp_path / "selected-cache"
+        monkeypatch.setattr(hf_constants, "HF_HUB_CACHE", str(import_time_cache))
+        monkeypatch.setattr(
+            "utils.hf_cache_settings.get_hf_cache_paths",
+            lambda: _types.SimpleNamespace(hub_cache = selected_cache),
+        )
+        repo = "unsloth/vision-GGUF"
+        snap = _build_cache(selected_cache, repo, {"mmproj-F16.gguf": 4})
+        backend = LlamaCppBackend()
+
+        offline_error = type("OfflineModeIsEnabled", (Exception,), {})
+
+        def fail_list(*_args, **_kwargs):
+            raise offline_error("offline")
+
+        def fail_download(*_args, **_kwargs):
+            raise AssertionError("selected-cache companion must not download")
+
+        with (
+            patch("huggingface_hub.list_repo_files", fail_list),
+            patch(
+                "core.inference.llama_cpp.hf_hub_download_with_xet_fallback",
+                fail_download,
+            ),
+        ):
+            out = backend._download_mmproj(hf_repo = repo)
+
+        assert out == str(snap / "mmproj-F16.gguf")
+
     def test_download_includes_uppercase_split_gguf_shards(self, monkeypatch, tmp_path):
         backend = LlamaCppBackend()
         downloaded: list[str] = []
@@ -460,6 +502,10 @@ class TestGgufVariantFileResolution:
             return f"/fake/{repo_id}/{filename}"
 
         monkeypatch.setattr(hf_constants, "HF_HUB_CACHE", str(tmp_path))
+        monkeypatch.setattr(
+            "utils.hf_cache_settings.get_hf_cache_paths",
+            lambda: _types.SimpleNamespace(hub_cache = tmp_path),
+        )
         with (
             patch("huggingface_hub.list_repo_files", lambda *_a, **_k: files),
             patch("huggingface_hub.get_paths_info", fake_get_paths_info),
diff --git a/studio/backend/tests/test_openai_auto_switch.py b/studio/backend/tests/test_openai_auto_switch.py
index 9361db66bb..9c6c20e6b6 100644
--- a/studio/backend/tests/test_openai_auto_switch.py
+++ b/studio/backend/tests/test_openai_auto_switch.py
@@ -1096,6 +1096,7 @@ def test_build_index_covers_legacy_default_lmstudio_and_custom_roots(monkeypatch
     from pathlib import Path
     import routes.models as models_route
     from utils import paths as upaths
+    from utils import hf_cache_settings
     import storage.studio_db as studio_db
 
     scanned = []
@@ -1116,13 +1117,18 @@ def test_build_index_covers_legacy_default_lmstudio_and_custom_roots(monkeypatch
     )
     monkeypatch.setattr(models_route, "_resolve_hf_cache_dir", lambda: tmp_path / "active")
     monkeypatch.setattr(models_route, "_is_hidden_model", lambda *a, **k: False)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        hf_cache_settings,
+        "known_hf_hub_caches",
+        lambda: [tmp_path / "active", tmp_path / "previous"],
+    )
     monkeypatch.setattr(upaths, "legacy_hf_cache_dir", lambda: tmp_path / "legacy")
     monkeypatch.setattr(upaths, "hf_default_cache_dir", lambda: tmp_path / "default")
     monkeypatch.setattr(upaths, "lmstudio_model_dirs", lambda: [tmp_path / "lmstudio"])
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         studio_db, "list_scan_folders", lambda: [{"path": str(tmp_path / "custom")}]
     )
-    for sub in ("active", "legacy", "default", "lmstudio", "custom"):
+    for sub in ("active", "previous", "legacy", "default", "lmstudio", "custom"):
         (tmp_path / sub).mkdir()
 
     resolver._build_index()
@@ -1131,6 +1137,7 @@ def test_build_index_covers_legacy_default_lmstudio_and_custom_roots(monkeypatch
     lm = {p for k, p in scanned if k == "lm"}
     assert str((tmp_path / "legacy").resolve()) in hf
     assert str((tmp_path / "default").resolve()) in hf
+    assert str((tmp_path / "previous").resolve()) in hf
     assert str((tmp_path / "custom").resolve()) in hf
     assert str((tmp_path / "lmstudio").resolve()) in lm
 
diff --git a/studio/backend/tests/test_picker_service.py b/studio/backend/tests/test_picker_service.py
index be7ea18f03..1bdfc135e3 100644
--- a/studio/backend/tests/test_picker_service.py
+++ b/studio/backend/tests/test_picker_service.py
@@ -241,11 +241,15 @@ def test_remote_oversized_jinja_falls_through_to_tokenizer_template(tmp_path, mo
         "chat_template.jinja": big_jinja,
         "tokenizer_config.json": tokenizer_config,
     }
+    selected_cache = tmp_path / "selected-cache" / "hub"
+    observed_cache_dirs = []
 
     monkeypatch.setattr("picker.service.resolve_cached_repo_id_case", lambda name: name)
     monkeypatch.setattr("picker.service.iter_hf_cache_snapshots", lambda resolved: [])
+    monkeypatch.setattr("picker.service.active_hf_hub_cache", lambda: str(selected_cache))
 
     def _fake_download(repo_id, rel, **kwargs):
+        observed_cache_dirs.append(kwargs.get("cache_dir"))
         target = files.get(rel)
         if target is None:
             raise FileNotFoundError(rel)
@@ -264,3 +268,5 @@ def test_remote_oversized_jinja_falls_through_to_tokenizer_template(tmp_path, mo
     monkeypatch.setattr(huggingface_hub.HfApi, "get_paths_info", _fake_get_paths_info)
 
     assert read_default_chat_template("org/big-jinja-model") == "SMALL_TEMPLATE"
+    assert observed_cache_dirs
+    assert set(observed_cache_dirs) == {str(selected_cache)}
diff --git a/studio/backend/tests/test_rag_embeddings.py b/studio/backend/tests/test_rag_embeddings.py
index 28a2f69426..197ae4c495 100644
--- a/studio/backend/tests/test_rag_embeddings.py
+++ b/studio/backend/tests/test_rag_embeddings.py
@@ -5,8 +5,10 @@
 and token counting must be serialized (else threads panic "Already borrowed")."""
 
 import os
+import sys
 import threading
 import time
+from types import SimpleNamespace
 
 import numpy as np
 import pytest
@@ -130,6 +132,35 @@ def test_token_counter_enables_parallelism_only_during_call(monkeypatch):
     assert os.environ.get("TOKENIZERS_PARALLELISM") == "false"  # restored after
 
 
+def test_sentence_transformer_load_uses_live_cache(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    observed = {}
+
+    class FakeSentenceTransformer:
+        def __init__(self, name, **kwargs):
+            observed["name"] = name
+            observed.update(kwargs)
+
+    monkeypatch.setitem(
+        sys.modules,
+        "sentence_transformers",
+        SimpleNamespace(SentenceTransformer = FakeSentenceTransformer),
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(embeddings, "_install_torchao_stub_once", lambda: None)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(embeddings, "_guard_model_security", lambda *_a, **_k: None)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(embeddings, "_device", lambda: "cpu")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "utils.hf_cache_settings.active_hf_hub_cache",
+        lambda: str(tmp_path / "selected-hub"),
+    )
+    embeddings._model = None
+    embeddings._name = None
+
+    embeddings._get("Org/Embedder")
+
+    assert observed["name"] == "Org/Embedder"
+    assert observed["cache_folder"] == str(tmp_path / "selected-hub")
+
+
 class _SentinelLlamaBackend:
     """Stand-in for LlamaServerBackend; never spawns a real server."""
 
diff --git a/studio/backend/tests/test_resolve_quant_gguf.py b/studio/backend/tests/test_resolve_quant_gguf.py
index 840c4d8d4c..a137237e80 100644
--- a/studio/backend/tests/test_resolve_quant_gguf.py
+++ b/studio/backend/tests/test_resolve_quant_gguf.py
@@ -68,8 +68,6 @@ def test_skips_mtp_drafter_for_main_weights(tmp_path):
 
 
 def test_prefers_the_complete_snapshot(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
-    from huggingface_hub import constants as hf_constants
-
     cache = tmp_path / "hub"
     snaps = cache / "models--org--repo" / "snapshots"
     # Partial older snapshot: one small shard.
@@ -78,7 +76,10 @@ def test_prefers_the_complete_snapshot(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     complete_first = _write(snaps / "bbbb" / "model-00001-of-00002-Q4_K_M.gguf", 30)
     _write(snaps / "bbbb" / "model-00002-of-00002-Q4_K_M.gguf", 40)
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr(hf_constants, "HF_HUB_CACHE", str(cache))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "utils.hf_cache_settings.known_hf_hub_caches",
+        lambda: [cache],
+    )
 
     path, total = models_route._resolve_quant_gguf("org/repo", "Q4_K_M", is_local = False)
 
diff --git a/studio/backend/tests/test_setup_cache_env_hf_home.py b/studio/backend/tests/test_setup_cache_env_hf_home.py
index 4520c93a51..c5d5f820a8 100644
--- a/studio/backend/tests/test_setup_cache_env_hf_home.py
+++ b/studio/backend/tests/test_setup_cache_env_hf_home.py
@@ -28,6 +28,9 @@ def _isolate_studio_home(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
 
 
 def _load_storage_roots():
+    # Each test models a fresh backend process. The cache resolver intentionally
+    # snapshots explicit environment variables once per process.
+    sys.modules.pop("utils.hf_cache_settings", None)
     spec = importlib.util.spec_from_file_location("storage_roots_under_test", _STORAGE_ROOTS_PATH)
     module = importlib.util.module_from_spec(spec)
     spec.loader.exec_module(module)
@@ -40,10 +43,10 @@ def _clear_hf_env(monkeypatch):
 
 
 def test_custom_hf_home_seeds_hub_and_xet(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
-    sr = _load_storage_roots()
     _clear_hf_env(monkeypatch)
     custom = tmp_path / "shared" / "huggingface"
     monkeypatch.setenv("HF_HOME", str(custom))
+    sr = _load_storage_roots()
 
     sr._setup_cache_env()
 
@@ -54,9 +57,9 @@ def test_custom_hf_home_seeds_hub_and_xet(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
 
 
 def test_default_when_hf_home_unset(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
-    sr = _load_storage_roots()
     _clear_hf_env(monkeypatch)
     monkeypatch.setenv("XDG_CACHE_HOME", str(tmp_path / "xdg"))
+    sr = _load_storage_roots()
 
     sr._setup_cache_env()
 
@@ -67,11 +70,11 @@ def test_default_when_hf_home_unset(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
 
 
 def test_explicit_hub_cache_is_not_overridden(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
-    sr = _load_storage_roots()
     _clear_hf_env(monkeypatch)
     monkeypatch.setenv("HF_HOME", str(tmp_path / "home"))
     explicit = tmp_path / "explicit" / "hub"
     monkeypatch.setenv("HF_HUB_CACHE", str(explicit))
+    sr = _load_storage_roots()
 
     sr._setup_cache_env()
 
@@ -81,11 +84,11 @@ def test_explicit_hub_cache_is_not_overridden(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
 
 
 def test_legacy_huggingface_hub_cache_alias_is_honored(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
-    sr = _load_storage_roots()
     _clear_hf_env(monkeypatch)
     monkeypatch.setenv("HF_HOME", str(tmp_path / "home"))
     legacy = tmp_path / "legacy" / "hub"
     monkeypatch.setenv("HUGGINGFACE_HUB_CACHE", str(legacy))
+    sr = _load_storage_roots()
 
     sr._setup_cache_env()
 
@@ -96,15 +99,16 @@ def test_legacy_huggingface_hub_cache_alias_is_honored(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
 
 def test_whitespace_hf_home_falls_back_to_default(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
     # A blank/whitespace HF_HOME must not become " /hub"; fall back to default.
-    sr = _load_storage_roots()
     _clear_hf_env(monkeypatch)
     monkeypatch.setenv("HF_HOME", "   ")
     monkeypatch.setenv("XDG_CACHE_HOME", str(tmp_path / "xdg"))
+    sr = _load_storage_roots()
 
     sr._setup_cache_env()
 
     import os
 
+    assert os.environ["HF_HOME"] == str(tmp_path / "xdg" / "huggingface")
     assert os.environ["HF_HUB_CACHE"] == str(tmp_path / "xdg" / "huggingface" / "hub")
 
 
@@ -114,9 +118,9 @@ def test_unwritable_hf_home_does_not_crash(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
     blocker = tmp_path / "blocker"
     blocker.write_text("not a dir")
     unwritable = blocker / "hf"
-    sr = _load_storage_roots()
     _clear_hf_env(monkeypatch)
     monkeypatch.setenv("HF_HOME", str(unwritable))
+    sr = _load_storage_roots()
 
     sr._setup_cache_env()  # must not raise
 
diff --git a/studio/backend/tests/test_trained_model_scan.py b/studio/backend/tests/test_trained_model_scan.py
index 5d74bb7d28..64228cec3c 100644
--- a/studio/backend/tests/test_trained_model_scan.py
+++ b/studio/backend/tests/test_trained_model_scan.py
@@ -97,6 +97,7 @@ def test_lora_identifier_resolves_remote_adapter_base(tmp_path: Path):
         repo,
         fn,
         token = None,
+        cache_dir = None,
     ):
         assert repo == "someone/my-remote-lora"
         assert fn == "adapter_config.json"
@@ -128,6 +129,7 @@ def test_lora_identifier_retries_transient_then_resolves(tmp_path: Path):
         repo,
         fn,
         token = None,
+        cache_dir = None,
     ):
         calls["n"] += 1
         if calls["n"] == 1:
diff --git a/studio/backend/tests/test_transformers_version.py b/studio/backend/tests/test_transformers_version.py
index a6e6803a5c..acb2ec449b 100644
--- a/studio/backend/tests/test_transformers_version.py
+++ b/studio/backend/tests/test_transformers_version.py
@@ -160,6 +160,25 @@ class TestResolveBaseModel:
 class TestRemoteLoraBase:
     """_remote_lora_base reads a remote adapter's base from its Hub adapter_config.json."""
 
+    @pytest.fixture(autouse = True)
+    def _selected_cache_follows_env(self, monkeypatch):
+        # The cache helpers now read the selected cache (get_hf_cache_paths),
+        # which snapshots env at import; make it follow the HF_HUB_CACHE these
+        # tests set so they keep driving the lookup via env.
+        monkeypatch.setattr(
+            "utils.transformers_version.get_hf_cache_paths",
+            lambda: _types.SimpleNamespace(
+                hub_cache = Path(
+                    os.environ.get("HF_HUB_CACHE")
+                    or os.environ.get("HUGGINGFACE_HUB_CACHE")
+                    or os.path.join(
+                        os.environ.get("HF_HOME") or os.path.expanduser("~/.cache/huggingface"),
+                        "hub",
+                    )
+                )
+            ),
+        )
+
     @staticmethod
     def _resp(cfg: dict):
         class _Resp:
@@ -645,6 +664,24 @@ def _hf_response(cfg: dict):
 class TestConfigJsonHfCacheFallback:
     """HF hub cache is consulted only offline or after a failed fetch (never stale online)."""
 
+    @pytest.fixture(autouse = True)
+    def _selected_cache_follows_env(self, monkeypatch):
+        # As above: route the selected-cache lookup through the HF_HUB_CACHE env
+        # these tests set, since get_hf_cache_paths snapshots env at import.
+        monkeypatch.setattr(
+            "utils.transformers_version.get_hf_cache_paths",
+            lambda: _types.SimpleNamespace(
+                hub_cache = Path(
+                    os.environ.get("HF_HUB_CACHE")
+                    or os.environ.get("HUGGINGFACE_HUB_CACHE")
+                    or os.path.join(
+                        os.environ.get("HF_HOME") or os.path.expanduser("~/.cache/huggingface"),
+                        "hub",
+                    )
+                )
+            ),
+        )
+
     def setup_method(self):
         _config_json_cache.clear()
 
diff --git a/studio/backend/tests/test_windows_external_drive_paths.py b/studio/backend/tests/test_windows_external_drive_paths.py
index 9686d45c9f..5687612916 100644
--- a/studio/backend/tests/test_windows_external_drive_paths.py
+++ b/studio/backend/tests/test_windows_external_drive_paths.py
@@ -57,6 +57,18 @@ def test_windows_drive_roots_empty_off_windows(monkeypatch):
     assert external_media.windows_drive_roots() == []
 
 
+def test_macos_volume_roots_lists_readable_mounts(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    volumes = tmp_path / "Volumes"
+    external = volumes / "External SSD"
+    unreadable = volumes / "Unavailable"
+    external.mkdir(parents = True)
+    unreadable.mkdir()
+    monkeypatch.setattr(external_media.platform, "system", lambda: "Darwin")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(external_media.os, "access", lambda path, _mode: Path(path) == external)
+
+    assert external_media.macos_volume_roots(volumes) == [external]
+
+
 def test_windows_drive_roots_lists_readable_drives(monkeypatch):
     _stub_windows(monkeypatch, {"C", "D", "E"})
 
@@ -204,8 +216,10 @@ def test_browse_allowlist_includes_windows_drive_roots(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
     )
     fake_external_media = SimpleNamespace(
         linux_run_media_mount_roots = lambda: [],
+        macos_volume_roots = lambda: [],
         windows_drive_roots = lambda: [drive_root],
     )
+    fake_paths.external_media = fake_external_media
     fake_studio_db = SimpleNamespace(
         list_scan_folders = lambda: [],
         contains_sensitive_path_component = lambda _p: False,
@@ -270,8 +284,10 @@ def test_build_browse_allowlist_reuses_passed_roots(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
     )
     fake_external_media = SimpleNamespace(
         linux_run_media_mount_roots = _media_roots,
+        macos_volume_roots = lambda: [],
         windows_drive_roots = _drive_roots,
     )
+    fake_paths.external_media = fake_external_media
     fake_studio_db = SimpleNamespace(list_scan_folders = lambda: [])
     monkeypatch.setitem(sys.modules, "utils.paths", fake_paths)
     monkeypatch.setitem(sys.modules, "utils.paths.external_media", fake_external_media)
diff --git a/studio/backend/utils/datasets/format_conversion.py b/studio/backend/utils/datasets/format_conversion.py
index 95c9a00534..9035068c01 100644
--- a/studio/backend/utils/datasets/format_conversion.py
+++ b/studio/backend/utils/datasets/format_conversion.py
@@ -406,10 +406,13 @@ def convert_to_vlm_format(
             elif _image_lookup is not None and image_data in _image_lookup:
                 # Bare filename → resolve via HF repo lookup
                 from huggingface_hub import hf_hub_download
+                from utils.hf_cache_settings import active_hf_hub_cache
+
                 local_path = hf_hub_download(
                     dataset_name,
                     _image_lookup[image_data],
                     repo_type = "dataset",
+                    cache_dir = active_hf_hub_cache(),
                 )
                 image_data = Image.open(local_path).convert("RGB")
             else:
@@ -774,10 +777,13 @@ def convert_sharegpt_with_images_to_vlm_format(
                     return Image.open(BytesIO(f.read())).convert("RGB")
             elif _image_lookup is not None and image_data in _image_lookup:
                 from huggingface_hub import hf_hub_download
+                from utils.hf_cache_settings import active_hf_hub_cache
+
                 local_path = hf_hub_download(
                     dataset_name,
                     _image_lookup[image_data],
                     repo_type = "dataset",
+                    cache_dir = active_hf_hub_cache(),
                 )
                 return Image.open(local_path).convert("RGB")
             else:
diff --git a/studio/backend/utils/datasets/llm_assist.py b/studio/backend/utils/datasets/llm_assist.py
index f7b35e2869..c594e883a8 100644
--- a/studio/backend/utils/datasets/llm_assist.py
+++ b/studio/backend/utils/datasets/llm_assist.py
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ def precache_helper_gguf():
     try:
         from huggingface_hub import HfApi, hf_hub_download
         from huggingface_hub.utils import disable_progress_bars, enable_progress_bars
+        from utils.hf_cache_settings import active_hf_hub_cache
 
         disable_progress_bars()
         logging.getLogger("huggingface_hub").setLevel(logging.WARNING)
@@ -76,7 +77,11 @@ def precache_helper_gguf():
                 + (f" (+{len(matching) - 1} shards)" if len(matching) > 1 else "")
             )
             for target in matching:
-                hf_hub_download(repo_id = repo, filename = target)
+                hf_hub_download(
+                    repo_id = repo,
+                    filename = target,
+                    cache_dir = active_hf_hub_cache(),
+                )
             logger.info(f"Helper GGUF cached: {len(matching)} file(s)")
         else:
             logger.warning(f"No GGUF matching variant '{variant}' in {repo}")
diff --git a/studio/backend/utils/hf_cache_settings.py b/studio/backend/utils/hf_cache_settings.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..07d901a3d2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/studio/backend/utils/hf_cache_settings.py
@@ -0,0 +1,362 @@
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only
+# Copyright 2026-present the Unsloth AI Inc. team. All rights reserved. See /studio/LICENSE.AGPL-3.0
+
+"""Live, persisted Hugging Face cache routing for Unsloth Studio.
+
+Hugging Face reads cache environment variables at import time.  Studio therefore
+owns an explicit cache snapshot for each operation instead of trying to refresh
+``huggingface_hub.constants`` in the long-running API process.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+import shutil
+import tempfile
+import threading
+from contextlib import contextmanager
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Iterator, Literal, Mapping, Optional
+
+
+CACHE_HOME_SETTING_KEY = "hugging_face_cache_home"
+CACHE_HISTORY_SETTING_KEY = "hugging_face_cache_history"
+MAX_CACHE_HISTORY = 16
+
+CacheSource = Literal["default", "studio", "environment"]
+
+_CACHE_ENV_KEYS = (
+    "HF_HOME",
+    "HF_HUB_CACHE",
+    "HUGGINGFACE_HUB_CACHE",
+    "HF_XET_CACHE",
+)
+# Imported by storage_roots._setup_cache_env before Studio seeds defaults.
+_EXPLICIT_CACHE_ENV = {
+    key: value.strip()
+    for key in _CACHE_ENV_KEYS
+    if (value := os.environ.get(key)) is not None and value.strip()
+}
+_settings_lock = threading.RLock()
+_spawn_env_lock = threading.RLock()
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen = True)
+class HuggingFaceCachePaths:
+    cache_home: Path
+    hub_cache: Path
+    xet_cache: Path
+    source: CacheSource
+    environment_variable: Optional[str] = None
+
+    @property
+    def editable(self) -> bool:
+        return self.source != "environment"
+
+    @property
+    def is_custom(self) -> bool:
+        return self.source == "studio"
+
+    def child_env(self, base: Optional[Mapping[str, str]] = None) -> dict[str, str]:
+        env = dict(os.environ if base is None else base)
+        # Do not rewrite HF_HOME. It also owns HF's token path, and credentials
+        # must not be moved onto a removable cache volume.
+        env["HF_HUB_CACHE"] = str(self.hub_cache)
+        env["HF_XET_CACHE"] = str(self.xet_cache)
+        env.pop("HUGGINGFACE_HUB_CACHE", None)
+        return env
+
+
+def _default_cache_home() -> Path:
+    xdg = (os.environ.get("XDG_CACHE_HOME") or "").strip()
+    return (Path(xdg).expanduser() if xdg else Path.home() / ".cache") / "huggingface"
+
+
+def _canonical(path: Path | str) -> Path:
+    return Path(path).expanduser().resolve(strict = False)
+
+
+def _environment_paths() -> Optional[HuggingFaceCachePaths]:
+    explicit_home = _EXPLICIT_CACHE_ENV.get("HF_HOME")
+    explicit_hub = _EXPLICIT_CACHE_ENV.get("HF_HUB_CACHE") or _EXPLICIT_CACHE_ENV.get(
+        "HUGGINGFACE_HUB_CACHE"
+    )
+    if not explicit_home and not explicit_hub:
+        return None
+    explicit_xet = _EXPLICIT_CACHE_ENV.get("HF_XET_CACHE")
+    default_home = _default_cache_home()
+    hf_home = _canonical(explicit_home) if explicit_home else default_home
+    hub = _canonical(explicit_hub) if explicit_hub else hf_home / "hub"
+    xet = _canonical(explicit_xet) if explicit_xet else hf_home / "xet"
+    controlling = next(
+        key
+        for key in ("HF_HUB_CACHE", "HUGGINGFACE_HUB_CACHE", "HF_HOME")
+        if key in _EXPLICIT_CACHE_ENV
+    )
+    # Settings describes model downloads, so an explicit hub path is the
+    # displayed/opened location even when HF_HOME points somewhere else for
+    # credentials or XET data.
+    display_home = (
+        (hub.parent if explicit_hub and hub.name.lower() == "hub" else hub)
+        if explicit_hub
+        else hf_home
+    )
+    return HuggingFaceCachePaths(display_home, hub, xet, "environment", controlling)
+
+
+def _stored_cache_home() -> Optional[Path]:
+    try:
+        from storage.studio_db import get_app_setting
+        value = get_app_setting(CACHE_HOME_SETTING_KEY, None)
+    except Exception:
+        return None
+    if not isinstance(value, str) or not value.strip():
+        return None
+    try:
+        return _canonical(value.strip())
+    except (OSError, RuntimeError, ValueError):
+        return None
+
+
+def get_hf_cache_paths() -> HuggingFaceCachePaths:
+    env_paths = _environment_paths()
+    if env_paths is not None:
+        return env_paths
+    stored = _stored_cache_home()
+    if stored is not None:
+        xet = _EXPLICIT_CACHE_ENV.get("HF_XET_CACHE")
+        return HuggingFaceCachePaths(
+            stored,
+            stored / "hub",
+            _canonical(xet) if xet else stored / "xet",
+            "studio",
+        )
+    home = _default_cache_home()
+    xet = _EXPLICIT_CACHE_ENV.get("HF_XET_CACHE")
+    return HuggingFaceCachePaths(
+        home,
+        home / "hub",
+        _canonical(xet) if xet else home / "xet",
+        "default",
+    )
+
+
+def active_hf_hub_cache() -> str:
+    """Return the current hub cache as a string for library call kwargs."""
+
+    return str(get_hf_cache_paths().hub_cache)
+
+
+@contextmanager
+def child_environment_for_spawn(environment: Mapping[str, str]) -> Iterator[None]:
+    """Apply captured env before spawn imports the child entrypoint.
+
+    Applying variables only inside the multiprocessing target can be too late
+    for libraries that snapshot environment variables at import. The lock keeps
+    this short parent-process override atomic through ``Process.start()``.
+    """
+
+    with _spawn_env_lock:
+        missing = object()
+        saved_environment: dict[str, str | object] = {}
+        for key, value in environment.items():
+            saved_environment[key] = os.environ.get(key, missing)
+            os.environ[key] = value
+        try:
+            yield
+        finally:
+            for key, previous in saved_environment.items():
+                if previous is missing:
+                    os.environ.pop(key, None)
+                else:
+                    os.environ[key] = str(previous)
+
+
+def initialize_hf_cache_environment() -> HuggingFaceCachePaths:
+    """Seed import-time HF variables once during backend startup."""
+
+    paths = get_hf_cache_paths()
+    # Preserve an explicit HF_HOME, otherwise keep credentials at the platform
+    # default while routing cache bytes through the selected home.
+    if not os.environ.get("HF_HOME", "").strip():
+        os.environ["HF_HOME"] = str(_default_cache_home())
+    os.environ["HF_HUB_CACHE"] = str(paths.hub_cache)
+    os.environ["HF_XET_CACHE"] = str(paths.xet_cache)
+    if "HUGGINGFACE_HUB_CACHE" not in _EXPLICIT_CACHE_ENV:
+        os.environ.pop("HUGGINGFACE_HUB_CACHE", None)
+    for directory in (paths.hub_cache, paths.xet_cache):
+        try:
+            directory.mkdir(parents = True, exist_ok = True)
+        except OSError:
+            pass
+    return paths
+
+
+def _validate_cache_home(raw_path: str) -> Path:
+    value = raw_path.strip()
+    if not value:
+        raise ValueError("Choose a cache folder.")
+    candidate = Path(value).expanduser()
+    if not candidate.is_absolute():
+        raise ValueError("The Hugging Face cache folder must be an absolute path.")
+    try:
+        resolved = candidate.resolve(strict = False)
+    except (OSError, RuntimeError, ValueError) as exc:
+        raise ValueError("The Hugging Face cache folder is invalid.") from exc
+
+    if resolved.parent == resolved:
+        raise ValueError("Choose a folder inside the filesystem or drive root.")
+    try:
+        from hub.storage.scan_folders import (
+            contains_sensitive_path_component,
+            is_denied_system_path,
+        )
+    except ImportError:
+        contains_sensitive_path_component = is_denied_system_path = None
+    if is_denied_system_path is not None and is_denied_system_path(str(resolved)):
+        raise ValueError("System folders cannot be used for model downloads.")
+    if contains_sensitive_path_component is not None and contains_sensitive_path_component(
+        str(resolved)
+    ):
+        raise ValueError("Credential or config folders cannot be used for model downloads.")
+
+    parent = resolved.parent
+    if not parent.exists() or not parent.is_dir():
+        raise ValueError("The parent folder does not exist.")
+    try:
+        resolved.mkdir(exist_ok = True)
+        if not resolved.is_dir():
+            raise ValueError("The selected cache location is not a folder.")
+        for child in (resolved / "hub", resolved / "xet"):
+            child.mkdir(exist_ok = True)
+            with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile(prefix = ".unsloth-write-test-", dir = child):
+                pass
+    except PermissionError as exc:
+        raise ValueError("Studio does not have permission to write to this folder.") from exc
+    except OSError as exc:
+        raise ValueError(f"Studio cannot use this cache folder: {exc}") from exc
+    return resolved
+
+
+def _stored_history() -> list[Path]:
+    try:
+        from storage.studio_db import get_app_setting
+        raw = get_app_setting(CACHE_HISTORY_SETTING_KEY, [])
+    except Exception:
+        raw = []
+    if not isinstance(raw, list):
+        return []
+    out: list[Path] = []
+    seen: set[str] = set()
+    for value in raw:
+        if not isinstance(value, str) or not value.strip():
+            continue
+        try:
+            path = _canonical(value)
+        except (OSError, RuntimeError, ValueError):
+            continue
+        key = os.path.normcase(str(path))
+        if key in seen:
+            continue
+        seen.add(key)
+        out.append(path)
+    return out[:MAX_CACHE_HISTORY]
+
+
+def set_hf_cache_home(cache_home: Optional[str]) -> HuggingFaceCachePaths:
+    if _environment_paths() is not None:
+        raise RuntimeError("The Hugging Face cache location is managed by an environment variable.")
+    with _settings_lock:
+        previous = _stored_cache_home()
+        next_home = _validate_cache_home(cache_home) if cache_home is not None else None
+        history = _stored_history()
+        if previous is not None and previous != next_home:
+            history.insert(0, previous)
+        deduped: list[str] = []
+        seen: set[str] = set()
+        for path in history:
+            key = os.path.normcase(str(path))
+            if key in seen or path == next_home:
+                continue
+            seen.add(key)
+            deduped.append(str(path))
+            if len(deduped) >= MAX_CACHE_HISTORY:
+                break
+        from storage.studio_db import upsert_app_settings
+
+        upsert_app_settings(
+            {
+                CACHE_HOME_SETTING_KEY: str(next_home) if next_home is not None else None,
+                CACHE_HISTORY_SETTING_KEY: deduped,
+            }
+        )
+    # Inventory scans are cached independently from settings. Invalidate after
+    # persistence so the next request sees both the new active root and history.
+    from hub.utils.inventory_scan import invalidate_hf_cache_scans
+
+    invalidate_hf_cache_scans()
+    return get_hf_cache_paths()
+
+
+def known_hf_cache_homes() -> list[Path]:
+    paths = get_hf_cache_paths()
+    stored = _stored_cache_home()
+    candidates: list[Path] = []
+    if paths.source != "environment":
+        candidates.append(paths.cache_home)
+    elif explicit_home := _EXPLICIT_CACHE_ENV.get("HF_HOME"):
+        candidates.append(_canonical(explicit_home))
+    if stored is not None:
+        candidates.append(stored)
+    candidates.extend([*_stored_history(), _default_cache_home()])
+    out: list[Path] = []
+    seen: set[str] = set()
+    for candidate in candidates:
+        try:
+            canonical = _canonical(candidate)
+        except (OSError, RuntimeError, ValueError):
+            continue
+        key = os.path.normcase(str(canonical))
+        if key in seen:
+            continue
+        seen.add(key)
+        out.append(canonical)
+    return out
+
+
+def known_hf_hub_caches() -> list[Path]:
+    active = get_hf_cache_paths()
+    out = [active.hub_cache]
+    seen = {os.path.normcase(str(_canonical(active.hub_cache)))}
+    for home in known_hf_cache_homes():
+        hub = _canonical(home / "hub")
+        key = os.path.normcase(str(hub))
+        if key not in seen:
+            seen.add(key)
+            out.append(hub)
+    return out
+
+
+def cache_status(paths: Optional[HuggingFaceCachePaths] = None) -> dict:
+    paths = paths or get_hf_cache_paths()
+    available = paths.cache_home.is_dir()
+    writable = available and os.access(paths.cache_home, os.W_OK | os.X_OK)
+    free_bytes: Optional[int] = None
+    if available:
+        try:
+            free_bytes = int(shutil.disk_usage(paths.cache_home).free)
+        except OSError:
+            pass
+    return {
+        "cache_home": str(paths.cache_home),
+        "hub_cache": str(paths.hub_cache),
+        "xet_cache": str(paths.xet_cache),
+        "source": paths.source,
+        "editable": paths.editable,
+        "is_custom": paths.is_custom,
+        "available": available,
+        "writable": writable,
+        "free_bytes": free_bytes,
+        "environment_variable": paths.environment_variable,
+    }
diff --git a/studio/backend/utils/hf_xet_fallback.py b/studio/backend/utils/hf_xet_fallback.py
index 2628b99a2d..49872f371e 100644
--- a/studio/backend/utils/hf_xet_fallback.py
+++ b/studio/backend/utils/hf_xet_fallback.py
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ never triggers the heavy load.
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import threading
+from functools import partial
+from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Any, Callable, Optional
 
 # Defaults mirror unsloth_zoo.hf_xet_fallback; plain literals so they resolve (including as
@@ -262,13 +264,23 @@ __all__ = [
 ]
 
 
-def _studio_prepare_for_http(repo_type: str, repo_id: str) -> None:
+def _studio_prepare_for_http(
+    repo_type: str,
+    repo_id: str,
+    *,
+    cache_dir: Optional[str] = None,
+) -> None:
     """Unsloth's marker-aware purge before an HTTP resume, keeping the download manager's ``.transport``
     accounting consistent (vs unsloth_zoo's generic default). Guarded: a purge failure is logged,
     not fatal to the retry."""
     try:
         from hub.utils.download_registry import prepare_cache_for_transport
-        prepare_cache_for_transport(repo_type, repo_id, "http")
+        prepare_cache_for_transport(
+            repo_type,
+            repo_id,
+            "http",
+            root = Path(cache_dir) if cache_dir else None,
+        )
     except Exception as exc:
         try:
             from loggers import get_logger
@@ -293,9 +305,13 @@ def hf_hub_download_with_xet_fallback(
     grace_period: float = DEFAULT_GRACE_PERIOD,
     on_status: Optional[Callable[[str], None]] = None,
     force_download: bool = False,
+    cache_dir: Optional[str] = None,
 ) -> str:
     """Single-file download via the shared fallback with Unsloth's marker-aware HTTP-retry prep.
     ``force_download`` re-fetches a newer blob over a cached one (Unsloth's model-update path)."""
+    if cache_dir is None:
+        from utils.hf_cache_settings import get_hf_cache_paths
+        cache_dir = str(get_hf_cache_paths().hub_cache)
     return _shared_hf_hub_download_with_xet_fallback(
         repo_id,
         filename,
@@ -308,11 +324,18 @@ def hf_hub_download_with_xet_fallback(
         grace_period = grace_period,
         on_status = on_status,
         force_download = force_download,
-        prepare_for_http_fn = _studio_prepare_for_http,
+        cache_dir = cache_dir,
+        prepare_for_http_fn = partial(_studio_prepare_for_http, cache_dir = cache_dir),
     )
 
 
 def snapshot_download_with_xet_fallback(repo_id: str, **kwargs: Any) -> str:
     """Whole-repo download via the shared fallback with Unsloth's marker-aware HTTP-retry prep."""
-    kwargs.setdefault("prepare_for_http_fn", _studio_prepare_for_http)
+    if kwargs.get("cache_dir") is None:
+        from utils.hf_cache_settings import get_hf_cache_paths
+        kwargs["cache_dir"] = str(get_hf_cache_paths().hub_cache)
+    kwargs.setdefault(
+        "prepare_for_http_fn",
+        partial(_studio_prepare_for_http, cache_dir = kwargs["cache_dir"]),
+    )
     return _shared_snapshot_download_with_xet_fallback(repo_id, **kwargs)
diff --git a/studio/backend/utils/models/model_config.py b/studio/backend/utils/models/model_config.py
index 50a997218f..4897f05ce4 100644
--- a/studio/backend/utils/models/model_config.py
+++ b/studio/backend/utils/models/model_config.py
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ import yaml
 
 
 from utils.native_path_leases import child_env_without_native_path_secret
+from utils.hf_cache_settings import active_hf_hub_cache, get_hf_cache_paths
 from utils.subprocess_compat import (
     windows_hidden_subprocess_kwargs as _windows_hidden_subprocess_kwargs,
 )
@@ -493,6 +494,7 @@ def load_model_config(
             trust_remote_code = trust_remote_code,
             token = token,
             local_files_only = local_files_only,
+            cache_dir = active_hf_hub_cache(),
         )
 
     if not use_auth:
@@ -503,6 +505,7 @@ def load_model_config(
                 trust_remote_code = trust_remote_code,
                 token = None,
                 local_files_only = local_files_only,
+                cache_dir = active_hf_hub_cache(),
             )
 
     # Default auth (cached tokens)
@@ -510,6 +513,7 @@ def load_model_config(
         model_name,
         trust_remote_code = trust_remote_code,
         local_files_only = local_files_only,
+        cache_dir = active_hf_hub_cache(),
     )
 
 
@@ -624,6 +628,7 @@ def _raw_config_has_vision_config(
                     filename = "config.json",
                     token = hf_token,
                     local_files_only = local_files_only,
+                    cache_dir = active_hf_hub_cache(),
                 )
             )
         config = json.loads(config_path.read_text())
@@ -770,7 +775,7 @@ def _is_vision_model_subprocess(model_name: str, hf_token: Optional[str] = None)
             capture_output = True,
             text = True,
             timeout = 60,
-            env = child_env_without_native_path_secret(),
+            env = get_hf_cache_paths().child_env(child_env_without_native_path_secret()),
             **_windows_hidden_subprocess_kwargs(),
         )
 
@@ -1714,19 +1719,20 @@ def _local_gguf_companion_search_root(selected_path: str, gguf_file: str) -> str
     return str(gguf_dir)
 
 
-def _iter_hf_cache_snapshots(repo_id: str):
+def _iter_hf_cache_snapshots(repo_id: str, cache_dir: Optional[str | Path] = None):
     """Yield HF cache snapshot dirs for *repo_id*, newest first.
 
     Empty if HF_HUB_CACHE is missing, the repo isn't cached, or has no
     snapshots. Repo name match is case-insensitive to handle casing drift
     between download time and lookup.
     """
-    try:
-        from huggingface_hub import constants as hf_constants
-    except Exception:
-        return
-
-    cache_dir = Path(hf_constants.HF_HUB_CACHE)
+    if cache_dir is None:
+        try:
+            from utils.hf_cache_settings import get_hf_cache_paths
+            cache_dir = get_hf_cache_paths().hub_cache
+        except Exception:
+            return
+    cache_dir = Path(cache_dir)
     target = f"models--{repo_id.replace('/', '--')}".lower()
     repo_dirs: list[Path] = []
     try:
@@ -2068,6 +2074,7 @@ def download_gguf_file(
         repo_id = repo_id,
         filename = filename,
         token = hf_token,
+        cache_dir = active_hf_hub_cache(),
     )
     return local_path
 
@@ -2516,7 +2523,10 @@ def get_base_model_from_lora_identifier(
     for _attempt in range(2):  # one retry: a transient blip must not skip the base
         try:
             cfg_path = hf_hub_download(
-                identifier, "adapter_config.json", token = hf_token if hf_token else None
+                identifier,
+                "adapter_config.json",
+                token = hf_token if hf_token else None,
+                cache_dir = active_hf_hub_cache(),
             )
         except (EntryNotFoundError, RepositoryNotFoundError):
             # No adapter_config.json -> not a resolvable LoRA; caller scans the identifier.
@@ -2896,7 +2906,12 @@ class ModelConfig:
                 try:
                     from huggingface_hub import hf_hub_download
 
-                    config_path = hf_hub_download(identifier, "adapter_config.json", token = hf_token)
+                    config_path = hf_hub_download(
+                        identifier,
+                        "adapter_config.json",
+                        token = hf_token,
+                        cache_dir = active_hf_hub_cache(),
+                    )
                     with open(config_path, "r") as f:
                         adapter_config = json.load(f)
                     base_model = adapter_config.get("base_model_name_or_path")
diff --git a/studio/backend/utils/native_path_leases.py b/studio/backend/utils/native_path_leases.py
index 08671cfe39..3ed7faa7c2 100644
--- a/studio/backend/utils/native_path_leases.py
+++ b/studio/backend/utils/native_path_leases.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import base64
 import binascii
 import hashlib
 import hmac
+import importlib
 import json
 import os
 import stat as _stat_module
@@ -35,7 +36,7 @@ _USED_NONCES: dict[str, int] = {}
 _REDACTION_LOCK = threading.Lock()
 _NATIVE_PATH_REDACTIONS: list[str] = []
 _NATIVE_PATH_LABELS: dict[str, str] = {}
-_NATIVE_PATH_ENV_LOCK = threading.Lock()
+_NATIVE_PATH_ENV_LOCK = threading.RLock()
 _SECRET_INIT_LOCK = threading.Lock()
 _CACHED_LEASE_SECRET: bytes | None = None
 _SCRUB_REFCOUNT = 0
@@ -80,7 +81,9 @@ def child_env_without_native_path_secret(env: Mapping[str, str] | None = None) -
     return cleaned
 
 
-def run_without_native_path_secret(target: Callable[..., Any], *args: Any, **kwargs: Any) -> Any:
+def run_without_native_path_secret(
+    target: Callable[..., Any] | str, *args: Any, **kwargs: Any
+) -> Any:
     """Run a multiprocessing child target without the native path lease secret."""
 
     # Runs in the spawned child: bind it to the parent's death (Linux), since
@@ -96,6 +99,11 @@ def run_without_native_path_secret(target: Callable[..., Any], *args: Any, **kwa
     os.environ.pop(LEASE_SECRET_ENV, None)
     _CACHED_LEASE_SECRET = None
     _SCRUB_SAVED_SECRET = None
+    if isinstance(target, str):
+        function_name, environment, *args = args
+        for key, value in environment.items():
+            os.environ[key] = value
+        target = getattr(importlib.import_module(target), function_name)
     return target(*args, **kwargs)
 
 
@@ -107,10 +115,9 @@ def native_path_secret_removed_for_child_start() -> Iterator[None]:
             _SCRUB_SAVED_SECRET = os.environ.pop(LEASE_SECRET_ENV, None)
             _CACHED_LEASE_SECRET = None
         _SCRUB_REFCOUNT += 1
-    try:
-        yield
-    finally:
-        with _NATIVE_PATH_ENV_LOCK:
+        try:
+            yield
+        finally:
             _SCRUB_REFCOUNT -= 1
             if _SCRUB_REFCOUNT == 0 and _SCRUB_SAVED_SECRET is not None:
                 os.environ[LEASE_SECRET_ENV] = _SCRUB_SAVED_SECRET
diff --git a/studio/backend/utils/paths/external_media.py b/studio/backend/utils/paths/external_media.py
index 0ea0477cc7..1a0d2d2746 100644
--- a/studio/backend/utils/paths/external_media.py
+++ b/studio/backend/utils/paths/external_media.py
@@ -131,6 +131,29 @@ def linux_run_media_mount_roots(
     return roots
 
 
+def macos_volume_roots(base: Path | str = "/Volumes") -> list[Path]:
+    """Readable mounted volumes for the macOS folder browser."""
+
+    if platform.system() != "Darwin":
+        return []
+    base_path = Path(base)
+    try:
+        entries = list(base_path.iterdir())
+    except OSError:
+        return []
+    roots: list[Path] = []
+    for entry in entries:
+        if is_sensitive_path_component(entry.name):
+            continue
+        try:
+            resolved = entry.resolve()
+            if resolved.is_dir() and os.access(resolved, os.R_OK | os.X_OK):
+                roots.append(resolved)
+        except (OSError, RuntimeError, ValueError):
+            continue
+    return roots
+
+
 def _active_windows_drive_bitmask() -> int:
     """Active-logical-drive bitmask from ``GetLogicalDrives`` (bit 0 = ``A:``), or ``0`` when unavailable.
 
diff --git a/studio/backend/utils/paths/path_utils.py b/studio/backend/utils/paths/path_utils.py
index e8dabc8954..65541661f1 100644
--- a/studio/backend/utils/paths/path_utils.py
+++ b/studio/backend/utils/paths/path_utils.py
@@ -122,15 +122,8 @@ def is_model_cached(model_name: str) -> bool:
 
 def _hf_hub_cache_dir() -> Path:
     """Return HF cache root honoring HF_HUB_CACHE when available."""
-    try:
-        from huggingface_hub.constants import HF_HUB_CACHE
-        return Path(HF_HUB_CACHE)
-    except Exception as exc:
-        logger.debug(
-            "Could not read huggingface_hub HF_HUB_CACHE, using default hub path: %s",
-            exc,
-        )
-        return Path.home() / ".cache" / "huggingface" / "hub"
+    from utils.hf_cache_settings import get_hf_cache_paths
+    return get_hf_cache_paths().hub_cache
 
 
 def resolve_cached_repo_id_case(model_name: str, use_memo: bool = True) -> str:
diff --git a/studio/backend/utils/paths/storage_roots.py b/studio/backend/utils/paths/storage_roots.py
index 35b8c57e9b..cea3cc61e3 100644
--- a/studio/backend/utils/paths/storage_roots.py
+++ b/studio/backend/utils/paths/storage_roots.py
@@ -277,27 +277,15 @@ def well_known_model_dirs() -> list[Path]:
 def _setup_cache_env() -> None:
     """Set cache env vars for HuggingFace, uv, and vLLM.
 
-    Respects the standard HF cache chain (explicit HF_HOME / HF_HUB_CACHE,
-    then XDG_CACHE_HOME, then ~/.cache/huggingface) and only sets vars the
-    user hasn't, so explicit overrides are honored. A user-set HF_HOME also
-    seeds HF_HUB_CACHE / HF_XET_CACHE (HF defaults them to $HF_HOME/hub and
-    $HF_HOME/xet); without this, models download to and load from the standard
-    cache even when HF_HOME points elsewhere, and both the Xet and HTTP-fallback
-    download paths inherit the same wrong root.
+    Explicit Hugging Face environment variables take precedence over Studio's
+    stored location. Studio seeds import-time variables once, while each later
+    worker receives its own captured cache location.
     """
     root = cache_root()
-    xdg_cache = Path(os.environ.get("XDG_CACHE_HOME", Path.home() / ".cache")).expanduser()
-    # HUGGINGFACE_HUB_CACHE is HF's legacy alias for HF_HUB_CACHE; honor it.
-    if "HF_HUB_CACHE" not in os.environ and os.environ.get("HUGGINGFACE_HUB_CACHE"):
-        os.environ["HF_HUB_CACHE"] = os.environ["HUGGINGFACE_HUB_CACHE"]
-    # Seed the hub/xet caches from HF_HOME when set, else the platform default.
-    # Strip so a blank/whitespace HF_HOME falls back instead of making " /hub".
-    hf_home = (os.environ.get("HF_HOME") or "").strip()
-    hf_base = Path(hf_home).expanduser() if hf_home else xdg_cache / "huggingface"
+    from utils.hf_cache_settings import initialize_hf_cache_environment
+
+    initialize_hf_cache_environment()
     defaults: dict[str, str] = {
-        "HF_HOME": str(hf_base),
-        "HF_HUB_CACHE": str(hf_base / "hub"),
-        "HF_XET_CACHE": str(hf_base / "xet"),
         "UV_CACHE_DIR": str(root / "uv"),
         "VLLM_CACHE_ROOT": str(root / "vllm"),
     }
diff --git a/studio/backend/utils/security/consent.py b/studio/backend/utils/security/consent.py
index b36131f809..fad52f21bb 100644
--- a/studio/backend/utils/security/consent.py
+++ b/studio/backend/utils/security/consent.py
@@ -147,11 +147,17 @@ def _load_remote_code_configs(model_name: str, hf_token: Optional[str] = None) -
 
         from huggingface_hub import hf_hub_download
         from huggingface_hub.utils import EntryNotFoundError
+        from utils.hf_cache_settings import active_hf_hub_cache
 
         configs = []
         for name in _REMOTE_CODE_CONFIG_FILES:
             try:
-                p = hf_hub_download(repo_id = model_name, filename = name, token = hf_token)
+                p = hf_hub_download(
+                    repo_id = model_name,
+                    filename = name,
+                    token = hf_token,
+                    cache_dir = active_hf_hub_cache(),
+                )
             except EntryNotFoundError:
                 continue  # genuine 404 -> truly absent
             except Exception:
diff --git a/studio/backend/utils/security/file_security.py b/studio/backend/utils/security/file_security.py
index 0490d38d7c..91d7ad8f0e 100644
--- a/studio/backend/utils/security/file_security.py
+++ b/studio/backend/utils/security/file_security.py
@@ -158,6 +158,7 @@ def _indexed_shard_paths(
     try:
         from huggingface_hub import hf_hub_download
         from huggingface_hub.utils import EntryNotFoundError
+        from utils.hf_cache_settings import active_hf_hub_cache
     except Exception:
         return None
 
@@ -166,7 +167,12 @@ def _indexed_shard_paths(
     for prefix in _index_prefixes(load_subdirs):
         for filename in _TRANSFORMERS_INDEX_FILES:
             try:
-                index_path = hf_hub_download(model_name, prefix + filename, token = hf_token or None)
+                index_path = hf_hub_download(
+                    model_name,
+                    prefix + filename,
+                    token = hf_token or None,
+                    cache_dir = active_hf_hub_cache(),
+                )
             except EntryNotFoundError:
                 continue  # definitively absent, not an error
             except Exception:
diff --git a/studio/backend/utils/security/remote_code_scan.py b/studio/backend/utils/security/remote_code_scan.py
index 797e1056f8..583dac94b6 100644
--- a/studio/backend/utils/security/remote_code_scan.py
+++ b/studio/backend/utils/security/remote_code_scan.py
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ from dataclasses import dataclass, field
 from typing import Optional
 
 from loggers import get_logger
+from utils.hf_cache_settings import active_hf_hub_cache
 
 logger = get_logger(__name__)
 
@@ -455,7 +456,12 @@ def repo_remote_code_files(model_name: str, hf_token: Optional[str] = None) -> d
         refs = set()
         for cfg_name in REMOTE_CODE_CONFIG_FILES:
             try:
-                cfg_path = hf_hub_download(model_name, cfg_name, token = hf_token)
+                cfg_path = hf_hub_download(
+                    model_name,
+                    cfg_name,
+                    token = hf_token,
+                    cache_dir = active_hf_hub_cache(),
+                )
             except EntryNotFoundError:
                 continue
             except Exception as exc:
@@ -499,7 +505,12 @@ def repo_remote_code_files(model_name: str, hf_token: Optional[str] = None) -> d
         wanted = present_py | (own_refs & repo_file_set)
         for fn in sorted(wanted):
             try:
-                fp = hf_hub_download(model_name, fn, token = hf_token)
+                fp = hf_hub_download(
+                    model_name,
+                    fn,
+                    token = hf_token,
+                    cache_dir = active_hf_hub_cache(),
+                )
             except Exception as exc:
                 # A .py CONFIRMED PRESENT could not be fetched. A partial set would
                 # fingerprint "clean" while transformers later runs this file, so fail
@@ -602,7 +613,12 @@ def external_auto_map_repos(model_name: str, hf_token: Optional[str] = None) ->
 
         for cfg_name in REMOTE_CODE_CONFIG_FILES:
             try:
-                cfg_path = hf_hub_download(model_name, cfg_name, token = hf_token)
+                cfg_path = hf_hub_download(
+                    model_name,
+                    cfg_name,
+                    token = hf_token,
+                    cache_dir = active_hf_hub_cache(),
+                )
             except EntryNotFoundError:
                 continue
             except Exception:
@@ -670,7 +686,12 @@ def _add_external_refs(files: dict, refs, hf_token, model_name: str) -> bool:
             wanted = present_py | set(entry_files)
         for fn in sorted(wanted):
             try:
-                fp = hf_hub_download(repo, fn, token = hf_token)
+                fp = hf_hub_download(
+                    repo,
+                    fn,
+                    token = hf_token,
+                    cache_dir = active_hf_hub_cache(),
+                )
             except Exception as exc:
                 logger.warning(
                     "repo_remote_code_files(%s): external %s:%s unscannable (%s)",
diff --git a/studio/backend/utils/transformers_version.py b/studio/backend/utils/transformers_version.py
index 1fbcc9f46f..475a096248 100644
--- a/studio/backend/utils/transformers_version.py
+++ b/studio/backend/utils/transformers_version.py
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ import time
 from pathlib import Path
 
 from utils.native_path_leases import child_env_without_native_path_secret
+from utils.hf_cache_settings import get_hf_cache_paths
 from utils.subprocess_compat import (
     windows_hidden_subprocess_kwargs as _windows_hidden_subprocess_kwargs,
 )
@@ -516,13 +517,10 @@ def _adapter_base_from_hf_cache(model_name: str) -> str | None:
     """
     if not _is_canonical_repo_id(model_name):
         return None
-    hub = (
-        os.environ.get("HF_HUB_CACHE")
-        or os.environ.get("HUGGINGFACE_HUB_CACHE")
-        or os.path.join(
-            os.environ.get("HF_HOME") or os.path.expanduser("~/.cache/huggingface"), "hub"
-        )
-    )
+    # Route through the selected cache: after a no-restart /settings switch the
+    # process HF_HUB_CACHE env is stale, but the model loads from the selected
+    # cache, which get_hf_cache_paths() reflects (the DB switch).
+    hub = str(get_hf_cache_paths().hub_cache)
     repo_dir = Path(hub) / ("models--" + model_name.replace("/", "--"))
     candidates = []
     ref_main = repo_dir / "refs" / "main"
@@ -681,13 +679,10 @@ def _config_json_from_hf_cache(model_name: str) -> dict | None:
     # Only a canonical ``owner/repo`` Hub id maps to a cache dir; reject local paths.
     if not model_name or model_name.count("/") != 1 or model_name[0] in "/.~" or "\\" in model_name:
         return None
-    hub = (
-        os.environ.get("HF_HUB_CACHE")
-        or os.environ.get("HUGGINGFACE_HUB_CACHE")
-        or os.path.join(
-            os.environ.get("HF_HOME") or os.path.expanduser("~/.cache/huggingface"), "hub"
-        )
-    )
+    # Route through the selected cache: after a no-restart /settings switch the
+    # process HF_HUB_CACHE env is stale, but the model loads from the selected
+    # cache, which get_hf_cache_paths() reflects (the DB switch).
+    hub = str(get_hf_cache_paths().hub_cache)
     repo_dir = Path(hub) / ("models--" + model_name.replace("/", "--"))
     candidates = []
     ref_main = repo_dir / "refs" / "main"
@@ -1251,7 +1246,7 @@ def _probe_autoconfig(target_dir: str, model_name: str, hf_token: str | None) ->
     True = parses, False = parse/version failure (escalate), None = transient
     (auth/network/offline/spawn) so the caller fails safe and does not cache.
     """
-    env = child_env_without_native_path_secret()
+    env = get_hf_cache_paths().child_env(child_env_without_native_path_secret())
     if hf_token:
         env["HF_TOKEN"] = hf_token
         # The probe relies on the implicit HF_TOKEN env (no token= arg). Clear any inherited
@@ -1806,7 +1801,7 @@ def _install_to_dir(pkg: str, target_dir: str) -> bool:
             stdout = subprocess.PIPE,
             stderr = subprocess.STDOUT,
             text = True,
-            env = child_env_without_native_path_secret(),
+            env = get_hf_cache_paths().child_env(child_env_without_native_path_secret()),
             **_windows_hidden_subprocess_kwargs(),
         )
         if result.returncode == 0:
@@ -1829,7 +1824,7 @@ def _install_to_dir(pkg: str, target_dir: str) -> bool:
         stdout = subprocess.PIPE,
         stderr = subprocess.STDOUT,
         text = True,
-        env = child_env_without_native_path_secret(),
+        env = get_hf_cache_paths().child_env(child_env_without_native_path_secret()),
         **_windows_hidden_subprocess_kwargs(),
     )
     if result.returncode != 0:
@@ -2458,7 +2453,7 @@ def _ensure_venv_llmcompressor_exists() -> bool:
             stdout = subprocess.PIPE,
             stderr = subprocess.STDOUT,
             text = True,
-            env = child_env_without_native_path_secret(),
+            env = get_hf_cache_paths().child_env(child_env_without_native_path_secret()),
             **_windows_hidden_subprocess_kwargs(),
         )
         last_out = result.stdout or ""
diff --git a/studio/backend/utils/utils.py b/studio/backend/utils/utils.py
index 21e11c6706..bf8348dd82 100644
--- a/studio/backend/utils/utils.py
+++ b/studio/backend/utils/utils.py
@@ -53,19 +53,41 @@ def _expand_path(raw: str) -> Path:
 
 
 def _hf_cache_roots() -> list:
-    """The one cache root the loader resolves to, by its own precedence (it picks ONE
-    cache_folder, no fall-through): SENTENCE_TRANSFORMERS_HOME, else HF_HUB_CACHE, else
-    HF_HOME/hub, else ~/.cache/huggingface/hub. Expanded, read from env, one-element list."""
-    st_home = os.environ.get("SENTENCE_TRANSFORMERS_HOME")
-    if st_home:
-        return [_expand_path(st_home)]
-    hub = os.environ.get("HF_HUB_CACHE") or os.environ.get("HUGGINGFACE_HUB_CACHE")
-    if hub:
-        return [_expand_path(hub)]
-    hf_home = os.environ.get("HF_HOME")
-    if hf_home:
-        return [_expand_path(hf_home) / "hub"]
-    return [Path.home() / ".cache" / "huggingface" / "hub"]
+    """Cache roots to search for a model's local snapshot, most-authoritative first.
+
+    The app's selected hub cache (set via /settings) is searched first: after a
+    no-restart cache switch the process env is stale, yet the loader reads the
+    selected cache via ``cache_folder=active_hf_hub_cache()``, so the snapshot
+    and offline security lookups must match where it actually loads. The env
+    precedence (SENTENCE_TRANSFORMERS_HOME, HF_HUB_CACHE, HF_HOME/hub,
+    ~/.cache/huggingface/hub) follows so a copy still in a previous cache resolves."""
+    roots: list = []
+    seen: set = set()
+
+    def _add(path) -> None:
+        if path is None:
+            return
+        expanded = _expand_path(str(path))
+        key = str(expanded)
+        if key not in seen:
+            seen.add(key)
+            roots.append(expanded)
+
+    try:
+        from utils.hf_cache_settings import get_hf_cache_paths
+        _add(get_hf_cache_paths().hub_cache)
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+    if st_home := os.environ.get("SENTENCE_TRANSFORMERS_HOME"):
+        _add(st_home)
+    if hub := (os.environ.get("HF_HUB_CACHE") or os.environ.get("HUGGINGFACE_HUB_CACHE")):
+        _add(hub)
+    if hf_home := os.environ.get("HF_HOME"):
+        _add(_expand_path(hf_home) / "hub")
+    if not roots:
+        _add(Path.home() / ".cache" / "huggingface" / "hub")
+    return roots
 
 
 def hf_cache_snapshot_dir(model_name: str) -> Optional[Path]:
diff --git a/studio/frontend/src/features/chat/api/chat-adapter.ts b/studio/frontend/src/features/chat/api/chat-adapter.ts
index b0127b5e40..d4861e8a3a 100644
--- a/studio/frontend/src/features/chat/api/chat-adapter.ts
+++ b/studio/frontend/src/features/chat/api/chat-adapter.ts
@@ -1404,6 +1404,7 @@ const GGUF_KNOWN_QUANT_RE =
 
 type AutoLoadCandidate = {
   id: string;
+  loadId?: string | null;
   kind: LastLocalModelKind;
   ggufVariant: string | null;
   maxSeqLength: number;
@@ -1530,6 +1531,7 @@ async function autoLoadSmallestModel(): Promise<{
       return false;
     }
     const currentStore = useChatRuntimeStore.getState();
+    const modelPath = candidate.loadId ?? candidate.id;
     const { config } = resolveInitialConfig(candidate.id, candidate.ggufVariant);
     const effectiveMaxSeqLength = resolveLoadMaxSeqLength({
       modelId: candidate.id,
@@ -1582,7 +1584,7 @@ async function autoLoadSmallestModel(): Promise<{
       : null;
     if (
       !(await canAutoLoad({
-        model_path: candidate.id,
+        model_path: modelPath,
         max_seq_length: fitMaxSeqLength,
         is_lora: false,
         gguf_variant: candidate.ggufVariant,
@@ -1602,7 +1604,7 @@ async function autoLoadSmallestModel(): Promise<{
     }
     loadAttempts += 1;
     const loadResp = await loadModel({
-      model_path: candidate.id,
+      model_path: modelPath,
       hf_token: hfToken,
       max_seq_length: fitMaxSeqLength,
       load_in_4bit: true,
@@ -1635,9 +1637,10 @@ async function autoLoadSmallestModel(): Promise<{
     }
     // Self-gates on is_gguf (skips diffusion), so persists only for a real GGUF load.
     persistGpuMemoryModeOnLoad(loadResp, effectiveGpuMemoryMode);
+    const loadedModelId = loadResp.model || modelPath;
     useChatRuntimeStore
       .getState()
-      .setCheckpoint(candidate.id, candidate.ggufVariant ?? undefined);
+      .setCheckpoint(loadedModelId, candidate.ggufVariant ?? undefined);
     const store = useChatRuntimeStore.getState();
     store.setModelRequiresTrustRemoteCode(
       loadResp.requires_trust_remote_code ?? false,
@@ -1653,7 +1656,7 @@ async function autoLoadSmallestModel(): Promise<{
           : effectiveMaxSeqLength,
     });
     const autoModel: ChatModelSummary = {
-      id: candidate.id,
+      id: loadedModelId,
       name: loadResp.display_name ?? candidate.id,
       isVision: loadResp.is_vision ?? false,
       isLora: loadResp.is_lora ?? false,
@@ -1662,7 +1665,7 @@ async function autoLoadSmallestModel(): Promise<{
       audioType: loadResp.audio_type ?? null,
       hasAudioInput: loadResp.has_audio_input ?? false,
     };
-    if (!store.models.some((m) => m.id === candidate.id)) {
+    if (!store.models.some((m) => m.id === loadedModelId)) {
       store.setModels([...store.models, autoModel]);
     }
     if (candidate.kind === "gguf") {
@@ -1749,7 +1752,10 @@ async function autoLoadSmallestModel(): Promise<{
         const repo = findCachedRepo(ggufRepos, lastLoaded.id);
         if (repo && lastLoaded.ggufVariant) {
           try {
-            const variants = await listGgufVariants(repo.repo_id);
+            const variants = await listGgufVariants(repo.repo_id, undefined, {
+              preferLocalCache: true,
+              localPath: repo.cache_path,
+            });
             const variant = variants.variants.find(
               (entry) =>
                 entry.downloaded &&
@@ -1766,6 +1772,7 @@ async function autoLoadSmallestModel(): Promise<{
               if (
                 await loadAutoLoadCandidate({
                   id: repo.repo_id,
+                  loadId: repo.load_id,
                   kind: "gguf",
                   ggufVariant: variant.quant,
                   maxSeqLength: 0,
@@ -1794,6 +1801,7 @@ async function autoLoadSmallestModel(): Promise<{
             if (
               await loadAutoLoadCandidate({
                 id: repo.repo_id,
+                loadId: repo.load_id,
                 kind: "model",
                 ggufVariant: null,
                 maxSeqLength: store.params.maxSeqLength,
@@ -1823,7 +1831,10 @@ async function autoLoadSmallestModel(): Promise<{
       for (const repo of sorted) {
         if (loadAttempts >= MAX_AUTO_LOAD_ATTEMPTS) break;
         try {
-          const variants = await listGgufVariants(repo.repo_id);
+          const variants = await listGgufVariants(repo.repo_id, undefined, {
+            preferLocalCache: true,
+            localPath: repo.cache_path,
+          });
           const downloaded = variants.variants
             .filter((v) => v.downloaded && isAutoLoadableGgufVariant(v))
             .sort((a, b) => a.size_bytes - b.size_bytes);
@@ -1839,6 +1850,7 @@ async function autoLoadSmallestModel(): Promise<{
             if (
               await loadAutoLoadCandidate({
                 id: repo.repo_id,
+                loadId: repo.load_id,
                 kind: "gguf",
                 ggufVariant: variant.quant,
                 maxSeqLength: 0,
@@ -1873,6 +1885,7 @@ async function autoLoadSmallestModel(): Promise<{
           if (
             await loadAutoLoadCandidate({
               id: repo.repo_id,
+              loadId: repo.load_id,
               kind: "model",
               ggufVariant: null,
               maxSeqLength: 4096,
diff --git a/studio/frontend/src/features/chat/api/chat-api.ts b/studio/frontend/src/features/chat/api/chat-api.ts
index de3e5e370c..ffaf099f29 100644
--- a/studio/frontend/src/features/chat/api/chat-api.ts
+++ b/studio/frontend/src/features/chat/api/chat-api.ts
@@ -243,6 +243,7 @@ export async function resolveToolConfirmation(
 
 export interface CachedGgufRepo {
   repo_id: string;
+  load_id?: string | null;
   size_bytes: number;
   cache_path: string;
   /** Epoch seconds of the newest downloaded quant; sorts Downloaded
@@ -352,24 +353,28 @@ export async function listLocalModels(
 export async function listCachedGguf(
   signal?: AbortSignal,
 ): Promise<CachedGgufRepo[]> {
-  const response = await authFetch("/api/models/cached-gguf", { signal });
+  const response = await authFetch("/api/hub/cached-gguf", { signal });
   const data = await parseJsonOrThrow<{ cached: CachedGgufRepo[] }>(response);
   return data.cached;
 }
 
 export interface CachedModelRepo {
   repo_id: string;
+  load_id?: string | null;
   size_bytes: number;
   /** Epoch seconds of the newest downloaded weight file; sorts Downloaded
    * newest-first. Optional for older-backend compatibility. */
   last_modified?: number;
+  /** Owning cache dir; sent so a delete targets this copy, not the active
+   * cache. Optional for older-backend compatibility. */
+  cache_path?: string | null;
 }
 
 export async function listCachedModels(
   hfToken?: string | null,
   signal?: AbortSignal,
 ): Promise<CachedModelRepo[]> {
-  const response = await authFetch("/api/models/cached-models", {
+  const response = await authFetch("/api/hub/cached-models", {
     headers: hubTokenHeader(hfToken),
     signal,
   });
@@ -920,8 +925,19 @@ export async function browseFolders(
 export async function listGgufVariants(
   repoId: string,
   hfToken?: string,
+  options?: {
+    preferLocalCache?: boolean;
+    localPath?: string | null;
+  },
 ): Promise<GgufVariantsResponse> {
   const params = new URLSearchParams({ repo_id: repoId });
+  if (options?.preferLocalCache) {
+    params.set("prefer_local_cache", "true");
+  }
+  const localPath = options?.localPath?.trim();
+  if (localPath) {
+    params.set("local_path", localPath);
+  }
   const response = await authFetch(`/api/models/gguf-variants?${params}`, {
     headers: hubTokenHeader(hfToken),
   });
diff --git a/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/catalog/dataset-download-section.tsx b/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/catalog/dataset-download-section.tsx
index 81c75ca881..4a3e3f9ff6 100644
--- a/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/catalog/dataset-download-section.tsx
+++ b/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/catalog/dataset-download-section.tsx
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ export function DatasetDownloadSection({
   const hfToken = useHfTokenStore((s) => s.token);
   const [deleteOpen, setDeleteOpen] = useState(false);
   const { deleting, runDelete } = useCardDelete({
-    action: () => deleteCachedDataset(repoId),
+    action: () => deleteCachedDataset(repoId, cachePath ?? undefined),
     resourceName: "dataset",
     successMessage: () => `Deleted ${repoId}`,
     onSuccess: () => {
diff --git a/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/catalog/gguf-download-card.tsx b/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/catalog/gguf-download-card.tsx
index b3d5f45ded..870adcde11 100644
--- a/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/catalog/gguf-download-card.tsx
+++ b/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/catalog/gguf-download-card.tsx
@@ -765,7 +765,12 @@ export function GgufDownloadCard({
   const { deleting, runDelete } = useDeleteConfirmAction({
     action: async () => {
       if (!deleteTarget) return;
-      await deleteCachedModel(repoId, deleteTarget, hfToken || undefined);
+      await deleteCachedModel(
+        repoId,
+        deleteTarget,
+        hfToken || undefined,
+        cachePath ?? undefined,
+      );
     },
     successMessage: () =>
       `Deleted ${repoId} ${deleteTargetLabel ?? deleteTarget}`,
diff --git a/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/catalog/local-on-device-card.tsx b/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/catalog/local-on-device-card.tsx
index 9f42b9ef34..9b508a5413 100644
--- a/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/catalog/local-on-device-card.tsx
+++ b/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/catalog/local-on-device-card.tsx
@@ -247,7 +247,10 @@ export function LocalOnDeviceCard({
   const { deleting, runDelete } = useCardDelete({
     action: async () => {
       if (!repoId) return;
-      await deleteCachedModel(repoId, undefined, hfToken || undefined);
+      // Delete is only offered for hf_cache rows (see canDelete), so `path` is
+      // the cache snapshot path: pass it so the delete targets the cache this
+      // card shows instead of falling back to the active cache.
+      await deleteCachedModel(repoId, undefined, hfToken || undefined, path);
     },
     resourceName: "model",
     successMessage: () => `Deleted ${repoId}`,
diff --git a/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/catalog/models-catalog-rows.tsx b/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/catalog/models-catalog-rows.tsx
index 24b3fd49ef..5236c0be74 100644
--- a/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/catalog/models-catalog-rows.tsx
+++ b/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/catalog/models-catalog-rows.tsx
@@ -768,10 +768,19 @@ export const InventoryRow = memo(function InventoryRow({
           ),
           successMessage: `Deleted ${cacheDeletableRepoId}`,
           onConfirm: async () => {
+            // Delete only the copy this row shows: cache rows carry the owning
+            // cache path, so pass it through and leave other caches untouched.
+            const rowCachePath =
+              row.kind === "cache" ? (row.cachePath ?? undefined) : undefined;
             if (isDataset) {
-              await deleteCachedDataset(cacheDeletableRepoId);
+              await deleteCachedDataset(cacheDeletableRepoId, rowCachePath);
             } else {
-              await deleteCachedModel(cacheDeletableRepoId);
+              await deleteCachedModel(
+                cacheDeletableRepoId,
+                undefined,
+                undefined,
+                rowCachePath,
+              );
               // Deleted repos can't stay pinned: drop the repo pin and any of
               // its per-quant pins so stale rows don't linger up top.
               const { pinned, togglePinned: toggle } =
diff --git a/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/catalog/safetensors-download-card.tsx b/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/catalog/safetensors-download-card.tsx
index 0f219267c0..94c5175e8e 100644
--- a/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/catalog/safetensors-download-card.tsx
+++ b/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/catalog/safetensors-download-card.tsx
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ export function SafetensorsDownloadCard({
   canRun = true,
   isActive,
   isLoadingThisModel,
+  cachePath,
   knownBytes,
   onLoad,
   onEject,
@@ -75,7 +76,7 @@ export function SafetensorsDownloadCard({
   canRun?: boolean;
   isActive: boolean;
   isLoadingThisModel: boolean;
-  /** Accepted for API parity; the options menu resolves the path itself. */
+  /** Owning cache dir, threaded into delete so it targets this copy. */
   cachePath?: string | null;
   knownBytes?: number | null;
   onLoad: (opts: { ggufVariant?: string; expectedBytes?: number }) => void;
@@ -100,7 +101,8 @@ export function SafetensorsDownloadCard({
         : null;
   const [deleteRepoOpen, setDeleteRepoOpen] = useState(false);
   const { deleting, runDelete } = useCardDelete({
-    action: () => deleteCachedModel(repoId, undefined, hfToken || undefined),
+    action: () =>
+      deleteCachedModel(repoId, undefined, hfToken || undefined, cachePath ?? undefined),
     resourceName: "model",
     successMessage: () => `Deleted ${repoId}`,
     onSuccess: () => {
diff --git a/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/hooks/use-selected-model-view.ts b/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/hooks/use-selected-model-view.ts
index 171dd88d3c..cceac99753 100644
--- a/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/hooks/use-selected-model-view.ts
+++ b/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/hooks/use-selected-model-view.ts
@@ -48,7 +48,12 @@ function localResource(
       ? "cached"
       : "local";
   const id =
-    row.source === "hf_cache" && repoId && !row.partial ? repoId : row.loadId;
+    row.source === "hf_cache" &&
+    row.activeCache !== false &&
+    repoId &&
+    !row.partial
+      ? repoId
+      : row.loadId;
   return {
     repoId,
     localPath: row.path,
diff --git a/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/inventory/api.ts b/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/inventory/api.ts
index 8c9214c9e5..d3a1abb540 100644
--- a/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/inventory/api.ts
+++ b/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/inventory/api.ts
@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@ export interface LocalModelInfo {
   capabilities?: BackendModelCapabilities | null;
   source: LocalSource;
   model_id?: string | null;
+  active_cache?: boolean | null;
   base_model?: string | null;
   base_model_source?: BaseModelSource | null;
   adapter_type?: string | null;
@@ -258,11 +259,18 @@ export async function listCachedDatasets(): Promise<CachedDatasetRepo[]> {
   return data.cached;
 }
 
-export async function deleteCachedDataset(repoId: string): Promise<void> {
+export async function deleteCachedDataset(
+  repoId: string,
+  cachePath?: string | null,
+): Promise<void> {
+  const payload: Record<string, string> = { repo_id: repoId };
+  if (cachePath) {
+    payload.cache_path = cachePath;
+  }
   const response = await authFetch("/api/hub/datasets/cached", {
     method: "DELETE",
     headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
-    body: JSON.stringify({ repo_id: repoId }),
+    body: JSON.stringify(payload),
   });
   await throwIfNotOk(response, `Failed to delete dataset (${response.status})`);
   bumpInventoryVersion();
@@ -272,11 +280,17 @@ export async function deleteCachedModel(
   repoId: string,
   variant?: string,
   hfToken?: string | null,
+  cachePath?: string | null,
 ): Promise<void> {
   const payload: Record<string, string> = { repo_id: repoId };
   if (variant) {
     payload.variant = variant;
   }
+  // Scope the delete to the exact cache this row represents so copies in other,
+  // previously selected caches are not removed.
+  if (cachePath) {
+    payload.cache_path = cachePath;
+  }
   const response = await authFetch("/api/hub/delete-cached", {
     method: "DELETE",
     headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json", ...hubTokenHeader(hfToken) },
diff --git a/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/inventory/types.ts b/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/inventory/types.ts
index b300be5fb0..d1f2f993cd 100644
--- a/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/inventory/types.ts
+++ b/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/inventory/types.ts
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@ export interface LocalInventoryRow {
   updatedAt: number | null;
   partial?: boolean;
   partialTransport?: string | null;
+  activeCache?: boolean | null;
   pipelineTag?: string | null;
   tags?: string[];
   libraryName?: string | null;
diff --git a/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/inventory/view-models.ts b/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/inventory/view-models.ts
index 5fd9cc2228..41b4733d19 100644
--- a/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/inventory/view-models.ts
+++ b/studio/frontend/src/features/hub/inventory/view-models.ts
@@ -301,6 +301,7 @@ export function buildLocalInventoryRows(
         updatedAt: normalizeTimestamp(model.updated_at),
         partial: model.partial ?? false,
         partialTransport: model.partial_transport ?? null,
+        activeCache: model.active_cache ?? null,
         pipelineTag: model.pipeline_tag ?? null,
         tags: model.tags,
         libraryName: model.library_name ?? null,
diff --git a/studio/frontend/src/features/model-picker/components/model-selector/folder-browser.tsx b/studio/frontend/src/features/model-picker/components/model-selector/folder-browser.tsx
index 00a3e5d563..bad6c27bb2 100644
--- a/studio/frontend/src/features/model-picker/components/model-selector/folder-browser.tsx
+++ b/studio/frontend/src/features/model-picker/components/model-selector/folder-browser.tsx
@@ -28,6 +28,9 @@ export interface FolderBrowserProps {
   onSelect: (path: string) => void;
   /** Optional initial directory. Defaults to the user's home on the server. */
   initialPath?: string;
+  title?: string;
+  confirmLabel?: string;
+  showModelHints?: boolean;
 }
 
 function splitBreadcrumb(path: string): { label: string; value: string }[] {
@@ -78,6 +81,9 @@ export function FolderBrowser({
   onOpenChange,
   onSelect,
   initialPath,
+  title = "Select folder to detect models",
+  confirmLabel = "Use this folder",
+  showModelHints = true,
 }: FolderBrowserProps) {
   const [data, setData] = useState<BrowseFoldersResponse | null>(null);
   const [path, setPath] = useState<string | undefined>(initialPath);
@@ -150,7 +156,7 @@ export function FolderBrowser({
         data-testid="folder-browser-dialog"
       >
         <DialogHeader className="px-6 pt-6 pb-2">
-          <DialogTitle>Select folder to detect models</DialogTitle>
+          <DialogTitle>{title}</DialogTitle>
         </DialogHeader>
 
         {/* Breadcrumb */}
@@ -230,12 +236,13 @@ export function FolderBrowser({
                 </button>
               )}
               {data.entries.length === 0 &&
-                !(data.model_files_here && data.model_files_here > 0) && (
+                (!showModelHints ||
+                  !(data.model_files_here && data.model_files_here > 0)) && (
                   <div className="px-6 py-3 text-xs text-muted-foreground/60">
                     (empty directory)
                   </div>
                 )}
-              {data.model_files_here !== undefined &&
+              {showModelHints && data.model_files_here !== undefined &&
                 data.model_files_here > 0 && (
                   <div className="border-t border-border/30 px-6 py-1.5 text-ui-10 text-foreground/70">
                     {data.model_files_here} model file
@@ -272,7 +279,7 @@ export function FolderBrowser({
                     )}
                   />
                   <span className="truncate font-mono">{e.name}</span>
-                  {e.has_models && (
+                  {showModelHints && e.has_models && (
                     <span className="ml-auto shrink-0 rounded-full border border-border/50 px-1.5 py-0 text-ui-9 uppercase tracking-wider text-muted-foreground">
                       models
                     </span>
@@ -312,7 +319,7 @@ export function FolderBrowser({
               onClick={handleConfirm}
               disabled={!path || loading || !!error}
             >
-              Use this folder
+              {confirmLabel}
             </Button>
           </div>
         </DialogFooter>
diff --git a/studio/frontend/src/features/model-picker/components/model-selector/pickers.tsx b/studio/frontend/src/features/model-picker/components/model-selector/pickers.tsx
index aeb0fcf40f..20810b3f11 100644
--- a/studio/frontend/src/features/model-picker/components/model-selector/pickers.tsx
+++ b/studio/frontend/src/features/model-picker/components/model-selector/pickers.tsx
@@ -2912,7 +2912,12 @@ export function HubModelPicker({
                 updateGgufVariant(c.repo_id, quant, expectedBytes),
               updateDisabled: loadedModelId === c.repo_id,
               onDelete: async (quant) => {
-                await deleteCachedModel(c.repo_id, quant, hfToken || undefined);
+                await deleteCachedModel(
+                  c.repo_id,
+                  quant,
+                  hfToken || undefined,
+                  c.cache_path || undefined,
+                );
                 prunePinnedQuantValidation(c.repo_id, quant);
                 refreshCachedLists();
               },
@@ -2990,7 +2995,12 @@ export function HubModelPicker({
             successMessage: `Deleted ${c.repo_id}`,
             disabled: deleteDisabled,
             onConfirm: async () => {
-              await deleteCachedModel(c.repo_id, undefined, hfToken || undefined);
+              await deleteCachedModel(
+                c.repo_id,
+                undefined,
+                hfToken || undefined,
+                c.cache_path || undefined,
+              );
               if (pinnedSet.has(pinKey(c.repo_id))) {
                 togglePinned(c.repo_id);
               }
diff --git a/studio/frontend/src/features/native-intents/api.ts b/studio/frontend/src/features/native-intents/api.ts
index b5c7e33b3a..98caa709b9 100644
--- a/studio/frontend/src/features/native-intents/api.ts
+++ b/studio/frontend/src/features/native-intents/api.ts
@@ -23,6 +23,11 @@ export async function pickNativeModel(): Promise<NativeIntent | null> {
   return invokeNative<NativeIntent | null>("pick_native_model");
 }
 
+export async function pickHuggingFaceCacheDir(): Promise<string | null> {
+  if (!isTauri) return null;
+  return invokeNative<string | null>("pick_hugging_face_cache_dir");
+}
+
 export async function registerNativeModelPath(path: string): Promise<NativeIntent> {
   return invokeNative<NativeIntent>("register_native_model_path", { path });
 }
diff --git a/studio/frontend/src/features/native-intents/index.ts b/studio/frontend/src/features/native-intents/index.ts
index a82c39a9ec..98b89f08f3 100644
--- a/studio/frontend/src/features/native-intents/index.ts
+++ b/studio/frontend/src/features/native-intents/index.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 
 export { NativeModelChip } from "./components/native-model-chip";
 export { NativeModelDropOverlay } from "./components/native-model-drop-overlay";
-export { openModelsDir } from "./api";
+export { openModelsDir, pickHuggingFaceCacheDir } from "./api";
 export { useNativeIntentStore } from "./store";
 export type { NativeIntent } from "./types";
 export { useChooseNativeModel } from "./use-native-dialogs";
diff --git a/studio/frontend/src/features/settings/api/hugging-face-cache.ts b/studio/frontend/src/features/settings/api/hugging-face-cache.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3ca0f31053
--- /dev/null
+++ b/studio/frontend/src/features/settings/api/hugging-face-cache.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only
+// Copyright 2026-present the Unsloth AI Inc. team. All rights reserved. See /studio/LICENSE.AGPL-3.0
+
+import { authFetch } from "@/features/auth";
+import {
+  bumpInventoryVersion,
+  invalidateGgufVariantsCache,
+} from "@/features/hub";
+import { readFastApiError } from "@/lib/format-fastapi-error";
+
+export type HuggingFaceCacheSettings = {
+  cacheHome: string;
+  hubCache: string;
+  xetCache: string;
+  source: "default" | "studio" | "environment";
+  editable: boolean;
+  isCustom: boolean;
+  available: boolean;
+  writable: boolean;
+  freeBytes: number | null;
+  environmentVariable: string | null;
+};
+
+type ApiHuggingFaceCacheSettings = {
+  // biome-ignore lint/style/useNamingConvention: API schema
+  cache_home: string;
+  // biome-ignore lint/style/useNamingConvention: API schema
+  hub_cache: string;
+  // biome-ignore lint/style/useNamingConvention: API schema
+  xet_cache: string;
+  source: HuggingFaceCacheSettings["source"];
+  editable: boolean;
+  // biome-ignore lint/style/useNamingConvention: API schema
+  is_custom: boolean;
+  available: boolean;
+  writable: boolean;
+  // biome-ignore lint/style/useNamingConvention: API schema
+  free_bytes: number | null;
+  // biome-ignore lint/style/useNamingConvention: API schema
+  environment_variable: string | null;
+};
+
+function fromApi(value: ApiHuggingFaceCacheSettings): HuggingFaceCacheSettings {
+  return {
+    cacheHome: value.cache_home,
+    hubCache: value.hub_cache,
+    xetCache: value.xet_cache,
+    source: value.source,
+    editable: value.editable,
+    isCustom: value.is_custom,
+    available: value.available,
+    writable: value.writable,
+    freeBytes: value.free_bytes,
+    environmentVariable: value.environment_variable,
+  };
+}
+
+export async function loadHuggingFaceCacheSettings() {
+  const response = await authFetch("/api/settings/hugging-face-cache");
+  if (!response.ok) {
+    throw new Error(
+      await readFastApiError(
+        response,
+        "Failed to load the model cache location",
+      ),
+    );
+  }
+  return fromApi(await response.json());
+}
+
+export async function updateHuggingFaceCacheSettings(cacheHome: string | null) {
+  const response = await authFetch("/api/settings/hugging-face-cache", {
+    method: "PUT",
+    headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
+    // biome-ignore lint/style/useNamingConvention: API schema
+    body: JSON.stringify({ cache_home: cacheHome }),
+  });
+  if (!response.ok) {
+    throw new Error(
+      await readFastApiError(
+        response,
+        "Failed to update the model cache location",
+      ),
+    );
+  }
+  const settings = fromApi(await response.json());
+  bumpInventoryVersion();
+  invalidateGgufVariantsCache();
+  return settings;
+}
diff --git a/studio/frontend/src/features/settings/api/models-folder.ts b/studio/frontend/src/features/settings/api/models-folder.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 13e8c065c3..0000000000
--- a/studio/frontend/src/features/settings/api/models-folder.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,40 +0,0 @@
-// SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only
-// Copyright 2026-present the Unsloth AI Inc. team. All rights reserved. See /studio/LICENSE.AGPL-3.0
-
-import { authFetch } from "@/features/auth";
-import { readFastApiError } from "@/lib/format-fastapi-error";
-
-export type ModelsFolder = {
-  path: string;
-};
-
-// The path is resolved once at backend startup and never changes, so cache it
-// and dedupe concurrent loads (same shape as the sibling settings loaders).
-let cachedModelsFolder: ModelsFolder | null = null;
-let inFlightModelsFolder: Promise<ModelsFolder> | null = null;
-
-async function fetchModelsFolder(): Promise<ModelsFolder> {
-  const res = await authFetch("/api/hub/models-folder");
-  if (!res.ok) {
-    throw new Error(
-      await readFastApiError(res, "Failed to load models folder"),
-    );
-  }
-  const data = (await res.json()) as { path: string };
-  return { path: data.path };
-}
-
-export async function loadModelsFolder(): Promise<ModelsFolder> {
-  if (cachedModelsFolder) {
-    return cachedModelsFolder;
-  }
-  inFlightModelsFolder ??= fetchModelsFolder()
-    .then((folder) => {
-      cachedModelsFolder = folder;
-      return folder;
-    })
-    .finally(() => {
-      inFlightModelsFolder = null;
-    });
-  return inFlightModelsFolder;
-}
diff --git a/studio/frontend/src/features/settings/settings-search.ts b/studio/frontend/src/features/settings/settings-search.ts
index c19b27c732..380909e696 100644
--- a/studio/frontend/src/features/settings/settings-search.ts
+++ b/studio/frontend/src/features/settings/settings-search.ts
@@ -16,8 +16,6 @@ export const SETTINGS_SEARCH_INDEX: Record<SettingsTab, TranslationKey[]> = {
     "settings.general.huggingFaceToken",
     "settings.general.gettingStarted",
     "settings.general.startOnboarding",
-    "settings.general.storage.sectionTitle",
-    "settings.general.storage.modelsFolder",
     "settings.appearance.language.title",
     "settings.appearance.language.label",
     "settings.general.notifications.sectionTitle",
@@ -71,6 +69,7 @@ export const SETTINGS_SEARCH_INDEX: Record<SettingsTab, TranslationKey[]> = {
     "settings.resources.gpu.title",
     "settings.resources.storage.title",
     "settings.resources.storage.modelsFolder",
+    "settings.resources.storage.futureDownloads",
     "settings.resources.storage.systemDisk",
     "settings.resources.environment.title",
     "settings.resources.environment.backend",
diff --git a/studio/frontend/src/features/settings/tabs/general-tab.tsx b/studio/frontend/src/features/settings/tabs/general-tab.tsx
index 17697f933c..1d5c533a25 100644
--- a/studio/frontend/src/features/settings/tabs/general-tab.tsx
+++ b/studio/frontend/src/features/settings/tabs/general-tab.tsx
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@ import { Switch } from "@/components/ui/switch";
 import { usePlatformStore } from "@/config/env";
 import { resetOnboardingDone } from "@/features/auth";
 import { PermissionModeDropdown, useChatRuntimeStore } from "@/features/chat";
-import { openModelsDir } from "@/features/native-intents";
 import { emitTrainingRunsChanged } from "@/features/training";
 import {
   setShowLlamaUpdateBanner,
@@ -24,7 +23,6 @@ import {
 import { useHfTokenValidation } from "@/hooks";
 import { LOCALE_STORAGE_KEY, useT } from "@/i18n";
 import { isTauri } from "@/lib/api-base";
-import { copyToClipboard } from "@/lib/copy-to-clipboard";
 import { toast } from "@/lib/toast";
 import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 import { useNavigate, useRouterState } from "@tanstack/react-router";
@@ -43,7 +41,6 @@ import {
   loadHelperPrecacheSettings,
   updateHelperPrecacheSettings,
 } from "../api/helper-precache";
-import { type ModelsFolder, loadModelsFolder } from "../api/models-folder";
 import {
   type PreviewSharingSettings,
   loadPreviewSharing,
@@ -183,7 +180,6 @@ export function GeneralTab() {
   const [isSavingPreviewSharing, setIsSavingPreviewSharing] = useState(false);
   const [revokePreviewOpen, setRevokePreviewOpen] = useState(false);
   const [isRevokingPreview, setIsRevokingPreview] = useState(false);
-  const [modelsFolder, setModelsFolder] = useState<ModelsFolder | null>(null);
   const [embeddingModel, setEmbeddingModel] =
     useState<EmbeddingModelSettings | null>(null);
   const [draftEmbeddingModel, setDraftEmbeddingModel] = useState("");
@@ -317,43 +313,6 @@ export function GeneralTab() {
     };
   }, [t]);
 
-  useEffect(() => {
-    let cancelled = false;
-    void loadModelsFolder()
-      .then((folder) => {
-        if (cancelled) return;
-        setModelsFolder(folder);
-      })
-      .catch(() => {
-        // Non-critical: leave the row hidden if the path can't be resolved.
-      });
-    return () => {
-      cancelled = true;
-    };
-  }, []);
-
-  // Desktop opens the folder in the OS file manager; the browser can't, so it
-  // falls back to copying the path (which is the info users actually want).
-  const handleModelsFolder = async () => {
-    const folder = modelsFolder;
-    if (!folder) return;
-    if (isTauri) {
-      try {
-        await openModelsDir(folder.path);
-      } catch (error) {
-        toast.error(t("settings.general.storage.openError"), {
-          description: error instanceof Error ? error.message : undefined,
-        });
-      }
-      return;
-    }
-    if (await copyToClipboard(folder.path)) {
-      toast.success(t("settings.general.storage.copied"));
-    } else {
-      toast.error(t("settings.general.storage.copyError"));
-    }
-  };
-
   const saveHelperPrecache = async (enabled: boolean) => {
     setIsSavingHelperPrecache(true);
     setHelperPrecacheError(null);
@@ -588,33 +547,6 @@ export function GeneralTab() {
         )}
       </SettingsSection>
 
-      {modelsFolder ? (
-        <SettingsSection title={t("settings.general.storage.sectionTitle")}>
-          <SettingsRow
-            label={t("settings.general.storage.modelsFolder")}
-            description={t("settings.general.storage.modelsFolderDescription")}
-          >
-            <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-              <span
-                title={modelsFolder.path}
-                className="max-w-[280px] truncate font-mono text-xs text-muted-foreground"
-              >
-                {modelsFolder.path}
-              </span>
-              <Button
-                variant="outline"
-                size="sm"
-                onClick={() => void handleModelsFolder()}
-              >
-                {isTauri
-                  ? t("settings.general.storage.openAction")
-                  : t("settings.general.storage.copyAction")}
-              </Button>
-            </div>
-          </SettingsRow>
-        </SettingsSection>
-      ) : null}
-
       <SettingsSection title={t("settings.appearance.language.title")}>
         <SettingsRow
           label={t("settings.appearance.language.label")}
diff --git a/studio/frontend/src/features/settings/tabs/resources-tab.tsx b/studio/frontend/src/features/settings/tabs/resources-tab.tsx
index c004f4a16a..b22a54cb0b 100644
--- a/studio/frontend/src/features/settings/tabs/resources-tab.tsx
+++ b/studio/frontend/src/features/settings/tabs/resources-tab.tsx
@@ -2,9 +2,14 @@
 // Copyright 2026-present the Unsloth AI Inc. team. All rights reserved. See /studio/LICENSE.AGPL-3.0
 
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
+import { Input } from "@/components/ui/input";
 import { Progress } from "@/components/ui/progress";
 import { Switch } from "@/components/ui/switch";
-import { openModelsDir } from "@/features/native-intents";
+import { FolderBrowser } from "@/features/model-picker";
+import {
+  openModelsDir,
+  pickHuggingFaceCacheDir,
+} from "@/features/native-intents";
 import { useSystemInfo, type GpuDevice } from "@/hooks/use-system";
 import { isTauri } from "@/lib/api-base";
 import { copyToClipboard } from "@/lib/copy-to-clipboard";
@@ -12,11 +17,15 @@ import { toast } from "@/lib/toast";
 import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 import { useT } from "@/i18n";
 import { useEffect, useMemo, useState } from "react";
-import { loadModelsFolder, type ModelsFolder } from "../api/models-folder";
+import {
+  type HuggingFaceCacheSettings,
+  loadHuggingFaceCacheSettings,
+  updateHuggingFaceCacheSettings,
+} from "../api/hugging-face-cache";
 import { SettingsRow } from "../components/settings-row";
 import { SettingsSection } from "../components/settings-section";
 import { useMonitorOverlayStore } from "../stores/monitor-overlay-store";
-import { LayersIcon } from "lucide-react";
+import { CopyIcon, FolderOpenIcon, LayersIcon } from "lucide-react";
 
 const POLL_MS = 3000;
 
@@ -47,6 +56,12 @@ function formatGb(value: number | null | undefined): string {
   return `${safe.toFixed(digits)} GB`;
 }
 
+function formatBytes(value: number | null): string | null {
+  if (value === null || !Number.isFinite(value)) return null;
+  const gib = value / 1024 ** 3;
+  return `${gib >= 10 ? gib.toFixed(1) : gib.toFixed(2)} GiB`;
+}
+
 // RAM/VRAM come from the backend in binary units (bytes / 1024**3), matching
 // nvidia-smi and PyTorch, so label those readouts GiB. Disk stays on formatGb
 // because the backend reports disk in decimal GB (bytes / 1e9).
@@ -165,20 +180,22 @@ export function ResourcesTab() {
     enabled: liveUpdates,
     pollMs: liveUpdates ? POLL_MS : undefined,
   });
-  const [modelsFolder, setModelsFolder] = useState<ModelsFolder | null>(null);
-  const [modelsFolderLoaded, setModelsFolderLoaded] = useState(false);
+  const [hfCache, setHfCache] = useState<HuggingFaceCacheSettings | null>(null);
+  const [hfCacheLoaded, setHfCacheLoaded] = useState(false);
+  const [cacheBrowserOpen, setCacheBrowserOpen] = useState(false);
+  const [cacheSaving, setCacheSaving] = useState(false);
 
   useEffect(() => {
     let cancelled = false;
-    void loadModelsFolder()
-      .then((folder) => {
+    void loadHuggingFaceCacheSettings()
+      .then((settings) => {
         if (cancelled) return;
-        setModelsFolder(folder);
-        setModelsFolderLoaded(true);
+        setHfCache(settings);
+        setHfCacheLoaded(true);
       })
       .catch(() => {
         if (cancelled) return;
-        setModelsFolderLoaded(true);
+        setHfCacheLoaded(true);
       });
     return () => {
       cancelled = true;
@@ -237,12 +254,11 @@ export function ResourcesTab() {
     };
   }, [systemInfo]);
 
-  const handleModelsFolder = async () => {
-    const folder = modelsFolder;
-    if (!folder) return;
+  const handleCacheFolder = async () => {
+    if (!hfCache) return;
     if (isTauri) {
       try {
-        await openModelsDir(folder.path);
+        await openModelsDir(hfCache.cacheHome);
       } catch (error) {
         toast.error(t("settings.resources.storage.openError"), {
           description: error instanceof Error ? error.message : undefined,
@@ -250,13 +266,43 @@ export function ResourcesTab() {
       }
       return;
     }
-    if (await copyToClipboard(folder.path)) {
+    if (await copyToClipboard(hfCache.cacheHome)) {
       toast.success(t("settings.resources.storage.copied"));
     } else {
       toast.error(t("settings.resources.storage.copyError"));
     }
   };
 
+  const saveCacheFolder = async (path: string | null) => {
+    setCacheSaving(true);
+    try {
+      const settings = await updateHuggingFaceCacheSettings(path);
+      setHfCache(settings);
+      toast.success(t("settings.resources.storage.cacheSaved"));
+    } catch (error) {
+      toast.error(t("settings.resources.storage.cacheSaveError"), {
+        description: error instanceof Error ? error.message : undefined,
+      });
+    } finally {
+      setCacheSaving(false);
+    }
+  };
+
+  const changeCacheFolder = async () => {
+    if (!isTauri) {
+      setCacheBrowserOpen(true);
+      return;
+    }
+    try {
+      const path = await pickHuggingFaceCacheDir();
+      if (path) await saveCacheFolder(path);
+    } catch (error) {
+      toast.error(t("settings.resources.storage.cachePickerError"), {
+        description: error instanceof Error ? error.message : undefined,
+      });
+    }
+  };
+
   const cpuCoresLabel =
     systemInfo.cpu?.logical_count && systemInfo.cpu?.physical_count
       ? t("settings.resources.liveMonitor.cpuCores", {
@@ -270,11 +316,27 @@ export function ResourcesTab() {
   const backendLabel = (
     systemInfo.gpu?.backend ?? systemInfo.device_backend ?? "cpu"
   ).toUpperCase();
-  const modelsFolderPath = modelsFolder
-    ? modelsFolder.path
-    : modelsFolderLoaded
+  const modelsFolderPath = hfCache
+    ? hfCache.cacheHome
+    : hfCacheLoaded
       ? t("settings.resources.environment.unknown")
       : t("common.loading");
+  const cacheLocationDetail = hfCache
+    ? hfCache.source === "environment"
+      ? t("settings.resources.storage.environmentManaged", {
+          variable: hfCache.environmentVariable ?? "HF_HOME",
+        })
+      : [
+          t("settings.resources.storage.futureDownloads"),
+          hfCache.freeBytes !== null
+            ? t("settings.resources.storage.locationFree", {
+                free: formatBytes(hfCache.freeBytes) ?? "",
+              })
+            : null,
+        ]
+          .filter(Boolean)
+          .join(" · ")
+    : null;
   const unknownLabel = t("settings.resources.environment.unknown");
 
   return (
@@ -467,29 +529,86 @@ export function ResourcesTab() {
         <SettingsRow
           label={t("settings.resources.storage.modelsFolder")}
           description={t("settings.resources.storage.modelsFolderDescription")}
-          className="max-sm:flex-col max-sm:items-start max-sm:gap-2"
+          className="max-[840px]:flex-col max-[840px]:items-stretch max-[840px]:gap-2"
         >
-          <div className="flex min-w-0 items-center gap-2 max-sm:max-w-[calc(100vw-5rem)]">
-            <span
-              title={modelsFolder?.path}
-              className="min-w-0 max-w-[280px] truncate font-mono text-xs text-muted-foreground max-sm:max-w-[180px]"
-            >
-              {modelsFolderPath}
-            </span>
+          <div className="grid w-[392px] min-w-0 grid-cols-[minmax(0,1fr)_auto] gap-x-2 gap-y-1.5 max-[840px]:w-full">
+            <div className="relative min-w-0">
+              <Input
+                readOnly
+                aria-label={t("settings.resources.storage.modelsFolder")}
+                value={modelsFolderPath}
+                title={hfCache?.cacheHome}
+                className="h-8 w-full pr-7 font-mono text-xs"
+              />
+              <button
+                type="button"
+                disabled={!hfCache}
+                onClick={() => void handleCacheFolder()}
+                aria-label={
+                  isTauri
+                    ? t("settings.resources.storage.openAction")
+                    : t("settings.resources.storage.copyAction")
+                }
+                title={
+                  isTauri
+                    ? t("settings.resources.storage.openAction")
+                    : t("settings.resources.storage.copyAction")
+                }
+                className="absolute right-1.5 top-1/2 flex size-5 -translate-y-1/2 items-center justify-center rounded text-muted-foreground transition-colors hover:text-foreground focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring disabled:pointer-events-none disabled:opacity-50"
+              >
+                {isTauri ? (
+                  <FolderOpenIcon className="size-3.5" />
+                ) : (
+                  <CopyIcon className="size-3.5" />
+                )}
+              </button>
+            </div>
             <Button
               variant="outline"
               size="sm"
-              disabled={!modelsFolder}
-              onClick={() => void handleModelsFolder()}
+              className="h-8"
+              disabled={!hfCache?.editable || cacheSaving}
+              onClick={() => void changeCacheFolder()}
             >
-              {isTauri
-                ? t("settings.resources.storage.openAction")
-                : t("settings.resources.storage.copyAction")}
+              {t("settings.resources.storage.changeAction")}
             </Button>
+            {cacheLocationDetail || hfCache?.isCustom ? (
+              <div className="col-span-2 flex min-w-0 items-center justify-between gap-2 pl-3.5 pr-1 text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+                {cacheLocationDetail ? (
+                  <span
+                    title={cacheLocationDetail}
+                    className="min-w-0 truncate"
+                  >
+                    {cacheLocationDetail}
+                  </span>
+                ) : null}
+                {hfCache?.isCustom ? (
+                  <Button
+                    variant="link"
+                    size="xs"
+                    className="h-auto px-0 text-xs"
+                    disabled={cacheSaving}
+                    onClick={() => void saveCacheFolder(null)}
+                  >
+                    {t("settings.resources.storage.resetAction")}
+                  </Button>
+                ) : null}
+              </div>
+            ) : null}
           </div>
         </SettingsRow>
       </SettingsSection>
 
+      <FolderBrowser
+        open={!isTauri && cacheBrowserOpen}
+        onOpenChange={setCacheBrowserOpen}
+        onSelect={(path) => void saveCacheFolder(path)}
+        initialPath={hfCache?.cacheHome}
+        title={t("settings.resources.storage.chooseTitle")}
+        confirmLabel={t("settings.resources.storage.chooseAction")}
+        showModelHints={false}
+      />
+
       <SettingsSection title={t("settings.resources.environment.title")}>
         <InfoRow
           label={t("settings.resources.environment.backend")}
diff --git a/studio/frontend/src/i18n/locales/en.ts b/studio/frontend/src/i18n/locales/en.ts
index 164833b41d..ace954373e 100644
--- a/studio/frontend/src/i18n/locales/en.ts
+++ b/studio/frontend/src/i18n/locales/en.ts
@@ -491,10 +491,20 @@ export const en = {
         systemDisk: "System disk",
         diskUsage: "{used} used / {total}",
         diskFree: "{free} free",
-        modelsFolder: "Models folder",
-        modelsFolderDescription: "Where downloaded models are stored.",
+        modelsFolder: "Model downloads",
+        modelsFolderDescription: "Hugging Face cache used for model downloads.",
+        futureDownloads: "New downloads only",
+        environmentManaged: "Managed by the {variable} environment variable.",
+        locationFree: "{free} free",
         openAction: "Open",
         copyAction: "Copy path",
+        changeAction: "Change",
+        resetAction: "Use default",
+        chooseTitle: "Choose model download location",
+        chooseAction: "Use for future downloads",
+        cacheSaved: "Model download location updated",
+        cacheSaveError: "Couldn't update the model download location",
+        cachePickerError: "Couldn't open the folder picker",
         copied: "Path copied",
         openError: "Couldn't open the folder",
         copyError: "Couldn't copy the path",
diff --git a/studio/src-tauri/src/main.rs b/studio/src-tauri/src/main.rs
index cfac90ae73..405b390177 100644
--- a/studio/src-tauri/src/main.rs
+++ b/studio/src-tauri/src/main.rs
@@ -223,6 +223,7 @@ fn main() {
             native_intents::drain_native_intents,
             native_intents::register_native_model_path,
             native_intents::pick_native_model,
+            native_intents::pick_hugging_face_cache_dir,
             native_intents::consume_native_path_token,
             native_intents::register_artifact_path,
             native_intents::reveal_path_token,
diff --git a/studio/src-tauri/src/native_intents.rs b/studio/src-tauri/src/native_intents.rs
index dccbba7083..006babfaa7 100644
--- a/studio/src-tauri/src/native_intents.rs
+++ b/studio/src-tauri/src/native_intents.rs
@@ -16,6 +16,25 @@ use tauri_plugin_dialog::DialogExt;
 
 const TOKEN_TTL: Duration = Duration::from_secs(15 * 60);
 
+fn normalize_windows_verbatim_path(path: String) -> String {
+    if let Some(rest) = path.strip_prefix(r"\\?\UNC\") {
+        return format!(r"\\{rest}");
+    }
+    path.strip_prefix(r"\\?\").unwrap_or(&path).to_string()
+}
+
+fn portable_path_string(path: &Path) -> String {
+    let value = path.to_string_lossy().to_string();
+    #[cfg(windows)]
+    {
+        return normalize_windows_verbatim_path(value);
+    }
+    #[cfg(not(windows))]
+    {
+        value
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(Clone, Debug)]
 struct NativePathEntry {
     token: String,
@@ -311,6 +330,34 @@ pub async fn pick_native_model(
         .map(Some)
 }
 
+#[tauri::command]
+pub async fn pick_hugging_face_cache_dir(
+    window: WebviewWindow,
+    app: AppHandle,
+) -> Result<Option<String>, String> {
+    ensure_main_window(&window)?;
+    let (tx, rx) = tokio::sync::oneshot::channel();
+    app.dialog()
+        .file()
+        .set_title("Choose model download location")
+        .pick_folder(move |path| {
+            let _ = tx.send(path);
+        });
+    let Some(folder_path) = rx.await.map_err(|_| "Dialog closed".to_string())? else {
+        return Ok(None);
+    };
+    let path = folder_path
+        .into_path()
+        .map_err(|_| "Only local filesystem folders are supported.".to_string())?;
+    let canonical = path
+        .canonicalize()
+        .map_err(|e| format!("Could not use the selected folder: {e}"))?;
+    if !canonical.is_dir() {
+        return Err("The selected location is not a folder.".to_string());
+    }
+    Ok(Some(portable_path_string(&canonical)))
+}
+
 #[tauri::command]
 pub fn consume_native_path_token(
     window: WebviewWindow,
@@ -451,6 +498,18 @@ mod tests {
         let _ = fs::remove_file(path);
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn windows_verbatim_paths_are_portable() {
+        assert_eq!(
+            normalize_windows_verbatim_path(r"\\?\C:\models\cache".to_string()),
+            r"C:\models\cache"
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            normalize_windows_verbatim_path(r"\\?\UNC\server\share\cache".to_string()),
+            r"\\server\share\cache"
+        );
+    }
+
     #[cfg(unix)]
     #[test]
     fn reveal_rejects_symlink_replacement() {
diff --git a/tests/studio/test_model_picker_contracts.py b/tests/studio/test_model_picker_contracts.py
index 20335a279c..baf0fdf1bf 100644
--- a/tests/studio/test_model_picker_contracts.py
+++ b/tests/studio/test_model_picker_contracts.py
@@ -60,6 +60,19 @@ def test_compare_load_clears_stale_native_lease():
     assert "activeNativePathExpiresAtMs: null" in src
 
 
+def test_autoload_records_backend_loaded_model_identity():
+    """An inactive-cache inventory row loads by local path, so startup autoload
+    must key both the active checkpoint and its summary by the backend's loaded
+    model identity instead of the catalog repo id."""
+    src = _read("features/chat/api/chat-adapter.ts")
+    autoload = src.split("async function loadAutoLoadCandidate", 1)[1]
+    autoload = autoload.split("\n  try {", 1)[0]
+    assert "const loadedModelId = loadResp.model || modelPath" in autoload
+    assert "setCheckpoint(loadedModelId," in autoload
+    assert "id: loadedModelId" in autoload
+    assert "m.id === loadedModelId" in autoload
+
+
 def test_rollback_restores_native_lease_expiry_with_token():
     """A failed model switch that rolls back to a previously loaded picked GGUF
     must restore the lease expiry paired with the token, never the token alone
@@ -248,6 +261,30 @@ def test_pinned_validation_uses_cached_local_variant_listing():
     assert "bumpInventoryVersion(" in delete_fn
 
 
+def test_chat_autoload_scopes_variant_lookup_to_cached_repo_path():
+    """Autoload must probe the exact cache row it will load, including rows
+    retained from a previously selected Hugging Face cache."""
+    src = _read("features/chat/api/chat-adapter.ts")
+    auto_load = src.split("async function autoLoadSmallestModel", 1)[1]
+    assert auto_load.count("preferLocalCache: true") >= 2
+    assert auto_load.count("localPath: repo.cache_path") >= 2
+
+    chat_api = _read("features/chat/api/chat-api.ts")
+    variants_fn = chat_api.split("export async function listGgufVariants", 1)[1]
+    variants_fn = variants_fn.split("export interface KvCacheEstimate", 1)[0]
+    assert 'params.set("prefer_local_cache", "true")' in variants_fn
+    assert 'params.set("local_path", localPath)' in variants_fn
+
+
+def test_cache_location_update_invalidates_frontend_inventory():
+    """A successful cache switch must refresh both inventory rows and cached
+    GGUF variant results before any stale active-cache identity can be reused."""
+    src = _read("features/settings/api/hugging-face-cache.ts")
+    update_fn = src.split("export async function updateHuggingFaceCacheSettings", 1)[1]
+    assert "bumpInventoryVersion();" in update_fn
+    assert "invalidateGgufVariantsCache();" in update_fn
+
+
 def test_downloaded_list_offsets_virtual_rows():
     """The On Device virtualized list sits below the Pinned block in the same
     scroll element, so it must pass its measured offset as scrollMargin or rows