fix(operator): let the group header size to its content

The header had a fixed height, so a title taller than 2.5rem was clipped
and the follow offset kept placing the running event behind it.

Trim the vertical padding so a single line fits inside the min-height on
its own. The header then keeps the size it has today without depending on
the list shrinking it, and grows when its content needs more. The follow
offset already measures the header at scroll time, so it tracks the
change.

apps/cli/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@getontime/cli",
-  "version": "4.12.0",
+  "version": "4.13.0",
   "author": "Carlos Valente",
   "description": "Time keeping for live events",
   "repository": "https://github.com/cpvalente/ontime",

apps/client/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "ontime-ui",
-  "version": "4.12.0",
+  "version": "4.13.0",
   "private": true,
   "type": "module",
   "dependencies": {

apps/client/src/common/components/buttons/ToggleButton.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+import { ComponentProps } from 'react';
+
+import Button from './Button';
+
+type ToggleButtonProps = Omit<ComponentProps<typeof Button>, 'variant'> & {
+  /** whether the option this button controls is currently on */
+  pressed: boolean;
+};
+
+/**
+ * A button which carries an on / off state.
+ *
+ * Keeps the pressed styling and the accessible state together, so that a toggle
+ * cannot end up looking active without also announcing that it is.
+ */
+export default function ToggleButton({ pressed, ...buttonProps }: ToggleButtonProps) {
+  return <Button variant={pressed ? 'primary' : 'subtle'} aria-pressed={pressed} {...buttonProps} />;
+}

apps/client/src/common/hooks/useFollowComponent.ts

@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@ import { MaybeString } from 'ontime-types';
 import { RefObject, useCallback, useEffect } from 'react';
 
 function scrollToComponent<ComponentRef extends HTMLElement, ScrollRef extends HTMLElement>(
-  componentRef: RefObject<ComponentRef>,
-  scrollRef: RefObject<ScrollRef>,
+  componentRef: RefObject<ComponentRef | null>,
+  scrollRef: RefObject<ScrollRef | null>,
   topOffset: number,
 ) {
   if (!componentRef.current || !scrollRef.current) {
@@ -21,18 +21,16 @@ interface UseFollowComponentProps {
   followRef: RefObject<HTMLElement | null>;
   scrollRef: RefObject<HTMLElement | null>;
   doFollow: boolean;
-  topOffset?: number;
-  setScrollFlag?: (newValue: boolean) => void;
-  followTrigger?: MaybeString; // this would be an entry id or null
+  followTrigger: MaybeString; // this would be an entry id or null
+  getTopOffset: () => number;
 }
 
 export default function useFollowComponent({
   followRef,
   scrollRef,
   doFollow,
-  topOffset = 100,
-  setScrollFlag,
   followTrigger,
+  getTopOffset,
 }: UseFollowComponentProps) {
   // when trigger moves, view should follow
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -41,25 +39,17 @@ export default function useFollowComponent({
     }
 
     if (followRef.current && scrollRef.current) {
-      setScrollFlag?.(true);
       // Use requestAnimationFrame to ensure the component is fully loaded
       window.requestAnimationFrame(() => {
-        scrollToComponent(followRef as RefObject<HTMLElement>, scrollRef as RefObject<HTMLElement>, topOffset);
-        setScrollFlag?.(false);
+        // resolve the offset after layout, so that measured values are up to date
+        scrollToComponent(followRef, scrollRef, getTopOffset());
       });
     }
-  }, [followTrigger, doFollow, followRef, scrollRef, setScrollFlag, topOffset]);
+  }, [followTrigger, doFollow, followRef, scrollRef, getTopOffset]);
 
-  const scrollToRefComponent = useCallback(
-    (componentRef = followRef, containerRef = scrollRef, offset = topOffset) => {
-      if (componentRef && containerRef) {
-        // @ts-expect-error -- we know this are not null
-        // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-non-null-assertion
-        scrollToComponent(componentRef!, containerRef!, offset);
-      }
-    },
-    [followRef, scrollRef, topOffset],
-  );
+  const scrollToRefComponent = useCallback(() => {
+    scrollToComponent(followRef, scrollRef, getTopOffset());
+  }, [followRef, scrollRef, getTopOffset]);
 
   return scrollToRefComponent;
 }

apps/client/src/features/log/Log.tsx

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import { useCallback, useState } from 'react';
 import { IoClose } from 'react-icons/io5';
 
 import Button from '../../common/components/buttons/Button';
+import ToggleButton from '../../common/components/buttons/ToggleButton';
 import { clearLogs, useLogData } from '../../common/stores/logger';
 import { cx } from '../../common/utils/styleUtils';
 import * as Panel from '../app-settings/panel-utils/PanelUtils';
@@ -55,72 +56,60 @@ export default function Log() {
     <div className={cx([style.container, isExtracted && style.extracted])}>
       <Panel.InlineElements className={style.buttonBar}>
         <span className={style.filterLabel}>Filter by</span>
-        <Button
-          variant={showUser ? 'primary' : 'subtle'}
+        <ToggleButton
+          pressed={showUser}
           size='small'
-          aria-pressed={showUser}
-          aria-label={`${showUser ? 'Hide' : 'Show'} ${LogOrigin.User} events`}
           onClick={() => setShowUser((s) => !s)}
           onAuxClick={() => disableOthers(LogOrigin.User)}
           onContextMenu={(e) => e.preventDefault()}
         >
           {LogOrigin.User}
-        </Button>
-        <Button
-          variant={showClient ? 'primary' : 'subtle'}
+        </ToggleButton>
+        <ToggleButton
+          pressed={showClient}
           size='small'
-          aria-pressed={showClient}
-          aria-label={`${showClient ? 'Hide' : 'Show'} ${LogOrigin.Client} events`}
           onClick={() => setShowClient((s) => !s)}
           onAuxClick={() => disableOthers(LogOrigin.Client)}
           onContextMenu={(e) => e.preventDefault()}
         >
           {LogOrigin.Client}
-        </Button>
-        <Button
-          variant={showServer ? 'primary' : 'subtle'}
+        </ToggleButton>
+        <ToggleButton
+          pressed={showServer}
           size='small'
-          aria-pressed={showServer}
-          aria-label={`${showServer ? 'Hide' : 'Show'} ${LogOrigin.Server} events`}
           onClick={() => setShowServer((s) => !s)}
           onAuxClick={() => disableOthers(LogOrigin.Server)}
           onContextMenu={(e) => e.preventDefault()}
         >
           {LogOrigin.Server}
-        </Button>
-        <Button
-          variant={showPlayback ? 'primary' : 'subtle'}
+        </ToggleButton>
+        <ToggleButton
+          pressed={showPlayback}
           size='small'
-          aria-pressed={showPlayback}
-          aria-label={`${showPlayback ? 'Hide' : 'Show'} ${LogOrigin.Playback} events`}
           onClick={() => setShowPlayback((s) => !s)}
           onAuxClick={() => disableOthers(LogOrigin.Playback)}
           onContextMenu={(e) => e.preventDefault()}
         >
           {LogOrigin.Playback}
-        </Button>
-        <Button
-          variant={showRx ? 'primary' : 'subtle'}
+        </ToggleButton>
+        <ToggleButton
+          pressed={showRx}
           size='small'
-          aria-pressed={showRx}
-          aria-label={`${showRx ? 'Hide' : 'Show'} ${LogOrigin.Rx} events`}
           onClick={() => setShowRx((s) => !s)}
           onAuxClick={() => disableOthers(LogOrigin.Rx)}
           onContextMenu={(e) => e.preventDefault()}
         >
           {LogOrigin.Rx}
-        </Button>
-        <Button
-          variant={showTx ? 'primary' : 'subtle'}
+        </ToggleButton>
+        <ToggleButton
+          pressed={showTx}
           size='small'
-          aria-pressed={showTx}
-          aria-label={`${showTx ? 'Hide' : 'Show'} ${LogOrigin.Tx} events`}
           onClick={() => setShowTx((s) => !s)}
           onAuxClick={() => disableOthers(LogOrigin.Tx)}
           onContextMenu={(e) => e.preventDefault()}
         >
           {LogOrigin.Tx}
-        </Button>
+        </ToggleButton>
         <Button variant='subtle-destructive' size='small' onClick={clearLogs} className={style.apart}>
           <IoClose /> Clear
         </Button>

apps/client/src/features/operator/Operator.module.scss

@@ -18,6 +18,12 @@
   padding-bottom: 95vh;
 }
 
+.groupSection {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: 2px;
+}
+
 .editPrompt {
   position: fixed;
   z-index: $zindex-dialog;

apps/client/src/features/operator/Operator.tsx

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { OntimeView, isOntimeEvent, isOntimeGroup } from 'ontime-types';
-import { Fragment, useCallback, useEffect, useMemo, useRef, useState } from 'react';
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useMemo, useRef, useState } from 'react';
 
 import EmptyFill from '../../common/components/state/EmptyFill';
 import EmptyPage from '../../common/components/state/EmptyPage';
@@ -25,7 +25,10 @@ import { OperatorData, useOperatorData } from './useOperatorData';
 
 import style from './Operator.module.scss';
 
-const selectedOffset = 50;
+/** Keeps the running event clear of the list edge when no group header is pinned above it */
+const edgeOffset = 50;
+/** How far the running event may drift from where we placed it before we stop following */
+const followTolerance = 50;
 
 export default function OperatorLoader() {
   const { data, status } = useOperatorData();
@@ -54,11 +57,20 @@ function Operator({ rundown, rundownMetadata, customFields, settings }: Operator
   const [lockAutoScroll, setLockAutoScroll] = useState(false);
   const selectedRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement | null>(null);
   const scrollRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement | null>(null);
+  const stickyHeaderRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement | null>(null);
+
+  // The header height varies with the viewport, so measure it at scroll time.
+  const getTopOffset = useCallback(() => {
+    const header = stickyHeaderRef.current;
+    // Sit right under the pinned header, so it covers the previous event instead of half of it.
+    return header ? header.offsetHeight + 2 : edgeOffset;
+  }, []);
+
   const scrollToComponent = useFollowComponent({
     followRef: selectedRef,
     scrollRef,
     doFollow: !lockAutoScroll,
-    topOffset: selectedOffset,
+    getTopOffset,
     followTrigger: selectedEventId,
   });
 
@@ -82,15 +94,16 @@ function Operator({ rundown, rundownMetadata, customFields, settings }: Operator
 
   // prevent considering automated scrolls as user scrolls
   const handleUserScroll = () => {
-    if (selectedRef?.current && scrollRef?.current) {
-      const selectedRect = selectedRef.current.getBoundingClientRect();
-      const scrollerRect = scrollRef.current.getBoundingClientRect();
-      if (selectedRect && scrollerRect) {
-        const distanceFromTop = selectedRect.top - scrollerRect.top;
-        const hasScrolledOutOfThreshold = distanceFromTop < -8 || distanceFromTop > selectedOffset;
-        setLockAutoScroll(hasScrolledOutOfThreshold);
-      }
+    if (!selectedRef.current || !scrollRef.current) {
+      return;
     }
+
+    const selectedRect = selectedRef.current.getBoundingClientRect();
+    const scrollerRect = scrollRef.current.getBoundingClientRect();
+    // Measure the drift from where an automated scroll would place the event.
+    const distanceFromTop = selectedRect.top - scrollerRect.top - getTopOffset();
+    const hasScrolledOutOfThreshold = distanceFromTop < -8 || distanceFromTop > followTolerance;
+    setLockAutoScroll(hasScrolledOutOfThreshold);
   };
   const throttledHandleScroll = throttle(handleUserScroll, 1000);
 
@@ -186,9 +199,9 @@ function Operator({ rundown, rundownMetadata, customFields, settings }: Operator
               }
 
               return (
-                <Fragment key={entry.id}>
+                <div className={style.groupSection} key={entry.id}>
                   <OperatorGroup
-                    key={entry.id}
+                    ref={isCurrentParent ? stickyHeaderRef : undefined}
                     title={entry.title}
                     colour={entry.colour}
                     count={entry.entries.length}
@@ -239,7 +252,7 @@ function Operator({ rundown, rundownMetadata, customFields, settings }: Operator
                       />
                     );
                   })}
-                </Fragment>
+                </div>
               );
             }
             return null;

apps/client/src/features/operator/operator-group/OperatorGroup.module.scss

@@ -1,13 +1,20 @@
 .group {
   width: 100%;
+  /* Padding is kept under the min-height so a single line fits without the list having to shrink the header,
+     while a taller title still grows the row. */
   min-height: 2.5rem;
-  padding: 0.4rem 0.75rem;
+  padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;
   border-left: 0.35rem solid var(--group-colour, $gray-500);
   background-color: $gray-1350;
   background: color-mix(in srgb, transparent 88%, var(--group-colour, $gray-500) 12%);
   font-size: 1.25rem;
   font-weight: 600;
 
+  position: sticky;
+  /* Cover the list padding so rows cannot scroll above the header. */
+  top: -0.25rem;
+  z-index: 1;
+
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
   gap: 1rem;

apps/client/src/features/operator/operator-group/OperatorGroup.tsx

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { CSSProperties, memo } from 'react';
+import { type CSSProperties, type Ref, memo } from 'react';
 
 import { getAccessibleColour } from '../../../common/utils/styleUtils';
 import { formatDuration } from '../../../common/utils/time';
@@ -10,15 +10,16 @@ interface OperatorGroup {
   colour: string;
   count: number;
   duration: number;
+  ref?: Ref<HTMLDivElement>;
 }
 
 export default memo(OperatorGroup);
-function OperatorGroup({ title, colour, count, duration }: OperatorGroup) {
+function OperatorGroup({ title, colour, count, duration, ref }: OperatorGroup) {
   const groupColour = colour || '#929292';
   const groupColours = getAccessibleColour(groupColour);
 
   return (
-    <div className={style.group} style={{ ...groupColours, '--group-colour': groupColour } as CSSProperties}>
+    <div className={style.group} style={{ ...groupColours, '--group-colour': groupColour } as CSSProperties} ref={ref}>
       <span className={style.title}>{title}</span>
       <span className={style.meta}>
         <span>{`${count} ${count === 1 ? 'event' : 'events'}`}</span>

apps/client/src/features/rundown/placements/FinderPlacement.tsx

@@ -8,10 +8,16 @@ export default memo(FinderPlacement);
 function FinderPlacement() {
   const [isOpen, handler] = useDisclosure();
 
-  useHotkeys([
-    ['mod + f', handler.toggle, { preventDefault: true }],
-    ['Escape', handler.close, { preventDefault: true }],
-  ]);
+  /**
+   * The empty tagsToIgnore is significant: by default the hook skips input elements,
+   * which would make the shortcut dead while editing an entry.
+   *
+   * This opens rather than toggles. Toggling on a key that also mounts and unmounts the
+   * dialog races against it, and browsers treat a repeated find shortcut as "focus the
+   * search again" rather than "close it". The finder selects its input instead, and
+   * Escape closes.
+   */
+  useHotkeys([['mod + f', handler.open, { preventDefault: true }]], []);
 
   if (isOpen) {
     return <Finder isOpen={isOpen} onClose={handler.close} />;

apps/client/src/features/rundown/rundown-event/RundownEvent.tsx

@@ -312,6 +312,7 @@ export default function RundownEvent({
       onClick={handleFocusClick}
       onContextMenu={onContextMenu}
       data-testid='rundown-event'
+      data-selected={isSelected}
       {...(isPlaying ? { 'data-running': true } : {})}
     >
       <RundownIndicators timeStart={timeStart} delay={delay} gap={gap} isNextDay={isNextDay} />

apps/client/src/views/countdown/Countdown.scss

@@ -100,7 +100,20 @@ $item-height: 3.5rem;
     flex-direction: column;
     overflow-y: auto;
 
-    padding-bottom: max(8rem, calc(5rem + env(safe-area-inset-bottom)));
+    padding-bottom: 95vh;
+  }
+
+  /* Flex prevents row margins collapsing and bounds the sticky header to its group. */
+  .sub-section {
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+
+    /* The select view renders the same cards in a flat list. */
+    .sub--group {
+      position: sticky;
+      top: 0;
+      z-index: 1;
+    }
   }
 
   /* ====================== LIST-ITEM ======================*/
@@ -196,9 +209,14 @@ $item-height: 3.5rem;
 
   .sub--group {
     box-shadow: inset 0 0 0 1px var(--user-color, $gray-1325);
-    background:
+    /* The opaque base prevents rows showing through; background shorthand cannot layer this colour. */
+    background-color: var(--background-color-override, $viewer-background-color);
+    background-image:
       linear-gradient(90deg, color-mix(in srgb, var(--user-color, transparent) 18%, transparent), transparent 42%),
-      var(--card-background-color-override, $viewer-card-bg-color);
+      linear-gradient(
+        var(--card-background-color-override, $viewer-card-bg-color),
+        var(--card-background-color-override, $viewer-card-bg-color)
+      );
 
     .sub__binder {
       background: var(--user-color, var(--card-background-color-override, $viewer-card-bg-color));
@@ -230,6 +248,16 @@ $item-height: 3.5rem;
     }
   }
 
+  /* Reserve the green fill for the running event. */
+  .sub--group.sub--live {
+    box-shadow: inset 0 0 0 2px $active-green;
+  }
+
+  /* Keep the armed state quieter than the live ring. */
+  .sub--group.sub--armed {
+    box-shadow: inset 0 0 0 2px $gray-1000;
+  }
+
   .sub__title {
     grid-area: title;
     padding-bottom: 0.5rem;

apps/client/src/views/countdown/CountdownSubscriptions.tsx

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { MaybeNumber, OntimeEvent } from 'ontime-types';
 import { dayInMs } from 'ontime-utils';
-import { useEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react';
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useMemo, useRef, useState } from 'react';
 import { IoPencil } from 'react-icons/io5';
 
 import Button from '../../common/components/buttons/Button';
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import {
   CountdownTarget,
   extendEventData,
   getIsLive,
+  groupSubscriptionTargets,
   isOutsideRange,
   preferredFormat12,
   preferredFormat24,
@@ -48,11 +49,22 @@ export default function CountdownSubscriptions({ subscribedEvents, goToEditMode
   const [lockAutoScroll, setLockAutoScroll] = useState(false);
   const selectedRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement | null>(null);
   const scrollRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement | null>(null);
+  const stickyHeaderRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement | null>(null);
+
+  const sections = useMemo(() => groupSubscriptionTargets(subscribedEvents), [subscribedEvents]);
+
+  // Responsive sizing and wrapped titles make the sticky header height variable, so measure it at scroll time.
+  const getStickyOffset = useCallback(() => {
+    const header = stickyHeaderRef.current;
+    // Preserve the combined margins between the header and running event.
+    return header ? header.offsetHeight + 4 : 0;
+  }, []);
+
   const scrollToComponent = useFollowComponent({
     followRef: selectedRef,
     scrollRef,
     doFollow: !lockAutoScroll,
-    topOffset: 0,
+    getTopOffset: getStickyOffset,
     followTrigger: selectedEventId,
   });
 
@@ -75,15 +87,16 @@ export default function CountdownSubscriptions({ subscribedEvents, goToEditMode
 
   // prevent considering automated scrolls as user scrolls
   const handleUserScroll = () => {
-    if (selectedRef?.current && scrollRef?.current) {
-      const selectedRect = selectedRef.current.getBoundingClientRect();
-      const scrollerRect = scrollRef.current.getBoundingClientRect();
-      if (selectedRect && scrollerRect) {
-        const distanceFromTop = selectedRect.top - scrollerRect.top;
-        const hasScrolledOutOfThreshold = distanceFromTop < -8 || distanceFromTop > 50;
-        setLockAutoScroll(hasScrolledOutOfThreshold);
-      }
+    if (!selectedRef.current || !scrollRef.current) {
+      return;
     }
+
+    const selectedRect = selectedRef.current.getBoundingClientRect();
+    const scrollerRect = scrollRef.current.getBoundingClientRect();
+    // Keep the threshold relative to the visible rows below the sticky header.
+    const distanceFromTop = selectedRect.top - scrollerRect.top - getStickyOffset();
+    const hasScrolledOutOfThreshold = distanceFromTop < -8 || distanceFromTop > 50;
+    setLockAutoScroll(hasScrolledOutOfThreshold);
   };
   const throttledHandleScroll = throttle(handleUserScroll, 1000);
 
@@ -98,41 +111,63 @@ export default function CountdownSubscriptions({ subscribedEvents, goToEditMode
 
   return (
     <div className='list-container' onWheel={handleScroll} onTouchMove={handleScroll} ref={scrollRef}>
-      {subscribedEvents.map((event) => {
-        // while a group is live, surface the running event's title as the secondary line
-        const liveTitle = event.isGroup && event.liveEntry ? event.liveEntry.title : undefined;
-        const secondaryData = liveTitle ?? getPropertyValue(event, secondarySource);
-        const isGroupedEvent = !event.isGroup && Boolean(event.parent);
-        const activeEntryId = event.isGroup ? (event.liveEntry?.id ?? event.targetId) : event.id;
-        // a subscribed group is live when any of its children is the selected/running event
-        const isLive = activeEntryId ? getIsLive(activeEntryId, selectedEventId, playback) : false;
-        const isArmed = !isLive && activeEntryId === selectedEventId;
-        const countdownEvent = extendEventData(event, currentDay, actualStart, plannedStart, offset, mode, reportData);
-        const displayTitle = getPropertyValue(event, mainSource ?? 'title');
+      {sections.map((section) => {
+        const rows = section.group ? [section.group, ...section.events] : section.events;
+        // the running event anchors the scroll, the group header stays pinned above it
+        const anchorId = section.events.find((event) => getIsLive(event.id, selectedEventId, playback))?.id ?? null;
+
         return (
-          <div
-            key={event.id}
-            ref={isLive ? selectedRef : undefined}
-            className={cx([
-              'sub',
-              isLive && 'sub--live',
-              isArmed && 'sub--armed',
-              event.isGroup && 'sub--group',
-              isGroupedEvent && 'sub--in-group',
-            ])}
-            data-testid={event.cue}
-          >
-            <div
-              className='sub__binder'
-              style={{ '--user-color': event.colour, '--group-color': event.groupColour ?? 'transparent' }}
-            />
-            <ScheduleTime event={countdownEvent} showExpected={showExpected} />
-            <SubscriptionStatus event={countdownEvent} />
-            <div className={cx(['sub__title', !displayTitle && 'subdued'])}>
-              {event.isGroup && <span className='sub__eyebrow'>Group</span>}
-              {displayTitle}
-            </div>
-            {secondaryData && <div className='sub__secondary'>{secondaryData}</div>}
+          <div key={section.group?.id ?? rows[0].id} className='sub-section'>
+            {rows.map((event) => {
+              // while a group is live, surface the running event's title as the secondary line
+              const liveTitle = event.isGroup && event.liveEntry ? event.liveEntry.title : undefined;
+              const secondaryData = liveTitle ?? getPropertyValue(event, secondarySource);
+              const isGroupedEvent = !event.isGroup && Boolean(event.parent);
+              const activeEntryId = event.isGroup ? (event.liveEntry?.id ?? event.targetId) : event.id;
+              // a subscribed group is live when any of its children is the selected/running event
+              const isLive = activeEntryId ? getIsLive(activeEntryId, selectedEventId, playback) : false;
+              const isArmed = !isLive && activeEntryId === selectedEventId;
+              // only ever hand the ref to a single row, sharing it would null it out on the next commit
+              const isAnchor = isLive && (anchorId === null || event.id === anchorId);
+              const rowRef = isAnchor ? selectedRef : event.isGroup && anchorId ? stickyHeaderRef : undefined;
+              const countdownEvent = extendEventData(
+                event,
+                currentDay,
+                actualStart,
+                plannedStart,
+                offset,
+                mode,
+                reportData,
+              );
+              const displayTitle = getPropertyValue(event, mainSource ?? 'title');
+
+              return (
+                <div
+                  key={event.id}
+                  ref={rowRef}
+                  className={cx([
+                    'sub',
+                    isLive && 'sub--live',
+                    isArmed && 'sub--armed',
+                    event.isGroup && 'sub--group',
+                    isGroupedEvent && 'sub--in-group',
+                  ])}
+                  data-testid={event.cue}
+                >
+                  <div
+                    className='sub__binder'
+                    style={{ '--user-color': event.colour, '--group-color': event.groupColour ?? 'transparent' }}
+                  />
+                  <ScheduleTime event={countdownEvent} showExpected={showExpected} />
+                  <SubscriptionStatus event={countdownEvent} />
+                  <div className={cx(['sub__title', !displayTitle && 'subdued'])}>
+                    {event.isGroup && <span className='sub__eyebrow'>Group</span>}
+                    {displayTitle}
+                  </div>
+                  {secondaryData && <div className='sub__secondary'>{secondaryData}</div>}
+                </div>
+              );
+            })}
           </div>
         );
       })}

apps/client/src/views/countdown/countdown.utils.test.ts

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { OntimeEntry, OntimeEvent, OntimeGroup, SupportedEntry } from 'ontime-types';
 
 import { ExtendedEntry } from '../../common/utils/rundownMetadata';
-import { resolveSubscriptionTarget } from './countdown.utils';
+import { CountdownTarget, groupSubscriptionTargets, resolveSubscriptionTarget } from './countdown.utils';
 
 /**
  * Minimal builders for the extended (metadata enriched) entries the countdown view consumes.
@@ -126,3 +126,89 @@ describe('resolveSubscriptionTarget()', () => {
     expect(result?.liveEntry).toBeNull();
   });
 });
+
+describe('groupSubscriptionTargets()', () => {
+  /**
+   * Resolves a group the same way the view does, so that the tests exercise the real target shape
+   * (a resolved group carries type Event, so the helper cannot rely on the entry type)
+   */
+  function resolveGroup(group: ExtendedEntry<OntimeGroup>, flat: ExtendedEntry<OntimeEntry>[]): CountdownTarget {
+    const resolved = resolveSubscriptionTarget(group, flat);
+    if (resolved === null) {
+      throw new Error('test setup: group has no playable children');
+    }
+    return resolved;
+  }
+
+  it('returns no sections for an empty subscription list', () => {
+    expect(groupSubscriptionTargets([])).toEqual([]);
+  });
+
+  it('gives each ungrouped event its own section', () => {
+    const e1 = makeEvent({ id: 'e1' });
+    const e2 = makeEvent({ id: 'e2' });
+
+    expect(groupSubscriptionTargets([e1, e2])).toEqual([
+      { group: null, events: [e1] },
+      { group: null, events: [e2] },
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it('absorbs the children of a subscribed group into its section', () => {
+    const group = makeGroup({ id: 'g1' });
+    const c1 = makeEvent({ id: 'c1', parent: 'g1' });
+    const c2 = makeEvent({ id: 'c2', parent: 'g1' });
+    const resolved = resolveGroup(group, [group, c1, c2]);
+
+    expect(groupSubscriptionTargets([resolved, c1, c2])).toEqual([{ group: resolved, events: [c1, c2] }]);
+  });
+
+  it('keeps a subscribed group with no subscribed children as an empty section', () => {
+    const group = makeGroup({ id: 'g1' });
+    const c1 = makeEvent({ id: 'c1', parent: 'g1' });
+    const resolved = resolveGroup(group, [group, c1]);
+
+    expect(groupSubscriptionTargets([resolved])).toEqual([{ group: resolved, events: [] }]);
+  });
+
+  it('does not absorb an event which belongs to a different group', () => {
+    const group1 = makeGroup({ id: 'g1' });
+    const c1 = makeEvent({ id: 'c1', parent: 'g1' });
+    const group2 = makeGroup({ id: 'g2' });
+    const c2 = makeEvent({ id: 'c2', parent: 'g2' });
+    const flat = [group1, c1, group2, c2];
+    const resolved1 = resolveGroup(group1, flat);
+    const resolved2 = resolveGroup(group2, flat);
+
+    expect(groupSubscriptionTargets([resolved1, c1, resolved2, c2])).toEqual([
+      { group: resolved1, events: [c1] },
+      { group: resolved2, events: [c2] },
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it('does not absorb an event whose parent group is not subscribed', () => {
+    const group1 = makeGroup({ id: 'g1' });
+    const c1 = makeEvent({ id: 'c1', parent: 'g1' });
+    const group2 = makeGroup({ id: 'g2' });
+    const c2 = makeEvent({ id: 'c2', parent: 'g2' });
+    const resolved1 = resolveGroup(group1, [group1, c1, group2, c2]);
+
+    // only the first group is subscribed, so the second group's child stands alone
+    expect(groupSubscriptionTargets([resolved1, c1, c2])).toEqual([
+      { group: resolved1, events: [c1] },
+      { group: null, events: [c2] },
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it('closes a section when an ungrouped event follows a group', () => {
+    const group = makeGroup({ id: 'g1' });
+    const c1 = makeEvent({ id: 'c1', parent: 'g1' });
+    const e1 = makeEvent({ id: 'e1' });
+    const resolved = resolveGroup(group, [group, c1]);
+
+    expect(groupSubscriptionTargets([resolved, c1, e1])).toEqual([
+      { group: resolved, events: [c1] },
+      { group: null, events: [e1] },
+    ]);
+  });
+});

apps/client/src/views/countdown/countdown.utils.ts

@@ -252,6 +252,42 @@ export function resolveSubscriptionTarget(
   };
 }
 
+/**
+ * A subscribed group along with the subscribed events which belong to it.
+ * Events without a subscribed parent group form their own section with no group.
+ */
+export type CountdownSection = {
+  group: CountdownTarget | null;
+  events: CountdownTarget[];
+};
+
+/**
+ * Folds the flat, rundown ordered subscription targets into sections.
+ * A group opens a section which absorbs the following targets that declare it as parent,
+ * which allows the group to be rendered as a sticky header for its own events.
+ */
+export function groupSubscriptionTargets(targets: CountdownTarget[]): CountdownSection[] {
+  const sections: CountdownSection[] = [];
+
+  for (const target of targets) {
+    // resolveSubscriptionTarget spreads the first child, so we cannot rely on the entry type here
+    if (target.isGroup) {
+      sections.push({ group: target, events: [] });
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    const previousSection = sections.at(-1);
+    if (previousSection?.group?.id === target.parent) {
+      previousSection.events.push(target);
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    sections.push({ group: null, events: [target] });
+  }
+
+  return sections;
+}
+
 export function extendEventData(
   event: CountdownTarget,
   currentDay: number,

apps/client/src/views/editor/finder/Finder.module.scss

@@ -3,11 +3,14 @@
 .error {
   padding-inline: 0.5rem;
   font-size: 1rem;
-  height: 3rem;
+  // rows grow when a match is shown from a note or custom field
+  min-height: 3rem;
+  padding-block: 0.35rem;
 
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
   justify-content: space-between;
+  gap: 0.5rem;
 }
 
 .entry[data-selected='true'] {
@@ -18,21 +21,47 @@
   color: $label-gray;
 }
 
+.more {
+  padding-inline: 0.5rem;
+  padding-block: 0.75rem;
+  font-size: calc(1rem - 2px);
+  color: $label-gray;
+  border-top: 1px solid $gray-1000;
+  text-align: center;
+}
+
 .error {
   color: $error-red;
 }
 
+.filters {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 0.35rem;
+  padding-top: 0.75rem;
+}
+
+.filterLabel {
+  font-size: calc(1rem - 3px);
+  color: $label-gray;
+  margin-right: 0.15rem;
+}
+
 .data {
   display: grid;
   grid-template-areas:
     'index cue'
-    'index title';
+    'index title'
+    'index match';
   column-gap: 1rem;
   grid-template-rows: min-content 1fr;
+  min-width: 0;
 
   .index {
     grid-area: index;
-    background-color: var(--color, $gray-1000);
+    // background and text colour come from getAccessibleColour, which keeps the
+    // number legible whatever colour the user gave the entry
     border-radius: 2px;
     padding-block: 0.25rem;
     width: 3.5rem;
@@ -42,14 +71,33 @@
 
   .title {
     grid-area: title;
+    white-space: nowrap;
+    overflow: hidden;
+    text-overflow: ellipsis;
   }
 
   .cue {
     grid-area: cue;
     font-size: calc(1rem - 2px);
     color: $label-gray;
-    max-height: 1em;
     min-height: 0;
+    white-space: nowrap;
+    overflow: hidden;
+    text-overflow: ellipsis;
+  }
+
+  .match {
+    grid-area: match;
+    font-size: calc(1rem - 3px);
+    color: $label-gray;
+    white-space: nowrap;
+    overflow: hidden;
+    text-overflow: ellipsis;
+  }
+
+  .matchLabel {
+    color: $ui-white;
+    margin-right: 0.4rem;
   }
 }
 
@@ -63,13 +111,14 @@
   color: $label-gray;
 }
 
-.filterHint {
+.count {
   text-align: right;
+  white-space: nowrap;
 }
 
-.em {
-  color: $ui-white;
-  margin-inline: 0.25rem;
+.go {
+  white-space: nowrap;
+  padding-left: 1rem;
 }
 
 .hints {
@@ -98,7 +147,7 @@
     flex-direction: column;
   }
 
-  .filterHint {
+  .count {
     text-align: left;
   }
 }

apps/client/src/views/editor/finder/Finder.tsx

@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
-import { useDebouncedCallback } from '@mantine/hooks';
-import { SupportedEntry } from 'ontime-types';
-import { KeyboardEvent, useState } from 'react';
+import { MaybeString } from 'ontime-types';
+import { KeyboardEvent, useDeferredValue, useEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react';
 
+import ToggleButton from '../../../common/components/buttons/ToggleButton';
 import Input from '../../../common/components/input/input/Input';
 import Kbd from '../../../common/components/kbd/Kbd';
 import Modal from '../../../common/components/modal/Modal';
-import useFinder from './useFinder';
+import { getAccessibleColour } from '../../../common/utils/styleUtils';
+import useFinder, { FinderResult } from './useFinder';
 
 import style from './Finder.module.scss';
 
@@ -15,46 +16,76 @@ interface FinderProps {
 }
 
 export default function Finder({ isOpen, onClose }: FinderProps) {
-  const { find, select, results, error } = useFinder();
-  const [selected, setSelected] = useState(0);
+  const [search, setSearch] = useState('');
+  const [filter, setFilter] = useState<MaybeString>(null);
+  const [selectedId, setSelectedId] = useState<MaybeString>(null);
 
-  const debouncedFind = useDebouncedCallback(find, 100);
+  /**
+   * Keeps typing responsive while the list re-renders.
+   * The search itself is cheap, rendering the results is what costs.
+   */
+  const deferredSearch = useDeferredValue(search);
+  const { select, results, error, total, filters, appliedFilter } = useFinder(deferredSearch, filter);
+
+  const inputRef = useRef<HTMLInputElement>(null);
+  const activeRef = useRef<HTMLLIElement>(null);
+
+  /**
+   * We track the selection by ID so that it survives the result list changing under us:
+   * an entry that no longer exists falls back to the first result instead of dangling past the end
+   */
+  const activeIndex = Math.max(
+    0,
+    results.findIndex((entry) => entry.id === selectedId),
+  );
+  const activeEntry = results.at(activeIndex);
+
+  /** keep the highlighted entry in view while navigating with the keyboard */
+  useEffect(() => {
+    activeRef.current?.scrollIntoView({ block: 'nearest' });
+  }, [activeEntry?.id]);
 
   const navigate = (event: KeyboardEvent<HTMLDivElement>) => {
+    // pressing the search shortcut again selects the query, ready to be replaced
+    if ((event.metaKey || event.ctrlKey) && event.key === 'f') {
+      event.preventDefault();
+      inputRef.current?.select();
+      return;
+    }
+
     // all operations need results
     if (results.length === 0) {
       return;
     }
     if (event.key === 'ArrowDown') {
-      setSelected((prev) => (prev + 1) % results.length);
+      setSelectedId(results[(activeIndex + 1) % results.length].id);
     }
     if (event.key === 'ArrowUp') {
-      setSelected((prev) => (prev - 1 + results.length) % results.length);
+      setSelectedId(results[(activeIndex - 1 + results.length) % results.length].id);
     }
     if (event.key === 'Enter') {
       event.preventDefault();
       event.stopPropagation();
-      submit();
+      submit(activeEntry);
     }
   };
 
-  const submit = () => {
-    const selectedEvent = results[selected];
-    select(selectedEvent);
+  const submit = (entry: FinderResult | undefined) => {
+    if (!entry) {
+      return;
+    }
+    select(entry);
     onClose();
   };
 
-  const handleMouseMoveEvent = (event: React.MouseEvent<HTMLUListElement>) => {
-    const target = event.target as HTMLElement;
-    const li = target.closest('li');
-    if (li) {
-      const index = Number(li.dataset.index);
-      if (!isNaN(index)) {
-        setSelected(index);
-      }
-    }
+  /** Scopes the search to a single field, or back to all fields when tapped again */
+  const handleFilter = (filterKey: string) => {
+    setFilter((previous) => (previous === filterKey ? null : filterKey));
+    inputRef.current?.focus();
   };
 
+  const hiddenResults = total - results.length;
+
   return (
     <Modal
       title=''
@@ -63,35 +94,68 @@ export default function Finder({ isOpen, onClose }: FinderProps) {
       showBackdrop
       bodyElements={
         <div onKeyDown={navigate}>
-          <Input height='large' fluid onChange={debouncedFind} placeholder='Search...' />
-          <ul className={style.scrollContainer} onMouseMove={handleMouseMoveEvent}>
+          <Input
+            ref={inputRef}
+            height='large'
+            fluid
+            autoFocus
+            value={search}
+            onChange={(event) => setSearch(event.target.value)}
+            placeholder='Search...'
+          />
+          <div className={style.filters} data-testid='finder-filters'>
+            <span className={style.filterLabel}>Filter by</span>
+            {filters.map((option) => (
+              <ToggleButton
+                key={option.key}
+                pressed={appliedFilter === option.key}
+                size='small'
+                onClick={() => handleFilter(option.key)}
+              >
+                {option.label}
+              </ToggleButton>
+            ))}
+          </div>
+          <ul className={style.scrollContainer}>
             {error && <li className={style.error}>{error}</li>}
-            {results.length === 0 && <li className={style.empty}>No results</li>}
-            {results.length > 0 &&
-              results.map((entry, index) => {
-                const isSelected = selected === index;
-                const displayIndex = entry.type === SupportedEntry.Event ? entry.eventIndex : '-';
-                const displayCue = 'cue' in entry ? entry.cue : '';
+            {!error && results.length === 0 && <li className={style.empty}>No results</li>}
+            {results.map((entry) => {
+              const isSelected = activeEntry?.id === entry.id;
+              // the title and cue are already on the row, a match anywhere else needs showing
+              const showMatch = entry.match !== null && entry.match.key !== 'title' && entry.match.key !== 'cue';
 
-                return (
-                  <li
-                    key={entry.id}
-                    className={style.entry}
-                    data-selected={isSelected}
-                    data-index={index}
-                    onClick={submit}
-                  >
-                    <div className={style.data}>
-                      <div className={style.index} style={{ '--color': entry.colour }}>
-                        {displayIndex}
-                      </div>
-                      <div className={style.cue}>{displayCue}</div>
-                      <div className={style.title}>{entry.title}</div>
+              return (
+                <li
+                  key={entry.id}
+                  ref={isSelected ? activeRef : undefined}
+                  className={style.entry}
+                  data-testid='finder-result'
+                  data-selected={isSelected}
+                  onClick={() => submit(entry)}
+                  onPointerEnter={() => setSelectedId(entry.id)}
+                >
+                  <div className={style.data}>
+                    <div className={style.index} style={getAccessibleColour(entry.colour)}>
+                      {entry.eventIndex ?? '-'}
                     </div>
-                    {isSelected && <span>Go ⏎</span>}
-                  </li>
-                );
-              })}
+                    <div className={style.cue}>{entry.cue}</div>
+                    <div className={style.title}>{entry.title}</div>
+                    {showMatch && (
+                      <div className={style.match} data-testid='finder-result-match'>
+                        <span className={style.matchLabel}>{entry.match?.label}</span>
+                        {entry.match?.excerpt}
+                      </div>
+                    )}
+                  </div>
+                  {isSelected && <span className={style.go}>Go ⏎</span>}
+                </li>
+              );
+            })}
+            {hiddenResults > 0 && (
+              <li className={style.more} data-testid='finder-more'>
+                {hiddenResults} more {hiddenResults === 1 ? 'result' : 'results'} — keep typing to narrow the search
+              </li>
+            )}
           </ul>
         </div>
       }
@@ -112,10 +176,11 @@ export default function Finder({ isOpen, onClose }: FinderProps) {
               Close
             </span>
           </div>
-          <div className={style.filterHint}>
-            Filter by <span className={style.em}>cue</span>, <span className={style.em}>index</span>, or
-            <span className={style.em}>title</span>
-          </div>
+          {total > 0 && (
+            <div className={style.count} data-testid='finder-count'>
+              {hiddenResults > 0 ? `Showing ${results.length} of ${total}` : `${total} result${total === 1 ? '' : 's'}`}
+            </div>
+          )}
         </div>
       }
     />

apps/client/src/views/editor/finder/useFinder.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,162 @@
+import { CustomFields, OntimeDelay, OntimeEvent, OntimeGroup, OntimeMilestone, SupportedEntry } from 'ontime-types';
+
+import { parseQuery, searchByIndex, searchByText } from './useFinder';
+
+function makeEvent(id: string, overrides: Partial<OntimeEvent> = {}): OntimeEvent {
+  return {
+    type: SupportedEntry.Event,
+    id,
+    cue: '',
+    title: '',
+    note: '',
+    colour: '#000000',
+    custom: {},
+    parent: null,
+    ...overrides,
+  } as OntimeEvent;
+}
+
+function makeGroup(id: string, overrides: Partial<OntimeGroup> = {}): OntimeGroup {
+  return {
+    type: SupportedEntry.Group,
+    id,
+    title: '',
+    note: '',
+    colour: '#000000',
+    custom: {},
+    ...overrides,
+  } as OntimeGroup;
+}
+
+function makeMilestone(id: string, overrides: Partial<OntimeMilestone> = {}): OntimeMilestone {
+  return {
+    type: SupportedEntry.Milestone,
+    id,
+    cue: '',
+    title: '',
+    note: '',
+    colour: '#000000',
+    custom: {},
+    parent: null,
+    ...overrides,
+  } as OntimeMilestone;
+}
+
+function makeDelay(id: string): OntimeDelay {
+  return { type: SupportedEntry.Delay, id, duration: 1000, parent: null };
+}
+
+describe('parseQuery()', () => {
+  const filters = [
+    { key: 'cue', label: 'Cue' },
+    { key: 'Camera_Notes', label: 'Camera Notes' },
+  ];
+
+  it.each([
+    ['cue 12', { filterKey: 'cue', searchString: '12' }],
+    ['cue:12', { filterKey: 'cue', searchString: '12' }],
+    ['camera_notes:wide', { filterKey: 'Camera_Notes', searchString: 'wide' }],
+  ])('parses the field prefix in %s', (searchValue, expected) => {
+    expect(parseQuery(searchValue, filters)).toStrictEqual(expected);
+  });
+
+  it('keeps an unprefixed query as a search across all fields', () => {
+    expect(parseQuery('zebrafish', filters)).toStrictEqual({ filterKey: null, searchString: 'zebrafish' });
+  });
+
+  it('recognises a filter before any search text has been entered', () => {
+    expect(parseQuery('cue', filters)).toStrictEqual({ filterKey: 'cue', searchString: '' });
+  });
+});
+
+describe('searchByText()', () => {
+  const customFields: CustomFields = {
+    Camera_Notes: { type: 'text', label: 'Camera Notes', colour: '#000000' },
+    Slide: { type: 'image', label: 'Slide', colour: '#000000' },
+  };
+
+  it('searches cue, title, note, and text custom fields in rundown order', () => {
+    const data = [
+      makeMilestone('milestone', { cue: 'needle' }),
+      makeGroup('group', { title: 'needle' }),
+      makeEvent('note', { note: 'find the needle here' }),
+      makeEvent('custom', { custom: { Camera_Notes: 'needle' } }),
+    ];
+
+    const outcome = searchByText(data, customFields, null, 'needle');
+
+    expect(outcome.results.map(({ id, match }) => ({ id, field: match?.key }))).toStrictEqual([
+      { id: 'milestone', field: 'cue' },
+      { id: 'group', field: 'title' },
+      { id: 'note', field: 'note' },
+      { id: 'custom', field: 'Camera_Notes' },
+    ]);
+    expect(outcome.total).toBe(4);
+  });
+
+  it('searches only the selected field', () => {
+    const data = [
+      makeEvent('title', { title: 'needle' }),
+      makeEvent('note', { note: 'needle' }),
+      makeEvent('custom', { custom: { Camera_Notes: 'needle' } }),
+    ];
+
+    const outcome = searchByText(data, customFields, 'note', 'needle');
+
+    expect(outcome.results.map((result) => result.id)).toStrictEqual(['note']);
+    expect(outcome.total).toBe(1);
+  });
+
+  it('reports the first matching field so the result can explain why it matched', () => {
+    const data = [makeEvent('event', { cue: 'NEEDLE', title: 'another needle' })];
+
+    const outcome = searchByText(data, customFields, null, 'needle');
+
+    expect(outcome.results[0].match).toStrictEqual({ key: 'cue', label: 'Cue', excerpt: 'NEEDLE' });
+  });
+
+  it('does not search image custom fields', () => {
+    const data = [makeEvent('image-only', { custom: { Slide: 'needle' } })];
+
+    expect(searchByText(data, customFields, null, 'needle')).toStrictEqual({ results: [], error: null, total: 0 });
+  });
+
+  it('reports the full match count while limiting rendered results', () => {
+    const data = Array.from({ length: 51 }, (_, index) => makeEvent(String(index), { title: 'needle' }));
+
+    const outcome = searchByText(data, customFields, null, 'needle');
+
+    expect(outcome.results).toHaveLength(50);
+    expect(outcome.total).toBe(51);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('searchByIndex()', () => {
+  it('counts only events while preserving the flat rundown position', () => {
+    const data = [
+      makeGroup('group'),
+      makeDelay('delay'),
+      makeEvent('first'),
+      makeMilestone('milestone'),
+      makeEvent('second'),
+    ];
+
+    const outcome = searchByIndex(data, '2');
+
+    expect(outcome.results).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(outcome.results[0]).toMatchObject({ id: 'second', index: 4, eventIndex: 2 });
+    expect(outcome.total).toBe(1);
+  });
+
+  it.each(['0', 'not-a-number'])('rejects invalid index %s', (index) => {
+    expect(searchByIndex([makeEvent('event')], index)).toStrictEqual({
+      results: [],
+      error: 'Invalid index',
+      total: 0,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('returns no result when the event index is beyond the rundown', () => {
+    expect(searchByIndex([makeEvent('event')], '2')).toStrictEqual({ results: [], error: null, total: 0 });
+  });
+});

apps/client/src/views/editor/finder/useFinder.tsx

@@ -1,239 +1,259 @@
-import { EntryId, MaybeString, SupportedEntry, isOntimeEvent, isOntimeGroup, isOntimeMilestone } from 'ontime-types';
-import { ChangeEvent, useCallback, useEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react';
+import {
+  CustomFields,
+  EntryId,
+  MaybeNumber,
+  MaybeString,
+  OntimeEntry,
+  OntimeEvent,
+  OntimeGroup,
+  OntimeMilestone,
+  isOntimeDelay,
+  isOntimeEvent,
+} from 'ontime-types';
+import { useCallback, useMemo } from 'react';
 
+import useCustomFields from '../../../common/hooks-query/useCustomFields';
 import { useFlatRundown } from '../../../common/hooks-query/useRundown';
 import { useSelectAndRevealEntry } from '../../../features/rundown/useSelectAndRevealEntry';
 
-const maxResults = 12;
+/** How many results we render, the total number of matches is reported separately */
+const maxResults = 50;
+/** Notes can hold a whole script, we only show enough to explain the match */
+const excerptPadding = 40;
 
-type FilterableGroup = {
-  type: SupportedEntry.Group;
-  id: EntryId;
-  index: number;
-  title: string;
-  colour: string;
-};
+const indexFilter = 'index';
 
-type FilterableEvent = {
-  type: SupportedEntry.Event;
+/** Everything except delays, which carry no text to search */
+type SearchableEntry = OntimeEvent | OntimeGroup | OntimeMilestone;
+
+type FinderFilter = { key: string; label: string };
+
+/**
+ * Offered to the user as filter badges. Index is a positional lookup rather than a
+ * text field, so it is handled separately from the fields a search runs over.
+ */
+const staticFilters: FinderFilter[] = [
+  { key: indexFilter, label: 'Index' },
+  { key: 'cue', label: 'Cue' },
+  { key: 'title', label: 'Title' },
+  { key: 'note', label: 'Note' },
+];
+
+/** Why an entry matched, so the UI can show the user */
+type FinderMatch = { key: string; label: string; excerpt: string };
+
+export type FinderResult = {
   id: EntryId;
+  /** position in the flat rundown, which is how the rundown reveals an entry */
   index: number;
-  eventIndex: number;
+  /** 1-based position among events, null for groups and milestones */
+  eventIndex: MaybeNumber;
   title: string;
+  /** groups have no cue */
   cue: string;
   colour: string;
   parent: MaybeString;
+  /** absent when the entry was found by index rather than by matching text */
+  match: FinderMatch | null;
 };
 
-type FilterableMilestone = {
-  type: SupportedEntry.Milestone;
-  id: EntryId;
-  index: number;
-  title: string;
-  cue: string;
-  colour: string;
-  parent: MaybeString;
-};
+type SearchOutcome = { results: FinderResult[]; error: MaybeString; total: number };
 
-type FilterableEntry = FilterableGroup | FilterableEvent | FilterableMilestone;
+const noResults: SearchOutcome = { results: [], error: null, total: 0 };
 
-export default function useFinder() {
+/** Groups are the only searchable entry with neither a cue nor a parent */
+function toResult(entry: SearchableEntry, index: number, eventIndex: MaybeNumber, match: FinderMatch | null) {
+  return {
+    id: entry.id,
+    index,
+    eventIndex,
+    title: entry.title,
+    cue: 'cue' in entry ? entry.cue : '',
+    colour: entry.colour,
+    parent: 'parent' in entry ? entry.parent : null,
+    match,
+  } satisfies FinderResult;
+}
+
+/** Shows enough of a long value for the user to see why it matched */
+function makeExcerpt(value: string, matchIndex: number, searchLength: number): string {
+  const start = Math.max(0, matchIndex - excerptPadding);
+  const end = Math.min(value.length, matchIndex + searchLength + excerptPadding);
+  return `${start > 0 ? '…' : ''}${value.slice(start, end)}${end < value.length ? '…' : ''}`;
+}
+
+/**
+ * The first field of an entry to contain the search string, if any.
+ * Fields are tried in the order we prefer to report a match.
+ */
+function findMatch(
+  entry: SearchableEntry,
+  customFields: CustomFields,
+  filterKey: MaybeString,
+  searchString: string,
+): FinderMatch | null {
+  function check(key: string, label: string, value: string): FinderMatch | null {
+    if (!value || (filterKey !== null && key !== filterKey)) {
+      return null;
+    }
+    const matchIndex = value.toLowerCase().indexOf(searchString);
+    if (matchIndex === -1) {
+      return null;
+    }
+    return { key, label, excerpt: makeExcerpt(value, matchIndex, searchString.length) };
+  }
+
+  // groups have no cue, the rest is common to every searchable entry
+  const fromCue = 'cue' in entry ? check('cue', 'Cue', entry.cue) : null;
+  const match = fromCue ?? check('title', 'Title', entry.title) ?? check('note', 'Note', entry.note);
+  if (match !== null) {
+    return match;
+  }
+
+  // custom fields are named by the project, so these can only be reached generically
+  for (const [key, value] of Object.entries(entry.custom)) {
+    const definition = customFields[key];
+    if (definition?.type !== 'text') {
+      continue;
+    }
+    const custom = check(key, definition.label || key, value);
+    if (custom) return custom;
+  }
+
+  return null;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Splits the raw search value into an optional field filter and the text to look for.
+ * Both `cue 12` and `cue:12` are accepted so that typing agrees with the filter badges.
+ */
+export function parseQuery(searchValue: string, filters: FinderFilter[]) {
+  for (const filter of filters) {
+    // the search value is already lowercased, custom field keys are not
+    const prefix = filter.key.toLowerCase();
+    if (searchValue === prefix) {
+      return { filterKey: filter.key, searchString: '' };
+    }
+    if (searchValue.startsWith(`${prefix} `) || searchValue.startsWith(`${prefix}:`)) {
+      return { filterKey: filter.key, searchString: searchValue.slice(prefix.length + 1).trim() };
+    }
+  }
+  return { filterKey: null, searchString: searchValue };
+}
+
+/** Finds the single event at a 1-based position in the rundown */
+export function searchByIndex(data: OntimeEntry[], indexString: string): SearchOutcome {
+  const target = Number(indexString);
+  if (isNaN(target) || target < 1) {
+    return { ...noResults, error: 'Invalid index' };
+  }
+
+  let eventIndex = 0;
+  for (let i = 0; i < data.length; i++) {
+    const entry = data[i];
+    if (!isOntimeEvent(entry)) {
+      continue;
+    }
+    eventIndex++;
+    if (eventIndex === target) {
+      return { results: [toResult(entry, i, eventIndex, null)], error: null, total: 1 };
+    }
+  }
+
+  return noResults;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Matches entries on a single field when one is selected, otherwise on every text field.
+ * Results keep rundown order, which keeps them predictable during a show.
+ */
+export function searchByText(
+  data: OntimeEntry[],
+  customFields: CustomFields,
+  filterKey: MaybeString,
+  searchString: string,
+): SearchOutcome {
+  const results: FinderResult[] = [];
+  let total = 0;
+  // indexes exposed to the UI are 1-based
+  let eventIndex = 0;
+
+  for (let i = 0; i < data.length; i++) {
+    const entry = data[i];
+    if (isOntimeDelay(entry)) {
+      continue;
+    }
+    const isEvent = isOntimeEvent(entry);
+    if (isEvent) {
+      eventIndex++;
+    }
+
+    const match = findMatch(entry, customFields, filterKey, searchString);
+    if (match === null) {
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    total++;
+    if (results.length < maxResults) {
+      results.push(toResult(entry, i, isEvent ? eventIndex : null, match));
+    }
+  }
+
+  return { results, error: null, total };
+}
+
+/**
+ * @param searchValue - the text the user is looking for
+ * @param activeFilter - a field selected from the filter badges, if any
+ */
+export default function useFinder(searchValue: string, activeFilter: MaybeString) {
   const { data, rundownId } = useFlatRundown();
-  const [results, setResults] = useState<FilterableEntry[]>([]);
-  const [error, setError] = useState<MaybeString>(null);
-  const lastSearchString = useRef('');
+  const { data: customFields } = useCustomFields();
 
   const selectAndRevealEntry = useSelectAndRevealEntry(rundownId);
 
-  /** Filters the rundown to a given evaluation */
-  const find = useCallback(
-    (event: ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
-      if (!data || data.length === 0) {
-        setError('No data');
-        return;
-      }
-      setError(null);
+  /** The filters offered to the user: the fixed fields plus whatever the project defines */
+  const filters = useMemo<FinderFilter[]>(() => {
+    const customFilters = Object.entries(customFields)
+      .filter(([_key, field]) => field.type === 'text')
+      .map(([key, field]) => ({ key, label: field.label || key }));
+    return [...staticFilters, ...customFilters];
+  }, [customFields]);
 
-      if (event.target.value === '') {
-        setResults([]);
-        return;
-      }
+  const { results, error, total, appliedFilter } = useMemo(() => {
+    if (data.length === 0) {
+      return { ...noResults, error: 'No data', appliedFilter: activeFilter };
+    }
 
-      const searchValue = event.target.value.toLowerCase();
-      lastSearchString.current = searchValue;
+    const normalised = searchValue.trim().toLowerCase();
+    if (normalised === '') {
+      return { ...noResults, appliedFilter: activeFilter };
+    }
 
-      if (searchValue.startsWith('index ')) {
-        const searchString = searchValue.slice('index '.length).trim();
-        const { results, error } = searchByIndex(searchString);
-        setResults(results);
-        setError(error);
-        return;
-      }
+    /**
+     * If a badge is selected it scopes the search; otherwise, keyword prefixes in the input
+     * (e.g. "cue:" / "title:") are parsed and the matching badge is highlighted.
+     */
+    const { filterKey, searchString } = activeFilter
+      ? { filterKey: activeFilter, searchString: normalised }
+      : parseQuery(normalised, filters);
 
-      if (searchValue.startsWith('cue ')) {
-        const searchString = searchValue.slice('cue '.length).trim();
-        const { results, error } = searchByCue(searchString);
-        setResults(results);
-        setError(error);
-        return;
-      }
-
-      const searchString = searchValue.startsWith('title ') ? searchValue.slice('title '.length).trim() : searchValue;
-      const { results, error } = searchByTitle(searchString);
-      setResults(results);
-      setError(error);
-
-      /** Returns a single item with a matching index */
-      function searchByIndex(searchString: string) {
-        const searchIndex = Number(searchString);
-        if (isNaN(searchIndex) || searchIndex < 1) {
-          return { results: [], error: 'Invalid index' };
-        }
-
-        if (searchIndex > data.length) {
-          return { results: [], error: null };
-        }
-
-        // indexes exposed to the UI are 1-based
-        let eventIndex = 1;
-        const results: FilterableEvent[] = [];
-        for (let i = 0; i < data.length; i++) {
-          const event = data[i];
-          if (isOntimeEvent(event)) {
-            if (eventIndex === searchIndex) {
-              results.push({
-                type: SupportedEntry.Event,
-                id: event.id,
-                index: i,
-                eventIndex,
-                title: event.title,
-                cue: event.cue,
-                colour: event.colour,
-                parent: event.parent,
-              } satisfies FilterableEvent);
-              break;
-            }
-            eventIndex++;
-          }
-        }
-
-        return { results, error: null };
-      }
-
-      /** Returns maxResults of OntimeEvents that match the cue field */
-      function searchByCue(searchString: string) {
-        // indexes exposed to the UI are 1-based
-        let eventIndex = 1;
-        // limit amount of results we show
-        let remaining = maxResults;
-        const results: FilterableEvent[] = [];
-
-        for (let i = 0; i < data.length; i++) {
-          if (remaining <= 0) {
-            break;
-          }
-          const event = data[i];
-          if (isOntimeEvent(event)) {
-            if (event.cue.toLowerCase().includes(searchString)) {
-              remaining--;
-              results.push({
-                type: SupportedEntry.Event,
-                id: event.id,
-                index: i,
-                eventIndex,
-                title: event.title,
-                cue: event.cue,
-                colour: event.colour,
-                parent: event.parent,
-              } satisfies FilterableEvent);
-            }
-            eventIndex++;
-          }
-        }
-        return { results, error: null };
-      }
-
-      /** Returns maxResults of OntimeEvents that match the title field*/
-      function searchByTitle(searchString: string) {
-        // indexes exposed to the UI are 1-based
-        let eventIndex = 1;
-        // limit amount of results we show
-        let remaining = maxResults;
-        const results: FilterableEntry[] = [];
-
-        for (let i = 0; i < data.length; i++) {
-          if (remaining <= 0) {
-            break;
-          }
-
-          const entry = data[i];
-          if (isOntimeEvent(entry)) {
-            if (entry.title.toLowerCase().includes(searchString)) {
-              remaining--;
-              results.push({
-                type: SupportedEntry.Event,
-                id: entry.id,
-                index: i,
-                eventIndex,
-                title: entry.title,
-                cue: entry.cue,
-                colour: entry.colour,
-                parent: entry.parent,
-              } satisfies FilterableEvent);
-            }
-            eventIndex++;
-          } else if (isOntimeGroup(entry)) {
-            if (entry.title.toLowerCase().includes(searchString)) {
-              remaining--;
-              results.push({
-                type: SupportedEntry.Group,
-                id: entry.id,
-                index: i,
-                title: entry.title,
-                colour: entry.colour,
-              } satisfies FilterableGroup);
-            }
-          } else if (isOntimeMilestone(entry)) {
-            if (entry.title.toLowerCase().includes(searchString)) {
-              remaining--;
-              results.push({
-                type: SupportedEntry.Milestone,
-                id: entry.id,
-                index: i,
-                title: entry.title,
-                cue: entry.cue,
-                colour: entry.colour,
-                parent: entry.parent,
-              } satisfies FilterableMilestone);
-            }
-          }
-        }
-        return { results, error: null };
-      }
-    },
-    [data],
-  );
+    if (filterKey === indexFilter) {
+      return { ...searchByIndex(data, searchString), appliedFilter: filterKey };
+    }
+    if (searchString === '') {
+      // a filter is selected, but there is nothing to match on yet
+      return { ...noResults, appliedFilter: filterKey };
+    }
+    return { ...searchByText(data, customFields, filterKey, searchString), appliedFilter: filterKey };
+  }, [data, customFields, filters, searchValue, activeFilter]);
 
   const select = useCallback(
-    (selectedEvent: FilterableEntry) => {
-      selectAndRevealEntry({
-        id: selectedEvent.id,
-        index: selectedEvent.index,
-        parent: 'parent' in selectedEvent ? selectedEvent.parent : null,
-      });
+    (result: FinderResult) => {
+      selectAndRevealEntry({ id: result.id, index: result.index, parent: result.parent });
     },
     [selectAndRevealEntry],
   );
 
-  /** clear results when source data changes */
-  useEffect(() => {
-    setResults([]);
-    setError(null);
-    // fake a submit event to re-run the search
-    if (lastSearchString.current) {
-      find({ target: { value: lastSearchString.current } } as ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>);
-    }
-  }, [data, find]);
-
-  return { find, select, results, error };
+  return { select, results, error, total, filters, appliedFilter };
 }

apps/electron/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "ontime-electron",
-  "version": "4.12.0",
+  "version": "4.13.0",
   "author": "Carlos Valente",
   "description": "Time keeping for live events",
   "repository": "https://github.com/cpvalente/ontime",

apps/resolver/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@getontime/resolver",
-  "version": "4.12.0",
+  "version": "4.13.0",
   "type": "module",
   "repository": "https://github.com/cpvalente/ontime",
   "types": "./dist/main.d.ts",
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
     "parser"
   ],
   "author": "",
-  "license": "AGPL-3.0-only",
+  "license": "ISC",
   "devDependencies": {
     "ontime-types": "workspace:^4.2.1",
     "tsdown": "^0.22.4",

apps/server/package.json

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   "name": "ontime-server",
   "type": "module",
   "main": "src/index.ts",
-  "version": "4.12.0",
+  "version": "4.13.0",
   "exports": "./src/index.js",
   "dependencies": {
     "@googleapis/sheets": "^5.0.5",

apps/server/src/api-data/rundown/__tests__/rundown.utils.test.ts

@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
+import { deepEqual } from 'fast-equals';
 import {
   EndAction,
+  OntimeEntry,
   OntimeEvent,
   OntimeGroup,
   OntimeMilestone,
@@ -8,13 +10,21 @@ import {
   TimerType,
   Trigger,
 } from 'ontime-types';
-import { MILLIS_PER_HOUR, MILLIS_PER_MINUTE, createEvent } from 'ontime-utils';
+import {
+  MILLIS_PER_HOUR,
+  MILLIS_PER_MINUTE,
+  createDelay,
+  createEvent,
+  createGroup,
+  createMilestone,
+} from 'ontime-utils';
 import { assertType } from 'vitest';
 
 import { makeOntimeEvent, makeOntimeGroup, makeOntimeMilestone, makeRundown } from '../__mocks__/rundown.mocks.js';
 import { parseRundown } from '../rundown.parser.js';
 import {
   calculateDayOffset,
+  cloneEntryData,
   deleteById,
   doesInvalidateMetadata,
   getIntegerAndFraction,
@@ -715,3 +725,68 @@ describe('eventDurationMatchGroupTarget()', () => {
     expect(result).toStrictEqual(null);
   });
 });
+
+describe('cloneEntryData()', () => {
+  const trigger: Trigger = {
+    id: 'trigger-1',
+    title: 'Go on air',
+    trigger: TimerLifeCycle.onStart,
+    automationId: 'automation-1',
+  };
+
+  // the real factories, so these are complete entries exactly as the rundown holds them
+  const entries: [string, OntimeEntry][] = [
+    ['event', createEvent({ custom: { sponsor: 'a value' }, triggers: [trigger] }, 'cue-1') as OntimeEvent],
+    ['group', createGroup({ id: 'group-1', entries: ['a', 'b'], custom: { sponsor: 'a value' } })],
+    ['milestone', createMilestone({ id: 'milestone-1', custom: { sponsor: 'a value' } })],
+    ['delay', createDelay({ id: 'delay-1', duration: 10 })],
+  ];
+
+  /**
+   * Fails if any nested object or array in the clone is the same reference as the source,
+   * so a field added later that needs a copy of its own is caught here without the clone
+   * having to enumerate fields.
+   */
+  function expectNoSharedReferences(clone: unknown, source: unknown, path: string) {
+    if (typeof source !== 'object' || source === null) return;
+    expect(clone, `${path} is shared with the source`).not.toBe(source);
+    const cloneRecord = clone as Record<string, unknown>;
+    const sourceRecord = source as Record<string, unknown>;
+    for (const key of Object.keys(sourceRecord)) {
+      expectNoSharedReferences(cloneRecord[key], sourceRecord[key], `${path}.${key}`);
+    }
+  }
+
+  /** the two halves of the structuredClone contract: same value, no shared references */
+  it.each(entries)('clones a %s to the same value structuredClone would produce', (_type, entry) => {
+    expect(cloneEntryData(entry)).toStrictEqual(structuredClone(entry));
+  });
+
+  it.each(entries)('shares no nested object or array with the source %s', (_type, entry) => {
+    expectNoSharedReferences(cloneEntryData(entry), entry, 'entry');
+  });
+
+  /**
+   * Regression: normalising an absent container to an empty one makes deepEqual report a
+   * change on every comparison, which would have the runtime re-broadcast and re-save the
+   * restore point on every tick. See PR #2178.
+   */
+  it.each([
+    ['event', makeOntimeEvent({ id: 'partial' })],
+    ['group', makeOntimeGroup({ id: 'partial', entries: undefined })],
+  ])('gives a partial %s exactly the keys structuredClone would, so it stays deep-equal', (_type, entry) => {
+    const clone = cloneEntryData(entry);
+    // asserting on keys, not values: `toBeUndefined()` cannot tell an absent key from an own
+    // key holding undefined, and it is key presence that decides the deepEqual below
+    expect(Object.keys(clone).sort()).toEqual(Object.keys(structuredClone(entry)).sort());
+    // this is the comparison runtime.service.ts uses to decide whether to re-broadcast an
+    // entry; if the clone gains a key, every tick looks like a change
+    expect(deepEqual(clone, entry)).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('throws on an entry type it does not know how to clone', () => {
+    expect(() => cloneEntryData({ id: 'x', type: 'unknown' } as unknown as OntimeEvent)).toThrow(
+      'Unsupported entry type for cloning',
+    );
+  });
+});

apps/server/src/api-data/rundown/rundown.dao.ts

@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ import {
   isPlayableEvent,
 } from 'ontime-types';
 import { addToRundown, createGroup, customFieldLabelToKey, getInsertAfterId, insertAtIndex } from 'ontime-utils';
+import type { DeepReadonly } from 'ts-essentials';
 
 import { getDataProvider } from '../../classes/data-provider/DataProvider.js';
 import { consoleError } from '../../utils/console.js';
@@ -34,6 +35,7 @@ import { ProcessedRundownMetadata, makeRundownMetadata } from './rundown.parser.
 import type { RundownMetadata } from './rundown.types.js';
 import {
   applyPatchToEntry,
+  cloneRundown,
   cloneSimpleRundownEntry,
   deleteById,
   doesInvalidateMetadata,
@@ -43,9 +45,14 @@ import {
 } from './rundown.utils.js';
 
 /**
- * The currently loaded rundown in cache
+ * The currently loaded rundown in cache.
+ *
+ * Reassigned - never mutated in place - when a different rundown is loaded: the persistence
+ * layer stores this object by reference, so repurposing it for another rundown would rewrite
+ * the previously loaded rundown's stored record. Mutating it in place while it represents the
+ * same rundown (ie. from commit) is intended, and is what keeps the stored record current.
  */
-const cachedRundown: Rundown = {
+let cachedRundown: Rundown = {
   id: '',
   title: '',
   order: [],
@@ -79,9 +86,16 @@ export const getRundownMetadata = (): Readonly<RundownMetadata> => rundownMetada
 export const getProjectCustomFields = (): Readonly<CustomFields> => projectCustomFields;
 export const getEntryWithId = (entryId: EntryId): OntimeEntry | undefined => cachedRundown.entries[entryId];
 
-type Transaction = {
+/**
+ * @param R the type callers see for `rundown` - a plain, mutable `Rundown` when the
+ * transaction was opened with `mutableRundown: true`, otherwise a `DeepReadonly<Rundown>`
+ * so that accidentally mutating an entry (or an order array) on a non-mutable transaction
+ * - which would silently corrupt the live cache without going through commit() - is a
+ * compile-time error instead of a runtime bug.
+ */
+type Transaction<R> = {
   customFields: CustomFields;
-  rundown: Rundown;
+  rundown: R;
 
   commit: (shouldProcess?: boolean) => Promise<{
     rundown: Readonly<Rundown>;
@@ -102,11 +116,17 @@ type TransactionOptions = {
   rundownId?: string;
 };
 
-export function createTransaction(options: TransactionOptions): Transaction {
+export function createTransaction(options: TransactionOptions & { mutableRundown: true }): Transaction<Rundown>;
+export function createTransaction(
+  options: TransactionOptions & { mutableRundown?: false },
+): Transaction<DeepReadonly<Rundown>>;
+export function createTransaction(
+  options: TransactionOptions,
+): Transaction<Rundown> | Transaction<DeepReadonly<Rundown>> {
   const targetId = options.rundownId ?? cachedRundown.id;
   const isLoaded = targetId === cachedRundown.id;
   const sourceRundown: Rundown = isLoaded ? cachedRundown : (getDataProvider().getRundown(targetId) as Rundown);
-  const rundown = options.mutableRundown ? structuredClone(sourceRundown) : sourceRundown;
+  const rundown = options.mutableRundown ? cloneRundown(sourceRundown) : sourceRundown;
   const customFields = options.mutableCustomFields ? structuredClone(projectCustomFields) : projectCustomFields;
 
   /**
@@ -707,21 +727,25 @@ export const customFieldMutation = {
  * Expose function to add an initial rundown to the system
  */
 export function init(initialRundown: Readonly<Rundown>, initialCustomFields: Readonly<CustomFields>) {
-  const rundown = structuredClone(initialRundown);
+  const rundown = cloneRundown(initialRundown);
   const customFields = structuredClone(initialCustomFields);
   const processedData = processRundown(rundown, customFields, { mutate: true });
 
-  // update the cache values
-  cachedRundown.id = rundown.id;
-  cachedRundown.title = rundown.title;
   projectCustomFields = customFields;
 
   // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-unused-vars -- we are not interested in the iteration data
   const { previousEvent, latestEvent, previousEntry, entries, order, ...metadata } = processedData;
-  cachedRundown.entries = entries;
-  cachedRundown.order = order;
-  cachedRundown.flatOrder = metadata.flatEntryOrder;
-  cachedRundown.revision = rundown.revision;
+
+  // a fresh object, so that the record already stored for a previously loaded rundown keeps
+  // pointing at that rundown's data - see the note on cachedRundown
+  cachedRundown = {
+    id: rundown.id,
+    title: rundown.title,
+    entries,
+    order,
+    flatOrder: metadata.flatEntryOrder,
+    revision: rundown.revision,
+  };
   rundownMetadata = metadata;
 
   // defer writing to the database

apps/server/src/api-data/rundown/rundown.parser.ts

@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ import {
 import { makeNewRundown } from '../../models/dataModel.js';
 import type { ErrorEmitter } from '../../utils/parserUtils.js';
 import { RundownMetadata } from './rundown.types.js';
-import { calculateDayOffset, cleanupCustomFields } from './rundown.utils.js';
+import { calculateDayOffset, cleanupCustomFields, cloneEntryData } from './rundown.utils.js';
 
 /**
  * Parse a rundowns object along with the project custom fields
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ export function makeRundownMetadata(customFields: CustomFields, options?: { muta
   };
 
   function process<T extends OntimeEntry>(entry: T, childOfGroup: EntryId | null): T {
-    return processEntry(rundownMeta, customFields, mutate ? entry : structuredClone(entry), childOfGroup);
+    return processEntry(rundownMeta, customFields, mutate ? entry : cloneEntryData(entry), childOfGroup);
   }
 
   function getMetadata(): ProcessedRundownMetadata {

apps/server/src/api-data/rundown/rundown.service.ts

@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ import {
 import { parseRundown } from './rundown.parser.js';
 import type { RundownMetadata } from './rundown.types.js';
 import {
+  cloneRundown,
   generateEvent,
   getFirstInsertId,
   getIntegerAndFraction,
@@ -626,7 +627,7 @@ export async function editCustomField(
     // ... reassign references in the background rundowns
     for (const rundownId of Object.keys(projectRundowns)) {
       if (rundownId !== rundown.id) {
-        const backgroundRundown = structuredClone(projectRundowns[rundownId]);
+        const backgroundRundown = cloneRundown(projectRundowns[rundownId]);
         customFieldMutation.renameUsages(backgroundRundown, oldKey, newKey);
         await updateBackgroundRundown(rundownId, backgroundRundown);
       }
@@ -666,7 +667,7 @@ export async function deleteCustomField(key: CustomFieldKey, projectRundowns: Pr
   // remove references in the background rundowns
   for (const rundownId of Object.keys(projectRundowns)) {
     if (rundownId !== rundown.id) {
-      const backgroundRundown = structuredClone(projectRundowns[rundownId]);
+      const backgroundRundown = cloneRundown(projectRundowns[rundownId]);
       customFieldMutation.removeUsages(backgroundRundown, key);
       await updateBackgroundRundown(rundownId, backgroundRundown);
     }
@@ -846,7 +847,7 @@ export async function duplicateExistingRundown(id: string) {
   const dataProvider = getDataProvider();
   const rundown = dataProvider.getRundown(id);
 
-  const duplicatedRundown: Rundown = structuredClone(rundown);
+  const duplicatedRundown: Rundown = cloneRundown(rundown);
   duplicatedRundown.id = generateId();
   duplicatedRundown.title = `Copy of ${rundown.title}`;
   duplicatedRundown.revision = 0;

apps/server/src/api-data/rundown/rundown.utils.ts

@@ -329,7 +329,7 @@ export function mergeRundownPreservingFields(
     const structure = isOntimeGroup(incomingEntry)
       ? { entries: incomingEntry.entries }
       : { parent: incomingEntry.parent };
-    entries[id] = structuredClone({ ...merged, ...structure });
+    entries[id] = cloneEntryData({ ...merged, ...structure });
   }
 
   return {
@@ -499,6 +499,61 @@ export function cloneSimpleRundownEntry(entry: OntimeEntry, newId: EntryId): Ont
   throw new Error(`Unsupported entry type for cloning: ${entry}`);
 }
 
+/**
+ * Fast, shape-aware clone of a single entry, preserving its identity (id, revision, etc).
+ * Drop-in replacement for `structuredClone(entry)`
+ */
+export function cloneEntryData<T extends OntimeEntry>(entry: T): T {
+  switch (entry.type) {
+    case SupportedEntry.Event: {
+      const clone: OntimeEvent = { ...entry };
+      if (clone.custom) clone.custom = { ...clone.custom };
+      if (clone.triggers) clone.triggers = clone.triggers.map((trigger) => ({ ...trigger }));
+      return clone as T;
+    }
+    case SupportedEntry.Group: {
+      const clone: OntimeGroup = { ...entry };
+      if (clone.custom) clone.custom = { ...clone.custom };
+      if (clone.entries) clone.entries = clone.entries.slice();
+      return clone as T;
+    }
+    case SupportedEntry.Milestone: {
+      const clone: OntimeMilestone = { ...entry };
+      if (clone.custom) clone.custom = { ...clone.custom };
+      return clone as T;
+    }
+    case SupportedEntry.Delay:
+      return { ...entry } as T;
+    default: {
+      // exhaustiveness guard: a new member of `SupportedEntry` is named in the error here
+      const unhandled: never = entry;
+      throw new Error(`Unsupported entry type for cloning: ${(unhandled as OntimeEntry).type}`);
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Fast, shape-aware clone of a whole rundown.
+ * Drop-in replacement for `structuredClone(rundown)`: every entry (and its nested
+ * `custom` / `triggers` / `entries` containers) gets its own copy, so callers can mutate
+ * the result freely without touching the source - same contract as structuredClone,
+ * at a fraction of the cost since we skip the generic serialization algorithm.
+ */
+export function cloneRundown(rundown: Readonly<Rundown>): Rundown {
+  const entries: RundownEntries = {};
+  for (const id in rundown.entries) {
+    entries[id] = cloneEntryData(rundown.entries[id]);
+  }
+  return {
+    id: rundown.id,
+    title: rundown.title,
+    revision: rundown.revision,
+    order: rundown.order.slice(),
+    flatOrder: rundown.flatOrder.slice(),
+    entries,
+  };
+}
+
 /**
  * Utility for calculating if the current events should have a day offset
  * @param current the current event under test

apps/server/src/api-data/sheets/sheets.service.ts

@@ -464,9 +464,8 @@ export async function upload(sheetId: string, options: ImportMap) {
     sheetOrder.forEach((entryId, index) => {
       const isGroupEnd = entryId.startsWith('group-end-');
       const id = isGroupEnd ? entryId.split('group-end-')[1] : entryId;
-      const entry = isGroupEnd
-        ? ({ id: entryId, type: SupportedEntry.Group } as OntimeGroup)
-        : structuredClone(rundown.entries[id]);
+      // cellRequestFromEvent only reads the entry to build a cell request, no clone is needed
+      const entry = isGroupEnd ? ({ id: entryId, type: SupportedEntry.Group } as OntimeGroup) : rundown.entries[id];
       updateRundown.push(cellRequestFromEvent(entry, index, worksheetId, sheetMetadata));
     });
   } catch (e) {

apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/DataProvider.ts

@@ -101,8 +101,16 @@ function getCustomFields(): Readonly<CustomFields> {
   return db.data.customFields;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Stores a rundown, replacing any existing entry for the same key.
+ * Takes ownership of `newData` and stores it by reference - the caller must not mutate it
+ * afterward. Every call site either hands over a freshly-built object it never touches again,
+ * or (for the loaded rundown) the cache's own long-lived object, which is already the single
+ * source of truth for that data - aliasing it here costs nothing and avoids a second full
+ * deep copy of the rundown on every commit.
+ */
 async function setRundown(rundownKey: string, newData: Rundown): ReadonlyPromise<ProjectRundowns> {
-  db.data.rundowns[rundownKey] = structuredClone(newData);
+  db.data.rundowns[rundownKey] = newData;
   await persist();
   return db.data.rundowns;
 }

apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/DataProvider.utils.ts

@@ -4,12 +4,17 @@ import { DatabaseModel } from 'ontime-types';
  * Merges a partial ontime project into a given ontime project
  */
 export function safeMerge(existing: DatabaseModel, newData: Partial<DatabaseModel>): DatabaseModel {
-  const deepExisting = structuredClone(existing);
-  const deepNewData = structuredClone(newData);
+  // rundowns are merged separately below by reference (only the top-level map is copied,
+  // same as the other properties here) - deep-cloning them here would be wasted work,
+  // since a project's rundowns are by far the largest part of this object
+  const { rundowns: existingRundowns, ...existingRest } = existing;
+  const { rundowns: newRundowns = {}, ...newDataRest } = newData;
+
+  const deepExisting = structuredClone(existingRest);
+  const deepNewData = structuredClone(newDataRest);
 
   // destructure each property to simplify merging not provided ie: ...{} has no effect
   const {
-    rundowns = {},
     project = {},
     settings = {},
     viewSettings = {},
@@ -19,7 +24,7 @@ export function safeMerge(existing: DatabaseModel, newData: Partial<DatabaseMode
   } = deepNewData;
 
   return {
-    rundowns: { ...existing.rundowns, ...rundowns },
+    rundowns: { ...existingRundowns, ...newRundowns },
     project: { ...deepExisting.project, ...project },
     settings: { ...deepExisting.settings, ...settings },
     viewSettings: { ...deepExisting.viewSettings, ...viewSettings },

apps/server/src/services/runtime-service/__tests__/runtime.utils.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,226 @@
+import { Offset, OffsetMode, Playback, TimerPhase, TimerState, TimerType } from 'ontime-types';
+
+import { makeOntimeEvent, makeRundown } from '../../../api-data/rundown/__mocks__/rundown.mocks.js';
+import {
+  findNextPlayableId,
+  findNextPlayableWithCue,
+  findPreviousPlayableId,
+  getEventAtIndex,
+  getShouldClockUpdate,
+  getShouldOffsetUpdate,
+  getShouldTimerUpdate,
+  isNewSecond,
+} from '../runtime.utils.js';
+
+describe('isNewSecond()', () => {
+  it('is false while the value moves within the same second', () => {
+    // count down rounds up, so both resolve to second 2
+    expect(isNewSecond(1500, 1200)).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it('is true once the value crosses a second boundary', () => {
+    expect(isNewSecond(1001, 1000)).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('rounds according to the given direction', () => {
+    // 1200 -> ceil 2 / floor 1, 1800 -> ceil 2 / floor 1
+    expect(isNewSecond(1200, 1800, TimerType.CountDown)).toBe(false);
+    expect(isNewSecond(1200, 1800, TimerType.CountUp)).toBe(false);
+    // 1200 -> ceil 2 / floor 1, 2200 -> ceil 3 / floor 2
+    expect(isNewSecond(1200, 2200, TimerType.CountDown)).toBe(true);
+    expect(isNewSecond(1200, 2200, TimerType.CountUp)).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('treats null and undefined as second zero', () => {
+    expect(isNewSecond(undefined, null)).toBe(false);
+    expect(isNewSecond(null, 0)).toBe(false);
+    expect(isNewSecond(undefined, 500)).toBe(true);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('getShouldClockUpdate()', () => {
+  it('is false within the same second and true across the boundary', () => {
+    expect(getShouldClockUpdate(1000, 1999)).toBe(false);
+    expect(getShouldClockUpdate(1000, 2000)).toBe(true);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('getShouldTimerUpdate()', () => {
+  const baseTimer: TimerState = {
+    addedTime: 0,
+    current: 10000,
+    duration: 10000,
+    elapsed: 0,
+    expectedFinish: 10000,
+    phase: TimerPhase.Default,
+    playback: Playback.Play,
+    secondaryTimer: null,
+    startedAt: 0,
+  };
+
+  it('always updates when there is no previous state', () => {
+    expect(getShouldTimerUpdate(undefined, baseTimer)).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('does not update while the timer ticks within the same second', () => {
+    expect(getShouldTimerUpdate(baseTimer, { ...baseTimer, current: 9500 })).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it('updates when the timer crosses a second', () => {
+    expect(getShouldTimerUpdate(baseTimer, { ...baseTimer, current: 8999 })).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('updates when the secondary timer crosses a second', () => {
+    const previous = { ...baseTimer, secondaryTimer: 2000 };
+    // counting down rounds up, so 1999 is still second 2
+    expect(getShouldTimerUpdate(previous, { ...previous, secondaryTimer: 1999 })).toBe(false);
+    expect(getShouldTimerUpdate(previous, { ...previous, secondaryTimer: 1000 })).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it.each([
+    ['addedTime', { addedTime: 1 }],
+    ['duration', { duration: 1 }],
+    ['phase', { phase: TimerPhase.Warning }],
+    ['playback', { playback: Playback.Pause }],
+    ['startedAt', { startedAt: 1 }],
+  ])('updates immediately when %s changes', (_label, patch) => {
+    expect(getShouldTimerUpdate(baseTimer, { ...baseTimer, ...patch })).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it.each([
+    ['elapsed', { elapsed: 1 }],
+    ['expectedFinish', { expectedFinish: 1 }],
+  ])('does not update on %s alone, since it is derived', (_label, patch) => {
+    expect(getShouldTimerUpdate(baseTimer, { ...baseTimer, ...patch })).toBe(false);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('getShouldOffsetUpdate()', () => {
+  const baseOffset: Offset = {
+    absolute: 0,
+    relative: 0,
+    mode: OffsetMode.Absolute,
+    expectedGroupEnd: null,
+    expectedRundownEnd: null,
+    expectedFlagStart: null,
+  };
+
+  it('always updates when there is no previous state', () => {
+    expect(getShouldOffsetUpdate(undefined, baseOffset, false)).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('updates on a mode change even when no dependency ticked', () => {
+    expect(getShouldOffsetUpdate(baseOffset, { ...baseOffset, mode: OffsetMode.Relative }, false)).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('holds back value changes until a dependency ticks', () => {
+    const next = { ...baseOffset, absolute: 1000 };
+    expect(getShouldOffsetUpdate(baseOffset, next, false)).toBe(false);
+    expect(getShouldOffsetUpdate(baseOffset, next, true)).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('does not update when a dependency ticked but nothing changed', () => {
+    expect(getShouldOffsetUpdate(baseOffset, { ...baseOffset }, true)).toBe(false);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('findPreviousPlayableId()', () => {
+  const order = ['1', '2', '3'];
+
+  it('returns undefined when there is nothing to play', () => {
+    expect(findPreviousPlayableId([])).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it('returns the first event when nothing is loaded', () => {
+    expect(findPreviousPlayableId(order)).toBe('1');
+  });
+
+  it('returns the preceding event', () => {
+    expect(findPreviousPlayableId(order, '3')).toBe('2');
+  });
+
+  it('stays on the first event when already at the top', () => {
+    expect(findPreviousPlayableId(order, '1')).toBe('1');
+  });
+
+  it('falls back to the first event when the loaded id is unknown', () => {
+    expect(findPreviousPlayableId(order, 'not-in-rundown')).toBe('1');
+  });
+});
+
+describe('findNextPlayableId()', () => {
+  const order = ['1', '2', '3'];
+
+  it('returns undefined when there is nothing to play', () => {
+    expect(findNextPlayableId([])).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it('returns the first event when nothing is loaded', () => {
+    expect(findNextPlayableId(order)).toBe('1');
+  });
+
+  it('returns the following event', () => {
+    expect(findNextPlayableId(order, '1')).toBe('2');
+  });
+
+  it('wraps to the first event from the last', () => {
+    expect(findNextPlayableId(order, '3')).toBe('1');
+  });
+
+  it('falls back to the first event when the loaded id is unknown', () => {
+    expect(findNextPlayableId(order, 'not-in-rundown')).toBe('1');
+  });
+});
+
+describe('findNextPlayableWithCue()', () => {
+  const rundown = makeRundown({
+    order: ['1', '2', '3', '4'],
+    entries: {
+      '1': makeOntimeEvent({ id: '1', cue: 'a' }),
+      '2': makeOntimeEvent({ id: '2', cue: 'b' }),
+      '3': makeOntimeEvent({ id: '3', cue: 'b', skip: true }),
+      '4': makeOntimeEvent({ id: '4', cue: 'b' }),
+    },
+  });
+  const order = ['1', '2', '3', '4'];
+
+  it('finds the next event with the given cue', () => {
+    expect(findNextPlayableWithCue(rundown, order, 'b')?.id).toBe('2');
+  });
+
+  it('skips events which are not playable', () => {
+    expect(findNextPlayableWithCue(rundown, order, 'b', 2)?.id).toBe('4');
+  });
+
+  it('wraps around to the start of the rundown', () => {
+    expect(findNextPlayableWithCue(rundown, order, 'a', 2)?.id).toBe('1');
+  });
+
+  it('excludes the current event unless allowCurrent is set', () => {
+    expect(findNextPlayableWithCue(rundown, order, 'b', 1)?.id).toBe('4');
+    expect(findNextPlayableWithCue(rundown, order, 'b', 1, true)?.id).toBe('2');
+  });
+
+  it('returns undefined when no event carries the cue', () => {
+    expect(findNextPlayableWithCue(rundown, order, 'missing')).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+});
+
+describe('getEventAtIndex()', () => {
+  const rundown = makeRundown({
+    order: ['1', '2'],
+    entries: {
+      '1': makeOntimeEvent({ id: '1' }),
+      '2': makeOntimeEvent({ id: '2' }),
+    },
+  });
+
+  it('returns the event at the given index', () => {
+    expect(getEventAtIndex(rundown, ['1', '2'], 1)?.id).toBe('2');
+  });
+
+  it('returns undefined when the index is out of range', () => {
+    expect(getEventAtIndex(rundown, ['1', '2'], 5)).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(getEventAtIndex(rundown, [], 0)).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+});

apps/server/src/services/runtime-service/runtime.service.ts

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import { triggerAutomations } from '../../api-data/automation/automation.service
 import { triggerReportEntry } from '../../api-data/report/report.service.js';
 import { getCurrentRundown, getEntryWithId, getRundownMetadata } from '../../api-data/rundown/rundown.dao.js';
 import { RundownMetadata } from '../../api-data/rundown/rundown.types.js';
+import { cloneEntryData } from '../../api-data/rundown/rundown.utils.js';
 import { logger } from '../../classes/Logger.js';
 import { timerConfig } from '../../setup/config.js';
 import { eventStore } from '../../stores/EventStore.js';
@@ -754,7 +755,7 @@ function broadcastResult(_target: any, _propertyKey: string, descriptor: Propert
       }
       // at this point we know that either the id or the contents has changed
       batch.add(key, currentEntry as RuntimeStore[K]); // we know that there is the necessary overlap in the types to cast this
-      RuntimeService.previousState[key] = structuredClone(currentEntry);
+      RuntimeService.previousState[key] = currentEntry ? cloneEntryData(currentEntry) : null;
       return true;
     }
 

e2e/tests/features/209-rundown-shortcuts.spec.ts

@@ -222,15 +222,57 @@ test('Delete event', async ({ page }) => {
   await expect(page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Create Group' })).toBeVisible();
 });
 
-test('Find in rundown', async ({ page }) => {
+test('Finder searches the rundown and reveals a result', async ({ page }) => {
   await page.goto('/rundown');
-  await expect(page.getByTestId('panel-rundown')).toBeVisible();
+  await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Edit' }).click();
 
+  // clear rundown
+  await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Rundown menu' }).click();
+  await page.getByRole('menuitem', { name: 'Clear all' }).click();
+  await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Delete all' }).click();
+  await expect(page.getByTestId('rundown-event')).toHaveCount(0);
+
+  // two events, where the one we are looking for is identified only by its note
+  await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Create Event' }).click();
+  await expect(page.getByTestId('rundown-event')).toHaveCount(1);
+  await page.getByTestId('entry-1').click();
+  await page.getByTestId('entry__title').press('Escape');
+  await page.getByTestId('rundown-event').locator('div').filter({ hasText: '1' }).press('Alt+E');
+  await expect(page.getByTestId('rundown-event')).toHaveCount(2);
+
+  await page.getByTestId('entry-1').getByTestId('entry__title').fill('opening');
+  await page.getByTestId('entry-1').getByTestId('entry__title').press('Enter');
+  await page.getByTestId('entry-2').getByTestId('entry__title').fill('closing');
+  await page.getByTestId('entry-2').getByTestId('entry__title').press('Enter');
+
+  await page.getByTestId('entry-2').click();
+  await page.getByLabel('Note', { exact: true }).fill('remember the zebrafish');
+  await page.getByLabel('Note', { exact: true }).press('Tab');
+
+  // the shortcut has to work from a focused field, which is where it is usually reached for
+  await page.getByTestId('entry-2').getByTestId('entry__title').click();
   await page.keyboard.press('ControlOrMeta+f');
-  await expect(page.getByPlaceholder('Search...')).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(page.getByPlaceholder('Search...')).toBeFocused();
 
-  await page.keyboard.press('Escape');
+  // a bare query reaches the note, and the result names the field it matched
+  await page.getByPlaceholder('Search...').fill('zebrafish');
+  await expect(page.getByTestId('finder-result')).toHaveCount(1);
+  await expect(page.getByTestId('finder-result-match')).toContainText('Note');
+
+  // a badge scopes the search to one field, without putting syntax in the input
+  const titleFilter = page.getByTestId('finder-filters').getByRole('button', { name: 'Title', exact: true });
+  await titleFilter.click();
+  await expect(page.getByPlaceholder('Search...')).toHaveValue('zebrafish');
+  await expect(page.getByTestId('finder-result')).toHaveCount(0);
+
+  // pressing it again searches every field once more
+  await titleFilter.click();
+  await expect(page.getByTestId('finder-result')).toHaveCount(1);
+
+  // choosing a result closes the finder and selects the entry in the rundown
+  await page.getByPlaceholder('Search...').press('Enter');
   await expect(page.getByPlaceholder('Search...')).toBeHidden();
+  await expect(page.getByTestId('entry-2').getByTestId('rundown-event')).toHaveAttribute('data-selected', 'true');
 });
 
 test('Open settings', async ({ page }) => {

package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "ontime",
-  "version": "4.12.0",
+  "version": "4.13.0",
   "description": "Time keeping for live events",
   "keywords": [
     "ontime",

packages/types/package.json

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 {
-  "version": "4.12.0",
+  "version": "4.13.0",
   "name": "ontime-types",
   "type": "module",
   "main": "./src/index.ts",