diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index e613617a..9700a8e9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ jobs:
     name: test (ubuntu-latest)
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v7
 
       - name: Install Linux system dependencies (egui/winit/rfd)
         run: |
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ jobs:
     name: wasm32 check
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v7
       - uses: dtolnay/rust-toolchain@stable
         with:
           targets: wasm32-unknown-unknown
diff --git a/apps/figcraft-cli/src/files.rs b/apps/figcraft-cli/src/files.rs
index 65b19ee4..46215599 100644
--- a/apps/figcraft-cli/src/files.rs
+++ b/apps/figcraft-cli/src/files.rs
@@ -29,9 +29,20 @@ fn image_format(e: &str) -> Option<ExportFormat> {
     }
 }
 
+/// Writes through [`figcraft_engine::file_access`] when automation roots are in force, so a
+/// confined run can only write inside a write root (#833).
+///
+/// Unconfined it writes with `std::fs::write`, as it always did. `file_access::write` stages the
+/// bytes and renames them into place, which **replaces** a symbolic link at `path` instead of
+/// writing through it to its target -- a change of behaviour for anyone whose output path is a
+/// link, and nothing to do with confinement. Inside a root the staged write is the right one:
+/// `Roots::check` has already refused a link that leads out of the root.
 fn write(path: &str, bytes: &[u8]) -> CliResult<()> {
     if let Some(dir) = Path::new(path).parent().filter(|d| !d.as_os_str().is_empty()) {
-        std::fs::create_dir_all(dir).map_err(|e| CliError::Failed(format!("{}: {e}", dir.display())))?;
+        figcraft_engine::file_access::create_dir_all(dir).map_err(|e| CliError::Failed(e.to_string()))?;
+    }
+    if figcraft_engine::file_access::current().is_some() {
+        return figcraft_engine::file_access::write(path, bytes).map_err(|e| CliError::Failed(e.to_string()));
     }
     std::fs::write(path, bytes).map_err(|e| CliError::Failed(format!("{path}: {e}")))
 }
@@ -244,7 +255,7 @@ pub fn export(file: &str, out: &str, t: &Target) -> CliResult<ExitCode> {
         println!("{out}");
         return Ok(ExitCode::SUCCESS);
     }
-    std::fs::create_dir_all(out).map_err(|e| CliError::Failed(format!("{out}: {e}")))?;
+    figcraft_engine::file_access::create_dir_all(out).map_err(|e| CliError::Failed(e.to_string()))?;
     let ids = match target {
         Some(t) => vec![t],
         None => {
@@ -329,7 +340,8 @@ pub fn parse_script(text: &str) -> Result<Vec<(String, Value)>, String> {
 }
 
 pub fn run_script(script: &str, input: Option<&str>, out: Option<&str>) -> CliResult<ExitCode> {
-    let text = std::fs::read_to_string(script).map_err(|e| CliError::Failed(format!("{script}: {e}")))?;
+    let bytes = figcraft_engine::file_access::read(script).map_err(|e| CliError::Failed(e.to_string()))?;
+    let text = String::from_utf8(bytes).map_err(|_| CliError::Failed(format!("{script}: not UTF-8")))?;
     let steps = parse_script(&text).map_err(|e| CliError::Failed(format!("{script}: {e}")))?;
     let mut s = match input {
         Some(path) => {
diff --git a/apps/figcraft-cli/src/main.rs b/apps/figcraft-cli/src/main.rs
index 281d79dd..badc5bc3 100644
--- a/apps/figcraft-cli/src/main.rs
+++ b/apps/figcraft-cli/src/main.rs
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ USAGE:
   figcraft-cli convert <in> <out>
   figcraft-cli render <file> -o <out.png> [--scale N] [--page NAME]
   figcraft-cli run <script.json|script.jsonl> [--in <file>] [--out <file>]
+  (info, export, convert, render and run also take --automation-read-root DIR / --automation-write-root DIR)
   figcraft-cli commands [--json] [--filter TEXT]
   figcraft-cli mcp [--attach PORT] [--automation-read-root DIR]... [--automation-write-root DIR]...
   figcraft-cli plugin publish <folder> --server ws://host:port/[?key=KEY]
@@ -42,12 +43,33 @@ crop and bleed marks, CMYK colour). `run` executes a JSON array (or JSON lines)
 `plugin publish` sends a plugin folder (figcraft-plugin.json, its module, an optional assets/ folder)
 to a figcraft-server's plugin directory as a new version; the server's key comes from the address or
 the FIGCRAFT_SERVER_KEY environment variable (which keeps it out of the shell history).
-`mcp --automation-read-root DIR` / `--automation-write-root DIR` (each may be repeated; the folders
-must exist) confine the files the agent's commands touch: reads only inside a read or write root,
-writes only inside a write root, everything else refused. A running app confines itself: start it
-with `figcraft --control PORT` and the same flags (`--attach` refuses them).
+`--automation-read-root DIR` / `--automation-write-root DIR` (each may be repeated; the folders
+must exist) confine the files a subcommand touches: reads only inside a read or write root, writes
+only inside a write root, everything else refused -- so giving no write root denies writing
+altogether. They are taken by `mcp`, to confine the agent's commands, and by `info`, `export`,
+`convert`, `render` and `run`, to confine that one run; without them a subcommand reads and writes
+as the user who started it, as before. A running app confines itself: start it with
+`figcraft --control PORT` and the same flags (`--attach` refuses them).
 See docs/cli.md and docs/mcp.md.";
 
+/// The automation roots a file subcommand was given, if any. Omitting both leaves the run
+/// unconfined, as before; giving either confines every file the subcommand touches (#833).
+const ROOT_FLAGS: [&str; 2] = ["automation-read-root", "automation-write-root"];
+
+fn roots_of(a: &Args) -> CliResult<Option<figcraft_engine::file_access::Roots>> {
+    let (read, write) = (a.values("automation-read-root"), a.values("automation-write-root"));
+    if read.is_empty() && write.is_empty() {
+        return Ok(None);
+    }
+    Ok(Some(figcraft_engine::file_access::Roots::new(read, write).map_err(CliError::Failed)?))
+}
+
+/// Runs `f` confined to the roots `a` carries.
+fn confined<R>(a: &Args, f: impl FnOnce() -> CliResult<R>) -> CliResult<R> {
+    let roots = roots_of(a)?.map(std::sync::Arc::new);
+    figcraft_engine::file_access::confined(roots.as_ref(), f)
+}
+
 fn main() -> ExitCode {
     let argv: Vec<String> = std::env::args().skip(1).collect();
     match run(&argv) {
@@ -98,35 +120,38 @@ fn run(argv: &[String]) -> CliResult<ExitCode> {
             Ok(ExitCode::SUCCESS)
         }
         "info" => {
-            let a = Args::parse(rest, &[], &["json"])?;
+            let a = Args::parse(rest, &ROOT_FLAGS, &["json"])?;
             let file = a.one_positional("info <file>")?;
-            files::info(&file, a.flag("json"))
+            confined(&a, || files::info(&file, a.flag("json")))
         }
         "export" => {
-            let a = Args::parse(rest, &["format", "scale", "page", "node", "o", "out", "bleed"], &["crop-marks", "bleed-marks", "cmyk"])?;
+            let valued = [&["format", "scale", "page", "node", "o", "out", "bleed"][..], &ROOT_FLAGS[..]].concat();
+            let a = Args::parse(rest, &valued, &["crop-marks", "bleed-marks", "cmyk"])?;
             let file = a.one_positional("export <file> -o <out>")?;
             let out = a.value("o").or_else(|| a.value("out")).ok_or_else(|| CliError::Usage("export needs -o <out>".into()))?;
             let target =
                 files::Target { format: a.value("format"), scale: a.scale()?, page: a.value("page"), node: a.value("node"), print: a.print()? };
-            files::export(&file, &out, &target)
+            confined(&a, || files::export(&file, &out, &target))
         }
         "convert" => {
-            let a = Args::parse(rest, &[], &[])?;
+            let a = Args::parse(rest, &ROOT_FLAGS, &[])?;
             match a.positional.as_slice() {
-                [i, o] => files::convert(i, o),
+                [i, o] => confined(&a, || files::convert(i, o)),
                 _ => Err(CliError::Usage("convert <in> <out>".into())),
             }
         }
         "render" => {
-            let a = Args::parse(rest, &["o", "out", "scale", "page"], &[])?;
+            let valued = [&["o", "out", "scale", "page"][..], &ROOT_FLAGS[..]].concat();
+            let a = Args::parse(rest, &valued, &[])?;
             let file = a.one_positional("render <file> -o <out.png>")?;
             let out = a.value("o").or_else(|| a.value("out")).ok_or_else(|| CliError::Usage("render needs -o <out.png>".into()))?;
-            files::render(&file, &out, a.scale()?, a.value("page").as_deref())
+            confined(&a, || files::render(&file, &out, a.scale()?, a.value("page").as_deref()))
         }
         "run" => {
-            let a = Args::parse(rest, &["in", "out"], &[])?;
+            let valued = [&["in", "out"][..], &ROOT_FLAGS[..]].concat();
+            let a = Args::parse(rest, &valued, &[])?;
             let script = a.one_positional("run <script.json|.jsonl>")?;
-            files::run_script(&script, a.value("in").as_deref(), a.value("out").as_deref())
+            confined(&a, || files::run_script(&script, a.value("in").as_deref(), a.value("out").as_deref()))
         }
         "commands" => {
             let a = Args::parse(rest, &["filter"], &["json"])?;
@@ -137,23 +162,20 @@ fn run(argv: &[String]) -> CliResult<ExitCode> {
             Ok(ExitCode::SUCCESS)
         }
         "mcp" => {
-            let a = Args::parse(rest, &["attach", "automation-read-root", "automation-write-root"], &[])?;
+            let valued = [&["attach"][..], &ROOT_FLAGS[..]].concat();
+            let a = Args::parse(rest, &valued, &[])?;
             if !a.positional.is_empty() {
                 return Err(CliError::Usage("mcp takes no positional arguments".into()));
             }
-            let (read, write) = (a.values("automation-read-root"), a.values("automation-write-root"));
-            let roots = match (read.is_empty() && write.is_empty(), a.value("attach")) {
-                (true, _) => None,
-                // The app runs the commands: only its own roots can confine them.
-                (false, Some(_)) => {
-                    return Err(CliError::Usage(
-                        "--attach can't take automation roots: start the app with them instead (`figcraft --control PORT --automation-read-root DIR ...`)"
-                            .into(),
-                    ));
-                }
-                (false, None) => Some(figcraft_engine::file_access::Roots::new(read, write).map_err(CliError::Failed)?),
-            };
-            mcp(a.value("attach").as_deref(), roots)
+            let attach = a.value("attach");
+            // The app runs the commands: only its own roots can confine them.
+            if attach.is_some() && ROOT_FLAGS.iter().any(|f| !a.values(f).is_empty()) {
+                return Err(CliError::Usage(
+                    "--attach can't take automation roots: start the app with them instead (`figcraft --control PORT --automation-read-root DIR ...`)"
+                        .into(),
+                ));
+            }
+            mcp(attach.as_deref(), roots_of(&a)?)
         }
         "plugin" => {
             let a = Args::parse(rest, &["server"], &[])?;
diff --git a/apps/figcraft-cli/tests/cli.rs b/apps/figcraft-cli/tests/cli.rs
index 7eaf051f..eb42b8d8 100644
--- a/apps/figcraft-cli/tests/cli.rs
+++ b/apps/figcraft-cli/tests/cli.rs
@@ -172,3 +172,98 @@ fn commands_json_lists_everything() {
     let v: serde_json::Value = serde_json::from_slice(&out.stdout).unwrap();
     assert!(v.as_array().unwrap().len() > 200);
 }
+
+/// The automation roots confine the file subcommands too, not just `mcp` (#833): a read outside a
+/// root, and a write outside a write root, are refused and leave no file behind. Without the flags
+/// the same commands behave as they always did.
+#[test]
+fn file_subcommands_are_confined_to_automation_roots() {
+    let d = tmp("file-roots");
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&d);
+    for sub in ["in", "out"] {
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(d.join(sub)).unwrap();
+    }
+    let p = |rel: &str| d.join(rel).to_string_lossy().into_owned();
+    let out_of = |o: &std::process::Output| String::from_utf8_lossy(&o.stderr).into_owned();
+
+    // A document to work on, made unconfined.
+    std::fs::write(d.join("in/make.json"), br#"[{"command":"shape.rectangle","params":{"x":0,"y":0,"width":40,"height":20}}]"#).unwrap();
+    let made = bin().args(["run", &p("in/make.json"), "--out", &p("in/doc.figcraft")]).output().unwrap();
+    assert!(made.status.success(), "{}", out_of(&made));
+
+    // Inside the roots: renders as usual.
+    let ok = bin()
+        .args(["render", &p("in/doc.figcraft"), "-o", &p("out/ok.png"), "--automation-read-root", &p("in"), "--automation-write-root", &p("out")])
+        .output()
+        .unwrap();
+    assert!(ok.status.success(), "{}", out_of(&ok));
+    assert!(d.join("out/ok.png").is_file());
+
+    // A write outside the write root is refused, and nothing is written.
+    let escaped = d.join("escaped.png");
+    let refused = bin()
+        .args([
+            "render",
+            &p("in/doc.figcraft"),
+            "-o",
+            &escaped.to_string_lossy(),
+            "--automation-read-root",
+            &p("in"),
+            "--automation-write-root",
+            &p("out"),
+        ])
+        .output()
+        .unwrap();
+    assert!(!refused.status.success());
+    assert!(out_of(&refused).contains("may be written"), "{}", out_of(&refused));
+    assert!(!escaped.exists(), "the refused render wrote a file anyway");
+
+    // No write root at all: writing is refused outright, reading still works.
+    let no_write = bin().args(["render", &p("in/doc.figcraft"), "-o", &p("out/no.png"), "--automation-read-root", &p("in")]).output().unwrap();
+    assert!(!no_write.status.success());
+    assert!(out_of(&no_write).contains("no folder may be written"), "{}", out_of(&no_write));
+
+    // A read outside every root is refused: `info` on the document with only `out` readable.
+    let read_refused = bin().args(["info", &p("in/doc.figcraft"), "--automation-read-root", &p("out")]).output().unwrap();
+    assert!(!read_refused.status.success());
+    assert!(out_of(&read_refused).contains("may be read"), "{}", out_of(&read_refused));
+
+    // `convert` and `run` take them as well, and a root that is not a folder is refused.
+    let missing = bin().args(["convert", &p("in/doc.figcraft"), &p("out/c.svg"), "--automation-read-root", &p("missing")]).output().unwrap();
+    assert!(!missing.status.success());
+    assert!(out_of(&missing).contains("automation-read-root"), "{}", out_of(&missing));
+
+    // Unconfined, the same render still writes wherever it is told.
+    let plain = bin().args(["render", &p("in/doc.figcraft"), "-o", &escaped.to_string_lossy()]).output().unwrap();
+    assert!(plain.status.success(), "{}", out_of(&plain));
+    assert!(escaped.is_file());
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&d);
+}
+
+/// An output path that is a symbolic link is written through, to its target, as `std::fs::write`
+/// always did. Routing the CLI's writes through `file_access` for #833 would otherwise have
+/// replaced the link with a regular file, because that write stages the bytes and renames them
+/// into place.
+#[cfg(unix)]
+#[test]
+fn an_unconfined_write_follows_a_symbolic_link() {
+    let d = tmp("symlink-out");
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&d);
+    std::fs::create_dir_all(d.join("real")).unwrap();
+    let p = |rel: &str| d.join(rel).to_string_lossy().into_owned();
+    std::fs::write(d.join("in.json"), br#"[{"command":"shape.rectangle","params":{"x":0,"y":0,"width":40,"height":20}}]"#).unwrap();
+    let made = bin().args(["run", &p("in.json"), "--out", &p("doc.figcraft")]).output().unwrap();
+    assert!(made.status.success(), "{}", String::from_utf8_lossy(&made.stderr));
+
+    let target = d.join("real/target.png");
+    std::fs::write(&target, b"placeholder").unwrap();
+    let link = d.join("link.png");
+    std::os::unix::fs::symlink(&target, &link).unwrap();
+
+    let out = bin().args(["render", &p("doc.figcraft"), "-o", &link.to_string_lossy()]).output().unwrap();
+    assert!(out.status.success(), "{}", String::from_utf8_lossy(&out.stderr));
+    assert!(std::fs::symlink_metadata(&link).unwrap().file_type().is_symlink(), "the link is still a link");
+    let written = std::fs::read(&target).unwrap();
+    assert!(written.starts_with(b"\x89PNG"), "the target holds the render, not the placeholder");
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&d);
+}
diff --git a/apps/figcraft-web/Cargo.toml b/apps/figcraft-web/Cargo.toml
index 2f1a8190..ffd44f3b 100644
--- a/apps/figcraft-web/Cargo.toml
+++ b/apps/figcraft-web/Cargo.toml
@@ -26,4 +26,4 @@ eframe = { workspace = true, features = ["default_fonts", "wgpu", "accesskit"] }
 wasm-bindgen = "0.2"
 js-sys = "0.3"
 wasm-bindgen-futures = "0.4"
-web-sys = { version = "0.3", features = ["Window", "Document", "Element", "HtmlCanvasElement", "HtmlElement", "HtmlAnchorElement", "Node", "Blob", "BlobPropertyBag", "Url", "Location", "MediaQueryList", "Navigator", "Gamepad", "GamepadButton", "GamepadMappingType"] }
+web-sys = { version = "0.3", features = ["Window", "Document", "Element", "HtmlCanvasElement", "HtmlElement", "HtmlAnchorElement", "Node", "Blob", "BlobPropertyBag", "File", "FileList", "HtmlInputElement", "EventTarget", "Url", "Location", "MediaQueryList", "Navigator", "Gamepad", "GamepadButton", "GamepadMappingType"] }
diff --git a/apps/figcraft-web/src/web.rs b/apps/figcraft-web/src/web.rs
index 29213621..f08ca90f 100644
--- a/apps/figcraft-web/src/web.rs
+++ b/apps/figcraft-web/src/web.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 //! The browser shell: web `Services` and the eframe web runner.
 
 use figcraft_engine::Session;
-use figcraft_ui_egui::{FigApp, Services};
+use figcraft_ui_egui::{ContentsFuture, FigApp, Services};
 use wasm_bindgen::JsCast as _;
 
 const CANVAS_ID: &str = "figcraft_canvas";
@@ -75,9 +75,10 @@ impl eframe::App for WebShell {
     }
 }
 
-/// Browser services. Open dialogs return nothing for now (the trait's defaults); files are saved
-/// as downloads. Copies go to the system clipboard through egui's output; pastes arrive as paste
-/// events with their text (a page can't read the clipboard when it likes).
+/// Browser services. Files are opened and imported through the browser's file picker, which hands
+/// over their contents (pickers that need a path return nothing, the trait's defaults); files are
+/// saved as downloads. Copies go to the system clipboard through egui's output; pastes arrive as
+/// paste events with their text (a page can't read the clipboard when it likes).
 struct WebServices {
     /// `prefers-reduced-motion: reduce` (it follows the setting while the page is open).
     reduce_motion: Option<web_sys::MediaQueryList>,
@@ -85,6 +86,16 @@ struct WebServices {
 }
 
 impl Services for WebServices {
+    /// An `<input type="file">` taking `exts`, clicked; its file is read once picked.
+    fn pick_open_contents(&mut self, _title: &str, exts: &[&str]) -> Option<ContentsFuture> {
+        let accept = exts.iter().map(|e| format!(".{e}")).collect::<Vec<_>>().join(",");
+        Some(Box::pin(async move {
+            pick_file(&accept).await.unwrap_or_else(|e| {
+                log::error!("couldn't open a file: {e:?}");
+                None
+            })
+        }))
+    }
     fn downloads(&self) -> bool {
         true
     }
@@ -136,6 +147,90 @@ impl Services for WebServices {
     }
 }
 
+/// The file picked in the browser's file picker (`accept`: the extensions it offers), with its
+/// name; `None` when the picker is cancelled, `Some(Err)` with what to tell the user when the file
+/// can't be read.
+async fn pick_file(accept: &str) -> Result<Option<Result<(String, Vec<u8>), String>>, wasm_bindgen::JsValue> {
+    let window = web_sys::window().ok_or("no window")?;
+    let document = window.document().ok_or("no document")?;
+    let body = document.body().ok_or("no body")?;
+    let input: web_sys::HtmlInputElement = document.create_element("input")?.dyn_into()?;
+    input.set_type("file");
+    input.set_accept(accept);
+    input.set_hidden(true);
+    // Some browsers (older Safari) open the picker only for an input in the page.
+    body.append_child(&input)?;
+    let (closed, picker) = PickerClosed::new(&window, input.clone());
+    input.click();
+    let result = wasm_bindgen_futures::JsFuture::from(closed).await;
+    let file = input.files().and_then(|files| files.get(0));
+    drop(picker);
+    result?;
+    let Some(file) = file else { return Ok(None) };
+    let name = file.name();
+    if let Err(why) = figcraft_ui_egui::browser_can_read(&name, file.size()) {
+        return Ok(Some(Err(why)));
+    }
+    Ok(Some(match wasm_bindgen_futures::JsFuture::from(file.array_buffer()).await {
+        Ok(buffer) => Ok((name, js_sys::Uint8Array::new(&buffer).to_vec())),
+        Err(e) => {
+            log::error!("couldn't read {name}: {e:?}");
+            Err(figcraft_ui_egui::unreadable(&name))
+        }
+    }))
+}
+
+/// How long after the page gets focus back the file picker counts as closed (milliseconds): a
+/// picked file's `change` can come just after the focus, and must win. A `change` later than this
+/// (a slow cloud-backed file in a browser that never sends `cancel`) counts as a cancel.
+const PICKER_FOCUS_SETTLE_MS: i32 = 1_000;
+
+/// Settles a file picker's promise once: on `change` (a file was picked), on `cancel` (closed
+/// without one) or shortly after the page gets focus back, for browsers that never send `cancel`
+/// (Safari before 16.4), where the pick would otherwise stay pending and block every later one.
+/// Dropping it (also when the pick is abandoned) removes the input, the focus listener and its timer.
+struct PickerClosed {
+    window: web_sys::Window,
+    input: web_sys::HtmlInputElement,
+    _settle: wasm_bindgen::closure::Closure<dyn FnMut()>,
+    on_focus: wasm_bindgen::closure::Closure<dyn FnMut()>,
+    timer: std::rc::Rc<std::cell::Cell<Option<i32>>>,
+}
+
+impl PickerClosed {
+    fn new(window: &web_sys::Window, input: web_sys::HtmlInputElement) -> (js_sys::Promise, Self) {
+        let resolve = std::rc::Rc::new(std::cell::RefCell::new(None::<js_sys::Function>));
+        let slot = resolve.clone();
+        let closed = js_sys::Promise::new(&mut |res, _rej| *slot.borrow_mut() = Some(res));
+        let settle = wasm_bindgen::closure::Closure::<dyn FnMut()>::new(move || {
+            if let Some(res) = resolve.borrow_mut().take() {
+                let _ = res.call0(&wasm_bindgen::JsValue::NULL);
+            }
+        });
+        let _ = input.add_event_listener_with_callback("change", settle.as_ref().unchecked_ref());
+        let _ = input.add_event_listener_with_callback("cancel", settle.as_ref().unchecked_ref());
+        let timer = std::rc::Rc::new(std::cell::Cell::new(None));
+        let (w, t, f) = (window.clone(), timer.clone(), settle.as_ref().unchecked_ref::<js_sys::Function>().clone());
+        let on_focus = wasm_bindgen::closure::Closure::<dyn FnMut()>::new(move || {
+            if t.get().is_none() {
+                t.set(w.set_timeout_with_callback_and_timeout_and_arguments_0(&f, PICKER_FOCUS_SETTLE_MS).ok());
+            }
+        });
+        let _ = window.add_event_listener_with_callback("focus", on_focus.as_ref().unchecked_ref());
+        (closed, Self { window: window.clone(), input, _settle: settle, on_focus, timer })
+    }
+}
+
+impl Drop for PickerClosed {
+    fn drop(&mut self) {
+        if let Some(t) = self.timer.take() {
+            self.window.clear_timeout_with_handle(t);
+        }
+        let _ = self.window.remove_event_listener_with_callback("focus", self.on_focus.as_ref().unchecked_ref());
+        self.input.remove();
+    }
+}
+
 fn download(name: &str, bytes: &[u8]) -> Result<(), wasm_bindgen::JsValue> {
     let window = web_sys::window().ok_or("no window")?;
     let document = window.document().ok_or("no document")?;
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/file_access.rs b/crates/engine/src/file_access.rs
index 8abeaee5..709b34a7 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/file_access.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/file_access.rs
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ impl Roots {
             Ok(resolved) if roots.iter().any(|r| resolved.starts_with(r)) => return Ok(resolved),
             Ok(_) => {}
             // Why a path can't be resolved says what exists there: only told for paths inside a root.
-            Err(why) if lexically_inside(path, &roots) => return Err(format!("automation path rejected: {asked}: {why}")),
+            Err(why) if inside_as_far_as_it_exists(path, &roots) => return Err(format!("automation path rejected: {asked}: {why}")),
             Err(_) => {}
         }
         if roots.is_empty() {
@@ -79,9 +79,10 @@ impl Roots {
     }
 }
 
-/// Whether `path`, made absolute with its `.` and `..` taken by name (no file system), lies in one
-/// of `roots` (as resolved, or as shown without Windows' `\\?\` prefix).
-fn lexically_inside(path: &Path, roots: &[PathBuf]) -> bool {
+/// Whether `path` lies in one of `roots` once made absolute with its `.` and `..` taken by name and
+/// its longest leading part that exists resolved, so links on the way are followed as the roots'
+/// were (`/tmp/work/x` is inside root `/private/tmp/work`, a link out of a root leads out of it).
+fn inside_as_far_as_it_exists(path: &Path, roots: &[PathBuf]) -> bool {
     let Ok(abs) = std::path::absolute(path) else { return false };
     let mut lexical = PathBuf::new();
     for c in abs.components() {
@@ -93,7 +94,18 @@ fn lexically_inside(path: &Path, roots: &[PathBuf]) -> bool {
             c => lexical.push(c),
         }
     }
-    roots.iter().any(|r| lexical.starts_with(r) || lexical.starts_with(shown(r)))
+    let mut rest: Vec<&OsStr> = Vec::new();
+    let mut at = lexical.as_path();
+    let resolved = loop {
+        if let Ok(mut base) = std::fs::canonicalize(at) {
+            base.extend(rest.iter().rev());
+            break base;
+        }
+        let (Some(name), Some(parent)) = (at.file_name(), at.parent()) else { return false };
+        rest.push(name);
+        at = parent;
+    };
+    roots.iter().any(|r| resolved.starts_with(r))
 }
 
 /// Whether `path` lies in the app's own folder `folder`, both resolved (links and `..` followed);
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/file_access_tests.rs b/crates/engine/src/file_access_tests.rs
index a05ad88c..ba55e134 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/file_access_tests.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/file_access_tests.rs
@@ -348,6 +348,10 @@ fn outside_paths_are_refused_alike_whatever_exists_there() {
     let mut outside = vec![f.p("outside/secret.txt"), f.p("outside/none.txt"), f.p("outside/missing/../x.txt"), f.p("nowhere/deeper/x.txt")];
     if symlink_file(&f.0.join("outside/not-yet.txt"), &f.0.join("outside/dangling.txt")) {
         outside.push(f.p("outside/dangling.txt"));
+        // Reached through a link in the root, it is outside all the same.
+        if symlink_dir(&f.0.join("outside"), &f.0.join("root/escape")) {
+            outside.push(f.p("root/escape/dangling.txt"));
+        }
     }
     for p in &outside {
         let e = refusal(p);
@@ -359,6 +363,19 @@ fn outside_paths_are_refused_alike_whatever_exists_there() {
     }
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn a_root_given_through_a_link_tells_why_paths_in_it_are_refused() {
+    let f = Fixture::new("linked-root");
+    if !symlink_dir(&f.0.join("root"), &f.0.join("via")) || !symlink_file(&f.0.join("outside/not-yet.txt"), &f.0.join("root/dangling.txt")) {
+        eprintln!("skipped: this system doesn't let tests make symbolic links");
+        return;
+    }
+    // Like `/tmp/work` on macOS, where `/tmp` leads to `/private/tmp`.
+    let r = Roots::new(&[], &[f.p("via")]).unwrap();
+    let e = r.check(Path::new(&f.p("via/dangling.txt")), Access::Write).unwrap_err();
+    assert!(e.contains("leads nowhere"), "{e}");
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn only_resolved_paths_count_as_the_apps_own_folder() {
     let f = Fixture::new("own");
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/cs.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/cs.toml
index 98051314..c4cd98f4 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/cs.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/cs.toml
@@ -310,6 +310,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "Corner radius" = "Poloměr rohu"
 "Corner smoothing" = "Vyhlazení rohů"
 "Couldn't reach {server}: showing what this computer remembers." = "Server {server} není dostupný: zobrazuje se stav uložený v tomto počítači."
+"Couldn't read {name}." = "Soubor {name} se nepodařilo přečíst."
 "Count" = "Počet"
 "Create" = "Vytvořit"
 "Create a variable collection first" = "Nejprve vytvořte kolekci proměnných"
@@ -1629,6 +1630,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "{name} is forgotten on this computer; the file stays on {server}" = "Zapomenuto v tomto počítači: {name}; soubor zůstává na serveru {server}"
 "{name} is on the server." = "{name} je na serveru."
 "{name} is spotlighting" = "{name} sdílí pohled"
+"{name} is too large to open in the browser (over 512 MB)." = "Soubor {name} je příliš velký na otevření v prohlížeči (více než 512 MB)."
 "{name}\nClick to apply to the selection" = "{name}\nKliknutím použijete na výběr"
 "{name}\nDrag onto the canvas, or click to place in the middle of the view.\nHold Alt (Option) while dropping onto an instance to swap it." = "{name}\nPřetáhněte na plátno nebo kliknutím umístěte doprostřed zobrazení.\nPři puštění na instanci podržte Alt (Option) a vyměňte ji."
 "{name} (from {library})" = "{name} (z {library})"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/de.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/de.toml
index 07669c1a..51afd442 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/de.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/de.toml
@@ -306,6 +306,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "Corner smoothing" = "Eckenglättung"
 "Couldn't download the variables" = "Die Variablen konnten nicht heruntergeladen werden"
 "Couldn't reach {server}: showing what this computer remembers." = "{server} war nicht erreichbar: Es wird angezeigt, was dieser Computer gespeichert hat."
+"Couldn't read {name}." = "{name} konnte nicht gelesen werden."
 "Couldn't save automatically: {error}" = "Automatisches Speichern fehlgeschlagen: {error}"
 "Count" = "Anzahl"
 "Create" = "Erstellen"
@@ -1583,6 +1584,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "{name} is forgotten on this computer; the file stays on {server}" = "{name} wurde auf diesem Computer vergessen; die Datei bleibt auf {server}"
 "{name} is on the server." = "{name} liegt auf dem Server."
 "{name} is spotlighting" = "{name} hat das Spotlight"
+"{name} is too large to open in the browser (over 512 MB)." = "{name} ist zu groß, um im Browser geöffnet zu werden (über 512 MB)."
 "{name} was removed from the server" = "{name} wurde vom Server entfernt"
 "{name} · deleted on main" = "{name} · in der Hauptdatei gelöscht"
 "{name} · deleted on the branch" = "{name} · im Branch gelöscht"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/en.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/en.toml
index 17f6b4c5..9a7aba63 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/en.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/en.toml
@@ -319,6 +319,7 @@ name = "English"
 "Corner smoothing" = "Corner smoothing"
 "Couldn't download the variables" = "Couldn't download the variables"
 "Couldn't reach {server}: showing what this computer remembers." = "Couldn't reach {server}: showing what this computer remembers."
+"Couldn't read {name}." = "Couldn't read {name}."
 "Couldn't save automatically: {error}" = "Couldn't save automatically: {error}"
 "Count" = "Count"
 "Create" = "Create"
@@ -1667,6 +1668,7 @@ name = "English"
 "{name} is forgotten on this computer; the file stays on {server}" = "{name} is forgotten on this computer; the file stays on {server}"
 "{name} is on the server." = "{name} is on the server."
 "{name} is spotlighting" = "{name} is spotlighting"
+"{name} is too large to open in the browser (over 512 MB)." = "{name} is too large to open in the browser (over 512 MB)."
 "{name}\nClick to apply to the selection" = "{name}\nClick to apply to the selection"
 "{name}\nDrag onto the canvas, or click to place in the middle of the view.\nHold Alt (Option) while dropping onto an instance to swap it." = "{name}\nDrag onto the canvas, or click to place in the middle of the view.\nHold Alt (Option) while dropping onto an instance to swap it."
 "{name} (from {library})" = "{name} (from {library})"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/es.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/es.toml
index d054e222..b4c7c335 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/es.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/es.toml
@@ -320,6 +320,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "Corner radius" = "Radio de esquina"
 "Corner smoothing" = "Suavizado de esquinas"
 "Couldn't reach {server}: showing what this computer remembers." = "No se pudo contactar con {server}: se muestra lo que este ordenador recuerda."
+"Couldn't read {name}." = "No se pudo leer {name}."
 "Couldn't save automatically: {error}" = "No se pudo guardar automáticamente: {error}"
 "Count" = "Número"
 "Create" = "Crear"
@@ -1668,6 +1669,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "{name} is forgotten on this computer; the file stays on {server}" = "{name} se olvidó en este ordenador; el archivo se queda en {server}"
 "{name} is on the server." = "{name} está en el servidor."
 "{name} is spotlighting" = "{name} está en el foco"
+"{name} is too large to open in the browser (over 512 MB)." = "{name} es demasiado grande para abrirlo en el navegador (más de 512 MB)."
 "{name}\nClick to apply to the selection" = "{name}\nHaz clic para aplicarlo a la selección"
 "{name}\nDrag onto the canvas, or click to place in the middle of the view.\nHold Alt (Option) while dropping onto an instance to swap it." = "{name}\nArrastra al lienzo o haz clic para colocarlo en el centro de la vista.\nMantén Alt (Opción) al soltar sobre una instancia para intercambiarla."
 "{name} (from {library})" = "{name} (de {library})"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/fi.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/fi.toml
index 602574d7..db5d2579 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/fi.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/fi.toml
@@ -321,6 +321,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "Corner smoothing" = "Kulman pehmennys"
 "Couldn't download the variables" = "Muuttujia ei voitu ladata"
 "Couldn't reach {server}: showing what this computer remembers." = "Palvelimeen {server} ei saatu yhteyttä. Näytetään tämän tietokoneen muistamat tiedot."
+"Couldn't read {name}." = "Tiedostoa {name} ei voitu lukea."
 "Couldn't save automatically: {error}" = "Automaattinen tallennus epäonnistui: {error}"
 "Count" = "Määrä"
 "Create" = "Luo"
@@ -1676,6 +1677,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "{name} is forgotten on this computer; the file stays on {server}" = "{name} on unohdettu tällä tietokoneella. Tiedosto jää palvelimelle {server}."
 "{name} is on the server." = "{name} on palvelimella."
 "{name} is spotlighting" = "{name} nostaa näkymäänsä esiin"
+"{name} is too large to open in the browser (over 512 MB)." = "{name} on liian suuri avattavaksi selaimessa (yli 512 Mt)."
 "{name} was removed from the server" = "{name} poistettiin palvelimelta"
 "{name} · deleted on main" = "{name} · poistettu päähaarassa"
 "{name} · deleted on the branch" = "{name} · poistettu haarassa"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/fr.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/fr.toml
index 5edf1a62..98c860ba 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/fr.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/fr.toml
@@ -318,6 +318,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "Corner smoothing" = "Lissage des angles"
 "Couldn't download the variables" = "Impossible de télécharger les variables"
 "Couldn't reach {server}: showing what this computer remembers." = "Impossible de joindre {server} : affichage de ce dont cet ordinateur se souvient."
+"Couldn't read {name}." = "Impossible de lire {name}."
 "Couldn't save automatically: {error}" = "Impossible d’enregistrer automatiquement : {error}"
 "Count" = "Nombre"
 "Create" = "Créer"
@@ -1665,6 +1666,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "{name} is forgotten on this computer; the file stays on {server}" = "{name} est oublié sur cet ordinateur ; le fichier reste sur {server}"
 "{name} is on the server." = "{name} est sur le serveur."
 "{name} is spotlighting" = "{name} est sous les projecteurs"
+"{name} is too large to open in the browser (over 512 MB)." = "{name} est trop volumineux pour être ouvert dans le navigateur (plus de 512 Mo)."
 "{name} was removed from the server" = "{name} a été retiré du serveur"
 "{name} · deleted on main" = "{name} · supprimé dans le principal"
 "{name} · deleted on the branch" = "{name} · supprimé dans la branche"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/id.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/id.toml
index 65a9939c..0b559861 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/id.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/id.toml
@@ -314,6 +314,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "Corner radius" = "Radius sudut"
 "Corner smoothing" = "Penghalusan sudut"
 "Couldn't reach {server}: showing what this computer remembers." = "Tidak dapat terhubung ke {server}: menampilkan data yang diingat komputer ini."
+"Couldn't read {name}." = "Tidak dapat membaca {name}."
 "Count" = "Jumlah"
 "Create" = "Buat"
 "Create a variable collection first" = "Buat koleksi variabel terlebih dahulu"
@@ -1633,6 +1634,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "{name} is forgotten on this computer; the file stays on {server}" = "{name} dilupakan di komputer ini; file tetap ada di {server}"
 "{name} is on the server." = "{name} ada di server."
 "{name} is spotlighting" = "{name} sedang spotlight"
+"{name} is too large to open in the browser (over 512 MB)." = "{name} terlalu besar untuk dibuka di browser (lebih dari 512 MB)."
 "{name}\nClick to apply to the selection" = "{name}\nKlik untuk menerapkan ke pilihan"
 "{name}\nDrag onto the canvas, or click to place in the middle of the view.\nHold Alt (Option) while dropping onto an instance to swap it." = "{name}\nSeret ke kanvas, atau klik untuk menaruh di tengah tampilan.\nTahan Alt (Option) saat melepas di atas instance untuk menukarnya."
 "{name} (from {library})" = "{name} (dari {library})"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/ja.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/ja.toml
index def8ebc4..712a6f3f 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/ja.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/ja.toml
@@ -316,6 +316,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "Corner radius" = "角の半径"
 "Corner smoothing" = "角のスムージング"
 "Couldn't reach {server}: showing what this computer remembers." = "{server} に接続できない：このコンピューターが覚えている内容を表示中。"
+"Couldn't read {name}." = "{name} を読み込めませんでした。"
 "Couldn't save automatically: {error}" = "自動保存できませんでした：{error}"
 "Count" = "数"
 "Create" = "作成"
@@ -1650,6 +1651,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "{name} is forgotten on this computer; the file stays on {server}" = "{name} の記録をこのコンピューターから消去済み。ファイルは {server} に残る"
 "{name} is on the server." = "{name} はサーバーにある。"
 "{name} is spotlighting" = "{name} がスポットライト中"
+"{name} is too large to open in the browser (over 512 MB)." = "{name} は大きすぎるため、ブラウザーで開けません（512 MB 超）。"
 "{name} was removed from the server" = "{name} をサーバーから削除済み"
 "{name} · deleted on main" = "{name} · メインで削除"
 "{name} · deleted on the branch" = "{name} · ブランチで削除"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/ko.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/ko.toml
index 3e191623..cfdb018d 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/ko.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/ko.toml
@@ -305,6 +305,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "Corner radius" = "모서리 반경"
 "Corner smoothing" = "모서리 스무딩"
 "Couldn't reach {server}: showing what this computer remembers." = "{server}에 연결할 수 없음: 이 컴퓨터가 기억하는 내용을 표시함."
+"Couldn't read {name}." = "{name}을(를) 읽을 수 없습니다."
 "Couldn't save automatically: {error}" = "자동으로 저장할 수 없음: {error}"
 "Count" = "개수"
 "Create" = "만들기"
@@ -1574,6 +1575,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "{name} is forgotten on this computer; the file stays on {server}" = "{name}의 기록을 이 컴퓨터에서 지움. 파일은 {server}에 남음"
 "{name} is on the server." = "{name}이(가) 서버에 있음."
 "{name} is spotlighting" = "{name} 님이 스포트라이트 중"
+"{name} is too large to open in the browser (over 512 MB)." = "{name}은(는) 너무 커서 브라우저에서 열 수 없습니다(512MB 초과)."
 "{name} was removed from the server" = "{name}을(를) 서버에서 제거함"
 "{name} · deleted on main" = "{name} · 메인에서 삭제됨"
 "{name} · deleted on the branch" = "{name} · 브랜치에서 삭제됨"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/nl.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/nl.toml
index 8d8cac68..da645e7d 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/nl.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/nl.toml
@@ -321,6 +321,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "Corner smoothing" = "Hoekafvlakking"
 "Couldn't download the variables" = "De variabelen konden niet worden gedownload"
 "Couldn't reach {server}: showing what this computer remembers." = "Kon {server} niet bereiken: toont wat deze computer onthoudt."
+"Couldn't read {name}." = "Kon {name} niet lezen."
 "Couldn't save automatically: {error}" = "Kan niet automatisch opslaan: {error}"
 "Count" = "Aantal"
 "Create" = "Maken"
@@ -1673,6 +1674,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "{name} is forgotten on this computer; the file stays on {server}" = "{name} is op deze computer vergeten; het bestand blijft op {server}"
 "{name} is on the server." = "{name} staat op de server."
 "{name} is spotlighting" = "{name} staat in de spotlight"
+"{name} is too large to open in the browser (over 512 MB)." = "{name} is te groot om in de browser te openen (meer dan 512 MB)."
 "{name} was removed from the server" = "{name} is van de server verwijderd"
 "{name} · deleted on main" = "{name} · verwijderd op main"
 "{name} · deleted on the branch" = "{name} · verwijderd op de branch"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/pt-BR.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/pt-BR.toml
index d970db14..343463f3 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/pt-BR.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/pt-BR.toml
@@ -304,6 +304,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "Corner smoothing" = "Suavização de cantos"
 "Couldn't download the variables" = "Não foi possível baixar as variáveis"
 "Couldn't reach {server}: showing what this computer remembers." = "Não foi possível alcançar {server}: mostrando o que este computador lembra."
+"Couldn't read {name}." = "Não foi possível ler {name}."
 "Couldn't save automatically: {error}" = "Não foi possível salvar automaticamente: {error}"
 "Count" = "Quantidade"
 "Create" = "Criar"
@@ -1573,6 +1574,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "{name} is forgotten on this computer; the file stays on {server}" = "{name} foi esquecido neste computador; o arquivo continua em {server}"
 "{name} is on the server." = "{name} está no servidor."
 "{name} is spotlighting" = "{name} está em destaque"
+"{name} is too large to open in the browser (over 512 MB)." = "{name} é grande demais para abrir no navegador (mais de 512 MB)."
 "{name} was removed from the server" = "{name} foi removido do servidor"
 "{name} · deleted on main" = "{name} · excluído no principal"
 "{name} · deleted on the branch" = "{name} · excluído na branch"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/ru.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/ru.toml
index 8d371cbe..eb264cd9 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/ru.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/ru.toml
@@ -311,6 +311,7 @@ name = "Русский"
 "Corner radius" = "Радиус углов"
 "Corner smoothing" = "Сглаживание углов"
 "Couldn't reach {server}: showing what this computer remembers." = "Не удалось связаться с {server}: показаны данные, сохранённые на этом компьютере."
+"Couldn't read {name}." = "Не удалось прочитать {name}."
 "Count" = "Количество"
 "Create" = "Создать"
 "Create a variable collection first" = "Сначала создайте коллекцию переменных"
@@ -1635,6 +1636,7 @@ name = "Русский"
 "{name} is forgotten on this computer; the file stays on {server}" = "{name} забыт на этом компьютере; файл остаётся на {server}"
 "{name} is on the server." = "{name} находится на сервере."
 "{name} is spotlighting" = "{name} показывает экран всем"
+"{name} is too large to open in the browser (over 512 MB)." = "Файл {name} слишком велик для открытия в браузере (больше 512 МБ)."
 "{name}\nClick to apply to the selection" = "{name}\nНажмите, чтобы применить к выделению"
 "{name}\nDrag onto the canvas, or click to place in the middle of the view.\nHold Alt (Option) while dropping onto an instance to swap it." = "{name}\nПеретащите на холст или нажмите, чтобы разместить в центре вида.\nУдерживайте Alt (Option) при переносе на экземпляр, чтобы заменить его."
 "{name} (from {library})" = "{name} (из {library})"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/sv.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/sv.toml
index d57bb25a..97e4cb41 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/sv.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/sv.toml
@@ -315,6 +315,7 @@ name = "Svenska"
 "Corner smoothing" = "Hörnutjämning"
 "Couldn't download the variables" = "Det gick inte att hämta variablerna"
 "Couldn't reach {server}: showing what this computer remembers." = "Det gick inte att nå {server}: visar det som den här datorn minns."
+"Couldn't read {name}." = "Det gick inte att läsa {name}."
 "Couldn't save automatically: {error}" = "Det gick inte att spara automatiskt: {error}"
 "Count" = "Antal"
 "Create" = "Skapa"
@@ -1650,6 +1651,7 @@ name = "Svenska"
 "{name} is forgotten on this computer; the file stays on {server}" = "{name} har glömts på den här datorn; filen finns kvar på {server}"
 "{name} is on the server." = "{name} finns på servern."
 "{name} is spotlighting" = "{name} har spotlight"
+"{name} is too large to open in the browser (over 512 MB)." = "{name} är för stor för att öppnas i webbläsaren (över 512 MB)."
 "{name}\nClick to apply to the selection" = "{name}\nKlicka för att använda på markeringen"
 "{name}\nDrag onto the canvas, or click to place in the middle of the view.\nHold Alt (Option) while dropping onto an instance to swap it." = "{name}\nDra till arbetsytan, eller klicka för att placera i mitten av vyn.\nHåll ned Alt (Option) när du släpper på en instans för att byta ut den."
 "{name} (from {library})" = "{name} (från {library})"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/tr.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/tr.toml
index a9da62ef..e9fbf7f0 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/tr.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/tr.toml
@@ -314,6 +314,7 @@ name = "Türkçe"
 "Corner radius" = "Köşe yarıçapı"
 "Corner smoothing" = "Köşe yumuşatma"
 "Couldn't reach {server}: showing what this computer remembers." = "{server} sunucusuna ulaşılamadı: bu bilgisayarın hatırladıkları gösteriliyor."
+"Couldn't read {name}." = "{name} okunamadı."
 "Count" = "Sayı"
 "Create" = "Oluştur"
 "Create a variable collection first" = "Önce bir değişken koleksiyonu oluşturun"
@@ -1633,6 +1634,7 @@ name = "Türkçe"
 "{name} is forgotten on this computer; the file stays on {server}" = "{name} bu bilgisayarda unutuldu; dosya {server} üzerinde kalır"
 "{name} is on the server." = "{name} sunucuda."
 "{name} is spotlighting" = "{name} öne çıkarıyor"
+"{name} is too large to open in the browser (over 512 MB)." = "{name}, tarayıcıda açılamayacak kadar büyük (512 MB'tan fazla)."
 "{name}\nClick to apply to the selection" = "{name}\nSeçime uygulamak için tıklayın"
 "{name}\nDrag onto the canvas, or click to place in the middle of the view.\nHold Alt (Option) while dropping onto an instance to swap it." = "{name}\nTuvale sürükleyin veya görünümün ortasına yerleştirmek için tıklayın.\nBir örneği değiştirmek için üzerine bırakırken Alt (Option) tuşunu basılı tutun."
 "{name} (from {library})" = "{name} ({library} kitaplığından)"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/zh-Hans.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/zh-Hans.toml
index a90c1c03..81874aeb 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/zh-Hans.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/zh-Hans.toml
@@ -306,6 +306,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "Corner radius" = "圆角半径"
 "Corner smoothing" = "圆角平滑"
 "Couldn't reach {server}: showing what this computer remembers." = "无法连接 {server}：显示的是这台电脑记录的内容。"
+"Couldn't read {name}." = "无法读取 {name}。"
 "Couldn't save automatically: {error}" = "无法自动保存：{error}"
 "Count" = "数量"
 "Create" = "创建"
@@ -1568,6 +1569,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "{name} is forgotten on this computer; the file stays on {server}" = "已在这台电脑上忘记 {name}；文件仍保留在 {server} 上"
 "{name} is on the server." = "{name} 已在服务器上。"
 "{name} is spotlighting" = "{name} 正在聚焦"
+"{name} is too large to open in the browser (over 512 MB)." = "{name} 太大，无法在浏览器中打开（超过 512 MB）。"
 "{name}\nClick to apply to the selection" = "{name}\n点击应用于所选项"
 "{name}\nDrag onto the canvas, or click to place in the middle of the view.\nHold Alt (Option) while dropping onto an instance to swap it." = "{name}\n拖到画布上，或点击放置在视图中央。\n拖放到实例上时按住 Alt（Option）可替换该实例。"
 "{name} (from {library})" = "{name}（来自 {library}）"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/async_dialog_tests.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/async_dialog_tests.rs
index 26808fe5..f38ac824 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/async_dialog_tests.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/async_dialog_tests.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ use std::path::PathBuf;
 
 use figcraft_engine::Session;
 
-use crate::{DialogFuture, FigApp, Services};
+use crate::{ContentsFuture, DialogFuture, FigApp, Services};
 
 struct OpenFile(PathBuf);
 
@@ -79,6 +79,74 @@ fn save_as_saves_the_file_it_was_opened_for_after_another_tab_comes_to_the_front
     let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(dir);
 }
 
+/// The browser: the picker hands over a file's name and contents, never a path.
+struct Contents(&'static str, Vec<u8>);
+
+impl Services for Contents {
+    fn pick_open(&mut self, _title: &str, _exts: &[&str]) -> DialogFuture {
+        panic!("a platform that picks contents is never asked for a path")
+    }
+    fn pick_open_contents(&mut self, _title: &str, _exts: &[&str]) -> Option<ContentsFuture> {
+        Some(Box::pin(std::future::ready(Some(Ok((self.0.to_string(), self.1.clone()))))))
+    }
+}
+
+/// The browser, with a picked file it won't read.
+struct Unreadable(String);
+
+impl Services for Unreadable {
+    fn pick_open_contents(&mut self, _title: &str, _exts: &[&str]) -> Option<ContentsFuture> {
+        Some(Box::pin(std::future::ready(Some(Err(self.0.clone())))))
+    }
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn a_picked_file_that_cannot_be_read_says_why_and_opens_nothing() {
+    let why = crate::browser_can_read("Huge.fig", 600.0 * 1024.0 * 1024.0).unwrap_err();
+    let mut app = FigApp::new(Session::empty(), Box::new(Unreadable(why.clone())));
+    app.open_dialog();
+    app.poll_dialog(&egui::Context::default());
+    assert!(app.session.docs.is_empty());
+    assert_eq!(app.ui.last_error.as_deref(), Some(why.as_str()));
+    assert!(why.contains("Huge.fig"), "{why}");
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn the_browser_reads_files_up_to_512_mib() {
+    let max = (512u64 << 20) as f64;
+    assert!(crate::browser_can_read("a", 0.0).is_ok());
+    assert!(crate::browser_can_read("a", max).is_ok());
+    assert!(crate::browser_can_read("a", max + 1.0).is_err());
+    assert!(crate::browser_can_read("a", f64::NAN).is_err());
+    assert!(crate::browser_can_read("a", f64::INFINITY).is_err());
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn open_dialog_opens_picked_contents_as_a_new_unsaved_document() {
+    let bytes = figcraft_format::save_bytes(&figcraft_doc::Document::new("Picked"), None).unwrap();
+    let mut app = FigApp::new(Session::empty(), Box::new(Contents("Picked.figcraft", bytes)));
+    app.ui.home = true;
+    app.open_dialog();
+    assert!(app.session.docs.is_empty(), "opening waits for the picker result");
+    app.poll_dialog(&egui::Context::default());
+    assert_eq!(app.session.docs.len(), 1);
+    assert_eq!(app.session.docs[0].path, None, "no path to save over");
+    assert_eq!(app.session.docs[0].doc.name, "Picked");
+    assert!(!app.ui.home, "and the editor shows it");
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn import_dialog_imports_picked_contents_into_the_file_in_front() {
+    let svg = br#"<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="40" height="20"><rect width="40" height="20" fill="red"/></svg>"#.to_vec();
+    let mut app = FigApp::new(Session::new(), Box::new(Contents("Logo.svg", svg)));
+    let rectangles = |app: &FigApp| app.session.doc().unwrap().nodes().filter(|n| matches!(n.kind, figcraft_doc::NodeKind::Rectangle)).count();
+    assert_eq!(rectangles(&app), 0);
+    app.import_dialog(false);
+    app.poll_dialog(&egui::Context::default());
+    assert_eq!(app.session.docs.len(), 1, "imported, not opened");
+    assert_eq!(rectangles(&app), 1, "the SVG's content");
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn a_dialog_whose_file_closed_meanwhile_does_nothing() {
     let (mut app, dir, path) = two_files("closed");
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas.rs
index 9e0c1d79..fba8be68 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas.rs
@@ -507,21 +507,17 @@ fn input(app: &mut FigApp, ui: &mut Ui, resp: &egui::Response) -> bool {
         let path = f.path().to_path_buf();
         let pt = hover_pos.map(|h| app.to_page(h)).unwrap_or_default();
         let name = path.file_name().map(|n| n.to_string_lossy().to_string()).unwrap_or_else(|| "dropped.png".into());
-        let params = if path.exists() {
-            json!({"path": path.to_string_lossy(), "x": pt.x, "y": pt.y})
-        } else if let Some(bytes) = crate::dropped_bytes(&f) {
-            use base64::Engine as _;
-            let b64 = base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD.encode(&bytes);
-            json!({"data": b64, "name": name, "x": pt.x, "y": pt.y})
+        let (params, read) = if path.exists() {
+            (json!({"path": path.to_string_lossy(), "x": pt.x, "y": pt.y}), None)
         } else {
-            continue;
+            (json!({"name": name, "x": pt.x, "y": pt.y}), Some(crate::dropped_bytes(&f, &name)))
         };
         let Some(target) =
             app.session.ds().ok().map(|doc| crate::pending_open::ImportTarget { uid: doc.uid, page: doc.page, name: doc.doc.name.clone() })
         else {
             continue;
         };
-        app.ui.pending_opens.push(crate::pending_open::PendingOpen { label: name, params, command: "file.import", target: Some(target) });
+        app.ui.pending_opens.push(crate::pending_open::PendingOpen { label: name, params, command: "file.import", target: Some(target), read });
     }
     let Some(pos) = hover_pos.filter(|p| app.canvas.rect.contains(*p)) else {
         // A drag released off the canvas, or off the window, ends where the pointer was last seen.
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/home.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/home.rs
index 236e2786..f945b27d 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/home.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/home.rs
@@ -187,16 +187,12 @@ fn dropped(app: &mut FigApp, ctx: &egui::Context) {
         }
         // `opens` saw an extension, so there is a file name to tell the format by.
         let name = path.file_name().map(|n| n.to_string_lossy().to_string()).unwrap_or_default();
-        let params = if path.exists() {
-            json!({"path": path.to_string_lossy()})
-        } else if let Some(bytes) = crate::dropped_bytes(&f) {
-            use base64::Engine as _;
-            let data = base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD.encode(&bytes);
-            json!({"data": data, "name": name})
+        let (params, read) = if path.exists() {
+            (json!({"path": path.to_string_lossy()}), None)
         } else {
-            continue;
+            (json!({"name": name}), Some(crate::dropped_bytes(&f, &name)))
         };
-        app.ui.pending_opens.push(crate::pending_open::PendingOpen { label: name, params, command: "file.open", target: None });
+        app.ui.pending_opens.push(crate::pending_open::PendingOpen { label: name, params, command: "file.open", target: None, read });
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/home_tests.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/home_tests.rs
index c493a0a1..0606c2e5 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/home_tests.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/home_tests.rs
@@ -573,6 +573,71 @@ fn dropping_a_file_without_one_on_disk_opens_it_as_a_new_unsaved_document() {
     assert!(!path.exists(), "nothing is written");
 }
 
+/// What a drop's read gives, once it has arrived.
+type Arrival = std::rc::Rc<std::cell::RefCell<Option<Result<Vec<u8>, String>>>>;
+
+/// A drop whose contents arrive later, as every drop in the browser does: pending until `arrived`
+/// holds them.
+fn later(arrived: &Arrival) -> crate::ReadFuture {
+    let arrived = arrived.clone();
+    Box::pin(std::future::poll_fn(move |_| match arrived.borrow_mut().take() {
+        Some(bytes) => std::task::Poll::Ready(bytes),
+        None => std::task::Poll::Pending,
+    }))
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn a_dropped_file_whose_contents_arrive_later_opens_once_they_do() {
+    let svg = br#"<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="40" height="20"><rect width="40" height="20" fill="red"/></svg>"#.to_vec();
+    let arrived = std::rc::Rc::new(std::cell::RefCell::new(None));
+    let mut u = first_run();
+    u.app.ui.home = true;
+    u.app.ui.pending_opens.push(crate::pending_open::PendingOpen {
+        label: "Browser drop.svg".into(),
+        params: json!({"name": "Browser drop.svg"}),
+        command: "file.open",
+        target: None,
+        read: Some(later(&arrived)),
+    });
+    // egui lays a new card out invisibly on its first frame.
+    u.frame(vec![]);
+    for _ in 0..5 {
+        let s = flat(&u.frame_output(vec![]).shapes);
+        assert!(has_text(&s, "Browser drop.svg"), "the card shows while the contents are read");
+    }
+    assert!(u.app.session.docs.is_empty(), "nothing opens before the contents arrive");
+    *arrived.borrow_mut() = Some(Ok(svg));
+    for _ in 0..3 {
+        u.frame(vec![]);
+    }
+    assert!(u.app.ui.pending_opens.is_empty());
+    assert_eq!(u.app.ui.last_error, None);
+    assert_eq!(u.app.session.docs.len(), 1, "the contents open");
+    assert_eq!(u.app.session.docs[0].path, None);
+    assert!(u.app.session.docs[0].doc.nodes().any(|n| matches!(n.kind, figcraft_doc::NodeKind::Rectangle)), "the SVG's content");
+    assert!(!u.app.ui.home);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn a_dropped_file_that_cannot_be_read_says_so_and_opens_nothing() {
+    let arrived = std::rc::Rc::new(std::cell::RefCell::new(Some(Err(crate::unreadable("Unreadable.figcraft")))));
+    let mut u = first_run();
+    u.app.ui.home = true;
+    u.app.ui.pending_opens.push(crate::pending_open::PendingOpen {
+        label: "Unreadable.figcraft".into(),
+        params: json!({"name": "Unreadable.figcraft"}),
+        command: "file.open",
+        target: None,
+        read: Some(later(&arrived)),
+    });
+    for _ in 0..3 {
+        u.frame(vec![]);
+    }
+    assert!(u.app.ui.pending_opens.is_empty());
+    assert!(u.app.session.docs.is_empty());
+    assert_eq!(u.app.ui.last_error.as_deref(), Some("Couldn't read Unreadable.figcraft."));
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn dropping_a_native_file_on_the_home_screen_opens_it() {
     let dir = Temp::new();
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/import_report_tests.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/import_report_tests.rs
index a2411582..8c10c7f3 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/import_report_tests.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/import_report_tests.rs
@@ -177,6 +177,7 @@ fn a_dropped_file_shows_its_report_once_it_opens() {
         params: json!({"path": path.to_string_lossy()}),
         command: "file.open",
         target: None,
+        read: None,
     });
     for _ in 0..6 {
         u.frame(vec![]);
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/lib.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/lib.rs
index 450317b4..4b44c861 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/lib.rs
@@ -236,6 +236,11 @@ pub trait Services {
     fn pick_open(&mut self, _title: &str, _exts: &[&str]) -> DialogFuture {
         Box::pin(std::future::ready(None))
     }
+    /// Pick a file and read it, where the platform hands over a file's name and contents rather
+    /// than a path to it (the browser). `None`: the platform picks paths ([`Services::pick_open`]).
+    fn pick_open_contents(&mut self, _title: &str, _exts: &[&str]) -> Option<ContentsFuture> {
+        None
+    }
     fn pick_save(&mut self, _title: &str, _name: &str, _exts: &[&str]) -> DialogFuture {
         Box::pin(std::future::ready(None))
     }
@@ -290,14 +295,61 @@ pub trait Services {
 }
 
 pub type DialogFuture = Pin<Box<dyn Future<Output = Option<PathBuf>>>>;
-type DialogDone = Box<dyn FnOnce(&mut FigApp, PathBuf)>;
+/// A picked file's name and contents ([`Services::pick_open_contents`]); `None` when the picker
+/// was cancelled, `Err` with what to tell the user when the file couldn't be read.
+pub type ContentsFuture = Pin<Box<dyn Future<Output = Option<Result<(String, Vec<u8>), String>>>>>;
+/// A dropped file's contents, read once they arrive (`Err`: what to tell the user when they
+/// couldn't be read).
+pub type ReadFuture = Pin<Box<dyn Future<Output = Result<Vec<u8>, String>>>>;
+type PickFuture = Pin<Box<dyn Future<Output = Option<Picked>>>>;
+type DialogDone = Box<dyn FnOnce(&mut FigApp, Picked)>;
+
+/// What a dialog picked: a path, or a file's name and contents where there are no paths, or why
+/// the picked file couldn't be read.
+enum Picked {
+    Path(PathBuf),
+    Contents(String, Vec<u8>),
+    Unreadable(String),
+}
+
+impl Picked {
+    /// The file as `file.open` and `file.import` take it (`Err`: what to tell the user instead).
+    fn file_params(self) -> Result<Value, String> {
+        match self {
+            Picked::Path(p) => Ok(json!({"path": p.to_string_lossy()})),
+            Picked::Contents(name, bytes) => {
+                use base64::Engine as _;
+                Ok(json!({"data": base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD.encode(&bytes), "name": name}))
+            }
+            Picked::Unreadable(why) => Err(why),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// What the user is told about a file whose contents couldn't be read.
+pub fn unreadable(name: &str) -> String {
+    i18n::trf("Couldn't read {name}.", &[("name", &name)])
+}
+
+/// The largest file read in the browser: wasm has at most 4 GiB of memory, and a file's contents
+/// are held about three times on their way to `file.open` (the bytes, base64, decoded again).
+/// As large as one member of a `.figcraft` file may be.
+const MAX_BROWSER_FILE: f64 = (512u64 << 20) as f64;
+
+/// Checks a file of `size` bytes before the browser reads it (`Err`: what to tell the user).
+pub fn browser_can_read(name: &str, size: f64) -> Result<(), String> {
+    if size.is_nan() || size > MAX_BROWSER_FILE {
+        return Err(i18n::trf("{name} is too large to open in the browser (over 512 MB).", &[("name", &name)]));
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
 
 /// A native dialog in flight. The app keeps working while it is open, so its result goes to the
 /// file and window it was opened for, not to whichever is in front when it closes.
 struct PendingDialog {
-    future: DialogFuture,
-    /// The path picked, kept until the window that holds `doc` draws.
-    path: Option<PathBuf>,
+    future: PickFuture,
+    /// What was picked, kept until the window that holds `doc` draws.
+    picked: Option<Picked>,
     done: DialogDone,
     /// The file it acts on (`None`: none, such as Open).
     doc: Option<u64>,
@@ -780,6 +832,11 @@ impl FigApp {
     fn failed(&mut self, id: &str, e: &figcraft_engine::EngineError) {
         let msg = e.to_string();
         log::warn!("{id}: {msg}");
+        self.show_error(msg);
+    }
+
+    /// Show an error as a toast, kept as the last error.
+    pub(crate) fn show_error(&mut self, msg: String) {
         self.toast(msg.clone());
         self.ui.last_error = Some(msg);
     }
@@ -1099,16 +1156,11 @@ impl FigApp {
 
     pub fn open_dialog(&mut self) {
         // Opening needs no file in front: it goes ahead even if that file closed meanwhile.
-        self.start_dialog(
-            |services| services.pick_open(i18n::tr("Open"), OPEN_EXTENSIONS),
-            false,
-            |app, p| {
-                let ps = p.to_string_lossy().to_string();
-                if app.run_user("file.open", json!({"path": ps})).is_some() {
-                    app.ui.home = false;
-                }
-            },
-        );
+        self.pick_file(i18n::tr("Open"), OPEN_EXTENSIONS, false, |app, file| {
+            if app.run_user("file.open", file).is_some() {
+                app.ui.home = false;
+            }
+        });
     }
 
     pub fn import_dialog(&mut self, place: bool) {
@@ -1118,12 +1170,35 @@ impl FigApp {
             &["svg", "png", "jpg", "jpeg", "webp", "gif", "tif", "tiff", "figcraft", "fig"]
         };
         let title = if place { i18n::tr("Place image") } else { i18n::tr("Import") };
-        self.pick_open(title, exts, move |app, p| {
-            let ps = p.to_string_lossy().to_string();
-            app.run_user("file.import", json!({"path": ps}));
+        self.pick_file(title, exts, true, |app, file| {
+            app.run_user("file.import", file);
         });
     }
 
+    /// Pick a file to open or import; `done` gets it as `file.open` and `file.import` take it (a
+    /// path, or the name and contents where the platform has no paths). `pin`: as
+    /// [`FigApp::pick_open`]'s file in front.
+    fn pick_file(&mut self, title: &str, exts: &[&str], pin: bool, done: impl FnOnce(&mut FigApp, Value) + 'static) {
+        self.start_pick(
+            |services| -> PickFuture {
+                match services.pick_open_contents(title, exts) {
+                    Some(read) => {
+                        Box::pin(async move { read.await.map(|r| r.map_or_else(Picked::Unreadable, |(name, bytes)| Picked::Contents(name, bytes))) })
+                    }
+                    None => {
+                        let pick = services.pick_open(title, exts);
+                        Box::pin(async move { pick.await.map(Picked::Path) })
+                    }
+                }
+            },
+            pin,
+            move |app, picked| match picked.file_params() {
+                Ok(file) => done(app, file),
+                Err(why) => app.show_error(why),
+            },
+        );
+    }
+
     /// Pick a file to open. `done` runs with the file in front now back in front (and not at all
     /// if that file closed meanwhile).
     pub fn pick_open(&mut self, title: &str, exts: &[&str], done: impl FnOnce(&mut FigApp, PathBuf) + 'static) {
@@ -1142,12 +1217,28 @@ impl FigApp {
 
     /// Open a native dialog from the window drawing now, for the file in front (`pin`).
     fn start_dialog(&mut self, start: impl FnOnce(&mut dyn Services) -> DialogFuture, pin: bool, done: impl FnOnce(&mut FigApp, PathBuf) + 'static) {
+        self.start_pick(
+            |services| -> PickFuture {
+                let pick = start(services);
+                Box::pin(async move { pick.await.map(Picked::Path) })
+            },
+            pin,
+            move |app, picked| {
+                if let Picked::Path(p) = picked {
+                    done(app, p);
+                }
+            },
+        );
+    }
+
+    /// [`FigApp::start_dialog`] for any kind of pick.
+    fn start_pick(&mut self, start: impl FnOnce(&mut dyn Services) -> PickFuture, pin: bool, done: impl FnOnce(&mut FigApp, Picked) + 'static) {
         if self.pending_dialog.is_some() {
             return;
         }
         let doc = if pin { self.session.ds().ok().filter(|d| self.shows(d.uid)).map(|d| d.uid) } else { None };
         let future = start(self.services.as_mut());
-        self.pending_dialog = Some(PendingDialog { future, path: None, done: Box::new(done), doc, window: self.windows.current });
+        self.pending_dialog = Some(PendingDialog { future, picked: None, done: Box::new(done), doc, window: self.windows.current });
         if let Some(ctx) = &self.ui_context {
             ctx.request_repaint();
         }
@@ -1157,12 +1248,12 @@ impl FigApp {
     /// that file in front; then the tab in front before comes back (unless the dialog opened a file).
     fn poll_dialog(&mut self, ctx: &egui::Context) {
         let Some(d) = &mut self.pending_dialog else { return };
-        if d.path.is_none() {
+        if d.picked.is_none() {
             let waker = Waker::from(Arc::new(RepaintWaker(ctx.clone())));
-            let Poll::Ready(path) = d.future.as_mut().poll(&mut TaskContext::from_waker(&waker)) else { return };
-            d.path = path;
+            let Poll::Ready(picked) = d.future.as_mut().poll(&mut TaskContext::from_waker(&waker)) else { return };
+            d.picked = picked;
         }
-        let (doc, origin, picked) = (d.doc, d.window, d.path.is_some());
+        let (doc, origin, picked) = (d.doc, d.window, d.picked.is_some());
         let index = doc.map(|u| self.session.docs.iter().position(|ds| ds.uid == u));
         // Cancelled, or its file closed meanwhile.
         if !picked || index == Some(None) {
@@ -1178,12 +1269,12 @@ impl FigApp {
             ctx.request_repaint_of(windows::viewport(window));
             return;
         }
-        let Some(PendingDialog { path: Some(path), done, .. }) = self.pending_dialog.take() else { return };
+        let Some(PendingDialog { picked: Some(picked), done, .. }) = self.pending_dialog.take() else { return };
         let before = self.session.ds().ok().map(|d| d.uid);
         if let Some(Some(i)) = index {
             self.session.active = i;
         }
-        done(self, path);
+        done(self, picked);
         if doc.is_some()
             && self.session.ds().ok().map(|d| d.uid) == doc
             && let Some(i) = before.and_then(|u| self.session.docs.iter().position(|d| d.uid == u))
@@ -1693,17 +1784,22 @@ pub(crate) fn opens(path: &Path) -> bool {
     path.extension().and_then(|e| e.to_str()).is_some_and(|e| OPEN_EXTENSIONS.iter().any(|x| x.eq_ignore_ascii_case(e)))
 }
 
-/// The contents of a dropped file that has no file on disk to read by path.
+/// Reads the contents of dropped file `name` that has no file on disk to read by path.
 #[cfg(not(target_arch = "wasm32"))]
-pub(crate) fn dropped_bytes(f: &egui::DroppedFileHandle) -> Option<Vec<u8>> {
-    f.bytes().ok()
+pub(crate) fn dropped_bytes(f: &egui::DroppedFileHandle, name: &str) -> ReadFuture {
+    Box::pin(std::future::ready(f.bytes().map_err(|_| unreadable(name))))
 }
 
-/// The contents of a dropped file that has no file on disk to read by path.
+/// Reads the contents of dropped file `name`; the browser hands them over asynchronously.
 #[cfg(target_arch = "wasm32")]
-pub(crate) fn dropped_bytes(_f: &egui::DroppedFileHandle) -> Option<Vec<u8>> {
-    // Browser drops arrive asynchronously; not supported yet.
-    None
+pub(crate) fn dropped_bytes(f: &egui::DroppedFileHandle, name: &str) -> ReadFuture {
+    let (f, name) = (f.clone(), name.to_string());
+    Box::pin(async move {
+        if let Some(file) = f.web_file() {
+            browser_can_read(&name, file.size())?;
+        }
+        f.bytes_async().await.map_err(|_| unreadable(&name))
+    })
 }
 
 /// While files are dragged over the window: a tinted, outlined `rect` with `label` in its middle,
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/pending_open.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/pending_open.rs
index 9d19b942..9575a1ea 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/pending_open.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/pending_open.rs
@@ -1,13 +1,17 @@
 //! Files dropped on the home screen or the canvas open a frame later, behind a card that says what
 //! is happening: opening a large `.fig` blocks the UI thread for a while, and the card is on screen
-//! before it does (rather than a window that freezes without a word).
+//! before it does (rather than a window that freezes without a word). A file with no path to read
+//! (every drop in the browser) waits behind the card until its contents arrive.
+
+use std::sync::Arc;
+use std::task::{Context as TaskContext, Poll, Waker};
 
 use figcraft_doc::NodeId;
-use serde_json::Value;
+use serde_json::{Value, json};
 
-use crate::FigApp;
 use crate::i18n::{tr, trf, trn};
 use crate::theme::{Tokens, semibold};
+use crate::{FigApp, ReadFuture, RepaintWaker};
 
 /// A dropped file waiting to be opened (`file.open`, a document of its own) or imported
 /// (`file.import`, into the current document).
@@ -18,6 +22,8 @@ pub struct PendingOpen {
     pub command: &'static str,
     /// Canvas imports stay with the document and page that received the drop.
     pub target: Option<ImportTarget>,
+    /// The file's contents still on their way; they go into `params` as `data` once read.
+    pub read: Option<ReadFuture>,
 }
 
 pub struct ImportTarget {
@@ -66,23 +72,55 @@ fn run_pending(app: &mut FigApp, pending: PendingOpen) -> Option<Value> {
 
 /// An import that has no destination left: nothing is imported, and the user is told why.
 fn cancel(app: &mut FigApp, message: String) {
-    app.ui.last_error = Some(message.clone());
-    app.toast(message);
+    app.show_error(message);
 }
 
 /// Frames the card is drawn before the files open: egui lays a new card out invisibly on its first
 /// frame, so the second one is the first the window shows.
 const FRAMES_BEFORE_OPENING: u8 = 2;
 
-/// The card while files wait, then (once it has been on screen) open them. Called before the import
-/// report, so a report for these files shows after them.
+/// Polls the contents still being read: those that arrived go into their file's parameters, files
+/// that couldn't be read are dropped with a message. Whether any are still on their way.
+fn read_contents(app: &mut FigApp, ctx: &egui::Context) -> bool {
+    let waker = Waker::from(Arc::new(RepaintWaker(ctx.clone())));
+    let mut cx = TaskContext::from_waker(&waker);
+    let mut reading = false;
+    let mut unread = Vec::new();
+    app.ui.pending_opens.retain_mut(|pending| {
+        let Some(read) = pending.read.as_mut() else { return true };
+        match read.as_mut().poll(&mut cx) {
+            Poll::Pending => {
+                reading = true;
+                true
+            }
+            Poll::Ready(Ok(bytes)) => {
+                use base64::Engine as _;
+                pending.params["data"] = json!(base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD.encode(&bytes));
+                pending.read = None;
+                true
+            }
+            Poll::Ready(Err(why)) => {
+                unread.push(why);
+                false
+            }
+        }
+    });
+    for why in unread {
+        app.show_error(why);
+    }
+    reading
+}
+
+/// The card while files wait, then (once it has been on screen and their contents are read) open
+/// them. Called before the import report, so a report for these files shows after them.
 pub fn pending_opens(app: &mut FigApp, ctx: &egui::Context) {
+    let reading = read_contents(app, ctx);
     if app.ui.pending_opens.is_empty() {
         app.ui.pending_open_frames = 0;
         return;
     }
     ctx.request_repaint();
-    if app.ui.pending_open_frames >= FRAMES_BEFORE_OPENING {
+    if app.ui.pending_open_frames >= FRAMES_BEFORE_OPENING && !reading {
         app.ui.pending_open_frames = 0;
         for pending in std::mem::take(&mut app.ui.pending_opens) {
             let command = pending.command;
@@ -92,7 +130,7 @@ pub fn pending_opens(app: &mut FigApp, ctx: &egui::Context) {
         }
         return;
     }
-    app.ui.pending_open_frames += 1;
+    app.ui.pending_open_frames = app.ui.pending_open_frames.saturating_add(1);
     let title = match app.ui.pending_opens.first().map(|p| p.command) {
         Some("file.import") => {
             let name = app
diff --git a/docs/cli.md b/docs/cli.md
index 7af73fd6..699b6ba2 100644
--- a/docs/cli.md
+++ b/docs/cli.md
@@ -153,6 +153,28 @@ figcraft-cli run start.json --out dashboard.figcraft
 figcraft-cli export dashboard.figcraft -o dashboard.png
 ```
 
+### Confining a run: `--automation-read-root DIR` / `--automation-write-root DIR`
+
+`info`, `export`, `convert`, `render` and `run` take these two flags, with the same meaning they
+have on [`mcp`](#mcp---attach-port---automation-read-root-dir---automation-write-root-dir): each is
+repeatable, each folder must exist, and together they confine every file that subcommand touches.
+Reads are allowed inside a read or write root, writes only inside a write root, and everything else
+is refused — so a run given only a read root cannot write at all. Without either flag a subcommand
+reads and writes as the user who started it.
+
+```sh
+# Renders in/doc.figcraft to out/ok.png and can touch nothing else.
+figcraft-cli render in/doc.figcraft -o out/ok.png \
+  --automation-read-root in --automation-write-root out
+
+figcraft-cli render in/doc.figcraft -o ./escaped.png \
+  --automation-read-root in --automation-write-root out
+# error: automation path rejected: . is outside the folders that may be written: …/out
+```
+
+This is for driving the CLI from a script or an agent that should not reach the rest of the disk;
+the flags leave the output identical when nothing strays outside the roots.
+
 ### `commands [--json] [--filter TEXT]`
 
 Every command with its label, shortcut, undoable flag (`*`) and parameter docs; `--json` for