fix(scanner): serve folder tree from scan-recorded, persisted directory list (#1110)

The include_empty folder tree (download/move modals) walked every model
root synchronously on the event loop via get_all_folders(). On network
(NAS) roots this froze the whole server for the duration of the walk —
blocking WebSocket progress, aria2 RPC and the download queue — and the
5s TTL re-triggered the walk on nearly every modal interaction.

The scanners already visit every directory during cache scans, so record
the full directory list (including empty folders) there instead:

- _gather_model_data/_reconcile_cache collect directories during the
  existing walks; reconcile refreshes and persists the list even when no
  model files changed.
- ModelCache gains an all_folders field (None = never recorded).
- PersistentModelCache stores the list in a new folders table, with a
  cache_meta flag distinguishing 'recorded empty' from legacy snapshots.
- get_all_folders() is now a pure in-memory read. A legacy snapshot
  triggers a one-shot backfill walk in a worker thread (never on the
  event loop) that records and persists the list.
- Moves add the destination folder (and parents) incrementally instead
  of invalidating a TTL cache.

py/services/model_cache.py

@@ -33,6 +33,11 @@ class ModelCache:
 
     raw_data: List[Dict[str, Any]]
     folders: List[str]
+    # Every directory under the model roots (including empty ones), as
+    # recorded by the last scan/hydration. ``None`` means "never recorded"
+    # (e.g. a persisted snapshot predating this field) and triggers a
+    # background filesystem backfill in the scanner.
+    all_folders: Optional[List[str]] = None
     version_index: Dict[int, Dict[str, Any]] = field(default_factory=dict)
     model_id_index: Dict[int, List[Dict[str, Any]]] = field(default_factory=dict)
     # Multi-valued companion to version_index: every local file entry of a

py/services/model_scanner.py

@@ -62,10 +62,6 @@ def _is_hidden_relative_path(rel_path: str) -> bool:
     return any(part.startswith(".") for part in rel_path.replace(os.sep, "/").split("/"))
 
 
-# TTL (seconds) for the get_all_folders() live-walk cache, so rapid repeated
-# requests (modal open + autocomplete) do not re-walk the model roots.
-ALL_FOLDERS_CACHE_TTL_SECONDS = 5.0
-
 # Maps a scanner model type to the manager page type used in progress
 # broadcasts (e.g. 'lora' -> 'loras').
 PAGE_TYPE_MAP = {
@@ -89,6 +85,10 @@ class CacheBuildResult:
     hash_index: ModelHashIndex
     tags_count: Dict[str, int]
     excluded_models: List[str]
+    # Every directory under the model roots (including empty ones) discovered
+    # during the scan, or None when the source has no folder information
+    # (e.g. a persisted snapshot predating folder recording).
+    all_folders: Optional[List[str]] = None
 
 class ModelScanner:
     """Base service for scanning and managing model files"""
@@ -144,8 +144,9 @@ class ModelScanner:
         self._name_display_mode = self._resolve_name_display_mode()
         self._cancel_requested = False  # Flag for cancellation
         self._autov3_backfill_scheduled = False  # One-time AutoV3 backfill trigger per process
-        # Short-lived cache for get_all_folders(): (timestamp, folders) or None
+        # Guard against concurrent all-folders backfill walks (cold fallback
-        self._all_folders_ttl_cache: Optional[Tuple[float, List[str]]] = None
+        # for persisted snapshots that predate folder recording).
+        self._all_folders_backfill_running = False
         try:
             loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
         except RuntimeError:
@@ -217,7 +218,6 @@ class ModelScanner:
         self._excluded_models = []
         self._is_initializing = False
         self._name_display_mode = self._resolve_name_display_mode()
-        self.invalidate_all_folders_cache()
         self.bump_cache_version()
 
         try:
@@ -702,7 +702,8 @@ class ModelScanner:
             raw_data=valid_entries,
             hash_index=hash_index,
             tags_count=tags_count,
-            excluded_models=list(persisted.excluded_models)
+            excluded_models=list(persisted.excluded_models),
+            all_folders=list(persisted.all_folders) if persisted.all_folders is not None else None,
         )
         return scan_result, invalid_entries
 
@@ -737,6 +738,7 @@ class ModelScanner:
                 hash_snapshot,
                 list(scan_result.excluded_models),
                 autov3_snapshot,
+                scan_result.all_folders,
             )
         except Exception as exc:
             logger.warning("%s Scanner: Failed to persist cache: %s", self.model_type.capitalize(), exc)
@@ -784,7 +786,12 @@ class ModelScanner:
             raw_data=list(self._cache.raw_data),
             hash_index=self._hash_index,
             tags_count=dict(self._tags_count),
-            excluded_models=list(self._excluded_models)
+            excluded_models=list(self._excluded_models),
+            all_folders=(
+                list(self._cache.all_folders)
+                if self._cache.all_folders is not None
+                else None
+            ),
         )
         await self._save_persistent_cache(snapshot)
         await self._sync_download_history(snapshot.raw_data, source='scan')
@@ -1034,6 +1041,7 @@ class ModelScanner:
             new_files = []
             visited_real_paths = set()
             discovered_real_files = set()
+            discovered_folders: Set[str] = set()
 
             # Scan all model roots
             for root_path in self.get_model_roots():
@@ -1048,6 +1056,14 @@ class ModelScanner:
                         continue
                     visited_real_paths.add(real_root)
 
+                    # Record every visited directory (including empty ones) so
+                    # the folder tree stays accurate without a live walk.
+                    rel_dir = os.path.relpath(
+                        os.path.abspath(root), os.path.abspath(root_path)
+                    ).replace(os.path.sep, "/")
+                    if rel_dir != "." and not _is_hidden_relative_path(rel_dir):
+                        discovered_folders.add(rel_dir)
+
                     for file in files:
                         ext = os.path.splitext(file)[1].lower()
                         if ext in self.file_extensions:
@@ -1247,6 +1263,14 @@ class ModelScanner:
                     self._cache.raw_data = list(reversed(deduped))
                     total_removed += dedup_removed
             
+            # The walk above visited every directory, so refresh the recorded
+            # folder list (including empty folders) even when no model files
+            # changed — e.g. an empty folder was created or removed externally.
+            sorted_discovered = sorted(discovered_folders, key=lambda x: x.lower())
+            folders_changed = self._cache.all_folders != sorted_discovered
+            if folders_changed:
+                self._cache.all_folders = sorted_discovered
+
             # Resort cache if changes were made
             if total_added > 0 or total_removed > 0:
                 # Update folders list
@@ -1259,6 +1283,8 @@ class ModelScanner:
                 await self._cache.resort()
 
                 await self._persist_current_cache()
+            elif folders_changed:
+                await self._persist_current_cache()
                 
             logger.info(f"{self.model_type.capitalize()} Scanner: Cache reconciliation completed in {time.time() - start_time:.2f} seconds. Added {total_added}, removed {total_removed} models.")
             await self._broadcast_scan_progress(
@@ -1298,22 +1324,73 @@ class ModelScanner:
         raise NotImplementedError("Subclasses must implement get_model_roots")
 
     async def get_all_folders(self) -> List[str]:
+        """Return every known directory under the model roots.
+
+        The directory list (including empty ones) is recorded during cache
+        scans and hydrated from the persisted snapshot, so this is a pure
+        in-memory read — no filesystem walk ever runs on the event loop
+        (walking network roots synchronously used to freeze the whole
+        server, see issue #1110). The result is unioned with the
+        model-derived folders so it is always a superset of
+        ``cache.folders``.
+
+        Cold fallback: when the cache was hydrated from a persisted snapshot
+        that predates folder recording (``all_folders is None``), a one-shot
+        background walk is scheduled off the event loop to backfill and
+        persist the list; until it lands, the models-only folders are
+        returned.
+        """
+        folders: Set[str] = set()
+        cache = self._cache
+        if cache is not None:
+            folders |= {item.get('folder', '') for item in cache.raw_data}
+            recorded = getattr(cache, 'all_folders', None)
+            if recorded is None:
+                self._schedule_all_folders_backfill()
+            else:
+                folders |= set(recorded)
+        else:
+            self._schedule_all_folders_backfill()
+
+        return sorted(folders, key=lambda x: x.lower())
+
+    def _schedule_all_folders_backfill(self) -> None:
+        """Kick off a one-shot background folder walk if none is running."""
+        if self._all_folders_backfill_running:
+            return
+        try:
+            loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
+        except RuntimeError:
+            return
+        self._all_folders_backfill_running = True
+        loop.create_task(self._run_all_folders_backfill())
+
+    async def _run_all_folders_backfill(self) -> None:
+        """Walk the roots in a worker thread, then record and persist the result."""
+        try:
+            loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
+            folders = await loop.run_in_executor(None, self._walk_all_folders_sync)
+            cache = self._cache
+            # A scan may have recorded the list while the walk was in flight;
+            # prefer the fresher scan data in that case.
+            if cache is not None and cache.all_folders is None:
+                cache.all_folders = folders
+                await self._persist_current_cache()
+        except Exception as exc:
+            logger.warning(
+                "%s Scanner: all-folders backfill failed: %s",
+                self.model_type.capitalize(),
+                exc,
+            )
+        finally:
+            self._all_folders_backfill_running = False
+
+    def _walk_all_folders_sync(self) -> List[str]:
         """Enumerate every directory under the model roots, live from disk.
 
-        Unlike the models-only ``cache.folders``, this includes empty
+        Runs in a worker thread. Hidden directories (any segment starting
-        directories, so it stays accurate even when the in-memory cache was
+        with '.') and the pending-delete staging dir are excluded.
-        hydrated from a persisted snapshot without a filesystem walk. Hidden
-        directories (any segment starting with '.') and the pending-delete
-        staging dir are excluded. The result is unioned with the model-derived
-        folders so it is always a superset of ``cache.folders``, and cached
-        for ``ALL_FOLDERS_CACHE_TTL_SECONDS`` to avoid repeated walks.
         """
-        now = time.monotonic()
-        if self._all_folders_ttl_cache is not None:
-            cached_at, cached_folders = self._all_folders_ttl_cache
-            if now - cached_at < ALL_FOLDERS_CACHE_TTL_SECONDS:
-                return cached_folders
-
         discovered: Set[str] = set()
         visited_real_paths: Set[str] = set()
 
@@ -1335,17 +1412,7 @@ class ModelScanner:
                 if rel_dir != "." and not _is_hidden_relative_path(rel_dir):
                     discovered.add(rel_dir)
 
-        folders = set(discovered)
+        return sorted(discovered, key=lambda x: x.lower())
-        if self._cache is not None:
-            folders |= {item.get('folder', '') for item in self._cache.raw_data}
-
-        result = sorted(folders, key=lambda x: x.lower())
-        self._all_folders_ttl_cache = (now, result)
-        return result
-
-    def invalidate_all_folders_cache(self) -> None:
-        """Drop the cached get_all_folders() result (e.g. after a move)."""
-        self._all_folders_ttl_cache = None
     
     async def _create_default_metadata(self, file_path: str) -> Optional[BaseModelMetadata]:
         """Get model file info and metadata (extensible for different model types)"""
@@ -1569,6 +1636,9 @@ class ModelScanner:
         else:
             self._cache.raw_data = list(scan_result.raw_data)
 
+        if scan_result.all_folders is not None:
+            self._cache.all_folders = list(scan_result.all_folders)
+
         # resort() rebuilds folders and the version index on every path, so a
         # separate rebuild_version_index() call here would be redundant.
         await self._cache.resort()
@@ -1666,6 +1736,7 @@ class ModelScanner:
         processed_files = 0
         processed_real_files: Set[str] = set()
         visited_real_dirs: Set[str] = set()
+        discovered_folders: Set[str] = set()
 
         async def handle_progress(current_name: str = '') -> None:
             if progress_callback is None:
@@ -1744,6 +1815,13 @@ class ModelScanner:
                         elif entry.is_dir(follow_symlinks=True):
                             if _is_excluded_dir(entry.name):
                                 continue
+                            # Record every directory (including empty ones) so
+                            # the folder tree can be served without a live walk.
+                            rel_dir = os.path.relpath(
+                                os.path.abspath(entry.path), os.path.abspath(root_path)
+                            ).replace(os.path.sep, "/")
+                            if not _is_hidden_relative_path(rel_dir):
+                                discovered_folders.add(rel_dir)
                             await scan_recursive(entry.path, root_path, visited_paths)
                     except Exception as entry_error:
                         logger.error(f"Error processing entry {entry.path}: {entry_error}")
@@ -1763,7 +1841,8 @@ class ModelScanner:
             raw_data=raw_data,
             hash_index=hash_index,
             tags_count=tags_count,
-            excluded_models=excluded_models
+            excluded_models=excluded_models,
+            all_folders=sorted(discovered_folders, key=lambda x: x.lower()),
         )
 
     async def add_model_to_cache(self, metadata_dict: Dict[str, Any], folder: str = '') -> bool:
@@ -2020,6 +2099,16 @@ class ModelScanner:
             all_folders = set(item['folder'] for item in cache.raw_data)
             cache.folders = sorted(list(all_folders), key=lambda x: x.lower())
 
+            # The move target may live in directories the last scan never saw;
+            # record the destination folder (and its parents) in the known
+            # folder list so the folder tree reflects it without a rescan.
+            if cache.all_folders is not None and folder_value:
+                parts = folder_value.split("/")
+                known = set(cache.all_folders)
+                for i in range(1, len(parts) + 1):
+                    known.add("/".join(parts[:i]))
+                cache.all_folders = sorted(known, key=lambda x: x.lower())
+
             for tag in cache_entry.get('tags', []):
                 self._tags_count[tag] = self._tags_count.get(tag, 0) + 1
 
@@ -2027,10 +2116,6 @@ class ModelScanner:
 
         await cache.resort()
 
-        # A move may have created new directories; drop the cached live-walk
-        # result so the next include_empty request sees them.
-        self.invalidate_all_folders_cache()
-
         if cache_modified:
             await self._persist_current_cache()
             self.bump_cache_version()

py/services/persistent_model_cache.py

@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@ class PersistedCacheData:
     hash_rows: List[Tuple[str, str]]
     excluded_models: List[str]
     autov3_hash_rows: List[Tuple[str, str]] = field(default_factory=list)
+    # Every directory under the model roots (including empty ones), or None
+    # when the snapshot predates folder recording.
+    all_folders: Optional[List[str]] = None
 
 
 DEFAULT_LICENSE_FLAGS = 127  # 127 (0b1111111) encodes default CivitAI permissions with all commercial modes enabled.
@@ -128,6 +131,14 @@ class PersistentModelCache:
                         "SELECT file_path FROM excluded_models WHERE model_type = ?",
                         (model_type,),
                     ).fetchall()
+                    folder_rows = conn.execute(
+                        "SELECT path FROM folders WHERE model_type = ?",
+                        (model_type,),
+                    ).fetchall()
+                    folders_recorded = conn.execute(
+                        "SELECT value FROM cache_meta WHERE key = ?",
+                        (f"folders_recorded:{model_type}",),
+                    ).fetchone()
                 finally:
                     conn.close()
         except Exception as exc:
@@ -216,14 +227,20 @@ class PersistentModelCache:
         ]
 
         excluded_paths = [row["file_path"] for row in excluded]
+        all_folders: Optional[List[str]] = None
+        if folders_recorded is not None:
+            all_folders = sorted(
+                (row["path"] for row in folder_rows), key=lambda x: x.lower()
+            )
         return PersistedCacheData(
             raw_data=raw_data,
             hash_rows=hash_pairs,
             excluded_models=excluded_paths,
             autov3_hash_rows=autov3_pairs,
+            all_folders=all_folders,
         )
 
-    def save_cache(self, model_type: str, raw_data: Sequence[Dict[str, Any]], hash_index: Dict[str, List[str]], excluded_models: Sequence[str], autov3_hash_index: Optional[Dict[str, List[str]]] = None) -> None:
+    def save_cache(self, model_type: str, raw_data: Sequence[Dict[str, Any]], hash_index: Dict[str, List[str]], excluded_models: Sequence[str], autov3_hash_index: Optional[Dict[str, List[str]]] = None, all_folders: Optional[Sequence[str]] = None) -> None:
         if not self.is_enabled():
             return
         if not self._schema_initialized:
@@ -469,6 +486,27 @@ class PersistentModelCache:
                             excluded_inserts,
                         )
 
+                    if all_folders is not None:
+                        conn.execute(
+                            "DELETE FROM folders WHERE model_type = ?",
+                            (model_type,),
+                        )
+                        folder_inserts = [
+                            (model_type, path) for path in all_folders if path
+                        ]
+                        if folder_inserts:
+                            conn.executemany(
+                                "INSERT OR IGNORE INTO folders (model_type, path) VALUES (?, ?)",
+                                folder_inserts,
+                            )
+                        # Mark the snapshot as having folder data even when the
+                        # library has no subfolders, so an empty list is not
+                        # mistaken for "never recorded" on load.
+                        conn.execute(
+                            "INSERT OR REPLACE INTO cache_meta (key, value) VALUES (?, ?)",
+                            (f"folders_recorded:{model_type}", "1"),
+                        )
+
                     conn.commit()
                 finally:
                     conn.close()
@@ -554,6 +592,17 @@ class PersistentModelCache:
                             file_path TEXT NOT NULL,
                             PRIMARY KEY (model_type, file_path)
                         );
+
+                        CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS folders (
+                            model_type TEXT NOT NULL,
+                            path TEXT NOT NULL,
+                            PRIMARY KEY (model_type, path)
+                        );
+
+                        CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS cache_meta (
+                            key TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
+                            value TEXT
+                        );
                         """
                     )
                     self._ensure_additional_model_columns(conn)

tests/services/test_checkpoint_scanner_sub_type.py

@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ def _make_move_scanner(ckpt_root: Path, unet_root: Path) -> CheckpointScanner:
     scanner._persistent_cache = MagicMock()
     scanner._name_display_mode = "model_name"
     scanner._cancel_requested = False
-    scanner._all_folders_ttl_cache = None
+    scanner._all_folders_backfill_running = False
     roots = [str(ckpt_root), str(unet_root)]
     scanner.get_model_roots = lambda: roots
     return scanner

tests/services/test_model_scanner.py

@@ -1418,7 +1418,7 @@ async def test_bulk_delete_cancelled_after_one_staged_batch_present(
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def test_get_all_folders_enumerates_empty_directories_live(tmp_path: Path):
+async def test_get_all_folders_records_empty_directories_during_scan(tmp_path: Path):
     _create_files(tmp_path)
     (tmp_path / "empty").mkdir()
     (tmp_path / "empty" / "nested_empty").mkdir()
@@ -1435,7 +1435,7 @@ async def test_get_all_folders_enumerates_empty_directories_live(tmp_path: Path)
     # cache.folders stays models-only
     assert sorted(cache.folders) == ["", "nested"]
 
-    # Live enumeration includes empty directories and stays a superset
+    # Scan recording includes empty directories and stays a superset
     assert set(cache.folders) <= set(all_folders)
     assert "empty" in all_folders
     assert "empty/nested_empty" in all_folders
@@ -1452,49 +1452,60 @@ async def test_get_all_folders_enumerates_empty_directories_live(tmp_path: Path)
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def test_get_all_folders_uses_ttl_cache(tmp_path: Path, monkeypatch):
+async def test_get_all_folders_never_walks_filesystem(tmp_path: Path, monkeypatch):
     _create_files(tmp_path)
     scanner = DummyScanner(tmp_path)
     await scanner._initialize_cache()
 
-    walk_calls = {"n": 0}
+    def failing_walk(*args, **kwargs):
-    real_walk = os.walk
+        raise AssertionError("get_all_folders must not walk the filesystem")
 
-    def counting_walk(*args, **kwargs):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(model_scanner.os, "walk", failing_walk)
-        walk_calls["n"] += 1
-        return real_walk(*args, **kwargs)
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr(model_scanner.os, "walk", counting_walk)
+    all_folders = await scanner.get_all_folders()
-
+    assert all_folders == ["" , "nested"]
-    first = await scanner.get_all_folders()
+    # No backfill is scheduled when the scan already recorded the folders
-    assert walk_calls["n"] == 1
+    assert scanner._all_folders_backfill_running is False
-
-    # Second call within the TTL reuses the cached result without re-walking
-    second = await scanner.get_all_folders()
-    assert walk_calls["n"] == 1
-    assert second == first
-
-    # After the TTL expires the roots are walked again
-    real_monotonic = time.monotonic
-    monkeypatch.setattr(
-        model_scanner.time,
-        "monotonic",
-        lambda: real_monotonic() + model_scanner.ALL_FOLDERS_CACHE_TTL_SECONDS + 1,
-    )
-    third = await scanner.get_all_folders()
-    assert walk_calls["n"] == 2
-    assert third == first
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def test_get_all_folders_invalidated_after_move(tmp_path: Path):
+async def test_get_all_folders_backfills_when_never_recorded(tmp_path: Path):
+    _create_files(tmp_path)
+    (tmp_path / "empty").mkdir()
+    scanner = DummyScanner(tmp_path)
+    await scanner._initialize_cache()
+
+    # Simulate a cache hydrated from a persisted snapshot that predates
+    # folder recording.
+    cache = await scanner.get_cached_data()
+    cache.all_folders = None
+
+    # The cold path returns the models-only folders immediately...
+    all_folders = await scanner.get_all_folders()
+    assert set(all_folders) == {"", "nested"}
+    # ...and schedules a one-shot background walk to backfill the rest.
+    assert scanner._all_folders_backfill_running is True
+
+    for _ in range(200):
+        if not scanner._all_folders_backfill_running:
+            break
+        await asyncio.sleep(0.01)
+
+    assert scanner._all_folders_backfill_running is False
+    assert cache.all_folders is not None
+    assert "empty" in cache.all_folders
+    all_folders = await scanner.get_all_folders()
+    assert "empty" in all_folders
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_get_all_folders_updated_after_move(tmp_path: Path):
     first, _, _ = _create_files(tmp_path)
     scanner = DummyScanner(tmp_path)
 
     await scanner._initialize_cache()
 
     cached = await scanner.get_all_folders()
-    assert scanner._all_folders_ttl_cache is not None
     assert "new/deep" not in cached
 
     # Simulate a move: target directories exist on disk (created by
@@ -1514,9 +1525,7 @@ async def test_get_all_folders_invalidated_after_move(tmp_path: Path):
 
     await scanner.update_single_model_cache(original, new_path, moved_metadata)
 
-    # The TTL cache was invalidated by the move
+    # The recorded folder list picked up the destination (and its parents)
-    assert scanner._all_folders_ttl_cache is None
-
     all_folders = await scanner.get_all_folders()
     cache = await scanner.get_cached_data()
     assert sorted(cache.folders) == ["nested", "new/deep"]
@@ -1525,6 +1534,63 @@ async def test_get_all_folders_invalidated_after_move(tmp_path: Path):
     assert set(cache.folders) <= set(all_folders)
 
 
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_all_folders_persisted_and_hydrated(tmp_path: Path, monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setenv('LORA_MANAGER_DISABLE_PERSISTENT_CACHE', '0')
+    db_path = tmp_path / 'cache.sqlite'
+    store = PersistentModelCache(db_path=str(db_path))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(model_scanner, 'get_persistent_cache', lambda: store)
+
+    root = tmp_path / 'models'
+    root.mkdir()
+    (root / 'one.txt').write_text('one', encoding='utf-8')
+    (root / 'empty').mkdir()
+
+    scanner = DummyScanner(root)
+    await scanner._initialize_cache()
+    cache = await scanner.get_cached_data()
+    assert cache.all_folders is not None
+    assert 'empty' in cache.all_folders
+
+    # The folder list (including the empty dir) survives in SQLite.
+    persisted = store.load_cache('dummy')
+    assert persisted is not None
+    assert persisted.all_folders is not None
+    assert 'empty' in persisted.all_folders
+
+    # A fresh scanner hydrates the recorded folders without any walk.
+    ModelScanner._instances.clear()
+    hydrated = DummyScanner(root)
+    scan_result, invalid = hydrated._rebuild_persisted_cache()
+    assert scan_result is not None
+    assert scan_result.all_folders == persisted.all_folders
+
+
+def test_all_folders_absent_in_legacy_snapshot(tmp_path: Path, monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setenv('LORA_MANAGER_DISABLE_PERSISTENT_CACHE', '0')
+    store = PersistentModelCache(db_path=str(tmp_path / 'cache.sqlite'))
+
+    normalized = _normalize_path(tmp_path / 'one.txt')
+    raw_model = {
+        'file_path': normalized,
+        'file_name': 'one',
+        'model_name': 'one',
+        'folder': '',
+        'size': 3,
+        'modified': 123.0,
+        'sha256': 'hash-one',
+        'tags': [],
+    }
+
+    # Save without folder data, mimicking a snapshot written before folder
+    # recording existed.
+    store.save_cache('dummy', [raw_model], {'hash-one': [normalized]}, [])
+
+    persisted = store.load_cache('dummy')
+    assert persisted is not None
+    assert persisted.all_folders is None
+
+
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_initialize_cache_broadcasts_scan_progress(tmp_path: Path, monkeypatch):
     _create_files(tmp_path)