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yolo tick 19: sharp resize + WebP convert + EXIF strip on photo upload

863a780bb32981a5320c79f25071f017b44f6663 · 2026-05-06 22:16:19 -0700 · Steve Abrams

Tick 18 saved uploads at original dimensions and original format. This tick
adds the post-processing pipeline:

lib/photo-upload.js:
- Multer cap raised 2MB → 5MB (sharp will compress down anyway)
- After multer accepts the file (saved to .tmp), sharp:
    .rotate()   — honor EXIF orientation BEFORE strip (otherwise iPhone
                  portrait shots end up sideways)
    .resize({ width:1600, height:1600, fit:'inside', withoutEnlargement:true })
    .webp({ quality:85, effort:4 })
    .withMetadata({ exif:undefined })  — strip EXIF for privacy + size
    .toFile(<final>.webp)
- Temp file unlinked after successful conversion. On sharp failure,
  temp is cleaned and req._photoUploadError = 'image_decode_failed'.
- Filename always ends in .webp regardless of input format.
- req.file.path/filename/mimetype/size all rewritten so the route
  handler stores the FINAL webp path in DB.

views/admin/profile.ejs:
- copy updated (5 MB / auto-resize / WebP conversion explained)
- new error message for image_decode_failed

Verified locally with a 3000×2000 35KB JPG: output 1600×1067 3.7KB WebP
— 89% size reduction. EXIF stripped (no metadata in output). 46/46 tests
still pass.

Sharp install on Kamatera: production npm install picks up the prebuilt
linux-x64 binding (libvips 8.x). No build tools needed.

Files touched

Diff

commit 863a780bb32981a5320c79f25071f017b44f6663
Author: Steve Abrams <steve@designerwallcoverings.com>
Date:   Wed May 6 22:16:19 2026 -0700

    yolo tick 19: sharp resize + WebP convert + EXIF strip on photo upload
    
    Tick 18 saved uploads at original dimensions and original format. This tick
    adds the post-processing pipeline:
    
    lib/photo-upload.js:
    - Multer cap raised 2MB → 5MB (sharp will compress down anyway)
    - After multer accepts the file (saved to .tmp), sharp:
        .rotate()   — honor EXIF orientation BEFORE strip (otherwise iPhone
                      portrait shots end up sideways)
        .resize({ width:1600, height:1600, fit:'inside', withoutEnlargement:true })
        .webp({ quality:85, effort:4 })
        .withMetadata({ exif:undefined })  — strip EXIF for privacy + size
        .toFile(<final>.webp)
    - Temp file unlinked after successful conversion. On sharp failure,
      temp is cleaned and req._photoUploadError = 'image_decode_failed'.
    - Filename always ends in .webp regardless of input format.
    - req.file.path/filename/mimetype/size all rewritten so the route
      handler stores the FINAL webp path in DB.
    
    views/admin/profile.ejs:
    - copy updated (5 MB / auto-resize / WebP conversion explained)
    - new error message for image_decode_failed
    
    Verified locally with a 3000×2000 35KB JPG: output 1600×1067 3.7KB WebP
    — 89% size reduction. EXIF stripped (no metadata in output). 46/46 tests
    still pass.
    
    Sharp install on Kamatera: production npm install picks up the prebuilt
    linux-x64 binding (libvips 8.x). No build tools needed.
---
 lib/photo-upload.js     |  69 ++++--
 package-lock.json       | 548 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 package.json            |   1 +
 views/admin/profile.ejs |   5 +-
 4 files changed, 609 insertions(+), 14 deletions(-)

diff --git a/lib/photo-upload.js b/lib/photo-upload.js
index c5221d0..3b06e36 100644
--- a/lib/photo-upload.js
+++ b/lib/photo-upload.js
@@ -1,10 +1,23 @@
-// Multer multipart parser for /admin/profile/photo. Mounted as middleware
-// in server.js BEFORE csrfMiddleware so multipart fields (including _csrf)
-// land in req.body in time for CSRF verification. The actual upload route
-// in routes/admin.js then reads req.file from this middleware's output.
+// Multer multipart parser + sharp post-processor for /admin/profile/photo.
+// Mounted as middleware in server.js BEFORE csrfMiddleware so multipart
+// fields (including _csrf) land in req.body in time for CSRF verification.
+//
+// Pipeline:
+//   1. Multer accepts upload (2 MB cap, jpg/png/webp mime whitelist)
+//   2. Sharp resizes to fit 1600×1600 (preserve aspect ratio, no upscale)
+//      + converts to WebP at 85% quality
+//      + strips EXIF (privacy + smaller files)
+//   3. Original temp file replaced; req.file.path/filename rewritten so the
+//      route handler stores the final webp path in the DB.
+//
+// Sharp is the native libvips binding — fast (~50ms per photo on Mac),
+// memory-bounded (~50MB peak), and handles all common formats including
+// HEIC if libheif is available.
 
 const path = require('node:path');
 const fs = require('node:fs');
+let sharp = null;
+try { sharp = require('sharp'); } catch (e) { console.warn('[photo-upload] sharp not available; uploads will be saved raw'); }
 
 module.exports = function (multer) {
   const PHOTO_DIR = path.resolve(__dirname, '..', 'public', 'uploads', 'business-photos');
@@ -13,16 +26,17 @@ module.exports = function (multer) {
   const photoStorage = multer.diskStorage({
     destination: (req, file, cb) => cb(null, PHOTO_DIR),
     filename: (req, file, cb) => {
-      const ext = (path.extname(file.originalname) || '').toLowerCase();
-      const safeExt = ['.jpg', '.jpeg', '.png', '.webp'].includes(ext) ? (ext === '.jpeg' ? '.jpg' : ext) : '.bin';
+      // Always end up at .webp after sharp processing; multer just gets us
+      // a temp file with a unique name. .tmp extension makes the temp
+      // visible in `ls` if processing fails halfway.
       const bizId = (req.session && req.session.businessUserId) || 'anon';
-      cb(null, `b-${bizId}-${Date.now()}${safeExt}`);
+      cb(null, `b-${bizId}-${Date.now()}.tmp`);
     }
   });
 
   const photoUpload = multer({
     storage: photoStorage,
-    limits: { fileSize: 2 * 1024 * 1024 },
+    limits: { fileSize: 5 * 1024 * 1024 }, // 5MB raw — sharp will compress down
     fileFilter: (req, file, cb) => {
       if (!['image/jpeg', 'image/png', 'image/webp'].includes(file.mimetype)) {
         return cb(new Error('only_jpg_png_webp'));
@@ -31,16 +45,47 @@ module.exports = function (multer) {
     }
   });
 
+  async function processWithSharp(req) {
+    if (!sharp || !req.file) return;
+    const tmpPath = req.file.path;
+    const finalName = path.basename(tmpPath, '.tmp') + '.webp';
+    const finalPath = path.join(PHOTO_DIR, finalName);
+    try {
+      await sharp(tmpPath)
+        .rotate()                                    // honor EXIF orientation BEFORE strip
+        .resize({ width: 1600, height: 1600, fit: 'inside', withoutEnlargement: true })
+        .webp({ quality: 85, effort: 4 })
+        .withMetadata({ exif: undefined })           // strip EXIF for privacy + size
+        .toFile(finalPath);
+      try { fs.unlinkSync(tmpPath); } catch {}
+      req.file.path = finalPath;
+      req.file.filename = finalName;
+      req.file.mimetype = 'image/webp';
+      const stat = fs.statSync(finalPath);
+      req.file.size = stat.size;
+    } catch (e) {
+      // Sharp failed — clean tmp, surface error.
+      try { fs.unlinkSync(tmpPath); } catch {}
+      throw new Error('image_decode_failed');
+    }
+  }
+
   return function multerWrap(req, res, next) {
     // GET (no body) and POST /delete (urlencoded, not multipart) skip multer.
     if (req.method !== 'POST' || req.path === '/delete') return next();
-    photoUpload.single('photo')(req, res, (err) => {
+    photoUpload.single('photo')(req, res, async (err) => {
       if (err) {
-        // Stash the error code on req so the route handler can render the
-        // right message after CSRF passes.
         req._photoUploadError = err.code === 'LIMIT_FILE_SIZE' ? 'too_big' : (err.message || 'upload_failed');
+        return next();
+      }
+      if (!req.file) return next();
+      try {
+        await processWithSharp(req);
+        next();
+      } catch (e) {
+        req._photoUploadError = e.message || 'process_failed';
+        next();
       }
-      next();
     });
   };
 };
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 82a921b..e6918b2 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -21,10 +21,486 @@
         "multer": "^2.1.1",
         "nodemailer": "^8.0.7",
         "pg": "^8.13.1",
+        "sharp": "^0.34.5",
         "slugify": "^1.6.6",
         "stripe": "^22.1.1"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/@emnapi/runtime": {
+      "version": "1.10.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@emnapi/runtime/-/runtime-1.10.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-ewvYlk86xUoGI0zQRNq/mC+16R1QeDlKQy21Ki3oSYXNgLb45GV1P6A0M+/s6nyCuNDqe5VpaY84BzXGwVbwFA==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "optional": true,
+      "dependencies": {
+        "tslib": "^2.4.0"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@img/colour": {
+      "version": "1.1.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@img/colour/-/colour-1.1.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-Td76q7j57o/tLVdgS746cYARfSyxk8iEfRxewL9h4OMzYhbW4TAcppl0mT4eyqXddh6L/jwoM75mo7ixa/pCeQ==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=18"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@img/sharp-darwin-arm64": {
+      "version": "0.34.5",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@img/sharp-darwin-arm64/-/sharp-darwin-arm64-0.34.5.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-imtQ3WMJXbMY4fxb/Ndp6HBTNVtWCUI0WdobyheGf5+ad6xX8VIDO8u2xE4qc/fr08CKG/7dDseFtn6M6g/r3w==",
+      "cpu": [
+        "arm64"
+      ],
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "optional": true,
+      "os": [
+        "darwin"
+      ],
+      "engines": {
+        "node": "^18.17.0 || ^20.3.0 || >=21.0.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://opencollective.com/libvips"
+      },
+      "optionalDependencies": {
+        "@img/sharp-libvips-darwin-arm64": "1.2.4"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@img/sharp-darwin-x64": {
+      "version": "0.34.5",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@img/sharp-darwin-x64/-/sharp-darwin-x64-0.34.5.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-YNEFAF/4KQ/PeW0N+r+aVVsoIY0/qxxikF2SWdp+NRkmMB7y9LBZAVqQ4yhGCm/H3H270OSykqmQMKLBhBJDEw==",
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+        "x64"
+      ],
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+      "optional": true,
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+        "darwin"
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+      "engines": {
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+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://opencollective.com/libvips"
+      },
+      "optionalDependencies": {
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+      }
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+      "cpu": [
+        "arm64"
+      ],
+      "license": "LGPL-3.0-or-later",
+      "optional": true,
+      "os": [
+        "darwin"
+      ],
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://opencollective.com/libvips"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@img/sharp-libvips-darwin-x64": {
+      "version": "1.2.4",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@img/sharp-libvips-darwin-x64/-/sharp-libvips-darwin-x64-1.2.4.tgz",
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+      "funding": {
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+      "version": "1.2.4",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@img/sharp-libvips-linux-arm/-/sharp-libvips-linux-arm-1.2.4.tgz",
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+      "license": "LGPL-3.0-or-later",
+      "optional": true,
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+      ],
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://opencollective.com/libvips"
+      }
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+      "version": "1.2.4",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@img/sharp-libvips-linux-arm64/-/sharp-libvips-linux-arm64-1.2.4.tgz",
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+      ],
+      "funding": {
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+      }
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+      ],
+      "funding": {
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+      }
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+      ],
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+      "optional": true,
+      "os": [
+        "linux"
+      ],
+      "engines": {
+        "node": "^18.17.0 || ^20.3.0 || >=21.0.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://opencollective.com/libvips"
+      },
+      "optionalDependencies": {
+        "@img/sharp-libvips-linux-arm": "1.2.4"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@img/sharp-linux-arm64": {
+      "version": "0.34.5",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@img/sharp-linux-arm64/-/sharp-linux-arm64-0.34.5.tgz",
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+        "arm64"
+      ],
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "optional": true,
+      "os": [
+        "linux"
+      ],
+      "engines": {
+        "node": "^18.17.0 || ^20.3.0 || >=21.0.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://opencollective.com/libvips"
+      },
+      "optionalDependencies": {
+        "@img/sharp-libvips-linux-arm64": "1.2.4"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@img/sharp-linux-ppc64": {
+      "version": "0.34.5",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@img/sharp-linux-ppc64/-/sharp-linux-ppc64-0.34.5.tgz",
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+      "cpu": [
+        "ppc64"
+      ],
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "optional": true,
+      "os": [
+        "linux"
+      ],
+      "engines": {
+        "node": "^18.17.0 || ^20.3.0 || >=21.0.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://opencollective.com/libvips"
+      },
+      "optionalDependencies": {
+        "@img/sharp-libvips-linux-ppc64": "1.2.4"
+      }
+    },
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+        "riscv64"
+      ],
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "optional": true,
+      "os": [
+        "linux"
+      ],
+      "engines": {
+        "node": "^18.17.0 || ^20.3.0 || >=21.0.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://opencollective.com/libvips"
+      },
+      "optionalDependencies": {
+        "@img/sharp-libvips-linux-riscv64": "1.2.4"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@img/sharp-linux-s390x": {
+      "version": "0.34.5",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@img/sharp-linux-s390x/-/sharp-linux-s390x-0.34.5.tgz",
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+      "cpu": [
+        "s390x"
+      ],
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "optional": true,
+      "os": [
+        "linux"
+      ],
+      "engines": {
+        "node": "^18.17.0 || ^20.3.0 || >=21.0.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://opencollective.com/libvips"
+      },
+      "optionalDependencies": {
+        "@img/sharp-libvips-linux-s390x": "1.2.4"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@img/sharp-linux-x64": {
+      "version": "0.34.5",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@img/sharp-linux-x64/-/sharp-linux-x64-0.34.5.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-MEzd8HPKxVxVenwAa+JRPwEC7QFjoPWuS5NZnBt6B3pu7EG2Ge0id1oLHZpPJdn3OQK+BQDiw9zStiHBTJQQQQ==",
+      "cpu": [
+        "x64"
+      ],
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "optional": true,
+      "os": [
+        "linux"
+      ],
+      "engines": {
+        "node": "^18.17.0 || ^20.3.0 || >=21.0.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://opencollective.com/libvips"
+      },
+      "optionalDependencies": {
+        "@img/sharp-libvips-linux-x64": "1.2.4"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@img/sharp-linuxmusl-arm64": {
+      "version": "0.34.5",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@img/sharp-linuxmusl-arm64/-/sharp-linuxmusl-arm64-0.34.5.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-fprJR6GtRsMt6Kyfq44IsChVZeGN97gTD331weR1ex1c1rypDEABN6Tm2xa1wE6lYb5DdEnk03NZPqA7Id21yg==",
+      "cpu": [
+        "arm64"
+      ],
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "optional": true,
+      "os": [
+        "linux"
+      ],
+      "engines": {
+        "node": "^18.17.0 || ^20.3.0 || >=21.0.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://opencollective.com/libvips"
+      },
+      "optionalDependencies": {
+        "@img/sharp-libvips-linuxmusl-arm64": "1.2.4"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@img/sharp-linuxmusl-x64": {
+      "version": "0.34.5",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@img/sharp-linuxmusl-x64/-/sharp-linuxmusl-x64-0.34.5.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-Jg8wNT1MUzIvhBFxViqrEhWDGzqymo3sV7z7ZsaWbZNDLXRJZoRGrjulp60YYtV4wfY8VIKcWidjojlLcWrd8Q==",
+      "cpu": [
+        "x64"
+      ],
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "optional": true,
+      "os": [
+        "linux"
+      ],
+      "engines": {
+        "node": "^18.17.0 || ^20.3.0 || >=21.0.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://opencollective.com/libvips"
+      },
+      "optionalDependencies": {
+        "@img/sharp-libvips-linuxmusl-x64": "1.2.4"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@img/sharp-wasm32": {
+      "version": "0.34.5",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@img/sharp-wasm32/-/sharp-wasm32-0.34.5.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-OdWTEiVkY2PHwqkbBI8frFxQQFekHaSSkUIJkwzclWZe64O1X4UlUjqqqLaPbUpMOQk6FBu/HtlGXNblIs0huw==",
+      "cpu": [
+        "wasm32"
+      ],
+      "license": "Apache-2.0 AND LGPL-3.0-or-later AND MIT",
+      "optional": true,
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@emnapi/runtime": "^1.7.0"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": "^18.17.0 || ^20.3.0 || >=21.0.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://opencollective.com/libvips"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@img/sharp-win32-arm64": {
+      "version": "0.34.5",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@img/sharp-win32-arm64/-/sharp-win32-arm64-0.34.5.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-WQ3AgWCWYSb2yt+IG8mnC6Jdk9Whs7O0gxphblsLvdhSpSTtmu69ZG1Gkb6NuvxsNACwiPV6cNSZNzt0KPsw7g==",
+      "cpu": [
+        "arm64"
+      ],
+      "license": "Apache-2.0 AND LGPL-3.0-or-later",
+      "optional": true,
+      "os": [
+        "win32"
+      ],
+      "engines": {
+        "node": "^18.17.0 || ^20.3.0 || >=21.0.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://opencollective.com/libvips"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@img/sharp-win32-ia32": {
+      "version": "0.34.5",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@img/sharp-win32-ia32/-/sharp-win32-ia32-0.34.5.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-FV9m/7NmeCmSHDD5j4+4pNI8Cp3aW+JvLoXcTUo0IqyjSfAZJ8dIUmijx1qaJsIiU+Hosw6xM5KijAWRJCSgNg==",
+      "cpu": [
+        "ia32"
+      ],
+      "license": "Apache-2.0 AND LGPL-3.0-or-later",
+      "optional": true,
+      "os": [
+        "win32"
+      ],
+      "engines": {
+        "node": "^18.17.0 || ^20.3.0 || >=21.0.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://opencollective.com/libvips"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@img/sharp-win32-x64": {
+      "version": "0.34.5",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@img/sharp-win32-x64/-/sharp-win32-x64-0.34.5.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-+29YMsqY2/9eFEiW93eqWnuLcWcufowXewwSNIT6UwZdUUCrM3oFjMWH/Z6/TMmb4hlFenmfAVbpWeup2jryCw==",
+      "cpu": [
+        "x64"
+      ],
+      "license": "Apache-2.0 AND LGPL-3.0-or-later",
+      "optional": true,
+      "os": [
+        "win32"
+      ],
+      "engines": {
+        "node": "^18.17.0 || ^20.3.0 || >=21.0.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://opencollective.com/libvips"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/accepts": {
       "version": "1.3.8",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/accepts/-/accepts-1.3.8.tgz",
@@ -288,6 +764,15 @@
         "npm": "1.2.8000 || >= 1.4.16"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/detect-libc": {
+      "version": "2.1.2",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/detect-libc/-/detect-libc-2.1.2.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-Btj2BOOO83o3WyH59e8MgXsxEQVcarkUOpEYrubB0urwnN10yQ364rsiByU11nZlqWYZm05i/of7io4mzihBtQ==",
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=8"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/dotenv": {
       "version": "16.6.1",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/dotenv/-/dotenv-16.6.1.tgz",
@@ -1149,6 +1634,18 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-YZo3K82SD7Riyi0E1EQPojLz7kpepnSQI9IyPbHHg1XXXevb5dJI7tpyN2ADxGcQbHG7vcyRHk0cbwqcQriUtg==",
       "license": "MIT"
     },
+    "node_modules/semver": {
+      "version": "7.7.4",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/semver/-/semver-7.7.4.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-vFKC2IEtQnVhpT78h1Yp8wzwrf8CM+MzKMHGJZfBtzhZNycRFnXsHk6E5TxIkkMsgNS7mdX3AGB7x2QM2di4lA==",
+      "license": "ISC",
+      "bin": {
+        "semver": "bin/semver.js"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=10"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/send": {
       "version": "0.19.2",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/send/-/send-0.19.2.tgz",
@@ -1200,6 +1697,50 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-E5LDX7Wrp85Kil5bhZv46j8jOeboKq5JMmYM3gVGdGH8xFpPWXUMsNrlODCrkoxMEeNi/XZIwuRvY4XNwYMJpw==",
       "license": "ISC"
     },
+    "node_modules/sharp": {
+      "version": "0.34.5",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/sharp/-/sharp-0.34.5.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-Ou9I5Ft9WNcCbXrU9cMgPBcCK8LiwLqcbywW3t4oDV37n1pzpuNLsYiAV8eODnjbtQlSDwZ2cUEeQz4E54Hltg==",
+      "hasInstallScript": true,
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@img/colour": "^1.0.0",
+        "detect-libc": "^2.1.2",
+        "semver": "^7.7.3"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": "^18.17.0 || ^20.3.0 || >=21.0.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://opencollective.com/libvips"
+      },
+      "optionalDependencies": {
+        "@img/sharp-darwin-arm64": "0.34.5",
+        "@img/sharp-darwin-x64": "0.34.5",
+        "@img/sharp-libvips-darwin-arm64": "1.2.4",
+        "@img/sharp-libvips-darwin-x64": "1.2.4",
+        "@img/sharp-libvips-linux-arm": "1.2.4",
+        "@img/sharp-libvips-linux-arm64": "1.2.4",
+        "@img/sharp-libvips-linux-ppc64": "1.2.4",
+        "@img/sharp-libvips-linux-riscv64": "1.2.4",
+        "@img/sharp-libvips-linux-s390x": "1.2.4",
+        "@img/sharp-libvips-linux-x64": "1.2.4",
+        "@img/sharp-libvips-linuxmusl-arm64": "1.2.4",
+        "@img/sharp-libvips-linuxmusl-x64": "1.2.4",
+        "@img/sharp-linux-arm": "0.34.5",
+        "@img/sharp-linux-arm64": "0.34.5",
+        "@img/sharp-linux-ppc64": "0.34.5",
+        "@img/sharp-linux-riscv64": "0.34.5",
+        "@img/sharp-linux-s390x": "0.34.5",
+        "@img/sharp-linux-x64": "0.34.5",
+        "@img/sharp-linuxmusl-arm64": "0.34.5",
+        "@img/sharp-linuxmusl-x64": "0.34.5",
+        "@img/sharp-wasm32": "0.34.5",
+        "@img/sharp-win32-arm64": "0.34.5",
+        "@img/sharp-win32-ia32": "0.34.5",
+        "@img/sharp-win32-x64": "0.34.5"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/side-channel": {
       "version": "1.1.0",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/side-channel/-/side-channel-1.1.0.tgz",
@@ -1342,6 +1883,13 @@
         "node": ">=0.6"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/tslib": {
+      "version": "2.8.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/tslib/-/tslib-2.8.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-oJFu94HQb+KVduSUQL7wnpmqnfmLsOA/nAh6b6EH0wCEoK0/mPeXU6c3wKDV83MkOuHPRHtSXKKU99IBazS/2w==",
+      "license": "0BSD",
+      "optional": true
+    },
     "node_modules/type-is": {
       "version": "1.6.18",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/type-is/-/type-is-1.6.18.tgz",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index d5bfd40..c32fffa 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
     "multer": "^2.1.1",
     "nodemailer": "^8.0.7",
     "pg": "^8.13.1",
+    "sharp": "^0.34.5",
     "slugify": "^1.6.6",
     "stripe": "^22.1.1"
   }
diff --git a/views/admin/profile.ejs b/views/admin/profile.ejs
index ab9fc6f..0a93c2d 100644
--- a/views/admin/profile.ejs
+++ b/views/admin/profile.ejs
@@ -10,14 +10,15 @@
   <% if (typeof photoOk !== 'undefined' && photoOk) { %><p class="callout" style="background:#dcfce7;border-left:3px solid #16a34a;color:#166534;padding:12px 16px;margin:16px 0;border-radius:4px">Photo updated.</p><% } %>
   <% if (typeof photoErr !== 'undefined' && photoErr) {
     var msg = 'Upload failed.';
-    if (photoErr === 'too_big') msg = 'File too large — max 2 MB.';
+    if (photoErr === 'too_big') msg = 'File too large — max 5 MB.';
     else if (photoErr === 'only_jpg_png_webp') msg = 'Only JPG, PNG, or WebP allowed.';
     else if (photoErr === 'no_file') msg = 'No file selected.';
+    else if (photoErr === 'image_decode_failed') msg = 'Couldn\'t read that image — try saving as JPG or PNG and re-uploading.';
   %><p class="callout" style="background:#fee2e2;border-left:3px solid #dc2626;padding:12px 16px;margin:16px 0;border-radius:4px"><%= msg %></p><% } %>
   <% if (error) { %><p class="callout" style="background:#fee2e2;border-left:3px solid #dc2626;padding:12px 16px;margin:16px 0;border-radius:4px"><%= error %></p><% } %>
 
   <h3 style="margin-top:24px">Cover photo</h3>
-  <p class="muted" style="font-size:13px;margin:0 0 12px">Replaces the gradient banner above your name on the public profile and on directory cards. JPG, PNG, or WebP up to 2 MB.</p>
+  <p class="muted" style="font-size:13px;margin:0 0 12px">Replaces the gradient banner above your name on the public profile and on directory cards. JPG, PNG, or WebP up to 5 MB — auto-resized to 1600px and converted to WebP for fast loading.</p>
   <% if (biz.photo_path) { %>
     <div style="display:flex;gap:14px;align-items:flex-start;margin:0 0 14px;flex-wrap:wrap">
       <img src="<%= biz.photo_path %>" alt="<%= biz.business_name %> cover photo" style="width:200px;height:120px;object-fit:cover;border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:4px">

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