diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 24f347b..d4e29ab 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -66,3 +66,4 @@ playlists/stream-queue.m3u
 /test-postgres-db.lisp
 /userdump.csv
 .envrc
+.playback-state.lisp
diff --git a/asteroid.lisp b/asteroid.lisp
index 1df9ee8..1c59238 100644
--- a/asteroid.lisp
+++ b/asteroid.lisp
@@ -1572,14 +1572,16 @@
   (handler-case
       (progn
         (start-harmony-streaming)
-        ;; Load the current playlist and start playing
+        ;; Load the current playlist and start playing (resume from saved position)
         (let ((playlist-path (get-stream-queue-path)))
           (when (probe-file playlist-path)
-            (let ((file-list (m3u-to-file-list playlist-path)))
-              (when file-list
-                (cl-streamer/harmony:play-list *harmony-pipeline* file-list
+            (let* ((file-list (m3u-to-file-list playlist-path))
+                   (resumed-list (when file-list (resume-from-saved-state file-list))))
+              (when resumed-list
+                (cl-streamer/harmony:play-list *harmony-pipeline* resumed-list
                                                :crossfade-duration 3.0)
-                (format t "~A tracks loaded from stream-queue.m3u~%" (length file-list))))))
+                (format t "~A tracks loaded from stream-queue.m3u (~A remaining after resume)~%"
+                        (length file-list) (length resumed-list))))))
         (format t "📡 Stream: ~a/asteroid.mp3~%" *stream-base-url*)
         (format t "📡 Stream: ~a/asteroid.aac~%" *stream-base-url*))
     (error (e)
diff --git a/auth-routes.lisp b/auth-routes.lisp
index c360274..6b125b5 100644
--- a/auth-routes.lisp
+++ b/auth-routes.lisp
@@ -14,27 +14,21 @@
           (if user
               (progn
                 ;; Login successful - store user ID in session
-                (format t "Login successful for user: ~a~%" (dm:field user "username"))
+                (log:info "Login successful for user: ~a" (dm:field user "username"))
                 (handler-case
-                    (progn
-                      (let* ((user-id (dm:id user))
-                             (user-role (dm:field user "role"))
-                             (redirect-path (cond
-                                              ;; Admin users go to admin dashboard
-                                              ((string-equal user-role "admin") "/admin")
-                                              ;; All other users go to their profile
-                                              (t "/profile"))))
-                        (format t "User ID from DB: ~a~%" user-id)
-                        (format t "User role: ~a, redirecting to: ~a~%" user-role redirect-path)
-                        (setf (session:field "user-id") user-id)
-                        (format t "User ID #~a persisted in session.~%" (session:field "user-id"))
-                        (radiance:redirect redirect-path)))
+                    (let* ((user-id (dm:id user))
+                           (user-role (dm:field user "role"))
+                           (redirect-path (cond
+                                            ((string-equal user-role "admin") "/admin")
+                                            (t "/profile"))))
+                      (setf (session:field "user-id") user-id)
+                      (radiance:redirect redirect-path))
                   (error (e)
-                    (format t "Session error: ~a~%" e)
+                    (log:warn "Session error during login: ~a" e)
                     "Login successful but session error occurred")))
               ;; Login failed - show form with error
               (progn
-                (format t "Login unsuccessful for user: ~a~%" username)
+                (log:info "Login failed for user: ~a" username)
                 (clip:process-to-string
                  (load-template "login")
                  :title "Asteroid Radio - Login"
@@ -168,7 +162,7 @@
 
 (define-api asteroid/user/activate (user-id active) ()
   "API endpoint for setting the active state of an user account"
-  (format t "Activation of user: #~a set to ~a~%" user-id active)
+  (log:info "Activation of user: #~a set to ~a" user-id active)
   (require-role :admin)
   (with-error-handling
     (let ((user (when user-id
@@ -200,7 +194,7 @@
 
 (define-api asteroid/user/role (user-id role) ()
   "API endpoint for setting the access role of an user account"
-  (format t "Role of user: #~a set to ~a~%" user-id role)
+  (log:info "Role of user: #~a set to ~a" user-id role)
   (require-role :admin)
   (with-error-handling
     (let ((user (when user-id
diff --git a/cl-streamer/harmony-backend.lisp b/cl-streamer/harmony-backend.lisp
index b9d2a63..1f490b2 100644
--- a/cl-streamer/harmony-backend.lisp
+++ b/cl-streamer/harmony-backend.lisp
@@ -282,7 +282,9 @@
       (update-all-mounts-metadata pipeline display-title)
       (notify-track-change pipeline track-info))
     (let ((voice (harmony:play path :mixer mixer :on-end on-end)))
-      (log:info "Now playing: ~A" display-title)
+      (if update-metadata
+          (log:info "Now playing: ~A" display-title)
+          (log:info "Loading next: ~A" display-title))
       (values voice display-title track-info))))
 
 (defun voice-remaining-seconds (voice)
@@ -363,12 +365,21 @@
                                           :name "cl-streamer-fadeout")))
                                    (volume-ramp voice 1.0 fade-in)
                                    (bt:join-thread fade-thread))
-                                 ;; Crossfade done — now update metadata & notify
+                                 ;; Crossfade done — brief pause so listeners perceive
+                                 ;; the new track before UI updates
+                                 (sleep 1.0)
                                  (update-all-mounts-metadata pipeline display-title)
                                  (notify-track-change pipeline track-info))
                                ;; Wait for track to approach its end (or skip)
                                (setf (pipeline-skip-flag pipeline) nil)
                                (sleep 0.5)
+                               ;; Log initial track duration info
+                               (let ((initial-remaining (voice-remaining-seconds voice)))
+                                 (log:info "Track duration check: remaining=~A pos=~A total=~A sr=~A"
+                                           initial-remaining
+                                           (ignore-errors (mixed:frame-position voice))
+                                           (ignore-errors (mixed:frame-count voice))
+                                           (ignore-errors (mixed:samplerate voice))))
                                (loop while (and (pipeline-running-p pipeline)
                                                 (not (mixed:done-p voice))
                                                 (not (pipeline-skip-flag pipeline)))
@@ -376,7 +387,8 @@
                                      when (and remaining
                                                (<= remaining crossfade-duration)
                                                (not (mixed:done-p voice)))
-                                       do (setf prev-voice voice)
+                                       do (log:info "Crossfade trigger: ~,1Fs remaining" remaining)
+                                          (setf prev-voice voice)
                                           (return)
                                      do (sleep 0.1))
                                ;; Handle skip
diff --git a/stream-harmony.lisp b/stream-harmony.lisp
index 3d62bc3..fd2997b 100644
--- a/stream-harmony.lisp
+++ b/stream-harmony.lisp
@@ -18,6 +18,60 @@
 (defvar *harmony-aac-encoder* nil
   "AAC encoder instance.")
 
+(defvar *harmony-state-file*
+  (merge-pathnames ".playback-state.lisp" (asdf:system-source-directory :asteroid))
+  "File to persist current playback position across restarts.")
+
+;;; ---- Playback State Persistence ----
+
+(defun save-playback-state (track-file-path)
+  "Save the current track file path to the state file.
+   Called on each track change so we can resume after restart."
+  (handler-case
+      (with-open-file (s *harmony-state-file*
+                       :direction :output
+                       :if-exists :supersede
+                       :if-does-not-exist :create)
+        (prin1 (list :track-file track-file-path
+                     :timestamp (get-universal-time))
+               s))
+    (error (e)
+      (log:warn "Could not save playback state: ~A" e))))
+
+(defun load-playback-state ()
+  "Load the saved playback state. Returns plist or NIL."
+  (handler-case
+      (when (probe-file *harmony-state-file*)
+        (with-open-file (s *harmony-state-file* :direction :input)
+          (read s nil nil)))
+    (error (e)
+      (log:warn "Could not load playback state: ~A" e)
+      nil)))
+
+(defun resume-from-saved-state (file-list)
+  "Given a playlist FILE-LIST, find the saved track and return the list
+   starting from the NEXT track after it. Returns the full list if no
+   saved state or track not found."
+  (let ((state (load-playback-state)))
+    (if state
+        (let* ((saved-file (getf state :track-file))
+               (pos (position saved-file file-list :test #'string=)))
+          (if pos
+              (let ((remaining (nthcdr (1+ pos) file-list)))
+                (if remaining
+                    (progn
+                      (log:info "Resuming after track ~A (~A of ~A)"
+                                (file-namestring saved-file) (1+ pos) (length file-list))
+                      remaining)
+                    ;; Was the last track — start from beginning
+                    (progn
+                      (log:info "Last saved track was final in playlist, starting from beginning")
+                      file-list)))
+              (progn
+                (log:info "Saved track not found in current playlist, starting from beginning")
+                file-list)))
+        file-list)))
+
 ;;; ---- M3U Playlist Loading ----
 
 (defun m3u-to-file-list (m3u-path)
@@ -55,6 +109,9 @@
                                  :track-id track-id)
                            :curated)
       (setf *last-known-track-curated* display-title))
+    ;; Persist current track for resume-on-restart
+    (when file-path
+      (save-playback-state file-path))
     (log:info "Track change: ~A (track-id: ~A)" display-title track-id)))
 
 (defun find-track-by-file-path (file-path)
@@ -163,9 +220,11 @@
 
 ;;; ---- Playlist Control (replaces Liquidsoap commands) ----
 
-(defun harmony-load-playlist (m3u-path)
+(defun harmony-load-playlist (m3u-path &key (skip nil))
   "Load and start playing an M3U playlist through the Harmony pipeline.
-   Converts Docker paths to host paths and feeds them to play-list."
+   Converts Docker paths to host paths and feeds them to play-list.
+   When SKIP is T, immediately crossfade to the new playlist.
+   When SKIP is NIL (default), queue tracks to play after the current track."
   (when *harmony-pipeline*
     (let ((file-list (m3u-to-file-list m3u-path)))
       (when file-list
@@ -175,9 +234,11 @@
                                                   (mapcar (lambda (path)
                                                             (list :file path))
                                                           file-list))
-        ;; Skip current track to trigger crossfade into new playlist
-        (cl-streamer/harmony:pipeline-skip *harmony-pipeline*)
-        (log:info "Loaded playlist ~A (~A tracks)" m3u-path (length file-list))
+        ;; Only skip if explicitly requested
+        (when skip
+          (cl-streamer/harmony:pipeline-skip *harmony-pipeline*))
+        (log:info "Loaded playlist ~A (~A tracks~A)" m3u-path (length file-list)
+                  (if skip ", skipping to start" ""))
         (length file-list)))))
 
 (defun harmony-skip-track ()
diff --git a/user-management.lisp b/user-management.lisp
index fc2c6ef..eed50ca 100644
--- a/user-management.lisp
+++ b/user-management.lisp
@@ -20,53 +20,38 @@
           (dm:field user "last-login") nil)
     (handler-case
         (db:with-transaction ()
-          (format t "Inserting user data: ~a~%" user)
           (let ((result (dm:insert user)))
-            (format t "Insert result: ~a~%" result)
-            (format t "User created: ~a (~a)~%" username role)
+            (log:info "User created: ~a (~a)" username role)
             t))
       (error (e)
-        (format t "Error creating user ~a: ~a~%" username e)
+        (log:warn "Error creating user ~a: ~a" username e)
         nil))))
 
 (defun find-user-by-username (username)
   "Find a user by username"
-  (format t "Searching for user: ~a~%" username)
   (let ((user (dm:get-one "USERS" (db:query (:= 'username username)))))
-    (when user
-      (format t "Found user '~a' with id #~a~%" username (dm:id user))
-      user)))
+    user))
 
 (defun find-user-by-id (user-id)
   "Find a user by ID"
-  (format t "Looking for user with ID: ~a (type: ~a)~%" user-id (type-of user-id))
   (let* ((user-id (if (stringp user-id)
                       (parse-integer user-id)
                       user-id))
          (user (dm:get-one "USERS" (db:query (:= '_id user-id)))))
-    (when user
-      (format t "Found user '~a' with id #~a~%"
-              (dm:field user "username")
-              (dm:id user))
-      user)))
+    user))
 
 
 (defun authenticate-user (username password)
   "Authenticate a user with username and password"
-  (format t "Attempting to authenticate user: ~a~%" username)
+  (log:info "Authentication attempt for user: ~a" username)
   (let ((user (find-user-by-username username)))
-    (format t "User found: ~a~%" (if user "YES" "NO"))
     (when user
       (let ((user-active (dm:field user "active"))
             (user-password (dm:field user "password-hash")))
         (handler-case
-            (progn
-              (format t "User active: ~a~%" user-active)
-              (format t "Password hash from DB: ~a~%" user-password)
-              (format t "Password verification: ~a~%"
-                      (verify-password password user-password)))
+            (verify-password password user-password)
           (error (e)
-            (format t "Error during user data access: ~a~%" e)))
+            (log:warn "Error during user authentication: ~a" e)))
         (when (and (= 1 user-active)
                    (verify-password password user-password))
           ;; Update last login using data-model (database agnostic)
@@ -77,7 +62,7 @@
                 ;; Use data-model-save to normalize all timestamp fields before saving
                 (data-model-save user))
             (error (e)
-              (format t "Warning: Could not update last-login: ~a~%" e)))
+              (log:warn "Could not update last-login: ~a" e)))
           user)))))
 
 (defun hash-password (password)
@@ -89,9 +74,6 @@
 (defun verify-password (password hash)
   "Verify a password against its hash"
   (let ((computed-hash (hash-password password)))
-    (format t "Computed hash: ~a~%" computed-hash)
-    (format t "Stored hash:   ~a~%" hash)
-    (format t "Match: ~a~%" (string= computed-hash hash))
     (string= computed-hash hash)))
 
 (defun reset-user-password (username new-password)
@@ -101,33 +83,26 @@
         (handler-case
             (let ((new-hash (hash-password new-password))
                   (user-id (dm:id user)))
-              (format t "Resetting password for user: ~a (ID: ~a, type: ~a)~%" username user-id (type-of user-id))
-              (format t "Old hash: ~a~%" (dm:field user "password-hash"))
-              (format t "New hash: ~a~%" new-hash)
+              (log:info "Resetting password for user: ~a" username)
               ;; Try direct update with uppercase field name to match stored case
               (setf (dm:field user "password-hash") new-hash)
               ;; (dm:save user)
               (data-model-save user)
               ;; Verify the update worked
               (let ((updated-user (find-user-by-username username)))
-                (format t "Verification - fetching user again...~%")
                 (let ((updated-hash (dm:field updated-user "password-hash")))
-                  (format t "Updated password hash in DB: ~a~%" updated-hash)
-                  (format t "Expected hash: ~a~%" new-hash)
-                  (let ((match (string= updated-hash new-hash)))
-                    (format t "Password update match: ~a~%" match)
-                    (if match
-                        (progn
-                          (format t "Password reset successful for user: ~a~%" username)
-                          t)
-                        (progn
-                          (format t "Password reset FAILED - hash didn't update~%")
-                          nil))))))
+                  (if (string= updated-hash new-hash)
+                      (progn
+                        (log:info "Password reset successful for user: ~a" username)
+                        t)
+                      (progn
+                        (log:warn "Password reset FAILED for user: ~a" username)
+                        nil)))))
           (error (e)
-            (format t "Error resetting password for ~a: ~a~%" username e)
+            (log:warn "Error resetting password for ~a: ~a" username e)
             nil))
         (progn
-          (format t "User not found: ~a~%" username)
+          (log:warn "User not found for password reset: ~a" username)
           nil))))
 
 (defun user-has-role-p (user role)
@@ -135,7 +110,6 @@
   (when user
     (let* ((role-value (dm:field user "role"))
            (user-role (intern (string-upcase role-value) :keyword)))
-      (format t "User role: ~a, checking against: ~a~%" user-role role)
       (or (eq user-role role)
           (and (eq role :listener) (member user-role '(:dj :admin)))
           (and (eq role :dj) (eq user-role :admin))))))
@@ -144,13 +118,10 @@
   "Get the currently authenticated user from session"
   (handler-case
       (let ((user-id (session:field "user-id")))
-        (format t "Session user-id: ~a~%" user-id)
         (when user-id
-          (let ((user (find-user-by-id user-id)))
-            (format t "Found user: ~a~%" (if user "YES" "NO"))
-            user)))
+          (find-user-by-id user-id)))
     (error (e)
-      (format t "Error getting current user: ~a~%" e)
+      (log:warn "Error getting current user: ~a" e)
       nil)))
 
 (defun get-current-user-id ()
@@ -179,8 +150,6 @@
          ;; Check for "api/" anywhere in the path
          (is-api-request (if api t (or (search "/api/" uri)
                                        (search "api/" uri)))))
-    (format t "Authentication check - User ID: ~a, URI: ~a, Is API: ~a~%" 
-            user-id uri (if is-api-request "YES" "NO"))
     (if user-id
         t  ; Authenticated - return T to continue
         ;; Not authenticated - emit error and signal to stop processing
@@ -188,14 +157,11 @@
           (if is-api-request
               ;; API request - return JSON error with 401 status using api-output
               (progn
-                (format t "Authentication failed - returning JSON 401~%")
                 (api-output `(("status" . "error")
                               ("message" . "Authentication required"))
                             :status 401))
               ;; Page request - redirect to login
-              (progn
-                (format t "Authentication failed - redirecting to login~%")
-                (radiance:redirect "/login")))))))
+              (radiance:redirect "/login"))))))
 
 (defun require-role (role &key (api nil))
   "Require user to have a specific role.
@@ -209,22 +175,14 @@
          (is-api-request (if api t (or (search "/api/" uri)
                                        (and (>= (length uri) 4)
                                             (string= "api/" (subseq uri 0 4)))))))
-    (format t "Current user for role check: ~a~%" (if current-user "FOUND" "NOT FOUND"))
-    (format t "Request URI: ~a, Is API: ~a~%" uri (if is-api-request "YES" "NO"))
-    (when current-user
-      (format t "User has role ~a: ~a~%" role (user-has-role-p current-user role)))
     (if (and current-user (user-has-role-p current-user role))
         t  ; Authorized - return T to continue
         ;; Not authorized - emit error
         (if is-api-request
             ;; API request - return NIL (caller will handle JSON error)
-            (progn
-              (format t "Role check failed - authorization denied~%")
-              nil)
+            nil
             ;; Page request - redirect to login (redirect doesn't return)
-            (progn
-              (format t "Role check failed - redirecting to login~%")
-              (radiance:redirect "/asteroid/login"))))))
+            (radiance:redirect "/asteroid/login")))))
 
 (defun update-user-role (user-id new-role)
   "Update a user's role"
@@ -236,9 +194,9 @@
               ;; (dm:save user)
               (data-model-save user)
               t)
-            (format t "Could not find user with id #~a~%" user-id)))
+            (log:warn "Could not find user with id #~a" user-id)))
     (error (e)
-      (format t "Error updating user role: ~a~%" e)
+      (log:warn "Error updating user role: ~a" e)
       nil)))
 
 (defun deactivate-user (user-id)
@@ -248,10 +206,10 @@
         (setf (dm:field user "active") 0)
         ;; (dm:save user)
         (data-model-save user)
-        (format t "Deactivated user ~a~%" user-id)
+        (log:info "Deactivated user ~a" user-id)
         t)
     (error (e)
-      (format t "Error deactivating user: ~a~%" e)
+      (log:warn "Error deactivating user: ~a" e)
       nil)))
 
 (defun activate-user (user-id)
@@ -261,21 +219,15 @@
         (setf (dm:field user "active") 1)
         ;; (dm:save user)
         (data-model-save user)
-        (format t "Activated user ~a~%" user-id)
+        (log:info "Activated user ~a" user-id)
         t)
     (error (e)
-      (format t "Error activating user: ~a~%" e)
+      (log:warn "Error activating user: ~a" e)
       nil)))
 
 (defun get-all-users ()
   "Get all users from database"
-  (format t "Getting all users from database...~%")
-  (let ((users (dm:get "USERS" (db:query :all))))
-    (format t "Total users in database: ~a~%" (length users))
-    (dolist (user users)
-      (format t "User: ~a~%" (dm:field user "username"))
-      (format t "User _id field: ~a (type: ~a)~%" (dm:id user) (type-of (dm:id user))))
-    users))
+  (dm:get "USERS" (db:query :all)))
 
 (defun get-user-stats ()
   "Get user statistics"
@@ -300,27 +252,20 @@
                               (string= role "admin")))
                           (get-all-users))))
     (unless existing-admins
-      (format t "~%Creating default admin user...~%")
-      (format t "Username: admin~%")
-      (format t "Password: asteroid123~%")
-      (format t "Please change this password after first login!~%~%")
+      (log:info "Creating default admin user (admin / asteroid123) - change password after first login!")
       (create-user "admin" "admin@asteroid.radio" "asteroid123" :role :admin :active t))))
 
 (defun initialize-user-system ()
   "Initialize the user management system"
-  (format t "Initializing user management system...~%")
-  ;; Skip database check at startup - database queries hang with current setup
-  (format t "Skipping admin creation check - database already initialized~%")
-  (format t "User management initialization complete.~%")
+  (log:info "Initializing user management system")
   ;; Try immediate initialization first
   #+nil
   (handler-case
       (progn
-        (format t "Setting up user management...~%")
         (create-default-admin)
-        (format t "User management initialization complete.~%"))
+        (log:info "User management initialization complete."))
     (error (e)
-      (format t "Database not ready, will retry in background: ~a~%" e)
+      (log:info "Database not ready, will retry in background: ~a" e)
       ;; Fallback to delayed initialization
       (bt:make-thread 
        (lambda ()
@@ -329,12 +274,11 @@
              (sleep 3)) ; Give database more time to initialize
            (handler-case
                (progn
-                 (format t "Retrying user management setup...~%")
                  (create-default-admin)
-                 (format t "User management initialization complete.~%")
+                 (log:info "User management initialization complete.")
                  (return))
              (error (e)
-               (format t "Error initializing user system: ~a~%" e)))))
+               (log:warn "Error initializing user system: ~a" e)))))
        :name "user-init"))))
 
 (defun dump-users (users)