diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 55fc46f3..ef67b71b 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
   next root-level module can't ship broken.
 
 ### Added
-- **`routers/` — extracting `server.py`'s route layer, cheapest-first (R3).** Each PR moves a cohesive route group into a `fastapi.APIRouter` under `lib/routers/`, mounted with `app.include_router(...)` at its original site (FastAPI matches in registration order; the full route table stays byte-identical). Bodies are verbatim — only the decorator receiver (`@app` → `@router`) and singleton reads (`meta_db` → `appstate.meta_db`, resolved at call time) change. So far: `audio_effects` (5), `artist_aliases` (5), `loops` (3 — saved A/B practice regions). The next cut is picked by a dependency-closure scan that ranks groups by how many `monkeypatch.setattr(server, …)` targets they'd drag along.
+- **`routers/` — extracting `server.py`'s route layer, cheapest-first (R3).** Each PR moves a cohesive route group into a `fastapi.APIRouter` under `lib/routers/`, mounted with `app.include_router(...)` at its original site (FastAPI matches in registration order; the full route table stays byte-identical). Bodies are verbatim — only the decorator receiver (`@app` → `@router`) and singleton reads (`meta_db` → `appstate.meta_db`, resolved at call time) change. So far: `audio_effects` (5), `artist_aliases` (5), `loops` (3), `playlists` (12 + custom covers). The `config_dir` path constant now rides the `appstate` seam (env-derived, so the pop-and-reimport fixtures reconfigure it for free), and the shared request-field sanitizer `_clean_str` moved to `lib/reqfields.py`. The next cut is picked by a dependency-closure scan that ranks groups by how many `monkeypatch.setattr(server, …)` targets they'd drag along.
 - **`routers/` — the first extracted route module (R3).** The five audio-effects mapping
   endpoints move out of `server.py` into `lib/routers/audio_effects.py` as a
   `fastapi.APIRouter`, mounted with `app.include_router(...)` **at the point in the file
diff --git a/docs/size-exemptions.md b/docs/size-exemptions.md
index 9adda18a..b2a5126b 100644
--- a/docs/size-exemptions.md
+++ b/docs/size-exemptions.md
@@ -55,8 +55,8 @@ without a *signed* exemption" is unenforceable.
 ## Planned, NOT exempt (owned by split plans — listed so nothing falls between states)
 
 core `static/app.js` (11,852) · `static/highway.js` (4,168, whole file) · `server.py`
-(9,302 — was 14,037; ratcheted by the R3 `MetadataDB` + `AudioEffectsMappingDB`
-extractions and the first three `routers/` modules) ·
+(9,085 — was 14,037; ratcheted by the R3 `MetadataDB` + `AudioEffectsMappingDB`
+extractions and four `routers/` modules) ·
 `lib/metadata_db.py` (4,373 — new in R3; the `MetadataDB` class alone is 4,018 lines
 and is a monolith in its own right, to be split per-table once the router train
 lands) · `static/v3/songs.js` (4,134) · `static/capabilities/audio-session.js`
diff --git a/lib/appstate.py b/lib/appstate.py
index d515673a..78dcecf8 100644
--- a/lib/appstate.py
+++ b/lib/appstate.py
@@ -62,10 +62,16 @@ def artist_page(name):
 meta_db = None
 audio_effect_mappings = None
 
-# Declared up front so `configure()` can reject a typo'd or stale keyword
-# instead of silently creating a new global that nothing ever reads. A seam
-# whose wiring can no-op undetected is worse than no seam.
-_SLOTS = frozenset({"meta_db", "audio_effect_mappings"})
+# Config paths. server.py derives these from the environment (fresh on every
+# import, so the ~49 pop-and-reimport fixtures keep working) and injects them
+# here. Routers read them as `appstate.config_dir` etc. — a module attribute at
+# call time. NOTE: config_dir/dlc_dir are env-derived, so a `setenv`+reimport
+# test reconfigures them for free; STATIC_DIR/SLOPPAK_CACHE_DIR are patched via
+# `setattr(server, …)` in a few tests, so those slots (when added) need their
+# tests retargeted to appstate in the same PR.
+config_dir = None
+
+_SLOTS = frozenset({"meta_db", "audio_effect_mappings", "config_dir"})
 
 
 def configure(**kwargs) -> None:
diff --git a/lib/reqfields.py b/lib/reqfields.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6cac8240
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/reqfields.py
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+"""Request-field coercion helpers shared by the raw-`dict` POST handlers.
+
+Extracted verbatim from ``server.py`` (R3). Pure — no IO, no globals — so it
+imports cleanly from both ``server`` and any ``routers/`` module.
+"""
+
+
+def _clean_str(value) -> str:
+    """Trim a request field to a string; non-strings (or missing) → ''.
+    Lets the raw-`dict` POST handlers treat wrong-typed JSON (an int/list/etc.
+    where a string was expected) as "empty" and answer 400, instead of raising
+    AttributeError/TypeError → 500 on a later .strip()/`in`."""
+    return value.strip() if isinstance(value, str) else ""
diff --git a/lib/routers/playlists.py b/lib/routers/playlists.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4d8adafa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/routers/playlists.py
@@ -0,0 +1,237 @@
+"""Playlists + custom playlist covers (fee[dB]ack v0.3.0).
+
+Extracted verbatim from ``server.py`` (R3). Edits: ``@app`` -> ``@router``,
+``meta_db`` -> ``appstate.meta_db``, ``CONFIG_DIR`` -> ``appstate.config_dir``
+(both read at call time through the seam), and ``_clean_str`` now imports from
+``reqfields``. See ``appstate.py``.
+"""
+
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from fastapi import APIRouter
+from fastapi.responses import FileResponse, JSONResponse
+
+import appstate
+from reqfields import _clean_str
+
+router = APIRouter()
+
+# Cache policy for the custom-cover file response: revalidate every time so a
+# replaced cover is never served stale (pairs with the mtime-ns URL token).
+_ART_CACHE_HEADERS = {"Cache-Control": "no-cache"}
+
+
+def _playlist_cover_path(pid) -> Path | None:
+    """Filesystem path of a playlist's optional custom cover image (PNG),
+    stored under CONFIG_DIR. Returns None for a non-integer id."""
+    try:
+        pid = int(pid)
+    except (TypeError, ValueError):
+        return None
+    return appstate.config_dir / "playlist_covers" / f"{pid}.png"
+
+
+def _playlist_cover_url(pid) -> str | None:
+    cover = _playlist_cover_path(pid)
+    if not cover or not cover.exists():
+        return None
+    try:
+        # Nanosecond mtime so a same-second replace/remove/re-upload still
+        # changes the cache-bust token (int seconds could collide → stale image).
+        mt = cover.stat().st_mtime_ns
+    except OSError:
+        mt = 0
+    return f"/api/playlists/{pid}/cover?v={mt}"
+
+
+@router.get("/api/playlists")
+def api_list_playlists():
+    lists = appstate.meta_db.list_playlists()
+    for pl in lists:
+        pl["cover_url"] = _playlist_cover_url(pl["id"])
+    return lists
+
+
+@router.post("/api/playlists")
+def api_create_playlist(data: dict):
+    name = _clean_str(data.get("name"))
+    if not (1 <= len(name) <= 100):
+        return JSONResponse({"error": "Playlist name must be 1–100 characters."}, status_code=400)
+    # kind='album' = a curated album (§7.2): hand-picked works, a chosen chart
+    # per slot, played front-to-back on the queue. Absent/None = a regular mix.
+    kind = _clean_str(data.get("kind")) or None
+    if kind not in (None, "album"):
+        return JSONResponse({"error": "kind must be 'album' or omitted"}, status_code=400)
+    return appstate.meta_db.create_playlist(name, kind=kind)
+
+
+@router.get("/api/playlists/{pid}")
+def api_get_playlist(pid: int):
+    pl = appstate.meta_db.get_playlist(pid)
+    if pl is None:
+        return JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
+    pl["cover_url"] = _playlist_cover_url(pid)
+    return pl
+
+
+@router.patch("/api/playlists/{pid}")
+def api_rename_playlist(pid: int, data: dict):
+    pl = appstate.meta_db.get_playlist(pid)
+    if pl is None:
+        return JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
+    if pl["system_key"]:
+        return JSONResponse({"error": "System playlists cannot be renamed."}, status_code=400)
+    name = _clean_str(data.get("name"))
+    if not (1 <= len(name) <= 100):
+        return JSONResponse({"error": "Playlist name must be 1–100 characters."}, status_code=400)
+    appstate.meta_db.rename_playlist(pid, name)
+    return appstate.meta_db.get_playlist(pid)
+
+
+@router.delete("/api/playlists/{pid}")
+def api_delete_playlist(pid: int):
+    pl = appstate.meta_db.get_playlist(pid)
+    if pl is None:
+        return JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
+    if pl["system_key"]:
+        return JSONResponse({"error": "System playlists cannot be deleted."}, status_code=400)
+    if not appstate.meta_db.delete_playlist(pid):   # vanished under us (concurrent delete)
+        return JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
+    cover = _playlist_cover_path(pid)       # drop any custom cover with the playlist
+    if cover and cover.exists():
+        try:
+            cover.unlink()
+        except OSError:
+            pass
+    return {"ok": True}
+
+
+@router.post("/api/playlists/{pid}/songs")
+def api_add_playlist_song(pid: int, data: dict):
+    if appstate.meta_db.get_playlist(pid) is None:
+        return JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
+    filename = _clean_str(data.get("filename"))
+    if not filename:
+        return JSONResponse({"error": "filename required"}, status_code=400)
+    if appstate.meta_db.add_playlist_song(pid, filename) is None:   # playlist vanished under us
+        return JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
+    pl = appstate.meta_db.get_playlist(pid)
+    return pl if pl is not None else JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
+
+
+@router.patch("/api/playlists/{pid}/songs/{filename:path}")
+def api_update_playlist_slot(pid: int, filename: str, data: dict):
+    """Edit one curated-album slot: {"arrangement": name|null} pins/clears the
+    slot's arrangement; {"chart_filename": fn} swaps the slot to another chart
+    of the same work (position + pin kept). Albums only — a mix has no slots."""
+    pl = appstate.meta_db.get_playlist(pid)
+    if pl is None:
+        return JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
+    if pl.get("kind") != "album":
+        return JSONResponse({"error": "Slot editing is for albums."}, status_code=400)
+    kwargs = {}
+    if "chart_filename" in data:
+        new_fn = _clean_str(data.get("chart_filename"))
+        if not new_fn:
+            return JSONResponse({"error": "chart_filename must be a filename"}, status_code=400)
+        kwargs["new_filename"] = new_fn
+    if "arrangement" in data:
+        arr = data.get("arrangement")
+        if arr is not None and not (isinstance(arr, str) and 1 <= len(arr.strip()) <= 100):
+            return JSONResponse({"error": "arrangement must be a name or null"}, status_code=400)
+        kwargs["arrangement"] = arr.strip() if isinstance(arr, str) else None
+    if not kwargs:
+        return JSONResponse({"error": "nothing to update"}, status_code=400)
+    if appstate.meta_db.update_playlist_slot(pid, filename, **kwargs) is None:
+        return JSONResponse(
+            {"error": "no such slot, or the chart isn't a version of this song"},
+            status_code=400)
+    return appstate.meta_db.get_playlist(pid)
+
+
+@router.delete("/api/playlists/{pid}/songs/{filename:path}")
+def api_remove_playlist_song(pid: int, filename: str):
+    if appstate.meta_db.get_playlist(pid) is None:
+        return JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
+    appstate.meta_db.remove_playlist_song(pid, filename)
+    pl = appstate.meta_db.get_playlist(pid)
+    return pl if pl is not None else JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
+
+
+@router.post("/api/playlists/{pid}/reorder")
+def api_reorder_playlist(pid: int, data: dict):
+    pl = appstate.meta_db.get_playlist(pid)
+    if pl is None:
+        return JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
+    order = data.get("order")
+    if not isinstance(order, list) or not all(isinstance(f, str) for f in order):
+        return JSONResponse({"error": "order must be a list of filenames"}, status_code=400)
+    # Require an exact permutation of the playlist's current songs: a list with
+    # duplicates, omissions, or extras would otherwise produce duplicate
+    # positions / a partial reorder while still returning 200.
+    current = [s["filename"] for s in pl["songs"]]
+    if len(order) != len(current) or sorted(order) != sorted(current):
+        return JSONResponse(
+            {"error": "order must be a permutation of the playlist's current songs"},
+            status_code=400,
+        )
+    appstate.meta_db.reorder_playlist(pid, order)
+    return appstate.meta_db.get_playlist(pid)
+
+
+@router.post("/api/playlists/{pid}/cover")
+async def api_set_playlist_cover(pid: int, data: dict):
+    """Set a playlist's custom cover from a base64 / data-URL image (PNG/JPG).
+    Overrides the content-dependent (song-art) cover. Stored as a small PNG
+    thumbnail under CONFIG_DIR/playlist_covers/."""
+    if appstate.meta_db.get_playlist(pid) is None:
+        return JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
+    import base64
+    import io
+    b64 = data.get("image", "")
+    # Guard the type before the `","` membership test — a non-string image
+    # (e.g. {"image": 123} / null) would otherwise raise TypeError → 500.
+    # Mirrors the avatar/song-art upload guard.
+    if not isinstance(b64, str) or not b64:
+        return JSONResponse({"error": "No image data"}, status_code=400)
+    if "," in b64:
+        b64 = b64.split(",", 1)[1]
+    if not b64:
+        return JSONResponse({"error": "No image data"}, status_code=400)
+    try:
+        img_data = base64.b64decode(b64)
+    except Exception:
+        return JSONResponse({"error": "Invalid base64"}, status_code=400)
+    cover = _playlist_cover_path(pid)
+    cover.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    try:
+        from PIL import Image
+        img = Image.open(io.BytesIO(img_data)).convert("RGB")
+        img.thumbnail((640, 640))                  # covers stay small
+        tmp = cover.with_suffix(".png.tmp")
+        img.save(str(tmp), "PNG")
+        tmp.replace(cover)
+    except Exception as e:
+        return JSONResponse({"error": f"Invalid image: {e}"}, status_code=400)
+    return {"ok": True, "cover_url": _playlist_cover_url(pid)}
+
+
+@router.get("/api/playlists/{pid}/cover")
+def api_get_playlist_cover(pid: int):
+    cover = _playlist_cover_path(pid)
+    if not cover or not cover.exists():
+        return JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
+    # no-cache (revalidate) like song art, so a replaced cover is never served
+    # stale — pairs with the mtime-ns cache-bust token on the URL.
+    return FileResponse(str(cover), media_type="image/png", headers=_ART_CACHE_HEADERS)
+
+
+@router.delete("/api/playlists/{pid}/cover")
+def api_delete_playlist_cover(pid: int):
+    cover = _playlist_cover_path(pid)
+    if cover and cover.exists():
+        try:
+            cover.unlink()
+        except OSError:
+            pass
+    return {"ok": True}
diff --git a/server.py b/server.py
index 816b6624..42db67b5 100644
--- a/server.py
+++ b/server.py
@@ -66,12 +66,13 @@
 # The audio-effect routing index. Same shape as metadata_db: the class lives in
 # its own module, the `audio_effect_mappings` singleton below stays here.
 from audio_effects_db import AudioEffectsMappingDB
+from reqfields import _clean_str
 # The router seam. Imported as a module (never `from appstate import ...`) so
 # `appstate.configure(...)` below publishes into the same namespace routers read.
 # Lives in lib/ because that is the one core dir every packaging path copies.
 import appstate
 # Extracted route modules. They import `appstate`, never `server` — one-way graph.
-from routers import audio_effects, artist_aliases, loops
+from routers import audio_effects, artist_aliases, loops, playlists
 import sloppak as sloppak_mod
 import drums as drums_mod
 import notation as notation_mod
@@ -366,6 +367,7 @@ def _env_flag(name: str) -> bool:
 appstate.configure(
     meta_db=meta_db,
     audio_effect_mappings=audio_effect_mappings,
+    config_dir=CONFIG_DIR,
 )
 
 
@@ -4999,13 +5001,6 @@ def api_get_profile():
     return profile
 
 
-def _clean_str(value) -> str:
-    """Trim a request field to a string; non-strings (or missing) → ''.
-    Lets the raw-`dict` POST handlers treat wrong-typed JSON (an int/list/etc.
-    where a string was expected) as "empty" and answer 400, instead of raising
-    AttributeError/TypeError → 500 on a later .strip()/`in`."""
-    return value.strip() if isinstance(value, str) else ""
-
 
 @app.post("/api/profile")
 def api_set_profile(data: dict):
@@ -5588,222 +5583,10 @@ def api_song_stats(filename: str):
     return meta_db.get_song_stats(filename)
 
 
-# ── Playlists / Saved for Later / Continue-Playing (fee[dB]ack v0.3.0) ────────
-
-def _playlist_cover_path(pid) -> Path | None:
-    """Filesystem path of a playlist's optional custom cover image (PNG),
-    stored under CONFIG_DIR. Returns None for a non-integer id."""
-    try:
-        pid = int(pid)
-    except (TypeError, ValueError):
-        return None
-    return CONFIG_DIR / "playlist_covers" / f"{pid}.png"
-
-
-def _playlist_cover_url(pid) -> str | None:
-    cover = _playlist_cover_path(pid)
-    if not cover or not cover.exists():
-        return None
-    try:
-        # Nanosecond mtime so a same-second replace/remove/re-upload still
-        # changes the cache-bust token (int seconds could collide → stale image).
-        mt = cover.stat().st_mtime_ns
-    except OSError:
-        mt = 0
-    return f"/api/playlists/{pid}/cover?v={mt}"
-
-
-@app.get("/api/playlists")
-def api_list_playlists():
-    lists = meta_db.list_playlists()
-    for pl in lists:
-        pl["cover_url"] = _playlist_cover_url(pl["id"])
-    return lists
-
-
-@app.post("/api/playlists")
-def api_create_playlist(data: dict):
-    name = _clean_str(data.get("name"))
-    if not (1 <= len(name) <= 100):
-        return JSONResponse({"error": "Playlist name must be 1–100 characters."}, status_code=400)
-    # kind='album' = a curated album (§7.2): hand-picked works, a chosen chart
-    # per slot, played front-to-back on the queue. Absent/None = a regular mix.
-    kind = _clean_str(data.get("kind")) or None
-    if kind not in (None, "album"):
-        return JSONResponse({"error": "kind must be 'album' or omitted"}, status_code=400)
-    return meta_db.create_playlist(name, kind=kind)
-
-
-@app.get("/api/playlists/{pid}")
-def api_get_playlist(pid: int):
-    pl = meta_db.get_playlist(pid)
-    if pl is None:
-        return JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
-    pl["cover_url"] = _playlist_cover_url(pid)
-    return pl
-
-
-@app.patch("/api/playlists/{pid}")
-def api_rename_playlist(pid: int, data: dict):
-    pl = meta_db.get_playlist(pid)
-    if pl is None:
-        return JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
-    if pl["system_key"]:
-        return JSONResponse({"error": "System playlists cannot be renamed."}, status_code=400)
-    name = _clean_str(data.get("name"))
-    if not (1 <= len(name) <= 100):
-        return JSONResponse({"error": "Playlist name must be 1–100 characters."}, status_code=400)
-    meta_db.rename_playlist(pid, name)
-    return meta_db.get_playlist(pid)
-
-
-@app.delete("/api/playlists/{pid}")
-def api_delete_playlist(pid: int):
-    pl = meta_db.get_playlist(pid)
-    if pl is None:
-        return JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
-    if pl["system_key"]:
-        return JSONResponse({"error": "System playlists cannot be deleted."}, status_code=400)
-    if not meta_db.delete_playlist(pid):   # vanished under us (concurrent delete)
-        return JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
-    cover = _playlist_cover_path(pid)       # drop any custom cover with the playlist
-    if cover and cover.exists():
-        try:
-            cover.unlink()
-        except OSError:
-            pass
-    return {"ok": True}
-
-
-@app.post("/api/playlists/{pid}/songs")
-def api_add_playlist_song(pid: int, data: dict):
-    if meta_db.get_playlist(pid) is None:
-        return JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
-    filename = _clean_str(data.get("filename"))
-    if not filename:
-        return JSONResponse({"error": "filename required"}, status_code=400)
-    if meta_db.add_playlist_song(pid, filename) is None:   # playlist vanished under us
-        return JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
-    pl = meta_db.get_playlist(pid)
-    return pl if pl is not None else JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
-
-
-@app.patch("/api/playlists/{pid}/songs/{filename:path}")
-def api_update_playlist_slot(pid: int, filename: str, data: dict):
-    """Edit one curated-album slot: {"arrangement": name|null} pins/clears the
-    slot's arrangement; {"chart_filename": fn} swaps the slot to another chart
-    of the same work (position + pin kept). Albums only — a mix has no slots."""
-    pl = meta_db.get_playlist(pid)
-    if pl is None:
-        return JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
-    if pl.get("kind") != "album":
-        return JSONResponse({"error": "Slot editing is for albums."}, status_code=400)
-    kwargs = {}
-    if "chart_filename" in data:
-        new_fn = _clean_str(data.get("chart_filename"))
-        if not new_fn:
-            return JSONResponse({"error": "chart_filename must be a filename"}, status_code=400)
-        kwargs["new_filename"] = new_fn
-    if "arrangement" in data:
-        arr = data.get("arrangement")
-        if arr is not None and not (isinstance(arr, str) and 1 <= len(arr.strip()) <= 100):
-            return JSONResponse({"error": "arrangement must be a name or null"}, status_code=400)
-        kwargs["arrangement"] = arr.strip() if isinstance(arr, str) else None
-    if not kwargs:
-        return JSONResponse({"error": "nothing to update"}, status_code=400)
-    if meta_db.update_playlist_slot(pid, filename, **kwargs) is None:
-        return JSONResponse(
-            {"error": "no such slot, or the chart isn't a version of this song"},
-            status_code=400)
-    return meta_db.get_playlist(pid)
-
-
-@app.delete("/api/playlists/{pid}/songs/{filename:path}")
-def api_remove_playlist_song(pid: int, filename: str):
-    if meta_db.get_playlist(pid) is None:
-        return JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
-    meta_db.remove_playlist_song(pid, filename)
-    pl = meta_db.get_playlist(pid)
-    return pl if pl is not None else JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
-
-
-@app.post("/api/playlists/{pid}/reorder")
-def api_reorder_playlist(pid: int, data: dict):
-    pl = meta_db.get_playlist(pid)
-    if pl is None:
-        return JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
-    order = data.get("order")
-    if not isinstance(order, list) or not all(isinstance(f, str) for f in order):
-        return JSONResponse({"error": "order must be a list of filenames"}, status_code=400)
-    # Require an exact permutation of the playlist's current songs: a list with
-    # duplicates, omissions, or extras would otherwise produce duplicate
-    # positions / a partial reorder while still returning 200.
-    current = [s["filename"] for s in pl["songs"]]
-    if len(order) != len(current) or sorted(order) != sorted(current):
-        return JSONResponse(
-            {"error": "order must be a permutation of the playlist's current songs"},
-            status_code=400,
-        )
-    meta_db.reorder_playlist(pid, order)
-    return meta_db.get_playlist(pid)
-
-
-@app.post("/api/playlists/{pid}/cover")
-async def api_set_playlist_cover(pid: int, data: dict):
-    """Set a playlist's custom cover from a base64 / data-URL image (PNG/JPG).
-    Overrides the content-dependent (song-art) cover. Stored as a small PNG
-    thumbnail under CONFIG_DIR/playlist_covers/."""
-    if meta_db.get_playlist(pid) is None:
-        return JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
-    import base64
-    import io
-    b64 = data.get("image", "")
-    # Guard the type before the `","` membership test — a non-string image
-    # (e.g. {"image": 123} / null) would otherwise raise TypeError → 500.
-    # Mirrors the avatar/song-art upload guard.
-    if not isinstance(b64, str) or not b64:
-        return JSONResponse({"error": "No image data"}, status_code=400)
-    if "," in b64:
-        b64 = b64.split(",", 1)[1]
-    if not b64:
-        return JSONResponse({"error": "No image data"}, status_code=400)
-    try:
-        img_data = base64.b64decode(b64)
-    except Exception:
-        return JSONResponse({"error": "Invalid base64"}, status_code=400)
-    cover = _playlist_cover_path(pid)
-    cover.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-    try:
-        from PIL import Image
-        img = Image.open(io.BytesIO(img_data)).convert("RGB")
-        img.thumbnail((640, 640))                  # covers stay small
-        tmp = cover.with_suffix(".png.tmp")
-        img.save(str(tmp), "PNG")
-        tmp.replace(cover)
-    except Exception as e:
-        return JSONResponse({"error": f"Invalid image: {e}"}, status_code=400)
-    return {"ok": True, "cover_url": _playlist_cover_url(pid)}
-
-
-@app.get("/api/playlists/{pid}/cover")
-def api_get_playlist_cover(pid: int):
-    cover = _playlist_cover_path(pid)
-    if not cover or not cover.exists():
-        return JSONResponse({"error": "not found"}, status_code=404)
-    # no-cache (revalidate) like song art, so a replaced cover is never served
-    # stale — pairs with the mtime-ns cache-bust token on the URL.
-    return FileResponse(str(cover), media_type="image/png", headers=_ART_CACHE_HEADERS)
-
-
-@app.delete("/api/playlists/{pid}/cover")
-def api_delete_playlist_cover(pid: int):
-    cover = _playlist_cover_path(pid)
-    if cover and cover.exists():
-        try:
-            cover.unlink()
-        except OSError:
-            pass
-    return {"ok": True}
+# ── Playlists / custom covers (fee[dB]ack v0.3.0) ─────────────────────────────
+# Mounted here, where these routes used to be defined (FastAPI matches in
+# registration order). Implementation in lib/routers/playlists.py.
+app.include_router(playlists.router)
 
 
 # ── Smart collections API (feedBack#636 item 2) ───────────────────────────────
diff --git a/tests/test_playlists_api.py b/tests/test_playlists_api.py
index 85487464..8b9b308f 100644
--- a/tests/test_playlists_api.py
+++ b/tests/test_playlists_api.py
@@ -6,6 +6,10 @@
 import pytest
 from fastapi.testclient import TestClient
 
+# Moved to routers/playlists in R3; reads appstate.config_dir, which the
+# `server` fixture configures via CONFIG_DIR before this is called.
+from routers.playlists import _playlist_cover_path
+
 
 @pytest.fixture()
 def server(tmp_path, monkeypatch, isolate_logging):
@@ -168,6 +172,6 @@ def test_cover_rejects_non_string_image_with_400_not_500(client):
 def test_deleting_playlist_removes_custom_cover(client, server):
     pid = client.post("/api/playlists", json={"name": "Doomed"}).json()["id"]
     client.post(f"/api/playlists/{pid}/cover", json={"image": _png_b64()})
-    assert server._playlist_cover_path(pid).exists()
+    assert _playlist_cover_path(pid).exists()
     client.delete(f"/api/playlists/{pid}")
-    assert not server._playlist_cover_path(pid).exists()
+    assert not _playlist_cover_path(pid).exists()