feat(v0.5.3-prep): user-customizable Quick Stations + descriptions

David flagged 2026-06-10: '14 stations wraps 3 lines, original idea
was 2 lines tidy, but now thought of user selecting themselves' +
'maybe have a description of each station' + 'be great to keep the
code clean.'

Architecture: pure data, not code. Adds tuner.quickStations as a
new chrome.storage.local key. Default 8 (tidy 2-row layout per the
v0.4.0 picks). User can pick any subset of the 46 SomaFM channels
via a new Options page card.

NEW FILE
  src/lib/quick-stations.js — DEFAULT_QUICK_IDS + storage helpers
  (getQuickStations, setQuickStations, resetQuickStations) with the
  same defensive 'fall back if chrome.storage missing' pattern as
  history.js + theme.js.

CHANGED
  src/newtab/newtab.js — removed hardcoded QUICK_IDS array, replaced
  with module-level 'let quickIds = []' populated during init from
  getQuickStations() + re-loaded when chrome.storage.onChanged fires
  on tuner.quickStations. renderQuick() now uses module-level
  quickIds and shows 'No Quick Stations picked — set some in
  Settings' empty state if the array is empty.

  src/options/options.html — new 'Quick Stations' card between
  Appearance and Playback. Contains: helper text + selected-count
  badge + scrollable <ul> + Reset-to-defaults button.

  src/options/options.css — ~90 lines for the new picker: scrollable
  list (max-height 360px), checkbox-name-description row layout,
  accent-coloured count badge, subtle hover background, brand-styled
  scrollbar.

  src/options/options.js — initQuickStationsUI() reads cached
  channel list from tuner.stationsCache, sorts alphabetically, builds
  one row per channel with checkbox + name + genre pill + description.
  Toggle handler writes the current pick set to chrome.storage.local.
  Reset button confirms then calls resetQuickStations() + re-checks
  boxes to match defaults. Cross-surface sync via storage.onChanged
  re-syncs check state if changes happen elsewhere.

5 files (1 new), ~250 lines added. No new permissions, no new
dependencies.

src/lib/quick-stations.js

@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+// RangerHQ Tuner — Quick Stations preference helpers (v0.5.3).
+//
+// The user picks which SomaFM channels appear in the Quick Stations chip
+// row on the New Tab Page. Stored in chrome.storage.local under
+// `tuner.quickStations` as an array of SomaFM short ids
+// (e.g. ['groovesalad', 'defcon', ...]). If the key is missing, the
+// DEFAULT_QUICK_IDS below are used — a tidy 8 that wraps to 2 rows on
+// most viewports.
+//
+// Cross-surface sync: NewTab's `chrome.storage.onChanged` listener picks
+// up changes so toggling a checkbox in Options re-renders the chip row
+// instantly without a reload.
+
+export const QUICK_STATIONS_KEY = 'tuner.quickStations';
+
+// 8 curated defaults — the same set Tuner v0.4.0 shipped with. Chosen
+// for genre breadth (chill / ambient / indie / lounge / space / vocal /
+// ambient / electronic) and to fit a tidy 2-row chip layout.
+export const DEFAULT_QUICK_IDS = Object.freeze([
+  'groovesalad',
+  'dronezone',
+  'indiepop',
+  'secretagent',
+  'spacestation',
+  'lush',
+  'deepspaceone',
+  'fluid',
+]);
+
+function storage() {
+  if (typeof chrome === 'undefined') return null;
+  if (!chrome.storage || !chrome.storage.local) return null;
+  return chrome.storage.local;
+}
+
+/** Read the user's chosen quick-station list, falling back to defaults. */
+export async function getQuickStations() {
+  const s = storage();
+  if (!s) return [...DEFAULT_QUICK_IDS];
+  const o = await s.get(QUICK_STATIONS_KEY);
+  const v = o[QUICK_STATIONS_KEY];
+  return Array.isArray(v) ? v.filter(x => typeof x === 'string') : [...DEFAULT_QUICK_IDS];
+}
+
+/** Persist the user's chosen quick-station list. Empty array = no quick chips. */
+export async function setQuickStations(ids) {
+  const s = storage();
+  if (!s) return;
+  const arr = Array.isArray(ids) ? ids.filter(x => typeof x === 'string') : [];
+  await s.set({ [QUICK_STATIONS_KEY]: arr });
+}
+
+/** Wipe the preference so the default-8 is used again. */
+export async function resetQuickStations() {
+  const s = storage();
+  if (!s) return;
+  await s.remove(QUICK_STATIONS_KEY);
+}

src/newtab/newtab.js

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import {
   entrySignature,
 } from '../lib/history.js';
 import { THEME_KEY, THEME_DEFAULT, initTheme, applyTheme } from '../lib/theme.js';
+import { QUICK_STATIONS_KEY, getQuickStations } from '../lib/quick-stations.js';
 
 const els = {
   // Clock
@@ -55,29 +56,11 @@ const STORAGE_KEYS = {
 
 const CATALOGUE_TTL_MS = 6 * 60 * 60 * 1000;
 
-// Quick-pick stations. These are the SomaFM ids most people start with.
+// Quick-pick stations come from chrome.storage.local under tuner.quickStations,
-// If the catalogue is missing any (rare), they're just dropped silently.
+// with DEFAULT_QUICK_IDS as fallback (8 curated for tidy 2-row layout).
-//
+// User can pick their own set in the Options page's "Quick Stations" card.
-// Layout: 14 stations across roughly chill / ambient / indie / lounge /
+// See src/lib/quick-stations.js for the persistence helpers + defaults.
-// space / electronic / americana / 80s / alt-rock / celtic — broader
+let quickIds = [];
-// genre coverage than the v0.4.0 list, plus DEF CON Radio (the on-brand
-// cybersecurity pick) and ThistleRadio (the Dublin-built Irish nod).
-const QUICK_IDS = [
-  'groovesalad',     // chill / electronic
-  'dronezone',       // ambient
-  'indiepop',        // indie pop rocks
-  'secretagent',     // lounge / spy
-  'spacestation',    // ambient / space
-  'lush',            // vocal / chill
-  'deepspaceone',    // ambient
-  'fluid',           // electronic
-  'defcon',          // electronic / hacker culture (DEF CON Radio)
-  'beatblender',     // electronic / breakbeat
-  'bootliquor',      // americana / outlaw country
-  'u80s',            // 80s indie / synthwave (Underground 80s)
-  'poptron',         // alternative / alt-rock (PopTron) — replaces BAGeL Radio (retired by SomaFM)
-  'thistle',         // celtic / folk (ThistleRadio)
-];
 
 let stations = [];
 let currentStation = null;
@@ -126,6 +109,7 @@ async function init() {
   currentStation = stations.find(s => s.id === currentId) || null;
   reflectFirstRunHint();
   renderNow();
+  quickIds = await getQuickStations();
   renderQuick();
   renderList();
 
@@ -201,6 +185,11 @@ async function init() {
       applyTheme(changes[THEME_KEY].newValue || THEME_DEFAULT);
     }
 
+    if (changes[QUICK_STATIONS_KEY]) {
+      quickIds = await getQuickStations();
+      renderQuick();
+    }
+
     if (changes[STORAGE_KEYS.currentId] && stations.length) {
       const newId = changes[STORAGE_KEYS.currentId].newValue;
       currentStation = stations.find(s => s.id === newId) || null;
@@ -263,7 +252,14 @@ function renderQuick() {
     els.quickList.appendChild(empty);
     return;
   }
-  for (const shortId of QUICK_IDS) {
+  if (!quickIds.length) {
+    const empty = document.createElement('span');
+    empty.className = 'nt-quick-empty';
+    empty.textContent = 'No Quick Stations picked — set some in ⚙ Settings.';
+    els.quickList.appendChild(empty);
+    return;
+  }
+  for (const shortId of quickIds) {
     const fullId = `somafm:${shortId}`;
     const s = stations.find(st => st.id === fullId);
     if (!s) continue;

src/options/options.css

@@ -367,3 +367,100 @@ html, body {
   background: var(--danger);
   color: var(--cream);
 }
+
+/* ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+   Quick Stations picker (v0.5.3) — scrollable checkbox list of every
+   SomaFM channel. Toggles persist to chrome.storage.local under
+   tuner.quickStations; NewTab re-renders chip row instantly.
+   ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
+
+.opt-qs-count {
+  color: var(--accent);
+  font-weight: 500;
+}
+
+.opt-qs-list {
+  margin: 12px 0 0;
+  padding: 0;
+  list-style: none;
+  max-height: 360px;
+  overflow-y: auto;
+  border: 1px solid var(--bg-row);
+  border-radius: var(--radius);
+  background: var(--bg-row);
+}
+
+.opt-qs-list::-webkit-scrollbar {
+  width: 8px;
+}
+.opt-qs-list::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb {
+  background: var(--bg-row-hi);
+  border-radius: 4px;
+}
+.opt-qs-list::-webkit-scrollbar-track {
+  background: transparent;
+}
+
+.opt-qs-loading {
+  padding: 14px;
+  text-align: center;
+  color: var(--fg-muted);
+  font-size: 12px;
+}
+
+.opt-qs-row {
+  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--bg-soft);
+}
+
+.opt-qs-row:last-child {
+  border-bottom: none;
+}
+
+.opt-qs-label {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: flex-start;
+  gap: 12px;
+  padding: 10px 14px;
+  margin: 0;
+  cursor: pointer;
+  font-weight: 400;
+}
+
+.opt-qs-label:hover {
+  background: var(--bg-row-hi);
+}
+
+.opt-qs-label input[type="checkbox"] {
+  margin: 3px 0 0 0;
+  accent-color: var(--accent);
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+  width: 14px;
+  height: 14px;
+  cursor: pointer;
+}
+
+.opt-qs-main {
+  flex: 1;
+  min-width: 0;
+}
+
+.opt-qs-name {
+  font-size: 13px;
+  font-weight: 500;
+  color: var(--fg);
+}
+
+.opt-qs-genre {
+  font-size: 10px;
+  color: var(--accent);
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+  letter-spacing: 0.5px;
+  margin-top: 2px;
+}
+
+.opt-qs-desc {
+  font-size: 11px;
+  color: var(--fg-muted);
+  margin-top: 3px;
+  line-height: 1.4;
+}

src/options/options.html

@@ -84,6 +84,20 @@
       </div>
     </section>
 
+    <section class="opt-card">
+      <h2>Quick Stations</h2>
+      <p class="opt-note">
+        Pick which SomaFM channels show in the chip row on the New Tab Page.
+        <span id="opt-qs-count" class="opt-qs-count">— selected</span>
+      </p>
+      <ul id="opt-qs-list" class="opt-qs-list" role="list">
+        <li class="opt-qs-loading">Loading channel list…</li>
+      </ul>
+      <div class="opt-actions">
+        <button id="opt-qs-reset" class="opt-btn" type="button">Reset to defaults (8)</button>
+      </div>
+    </section>
+
     <section class="opt-card">
       <h2>Playback</h2>
       <div class="opt-row opt-row--inline">

src/options/options.js

@@ -13,6 +13,10 @@ import {
   THEME_KEY, THEME_DEFAULT, VALID_THEMES,
   getTheme, setTheme, applyTheme,
 } from '../lib/theme.js';
+import {
+  QUICK_STATIONS_KEY, DEFAULT_QUICK_IDS,
+  getQuickStations, setQuickStations, resetQuickStations,
+} from '../lib/quick-stations.js';
 
 const STORAGE_KEYS = {
   stations:    'tuner.stationsCache',
@@ -34,6 +38,10 @@ const els = {
   volumeDisplay:  document.getElementById('opt-volume-display'),
   lastStation:    document.getElementById('opt-last-station'),
   toast:          document.getElementById('opt-toast'),
+  // Quick Stations picker (v0.5.3)
+  qsCount:        document.getElementById('opt-qs-count'),
+  qsList:         document.getElementById('opt-qs-list'),
+  qsReset:        document.getElementById('opt-qs-reset'),
 };
 
 init().catch(err => {
@@ -48,6 +56,9 @@ async function init() {
   // cross-surface changes (popup/newtab pick a theme → Options reflects).
   await initThemeUI();
 
+  // Quick Stations — render checkbox list of all SomaFM channels.
+  await initQuickStationsUI();
+
   await refreshStats();
   await refreshPlayback();
 
@@ -101,6 +112,15 @@ async function init() {
       const radio = document.querySelector(`input[name="opt-theme"][value="${v}"]`);
       if (radio) radio.checked = true;
     }
+    if (changes[QUICK_STATIONS_KEY]) {
+      // Re-check the boxes to match the new picks (in case another surface
+      // wiped storage or reset to defaults).
+      const newPicks = new Set(await getQuickStations());
+      for (const cb of document.querySelectorAll('#opt-qs-list input[type=checkbox]')) {
+        cb.checked = newPicks.has(cb.value);
+      }
+      updateQuickStationsCount(newPicks.size);
+    }
     if (Object.keys(changes).some(k => k.startsWith('tuner.'))) {
       refreshStats();
       refreshPlayback();
@@ -125,6 +145,99 @@ async function initThemeUI() {
   }
 }
 
+/** Render the Quick Stations picker — checkbox per SomaFM channel from
+ *  the cached catalogue, with description below each name. Toggling a
+ *  checkbox writes the current picks to chrome.storage.local under
+ *  tuner.quickStations. NewTab's storage.onChanged listener re-renders
+ *  the chip row instantly without a reload. */
+async function initQuickStationsUI() {
+  const cache = (await chrome.storage.local.get('tuner.stationsCache'))['tuner.stationsCache'] || [];
+  // Stations come in as { id: "somafm:groovesalad", name, description, genre, ... }
+  // Sort alphabetically by name for predictable picker order.
+  const channels = [...cache].sort((a, b) => (a.name || '').localeCompare(b.name || ''));
+  const picks = new Set(await getQuickStations());
+
+  els.qsList.innerHTML = '';
+  if (!channels.length) {
+    const li = document.createElement('li');
+    li.className = 'opt-qs-loading';
+    li.textContent = 'Channel list not cached yet — open the New Tab Page once to populate it.';
+    els.qsList.appendChild(li);
+    return;
+  }
+
+  for (const ch of channels) {
+    const shortId = (ch.id || '').split(':')[1];
+    if (!shortId) continue;
+
+    const li = document.createElement('li');
+    li.className = 'opt-qs-row';
+
+    const label = document.createElement('label');
+    label.className = 'opt-qs-label';
+
+    const cb = document.createElement('input');
+    cb.type = 'checkbox';
+    cb.value = shortId;
+    cb.checked = picks.has(shortId);
+    cb.addEventListener('change', onQuickStationToggle);
+
+    const main = document.createElement('div');
+    main.className = 'opt-qs-main';
+
+    const name = document.createElement('div');
+    name.className = 'opt-qs-name';
+    name.textContent = ch.name || shortId;
+
+    if (ch.genre) {
+      const g = document.createElement('div');
+      g.className = 'opt-qs-genre';
+      g.textContent = ch.genre;
+      main.appendChild(name);
+      main.appendChild(g);
+    } else {
+      main.appendChild(name);
+    }
+
+    if (ch.description) {
+      const desc = document.createElement('div');
+      desc.className = 'opt-qs-desc';
+      desc.textContent = ch.description;
+      main.appendChild(desc);
+    }
+
+    label.appendChild(cb);
+    label.appendChild(main);
+    li.appendChild(label);
+    els.qsList.appendChild(li);
+  }
+
+  updateQuickStationsCount(picks.size);
+
+  els.qsReset.addEventListener('click', async () => {
+    if (!confirm('Reset Quick Stations to the default 8?')) return;
+    await resetQuickStations();
+    // Re-check the boxes to match defaults
+    const defaultSet = new Set(DEFAULT_QUICK_IDS);
+    for (const cb of document.querySelectorAll('#opt-qs-list input[type=checkbox]')) {
+      cb.checked = defaultSet.has(cb.value);
+    }
+    updateQuickStationsCount(defaultSet.size);
+    toast('Quick Stations reset to defaults');
+  });
+}
+
+async function onQuickStationToggle() {
+  const all = [...document.querySelectorAll('#opt-qs-list input[type=checkbox]')];
+  const picked = all.filter(c => c.checked).map(c => c.value);
+  await setQuickStations(picked);
+  updateQuickStationsCount(picked.length);
+}
+
+function updateQuickStationsCount(n) {
+  els.qsCount.textContent = `${n} selected`;
+}
+
 async function refreshStats() {
   const [history, favs, all] = await Promise.all([
     getHistory(),