diff --git a/core/imports/routes.py b/core/imports/routes.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ec274000
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/imports/routes.py
@@ -0,0 +1,186 @@
+"""Import/staging controller helpers for Flask-style endpoints."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import Any, Callable, Dict
+
+from core.imports.staging import (
+    AUDIO_EXTENSIONS,
+    get_import_suggestions_cache,
+    get_staging_path as _get_staging_path,
+    read_staging_file_metadata as _read_staging_file_metadata,
+)
+from utils.logging_config import get_logger
+
+
+module_logger = get_logger("imports.routes")
+
+
+def _default_read_tags(file_path: str):
+    from mutagen import File as MutagenFile
+
+    return MutagenFile(file_path, easy=True)
+
+
+@dataclass
+class ImportRouteRuntime:
+    """Dependencies needed to service import/staging HTTP endpoints."""
+
+    get_staging_path: Callable[[], str] = _get_staging_path
+    read_staging_file_metadata: Callable[[str, str], Dict[str, Any]] = _read_staging_file_metadata
+    read_tags: Callable[[str], Any] = _default_read_tags
+    logger: Any = module_logger
+
+
+def staging_files(runtime: ImportRouteRuntime) -> tuple[Dict[str, Any], int]:
+    """Scan the staging folder and return audio files with tag metadata."""
+    try:
+        staging_path = runtime.get_staging_path()
+        os.makedirs(staging_path, exist_ok=True)
+
+        files = []
+        for root, _dirs, filenames in os.walk(staging_path):
+            for fname in filenames:
+                ext = os.path.splitext(fname)[1].lower()
+                if ext not in AUDIO_EXTENSIONS:
+                    continue
+                full_path = os.path.join(root, fname)
+                rel_path = os.path.relpath(full_path, staging_path)
+
+                meta = runtime.read_staging_file_metadata(full_path, rel_path)
+
+                files.append(
+                    {
+                        "filename": fname,
+                        "rel_path": rel_path,
+                        "full_path": full_path,
+                        "title": meta["title"],
+                        "artist": meta["albumartist"] or meta["artist"] or "Unknown Artist",
+                        "album": meta["album"],
+                        "track_number": meta["track_number"],
+                        "disc_number": meta["disc_number"],
+                        "extension": ext,
+                    }
+                )
+
+        files.sort(key=lambda f: f["filename"].lower())
+        return {"success": True, "files": files, "staging_path": staging_path}, 200
+    except Exception as exc:
+        runtime.logger.error("Error scanning staging files: %s", exc)
+        return {"success": False, "error": str(exc)}, 500
+
+
+def staging_groups(runtime: ImportRouteRuntime) -> tuple[Dict[str, Any], int]:
+    """Auto-detect album groups from staging files based on their tags."""
+    try:
+        staging_path = runtime.get_staging_path()
+        if not os.path.isdir(staging_path):
+            return {"success": True, "groups": []}, 200
+
+        album_groups = {}
+        for root, _dirs, filenames in os.walk(staging_path):
+            for fname in filenames:
+                ext = os.path.splitext(fname)[1].lower()
+                if ext not in AUDIO_EXTENSIONS:
+                    continue
+                full_path = os.path.join(root, fname)
+                rel_path = os.path.relpath(full_path, staging_path)
+
+                meta = runtime.read_staging_file_metadata(full_path, rel_path)
+                album = meta["album"]
+                artist = meta["albumartist"] or meta["artist"]
+                if not album or not artist:
+                    continue
+
+                key = (album.lower().strip(), artist.lower().strip())
+                if key not in album_groups:
+                    album_groups[key] = {"album": album.strip(), "artist": artist.strip(), "files": []}
+                album_groups[key]["files"].append(
+                    {
+                        "filename": fname,
+                        "full_path": full_path,
+                        "title": meta["title"],
+                        "track_number": meta["track_number"],
+                    }
+                )
+
+        groups = []
+        for group in album_groups.values():
+            if len(group["files"]) >= 2:
+                group["files"].sort(key=lambda f: f.get("track_number") or 999)
+                groups.append(
+                    {
+                        "album": group["album"],
+                        "artist": group["artist"],
+                        "file_count": len(group["files"]),
+                        "files": group["files"],
+                        "file_paths": [f["full_path"] for f in group["files"]],
+                    }
+                )
+
+        groups.sort(key=lambda g: g["file_count"], reverse=True)
+        return {"success": True, "groups": groups}, 200
+    except Exception as exc:
+        runtime.logger.error("Error building staging groups: %s", exc)
+        return {"success": False, "error": str(exc)}, 500
+
+
+def staging_hints(runtime: ImportRouteRuntime) -> tuple[Dict[str, Any], int]:
+    """Extract album search hints from staging folder tags and folder names."""
+    try:
+        staging_path = runtime.get_staging_path()
+        if not os.path.isdir(staging_path):
+            return {"success": True, "hints": []}, 200
+
+        tag_albums = {}
+        folder_hints = {}
+        for root, _dirs, filenames in os.walk(staging_path):
+            audio_files = [f for f in filenames if os.path.splitext(f)[1].lower() in AUDIO_EXTENSIONS]
+            if not audio_files:
+                continue
+
+            rel_dir = os.path.relpath(root, staging_path)
+            if rel_dir != ".":
+                top_folder = rel_dir.split(os.sep)[0]
+                folder_hints[top_folder] = folder_hints.get(top_folder, 0) + len(audio_files)
+
+            for fname in audio_files:
+                full_path = os.path.join(root, fname)
+                try:
+                    tags = runtime.read_tags(full_path)
+                    if tags:
+                        album = (tags.get("album") or [None])[0]
+                        artist = (tags.get("artist") or (tags.get("albumartist") or [None]))[0]
+                        if album:
+                            key = (album.strip(), (artist or "").strip())
+                            tag_albums[key] = tag_albums.get(key, 0) + 1
+                except Exception as exc:
+                    runtime.logger.debug("tag read failed: %s", exc)
+
+        queries = []
+        seen_queries_lower = set()
+
+        for (album, artist), _count in sorted(tag_albums.items(), key=lambda x: -x[1]):
+            query = f"{album} {artist}".strip() if artist else album
+            if query.lower() not in seen_queries_lower:
+                seen_queries_lower.add(query.lower())
+                queries.append(query)
+
+        for folder, _count in sorted(folder_hints.items(), key=lambda x: -x[1]):
+            query = folder.replace("_", " ")
+            if query.lower() not in seen_queries_lower:
+                seen_queries_lower.add(query.lower())
+                queries.append(query)
+
+        return {"success": True, "hints": queries[:5]}, 200
+    except Exception as exc:
+        runtime.logger.error("Error getting staging hints: %s", exc)
+        return {"success": False, "error": str(exc)}, 500
+
+
+def staging_suggestions() -> tuple[Dict[str, Any], int]:
+    """Return cached import suggestions and readiness state."""
+    cache = get_import_suggestions_cache()
+    return {"success": True, "suggestions": cache["suggestions"], "ready": cache["built"]}, 200
diff --git a/tests/imports/test_import_routes.py b/tests/imports/test_import_routes.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..de8c9a8d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/imports/test_import_routes.py
@@ -0,0 +1,230 @@
+import os
+
+import core.imports.routes as import_routes
+from core.imports.routes import ImportRouteRuntime, staging_files, staging_groups, staging_hints, staging_suggestions
+
+
+class _FakeLogger:
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.debug_messages = []
+        self.error_messages = []
+
+    def debug(self, msg, *args):
+        self.debug_messages.append(msg % args if args else msg)
+
+    def error(self, msg, *args):
+        self.error_messages.append(msg % args if args else msg)
+
+
+def _touch(path):
+    path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    path.write_bytes(b"")
+
+
+def _metadata_for(files):
+    def _read_metadata(file_path, rel_path):
+        return files[rel_path]
+
+    return _read_metadata
+
+
+def test_staging_files_returns_audio_files_with_metadata(tmp_path):
+    _touch(tmp_path / "Artist" / "02 - Song.flac")
+    _touch(tmp_path / "cover.jpg")
+    rel_song = os.path.join("Artist", "02 - Song.flac")
+    metadata = {
+        rel_song: {
+            "title": "Song",
+            "artist": "Track Artist",
+            "albumartist": "Album Artist",
+            "album": "Album",
+            "track_number": 2,
+            "disc_number": 1,
+        }
+    }
+    runtime = ImportRouteRuntime(
+        get_staging_path=lambda: str(tmp_path),
+        read_staging_file_metadata=_metadata_for(metadata),
+        logger=_FakeLogger(),
+    )
+
+    payload, status = staging_files(runtime)
+
+    assert status == 200
+    assert payload["success"] is True
+    assert payload["staging_path"] == str(tmp_path)
+    assert len(payload["files"]) == 1
+    assert payload["files"] == [
+        {
+            "filename": "02 - Song.flac",
+            "rel_path": rel_song,
+            "full_path": str(tmp_path / "Artist" / "02 - Song.flac"),
+            "title": "Song",
+            "artist": "Album Artist",
+            "album": "Album",
+            "track_number": 2,
+            "disc_number": 1,
+            "extension": ".flac",
+        }
+    ]
+
+
+def test_staging_groups_only_returns_multi_file_album_groups(tmp_path):
+    _touch(tmp_path / "a.mp3")
+    _touch(tmp_path / "b.mp3")
+    _touch(tmp_path / "single.mp3")
+    metadata = {
+        "a.mp3": {
+            "title": "A",
+            "artist": "Artist",
+            "albumartist": "",
+            "album": "Album",
+            "track_number": 2,
+            "disc_number": 1,
+        },
+        "b.mp3": {
+            "title": "B",
+            "artist": "Artist",
+            "albumartist": "",
+            "album": "Album",
+            "track_number": 1,
+            "disc_number": 1,
+        },
+        "single.mp3": {
+            "title": "Single",
+            "artist": "Other",
+            "albumartist": "",
+            "album": "Other Album",
+            "track_number": 1,
+            "disc_number": 1,
+        },
+    }
+    runtime = ImportRouteRuntime(
+        get_staging_path=lambda: str(tmp_path),
+        read_staging_file_metadata=_metadata_for(metadata),
+        logger=_FakeLogger(),
+    )
+
+    payload, status = staging_groups(runtime)
+
+    assert status == 200
+    assert payload["success"] is True
+    assert len(payload["groups"]) == 1
+    group = payload["groups"][0]
+    assert group["album"] == "Album"
+    assert group["artist"] == "Artist"
+    assert group["file_count"] == 2
+    assert [f["filename"] for f in group["files"]] == ["b.mp3", "a.mp3"]
+
+
+def test_staging_hints_prefers_tag_queries_then_folder_queries(tmp_path):
+    _touch(tmp_path / "Folder_Album" / "01.mp3")
+    _touch(tmp_path / "Folder_Album" / "02.mp3")
+    _touch(tmp_path / "Loose" / "track.flac")
+
+    def _read_tags(file_path):
+        if file_path.endswith("01.mp3") or file_path.endswith("02.mp3"):
+            return {"album": ["Tagged Album"], "artist": ["Tagged Artist"]}
+        return {}
+
+    runtime = ImportRouteRuntime(
+        get_staging_path=lambda: str(tmp_path),
+        read_tags=_read_tags,
+        logger=_FakeLogger(),
+    )
+
+    payload, status = staging_hints(runtime)
+
+    assert status == 200
+    assert payload == {
+        "success": True,
+        "hints": ["Tagged Album Tagged Artist", "Folder Album", "Loose"],
+    }
+
+
+def test_staging_suggestions_returns_cache_payload(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        import_routes,
+        "get_import_suggestions_cache",
+        lambda: {"suggestions": [{"album": "Album"}], "built": True},
+    )
+
+    payload, status = staging_suggestions()
+
+    assert status == 200
+    assert payload == {
+        "success": True,
+        "suggestions": [{"album": "Album"}],
+        "ready": True,
+    }
+
+
+def test_staging_groups_returns_empty_for_missing_staging_path(tmp_path):
+    runtime = ImportRouteRuntime(
+        get_staging_path=lambda: str(tmp_path / "missing"),
+        logger=_FakeLogger(),
+    )
+
+    payload, status = staging_groups(runtime)
+
+    assert status == 200
+    assert payload == {"success": True, "groups": []}
+
+
+def test_staging_hints_returns_empty_for_missing_staging_path(tmp_path):
+    runtime = ImportRouteRuntime(
+        get_staging_path=lambda: str(tmp_path / "missing"),
+        logger=_FakeLogger(),
+    )
+
+    payload, status = staging_hints(runtime)
+
+    assert status == 200
+    assert payload == {"success": True, "hints": []}
+
+
+def test_staging_files_returns_error_when_path_resolution_fails():
+    logger = _FakeLogger()
+    runtime = ImportRouteRuntime(
+        get_staging_path=lambda: (_ for _ in ()).throw(RuntimeError("path boom")),
+        logger=logger,
+    )
+
+    payload, status = staging_files(runtime)
+
+    assert status == 500
+    assert payload["success"] is False
+    assert payload["error"] == "path boom"
+    assert logger.error_messages == ["Error scanning staging files: path boom"]
+
+
+def test_staging_groups_returns_error_when_metadata_read_fails(tmp_path):
+    _touch(tmp_path / "a.mp3")
+    logger = _FakeLogger()
+    runtime = ImportRouteRuntime(
+        get_staging_path=lambda: str(tmp_path),
+        read_staging_file_metadata=lambda _file_path, _rel_path: (_ for _ in ()).throw(RuntimeError("tag boom")),
+        logger=logger,
+    )
+
+    payload, status = staging_groups(runtime)
+
+    assert status == 500
+    assert payload["success"] is False
+    assert payload["error"] == "tag boom"
+    assert logger.error_messages == ["Error building staging groups: tag boom"]
+
+
+def test_staging_hints_returns_error_when_path_resolution_fails():
+    logger = _FakeLogger()
+    runtime = ImportRouteRuntime(
+        get_staging_path=lambda: (_ for _ in ()).throw(RuntimeError("hint boom")),
+        logger=logger,
+    )
+
+    payload, status = staging_hints(runtime)
+
+    assert status == 500
+    assert payload["success"] is False
+    assert payload["error"] == "hint boom"
+    assert logger.error_messages == ["Error getting staging hints: hint boom"]
diff --git a/web_server.py b/web_server.py
index db0d01f9..989b813a 100644
--- a/web_server.py
+++ b/web_server.py
@@ -169,7 +169,6 @@ from core.imports.album import (
 from core.imports.album_naming import resolve_album_group as _resolve_album_group
 from core.imports.filename import extract_track_number_from_filename, parse_filename_metadata
 from core.imports.staging import (
-    get_import_suggestions_cache,
     get_primary_source,
     get_staging_path,
     read_staging_file_metadata,
@@ -178,6 +177,11 @@ from core.imports.staging import (
     search_import_tracks,
     start_import_suggestions_cache,
 )
+from core.imports.routes import ImportRouteRuntime as _ImportRouteRuntime
+from core.imports.routes import staging_files as _import_staging_files
+from core.imports.routes import staging_groups as _import_staging_groups
+from core.imports.routes import staging_hints as _import_staging_hints
+from core.imports.routes import staging_suggestions as _import_staging_suggestions
 from core.imports.paths import build_final_path_for_track as _build_final_path_for_track
 from core.imports.pipeline import build_import_pipeline_runtime as _build_import_pipeline_runtime
 from core.metadata.common import get_file_lock
@@ -34264,174 +34268,26 @@ def repair_job_progress():
 # IMPORT / STAGING SYSTEM
 # ================================================================================================
 
-AUDIO_EXTENSIONS = {'.mp3', '.flac', '.ogg', '.opus', '.m4a', '.aac', '.wav', '.wma', '.aiff', '.aif', '.ape'}
+def _build_import_route_runtime():
+    return _ImportRouteRuntime(logger=logger)
+
 
 @app.route('/api/import/staging/files', methods=['GET'])
 def import_staging_files():
-    """Scan the staging folder and return audio files with tag metadata."""
-    try:
-        staging_path = get_staging_path()
-        os.makedirs(staging_path, exist_ok=True)
-
-        files = []
-        for root, _dirs, filenames in os.walk(staging_path):
-            for fname in filenames:
-                ext = os.path.splitext(fname)[1].lower()
-                if ext not in AUDIO_EXTENSIONS:
-                    continue
-                full_path = os.path.join(root, fname)
-                rel_path = os.path.relpath(full_path, staging_path)
-
-                meta = read_staging_file_metadata(full_path, rel_path)
-
-                files.append({
-                    'filename': fname,
-                    'rel_path': rel_path,
-                    'full_path': full_path,
-                    'title': meta['title'],
-                    'artist': meta['albumartist'] or meta['artist'] or 'Unknown Artist',
-                    'album': meta['album'],
-                    'track_number': meta['track_number'],
-                    'disc_number': meta['disc_number'],
-                    'extension': ext
-                })
-
-        # Sort by filename
-        files.sort(key=lambda f: f['filename'].lower())
-        return jsonify({'success': True, 'files': files, 'staging_path': staging_path})
-    except Exception as e:
-        logger.error(f"Error scanning staging files: {e}")
-        return jsonify({'success': False, 'error': str(e)}), 500
+    payload, status = _import_staging_files(_build_import_route_runtime())
+    return jsonify(payload), status
 
 
 @app.route('/api/import/staging/groups', methods=['GET'])
 def import_staging_groups():
-    """Auto-detect album groups from staging files based on their tags.
-
-    Groups files by (album_tag, artist) where both are non-empty and at least 2 files share
-    the same album+artist combo. Returns groups sorted by file count descending.
-    """
-    try:
-        staging_path = get_staging_path()
-        if not os.path.isdir(staging_path):
-            return jsonify({'success': True, 'groups': []})
-
-        # Scan files and group by album+artist tags
-        album_groups = {}  # (album_lower, artist_lower) -> {album, artist, files: []}
-        for root, _dirs, filenames in os.walk(staging_path):
-            for fname in filenames:
-                ext = os.path.splitext(fname)[1].lower()
-                if ext not in AUDIO_EXTENSIONS:
-                    continue
-                full_path = os.path.join(root, fname)
-                rel_path = os.path.relpath(full_path, staging_path)
-
-                meta = read_staging_file_metadata(full_path, rel_path)
-                album = meta['album']
-                artist = meta['albumartist'] or meta['artist']
-                if not album or not artist:
-                    continue
-
-                key = (album.lower().strip(), artist.lower().strip())
-                if key not in album_groups:
-                    album_groups[key] = {
-                        'album': album.strip(),
-                        'artist': artist.strip(),
-                        'files': []
-                    }
-                album_groups[key]['files'].append({
-                    'filename': fname,
-                    'full_path': full_path,
-                    'title': meta['title'],
-                    'track_number': meta['track_number'],
-                })
-
-        # Only return groups with 2+ files
-        groups = []
-        for group in album_groups.values():
-            if len(group['files']) >= 2:
-                group['files'].sort(key=lambda f: f.get('track_number') or 999)
-                groups.append({
-                    'album': group['album'],
-                    'artist': group['artist'],
-                    'file_count': len(group['files']),
-                    'files': group['files'],
-                    'file_paths': [f['full_path'] for f in group['files']],
-                })
-
-        # Sort by file count descending
-        groups.sort(key=lambda g: g['file_count'], reverse=True)
-
-        return jsonify({'success': True, 'groups': groups})
-    except Exception as e:
-        logger.error(f"Error building staging groups: {e}")
-        return jsonify({'success': False, 'error': str(e)}), 500
+    payload, status = _import_staging_groups(_build_import_route_runtime())
+    return jsonify(payload), status
 
 
 @app.route('/api/import/staging/hints', methods=['GET'])
 def import_staging_hints():
-    """Extract album search hints from staging folder (tags + folder names). Fast — no Spotify calls."""
-    try:
-        staging_path = get_staging_path()
-        if not os.path.isdir(staging_path):
-            return jsonify({'success': True, 'hints': []})
-
-        # Collect hints from tags and folder structure
-        tag_albums = {}   # (album, artist) -> file count
-        folder_hints = {} # subfolder name -> file count
-
-        for root, _dirs, filenames in os.walk(staging_path):
-            audio_files = [f for f in filenames if os.path.splitext(f)[1].lower() in AUDIO_EXTENSIONS]
-            if not audio_files:
-                continue
-
-            # Folder-based hint: use immediate subfolder name relative to staging
-            rel_dir = os.path.relpath(root, staging_path)
-            if rel_dir != '.':
-                # Use the top-level subfolder as the hint
-                top_folder = rel_dir.split(os.sep)[0]
-                folder_hints[top_folder] = folder_hints.get(top_folder, 0) + len(audio_files)
-
-            # Tag-based hints
-            for fname in audio_files:
-                full_path = os.path.join(root, fname)
-                try:
-                    from mutagen import File as MutagenFile
-                    tags = MutagenFile(full_path, easy=True)
-                    if tags:
-                        album = (tags.get('album') or [None])[0]
-                        artist = (tags.get('artist') or (tags.get('albumartist') or [None]))[0]
-                        if album:
-                            key = (album.strip(), (artist or '').strip())
-                            tag_albums[key] = tag_albums.get(key, 0) + 1
-                except Exception as e:
-                    logger.debug("tag read failed: %s", e)
-
-        # Build search queries, prioritizing tag-based hints (more specific)
-        queries = []
-        seen_queries_lower = set()
-
-        # Tag-based: sort by file count descending
-        for (album, artist), _count in sorted(tag_albums.items(), key=lambda x: -x[1]):
-            q = f"{album} {artist}".strip() if artist else album
-            if q.lower() not in seen_queries_lower:
-                seen_queries_lower.add(q.lower())
-                queries.append(q)
-
-        # Folder-based: parse "Artist - Album" pattern or use as-is
-        for folder, _count in sorted(folder_hints.items(), key=lambda x: -x[1]):
-            q = folder.replace('_', ' ')
-            if q.lower() not in seen_queries_lower:
-                seen_queries_lower.add(q.lower())
-                queries.append(q)
-
-        # Cap at 5 queries to keep it fast
-        queries = queries[:5]
-
-        return jsonify({'success': True, 'hints': queries})
-    except Exception as e:
-        logger.error(f"Error getting staging hints: {e}")
-        return jsonify({'success': False, 'error': str(e)}), 500
+    payload, status = _import_staging_hints(_build_import_route_runtime())
+    return jsonify(payload), status
 
 
 @app.route('/api/import/search/albums', methods=['GET'])
@@ -34942,13 +34798,8 @@ def auto_import_clear_completed():
 
 @app.route('/api/import/staging/suggestions', methods=['GET'])
 def import_staging_suggestions():
-    """Return cached import suggestions. If cache isn't built yet, returns partial/empty with a flag."""
-    cache = get_import_suggestions_cache()
-    return jsonify({
-        'success': True,
-        'suggestions': cache['suggestions'],
-        'ready': cache['built'],
-    })
+    payload, status = _import_staging_suggestions()
+    return jsonify(payload), status
 
 
 # ================================================================================================