diff --git a/lib/Xtc/Xtc.cpp b/lib/Xtc/Xtc.cpp
index 6dd3886b..a1f8f8a6 100644
--- a/lib/Xtc/Xtc.cpp
+++ b/lib/Xtc/Xtc.cpp
@@ -14,14 +14,11 @@
 bool Xtc::load() {
   LOG_DBG("XTC", "Loading XTC: %s", filepath.c_str());
 
-  // Ensure the per-book cache exists before the parser tries to create page_table.bin.
-  setupCacheDir();
-
   // Initialize parser
   parser.reset(new xtc::XtcParser());
 
-  // Open XTC file and initialize its cache-backed page table
-  xtc::XtcError err = parser->open(filepath.c_str(), cachePath.c_str());
+  // Open XTC file
+  xtc::XtcError err = parser->open(filepath.c_str());
   if (err != xtc::XtcError::OK) {
     LOG_ERR("XTC", "Failed to load: %s", xtc::errorToString(err));
     parser.reset();
@@ -106,7 +103,7 @@ bool Xtc::hasChapters() const {
   return parser->hasChapters();
 }
 
-const std::vector<xtc::ChapterInfo>& Xtc::getChapters() const {
+const std::vector<xtc::ChapterInfo>& Xtc::getChapters() {
   static const std::vector<xtc::ChapterInfo> kEmpty;
   if (!loaded || !parser) {
     return kEmpty;
@@ -202,7 +199,6 @@ bool Xtc::generateCoverBmp() const {
     uint8_t* rowBuffer = static_cast<uint8_t*>(malloc(dstRowSize));
     if (!rowBuffer) {
       free(pageBuffer);
-      coverBmp.close();
       return false;
     }
 
@@ -258,7 +254,6 @@ bool Xtc::generateCoverBmp() const {
     }
   }
 
-  coverBmp.close();
   free(pageBuffer);
 
   LOG_DBG("XTC", "Generated cover BMP: %s", getCoverBmpPath().c_str());
@@ -319,9 +314,7 @@ bool Xtc::generateThumbBmp(int height) const {
             size_t bytesRead = src.read(buffer, sizeof(buffer));
             dst.write(buffer, bytesRead);
           }
-          dst.close();
         }
-        src.close();
       }
       LOG_DBG("XTC", "Copied cover to thumb (no scaling needed)");
       return Storage.exists(getThumbBmpPath(height).c_str());
@@ -375,7 +368,6 @@ bool Xtc::generateThumbBmp(int height) const {
   uint8_t* rowBuffer = static_cast<uint8_t*>(malloc(rowSize));
   if (!rowBuffer) {
     free(pageBuffer);
-    thumbBmp.close();
     return false;
   }
 
@@ -482,7 +474,6 @@ bool Xtc::generateThumbBmp(int height) const {
   }
 
   free(rowBuffer);
-  thumbBmp.close();
   free(pageBuffer);
 
   LOG_DBG("XTC", "Generated thumb BMP (%dx%d): %s", thumbWidth, thumbHeight, getThumbBmpPath(height).c_str());
@@ -545,11 +536,4 @@ xtc::XtcError Xtc::getLastError() const {
     return xtc::XtcError::FILE_NOT_FOUND;
   }
   return parser->getLastError();
-}
-
-void Xtc::prefetchPages(uint32_t pageIndex) const {
-  if (!loaded || !parser) {
-    return;
-  }
-  parser->prefetchWindow(pageIndex);
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/Xtc/Xtc.h b/lib/Xtc/Xtc.h
index 1c79416f..93f911fc 100644
--- a/lib/Xtc/Xtc.h
+++ b/lib/Xtc/Xtc.h
@@ -50,11 +50,6 @@ class Xtc {
    */
   void setupCacheDir() const;
 
-  /**
-   * Preload window around specified page (for page turn optimization)
-   */
-  void prefetchPages(uint32_t pageIndex) const;
-
   // Path accessors
   const std::string& getCachePath() const { return cachePath; }
   const std::string& getPath() const { return filepath; }
@@ -63,7 +58,7 @@ class Xtc {
   std::string getTitle() const;
   std::string getAuthor() const;
   bool hasChapters() const;
-  const std::vector<xtc::ChapterInfo>& getChapters() const;
+  const std::vector<xtc::ChapterInfo>& getChapters();
 
   // Cover image support (for sleep screen)
   std::string getCoverBmpPath() const;
@@ -107,4 +102,4 @@ class Xtc {
 
   // Error information
   xtc::XtcError getLastError() const;
-};
+};
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/Xtc/Xtc/XtcParser.cpp b/lib/Xtc/Xtc/XtcParser.cpp
index 083391eb..64a4e27c 100644
--- a/lib/Xtc/Xtc/XtcParser.cpp
+++ b/lib/Xtc/Xtc/XtcParser.cpp
@@ -10,80 +10,33 @@
 #include <FsHelpers.h>
 #include <HalStorage.h>
 #include <Logging.h>
-#include <esp_heap_caps.h>
 
 #include <cstring>
-#include <limits>
 
 namespace xtc {
 
-namespace {
-
-constexpr size_t MAX_CHAPTERS = 4096;
-
-bool canSeekToOffset(const uint64_t offset) {
-  return offset <= static_cast<uint64_t>(std::numeric_limits<size_t>::max());
-}
-
-bool seekToOffset(FsFile& file, const uint64_t offset) {
-  if (!canSeekToOffset(offset)) {
-    return false;
-  }
-  return file.seek(static_cast<size_t>(offset));
-}
-
-}  // namespace
-
-void XtcParser::safeDeserializeHeader(const uint8_t* buf, PageTableCacheHeader& header) {
-  memcpy(&header.magic, buf + 0, 4);
-  memcpy(&header.version, buf + 4, 4);
-  memcpy(&header.pageCount, buf + 8, 4);
-  memcpy(&header.originalHash, buf + 12, 4);
-  memcpy(&header.originalSize, buf + 16, 8);
-  memcpy(&header.entrySize, buf + 24, 4);
-  memcpy(&header.reserved, buf + 28, 4);
-}
-
-void XtcParser::safeSerializeHeader(uint8_t* buf, const PageTableCacheHeader& header) {
-  memcpy(buf + 0, &header.magic, 4);
-  memcpy(buf + 4, &header.version, 4);
-  memcpy(buf + 8, &header.pageCount, 4);
-  memcpy(buf + 12, &header.originalHash, 4);
-  memcpy(buf + 16, &header.originalSize, 8);
-  memcpy(buf + 24, &header.entrySize, 4);
-  memcpy(buf + 28, &header.reserved, 4);
-}
-
 XtcParser::XtcParser()
     : m_isOpen(false),
       m_defaultWidth(DISPLAY_WIDTH),
       m_defaultHeight(DISPLAY_HEIGHT),
       m_bitDepth(1),
       m_hasChapters(false),
+      m_chaptersLoaded(false),
       m_lastError(XtcError::OK) {
   memset(&m_header, 0, sizeof(m_header));
-
-  for (auto& entry : m_l1Cache) {
-    entry.pageIndex = 0xFFFFFFFF;
-    entry.lastAccess = 0;
-  }
 }
 
 XtcParser::~XtcParser() { close(); }
 
-XtcError XtcParser::open(const char* filepath, const char* cacheDir) {
-  // Close any previous file state before reopening
+XtcError XtcParser::open(const char* filepath) {
+  // Close if already open
   if (m_isOpen) {
     close();
   }
 
-  m_originalPath = filepath;
-  m_cacheDir = cacheDir;
+  m_filepath = filepath;
 
-  uint32_t fileHash = calculateFileHash(filepath);
-  m_cacheFilePath = std::string(cacheDir) + "/xtc_" + std::to_string(fileHash) + "/page_table.bin";
-
-  // Open the original XTC file just long enough to read metadata and validate the header.
+  // Open file
   if (!Storage.openFileForRead("XTC", filepath, m_file)) {
     m_lastError = XtcError::FILE_NOT_FOUND;
     return m_lastError;
@@ -93,420 +46,82 @@ XtcError XtcParser::open(const char* filepath, const char* cacheDir) {
   m_lastError = readHeader();
   if (m_lastError != XtcError::OK) {
     LOG_DBG("XTC", "Failed to read header: %s", errorToString(m_lastError));
+    // Explicit close() required: member variable persists beyond function scope
     m_file.close();
     return m_lastError;
   }
 
-  if (m_header.pageCount == 0) {
-    LOG_ERR("XTC", "File has no pages");
-    m_file.close();
-    m_lastError = XtcError::CORRUPTED_HEADER;
-    return m_lastError;
-  }
-
-  // Metadata strings are small, so keep them in memory even when the page table is moved to cache.
+  // Read title & author if available
   if (m_header.hasMetadata) {
-    readTitle();
-    readAuthor();
-    m_title.shrink_to_fit();
-    m_author.shrink_to_fit();
-    LOG_INF("XTC", "Metadata strings: titleLen=%u cap=%u, authorLen=%u cap=%u",
-            static_cast<unsigned int>(m_title.size()), static_cast<unsigned int>(m_title.capacity()),
-            static_cast<unsigned int>(m_author.size()), static_cast<unsigned int>(m_author.capacity()));
-  }
-
-  // Defer chapter parsing until the reader actually needs the table of contents.
-  m_pageTableOffset = m_header.pageTableOffset;
-  m_hasChapters = (m_header.hasChapters == 1) && (m_header.chapterOffset != 0);
-  LOG_INF("XTC", "Chapter metadata deferred: available=%s", m_hasChapters ? "yes" : "no");
-
-  m_file.close();
-
-  // Build or reuse the on-disk page table cache before marking the parser open.
-  if (!isPageTableCacheValid()) {
-    LOG_INF("XTC", "Building page table cache for %u pages", m_header.pageCount);
-    m_lastError = buildPageTableCache();
+    m_lastError = readTitle();
     if (m_lastError != XtcError::OK) {
-      LOG_ERR("XTC", "Failed to build page table cache");
+      LOG_DBG("XTC", "Failed to read title: %s", errorToString(m_lastError));
+      // Explicit close() required: member variable persists beyond function scope
+      m_file.close();
       return m_lastError;
     }
-    const size_t heapBefore = ESP.getMaxAllocHeap();
-    LOG_DBG("XTC", "Cache built, heap before defrag: free=%zu, maxAlloc=%zu", ESP.getFreeHeap(), heapBefore);
-
-    // Defragment heap: small delay allows heap coalescing after file handles are closed
-    // This typically improves MaxAlloc by 10-20KB, enabling 96KB page buffer for grayscale
-    LOG_DBG("XTC", "Defragmenting heap (waiting 50ms)...");
-    vTaskDelay(pdMS_TO_TICKS(50));
-
-    const size_t heapAfter = ESP.getMaxAllocHeap();
-    const size_t heapGain = heapAfter > heapBefore ? (heapAfter - heapBefore) : 0;
-    if (heapGain > 0) {
-      LOG_INF("XTC", "Heap defragmented: +%zu bytes contiguous (now %zu)", heapGain, heapAfter);
-    } else {
-      LOG_DBG("XTC", "Heap after defrag: free=%zu, maxAlloc=%zu", ESP.getFreeHeap(), heapAfter);
+    m_lastError = readAuthor();
+    if (m_lastError != XtcError::OK) {
+      LOG_DBG("XTC", "Failed to read author: %s", errorToString(m_lastError));
+      // Explicit close() required: member variable persists beyond function scope
+      m_file.close();
+      return m_lastError;
     }
+    // Trim excess capacity from metadata strings
+    m_title.shrink_to_fit();
+    m_author.shrink_to_fit();
   }
 
-  if (!openCacheFile()) {
-    LOG_ERR("XTC", "Failed to open cache file");
-    m_lastError = XtcError::FILE_NOT_FOUND;
+  // Read first page info for default dimensions (no bulk page table allocation)
+  m_lastError = readFirstPageInfo();
+  if (m_lastError != XtcError::OK) {
+    LOG_DBG("XTC", "Failed to read first page info: %s", errorToString(m_lastError));
+    // Explicit close() required: member variable persists beyond function scope
+    m_file.close();
     return m_lastError;
   }
 
-  // Prime the sliding L2 window with the first chunk of page metadata.
-  loadL2Window(0);
+  // Defer chapter parsing until actually needed (lazy load).
+  // Chapter strings can use significant heap; keeping them out of memory
+  // during rendering leaves more room for the page bitmap buffer.
+  m_hasChapters = (m_header.hasChapters == 1);
+  m_chaptersLoaded = false;
 
-  LOG_DBG("XTC", "File opened, heap: free=%zu, maxAlloc=%zu", ESP.getFreeHeap(), ESP.getMaxAllocHeap());
+  // Close the source file to free its internal SdFat buffers.
+  // It will be reopened on-demand for page table lookups and bitmap reads.
+  m_file.close();
 
   m_isOpen = true;
-  LOG_DBG("XTC", "Opened file: %s (%u pages, cache: %s)", filepath, m_header.pageCount, m_cacheFilePath.c_str());
+  LOG_DBG("XTC", "Opened file: %s (%u pages, %dx%d)", filepath, m_header.pageCount, m_defaultWidth, m_defaultHeight);
   return XtcError::OK;
 }
 
 void XtcParser::close() {
-  closeCacheFile();
-
-  if (m_isOpen && m_file.isOpen()) {
-    m_file.close();
-  }
+  closeFile();
   m_isOpen = false;
-  m_l2Valid = false;
-  m_l2WindowCount = 0;
   m_chaptersLoaded = false;
-
-  for (auto& entry : m_l1Cache) {
-    entry.pageIndex = 0xFFFFFFFF;
-  }
   m_chapters.clear();
   m_title.clear();
   m_author.clear();
+  m_hasChapters = false;
   memset(&m_header, 0, sizeof(m_header));
 }
 
-void XtcParser::ensureChaptersLoaded() {
-  if (m_chaptersLoaded || !m_hasChapters) {
-    return;
-  }
-
-  // Chapter parsing allocates variable-length strings, so keep it lazy.
-  const XtcError err = readChapters();
-  if (err != XtcError::OK) {
-    LOG_ERR("XTC", "Failed to lazy-load chapters: %s", errorToString(err));
-    m_hasChapters = false;
-    m_chapters.clear();
-    m_chapters.shrink_to_fit();
-  }
-  m_chaptersLoaded = true;
-}
-
-bool XtcParser::openCacheFile() {
-  if (m_cacheFile.isOpen()) {
+bool XtcParser::ensureFileOpen() {
+  if (m_file.isOpen()) {
     return true;
   }
-  return Storage.openFileForRead("XTC", m_cacheFilePath.c_str(), m_cacheFile);
+  return Storage.openFileForRead("XTC", m_filepath.c_str(), m_file);
 }
 
-void XtcParser::closeCacheFile() {
-  if (m_cacheFile.isOpen()) {
-    m_cacheFile.close();
+void XtcParser::closeFile() {
+  if (m_file.isOpen()) {
+    m_file.close();
   }
 }
 
-bool XtcParser::getPageInfo(uint32_t pageIndex, PageInfo& info) {
-  if (pageIndex >= m_header.pageCount) {
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  // L1 is the hot cache for the most recently used pages.
-  if (lookupL1(pageIndex, info)) {
-    LOG_DBG("XTC", "L1 hit: page %u", pageIndex);
-    return true;
-  }
-
-  // L2 is the sliding window around the reader's current position.
-  if (lookupL2(pageIndex, info)) {
-    updateL1(pageIndex, info);
-    LOG_DBG("XTC", "L2 hit: page %u", pageIndex);
-    return true;
-  }
-
-  // Fall back to the SD-backed cache file, then refresh L2/L1.
-  LOG_DBG("XTC", "L3 load: page %u", pageIndex);
-  loadL2Window(pageIndex);
-
-  if (lookupL2(pageIndex, info)) {
-    updateL1(pageIndex, info);
-    return true;
-  }
-
-  return false;
-}
-
-void XtcParser::prefetchWindow(uint32_t pageIndex) {
-  if (pageIndex >= m_header.pageCount) {
-    return;
-  }
-
-  // Avoid reloading the same window when the requested page is already covered.
-  if (m_l2Valid && pageIndex >= m_l2WindowStart && pageIndex < m_l2WindowStart + m_l2WindowCount) {
-    return;
-  }
-
-  loadL2Window(pageIndex);
-}
-
-bool XtcParser::lookupL1(uint32_t pageIndex, PageInfo& info) {
-  for (const auto& entry : m_l1Cache) {
-    if (entry.pageIndex == pageIndex) {
-      info = entry.info;
-      return true;
-    }
-  }
-  return false;
-}
-
-void XtcParser::updateL1(uint32_t pageIndex, const PageInfo& info) {
-  for (auto& entry : m_l1Cache) {
-    if (entry.pageIndex == pageIndex) {
-      entry.lastAccess = ++m_accessCounter;
-      return;
-    }
-  }
-
-  // Replace the least-recently-used entry, or fill the first empty slot.
-  uint32_t oldestAccess = m_accessCounter;
-  size_t oldestIndex = 0;
-  bool foundEmpty = false;
-
-  for (size_t i = 0; i < m_l1Cache.size(); i++) {
-    if (m_l1Cache[i].pageIndex == 0xFFFFFFFF) {
-      oldestIndex = i;
-      foundEmpty = true;
-      break;
-    }
-    if (m_l1Cache[i].lastAccess < oldestAccess) {
-      oldestAccess = m_l1Cache[i].lastAccess;
-      oldestIndex = i;
-    }
-  }
-
-  m_l1Cache[oldestIndex].pageIndex = pageIndex;
-  m_l1Cache[oldestIndex].info = info;
-  m_l1Cache[oldestIndex].lastAccess = ++m_accessCounter;
-}
-
-bool XtcParser::lookupL2(uint32_t pageIndex, PageInfo& info) {
-  if (!m_l2Valid) {
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  if (pageIndex >= m_l2WindowStart && pageIndex < m_l2WindowStart + m_l2WindowCount) {
-    size_t idx = pageIndex - m_l2WindowStart;
-    info = m_l2Window[idx];
-    return true;
-  }
-  return false;
-}
-
-void XtcParser::loadL2Window(uint32_t centerPage) {
-  // Center the sliding window around the requested page when possible.
-  uint32_t halfWindow = L2_WINDOW_SIZE / 2;
-  uint32_t windowStart = (centerPage > halfWindow) ? centerPage - halfWindow : 0;
-  uint32_t windowEnd = windowStart + L2_WINDOW_SIZE;
-
-  if (windowEnd > m_header.pageCount) {
-    windowEnd = m_header.pageCount;
-    windowStart = (windowEnd > L2_WINDOW_SIZE) ? windowEnd - L2_WINDOW_SIZE : 0;
-  }
-
-  size_t windowSize = windowEnd - windowStart;
-  if (windowSize == 0) {
-    m_l2Valid = false;
-    m_l2WindowCount = 0;
-    return;
-  }
-
-  if (!m_cacheFile.isOpen() && !openCacheFile()) {
-    LOG_ERR("XTC", "Cache file not available");
-    m_l2Valid = false;
-    m_l2WindowCount = 0;
-    return;
-  }
-
-  size_t entryOffset = sizeof(PageTableCacheHeader) + windowStart * sizeof(PageInfo);
-  if (!m_cacheFile.seek(entryOffset)) {
-    LOG_ERR("XTC", "Failed to seek in page table cache");
-    m_l2Valid = false;
-    m_l2WindowCount = 0;
-    return;
-  }
-
-  size_t readCount = 0;
-  for (size_t i = 0; i < windowSize; i++) {
-    PageInfo info;
-    if (m_cacheFile.read(reinterpret_cast<uint8_t*>(&info), sizeof(PageInfo)) != sizeof(PageInfo)) {
-      LOG_ERR("XTC", "Failed to read page info %zu", windowStart + i);
-      break;
-    }
-    m_l2Window[i] = info;
-    readCount++;
-  }
-
-  m_l2WindowStart = windowStart;
-  m_l2WindowCount = readCount;
-  m_l2Valid = (readCount > 0);
-
-  LOG_DBG("XTC", "L2 window loaded: [%u, %u] (%zu pages)", windowStart, windowStart + readCount - 1, readCount);
-}
-
-bool XtcParser::isPageTableCacheValid() const {
-  if (!Storage.exists(m_cacheFilePath.c_str())) {
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  FsFile cacheFile;
-  if (!Storage.openFileForRead("XTC", m_cacheFilePath.c_str(), cacheFile)) {
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  uint8_t headerBuf[sizeof(PageTableCacheHeader)];
-  if (cacheFile.read(headerBuf, sizeof(headerBuf)) != sizeof(headerBuf)) {
-    cacheFile.close();
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  PageTableCacheHeader header;
-  safeDeserializeHeader(headerBuf, header);
-
-  if (header.magic != PAGE_TABLE_CACHE_MAGIC || header.version != PAGE_TABLE_CACHE_VERSION) {
-    cacheFile.close();
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  // The cache must match both the page count and the original file size.
-  if (header.pageCount != m_header.pageCount) {
-    cacheFile.close();
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  uint32_t expectedSize = sizeof(PageTableCacheHeader) + header.pageCount * sizeof(PageInfo);
-  if (cacheFile.size() < expectedSize) {
-    cacheFile.close();
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  if (header.originalSize > 0) {
-    FsFile originalFile;
-    if (Storage.openFileForRead("XTC", m_originalPath.c_str(), originalFile)) {
-      uint64_t currentSize = originalFile.size();
-      originalFile.close();
-      if (currentSize != header.originalSize) {
-        LOG_INF("XTC", "Cache invalidated: file size changed");
-        cacheFile.close();
-        return false;
-      }
-    }
-  }
-
-  cacheFile.close();
-  return true;
-}
-
-XtcError XtcParser::buildPageTableCache() {
-  FsFile originalFile;
-  if (!Storage.openFileForRead("XTC", m_originalPath.c_str(), originalFile)) {
-    return XtcError::FILE_NOT_FOUND;
-  }
-
-  size_t lastSlash = m_cacheFilePath.find_last_of('/');
-  if (lastSlash != std::string::npos) {
-    std::string cacheDir = m_cacheFilePath.substr(0, lastSlash);
-    Storage.mkdir(cacheDir.c_str());
-  }
-
-  FsFile cacheFile;
-  if (!Storage.openFileForWrite("XTC", m_cacheFilePath.c_str(), cacheFile)) {
-    originalFile.close();
-    return XtcError::WRITE_ERROR;
-  }
-
-  // Persist a compact PageInfo array so we do not need to hold the full table in RAM.
-  PageTableCacheHeader header;
-  header.magic = PAGE_TABLE_CACHE_MAGIC;
-  header.version = PAGE_TABLE_CACHE_VERSION;
-  header.pageCount = m_header.pageCount;
-  header.originalHash = calculateFileHash(m_originalPath.c_str());
-  header.originalSize = originalFile.size();
-  header.entrySize = sizeof(PageInfo);
-  header.reserved = 0;
-
-  uint8_t headerBuf[sizeof(PageTableCacheHeader)];
-  safeSerializeHeader(headerBuf, header);
-  if (cacheFile.write(headerBuf, sizeof(headerBuf)) != sizeof(headerBuf)) {
-    cacheFile.close();
-    originalFile.close();
-    return XtcError::WRITE_ERROR;
-  }
-
-  if (!seekToOffset(originalFile, m_pageTableOffset)) {
-    cacheFile.close();
-    originalFile.close();
-    return XtcError::READ_ERROR;
-  }
-
-  // Convert the source page table entries into the cached PageInfo layout.
-  for (uint16_t i = 0; i < m_header.pageCount; i++) {
-    PageTableEntry entry;
-    if (originalFile.read(reinterpret_cast<uint8_t*>(&entry), sizeof(PageTableEntry)) != sizeof(PageTableEntry)) {
-      LOG_ERR("XTC", "Failed to read page table entry %u", i);
-      cacheFile.close();
-      originalFile.close();
-      return XtcError::READ_ERROR;
-    }
-
-    PageInfo info;
-    info.offset = entry.dataOffset;
-    info.size = entry.dataSize;
-    info.width = entry.width;
-    info.height = entry.height;
-    info.bitDepth = m_bitDepth;
-    info.padding = 0;
-
-    if (cacheFile.write(reinterpret_cast<const uint8_t*>(&info), sizeof(info)) != sizeof(info)) {
-      cacheFile.close();
-      originalFile.close();
-      return XtcError::WRITE_ERROR;
-    }
-  }
-
-  cacheFile.close();
-  originalFile.close();
-
-  LOG_INF("XTC", "Page table cache built: %u entries", m_header.pageCount);
-  return XtcError::OK;
-}
-
-uint32_t XtcParser::calculateFileHash(const char* filepath) const {
-  uint32_t hash = 0;
-  size_t len = strlen(filepath);
-
-  for (size_t i = 0; i < len; i++) {
-    hash = hash * 31 + static_cast<uint8_t>(filepath[i]);
-  }
-
-  FsFile file;
-  if (Storage.openFileForRead("XTC", filepath, file)) {
-    uint64_t size = file.size();
-    hash ^= static_cast<uint32_t>(size);
-    hash ^= static_cast<uint32_t>(size >> 32);
-    file.close();
-  }
-
-  return hash;
-}
-
 XtcError XtcParser::readHeader() {
-  // Read the fixed-size XTC header first.
+  // Read first 56 bytes of header
   size_t bytesRead = m_file.read(reinterpret_cast<uint8_t*>(&m_header), sizeof(XtcHeader));
   if (bytesRead != sizeof(XtcHeader)) {
     return XtcError::READ_ERROR;
@@ -545,7 +160,7 @@ XtcError XtcParser::readHeader() {
 
 XtcError XtcParser::readTitle() {
   constexpr auto titleOffset = 0x38;
-  if (!m_file.seek(titleOffset)) {
+  if (!m_file.seek64(titleOffset)) {
     return XtcError::READ_ERROR;
   }
 
@@ -560,7 +175,7 @@ XtcError XtcParser::readTitle() {
 XtcError XtcParser::readAuthor() {
   // Read author as null-terminated UTF-8 string with max length 64, directly following title
   constexpr auto authorOffset = 0xB8;
-  if (!m_file.seek(authorOffset)) {
+  if (!m_file.seek64(authorOffset)) {
     return XtcError::READ_ERROR;
   }
 
@@ -572,20 +187,83 @@ XtcError XtcParser::readAuthor() {
   return XtcError::OK;
 }
 
-XtcError XtcParser::readChapters() {
-  m_hasChapters = false;
-  m_chapters.clear();
-  m_chapters.shrink_to_fit();
+XtcError XtcParser::readFirstPageInfo() {
+  if (m_header.pageTableOffset == 0) {
+    LOG_DBG("XTC", "Page table offset is 0, cannot read");
+    return XtcError::CORRUPTED_HEADER;
+  }
 
-  // Reopen the original file on demand because open() closes it after cache initialization.
-  if (!m_file.isOpen()) {
-    if (!Storage.openFileForRead("XTC", m_originalPath.c_str(), m_file)) {
-      return XtcError::FILE_NOT_FOUND;
-    }
+  // Verify the file is large enough to contain the full page table
+  const uint64_t fileSize = m_file.size64();
+  const uint64_t pageTableSize = static_cast<uint64_t>(m_header.pageCount) * sizeof(PageTableEntry);
+  if (m_header.pageTableOffset < sizeof(XtcHeader) || m_header.pageTableOffset > fileSize ||
+      pageTableSize > fileSize - m_header.pageTableOffset) {
+    LOG_DBG("XTC", "Page table exceeds file bounds");
+    return XtcError::CORRUPTED_HEADER;
+  }
+
+  // Read only the first entry to get default page dimensions
+  // All other entries are read on-demand via readPageTableEntry()
+  // This avoids allocating pageCount * 16 bytes (e.g. 65KB for 4000+ pages)
+  PageTableEntry entry;
+  if (!m_file.seek64(m_header.pageTableOffset)) {
+    LOG_DBG("XTC", "Failed to seek to page table at %llu", m_header.pageTableOffset);
+    return XtcError::READ_ERROR;
+  }
+  size_t bytesRead = m_file.read(reinterpret_cast<uint8_t*>(&entry), sizeof(PageTableEntry));
+  if (bytesRead != sizeof(PageTableEntry)) {
+    LOG_DBG("XTC", "Failed to read first page table entry");
+    return XtcError::READ_ERROR;
+  }
+
+  m_defaultWidth = entry.width;
+  m_defaultHeight = entry.height;
+
+  LOG_DBG("XTC", "Page table validated: %u pages, default %dx%d", m_header.pageCount, m_defaultWidth, m_defaultHeight);
+  return XtcError::OK;
+}
+
+bool XtcParser::readPageTableEntry(uint32_t pageIndex, PageInfo& info) {
+  if (pageIndex >= m_header.pageCount) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  if (!ensureFileOpen()) {
+    LOG_DBG("XTC", "Failed to reopen file for page table read");
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  // Seek to the specific page table entry on the SD card
+  const uint64_t entryOffset = m_header.pageTableOffset + static_cast<uint64_t>(pageIndex) * sizeof(PageTableEntry);
+  if (!m_file.seek64(entryOffset)) {
+    LOG_DBG("XTC", "Failed to seek to page table entry %lu at %llu", pageIndex, entryOffset);
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  PageTableEntry entry;
+  size_t bytesRead = m_file.read(reinterpret_cast<uint8_t*>(&entry), sizeof(PageTableEntry));
+  if (bytesRead != sizeof(PageTableEntry)) {
+    LOG_DBG("XTC", "Failed to read page table entry %lu", pageIndex);
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  info.offset = entry.dataOffset;
+  info.size = entry.dataSize;
+  info.width = entry.width;
+  info.height = entry.height;
+  info.bitDepth = m_bitDepth;
+  return true;
+}
+
+XtcError XtcParser::readChapters() {
+  m_chapters.clear();
+
+  if (!ensureFileOpen()) {
+    return XtcError::READ_ERROR;
   }
 
   uint8_t hasChaptersFlag = 0;
-  if (!m_file.seek(0x0B)) {
+  if (!m_file.seek64(0x0B)) {
     return XtcError::READ_ERROR;
   }
   if (m_file.read(&hasChaptersFlag, sizeof(hasChaptersFlag)) != sizeof(hasChaptersFlag)) {
@@ -597,7 +275,7 @@ XtcError XtcParser::readChapters() {
   }
 
   uint64_t chapterOffset = 0;
-  if (!m_file.seek(0x30)) {
+  if (!m_file.seek64(0x30)) {
     return XtcError::READ_ERROR;
   }
   if (m_file.read(reinterpret_cast<uint8_t*>(&chapterOffset), sizeof(chapterOffset)) != sizeof(chapterOffset)) {
@@ -608,56 +286,36 @@ XtcError XtcParser::readChapters() {
     return XtcError::OK;
   }
 
-  const uint64_t fileSize = m_file.size();
-  constexpr size_t chapterSize = 96;
-
-  if (chapterOffset < sizeof(XtcHeader) || chapterOffset >= fileSize) {
+  const uint64_t fileSize = m_file.size64();
+  if (chapterOffset < sizeof(XtcHeader) || chapterOffset >= fileSize || chapterOffset + 96 > fileSize) {
     return XtcError::OK;
   }
 
-  if (fileSize - chapterOffset < chapterSize) {
-    return XtcError::OK;
-  }
-
-  uint64_t maxOffset = 0;
-  if (m_header.pageTableOffset > chapterOffset) {
+  // Clamp maxOffset to fileSize so bogus header values can't inflate chapterCount
+  uint64_t maxOffset = fileSize;
+  if (m_header.pageTableOffset > chapterOffset && m_header.pageTableOffset <= fileSize) {
     maxOffset = m_header.pageTableOffset;
-  } else if (m_header.dataOffset > chapterOffset) {
+  } else if (m_header.dataOffset > chapterOffset && m_header.dataOffset <= fileSize) {
     maxOffset = m_header.dataOffset;
-  } else {
-    maxOffset = fileSize;
   }
 
   if (maxOffset <= chapterOffset) {
     return XtcError::OK;
   }
 
+  constexpr size_t chapterSize = 96;
   const uint64_t available = maxOffset - chapterOffset;
-  const uint64_t chapterCount64 = available / chapterSize;
-  if (chapterCount64 == 0) {
-    return XtcError::OK;
-  }
-
-  if (chapterCount64 > MAX_CHAPTERS || chapterCount64 > std::numeric_limits<size_t>::max()) {
-    LOG_ERR("XTC", "Chapter table too large: available=%llu chapterCount=%llu",
-            static_cast<unsigned long long>(available), static_cast<unsigned long long>(chapterCount64));
-    return XtcError::CORRUPTED_HEADER;
-  }
-
-  const size_t chapterCount = static_cast<size_t>(chapterCount64);
+  const size_t chapterCount = static_cast<size_t>(available / chapterSize);
   if (chapterCount == 0) {
     return XtcError::OK;
   }
 
-  const size_t freeHeapBefore = ESP.getFreeHeap();
-  const size_t maxAllocBefore = ESP.getMaxAllocHeap();
-
-  if (!seekToOffset(m_file, chapterOffset)) {
+  if (!m_file.seek64(chapterOffset)) {
     return XtcError::READ_ERROR;
   }
 
-  std::vector<uint8_t> chapterBuf(chapterSize);
   m_chapters.reserve(chapterCount);
+  std::vector<uint8_t> chapterBuf(chapterSize);
   for (size_t i = 0; i < chapterCount; i++) {
     if (m_file.read(chapterBuf.data(), chapterSize) != chapterSize) {
       return XtcError::READ_ERROR;
@@ -701,29 +359,29 @@ XtcError XtcParser::readChapters() {
     m_chapters.push_back(std::move(chapter));
   }
 
-  m_chapters.shrink_to_fit();
   m_hasChapters = !m_chapters.empty();
-  size_t chapterNameBytes = 0;
-  for (const auto& chapter : m_chapters) {
-    chapterNameBytes += chapter.name.capacity() + 1;
-  }
-  const size_t chapterVectorBytes = m_chapters.capacity() * sizeof(ChapterInfo);
-  const size_t totalChapterBytes = chapterVectorBytes + chapterNameBytes;
-  const size_t freeHeapAfter = ESP.getFreeHeap();
-  const size_t maxAllocAfter = ESP.getMaxAllocHeap();
-  const int heapDelta = static_cast<int>(freeHeapBefore) - static_cast<int>(freeHeapAfter);
-  const int maxAllocDelta = static_cast<int>(maxAllocBefore) - static_cast<int>(maxAllocAfter);
-  LOG_INF("XTC", "Chapter metadata: count=%u, vector~=%zu, names~=%zu, total~=%zu, heapDelta=%d, maxAllocDelta=%d",
-          static_cast<unsigned int>(m_chapters.size()), chapterVectorBytes, chapterNameBytes, totalChapterBytes,
-          heapDelta, maxAllocDelta);
+  LOG_DBG("XTC", "Chapters: %u", static_cast<unsigned int>(m_chapters.size()));
   return XtcError::OK;
 }
 
 const std::vector<ChapterInfo>& XtcParser::getChapters() {
-  ensureChaptersLoaded();
+  // Lazy load chapters on first access
+  if (!m_chaptersLoaded && m_hasChapters) {
+    const XtcError err = readChapters();
+    if (err != XtcError::OK) {
+      LOG_ERR("XTC", "Failed to lazy-load chapters: %s", errorToString(err));
+      m_hasChapters = false;
+      m_chapters.clear();
+    }
+    m_chaptersLoaded = true;
+    // Close file after chapter read to free buffers for rendering
+    closeFile();
+  }
   return m_chapters;
 }
 
+bool XtcParser::getPageInfo(uint32_t pageIndex, PageInfo& info) { return readPageTableEntry(pageIndex, info); }
+
 size_t XtcParser::loadPage(uint32_t pageIndex, uint8_t* buffer, size_t bufferSize) {
   if (!m_isOpen) {
     m_lastError = XtcError::FILE_NOT_FOUND;
@@ -735,23 +393,20 @@ size_t XtcParser::loadPage(uint32_t pageIndex, uint8_t* buffer, size_t bufferSiz
     return 0;
   }
 
-  // Resolve the page location through the cache hierarchy before touching the data file.
-  PageInfo info;
-  if (!getPageInfo(pageIndex, info)) {
+  PageInfo page;
+  if (!readPageTableEntry(pageIndex, page)) {
     m_lastError = XtcError::READ_ERROR;
     return 0;
   }
 
-  // Reopen the source file lazily because normal parser open() does not keep it pinned.
-  if (!m_file.isOpen()) {
-    if (!Storage.openFileForRead("XTC", m_originalPath.c_str(), m_file)) {
-      m_lastError = XtcError::FILE_NOT_FOUND;
-      return 0;
-    }
+  if (!ensureFileOpen()) {
+    m_lastError = XtcError::FILE_NOT_FOUND;
+    return 0;
   }
 
-  if (!seekToOffset(m_file, info.offset)) {
-    LOG_DBG("XTC", "Failed to seek to page %u at offset %llu", pageIndex, static_cast<unsigned long long>(info.offset));
+  // Seek to page data
+  if (!m_file.seek64(page.offset)) {
+    LOG_DBG("XTC", "Failed to seek to page %u at offset %lu", pageIndex, page.offset);
     m_lastError = XtcError::READ_ERROR;
     return 0;
   }
@@ -785,14 +440,14 @@ size_t XtcParser::loadPage(uint32_t pageIndex, uint8_t* buffer, size_t bufferSiz
     bitmapSize = ((pageHeader.width + 7) / 8) * pageHeader.height;
   }
 
-  // The caller owns the buffer, so fail early if it is too small.
+  // Check buffer size
   if (bufferSize < bitmapSize) {
     LOG_DBG("XTC", "Buffer too small: need %u, have %u", bitmapSize, bufferSize);
     m_lastError = XtcError::MEMORY_ERROR;
     return 0;
   }
 
-  // Read the bitmap payload into the caller-provided buffer.
+  // Read bitmap data
   size_t bytesRead = m_file.read(buffer, bitmapSize);
   if (bytesRead != bitmapSize) {
     LOG_DBG("XTC", "Page read error: expected %u, got %u", bitmapSize, bytesRead);
@@ -815,25 +470,21 @@ XtcError XtcParser::loadPageStreaming(uint32_t pageIndex,
     return XtcError::PAGE_OUT_OF_RANGE;
   }
 
-  // Streaming uses the same cache lookup path but reads the payload in chunks.
-  PageInfo info;
-  if (!getPageInfo(pageIndex, info)) {
+  PageInfo page;
+  if (!readPageTableEntry(pageIndex, page)) {
     return XtcError::READ_ERROR;
   }
 
-  // Reopen the source file on demand for streaming reads as well.
-  if (!m_file.isOpen()) {
-    if (!Storage.openFileForRead("XTC", m_originalPath.c_str(), m_file)) {
-      return XtcError::FILE_NOT_FOUND;
-    }
+  if (!ensureFileOpen()) {
+    return XtcError::FILE_NOT_FOUND;
   }
 
-  if (!seekToOffset(m_file, info.offset)) {
-    LOG_DBG("XTC", "Failed to seek to page %u at offset %llu", pageIndex, static_cast<unsigned long long>(info.offset));
+  // Seek to page data
+  if (!m_file.seek64(page.offset)) {
     return XtcError::READ_ERROR;
   }
 
-  // Read and validate the page header before yielding any bitmap bytes.
+  // Read and skip page header (XTG for 1-bit, XTH for 2-bit)
   XtgPageHeader pageHeader;
   size_t headerRead = m_file.read(reinterpret_cast<uint8_t*>(&pageHeader), sizeof(XtgPageHeader));
   const uint32_t expectedMagic = (m_bitDepth == 2) ? XTH_MAGIC : XTG_MAGIC;
@@ -844,7 +495,6 @@ XtcError XtcParser::loadPageStreaming(uint32_t pageIndex,
   // Calculate bitmap size based on bit depth
   // XTG (1-bit): Row-major, ((width+7)/8) * height bytes
   // XTH (2-bit): Two bit planes, ((width * height + 7) / 8) * 2 bytes
-  // Match the bitmap sizing rules used by the non-streaming path.
   size_t bitmapSize;
   if (m_bitDepth == 2) {
     bitmapSize = ((static_cast<size_t>(pageHeader.width) * pageHeader.height + 7) / 8) * 2;
@@ -852,7 +502,7 @@ XtcError XtcParser::loadPageStreaming(uint32_t pageIndex,
     bitmapSize = ((pageHeader.width + 7) / 8) * pageHeader.height;
   }
 
-  // Feed the bitmap to the callback in bounded chunks to keep peak memory low.
+  // Read in chunks
   std::vector<uint8_t> chunk(chunkSize);
   size_t totalRead = 0;
 
@@ -888,4 +538,4 @@ bool XtcParser::isValidXtcFile(const char* filepath) {
   return (magic == XTC_MAGIC || magic == XTCH_MAGIC);
 }
 
-}  // namespace xtc
+}  // namespace xtc
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/Xtc/Xtc/XtcParser.h b/lib/Xtc/Xtc/XtcParser.h
index 38e00862..b688d793 100644
--- a/lib/Xtc/Xtc/XtcParser.h
+++ b/lib/Xtc/Xtc/XtcParser.h
@@ -9,8 +9,6 @@
 
 #include <HalStorage.h>
 
-#include <array>
-#include <cstring>
 #include <functional>
 #include <memory>
 #include <string>
@@ -25,6 +23,9 @@ namespace xtc {
  *
  * Reads XTC files from SD card and extracts page data.
  * Designed for ESP32-C3's limited RAM (~380KB) using streaming.
+ *
+ * The source file is kept closed between reads to free heap for rendering.
+ * It is reopened on-demand for page table lookups and bitmap data reads.
  */
 class XtcParser {
  public:
@@ -32,7 +33,7 @@ class XtcParser {
   ~XtcParser();
 
   // File open/close
-  XtcError open(const char* filepath, const char* cacheDir);
+  XtcError open(const char* filepath);
   void close();
   bool isOpen() const { return m_isOpen; }
 
@@ -43,14 +44,28 @@ class XtcParser {
   uint16_t getHeight() const { return m_defaultHeight; }
   uint8_t getBitDepth() const { return m_bitDepth; }  // 1 = XTC/XTG, 2 = XTCH/XTH
 
-  // Page information - three-tier cache interface
+  // Page information
   bool getPageInfo(uint32_t pageIndex, PageInfo& info);
 
-  // Preload window around specified page (optimize sequential page turns)
-  void prefetchWindow(uint32_t pageIndex);
-
-  // Load page bitmap (unchanged)
+  /**
+   * Load page bitmap (raw 1-bit data, skipping XTG header)
+   *
+   * @param pageIndex Page index (0-based)
+   * @param buffer Output buffer (caller allocated)
+   * @param bufferSize Buffer size
+   * @return Number of bytes read on success, 0 on failure
+   */
   size_t loadPage(uint32_t pageIndex, uint8_t* buffer, size_t bufferSize);
+
+  /**
+   * Streaming page load
+   * Memory-efficient method that reads page data in chunks.
+   *
+   * @param pageIndex Page index
+   * @param callback Callback function to receive data chunks
+   * @param chunkSize Chunk size (default: 1024 bytes)
+   * @return Error code
+   */
   XtcError loadPageStreaming(uint32_t pageIndex,
                              std::function<void(const uint8_t* data, size_t size, size_t offset)> callback,
                              size_t chunkSize = 1024);
@@ -70,62 +85,30 @@ class XtcParser {
 
  private:
   FsFile m_file;
-  FsFile m_cacheFile;
+  std::string m_filepath;
   bool m_isOpen;
   XtcHeader m_header;
-  std::string m_cacheDir;
-  std::string m_cacheFilePath;
-  std::string m_originalPath;
+  std::vector<ChapterInfo> m_chapters;
   std::string m_title;
   std::string m_author;
   uint16_t m_defaultWidth;
   uint16_t m_defaultHeight;
-  uint8_t m_bitDepth;
+  uint8_t m_bitDepth;  // 1 = XTC/XTG (1-bit), 2 = XTCH/XTH (2-bit)
   bool m_hasChapters;
-  bool m_chaptersLoaded = false;
+  bool m_chaptersLoaded;
   XtcError m_lastError;
-  uint32_t m_accessCounter = 0;
-
-  // L1: Hot cache (fixed 4 entries)
-  std::array<L1CacheEntry, L1_CACHE_SIZE> m_l1Cache;
-
-  // L2: Sliding window (fixed size array)
-  std::array<PageInfo, L2_WINDOW_SIZE> m_l2Window;
-  uint32_t m_l2WindowStart = 0;
-  size_t m_l2WindowCount = 0;
-  bool m_l2Valid = false;
-
-  // Chapters (usually few, keep in memory)
-  std::vector<ChapterInfo> m_chapters;
-
-  // Original Page Table offset (for rebuilding cache)
-  uint64_t m_pageTableOffset = 0;
 
   // Internal helper functions
   XtcError readHeader();
+  XtcError readFirstPageInfo();
   XtcError readTitle();
   XtcError readAuthor();
   XtcError readChapters();
-  void ensureChaptersLoaded();
+  bool readPageTableEntry(uint32_t pageIndex, PageInfo& info);
 
-  // L3 cache management
-  bool isPageTableCacheValid() const;
-  XtcError buildPageTableCache();
-  bool openCacheFile();
-  void closeCacheFile();
-
-  // L1/L2 cache operations
-  bool lookupL1(uint32_t pageIndex, PageInfo& info);
-  void updateL1(uint32_t pageIndex, const PageInfo& info);
-  bool lookupL2(uint32_t pageIndex, PageInfo& info);
-  void loadL2Window(uint32_t centerPage);
-
-  // Safe deserialization (alignment-safe for ESP32-C3)
-  static void safeDeserializeHeader(const uint8_t* buf, PageTableCacheHeader& header);
-  static void safeSerializeHeader(uint8_t* buf, const PageTableCacheHeader& header);
-
-  // Utility functions
-  uint32_t calculateFileHash(const char* filepath) const;
+  // File handle management — reopen on demand, close after use
+  bool ensureFileOpen();
+  void closeFile();
 };
 
 }  // namespace xtc
diff --git a/lib/Xtc/Xtc/XtcTypes.h b/lib/Xtc/Xtc/XtcTypes.h
index b86c8934..83dfd340 100644
--- a/lib/Xtc/Xtc/XtcTypes.h
+++ b/lib/Xtc/Xtc/XtcTypes.h
@@ -102,33 +102,6 @@ struct ChapterInfo {
   uint16_t endPage;
 };
 
-// Cache configuration
-constexpr size_t L1_CACHE_SIZE = 4;               // L1 cache entries
-constexpr size_t L2_WINDOW_SIZE = 100;            // L2 window size (reduced for 2-bit memory)
-constexpr uint32_t PAGE_TABLE_CACHE_VERSION = 1;  // Cache file version
-
-// Cache magic number
-constexpr uint32_t PAGE_TABLE_CACHE_MAGIC = 0x50435458;  // "XTCP"
-
-// Cache file header - NOTE: Do NOT read directly from file buffer!
-// Use safeDeserializeHeader() function for alignment-safe access.
-struct PageTableCacheHeader {
-  uint32_t magic;         // 'XTCP' = 0x50435458
-  uint32_t version;       // Cache version
-  uint32_t pageCount;     // Total pages
-  uint32_t originalHash;  // Original file hash (for validation)
-  uint64_t originalSize;  // Original file size (for validation)
-  uint32_t entrySize;     // PageInfo size (16)
-  uint32_t reserved;      // Reserved
-};
-
-// L1 cache entry
-struct L1CacheEntry {
-  uint32_t pageIndex = 0xFFFFFFFF;  // 0xFFFFFFFF = invalid
-  PageInfo info{};
-  uint32_t lastAccess = 0;  // Timestamp for LRU
-};
-
 // Error codes
 enum class XtcError {
   OK = 0,
diff --git a/lib/hal/HalStorage.cpp b/lib/hal/HalStorage.cpp
index 43c4b917..30165fbd 100644
--- a/lib/hal/HalStorage.cpp
+++ b/lib/hal/HalStorage.cpp
@@ -183,13 +183,13 @@ bool HalStorage::copyFile(const char* moduleName, const std::string& srcPath, co
 
 void HalFile::flush() { HAL_FILE_WRAPPED_CALL(flush, ); }
 size_t HalFile::getName(char* name, size_t len) { HAL_FILE_WRAPPED_CALL(getName, name, len); }
-size_t HalFile::size() { HAL_FILE_FORWARD_CALL(size, ); }          // already thread-safe, no need to wrap
-size_t HalFile::fileSize() { HAL_FILE_FORWARD_CALL(fileSize, ); }  // already thread-safe, no need to wrap
+size_t HalFile::size() { assert(impl != nullptr); return static_cast<size_t>(impl->file.size()); }
+size_t HalFile::fileSize() { assert(impl != nullptr); return static_cast<size_t>(impl->file.fileSize()); }
 bool HalFile::seek(size_t pos) { HAL_FILE_WRAPPED_CALL(seekSet, pos); }
 bool HalFile::seekCur(int64_t offset) { HAL_FILE_WRAPPED_CALL(seekCur, offset); }
 bool HalFile::seekSet(size_t offset) { HAL_FILE_WRAPPED_CALL(seekSet, offset); }
 int HalFile::available() const { HAL_FILE_WRAPPED_CALL(available, ); }
-size_t HalFile::position() const { HAL_FILE_WRAPPED_CALL(position, ); }
+size_t HalFile::position() const { assert(impl != nullptr); return static_cast<size_t>(impl->file.position()); }
 int HalFile::read(void* buf, size_t count) { HAL_FILE_WRAPPED_CALL(read, buf, count); }
 int HalFile::read() { HAL_FILE_WRAPPED_CALL(read, ); }
 size_t HalFile::write(const void* buf, size_t count) { HAL_FILE_WRAPPED_CALL(write, buf, count); }
@@ -201,6 +201,11 @@ bool HalFile::getModifyDateTime(uint16_t* pdate, uint16_t* ptime) {
 bool HalFile::isDirectory() const { HAL_FILE_FORWARD_CALL(isDirectory, ); }  // already thread-safe, no need to wrap
 void HalFile::rewindDirectory() { HAL_FILE_WRAPPED_CALL(rewindDirectory, ); }
 bool HalFile::close() { HAL_FILE_WRAPPED_CALL(close, ); }
+uint64_t HalFile::size64() { HAL_FILE_FORWARD_CALL(size, ); }
+uint64_t HalFile::fileSize64() { HAL_FILE_FORWARD_CALL(fileSize, ); }
+bool HalFile::seek64(uint64_t pos) { HAL_FILE_WRAPPED_CALL(seekSet, pos); }
+bool HalFile::seekSet64(uint64_t offset) { HAL_FILE_WRAPPED_CALL(seekSet, offset); }
+uint64_t HalFile::position64() const { HAL_FILE_FORWARD_CALL(position, ); }
 HalFile HalFile::openNextFile() {
   HalStorage::StorageLock lock;
   assert(impl != nullptr);
diff --git a/lib/hal/HalStorage.h b/lib/hal/HalStorage.h
index 4a59b37e..da76a55b 100644
--- a/lib/hal/HalStorage.h
+++ b/lib/hal/HalStorage.h
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 #include <common/FsApiConstants.h>  // for oflag_t
 #include <freertos/semphr.h>
 
+#include <cstdint>
 #include <memory>
 #include <string>
 #include <vector>
@@ -88,6 +89,12 @@ class HalFile : public Print {
   size_t position() const;
   int read(void* buf, size_t count);
   int read();  // read a single byte
+
+  uint64_t size64();
+  uint64_t fileSize64();
+  bool seek64(uint64_t pos);
+  bool seekSet64(uint64_t offset);
+  uint64_t position64() const;
   size_t write(const void* buf, size_t count);
   size_t write(uint8_t b) override;
   bool rename(const char* newPath);
diff --git a/src/activities/reader/XtcReaderActivity.cpp b/src/activities/reader/XtcReaderActivity.cpp
index 7b69a78f..d5a631fc 100644
--- a/src/activities/reader/XtcReaderActivity.cpp
+++ b/src/activities/reader/XtcReaderActivity.cpp
@@ -47,8 +47,6 @@ void XtcReaderActivity::onEnter() {
   APP_STATE.saveToFile();
   RECENT_BOOKS.addBook(xtc->getPath(), xtc->getTitle(), xtc->getAuthor(), "", xtc->getThumbBmpPath());
 
-  xtc->prefetchPages(currentPage);
-
   // Trigger first update
   requestUpdate();
 }
@@ -75,7 +73,6 @@ void XtcReaderActivity::loop() {
           [this](const ActivityResult& result) {
             if (!result.isCancelled) {
               currentPage = std::get<PageResult>(result.data).page;
-              xtc->prefetchPages(currentPage);
             }
           });
     }
@@ -133,14 +130,12 @@ void XtcReaderActivity::loop() {
     } else {
       currentPage = 0;
     }
-    xtc->prefetchPages(currentPage);
     requestUpdate();
   } else if (nextTriggered) {
     currentPage += skipAmount;
     if (currentPage >= xtc->getPageCount()) {
       currentPage = xtc->getPageCount();  // Allow showing "End of book"
     }
-    xtc->prefetchPages(currentPage);
     requestUpdate();
   }
 }