No. Lap is not a good master database for cross-application metadata because its organization data normally belongs to Lap’s local database rather than to the photo files.

• The README states that Collections, Tags, Comments, Favorites, Ratings, Culling states, Smart Albums, AI search data, and face data are stored in the local database or library configuration.
• This information is not written into EXIF, IPTC, or XMP sidecars, and it does not automatically travel with a file when the file is copied, exported, or moved outside Lap.
• The folder-first design preserves control of the original paths and folders, but it does not make Lap’s organization metadata portable across applications.
• If other software must read your tags and ratings, Lap’s stated model conflicts with that requirement. The supplied README also does not document built-in EXIF/IPTC/XMP write-back.

Yes, because Lap is explicitly designed for large local libraries and offline use rather than cloud synchronization.

• The README states “Local-first by design”: photos remain on your own disk, with no required cloud account or upload.
• “Built for large collections” explicitly targets libraries with 100k+ files. Browsing and search include dates, folders, locations, cameras, lenses, tags, faces, and local AI search.
• It supports macOS, Windows, and Linux, and its folder-first workflow works with existing directories instead of forcing import into a closed media library.
• However, AI data, face data, thumbnails, tags, and ratings are stored in Lap’s local database. That supports offline privacy, but those organization details will not automatically synchronize between machines.

Yes. The README provides a concrete source-build path, and the stack matches your Vue/Vite and Rust experience.

• Architecture identifies Tauri + Rust for the core, Vue + Vite + Tailwind CSS for the frontend, and SQLite for data.
• Build from Source requires Node.js 20+, pnpm, and Rust stable, matching the tools you already have.
• It also lists macOS command-line tools and Homebrew dependencies, plus Linux WebKitGTK and related system packages. The build process includes downloading the AI models and the FFmpeg sidecar.
• The command sequence is actionable. The model and FFmpeg download scripts differ between Unix-like systems and Windows, but the macOS/Linux path is stated directly and is less ambiguous for your target platforms.

Yes, especially if you need mixed-media browsing without giving up control of your folders.

• The README’s Supported Formats section lists RAW formats such as CR3, NEF, and ARW, plus HEIC/HEIF, MP4, MOV, and more than 60 photo, RAW, and video formats overall.
• The Features section explicitly says “RAW + JPEG/HEIC pairs displayed as one item” and says linked files are kept together during file operations.
• Apple Live Photos and Google Motion Photos support motion playback and a unified Smart Album filter.
• The folder-first workflow supports multiple libraries, drag-and-drop, copy-paste import, filesystem sync, and day/month/year import layouts without requiring a proprietary media-library import. Actual RAW rendering and video decoding behavior may still vary by platform.

It depends. The features and license fit your requirements, but Windows unsigned-install behavior and local database ownership add deployment constraints.

• Download Lap provides MSI packages for Windows 10/11 on both x64 and ARM64. Project data identifies the license as GNU GPLv3, and the latest release is v0.3.2.
• The README explicitly warns that the Windows installer is unsigned and SmartScreen may block it; the user may need to select “Keep anyway”. That is unsuitable for tightly controlled devices that cannot bypass such prompts.
• Uninstalling the application, or deleting its database and cache, does not delete original photos. However, it removes local organization data such as tags, ratings, favorites, AI data, and thumbnails.
• It therefore fits personal Windows machines where local database backup is acceptable, but not environments requiring signed installers, centralized deployment, or automatic cross-device synchronization.

It depends: Linux installation is clearly supported, but video playback still depends on distribution-specific capabilities that the supplied README does not fully define.

• Download Lap provides Linux x64 _amd64.deb and _amd64.AppImage packages, with Debian, Ubuntu, and Linux Mint listed as Debian-based targets.
• Supported Formats states that H.264 playback works on all platforms and that compatibility processing is used when native playback is unavailable.
• The same section explicitly describes native HEVC/H.265 and VP9 support only on macOS; it does not make the same promise for Linux.
• The Linux build dependency example lists libraries such as libwebkit2gtk-4.1-dev, but the supplied README does not identify the exact GStreamer plugins required for Linux playback. Therefore, it cannot guarantee smooth playback for all three codecs on your distribution.