google-photoslisted

# Google Photos 29 tools across two APIs: the Picker, for reaching the user's whole library through them, and the Library API, for media this server uploaded. ## The one thing to understand first On 1 April 2025 Google removed whole-library read access from the Photos API for every third-party app. There is no scope that lets you browse, search or read someone's existing photos. So there are two halves, and they do not overlap: **Picker.** The user chooses. `start_pick_session` returns a URL, they open it and select, and then you can read exactly what they selected. This is the only route to a photo they already have. **Library API.** Only media this server uploaded. Every listing, search and edit is scoped to that. **The failure to avoid:** calling `list_app_media` or `search_library`, getting nothing back, and telling the user their library is empty. It means this server has uploaded nothing. Say that, and offer a picker session. ## Picking, end to end This flow has a human in the middle, which is unusual and easy to get wrong. 1. `start_pick_session`. Returns `picker_uri`. 2. **Give the URL to the user and stop.** Do not poll immediately, do not call `list_picked_media` yet. Nothing has been picked. 3. When they say they are done, `check_pick_session` until `ready` is true. Respect `poll_interval_seconds`; do not poll in a tight loop. 4. `list_picked_media` to see what they chose. Picked items are readable only while the session lives, and their `base_url`