diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/api/client.ts b/frontend/src/lib/api/client.ts
index fe38fb7..3fef352 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/api/client.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/api/client.ts
@@ -89,6 +89,43 @@ async function request<T>(path: string, init?: RequestInit): Promise<T> {
 	return res.json();
 }
 
+/** Upload with XHR so we can track progress via onProgress(0–100). */
+export function uploadWithProgress<T>(
+	path: string,
+	formData: FormData,
+	onProgress: (pct: number) => void,
+): Promise<T> {
+	return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
+		const token = get(authStore).accessToken;
+		const xhr = new XMLHttpRequest();
+		xhr.open('POST', BASE + path);
+		if (token) xhr.setRequestHeader('Authorization', `Bearer ${token}`);
+
+		xhr.upload.onprogress = (e) => {
+			if (e.lengthComputable) onProgress(Math.round((e.loaded / e.total) * 100));
+		};
+
+		xhr.onload = () => {
+			if (xhr.status >= 200 && xhr.status < 300) {
+				try {
+					resolve(JSON.parse(xhr.responseText) as T);
+				} catch {
+					resolve(undefined as T);
+				}
+			} else {
+				let body: { code?: string; message?: string } = {};
+				try {
+					body = JSON.parse(xhr.responseText);
+				} catch { /* ignore */ }
+				reject(new ApiError(xhr.status, body.code ?? 'error', body.message ?? xhr.statusText));
+			}
+		};
+
+		xhr.onerror = () => reject(new ApiError(0, 'network_error', 'Network error'));
+		xhr.send(formData);
+	});
+}
+
 export const api = {
 	get: <T>(path: string) => request<T>(path),
 	post: <T>(path: string, body?: unknown) =>
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/file/FileUpload.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/file/FileUpload.svelte
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..578b1b3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/file/FileUpload.svelte
@@ -0,0 +1,351 @@
+<script lang="ts">
+	import { uploadWithProgress, ApiError } from '$lib/api/client';
+	import type { File as ApiFile } from '$lib/api/types';
+	import type { Snippet } from 'svelte';
+
+	interface Props {
+		onUploaded: (file: ApiFile) => void;
+		children: Snippet;
+	}
+
+	let { onUploaded, children }: Props = $props();
+
+	// ---- Upload queue ----
+	type UploadStatus = 'uploading' | 'done' | 'error';
+
+	interface QueueItem {
+		id: string;
+		name: string;
+		progress: number;
+		status: UploadStatus;
+		error?: string;
+	}
+
+	let queue = $state<QueueItem[]>([]);
+	let fileInput = $state<HTMLInputElement | undefined>();
+
+	let allSettled = $derived(queue.length > 0 && queue.every((i) => i.status !== 'uploading'));
+
+	// ---- File input ----
+	export function open() {
+		fileInput?.click();
+	}
+
+	function onInputChange(e: Event) {
+		const files = (e.currentTarget as HTMLInputElement).files;
+		if (files?.length) {
+			void enqueue(Array.from(files));
+			// Reset so the same file can be re-selected
+			(e.currentTarget as HTMLInputElement).value = '';
+		}
+	}
+
+	// ---- Upload logic ----
+	function uid() {
+		return `${Date.now()}-${Math.random().toString(36).slice(2, 9)}`;
+	}
+
+	async function enqueue(files: globalThis.File[]) {
+		const items: QueueItem[] = files.map((f) => ({
+			id: uid(),
+			name: f.name,
+			progress: 0,
+			status: 'uploading',
+		}));
+		queue = [...queue, ...items];
+
+		await Promise.all(
+			files.map((file, i) => uploadOne(file, items[i].id)),
+		);
+	}
+
+	async function uploadOne(file: globalThis.File, itemId: string) {
+		const fd = new FormData();
+		fd.append('file', file);
+
+		try {
+			const result = await uploadWithProgress<ApiFile>(
+				'/files',
+				fd,
+				(pct) => updateItem(itemId, { progress: pct }),
+			);
+			updateItem(itemId, { status: 'done', progress: 100 });
+			onUploaded(result);
+		} catch (e) {
+			const msg =
+				e instanceof ApiError
+					? e.status === 415
+						? `Unsupported file type`
+						: e.message
+					: 'Upload failed';
+			updateItem(itemId, { status: 'error', error: msg });
+		}
+	}
+
+	function updateItem(id: string, patch: Partial<QueueItem>) {
+		queue = queue.map((item) => (item.id === id ? { ...item, ...patch } : item));
+	}
+
+	function clearQueue() {
+		queue = [];
+	}
+
+	// ---- Drag and drop ----
+	let dragCounter = $state(0);
+	let dragOver = $derived(dragCounter > 0);
+
+	function onDragEnter(e: DragEvent) {
+		if (!e.dataTransfer?.types.includes('Files')) return;
+		e.preventDefault();
+		dragCounter++;
+	}
+
+	function onDragLeave() {
+		dragCounter = Math.max(0, dragCounter - 1);
+	}
+
+	function onDragOver(e: DragEvent) {
+		if (!e.dataTransfer?.types.includes('Files')) return;
+		e.preventDefault();
+		e.dataTransfer.dropEffect = 'copy';
+	}
+
+	function onDrop(e: DragEvent) {
+		e.preventDefault();
+		dragCounter = 0;
+		const files = Array.from(e.dataTransfer?.files ?? []);
+		if (files.length) void enqueue(files);
+	}
+</script>
+
+<!-- Hidden file input -->
+<input
+	bind:this={fileInput}
+	type="file"
+	multiple
+	accept="image/*,video/*"
+	style="display:none"
+	onchange={onInputChange}
+/>
+
+<!-- Drop zone wrapper -->
+<!-- svelte-ignore a11y_no_static_element_interactions -->
+<div
+	class="drop-zone"
+	class:drag-over={dragOver}
+	ondragenter={onDragEnter}
+	ondragleave={onDragLeave}
+	ondragover={onDragOver}
+	ondrop={onDrop}
+>
+	{@render children()}
+
+	{#if dragOver}
+		<div class="drop-overlay" aria-hidden="true">
+			<div class="drop-label">
+				<svg width="36" height="36" viewBox="0 0 36 36" fill="none" aria-hidden="true">
+					<path d="M18 4v20M10 14l8-10 8 10" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2.5" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"/>
+					<path d="M6 28h24" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2.5" stroke-linecap="round"/>
+				</svg>
+				Drop files to upload
+			</div>
+		</div>
+	{/if}
+</div>
+
+<!-- Upload progress panel -->
+{#if queue.length > 0}
+	<div class="upload-panel" role="status">
+		<div class="panel-header">
+			<span class="panel-title">
+				{#if allSettled}
+					Uploads complete
+				{:else}
+					Uploading {queue.filter((i) => i.status === 'uploading').length} file(s)…
+				{/if}
+			</span>
+			{#if allSettled}
+				<button class="clear-btn" onclick={clearQueue}>Dismiss</button>
+			{/if}
+		</div>
+
+		<ul class="upload-list">
+			{#each queue as item (item.id)}
+				<li class="upload-item" class:done={item.status === 'done'} class:error={item.status === 'error'}>
+					<span class="item-name" title={item.name}>{item.name}</span>
+					<div class="item-right">
+						{#if item.status === 'uploading'}
+							<div class="progress-track">
+								<div class="progress-fill" style="width: {item.progress}%"></div>
+							</div>
+							<span class="pct">{item.progress}%</span>
+						{:else if item.status === 'done'}
+							<svg class="icon-ok" width="16" height="16" viewBox="0 0 16 16" fill="none" aria-label="Done">
+								<path d="M3 8l4 4 6-6" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"/>
+							</svg>
+						{:else}
+							<span class="err-msg" title={item.error}>{item.error}</span>
+						{/if}
+					</div>
+				</li>
+			{/each}
+		</ul>
+	</div>
+{/if}
+
+<style>
+	/* ---- Drop zone ---- */
+	.drop-zone {
+		position: relative;
+		flex: 1;
+		display: flex;
+		flex-direction: column;
+		min-height: 0;
+	}
+
+	.drop-overlay {
+		position: absolute;
+		inset: 0;
+		z-index: 50;
+		background-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-accent) 18%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7));
+		display: flex;
+		align-items: center;
+		justify-content: center;
+		border: 2px dashed var(--color-accent);
+		border-radius: 4px;
+		pointer-events: none;
+	}
+
+	.drop-label {
+		display: flex;
+		flex-direction: column;
+		align-items: center;
+		gap: 10px;
+		color: #fff;
+		font-size: 1.1rem;
+		font-weight: 600;
+	}
+
+	/* ---- Upload panel ---- */
+	.upload-panel {
+		position: fixed;
+		left: 10px;
+		right: 10px;
+		bottom: 65px;
+		z-index: 110;
+		background-color: var(--color-bg-secondary);
+		border-radius: 10px;
+		box-shadow: 0 0 16px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6);
+		padding: 10px 12px;
+		animation: slide-up 0.18s ease-out;
+		max-height: 50vh;
+		overflow-y: auto;
+	}
+
+	@keyframes slide-up {
+		from { transform: translateY(10px); opacity: 0; }
+		to   { transform: translateY(0);    opacity: 1; }
+	}
+
+	.panel-header {
+		display: flex;
+		align-items: center;
+		justify-content: space-between;
+		margin-bottom: 8px;
+	}
+
+	.panel-title {
+		font-size: 0.85rem;
+		font-weight: 600;
+		color: var(--color-text-muted);
+	}
+
+	.clear-btn {
+		background: none;
+		border: none;
+		color: var(--color-accent);
+		font-size: 0.82rem;
+		font-family: inherit;
+		cursor: pointer;
+		padding: 2px 6px;
+	}
+
+	.clear-btn:hover {
+		text-decoration: underline;
+	}
+
+	.upload-list {
+		list-style: none;
+		margin: 0;
+		padding: 0;
+		display: flex;
+		flex-direction: column;
+		gap: 6px;
+	}
+
+	.upload-item {
+		display: flex;
+		align-items: center;
+		gap: 8px;
+		min-height: 28px;
+	}
+
+	.item-name {
+		flex: 1;
+		font-size: 0.82rem;
+		color: var(--color-text-primary);
+		overflow: hidden;
+		text-overflow: ellipsis;
+		white-space: nowrap;
+	}
+
+	.upload-item.done .item-name {
+		color: var(--color-text-muted);
+	}
+
+	.upload-item.error .item-name {
+		color: var(--color-text-muted);
+	}
+
+	.item-right {
+		display: flex;
+		align-items: center;
+		gap: 6px;
+		flex-shrink: 0;
+	}
+
+	.progress-track {
+		width: 80px;
+		height: 4px;
+		background-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-accent) 20%, var(--color-bg-elevated));
+		border-radius: 2px;
+		overflow: hidden;
+	}
+
+	.progress-fill {
+		height: 100%;
+		background-color: var(--color-accent);
+		border-radius: 2px;
+		transition: width 0.1s linear;
+	}
+
+	.pct {
+		font-size: 0.75rem;
+		color: var(--color-text-muted);
+		min-width: 30px;
+		text-align: right;
+	}
+
+	.icon-ok {
+		color: var(--color-accent);
+	}
+
+	.err-msg {
+		font-size: 0.75rem;
+		color: var(--color-danger);
+		max-width: 140px;
+		overflow: hidden;
+		text-overflow: ellipsis;
+		white-space: nowrap;
+	}
+</style>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/layout/Header.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/layout/Header.svelte
index f5f1126..f076bc0 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/layout/Header.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/layout/Header.svelte
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 		onSortChange: (sort: string) => void;
 		onOrderToggle: () => void;
 		onFilterToggle: () => void;
+		onUpload?: () => void;
 	}
 
 	let {
@@ -20,6 +21,7 @@
 		onSortChange,
 		onOrderToggle,
 		onFilterToggle,
+		onUpload,
 	}: Props = $props();
 </script>
 
@@ -32,6 +34,15 @@
 		{$selectionActive ? 'Cancel' : 'Select'}
 	</button>
 
+	{#if onUpload}
+		<button class="upload-btn icon-btn" onclick={onUpload} title="Upload files">
+			<svg width="16" height="16" viewBox="0 0 16 16" fill="none" aria-hidden="true">
+				<path d="M8 2v9M4 6l4-4 4 4" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.8" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"/>
+				<path d="M2 13h12" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.8" stroke-linecap="round"/>
+			</svg>
+		</button>
+	{/if}
+
 	<div class="controls">
 		<select
 			class="sort-select"
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/files/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/files/+page.svelte
index 07a7883..43f315a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/files/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/files/+page.svelte
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 	import { api } from '$lib/api/client';
 	import { ApiError } from '$lib/api/client';
 	import FileCard from '$lib/components/file/FileCard.svelte';
+	import FileUpload from '$lib/components/file/FileUpload.svelte';
 	import FilterBar from '$lib/components/file/FilterBar.svelte';
 	import Header from '$lib/components/layout/Header.svelte';
 	import SelectionBar from '$lib/components/layout/SelectionBar.svelte';
@@ -13,6 +14,12 @@
 	import { parseDslFilter } from '$lib/utils/dsl';
 	import type { File, FileCursorPage } from '$lib/api/types';
 
+	let uploader = $state<{ open: () => void } | undefined>();
+
+	function handleUploaded(file: File) {
+		files = [file, ...files];
+	}
+
 	const LIMIT = 50;
 
 	const FILE_SORT_OPTIONS = [
@@ -179,6 +186,7 @@
 		onSortChange={(s) => fileSorting.setSort(s as FileSortField)}
 		onOrderToggle={() => fileSorting.toggleOrder()}
 		onFilterToggle={() => (filterOpen = !filterOpen)}
+		onUpload={() => uploader?.open()}
 	/>
 
 	{#if filterOpen}
@@ -189,30 +197,32 @@
 		/>
 	{/if}
 
-	<main>
-		{#if error}
-			<p class="error" role="alert">{error}</p>
-		{/if}
+	<FileUpload bind:this={uploader} onUploaded={handleUploaded}>
+		<main>
+			{#if error}
+				<p class="error" role="alert">{error}</p>
+			{/if}
 
-		<div class="grid">
-			{#each files as file, i (file.id)}
-				<FileCard
-					{file}
-					index={i}
-					selected={$selectionStore.ids.has(file.id ?? '')}
-					selectionMode={$selectionActive}
-					onTap={(e) => handleTap(file, i, e)}
-					onLongPress={(pt) => handleLongPress(file, i, pt)}
-				/>
-			{/each}
-		</div>
+			<div class="grid">
+				{#each files as file, i (file.id)}
+					<FileCard
+						{file}
+						index={i}
+						selected={$selectionStore.ids.has(file.id ?? '')}
+						selectionMode={$selectionActive}
+						onTap={(e) => handleTap(file, i, e)}
+						onLongPress={(pt) => handleLongPress(file, i, pt)}
+					/>
+				{/each}
+			</div>
 
-		<InfiniteScroll {loading} {hasMore} onLoadMore={loadMore} />
+			<InfiniteScroll {loading} {hasMore} onLoadMore={loadMore} />
 
-		{#if !loading && !hasMore && files.length === 0}
-			<div class="empty">No files yet.</div>
-		{/if}
-	</main>
+			{#if !loading && !hasMore && files.length === 0}
+				<div class="empty">No files yet.</div>
+			{/if}
+		</main>
+	</FileUpload>
 </div>
 
 {#if $selectionActive}
diff --git a/frontend/vite-mock-plugin.ts b/frontend/vite-mock-plugin.ts
index abc01e0..56e1acb 100644
--- a/frontend/vite-mock-plugin.ts
+++ b/frontend/vite-mock-plugin.ts
@@ -265,6 +265,38 @@ export function mockApiPlugin(): Plugin {
 					return json(res, 200, getMockFile(id));
 				}
 
+				// POST /files  — upload (mock: drain body, return a new fake file)
+				if (method === 'POST' && path === '/files') {
+					// Drain the multipart body without parsing it
+					await new Promise<void>((resolve) => {
+						req.on('data', () => {});
+						req.on('end', resolve);
+					});
+					const idx = MOCK_FILES.length;
+					const id = `00000000-0000-7000-8000-${String(Date.now()).slice(-12)}`;
+					const ct = req.headers['content-type'] ?? '';
+					// Extract filename from Content-Disposition if present (best-effort)
+					const nameMatch = ct.match(/name="([^"]+)"/);
+					const newFile = {
+						id,
+						original_name: nameMatch ? nameMatch[1] : `upload-${idx + 1}.jpg`,
+						mime_type: 'image/jpeg',
+						mime_extension: 'jpg',
+						content_datetime: new Date().toISOString(),
+						notes: null,
+						metadata: null,
+						exif: {},
+						phash: null,
+						creator_id: 1,
+						creator_name: 'admin',
+						is_public: false,
+						is_deleted: false,
+						created_at: new Date().toISOString(),
+					};
+					MOCK_FILES.unshift(newFile);
+					return json(res, 201, newFile);
+				}
+
 				// GET /files (cursor pagination + anchor support)
 				if (method === 'GET' && path === '/files') {
 					const qs = new URLSearchParams(url.split('?')[1] ?? '');