[desktop] Rework game list to use MVP architecture (#4042)

Closes #3480

moves the game list model/worker/private stuff to qt_common for later
use in QML

- `qt_common/game_list/model.{cpp,h}` is the model
- `yuzu/game/game_{grid,tree}.*` are the views
- `yuzu/game/game_list.cpp` is the presenter

This was done very lazily in a manner that "works" while largely
maintaining existing structure as much as possible. Most of it is
copy-paste, with some bonus reworks/cleanups thrown in.

Signed-off-by: crueter <crueter@eden-emu.dev>
Reviewed-on: https://git.eden-emu.dev/eden-emu/eden/pulls/4042
Reviewed-by: MaranBr <maranbr@eden-emu.dev>
Reviewed-by: Lizzie <lizzie@eden-emu.dev>

5 files changed, 1397 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/src/qt_common/game_list/game_list_p.h b/src/qt_common/game_list/game_list_p.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3994887755
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/qt_common/game_list/game_list_p.h
@@ -0,0 +1,399 @@
+// SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright 2026 Eden Emulator Project
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later
+
+// SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2015 Citra Emulator Project
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include <array>
+#include <map>
+#include <string>
+#include <utility>
+
+#include <QCoreApplication>
+#include <QFileInfo>
+#include <QObject>
+#include <QRegularExpression>
+#include <QStandardItem>
+#include <QString>
+
+#include "common/common_types.h"
+#include "common/logging.h"
+#include "common/string_util.h"
+#include "frontend_common/play_time_manager.h"
+#include "qt_common/config/uisettings.h"
+#include "qt_common/qt_common.h"
+
+enum class GameListItemType {
+    Game = QStandardItem::UserType + 1,
+    CustomDir = QStandardItem::UserType + 2,
+    SdmcDir = QStandardItem::UserType + 3,
+    UserNandDir = QStandardItem::UserType + 4,
+    SysNandDir = QStandardItem::UserType + 5,
+    AddDir = QStandardItem::UserType + 6,
+    Favorites = QStandardItem::UserType + 7,
+};
+
+Q_DECLARE_METATYPE(GameListItemType);
+
+/**
+ * Gets the default icon (for games without valid title metadata)
+ * @param size The desired width and height of the default icon.
+ * @return QPixmap default icon
+ */
+static QPixmap GetDefaultIcon(u32 size) {
+    QPixmap icon(size, size);
+    icon.fill(Qt::transparent);
+    return icon;
+}
+
+class GameListItem : public QStandardItem {
+
+public:
+    // used to access type from item index
+    static constexpr int TypeRole = Qt::UserRole + 1;
+    static constexpr int SortRole = Qt::UserRole + 2;
+    GameListItem() = default;
+    explicit GameListItem(const QString& string) : QStandardItem(string) {
+        setData(string, SortRole);
+    }
+};
+
+/**
+ * A specialization of GameListItem for path values.
+ * This class ensures that for every full path value it holds, a correct string representation
+ * of just the filename (with no extension) will be displayed to the user.
+ * If this class receives valid title metadata, it will also display game icons and titles.
+ */
+class GameListItemPath : public GameListItem {
+public:
+    static constexpr int TitleRole = SortRole + 1;
+    static constexpr int FullPathRole = SortRole + 2;
+    static constexpr int ProgramIdRole = SortRole + 3;
+    static constexpr int FileTypeRole = SortRole + 4;
+
+    GameListItemPath() = default;
+    GameListItemPath(const QString& game_path, const std::vector<u8>& picture_data,
+                     const QString& game_name, const QString& game_type, u64 program_id,
+                     u64 play_time, const QString& patch_versions) {
+        setData(type(), TypeRole);
+        setData(game_path, FullPathRole);
+        setData(game_name, TitleRole);
+        setData(qulonglong(program_id), ProgramIdRole);
+        setData(game_type, FileTypeRole);
+
+        const auto readable_play_time =
+            play_time > 0 ? QObject::tr("Play Time: %1")
+                                .arg(QString::fromStdString(
+                                    PlayTime::PlayTimeManager::GetReadablePlayTime(play_time)))
+                          : QObject::tr("Never Played");
+
+        const auto enabled_update = [patch_versions]() -> QString {
+            const QStringList lines = patch_versions.split(QLatin1Char('\n'));
+            const QRegularExpression regex{QStringLiteral(R"(^Update \(([0-9\.]+)\))")};
+            for (const QString& line : std::as_const(lines)) {
+                const auto match = regex.match(line);
+                if (match.hasMatch() && match.hasCaptured(1))
+                    return QObject::tr("Version: %1").arg(match.captured(1));
+            }
+            return QObject::tr("Version: 1.0.0");
+        }();
+
+        const auto tooltip = QStringLiteral("%1\n%2").arg(readable_play_time, enabled_update);
+
+        setData(tooltip, Qt::ToolTipRole);
+
+        const u32 size = UISettings::values.game_icon_size.GetValue();
+
+        QPixmap picture;
+        if (!picture.loadFromData(picture_data.data(), static_cast<u32>(picture_data.size()))) {
+            picture = GetDefaultIcon(size);
+        }
+        picture = picture.scaled(size, size, Qt::IgnoreAspectRatio, Qt::SmoothTransformation);
+
+        setData(picture, Qt::DecorationRole);
+    }
+
+    int type() const override {
+        return static_cast<int>(GameListItemType::Game);
+    }
+
+    QVariant data(int role) const override {
+        if (role == Qt::DisplayRole || role == SortRole) {
+            std::string filename;
+            Common::SplitPath(data(FullPathRole).toString().toStdString(), nullptr, &filename,
+                              nullptr);
+
+            const std::array<QString, 4> row_data{{
+                QString::fromStdString(filename),
+                data(FileTypeRole).toString(),
+                QString::fromStdString(fmt::format("0x{:016X}", data(ProgramIdRole).toULongLong())),
+                data(TitleRole).toString(),
+            }};
+
+            const auto& row1 = row_data.at(UISettings::values.row_1_text_id.GetValue());
+            // don't show row 2 on grid view
+            switch (UISettings::values.game_list_mode.GetValue()) {
+
+            case Settings::GameListMode::TreeView: {
+                const int row2_id = UISettings::values.row_2_text_id.GetValue();
+
+                if (role == SortRole) {
+                    return row1.toLower();
+                }
+
+                // None
+                if (row2_id == 4) {
+                    return row1;
+                }
+
+                const auto& row2 = row_data.at(row2_id);
+
+                if (row1 == row2) {
+                    return row1;
+                }
+
+                return QStringLiteral("%1\n    %2").arg(row1, row2);
+            }
+            case Settings::GameListMode::GridView:
+                return row1;
+            default:
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+
+        return GameListItem::data(role);
+    }
+};
+
+class GameListItemCompat : public GameListItem {
+    Q_DECLARE_TR_FUNCTIONS(GameListItemCompat)
+public:
+    static constexpr int CompatNumberRole = SortRole;
+    GameListItemCompat() = default;
+    explicit GameListItemCompat(const QString& compatibility) {
+        setData(type(), TypeRole);
+
+        struct CompatStatus {
+            QString color;
+            const char* text;
+            const char* tooltip;
+        };
+        // clang-format off
+        const auto ingame_status =
+                       CompatStatus{QStringLiteral("#f2d624"), QT_TR_NOOP("Ingame"),     QT_TR_NOOP("Game starts, but crashes or major glitches prevent it from being completed.")};
+        static const std::map<QString, CompatStatus> status_data = {
+            {QStringLiteral("0"),  {QStringLiteral("#5c93ed"), QT_TR_NOOP("Perfect"),    QT_TR_NOOP("Game can be played without issues.")}},
+            {QStringLiteral("1"),  {QStringLiteral("#47d35c"), QT_TR_NOOP("Playable"),   QT_TR_NOOP("Game functions with minor graphical or audio glitches and is playable from start to finish.")}},
+            {QStringLiteral("2"),  ingame_status},
+            {QStringLiteral("3"),  ingame_status}, // Fallback for the removed "Okay" category
+            {QStringLiteral("4"),  {QStringLiteral("#FF0000"), QT_TR_NOOP("Intro/Menu"), QT_TR_NOOP("Game loads, but is unable to progress past the Start Screen.")}},
+            {QStringLiteral("5"),  {QStringLiteral("#828282"), QT_TR_NOOP("Won't Boot"), QT_TR_NOOP("The game crashes when attempting to startup.")}},
+            {QStringLiteral("99"), {QStringLiteral("#000000"), QT_TR_NOOP("Not Tested"), QT_TR_NOOP("The game has not yet been tested.")}},
+        };
+        // clang-format on
+
+        auto iterator = status_data.find(compatibility);
+        if (iterator == status_data.end()) {
+            LOG_WARNING(Frontend, "Invalid compatibility number {}", compatibility.toStdString());
+            return;
+        }
+        const CompatStatus& status = iterator->second;
+        setData(compatibility, CompatNumberRole);
+        setText(tr(status.text));
+        setToolTip(tr(status.tooltip));
+        setData(QtCommon::CreateCirclePixmapFromColor(status.color), Qt::DecorationRole);
+    }
+
+    int type() const override {
+        return static_cast<int>(GameListItemType::Game);
+    }
+
+    bool operator<(const QStandardItem& other) const override {
+        return data(CompatNumberRole).value<QString>() <
+               other.data(CompatNumberRole).value<QString>();
+    }
+};
+
+/**
+ * A specialization of GameListItem for size values.
+ * This class ensures that for every numerical size value it holds (in bytes), a correct
+ * human-readable string representation will be displayed to the user.
+ */
+class GameListItemSize : public GameListItem {
+public:
+    static constexpr int SizeRole = SortRole;
+
+    GameListItemSize() = default;
+    explicit GameListItemSize(const qulonglong size_bytes) {
+        setData(type(), TypeRole);
+        setData(size_bytes, SizeRole);
+    }
+
+    void setData(const QVariant& value, int role) override {
+        // By specializing setData for SizeRole, we can ensure that the numerical and string
+        // representations of the data are always accurate and in the correct format.
+        if (role == SizeRole) {
+            qulonglong size_bytes = value.toULongLong();
+            GameListItem::setData(QtCommon::ReadableByteSize(size_bytes), Qt::DisplayRole);
+            GameListItem::setData(value, SizeRole);
+        } else {
+            GameListItem::setData(value, role);
+        }
+    }
+
+    int type() const override {
+        return static_cast<int>(GameListItemType::Game);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * This operator is, in practice, only used by the TreeView sorting systems.
+     * Override it so that it will correctly sort by numerical value instead of by string
+     * representation.
+     */
+    bool operator<(const QStandardItem& other) const override {
+        return data(SizeRole).toULongLong() < other.data(SizeRole).toULongLong();
+    }
+};
+
+/**
+ * GameListItem for Play Time values.
+ * This object stores the play time of a game in seconds, and its readable
+ * representation in minutes/hours
+ */
+class GameListItemPlayTime : public GameListItem {
+public:
+    static constexpr int PlayTimeRole = SortRole;
+
+    GameListItemPlayTime() = default;
+    explicit GameListItemPlayTime(const qulonglong time_seconds) {
+        setData(time_seconds, PlayTimeRole);
+    }
+
+    void setData(const QVariant& value, int role) override {
+        qulonglong time_seconds = value.toULongLong();
+        GameListItem::setData(
+            QString::fromStdString(PlayTime::PlayTimeManager::GetReadablePlayTime(time_seconds)),
+            Qt::DisplayRole);
+        GameListItem::setData(value, PlayTimeRole);
+    }
+
+    bool operator<(const QStandardItem& other) const override {
+        return data(PlayTimeRole).toULongLong() < other.data(PlayTimeRole).toULongLong();
+    }
+};
+
+class GameListDir : public GameListItem {
+public:
+    static constexpr int GameDirRole = Qt::UserRole + 2;
+
+    explicit GameListDir(UISettings::GameDir& directory,
+                         GameListItemType dir_type_ = GameListItemType::CustomDir)
+        : dir_type{dir_type_} {
+        setData(type(), TypeRole);
+
+        UISettings::GameDir* game_dir = &directory;
+        setData(QVariant(UISettings::values.game_dirs.indexOf(directory)), GameDirRole);
+
+        const int icon_size = UISettings::values.folder_icon_size.GetValue();
+        switch (dir_type) {
+        case GameListItemType::SdmcDir:
+            setData(
+                QIcon::fromTheme(QStringLiteral("sd_card"))
+                    .pixmap(icon_size)
+                    .scaled(icon_size, icon_size, Qt::IgnoreAspectRatio, Qt::SmoothTransformation),
+                Qt::DecorationRole);
+            setData(QObject::tr("Installed SD Titles"), Qt::DisplayRole);
+            break;
+        case GameListItemType::UserNandDir:
+            setData(
+                QIcon::fromTheme(QStringLiteral("chip"))
+                    .pixmap(icon_size)
+                    .scaled(icon_size, icon_size, Qt::IgnoreAspectRatio, Qt::SmoothTransformation),
+                Qt::DecorationRole);
+            setData(QObject::tr("Installed NAND Titles"), Qt::DisplayRole);
+            break;
+        case GameListItemType::SysNandDir:
+            setData(
+                QIcon::fromTheme(QStringLiteral("chip"))
+                    .pixmap(icon_size)
+                    .scaled(icon_size, icon_size, Qt::IgnoreAspectRatio, Qt::SmoothTransformation),
+                Qt::DecorationRole);
+            setData(QObject::tr("System Titles"), Qt::DisplayRole);
+            break;
+        case GameListItemType::CustomDir: {
+            const QString path = QString::fromStdString(game_dir->path);
+            const QString icon_name =
+                QFileInfo::exists(path) ? QStringLiteral("folder") : QStringLiteral("bad_folder");
+            setData(QIcon::fromTheme(icon_name).pixmap(icon_size).scaled(
+                        icon_size, icon_size, Qt::IgnoreAspectRatio, Qt::SmoothTransformation),
+                    Qt::DecorationRole);
+            setData(path, Qt::DisplayRole);
+            break;
+        }
+        default:
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+
+    int type() const override {
+        return static_cast<int>(dir_type);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Override to prevent automatic sorting between folders and the addDir button.
+     */
+    bool operator<(const QStandardItem& other) const override {
+        return false;
+    }
+
+private:
+    GameListItemType dir_type;
+};
+
+class GameListAddDir : public GameListItem {
+public:
+    explicit GameListAddDir() {
+        setData(type(), TypeRole);
+
+        const int icon_size = UISettings::values.folder_icon_size.GetValue();
+
+        setData(QIcon::fromTheme(QStringLiteral("list-add"))
+                    .pixmap(icon_size)
+                    .scaled(icon_size, icon_size, Qt::IgnoreAspectRatio, Qt::SmoothTransformation),
+                Qt::DecorationRole);
+        setData(QObject::tr("Add New Game Directory"), Qt::DisplayRole);
+    }
+
+    int type() const override {
+        return static_cast<int>(GameListItemType::AddDir);
+    }
+
+    bool operator<(const QStandardItem& other) const override {
+        return false;
+    }
+};
+
+class GameListFavorites : public GameListItem {
+public:
+    explicit GameListFavorites() {
+        setData(type(), TypeRole);
+
+        const int icon_size = UISettings::values.folder_icon_size.GetValue();
+
+        setData(QIcon::fromTheme(QStringLiteral("star"))
+                    .pixmap(icon_size)
+                    .scaled(icon_size, icon_size, Qt::IgnoreAspectRatio, Qt::SmoothTransformation),
+                Qt::DecorationRole);
+        setData(QObject::tr("Favorites"), Qt::DisplayRole);
+    }
+
+    int type() const override {
+        return static_cast<int>(GameListItemType::Favorites);
+    }
+
+    bool operator<(const QStandardItem& other) const override {
+        return false;
+    }
+};
diff --git a/src/qt_common/game_list/model.cpp b/src/qt_common/game_list/model.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2f8deaa0c5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/qt_common/game_list/model.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,303 @@
+// SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright 2026 Eden Emulator Project
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later
+
+#include <QDir>
+#include <QIcon>
+#include <QJsonArray>
+#include <QJsonDocument>
+#include <QJsonObject>
+#include <QThreadPool>
+
+#include "common/logging.h"
+#include "common/settings.h"
+#include "core/core.h"
+#include "core/file_sys/patch_manager.h"
+#include "core/file_sys/registered_cache.h"
+#include "core/hle/service/filesystem/filesystem.h"
+#include "qt_common/config/uisettings.h"
+#include "qt_common/qt_common.h"
+#include "qt_common/util/game.h"
+
+#include "qt_common/game_list/game_list_p.h"
+#include "qt_common/game_list/worker.h"
+#include "qt_common/game_list/model.h"
+
+GameListModel::GameListModel(std::shared_ptr<FileSys::VfsFilesystem> vfs_,
+                             FileSys::ManualContentProvider* provider_,
+                             const PlayTime::PlayTimeManager& play_time_manager_,
+                             Core::System& system_, QObject* parent)
+    : QStandardItemModel{parent}, vfs{std::move(vfs_)}, provider{provider_},
+      play_time_manager{play_time_manager_}, system{system_} {
+    watcher = new QFileSystemWatcher(this);
+    external_watcher = new QFileSystemWatcher(this);
+
+    connect(watcher, &QFileSystemWatcher::directoryChanged, this,
+            &GameListModel::RefreshGameDirectory);
+    connect(external_watcher, &QFileSystemWatcher::directoryChanged, this,
+            &GameListModel::RefreshExternalContent);
+
+    insertColumns(0, COLUMN_COUNT);
+    RetranslateUI();
+
+    setSortRole(GameListItemPath::SortRole);
+}
+
+GameListModel::~GameListModel() = default;
+
+void GameListModel::PopulateAsync(QVector<UISettings::GameDir>& game_dirs) {
+    current_worker.reset();
+    removeRows(0, rowCount());
+
+    current_worker = std::make_unique<GameListWorker>(vfs, provider, game_dirs, compatibility_list,
+                                                      play_time_manager, system);
+
+    connect(current_worker.get(), &GameListWorker::DataAvailable, this, &GameListModel::WorkerEvent,
+            Qt::QueuedConnection);
+
+    QThreadPool::globalInstance()->start(current_worker.get());
+}
+
+void GameListModel::WorkerEvent() {
+    current_worker->ProcessEvents(this);
+}
+
+void GameListModel::AddDirEntry(GameListDir* entry_items) {
+    if (m_flat) {
+        return;
+    }
+    invisibleRootItem()->appendRow(entry_items);
+}
+
+void GameListModel::AddEntry(const QList<QStandardItem*>& entry_items, GameListDir* parent) {
+    if (m_flat) {
+        invisibleRootItem()->appendRow(entry_items);
+    } else {
+        parent->appendRow(entry_items);
+    }
+}
+
+void GameListModel::DonePopulating(const QStringList& watch_list) {
+    emit ShowList(!IsEmpty());
+
+    if (!m_flat) {
+        invisibleRootItem()->appendRow(new GameListAddDir());
+        invisibleRootItem()->insertRow(0, new GameListFavorites());
+
+        for (const auto id : std::as_const(UISettings::values.favorited_ids)) {
+            AddFavorite(id);
+        }
+    }
+
+    emit PopulatingCompleted(watch_list);
+}
+
+bool GameListModel::IsEmpty() const {
+    for (int i = 0; i < rowCount(); i++) {
+        const QStandardItem* child = invisibleRootItem()->child(i);
+        const auto type = static_cast<GameListItemType>(child->type());
+
+        if (!child->hasChildren() &&
+            (type == GameListItemType::SdmcDir || type == GameListItemType::UserNandDir ||
+             type == GameListItemType::SysNandDir)) {
+            invisibleRootItem()->removeRow(child->row());
+            i--;
+        }
+    }
+
+    return !invisibleRootItem()->hasChildren();
+}
+
+void GameListModel::ToggleFavorite(u64 program_id) {
+    if (!UISettings::values.favorited_ids.contains(program_id)) {
+        UISettings::values.favorited_ids.append(program_id);
+        AddFavorite(program_id);
+    } else {
+        UISettings::values.favorited_ids.removeOne(program_id);
+        RemoveFavorite(program_id);
+    }
+    emit SaveConfig();
+}
+
+void GameListModel::AddFavorite(u64 program_id) {
+    auto* favorites_row = item(0);
+
+    for (int i = 1; i < rowCount() - 1; i++) {
+        const auto* folder = item(i);
+        for (int j = 0; j < folder->rowCount(); j++) {
+            if (folder->child(j)->data(GameListItemPath::ProgramIdRole).toULongLong() ==
+                program_id) {
+                QList<QStandardItem*> list;
+                for (int k = 0; k < COLUMN_COUNT; k++) {
+                    list.append(folder->child(j, k)->clone());
+                }
+                list[0]->setData(folder->child(j)->data(GameListItem::SortRole),
+                                 GameListItem::SortRole);
+                list[0]->setText(folder->child(j)->data(Qt::DisplayRole).toString());
+
+                favorites_row->appendRow(list);
+                return;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+void GameListModel::RemoveFavorite(u64 program_id) {
+    auto* favorites_row = item(0);
+
+    for (int i = 0; i < favorites_row->rowCount(); i++) {
+        const auto* game = favorites_row->child(i);
+        if (game->data(GameListItemPath::ProgramIdRole).toULongLong() == program_id) {
+            favorites_row->removeRow(i);
+            return;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+void GameListModel::LoadCompatibilityList() {
+    QFile compat_list{QStringLiteral(":compatibility_list/compatibility_list.json")};
+
+    if (!compat_list.open(QFile::ReadOnly | QFile::Text)) {
+        LOG_ERROR(Frontend, "Unable to open game compatibility list");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if (compat_list.size() == 0) {
+        LOG_WARNING(Frontend, "Game compatibility list is empty");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    const QByteArray content = compat_list.readAll();
+    if (content.isEmpty()) {
+        LOG_ERROR(Frontend, "Unable to completely read game compatibility list");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    const QJsonDocument json = QJsonDocument::fromJson(content);
+    const QJsonArray arr = json.array();
+
+    for (const QJsonValue& value : arr) {
+        const QJsonObject game = value.toObject();
+        const QString compatibility_key = QStringLiteral("compatibility");
+
+        if (!game.contains(compatibility_key) || !game[compatibility_key].isDouble()) {
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        const int compatibility = game[compatibility_key].toInt();
+        const QString directory = game[QStringLiteral("directory")].toString();
+        const QJsonArray ids = game[QStringLiteral("releases")].toArray();
+
+        for (const QJsonValue& id_ref : ids) {
+            const QJsonObject id_object = id_ref.toObject();
+            const QString id = id_object[QStringLiteral("id")].toString();
+
+            compatibility_list.emplace(id.toUpper().toStdString(),
+                                       std::make_pair(QString::number(compatibility), directory));
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+void GameListModel::RefreshGameDirectory() {
+    ResetExternalWatcher();
+
+    if (!UISettings::values.game_dirs.empty() && current_worker != nullptr) {
+        LOG_INFO(Frontend, "Change detected in the games directory. Reloading game list.");
+        QtCommon::system->GetFileSystemController().CreateFactories(*QtCommon::vfs);
+        PopulateAsync(UISettings::values.game_dirs);
+    }
+}
+
+void GameListModel::RefreshExternalContent() {
+    if (!UISettings::values.game_dirs.empty() && current_worker != nullptr) {
+        LOG_INFO(Frontend, "External content directory changed. Clearing metadata cache.");
+        QtCommon::Game::ResetMetadata(false);
+        QtCommon::system->GetFileSystemController().CreateFactories(*QtCommon::vfs);
+        PopulateAsync(UISettings::values.game_dirs);
+    }
+}
+
+void GameListModel::ResetExternalWatcher() {
+    auto watch_dirs = external_watcher->directories();
+    if (!watch_dirs.isEmpty()) {
+        external_watcher->removePaths(watch_dirs);
+    }
+
+    for (const std::string& dir : Settings::values.external_content_dirs) {
+        external_watcher->addPath(QString::fromStdString(dir));
+    }
+}
+
+void GameListModel::OnUpdateThemedIcons() {
+    for (int i = 0; i < invisibleRootItem()->rowCount(); i++) {
+        QStandardItem* child = invisibleRootItem()->child(i);
+
+        const int icon_size = UISettings::values.folder_icon_size.GetValue();
+
+        switch (child->data(GameListItem::TypeRole).value<GameListItemType>()) {
+        case GameListItemType::SdmcDir:
+            child->setData(
+                QIcon::fromTheme(QStringLiteral("sd_card"))
+                    .pixmap(icon_size)
+                    .scaled(icon_size, icon_size, Qt::IgnoreAspectRatio, Qt::SmoothTransformation),
+                Qt::DecorationRole);
+            break;
+        case GameListItemType::UserNandDir:
+        case GameListItemType::SysNandDir:
+            child->setData(
+                QIcon::fromTheme(QStringLiteral("chip"))
+                    .pixmap(icon_size)
+                    .scaled(icon_size, icon_size, Qt::IgnoreAspectRatio, Qt::SmoothTransformation),
+                Qt::DecorationRole);
+            break;
+        case GameListItemType::CustomDir: {
+            const UISettings::GameDir& game_dir =
+                UISettings::values.game_dirs[child->data(GameListDir::GameDirRole).toInt()];
+            const QString icon_name = QFileInfo::exists(QString::fromStdString(game_dir.path))
+                                          ? QStringLiteral("folder")
+                                          : QStringLiteral("bad_folder");
+            child->setData(
+                QIcon::fromTheme(icon_name).pixmap(icon_size).scaled(
+                    icon_size, icon_size, Qt::IgnoreAspectRatio, Qt::SmoothTransformation),
+                Qt::DecorationRole);
+            break;
+        }
+        case GameListItemType::AddDir:
+            child->setData(
+                QIcon::fromTheme(QStringLiteral("list-add"))
+                    .pixmap(icon_size)
+                    .scaled(icon_size, icon_size, Qt::IgnoreAspectRatio, Qt::SmoothTransformation),
+                Qt::DecorationRole);
+            break;
+        case GameListItemType::Favorites:
+            child->setData(
+                QIcon::fromTheme(QStringLiteral("star"))
+                    .pixmap(icon_size)
+                    .scaled(icon_size, icon_size, Qt::IgnoreAspectRatio, Qt::SmoothTransformation),
+                Qt::DecorationRole);
+            break;
+        default:
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+void GameListModel::RetranslateUI() {
+    setHeaderData(COLUMN_NAME, Qt::Horizontal, tr("Name"));
+    setHeaderData(COLUMN_COMPATIBILITY, Qt::Horizontal, tr("Compatibility"));
+    setHeaderData(COLUMN_ADD_ONS, Qt::Horizontal, tr("Add-ons"));
+    setHeaderData(COLUMN_FILE_TYPE, Qt::Horizontal, tr("File type"));
+    setHeaderData(COLUMN_SIZE, Qt::Horizontal, tr("Size"));
+    setHeaderData(COLUMN_PLAY_TIME, Qt::Horizontal, tr("Play time"));
+}
+
+QFileSystemWatcher* GameListModel::GetWatcher() const {
+    return watcher;
+}
+
+const CompatibilityList& GameListModel::GetCompatibilityList() const {
+    return compatibility_list;
+}
+
+void GameListModel::SetFlat(bool flat) {
+    m_flat = flat;
+}
diff --git a/src/qt_common/game_list/model.h b/src/qt_common/game_list/model.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d0a116beb6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/qt_common/game_list/model.h
@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+// SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright 2026 Eden Emulator Project
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include <QFileSystemWatcher>
+#include <QStandardItemModel>
+#include <QStringList>
+#include <QVector>
+#include <memory>
+
+#include "common/common_types.h"
+#include "frontend_common/play_time_manager.h"
+#include "qt_common/config/uisettings.h"
+#include "yuzu/compatibility_list.h"
+
+namespace Core {
+class System;
+}
+
+class GameListDir;
+class GameListWorker;
+class QStandardItem;
+
+namespace FileSys {
+class ManualContentProvider;
+class VfsFilesystem;
+} // namespace FileSys
+
+class GameListModel : public QStandardItemModel {
+    Q_OBJECT
+
+public:
+    enum Column {
+        COLUMN_NAME,
+        COLUMN_FILE_TYPE,
+        COLUMN_SIZE,
+        COLUMN_PLAY_TIME,
+        COLUMN_ADD_ONS,
+        COLUMN_COMPATIBILITY,
+        COLUMN_COUNT,
+    };
+
+    explicit GameListModel(std::shared_ptr<FileSys::VfsFilesystem> vfs_,
+                           FileSys::ManualContentProvider* provider_,
+                           const PlayTime::PlayTimeManager& play_time_manager_,
+                           Core::System& system_, QObject* parent = nullptr);
+    ~GameListModel() override;
+
+    void AddDirEntry(GameListDir* entry_items);
+    void AddEntry(const QList<QStandardItem*>& entry_items, GameListDir* parent);
+    void DonePopulating(const QStringList& watch_list);
+
+    void PopulateAsync(QVector<UISettings::GameDir>& game_dirs);
+    void WorkerEvent();
+
+    bool IsEmpty() const;
+
+    void ToggleFavorite(u64 program_id);
+
+    void RefreshGameDirectory();
+    void RefreshExternalContent();
+    void ResetExternalWatcher();
+
+    void LoadCompatibilityList();
+
+    void OnUpdateThemedIcons();
+    void RetranslateUI();
+
+    QFileSystemWatcher* GetWatcher() const;
+
+    const CompatibilityList& GetCompatibilityList() const;
+
+    void SetFlat(bool flat);
+
+signals:
+    void ShowList(bool show);
+    void PopulatingCompleted(const QStringList& watch_list);
+    void SaveConfig();
+
+private:
+    friend class GameListWorker;
+
+    void AddFavorite(u64 program_id);
+    void RemoveFavorite(u64 program_id);
+
+    bool m_flat = false;
+
+    std::shared_ptr<FileSys::VfsFilesystem> vfs;
+    FileSys::ManualContentProvider* provider;
+    CompatibilityList compatibility_list;
+    const PlayTime::PlayTimeManager& play_time_manager;
+    Core::System& system;
+
+    std::unique_ptr<GameListWorker> current_worker;
+    QFileSystemWatcher* watcher = nullptr;
+    QFileSystemWatcher* external_watcher = nullptr;
+};
diff --git a/src/qt_common/game_list/worker.cpp b/src/qt_common/game_list/worker.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f1499265c6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/qt_common/game_list/worker.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,497 @@
+// SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright 2026 Eden Emulator Project
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later
+
+// SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright 2018 yuzu Emulator Project
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later
+
+#include <filesystem>
+#include <memory>
+#include <string>
+#include <utility>
+#include <vector>
+
+#include <QDir>
+#include <QFile>
+#include <QFileInfo>
+#include <QSettings>
+
+#include "common/fs/fs.h"
+#include "common/fs/path_util.h"
+#include "common/settings.h"
+#include "core/core.h"
+#include "core/file_sys/card_image.h"
+#include "core/file_sys/content_archive.h"
+#include "core/file_sys/control_metadata.h"
+#include "core/file_sys/fs_filesystem.h"
+#include "core/file_sys/nca_metadata.h"
+#include "core/file_sys/patch_manager.h"
+#include "core/file_sys/registered_cache.h"
+#include "core/file_sys/submission_package.h"
+#include "core/loader/loader.h"
+
+#include "qt_common/config/uisettings.h"
+#include "qt_common/qt_common.h"
+
+#include "yuzu/compatibility_list.h"
+#include "qt_common/game_list/game_list_p.h"
+
+#include "qt_common/game_list/worker.h"
+#include "qt_common/game_list/model.h"
+
+namespace {
+
+QString GetGameListCachedObject(const std::string& filename, const std::string& ext,
+                                const std::function<QString()>& generator) {
+    if (!UISettings::values.cache_game_list || filename == "0000000000000000") {
+        return generator();
+    }
+
+    const auto path =
+        Common::FS::PathToUTF8String(Common::FS::GetEdenPath(Common::FS::EdenPath::CacheDir) /
+                                     "game_list" / fmt::format("{}.{}", filename, ext));
+
+    void(Common::FS::CreateParentDirs(path));
+
+    if (!Common::FS::Exists(path)) {
+        const auto str = generator();
+
+        QFile file{QString::fromStdString(path)};
+        if (file.open(QFile::WriteOnly)) {
+            file.write(str.toUtf8());
+        }
+
+        return str;
+    }
+
+    QFile file{QString::fromStdString(path)};
+    if (file.open(QFile::ReadOnly)) {
+        return QString::fromUtf8(file.readAll());
+    }
+
+    return generator();
+}
+
+std::pair<std::vector<u8>, std::string> GetGameListCachedObject(
+    const std::string& filename, const std::string& ext,
+    const std::function<std::pair<std::vector<u8>, std::string>()>& generator) {
+    if (!UISettings::values.cache_game_list || filename == "0000000000000000") {
+        return generator();
+    }
+
+    const auto game_list_dir =
+        Common::FS::GetEdenPath(Common::FS::EdenPath::CacheDir) / "game_list";
+    const auto jpeg_name = fmt::format("{}.jpeg", filename);
+    const auto app_name = fmt::format("{}.appname.txt", filename);
+
+    const auto path1 = Common::FS::PathToUTF8String(game_list_dir / jpeg_name);
+    const auto path2 = Common::FS::PathToUTF8String(game_list_dir / app_name);
+
+    void(Common::FS::CreateParentDirs(path1));
+
+    if (!Common::FS::Exists(path1) || !Common::FS::Exists(path2)) {
+        const auto [icon, nacp] = generator();
+
+        QFile file1{QString::fromStdString(path1)};
+        if (!file1.open(QFile::WriteOnly)) {
+            LOG_ERROR(Frontend, "Failed to open cache file.");
+            return generator();
+        }
+
+        if (!file1.resize(icon.size())) {
+            LOG_ERROR(Frontend, "Failed to resize cache file to necessary size.");
+            return generator();
+        }
+
+        if (file1.write(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(icon.data()), icon.size()) !=
+            s64(icon.size())) {
+            LOG_ERROR(Frontend, "Failed to write data to cache file.");
+            return generator();
+        }
+
+        QFile file2{QString::fromStdString(path2)};
+        if (file2.open(QFile::WriteOnly)) {
+            file2.write(nacp.data(), nacp.size());
+        }
+
+        return std::make_pair(icon, nacp);
+    }
+
+    QFile file1(QString::fromStdString(path1));
+    QFile file2(QString::fromStdString(path2));
+
+    if (!file1.open(QFile::ReadOnly)) {
+        LOG_ERROR(Frontend, "Failed to open cache file for reading.");
+        return generator();
+    }
+
+    if (!file2.open(QFile::ReadOnly)) {
+        LOG_ERROR(Frontend, "Failed to open cache file for reading.");
+        return generator();
+    }
+
+    std::vector<u8> vec(file1.size());
+    if (file1.read(reinterpret_cast<char*>(vec.data()), vec.size()) !=
+        static_cast<s64>(vec.size())) {
+        return generator();
+    }
+
+    const auto data = file2.readAll();
+    return std::make_pair(vec, data.toStdString());
+}
+
+void GetMetadataFromControlNCA(const FileSys::PatchManager& patch_manager, const FileSys::NCA& nca,
+                               std::vector<u8>& icon, std::string& name) {
+    std::tie(icon, name) = GetGameListCachedObject(
+        fmt::format("{:016X}", patch_manager.GetTitleID()), {}, [&patch_manager, &nca] {
+            const auto [nacp, icon_f] = patch_manager.ParseControlNCA(nca);
+            return std::make_pair(icon_f->ReadAllBytes(), nacp->GetApplicationName());
+        });
+}
+
+bool HasSupportedFileExtension(const std::string& file_name) {
+    const QFileInfo file = QFileInfo(QString::fromStdString(file_name));
+    return QtCommon::supported_file_extensions.contains(file.suffix(), Qt::CaseInsensitive);
+}
+
+bool IsExtractedNCAMain(const std::string& file_name) {
+    return QFileInfo(QString::fromStdString(file_name)).fileName() == QStringLiteral("main");
+}
+
+QString FormatGameName(const std::string& physical_name) {
+    const QString physical_name_as_qstring = QString::fromStdString(physical_name);
+    const QFileInfo file_info(physical_name_as_qstring);
+
+    if (IsExtractedNCAMain(physical_name)) {
+        return file_info.dir().path();
+    }
+
+    return physical_name_as_qstring;
+}
+
+QString FormatPatchNameVersions(const FileSys::PatchManager& patch_manager,
+                                Loader::AppLoader& loader, bool updatable = true) {
+    QString out;
+    FileSys::VirtualFile update_raw;
+    loader.ReadUpdateRaw(update_raw);
+    for (const auto& patch : patch_manager.GetPatches(update_raw)) {
+        const bool is_update = patch.name == "Update";
+        if (!updatable && is_update) {
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        const QString type =
+            QString::fromStdString(patch.enabled ? patch.name : "[D] " + patch.name);
+
+        if (patch.version.empty()) {
+            out.append(QStringLiteral("%1\n").arg(type));
+        } else {
+            auto ver = patch.version;
+
+            // Display container name for packed updates
+            if (is_update && ver == "PACKED") {
+                ver = Loader::GetFileTypeString(loader.GetFileType());
+            }
+
+            out.append(QStringLiteral("%1 (%2)\n").arg(type, QString::fromStdString(ver)));
+        }
+    }
+
+    out.chop(1);
+    return out;
+}
+
+QList<QStandardItem*> MakeGameListEntry(const std::string& path, const std::string& name,
+                                        const std::size_t size, const std::vector<u8>& icon,
+                                        Loader::AppLoader& loader, u64 program_id,
+                                        const CompatibilityList& compatibility_list,
+                                        const PlayTime::PlayTimeManager& play_time_manager,
+                                        const FileSys::PatchManager& patch) {
+    auto const it = FindMatchingCompatibilityEntry(compatibility_list, program_id);
+    // The game list uses 99 as compatibility number for untested games
+    QString compatibility =
+        it != compatibility_list.end() ? it->second.first : QStringLiteral("99");
+
+    auto const file_type = loader.GetFileType();
+    auto const file_type_string = QString::fromStdString(Loader::GetFileTypeString(file_type));
+
+    QString patch_versions = GetGameListCachedObject(
+        fmt::format("{:016X}", patch.GetTitleID()), "pv.txt", [&patch, &loader] {
+            return FormatPatchNameVersions(patch, loader, loader.IsRomFSUpdatable());
+        });
+
+    u64 play_time = play_time_manager.GetPlayTime(program_id);
+    return QList<QStandardItem*>{
+        new GameListItemPath(FormatGameName(path), icon, QString::fromStdString(name),
+                             file_type_string, program_id, play_time, patch_versions),
+        new GameListItem(file_type_string),
+        new GameListItemSize(size),
+        new GameListItemPlayTime(play_time),
+        new GameListItem(patch_versions),
+        new GameListItemCompat(compatibility),
+    };
+}
+} // Anonymous namespace
+
+GameListWorker::GameListWorker(FileSys::VirtualFilesystem vfs_,
+                               FileSys::ManualContentProvider* provider_,
+                               QVector<UISettings::GameDir>& game_dirs_,
+                               const CompatibilityList& compatibility_list_,
+                               const PlayTime::PlayTimeManager& play_time_manager_,
+                               Core::System& system_)
+    : vfs{std::move(vfs_)}, provider{provider_}, game_dirs{game_dirs_},
+      compatibility_list{compatibility_list_}, play_time_manager{play_time_manager_},
+      system{system_} {
+    // We want the game list to manage our lifetime.
+    setAutoDelete(false);
+}
+
+GameListWorker::~GameListWorker() {
+    this->disconnect();
+    stop_requested.store(true);
+    processing_completed.Wait();
+}
+
+void GameListWorker::ProcessEvents(GameListModel* model) {
+    while (true) {
+        std::function<void(GameListModel*)> func;
+        {
+            // Lock queue to protect concurrent modification.
+            std::scoped_lock lk(lock);
+
+            // If we can't pop a function, return.
+            if (queued_events.empty()) {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            // Pop a function.
+            func = std::move(queued_events.back());
+            queued_events.pop_back();
+        }
+
+        // Run the function.
+        func(model);
+    }
+}
+
+template <typename F>
+void GameListWorker::RecordEvent(F&& func) {
+    {
+        // Lock queue to protect concurrent modification.
+        std::scoped_lock lk(lock);
+
+        // Add the function into the front of the queue.
+        queued_events.emplace_front(std::move(func));
+    }
+
+    // Data now available.
+    emit DataAvailable();
+}
+
+void GameListWorker::AddTitlesToGameList(GameListDir* parent_dir) {
+    using namespace FileSys;
+
+    const auto& cache = system.GetContentProviderUnion();
+
+    auto installed_games = cache.ListEntriesFilterOrigin(std::nullopt, TitleType::Application,
+                                                         ContentRecordType::Program);
+
+    if (parent_dir->type() == static_cast<int>(GameListItemType::SdmcDir)) {
+        installed_games = cache.ListEntriesFilterOrigin(
+            ContentProviderUnionSlot::SDMC, TitleType::Application, ContentRecordType::Program);
+    } else if (parent_dir->type() == static_cast<int>(GameListItemType::UserNandDir)) {
+        installed_games = cache.ListEntriesFilterOrigin(
+            ContentProviderUnionSlot::UserNAND, TitleType::Application, ContentRecordType::Program);
+    } else if (parent_dir->type() == static_cast<int>(GameListItemType::SysNandDir)) {
+        installed_games = cache.ListEntriesFilterOrigin(
+            ContentProviderUnionSlot::SysNAND, TitleType::Application, ContentRecordType::Program);
+    }
+
+    for (const auto& [slot, game] : installed_games) {
+        if (slot == ContentProviderUnionSlot::FrontendManual) {
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        const auto file = cache.GetEntryUnparsed(game.title_id, game.type);
+        std::unique_ptr<Loader::AppLoader> loader = Loader::GetLoader(system, file);
+        if (!loader) {
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        std::vector<u8> icon;
+        std::string name;
+        u64 program_id = 0;
+        const auto result = loader->ReadProgramId(program_id);
+
+        if (result != Loader::ResultStatus::Success) {
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        const PatchManager patch{program_id, system.GetFileSystemController(),
+                                 system.GetContentProvider()};
+        LOG_INFO(Frontend, "PatchManager initiated for id {:X}", program_id);
+        const auto control = cache.GetEntry(game.title_id, ContentRecordType::Control);
+        if (control != nullptr) {
+            GetMetadataFromControlNCA(patch, *control, icon, name);
+        }
+
+        auto entry = MakeGameListEntry(file->GetFullPath(), name, file->GetSize(), icon, *loader,
+                                       program_id, compatibility_list, play_time_manager, patch);
+        RecordEvent([=](GameListModel* model) { model->AddEntry(entry, parent_dir); });
+    }
+}
+
+void GameListWorker::ScanFileSystem(ScanTarget target, const std::string& dir_path, bool deep_scan,
+                                    GameListDir* parent_dir) {
+    const auto callback = [this, target, parent_dir](const std::filesystem::path& path) -> bool {
+        if (stop_requested) {
+            // Breaks the callback loop.
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        const auto physical_name = Common::FS::PathToUTF8String(path);
+        const auto is_dir = Common::FS::IsDir(path);
+
+        if (!is_dir &&
+            (HasSupportedFileExtension(physical_name) || IsExtractedNCAMain(physical_name))) {
+            const auto file = vfs->OpenFile(physical_name, FileSys::OpenMode::Read);
+            if (!file) {
+                return true;
+            }
+
+            auto loader = Loader::GetLoader(system, file);
+            if (!loader) {
+                return true;
+            }
+
+            const auto file_type = loader->GetFileType();
+            if (file_type == Loader::FileType::Unknown || file_type == Loader::FileType::Error) {
+                return true;
+            }
+
+            if (target == ScanTarget::PopulateGameList &&
+                (file_type == Loader::FileType::XCI || file_type == Loader::FileType::NSP) &&
+                !Loader::IsBootableGameContainer(file, file_type)) {
+                return true;
+            }
+
+            u64 program_id = 0;
+            const auto res2 = loader->ReadProgramId(program_id);
+
+            if (target == ScanTarget::FillManualContentProvider) {
+                if (res2 == Loader::ResultStatus::Success && file_type == Loader::FileType::NCA) {
+                    provider->AddEntry(FileSys::TitleType::Application,
+                                       FileSys::GetCRTypeFromNCAType(FileSys::NCA{file}.GetType()),
+                                       program_id, file);
+                } else if (Settings::values.ext_content_from_game_dirs.GetValue() &&
+                           (file_type == Loader::FileType::XCI ||
+                            file_type == Loader::FileType::NSP)) {
+                    void(provider->AddEntriesFromContainer(file));
+                }
+            } else {
+                std::vector<u64> program_ids;
+                loader->ReadProgramIds(program_ids);
+
+                if (res2 == Loader::ResultStatus::Success && program_ids.size() > 1 &&
+                    (file_type == Loader::FileType::XCI || file_type == Loader::FileType::NSP)) {
+                    for (const auto id : program_ids) {
+                        // dravee suggested this, only viable way to
+                        // not show sub-games in qlaunch for now.
+                        if ((id & 0xFFF) != 0) {
+                            continue;
+                        }
+                        loader = Loader::GetLoader(system, file, id);
+                        if (!loader) {
+                            continue;
+                        }
+
+                        std::vector<u8> icon;
+                        [[maybe_unused]] const auto res1 = loader->ReadIcon(icon);
+
+                        std::string name = " ";
+                        [[maybe_unused]] const auto res3 = loader->ReadTitle(name);
+
+                        const FileSys::PatchManager patch{id, system.GetFileSystemController(),
+                                                          system.GetContentProvider()};
+
+                        auto entry = MakeGameListEntry(
+                            physical_name, name, Common::FS::GetSize(physical_name), icon, *loader,
+                            id, compatibility_list, play_time_manager, patch);
+
+                        RecordEvent(
+                            [=](GameListModel* model) { model->AddEntry(entry, parent_dir); });
+                    }
+                } else {
+                    std::vector<u8> icon;
+                    [[maybe_unused]] const auto res1 = loader->ReadIcon(icon);
+
+                    std::string name = " ";
+                    [[maybe_unused]] const auto res3 = loader->ReadTitle(name);
+
+                    const FileSys::PatchManager patch{program_id, system.GetFileSystemController(),
+                                                      system.GetContentProvider()};
+
+                    auto entry = MakeGameListEntry(
+                        physical_name, name, Common::FS::GetSize(physical_name), icon, *loader,
+                        program_id, compatibility_list, play_time_manager, patch);
+
+                    RecordEvent(
+                        [=](GameListModel* model) { model->AddEntry(entry, parent_dir); });
+                }
+            }
+        } else if (is_dir) {
+            watch_list.append(QString::fromStdString(physical_name));
+        }
+
+        return true;
+    };
+
+    if (deep_scan) {
+        Common::FS::IterateDirEntriesRecursively(dir_path, callback,
+                                                 Common::FS::DirEntryFilter::All);
+    } else {
+        Common::FS::IterateDirEntries(dir_path, callback, Common::FS::DirEntryFilter::File);
+    }
+}
+
+void GameListWorker::run() {
+    watch_list.clear();
+    provider->ClearAllEntries();
+
+    const auto DirEntryReady = [&](GameListDir* game_list_dir) {
+        RecordEvent([=](GameListModel* model) { model->AddDirEntry(game_list_dir); });
+    };
+
+    for (UISettings::GameDir& game_dir : game_dirs) {
+        if (stop_requested) {
+            break;
+        }
+
+        if (game_dir.path == std::string("SDMC")) {
+            auto* const game_list_dir = new GameListDir(game_dir, GameListItemType::SdmcDir);
+            DirEntryReady(game_list_dir);
+            AddTitlesToGameList(game_list_dir);
+        } else if (game_dir.path == std::string("UserNAND")) {
+            auto* const game_list_dir = new GameListDir(game_dir, GameListItemType::UserNandDir);
+            DirEntryReady(game_list_dir);
+            AddTitlesToGameList(game_list_dir);
+        } else if (game_dir.path == std::string("SysNAND")) {
+            auto* const game_list_dir = new GameListDir(game_dir, GameListItemType::SysNandDir);
+            DirEntryReady(game_list_dir);
+            AddTitlesToGameList(game_list_dir);
+        } else {
+            const QString qpath = QString::fromStdString(game_dir.path);
+            if (QDir(qpath).exists()) {
+                watch_list.append(qpath);
+            }
+            auto* const game_list_dir = new GameListDir(game_dir);
+            DirEntryReady(game_list_dir);
+            ScanFileSystem(ScanTarget::FillManualContentProvider, game_dir.path, game_dir.deep_scan,
+                           game_list_dir);
+            ScanFileSystem(ScanTarget::PopulateGameList, game_dir.path, game_dir.deep_scan,
+                           game_list_dir);
+        }
+    }
+
+    RecordEvent([this](GameListModel* model) { model->DonePopulating(watch_list); });
+    processing_completed.Set();
+}
diff --git a/src/qt_common/game_list/worker.h b/src/qt_common/game_list/worker.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c11741c5f5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/qt_common/game_list/worker.h
@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+// SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright 2026 Eden Emulator Project
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later
+
+// SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright 2018 yuzu Emulator Project
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include <atomic>
+#include <deque>
+#include <memory>
+#include <string>
+
+#include <QList>
+#include <QObject>
+#include <QRunnable>
+#include <QString>
+
+#include "common/thread.h"
+#include "core/file_sys/registered_cache.h"
+#include "frontend_common/play_time_manager.h"
+#include "qt_common/config/uisettings.h"
+#include "yuzu/compatibility_list.h"
+
+namespace Core {
+class System;
+}
+
+class GameListDir;
+class GameListModel;
+class QStandardItem;
+
+namespace FileSys {
+class NCA;
+class VfsFilesystem;
+} // namespace FileSys
+
+/**
+ * Asynchronous worker object for populating the game list.
+ * Communicates with other threads through Qt's signal/slot system.
+ */
+class GameListWorker : public QObject, public QRunnable {
+    Q_OBJECT
+
+public:
+    explicit GameListWorker(std::shared_ptr<FileSys::VfsFilesystem> vfs_,
+                            FileSys::ManualContentProvider* provider_,
+                            QVector<UISettings::GameDir>& game_dirs_,
+                            const CompatibilityList& compatibility_list_,
+                            const PlayTime::PlayTimeManager& play_time_manager_,
+                            Core::System& system_);
+    ~GameListWorker() override;
+
+    /// Starts the processing of directory tree information.
+    void run() override;
+
+public:
+    /**
+     * Synchronously processes any events queued by the worker.
+     *
+     * AddDirEntry is called on the model for every discovered directory.
+     * AddEntry is called on the model for every discovered program.
+     * DonePopulating is called on the model when processing completes.
+     */
+    void ProcessEvents(GameListModel* model);
+
+signals:
+    void DataAvailable();
+
+private:
+    template <typename F>
+    void RecordEvent(F&& func);
+
+private:
+    void AddTitlesToGameList(GameListDir* parent_dir);
+
+    enum class ScanTarget {
+        FillManualContentProvider,
+        PopulateGameList,
+    };
+
+    void ScanFileSystem(ScanTarget target, const std::string& dir_path, bool deep_scan,
+                        GameListDir* parent_dir);
+
+    std::shared_ptr<FileSys::VfsFilesystem> vfs;
+    FileSys::ManualContentProvider* provider;
+    QVector<UISettings::GameDir>& game_dirs;
+    const CompatibilityList& compatibility_list;
+    const PlayTime::PlayTimeManager& play_time_manager;
+
+    QStringList watch_list;
+
+    std::mutex lock;
+    std::condition_variable cv;
+    std::deque<std::function<void(GameListModel*)>> queued_events;
+    std::atomic_bool stop_requested = false;
+    Common::Event processing_completed;
+
+    Core::System& system;
+};