added RequiredArgsConstructor annotation

Homebox's location fields were flattened into single-purpose keys
(locationName/locationDescription), which gave EmbeddingService no
way to group related fields when rendering vector-store content.
extraData is now Map<String, Map<String, Object>>, letting
HomeboxItemClient express "location" as its own section; buildExtraData
renders each section as a header with indented fields instead of a flat
"Extradata: key: value" line.

CLAUDE.md

@@ -49,13 +49,15 @@ Package-by-feature layout. Server context path is `/api`. Main endpoints:
 - `GET /api/connections/status` — lists connected services for the current session
 - `DELETE /api/connections/{serviceType}` — removes a service from the session; invalidates the session if no connections remain
 - `POST /api/search` — paged search against the requested service; returns 401 if no active session
+- `POST /api/sync` — triggers a vector-store sync for the requested service; returns 401 if no active session. Not yet triggered on login or called from the frontend — manual/internal trigger only for now.
 
-Six packages:
+Eight packages:
 
 **`shared/`** — cross-cutting types used by more than one feature package
 
-- `ServiceType` (enum): identifies each integrated app (e.g. `HOMEBOX`); used in both `connection/` and `search/`
-- `ServiceProvider` (interface): base for `ConnectionProvider` and `SearchProvider`; declares `getServiceType()`
+- `ServiceType` (enum): identifies each integrated app (e.g. `HOMEBOX`); used across `connection/`, `search/`, `sync/`
+- `ServiceProvider` (interface): base for `ConnectionProvider`, `SearchProvider`, `SyncProvider`; declares `getServiceType()`
+- `ServiceItem`: normalized item shape (`id`, `title`, `description`, `extraData`) returned by both search and sync fetches
 - `Endpoint` (enum): API path constants for all external service calls
 - `SessionKeys`: builds session attribute names of the form `{SERVICE_TYPE}_CONNECTION_ID`
 
@@ -67,29 +69,40 @@ Six packages:
 **`connection/`** — connecting to and persisting service credentials
 
 - `ConnectionProvider` interface: extends `ServiceProvider`; each integrated app implements `login()` and credential checking
+- `ConnectionIdentifiable` interface: `appUrl()`/`username()`/`serviceType()`; implemented by `SearchRequest` and `SyncRequest` so `HomeboxItemClient` can resolve the underlying connection regardless of which feature is calling it
 - `ConnectionService`: auto-discovers providers via Spring injection, dispatches login by `ServiceType`
 - `ConnectionController`: stores `{serviceType}_CONNECTION_ID` in `HttpSession` after login; reads session attributes to build status responses
 - Entity (`ConnectionEntity`) uses **Single Table Inheritance** — one `connections` table with app-specific nullable columns
-- `HomeboxConnectionProvider` / `HomeboxEntity`: Homebox-specific implementation
+- `HomeboxConnectionProvider` / `HomeboxConnectionEntity`: Homebox-specific implementation
 
-**`ai/`** — shared AI infrastructure used by multiple features (search, future image analysis)
+**`homebox/`** — shared Homebox API access
 
-- `EmbeddingService`: wraps Spring AI's `EmbeddingModel`; reused by any feature that needs to generate vectors
-- `VectorStoreConfig`: Spring bean configuration for `PgVectorStore` (pgvector-backed `VectorStore`)
-- All classes here are provider-agnostic — the OpenAI starter is pointed at LiteLLM, so the underlying model is configurable without code changes
+- `HomeboxItemClient`: fetches a page of items from the Homebox entities API and maps them to `ServiceItem`; used by both `HomeboxSearchProvider` (keyword search) and `HomeboxSyncProvider` (vector-store sync) so the fetch/mapping logic isn't duplicated
+
+**`vector/`** — vectorization
+
+- `EmbeddingService`: embeds `ServiceItem`s into pgvector's `VectorStore` and prunes entries that no longer exist upstream. Document ID is `{connectionId}:{itemId}`, so re-syncing upserts existing items instead of duplicating them. Deliberately stateless (only field is the injected `VectorStore`) since it's a singleton bean — the per-sync ID accumulator used for pruning is owned by the caller (`HomeboxSyncProvider`), not held as instance state
+- `PgVectorStore` itself is auto-configured by `spring-ai-starter-vector-store-pgvector` from `application.yaml` (`spring.ai.vectorstore.pgvector.dimensions`) — no manual config class in this codebase
 
 **`search/`** — querying connected services (keyword and AI)
 
 - `SearchProvider` interface: extends `ServiceProvider`; each integrated app implements `getSearchResults()`
-- `SearchService`: maintains two provider maps — keyword providers and AI providers; routes based on `SearchRequest.aiSearch` flag
+- `SearchService`: dispatches by `ServiceType` via a single provider map — **does not yet route on `SearchRequest.aiSearch`**; `HomeboxSearchProvider` and `HomeboxAiSearchProvider` both currently register for `ServiceType.HOMEBOX`, so only one wins the registration (known gap, pending AI search work)
 - `SearchController`: guards with session check before delegating to `SearchService`
-- `SearchRequest`: includes `aiSearch: boolean` — when true, routes to AI provider instead of keyword provider
+- `SearchRequest`: includes `aiSearch: boolean` (not yet consumed, see above) and implements `ConnectionIdentifiable`
 - `PagedSearchResponse`: includes nullable `summary` field — populated only for AI search results; null for keyword search
-- `HomeboxSearchProvider`: keyword search via Homebox API; unchanged from original implementation
-- `HomeboxAiSearchProvider`: AI search via pgvector similarity; returns ranked items + generated summary
-- `HomeboxSyncService`: fetches all Homebox items page by page, embeds them via `EmbeddingService`, stores in `VectorStore`; triggered on connection login (background sync)
+- `HomeboxSearchProvider`: keyword search; delegates the remote fetch to `HomeboxItemClient`
+- `HomeboxAiSearchProvider`: **stub only** — `getSearchResults` throws `UnsupportedOperationException`; the actual similarity search + summary generation is pending
 
-**AI search flow:** on login → background sync indexes all Homebox items into pgvector. On AI search → embed query → pgvector similarity search → top N results passed to `ChatClient` for summary generation → return list + summary. Sync is idempotent (delete-then-reindex per connection).
+**`sync/`** — indexing connected services into the vector store
+
+- `SyncProvider` interface: extends `ServiceProvider`; each integrated app implements `syncVectorStore()`
+- `SyncService`: dispatches by `ServiceType` via a provider map, same pattern as `SearchService`
+- `SyncController`: session-gated `POST /sync`; not currently called by the frontend or triggered on login
+- `SyncRequest`: implements `ConnectionIdentifiable`
+- `HomeboxSyncProvider`: pages through the full Homebox catalog via `HomeboxItemClient`, embedding each page through `EmbeddingService.vectorizeData` and collecting every item ID seen along the way. Once the full page loop finishes, calls `EmbeddingService.deleteStaleVectorEntries` **once** with the complete ID set, removing any previously indexed item no longer present upstream. Order matters — pruning per page instead of once at the end would treat items on other pages as stale and delete them too.
+
+**Pending work (not yet implemented):** `HomeboxAiSearchProvider`'s actual similarity search + summary generation; `SearchService` routing two provider maps by `aiSearch`; triggering `/sync` on login or from the frontend; a frontend sync button and AI search UI.
 
 **`exception/`** — `GlobalExceptionHandler` via `@ControllerAdvice`
 
@@ -110,7 +123,7 @@ React 19 + TypeScript + SCSS, Vite 6 build. Package-by-feature under `components
 
 - PostgreSQL + pgvector (semantic search via embeddings); also used as the Spring Session store (JDBC)
 - LiteLLM as a unified AI proxy; Spring AI OpenAI starter wired to it — `OPENAI_BASE_URL` points to LiteLLM, not OpenAI directly, keeping the underlying model provider configurable
-- `spring-ai-starter-vector-store-pgvector` provides `PgVectorStore`; configured in `ai/VectorStoreConfig`
+- `spring-ai-starter-vector-store-pgvector` provides `PgVectorStore`, auto-configured from `application.yaml` (no manual config class)
 - Embedding dimensions must stay consistent with the configured LiteLLM embedding model — changing models requires re-syncing all indexed items
 - Processing pipeline (Phase 2): stage in DB → LLM inference → refine via UI → export to target app
 

backend/build.gradle.kts

@@ -1,83 +1,80 @@
 val wiremockVersion = "3.12.0"
 val postgresqlVersion = "42.7.11"
+val springAiVersion by extra("2.0.0")
 
 plugins {
-	java
-	jacoco
-	id("org.springframework.boot") version "4.1.0"
-	id("io.spring.dependency-management") version "1.1.7"
-	id("org.sonarqube") version "7.3.0.8198"
+    java
+    jacoco
+    id("org.springframework.boot") version "4.1.0"
+    id("io.spring.dependency-management") version "1.1.7"
+    id("org.sonarqube") version "7.3.0.8198"
 }
 
 group = "com.vaessl"
 version = "0.0.1-SNAPSHOT"
 
 java {
-	toolchain {
-		languageVersion = JavaLanguageVersion.of(25)
-	}
+    toolchain {
+        languageVersion = JavaLanguageVersion.of(25)
+    }
 }
 
 sonar {
-  properties {
-    property("sonar.projectKey", "Vaessl")
-    property("sonar.projectName", "Vaessl")
-    property("sonar.coverage.jacoco.xmlReportPaths",
-      "${layout.buildDirectory.get()}/reports/jacoco/test/jacocoTestReport.xml")
-  }
+    properties {
+        property("sonar.projectKey", "Vaessl")
+        property("sonar.projectName", "Vaessl")
+        property("sonar.coverage.jacoco.xmlReportPaths",
+            "${layout.buildDirectory.get()}/reports/jacoco/test/jacocoTestReport.xml")
+    }
 }
 
 configurations {
-	compileOnly {
-		extendsFrom(configurations.annotationProcessor.get())
-	}
+    compileOnly {
+        extendsFrom(configurations.annotationProcessor.get())
+    }
 }
 
 repositories {
-	mavenCentral()
-}
-
-extra["springAiVersion"] = "2.0.0"
-
-
-dependencies {
-	implementation("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-data-jpa")
-	implementation("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-session-jdbc")
-	// implementation("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-security")
-	implementation("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-validation")
-	implementation("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-webmvc")
-	implementation("org.springframework.ai:spring-ai-starter-model-openai")
-	implementation("org.postgresql:postgresql:$postgresqlVersion")
-	implementation("org.springframework.ai:spring-ai-starter-vector-store-pgvector")
-
-	
-	
-	compileOnly("org.projectlombok:lombok")
-	
-	developmentOnly("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-devtools")
-	
-	runtimeOnly("org.postgresql:postgresql")
-	
-	annotationProcessor("org.projectlombok:lombok")
-	
-	testImplementation("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-data-jpa-test")
-	// testImplementation("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-security-test")
-	testImplementation("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-validation-test")
-	testImplementation("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-webmvc-test")
-	testImplementation("org.wiremock:wiremock-standalone:$wiremockVersion")
-	testImplementation("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-session-jdbc-test")
-	
-	testRuntimeOnly("org.junit.platform:junit-platform-launcher")
+    mavenCentral()
 }
 
 dependencyManagement {
-	imports {
-		mavenBom("org.springframework.ai:spring-ai-bom:${property("springAiVersion")}")
-	}
+    imports {
+        mavenBom("org.springframework.ai:spring-ai-bom:$springAiVersion")
+    }
+}
+
+dependencies {
+    // Spring Boot Starters
+    implementation("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-data-jpa")
+    implementation("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-session-jdbc")
+    implementation("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-validation")
+    implementation("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-webmvc")
+
+    // Spring AI Starters (versions managed by spring-ai-bom)
+    implementation("org.springframework.ai:spring-ai-starter-model-openai")
+    implementation("org.springframework.ai:spring-ai-starter-vector-store-pgvector")
+
+    // Database
+    implementation("org.postgresql:postgresql:$postgresqlVersion")
+
+    // Tooling & Code Generation
+    compileOnly("org.projectlombok:lombok")
+    annotationProcessor("org.projectlombok:lombok")
+    developmentOnly("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-devtools")
+
+    // Testing
+    testImplementation("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-data-jpa-test")
+    testImplementation("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-validation-test")
+    testImplementation("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-webmvc-test")
+    testImplementation("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-session-jdbc-test")
+    testImplementation("org.wiremock:wiremock-standalone:$wiremockVersion")
+
+    testRuntimeOnly("org.junit.platform:junit-platform-launcher")
 }
 
 tasks.withType<JavaCompile> {
-	options.compilerArgs.add("-parameters")
+    options.compilerArgs.add("-parameters")
 }
 
 tasks.withType<Test> {
@@ -97,4 +94,4 @@ tasks.jacocoTestReport {
     reports {
         xml.required = true
     }
-}
+}

backend/src/main/java/com/vaessl/app/connection/ConnectionIdentifiable.java

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+package com.vaessl.app.connection;
+
+import com.vaessl.app.shared.ServiceType;
+
+/**
+ * Identifies the connection a request targets. Implemented by request records
+ * (e.g. {@code SearchRequest}, {@code SyncRequest}) so a single {@code HomeboxItemClient} can
+ * resolve the underlying connection regardless of which feature is calling it.
+ */
+public interface ConnectionIdentifiable {
+
+    String appUrl();
+
+    String username();
+
+    ServiceType serviceType();
+}

backend/src/main/java/com/vaessl/app/homebox/HomeboxItemClient.java

@@ -0,0 +1,112 @@
+package com.vaessl.app.homebox;
+
+import java.util.LinkedHashMap;
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Map;
+import org.springframework.data.domain.Page;
+import org.springframework.data.domain.PageImpl;
+import org.springframework.data.domain.Pageable;
+import org.springframework.stereotype.Component;
+import org.springframework.web.client.RestClient;
+import com.vaessl.app.connection.ConnectionEntity;
+import com.vaessl.app.connection.ConnectionIdentifiable;
+import com.vaessl.app.connection.ConnectionRepository;
+import com.vaessl.app.connection.HomeboxConnectionEntity;
+import com.vaessl.app.exception.ConnectionNotFoundException;
+import com.vaessl.app.exception.RemoteApiException;
+import com.vaessl.app.shared.ServiceItem;
+import static com.vaessl.app.shared.Endpoint.HOMEBOX_QUERY_ALL_ITEMS;
+
+/**
+ * Fetches items from the Homebox entities API. Shared by {@code HomeboxSearchProvider} and
+ * {@code HomeboxSyncProvider} so both keyword search and vector-store sync page through the same
+ * remote call and item mapping.
+ */
+@Component
+public class HomeboxItemClient {
+
+    private final RestClient.Builder restClientBuilder;
+
+    private final ConnectionRepository cRepository;
+
+
+    public HomeboxItemClient(RestClient.Builder restClienBuilder,
+            ConnectionRepository cRepository) {
+        this.restClientBuilder = restClienBuilder;
+        this.cRepository = cRepository;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Fetches one page of items from Homebox for the given connection.
+     *
+     * @param connection identifies which stored connection (app URL, username) to query
+     * @param query optional keyword filter; {@code null} returns all items for the page
+     * @param pageable page number and size to request
+     * @return the mapped page of items along with the resolved connection ID
+     * @throws com.vaessl.app.exception.ConnectionNotFoundException if no matching connection is
+     *         stored
+     * @throws com.vaessl.app.exception.RemoteApiException if Homebox returns an empty response body
+     */
+    public HomeboxItemPage hbResponse(ConnectionIdentifiable connection, String query,
+            Pageable pageable) {
+        ConnectionEntity entity =
+                cRepository.findByAppUrlAndUsername(connection.appUrl(), connection.username());
+
+        if (!(entity instanceof HomeboxConnectionEntity hbEntity)) {
+            throw new ConnectionNotFoundException();
+        }
+
+        HomeboxItemsResponse response = restClientBuilder.baseUrl(connection.appUrl()).build().get()
+                .uri(u -> u.path(HOMEBOX_QUERY_ALL_ITEMS.getValue()).queryParam("q", query)
+                        .queryParam("page", pageable.getPageNumber() + 1)
+                        .queryParam("pageSize", pageable.getPageSize()).build())
+                .headers(h -> h.setBearerAuth(hbEntity.getToken())).retrieve()
+                .body(HomeboxItemsResponse.class);
+
+        if (response == null) {
+            throw new RemoteApiException(connection.appUrl(), HOMEBOX_QUERY_ALL_ITEMS.getValue());
+        }
+
+        List<ServiceItem> items = response.items().stream().map(i -> {
+            String id = i.id();
+            String title = i.name();
+            String description = i.description();
+
+            HomeboxParent parent = i.parent();
+            Map<String, Map<String, Object>> extraData = new LinkedHashMap<>();
+            Map<String, Object> locationData = new LinkedHashMap<>();
+
+            if (parent.name() != null && !parent.name().isBlank()) {
+                locationData.put("name", parent.name());
+            }
+            if (parent.description() != null && !parent.description().isBlank()) {
+                locationData.put("description", parent.description());
+            }
+
+            if (locationData != null && !locationData.isEmpty()) {
+                extraData.put("location", locationData);
+            }
+
+            return new ServiceItem(id, title, description, extraData);
+        }).toList();
+
+        return new HomeboxItemPage(new PageImpl<>(items, pageable, response.total()),
+                hbEntity.getId());
+
+    }
+
+    public record HomeboxItemPage(Page<ServiceItem> page, Long connectionId) {
+    }
+
+    private record HomeboxItemsResponse(int page, int pageSize, int total,
+            List<HomeboxItem> items) {
+    }
+
+    private record HomeboxItem(String id, String name, String description, HomeboxParent parent) {
+    }
+
+    private record HomeboxParent(String name, String description) {
+    }
+
+
+}

backend/src/main/java/com/vaessl/app/search/HomeboxSearchProvider.java

@@ -1,36 +1,19 @@
 package com.vaessl.app.search;
 
-import java.util.List;
-import java.util.Map;
-
 import org.springframework.data.domain.Page;
-import org.springframework.data.domain.PageImpl;
 import org.springframework.data.domain.Pageable;
 import org.springframework.stereotype.Component;
-import org.springframework.web.client.RestClient;
 
-import com.vaessl.app.connection.ConnectionEntity;
-import com.vaessl.app.connection.ConnectionRepository;
-import com.vaessl.app.connection.HomeboxConnectionEntity;
-import com.vaessl.app.exception.ConnectionNotFoundException;
-import com.vaessl.app.exception.RemoteApiException;
+import com.vaessl.app.homebox.HomeboxItemClient;
 import com.vaessl.app.shared.ServiceItem;
 import com.vaessl.app.shared.ServiceType;
-
-import static com.vaessl.app.shared.Endpoint.*;
+import lombok.RequiredArgsConstructor;
 
 @Component
+@RequiredArgsConstructor
 public class HomeboxSearchProvider implements SearchProvider {
 
-    private final RestClient.Builder restClientBuilder;
-
-    private final ConnectionRepository cRepository;
-
-    public HomeboxSearchProvider(RestClient.Builder restClientBuilder,
-            ConnectionRepository cRepository) {
-        this.restClientBuilder = restClientBuilder;
-        this.cRepository = cRepository;
-    }
+    private final HomeboxItemClient client;
 
     @Override
     public ServiceType getServiceType() {
@@ -39,45 +22,6 @@ public class HomeboxSearchProvider implements SearchProvider {
 
     @Override
     public Page<ServiceItem> getSearchResults(SearchRequest request, Pageable pageable) {
-
-        ConnectionEntity entity =
-                cRepository.findByAppUrlAndUsername(request.appUrl(), request.username());
-
-        if (!(entity instanceof HomeboxConnectionEntity hbEntity)) {
-            throw new ConnectionNotFoundException();
-        }
-
-        HomeboxSearchResponse hbResponse = restClientBuilder.baseUrl(request.appUrl()).build().get()
-                .uri(u -> u.path(HOMEBOX_QUERY_ALL_ITEMS.getValue())
-                        .queryParam("q", request.query())
-                        .queryParam("page", pageable.getPageNumber() + 1)
-                        .queryParam("pageSize", pageable.getPageSize()).build())
-                .headers(h -> h.setBearerAuth(hbEntity.getToken())).retrieve()
-                .body(HomeboxSearchResponse.class);
-
-        if (hbResponse == null) {
-            throw new RemoteApiException(request.appUrl(), HOMEBOX_QUERY_ALL_ITEMS.getValue());
-        }
-
-        List<ServiceItem> items = hbResponse.items().stream().map(i -> {
-            String id = i.id();
-            String title = i.name();
-            String description = i.description();
-            Map<String, Object> extraSearchResponseData = Map.of("parent", i.parent());
-            return new ServiceItem(id, title, description, extraSearchResponseData);
-        }).toList();
-
-        return new PageImpl<>(items, pageable, hbResponse.total());
-    }
-
-    private record HomeboxSearchResponse(int page, int pageSize, int total,
-            List<HomeboxItem> items) {
-    }
-
-    private record HomeboxItem(String id, String name, String description,
-            HomeboxExtraData parent) {
-    }
-
-    private record HomeboxExtraData(String name, String description) {
+        return client.hbResponse(request, request.query(), pageable).page();
     }
 }

backend/src/main/java/com/vaessl/app/search/SearchRequest.java

@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 package com.vaessl.app.search;
 
+import com.vaessl.app.connection.ConnectionIdentifiable;
 import com.vaessl.app.shared.ServiceType;
 import jakarta.validation.constraints.NotBlank;
 import jakarta.validation.constraints.NotNull;
 
 public record SearchRequest(@NotBlank String appUrl, @NotBlank String username, String query,
-        @NotNull ServiceType serviceType, boolean aiSearch) {
+        @NotNull ServiceType serviceType, boolean aiSearch) implements ConnectionIdentifiable {
 }

backend/src/main/java/com/vaessl/app/shared/Endpoint.java

@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@ package com.vaessl.app.shared;
 
 public enum Endpoint {
     HOMEBOX_LOGIN("/api/v1/users/login"), LOGIN("/login"), CONNECTION_STATUS(
-            "/connections/status"), HOMEBOX_QUERY_ALL_ITEMS("/api/v1/entities"), SEARCH("/search");
+            "/connections/status"), HOMEBOX_QUERY_ALL_ITEMS(
+                    "/api/v1/entities"), SEARCH("/search"), SYNC("/sync");
 
     private final String value;
 

backend/src/main/java/com/vaessl/app/shared/ServiceItem.java

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import java.util.Map;
 import jakarta.validation.constraints.NotNull;
 
 public record ServiceItem(String id, @NotNull String title, String description,
-        Map<String, Object> extraData) {
+        Map<String, Map<String, Object>> extraData) {
 
     public String getExtra(String key) {
         if (extraData == null) {

backend/src/main/java/com/vaessl/app/sync/HomeboxSyncProvider.java

@@ -1,27 +1,57 @@
 package com.vaessl.app.sync;
 
-import org.springframework.stereotype.Service;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.List;
+import org.springframework.data.domain.Page;
+import org.springframework.data.domain.PageRequest;
+import org.springframework.data.domain.Pageable;
+import org.springframework.stereotype.Component;
+import com.vaessl.app.homebox.HomeboxItemClient;
+import com.vaessl.app.homebox.HomeboxItemClient.HomeboxItemPage;
+import com.vaessl.app.shared.ServiceItem;
 import com.vaessl.app.shared.ServiceType;
 import com.vaessl.app.vector.EmbeddingService;
+import lombok.RequiredArgsConstructor;
 
-@Service
+/**
+ * Pages through the full Homebox catalog and re-indexes it into the vector store. Item IDs are
+ * collected across all pages before {@link EmbeddingService#deleteStaleVectorEntries} is called
+ * once at the end, rather than after each page: deleting per page would treat every item outside
+ * the current page as stale, wiping out entries from pages already synced.
+ */
+@Component
+@RequiredArgsConstructor
 public class HomeboxSyncProvider implements SyncProvider {
 
     private final EmbeddingService embeddingService;
 
-    public HomeboxSyncProvider(EmbeddingService embeddingService) {
-        this.embeddingService = embeddingService;
-    }
-    
+    private final HomeboxItemClient client;
+
     @Override
     public ServiceType getServiceType() {
         return ServiceType.HOMEBOX;
     }
 
     @Override
-    public void syncVectorStore() {
-        // TODO Auto-generated method stub
-        throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Unimplemented method 'syncVectorStore'");
-    }
+    public void syncVectorStore(SyncRequest request) {
 
+        int batchSize = 100;
+        int page = 0;
+        Page<ServiceItem> current;
+        Long connectionId = null;
+        List<String> currentItemIds = new ArrayList<>();
+        do {
+            Pageable pageable = PageRequest.of(page, batchSize);
+            HomeboxItemPage result = client.hbResponse(request, null, pageable);
+            current = result.page();
+            if (connectionId == null) {
+                connectionId = result.connectionId();
+            }
+            embeddingService.vectorizeData(current.getContent(), request.serviceType(),
+                    result.connectionId(), currentItemIds);
+            page++;
+        } while (page < current.getTotalPages());
+
+        embeddingService.deleteStaleVectorEntries(connectionId, currentItemIds);
+    }
 }

backend/src/main/java/com/vaessl/app/sync/SyncController.java

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+package com.vaessl.app.sync;
+
+import org.springframework.http.HttpStatus;
+import org.springframework.http.ResponseEntity;
+import org.springframework.web.bind.annotation.PostMapping;
+import org.springframework.web.bind.annotation.RequestBody;
+import org.springframework.web.bind.annotation.RestController;
+import com.vaessl.app.shared.SessionKeys;
+import jakarta.servlet.http.HttpServletRequest;
+import jakarta.servlet.http.HttpSession;
+import jakarta.validation.Valid;
+
+@RestController
+public class SyncController {
+
+    private final SyncService syncService;
+
+    public SyncController(SyncService syncService) {
+        this.syncService = syncService;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Triggers a vector-store sync for the requested service. Returns {@code 401 Unauthorized}
+     * if there is no active session.
+     */
+    @PostMapping("/sync")
+    public ResponseEntity<Object> syncVectorStore(@Valid @RequestBody SyncRequest request,
+            HttpServletRequest httpReq) {
+
+        HttpSession session = httpReq.getSession(false);
+
+        if (session == null
+                || session.getAttribute(SessionKeys.connectionId(request.serviceType())) == null) {
+            return ResponseEntity.status(HttpStatus.UNAUTHORIZED).build();
+        }
+        syncService.syncServiceVectorStore(request);
+
+        return ResponseEntity.noContent().build();
+    }
+}

backend/src/main/java/com/vaessl/app/sync/SyncProvider.java

@@ -2,6 +2,16 @@ package com.vaessl.app.sync;
 
 import com.vaessl.app.shared.ServiceProvider;
 
-public interface SyncProvider extends ServiceProvider{
-    public void syncVectorStore();
+/**
+ * Implemented by any service that supports indexing its items into the vector store.
+ */
+public interface SyncProvider extends ServiceProvider {
+
+    /**
+     * Fetches all items from the remote service and indexes them into the vector store,
+     * removing any previously indexed items that no longer exist upstream.
+     *
+     * @param request the sync request containing the app URL and user credentials
+     */
+    public void syncVectorStore(SyncRequest request);
 }

backend/src/main/java/com/vaessl/app/sync/SyncRequest.java

@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+package com.vaessl.app.sync;
+
+import com.vaessl.app.connection.ConnectionIdentifiable;
+import com.vaessl.app.shared.ServiceType;
+import jakarta.validation.constraints.NotBlank;
+import jakarta.validation.constraints.NotNull;
+
+public record SyncRequest(@NotBlank String appUrl, @NotBlank String username,
+                @NotNull ServiceType serviceType) implements ConnectionIdentifiable {
+}

backend/src/main/java/com/vaessl/app/sync/SyncService.java

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+package com.vaessl.app.sync;
+
+import java.util.EnumMap;
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Map;
+import org.springframework.stereotype.Service;
+import com.vaessl.app.exception.WrongServiceTypeException;
+import com.vaessl.app.shared.ServiceType;
+
+@Service
+public class SyncService {
+
+    private final Map<ServiceType, SyncProvider> providerRegistry;
+
+    public SyncService(List<SyncProvider> providers) {
+        Map<ServiceType, SyncProvider> registry = new EnumMap<>(ServiceType.class);
+        for (SyncProvider provider : providers) {
+            registry.put(provider.getServiceType(), provider);
+        }
+        this.providerRegistry = registry;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Dispatches the vector-store sync request to the provider registered for
+     * {@link SyncRequest#serviceType()}.
+     *
+     * @param request the sync request
+     * @throws WrongServiceTypeException if no provider is registered for the given service type
+     */
+    public void syncServiceVectorStore(SyncRequest request) {
+
+        SyncProvider provider = providerRegistry.get(request.serviceType());
+
+        if (provider == null) {
+            throw new WrongServiceTypeException();
+        }
+
+        provider.syncVectorStore(request);
+    }
+}

backend/src/main/java/com/vaessl/app/vector/EmbeddingService.java

@@ -4,80 +4,116 @@ import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.HashMap;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.Map.Entry;
 import org.springframework.ai.document.Document;
 import org.springframework.ai.vectorstore.VectorStore;
+import org.springframework.ai.vectorstore.filter.FilterExpressionBuilder;
 import org.springframework.stereotype.Service;
 import com.vaessl.app.shared.ServiceItem;
 import com.vaessl.app.shared.ServiceType;
+import lombok.RequiredArgsConstructor;
 
+/**
+ * Embeds {@link ServiceItem}s into the shared vector store and prunes entries that no longer exist
+ * upstream. Kept stateless (no instance fields besides {@code vectorStore}) since this is a
+ * singleton bean shared across concurrent sync runs; callers own the per-sync ID accumulator.
+ */
 @Service
+@RequiredArgsConstructor
 public class EmbeddingService {
 
-    private static final float THRESHOLD = 0.7f;
-    private static final int LIMIT = 2;
     private final VectorStore vectorStore;
 
-    public EmbeddingService(VectorStore vectorStore) {
-        this.vectorStore = vectorStore;
-    }
-
-    public void vectorizeData(List<ServiceItem> items, ServiceType serviceType, Long connectionId) {
+    /**
+     * Embeds and upserts {@code items} into the vector store, appending each item's ID to
+     * {@code currentItemIds} so the caller can later prune stale entries via
+     * {@link #deleteStaleVectorEntries}. Safe to call repeatedly (e.g. once per page) against the
+     * same accumulator across a single sync run.
+     *
+     * @param items the items to embed for this batch
+     * @param serviceType the originating service, stored in each document's metadata
+     * @param connectionId the connection these items belong to
+     * @param currentItemIds accumulator collecting every item ID seen so far in this sync run
+     */
+    public void vectorizeData(List<ServiceItem> items, ServiceType serviceType, Long connectionId,
+            List<String> currentItemIds) {
         List<Document> documents = new ArrayList<>();
+
         for (ServiceItem item : items) {
             documents.add(toDocument(item, serviceType, connectionId));
+            currentItemIds.add(item.id());
         }
         vectorStore.add(documents);
     }
 
     private Document toDocument(ServiceItem item, ServiceType serviceType, Long connectionId) {
         String extraData = buildExtraData(item.extraData());
-        Map<String, Object> metadata = buildMetadata(item, serviceType, connectionId, extraData);
+        Map<String, Object> metadata = buildMetadata(item, serviceType, connectionId);
         String content = buildContent(item, extraData);
         return new Document(connectionId + ":" + item.id(), content, metadata);
     }
 
-    private String buildExtraData(Map<String, Object> extraData) {
+    private String buildExtraData(Map<String, Map<String, Object>> extraData) {
         if (extraData == null) {
             return "";
         }
-        StringBuilder data = new StringBuilder();
-        for (Map.Entry<String, Object> entry : extraData.entrySet()) {
+
+        StringBuilder formattedData = new StringBuilder();
+
+        for (Entry<String, Map<String, Object>> entry : extraData.entrySet()) {
+            StringBuilder data = new StringBuilder();
             if (entry.getValue() == null || entry.getValue().toString().isEmpty()) {
                 continue;
             }
-            if (!data.isEmpty()) {
-                data.append(" \n");
+
+            if (entry.getValue().entrySet() != null
+                    && !entry.getValue().entrySet().toString().isEmpty()) {
+                for (Entry<String, Object> nestedEntry : entry.getValue().entrySet()) {
+                    data.append("   ").append(nestedEntry.getKey()).append(": ")
+                            .append(nestedEntry.getValue()).append("\n");
+                }
             }
-            data.append(entry.getKey()).append(": ").append(entry.getValue());
+
+            formattedData.append(entry.getKey()).append(": ").append("\n").append(data.toString());
         }
-        return data.toString();
+        return formattedData.toString();
     }
 
     private Map<String, Object> buildMetadata(ServiceItem item, ServiceType serviceType,
-            Long connectionId, String extraData) {
+            Long connectionId) {
         Map<String, Object> metadata = new HashMap<>();
         metadata.put("connectionId", connectionId);
         metadata.put("serviceType", serviceType.name());
         metadata.put("itemId", item.id());
-        metadata.put("title", item.title());
-        if (item.description() != null && !item.description().isEmpty()) {
-            metadata.put("description", item.description());
-        }
-        if (!extraData.isEmpty()) {
-            metadata.put("extraData", extraData);
-        }
         return metadata;
     }
 
     private String buildContent(ServiceItem item, String extraData) {
-        StringBuilder content = new StringBuilder("Title: ").append(item.title());
+        StringBuilder content = new StringBuilder("title: ").append(item.title());
         if (item.description() != null && !item.description().isEmpty()) {
-            content.append("\n Description: ").append(item.description());
+            content.append("\ndescription: ").append(item.description());
         }
         if (!extraData.isEmpty()) {
-            content.append("\n Extradata: ").append(extraData);
+
+            content.append("\n").append(extraData);
         }
         return content.toString();
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Deletes every vector for {@code connectionId} whose item ID is not in {@code currentItemIds},
+     * then clears the accumulator. Must be called once, after every page for this sync run has gone
+     * through {@link #vectorizeData}, not per page — otherwise items from pages other than the most
+     * recent one would look stale and get deleted too.
+     *
+     * @param connectionId the connection to prune stale vectors for
+     * @param currentItemIds every item ID seen across the full sync run; cleared after this call
+     */
+    public void deleteStaleVectorEntries(Long connectionId, List<String> currentItemIds) {
+        FilterExpressionBuilder b = new FilterExpressionBuilder();
+        vectorStore.delete(b.and(b.eq("connectionId", connectionId),
+                b.nin("itemId", new ArrayList<>(currentItemIds))).build());
+
+        currentItemIds.clear();
+    }
 }

backend/src/test/java/com/vaessl/app/Mockdata.java

@@ -13,4 +13,43 @@ public final class Mockdata {
     public static final String MOCK_ID = "item-1";
     public static final String MOCK_TITLE = "title";
     public static final String MOCK_DESCRIPTION = "desc";
+    public static final String VALID_HOMEBOX_LOGIN_RESPONSE = """
+            {
+                "token": "fake-bearer-token",
+                "attachmentToken": "fake-attach-token",
+                "expiresAt": "2099-01-01T00:00:00Z"
+            }
+            """;
+    public static final String VALID_HOMEBOX_ALL_ITEMS_QUERY_RESPONSE = """
+            {
+                "page": -1,
+                "pageSize": -1,
+                "total": 1,
+                "items": [
+                    {
+                        "id": "c643e7f9-93d0-4b5f-ae4d-e1c2d90389e0",
+                        "assetId": "000-001",
+                        "name": "MacBook Pro A1398",
+                        "description": "Running Linux (Fedora)",
+                        "quantity": 1,
+                        "insured": false,
+                        "archived": false,
+                        "createdAt": "2026-05-13T19:52:20.016176Z",
+                        "updatedAt": "2026-05-14T12:39:11.836403Z",
+                        "purchasePrice": 0,
+                        "parent": {
+                            "id": "b6f60ab8-3a2a-4a8d-a4bf-897d0555f636",
+                            "name": "Server Schrank Ikea weiß",
+                            "description": "Weißer Ikea Schrank, wo sich der Server befindet.",
+                            "createdAt": "2026-05-13T19:55:55.817576Z",
+                            "updatedAt": "2026-05-14T12:37:24.396651Z"
+                        },
+                        "tags": [],
+                        "imageId": "cb3e44d5-ccd4-421e-9f5a-f52cd5f40ca6",
+                        "thumbnailId": "2bfd53fa-1bf1-483c-8d76-7720464532fa",
+                        "soldTime": "0001-01-01T00:00:00Z"
+                    }
+                ]
+            }
+            """;
 }

backend/src/test/java/com/vaessl/app/search/HomeboxSearchProviderTest.java

@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ import org.mockito.Mock;
 import org.mockito.junit.jupiter.MockitoExtension;
 import org.springframework.data.domain.PageRequest;
 import org.springframework.data.domain.Pageable;
-import com.vaessl.app.connection.ConnectionRepository;
 import com.vaessl.app.exception.ConnectionNotFoundException;
+import com.vaessl.app.homebox.HomeboxItemClient;
 import static com.vaessl.app.shared.ServiceType.HOMEBOX;
 
 
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ import static com.vaessl.app.shared.ServiceType.HOMEBOX;
 class HomeboxSearchProviderTest {
 
     @Mock
-    private ConnectionRepository mockRepo;
+    private HomeboxItemClient client;
 
     @InjectMocks
     private HomeboxSearchProvider provider;
@@ -27,11 +27,11 @@ class HomeboxSearchProviderTest {
     @Test
     void shouldReturnConnectionNotFoundException() {
 
-        when(mockRepo.findByAppUrlAndUsername(MOCK_URL, MOCK_USER)).thenReturn(null);
-
-        SearchRequest request =
-                new SearchRequest(MOCK_URL, MOCK_USER, "test query", HOMEBOX, false);
         Pageable pageable = PageRequest.of(0, 10);
+        SearchRequest request = new SearchRequest(MOCK_URL, MOCK_USER, "", HOMEBOX, false);
+
+        when(client.hbResponse(request, "", pageable)).thenThrow(new ConnectionNotFoundException());
+
         assertThrows(ConnectionNotFoundException.class,
                 () -> provider.getSearchResults(request, pageable));
     }

backend/src/test/java/com/vaessl/app/search/SearchControllerTest.java

@@ -2,7 +2,14 @@ package com.vaessl.app.search;
 
 import static com.vaessl.app.Mockdata.MOCK_PASS;
 import static com.vaessl.app.Mockdata.MOCK_USER;
-import static com.vaessl.app.shared.Endpoint.*;
+import static com.vaessl.app.Mockdata.VALID_HOMEBOX_ALL_ITEMS_QUERY_RESPONSE;
+import static com.vaessl.app.Mockdata.VALID_HOMEBOX_LOGIN_RESPONSE;
+
+import static com.vaessl.app.shared.Endpoint.LOGIN;
+import static com.vaessl.app.shared.Endpoint.SEARCH;
+import static com.vaessl.app.shared.Endpoint.HOMEBOX_QUERY_ALL_ITEMS;
+import static com.vaessl.app.shared.Endpoint.HOMEBOX_LOGIN;
+
 import static org.springframework.test.web.servlet.request.MockMvcRequestBuilders.*;
 import static org.springframework.test.web.servlet.result.MockMvcResultMatchers.*;
 
@@ -18,6 +25,11 @@ import com.github.tomakehurst.wiremock.junit5.WireMockRuntimeInfo;
 import com.github.tomakehurst.wiremock.junit5.WireMockTest;
 import jakarta.servlet.http.Cookie;
 
+/**
+ * Integration tests for {@code POST /api/search}, verifying the session-gated contract and request
+ * validation against a mocked Homebox backend (via WireMock) and a real Spring MVC dispatch chain
+ * (via {@link MockMvc}).
+ */
 @SpringBootTest
 @AutoConfigureMockMvc
 @WireMockTest
@@ -32,47 +44,14 @@ class SearchControllerTest {
 
     private static final String SEARCH_REQUEST = SEARCH.getValue();
 
-    private static final String VALID_HOMEBOX_LOGIN_RESPONSE = """
-            {
-                "token": "fake-bearer-token",
-                "attachmentToken": "fake-attach-token",
-                "expiresAt": "2099-01-01T00:00:00Z"
-            }
-            """;
-
-    private static final String VALID_HOMEBOX_ALL_ITEMS_QUERY_RESPONSE = """
-            {
-                "page": -1,
-                "pageSize": -1,
-                "total": 1,
-                "items": [
-                    {
-                        "id": "c643e7f9-93d0-4b5f-ae4d-e1c2d90389e0",
-                        "assetId": "000-001",
-                        "name": "MacBook Pro A1398",
-                        "description": "Running Linux (Fedora)",
-                        "quantity": 1,
-                        "insured": false,
-                        "archived": false,
-                        "createdAt": "2026-05-13T19:52:20.016176Z",
-                        "updatedAt": "2026-05-14T12:39:11.836403Z",
-                        "purchasePrice": 0,
-                        "parent": {
-                            "id": "b6f60ab8-3a2a-4a8d-a4bf-897d0555f636",
-                            "name": "Server Schrank Ikea weiß",
-                            "description": "Weißer Ikea Schrank, wo sich der Server befindet.",
-                            "createdAt": "2026-05-13T19:55:55.817576Z",
-                            "updatedAt": "2026-05-14T12:37:24.396651Z"
-                        },
-                        "tags": [],
-                        "imageId": "cb3e44d5-ccd4-421e-9f5a-f52cd5f40ca6",
-                        "thumbnailId": "2bfd53fa-1bf1-483c-8d76-7720464532fa",
-                        "soldTime": "0001-01-01T00:00:00Z"
-                    }
-                ]
-            }
-            """;
-
+    /**
+     * Logs in against a stubbed Homebox instance, then performs a keyword search using the
+     * resulting session cookie. Expects {@code 200 OK} with the mocked item mapped into the paged
+     * response body.
+     *
+     * @param wm WireMock runtime info, injected by {@link WireMockTest}, used to point the client
+     *        at the stub server
+     */
     @Test
     void shouldReturnListOfQueriedHomeboxItems(WireMockRuntimeInfo wm) throws Exception {
 
@@ -93,9 +72,14 @@ class SearchControllerTest {
                 .andExpect(status().isOk())
                 .andExpect(jsonPath("$.content[0].title").value("MacBook Pro A1398"))
                 .andExpect(jsonPath("$.totalElements").value(1))
-                .andExpect(jsonPath("$.content[0].extraData.parent.name").value("Server Schrank Ikea weiß"));
+                .andExpect(jsonPath("$.content[0].extraData.location.name")
+                        .value("Server Schrank Ikea weiß"));
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Calls {@code /api/search} with no session cookie attached and expects
+     * {@code 401 Unauthorized}, confirming the endpoint is session-gated.
+     */
     @Test
     void shouldReturnUnauthorizedWhenNoSession() throws Exception {
         mockMvc.perform(post(SEARCH_REQUEST).contentType(MediaType.APPLICATION_JSON).content("""
@@ -109,6 +93,10 @@ class SearchControllerTest {
                 """)).andExpect(status().isUnauthorized());
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Sends a search request with a {@code serviceType} that doesn't map to any known
+     * {@link com.vaessl.app.shared.ServiceType} and expects {@code 400 Bad Request}.
+     */
     @Test
     void shouldReturnBadRequestWhenServiceTypeIsInvalid() throws Exception {
         mockMvc.perform(post(SEARCH_REQUEST).contentType(MediaType.APPLICATION_JSON)

backend/src/test/java/com/vaessl/app/search/SearchResponseTest.java

@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ class SearchResponseTest {
     @Test
     void shouldReturnNullWhenExtraDataKeyIsMissing() {
 
-        ServiceItem response = new ServiceItem(MOCK_ID, MOCK_TITLE, MOCK_DESCRIPTION, Map.of("key", "value"));
+        ServiceItem response = new ServiceItem(MOCK_ID, MOCK_TITLE, MOCK_DESCRIPTION, Map.of("key", Map.of("key", "value")));
 
         assertThat(response.getExtra("missing")).isNull();
     }
@@ -26,7 +26,8 @@ class SearchResponseTest {
     @Test
     void shouldReturnExtraDataValue() {
 
-        ServiceItem response = new ServiceItem(MOCK_ID, MOCK_TITLE, MOCK_DESCRIPTION, Map.of("key", "value"));
+        ServiceItem response = new ServiceItem(MOCK_ID, MOCK_TITLE, MOCK_DESCRIPTION, Map.of("key", 
+                Map.of("key", "value")));
 
         assertThat(response.id()).isEqualTo(MOCK_ID);
         assertThat(response.getExtra("key")).contains("value");

backend/src/test/java/com/vaessl/app/sync/SyncControllerTest.java

@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+package com.vaessl.app.sync;
+
+import static com.vaessl.app.shared.Endpoint.HOMEBOX_LOGIN;
+import static com.vaessl.app.shared.Endpoint.HOMEBOX_QUERY_ALL_ITEMS;
+import static com.vaessl.app.shared.Endpoint.LOGIN;
+import static com.vaessl.app.shared.Endpoint.SYNC;
+import static com.vaessl.app.Mockdata.MOCK_USER;
+import static com.vaessl.app.Mockdata.MOCK_SERVICE_TYPE;
+import static com.vaessl.app.Mockdata.MOCK_PASS;
+import static com.vaessl.app.Mockdata.VALID_HOMEBOX_ALL_ITEMS_QUERY_RESPONSE;
+import static com.vaessl.app.Mockdata.VALID_HOMEBOX_LOGIN_RESPONSE;
+
+import static org.springframework.test.web.servlet.request.MockMvcRequestBuilders.post;
+import static org.springframework.test.web.servlet.result.MockMvcResultMatchers.status;
+import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
+import org.springframework.beans.factory.annotation.Autowired;
+import org.springframework.boot.test.context.SpringBootTest;
+import org.springframework.boot.webmvc.test.autoconfigure.AutoConfigureMockMvc;
+import org.springframework.http.MediaType;
+import com.github.tomakehurst.wiremock.client.WireMock;
+import com.github.tomakehurst.wiremock.junit5.WireMockRuntimeInfo;
+import com.github.tomakehurst.wiremock.junit5.WireMockTest;
+import jakarta.servlet.http.Cookie;
+import org.springframework.test.web.servlet.MockMvc;
+import org.springframework.test.web.servlet.MvcResult;
+
+/**
+ * Integration tests for {@code POST /api/sync}, verifying the session-gated contract against a
+ * mocked Homebox backend (via WireMock) and a real Spring MVC dispatch chain (via {@link MockMvc}).
+ */
+@SpringBootTest
+@AutoConfigureMockMvc
+@WireMockTest
+class SyncControllerTest {
+
+    @Autowired
+    MockMvc mockMvc;
+
+    private static final String SYNC_PATH = SYNC.getValue();
+
+    /**
+     * Logs in against a stubbed Homebox instance, then performs a sync using the resulting session
+     * cookie. Expects a {@code 204 No Content} response once the mocked item catalog has been paged
+     * through and embedded.
+     *
+     * @param wm WireMock runtime info, injected by {@link WireMockTest}, used to point the client
+     *        at the stub server
+     */
+    @Test
+    void shouldReturn204NoContentOnSuccessfulSync(WireMockRuntimeInfo wm) throws Exception {
+
+        WireMock.stubFor(WireMock.post(HOMEBOX_LOGIN.getValue())
+                .willReturn(WireMock.okJson(VALID_HOMEBOX_LOGIN_RESPONSE)));
+
+        WireMock.stubFor(WireMock.get(WireMock.urlPathEqualTo(HOMEBOX_QUERY_ALL_ITEMS.getValue()))
+                .willReturn(WireMock.okJson(VALID_HOMEBOX_ALL_ITEMS_QUERY_RESPONSE)));
+
+        MvcResult loginResult =
+                mockMvc.perform(post(LOGIN.getValue()).contentType(MediaType.APPLICATION_JSON)
+                        .content(connectionRequestBody(wm))).andExpect(status().isOk()).andReturn();
+
+        Cookie sessionCookie = loginResult.getResponse().getCookie("SESSION");
+
+        mockMvc.perform(post(SYNC_PATH).cookie(sessionCookie)
+                .contentType(MediaType.APPLICATION_JSON).content(syncRequestBody(wm)))
+                .andExpect(status().isNoContent());
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Calls {@code /api/sync} with no session cookie attached and expects {@code 401 Unauthorized},
+     * confirming the endpoint is session-gated.
+     *
+     * @param wm WireMock runtime info, injected by {@link WireMockTest}, used only to build a
+     *        well-formed request body
+     */
+    @Test
+    void shouldReturn401UnauthorizedWhenSessionIsNull(WireMockRuntimeInfo wm) throws Exception {
+        mockMvc.perform(post(SYNC_PATH).contentType(MediaType.APPLICATION_JSON)
+                .content(syncRequestBody(wm))).andExpect(status().isUnauthorized());
+
+    }
+
+    private String connectionRequestBody(WireMockRuntimeInfo wm) {
+        return """
+                {
+                    "appUrl": "%s",
+                    "serviceType": "%s",
+                    "username": "%s",
+                    "password": "%s"
+                }
+                """.formatted(wm.getHttpBaseUrl(), MOCK_SERVICE_TYPE, MOCK_USER, MOCK_PASS);
+    }
+
+    private String syncRequestBody(WireMockRuntimeInfo wm) {
+        return """
+                {
+                    "appUrl": "%s",
+                    "serviceType": "%s",
+                    "username": "%s"
+                }
+                """.formatted(wm.getHttpBaseUrl(), MOCK_SERVICE_TYPE, MOCK_USER);
+    }
+}

docs/CONVENTIONS.md

@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+# Git Conventions
+
+## Branch Naming
+
+```
+<type>/<short-kebab-case-description>
+```
+
+- All lowercase, hyphens only — no camelCase or Title-Case
+- Keep the description short (3–5 words); the branch name is not the place for detail
+- If using a ticket tracker, include the ID: `feature/VAE-123-ai-search`
+
+| Type | Use for |
+|---|---|
+| `feature/` | New functionality |
+| `fix/` | Bug fixes |
+| `refactor/` | Code changes with no behavior change |
+| `chore/` | Tooling, deps, config, cleanup |
+| `docs/` | Documentation only |
+
+**Example:** `feature/ai-search`
+
+---
+
+## Commit Messages
+
+Follow [Conventional Commits](https://www.conventionalcommits.org/):
+
+```
+<type>(<scope>): <imperative, present-tense summary>
+
+<optional body — explain WHY, not WHAT>
+```
+
+- **Type** — same list as branch types above, plus `test`, `style`
+- **Scope** — the module/package touched (e.g. `search`, `sync`, `connection`, `vector`, `frontend`)
+- **Summary** — imperative mood ("add", not "added" or "adds"); no period at the end
+- **Body** — only when the reasoning isn't obvious from the diff (a constraint, a bug workaround, a decision). Skip it for simple/self-explanatory changes.
+
+**Examples:**
+```
+feat(search): route SearchRequest.aiSearch to AI provider map
+fix(sync): prune stale vectors only after full page loop completes
+style: reformat
+refactor(vector): nest extraData by section for clearer embedding
+```
+
+---
+
+## Ticket Titles
+
+Frame as the outcome, not a task log:
+
+```
+<Type>: <what changes for the user/system>
+```
+
+**Examples:**
+- `Feature: Add AI-powered search to Homebox connector`
+- `Bug: /api/sync not triggered on login`
+- `Chore: Consolidate SearchService provider maps`

frontend/src/api/connections.ts

@@ -1,11 +1,19 @@
-import { apiFetch } from './client'
-import type { AuthResponse, ConnectionStatus, LoginRequest, ServiceType } from '../types/connection'
+import { apiFetch } from "./client";
+import type {
+  AuthResponse,
+  ConnectionStatus,
+  LoginRequest,
+  ServiceType,
+} from "../types/connection";
 
 export const login = (req: LoginRequest) =>
-  apiFetch<AuthResponse>('/login', { method: 'POST', body: JSON.stringify(req) })
+  apiFetch<AuthResponse>("/login", {
+    method: "POST",
+    body: JSON.stringify(req),
+  });
 
 export const getStatuses = () =>
-  apiFetch<ConnectionStatus[]>('/connections/status')
+  apiFetch<ConnectionStatus[]>("/connections/status");
 
 export const logout = (serviceType: ServiceType) =>
-  apiFetch<void>(`/connections/${serviceType}`, { method: 'DELETE' })
+  apiFetch<void>(`/connections/${serviceType}`, { method: "DELETE" });

frontend/src/api/searches.ts

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import type {
   PagedSearchResponse,
   SearchRequest,
   ServiceItem,
+  SyncRequest,
 } from "../types/search";
 
 export const search = (req: SearchRequest) =>
@@ -10,3 +11,6 @@ export const search = (req: SearchRequest) =>
     method: "POST",
     body: JSON.stringify(req),
   });
+
+export const syncVectorData = (req: SyncRequest) =>
+  apiFetch<Object>("/sync", { method: "POST", body: JSON.stringify(req) });

frontend/src/components/connections/ConnectModal.tsx

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import { useEffect, useRef, useState, type SyntheticEvent } from 'react'
 import { login } from '../../api/connections'
 import type { LoginRequest, ServiceType } from '../../types/connection'
+import { uiText } from '../../text/uiText'
 import '../ui/Modal.scss'
 
 interface Props {
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ export function ConnectModal({ serviceType, label, onClose, onSuccess }: Readonl
       await login(req)
       onSuccess()
     } catch (err) {
-      setError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Login failed')
+      setError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : uiText.connections.connectModal.loginFailed)
     } finally {
       setLoading(false)
     }
@@ -53,31 +54,31 @@ export function ConnectModal({ serviceType, label, onClose, onSuccess }: Readonl
   return (
     <dialog className="modal" ref={dialogRef}>
       <div className="modal__header">
-        <h2 className="modal__title" id="modal-title">Connect to {label}</h2>
-        <button className="modal__close" onClick={onClose} aria-label="Close">×</button>
+        <h2 className="modal__title" id="modal-title">{uiText.connections.connectModal.title(label)}</h2>
+        <button className="modal__close" onClick={onClose} aria-label={uiText.modal.closeAriaLabel}>{uiText.modal.closeSymbol}</button>
       </div>
       <form className="modal__form" onSubmit={handleSubmit}>
         <div className="modal__field">
-          <label className="modal__label" htmlFor="appUrl">App URL</label>
+          <label className="modal__label" htmlFor="appUrl">{uiText.connections.connectModal.appUrlLabel}</label>
           <input id="appUrl" ref={firstInputRef} className="modal__input" type="url"
-                  placeholder="https://homebox.example.com"
+                  placeholder={uiText.connections.connectModal.appUrlPlaceholder}
                   value={appUrl} onChange={e => setAppUrl(e.target.value)} required />
         </div>
         <div className="modal__field">
-          <label className="modal__label" htmlFor="username">Username</label>
+          <label className="modal__label" htmlFor="username">{uiText.connections.connectModal.usernameLabel}</label>
           <input id="username" className="modal__input" type="text"
                   autoComplete="username"
                   value={username} onChange={e => setUsername(e.target.value)} required />
         </div>
         <div className="modal__field">
-          <label className="modal__label" htmlFor="password">Password</label>
+          <label className="modal__label" htmlFor="password">{uiText.connections.connectModal.passwordLabel}</label>
           <input id="password" className="modal__input" type="password"
                   autoComplete="current-password"
                   value={password} onChange={e => setPassword(e.target.value)} required />
         </div>
         {error && <p className="modal__error">{error}</p>}
         <button className="modal__submit" type="submit" disabled={loading}>
-          {loading ? 'Connecting…' : 'Connect'}
+          {loading ? uiText.connections.connectModal.connectingButton : uiText.connections.connectModal.connectButton}
         </button>
       </form>
     </dialog>

frontend/src/components/connections/Dashboard.tsx

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import { ServiceCard } from "./ServiceCard"
 import { ConnectModal } from "./ConnectModal"
 import "./Dashboard.scss"
 import { SearchModal } from "../search/SearchModal"
+import { uiText } from "../../text/uiText"
 
 const SERVICES = [
     { serviceType: ServiceType.HOMEBOX, label: 'Homebox', icon: '📦' },
@@ -32,10 +33,10 @@ export function Dashboard() {
     return (
         <div className="dashboard">
             <div className="dashboard__header">
-                <h1 className="dashboard__title">Vaessl Dashboard</h1>
+                <h1 className="dashboard__title">{uiText.dashboard.title}</h1>
             </div>
 
-            <p className="dashboard__section-label">Services</p>
+            <p className="dashboard__section-label">{uiText.dashboard.servicesLabel}</p>
             <div className="dashboard__cards">
                 {SERVICES.map(({ serviceType, label, icon }) => (
                     <ServiceCard

frontend/src/components/connections/ServiceCard.scss

@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@
     color: var(--text-h);
     margin: 0 0 10px;
     text-align: left;
-
   }
 
   &__meta {
@@ -54,7 +53,7 @@
     border-radius: 999px;
 
     &::before {
-      content: '';
+      content: "";
       width: 6px;
       height: 6px;
       border-radius: 50%;
@@ -81,4 +80,4 @@
     display: flex;
     gap: 8px;
   }
-}
+}

frontend/src/components/connections/ServiceCard.tsx

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import type { ConnectionStatus, ServiceType } from '../../types/connection'
 import { ActionButton } from '../ui/ActionButton'
+import { uiText } from '../../text/uiText'
 import './ServiceCard.scss'
 
 interface Props {
@@ -29,20 +30,20 @@ export function ServiceCard({ serviceType: _serviceType, label, icon, status, on
           <p className="service-card__name">{label}</p>
           <p className="service-card__meta">
             <span className={`service-card__badge service-card__badge--${connected ? 'connected' : 'disconnected'}`}>
-              {connected ? 'Connected' : 'Not connected'}
+              {connected ? uiText.connections.serviceCard.connected : uiText.connections.serviceCard.notConnected}
             </span>
             {connected && status?.username && <span>{status.username}</span>}
             {connected && status?.expiresAt && (
-              <span>· expires {formatExpiry(status.expiresAt)}</span>
+              <span>{uiText.connections.serviceCard.expiresPrefix(formatExpiry(status.expiresAt) ?? '')}</span>
             )}
           </p>
         </div>
       </div>
       <div className="service-card__actions">
         <ActionButton variant={connected ? 'disconnect' : 'connect'} onClick={connected ? onDisconnect : onConnect}>
-          {connected ? 'Disconnect' : 'Connect'}
+          {connected ? uiText.connections.serviceCard.disconnectButton : uiText.connections.serviceCard.connectButton}
         </ActionButton>
-        {connected && (<ActionButton variant='search' onClick={onSearch}>Search</ActionButton>)}
+        {connected && (<ActionButton variant='search' onClick={onSearch}>{uiText.connections.serviceCard.searchButton}</ActionButton>)}
       </div>
     </div>
   )

frontend/src/components/search/SearchModal.tsx

@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 import { useEffect, useRef, useState, type SyntheticEvent } from 'react'
 import '../ui/Modal.scss'
-import { type PagedSearchResponse, type ServiceItem, type SearchRequest } from '../../types/search'
-import { search } from '../../api/searches'
+import { type PagedSearchResponse, type ServiceItem, type SearchRequest, type SyncRequest } from '../../types/search'
+import { syncVectorData, search } from '../../api/searches'
 import type { ServiceType } from '../../types/connection'
+import { uiText } from '../../text/uiText'
 
 interface Props {
   serviceType: ServiceType
@@ -17,9 +18,10 @@ export function SearchModal({ serviceType, label, appUrl, username, onClose }: R
   const [results, setResults] = useState<PagedSearchResponse<ServiceItem> | null>(null)
   
   const [loading, setLoading] = useState(false)
-  const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null)
+  const [searchError, setSearchError] = useState<string | null>(null)
+  const [syncError, setSyncError] = useState<string | null>(null)
   //TODO: implement aiSearch
-  const [aiSearch, setAiSearch] = useState(false);
+  const [aiSearch, setAiSearch] = useState(false)
   const firstInputRef = useRef<HTMLInputElement>(null)
   const dialogRef = useRef<HTMLDialogElement>(null)
 
@@ -40,16 +42,27 @@ export function SearchModal({ serviceType, label, appUrl, username, onClose }: R
 
   const handleSubmit = async (e: SyntheticEvent<HTMLFormElement>) => {
     e.preventDefault()
-    setError(null)
+    setSearchError(null)
     setLoading(true)
     try {
       const req: SearchRequest = { appUrl, serviceType, username, query, aiSearch}
       const res = await search(req)
-      console.log(req)
       setResults(res)
-      console.log('results', results)
     } catch (err) {
-      setError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Search failed')
+      setSearchError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : uiText.search.searchFailed)
+    } finally {
+      setLoading(false)
+    }
+  }
+
+  const handleSync = async () => {
+    setSyncError(null)
+    setLoading(true)
+    try {
+      const req: SyncRequest = { appUrl, serviceType, username}
+      await syncVectorData(req)
+    } catch (err) {
+      setSyncError(err instanceof Error ? err.message: uiText.search.syncFailed)
     } finally {
       setLoading(false)
     }
@@ -58,18 +71,20 @@ export function SearchModal({ serviceType, label, appUrl, username, onClose }: R
   return (
     <dialog className='modal' ref={dialogRef}>
       <div className='modal__header'>
-        <h2 className='modal__title' id='modal-title'>Search in {label}</h2>
-        <button className='modal__close' onClick={onClose} aria-label='Close'>×</button>
+        <h2 className='modal__title' id='modal-title'>{uiText.search.title(label)}</h2>
+        <button className='modal__close' onClick={onClose} aria-label={uiText.modal.closeAriaLabel}>{uiText.modal.closeSymbol}</button>
       </div>
       <form className='modal__form' onSubmit={handleSubmit}>
         <div className='modal__field'>
           <input id='search' className='modal__input'
                   value={query} onChange={e => setQuery(e.target.value)} />
         </div>
-        {error && <p className='modal__error'>{error}</p>}
-        <button className='modal__submit' type='submit' disabled={loading}>
-          Search
-        </button>
+        {searchError && <p className='modal__error'>{searchError}</p>}
+        {syncError && <p className='modal__error'>{syncError}</p>}
+        <div className='modal__actions'>
+          <button className='modal__other' title={uiText.search.syncTooltip(label)} type='button' disabled={loading} onClick={handleSync}>{uiText.search.refreshDataButton}</button>
+          <button className='modal__submit' type='submit' disabled={loading}>{uiText.search.searchButton}</button>
+        </div>
       </form>
       {results && (
         <div className='modal__results'>

frontend/src/components/ui/ActionButton.scss

@@ -5,7 +5,9 @@
   border-radius: 6px;
   border: 1px solid transparent;
   cursor: pointer;
-  transition: box-shadow 0.2s, opacity 0.2s;
+  transition:
+    box-shadow 0.2s,
+    opacity 0.2s;
 
   &:hover {
     opacity: 0.85;

frontend/src/components/ui/Modal.scss

@@ -44,8 +44,13 @@
     line-height: 1;
     padding: 4px;
     border-radius: 4px;
-    &:hover { color: var(--text-h); }
-    &:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid var(--accent); outline-offset: 2px; }
+    &:hover {
+      color: var(--text-h);
+    }
+    &:focus-visible {
+      outline: 2px solid var(--accent);
+      outline-offset: 2px;
+    }
   }
 
   &__form {
@@ -94,62 +99,81 @@
     border: 1px solid rgba(239, 68, 68, 0.2);
   }
 
-  &__submit {
+  &__actions {
+    display: flex;
+    justify-content: flex-end;
+    gap: 8px;
     margin-top: 4px;
+  }
+
+  &__submit,
+  &__other {
     padding: 10px 20px;
     font-size: 15px;
     font-weight: 500;
     border-radius: 6px;
     border: none;
-    background: var(--accent);
-    color: #fff;
     cursor: pointer;
     transition: opacity 0.2s;
-    align-self: flex-end;
     min-width: 100px;
+    color: #fff;
 
-    &:hover:not(:disabled) { opacity: 0.85; }
-    &:disabled { opacity: 0.6; cursor: not-allowed; }
-    &:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid var(--accent); outline-offset: 2px; }
+    &:hover:not(:disabled) {
+      opacity: 0.85;
+    }
+
+    &:disabled {
+      opacity: 0.6;
+      cursor: not-allowed;
+    }
+
+    &:focus-visible {
+      outline: 2px solid var(--accent);
+      outline-offset: 2px;
+    }
   }
 
-    &--expanded {
-      max-height: 70vh;
-    }
-  
-    &__results {
-      overflow-y: auto;
-      flex: 1;
-      min-height: 0; // required: flex children won't shrink without this
-      margin-top: 20px;
-      display: flex;
-      flex-direction: column;
-      gap: 8px;
-    }
-  
-    &__results-count {
-      font-size: 12px;
-      color: var(--text);
-      margin: 0 0 8px 0;
-    }
-  
-    &__result-item {
-      padding: 10px 12px;
-      border: 1px solid var(--border);
-      border-radius: 6px;
-      background: var(--bg);
-    }
-  
-    &__result-title {
-      font-weight: 500;
-      font-size: 14px;
-      color: var(--text-h);
-      margin: 0;
-    }
-  
-    &__result-desc {
-      font-size: 13px;
-      color: var(--text);
-      margin: 4px 0 0 0;
-    }
+  &__submit {
+    background: var(--accent);
+  }
+
+  &--expanded {
+    max-height: 70vh;
+  }
+
+  &__results {
+    overflow-y: auto;
+    flex: 1;
+    min-height: 0; // required: flex children won't shrink without this
+    margin-top: 20px;
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+    gap: 8px;
+  }
+
+  &__results-count {
+    font-size: 12px;
+    color: var(--text);
+    margin: 0 0 8px 0;
+  }
+
+  &__result-item {
+    padding: 10px 12px;
+    border: 1px solid var(--border);
+    border-radius: 6px;
+    background: var(--bg);
+  }
+
+  &__result-title {
+    font-weight: 500;
+    font-size: 14px;
+    color: var(--text-h);
+    margin: 0;
+  }
+
+  &__result-desc {
+    font-size: 13px;
+    color: var(--text);
+    margin: 4px 0 0 0;
+  }
 }

frontend/src/text/uiText.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+export const uiText = {
+  modal: {
+    closeAriaLabel: "Close",
+    closeSymbol: "×",
+  },
+  dashboard: {
+    title: "Vaessl Dashboard",
+    servicesLabel: "Services",
+  },
+  connections: {
+    connectModal: {
+      title: (label: string) => `Connect to ${label}`,
+      appUrlLabel: "App URL",
+      appUrlPlaceholder: "https://homebox.example.com",
+      usernameLabel: "Username",
+      passwordLabel: "Password",
+      loginFailed: "Login failed",
+      connectButton: "Connect",
+      connectingButton: "Connecting…",
+    },
+    serviceCard: {
+      connected: "Connected",
+      notConnected: "Not connected",
+      expiresPrefix: (date: string) => `· expires ${date}`,
+      disconnectButton: "Disconnect",
+      connectButton: "Connect",
+      searchButton: "Search",
+    },
+  },
+  search: {
+    title: (label: string) => `Search in ${label}`,
+    searchFailed: "Search failed",
+    syncFailed: "Refreshing data failed",
+    syncTooltip: (label: string) =>
+      `Syncs your ${label} database for vectorization`,
+    refreshDataButton: "Refresh Data",
+    searchButton: "Search",
+  },
+} as const;

frontend/src/types/search.ts

@@ -24,3 +24,9 @@ export interface PagedSearchResponse<T> {
   last: boolean;
   sort: string;
 }
+
+export interface SyncRequest {
+  appUrl: string;
+  username: string;
+  serviceType: ServiceType;
+}