diff --git a/docs/architecture.md b/docs/architecture.md
index 7352bdb0..2b7a8803 100644
--- a/docs/architecture.md
+++ b/docs/architecture.md
@@ -279,6 +279,7 @@ All authenticated routes live inside a single `live_session` with three `on_moun
 
 | Module | Purpose |
 |--------|---------|
+| `ErrorMessages` | Maps internal error terms (atoms, structs) to user-friendly gettext strings via `friendly_message/1` |
 | `Markdown` | Markdown-to-HTML conversion with `[[double bracket]]` link syntax |
 | `Duration` | Milliseconds to human-readable duration formatting |
 | `LiveHelpers.Params` | Pagination param parsing from URL query params |
diff --git a/docs/project-conventions.md b/docs/project-conventions.md
index ca885de8..e72418b6 100644
--- a/docs/project-conventions.md
+++ b/docs/project-conventions.md
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ Rules extracted from commit history that are specific to this project and not al
 ## Error Handling
 
 - **Toast notifications:** `put_toast/3` (arity 3) in LiveViews, `put_toast!/2` (arity 2) in LiveComponents. `:info` for success, `:error` for failures.
+- **User-facing error reasons use `ErrorMessages.friendly_message/1`** — never `inspect(reason)`. Call sites keep their contextual prefix (e.g. `gettext("Error refreshing cover")`) and append `": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)` for the reason part. `Logger.error` calls keep `inspect` for debugging.
 - **`handle_async` always handles three cases:** `{:ok, {:ok, result}}`, `{:ok, {:error, reason}}`, and `{:exit, reason}`.
 - **Data cascade on upstream changes:** When artist metadata changes, regenerate dependent record embeddings.
 
diff --git a/lib/music_library_web/components/barcode_scanner.ex b/lib/music_library_web/components/barcode_scanner.ex
index 103eebbe..07dc8be2 100644
--- a/lib/music_library_web/components/barcode_scanner.ex
+++ b/lib/music_library_web/components/barcode_scanner.ex
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.Components.BarcodeScanner do
   alias MusicBrainz.ReleaseGroupSearchResult
   alias MusicLibrary.BarcodeScan
   alias MusicLibrary.Records
+  alias MusicLibraryWeb.ErrorMessages
   alias MusicLibraryWeb.RecordComponents
 
   require Logger
@@ -410,7 +411,7 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.Components.BarcodeScanner do
         errors ->
           errors_summary =
             Enum.map_join(errors, "\n", fn {number, reason} ->
-              "#{number}: #{inspect(reason)}"
+              "#{number}: #{ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)}"
             end)
 
           put_toast(
diff --git a/lib/music_library_web/components/record_form.ex b/lib/music_library_web/components/record_form.ex
index 6dc862c7..07842625 100644
--- a/lib/music_library_web/components/record_form.ex
+++ b/lib/music_library_web/components/record_form.ex
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.Components.RecordForm do
   alias MusicLibrary.{Assets, Records}
   alias MusicLibrary.Assets.Image
   alias MusicLibrary.Records.Record
+  alias MusicLibraryWeb.ErrorMessages
 
   @impl true
   def mount(socket) do
@@ -538,14 +539,20 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.Components.RecordForm do
   def handle_async(:cover_search, {:ok, {:error, reason}}, socket) do
     {:noreply,
      socket
-     |> assign(:cover_search_error, "Search failed: #{inspect(reason)}")
+     |> assign(
+       :cover_search_error,
+       gettext("Search failed") <> ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
+     )
      |> assign(:cover_search_loading, false)}
   end
 
   def handle_async(:cover_search, {:exit, reason}, socket) do
     {:noreply,
      socket
-     |> assign(:cover_search_error, "Search failed: #{inspect(reason)}")
+     |> assign(
+       :cover_search_error,
+       gettext("Search failed") <> ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
+     )
      |> assign(:cover_search_loading, false)}
   end
 
@@ -571,14 +578,20 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.Components.RecordForm do
   def handle_async(:cover_download, {:ok, {:error, reason}}, socket) do
     {:noreply,
      socket
-     |> assign(:cover_search_error, "Download failed: #{inspect(reason)}")
+     |> assign(
+       :cover_search_error,
+       gettext("Download failed") <> ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
+     )
      |> assign(:cover_search_loading, false)}
   end
 
   def handle_async(:cover_download, {:exit, reason}, socket) do
     {:noreply,
      socket
-     |> assign(:cover_search_error, "Download failed: #{inspect(reason)}")
+     |> assign(
+       :cover_search_error,
+       gettext("Download failed") <> ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
+     )
      |> assign(:cover_search_loading, false)}
   end
 
diff --git a/lib/music_library_web/components/release.ex b/lib/music_library_web/components/release.ex
index e61de6a1..1fc86e8a 100644
--- a/lib/music_library_web/components/release.ex
+++ b/lib/music_library_web/components/release.ex
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.Components.Release do
   alias MusicBrainz.Release
   alias MusicLibrary.ScrobbleActivity
   alias MusicLibraryWeb.Duration
+  alias MusicLibraryWeb.ErrorMessages
   alias Phoenix.LiveView.AsyncResult
 
   def open(id), do: Fluxon.open_dialog(id)
@@ -267,7 +268,7 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.Components.Release do
 
         put_toast!(
           :error,
-          gettext("Error scrobbling release") <> "," <> inspect(reason)
+          gettext("Error scrobbling release") <> ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
         )
 
         {:noreply, socket}
@@ -298,7 +299,7 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.Components.Release do
 
         put_toast!(
           :error,
-          gettext("Error scrobbling disc") <> "," <> inspect(reason)
+          gettext("Error scrobbling disc") <> ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
         )
 
         {:noreply, socket}
@@ -372,7 +373,8 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.Components.Release do
 
           put_toast!(
             :error,
-            gettext("Error scrobbling selected tracks") <> "," <> inspect(reason)
+            gettext("Error scrobbling selected tracks") <>
+              ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
           )
 
           {:noreply, socket}
diff --git a/lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex b/lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..943e0f16
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.ErrorMessages do
+  @moduledoc """
+  Maps internal error terms to user-friendly messages.
+
+  Used at call sites that previously showed `inspect(reason)` in toasts or assigns.
+  Each call site keeps its own contextual prefix (e.g. "Error refreshing cover")
+  and appends `": " <> friendly_message(reason)` for the reason part.
+  """
+
+  use Gettext, backend: MusicLibraryWeb.Gettext
+
+  # App error atoms
+  def friendly_message(:cover_not_available), do: gettext("cover art is not available")
+  def friendly_message(:no_duration), do: gettext("release has no track duration information")
+  def friendly_message(:medium_not_found), do: gettext("the specified disc was not found")
+  def friendly_message(:no_session_key), do: gettext("Last.fm session key is not configured")
+
+  def friendly_message(:already_collected),
+    do: gettext("this record is already in your collection")
+
+  def friendly_message(:not_found), do: gettext("the resource was not found")
+  def friendly_message(:no_discogs_data), do: gettext("no Discogs profile available")
+  def friendly_message(:image_not_found), do: gettext("no image could be found")
+  def friendly_message(:invalid_parameters), do: gettext("invalid parameters were provided")
+  def friendly_message(:download_failed), do: gettext("the download failed")
+
+  # Last.fm API error atoms
+  def friendly_message(:authentication_failed), do: gettext("Last.fm authentication failed")
+
+  def friendly_message(:invalid_session_key),
+    do: gettext("Last.fm session has expired, please reconnect")
+
+  def friendly_message(:invalid_api_key), do: gettext("Last.fm API key is invalid")
+  def friendly_message(:suspended_api_key), do: gettext("Last.fm API key has been suspended")
+
+  def friendly_message(:rate_limit_exceeded),
+    do: gettext("rate limit exceeded, please try again later")
+
+  def friendly_message(:service_offline),
+    do: gettext("service is currently offline, please try again later")
+
+  def friendly_message(:transient_error),
+    do: gettext("a temporary error occurred, please try again")
+
+  def friendly_message(:operation_failed), do: gettext("the operation failed, please try again")
+
+  def friendly_message(:invalid_resource),
+    do: gettext("the requested resource does not exist")
+
+  # Structured errors
+  def friendly_message(%Req.TransportError{reason: :timeout}),
+    do: gettext("the request timed out, please try again")
+
+  def friendly_message(%Req.TransportError{reason: :econnrefused}),
+    do: gettext("the service is not reachable")
+
+  def friendly_message(%Req.TransportError{reason: :nxdomain}),
+    do: gettext("the service could not be found")
+
+  def friendly_message(%Req.TransportError{}),
+    do: gettext("a connection error occurred, please try again")
+
+  def friendly_message(%Ecto.Changeset{}), do: gettext("validation failed")
+
+  # Fallback
+  def friendly_message(_), do: gettext("something went wrong, please try again")
+end
diff --git a/lib/music_library_web/live/artist_live/form.ex b/lib/music_library_web/live/artist_live/form.ex
index 9c3fe2a7..774cb7b1 100644
--- a/lib/music_library_web/live/artist_live/form.ex
+++ b/lib/music_library_web/live/artist_live/form.ex
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.ArtistLive.Form do
   alias MusicLibrary.Artists
   alias MusicLibrary.Assets
   alias MusicLibrary.Assets.Image
+  alias MusicLibraryWeb.ErrorMessages
 
   @impl true
   def mount(socket) do
@@ -249,14 +250,20 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.ArtistLive.Form do
   def handle_async(:image_search, {:ok, {:error, reason}}, socket) do
     {:noreply,
      socket
-     |> assign(:image_search_error, "Search failed: #{inspect(reason)}")
+     |> assign(
+       :image_search_error,
+       gettext("Search failed") <> ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
+     )
      |> assign(:image_search_loading, false)}
   end
 
   def handle_async(:image_search, {:exit, reason}, socket) do
     {:noreply,
      socket
-     |> assign(:image_search_error, "Search failed: #{inspect(reason)}")
+     |> assign(
+       :image_search_error,
+       gettext("Search failed") <> ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
+     )
      |> assign(:image_search_loading, false)}
   end
 
@@ -283,14 +290,20 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.ArtistLive.Form do
   def handle_async(:image_download, {:ok, {:error, reason}}, socket) do
     {:noreply,
      socket
-     |> assign(:image_search_error, "Download failed: #{inspect(reason)}")
+     |> assign(
+       :image_search_error,
+       gettext("Download failed") <> ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
+     )
      |> assign(:image_search_loading, false)}
   end
 
   def handle_async(:image_download, {:exit, reason}, socket) do
     {:noreply,
      socket
-     |> assign(:image_search_error, "Download failed: #{inspect(reason)}")
+     |> assign(
+       :image_search_error,
+       gettext("Download failed") <> ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
+     )
      |> assign(:image_search_loading, false)}
   end
 
diff --git a/lib/music_library_web/live/artist_live/show.ex b/lib/music_library_web/live/artist_live/show.ex
index 47ea4894..96435f98 100644
--- a/lib/music_library_web/live/artist_live/show.ex
+++ b/lib/music_library_web/live/artist_live/show.ex
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.ArtistLive.Show do
 
   alias MusicLibrary.{Artists, Records}
   alias MusicLibrary.Artists.ArtistInfo
+  alias MusicLibraryWeb.ErrorMessages
 
   attr :country, :map, required: true
 
@@ -544,7 +545,8 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.ArtistLive.Show do
          socket
          |> put_toast(
            :error,
-           gettext("Error refreshing artist info") <> "," <> inspect(reason)
+           gettext("Error refreshing artist info") <>
+             ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
          )}
     end
   end
@@ -563,7 +565,8 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.ArtistLive.Show do
          socket
          |> put_toast(
            :error,
-           gettext("Error refreshing Wikipedia data") <> "," <> inspect(reason)
+           gettext("Error refreshing Wikipedia data") <>
+             ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
          )}
     end
   end
@@ -585,7 +588,8 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.ArtistLive.Show do
          socket
          |> put_toast(
            :error,
-           gettext("Error refreshing Last.fm data") <> "," <> inspect(reason)
+           gettext("Error refreshing Last.fm data") <>
+             ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
          )}
     end
   end
@@ -603,7 +607,8 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.ArtistLive.Show do
          socket
          |> put_toast(
            :error,
-           gettext("Error refreshing artist image") <> "," <> inspect(reason)
+           gettext("Error refreshing artist image") <>
+             ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
          )}
     end
   end
@@ -624,7 +629,7 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.ArtistLive.Show do
          socket
          |> put_toast(
            :error,
-           gettext("Error importing record") <> "," <> inspect(changeset.errors)
+           gettext("Error importing record") <> ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(changeset)
          )}
     end
   end
diff --git a/lib/music_library_web/live/collection_live/index.ex b/lib/music_library_web/live/collection_live/index.ex
index 1b4d96c1..28f61ae7 100644
--- a/lib/music_library_web/live/collection_live/index.ex
+++ b/lib/music_library_web/live/collection_live/index.ex
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.CollectionLive.Index do
   alias MusicLibrary.Collection
   alias MusicLibrary.Records
   alias MusicLibraryWeb.CollectionLive.Show
+  alias MusicLibraryWeb.ErrorMessages
 
   @default_records_list_params %{
     query: "",
@@ -272,20 +273,14 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.CollectionLive.Index do
          |> put_toast(:info, gettext("Record imported successfully"))
          |> push_navigate(to: ~p"/collection/#{record.id}")}
 
-      {:error, %Ecto.Changeset{} = changeset} ->
+      {:error, reason} ->
         {:noreply,
          socket
          |> put_toast(
            :error,
-           gettext("Error importing record") <> "," <> inspect(changeset.errors)
+           gettext("Error importing record") <> ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
          )
          |> push_patch(to: ~p"/collection")}
-
-      {:error, reason} ->
-        {:noreply,
-         socket
-         |> put_toast(:error, gettext("Error importing record") <> "," <> inspect(reason))
-         |> push_patch(to: ~p"/collection")}
     end
   end
 
diff --git a/lib/music_library_web/live/collection_live/show.ex b/lib/music_library_web/live/collection_live/show.ex
index a9fa3c12..82fbcf35 100644
--- a/lib/music_library_web/live/collection_live/show.ex
+++ b/lib/music_library_web/live/collection_live/show.ex
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.CollectionLive.Show do
 
   alias MusicLibrary.{Records, RecordSets, ScrobbleActivity}
   alias MusicLibrary.Records.Similarity
+  alias MusicLibraryWeb.ErrorMessages
   alias Phoenix.LiveView.JS
 
   @impl true
@@ -370,7 +371,8 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.CollectionLive.Show do
          socket
          |> put_toast(
            :error,
-           gettext("Error refreshing MusicBrainz data") <> "," <> inspect(reason)
+           gettext("Error refreshing MusicBrainz data") <>
+             ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
          )}
     end
   end
@@ -389,7 +391,7 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.CollectionLive.Show do
          socket
          |> put_toast(
            :error,
-           gettext("Error") <> "," <> inspect(reason)
+           gettext("Error") <> ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
          )}
     end
   end
@@ -409,7 +411,7 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.CollectionLive.Show do
          socket
          |> put_toast(
            :error,
-           gettext("Error refreshing cover") <> "," <> inspect(reason)
+           gettext("Error refreshing cover") <> ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
          )}
     end
   end
@@ -429,7 +431,7 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.CollectionLive.Show do
          socket
          |> put_toast(
            :error,
-           gettext("Error extracting colors") <> ": " <> inspect(reason)
+           gettext("Error extracting colors") <> ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
          )}
     end
   end
@@ -448,7 +450,7 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.CollectionLive.Show do
          socket
          |> put_toast(
            :error,
-           gettext("Error") <> "," <> inspect(reason)
+           gettext("Error") <> ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
          )}
     end
   end
diff --git a/lib/music_library_web/live/maintenance_live/index.ex b/lib/music_library_web/live/maintenance_live/index.ex
index 247b5183..a85480f1 100644
--- a/lib/music_library_web/live/maintenance_live/index.ex
+++ b/lib/music_library_web/live/maintenance_live/index.ex
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.MaintenanceLive.Index do
   alias MusicLibrary.Artists
   alias MusicLibrary.Maintenance
   alias MusicLibrary.Records
+  alias MusicLibraryWeb.ErrorMessages
 
   @poll_interval 2_000
 
@@ -268,7 +269,10 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.MaintenanceLive.Index do
 
         {:noreply,
          socket
-         |> put_toast(:error, "Database vacuum failed: #{inspect(reason)}.")}
+         |> put_toast(
+           :error,
+           gettext("Database vacuum failed") <> ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
+         )}
     end
   end
 
@@ -284,7 +288,10 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.MaintenanceLive.Index do
 
         {:noreply,
          socket
-         |> put_toast(:error, "Database optimize failed: #{inspect(reason)}.")}
+         |> put_toast(
+           :error,
+           gettext("Database optimize failed") <> ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
+         )}
     end
   end
 end
diff --git a/lib/music_library_web/live/scrobble_live/show.ex b/lib/music_library_web/live/scrobble_live/show.ex
index f7988f44..1fb5a3e0 100644
--- a/lib/music_library_web/live/scrobble_live/show.ex
+++ b/lib/music_library_web/live/scrobble_live/show.ex
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.ScrobbleLive.Show do
   import MusicLibraryWeb.RecordComponents, only: [country_label: 1]
 
   alias MusicLibrary.ScrobbleActivity
+  alias MusicLibraryWeb.ErrorMessages
 
   @impl true
   def render(assigns) do
@@ -156,7 +157,7 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.ScrobbleLive.Show do
          socket
          |> put_toast(
            :error,
-           gettext("Error scrobbling release") <> "," <> inspect(reason)
+           gettext("Error scrobbling release") <> ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
          )}
     end
   end
@@ -177,7 +178,7 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.ScrobbleLive.Show do
          socket
          |> put_toast(
            :error,
-           gettext("Error scrobbling disc") <> "," <> inspect(reason)
+           gettext("Error scrobbling disc") <> ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
          )}
     end
   end
@@ -205,7 +206,8 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.ScrobbleLive.Show do
            socket
            |> put_toast(
              :error,
-             gettext("Error scrobbling selected tracks") <> "," <> inspect(reason)
+             gettext("Error scrobbling selected tracks") <>
+               ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
            )}
       end
     end
diff --git a/lib/music_library_web/live/stats_live/index.ex b/lib/music_library_web/live/stats_live/index.ex
index d7533cbb..304ca1ae 100644
--- a/lib/music_library_web/live/stats_live/index.ex
+++ b/lib/music_library_web/live/stats_live/index.ex
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.StatsLive.Index do
 
   alias MusicLibrary.Assets.Transform
   alias MusicLibrary.{Collection, ListeningStats, Records, Wishlist}
+  alias MusicLibraryWeb.ErrorMessages
   alias MusicLibraryWeb.StatsLive.{TopAlbums, TopArtists}
 
   @impl true
@@ -392,18 +393,13 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.StatsLive.Index do
          |> put_toast(:info, gettext("Record wishlisted successfully"))
          |> push_navigate(to: ~p"/wishlist/#{record.id}")}
 
-      {:error, %Ecto.Changeset{} = changeset} ->
+      {:error, reason} ->
         {:noreply,
          socket
          |> put_toast(
            :error,
-           gettext("Error wishlisting record") <> "," <> inspect(changeset.errors)
+           gettext("Error wishlisting record") <> ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
          )}
-
-      {:error, reason} ->
-        {:noreply,
-         socket
-         |> put_toast(:error, gettext("Error wishlisting record") <> "," <> inspect(reason))}
     end
   end
 
diff --git a/lib/music_library_web/live/wishlist_live/index.ex b/lib/music_library_web/live/wishlist_live/index.ex
index 01006709..a4f8d8c8 100644
--- a/lib/music_library_web/live/wishlist_live/index.ex
+++ b/lib/music_library_web/live/wishlist_live/index.ex
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.WishlistLive.Index do
 
   alias MusicLibrary.Records
   alias MusicLibrary.Wishlist
+  alias MusicLibraryWeb.ErrorMessages
   alias MusicLibraryWeb.WishlistLive.Show
 
   @default_records_list_params %{
@@ -242,20 +243,14 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.WishlistLive.Index do
          |> put_toast(:info, gettext("Record wishlisted successfully"))
          |> push_navigate(to: ~p"/wishlist/#{record.id}")}
 
-      {:error, %Ecto.Changeset{} = changeset} ->
+      {:error, reason} ->
         {:noreply,
          socket
          |> put_toast(
            :error,
-           gettext("Error wishlisting record") <> "," <> inspect(changeset.errors)
+           gettext("Error wishlisting record") <> ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
          )
          |> push_patch(to: ~p"/wishlist")}
-
-      {:error, reason} ->
-        {:noreply,
-         socket
-         |> put_toast(:error, gettext("Error wishlisting record") <> "," <> inspect(reason))
-         |> push_patch(to: ~p"/wishlist")}
     end
   end
 
diff --git a/lib/music_library_web/live/wishlist_live/show.ex b/lib/music_library_web/live/wishlist_live/show.ex
index b669bae8..cced9dd8 100644
--- a/lib/music_library_web/live/wishlist_live/show.ex
+++ b/lib/music_library_web/live/wishlist_live/show.ex
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.WishlistLive.Show do
   alias MusicLibrary.OnlineStoreTemplates
   alias MusicLibrary.{Records, RecordSets}
   alias MusicLibrary.Records.Similarity
+  alias MusicLibraryWeb.ErrorMessages
 
   @impl true
   def render(assigns) do
@@ -319,7 +320,8 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.WishlistLive.Show do
          socket
          |> put_toast(
            :error,
-           gettext("Error refreshing MusicBrainz data") <> "," <> inspect(reason)
+           gettext("Error refreshing MusicBrainz data") <>
+             ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
          )}
     end
   end
@@ -339,7 +341,7 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.WishlistLive.Show do
          socket
          |> put_toast(
            :error,
-           gettext("Error refreshing Cover") <> "," <> inspect(reason)
+           gettext("Error refreshing cover") <> ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
          )}
     end
   end
@@ -358,7 +360,7 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.WishlistLive.Show do
          socket
          |> put_toast(
            :error,
-           gettext("Error") <> "," <> inspect(reason)
+           gettext("Error") <> ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
          )}
     end
   end
@@ -394,7 +396,7 @@ defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.WishlistLive.Show do
          socket
          |> put_toast(
            :error,
-           gettext("Error extracting colors") <> ": " <> inspect(reason)
+           gettext("Error extracting colors") <> ": " <> ErrorMessages.friendly_message(reason)
          )}
     end
   end
diff --git a/priv/gettext/default.pot b/priv/gettext/default.pot
index 27d9040c..237ba001 100644
--- a/priv/gettext/default.pot
+++ b/priv/gettext/default.pot
@@ -279,12 +279,8 @@ msgstr ""
 msgid "Cover refreshed successfully"
 msgstr ""
 
-#: lib/music_library_web/live/wishlist_live/show.ex
-#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
-msgid "Error refreshing Cover"
-msgstr ""
-
 #: lib/music_library_web/live/collection_live/show.ex
+#: lib/music_library_web/live/wishlist_live/show.ex
 #, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
 msgid "Error refreshing cover"
 msgstr ""
@@ -2069,3 +2065,150 @@ msgstr ""
 #, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
 msgid "Extract colors"
 msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/live/maintenance_live/index.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Database optimize failed"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/live/maintenance_live/index.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Database vacuum failed"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/components/record_form.ex
+#: lib/music_library_web/live/artist_live/form.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Download failed"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Last.fm API key has been suspended"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Last.fm API key is invalid"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Last.fm authentication failed"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Last.fm session has expired, please reconnect"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Last.fm session key is not configured"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/components/record_form.ex
+#: lib/music_library_web/live/artist_live/form.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Search failed"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "a connection error occurred, please try again"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "a temporary error occurred, please try again"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "cover art is not available"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "invalid parameters were provided"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "no Discogs profile available"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "no image could be found"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "rate limit exceeded, please try again later"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "release has no track duration information"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "service is currently offline, please try again later"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "something went wrong, please try again"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "the download failed"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "the operation failed, please try again"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "the request timed out, please try again"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "the requested resource does not exist"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "the resource was not found"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "the service could not be found"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "the service is not reachable"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "the specified disc was not found"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "this record is already in your collection"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "validation failed"
+msgstr ""
diff --git a/priv/gettext/en/LC_MESSAGES/default.po b/priv/gettext/en/LC_MESSAGES/default.po
index a23ad98c..2f72e432 100644
--- a/priv/gettext/en/LC_MESSAGES/default.po
+++ b/priv/gettext/en/LC_MESSAGES/default.po
@@ -279,12 +279,8 @@ msgstr ""
 msgid "Cover refreshed successfully"
 msgstr ""
 
-#: lib/music_library_web/live/wishlist_live/show.ex
-#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
-msgid "Error refreshing Cover"
-msgstr ""
-
 #: lib/music_library_web/live/collection_live/show.ex
+#: lib/music_library_web/live/wishlist_live/show.ex
 #, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
 msgid "Error refreshing cover"
 msgstr ""
@@ -2069,3 +2065,150 @@ msgstr ""
 #, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
 msgid "Extract colors"
 msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/live/maintenance_live/index.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format, fuzzy
+msgid "Database optimize failed"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/live/maintenance_live/index.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format, fuzzy
+msgid "Database vacuum failed"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/components/record_form.ex
+#: lib/music_library_web/live/artist_live/form.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format, fuzzy
+msgid "Download failed"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Last.fm API key has been suspended"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Last.fm API key is invalid"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Last.fm authentication failed"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Last.fm session has expired, please reconnect"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Last.fm session key is not configured"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/components/record_form.ex
+#: lib/music_library_web/live/artist_live/form.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format, fuzzy
+msgid "Search failed"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "a connection error occurred, please try again"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "a temporary error occurred, please try again"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "cover art is not available"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "invalid parameters were provided"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "no Discogs profile available"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "no image could be found"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "rate limit exceeded, please try again later"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "release has no track duration information"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "service is currently offline, please try again later"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format, fuzzy
+msgid "something went wrong, please try again"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "the download failed"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "the operation failed, please try again"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "the request timed out, please try again"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "the requested resource does not exist"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "the resource was not found"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "the service could not be found"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "the service is not reachable"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "the specified disc was not found"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "this record is already in your collection"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/music_library_web/error_messages.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "validation failed"
+msgstr ""
diff --git a/test/music_library_web/error_messages_test.exs b/test/music_library_web/error_messages_test.exs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9590a30b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/music_library_web/error_messages_test.exs
@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+defmodule MusicLibraryWeb.ErrorMessagesTest do
+  use ExUnit.Case, async: true
+
+  alias MusicLibraryWeb.ErrorMessages
+
+  describe "friendly_message/1" do
+    test "maps known app error atoms" do
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message(:cover_not_available) == "cover art is not available"
+
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message(:no_duration) ==
+               "release has no track duration information"
+
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message(:medium_not_found) ==
+               "the specified disc was not found"
+
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message(:no_session_key) ==
+               "Last.fm session key is not configured"
+
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message(:already_collected) ==
+               "this record is already in your collection"
+
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message(:not_found) == "the resource was not found"
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message(:no_discogs_data) == "no Discogs profile available"
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message(:image_not_found) == "no image could be found"
+
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message(:invalid_parameters) ==
+               "invalid parameters were provided"
+
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message(:download_failed) == "the download failed"
+    end
+
+    test "maps Last.fm API error atoms" do
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message(:authentication_failed) ==
+               "Last.fm authentication failed"
+
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message(:invalid_session_key) ==
+               "Last.fm session has expired, please reconnect"
+
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message(:invalid_api_key) == "Last.fm API key is invalid"
+
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message(:suspended_api_key) ==
+               "Last.fm API key has been suspended"
+
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message(:rate_limit_exceeded) ==
+               "rate limit exceeded, please try again later"
+
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message(:service_offline) ==
+               "service is currently offline, please try again later"
+
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message(:transient_error) ==
+               "a temporary error occurred, please try again"
+
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message(:operation_failed) ==
+               "the operation failed, please try again"
+
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message(:invalid_resource) ==
+               "the requested resource does not exist"
+    end
+
+    test "maps Req.TransportError with common reasons" do
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message(%Req.TransportError{reason: :timeout}) ==
+               "the request timed out, please try again"
+
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message(%Req.TransportError{reason: :econnrefused}) ==
+               "the service is not reachable"
+
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message(%Req.TransportError{reason: :nxdomain}) ==
+               "the service could not be found"
+
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message(%Req.TransportError{reason: :closed}) ==
+               "a connection error occurred, please try again"
+    end
+
+    test "maps Ecto.Changeset" do
+      changeset = Ecto.Changeset.change(%MusicLibrary.Records.Record{})
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message(changeset) == "validation failed"
+    end
+
+    test "returns fallback for unknown terms" do
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message(:unknown_error) ==
+               "something went wrong, please try again"
+
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message("some string") ==
+               "something went wrong, please try again"
+
+      assert ErrorMessages.friendly_message({:complex, :term}) ==
+               "something went wrong, please try again"
+    end
+  end
+end