diff --git a/weed/command/filer_sync_jobs.go b/weed/command/filer_sync_jobs.go
index f0f886394..a66604478 100644
--- a/weed/command/filer_sync_jobs.go
+++ b/weed/command/filer_sync_jobs.go
@@ -27,10 +27,32 @@ func (h *tsMinHeap) Pop() any {
 	return x
 }
 
+// jobKind classifies a sync job for conflict detection. Directory events are
+// split into "barrier" (create/delete/rename) and "non-barrier" (in-place
+// attribute update) so that attribute-only directory updates — which do not
+// reshape the namespace — no longer serialize every file operation in the
+// subtree.
+type jobKind int
+
+const (
+	// kindFile is a regular file event.
+	kindFile jobKind = iota
+	// kindBarrierDir is a directory create, delete, or rename. It acts as a
+	// subtree barrier: it waits for all active descendants to drain, and it
+	// blocks every event under it from being admitted until it completes.
+	kindBarrierDir
+	// kindNonBarrierDir is a directory attribute update (mtime/xattr/chmod
+	// with the same parent and name). It does not block descendants and is
+	// not blocked by ancestor directories, but it still bumps the ancestor
+	// descendant counters so an incoming barrier dir on an ancestor path
+	// still waits for it to drain.
+	kindNonBarrierDir
+)
+
 type syncJobPaths struct {
-	path        util.FullPath
-	newPath     util.FullPath // empty for non-renames
-	isDirectory bool
+	path    util.FullPath
+	newPath util.FullPath // empty for non-renames
+	kind    jobKind
 }
 
 type MetadataProcessor struct {
@@ -44,9 +66,21 @@ type MetadataProcessor struct {
 	// Indexes for O(depth) conflict detection, replacing O(n) linear scan.
 	// activeFilePaths counts active file jobs at each exact path.
 	activeFilePaths map[util.FullPath]int
-	// activeDirPaths counts active directory jobs at each exact path.
-	activeDirPaths map[util.FullPath]int
-	// descendantCount counts active jobs (file or dir) strictly under each directory.
+	// activeBarrierDirPaths counts active barrier-dir jobs at each exact
+	// path. Only barrier dirs are tracked here; non-barrier dir updates are
+	// deliberately invisible to the ancestor check so that they don't
+	// serialize every file descendant.
+	activeBarrierDirPaths map[util.FullPath]int
+	// activeNonBarrierDirPaths counts active non-barrier dir jobs at each
+	// exact path. This is read *only* by incoming barrier dirs, so a
+	// delete/rename/create at p correctly waits for an in-flight chmod/
+	// xattr/mtime update at the same p. It is deliberately invisible to the
+	// ancestor check, so non-barrier updates still don't serialize file
+	// descendants.
+	activeNonBarrierDirPaths map[util.FullPath]int
+	// descendantCount counts active jobs (of any kind) strictly under each
+	// directory. Read by incoming barrier dirs so they wait for their whole
+	// subtree to drain before running, regardless of descendant kind.
 	descendantCount map[util.FullPath]int
 
 	// tsHeap is a min-heap of active job timestamps with lazy deletion,
@@ -56,12 +90,13 @@ type MetadataProcessor struct {
 
 func NewMetadataProcessor(fn pb.ProcessMetadataFunc, concurrency int, offsetTsNs int64) *MetadataProcessor {
 	t := &MetadataProcessor{
-		fn:               fn,
-		activeJobs:       make(map[int64]*syncJobPaths),
-		concurrencyLimit: concurrency,
-		activeFilePaths:  make(map[util.FullPath]int),
-		activeDirPaths:   make(map[util.FullPath]int),
-		descendantCount:  make(map[util.FullPath]int),
+		fn:                       fn,
+		activeJobs:               make(map[int64]*syncJobPaths),
+		concurrencyLimit:         concurrency,
+		activeFilePaths:          make(map[util.FullPath]int),
+		activeBarrierDirPaths:    make(map[util.FullPath]int),
+		activeNonBarrierDirPaths: make(map[util.FullPath]int),
+		descendantCount:          make(map[util.FullPath]int),
 	}
 	t.processedTsWatermark.Store(offsetTsNs)
 	t.activeJobsCond = sync.NewCond(&t.activeJobsLock)
@@ -86,11 +121,14 @@ func pathAncestors(p util.FullPath) []util.FullPath {
 
 // addPathToIndex registers a path in the conflict detection indexes.
 // Must be called under activeJobsLock.
-func (t *MetadataProcessor) addPathToIndex(p util.FullPath, isDirectory bool) {
-	if isDirectory {
-		t.activeDirPaths[p]++
-	} else {
+func (t *MetadataProcessor) addPathToIndex(p util.FullPath, kind jobKind) {
+	switch kind {
+	case kindFile:
 		t.activeFilePaths[p]++
+	case kindBarrierDir:
+		t.activeBarrierDirPaths[p]++
+	case kindNonBarrierDir:
+		t.activeNonBarrierDirPaths[p]++
 	}
 	for _, ancestor := range pathAncestors(p) {
 		t.descendantCount[ancestor]++
@@ -99,19 +137,26 @@ func (t *MetadataProcessor) addPathToIndex(p util.FullPath, isDirectory bool) {
 
 // removePathFromIndex unregisters a path from the conflict detection indexes.
 // Must be called under activeJobsLock.
-func (t *MetadataProcessor) removePathFromIndex(p util.FullPath, isDirectory bool) {
-	if isDirectory {
-		if t.activeDirPaths[p] <= 1 {
-			delete(t.activeDirPaths, p)
-		} else {
-			t.activeDirPaths[p]--
-		}
-	} else {
+func (t *MetadataProcessor) removePathFromIndex(p util.FullPath, kind jobKind) {
+	switch kind {
+	case kindFile:
 		if t.activeFilePaths[p] <= 1 {
 			delete(t.activeFilePaths, p)
 		} else {
 			t.activeFilePaths[p]--
 		}
+	case kindBarrierDir:
+		if t.activeBarrierDirPaths[p] <= 1 {
+			delete(t.activeBarrierDirPaths, p)
+		} else {
+			t.activeBarrierDirPaths[p]--
+		}
+	case kindNonBarrierDir:
+		if t.activeNonBarrierDirPaths[p] <= 1 {
+			delete(t.activeNonBarrierDirPaths, p)
+		} else {
+			t.activeNonBarrierDirPaths[p]--
+		}
 	}
 	for _, ancestor := range pathAncestors(p) {
 		if t.descendantCount[ancestor] <= 1 {
@@ -123,26 +168,50 @@ func (t *MetadataProcessor) removePathFromIndex(p util.FullPath, isDirectory boo
 }
 
 // pathConflicts checks if a single path conflicts with any active job.
-// Conflict rules match pairShouldWaitFor:
-//   - file vs file: exact same path
-//   - file vs dir: file.IsUnder(dir)
-//   - dir vs file: file.IsUnder(dir)
-//   - dir vs dir: either IsUnder the other
-func (t *MetadataProcessor) pathConflicts(p util.FullPath, isDirectory bool) bool {
-	if isDirectory {
-		// Any active job (file or dir) strictly under this directory?
-		if t.descendantCount[p] > 0 {
-			return true
-		}
-	} else {
-		// Exact same file already active?
-		if t.activeFilePaths[p] > 0 {
-			return true
-		}
+// Conflict rules:
+//   - any kind vs same-path barrier dir: wait (a create/delete/rename on p
+//     must fully serialize against any other operation touching p, including
+//     non-barrier attribute updates and files at the same path)
+//   - incoming barrier dir vs same-path non-barrier dir update: wait (a
+//     delete/rename/create on p must wait for an in-flight chmod/xattr/mtime
+//     update at the same p to drain)
+//   - file vs same-path file: wait
+//   - file vs same-path barrier dir: wait (covered by the barrier-at-p check
+//     above; also serializes a file-to-dir / dir-to-file promotion)
+//   - barrier dir vs same-path file: wait
+//   - barrier dir vs any descendant (file or dir, barrier or not): wait
+//   - barrier ancestor: always wait, regardless of incoming kind
+//   - non-barrier dir vs descendants: never conflicts
+//   - non-barrier dir vs same-path non-barrier dir: never conflicts (attribute
+//     bumps are "last writer wins"; this intentionally lets rapid mtime /
+//     xattr updates overlap)
+func (t *MetadataProcessor) pathConflicts(p util.FullPath, kind jobKind) bool {
+	// A barrier dir in flight at p serializes every new job at p. This is the
+	// strictest same-path rule and applies regardless of incoming kind.
+	if t.activeBarrierDirPaths[p] > 0 {
+		return true
 	}
-	// Any active directory that is a proper ancestor of p?
+	// An incoming barrier dir must also wait for any in-flight non-barrier
+	// dir update at the same path. Without this check, a delete or rename on
+	// a directory could overlap with an attribute bump in progress for the
+	// same directory.
+	if kind == kindBarrierDir && t.activeNonBarrierDirPaths[p] > 0 {
+		return true
+	}
+	// A file in flight at p blocks new file or barrier-dir jobs at p. A
+	// non-barrier dir update at p is allowed through — by construction files
+	// and dirs at the same path only coexist across a promotion, which is a
+	// barrier event handled by the check above.
+	if t.activeFilePaths[p] > 0 && (kind == kindFile || kind == kindBarrierDir) {
+		return true
+	}
+	// Barrier dirs additionally wait for their whole in-flight subtree.
+	if kind == kindBarrierDir && t.descendantCount[p] > 0 {
+		return true
+	}
+	// Any barrier dir on a proper ancestor blocks everything under it.
 	for _, ancestor := range pathAncestors(p) {
-		if t.activeDirPaths[ancestor] > 0 {
+		if t.activeBarrierDirPaths[ancestor] > 0 {
 			return true
 		}
 	}
@@ -150,11 +219,11 @@ func (t *MetadataProcessor) pathConflicts(p util.FullPath, isDirectory bool) boo
 }
 
 func (t *MetadataProcessor) conflictsWith(resp *filer_pb.SubscribeMetadataResponse) bool {
-	p, newPath, isDirectory := extractPathsFromMetadata(resp)
-	if t.pathConflicts(p, isDirectory) {
+	p, newPath, kind := extractJobInfo(resp)
+	if t.pathConflicts(p, kind) {
 		return true
 	}
-	if newPath != "" && t.pathConflicts(newPath, isDirectory) {
+	if newPath != "" && t.pathConflicts(newPath, kind) {
 		return true
 	}
 	return false
@@ -172,13 +241,13 @@ func (t *MetadataProcessor) AddSyncJob(resp *filer_pb.SubscribeMetadataResponse)
 		t.activeJobsCond.Wait()
 	}
 
-	p, newPath, isDirectory := extractPathsFromMetadata(resp)
-	jobPaths := &syncJobPaths{path: p, newPath: newPath, isDirectory: isDirectory}
+	p, newPath, kind := extractJobInfo(resp)
+	jobPaths := &syncJobPaths{path: p, newPath: newPath, kind: kind}
 
 	t.activeJobs[resp.TsNs] = jobPaths
-	t.addPathToIndex(p, isDirectory)
+	t.addPathToIndex(p, kind)
 	if newPath != "" {
-		t.addPathToIndex(newPath, isDirectory)
+		t.addPathToIndex(newPath, kind)
 	}
 
 	heap.Push(&t.tsHeap, resp.TsNs)
@@ -195,9 +264,9 @@ func (t *MetadataProcessor) AddSyncJob(resp *filer_pb.SubscribeMetadataResponse)
 		defer t.activeJobsLock.Unlock()
 
 		delete(t.activeJobs, resp.TsNs)
-		t.removePathFromIndex(jobPaths.path, jobPaths.isDirectory)
+		t.removePathFromIndex(jobPaths.path, jobPaths.kind)
 		if jobPaths.newPath != "" {
-			t.removePathFromIndex(jobPaths.newPath, jobPaths.isDirectory)
+			t.removePathFromIndex(jobPaths.newPath, jobPaths.kind)
 		}
 
 		// Lazy-clean stale entries from heap top (already-completed jobs).
@@ -216,28 +285,47 @@ func (t *MetadataProcessor) AddSyncJob(resp *filer_pb.SubscribeMetadataResponse)
 	}()
 }
 
-func extractPathsFromMetadata(resp *filer_pb.SubscribeMetadataResponse) (p, newPath util.FullPath, isDirectory bool) {
+// extractJobInfo derives the conflict-detection path(s) and job kind for a
+// metadata event. A rename returns both the source and destination paths; all
+// other event shapes return only the primary path.
+func extractJobInfo(resp *filer_pb.SubscribeMetadataResponse) (p, newPath util.FullPath, kind jobKind) {
 	oldEntry := resp.EventNotification.OldEntry
 	newEntry := resp.EventNotification.NewEntry
 	// create
 	if filer_pb.IsCreate(resp) {
 		p = util.FullPath(resp.Directory).Child(newEntry.Name)
-		isDirectory = newEntry.IsDirectory
+		kind = classifyDirEvent(newEntry.IsDirectory, false)
 		return
 	}
 	if filer_pb.IsDelete(resp) {
 		p = util.FullPath(resp.Directory).Child(oldEntry.Name)
-		isDirectory = oldEntry.IsDirectory
+		kind = classifyDirEvent(oldEntry.IsDirectory, false)
 		return
 	}
 	if filer_pb.IsUpdate(resp) {
 		p = util.FullPath(resp.Directory).Child(newEntry.Name)
-		isDirectory = newEntry.IsDirectory
+		// In-place attribute update: non-barrier when the entry is a dir.
+		kind = classifyDirEvent(newEntry.IsDirectory, true)
 		return
 	}
-	// renaming
+	// renaming: the namespace is reshaped on both sides, so a directory
+	// rename is a barrier on both source and destination.
 	p = util.FullPath(resp.Directory).Child(oldEntry.Name)
-	isDirectory = oldEntry.IsDirectory
 	newPath = util.FullPath(resp.EventNotification.NewParentPath).Child(newEntry.Name)
+	kind = classifyDirEvent(oldEntry.IsDirectory, false)
 	return
 }
+
+// classifyDirEvent maps an entry's (isDirectory, isAttributeUpdate) pair to a
+// jobKind. Attribute-only updates on directories are the only non-barrier
+// case; everything else on a directory (create/delete/rename) is a barrier,
+// and everything on a file is kindFile.
+func classifyDirEvent(isDirectory, isAttributeUpdate bool) jobKind {
+	if !isDirectory {
+		return kindFile
+	}
+	if isAttributeUpdate {
+		return kindNonBarrierDir
+	}
+	return kindBarrierDir
+}
diff --git a/weed/command/filer_sync_jobs_test.go b/weed/command/filer_sync_jobs_test.go
index c68b8e063..7b532fc86 100644
--- a/weed/command/filer_sync_jobs_test.go
+++ b/weed/command/filer_sync_jobs_test.go
@@ -27,6 +27,20 @@ func makeResp(dir, name string, isDir bool, tsNs int64, isNew bool) *filer_pb.Su
 	return resp
 }
 
+// makeDirUpdateResp builds an in-place attribute update event for a directory
+// (same parent and same name on both sides — matches filer_pb.IsUpdate).
+func makeDirUpdateResp(parent, name string, tsNs int64) *filer_pb.SubscribeMetadataResponse {
+	return &filer_pb.SubscribeMetadataResponse{
+		Directory: parent,
+		TsNs:      tsNs,
+		EventNotification: &filer_pb.EventNotification{
+			OldEntry:      &filer_pb.Entry{Name: name, IsDirectory: true},
+			NewEntry:      &filer_pb.Entry{Name: name, IsDirectory: true},
+			NewParentPath: parent,
+		},
+	}
+}
+
 func makeRenameResp(oldDir, oldName, newDir, newName string, isDir bool, tsNs int64) *filer_pb.SubscribeMetadataResponse {
 	return &filer_pb.SubscribeMetadataResponse{
 		Directory: oldDir,
@@ -77,9 +91,9 @@ func TestFileVsFileConflict(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Add a file job
 	active := makeResp("/dir1", "file.txt", false, 1, true)
-	path, newPath, isDir := extractPathsFromMetadata(active)
-	p.activeJobs[active.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, isDirectory: isDir}
-	p.addPathToIndex(path, isDir)
+	path, newPath, kind := extractJobInfo(active)
+	p.activeJobs[active.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, kind: kind}
+	p.addPathToIndex(path, kind)
 
 	// Same file should conflict
 	same := makeResp("/dir1", "file.txt", false, 2, true)
@@ -108,9 +122,9 @@ func TestFileUnderActiveDirConflict(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Add a directory job at /dir1
 	active := makeResp("/", "dir1", true, 1, true)
-	path, newPath, isDir := extractPathsFromMetadata(active)
-	p.activeJobs[active.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, isDirectory: isDir}
-	p.addPathToIndex(path, isDir)
+	path, newPath, kind := extractJobInfo(active)
+	p.activeJobs[active.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, kind: kind}
+	p.addPathToIndex(path, kind)
 
 	// File under /dir1 should conflict
 	under := makeResp("/dir1", "file.txt", false, 2, true)
@@ -130,11 +144,11 @@ func TestFileUnderActiveDirConflict(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Error("unexpected conflict for file outside active directory")
 	}
 
-	// File at /dir1 itself (not under, at) should not conflict
-	// because IsUnder is strict: "/dir1".IsUnder("/dir1") == false
+	// File at /dir1 itself (not under, at) SHOULD conflict with an active
+	// barrier dir at /dir1 — same-path promotions must serialize.
 	atSame := makeResp("/", "dir1", false, 5, true)
-	if p.conflictsWith(atSame) {
-		t.Error("unexpected conflict for file at same path as directory (IsUnder is strict)")
+	if !p.conflictsWith(atSame) {
+		t.Error("expected conflict for file at same path as active barrier dir")
 	}
 }
 
@@ -146,9 +160,9 @@ func TestDirWithActiveFileUnder(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Add file jobs under /dir1
 	f1 := makeResp("/dir1/sub", "file.txt", false, 1, true)
-	path, newPath, isDir := extractPathsFromMetadata(f1)
-	p.activeJobs[f1.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, isDirectory: isDir}
-	p.addPathToIndex(path, isDir)
+	path, newPath, kind := extractJobInfo(f1)
+	p.activeJobs[f1.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, kind: kind}
+	p.addPathToIndex(path, kind)
 
 	// Directory /dir1 should conflict (has active file under it)
 	dirOp := makeResp("/", "dir1", true, 2, true)
@@ -170,9 +184,9 @@ func TestDirVsDirConflict(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Add directory job at /a/b
 	active := makeResp("/a", "b", true, 1, true)
-	path, newPath, isDir := extractPathsFromMetadata(active)
-	p.activeJobs[active.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, isDirectory: isDir}
-	p.addPathToIndex(path, isDir)
+	path, newPath, kind := extractJobInfo(active)
+	p.activeJobs[active.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, kind: kind}
+	p.addPathToIndex(path, kind)
 
 	// /a/b/c (descendant) should conflict
 	desc := makeResp("/a/b", "c", true, 2, true)
@@ -186,10 +200,11 @@ func TestDirVsDirConflict(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Error("expected conflict for ancestor directory")
 	}
 
-	// Same directory should NOT conflict (IsUnder is strict, not equal)
+	// Same-path barrier dir SHOULD conflict: concurrent create/delete/rename
+	// on the same directory must serialize.
 	same := makeResp("/a", "b", true, 4, true)
-	if p.conflictsWith(same) {
-		t.Error("unexpected conflict for same directory (IsUnder is strict)")
+	if !p.conflictsWith(same) {
+		t.Error("expected conflict for same-path barrier directory")
 	}
 
 	// Sibling directory should not conflict
@@ -206,9 +221,9 @@ func TestRenameConflict(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Add file job at /dir1/file.txt
 	f1 := makeResp("/dir1", "file.txt", false, 1, true)
-	path, newPath, isDir := extractPathsFromMetadata(f1)
-	p.activeJobs[f1.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, isDirectory: isDir}
-	p.addPathToIndex(path, isDir)
+	path, newPath, kind := extractJobInfo(f1)
+	p.activeJobs[f1.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, kind: kind}
+	p.addPathToIndex(path, kind)
 
 	// Rename from /dir2/a.txt to /dir1/file.txt should conflict (newPath matches)
 	rename := makeRenameResp("/dir2", "a.txt", "/dir1", "file.txt", false, 2)
@@ -236,11 +251,11 @@ func TestActiveRenameConflict(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Add active rename job: /dir1/old.txt -> /dir2/new.txt
 	rename := makeRenameResp("/dir1", "old.txt", "/dir2", "new.txt", false, 1)
-	path, newPath, isDir := extractPathsFromMetadata(rename)
-	p.activeJobs[rename.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, isDirectory: isDir}
-	p.addPathToIndex(path, isDir)
+	path, newPath, kind := extractJobInfo(rename)
+	p.activeJobs[rename.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, kind: kind}
+	p.addPathToIndex(path, kind)
 	if newPath != "" {
-		p.addPathToIndex(newPath, isDir)
+		p.addPathToIndex(newPath, kind)
 	}
 
 	// File at /dir1/old.txt should conflict
@@ -271,9 +286,9 @@ func TestRootDirConflict(t *testing.T) {
 	// Note: a dir entry at "/" would be created as FullPath("/").Child("somedir")
 	// But let's test what happens with an active dir at /some/path and check root
 	active := makeResp("/some", "dir", true, 1, true)
-	path, newPath, isDir := extractPathsFromMetadata(active)
-	p.activeJobs[active.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, isDirectory: isDir}
-	p.addPathToIndex(path, isDir)
+	path, newPath, kind := extractJobInfo(active)
+	p.activeJobs[active.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, kind: kind}
+	p.addPathToIndex(path, kind)
 
 	// Root dir should conflict because active dir /some/dir is under /
 	// A new directory at "/" should see descendantCount["/"] > 0
@@ -289,7 +304,7 @@ func TestIndexCleanup(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Add then remove a file job
 	path := util.FullPath("/a/b/c/file.txt")
-	p.addPathToIndex(path, false)
+	p.addPathToIndex(path, kindFile)
 
 	if p.activeFilePaths[path] != 1 {
 		t.Errorf("expected activeFilePaths count 1, got %d", p.activeFilePaths[path])
@@ -298,7 +313,7 @@ func TestIndexCleanup(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("expected descendantCount['/a/b/c'] = 1, got %d", p.descendantCount["/a/b/c"])
 	}
 
-	p.removePathFromIndex(path, false)
+	p.removePathFromIndex(path, kindFile)
 
 	if len(p.activeFilePaths) != 0 {
 		t.Errorf("expected empty activeFilePaths after removal, got %v", p.activeFilePaths)
@@ -316,8 +331,8 @@ func TestWatermarkWithHeap(t *testing.T) {
 	// Simulate adding jobs in order
 	for _, ts := range []int64{10, 20, 30} {
 		jobPath := util.FullPath("/file" + string(rune('0'+ts/10)))
-		p.activeJobs[ts] = &syncJobPaths{path: jobPath, isDirectory: false}
-		p.addPathToIndex(jobPath, false)
+		p.activeJobs[ts] = &syncJobPaths{path: jobPath, kind: kindFile}
+		p.addPathToIndex(jobPath, kindFile)
 		heap.Push(&p.tsHeap, ts)
 	}
 
@@ -327,7 +342,7 @@ func TestWatermarkWithHeap(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Remove non-oldest (ts=20) — heap top should stay 10
 	delete(p.activeJobs, 20)
-	p.removePathFromIndex("/file2", false)
+	p.removePathFromIndex("/file2", kindFile)
 	// Lazy clean: top is 10 which is still active, so no pop
 	for p.tsHeap.Len() > 0 {
 		if _, active := p.activeJobs[p.tsHeap[0]]; active {
@@ -341,7 +356,7 @@ func TestWatermarkWithHeap(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Remove oldest (ts=10) — lazy clean should find 30
 	delete(p.activeJobs, 10)
-	p.removePathFromIndex("/file1", false)
+	p.removePathFromIndex("/file1", kindFile)
 	for p.tsHeap.Len() > 0 {
 		if _, active := p.activeJobs[p.tsHeap[0]]; active {
 			break
@@ -353,6 +368,188 @@ func TestWatermarkWithHeap(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+// TestNonBarrierDirUpdateDoesNotBlockDescendants verifies the loosened
+// dir-conflict rule: an attribute-only directory update (same parent + same
+// name) must NOT block file events under that directory. A barrier dir event
+// (create/delete/rename) on the same path still must.
+func TestNonBarrierDirUpdateDoesNotBlockDescendants(t *testing.T) {
+	noop := func(resp *filer_pb.SubscribeMetadataResponse) error { return nil }
+
+	t.Run("attribute update on /dir1 does not block file under it", func(t *testing.T) {
+		p := NewMetadataProcessor(noop, 100, 0)
+
+		// Active non-barrier: attribute update on /dir1.
+		active := makeDirUpdateResp("/", "dir1", 1)
+		path, newPath, kind := extractJobInfo(active)
+		if kind != kindNonBarrierDir {
+			t.Fatalf("expected kindNonBarrierDir for dir attribute update, got %v", kind)
+		}
+		p.activeJobs[active.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, kind: kind}
+		p.addPathToIndex(path, kind)
+
+		// File under /dir1 should NOT conflict with the attribute update.
+		under := makeResp("/dir1", "file.txt", false, 2, true)
+		if p.conflictsWith(under) {
+			t.Error("file under a non-barrier dir update should not conflict")
+		}
+
+		// Nested file should also not conflict.
+		deep := makeResp("/dir1/sub/deep", "file.txt", false, 3, true)
+		if p.conflictsWith(deep) {
+			t.Error("deeply nested file under a non-barrier dir update should not conflict")
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("barrier dir create at the same path still blocks descendants", func(t *testing.T) {
+		p := NewMetadataProcessor(noop, 100, 0)
+
+		active := makeResp("/", "dir1", true, 1, true) // create
+		path, newPath, kind := extractJobInfo(active)
+		if kind != kindBarrierDir {
+			t.Fatalf("expected kindBarrierDir for dir create, got %v", kind)
+		}
+		p.activeJobs[active.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, kind: kind}
+		p.addPathToIndex(path, kind)
+
+		under := makeResp("/dir1", "file.txt", false, 2, true)
+		if !p.conflictsWith(under) {
+			t.Error("file under an active barrier dir create should still conflict")
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("barrier dir delete still waits for in-flight descendants", func(t *testing.T) {
+		p := NewMetadataProcessor(noop, 100, 0)
+
+		// Active file under /dir1.
+		f := makeResp("/dir1", "file.txt", false, 1, true)
+		path, newPath, kind := extractJobInfo(f)
+		p.activeJobs[f.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, kind: kind}
+		p.addPathToIndex(path, kind)
+
+		// Incoming barrier delete on /dir1 should still wait for the
+		// in-flight file descendant.
+		del := makeResp("/", "dir1", true, 2, false)
+		if !p.conflictsWith(del) {
+			t.Error("barrier dir delete should wait for descendant file job")
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("non-barrier dir update still keeps ancestor barrier waiting", func(t *testing.T) {
+		p := NewMetadataProcessor(noop, 100, 0)
+
+		// Active non-barrier dir update at /a/b.
+		upd := makeDirUpdateResp("/a", "b", 1)
+		path, newPath, kind := extractJobInfo(upd)
+		p.activeJobs[upd.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, kind: kind}
+		p.addPathToIndex(path, kind)
+
+		// A barrier delete on /a (the ancestor) should wait for it.
+		del := makeResp("/", "a", true, 2, false)
+		if !p.conflictsWith(del) {
+			t.Error("barrier ancestor dir delete should wait for non-barrier descendant update")
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+// TestSamePathBarrierSerialization verifies the tightened same-path rules:
+// a barrier dir in flight at p serializes every other job at p (file, barrier
+// dir, or non-barrier update), and a file in flight at p serializes incoming
+// files and barrier dirs at p.
+func TestSamePathBarrierSerialization(t *testing.T) {
+	noop := func(resp *filer_pb.SubscribeMetadataResponse) error { return nil }
+
+	t.Run("barrier dir at p blocks same-path file", func(t *testing.T) {
+		p := NewMetadataProcessor(noop, 100, 0)
+		active := makeResp("/", "dir1", true, 1, true) // dir create
+		path, newPath, kind := extractJobInfo(active)
+		p.activeJobs[active.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, kind: kind}
+		p.addPathToIndex(path, kind)
+
+		file := makeResp("/", "dir1", false, 2, true)
+		if !p.conflictsWith(file) {
+			t.Error("file at path of active barrier dir should conflict")
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("barrier dir at p blocks another same-path barrier dir", func(t *testing.T) {
+		p := NewMetadataProcessor(noop, 100, 0)
+		active := makeResp("/", "dir1", true, 1, true) // dir create
+		path, newPath, kind := extractJobInfo(active)
+		p.activeJobs[active.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, kind: kind}
+		p.addPathToIndex(path, kind)
+
+		del := makeResp("/", "dir1", true, 2, false) // dir delete, same path
+		if !p.conflictsWith(del) {
+			t.Error("concurrent create/delete on same dir path should conflict")
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("barrier dir at p blocks non-barrier update at same path", func(t *testing.T) {
+		p := NewMetadataProcessor(noop, 100, 0)
+		active := makeResp("/", "dir1", true, 1, true) // dir create
+		path, newPath, kind := extractJobInfo(active)
+		p.activeJobs[active.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, kind: kind}
+		p.addPathToIndex(path, kind)
+
+		upd := makeDirUpdateResp("/", "dir1", 2)
+		if !p.conflictsWith(upd) {
+			t.Error("attribute update on dir being created should wait for the create")
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("file at p blocks same-path barrier dir", func(t *testing.T) {
+		p := NewMetadataProcessor(noop, 100, 0)
+		active := makeResp("/", "thing", false, 1, true) // file create at /thing
+		path, newPath, kind := extractJobInfo(active)
+		p.activeJobs[active.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, kind: kind}
+		p.addPathToIndex(path, kind)
+
+		// Barrier dir at /thing (e.g. a file→dir promotion) must wait.
+		promoteDir := makeResp("/", "thing", true, 2, true)
+		if !p.conflictsWith(promoteDir) {
+			t.Error("barrier dir at path of active file should conflict")
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("non-barrier update at p blocks incoming barrier dir at same path", func(t *testing.T) {
+		// Regression test for a bug spotted in review: an in-flight
+		// attribute update on /dir1 must serialize against a later
+		// delete/rename/create on /dir1.
+		p := NewMetadataProcessor(noop, 100, 0)
+		active := makeDirUpdateResp("/", "dir1", 1)
+		path, newPath, kind := extractJobInfo(active)
+		if kind != kindNonBarrierDir {
+			t.Fatalf("expected kindNonBarrierDir, got %v", kind)
+		}
+		p.activeJobs[active.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, kind: kind}
+		p.addPathToIndex(path, kind)
+
+		del := makeResp("/", "dir1", true, 2, false) // dir delete
+		if !p.conflictsWith(del) {
+			t.Error("barrier dir at path of active non-barrier update should conflict")
+		}
+		// Ensure the removal path also cleans up the non-barrier index.
+		p.removePathFromIndex(path, kind)
+		if len(p.activeNonBarrierDirPaths) != 0 {
+			t.Errorf("activeNonBarrierDirPaths not cleaned up, got %v", p.activeNonBarrierDirPaths)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("non-barrier update at p does NOT block same-path non-barrier update", func(t *testing.T) {
+		p := NewMetadataProcessor(noop, 100, 0)
+		active := makeDirUpdateResp("/", "dir1", 1)
+		path, newPath, kind := extractJobInfo(active)
+		p.activeJobs[active.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, kind: kind}
+		p.addPathToIndex(path, kind)
+
+		// Concurrent attribute bumps are allowed: last writer wins.
+		upd2 := makeDirUpdateResp("/", "dir1", 2)
+		if p.conflictsWith(upd2) {
+			t.Error("concurrent non-barrier dir updates should not conflict")
+		}
+	})
+}
+
 // benchResult prevents the compiler from optimizing away the conflict check.
 var benchResult bool
 
@@ -369,9 +566,9 @@ func BenchmarkConflictCheck(b *testing.B) {
 				dir := fmt.Sprintf("/dir%d/sub%d", i/100, i%100)
 				name := fmt.Sprintf("file%d.txt", i)
 				resp := makeResp(dir, name, false, int64(i+1), true)
-				path, newPath, isDir := extractPathsFromMetadata(resp)
-				p.activeJobs[resp.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, isDirectory: isDir}
-				p.addPathToIndex(path, isDir)
+				path, newPath, kind := extractJobInfo(resp)
+				p.activeJobs[resp.TsNs] = &syncJobPaths{path: path, newPath: newPath, kind: kind}
+				p.addPathToIndex(path, kind)
 			}
 
 			// Benchmark conflict check for a non-conflicting event