diff --git a/.github/workflows/unit-tests.yaml b/.github/workflows/unit-tests.yaml
index 2681d484..222e94b7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/unit-tests.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/unit-tests.yaml
@@ -135,24 +135,24 @@ jobs:
           threshold_alert: 50
           threshold_warning: 80
 
-  test-coverage:
-    name: Publish to Code Climate
-    needs:
-      - test-app
-      - test-frontend
-    if: needs.test-app.outputs.HAS_CC_SECRETS == 'true'
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    timeout-minutes: 10
-    steps:
-      - name: Checkout Repository
-        uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: Restore Coverage Results
-        uses: actions/download-artifact@v4
-      - name: Publish code coverage
-        uses: paambaati/codeclimate-action@v5
-        env:
-          CC_TEST_REPORTER_ID: ${{ secrets.CC_TEST_REPORTER_ID }}
-        with:
-          coverageLocations: |
-            ${{ github.workspace }}/**/lcov.info:lcov
-          prefix: ${{ github.workplace }}
+  # test-coverage:
+  #   name: Publish to Code Climate
+  #   needs:
+  #     - test-app
+  #     - test-frontend
+  #   if: needs.test-app.outputs.HAS_CC_SECRETS == 'true'
+  #   runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+  #   timeout-minutes: 10
+  #   steps:
+  #     - name: Checkout Repository
+  #       uses: actions/checkout@v4
+  #     - name: Restore Coverage Results
+  #       uses: actions/download-artifact@v4
+  #     - name: Publish code coverage
+  #       uses: paambaati/codeclimate-action@v5
+  #       env:
+  #         CC_TEST_REPORTER_ID: ${{ secrets.CC_TEST_REPORTER_ID }}
+  #       with:
+  #         coverageLocations: |
+  #           ${{ github.workspace }}/**/lcov.info:lcov
+  #         prefix: ${{ github.workplace }}
diff --git a/app/.eslintrc.js b/app/.eslintrc.js
index 9bd438c3..0137b18d 100644
--- a/app/.eslintrc.js
+++ b/app/.eslintrc.js
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ module.exports = {
     'max-len': ['warn', { code: 120, comments: 120, ignoreUrls: true }],
     'no-console': process.env.NODE_ENV === 'production' ? 'error' : 'warn',
     'no-debugger': process.env.NODE_ENV === 'production' ? 'error' : 'warn',
-    quotes: ['error', 'single'],
+    quotes: ['error', 'single', { avoidEscape: true }],
     semi: ['error', 'always']
   },
   overrides: [
diff --git a/frontend/.eslintrc.js b/frontend/.eslintrc.js
index acfc189b..caa2364e 100644
--- a/frontend/.eslintrc.js
+++ b/frontend/.eslintrc.js
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ module.exports = {
     'max-len': ['warn', { code: 120, comments: 120, ignoreUrls: true }],
     'no-console': process.env.NODE_ENV === 'production' ? 'error' : 'warn',
     'no-debugger': process.env.NODE_ENV === 'production' ? 'error' : 'warn',
-    quotes: ['error', 'single'],
+    quotes: ['error', 'single', { avoidEscape: true }],
     semi: ['error', 'always'],
     'vue/component-tags-order': [
       'error',
diff --git a/frontend/src/assets/main.scss b/frontend/src/assets/main.scss
index 901bc34f..af54a33f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/assets/main.scss
+++ b/frontend/src/assets/main.scss
@@ -251,11 +251,26 @@ div:focus-visible {
 }
 .p-tag {
   background-color: $bcbox-primary;
-  font-size: 1rem;
+  font-size: .8rem;
   padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;
   font-weight: 400;
 }
 
+.p-tag-danger {
+  background-color: #fef1d8;
+  outline-style: solid;
+  outline-color: #f8bb47;
+  outline-width: thin;
+
+  .p-tag-value {
+    color: #474543;
+  }
+
+  .p-tag-icon {
+    color: #474543
+  }
+}
+
 /* datatable */
 .p-datatable,
 .p-treetable {
@@ -299,6 +314,9 @@ div:focus-visible {
 
   .p-paginator {
     justify-content: right;
+    .p-dropdown-label {
+      padding-top: 0.2rem;
+    }
   }
 
   .header-center .p-column-header-content {
@@ -312,6 +330,7 @@ div:focus-visible {
   }
   .action-buttons {
     text-align: right;
+    white-space: nowrap;
     // width: 150px;
   }
 
@@ -338,7 +357,8 @@ div:focus-visible {
 .bcbox-info-dialog {
   width: 800px;
   .p-dialog-header {
-    padding-bottom: 0;
+    padding: 1rem 1.5rem;
+    border-bottom: 1px solid #dee2e6;
 
     .svg-inline--fa,
     span[class^="material-icons-"] {
@@ -352,12 +372,15 @@ div:focus-visible {
       @extend h2;
     }
   }
-
+  .p-dialog-content{
+        padding-top: .5rem;
+  }
   .bcbox-info-dialog-subhead {
+    font-size: 120%;
     font-weight: normal;
-    margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
-    padding-left: 2.6rem;
+    padding-left: .3rem;
     @extend .wrap-block;
+
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketChildConfig.vue b/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketChildConfig.vue
index f3e7bb5c..79945f38 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketChildConfig.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketChildConfig.vue
@@ -92,17 +92,23 @@ const onCancel = () => {
         Add subfolder
       </span>
     </template>
+
     <h3
       id="subfolder_desc"
-      class="bcbox-info-dialog-subhead mb-0"
+      class="bcbox-info-dialog-subhead"
     >
+      Adding a subfolder below:
+      <br />
+      <font-awesome-icon
+        icon="fa-solid fa-folder"
+        class="mr-2 mt-2"
+      />
       {{ props.parentBucket.bucketName }}
     </h3>
-    <ul class="mt-0 pl-3">
-      <li>Sets a subfolder to appear within a folder</li>
-    </ul>
+
     <Form
       id="add-subfolder"
+      class="mt-4"
       aria-label="Add subfolder"
       :validation-schema="schema"
       role="form"
@@ -117,19 +123,18 @@ const onCancel = () => {
       </Message>
       <TextInput
         name="subKey"
-        label="Path"
-        placeholder="my-documents"
+        label="Path:"
+        placeholder="eg: 2024/January/my-documents"
         :help-text="`The relative path of the subfolder.
           You can pick a new path or choose an existing object storage path,
-          but it can't be changed after it is set.<br />
-          Folder levels are supported using '/' between levels (for example: 2024/January/my-documents).`"
+          but it can't be changed after it is set. Folder levels are supported using '/' between levels.`"
         class="child-input"
         focus-trap
       />
       <TextInput
         name="bucketName"
-        label="Folder display name *"
-        placeholder="My Documents"
+        label="Folder display name: *"
+        placeholder="eg: my Documents"
         help-text="Your custom display name for the subfolder - any name as you would like to see it listed in BCBox."
         class="child-input"
       />
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketConfigForm.vue b/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketConfigForm.vue
index 90b97948..a65e6bab 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketConfigForm.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketConfigForm.vue
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
+import { onBeforeMount, ref } from 'vue';
 import { storeToRefs } from 'pinia';
 import { Form } from 'vee-validate';
 import { object, string } from 'yup';
+import { differenceInSeconds } from 'date-fns';
 
 import Password from '@/components/form/Password.vue';
 import TextInput from '@/components/form/TextInput.vue';
@@ -12,6 +14,7 @@ import { useAuthStore, useBucketStore } from '@/store';
 import { ButtonMode } from '@/utils/enums';
 import { differential, getBucketPath, joinPath } from '@/utils/utils';
 
+import type { Ref } from 'vue';
 import type { Bucket } from '@/types';
 
 export type BucketForm = {
@@ -25,7 +28,7 @@ export type BucketForm = {
 
 // Props
 type Props = {
-  bucket?: Bucket;
+  bucket?: Bucket & { isRoot?: boolean };
 };
 
 const props = withDefaults(defineProps<Props>(), {
@@ -90,9 +93,10 @@ const onSubmit = async (values: any) => {
 
     // If added a new configuration, do a recursive sync of this bucket
     if (!props.bucket) {
-      await bucketStore.syncBucket(bucketModel.bucketId, true)
+      await bucketStore
+        .syncBucket(bucketModel.bucketId, true)
         .then(() => toast.info('Sync in progress', ''))
-        .catch(error => toast.error('Unable to sync with storage location', error, { life: 0 }));
+        .catch((error) => toast.error('Unable to sync with storage location', error, { life: 0 }));
     }
 
     // refresh bucket list
@@ -120,6 +124,39 @@ const onSubmit = async (values: any) => {
 const onCancel = () => {
   emit('cancel-bucket-config');
 };
+
+// disable some form fields if configuring a subfolder
+const timeToNextManual: Ref<number> = ref(0);
+const syncButtonDisabled = ref(true);
+
+const updateSyncButtonStatus = async () => {
+  if (props.bucket) {
+    const manualMinimum = 1800; // 30 minutes
+    const now = new Date();
+    // if sync in progress, show status
+    const syncQueueSize: Ref<number> = ref(0);
+    syncQueueSize.value = await bucketStore.syncBucketStatus(props.bucket.bucketId);
+    if (syncQueueSize.value > 0) {
+      const word = syncQueueSize.value > 1 ? 'files' : 'file';
+      toast.info('Sync in progress.', `${syncQueueSize.value} ${word} remaining.`, { life: 0 });
+      timeToNextManual.value = manualMinimum;
+    } else {
+      const lastSyncDate = new Date(props.bucket.lastSyncRequestedDate as string);
+      const sinceLastSyncDate = differenceInSeconds(now, lastSyncDate);
+      // if havent synced for 30 minutes, enable button
+      if (sinceLastSyncDate > manualMinimum) {
+        syncButtonDisabled.value = false;
+      }
+      // else show time until minimum has passed since last
+      else {
+        timeToNextManual.value = Math.ceil((manualMinimum - sinceLastSyncDate) / 60);
+      }
+    }
+  }
+};
+onBeforeMount(async () => {
+  updateSyncButtonStatus();
+});
 </script>
 
 <template>
@@ -132,33 +169,37 @@ const onCancel = () => {
       <TextInput
         name="bucketName"
         label="Folder name *"
-        placeholder="My Documents"
+        placeholder="eg: My Documents"
         help-text="Your custom display name for the storage location,
-          shown in BCBox as a folder. Any name as you would like to see it listed in BCBox."
+          shown in BCBox as a folder."
         focus-trap
       />
       <TextInput
+        :disabled="props.bucket && !props.bucket.isRoot"
         name="bucket"
         label="Bucket *"
-        placeholder="bucket0123456789"
-        :help-text="'The name of the bucket given to you. For example: \'yxwgj\'.'"
+        placeholder="eg: mybucket"
+        :help-text="'The name of the object storage bucket. For example: \'yxwgj\'.'"
       />
       <TextInput
+        :disabled="props.bucket && !props.bucket.isRoot"
         name="endpoint"
         label="Endpoint *"
-        placeholder="https://example.com"
+        placeholder="eg: https://nrs.objectstore.gov.bc.ca"
         help-text="The URL of your object storage namespace without the bucket identifier/name."
       />
       <Password
+        :disabled="props.bucket && !props.bucket.isRoot"
         name="accessKeyId"
-        label="Access key identifier / User account *"
-        placeholder="username"
+        label="Access key ID *"
+        placeholder=""
         help-text="User/Account identifier or username."
       />
       <Password
+        :disabled="props.bucket && !props.bucket.isRoot"
         name="secretAccessKey"
         label="Secret access key *"
-        placeholder="password"
+        placeholder=""
         help-text="A password used to access the bucket."
       />
       <TextInput
@@ -170,27 +211,36 @@ const onCancel = () => {
           This will default to the root '/' if not provided."
         :disabled="!!props.bucket"
       />
-      <Button
-        class="p-button mt-2 mr-1"
-        label="Apply"
-        type="submit"
-        icon="pi pi-check"
-      />
-      <Button
-        class="p-button-outlined mt-2 mr-1"
-        label="Cancel"
-        icon="pi pi-times"
-        @click="onCancel"
-      />
-      <SyncButton
-        v-if="props.bucket"
-        class="p-button-outlined mt-2 mr-1"
-        label="Sync"
-        label-text="Synchronize all files and sub-folders"
-        :bucket-id="bucket?.bucketId"
-        :mode="ButtonMode.BUTTON"
-        :recursive="true"
-      />
+      <div class="flex flex-row">
+        <Button
+          class="flex p-button mt-2 mr-2"
+          label="Apply"
+          type="submit"
+          icon="pi pi-check"
+        />
+        <Button
+          class="flex p-button-outlined mt-2 mr-2"
+          label="Cancel"
+          icon="pi pi-times"
+          @click="onCancel"
+        />
+        <span
+          v-tooltip.left="
+            syncButtonDisabled
+              ? `Sync will be available in ${timeToNextManual} minutes`
+              : 'Sync all files and sub-folders with storage'
+          "
+          class="flex ml-auto mt-2"
+        >
+          <SyncButton
+            v-if="props.bucket"
+            :disabled="syncButtonDisabled"
+            :bucket-id="bucket?.bucketId"
+            :mode="ButtonMode.BUTTON"
+            :recursive="true"
+          />
+        </span>
+      </div>
     </Form>
   </div>
 </template>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketList.vue b/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketList.vue
index b40509d6..efe7ccca 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketList.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketList.vue
@@ -58,12 +58,6 @@ onMounted(async () => {
   <div class="flex flex-wrap">
     <div class="flex-grow-1">
       <h1 class="">My files</h1>
-      <h4
-        id="tree_label"
-        class="mb-4"
-      >
-        Select a folder to view the files inside it.
-      </h4>
     </div>
 
     <div class="flex-none align-items-right">
@@ -71,7 +65,7 @@ onMounted(async () => {
         v-if="usePermissionStore().isUserElevatedRights()"
         v-tooltip.bottom="'Add a new storage location source'"
         label="Connect Storage"
-        class="my-4 p-button-primary"
+        class="mb-4 mt-1 p-button-primary"
         data-test="connect-storage"
         aria-label="Add a new storage location source"
         @click="showBucketConfig()"
@@ -104,14 +98,15 @@ onMounted(async () => {
 
         <h3
           id="config_dialog_label"
-          class="bcbox-info-dialog-subhead"
+          class="bcbox-info-dialog-subhead mb-3"
         >
           {{ bucketConfigTitle }}
         </h3>
 
-        <Message severity="warn">
+        <!-- <Message severity="warn">
           If you intend to share files in your bucket with BCeID or BC Services Card users, please notify
-          <a href="mailto:IDIM.Consulting@gov.bc.ca">IDIM.Consulting@gov.bc.ca</a> that you plan to use BCBox.
+          <a href="mailto:IDIM.Consulting@gov.bc.ca">IDIM.Consulting@gov.bc.ca</a>
+          that you plan to use BCBox.
         </Message>
 
         <Message severity="info">
@@ -124,7 +119,7 @@ onMounted(async () => {
           </a>
           (Natural Resource ministries) or your ministry's service desk if you need help with &quot;bucket&quot; storage
           location sources.
-        </Message>
+        </Message> -->
 
         <BucketConfigForm
           :bucket="bucketToUpdate"
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketPermission.vue b/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketPermission.vue
index 80de8332..9946ff72 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketPermission.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketPermission.vue
@@ -3,12 +3,13 @@ import { storeToRefs } from 'pinia';
 import { computed, onBeforeMount, ref } from 'vue';
 import { FontAwesomeIcon } from '@fortawesome/vue-fontawesome';
 
+import BucketPublicToggle from '@/components/bucket/BucketPublicToggle.vue';
 import BucketPermissionAddUser from '@/components/bucket/BucketPermissionAddUser.vue';
 import { BulkPermission } from '@/components/common';
 import { useAlert } from '@/composables/useAlert';
 import { Button, Checkbox, Column, DataTable, Message, TabPanel, TabView } from '@/lib/primevue';
 
-import { useBucketStore, usePermissionStore } from '@/store';
+import { useAuthStore, useBucketStore, usePermissionStore } from '@/store';
 import { Permissions } from '@/utils/constants';
 
 import type { Ref } from 'vue';
@@ -25,6 +26,7 @@ const props = withDefaults(defineProps<Props>(), {});
 const permissionStore = usePermissionStore();
 const bucketStore = useBucketStore();
 const { getMappedBucketToUserPermissions } = storeToRefs(permissionStore);
+const { getUserId } = storeToRefs(useAuthStore());
 
 // State
 const showSearchUsers: Ref<boolean> = ref(false);
@@ -70,6 +72,8 @@ const updateBucketPermission = (value: boolean, userId: string, permCode: string
 };
 
 onBeforeMount(async () => {
+  // TODO: check for any permissions on parent bucket
+  // transform tale data to prevent overriding parent
   await permissionStore.fetchBucketPermissions({ bucketId: props.bucketId });
   await permissionStore.mapBucketToUserPermissions(props.bucketId);
 });
@@ -78,6 +82,30 @@ onBeforeMount(async () => {
 <template>
   <TabView>
     <TabPanel header="Manage permissions">
+      <!-- public toggle -->
+      <div class="flex pb-3">
+        <div class="flex-grow-1">
+          <div class="pb-1">
+            <h3>Set to public</h3>
+            <p>
+              Making a folder
+              <strong>public</strong>
+              means that all files within it, including those in any subfolders, can be accessed by anyone without
+              requiring authentication.
+            </p>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+        <BucketPublicToggle
+          v-if="bucket && getUserId"
+          class="flex flex-none"
+          :bucket-id="bucket.bucketId"
+          :bucket-name="bucket.bucketName"
+          :bucket-public="bucket.public"
+          :user-id="getUserId"
+        />
+      </div>
+      <h3>User Permissions</h3>
+      <!-- user search -->
       <div v-if="!showSearchUsers">
         <Button
           class="mt-1 mb-4"
@@ -100,7 +128,7 @@ onBeforeMount(async () => {
         class="mb-4"
         size="small"
       >
-      Permission changes apply to all sub-folders and files.
+        Permission changes apply to all sub-folders and files.
       </Message>
 
       <DataTable
@@ -231,11 +259,21 @@ onBeforeMount(async () => {
 </template>
 
 <style lang="scss" scoped>
-:deep(.p-message-wrapper){
-  padding: .5rem;
+:deep(.p-message-wrapper) {
+  padding: 0.5rem;
 }
 :deep(.p-button.p-button-lg) {
   padding: 0;
   margin-left: 1rem;
 }
+
+.p-tabview {
+  margin-top: 1rem;
+}
+:deep(.p-tabview-panels) {
+  padding-left: 0;
+  .p-tabview-panel {
+    padding-top: 1rem;
+  }
+}
 </style>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketPublicToggle.vue b/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketPublicToggle.vue
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ffea8038
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketPublicToggle.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+<script setup lang="ts">
+import { ref, watch, computed, onMounted } from 'vue';
+
+import { InputSwitch, useConfirm, useToast } from '@/lib/primevue';
+import { useBucketStore, usePermissionStore } from '@/store';
+import { Permissions } from '@/utils/constants';
+
+import type { Ref } from 'vue';
+import { getBucketPath, trimUrl } from '@/utils/utils';
+
+// Props
+type Props = {
+  bucketId: string;
+  bucketName: string;
+  bucketPublic: boolean;
+  userId: string;
+};
+
+const props = withDefaults(defineProps<Props>(), {});
+
+// Store
+const bucketStore = useBucketStore();
+const permissionStore = usePermissionStore();
+
+// State
+const isPublic: Ref<boolean> = ref(props.bucketPublic);
+const isParentPublic = ref<boolean>(false);
+
+// Actions
+const toast = useToast();
+const confirm = useConfirm();
+
+const togglePublic = async (setPublicValue: boolean) => {
+  if (setPublicValue) {
+    confirm.require({
+      message:
+        'Setting this folder to public will allow anyone to access all subfolders and files. ' +
+        'Anyone with a link can view the contents of this folder in BCBox without signing in.',
+      header: 'Set folder to public?',
+      acceptLabel: 'Set to public',
+      rejectLabel: 'Cancel',
+      accept: () => {
+        bucketStore
+          .togglePublic(props.bucketId, true)
+          .then(() => {
+            toast.success('Folder set to public', `${props.bucketName} and all its contents are now public.`);
+          })
+          .catch((e) => toast.error('Changing public state', e.response?.data.detail ?? e, { life: 0 }));
+      },
+      reject: () => (isPublic.value = false),
+      onHide: () => (isPublic.value = false)
+    });
+  } else
+    confirm.require({
+      message:
+        'Setting this folder to private will remove public access to all subfolders and files. ' +
+        'Only users with permissions will be able to view and download them.',
+      header: 'Set folder to private?',
+      acceptLabel: 'Set to private',
+      rejectLabel: 'Cancel',
+      accept: () => {
+        bucketStore
+          .togglePublic(props.bucketId, false)
+          .then(() => {
+            toast.success('Folder set to private', `${props.bucketName} and all its contents are now private`);
+          })
+          .catch((e) => toast.error('Changing public state', e.response?.data.detail ?? e, { life: 0 }));
+      },
+      reject: () => (isPublic.value = true),
+      onHide: () => (isPublic.value = true)
+    });
+};
+
+const isParentBucketPublic = (): boolean => {
+  // @ts-ignore: bucketId will always be provided
+  const currBucketPath = getBucketPath(bucketStore.getBucket(props.bucketId));
+  const parentPath = currBucketPath.substring(0, currBucketPath.lastIndexOf('/'));
+  const parentBucket = bucketStore.getBucketByFullPath(parentPath);
+
+  const isTopLevelBucket = trimUrl(currBucketPath) === trimUrl(parentPath);
+
+  // top-level buckets by definition won't have a parent bucket restricting public status
+  return isTopLevelBucket ? false : parentBucket?.public ?? false;
+};
+
+const isToggleEnabled = computed(() => {
+  return (
+    !isParentPublic.value &&
+    usePermissionStore().isUserElevatedRights() &&
+    permissionStore.isObjectActionAllowed(props.bucketId, props.userId, Permissions.MANAGE, props.bucketId as string)
+  );
+});
+
+onMounted(async () => {
+  isPublic.value = props.bucketPublic;
+  isParentPublic.value = await isParentBucketPublic();
+});
+
+watch(props, () => {
+  isPublic.value = props.bucketPublic;
+});
+</script>
+
+<template>
+  <span v-tooltip="isToggleEnabled ? '' : 'Change the parent folder\'s public setting to update this folder'">
+    <InputSwitch
+      v-model="isPublic"
+      aria-label="Toggle to make public"
+      :disabled="!isToggleEnabled"
+      @change="togglePublic(isPublic)"
+    />
+  </span>
+</template>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketSidebar.vue b/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketSidebar.vue
index d125bdf8..74dc8d69 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketSidebar.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketSidebar.vue
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ watch(props, () => {
     aria-describedby="side-panel_desc"
   >
     <div class="flex panel-header align-items-start">
-      <span class="material-icons-outlined">info</span>
+      <span class="material-icons-outlined icon-medium mt-2">info</span>
       <h1 class="mt-0 ml-3 flex-grow-1">Folder details</h1>
       <Button
         aria-label="Close"
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketTable.vue b/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketTable.vue
index 368832b8..7e4accee 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketTable.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/bucket/BucketTable.vue
@@ -1,15 +1,14 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
 import { storeToRefs } from 'pinia';
-import { ref, watch } from 'vue';
+import { computed, nextTick, ref, watch } from 'vue';
 
 import { BucketChildConfig, BucketPermission, BucketTableBucketName } from '@/components/bucket';
 import { Spinner } from '@/components/layout';
-import { SyncButton, ShareButton } from '@/components/common';
-import { Button, Column, Dialog, TreeTable, useConfirm } from '@/lib/primevue';
+import { ShareButton } from '@/components/common';
+import { Button, Column, Dialog, Tag, TreeTable, useConfirm } from '@/lib/primevue';
 import { useAppStore, useAuthStore, useBucketStore, useNavStore, usePermissionStore } from '@/store';
 import { DELIMITER, Permissions } from '@/utils/constants';
 import { getBucketPath, joinPath, onDialogHide } from '@/utils/utils';
-import { ButtonMode } from '@/utils/enums';
 
 import type { TreeTableExpandedKeys } from 'primevue/treetable';
 import type { Ref } from 'vue';
@@ -40,6 +39,24 @@ const columnProps = {
     tabindex: 0
   })
 };
+const getBucketPublicStatus = computed(() => {
+  return (node: BucketTreeNode): boolean => {
+    if (node.data.dummy) {
+      return false;
+    } else if (node.data.bucketId) {
+      const storeBucket = getBuckets.value.find((bucket) => bucket.bucketId === node.data.bucketId);
+      return storeBucket?.public || false;
+    }
+
+    const nodePath = getBucketPath(node.data);
+    const matchingBucket = getBuckets.value.find((bucket) => {
+      const bucketPath = getBucketPath(bucket);
+      return nodePath.startsWith(bucketPath) || bucketPath.startsWith(nodePath);
+    });
+
+    return matchingBucket?.public || false;
+  };
+});
 
 const emit = defineEmits(['show-bucket-config', 'show-sidebar-info']);
 
@@ -81,7 +98,7 @@ const confirmDeleteBucket = (bucketId: string) => {
   });
 };
 
-async function deleteBucket(bucketId: string, recursive=true) {
+async function deleteBucket(bucketId: string, recursive = true) {
   await bucketStore.deleteBucket(bucketId, recursive);
   await bucketStore.fetchBuckets({ userId: getUserId.value, objectPerms: true });
 }
@@ -134,8 +151,6 @@ function createDummyNodes(neighbour: BucketTreeNode, node: BucketTreeNode) {
     // Fix broken endpoints caused by delimiter splitting
     fullPath = fullPath.replace(/^https?:\//i, (match) => `${match}/`);
 
-    // TODO: exclude un-mapped parent folders
-    // if(getBuckets.value.find(b => b.key === key || (key).startsWith(b.bucket+'/'+b.key))){
     dummyNodes.push({
       key: fullPath,
       data: {
@@ -147,6 +162,7 @@ function createDummyNodes(neighbour: BucketTreeNode, node: BucketTreeNode) {
         dummy: true,
         endpoint: node.data.endpoint,
         key: key,
+        public: false,
         region: '',
         secretAccessKey: ''
       },
@@ -166,10 +182,12 @@ function createDummyNodes(neighbour: BucketTreeNode, node: BucketTreeNode) {
 }
 
 watch(getBuckets, () => {
-  // Make sure everything is clear for a rebuild
+  // Make sure everything is clear for a rebuild...
   endpointMap.clear();
   bucketTreeNodeMap.clear();
-  expandedKeys.value = {};
+
+  // ...except for what rows are curerently expanded
+  const currentExpandedKeys = { ...expandedKeys.value };
 
   // Split buckets into arrays based on endpoint
   for (const bucket of getBuckets.value) {
@@ -209,33 +227,8 @@ watch(getBuckets, () => {
         if (neighbour) {
           createDummyNodes(neighbour, node).children.push(node);
         } else {
-          if (node.data.key !== '/') {
-            // Top level bucket not at root so create dummy hierarchy to reach it
-            const rootFullPath = `${node.data.endpoint}/${node.data.bucket}//`;
-            const dummyRootNode: BucketTreeNode = {
-              key: rootFullPath,
-              data: {
-                accessKeyId: '',
-                active: false,
-                bucket: node.data.bucket,
-                bucketId: '',
-                bucketName: node.data.bucket,
-                dummy: true,
-                endpoint: node.data.endpoint,
-                key: '/',
-                region: '',
-                secretAccessKey: ''
-              },
-              children: new Array(),
-              isRoot: true
-            };
-            tree.push(dummyRootNode);
-            bucketTreeNodeMap.set(rootFullPath, dummyRootNode);
-            createDummyNodes(dummyRootNode, node).children.push(node);
-          } else {
-            node.isRoot = true;
-            tree.push(node);
-          }
+          node.isRoot = true;
+          tree.push(node);
         }
       }
 
@@ -245,6 +238,11 @@ watch(getBuckets, () => {
 
   //set tree state
   treeData.value = tree;
+
+  // restore previously-expanded TreeTable rows
+  nextTick(() => {
+    expandedKeys.value = currentExpandedKeys;
+  });
 });
 </script>
 
@@ -299,26 +297,24 @@ watch(getBuckets, () => {
       header-class="text-right"
       body-class="action-buttons"
       header-style="width: 320px"
-      >
+    >
       <template #body="{ node }">
         <span v-if="!node.data.dummy">
-          <ShareButton
-            :bucket-id="node.data.bucketId"
-            label-text="Folder"
+          <Tag
+            v-if="getBucketPublicStatus(node)"
+            v-tooltip="
+              'This folder and its contents are set to public. Change the settings in &quot;Folder permissions.&quot;'
+            "
+            value="Public"
+            severity="danger"
+            rounded
+            icon="pi pi-info-circle"
+            class="public-folder"
           />
           <BucketChildConfig
             v-if="permissionStore.isBucketActionAllowed(node.data.bucketId, getUserId, Permissions.CREATE)"
             :parent-bucket="node.data"
           />
-          <Button
-            v-if="permissionStore.isBucketActionAllowed(node.data.bucketId, getUserId, Permissions.MANAGE)"
-            v-tooltip.bottom="'Configure folder'"
-            class="p-button-lg p-button-text"
-            aria-label="Configure folder"
-            @click="showBucketConfig(node.data)"
-          >
-            <span class="material-icons-outlined">settings</span>
-          </Button>
           <Button
             v-if="permissionStore.isBucketActionAllowed(node.data.bucketId, getUserId, Permissions.MANAGE)"
             id="folder_permissions"
@@ -329,12 +325,19 @@ watch(getBuckets, () => {
           >
             <span class="material-icons-outlined">supervisor_account</span>
           </Button>
-          <SyncButton
-            v-if="permissionStore.isBucketActionAllowed(node.data.bucketId, getUserId, Permissions.READ)"
-            label-text="Synchronize files in this folder"
+          <ShareButton
             :bucket-id="node.data.bucketId"
-            :mode="ButtonMode.ICON"
+            label-text="Folder"
           />
+          <Button
+            v-if="permissionStore.isBucketActionAllowed(node.data.bucketId, getUserId, Permissions.MANAGE)"
+            v-tooltip.bottom="'Configure folder'"
+            class="p-button-lg p-button-text"
+            aria-label="Configure folder"
+            @click="showBucketConfig({ ...node.data, isRoot: node.isRoot })"
+          >
+            <span class="material-icons-outlined">settings</span>
+          </Button>
           <Button
             v-if="permissionStore.isBucketActionAllowed(node.data.bucketId, getUserId, Permissions.READ)"
             v-tooltip.bottom="'Folder details'"
@@ -342,8 +345,8 @@ watch(getBuckets, () => {
             aria-label="Folder details"
             @click="showSidebarInfo(node.data.bucketId)"
           >
-          <span class="material-icons-outlined">info</span>
-        </Button>
+            <span class="material-icons-outlined">info</span>
+          </Button>
           <Button
             v-if="permissionStore.isBucketActionAllowed(node.data.bucketId, getUserId, Permissions.DELETE)"
             v-tooltip.bottom="'Delete folder'"
@@ -351,8 +354,8 @@ watch(getBuckets, () => {
             aria-label="Delete folder"
             @click="confirmDeleteBucket(node.data.bucketId)"
           >
-          <span class="material-icons-outlined">delete</span>
-        </Button>
+            <span class="material-icons-outlined">delete</span>
+          </Button>
         </span>
       </template>
     </Column>
@@ -384,6 +387,12 @@ watch(getBuckets, () => {
       id="permissions_desc"
       class="bcbox-info-dialog-subhead"
     >
+      Set permissions for:
+      <br />
+      <font-awesome-icon
+        icon="fa-solid fa-folder"
+        class="mt-2"
+      />
       {{ permissionBucketName }}
     </h3>
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/common/Share.vue b/frontend/src/components/common/Share.vue
index 8f6e0603..368aa1a6 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/common/Share.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/common/Share.vue
@@ -1,56 +1,56 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
 import { computed } from 'vue';
-import { storeToRefs } from 'pinia';
 import QrcodeVue from 'qrcode.vue';
 import { FontAwesomeIcon } from '@fortawesome/vue-fontawesome';
 import { Button, InputText, useToast } from '@/lib/primevue';
-import { useConfigStore } from '@/store';
-
-import type { Ref } from 'vue';
 
 // Props
 type Props = {
-  label: string;
-  inviteLink?: string;
-  resourceType: string;
-  resource: any;
+  linkType: string;
+  shareLink: string;
 };
 const props = withDefaults(defineProps<Props>(), {
-  inviteLink: undefined
+  shareLink: undefined
 });
 
-// store
-const { getConfig } = storeToRefs(useConfigStore());
-
-// Share link
-const shareLink: Ref<string>  = computed(() => {
-  if(props.inviteLink) return props.inviteLink; // use invite link if defined in prop
-  else if(props.resource.public) { // else if a public file
-    return `${getConfig.value.coms?.apiPath}/object/${props.resource.id}`;
-  } else { // else either a protected file or bucket
-    const path = props.resourceType === 'object'
-      // eslint-disable-next-line max-len
-      ? `detail/objects?objectId=${props.resource.id}`
-      : `list/objects?bucketId=${props.resource.bucketId}`;
-    return `${window.location.origin}/${path}`;
+const text = computed(() => {
+  switch (props.linkType) {
+    case 'public-file':
+      return '<strong>Anyone</strong> with the link can view and download this file without signing in.';
+    case 'share-file':
+      return 'Only people who already have access can view and download this file using the link.';
+    case 'share-public-folder':
+      return '<strong>Anyone</strong> with this link can view the contents of \
+      this folder in BCBox without signing in.';
+    case 'share-folder':
+      return 'Only people who already have access can view and download these files using the link.';
+    default:
+      return 'Share link';
   }
 });
 
 // Actions
 const toast = useToast();
 const copyLinkToClipboard = () => {
-  navigator.clipboard.writeText(shareLink.value);
+  navigator.clipboard.writeText(props.shareLink);
   toast.info('Share link copied to clipboard');
 };
 </script>
 
 <template>
-  <label for="shareLink">{{ props.label }}</label>
-  <div class="p-inputgroup mb-4">
+  <h3 class="mb-2">Share link</h3>
+  <!-- eslint-disable vue/no-v-html -->
+  <label
+    class="mb-4 block"
+    for="shareLink"
+    v-html="text"
+  />
+  <!-- eslint-enable vue/no-v-html -->
+  <div class="p-inputgroup mt-2 mb-4">
     <InputText
       name="shareLink"
       readonly
-      :value="shareLink"
+      :value="props.shareLink"
     />
     <Button
       class="p-button-outlined p-button-primary"
@@ -66,8 +66,8 @@ const copyLinkToClipboard = () => {
 
   <label class="block">QR code</label>
   <qrcode-vue
-    :value="shareLink"
-    :size="250"
+    :value="props.shareLink"
+    :size="150"
     level="L"
   />
 </template>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/common/ShareButton.vue b/frontend/src/components/common/ShareButton.vue
index 945affee..52f4d761 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/common/ShareButton.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/common/ShareButton.vue
@@ -3,10 +3,11 @@ import { storeToRefs } from 'pinia';
 import { computed, ref } from 'vue';
 
 import { Invite, Share } from '@/components/common';
-import { Button, Dialog, TabView, TabPanel } from '@/lib/primevue';
+import { Button, Dialog, TabView, TabPanel, Tag } from '@/lib/primevue';
 
 import { Permissions } from '@/utils/constants';
 import { useAuthStore, useObjectStore, usePermissionStore, useBucketStore, useNavStore } from '@/store';
+import { useConfigStore } from '@/store';
 import { onDialogHide } from '@/utils/utils';
 
 import type { Ref } from 'vue';
@@ -33,6 +34,7 @@ const bucketStore = useBucketStore();
 const { getUserId } = storeToRefs(useAuthStore());
 const permissionStore = usePermissionStore();
 const { focusedElement } = storeToRefs(useNavStore());
+const { getConfig } = storeToRefs(useConfigStore());
 
 // State
 const resourceType = props.objectId ? ref('object') : ref('bucket');
@@ -53,6 +55,14 @@ const hasManagePermission: Ref<boolean> = computed(() => {
   /* eslint-enable */
 });
 
+// get share links
+const downloadLink = `${getConfig.value.coms?.apiPath}/object/${props.objectId}`;
+const bcboxLink: Ref<string> = computed(() => {
+  const baseUrl = window.location.origin;
+  if (resourceType.value === 'bucket') return `${baseUrl}/list/objects?bucketId=${props.bucketId}`;
+  else return `${baseUrl}/detail/objects?objectId=${props.objectId}`;
+});
+
 // Dialog
 const displayShareDialog = ref(false);
 
@@ -81,58 +91,76 @@ const showDialog = (x: boolean) => {
       <span class="material-icons-outlined">ios_share</span>
       <span
         id="share_dialog_label"
-        class="p-dialog-title"
+        class="p-dialog-title flex-grow-0"
       >
         Share
       </span>
+      <span class="ml-3 text-sm flex-grow-1">
+        <Tag
+          v-if="resource?.public"
+          v-tooltip="
+            `This ${resourceType === 'object' ? 'file is' : 'folder and its contents are'} set to public. 
+              Change the settings in &quot;${resourceType === 'object' ? 'File' : 'Folder'} Permissions.&quot;`
+          "
+          value="Public"
+          severity="danger"
+          rounded
+          icon="pi pi-info-circle"
+        />
+      </span>
     </template>
     <div
       tabindex="0"
       role="document"
     >
       <h3 class="bcbox-info-dialog-subhead">
+        Sharing:
+        <br />
+        <font-awesome-icon
+          icon="fa-solid fa-folder"
+          class="mr-2 mt-2"
+        />
         {{ resourceType === 'object' ? resource?.name : resource?.bucketName }}
       </h3>
-      <ul
-        id="share_dialog_desc"
-        class="mb-4"
-      >
-        <li>If a user already has permissions, you can link them with a share link</li>
-        <li>
-          Invite someone using an invite link - the links are single-use; you must generate a new link for each user you
-          intend to send this to
-        </li>
-        <li>
-          To share publicly or with a direct link, you must set the file to public - this only works for individual
-          files
-        </li>
-      </ul>
     </div>
     <TabView>
+      <!-- public file download link -->
       <TabPanel
-        v-if="resource?.public"
-        header="Direct public file link"
+        v-if="resourceType === 'object' && resource?.public"
+        :header="`Public download link`"
       >
         <Share
-          label="Direct link"
-          :resource-type="resourceType"
-          :resource="resource"
+          link-type="public-file"
+          :share-link="downloadLink"
         />
       </TabPanel>
-      <!-- Disable for public until unauthed File Details page works -->
+
+      <!-- file share link -->
       <TabPanel
-        header="Share link"
-        :disabled="resource?.public"
+        v-if="resourceType === 'object' && !resource?.public"
+        :header="`Share link`"
       >
         <Share
-          label="Share link"
-          :resource-type="resourceType"
-          :resource="resource"
+          link-type="share-file"
+          :share-link="bcboxLink"
+        />
+      </TabPanel>
+
+      <!-- folder share link -->
+      <TabPanel
+        v-if="resourceType === 'bucket'"
+        :header="`${resource?.public && resourceType === 'bucket' ? 'Public share' : 'Share'} link`"
+      >
+        <Share
+          :link-type="`share-${resource?.public ? 'public-' : ''}folder`"
+          :share-link="bcboxLink"
         />
       </TabPanel>
+
+      <!-- Invite -->
       <TabPanel
+        v-if="hasManagePermission"
         :header="`${resourceType === 'object' ? 'File' : 'Folder'} invite`"
-        :disabled="!hasManagePermission"
       >
         <Invite
           :resource-type="resourceType"
@@ -147,12 +175,18 @@ const showDialog = (x: boolean) => {
     :aria-label="`Share ${props.labelText.toLocaleLowerCase()}`"
     @click="showDialog(true)"
   >
-  <span class="material-icons-outlined">ios_share</span>
-</Button>
+    <span class="material-icons-outlined">ios_share</span>
+  </Button>
 </template>
 
-<style scoped lang="scss">
-ul {
-  padding-left: 22px;
+<style lang="scss" scoped>
+.p-tabview {
+  margin-top: 1rem;
+}
+:deep(.p-tabview-panels) {
+  padding-left: 0;
+  .p-tabview-panel {
+    padding-top: 1rem;
+  }
 }
 </style>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/common/SyncButton.vue b/frontend/src/components/common/SyncButton.vue
index 75a59885..5b9a9868 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/common/SyncButton.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/common/SyncButton.vue
@@ -14,10 +14,10 @@ import type { Ref } from 'vue';
 type Props = {
   bucketId?: string;
   objectId?: string;
-  recursive: boolean;
+  recursive?: boolean;
   labelText?: string;
   disabled?: boolean;
-  mode: ButtonMode;
+  mode?: string;
 };
 
 const props = withDefaults(defineProps<Props>(), {
@@ -25,7 +25,8 @@ const props = withDefaults(defineProps<Props>(), {
   objectId: '',
   recursive: false,
   labelText: '',
-  disabled: false
+  disabled: false,
+  mode: ButtonMode.ICON
 });
 
 // State
@@ -41,17 +42,19 @@ const { focusedElement } = storeToRefs(useNavStore());
 
 // Dialog
 const displaySyncDialog = ref(false);
+const clicked = ref(false);
 
 // Actions
 const onSubmit = async () => {
-  try{
+  try {
     if (props.objectId) {
       await objectStore.syncObject(props.objectId);
     } else if (props.bucketId) {
       await bucketStore.syncBucket(props.bucketId, props.recursive);
     }
     toast.info('Sync in progress', '');
-  } catch(error: any){
+    clicked.value = true;
+  } catch (error: any) {
     toast.error(error, '', { life: 0 });
   }
   displaySyncDialog.value = false;
@@ -166,7 +169,7 @@ const onClick = () => {
     v-if="props.mode === ButtonMode.ICON"
     v-tooltip.bottom="{ value: labelText }"
     class="p-button-lg p-button-text p-button-primary btn-delete-text"
-    :disabled="props.disabled"
+    :disabled="clicked || props.disabled"
     :aria-label="labelText"
     @click="onClick"
   >
@@ -176,7 +179,7 @@ const onClick = () => {
     v-else
     v-tooltip.bottom="{ value: labelText }"
     class="p-button-outlined btn-delete"
-    :disabled="props.disabled"
+    :disabled="clicked || props.disabled"
     :aria-label="labelText"
     @click="onClick"
   >
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/object/DeletedObjectTable.vue b/frontend/src/components/object/DeletedObjectTable.vue
index 3cc89bbe..116aded2 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/object/DeletedObjectTable.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/object/DeletedObjectTable.vue
@@ -3,11 +3,7 @@ import { storeToRefs } from 'pinia';
 import { onUnmounted, onMounted, ref } from 'vue';
 
 import { Spinner } from '@/components/layout';
-import {
-  DeleteObjectButton,
-  ObjectPermission,
-  RestoreObjectButton
-} from '@/components/object';
+import { DeleteObjectButton, ObjectPermission, RestoreObjectButton } from '@/components/object';
 import { SyncButton } from '@/components/common';
 import { Button, Column, DataTable, Dialog, InputText } from '@/lib/primevue';
 import { useAuthStore, useBucketStore, useObjectStore, useNavStore, usePermissionStore } from '@/store';
@@ -80,7 +76,7 @@ async function showPermissions(objectId: string) {
   focusedElement.value = document.activeElement;
 }
 
-onMounted( async () => {
+onMounted(async () => {
   loading.value = true;
   await bucketStore.fetchBuckets({ userId: getUserId.value, objectPerms: true });
 
@@ -98,21 +94,19 @@ onMounted( async () => {
 const loadLazyData = (event?: any) => {
   lazyParams.value = { ...lazyParams.value, first: event?.first || first.value, page: event?.page || 0 };
   objectService
-    .searchObjects(
-      {
-        deleteMarker: true,
-        latest: true,
-        page: lazyParams.value?.page ? ++lazyParams.value.page : 1,
-        name: lazyParams.value?.filters?.name.value ? lazyParams.value?.filters?.name.value : undefined,
-        limit: lazyParams.value.rows,
-        sort: lazyParams.value.sortField,
-        order: lazyParams.value.sortOrder === 1 ? 'asc' : 'desc',
-      }
-    )
+    .searchObjects({
+      deleteMarker: true,
+      latest: true,
+      page: lazyParams.value?.page ? ++lazyParams.value.page : 1,
+      name: lazyParams.value?.filters?.name.value ? lazyParams.value?.filters?.name.value : undefined,
+      limit: lazyParams.value.rows,
+      sort: lazyParams.value.sortField,
+      order: lazyParams.value.sortOrder === 1 ? 'asc' : 'desc'
+    })
     .then((r: any) => {
       // add full object url to table data
       tableData.value = r.data.map((o: COMSObject) => {
-        const bucket = getBuckets.value.find((b) =>  b.bucketId === o.bucketId);
+        const bucket = getBuckets.value.find((b) => b.bucketId === o.bucketId);
         return {
           ...o,
           location: `${bucket?.endpoint}/${bucket?.bucket}/${o.path}`,
@@ -155,7 +149,6 @@ const onFilter = (event?: any) => {
 onUnmounted(() => {
   objectStore.setSelectedObjects([]);
 });
-
 </script>
 
 <template>
@@ -259,10 +252,10 @@ onUnmounted(() => {
         <template #body="{ data }">
           <div>
             <span v-tooltip.bottom="data.location">
-            {{ data.location }}
-          </span>
-        </div>
-      </template>
+              {{ data.location }}
+            </span>
+          </div>
+        </template>
       </Column>
       <Column
         field="updatedAt"
@@ -308,8 +301,8 @@ onUnmounted(() => {
             aria-label="File details"
             @click="showInfo(data.id)"
           >
-          <span class="material-icons-outlined">info</span>
-        </Button>
+            <span class="material-icons-outlined">info</span>
+          </Button>
           <DeleteObjectButton
             v-if="
               permissionStore.isObjectActionAllowed(data.id, getUserId, Permissions.DELETE, data.bucketId as string)
@@ -354,6 +347,12 @@ onUnmounted(() => {
         id="permissions_desc"
         class="bcbox-info-dialog-subhead"
       >
+        Set permissions for:
+        <br />
+        <font-awesome-icon
+          icon="fa-solid fa-folder"
+          class="mr-2 mt-2"
+        />
         {{ permissionsObjectName }}
       </h3>
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/object/ObjectFileDetails.vue b/frontend/src/components/object/ObjectFileDetails.vue
index 9ea24fd6..be177f6a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/object/ObjectFileDetails.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/object/ObjectFileDetails.vue
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ import {
   ObjectVersion
 } from '@/components/object';
 import { ShareButton } from '@/components/common';
-import { Button, Dialog, Divider } from '@/lib/primevue';
+import { Button, Dialog, Divider, Tag } from '@/lib/primevue';
 import {
   useAuthStore,
   useBucketStore,
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ const latestNonDmVersionId = computed(() => getLatestNonDmVersionIdByObjectId.va
 
 const isDeleted: Ref<boolean> = computed(() => getIsDeleted.value(props.objectId));
 
-async function fetchFileDetails(objectId: string){
+async function fetchFileDetails(objectId: string) {
   await Promise.all([
     versionStore.fetchVersions({ objectId: objectId }),
     metadataStore.fetchMetadata({ objectId: objectId }),
@@ -86,12 +86,11 @@ async function fetchFileDetails(objectId: string){
   });
 }
 
-async function onObjectDeleted({ hardDelete }: { hardDelete:boolean }) {
+async function onObjectDeleted({ hardDelete }: { hardDelete: boolean }) {
   // if doing hard delete redirect to parent folder
   if (hardDelete || !bucketVersioningEnabled.value) {
-    router.push({ path: '/list/objects', query: { bucketId: bucketId.value }});
-  }
-  else {
+    router.push({ path: '/list/objects', query: { bucketId: bucketId.value } });
+  } else {
     await fetchFileDetails(props.objectId);
     currentVersionId.value = latestNonDmVersionId.value;
   }
@@ -99,9 +98,9 @@ async function onObjectDeleted({ hardDelete }: { hardDelete:boolean }) {
 
 async function onVersionDeleted(changedVersionId: string | undefined, isVersion: boolean, hardDelete: boolean) {
   // if doing hard delete or no versions left, redirect to parent folder
-  const otherVersions = allVersions.value.filter(v=>v.id !== changedVersionId);
+  const otherVersions = allVersions.value.filter((v) => v.id !== changedVersionId);
   if (hardDelete || (isVersion && otherVersions.length === 0)) {
-    router.push({ path: '/list/objects', query: { bucketId: bucketId.value }});
+    router.push({ path: '/list/objects', query: { bucketId: bucketId.value } });
   }
   // else stay on page
   else {
@@ -111,66 +110,77 @@ async function onVersionDeleted(changedVersionId: string | undefined, isVersion:
 }
 
 async function onVersionCreated() {
-  await fetchFileDetails(props.objectId)
-    .then(() => {
-      currentVersionId.value = latestNonDmVersionId.value;
-    });
-
+  await fetchFileDetails(props.objectId).then(() => {
+    currentVersionId.value = latestNonDmVersionId.value;
+  });
 }
 
 onMounted(async () => {
   const head = await objectStore.headObject(props.objectId);
 
-  await permissionStore.fetchBucketPermissions({ userId: getUserId.value, objectPerms: true });
   await objectStore.fetchObjects({ objectId: props.objectId, userId: getUserId.value, bucketPerms: true });
   object.value = getObject.value(props.objectId);
   bucketId.value = object.value ? object.value.bucketId : '';
+
+  await permissionStore.fetchBucketPermissions({
+    userId: getUserId.value,
+    bucketId: bucketId.value,
+    objectPerms: true
+  });
   if (
-    (head?.status !== 204 && !isDeleted.value) &&
+    head?.status !== 204 &&
+    !isDeleted.value &&
     (!object.value ||
       !permissionStore.isObjectActionAllowed(object.value.id, getUserId.value, Permissions.READ, object.value.bucketId))
   ) {
     router.replace({ name: RouteNames.FORBIDDEN });
   }
   // fetch data for child components
-  await Promise.all([
-    bucketStore.fetchBuckets({ bucketId: bucketId.value }),
-    fetchFileDetails(props.objectId)
-  ]);
+  await Promise.all([bucketStore.fetchBuckets({ bucketId: bucketId.value }), fetchFileDetails(props.objectId)]);
 });
 </script>
 
 <template>
   <div v-if="object">
     <div class="grid grid-nogutter">
-      <div class="col-12">
-        <h1 class="heading">File details</h1>
-      </div>
       <div class="flex col justify-content-start">
         <div class="flex col align-items-center heading pl-0">
           <span class="material-icons-outlined icon-large pr-2">info</span>
           <h2 class="">
             {{ object.name }}
           </h2>
+          <span class="ml-3 text-sm flex-grow-1">
+            <Tag
+              v-if="object?.public"
+              v-tooltip="`This file is set as public`"
+              value="Public"
+              severity="danger"
+              rounded
+              icon="pi pi-info-circle"
+            />
+          </span>
         </div>
 
-        <div class="action-buttons">
+        <div class="action-buttons mt-2">
           <ShareButton
             v-if="!isDeleted"
             :object-id="props.objectId"
             label-text="File"
           />
           <DownloadObjectButton
-            v-if="(object.public ||
-              permissionStore.isObjectActionAllowed(object.id, getUserId, Permissions.READ, bucketId)) &&
-              !isDeleted"
+            v-if="
+              (object.public ||
+                permissionStore.isObjectActionAllowed(object.id, getUserId, Permissions.READ, bucketId)) &&
+              !isDeleted
+            "
             :mode="ButtonMode.ICON"
             :ids="[object.id]"
             :version-id="currentVersionId"
           />
           <Button
-            v-if="permissionStore.isObjectActionAllowed(object.id, getUserId, Permissions.MANAGE, bucketId) &&
-              !isDeleted"
+            v-if="
+              permissionStore.isObjectActionAllowed(object.id, getUserId, Permissions.MANAGE, bucketId) && !isDeleted
+            "
             v-tooltip.bottom="'File permissions'"
             class="p-button-lg p-button-text"
             aria-label="File permissions"
@@ -199,7 +209,7 @@ onMounted(async () => {
         <ObjectAccess :object-id="object.id" />
         <ObjectMetadata
           v-model:version-id="currentVersionId"
-          :editable="!isDeleted && (currentVersionId === latestVersionId)"
+          :editable="!isDeleted && currentVersionId === latestVersionId"
           :object-id="object.id"
           @on-metadata-success="onVersionCreated"
         />
@@ -242,7 +252,16 @@ onMounted(async () => {
       <span class="p-dialog-title">File Permissions</span>
     </template>
 
-    <h3 class="bcbox-info-dialog-subhead">
+    <h3
+      id="permissions_desc"
+      class="bcbox-info-dialog-subhead"
+    >
+      Set permissions for:
+      <br />
+      <font-awesome-icon
+        icon="fa-solid fa-folder"
+        class="mr-2 mt-2"
+      />
       {{ object?.name }}
     </h3>
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/object/ObjectList.vue b/frontend/src/components/object/ObjectList.vue
index aa77ca57..d9894f7b 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/object/ObjectList.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/object/ObjectList.vue
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
 import { storeToRefs } from 'pinia';
-import { computed, ref } from 'vue';
+import { computed, onBeforeMount, ref } from 'vue';
+import { differenceInSeconds, formatDistance } from 'date-fns';
 
 import {
   DeleteObjectButton,
@@ -9,32 +10,39 @@ import {
   ObjectTable,
   ObjectUpload
 } from '@/components/object';
+import { SyncButton } from '@/components/common';
+
 import { Button } from '@/lib/primevue';
-import { useAuthStore, useObjectStore, useNavStore, usePermissionStore } from '@/store';
+import { useAuthStore, useBucketStore, useObjectStore, useNavStore, usePermissionStore } from '@/store';
 import { Permissions } from '@/utils/constants';
 import { ButtonMode } from '@/utils/enums';
 import { onDialogHide } from '@/utils/utils';
+import { formatDateLong } from '@/utils/formatters';
 
 import type { Ref } from 'vue';
 
 // Props
 type Props = {
-  bucketId?: string;
+  bucketId: string;
+  isBucketPublic?: boolean;
 };
 
 const props = withDefaults(defineProps<Props>(), {
-  bucketId: undefined
+  bucketId: undefined,
+  isBucketPublic: undefined
 });
 
 //const navStore = useNavStore();
 const objectStore = useObjectStore();
+const bucketStore = useBucketStore();
 const permissionStore = usePermissionStore();
 const { focusedElement } = storeToRefs(useNavStore());
 
 const { getSelectedObjects } = storeToRefs(objectStore);
-const { getUserId } = storeToRefs(useAuthStore());
+const { getIsAuthenticated, getUserId } = storeToRefs(useAuthStore());
 
 // State
+const bucket = bucketStore.getBucket(props.bucketId);
 const displayUpload = ref(false);
 const objectInfoId: Ref<string | undefined> = ref(undefined);
 const objectTableKey = ref(0);
@@ -47,6 +55,11 @@ const showObjectInfo = async (objectId: string | undefined) => {
   objectInfoId.value = objectId;
 };
 
+const syncButtonDisabled: Ref<boolean> = ref(true);
+const timeToNextManual: Ref<number> = ref(0);
+const syncStatus: Ref<string> = ref('');
+
+// actions
 const closeObjectInfo = () => {
   objectInfoId.value = undefined;
 };
@@ -65,6 +78,49 @@ const closeUpload = () => {
 const onObjectDeleted = () => {
   objectTableKey.value += 1;
 };
+
+// auto-sync
+const autoSync = async () => {
+  const now = new Date();
+  const manualMinimum = 1800; // 30 minutes
+  const autoMinimum = 86400; // 1 day
+
+  const syncQueueSize: Ref<number> = ref(0);
+  syncQueueSize.value = await bucketStore.syncBucketStatus(props.bucketId);
+  const lastSyncDate = new Date(bucket?.lastSyncRequestedDate as string);
+  const sinceLastSyncDate = differenceInSeconds(now, lastSyncDate);
+
+  // if havent synced for 24 hrs trigger autoSync
+  if (sinceLastSyncDate > autoMinimum) {
+    await bucketStore.syncBucket(props.bucketId, false);
+    syncStatus.value = 'Sync in progress';
+  }
+  // if sync in progress, show status
+  else if (syncQueueSize.value > 0) {
+    const word = syncQueueSize.value > 1 ? 'files' : 'file';
+    syncStatus.value = `Sync in progress (${syncQueueSize.value} ${word} remaining)`;
+    timeToNextManual.value = manualMinimum;
+  }
+  // if havent synced for 30 minutes, enable button for manual full sync
+  else {
+    if (sinceLastSyncDate > manualMinimum) {
+      syncButtonDisabled.value = false;
+    } else {
+      timeToNextManual.value = Math.ceil((manualMinimum - sinceLastSyncDate) / 60);
+    }
+    // if more than 1 day ago show date, otherwise use 'ago' format
+    syncStatus.value =
+      sinceLastSyncDate > 86400
+        ? `Last synced: ${formatDateLong(bucket?.lastSyncRequestedDate || '')}`
+        : `Last synced: ${formatDistance(lastSyncDate, now, { addSuffix: true })}`;
+  }
+};
+
+onBeforeMount(async () => {
+  // sync bucket if necessary
+  const hasRead = permissionStore.getBucketPermissions.filter((p) => p.permCode === Permissions.READ);
+  if (hasRead.length > 0) await autoSync();
+});
 </script>
 
 <template>
@@ -78,11 +134,14 @@ const onObjectDeleted = () => {
         :close-callback="closeUpload"
       />
     </div>
-    <div v-if="!displayUpload">
+    <div
+      v-if="!displayUpload"
+      class="flex flex-row"
+    >
       <Button
         v-if="permissionStore.isBucketActionAllowed(props.bucketId as string, getUserId, Permissions.CREATE)"
         v-tooltip.bottom="'Upload file'"
-        class="mr-2"
+        class="flex mr-2"
         :disabled="displayUpload"
         aria-label="Upload file"
         @click="showUpload"
@@ -99,14 +158,36 @@ const onObjectDeleted = () => {
         :disabled="displayUpload || selectedObjectIds.length === 0"
         :ids="selectedObjectIds"
         :mode="ButtonMode.BUTTON"
+        class="flex"
       />
       <DeleteObjectButton
+        v-if="getIsAuthenticated"
         :disabled="displayUpload || selectedObjectIds.length === 0"
         :ids="selectedObjectIds"
         :mode="ButtonMode.BUTTON"
         :hard-delete="false"
+        class="flex"
         @on-object-deleted="onObjectDeleted"
       />
+
+      <span class="flex align-items-center ml-auto">
+        <small class="mr-2">{{ syncStatus }}</small>
+        <span
+          v-tooltip.left="
+            syncButtonDisabled
+              ? `Sync will be available in ${timeToNextManual} minutes`
+              : 'Sync all files and sub-folders with storage'
+          "
+        >
+          <SyncButton
+            v-if="bucket && permissionStore.isBucketActionAllowed(bucket.bucketId, getUserId, Permissions.READ)"
+            :disabled="syncButtonDisabled"
+            :bucket-id="bucket?.bucketId"
+            :mode="ButtonMode.BUTTON"
+            :recursive="true"
+          />
+        </span>
+      </span>
     </div>
 
     <div
@@ -117,6 +198,7 @@ const onObjectDeleted = () => {
         <ObjectTable
           :key="objectTableKey"
           :bucket-id="props.bucketId"
+          :is-bucket-public="props.isBucketPublic"
           :object-info-id="objectInfoId"
           @show-object-info="showObjectInfo"
         />
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/object/ObjectPermission.vue b/frontend/src/components/object/ObjectPermission.vue
index 0fbde7ed..54eeec4c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/object/ObjectPermission.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/object/ObjectPermission.vue
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ const props = withDefaults(defineProps<Props>(), {});
 // Store
 const objectStore = useObjectStore();
 const permissionStore = usePermissionStore();
-const { getMappedObjectToUserPermissions } = storeToRefs(permissionStore);
+const { getMappedObjectAndBucketToUserPermissions } = storeToRefs(permissionStore);
 const { getUserId } = storeToRefs(useAuthStore());
 
 // State
@@ -32,6 +32,46 @@ const object: Ref<COMSObject | undefined> = computed(() => {
   return objectStore.getObject(props.objectId);
 });
 
+// combine bucket and object permissions, showing bucket permissions as disabled when they apply
+const aggregatePermissionData = computed(() => {
+  const data = getMappedObjectAndBucketToUserPermissions.value;
+  const PERMS = ['create', 'read', 'update', 'delete', 'manage'];
+  const transform = (data: any[]) =>
+    Object.values(
+      data.reduce((acc, item) => {
+        const baseUser = acc[item.userId] ?? {
+          idpName: item.idpName,
+          elevatedRights: item.elevatedRights,
+          fullName: item.fullName,
+          resource: 'object',
+          userId: item.userId,
+          ...Object.fromEntries(PERMS.map((p) => [p, { value: false, disabled: false }]))
+        };
+
+        const nextPerms = Object.fromEntries(
+          PERMS.map((p) => {
+            const current = baseUser[p];
+            // If bucket exists AND permission is true → override + disable
+            if (item.resource === 'bucket' && item[p] === true) {
+              return [p, { value: true, disabled: true }];
+            }
+            // If we haven't already disabled it, use file value when present
+            if (!current.disabled && item.resource === 'object') {
+              return [p, { value: item[p], disabled: false }];
+            }
+            // Otherwise keep what we already have
+            return [p, current];
+          })
+        );
+        return {
+          ...acc,
+          [item.userId]: { ...baseUser, ...nextPerms }
+        };
+      }, {})
+    );
+  return transform(data);
+});
+
 // Actions
 const cancelSearchUsers = () => {
   showSearchUsers.value = false;
@@ -51,23 +91,25 @@ const updateObjectPermission = (value: boolean, userId: string, permCode: string
 
 onBeforeMount(() => {
   permissionStore.mapObjectToUserPermissions(props.objectId);
+  if (object.value) permissionStore.mapBucketToUserPermissions(object.value.bucketId);
 });
 </script>
 
 <template>
   <TabView>
     <TabPanel header="Manage permissions">
-      <div class="flex flex-row gap-6 pb-3">
-        <div>
-          <h3 class="pb-1">Public</h3>
-          <ul>
-            <li>This option toggles the file to be publicly available and accessible to anyone</li>
-            <li>To instead set explicit permissions, add users and use the options below</li>
-          </ul>
+      <div class="flex flex-row pb-3">
+        <div class="flex-grow-1">
+          <h3 class="pb-1">Set to public</h3>
+          <p>
+            Setting a file to
+            <strong>public</strong>
+            allows anyone to access it without needing to authenticate.
+          </p>
         </div>
         <ObjectPublicToggle
           v-if="object && getUserId"
-          class="ml-4"
+          class=""
           :bucket-id="object.bucketId"
           :object-id="object.id"
           :object-name="object.name"
@@ -76,7 +118,7 @@ onBeforeMount(() => {
         />
       </div>
 
-      <h3 class="mt-1 mb-2">User Permissions</h3>
+      <h3 class="my-2">User Permissions</h3>
 
       <div v-if="!showSearchUsers">
         <Button
@@ -99,7 +141,7 @@ onBeforeMount(() => {
       </div>
 
       <DataTable
-        :value="getMappedObjectToUserPermissions"
+        :value="aggregatePermissionData"
         data-key="userId"
         class="p-datatable-sm"
         responsive-layout="scroll"
@@ -134,14 +176,20 @@ onBeforeMount(() => {
           body-class="content-center"
         >
           <template #body="{ data }">
-            <Checkbox
-              v-model="data.read"
-              input-id="read"
-              aria-label="read"
-              :binary="true"
-              :disabled="data.read"
-              @update:model-value="(value: boolean) => updateObjectPermission(value, data.userId, Permissions.READ)"
-            />
+            <span
+              v-tooltip="
+                data.read.disabled ? 'This permission is inherited from the folder and cannot be changed here' : ''
+              "
+            >
+              <Checkbox
+                v-model="data.read.value"
+                input-id="read"
+                aria-label="read"
+                :binary="true"
+                :disabled="data.read.value"
+                @update:model-value="(value: boolean) => updateObjectPermission(value, data.userId, Permissions.READ)"
+              />
+            </span>
           </template>
         </Column>
         <Column
@@ -150,13 +198,20 @@ onBeforeMount(() => {
           body-class="content-center"
         >
           <template #body="{ data }">
-            <Checkbox
-              v-model="data.update"
-              input-id="update"
-              aria-label="update"
-              :binary="true"
-              @update:model-value="(value: boolean) => updateObjectPermission(value, data.userId, Permissions.UPDATE)"
-            />
+            <span
+              v-tooltip="
+                data.update.disabled ? 'This permission is inherited from the folder and cannot be changed here' : ''
+              "
+            >
+              <Checkbox
+                v-model="data.update.value"
+                :disabled="data.update.disabled"
+                input-id="update"
+                aria-label="update"
+                :binary="true"
+                @update:model-value="(value: boolean) => updateObjectPermission(value, data.userId, Permissions.UPDATE)"
+              />
+            </span>
           </template>
         </Column>
         <Column
@@ -165,13 +220,20 @@ onBeforeMount(() => {
           body-class="content-center"
         >
           <template #body="{ data }">
-            <Checkbox
-              v-model="data.delete"
-              input-id="delete"
-              aria-label="delete"
-              :binary="true"
-              @update:model-value="(value: boolean) => updateObjectPermission(value, data.userId, Permissions.DELETE)"
-            />
+            <span
+              v-tooltip="
+                data.delete.disabled ? 'This permission is inherited from the folder and cannot be changed here' : ''
+              "
+            >
+              <Checkbox
+                v-model="data.delete.value"
+                :disabled="data.delete.disabled"
+                input-id="delete"
+                aria-label="delete"
+                :binary="true"
+                @update:model-value="(value: boolean) => updateObjectPermission(value, data.userId, Permissions.DELETE)"
+              />
+            </span>
           </template>
         </Column>
         <Column
@@ -180,13 +242,20 @@ onBeforeMount(() => {
           body-class="content-center"
         >
           <template #body="{ data }">
-            <Checkbox
-              v-model="data.manage"
-              input-id="manage"
-              aria-label="manage"
-              :binary="true"
-              @update:model-value="(value: boolean) => updateObjectPermission(value, data.userId, Permissions.MANAGE)"
-            />
+            <span
+              v-tooltip="
+                data.manage.disabled ? 'This permission is inherited from the folder and cannot be changed here' : ''
+              "
+            >
+              <Checkbox
+                v-model="data.manage.value"
+                :disabled="data.manage.disabled"
+                input-id="manage"
+                aria-label="manage"
+                :binary="true"
+                @update:model-value="(value: boolean) => updateObjectPermission(value, data.userId, Permissions.MANAGE)"
+              />
+            </span>
           </template>
         </Column>
         <Column header="Remove">
@@ -214,6 +283,15 @@ onBeforeMount(() => {
 </template>
 
 <style lang="scss" scoped>
+.p-tabview {
+  margin-top: 1rem;
+}
+:deep(.p-tabview-panels) {
+  .p-tabview-panel {
+    padding-top: 1rem;
+  }
+  padding-left: 0;
+}
 :deep(.p-button.p-button-lg) {
   padding: 0;
   margin-left: 1rem;
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/object/ObjectPublicToggle.vue b/frontend/src/components/object/ObjectPublicToggle.vue
index ae40ef54..440c85b2 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/object/ObjectPublicToggle.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/object/ObjectPublicToggle.vue
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
-import { ref, watch } from 'vue';
+import { computed, onMounted, ref, watch } from 'vue';
 
 import { InputSwitch, useConfirm, useToast } from '@/lib/primevue';
-import { useObjectStore, usePermissionStore } from '@/store';
+import { useBucketStore, useObjectStore, usePermissionStore } from '@/store';
 import { Permissions } from '@/utils/constants';
 
 import type { Ref } from 'vue';
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import type { Ref } from 'vue';
 // Props
 type Props = {
   bucketId: string;
+  bucketPublic?: boolean;
   objectId: string;
   objectName: string;
   objectPublic: boolean;
@@ -20,10 +21,12 @@ const props = withDefaults(defineProps<Props>(), {});
 
 // Store
 const objectStore = useObjectStore();
+const bucketStore = useBucketStore();
 const permissionStore = usePermissionStore();
 
 // State
 const isPublic: Ref<boolean> = ref(props.objectPublic);
+const isParentPublic = ref<boolean>(false);
 
 // Actions
 const toast = useToast();
@@ -32,52 +35,68 @@ const confirm = useConfirm();
 const togglePublic = async (setPublicValue: boolean) => {
   if (setPublicValue) {
     confirm.require({
-      message:
-        'Please confirm that you want to set the file(s) to public. ' +
-        'This allows the share link to be accessible by anyone, even without credentials.',
-      header: 'Confirm set to public',
-      acceptLabel: 'Confirm',
+      message: 'Setting this file to public will allow anyone to view and download it without signing in.',
+      header: 'Set file to public?',
+      acceptLabel: 'Set to public',
       rejectLabel: 'Cancel',
       accept: () => {
         objectStore
           .togglePublic(props.objectId, true)
           .then(() => {
-            toast.success(`"${props.objectName}" set to public`);
+            toast.success('File set to public', `"${props.objectName}" is now public`);
           })
-          .catch((e) => toast.error('Setting file to public', e.response?.data.detail, { life: 0 }));
+          .catch((e) => toast.error('Setting file to public failed', e.response?.data.detail, { life: 0 }));
       },
       reject: () => (isPublic.value = false),
       onHide: () => (isPublic.value = false)
     });
   } else
-    objectStore
-      .togglePublic(props.objectId, false)
-      .then(() => {
-        toast.success(`"${props.objectName}" is no longer public`);
-      })
-      .catch((e) => toast.error('Setting file to non-public', e.response?.data.detail, { life: 0 }));
+    confirm.require({
+      message:
+        'Setting this file to private will remove public access. ' +
+        'Only users with permissions will be able to view or download the file.',
+      header: 'Set file to private?',
+      acceptLabel: 'Set to private',
+      rejectLabel: 'Cancel',
+      accept: () => {
+        objectStore
+          .togglePublic(props.objectId, false)
+          .then(() => {
+            toast.success('File set to private', `"${props.objectName}" is no longer public`);
+          })
+          .catch((e) => toast.error('Setting file to private failed', e.response?.data.detail, { life: 0 }));
+      },
+      reject: () => (isPublic.value = true),
+      onHide: () => (isPublic.value = true)
+    });
 };
 
+const isToggleEnabled = computed(() => {
+  return (
+    !isParentPublic.value &&
+    usePermissionStore().isUserElevatedRights() &&
+    permissionStore.isObjectActionAllowed(props.objectId, props.userId, Permissions.MANAGE, props.bucketId as string)
+  );
+});
+
+onMounted(async () => {
+  isPublic.value = props.objectPublic;
+  // @ts-ignore: bucketId will always be provided
+  isParentPublic.value = bucketStore.getBucket(props.bucketId).public ?? false;
+});
+
 watch(props, () => {
   isPublic.value = props.objectPublic;
 });
 </script>
 
 <template>
-  <InputSwitch
-    v-model="isPublic"
-    aria-label="Toggle to make public"
-    :disabled="
-      !(
-        usePermissionStore().isUserElevatedRights() &&
-        permissionStore.isObjectActionAllowed(
-          props.objectId,
-          props.userId,
-          Permissions.MANAGE,
-          props.bucketId as string
-        )
-      )
-    "
-    @change="togglePublic(isPublic)"
-  />
+  <span v-tooltip="isToggleEnabled ? '' : 'Change the folder\'s public setting to update this file'">
+    <InputSwitch
+      v-model="isPublic"
+      aria-label="Toggle to make public"
+      :disabled="!isToggleEnabled"
+      @change="togglePublic(isPublic)"
+    />
+  </span>
 </template>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/object/ObjectTable.vue b/frontend/src/components/object/ObjectTable.vue
index 85f5f857..5532cc90 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/object/ObjectTable.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/object/ObjectTable.vue
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import {
   ObjectPermission,
   ObjectPublicToggle
 } from '@/components/object';
-import { SyncButton, ShareButton } from '@/components/common';
+import { ShareButton } from '@/components/common';
 import { Button, Column, DataTable, Dialog, InputText } from '@/lib/primevue';
 import { useAuthStore, useObjectStore, useNavStore, usePermissionStore } from '@/store';
 import { Permissions, RouteNames } from '@/utils/constants';
@@ -36,11 +36,13 @@ type DataTableFilter = {
 // Props
 type Props = {
   bucketId?: string;
+  isBucketPublic?: boolean;
   objectInfoId?: string;
 };
 
 const props = withDefaults(defineProps<Props>(), {
   bucketId: undefined,
+  isBucketPublic: undefined,
   objectInfoId: undefined
 });
 
@@ -50,7 +52,7 @@ const emit = defineEmits(['show-object-info']);
 // Store
 const objectStore = useObjectStore();
 const permissionStore = usePermissionStore();
-const { getUserId } = storeToRefs(useAuthStore());
+const { getUserId, getIsAuthenticated } = storeToRefs(useAuthStore());
 const { focusedElement } = storeToRefs(useNavStore());
 
 // State
@@ -108,14 +110,15 @@ const loadLazyData = (event?: any) => {
     .searchObjects(
       {
         bucketId: props.bucketId ? [props.bucketId] : undefined,
-        deleteMarker: false,
-        latest: true,
+        deleteMarker: getIsAuthenticated.value ? false : undefined,
+        latest: getIsAuthenticated.value ? true : undefined,
         page: lazyParams.value?.page ? ++lazyParams.value.page : 1,
         name: lazyParams.value?.filters?.name.value ? lazyParams.value?.filters?.name.value : undefined,
         limit: lazyParams.value.rows,
         sort: lazyParams.value.sortField,
         order: lazyParams.value.sortOrder === 1 ? 'asc' : 'desc',
-        tagset: lazyParams.value?.filters?.tags.value
+        public: !getIsAuthenticated.value ? true : undefined,
+        tagset: getIsAuthenticated.value ? lazyParams.value?.filters?.tags.value : undefined
       },
       lazyParams.value?.filters?.meta.value //Header
     )
@@ -132,8 +135,10 @@ const loadLazyData = (event?: any) => {
     })
     // add object permissions to store
     .then((objects: Array<COMSObjectDataSource>) => {
-      if (objects.length > 0) {
-        permissionStore.fetchObjectPermissions({ objectId: objects.map((o: COMSObject) => o.id) });
+      if (objects.length > 0 && getIsAuthenticated.value) {
+        permissionStore.fetchObjectPermissions({
+          objectId: objects.map((o: COMSObject) => o.id)
+        });
       }
     });
 };
@@ -180,6 +185,10 @@ const selectedFilters = (payload: any) => {
   lazyParams.value.filters = filters;
   loadLazyData();
 };
+
+async function downloadPublicObject(objectId: string) {
+  window.open(await objectStore.getObjectUrl(objectId));
+}
 </script>
 
 <template>
@@ -209,7 +218,10 @@ const selectedFilters = (payload: any) => {
       @filter="onFilter($event)"
     >
       <template #header>
-        <div class="flex justify-content-end">
+        <div
+          v-if="getIsAuthenticated"
+          class="flex justify-content-end"
+        >
           <ObjectFilters
             :bucket-id="props.bucketId"
             @selected-filters="selectedFilters"
@@ -271,11 +283,27 @@ const selectedFilters = (payload: any) => {
       >
         <template #body="{ data }">
           <div>
-            <router-link :to="{ name: RouteNames.DETAIL_OBJECTS, query: { objectId: data.id } }">
+            <!-- public "file details" page and sidebar to be implemented later -->
+            <!-- for now, just redirect to direct file download -->
+            <router-link
+              v-if="getIsAuthenticated"
+              :to="{ name: RouteNames.DETAIL_OBJECTS, query: { objectId: data.id } }"
+            >
               <span v-tooltip.bottom="'View file details'">
                 {{ data.name }}
               </span>
             </router-link>
+            <a
+              v-else
+              @click="downloadPublicObject(data.id)"
+            >
+              <span
+                v-tooltip.bottom="'Download file'"
+                style="cursor: pointer"
+              >
+                {{ data.name }}
+              </span>
+            </a>
           </div>
         </template>
       </Column>
@@ -305,6 +333,7 @@ const selectedFilters = (payload: any) => {
         </template>
       </Column>
       <Column
+        v-if="getIsAuthenticated"
         field="publicSharing"
         header="Public"
         style="width: 100px"
@@ -313,6 +342,7 @@ const selectedFilters = (payload: any) => {
           <ObjectPublicToggle
             v-if="props.bucketId && getUserId"
             :bucket-id="props.bucketId"
+            :bucket-public="props.isBucketPublic"
             :object-id="data.id"
             :object-name="data.name"
             :object-public="data.public"
@@ -322,15 +352,11 @@ const selectedFilters = (payload: any) => {
       </Column>
       <Column
         header="Actions"
-        header-style="min-width: 270px"
+        :header-style="getIsAuthenticated ? 'min-width: 270px' : 'width: 40px'"
         header-class="header-right"
         body-class="action-buttons"
       >
         <template #body="{ data }">
-          <ShareButton
-            :object-id="data.id"
-            label-text="File"
-          />
           <DownloadObjectButton
             v-if="
               data.public ||
@@ -351,23 +377,29 @@ const selectedFilters = (payload: any) => {
           >
             <span class="material-icons-outlined">supervisor_account</span>
           </Button>
-          <SyncButton
+          <!-- <SyncButton
+            v-if="getIsAuthenticated"
             label-text="Synchronize file"
             :object-id="data.id"
             :mode="ButtonMode.ICON"
+          /> -->
+          <ShareButton
+            :object-id="data.id"
+            label-text="File"
           />
           <Button
             v-if="
-              data.public ||
-              permissionStore.isObjectActionAllowed(data.id, getUserId, Permissions.READ, props.bucketId as string)
+              getIsAuthenticated &&
+              (data.public ||
+                permissionStore.isObjectActionAllowed(data.id, getUserId, Permissions.READ, props.bucketId as string))
             "
             v-tooltip.bottom="'File details'"
             class="p-button-lg p-button-rounded p-button-text"
             aria-label="File details"
             @click="showInfo(data.id)"
           >
-          <span class="material-icons-outlined">info</span>
-        </Button>
+            <span class="material-icons-outlined">info</span>
+          </Button>
           <DeleteObjectButton
             v-if="
               permissionStore.isObjectActionAllowed(data.id, getUserId, Permissions.DELETE, props.bucketId as string)
@@ -390,7 +422,7 @@ const selectedFilters = (payload: any) => {
       class="bcbox-info-dialog"
       aria-labelledby="permissions_label"
       aria-describedby="permissions_desc"
-      @after-hide="onDialogHide"
+      @after-hide="onDialogHide(), loadLazyData()"
     >
       <!-- eslint-enable vue/no-v-model-argument -->
       <template #header>
@@ -407,6 +439,8 @@ const selectedFilters = (payload: any) => {
         id="permissions_desc"
         class="bcbox-info-dialog-subhead"
       >
+        Set permissions for:
+        <br />
         {{ permissionsObjectName }}
       </h3>
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/object/ObjectUpload.vue b/frontend/src/components/object/ObjectUpload.vue
index 94093614..dafcd1df 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/object/ObjectUpload.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/object/ObjectUpload.vue
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@ import { storeToRefs } from 'pinia';
 import { ref, onMounted } from 'vue';
 
 import ObjectUploadFile from '@/components/object/ObjectUploadFile.vue';
-import { Button, FileUpload, useToast } from '@/lib/primevue';
-import { useAuthStore, useAppStore, useObjectStore } from '@/store';
+import { Button, FileUpload, useConfirm, useToast } from '@/lib/primevue';
+import { useAuthStore, useAppStore, useBucketStore, useObjectStore } from '@/store';
 
 import type { Ref } from 'vue';
 import type { ObjectMetadataTagFormType } from '@/components/object/ObjectMetadataTagForm.vue';
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ const props = withDefaults(defineProps<Props>(), {
 // Store
 const appStore = useAppStore();
 const objectStore = useObjectStore();
+const bucketStore = useBucketStore();
 const { getUserId } = storeToRefs(useAuthStore());
 
 // State
@@ -32,57 +33,76 @@ const failedFiles: Ref<Array<File>> = ref([]);
 // Actions
 let formData: Array<ObjectMetadataTagFormType> = [];
 const toast = useToast();
+const confirm = useConfirm();
 
 const onSelectedFiles = (event: any) => {
   pendingFiles.value = event.files;
 };
 
+const doUpload = async (event: any, bucketId: string) => {
+  // Reset file arrays before upload
+  successfulFiles.value = [];
+  failedFiles.value = [];
+
+  toast.info('File upload starting...');
+
+  // Send all files to COMS for upload
+  await Promise.allSettled(
+    event.files.map(async (file: File) => {
+      try {
+        appStore.beginUploading();
+
+        const data = formData.find((x: ObjectMetadataTagFormType) => x.filename === file.name);
+
+        const response = await objectStore.createObject(
+          file,
+          { metadata: data?.metadata },
+          { bucketId: bucketId, tagset: data?.tagset },
+          { timeout: 0 } // Infinite timeout for big files upload to avoid timeout error
+        );
+
+        // show toast for any object updates
+        if (response?.newVersionId) toast.info(`A new version of file '${file.name}' has been created`);
+
+        successfulFiles.value.push(file);
+      } catch (error: any) {
+        toast.error(`Failed to upload file ${file.name}`, error.response?.data.detail ?? error, { life: 0 });
+        failedFiles.value.push(file);
+      } finally {
+        appStore.endUploading();
+      }
+    })
+  );
+
+  // Clear metadata and tagset information - clears children as well
+  formData = [];
+
+  // Clear selected files at the end of upload process
+  pendingFiles.value = [];
+
+  // Update object store
+  await objectStore.fetchObjects({ bucketId: bucketId, userId: getUserId.value, bucketPerms: true });
+};
+
 const onUpload = async (event: any) => {
   const bucketId = props.bucketId?.toString();
-
   if (bucketId) {
-    // Reset file arrays before upload
-    successfulFiles.value = [];
-    failedFiles.value = [];
-
-    toast.info('File upload starting...');
-
-    // Send all files to COMS for upload
-    await Promise.allSettled(
-      event.files.map(async (file: File) => {
-        try {
-          appStore.beginUploading();
-
-          const data = formData.find((x: ObjectMetadataTagFormType) => x.filename === file.name);
-
-          const response = await objectStore.createObject(
-            file,
-            { metadata: data?.metadata },
-            { bucketId: bucketId, tagset: data?.tagset },
-            { timeout: 0 } // Infinite timeout for big files upload to avoid timeout error
-          );
-
-          // show toast for any object updates
-          if (response?.newVersionId) toast.info(`A new version of file '${file.name}' has been created`);
-
-          successfulFiles.value.push(file);
-        } catch (error: any) {
-          toast.error(`Failed to upload file ${file.name}`, error.response?.data.detail ?? error, { life: 0 });
-          failedFiles.value.push(file);
-        } finally {
-          appStore.endUploading();
-        }
-      })
-    );
-
-    // Clear metadata and tagset information - clears children as well
-    formData = [];
-
-    // Clear selected files at the end of upload process
-    pendingFiles.value = [];
-
-    // Update object store
-    await objectStore.fetchObjects({ bucketId: bucketId, userId: getUserId.value, bucketPerms: true });
+    if (!bucketStore.getBucket(bucketId)?.public) {
+      await doUpload(event, bucketId);
+      return;
+    }
+    // if folder is public, show confirmation dialog before uploading
+    confirm.require({
+      message:
+        'You are uploading files to a public folder. ' + 'Anyone will be able to access them without authentication. ',
+      header: 'Upload files to a public folder?',
+      acceptLabel: 'Continue with upload',
+      rejectLabel: 'Cancel',
+      accept: async () => {
+        await doUpload(event, bucketId);
+        return;
+      }
+    });
   } else {
     toast.error('Updating file', 'Failed to acquire bucket ID', { life: 0 });
   }
diff --git a/frontend/src/router/index.ts b/frontend/src/router/index.ts
index 0fdb8c7b..5f5999b6 100644
--- a/frontend/src/router/index.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/router/index.ts
@@ -57,8 +57,8 @@ const routes: Array<RouteRecordRaw> = [
         path: 'objects',
         name: RouteNames.LIST_OBJECTS,
         component: () => import('@/views/list/ListObjectsView.vue'),
-        meta: { requiresAuth: true, breadcrumb: '__listObjectsDynamic', title: 'My Objects' },
-        props: createProps,
+        meta: { breadcrumb: '__listObjectsDynamic', title: 'My Objects' },
+        props: createProps
       },
       {
         path: 'deleted',
diff --git a/frontend/src/services/bucketService.ts b/frontend/src/services/bucketService.ts
index 0fa794ee..e6256f5c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/services/bucketService.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/services/bucketService.ts
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ export default {
        * will cause url length to excede 2000 characters
        * see: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/417142/what-is-the-maximum-length-of-a-url-in-different-browsers
        */
-      let urlLimit = 2000;
+      let urlLimit = 1000;
 
       const baseUrl = new URL(`${new ConfigService().getConfig().coms.apiPath}${BUCKET_PATH}`).toString();
       urlLimit -= baseUrl.length;
@@ -96,6 +96,16 @@ export default {
     });
   },
 
+  /**
+   * @function getBucket
+   * Get a bucket
+   * @param {string} bucketId The id for the bucket to get
+   * @returns {Promise} An axios response
+   */
+  fetchBucket(bucketId: string) {
+    return comsAxios().get(`${BUCKET_PATH}/${bucketId}`);
+  },
+
   /**
    * @function updateBucket
    * Updates a bucket
@@ -106,6 +116,22 @@ export default {
     return comsAxios().patch(`${BUCKET_PATH}/${bucketId}`, data);
   },
 
+  /**
+   * @function togglePublic
+   * Toggles the public property for a bucket
+   * @param {string} bucketId The id for the bucket
+   * @param {boolean} isPublic Boolean on public status
+   * @returns {Promise} An axios response
+   */
+  togglePublic(bucketId: string, isPublic: boolean) {
+    return comsAxios().patch(`${BUCKET_PATH}/${bucketId}/public`, null, {
+      params: {
+        public: isPublic
+      },
+      timeout: 60000
+    });
+  },
+
   /**
    * @function syncBucket
    * Synchronizes a bucket
diff --git a/frontend/src/services/objectService.ts b/frontend/src/services/objectService.ts
index 389d9c8c..2b7af882 100644
--- a/frontend/src/services/objectService.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/services/objectService.ts
@@ -9,7 +9,8 @@ import type {
   GetObjectTaggingOptions,
   MetadataPair,
   SearchObjectsOptions,
-  Tag } from '@/types';
+  Tag
+} from '@/types';
 import { ExcludeTypes } from '@/utils/enums';
 
 const PATH = '/object';
@@ -163,7 +164,7 @@ export default {
    * @returns {Promise} An axios response
    */
   copyObjectVersion(objectId: string, versionId: string | undefined) {
-    return comsAxios().put(`${PATH}/${objectId}/version`,  undefined, {
+    return comsAxios().put(`${PATH}/${objectId}/version`, undefined, {
       params: {
         versionId: versionId
       }
@@ -250,7 +251,7 @@ export default {
     if (params.objectId && params.objectId.length > 1) {
       /**
        * split calls to COMS if query params (eg objectId's)
-       * will cause url length to excede 2000 characters
+       * will cause url length to excede 1000 characters
        * see: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/417142/what-is-the-maximum-length-of-a-url-in-different-browsers
        *
        * TODO: consider creating a utils function
@@ -259,7 +260,7 @@ export default {
        *      return Promise.all(divideParam(params, objectId)
        *        .map(zparam => comsAxios().get(PATH, {params: zparam, headers: headers});
        */
-      let urlLimit = 2000;
+      let urlLimit = 1000;
 
       const baseUrl = new URL(`${new ConfigService().getConfig().coms.apiPath}${PATH}`).toString();
       urlLimit -= baseUrl.length; // subtract baseUrl length
@@ -286,10 +287,11 @@ export default {
       // and then intersect with permissions (params.objectId) list
       // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-unused-vars, no-unused-vars
       const { objectId, ...paramsWithoutObjectId } = params;
-      const objectResponse: COMSObject[] = (await comsAxios()
-        .get(PATH, { params: paramsWithoutObjectId, headers: headers })).data;
+      const objectResponse: COMSObject[] = (
+        await comsAxios().get(PATH, { params: paramsWithoutObjectId, headers: headers })
+      ).data;
       // and build correctly sorted list of objectId's
-      const objIds = objectResponse.filter(o => params.objectId?.includes(o.id)).map(o=> o.id);
+      const objIds = objectResponse.filter((o) => params.objectId?.includes(o.id)).map((o) => o.id);
 
       // loop through each group and push COMS result to `groups` array
       const iterations = Math.ceil(objIds.length / groupSize);
diff --git a/frontend/src/store/bucketStore.ts b/frontend/src/store/bucketStore.ts
index 62a52826..2f51e079 100644
--- a/frontend/src/store/bucketStore.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/store/bucketStore.ts
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@ import { computed, ref } from 'vue';
 
 import { useToast } from '@/lib/primevue';
 import { bucketService } from '@/services';
-import { useAppStore, usePermissionStore } from '@/store';
-import { partition } from '@/utils/utils';
+import { useAppStore, useAuthStore, usePermissionStore } from '@/store';
+import { getBucketPath, partition } from '@/utils/utils';
 
 import type { Ref } from 'vue';
 import type { Bucket, BucketSearchPermissionsOptions } from '@/types';
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ export const useBucketStore = defineStore('bucket', () => {
 
   // Store
   const appStore = useAppStore();
+  const authStore = useAuthStore();
   const permissionStore = usePermissionStore();
 
   // State
@@ -28,7 +29,17 @@ export const useBucketStore = defineStore('bucket', () => {
   // Getters
   const getters = {
     getBucket: computed(() => (id: string) => state.buckets.value.find((bucket) => bucket.bucketId === id)),
-    getBuckets: computed(() => state.buckets.value)
+    getBucketByFullPath: computed(
+      () => (fullPath: string) => state.buckets.value.find((bucket) => getBucketPath(bucket) === fullPath)
+    ),
+    getBuckets: computed(() => state.buckets.value),
+    isTopBucket: computed(() => (bucketId: string) => {
+      const allBuckets = state.buckets.value;
+      const bucket = allBuckets.find((b) => b.bucketId === bucketId);
+      return bucket
+        ? allBuckets.filter((b) => b.bucket === bucket.bucket).every((b) => bucket.key.length <= b.key.length)
+        : false;
+    })
   };
 
   // Actions
@@ -62,6 +73,19 @@ export const useBucketStore = defineStore('bucket', () => {
       appStore.endIndeterminateLoading();
     }
   }
+
+  async function fetchBucket(bucketId: string) {
+    try {
+      appStore.beginIndeterminateLoading();
+      return bucketService.fetchBucket(bucketId).then((response) => response.data);
+      // return {};
+    } catch (error: any) {
+      toast.error('Getting bucket', error);
+    } finally {
+      appStore.endIndeterminateLoading();
+    }
+  }
+
   /**
    * function does the following in order:
    * - fetches bucket permissions
@@ -114,6 +138,16 @@ export const useBucketStore = defineStore('bucket', () => {
     }
   }
 
+  async function togglePublic(bucketId: string, isPublic: boolean) {
+    try {
+      appStore.beginIndeterminateLoading();
+      await bucketService.togglePublic(bucketId, isPublic);
+      await fetchBuckets({ userId: authStore.getUserId, objectPerms: true });
+    } finally {
+      appStore.endIndeterminateLoading();
+    }
+  }
+
   async function syncBucket(bucketId: string, recursive: boolean) {
     try {
       appStore.beginIndeterminateLoading();
@@ -125,7 +159,6 @@ export const useBucketStore = defineStore('bucket', () => {
     }
   }
 
-
   async function syncBucketStatus(bucketId: string) {
     try {
       appStore.beginIndeterminateLoading();
@@ -149,9 +182,12 @@ export const useBucketStore = defineStore('bucket', () => {
     createBucket,
     createBucketChild,
     deleteBucket,
+    fetchBucket,
+    // fetchPublicBucket,
     fetchBuckets,
     syncBucket,
     syncBucketStatus,
+    togglePublic,
     updateBucket
   };
 });
diff --git a/frontend/src/store/objectStore.ts b/frontend/src/store/objectStore.ts
index 6f427055..d1ff70fe 100644
--- a/frontend/src/store/objectStore.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/store/objectStore.ts
@@ -244,12 +244,15 @@ export const useObjectStore = defineStore('object', () => {
     try {
       appStore.beginIndeterminateLoading();
       await objectService.togglePublic(objectId, isPublic);
+      // let parent process catch the error
       const obj = getters.getObject.value(objectId);
       if (obj) obj.public = isPublic;
     } catch (error: any) {
       toast.error('Changing public state', error.response?.data.detail ?? error, { life: 0 });
     } finally {
+      // code will still excecute on error
       appStore.endIndeterminateLoading();
+      // TODO: update store
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/store/permissionStore.ts b/frontend/src/store/permissionStore.ts
index 601abe00..5bc0aaf8 100644
--- a/frontend/src/store/permissionStore.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/store/permissionStore.ts
@@ -48,6 +48,15 @@ export const usePermissionStore = defineStore('permission', () => {
     getBucketPermissions: computed(() => state.bucketPermissions.value),
     getMappedBucketToUserPermissions: computed(() => state.mappedBucketToUserPermissions.value),
     getMappedObjectToUserPermissions: computed(() => state.mappedObjectToUserPermissions.value),
+    getMappedObjectAndBucketToUserPermissions: computed(() => {
+      const op = state.mappedObjectToUserPermissions.value.map((o) => {
+        return { ...o, resource: 'object' };
+      });
+      const bp = state.mappedBucketToUserPermissions.value.map((b) => {
+        return { ...b, resource: 'bucket' };
+      });
+      return op.concat(bp);
+    }),
     getObjectPermissions: computed(() => state.objectPermissions.value),
     getPermissions: computed(() => state.permissions.value)
   };
diff --git a/frontend/src/types/Bucket.ts b/frontend/src/types/Bucket.ts
index 34355514..b6169472 100644
--- a/frontend/src/types/Bucket.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/types/Bucket.ts
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ export type Bucket = {
   endpoint: string;
   key: string;
   lastSyncRequestedDate?: string;
+  public: boolean,
   region: string;
   secretAccessKey: string;
 } & IAudit;
diff --git a/frontend/src/utils/constants.ts b/frontend/src/utils/constants.ts
index b2668021..a8cdf8a6 100644
--- a/frontend/src/utils/constants.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/utils/constants.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 export const BucketConfig = Object.freeze({
-  HEADER_NEW_BUCKET: 'Configure storage location source',
+  HEADER_NEW_BUCKET: 'Connect Storage',
   TITLE_NEW_BUCKET: 'Use this form to configure a bucket to be used in BCBox for the first time.'
 });
 
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ export const RouteNames = Object.freeze({
   LIST_BUCKETS: 'listBuckets',
   LIST_OBJECTS: 'listObjects',
   LIST_OBJECTS_DELETED: 'listObjectsDeleted',
+  LIST_OBJECTS_PUBLIC: 'listObjectsPublic',
   LOGIN: 'login',
   LOGOUT: 'logout'
 });
diff --git a/frontend/src/utils/utils.ts b/frontend/src/utils/utils.ts
index 27415b09..82761a60 100644
--- a/frontend/src/utils/utils.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/utils/utils.ts
@@ -153,3 +153,11 @@ export function onDialogHide() {
   focusedElement.value?.focus();
   focusedElement.value = null;
 }
+/**
+ * Trims a URL of any trailing slashes, as well as any leading/trailing whitespace
+ * @param {string} input the string to cleanup
+ * @returns the cleaned-up string, less any trailing slashes and leading/trailing whitespace
+ */
+export function trimUrl(input: string) {
+  return input.trim().replace(/\/+$/, '');
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/views/list/ListDeletedObjectsView.vue b/frontend/src/views/list/ListDeletedObjectsView.vue
index 8e20a114..b1cf5b5c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/views/list/ListDeletedObjectsView.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/views/list/ListDeletedObjectsView.vue
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
-
 import { DeletedObjectList } from '@/components/object';
-
 </script>
 
 <template>
@@ -10,7 +8,7 @@ import { DeletedObjectList } from '@/components/object';
       <span class="material-icons-outlined icon-large pr-2">delete</span>
       <h2 class="">Recycle Bin</h2>
     </div>
-    <p>Select a deleted file to restore, or permanently delete it.</p>
+    <p>Select files to restore or permanently delete.</p>
     <DeletedObjectList />
   </div>
 </template>
diff --git a/frontend/src/views/list/ListObjectsView.vue b/frontend/src/views/list/ListObjectsView.vue
index 724375e4..2c29deb3 100644
--- a/frontend/src/views/list/ListObjectsView.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/views/list/ListObjectsView.vue
@@ -1,13 +1,16 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
 import { storeToRefs } from 'pinia';
-import { onBeforeMount, onErrorCaptured, ref } from 'vue';
+import { computed, onBeforeMount, onErrorCaptured, ref, watch } from 'vue';
 import { useRouter } from 'vue-router';
-import { differenceInSeconds } from 'date-fns';
 
+import { ShareButton } from '@/components/common';
 import { ObjectList } from '@/components/object';
-import { useToast } from '@/lib/primevue';
-import { useAuthStore, useBucketStore, usePermissionStore } from '@/store';
+import { BucketChildConfig, BucketConfigForm, BucketPermission } from '@/components/bucket';
+
+import { Button, Dialog, Message, Tag, useConfirm, useToast } from '@/lib/primevue';
+import { useAuthStore, useBucketStore, useNavStore, usePermissionStore } from '@/store';
 import { RouteNames, Permissions } from '@/utils/constants';
+import { onDialogHide } from '@/utils/utils';
 
 import type { Ref } from 'vue';
 import type { Bucket } from '@/types';
@@ -23,36 +26,70 @@ const props = withDefaults(defineProps<Props>(), {
 
 // Store
 const bucketStore = useBucketStore();
-const { getUserId } = storeToRefs(useAuthStore());
+const { getUserId, getIsAuthenticated } = storeToRefs(useAuthStore());
 const permissionStore = usePermissionStore();
-const { getBucketPermissions } = storeToRefs(permissionStore);
-
 const toast = useToast();
+const { focusedElement } = storeToRefs(useNavStore());
 
 // State
 const ready: Ref<boolean> = ref(false);
 const bucket: Ref<Bucket | undefined> = ref(undefined);
+const permissionsVisible: Ref<boolean> = ref(false);
+const permissionsBucketId: Ref<string> = ref('');
+const permissionBucketName: Ref<string> = ref('');
+const displayBucketConfig: Ref<boolean> = ref(false);
 
-// trigger bucket sync if last synced more than 1hr ago
-const autoSync = async () => {
-  const lastSyncRequestedDate: Ref<string | undefined> = ref(bucket.value?.lastSyncRequestedDate);
-  const syncQueueSize: Ref<number> = ref(0);
-  syncQueueSize.value = await bucketStore.syncBucketStatus(props.bucketId);
-  const last = new Date(lastSyncRequestedDate.value as string);
-  const now = new Date();
-  const since = differenceInSeconds(now, last);
-  if(since > 3600){
-    await bucketStore.syncBucket(props.bucketId, false );
-    toast.info('Sync in progress.',
-      'It\'s been a while since we checked for changes on the file server. ' +
-      'Please refresh this page to ensure the file listing is up-to-date.', { life: 0 });
-  }
-  else if(syncQueueSize.value > 0){
-    const word = syncQueueSize.value > 1 ? 'files' : 'file';
-    toast.info('Sync in progress.', `${syncQueueSize.value} ${word} remaining.`, { life: 0 });
-  }
+// make public flag reactive
+const isBucketPublic = computed(() => {
+  const bucket = bucketStore.getBucket(props.bucketId);
+  return bucket?.public || false;
+});
+// on public change, re-mount ObjectList
+watch(isBucketPublic, () => remountComponent());
+const componentKey = ref(0);
+const remountComponent = () => (componentKey.value += 1);
+// show permissions modal
+const showPermissions = async (bucketId: string, bucketName: string) => {
+  permissionsVisible.value = true;
+  permissionsBucketId.value = bucketId;
+  permissionBucketName.value = bucketName;
+  focusedElement.value = document.activeElement;
+};
+// folder settings
+const showBucketConfig = () => {
+  displayBucketConfig.value = true;
+};
+const closeBucketConfig = () => {
+  displayBucketConfig.value = false;
+  onDialogHide();
 };
 
+// delete folder dialog
+const confirm = useConfirm();
+const confirmDeleteBucket = (bucketId: string) => {
+  focusedElement.value = document.activeElement;
+  confirm.require({
+    message:
+      'Are you sure you want delete this folder in BCBox? \
+      This will drop all sub-folders and related objects and permissions from BCBox, \
+      but the files will still remain in the storage location. \
+      To delete the files from your storage location, please use controls in the table below.',
+    header: 'Delete folder',
+    acceptLabel: 'Confirm',
+    rejectLabel: 'Cancel',
+    accept: () => deleteBucket(bucketId, true),
+    onHide: () => onDialogHide(),
+    reject: () => onDialogHide()
+  });
+};
+async function deleteBucket(bucketId: string, recursive = true) {
+  await bucketStore.deleteBucket(bucketId, recursive);
+  await bucketStore.fetchBuckets({ userId: getUserId.value, objectPerms: true });
+}
+
+// check if in a subfolder or at highest level of mounted folders
+const isTopBucket = computed(() => bucketStore.isTopBucket);
+
 onErrorCaptured((e: Error) => {
   toast.error('Loading folder', e.message, { life: 0 });
 });
@@ -60,18 +97,24 @@ onErrorCaptured((e: Error) => {
 onBeforeMount(async () => {
   const router = useRouter();
 
-  // fetch buckets (which is already scoped by cur user's permissions) and populates bucket and permissions in store
-  const bucketResponse = await bucketStore.fetchBuckets({
-    bucketId: props.bucketId,
-    userId: getUserId.value,
-    objectPerms: true
-  });
+  // fetch bucket; populate bucket and permissions in store
+  let bucketResponse: any = [];
+  if (props?.bucketId) {
+    if (getIsAuthenticated.value) {
+      bucketResponse = await bucketStore.fetchBuckets({
+        bucketId: props.bucketId,
+        userId: getUserId.value,
+        objectPerms: true
+      });
+    } else {
+      bucketResponse = [await bucketStore.fetchBucket(props.bucketId)];
+    }
+  }
+
   if (bucketResponse?.length) {
     bucket.value = bucketResponse[0];
+
     ready.value = true;
-    // sync bucket if necessary
-    const hasRead = getBucketPermissions.value.filter((p) => p.permCode === Permissions.READ);
-    if(hasRead.length > 0) await autoSync();
   } else {
     router.replace({ name: RouteNames.FORBIDDEN });
   }
@@ -81,16 +124,162 @@ onBeforeMount(async () => {
   <div v-if="ready">
     <h2
       v-if="bucket"
-      class="mb-3 flex overflow-hidden"
+      class="mb-3 flex flex-align-baseline overflow-hidden"
     >
       <font-awesome-icon
         icon="fa-solid fa-folder"
-        class="mr-2 mt-2"
+        class="flex align-items-center mr-2 mt-2"
       />
-      <span class="wrap-block w-11">{{ bucket.bucketName }}</span>
+      <span class="wrap-block w-11 flex flex-grow-1">
+        {{ bucket.bucketName }}
+        <span class="ml-3 flex align-items-center">
+          <Tag
+            v-if="isBucketPublic"
+            v-tooltip="
+              'This folder and its contents are set to public. Change the settings in &quot;Folder permissions.&quot;'
+            "
+            value="Public"
+            severity="danger"
+            rounded
+            icon="pi pi-info-circle"
+          />
+        </span>
+      </span>
+
+      <ShareButton
+        :bucket-id="bucket.bucketId"
+        label-text="Folder"
+      />
+      <BucketChildConfig
+        v-if="permissionStore.isBucketActionAllowed(bucket.bucketId, getUserId, Permissions.CREATE)"
+        :parent-bucket="bucket"
+      />
+      <Button
+        v-if="!isTopBucket && permissionStore.isBucketActionAllowed(bucket.bucketId, getUserId, Permissions.MANAGE)"
+        v-tooltip.bottom="'Configure folder'"
+        class="p-button-lg p-button-text"
+        aria-label="Configure folder"
+        @click="showBucketConfig()"
+      >
+        <span class="material-icons-outlined">settings</span>
+      </Button>
+      <Button
+        v-if="permissionStore.isBucketActionAllowed(bucket.bucketId, getUserId, Permissions.MANAGE)"
+        id="folder_permissions"
+        v-tooltip.bottom="'Folder permissions'"
+        class="p-button-lg p-button-text"
+        aria-label="Folder permissions"
+        @click="showPermissions(bucket.bucketId, bucket.bucketName)"
+      >
+        <span class="material-icons-outlined">supervisor_account</span>
+      </Button>
+      <Button
+        v-if="!isTopBucket && permissionStore.isBucketActionAllowed(bucket.bucketId, getUserId, Permissions.DELETE)"
+        v-tooltip.bottom="'Delete folder'"
+        class="p-button-lg p-button-text"
+        aria-label="Delete folder"
+        @click="confirmDeleteBucket(bucket.bucketId)"
+      >
+        <span class="material-icons-outlined">delete</span>
+      </Button>
     </h2>
-    <ObjectList :bucket-id="props.bucketId" />
+    <ObjectList
+      :key="componentKey"
+      :bucket-id="props.bucketId"
+      :is-bucket-public="isBucketPublic"
+    />
   </div>
+
+  <!-- eslint-disable vue/no-v-model-argument -->
+  <Dialog
+    id="permissions_dialog"
+    v-model:visible="permissionsVisible"
+    :draggable="false"
+    :modal="true"
+    class="bcbox-info-dialog"
+    aria-labelledby="permissions_label"
+    aria-describedby="permissions_desc"
+    @after-hide="onDialogHide"
+  >
+    <!-- eslint-enable vue/no-v-model-argument -->
+    <template #header>
+      <span class="material-icons-outlined">supervisor_account</span>
+      <span
+        id="permissions_label"
+        class="p-dialog-title"
+      >
+        Folder permissions
+      </span>
+    </template>
+
+    <h3
+      id="permissions_desc"
+      class="bcbox-info-dialog-subhead"
+    >
+      Set permissions for:
+      <br />
+      <font-awesome-icon
+        icon="fa-solid fa-folder"
+        class="mr-2 mt-2"
+      />
+      {{ permissionBucketName }}
+    </h3>
+
+    <BucketPermission :bucket-id="permissionsBucketId" />
+  </Dialog>
+
+  <!-- Bucket config dialog -->
+  <Dialog
+    id="config_dialog"
+    class="bcbox-info-dialog"
+    :visible="displayBucketConfig"
+    :style="{ width: '50vw' }"
+    :modal="true"
+    aria-labelledby="config_dialog_label"
+    aria-describedby="config_dialog_desc"
+    @update:visible="closeBucketConfig"
+  >
+    <template #header>
+      <span class="material-icons-outlined">settings</span>
+      <span
+        id="config_dialog_label"
+        class="p-dialog-title"
+      >
+        Configure storage location source
+      </span>
+    </template>
+
+    <h3
+      id="config_dialog_label"
+      class="bcbox-info-dialog-subhead"
+    >
+      {{ bucket?.bucketName }}
+    </h3>
+
+    <Message severity="warn">
+      If you intend to share files in your bucket with BCeID or BC Services Card users, please notify
+      <a href="mailto:IDIM.Consulting@gov.bc.ca">IDIM.Consulting@gov.bc.ca</a>
+      that you plan to use BCBox.
+    </Message>
+
+    <Message severity="info">
+      Please contact
+      <a
+        href="https://apps.nrs.gov.bc.ca/int/jira/servicedesk/customer/portal/1/create/701"
+        target="_blank"
+      >
+        NRIDS Optimization
+      </a>
+      (Natural Resource ministries) or your ministry's service desk if you need help with &quot;bucket&quot; storage
+      location sources.
+    </Message>
+
+    <BucketConfigForm
+      :bucket="bucket"
+      @submit-bucket-config="closeBucketConfig"
+      @cancel-bucket-config="closeBucketConfig"
+    />
+  </Dialog>
 </template>
 <style scoped lang="scss">
 .heading svg {
diff --git a/frontend/tests/unit/components/bucket/BucketSidebar.spec.ts b/frontend/tests/unit/components/bucket/BucketSidebar.spec.ts
index 854c6c46..ae1c1cc8 100644
--- a/frontend/tests/unit/components/bucket/BucketSidebar.spec.ts
+++ b/frontend/tests/unit/components/bucket/BucketSidebar.spec.ts
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ const testSidebarInfo = {
   secretAccessKey: 'REDACTED',
   region: 'null',
   active: true,
+  public: false,
   createdBy: '11111111-2222-3333-4444-555555555555',
   createdAt: '2023-09-28T21:25:38.927Z',
   updatedBy: '2023-09-28T21:25:38.927Z',
diff --git a/frontend/tests/unit/store/bucketStore.spec.ts b/frontend/tests/unit/store/bucketStore.spec.ts
index d5647375..d6dd479a 100644
--- a/frontend/tests/unit/store/bucketStore.spec.ts
+++ b/frontend/tests/unit/store/bucketStore.spec.ts
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ const bucket: Bucket = {
   bucketName: 'unit',
   endpoint: 'https://not.a.url',
   key: 'test',
+  public: false,
   region: 'us-east-1',
   secretAccessKey: '123'
 };
@@ -29,6 +30,7 @@ const bucket2: Bucket = {
   bucketName: 'unit2',
   endpoint: 'https://not.a.url',
   key: 'test',
+  public: false,
   region: 'us-east-1',
   secretAccessKey: '456'
 };