diff --git a/client/src/components/Chat/Messages/MessageIcon.tsx b/client/src/components/Chat/Messages/MessageIcon.tsx
index 619d2f827d..1c4401c338 100644
--- a/client/src/components/Chat/Messages/MessageIcon.tsx
+++ b/client/src/components/Chat/Messages/MessageIcon.tsx
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
-import { useMemo, useEffect, useRef, memo } from 'react';
+import { useMemo, memo } from 'react';
 import { getEndpointField } from 'librechat-data-provider';
 import type { Assistant, Agent } from 'librechat-data-provider';
 import type { TMessageIcon } from '~/common';
 import ConvoIconURL from '~/components/Endpoints/ConvoIconURL';
 import { useGetEndpointsQuery } from '~/data-provider';
-import { getIconEndpoint, logger } from '~/utils';
+import { getIconEndpoint } from '~/utils';
 import Icon from '~/components/Endpoints/Icon';
 
 type MessageIconProps = {
@@ -19,25 +19,20 @@ type MessageIconProps = {
  * this component renders display properties only, not identity-derived content.
  */
 export function arePropsEqual(prev: MessageIconProps, next: MessageIconProps): boolean {
-  const checks: [string, unknown, unknown][] = [
-    ['iconData.endpoint', prev.iconData?.endpoint, next.iconData?.endpoint],
-    ['iconData.model', prev.iconData?.model, next.iconData?.model],
-    ['iconData.iconURL', prev.iconData?.iconURL, next.iconData?.iconURL],
-    ['iconData.modelLabel', prev.iconData?.modelLabel, next.iconData?.modelLabel],
-    ['iconData.isCreatedByUser', prev.iconData?.isCreatedByUser, next.iconData?.isCreatedByUser],
-    ['agent.name', prev.agent?.name, next.agent?.name],
-    ['agent.avatar.filepath', prev.agent?.avatar?.filepath, next.agent?.avatar?.filepath],
-    ['assistant.name', prev.assistant?.name, next.assistant?.name],
-    [
-      'assistant.metadata.avatar',
-      prev.assistant?.metadata?.avatar,
-      next.assistant?.metadata?.avatar,
-    ],
+  const checks: [unknown, unknown][] = [
+    [prev.iconData?.endpoint, next.iconData?.endpoint],
+    [prev.iconData?.model, next.iconData?.model],
+    [prev.iconData?.iconURL, next.iconData?.iconURL],
+    [prev.iconData?.modelLabel, next.iconData?.modelLabel],
+    [prev.iconData?.isCreatedByUser, next.iconData?.isCreatedByUser],
+    [prev.agent?.name, next.agent?.name],
+    [prev.agent?.avatar?.filepath, next.agent?.avatar?.filepath],
+    [prev.assistant?.name, next.assistant?.name],
+    [prev.assistant?.metadata?.avatar, next.assistant?.metadata?.avatar],
   ];
 
-  for (const [field, prevVal, nextVal] of checks) {
+  for (const [prevVal, nextVal] of checks) {
     if (prevVal !== nextVal) {
-      logger.log('icon_memo_diff', `field "${field}" changed:`, prevVal, '→', nextVal);
       return false;
     }
   }
@@ -45,28 +40,6 @@ export function arePropsEqual(prev: MessageIconProps, next: MessageIconProps): b
 }
 
 const MessageIcon = memo(({ iconData, assistant, agent }: MessageIconProps) => {
-  const renderCountRef = useRef(0);
-  renderCountRef.current += 1;
-
-  useEffect(() => {
-    logger.log(
-      'icon_lifecycle',
-      'MOUNT',
-      iconData?.modelLabel,
-      `render #${renderCountRef.current}`,
-    );
-    return () => {
-      logger.log('icon_lifecycle', 'UNMOUNT', iconData?.modelLabel);
-    };
-    // eslint-disable-next-line react-hooks/exhaustive-deps
-  }, []);
-
-  logger.log(
-    'icon_data',
-    `render #${renderCountRef.current}`,
-    iconData?.isCreatedByUser ? 'user' : iconData?.modelLabel,
-    iconData,
-  );
   const { data: endpointsConfig } = useGetEndpointsQuery();
 
   const agentName = agent?.name ?? '';
diff --git a/client/src/components/Chat/Messages/__tests__/MessageIcon.render.test.tsx b/client/src/components/Chat/Messages/__tests__/MessageIcon.render.test.tsx
index 1c7b3c1aec..c19142494a 100644
--- a/client/src/components/Chat/Messages/__tests__/MessageIcon.render.test.tsx
+++ b/client/src/components/Chat/Messages/__tests__/MessageIcon.render.test.tsx
@@ -11,29 +11,25 @@ jest.mock('librechat-data-provider', () => ({
 jest.mock('~/data-provider', () => ({
   useGetEndpointsQuery: jest.fn(() => ({ data: {} })),
 }));
-
-// logger is a plain object with a real function — not a jest.fn() —
-// so restoreMocks/clearMocks won't touch it. We spy on it per-test instead.
-const logCalls: unknown[][] = [];
 jest.mock('~/utils', () => ({
   getIconEndpoint: jest.fn(() => 'agents'),
-  logger: {
-    log: (...args: unknown[]) => {
-      logCalls.push(args);
-    },
-  },
 }));
+
+const iconRenderCount = { current: 0 };
+
 jest.mock('~/components/Endpoints/ConvoIconURL', () => {
-  const ConvoIconURL = (props: Record<string, unknown>) => (
-    <div data-testid="convo-icon-url" data-icon-url={props.iconURL as string} />
-  );
+  const ConvoIconURL = (props: Record<string, unknown>) => {
+    iconRenderCount.current += 1;
+    return <div data-testid="convo-icon-url" data-icon-url={props.iconURL as string} />;
+  };
   ConvoIconURL.displayName = 'ConvoIconURL';
   return { __esModule: true, default: ConvoIconURL };
 });
 jest.mock('~/components/Endpoints/Icon', () => {
-  const Icon = (props: Record<string, unknown>) => (
-    <div data-testid="icon" data-icon-url={props.iconURL as string} />
-  );
+  const Icon = (props: Record<string, unknown>) => {
+    iconRenderCount.current += 1;
+    return <div data-testid="icon" data-icon-url={props.iconURL as string} />;
+  };
   Icon.displayName = 'Icon';
   return { __esModule: true, default: Icon };
 });
@@ -58,79 +54,68 @@ const baseIconData: TMessageIcon = {
 
 describe('MessageIcon render cycles', () => {
   beforeEach(() => {
-    logCalls.length = 0;
+    iconRenderCount.current = 0;
   });
 
   it('renders once on initial mount', () => {
     render(<MessageIcon iconData={baseIconData} agent={makeAgent()} />);
-    const iconDataCalls = logCalls.filter((c) => c[0] === 'icon_data');
-    expect(iconDataCalls).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(iconRenderCount.current).toBe(1);
   });
 
   it('does not re-render when parent re-renders with same field values but new object references', () => {
     const agent = makeAgent();
     const { rerender } = render(<MessageIcon iconData={baseIconData} agent={agent} />);
-    logCalls.length = 0;
+    iconRenderCount.current = 0;
 
-    // Simulate parent re-render: new iconData object (same field values), new agent object (same data)
     rerender(<MessageIcon iconData={{ ...baseIconData }} agent={makeAgent()} />);
 
-    const iconDataCalls = logCalls.filter((c) => c[0] === 'icon_data');
-    expect(iconDataCalls).toHaveLength(0);
+    expect(iconRenderCount.current).toBe(0);
   });
 
   it('does not re-render when agent object reference changes but name and avatar are the same', () => {
     const agent1 = makeAgent();
     const { rerender } = render(<MessageIcon iconData={baseIconData} agent={agent1} />);
-    logCalls.length = 0;
+    iconRenderCount.current = 0;
 
-    // New agent object with different id but same display fields
     const agent2 = makeAgent({ id: 'agent_456' });
     rerender(<MessageIcon iconData={baseIconData} agent={agent2} />);
 
-    const iconDataCalls = logCalls.filter((c) => c[0] === 'icon_data');
-    expect(iconDataCalls).toHaveLength(0);
+    expect(iconRenderCount.current).toBe(0);
   });
 
   it('re-renders when agent avatar filepath changes', () => {
     const agent1 = makeAgent();
     const { rerender } = render(<MessageIcon iconData={baseIconData} agent={agent1} />);
-    logCalls.length = 0;
+    iconRenderCount.current = 0;
 
     const agent2 = makeAgent({ avatar: { filepath: '/images/new-avatar.png' } });
     rerender(<MessageIcon iconData={baseIconData} agent={agent2} />);
 
-    const iconDataCalls = logCalls.filter((c) => c[0] === 'icon_data');
-    expect(iconDataCalls).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(iconRenderCount.current).toBe(1);
   });
 
   it('re-renders when agent goes from undefined to defined (name changes from undefined to string)', () => {
     const { rerender } = render(<MessageIcon iconData={baseIconData} agent={undefined} />);
-    logCalls.length = 0;
+    iconRenderCount.current = 0;
 
     rerender(<MessageIcon iconData={baseIconData} agent={makeAgent()} />);
 
-    const iconDataCalls = logCalls.filter((c) => c[0] === 'icon_data');
-    expect(iconDataCalls).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(iconRenderCount.current).toBe(1);
   });
 
   describe('simulates message lifecycle', () => {
     it('renders exactly twice during new message + streaming start: initial render + modelLabel update', () => {
-      // Phase 1: Initial response message created by useChatFunctions
-      // model is set to agent_id, iconURL is undefined, modelLabel is '' or sender
       const initialIconData: TMessageIcon = {
         endpoint: EModelEndpoint.agents,
         model: 'agent_123',
         iconURL: undefined,
-        modelLabel: '', // Not yet resolved
+        modelLabel: '',
         isCreatedByUser: false,
       };
       const agent = makeAgent();
 
       const { rerender } = render(<MessageIcon iconData={initialIconData} agent={agent} />);
 
-      // Phase 2: First streaming chunk arrives, messageLabel resolves to agent name
-      // This is a legitimate re-render — modelLabel changed from '' to 'GitHub Agent'
       const streamingIconData: TMessageIcon = {
         ...initialIconData,
         modelLabel: 'GitHub Agent',
@@ -138,9 +123,7 @@ describe('MessageIcon render cycles', () => {
 
       rerender(<MessageIcon iconData={streamingIconData} agent={agent} />);
 
-      const iconDataCalls = logCalls.filter((c) => c[0] === 'icon_data');
-      // Exactly 2: initial mount + modelLabel change
-      expect(iconDataCalls).toHaveLength(2);
+      expect(iconRenderCount.current).toBe(2);
     });
 
     it('does NOT re-render on subsequent streaming chunks (content changes, isSubmitting stays true)', () => {
@@ -154,17 +137,13 @@ describe('MessageIcon render cycles', () => {
       const agent = makeAgent();
 
       const { rerender } = render(<MessageIcon iconData={iconData} agent={agent} />);
-      logCalls.length = 0;
+      iconRenderCount.current = 0;
 
-      // Simulate multiple parent re-renders from streaming chunks
-      // Parent (ContentRender) re-renders because chatContext changed,
-      // but MessageIcon props are identical field-by-field
       for (let i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
         rerender(<MessageIcon iconData={{ ...iconData }} agent={makeAgent()} />);
       }
 
-      const iconDataCalls = logCalls.filter((c) => c[0] === 'icon_data');
-      expect(iconDataCalls).toHaveLength(0);
+      expect(iconRenderCount.current).toBe(0);
     });
 
     it('does NOT re-render when agentsMap context updates with same agent data', () => {
@@ -176,18 +155,15 @@ describe('MessageIcon render cycles', () => {
         isCreatedByUser: false,
       };
 
-      // First render with agent from original agentsMap
       const agent1 = makeAgent();
       const { rerender } = render(<MessageIcon iconData={iconData} agent={agent1} />);
-      logCalls.length = 0;
+      iconRenderCount.current = 0;
 
-      // agentsMap refetched → new agent object, same display data
       const agent2 = makeAgent();
-      expect(agent1).not.toBe(agent2); // different reference
+      expect(agent1).not.toBe(agent2);
       rerender(<MessageIcon iconData={iconData} agent={agent2} />);
 
-      const iconDataCalls = logCalls.filter((c) => c[0] === 'icon_data');
-      expect(iconDataCalls).toHaveLength(0);
+      expect(iconRenderCount.current).toBe(0);
     });
   });
 });
diff --git a/librechat.example.yaml b/librechat.example.yaml
index 03bb5f5bc2..92206c4b6e 100644
--- a/librechat.example.yaml
+++ b/librechat.example.yaml
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 # https://www.librechat.ai/docs/configuration/librechat_yaml
 
 # Configuration version (required)
-version: 1.3.6
+version: 1.3.7
 
 # Cache settings: Set to true to enable caching
 cache: true
@@ -80,10 +80,8 @@ interface:
 
       By using the Website, you acknowledge that you have read these Terms of Service and agree to be bound by them.
 
-  endpointsMenu: true
   modelSelect: true
   parameters: true
-  sidePanel: true
   presets: true
   prompts:
     use: true
diff --git a/packages/api/src/admin/config.handler.spec.ts b/packages/api/src/admin/config.handler.spec.ts
index ad33f5f158..8f4e2002a5 100644
--- a/packages/api/src/admin/config.handler.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/api/src/admin/config.handler.spec.ts
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ function createHandlers(overrides = {}) {
     toggleConfigActive: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue({ _id: 'c1', isActive: false }),
     hasConfigCapability: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue(true),
 
-    getAppConfig: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue({ interface: { endpointsMenu: true } }),
+    getAppConfig: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue({ interface: { modelSelect: true } }),
     ...overrides,
   };
   const handlers = createAdminConfigHandlers(deps);
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ describe('createAdminConfigHandlers', () => {
       });
       const req = mockReq({
         params: { principalType: 'role', principalId: 'admin' },
-        body: { overrides: { interface: { endpointsMenu: false } } },
+        body: { overrides: { interface: { modelSelect: false } } },
       });
       const res = mockRes();
 
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ describe('createAdminConfigHandlers', () => {
       });
       const req = mockReq({
         params: { principalType: 'role', principalId: 'admin' },
-        body: { overrides: { interface: { endpointsMenu: false } } },
+        body: { overrides: { interface: { modelSelect: false } } },
       });
       const res = mockRes();
 
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ describe('createAdminConfigHandlers', () => {
         params: { principalType: 'role', principalId: 'admin' },
         body: {
           overrides: {
-            interface: { endpointsMenu: false, prompts: false, agents: { use: false } },
+            interface: { modelSelect: false, prompts: false, agents: { use: false } },
           },
         },
       });
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ describe('createAdminConfigHandlers', () => {
 
       expect(res.statusCode).toBe(201);
       const savedOverrides = deps.upsertConfig.mock.calls[0][3];
-      expect(savedOverrides.interface).toEqual({ endpointsMenu: false });
+      expect(savedOverrides.interface).toEqual({ modelSelect: false });
     });
 
     it('preserves UI sub-keys in composite permission fields like mcpServers', async () => {
@@ -263,17 +263,13 @@ describe('createAdminConfigHandlers', () => {
       const { handlers, deps } = createHandlers();
       const req = mockReq({
         params: { principalType: 'role', principalId: 'admin' },
-        query: { fieldPath: 'interface.endpointsMenu' },
+        query: { fieldPath: 'interface.modelSelect' },
       });
       const res = mockRes();
 
       await handlers.deleteConfigField(req, res);
 
-      expect(deps.unsetConfigField).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-        'role',
-        'admin',
-        'interface.endpointsMenu',
-      );
+      expect(deps.unsetConfigField).toHaveBeenCalledWith('role', 'admin', 'interface.modelSelect');
     });
 
     it('allows deleting mcpServers UI sub-key paths', async () => {
@@ -343,18 +339,14 @@ describe('createAdminConfigHandlers', () => {
       const { handlers, deps } = createHandlers();
       const req = mockReq({
         params: { principalType: 'role', principalId: 'admin' },
-        query: { fieldPath: 'interface.endpointsMenu' },
+        query: { fieldPath: 'interface.modelSelect' },
       });
       const res = mockRes();
 
       await handlers.deleteConfigField(req, res);
 
       expect(res.statusCode).toBe(200);
-      expect(deps.unsetConfigField).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-        'role',
-        'admin',
-        'interface.endpointsMenu',
-      );
+      expect(deps.unsetConfigField).toHaveBeenCalledWith('role', 'admin', 'interface.modelSelect');
     });
 
     it('returns 400 when fieldPath query param is missing', async () => {
@@ -407,7 +399,7 @@ describe('createAdminConfigHandlers', () => {
         params: { principalType: 'role', principalId: 'admin' },
         body: {
           entries: [
-            { fieldPath: 'interface.endpointsMenu', value: false },
+            { fieldPath: 'interface.modelSelect', value: false },
             { fieldPath: 'interface.prompts', value: false },
           ],
         },
@@ -418,7 +410,7 @@ describe('createAdminConfigHandlers', () => {
 
       expect(res.statusCode).toBe(200);
       const patchedFields = deps.patchConfigFields.mock.calls[0][3];
-      expect(patchedFields['interface.endpointsMenu']).toBe(false);
+      expect(patchedFields['interface.modelSelect']).toBe(false);
       expect(patchedFields['interface.prompts']).toBeUndefined();
     });
 
@@ -632,21 +624,21 @@ describe('createAdminConfigHandlers', () => {
       name: 'upsertConfigOverrides',
       reqOverrides: {
         params: { principalType: 'role', principalId: 'admin' },
-        body: { overrides: { interface: { endpointsMenu: false } } },
+        body: { overrides: { interface: { modelSelect: false } } },
       },
     },
     {
       name: 'patchConfigField',
       reqOverrides: {
         params: { principalType: 'role', principalId: 'admin' },
-        body: { entries: [{ fieldPath: 'interface.endpointsMenu', value: false }] },
+        body: { entries: [{ fieldPath: 'interface.modelSelect', value: false }] },
       },
     },
     {
       name: 'deleteConfigField',
       reqOverrides: {
         params: { principalType: 'role', principalId: 'admin' },
-        query: { fieldPath: 'interface.endpointsMenu' },
+        query: { fieldPath: 'interface.modelSelect' },
       },
     },
     {
@@ -775,7 +767,7 @@ describe('createAdminConfigHandlers', () => {
       await handlers.getBaseConfig(req, res);
 
       expect(res.statusCode).toBe(200);
-      expect(res.body!.config).toEqual({ interface: { endpointsMenu: true } });
+      expect(res.body!.config).toEqual({ interface: { modelSelect: true } });
     });
   });
 });
diff --git a/packages/api/src/admin/config.spec.ts b/packages/api/src/admin/config.spec.ts
index 499cfaa35b..3298cb5faa 100644
--- a/packages/api/src/admin/config.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/api/src/admin/config.spec.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { isValidFieldPath, getTopLevelSection } from './config';
 
 describe('isValidFieldPath', () => {
   it('accepts simple dot paths', () => {
-    expect(isValidFieldPath('interface.endpointsMenu')).toBe(true);
+    expect(isValidFieldPath('interface.modelSelect')).toBe(true);
     expect(isValidFieldPath('registration.socialLogins')).toBe(true);
     expect(isValidFieldPath('a')).toBe(true);
     expect(isValidFieldPath('a.b.c.d')).toBe(true);
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ describe('isValidFieldPath', () => {
 
 describe('getTopLevelSection', () => {
   it('returns first segment of a dot path', () => {
-    expect(getTopLevelSection('interface.endpointsMenu')).toBe('interface');
+    expect(getTopLevelSection('interface.modelSelect')).toBe('interface');
     expect(getTopLevelSection('registration.socialLogins.github')).toBe('registration');
   });
 
diff --git a/packages/api/src/admin/config.ts b/packages/api/src/admin/config.ts
index 357096da9b..c1ce2cb13f 100644
--- a/packages/api/src/admin/config.ts
+++ b/packages/api/src/admin/config.ts
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ export function getTopLevelSection(fieldPath: string): string {
  * - `"interface.mcpServers.use"` → true (permission sub-key)
  * - `"interface.mcpServers.placeholder"` → false (UI-only sub-key)
  * - `"interface.peoplePicker.users"` → true (all peoplePicker sub-keys are permissions)
- * - `"interface.endpointsMenu"` → false (UI-only field)
+ * - `"interface.modelSelect"` → false (UI-only field)
  */
 function isInterfacePermissionPath(fieldPath: string): boolean {
   const parts = fieldPath.split('.');
diff --git a/packages/api/src/app/AppService.spec.ts b/packages/api/src/app/AppService.spec.ts
index df607d612b..2c07460b84 100644
--- a/packages/api/src/app/AppService.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/api/src/app/AppService.spec.ts
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ describe('AppService', () => {
   it('should correctly assign process.env and initialize app config based on custom config', async () => {
     const config: Partial<TCustomConfig> = {
       registration: { socialLogins: ['testLogin'] },
-      fileStrategy: 'testStrategy' as FileSources,
+      fileStrategy: FileSources.s3,
       balance: {
         enabled: true,
       },
@@ -93,22 +93,20 @@ describe('AppService', () => {
 
     const result = await AppService({ config, systemTools: mockSystemTools });
 
-    expect(process.env.CDN_PROVIDER).toEqual('testStrategy');
+    expect(process.env.CDN_PROVIDER).toEqual('s3');
 
     expect(result).toEqual(
       expect.objectContaining({
         config: expect.objectContaining({
-          fileStrategy: 'testStrategy',
+          fileStrategy: 's3',
         }),
         registration: expect.objectContaining({
           socialLogins: ['testLogin'],
         }),
-        fileStrategy: 'testStrategy',
+        fileStrategy: 's3',
         interfaceConfig: expect.objectContaining({
-          endpointsMenu: true,
           modelSelect: true,
           parameters: true,
-          sidePanel: true,
           presets: true,
         }),
         mcpConfig: null,
diff --git a/packages/api/src/app/checks.ts b/packages/api/src/app/checks.ts
index 66f5b620e6..50312267ac 100644
--- a/packages/api/src/app/checks.ts
+++ b/packages/api/src/app/checks.ts
@@ -192,16 +192,13 @@ export function checkInterfaceConfig(appConfig: AppConfig) {
     if (i === 0) i++;
   }
 
-  // warn about config.modelSpecs.enforce if true and if any of these, endpointsMenu, modelSelect, presets, or parameters are enabled, that enforcing model specs can conflict with these options.
+  // warn about config.modelSpecs.enforce if true and if any of these, modelSelect, presets, or parameters are enabled, that enforcing model specs can conflict with these options.
   if (
     appConfig?.modelSpecs?.enforce &&
-    (interfaceConfig?.endpointsMenu ||
-      interfaceConfig?.modelSelect ||
-      interfaceConfig?.presets ||
-      interfaceConfig?.parameters)
+    (interfaceConfig?.modelSelect || interfaceConfig?.presets || interfaceConfig?.parameters)
   ) {
     logger.warn(
-      "Note: Enforcing model specs can conflict with the interface options: endpointsMenu, modelSelect, presets, and parameters. It's recommended to disable these options from the interface or disable enforcing model specs.",
+      "Note: Enforcing model specs can conflict with the interface options: modelSelect, presets, and parameters. It's recommended to disable these options from the interface or disable enforcing model specs.",
     );
     if (i === 0) i++;
   }
diff --git a/packages/api/src/app/config.test.ts b/packages/api/src/app/config.test.ts
index 3e2ee6d143..a3e7401efd 100644
--- a/packages/api/src/app/config.test.ts
+++ b/packages/api/src/app/config.test.ts
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ const createTestAppConfig = (overrides: Partial<AppConfig> = {}): AppConfig => {
     version: '1.0.0',
     cache: true,
     interface: {
-      endpointsMenu: true,
+      modelSelect: true,
     },
     registration: {
       socialLogins: [],
diff --git a/packages/api/src/app/service.spec.ts b/packages/api/src/app/service.spec.ts
index 8d168095c7..e5e076c8eb 100644
--- a/packages/api/src/app/service.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/api/src/app/service.spec.ts
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ function createMockCache(namespace = 'app_config') {
 
 function createDeps(overrides = {}) {
   const cache = createMockCache();
-  const baseConfig = { interfaceConfig: { endpointsMenu: true }, endpoints: ['openAI'] };
+  const baseConfig = { interfaceConfig: { modelSelect: true }, endpoints: ['openAI'] };
 
   return {
     loadBaseConfig: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue(baseConfig),
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ describe('createAppConfigService', () => {
         getApplicableConfigs: jest
           .fn()
           .mockResolvedValue([
-            { priority: 10, overrides: { interface: { endpointsMenu: false } }, isActive: true },
+            { priority: 10, overrides: { interface: { modelSelect: false } }, isActive: true },
           ]),
       });
       const { getAppConfig } = createAppConfigService(deps);
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ describe('createAppConfigService', () => {
         getApplicableConfigs: jest
           .fn()
           .mockResolvedValue([
-            { priority: 10, overrides: { interface: { endpointsMenu: false } }, isActive: true },
+            { priority: 10, overrides: { interface: { modelSelect: false } }, isActive: true },
           ]),
       });
       const { getAppConfig } = createAppConfigService(deps);
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ describe('createAppConfigService', () => {
       const config = await getAppConfig({ role: 'ADMIN' });
 
       const merged = config as TestConfig;
-      expect(merged.interfaceConfig?.endpointsMenu).toBe(false);
+      expect(merged.interfaceConfig?.modelSelect).toBe(false);
       expect(merged.endpoints).toEqual(['openAI']);
     });
 
diff --git a/packages/data-provider/package.json b/packages/data-provider/package.json
index 67eebf9cad..725d780b09 100644
--- a/packages/data-provider/package.json
+++ b/packages/data-provider/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "librechat-data-provider",
-  "version": "0.8.406",
+  "version": "0.8.407",
   "description": "data services for librechat apps",
   "main": "dist/index.js",
   "module": "dist/index.es.js",
diff --git a/packages/data-provider/specs/config-schemas.spec.ts b/packages/data-provider/specs/config-schemas.spec.ts
index 66013baadd..6e76bced06 100644
--- a/packages/data-provider/specs/config-schemas.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/data-provider/specs/config-schemas.spec.ts
@@ -4,8 +4,12 @@ import {
   azureEndpointSchema,
   endpointSchema,
   configSchema,
+  interfaceSchema,
+  fileStorageSchema,
+  fileStrategiesSchema,
 } from '../src/config';
 import { tModelSpecPresetSchema, EModelEndpoint } from '../src/schemas';
+import { FileSources } from '../src/types/files';
 
 describe('paramDefinitionSchema', () => {
   it('accepts a minimal definition with only key', () => {
@@ -421,3 +425,80 @@ describe('azureEndpointSchema', () => {
     expect(result.success).toBe(false);
   });
 });
+
+describe('fileStorageSchema', () => {
+  const validStrategies = [
+    FileSources.local,
+    FileSources.firebase,
+    FileSources.s3,
+    FileSources.azure_blob,
+  ];
+  const invalidStrategies = [
+    FileSources.openai,
+    FileSources.azure,
+    FileSources.vectordb,
+    FileSources.execute_code,
+    FileSources.mistral_ocr,
+    FileSources.azure_mistral_ocr,
+    FileSources.vertexai_mistral_ocr,
+    FileSources.text,
+    FileSources.document_parser,
+  ];
+
+  for (const strategy of validStrategies) {
+    it(`accepts storage strategy "${strategy}"`, () => {
+      expect(fileStorageSchema.safeParse(strategy).success).toBe(true);
+    });
+  }
+
+  for (const strategy of invalidStrategies) {
+    it(`rejects processing strategy "${strategy}"`, () => {
+      expect(fileStorageSchema.safeParse(strategy).success).toBe(false);
+    });
+  }
+});
+
+describe('fileStrategiesSchema', () => {
+  it('accepts valid storage strategies for all sub-fields', () => {
+    const result = fileStrategiesSchema.safeParse({
+      default: FileSources.s3,
+      avatar: FileSources.local,
+      image: FileSources.firebase,
+      document: FileSources.azure_blob,
+    });
+    expect(result.success).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('rejects processing strategies in sub-fields', () => {
+    const result = fileStrategiesSchema.safeParse({
+      default: FileSources.vectordb,
+    });
+    expect(result.success).toBe(false);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('configSchema fileStrategy', () => {
+  it('rejects a processing strategy as fileStrategy', () => {
+    const result = configSchema.safeParse({ version: '1.3.7', fileStrategy: FileSources.vectordb });
+    expect(result.success).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it('defaults fileStrategy to local when absent', () => {
+    const result = configSchema.safeParse({ version: '1.3.7' });
+    expect(result.success).toBe(true);
+    expect(result.data?.fileStrategy).toBe(FileSources.local);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('interfaceSchema', () => {
+  it('silently strips removed legacy fields', () => {
+    const result = interfaceSchema.parse({
+      endpointsMenu: true,
+      sidePanel: true,
+      modelSelect: false,
+    });
+    expect(result).not.toHaveProperty('endpointsMenu');
+    expect(result).not.toHaveProperty('sidePanel');
+    expect(result.modelSelect).toBe(false);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/data-provider/src/config.ts b/packages/data-provider/src/config.ts
index 2b512a84d7..ca40ec2c8c 100644
--- a/packages/data-provider/src/config.ts
+++ b/packages/data-provider/src/config.ts
@@ -62,14 +62,27 @@ export enum SettingsViews {
   advanced = 'advanced',
 }
 
+/** Validates any FileSources value — use for file metadata, DB records, and upload routing. */
 export const fileSourceSchema = z.nativeEnum(FileSources);
 
+/** Storage backend strategies only — use for config fields that set where files are stored. */
+const FILE_STORAGE_BACKENDS = [
+  FileSources.local,
+  FileSources.firebase,
+  FileSources.s3,
+  FileSources.azure_blob,
+] as const satisfies ReadonlyArray<FileSources>;
+
+export const fileStorageSchema = z.enum(FILE_STORAGE_BACKENDS);
+
+export type FileStorage = z.infer<typeof fileStorageSchema>;
+
 export const fileStrategiesSchema = z
   .object({
-    default: fileSourceSchema.optional(),
-    avatar: fileSourceSchema.optional(),
-    image: fileSourceSchema.optional(),
-    document: fileSourceSchema.optional(),
+    default: fileStorageSchema.optional(),
+    avatar: fileStorageSchema.optional(),
+    image: fileStorageSchema.optional(),
+    document: fileStorageSchema.optional(),
   })
   .optional();
 
@@ -677,10 +690,8 @@ export const interfaceSchema = z
     termsOfService: termsOfServiceSchema.optional(),
     customWelcome: z.string().optional(),
     mcpServers: mcpServersSchema.optional(),
-    endpointsMenu: z.boolean().optional(),
     modelSelect: z.boolean().optional(),
     parameters: z.boolean().optional(),
-    sidePanel: z.boolean().optional(),
     multiConvo: z.boolean().optional(),
     bookmarks: z.boolean().optional(),
     memories: z.boolean().optional(),
@@ -735,10 +746,8 @@ export const interfaceSchema = z
       .optional(),
   })
   .default({
-    endpointsMenu: true,
     modelSelect: true,
     parameters: true,
-    sidePanel: true,
     presets: true,
     multiConvo: true,
     bookmarks: true,
@@ -1059,7 +1068,7 @@ export const configSchema = z.object({
     .optional(),
   interface: interfaceSchema,
   turnstile: turnstileSchema.optional(),
-  fileStrategy: fileSourceSchema.default(FileSources.local),
+  fileStrategy: fileStorageSchema.default(FileSources.local),
   fileStrategies: fileStrategiesSchema,
   actions: z
     .object({
@@ -1833,7 +1842,7 @@ export enum Constants {
   /** Key for the app's version. */
   VERSION = 'v0.8.4',
   /** Key for the Custom Config's version (librechat.yaml). */
-  CONFIG_VERSION = '1.3.6',
+  CONFIG_VERSION = '1.3.7',
   /** Standard value for the first message's `parentMessageId` value, to indicate no parent exists. */
   NO_PARENT = '00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000',
   /** Standard value to use whatever the submission prelim. `responseMessageId` is */
diff --git a/packages/data-schemas/src/app/interface.ts b/packages/data-schemas/src/app/interface.ts
index 1701a22fad..3cd71cfb20 100644
--- a/packages/data-schemas/src/app/interface.ts
+++ b/packages/data-schemas/src/app/interface.ts
@@ -29,14 +29,11 @@ export async function loadDefaultInterface({
 
   const loadedInterface: AppConfig['interfaceConfig'] = removeNullishValues({
     // UI elements - use schema defaults
-    endpointsMenu:
-      interfaceConfig?.endpointsMenu ?? (hasModelSpecs ? false : defaults.endpointsMenu),
     modelSelect:
       interfaceConfig?.modelSelect ??
       (hasModelSpecs ? includesAddedEndpoints : defaults.modelSelect),
     parameters: interfaceConfig?.parameters ?? (hasModelSpecs ? false : defaults.parameters),
     presets: interfaceConfig?.presets ?? (hasModelSpecs ? false : defaults.presets),
-    sidePanel: interfaceConfig?.sidePanel ?? defaults.sidePanel,
     privacyPolicy: interfaceConfig?.privacyPolicy ?? defaults.privacyPolicy,
     termsOfService: interfaceConfig?.termsOfService ?? defaults.termsOfService,
     mcpServers: interfaceConfig?.mcpServers ?? defaults.mcpServers,
diff --git a/packages/data-schemas/src/app/resolution.spec.ts b/packages/data-schemas/src/app/resolution.spec.ts
index 991f6afb40..e241b7f9a4 100644
--- a/packages/data-schemas/src/app/resolution.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/data-schemas/src/app/resolution.spec.ts
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ function fakeConfig(overrides: Record<string, unknown>, priority: number): IConf
 }
 
 const baseConfig = {
-  interfaceConfig: { endpointsMenu: true, sidePanel: true },
+  interfaceConfig: { modelSelect: true, parameters: true },
   registration: { enabled: true },
   endpoints: ['openAI'],
 } as unknown as AppConfig;
@@ -32,11 +32,11 @@ describe('mergeConfigOverrides', () => {
   });
 
   it('deep merges interface UI fields into interfaceConfig', () => {
-    const configs = [fakeConfig({ interface: { endpointsMenu: false } }, 10)];
+    const configs = [fakeConfig({ interface: { modelSelect: false } }, 10)];
     const result = mergeConfigOverrides(baseConfig, configs) as unknown as Record<string, unknown>;
     const iface = result.interfaceConfig as Record<string, unknown>;
-    expect(iface.endpointsMenu).toBe(false);
-    expect(iface.sidePanel).toBe(true);
+    expect(iface.modelSelect).toBe(false);
+    expect(iface.parameters).toBe(true);
   });
 
   it('sorts by priority — higher priority wins', () => {
@@ -58,16 +58,16 @@ describe('mergeConfigOverrides', () => {
 
   it('does not mutate the base config', () => {
     const original = JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(baseConfig));
-    const configs = [fakeConfig({ interface: { endpointsMenu: false } }, 10)];
+    const configs = [fakeConfig({ interface: { modelSelect: false } }, 10)];
     mergeConfigOverrides(baseConfig, configs);
     expect(baseConfig).toEqual(original);
   });
 
   it('handles null override values', () => {
-    const configs = [fakeConfig({ interface: { endpointsMenu: null } }, 10)];
+    const configs = [fakeConfig({ interface: { modelSelect: null } }, 10)];
     const result = mergeConfigOverrides(baseConfig, configs) as unknown as Record<string, unknown>;
     const iface = result.interfaceConfig as Record<string, unknown>;
-    expect(iface.endpointsMenu).toBeNull();
+    expect(iface.modelSelect).toBeNull();
   });
 
   it('skips configs with no overrides object', () => {
@@ -97,20 +97,20 @@ describe('mergeConfigOverrides', () => {
 
   it('merges three priority levels in order', () => {
     const configs = [
-      fakeConfig({ interface: { endpointsMenu: false } }, 0),
-      fakeConfig({ interface: { endpointsMenu: true, sidePanel: false } }, 10),
-      fakeConfig({ interface: { sidePanel: true } }, 100),
+      fakeConfig({ interface: { modelSelect: false } }, 0),
+      fakeConfig({ interface: { modelSelect: true, parameters: false } }, 10),
+      fakeConfig({ interface: { parameters: true } }, 100),
     ];
     const result = mergeConfigOverrides(baseConfig, configs) as unknown as Record<string, unknown>;
     const iface = result.interfaceConfig as Record<string, unknown>;
-    expect(iface.endpointsMenu).toBe(true);
-    expect(iface.sidePanel).toBe(true);
+    expect(iface.modelSelect).toBe(true);
+    expect(iface.parameters).toBe(true);
   });
 
   it('remaps all renamed YAML keys (exhaustiveness check)', () => {
     const base = {
       mcpConfig: null,
-      interfaceConfig: { endpointsMenu: true },
+      interfaceConfig: { modelSelect: true },
       turnstileConfig: {},
     } as unknown as AppConfig;
 
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ describe('mergeConfigOverrides', () => {
       fakeConfig(
         {
           mcpServers: { srv: { url: 'http://mcp' } },
-          interface: { endpointsMenu: false },
+          interface: { modelSelect: false },
           turnstile: { siteKey: 'key-123' },
         },
         10,
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ describe('mergeConfigOverrides', () => {
     const result = mergeConfigOverrides(base, configs) as unknown as Record<string, unknown>;
 
     expect(result.mcpConfig).toEqual({ srv: { url: 'http://mcp' } });
-    expect((result.interfaceConfig as Record<string, unknown>).endpointsMenu).toBe(false);
+    expect((result.interfaceConfig as Record<string, unknown>).modelSelect).toBe(false);
     expect((result.turnstileConfig as Record<string, unknown>).siteKey).toBe('key-123');
 
     expect(result.mcpServers).toBeUndefined();
@@ -137,14 +137,14 @@ describe('mergeConfigOverrides', () => {
 
   it('strips interface permission fields from overrides', () => {
     const base = {
-      interfaceConfig: { endpointsMenu: true, sidePanel: true },
+      interfaceConfig: { modelSelect: true, parameters: true },
     } as unknown as AppConfig;
 
     const configs = [
       fakeConfig(
         {
           interface: {
-            endpointsMenu: false,
+            modelSelect: false,
             prompts: false,
             agents: { use: false },
             marketplace: { use: false },
@@ -157,14 +157,14 @@ describe('mergeConfigOverrides', () => {
     const iface = result.interfaceConfig as Record<string, unknown>;
 
     // UI field should be merged
-    expect(iface.endpointsMenu).toBe(false);
+    expect(iface.modelSelect).toBe(false);
     // Boolean permission fields should be stripped
     expect(iface.prompts).toBeUndefined();
     // Object permission fields with only permission sub-keys should be stripped
     expect(iface.agents).toBeUndefined();
     expect(iface.marketplace).toBeUndefined();
     // Untouched base field preserved
-    expect(iface.sidePanel).toBe(true);
+    expect(iface.parameters).toBe(true);
   });
 
   it('preserves UI sub-keys in composite permission fields like mcpServers', () => {
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ describe('mergeConfigOverrides', () => {
 
   it('drops interface entirely when only permission fields are present', () => {
     const base = {
-      interfaceConfig: { endpointsMenu: true },
+      interfaceConfig: { modelSelect: true },
     } as unknown as AppConfig;
 
     const configs = [fakeConfig({ interface: { prompts: false, agents: false } }, 10)];
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ describe('mergeConfigOverrides', () => {
     const iface = result.interfaceConfig as Record<string, unknown>;
 
     // Base should be unchanged
-    expect(iface.endpointsMenu).toBe(true);
+    expect(iface.modelSelect).toBe(true);
     expect(iface.prompts).toBeUndefined();
     expect(iface.agents).toBeUndefined();
   });
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ describe('INTERFACE_PERMISSION_FIELDS', () => {
   });
 
   it('does not contain UI-only fields', () => {
-    const uiFields = ['endpointsMenu', 'modelSelect', 'parameters', 'presets', 'sidePanel'];
+    const uiFields = ['modelSelect', 'parameters', 'presets'];
     for (const field of uiFields) {
       expect(INTERFACE_PERMISSION_FIELDS.has(field)).toBe(false);
     }
diff --git a/packages/data-schemas/src/methods/config.spec.ts b/packages/data-schemas/src/methods/config.spec.ts
index 8bcf73a733..8ab6be35ee 100644
--- a/packages/data-schemas/src/methods/config.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/data-schemas/src/methods/config.spec.ts
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ describe('upsertConfig', () => {
       PrincipalType.ROLE,
       'admin',
       PrincipalModel.ROLE,
-      { interface: { endpointsMenu: false } },
+      { interface: { modelSelect: false } },
       10,
     );
 
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ describe('upsertConfig', () => {
       PrincipalType.ROLE,
       'admin',
       PrincipalModel.ROLE,
-      { interface: { endpointsMenu: false } },
+      { interface: { modelSelect: false } },
       10,
     );
 
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ describe('upsertConfig', () => {
       PrincipalType.ROLE,
       'admin',
       PrincipalModel.ROLE,
-      { interface: { endpointsMenu: true } },
+      { interface: { modelSelect: true } },
       10,
     );
 
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ describe('upsertConfig', () => {
       PrincipalType.ROLE,
       'admin',
       PrincipalModel.ROLE,
-      { interface: { endpointsMenu: true } },
+      { interface: { modelSelect: true } },
       10,
     );
 
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ describe('upsertConfig', () => {
       PrincipalType.ROLE,
       'admin',
       PrincipalModel.ROLE,
-      { interface: { endpointsMenu: false } },
+      { interface: { modelSelect: false } },
       10,
     );
 
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ describe('patchConfigFields', () => {
       PrincipalType.ROLE,
       'admin',
       PrincipalModel.ROLE,
-      { interface: { endpointsMenu: true, sidePanel: true } },
+      { interface: { modelSelect: true, parameters: true } },
       10,
     );
 
@@ -248,14 +248,14 @@ describe('patchConfigFields', () => {
       PrincipalType.ROLE,
       'admin',
       PrincipalModel.ROLE,
-      { 'interface.endpointsMenu': false },
+      { 'interface.modelSelect': false },
       10,
     );
 
     const overrides = result!.overrides as Record<string, unknown>;
     const iface = overrides.interface as Record<string, unknown>;
-    expect(iface.endpointsMenu).toBe(false);
-    expect(iface.sidePanel).toBe(true);
+    expect(iface.modelSelect).toBe(false);
+    expect(iface.parameters).toBe(true);
   });
 
   it('creates a config if none exists (upsert)', async () => {
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ describe('patchConfigFields', () => {
       PrincipalType.ROLE,
       'newrole',
       PrincipalModel.ROLE,
-      { 'interface.endpointsMenu': false },
+      { 'interface.modelSelect': false },
       10,
     );
 
@@ -278,19 +278,19 @@ describe('unsetConfigField', () => {
       PrincipalType.ROLE,
       'admin',
       PrincipalModel.ROLE,
-      { interface: { endpointsMenu: false, sidePanel: false } },
+      { interface: { modelSelect: false, parameters: false } },
       10,
     );
 
     const result = await methods.unsetConfigField(
       PrincipalType.ROLE,
       'admin',
-      'interface.endpointsMenu',
+      'interface.modelSelect',
     );
     const overrides = result!.overrides as Record<string, unknown>;
     const iface = overrides.interface as Record<string, unknown>;
-    expect(iface.endpointsMenu).toBeUndefined();
-    expect(iface.sidePanel).toBe(false);
+    expect(iface.modelSelect).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(iface.parameters).toBe(false);
   });
 
   it('returns null for non-existent config', async () => {
diff --git a/packages/data-schemas/src/types/app.ts b/packages/data-schemas/src/types/app.ts
index 73d65611b0..5118fa9583 100644
--- a/packages/data-schemas/src/types/app.ts
+++ b/packages/data-schemas/src/types/app.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import type {
   TEndpoint,
-  FileSources,
+  FileStorage,
   TFileConfig,
   TAzureConfig,
   TCustomConfig,
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ export interface AppConfig {
   /** Web search configuration */
   webSearch?: TCustomConfig['webSearch'];
   /** File storage strategy ('local', 's3', 'firebase', 'azure_blob') */
-  fileStrategy: FileSources.local | FileSources.s3 | FileSources.firebase | FileSources.azure_blob;
+  fileStrategy: FileStorage;
   /** File strategies configuration */
   fileStrategies?: TCustomConfig['fileStrategies'];
   /** Registration configurations */