diff --git a/src/_h5ai/private/conf/options.json b/src/_h5ai/private/conf/options.json
index 8b1d88ec..9bc3e2ea 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/private/conf/options.json
+++ b/src/_h5ai/private/conf/options.json
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@
     - ignorecase: boolean, ignore case
     */
     "filter": {
-        "enabled": false,
+        "enabled": true,
         "advanced": true,
         "debounceTime": 100,
         "ignorecase": true
@@ -319,7 +319,7 @@
     - ignorecase: boolean, ignore case
     */
     "search": {
-        "enabled": true,
+        "enabled": false,
         "advanced": true,
         "debounceTime": 300,
         "ignorecase": true
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/private/php/class-bootstrap.php b/src/_h5ai/private/php/class-bootstrap.php
index d67cf586..306b4c37 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/private/php/class-bootstrap.php
+++ b/src/_h5ai/private/php/class-bootstrap.php
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ class Bootstrap {
         session_start();
 
         $session = new Session($_SESSION);
-        $request = new Request($_REQUEST);
+        $request = new Request($_REQUEST, file_get_contents('php://input'));
         $setup = new Setup($request->query_boolean('refresh', false));
         $context = new Context($session, $request, $setup);
 
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/private/php/core/class-request.php b/src/_h5ai/private/php/core/class-request.php
index 873a2876..95bae09b 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/private/php/core/class-request.php
+++ b/src/_h5ai/private/php/core/class-request.php
@@ -3,8 +3,9 @@
 class Request {
     private $params;
 
-    public function __construct($params) {
-        $this->params = $params;
+    public function __construct($params, $body) {
+        $data = json_decode($body, true);
+        $this->params = $data !== null ? $data : $params;
     }
 
     public function query($keypath = '', $default = Util::NO_DEFAULT) {
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/public/css/lib/view/sidebar.less b/src/_h5ai/public/css/lib/view/sidebar.less
index 4eb4a936..2a406f8a 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/public/css/lib/view/sidebar.less
+++ b/src/_h5ai/public/css/lib/view/sidebar.less
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 #sidebar {
-    display: none;
     overflow-x: hidden;
     overflow-y: auto;
     flex: 0 0 auto;
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/core/location.js b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/core/location.js
index 6ee48ac9..7c4dc6b7 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/core/location.js
+++ b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/core/location.js
@@ -150,8 +150,9 @@ const setLink = ($el, item) => {
     $el.attr('href', item.absHref);
 
     if (history && item.isFolder() && item.isManaged) {
-        $el.on('click', () => {
+        $el.on('click', ev => {
             setLocation(item.absHref);
+            ev.preventDefault();
             return false;
         });
     }
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/dom.js b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/dom.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9c44977b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/dom.js
@@ -0,0 +1,274 @@
+const {win} = require('./globals');
+const {each, filter, hasLength, is, isStr, map, isInstanceOf, toArray} = require('./lo');
+
+const doc = win.document;
+
+const createElement = name => doc.createElement(name);
+const CONTAINER_DIV = createElement('div');
+const CONTAINER_TABLE = createElement('table');
+const CONTAINER_TBODY = createElement('tbody');
+const CONTAINER_TR = createElement('tr');
+const CONTAINER_COLGROUP = createElement('colgroup');
+
+const publish = (obj, arr) => {
+    each(arr, (el, idx) => {
+        obj[idx] = el;
+    });
+    obj.length = arr.length;
+};
+
+const findContainer = str => {
+    if (/^<t(head|body|foot)|^<c(ap|olg)/i.test(str)) {
+        return CONTAINER_TABLE;
+    }
+    if (/^<col/i.test(str)) {
+        return CONTAINER_COLGROUP;
+    }
+    if (/^<tr/i.test(str)) {
+        return CONTAINER_TBODY;
+    }
+    if (/^<t[dh]/i.test(str)) {
+        return CONTAINER_TR;
+    }
+    return CONTAINER_DIV;
+};
+
+const parseHtml = str => {
+    const container = findContainer(str);
+    container.innerHTML = str;
+    const res = toArray(container.childNodes);
+    each(res, el => container.removeChild(el));
+    container.innerHTML = '';
+    return res;
+};
+
+const queryAll = (selector, context) => {
+    try {
+        return toArray((context || doc).querySelectorAll(selector));
+    } catch (err) {/* ignore */}
+    return [];
+};
+
+const isElement = x => isInstanceOf(x, win.Element);
+const isDocument = x => isInstanceOf(x, win.Document);
+const isWindow = x => is(x) && x.window === x && isDocument(x.document);
+const isElDocWin = x => isElement(x) || isDocument(x) || isWindow(x);
+
+const addListener = (el, type, fn) => el.addEventListener(type, fn);
+const removeListener = (el, type, fn) => el.removeEventListener(type, fn);
+
+const onReady = fn => {
+    if (/^(i|c|loade)/.test(doc.readyState)) {
+        fn();
+    } else {
+        addListener(doc, 'DOMContentLoaded', fn);
+    }
+};
+
+const onLoad = fn => addListener(win, 'load', fn);
+
+const onResize = fn => {
+    addListener(win, 'resize', fn);
+};
+
+const onPrint = (before, after) => {
+    win.matchMedia('print').addListener(mql => {
+        if (mql.matches) {
+            before();
+        } else {
+            after();
+        }
+    });
+};
+
+const dom = arg => {
+    if (isInstanceOf(arg, dom)) {
+        return arg;
+    }
+
+    let els;
+    if (isStr(arg)) {
+        arg = arg.trim();
+        els = arg[0] === '<' ? parseHtml(arg) : queryAll(arg);
+    } else if (isElDocWin(arg)) {
+        els = [arg];
+    } else {
+        els = hasLength(arg) ? arg : [arg];
+    }
+    els = filter(els, isElDocWin);
+
+    const inst = Object.create(dom.prototype);
+    publish(inst, els);
+    return inst;
+};
+
+dom.prototype = {
+    constructor: dom,
+
+    each(fn) {
+        each(this, fn);
+        return this;
+    },
+
+    map(fn) {
+        return map(this, fn);
+    },
+
+    find(selector) {
+        let els = [];
+        this.each(el => {
+            els = els.concat(queryAll(selector, el));
+        });
+        return dom(els);
+    },
+
+    on(type, fn) {
+        return this.each(el => addListener(el, type, fn));
+    },
+
+    off(type, fn) {
+        return this.each(el => removeListener(el, type, fn));
+    },
+
+    attr(key, value) {
+        if (value === undefined) {
+            return this.length ? this[0].getAttribute(key) : undefined;
+        }
+        return this.each(el => el.setAttribute(key, value));
+    },
+
+    rmAttr(key) {
+        return this.each(el => el.removeAttribute(key));
+    },
+
+    val(value) {
+        if (value === undefined) {
+            return this.length ? this[0].value : undefined;
+        }
+        return this.each(el => {
+            el.value = value;
+        });
+    },
+
+    html(str) {
+        if (str === undefined) {
+            return this.map(el => el.innerHTML).join('');
+        }
+        return this.each(el => {
+            el.innerHTML = str;
+        });
+    },
+
+    text(str) {
+        if (str === undefined) {
+            return this.map(el => el.textContent).join('');
+        }
+        return this.each(el => {
+            el.textContent = str;
+        });
+    },
+
+    clr() {
+        return this.html('');
+    },
+
+    rm() {
+        return this.each(el => {
+            const parent = el.parentNode;
+            if (parent) {
+                parent.removeChild(el);
+            }
+        });
+    },
+
+    rpl(arg) {
+        return this.each(el => {
+            el.outerHTML = dom(arg).map(rplEl => rplEl.outerHTML).join('');
+        });
+    },
+
+    app(arg) {
+        return this.each(el => {
+            dom(arg).each(child => el.appendChild(child));
+        });
+    },
+
+    appTo(arg) {
+        dom(arg).app(this);
+        return this;
+    },
+
+    pre(arg) {
+        return this.each(el => {
+            dom(arg).each(child => {
+                const firstChild = el.firstChild;
+                if (!firstChild) {
+                    el.appendChild(child);
+                } else {
+                    el.insertBefore(child, firstChild);
+                }
+            });
+        });
+    },
+
+    preTo(arg) {
+        dom(arg).pre(this);
+        return this;
+    },
+
+    cls(...names) {
+        if (!names.length) {
+            return this.length ? toArray(this[0].classList) : [];
+        }
+        this.each(el => {el.className = '';});
+        return this.addCls(...names);
+    },
+
+    hasCls(name) {
+        return toArray(this).every(el => el.classList.contains(name));
+    },
+
+    addCls(...names) {
+        return this.each(el => {
+            for (const name of names) {
+                el.classList.add(name);
+            }
+        });
+    },
+
+    rmCls(...names) {
+        return this.each(el => {
+            for (const name of names) {
+                el.classList.remove(name);
+            }
+        });
+    },
+
+    parent() {
+        return dom(this.map(el => el.parentNode));
+    },
+
+    children() {
+        return dom([].concat(...this.map(el => toArray(el.children))));
+    },
+
+    hide() {
+        return this.addCls('hidden');
+    },
+
+    show() {
+        return this.rmCls('hidden');
+    }
+};
+
+module.exports = {
+    isElement,
+    isDocument,
+    isWindow,
+    isElDocWin,
+    onReady,
+    onLoad,
+    onResize,
+    onPrint,
+    dom
+};
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/crumb.js b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/crumb.js
index 1b729732..f928cf1a 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/crumb.js
+++ b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/crumb.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 const {each} = require('../lo');
-const {jq} = require('../globals');
+const {dom} = require('../dom');
 const event = require('../core/event');
 const location = require('../core/location');
 const resource = require('../core/resource');
@@ -10,45 +10,47 @@ const base = require('../view/base');
 const settings = Object.assign({
     enabled: false
 }, allsettings.crumb);
-const crumbTemplate =
+const crumbbarTpl = '<div id="crumbbar"></div>';
+const crumbTpl =
         `<a class="crumb">
             <img class="sep" src="${resource.image('crumb')}" alt=">"/>
-            <span class="label"/>
+            <span class="label"></span>
         </a>`;
-const pageHintTemplate =
+const pageHintTpl =
         `<img class="hint" src="${resource.icon('folder-page')}" alt="has index page"/>`;
 let $crumbbar;
 
 
 const createHtml = item => {
-    const $html = jq(crumbTemplate);
-    $html[0]._item = item;
-    item.elCrumb = $html[0];
+    const $html = dom(crumbTpl);
     location.setLink($html, item);
 
     $html.find('.label').text(item.label);
 
     if (item.isCurrentFolder()) {
-        $html.addClass('active');
+        $html.addCls('active');
     }
 
     if (!item.isManaged) {
-        $html.append(jq(pageHintTemplate));
+        $html.app(dom(pageHintTpl));
     }
 
+    item.$crumb = $html;
+    $html[0]._item = item;
+
     return $html;
 };
 
 const onLocationChanged = item => {
-    const $crumb = jq(item.elCrumb);
+    const $crumb = item.$crumb;
 
     if ($crumb && $crumb.parent()[0] === $crumbbar[0]) {
-        $crumbbar.children().removeClass('active');
-        $crumb.addClass('active');
+        $crumbbar.children().rmCls('active');
+        $crumb.addCls('active');
     } else {
-        $crumbbar.empty();
+        $crumbbar.clr();
         each(item.getCrumb(), crumbItem => {
-            $crumbbar.append(createHtml(crumbItem));
+            $crumbbar.app(createHtml(crumbItem));
         });
     }
 };
@@ -58,7 +60,7 @@ const init = () => {
         return;
     }
 
-    $crumbbar = jq('<div id="crumbbar"/>').appendTo(base.$flowbar);
+    $crumbbar = dom(crumbbarTpl).appTo(base.$flowbar);
 
     event.sub('location.changed', onLocationChanged);
 };
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/filter.js b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/filter.js
index 03dcf87e..8b78d06b 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/filter.js
+++ b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/filter.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 const {each, debounce} = require('../lo');
-const {jq} = require('../globals');
+const {dom} = require('../dom');
 const event = require('../core/event');
 const location = require('../core/location');
 const resource = require('../core/resource');
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ let $filter;
 let $input;
 
 
-function filter(pattern) {
+const filter = pattern => {
     pattern = pattern || '';
     if (pattern === prevPattern) {
         return;
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ function filter(pattern) {
         return;
     }
 
-    $filter.addClass('pending');
+    $filter.addCls('pending');
 
     const re = new RegExp(pattern, settings.ignorecase ? 'i' : '');
     const matchedItems = [];
@@ -48,45 +48,45 @@ function filter(pattern) {
         }
     });
 
-    $filter.removeClass('pending');
+    $filter.rmCls('pending');
     view.setHint('noMatch');
     view.setItems(matchedItems);
-}
+};
 
-function update() {
+const update = () => {
     if (inputIsVisible) {
-        $filter.addClass('active');
-        $input.focus();
+        $filter.addCls('active');
+        $input[0].focus();
         filter(util.parsePattern($input.val(), settings.advanced));
     } else {
         filter();
-        $filter.removeClass('active');
+        $filter.rmCls('active');
     }
-}
+};
 
-function toggle() {
+const toggle = () => {
     inputIsVisible = !inputIsVisible;
     update();
-}
+};
 
-function reset() {
+const reset = () => {
     inputIsVisible = false;
     $input.val('');
     update();
-}
+};
 
-function init() {
+const init = () => {
     if (!settings.enabled) {
         return;
     }
 
-    $filter = jq(template).appendTo('#toolbar');
+    $filter = dom(template).appTo('#toolbar');
     $input = $filter.find('input');
 
-    $filter.on('click', 'img', toggle);
-    $input.on('keyup', debounce(update, settings.debounceTime, {trailing: true}));
+    $filter.find('img').on('click', toggle);
+    $input.on('keyup', debounce(update, settings.debounceTime));
     event.sub('location.changed', reset);
-}
+};
 
 
 init();
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/l10n.js b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/l10n.js
index ca5e6258..32fa5075 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/l10n.js
+++ b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/l10n.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-const {keys, isStr} = require('../lo');
+const {each, isStr} = require('../lo');
 const {win, jq} = require('../globals');
 const server = require('../server');
 const event = require('../core/event');
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ const loaded = {
 let currentLang = loaded.en;
 
 
-function update(lang) {
+const update = lang => {
     if (lang) {
         currentLang = lang;
     }
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ function update(lang) {
         .filter('.' + currentLang.isoCode)
         .attr('selected', 'selected').prop('selected', 'selected');
 
-    jq.each(currentLang, (key, value) => {
+    each(currentLang, (value, key) => {
         jq('.l10n-' + key).text(value);
         jq('.l10n_ph-' + key).attr('placeholder', value);
     });
@@ -70,9 +70,9 @@ function update(lang) {
         const $el = jq(el);
         $el.text(format.formatDate($el.data('time')));
     });
-}
+};
 
-function loadLanguage(isoCode, callback) {
+const loadLanguage = (isoCode, callback) => {
     if (loaded[isoCode]) {
         callback(loaded[isoCode]);
     } else {
@@ -82,9 +82,9 @@ function loadLanguage(isoCode, callback) {
             callback(loaded[isoCode]);
         });
     }
-}
+};
 
-function localize(languages, isoCode, useBrowserLang) {
+const localize = (languages, isoCode, useBrowserLang) => {
     const storedIsoCode = store.get(storekey);
 
     if (languages[storedIsoCode]) {
@@ -105,10 +105,9 @@ function localize(languages, isoCode, useBrowserLang) {
     }
 
     loadLanguage(isoCode, update);
-}
+};
 
-function initLangSelector(languages) {
-    const isoCodes = keys(languages).sort();
+const initLangSelector = languages => {
     const $block = jq(blockTemplate);
     const $select = $block.find('select')
         .on('change', ev => {
@@ -117,18 +116,18 @@ function initLangSelector(languages) {
             localize(languages, isoCode, false);
         });
 
-    jq.each(isoCodes, (idx, isoCode) => {
+    each(languages, (language, isoCode) => {
         jq(optionTemplate)
             .attr('value', isoCode)
             .addClass(isoCode)
-            .text(isoCode + ' - ' + (isStr(languages[isoCode]) ? languages[isoCode] : languages[isoCode].lang))
+            .text(isoCode + ' - ' + (isStr(language) ? language : language.lang))
             .appendTo($select);
     });
 
     $block.appendTo('#sidebar');
-}
+};
 
-function init() {
+const init = () => {
     if (settings.enabled) {
         initLangSelector(langs);
     }
@@ -136,7 +135,7 @@ function init() {
     event.sub('view.changed', () => {
         localize(langs, settings.lang, settings.useBrowserLang);
     });
-}
+};
 
 
 init();
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/piwik-analytics.js b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/piwik-analytics.js
index 074ce7f2..9469ad7f 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/piwik-analytics.js
+++ b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/piwik-analytics.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-const {map} = require('../lo');
-const {win, jq} = require('../globals');
+const {win} = require('../globals');
+const {dom, onLoad} = require('../dom');
 const event = require('../core/event');
 const allsettings = require('../core/settings');
 
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ const settings = Object.assign({
     idSite: 0
 }, allsettings['piwik-analytics']);
 
-function init() {
+const init = () => {
     if (!settings.enabled) {
         return;
     }
@@ -20,17 +20,17 @@ function init() {
     const pkBaseURL = (win.location.protocol === 'https:' ? 'https://' : 'http://') + settings.baseURL + '/';
     let piwikTracker = null;
 
-    jq('<script/>').attr('src', pkBaseURL + 'piwik.js').appendTo('body');
-    jq(win).load(() => {
+    dom('<script></script>').attr('src', pkBaseURL + 'piwik.js').appTo('body');
+    onLoad(() => {
         piwikTracker = win.Piwik.getTracker(pkBaseURL + 'piwik.php', settings.idSite);
         piwikTracker.enableLinkTracking();
     });
 
     event.sub('location.changed', item => {
-        const title = map(item.getCrumb(), i => i.label).join(' > ');
+        const title = item.getCrumb().map(i => i.label).join(' > ');
         piwikTracker.trackPageView(title);
     });
-}
+};
 
 
 init();
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/search.js b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/search.js
index f3cc6009..df47f05e 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/search.js
+++ b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/search.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 const {map, debounce} = require('../lo');
-const {jq} = require('../globals');
+const {dom} = require('../dom');
 const server = require('../server');
 const event = require('../core/event');
 const location = require('../core/location');
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ let $search;
 let $input;
 
 
-function search(pattern) {
+const search = pattern => {
     pattern = pattern || '';
     if (pattern === prevPattern) {
         return;
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ function search(pattern) {
         return;
     }
 
-    $search.addClass('pending');
+    $search.addCls('pending');
 
     server.request({
         action: 'get',
@@ -49,46 +49,46 @@ function search(pattern) {
             ignorecase: settings.ignorecase
         }
     }).then(response => {
-        $search.removeClass('pending');
+        $search.rmCls('pending');
         view.setHint('noMatch');
         view.setItems(map(response.search, item => Item.get(item)));
     });
-}
+};
 
-function update() {
+const update = () => {
     if (inputIsVisible) {
-        $search.addClass('active');
-        $input.focus();
+        $search.addCls('active');
+        $input[0].focus();
         search(util.parsePattern($input.val(), settings.advanced));
     } else {
         search();
-        $search.removeClass('active');
+        $search.rmCls('active');
     }
-}
+};
 
-function toggle() {
+const toggle = () => {
     inputIsVisible = !inputIsVisible;
     update();
-}
+};
 
-function reset() {
+const reset = () => {
     inputIsVisible = false;
     $input.val('');
     update();
-}
+};
 
-function init() {
+const init = () => {
     if (!settings.enabled) {
         return;
     }
 
-    $search = jq(template).appendTo('#toolbar');
+    $search = dom(template).appTo('#toolbar');
     $input = $search.find('input');
 
-    $search.on('click', 'img', toggle);
-    $input.on('keyup', debounce(update, settings.debounceTime, {trailing: true}));
+    $search.find('img').on('click', toggle);
+    $input.on('keyup', debounce(update, settings.debounceTime));
     event.sub('location.changed', reset);
-}
+};
 
 
 init();
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/select.js b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/select.js
index fe516320..f8d2123a 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/select.js
+++ b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/select.js
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ function onViewChanged(added, removed) {
 
     each(removed, item => {
         if (item.$view) {
-            item.$view.removeClass('selected');
+            item.$view.rmCls('selected');
         }
     });
 
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/sort.js b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/sort.js
index 625cf07a..2cc549a4 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/sort.js
+++ b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/sort.js
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-const {jq} = require('../globals');
+const {each, toArray} = require('../lo');
+const {dom} = require('../dom');
 const event = require('../core/event');
 const resource = require('../core/resource');
 const allsettings = require('../core/settings');
@@ -14,16 +15,16 @@ const settings = Object.assign({
     folders: 0
 }, allsettings.sort);
 const storekey = 'ext/sort';
-const template = '<img src="' + resource.image('sort') + '" class="sort" alt="sort order" />';
+const template = '<img src="' + resource.image('sort') + '" class="sort" alt="sort order"/>';
 
 
-function getType(item) {
-    const $item = jq(item);
+const getType = item => {
+    const $item = dom(item);
 
-    if ($item.hasClass('folder-parent')) {
+    if ($item.hasCls('folder-parent')) {
         return 0;
     }
-    if ($item.hasClass('folder')) {
+    if ($item.hasCls('folder')) {
         if (settings.folders === 1) {
             return 2;
         } else if (settings.folders === 2) {
@@ -32,25 +33,12 @@ function getType(item) {
         return 1;
     }
     return 2;
-}
-
-function getName(item) {
-    return jq(item).find('.label').text();
-}
-
-function getTime(item) {
-    return jq(item).find('.date').data('time');
-}
-
-function getSize(item) {
-    return jq(item).find('.size').data('bytes');
-}
-
+};
 
 const columnGetters = {
-    0: getName,
-    1: getTime,
-    2: getSize
+    0: el => el._item.label,
+    1: el => el._item.time,
+    2: el => el._item.size
 };
 const columnClasses = {
     0: 'label',
@@ -59,7 +47,7 @@ const columnClasses = {
 };
 
 
-function cmpFn(getValue, reverse, ignorecase, natural) {
+const cmpFn = (getValue, reverse, ignorecase, natural) => {
     return (item1, item2) => {
         let res;
         let val1;
@@ -86,66 +74,51 @@ function cmpFn(getValue, reverse, ignorecase, natural) {
         res = natural ? util.naturalCmpFn(val1, val2) : util.regularCmpFn(val1, val2);
         return reverse ? -res : res;
     };
-}
+};
 
-function sortItems(column, reverse) {
-    const $headers = jq('#items li.header a');
-    const $header = jq('#items li.header a.' + columnClasses[column]);
+const sortItems = (column, reverse) => {
+    const $headers = dom('#items li.header a');
+    const $header = dom('#items li.header a.' + columnClasses[column]);
     const fn = cmpFn(columnGetters[column], reverse, settings.ignorecase, column === 0 && settings.natural);
-    const $current = jq('#items .item');
-    const $sorted = jq('#items .item').sort(fn);
 
     store.put(storekey, {column, reverse});
 
-    $headers.removeClass('ascending descending');
-    $header.addClass(reverse ? 'descending' : 'ascending');
+    $headers.rmCls('ascending').rmCls('descending');
+    $header.addCls(reverse ? 'descending' : 'ascending');
 
-    for (let i = 0, l = $current.length; i < l; i += 1) {
-        if ($current[i] !== $sorted[i]) {
-            $sorted.detach().sort(fn).appendTo('#items');
-            break;
-        }
-    }
-}
+    dom(toArray(dom('#items .item')).sort(fn)).appTo('#items');
+};
 
-function onContentChanged() {
+const onContentChanged = () => {
     const order = store.get(storekey);
     const column = order && order.column || settings.column;
     const reverse = order && order.reverse || settings.reverse;
 
     sortItems(column, reverse);
-}
+};
 
-function init() {
+const addToggles = () => {
+    const $header = dom('#items li.header');
+
+    each(columnClasses, (cls, idx) => {
+        const pos = idx === '0' ? 'app' : 'pre';
+        $header
+        .find('a.' + cls)[pos](template)
+        .on('click', ev => {
+            sortItems(idx, dom(ev.currentTarget).hasCls('ascending'));
+            ev.preventDefault();
+        });
+    });
+};
+
+const init = () => {
     if (!settings.enabled) {
         return;
     }
 
-    const $header = jq('#items li.header');
-
-    $header.find('a.label')
-        .append(template)
-        .click(ev => {
-            sortItems(0, jq(ev.currentTarget).hasClass('ascending'));
-            ev.preventDefault();
-        });
-
-    $header.find('a.date')
-        .prepend(template)
-        .click(ev => {
-            sortItems(1, jq(ev.currentTarget).hasClass('ascending'));
-            ev.preventDefault();
-        });
-
-    $header.find('a.size')
-        .prepend(template)
-        .click(ev => {
-            sortItems(2, jq(ev.currentTarget).hasClass('ascending'));
-            ev.preventDefault();
-        });
-
+    addToggles();
     event.sub('view.changed', onContentChanged);
-}
+};
 
 
 init();
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/thumbnails.js b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/thumbnails.js
index 345a28ca..595ee2b1 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/thumbnails.js
+++ b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/thumbnails.js
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ const settings = Object.assign({
 const landscapeRatio = 4 / 3;
 
 
-function queueItem(queue, item) {
+const queueItem = (queue, item) => {
     let type = null;
 
     if (includes(settings.img, item.type)) {
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ function queueItem(queue, item) {
     }
 
     if (item.thumbSquare) {
-        item.$view.find('.icon.square img').addClass('thumb').attr('src', item.thumbSquare);
+        item.$view.find('.icon.square img').addCls('thumb').attr('src', item.thumbSquare);
     } else {
         queue.push({
             type,
@@ -38,14 +38,14 @@ function queueItem(queue, item) {
             callback: src => {
                 if (src && item.$view) {
                     item.thumbSquare = src;
-                    item.$view.find('.icon.square img').addClass('thumb').attr('src', src);
+                    item.$view.find('.icon.square img').addCls('thumb').attr('src', src);
                 }
             }
         });
     }
 
     if (item.thumbRational) {
-        item.$view.find('.icon.landscape img').addClass('thumb').attr('src', item.thumbRational);
+        item.$view.find('.icon.landscape img').addCls('thumb').attr('src', item.thumbRational);
     } else {
         queue.push({
             type,
@@ -54,14 +54,14 @@ function queueItem(queue, item) {
             callback: src => {
                 if (src && item.$view) {
                     item.thumbRational = src;
-                    item.$view.find('.icon.landscape img').addClass('thumb').attr('src', src);
+                    item.$view.find('.icon.landscape img').addCls('thumb').attr('src', src);
                 }
             }
         });
     }
-}
+};
 
-function requestQueue(queue) {
+const requestQueue = queue => {
     const thumbs = map(queue, req => {
         return {
             type: req.type,
@@ -79,33 +79,29 @@ function requestQueue(queue) {
             req.callback(json && json.thumbs ? json.thumbs[idx] : null);
         });
     });
-}
+};
 
-function handleItems(items) {
+const handleItems = items => {
     const queue = [];
 
-    each(items, item => {
-        queueItem(queue, item);
-    });
+    each(items, item => queueItem(queue, item));
 
     if (queue.length) {
         requestQueue(queue);
     }
-}
+};
 
-function onViewChanged(added) {
-    setTimeout(() => {
-        handleItems(added);
-    }, settings.delay);
-}
+const onViewChanged = added => {
+    setTimeout(() => handleItems(added), settings.delay);
+};
 
-function init() {
+const init = () => {
     if (!settings.enabled) {
         return;
     }
 
     event.sub('view.changed', onViewChanged);
-}
+};
 
 
 init();
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/title.js b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/title.js
index 6eddeaa7..07d2aa32 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/title.js
+++ b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/title.js
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-const {map} = require('../lo');
 const {win} = require('../globals');
 const event = require('../core/event');
 const allsettings = require('../core/settings');
@@ -10,7 +9,7 @@ const settings = Object.assign({
 }, allsettings.title);
 
 const onLocationChanged = item => {
-    const labels = map(item.getCrumb(), i => i.label);
+    const labels = item.getCrumb().map(i => i.label);
     let title = labels.join(' > ');
 
     if (labels.length > 1) {
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/tree.js b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/tree.js
index f85eccc5..47f8d97d 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/tree.js
+++ b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/ext/tree.js
@@ -55,7 +55,6 @@ function update(item) {
     const $label = $html.find('.label');
 
     $html.addClass(item.isFolder() ? 'folder' : 'file');
-    $html[0]._item = item;
 
     location.setLink($a, item);
     $img.attr('src', resource.icon('folder'));
@@ -108,10 +107,11 @@ function update(item) {
         }
     }
 
-    if (item.elTree) {
-        jq(item.elTree).replaceWith($html);
+    if (item.$tree) {
+        item.$tree.replaceWith($html);
     }
-    item.elTree = $html[0];
+    item.$tree = $html;
+    $html[0]._item = item;
 
     return $html;
 }
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/init.js b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/init.js
index 87d96204..2bbf6084 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/init.js
+++ b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/init.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
-const {jq} = require('./globals');
+const {dom, onReady} = require('./dom');
 const config = require('./config');
 
-const name = jq('script[data-module]').data('module');
+const name = dom('script[data-module]').attr('data-module');
 const query = {
     action: 'get',
     setup: true,
@@ -18,4 +18,4 @@ if (name === 'index') {
     throw new Error(`no-main-module: '${name}'`);
 }
 
-config._update(query).then(() => jq(() => require(`./main/${name}`)));
+config._update(query).then(() => onReady(() => require(`./main/${name}`)));
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/lo.js b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/lo.js
index 090ca3de..a3100f48 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/lo.js
+++ b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/lo.js
@@ -1,12 +1,14 @@
+const is = x => x !== undefined && x !== null;
 const tof = (x, str) => typeof x === str;
 const isStr = x => tof(x, 'string');
 const isFn = x => tof(x, 'function');
 const isNum = x => tof(x, 'number');
+const hasLength = x => x && x.hasOwnProperty('length');
 const keys = obj => {
     if (!obj || isStr(obj)) {
         return [];
     }
-    if (obj.hasOwnProperty('length')) {
+    if (hasLength(obj)) {
         obj = Array.from(obj);
     }
     return Object.keys(obj);
@@ -17,6 +19,10 @@ const filter = (obj, fn) => values(obj).filter(fn);
 const map = (obj, fn) => values(obj).map(fn);
 const includes = (obj, x) => values(obj).indexOf(x) >= 0;
 const compact = obj => filter(obj, x => !!x);
+
+const isInstanceOf = (x, constructor) => x ? x instanceof constructor : false;
+const toArray = x => Array.from(x);
+
 const difference = (obj1, obj2) => {
     obj2 = values(obj2);
     return filter(obj1, x => obj2.indexOf(x) < 0);
@@ -40,9 +46,11 @@ const debounce = (fn, delay) => {
 };
 
 module.exports = {
+    is,
     isStr,
     isFn,
     isNum,
+    hasLength,
     keys,
     values,
     each,
@@ -50,6 +58,8 @@ module.exports = {
     map,
     includes,
     compact,
+    isInstanceOf,
+    toArray,
     difference,
     intersection,
     sortBy,
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/main/info.js b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/main/info.js
index 22e2ce3c..79fd1fe5 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/main/info.js
+++ b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/main/info.js
@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
-const {win, jq} = require('../globals');
+const {win} = require('../globals');
+const {dom} = require('../dom');
 const config = require('../config');
 const server = require('../server');
 const resource = require('../core/resource');
 
 
 const tplTests =
-        '<ul id="tests">';
+        '<ul id="tests"></ul>';
 const tplTest =
         `<li class="test">
             <span class="label"></span>
@@ -27,9 +28,9 @@ const tplSupport =
             Show your support with a donation!
             <div class="paypal">
                 <form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post" target="_blank">
-                    <input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick" />
-                    <input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="8WSPKWT7YBTSQ" />
-                    <input type="image" src="${resource.image('paypal')}" name="submit" alt="PayPal" />
+                    <input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick"/>
+                    <input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="8WSPKWT7YBTSQ"/>
+                    <input type="image" src="${resource.image('paypal')}" name="submit" alt="PayPal"/>
                 </form>
             </div>
         </div>`;
@@ -37,10 +38,10 @@ const setup = config.setup;
 
 
 const addTest = (label, info, passed, result) => {
-    const $test = jq(tplTest).appendTo('#tests');
+    const $test = dom(tplTest).appTo('#tests');
     $test.find('.label').text(label);
     $test.find('.result')
-            .addClass(passed ? 'passed' : 'failed')
+            .addCls(passed ? 'passed' : 'failed')
             .text(result ? result : passed ? 'yes' : 'no');
     $test.find('.info').html(info);
 };
@@ -50,7 +51,7 @@ const addTests = () => {
         return;
     }
 
-    jq(tplTests).appendTo('#content');
+    dom(tplTests).appTo('#content');
 
     addTest(
         'h5ai version', 'Only green if this is an official h5ai release',
@@ -140,7 +141,7 @@ const reload = () => {
 const onLogin = () => {
     server.request({
         action: 'login',
-        pass: jq('#pass').val()
+        pass: dom('#pass').val()
     }).then(reload);
 };
 
@@ -157,23 +158,23 @@ const onKeydown = ev => {
 };
 
 const addSupport = () => {
-    jq(tplSupport).appendTo('#content');
+    dom(tplSupport).appTo('#content');
 };
 
 const addLogin = () => {
-    jq(tplLogin).appendTo('#content');
+    dom(tplLogin).appTo('#content');
 
     if (setup.AS_ADMIN) {
-        jq('#pass').remove();
-        jq('#login').remove();
-        jq('#logout').on('click', onLogout);
+        dom('#pass').rm();
+        dom('#login').rm();
+        dom('#logout').on('click', onLogout);
     } else {
-        jq('#pass').on('keydown', onKeydown).focus();
-        jq('#login').on('click', onLogin);
-        jq('#logout').remove();
+        dom('#pass').on('keydown', onKeydown)[0].focus();
+        dom('#login').on('click', onLogin);
+        dom('#logout').rm();
     }
     if (config.options.hasCustomPasshash) {
-        jq('#hint').remove();
+        dom('#hint').rm();
     }
 };
 
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/server.js b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/server.js
index 13148c65..824ee444 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/server.js
+++ b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/server.js
@@ -1,30 +1,41 @@
-const {jq} = require('./globals');
+const {win} = require('./globals');
+const {dom} = require('./dom');
 const {each} = require('./lo');
+const XHR = win.XMLHttpRequest;
 
 const request = data => {
     return new Promise(resolve => {
-        jq.ajax({
-            url: '?',
-            data,
-            type: 'post',
-            dataType: 'json'
-        })
-        .done(json => resolve(json))
-        .fail(() => resolve());
+        const xhr = new XHR();
+        const callback = () => {
+            if (xhr.readyState === XHR.DONE) {
+                try {
+                    resolve(JSON.parse(xhr.responseText));
+                } catch (err) {
+                    resolve({err, txt: xhr.responseText});
+                }
+            }
+        };
+
+        xhr.open('POST', '?', true);
+        xhr.onreadystatechange = callback;
+        xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'application/json;charset=utf-8');
+        xhr.send(JSON.stringify(data));
     });
 };
 
 const formRequest = data => {
-    const $form = jq('<form method="post" action="?" style="display:none;"/>');
+    const $form = dom('<form method="post" action="?" style="display:none;"/>');
 
     each(data, (val, key) => {
-        jq('<input type="hidden"/>')
+        dom('<input type="hidden"/>')
             .attr('name', key)
             .attr('value', val)
-            .appendTo($form);
+            .appTo($form);
     });
 
-    $form.appendTo('body').submit().remove();
+    $form.appTo('body');
+    $form[0].submit();
+    $form.rm();
 };
 
 module.exports = {
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/view/base.js b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/view/base.js
index 171b31b8..cd6909e5 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/view/base.js
+++ b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/view/base.js
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
-const {jq} = require('../globals');
+const {dom} = require('../dom');
 
 const rootSelector = 'body';
 const tplTopbar =
         `<div id="topbar">
-            <div id="toolbar"/>
-            <div id="flowbar"/>
+            <div id="toolbar"></div>
+            <div id="flowbar"></div>
             <a id="backlink" href="https://larsjung.de/h5ai/" title="powered by h5ai - https://larsjung.de/h5ai/">
                 <div>powered</div>
                 <div>by h5ai</div>
@@ -12,16 +12,16 @@ const tplTopbar =
         </div>`;
 const tplMainrow =
         `<div id="mainrow">
-            <div id="content"/>
+            <div id="content"></div>
         </div>`;
 
 const init = () => {
-    jq('#fallback, #fallback-hints').remove();
+    dom('#fallback, #fallback-hints').rm();
 
-    const $root = jq(rootSelector)
+    const $root = dom(rootSelector)
         .attr('id', 'root')
-        .append(tplTopbar)
-        .append(tplMainrow);
+        .app(tplTopbar)
+        .app(tplMainrow);
 
     return {
         $root,
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/view/notification.js b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/view/notification.js
index 8159aefb..0247e673 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/view/notification.js
+++ b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/view/notification.js
@@ -1,17 +1,20 @@
-const {jq} = require('../globals');
+const {dom} = require('../dom');
 const base = require('./base');
 
-const $el = jq('<div id="notification"/>').hide().appendTo(base.$root);
+const init = () => {
+    const $el = dom('<div id="notification"></div>').hide().appTo(base.$root);
 
-const set = content => {
-    if (content) {
-        $el.stop(true, true).html(content).fadeIn(400);
-    } else {
-        $el.stop(true, true).fadeOut(400);
-    }
+    const set = content => {
+        if (content) {
+            $el.html(content).show();
+        } else {
+            $el.hide();
+        }
+    };
+
+    return {
+        set
+    };
 };
 
-module.exports = {
-    $el,
-    set
-};
+module.exports = init();
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/view/sidebar.js b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/view/sidebar.js
index d56260fd..f008fd35 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/view/sidebar.js
+++ b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/view/sidebar.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-const {jq} = require('../globals');
+const {dom} = require('../dom');
 const resource = require('../core/resource');
 const allsettings = require('../core/settings');
 const store = require('../core/store');
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ const settings = Object.assign({
     disableSidebar: false
 }, allsettings.view);
 const storekey = 'sidebarIsVisible';
-const tplSidebar = '<div id="sidebar"/>';
+const tplSidebar = '<div id="sidebar"></div>';
 const tplToggle =
         `<div id="sidebar-toggle" class="tool">
             <img alt="sidebar"/>
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@ const tplToggle =
 
 
 const init = () => {
-    const $sidebar = jq(tplSidebar);
-    const $toggle = jq(tplToggle);
+    const $sidebar = dom(tplSidebar).hide();
+    const $toggle = dom(tplToggle);
     const $img = $toggle.find('img');
 
     const update = toggle => {
@@ -30,19 +30,19 @@ const init = () => {
         }
 
         if (isVisible) {
-            $toggle.addClass('active');
+            $toggle.addCls('active');
             $img.attr('src', resource.image('back'));
             $sidebar.show();
         } else {
-            $toggle.removeClass('active');
+            $toggle.rmCls('active');
             $img.attr('src', resource.image('sidebar'));
             $sidebar.hide();
         }
     };
 
     if (!settings.disableSidebar) {
-        $sidebar.appendTo(base.$mainrow);
-        $toggle.appendTo(base.$toolbar).on('click', () => update(true));
+        $sidebar.appTo(base.$mainrow);
+        $toggle.appTo(base.$toolbar).on('click', () => update(true));
         update();
     }
 
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/view/view.js b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/view/view.js
index 05f11cae..7efed53c 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/view/view.js
+++ b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/view/view.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 const {each, map, includes, intersection} = require('../lo');
-const {jq} = require('../globals');
+const {dom} = require('../dom');
 const event = require('../core/event');
 const format = require('../core/format');
 const location = require('../core/location');
@@ -26,25 +26,25 @@ const tplView =
         `<div id="view">
             <ul id="items" class="clearfix">
                 <li class="header">
-                    <a class="icon"/>
+                    <a class="icon"></a>
                     <a class="label" href="#"><span class="l10n-name"/></a>
                     <a class="date" href="#"><span class="l10n-lastModified"/></a>
                     <a class="size" href="#"><span class="l10n-size"/></a>
                 </li>
             </ul>
-            <div id="view-hint"/>
+            <div id="view-hint"></div>
         </div>`;
 const tplItem =
         `<li class="item">
             <a>
                 <span class="icon square"><img/></span>
                 <span class="icon landscape"><img/></span>
-                <span class="label"/>
-                <span class="date"/>
-                <span class="size"/>
+                <span class="label"></span>
+                <span class="date"></span>
+                <span class="size"></span>
             </a>
         </li>`;
-const $view = jq(tplView);
+const $view = dom(tplView);
 const $items = $view.find('#items');
 const $hint = $view.find('#view-hint');
 
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ const createStyles = size => {
 const addCssStyles = () => {
     const styles = map(sortedSizes, size => createStyles(size));
     styles.push(`#view .icon img {max-width: ${settings.maxIconSize}px; max-height: ${settings.maxIconSize}px;}`);
-    jq('<style/>').text(styles.join('\n')).appendTo('head');
+    dom('<style></style>').text(styles.join('\n')).appTo('head');
 };
 
 const set = (mode, size) => {
@@ -94,17 +94,17 @@ const set = (mode, size) => {
 
     each(checkedModes, m => {
         if (m === mode) {
-            $view.addClass('view-' + m);
+            $view.addCls('view-' + m);
         } else {
-            $view.removeClass('view-' + m);
+            $view.rmCls('view-' + m);
         }
     });
 
     each(sortedSizes, s => {
         if (s === size) {
-            $view.addClass('view-size-' + s);
+            $view.addCls('view-size-' + s);
         } else {
-            $view.removeClass('view-size-' + s);
+            $view.rmCls('view-size-' + s);
         }
     });
 
@@ -119,56 +119,58 @@ const getSizes = () => sortedSizes;
 const getSize = () => store.get(storekey).size;
 const setSize = size => set(null, size);
 
+const onMouseenter = ev => {
+    const item = ev.target._item;
+    event.pub('item.mouseenter', item);
+};
+
+const onMouseleave = ev => {
+    const item = ev.target._item;
+    event.pub('item.mouseleave', item);
+};
+
 const createHtml = item => {
-    const $html = jq(tplItem);
+    const $html = dom(tplItem);
     const $a = $html.find('a');
     const $iconImg = $html.find('.icon img');
     const $label = $html.find('.label');
     const $date = $html.find('.date');
     const $size = $html.find('.size');
 
-    $html.addClass(item.isFolder() ? 'folder' : 'file');
-    $html[0]._item = item;
+    $html
+        .addCls(item.isFolder() ? 'folder' : 'file')
+        .on('mouseenter', onMouseenter)
+        .on('mouseleave', onMouseleave);
 
     location.setLink($a, item);
 
     $label.text(item.label).attr('title', item.label);
-    $date.data('time', item.time).text(format.formatDate(item.time));
-    $size.data('bytes', item.size).text(format.formatSize(item.size));
+    $date.attr('data-time', item.time).text(format.formatDate(item.time));
+    $size.attr('data-bytes', item.size).text(format.formatSize(item.size));
     item.icon = resource.icon(item.type);
 
     if (item.isFolder() && !item.isManaged) {
-        $html.addClass('page');
+        $html.addCls('page');
         item.icon = resource.icon('folder-page');
     }
 
     if (item.isCurrentParentFolder()) {
         item.icon = resource.icon('folder-parent');
         if (!settings.setParentFolderLabels) {
-            $label.addClass('l10n-parentDirectory');
+            $label.addCls('l10n-parentDirectory');
         }
-        $html.addClass('folder-parent');
+        $html.addCls('folder-parent');
     }
     $iconImg.attr('src', item.icon).attr('alt', item.type);
 
     item.$view = $html;
-    item.elView = $html[0];
+    $html[0]._item = item;
 
     return $html;
 };
 
-const onMouseenter = ev => {
-    const item = jq(ev.currentTarget).closest('.item')[0]._item;
-    event.pub('item.mouseenter', item);
-};
-
-const onMouseleave = ev => {
-    const item = jq(ev.currentTarget).closest('.item')[0]._item;
-    event.pub('item.mouseleave', item);
-};
-
 const checkHint = () => {
-    const hasNoItems = $items.find('.item').not('.folder-parent').length === 0;
+    const hasNoItems = $items.find('.item').length === $items.find('.folder-parent').length;
 
     if (hasNoItems) {
         $hint.show();
@@ -180,24 +182,23 @@ const checkHint = () => {
 const setItems = items => {
     const removed = map($items.find('.item'), el => el._item);
 
-    $items.find('.item').remove();
+    $items.find('.item').rm();
 
-    each(items, item => $items.append(createHtml(item)));
+    each(items, item => $items.app(createHtml(item)));
 
-    base.$content.scrollLeft(0).scrollTop(0);
+    base.$content[0].scrollLeft = 0;
+    base.$content[0].scrollTop = 0;
     checkHint();
     event.pub('view.changed', items, removed);
 };
 
 const changeItems = (add, remove) => {
     each(add, item => {
-        createHtml(item).hide().appendTo($items).fadeIn(400);
+        createHtml(item).hide().appTo($items).show();
     });
 
     each(remove, item => {
-        item.$view.fadeOut(400, () => {
-            item.$view.remove();
-        });
+        item.$view.hide().rm();
     });
 
     checkHint();
@@ -205,7 +206,7 @@ const changeItems = (add, remove) => {
 };
 
 const setHint = l10nKey => {
-    $hint.removeClass().addClass('l10n-' + l10nKey);
+    $hint.rmCls().addCls('l10n-' + l10nKey);
     checkHint();
 };
 
@@ -247,15 +248,11 @@ const init = () => {
     addCssStyles();
     set();
 
-    $view.appendTo(base.$content);
+    $view.appTo(base.$content);
     $hint.hide();
 
     format.setDefaultMetric(settings.binaryPrefix);
 
-    $items
-        .on('mouseenter', '.item a', onMouseenter)
-        .on('mouseleave', '.item a', onMouseleave);
-
     event.sub('location.changed', onLocationChanged);
     event.sub('location.refreshed', onLocationRefreshed);
 };
@@ -265,7 +262,6 @@ init();
 
 module.exports = {
     $el: $view,
-    $items,
     setItems,
     changeItems,
     setLocation: onLocationChanged,
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/view/viewmode.js b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/view/viewmode.js
index 06fd54ac..295de210 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/view/viewmode.js
+++ b/src/_h5ai/public/js/lib/view/viewmode.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 const {each} = require('../lo');
-const {jq} = require('../globals');
+const {dom} = require('../dom');
 const event = require('../core/event');
 const resource = require('../core/resource');
 const allsettings = require('../core/settings');
@@ -28,14 +28,14 @@ let sizes;
 
 
 const onChanged = (mode, size) => {
-    jq('#viewmode-settings .mode').removeClass('active');
-    jq('#viewmode-' + mode).addClass('active');
-    jq('#viewmode-size').val(sizes.indexOf(size));
+    dom('#viewmode-settings .mode').rmCls('active');
+    dom('#viewmode-' + mode).addCls('active');
+    dom('#viewmode-size').val(sizes.indexOf(size));
 
     if (settings.modeToggle === 'next') {
         mode = modes[(modes.indexOf(mode) + 1) % modes.length];
     }
-    jq('#viewmode-toggle img').attr('src', resource.image('view-' + mode));
+    dom('#viewmode-toggle img').attr('src', resource.image('view-' + mode));
 };
 
 const addSettings = () => {
@@ -43,29 +43,28 @@ const addSettings = () => {
         return;
     }
 
-    const $viewBlock = jq(tplSettings);
+    const $viewBlock = dom(tplSettings);
 
     if (modes.length > 1) {
         each(modes, mode => {
-            jq(tplMode.replace(/\[MODE\]/g, mode))
+            dom(tplMode.replace(/\[MODE\]/g, mode))
                 .on('click', () => {
                     view.setMode(mode);
                 })
-                .appendTo($viewBlock);
+                .appTo($viewBlock);
         });
     }
 
     if (sizes.length > 1) {
         const max = sizes.length - 1;
-        jq(tplSize)
-            .prop('max', max).attr('max', max)
-            .on('input change', ev => {
-                view.setSize(sizes[ev.target.valueAsNumber]);
-            })
-            .appendTo($viewBlock);
+        dom(tplSize)
+            .attr('max', max)
+            .on('input', ev => view.setSize(sizes[ev.target.valueAsNumber]))
+            .on('change', ev => view.setSize(sizes[ev.target.valueAsNumber]))
+            .appTo($viewBlock);
     }
 
-    $viewBlock.appendTo(sidebar.$el);
+    $viewBlock.appTo(sidebar.$el);
 };
 
 const onToggle = () => {
@@ -78,9 +77,9 @@ const onToggle = () => {
 
 const addToggle = () => {
     if (settings.modeToggle && modes.length > 1) {
-        jq(tplToggle)
+        dom(tplToggle)
             .on('click', onToggle)
-            .appendTo(base.$toolbar);
+            .appTo(base.$toolbar);
     }
 };
 
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/public/js/pre.js b/src/_h5ai/public/js/pre.js
index 99a1e1d5..d7d76020 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/public/js/pre.js
+++ b/src/_h5ai/public/js/pre.js
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
     assert('console', win.console && isFn(win.console.log));
     assert('assign', win.Object && isFn(win.Object.assign));
     assert('promise', isFn(win.Promise));
+    assert('xhr', isFn(win.XMLHttpRequest));
 }(this));
 /* eslint-enable */