diff --git a/model/criteria/criteria.go b/model/criteria/criteria.go
index 5d7dc3826..e6db3b481 100644
--- a/model/criteria/criteria.go
+++ b/model/criteria/criteria.go
@@ -64,18 +64,21 @@ func (c Criteria) IsPercentageLimit() bool {
 }
 
 func (c Criteria) ChildPlaylistIds() []string {
-	if c.Expression == nil {
-		return nil
-	}
+	return c.childPlaylistRefs(conjunction.ChildPlaylistIds)
+}
 
+func (c Criteria) ChildPlaylistPaths() []string {
+	return c.childPlaylistRefs(conjunction.ChildPlaylistPaths)
+}
+
+func (c Criteria) childPlaylistRefs(extract func(conjunction) []string) []string {
 	parent, ok := c.Expression.(conjunction)
 	if !ok {
 		return nil
 	}
-
-	ids := parent.ChildPlaylistIds()
-	slices.Sort(ids)
-	return slices.Compact(ids)
+	refs := extract(parent)
+	slices.Sort(refs)
+	return slices.Compact(refs)
 }
 
 func (c Criteria) MarshalJSON() ([]byte, error) {
diff --git a/model/criteria/criteria_test.go b/model/criteria/criteria_test.go
index 5e653150a..de5124568 100644
--- a/model/criteria/criteria_test.go
+++ b/model/criteria/criteria_test.go
@@ -323,19 +323,23 @@ var _ = Describe("Criteria", func() {
 
 	Context("with child playlists", func() {
 		var (
-			topLevelInPlaylistID     string
-			topLevelNotInPlaylistID  string
-			nestedAnyInPlaylistID    string
-			nestedAnyNotInPlaylistID string
-			nestedAllInPlaylistID    string
-			nestedAllNotInPlaylistID string
+			topLevelInPlaylistID       string
+			topLevelInPlaylistPath     string
+			topLevelNotInPlaylistID    string
+			nestedAnyInPlaylistID      string
+			nestedAnyNotInPlaylistID   string
+			nestedAllInPlaylistID      string
+			nestedAllNotInPlaylistID   string
+			nestedAnyNotInPlaylistPath string
 		)
 		BeforeEach(func() {
 			topLevelInPlaylistID = uuid.NewString()
+			topLevelInPlaylistPath = "./test.nsp"
 			topLevelNotInPlaylistID = uuid.NewString()
 
 			nestedAnyInPlaylistID = uuid.NewString()
 			nestedAnyNotInPlaylistID = uuid.NewString()
+			nestedAnyNotInPlaylistPath = "../not-in-playlist.m3u"
 
 			nestedAllInPlaylistID = uuid.NewString()
 			nestedAllNotInPlaylistID = uuid.NewString()
@@ -343,10 +347,12 @@ var _ = Describe("Criteria", func() {
 			goObj = Criteria{
 				Expression: All{
 					InPlaylist{"id": topLevelInPlaylistID},
+					InPlaylist{"path": topLevelInPlaylistPath},
 					NotInPlaylist{"id": topLevelNotInPlaylistID},
 					Any{
 						InPlaylist{"id": nestedAnyInPlaylistID},
 						NotInPlaylist{"id": nestedAnyNotInPlaylistID},
+						NotInPlaylist{"path": nestedAnyNotInPlaylistPath},
 					},
 					All{
 						InPlaylist{"id": nestedAllInPlaylistID},
@@ -359,6 +365,18 @@ var _ = Describe("Criteria", func() {
 			ids := goObj.ChildPlaylistIds()
 			gomega.Expect(ids).To(gomega.ConsistOf(topLevelInPlaylistID, topLevelNotInPlaylistID, nestedAnyInPlaylistID, nestedAnyNotInPlaylistID, nestedAllInPlaylistID, nestedAllNotInPlaylistID))
 		})
+		It("extracts all child smart playlist paths from expression criteria", func() {
+			paths := goObj.ChildPlaylistPaths()
+			gomega.Expect(paths).To(gomega.ConsistOf(topLevelInPlaylistPath, nestedAnyNotInPlaylistPath))
+		})
+		It("ignores empty child playlist paths", func() {
+			c := Criteria{Expression: All{InPlaylist{"path": ""}, NotInPlaylist{"path": ""}}}
+			gomega.Expect(c.ChildPlaylistPaths()).To(gomega.BeEmpty())
+		})
+		It("ignores empty child playlist ids", func() {
+			c := Criteria{Expression: All{InPlaylist{"id": ""}, NotInPlaylist{"id": ""}}}
+			gomega.Expect(c.ChildPlaylistIds()).To(gomega.BeEmpty())
+		})
 		It("extracts child smart playlist IDs from deeply nested expression", func() {
 			goObj = Criteria{
 				Expression: Any{
diff --git a/model/criteria/operators.go b/model/criteria/operators.go
index 14a02ff4b..ec32f2d16 100644
--- a/model/criteria/operators.go
+++ b/model/criteria/operators.go
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 package criteria
 
-// Conjunctions need to implement this interface, to allow Criteria to extract child playlist IDs recursively
+// Conjunctions need to implement this interface, to allow Criteria to extract child playlist references recursively
 type conjunction interface {
 	ChildPlaylistIds() []string
+	ChildPlaylistPaths() []string
 }
 
 type (
@@ -16,9 +17,9 @@ func (all All) MarshalJSON() ([]byte, error) {
 	return marshalConjunction("all", all)
 }
 
-func (all All) ChildPlaylistIds() (ids []string) {
-	return extractPlaylistIds(all)
-}
+func (all All) ChildPlaylistIds() []string { return extractPlaylistField(all, "id") }
+
+func (all All) ChildPlaylistPaths() []string { return extractPlaylistField(all, "path") }
 
 type (
 	Any []Expression
@@ -31,9 +32,9 @@ func (any Any) MarshalJSON() ([]byte, error) {
 	return marshalConjunction("any", any)
 }
 
-func (any Any) ChildPlaylistIds() (ids []string) {
-	return extractPlaylistIds(any)
-}
+func (any Any) ChildPlaylistIds() []string { return extractPlaylistField(any, "id") }
+
+func (any Any) ChildPlaylistPaths() []string { return extractPlaylistField(any, "path") }
 
 type Is map[string]any
 type Eq = Is
@@ -172,28 +173,20 @@ func (ip IsPresent) MarshalJSON() ([]byte, error) {
 
 func (ip IsPresent) fields() map[string]any { return ip }
 
-func extractPlaylistIds(inputRule any) (ids []string) {
-	var id string
-	var ok bool
-
+func extractPlaylistField(inputRule any, field string) (values []string) {
 	switch rule := inputRule.(type) {
 	case Any:
 		for _, rules := range rule {
-			ids = append(ids, extractPlaylistIds(rules)...)
+			values = append(values, extractPlaylistField(rules, field)...)
 		}
 	case All:
 		for _, rules := range rule {
-			ids = append(ids, extractPlaylistIds(rules)...)
+			values = append(values, extractPlaylistField(rules, field)...)
 		}
-	case InPlaylist:
-		if id, ok = rule["id"].(string); ok {
-			ids = append(ids, id)
-		}
-	case NotInPlaylist:
-		if id, ok = rule["id"].(string); ok {
-			ids = append(ids, id)
+	case InPlaylist, NotInPlaylist:
+		if value, ok := rule.(Expression).fields()[field].(string); ok && value != "" {
+			values = append(values, value)
 		}
 	}
-
 	return
 }
diff --git a/model/playlist.go b/model/playlist.go
index f320d845b..19fedc9fa 100644
--- a/model/playlist.go
+++ b/model/playlist.go
@@ -2,12 +2,16 @@ package model
 
 import (
 	"iter"
+	"maps"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"slices"
 	"strconv"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/navidrome/navidrome/conf"
 	"github.com/navidrome/navidrome/consts"
+	"github.com/navidrome/navidrome/log"
 	"github.com/navidrome/navidrome/model/criteria"
 )
 
@@ -137,6 +141,66 @@ func (pls Playlist) UploadedImagePath() string {
 	return UploadedImagePath(consts.EntityPlaylist, pls.UploadedImage)
 }
 
+// NormalizedRules returns the rules with child playlist paths resolved to absolute, OS-native paths.
+func (pls Playlist) NormalizedRules() *criteria.Criteria {
+	if pls.Rules == nil || pls.Rules.Expression == nil {
+		return pls.Rules
+	}
+
+	rules := *pls.Rules
+	rules.Expression = normalizePlaylistPaths(pls.Rules.Expression, pls.Path)
+	return &rules
+}
+
+func normalizePlaylistPaths(inputRule criteria.Expression, referencingPlaylistPath string) criteria.Expression {
+	switch rule := inputRule.(type) {
+	case criteria.Any:
+		anyCriteria := make(criteria.Any, len(rule))
+		for i, rules := range rule {
+			anyCriteria[i] = normalizePlaylistPaths(rules, referencingPlaylistPath)
+		}
+		return anyCriteria
+	case criteria.All:
+		allCriteria := make(criteria.All, len(rule))
+		for i, rules := range rule {
+			allCriteria[i] = normalizePlaylistPaths(rules, referencingPlaylistPath)
+		}
+		return allCriteria
+	case criteria.InPlaylist:
+		return criteria.InPlaylist(normalizeChildPathRule(rule, referencingPlaylistPath))
+	case criteria.NotInPlaylist:
+		return criteria.NotInPlaylist(normalizeChildPathRule(rule, referencingPlaylistPath))
+	}
+
+	return inputRule
+}
+
+func normalizeChildPathRule(rule map[string]any, referencingPlaylistPath string) map[string]any {
+	path, ok := rule["path"].(string)
+	if !ok || path == "" {
+		return rule
+	}
+
+	// References use forward slashes to stay portable, while Playlist.Path is OS-native.
+	path = filepath.FromSlash(path)
+	switch {
+	case isAbsPlaylistRef(path):
+		path = filepath.Clean(path)
+	case referencingPlaylistPath != "":
+		path = filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(referencingPlaylistPath), path)
+	default:
+		log.Warn("Cannot resolve relative playlist reference: playlist has no file path", "reference", path)
+	}
+	normalized := maps.Clone(rule)
+	normalized["path"] = path
+	return normalized
+}
+
+// filepath.IsAbs rejects a bare leading separator on Windows, but that is how Unix spells absolute.
+func isAbsPlaylistRef(path string) bool {
+	return filepath.IsAbs(path) || os.IsPathSeparator(path[0])
+}
+
 type Playlists []Playlist
 
 type PlaylistCursor iter.Seq2[Playlist, error]
diff --git a/model/playlist_test.go b/model/playlist_test.go
index d98c85716..7ffb69b63 100644
--- a/model/playlist_test.go
+++ b/model/playlist_test.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package model_test
 
 import (
+	"path/filepath"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/navidrome/navidrome/conf"
@@ -88,4 +89,102 @@ var _ = Describe("Playlist", func() {
 			Expect(model.Playlist{Sync: true}.TracksEditable()).To(BeFalse())
 		})
 	})
+
+	Describe("NormalizedRules()", func() {
+		// absPath builds an OS-native absolute path so these specs also run on Windows.
+		absPath := func(parts ...string) string {
+			abs, err := filepath.Abs(filepath.Join(parts...))
+			Expect(err).ToNot(HaveOccurred())
+			return abs
+		}
+		normalize := func(pls model.Playlist) criteria.Expression {
+			return pls.NormalizedRules().Expression
+		}
+
+		It("resolves relative references against the playlist folder", func() {
+			pls := model.Playlist{
+				Path: absPath("test", "nested", "my-playlist.nsp"),
+				Rules: &criteria.Criteria{Expression: criteria.All{
+					criteria.InPlaylist{"path": "../up.m3u"},
+					criteria.NotInPlaylist{"path": "./sibling.nsp"},
+					criteria.Any{criteria.InPlaylist{"path": "sub/deep.nsp"}},
+				}},
+			}
+			Expect(normalize(pls)).To(BeEquivalentTo(criteria.All{
+				criteria.InPlaylist{"path": absPath("test", "up.m3u")},
+				criteria.NotInPlaylist{"path": absPath("test", "nested", "sibling.nsp")},
+				criteria.Any{criteria.InPlaylist{"path": absPath("test", "nested", "sub", "deep.nsp")}},
+			}))
+		})
+
+		It("cleans absolute references", func() {
+			dirty := absPath("music") + string(filepath.Separator) + "." + string(filepath.Separator) + "child.nsp"
+			pls := model.Playlist{
+				Path:  absPath("test", "my-playlist.nsp"),
+				Rules: &criteria.Criteria{Expression: criteria.All{criteria.NotInPlaylist{"path": dirty}}},
+			}
+			Expect(normalize(pls)).To(BeEquivalentTo(criteria.All{
+				criteria.NotInPlaylist{"path": absPath("music", "child.nsp")},
+			}))
+		})
+
+		It("treats a leading slash as absolute on every OS", func() {
+			pls := model.Playlist{
+				Path:  absPath("test", "my-playlist.nsp"),
+				Rules: &criteria.Criteria{Expression: criteria.All{criteria.InPlaylist{"path": "/other/./root.m3u"}}},
+			}
+			Expect(normalize(pls)).To(BeEquivalentTo(criteria.All{
+				criteria.InPlaylist{"path": filepath.FromSlash("/other/root.m3u")},
+			}))
+		})
+
+		It("leaves empty paths and id references untouched", func() {
+			pls := model.Playlist{
+				Path: absPath("test", "my-playlist.nsp"),
+				Rules: &criteria.Criteria{Expression: criteria.All{
+					criteria.InPlaylist{"path": ""},
+					criteria.InPlaylist{"id": "94d8ba52-7aca-40e2-af82-4cb09c43d710"},
+					criteria.Eq{"artist": "Bob Dealin"},
+				}},
+			}
+			Expect(normalize(pls)).To(BeEquivalentTo(criteria.All{
+				criteria.InPlaylist{"path": ""},
+				criteria.InPlaylist{"id": "94d8ba52-7aca-40e2-af82-4cb09c43d710"},
+				criteria.Eq{"artist": "Bob Dealin"},
+			}))
+		})
+
+		It("skips relative references when the playlist has no path", func() {
+			pls := model.Playlist{
+				Rules: &criteria.Criteria{Expression: criteria.All{criteria.InPlaylist{"path": "../up.m3u"}}},
+			}
+			Expect(normalize(pls)).To(BeEquivalentTo(criteria.All{
+				criteria.InPlaylist{"path": filepath.FromSlash("../up.m3u")},
+			}))
+		})
+
+		It("preserves every other criteria field", func() {
+			rules := criteria.Criteria{
+				Expression:   criteria.All{criteria.InPlaylist{"path": "child.nsp"}},
+				Sort:         "title",
+				Order:        "desc",
+				Limit:        10,
+				LimitPercent: 25,
+				Offset:       5,
+				RefreshDelay: 3 * time.Hour,
+			}
+			pls := model.Playlist{Path: absPath("test", "my-playlist.nsp"), Rules: &rules}
+
+			normalized := *pls.NormalizedRules()
+			normalized.Expression = rules.Expression
+			Expect(normalized).To(Equal(rules))
+		})
+
+		It("does not mutate the original playlist rules", func() {
+			original := criteria.All{criteria.InPlaylist{"path": "child.nsp"}}
+			pls := model.Playlist{Path: absPath("test", "my-playlist.nsp"), Rules: &criteria.Criteria{Expression: original}}
+			_ = pls.NormalizedRules()
+			Expect(original[0]).To(BeEquivalentTo(criteria.InPlaylist{"path": "child.nsp"}))
+		})
+	})
 })
diff --git a/persistence/criteria_sql.go b/persistence/criteria_sql.go
index 890f757d7..d2f817438 100644
--- a/persistence/criteria_sql.go
+++ b/persistence/criteria_sql.go
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/Masterminds/squirrel"
 	"github.com/navidrome/navidrome/model"
 	"github.com/navidrome/navidrome/model/criteria"
+	"golang.org/x/text/unicode/norm"
 )
 
 type smartPlaylistJoinType int
@@ -344,11 +345,15 @@ func startOfPeriod(numDays int64, from time.Time) string {
 }
 
 func (c smartPlaylistCriteria) inList(values map[string]any, negate bool) (squirrel.Sqlizer, error) {
-	playlistID, ok := values["id"].(string)
-	if !ok {
-		return nil, errors.New("playlist id not given")
+	var condition squirrel.Sqlizer
+	if playlistId, ok := values["id"].(string); ok && playlistId != "" {
+		condition = squirrel.Eq{"pl.playlist_id": playlistId}
+	} else if playlistPath, ok := values["path"].(string); ok && playlistPath != "" {
+		condition = squirrel.Eq{"playlist.path": pathVariants(playlistPath)}
+	} else {
+		return nil, errors.New("playlist id or path not given")
 	}
-	filters := squirrel.And{squirrel.Eq{"pl.playlist_id": playlistID}}
+	filters := squirrel.And{condition}
 	if !c.owner.IsAdmin {
 		if c.owner.ID == "" {
 			filters = append(filters, squirrel.Eq{"playlist.public": 1})
@@ -373,6 +378,18 @@ func (c smartPlaylistCriteria) inList(values map[string]any, negate bool) (squir
 	return squirrel.Expr("media_file.id IN ("+subSQL+")", subArgs...), nil
 }
 
+// Filesystems disagree on the Unicode form of a name, so match the path in NFC and NFD.
+func pathVariants(path string) []string {
+	variants := []string{path}
+	if alt := norm.NFC.String(path); alt != path {
+		variants = append(variants, alt)
+	}
+	if alt := norm.NFD.String(path); alt != path {
+		variants = append(variants, alt)
+	}
+	return variants
+}
+
 func jsonExpr(info criteria.FieldInfo, cond squirrel.Sqlizer, negate bool) squirrel.Sqlizer {
 	if info.IsRole {
 		return roleCond{role: info.Name(), cond: cond, not: negate}
diff --git a/persistence/criteria_sql_test.go b/persistence/criteria_sql_test.go
index 8d0069b0d..ef91ec989 100644
--- a/persistence/criteria_sql_test.go
+++ b/persistence/criteria_sql_test.go
@@ -47,7 +47,10 @@ var _ = Describe("Smart playlist criteria SQL", func() {
 		Entry("in range", criteria.InTheRange{"year": []int{1980, 1990}}, "(media_file.year >= ? AND media_file.year <= ?)", 1980, 1990),
 		Entry("before", criteria.Before{"lastPlayed": time.Date(2021, 10, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, time.Local)}, "annotation.play_date < ?", time.Date(2021, 10, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, time.Local)),
 		Entry("after", criteria.After{"lastPlayed": time.Date(2021, 10, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, time.Local)}, "annotation.play_date > ?", time.Date(2021, 10, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, time.Local)),
-		Entry("in playlist", criteria.InPlaylist{"id": "deadbeef-dead-beef"}, "media_file.id IN (SELECT media_file_id FROM playlist_tracks pl LEFT JOIN playlist on pl.playlist_id = playlist.id WHERE (pl.playlist_id = ? AND playlist.public = ?))", "deadbeef-dead-beef", 1),
+		Entry("in playlist [path]", criteria.InPlaylist{"path": "lacuslacus.nsp"}, "media_file.id IN (SELECT media_file_id FROM playlist_tracks pl LEFT JOIN playlist on pl.playlist_id = playlist.id WHERE (playlist.path IN (?) AND playlist.public = ?))", "lacuslacus.nsp", 1),
+		Entry("in playlist [id]", criteria.InPlaylist{"id": "deadbeef-dead-beef"}, "media_file.id IN (SELECT media_file_id FROM playlist_tracks pl LEFT JOIN playlist on pl.playlist_id = playlist.id WHERE (pl.playlist_id = ? AND playlist.public = ?))", "deadbeef-dead-beef", 1),
+		Entry("in playlist [empty id falls back to path]", criteria.InPlaylist{"id": "", "path": "/music/x.nsp"}, "media_file.id IN (SELECT media_file_id FROM playlist_tracks pl LEFT JOIN playlist on pl.playlist_id = playlist.id WHERE (playlist.path IN (?) AND playlist.public = ?))", "/music/x.nsp", 1),
+		Entry("in playlist [decomposed unicode path]", criteria.InPlaylist{"path": "/m\u00fasica/x.nsp"}, "media_file.id IN (SELECT media_file_id FROM playlist_tracks pl LEFT JOIN playlist on pl.playlist_id = playlist.id WHERE (playlist.path IN (?,?) AND playlist.public = ?))", "/m\u00fasica/x.nsp", "/mu\u0301sica/x.nsp", 1),
 		Entry("not in playlist", criteria.NotInPlaylist{"id": "deadbeef-dead-beef"}, "media_file.id NOT IN (SELECT media_file_id FROM playlist_tracks pl LEFT JOIN playlist on pl.playlist_id = playlist.id WHERE (pl.playlist_id = ? AND playlist.public = ?))", "deadbeef-dead-beef", 1),
 		Entry("album annotation", criteria.Gt{"albumRating": 3}, "album_annotation.rating > ?", 3),
 		Entry("artist annotation", criteria.Is{"artistLoved": true}, "artist_annotation.starred = ?", true),
@@ -268,6 +271,13 @@ var _ = Describe("Smart playlist criteria SQL", func() {
 		Expect(err).To(MatchError(ContainSubstring("invalid boolean value for 'missing' expression")))
 	})
 
+	It("returns an error when inPlaylist has empty path", func() {
+		_, err := newSmartPlaylistCriteria(
+			criteria.Criteria{Expression: criteria.InPlaylist{"path": ""}},
+			withSmartPlaylistOwner(model.User{ID: "owner-id", IsAdmin: false})).where()
+		Expect(err).To(MatchError(ContainSubstring("playlist id or path not given")))
+	})
+
 	It("returns an error for a range over a tag/role field", func() {
 		_, err := newSmartPlaylistCriteria(criteria.Criteria{Expression: criteria.InTheRange{"rate": []int{1, 5}}}).where()
 		Expect(err).To(MatchError(ContainSubstring("range operator not supported for tag/role field")))
diff --git a/persistence/smart_playlist_repository.go b/persistence/smart_playlist_repository.go
index 9d2ac9590..24c6f5fc5 100644
--- a/persistence/smart_playlist_repository.go
+++ b/persistence/smart_playlist_repository.go
@@ -1,11 +1,14 @@
 package persistence
 
 import (
+	"slices"
 	"time"
 
 	. "github.com/Masterminds/squirrel"
 	"github.com/navidrome/navidrome/log"
 	"github.com/navidrome/navidrome/model"
+	"github.com/navidrome/navidrome/utils/slice"
+	"golang.org/x/text/unicode/norm"
 )
 
 // PlaylistRepository methods to handle smart playlists, which are defined by criteria and automatically populated
@@ -16,6 +19,17 @@ import (
 
 // refreshSmartPlaylist evaluates the criteria of a smart playlist and updates its tracks accordingly.
 func (r *playlistRepository) refreshSmartPlaylist(pls *model.Playlist) bool {
+	return r.refreshSmartPlaylistTree(pls, map[string]struct{}{})
+}
+
+// The visited set stops playlists that reference each other from recursing forever.
+func (r *playlistRepository) refreshSmartPlaylistTree(pls *model.Playlist, visited map[string]struct{}) bool {
+	if _, seen := visited[pls.ID]; seen {
+		log.Trace(r.ctx, "Skipping already visited smart playlist", "playlist", pls.Name, "id", pls.ID)
+		return false
+	}
+	visited[pls.ID] = struct{}{}
+
 	usr := loggedUser(r.ctx)
 	if !r.shouldRefreshSmartPlaylist(pls, usr) {
 		return false
@@ -30,9 +44,9 @@ func (r *playlistRepository) refreshSmartPlaylist(pls *model.Playlist) bool {
 		return false
 	}
 
-	rulesSQL := newSmartPlaylistCriteria(*pls.Rules, withSmartPlaylistOwner(*usr))
+	rulesSQL := newSmartPlaylistCriteria(*pls.NormalizedRules(), withSmartPlaylistOwner(*usr))
 
-	if !r.refreshChildPlaylists(pls, rulesSQL) {
+	if !r.refreshChildPlaylists(pls, rulesSQL, visited) {
 		return false
 	}
 
@@ -89,28 +103,47 @@ func (r *playlistRepository) shouldRefreshSmartPlaylist(pls *model.Playlist, usr
 
 // refreshChildPlaylists handles refreshing any child playlists that are referenced in the smart playlist criteria.
 // Returns false if child playlists could not be loaded (DB error), signaling the parent refresh should abort.
-func (r *playlistRepository) refreshChildPlaylists(pls *model.Playlist, rulesSQL smartPlaylistCriteria) bool {
+func (r *playlistRepository) refreshChildPlaylists(pls *model.Playlist, rulesSQL smartPlaylistCriteria, visited map[string]struct{}) bool {
 	childPlaylistIds := rulesSQL.ChildPlaylistIds()
-	if len(childPlaylistIds) == 0 {
+	childPlaylistPaths := rulesSQL.ChildPlaylistPaths()
+	if len(childPlaylistIds) == 0 && len(childPlaylistPaths) == 0 {
 		return true
 	}
 
-	childPlaylists, err := r.GetAll(model.QueryOptions{Filters: Eq{"playlist.id": childPlaylistIds}})
+	var conditions Or
+	if len(childPlaylistIds) > 0 {
+		conditions = append(conditions, Eq{"playlist.id": childPlaylistIds})
+	}
+	if len(childPlaylistPaths) > 0 {
+		lookupPaths := slices.Concat(slice.Map(childPlaylistPaths, pathVariants)...)
+		conditions = append(conditions, Eq{"playlist.path": lookupPaths})
+	}
+
+	childPlaylists, err := r.GetAll(model.QueryOptions{Filters: conditions})
 	if err != nil {
-		log.Error(r.ctx, "Error loading child playlists for smart playlist refresh", "playlist", pls.Name, "id", pls.ID, "childIds", childPlaylistIds, err)
+		log.Error(r.ctx, "Error loading child playlists for smart playlist refresh", "playlist", pls.Name, "id", pls.ID, "childIds", childPlaylistIds, "childPaths", childPlaylistPaths, err)
 		return false
 	}
 
-	found := make(map[string]struct{}, len(childPlaylists))
+	found := make(map[string]struct{}, len(childPlaylists)*2)
 	for i := range childPlaylists {
 		found[childPlaylists[i].ID] = struct{}{}
-		r.refreshSmartPlaylist(&childPlaylists[i])
+		if childPlaylists[i].Path != "" {
+			found[norm.NFC.String(childPlaylists[i].Path)] = struct{}{}
+		}
+		r.refreshSmartPlaylistTree(&childPlaylists[i], visited)
 	}
 	for _, id := range childPlaylistIds {
 		if _, ok := found[id]; !ok {
 			log.Warn(r.ctx, "Referenced playlist is not accessible to smart playlist owner", "playlist", pls.Name, "id", pls.ID, "childId", id, "ownerId", pls.OwnerID)
 		}
 	}
+
+	for _, path := range childPlaylistPaths {
+		if _, ok := found[norm.NFC.String(path)]; !ok {
+			log.Warn(r.ctx, "Referenced playlist is not accessible to smart playlist owner", "playlist", pls.Name, "id", pls.ID, "path", path, "ownerId", pls.OwnerID)
+		}
+	}
 	return true
 }
 
diff --git a/persistence/smart_playlist_repository_test.go b/persistence/smart_playlist_repository_test.go
index 6f8684d5c..33da0c1b7 100644
--- a/persistence/smart_playlist_repository_test.go
+++ b/persistence/smart_playlist_repository_test.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package persistence
 
 import (
+	"path/filepath"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/navidrome/navidrome/conf"
@@ -124,13 +125,23 @@ var _ = Describe("PlaylistRepository - Smart Playlists", func() {
 							criteria.Contains{"title": "Day"},
 						},
 					}
-					nestedPls := model.Playlist{Name: "Nested", OwnerID: "userid", Public: true, Rules: childRules}
+					nestedPls := model.Playlist{Name: "Nested [ID]", OwnerID: "userid", Public: true, Rules: childRules}
 					Expect(repo.Put(&nestedPls)).To(Succeed())
 					DeferCleanup(func() { _ = repo.Delete(nestedPls.ID) })
 
-					parentPls := model.Playlist{Name: "Parent", OwnerID: "userid", Rules: &criteria.Criteria{
+					childRules = &criteria.Criteria{
 						Expression: criteria.All{
+							criteria.Eq{"artist": "シートベルツ"},
+						},
+					}
+					nestedPathPls := model.Playlist{Name: "Nested [Path]", OwnerID: "userid", Path: "test.nsp", Public: true, Rules: childRules}
+					Expect(repo.Put(&nestedPathPls)).To(Succeed())
+					DeferCleanup(func() { _ = repo.Delete(nestedPathPls.ID) })
+
+					parentPls := model.Playlist{Name: "Parent", OwnerID: "userid", Rules: &criteria.Criteria{
+						Expression: criteria.Any{
 							criteria.InPlaylist{"id": nestedPls.ID},
+							criteria.InPlaylist{"path": nestedPathPls.Path},
 						},
 					}}
 					Expect(repo.Put(&parentPls)).To(Succeed())
@@ -148,17 +159,88 @@ var _ = Describe("PlaylistRepository - Smart Playlists", func() {
 					Expect(*pls.EvaluatedAt).To(BeTemporally("~", time.Now(), 2*time.Second))
 
 					// Parent should have tracks from the nested playlist
-					Expect(pls.Tracks).To(HaveLen(1))
+					Expect(pls.Tracks).To(HaveLen(2))
 					Expect(pls.Tracks[0].MediaFileID).To(Equal(songDayInALife.ID))
 
-					// Nested playlist should now have been refreshed (EvaluatedAt set)
+					// Nested playlists should now have been refreshed (EvaluatedAt set)
 					nestedPlsAfterParentGet, err := repo.Get(nestedPls.ID)
 					Expect(err).ToNot(HaveOccurred())
 					Expect(nestedPlsAfterParentGet.EvaluatedAt).ToNot(BeNil())
 					Expect(*nestedPlsAfterParentGet.EvaluatedAt).To(BeTemporally("~", time.Now(), 2*time.Second))
+
+					nestedPlsAfterParentGet, err = repo.Get(nestedPathPls.ID)
+					Expect(err).ToNot(HaveOccurred())
+					Expect(nestedPlsAfterParentGet.EvaluatedAt).ToNot(BeNil())
+					Expect(*nestedPlsAfterParentGet.EvaluatedAt).To(BeTemporally("~", time.Now(), 2*time.Second))
 				})
 			})
 
+			It("does not recurse forever when two smart playlists reference each other", func() {
+				conf.Server.SmartPlaylistRefreshDelay = -1 * time.Second
+
+				plsA := model.Playlist{Name: "Cycle A", OwnerID: "userid", Public: true, Rules: &criteria.Criteria{
+					Expression: criteria.All{criteria.Contains{"title": "Day"}},
+				}}
+				Expect(repo.Put(&plsA)).To(Succeed())
+				DeferCleanup(func() { _ = repo.Delete(plsA.ID) })
+
+				plsB := model.Playlist{Name: "Cycle B", OwnerID: "userid", Public: true, Rules: &criteria.Criteria{
+					Expression: criteria.All{criteria.InPlaylist{"id": plsA.ID}},
+				}}
+				Expect(repo.Put(&plsB)).To(Succeed())
+				DeferCleanup(func() { _ = repo.Delete(plsB.ID) })
+
+				plsA.Rules = &criteria.Criteria{Expression: criteria.All{criteria.InPlaylist{"id": plsB.ID}}}
+				Expect(repo.Put(&plsA)).To(Succeed())
+
+				_, err := repo.GetWithTracks(plsA.ID, true, false)
+				Expect(err).ToNot(HaveOccurred())
+			})
+
+			It("does not treat an empty path as a reference to every playlist without a path", func() {
+				conf.Server.SmartPlaylistRefreshDelay = -1 * time.Second
+
+				bystander := model.Playlist{Name: "Bystander", OwnerID: "userid", Public: true, Rules: &criteria.Criteria{
+					Expression: criteria.All{criteria.Contains{"title": "Day"}},
+				}}
+				Expect(repo.Put(&bystander)).To(Succeed())
+				DeferCleanup(func() { _ = repo.Delete(bystander.ID) })
+
+				parent := model.Playlist{Name: "Empty Path", OwnerID: "userid", Public: true, Rules: &criteria.Criteria{
+					Expression: criteria.All{criteria.InPlaylist{"path": ""}},
+				}}
+				Expect(repo.Put(&parent)).To(Succeed())
+				DeferCleanup(func() { _ = repo.Delete(parent.ID) })
+
+				_, err := repo.GetWithTracks(parent.ID, true, false)
+				Expect(err).ToNot(HaveOccurred())
+
+				reloaded, err := repo.Get(bystander.ID)
+				Expect(err).ToNot(HaveOccurred())
+				Expect(reloaded.EvaluatedAt).To(BeNil())
+			})
+
+			It("matches a child path stored in a different Unicode normalization form", func() {
+				conf.Server.SmartPlaylistRefreshDelay = -1 * time.Second
+
+				child := model.Playlist{Name: "NFD Child", OwnerID: "userid", Public: true, Path: filepath.FromSlash("/mu\u0301sica/child.nsp"), Rules: &criteria.Criteria{
+					Expression: criteria.All{criteria.Contains{"title": "Day"}},
+				}}
+				Expect(repo.Put(&child)).To(Succeed())
+				DeferCleanup(func() { _ = repo.Delete(child.ID) })
+
+				parent := model.Playlist{Name: "NFC Parent", OwnerID: "userid", Rules: &criteria.Criteria{
+					Expression: criteria.All{criteria.InPlaylist{"path": "/m\u00fasica/child.nsp"}},
+				}}
+				Expect(repo.Put(&parent)).To(Succeed())
+				DeferCleanup(func() { _ = repo.Delete(parent.ID) })
+
+				pls, err := repo.GetWithTracks(parent.ID, true, false)
+				Expect(err).ToNot(HaveOccurred())
+				Expect(pls.Tracks).To(HaveLen(1))
+				Expect(pls.Tracks[0].MediaFileID).To(Equal(songDayInALife.ID))
+			})
+
 			When("refresh delay has not expired", func() {
 				It("should NOT refresh tracks for smart playlist referenced in parent smart playlist criteria", func() {
 					conf.Server.SmartPlaylistRefreshDelay = 1 * time.Hour