diff --git a/notes-workspace.html b/notes-workspace.html
index 0a57277..8b4a7a2 100644
--- a/notes-workspace.html
+++ b/notes-workspace.html
@@ -282,6 +282,18 @@
       return [];
     }
 
+    function toBoolFlag(value) {
+      if (typeof value === 'boolean') return value;
+      if (typeof value === 'number') return value !== 0;
+      if (typeof value === 'string') {
+        const v = value.trim().toLowerCase();
+        if (!v) return false;
+        if (['false', '0', 'no', 'off', 'null', 'undefined'].includes(v)) return false;
+        if (['true', '1', 'yes', 'on'].includes(v)) return true;
+      }
+      return Boolean(value);
+    }
+
     function buildNotePayload() {
       const title = titleInput.value.trim() || 'Untitled';
       const bodyPlain = bodyInput.value.trim();
@@ -340,15 +352,15 @@
     }
 
     function passFilter(note) {
-      if (Boolean(note?.delete)) return false;
+      if (toBoolFlag(note?.delete)) return false;
 
       const wantHidden = hiddenMode.value === 'hidden';
-      const isHidden = Boolean(note?.hidden);
+      const isHidden = toBoolFlag(note?.hidden);
       if (wantHidden !== isHidden) return false;
 
-      if (currentFilter === 'myshared' && !(isMine(note) && Boolean(note?.shared))) return false;
+      if (currentFilter === 'myshared' && !(isMine(note) && toBoolFlag(note?.shared))) return false;
       if (currentFilter === 'sharedwithme' && !isSharedWithCurrentUser(note)) return false;
-      if (currentFilter === 'job' && !(Boolean(note?.job_note) || noteType(note) === 'job')) return false;
+      if (currentFilter === 'job' && !(toBoolFlag(note?.job_note) || noteType(note) === 'job')) return false;
       if (currentFilter === 'manager' && noteType(note) !== 'manager') return false;
       if (currentFilter === 'personal' && noteType(note) !== 'personal') return false;
 
@@ -382,8 +394,9 @@
       notesList.innerHTML = filtered.map((note) => {
         const mine = isMine(note);
         const sharedWithMe = isSharedWithCurrentUser(note);
-        const badge = sharedWithMe ? 'Shared w/ me' : note.shared ? 'Shared by me' : 'Private';
-        const tone = sharedWithMe ? 'text-cyan-300' : note.shared ? 'text-emerald-300' : 'text-slate-300';
+        const sharedByMe = toBoolFlag(note?.shared);
+        const badge = sharedWithMe ? 'Shared w/ me' : sharedByMe ? 'Shared by me' : 'Private';
+        const tone = sharedWithMe ? 'text-cyan-300' : sharedByMe ? 'text-emerald-300' : 'text-slate-300';
         const preview = String(note.body_plain || '').replace(/\s+/g, ' ').trim().slice(0, 160);
         const selected = selectedNote?.id === note.id ? 'active' : '';
         return `
@@ -438,7 +451,7 @@
       saveBtn.disabled = false;
       hideBtn.disabled = false;
       deleteBtn.disabled = false;
-      hideBtn.textContent = Boolean(note.hidden) ? 'Unhide' : 'Hide';
+      hideBtn.textContent = toBoolFlag(note.hidden) ? 'Unhide' : 'Hide';
     }
 
     async function updatePbStatus() {
@@ -523,7 +536,7 @@
       await ensurePocketBaseClient();
       ensureLoggedIn();
       const payload = buildNotePayload();
-      payload.hidden = Boolean(selectedNote.hidden);
+      payload.hidden = toBoolFlag(selectedNote.hidden);
       const record = await pb.collection(NOTES_COLLECTION).update(selectedNote.id, payload);
       await loadNotes();
       selectNote(record);
@@ -536,7 +549,7 @@
       await ensurePocketBaseClient();
       ensureLoggedIn();
       const updated = await pb.collection(NOTES_COLLECTION).update(selectedNote.id, {
-        hidden: !Boolean(selectedNote.hidden),
+        hidden: !toBoolFlag(selectedNote.hidden),
       });
       await loadNotes();
       selectNote(updated);