diff --git a/ais/backend/ais.go b/ais/backend/ais.go
index 93e3033c95b..59e9b2e422a 100644
--- a/ais/backend/ais.go
+++ b/ais/backend/ais.go
@@ -446,7 +446,7 @@ func (m *AISBackendProvider) ListObjects(remoteBck *meta.Bck, msg *apc.LsoMsg, l
 	unsetUUID(&bck)
 
 	var lstRes *cmn.LsoResult
-	if lstRes, err = api.ListObjectsPage(remAis.bp, bck, remoteMsg); err != nil {
+	if lstRes, err = api.ListObjectsPage(remAis.bp, bck, remoteMsg, api.ListArgs{}); err != nil {
 		errCode, err = extractErrCode(err, remAis.uuid)
 		return
 	}
diff --git a/ais/backend/aws.go b/ais/backend/aws.go
index 075c3022fc0..ef82f2e42ce 100644
--- a/ais/backend/aws.go
+++ b/ais/backend/aws.go
@@ -129,16 +129,18 @@ func (*awsProvider) HeadBucket(_ ctx, bck *meta.Bck) (bckProps cos.StrKVs, errCo
 	return
 }
 
+//
 // LIST OBJECTS via INVENTORY
-func (awsp *awsProvider) ListObjectsInv(bck *meta.Bck, msg *apc.LsoMsg, lst *cmn.LsoResult,
-	ctx *core.LsoInventoryCtx) (errCode int, err error) {
+//
+
+func (awsp *awsProvider) ListObjectsInv(bck *meta.Bck, msg *apc.LsoMsg, lst *cmn.LsoResult, ctx *core.LsoInventoryCtx) (errCode int, err error) {
 	var (
 		svc      *s3.Client
 		fqn      string
 		fh       *os.File
 		cloudBck = bck.RemoteBck()
 	)
-	debug.Assert(msg.IsFlagSet(apc.LsInventory))
+	debug.Assert(ctx != nil)
 	svc, _, err = newClient(sessConf{bck: cloudBck}, "[list_objects]")
 	if err != nil {
 		if cmn.Rom.FastV(4, cos.SmoduleBackend) {
@@ -198,8 +200,6 @@ func (*awsProvider) ListObjects(bck *meta.Bck, msg *apc.LsoMsg, lst *cmn.LsoResu
 			return
 		}
 	}
-	debug.Assert(!msg.IsFlagSet(apc.LsInventory))
-
 	params := &s3.ListObjectsV2Input{Bucket: aws.String(cloudBck.Name)}
 	if msg.Prefix != "" {
 		params.Prefix = aws.String(msg.Prefix)
diff --git a/ais/backend/awsinv.go b/ais/backend/awsinv.go
index 6e93bc02cf6..42848bd11b0 100644
--- a/ais/backend/awsinv.go
+++ b/ais/backend/awsinv.go
@@ -12,14 +12,12 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"os"
-	"path"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/NVIDIA/aistore/api/apc"
-	"github.com/NVIDIA/aistore/api/env"
 	"github.com/NVIDIA/aistore/cmn"
 	"github.com/NVIDIA/aistore/cmn/cos"
 	"github.com/NVIDIA/aistore/cmn/debug"
@@ -33,10 +31,9 @@ import (
 
 // TODO -- FIXME:
 // 1. len(line) == 4: expecting strictly (bucket, objname, size, etag) - use manifests
-// 2: the offset must correspond to the previously returned ContinuationToken
+// 2: the offset must correspond to the previously returned ContinuationToken ====> recover or fail?
 // 3: cleanup older inventories
 // 4: cached inventory must be stored with its own content-type (or, might disappear during pagination)
-// 5: opt-out ListObjectsV2 when ctx.Offset > 0
 
 const (
 	invSizeSGL = cos.MiB
@@ -44,6 +41,7 @@ const (
 )
 
 const (
+	invName   = ".inventory"
 	invSrcExt = ".csv.gz"
 	invDstExt = ".csv"
 )
@@ -59,14 +57,17 @@ func sinceInv(t1, t2 time.Time) time.Duration {
 	return t2.Sub(t1)
 }
 
-// env "S3_BUCKET_INVENTORY" or const
-func prefixInv(cloudBck *cmn.Bck) string {
-	return path.Join(env.BucketInventory(), cloudBck.Name)
+func prefixInv(cloudBck *cmn.Bck, ctx *core.LsoInventoryCtx) (prefix string) {
+	prefix = cos.Either(ctx.Name, invName) + cos.PathSeparator + cloudBck.Name
+	if ctx.ID != "" {
+		prefix += cos.PathSeparator + ctx.ID
+	}
+	return prefix
 }
 
 func checkInventory(cloudBck *cmn.Bck, latest time.Time, ctx *core.LsoInventoryCtx) (fqn string, _ bool, _ error) {
 	// 2. one bucket, one inventory (and one statically produced name)
-	prefix := prefixInv(cloudBck)
+	prefix := prefixInv(cloudBck, ctx)
 	mi, _, err := fs.Hrw(prefix)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", false, err
@@ -96,7 +97,7 @@ func (awsp *awsProvider) getInventory(cloudBck *cmn.Bck, svc *s3.Client, ctx *co
 		found  string
 		bn     = aws.String(cloudBck.Name)
 		params = &s3.ListObjectsV2Input{Bucket: bn}
-		prefix = prefixInv(cloudBck)
+		prefix = prefixInv(cloudBck, ctx)
 	)
 	params.Prefix = aws.String(prefix)
 	params.MaxKeys = aws.Int32(apc.MaxPageSizeAWS) // no more than 1000 manifests
@@ -179,7 +180,7 @@ func (awsp *awsProvider) getInventory(cloudBck *cmn.Bck, svc *s3.Client, ctx *co
 func (*awsProvider) listInventory(cloudBck *cmn.Bck, fh *os.File, sgl *memsys.SGL, ctx *core.LsoInventoryCtx, msg *apc.LsoMsg,
 	lst *cmn.LsoResult) error {
 	msg.PageSize = calcPageSize(msg.PageSize, invMaxPage)
-	for j := uint(len(lst.Entries)); j < msg.PageSize; j++ {
+	for j := len(lst.Entries); j < int(msg.PageSize); j++ {
 		lst.Entries = append(lst.Entries, &cmn.LsoEntry{})
 	}
 
@@ -198,7 +199,7 @@ func (*awsProvider) listInventory(cloudBck *cmn.Bck, fh *os.File, sgl *memsys.SG
 	}
 
 	var (
-		i    uint
+		i    int64
 		off  = ctx.Offset
 		skip = msg.ContinuationToken != ""
 		lbuf = make([]byte, 256)
diff --git a/ais/backend/common.go b/ais/backend/common.go
index cb02f97d72d..af0bdfa784c 100644
--- a/ais/backend/common.go
+++ b/ais/backend/common.go
@@ -18,8 +18,8 @@ type ctx = context.Context // used when omitted for shortness sake
 
 func fmtTime(t time.Time) string { return t.Format(time.RFC3339) }
 
-func calcPageSize(pageSize, maxPageSize uint) uint {
-	debug.Assert(int(pageSize) >= 0, pageSize)
+func calcPageSize(pageSize, maxPageSize int64) int64 {
+	debug.Assert(pageSize >= 0, pageSize)
 	if pageSize == 0 {
 		return maxPageSize
 	}
diff --git a/ais/backend/hdfs.go b/ais/backend/hdfs.go
index f4684f910f6..485d4a251cb 100644
--- a/ais/backend/hdfs.go
+++ b/ais/backend/hdfs.go
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ func (hp *hdfsProvider) ListObjects(bck *meta.Bck, msg *apc.LsoMsg, lst *cmn.Lso
 			}
 			return err
 		}
-		if uint(len(lst.Entries)) >= msg.PageSize {
+		if len(lst.Entries) >= int(msg.PageSize) {
 			return skipDir(fi)
 		}
 		objName := strings.TrimPrefix(strings.TrimPrefix(path, bck.Props.Extra.HDFS.RefDirectory), string(filepath.Separator))
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ func (hp *hdfsProvider) ListObjects(bck *meta.Bck, msg *apc.LsoMsg, lst *cmn.Lso
 	}
 	lst.Entries = lst.Entries[:idx]
 	// Set continuation token only if we reached the page size.
-	if uint(len(lst.Entries)) >= msg.PageSize {
+	if len(lst.Entries) >= int(msg.PageSize) {
 		lst.ContinuationToken = lst.Entries[len(lst.Entries)-1].Name
 	}
 	return 0, nil
diff --git a/ais/bucketmeta_internal_test.go b/ais/bucketmeta_internal_test.go
index 5012567af29..f2c4d7ee15e 100644
--- a/ais/bucketmeta_internal_test.go
+++ b/ais/bucketmeta_internal_test.go
@@ -7,14 +7,11 @@ package ais
 import (
 	"fmt"
 	"net/http"
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/NVIDIA/aistore/api/apc"
 	"github.com/NVIDIA/aistore/cmn"
 	"github.com/NVIDIA/aistore/cmn/cos"
-	"github.com/NVIDIA/aistore/cmn/fname"
 	"github.com/NVIDIA/aistore/cmn/jsp"
 	"github.com/NVIDIA/aistore/core/meta"
 	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo"
@@ -119,22 +116,6 @@ var _ = Describe("BMD marshal and unmarshal", func() {
 					}
 				}
 			})
-
-			It("should correctly detect bmd corruption "+node, func() {
-				bmdFullPath := filepath.Join(mpath, fname.Bmd)
-				f, err := os.OpenFile(bmdFullPath, os.O_RDWR, 0)
-				Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
-				_, err = f.WriteAt([]byte("xxxxxxxxxxxx"), 10)
-				Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
-				Expect(f.Close()).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
-
-				fmt.Println("NOTE: error on screen is expected at this point...")
-				fmt.Println("")
-
-				loaded := newBucketMD()
-				_, err = jsp.Load(testpath, loaded, loaded.JspOpts())
-				Expect(err).To(HaveOccurred())
-			})
 		})
 	}
 })
diff --git a/ais/emd_internal_test.go b/ais/emd_internal_test.go
index 15e654a162e..5d22f02da08 100644
--- a/ais/emd_internal_test.go
+++ b/ais/emd_internal_test.go
@@ -6,15 +6,12 @@ package ais
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/NVIDIA/aistore/api/apc"
 	"github.com/NVIDIA/aistore/cmn"
 	"github.com/NVIDIA/aistore/cmn/cos"
-	"github.com/NVIDIA/aistore/cmn/fname"
 	"github.com/NVIDIA/aistore/cmn/jsp"
 	"github.com/NVIDIA/aistore/ext/etl"
 	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo"
@@ -152,23 +149,6 @@ var _ = Describe("EtlMD marshal and unmarshal", func() {
 					}
 				}
 			})
-
-			It("should correctly detect etlMD corruption "+node, func() {
-				eowner.init()
-				etlMDFullPath := filepath.Join(mpath, fname.Emd)
-				f, err := os.OpenFile(etlMDFullPath, os.O_RDWR, 0)
-				Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
-				_, err = f.WriteAt([]byte("xxxxxxxxxxxx"), 10)
-				Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
-				Expect(f.Close()).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
-
-				fmt.Println("NOTE: error on screen is expected at this point...")
-				fmt.Println("")
-
-				loaded := newEtlMD()
-				_, err = jsp.Load(etlMDFullPath, loaded, loaded.JspOpts())
-				Expect(err).To(HaveOccurred())
-			})
 		})
 	}
 })
diff --git a/ais/plstcx.go b/ais/plstcx.go
index 89636856ad2..d9a894a183a 100644
--- a/ais/plstcx.go
+++ b/ais/plstcx.go
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ type (
 		amsg    *apc.ActMsg // orig
 		config  *cmn.Config
 		smap    *smapX
+		hdr     http.Header
 		// work
 		tsi     *meta.Snode
 		xid     string // x-tco
@@ -107,7 +108,7 @@ func (c *lstcx) do() (string, error) {
 
 	// 2. ls 1st page
 	var lst *cmn.LsoResult
-	lst, err = c.p.lsObjsR(c.bckFrom, &c.lsmsg, c.smap, tsi /*designated target*/, c.config, true)
+	lst, err = c.p.lsObjsR(c.bckFrom, &c.lsmsg, c.hdr, c.smap, tsi /*designated target*/, c.config, true)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", err
 	}
@@ -169,7 +170,7 @@ func (c *lstcx) pages(s string, cnt int) {
 
 // next page
 func (c *lstcx) _page() (int, error) {
-	lst, err := c.p.lsObjsR(c.bckFrom, &c.lsmsg, c.smap, c.tsi, c.config, true)
+	lst, err := c.p.lsObjsR(c.bckFrom, &c.lsmsg, c.hdr, c.smap, c.tsi, c.config, true)
 	if err != nil {
 		return 0, err
 	}
diff --git a/ais/proxy.go b/ais/proxy.go
index 968e9ff96dc..c7b7a373207 100644
--- a/ais/proxy.go
+++ b/ais/proxy.go
@@ -1535,7 +1535,7 @@ func (p *proxy) listObjects(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, bck *meta.Bc
 
 	// do page
 	beg := mono.NanoTime()
-	lst, err := p.lsPage(bck, amsg, lsmsg, p.owner.smap.get())
+	lst, err := p.lsPage(bck, amsg, lsmsg, r.Header, p.owner.smap.get())
 	if err != nil {
 		p.writeErr(w, r, err)
 		return
@@ -1563,7 +1563,7 @@ func (p *proxy) listObjects(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, bck *meta.Bc
 }
 
 // one page; common code (native, s3 api)
-func (p *proxy) lsPage(bck *meta.Bck, amsg *apc.ActMsg, lsmsg *apc.LsoMsg, smap *smapX) (*cmn.LsoResult, error) {
+func (p *proxy) lsPage(bck *meta.Bck, amsg *apc.ActMsg, lsmsg *apc.LsoMsg, hdr http.Header, smap *smapX) (*cmn.LsoResult, error) {
 	var (
 		nl             nl.Listener
 		err            error
@@ -1612,7 +1612,7 @@ func (p *proxy) lsPage(bck *meta.Bck, amsg *apc.ActMsg, lsmsg *apc.LsoMsg, smap
 		}
 
 		config := cmn.GCO.Get()
-		lst, err = p.lsObjsR(bck, lsmsg, smap, tsi, config, wantOnlyRemote)
+		lst, err = p.lsObjsR(bck, lsmsg, hdr, smap, tsi, config, wantOnlyRemote)
 
 		// TODO: `status == http.StatusGone`: at this point we know that this
 		// remote bucket exists and is offline. We should somehow try to list
@@ -2183,7 +2183,7 @@ end:
 		Entries: entries,
 		Flags:   flags,
 	}
-	if uint(len(entries)) >= pageSize {
+	if len(entries) >= int(pageSize) {
 		allEntries.ContinuationToken = entries[len(entries)-1].Name
 	}
 	// By default, recursion is always enabled. When disabled the result will include
@@ -2195,7 +2195,7 @@ end:
 	return allEntries, nil
 }
 
-func (p *proxy) lsObjsR(bck *meta.Bck, lsmsg *apc.LsoMsg, smap *smapX, tsi *meta.Snode, config *cmn.Config,
+func (p *proxy) lsObjsR(bck *meta.Bck, lsmsg *apc.LsoMsg, hdr http.Header, smap *smapX, tsi *meta.Snode, config *cmn.Config,
 	wantOnlyRemote bool) (*cmn.LsoResult, error) {
 	var (
 		results sliceResults
@@ -2203,12 +2203,13 @@ func (p *proxy) lsObjsR(bck *meta.Bck, lsmsg *apc.LsoMsg, smap *smapX, tsi *meta
 		args    = allocBcArgs()
 		timeout = config.Client.ListObjTimeout.D()
 	)
-	if lsmsg.IsFlagSet(apc.LsInventory) && lsmsg.ContinuationToken == "" {
+	if cos.IsParseBool(hdr.Get(apc.HdrInventory)) && lsmsg.ContinuationToken == "" /*first page*/ {
 		timeout = config.Client.TimeoutLong.D()
 	}
 	args.req = cmn.HreqArgs{
 		Method: http.MethodGet,
 		Path:   apc.URLPathBuckets.Join(bck.Name),
+		Header: hdr,
 		Query:  bck.NewQuery(),
 		Body:   cos.MustMarshal(aisMsg),
 	}
diff --git a/ais/prxlso.go b/ais/prxlso.go
index 5a9799df14c..e90ba4457f8 100644
--- a/ais/prxlso.go
+++ b/ais/prxlso.go
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ func (b *lsobjBuffer) mergeTargetBuffers() (filled bool) {
 	return true
 }
 
-func (b *lsobjBuffer) get(token string, size uint) (entries cmn.LsoEntries, hasEnough bool) {
+func (b *lsobjBuffer) get(token string, size int64) (entries cmn.LsoEntries, hasEnough bool) {
 	b.lastAccess.Store(mono.NanoTime())
 
 	// If user requested something before what we have currently in the buffer
@@ -227,13 +227,13 @@ func (b *lsobjBuffer) get(token string, size uint) (entries cmn.LsoEntries, hasE
 	})
 	entries = b.currentBuff[idx:]
 
-	if size > uint(len(entries)) {
+	if size > int64(len(entries)) {
 		// In case we don't have enough entries and we haven't filled anything then
 		// we must request more (if filled then we don't have enough because it's end).
 		if !filled {
 			return nil, false
 		}
-		size = uint(len(entries))
+		size = int64(len(entries))
 	}
 
 	// Move buffer after returned entries.
@@ -246,13 +246,13 @@ func (b *lsobjBuffer) get(token string, size uint) (entries cmn.LsoEntries, hasE
 	return entries, true
 }
 
-func (b *lsobjBuffer) set(id string, entries cmn.LsoEntries, size uint) {
+func (b *lsobjBuffer) set(id string, entries cmn.LsoEntries, size int64) {
 	if b.leftovers == nil {
 		b.leftovers = make(map[string]*lsobjBufferTarget, 5)
 	}
 	b.leftovers[id] = &lsobjBufferTarget{
 		entries: entries,
-		done:    uint(len(entries)) < size,
+		done:    len(entries) < int(size),
 	}
 	b.lastAccess.Store(mono.NanoTime())
 }
@@ -273,12 +273,12 @@ func (b *lsobjBuffers) last(id, token string) string {
 	return last
 }
 
-func (b *lsobjBuffers) get(id, token string, size uint) (entries cmn.LsoEntries, hasEnough bool) {
+func (b *lsobjBuffers) get(id, token string, size int64) (entries cmn.LsoEntries, hasEnough bool) {
 	v, _ := b.buffers.LoadOrStore(id, &lsobjBuffer{})
 	return v.(*lsobjBuffer).get(token, size)
 }
 
-func (b *lsobjBuffers) set(id, targetID string, entries cmn.LsoEntries, size uint) {
+func (b *lsobjBuffers) set(id, targetID string, entries cmn.LsoEntries, size int64) {
 	v, _ := b.buffers.LoadOrStore(id, &lsobjBuffer{})
 	v.(*lsobjBuffer).set(targetID, entries, size)
 }
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ func (ci *cacheInterval) contains(token string) bool {
 	return false
 }
 
-func (ci *cacheInterval) get(token string, objCnt uint, params reqParams) (entries cmn.LsoEntries, hasEnough bool) {
+func (ci *cacheInterval) get(token string, objCnt int64, params reqParams) (entries cmn.LsoEntries, hasEnough bool) {
 	ci.lastAccess = mono.NanoTime()
 	entries = ci.entries
 
@@ -336,7 +336,7 @@ func (ci *cacheInterval) get(token string, objCnt uint, params reqParams) (entri
 	}
 	entries = entries[start:]
 
-	end := min(uint(len(entries)), objCnt)
+	end := min(len(entries), int(objCnt))
 	if params.prefix != "" {
 		// Move `end-1` to last entry that starts with `params.prefix`.
 		for ; end > 0; end-- {
@@ -344,7 +344,7 @@ func (ci *cacheInterval) get(token string, objCnt uint, params reqParams) (entri
 				break
 			}
 		}
-		if !ci.last && end < uint(len(entries)) {
+		if !ci.last && end < len(entries) {
 			// We filtered out entries that start with `params.prefix` and
 			// the entries are fully contained in the interval, examples:
 			//  * interval = ["a", "ma", "mb", "z"], token = "", objCnt = 4, prefix = "m"
@@ -354,7 +354,7 @@ func (ci *cacheInterval) get(token string, objCnt uint, params reqParams) (entri
 	}
 	entries = entries[:end]
 
-	if ci.last || uint(len(entries)) >= objCnt {
+	if ci.last || len(entries) >= int(objCnt) {
 		return entries, true
 	}
 	return nil, false
@@ -435,7 +435,7 @@ func (c *lsobjCache) removeInterval(ci *cacheInterval) {
 	}
 }
 
-func (c *lsobjCache) get(token string, objCnt uint, params reqParams) (entries cmn.LsoEntries, hasEnough bool) {
+func (c *lsobjCache) get(token string, objCnt int64, params reqParams) (entries cmn.LsoEntries, hasEnough bool) {
 	c.mtx.RLock()
 	if interval := c.findInterval(token); interval != nil {
 		entries, hasEnough = interval.get(token, objCnt, params)
@@ -444,13 +444,13 @@ func (c *lsobjCache) get(token string, objCnt uint, params reqParams) (entries c
 	return
 }
 
-func (c *lsobjCache) set(token string, entries cmn.LsoEntries, size uint) {
+func (c *lsobjCache) set(token string, entries cmn.LsoEntries, size int64) {
 	var (
 		end *cacheInterval
 		cur = &cacheInterval{
 			token:      token,
 			entries:    entries,
-			last:       uint(len(entries)) < size,
+			last:       len(entries) < int(size),
 			lastAccess: mono.NanoTime(),
 		}
 	)
@@ -473,7 +473,7 @@ func (c *lsobjCache) invalidate() {
 // lsobjCaches //
 /////////////////
 
-func (c *lsobjCaches) get(reqID cacheReqID, token string, objCnt uint) (entries cmn.LsoEntries, hasEnough bool) {
+func (c *lsobjCaches) get(reqID cacheReqID, token string, objCnt int64) (entries cmn.LsoEntries, hasEnough bool) {
 	if v, ok := c.caches.Load(reqID); ok {
 		if entries, hasEnough = v.(*lsobjCache).get(token, objCnt, reqParams{}); hasEnough {
 			return
@@ -494,7 +494,7 @@ func (c *lsobjCaches) get(reqID cacheReqID, token string, objCnt uint) (entries
 	return nil, false
 }
 
-func (c *lsobjCaches) set(reqID cacheReqID, token string, entries cmn.LsoEntries, size uint) {
+func (c *lsobjCaches) set(reqID cacheReqID, token string, entries cmn.LsoEntries, size int64) {
 	v, _ := c.caches.LoadOrStore(reqID, &lsobjCache{})
 	v.(*lsobjCache).set(token, entries, size)
 }
diff --git a/ais/prxs3.go b/ais/prxs3.go
index b67856ef43c..e5400cdf9d3 100644
--- a/ais/prxs3.go
+++ b/ais/prxs3.go
@@ -346,7 +346,7 @@ func (p *proxy) listObjectsS3(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, bucket str
 	// - "encoding-type"
 	s3.FillLsoMsg(q, lsmsg)
 
-	lst, err := p.lsAllPagesS3(bck, amsg, lsmsg)
+	lst, err := p.lsAllPagesS3(bck, amsg, lsmsg, r.Header)
 	if cmn.Rom.FastV(5, cos.SmoduleS3) {
 		nlog.Infoln("lsoS3", bck.Cname(""), len(lst.Entries), err)
 	}
@@ -371,11 +371,11 @@ func (p *proxy) listObjectsS3(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, bucket str
 	lst = nil
 }
 
-func (p *proxy) lsAllPagesS3(bck *meta.Bck, amsg *apc.ActMsg, lsmsg *apc.LsoMsg) (lst *cmn.LsoResult, _ error) {
+func (p *proxy) lsAllPagesS3(bck *meta.Bck, amsg *apc.ActMsg, lsmsg *apc.LsoMsg, hdr http.Header) (lst *cmn.LsoResult, _ error) {
 	smap := p.owner.smap.get()
 	for pageNum := 1; ; pageNum++ {
 		beg := mono.NanoTime()
-		page, err := p.lsPage(bck, amsg, lsmsg, smap)
+		page, err := p.lsPage(bck, amsg, lsmsg, hdr, smap)
 		if err != nil {
 			return lst, err
 		}
diff --git a/ais/s3/types.go b/ais/s3/types.go
index 7cd5bf9c970..c6e326832be 100644
--- a/ais/s3/types.go
+++ b/ais/s3/types.go
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ func ObjName(items []string) string { return path.Join(items[1:]...) }
 func FillLsoMsg(query url.Values, msg *apc.LsoMsg) {
 	mxStr := query.Get(QparamMaxKeys)
 	if pageSize, err := strconv.Atoi(mxStr); err == nil && pageSize > 0 {
-		msg.PageSize = uint(pageSize)
+		msg.PageSize = int64(pageSize)
 	}
 	if prefix := query.Get(QparamPrefix); prefix != "" {
 		msg.Prefix = prefix
diff --git a/ais/test/bucket_test.go b/ais/test/bucket_test.go
index aea42b2b767..4d9a403e8ef 100644
--- a/ais/test/bucket_test.go
+++ b/ais/test/bucket_test.go
@@ -778,7 +778,7 @@ func TestListObjectsGoBack(t *testing.T) {
 		tlog.Logln("listing couple pages to move iterator on targets")
 		for page := 0; page < m.num/int(msg.PageSize); page++ {
 			tokens = append(tokens, msg.ContinuationToken)
-			objPage, err := api.ListObjectsPage(baseParams, m.bck, msg)
+			objPage, err := api.ListObjectsPage(baseParams, m.bck, msg, api.ListArgs{})
 			tassert.CheckFatal(t, err)
 			expectedEntries = append(expectedEntries, objPage.Entries...)
 		}
@@ -787,7 +787,7 @@ func TestListObjectsGoBack(t *testing.T) {
 
 		for i := len(tokens) - 1; i >= 0; i-- {
 			msg.ContinuationToken = tokens[i]
-			objPage, err := api.ListObjectsPage(baseParams, m.bck, msg)
+			objPage, err := api.ListObjectsPage(baseParams, m.bck, msg, api.ListArgs{})
 			tassert.CheckFatal(t, err)
 			entries = append(entries, objPage.Entries...)
 		}
@@ -852,7 +852,7 @@ func TestListObjectsRerequestPage(t *testing.T) {
 			prevToken := msg.ContinuationToken
 			for i := 0; i < rerequests; i++ {
 				msg.ContinuationToken = prevToken
-				objList, err = api.ListObjectsPage(baseParams, m.bck, msg)
+				objList, err = api.ListObjectsPage(baseParams, m.bck, msg, api.ListArgs{})
 				tassert.CheckFatal(t, err)
 			}
 			totalCnt += len(objList.Entries)
@@ -1119,7 +1119,7 @@ func TestListObjectsRandProxy(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 		for {
 			baseParams := tools.BaseAPIParams()
-			objList, err := api.ListObjectsPage(baseParams, m.bck, msg)
+			objList, err := api.ListObjectsPage(baseParams, m.bck, msg, api.ListArgs{})
 			tassert.CheckFatal(t, err)
 			totalCnt += len(objList.Entries)
 			if objList.ContinuationToken == "" {
@@ -1158,15 +1158,15 @@ func TestListObjectsRandPageSize(t *testing.T) {
 			defer m.del()
 		}
 		for {
-			msg.PageSize = uint(rand.Intn(50) + 50)
+			msg.PageSize = rand.Int63n(50) + 50
 
-			objList, err := api.ListObjectsPage(baseParams, m.bck, msg)
+			objList, err := api.ListObjectsPage(baseParams, m.bck, msg, api.ListArgs{})
 			tassert.CheckFatal(t, err)
 			totalCnt += len(objList.Entries)
 			if objList.ContinuationToken == "" {
 				break
 			}
-			tassert.Errorf(t, uint(len(objList.Entries)) == msg.PageSize, "wrong page size %d (expected %d)",
+			tassert.Errorf(t, len(objList.Entries) == int(msg.PageSize), "wrong page size %d (expected %d)",
 				len(objList.Entries), msg.PageSize,
 			)
 		}
@@ -1203,11 +1203,11 @@ func TestListObjects(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	tests := []struct {
-		pageSize uint
+		pageSize int64
 	}{
 		{pageSize: 0},
 		{pageSize: 2000},
-		{pageSize: uint(rand.Intn(15000))},
+		{pageSize: rand.Int63n(15000)},
 	}
 
 	for _, test := range tests {
@@ -1409,8 +1409,8 @@ func TestListObjectsPrefix(t *testing.T) {
 			tests := []struct {
 				name     string
 				prefix   string
-				pageSize uint
-				limit    uint
+				pageSize int64
+				limit    int64
 				expected int
 			}{
 				{
@@ -1504,7 +1504,7 @@ func TestListObjectsCache(t *testing.T) {
 			for iter := 0; iter < totalIters; iter++ {
 				var (
 					started = time.Now()
-					msg     = &apc.LsoMsg{PageSize: uint(rand.Intn(20)) + 4}
+					msg     = &apc.LsoMsg{PageSize: rand.Int63n(20) + 4}
 				)
 				if useCache {
 					msg.SetFlag(apc.UseListObjsCache)
@@ -3438,7 +3438,7 @@ func TestBucketListAndSummary(t *testing.T) {
 						apc.ActSummaryBck, xid, m.bck, summary.ObjCount, expectedFiles)
 				}
 			} else {
-				msg := &apc.LsoMsg{PageSize: uint(min(m.num/3, 256))} // mult. pages
+				msg := &apc.LsoMsg{PageSize: int64(min(m.num/3, 256))} // mult. pages
 				if test.cached {
 					msg.Flags = apc.LsObjCached
 				}
diff --git a/ais/test/regression_test.go b/ais/test/regression_test.go
index 7a2d99bc809..5ae2c31127a 100644
--- a/ais/test/regression_test.go
+++ b/ais/test/regression_test.go
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ func TestListObjectsLocalGetLocation(t *testing.T) {
 	m.puts()
 
 	msg := &apc.LsoMsg{Props: apc.GetPropsLocation}
-	lst, err := api.ListObjects(baseParams, m.bck, msg, api.ListArgs{Limit: uint(m.num)})
+	lst, err := api.ListObjects(baseParams, m.bck, msg, api.ListArgs{Limit: int64(m.num)})
 	tassert.CheckFatal(t, err)
 
 	if len(lst.Entries) != m.num {
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ func TestListObjectsLocalGetLocation(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Ensure no target URLs are returned when the property is not requested
 	msg.Props = ""
-	lst, err = api.ListObjects(baseParams, m.bck, msg, api.ListArgs{Limit: uint(m.num)})
+	lst, err = api.ListObjects(baseParams, m.bck, msg, api.ListArgs{Limit: int64(m.num)})
 	tassert.CheckFatal(t, err)
 
 	if len(lst.Entries) != m.num {
diff --git a/ais/tgtbck.go b/ais/tgtbck.go
index b893e8555f8..b51f10a742f 100644
--- a/ais/tgtbck.go
+++ b/ais/tgtbck.go
@@ -266,12 +266,12 @@ func (t *target) listObjects(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, bck *meta.B
 
 	var (
 		xctn core.Xact
-		rns  = xreg.RenewLso(bck, lsmsg.UUID, lsmsg)
+		rns  = xreg.RenewLso(bck, lsmsg.UUID, lsmsg, r.Header)
 	)
 	// check that xaction hasn't finished prior to this page read, restart if needed
 	if rns.Err == xs.ErrGone {
 		runtime.Gosched()
-		rns = xreg.RenewLso(bck, lsmsg.UUID, lsmsg)
+		rns = xreg.RenewLso(bck, lsmsg.UUID, lsmsg, r.Header)
 	}
 	if rns.Err != nil {
 		t.writeErr(w, r, rns.Err)
diff --git a/api/apc/headers.go b/api/apc/headers.go
index b7646722ff8..facc0ccdd2d 100644
--- a/api/apc/headers.go
+++ b/api/apc/headers.go
@@ -1,25 +1,31 @@
 // Package apc: API control messages and constants
 /*
- * Copyright (c) 2018-2022, NVIDIA CORPORATION. All rights reserved.
+ * Copyright (c) 2018-2024, NVIDIA CORPORATION. All rights reserved.
  */
 package apc
 
 import "strings"
 
+// AIS http header conventions:
+//   - always starts with the prefix "ais-"
+//   - all words separated with "-"
+//   - no '.' periods, no underscores.
 // For standard and provider-specific HTTP headers, see cmn/cos/const_http.go
 
 const HdrError = "Hdr-Error"
 
-// Header Key conventions:
-//   - starts with a prefix "ais-",
-//   - all words separated with "-": no dots and underscores.
 const (
 	HeaderPrefix = "ais-"
 
+	// bucket inventory - an alternative way to list (very large) buckets
+	HdrInventory = HeaderPrefix + "bucket-inventory" // must be present and must be "true" (or "y", "yes", "on" case-insensitive)
+	HdrInvName   = HeaderPrefix + "inv-name"         // optional; name of the inventory (to override the system default)
+	HdrInvID     = HeaderPrefix + "inv-id"           // optional; inventory ID (ditto)
+
 	// GET via x-blob-download
-	HdrBlobDownload = HeaderPrefix + ActBlobDl
-	HdrBlobChunk    = HeaderPrefix + "blob-chunk"   // e.g., 1mb, 2MIB, 3m, or 1234567 (bytes)
-	HdrBlobWorkers  = HeaderPrefix + "blob-workers" // (dfltNumWorkers in xs/blob_download.go)
+	HdrBlobDownload = HeaderPrefix + ActBlobDl      // must be present and must be "true" (or "y", "yes", "on" case-insensitive)
+	HdrBlobChunk    = HeaderPrefix + "blob-chunk"   // optional; e.g., 1mb, 2MIB, 3m, or 1234567 (bytes)
+	HdrBlobWorkers  = HeaderPrefix + "blob-workers" // optional; the default number of workers is dfltNumWorkers in xs/blob_download.go
 
 	// Bucket props headers
 	HdrBucketProps      = HeaderPrefix + "bucket-props"       // => cmn.Bprops
diff --git a/api/apc/lsmsg.go b/api/apc/lsmsg.go
index 209a88d04b3..d4bb8e7580b 100644
--- a/api/apc/lsmsg.go
+++ b/api/apc/lsmsg.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 package apc
 
 import (
+	"net/http"
 	"strings"
 
 	"github.com/NVIDIA/aistore/cmn/cos"
@@ -77,9 +78,6 @@ const (
 	// and if it does:
 	// - check whether remote version differs from its in-cluster copy
 	LsVerChanged
-
-	// (new & experimental)
-	LsInventory
 )
 
 // max page sizes
@@ -143,15 +141,16 @@ var (
 )
 
 type LsoMsg struct {
-	UUID              string `json:"uuid"`               // ID to identify a single multi-page request
-	Props             string `json:"props"`              // comma-delimited, e.g. "checksum,size,custom" (see GetProps* enum)
-	TimeFormat        string `json:"time_format"`        // RFC822 is the default
-	Prefix            string `json:"prefix"`             // return obj names starting with prefix (TODO: e.g. "A.tar/tutorials/")
-	StartAfter        string `json:"start_after"`        // start listing after (AIS buckets only)
-	ContinuationToken string `json:"continuation_token"` // => LsoResult.ContinuationToken => LsoMsg.ContinuationToken
-	SID               string `json:"target"`             // selected target to solely execute backend.list-objects
-	Flags             uint64 `json:"flags,string"`       // enum {LsObjCached, ...} - "LsoMsg flags" above
-	PageSize          uint   `json:"pagesize"`           // max entries returned by list objects call
+	UUID              string      `json:"uuid"`                  // ID to identify a single multi-page request
+	Props             string      `json:"props"`                 // comma-delimited, e.g. "checksum,size,custom" (see GetProps* enum)
+	TimeFormat        string      `json:"time_format,omitempty"` // RFC822 is the default
+	Prefix            string      `json:"prefix"`                // return obj names starting with prefix (TODO: e.g. "A.tar/tutorials/")
+	StartAfter        string      `json:"start_after,omitempty"` // start listing after (AIS buckets only)
+	ContinuationToken string      `json:"continuation_token"`    // => LsoResult.ContinuationToken => LsoMsg.ContinuationToken
+	SID               string      `json:"target"`                // selected target to solely execute backend.list-objects
+	Flags             uint64      `json:"flags,string"`          // enum {LsObjCached, ...} - "LsoMsg flags" above
+	PageSize          int64       `json:"pagesize"`              // max entries returned by list objects call
+	Header            http.Header `json:"hdr,omitempty"`         // (for pointers, see `ListArgs` in api/ls.go)
 }
 
 ////////////
diff --git a/api/env/aws.go b/api/env/aws.go
index c9bc37308b5..40cee2221aa 100644
--- a/api/env/aws.go
+++ b/api/env/aws.go
@@ -15,13 +15,6 @@ func AwsDefaultRegion() (region string) {
 	return region
 }
 
-func BucketInventory() (inv string) {
-	if inv = os.Getenv(AWS.Inventory); inv == "" {
-		inv = "inv-all" // TODO -- FIXME: change to ".inventory"
-	}
-	return inv
-}
-
 // use S3_ENDPOINT to globally override the default 'https://s3.amazonaws.com' endpoint
 // NOTE: the same can be done on a per-bucket basis, via bucket prop `Extra.AWS.Endpoint`
 // (bucket override will always take precedence)
@@ -35,9 +28,8 @@ var (
 		Profile   string
 		Inventory string
 	}{
-		Endpoint:  "S3_ENDPOINT",
-		Region:    "AWS_REGION",
-		Profile:   "AWS_PROFILE",
-		Inventory: "S3_BUCKET_INVENTORY",
+		Endpoint: "S3_ENDPOINT",
+		Region:   "AWS_REGION",
+		Profile:  "AWS_PROFILE",
 	}
 )
diff --git a/api/ls.go b/api/ls.go
index 7c7de6079e6..760b74cd919 100644
--- a/api/ls.go
+++ b/api/ls.go
@@ -39,7 +39,8 @@ type (
 	ListArgs struct {
 		Callback  LsoCB
 		CallAfter time.Duration
-		Limit     uint
+		Header    http.Header // to optimize listing very large buckets, e.g.: Header.Set(apc.HdrInventory, "true")
+		Limit     int64
 	}
 )
 
@@ -103,30 +104,15 @@ func QueryBuckets(bp BaseParams, qbck cmn.QueryBcks, fltPresence int) (bool, err
 // listed page along with associated _continuation token_.
 //
 // See also:
-// - `ListObjectsPage`
-// - usage examples in CLI docs under docs/cli.
+// - docs/cli/* for CLI usage examples
+// - `apc.LsoMsg`
+// - `api.ListObjectsPage`
 func ListObjects(bp BaseParams, bck cmn.Bck, lsmsg *apc.LsoMsg, args ListArgs) (*cmn.LsoResult, error) {
-	var (
-		path = apc.URLPathBuckets.Join(bck.Name)
-		hdr  = http.Header{
-			cos.HdrAccept:      []string{cos.ContentMsgPack},
-			cos.HdrContentType: []string{cos.ContentJSON},
-		}
-	)
-	bp.Method = http.MethodGet
+	reqParams := lsoReq(bp, bck, &args)
 	if lsmsg == nil {
 		lsmsg = &apc.LsoMsg{}
-	}
-	lsmsg.UUID = ""
-	lsmsg.ContinuationToken = ""
-	reqParams := AllocRp()
-	{
-		reqParams.BaseParams = bp
-		reqParams.Path = path
-		reqParams.Header = hdr
-		reqParams.Query = bck.AddToQuery(nil)
-
-		reqParams.buf = allocMbuf() // mem-pool msgpack
+	} else {
+		lsmsg.UUID, lsmsg.ContinuationToken = "", "" // new
 	}
 	lst, err := lso(reqParams, lsmsg, args)
 
@@ -135,6 +121,25 @@ func ListObjects(bp BaseParams, bck cmn.Bck, lsmsg *apc.LsoMsg, args ListArgs) (
 	return lst, err
 }
 
+func lsoReq(bp BaseParams, bck cmn.Bck, args *ListArgs) *ReqParams {
+	hdr := args.Header
+	if hdr == nil {
+		hdr = make(http.Header, 2)
+	}
+	hdr.Set(cos.HdrAccept, cos.ContentMsgPack)
+	hdr.Set(cos.HdrContentType, cos.ContentJSON)
+	bp.Method = http.MethodGet
+	reqParams := AllocRp()
+	{
+		reqParams.BaseParams = bp
+		reqParams.Path = apc.URLPathBuckets.Join(bck.Name)
+		reqParams.Header = hdr
+		reqParams.Query = bck.NewQuery()
+		reqParams.buf = allocMbuf() // msgpack
+	}
+	return reqParams
+}
+
 // `toRead` holds the remaining number of objects to list (that is, unless we are listing
 // the entire bucket). Each iteration lists a page of objects and reduces `toRead`
 // accordingly. When the latter gets below page size, we perform the final
@@ -180,7 +185,7 @@ func lso(reqParams *ReqParams, lsmsg *apc.LsoMsg, args ListArgs) (lst *cmn.LsoRe
 		if page.ContinuationToken == "" { // listed all pages
 			break
 		}
-		toRead = uint(max(int(toRead)-len(page.Entries), 0))
+		toRead = max(toRead-int64(len(page.Entries)), 0)
 		lsmsg.ContinuationToken = page.ContinuationToken
 	}
 	return lst, nil
@@ -206,29 +211,18 @@ func lsoPage(reqParams *ReqParams) (_ *cmn.LsoResult, err error) {
 // ListObjectsPage returns the first page of bucket objects.
 // On success the function updates `lsmsg.ContinuationToken` which client then can reuse
 // to fetch the next page.
-// See also: CLI and CLI usage examples
-// See also: `apc.LsoMsg`
-// See also: `api.ListObjectsInvalidateCache`
-// See also: `api.ListObjects`
-func ListObjectsPage(bp BaseParams, bck cmn.Bck, lsmsg *apc.LsoMsg) (*cmn.LsoResult, error) {
-	bp.Method = http.MethodGet
+// See also:
+// - docs/cli/* for CLI usage examples
+// - `apc.LsoMsg`
+// - `api.ListObjects`
+func ListObjectsPage(bp BaseParams, bck cmn.Bck, lsmsg *apc.LsoMsg, args ListArgs) (*cmn.LsoResult, error) {
+	reqParams := lsoReq(bp, bck, &args)
 	if lsmsg == nil {
 		lsmsg = &apc.LsoMsg{}
 	}
 	actMsg := apc.ActMsg{Action: apc.ActList, Value: lsmsg}
-	reqParams := AllocRp()
-	{
-		reqParams.BaseParams = bp
-		reqParams.Path = apc.URLPathBuckets.Join(bck.Name)
-		reqParams.Header = http.Header{
-			cos.HdrAccept:      []string{cos.ContentMsgPack},
-			cos.HdrContentType: []string{cos.ContentJSON},
-		}
-		reqParams.Query = bck.AddToQuery(url.Values{})
-		reqParams.Body = cos.MustMarshal(actMsg)
+	reqParams.Body = cos.MustMarshal(actMsg)
 
-		reqParams.buf = allocMbuf() // mem-pool msgpack
-	}
 	// no need to preallocate bucket entries slice (msgpack does it)
 	page := &cmn.LsoResult{}
 	_, err := reqParams.DoReqAny(page)
diff --git a/bench/microbenchmarks/apitests/listobj_test.go b/bench/microbenchmarks/apitests/listobj_test.go
index 937788000c8..3620e94ca9f 100644
--- a/bench/microbenchmarks/apitests/listobj_test.go
+++ b/bench/microbenchmarks/apitests/listobj_test.go
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ import (
 )
 
 type testConfig struct {
-	objectCnt uint
-	pageSize  uint
+	objectCnt int
+	pageSize  int
 	useCache  bool
 }
 
@@ -31,14 +31,14 @@ func (tc testConfig) name() string {
 	)
 }
 
-func createAndFillBucket(b *testing.B, objCnt uint, u string) cmn.Bck {
+func createAndFillBucket(b *testing.B, objCnt int, u string) cmn.Bck {
 	const workerCount = 10
 	var (
 		bck        = cmn.Bck{Name: trand.String(10), Provider: apc.AIS}
 		baseParams = tools.BaseAPIParams(u)
 
 		wg              = &sync.WaitGroup{}
-		objCntPerWorker = int(objCnt) / workerCount
+		objCntPerWorker = objCnt / workerCount
 	)
 
 	tools.CreateBucket(b, baseParams.URL, bck, nil, true /*cleanup*/)
@@ -82,14 +82,14 @@ func BenchmarkListObject(b *testing.B) {
 			b.ReportAllocs()
 			b.ResetTimer()
 			for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-				msg := &apc.LsoMsg{PageSize: test.pageSize}
+				msg := &apc.LsoMsg{PageSize: int64(test.pageSize)}
 				if test.useCache {
 					msg.SetFlag(apc.UseListObjsCache)
 				}
 				objs, err := api.ListObjects(baseParams, bck, msg, api.ListArgs{})
 				tassert.CheckFatal(b, err)
 				tassert.Errorf(
-					b, len(objs.Entries) == int(test.objectCnt),
+					b, len(objs.Entries) == test.objectCnt,
 					"expected %d objects got %d", test.objectCnt, len(objs.Entries),
 				)
 			}
diff --git a/cmd/cli/cli/get.go b/cmd/cli/cli/get.go
index 557370d683c..0e2fe1d4bf2 100644
--- a/cmd/cli/cli/get.go
+++ b/cmd/cli/cli/get.go
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ func getMultiObj(c *cli.Context, bck cmn.Bck, archpath, outFile string, extract
 		}
 	}
 
-	// setup list-objects control msg and api call
+	// setup lsmsg
 	msg := &apc.LsoMsg{Prefix: prefix}
 	msg.AddProps(apc.GetPropsMinimal...)
 	if flagIsSet(c, listArchFlag) || extract || archpath != "" {
@@ -193,17 +193,23 @@ func getMultiObj(c *cli.Context, bck cmn.Bck, archpath, outFile string, extract
 	if flagIsSet(c, getObjCachedFlag) {
 		msg.SetFlag(apc.LsObjCached)
 	}
-	if flagIsSet(c, useInventoryFlag) {
-		msg.SetFlag(apc.LsInventory)
-	}
 	pageSize, limit, err := _setPage(c, bck)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	msg.PageSize = uint(pageSize)
+	msg.PageSize = pageSize
+
+	// setup lsargs
+	lsargs := api.ListArgs{Limit: limit}
+	if flagIsSet(c, useInventoryFlag) {
+		lsargs.Header = http.Header{
+			apc.HdrInventory: []string{"true"},
+			apc.HdrInvName:   []string{"inv-all"}, // TODO -- FIXME: remove; provide via flag
+		}
+	}
 
 	// list-objects
-	objList, err := api.ListObjects(apiBP, bck, msg, api.ListArgs{Limit: uint(limit)})
+	objList, err := api.ListObjects(apiBP, bck, msg, lsargs)
 	if err != nil {
 		return V(err)
 	}
@@ -244,8 +250,8 @@ func getMultiObj(c *cli.Context, bck cmn.Bck, archpath, outFile string, extract
 		out = " to standard output"
 	} else {
 		out = outFile
-		if out != "" && cos.IsLastB(out, filepath.Separator) {
-			out = out[:len(out)-1]
+		if out != "" {
+			out = cos.TrimLastB(out, filepath.Separator)
 		}
 	}
 	if flagIsSet(c, lengthFlag) {
@@ -536,15 +542,11 @@ func getObject(c *cli.Context, bck cmn.Bck, objName, archpath, outFile string, q
 		out = " to standard output"
 	case extract:
 		out = " to " + outFile
-		if cos.IsLastB(out, filepath.Separator) {
-			out = out[:len(out)-1]
-		}
+		out = cos.TrimLastB(out, filepath.Separator)
 		out = strings.TrimSuffix(out, mime) + "/"
 	default:
 		out = " as " + outFile
-		if cos.IsLastB(out, filepath.Separator) {
-			out = out[:len(out)-1]
-		}
+		out = cos.TrimLastB(out, filepath.Separator)
 	}
 	switch {
 	case flagIsSet(c, lengthFlag):
diff --git a/cmd/cli/cli/ls.go b/cmd/cli/cli/ls.go
index 5c90b19ebe4..8acf6d72e08 100644
--- a/cmd/cli/cli/ls.go
+++ b/cmd/cli/cli/ls.go
@@ -308,9 +308,6 @@ func listObjects(c *cli.Context, bck cmn.Bck, prefix string, listArch bool) erro
 	if listArch {
 		msg.SetFlag(apc.LsArchDir)
 	}
-	if flagIsSet(c, useInventoryFlag) {
-		msg.SetFlag(apc.LsInventory)
-	}
 
 	var (
 		props    []string
@@ -372,13 +369,22 @@ func listObjects(c *cli.Context, bck cmn.Bck, prefix string, listArch bool) erro
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	msg.PageSize = uint(pageSize)
+	msg.PageSize = pageSize
 
-	// list page by page, print pages one at a time
+	// finally, setup lsargs
+	lsargs := api.ListArgs{Limit: limit}
+	if flagIsSet(c, useInventoryFlag) {
+		lsargs.Header = http.Header{
+			apc.HdrInventory: []string{"true"},
+			apc.HdrInvName:   []string{"inv-all"}, // TODO -- FIXME: remove; provide via flag
+		}
+	}
+
+	// list (and immediately show) pages, one page at a time
 	if flagIsSet(c, pagedFlag) {
-		pageCounter, maxPages, toShow := 0, parseIntFlag(c, maxPagesFlag), limit
+		pageCounter, maxPages, toShow := 0, parseIntFlag(c, maxPagesFlag), int(limit)
 		for {
-			objList, err := api.ListObjectsPage(apiBP, bck, msg)
+			objList, err := api.ListObjectsPage(apiBP, bck, msg, lsargs)
 			if err != nil {
 				return lsoErr(msg, err)
 			}
@@ -417,7 +423,7 @@ func listObjects(c *cli.Context, bck cmn.Bck, prefix string, listArch bool) erro
 		}
 	}
 
-	// list all pages up to a limit, show progress
+	// alternatively (when `--paged` not specified) list all pages up to a limit, show progress
 	var (
 		callAfter = listObjectsWaitTime
 		u         = &_listed{c: c, bck: &bck}
@@ -425,8 +431,9 @@ func listObjects(c *cli.Context, bck cmn.Bck, prefix string, listArch bool) erro
 	if flagIsSet(c, refreshFlag) {
 		callAfter = parseDurationFlag(c, refreshFlag)
 	}
-	args := api.ListArgs{Callback: u.cb, CallAfter: callAfter, Limit: uint(limit)}
-	objList, err := api.ListObjects(apiBP, bck, msg, args)
+	lsargs.Callback = u.cb
+	lsargs.CallAfter = callAfter
+	objList, err := api.ListObjects(apiBP, bck, msg, lsargs)
 	if err != nil {
 		return lsoErr(msg, err)
 	}
@@ -444,22 +451,22 @@ func lsoErr(msg *apc.LsoMsg, err error) error {
 	return V(err)
 }
 
-func _setPage(c *cli.Context, bck cmn.Bck) (pageSize, limit int, err error) {
+func _setPage(c *cli.Context, bck cmn.Bck) (pageSize, limit int64, err error) {
 	b := meta.CloneBck(&bck)
 	if flagIsSet(c, pageSizeFlag) {
-		pageSize = parseIntFlag(c, pageSizeFlag)
+		pageSize = int64(parseIntFlag(c, pageSizeFlag))
 		if pageSize < 0 {
 			err = fmt.Errorf("invalid %s: page size (%d) cannot be negative", qflprn(pageSizeFlag), pageSize)
 			return
 		}
-		if uint(pageSize) > b.MaxPageSize() {
+		if pageSize > b.MaxPageSize() {
 			if b.Props == nil {
 				if b.Props, err = headBucket(bck, true /* don't add */); err != nil {
 					return
 				}
 			}
 			// still?
-			if uint(pageSize) > b.MaxPageSize() {
+			if pageSize > b.MaxPageSize() {
 				err = fmt.Errorf("invalid %s: page size (%d) cannot exceed the maximum (%d)",
 					qflprn(pageSizeFlag), pageSize, b.MaxPageSize())
 				return
@@ -467,7 +474,7 @@ func _setPage(c *cli.Context, bck cmn.Bck) (pageSize, limit int, err error) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	limit = parseIntFlag(c, objLimitFlag)
+	limit = int64(parseIntFlag(c, objLimitFlag))
 	if limit < 0 {
 		err = fmt.Errorf("invalid %s: max number of listed objects (%d) cannot be negative", qflprn(objLimitFlag), limit)
 		return
@@ -477,7 +484,7 @@ func _setPage(c *cli.Context, bck cmn.Bck) (pageSize, limit int, err error) {
 	}
 
 	// when limit "wins"
-	if limit < pageSize || (uint(limit) < b.MaxPageSize() && pageSize == 0) {
+	if limit < pageSize || (limit < b.MaxPageSize() && pageSize == 0) {
 		pageSize = limit
 	}
 	return
@@ -647,9 +654,14 @@ func (u *_listed) cb(ctx *api.LsoCounter) {
 		s := "Listed " + cos.FormatBigNum(ctx.Count()) + " objects"
 		if u.l == 0 {
 			u.l = len(s) + 3
-			if u.bck.IsRemote() && !flagIsSet(u.c, listObjCachedFlag) {
-				note := fmt.Sprintf("listing remote objects in %s may take a while (tip: use %s to speed up)\n",
-					u.bck.Cname(""), qflprn(listObjCachedFlag))
+			if u.bck.IsRemote() {
+				var tip string
+				if flagIsSet(u.c, listObjCachedFlag) {
+					tip = fmt.Sprintf("use %s to show pages immediately - one page at a time", qflprn(pagedFlag))
+				} else {
+					tip = fmt.Sprintf("use %s to speed up and/or %s to show pages", qflprn(listObjCachedFlag), qflprn(pagedFlag))
+				}
+				note := fmt.Sprintf("listing remote objects in %s may take a while\n(Tip: %s)\n", u.bck.Cname(""), tip)
 				actionNote(u.c, note)
 			}
 		} else if len(s) > u.l {
diff --git a/cmd/cli/cli/utils.go b/cmd/cli/cli/utils.go
index 59f217cdb19..a8c1cb9e8ad 100644
--- a/cmd/cli/cli/utils.go
+++ b/cmd/cli/cli/utils.go
@@ -657,7 +657,7 @@ func isBucketEmpty(bck cmn.Bck, cached bool) (bool, error) {
 		msg.SetFlag(apc.LsObjCached)
 	}
 	msg.SetFlag(apc.LsNameOnly)
-	objList, err := api.ListObjectsPage(apiBP, bck, msg)
+	objList, err := api.ListObjectsPage(apiBP, bck, msg, api.ListArgs{})
 	if err != nil {
 		return false, V(err)
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/cli/go.mod b/cmd/cli/go.mod
index 63519c1d6fd..672a8b16fe5 100644
--- a/cmd/cli/go.mod
+++ b/cmd/cli/go.mod
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ module github.com/NVIDIA/aistore/cmd/cli
 go 1.22
 
 require (
-	github.com/NVIDIA/aistore v1.3.23-0.20240307002008-c965c8a7d89c
+	github.com/NVIDIA/aistore v1.3.23-0.20240308185015-d250511d14a5
 	github.com/fatih/color v1.16.0
 	github.com/json-iterator/go v1.1.12
 	github.com/onsi/ginkgo v1.16.5
diff --git a/cmd/cli/go.sum b/cmd/cli/go.sum
index 7f4eef00996..43474182873 100644
--- a/cmd/cli/go.sum
+++ b/cmd/cli/go.sum
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 code.cloudfoundry.org/bytefmt v0.0.0-20190710193110-1eb035ffe2b6/go.mod h1:wN/zk7mhREp/oviagqUXY3EwuHhWyOvAdsn5Y4CzOrc=
 github.com/BurntSushi/toml v1.3.2/go.mod h1:CxXYINrC8qIiEnFrOxCa7Jy5BFHlXnUU2pbicEuybxQ=
-github.com/NVIDIA/aistore v1.3.23-0.20240307002008-c965c8a7d89c h1:sHfN0IUduCYqpLtyIvNlVm5LhSOJi3pyHXk0EvRFWKk=
-github.com/NVIDIA/aistore v1.3.23-0.20240307002008-c965c8a7d89c/go.mod h1:V9DB29cNiY0k7bd5f5uBBKprzMiyk4ZdR4wdIsFjt3E=
+github.com/NVIDIA/aistore v1.3.23-0.20240308185015-d250511d14a5 h1:J3bZmSGL5/IPPxyWSoyoi6fqxp1G7zJW6SCq0hGHF/4=
+github.com/NVIDIA/aistore v1.3.23-0.20240308185015-d250511d14a5/go.mod h1:V9DB29cNiY0k7bd5f5uBBKprzMiyk4ZdR4wdIsFjt3E=
 github.com/OneOfOne/xxhash v1.2.8 h1:31czK/TI9sNkxIKfaUfGlU47BAxQ0ztGgd9vPyqimf8=
 github.com/OneOfOne/xxhash v1.2.8/go.mod h1:eZbhyaAYD41SGSSsnmcpxVoRiQ/MPUTjUdIIOT9Um7Q=
 github.com/VividCortex/ewma v1.1.1/go.mod h1:2Tkkvm3sRDVXaiyucHiACn4cqf7DpdyLvmxzcbUokwA=
diff --git a/cmn/api.go b/cmn/api.go
index eb0fb929523..9032aafef27 100644
--- a/cmn/api.go
+++ b/cmn/api.go
@@ -87,13 +87,13 @@ type (
 		// - https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/userguide/cli-usage-pagination.html#cli-usage-pagination-serverside
 		// vs OpenStack Swift: 10,000
 		// - https://docs.openstack.org/swift/latest/api/pagination.html
-		MaxPageSize uint `json:"max_pagesize,omitempty"`
+		MaxPageSize int64 `json:"max_pagesize,omitempty"`
 	}
 	ExtraPropsAWSToSet struct {
 		CloudRegion *string `json:"cloud_region"`
 		Endpoint    *string `json:"endpoint"`
 		Profile     *string `json:"profile"`
-		MaxPageSize *uint   `json:"max_pagesize"`
+		MaxPageSize *int64  `json:"max_pagesize"`
 	}
 
 	ExtraPropsHTTP struct {
diff --git a/cmn/bck.go b/cmn/bck.go
index b811a5bb7a2..03d1f422482 100644
--- a/cmn/bck.go
+++ b/cmn/bck.go
@@ -402,7 +402,7 @@ func (b *Bck) HasProvider() bool { return b.Provider != "" }
 //
 
 func (b *Bck) NewQuery() (q url.Values) {
-	q = make(url.Values)
+	q = make(url.Values, 1)
 	if b.Provider != "" {
 		q.Set(apc.QparamProvider, b.Provider)
 	}
@@ -415,7 +415,7 @@ func (b *Bck) NewQuery() (q url.Values) {
 func (b *Bck) AddToQuery(query url.Values) url.Values {
 	if b.Provider != "" {
 		if query == nil {
-			query = make(url.Values)
+			query = make(url.Values, 1)
 		}
 		query.Set(apc.QparamProvider, b.Provider)
 	}
diff --git a/cmn/cos/convert.go b/cmn/cos/convert.go
index 62f8fcaf889..2e1dab32e84 100644
--- a/cmn/cos/convert.go
+++ b/cmn/cos/convert.go
@@ -38,9 +38,9 @@ func ParseBool(s string) (bool, error) {
 	// add. options
 	s = strings.ToLower(s)
 	switch s {
-	case "y", "yes", "on":
+	case "y", "yes", "on", "true":
 		return true, nil
-	case "n", "no", "off":
+	case "n", "no", "off", "false":
 		return false, nil
 	}
 	// gen. case
diff --git a/cmn/tests/iter_fields_test.go b/cmn/tests/iter_fields_test.go
index 506e6b2e68b..b8a6076827d 100644
--- a/cmn/tests/iter_fields_test.go
+++ b/cmn/tests/iter_fields_test.go
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ var _ = Describe("IterFields", func() {
 					"extra.aws.cloud_region": "us-central",
 					"extra.aws.endpoint":     "",
 					"extra.aws.profile":      "",
-					"extra.aws.max_pagesize": uint(0),
+					"extra.aws.max_pagesize": int64(0),
 
 					"access":   apc.AccessAttrs(0),
 					"features": feat.Flags(0),
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ var _ = Describe("IterFields", func() {
 					"extra.aws.cloud_region":   (*string)(nil),
 					"extra.aws.endpoint":       (*string)(nil),
 					"extra.aws.profile":        (*string)(nil),
-					"extra.aws.max_pagesize":   (*uint)(nil),
+					"extra.aws.max_pagesize":   (*int64)(nil),
 					"extra.http.original_url":  (*string)(nil),
 				},
 			),
diff --git a/core/backend.go b/core/backend.go
index d3c07482cb4..3230d059d06 100644
--- a/core/backend.go
+++ b/core/backend.go
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ type (
 		ErrCode  int
 	}
 	LsoInventoryCtx struct {
+		Name   string
+		ID     string
 		Offset int64
 		Size   int64
 	}
diff --git a/core/meta/bck.go b/core/meta/bck.go
index 091e3dfd2bf..367c1b1ef30 100644
--- a/core/meta/bck.go
+++ b/core/meta/bck.go
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ func (b *Bck) checkAccess(bit apc.AccessAttrs) (err error) {
 	return
 }
 
-func (b *Bck) MaxPageSize() uint {
+func (b *Bck) MaxPageSize() int64 {
 	switch b.Provider {
 	case apc.AIS:
 		return apc.MaxPageSizeAIS
diff --git a/docs/blob_downloader.md b/docs/blob_downloader.md
index 66478767f09..5172d42d122 100644
--- a/docs/blob_downloader.md
+++ b/docs/blob_downloader.md
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ To meet this motivation, AIS now supports `GET` request with additional (and opt
 
 | Header | Values (examples) | Comments |
 | --- | --- | --- |
-| `ais-blob-download` | "true", ""  | NOTE: to engage blob downloader, this http header must be present and must be "true" (or "yes", etc.) |
+| `ais-blob-download` | "true", ""  | NOTE: to engage blob downloader, this http header must be present and must be "true" (or "y", "yes", "on" case-insensitive) |
 | `ais-blob-chunk` | "1mb", "1234567", "128KiB"  | [system defaults](#blob-downloader) above |
 | `ais-blob-workers` | "3", "7", "16"  | ditto |
 
diff --git a/tools/client.go b/tools/client.go
index ca52d0ac76b..7ad03bdf0e6 100644
--- a/tools/client.go
+++ b/tools/client.go
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ func PutObject(t *testing.T, bck cmn.Bck, objName string, reader readers.Reader)
 }
 
 // ListObjectNames returns a slice of object names of all objects that match the prefix in a bucket
-func ListObjectNames(proxyURL string, bck cmn.Bck, prefix string, objectCountLimit uint, cached bool) ([]string, error) {
+func ListObjectNames(proxyURL string, bck cmn.Bck, prefix string, objectCountLimit int64, cached bool) ([]string, error) {
 	var (
 		bp  = BaseAPIParams(proxyURL)
 		msg = &apc.LsoMsg{Prefix: prefix}
diff --git a/xact/xreg/bucket.go b/xact/xreg/bucket.go
index 9519956ad7f..3c0486efbd0 100644
--- a/xact/xreg/bucket.go
+++ b/xact/xreg/bucket.go
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@
 package xreg
 
 import (
+	"net/http"
+
 	"github.com/NVIDIA/aistore/api/apc"
 	"github.com/NVIDIA/aistore/cmn"
 	"github.com/NVIDIA/aistore/cmn/debug"
@@ -43,6 +45,10 @@ type (
 		Tag    string
 		Copies int
 	}
+	LsoArgs struct {
+		Msg *apc.LsoMsg
+		Hdr http.Header
+	}
 )
 
 //////////////
@@ -142,7 +148,11 @@ func RenewBckRename(bckFrom, bckTo *meta.Bck, uuid string, rmdVersion int64, pha
 	return RenewBucketXact(apc.ActMoveBck, bckTo, Args{Custom: custom, UUID: uuid})
 }
 
-func RenewLso(bck *meta.Bck, uuid string, msg *apc.LsoMsg) RenewRes {
-	e := dreg.bckXacts[apc.ActList].New(Args{UUID: uuid, Custom: msg}, bck)
+func RenewLso(bck *meta.Bck, uuid string, msg *apc.LsoMsg, hdr http.Header) RenewRes {
+	custom := &LsoArgs{
+		Msg: msg,
+		Hdr: hdr,
+	}
+	e := dreg.bckXacts[apc.ActList].New(Args{UUID: uuid, Custom: custom}, bck)
 	return dreg.renewByID(e, bck)
 }
diff --git a/xact/xs/lso.go b/xact/xs/lso.go
index a84a6d088fb..c4f8dceb68f 100644
--- a/xact/xs/lso.go
+++ b/xact/xs/lso.go
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ import (
 type (
 	lsoFactory struct {
 		msg *apc.LsoMsg
+		hdr http.Header
 		streamingF
 	}
 	LsoXact struct {
@@ -88,9 +89,11 @@ var (
 )
 
 func (*lsoFactory) New(args xreg.Args, bck *meta.Bck) xreg.Renewable {
+	custom := args.Custom.(*xreg.LsoArgs)
 	p := &lsoFactory{
 		streamingF: streamingF{RenewBase: xreg.RenewBase{Args: args, Bck: bck}, kind: apc.ActList},
-		msg:        args.Custom.(*apc.LsoMsg),
+		msg:        custom.Msg,
+		hdr:        custom.Hdr,
 	}
 	return p
 }
@@ -122,8 +125,8 @@ func (p *lsoFactory) Start() (err error) {
 	debug.Assert(!r.walk.dontPopulate || p.msg.IsFlagSet(apc.LsDontAddRemote))
 
 	if r.listRemote() {
-		if p.msg.IsFlagSet(apc.LsInventory) {
-			r.ctx = &core.LsoInventoryCtx{}
+		if cos.IsParseBool(p.hdr.Get(apc.HdrInventory)) {
+			r.ctx = &core.LsoInventoryCtx{Name: p.hdr.Get(apc.HdrInvName), ID: p.hdr.Get(apc.HdrInvID)}
 		}
 		if !r.walk.wor {
 			smap := core.T.Sowner().Get()
@@ -329,8 +332,8 @@ func (r *LsoXact) doPage() *LsoRsp {
 		lst  = r.lastPage[idx:]
 		page *cmn.LsoResult
 	)
-	debug.Assert(uint(len(lst)) >= cnt || r.walk.done)
-	if uint(len(lst)) >= cnt {
+	debug.Assert(int64(len(lst)) >= cnt || r.walk.done)
+	if int64(len(lst)) >= cnt {
 		entries := lst[:cnt]
 		page = &cmn.LsoResult{UUID: r.msg.UUID, Entries: entries, ContinuationToken: entries[cnt-1].Name}
 	} else {
@@ -342,21 +345,21 @@ func (r *LsoXact) doPage() *LsoRsp {
 // `ais show job` will report the sum of non-replicated obj numbers and
 // sum of obj sizes - for all visited objects
 // Returns the index of the first object in the page that follows the continuation `token`
-func (r *LsoXact) findToken(token string) uint {
+func (r *LsoXact) findToken(token string) int {
 	if r.listRemote() && r.token == token {
 		return 0
 	}
-	return uint(sort.Search(len(r.lastPage), func(i int) bool { // TODO: revisit
+	return sort.Search(len(r.lastPage), func(i int) bool { // TODO: revisit
 		return !cmn.TokenGreaterEQ(token, r.lastPage[i].Name)
-	}))
+	})
 }
 
-func (r *LsoXact) havePage(token string, cnt uint) bool {
+func (r *LsoXact) havePage(token string, cnt int64) bool {
 	if r.walk.done {
 		return true
 	}
 	idx := r.findToken(token)
-	return idx+cnt < uint(len(r.lastPage))
+	return idx+int(cnt) < len(r.lastPage)
 }
 
 func (r *LsoXact) nextPageR() (err error) {
@@ -490,7 +493,7 @@ func (r *LsoXact) nextPageA() {
 	if r.havePage(r.token, r.msg.PageSize) {
 		return
 	}
-	for cnt := uint(0); cnt < r.msg.PageSize; {
+	for cnt := int64(0); cnt < r.msg.PageSize; {
 		obj, ok := <-r.walk.pageCh
 		if !ok {
 			r.walk.done = true
@@ -517,18 +520,18 @@ func (r *LsoXact) shiftLastPage(token string) {
 	if j == 0 {
 		return
 	}
-	l := uint(len(r.lastPage))
+	l := len(r.lastPage)
 
 	// (all sent)
 	if j == l {
-		r.gcLastPage(0, int(l))
+		r.gcLastPage(0, l)
 		r.lastPage = r.lastPage[:0]
 		return
 	}
 
 	// otherwise, shift the not-yet-transmitted entries and fix the slice
 	copy(r.lastPage[0:], r.lastPage[j:])
-	r.gcLastPage(int(l-j), int(l))
+	r.gcLastPage(l-j, l)
 	r.lastPage = r.lastPage[:l-j]
 }
 
diff --git a/xact/xs/nextpage.go b/xact/xs/nextpage.go
index 43702cb7347..31e029dbec3 100644
--- a/xact/xs/nextpage.go
+++ b/xact/xs/nextpage.go
@@ -83,8 +83,7 @@ func (npg *npgCtx) cb(fqn string, de fs.DirEntry) error {
 func (npg *npgCtx) nextPageR(nentries cmn.LsoEntries, inclStatusLocalMD bool) (lst *cmn.LsoResult, err error) {
 	debug.Assert(!npg.wi.msg.IsFlagSet(apc.LsObjCached))
 	lst = &cmn.LsoResult{Entries: nentries}
-	if npg.wi.msg.IsFlagSet(apc.LsInventory) {
-		debug.Assert(npg.ctx != nil)
+	if npg.ctx != nil {
 		_, err = core.T.Backend(npg.bck).ListObjectsInv(npg.bck, npg.wi.msg, lst, npg.ctx)
 	} else {
 		_, err = core.T.Backend(npg.bck).ListObjects(npg.bck, npg.wi.msg, lst)