diff --git a/src/filter_plugin/grep.rs b/src/filter_plugin/grep.rs
index e69de29..5bf0e2f 100644
--- a/src/filter_plugin/grep.rs
+++ b/src/filter_plugin/grep.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+use super::FilterPlugin;
+use std::io::Result;
+use regex::Regex;
+
+pub struct GrepFilter {
+    regex: Regex,
+    buffer: Vec<u8>,
+}
+
+impl GrepFilter {
+    pub fn new(pattern: String) -> Result<Self> {
+        let regex = Regex::new(&pattern)
+            .map_err(|e| std::io::Error::new(std::io::ErrorKind::InvalidInput, e))?;
+        Ok(Self {
+            regex,
+            buffer: Vec::new(),
+        })
+    }
+}
+
+impl FilterPlugin for GrepFilter {
+    fn process(&mut self, data: &[u8]) -> Result<Vec<u8>> {
+        self.buffer.extend_from_slice(data);
+        
+        let mut result = Vec::new();
+        let mut lines = Vec::new();
+        let mut start = 0;
+        
+        // Split into lines
+        for (i, &byte) in self.buffer.iter().enumerate() {
+            if byte == b'\n' {
+                lines.push(&self.buffer[start..=i]);
+                start = i + 1;
+            }
+        }
+        
+        // Keep the remaining data in buffer
+        self.buffer.drain(0..start);
+        
+        // Filter lines that match the regex
+        for line in lines {
+            if let Ok(line_str) = std::str::from_utf8(line) {
+                if self.regex.is_match(line_str) {
+                    result.extend_from_slice(line);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        
+        Ok(result)
+    }
+
+    fn finish(&mut self) -> Result<Vec<u8>> {
+        // Process any remaining data in buffer
+        let mut result = Vec::new();
+        if !self.buffer.is_empty() {
+            if let Ok(line_str) = std::str::from_utf8(&self.buffer) {
+                if self.regex.is_match(line_str) {
+                    result.extend_from_slice(&self.buffer);
+                }
+            }
+            self.buffer.clear();
+        }
+        Ok(result)
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/filter_plugin/head.rs b/src/filter_plugin/head.rs
index e69de29..e720fe9 100644
--- a/src/filter_plugin/head.rs
+++ b/src/filter_plugin/head.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+use super::FilterPlugin;
+use std::io::Result;
+
+pub struct HeadBytesFilter {
+    remaining: usize,
+}
+
+impl HeadBytesFilter {
+    pub fn new(count: usize) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            remaining: count,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl FilterPlugin for HeadBytesFilter {
+    fn process(&mut self, data: &[u8]) -> Result<Vec<u8>> {
+        if self.remaining == 0 {
+            return Ok(Vec::new());
+        }
+        
+        let bytes_to_take = std::cmp::min(data.len(), self.remaining);
+        self.remaining -= bytes_to_take;
+        Ok(data[..bytes_to_take].to_vec())
+    }
+
+    fn finish(&mut self) -> Result<Vec<u8>> {
+        Ok(Vec::new())
+    }
+}
+
+pub struct HeadLinesFilter {
+    remaining: usize,
+    buffer: Vec<u8>,
+}
+
+impl HeadLinesFilter {
+    pub fn new(count: usize) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            remaining: count,
+            buffer: Vec::new(),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl FilterPlugin for HeadLinesFilter {
+    fn process(&mut self, data: &[u8]) -> Result<Vec<u8>> {
+        if self.remaining == 0 {
+            return Ok(Vec::new());
+        }
+        
+        let mut result = Vec::new();
+        let mut start = 0;
+        
+        for (i, &byte) in data.iter().enumerate() {
+            if byte == b'\n' {
+                self.buffer.extend_from_slice(&data[start..=i]);
+                result.extend_from_slice(&self.buffer);
+                self.buffer.clear();
+                start = i + 1;
+                
+                self.remaining -= 1;
+                if self.remaining == 0 {
+                    break;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        
+        // Add remaining data to buffer
+        if start < data.len() {
+            self.buffer.extend_from_slice(&data[start..]);
+        }
+        
+        Ok(result)
+    }
+
+    fn finish(&mut self) -> Result<Vec<u8>> {
+        if self.remaining > 0 && !self.buffer.is_empty() {
+            let result = self.buffer.clone();
+            self.buffer.clear();
+            Ok(result)
+        } else {
+            Ok(Vec::new())
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/filter_plugin/mod.rs b/src/filter_plugin/mod.rs
index e69de29..2b8ebbb 100644
--- a/src/filter_plugin/mod.rs
+++ b/src/filter_plugin/mod.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+use std::io::{Read, Result};
+use regex::Regex;
+use ringbuf::HeapRb;
+
+pub mod head;
+pub mod tail;
+pub mod grep;
+pub mod skip;
+
+pub trait FilterPlugin: Send {
+    fn process(&mut self, data: &[u8]) -> Result<Vec<u8>>;
+    fn finish(&mut self) -> Result<Vec<u8>>;
+}
+
+pub struct FilterChain {
+    plugins: Vec<Box<dyn FilterPlugin>>,
+}
+
+impl FilterChain {
+    pub fn new() -> Self {
+        Self {
+            plugins: Vec::new(),
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn add_plugin(&mut self, plugin: Box<dyn FilterPlugin>) {
+        self.plugins.push(plugin);
+    }
+
+    pub fn process(&mut self, data: &[u8]) -> Result<Vec<u8>> {
+        let mut current_data = data.to_vec();
+        for plugin in &mut self.plugins {
+            current_data = plugin.process(&current_data)?;
+        }
+        Ok(current_data)
+    }
+
+    pub fn finish(&mut self) -> Result<Vec<u8>> {
+        let mut current_data = Vec::new();
+        for plugin in &mut self.plugins {
+            let processed = plugin.finish()?;
+            if !processed.is_empty() {
+                current_data = processed;
+            }
+        }
+        Ok(current_data)
+    }
+}
+
+// Helper function to parse filter string and create appropriate plugins
+pub fn parse_filter_string(filter_str: &str) -> Result<FilterChain> {
+    let mut chain = FilterChain::new();
+    
+    for part in filter_str.split('|') {
+        let part = part.trim();
+        if part.is_empty() {
+            continue;
+        }
+        
+        if let Some(stripped) = part.strip_prefix("grep(").and_then(|s| s.strip_suffix(')')) {
+            // Remove quotes if present
+            let pattern = stripped.trim_matches(|c| c == '\'' || c == '"');
+            chain.add_plugin(Box::new(grep::GrepFilter::new(pattern.to_string())?));
+        } else if let Some(stripped) = part.strip_prefix("head_bytes(").and_then(|s| s.strip_suffix(')')) {
+            let count: usize = stripped.parse().map_err(|e| std::io::Error::new(std::io::ErrorKind::InvalidInput, e))?;
+            chain.add_plugin(Box::new(head::HeadBytesFilter::new(count)));
+        } else if let Some(stripped) = part.strip_prefix("head_lines(").and_then(|s| s.strip_suffix(')')) {
+            let count: usize = stripped.parse().map_err(|e| std::io::Error::new(std::io::ErrorKind::InvalidInput, e))?;
+            chain.add_plugin(Box::new(head::HeadLinesFilter::new(count)));
+        } else if let Some(stripped) = part.strip_prefix("tail_bytes(").and_then(|s| s.strip_suffix(')')) {
+            let count: usize = stripped.parse().map_err(|e| std::io::Error::new(std::io::ErrorKind::InvalidInput, e))?;
+            chain.add_plugin(Box::new(tail::TailBytesFilter::new(count)?));
+        } else if let Some(stripped) = part.strip_prefix("tail_lines(").and_then(|s| s.strip_suffix(')')) {
+            let count: usize = stripped.parse().map_err(|e| std::io::Error::new(std::io::ErrorKind::InvalidInput, e))?;
+            chain.add_plugin(Box::new(tail::TailLinesFilter::new(count)?));
+        } else if let Some(stripped) = part.strip_prefix("skip_bytes(").and_then(|s| s.strip_suffix(')')) {
+            let count: usize = stripped.parse().map_err(|e| std::io::Error::new(std::io::ErrorKind::InvalidInput, e))?;
+            chain.add_plugin(Box::new(skip::SkipBytesFilter::new(count)));
+        } else if let Some(stripped) = part.strip_prefix("skip_lines(").and_then(|s| s.strip_suffix(')')) {
+            let count: usize = stripped.parse().map_err(|e| std::io::Error::new(std::io::ErrorKind::InvalidInput, e))?;
+            chain.add_plugin(Box::new(skip::SkipLinesFilter::new(count)));
+        } else {
+            return Err(std::io::Error::new(std::io::ErrorKind::InvalidInput, format!("Unknown filter: {}", part)));
+        }
+    }
+    
+    Ok(chain)
+}
diff --git a/src/filter_plugin/skip.rs b/src/filter_plugin/skip.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9feb243
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/filter_plugin/skip.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+use super::FilterPlugin;
+use std::io::Result;
+
+pub struct SkipBytesFilter {
+    remaining: usize,
+}
+
+impl SkipBytesFilter {
+    pub fn new(count: usize) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            remaining: count,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl FilterPlugin for SkipBytesFilter {
+    fn process(&mut self, data: &[u8]) -> Result<Vec<u8>> {
+        if self.remaining == 0 {
+            return Ok(data.to_vec());
+        }
+        
+        if data.len() <= self.remaining {
+            self.remaining -= data.len();
+            Ok(Vec::new())
+        } else {
+            let result = data[self.remaining..].to_vec();
+            self.remaining = 0;
+            Ok(result)
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn finish(&mut self) -> Result<Vec<u8>> {
+        Ok(Vec::new())
+    }
+}
+
+pub struct SkipLinesFilter {
+    remaining: usize,
+    buffer: Vec<u8>,
+}
+
+impl SkipLinesFilter {
+    pub fn new(count: usize) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            remaining: count,
+            buffer: Vec::new(),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl FilterPlugin for SkipLinesFilter {
+    fn process(&mut self, data: &[u8]) -> Result<Vec<u8>> {
+        if self.remaining == 0 {
+            let mut result = self.buffer.clone();
+            result.extend_from_slice(data);
+            self.buffer.clear();
+            return Ok(result);
+        }
+        
+        let mut result = Vec::new();
+        let mut start = 0;
+        
+        for (i, &byte) in data.iter().enumerate() {
+            if byte == b'\n' {
+                if self.remaining > 0 {
+                    self.remaining -= 1;
+                    start = i + 1;
+                } else {
+                    self.buffer.extend_from_slice(&data[start..=i]);
+                    result.extend_from_slice(&self.buffer);
+                    self.buffer.clear();
+                    start = i + 1;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        
+        // Add remaining data to buffer
+        if start < data.len() {
+            if self.remaining == 0 {
+                result.extend_from_slice(&data[start..]);
+            } else {
+                self.buffer.extend_from_slice(&data[start..]);
+            }
+        }
+        
+        Ok(result)
+    }
+
+    fn finish(&mut self) -> Result<Vec<u8>> {
+        if self.remaining == 0 {
+            let result = self.buffer.clone();
+            self.buffer.clear();
+            Ok(result)
+        } else {
+            Ok(Vec::new())
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/filter_plugin/tail.rs b/src/filter_plugin/tail.rs
index e69de29..9d83bbc 100644
--- a/src/filter_plugin/tail.rs
+++ b/src/filter_plugin/tail.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+use super::FilterPlugin;
+use std::io::Result;
+use ringbuf::HeapRb;
+
+pub struct TailBytesFilter {
+    ring_buffer: HeapRb<u8>,
+    count: usize,
+}
+
+impl TailBytesFilter {
+    pub fn new(count: usize) -> Result<Self> {
+        Ok(Self {
+            ring_buffer: HeapRb::new(count),
+            count,
+        })
+    }
+}
+
+impl FilterPlugin for TailBytesFilter {
+    fn process(&mut self, data: &[u8]) -> Result<Vec<u8>> {
+        for &byte in data {
+            let _ = self.ring_buffer.push(byte);
+        }
+        Ok(Vec::new())
+    }
+
+    fn finish(&mut self) -> Result<Vec<u8>> {
+        let mut result = Vec::with_capacity(self.ring_buffer.len());
+        for byte in self.ring_buffer.iter() {
+            result.push(*byte);
+        }
+        Ok(result)
+    }
+}
+
+pub struct TailLinesFilter {
+    ring_buffer: HeapRb<u8>,
+    count: usize,
+    lines_found: usize,
+}
+
+impl TailLinesFilter {
+    pub fn new(count: usize) -> Result<Self> {
+        Ok(Self {
+            ring_buffer: HeapRb::new(count * 256), // Estimate 256 bytes per line
+            count,
+            lines_found: 0,
+        })
+    }
+}
+
+impl FilterPlugin for TailLinesFilter {
+    fn process(&mut self, data: &[u8]) -> Result<Vec<u8>> {
+        for &byte in data {
+            let _ = self.ring_buffer.push(byte);
+            if byte == b'\n' {
+                self.lines_found += 1;
+            }
+        }
+        Ok(Vec::new())
+    }
+
+    fn finish(&mut self) -> Result<Vec<u8>> {
+        // Count lines in the buffer to find where to start
+        let mut lines_to_keep = std::cmp::min(self.count, self.lines_found);
+        let mut bytes_to_keep = 0;
+        let mut lines_seen = 0;
+        
+        // Iterate backwards to find the starting point
+        for i in (0..self.ring_buffer.len()).rev() {
+            let index = (self.ring_buffer.write_index() as isize - 1 - i as isize)
+                .rem_euclid(self.ring_buffer.capacity() as isize) as usize;
+            let byte = self.ring_buffer[index];
+            
+            if byte == b'\n' {
+                lines_seen += 1;
+                if lines_seen > lines_to_keep {
+                    break;
+                }
+            }
+            bytes_to_keep += 1;
+        }
+        
+        // Extract the relevant bytes
+        let start_index = self.ring_buffer.len() - bytes_to_keep;
+        let mut result = Vec::with_capacity(bytes_to_keep);
+        for i in start_index..self.ring_buffer.len() {
+            let index = (self.ring_buffer.write_index() as isize - (self.ring_buffer.len() - i) as isize)
+                .rem_euclid(self.ring_buffer.capacity() as isize) as usize;
+            result.push(self.ring_buffer[index]);
+        }
+        
+        Ok(result)
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/services/filter_service.rs b/src/services/filter_service.rs
index e69de29..a3ff476 100644
--- a/src/services/filter_service.rs
+++ b/src/services/filter_service.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+use crate::filter_plugin::{FilterChain, parse_filter_string};
+use std::io::Result;
+
+pub struct FilterService;
+
+impl FilterService {
+    pub fn new() -> Self {
+        Self
+    }
+
+    pub fn create_filter_chain(&self, filter_str: Option<&str>) -> Result<Option<FilterChain>> {
+        if let Some(filter_str) = filter_str {
+            parse_filter_string(filter_str).map(Some)
+        } else {
+            Ok(None)
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn process_data(&self, chain: &mut Option<FilterChain>, data: &[u8]) -> Result<Vec<u8>> {
+        if let Some(chain) = chain {
+            chain.process(data)
+        } else {
+            Ok(data.to_vec())
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn finish_processing(&self, chain: &mut Option<FilterChain>) -> Result<Vec<u8>> {
+        if let Some(chain) = chain {
+            chain.finish()
+        } else {
+            Ok(Vec::new())
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/services/item_service.rs b/src/services/item_service.rs
index 7d74762..9b4703d 100644
--- a/src/services/item_service.rs
+++ b/src/services/item_service.rs
@@ -107,6 +107,7 @@ impl ItemService {
         line_start: Option<usize>,
         line_end: Option<usize>,
         grep: Option<String>,
+        filter: Option<String>,
     ) -> Result<(Box<dyn Read + Send>, String, bool), CoreError> {
         let item_with_meta = self.get_item(conn, id)?;
         let item_id = item_with_meta.item.id.ok_or_else(|| CoreError::InvalidInput("Item missing ID".to_string()))?;
@@ -120,35 +121,40 @@ impl ItemService {
 
         let reader = self.compression_service.stream_item_content(item_path.clone(), &item_with_meta.item.compression)?;
         
-        // Apply content filtering
-        let filtered_reader: Box<dyn Read + Send> = if let Some(pattern) = grep {
-            Box::new(GrepFilter::new(
-                reader,
-                pattern,
-            )?)
-        } else if head_bytes.is_some() || head_words.is_some() || head_lines.is_some() {
-            Box::new(HeadFilter::new(
-                reader,
-                head_bytes,
-                head_words,
-                head_lines,
-            ))
-        } else if tail_bytes.is_some() || tail_words.is_some() || tail_lines.is_some() {
-            Box::new(TailFilter::new(
-                reader,
-                tail_bytes,
-                tail_words,
-                tail_lines,
-            )?)
-        } else if line_start.is_some() || line_end.is_some() {
-            Box::new(LineRangeFilter::new(
-                reader,
-                line_start,
-                line_end,
-            ))
-        } else {
-            Box::new(reader)
-        };
+        // Build filter string from individual parameters (for backward compatibility)
+        let mut filter_parts = Vec::new();
+        if let Some(pattern) = grep {
+            filter_parts.push(format!("grep('{}')", pattern));
+        }
+        if let Some(bytes) = head_bytes {
+            filter_parts.push(format!("head_bytes({})", bytes));
+        }
+        if let Some(lines) = head_lines {
+            filter_parts.push(format!("head_lines({})", lines));
+        }
+        if let Some(bytes) = tail_bytes {
+            filter_parts.push(format!("tail_bytes({})", bytes));
+        }
+        if let Some(lines) = tail_lines {
+            filter_parts.push(format!("tail_lines({})", lines));
+        }
+        // Add other filters as needed
+        
+        // Use the provided filter string if available, otherwise build from parts
+        let filter_str = filter.or_else(|| {
+            if filter_parts.is_empty() {
+                None
+            } else {
+                Some(filter_parts.join(" | "))
+            }
+        });
+        
+        // Create filter chain
+        let filter_service = crate::services::filter_service::FilterService::new();
+        let mut filter_chain = filter_service.create_filter_chain(filter_str.as_deref())?;
+        
+        // Wrap the reader with filtering
+        let filtered_reader = Box::new(FilteringReader::new(reader, filter_chain));
 
         let metadata = item_with_meta.meta_as_map();
         let mime_type = metadata
@@ -909,6 +915,58 @@ impl<R: Read + Send> Read for GrepFilter<R> {
     }
 }
 
+// Filtering reader that applies filter plugins
+struct FilteringReader<R: Read + Send> {
+    inner: R,
+    filter_chain: Option<FilterChain>,
+    buffer: Vec<u8>,
+    buffer_pos: usize,
+}
+
+impl<R: Read + Send> FilteringReader<R> {
+    fn new(inner: R, filter_chain: Option<FilterChain>) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            inner,
+            filter_chain,
+            buffer: Vec::new(),
+            buffer_pos: 0,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl<R: Read + Send> Read for FilteringReader<R> {
+    fn read(&mut self, buf: &mut [u8]) -> std::io::Result<usize> {
+        if self.buffer_pos >= self.buffer.len() {
+            // Read more data from the inner reader
+            let mut temp_buf = vec![0; 8192];
+            let n = self.inner.read(&mut temp_buf)?;
+            if n == 0 {
+                // End of input, finish filtering
+                let filter_service = crate::services::filter_service::FilterService::new();
+                let remaining = filter_service.finish_processing(&mut self.filter_chain)?;
+                self.buffer = remaining;
+                self.buffer_pos = 0;
+                if self.buffer.is_empty() {
+                    return Ok(0);
+                }
+            } else {
+                // Process the chunk
+                let filter_service = crate::services::filter_service::FilterService::new();
+                let processed = filter_service.process_data(&mut self.filter_chain, &temp_buf[..n])?;
+                self.buffer = processed;
+                self.buffer_pos = 0;
+            }
+        }
+        
+        // Copy from buffer to output
+        let bytes_to_copy = std::cmp::min(buf.len(), self.buffer.len() - self.buffer_pos);
+        buf[..bytes_to_copy].copy_from_slice(&self.buffer[self.buffer_pos..self.buffer_pos + bytes_to_copy]);
+        self.buffer_pos += bytes_to_copy;
+        
+        Ok(bytes_to_copy)
+    }
+}
+
 // Line range filter implementation
 struct LineRangeFilter<R: Read + Send> {
     inner: R,