diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index fd672be3..fa420c27 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ dist/
 tests/utils/test_follow_symlinks
 tests/utils/test_follow_symlinks_non_archived
 tests/utils/globus_tar_deletion
+tests/utils/selective_tar_retrieval
 zstash.egg-info/
 *.pyc
 *~
diff --git a/tests/integration/bash_tests/run_from_any/test_tar_workflow.bash b/tests/integration/bash_tests/run_from_any/test_tar_workflow.bash
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..49bfc356
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/integration/bash_tests/run_from_any/test_tar_workflow.bash
@@ -0,0 +1,955 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# Test script for zstash selective tar retrieval workflows
+# Tests Method 1 (ls --tars) and Method 2 (check --keep)
+
+# Assertions ##################################################################
+check_log_has()
+{
+    local expected_grep="${1}"
+    local log_file="${2}"
+    grep -q "${expected_grep}" ${log_file}
+    if [ $? != 0 ]; then
+        echo "Expected grep '${expected_grep}' not found in $(realpath ${log_file}). Test failed."
+        return 2
+    fi
+    return 0
+}
+
+check_log_does_not_have()
+{
+    local not_expected_grep="${1}"
+    local log_file="${2}"
+    grep -q "${not_expected_grep}" ${log_file}
+    if [ $? == 0 ]; then
+        echo "Not-expected grep '${not_expected_grep}' was found in $(realpath ${log_file}). Test failed."
+        return 2
+    fi
+    return 0
+}
+
+check_file_exists()
+{
+    local file_path="${1}"
+    if [ ! -f "${file_path}" ]; then
+        echo "Expected file '${file_path}' not found. Test failed."
+        return 2
+    fi
+    return 0
+}
+
+check_file_does_not_exist()
+{
+    local file_path="${1}"
+    if [ -f "${file_path}" ]; then
+        echo "Unexpected file '${file_path}' was found. Test failed."
+        return 2
+    fi
+    return 0
+}
+
+# Helper functions ############################################################
+setup()
+{
+    echo "##########################################################################################################"
+    local case_name="${1}"
+    local src_dir="${2}"
+    echo "Testing: ${case_name}"
+    full_dir="${src_dir}/${case_name}"
+    rm -rf ${full_dir}
+    mkdir -p ${full_dir}
+    cd ${full_dir}
+
+    # Create test data structure mimicking E3SM output
+    mkdir -p test_archive/archive/lnd/hist
+    mkdir -p test_archive/archive/ocean/hist
+    mkdir -p test_archive/archive/atm/hist
+
+    echo 'Land history file 1' > test_archive/archive/lnd/hist/file1.elm.h0.0001-01.nc
+    echo 'Land history file 2' > test_archive/archive/lnd/hist/file2.elm.h0.0001-02.nc
+    echo 'Ocean timeseries 1' > test_archive/archive/ocean/hist/file1.timeSeriesMonthly.0001-01.nc
+    echo 'Ocean timeseries 2' > test_archive/archive/ocean/hist/file2.timeSeriesMonthly.0001-02.nc
+    echo 'Atmosphere file 1' > test_archive/archive/atm/hist/file1.cam.h0.0001-01.nc
+    echo 'Atmosphere file 2' > test_archive/archive/atm/hist/file2.cam.h0.0001-02.nc
+}
+
+get_endpoint()
+{
+    local endpoint_name=$1
+    # Define endpoints; see https://app.globus.org/collections
+    LCRC_IMPROV_DTN_ENDPOINT=15288284-7006-4041-ba1a-6b52501e49f1
+    NERSC_PERLMUTTER_ENDPOINT=6bdc7956-fc0f-4ad2-989c-7aa5ee643a79
+    NERSC_HPSS_ENDPOINT=9cd89cfd-6d04-11e5-ba46-22000b92c6ec
+    PIC_COMPY_DTN_ENDPOINT=68fbd2fa-83d7-11e9-8e63-029d279f7e24
+    GLOBUS_TUTORIAL_COLLECTION_1_ENDPOINT=6c54cade-bde5-45c1-bdea-f4bd71dba2cc
+    case ${endpoint_name} in
+        LCRC_IMPROV_DTN_ENDPOINT)
+            echo ${LCRC_IMPROV_DTN_ENDPOINT}
+            ;;
+        NERSC_PERLMUTTER_ENDPOINT)
+            echo ${NERSC_PERLMUTTER_ENDPOINT}
+            ;;
+        NERSC_HPSS_ENDPOINT)
+            echo ${NERSC_HPSS_ENDPOINT}
+            ;;
+        PIC_COMPY_DTN_ENDPOINT)
+            echo ${PIC_COMPY_DTN_ENDPOINT}
+            ;;
+        GLOBUS_TUTORIAL_COLLECTION_1_ENDPOINT)
+            echo ${GLOBUS_TUTORIAL_COLLECTION_1_ENDPOINT}
+            ;;
+        *)
+            echo "Unknown endpoint name: ${endpoint_name}" >&2
+            exit 1
+            ;;
+    esac
+}
+
+confirm() {
+    read -p "$1 (y/n): " -n 1 -r
+    echo
+    [[ $REPLY =~ ^[Yy]$ ]]
+}
+
+wait_for_directory() {
+    local dir_path="$1"
+    local max_wait=300  # 5 minutes
+    local waited=0
+
+    echo "Waiting for directory ${dir_path} to be created by Globus transfer..."
+    while [ ! -d "${dir_path}" ] && [ ${waited} -lt ${max_wait} ]; do
+        sleep 5
+        waited=$((waited + 5))
+        echo "  Waited ${waited}s..."
+    done
+
+    if [ -d "${dir_path}" ]; then
+        echo "Directory appeared after ${waited}s"
+        return 0
+    else
+        echo "Directory did not appear after ${max_wait}s"
+        return 1
+    fi
+}
+
+# Tests #######################################################################
+
+test_method1_ls_tars()
+{
+    # Method 1: Use 'zstash ls --tars' to identify needed tars
+    # Then manual transfer would happen (simulated here)
+
+    local path_to_repo=$1
+    local dst_endpoint=$2
+    local dst_dir=$3
+
+    src_dir=${path_to_repo}/tests/utils/selective_tar_retrieval
+    rm -rf ${src_dir}
+    mkdir -p ${src_dir}
+    dst_endpoint_uuid=$(get_endpoint ${dst_endpoint})
+    globus_path=globus://${dst_endpoint_uuid}/${dst_dir}
+
+    case_name="method1_ls_tars"
+    echo "Running test_method1_ls_tars on case=${case_name}"
+    echo "Exit codes: 0 -- success, 1 -- zstash failed, 2 -- grep check failed"
+
+    setup ${case_name} "${src_dir}"
+
+    # Create the archive on Globus
+    echo "Step 1: Creating archive with zstash..."
+    zstash create --hpss=${globus_path}/${case_name} test_archive 2>&1 | tee ${case_name}_create.log
+    if [ $? != 0 ]; then
+        echo "${case_name} create failed. Check ${case_name}_create.log for details."
+        return 1
+    fi
+    check_log_has "Creating new tar archive" ${case_name}_create.log || return 2
+
+    # Wait for Globus transfer to complete
+    wait_for_directory "${dst_dir}/${case_name}" || return 1
+
+    # Set up a separate directory for ls testing
+    mkdir -p method1_test
+    cd method1_test
+
+    # Step 2: Use ls --tars to identify tars containing land files
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 2a: Listing tars containing land files..."
+    zstash ls --hpss=${globus_path}/${case_name} --tars "archive/lnd/hist/*elm.h0*" 2>&1 | tee land_tars.log
+    if [ $? != 0 ]; then
+        echo "${case_name} ls land failed."
+        return 1
+    fi
+    check_log_has "Tars:" land_tars.log || return 2
+    check_log_has ".tar" land_tars.log || return 2
+    check_log_has "elm.h0" land_tars.log || return 2
+
+    # Step 3: Use ls --tars to identify tars containing ocean files
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 2b: Listing tars containing ocean files..."
+    zstash ls --hpss=${globus_path}/${case_name} --tars "archive/ocean/hist/*timeSeriesMonthly*" 2>&1 | tee ocean_tars.log
+    if [ $? != 0 ]; then
+        echo "${case_name} ls ocean failed."
+        return 1
+    fi
+    check_log_has "Tars:" ocean_tars.log || return 2
+    check_log_has ".tar" ocean_tars.log || return 2
+    check_log_has "timeSeriesMonthly" ocean_tars.log || return 2
+
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 3: In real workflow, user would manually transfer identified tars"
+    echo "For testing purposes, we verify that ls correctly identified the files and tars"
+
+    cd ..
+
+    echo "${case_name} completed successfully."
+    return 0
+}
+
+test_method1_ls_from_cache_with_keep()
+{
+    # Method 1 with --keep: Test using 'zstash ls --hpss=none' from a local cache
+    # When archive is created with --keep, tars remain in local cache
+    # and ls operations work without HPSS access
+
+    local path_to_repo=$1
+    local dst_endpoint=$2
+    local dst_dir=$3
+
+    src_dir=${path_to_repo}/tests/utils/selective_tar_retrieval
+    rm -rf ${src_dir}
+    mkdir -p ${src_dir}
+    dst_endpoint_uuid=$(get_endpoint ${dst_endpoint})
+    globus_path=globus://${dst_endpoint_uuid}/${dst_dir}
+
+    case_name="method1_ls_from_cache_with_keep"
+    echo "Running test_method1_ls_from_cache_with_keep on case=${case_name}"
+    echo "Exit codes: 0 -- success, 1 -- zstash failed, 2 -- grep check failed"
+
+    setup ${case_name} "${src_dir}"
+
+    # Create the archive on Globus WITH --keep (tars will remain locally)
+    echo "Step 1: Creating archive with zstash --keep..."
+    zstash create --hpss=${globus_path}/${case_name} --keep test_archive 2>&1 | tee ${case_name}_create.log
+    if [ $? != 0 ]; then
+        echo "${case_name} create failed. Check ${case_name}_create.log for details."
+        return 1
+    fi
+    check_log_has "Creating new tar archive" ${case_name}_create.log || return 2
+
+    # Wait for Globus transfer to complete
+    wait_for_directory "${dst_dir}/${case_name}" || return 1
+
+    # Verify local cache has both index.db AND tars
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 2: Verifying local cache has both index.db and tars (expected with --keep)..."
+    ls test_archive/zstash/ 2>&1 | tee source_cache_ls.log
+    check_log_has "index.db" source_cache_ls.log || return 2
+    check_log_has "000000.tar" source_cache_ls.log || return 2
+    echo "SUCCESS: Both index.db and tars present in cache"
+
+    # Step 3: Copy cache to simulate manual transfer
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 3: Copying complete cache to different location..."
+    mkdir -p different_location
+    cp -r test_archive/zstash different_location/
+
+    ls different_location/zstash/ 2>&1 | tee copied_cache_ls.log
+    check_log_has "index.db" copied_cache_ls.log || return 2
+    check_log_has "000000.tar" copied_cache_ls.log || return 2
+
+    # Step 4: Use zstash ls with --hpss=none and --cache
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 4a: Listing contents using --cache parameter..."
+    zstash ls --hpss=none --cache=different_location/zstash 2>&1 | tee ls_with_cache_param.log
+    if [ $? != 0 ]; then
+        echo "${case_name} ls with --cache failed."
+        return 1
+    fi
+    check_log_has "elm.h0" ls_with_cache_param.log || return 2
+    check_log_has "timeSeriesMonthly" ls_with_cache_param.log || return 2
+    check_log_has "cam.h0" ls_with_cache_param.log || return 2
+
+    # Step 5: Test ls from within the cache directory
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 4b: Listing contents from cache directory itself..."
+    cd different_location
+    zstash ls --hpss=none 2>&1 | tee ../ls_from_cache_dir.log
+    if [ $? != 0 ]; then
+        echo "${case_name} ls from cache directory failed."
+        cd ..
+        return 1
+    fi
+    cd ..
+    check_log_has "elm.h0" ls_from_cache_dir.log || return 2
+    check_log_has "timeSeriesMonthly" ls_from_cache_dir.log || return 2
+    check_log_has "cam.h0" ls_from_cache_dir.log || return 2
+
+    # Step 6: Test ls with file patterns
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 5: Listing with file patterns..."
+    zstash ls --hpss=none --cache=different_location/zstash "archive/lnd/hist/*elm.h0*" 2>&1 | tee ls_pattern.log
+    if [ $? != 0 ]; then
+        echo "${case_name} ls with pattern failed."
+        return 1
+    fi
+    check_log_has "elm.h0" ls_pattern.log || return 2
+    check_log_does_not_have "timeSeriesMonthly" ls_pattern.log || return 2
+    check_log_does_not_have "cam.h0" ls_pattern.log || return 2
+
+    # Step 7: Test ls with --tars
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 6: Listing with --tars to show which tar contains files..."
+    zstash ls --hpss=none --cache=different_location/zstash --tars "archive/ocean/hist/*timeSeriesMonthly*" 2>&1 | tee ls_tars.log
+    if [ $? != 0 ]; then
+        echo "${case_name} ls --tars failed."
+        return 1
+    fi
+    check_log_has "timeSeriesMonthly" ls_tars.log || return 2
+    check_log_has "Tars:" ls_tars.log || return 2
+    check_log_has "000000.tar" ls_tars.log || return 2
+
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 7: Verifying no HPSS/Globus access was needed for ls operations..."
+    check_log_does_not_have "Transferring file from HPSS" ls_with_cache_param.log || return 2
+    check_log_does_not_have "globus_transfer" ls_with_cache_param.log || return 2
+
+    echo "${case_name} completed successfully."
+    return 0
+}
+
+test_method1_ls_from_cache_without_keep()
+{
+    # Method 1 without --keep: Verify expected failure when tars are missing
+    # When archive is created without --keep (default), tars are deleted after transfer
+    # ls operations fail because index.db alone is insufficient
+
+    local path_to_repo=$1
+    local dst_endpoint=$2
+    local dst_dir=$3
+
+    src_dir=${path_to_repo}/tests/utils/selective_tar_retrieval
+    rm -rf ${src_dir}
+    mkdir -p ${src_dir}
+    dst_endpoint_uuid=$(get_endpoint ${dst_endpoint})
+    globus_path=globus://${dst_endpoint_uuid}/${dst_dir}
+
+    case_name="method1_ls_from_cache_without_keep"
+    echo "Running test_method1_ls_from_cache_without_keep on case=${case_name}"
+    echo "Exit codes: 0 -- success, 1 -- zstash failed, 2 -- grep check failed"
+
+    setup ${case_name} "${src_dir}"
+
+    # Create the archive on Globus WITHOUT --keep (default - tars will be deleted)
+    echo "Step 1: Creating archive with zstash (without --keep - default behavior)..."
+    zstash create --hpss=${globus_path}/${case_name} test_archive 2>&1 | tee ${case_name}_create.log
+    if [ $? != 0 ]; then
+        echo "${case_name} create failed. Check ${case_name}_create.log for details."
+        return 1
+    fi
+    check_log_has "Creating new tar archive" ${case_name}_create.log || return 2
+
+    # Wait for Globus transfer to complete
+    wait_for_directory "${dst_dir}/${case_name}" || return 1
+
+    # Verify local cache has ONLY index.db (tars were deleted after transfer)
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 2: Verifying local cache has only index.db, no tars (expected without --keep)..."
+    ls test_archive/zstash/ 2>&1 | tee source_cache_ls.log
+    check_log_has "index.db" source_cache_ls.log || return 2
+    check_log_does_not_have "000000.tar" source_cache_ls.log || return 2
+    echo "SUCCESS: Only index.db present, tars were deleted as expected"
+
+    # Step 3: Try to use zstash ls from wrong directory - should fail
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 3: Attempting zstash ls --hpss=none from wrong directory (no zstash cache)..."
+    mkdir -p wrong_directory
+    cd wrong_directory
+    # Use set +e and PIPESTATUS to capture the exit code from zstash, not tee
+    set +e
+    zstash ls --hpss=none 2>&1 | tee ../ls_no_cache.log
+    ls_exit_code_1=${PIPESTATUS[0]}
+    set -e
+    cd ..
+
+    # We EXPECT this to fail (non-zero exit code)
+    if [ ${ls_exit_code_1} -eq 0 ]; then
+        echo "ERROR: zstash ls should have failed from wrong directory but succeeded"
+        return 2
+    fi
+    echo "SUCCESS: zstash ls failed as expected (exit code: ${ls_exit_code_1})"
+    check_log_has "unable to open database file" ls_no_cache.log || return 2
+    echo "SUCCESS: Got expected 'unable to open database file' error from wrong directory"
+
+    # Step 4: Try with --cache pointing to incomplete cache (only index.db, no tars)
+    # This tests if zstash ls works with ONLY index.db (without tar files)
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 4: Attempting zstash ls --hpss=none --cache with incomplete cache (only index.db)..."
+    set +e
+    zstash ls --hpss=none --cache=test_archive/zstash 2>&1 | tee ls_incomplete_cache.log
+    ls_exit_code_2=${PIPESTATUS[0]}
+    set -e
+
+    if [ ${ls_exit_code_2} -eq 0 ]; then
+        echo "SUCCESS: zstash ls works with only index.db (tars not required for listing)"
+        check_log_has "elm.h0" ls_incomplete_cache.log || return 2
+        check_log_has "timeSeriesMonthly" ls_incomplete_cache.log || return 2
+        check_log_has "cam.h0" ls_incomplete_cache.log || return 2
+    else
+        echo "NOTE: zstash ls failed with only index.db (exit code: ${ls_exit_code_2})"
+        echo "This documents that tars ARE required for ls operations"
+    fi
+
+    echo "${case_name} completed successfully."
+    return 0
+}
+
+test_method1_ls_with_cache_dot()
+{
+    # Test using 'zstash ls --hpss=none --cache=.' from within the cache directory itself
+    # This clarifies that when you're IN the zstash cache directory, you must use --cache=.
+
+    local path_to_repo=$1
+    local dst_endpoint=$2
+    local dst_dir=$3
+
+    src_dir=${path_to_repo}/tests/utils/selective_tar_retrieval
+    rm -rf ${src_dir}
+    mkdir -p ${src_dir}
+    dst_endpoint_uuid=$(get_endpoint ${dst_endpoint})
+    globus_path=globus://${dst_endpoint_uuid}/${dst_dir}
+
+    case_name="method1_ls_with_cache_dot"
+    echo "Running test_method1_ls_with_cache_dot on case=${case_name}"
+    echo "Exit codes: 0 -- success, 1 -- zstash failed, 2 -- grep check failed"
+
+    setup ${case_name} "${src_dir}"
+
+    # Create the archive with --keep so tars remain locally
+    echo "Step 1: Creating archive with zstash --keep..."
+    zstash create --hpss=${globus_path}/${case_name} --keep test_archive 2>&1 | tee ${case_name}_create.log
+    if [ $? != 0 ]; then
+        echo "${case_name} create failed. Check ${case_name}_create.log for details."
+        return 1
+    fi
+    check_log_has "Creating new tar archive" ${case_name}_create.log || return 2
+
+    # Wait for Globus transfer to complete
+    wait_for_directory "${dst_dir}/${case_name}" || return 1
+
+    # Verify cache has both index.db and tars
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 2: Verifying cache contents..."
+    ls test_archive/zstash/ 2>&1 | tee cache_ls.log
+    check_log_has "index.db" cache_ls.log || return 2
+    check_log_has "000000.tar" cache_ls.log || return 2
+
+    # Step 3: Try zstash ls from within the cache directory WITHOUT --cache=. (should fail)
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 3: Attempting zstash ls from WITHIN cache directory without --cache=. (expect failure)..."
+    cd test_archive/zstash
+    set +e
+    zstash ls --hpss=none 2>&1 | tee ../../ls_without_cache_dot.log
+    ls_exit_code_1=${PIPESTATUS[0]}
+    set -e
+
+    # We EXPECT this to fail because it's looking for ./zstash/index.db which doesn't exist
+    if [ ${ls_exit_code_1} -eq 0 ]; then
+        echo "ERROR: zstash ls should have failed without --cache=."
+        cd ../..
+        return 2
+    fi
+    echo "SUCCESS: zstash ls failed as expected (exit code: ${ls_exit_code_1})"
+    cd ../..
+    check_log_has "unable to open database file" ls_without_cache_dot.log || return 2
+    echo "EXPECTED BEHAVIOR: When in the cache directory itself, zstash still looks for ./zstash/index.db by default"
+
+    # Step 4: Now use --cache=. from within the cache directory (should succeed)
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 4: Using zstash ls --hpss=none --cache=. from within cache directory (should succeed)..."
+    cd test_archive/zstash
+    zstash ls --hpss=none --cache=. 2>&1 | tee ../../ls_with_cache_dot.log
+    ls_exit_code_2=$?
+    cd ../..
+
+    if [ ${ls_exit_code_2} -ne 0 ]; then
+        echo "ERROR: zstash ls --cache=. failed"
+        return 1
+    fi
+    echo "SUCCESS: zstash ls --cache=. works from within the cache directory"
+    check_log_has "elm.h0" ls_with_cache_dot.log || return 2
+    check_log_has "timeSeriesMonthly" ls_with_cache_dot.log || return 2
+    check_log_has "cam.h0" ls_with_cache_dot.log || return 2
+
+    # Step 5: Demonstrate the different behaviors with clear examples
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 5: Summary of --cache behavior:"
+    echo "  - Default behavior: zstash looks for ./zstash/index.db"
+    echo "  - When IN the cache dir: must use --cache=. to specify current directory"
+    echo "  - When in parent dir: can use --cache=zstash or just rely on default"
+
+    # Test from parent directory without --cache (uses default)
+    cd test_archive
+    zstash ls --hpss=none 2>&1 | tee ../ls_from_parent_default.log
+    if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
+        echo "ERROR: zstash ls from parent directory failed"
+        cd ..
+        return 1
+    fi
+    cd ..
+    echo "  - Confirmed: zstash ls from parent directory works with default cache"
+
+    # Test from parent directory with explicit --cache=zstash
+    cd test_archive
+    zstash ls --hpss=none --cache=zstash 2>&1 | tee ../ls_from_parent_explicit.log
+    if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
+        echo "ERROR: zstash ls --cache=zstash from parent directory failed"
+        cd ..
+        return 1
+    fi
+    cd ..
+    echo "  - Confirmed: zstash ls --cache=zstash from parent directory also works"
+
+    echo "${case_name} completed successfully."
+    return 0
+}
+
+test_method2_check_keep()
+{
+    # Method 2: Use 'zstash check --keep' to download tars without extraction
+
+    local path_to_repo=$1
+    local dst_endpoint=$2
+    local dst_dir=$3
+
+    src_dir=${path_to_repo}/tests/utils/selective_tar_retrieval
+    rm -rf ${src_dir}
+    mkdir -p ${src_dir}
+    dst_endpoint_uuid=$(get_endpoint ${dst_endpoint})
+    globus_path=globus://${dst_endpoint_uuid}/${dst_dir}
+
+    case_name="method2_check_keep"
+    echo "Running test_method2_check_keep on case=${case_name}"
+    echo "Exit codes: 0 -- success, 1 -- zstash failed, 2 -- grep check failed"
+
+    setup ${case_name} "${src_dir}"
+
+    # Create the archive on Globus
+    echo "Step 1: Creating archive with zstash..."
+    zstash create --hpss=${globus_path}/${case_name} test_archive 2>&1 | tee ${case_name}_create.log
+    if [ $? != 0 ]; then
+        echo "${case_name} create failed. Check ${case_name}_create.log for details."
+        return 1
+    fi
+    check_log_has "Creating new tar archive" ${case_name}_create.log || return 2
+
+    # Wait for Globus transfer to complete
+    wait_for_directory "${dst_dir}/${case_name}" || return 1
+
+    # Set up a separate directory for check testing
+    mkdir -p method2_test
+    cd method2_test
+
+    # Step 2: Use check --keep to download tars with land files (without extraction)
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 2: Downloading tars with land files using check --keep..."
+    zstash check --hpss=${globus_path}/${case_name} --keep "archive/lnd/hist/*elm.h0*" 2>&1 | tee land_check.log
+    if [ $? != 0 ]; then
+        echo "${case_name} check land failed."
+        return 1
+    fi
+    check_log_has "Opening tar archive" land_check.log || return 2
+    check_log_has "elm.h0" land_check.log || return 2
+
+    # Verify tars are in cache
+    echo ""
+    echo "Verifying tars were downloaded to cache..."
+    ls -lh zstash/*.tar 2>&1 | tee cache_after_land.log
+    check_log_has ".tar" cache_after_land.log || return 2
+
+    # Verify files were NOT extracted to working directory
+    echo ""
+    echo "Verifying files were NOT extracted (only tars downloaded)..."
+    if [ -d "archive/lnd/hist" ]; then
+        echo "ERROR: Files were extracted when they shouldn't have been!"
+        return 2
+    fi
+
+    # Step 3: Use check --keep to download tars with ocean files
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 3: Downloading tars with ocean files using check --keep..."
+    zstash check --hpss=${globus_path}/${case_name} --keep "archive/ocean/hist/*timeSeriesMonthly*" 2>&1 | tee ocean_check.log
+    if [ $? != 0 ]; then
+        echo "${case_name} check ocean failed."
+        return 1
+    fi
+    check_log_has "Opening tar archive" ocean_check.log || return 2
+    check_log_has "timeSeriesMonthly" ocean_check.log || return 2
+
+    # Step 4: Now extract land files to verify tars are usable
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 4a: Extracting land files from cached tars..."
+    mkdir -p land_dest
+    cd land_dest
+    zstash extract --hpss=none --cache=../zstash "archive/lnd/hist/*elm.h0*" 2>&1 | tee ../land_extract.log
+    if [ $? != 0 ]; then
+        echo "${case_name} extract land failed."
+        cd ..
+        return 1
+    fi
+    check_log_has "Extracting archive/lnd/hist" ../land_extract.log || return 2
+    check_file_exists "archive/lnd/hist/file1.elm.h0.0001-01.nc" || return 2
+    check_file_exists "archive/lnd/hist/file2.elm.h0.0001-02.nc" || return 2
+    cd ..
+
+    # Step 5: Extract ocean files to different location
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 4b: Extracting ocean files from cached tars to different location..."
+    mkdir -p ocean_dest
+    cd ocean_dest
+    zstash extract --hpss=none --cache=../zstash "archive/ocean/hist/*timeSeriesMonthly*" 2>&1 | tee ../ocean_extract.log
+    if [ $? != 0 ]; then
+        echo "${case_name} extract ocean failed."
+        cd ..
+        return 1
+    fi
+    check_log_has "Extracting archive/ocean/hist" ../ocean_extract.log || return 2
+    check_file_exists "archive/ocean/hist/file1.timeSeriesMonthly.0001-01.nc" || return 2
+    check_file_exists "archive/ocean/hist/file2.timeSeriesMonthly.0001-02.nc" || return 2
+    cd ..
+
+    # Verify files are in separate destinations
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 5: Verifying files are in separate destinations..."
+    ls -R land_dest/ 2>&1 | tee land_dest_contents.log
+    check_log_has "elm.h0" land_dest_contents.log || return 2
+    check_log_does_not_have "timeSeriesMonthly" land_dest_contents.log || return 2
+
+    ls -R ocean_dest/ 2>&1 | tee ocean_dest_contents.log
+    check_log_has "timeSeriesMonthly" ocean_dest_contents.log || return 2
+    check_log_does_not_have "elm.h0" ocean_dest_contents.log || return 2
+
+    cd ..
+
+    echo "${case_name} completed successfully."
+    return 0
+}
+
+test_method2_selective_download()
+{
+    # Method 2 variant: Verify that check --keep only downloads needed tars
+    # (not all tars in the archive)
+
+    local path_to_repo=$1
+    local dst_endpoint=$2
+    local dst_dir=$3
+
+    src_dir=${path_to_repo}/tests/utils/selective_tar_retrieval
+    rm -rf ${src_dir}
+    mkdir -p ${src_dir}
+    dst_endpoint_uuid=$(get_endpoint ${dst_endpoint})
+    globus_path=globus://${dst_endpoint_uuid}/${dst_dir}
+
+    case_name="method2_selective_download"
+    echo "Running test_method2_selective_download on case=${case_name}"
+    echo "Exit codes: 0 -- success, 1 -- zstash failed, 2 -- grep check failed"
+
+    setup ${case_name} "${src_dir}"
+
+    # Create files with actual size to force multiple tars
+    # Create 30MB files - with maxsize=0.1 (100MB), we'll get ~3 files per tar
+    echo "Adding files with size to force multiple tars..."
+    for i in {3..8}; do
+        dd if=/dev/zero of=test_archive/archive/lnd/hist/file${i}.elm.h0.000${i}-01.nc bs=1M count=30 2>/dev/null
+    done
+    for i in {3..8}; do
+        dd if=/dev/zero of=test_archive/archive/ocean/hist/file${i}.timeSeriesMonthly.000${i}-01.nc bs=1M count=30 2>/dev/null
+    done
+    for i in {3..8}; do
+        dd if=/dev/zero of=test_archive/archive/atm/hist/file${i}.cam.h0.000${i}-01.nc bs=1M count=30 2>/dev/null
+    done
+
+    # Create the archive on Globus with 100MB maxsize to force multiple tars
+    # 6 files per category × 30MB = 180MB per category
+    # With 100MB limit, should create at least 2 tars per category
+    echo "Step 1: Creating archive with maxsize to force multiple tars..."
+    zstash create --hpss=${globus_path}/${case_name} --maxsize 0.1 test_archive 2>&1 | tee ${case_name}_create.log
+    if [ $? != 0 ]; then
+        echo "${case_name} create failed. Check ${case_name}_create.log for details."
+        return 1
+    fi
+
+    # Count how many tars were created
+    num_tars=$(grep -c "Creating new tar archive" ${case_name}_create.log)
+    echo "Created ${num_tars} tar archives"
+
+    if [ ${num_tars} -lt 2 ]; then
+        echo "ERROR: Expected multiple tars but only got ${num_tars}"
+        echo "This test requires multiple tars to validate selective download."
+        return 2
+    fi
+
+    # Wait for Globus transfer to complete
+    wait_for_directory "${dst_dir}/${case_name}" || return 1
+
+    # Set up a separate directory for testing
+    mkdir -p method2_selective_test
+    cd method2_selective_test
+
+    # Step 2: Use check --keep for only land files
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 2: Downloading only tars with land files..."
+    zstash check --hpss=${globus_path}/${case_name} --keep "archive/lnd/hist/*elm.h0*" 2>&1 | tee land_check.log
+    if [ $? != 0 ]; then
+        echo "${case_name} check land failed."
+        return 1
+    fi
+
+    # Count downloaded tars
+    num_downloaded=$(ls zstash/*.tar 2>/dev/null | wc -l)
+    echo "Downloaded ${num_downloaded} tar(s) out of ${num_tars} total"
+
+    # Verify we downloaded fewer tars than total (selective download worked)
+    if [ ${num_downloaded} -ge ${num_tars} ]; then
+        echo "ERROR: Downloaded ${num_downloaded} tars but expected fewer than ${num_tars}"
+        echo "This suggests zstash downloaded ALL tars instead of being selective"
+        return 2
+    fi
+
+    if [ ${num_downloaded} -eq 0 ]; then
+        echo "ERROR: No tars were downloaded"
+        return 2
+    fi
+
+    echo "SUCCESS: Selective download verified - only ${num_downloaded} of ${num_tars} tars downloaded"
+
+    cd ..
+
+    echo "${case_name} completed successfully."
+    return 0
+}
+
+test_method2_check_keep_union()
+{
+    # Method 2 variant: Use single 'zstash check --keep' with multiple patterns
+    # to download all needed tars in one command
+
+    local path_to_repo=$1
+    local dst_endpoint=$2
+    local dst_dir=$3
+
+    src_dir=${path_to_repo}/tests/utils/selective_tar_retrieval
+    rm -rf ${src_dir}
+    mkdir -p ${src_dir}
+    dst_endpoint_uuid=$(get_endpoint ${dst_endpoint})
+    globus_path=globus://${dst_endpoint_uuid}/${dst_dir}
+
+    case_name="method2_check_keep_union"
+    echo "Running test_method2_check_keep_union on case=${case_name}"
+    echo "Exit codes: 0 -- success, 1 -- zstash failed, 2 -- grep check failed"
+
+    setup ${case_name} "${src_dir}"
+
+    # Create the archive on Globus
+    echo "Step 1: Creating archive with zstash..."
+    zstash create --hpss=${globus_path}/${case_name} test_archive 2>&1 | tee ${case_name}_create.log
+    if [ $? != 0 ]; then
+        echo "${case_name} create failed. Check ${case_name}_create.log for details."
+        return 1
+    fi
+    check_log_has "Creating new tar archive" ${case_name}_create.log || return 2
+
+    # Wait for Globus transfer to complete
+    wait_for_directory "${dst_dir}/${case_name}" || return 1
+
+    # Set up a separate directory for check testing
+    mkdir -p method2_union_test
+    cd method2_union_test
+
+    # Step 2: Use check --keep with BOTH patterns in a single command
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 2: Downloading tars with both land AND ocean files in single command..."
+    zstash check --hpss=${globus_path}/${case_name} --keep \
+        "archive/lnd/hist/*elm.h0*" \
+        "archive/ocean/hist/*timeSeriesMonthly*" \
+        2>&1 | tee union_check.log
+    if [ $? != 0 ]; then
+        echo "${case_name} check union failed."
+        return 1
+    fi
+
+    # Verify both file types were checked
+    check_log_has "Opening tar archive" union_check.log || return 2
+    check_log_has "elm.h0" union_check.log || return 2
+    check_log_has "timeSeriesMonthly" union_check.log || return 2
+
+    # Verify tars are in cache
+    echo ""
+    echo "Verifying tars were downloaded to cache..."
+    ls -lh zstash/*.tar 2>&1 | tee cache_after_union.log
+    check_log_has ".tar" cache_after_union.log || return 2
+
+    # Verify files were NOT extracted to working directory
+    echo ""
+    echo "Verifying files were NOT extracted (only tars downloaded)..."
+    if [ -d "archive" ]; then
+        echo "ERROR: Files were extracted when they shouldn't have been!"
+        return 2
+    fi
+
+    # Step 3: Extract land files to verify tars are usable
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 3a: Extracting land files from cached tars..."
+    mkdir -p land_dest
+    cd land_dest
+    zstash extract --hpss=none --cache=../zstash "archive/lnd/hist/*elm.h0*" 2>&1 | tee ../land_extract.log
+    if [ $? != 0 ]; then
+        echo "${case_name} extract land failed."
+        cd ..
+        return 1
+    fi
+    check_log_has "Extracting archive/lnd/hist" ../land_extract.log || return 2
+    check_file_exists "archive/lnd/hist/file1.elm.h0.0001-01.nc" || return 2
+    check_file_exists "archive/lnd/hist/file2.elm.h0.0001-02.nc" || return 2
+    cd ..
+
+    # Step 4: Extract ocean files to different location
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 3b: Extracting ocean files from cached tars to different location..."
+    mkdir -p ocean_dest
+    cd ocean_dest
+    zstash extract --hpss=none --cache=../zstash "archive/ocean/hist/*timeSeriesMonthly*" 2>&1 | tee ../ocean_extract.log
+    if [ $? != 0 ]; then
+        echo "${case_name} extract ocean failed."
+        cd ..
+        return 1
+    fi
+    check_log_has "Extracting archive/ocean/hist" ../ocean_extract.log || return 2
+    check_file_exists "archive/ocean/hist/file1.timeSeriesMonthly.0001-01.nc" || return 2
+    check_file_exists "archive/ocean/hist/file2.timeSeriesMonthly.0001-02.nc" || return 2
+    cd ..
+
+    # Step 5: Verify files are in separate destinations
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 4: Verifying files are in separate destinations..."
+    ls -R land_dest/ 2>&1 | tee land_dest_contents.log
+    check_log_has "elm.h0" land_dest_contents.log || return 2
+    check_log_does_not_have "timeSeriesMonthly" land_dest_contents.log || return 2
+
+    ls -R ocean_dest/ 2>&1 | tee ocean_dest_contents.log
+    check_log_has "timeSeriesMonthly" ocean_dest_contents.log || return 2
+    check_log_does_not_have "elm.h0" ocean_dest_contents.log || return 2
+
+    # Step 6: Verify the union command worked by checking both file types were retrieved
+    echo ""
+    echo "Step 5: Verifying union command successfully retrieved both land and ocean files..."
+    echo "SUCCESS: Union command retrieved files matching both patterns in a single check operation"
+
+    cd ..
+
+    echo "${case_name} completed successfully."
+    return 0
+}
+
+# Follow these directions #####################################################
+
+# Example usage:
+# ./test_tar_workflow.bash d417_20260106_try1 /home/ac.forsyth2/ez/zstash /home/ac.forsyth2/zstash_tests LCRC_IMPROV_DTN_ENDPOINT yes
+
+# Command line parameters:
+unique_id="$1"
+path_to_repo="$2"
+dst_basedir="$3"
+endpoint_str="$4"
+fresh_globus="${5:-no}"
+machine_dst_dir=${dst_basedir}/test_selective_tar_retrieval_${unique_id}
+
+echo "You may wish to clear your dst directories for a fresh start:"
+echo "rm -rf ${dst_basedir}/test_selective_tar_retrieval*"
+echo "It is advisable to just set a unique_id to avoid directory conflicts."
+echo "Currently, unique_id=${unique_id}"
+if ! confirm "Is the unique_id correct?"; then
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+echo "Go to https://app.globus.org/file-manager?two_pane=true > For "Collection", choose the endpoint you're testing, and authenticate if needed:"
+echo "LCRC Improv DTN, NERSC Perlmutter, NERSC HPSS, pic#compy-dtn"
+if ! confirm "Have you authenticated into the endpoint you're testing?"; then
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+if [ "$fresh_globus" == "yes" ]; then
+    INI_PATH=${HOME}/.zstash.ini
+    TOKEN_FILE=${HOME}/.zstash_globus_tokens.json
+    rm -rf ${INI_PATH}
+    rm -rf ${TOKEN_FILE}
+    echo "Reset Globus consents:"
+    echo "https://auth.globus.org/v2/web/consents > Globus Endpoint Performance Monitoring > rescind all"
+    if ! confirm "Have you revoked Globus consents?"; then
+        exit 1
+    fi
+fi
+
+# Test execution with independent runs and pass/fail tracking
+run_test_with_tracking() {
+    local test_name="$1"
+    shift
+    local args=("$@")
+
+    echo ""
+    echo "=========================================="
+    echo "Running: ${test_name}"
+    echo "=========================================="
+
+    if $test_name "${args[@]}"; then
+        echo "✓ ${test_name} PASSED"
+        test_results+=("✓ ${test_name} PASSED")
+        ((tests_passed++))
+        return 0
+    else
+        echo "✗ ${test_name} FAILED"
+        test_results+=("✗ ${test_name} FAILED")
+        ((tests_failed++))
+        return 1
+    fi
+}
+
+# Initialize counters
+tests_passed=0
+tests_failed=0
+test_results=()
+
+echo "Testing selective tar retrieval workflows"
+echo "If a test hangs, check if https://app.globus.org/activity reports any errors on your transfers."
+
+# Run all tests independently
+run_test_with_tracking test_method1_ls_tars ${path_to_repo} ${endpoint_str} ${machine_dst_dir} || true
+run_test_with_tracking test_method1_ls_from_cache_with_keep ${path_to_repo} ${endpoint_str} ${machine_dst_dir} || true
+run_test_with_tracking test_method1_ls_from_cache_without_keep ${path_to_repo} ${endpoint_str} ${machine_dst_dir} || true
+run_test_with_tracking test_method1_ls_with_cache_dot ${path_to_repo} ${endpoint_str} ${machine_dst_dir} || true
+run_test_with_tracking test_method2_check_keep ${path_to_repo} ${endpoint_str} ${machine_dst_dir} || true
+run_test_with_tracking test_method2_selective_download ${path_to_repo} ${endpoint_str} ${machine_dst_dir} || true
+run_test_with_tracking test_method2_check_keep_union ${path_to_repo} ${endpoint_str} ${machine_dst_dir} || true
+
+# Print summary
+echo ""
+echo "=========================================="
+echo "TEST RESULTS"
+echo "=========================================="
+for result in "${test_results[@]}"; do
+    echo "${result}"
+done
+echo "=========================================="
+echo "TEST SUMMARY"
+echo "=========================================="
+echo "Total tests: $((tests_passed + tests_failed))"
+echo "Passed: ${tests_passed}"
+echo "Failed: ${tests_failed}"
+echo "=========================================="
+
+if [ ${tests_failed} -eq 0 ]; then
+    echo "All selective tar retrieval tests completed successfully."
+    exit 0
+else
+    echo "Some tests failed. Please review the logs above."
+    exit 1
+fi