diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/__tests__/V2LayoutSelection.test.tsx b/frontend/src/v2/__tests__/V2LayoutSelection.test.tsx
index 52ca5fb54d..461cc5d49d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/__tests__/V2LayoutSelection.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/__tests__/V2LayoutSelection.test.tsx
@@ -127,6 +127,37 @@ describe('V2Layout default pod selection', () => {
     expect(phoneViewport.addEventListener).toHaveBeenCalledWith('change', expect.any(Function));
   });
 
+  test.each([
+    [390, null, false],
+    [1199, null, false],
+    [1200, null, true],
+    [1440, null, true],
+    [1440, '1', false],
+    [1199, '0', true],
+  ])('inspector visibility at %ipx with stored preference %s is %s', (width, preference, visible) => {
+    Object.defineProperty(window, 'matchMedia', {
+      configurable: true,
+      writable: true,
+      value: jest.fn((query: string) => ({
+        matches: query === '(max-width: 760px)' ? Number(width) <= 760 : Number(width) >= 1200,
+        addEventListener: jest.fn(),
+        removeEventListener: jest.fn(),
+      })),
+    });
+    if (preference !== null) localStorage.setItem('v2.inspectorCollapsed', String(preference));
+
+    render(
+      <MemoryRouter initialEntries={['/v2/pods/workspace']}>
+        <Routes>
+          <Route path="/v2/pods/:podId" element={<V2Layout selectionMode="param" />} />
+        </Routes>
+      </MemoryRouter>,
+    );
+
+    expect(screen.queryByTestId('workspace-inspector') !== null).toBe(visible);
+    expect(localStorage.getItem('v2.inspectorCollapsed')).toBe(preference);
+  });
+
   test('lands a new user in their oldest own workspace instead of auto-joined HQ', async () => {
     renderAutoLayout();
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/components/V2Layout.tsx b/frontend/src/v2/components/V2Layout.tsx
index 9f5ff70198..4c9fa147a8 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/components/V2Layout.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/components/V2Layout.tsx
@@ -30,13 +30,13 @@ const isPhoneViewport = (): boolean => (
 const readInspectorCollapsed = (): boolean => {
   try {
     const v = localStorage.getItem(INSPECTOR_PREF_KEY);
-    // Default to collapsed — pod chat reads better when the third column is
-    // out of the way until you ask for it. See user feedback 2026-04-30.
-    if (v === null) return true;
-    return v === '1';
+    if (v !== null) return v === '1';
   } catch {
-    return true;
+    // Unavailable storage uses the same default as a fresh session.
   }
+  // The artboard opens the desktop inspector by default; narrower viewports
+  // keep it closed until requested. Explicit preferences take precedence.
+  return !(typeof window !== 'undefined' && window.matchMedia?.('(min-width: 1200px)').matches);
 };
 
 const writeInspectorCollapsed = (next: boolean) => {