diff --git a/crates/picker/src/persistence.rs b/crates/picker/src/persistence.rs
index ab61859abd..59de6cf8bf 100644
--- a/crates/picker/src/persistence.rs
+++ b/crates/picker/src/persistence.rs
@@ -36,6 +36,26 @@ pub(crate) fn store_shape_for_this_layout(
     });
 }
 
+/// Persist the last-used preview layout without touching the stored shape.
+///
+/// Changing the preview position (e.g. right/below/hidden) without resizing
+/// must still be remembered, so this is called whenever the layout changes.
+pub(crate) fn store_last_layout(
+    picker_delegate: &'static str,
+    preview_layout: Option<preview::Layout>,
+    cx: &App,
+) {
+    let kvp = KeyValueStore::global(cx);
+    db::write_and_log(cx, async move || {
+        kvp.scoped(PICKERS_NAMESPACE)
+            .write(
+                last_layout_key(picker_delegate),
+                layout_as_str(preview_layout).to_string(),
+            )
+            .await
+    });
+}
+
 pub(crate) fn try_load_shape(
     picker_delegate: &'static str,
     preview_layout: impl Into<Option<preview::Layout>>,
diff --git a/crates/picker/src/picker.rs b/crates/picker/src/picker.rs
index c655cb0a46..352f60168e 100644
--- a/crates/picker/src/picker.rs
+++ b/crates/picker/src/picker.rs
@@ -1260,6 +1260,8 @@ impl<D: PickerDelegate> Picker<D> {
         _window: &mut Window,
         cx: &mut Context<Self>,
     ) {
+        persistence::store_last_layout(D::name(), self.preview.as_ref().map(|_| layout), cx);
+
         let Some(preview) = &mut self.preview else {
             return;
         };