diff --git a/src/main/ipc/repos-remote.test.ts b/src/main/ipc/repos-remote.test.ts
index 43277f5ac75..954f96d7565 100644
--- a/src/main/ipc/repos-remote.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/ipc/repos-remote.test.ts
@@ -1185,14 +1185,12 @@ describe('repos:addRemote', () => {
         kind: 'git',
         displayName: 'project',
         badgeColor: DEFAULT_REPO_BADGE_COLOR,
-        externalWorktreeVisibility: 'hide',
-        externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: false,
         projectHostSetupMethod: 'imported-existing-folder'
       })
     )
     expect(result).toHaveProperty('repo.id')
     expect(result).toHaveProperty('repo.connectionId', 'conn-1')
-    expect(result).toHaveProperty('repo.externalWorktreeVisibility', 'hide')
+    expect(result).not.toHaveProperty('repo.externalWorktreeVisibility')
   })
 
   it('uses custom displayName when provided', async () => {
@@ -1234,9 +1232,7 @@ describe('repos:addRemote', () => {
         connectionId: 'conn-1',
         kind: 'git',
         displayName: 'orca',
-        badgeColor: DEFAULT_REPO_BADGE_COLOR,
-        externalWorktreeVisibility: 'hide',
-        externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: false
+        badgeColor: DEFAULT_REPO_BADGE_COLOR
       })
     )
     expect(mockMultiplexer.notify).toHaveBeenCalledWith('session.registerRoot', {
@@ -1462,8 +1458,7 @@ describe('repos:addRemote', () => {
         path: '/home/user/created',
         connectionId: 'conn-1',
         kind: 'git',
-        displayName: 'created',
-        externalWorktreeVisibility: 'hide'
+        displayName: 'created'
       })
     )
     expect(result).toHaveProperty('repo.path', '/home/user/created')
@@ -1879,19 +1874,19 @@ describe('repos:add + repos:clone', () => {
     expect(result).toHaveProperty('repo.badgeColor', DEFAULT_REPO_BADGE_COLOR)
   })
 
-  it('defaults new git repos:add records to hiding non-Orca worktrees', async () => {
+  it('inherits global non-Orca visibility while retaining the mixed-version safety marker', async () => {
     const result = await handlers.get('repos:add')!(null, { path: '/tmp/from-add', kind: 'git' })
 
     expect(mockStore.addRepo).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
       expect.objectContaining({
         path: '/tmp/from-add',
         kind: 'git',
-        externalWorktreeVisibility: 'hide',
         externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: false,
         projectHostSetupMethod: 'imported-existing-folder'
       })
     )
-    expect(result).toHaveProperty('repo.externalWorktreeVisibility', 'hide')
+    expect(result).not.toHaveProperty('repo.externalWorktreeVisibility')
+    expect(result).toHaveProperty('repo.externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy', false)
   })
 
   it('prepares the worktree root when adding a local git repo', async () => {
@@ -2280,13 +2275,11 @@ describe('repos:add + repos:clone', () => {
       expect.objectContaining({
         path: join(destination, 'orca'),
         badgeColor: DEFAULT_REPO_BADGE_COLOR,
-        kind: 'git',
-        externalWorktreeVisibility: 'hide',
-        externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: false
+        kind: 'git'
       })
     )
     expect(result).toHaveProperty('badgeColor', DEFAULT_REPO_BADGE_COLOR)
-    expect(result).toHaveProperty('externalWorktreeVisibility', 'hide')
+    expect(result).not.toHaveProperty('externalWorktreeVisibility')
   })
 
   it('drops a same-path negative submodule cache before a local clone', async () => {
diff --git a/src/main/ipc/repos.ts b/src/main/ipc/repos.ts
index a9ec6dbf4c5..274d4e1ce17 100644
--- a/src/main/ipc/repos.ts
+++ b/src/main/ipc/repos.ts
@@ -356,7 +356,6 @@ async function addLocalRepoFromPath(
     kind: repoKind,
     ...(repoKind === 'git'
       ? {
-          externalWorktreeVisibility: 'hide' as const,
           externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: false,
           // Why: new Add Project imports are explicit ready host setups; 'legacy-repo' is reserved for older records/projection.
           projectHostSetupMethod: 'imported-existing-folder' as const
@@ -455,7 +454,6 @@ async function addRemoteRepoFromPath(
     connectionId: args.connectionId,
     ...(repoKind === 'git'
       ? {
-          externalWorktreeVisibility: 'hide' as const,
           externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: false,
           projectHostSetupMethod: args.setupMethod ?? ('imported-existing-folder' as const)
         }
@@ -1774,7 +1772,6 @@ export function registerRepoHandlers(mainWindow: BrowserWindow, store: Store): v
             addedAt: Date.now(),
             kind: 'git',
             ...(args.connectionId ? { connectionId: args.connectionId } : {}),
-            externalWorktreeVisibility: 'hide',
             externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: false,
             projectHostSetupMethod: 'imported-existing-folder',
             ...(group
@@ -2034,7 +2031,6 @@ export function registerRepoHandlers(mainWindow: BrowserWindow, store: Store): v
         kind: repoKind,
         ...(repoKind === 'git'
           ? {
-              externalWorktreeVisibility: 'hide' as const,
               externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: false,
               projectHostSetupMethod: 'imported-existing-folder' as const
             }
@@ -2126,7 +2122,6 @@ export function registerRepoHandlers(mainWindow: BrowserWindow, store: Store): v
             | 'symlinkPaths'
             | 'issueSourcePreference'
             | 'forkSyncMode'
-            | 'externalWorktreeVisibility'
             | 'externalWorktreeVisibilityPromptDismissedAt'
             | 'externalWorktreeInboxBaselinePaths'
             | 'importedExternalWorktreePaths'
@@ -2137,6 +2132,7 @@ export function registerRepoHandlers(mainWindow: BrowserWindow, store: Store): v
             | 'projectGroupOrder'
           >
         > & {
+          externalWorktreeVisibility?: Repo['externalWorktreeVisibility'] | null
           sourceControlAi?: Repo['sourceControlAi'] | null
           externalWorktreeDiscoverySuppressedAt?:
             | Repo['externalWorktreeDiscoverySuppressedAt']
@@ -2195,7 +2191,9 @@ export function registerRepoHandlers(mainWindow: BrowserWindow, store: Store): v
           updates.badgeColor = badgeColor
         }
       }
-      if (
+      if ('externalWorktreeVisibility' in updates && updates.externalWorktreeVisibility === null) {
+        updates.externalWorktreeVisibility = undefined
+      } else if (
         'externalWorktreeVisibility' in updates &&
         updates.externalWorktreeVisibility !== undefined &&
         updates.externalWorktreeVisibility !== 'hide' &&
@@ -2551,7 +2549,6 @@ export function registerRepoHandlers(mainWindow: BrowserWindow, store: Store): v
             ...detected,
             addedAt: Date.now(),
             kind: 'git',
-            externalWorktreeVisibility: 'hide',
             externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: false,
             projectHostSetupMethod: 'cloned'
           }
diff --git a/src/main/persistence.test.ts b/src/main/persistence.test.ts
index f378a76665d..3225c0320b6 100644
--- a/src/main/persistence.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/persistence.test.ts
@@ -4739,7 +4739,62 @@ describe('Store', () => {
     expect(updated!.externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy).toBe(true)
   })
 
-  it('keeps rollback agent visibility writes authoritative for both built-in sources', async () => {
+  it('migrates implicit legacy visibility to an explicit override before defaulting global hide', async () => {
+    const persisted = getDefaultPersistedState(testState.dir)
+    delete persisted.settings.worktreeVisibilityDefaults
+    persisted.repos = [
+      makeRepo({
+        id: 'legacy',
+        kind: 'git',
+        externalWorktreeVisibility: undefined,
+        externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: undefined
+      }),
+      makeRepo({ id: 'explicit', externalWorktreeVisibility: 'hide' }),
+      makeRepo({
+        id: 'inherited',
+        externalWorktreeVisibility: undefined,
+        externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: false
+      })
+    ]
+    writeDataFile(persisted)
+
+    const store = await createStore()
+
+    expect(store.getSettings().worktreeVisibilityDefaults).toEqual({ external: 'hide' })
+    expect(store.getRepo('legacy')).toMatchObject({
+      externalWorktreeVisibility: 'show',
+      externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: true
+    })
+    expect(store.getRepo('explicit')?.externalWorktreeVisibility).toBe('hide')
+    expect(store.getRepo('inherited')?.externalWorktreeVisibility).toBeUndefined()
+
+    store.flush()
+    const reloaded = await createStore()
+    expect(reloaded.getRepo('legacy')).toMatchObject({
+      externalWorktreeVisibility: 'show',
+      externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: true
+    })
+    expect(reloaded.getRepo('inherited')?.externalWorktreeVisibility).toBeUndefined()
+  })
+
+  it('merges visibility-default patches so future source defaults survive older controls', async () => {
+    const store = await createStore()
+    store.updateSettings({
+      worktreeVisibilityDefaults: {
+        external: 'show',
+        futureSource: 'hide'
+      } as GlobalSettings['worktreeVisibilityDefaults']
+    })
+
+    store.updateSettings({ worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'hide' } })
+
+    expect(store.getSettings().worktreeVisibilityDefaults).toEqual({
+      external: 'hide',
+      futureSource: 'hide'
+    })
+  })
+
+  it('persists agent worktree visibility independently from external visibility', async () => {
     const store = await createStore()
     store.addRepo(makeRepo({ externalWorktreeVisibility: 'hide' }))
 
@@ -4794,6 +4849,25 @@ describe('Store', () => {
     ])
   })
 
+  it('clears an explicit external-worktree override without stamping an inherited default', async () => {
+    const store = await createStore()
+    store.addRepo(
+      makeRepo({
+        externalWorktreeVisibility: 'show',
+        externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: true
+      })
+    )
+
+    const updated = store.updateRepo('r1', { externalWorktreeVisibility: null })
+
+    expect(updated?.externalWorktreeVisibility).toBeUndefined()
+    expect(updated?.externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy).toBe(false)
+    store.flush()
+    const reloaded = await createStore()
+    expect(reloaded.getRepo('r1')?.externalWorktreeVisibility).toBeUndefined()
+    expect(reloaded.getRepo('r1')?.externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy).toBe(false)
+  })
+
   it('updateRepo clears source-control AI overrides independently from other clearable fields', async () => {
     const store = await createStore()
     store.addRepo(
diff --git a/src/main/persistence.ts b/src/main/persistence.ts
index 8b53a7d98d6..8ee4818126b 100644
--- a/src/main/persistence.ts
+++ b/src/main/persistence.ts
@@ -222,6 +222,10 @@ import {
 import { clampMarkdownTocPanelWidth } from '../shared/markdown-toc-panel-width'
 import { clampCombinedDiffFileTreeWidth } from '../shared/combined-diff-file-tree-width'
 import { isLegacyRepoForExternalWorktreeVisibility } from '../shared/worktree-ownership'
+import {
+  migrateExternalWorktreeVisibilityDefaults,
+  normalizeWorktreeVisibilityDefaults
+} from '../shared/external-worktree-visibility'
 import { sanitizeRepoIcon } from '../shared/repo-icon'
 import { normalizeRepoBadgeColor } from '../shared/repo-badge-color'
 import {
@@ -3235,6 +3239,13 @@ export class Store {
         // Merge with defaults in case new fields were added
         const homeDir = homedir()
         const defaults = getDefaultPersistedState(homeDir)
+        const migratedExternalVisibility = migrateExternalWorktreeVisibilityDefaults(
+          Array.isArray(parsed.repos) ? parsed.repos : [],
+          parsed.settings?.worktreeVisibilityDefaults
+        )
+        if (migratedExternalVisibility.changed) {
+          this.loadNeedsSave = true
+        }
         const migratedTerminalScrollback = migrateTerminalScrollbackRows(parsed.settings)
         if (migratedTerminalScrollback.needsSave) {
           this.loadNeedsSave = true
@@ -3504,6 +3515,7 @@ export class Store {
             parsed.featureInteractionTelemetryBuckets
           ),
           projectGroups: normalizedProjectGroups,
+          repos: migratedExternalVisibility.repos,
           folderWorkspaces: normalizeFolderWorkspaces(
             parsed.folderWorkspaces,
             normalizedProjectGroups
@@ -3522,6 +3534,7 @@ export class Store {
             ...defaults.settings,
             // Why (#7977): keep persisted experimentalNewWorktreeCardStyle:true — v1.4.130's onboarding auto-wrote it as a plain boolean, so it's indistinguishable from a real opt-in; only the default changed.
             ...stripRetiredGlobalSettings(parsed.settings),
+            worktreeVisibilityDefaults: migratedExternalVisibility.defaults,
             prBotAuthorOverrides: normalizePRBotAuthorOverrides(
               parsed.settings?.prBotAuthorOverrides
             ),
@@ -5022,7 +5035,6 @@ export class Store {
         | 'symlinkPaths'
         | 'issueSourcePreference'
         | 'forkSyncMode'
-        | 'externalWorktreeVisibility'
         | 'externalWorktreeVisibilityPromptDismissedAt'
         | 'externalWorktreeInboxBaselinePaths'
         | 'importedExternalWorktreePaths'
@@ -5034,6 +5046,7 @@ export class Store {
         | 'projectHostSetupMethod'
       >
     > & {
+      externalWorktreeVisibility?: Repo['externalWorktreeVisibility'] | null
       sourceControlAi?: Repo['sourceControlAi'] | null
       externalWorktreeDiscoverySuppressedAt?: Repo['externalWorktreeDiscoverySuppressedAt'] | null
     },
@@ -5095,6 +5108,15 @@ export class Store {
       delete repo.worktreeBasePath
       delete sanitizedUpdates.worktreeBasePath
     }
+    if (
+      'externalWorktreeVisibility' in sanitizedUpdates &&
+      (sanitizedUpdates.externalWorktreeVisibility === undefined ||
+        sanitizedUpdates.externalWorktreeVisibility === null)
+    ) {
+      delete repo.externalWorktreeVisibility
+      repo.externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy = false
+      delete sanitizedUpdates.externalWorktreeVisibility
+    }
     if (
       'externalWorktreeVisibility' in sanitizedUpdates &&
       repo.externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy === undefined
@@ -5975,6 +5997,14 @@ export class Store {
     if ('disabledTuiAgents' in updates) {
       sanitizedUpdates.disabledTuiAgents = normalizeDisabledTuiAgents(updates.disabledTuiAgents)
     }
+    if ('worktreeVisibilityDefaults' in updates) {
+      sanitizedUpdates.worktreeVisibilityDefaults = {
+        ...this.state.settings.worktreeVisibilityDefaults,
+        ...(normalizeWorktreeVisibilityDefaults(updates.worktreeVisibilityDefaults) ?? {
+          external: 'hide'
+        })
+      }
+    }
     if ('agentDefaultArgs' in updates) {
       sanitizedUpdates.agentDefaultArgs = normalizeTuiAgentArgsRecord(updates.agentDefaultArgs)
       sanitizedUpdates.agentYoloDefaultsMigrated = true
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/orca-runtime.test.ts b/src/main/runtime/orca-runtime.test.ts
index 9597ecde0b5..d7551557d4f 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/orca-runtime.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/orca-runtime.test.ts
@@ -1680,6 +1680,7 @@ describe('OrcaRuntimeService', () => {
     } as never)
 
     expect(runtime.getClientSettings()).toMatchObject({
+      worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'hide' },
       experimentalNewWorktreeCardStyle: true,
       compactWorktreeCards: true,
       minimaxGroupId: 'group-42',
@@ -1805,6 +1806,23 @@ describe('OrcaRuntimeService', () => {
     })
   })
 
+  it('broadcasts visibility default changes to paired clients', async () => {
+    let settings = { ...store.getSettings(), worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'hide' } }
+    const runtime = new OrcaRuntimeService({
+      ...store,
+      getSettings: () => settings,
+      updateSettings: (updates: Partial<typeof settings>) => {
+        settings = { ...settings, ...updates }
+      }
+    } as never)
+    const events: unknown[] = []
+    runtime.onClientEvent((event) => events.push(event))
+
+    await runtime.updateClientSettings({ worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'show' } })
+
+    expect(events).toContainEqual({ type: 'reposChanged' })
+  })
+
   it('reconciles hooks only when paired-client hook settings change', async () => {
     electronMocks.app.isPackaged = true
     let settings = {
@@ -8227,11 +8245,10 @@ describe('OrcaRuntimeService', () => {
       expect(added).toEqual([
         expect.objectContaining({
           badgeColor: DEFAULT_REPO_BADGE_COLOR,
-          externalWorktreeVisibility: 'hide',
           externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: false
         })
       ])
-      expect(repo.externalWorktreeVisibility).toBe('hide')
+      expect(repo.externalWorktreeVisibility).toBeUndefined()
       expect(prepareLocalWorktreeRootForRepoMock).toHaveBeenCalledWith(colorStore, repo)
     } finally {
       spawnSpy.mockRestore()
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/orca-runtime.ts b/src/main/runtime/orca-runtime.ts
index 917d8c1de40..5201073b57d 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/orca-runtime.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/orca-runtime.ts
@@ -1166,6 +1166,7 @@ type RuntimeStore = {
     localBaseRefSuggestionDismissed?: boolean
     branchPrefix: string
     branchPrefixCustom: string
+    worktreeVisibilityDefaults?: GlobalSettings['worktreeVisibilityDefaults']
     defaultTuiAgent?: GlobalSettings['defaultTuiAgent']
     disabledTuiAgents?: GlobalSettings['disabledTuiAgents']
     agentCmdOverrides?: GlobalSettings['agentCmdOverrides']
@@ -3487,6 +3488,7 @@ export class OrcaRuntimeService {
 
   getClientSettings(): Pick<
     GlobalSettings,
+    | 'worktreeVisibilityDefaults'
     | 'defaultTuiAgent'
     | 'disabledTuiAgents'
     | 'agentCmdOverrides'
@@ -3513,6 +3515,7 @@ export class OrcaRuntimeService {
     }
     const settings = this.store.getSettings()
     return {
+      worktreeVisibilityDefaults: settings.worktreeVisibilityDefaults ?? { external: 'hide' },
       defaultTuiAgent: settings.defaultTuiAgent ?? null,
       disabledTuiAgents: settings.disabledTuiAgents ?? [],
       agentCmdOverrides: settings.agentCmdOverrides ?? {},
@@ -3564,6 +3567,7 @@ export class OrcaRuntimeService {
   async updateClientSettings(
     updates: Pick<
       Partial<GlobalSettings>,
+      | 'worktreeVisibilityDefaults'
       | 'agentStatusHooksEnabled'
       | 'defaultTuiAgent'
       | 'disabledTuiAgents'
@@ -3584,6 +3588,7 @@ export class OrcaRuntimeService {
   ): Promise<
     Pick<
       GlobalSettings,
+      | 'worktreeVisibilityDefaults'
       | 'defaultTuiAgent'
       | 'disabledTuiAgents'
       | 'agentCmdOverrides'
@@ -3610,6 +3615,13 @@ export class OrcaRuntimeService {
     const before = beforeSettings.agentStatusHooksEnabled !== false
     this.store.updateSettings(updates, { notifyListeners: true })
     const settings = this.store.getSettings()
+    if (
+      updates.worktreeVisibilityDefaults !== undefined &&
+      beforeSettings.worktreeVisibilityDefaults?.external !==
+        settings.worktreeVisibilityDefaults?.external
+    ) {
+      this.notifyReposChanged()
+    }
     if (
       (typeof updates.agentStatusHooksEnabled === 'boolean' &&
         before !== updates.agentStatusHooksEnabled) ||
@@ -18725,7 +18737,6 @@ export class OrcaRuntimeService {
           badgeColor: DEFAULT_REPO_BADGE_COLOR,
           addedAt: Date.now(),
           kind: 'git',
-          externalWorktreeVisibility: 'hide',
           externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: false,
           ...(group
             ? {
@@ -18862,12 +18873,7 @@ export class OrcaRuntimeService {
       ...detected,
       addedAt: Date.now(),
       kind,
-      ...(kind === 'git'
-        ? {
-            externalWorktreeVisibility: 'hide' as const,
-            externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: false
-          }
-        : {})
+      ...(kind === 'git' ? { externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: false } : {})
     }
     this.store.addRepo(repo)
     await prepareLocalWorktreeRootForRepo(this.store, repo)
@@ -18983,12 +18989,7 @@ export class OrcaRuntimeService {
       ...detected,
       addedAt: Date.now(),
       kind: repoKind,
-      ...(repoKind === 'git'
-        ? {
-            externalWorktreeVisibility: 'hide' as const,
-            externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: false
-          }
-        : {})
+      ...(repoKind === 'git' ? { externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: false } : {})
     }
     this.store.addRepo(repo)
     await prepareLocalWorktreeRootForRepo(this.store, repo)
@@ -19157,7 +19158,6 @@ export class OrcaRuntimeService {
       ...detected,
       addedAt: Date.now(),
       kind: 'git',
-      externalWorktreeVisibility: 'hide',
       externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: false
     }
     this.store.addRepo(repo)
@@ -19205,7 +19205,6 @@ export class OrcaRuntimeService {
         | 'kind'
         | 'symlinkPaths'
         | 'issueSourcePreference'
-        | 'externalWorktreeVisibility'
         | 'externalWorktreeVisibilityPromptDismissedAt'
         | 'externalWorktreeInboxBaselinePaths'
         | 'importedExternalWorktreePaths'
@@ -19216,6 +19215,7 @@ export class OrcaRuntimeService {
         | 'projectGroupOrder'
       >
     > & {
+      externalWorktreeVisibility?: Repo['externalWorktreeVisibility'] | null
       sourceControlAi?: Repo['sourceControlAi'] | null
       externalWorktreeDiscoverySuppressedAt?: Repo['externalWorktreeDiscoverySuppressedAt'] | null
     }
@@ -19228,6 +19228,9 @@ export class OrcaRuntimeService {
     if ('worktreeBasePath' in updates && updates.worktreeBasePath === undefined) {
       sanitizedUpdates.worktreeBasePath = undefined
     }
+    if ('externalWorktreeVisibility' in updates && updates.externalWorktreeVisibility === null) {
+      sanitizedUpdates.externalWorktreeVisibility = undefined
+    }
     if (
       'externalWorktreeDiscoverySuppressedAt' in updates &&
       updates.externalWorktreeDiscoverySuppressedAt === null
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/client-ui-schemas.ts b/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/client-ui-schemas.ts
index ff125290da1..594b9325aaa 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/client-ui-schemas.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/client-ui-schemas.ts
@@ -138,6 +138,10 @@ const GitHubProjectSettings = z
 
 export const SettingsUpdate = z
   .object({
+    worktreeVisibilityDefaults: z
+      .object({ external: z.enum(['hide', 'show']).optional() })
+      .strict()
+      .optional(),
     defaultTuiAgent: z
       .unknown()
       .transform((value) =>
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/client-ui.test.ts b/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/client-ui.test.ts
index 18c747c242c..50b577de439 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/client-ui.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/client-ui.test.ts
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ function makeRequest(method: string, params?: unknown): RpcRequest {
 describe('client UI RPC methods', () => {
   it('returns the runtime host agent settings needed by mobile create flows', async () => {
     const settings = {
+      worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'show' as const },
       defaultTuiAgent: 'codex',
       disabledTuiAgents: ['claude'],
       agentCmdOverrides: { codex: 'codex --profile work' },
@@ -92,6 +93,7 @@ describe('client UI RPC methods', () => {
 
     const response = await dispatcher.dispatch(
       makeRequest('settings.update', {
+        worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'show' },
         defaultTuiAgent: 'codex',
         disabledTuiAgents: ['claude', 'not-real', 'claude'],
         defaultTaskSource: 'linear',
@@ -108,6 +110,7 @@ describe('client UI RPC methods', () => {
     )
 
     expect(runtime.updateClientSettings).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+      worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'show' },
       defaultTuiAgent: 'codex',
       disabledTuiAgents: ['claude'],
       defaultTaskSource: 'linear',
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/project-runtime-rpc-methods.ts b/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/project-runtime-rpc-methods.ts
index 60a821c3d31..db613d7992b 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/project-runtime-rpc-methods.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/project-runtime-rpc-methods.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { z } from 'zod'
 import { normalizeExecutionHostId } from '../../../../shared/execution-host'
 import { defineMethod, type RpcMethod } from '../core'
 import { OptionalString, requiredString } from '../schemas'
+import { projectRepoResultVisibilityForClient } from '../repo-visibility-projection'
 
 const ProjectProviderIdentity = z.object({
   provider: z.literal('github'),
@@ -129,29 +130,41 @@ export const PROJECT_RUNTIME_METHODS: RpcMethod[] = [
   defineMethod({
     name: 'projectHostSetup.setupExistingFolder',
     params: ProjectHostSetupExistingFolder,
-    handler: async (params, { runtime }) => ({
-      result: await runtime.setupProjectExistingFolder(params)
+    handler: async (params, context) => ({
+      result: projectRepoResultVisibilityForClient(
+        await context.runtime.setupProjectExistingFolder(params),
+        context
+      )
     })
   }),
   defineMethod({
     name: 'projectHostSetup.clone',
     params: ProjectHostSetupClone,
-    handler: async (params, { runtime }) => ({
-      result: await runtime.setupProjectClone(params)
+    handler: async (params, context) => ({
+      result: projectRepoResultVisibilityForClient(
+        await context.runtime.setupProjectClone(params),
+        context
+      )
     })
   }),
   defineMethod({
     name: 'projectHostSetup.update',
     params: ProjectHostSetupUpdate,
-    handler: (params, { runtime }) => ({
-      result: runtime.updateProjectHostSetup(params)
+    handler: (params, context) => ({
+      result: projectRepoResultVisibilityForClient(
+        context.runtime.updateProjectHostSetup(params),
+        context
+      )
     })
   }),
   defineMethod({
     name: 'projectHostSetup.delete',
     params: ProjectHostSetupDelete,
-    handler: (params, { runtime }) => ({
-      result: runtime.deleteProjectHostSetup(params)
+    handler: (params, context) => ({
+      result: projectRepoResultVisibilityForClient(
+        context.runtime.deleteProjectHostSetup(params),
+        context
+      )
     })
   })
 ]
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/repo-update-schema.ts b/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/repo-update-schema.ts
index f178bfa8d11..a8bddc66ff3 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/repo-update-schema.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/repo-update-schema.ts
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ export function createRepoUpdateSchema<T extends z.ZodRawShape>(
       symlinkPaths: z.array(z.string()).optional(),
       issueSourcePreference: z.enum(['auto', 'upstream', 'origin']).optional(),
       forkSyncMode: z.enum(['ask', 'safe-auto', 'off']).optional(),
-      externalWorktreeVisibility: z.enum(['hide', 'show']).optional(),
+      externalWorktreeVisibility: z.enum(['hide', 'show']).nullable().optional(),
       externalWorktreeVisibilityPromptDismissedAt: z.number().finite().optional(),
       externalWorktreeInboxBaselinePaths: z.array(z.string()).optional(),
       importedExternalWorktreePaths: z.array(z.string()).optional(),
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/repo.test.ts b/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/repo.test.ts
index 933c84a6d74..a267b705cb7 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/repo.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/repo.test.ts
@@ -3,12 +3,74 @@ import { RpcDispatcher } from '../dispatcher'
 import type { RpcRequest } from '../core'
 import type { OrcaRuntimeService } from '../../orca-runtime'
 import { REPO_METHODS } from './repo'
+import { WORKTREE_VISIBILITY_DEFAULTS_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY } from '../../../../shared/protocol-version'
 
 function makeRequest(method: string, params?: unknown): RpcRequest {
   return { id: 'req-1', authToken: 'tok', method, params }
 }
 
 describe('repo RPC methods', () => {
+  it('projects inherited visibility for old clients but preserves inheritance for capable clients', async () => {
+    const runtime = {
+      getRuntimeId: () => 'test-runtime',
+      enrichMissingRepoGitRemoteIdentities: vi.fn(),
+      listRepos: () => [{ id: 'repo-1', path: '/repo', externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: false }],
+      getClientSettings: () => ({ worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'show' } })
+    } as unknown as OrcaRuntimeService
+    const dispatcher = new RpcDispatcher({ runtime, methods: REPO_METHODS })
+    const legacyReplies: string[] = []
+    const currentReplies: string[] = []
+
+    await dispatcher.dispatchStreaming(makeRequest('repo.list'), (reply) =>
+      legacyReplies.push(reply)
+    )
+    await dispatcher.dispatchStreaming(
+      makeRequest('repo.list'),
+      (reply) => currentReplies.push(reply),
+      { clientCapabilities: [WORKTREE_VISIBILITY_DEFAULTS_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY] }
+    )
+
+    expect(JSON.parse(legacyReplies[0]!).result.repos[0].externalWorktreeVisibility).toBe('show')
+    expect(
+      JSON.parse(currentReplies[0]!).result.repos[0].externalWorktreeVisibility
+    ).toBeUndefined()
+  })
+
+  it('projects inherited visibility on repo mutation responses for old clients', async () => {
+    const repo = {
+      id: 'repo-1',
+      path: '/repo',
+      kind: 'git' as const,
+      externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: false
+    }
+    const runtime = {
+      getRuntimeId: () => 'test-runtime',
+      addRepo: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(repo),
+      getClientSettings: () => ({ worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'show' } })
+    } as unknown as OrcaRuntimeService
+    const dispatcher = new RpcDispatcher({ runtime, methods: REPO_METHODS })
+
+    const legacyResponse = await dispatcher.dispatch(
+      makeRequest('repo.add', { path: '/repo', kind: 'git' })
+    )
+    const currentReplies: string[] = []
+    await dispatcher.dispatchStreaming(
+      makeRequest('repo.add', { path: '/repo', kind: 'git' }),
+      (reply) => currentReplies.push(reply),
+      { clientCapabilities: [WORKTREE_VISIBILITY_DEFAULTS_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY] }
+    )
+    const currentResponse = JSON.parse(currentReplies[0]!)
+
+    expect(legacyResponse).toMatchObject({
+      ok: true,
+      result: { repo: { externalWorktreeVisibility: 'show' } }
+    })
+    expect(currentResponse).toMatchObject({ ok: true, result: { repo } })
+    expect((currentResponse as { result: { repo: typeof repo } }).result.repo).not.toHaveProperty(
+      'externalWorktreeVisibility'
+    )
+  })
+
   it('updates project runtime preferences on the runtime server', async () => {
     const project = {
       id: 'project-1',
@@ -362,6 +424,25 @@ describe('repo RPC methods', () => {
     })
   })
 
+  it('passes the null visibility sentinel through to clear a repository override', async () => {
+    const runtime = {
+      getRuntimeId: () => 'test-runtime',
+      updateRepo: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({ id: 'repo-1', path: '/srv/repo' })
+    } as unknown as OrcaRuntimeService
+    const dispatcher = new RpcDispatcher({ runtime, methods: REPO_METHODS })
+
+    await dispatcher.dispatch(
+      makeRequest('repo.update', {
+        repo: 'repo-1',
+        updates: { externalWorktreeVisibility: null }
+      })
+    )
+
+    expect(runtime.updateRepo).toHaveBeenCalledWith('repo-1', {
+      externalWorktreeVisibility: null
+    })
+  })
+
   it('persists resolved GitHub upstream metadata updates', async () => {
     const runtime = {
       getRuntimeId: () => 'test-runtime',
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/repo.ts b/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/repo.ts
index 455192a8c11..7bf14b02fb1 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/repo.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/repo.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,10 @@ import { OptionalFiniteNumber, OptionalString, requiredString } from '../schemas
 import { PROJECT_RUNTIME_METHODS } from './project-runtime-rpc-methods'
 import { FOLDER_WORKSPACE_METHODS } from './folder-workspace'
 import { createRepoUpdateSchema } from './repo-update-schema'
+import {
+  projectRepoResultVisibilityForClient,
+  projectRepoVisibilityForClient
+} from '../repo-visibility-projection'
 
 const RepoSelector = z.object({
   repo: requiredString('Missing repo selector')
@@ -108,9 +112,13 @@ export const REPO_METHODS: RpcMethod[] = [
   defineMethod({
     name: 'repo.list',
     params: null,
-    handler: (_params, { runtime }) => {
-      runtime.enrichMissingRepoGitRemoteIdentities?.()
-      return { repos: runtime.listRepos() }
+    handler: (_params, context) => {
+      context.runtime.enrichMissingRepoGitRemoteIdentities?.()
+      return {
+        repos: context.runtime
+          .listRepos()
+          .map((repo) => projectRepoVisibilityForClient(repo, context))
+      }
     }
   }),
   ...PROJECT_RUNTIME_METHODS,
@@ -141,8 +149,11 @@ export const REPO_METHODS: RpcMethod[] = [
   defineMethod({
     name: 'projectGroup.moveProject',
     params: ProjectGroupMoveProject,
-    handler: async (params, { runtime }) => ({
-      repo: await runtime.moveProjectToGroup(params.repo, params.groupId ?? null, params.order)
+    handler: async (params, context) => ({
+      repo: projectRepoVisibilityForClient(
+        await context.runtime.moveProjectToGroup(params.repo, params.groupId ?? null, params.order),
+        context
+      )
     })
   }),
   ...FOLDER_WORKSPACE_METHODS,
@@ -177,15 +188,21 @@ export const REPO_METHODS: RpcMethod[] = [
   defineMethod({
     name: 'repo.add',
     params: RepoPath,
-    handler: async (params, { runtime }) => ({
-      repo: await runtime.addRepo(params.path, params.kind)
+    handler: async (params, context) => ({
+      repo: projectRepoVisibilityForClient(
+        await context.runtime.addRepo(params.path, params.kind),
+        context
+      )
     })
   }),
   defineMethod({
     name: 'repo.create',
     params: RepoCreate,
-    handler: async (params, { runtime }) =>
-      runtime.createRepo(params.parentPath, params.name, params.kind)
+    handler: async (params, context) =>
+      projectRepoResultVisibilityForClient(
+        await context.runtime.createRepo(params.parentPath, params.name, params.kind),
+        context
+      )
   }),
   defineMethod({
     name: 'repo.gitAvailable',
@@ -195,22 +212,30 @@ export const REPO_METHODS: RpcMethod[] = [
   defineMethod({
     name: 'repo.clone',
     params: RepoClone,
-    handler: async (params, { runtime }) => ({
-      repo: await runtime.cloneRepo(params.url, params.destination)
+    handler: async (params, context) => ({
+      repo: projectRepoVisibilityForClient(
+        await context.runtime.cloneRepo(params.url, params.destination),
+        context
+      )
     })
   }),
   defineMethod({
     name: 'repo.show',
     params: RepoSelector,
-    handler: async (params, { runtime }) => ({ repo: await runtime.showRepo(params.repo) })
+    handler: async (params, context) => ({
+      repo: projectRepoVisibilityForClient(await context.runtime.showRepo(params.repo), context)
+    })
   }),
   defineMethod({
     name: 'repo.update',
     params: RepoUpdate,
-    handler: async (params, { runtime }) => ({
-      repo: await runtime.updateRepo(
-        params.repo,
-        params.updates as Parameters<typeof runtime.updateRepo>[1]
+    handler: async (params, context) => ({
+      repo: projectRepoVisibilityForClient(
+        await context.runtime.updateRepo(
+          params.repo,
+          params.updates as Parameters<typeof context.runtime.updateRepo>[1]
+        ),
+        context
       )
     })
   }),
@@ -227,8 +252,11 @@ export const REPO_METHODS: RpcMethod[] = [
   defineMethod({
     name: 'repo.setBaseRef',
     params: RepoSetBaseRef,
-    handler: async (params, { runtime }) => ({
-      repo: await runtime.setRepoBaseRef(params.repo, params.ref)
+    handler: async (params, context) => ({
+      repo: projectRepoVisibilityForClient(
+        await context.runtime.setRepoBaseRef(params.repo, params.ref),
+        context
+      )
     })
   }),
   defineMethod({
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/rpc/repo-visibility-projection.ts b/src/main/runtime/rpc/repo-visibility-projection.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..638a25bb3c9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/main/runtime/rpc/repo-visibility-projection.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+import {
+  effectiveExternalWorktreeVisibility,
+  isLegacyRepoForExternalWorktreeVisibility
+} from '../../../shared/external-worktree-visibility'
+import { WORKTREE_VISIBILITY_DEFAULTS_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY } from '../../../shared/protocol-version'
+import type { Repo } from '../../../shared/types'
+import type { RpcContext } from './core'
+
+type RepoProjectionContext = Pick<RpcContext, 'clientCapabilities' | 'runtime'>
+
+export function projectRepoVisibilityForClient(repo: Repo, context: RepoProjectionContext): Repo {
+  if (
+    context.clientCapabilities?.includes(WORKTREE_VISIBILITY_DEFAULTS_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY) ||
+    repo.kind === 'folder' ||
+    repo.externalWorktreeVisibility !== undefined
+  ) {
+    return repo
+  }
+  return {
+    ...repo,
+    externalWorktreeVisibility: effectiveExternalWorktreeVisibility(
+      repo,
+      isLegacyRepoForExternalWorktreeVisibility(repo),
+      context.runtime.getClientSettings?.().worktreeVisibilityDefaults
+    )
+  }
+}
+
+export function projectRepoResultVisibilityForClient<T extends object>(
+  result: T,
+  context: RepoProjectionContext
+): T {
+  const repo = (result as { repo?: Repo }).repo
+  return repo ? { ...result, repo: projectRepoVisibilityForClient(repo, context) } : result
+}
diff --git a/src/preload/api-types.ts b/src/preload/api-types.ts
index c6c8ac84f80..0e7f25445ac 100644
--- a/src/preload/api-types.ts
+++ b/src/preload/api-types.ts
@@ -1192,7 +1192,6 @@ export type PreloadApi = {
           | 'worktreeBasePath'
           | 'kind'
           | 'issueSourcePreference'
-          | 'externalWorktreeVisibility'
           | 'externalWorktreeVisibilityPromptDismissedAt'
           | 'externalWorktreeInboxBaselinePaths'
           | 'importedExternalWorktreePaths'
@@ -1204,6 +1203,7 @@ export type PreloadApi = {
           | 'forkSyncMode'
         >
       > & {
+        externalWorktreeVisibility?: Repo['externalWorktreeVisibility'] | null
         sourceControlAi?: Repo['sourceControlAi'] | null
         externalWorktreeDiscoverySuppressedAt?: Repo['externalWorktreeDiscoverySuppressedAt'] | null
       }
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/WorktreeJumpPalette.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/WorktreeJumpPalette.tsx
index f95bc25de5b..b70fbe8a674 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/WorktreeJumpPalette.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/WorktreeJumpPalette.tsx
@@ -660,6 +660,7 @@ function WorktreeJumpPaletteContent({
   const retainedAgentsByPaneKey = useAppStore((s) => s.retainedAgentsByPaneKey)
   const sleepingAgentSessionsByPaneKey = useAppStore((s) => s.sleepingAgentSessionsByPaneKey)
   const settings = useAppStore((s) => s.settings)
+  const worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost = useAppStore((s) => s.worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost)
   const sshTargetLabels = useAppStore((s) => s.sshTargetLabels)
   const sshConnectionStates = useAppStore((s) => s.sshConnectionStates)
   const runtimeEnvironments = useAppStore((s) => s.runtimeEnvironments)
@@ -1431,7 +1432,9 @@ function WorktreeJumpPaletteContent({
     }
     for (const repoId of buildImportedWorktreesCardCandidates({
       repos,
-      detectedWorktreesByRepo
+      detectedWorktreesByRepo,
+      settings,
+      visibilityDefaultsByHost: worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost
     }).keys()) {
       ids.add(repoId)
     }
@@ -1439,7 +1442,15 @@ function WorktreeJumpPaletteContent({
       ids.add(creation.request.repoId)
     }
     return ids
-  }, [allWorktrees, detectedWorktreesByRepo, pendingWorktreeCreations, repos, worktreesByRepo])
+  }, [
+    allWorktrees,
+    detectedWorktreesByRepo,
+    pendingWorktreeCreations,
+    repos,
+    settings,
+    worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost,
+    worktreesByRepo
+  ])
   const hasAnyProjectSearchCandidates = useMemo(
     () =>
       hasCmdJProjectSearchCandidates({
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/GeneralWorkspaceSettingsSection.test.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/GeneralWorkspaceSettingsSection.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..a8739ab8f4b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/GeneralWorkspaceSettingsSection.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+// @vitest-environment happy-dom
+
+import { act } from 'react'
+import { createRoot, type Root } from 'react-dom/client'
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import { getDefaultSettings } from '../../../../shared/constants'
+import { GeneralWorkspaceSettingsSection } from './GeneralWorkspaceSettingsSection'
+
+vi.mock('./WorkspaceDirectorySetting', () => ({ WorkspaceDirectorySetting: () => null }))
+vi.mock('./OpenInMenuSetting', () => ({ OpenInMenuSetting: () => null }))
+
+let container: HTMLDivElement
+let root: Root
+
+beforeEach(() => {
+  container = document.createElement('div')
+  document.body.appendChild(container)
+  root = createRoot(container)
+})
+
+afterEach(() => {
+  act(() => root.unmount())
+  container.remove()
+})
+
+describe('GeneralWorkspaceSettingsSection external visibility', () => {
+  it('writes the global Show default without touching repositories', () => {
+    const updateSettings = vi.fn()
+    act(() => {
+      root.render(
+        <GeneralWorkspaceSettingsSection
+          settings={getDefaultSettings('/home/user')}
+          updateSettings={updateSettings}
+        />
+      )
+    })
+
+    const show = container.querySelector<HTMLButtonElement>('[role="radio"][aria-checked="false"]')
+    expect(show?.textContent).toBe('Show')
+    act(() => show?.click())
+
+    expect(updateSettings).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+      worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'show' }
+    })
+  })
+
+  it('disables the control when the active host does not support global defaults', () => {
+    act(() => {
+      root.render(
+        <GeneralWorkspaceSettingsSection
+          settings={{
+            ...getDefaultSettings('/home/user'),
+            worktreeVisibilityDefaults: undefined
+          }}
+          updateSettings={vi.fn()}
+        />
+      )
+    })
+
+    expect(container.querySelectorAll('[role="radio"][aria-disabled="true"]')).toHaveLength(2)
+  })
+})
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/GeneralWorkspaceSettingsSection.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/GeneralWorkspaceSettingsSection.tsx
index 474628a5cf0..f4a5e2d9acb 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/GeneralWorkspaceSettingsSection.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/GeneralWorkspaceSettingsSection.tsx
@@ -2,7 +2,12 @@ import type React from 'react'
 import type { GlobalSettings } from '../../../../shared/types'
 import { OpenInMenuSetting } from './OpenInMenuSetting'
 import { SearchableSetting } from './SearchableSetting'
-import { SettingsSubsectionHeader, SettingsSwitchRow } from './SettingsFormControls'
+import {
+  SettingsRow,
+  SettingsSegmentedControl,
+  SettingsSubsectionHeader,
+  SettingsSwitchRow
+} from './SettingsFormControls'
 import { WorkspaceDirectorySetting } from './WorkspaceDirectorySetting'
 import { translate } from '@/i18n/i18n'
 
@@ -15,6 +20,7 @@ export function GeneralWorkspaceSettingsSection({
   settings,
   updateSettings
 }: GeneralWorkspaceSettingsSectionProps): React.JSX.Element {
+  const visibilityDefaultsSupported = settings.worktreeVisibilityDefaults !== undefined
   return (
     <section key="workspace" className="space-y-4">
       <SettingsSubsectionHeader
@@ -30,6 +36,58 @@ export function GeneralWorkspaceSettingsSection({
 
       <WorkspaceDirectorySetting settings={settings} updateSettings={updateSettings} />
 
+      <SearchableSetting
+        title={translate(
+          'auto.components.settings.GeneralWorkspaceSettingsSection.externalWorktrees',
+          'External worktrees'
+        )}
+        description={translate(
+          'auto.components.settings.GeneralWorkspaceSettingsSection.externalWorktreesDescription',
+          'Choose whether worktrees created outside Orca appear by default.'
+        )}
+        keywords={['external', 'non-Orca', 'worktree', 'visibility', 'sidebar', 'show', 'hide']}
+      >
+        <SettingsRow
+          label={translate(
+            'auto.components.settings.GeneralWorkspaceSettingsSection.externalWorktrees',
+            'External worktrees'
+          )}
+          description={translate(
+            'auto.components.settings.GeneralWorkspaceSettingsSection.externalWorktreesDescription',
+            'Choose whether worktrees created outside Orca appear by default.'
+          )}
+          control={
+            <SettingsSegmentedControl
+              size="sm"
+              value={settings.worktreeVisibilityDefaults?.external ?? 'hide'}
+              ariaLabel={translate(
+                'auto.components.settings.GeneralWorkspaceSettingsSection.externalWorktrees',
+                'External worktrees'
+              )}
+              onChange={(external) => updateSettings({ worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external } })}
+              options={[
+                {
+                  value: 'show',
+                  disabled: !visibilityDefaultsSupported,
+                  label: translate(
+                    'auto.components.settings.GeneralWorkspaceSettingsSection.show',
+                    'Show'
+                  )
+                },
+                {
+                  value: 'hide',
+                  disabled: !visibilityDefaultsSupported,
+                  label: translate(
+                    'auto.components.settings.GeneralWorkspaceSettingsSection.hide',
+                    'Hide'
+                  )
+                }
+              ]}
+            />
+          }
+        />
+      </SearchableSetting>
+
       <SearchableSetting
         title={translate(
           'auto.components.settings.GeneralWorkspaceSettingsSection.ba3480642f',
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/RepositoryPane.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/RepositoryPane.tsx
index ecec034cec2..39f254b5c8d 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/RepositoryPane.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/RepositoryPane.tsx
@@ -33,11 +33,16 @@ import { RepositoryWindowsRuntimeSection } from './RepositoryWindowsRuntimeSecti
 import { matchesRepositoryIdentitySearch } from './repository-identity-search'
 import { RepositoryWorktreeDefaultsSection } from './RepositoryWorktreeDefaultsSection'
 import { getProjectRuntimeSessionSummary } from './repository-runtime-session-summary'
+import { getRepoOwnerWorktreeVisibilityDefaults } from '../../store/worktree-visibility-defaults-by-host'
 export { getRepositoryPaneSearchEntries }
 export { matchesRepositoryIdentitySearch } from './repository-identity-search'
 
-type RepositoryPaneRepoUpdate = Omit<Partial<Repo>, 'sourceControlAi'> & {
+type RepositoryPaneRepoUpdate = Omit<
+  Partial<Repo>,
+  'sourceControlAi' | 'externalWorktreeVisibility'
+> & {
   sourceControlAi?: Repo['sourceControlAi'] | null
+  externalWorktreeVisibility?: Repo['externalWorktreeVisibility'] | null
 }
 
 const EMPTY_WSL_DISTROS: string[] = []
@@ -52,7 +57,7 @@ type RepositoryPaneProps = {
     repoId: string,
     updates: RepositoryPaneRepoUpdate,
     options?: { hostId?: ExecutionHostId }
-  ) => void
+  ) => void | Promise<boolean>
   removeProject: (repoId: string) => void
   project?: Project | null
   selectedProjectSetupId?: string
@@ -95,6 +100,20 @@ export function RepositoryPane({
   )
   const searchQuery = useAppStore((state) => state.settingsSearchQuery)
   const settings = useAppStore((state) => state.settings)
+  const worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost = useAppStore(
+    (state) => state.worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost
+  )
+  const repoOwnerSettings = settings
+    ? {
+        ...settings,
+        worktreeVisibilityDefaults: getRepoOwnerWorktreeVisibilityDefaults(
+          repo,
+          settings,
+          worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost
+        )
+      }
+    : null
+  const fetchWorktrees = useAppStore((state) => state.fetchWorktrees)
   const runtimeSessionSummary = useAppStore(
     useShallow((state) => getProjectRuntimeSessionSummary(state, repo.id))
   )
@@ -170,6 +189,7 @@ export function RepositoryPane({
     ),
     translate('auto.components.settings.repository.search.094adbe930', 'Default Worktree Base'),
     translate('auto.components.settings.repository.search.443d127b5a', 'Worktree Location'),
+    translate('auto.components.settings.repository.search.externalWorktrees', 'External worktrees'),
     translate('auto.components.settings.repository.search.projectRuntime', 'Project Runtime'),
     translate('auto.components.settings.repository.search.c5266c2c9d', 'Remove Project')
   ])
@@ -351,8 +371,14 @@ export function RepositoryPane({
 
             <RepositoryWorktreeDefaultsSection
               repo={repo}
-              settings={settings}
+              settings={repoOwnerSettings}
               updateRepo={updateSelectedRepo}
+              refreshRepo={(repoId) =>
+                fetchWorktrees(repoId, {
+                  executionHostId: selectedHostId,
+                  requireAuthoritative: true
+                })
+              }
               forceVisible={forceFullPaneForRepoMatch}
             />
           </>
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/RepositoryWorktreeDefaultsSection.test.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/RepositoryWorktreeDefaultsSection.test.tsx
index eaf2b453988..9bda19ae35c 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/RepositoryWorktreeDefaultsSection.test.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/RepositoryWorktreeDefaultsSection.test.tsx
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 import React, { act } from 'react'
 import { createRoot, type Root } from 'react-dom/client'
 import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
-import type { Repo } from '../../../../shared/types'
+import type { GlobalSettings, Repo } from '../../../../shared/types'
 import { RepositoryWorktreeDefaultsSection } from './RepositoryWorktreeDefaultsSection'
 
 vi.mock('../../store', () => ({
@@ -15,6 +15,28 @@ vi.mock('./BaseRefPicker', () => ({
   BaseRefPicker: () => null
 }))
 
+vi.mock('../ui/select', () => ({
+  Select: ({
+    value,
+    onValueChange,
+    children
+  }: {
+    value: string
+    onValueChange: (value: string) => void
+    children: React.ReactNode
+  }) => (
+    <select value={value} onChange={(event) => onValueChange(event.currentTarget.value)}>
+      {children}
+    </select>
+  ),
+  SelectTrigger: () => null,
+  SelectValue: () => null,
+  SelectContent: ({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) => <>{children}</>,
+  SelectItem: ({ value, children }: { value: string; children: React.ReactNode }) => (
+    <option value={value}>{children}</option>
+  )
+}))
+
 const BASE_REPO: Repo = {
   id: 'repo-1',
   path: '/home/user/project',
@@ -39,13 +61,21 @@ afterEach(() => {
   container.remove()
 })
 
-function render(repo: Repo, updateRepo: (repoId: string, updates: object) => void): void {
+function render(
+  repo: Repo,
+  updateRepo: (repoId: string, updates: object) => void | Promise<boolean>,
+  options: {
+    settings?: Pick<GlobalSettings, 'workspaceDir' | 'worktreeVisibilityDefaults'> | null
+    refreshRepo?: (repoId: string) => void | Promise<unknown>
+  } = {}
+): void {
   act(() => {
     root.render(
       React.createElement(RepositoryWorktreeDefaultsSection, {
         repo,
-        settings: null,
+        settings: options.settings ?? null,
         updateRepo,
+        refreshRepo: options.refreshRepo ?? (() => {}),
         forceVisible: true
       })
     )
@@ -141,3 +171,54 @@ describe('RepositoryWorktreeDefaultsSection — worktree path', () => {
     expect(updateRepo).toHaveBeenCalledWith('repo-1', { worktreeBasePath: undefined })
   })
 })
+
+describe('RepositoryWorktreeDefaultsSection — external visibility', () => {
+  it('shows the inherited effective value without stamping the repo', () => {
+    render(BASE_REPO, vi.fn(), {
+      settings: {
+        workspaceDir: '/home/user/orca/workspaces',
+        worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'show' }
+      }
+    })
+
+    expect(container.textContent).toContain('Using global: Show')
+    expect(container.querySelector('select')?.value).toBe('global')
+  })
+
+  it('clears the override with the remote-safe null sentinel and refreshes classification', async () => {
+    const updateRepo = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(true)
+    const refreshRepo = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(true)
+    render({ ...BASE_REPO, externalWorktreeVisibility: 'show' }, updateRepo, { refreshRepo })
+
+    await act(async () => {
+      const select = container.querySelector('select')!
+      select.value = 'global'
+      select.dispatchEvent(new Event('change', { bubbles: true }))
+    })
+
+    expect(updateRepo).toHaveBeenCalledWith('repo-1', { externalWorktreeVisibility: null })
+    expect(refreshRepo).toHaveBeenCalledWith('repo-1')
+  })
+
+  it('falls back to the effective explicit value when an older host rejects inheritance', async () => {
+    const updateRepo = vi.fn().mockResolvedValueOnce(false).mockResolvedValueOnce(true)
+    render(
+      {
+        ...BASE_REPO,
+        externalWorktreeVisibility: 'show',
+        externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: false
+      },
+      updateRepo
+    )
+
+    await act(async () => {
+      const select = container.querySelector('select')!
+      select.value = 'global'
+      select.dispatchEvent(new Event('change', { bubbles: true }))
+    })
+
+    expect(updateRepo).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(2, 'repo-1', {
+      externalWorktreeVisibility: 'show'
+    })
+  })
+})
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/RepositoryWorktreeDefaultsSection.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/RepositoryWorktreeDefaultsSection.tsx
index e9bef371510..f6b109170f8 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/RepositoryWorktreeDefaultsSection.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/RepositoryWorktreeDefaultsSection.tsx
@@ -1,18 +1,29 @@
 import type { GlobalSettings, Repo } from '../../../../shared/types'
 import { Button } from '../ui/button'
 import { Label } from '../ui/label'
+import { Select, SelectContent, SelectItem, SelectTrigger, SelectValue } from '../ui/select'
 import { BaseRefPicker } from './BaseRefPicker'
 import { RepoSettingsDraftInput } from './RepositorySettingsDraftInput'
 import { SearchableSetting } from './SearchableSetting'
 import { translate } from '@/i18n/i18n'
 import { getRepoExecutionHostId } from '../../../../shared/execution-host'
+import {
+  effectiveExternalWorktreeVisibility,
+  isLegacyRepoForExternalWorktreeVisibility
+} from '../../../../shared/external-worktree-visibility'
 
-type RepositoryWorktreeDefaultsUpdate = Pick<Repo, 'worktreeBasePath' | 'worktreeBaseRef'>
+type RepositoryWorktreeDefaultsUpdate = Pick<Repo, 'worktreeBasePath' | 'worktreeBaseRef'> & {
+  externalWorktreeVisibility?: Repo['externalWorktreeVisibility'] | null
+}
 
 type RepositoryWorktreeDefaultsSectionProps = {
   repo: Repo
-  settings: Pick<GlobalSettings, 'workspaceDir'> | null
-  updateRepo: (repoId: string, updates: Partial<RepositoryWorktreeDefaultsUpdate>) => void
+  settings: Pick<GlobalSettings, 'workspaceDir' | 'worktreeVisibilityDefaults'> | null
+  updateRepo: (
+    repoId: string,
+    updates: Partial<RepositoryWorktreeDefaultsUpdate>
+  ) => void | Promise<boolean>
+  refreshRepo: (repoId: string) => void | Promise<unknown>
   forceVisible: boolean
 }
 
@@ -20,10 +31,96 @@ export function RepositoryWorktreeDefaultsSection({
   repo,
   settings,
   updateRepo,
+  refreshRepo,
   forceVisible
 }: RepositoryWorktreeDefaultsSectionProps): React.JSX.Element {
+  const isLegacyRepo = isLegacyRepoForExternalWorktreeVisibility(repo)
+  const globalVisibility =
+    settings?.worktreeVisibilityDefaults?.external ?? (isLegacyRepo ? 'show' : 'hide')
+  const effectiveVisibility = effectiveExternalWorktreeVisibility(
+    repo,
+    isLegacyRepo,
+    settings?.worktreeVisibilityDefaults
+  )
+  const updateVisibility = async (value: string): Promise<void> => {
+    const visibility = value === 'global' ? null : value === 'show' ? 'show' : 'hide'
+    let updated = await updateRepo(repo.id, { externalWorktreeVisibility: visibility })
+    if (updated === false && visibility === null) {
+      updated = await updateRepo(repo.id, { externalWorktreeVisibility: effectiveVisibility })
+    }
+    if (updated !== false) {
+      await refreshRepo(repo.id)
+    }
+  }
   return (
     <>
+      <SearchableSetting
+        title={translate(
+          'auto.components.settings.RepositoryPane.externalWorktrees',
+          'External worktrees'
+        )}
+        description={translate(
+          'auto.components.settings.RepositoryPane.externalWorktreesDescription',
+          'Override whether worktrees created outside Orca appear for this project.'
+        )}
+        keywords={[repo.displayName, 'external', 'non-Orca', 'visibility', 'sidebar']}
+        className="space-y-2"
+        forceVisible={forceVisible}
+      >
+        <div className="flex items-center justify-between gap-3">
+          <div className="min-w-0 space-y-1">
+            <Label className="text-sm font-semibold">
+              {translate(
+                'auto.components.settings.RepositoryPane.externalWorktrees',
+                'External worktrees'
+              )}
+            </Label>
+            <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+              {repo.externalWorktreeVisibility === undefined
+                ? translate(
+                    'auto.components.settings.RepositoryPane.externalWorktreesInherited',
+                    'Using global: {{value0}}',
+                    {
+                      value0:
+                        effectiveVisibility === 'show'
+                          ? translate('auto.components.settings.RepositoryPane.show', 'Show')
+                          : translate('auto.components.settings.RepositoryPane.hide', 'Hide')
+                    }
+                  )
+                : translate(
+                    'auto.components.settings.RepositoryPane.externalWorktreesGlobal',
+                    'Global default: {{value0}}',
+                    {
+                      value0:
+                        globalVisibility === 'show'
+                          ? translate('auto.components.settings.RepositoryPane.show', 'Show')
+                          : translate('auto.components.settings.RepositoryPane.hide', 'Hide')
+                    }
+                  )}
+            </p>
+          </div>
+          <Select
+            value={repo.externalWorktreeVisibility ?? 'global'}
+            onValueChange={(value) => void updateVisibility(value)}
+          >
+            <SelectTrigger size="sm" className="h-8 w-[132px] text-xs">
+              <SelectValue />
+            </SelectTrigger>
+            <SelectContent>
+              <SelectItem value="global">
+                {translate('auto.components.settings.RepositoryPane.useGlobal', 'Use global')}
+              </SelectItem>
+              <SelectItem value="show">
+                {translate('auto.components.settings.RepositoryPane.show', 'Show')}
+              </SelectItem>
+              <SelectItem value="hide">
+                {translate('auto.components.settings.RepositoryPane.hide', 'Hide')}
+              </SelectItem>
+            </SelectContent>
+          </Select>
+        </div>
+      </SearchableSetting>
+
       <SearchableSetting
         title={translate(
           'auto.components.settings.RepositoryPane.f88db4fece',
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/general-search.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/general-search.ts
index a79f994d5fa..3df690ce398 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/general-search.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/general-search.ts
@@ -23,6 +23,25 @@ export const getGeneralWorkspaceSearchEntries = createLocalizedCatalog(() => [
       ...translateSearchKeyword('auto.components.settings.general.search.df10666259', 'worktree')
     ]
   },
+  {
+    title: translate(
+      'auto.components.settings.general.search.externalWorktrees',
+      'External worktrees'
+    ),
+    description: translate(
+      'auto.components.settings.general.search.externalWorktreesDescription',
+      'Choose whether worktrees created outside Orca appear by default.'
+    ),
+    keywords: [
+      ...translateSearchKeyword(
+        'auto.components.settings.general.search.externalKeyword',
+        'external'
+      ),
+      ...translateSearchKeyword('auto.components.settings.general.search.visibility', 'visibility'),
+      ...translateSearchKeyword('auto.components.settings.general.search.sidebar', 'sidebar'),
+      ...translateSearchKeyword('auto.components.settings.general.search.df10666259', 'worktree')
+    ]
+  },
   {
     title: translate('auto.components.settings.general.search.141f71c69f', 'Nest Workspaces'),
     description: translate(
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/repository-git-worktree-search-entries.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/repository-git-worktree-search-entries.ts
index 2aacea52b61..776d4850ad0 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/repository-git-worktree-search-entries.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/repository-git-worktree-search-entries.ts
@@ -5,6 +5,28 @@ import { translateSearchKeyword } from './settings-search-keywords'
 
 export function getRepositoryGitWorktreeSearchEntries(repo: Repo): SettingsSearchEntry[] {
   return [
+    {
+      title: translate(
+        'auto.components.settings.repository.search.externalWorktrees',
+        'External worktrees'
+      ),
+      description: translate(
+        'auto.components.settings.repository.search.externalWorktreesDescription',
+        'Override whether worktrees created outside Orca appear for this project.'
+      ),
+      keywords: [
+        repo.displayName,
+        ...translateSearchKeyword(
+          'auto.components.settings.repository.search.external',
+          'external'
+        ),
+        ...translateSearchKeyword(
+          'auto.components.settings.repository.search.visibility',
+          'visibility'
+        ),
+        ...translateSearchKeyword('auto.components.settings.repository.search.sidebar', 'sidebar')
+      ]
+    },
     {
       title: translate(
         'auto.components.settings.repository.search.094adbe930',
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeList.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeList.tsx
index be462b94bf0..2618543c8fb 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeList.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeList.tsx
@@ -67,9 +67,11 @@ import type {
   WorktreeMeta,
   WorkspaceLineage,
   WorkspaceStatus,
-  WorkspaceStatusDefinition
+  WorkspaceStatusDefinition,
+  GlobalSettings
 } from '../../../../shared/types'
 import { DEFAULT_SHOW_SLEEPING_WORKSPACES } from '../../../../shared/constants'
+import { getRepoOwnerWorktreeVisibilityDefaults } from '../../store/worktree-visibility-defaults-by-host'
 import { buildWorktreeComparator, compareWorktreeSortLabel } from './smart-sort'
 import {
   buildAttentionByWorktree,
@@ -644,10 +646,14 @@ function getSidebarRowRevealAncestorKeys(args: {
   return [...keys]
 }
 
-function getWorktreeVisibilityMenuLabel(repo: Repo): string {
+function getWorktreeVisibilityMenuLabel(
+  repo: Repo,
+  visibilityDefaults?: GlobalSettings['worktreeVisibilityDefaults']
+): string {
   const visibility = effectiveExternalWorktreeVisibility(
     repo,
-    isLegacyRepoForExternalWorktreeVisibility(repo)
+    isLegacyRepoForExternalWorktreeVisibility(repo),
+    visibilityDefaults
   )
   return visibility === 'show' ? 'Hide non-Orca worktrees' : 'Show hidden worktrees'
 }
@@ -1484,6 +1490,7 @@ const VirtualizedWorktreeViewport = React.memo(function VirtualizedWorktreeViewp
   const sshConnectedGeneration = useAppStore((s) => s.sshConnectedGeneration)
   const prVisibleRefreshGeneration = useAppStore((s) => s.prVisibleRefreshGeneration)
   const settings = useAppStore((s) => s.settings)
+  const worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost = useAppStore((s) => s.worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost)
   const newCardStyle = settings?.experimentalNewWorktreeCardStyle === true
   const reorderRepos = useAppStore((s) => s.reorderRepos)
   const folderBackedProjectGroupIds = useMemo(
@@ -4638,7 +4645,14 @@ const VirtualizedWorktreeViewport = React.memo(function VirtualizedWorktreeViewp
                                 }}
                               >
                                 <Eye className="size-3.5" />
-                                {getWorktreeVisibilityMenuLabel(row.repo)}
+                                {getWorktreeVisibilityMenuLabel(
+                                  row.repo,
+                                  getRepoOwnerWorktreeVisibilityDefaults(
+                                    row.repo,
+                                    settings,
+                                    worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost
+                                  )
+                                )}
                               </DropdownMenuItem>
                             ) : null}
                             <DropdownMenuItem
@@ -5356,6 +5370,7 @@ const WorktreeList = React.memo(function WorktreeList({
     useShallow((s) => selectWorktreeListReviewCacheInputs(s, groupBy, cardProps))
   )
   const settings = useAppStore((s) => s.settings)
+  const worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost = useAppStore((s) => s.worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost)
   const pinnedDisplayPolicy = getPinnedWorktreeDisplayPolicy(settings)
   const sshTargetLabels = useAppStore((s) => s.sshTargetLabels)
   const sshConnectionStates = useAppStore((s) => s.sshConnectionStates)
@@ -5736,17 +5751,34 @@ const WorktreeList = React.memo(function WorktreeList({
       repos: visibleReposForRows,
       detectedWorktreesByRepo,
       filterRepoIds,
-      forceVisibleRepoIds
+      forceVisibleRepoIds,
+      settings,
+      visibilityDefaultsByHost: worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost
     })
-  }, [detectedWorktreesByRepo, filterRepoIds, importedWorktreeCardActionState, visibleReposForRows])
+  }, [
+    detectedWorktreesByRepo,
+    filterRepoIds,
+    importedWorktreeCardActionState,
+    settings,
+    worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost,
+    visibleReposForRows
+  ])
   const newExternalWorktreesInboxByRepo = useMemo(
     () =>
       buildNewExternalWorktreesInboxCandidates({
         repos: visibleReposForRows,
         detectedWorktreesByRepo,
-        filterRepoIds
+        filterRepoIds,
+        settings,
+        visibilityDefaultsByHost: worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost
       }),
-    [detectedWorktreesByRepo, filterRepoIds, visibleReposForRows]
+    [
+      detectedWorktreesByRepo,
+      filterRepoIds,
+      settings,
+      worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost,
+      visibleReposForRows
+    ]
   )
   const placeholderRepoIds = useMemo(() => {
     return getEmptyProjectPlaceholderRepoIds({
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeVisibilityDialog.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeVisibilityDialog.tsx
index 835f68d317e..31145b6da44 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeVisibilityDialog.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeVisibilityDialog.tsx
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ function getLatestRepoForScope(scope: string): Repo | null {
     null
   )
 }
+import { useRepoOwnerVisibilityDefaults } from './use-repo-owner-visibility-defaults'
 
 export default function WorktreeVisibilityDialog(): React.JSX.Element | null {
   const activeModal = useAppStore((s) => s.activeModal)
@@ -86,6 +87,7 @@ export default function WorktreeVisibilityDialog(): React.JSX.Element | null {
   const effectiveBusyPath =
     busyPath ?? (activeMutation?.kind === 'row' ? activeMutation.path : null)
   const effectivelyToggling = isToggling || activeMutation?.kind === 'toggle'
+  const visibilityDefaults = useRepoOwnerVisibilityDefaults(repo)
 
   useLayoutEffect(() => {
     currentMutationScopeRef.current = mutationScope
@@ -351,6 +353,7 @@ export default function WorktreeVisibilityDialog(): React.JSX.Element | null {
         <WorktreeVisibilitySourceList
           repo={repo}
           worktrees={detected?.authoritative ? detected.worktrees : []}
+          visibilityDefaults={visibilityDefaults}
           disabled={effectiveBusyPath !== null || effectivelyToggling || listState === 'checking'}
           onAdd={handleAddSource}
           onRemove={handleRemoveSource}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeVisibilitySourceList.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeVisibilitySourceList.tsx
index e3bce6563cd..6a63b16b827 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeVisibilitySourceList.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeVisibilitySourceList.tsx
@@ -10,7 +10,8 @@ import type {
   BuiltInWorktreeVisibilitySourceId,
   CustomWorktreeVisibilitySource,
   DetectedWorktree,
-  Repo
+  Repo,
+  WorktreeVisibilityDefaults
 } from '../../../../shared/types'
 import {
   createWorktreeVisibilitySourceMatcher,
@@ -33,6 +34,7 @@ export type WorktreeVisibilitySourceRow =
 type Props = {
   repo: Repo
   worktrees: readonly DetectedWorktree[]
+  visibilityDefaults?: WorktreeVisibilityDefaults
   disabled: boolean
   onAdd: (rootPath: string) => Promise<WorktreeVisibilitySourceAddResult>
   onRemove: (source: CustomWorktreeVisibilitySource) => Promise<void>
@@ -77,7 +79,11 @@ function getSourcePath(source: WorktreeVisibilitySourceRow): string {
   return `${source.source.rootPath.replace(/[\\/]+$/, '')}/*`
 }
 
-function isSourceEnabled(repo: Repo, source: WorktreeVisibilitySourceRow): boolean {
+function isSourceEnabled(
+  repo: Repo,
+  source: WorktreeVisibilitySourceRow,
+  visibilityDefaults?: WorktreeVisibilityDefaults
+): boolean {
   if (source.kind === 'built-in') {
     return effectiveBuiltInWorktreeSourceVisibility(repo, source.id) === 'show'
   }
@@ -85,8 +91,11 @@ function isSourceEnabled(repo: Repo, source: WorktreeVisibilitySourceRow): boole
     return effectiveCustomWorktreeSourceVisibility(repo, source.source.id) === 'show'
   }
   return (
-    effectiveExternalWorktreeVisibility(repo, isLegacyRepoForExternalWorktreeVisibility(repo)) ===
-    'show'
+    effectiveExternalWorktreeVisibility(
+      repo,
+      isLegacyRepoForExternalWorktreeVisibility(repo),
+      visibilityDefaults
+    ) === 'show'
   )
 }
 
@@ -109,6 +118,7 @@ function getAccessibleSourceLabel(source: WorktreeVisibilitySourceRow, label: st
 export default function WorktreeVisibilitySourceList({
   repo,
   worktrees,
+  visibilityDefaults,
   disabled,
   onAdd,
   onRemove,
@@ -257,7 +267,7 @@ export default function WorktreeVisibilitySourceList({
                   </Tooltip>
                 ) : null}
                 <Switch
-                  checked={isSourceEnabled(repo, source)}
+                  checked={isSourceEnabled(repo, source, visibilityDefaults)}
                   disabled={disabled}
                   aria-label={translate(
                     'auto.components.sidebar.WorktreeVisibilitySourceList.toggle',
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/imported-worktrees-card-candidates.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/imported-worktrees-card-candidates.ts
index d701ff20a21..a7d906f9da5 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/imported-worktrees-card-candidates.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/imported-worktrees-card-candidates.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,12 @@
-import type { DetectedWorktreeListResult, Repo, Worktree } from '../../../../shared/types'
+import type {
+  DetectedWorktreeListResult,
+  Repo,
+  Worktree,
+  WorktreeVisibilityDefaults,
+  GlobalSettings
+} from '../../../../shared/types'
+import type { ExecutionHostId } from '../../../../shared/execution-host'
+import { getRepoOwnerWorktreeVisibilityDefaults } from '../../store/worktree-visibility-defaults-by-host'
 import { getHiddenExternalWorktrees } from '../../../../shared/external-worktree-inbox'
 import { isGitRepoKind } from '../../../../shared/repo-kind'
 import {
@@ -19,6 +27,8 @@ export function buildImportedWorktreesCardCandidates(args: {
   detectedWorktreesByRepo: Readonly<Record<string, DetectedWorktreeListResult | undefined>>
   filterRepoIds?: readonly string[]
   forceVisibleRepoIds?: ReadonlySet<string>
+  settings?: Pick<GlobalSettings, 'worktreeVisibilityDefaults'> | null
+  visibilityDefaultsByHost?: Partial<Record<ExecutionHostId, WorktreeVisibilityDefaults | null>>
 }): Map<string, ImportedWorktreesCardCandidate> {
   const visibleRepoIds = args.visibleWorktrees
     ? new Set(args.visibleWorktrees.map((worktree) => worktree.repoId))
@@ -40,7 +50,12 @@ export function buildImportedWorktreesCardCandidates(args: {
     }
     const visibility = effectiveExternalWorktreeVisibility(
       repo,
-      isLegacyRepoForExternalWorktreeVisibility(repo)
+      isLegacyRepoForExternalWorktreeVisibility(repo),
+      getRepoOwnerWorktreeVisibilityDefaults(
+        repo,
+        args.settings,
+        args.visibilityDefaultsByHost ?? {}
+      )
     )
     if (visibility !== 'hide' && !args.forceVisibleRepoIds?.has(repo.id)) {
       continue
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/new-external-worktrees-inbox-candidates.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/new-external-worktrees-inbox-candidates.ts
index fd215cea7ad..f2ebf1813b4 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/new-external-worktrees-inbox-candidates.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/new-external-worktrees-inbox-candidates.ts
@@ -2,8 +2,12 @@ import type {
   DetectedWorktree,
   DetectedWorktreeListResult,
   Repo,
-  Worktree
+  Worktree,
+  WorktreeVisibilityDefaults,
+  GlobalSettings
 } from '../../../../shared/types'
+import type { ExecutionHostId } from '../../../../shared/execution-host'
+import { getRepoOwnerWorktreeVisibilityDefaults } from '../../store/worktree-visibility-defaults-by-host'
 import { getNewExternalWorktreeInboxWorktrees } from '../../../../shared/external-worktree-inbox'
 import { isGitRepoKind } from '../../../../shared/repo-kind'
 import type { NewExternalWorktreesInboxCandidate } from './worktree-list-groups'
@@ -13,6 +17,8 @@ export function buildNewExternalWorktreesInboxCandidates(args: {
   visibleWorktrees?: readonly Worktree[]
   detectedWorktreesByRepo: Readonly<Record<string, DetectedWorktreeListResult | undefined>>
   filterRepoIds?: readonly string[]
+  settings?: Pick<GlobalSettings, 'worktreeVisibilityDefaults'> | null
+  visibilityDefaultsByHost?: Partial<Record<ExecutionHostId, WorktreeVisibilityDefaults | null>>
 }): Map<string, NewExternalWorktreesInboxCandidate> {
   const visibleRepoIds = args.visibleWorktrees
     ? new Set(args.visibleWorktrees.map((worktree) => worktree.repoId))
@@ -31,7 +37,12 @@ export function buildNewExternalWorktreesInboxCandidates(args: {
     }
     const inboxWorktrees = getNewExternalWorktreeInboxWorktrees(
       args.detectedWorktreesByRepo[repo.id],
-      repo
+      repo,
+      getRepoOwnerWorktreeVisibilityDefaults(
+        repo,
+        args.settings,
+        args.visibilityDefaultsByHost ?? {}
+      )
     )
     if (inboxWorktrees.length > 0) {
       candidates.set(repo.id, { repo, inboxWorktrees })
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/use-repo-owner-visibility-defaults.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/use-repo-owner-visibility-defaults.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..b4116c0aa6d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/use-repo-owner-visibility-defaults.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+import { useAppStore } from '@/store'
+import type { Repo, WorktreeVisibilityDefaults } from '../../../../shared/types'
+import { getRepoOwnerWorktreeVisibilityDefaults } from '../../store/worktree-visibility-defaults-by-host'
+
+export function useRepoOwnerVisibilityDefaults(
+  repo: Repo | null
+): WorktreeVisibilityDefaults | undefined {
+  const settings = useAppStore((state) => state.settings)
+  const defaultsByHost = useAppStore((state) => state.worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost)
+  return repo ? getRepoOwnerWorktreeVisibilityDefaults(repo, settings, defaultsByHost) : undefined
+}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/hooks/useIpcEvents.ts b/src/renderer/src/hooks/useIpcEvents.ts
index eb53914e3a9..61193e9145e 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/hooks/useIpcEvents.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/hooks/useIpcEvents.ts
@@ -1251,16 +1251,31 @@ export function useIpcEvents(): void {
         if (!store.settings) {
           return
         }
+        const { worktreeVisibilityDefaults, ...activeOwnerUpdates } = updates
+        const settingsUpdates = store.settings.activeRuntimeEnvironmentId
+          ? activeOwnerUpdates
+          : updates
         useAppStore.setState({
           settings: {
             ...store.settings,
-            ...updates,
+            ...settingsUpdates,
             notifications: {
               ...store.settings.notifications,
               ...updates.notifications
             }
-          }
+          },
+          ...(worktreeVisibilityDefaults
+            ? {
+                worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost: {
+                  ...store.worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost,
+                  local: worktreeVisibilityDefaults
+                }
+              }
+            : {})
         })
+        if ('worktreeVisibilityDefaults' in updates) {
+          void store.fetchAllWorktrees()
+        }
       })
     )
 
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/en.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/en.json
index 84ceb08cf5a..ff527a1f164 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/en.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/en.json
@@ -6316,7 +6316,11 @@
           "7511097c5d": "Workspace",
           "31e300af1c": "Ask Before Deleting Artifacts",
           "fb29a73a17": "Show a confirmation dialog before deleting a shared artifact and breaking its public link.",
-          "bf46474e33": "Show a confirmation before deleting a shared artifact. Anyone holding its public link loses access."
+          "bf46474e33": "Show a confirmation before deleting a shared artifact. Anyone holding its public link loses access.",
+          "externalWorktrees": "External worktrees",
+          "externalWorktreesDescription": "Choose whether worktrees created outside Orca appear by default.",
+          "show": "Show",
+          "hide": "Hide"
         },
         "GhosttyImportModal": {
           "9d3e56ca36": "Apply Changes",
@@ -7040,7 +7044,14 @@
           "hostStateUnknown": "Unknown",
           "nestedHostLabel": "{{value0}} via {{value1}}",
           "hostStateWorkspaceWindowClosed": "Workspace window closed",
-          "hostWorkspaceWindowClosedHelp": "The server is reachable but its Orca window is closed. Open Orca on {{value0}} to use this setup."
+          "hostWorkspaceWindowClosedHelp": "The server is reachable but its Orca window is closed. Open Orca on {{value0}} to use this setup.",
+          "externalWorktrees": "External worktrees",
+          "externalWorktreesDescription": "Override whether worktrees created outside Orca appear for this project.",
+          "externalWorktreesInherited": "Using global: {{value0}}",
+          "show": "Show",
+          "hide": "Hide",
+          "externalWorktreesGlobal": "Global default: {{value0}}",
+          "useGlobal": "Use global"
         },
         "RepositorySourceControlAiActionRows": {
           "548a6e1281": "Command template",
@@ -8669,7 +8680,9 @@
             "e61157e926": "Editor Word Wrap",
             "005be5c699": "Wrap long lines in file editors instead of requiring horizontal scrolling.",
             "editorFontFamily": "Editor Font Family",
-            "editorFontFamilyDesc": "Font used by file editors and diff views. Leave empty to follow the terminal font."
+            "editorFontFamilyDesc": "Font used by file editors and diff views. Leave empty to follow the terminal font.",
+            "externalWorktrees": "External worktrees",
+            "externalWorktreesDescription": "Choose whether worktrees created outside Orca appear by default."
           }
         },
         "git": {
@@ -9159,7 +9172,9 @@
             "keepForkUpToDate": "Keep Fork Up to Date",
             "keepForkUpToDateDescription": "Safely fast-forward this fork from upstream.",
             "projectRuntime": "Project Runtime",
-            "projectRuntimeDescription": "Choose whether this project runs on Windows or WSL."
+            "projectRuntimeDescription": "Choose whether this project runs on Windows or WSL.",
+            "externalWorktrees": "External worktrees",
+            "externalWorktreesDescription": "Override whether worktrees created outside Orca appear for this project."
           }
         },
         "runtime": {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/es.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/es.json
index 0dbd4d9b36f..d9fc42279a0 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/es.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/es.json
@@ -5974,7 +5974,11 @@
           "5567191a6e": "Examinar",
           "0e9fc0eadc": "Directorio de espacio de trabajo",
           "e2955d9ccb": "Configura dónde se crean nuevos espacios de trabajo.",
-          "7511097c5d": "Espacio de trabajo"
+          "7511097c5d": "Espacio de trabajo",
+          "externalWorktrees": "Worktrees externos",
+          "externalWorktreesDescription": "Elige si los worktrees creados fuera de Orca aparecen de forma predeterminada.",
+          "show": "Mostrar",
+          "hide": "Ocultar"
         },
         "GhosttyImportModal": {
           "9d3e56ca36": "Aplicar cambios",
@@ -6637,7 +6641,14 @@
           "projectRuntimeDescription": "Elige si este proyecto se ejecuta en Windows o WSL.",
           "hostStateDisconnected": "Disconnected",
           "hostStateUnknown": "Unknown",
-          "nestedHostLabel": "{{value0}} via {{value1}}"
+          "nestedHostLabel": "{{value0}} via {{value1}}",
+          "externalWorktrees": "Worktrees externos",
+          "externalWorktreesDescription": "Sobrescribe si los worktrees creados fuera de Orca aparecen en este proyecto.",
+          "externalWorktreesInherited": "Usando el valor global: {{value0}}",
+          "show": "Mostrar",
+          "hide": "Ocultar",
+          "externalWorktreesGlobal": "Valor global predeterminado: {{value0}}",
+          "useGlobal": "Usar valor global"
         },
         "RepositorySourceControlAiActionRows": {
           "548a6e1281": "Plantilla de comando",
@@ -8258,7 +8269,9 @@
             "e61157e926": "Ajuste de línea en el editor",
             "005be5c699": "Ajusta las líneas largas en editores de archivos en lugar de requerir desplazamiento horizontal.",
             "editorFontFamily": "Fuente del editor",
-            "editorFontFamilyDesc": "Fuente utilizada por los editores de archivos y vistas de diferencias. Dejar vacío para seguir la fuente de la terminal."
+            "editorFontFamilyDesc": "Fuente utilizada por los editores de archivos y vistas de diferencias. Dejar vacío para seguir la fuente de la terminal.",
+            "externalWorktrees": "Worktrees externos",
+            "externalWorktreesDescription": "Elige si los worktrees creados fuera de Orca aparecen de forma predeterminada."
           }
         },
         "git": {
@@ -8742,6 +8755,8 @@
             "keepForkUpToDateDescription": "Avanza este fork de forma segura desde upstream con fast-forward.",
             "projectRuntime": "Runtime del proyecto",
             "projectRuntimeDescription": "Elige si este proyecto se ejecuta en Windows o WSL.",
+            "externalWorktrees": "Worktrees externos",
+            "externalWorktreesDescription": "Sobrescribe si los worktrees creados fuera de Orca aparecen en este proyecto.",
             "copy": "copy",
             "clone": "clone",
             "apfs": "apfs"
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ja.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ja.json
index 8c429f29d73..eb17c72441d 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ja.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ja.json
@@ -5959,7 +5959,11 @@
           "5567191a6e": "ブラウズ",
           "0e9fc0eadc": "ワークスペースディレクトリ",
           "e2955d9ccb": "新規ワークスペースを作成する場所を構成します。",
-          "7511097c5d": "ワークスペース"
+          "7511097c5d": "ワークスペース",
+          "externalWorktrees": "外部ワークツリー",
+          "externalWorktreesDescription": "Orca 外で作成されたワークツリーをデフォルトで表示するかどうかを選択します。",
+          "show": "表示",
+          "hide": "非表示"
         },
         "GhosttyImportModal": {
           "9d3e56ca36": "変更を適用する",
@@ -6659,7 +6663,14 @@
           "projectRuntimeDescription": "このプロジェクトを Windows と WSL のどちらで実行するかを選択します。",
           "hostStateDisconnected": "切断済み",
           "hostStateUnknown": "不明",
-          "nestedHostLabel": "{{value1}} 経由の {{value0}}"
+          "nestedHostLabel": "{{value1}} 経由の {{value0}}",
+          "externalWorktrees": "外部ワークツリー",
+          "externalWorktreesDescription": "このプロジェクトで Orca 外のワークツリーを表示するかどうかを上書きします。",
+          "externalWorktreesInherited": "グローバル設定を使用中: {{value0}}",
+          "show": "表示",
+          "hide": "非表示",
+          "externalWorktreesGlobal": "グローバルデフォルト: {{value0}}",
+          "useGlobal": "グローバル設定を使用"
         },
         "RepositorySourceControlAiActionRows": {
           "548a6e1281": "コマンドテンプレート",
@@ -8280,7 +8291,9 @@
             "e61157e926": "エディターのワードラップ",
             "005be5c699": "水平スクロールを使わずに、ファイルエディターで長い行を折り返します。",
             "editorFontFamily": "エディターフォント",
-            "editorFontFamilyDesc": "ファイルエディターと差分ビューで使用されるフォント。空の場合はターミナルフォントに従います。"
+            "editorFontFamilyDesc": "ファイルエディターと差分ビューで使用されるフォント。空の場合はターミナルフォントに従います。",
+            "externalWorktrees": "外部ワークツリー",
+            "externalWorktreesDescription": "Orca 外で作成されたワークツリーをデフォルトで表示するかどうかを選択します。"
           }
         },
         "git": {
@@ -8764,6 +8777,8 @@
             "keepForkUpToDateDescription": "このフォークを upstream から安全に fast-forward します。",
             "projectRuntime": "プロジェクトのランタイム",
             "projectRuntimeDescription": "このプロジェクトを Windows と WSL のどちらで実行するかを選択します。",
+            "externalWorktrees": "外部ワークツリー",
+            "externalWorktreesDescription": "このプロジェクトで Orca 外のワークツリーを表示するかどうかを上書きします。",
             "copy": "コピー",
             "clone": "clone",
             "apfs": "apfs"
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ko.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ko.json
index 09f846d3cdd..f3025a7e408 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ko.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ko.json
@@ -5959,7 +5959,11 @@
           "5567191a6e": "찾아보기",
           "0e9fc0eadc": "워크스페이스 디렉터리",
           "e2955d9ccb": "새 워크스페이스가 생성되는 위치를 구성합니다.",
-          "7511097c5d": "워크스페이스"
+          "7511097c5d": "워크스페이스",
+          "externalWorktrees": "외부 작업 트리",
+          "externalWorktreesDescription": "Orca 외부에서 만든 작업 트리를 기본적으로 표시할지 선택합니다.",
+          "show": "표시",
+          "hide": "숨기기"
         },
         "GhosttyImportModal": {
           "9d3e56ca36": "변경 사항 적용",
@@ -6622,7 +6626,14 @@
           "projectRuntimeDescription": "이 프로젝트를 Windows에서 실행할지 WSL에서 실행할지 선택합니다.",
           "hostStateDisconnected": "Disconnected",
           "hostStateUnknown": "Unknown",
-          "nestedHostLabel": "{{value0}} via {{value1}}"
+          "nestedHostLabel": "{{value0}} via {{value1}}",
+          "externalWorktrees": "외부 작업 트리",
+          "externalWorktreesDescription": "이 프로젝트에서 Orca 외부 작업 트리를 표시할지 재정의합니다.",
+          "externalWorktreesInherited": "전역 설정 사용 중: {{value0}}",
+          "show": "표시",
+          "hide": "숨기기",
+          "externalWorktreesGlobal": "전역 기본값: {{value0}}",
+          "useGlobal": "전역 설정 사용"
         },
         "RepositorySourceControlAiActionRows": {
           "548a6e1281": "명령 템플릿",
@@ -8243,7 +8254,9 @@
             "e61157e926": "편집기 자동 줄 바꿈",
             "005be5c699": "가로 스크롤 대신 파일 편집기에서 긴 줄을 자동으로 줄 바꿈합니다.",
             "editorFontFamily": "편집기 글꼴",
-            "editorFontFamilyDesc": "파일 편집기 및 diff 보기에서 사용되는 글꼴입니다. 비워두면 터미널 글꼴을 따릅니다."
+            "editorFontFamilyDesc": "파일 편집기 및 diff 보기에서 사용되는 글꼴입니다. 비워두면 터미널 글꼴을 따릅니다.",
+            "externalWorktrees": "외부 작업 트리",
+            "externalWorktreesDescription": "Orca 외부에서 만든 작업 트리를 기본적으로 표시할지 선택합니다."
           }
         },
         "git": {
@@ -8727,6 +8740,8 @@
             "keepForkUpToDateDescription": "이 포크를 upstream에서 안전하게 fast-forward합니다.",
             "projectRuntime": "프로젝트 런타임",
             "projectRuntimeDescription": "이 프로젝트를 Windows에서 실행할지 WSL에서 실행할지 선택합니다.",
+            "externalWorktrees": "외부 작업 트리",
+            "externalWorktreesDescription": "이 프로젝트에서 Orca 외부 작업 트리를 표시할지 재정의합니다.",
             "copy": "copy",
             "clone": "clone",
             "apfs": "apfs"
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/zh.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/zh.json
index b881b978574..b54a13ecb27 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/zh.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/zh.json
@@ -5971,7 +5971,11 @@
           "5567191a6e": "浏览",
           "0e9fc0eadc": "工作区目录",
           "e2955d9ccb": "配置创建新工作区的位置。",
-          "7511097c5d": "工作区"
+          "7511097c5d": "工作区",
+          "externalWorktrees": "外部工作树",
+          "externalWorktreesDescription": "选择是否默认显示在 Orca 外部创建的工作树。",
+          "show": "显示",
+          "hide": "隐藏"
         },
         "GhosttyImportModal": {
           "9d3e56ca36": "应用更改",
@@ -6634,7 +6638,14 @@
           "projectRuntimeDescription": "选择此项目运行在 Windows 还是 WSL。",
           "hostStateDisconnected": "Disconnected",
           "hostStateUnknown": "Unknown",
-          "nestedHostLabel": "{{value0}} via {{value1}}"
+          "nestedHostLabel": "{{value0}} via {{value1}}",
+          "externalWorktrees": "外部工作树",
+          "externalWorktreesDescription": "覆盖是否为此项目显示在 Orca 外部创建的工作树。",
+          "externalWorktreesInherited": "正在使用全局设置：{{value0}}",
+          "show": "显示",
+          "hide": "隐藏",
+          "externalWorktreesGlobal": "全局默认值：{{value0}}",
+          "useGlobal": "使用全局设置"
         },
         "RepositorySourceControlAiActionRows": {
           "548a6e1281": "提示词模板",
@@ -8255,7 +8266,9 @@
             "e61157e926": "编辑器自动换行",
             "005be5c699": "在文件编辑器中自动换行长行，而无需水平滚动。",
             "editorFontFamily": "编辑器字体",
-            "editorFontFamilyDesc": "文件编辑器和差异视图使用的字体，留空则跟随终端字体。"
+            "editorFontFamilyDesc": "文件编辑器和差异视图使用的字体，留空则跟随终端字体。",
+            "externalWorktrees": "外部工作树",
+            "externalWorktreesDescription": "选择是否默认显示在 Orca 外部创建的工作树。"
           }
         },
         "git": {
@@ -8739,6 +8752,8 @@
             "keepForkUpToDateDescription": "从 upstream 安全地快进此 Fork。",
             "projectRuntime": "项目运行时",
             "projectRuntimeDescription": "选择此项目运行在 Windows 还是 WSL。",
+            "externalWorktrees": "外部工作树",
+            "externalWorktreesDescription": "覆盖是否为此项目显示在 Orca 外部创建的工作树。",
             "copy": "复制",
             "clone": "克隆",
             "apfs": "apfs"
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/purge-stale-runtime-host-state.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/purge-stale-runtime-host-state.test.ts
index 0d05535ed2d..849a60a5392 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/purge-stale-runtime-host-state.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/purge-stale-runtime-host-state.test.ts
@@ -486,4 +486,22 @@ describe('purgeStaleRuntimeHostState', () => {
     expect(s.activeRepoId).toBeNull()
     expect(s.filterRepoIds).toEqual(['repo1'])
   })
+
+  it('purges visibility state even when the removed host has no catalog rows', () => {
+    const store = createTestStore()
+    seedStore(store, {
+      worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost: {
+        local: { external: 'hide' },
+        [RUNTIME_A]: { external: 'show' }
+      },
+      worktreeVisibilityDefaultsSupportedRuntimeEnvironmentId: 'env-a'
+    })
+
+    store.getState().purgeStaleRuntimeHostState(['env-a'])
+
+    expect(store.getState().worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost).toEqual({
+      local: { external: 'hide' }
+    })
+    expect(store.getState().worktreeVisibilityDefaultsSupportedRuntimeEnvironmentId).toBeNull()
+  })
 })
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/repos-runtime-visibility-defaults.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/repos-runtime-visibility-defaults.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..8ac18ec3539
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/repos-runtime-visibility-defaults.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,134 @@
+import { expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import {
+  MIN_COMPATIBLE_RUNTIME_CLIENT_VERSION,
+  RUNTIME_PROTOCOL_VERSION
+} from '../../../../shared/protocol-version'
+import { clearRuntimeCompatibilityCacheForTests } from '@/runtime/runtime-rpc-client'
+import { createTestStore } from './store-test-helpers'
+
+it('hydrates a runtime owner default when refreshing its repositories', async () => {
+  clearRuntimeCompatibilityCacheForTests()
+  vi.stubGlobal('window', {
+    api: {
+      runtimeEnvironments: {
+        call: vi.fn(({ method }: { method: string }) => {
+          const result =
+            method === 'status.get'
+              ? {
+                  runtimeId: 'runtime-1',
+                  graphStatus: 'ready',
+                  runtimeProtocolVersion: RUNTIME_PROTOCOL_VERSION,
+                  minCompatibleRuntimeClientVersion: MIN_COMPATIBLE_RUNTIME_CLIENT_VERSION
+                }
+              : method === 'repo.list'
+                ? { repos: [] }
+                : method === 'settings.get'
+                  ? { settings: { worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'show' } } }
+                  : method === 'project.list'
+                    ? { projects: [] }
+                    : { setups: [] }
+          return Promise.resolve({
+            ok: true,
+            result,
+            _meta: { runtimeId: 'runtime-1' }
+          })
+        })
+      }
+    }
+  })
+  const store = createTestStore()
+  store.setState({ settings: { activeRuntimeEnvironmentId: 'env-1' } as never })
+
+  await store.getState().fetchRuntimeEnvironmentRepos('env-1')
+
+  expect(store.getState().worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost['runtime:env-1']).toEqual({
+    external: 'show'
+  })
+  expect(store.getState().settings?.worktreeVisibilityDefaults).toEqual({ external: 'show' })
+  expect(store.getState().worktreeVisibilityDefaultsSupportedRuntimeEnvironmentId).toBe('env-1')
+})
+
+it('clears focused support when a runtime omits the default', async () => {
+  clearRuntimeCompatibilityCacheForTests()
+  vi.stubGlobal('window', {
+    api: {
+      runtimeEnvironments: {
+        call: vi.fn(({ method }: { method: string }) =>
+          Promise.resolve({
+            ok: true,
+            result:
+              method === 'status.get'
+                ? {
+                    runtimeId: 'runtime-1',
+                    graphStatus: 'ready',
+                    runtimeProtocolVersion: RUNTIME_PROTOCOL_VERSION,
+                    minCompatibleRuntimeClientVersion: MIN_COMPATIBLE_RUNTIME_CLIENT_VERSION
+                  }
+                : method === 'repo.list'
+                  ? { repos: [] }
+                  : { settings: {} },
+            _meta: { runtimeId: 'runtime-1' }
+          })
+        )
+      }
+    }
+  })
+  const store = createTestStore()
+  store.setState({
+    settings: {
+      activeRuntimeEnvironmentId: 'env-1',
+      worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'show' }
+    } as never,
+    worktreeVisibilityDefaultsSupportedRuntimeEnvironmentId: 'env-1'
+  })
+
+  await store.getState().fetchRuntimeEnvironmentRepos('env-1')
+
+  expect(store.getState().worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost['runtime:env-1']).toBeNull()
+  expect(store.getState().settings?.worktreeVisibilityDefaults).toBeUndefined()
+  expect(store.getState().worktreeVisibilityDefaultsSupportedRuntimeEnvironmentId).toBeNull()
+})
+
+it('preserves focused support when runtime default hydration fails', async () => {
+  clearRuntimeCompatibilityCacheForTests()
+  vi.stubGlobal('window', {
+    api: {
+      runtimeEnvironments: {
+        call: vi.fn(({ method }: { method: string }) =>
+          method === 'settings.get'
+            ? Promise.reject(new Error('offline'))
+            : Promise.resolve({
+                ok: true,
+                result:
+                  method === 'status.get'
+                    ? {
+                        runtimeId: 'runtime-1',
+                        graphStatus: 'ready',
+                        runtimeProtocolVersion: RUNTIME_PROTOCOL_VERSION,
+                        minCompatibleRuntimeClientVersion: MIN_COMPATIBLE_RUNTIME_CLIENT_VERSION
+                      }
+                    : { repos: [] },
+                _meta: { runtimeId: 'runtime-1' }
+              })
+        )
+      }
+    }
+  })
+  const store = createTestStore()
+  store.setState({
+    settings: {
+      activeRuntimeEnvironmentId: 'env-1',
+      worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'show' }
+    } as never,
+    worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost: { 'runtime:env-1': { external: 'show' } },
+    worktreeVisibilityDefaultsSupportedRuntimeEnvironmentId: 'env-1'
+  })
+
+  await store.getState().fetchRuntimeEnvironmentRepos('env-1')
+
+  expect(store.getState().worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost['runtime:env-1']).toEqual({
+    external: 'show'
+  })
+  expect(store.getState().settings?.worktreeVisibilityDefaults).toEqual({ external: 'show' })
+  expect(store.getState().worktreeVisibilityDefaultsSupportedRuntimeEnvironmentId).toBe('env-1')
+})
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/repos.ts b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/repos.ts
index 4604287e74b..ef588fd6e3f 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/repos.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/repos.ts
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ import {
   reconcileFetchedRepos
 } from './repo-identity-reconcile'
 import { retainValidFilterRepoIds } from './repo-filter-selection'
+import { readRuntimeWorktreeVisibilityDefaults } from './worktree-visibility-owner-settings'
 import {
   mergeSshRepoReadoptions,
   reconcileReadoptedSshRepoRows,
@@ -139,7 +140,6 @@ export type RepoUpdate = Partial<
     | 'symlinkPaths'
     | 'issueSourcePreference'
     | 'forkSyncMode'
-    | 'externalWorktreeVisibility'
     | 'externalWorktreeVisibilityPromptDismissedAt'
     | 'externalWorktreeInboxBaselinePaths'
     | 'importedExternalWorktreePaths'
@@ -150,6 +150,7 @@ export type RepoUpdate = Partial<
     | 'projectGroupOrder'
   >
 > & {
+  externalWorktreeVisibility?: Repo['externalWorktreeVisibility'] | null
   sourceControlAi?: Repo['sourceControlAi'] | null
   externalWorktreeDiscoverySuppressedAt?: Repo['externalWorktreeDiscoverySuppressedAt'] | null
 }
@@ -2169,7 +2170,10 @@ export const createRepoSlice: StateCreator<AppState, [], [], RepoSlice> = (set,
     const targetHostId = getRuntimeTargetHostId(target)
     claimRepoCatalogGeneration(get, targetHostId, catalogGeneration)
     try {
-      const catalog = await fetchRepoCatalogForTarget(target)
+      const [catalog, visibilityDefaults] = await Promise.all([
+        fetchRepoCatalogForTarget(target),
+        readRuntimeWorktreeVisibilityDefaults(environmentId)
+      ])
       if (
         runtimeRepoFetchGenerationByEnvironment.get(environmentId) !== requestGeneration ||
         !isLatestRepoCatalogGeneration(get, targetHostId, catalogGeneration) ||
@@ -2219,6 +2223,35 @@ export const createRepoSlice: StateCreator<AppState, [], [], RepoSlice> = (set,
         )
         return {
           repos: finalizedRepos,
+          ...(visibilityDefaults === undefined
+            ? {}
+            : {
+                worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost: {
+                  ...s.worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost,
+                  [targetHostId]: visibilityDefaults
+                }
+              }),
+          ...(visibilityDefaults !== undefined && s.settings
+            ? getActiveRuntimeTarget(s.settings).kind === 'environment' &&
+              s.settings.activeRuntimeEnvironmentId === environmentId
+              ? visibilityDefaults
+                ? {
+                    settings: {
+                      ...s.settings,
+                      worktreeVisibilityDefaults: visibilityDefaults
+                    },
+                    worktreeVisibilityDefaultsSupportedRuntimeEnvironmentId: environmentId
+                  }
+                : {
+                    settings: Object.fromEntries(
+                      Object.entries(s.settings).filter(
+                        ([key]) => key !== 'worktreeVisibilityDefaults'
+                      )
+                    ) as GlobalSettings,
+                    worktreeVisibilityDefaultsSupportedRuntimeEnvironmentId: null
+                  }
+              : {}
+            : {}),
           pendingSshRepoReadoptions: reconciliation.pendingReadoptions,
           ...reconcileReadoptedSshWorktreeState(s, s.pendingSshRepoReadoptions),
           ...mergedProjectCompatibility,
@@ -2344,11 +2377,38 @@ export const createRepoSlice: StateCreator<AppState, [], [], RepoSlice> = (set,
           environmentId: environment.id
         }
         claimRepoCatalogGeneration(get, getRuntimeTargetHostId(target), generation)
-        try {
-          applyCatalog(await fetchRepoCatalogForTarget(target))
-        } catch (err) {
+        const [catalogResult, visibilityDefaults] = await Promise.all([
+          fetchRepoCatalogForTarget(target).then(
+            (catalog) => ({ ok: true as const, catalog }),
+            (error: unknown) => ({ ok: false as const, error })
+          ),
+          readRuntimeWorktreeVisibilityDefaults(environment.id)
+        ])
+        const hostId = getRuntimeTargetHostId(target)
+        if (
+          visibilityDefaults !== undefined &&
+          latestAllHostRepoCatalogGenerationByStore.get(get) === generation &&
+          isLatestRepoCatalogGeneration(get, hostId, generation)
+        ) {
+          set((state) =>
+            isRemovedRuntimeHostId(hostId, state.removedRuntimeEnvironmentIds)
+              ? state
+              : {
+                  worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost: {
+                    ...state.worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost,
+                    [hostId]: visibilityDefaults
+                  }
+                }
+          )
+        }
+        if (catalogResult.ok) {
+          applyCatalog(catalogResult.catalog)
+        } else {
           failed = true
-          console.warn(`Skipped repos for runtime environment ${environment.id}:`, err)
+          console.warn(
+            `Skipped repos for runtime environment ${environment.id}:`,
+            catalogResult.error
+          )
         }
       })
     )
@@ -3818,6 +3878,7 @@ export const createRepoSlice: StateCreator<AppState, [], [], RepoSlice> = (set,
             const {
               sourceControlAi,
               externalWorktreeDiscoverySuppressedAt,
+              externalWorktreeVisibility,
               ...updatesWithoutClearSentinels
             } = sanitizedUpdates
             mergedRepo = { ...mergedRepo, ...updatesWithoutClearSentinels }
@@ -3828,6 +3889,13 @@ export const createRepoSlice: StateCreator<AppState, [], [], RepoSlice> = (set,
             } else if (sourceControlAi !== undefined) {
               mergedRepo = { ...mergedRepo, sourceControlAi }
             }
+            if (externalWorktreeVisibility === null) {
+              const { externalWorktreeVisibility: _visibility, ...repoWithoutVisibility } =
+                mergedRepo
+              mergedRepo = { ...repoWithoutVisibility, externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: false }
+            } else if (externalWorktreeVisibility !== undefined) {
+              mergedRepo = { ...mergedRepo, externalWorktreeVisibility }
+            }
             if (externalWorktreeDiscoverySuppressedAt === null) {
               const {
                 externalWorktreeDiscoverySuppressedAt: _suppressedAt,
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/runtime-switch-settings-persistence.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/runtime-switch-settings-persistence.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..ca97f01a901
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/runtime-switch-settings-persistence.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+import { expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import {
+  MIN_COMPATIBLE_RUNTIME_CLIENT_VERSION,
+  RUNTIME_PROTOCOL_VERSION
+} from '../../../../shared/protocol-version'
+import { createTestStore } from './store-test-helpers'
+
+function compatibleStatus(runtimeId: string) {
+  return {
+    ok: true,
+    result: {
+      runtimeId,
+      graphStatus: 'ready',
+      runtimeProtocolVersion: RUNTIME_PROTOCOL_VERSION,
+      minCompatibleRuntimeClientVersion: MIN_COMPATIBLE_RUNTIME_CLIENT_VERSION
+    },
+    _meta: { runtimeId }
+  }
+}
+
+it('does not persist a stale overlapping runtime switch', async () => {
+  let resolveFirst!: (value: unknown) => void
+  const firstStatus = new Promise((resolve) => (resolveFirst = resolve))
+  const persistPreference = vi.fn(({ environmentId }: { environmentId: string }) =>
+    Promise.resolve({ activeRuntimeEnvironmentId: environmentId })
+  )
+  vi.stubGlobal('window', {
+    api: {
+      settings: { setActiveRuntimeEnvironmentPreference: persistPreference },
+      runtimeEnvironments: {
+        getStatus: vi.fn(({ selector }: { selector: string }) =>
+          selector === 'env-a' ? firstStatus : Promise.resolve(compatibleStatus('runtime-b'))
+        ),
+        call: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
+          ok: true,
+          result: { settings: { worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'hide' } } },
+          _meta: { runtimeId: 'runtime-b' }
+        })
+      }
+    }
+  })
+  const store = createTestStore()
+  store.setState({
+    settings: { activeRuntimeEnvironmentId: null } as never,
+    fetchRepos: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined),
+    fetchAllWorktrees: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined),
+    fetchWorktreeLineage: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined),
+    fetchBrowserSessionProfiles: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined)
+  })
+
+  const first = store.getState().setActiveRuntimeEnvironmentPreference('env-a')
+  await store.getState().setActiveRuntimeEnvironmentPreference('env-b')
+  resolveFirst(compatibleStatus('runtime-a'))
+  await first
+
+  expect(persistPreference).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+  expect(persistPreference).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ environmentId: 'env-b' })
+})
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/settings-owner-hydration-write-fence.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/settings-owner-hydration-write-fence.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..025b89dee1f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/settings-owner-hydration-write-fence.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+import { expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import type { GlobalSettings } from '../../../../shared/types'
+import { createTestStore } from './store-test-helpers'
+
+it('does not overwrite a settings write with an older owner hydration', async () => {
+  let resolveSettingsRead!: (settings: GlobalSettings) => void
+  const settingsRead = new Promise<GlobalSettings>((resolve) => (resolveSettingsRead = resolve))
+  vi.stubGlobal('window', {
+    api: {
+      settings: {
+        get: vi.fn().mockReturnValue(settingsRead),
+        set: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({ pluginSystemEnabled: true })
+      },
+      runtimeEnvironments: { list: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([]) }
+    }
+  })
+  const store = createTestStore()
+  const hydration = store.getState().fetchSettings()
+
+  await store.getState().updateSettingsOrThrow({ pluginSystemEnabled: true })
+  resolveSettingsRead({ pluginSystemEnabled: false } as GlobalSettings)
+  await hydration
+
+  expect(store.getState().settings?.pluginSystemEnabled).toBe(true)
+})
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/settings.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/settings.test.ts
index 756e6d9baa8..08f9cf43a3c 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/settings.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/settings.test.ts
@@ -144,7 +144,9 @@ beforeEach(() => {
                     ? { groups: [] }
                     : method === 'worktree.lineageList'
                       ? { lineage: { [env2Lineage.worktreeId]: env2Lineage } }
-                      : {}
+                      : method === 'settings.get'
+                        ? { settings: {} }
+                        : {}
       return Promise.resolve({ id: 'rpc-1', ok: true, result, _meta: { runtimeId: 'runtime-2' } })
     }
   )
@@ -399,6 +401,7 @@ describe('createSettingsSlice runtime switching', () => {
     expect(store.getState().repos.find((repo) => repo.id === 'repo-env-2')?.executionHostId).toBe(
       'runtime:env-2'
     )
+    expect(store.getState().worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost['runtime:env-2']).toBeNull()
     expect(store.getState().projectGroups.map((group) => group.id)).toEqual(['group-env-1'])
     expect(store.getState().worktreesByRepo['repo-env-1']?.map((worktree) => worktree.id)).toEqual([
       'repo-env-1::/env-1/repo'
@@ -565,7 +568,6 @@ describe('createSettingsSlice runtime switching', () => {
       true
     )
 
-    // No teardown RPC was issued against the previous host's live resources.
     expect(runtimeEnvironmentCall).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith(
       expect.objectContaining({ selector: 'env-1', method: 'terminal.close' })
     )
@@ -573,7 +575,6 @@ describe('createSettingsSlice runtime switching', () => {
       expect.objectContaining({ selector: 'env-1', method: 'browser.tabClose' })
     )
 
-    // Every previous-host map is byte-for-byte unchanged after the switch.
     expect(store.getState().tabsByWorktree).toEqual({
       'repo-env-1::/env-1/repo': [
         {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/settings.ts b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/settings.ts
index 593d1650e1e..c6f115c1a96 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/settings.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/settings.ts
@@ -28,9 +28,16 @@ import {
   normalizeMobilePairingCustomAddress,
   normalizeMobilePairingCustomAddresses
 } from '../../../../shared/mobile-pairing-custom-address'
+import {
+  hydrateOwnerWorktreeVisibilityDefaults,
+  type WorktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost
+} from './worktree-visibility-owner-settings'
+import { persistVisibilityAwareSettings } from './worktree-visibility-settings-write'
 
 export type SettingsSlice = SettingsSearchState & {
   settings: GlobalSettings | null
+  worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost: WorktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost
+  worktreeVisibilityDefaultsSupportedRuntimeEnvironmentId: string | null
   fetchSettings: () => Promise<void>
   updateSettings: (updates: Partial<GlobalSettings>) => Promise<void>
   updateSettingsOrThrow: (updates: Partial<GlobalSettings>) => Promise<void>
@@ -42,6 +49,7 @@ type LegacyTerminalScrollbackSettingsUpdate = Partial<GlobalSettings> & {
 }
 
 type SettingsStateSetter = Parameters<StateCreator<AppState, [], [], SettingsSlice>>[0]
+let ownerSettingsHydrationGeneration = 0
 
 function normalizeRuntimeEnvironmentId(value: string | null | undefined): string | null {
   const trimmed = value?.trim()
@@ -126,14 +134,16 @@ function normalizeSettingsUpdates(
 async function persistSettingsUpdates(
   set: SettingsStateSetter,
   updates: Partial<GlobalSettings>,
-  currentSettings: GlobalSettings | null
+  currentSettings: GlobalSettings | null,
+  supportedRuntimeEnvironmentId: string | null
 ): Promise<void> {
-  const nextSettings = await window.api.settings.set(
-    normalizeSettingsUpdates(updates, currentSettings)
-  )
-  set((state) => ({
-    settings: (nextSettings as GlobalSettings | undefined) ?? state.settings
-  }))
+  const normalizedUpdates = normalizeSettingsUpdates(updates, currentSettings)
+  await persistVisibilityAwareSettings({
+    normalizedUpdates,
+    currentSettings,
+    supportedRuntimeEnvironmentId,
+    set
+  })
 }
 
 /** Every known host has a recorded status entry, and no entry survives for a host that is gone. */
@@ -164,12 +174,26 @@ async function verifyRuntimeEnvironmentReachable(environmentId: string | null):
 
 export const createSettingsSlice: StateCreator<AppState, [], [], SettingsSlice> = (set, get) => ({
   settings: null,
+  worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost: {},
+  worktreeVisibilityDefaultsSupportedRuntimeEnvironmentId: null,
   ...createSettingsSearchState((state) => set(state)),
 
   fetchSettings: async () => {
+    const generation = ++ownerSettingsHydrationGeneration
     try {
-      const settings = await window.api.settings.get()
-      set({ settings })
+      const hydrated = await hydrateOwnerWorktreeVisibilityDefaults(
+        (await window.api.settings.get()) as GlobalSettings,
+        get().worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost
+      )
+      if (generation !== ownerSettingsHydrationGeneration) {
+        return
+      }
+      set({
+        settings: hydrated.settings,
+        worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost: hydrated.defaultsByHost,
+        worktreeVisibilityDefaultsSupportedRuntimeEnvironmentId:
+          hydrated.supportedRuntimeEnvironmentId
+      })
     } catch (err) {
       console.error('Failed to fetch settings:', err)
     }
@@ -188,18 +212,37 @@ export const createSettingsSlice: StateCreator<AppState, [], [], SettingsSlice>
   },
 
   updateSettings: async (updates) => {
+    ++ownerSettingsHydrationGeneration
     try {
-      await persistSettingsUpdates(set, updates, get().settings)
+      await persistSettingsUpdates(
+        set,
+        updates,
+        get().settings,
+        get().worktreeVisibilityDefaultsSupportedRuntimeEnvironmentId
+      )
+      if ('worktreeVisibilityDefaults' in updates) {
+        await get().fetchAllWorktrees()
+      }
     } catch (err) {
       console.error('Failed to update settings:', err)
     }
   },
 
   updateSettingsOrThrow: async (updates) => {
-    await persistSettingsUpdates(set, updates, get().settings)
+    ++ownerSettingsHydrationGeneration
+    await persistSettingsUpdates(
+      set,
+      updates,
+      get().settings,
+      get().worktreeVisibilityDefaultsSupportedRuntimeEnvironmentId
+    )
+    if ('worktreeVisibilityDefaults' in updates) {
+      await get().fetchAllWorktrees()
+    }
   },
 
   setActiveRuntimeEnvironmentPreference: async (environmentId) => {
+    const generation = ++ownerSettingsHydrationGeneration
     const nextId = normalizeRuntimeEnvironmentId(environmentId)
     const previousId = normalizeRuntimeEnvironmentId(get().settings?.activeRuntimeEnvironmentId)
     if (previousId === nextId) {
@@ -208,17 +251,34 @@ export const createSettingsSlice: StateCreator<AppState, [], [], SettingsSlice>
     try {
       clearRuntimeCompatibilityCache(nextId)
       await verifyRuntimeEnvironmentReachable(nextId)
+      if (generation !== ownerSettingsHydrationGeneration) {
+        return true
+      }
       const nextSettings = await window.api.settings.setActiveRuntimeEnvironmentPreference({
         environmentId: nextId
       })
       bumpProviderRuntimeSessionGeneration()
-      set((s) => ({
-        // Why: in the multi-host model this is a focus/default-host change,
-        // not a teardown boundary. Existing host-owned sessions stay alive.
-        settings:
-          (nextSettings as GlobalSettings | undefined) ??
-          (s.settings ? { ...s.settings, activeRuntimeEnvironmentId: nextId } : null)
-      }))
+      // Why: this is a focus change, so keep other host state while hydrating only the new owner's default.
+      const focusedSettings =
+        (nextSettings as GlobalSettings | undefined) ??
+        (get().settings ? { ...get().settings!, activeRuntimeEnvironmentId: nextId } : null)
+      if (focusedSettings) {
+        const hydrated = await hydrateOwnerWorktreeVisibilityDefaults(
+          focusedSettings,
+          get().worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost
+        )
+        if (generation !== ownerSettingsHydrationGeneration) {
+          return true
+        }
+        set({
+          settings: hydrated.settings,
+          worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost: hydrated.defaultsByHost,
+          worktreeVisibilityDefaultsSupportedRuntimeEnvironmentId:
+            hydrated.supportedRuntimeEnvironmentId
+        })
+      } else {
+        set({ settings: null })
+      }
       // Why: hydration is host-merged by downstream slices. Switching focus
       // should add/update the selected host without discarding other hosts.
       await get().fetchRepos()
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/worktree-visibility-owner-settings.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/worktree-visibility-owner-settings.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..ecf1194352e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/worktree-visibility-owner-settings.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import {
+  clearRuntimeCompatibilityCacheForTests,
+  markRuntimeEnvironmentCompatible
+} from '@/runtime/runtime-rpc-client'
+import type { GlobalSettings } from '../../../../shared/types'
+import {
+  hydrateOwnerWorktreeVisibilityDefaults,
+  readRuntimeWorktreeVisibilityDefaults
+} from './worktree-visibility-owner-settings'
+
+const runtimeCall = vi.fn()
+
+beforeEach(() => {
+  clearRuntimeCompatibilityCacheForTests()
+  markRuntimeEnvironmentCompatible('env-1')
+  runtimeCall.mockReset()
+  vi.stubGlobal('window', { api: { runtimeEnvironments: { call: runtimeCall } } })
+})
+
+describe('runtime worktree visibility defaults', () => {
+  it('reads defaults from the selected runtime owner', async () => {
+    runtimeCall.mockResolvedValue({
+      ok: true,
+      result: { settings: { worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'show' } } },
+      _meta: { runtimeId: 'runtime-1' }
+    })
+
+    await expect(readRuntimeWorktreeVisibilityDefaults('env-1')).resolves.toEqual({
+      external: 'show'
+    })
+    expect(runtimeCall).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      expect.objectContaining({ selector: 'env-1', method: 'settings.get' })
+    )
+  })
+
+  it('uses compatibility fallback semantics when the host omits the field', async () => {
+    runtimeCall.mockResolvedValue({
+      ok: true,
+      result: { settings: {} },
+      _meta: { runtimeId: 'runtime-1' }
+    })
+
+    await expect(readRuntimeWorktreeVisibilityDefaults('env-1')).resolves.toBeNull()
+  })
+
+  it('preserves cached support state when the host is temporarily unavailable', async () => {
+    runtimeCall.mockRejectedValue(new Error('offline'))
+
+    const hydrated = await hydrateOwnerWorktreeVisibilityDefaults(
+      {
+        activeRuntimeEnvironmentId: 'env-1',
+        worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'hide' }
+      } as GlobalSettings,
+      { 'runtime:env-1': { external: 'show' } }
+    )
+
+    expect(hydrated.settings.worktreeVisibilityDefaults).toEqual({ external: 'show' })
+    expect(hydrated.supportedRuntimeEnvironmentId).toBe('env-1')
+  })
+})
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/worktree-visibility-owner-settings.ts b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/worktree-visibility-owner-settings.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..60f34c4bb12
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/worktree-visibility-owner-settings.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+import { callRuntimeRpc, getActiveRuntimeTarget } from '@/runtime/runtime-rpc-client'
+import {
+  LOCAL_EXECUTION_HOST_ID,
+  toRuntimeExecutionHostId,
+  type ExecutionHostId
+} from '../../../../shared/execution-host'
+import type { GlobalSettings, WorktreeVisibilityDefaults } from '../../../../shared/types'
+
+export type WorktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost = Partial<
+  Record<ExecutionHostId, WorktreeVisibilityDefaults | null>
+>
+
+export async function readRuntimeWorktreeVisibilityDefaults(
+  environmentId: string
+): Promise<WorktreeVisibilityDefaults | null | undefined> {
+  try {
+    const result = await callRuntimeRpc<{ settings: Partial<GlobalSettings> }>(
+      { kind: 'environment', environmentId },
+      'settings.get',
+      undefined,
+      { timeoutMs: 15_000, reuseRecentCompatibilityFailure: true }
+    )
+    const external = result.settings.worktreeVisibilityDefaults?.external
+    return external === 'hide' || external === 'show' ? { external } : null
+  } catch {
+    return undefined
+  }
+}
+
+export async function hydrateOwnerWorktreeVisibilityDefaults(
+  settings: GlobalSettings,
+  defaultsByHost: WorktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost
+): Promise<{
+  settings: GlobalSettings
+  defaultsByHost: WorktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost
+  supportedRuntimeEnvironmentId: string | null
+}> {
+  const target = getActiveRuntimeTarget(settings)
+  if (target.kind !== 'environment') {
+    return {
+      settings,
+      supportedRuntimeEnvironmentId: null,
+      defaultsByHost: {
+        ...defaultsByHost,
+        [LOCAL_EXECUTION_HOST_ID]: settings.worktreeVisibilityDefaults ?? { external: 'hide' }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  const hostId = toRuntimeExecutionHostId(target.environmentId)
+  const localDefaults =
+    defaultsByHost[LOCAL_EXECUTION_HOST_ID] ?? settings.worktreeVisibilityDefaults
+  const ownerDefaultsByHost = localDefaults
+    ? { ...defaultsByHost, [LOCAL_EXECUTION_HOST_ID]: localDefaults }
+    : defaultsByHost
+  const defaults = await readRuntimeWorktreeVisibilityDefaults(target.environmentId)
+  if (defaults) {
+    return {
+      settings: { ...settings, worktreeVisibilityDefaults: defaults },
+      defaultsByHost: { ...ownerDefaultsByHost, [hostId]: defaults },
+      supportedRuntimeEnvironmentId: target.environmentId
+    }
+  }
+  if (defaults === undefined) {
+    const cached = ownerDefaultsByHost[hostId]
+    if (cached) {
+      return {
+        settings: { ...settings, worktreeVisibilityDefaults: cached },
+        defaultsByHost: ownerDefaultsByHost,
+        supportedRuntimeEnvironmentId: target.environmentId
+      }
+    }
+    const { worktreeVisibilityDefaults: _unavailable, ...settingsWithoutDefaults } = settings
+    return {
+      settings: settingsWithoutDefaults as GlobalSettings,
+      defaultsByHost: ownerDefaultsByHost,
+      supportedRuntimeEnvironmentId: null
+    }
+  }
+  const { worktreeVisibilityDefaults: _unsupported, ...settingsWithoutDefaults } = settings
+  return {
+    settings: settingsWithoutDefaults as GlobalSettings,
+    defaultsByHost: { ...ownerDefaultsByHost, [hostId]: null },
+    supportedRuntimeEnvironmentId: null
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/worktree-visibility-settings-write.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/worktree-visibility-settings-write.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..0049805d295
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/worktree-visibility-settings-write.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+import { expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import type { GlobalSettings } from '../../../../shared/types'
+import type { AppState } from '../types'
+import { markRuntimeEnvironmentCompatible } from '@/runtime/runtime-rpc-client'
+import { createTestStore } from './store-test-helpers'
+import { persistVisibilityAwareSettings } from './worktree-visibility-settings-write'
+
+it('preserves the active runtime default during unrelated local settings writes', async () => {
+  const currentSettings = {
+    activeRuntimeEnvironmentId: 'env-1',
+    worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'show' }
+  } as GlobalSettings
+  let state = {
+    settings: currentSettings,
+    worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost: { 'runtime:env-1': { external: 'show' } }
+  } as unknown as AppState
+  vi.stubGlobal('window', {
+    api: {
+      settings: {
+        set: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
+          pluginSystemEnabled: true,
+          worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'hide' }
+        })
+      }
+    }
+  })
+
+  await persistVisibilityAwareSettings({
+    normalizedUpdates: { pluginSystemEnabled: true },
+    currentSettings,
+    supportedRuntimeEnvironmentId: 'env-1',
+    set: (updater) => {
+      state = { ...state, ...updater(state) }
+    }
+  })
+
+  expect(state.settings?.worktreeVisibilityDefaults).toEqual({ external: 'show' })
+})
+
+it('reclassifies worktrees after changing the host visibility default', async () => {
+  vi.stubGlobal('window', {
+    api: {
+      settings: {
+        set: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({ worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'show' } })
+      }
+    }
+  })
+  const store = createTestStore()
+  const fetchAllWorktrees = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined)
+  store.setState({ fetchAllWorktrees })
+
+  await store.getState().updateSettings({ worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'show' } })
+
+  expect(fetchAllWorktrees).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+})
+
+it('does not restore a stale owner after its visibility write resolves', async () => {
+  markRuntimeEnvironmentCompatible('env-a')
+  let resolveUpdate!: (value: unknown) => void
+  const update = new Promise((resolve) => (resolveUpdate = resolve))
+  vi.stubGlobal('window', {
+    api: {
+      runtimeEnvironments: {
+        call: vi.fn().mockReturnValue(update)
+      }
+    }
+  })
+  const currentSettings = {
+    activeRuntimeEnvironmentId: 'env-a',
+    worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'hide' }
+  } as GlobalSettings
+  let state = {
+    settings: currentSettings,
+    worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost: {}
+  } as unknown as AppState
+  const write = persistVisibilityAwareSettings({
+    normalizedUpdates: { worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'show' } },
+    currentSettings,
+    supportedRuntimeEnvironmentId: 'env-a',
+    set: (updater) => {
+      state = { ...state, ...updater(state) }
+    }
+  })
+  state = { ...state, settings: { activeRuntimeEnvironmentId: 'env-b' } as GlobalSettings }
+  resolveUpdate({
+    ok: true,
+    result: { settings: { worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'show' } } },
+    _meta: { runtimeId: 'runtime-a' }
+  })
+  await write
+
+  expect(state.settings?.activeRuntimeEnvironmentId).toBe('env-b')
+  expect(state.worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost['runtime:env-a']).toEqual({ external: 'show' })
+})
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/worktree-visibility-settings-write.ts b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/worktree-visibility-settings-write.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..123f4db1b7c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/worktree-visibility-settings-write.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,82 @@
+import { callRuntimeRpc, getActiveRuntimeTarget } from '@/runtime/runtime-rpc-client'
+import {
+  LOCAL_EXECUTION_HOST_ID,
+  toRuntimeExecutionHostId
+} from '../../../../shared/execution-host'
+import type { GlobalSettings } from '../../../../shared/types'
+import type { AppState } from '../types'
+
+export async function persistVisibilityAwareSettings(args: {
+  normalizedUpdates: Partial<GlobalSettings>
+  currentSettings: GlobalSettings | null
+  supportedRuntimeEnvironmentId: string | null
+  set: (updater: (state: AppState) => Partial<AppState>) => void
+}): Promise<void> {
+  const { normalizedUpdates, currentSettings, supportedRuntimeEnvironmentId, set } = args
+  const target = getActiveRuntimeTarget(currentSettings)
+  if ('worktreeVisibilityDefaults' in normalizedUpdates && target.kind === 'environment') {
+    const { worktreeVisibilityDefaults, ...localUpdates } = normalizedUpdates
+    const localSettings =
+      Object.keys(localUpdates).length > 0
+        ? ((await window.api.settings.set(localUpdates)) as GlobalSettings)
+        : currentSettings
+    let nextSettings = localSettings
+    if (target.environmentId === supportedRuntimeEnvironmentId) {
+      const result = await callRuntimeRpc<{ settings: Partial<GlobalSettings> }>(
+        target,
+        'settings.update',
+        { worktreeVisibilityDefaults },
+        { timeoutMs: 15_000 }
+      )
+      nextSettings = {
+        ...localSettings,
+        worktreeVisibilityDefaults: result.settings.worktreeVisibilityDefaults
+      } as GlobalSettings
+    }
+    set((state) => {
+      const currentTarget = getActiveRuntimeTarget(state.settings)
+      const stillFocused =
+        currentTarget.kind === 'environment' && currentTarget.environmentId === target.environmentId
+      return {
+        settings: stillFocused ? nextSettings : state.settings,
+        worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost:
+          target.environmentId === supportedRuntimeEnvironmentId &&
+          nextSettings?.worktreeVisibilityDefaults
+            ? {
+                ...state.worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost,
+                [toRuntimeExecutionHostId(target.environmentId)]:
+                  nextSettings.worktreeVisibilityDefaults
+              }
+            : state.worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost
+      }
+    })
+    return
+  }
+  const nextSettings = await window.api.settings.set(normalizedUpdates)
+  set((state) => ({
+    settings: (() => {
+      const persisted = (nextSettings as GlobalSettings | undefined) ?? state.settings
+      if (!persisted || target.kind !== 'environment') {
+        return persisted
+      }
+      const defaults =
+        state.worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost[toRuntimeExecutionHostId(target.environmentId)] ??
+        currentSettings?.worktreeVisibilityDefaults
+      if (target.environmentId === supportedRuntimeEnvironmentId && defaults) {
+        return { ...persisted, worktreeVisibilityDefaults: defaults }
+      }
+      const { worktreeVisibilityDefaults: _unsupported, ...settingsWithoutDefaults } = persisted
+      return settingsWithoutDefaults as GlobalSettings
+    })(),
+    ...('worktreeVisibilityDefaults' in normalizedUpdates
+      ? {
+          worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost: {
+            ...state.worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost,
+            [LOCAL_EXECUTION_HOST_ID]: (nextSettings as GlobalSettings | undefined)
+              ?.worktreeVisibilityDefaults ??
+              normalizedUpdates.worktreeVisibilityDefaults ?? { external: 'hide' }
+          }
+        }
+      : {})
+  }))
+}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/worktrees.ts b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/worktrees.ts
index 00e421cb7df..ce13e6af36f 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/worktrees.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/worktrees.ts
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@ import {
   getSettingsFocusedExecutionHostId,
   LOCAL_EXECUTION_HOST_ID,
   parseExecutionHostId,
+  toRuntimeExecutionHostId,
   toSshExecutionHostId,
   type ExecutionHostId
 } from '../../../../shared/execution-host'
@@ -6222,12 +6223,29 @@ export const createWorktreeSlice: StateCreator<AppState, [], [], WorktreeSlice>
 
       const restoredSessionOwnersChanged =
         survivingRestoredSessionOwners !== s.restoredRuntimeHostIdByWorkspaceSessionKey
+      let survivingVisibilityDefaults = s.worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost
+      for (const environmentId of removed) {
+        const hostId = toRuntimeExecutionHostId(environmentId)
+        if (hostId in survivingVisibilityDefaults) {
+          if (survivingVisibilityDefaults === s.worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost) {
+            survivingVisibilityDefaults = { ...survivingVisibilityDefaults }
+          }
+          delete survivingVisibilityDefaults[hostId]
+        }
+      }
+      const visibilityDefaultsChanged =
+        survivingVisibilityDefaults !== s.worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost
+      const visibilitySupportChanged = removed.has(
+        s.worktreeVisibilityDefaultsSupportedRuntimeEnvironmentId ?? ''
+      )
       if (
         !reposChanged &&
         !setupsChanged &&
         !worktreesChanged &&
         !detectedChanged &&
         !restoredSessionOwnersChanged &&
+        !visibilityDefaultsChanged &&
+        !visibilitySupportChanged &&
         removedWorktreeIds.size === 0
       ) {
         return s
@@ -6252,6 +6270,12 @@ export const createWorktreeSlice: StateCreator<AppState, [], [], WorktreeSlice>
         ...(restoredSessionOwnersChanged
           ? { restoredRuntimeHostIdByWorkspaceSessionKey: survivingRestoredSessionOwners }
           : {}),
+        ...(visibilityDefaultsChanged
+          ? { worktreeVisibilityDefaultsByHost: survivingVisibilityDefaults }
+          : {}),
+        ...(visibilitySupportChanged
+          ? { worktreeVisibilityDefaultsSupportedRuntimeEnvironmentId: null }
+          : {}),
         ...(rowsChanged ? { sortEpoch: s.sortEpoch + 1 } : {}),
         // Why: mirror validateRepoScopedUi so a filtered/active sidebar can't reference a purged repo id.
         ...(reposChanged
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/store/worktree-visibility-defaults-by-host.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/store/worktree-visibility-defaults-by-host.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..790bbc6e1fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/store/worktree-visibility-defaults-by-host.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest'
+import { getRepoOwnerWorktreeVisibilityDefaults } from './worktree-visibility-defaults-by-host'
+
+describe('getRepoOwnerWorktreeVisibilityDefaults', () => {
+  it('resolves defaults from each repository owner', () => {
+    const settings = { worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'hide' as const } }
+    const defaultsByHost = {
+      local: { external: 'hide' as const },
+      'runtime:show-host': { external: 'show' as const },
+      'runtime:legacy-host': null
+    }
+
+    expect(
+      getRepoOwnerWorktreeVisibilityDefaults(
+        { executionHostId: 'runtime:show-host' },
+        settings,
+        defaultsByHost
+      )
+    ).toEqual({ external: 'show' })
+    expect(
+      getRepoOwnerWorktreeVisibilityDefaults({ connectionId: 'ssh-box' }, settings, defaultsByHost)
+    ).toEqual({ external: 'hide' })
+    expect(
+      getRepoOwnerWorktreeVisibilityDefaults(
+        { executionHostId: 'runtime:legacy-host' },
+        settings,
+        defaultsByHost
+      )
+    ).toBeUndefined()
+  })
+})
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/store/worktree-visibility-defaults-by-host.ts b/src/renderer/src/store/worktree-visibility-defaults-by-host.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..10be50f078b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/store/worktree-visibility-defaults-by-host.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+import { getRepoExecutionHostId, parseExecutionHostId } from '../../../shared/execution-host'
+import type { ExecutionHostId } from '../../../shared/execution-host'
+import type { GlobalSettings, Repo, WorktreeVisibilityDefaults } from '../../../shared/types'
+
+export function getRepoOwnerWorktreeVisibilityDefaults(
+  repo: Pick<Repo, 'connectionId' | 'executionHostId'>,
+  settings: Pick<GlobalSettings, 'worktreeVisibilityDefaults'> | null | undefined,
+  defaultsByHost: Partial<Record<ExecutionHostId, WorktreeVisibilityDefaults | null>>
+): WorktreeVisibilityDefaults | undefined {
+  const hostId = getRepoExecutionHostId(repo)
+  if (parseExecutionHostId(hostId)?.kind === 'runtime') {
+    return defaultsByHost[hostId] ?? undefined
+  }
+  return defaultsByHost.local ?? settings?.worktreeVisibilityDefaults
+}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/web/web-preload-api.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/web/web-preload-api.test.ts
index a7447369f4b..40715147063 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/web/web-preload-api.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/web/web-preload-api.test.ts
@@ -1124,6 +1124,93 @@ describe('web settings preload API', () => {
     expect(runtimeCalls).toEqual([{ method: 'settings.get', params: undefined }])
   }, 15_000)
 
+  it('hydrates and updates external-worktree defaults owned by a paired runtime', async () => {
+    const runtimeCalls: { method: string; params: unknown }[] = []
+    vi.doMock('./web-runtime-client', () => ({
+      WebRuntimeClient: class {
+        call(method: string, params?: unknown): Promise<RuntimeRpcResponse<unknown>> {
+          runtimeCalls.push({ method, params })
+          return Promise.resolve({
+            id: `call-${runtimeCalls.length}`,
+            ok: true,
+            result: {
+              settings: {
+                worktreeVisibilityDefaults: {
+                  external: method === 'settings.update' ? 'show' : 'hide'
+                }
+              }
+            },
+            _meta: { runtimeId: 'runtime-1' }
+          })
+        }
+
+        close(): void {}
+      }
+    }))
+
+    const globals = installBrowserGlobals('Linux')
+    writeStoredRuntimeEnvironment(globals.storage)
+    globals.storage.setItem(
+      'orca.web.settings.v1',
+      JSON.stringify({ worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'show' } })
+    )
+    const { installWebPreloadApi } = await import('./web-preload-api')
+    installWebPreloadApi()
+
+    expect((await globals.window.api.settings.get()).worktreeVisibilityDefaults).toEqual({
+      external: 'hide'
+    })
+    expect(
+      JSON.parse(globals.storage.getItem('orca.web.settings.v1') ?? '{}').worktreeVisibilityDefaults
+    ).toEqual({ external: 'show' })
+    expect(
+      (
+        await globals.window.api.settings.set({
+          worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'show' }
+        })
+      ).worktreeVisibilityDefaults
+    ).toEqual({ external: 'show' })
+    expect(runtimeCalls).toEqual([
+      { method: 'settings.get', params: undefined },
+      {
+        method: 'settings.update',
+        params: { worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'show' } }
+      }
+    ])
+  })
+
+  it('does not send the additive visibility field to an older paired runtime', async () => {
+    const runtimeCalls: { method: string; params: unknown }[] = []
+    vi.doMock('./web-runtime-client', () => ({
+      WebRuntimeClient: class {
+        call(method: string, params?: unknown): Promise<RuntimeRpcResponse<unknown>> {
+          runtimeCalls.push({ method, params })
+          return Promise.resolve({
+            id: `call-${runtimeCalls.length}`,
+            ok: true,
+            result: { settings: {} },
+            _meta: { runtimeId: 'runtime-1' }
+          })
+        }
+
+        close(): void {}
+      }
+    }))
+
+    const globals = installBrowserGlobals('Linux')
+    writeStoredRuntimeEnvironment(globals.storage)
+    const { installWebPreloadApi } = await import('./web-preload-api')
+    installWebPreloadApi()
+
+    expect((await globals.window.api.settings.get()).worktreeVisibilityDefaults).toBeUndefined()
+    const settings = await globals.window.api.settings.set({
+      worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'show' }
+    })
+
+    expect(settings.worktreeVisibilityDefaults).toBeUndefined()
+    expect(runtimeCalls).toEqual([{ method: 'settings.get', params: undefined }])
+  })
+
   it('hydrates new worktree card style from a paired runtime', async () => {
     const runtimeCalls: { method: string; params: unknown }[] = []
     vi.doMock('./web-runtime-client', () => ({
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/web/web-preload-api.ts b/src/renderer/src/web/web-preload-api.ts
index 2baa23a7b28..01f0cda88ec 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/web/web-preload-api.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/web/web-preload-api.ts
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ import type {
   StatsSummary,
   Worktree,
   WorktreeLineage,
+  WorktreeVisibilityDefaults,
   WorkspaceLineage,
   WorkspaceSessionPatch,
   WorkspaceSessionState
@@ -179,6 +180,8 @@ export const CLIPBOARD_IMAGE_SINGLE_FRAME_FALLBACK_BASE64_CHARS = 256 * 1024
 const CLIPBOARD_IMAGE_SAVE_TIMEOUT_MS = 30_000
 
 let activeEnvironment: StoredWebRuntimeEnvironment | null = readStoredWebRuntimeEnvironment()
+let worktreeVisibilityDefaultsRuntimeEnvironmentId: string | null = null
+let worktreeVisibilityDefaultsRuntimeValue: WorktreeVisibilityDefaults | null = null
 let activeClient: WebRuntimeClient | null = null
 let activeClientEnvironmentId: string | null = null
 const manuallyDisconnectedEnvironmentIds = new Set<string>()
@@ -682,10 +685,24 @@ function createWebPreloadApi(): Partial<PreloadApi> {
     settings: {
       get: async () => getRuntimeBackedStoredSettings(),
       // Why: localStorage-backed settings are synchronous, so the pre-hydration kill-switch read works the same as desktop.
-      getSync: () => getStoredSettings(),
+      getSync: () => settingsForActiveVisibilityOwner(getStoredSettings()),
       set: async (updates) => {
         const sanitizedUpdates = { ...updates }
+        const runtimeEnvironment = requireActiveEnvironmentOrNull()
         delete sanitizedUpdates.activeRuntimeEnvironmentId
+        if (
+          'worktreeVisibilityDefaults' in sanitizedUpdates &&
+          runtimeEnvironment &&
+          runtimeEnvironment.id !== worktreeVisibilityDefaultsRuntimeEnvironmentId
+        ) {
+          delete sanitizedUpdates.worktreeVisibilityDefaults
+        }
+        if ('worktreeVisibilityDefaults' in sanitizedUpdates) {
+          sanitizedUpdates.worktreeVisibilityDefaults = {
+            ...getStoredSettings().worktreeVisibilityDefaults,
+            ...sanitizedUpdates.worktreeVisibilityDefaults
+          }
+        }
         if ('computerAwakeMode' in sanitizedUpdates) {
           Object.assign(
             sanitizedUpdates,
@@ -720,7 +737,9 @@ function createWebPreloadApi(): Partial<PreloadApi> {
           preserveAutoRenameBranchFromWorkUpdate: 'autoRenameBranchFromWork' in sanitizedUpdates
         })
         writeStoredSettings(next)
-        return syncRuntimeBackedSettings(sanitizedUpdates, next)
+        return settingsForActiveVisibilityOwner(
+          await syncRuntimeBackedSettings(sanitizedUpdates, next)
+        )
       },
       setActiveRuntimeEnvironmentPreference: async ({ environmentId }) => {
         const requestedEnvironmentId = environmentId?.trim() || null
@@ -3807,6 +3826,18 @@ async function getRuntimeBackedStoredSettings(): Promise<GlobalSettings> {
       15_000
     )
     const runtimeSettings: Partial<GlobalSettings> = {}
+    worktreeVisibilityDefaultsRuntimeEnvironmentId = null
+    worktreeVisibilityDefaultsRuntimeValue = null
+    if (
+      result.settings.worktreeVisibilityDefaults?.external === 'hide' ||
+      result.settings.worktreeVisibilityDefaults?.external === 'show'
+    ) {
+      worktreeVisibilityDefaultsRuntimeValue = {
+        ...result.settings.worktreeVisibilityDefaults,
+        external: result.settings.worktreeVisibilityDefaults.external
+      }
+      worktreeVisibilityDefaultsRuntimeEnvironmentId = requireActiveEnvironment().id
+    }
     if (typeof result.settings.experimentalNewWorktreeCardStyle === 'boolean') {
       runtimeSettings.experimentalNewWorktreeCardStyle =
         result.settings.experimentalNewWorktreeCardStyle
@@ -3832,13 +3863,28 @@ async function getRuntimeBackedStoredSettings(): Promise<GlobalSettings> {
     }
     const next = mergeSettings(local, runtimeSettings)
     writeStoredSettings(next)
-    return next
+    return settingsForActiveVisibilityOwner(next)
   } catch {
     // Why: unpaired/offline web clients keep a local settings fallback.
-    return local
+    return settingsForActiveVisibilityOwner(local)
   }
 }
 
+function settingsForActiveVisibilityOwner(settings: GlobalSettings): GlobalSettings {
+  const environment = requireActiveEnvironmentOrNull()
+  if (!environment) {
+    return settings
+  }
+  if (
+    environment.id === worktreeVisibilityDefaultsRuntimeEnvironmentId &&
+    worktreeVisibilityDefaultsRuntimeValue
+  ) {
+    return { ...settings, worktreeVisibilityDefaults: worktreeVisibilityDefaultsRuntimeValue }
+  }
+  const { worktreeVisibilityDefaults: _unsupported, ...supportedSettings } = settings
+  return supportedSettings as GlobalSettings
+}
+
 async function syncRuntimeBackedSettings(
   updates: Partial<GlobalSettings>,
   localNext: GlobalSettings
@@ -3847,6 +3893,14 @@ async function syncRuntimeBackedSettings(
     return localNext
   }
   const runtimeUpdates: Partial<GlobalSettings> = {}
+  if (
+    updates.worktreeVisibilityDefaults?.external === 'hide' ||
+    updates.worktreeVisibilityDefaults?.external === 'show'
+  ) {
+    runtimeUpdates.worktreeVisibilityDefaults = {
+      external: updates.worktreeVisibilityDefaults.external
+    }
+  }
   if (typeof updates.experimentalNewWorktreeCardStyle === 'boolean') {
     runtimeUpdates.experimentalNewWorktreeCardStyle = updates.experimentalNewWorktreeCardStyle
   }
@@ -3875,6 +3929,12 @@ async function syncRuntimeBackedSettings(
     )
     const runtimeSettings = { ...result.settings }
     delete runtimeSettings.activeRuntimeEnvironmentId
+    const external = runtimeSettings.worktreeVisibilityDefaults?.external
+    if (external === 'hide' || external === 'show') {
+      worktreeVisibilityDefaultsRuntimeEnvironmentId = requireActiveEnvironment().id
+      worktreeVisibilityDefaultsRuntimeValue = { external }
+    }
+    delete runtimeSettings.worktreeVisibilityDefaults
     const next = mergeSettings(localNext, runtimeSettings)
     writeStoredSettings(next)
     return next
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/web/web-runtime-client.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/web/web-runtime-client.test.ts
index 7a402a42ba1..ef1ac0eefa6 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/web/web-runtime-client.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/web/web-runtime-client.test.ts
@@ -13,7 +13,8 @@ import {
 import type { RuntimeRpcResponse } from '../../../shared/runtime-rpc-envelope'
 import {
   AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
-  SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
+  SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
+  WORKTREE_VISIBILITY_DEFAULTS_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
 } from '../../../shared/protocol-version'
 
 const fakeSockets: FakeWebSocket[] = []
@@ -83,7 +84,8 @@ describe('WebRuntimeClient', () => {
       deviceToken: 'token',
       clientCapabilities: [
         SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
-        AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
+        AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
+        WORKTREE_VISIBILITY_DEFAULTS_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
       ]
     })
 
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/web/web-runtime-client.ts b/src/renderer/src/web/web-runtime-client.ts
index a51d93ac0d3..490ed7ba688 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/web/web-runtime-client.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/web/web-runtime-client.ts
@@ -16,7 +16,8 @@ import {
 } from './web-e2ee'
 import {
   AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
-  SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
+  SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
+  WORKTREE_VISIBILITY_DEFAULTS_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
 } from '../../../shared/protocol-version'
 import { createWebRuntimeUnauthorizedError } from './web-runtime-client-error'
 import { withReconnectJitter } from '../../../shared/reconnect-jitter'
@@ -461,7 +462,8 @@ export class WebRuntimeClient {
             deviceToken: this.pairing.deviceToken,
             clientCapabilities: [
               SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
-              AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
+              AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
+              WORKTREE_VISIBILITY_DEFAULTS_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
             ]
           })
           return
diff --git a/src/shared/constants.ts b/src/shared/constants.ts
index a01a778d2dd..4eda2762391 100644
--- a/src/shared/constants.ts
+++ b/src/shared/constants.ts
@@ -174,6 +174,7 @@ function getDefaultWorkspaceDir(homeDir: string): string {
 export function getDefaultSettings(homedir: string): GlobalSettings {
   return {
     workspaceDir: getDefaultWorkspaceDir(homedir),
+    worktreeVisibilityDefaults: { external: 'hide' },
     nestWorkspaces: true,
     workspaceDirHistory: [],
     refreshLocalBaseRefOnWorktreeCreate: false,
diff --git a/src/shared/external-worktree-inbox.ts b/src/shared/external-worktree-inbox.ts
index c42a1249bd7..ff91148d997 100644
--- a/src/shared/external-worktree-inbox.ts
+++ b/src/shared/external-worktree-inbox.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,10 @@
 import { normalizeRuntimePathForComparison } from './cross-platform-path'
-import type { DetectedWorktree, DetectedWorktreeListResult, Repo } from './types'
+import type {
+  DetectedWorktree,
+  DetectedWorktreeListResult,
+  Repo,
+  WorktreeVisibilityDefaults
+} from './types'
 import {
   effectiveExternalWorktreeVisibility,
   isLegacyRepoForExternalWorktreeVisibility
@@ -103,7 +108,10 @@ export function hasCompletedInitialExternalWorktreeImportPrompt(
   return typeof repo.externalWorktreeVisibilityPromptDismissedAt === 'number'
 }
 
-export function shouldOfferNewExternalWorktreeInbox(repo: Repo): boolean {
+export function shouldOfferNewExternalWorktreeInbox(
+  repo: Repo,
+  defaults?: WorktreeVisibilityDefaults
+): boolean {
   if (isExternalWorktreeDiscoverySuppressed(repo)) {
     return false
   }
@@ -111,16 +119,20 @@ export function shouldOfferNewExternalWorktreeInbox(repo: Repo): boolean {
     return false
   }
   return (
-    effectiveExternalWorktreeVisibility(repo, isLegacyRepoForExternalWorktreeVisibility(repo)) ===
-    'hide'
+    effectiveExternalWorktreeVisibility(
+      repo,
+      isLegacyRepoForExternalWorktreeVisibility(repo),
+      defaults
+    ) === 'hide'
   )
 }
 
 export function getNewExternalWorktreeInboxWorktrees(
   detected: DetectedWorktreeListResult | undefined,
-  repo: Repo
+  repo: Repo,
+  defaults?: WorktreeVisibilityDefaults
 ): DetectedWorktree[] {
-  if (!shouldOfferNewExternalWorktreeInbox(repo)) {
+  if (!shouldOfferNewExternalWorktreeInbox(repo, defaults)) {
     return []
   }
   const baseline = new Set(
diff --git a/src/shared/external-worktree-visibility.ts b/src/shared/external-worktree-visibility.ts
index fc4af8c1681..57d8bb1bbb9 100644
--- a/src/shared/external-worktree-visibility.ts
+++ b/src/shared/external-worktree-visibility.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { normalizeRuntimePathSeparators } from './cross-platform-path'
-import type { ExternalWorktreeVisibility, Repo } from './types'
+import type { ExternalWorktreeVisibility, Repo, WorktreeVisibilityDefaults } from './types'
 
 export const EXTERNAL_WORKTREE_VISIBILITY_ROLLOUT_AT = Date.UTC(2026, 4, 23)
 export const UNKNOWN_EXTERNAL_WORKTREE_PARENT_PATH = 'Unknown location'
@@ -60,14 +60,59 @@ export function isLegacyRepoForExternalWorktreeVisibility(repo: Repo): boolean {
 
 export function effectiveExternalWorktreeVisibility(
   repo: Pick<Repo, 'externalWorktreeVisibility'>,
-  isLegacyRepoForVisibility: boolean
+  isLegacyRepoForVisibility: boolean,
+  defaults?: WorktreeVisibilityDefaults
 ): ExternalWorktreeVisibility {
   if (repo.externalWorktreeVisibility) {
     return repo.externalWorktreeVisibility
   }
+  if (defaults?.external === 'show' || defaults?.external === 'hide') {
+    return defaults.external
+  }
   return isLegacyRepoForVisibility ? 'show' : 'hide'
 }
 
+export function normalizeWorktreeVisibilityDefaults(
+  value: unknown
+): WorktreeVisibilityDefaults | undefined {
+  if (!value || typeof value !== 'object' || Array.isArray(value)) {
+    return undefined
+  }
+  const external = (value as { external?: unknown }).external
+  return external === 'show' || external === 'hide'
+    ? { ...(value as WorktreeVisibilityDefaults), external }
+    : undefined
+}
+
+export function migrateExternalWorktreeVisibilityDefaults(
+  repos: readonly Repo[],
+  value: unknown
+): {
+  repos: Repo[]
+  defaults: WorktreeVisibilityDefaults
+  changed: boolean
+} {
+  const defaults = normalizeWorktreeVisibilityDefaults(value)
+  if (defaults) {
+    return { repos: [...repos], defaults, changed: false }
+  }
+  const migratedRepos = repos.map((repo) => {
+    if (
+      repo.kind === 'folder' ||
+      repo.externalWorktreeVisibility !== undefined ||
+      !isLegacyRepoForExternalWorktreeVisibility(repo)
+    ) {
+      return repo
+    }
+    return {
+      ...repo,
+      externalWorktreeVisibility: 'show' as const,
+      externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: true
+    }
+  })
+  return { repos: migratedRepos, defaults: { external: 'hide' }, changed: true }
+}
+
 export function effectiveAgentWorktreeVisibility(
   repo: Pick<Repo, 'agentWorktreeVisibility'>
 ): ExternalWorktreeVisibility {
diff --git a/src/shared/protocol-version.ts b/src/shared/protocol-version.ts
index eb61be79c97..d77af0328ea 100644
--- a/src/shared/protocol-version.ts
+++ b/src/shared/protocol-version.ts
@@ -88,6 +88,8 @@ export const AGENT_SESSION_OMP_RESUME_PATH_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY =
 export const FILE_MUTATION_OWNERSHIP_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY = 'files.mutation-ownership.v1' as const
 export const FILE_MUTATION_OWNERSHIP_UPDATE_REQUIRED_MESSAGE =
   'Remote file changes require a newer Orca server. Update the HUB and try again.'
+export const WORKTREE_VISIBILITY_DEFAULTS_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY =
+  'worktree.visibility-defaults.v1' as const
 
 export const RUNTIME_CAPABILITIES = [
   'runtime.status.compat.v1',
@@ -122,6 +124,7 @@ export const RUNTIME_CAPABILITIES = [
   AGENT_SESSION_HOST_AUTHORITY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
   AGENT_SESSION_OMP_RESUME_PATH_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
   FILE_MUTATION_OWNERSHIP_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
+  WORKTREE_VISIBILITY_DEFAULTS_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
   ACCOUNT_IMPORT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
   CODEX_RESET_CREDIT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
 ] as const
diff --git a/src/shared/remote-runtime-client.test.ts b/src/shared/remote-runtime-client.test.ts
index 9ead47f4067..7371e2fa11f 100644
--- a/src/shared/remote-runtime-client.test.ts
+++ b/src/shared/remote-runtime-client.test.ts
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ import { sendRemoteRuntimeRequest, subscribeRemoteRuntimeRequest } from './remot
 import { MAX_TIMER_DELAY_MS } from './timer-delay'
 import {
   AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
-  SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
+  SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
+  WORKTREE_VISIBILITY_DEFAULTS_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
 } from './protocol-version'
 
 const servers: WebSocketServer[] = []
@@ -74,7 +75,8 @@ describe('subscribeRemoteRuntimeRequest', () => {
       deviceToken: 'device-token',
       clientCapabilities: [
         SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
-        AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
+        AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
+        WORKTREE_VISIBILITY_DEFAULTS_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
       ]
     })
     const bytes = new Uint8Array([1, 2, 3])
diff --git a/src/shared/remote-runtime-client.ts b/src/shared/remote-runtime-client.ts
index c53565dc8a2..97441cab768 100644
--- a/src/shared/remote-runtime-client.ts
+++ b/src/shared/remote-runtime-client.ts
@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@ import {
 import type { RuntimeStatus } from './runtime-types'
 import {
   AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
-  SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
+  SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
+  WORKTREE_VISIBILITY_DEFAULTS_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
 } from './protocol-version'
 // Re-export so existing value importers of `RemoteRuntimeClientError` are
 // unaffected; the class lives in a ws-free module so type-only consumers
@@ -139,7 +140,8 @@ async function sendRemoteRuntimeRequestOnSocket<TResult>(
     deviceToken: pairing.deviceToken,
     clientCapabilities: [
       SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
-      AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
+      AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
+      WORKTREE_VISIBILITY_DEFAULTS_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
     ]
   })
   const pendingRequest = {
@@ -511,7 +513,8 @@ export async function subscribeRemoteRuntimeRequest<TResult>(
     deviceToken: pairing.deviceToken,
     clientCapabilities: [
       SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
-      AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
+      AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
+      WORKTREE_VISIBILITY_DEFAULTS_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
     ]
   })
   return await new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
diff --git a/src/shared/remote-runtime-request-connection.test.ts b/src/shared/remote-runtime-request-connection.test.ts
index 7f8f4e69871..8a162f80c5b 100644
--- a/src/shared/remote-runtime-request-connection.test.ts
+++ b/src/shared/remote-runtime-request-connection.test.ts
@@ -13,7 +13,8 @@ import {
 import { RemoteRuntimeRequestConnection } from './remote-runtime-request-connection'
 import {
   AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
-  SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
+  SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
+  WORKTREE_VISIBILITY_DEFAULTS_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
 } from './protocol-version'
 
 type TestServer = {
@@ -63,7 +64,8 @@ describe('RemoteRuntimeRequestConnection', () => {
       expect.objectContaining({
         clientCapabilities: [
           SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
-          AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
+          AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
+          WORKTREE_VISIBILITY_DEFAULTS_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
         ]
       })
     )
@@ -114,7 +116,8 @@ async function createServer(): Promise<TestServer> {
           deviceToken: 'device-token',
           clientCapabilities: [
             SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
-            AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
+            AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
+            WORKTREE_VISIBILITY_DEFAULTS_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
           ]
         })
         authenticated = true
diff --git a/src/shared/remote-runtime-request-connection.ts b/src/shared/remote-runtime-request-connection.ts
index f79c5cdd136..e7555e7cca0 100644
--- a/src/shared/remote-runtime-request-connection.ts
+++ b/src/shared/remote-runtime-request-connection.ts
@@ -32,7 +32,8 @@ import {
 import { openRemoteRuntimeWebSocket } from './remote-runtime-request-websocket'
 import {
   AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
-  SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
+  SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
+  WORKTREE_VISIBILITY_DEFAULTS_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
 } from './protocol-version'
 
 type ConnectionState = 'closed' | 'awaiting_ready' | 'awaiting_authenticated' | 'ready'
@@ -212,7 +213,8 @@ export class RemoteRuntimeRequestConnection {
           deviceToken: this.pairing.deviceToken,
           clientCapabilities: [
             SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
-            AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
+            AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
+            WORKTREE_VISIBILITY_DEFAULTS_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
           ]
         }),
         sharedKey
diff --git a/src/shared/remote-runtime-shared-control-connection.test.ts b/src/shared/remote-runtime-shared-control-connection.test.ts
index f85b1d8fa6b..3a3f5241545 100644
--- a/src/shared/remote-runtime-shared-control-connection.test.ts
+++ b/src/shared/remote-runtime-shared-control-connection.test.ts
@@ -20,13 +20,9 @@ import { getRemoteRuntimeRequestAdmissionEvidence } from './remote-runtime-prepa
 import { RemoteRuntimeSharedControlConnection } from './remote-runtime-shared-control-connection'
 import * as sharedControlProtocol from './remote-runtime-shared-control-protocol'
 import { isRuntimeSubscriptionReplayResponse } from './runtime-subscription-replay'
-import {
-  AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
-  SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
-} from './protocol-version'
+import * as protocolCapabilities from './protocol-version'
 
 const TEST_PROJECT_PATH = path.join('tmp', 'project')
-
 type TestServer = {
   pairing: PairingOffer
   requests: { id: string; method: string; params?: unknown }[]
@@ -66,8 +62,9 @@ describe('RemoteRuntimeSharedControlConnection', () => {
       type: 'e2ee_auth',
       deviceToken: 'device-token',
       clientCapabilities: [
-        SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
-        AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
+        protocolCapabilities.SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
+        protocolCapabilities.AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
+        protocolCapabilities.WORKTREE_VISIBILITY_DEFAULTS_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
       ]
     })
     expect(server.requests.map((request) => request.method)).toEqual([
diff --git a/src/shared/remote-runtime-shared-control-frame-handler.ts b/src/shared/remote-runtime-shared-control-frame-handler.ts
index 96a3e1084ad..fe323a63a83 100644
--- a/src/shared/remote-runtime-shared-control-frame-handler.ts
+++ b/src/shared/remote-runtime-shared-control-frame-handler.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@ import { parseAuthenticatedFrame, parseReadyFrame } from './remote-runtime-reque
 import type { RemoteRuntimeClientError } from './remote-runtime-client-error'
 import {
   AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
-  SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
+  SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
+  WORKTREE_VISIBILITY_DEFAULTS_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
 } from './protocol-version'
 import { dispatchSharedControlFrame } from './remote-runtime-shared-control-frame-dispatch'
 import { parseSharedControlFrame } from './remote-runtime-shared-control-protocol'
@@ -43,7 +44,8 @@ export function handleSharedControlTextFrame(args: {
       deviceToken: args.deviceToken,
       clientCapabilities: [
         SESSION_TAB_CLOSE_INTENT_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
-        AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
+        AGENT_SESSION_BOUNDARY_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY,
+        WORKTREE_VISIBILITY_DEFAULTS_RUNTIME_CAPABILITY
       ]
     })
     return
diff --git a/src/shared/types.ts b/src/shared/types.ts
index 25b5df10022..3378ffda28a 100644
--- a/src/shared/types.ts
+++ b/src/shared/types.ts
@@ -123,6 +123,11 @@ export type WorktreeVisibilitySourcePreferences = {
   custom?: Record<string, ExternalWorktreeVisibility>
 }
 
+export type WorktreeVisibilityDefaults = {
+  /** Default for worktrees Orca did not create. Future source-specific defaults extend this shape. */
+  external?: ExternalWorktreeVisibility
+}
+
 export type ProjectProviderIdentity = {
   provider: 'github'
   owner: string
@@ -2801,6 +2806,8 @@ export type AgentDashboardMode = 'in-window' | 'popout'
 
 export type GlobalSettings = {
   workspaceDir: string
+  /** Host-owned defaults used when a repository has no explicit visibility override. */
+  worktreeVisibilityDefaults?: WorktreeVisibilityDefaults
   /** Per-host overrides keyed by ExecutionHostId. Effective value for a
    *  host-varying setting is `host override ?? client default`. */
   hostSettingOverrides?: Partial<Record<ExecutionHostId, HostSettingOverrides>>
diff --git a/src/shared/worktree-ownership.test.ts b/src/shared/worktree-ownership.test.ts
index ce56ef2c0cd..5cc0a9dfee0 100644
--- a/src/shared/worktree-ownership.test.ts
+++ b/src/shared/worktree-ownership.test.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest'
 import type { GlobalSettings, Repo, Worktree, WorktreeMeta } from './types'
 import { createAgentScratchWorktreePathMatcher } from './agent-scratch-worktrees'
+import { migrateExternalWorktreeVisibilityDefaults } from './external-worktree-visibility'
 import {
   applyMetadataFallbackVisibility,
   buildKnownOrcaWorkspaceLayouts,
@@ -340,6 +341,55 @@ describe('external worktree visibility policy', () => {
     expect(effectiveExternalWorktreeVisibility(makeRepo(), true)).toBe('show')
   })
 
+  it('resolves repo override before host default before the compatibility fallback', () => {
+    expect(
+      effectiveExternalWorktreeVisibility(makeRepo({ externalWorktreeVisibility: 'show' }), false, {
+        external: 'hide'
+      })
+    ).toBe('show')
+    expect(effectiveExternalWorktreeVisibility(makeRepo(), true, { external: 'hide' })).toBe('hide')
+    expect(effectiveExternalWorktreeVisibility(makeRepo(), true)).toBe('show')
+  })
+
+  it('materializes only implicit legacy visibility when adding the safe global default', () => {
+    const legacy = makeRepo({ externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: undefined })
+    const explicit = makeRepo({ id: 'explicit', externalWorktreeVisibility: 'hide' })
+    const inherited = makeRepo({ id: 'inherited', externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: false })
+
+    const migrated = migrateExternalWorktreeVisibilityDefaults(
+      [legacy, explicit, inherited],
+      undefined
+    )
+
+    expect(migrated.defaults).toEqual({ external: 'hide' })
+    expect(migrated.repos).toEqual([
+      expect.objectContaining({
+        id: legacy.id,
+        externalWorktreeVisibility: 'show',
+        externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: true
+      }),
+      explicit,
+      inherited
+    ])
+    expect(
+      migrateExternalWorktreeVisibilityDefaults(migrated.repos, migrated.defaults).changed
+    ).toBe(false)
+  })
+
+  it('does not materialize visibility on folder repositories', () => {
+    const folder = makeRepo({ kind: 'folder', externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: undefined })
+    const migrated = migrateExternalWorktreeVisibilityDefaults([folder], undefined)
+
+    expect(migrated.repos[0]?.externalWorktreeVisibility).toBeUndefined()
+  })
+
+  it('materializes legacy visibility on persisted repositories without a kind', () => {
+    const legacy = makeRepo({ kind: undefined, externalWorktreeVisibilityLegacy: undefined })
+    const migrated = migrateExternalWorktreeVisibilityDefaults([legacy], undefined)
+
+    expect(migrated.repos[0]?.externalWorktreeVisibility).toBe('show')
+  })
+
   it('treats persisted repos without explicit visibility as legacy for upgrade safety', () => {
     expect(isLegacyRepoForExternalWorktreeVisibility(makeRepo())).toBe(true)
   })
diff --git a/src/shared/worktree-ownership.ts b/src/shared/worktree-ownership.ts
index 22f73690bda..ac25864eb2e 100644
--- a/src/shared/worktree-ownership.ts
+++ b/src/shared/worktree-ownership.ts
@@ -184,7 +184,10 @@ export function toDetectedWorktree(args: {
   repo: Repo
   worktree: Worktree
   meta?: WorktreeMeta
-  settings: Pick<GlobalSettings, 'workspaceDir' | 'nestWorkspaces' | 'workspaceDirHistory'>
+  settings: Pick<
+    GlobalSettings,
+    'workspaceDir' | 'nestWorkspaces' | 'workspaceDirHistory' | 'worktreeVisibilityDefaults'
+  >
   knownOrcaLayouts: OrcaWorkspaceLayout[]
   isLegacyRepoForVisibility?: boolean
   agentScratchWorktreePathMatcher?: AgentScratchWorktreePathMatcher
@@ -211,6 +214,7 @@ export function toDetectedWorktree(args: {
     isLegacyRepoForVisibility,
     isSelectedCheckout: selectedCheckout,
     importedExternalWorktreePaths: args.repo.importedExternalWorktreePaths,
+    visibilityDefaults: args.settings.worktreeVisibilityDefaults,
     visibilitySource
   })
 
@@ -229,6 +233,7 @@ export function shouldShowWorktree(args: {
   repo: Repo
   isLegacyRepoForVisibility: boolean
   isSelectedCheckout: boolean
+  visibilityDefaults?: GlobalSettings['worktreeVisibilityDefaults']
   importedExternalWorktreePaths?: readonly string[] | undefined
   visibilitySource?: ReturnType<WorktreeVisibilitySourceMatcher>
 }): boolean {
@@ -254,7 +259,13 @@ export function shouldShowWorktree(args: {
   if (args.ownership === 'unknown-legacy' && args.isLegacyRepoForVisibility) {
     return true
   }
-  return effectiveExternalWorktreeVisibility(args.repo, args.isLegacyRepoForVisibility) === 'show'
+  return (
+    effectiveExternalWorktreeVisibility(
+      args.repo,
+      args.isLegacyRepoForVisibility,
+      args.visibilityDefaults
+    ) === 'show'
+  )
 }
 
 export function applyMetadataFallbackVisibility(detected: DetectedWorktree): DetectedWorktree {