diff --git a/components/mail/mail-app.tsx b/components/mail/mail-app.tsx
index da2069dc4..a9007f805 100644
--- a/components/mail/mail-app.tsx
+++ b/components/mail/mail-app.tsx
@@ -63,6 +63,9 @@ import { PromptDialog } from "@/components/ui/prompt-dialog";
 import { TotpReauthDialog } from "@/components/totp-reauth-dialog";
 import { DragDropProvider } from "@/contexts/drag-drop-context";
 import { isFilterEmpty, activeFilterCount } from "@/lib/jmap/search-utils";
+import { SearchBox, type ContactSearchField } from "@/components/search/search-box";
+import type { ContactSuggestion } from "@/lib/search-suggestions";
+import { useSearchHistoryStore } from "@/stores/search-history-store";
 import { WelcomeBanner } from "@/components/ui/welcome-banner";
 import { NavigationRail } from "@/components/layout/navigation-rail";
 import { SidebarAppsModal } from "@/components/layout/sidebar-apps-modal";
@@ -81,7 +84,7 @@ import { EML_IMPORT_ACCEPT, expandImportableEmails } from "@/lib/eml-import";
 import { findDraftIdentityId, resolveComposeAccountEmail, resolveReplyFrom, type ReplyFromResolution } from "@/lib/reply-identity";
 import { buildReplyRecipients, isSelfSent } from "@/lib/reply-recipients";
 import { useProMultiAccountIdentities } from "@/hooks/use-pro-multi-account-identities";
-import { Search, Filter, ChevronDown, X, Paperclip, Star, Mail, MailOpen, RotateCcw, PenSquare, PenLine, CheckSquare, Square, AlertTriangle } from "lucide-react";
+import { Filter, ChevronDown, X, Paperclip, Star, Mail, MailOpen, RotateCcw, PenSquare, PenLine, CheckSquare, Square, AlertTriangle } from "lucide-react";
 import { ResizeHandle } from "@/components/layout/resize-handle";
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
 import { useConfig } from "@/hooks/use-config";
@@ -2780,6 +2783,7 @@ export function MailApp({ linkSegments }: MailAppProps = {}) {
   const handleSearch = async (query: string) => {
     if (!client) return;
     setSearchQuery(query);
+    useSearchHistoryStore.getState().addRecentSearch(query);
     if (!isFilterEmpty(searchFilters)) {
       await advancedSearch(client);
     } else {
@@ -2787,6 +2791,16 @@ export function MailApp({ linkSegments }: MailAppProps = {}) {
     }
   };
 
+  // A contact picked from the search-bar suggestions (#845) becomes a
+  // from:/to: filter — the typed text was only ever the lookup key, so it is
+  // dropped rather than ANDed into the query as a full-text term.
+  const handleSelectContactSuggestion = async (contact: ContactSuggestion, field: ContactSearchField) => {
+    if (!client) return;
+    setSearchQuery("");
+    setSearchFilters({ [field]: contact.email });
+    await advancedSearch(client);
+  };
+
   const handleClearSearch = async () => {
     setSearchQuery("");
     clearSearchFilters();
@@ -3513,30 +3527,15 @@ export function MailApp({ linkSegments }: MailAppProps = {}) {
                       <Square className="w-4 h-4" />
                     )}
                   </button>
-                  <form onSubmit={(e) => { e.preventDefault(); if (searchQuery.trim()) handleSearch(searchQuery); }} className="relative flex-1">
-                    <Search className="absolute start-3 top-1/2 transform -translate-y-1/2 w-4 h-4 text-muted-foreground" />
-                    <Input
-                      type="text"
-                      placeholder={t("sidebar.search_placeholder_hint")}
-                      value={searchQuery}
-                      onChange={(e) => setSearchQuery(e.target.value)}
-                      className={cn("ps-9 h-9", searchQuery && "pe-8")}
-                      data-search-input
-                      data-tour="search-input"
-                      disabled={isScheduledView}
-                      title={isScheduledView ? t('email_viewer.scheduled_actions_only') : undefined}
-                    />
-                    {searchQuery && (
-                      <button
-                        type="button"
-                        onClick={handleClearSearch}
-                        className="absolute end-2 top-1/2 transform -translate-y-1/2 p-1 rounded-full hover:bg-muted text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground transition-colors"
-                        aria-label={t("sidebar.clear_search")}
-                      >
-                        <X className="w-4 h-4" />
-                      </button>
-                    )}
-                  </form>
+                  <SearchBox
+                    value={searchQuery}
+                    onChange={setSearchQuery}
+                    onSubmit={handleSearch}
+                    onClear={handleClearSearch}
+                    onSelectContact={handleSelectContactSuggestion}
+                    disabled={isScheduledView}
+                    title={isScheduledView ? t('email_viewer.scheduled_actions_only') : undefined}
+                  />
                   <button
                     type="button"
                     onClick={toggleAdvancedSearch}
diff --git a/components/search/__tests__/search-box.test.tsx b/components/search/__tests__/search-box.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6d03c0171
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/search/__tests__/search-box.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,196 @@
+// React's onFocus/onBlur listen to focusin/focusout — RTL's fireEvent fires both.
+import { render, screen, act, fireEvent } from '@testing-library/react';
+import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach } from 'vitest';
+import React from 'react';
+import { SearchBox } from '../search-box';
+import { useSearchHistoryStore } from '@/stores/search-history-store';
+
+vi.mock('@/components/ui/avatar', () => ({
+  Avatar: ({ name, email }: { name?: string; email?: string }) => (
+    React.createElement('span', { 'data-testid': 'avatar' }, name || email)
+  ),
+}));
+
+vi.mock('@/stores/contact-store', () => {
+  const state = {
+    contacts: [],
+    recentRecipients: [],
+    directoryPrincipals: [],
+    getAutocomplete: (query: string) => {
+      const all = [
+        { name: 'Mustafa Kemal', email: 'mustafa@example.com' },
+        { name: 'Mustafa Sandal', email: 'sandal@example.com' },
+        { name: 'Marketing', email: '', group: { id: 'g1', memberCount: 3 } },
+        { name: 'Alice Doe', email: 'alice@example.com' },
+      ];
+      const q = query.toLowerCase();
+      return all.filter((c) => c.name.toLowerCase().includes(q) || c.email.toLowerCase().includes(q));
+    },
+  };
+  const hook = (sel?: (s: typeof state) => unknown) => (typeof sel === 'function' ? sel(state) : state);
+  hook.getState = () => state;
+  hook.setState = (p: Partial<typeof state>) => Object.assign(state, p);
+  return { useContactStore: hook };
+});
+
+function Harness(props: Partial<React.ComponentProps<typeof SearchBox>> & { initial?: string }) {
+  const [value, setValue] = React.useState(props.initial ?? '');
+  return (
+    <SearchBox
+      value={value}
+      onChange={(v) => { setValue(v); props.onChange?.(v); }}
+      onSubmit={props.onSubmit ?? (() => {})}
+      onClear={props.onClear ?? (() => {})}
+      onSelectContact={props.onSelectContact ?? (() => {})}
+      disabled={props.disabled}
+    />
+  );
+}
+
+function input() {
+  return screen.getByRole('combobox') as HTMLInputElement;
+}
+
+describe('SearchBox suggestions (#845)', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    useSearchHistoryStore.setState({ recentSearches: [] });
+  });
+
+  it('shows nothing on focus when there is no history and no query', () => {
+    render(<Harness />);
+    fireEvent.focus(input());
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('listbox')).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it('shows recent searches on focus with an empty query', () => {
+    useSearchHistoryStore.setState({ recentSearches: ['invoice', 'q3 report'] });
+    render(<Harness />);
+    fireEvent.focus(input());
+    const options = screen.getAllByRole('option');
+    expect(options.map((o) => o.textContent)).toEqual(['invoice', 'q3 report']);
+    expect(screen.getByText('suggestions_recent')).toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
+  it('lists matching contacts while typing, without groups, with the match highlighted', () => {
+    render(<Harness />);
+    fireEvent.change(input(), { target: { value: 'musta' } });
+    const options = screen.getAllByRole('option');
+    expect(options).toHaveLength(2);
+    expect(options[0]).toHaveTextContent('Mustafa Kemal');
+    expect(options[0]).toHaveTextContent('<mustafa@example.com>');
+    expect(options[1]).toHaveTextContent('Mustafa Sandal');
+    expect(screen.queryByText(/Marketing/)).toBeNull();
+    const marks = options[0].querySelectorAll('mark');
+    // "Musta" in the name and "musta" in the address are both emphasised.
+    expect(Array.from(marks).map((m) => m.textContent)).toEqual(['Musta', 'musta']);
+    expect(screen.getByText('suggestions_people')).toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
+  it('clicking a contact runs a from: search and closes the dropdown', () => {
+    const onSelectContact = vi.fn();
+    render(<Harness onSelectContact={onSelectContact} />);
+    fireEvent.change(input(), { target: { value: 'sandal' } });
+    fireEvent.mouseDown(screen.getByRole('option'));
+    expect(onSelectContact).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ name: 'Mustafa Sandal', email: 'sandal@example.com' }, 'from');
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('listbox')).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it('the "to" action runs a to: search for the contact', () => {
+    const onSelectContact = vi.fn();
+    render(<Harness onSelectContact={onSelectContact} />);
+    fireEvent.change(input(), { target: { value: 'alice' } });
+    fireEvent.mouseDown(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'suggestions_to' }));
+    expect(onSelectContact).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ name: 'Alice Doe', email: 'alice@example.com' }, 'to');
+  });
+
+  it('navigates with the arrow keys and picks with Enter', () => {
+    const onSelectContact = vi.fn();
+    const onSubmit = vi.fn();
+    useSearchHistoryStore.setState({ recentSearches: ['mustafa invoice'] });
+    render(<Harness onSelectContact={onSelectContact} onSubmit={onSubmit} />);
+    const el = input();
+    fireEvent.change(el, { target: { value: 'musta' } });
+    // recent, Mustafa Kemal, Mustafa Sandal
+    expect(screen.getAllByRole('option')).toHaveLength(3);
+    expect(el).toHaveAttribute('aria-expanded', 'true');
+    expect(el).not.toHaveAttribute('aria-activedescendant');
+
+    fireEvent.keyDown(el, { key: 'ArrowDown' });
+    fireEvent.keyDown(el, { key: 'ArrowDown' });
+    const options = screen.getAllByRole('option');
+    expect(options[1]).toHaveAttribute('aria-selected', 'true');
+    expect(el).toHaveAttribute('aria-activedescendant', options[1].id);
+
+    // Does not run past the last entry.
+    fireEvent.keyDown(el, { key: 'ArrowDown' });
+    fireEvent.keyDown(el, { key: 'ArrowDown' });
+    expect(screen.getAllByRole('option')[2]).toHaveAttribute('aria-selected', 'true');
+
+    fireEvent.keyDown(el, { key: 'ArrowUp' });
+    fireEvent.keyDown(el, { key: 'Enter' });
+    expect(onSelectContact).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ name: 'Mustafa Kemal', email: 'mustafa@example.com' }, 'from');
+    expect(onSubmit).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it('Enter with a highlighted recent search submits that query', () => {
+    const onSubmit = vi.fn();
+    const onChange = vi.fn();
+    useSearchHistoryStore.setState({ recentSearches: ['mustafa invoice'] });
+    render(<Harness onSubmit={onSubmit} onChange={onChange} />);
+    const el = input();
+    fireEvent.change(el, { target: { value: 'musta' } });
+    fireEvent.keyDown(el, { key: 'ArrowDown' });
+    fireEvent.keyDown(el, { key: 'Enter' });
+    expect(onChange).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith('mustafa invoice');
+    expect(onSubmit).toHaveBeenCalledWith('mustafa invoice');
+    expect(el.value).toBe('mustafa invoice');
+  });
+
+  it('Enter with nothing highlighted submits the typed text', () => {
+    const onSubmit = vi.fn();
+    render(<Harness onSubmit={onSubmit} />);
+    const el = input();
+    fireEvent.change(el, { target: { value: 'musta' } });
+    expect(screen.getByRole('listbox')).toBeInTheDocument();
+    fireEvent.submit(el.closest('form')!);
+    expect(onSubmit).toHaveBeenCalledWith('musta');
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('listbox')).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it('Escape closes the dropdown and ArrowDown reopens it', () => {
+    render(<Harness />);
+    const el = input();
+    fireEvent.change(el, { target: { value: 'musta' } });
+    expect(screen.getByRole('listbox')).toBeInTheDocument();
+    fireEvent.keyDown(el, { key: 'Escape' });
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('listbox')).toBeNull();
+    expect(el).toHaveAttribute('aria-expanded', 'false');
+    fireEvent.keyDown(el, { key: 'ArrowDown' });
+    expect(screen.getAllByRole('option')[0]).toHaveAttribute('aria-selected', 'true');
+  });
+
+  it('blur closes the dropdown', () => {
+    render(<Harness />);
+    const el = input();
+    fireEvent.change(el, { target: { value: 'musta' } });
+    fireEvent.blur(el, { relatedTarget: null });
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('listbox')).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it('removing a recent search updates the list without closing it', () => {
+    useSearchHistoryStore.setState({ recentSearches: ['invoice', 'q3 report'] });
+    render(<Harness />);
+    fireEvent.focus(input());
+    const remove = screen.getAllByRole('button', { name: 'suggestions_remove_recent' });
+    act(() => { fireEvent.mouseDown(remove[0]); });
+    expect(useSearchHistoryStore.getState().recentSearches).toEqual(['q3 report']);
+    expect(screen.getAllByRole('option').map((o) => o.textContent)).toEqual(['q3 report']);
+  });
+
+  it('never opens while disabled', () => {
+    useSearchHistoryStore.setState({ recentSearches: ['invoice'] });
+    render(<Harness disabled />);
+    fireEvent.focus(input());
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('listbox')).toBeNull();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/components/search/search-box.tsx b/components/search/search-box.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..19534c6d9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/search/search-box.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,179 @@
+"use client";
+
+import { useCallback, useId, useMemo, useRef, useState } from "react";
+import { useTranslations } from "next-intl";
+import { Search, X } from "lucide-react";
+import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
+import { Input } from "@/components/ui/input";
+import { useContactStore } from "@/stores/contact-store";
+import { useSearchHistoryStore } from "@/stores/search-history-store";
+import { buildSearchSuggestions, type ContactSuggestion, type SearchSuggestion } from "@/lib/search-suggestions";
+import { SearchSuggestions, suggestionOptionId } from "./search-suggestions";
+
+export type ContactSearchField = "from" | "to";
+
+interface SearchBoxProps {
+  value: string;
+  onChange: (value: string) => void;
+  /** Submit a free-text search (Enter, or picking a recent search). */
+  onSubmit: (query: string) => void;
+  onClear: () => void;
+  /** Run a sender / recipient search for a suggested contact. */
+  onSelectContact: (contact: ContactSuggestion, field: ContactSearchField) => void;
+  disabled?: boolean;
+  title?: string;
+}
+
+/**
+ * The mail search bar (#845): a text input with a suggestion dropdown that
+ * offers recent searches and contact / sender matches while typing. The
+ * dropdown is keyboard-navigable (arrows + Enter, Escape to dismiss) and
+ * reuses the composer's contact autocomplete lookup so directory principals,
+ * address-book contacts and recent recipients all surface here too.
+ */
+export function SearchBox({ value, onChange, onSubmit, onClear, onSelectContact, disabled = false, title }: SearchBoxProps) {
+  const t = useTranslations("sidebar");
+  const listId = `search-suggestions-${useId().replace(/:/g, "")}`;
+
+  const containerRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
+  const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
+  const [selectedIndex, setSelectedIndex] = useState(-1);
+
+  const getAutocomplete = useContactStore((s) => s.getAutocomplete);
+  // Subscribed only so the memo below recomputes as the lookup's inputs load.
+  const contacts = useContactStore((s) => s.contacts);
+  const recentRecipients = useContactStore((s) => s.recentRecipients);
+  const directoryPrincipals = useContactStore((s) => s.directoryPrincipals);
+  const recentSearches = useSearchHistoryStore((s) => s.recentSearches);
+  const removeRecentSearch = useSearchHistoryStore((s) => s.removeRecentSearch);
+
+  const suggestions = useMemo<SearchSuggestion[]>(() => {
+    const query = value.trim();
+    const matches = query ? getAutocomplete(query).filter((r) => !r.group && r.email) : [];
+    return buildSearchSuggestions(value, recentSearches, matches);
+    // The three store slices are inputs of getAutocomplete (read via get()),
+    // not of this closure — list them so the memo recomputes when they load.
+    // eslint-disable-next-line react-hooks/exhaustive-deps
+  }, [value, recentSearches, getAutocomplete, contacts, recentRecipients, directoryPrincipals]);
+
+  const showDropdown = open && !disabled && suggestions.length > 0;
+  const activeIndex = showDropdown && selectedIndex < suggestions.length ? selectedIndex : -1;
+
+  const close = useCallback(() => {
+    setOpen(false);
+    setSelectedIndex(-1);
+  }, []);
+
+  const select = useCallback(
+    (suggestion: SearchSuggestion) => {
+      close();
+      if (suggestion.kind === "recent") {
+        onChange(suggestion.query);
+        onSubmit(suggestion.query);
+      } else {
+        onSelectContact({ name: suggestion.name, email: suggestion.email }, "from");
+      }
+    },
+    [close, onChange, onSubmit, onSelectContact],
+  );
+
+  const handleKeyDown = (e: React.KeyboardEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
+    if (!showDropdown) {
+      if (e.key === "ArrowDown" && suggestions.length > 0 && !disabled) {
+        e.preventDefault();
+        setOpen(true);
+        setSelectedIndex(0);
+      }
+      return;
+    }
+    if (e.key === "ArrowDown") {
+      e.preventDefault();
+      setSelectedIndex((prev) => Math.min(prev + 1, suggestions.length - 1));
+    } else if (e.key === "ArrowUp") {
+      e.preventDefault();
+      setSelectedIndex((prev) => Math.max(prev - 1, -1));
+    } else if (e.key === "Enter" && activeIndex >= 0) {
+      e.preventDefault();
+      select(suggestions[activeIndex]);
+    } else if (e.key === "Escape") {
+      e.preventDefault();
+      close();
+    } else if (e.key === "Tab") {
+      close();
+    }
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <div ref={containerRef} className="relative flex-1">
+      <form
+        onSubmit={(e) => {
+          e.preventDefault();
+          if (value.trim()) {
+            close();
+            onSubmit(value);
+          }
+        }}
+        className="relative"
+      >
+        <Search className="absolute start-3 top-1/2 transform -translate-y-1/2 w-4 h-4 text-muted-foreground" />
+        <Input
+          type="text"
+          placeholder={t("search_placeholder_hint")}
+          value={value}
+          onChange={(e) => {
+            onChange(e.target.value);
+            setOpen(true);
+            setSelectedIndex(-1);
+          }}
+          onFocus={() => setOpen(true)}
+          onClick={() => setOpen(true)}
+          onBlur={(e) => {
+            // Focus moving into the dropdown (e.g. its action buttons) keeps it open.
+            const next = e.relatedTarget as Node | null;
+            if (next && containerRef.current?.contains(next)) return;
+            close();
+          }}
+          onKeyDown={handleKeyDown}
+          className={cn("ps-9 h-9", value && "pe-8")}
+          role="combobox"
+          aria-expanded={showDropdown}
+          aria-controls={listId}
+          aria-autocomplete="list"
+          aria-activedescendant={activeIndex >= 0 ? suggestionOptionId(listId, activeIndex) : undefined}
+          autoComplete="off"
+          data-search-input
+          data-tour="search-input"
+          disabled={disabled}
+          title={title}
+        />
+        {value && (
+          <button
+            type="button"
+            onClick={() => {
+              close();
+              onClear();
+            }}
+            className="absolute end-2 top-1/2 transform -translate-y-1/2 p-1 rounded-full hover:bg-muted text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground transition-colors"
+            aria-label={t("clear_search")}
+          >
+            <X className="w-4 h-4" />
+          </button>
+        )}
+      </form>
+      {showDropdown && (
+        <SearchSuggestions
+          id={listId}
+          query={value}
+          suggestions={suggestions}
+          selectedIndex={activeIndex}
+          onSelect={select}
+          onSelectContactTo={(contact) => {
+            close();
+            onSelectContact(contact, "to");
+          }}
+          onRemoveRecent={removeRecentSearch}
+        />
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/components/search/search-suggestions.tsx b/components/search/search-suggestions.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f134ec5da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/search/search-suggestions.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,194 @@
+"use client";
+
+import { useEffect } from "react";
+import { useTranslations } from "next-intl";
+import { Clock, X } from "lucide-react";
+import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
+import { Avatar } from "@/components/ui/avatar";
+import { splitHighlight, type ContactSuggestion, type SearchSuggestion } from "@/lib/search-suggestions";
+
+export function suggestionOptionId(listId: string, index: number): string {
+  return `${listId}-option-${index}`;
+}
+
+function HighlightedText({ text, query, className }: { text: string; query: string; className?: string }) {
+  return (
+    <span className={className}>
+      {splitHighlight(text, query).map((segment, i) =>
+        segment.match ? (
+          <mark key={i} className="bg-transparent text-inherit font-semibold">
+            {segment.text}
+          </mark>
+        ) : (
+          <span key={i}>{segment.text}</span>
+        ),
+      )}
+    </span>
+  );
+}
+
+interface SearchSuggestionsProps {
+  id: string;
+  query: string;
+  suggestions: SearchSuggestion[];
+  selectedIndex: number;
+  onSelect: (suggestion: SearchSuggestion) => void;
+  /** Run a `to:` search for the contact instead of the default `from:`. */
+  onSelectContactTo: (contact: ContactSuggestion) => void;
+  onRemoveRecent: (query: string) => void;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Dropdown under the mail search bar (#845): recent searches first, then
+ * contact / sender matches. Purely presentational — the owner tracks the
+ * highlighted index and handles keyboard navigation on the input, mirroring
+ * the composer's recipient autocomplete.
+ */
+export function SearchSuggestions({
+  id,
+  query,
+  suggestions,
+  selectedIndex,
+  onSelect,
+  onSelectContactTo,
+  onRemoveRecent,
+}: SearchSuggestionsProps) {
+  const t = useTranslations("advanced_search");
+
+  // Keep the keyboard-highlighted row visible when the list overflows.
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (selectedIndex < 0) return;
+    const el = document.getElementById(suggestionOptionId(id, selectedIndex));
+    if (el && typeof el.scrollIntoView === "function") {
+      el.scrollIntoView({ block: "nearest" });
+    }
+  }, [id, selectedIndex]);
+
+  if (suggestions.length === 0) return null;
+
+  const firstContactIndex = suggestions.findIndex((s) => s.kind === "contact");
+  const hasRecent = suggestions.some((s) => s.kind === "recent");
+
+  return (
+    <div
+      id={id}
+      role="listbox"
+      className="absolute top-full start-0 end-0 z-50 mt-1 bg-background border border-border rounded-md shadow-lg max-h-72 overflow-y-auto py-1"
+    >
+      {suggestions.map((suggestion, i) => {
+        const selected = i === selectedIndex;
+        const rowClass = cn(
+          "group w-full px-3 py-2 text-start text-sm flex items-center gap-2 cursor-pointer",
+          selected ? "bg-accent text-accent-foreground" : "hover:bg-muted",
+        );
+
+        const heading =
+          (i === 0 && hasRecent && suggestion.kind === "recent" && (
+            <div className="px-3 pt-1 pb-0.5 text-[11px] font-medium uppercase tracking-wide text-muted-foreground">
+              {t("suggestions_recent")}
+            </div>
+          )) ||
+          (i === firstContactIndex && (
+            <div
+              className={cn(
+                "px-3 pt-1 pb-0.5 text-[11px] font-medium uppercase tracking-wide text-muted-foreground",
+                hasRecent && "mt-1 border-t border-border pt-2",
+              )}
+            >
+              {t("suggestions_people")}
+            </div>
+          ));
+
+        if (suggestion.kind === "recent") {
+          return (
+            <div key={`recent-${suggestion.query}`}>
+              {heading}
+              <div
+                id={suggestionOptionId(id, i)}
+                role="option"
+                aria-selected={selected}
+                className={rowClass}
+                onMouseDown={(e) => {
+                  e.preventDefault();
+                  onSelect(suggestion);
+                }}
+              >
+                <Clock className="w-4 h-4 shrink-0 text-muted-foreground" aria-hidden />
+                <HighlightedText text={suggestion.query} query={query} className="flex-1 truncate" />
+                <button
+                  type="button"
+                  tabIndex={-1}
+                  aria-label={t("suggestions_remove_recent")}
+                  title={t("suggestions_remove_recent")}
+                  className={cn(
+                    "shrink-0 p-0.5 rounded-full text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-muted-foreground/15 transition-opacity",
+                    selected ? "opacity-100" : "opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100 focus:opacity-100",
+                  )}
+                  onMouseDown={(e) => {
+                    e.preventDefault();
+                    e.stopPropagation();
+                    onRemoveRecent(suggestion.query);
+                  }}
+                >
+                  <X className="w-3.5 h-3.5" />
+                </button>
+              </div>
+            </div>
+          );
+        }
+
+        const contact: ContactSuggestion = { name: suggestion.name, email: suggestion.email };
+        const fromLabel = t("suggestions_from", { address: suggestion.email });
+        return (
+          <div key={`contact-${suggestion.email}`}>
+            {heading}
+            <div
+              id={suggestionOptionId(id, i)}
+              role="option"
+              aria-selected={selected}
+              aria-label={fromLabel}
+              title={fromLabel}
+              className={rowClass}
+              onMouseDown={(e) => {
+                e.preventDefault();
+                onSelect(suggestion);
+              }}
+            >
+              <Avatar name={suggestion.name} email={suggestion.email} size="sm" className="shrink-0 w-6 h-6 text-[10px]" />
+              <span className="flex-1 min-w-0 flex items-baseline gap-1.5 truncate">
+                {suggestion.name ? (
+                  <>
+                    <HighlightedText text={suggestion.name} query={query} className="truncate" />
+                    <HighlightedText text={`<${suggestion.email}>`} query={query} className="text-muted-foreground truncate" />
+                  </>
+                ) : (
+                  <HighlightedText text={suggestion.email} query={query} className="truncate" />
+                )}
+              </span>
+              <span className="shrink-0 flex items-center gap-1 text-[11px]">
+                <span className="px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded bg-primary/10 text-primary font-medium">{t("from")}</span>
+                <button
+                  type="button"
+                  tabIndex={-1}
+                  aria-label={t("suggestions_to", { address: suggestion.email })}
+                  title={t("suggestions_to", { address: suggestion.email })}
+                  className={cn(
+                    "px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded border border-border text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-muted transition-opacity",
+                    selected ? "opacity-100" : "opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100 focus:opacity-100",
+                  )}
+                  onMouseDown={(e) => {
+                    e.preventDefault();
+                    e.stopPropagation();
+                    onSelectContactTo(contact);
+                  }}
+                >
+                  {t("to")}
+                </button>
+              </span>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        );
+      })}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/lib/__tests__/search-suggestions.test.ts b/lib/__tests__/search-suggestions.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b296f49d8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/__tests__/search-suggestions.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest';
+import {
+  buildSearchSuggestions,
+  splitHighlight,
+  MAX_RECENT_IDLE,
+  MAX_RECENT_TYPING,
+  MAX_CONTACT_SUGGESTIONS,
+} from '../search-suggestions';
+
+const contacts = [
+  { name: 'Mustafa Kemal', email: 'mustafa@example.com' },
+  { name: 'Mustafa Sandal', email: 'sandal@example.com' },
+];
+
+describe('buildSearchSuggestions', () => {
+  it('shows only recent searches when the query is empty', () => {
+    const recent = ['invoice', 'mustafa', 'q3 report'];
+    expect(buildSearchSuggestions('', recent, contacts)).toEqual([
+      { kind: 'recent', query: 'invoice' },
+      { kind: 'recent', query: 'mustafa' },
+      { kind: 'recent', query: 'q3 report' },
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it('caps idle recent searches', () => {
+    const recent = Array.from({ length: 12 }, (_, i) => `search ${i}`);
+    const result = buildSearchSuggestions('   ', recent, []);
+    expect(result).toHaveLength(MAX_RECENT_IDLE);
+    expect(result[0]).toEqual({ kind: 'recent', query: 'search 0' });
+  });
+
+  it('filters recent searches by substring, case-insensitively, while typing', () => {
+    const recent = ['Invoice March', 'mustafa', 'invoice april', 'q3 report'];
+    const result = buildSearchSuggestions('INV', recent, []);
+    expect(result).toEqual([
+      { kind: 'recent', query: 'Invoice March' },
+      { kind: 'recent', query: 'invoice april' },
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it('omits a recent search that exactly equals the typed query', () => {
+    const result = buildSearchSuggestions('mustafa', ['mustafa', 'mustafa kemal'], []);
+    expect(result).toEqual([{ kind: 'recent', query: 'mustafa kemal' }]);
+  });
+
+  it('limits recent matches while typing so contacts stay visible', () => {
+    const recent = Array.from({ length: 6 }, (_, i) => `invoice ${i}`);
+    const result = buildSearchSuggestions('invoice', recent, []);
+    expect(result).toHaveLength(MAX_RECENT_TYPING);
+  });
+
+  it('lists recent searches before contact matches', () => {
+    const result = buildSearchSuggestions('musta', ['mustafa invoice'], contacts);
+    expect(result.map((s) => s.kind)).toEqual(['recent', 'contact', 'contact']);
+    expect(result[1]).toEqual({ kind: 'contact', name: 'Mustafa Kemal', email: 'mustafa@example.com' });
+  });
+
+  it('drops group entries (no address) and duplicate addresses', () => {
+    const result = buildSearchSuggestions('m', [], [
+      { name: 'Marketing group', email: '' },
+      { name: 'Mustafa', email: 'mustafa@example.com' },
+      { name: 'Mustafa (alt)', email: 'MUSTAFA@example.com' },
+      { name: '', email: '  ' },
+    ]);
+    expect(result).toEqual([{ kind: 'contact', name: 'Mustafa', email: 'mustafa@example.com' }]);
+  });
+
+  it('caps contact matches', () => {
+    const many = Array.from({ length: 9 }, (_, i) => ({ name: `Person ${i}`, email: `p${i}@example.com` }));
+    expect(buildSearchSuggestions('p', [], many)).toHaveLength(MAX_CONTACT_SUGGESTIONS);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('splitHighlight', () => {
+  it('returns the whole text unmatched for an empty query', () => {
+    expect(splitHighlight('Mustafa', '')).toEqual([{ text: 'Mustafa', match: false }]);
+    expect(splitHighlight('Mustafa', '   ')).toEqual([{ text: 'Mustafa', match: false }]);
+  });
+
+  it('marks every case-insensitive occurrence, preserving original casing', () => {
+    expect(splitHighlight('Anna Hannah', 'an')).toEqual([
+      { text: 'An', match: true },
+      { text: 'na H', match: false },
+      { text: 'an', match: true },
+      { text: 'nah', match: false },
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it('handles matches at the very start and end', () => {
+    expect(splitHighlight('mustafa@example.com', 'mustafa')).toEqual([
+      { text: 'mustafa', match: true },
+      { text: '@example.com', match: false },
+    ]);
+    expect(splitHighlight('mail from bob', 'bob')).toEqual([
+      { text: 'mail from ', match: false },
+      { text: 'bob', match: true },
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it('returns an unmatched segment when there is no occurrence', () => {
+    expect(splitHighlight('Alice', 'zed')).toEqual([{ text: 'Alice', match: false }]);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/lib/search-suggestions.ts b/lib/search-suggestions.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8bfa0dbbb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/search-suggestions.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+// Pure helpers behind the search-bar suggestion dropdown (#845): merging
+// recent searches with contact/sender matches, and splitting a label into
+// highlighted / plain segments for the matched substring.
+
+export interface ContactSuggestion {
+  name: string;
+  email: string;
+}
+
+export type SearchSuggestion =
+  | { kind: "recent"; query: string }
+  | { kind: "contact"; name: string; email: string };
+
+/** Recent searches shown when the search bar is focused but empty. */
+export const MAX_RECENT_IDLE = 5;
+/** Recent searches shown alongside contact matches while typing. */
+export const MAX_RECENT_TYPING = 3;
+/** Contact / sender matches shown while typing. */
+export const MAX_CONTACT_SUGGESTIONS = 5;
+
+/**
+ * Build the flat, keyboard-navigable suggestion list for a query.
+ *
+ * - Empty query: the most recent searches only.
+ * - Non-empty query: recent searches containing the query (minus an exact
+ *   match, which would just re-run what is already typed), followed by
+ *   contact matches. Contact groups (no address) are dropped — a sender
+ *   filter needs a concrete address — and duplicate addresses collapse.
+ */
+export function buildSearchSuggestions(
+  query: string,
+  recentSearches: readonly string[],
+  contacts: readonly ContactSuggestion[],
+): SearchSuggestion[] {
+  const q = query.trim().toLowerCase();
+  const suggestions: SearchSuggestion[] = [];
+
+  if (!q) {
+    for (const recent of recentSearches.slice(0, MAX_RECENT_IDLE)) {
+      suggestions.push({ kind: "recent", query: recent });
+    }
+    return suggestions;
+  }
+
+  let recentCount = 0;
+  for (const recent of recentSearches) {
+    if (recentCount >= MAX_RECENT_TYPING) break;
+    const lower = recent.toLowerCase();
+    if (lower === q || !lower.includes(q)) continue;
+    suggestions.push({ kind: "recent", query: recent });
+    recentCount++;
+  }
+
+  const seen = new Set<string>();
+  for (const contact of contacts) {
+    if (seen.size >= MAX_CONTACT_SUGGESTIONS) break;
+    const email = contact.email.trim();
+    if (!email) continue;
+    const key = email.toLowerCase();
+    if (seen.has(key)) continue;
+    seen.add(key);
+    suggestions.push({ kind: "contact", name: contact.name.trim(), email });
+  }
+
+  return suggestions;
+}
+
+export interface HighlightSegment {
+  text: string;
+  match: boolean;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Split `text` into segments, flagging every case-insensitive occurrence of
+ * `query` so the UI can emphasise the matched substring. An empty query yields
+ * the whole text as a single non-matching segment.
+ */
+export function splitHighlight(text: string, query: string): HighlightSegment[] {
+  const needle = query.trim().toLowerCase();
+  if (!needle || !text) return [{ text, match: false }];
+
+  const segments: HighlightSegment[] = [];
+  const haystack = text.toLowerCase();
+  let cursor = 0;
+  let idx = haystack.indexOf(needle, cursor);
+  while (idx !== -1) {
+    if (idx > cursor) segments.push({ text: text.slice(cursor, idx), match: false });
+    segments.push({ text: text.slice(idx, idx + needle.length), match: true });
+    cursor = idx + needle.length;
+    idx = haystack.indexOf(needle, cursor);
+  }
+  if (cursor < text.length) segments.push({ text: text.slice(cursor), match: false });
+  return segments;
+}
diff --git a/locales/ar/common.json b/locales/ar/common.json
index 246b9e711..efd89f0bd 100644
--- a/locales/ar/common.json
+++ b/locales/ar/common.json
@@ -3171,7 +3171,12 @@
     "search_hint": "استخدم المرشحات المتقدمة لبحث دقيق",
     "advanced_filters_tooltip": "مرشحات البحث المتقدم",
     "results_found": "{count, plural, =0 {لم يتم العثور على نتائج} one {تم العثور على # نتيجة} other {تم العثور على # نتيجة}}",
-    "results_found_more": "تم العثور على {count}+ نتيجة"
+    "results_found_more": "تم العثور على {count}+ نتيجة",
+    "suggestions_recent": "عمليات البحث الأخيرة",
+    "suggestions_people": "الأشخاص",
+    "suggestions_from": "البحث في البريد من {address}",
+    "suggestions_to": "البحث في البريد إلى {address}",
+    "suggestions_remove_recent": "إزالة من عمليات البحث الأخيرة"
   },
   "welcome": {
     "title": "مرحبًا بك في صندوق بريدك",
diff --git a/locales/ca/common.json b/locales/ca/common.json
index f4a7cf9e2..7894d7cb8 100644
--- a/locales/ca/common.json
+++ b/locales/ca/common.json
@@ -3171,7 +3171,12 @@
     "search_hint": "Utilitzeu els filtres avançats per a una cerca precisa",
     "advanced_filters_tooltip": "Filtres de cerca avançada",
     "results_found": "{count, plural, =0 {No s'ha trobat cap resultat} one {# resultat trobat} other {# resultats trobats}}",
-    "results_found_more": "{count}+ resultats trobats"
+    "results_found_more": "{count}+ resultats trobats",
+    "suggestions_recent": "Cerques recents",
+    "suggestions_people": "Persones",
+    "suggestions_from": "Cerca correu de {address}",
+    "suggestions_to": "Cerca correu per a {address}",
+    "suggestions_remove_recent": "Elimina de les cerques recents"
   },
   "welcome": {
     "title": "Us donem la benvinguda a la bústia",
diff --git a/locales/cs/common.json b/locales/cs/common.json
index f28c32646..3d5fbdbae 100644
--- a/locales/cs/common.json
+++ b/locales/cs/common.json
@@ -3148,7 +3148,12 @@
     "search_hint": "Použijte pokročilé filtry pro přesné vyhledávání",
     "advanced_filters_tooltip": "Pokročilé filtry hledání",
     "results_found": "{count, plural, =0 {Nenalezeny žádné výsledky} one {Nalezen 1 výsledek} few {Nalezeny # výsledky} other {Nalezeno # výsledků}}",
-    "results_found_more": "Nalezeno více než {count} výsledků"
+    "results_found_more": "Nalezeno více než {count} výsledků",
+    "suggestions_recent": "Nedávná hledání",
+    "suggestions_people": "Lidé",
+    "suggestions_from": "Hledat e-maily od {address}",
+    "suggestions_to": "Hledat e-maily pro {address}",
+    "suggestions_remove_recent": "Odebrat z nedávných hledání"
   },
   "welcome": {
     "title": "Vítejte ve své poštovní schránce",
diff --git a/locales/da/common.json b/locales/da/common.json
index f65275a61..7a67d090d 100644
--- a/locales/da/common.json
+++ b/locales/da/common.json
@@ -3171,7 +3171,12 @@
     "search_hint": "Brug avancerede filtre til præcis søgning",
     "advanced_filters_tooltip": "Avancerede søgefiltre",
     "results_found": "{count, plural, =0 {Ingen resultater fundet} one {# resultat fundet} other {# resultater fundet}}",
-    "results_found_more": "{count}+ resultater fundet"
+    "results_found_more": "{count}+ resultater fundet",
+    "suggestions_recent": "Seneste søgninger",
+    "suggestions_people": "Personer",
+    "suggestions_from": "Søg efter mails fra {address}",
+    "suggestions_to": "Søg efter mails til {address}",
+    "suggestions_remove_recent": "Fjern fra seneste søgninger"
   },
   "welcome": {
     "title": "Velkommen til din postkasse",
diff --git a/locales/de/common.json b/locales/de/common.json
index c6ab44d77..c75941dee 100644
--- a/locales/de/common.json
+++ b/locales/de/common.json
@@ -3148,7 +3148,12 @@
     "search_hint": "Verwenden Sie erweiterte Filter für eine präzise Suche",
     "advanced_filters_tooltip": "Erweiterte Suchfilter",
     "results_found": "{count, plural, =0 {Keine Ergebnisse gefunden} one {# Ergebnis gefunden} other {# Ergebnisse gefunden}}",
-    "results_found_more": "{count}+ Ergebnisse gefunden"
+    "results_found_more": "{count}+ Ergebnisse gefunden",
+    "suggestions_recent": "Letzte Suchen",
+    "suggestions_people": "Personen",
+    "suggestions_from": "E-Mails von {address} suchen",
+    "suggestions_to": "E-Mails an {address} suchen",
+    "suggestions_remove_recent": "Aus den letzten Suchen entfernen"
   },
   "welcome": {
     "title": "Willkommen in Ihrem Postfach",
diff --git a/locales/en/common.json b/locales/en/common.json
index 42f0e1207..81fdc62c1 100644
--- a/locales/en/common.json
+++ b/locales/en/common.json
@@ -3192,7 +3192,12 @@
     "search_hint": "Use advanced filters for precise search",
     "advanced_filters_tooltip": "Advanced search filters",
     "results_found": "{count, plural, =0 {No results found} one {# result found} other {# results found}}",
-    "results_found_more": "{count}+ results found"
+    "results_found_more": "{count}+ results found",
+    "suggestions_recent": "Recent searches",
+    "suggestions_people": "People",
+    "suggestions_from": "Search mail from {address}",
+    "suggestions_to": "Search mail to {address}",
+    "suggestions_remove_recent": "Remove from recent searches"
   },
   "welcome": {
     "title": "Welcome to your mailbox",
diff --git a/locales/es/common.json b/locales/es/common.json
index 6c62a34c2..136e95fd8 100644
--- a/locales/es/common.json
+++ b/locales/es/common.json
@@ -3148,7 +3148,12 @@
     "search_hint": "Usa los filtros avanzados para una búsqueda precisa",
     "advanced_filters_tooltip": "Filtros de búsqueda avanzados",
     "results_found": "{count, plural, =0 {No se encontraron resultados} one {# resultado encontrado} other {# resultados encontrados}}",
-    "results_found_more": "{count}+ resultados encontrados"
+    "results_found_more": "{count}+ resultados encontrados",
+    "suggestions_recent": "Búsquedas recientes",
+    "suggestions_people": "Personas",
+    "suggestions_from": "Buscar correos de {address}",
+    "suggestions_to": "Buscar correos para {address}",
+    "suggestions_remove_recent": "Quitar de las búsquedas recientes"
   },
   "welcome": {
     "title": "Bienvenido a tu buzón",
diff --git a/locales/fa/common.json b/locales/fa/common.json
index abc268950..8a6d83856 100644
--- a/locales/fa/common.json
+++ b/locales/fa/common.json
@@ -3171,7 +3171,12 @@
     "search_hint": "از فیلترهای پیشرفته برای جستجوی دقیق استفاده کنید",
     "advanced_filters_tooltip": "فیلترهای جستجوی پیشرفته",
     "results_found": "{count, plural, =0 {نتیجه‌ای یافت نشد} one {# نتیجه یافت شد} other {# نتیجه یافت شد}}",
-    "results_found_more": "+{count} نتیجه یافت شد"
+    "results_found_more": "+{count} نتیجه یافت شد",
+    "suggestions_recent": "جستجوهای اخیر",
+    "suggestions_people": "افراد",
+    "suggestions_from": "جستجوی ایمیل‌های از {address}",
+    "suggestions_to": "جستجوی ایمیل‌های به {address}",
+    "suggestions_remove_recent": "حذف از جستجوهای اخیر"
   },
   "welcome": {
     "title": "به صندوق پستی خود خوش آمدید",
diff --git a/locales/fr/common.json b/locales/fr/common.json
index 6b3acce0a..877d613bc 100644
--- a/locales/fr/common.json
+++ b/locales/fr/common.json
@@ -3148,7 +3148,12 @@
     "search_hint": "Utilisez les filtres avancés pour une recherche précise",
     "advanced_filters_tooltip": "Filtres de recherche avancés",
     "results_found": "{count, plural, =0 {Aucun résultat trouvé} one {# résultat trouvé} other {# résultats trouvés}}",
-    "results_found_more": "{count}+ résultats trouvés"
+    "results_found_more": "{count}+ résultats trouvés",
+    "suggestions_recent": "Recherches récentes",
+    "suggestions_people": "Personnes",
+    "suggestions_from": "Rechercher les e-mails de {address}",
+    "suggestions_to": "Rechercher les e-mails à {address}",
+    "suggestions_remove_recent": "Retirer des recherches récentes"
   },
   "welcome": {
     "title": "Bienvenue dans votre boite mail",
diff --git a/locales/he/common.json b/locales/he/common.json
index 94248cc1e..f5d6f015f 100644
--- a/locales/he/common.json
+++ b/locales/he/common.json
@@ -3076,7 +3076,12 @@
     "search_hint": "השתמש במסננים מתקדמים לחיפוש מדויק",
     "advanced_filters_tooltip": "מסנני חיפוש מתקדמים",
     "results_found": "{count, plural, =0 {לא נמצאו תוצאות} one {נמצאה תוצאה אחת} other {נמצאו # תוצאות}}",
-    "results_found_more": "נמצאו תוצאות{count}+"
+    "results_found_more": "נמצאו תוצאות{count}+",
+    "suggestions_recent": "חיפושים אחרונים",
+    "suggestions_people": "אנשים",
+    "suggestions_from": "חיפוש הודעות מאת {address}",
+    "suggestions_to": "חיפוש הודעות אל {address}",
+    "suggestions_remove_recent": "הסרה מהחיפושים האחרונים"
   },
   "welcome": {
     "title": "ברוך הבא לתיבת הדואר שלך",
diff --git a/locales/hu/common.json b/locales/hu/common.json
index 0b8058084..a6e144298 100644
--- a/locales/hu/common.json
+++ b/locales/hu/common.json
@@ -3171,7 +3171,12 @@
     "search_hint": "Használj speciális szűrőket a pontos kereséshez",
     "advanced_filters_tooltip": "Speciális keresőszűrők",
     "results_found": "{count, plural, =0 {Nincs találat} one {# találat} other {# találat}}",
-    "results_found_more": "{count}+ találat"
+    "results_found_more": "{count}+ találat",
+    "suggestions_recent": "Legutóbbi keresések",
+    "suggestions_people": "Személyek",
+    "suggestions_from": "Levelek keresése tőle: {address}",
+    "suggestions_to": "Levelek keresése neki: {address}",
+    "suggestions_remove_recent": "Eltávolítás a legutóbbi keresésekből"
   },
   "welcome": {
     "title": "Üdvözlünk a postafiókodban",
diff --git a/locales/it/common.json b/locales/it/common.json
index e858932fe..09dcc4a3e 100644
--- a/locales/it/common.json
+++ b/locales/it/common.json
@@ -3148,7 +3148,12 @@
     "search_hint": "Usa i filtri avanzati per una ricerca precisa",
     "advanced_filters_tooltip": "Filtri di ricerca avanzati",
     "results_found": "{count, plural, =0 {Nessun risultato trovato} one {# risultato trovato} other {# risultati trovati}}",
-    "results_found_more": "{count}+ risultati trovati"
+    "results_found_more": "{count}+ risultati trovati",
+    "suggestions_recent": "Ricerche recenti",
+    "suggestions_people": "Persone",
+    "suggestions_from": "Cerca email da {address}",
+    "suggestions_to": "Cerca email a {address}",
+    "suggestions_remove_recent": "Rimuovi dalle ricerche recenti"
   },
   "welcome": {
     "title": "Benvenuto nella tua casella di posta",
diff --git a/locales/ja/common.json b/locales/ja/common.json
index 73803c9b6..8e94d2221 100644
--- a/locales/ja/common.json
+++ b/locales/ja/common.json
@@ -3148,7 +3148,12 @@
     "search_hint": "詳細フィルターで正確に検索",
     "advanced_filters_tooltip": "詳細検索フィルター",
     "results_found": "{count, plural, =0 {結果が見つかりません} other {#件の結果}}",
-    "results_found_more": "{count}+件の結果"
+    "results_found_more": "{count}+件の結果",
+    "suggestions_recent": "最近の検索",
+    "suggestions_people": "連絡先",
+    "suggestions_from": "{address} からのメールを検索",
+    "suggestions_to": "{address} 宛のメールを検索",
+    "suggestions_remove_recent": "最近の検索から削除"
   },
   "welcome": {
     "title": "メールボックスへようこそ",
diff --git a/locales/ko/common.json b/locales/ko/common.json
index a324b4020..4262d60f7 100644
--- a/locales/ko/common.json
+++ b/locales/ko/common.json
@@ -3148,7 +3148,12 @@
     "search_hint": "고급 필터로 더 정확하게 검색해 보세요",
     "advanced_filters_tooltip": "상세 검색 필터",
     "results_found": "{count}개의 검색 결과",
-    "results_found_more": "{count}개 이상의 검색 결과"
+    "results_found_more": "{count}개 이상의 검색 결과",
+    "suggestions_recent": "최근 검색",
+    "suggestions_people": "사람",
+    "suggestions_from": "{address}에서 온 메일 검색",
+    "suggestions_to": "{address}에게 보낸 메일 검색",
+    "suggestions_remove_recent": "최근 검색에서 삭제"
   },
   "welcome": {
     "title": "웹메일에 오신 것을 환영해요!",
diff --git a/locales/lv/common.json b/locales/lv/common.json
index 1665588f6..395cbac5c 100644
--- a/locales/lv/common.json
+++ b/locales/lv/common.json
@@ -3148,7 +3148,12 @@
     "search_hint": "Izmantojiet filtrus precīzākai meklēšanai",
     "advanced_filters_tooltip": "Izvērstie meklēšanas filtri",
     "results_found": "{count, plural, =0 {Nekas netika atrasts} one {# rezultāts} other {# rezultāti}}",
-    "results_found_more": "Atrasti {count}+ rezultāti"
+    "results_found_more": "Atrasti {count}+ rezultāti",
+    "suggestions_recent": "Nesenie meklējumi",
+    "suggestions_people": "Personas",
+    "suggestions_from": "Meklēt e-pastus no {address}",
+    "suggestions_to": "Meklēt e-pastus adresātam {address}",
+    "suggestions_remove_recent": "Noņemt no nesenajiem meklējumiem"
   },
   "welcome": {
     "title": "Laipni lūdzam jūsu pastkastē",
diff --git a/locales/mn/common.json b/locales/mn/common.json
index f71724f55..f85a83d82 100644
--- a/locales/mn/common.json
+++ b/locales/mn/common.json
@@ -3171,7 +3171,12 @@
     "search_hint": "Нарийвчилсан хайлт хийхийн тулд дэвшилтэт шүүлтүүр ашиглах",
     "advanced_filters_tooltip": "Дэвшилтэт хайлтын шүүлтүүрүүд",
     "results_found": "{count, plural, =0 {Үр дүн олдсонгүй} one {# үр дүн олдлоо} other {# үр дүн олдлоо}}",
-    "results_found_more": "{count}+ илэрц олдлоо"
+    "results_found_more": "{count}+ илэрц олдлоо",
+    "suggestions_recent": "Сүүлийн хайлтууд",
+    "suggestions_people": "Хүмүүс",
+    "suggestions_from": "{address}-аас ирсэн захидал хайх",
+    "suggestions_to": "{address} руу илгээсэн захидал хайх",
+    "suggestions_remove_recent": "Сүүлийн хайлтуудаас хасах"
   },
   "welcome": {
     "title": "Таны шуудангийн хайрцагт тавтай морил",
diff --git a/locales/nl/common.json b/locales/nl/common.json
index 76409e786..b33ad8ee5 100644
--- a/locales/nl/common.json
+++ b/locales/nl/common.json
@@ -3148,7 +3148,12 @@
     "search_hint": "Gebruik geavanceerde filters voor een nauwkeurige zoekopdracht",
     "advanced_filters_tooltip": "Geavanceerde zoekfilters",
     "results_found": "{count, plural, =0 {Geen resultaten gevonden} one {# resultaat gevonden} other {# resultaten gevonden}}",
-    "results_found_more": "{count}+ resultaten gevonden"
+    "results_found_more": "{count}+ resultaten gevonden",
+    "suggestions_recent": "Recente zoekopdrachten",
+    "suggestions_people": "Personen",
+    "suggestions_from": "E-mails van {address} zoeken",
+    "suggestions_to": "E-mails aan {address} zoeken",
+    "suggestions_remove_recent": "Verwijderen uit recente zoekopdrachten"
   },
   "welcome": {
     "title": "Welkom bij uw mailbox",
diff --git a/locales/pl/common.json b/locales/pl/common.json
index 39d1bb7f2..f386a72a3 100644
--- a/locales/pl/common.json
+++ b/locales/pl/common.json
@@ -3148,7 +3148,12 @@
     "search_hint": "Użyj zaawansowanych filtrów, aby precyzyjnie wyszukiwać",
     "advanced_filters_tooltip": "Zaawansowane filtry wyszukiwania",
     "results_found": "{count, plural, =0 {Nie znaleziono wyników} one {Znaleziono # wynik} other {Znaleziono # wyników}}",
-    "results_found_more": "Znaleziono {count}+ wyników"
+    "results_found_more": "Znaleziono {count}+ wyników",
+    "suggestions_recent": "Ostatnie wyszukiwania",
+    "suggestions_people": "Osoby",
+    "suggestions_from": "Szukaj wiadomości od {address}",
+    "suggestions_to": "Szukaj wiadomości do {address}",
+    "suggestions_remove_recent": "Usuń z ostatnich wyszukiwań"
   },
   "welcome": {
     "title": "Witaj w swojej skrzynce pocztowej",
diff --git a/locales/pt/common.json b/locales/pt/common.json
index 54175e67f..f3204d42d 100644
--- a/locales/pt/common.json
+++ b/locales/pt/common.json
@@ -3148,7 +3148,12 @@
     "search_hint": "Use os filtros avançados para uma pesquisa precisa",
     "advanced_filters_tooltip": "Filtros de pesquisa avançados",
     "results_found": "{count, plural, =0 {Nenhum resultado encontrado} one {# resultado encontrado} other {# resultados encontrados}}",
-    "results_found_more": "{count}+ resultados encontrados"
+    "results_found_more": "{count}+ resultados encontrados",
+    "suggestions_recent": "Pesquisas recentes",
+    "suggestions_people": "Pessoas",
+    "suggestions_from": "Pesquisar e-mails de {address}",
+    "suggestions_to": "Pesquisar e-mails para {address}",
+    "suggestions_remove_recent": "Remover das pesquisas recentes"
   },
   "welcome": {
     "title": "Bem-vindo à sua caixa de entrada",
diff --git a/locales/ro/common.json b/locales/ro/common.json
index afbb31a84..fb59bba89 100644
--- a/locales/ro/common.json
+++ b/locales/ro/common.json
@@ -3171,7 +3171,12 @@
     "search_hint": "Folosiți filtre avansate pentru o căutare precisă",
     "advanced_filters_tooltip": "Filtre de căutare avansate",
     "results_found": "{count, plural, =0 {Nu s-au găsit rezultate} one {# rezultat găsit} few {# rezultate găsite} other {# de rezultate găsite}}",
-    "results_found_more": "{count}+ rezultate găsite"
+    "results_found_more": "{count}+ rezultate găsite",
+    "suggestions_recent": "Căutări recente",
+    "suggestions_people": "Persoane",
+    "suggestions_from": "Caută e-mailuri de la {address}",
+    "suggestions_to": "Caută e-mailuri către {address}",
+    "suggestions_remove_recent": "Elimină din căutările recente"
   },
   "welcome": {
     "title": "Bine ați venit în căsuța dvs. poștală",
diff --git a/locales/ru/common.json b/locales/ru/common.json
index 781311b73..cef59794b 100644
--- a/locales/ru/common.json
+++ b/locales/ru/common.json
@@ -3148,7 +3148,12 @@
     "search_hint": "Используйте расширенные фильтры для точного поиска",
     "advanced_filters_tooltip": "Расширенные фильтры поиска",
     "results_found": "{count, plural, =0 {Ничего не найдено} one {# результат} other {# результатов}}",
-    "results_found_more": "Найдено {count}+ результатов"
+    "results_found_more": "Найдено {count}+ результатов",
+    "suggestions_recent": "Недавние запросы",
+    "suggestions_people": "Люди",
+    "suggestions_from": "Искать письма от {address}",
+    "suggestions_to": "Искать письма для {address}",
+    "suggestions_remove_recent": "Удалить из недавних запросов"
   },
   "welcome": {
     "title": "Добро пожаловать в ваш почтовый ящик",
diff --git a/locales/sk/common.json b/locales/sk/common.json
index 2c5b61ef4..3ee35961d 100644
--- a/locales/sk/common.json
+++ b/locales/sk/common.json
@@ -3171,7 +3171,12 @@
     "search_hint": "Použite pokročilé filtre na presné vyhľadávanie",
     "advanced_filters_tooltip": "Pokročilé filtre hľadania",
     "results_found": "{count, plural, =0 {Neboli nájdené žiadne výsledky} one {# výsledok nájdený} other {# výsledkov nájdených}}",
-    "results_found_more": "{count}+ výsledkov nájdených"
+    "results_found_more": "{count}+ výsledkov nájdených",
+    "suggestions_recent": "Nedávne vyhľadávania",
+    "suggestions_people": "Ľudia",
+    "suggestions_from": "Hľadať e-maily od {address}",
+    "suggestions_to": "Hľadať e-maily pre {address}",
+    "suggestions_remove_recent": "Odstrániť z nedávnych vyhľadávaní"
   },
   "welcome": {
     "title": "Vitajte vo svojej poštovej schránke",
diff --git a/locales/tr/common.json b/locales/tr/common.json
index 161585af1..8711ec5fa 100644
--- a/locales/tr/common.json
+++ b/locales/tr/common.json
@@ -3171,7 +3171,12 @@
     "search_hint": "Kesin arama için gelişmiş filtreleri kullanın",
     "advanced_filters_tooltip": "Gelişmiş arama filtreleri",
     "results_found": "{count, plural, =0 {Sonuç bulunamadı} one {# sonuç bulundu} other {# sonuç bulundu}}",
-    "results_found_more": "{count}+ sonuç bulundu"
+    "results_found_more": "{count}+ sonuç bulundu",
+    "suggestions_recent": "Son aramalar",
+    "suggestions_people": "Kişiler",
+    "suggestions_from": "{address} adresinden gelen e-postaları ara",
+    "suggestions_to": "{address} adresine gönderilen e-postaları ara",
+    "suggestions_remove_recent": "Son aramalardan kaldır"
   },
   "welcome": {
     "title": "Posta kutunuza hoş geldiniz",
diff --git a/locales/uk/common.json b/locales/uk/common.json
index a0e84251e..465006e81 100644
--- a/locales/uk/common.json
+++ b/locales/uk/common.json
@@ -3148,7 +3148,12 @@
     "search_hint": "Використовуйте розширені фільтри для точного пошуку",
     "advanced_filters_tooltip": "Розширені фільтри пошуку",
     "results_found": "{count, plural, =0 {Результатів не знайдено} one {# результат знайдено} few {# результати знайдено} many {# результатів знайдено} other {# результатів знайдено}}",
-    "results_found_more": "Знайдено {count}+ результатів"
+    "results_found_more": "Знайдено {count}+ результатів",
+    "suggestions_recent": "Останні пошуки",
+    "suggestions_people": "Люди",
+    "suggestions_from": "Шукати листи від {address}",
+    "suggestions_to": "Шукати листи для {address}",
+    "suggestions_remove_recent": "Видалити з останніх пошуків"
   },
   "welcome": {
     "title": "Ласкаво просимо до вашої поштової скриньки",
diff --git a/locales/zh/common.json b/locales/zh/common.json
index a2c54c4c1..c077cb13b 100644
--- a/locales/zh/common.json
+++ b/locales/zh/common.json
@@ -3148,7 +3148,12 @@
     "search_hint": "使用高级过滤器进行精确搜索",
     "advanced_filters_tooltip": "高级搜索过滤器",
     "results_found": "{count, plural, =0 {未找到结果} one {找到 # 条结果} other {找到 # 条结果}}",
-    "results_found_more": "找到 {count}+ 个结果"
+    "results_found_more": "找到 {count}+ 个结果",
+    "suggestions_recent": "最近搜索",
+    "suggestions_people": "联系人",
+    "suggestions_from": "搜索来自 {address} 的邮件",
+    "suggestions_to": "搜索发给 {address} 的邮件",
+    "suggestions_remove_recent": "从最近搜索中移除"
   },
   "welcome": {
     "title": "欢迎使用邮箱",
diff --git a/stores/__tests__/search-history-store.test.ts b/stores/__tests__/search-history-store.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..27871c830
--- /dev/null
+++ b/stores/__tests__/search-history-store.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+import { describe, it, expect, beforeEach } from 'vitest';
+import { useSearchHistoryStore, MAX_RECENT_SEARCHES } from '../search-history-store';
+
+describe('search-history-store', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    useSearchHistoryStore.setState({ recentSearches: [] });
+  });
+
+  it('adds trimmed queries most-recent first', () => {
+    const { addRecentSearch } = useSearchHistoryStore.getState();
+    addRecentSearch('  invoice ');
+    addRecentSearch('mustafa');
+    expect(useSearchHistoryStore.getState().recentSearches).toEqual(['mustafa', 'invoice']);
+  });
+
+  it('ignores empty or whitespace-only queries', () => {
+    const { addRecentSearch } = useSearchHistoryStore.getState();
+    addRecentSearch('');
+    addRecentSearch('   ');
+    expect(useSearchHistoryStore.getState().recentSearches).toEqual([]);
+  });
+
+  it('moves a repeated query to the front instead of duplicating it (case-insensitive)', () => {
+    const { addRecentSearch } = useSearchHistoryStore.getState();
+    addRecentSearch('invoice');
+    addRecentSearch('mustafa');
+    addRecentSearch('Invoice');
+    expect(useSearchHistoryStore.getState().recentSearches).toEqual(['Invoice', 'mustafa']);
+  });
+
+  it('caps the history length', () => {
+    const { addRecentSearch } = useSearchHistoryStore.getState();
+    for (let i = 0; i < MAX_RECENT_SEARCHES + 5; i++) addRecentSearch(`query ${i}`);
+    const { recentSearches } = useSearchHistoryStore.getState();
+    expect(recentSearches).toHaveLength(MAX_RECENT_SEARCHES);
+    expect(recentSearches[0]).toBe(`query ${MAX_RECENT_SEARCHES + 4}`);
+  });
+
+  it('removes a single entry and clears everything', () => {
+    const { addRecentSearch, removeRecentSearch, clearRecentSearches } = useSearchHistoryStore.getState();
+    addRecentSearch('a');
+    addRecentSearch('b');
+    removeRecentSearch('a');
+    expect(useSearchHistoryStore.getState().recentSearches).toEqual(['b']);
+    clearRecentSearches();
+    expect(useSearchHistoryStore.getState().recentSearches).toEqual([]);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/stores/search-history-store.ts b/stores/search-history-store.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0c0b82d93
--- /dev/null
+++ b/stores/search-history-store.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+"use client";
+
+// Recent mail searches, surfaced as suggestions under the search bar (#845).
+// Only the raw text queries are kept (never filter panel state), most recent
+// first, deduplicated, and capped so the dropdown stays scannable.
+
+import { create } from "zustand";
+import { persist } from "zustand/middleware";
+
+export const MAX_RECENT_SEARCHES = 10;
+
+interface SearchHistoryState {
+  recentSearches: string[];
+  addRecentSearch: (query: string) => void;
+  removeRecentSearch: (query: string) => void;
+  clearRecentSearches: () => void;
+}
+
+export const useSearchHistoryStore = create<SearchHistoryState>()(
+  persist(
+    (set) => ({
+      recentSearches: [],
+
+      addRecentSearch: (query) => {
+        const trimmed = query.trim();
+        if (!trimmed) return;
+        set((state) => ({
+          recentSearches: [
+            trimmed,
+            ...state.recentSearches.filter((q) => q.toLowerCase() !== trimmed.toLowerCase()),
+          ].slice(0, MAX_RECENT_SEARCHES),
+        }));
+      },
+
+      removeRecentSearch: (query) => {
+        set((state) => ({
+          recentSearches: state.recentSearches.filter((q) => q !== query),
+        }));
+      },
+
+      clearRecentSearches: () => set({ recentSearches: [] }),
+    }),
+    {
+      name: "search-history-storage",
+      partialize: (state) => ({ recentSearches: state.recentSearches }),
+    },
+  ),
+);