diff --git a/packages/editor/src/components/editor/editor-layout-v2.tsx b/packages/editor/src/components/editor/editor-layout-v2.tsx
index 3a794308..498e7251 100644
--- a/packages/editor/src/components/editor/editor-layout-v2.tsx
+++ b/packages/editor/src/components/editor/editor-layout-v2.tsx
@@ -5,12 +5,14 @@ import { useIsMobile } from '../../hooks/use-mobile'
 import useEditor from '../../store/use-editor'
 
 import { useSidebarStore } from '../ui/primitives/sidebar'
-import { type SidebarTab, TabBar } from '../ui/sidebar/tab-bar'
+import { IconRail, type SidebarTab } from '../ui/sidebar/tab-bar'
 import { EditorLayoutMobile } from './editor-layout-mobile'
 
 const SIDEBAR_MIN_WIDTH = 300
 const SIDEBAR_MAX_WIDTH = 800
 const SIDEBAR_COLLAPSE_THRESHOLD = 220
+// Matches the `w-12` rail in <IconRail>; the resize math is relative to it.
+const RAIL_WIDTH = 48
 
 // ── Left column: resizable panel with tab bar ────────────────────────────────
 
@@ -33,7 +35,6 @@ function LeftColumn({
   const setActivePanel = useEditor((s) => s.setActiveSidebarPanel)
 
   const isResizing = useRef(false)
-  const isExpanding = useRef(false)
 
   // Ensure active panel is a valid tab
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -62,35 +63,40 @@ function LeftColumn({
     [setIsDragging],
   )
 
-  const handleGrabDown = useCallback(
-    (e: React.PointerEvent) => {
-      e.preventDefault()
-      isExpanding.current = true
-      setIsDragging(true)
-      document.body.style.cursor = 'col-resize'
-      document.body.style.userSelect = 'none'
+  // Rail click: reopen a collapsed panel, collapse when re-clicking the open
+  // tab, otherwise switch tabs. Reopening clamps below-min persisted widths
+  // up to the minimum so the panel always returns to a usable size.
+  const handleRailClick = useCallback(
+    (id: string) => {
+      if (isCollapsed) {
+        setIsCollapsed(false)
+        if (width < SIDEBAR_MIN_WIDTH) setWidth(SIDEBAR_MIN_WIDTH)
+        setActivePanel(id)
+        return
+      }
+      if (id === activePanel) {
+        setIsCollapsed(true)
+        return
+      }
+      setActivePanel(id)
     },
-    [setIsDragging],
+    [isCollapsed, width, activePanel, setIsCollapsed, setWidth, setActivePanel],
   )
 
   useEffect(() => {
     const handlePointerMove = (e: PointerEvent) => {
-      if (isResizing.current) {
-        const newWidth = e.clientX
-        if (newWidth < SIDEBAR_COLLAPSE_THRESHOLD) {
-          setIsCollapsed(true)
-        } else {
-          setIsCollapsed(false)
-          setWidth(Math.max(SIDEBAR_MIN_WIDTH, Math.min(newWidth, SIDEBAR_MAX_WIDTH)))
-        }
-      } else if (isExpanding.current && e.clientX > 60) {
+      if (!isResizing.current) return
+      // Rail occupies the leftmost 48px; the panel starts after it.
+      const newWidth = e.clientX - RAIL_WIDTH
+      if (newWidth < SIDEBAR_COLLAPSE_THRESHOLD) {
+        setIsCollapsed(true)
+      } else {
         setIsCollapsed(false)
-        setWidth(Math.max(SIDEBAR_MIN_WIDTH, Math.min(e.clientX, SIDEBAR_MAX_WIDTH)))
+        setWidth(Math.max(SIDEBAR_MIN_WIDTH, Math.min(newWidth, SIDEBAR_MAX_WIDTH)))
       }
     }
     const handlePointerUp = () => {
       isResizing.current = false
-      isExpanding.current = false
       setIsDragging(false)
       document.body.style.cursor = ''
       document.body.style.userSelect = ''
@@ -103,37 +109,36 @@ function LeftColumn({
     }
   }, [setWidth, setIsCollapsed, setIsDragging])
 
-  if (isCollapsed) {
-    return (
-      <div
-        className="relative h-full w-2 flex-shrink-0 cursor-col-resize transition-colors hover:bg-primary/20"
-        onPointerDown={handleGrabDown}
-        title="Expand sidebar"
-      />
-    )
-  }
-
   return (
-    <div
-      className="relative z-10 flex h-full flex-shrink-0 flex-col bg-sidebar text-sidebar-foreground"
-      style={{
-        width,
-        transition: isDragging ? 'none' : 'width 150ms ease',
-      }}
-    >
-      <TabBar activeTab={activePanel} onTabChange={setActivePanel} tabs={tabs} />
-      <div className="relative flex flex-1 flex-col overflow-hidden">
-        {renderTabContent(activePanel)}
-        {sidebarOverlay && <div className="absolute inset-0 z-50">{sidebarOverlay}</div>}
-      </div>
+    <div className="relative z-10 flex h-full flex-shrink-0 bg-sidebar text-sidebar-foreground">
+      <IconRail
+        activeTab={activePanel}
+        collapsed={isCollapsed}
+        onIconClick={handleRailClick}
+        tabs={tabs}
+      />
+      {!isCollapsed && (
+        <div
+          className="relative flex h-full flex-col"
+          style={{
+            width,
+            transition: isDragging ? 'none' : 'width 150ms ease',
+          }}
+        >
+          <div className="relative flex flex-1 flex-col overflow-hidden">
+            {renderTabContent(activePanel)}
+            {sidebarOverlay && <div className="absolute inset-0 z-50">{sidebarOverlay}</div>}
+          </div>
 
-      {/* Resize handle + hit area */}
-      <div
-        className="absolute inset-y-0 -right-3 z-[100] flex w-6 cursor-col-resize items-center justify-center"
-        onPointerDown={handleResizerDown}
-      >
-        <div className="h-8 w-1 rounded-full bg-neutral-500" />
-      </div>
+          {/* Resize handle + hit area */}
+          <div
+            className="absolute inset-y-0 -right-3 z-[100] flex w-6 cursor-col-resize items-center justify-center"
+            onPointerDown={handleResizerDown}
+          >
+            <div className="h-8 w-1 rounded-full bg-neutral-500" />
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      )}
     </div>
   )
 }
diff --git a/packages/editor/src/components/editor/index.tsx b/packages/editor/src/components/editor/index.tsx
index ac11aacf..f21499a0 100644
--- a/packages/editor/src/components/editor/index.tsx
+++ b/packages/editor/src/components/editor/index.tsx
@@ -125,6 +125,12 @@ export interface EditorProps {
   sidebarTabs?: (SidebarTab & { component: React.ComponentType })[]
   viewerToolbarLeft?: ReactNode
   viewerToolbarRight?: ReactNode
+  /**
+   * Docked below the node inspector (v2). Hosts mount the "save as preset"
+   * affordance here so it reads as part of the inspector surface and shows
+   * only while a node is selected.
+   */
+  inspectorFooter?: ReactNode
 
   projectId?: string | null
 
@@ -930,6 +936,7 @@ export default function Editor({
   sidebarTabs,
   viewerToolbarLeft,
   viewerToolbarRight,
+  inspectorFooter,
   projectId,
   onLoad,
   onSave,
@@ -1124,11 +1131,12 @@ export default function Editor({
     }
 
     const tabBarTabs =
-      sidebarTabs?.map(({ id, label, mobileDefaultSnap, mobileIcon }) => ({
+      sidebarTabs?.map(({ id, label, mobileDefaultSnap, mobileIcon, icon }) => ({
         id,
         label,
         mobileDefaultSnap,
         mobileIcon,
+        icon,
       })) ?? []
 
     return (
@@ -1158,7 +1166,7 @@ export default function Editor({
                   )}
                   {!(isVersionPreviewMode || isCaptureMode) && (
                     <div className="pointer-events-auto">
-                      <PanelManager />
+                      <PanelManager inspectorFooter={inspectorFooter} />
                     </div>
                   )}
                   {!isCaptureMode && (
diff --git a/packages/editor/src/components/ui/panels/panel-manager.tsx b/packages/editor/src/components/ui/panels/panel-manager.tsx
index ad8b0fc9..1d58f585 100644
--- a/packages/editor/src/components/ui/panels/panel-manager.tsx
+++ b/packages/editor/src/components/ui/panels/panel-manager.tsx
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ function isMovableNode(node: AnyNode | null): node is MovableNode {
   return !!node && MOVABLE_TYPES.has(node.type)
 }
 
-function panelForType(type: string | null) {
+function panelForType(type: string | null, footer?: React.ReactNode) {
   if (!type) return null
   // Every kind now renders through `<ParametricInspector>`, which either
   // composes auto-derived editors from `parametrics.groups` or lazy-
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ function panelForType(type: string | null) {
   // future cases where we might want a non-registry fallback (e.g.
   // reference scale, paint mode); leave the function shape intact.
   void type
-  return <ParametricInspector />
+  return <ParametricInspector footer={footer} />
 }
 
 function MobilePanelLayer({
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ function MobilePanelLayer({
   )
 }
 
-export function PanelManager() {
+export function PanelManager({ inspectorFooter }: { inspectorFooter?: React.ReactNode }) {
   const isMobile = useIsMobile()
   const selectedIds = useViewer((s) => s.selection.selectedIds)
   const selectedReferenceId = useEditor((s) => s.selectedReferenceId)
@@ -215,5 +215,5 @@ export function PanelManager() {
     return <PaintPanel />
   }
 
-  return panelForType(selectedNodeType)
+  return panelForType(selectedNodeType, inspectorFooter)
 }
diff --git a/packages/editor/src/components/ui/panels/panel-wrapper.tsx b/packages/editor/src/components/ui/panels/panel-wrapper.tsx
index 951a0127..d389f5aa 100644
--- a/packages/editor/src/components/ui/panels/panel-wrapper.tsx
+++ b/packages/editor/src/components/ui/panels/panel-wrapper.tsx
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ interface PanelWrapperProps {
   onReset?: () => void
   onBack?: () => void
   children: React.ReactNode
+  /** Pinned below the scrollable body, inside the panel card. */
+  footer?: React.ReactNode
   className?: string
   width?: number | string
 }
@@ -27,6 +29,7 @@ export function PanelWrapper({
   onReset,
   onBack,
   children,
+  footer,
   className,
   width = 320, // default width
 }: PanelWrapperProps) {
@@ -104,6 +107,8 @@ export function PanelWrapper({
 
       {/* Content */}
       <div className="no-scrollbar flex min-h-0 flex-1 flex-col overflow-y-auto">{children}</div>
+
+      {footer && <div className="shrink-0 border-border/50 border-t p-3">{footer}</div>}
     </div>
   )
 }
diff --git a/packages/editor/src/components/ui/panels/parametric-inspector.tsx b/packages/editor/src/components/ui/panels/parametric-inspector.tsx
index fe7d5d17..5f4a38fc 100644
--- a/packages/editor/src/components/ui/panels/parametric-inspector.tsx
+++ b/packages/editor/src/components/ui/panels/parametric-inspector.tsx
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ import { PanelWrapper } from './panel-wrapper'
  * `parametrics.customPanel?` escape hatch for kinds whose parametric editor
  * can't be auto-generated (topology editors etc.).
  */
-export function ParametricInspector() {
+export function ParametricInspector({ footer }: { footer?: React.ReactNode } = {}) {
   const selectedId = useViewer((s) => s.selection.selectedIds[0]) as AnyNodeId | undefined
   const setSelection = useViewer((s) => s.setSelection)
   // Subscribe only to the *type* — a string primitive that doesn't change
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ export function ParametricInspector() {
   const canDelete = def.capabilities.deletable !== false
 
   return (
-    <PanelWrapper icon={iconNode} onClose={handleClose} title={title} width={320}>
+    <PanelWrapper footer={footer} icon={iconNode} onClose={handleClose} title={title} width={320}>
       {parametrics.groups.map((group, gi) => (
         <PanelSection key={`group-${gi}`} title={group.label}>
           {group.fields.map((field, fi) => (
diff --git a/packages/editor/src/components/ui/sidebar/tab-bar.tsx b/packages/editor/src/components/ui/sidebar/tab-bar.tsx
index 89393c0e..32807eb5 100644
--- a/packages/editor/src/components/ui/sidebar/tab-bar.tsx
+++ b/packages/editor/src/components/ui/sidebar/tab-bar.tsx
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ export type SidebarTab = {
   label: string
   mobileDefaultSnap?: number
   mobileIcon?: ReactNode
+  /** Desktop icon shown in the vertical rail (v2 layout). */
+  icon?: ReactNode
 }
 
 interface TabBarProps {
@@ -40,3 +42,48 @@ export function TabBar({ tabs, activeTab, onTabChange }: TabBarProps) {
     </div>
   )
 }
+
+interface IconRailProps {
+  tabs: SidebarTab[]
+  /** Highlighted tab. Stays highlighted while the panel is collapsed. */
+  activeTab: string
+  /** True when the panel beside the rail is collapsed. */
+  collapsed: boolean
+  /** Clicking a rail icon: switch tab, or toggle the panel (see layout). */
+  onIconClick: (id: string) => void
+}
+
+/**
+ * Vertical icon rail for the v2 left column. Always visible (even when the
+ * panel is collapsed) so the user can reopen the panel by clicking an icon.
+ * The label renders as a hover tooltip via the native `title`.
+ */
+export function IconRail({ tabs, activeTab, collapsed, onIconClick }: IconRailProps) {
+  return (
+    <div className="flex h-full w-12 shrink-0 flex-col items-center gap-1 border-border/50 border-r py-2">
+      {tabs.map((tab) => {
+        // While expanded, the active tab is filled. While collapsed, nothing
+        // is "open", so the active tab reads as a muted highlight instead.
+        const isActive = activeTab === tab.id
+        return (
+          <button
+            className={cn(
+              'flex h-9 w-9 items-center justify-center rounded-lg transition-colors',
+              isActive && !collapsed
+                ? 'bg-accent text-foreground'
+                : isActive
+                  ? 'text-foreground'
+                  : 'text-muted-foreground hover:bg-accent/50 hover:text-foreground',
+            )}
+            key={tab.id}
+            onClick={() => onIconClick(tab.id)}
+            title={tab.label}
+            type="button"
+          >
+            {tab.icon ?? tab.label.charAt(0)}
+          </button>
+        )
+      })}
+    </div>
+  )
+}