diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index ccae77c94e..b1974f6907 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -625,6 +625,7 @@ packages/app-desktop/integration-tests/util/getMainWindow.js
 packages/app-desktop/integration-tests/util/ignoreFlakyReporter.js
 packages/app-desktop/integration-tests/util/mockClipboard.js
 packages/app-desktop/integration-tests/util/retryOnFailure.js
+packages/app-desktop/integration-tests/util/seedProfileSettings.js
 packages/app-desktop/integration-tests/util/setDarkMode.js
 packages/app-desktop/integration-tests/util/setFilePickerResponse.js
 packages/app-desktop/integration-tests/util/setMessageBoxResponse.js
diff --git a/.ignore.eslint b/.ignore.eslint
index cf6ab96857..ad17cebdd4 100644
--- a/.ignore.eslint
+++ b/.ignore.eslint
@@ -650,6 +650,7 @@ packages/app-desktop/integration-tests/util/getMainWindow.js
 packages/app-desktop/integration-tests/util/ignoreFlakyReporter.js
 packages/app-desktop/integration-tests/util/mockClipboard.js
 packages/app-desktop/integration-tests/util/retryOnFailure.js
+packages/app-desktop/integration-tests/util/seedProfileSettings.js
 packages/app-desktop/integration-tests/util/setDarkMode.js
 packages/app-desktop/integration-tests/util/setFilePickerResponse.js
 packages/app-desktop/integration-tests/util/setMessageBoxResponse.js
diff --git a/packages/app-desktop/integration-tests/util/seedProfileSettings.ts b/packages/app-desktop/integration-tests/util/seedProfileSettings.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e496095c45
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/app-desktop/integration-tests/util/seedProfileSettings.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+import { join } from 'path';
+import { writeFile } from 'fs-extra';
+
+// Writes the profile's settings.json before the app starts, so that these values are
+// picked up during startup. Currently used to keep the editor+viewer layout that many
+// integration tests rely on -- the app's default only shows the editor.
+const seedProfileSettings = async (profileDirectory: string, values: Record<string, unknown>) => {
+	const settingFilePath = join(profileDirectory, 'settings.json');
+	await writeFile(settingFilePath, JSON.stringify(values), 'utf8');
+};
+
+export default seedProfileSettings;
diff --git a/packages/app-desktop/integration-tests/util/test.ts b/packages/app-desktop/integration-tests/util/test.ts
index 7ad31cc0e8..e60132a5fe 100644
--- a/packages/app-desktop/integration-tests/util/test.ts
+++ b/packages/app-desktop/integration-tests/util/test.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import createStartupArgs from './createStartupArgs';
 import getMainWindow from './getMainWindow';
 import setDarkMode from './setDarkMode';
 import evaluateWithRetry from './evaluateWithRetry';
+import seedProfileSettings from './seedProfileSettings';
 
 
 type StartWithPluginsResult = { app: ElectronApplication; mainWindow: Page };
@@ -75,6 +76,10 @@ export const test = base.extend<JoplinFixtures>({
 		const profileSubdir = join(profilePath, uuid.createNano());
 		await mkdirp(profileSubdir);
 
+		// Many integration tests interact with the note viewer, which is hidden by the
+		// app's default layout (editor only). Force the editor+viewer layout for tests.
+		await seedProfileSettings(profileSubdir, { noteVisiblePanes: ['editor', 'viewer'] });
+
 		await use(profileSubdir);
 
 		// For debugging purposes, attach the Joplin log file to the test:
diff --git a/packages/lib/models/settings/builtInMetadata.ts b/packages/lib/models/settings/builtInMetadata.ts
index 4cb6fb17f0..f94e9db9ba 100644
--- a/packages/lib/models/settings/builtInMetadata.ts
+++ b/packages/lib/models/settings/builtInMetadata.ts
@@ -1864,7 +1864,7 @@ const builtInMetadata = (Setting: typeof SettingType) => {
 			appTypes: [AppType.Mobile],
 			isGlobal: true,
 		},
-		noteVisiblePanes: { value: ['editor', 'viewer'], type: SettingItemType.Array, storage: SettingStorage.File, isGlobal: true, public: false, appTypes: [AppType.Desktop] },
+		noteVisiblePanes: { value: ['editor'], type: SettingItemType.Array, storage: SettingStorage.File, isGlobal: true, public: false, appTypes: [AppType.Desktop] },
 		tagHeaderIsExpanded: { value: true, type: SettingItemType.Bool, public: false, appTypes: [AppType.Desktop] },
 		folderHeaderIsExpanded: { value: true, type: SettingItemType.Bool, public: false, appTypes: [AppType.Desktop] },
 		syncReportIsVisible: { value: false, type: SettingItemType.Bool, public: false, appTypes: [AppType.Desktop] },