diff --git a/src/EbbesMemeClipboard/Models/AppSettings.cs b/src/EbbesMemeClipboard/Models/AppSettings.cs
index 35733e1..3d3b2a7 100644
--- a/src/EbbesMemeClipboard/Models/AppSettings.cs
+++ b/src/EbbesMemeClipboard/Models/AppSettings.cs
@@ -22,11 +22,8 @@ public sealed class AppSettings
     public bool PlayGifPreviews { get; set; }
 
     /// <summary>
-    /// Which tab the picker reopens on. Persisted so the choice survives an app restart, not
-    /// just a hide/show. Defaults to the favourites view, since that is where the memes you
-    /// actually reach for most often live.
+    /// Which source tab the picker reopens on. Persisted so the choice survives an app restart,
+    /// not just a hide/show.
     /// </summary>
     public MemeSource LastSource { get; set; } = MemeSource.Local;
-
-    public bool LastShowingFavorites { get; set; } = true;
 }
diff --git a/src/EbbesMemeClipboard/ViewModels/PickerViewModel.cs b/src/EbbesMemeClipboard/ViewModels/PickerViewModel.cs
index 1b53839..65bf87c 100644
--- a/src/EbbesMemeClipboard/ViewModels/PickerViewModel.cs
+++ b/src/EbbesMemeClipboard/ViewModels/PickerViewModel.cs
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 using System.Collections.ObjectModel;
 using System.Collections.Specialized;
 using System.IO;
+using System.Windows.Data;
 using CommunityToolkit.Mvvm.ComponentModel;
 using CommunityToolkit.Mvvm.Input;
 using EbbesMemeClipboard.Models;
@@ -35,6 +36,21 @@ public partial class PickerViewModel : ObservableObject
 
     public ObservableCollection<MemeTileViewModel> Items { get; } = new();
 
+    /// <summary>Favourites for the active source, shown in the favourites submenu.</summary>
+    public ObservableCollection<MemeTileViewModel> Favorites { get; } = new();
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Holds at most one navigation tile ("Favourites" or "Back") that is rendered as the first
+    /// cell of the grid, ahead of the actual memes.
+    /// </summary>
+    public ObservableCollection<FolderTileViewModel> HeaderTiles { get; } = new();
+
+    private readonly CompositeCollection _mainGrid = new();
+    private readonly CompositeCollection _favoritesGrid = new();
+
+    /// <summary>What the grid binds to: the nav tile followed by either the results or the favourites.</summary>
+    public CompositeCollection GridSource => IsInFavoritesView ? _favoritesGrid : _mainGrid;
+
     [ObservableProperty]
     private string _searchText = string.Empty;
 
@@ -47,12 +63,11 @@ public partial class PickerViewModel : ObservableObject
     [ObservableProperty]
     private bool _isDialogOpen;
 
-    /// <summary>
-    /// Favourites act as a filtered view of the active source rather than an inline row, so they
-    /// get the full grid and the search box narrows within them.
-    /// </summary>
     [ObservableProperty]
-    private bool _showingFavorites;
+    private bool _hasFavorites;
+
+    [ObservableProperty]
+    private bool _isInFavoritesView;
 
     [ObservableProperty]
     private MemeSource _activeSource = MemeSource.Local;
@@ -60,20 +75,13 @@ public partial class PickerViewModel : ObservableObject
     public bool IsLocalSource => ActiveSource == MemeSource.Local;
     public bool IsGiphySource => ActiveSource == MemeSource.Giphy;
 
-    /// <summary>Importing only applies to the local library, and not while browsing favourites.</summary>
-    public bool CanImport => IsLocalSource && !ShowingFavorites;
+    public string SearchPlaceholder => IsLocalSource
+        ? "Search your memes..."
+        : ActiveProvider?.SearchPlaceholder ?? "Search...";
 
-    public string SearchPlaceholder => ShowingFavorites
-        ? "Search favourites..."
-        : IsLocalSource
-            ? "Search your memes..."
-            : ActiveProvider?.SearchPlaceholder ?? "Search...";
+    public bool ShowEmptyState => Items.Count == 0 && !IsBusy && IsLocalSource && !IsInFavoritesView;
 
-    public bool ShowEmptyState => Items.Count == 0 && !IsBusy && (ShowingFavorites || IsLocalSource);
-
-    public string EmptyStateText => ShowingFavorites
-        ? "No favourites here yet. Right-click any meme to add one."
-        : "No memes yet. Click +, drag files in, or paste with Ctrl+V.";
+    public string EmptyStateText => "No memes yet. Click +, drag files in, or paste with Ctrl+V.";
 
     private IGifProvider? ActiveProvider => _providers.FirstOrDefault(p => p.Source == ActiveSource);
 
@@ -100,33 +108,55 @@ public partial class PickerViewModel : ObservableObject
 
         Items.CollectionChanged += OnItemsChanged;
 
-        // Restore the tab the picker was last left on. Assigned to the backing fields directly
-        // so restoring doesn't count as a user change and immediately re-save.
+        // Restore persisted view state. Assigned to the backing fields directly so restoring
+        // doesn't count as a user change and immediately re-save.
         _activeSource = _settings.Current.LastSource;
-        _showingFavorites = _settings.Current.LastShowingFavorites;
 
-        // Seed the grid for the restored view. Remote sources are skipped here because that
-        // needs an async call - OnShown covers it when the window is actually opened.
-        if (_showingFavorites) RefreshFavoriteItems();
-        else if (IsLocalSource) RefreshLocalItems();
+        _mainGrid.Add(new CollectionContainer { Collection = HeaderTiles });
+        _mainGrid.Add(new CollectionContainer { Collection = Items });
+        _favoritesGrid.Add(new CollectionContainer { Collection = HeaderTiles });
+        _favoritesGrid.Add(new CollectionContainer { Collection = Favorites });
+
+        // Seed the grid. Remote sources are skipped here because that needs an async call -
+        // OnShown covers it when the window is actually opened.
+        if (IsLocalSource) RefreshLocalItems();
+        RefreshFavorites();
     }
 
     private void OnItemsChanged(object? sender, NotifyCollectionChangedEventArgs e) =>
         OnPropertyChanged(nameof(ShowEmptyState));
 
-    partial void OnSearchTextChanged(string value) => _ = RefreshAsync();
+    partial void OnSearchTextChanged(string value)
+    {
+        // A query is a request to search, so it always leaves the favourites submenu.
+        if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(value)) IsInFavoritesView = false;
+        UpdateHeaderTile();
+        _ = RefreshAsync();
+    }
+
+    partial void OnHasFavoritesChanged(bool value) => UpdateHeaderTile();
 
     partial void OnIsBusyChanged(bool value) => OnPropertyChanged(nameof(ShowEmptyState));
 
-    partial void OnShowingFavoritesChanged(bool value)
+    partial void OnIsInFavoritesViewChanged(bool value)
     {
-        OnPropertyChanged(nameof(SearchPlaceholder));
-        OnPropertyChanged(nameof(CanImport));
-        OnPropertyChanged(nameof(EmptyStateText));
+        OnPropertyChanged(nameof(GridSource));
         OnPropertyChanged(nameof(ShowEmptyState));
-        SearchText = string.Empty;
-        PersistViewState();
-        _ = RefreshAsync();
+        UpdateHeaderTile();
+    }
+
+    private void UpdateHeaderTile()
+    {
+        HeaderTiles.Clear();
+
+        if (IsInFavoritesView)
+        {
+            HeaderTiles.Add(new FolderTileViewModel("\u25C4", "Back"));
+        }
+        else if (HasFavorites && string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(SearchText))
+        {
+            HeaderTiles.Add(new FolderTileViewModel("\u2605", "Favourites"));
+        }
     }
 
     partial void OnActiveSourceChanged(MemeSource value)
@@ -134,27 +164,24 @@ public partial class PickerViewModel : ObservableObject
         OnPropertyChanged(nameof(IsLocalSource));
         OnPropertyChanged(nameof(IsGiphySource));
         OnPropertyChanged(nameof(SearchPlaceholder));
-        OnPropertyChanged(nameof(CanImport));
         OnPropertyChanged(nameof(ShowEmptyState));
+
+        _settings.Current.LastSource = value;
+        _ = _settings.SaveAsync();
+
+        IsInFavoritesView = false;
         SearchText = string.Empty;
-        PersistViewState();
+        RefreshFavorites();
         // Setting SearchText above only triggers a refresh if the value actually changed, so
         // refresh explicitly here to cover switching tabs with an already-empty box.
         _ = RefreshAsync();
     }
 
-    private void PersistViewState()
-    {
-        _settings.Current.LastSource = ActiveSource;
-        _settings.Current.LastShowingFavorites = ShowingFavorites;
-        _ = _settings.SaveAsync();
-    }
-
     [RelayCommand]
     private void SelectSource(MemeSource source) => ActiveSource = source;
 
     [RelayCommand]
-    private void ToggleFavoritesView() => ShowingFavorites = !ShowingFavorites;
+    private void ToggleFavoritesView() => IsInFavoritesView = !IsInFavoritesView;
 
     [RelayCommand]
     private async Task SelectItemAsync(MemeTileViewModel? tile)
@@ -198,11 +225,7 @@ public partial class PickerViewModel : ObservableObject
         if (_favorites.IsFavorite(tile.Source, tile.FavoriteKey))
         {
             await _favorites.RemoveAsync(tile.Source, tile.FavoriteKey);
-            tile.IsFavorite = false;
             StatusMessage = $"Removed {tile.DisplayName} from favourites";
-
-            // In the favourites view an unfavourited tile no longer belongs on screen.
-            if (ShowingFavorites) Items.Remove(tile);
         }
         else
         {
@@ -215,9 +238,11 @@ public partial class PickerViewModel : ObservableObject
                 FullUrl = tile.RemoteResult?.FullUrl,
                 DateAdded = DateTimeOffset.Now,
             });
-            tile.IsFavorite = true;
             StatusMessage = $"Added {tile.DisplayName} to favourites";
         }
+
+        RefreshFavorites();
+        SyncFavoriteFlags();
     }
 
     [RelayCommand]
@@ -230,7 +255,8 @@ public partial class PickerViewModel : ObservableObject
         // Drop the matching favourite too, otherwise it lingers pointing at a deleted file.
         await _favorites.RemoveAsync(MemeSource.Local, tile.Record.Id);
 
-        await RefreshAsync();
+        RefreshLocalItems();
+        RefreshFavorites();
         StatusMessage = $"Removed {name}";
     }
 
@@ -296,7 +322,6 @@ public partial class PickerViewModel : ObservableObject
                 return;
             }
 
-            ShowingFavorites = false;
             ActiveSource = MemeSource.Local;
             RefreshLocalItems();
             StatusMessage = $"Pasted {name}";
@@ -320,7 +345,6 @@ public partial class PickerViewModel : ObservableObject
         }
 
         var imported = await _library.ImportAsync(candidates);
-        ShowingFavorites = false;
         ActiveSource = MemeSource.Local;
         RefreshLocalItems();
         StatusMessage = $"Added {imported.Count} meme(s).";
@@ -328,7 +352,9 @@ public partial class PickerViewModel : ObservableObject
 
     public void OnShown()
     {
+        IsInFavoritesView = false;
         SearchText = string.Empty;
+        RefreshFavorites();
         // Rebuild rather than just reset: picks up memes added since last time, and lets a
         // changed "animate GIF previews" setting take effect.
         _ = RefreshAsync();
@@ -340,7 +366,7 @@ public partial class PickerViewModel : ObservableObject
     /// </summary>
     public async Task LoadMoreAsync()
     {
-        if (IsLocalSource || ShowingFavorites || _showingResolvedLink || !_remoteHasMore || _isLoadingMore) return;
+        if (IsLocalSource || _showingResolvedLink || !_remoteHasMore || _isLoadingMore) return;
 
         var provider = ActiveProvider;
         if (provider is null || !provider.IsConfigured) return;
@@ -377,7 +403,7 @@ public partial class PickerViewModel : ObservableObject
 
     private async Task RefreshAsync()
     {
-        // Any pending remote search is stale the moment the query, tab or view changes.
+        // Any pending remote search is stale the moment the query or tab changes.
         _searchCts?.Cancel();
         _searchCts?.Dispose();
         _searchCts = null;
@@ -386,12 +412,6 @@ public partial class PickerViewModel : ObservableObject
         _remoteHasMore = false;
         _showingResolvedLink = false;
 
-        if (ShowingFavorites)
-        {
-            RefreshFavoriteItems();
-            return;
-        }
-
         if (IsLocalSource)
         {
             RefreshLocalItems();
@@ -487,16 +507,6 @@ public partial class PickerViewModel : ObservableObject
         _ = tile.LoadThumbnailAsync(ct);
     }
 
-    private void AddLocalTile(LocalMemeRecord record)
-    {
-        var tile = new MemeTileViewModel(record, _library.GetFullPath(record), AnimatePreviews)
-        {
-            IsFavorite = _favorites.IsFavorite(MemeSource.Local, record.Id),
-        };
-        Items.Add(tile);
-        _ = tile.LoadThumbnailAsync();
-    }
-
     private void RefreshLocalItems()
     {
         var records = string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(SearchText)
@@ -506,48 +516,68 @@ public partial class PickerViewModel : ObservableObject
         Items.Clear();
         foreach (var record in records)
         {
-            AddLocalTile(record);
+            var tile = new MemeTileViewModel(record, _library.GetFullPath(record), AnimatePreviews)
+            {
+                IsFavorite = _favorites.IsFavorite(MemeSource.Local, record.Id),
+            };
+            Items.Add(tile);
+            _ = tile.LoadThumbnailAsync();
         }
 
         StatusMessage = string.Empty;
     }
 
-    /// <summary>Favourites for the active source, narrowed by the search box like any other view.</summary>
-    private void RefreshFavoriteItems()
+    private void RefreshFavorites()
     {
-        Items.Clear();
+        Favorites.Clear();
 
-        var query = SearchText;
         foreach (var fav in _favorites.GetForSource(ActiveSource))
         {
+            MemeTileViewModel tile;
+
             if (fav.Source == MemeSource.Local)
             {
                 var record = _library.GetAll().FirstOrDefault(r => r.Id == fav.Key);
                 // Favourite pointing at a meme that has since been deleted - skip it rather
                 // than rendering a broken tile.
                 if (record is null) continue;
-                if (!Matches(record.OriginalFileName, query)) continue;
-                AddLocalTile(record);
+                tile = new MemeTileViewModel(record, _library.GetFullPath(record), AnimatePreviews);
             }
             else
             {
                 if (fav.PreviewUrl is null || fav.FullUrl is null) continue;
-                if (!Matches(fav.Title ?? string.Empty, query)) continue;
-
-                AddRemoteTile(new GifSearchResult
-                {
-                    Id = fav.Key,
-                    Title = fav.Title ?? "Favourite",
-                    PreviewUrl = fav.PreviewUrl,
-                    FullUrl = fav.FullUrl,
-                    Source = fav.Source,
-                });
+                tile = new MemeTileViewModel(
+                    new GifSearchResult
+                    {
+                        Id = fav.Key,
+                        Title = fav.Title ?? "Favourite",
+                        PreviewUrl = fav.PreviewUrl,
+                        FullUrl = fav.FullUrl,
+                        Source = fav.Source,
+                    },
+                    _gifCache,
+                    AnimatePreviews);
             }
+
+            tile.IsFavorite = true;
+            Favorites.Add(tile);
+            _ = tile.LoadThumbnailAsync();
         }
 
-        StatusMessage = Items.Count == 0 ? string.Empty : $"{Items.Count} favourite(s).";
+        HasFavorites = Favorites.Count > 0;
+        // Last favourite removed while inside the submenu: nothing left to show, so step out.
+        if (!HasFavorites) IsInFavoritesView = false;
     }
 
-    private static bool Matches(string text, string query) =>
-        string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(query) || text.Contains(query, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+    /// <summary>Keeps the star state on the main grid in step with the favourites store.</summary>
+    private void SyncFavoriteFlags()
+    {
+        foreach (var tile in Items)
+        {
+            tile.IsFavorite = _favorites.IsFavorite(tile.Source, tile.FavoriteKey);
+        }
+    }
 }
+
+/// <summary>A navigation tile occupying the first grid cell (opens or leaves the favourites submenu).</summary>
+public sealed record FolderTileViewModel(string Glyph, string Label);
diff --git a/src/EbbesMemeClipboard/Views/PickerWindow.xaml b/src/EbbesMemeClipboard/Views/PickerWindow.xaml
index 1a3641b..9c7018c 100644
--- a/src/EbbesMemeClipboard/Views/PickerWindow.xaml
+++ b/src/EbbesMemeClipboard/Views/PickerWindow.xaml
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@
         <!-- Shared by the favourites row and the main grid so both behave identically.
              No fixed Width: the tile stretches to fill its UniformGrid cell, so a row always
              spans the full panel width instead of leaving a ragged gap on the right. -->
-        <DataTemplate x:Key="MemeTileTemplate" DataType="{x:Type vm:MemeTileViewModel}">
+        <DataTemplate DataType="{x:Type vm:MemeTileViewModel}">
             <Grid Height="118" Margin="4">
                 <Button Padding="0"
                         Style="{StaticResource FlatButtonStyle}"
@@ -115,6 +115,19 @@
                            Visibility="{Binding IsFavorite, Converter={StaticResource BoolToVisibility}}"/>
             </Grid>
         </DataTemplate>
+        <!-- Navigation tile in the first grid cell: opens / leaves the favourites submenu. -->
+        <DataTemplate DataType="{x:Type vm:FolderTileViewModel}">
+            <Button Height="118" Margin="4"
+                    Style="{StaticResource FlatButtonStyle}"
+                    Command="{Binding DataContext.ToggleFavoritesViewCommand, ElementName=RootWindow}">
+                <StackPanel>
+                    <TextBlock Text="{Binding Glyph}" FontSize="34" Foreground="#FFC72C"
+                               HorizontalAlignment="Center"/>
+                    <TextBlock Text="{Binding Label}" FontSize="12" Foreground="#C4C6CC"
+                               FontWeight="SemiBold" HorizontalAlignment="Center" Margin="0,4,0,0"/>
+                </StackPanel>
+            </Button>
+        </DataTemplate>
     </Window.Resources>
 
     <Border Background="#F0202225" CornerRadius="10" BorderBrush="#3A3B3E" BorderThickness="1">
@@ -140,28 +153,18 @@
                 </Grid>
             </Border>
 
-            <Grid Grid.Row="1" Margin="0,4,0,8">
-                <StackPanel Orientation="Horizontal" HorizontalAlignment="Left">
-                    <Button Content="Local"
-                            Style="{StaticResource TabButtonStyle}"
-                            Tag="{Binding IsLocalSource}"
-                            Command="{Binding SelectSourceCommand}"
-                            CommandParameter="{x:Static models:MemeSource.Local}"/>
-                    <Button Content="Giphy" Margin="6,0,0,0"
-                            Style="{StaticResource TabButtonStyle}"
-                            Tag="{Binding IsGiphySource}"
-                            Command="{Binding SelectSourceCommand}"
-                            CommandParameter="{x:Static models:MemeSource.Giphy}"/>
-                </StackPanel>
-                <!-- Right-aligned and separated from the source tabs on purpose: it filters
-                     the active source rather than being a source of its own. -->
-                <Button Content="&#9733; Favourites" HorizontalAlignment="Right"
+            <StackPanel Grid.Row="1" Orientation="Horizontal" Margin="0,4,0,8">
+                <Button Content="Local"
                         Style="{StaticResource TabButtonStyle}"
-                        Tag="{Binding ShowingFavorites}"
-                        Command="{Binding ToggleFavoritesViewCommand}"
-                        ToolTip="Show only your favourites from this source"/>
-            </Grid>
-
+                        Tag="{Binding IsLocalSource}"
+                        Command="{Binding SelectSourceCommand}"
+                        CommandParameter="{x:Static models:MemeSource.Local}"/>
+                <Button Content="Giphy" Margin="6,0,0,0"
+                        Style="{StaticResource TabButtonStyle}"
+                        Tag="{Binding IsGiphySource}"
+                        Command="{Binding SelectSourceCommand}"
+                        CommandParameter="{x:Static models:MemeSource.Giphy}"/>
+            </StackPanel>
             <Grid Grid.Row="2" Margin="0,0,0,10">
                 <Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
                     <ColumnDefinition Width="*"/>
@@ -198,30 +201,31 @@
                 <Button Grid.Column="1" Content="+" Width="36" Height="36" Margin="8,0,0,0"
                         FontSize="18" Style="{StaticResource FlatButtonStyle}"
                         Command="{Binding ImportFilesCommand}"
-                        Visibility="{Binding CanImport, Converter={StaticResource BoolToVisibility}}"
+                        Visibility="{Binding IsLocalSource, Converter={StaticResource BoolToVisibility}}"
                         ToolTip="Add memes"/>
             </Grid>
 
             <ScrollViewer x:Name="ResultsScrollViewer"
                           Grid.Row="3" VerticalScrollBarVisibility="Auto" Padding="0,0,4,0"
                           ScrollChanged="ResultsScrollViewer_OnScrollChanged">
-                <Grid>
-                    <TextBlock Text="{Binding EmptyStateText}"
-                               Foreground="#7B7D85" FontSize="13"
-                               HorizontalAlignment="Center" VerticalAlignment="Center"
-                               TextWrapping="Wrap" TextAlignment="Center" Width="260"
-                               Margin="0,40,0,0"
-                               Visibility="{Binding ShowEmptyState, Converter={StaticResource BoolToVisibility}}"/>
+                <StackPanel>
+                    <Grid>
+                        <TextBlock Text="{Binding EmptyStateText}"
+                                   Foreground="#7B7D85" FontSize="13"
+                                   HorizontalAlignment="Center" VerticalAlignment="Center"
+                                   TextWrapping="Wrap" TextAlignment="Center" Width="260"
+                                   Margin="0,40,0,0"
+                                   Visibility="{Binding ShowEmptyState, Converter={StaticResource BoolToVisibility}}"/>
 
-                    <ItemsControl ItemsSource="{Binding Items}"
-                                  ItemTemplate="{StaticResource MemeTileTemplate}">
-                        <ItemsControl.ItemsPanel>
-                            <ItemsPanelTemplate>
-                                <UniformGrid Columns="3"/>
-                            </ItemsPanelTemplate>
-                        </ItemsControl.ItemsPanel>
-                    </ItemsControl>
-                </Grid>
+                        <ItemsControl ItemsSource="{Binding GridSource}">
+                            <ItemsControl.ItemsPanel>
+                                <ItemsPanelTemplate>
+                                    <UniformGrid Columns="3"/>
+                                </ItemsPanelTemplate>
+                            </ItemsControl.ItemsPanel>
+                        </ItemsControl>
+                    </Grid>
+                </StackPanel>
             </ScrollViewer>
 
             <Grid Grid.Row="4" Margin="2,8,0,0">
diff --git a/src/EbbesMemeClipboard/Views/PickerWindow.xaml.cs b/src/EbbesMemeClipboard/Views/PickerWindow.xaml.cs
index ebefc94..af6590a 100644
--- a/src/EbbesMemeClipboard/Views/PickerWindow.xaml.cs
+++ b/src/EbbesMemeClipboard/Views/PickerWindow.xaml.cs
@@ -94,8 +94,8 @@ public partial class PickerWindow : Window
         // Switching tab/view or typing replaces the whole grid, so a retained scroll offset
         // would leave the user part-way down a completely different set of results.
         if (e.PropertyName is nameof(PickerViewModel.ActiveSource)
-            or nameof(PickerViewModel.ShowingFavorites)
-            or nameof(PickerViewModel.SearchText))
+            or nameof(PickerViewModel.SearchText)
+            or nameof(PickerViewModel.IsInFavoritesView))
         {
             ResultsScrollViewer.ScrollToTop();
         }