diff --git a/assets/locales/pending/browser-components-start-closed.json b/assets/locales/pending/browser-components-start-closed.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..cc0448afb3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/assets/locales/pending/browser-components-start-closed.json
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+{
+  "en": {
+    "prefs.browser_components_open": "Components start open",
+    "prefs.browser_components_open_note": "Every component in the browser starts open, as before, instead of closed until you open it."
+  },
+  "ar": {
+    "prefs.browser_components_open": "المكوّنات مفتوحة من البداية",
+    "prefs.browser_components_open_note": "يبدأ كل مكوّن في المستعرض مفتوحًا كما كان من قبل، بدلاً من أن يبقى مغلقًا حتى تفتحه."
+  },
+  "de": {
+    "prefs.browser_components_open": "Komponenten zu Beginn aufgeklappt",
+    "prefs.browser_components_open_note": "Jede Komponente im Browser ist wie bisher von Anfang an aufgeklappt, statt zugeklappt zu bleiben, bis du sie aufklappst."
+  },
+  "es": {
+    "prefs.browser_components_open": "Componentes abiertos al inicio",
+    "prefs.browser_components_open_note": "Cada componente del explorador empieza abierto, como antes, en lugar de cerrado hasta que lo abras."
+  },
+  "fr": {
+    "prefs.browser_components_open": "Composants dépliés au départ",
+    "prefs.browser_components_open_note": "Chaque composant du navigateur commence déplié, comme avant, au lieu de rester replié jusqu'à ce que vous le dépliiez."
+  },
+  "he": {
+    "prefs.browser_components_open": "רכיבים פתוחים מההתחלה",
+    "prefs.browser_components_open_note": "כל רכיב בעץ התכן מתחיל פתוח, כמו קודם, במקום סגור עד שתפתח אותו."
+  },
+  "it": {
+    "prefs.browser_components_open": "Componenti aperti all'inizio",
+    "prefs.browser_components_open_note": "Ogni componente nel browser inizia aperto, come prima, invece che chiuso finché non lo apri."
+  },
+  "ja": {
+    "prefs.browser_components_open": "コンポーネントを最初から展開",
+    "prefs.browser_components_open_note": "ブラウザーのすべてのコンポーネントを以前と同じく最初から展開して表示します。オフの場合は展開するまで折りたたまれています。"
+  },
+  "ko": {
+    "prefs.browser_components_open": "구성요소를 펼친 상태로 시작",
+    "prefs.browser_components_open_note": "브라우저의 모든 구성요소가 이전처럼 펼쳐진 상태로 시작합니다. 끄면 직접 펼칠 때까지 접혀 있습니다."
+  },
+  "pt-BR": {
+    "prefs.browser_components_open": "Componentes começam abertos",
+    "prefs.browser_components_open_note": "Cada componente no navegador começa aberto, como antes, em vez de fechado até que você o abra."
+  },
+  "ru": {
+    "prefs.browser_components_open": "Компоненты развёрнуты с начала",
+    "prefs.browser_components_open_note": "Каждый компонент в браузере сразу развёрнут, как раньше, а не свёрнут, пока вы его не развернёте."
+  },
+  "uk": {
+    "prefs.browser_components_open": "Компоненти розгорнуті з початку",
+    "prefs.browser_components_open_note": "Кожен компонент у браузері одразу розгорнутий, як раніше, а не згорнутий, доки ви його не розгорнете."
+  },
+  "vi": {
+    "prefs.browser_components_open": "Thành phần mở sẵn",
+    "prefs.browser_components_open_note": "Mọi thành phần trong trình duyệt đều mở sẵn như trước, thay vì đóng cho đến khi bạn mở."
+  },
+  "zh": {
+    "prefs.browser_components_open": "组件初始展开",
+    "prefs.browser_components_open_note": "浏览器中的每个组件都像以前一样初始展开，而不是在您展开前保持折叠。"
+  },
+  "zh-TW": {
+    "prefs.browser_components_open": "元件初始展開",
+    "prefs.browser_components_open_note": "瀏覽器中的每個元件都像以前一樣初始展開，而不是在您展開前保持摺疊。"
+  }
+}
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/browser.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/browser.rs
index cb7c09c989..cdf7700633 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/browser.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/browser.rs
@@ -53,10 +53,10 @@ pub(crate) fn reveal_body(app: &mut SolveApp, body: &str) {
     };
     app.tree.collapsed.remove("c0");
     for depth in 1..=path.len() {
-        app.tree.collapsed.remove(&occurrence_key(&path[..depth]));
+        app.tree.open_row(&occurrence_key(&path[..depth]));
     }
     let scope = if path.is_empty() { format!("c{component}") } else { occurrence_key(&path) };
-    app.tree.collapsed.remove(&scope);
+    app.tree.open_row(&scope);
     app.tree.collapsed.remove(&format!("{scope}/bodies"));
     open_group_chain(app, &scope, component, "bodies", &source);
 }
@@ -200,6 +200,25 @@ impl TreeState {
         self.picked_folder = None;
     }
 
+    /// Open a row. A placement's row is noted open in `expanded` as well, because it starts
+    /// closed unless the "Components start open" preference is on (#9274).
+    pub(crate) fn open_row(&mut self, key: &str) {
+        self.collapsed.remove(key);
+        if is_placement_key(key) && !self.expanded.contains(key) {
+            self.expanded.insert(key.to_owned());
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Close a row, whichever way its placement starts.
+    pub(crate) fn close_row(&mut self, key: &str) {
+        if !self.collapsed.contains(key) {
+            self.collapsed.insert(key.to_owned());
+        }
+        if is_placement_key(key) {
+            self.expanded.remove(key);
+        }
+    }
+
     fn remember(&mut self, key: &str) {
         if let Some(slot) = self.order.get_mut(self.order_len) {
             if slot != key {
@@ -694,12 +713,32 @@ fn reveal_path(app: &mut SolveApp) -> Option<Vec<u64>> {
     app.tree.model.as_mut()?.body_path(&app.session, &body)
 }
 
+/// A placement's own row (`o:1/2`), not a folder under it (`o:1/2/bodies`).
+pub(crate) fn is_placement_key(key: &str) -> bool {
+    key.strip_prefix("o:").is_some_and(|p| !p.is_empty() && p.bytes().all(|b| b.is_ascii_digit() || b == b'/'))
+}
+
+/// Whether a placement's row is open. Placements start closed, so a large assembly opens as a
+/// short list (#9274); the "Components start open" preference keeps them open as before.
+pub(crate) fn placement_open(app: &SolveApp, key: &str) -> bool {
+    !app.tree.collapsed.contains(key) && (app.preferences.browser_components_open || app.tree.expanded.contains(key))
+}
+
 pub(crate) fn is_open(app: &SolveApp, key: &str, default: bool) -> bool {
+    if is_placement_key(key) {
+        return placement_open(app, key);
+    }
     if default { !app.tree.collapsed.contains(key) } else { app.tree.expanded.contains(key) }
 }
 
 pub(crate) fn toggle(app: &mut SolveApp, key: &str, default: bool) {
-    if default {
+    if is_placement_key(key) {
+        if placement_open(app, key) {
+            app.tree.close_row(key);
+        } else {
+            app.tree.open_row(key);
+        }
+    } else if default {
         if !app.tree.collapsed.remove(key) {
             app.tree.collapsed.insert(key.to_string());
         }
@@ -709,18 +748,19 @@ pub(crate) fn toggle(app: &mut SolveApp, key: &str, default: bool) {
 }
 
 /// Apply Expand All / Collapse All: open-by-default keys live in `collapsed` when closed;
-/// closed-by-default keys live in `expanded` when open.
+/// closed-by-default keys live in `expanded` when open. Placements, whichever way they start,
+/// are noted in both.
 pub fn apply_fold(app: &mut SolveApp, open: bool, open_by_default: &[String], closed_by_default: &[String]) {
     if open {
         for key in open_by_default {
-            app.tree.collapsed.remove(key);
+            app.tree.open_row(key);
         }
         for key in closed_by_default {
             app.tree.expanded.insert(key.clone());
         }
     } else {
         for key in open_by_default {
-            app.tree.collapsed.insert(key.clone());
+            app.tree.close_row(key);
         }
         for key in closed_by_default {
             app.tree.expanded.remove(key);
@@ -1595,7 +1635,7 @@ fn occurrence_key(path: &[u64]) -> String {
 /// Show a placement's row closed: a pasted (or moved) component arrives folded, whatever a row
 /// at that path showed before.
 pub(crate) fn close_placement(app: &mut SolveApp, path: &[u64]) {
-    app.tree.collapsed.insert(occurrence_key(path));
+    app.tree.close_row(&occurrence_key(path));
 }
 
 /// A placement, rather than a component definition: repeated child IDs remain distinct
@@ -1618,7 +1658,7 @@ fn occurrence_rows_inner(
 ) {
     let key = &placement.key;
     if reveal_path(app).is_some_and(|rp| rp.starts_with(path)) {
-        app.tree.collapsed.remove(key);
+        app.tree.open_row(key);
     }
     let open = is_open(app, key, true);
     let on_screen = ui.is_rect_visible(row_rect(ui));
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/browser/features.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/browser/features.rs
index 59aeeee4f4..f4448ede6c 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/browser/features.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/browser/features.rs
@@ -41,10 +41,10 @@ pub(crate) fn reveal(app: &mut SolveApp, id: u64, body: &str) {
     app.tree.reveal = None;
     app.tree.collapsed.remove("c0");
     for depth in 1..=path.len() {
-        app.tree.collapsed.remove(&occurrence_key(&path[..depth]));
+        app.tree.open_row(&occurrence_key(&path[..depth]));
     }
     let scope = if path.is_empty() { format!("c{component}") } else { occurrence_key(&path) };
-    app.tree.collapsed.remove(&scope);
+    app.tree.open_row(&scope);
     app.tree.expanded.insert(format!("{scope}/features"));
     app.tree.reveal_feature = Some(Reveal { id, path });
 }
@@ -731,6 +731,8 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn only_folded_features_folders_on_screen_work_out_their_mark() {
         let mut h = Harness::new();
+        // The folders sit inside placements, which start closed (#9274).
+        h.app.preferences.browser_components_open = true;
         let component = h.app.run("component.create", json!({"name":"Part"})).unwrap();
         let feature = h.app.run("solid.box", json!({"length":10,"width":10,"height":10,"body_name":"Plate"})).unwrap()["feature"].as_u64().unwrap();
         h.app.run("component.activate", json!({"component":0})).unwrap();
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/browser_card_tests.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/browser_card_tests.rs
index e0465f149e..62f1e2fd03 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/browser_card_tests.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/browser_card_tests.rs
@@ -78,6 +78,8 @@ fn f2_on_a_clicked_browser_group_renames_the_group() {
             h.app.run("solid.box", json!({"length":10,"width":10,"height":10,"body_name":"Body1"})).unwrap();
             (h, 0)
         };
+        // The group's row sits inside a placement, which starts closed (#9274).
+        h.app.preferences.browser_components_open = true;
         let body = h.app.session.model.state().bodies[0].name.clone();
         let group = h.app.run("browser.group", json!({"component":component,"folder":"bodies","items":[body],"name":"Group"})).unwrap()["group"]
             .as_u64()
@@ -790,6 +792,8 @@ fn browser_occurrence_clicks_fill_align_components_input() {
 #[test]
 fn row_eyes_line_up_at_the_right_end_unless_the_preference_keeps_them_left() {
     let mut h = Harness::new();
+    // These rows are read with every placement open, as placements started before #9274.
+    h.app.preferences.browser_components_open = true;
     h.app.run("solid.box", json!({"length":10,"width":10,"height":10,"body_name":"Top"})).unwrap();
     let part = h.app.run("component.create", json!({"name":"Part"})).unwrap()["occurrence"].as_u64().unwrap();
     h.app.run("solid.box", json!({"length":10,"width":10,"height":10,"corner":[20,0,0],"body_name":"Inner"})).unwrap();
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/browser_model_tests.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/browser_model_tests.rs
index 167255ba5c..c58e932535 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/browser_model_tests.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/browser_model_tests.rs
@@ -500,3 +500,58 @@ fn a_design_saved_before_nested_groups_keeps_its_browser_order() {
         assert_eq!(drawn(&rows), expected, "groups {groups:?}, saved order {saved:?}");
     }
 }
+
+/// #9274: placements start closed, so a large assembly opens as a short list. Opening one shows
+/// its own placements still closed, and closing and reopening it leaves them as they were.
+/// Expand All opens them, and the "Components start open" preference opens every one as before.
+#[test]
+fn placements_start_closed_and_the_preference_opens_them_as_before() {
+    fn drawn(h: &mut crate::scenario::Harness) -> Vec<(Vec<u64>, bool)> {
+        h.frames(2);
+        super::drawn_occurrences().into_iter().map(|(path, _, _, open)| (path, open)).collect()
+    }
+    let mut h = crate::scenario::Harness::new();
+    h.app.ui.show_browser = true;
+    let sub = h.app.run("component.create", json!({"name":"Sub"})).unwrap();
+    let outer = vec![sub["occurrence"].as_u64().unwrap()];
+    let leaf = h.app.run("component.create", json!({"name":"Leaf"})).unwrap()["occurrence"].as_u64().unwrap();
+    h.app.run("solid.box", json!({"length":10,"width":10,"height":10})).unwrap();
+    h.app.run("component.activate", json!({"component":0})).unwrap();
+    let inner = vec![outer[0], leaf];
+    let fold = format!("fold:occurrence:{}", outer[0]);
+
+    assert_eq!(drawn(&mut h), [(outer.clone(), false)], "only the top placement is listed, closed");
+    click(&mut h, &fold);
+    assert_eq!(drawn(&mut h), [(outer.clone(), true), (inner.clone(), false)], "the placement inside stays closed");
+    click(&mut h, &fold);
+    assert_eq!(drawn(&mut h), [(outer.clone(), false)]);
+    click(&mut h, &fold);
+    assert_eq!(drawn(&mut h), [(outer.clone(), true), (inner.clone(), false)], "reopening shows it as it was");
+
+    h.app.run("browser.expand_all", json!({})).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(drawn(&mut h), [(outer.clone(), true), (inner.clone(), true)], "Expand All opens every placement");
+    h.app.run("browser.collapse_all", json!({})).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(drawn(&mut h), [(outer.clone(), false)], "Collapse All closes them again");
+
+    h.app.tree.collapsed.clear();
+    h.app.tree.expanded.clear();
+    h.call("ui.prefs", json!({"browser_components_open": true}));
+    assert!(h.app.preferences.browser_components_open);
+    assert_eq!(drawn(&mut h), [(outer.clone(), true), (inner, true)], "the preference opens every placement, as before #9274");
+    click(&mut h, &fold);
+    assert_eq!(drawn(&mut h), [(outer, false)], "and its arrow still closes one");
+}
+
+/// #9274: Find in Browser opens the placements, closed from the start, down to the body's row.
+#[test]
+fn find_in_browser_opens_placements_that_start_closed() {
+    let (mut h, _, occurrence) = fixture();
+    h.app.ui.show_browser = true;
+    let body = super::model_placement(&mut h.app, &[occurrence]).unwrap().bodies[0].world.clone();
+    h.frames(2);
+    assert!(!super::is_open(&h.app, &super::occurrence_key(&[occurrence]), true), "the placement starts closed");
+    super::reveal_body(&mut h.app, &body);
+    h.frames(3);
+    assert!(super::is_open(&h.app, &super::occurrence_key(&[occurrence]), true));
+    assert!(h.app.tree.order.contains(&format!("b:{body}")), "the body's row is drawn");
+}
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/joint_browser_tests.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/joint_browser_tests.rs
index d88f00a9ae..e20bf1fbf5 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/joint_browser_tests.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/joint_browser_tests.rs
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ fn harness() -> Harness {
     let mut h = Harness::new();
     h.app.home.open = false;
     h.app.ui.show_browser = true;
+    // The tests read the Joints folders inside placements, which start closed (#9274).
+    h.app.preferences.browser_components_open = true;
     crate::test_support::grounded_boxes(&[("A", 0), ("B", 30), ("C", 60)], |id, p| h.app.run(id, p).unwrap());
     h.app
         .run("joint.create", json!({"type": "revolute", "name": "Hinge", "a": {"occurrence": "A:1", "face": [10, 10, 10]}, "b": {"occurrence": "B:1", "face": [40, 10, 0]}}))
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/occurrence_ui_tests.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/occurrence_ui_tests.rs
index 593be1132f..e1bfac4d9b 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/occurrence_ui_tests.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/occurrence_ui_tests.rs
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ use solidcraft_engine::Sel;
 #[test]
 fn replaced_body_name_uses_evaluated_owner_in_browser_and_component_actions() {
     let mut h = Harness::new();
+    // These rows are read with every placement open, as placements started before #9274.
+    h.app.preferences.browser_components_open = true;
     h.app.run("solid.box", json!({"length":10,"width":10,"height":10,"body_name":"Block"})).unwrap();
     let transferred = h.app.run("component.from_bodies", json!({"bodies":["Block"]})).unwrap();
     let owner = transferred["components"][0]["component"].as_u64().unwrap();
@@ -30,6 +32,8 @@ fn replaced_body_name_uses_evaluated_owner_in_browser_and_component_actions() {
 fn fixture() -> (Harness, u64, u64, u64) {
     let (mut h, component, first) = crate::test_support::component_box();
     let second = h.app.run("occurrence.copy", json!({"occurrence":first,"translate":[50,0,0]})).unwrap()["occurrence"].as_u64().unwrap();
+    // These rows are read with every placement open, as placements started before #9274.
+    h.app.preferences.browser_components_open = true;
     h.frames(3);
     (h, component, first, second)
 }
@@ -305,6 +309,8 @@ fn occurrence_body_appearance_editor_inherits_definition_precision() {
 #[test]
 fn occurrence_nested_shared_child_has_distinct_rows_and_scope() {
     let mut h = Harness::new();
+    // These rows are read with every placement open, as placements started before #9274.
+    h.app.preferences.browser_components_open = true;
     let parent = h.app.run("component.create", json!({"name":"Assembly"})).unwrap();
     let parent_component = parent["component"].as_u64().unwrap();
     let parent_occurrence = parent["occurrence"].as_u64().unwrap();
@@ -362,6 +368,8 @@ fn occurrence_distance_editor_reads_inches_and_keeps_four_digits_in_model_space(
 #[test]
 fn a_body_dropped_on_a_bodies_folder_moves_into_that_component() {
     let mut h = Harness::new();
+    // These rows are read with every placement open, as placements started before #9274.
+    h.app.preferences.browser_components_open = true;
     h.app.home.open = false;
     h.app.run("solid.box", json!({"length":10,"width":10,"height":10,"body_name":"Plate"})).unwrap();
     h.app.run("solid.box", json!({"corner":[20,0,0],"length":5,"width":5,"height":5,"body_name":"Lid"})).unwrap();
@@ -459,6 +467,8 @@ fn bodies_folders_fold_by_the_preference_but_never_the_designs_or_a_hidden_one()
 fn a_folded_body_sits_one_level_under_its_nested_placement() {
     use crate::prefs::BodiesFolders;
     let mut h = Harness::new();
+    // These rows are read with every placement open, as placements started before #9274.
+    h.app.preferences.browser_components_open = true;
     let parent = h.app.run("component.create", json!({"name":"Assembly"})).unwrap()["occurrence"].as_u64().unwrap();
     let child = h.app.run("component.create", json!({"name":"Child"})).unwrap()["occurrence"].as_u64().unwrap();
     h.app.run("solid.box", json!({"length":10,"width":10,"height":10,"body_name":"Pin"})).unwrap();
@@ -536,6 +546,8 @@ fn a_folded_folders_menu_items_move_to_the_placements_menu() {
 #[test]
 fn dragging_an_occurrence_row_onto_another_moves_it_into_that_component() {
     let mut h = Harness::new();
+    // These rows are read with every placement open, as placements started before #9274.
+    h.app.preferences.browser_components_open = true;
     // Component A with a body, at the design root.
     let a = h.app.run("component.create", json!({"name":"A"})).unwrap();
     let (_a_comp, a_occ) = (a["component"].as_u64().unwrap(), a["occurrence"].as_u64().unwrap());
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/prefs.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/prefs.rs
index 97bcface5b..7b958aa011 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/prefs.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/prefs.rs
@@ -1303,6 +1303,9 @@ preference_settings! {
     /// Each tree row's eye between its fold arrow and its radio, as before #8718, instead of in a
     /// column at the rows' right end. Off by default.
     browser_eye_left: bool = false, PAGE_LAYOUT => check_id("prefs.browser_eye_left");
+    /// Every component placement in the browser starts open, as before #9274, instead of closed
+    /// until the user opens it. Off by default.
+    browser_components_open: bool = false, PAGE_LAYOUT => check_id("prefs.browser_components_open");
     /// The wheel zooms toward the point under the cursor (else toward the view's centre).
     zoom_to_cursor: bool = true, PAGE_NAVIGATION => check("Zoom to the cursor", "The wheel zooms toward the point under the cursor (off: toward the view's center)");
     /// Speed multiplier for wheel zoom, independent of the 3D mouse.
@@ -5783,6 +5786,7 @@ mod tests {
             ("view_confirm_corner", json!(true), PAGE_LAYOUT),
             ("status_bar", json!(true), PAGE_LAYOUT),
             ("browser_eye_left", json!(true), PAGE_LAYOUT),
+            ("browser_components_open", json!(true), PAGE_LAYOUT),
             ("quick_measure", json!(true), PAGE_GRAPHICS),
             ("origin_plane_names", json!("top_front_right"), PAGE_DESIGN),
             ("direct_interaction", json!(true), PAGE_TOOLS),
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/prefs/interface.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/prefs/interface.rs
index 06e7e8e559..92421bac76 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/prefs/interface.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/prefs/interface.rs
@@ -341,6 +341,11 @@ pub(super) fn layout(app: &mut SolveApp, ui: &mut egui::Ui) {
                             app.preferences.browser_bodies_folders = *mode;
                         }
                     });
+                    // Placements open in the browser from the start, as before #9274.
+                    ui_kit::row(ui, "", |ui| {
+                        let check = setting::browser_components_open(app, ui).on_hover_text(app.tr("prefs.browser_components_open_note"));
+                        crate::scenario::publish_target("prefs:browser_components_open", check.rect);
+                    });
                     // The eye beside the fold arrow, where it was before #8718.
                     ui_kit::row(ui, "", |ui| {
                         let check = setting::browser_eye_left(app, ui).on_hover_text(app.tr("prefs.browser_eye_left_note"));
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/tests/icon_audit.rs b/crates/ui-egui/tests/icon_audit.rs
index 760c81a579..951a28be5d 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/tests/icon_audit.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/tests/icon_audit.rs
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ use solidcraft_ui_egui::{icon_svg, scenario::Harness, workspace};
 fn harness() -> Harness {
     let mut h = Harness::new();
     h.app.preferences.auto_operation = false;
+    h.app.preferences.browser_components_open = true;
     h
 }
 
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/tests/scenarios/browser_bodies_folders.json b/crates/ui-egui/tests/scenarios/browser_bodies_folders.json
index b45898baa2..465ecb0393 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/tests/scenarios/browser_bodies_folders.json
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/tests/scenarios/browser_bodies_folders.json
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 [
+  {"call": "ui.prefs", "params": {"browser_components_open": true}},
   {"note": "Bodies folders (#4217, Preferences › Interface): a nested assembly of plain boxes. Frame:1 holds the body Plate and the placement Pin:1, which holds the body Shaft. The design itself has no bodies, so every Bodies row is a component's."},
   {"note": "Each row's indent handle is where its depth puts it, so their order shows each row's depth."},
   {"call": "engine.execute", "params": {"command": "component.create", "params": {"name": "Frame"}}},
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/tests/scenarios/browser_chevrons.json b/crates/ui-egui/tests/scenarios/browser_chevrons.json
index 5a6b36a8f0..4467dc9973 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/tests/scenarios/browser_chevrons.json
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/tests/scenarios/browser_chevrons.json
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 [
+  {"call": "ui.prefs", "params": {"browser_components_open": true}},
  {
   "note": "A design with every kind of browser folder: bodies in a group, a component, a sketch, a construction plane, a canvas and named views."
  },
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/tests/scenarios/s37_browser_chevrons.json b/crates/ui-egui/tests/scenarios/s37_browser_chevrons.json
index 786335986e..764cfd59a4 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/tests/scenarios/s37_browser_chevrons.json
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/tests/scenarios/s37_browser_chevrons.json
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 [
+  {"call": "ui.prefs", "params": {"browser_components_open": true}},
  {
   "note": "Browser chevrons expand and collapse every kind of node (folders, components, groups, the origin, named views, document settings). Model: two components with a body each, a joint, a sketch, an offset plane, a named view."
  },
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/tests/scenarios/s61_occurrence_browser.json b/crates/ui-egui/tests/scenarios/s61_occurrence_browser.json
index d5f3aa102e..b344672a97 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/tests/scenarios/s61_occurrence_browser.json
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/tests/scenarios/s61_occurrence_browser.json
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@
   {"expect":{"shown":"(55.00, 5.00, 5.00) mm","query":{"command":"occurrence.properties","params":{"occurrence":4,"path":[4]},"path":["total","center_of_mass",0],"value":55}}},
   {"shot":"second_occurrence_properties"},
   {"click":{"handle":"eye:occurrence:4"}},
+  {"note":"Placements start closed (#9274): the fold arrow opens the row, then folds it again."},
+  {"click":{"handle":"fold:occurrence:4"}},
   {"click":{"handle":"fold:occurrence:4"}},
   {"shot":"second_occurrence_hidden_folded"},
   {"click":{"handle":"eye:occurrence:4"}},
diff --git a/docs/book/src/guide/ui-tour.md b/docs/book/src/guide/ui-tour.md
index 20f876f23a..2462420015 100644
--- a/docs/book/src/guide/ui-tour.md
+++ b/docs/book/src/guide/ui-tour.md
@@ -28,7 +28,10 @@
   puts it back beside the fold arrow; press an eye and drag up or down over other eyes to show or hide them all at once, as one undo step), a component's radio button makes it the active component,
   and right-clicking any row gives that item's menu. Right-click the design or a component and choose **Expand All** or
   **Collapse All** to open or close every folder under that row (the design row stays visible
-  when the whole tree is collapsed). Rows drag into groups and other components. **Preferences ›
+  when the whole tree is collapsed). Components start closed, so a large assembly opens as a
+  short list; open one with its fold arrow, or use **Find in Browser** on a body to open the rows
+  down to it (**Preferences › Interface › Components start open** opens every component from the
+  start, as before). Rows drag into groups and other components. **Preferences ›
   Interface › Bodies folders** sets when a component's bodies sit in a Bodies folder of their own:
   **Several bodies only** (the default) lists a component's body straight under it when it has
   only one and no groups, **Never** lists every component's bodies and groups straight under it
diff --git a/docs/control-protocol.md b/docs/control-protocol.md
index 834d85d3d9..b3e95e8e0b 100644
--- a/docs/control-protocol.md
+++ b/docs/control-protocol.md
@@ -468,6 +468,7 @@ One setting per line, sorted by name. A change that adds a setting adds its own
 - `assembly_move_handles` (default true): explicit Assembly Move uses the permitted joint-motion handles; false keeps the previous Move panel.
 - `auto_operation` (default true: feature windows choose Join, New Body or Cut from what their material touches until one is picked; false: each keeps the operation it opens with, Extrude its own Join or Cut)
 - `browser_bodies_folders` (`several` (default): a component with one body and no groups lists it straight under the component in the browser, without a Bodies folder; `always`; `never`: components list their bodies and groups straight under them, and the folder's menu items are on the component's menu; the design's own Bodies folder, and one hidden with its eye, always show; #4217)
+- `browser_components_open` (default false: each component placement in the browser starts closed until it is opened, by its fold arrow, Expand All or Find in Browser; true: every placement starts open, as before #9274)
 - `browser_eye_left` (default false: each browser and History tree row's eye, handle `eye:<name>`, sits in a column at the rows' right end, clear of the fold arrow and the radio; true: between them, as before #8718)
 - `check_updates` (default true; [updates](book/src/guide/updates.md))
 - `color_vision` (`off` (default), `protan`, `deutan`, `tritan`: colour vision modes, #778)