diff --git a/application/alembic/versions/0016_conversation_visibility.py b/application/alembic/versions/0016_conversation_visibility.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..403759b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/application/alembic/versions/0016_conversation_visibility.py
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+"""0016 conversation visibility — separate "persisted" from "shown in sidebar".
+
+Adds ``conversations.visibility`` (``listed`` | ``hidden``) so a conversation
+can be stored without surfacing in the owner's sidebar. Until now display was
+inferred from identity columns: ``(api_key IS NULL OR agent_id IS NOT NULL)``.
+The backfill reproduces that exact predicate so existing sidebars are
+unchanged; new rows set the value explicitly at write time.
+
+Revision ID: 0016_conversation_visibility
+Revises: 0015_token_usage_model_id
+"""
+
+from typing import Sequence, Union
+
+from alembic import op
+
+
+revision: str = "0016_conversation_visibility"
+down_revision: Union[str, None] = "0015_token_usage_model_id"
+branch_labels: Union[str, Sequence[str], None] = None
+depends_on: Union[str, Sequence[str], None] = None
+
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    op.execute(
+        "ALTER TABLE conversations "
+        "ADD COLUMN visibility TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT 'listed';"
+    )
+    # NOT VALID first so the ACCESS EXCLUSIVE lock doesn't scan the table;
+    # VALIDATE then runs under a weaker lock that allows concurrent reads/writes.
+    op.execute(
+        "ALTER TABLE conversations "
+        "ADD CONSTRAINT conversations_visibility_chk "
+        "CHECK (visibility IN ('listed', 'hidden')) NOT VALID;"
+    )
+    op.execute(
+        "ALTER TABLE conversations VALIDATE CONSTRAINT conversations_visibility_chk;"
+    )
+    # Preserve current sidebars: the old display heuristic showed a
+    # conversation when (api_key IS NULL OR agent_id IS NOT NULL); hide the rest.
+    op.execute(
+        "UPDATE conversations SET visibility = 'hidden' "
+        "WHERE NOT (api_key IS NULL OR agent_id IS NOT NULL);"
+    )
+    # Matches the sidebar query: user_id + visibility, newest first.
+    op.execute(
+        "CREATE INDEX conversations_user_listed_idx "
+        'ON conversations (user_id, date DESC) '
+        "WHERE visibility = 'listed';"
+    )
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    op.execute("DROP INDEX IF EXISTS conversations_user_listed_idx;")
+    op.execute(
+        "ALTER TABLE conversations "
+        "DROP CONSTRAINT IF EXISTS conversations_visibility_chk;"
+    )
+    op.execute("ALTER TABLE conversations DROP COLUMN IF EXISTS visibility;")
diff --git a/application/api/answer/routes/answer.py b/application/api/answer/routes/answer.py
index f1d25a1c..1e869c47 100644
--- a/application/api/answer/routes/answer.py
+++ b/application/api/answer/routes/answer.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ from application.api import api
 
 from application.api.answer.routes.base import answer_ns, BaseAnswerResource
 
+from application.api.answer.services.persistence_policy import resolve_persistence
 from application.api.answer.services.stream_processor import StreamProcessor
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -117,6 +118,12 @@ class AnswerResource(Resource, BaseAnswerResource):
                 if error := self.check_usage(processor.agent_config):
                     return error
 
+                should_persist, visibility = resolve_persistence(
+                    display_flag=data.get("save_conversation"),
+                    api_key=data.get("api_key"),
+                    is_shared_usage=processor.is_shared_usage,
+                    persist_flag=data.get("persist"),
+                )
                 stream = self.complete_stream(
                     question=data["question"],
                     agent=agent,
@@ -125,7 +132,8 @@ class AnswerResource(Resource, BaseAnswerResource):
                     decoded_token=processor.decoded_token,
                     isNoneDoc=data.get("isNoneDoc"),
                     index=None,
-                    should_save_conversation=data.get("save_conversation", True),
+                    should_persist=should_persist,
+                    visibility=visibility,
                     agent_id=processor.agent_id,
                     is_shared_usage=processor.is_shared_usage,
                     shared_token=processor.shared_token,
diff --git a/application/api/answer/routes/base.py b/application/api/answer/routes/base.py
index 2f95d10c..4b4a5d03 100644
--- a/application/api/answer/routes/base.py
+++ b/application/api/answer/routes/base.py
@@ -183,7 +183,8 @@ class BaseAnswerResource:
         decoded_token: Dict[str, Any],
         isNoneDoc: bool = False,
         index: Optional[int] = None,
-        should_save_conversation: bool = True,
+        should_persist: bool = True,
+        visibility: str = "listed",
         attachment_ids: Optional[List[str]] = None,
         agent_id: Optional[str] = None,
         is_shared_usage: bool = False,
@@ -204,7 +205,8 @@ class BaseAnswerResource:
             decoded_token: Decoded JWT token
             isNoneDoc: Flag for document-less responses
             index: Index of message to update
-            should_save_conversation: Whether to persist the conversation
+            should_persist: Whether to persist the conversation
+            visibility: ``listed`` (sidebar) or ``hidden`` for a new conversation
             attachment_ids: List of attachment IDs
             agent_id: ID of agent used
             is_shared_usage: Flag for shared agent usage
@@ -232,7 +234,7 @@ class BaseAnswerResource:
         # mid-stream still leaves the question queryable. Continuations
         # reuse the original placeholder.
         reserved_message_id: Optional[str] = None
-        wal_eligible = should_save_conversation and not _continuation
+        wal_eligible = should_persist and not _continuation
         if wal_eligible:
             try:
                 reservation = self.conversation_service.save_user_question(
@@ -244,6 +246,7 @@ class BaseAnswerResource:
                     agent_id=agent_id,
                     is_shared_usage=is_shared_usage,
                     shared_token=shared_token,
+                    visibility=visibility,
                     model_id=model_id or self.default_model_id,
                     request_id=request_id,
                     index=index,
@@ -489,7 +492,7 @@ class BaseAnswerResource:
                 continuation = getattr(agent, "_pending_continuation", None)
                 if continuation:
                     # First-turn pause needs a conversation row to attach to.
-                    if not conversation_id and should_save_conversation:
+                    if not conversation_id and should_persist:
                         try:
                             provider = (
                                 get_provider_from_model_id(
@@ -531,6 +534,7 @@ class BaseAnswerResource:
                                     agent_id=agent_id,
                                     is_shared_usage=is_shared_usage,
                                     shared_token=shared_token,
+                                    visibility=visibility,
                                 )
                             )
                         except Exception as e:
@@ -678,7 +682,7 @@ class BaseAnswerResource:
             # Title-gen only; agent stream tokens live on ``agent.llm``.
             llm._token_usage_source = "title"
 
-            if should_save_conversation:
+            if should_persist:
                 if reserved_message_id is not None:
                     self.conversation_service.finalize_message(
                         reserved_message_id,
@@ -717,6 +721,7 @@ class BaseAnswerResource:
                         shared_token=shared_token,
                         attachment_ids=attachment_ids,
                         metadata=query_metadata if query_metadata else None,
+                        visibility=visibility,
                     )
                 # Persist compression metadata/summary if it exists and wasn't saved mid-execution
                 compression_meta = getattr(agent, "compression_metadata", None)
@@ -823,7 +828,7 @@ class BaseAnswerResource:
             # else journal ``error`` so a reconnecting client sees a
             # failed terminal state instead of a blank "success".
             finalized_complete = False
-            if should_save_conversation and response_full:
+            if should_persist and response_full:
                 try:
                     if isNoneDoc:
                         for doc in source_log_docs:
@@ -903,6 +908,7 @@ class BaseAnswerResource:
                             shared_token=shared_token,
                             attachment_ids=attachment_ids,
                             metadata=query_metadata if query_metadata else None,
+                            visibility=visibility,
                         )
                         # No journal row to gate, but flag the save as
                         # successful for symmetry with the WAL path.
diff --git a/application/api/answer/routes/stream.py b/application/api/answer/routes/stream.py
index 1e7c4c69..18abb158 100644
--- a/application/api/answer/routes/stream.py
+++ b/application/api/answer/routes/stream.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ from application.api import api
 
 from application.api.answer.routes.base import answer_ns, BaseAnswerResource
 
+from application.api.answer.services.persistence_policy import resolve_persistence
 from application.api.answer.services.stream_processor import StreamProcessor
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -135,6 +136,12 @@ class StreamResource(Resource, BaseAnswerResource):
 
             if error := self.check_usage(processor.agent_config):
                 return error
+            should_persist, visibility = resolve_persistence(
+                display_flag=data.get("save_conversation"),
+                api_key=data.get("api_key"),
+                is_shared_usage=processor.is_shared_usage,
+                persist_flag=data.get("persist"),
+            )
             return Response(
                 self.complete_stream(
                     question=data["question"],
@@ -144,7 +151,8 @@ class StreamResource(Resource, BaseAnswerResource):
                     decoded_token=processor.decoded_token,
                     isNoneDoc=data.get("isNoneDoc"),
                     index=data.get("index"),
-                    should_save_conversation=data.get("save_conversation", True),
+                    should_persist=should_persist,
+                    visibility=visibility,
                     attachment_ids=data.get("attachments", []),
                     agent_id=processor.agent_id,
                     is_shared_usage=processor.is_shared_usage,
diff --git a/application/api/answer/services/conversation_service.py b/application/api/answer/services/conversation_service.py
index 68d317cc..cedb94cc 100644
--- a/application/api/answer/services/conversation_service.py
+++ b/application/api/answer/services/conversation_service.py
@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ class ConversationService:
         shared_token: Optional[str] = None,
         attachment_ids: Optional[List[str]] = None,
         metadata: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None,
+        visibility: str = "listed",
     ) -> str:
         """Save or update a conversation in Postgres.
 
@@ -182,6 +183,7 @@ class ConversationService:
                         if (resolved_agent_id and is_shared_usage)
                         else None
                     ),
+                    visibility=visibility,
                 )
                 conv_pg_id = str(conv["id"])
                 append_payload = dict(message_payload)
@@ -202,6 +204,7 @@ class ConversationService:
         shared_token: Optional[str] = None,
         model_id: Optional[str] = None,
         request_id: Optional[str] = None,
+        visibility: str = "listed",
         status: str = "pending",
         index: Optional[int] = None,
     ) -> Dict[str, str]:
@@ -257,6 +260,7 @@ class ConversationService:
                         if (resolved_agent_id and is_shared_usage)
                         else None
                     ),
+                    visibility=visibility,
                 )
                 conv_pg_id = str(conv["id"])
 
diff --git a/application/api/answer/services/persistence_policy.py b/application/api/answer/services/persistence_policy.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c943a2ac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/application/api/answer/services/persistence_policy.py
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+"""Resolve whether an answer is persisted and whether it lists in the sidebar.
+
+Persistence (is a row written at all?) and visibility (does it show in the
+owner's sidebar?) used to be one decision driven by the request-level
+``save_conversation`` flag plus an identity heuristic. They are now separate:
+conversations persist by default everywhere, while ``save_conversation`` only
+controls sidebar visibility.
+"""
+
+from typing import Optional, Tuple
+
+VISIBILITY_LISTED = "listed"
+VISIBILITY_HIDDEN = "hidden"
+
+
+def resolve_persistence(
+    *,
+    display_flag: Optional[bool],
+    api_key: Optional[str] = None,
+    is_shared_usage: bool = False,
+    persist_flag: Optional[bool] = None,
+) -> Tuple[bool, str]:
+    """Resolve ``(should_persist, visibility)`` for an answer request.
+
+    Args:
+        display_flag: Request-level ``save_conversation`` (``None`` if the
+            caller omitted it). Forces visibility on/off when provided.
+        api_key: Present for programmatic/agent callers (including the
+            OpenAI-compatible ``/v1`` endpoint), absent for first-party
+            session users.
+        is_shared_usage: True for shared-agent/widget traffic.
+        persist_flag: Explicit persistence opt-out (``False`` to skip writing
+            a row, e.g. stateless tool rounds that would orphan one). ``None``
+            keeps the always-persist default.
+
+    Returns:
+        ``(should_persist, visibility)`` where ``visibility`` is
+        ``"listed"`` or ``"hidden"``.
+    """
+    should_persist = True if persist_flag is None else bool(persist_flag)
+    # Only genuine first-party interactive turns default to the sidebar.
+    default_display = api_key is None and not is_shared_usage
+    display = default_display if display_flag is None else bool(display_flag)
+    visibility = VISIBILITY_LISTED if display else VISIBILITY_HIDDEN
+    return should_persist, visibility
diff --git a/application/api/user/conversations/routes.py b/application/api/user/conversations/routes.py
index 239aba20..b723e6a6 100644
--- a/application/api/user/conversations/routes.py
+++ b/application/api/user/conversations/routes.py
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ class DeleteAllConversations(Resource):
 @conversations_ns.route("/get_conversations")
 class GetConversations(Resource):
     @api.doc(
-        description="Retrieve a list of the latest 30 conversations (excluding API key conversations)",
+        description="Retrieve a list of the latest 30 sidebar conversations (visibility = listed)",
     )
     def get(self):
         decoded_token = request.decoded_token
diff --git a/application/api/v1/routes.py b/application/api/v1/routes.py
index 1b4bfb72..e0084187 100644
--- a/application/api/v1/routes.py
+++ b/application/api/v1/routes.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ from typing import Any, Dict, Generator, Optional
 from flask import Blueprint, jsonify, make_response, request, Response
 
 from application.api.answer.routes.base import BaseAnswerResource
+from application.api.answer.services.persistence_policy import resolve_persistence
 from application.api.answer.services.stream_processor import StreamProcessor
 from application.api.v1.translator import (
     translate_request,
@@ -157,7 +158,14 @@ def chat_completions():
         if usage_error:
             return usage_error
 
-        should_save_conversation = bool(internal_data.get("save_conversation", False))
+        # v1 always persists (unless the translator opted out for a stateless
+        # tool round); the agent owner's sidebar only lists it on explicit
+        # ``docsgpt.save_conversation: true``.
+        should_persist, visibility = resolve_persistence(
+            display_flag=internal_data.get("save_conversation"),
+            api_key=internal_data.get("api_key"),
+            persist_flag=internal_data.get("persist"),
+        )
         # Only strip leaked reasoning from content for structured requests -- the
         # only path where models echo reasoning into content -- so legitimate
         # answers that mention the marker text are never corrupted.
@@ -174,7 +182,8 @@ def chat_completions():
                     processor,
                     model_name,
                     continuation,
-                    should_save_conversation,
+                    should_persist,
+                    visibility,
                     strip_reasoning_leak,
                 ),
                 mimetype="text/event-stream",
@@ -191,7 +200,8 @@ def chat_completions():
                 processor,
                 model_name,
                 continuation,
-                should_save_conversation,
+                should_persist,
+                visibility,
                 strip_reasoning_leak,
             )
 
@@ -222,7 +232,8 @@ def _stream_response(
     processor: StreamProcessor,
     model_name: str,
     continuation: Optional[Dict],
-    should_save_conversation: bool,
+    should_persist: bool,
+    visibility: str,
     strip_reasoning_leak: bool = False,
 ) -> Generator[str, None, None]:
     """Generate translated SSE chunks for streaming response."""
@@ -237,7 +248,8 @@ def _stream_response(
         agent_id=processor.agent_id,
         model_id=processor.model_id,
         model_user_id=processor.model_user_id,
-        should_save_conversation=should_save_conversation,
+        should_persist=should_persist,
+        visibility=visibility,
         _continuation=continuation,
     )
 
@@ -285,7 +297,8 @@ def _non_stream_response(
     processor: StreamProcessor,
     model_name: str,
     continuation: Optional[Dict],
-    should_save_conversation: bool,
+    should_persist: bool,
+    visibility: str,
     strip_reasoning_leak: bool = False,
 ) -> Response:
     """Collect full response and return as single JSON."""
@@ -298,7 +311,8 @@ def _non_stream_response(
         agent_id=processor.agent_id,
         model_id=processor.model_id,
         model_user_id=processor.model_user_id,
-        should_save_conversation=should_save_conversation,
+        should_persist=should_persist,
+        visibility=visibility,
         _continuation=continuation,
     )
 
diff --git a/application/api/v1/translator.py b/application/api/v1/translator.py
index 94b4f9e7..349e1883 100644
--- a/application/api/v1/translator.py
+++ b/application/api/v1/translator.py
@@ -263,13 +263,15 @@ def translate_request(
             # rebuilt from the resent messages instead of server-side state.
             "messages": messages,
         }
-        # Stateful continuations (with a conversation_id) default to True so the
-        # final turn / WAL row is persisted. Stateless continuations (no
-        # conversation_id, e.g. opencode) default to False — otherwise every
-        # tool round persists an orphan conversation with an empty question. An
-        # explicit ``docsgpt.save_conversation`` override is honoured either way.
+        # Persistence: stateful continuations (carrying a conversation_id)
+        # persist the final turn; stateless ones (no conversation_id, e.g.
+        # opencode) skip it, else every tool round writes an orphan conversation
+        # with an empty question. ``docsgpt.persist`` overrides. Visibility is
+        # separate — hidden unless ``docsgpt.save_conversation`` opts in.
+        docsgpt_ext = data.get("docsgpt", {})
+        result["persist"] = bool(docsgpt_ext.get("persist", bool(conversation_id)))
         result["save_conversation"] = bool(
-            data.get("docsgpt", {}).get("save_conversation", bool(conversation_id))
+            docsgpt_ext.get("save_conversation", False)
         )
         # Carry tools forward for next iteration
         if data.get("tools"):
@@ -303,8 +305,8 @@ def translate_request(
         "question": question,
         "api_key": api_key,
         "history": json.dumps(history),
-        # Conversations are NOT persisted by default on the v1 endpoint.
-        # Callers opt in via ``docsgpt.save_conversation: true``.
+        # v1 conversations always persist; ``save_conversation`` only controls
+        # whether they list in the agent owner's sidebar (default hidden).
         "save_conversation": bool(docsgpt.get("save_conversation", False)),
     }
 
diff --git a/application/storage/db/models.py b/application/storage/db/models.py
index 8cccf97d..b0c96d7f 100644
--- a/application/storage/db/models.py
+++ b/application/storage/db/models.py
@@ -326,6 +326,9 @@ conversations_table = Table(
     Column("is_shared_usage", Boolean, nullable=False, server_default="false"),
     Column("shared_token", Text),
     Column("shared_with", ARRAY(Text), nullable=False, server_default="{}"),
+    # "listed" shows in the owner's sidebar; "hidden" persists silently
+    # (agent/API/OpenAI-compat traffic). See migration 0016.
+    Column("visibility", Text, nullable=False, server_default="listed"),
     Column("compression_metadata", JSONB),
     Column("date", DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=False, server_default=func.now()),
     Column("created_at", DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=False, server_default=func.now()),
diff --git a/application/storage/db/repositories/conversations.py b/application/storage/db/repositories/conversations.py
index 2e7c2c35..b8e3ee25 100644
--- a/application/storage/db/repositories/conversations.py
+++ b/application/storage/db/repositories/conversations.py
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ class MessageUpdateOutcome(str, Enum):
 def _message_row_to_dict(row) -> dict:
     """Like ``row_to_dict`` but renames the DB column ``message_metadata``
     back to the public API key ``metadata`` so callers keep the Mongo-era
-    shape. See migration 0016 for the column rename rationale."""
+    shape. See migration 0001_initial for the column rename rationale."""
     out = row_to_dict(row)
     if "message_metadata" in out:
         out["metadata"] = out.pop("message_metadata")
@@ -149,6 +149,7 @@ class ConversationsRepository:
         api_key: str | None = None,
         is_shared_usage: bool = False,
         shared_token: str | None = None,
+        visibility: str = "listed",
         legacy_mongo_id: str | None = None,
     ) -> dict:
         """Create a new conversation.
@@ -162,6 +163,7 @@ class ConversationsRepository:
         values: dict = {
             "user_id": user_id,
             "name": name,
+            "visibility": visibility,
         }
         # ``agent_id`` may arrive as a Mongo ObjectId during the dual-write
         # window; resolve to a UUID (or drop silently if not yet backfilled).
@@ -247,15 +249,16 @@ class ConversationsRepository:
         return row_to_dict(row) if row is not None else None
 
     def list_for_user(self, user_id: str, limit: int = 30) -> list[dict]:
-        """List conversations for a user, most recent first.
+        """List a user's sidebar conversations, most recent first.
 
-        Mirrors the Mongo query: either no api_key or agent_id exists.
+        Only ``visibility = 'listed'`` rows surface; agent/API/OpenAI-compat
+        traffic persists as ``'hidden'`` and is excluded.
         """
         result = self._conn.execute(
             text(
                 "SELECT * FROM conversations "
                 "WHERE user_id = :user_id "
-                "AND (api_key IS NULL OR agent_id IS NOT NULL) "
+                "AND visibility = 'listed' "
                 "ORDER BY date DESC LIMIT :limit"
             ),
             {"user_id": user_id, "limit": limit},
@@ -302,7 +305,7 @@ class ConversationsRepository:
                 "  LIMIT 1 "
                 ") mt ON TRUE "
                 "WHERE c.user_id = :user_id "
-                "AND (c.api_key IS NULL OR c.agent_id IS NOT NULL) "
+                "AND c.visibility = 'listed' "
                 "ORDER BY c.date DESC LIMIT :limit"
             ),
             {
diff --git a/tests/api/answer/routes/test_base.py b/tests/api/answer/routes/test_base.py
index 0f1b48ca..63745692 100644
--- a/tests/api/answer/routes/test_base.py
+++ b/tests/api/answer/routes/test_base.py
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamMethod:
                     conversation_id=None,
                     user_api_key=None,
                     decoded_token=decoded_token,
-                    should_save_conversation=False,
+                    should_persist=False,
                 )
             )
 
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamMethod:
                     conversation_id=None,
                     user_api_key=None,
                     decoded_token=decoded_token,
-                    should_save_conversation=False,
+                    should_persist=False,
                 )
             )
 
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamMethod:
                     conversation_id=None,
                     user_api_key=None,
                     decoded_token=decoded_token,
-                    should_save_conversation=False,
+                    should_persist=False,
                 )
             )
 
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamMethod:
                         conversation_id=None,
                         user_api_key=None,
                         decoded_token=decoded_token,
-                        should_save_conversation=True,
+                        should_persist=True,
                     )
                 )
 
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamMethod:
                         conversation_id=None,  # caller had no conv yet
                         user_api_key=None,
                         decoded_token={"sub": "user-prop"},
-                        should_save_conversation=True,
+                        should_persist=True,
                     )
                 )
 
@@ -330,7 +330,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamMethod:
                 conversation_id="conv-1",
                 user_api_key=None,
                 decoded_token={"sub": "user123"},
-                should_save_conversation=True,
+                should_persist=True,
             )
         )
 
diff --git a/tests/api/answer/services/test_persistence_policy.py b/tests/api/answer/services/test_persistence_policy.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d3bde387
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/api/answer/services/test_persistence_policy.py
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+"""Unit tests for ``resolve_persistence`` (persist + sidebar visibility)."""
+
+import pytest
+
+from application.api.answer.services.persistence_policy import (
+    VISIBILITY_HIDDEN,
+    VISIBILITY_LISTED,
+    resolve_persistence,
+)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+class TestResolvePersistence:
+    def test_first_party_default_lists(self):
+        persist, visibility = resolve_persistence(display_flag=None)
+        assert persist is True
+        assert visibility == VISIBILITY_LISTED
+
+    def test_api_key_caller_defaults_hidden(self):
+        persist, visibility = resolve_persistence(display_flag=None, api_key="k-1")
+        assert persist is True
+        assert visibility == VISIBILITY_HIDDEN
+
+    def test_shared_usage_defaults_hidden(self):
+        _, visibility = resolve_persistence(display_flag=None, is_shared_usage=True)
+        assert visibility == VISIBILITY_HIDDEN
+
+    def test_explicit_display_true_lists_api_key_caller(self):
+        _, visibility = resolve_persistence(display_flag=True, api_key="k-1")
+        assert visibility == VISIBILITY_LISTED
+
+    def test_explicit_display_false_hides_first_party(self):
+        persist, visibility = resolve_persistence(display_flag=False)
+        # Still persisted, just not shown in the sidebar.
+        assert persist is True
+        assert visibility == VISIBILITY_HIDDEN
+
+    def test_persist_opt_out(self):
+        persist, _ = resolve_persistence(display_flag=None, persist_flag=False)
+        assert persist is False
+
+    def test_persist_defaults_true_for_hidden_api_caller(self):
+        persist, _ = resolve_persistence(display_flag=False, api_key="k-1")
+        assert persist is True
diff --git a/tests/api/answer/test_base_routes.py b/tests/api/answer/test_base_routes.py
index 1c4a7f9a..8da90cc3 100644
--- a/tests/api/answer/test_base_routes.py
+++ b/tests/api/answer/test_base_routes.py
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamToolCalls:
                     conversation_id=None,
                     user_api_key=None,
                     decoded_token={"sub": "u"},
-                    should_save_conversation=False,
+                    should_persist=False,
                 )
             )
             tool_chunks = [s for s in stream if '"type": "tool_calls"' in s]
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamToolCalls:
                     conversation_id=None,
                     user_api_key=None,
                     decoded_token={"sub": "u"},
-                    should_save_conversation=False,
+                    should_persist=False,
                 )
             )
             thought_chunks = [s for s in stream if '"type": "thought"' in s]
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamStructuredOutput:
                     conversation_id=None,
                     user_api_key=None,
                     decoded_token={"sub": "u"},
-                    should_save_conversation=False,
+                    should_persist=False,
                 )
             )
             structured_chunks = [
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamMetadata:
                     conversation_id=None,
                     user_api_key=None,
                     decoded_token={"sub": "u"},
-                    should_save_conversation=False,
+                    should_persist=False,
                 )
             )
             # Should not crash, metadata handled silently
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamIsNoneDoc:
                     user_api_key=None,
                     decoded_token={"sub": "u"},
                     isNoneDoc=True,
-                    should_save_conversation=False,
+                    should_persist=False,
                 )
             )
             # Verify stream completes without error
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamErrorType:
                     conversation_id=None,
                     user_api_key=None,
                     decoded_token={"sub": "u"},
-                    should_save_conversation=False,
+                    should_persist=False,
                 )
             )
             error_chunks = [s for s in stream if '"type": "error"' in s]
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamErrorType:
                     conversation_id=None,
                     user_api_key=None,
                     decoded_token={"sub": "u"},
-                    should_save_conversation=False,
+                    should_persist=False,
                 )
             )
             custom_chunks = [s for s in stream if '"type": "custom_event"' in s]
@@ -426,7 +426,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamCompressionMetadata:
                     conversation_id=None,
                     user_api_key=None,
                     decoded_token={"sub": "u"},
-                    should_save_conversation=True,
+                    should_persist=True,
                     model_id="gpt-4",
                 )
             )
@@ -470,7 +470,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamCompressionMetadata:
                     conversation_id=None,
                     user_api_key=None,
                     decoded_token={"sub": "u"},
-                    should_save_conversation=True,
+                    should_persist=True,
                     model_id="gpt-4",
                 )
             )
@@ -501,7 +501,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamLogTruncation:
                     conversation_id=None,
                     user_api_key=None,
                     decoded_token={"sub": "u"},
-                    should_save_conversation=False,
+                    should_persist=False,
                 )
             )
 
@@ -545,7 +545,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamGeneratorExit:
                 conversation_id="conv1",
                 user_api_key=None,
                 decoded_token={"sub": "u"},
-                should_save_conversation=True,
+                should_persist=True,
                 model_id="gpt-4",
             )
 
@@ -586,7 +586,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamGeneratorExit:
                 conversation_id="conv1",
                 user_api_key=None,
                 decoded_token={"sub": "u"},
-                should_save_conversation=True,
+                should_persist=True,
                 model_id="gpt-4",
                 isNoneDoc=True,
             )
@@ -628,7 +628,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamGeneratorExit:
                 conversation_id="conv1",
                 user_api_key=None,
                 decoded_token={"sub": "u"},
-                should_save_conversation=True,
+                should_persist=True,
                 model_id="gpt-4",
             )
 
@@ -688,7 +688,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamGeneratorExit:
                     conversation_id="conv1",
                     user_api_key=None,
                     decoded_token={"sub": "u"},
-                    should_save_conversation=True,
+                    should_persist=True,
                     model_id="gpt-4",
                 )
                 # Drain the early ``message_id`` event, then close before
@@ -770,7 +770,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamGeneratorExit:
                     conversation_id="conv1",
                     user_api_key=None,
                     decoded_token={"sub": "u"},
-                    should_save_conversation=True,
+                    should_persist=True,
                     model_id="gpt-4",
                 )
                 next(gen)  # message_id frame
@@ -850,7 +850,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamGeneratorExit:
                     conversation_id="conv1",
                     user_api_key=None,
                     decoded_token={"sub": "u"},
-                    should_save_conversation=True,
+                    should_persist=True,
                     model_id="gpt-4",
                 )
                 next(gen)  # message_id frame
@@ -951,7 +951,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamWalAcceptance:
                         conversation_id=None,
                         user_api_key=None,
                         decoded_token={"sub": "u-acceptance"},
-                        should_save_conversation=True,
+                        should_persist=True,
                         model_id="gpt-4",
                     )
                 )
@@ -1023,7 +1023,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamWalAcceptance:
                         conversation_id=None,
                         user_api_key=None,
                         decoded_token={"sub": "u-tap"},
-                        should_save_conversation=True,
+                        should_persist=True,
                         model_id="gpt-4",
                     )
                 )
@@ -1103,7 +1103,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamWalAcceptance:
                         conversation_id=str(conv_id),
                         user_api_key=None,
                         decoded_token={"sub": user_id},
-                        should_save_conversation=True,
+                        should_persist=True,
                         model_id="gpt-4",
                         _continuation={
                             "messages": [],
@@ -1153,7 +1153,7 @@ class TestCompleteStreamWalAcceptance:
                         conversation_id=None,
                         user_api_key=None,
                         decoded_token={"sub": "u-request-id"},
-                        should_save_conversation=True,
+                        should_persist=True,
                         model_id="gpt-4",
                     )
                 )
@@ -1215,7 +1215,7 @@ class TestStreamingHeartbeatSeed:
                     conversation_id="conv1",
                     user_api_key=None,
                     decoded_token={"sub": "u"},
-                    should_save_conversation=True,
+                    should_persist=True,
                     model_id="gpt-4",
                 )
             )
@@ -1270,7 +1270,7 @@ class TestStreamingHeartbeatSeed:
                     conversation_id="conv1",
                     user_api_key=None,
                     decoded_token={"sub": "u"},
-                    should_save_conversation=True,
+                    should_persist=True,
                     model_id="gpt-4",
                 )
             )
diff --git a/tests/e2e/specs/tier-a/chat-turn.spec.ts b/tests/e2e/specs/tier-a/chat-turn.spec.ts
index b8108730..f2871304 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/specs/tier-a/chat-turn.spec.ts
+++ b/tests/e2e/specs/tier-a/chat-turn.spec.ts
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ test.describe('tier-a · chat turn save', () => {
     }
   });
 
-  test('save_conversation=false skips all four tables', async ({ browser }) => {
+  test('save_conversation=false persists a hidden conversation (kept out of the sidebar)', async ({ browser }) => {
     const { sub, token } = await newUserContext(browser);
 
     // Sanity: the user has nothing yet.
@@ -266,23 +266,30 @@ test.describe('tier-a · chat turn save', () => {
       isNoneDoc: true,
     });
     expect(result.status).toBe(200);
-    // When save_conversation=false the route emits `{"type":"id","id":"None"}`
-    // (stringified None) — no real UUID persisted.
-    expect(result.conversationId).toBe('None');
+    // save_conversation now controls sidebar visibility, not persistence:
+    // the turn persists, so a real conversation UUID is emitted.
+    expect(result.conversationId).toMatch(
+      /^[0-9a-f]{8}-[0-9a-f]{4}-[0-9a-f]{4}-[0-9a-f]{4}-[0-9a-f]{12}$/i,
+    );
 
-    // Key invariant: conversations + conversation_messages must be empty
-    // for this user. token_usage still fires (it's per-LLM-call, not per
-    // conversation); user_logs also fires (audit log). We only assert on
-    // the two "persistent chat state" tables.
+    // The conversation + its messages persist...
     expect(
       await countRows('conversations', {
         sql: 'user_id = $1',
         params: [sub],
       }),
-    ).toBe(0);
-
+    ).toBe(1);
     const msgs = await fetchMessagesForUser(sub);
-    expect(msgs).toHaveLength(0);
+    expect(msgs.length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+
+    // ...but it is hidden, so it never surfaces in the sidebar
+    // (list_for_user filters visibility = 'listed').
+    expect(
+      await countRows('conversations', {
+        sql: "user_id = $1 AND visibility = 'listed'",
+        params: [sub],
+      }),
+    ).toBe(0);
   });
 
   test('silent-break: two concurrent /stream calls on the same conversation_id — neither 500s and positions stay unique', async ({
diff --git a/tests/e2e/specs/tier-b/agent-preview.spec.ts b/tests/e2e/specs/tier-b/agent-preview.spec.ts
index 0b86f0fd..dd1a536d 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/specs/tier-b/agent-preview.spec.ts
+++ b/tests/e2e/specs/tier-b/agent-preview.spec.ts
@@ -1,27 +1,26 @@
 /**
- * Tier-B · agent preview does NOT persist conversations
+ * Tier-B · agent preview persists a HIDDEN conversation
  *
  * Covers B14. The preview flow in `frontend/src/agents/agentPreviewSlice.ts`
- * calls `handleFetchAnswerSteaming(..., save_conversation=false)` — see the
- * `false` positional arg at line 126. That flag flows through
- * `POST /stream` (application/api/answer/routes/stream.py:55-59,142) into
- * `BaseAnswerResource.complete_stream(should_save_conversation=...)`
- * (application/api/answer/routes/base.py:174,290,389,479), where the
- * branches that insert `conversations` / `conversation_messages` rows are
- * gated on `should_save_conversation`.
+ * calls `handleFetchAnswerSteaming(..., save_conversation=false)`. As of the
+ * conversation-visibility change, `save_conversation` no longer gates
+ * persistence — it controls sidebar visibility only. A preview turn therefore
+ * persists a `conversations` row with `visibility = 'hidden'` (decided by
+ * `resolve_persistence` in
+ * application/api/answer/services/persistence_policy.py and threaded through
+ * `BaseAnswerResource.complete_stream(visibility=...)`).
  *
- * The load-bearing assertion is: after a preview stream completes, the
- * `conversations` table still has zero rows for this user. If a
- * regression drops the `save_conversation` flag (or flips the default),
- * preview traffic would silently pollute the user's sidebar history.
+ * The load-bearing assertion is: after a preview stream completes, the row
+ * exists but is `hidden`, so it is excluded from the sidebar query
+ * (`ConversationsRepository.list_for_user`, which filters `visibility =
+ * 'listed'`). If a regression flips the preview default to `listed`, preview
+ * traffic would pollute the user's sidebar history.
  *
  * API-driven: the frontend preview UI ultimately POSTs /stream with
  * `save_conversation:false` and `conversation_id:null`; we exercise that
- * contract directly to keep the spec fast and isolated from the
- * AgentPreview modal's rendering quirks. A standard chat POST
- * (save_conversation defaulted to true) is included as a control — it
- * MUST write a conversation row, so "preview wrote zero" is a meaningful
- * contrast rather than "nothing ever writes".
+ * contract directly to keep the spec fast and isolated from the AgentPreview
+ * modal's rendering quirks. A standard chat POST (save_conversation omitted)
+ * is the control — it writes a `listed` row that DOES surface in the sidebar.
  */
 
 import * as playwright from '@playwright/test';
@@ -58,6 +57,16 @@ async function countUserConversations(userSub: string): Promise<number> {
   return Number(rows[0]?.n ?? 0);
 }
 
+/** Conversations that surface in the sidebar (the `list_for_user` filter). */
+async function countListedConversations(userSub: string): Promise<number> {
+  const { rows } = await pg.query<{ n: string }>(
+    `SELECT count(*)::text AS n FROM conversations
+      WHERE user_id = $1 AND visibility = 'listed'`,
+    [userSub],
+  );
+  return Number(rows[0]?.n ?? 0);
+}
+
 async function countConversationMessages(userSub: string): Promise<number> {
   const { rows } = await pg.query<{ n: string }>(
     `SELECT count(*)::text AS n
@@ -71,10 +80,9 @@ async function countConversationMessages(userSub: string): Promise<number> {
 
 /**
  * POST /stream with save_conversation=false and drain the SSE body. The
- * stream emits `{type:"id", id:"None"}` in preview mode (preview has no
- * conversation_id to echo back) — we can't use `streamOnce` here because
- * that helper insists on a UUID-shaped id. Instead, just drain the
- * response and assert 200.
+ * stream emits `{type:"id", id:"<uuid>"}` once the (hidden) conversation is
+ * persisted. Sidebar membership is asserted via the DB helpers below rather
+ * than the stream id, so we just drain the response and assert 200.
  */
 async function drainStream(
   api: import('@playwright/test').APIRequestContext,
@@ -96,7 +104,7 @@ test.describe('tier-b · agent preview', () => {
     await resetDb();
   });
 
-  test('preview stream with save_conversation=false writes NO conversations row', async ({
+  test('preview stream with save_conversation=false persists a hidden conversation excluded from the sidebar', async ({
     browser,
   }) => {
     const { context, sub, token } = await newUserContext(browser);
@@ -118,14 +126,19 @@ test.describe('tier-b · agent preview', () => {
         chunks: '0',
       });
 
-      // Core assertion: preview MUST NOT persist to conversations.
+      // The turn persists (a row + messages exist)...
       expect(
         await countUserConversations(sub),
-        'preview stream must not write a conversations row',
-      ).toBe(0);
+        'preview stream persists a conversation row',
+      ).toBe(1);
       expect(
         await countConversationMessages(sub),
-        'preview stream must not write conversation_messages rows',
+        'preview stream persists conversation_messages rows',
+      ).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+      // ...but it is hidden, so the sidebar query returns nothing.
+      expect(
+        await countListedConversations(sub),
+        'preview conversation must not surface in the sidebar',
       ).toBe(0);
     } finally {
       await api.dispose();
@@ -133,7 +146,7 @@ test.describe('tier-b · agent preview', () => {
     }
   });
 
-  test('control: a non-preview stream (save_conversation omitted) DOES write a conversations row', async ({
+  test('control: a non-preview stream (save_conversation omitted) writes a LISTED conversations row', async ({
     browser,
   }) => {
     const { context, sub, token } = await newUserContext(browser);
@@ -142,10 +155,10 @@ test.describe('tier-b · agent preview', () => {
       const agentId = await createDraftAgent(sub, 'non-preview-target');
       expect(await countUserConversations(sub)).toBe(0);
 
-      // Standard chat path — save_conversation defaults to true at the
-      // backend (stream_model field default + get() fallback in stream.py).
-      // This is the "control" that makes the preview assertion meaningful:
-      // without it, a spec where nothing ever writes could pass trivially.
+      // Standard chat path — save_conversation omitted, so a first-party
+      // interactive turn defaults to `listed` (resolve_persistence). This is
+      // the "control" that makes the preview assertion meaningful: without
+      // it, a spec where nothing ever surfaces could pass trivially.
       const conversationId = await streamOnce(api, {
         question: 'Hello persistence',
         conversation_id: null,
@@ -157,8 +170,9 @@ test.describe('tier-b · agent preview', () => {
         /^[0-9a-f]{8}-[0-9a-f]{4}-[0-9a-f]{4}-[0-9a-f]{4}-[0-9a-f]{12}$/i,
       );
 
-      // Exactly one conversation row landed.
+      // Exactly one conversation row landed, and it surfaces in the sidebar.
       expect(await countUserConversations(sub)).toBe(1);
+      expect(await countListedConversations(sub)).toBe(1);
       expect(await countConversationMessages(sub)).toBeGreaterThan(0);
     } finally {
       await api.dispose();
@@ -166,7 +180,7 @@ test.describe('tier-b · agent preview', () => {
     }
   });
 
-  test('multiple preview turns still produce zero conversations rows', async ({
+  test('multiple preview turns persist hidden rows that never surface in the sidebar', async ({
     browser,
   }) => {
     const { context, sub, token } = await newUserContext(browser);
@@ -186,10 +200,11 @@ test.describe('tier-b · agent preview', () => {
         });
       }
 
-      // Still zero — no preview turn ever persists, regardless of how
-      // many times the user clicks "Test message".
-      expect(await countUserConversations(sub)).toBe(0);
-      expect(await countConversationMessages(sub)).toBe(0);
+      // Each turn persisted its own hidden conversation...
+      expect(await countUserConversations(sub)).toBe(3);
+      // ...yet the sidebar stays empty no matter how many "Test message"
+      // clicks the user makes.
+      expect(await countListedConversations(sub)).toBe(0);
     } finally {
       await api.dispose();
       await context.close();
diff --git a/tests/storage/db/repositories/test_conversations.py b/tests/storage/db/repositories/test_conversations.py
index 7f5dadbd..ddcb2135 100644
--- a/tests/storage/db/repositories/test_conversations.py
+++ b/tests/storage/db/repositories/test_conversations.py
@@ -75,14 +75,28 @@ class TestListForUser:
         assert len(results) == 2
         assert all(r["user_id"] == "alice" for r in results)
 
-    def test_excludes_api_key_without_agent(self, pg_conn):
+    def test_excludes_hidden_conversations(self, pg_conn):
         repo = _repo(pg_conn)
         repo.create("alice", "normal")
-        repo.create("alice", "api-only", api_key="key-1")
+        repo.create("alice", "hidden-one", visibility="hidden")
         results = repo.list_for_user("alice")
         assert len(results) == 1
         assert results[0]["name"] == "normal"
 
+    def test_lists_api_key_conversation_when_listed(self, pg_conn):
+        # Visibility is explicit now: an api_key conversation created as
+        # ``listed`` surfaces (the old api_key/agent_id heuristic is gone).
+        repo = _repo(pg_conn)
+        repo.create("alice", "api-listed", api_key="key-1", visibility="listed")
+        results = repo.list_for_user("alice")
+        assert len(results) == 1
+        assert results[0]["name"] == "api-listed"
+
+    def test_create_defaults_to_listed(self, pg_conn):
+        repo = _repo(pg_conn)
+        conv = repo.create("alice", "default-vis")
+        assert conv["visibility"] == "listed"
+
 
 class TestRename:
     def test_renames(self, pg_conn):
diff --git a/tests/test_v1_translator.py b/tests/test_v1_translator.py
index 1249ff27..f1eace7d 100644
--- a/tests/test_v1_translator.py
+++ b/tests/test_v1_translator.py
@@ -214,7 +214,8 @@ class TestTranslateRequest:
         result = translate_request(data, "test-key")
         assert result["question"] == "What's 2+2?"
         assert result["api_key"] == "test-key"
-        # Conversations are not persisted by default on the v1 endpoint.
+        # v1 conversations persist; ``save_conversation`` only controls whether
+        # they list in the sidebar (default off).
         assert result["save_conversation"] is False
         history = json.loads(result["history"])
         assert len(history) == 1
@@ -265,7 +266,7 @@ class TestTranslateRequest:
             ],
         }
         result = translate_request(data, "key")
-        assert result["save_conversation"] is True
+        assert result["persist"] is True
 
     def test_stateless_continuation_does_not_persist_by_default(self):
         """A stateless continuation (no conversation_id, e.g. an OpenAI client
@@ -282,7 +283,25 @@ class TestTranslateRequest:
             ],
         }
         result = translate_request(data, "key")
-        assert result["save_conversation"] is False
+        assert result["persist"] is False
+
+    def test_stateful_continuation_persist_override_via_docsgpt(self):
+        """``docsgpt.persist=false`` forces no persistence even with a
+        conversation_id."""
+        data = {
+            "conversation_id": "conv-1",
+            "docsgpt": {"persist": False},
+            "messages": [
+                {"role": "user", "content": "Search for X"},
+                {
+                    "role": "assistant",
+                    "tool_calls": [{"id": "c1", "type": "function", "function": {"name": "search", "arguments": "{}"}}],
+                },
+                {"role": "tool", "tool_call_id": "c1", "content": "done"},
+            ],
+        }
+        result = translate_request(data, "key")
+        assert result["persist"] is False
 
     def test_continuation_honours_explicit_save_conversation_override(self):
         """An explicit docsgpt.save_conversation=false on the continuation wins."""