diff --git a/src/stores/__tests__/persisted-extra-stores.test.ts b/src/stores/__tests__/persisted-extra-stores.test.ts
index 9f0c49d9..d0689b3a 100644
--- a/src/stores/__tests__/persisted-extra-stores.test.ts
+++ b/src/stores/__tests__/persisted-extra-stores.test.ts
@@ -68,6 +68,13 @@ describe('persisted extra stores', () => {
     expect(localStorage.getItem('5chan-homepage-stats-scope')).toBe('all');
   });
 
+  it('defaults the mod queue to feed view when no preference is stored', async () => {
+    const useModQueueStore = await loadModQueueStore();
+    await flushMicrotasks();
+
+    expect(useModQueueStore.getState().viewMode).toBe('feed');
+  });
+
   it('migrates legacy mod queue storage and computes threshold seconds from the active unit', async () => {
     localStorage.setItem(
       'mod-queue-storage',
@@ -75,7 +82,6 @@ describe('persisted extra stores', () => {
         state: {
           alertThresholdHours: 3,
           selectedBoardFilter: 'music.eth',
-          viewMode: 'feed',
         },
         version: 0,
       }),
diff --git a/src/stores/use-mod-queue-store.ts b/src/stores/use-mod-queue-store.ts
index b37e0624..e2f1f12b 100644
--- a/src/stores/use-mod-queue-store.ts
+++ b/src/stores/use-mod-queue-store.ts
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ const useModQueueStore = create<ModQueueState>()(
           return { queuedCommentHistory: [...rememberedByCid.values()].slice(0, MAX_QUEUE_HISTORY_COMMENTS) };
         }),
       selectedBoardFilter: null,
-      viewMode: 'compact',
+      viewMode: 'feed',
       setAlertThreshold: (value, unit) => set({ alertThresholdValue: value, alertThresholdUnit: unit }),
       setSelectedBoardFilter: (boardAddress) => set({ selectedBoardFilter: boardAddress }),
       setViewMode: (viewMode) => set({ viewMode }),
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ const useModQueueStore = create<ModQueueState>()(
             dismissedCommentCids: state.dismissedCommentCids ?? [],
             queuedCommentHistory: state.queuedCommentHistory ?? [],
             selectedBoardFilter: state.selectedBoardFilter ?? null,
-            viewMode: state.viewMode ?? 'compact',
+            viewMode: state.viewMode ?? 'feed',
           };
           // Zustand will merge this with the store definition (which includes methods)
           return migrated as ModQueueState;
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ const useModQueueStore = create<ModQueueState>()(
           dismissedCommentCids: state.dismissedCommentCids ?? [],
           queuedCommentHistory: state.queuedCommentHistory ?? [],
           selectedBoardFilter: state.selectedBoardFilter ?? null,
-          viewMode: state.viewMode ?? 'compact',
+          viewMode: state.viewMode ?? 'feed',
         };
         return current as ModQueueState;
       },