diff --git a/docs/en_US/query_tool.rst b/docs/en_US/query_tool.rst
index 8cfdef4150c..848dca55546 100644
--- a/docs/en_US/query_tool.rst
+++ b/docs/en_US/query_tool.rst
@@ -35,8 +35,9 @@ The Query Tool features two panels:
   to view the queries that have been executed in the session, a *Scratch Pad*
   which can be used to hold text snippets during editing, and an *AI Assistant*
   tab for generating SQL from natural language (when AI is configured). If the Scratch Pad is
-  closed, it can be re-opened (or additional ones opened) by right-clicking in
-  the SQL Editor and other panels and adding a new panel.
+  closed, it can be re-opened by right-clicking on any panel tab and selecting
+  *Add Panel*. Each Query Tool has a single Scratch Pad, so *Add Panel* only lists
+  it while it is closed.
 * The lower panel displays the *Data Output* panel. The tabbed panel displays
   the result set returned by a query, information about a query's execution plan,
   server messages related to the query's execution and any asynchronous
diff --git a/web/pgadmin/static/js/helpers/Layout/index.jsx b/web/pgadmin/static/js/helpers/Layout/index.jsx
index fac94a4738c..a16e42e84f0 100644
--- a/web/pgadmin/static/js/helpers/Layout/index.jsx
+++ b/web/pgadmin/static/js/helpers/Layout/index.jsx
@@ -342,6 +342,8 @@ export class LayoutDocker {
     flattenLayout(this.defaultLayout.dockbox, flatDefault);
     flattenLayout(this.layoutObj.getLayout().dockbox, flatCurrent);
 
+    const currentIds = flatCurrent.map(t => t.id);
+
     // Find tabs in default but not in saved layout
     const missingTabs = _.differenceBy(flatDefault, flatCurrent, 'id');
 
@@ -366,7 +368,7 @@ export class LayoutDocker {
 
     // Add each missing tab next to a sibling from its original panel group
     missingNonClosableTabs.forEach((tab) => {
-      const siblingId = this.findSiblingTab(tab.id, flatDefault, flatCurrent);
+      const siblingId = this.findSiblingTab(tab.id, (id) => currentIds.includes(id));
       if (siblingId) {
         this.openTab({
           id: tab.id,
@@ -389,27 +391,111 @@ export class LayoutDocker {
     });
   }
 
-  findSiblingTab(tabId, flatDefault, flatCurrent) {
-    // Find which panel group this tab belongs to in the default layout
-    const findPanelTabs = (box, targetId) => {
-      for (const child of box.children) {
+  /**
+   * Finds an open tab that shares a panel group with the given tab in the
+   * default layout.
+   * @param {string} tabId - id of the tab to find a sibling for.
+   * @param {function} isOpen - predicate telling whether a tab id is open.
+   * @returns {string|undefined} id of the open sibling, if any.
+   */
+  findSiblingTab(tabId, isOpen) {
+    const siblingIds = this.findDefaultTab(tabId)?.panel.tabs.map(t => t.id);
+    return siblingIds?.find(id => id !== tabId && isOpen(id));
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Finds a tab in the default layout along with the panel holding it.
+   * @param {string} tabId - id of the tab to look for.
+   * @returns {{tab: object, panel: object}|null}
+   */
+  findDefaultTab(tabId) {
+    const search = (box) => {
+      for (const child of box?.children ?? []) {
         if (child.children) {
-          const result = findPanelTabs(child, targetId);
+          const result = search(child);
           if (result) return result;
-        } else if (child.tabs) {
-          const hasTarget = child.tabs.some(t => t.id === targetId);
-          if (hasTarget) return child.tabs.map(t => t.id);
+        } else {
+          const tab = child.tabs?.find(t => t.id === tabId);
+          if (tab) return {tab, panel: child};
         }
       }
       return null;
     };
+    return search(this.defaultLayout.dockbox);
+  }
 
-    const siblingIds = findPanelTabs(this.defaultLayout.dockbox, tabId);
-    if (!siblingIds) return null;
+  /**
+   * Works out where a closed default tab should be docked: next to an open
+   * tab of its original panel group, or else beside the neighbouring panel
+   * it sat next to in the default layout.
+   * @param {string} tabId - id of the closed tab.
+   * @returns {{refTabId: string, direction: string}|null} an open tab to dock
+   * against and the rc-dock direction, or null when nothing relevant is open.
+   */
+  findDefaultDockPosition(tabId) {
+    const isOpen = (id) => this.isTabOpen(id);
+    const siblingId = this.findSiblingTab(tabId, isOpen);
+    if (siblingId) {
+      return {refTabId: siblingId, direction: 'middle'};
+    }
 
-    // Find a sibling that exists in current layout
-    const currentIds = flatCurrent.map(t => t.id);
-    return siblingIds.find(id => id !== tabId && currentIds.includes(id));
+    const collectIds = (box) => [
+      ...(box.tabs?.map(t => t.id) ?? []),
+      ...(box.children ?? []).flatMap(collectIds),
+    ];
+    const findAdjacent = (box) => {
+      const children = box.children ?? [];
+      for (let i = 0; i < children.length; i++) {
+        const child = children[i];
+        if (child.tabs?.some(t => t.id === tabId)) {
+          for (const adjIdx of [i - 1, i + 1]) {
+            const openId = collectIds(children[adjIdx] ?? {}).find(isOpen);
+            if (openId) {
+              const isAfter = i > adjIdx;
+              const direction = box.mode === 'vertical'
+                ? (isAfter ? 'bottom' : 'top')
+                : (isAfter ? 'right' : 'left');
+              return {refTabId: openId, direction};
+            }
+          }
+        } else if (child.children) {
+          const res = findAdjacent(child);
+          if (res) return res;
+        }
+      }
+      return null;
+    };
+    return findAdjacent(this.defaultLayout.dockbox);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Re-opens a closed default tab where it originally was, keeping the size
+   * and other properties of the panel that held it.
+   * @param {string} tabId - id of the default tab to re-open.
+   * @param {string} fallbackTabId - tab whose panel is used when the original
+   * position can't be worked out.
+   */
+  reopenDefaultTab(tabId, fallbackTabId) {
+    const defaultTab = this.findDefaultTab(tabId);
+    if (!defaultTab || this.isTabOpen(tabId)) return;
+
+    const {tab, panel} = defaultTab;
+    const newTab = LayoutDocker.getPanel({id: tab.id, content: tab.content, ...tab.internal});
+    const dockPos = this.findDefaultDockPosition(tabId);
+    const refPanel = this.find(dockPos?.refTabId ?? fallbackTabId)?.parent;
+    if (!refPanel) return;
+
+    // Side directions need a panel target, and can't split a maximised or
+    // floating panel; the other cases join the target's tab group.
+    if (!['left', 'right', 'top', 'bottom'].includes(dockPos?.direction)
+      || ['maximize', 'float'].includes(refPanel.parent?.mode)) {
+      this.layoutObj.dockMove(newTab, refPanel, 'middle');
+    } else {
+      this.layoutObj.dockMove({
+        ..._.pick(panel, ['size', 'minWidth', 'minHeight', 'maxWidth', 'maxHeight', 'maximizable']),
+        tabs: [newTab],
+      }, refPanel, dockPos.direction);
+    }
   }
 
   saveLayout(l) {
@@ -583,7 +669,7 @@ export function getDefaultGroup() {
   };
 }
 
-export default function Layout({groups, noContextGroups, getLayoutInstance, layoutId, savedLayout, resetToTabPanel, enableToolEvents=false, isLayoutVisible=true, className, ...props}) {
+export default function Layout({groups, noContextGroups, getLayoutInstance, layoutId, savedLayout, resetToTabPanel, enableToolEvents=false, isLayoutVisible=true, className, allowAddPanel=false, ...props}) {
   const [[contextPos, contextPanelId, contextExtraMenus], setContextPos] = React.useState([null, null, null]);
   const defaultGroups = React.useMemo(()=>({
     'dialogs': getDialogsGroup(),
@@ -669,6 +755,26 @@ export default function Layout({groups, noContextGroups, getLayoutInstance, layo
           }
         });
       }
+
+      // Closed default tabs that can be re-opened, e.g. the Scratch Pad
+      const closedTabs = allowAddPanel ? flatDefaultLayout.filter(
+        (t) => t.internal?.closable && !layoutDockerObj.isTabOpen(t.id)
+      ) : [];
+      if(closedTabs.length > 0) {
+        ret.push({
+          type: 'separator',
+        }, {
+          label: gettext('Add Panel'),
+          getMenuItems: () => closedTabs.map((tab) => ({
+            label: tab.internal?.title || tab.id,
+            callback: () => {
+              layoutDockerObj.reopenDefaultTab(tab.id, panelId);
+              layoutDockerObj.focus(tab.id);
+              layoutDockerObj.saveLayout();
+            }
+          }))
+        });
+      }
     }
     return ret;
   };
@@ -774,7 +880,8 @@ Layout.propTypes = {
   resetToTabPanel: PropTypes.string,
   enableToolEvents: PropTypes.bool,
   isLayoutVisible: PropTypes.bool,
-  className: PropTypes.string
+  className: PropTypes.string,
+  allowAddPanel: PropTypes.bool
 };
 
 
diff --git a/web/pgadmin/tools/sqleditor/static/js/components/QueryToolComponent.jsx b/web/pgadmin/tools/sqleditor/static/js/components/QueryToolComponent.jsx
index 49cb7f5ffc6..533a3ff3316 100644
--- a/web/pgadmin/tools/sqleditor/static/js/components/QueryToolComponent.jsx
+++ b/web/pgadmin/tools/sqleditor/static/js/components/QueryToolComponent.jsx
@@ -1132,6 +1132,7 @@ export default function QueryToolComponent({params, pgWindow, pgAdmin, selectedN
               layoutId="SQLEditor/Layout"
               savedLayout={params.layout}
               resetToTabPanel={PANELS.MESSAGES}
+              allowAddPanel
             />
             <StatusBar eol={qtState.eol} handleEndOfLineChange={handleEndOfLineChange}/>
           </Box>
diff --git a/web/regression/javascript/sqleditor/ScratchPadReopen.spec.js b/web/regression/javascript/sqleditor/ScratchPadReopen.spec.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..82c9e8c2411
--- /dev/null
+++ b/web/regression/javascript/sqleditor/ScratchPadReopen.spec.js
@@ -0,0 +1,177 @@
+/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+//
+// pgAdmin 4 - PostgreSQL Tools
+//
+// Copyright (C) 2013 - 2026, The pgAdmin Development Team
+// This software is released under the PostgreSQL Licence
+//
+//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+
+import { render, screen, fireEvent, act } from '@testing-library/react';
+import { withTheme } from '../fake_theme';
+import Layout, { LayoutDocker } from '../../../pgadmin/static/js/helpers/Layout';
+import getApiInstance from '../../../pgadmin/static/js/api_instance';
+import { ApplicationStateProvider } from '../../../pgadmin/settings/static/ApplicationStateProvider';
+
+jest.mock('../../../pgadmin/static/js/api_instance');
+
+describe('ScratchPad Reopen & LayoutDocker dock positioning', () => {
+  const queryToolLayout = {
+    dockbox: {
+      mode: 'vertical',
+      children: [
+        {
+          mode: 'horizontal',
+          children: [
+            {
+              tabs: [
+                LayoutDocker.getPanel({ id: 'id-query', title: 'Query' }),
+                LayoutDocker.getPanel({ id: 'id-history', title: 'Query History' }),
+              ],
+            },
+            {
+              size: 75,
+              maximizable: true,
+              tabs: [
+                LayoutDocker.getPanel({
+                  id: 'id-scratch',
+                  title: 'Scratch Pad',
+                  closable: true,
+                  content: <textarea />,
+                }),
+              ],
+            },
+          ],
+        },
+        {
+          mode: 'horizontal',
+          children: [
+            {
+              tabs: [
+                LayoutDocker.getPanel({ id: 'id-data-output', title: 'Data Output' }),
+                LayoutDocker.getPanel({ id: 'id-messages', title: 'Messages' }),
+              ],
+            },
+          ],
+        },
+      ],
+    },
+  };
+  const ThemedLayout = withTheme(Layout);
+
+  let dockerInstance;
+  const renderLayout = (props = {}) => {
+    render(
+      <ApplicationStateProvider>
+        <ThemedLayout
+          defaultLayout={queryToolLayout}
+          layoutId="SQLEditor/Layout"
+          resetToTabPanel="id-messages"
+          getLayoutInstance={(obj) => {
+            dockerInstance = obj;
+          }}
+          {...props}
+        />
+      </ApplicationStateProvider>
+    );
+  };
+
+  const reopenFromMenu = async (rightClickText) => {
+    fireEvent.contextMenu(screen.getByText(rightClickText));
+    fireEvent.click(await screen.findByText('Add Panel'));
+    const item = await screen.findByText('Scratch Pad', { selector: '[role="menuitem"]' });
+    act(() => {
+      fireEvent.click(item);
+    });
+  };
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    getApiInstance.mockReturnValue({
+      post: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue({ data: {} }),
+      get: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue({ data: {} }),
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('findDefaultDockPosition', () => {
+    it('docks Scratch Pad to the right of the panel holding the open Query tab', () => {
+      renderLayout();
+      act(() => {
+        dockerInstance.close('id-scratch');
+      });
+      expect(dockerInstance.findDefaultDockPosition('id-scratch')).toEqual({
+        refTabId: 'id-query',
+        direction: 'right',
+      });
+    });
+
+    it('uses the middle of the group when an open sibling shares the tab group', () => {
+      renderLayout();
+      act(() => {
+        dockerInstance.close('id-scratch');
+      });
+      expect(dockerInstance.findSiblingTab('id-history', (id) => dockerInstance.isTabOpen(id)))
+        .toBe('id-query');
+    });
+
+    it('returns null when no related tab is open', () => {
+      renderLayout();
+      expect(dockerInstance.findDefaultDockPosition('unknown-tab')).toBeNull();
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('Add Panel menu', () => {
+    it('is not shown unless allowAddPanel is set', async () => {
+      renderLayout();
+      act(() => {
+        dockerInstance.close('id-scratch');
+      });
+      fireEvent.contextMenu(screen.getByText('Query'));
+      await screen.findByText('Close All');
+      expect(screen.queryByText('Add Panel')).toBeNull();
+    });
+
+    it('reopens the Scratch Pad in its own pane to the right of Query, keeping size and maximizable', async () => {
+      renderLayout({ allowAddPanel: true });
+      act(() => {
+        dockerInstance.close('id-scratch');
+      });
+      expect(dockerInstance.isTabOpen('id-scratch')).toBe(false);
+
+      await reopenFromMenu('Query');
+
+      expect(dockerInstance.isTabOpen('id-scratch')).toBe(true);
+      const queryPanel = dockerInstance.find('id-query').parent;
+      const scratchPanel = dockerInstance.find('id-scratch').parent;
+      // Query group is untouched, Scratch Pad is not merged into it
+      expect(queryPanel.tabs.map((t) => t.id)).toEqual(['id-query', 'id-history']);
+      expect(scratchPanel.tabs.map((t) => t.id)).toEqual(['id-scratch']);
+      // Both panes sit side by side, with the Scratch Pad on the right
+      expect(scratchPanel.parent).toBe(queryPanel.parent);
+      const siblings = scratchPanel.parent.children;
+      expect(siblings.indexOf(scratchPanel)).toBeGreaterThan(siblings.indexOf(queryPanel));
+      expect(scratchPanel.maximizable).toBe(true);
+    });
+
+    it('falls back to the right-clicked tab group when no related tab is open', async () => {
+      renderLayout({ allowAddPanel: true });
+      await act(async () => {
+        dockerInstance.close('id-scratch');
+      });
+      const posSpy = jest.spyOn(dockerInstance, 'findDefaultDockPosition').mockReturnValue(null);
+      act(() => {
+        dockerInstance.reopenDefaultTab('id-scratch', 'id-messages');
+      });
+      posSpy.mockRestore();
+      expect(dockerInstance.find('id-scratch').parent.tabs.map((t) => t.id))
+        .toEqual(['id-data-output', 'id-messages', 'id-scratch']);
+    });
+
+    it('does nothing for a tab that is already open', () => {
+      renderLayout({ allowAddPanel: true });
+      const dockMoveSpy = jest.spyOn(dockerInstance.layoutObj, 'dockMove');
+      dockerInstance.reopenDefaultTab('id-scratch', 'id-messages');
+      expect(dockMoveSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+      dockMoveSpy.mockRestore();
+    });
+  });
+});