diff --git a/src/browser/components/ProjectCreateModal/ProjectCreateModal.stories.tsx b/src/browser/components/ProjectCreateModal/ProjectCreateModal.stories.tsx
index 4220a8431ce..01eb0837eaa 100644
--- a/src/browser/components/ProjectCreateModal/ProjectCreateModal.stories.tsx
+++ b/src/browser/components/ProjectCreateModal/ProjectCreateModal.stories.tsx
@@ -7,7 +7,11 @@
  */
 
 import type { APIClient } from "@/browser/contexts/API";
-import { expandProjects, selectWorkspace } from "@/browser/stories/helpers/uiState";
+import {
+  expandLeftSidebar,
+  expandProjects,
+  selectWorkspace,
+} from "@/browser/stories/helpers/uiState";
 import { createMockORPCClient } from "@/browser/stories/mocks/orpc";
 import { createWorkspace, groupWorkspacesByProject } from "@/browser/stories/mocks/workspaces";
 import type { AppStory } from "@/browser/stories/meta.js";
@@ -29,6 +33,9 @@ function setupProjectCreateStory(): APIClient {
   const workspaces = [createWorkspace({ id: "ws-1", name: "main", projectName: "my-app" })];
   selectWorkspace(workspaces[0]);
   expandProjects(["/mock/my-app"]);
+  // The sidebar defaults to collapsed at phone widths; the play functions need
+  // its "Add project" button visible to open the modal.
+  expandLeftSidebar();
   return createMockORPCClient({
     projects: groupWorkspacesByProject(workspaces),
     workspaces,
diff --git a/src/browser/stories/helpers/uiState.ts b/src/browser/stories/helpers/uiState.ts
index 1a15a50c38e..d567a43353d 100644
--- a/src/browser/stories/helpers/uiState.ts
+++ b/src/browser/stories/helpers/uiState.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import { updatePersistedState } from "@/browser/hooks/usePersistedState";
 import type { FrontendWorkspaceMetadata } from "@/common/types/workspace";
 import {
   SELECTED_WORKSPACE_KEY,
@@ -53,3 +54,12 @@ export function collapseLeftSidebar(): void {
 export function expandRightSidebar(): void {
   localStorage.setItem(RIGHT_SIDEBAR_COLLAPSED_KEY, JSON.stringify(false));
 }
+
+/**
+ * Expand the left sidebar (project tree). The app defaults it to collapsed at
+ * mobile widths, so stories whose play functions click sidebar controls must
+ * force it open to pass under Pixel's phone viewport.
+ */
+export function expandLeftSidebar(): void {
+  updatePersistedState(LEFT_SIDEBAR_COLLAPSED_KEY, false);
+}