diff --git a/scripts/pb-init.sh b/scripts/pb-init.sh
index 1bb82b4..f84c78e 100755
--- a/scripts/pb-init.sh
+++ b/scripts/pb-init.sh
@@ -181,9 +181,24 @@ create_collection "app_users" '{
   ]
 }'
 
+create_collection "user_settings" '{
+  "name": "user_settings",
+  "type": "base",
+  "fields": [
+    {"name": "session_id", "type": "text", "required": true},
+    {"name": "user_id",    "type": "text"},
+    {"name": "auto_next",  "type": "bool"},
+    {"name": "voice",      "type": "text"},
+    {"name": "speed",      "type": "number"},
+    {"name": "updated",    "type": "date"}
+  ]
+}'
+
 # ─── 5. Schema migrations (idempotent field additions) ───────────────────────
 # Ensures fields added after initial deploy are present in existing instances.
 
 ensure_field "progress" "user_id" "text"
+ensure_field "progress" "audio_time" "number"
+ensure_field "user_settings" "user_id" "text"
 
 log "all collections ready"
diff --git a/ui/src/lib/components/AudioPlayer.svelte b/ui/src/lib/components/AudioPlayer.svelte
index 97fadf6..e6ad0be 100644
--- a/ui/src/lib/components/AudioPlayer.svelte
+++ b/ui/src/lib/components/AudioPlayer.svelte
@@ -138,6 +138,8 @@
 			if (url) {
 				audioStore.audioUrl = url;
 				audioStore.status = 'ready';
+				// Restore last saved position after the audio element loads
+				restoreSavedAudioTime();
 				return;
 			}
 
@@ -158,6 +160,7 @@
 			if (!url2) throw new Error('Audio generated but presign returned 404');
 			audioStore.audioUrl = url2;
 			audioStore.status = 'ready';
+			// Don't restore time for freshly generated audio — position is 0
 		} catch (e) {
 			stopProgress();
 			audioStore.progress = 0;
@@ -166,6 +169,27 @@
 		}
 	}
 
+	/**
+	 * Fetch the saved audio time for this chapter and seek to it after a short
+	 * delay (to allow the audio element to load the source).
+	 */
+	async function restoreSavedAudioTime() {
+		try {
+			const params = new URLSearchParams({ slug, chapter: String(chapter) });
+			const res = await fetch(`/api/progress/audio-time?${params}`);
+			if (!res.ok) return;
+			const data = (await res.json()) as { audioTime: number | null };
+			if (data.audioTime && data.audioTime > 5) {
+				// Small delay to let the <audio> element fully load the src before seeking
+				setTimeout(() => {
+					audioStore.seekRequest = data.audioTime as number;
+				}, 300);
+			}
+		} catch {
+			// Non-critical — silently ignore
+		}
+	}
+
 	async function handlePlay() {
 		const isCurrent = audioStore.isCurrentChapter(slug, chapter);
 
@@ -237,62 +261,44 @@
 				<p class="text-xs text-zinc-500 tabular-nums">{Math.round(audioStore.progress)}%</p>
 			</div>
 
-		{:else if audioStore.status === 'ready'}
-			<!-- Inline full-size controls (larger than the mini-bar) -->
-			<div class="flex flex-col gap-2">
-				<!-- Seek bar -->
-				<input
-					type="range"
-					min="0"
-					max={audioStore.duration || 0}
-					value={audioStore.currentTime}
-					oninput={(e) => {
-						audioStore.seekRequest = parseFloat((e.target as HTMLInputElement).value);
-					}}
-					class="w-full accent-amber-400 h-1.5 rounded cursor-pointer"
-				/>
-
-				<div class="flex items-center gap-3">
-					<!-- Play/Pause -->
-					<button
-						onclick={handlePlay}
-						class="w-9 h-9 rounded-full bg-amber-400 text-zinc-900 flex items-center justify-center hover:bg-amber-300 transition-colors flex-shrink-0"
-						aria-label={audioStore.isPlaying ? 'Pause' : 'Play'}
-					>
-						{#if audioStore.isPlaying}
-							<svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
-								<path d="M6 4h4v16H6V4zm8 0h4v16h-4V4z"/>
-							</svg>
-						{:else}
-							<svg class="w-4 h-4 ml-0.5" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
-								<path d="M8 5v14l11-7z"/>
-							</svg>
-						{/if}
-					</button>
-
-					<span class="text-xs text-zinc-400 tabular-nums flex-1">
-						{formatTime(audioStore.currentTime)} / {formatTime(audioStore.duration)}
-					</span>
-
-					<!-- Auto-next toggle (inline, only visible when there is a next chapter) -->
-					{#if nextChapter !== null && nextChapter !== undefined}
-						<button
-							onclick={() => (audioStore.autoNext = !audioStore.autoNext)}
-							class="flex items-center gap-1.5 px-2 py-1 rounded text-xs font-medium transition-colors flex-shrink-0 {audioStore.autoNext
-								? 'text-amber-400 bg-amber-400/15 hover:bg-amber-400/25'
-								: 'text-zinc-500 bg-zinc-700 hover:bg-zinc-600 hover:text-zinc-200'}"
-							title={audioStore.autoNext ? 'Auto-next on — will play Ch.{nextChapter} automatically' : 'Auto-next off'}
-							aria-pressed={audioStore.autoNext}
-						>
-							<svg class="w-3.5 h-3.5" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
-								<path d="M6 18l8.5-6L6 6v12zm8.5-6L23 6v12l-8.5-6z"/>
-							</svg>
-							Auto
-						</button>
-					{/if}
-				</div>
+	{:else if audioStore.status === 'ready'}
+		<!-- Mini-bar is the canonical control surface — show a compact indicator here -->
+		<div class="flex items-center justify-between gap-3">
+			<div class="flex items-center gap-2 text-xs text-zinc-400">
+				{#if audioStore.isPlaying}
+					<svg class="w-3.5 h-3.5 text-amber-400 flex-shrink-0" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+						<path d="M6 4h4v16H6V4zm8 0h4v16h-4V4z"/>
+					</svg>
+					<span>Playing — controls below</span>
+				{:else}
+					<svg class="w-3.5 h-3.5 flex-shrink-0 ml-0.5" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+						<path d="M8 5v14l11-7z"/>
+					</svg>
+					<span>Paused — controls below</span>
+				{/if}
+				<span class="tabular-nums text-zinc-500">
+					{formatTime(audioStore.currentTime)} / {formatTime(audioStore.duration)}
+				</span>
 			</div>
-		{/if}
+
+			<!-- Auto-next toggle (keep here as useful context) -->
+			{#if nextChapter !== null && nextChapter !== undefined}
+				<button
+					onclick={() => (audioStore.autoNext = !audioStore.autoNext)}
+					class="flex items-center gap-1.5 px-2 py-1 rounded text-xs font-medium transition-colors flex-shrink-0 {audioStore.autoNext
+						? 'text-amber-400 bg-amber-400/15 hover:bg-amber-400/25'
+						: 'text-zinc-500 bg-zinc-700 hover:bg-zinc-600 hover:text-zinc-200'}"
+					title={audioStore.autoNext ? `Auto-next on — will play Ch.${nextChapter} automatically` : 'Auto-next off'}
+					aria-pressed={audioStore.autoNext}
+				>
+					<svg class="w-3.5 h-3.5" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+						<path d="M6 18l8.5-6L6 6v12zm8.5-6L23 6v12l-8.5-6z"/>
+					</svg>
+					Auto
+				</button>
+			{/if}
+		</div>
+	{/if}
 
 	{:else if audioStore.active}
 		<!-- ── A different chapter is currently playing ── -->
diff --git a/ui/src/lib/server/pocketbase.ts b/ui/src/lib/server/pocketbase.ts
index 1719999..8dab9d8 100644
--- a/ui/src/lib/server/pocketbase.ts
+++ b/ui/src/lib/server/pocketbase.ts
@@ -42,9 +42,20 @@ export interface Progress {
 	user_id?: string;
 	slug: string;
 	chapter: number;
+	audio_time?: number;
 	updated: string;
 }
 
+export interface UserSettings {
+	id?: string;
+	session_id: string;
+	user_id?: string;
+	auto_next: boolean;
+	voice: string;
+	speed: number;
+	updated?: string;
+}
+
 export interface User {
 	id: string;
 	username: string;
@@ -395,3 +406,102 @@ export async function loginUser(username: string, password: string): Promise<Use
 	log.info('pocketbase', 'loginUser: success', { username, role: user.role });
 	return user;
 }
+
+// ─── User settings ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+function settingsFilter(sessionId: string, userId?: string): string {
+	if (userId) return `user_id="${userId}"`;
+	return `session_id="${sessionId}"`;
+}
+
+export async function getSettings(
+	sessionId: string,
+	userId?: string
+): Promise<UserSettings | null> {
+	return listOne<UserSettings>('user_settings', settingsFilter(sessionId, userId));
+}
+
+export async function saveSettings(
+	sessionId: string,
+	settings: { autoNext: boolean; voice: string; speed: number },
+	userId?: string
+): Promise<void> {
+	const existing = await listOne<UserSettings & { id: string }>(
+		'user_settings',
+		settingsFilter(sessionId, userId)
+	);
+
+	const payload: Partial<UserSettings> = {
+		session_id: sessionId,
+		auto_next: settings.autoNext,
+		voice: settings.voice,
+		speed: settings.speed,
+		updated: new Date().toISOString()
+	};
+	if (userId) payload.user_id = userId;
+
+	if (existing) {
+		const res = await pbPatch(`/api/collections/user_settings/records/${existing.id}`, payload);
+		if (!res.ok) {
+			const body = await res.text().catch(() => '');
+			log.error('pocketbase', 'saveSettings PATCH failed', { status: res.status, body });
+		}
+	} else {
+		const res = await pbPost('/api/collections/user_settings/records', payload);
+		if (!res.ok) {
+			const body = await res.text().catch(() => '');
+			log.error('pocketbase', 'saveSettings POST failed', { status: res.status, body });
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// ─── Audio time ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+export async function setAudioTime(
+	sessionId: string,
+	slug: string,
+	chapter: number,
+	audioTime: number,
+	userId?: string
+): Promise<void> {
+	const existing = await listOne<Progress & { id: string }>(
+		'progress',
+		progressFilter(sessionId, slug, userId)
+	);
+	if (!existing) {
+		// No progress record yet — create one with audio_time
+		const payload: Partial<Progress> = {
+			session_id: sessionId,
+			slug,
+			chapter,
+			audio_time: audioTime,
+			updated: new Date().toISOString()
+		};
+		if (userId) payload.user_id = userId;
+		const res = await pbPost('/api/collections/progress/records', payload);
+		if (!res.ok) {
+			const body = await res.text().catch(() => '');
+			log.error('pocketbase', 'setAudioTime POST failed', { slug, chapter, status: res.status, body });
+		}
+		return;
+	}
+	const res = await pbPatch(`/api/collections/progress/records/${existing.id}`, {
+		audio_time: audioTime,
+		updated: new Date().toISOString()
+	});
+	if (!res.ok) {
+		const body = await res.text().catch(() => '');
+		log.error('pocketbase', 'setAudioTime PATCH failed', { slug, chapter, status: res.status, body });
+	}
+}
+
+export async function getAudioTime(
+	sessionId: string,
+	slug: string,
+	chapter: number,
+	userId?: string
+): Promise<number | null> {
+	const row = await listOne<Progress>('progress', progressFilter(sessionId, slug, userId));
+	if (!row || !row.audio_time) return null;
+	return row.audio_time;
+}
diff --git a/ui/src/routes/+layout.server.ts b/ui/src/routes/+layout.server.ts
index bd5cbf5..bafc1b4 100644
--- a/ui/src/routes/+layout.server.ts
+++ b/ui/src/routes/+layout.server.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 import { redirect } from '@sveltejs/kit';
 import type { LayoutServerLoad } from './$types';
+import { getSettings } from '$lib/server/pocketbase';
+import { log } from '$lib/server/logger';
 
 // Routes that are accessible without being logged in
 const PUBLIC_ROUTES = new Set(['/login']);
@@ -9,7 +11,22 @@ export const load: LayoutServerLoad = async ({ locals, url }) => {
 		redirect(302, `/login`);
 	}
 
+	let settings = { autoNext: false, voice: 'af_bella', speed: 1.0 };
+	try {
+		const row = await getSettings(locals.sessionId, locals.user?.id);
+		if (row) {
+			settings = {
+				autoNext: row.auto_next ?? false,
+				voice: row.voice ?? 'af_bella',
+				speed: row.speed ?? 1.0
+			};
+		}
+	} catch (e) {
+		log.warn('layout', 'failed to load settings', { err: String(e) });
+	}
+
 	return {
-		user: locals.user
+		user: locals.user,
+		settings
 	};
 };
diff --git a/ui/src/routes/+layout.svelte b/ui/src/routes/+layout.svelte
index 3552474..20ca88f 100644
--- a/ui/src/routes/+layout.svelte
+++ b/ui/src/routes/+layout.svelte
@@ -12,6 +12,38 @@
 	// AudioPlayer components in chapter pages control it via audioStore.
 	let audioEl = $state<HTMLAudioElement | null>(null);
 
+	// Apply persisted settings once on mount (server-loaded data).
+	let settingsApplied = false;
+	$effect(() => {
+		if (!settingsApplied && data.settings) {
+			settingsApplied = true;
+			audioStore.autoNext = data.settings.autoNext;
+			audioStore.voice = data.settings.voice;
+			audioStore.speed = data.settings.speed;
+		}
+	});
+
+	// ── Persist settings changes (debounced 800ms) ──────────────────────────
+	let settingsSaveTimer = 0;
+	$effect(() => {
+		// Subscribe to the three settings fields
+		const autoNext = audioStore.autoNext;
+		const voice = audioStore.voice;
+		const speed = audioStore.speed;
+
+		// Skip saving until settings have been applied from the server
+		if (!settingsApplied) return;
+
+		clearTimeout(settingsSaveTimer);
+		settingsSaveTimer = setTimeout(() => {
+			fetch('/api/settings', {
+				method: 'PUT',
+				headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+				body: JSON.stringify({ autoNext, voice, speed })
+			}).catch(() => {});
+		}, 800) as unknown as number;
+	});
+
 	// Keep the audio element's playback rate in sync with the store speed.
 	$effect(() => {
 		if (audioEl) audioEl.playbackRate = audioStore.speed;
@@ -55,6 +87,23 @@
 		audioStore.seekRequest = null;
 	});
 
+	// ── Save audio time on pause/end (debounced 2s) ─────────────────────────
+	let audioTimeSaveTimer = 0;
+	function saveAudioTime() {
+		if (!audioStore.slug || !audioStore.chapter) return;
+		const slug = audioStore.slug;
+		const chapter = audioStore.chapter;
+		const currentTime = audioStore.currentTime;
+		clearTimeout(audioTimeSaveTimer);
+		audioTimeSaveTimer = setTimeout(() => {
+			fetch('/api/progress/audio-time', {
+				method: 'PATCH',
+				headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+				body: JSON.stringify({ slug, chapter, audioTime: currentTime })
+			}).catch(() => {});
+		}, 2000) as unknown as number;
+	}
+
 	function formatTime(s: number): string {
 		if (!isFinite(s) || s < 0) return '0:00';
 		const m = Math.floor(s / 60);
@@ -122,9 +171,13 @@
 	bind:currentTime={audioStore.currentTime}
 	bind:duration={audioStore.duration}
 	onplay={() => (audioStore.isPlaying = true)}
-	onpause={() => (audioStore.isPlaying = false)}
+	onpause={() => {
+		audioStore.isPlaying = false;
+		saveAudioTime();
+	}}
 	onended={() => {
 		audioStore.isPlaying = false;
+		saveAudioTime();
 		if (audioStore.autoNext && audioStore.nextChapter !== null && audioStore.slug) {
 			audioStore.autoStartPending = true;
 			goto(`/books/${audioStore.slug}/chapters/${audioStore.nextChapter}`);
diff --git a/ui/src/routes/api/progress/audio-time/+server.ts b/ui/src/routes/api/progress/audio-time/+server.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1659ba2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ui/src/routes/api/progress/audio-time/+server.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+import { json, error } from '@sveltejs/kit';
+import type { RequestHandler } from './$types';
+import { setAudioTime, getAudioTime } from '$lib/server/pocketbase';
+import { log } from '$lib/server/logger';
+
+/**
+ * GET /api/progress/audio-time?slug=&chapter=
+ * Returns the last saved audio position for a chapter, or null.
+ */
+export const GET: RequestHandler = async ({ url, locals }) => {
+	const slug = url.searchParams.get('slug');
+	const chapterParam = url.searchParams.get('chapter');
+
+	if (!slug || !chapterParam) {
+		error(400, 'Missing slug or chapter query params');
+	}
+
+	const chapter = parseInt(chapterParam, 10);
+	if (isNaN(chapter)) {
+		error(400, 'chapter must be a number');
+	}
+
+	try {
+		const audioTime = await getAudioTime(locals.sessionId, slug, chapter, locals.user?.id);
+		return json({ audioTime });
+	} catch (e) {
+		log.error('audio-time', 'GET failed', { slug, chapter, err: String(e) });
+		error(500, 'Failed to load audio time');
+	}
+};
+
+/**
+ * PATCH /api/progress/audio-time
+ * Body: { slug: string, chapter: number, audioTime: number }
+ * Saves the current audio playback position.
+ */
+export const PATCH: RequestHandler = async ({ request, locals }) => {
+	const body = await request.json().catch(() => null);
+
+	if (
+		!body ||
+		typeof body.slug !== 'string' ||
+		typeof body.chapter !== 'number' ||
+		typeof body.audioTime !== 'number'
+	) {
+		error(400, 'Invalid body — expected { slug, chapter, audioTime }');
+	}
+
+	try {
+		await setAudioTime(locals.sessionId, body.slug, body.chapter, body.audioTime, locals.user?.id);
+	} catch (e) {
+		log.error('audio-time', 'PATCH failed', { slug: body.slug, chapter: body.chapter, err: String(e) });
+		error(500, 'Failed to save audio time');
+	}
+	return json({ ok: true });
+};
diff --git a/ui/src/routes/api/settings/+server.ts b/ui/src/routes/api/settings/+server.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0e27ad4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ui/src/routes/api/settings/+server.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+import { json, error } from '@sveltejs/kit';
+import type { RequestHandler } from './$types';
+import { getSettings, saveSettings } from '$lib/server/pocketbase';
+import { log } from '$lib/server/logger';
+
+/**
+ * GET /api/settings
+ * Returns the current user's settings (auto_next, voice, speed).
+ * Returns defaults if no settings record exists yet.
+ */
+export const GET: RequestHandler = async ({ locals }) => {
+	try {
+		const settings = await getSettings(locals.sessionId, locals.user?.id);
+		return json({
+			autoNext: settings?.auto_next ?? false,
+			voice: settings?.voice ?? 'af_bella',
+			speed: settings?.speed ?? 1.0
+		});
+	} catch (e) {
+		log.error('settings', 'GET failed', { err: String(e) });
+		error(500, 'Failed to load settings');
+	}
+};
+
+/**
+ * PUT /api/settings
+ * Body: { autoNext: boolean, voice: string, speed: number }
+ * Saves user preferences.
+ */
+export const PUT: RequestHandler = async ({ request, locals }) => {
+	const body = await request.json().catch(() => null);
+
+	if (
+		!body ||
+		typeof body.autoNext !== 'boolean' ||
+		typeof body.voice !== 'string' ||
+		typeof body.speed !== 'number'
+	) {
+		error(400, 'Invalid body — expected { autoNext, voice, speed }');
+	}
+
+	try {
+		await saveSettings(locals.sessionId, body, locals.user?.id);
+	} catch (e) {
+		log.error('settings', 'PUT failed', { err: String(e) });
+		error(500, 'Failed to save settings');
+	}
+	return json({ ok: true });
+};