diff --git a/app/[locale]/page.tsx b/app/[locale]/page.tsx
index 504e194f..c36f366b 100644
--- a/app/[locale]/page.tsx
+++ b/app/[locale]/page.tsx
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ export default function Home() {
 
   // Mobile/tablet responsive hooks
   const { isMobile, isTablet } = useDeviceDetection();
-  const { activeView, sidebarOpen, setSidebarOpen, setActiveView, tabletListVisible, setTabletListVisible, sidebarWidth, emailListWidth, setSidebarWidth, setEmailListWidth, persistColumnWidths, sidebarCollapsed, resetSidebarWidth, resetEmailListWidth } = useUIStore();
+  const { activeView, sidebarOpen, setSidebarOpen, setActiveView, tabletListVisible, setTabletListVisible, sidebarWidth, emailListWidth, emailListHeight, setSidebarWidth, setEmailListWidth, setEmailListHeight, persistColumnWidths, sidebarCollapsed, resetSidebarWidth, resetEmailListWidth, resetEmailListHeight } = useUIStore();
   const {
     emails,
     mailboxes,
@@ -637,6 +637,7 @@ export default function Home() {
         const parsed = JSON.parse(stored);
         if (parsed.sidebarWidth) setSidebarWidth(parsed.sidebarWidth);
         if (parsed.emailListWidth) setEmailListWidth(parsed.emailListWidth);
+        if (parsed.emailListHeight) setEmailListHeight(parsed.emailListHeight);
       }
     } catch { /* ignore parse errors */ }
   // eslint-disable-next-line react-hooks/exhaustive-deps
@@ -1713,9 +1714,11 @@ export default function Home() {
   // Get current mailbox name for mobile header
   const currentMailboxName = mailboxes.find(m => m.id === selectedMailbox)?.name || "Inbox";
   const isFocusedMailLayout = mailLayout === 'focus';
+  const isHorizontalMailLayout = mailLayout === 'horizontal' && !isMobile && !isTablet;
   const hasViewerContent = showComposer || Boolean(conversationThread) || Boolean(selectedEmail);
   const shouldCollapseListPane = (isTablet && !tabletListVisible) || (!isMobile && isFocusedMailLayout && hasViewerContent);
   const shouldHideViewerPane = !isMobile && isFocusedMailLayout && !hasViewerContent;
+  const shouldHideHorizontalViewerPane = isHorizontalMailLayout && !hasViewerContent;
 
   // Handle email selection with mobile view switching
   const handleEmailSelect = async (email: { id: string }) => {
@@ -1974,21 +1977,30 @@ export default function Home() {
 
         {/* Main Content Area */}
         <div className={cn("flex flex-col flex-1 min-w-0 h-full", inlineApp && "hidden")}>
-          <div className="flex flex-1 min-h-0">
-          {/* Email List - full width on mobile, fixed width on tablet/desktop */}
+          <div className={cn("flex flex-1 min-h-0", isHorizontalMailLayout && "md:flex-col")}>
+          {/* Email List - full width on mobile, fixed width/height on tablet/desktop */}
           <div
             className={cn(
-              "relative flex flex-col h-full bg-background border-r border-border",
+              "relative flex flex-col bg-background",
+              isHorizontalMailLayout ? "md:w-full md:h-auto" : "h-full border-r border-border",
               // Mobile: full width, hidden when viewing email
-              "max-md:flex-1 max-md:border-r-0",
+              "max-md:flex-1 max-md:border-r-0 max-md:border-b-0",
               isMobile && activeView !== "list" && "max-md:hidden",
               // Tablet/Desktop: fixed width with collapse animation
-              shouldHideViewerPane ? "md:flex-1 md:border-r-0" : "md:flex-shrink-0",
-              "md:shadow-sm",
+              !isHorizontalMailLayout && (shouldHideViewerPane ? "md:flex-1 md:border-r-0" : "md:flex-shrink-0"),
+              isHorizontalMailLayout && (shouldHideHorizontalViewerPane ? "md:flex-1" : "md:flex-shrink-0"),
+              isHorizontalMailLayout && !shouldHideHorizontalViewerPane && "md:shadow-[0_8px_12px_-6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.18)] dark:md:shadow-[0_8px_14px_-6px_rgba(0,0,0,0.55)]",
+              !isHorizontalMailLayout && "md:shadow-sm",
               !isResizing && "transition-all duration-200 ease-out",
               shouldCollapseListPane && "md:w-0 md:opacity-0 md:overflow-hidden md:border-r-0"
             )}
-            style={!isMobile && !shouldCollapseListPane && !shouldHideViewerPane ? { width: emailListWidth } : undefined}
+            style={
+              isMobile
+                ? undefined
+                : isHorizontalMailLayout
+                  ? (!shouldHideHorizontalViewerPane ? { height: emailListHeight } : undefined)
+                  : (!shouldCollapseListPane && !shouldHideViewerPane ? { width: emailListWidth } : undefined)
+            }
           >
             {/* Mobile Header for List View */}
             <MobileHeader
@@ -2297,7 +2309,7 @@ export default function Home() {
           </div>
 
           {/* Email list resize handle (desktop only) */}
-          {!isMobile && !isTablet && !isFocusedMailLayout && (
+          {!isMobile && !isTablet && !isFocusedMailLayout && !isHorizontalMailLayout && (
             <ResizeHandle
               onResizeStart={() => { dragStartWidth.current = emailListWidth; setIsResizing(true); }}
               onResize={(delta) => setEmailListWidth(dragStartWidth.current + delta)}
@@ -2305,17 +2317,29 @@ export default function Home() {
               onDoubleClick={resetEmailListWidth}
             />
           )}
+          {!isMobile && !isTablet && isHorizontalMailLayout && !shouldHideHorizontalViewerPane && (
+            <ResizeHandle
+              orientation="horizontal"
+              onResizeStart={() => { dragStartWidth.current = emailListHeight; setIsResizing(true); }}
+              onResize={(delta) => setEmailListHeight(dragStartWidth.current + delta)}
+              onResizeEnd={() => { setIsResizing(false); persistColumnWidths(); }}
+              onDoubleClick={resetEmailListHeight}
+            />
+          )}
 
           {/* Email Viewer / Composer - full screen on mobile, flex on tablet/desktop */}
           <div
             className={cn(
-              "flex flex-col h-full bg-background flex-1 min-w-0",
+              "flex flex-col bg-background flex-1 min-w-0",
+              isHorizontalMailLayout ? "min-h-0" : "h-full",
               // Mobile: full screen overlay when active
               "max-md:fixed max-md:inset-0 max-md:z-30",
+              "max-md:h-full",
               isMobile && activeView !== "viewer" && "max-md:hidden",
               // Tablet/Desktop: relative
               "md:relative",
-              shouldHideViewerPane && "md:hidden"
+              shouldHideViewerPane && "md:hidden",
+              shouldHideHorizontalViewerPane && "md:hidden"
             )}
           >
             {/* Inline Composer - shown in viewer pane */}
diff --git a/app/admin/_tabs/policy.tsx b/app/admin/_tabs/policy.tsx
index 5295265d..1af87b9e 100644
--- a/app/admin/_tabs/policy.tsx
+++ b/app/admin/_tabs/policy.tsx
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ const RESTRICTABLE_SETTINGS = [
   { key: 'markAsReadDelay', label: 'Mark as Read Delay', category: 'Email', type: 'number' },
   { key: 'deleteAction', label: 'Delete Action', category: 'Email', type: 'enum', allowedValues: ['trash', 'permanent'] },
   { key: 'showPreview', label: 'Show Preview', category: 'Email', type: 'boolean' },
-  { key: 'mailLayout', label: 'Mail Layout', category: 'Email', type: 'enum', allowedValues: ['split', 'focus'] },
+  { key: 'mailLayout', label: 'Mail Layout', category: 'Email', type: 'enum', allowedValues: ['split', 'focus', 'horizontal'] },
   { key: 'emailsPerPage', label: 'Emails Per Page', category: 'Email', type: 'number' },
   { key: 'externalContentPolicy', label: 'External Content Policy', category: 'Email', type: 'enum', allowedValues: ['allow', 'block', 'ask'] },
   { key: 'sendConfirmation', label: 'Send Confirmation', category: 'Composer', type: 'boolean' },
diff --git a/components/layout/resize-handle.tsx b/components/layout/resize-handle.tsx
index 4de5c31c..6a5e56a8 100644
--- a/components/layout/resize-handle.tsx
+++ b/components/layout/resize-handle.tsx
@@ -8,38 +8,46 @@ interface ResizeHandleProps {
   onResize: (delta: number) => void;
   onResizeEnd?: () => void;
   onDoubleClick?: () => void;
+  orientation?: "vertical" | "horizontal";
   className?: string;
 }
 
 const KEYBOARD_STEP = 10;
 
-export function ResizeHandle({ onResizeStart, onResize, onResizeEnd, onDoubleClick, className }: ResizeHandleProps) {
+export function ResizeHandle({ onResizeStart, onResize, onResizeEnd, onDoubleClick, orientation = "vertical", className }: ResizeHandleProps) {
   const isDragging = useRef(false);
-  const startX = useRef(0);
+  const startPos = useRef(0);
+  const isHorizontal = orientation === "horizontal";
 
   const handleMouseDown = useCallback((e: React.MouseEvent) => {
     e.preventDefault();
     isDragging.current = true;
-    startX.current = e.clientX;
-    document.body.style.cursor = "col-resize";
+    startPos.current = isHorizontal ? e.clientY : e.clientX;
+    document.body.style.cursor = isHorizontal ? "row-resize" : "col-resize";
     document.body.style.userSelect = "none";
     onResizeStart?.();
-  }, [onResizeStart]);
+  }, [onResizeStart, isHorizontal]);
 
   const handleKeyDown = useCallback((e: React.KeyboardEvent) => {
     let delta = 0;
-    if (e.key === "ArrowLeft") delta = -KEYBOARD_STEP;
-    else if (e.key === "ArrowRight") delta = KEYBOARD_STEP;
-    else return;
+    if (isHorizontal) {
+      if (e.key === "ArrowUp") delta = -KEYBOARD_STEP;
+      else if (e.key === "ArrowDown") delta = KEYBOARD_STEP;
+      else return;
+    } else {
+      if (e.key === "ArrowLeft") delta = -KEYBOARD_STEP;
+      else if (e.key === "ArrowRight") delta = KEYBOARD_STEP;
+      else return;
+    }
     e.preventDefault();
     onResize(delta);
     onResizeEnd?.();
-  }, [onResize, onResizeEnd]);
+  }, [onResize, onResizeEnd, isHorizontal]);
 
   useEffect(() => {
     const handleMouseMove = (e: MouseEvent) => {
       if (!isDragging.current) return;
-      const delta = e.clientX - startX.current;
+      const delta = (isHorizontal ? e.clientY : e.clientX) - startPos.current;
       onResize(delta);
     };
 
@@ -57,24 +65,25 @@ export function ResizeHandle({ onResizeStart, onResize, onResizeEnd, onDoubleCli
       document.removeEventListener("mousemove", handleMouseMove);
       document.removeEventListener("mouseup", handleMouseUp);
     };
-  }, [onResize, onResizeEnd]);
+  }, [onResize, onResizeEnd, isHorizontal]);
 
   return (
     <div
       role="separator"
-      aria-orientation="vertical"
+      aria-orientation={isHorizontal ? "horizontal" : "vertical"}
       aria-label="Resize"
       tabIndex={0}
       onMouseDown={handleMouseDown}
       onKeyDown={handleKeyDown}
       onDoubleClick={onDoubleClick}
       className={cn(
-        "w-1 flex-shrink-0 cursor-col-resize hover:bg-primary/30 active:bg-primary/50 transition-colors relative group",
+        "flex-shrink-0 hover:bg-primary/30 active:bg-primary/50 transition-colors relative group",
         "focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:bg-primary/40 focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-primary/50",
+        isHorizontal ? "h-1 cursor-row-resize bg-border" : "w-1 cursor-col-resize",
         className
       )}
     >
-      <div className="absolute inset-y-0 -left-1 -right-1" />
+      <div className={cn("absolute", isHorizontal ? "inset-x-0 -top-1 -bottom-1" : "inset-y-0 -left-1 -right-1")} />
     </div>
   );
 }
diff --git a/components/settings/layout-settings.tsx b/components/settings/layout-settings.tsx
index c295cc10..4d694390 100644
--- a/components/settings/layout-settings.tsx
+++ b/components/settings/layout-settings.tsx
@@ -20,8 +20,6 @@ function MailLayoutPreview({
   value: MailLayout;
   t: (key: string) => string;
 }) {
-  const isSplit = value === 'split';
-
   return (
     <div className="mt-3 rounded-xl border border-border bg-background p-3">
       <div>
@@ -33,7 +31,7 @@ function MailLayoutPreview({
         <div className="flex h-28">
           <div className="w-11 border-r border-border bg-muted/40" />
 
-          {isSplit ? (
+          {value === 'split' && (
             <>
               <div className="w-28 border-r border-border bg-background">
                 {MAIL_LAYOUT_PREVIEW_ROWS.map((row) => (
@@ -56,7 +54,9 @@ function MailLayoutPreview({
                 <div className="mt-1.5 h-2 w-2/3 rounded bg-foreground/10" />
               </div>
             </>
-          ) : (
+          )}
+
+          {value === 'focus' && (
             <div className="flex-1 bg-background px-2 py-2">
               <div className="space-y-1.5">
                 {MAIL_LAYOUT_PREVIEW_ROWS.map((row) => (
@@ -76,6 +76,32 @@ function MailLayoutPreview({
               </div>
             </div>
           )}
+
+          {value === 'horizontal' && (
+            <div className="flex-1 flex flex-col bg-background">
+              <div className="border-b border-border bg-background">
+                {MAIL_LAYOUT_PREVIEW_ROWS.map((row) => (
+                  <div
+                    key={row.subject}
+                    className={cn(
+                      'border-b border-border px-2 py-1 text-[10px] last:border-b-0',
+                      row.selected && 'bg-primary/10'
+                    )}
+                  >
+                    <div className="truncate text-foreground">
+                      <span className="font-medium">{row.sender}</span>
+                      <span className="mx-1.5 text-muted-foreground">{row.subject}</span>
+                    </div>
+                  </div>
+                ))}
+              </div>
+              <div className="flex-1 bg-background px-3 py-2">
+                <div className="h-2 w-20 rounded bg-foreground/10" />
+                <div className="mt-1.5 h-1.5 w-full rounded bg-foreground/10" />
+                <div className="mt-1 h-1.5 w-5/6 rounded bg-foreground/10" />
+              </div>
+            </div>
+          )}
         </div>
       </div>
     </div>
@@ -100,6 +126,7 @@ export function LayoutSettings() {
             options={[
               { value: 'split', label: tEmail('mail_layout.split') },
               { value: 'focus', label: tEmail('mail_layout.focus') },
+              { value: 'horizontal', label: tEmail('mail_layout.horizontal') },
             ]}
           />
           <MailLayoutPreview value={mailLayout} t={tEmail} />
diff --git a/locales/en/common.json b/locales/en/common.json
index 67ca689b..91487f55 100644
--- a/locales/en/common.json
+++ b/locales/en/common.json
@@ -949,11 +949,13 @@
       },
       "mail_layout": {
         "label": "Mail Layout",
-        "description": "Choose between the classic split reading pane and a Gmail-style focused reading flow.",
+        "description": "Choose between the classic split reading pane, a Gmail-style focused reading flow, or a Zimbra-style bottom reading pane.",
         "split": "Split pane",
         "split_description": "Keep the message list and reading pane visible side by side.",
         "focus": "Focused list",
-        "focus_description": "Show one line per message and open mail full-width while keeping the folder sidebar visible."
+        "focus_description": "Show one line per message and open mail full-width while keeping the folder sidebar visible.",
+        "horizontal": "Reading pane at bottom",
+        "horizontal_description": "Show the message list on top and open the selected message in a reading pane below it."
       },
       "show_preview": {
         "label": "Show Preview Text",
diff --git a/stores/settings-store.ts b/stores/settings-store.ts
index a76adee6..b2cfe843 100644
--- a/stores/settings-store.ts
+++ b/stores/settings-store.ts
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ export type MailAttachmentAction = 'preview' | 'download';
 export type AttachmentPosition = 'beside-sender' | 'below-header';
 export type ToolbarPosition = 'top' | 'below-subject';
 export type ArchiveMode = 'single' | 'year' | 'month';
-export type MailLayout = 'split' | 'focus';
+export type MailLayout = 'split' | 'focus' | 'horizontal';
 export type CalendarHoverPreview = 'off' | 'instant' | 'delay-500ms' | 'delay-1s' | 'delay-2s';
 
 export type HoverAction = 'delete' | 'star' | 'markRead' | 'archive' | 'tag' | 'spam';
diff --git a/stores/ui-store.ts b/stores/ui-store.ts
index 3b426860..12b48a13 100644
--- a/stores/ui-store.ts
+++ b/stores/ui-store.ts
@@ -11,6 +11,10 @@ const SIDEBAR_DEFAULT = 256;
 const EMAIL_LIST_MIN = 240;
 const EMAIL_LIST_MAX = 600;
 const EMAIL_LIST_DEFAULT = 384;
+// Email list height (in pixels) for horizontal "Reading Pane at Bottom" layout
+const EMAIL_LIST_HEIGHT_MIN = 160;
+const EMAIL_LIST_HEIGHT_MAX = 800;
+const EMAIL_LIST_HEIGHT_DEFAULT = 320;
 
 interface UIState {
   // Mobile view state
@@ -28,6 +32,7 @@ interface UIState {
   // Resizable column widths (desktop only)
   sidebarWidth: number;
   emailListWidth: number;
+  emailListHeight: number;
 
   // Sidebar collapsed state (desktop)
   sidebarCollapsed: boolean;
@@ -40,8 +45,10 @@ interface UIState {
   setDeviceType: (isMobile: boolean, isTablet: boolean, isDesktop: boolean) => void;
   setSidebarWidth: (width: number) => void;
   setEmailListWidth: (width: number) => void;
+  setEmailListHeight: (height: number) => void;
   resetSidebarWidth: () => void;
   resetEmailListWidth: () => void;
+  resetEmailListHeight: () => void;
   persistColumnWidths: () => void;
   setSidebarCollapsed: (collapsed: boolean) => void;
   toggleSidebarCollapsed: () => void;
@@ -64,6 +71,7 @@ export const useUIStore = create<UIState>((set, get) => ({
   isDesktop: true,
   sidebarWidth: SIDEBAR_DEFAULT,
   emailListWidth: EMAIL_LIST_DEFAULT,
+  emailListHeight: EMAIL_LIST_HEIGHT_DEFAULT,
   sidebarCollapsed: false,
 
   // Actions
@@ -84,26 +92,37 @@ export const useUIStore = create<UIState>((set, get) => ({
   setEmailListWidth: (width) =>
     set({ emailListWidth: Math.min(EMAIL_LIST_MAX, Math.max(EMAIL_LIST_MIN, width)) }),
 
+  setEmailListHeight: (height) =>
+    set({ emailListHeight: Math.min(EMAIL_LIST_HEIGHT_MAX, Math.max(EMAIL_LIST_HEIGHT_MIN, height)) }),
+
   resetSidebarWidth: () => {
     set({ sidebarWidth: SIDEBAR_DEFAULT });
-    const { emailListWidth } = get();
+    const { emailListWidth, emailListHeight } = get();
     try {
-      localStorage.setItem("column-widths", JSON.stringify({ sidebarWidth: SIDEBAR_DEFAULT, emailListWidth }));
+      localStorage.setItem("column-widths", JSON.stringify({ sidebarWidth: SIDEBAR_DEFAULT, emailListWidth, emailListHeight }));
     } catch { /* localStorage may be unavailable */ }
   },
 
   resetEmailListWidth: () => {
     set({ emailListWidth: EMAIL_LIST_DEFAULT });
-    const { sidebarWidth } = get();
+    const { sidebarWidth, emailListHeight } = get();
     try {
-      localStorage.setItem("column-widths", JSON.stringify({ sidebarWidth, emailListWidth: EMAIL_LIST_DEFAULT }));
+      localStorage.setItem("column-widths", JSON.stringify({ sidebarWidth, emailListWidth: EMAIL_LIST_DEFAULT, emailListHeight }));
+    } catch { /* localStorage may be unavailable */ }
+  },
+
+  resetEmailListHeight: () => {
+    set({ emailListHeight: EMAIL_LIST_HEIGHT_DEFAULT });
+    const { sidebarWidth, emailListWidth } = get();
+    try {
+      localStorage.setItem("column-widths", JSON.stringify({ sidebarWidth, emailListWidth, emailListHeight: EMAIL_LIST_HEIGHT_DEFAULT }));
     } catch { /* localStorage may be unavailable */ }
   },
 
   persistColumnWidths: () => {
-    const { sidebarWidth, emailListWidth } = get();
+    const { sidebarWidth, emailListWidth, emailListHeight } = get();
     try {
-      localStorage.setItem("column-widths", JSON.stringify({ sidebarWidth, emailListWidth }));
+      localStorage.setItem("column-widths", JSON.stringify({ sidebarWidth, emailListWidth, emailListHeight }));
     } catch { /* localStorage may be unavailable */ }
   },