diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index e1026d2..5332cbc 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -443,6 +443,12 @@ fn run_tui(manager: Manager, config_meta: config::ConfigMeta) -> Result<()> {
     // Startup checks
     startup_checks()?;
 
+    if crate::tmux::pane::is_inside_tmux() {
+        if let Err(err) = crate::tmux::pane::ensure_worktrees_explorer_tab() {
+            eprintln!("warning: failed to name worktree explorer tab: {err}");
+        }
+    }
+
     // Set up terminal
     crossterm::terminal::enable_raw_mode()?;
     let mut stdout = std::io::stdout();
@@ -1052,6 +1058,12 @@ fn run_forest_tui() -> Result<()> {
     // Startup checks
     startup_checks()?;
 
+    if crate::tmux::pane::is_inside_tmux() {
+        if let Err(err) = crate::tmux::pane::ensure_worktrees_explorer_tab() {
+            eprintln!("warning: failed to name worktree explorer tab: {err}");
+        }
+    }
+
     // Set up terminal
     crossterm::terminal::enable_raw_mode()?;
     let mut stdout = std::io::stdout();
diff --git a/src/tmux/pane.rs b/src/tmux/pane.rs
index a2e5319..3f84821 100644
--- a/src/tmux/pane.rs
+++ b/src/tmux/pane.rs
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@ use std::path::Path;
 use std::process::Command;
 use std::time::{SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
 
+/// Stable name for the cwt navigator tab/window that stays open as a worktree explorer.
+pub const WORKTREES_EXPLORER_NAME: &str = "cwt:worktrees";
+
 /// Information about a tmux pane.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
 pub struct PaneInfo {
@@ -47,6 +50,20 @@ pub fn create_pane(worktree_path: &Path, command: &str, pane_title: &str) -> Res
     }
 }
 
+/// Ensure the current tab/window is named as the persistent worktree explorer.
+pub fn ensure_worktrees_explorer_tab() -> Result<()> {
+    match preferred_multiplexer() {
+        Multiplexer::Zellij => {
+            zellij_action(&["rename-tab", WORKTREES_EXPLORER_NAME])?;
+            Ok(())
+        }
+        Multiplexer::Tmux => {
+            tmux(&["rename-window", WORKTREES_EXPLORER_NAME])?;
+            Ok(())
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 /// Focus (select) an existing tmux pane by switching to its window first.
 pub fn focus_pane(pane_id: &str) -> Result<()> {
     match preferred_multiplexer() {