diff --git a/wlx-overlay-s/src/backend/openvr/mod.rs b/wlx-overlay-s/src/backend/openvr/mod.rs
index 682b584..91bb56f 100644
--- a/wlx-overlay-s/src/backend/openvr/mod.rs
+++ b/wlx-overlay-s/src/backend/openvr/mod.rs
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ use crate::{
         task::{SystemTask, TaskType},
         BackendError,
     },
+    config::save_state,
     graphics::{init_openvr_graphics, CommandBuffers},
     overlays::{
         toast::{Toast, ToastTopic},
@@ -368,8 +369,11 @@ pub fn openvr_run(
         }
 
         // chaperone
+    } // main_loop
 
-        // close font handles?
+    overlays.persist_layout(&mut app);
+    if let Err(e) = save_state(&app.session.config) {
+        log::error!("Could not save state: {e:?}");
     }
 
     log::warn!("OpenVR shutdown");
diff --git a/wlx-overlay-s/src/backend/openxr/mod.rs b/wlx-overlay-s/src/backend/openxr/mod.rs
index f8d3b48..3774401 100644
--- a/wlx-overlay-s/src/backend/openxr/mod.rs
+++ b/wlx-overlay-s/src/backend/openxr/mod.rs
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ use crate::{
         task::{SystemTask, TaskType},
         BackendError,
     },
+    config::save_state,
     graphics::{init_openxr_graphics, CommandBuffers},
     overlays::{
         toast::{Toast, ToastTopic},
@@ -561,6 +562,11 @@ pub fn openxr_run(
         //FIXME: Temporary workaround for Monado bug
         let watch = overlays.mut_by_id(watch_id).unwrap(); // want panic
         watch.config.active_state.as_mut().unwrap().transform = watch_transform;
+    } // main_loop
+
+    overlays.persist_layout(&mut app);
+    if let Err(e) = save_state(&app.session.config) {
+        log::error!("Could not save state: {e:?}");
     }
 
     Ok(())
diff --git a/wlx-overlay-s/src/config.rs b/wlx-overlay-s/src/config.rs
index 57d2537..2b792cf 100644
--- a/wlx-overlay-s/src/config.rs
+++ b/wlx-overlay-s/src/config.rs
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ use std::sync::Arc;
 use crate::config_io;
 use crate::overlays::toast::{DisplayMethod, ToastTopic};
 use crate::state::LeftRight;
+use crate::windowing::set::SerializedWindowSet;
 use chrono::Offset;
 use config::{Config, File};
 use glam::{vec3, Affine3A, Quat, Vec3};
@@ -126,6 +127,14 @@ const fn def_empty_vec_string() -> Vec<String> {
     Vec::new()
 }
 
+const fn def_sets() -> Vec<SerializedWindowSet> {
+    Vec::new()
+}
+
+const fn def_zero_u32() -> u32 {
+    0
+}
+
 fn def_timezones() -> Vec<String> {
     const EMEA: i32 = -60 * 60; // UTC-1
     const APAC: i32 = 5 * 60 * 60; // UTC+5
@@ -309,6 +318,12 @@ pub struct GeneralConfig {
 
     #[serde(default = "def_false")]
     pub clock_12h: bool,
+
+    #[serde(default = "def_sets")]
+    pub sets: Vec<SerializedWindowSet>,
+
+    #[serde(default = "def_zero_u32")]
+    pub last_set: u32,
 }
 
 impl GeneralConfig {
@@ -480,9 +495,8 @@ pub fn save_settings(config: &GeneralConfig) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
 
 #[derive(Serialize)]
 pub struct AutoState {
-    pub show_screens: AStrSet,
-    pub curve_values: AStrMap<f32>,
-    pub transform_values: AStrMap<Affine3A>,
+    pub sets: Vec<SerializedWindowSet>,
+    pub last_set: u32,
 }
 
 fn get_state_path() -> PathBuf {
@@ -491,15 +505,15 @@ fn get_state_path() -> PathBuf {
         .join("zz-saved-state.json5")
 }
 
-pub fn save_layout(config: &GeneralConfig) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+pub fn save_state(config: &GeneralConfig) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
     let conf = AutoState {
-        show_screens: config.show_screens.clone(),
-        curve_values: config.curve_values.clone(),
-        transform_values: config.transform_values.clone(),
+        sets: config.sets.clone(),
+        last_set: config.last_set.clone(),
     };
 
     let json = serde_json::to_string_pretty(&conf).unwrap(); // want panic
     std::fs::write(get_state_path(), json)?;
 
+    log::info!("State was saved successfully.");
     Ok(())
 }
diff --git a/wlx-overlay-s/src/config_wayvr.rs b/wlx-overlay-s/src/config_wayvr.rs
index bbb61f8..97e470e 100644
--- a/wlx-overlay-s/src/config_wayvr.rs
+++ b/wlx-overlay-s/src/config_wayvr.rs
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@ use crate::{
     },
     config::load_config_with_conf_d,
     config_io,
-    overlays::wayvr::{WayVRData, executable_exists_in_path},
+    overlays::wayvr::{executable_exists_in_path, WayVRData},
+    state::LeftRight,
     windowing::window::Positioning,
 };
 
@@ -36,8 +37,14 @@ impl AttachTo {
     pub const fn get_positioning(&self) -> Positioning {
         match self {
             Self::None => Positioning::Floating,
-            Self::HandLeft => Positioning::FollowHand { hand: 0, lerp: 1.0 },
-            Self::HandRight => Positioning::FollowHand { hand: 1, lerp: 1.0 },
+            Self::HandLeft => Positioning::FollowHand {
+                hand: LeftRight::Left,
+                lerp: 1.0,
+            },
+            Self::HandRight => Positioning::FollowHand {
+                hand: LeftRight::Right,
+                lerp: 1.0,
+            },
             Self::Stage => Positioning::Static,
             Self::Head => Positioning::FollowHead { lerp: 1.0 },
         }
diff --git a/wlx-overlay-s/src/overlays/toast.rs b/wlx-overlay-s/src/overlays/toast.rs
index 4f27723..13a2bb1 100644
--- a/wlx-overlay-s/src/overlays/toast.rs
+++ b/wlx-overlay-s/src/overlays/toast.rs
@@ -147,11 +147,17 @@ fn new_toast(toast: Toast, app: &mut AppState) -> Option<OverlayWindowConfig> {
             let mut watch_pos = app.session.config.watch_pos + vec3(-0.005, -0.05, 0.02);
             let mut watch_rot = app.session.config.watch_rot;
             let relative_to = match app.session.config.watch_hand {
-                LeftRight::Left => Positioning::FollowHand { hand: 0, lerp: 1.0 },
+                LeftRight::Left => Positioning::FollowHand {
+                    hand: LeftRight::Left,
+                    lerp: 1.0,
+                },
                 LeftRight::Right => {
                     watch_pos.x = -watch_pos.x;
                     watch_rot = watch_rot * Quat::from_rotation_x(PI) * Quat::from_rotation_z(PI);
-                    Positioning::FollowHand { hand: 1, lerp: 1.0 }
+                    Positioning::FollowHand {
+                        hand: LeftRight::Right,
+                        lerp: 1.0,
+                    }
                 }
             };
             (watch_pos, watch_rot, relative_to)
diff --git a/wlx-overlay-s/src/overlays/watch.rs b/wlx-overlay-s/src/overlays/watch.rs
index 37fbe5b..bafde43 100644
--- a/wlx-overlay-s/src/overlays/watch.rs
+++ b/wlx-overlay-s/src/overlays/watch.rs
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ pub fn create_watch(app: &mut AppState, num_sets: usize) -> anyhow::Result<Overl
         .push(GuiTimer::new(Duration::from_millis(100), 0));
 
     let positioning = Positioning::FollowHand {
-        hand: app.session.config.watch_hand as _,
+        hand: app.session.config.watch_hand,
         lerp: 1.0,
     };
 
diff --git a/wlx-overlay-s/src/state.rs b/wlx-overlay-s/src/state.rs
index ea9d23b..a72e0ed 100644
--- a/wlx-overlay-s/src/state.rs
+++ b/wlx-overlay-s/src/state.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 use glam::Affine3A;
 use idmap::IdMap;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
-use smallvec::{SmallVec, smallvec};
+use smallvec::{smallvec, SmallVec};
 use std::sync::Arc;
 use wgui::{
     font_config::WguiFontConfig, gfx::WGfx, globals::WguiGlobals,
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ pub struct ScreenMeta {
     pub native_handle: u32,
 }
 
-#[derive(Serialize, Deserialize, Clone, Copy, Default)]
+#[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize, Clone, Copy, Default)]
 #[repr(u8)]
 pub enum LeftRight {
     #[default]
diff --git a/wlx-overlay-s/src/windowing/manager.rs b/wlx-overlay-s/src/windowing/manager.rs
index 910ff24..b4a64eb 100644
--- a/wlx-overlay-s/src/windowing/manager.rs
+++ b/wlx-overlay-s/src/windowing/manager.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
+use std::collections::HashMap;
+
 use glam::{Affine3A, Vec3, Vec3A};
-use slotmap::{HopSlotMap, Key};
+use slotmap::{HopSlotMap, Key, SecondaryMap};
 
 use crate::{
     overlays::{
@@ -8,7 +10,10 @@ use crate::{
     },
     state::AppState,
     windowing::{
-        set::OverlayWindowSet, snap_upright, window::OverlayWindowData, OverlayID, OverlaySelector,
+        set::{OverlayWindowSet, SerializedWindowSet},
+        snap_upright,
+        window::OverlayWindowData,
+        OverlayID, OverlaySelector,
     },
 };
 
@@ -43,7 +48,9 @@ where
         if headless {
             log::info!("Running in headless mode; keyboard will be en-US");
         } else {
-            // create one work set for each screen.
+            // create one window set for each screen.
+            // this is the default and would be overwritten by
+            // OverlayWindowManager::restore_layout down below
             match create_screens(app) {
                 Ok((data, keymap)) => {
                     let last_idx = data.screens.len() - 1;
@@ -68,6 +75,7 @@ where
         keyboard.config.show_on_spawn = true;
         let keyboard_id = me.add(keyboard, app);
 
+        // is this needed?
         me.switch_to_set(app, None);
 
         // copy keyboard to all sets
@@ -87,13 +95,79 @@ where
         let watch = OverlayWindowData::from_config(create_watch(app, me.sets.len())?);
         me.watch_id = me.add(watch, app);
 
-        me.switch_to_set(app, None);
+        // overwrite default layout with saved layout, if exists
+        me.restore_layout(app);
 
         Ok(me)
     }
 }
 
 impl<T> OverlayWindowManager<T> {
+    pub fn persist_layout(&mut self, app: &mut AppState) {
+        app.session.config.sets.clear();
+        app.session.config.sets.reserve(self.sets.len());
+        app.session.config.last_set = self.restore_set as _;
+
+        let mut restore_after = false;
+        // only safe to save when current_set is None
+        if self.current_set.is_some() {
+            self.switch_to_set(app, None);
+            restore_after = true;
+        }
+
+        for set in self.sets.iter() {
+            let overlays: HashMap<_, _> = set
+                .overlays
+                .iter()
+                .filter_map(|(k, v)| {
+                    let Some(n) = self.overlays.get(k).map(|o| o.config.name.clone()) else {
+                        return None;
+                    };
+                    Some((n, v.clone()))
+                })
+                .collect();
+
+            let serialized = SerializedWindowSet {
+                name: set.name.clone(),
+                overlays,
+            };
+            app.session.config.sets.push(serialized);
+        }
+
+        if restore_after {
+            self.switch_to_set(app, Some(self.restore_set));
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn restore_layout(&mut self, app: &mut AppState) {
+        if app.session.config.sets.is_empty() {
+            // keep defaults
+            return;
+        }
+
+        // only safe to load when current_set is None
+        if self.current_set.is_some() {
+            self.switch_to_set(app, None);
+        }
+
+        self.sets.clear();
+        self.sets.reserve(app.session.config.sets.len());
+
+        for s in app.session.config.sets.iter() {
+            let overlays: SecondaryMap<_, _> = s
+                .overlays
+                .iter()
+                .filter_map(|(name, v)| self.lookup(&name).map(|id| (id, v.clone())))
+                .collect();
+
+            self.sets.push(OverlayWindowSet {
+                name: s.name.clone(),
+                overlays,
+            });
+        }
+        self.restore_set = (app.session.config.last_set as usize).min(self.sets.len() - 1);
+    }
+
     pub fn mut_by_selector(
         &mut self,
         selector: &OverlaySelector,
@@ -151,7 +225,6 @@ impl<T> OverlayWindowManager<T> {
         if overlay.config.show_on_spawn {
             overlay.config.activate(app);
         }
-        
         self.overlays.insert(overlay)
     }
 
@@ -188,7 +261,7 @@ impl<T> OverlayWindowManager<T> {
 
         if let Some(new_set) = new_set {
             if new_set >= self.sets.len() {
-                log::warn!("switch_to_set: new_set is out of range ({new_set:?})");
+                log::error!("switch_to_set: new_set is out of range ({new_set:?})");
                 return;
             }
 
diff --git a/wlx-overlay-s/src/windowing/mod.rs b/wlx-overlay-s/src/windowing/mod.rs
index 006fb5c..c3eaa32 100644
--- a/wlx-overlay-s/src/windowing/mod.rs
+++ b/wlx-overlay-s/src/windowing/mod.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ use std::sync::Arc;
 
 pub mod backend;
 pub mod manager;
-mod set;
+pub mod set;
 pub mod window;
 
 new_key_type! {
diff --git a/wlx-overlay-s/src/windowing/set.rs b/wlx-overlay-s/src/windowing/set.rs
index 8a45d8b..7263aed 100644
--- a/wlx-overlay-s/src/windowing/set.rs
+++ b/wlx-overlay-s/src/windowing/set.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,18 @@
+use std::{collections::HashMap, sync::Arc};
+
+use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use slotmap::SecondaryMap;
 
 use crate::windowing::{window::OverlayWindowState, OverlayID};
 
 #[derive(Default)]
 pub struct OverlayWindowSet {
+    pub(super) name: Arc<str>,
     pub(super) overlays: SecondaryMap<OverlayID, OverlayWindowState>,
 }
+
+#[derive(Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub struct SerializedWindowSet {
+    pub name: Arc<str>,
+    pub overlays: HashMap<Arc<str>, OverlayWindowState>,
+}
diff --git a/wlx-overlay-s/src/windowing/window.rs b/wlx-overlay-s/src/windowing/window.rs
index ab3ca2c..688022e 100644
--- a/wlx-overlay-s/src/windowing/window.rs
+++ b/wlx-overlay-s/src/windowing/window.rs
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 use glam::{Affine3A, Mat3A, Quat, Vec3, Vec3A};
+use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::{f32::consts::PI, sync::Arc};
 use vulkano::image::view::ImageView;
 
 use crate::{
     graphics::CommandBuffers,
-    state::AppState,
+    state::{AppState, LeftRight},
     subsystem::input::KeyboardFocus,
     windowing::{
         backend::{FrameMeta, OverlayBackend, ShouldRender},
@@ -12,7 +13,7 @@ use crate::{
     },
 };
 
-#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, Default)]
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, Default, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub enum Positioning {
     /// Stays in place, recenters relative to HMD
     #[default]
@@ -26,19 +27,14 @@ pub enum Positioning {
     /// Normally follows HMD, but paused due to interaction
     FollowHeadPaused { lerp: f32 },
     /// Following hand
-    FollowHand { hand: usize, lerp: f32 },
+    FollowHand { hand: LeftRight, lerp: f32 },
     /// Normally follows hand, but paused due to interaction
-    FollowHandPaused { hand: usize, lerp: f32 },
-    /// Follow another overlay
-    FollowOverlay { id: usize },
+    FollowHandPaused { hand: LeftRight, lerp: f32 },
 }
 
 impl Positioning {
     pub const fn moves_with_space(&self) -> bool {
-        matches!(
-            self,
-            Self::Floating | Self::Anchored | Self::Static
-        )
+        matches!(self, Self::Floating | Self::Anchored | Self::Static)
     }
 }
 
@@ -154,9 +150,10 @@ impl OverlayWindowConfig {
 
         let (target_transform, lerp) = match state.positioning {
             Positioning::FollowHead { lerp } => (app.input_state.hmd * cur_transform, lerp),
-            Positioning::FollowHand { hand, lerp } => {
-                (app.input_state.pointers[hand].pose * cur_transform, lerp)
-            }
+            Positioning::FollowHand { hand, lerp } => (
+                app.input_state.pointers[hand as usize].pose * cur_transform,
+                lerp,
+            ),
             _ => return,
         };
 
@@ -196,10 +193,10 @@ impl OverlayWindowConfig {
                 app.input_state.hmd
             }
             Positioning::FollowHand { hand, .. } | Positioning::FollowHandPaused { hand, .. } => {
-                app.input_state.pointers[hand].pose
+                app.input_state.pointers[hand as usize].pose
             }
             Positioning::Anchored => snap_upright(app.anchor, Vec3A::Y),
-            Positioning::FollowOverlay { .. } | Positioning::Static => return false,
+            Positioning::Static => return false,
         };
 
         self.saved_transform = Some(parent_transform.inverse() * state.transform);
@@ -219,10 +216,10 @@ impl OverlayWindowConfig {
             | Positioning::FollowHead { .. }
             | Positioning::FollowHeadPaused { .. } => app.input_state.hmd,
             Positioning::FollowHand { hand, .. } | Positioning::FollowHandPaused { hand, .. } => {
-                app.input_state.pointers[hand].pose
+                app.input_state.pointers[hand as usize].pose
             }
             Positioning::Anchored => app.anchor,
-            Positioning::FollowOverlay { .. } | Positioning::Static => return,
+            Positioning::Static => return,
         };
 
         if hard_reset {
@@ -284,7 +281,7 @@ impl OverlayWindowConfig {
 }
 
 // Contains the window state for a given set
-#[derive(Clone)]
+#[derive(Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub struct OverlayWindowState {
     pub transform: Affine3A,
     pub alpha: f32,