diff --git a/api_docs/changelog.md b/api_docs/changelog.md
index d5cd7fcbf7..e212931c28 100644
--- a/api_docs/changelog.md
+++ b/api_docs/changelog.md
@@ -20,6 +20,14 @@ format used by the Zulip server that they are interacting with.
 
 ## Changes in Zulip 9.0
 
+**Feature level 269**
+
+* [`POST /register`](/api/register-queue), [`PATCH
+  /settings`](/api/update-settings), [`PATCH
+  /realm/user_settings_defaults`](/api/update-realm-user-settings-defaults):
+  Added new user setting `web_channel_default_view`, controlling the
+  behavior of clicking a channel link in the web/desktop apps.
+
 **Feature level 268**
 
 * [`PATCH /realm/user_settings_defaults`](/api/update-realm-user-settings-defaults),
diff --git a/version.py b/version.py
index c6afe0f585..07ca1c5f74 100644
--- a/version.py
+++ b/version.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ DESKTOP_WARNING_VERSION = "5.9.3"
 # Changes should be accompanied by documentation explaining what the
 # new level means in api_docs/changelog.md, as well as "**Changes**"
 # entries in the endpoint's documentation in `zulip.yaml`.
-API_FEATURE_LEVEL = 268
+API_FEATURE_LEVEL = 269
 
 # Bump the minor PROVISION_VERSION to indicate that folks should provision
 # only when going from an old version of the code to a newer version. Bump
diff --git a/web/src/admin.js b/web/src/admin.js
index dfd1ec54fa..46f9937704 100644
--- a/web/src/admin.js
+++ b/web/src/admin.js
@@ -188,6 +188,7 @@ export function build_page() {
         demote_inactive_streams_values: settings_config.demote_inactive_streams_values,
         web_mark_read_on_scroll_policy_values:
             settings_config.web_mark_read_on_scroll_policy_values,
+        web_channel_default_view_values: settings_config.web_channel_default_view_values,
         user_list_style_values: settings_config.user_list_style_values,
         web_stream_unreads_count_display_policy_values:
             settings_config.web_stream_unreads_count_display_policy_values,
diff --git a/web/src/realm_user_settings_defaults.ts b/web/src/realm_user_settings_defaults.ts
index 166c18192a..e67562501b 100644
--- a/web/src/realm_user_settings_defaults.ts
+++ b/web/src/realm_user_settings_defaults.ts
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ export const realm_default_settings_schema = z.object({
     translate_emoticons: z.boolean(),
     twenty_four_hour_time: z.boolean(),
     user_list_style: z.number(),
+    web_channel_default_view: z.number(),
     web_escape_navigates_to_home_view: z.boolean(),
     web_font_size_px: z.number(),
     web_home_view: z.string(),
diff --git a/web/src/server_events_dispatch.js b/web/src/server_events_dispatch.js
index 2a341c7778..5e91a0085e 100644
--- a/web/src/server_events_dispatch.js
+++ b/web/src/server_events_dispatch.js
@@ -704,6 +704,7 @@ export function dispatch_normal_event(event) {
                 "demote_inactive_streams",
                 "dense_mode",
                 "web_mark_read_on_scroll_policy",
+                "web_channel_default_view",
                 "emojiset",
                 "web_escape_navigates_to_home_view",
                 "fluid_layout_width",
diff --git a/web/src/settings.js b/web/src/settings.js
index 8fdd7427c8..a4456be908 100644
--- a/web/src/settings.js
+++ b/web/src/settings.js
@@ -103,6 +103,7 @@ export function build_page() {
         demote_inactive_streams_values: settings_config.demote_inactive_streams_values,
         web_mark_read_on_scroll_policy_values:
             settings_config.web_mark_read_on_scroll_policy_values,
+        web_channel_default_view_values: settings_config.web_channel_default_view_values,
         user_list_style_values: settings_config.user_list_style_values,
         web_stream_unreads_count_display_policy_values:
             settings_config.web_stream_unreads_count_display_policy_values,
diff --git a/web/src/settings_config.ts b/web/src/settings_config.ts
index 82400c641e..76589bba21 100644
--- a/web/src/settings_config.ts
+++ b/web/src/settings_config.ts
@@ -57,6 +57,17 @@ export const web_mark_read_on_scroll_policy_values = {
     },
 };
 
+export const web_channel_default_view_values = {
+    top_topic_in_channel: {
+        code: 1,
+        description: $t({defaultMessage: "Top topic in the channel"}),
+    },
+    channel_feed: {
+        code: 2,
+        description: $t({defaultMessage: "Channel feed"}),
+    },
+};
+
 export const user_list_style_values = {
     compact: {
         code: 1,
diff --git a/web/src/settings_preferences.ts b/web/src/settings_preferences.ts
index 99a4f0f710..ee20f45c17 100644
--- a/web/src/settings_preferences.ts
+++ b/web/src/settings_preferences.ts
@@ -208,6 +208,9 @@ export function set_up(settings_panel: SettingsPanel): void {
     $container
         .find(".setting_web_mark_read_on_scroll_policy")
         .val(settings_object.web_mark_read_on_scroll_policy);
+    $container
+        .find(".setting_web_channel_default_view")
+        .val(settings_object.web_channel_default_view);
     $container
         .find(`.setting_emojiset_choice[value="${CSS.escape(settings_object.emojiset)}"]`)
         .prop("checked", true);
diff --git a/web/src/user_settings.ts b/web/src/user_settings.ts
index 7158240b58..4e5a8b755e 100644
--- a/web/src/user_settings.ts
+++ b/web/src/user_settings.ts
@@ -71,6 +71,7 @@ export const user_settings_schema = stream_notification_settings_schema
         translate_emoticons: z.boolean(),
         twenty_four_hour_time: z.boolean(),
         user_list_style: z.number(),
+        web_channel_default_view: z.number(),
         web_escape_navigates_to_home_view: z.boolean(),
         web_font_size_px: z.number(),
         web_home_view: z.enum(["inbox", "recent_topics", "all_messages"]),
diff --git a/web/templates/settings/display_settings.hbs b/web/templates/settings/display_settings.hbs
index 27b9e07d01..f6492e4cce 100644
--- a/web/templates/settings/display_settings.hbs
+++ b/web/templates/settings/display_settings.hbs
@@ -145,6 +145,13 @@
           label=settings_label.web_navigate_to_sent_message
           prefix=prefix}}
 
+        <div class="input-group">
+            <label for="web_channel_default_view" class="settings-field-label">{{t "Channel links in the left sidebar go to" }}</label>
+            <select name="web_channel_default_view" class="setting_web_channel_default_view prop-element settings_select bootstrap-focus-style" id="{{prefix}}web_channel_default_view"  data-setting-widget-type="number">
+                {{> dropdown_options_widget option_values=web_channel_default_view_values}}
+            </select>
+        </div>
+
         <div class="input-group">
             <label for="demote_inactive_streams" class="settings-field-label">{{t "Demote inactive channels" }}
                 {{> ../help_link_widget link="/help/manage-inactive-channels" }}
diff --git a/web/tests/dispatch.test.js b/web/tests/dispatch.test.js
index ea3a120c46..d520c9c4be 100644
--- a/web/tests/dispatch.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/dispatch.test.js
@@ -945,6 +945,11 @@ run_test("user_settings", ({override}) => {
     dispatch(event);
     assert_same(user_settings.web_mark_read_on_scroll_policy, 1);
 
+    event = event_fixtures.user_settings__web_channel_default_view;
+    user_settings.web_channel_default_view = 2;
+    dispatch(event);
+    assert_same(user_settings.web_channel_default_view, 1);
+
     event = event_fixtures.user_settings__dense_mode;
     user_settings.dense_mode = false;
     override(information_density, "set_base_typography_css_variables", noop);
diff --git a/web/tests/lib/events.js b/web/tests/lib/events.js
index 5ead67fc47..b24f759437 100644
--- a/web/tests/lib/events.js
+++ b/web/tests/lib/events.js
@@ -1022,6 +1022,13 @@ exports.fixtures = {
         value: 2,
     },
 
+    user_settings__web_channel_default_view: {
+        type: "user_settings",
+        op: "update",
+        property: "web_channel_default_view",
+        value: 1,
+    },
+
     user_settings__web_escape_navigates_to_home_view: {
         type: "user_settings",
         op: "update",
diff --git a/zerver/migrations/0548_realmuserdefault_web_channel_default_view_and_more.py b/zerver/migrations/0548_realmuserdefault_web_channel_default_view_and_more.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1571a64e1f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/zerver/migrations/0548_realmuserdefault_web_channel_default_view_and_more.py
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+# Generated by Django 5.0.6 on 2024-07-08 18:20
+
+from django.db import migrations, models
+
+
+class Migration(migrations.Migration):
+    dependencies = [
+        ("zerver", "0547_realmuserdefault_web_navigate_to_sent_message_and_more"),
+    ]
+
+    operations = [
+        migrations.AddField(
+            model_name="realmuserdefault",
+            name="web_channel_default_view",
+            field=models.SmallIntegerField(db_default=1, default=1),
+        ),
+        migrations.AddField(
+            model_name="userprofile",
+            name="web_channel_default_view",
+            field=models.SmallIntegerField(db_default=1, default=1),
+        ),
+    ]
diff --git a/zerver/models/users.py b/zerver/models/users.py
index 24431db5a5..2e147fab13 100644
--- a/zerver/models/users.py
+++ b/zerver/models/users.py
@@ -116,6 +116,23 @@ class UserBaseSettings(models.Model):
 
     web_mark_read_on_scroll_policy = models.SmallIntegerField(default=MARK_READ_ON_SCROLL_ALWAYS)
 
+    # UI setting controlling if clicking on a channel link should open
+    # the channel feed (interleaved view) or narrow to the first topic
+    # in the channel.
+
+    WEB_CHANNEL_DEFAULT_VIEW_FIRST_TOPIC = 1
+    WEB_CHANNEL_DEFAULT_VIEW_CHANNEL_FEED = 2
+
+    WEB_CHANNEL_DEFAULT_VIEW_CHOICES = [
+        WEB_CHANNEL_DEFAULT_VIEW_FIRST_TOPIC,
+        WEB_CHANNEL_DEFAULT_VIEW_CHANNEL_FEED,
+    ]
+
+    web_channel_default_view = models.SmallIntegerField(
+        default=WEB_CHANNEL_DEFAULT_VIEW_FIRST_TOPIC,
+        db_default=WEB_CHANNEL_DEFAULT_VIEW_FIRST_TOPIC,
+    )
+
     # Emoji sets
     GOOGLE_EMOJISET = "google"
     GOOGLE_BLOB_EMOJISET = "google-blob"
@@ -329,6 +346,7 @@ class UserBaseSettings(models.Model):
         send_read_receipts=bool,
         send_stream_typing_notifications=bool,
         web_mark_read_on_scroll_policy=int,
+        web_channel_default_view=int,
         user_list_style=int,
         web_stream_unreads_count_display_policy=int,
         web_font_size_px=int,
diff --git a/zerver/openapi/zulip.yaml b/zerver/openapi/zulip.yaml
index 87a9190e42..1773737e3e 100644
--- a/zerver/openapi/zulip.yaml
+++ b/zerver/openapi/zulip.yaml
@@ -11140,6 +11140,21 @@ paths:
                     - 2
                     - 3
                   example: 1
+                web_channel_default_view:
+                  description: |
+                    Web/desktop app setting controlling the default navigation
+                    behavior when clicking on a channel link.
+
+                    - 1 - Top topic in the channel
+                    - 2 - Channel feed
+
+                    **Changes**: New in Zulip 9.0 (feature level 269). Previously, this
+                    was not configurable, and every user had the "Channel feed" behavior.
+                  type: integer
+                  enum:
+                    - 1
+                    - 2
+                  example: 1
                 web_font_size_px:
                   description: |
                     User-configured primary `font-size` for the web application, in pixels.
@@ -11574,6 +11589,8 @@ paths:
                 contentType: application/json
               web_mark_read_on_scroll_policy:
                 contentType: application/json
+              web_channel_default_view:
+                contentType: application/json
               web_font_size_px:
                 contentType: application/json
               web_line_height_percent:
@@ -14093,6 +14110,17 @@ paths:
                               **Changes**: New in Zulip 7.0 (feature level 175). Previously, there was no
                               way for the user to configure this behavior on the web, and the Zulip web and
                               desktop apps behaved like the "Always" setting when marking messages as read.
+                          web_channel_default_view:
+                            type: integer
+                            description: |
+                              Web/desktop app setting controlling the default navigation
+                              behavior when clicking on a channel link.
+
+                              - 1 - Top topic in the channel
+                              - 2 - Channel feed
+
+                              **Changes**: New in Zulip 9.0 (feature level 269). Previously, this
+                              was not configurable, and every user had the "Channel feed" behavior.
                           starred_message_counts:
                             type: boolean
                             description: |
@@ -16489,6 +16517,17 @@ paths:
                               **Changes**: New in Zulip 7.0 (feature level 175). Previously, there was no
                               way for the user to configure this behavior on the web, and the Zulip web and
                               desktop apps behaved like the "Always" setting when marking messages as read.
+                          web_channel_default_view:
+                            type: integer
+                            description: |
+                              Web/desktop app setting controlling the default navigation
+                              behavior when clicking on a channel link.
+
+                              - 1 - Top topic in the channel
+                              - 2 - Channel feed
+
+                              **Changes**: New in Zulip 9.0 (feature level 269). Previously, this
+                              was not configurable, and every user had the "Channel feed" behavior.
                           starred_message_counts:
                             type: boolean
                             description: |
@@ -17599,6 +17638,21 @@ paths:
                     - 2
                     - 3
                   example: 1
+                web_channel_default_view:
+                  description: |
+                    Web/desktop app setting controlling the default navigation
+                    behavior when clicking on a channel link.
+
+                    - 1 - Top topic in the channel
+                    - 2 - Channel feed
+
+                    **Changes**: New in Zulip 9.0 (feature level 269). Previously, this
+                    was not configurable, and every user had the "Channel feed" behavior.
+                  type: integer
+                  enum:
+                    - 1
+                    - 2
+                  example: 1
                 starred_message_counts:
                   description: |
                     Whether clients should display the [number of starred
@@ -18183,6 +18237,8 @@ paths:
                 contentType: application/json
               web_mark_read_on_scroll_policy:
                 contentType: application/json
+              web_channel_default_view:
+                contentType: application/json
               starred_message_counts:
                 contentType: application/json
               receives_typing_notifications:
diff --git a/zerver/tests/test_events.py b/zerver/tests/test_events.py
index 1d9f9cf81b..aa969ca3db 100644
--- a/zerver/tests/test_events.py
+++ b/zerver/tests/test_events.py
@@ -3750,6 +3750,7 @@ class RealmPropertyActionTest(BaseAction):
             emojiset=[emojiset["key"] for emojiset in RealmUserDefault.emojiset_choices()],
             demote_inactive_streams=UserProfile.DEMOTE_STREAMS_CHOICES,
             web_mark_read_on_scroll_policy=UserProfile.WEB_MARK_READ_ON_SCROLL_POLICY_CHOICES,
+            web_channel_default_view=UserProfile.WEB_CHANNEL_DEFAULT_VIEW_CHOICES,
             user_list_style=UserProfile.USER_LIST_STYLE_CHOICES,
             web_stream_unreads_count_display_policy=UserProfile.WEB_STREAM_UNREADS_COUNT_DISPLAY_POLICY_CHOICES,
             desktop_icon_count_display=UserProfile.DESKTOP_ICON_COUNT_DISPLAY_CHOICES,
@@ -3878,6 +3879,7 @@ class UserDisplayActionTest(BaseAction):
             web_home_view=["all_messages", "inbox", "recent_topics"],
             demote_inactive_streams=[2, 3, 1],
             web_mark_read_on_scroll_policy=[2, 3, 1],
+            web_channel_default_view=[2, 1],
             user_list_style=[1, 2, 3],
             web_stream_unreads_count_display_policy=[1, 2, 3],
             web_font_size_px=[12, 16, 18],
diff --git a/zerver/tests/test_realm.py b/zerver/tests/test_realm.py
index 5bac17b85d..bf3a7ea190 100644
--- a/zerver/tests/test_realm.py
+++ b/zerver/tests/test_realm.py
@@ -1945,6 +1945,7 @@ class RealmAPITest(ZulipTestCase):
             emojiset=[emojiset["key"] for emojiset in RealmUserDefault.emojiset_choices()],
             demote_inactive_streams=UserProfile.DEMOTE_STREAMS_CHOICES,
             web_mark_read_on_scroll_policy=UserProfile.WEB_MARK_READ_ON_SCROLL_POLICY_CHOICES,
+            web_channel_default_view=UserProfile.WEB_CHANNEL_DEFAULT_VIEW_CHOICES,
             user_list_style=UserProfile.USER_LIST_STYLE_CHOICES,
             web_stream_unreads_count_display_policy=UserProfile.WEB_STREAM_UNREADS_COUNT_DISPLAY_POLICY_CHOICES,
             desktop_icon_count_display=UserProfile.DESKTOP_ICON_COUNT_DISPLAY_CHOICES,
diff --git a/zerver/tests/test_settings.py b/zerver/tests/test_settings.py
index 5a4870349e..6eca17d883 100644
--- a/zerver/tests/test_settings.py
+++ b/zerver/tests/test_settings.py
@@ -350,6 +350,7 @@ class ChangeSettingsTest(ZulipTestCase):
             timezone="America/Denver",
             demote_inactive_streams=2,
             web_mark_read_on_scroll_policy=2,
+            web_channel_default_view=2,
             user_list_style=2,
             web_stream_unreads_count_display_policy=2,
             web_font_size_px=14,
@@ -375,6 +376,7 @@ class ChangeSettingsTest(ZulipTestCase):
             "user_list_style",
             "color_scheme",
             "web_mark_read_on_scroll_policy",
+            "web_channel_default_view",
             "web_stream_unreads_count_display_policy",
         ]:
             data = {setting_name: test_value}
@@ -403,6 +405,7 @@ class ChangeSettingsTest(ZulipTestCase):
             timezone="invalid_US/Mountain",
             demote_inactive_streams=10,
             web_mark_read_on_scroll_policy=10,
+            web_channel_default_view=10,
             user_list_style=10,
             web_stream_unreads_count_display_policy=10,
             color_scheme=10,
diff --git a/zerver/views/realm.py b/zerver/views/realm.py
index 8f3b0a1815..ad407938ce 100644
--- a/zerver/views/realm.py
+++ b/zerver/views/realm.py
@@ -540,6 +540,10 @@ def update_realm_user_settings_defaults(
         json_validator=check_int_in(UserProfile.WEB_MARK_READ_ON_SCROLL_POLICY_CHOICES),
         default=None,
     ),
+    web_channel_default_view: Optional[int] = REQ(
+        json_validator=check_int_in(UserProfile.WEB_CHANNEL_DEFAULT_VIEW_CHOICES),
+        default=None,
+    ),
     starred_message_counts: Optional[bool] = REQ(json_validator=check_bool, default=None),
     receives_typing_notifications: Optional[bool] = REQ(json_validator=check_bool, default=None),
     web_stream_unreads_count_display_policy: Optional[int] = REQ(
diff --git a/zerver/views/user_settings.py b/zerver/views/user_settings.py
index e4fbfaebd7..25e993202c 100644
--- a/zerver/views/user_settings.py
+++ b/zerver/views/user_settings.py
@@ -207,6 +207,10 @@ def json_change_settings(
         json_validator=check_int_in(UserProfile.WEB_MARK_READ_ON_SCROLL_POLICY_CHOICES),
         default=None,
     ),
+    web_channel_default_view: Optional[int] = REQ(
+        json_validator=check_int_in(UserProfile.WEB_CHANNEL_DEFAULT_VIEW_CHOICES),
+        default=None,
+    ),
     starred_message_counts: Optional[bool] = REQ(json_validator=check_bool, default=None),
     receives_typing_notifications: Optional[bool] = REQ(json_validator=check_bool, default=None),
     fluid_layout_width: Optional[bool] = REQ(json_validator=check_bool, default=None),