diff --git a/site/src/api/api.ts b/site/src/api/api.ts
index 484fbb7aa4c..078da917beb 100644
--- a/site/src/api/api.ts
+++ b/site/src/api/api.ts
@@ -2230,6 +2230,22 @@ class ApiMethods {
 		};
 	};
 
+	/**
+	 * @param organization Can be the organization's ID or name
+	 * @param options Pagination and search options
+	 */
+	getOrganizationPaginatedGroups = async (
+		organization: string,
+		options?: TypesGen.PaginatedGroupsRequest,
+	): Promise<TypesGen.PaginatedGroupsResponse> => {
+		const url = getURLWithSearchParams(
+			`/api/v2/organizations/${organization}/paginated-groups`,
+			options,
+		);
+		const response = await this.axios.get(url);
+		return response.data;
+	};
+
 	/**
 	 * @param organization Can be the organization's ID or name
 	 */
diff --git a/site/src/api/queries/groups.ts b/site/src/api/queries/groups.ts
index 6e714f92c79..8360b268f34 100644
--- a/site/src/api/queries/groups.ts
+++ b/site/src/api/queries/groups.ts
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ import type {
 	GroupMembersResponse,
 	GroupRequest,
 	OrganizationGroupsAISpend,
+	PaginatedGroupsRequest,
+	PaginatedGroupsResponse,
 	PatchGroupRequest,
 	UsersRequest,
 } from "#/api/typesGenerated";
@@ -93,6 +95,37 @@ export const groupMembersAISpend = (
 	} satisfies UseQueryOptions<GroupMembersAISpend>;
 };
 
+const getPaginatedGroupsByOrganizationQueryKey = (
+	organization: string,
+	req?: PaginatedGroupsRequest,
+) => {
+	// Nested under the org groups key so create/patch/delete invalidations,
+	// which target ["organization", org, "groups"], also cover this list.
+	const base = [...getGroupsByOrganizationQueryKey(organization), "paginated"];
+	return req ? [...base, req] : base;
+};
+
+export function paginatedGroupsByOrganization(
+	organization: string,
+	searchParams: URLSearchParams,
+): UsePaginatedQueryOptions<PaginatedGroupsResponse, PaginatedGroupsRequest> {
+	return {
+		searchParams,
+		queryPayload: ({ limit, offset }) => {
+			return {
+				limit,
+				offset,
+				q: prepareQuery(searchParams.get("filter") ?? ""),
+			};
+		},
+
+		queryKey: ({ payload }) =>
+			getPaginatedGroupsByOrganizationQueryKey(organization, payload),
+		queryFn: ({ payload }) =>
+			API.getOrganizationPaginatedGroups(organization, payload),
+	};
+}
+
 const getRootGroupQueryKey = (organization: string, groupName: string) => [
 	"organization",
 	organization,
@@ -167,6 +200,33 @@ export function groupMembers(
 	};
 }
 
+export const getGroupMemberAvatarsQueryKey = (
+	organization: string,
+	groupName: string,
+	limit: number,
+) => [...getGroupMembersQueryKey(organization, groupName), "avatars", limit];
+
+/** Number of member avatars previewed per group row in list views. */
+export const GROUP_MEMBER_AVATAR_LIMIT = 5;
+
+/**
+ * A capped page of a group's members for avatar previews in list views. The
+ * paginated groups endpoint no longer returns rosters, so rows fetch a small
+ * preview lazily. Nests under the group members key so membership mutations
+ * invalidate it.
+ */
+export const groupMemberAvatars = (
+	organization: string,
+	groupName: string,
+	limit: number,
+): UseQueryOptions<GroupMembersResponse> => {
+	return {
+		queryKey: getGroupMemberAvatarsQueryKey(organization, groupName, limit),
+		queryFn: ({ signal }) =>
+			API.getGroupMembers(organization, groupName, { limit }, signal),
+	};
+};
+
 export type GroupsByUserId = Readonly<Map<string, readonly Group[]>>;
 
 export function groupsByUserId() {
diff --git a/site/src/components/Filter/Filter.tsx b/site/src/components/Filter/Filter.tsx
index d194d0f237a..3f8972af69e 100644
--- a/site/src/components/Filter/Filter.tsx
+++ b/site/src/components/Filter/Filter.tsx
@@ -210,14 +210,16 @@ export const Filter: FC<FilterProps> = ({
 				</>
 			) : (
 				<>
-					<PresetMenu
-						value={filter.query}
-						onSelect={(query) => filter.update(query)}
-						presets={presets}
-						learnMoreLink={learnMoreLink}
-						learnMoreLabel2={learnMoreLabel2}
-						learnMoreLink2={learnMoreLink2}
-					/>
+					{presets.length > 0 && (
+						<PresetMenu
+							value={filter.query}
+							onSelect={(query) => filter.update(query)}
+							presets={presets}
+							learnMoreLink={learnMoreLink}
+							learnMoreLabel2={learnMoreLabel2}
+							learnMoreLink2={learnMoreLink2}
+						/>
+					)}
 					<div className="flex flex-col gap-2 w-full">
 						<SearchField
 							ref={textboxInputRef}
diff --git a/site/src/components/Filter/GroupsFilter.tsx b/site/src/components/Filter/GroupsFilter.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..27aeb482b7b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/site/src/components/Filter/GroupsFilter.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+import type { FC } from "react";
+import { Filter, type useFilter } from "#/components/Filter/Filter";
+
+interface GroupsFilterProps {
+	filter: ReturnType<typeof useFilter>;
+}
+
+// GroupsFilter renders a search-only filter. Groups support free-text search
+// against name and display name, so there are no presets or option menus.
+export const GroupsFilter: FC<GroupsFilterProps> = ({ filter }) => {
+	return (
+		<Filter
+			presets={[]}
+			isLoading={false}
+			filter={filter}
+			optionsSkeleton={null}
+		/>
+	);
+};
diff --git a/site/src/pages/GroupsPage/GroupsPage.tsx b/site/src/pages/GroupsPage/GroupsPage.tsx
index 0f783091065..5dd5846fb2c 100644
--- a/site/src/pages/GroupsPage/GroupsPage.tsx
+++ b/site/src/pages/GroupsPage/GroupsPage.tsx
@@ -1,16 +1,15 @@
-import { PlusIcon } from "lucide-react";
 import { type FC, useEffect } from "react";
 import { useQuery } from "react-query";
-import { Link as RouterLink } from "react-router";
+import { useSearchParams } from "react-router";
 import { toast } from "sonner";
 import { getErrorDetail, getErrorMessage } from "#/api/errors";
 import {
-	groupsByOrganization,
 	organizationGroupsAISpend,
+	paginatedGroupsByOrganization,
 } from "#/api/queries/groups";
 import { organizationsPermissions } from "#/api/queries/organizations";
-import { Button } from "#/components/Button/Button";
 import { EmptyState } from "#/components/EmptyState/EmptyState";
+import { useFilter } from "#/components/Filter/Filter";
 import { Loader } from "#/components/Loader/Loader";
 import {
 	SettingsHeader,
@@ -18,6 +17,7 @@ import {
 	SettingsHeaderTitle,
 } from "#/components/SettingsHeader/SettingsHeader";
 import { useAuthenticated } from "#/hooks/useAuthenticated";
+import { usePaginatedQuery } from "#/hooks/usePaginatedQuery";
 import { useFeatureVisibility } from "#/modules/dashboard/useFeatureVisibility";
 import { RequirePermission } from "#/modules/permissions/RequirePermission";
 import { pageTitle } from "#/utils/page";
@@ -29,17 +29,22 @@ const GroupsPage: FC = () => {
 	const { template_rbac: groupsEnabled, aibridge } = useFeatureVisibility();
 	const { organization, showOrganizations } = useGroupsSettings();
 	const aibridgeVisible = Boolean(aibridge);
-	const groupsQuery = useQuery({
-		...groupsByOrganization(organization?.name ?? ""),
-		enabled: Boolean(organization),
+	const [searchParams, setSearchParams] = useSearchParams();
+	const groupsQuery = usePaginatedQuery(
+		paginatedGroupsByOrganization(organization?.name ?? "", searchParams),
+	);
+	const filter = useFilter({
+		searchParams,
+		onSearchParamsChange: setSearchParams,
+		onUpdate: groupsQuery.goToFirstPage,
 	});
-	const groupIds = groupsQuery.data?.map((group) => group.id) ?? [];
+	const groupIds = groupsQuery.data?.groups.map((group) => group.id) ?? [];
 	const groupsSpendQuery = useQuery({
 		...organizationGroupsAISpend(organization?.name ?? "", groupIds),
 		enabled: aibridgeVisible && Boolean(organization) && groupIds.length > 0,
 	});
 	const groupsWithSpend = joinGroupsSpend(
-		groupsQuery.data,
+		groupsQuery.data?.groups,
 		groupsSpendQuery.data,
 	);
 	const permissionsQuery = useQuery({
@@ -113,15 +118,6 @@ const GroupsPage: FC = () => {
 						{showOrganizations ? "organization" : "deployment"}.
 					</SettingsHeaderDescription>
 				</SettingsHeader>
-
-				{groupsEnabled && permissions.createGroup && (
-					<Button asChild>
-						<RouterLink to="create">
-							<PlusIcon className="size-icon-sm" />
-							Create group
-						</RouterLink>
-					</Button>
-				)}
 			</div>
 
 			<GroupsPageView
@@ -130,6 +126,8 @@ const GroupsPage: FC = () => {
 				canCreateGroup={permissions.createGroup}
 				groupsEnabled={groupsEnabled}
 				showAIBudget={aibridgeVisible}
+				filterProps={{ filter }}
+				groupsQuery={groupsQuery}
 				permissions={authPermissions}
 			/>
 		</div>
diff --git a/site/src/pages/GroupsPage/GroupsPageView.stories.tsx b/site/src/pages/GroupsPage/GroupsPageView.stories.tsx
index 9d74dddaab8..a9b6e21bef1 100644
--- a/site/src/pages/GroupsPage/GroupsPageView.stories.tsx
+++ b/site/src/pages/GroupsPage/GroupsPageView.stories.tsx
@@ -1,12 +1,42 @@
 import type { Meta, StoryObj } from "@storybook/react-vite";
+import type { ComponentProps } from "react";
 import { expect, within } from "storybook/test";
-import { MockGroup, MockPermissions } from "#/testHelpers/entities";
+import {
+	GROUP_MEMBER_AVATAR_LIMIT,
+	getGroupMemberAvatarsQueryKey,
+} from "#/api/queries/groups";
+import { getDefaultFilterProps } from "#/components/Filter/storyHelpers";
+import type { UsersFilter } from "#/components/Filter/UsersFilter";
+import {
+	mockInitialRenderResult,
+	mockSuccessResult,
+} from "#/components/PaginationWidget/PaginationContainer.mocks";
+import type { UsePaginatedQueryResult } from "#/hooks/usePaginatedQuery";
+import {
+	MockGroup,
+	MockOrganization,
+	MockPermissions,
+	MockUserMember,
+	MockUserOwner,
+} from "#/testHelpers/entities";
 import { GroupsPageView, type GroupWithSpend } from "./GroupsPageView";
 
+type FilterProps = ComponentProps<typeof UsersFilter>;
+
 const meta: Meta<typeof GroupsPageView> = {
 	title: "pages/OrganizationGroupsPage",
 	component: GroupsPageView,
 	args: {
+		canCreateGroup: true,
+		groupsEnabled: true,
+		filterProps: getDefaultFilterProps<FilterProps>({
+			values: {},
+			menus: {},
+		}),
+		groupsQuery: {
+			...mockSuccessResult,
+			totalRecords: 1,
+		} as UsePaginatedQueryResult,
 		permissions: MockPermissions,
 	},
 };
@@ -19,17 +49,36 @@ const mockGroupWithSpend: GroupWithSpend = {
 	spend: undefined,
 };
 
+// AI-budget and pagination stories aren't about membership, so give their
+// groups no members. Rows with a zero count skip the per-row avatar fetch.
 const aiGroup = (id: string, name: string): GroupWithSpend => ({
 	...mockGroupWithSpend,
 	id,
 	name,
 	display_name: name,
+	total_member_count: 0,
+});
+
+// Seeds the per-row member avatar preview query for a group so the row renders
+// avatars deterministically without hitting the network.
+const seedAvatars = (
+	groupName: string,
+	users: ReadonlyArray<typeof MockUserOwner>,
+	totalCount: number,
+) => ({
+	key: getGroupMemberAvatarsQueryKey(
+		MockOrganization.name,
+		groupName,
+		GROUP_MEMBER_AVATAR_LIMIT,
+	),
+	data: { users, count: totalCount },
 });
 
+export const Default: Story = {};
+
 export const NotEnabled: Story = {
 	args: {
-		groups: [{ ...mockGroupWithSpend }],
-		canCreateGroup: true,
+		groups: [mockGroupWithSpend],
 		groupsEnabled: false,
 	},
 	play: async ({ canvasElement }) => {
@@ -59,16 +108,87 @@ export const NotEnabledWithoutLicenseAccess: Story = {
 
 export const WithGroups: Story = {
 	args: {
-		groups: [{ ...mockGroupWithSpend }],
-		canCreateGroup: true,
-		groupsEnabled: true,
+		groups: [mockGroupWithSpend],
+	},
+	parameters: {
+		queries: [seedAvatars(MockGroup.name, [MockUserOwner, MockUserMember], 2)],
+	},
+};
+
+// A group with more members than fit in the preview: the row shows the capped
+// avatars plus a "+N" badge derived from total_member_count.
+export const WithMemberAvatars: Story = {
+	args: {
+		groups: [
+			{
+				...mockGroupWithSpend,
+				id: "with-members",
+				name: "with-members",
+				display_name: "With members",
+				total_member_count: 8,
+			},
+		],
+	},
+	parameters: {
+		queries: [
+			seedAvatars(
+				"with-members",
+				Array.from({ length: GROUP_MEMBER_AVATAR_LIMIT }, (_, i) => ({
+					...MockUserOwner,
+					id: `preview-${i}`,
+					username: `member-${i}`,
+				})),
+				8,
+			),
+		],
+	},
+	play: async ({ canvasElement }) => {
+		const canvas = within(canvasElement);
+		await expect(await canvas.findByText("+3")).toBeInTheDocument();
+		await expect(canvas.getByText("8 members")).toBeInTheDocument();
+	},
+};
+
+const totalRecords = 15;
+const totalPages = 3;
+const limit = totalRecords / totalPages;
+
+// Multiple pages of results with the search field in use.
+export const WithSearchAndPagination: Story = {
+	args: {
+		groups: Array.from({ length: limit }, (_, i) =>
+			aiGroup(`group-${i}`, `Group ${i}`),
+		),
+		filterProps: getDefaultFilterProps<FilterProps>({
+			query: "group",
+			values: {},
+			menus: {},
+			used: true,
+		}),
+		groupsQuery: {
+			...mockSuccessResult,
+			totalRecords,
+			totalPages,
+			limit,
+			hasNextPage: true,
+		} as UsePaginatedQueryResult,
+	},
+	play: async ({ canvasElement }) => {
+		const canvas = within(canvasElement);
+		await expect(canvas.getByLabelText("Filter")).toHaveValue("group");
+	},
+};
+
+// Groups still loading: the pagination + table render their loading states.
+export const Loading: Story = {
+	args: {
+		groups: undefined,
+		groupsQuery: mockInitialRenderResult as UsePaginatedQueryResult,
 	},
 };
 
 export const WithAIBudgets: Story = {
 	args: {
-		canCreateGroup: true,
-		groupsEnabled: true,
 		showAIBudget: true,
 		groups: [
 			{
@@ -165,9 +285,8 @@ export const WithAIBudgets: Story = {
 export const WithAIBudgetsLoading: Story = {
 	args: {
 		groups: undefined,
-		canCreateGroup: true,
-		groupsEnabled: true,
 		showAIBudget: true,
+		groupsQuery: mockInitialRenderResult as UsePaginatedQueryResult,
 	},
 };
 
@@ -211,8 +330,6 @@ export const WithAIBudgetsSpendError: Story = {
 export const WithAIBudgetsSpendUnavailable: Story = {
 	args: {
 		groups: [aiGroup("ai-unavailable", "Spend unavailable")],
-		canCreateGroup: true,
-		groupsEnabled: true,
 		showAIBudget: true,
 	},
 	play: async ({ canvasElement }) => {
@@ -227,8 +344,6 @@ export const WithAIBudgetsSpendUnavailable: Story = {
 export const WithoutAIBudgetColumn: Story = {
 	args: {
 		groups: [aiGroup("ai-hidden", "No AI column")],
-		canCreateGroup: true,
-		groupsEnabled: true,
 		showAIBudget: false,
 	},
 	play: async ({ canvasElement }) => {
@@ -240,8 +355,9 @@ export const WithoutAIBudgetColumn: Story = {
 export const WithDisplayGroup: Story = {
 	args: {
 		groups: [{ ...mockGroupWithSpend, name: "front-end" }],
-		canCreateGroup: true,
-		groupsEnabled: true,
+	},
+	parameters: {
+		queries: [seedAvatars("front-end", [MockUserOwner, MockUserMember], 2)],
 	},
 };
 
@@ -249,14 +365,32 @@ export const EmptyGroup: Story = {
 	args: {
 		groups: [],
 		canCreateGroup: false,
-		groupsEnabled: true,
 	},
 };
 
 export const EmptyGroupWithPermission: Story = {
 	args: {
 		groups: [],
-		canCreateGroup: true,
-		groupsEnabled: true,
+	},
+};
+
+// A search that matches nothing shows filter-aware copy, not the
+// create-first-group empty state.
+export const NoSearchResults: Story = {
+	args: {
+		groups: [],
+		filterProps: getDefaultFilterProps<FilterProps>({
+			query: "nomatch",
+			values: {},
+			menus: {},
+			used: true,
+		}),
+	},
+	play: async ({ canvasElement }) => {
+		const canvas = within(canvasElement);
+		await expect(
+			canvas.getByText("No groups match your search"),
+		).toBeInTheDocument();
+		expect(canvas.queryByText("No groups yet")).not.toBeInTheDocument();
 	},
 };
diff --git a/site/src/pages/GroupsPage/GroupsPageView.tsx b/site/src/pages/GroupsPage/GroupsPageView.tsx
index 2a2bbe3ef55..74db1ce8eb9 100644
--- a/site/src/pages/GroupsPage/GroupsPageView.tsx
+++ b/site/src/pages/GroupsPage/GroupsPageView.tsx
@@ -1,13 +1,25 @@
 import { ChevronRightIcon, PlusIcon } from "lucide-react";
 import type { FC } from "react";
+import { useQuery } from "react-query";
 import { Link as RouterLink, useNavigate } from "react-router";
-import type { Group, OrganizationGroupsAISpend } from "#/api/typesGenerated";
+import {
+	GROUP_MEMBER_AVATAR_LIMIT,
+	groupMemberAvatars,
+} from "#/api/queries/groups";
+import type {
+	OrganizationGroupsAISpend,
+	PaginatedGroup,
+} from "#/api/typesGenerated";
 import { AIBudgetUsage } from "#/components/AIBudgetUsage/AIBudgetUsage";
 import { Avatar } from "#/components/Avatar/Avatar";
 import { AvatarData } from "#/components/Avatar/AvatarData";
 import { AvatarDataSkeleton } from "#/components/Avatar/AvatarDataSkeleton";
 import { Badge } from "#/components/Badge/Badge";
 import { Button } from "#/components/Button/Button";
+import { EmptyState } from "#/components/EmptyState/EmptyState";
+import type { useFilter } from "#/components/Filter/Filter";
+import { GroupsFilter } from "#/components/Filter/GroupsFilter";
+import { PaginationContainer } from "#/components/PaginationWidget/PaginationContainer";
 import { PaywallPremium } from "#/components/Paywall/PaywallPremium";
 import { Skeleton } from "#/components/Skeleton/Skeleton";
 import {
@@ -24,6 +36,7 @@ import {
 	TableRowSkeleton,
 } from "#/components/TableLoader/TableLoader";
 import { useClickableTableRow } from "#/hooks/useClickableTableRow";
+import type { PaginationResultInfo } from "#/hooks/usePaginatedQuery";
 import type { Permissions } from "#/modules/permissions";
 import { docs } from "#/utils/docs";
 import { SpendEstimateDocsLink } from "./AICostControl";
@@ -31,13 +44,16 @@ import { StatusIconTooltip } from "./StatusIconTooltip";
 
 const EM_DASH = "\u2014";
 
-export type GroupWithSpend = Group & {
+// Stable keys for the avatar loading skeletons (indexes would trip lint).
+const AVATAR_SKELETON_KEYS = ["a", "b", "c", "d", "e"];
+
+export type GroupWithSpend = PaginatedGroup & {
 	readonly spend: OrganizationGroupsAISpend["groups"][number] | undefined;
 };
 
 /** Attach each group's spend, when present, so rows get a single object. */
 export const joinGroupsSpend = (
-	groups: Group[] | undefined,
+	groups: readonly PaginatedGroup[] | undefined,
 	groupsSpend: OrganizationGroupsAISpend | undefined,
 ): GroupWithSpend[] | undefined => {
 	if (groups === undefined) {
@@ -59,6 +75,10 @@ type GroupsPageViewProps = {
 	canCreateGroup: boolean;
 	groupsEnabled: boolean;
 	showAIBudget: boolean;
+	filterProps: { filter: ReturnType<typeof useFilter> };
+	groupsQuery: PaginationResultInfo & {
+		isPlaceholderData: boolean;
+	};
 	permissions: Permissions;
 };
 
@@ -68,6 +88,8 @@ export const GroupsPageView: FC<GroupsPageViewProps> = ({
 	canCreateGroup,
 	groupsEnabled,
 	showAIBudget,
+	filterProps,
+	groupsQuery,
 	permissions,
 }) => {
 	if (!groupsEnabled) {
@@ -82,46 +104,64 @@ export const GroupsPageView: FC<GroupsPageViewProps> = ({
 	}
 
 	return (
-		<Table aria-label="Groups">
-			<TableHeader>
-				<TableRow>
-					<TableHead className="w-2/5">Name</TableHead>
-					<TableHead className={showAIBudget ? "w-1/5" : "w-3/5"}>
-						Users
-					</TableHead>
-					{showAIBudget && (
-						<TableHead className="w-2/5">
-							<div className="flex items-center gap-1">
-								AI spend
-								{spendError ? (
-									<StatusIconTooltip
-										kind="warning"
-										message="AI spend couldn't be loaded, so budgets aren't shown."
-									/>
-								) : (
-									<StatusIconTooltip
-										message={
-											<>
-												Approximate AI spend compared to the group's AI budget
-												for the active period. <SpendEstimateDocsLink />
-											</>
-										}
-									/>
-								)}
-							</div>
-						</TableHead>
-					)}
-					<TableHead className="w-auto" />
-				</TableRow>
-			</TableHeader>
-			<TableBody>
-				<GroupsTableBody
-					groups={groups}
-					canCreateGroup={canCreateGroup}
-					showAIBudget={showAIBudget}
-				/>
-			</TableBody>
-		</Table>
+		<div className="flex flex-col gap-4">
+			<div className="flex flex-row justify-between">
+				<GroupsFilter {...filterProps} />
+				{canCreateGroup && (
+					<Button asChild>
+						<RouterLink to="create">
+							<PlusIcon className="size-icon-sm" />
+							Create group
+						</RouterLink>
+					</Button>
+				)}
+			</div>
+
+			<PaginationContainer query={groupsQuery} paginationUnitLabel="groups">
+				<Table aria-label="Groups">
+					<TableHeader>
+						<TableRow>
+							<TableHead className="w-2/5">Name</TableHead>
+							<TableHead className={showAIBudget ? "w-1/5" : "w-3/5"}>
+								Users
+							</TableHead>
+							{showAIBudget && (
+								<TableHead className="w-2/5">
+									<div className="flex items-center gap-1">
+										AI spend
+										{spendError ? (
+											<StatusIconTooltip
+												kind="warning"
+												message="AI spend couldn't be loaded, so budgets aren't shown."
+											/>
+										) : (
+											<StatusIconTooltip
+												message={
+													<>
+														Approximate AI spend compared to the group's AI
+														budget for the active period.{" "}
+														<SpendEstimateDocsLink />
+													</>
+												}
+											/>
+										)}
+									</div>
+								</TableHead>
+							)}
+							<TableHead className="w-auto" />
+						</TableRow>
+					</TableHeader>
+					<TableBody>
+						<GroupsTableBody
+							groups={groups}
+							canCreateGroup={canCreateGroup}
+							showAIBudget={showAIBudget}
+							filterUsed={filterProps.filter.used}
+						/>
+					</TableBody>
+				</Table>
+			</PaginationContainer>
+		</div>
 	);
 };
 
@@ -129,17 +169,33 @@ interface GroupsTableBodyProps {
 	groups: GroupWithSpend[] | undefined;
 	canCreateGroup: boolean;
 	showAIBudget: boolean;
+	filterUsed: boolean;
 }
 
 const GroupsTableBody: FC<GroupsTableBodyProps> = ({
 	groups,
 	canCreateGroup,
 	showAIBudget,
+	filterUsed,
 }) => {
 	if (groups === undefined) {
 		return <TableLoader showAIBudget={showAIBudget} />;
 	}
 	if (groups.length === 0) {
+		// When a search returned no matches, don't nudge the user to create a
+		// first group; the org may already have groups that simply don't match.
+		if (filterUsed) {
+			return (
+				<TableRow>
+					<TableCell colSpan={999}>
+						<EmptyState
+							message="No groups match your search"
+							description="Try a different search term."
+						/>
+					</TableCell>
+				</TableRow>
+			);
+		}
 		return (
 			<TableEmpty
 				message="No groups yet"
@@ -180,8 +236,23 @@ const GroupRow: FC<GroupRowProps> = ({ group, showAIBudget }) => {
 	const rowProps = useClickableTableRow({
 		onClick: () => navigate(group.name),
 	});
-	const memberAvatars = group.members.slice(0, 5);
-	const remainingAvatars = group.members.length - memberAvatars.length;
+
+	// The list endpoint returns only total_member_count, so fetch a small
+	// avatar preview per visible row instead of a full roster.
+	const membersQuery = useQuery({
+		...groupMemberAvatars(
+			group.organization_name,
+			group.name,
+			GROUP_MEMBER_AVATAR_LIMIT,
+		),
+		enabled: group.total_member_count > 0,
+	});
+	const memberAvatars = membersQuery.data?.users ?? [];
+	const remainingAvatars = group.total_member_count - memberAvatars.length;
+	const skeletonCount = Math.min(
+		group.total_member_count,
+		GROUP_MEMBER_AVATAR_LIMIT,
+	);
 
 	return (
 		<TableRow data-testid={`group-${group.id}`} {...rowProps}>
@@ -196,12 +267,24 @@ const GroupRow: FC<GroupRowProps> = ({ group, showAIBudget }) => {
 						/>
 					}
 					title={group.display_name || group.name}
-					subtitle={`${group.members.length} members`}
+					subtitle={`${group.total_member_count} members`}
 				/>
 			</TableCell>
 
 			<TableCell>
-				{group.members.length > 0 ? (
+				{group.total_member_count === 0 || membersQuery.isError ? (
+					EM_DASH
+				) : membersQuery.isLoading ? (
+					<div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+						{AVATAR_SKELETON_KEYS.slice(0, skeletonCount).map((key) => (
+							<Skeleton
+								key={key}
+								variant="circular"
+								className="size-[--avatar-default]"
+							/>
+						))}
+					</div>
+				) : (
 					<div className="flex items-center gap-2">
 						{memberAvatars.map((member) => (
 							<Avatar
@@ -216,8 +299,6 @@ const GroupRow: FC<GroupRowProps> = ({ group, showAIBudget }) => {
 							</Badge>
 						)}
 					</div>
-				) : (
-					EM_DASH
 				)}
 			</TableCell>