diff --git a/packages/block-editor/src/components/inserter/menu.js b/packages/block-editor/src/components/inserter/menu.js
index 3d6d16be11eacf..99b78b0ce3caf9 100644
--- a/packages/block-editor/src/components/inserter/menu.js
+++ b/packages/block-editor/src/components/inserter/menu.js
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ import useInsertionPoint from './hooks/use-insertion-point';
 import { store as blockEditorStore } from '../../store';
 import TabbedSidebar from '../tabbed-sidebar';
 import { useZoomOut } from '../../hooks/use-zoom-out';
+import { unlock } from '../../lock-unlock';
 
 const NOOP = () => {};
 function InserterMenu(
@@ -58,6 +59,11 @@ function InserterMenu(
 			select( blockEditorStore ).__unstableGetEditorMode() === 'zoom-out',
 		[]
 	);
+	const hasSectionRootClientId = useSelect(
+		( select ) =>
+			!! unlock( select( blockEditorStore ) ).getSectionRootClientId(),
+		[]
+	);
 	const [ filterValue, setFilterValue, delayedFilterValue ] =
 		useDebouncedInput( __experimentalFilterValue );
 	const [ hoveredItem, setHoveredItem ] = useState( null );
@@ -82,7 +88,9 @@ function InserterMenu(
 	const [ selectedTab, setSelectedTab ] = useState( getInitialTab() );
 
 	const shouldUseZoomOut =
-		selectedTab === 'patterns' || selectedTab === 'media';
+		hasSectionRootClientId &&
+		( selectedTab === 'patterns' || selectedTab === 'media' );
+
 	useZoomOut( shouldUseZoomOut && isLargeViewport );
 
 	const [ destinationRootClientId, onInsertBlocks, onToggleInsertionPoint ] =
diff --git a/packages/editor/src/components/header/index.js b/packages/editor/src/components/header/index.js
index eb0dd68647f56f..2a336eebe72798 100644
--- a/packages/editor/src/components/header/index.js
+++ b/packages/editor/src/components/header/index.js
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import PostViewLink from '../post-view-link';
 import PreviewDropdown from '../preview-dropdown';
 import ZoomOutToggle from '../zoom-out-toggle';
 import { store as editorStore } from '../../store';
+import { unlock } from '../../lock-unlock';
 
 const toolbarVariations = {
 	distractionFreeDisabled: { y: '-50px' },
@@ -91,6 +92,16 @@ function Header( {
 
 	// The edit-post-header classname is only kept for backward compatibilty
 	// as some plugins might be relying on its presence.
+	const hasSectionRootClientId = useSelect(
+		( select ) =>
+			!! unlock( select( blockEditorStore ) ).getSectionRootClientId(),
+		[]
+	);
+
+	/*
+	 * The edit-post-header classname is only kept for backward compatability
+	 * as some plugins might be relying on its presence.
+	 */
 	return (
 		<div className="editor-header edit-post-header">
 			{ hasBackButton && (
@@ -150,9 +161,11 @@ function Header( {
 				/>
 				<PostViewLink />
 
-				{ isEditorIframed && isWideViewport && (
-					<ZoomOutToggle disabled={ forceDisableBlockTools } />
-				) }
+				{ isEditorIframed &&
+					isWideViewport &&
+					hasSectionRootClientId && (
+						<ZoomOutToggle disabled={ forceDisableBlockTools } />
+					) }
 
 				{ ( isWideViewport || ! showIconLabels ) && (
 					<PinnedItems.Slot scope="core" />
diff --git a/test/e2e/specs/editor/various/parsing-patterns.spec.js b/test/e2e/specs/editor/various/parsing-patterns.spec.js
index 3b801591aed5de..4170d3fcaed9b2 100644
--- a/test/e2e/specs/editor/various/parsing-patterns.spec.js
+++ b/test/e2e/specs/editor/various/parsing-patterns.spec.js
@@ -37,9 +37,8 @@ test.describe( 'Parsing patterns', () => {
 			} );
 		} );
 
-		// Exit zoom out mode and select the inner buttons block to ensure
+		// Select the inner buttons block to ensure
 		// the correct insertion point is selected.
-		await page.getByRole( 'button', { name: 'Zoom Out' } ).click();
 		await editor.selectBlocks(
 			editor.canvas.locator( 'role=document[name="Block: Button"i]' )
 		);
diff --git a/test/e2e/specs/editor/various/pattern-overrides.spec.js b/test/e2e/specs/editor/various/pattern-overrides.spec.js
index 5fbd0e66b5fd02..55d1557886f211 100644
--- a/test/e2e/specs/editor/various/pattern-overrides.spec.js
+++ b/test/e2e/specs/editor/various/pattern-overrides.spec.js
@@ -226,6 +226,373 @@ test.describe( 'Pattern Overrides', () => {
 		} );
 	} );
 
+	test.describe( 'block editing modes', () => {
+		test.beforeEach( async ( { page } ) => {
+			await page.addInitScript( () => {
+				window.__experimentalEditorWriteMode = true;
+			} );
+		} );
+
+		test( 'blocks with bindings in a synced pattern are editable, and all other blocks are disabled', async ( {
+			admin,
+			editor,
+			page,
+			requestUtils,
+		} ) => {
+			const content = `
+			<!-- wp:paragraph {"metadata":{"name":"Pattern Overrides","bindings":{"__default":{"source":"core/pattern-overrides"}}}} -->
+			<p>Pattern Overrides</p>
+			<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
+			<!-- wp:paragraph {"metadata":{"name":"Post Meta Binding","bindings":{"content":{"source":"core/post-meta","args":{"key":"Post Meta Binding"}}}}} -->
+			<p>Post Meta Binding</p>
+			<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
+			<!-- wp:paragraph {"metadata":{"name":"No Overrides or Binding"}} -->
+			<p>No Overrides or Binding</p>
+			<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
+			`;
+
+			const { id } = await requestUtils.createBlock( {
+				title: 'Pattern',
+				content,
+				status: 'publish',
+			} );
+
+			await admin.visitSiteEditor( {
+				postId: 'emptytheme//index',
+				postType: 'wp_template',
+				canvas: 'edit',
+			} );
+
+			await editor.setContent( '' );
+			await editor.switchEditorTool( 'Design' );
+
+			// Insert a `<main>` group block.
+			// In zoomed out and write mode it acts as the section root.
+			// Inside is a pattern that acts as a section.
+			await editor.insertBlock( {
+				name: 'core/group',
+				attributes: { tagName: 'main' },
+				innerBlocks: [
+					{
+						name: 'core/block',
+						attributes: { ref: id },
+					},
+				],
+			} );
+
+			const groupBlock = editor.canvas.getByRole( 'document', {
+				name: 'Block: Group',
+			} );
+			const patternBlock = editor.canvas.getByRole( 'document', {
+				name: 'Block: Pattern',
+			} );
+			const paragraphs = editor.canvas.getByRole( 'document', {
+				name: 'Block: Paragraph',
+			} );
+			const blockWithOverrides = paragraphs.filter( {
+				hasText: 'Pattern Overrides',
+			} );
+			const blockWithBindings = paragraphs.filter( {
+				hasText: 'Post Meta Binding',
+			} );
+			const blockWithoutOverridesOrBindings = paragraphs.filter( {
+				hasText: 'No Overrides or Binding',
+			} );
+
+			await test.step( 'Click-through behavior', async () => {
+				// With the group block selected, all the inner blocks of the pattern
+				// are inert due to the 'click-through' behavior, that requires the
+				// pattern block be selected first before its inner blocks are selectable.
+				await editor.selectBlocks( groupBlock );
+				await expect( patternBlock ).not.toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+				await expect( blockWithOverrides ).toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+				await expect( blockWithBindings ).toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+				await expect( blockWithoutOverridesOrBindings ).toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+			} );
+
+			await test.step( 'Zoomed in / Design mode', async () => {
+				await editor.selectBlocks( patternBlock );
+
+				// Once selected and in zoomed in/design mode the child blocks
+				// of the pattern with bindings are editable, but unbound
+				// blocks are inert.
+				await expect( blockWithOverrides ).not.toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+				await expect( blockWithBindings ).not.toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+				await expect( blockWithoutOverridesOrBindings ).toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+			} );
+
+			await test.step( 'Zoomed in / Write mode - pattern as a section', async () => {
+				await editor.switchEditorTool( 'Write' );
+
+				// The pattern block is still editable as a section.
+				await expect( patternBlock ).not.toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+
+				// Ensure the pattern block is selected.
+				await editor.selectBlocks( patternBlock );
+
+				// Child blocks of the pattern with bindings are editable.
+				await expect( blockWithOverrides ).not.toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+				await expect( blockWithBindings ).not.toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+				await expect( blockWithoutOverridesOrBindings ).toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+			} );
+
+			await test.step( 'Zoomed out / Write mode - pattern as a section', async () => {
+				await page.getByLabel( 'Zoom Out' ).click();
+				// In zoomed out only the pattern block is editable,
+				// as in this scenario it's a section.
+				await expect( patternBlock ).not.toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+
+				// Ensure the pattern block is selected before checking the child blocks
+				// to ensure the click-through behavior isn't interfering.
+				await editor.selectBlocks( patternBlock );
+
+				// None of the child blocks are editable in zoomed out mode.
+				await expect( blockWithOverrides ).toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+				await expect( blockWithBindings ).toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+				await expect( blockWithoutOverridesOrBindings ).toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+			} );
+
+			await test.step( 'Zoomed out / Design mode - pattern as a section', async () => {
+				await editor.switchEditorTool( 'Design' );
+				// In zoomed out only the pattern block is editable,
+				// as in this scenario it's a section.
+				await expect( patternBlock ).not.toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+
+				// Ensure the pattern block is selected before checking the child blocks
+				// to ensure the click-through behavior isn't interfering.
+				await editor.selectBlocks( patternBlock );
+
+				await expect( blockWithOverrides ).toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+				await expect( blockWithBindings ).toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+				await expect( blockWithoutOverridesOrBindings ).toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+			} );
+
+			// Zoom out and group the pattern so that it's no longer a section.
+			await page.getByLabel( 'Zoom Out' ).click();
+			await editor.selectBlocks( patternBlock );
+			await editor.clickBlockOptionsMenuItem( 'Group' );
+
+			await test.step( 'Zoomed in / Write mode - pattern nested in a section', async () => {
+				await editor.switchEditorTool( 'Write' );
+				// The pattern block is not inert as it has editable content, but it shouldn't be selectable.
+				// TODO: find a way to test that the block is not selectable.
+				await expect( patternBlock ).not.toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+				// Child blocks of the pattern are editable as normal.
+				await expect( blockWithOverrides ).not.toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+				await expect( blockWithBindings ).not.toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+				await expect( blockWithoutOverridesOrBindings ).toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+			} );
+
+			await test.step( 'Zoomed out / Write mode - pattern nested in a section', async () => {
+				await page.getByLabel( 'Zoom Out' ).click();
+				// None of the pattern is editable in zoomed out when nested in a section.
+				await expect( patternBlock ).toHaveAttribute( 'inert', 'true' );
+				await expect( blockWithOverrides ).toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+				await expect( blockWithBindings ).toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+				await expect( blockWithoutOverridesOrBindings ).toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+			} );
+
+			await test.step( 'Zoomed out / Design mode - pattern nested in a section', async () => {
+				await editor.switchEditorTool( 'Design' );
+				// None of the pattern is editable in zoomed out when nested in a section.
+				await expect( patternBlock ).toHaveAttribute( 'inert', 'true' );
+				await expect( blockWithOverrides ).toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+				await expect( blockWithBindings ).toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+				await expect( blockWithoutOverridesOrBindings ).toHaveAttribute(
+					'inert',
+					'true'
+				);
+			} );
+		} );
+
+		test( 'disables editing of nested patterns', async ( {
+			page,
+			admin,
+			requestUtils,
+			editor,
+		} ) => {
+			const paragraphName = 'Editable paragraph';
+			const headingName = 'Editable heading';
+			const innerPattern = await requestUtils.createBlock( {
+				title: 'Inner Pattern',
+				content: `<!-- wp:paragraph {"metadata":{"name":"${ paragraphName }","bindings":{"__default":{"source":"core/pattern-overrides"}}}} -->
+	<p>Inner paragraph</p>
+	<!-- /wp:paragraph -->`,
+				status: 'publish',
+			} );
+			const outerPattern = await requestUtils.createBlock( {
+				title: 'Outer Pattern',
+				content: `<!-- wp:heading {"metadata":{"name":"${ headingName }","bindings":{"__default":{"source":"core/pattern-overrides"}}}} -->
+	<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Outer heading</h2>
+	<!-- /wp:heading -->
+	<!-- wp:block {"ref":${ innerPattern.id },"content":{"${ paragraphName }":{"content":"Inner paragraph (edited)"}}} /-->`,
+				status: 'publish',
+			} );
+
+			await admin.createNewPost();
+
+			await editor.insertBlock( {
+				name: 'core/block',
+				attributes: { ref: outerPattern.id },
+			} );
+
+			// Make an edit to the outer pattern heading.
+			await editor.canvas
+				.getByRole( 'document', { name: 'Block: Heading' } )
+				.fill( 'Outer heading (edited)' );
+
+			const postId = await editor.publishPost();
+
+			// Check the pattern has the correct attributes.
+			await expect.poll( editor.getBlocks ).toMatchObject( [
+				{
+					name: 'core/block',
+					attributes: {
+						ref: outerPattern.id,
+						content: {
+							[ headingName ]: {
+								content: 'Outer heading (edited)',
+							},
+						},
+					},
+					innerBlocks: [],
+				},
+			] );
+			// Check it renders correctly.
+			const headingBlock = editor.canvas.getByRole( 'document', {
+				name: 'Block: Heading',
+			} );
+			const paragraphBlock = editor.canvas.getByRole( 'document', {
+				name: 'Block: Paragraph',
+			} );
+			await expect( headingBlock ).toHaveText( 'Outer heading (edited)' );
+			await expect( headingBlock ).not.toHaveAttribute( 'inert', 'true' );
+			await expect( paragraphBlock ).toHaveText(
+				'Inner paragraph (edited)'
+			);
+			await expect( paragraphBlock ).toHaveAttribute( 'inert', 'true' );
+
+			// Edit the outer pattern.
+			await editor.selectBlocks(
+				editor.canvas
+					.getByRole( 'document', { name: 'Block: Pattern' } )
+					.first()
+			);
+			await editor.showBlockToolbar();
+			await page
+				.getByRole( 'toolbar', { name: 'Block tools' } )
+				.getByRole( 'button', { name: 'Edit original' } )
+				.click();
+
+			// The inner paragraph should be editable in the pattern focus mode.
+			await editor.selectBlocks(
+				editor.canvas
+					.getByRole( 'document', { name: 'Block: Pattern' } )
+					.first()
+			);
+			await expect(
+				editor.canvas.getByRole( 'document', {
+					name: 'Block: Paragraph',
+				} ),
+				'The inner paragraph should be editable'
+			).not.toHaveAttribute( 'inert', 'true' );
+
+			// Visit the post on the frontend.
+			await page.goto( `/?p=${ postId }` );
+
+			await expect(
+				page.getByRole( 'heading', { level: 2 } )
+			).toHaveText( 'Outer heading (edited)' );
+			await expect(
+				page.getByText( 'Inner paragraph (edited)' )
+			).toBeVisible();
+		} );
+	} );
+
 	test( 'retains override values when converting a pattern block to regular blocks', async ( {
 		page,
 		admin,
diff --git a/test/e2e/specs/site-editor/zoom-out.spec.js b/test/e2e/specs/site-editor/zoom-out.spec.js
index 2a299fd474c737..531d3566efa449 100644
--- a/test/e2e/specs/site-editor/zoom-out.spec.js
+++ b/test/e2e/specs/site-editor/zoom-out.spec.js
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@
 const { test, expect } = require( '@wordpress/e2e-test-utils-playwright' );
 
 const EDITOR_ZOOM_OUT_CONTENT = `
-<!-- wp:group {"style":{"spacing":{"padding":{"top":"0","bottom":"0","left":"0","right":"0"}},"dimensions":{"minHeight":"100vh"}},"backgroundColor":"base-2","layout":{"type":"flex","orientation":"vertical","verticalAlignment":"space-between"}} -->
+<!-- wp:group {"tagName":"main","layout":{"type":"constrained"}} -->
+<main class="wp-block-group"><!-- wp:group {"style":{"spacing":{"padding":{"top":"0","bottom":"0","left":"0","right":"0"}},"dimensions":{"minHeight":"100vh"}},"backgroundColor":"base-2","layout":{"type":"flex","orientation":"vertical","verticalAlignment":"space-between"}} -->
 <div class="wp-block-group has-base-2-background-color has-background" style="min-height:100vh;padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0"><!-- wp:paragraph -->
 <p>First Section Start</p>
 <!-- /wp:paragraph -->
@@ -58,6 +59,21 @@ const EDITOR_ZOOM_OUT_CONTENT = `
 <!-- wp:paragraph -->
 <p>Fourth Section End</p>
 <!-- /wp:paragraph --></div>
+<!-- /wp:group --></main>
+<!-- /wp:group -->`;
+
+const EDITOR_ZOOM_OUT_CONTENT_NO_SECTION_ROOT = `<!-- wp:group {"style":{"spacing":{"padding":{"top":"0","bottom":"0","left":"0","right":"0"}},"dimensions":{"minHeight":"100vh"}},"backgroundColor":"base-2","layout":{"type":"flex","orientation":"vertical","verticalAlignment":"space-between"}} -->
+<div class="wp-block-group has-base-2-background-color has-background" style="min-height:100vh;padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0"><!-- wp:paragraph -->
+<p>First Section Start</p>
+<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
+
+<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"layout":{"selfStretch":"fit","flexSize":null}}} -->
+<p>First Section Center</p>
+<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
+
+<!-- wp:paragraph -->
+<p>First Section End</p>
+<!-- /wp:paragraph --></div>
 <!-- /wp:group -->`;
 
 // The test is flaky and fails almost consistently.
@@ -77,6 +93,8 @@ test.describe( 'Zoom Out', () => {
 
 	test.afterAll( async ( { requestUtils } ) => {
 		await requestUtils.activateTheme( 'twentytwentyone' );
+		await requestUtils.deleteAllTemplates( 'wp_template' );
+		await requestUtils.deleteAllTemplates( 'wp_template_part' );
 	} );
 
 	test.skip( 'Clicking on inserter while on zoom-out should open the patterns tab on the inserter', async ( {
@@ -212,4 +230,29 @@ test.describe( 'Zoom Out', () => {
 		await expect( thirdSectionEnd ).toBeInViewport();
 		await expect( fourthSectionStart ).not.toBeInViewport();
 	} );
+
+	test( 'Zoom Out cannot be activated when the section root is missing', async ( {
+		page,
+		editor,
+	} ) => {
+		await editor.setContent( EDITOR_ZOOM_OUT_CONTENT_NO_SECTION_ROOT );
+
+		// Check that the Zoom Out toggle button is not visible.
+		await expect(
+			page.getByRole( 'button', { name: 'Zoom Out' } )
+		).toBeHidden();
+
+		// Check that activating the Patterns tab in the Inserter does not activate
+		// Zoom Out.
+		await page
+			.getByRole( 'button', {
+				name: 'Block Inserter',
+				exact: true,
+			} )
+			.click();
+
+		await page.getByRole( 'tab', { name: 'Patterns' } ).click();
+
+		await expect( page.locator( '.is-zoomed-out' ) ).toBeHidden();
+	} );
 } );