diff --git a/libs/components/src/popover/popover-trigger-for.directive.spec.ts b/libs/components/src/popover/popover-trigger-for.directive.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..8a3bdc2cb8c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/components/src/popover/popover-trigger-for.directive.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,446 @@
+import { Overlay, OverlayRef } from "@angular/cdk/overlay";
+import { ChangeDetectionStrategy, Component, NgZone, TemplateRef, viewChild } from "@angular/core";
+import { ComponentFixture, TestBed, fakeAsync, flush, tick } from "@angular/core/testing";
+import { Subject } from "rxjs";
+
+import { PopoverTriggerForDirective } from "./popover-trigger-for.directive";
+import { PopoverComponent } from "./popover.component";
+
+/**
+ * Test component to host the directive.
+ *
+ * Note: When testing RAF (requestAnimationFrame) behavior in fakeAsync tests:
+ * - tick() without arguments advances virtual time but does NOT execute RAF callbacks
+ * - tick(16) advances time by 16ms (typical animation frame duration) and DOES execute RAF callbacks
+ * - tick(0) flushes microtasks, useful for Angular effects that run synchronously
+ */
+@Component({
+  standalone: true,
+  template: `
+    <button
+      type="button"
+      [bitPopoverTriggerFor]="popoverComponent"
+      [(popoverOpen)]="isOpen"
+      #trigger="popoverTrigger"
+    >
+      Trigger
+    </button>
+    <bit-popover #popoverComponent></bit-popover>
+  `,
+  imports: [PopoverTriggerForDirective, PopoverComponent],
+  changeDetection: ChangeDetectionStrategy.OnPush,
+})
+class TestPopoverTriggerComponent {
+  isOpen = false;
+  readonly directive = viewChild("trigger", { read: PopoverTriggerForDirective });
+  readonly popoverComponent = viewChild("popoverComponent", { read: PopoverComponent });
+  readonly templateRef = viewChild("trigger", { read: TemplateRef });
+}
+
+describe("PopoverTriggerForDirective", () => {
+  let fixture: ComponentFixture<TestPopoverTriggerComponent>;
+  let component: TestPopoverTriggerComponent;
+  let directive: PopoverTriggerForDirective;
+  let overlayRef: Partial<OverlayRef>;
+  let overlay: Partial<Overlay>;
+  let ngZone: NgZone;
+
+  beforeEach(async () => {
+    // Create mock overlay ref
+    overlayRef = {
+      backdropElement: document.createElement("div"),
+      attach: jest.fn(),
+      detach: jest.fn(),
+      dispose: jest.fn(),
+      detachments: jest.fn().mockReturnValue(new Subject()),
+      keydownEvents: jest.fn().mockReturnValue(new Subject()),
+      backdropClick: jest.fn().mockReturnValue(new Subject()),
+    };
+
+    // Create mock overlay
+    const mockPositionStrategy = {
+      flexibleConnectedTo: jest.fn().mockReturnThis(),
+      withPositions: jest.fn().mockReturnThis(),
+      withLockedPosition: jest.fn().mockReturnThis(),
+      withFlexibleDimensions: jest.fn().mockReturnThis(),
+      withPush: jest.fn().mockReturnThis(),
+    };
+
+    overlay = {
+      create: jest.fn().mockReturnValue(overlayRef),
+      position: jest.fn().mockReturnValue(mockPositionStrategy),
+      scrollStrategies: {
+        reposition: jest.fn().mockReturnValue({}),
+      } as any,
+    };
+
+    await TestBed.configureTestingModule({
+      imports: [TestPopoverTriggerComponent],
+      providers: [{ provide: Overlay, useValue: overlay }],
+    }).compileComponents();
+
+    fixture = TestBed.createComponent(TestPopoverTriggerComponent);
+    component = fixture.componentInstance;
+    ngZone = TestBed.inject(NgZone);
+    fixture.detectChanges();
+    directive = component.directive()!;
+  });
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    fixture.destroy();
+  });
+
+  describe("Initial popover open with RAF delay", () => {
+    it("should use double RAF delay on first open", fakeAsync(() => {
+      // Spy on requestAnimationFrame to verify it's being called
+      const rafSpy = jest.spyOn(window, "requestAnimationFrame");
+
+      // Set popoverOpen signal directly on the directive inside NgZone
+      ngZone.run(() => {
+        directive.popoverOpen.set(true);
+        fixture.detectChanges();
+      });
+
+      // After effect execution, RAF should be scheduled but not executed yet
+      expect(overlay.create).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+
+      // Execute first RAF - tick(16) advances time by one animation frame (16ms)
+      // This executes the first requestAnimationFrame callback
+      tick(16);
+      expect(overlay.create).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+
+      // Execute second RAF - the nested requestAnimationFrame callback
+      tick(16);
+      expect(overlay.create).toHaveBeenCalled();
+      expect(overlayRef.attach).toHaveBeenCalled();
+
+      rafSpy.mockRestore();
+      flush();
+    }));
+
+    it("should skip RAF delay on subsequent opens", fakeAsync(() => {
+      // First open with double RAF delay
+      ngZone.run(() => {
+        directive.popoverOpen.set(true);
+        fixture.detectChanges();
+      });
+      // Execute both RAF callbacks (16ms each = 32ms total for first open)
+      tick(16); // First RAF
+      tick(16); // Second RAF
+      expect(overlay.create).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+      jest.mocked(overlay.create).mockClear();
+
+      // Close by clicking
+      const button = fixture.nativeElement.querySelector("button");
+      button.click();
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+
+      // Second open should skip RAF delay (hasInitialized is now true)
+      ngZone.run(() => {
+        directive.popoverOpen.set(true);
+        fixture.detectChanges();
+      });
+      // Only need tick(0) to flush microtasks - NO RAF delay on subsequent opens
+      tick(0);
+      expect(overlay.create).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+
+      flush();
+    }));
+  });
+
+  describe("Race condition prevention", () => {
+    it("should prevent multiple RAF scheduling when toggled rapidly", fakeAsync(() => {
+      ngZone.run(() => {
+        directive.popoverOpen.set(true);
+      });
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+
+      // Try to toggle back to false before RAF completes
+      ngZone.run(() => {
+        directive.popoverOpen.set(false);
+      });
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+
+      // Try to toggle back to true
+      ngZone.run(() => {
+        directive.popoverOpen.set(true);
+      });
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+
+      // Execute RAFs
+      tick(16);
+      tick(16);
+
+      // Should only create overlay once
+      expect(overlay.create).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+
+      flush();
+    }));
+
+    it("should not schedule new RAF if one is already pending", fakeAsync(() => {
+      ngZone.run(() => {
+        directive.popoverOpen.set(true);
+      });
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+
+      // Try to open again while RAF is pending (shouldn't schedule another)
+      ngZone.run(() => {
+        directive.popoverOpen.set(false);
+      });
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+      ngZone.run(() => {
+        directive.popoverOpen.set(true);
+      });
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+
+      tick(16);
+      tick(16);
+
+      // Should only have created one overlay
+      expect(overlay.create).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+
+      flush();
+    }));
+
+    it("should prevent duplicate overlays from click handler during RAF", fakeAsync(() => {
+      ngZone.run(() => {
+        directive.popoverOpen.set(true);
+      });
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+
+      // Click to close before RAF completes - this should cancel the RAF and prevent overlay creation
+      const button = fixture.nativeElement.querySelector("button");
+      button.click();
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+
+      // Verify popoverOpen was set to false
+      expect(directive.popoverOpen()).toBe(false);
+
+      tick(16);
+      tick(16);
+
+      // Should NOT have created any overlay because RAF was canceled
+      expect(overlay.create).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+
+      flush();
+    }));
+  });
+
+  describe("Component destruction during RAF", () => {
+    it("should cancel RAF callbacks when component is destroyed", fakeAsync(() => {
+      const cancelAnimationFrameSpy = jest.spyOn(window, "cancelAnimationFrame");
+
+      ngZone.run(() => {
+        directive.popoverOpen.set(true);
+      });
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+
+      // Destroy component before RAF completes
+      fixture.destroy();
+
+      // Should have cancelled animation frames
+      expect(cancelAnimationFrameSpy).toHaveBeenCalled();
+
+      cancelAnimationFrameSpy.mockRestore();
+
+      flush();
+    }));
+
+    it("should not create overlay if destroyed during RAF delay", fakeAsync(() => {
+      ngZone.run(() => {
+        directive.popoverOpen.set(true);
+      });
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+
+      // Execute first RAF
+      tick(16);
+
+      // Destroy before second RAF
+      fixture.destroy();
+
+      // Execute second RAF (should be no-op)
+      tick(16);
+
+      expect(overlay.create).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+
+      flush();
+    }));
+
+    it("should set isDestroyed flag and prevent further operations", fakeAsync(() => {
+      ngZone.run(() => {
+        directive.popoverOpen.set(true);
+      });
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+      tick(16);
+      tick(16);
+
+      // Destroy the component
+      fixture.destroy();
+
+      // Try to toggle (should be blocked by isDestroyed check)
+      const button = fixture.nativeElement.querySelector("button");
+      button.click();
+
+      expect(overlay.create).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1); // Only from initial open
+
+      flush();
+    }));
+  });
+
+  describe("Click handling", () => {
+    it("should open popover on click when closed", fakeAsync(() => {
+      const button = fixture.nativeElement.querySelector("button");
+      button.click();
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+
+      expect(component.isOpen).toBe(true);
+      expect(overlay.create).toHaveBeenCalled();
+
+      flush();
+    }));
+
+    it("should close popover on click when open", fakeAsync(() => {
+      // Open first
+      ngZone.run(() => {
+        directive.popoverOpen.set(true);
+      });
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+      tick(16);
+      tick(16);
+
+      // Click to close
+      const button = fixture.nativeElement.querySelector("button");
+      button.click();
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+
+      expect(component.isOpen).toBe(false);
+      expect(overlayRef.dispose).toHaveBeenCalled();
+
+      flush();
+    }));
+
+    it("should not process clicks after component is destroyed", fakeAsync(() => {
+      ngZone.run(() => {
+        directive.popoverOpen.set(true);
+      });
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+      tick(16);
+      tick(16);
+
+      const initialCreateCount = jest.mocked(overlay.create).mock.calls.length;
+
+      fixture.destroy();
+
+      const button = fixture.nativeElement.querySelector("button");
+      button.click();
+
+      // Should not have created additional overlay
+      expect(overlay.create).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(initialCreateCount);
+
+      flush();
+    }));
+  });
+
+  describe("Resource cleanup", () => {
+    it("should cancel both RAF IDs in disposeAll", fakeAsync(() => {
+      const cancelAnimationFrameSpy = jest.spyOn(window, "cancelAnimationFrame");
+
+      ngZone.run(() => {
+        directive.popoverOpen.set(true);
+      });
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+
+      // Trigger disposal while RAF is pending
+      directive.ngOnDestroy();
+
+      // Should cancel animation frames
+      expect(cancelAnimationFrameSpy).toHaveBeenCalled();
+
+      cancelAnimationFrameSpy.mockRestore();
+
+      flush();
+    }));
+
+    it("should dispose overlay on destroy", fakeAsync(() => {
+      ngZone.run(() => {
+        directive.popoverOpen.set(true);
+      });
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+      tick(16);
+      tick(16);
+
+      expect(overlayRef.attach).toHaveBeenCalled();
+
+      fixture.destroy();
+
+      expect(overlayRef.dispose).toHaveBeenCalled();
+
+      flush();
+    }));
+
+    it("should unsubscribe from closed events on destroy", fakeAsync(() => {
+      ngZone.run(() => {
+        directive.popoverOpen.set(true);
+      });
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+      tick(16);
+      tick(16);
+
+      // Get the subscription (it's private, so we'll verify via disposal)
+      fixture.destroy();
+
+      // Should have disposed overlay which triggers cleanup
+      expect(overlayRef.dispose).toHaveBeenCalled();
+
+      flush();
+    }));
+  });
+
+  describe("Overlay guard in openPopover", () => {
+    it("should not create duplicate overlay if overlayRef already exists", fakeAsync(() => {
+      ngZone.run(() => {
+        directive.popoverOpen.set(true);
+      });
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+      tick(16);
+      tick(16);
+
+      expect(overlay.create).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+
+      // Try to open again
+      ngZone.run(() => {
+        directive.popoverOpen.set(false);
+      });
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+      ngZone.run(() => {
+        directive.popoverOpen.set(true);
+      });
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+
+      expect(overlay.create).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+
+      flush();
+    }));
+  });
+
+  describe("aria-expanded attribute", () => {
+    it("should set aria-expanded to false when closed", () => {
+      const button = fixture.nativeElement.querySelector("button");
+      expect(button.getAttribute("aria-expanded")).toBe("false");
+    });
+
+    it("should set aria-expanded to true when open", fakeAsync(() => {
+      ngZone.run(() => {
+        directive.popoverOpen.set(true);
+      });
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+      tick(16);
+      tick(16);
+
+      const button = fixture.nativeElement.querySelector("button");
+      expect(button.getAttribute("aria-expanded")).toBe("true");
+
+      flush();
+    }));
+  });
+});
diff --git a/libs/components/src/popover/popover-trigger-for.directive.ts b/libs/components/src/popover/popover-trigger-for.directive.ts
index cb114f1fbc3..176a736fb39 100644
--- a/libs/components/src/popover/popover-trigger-for.directive.ts
+++ b/libs/components/src/popover/popover-trigger-for.directive.ts
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 import { Overlay, OverlayConfig, OverlayRef } from "@angular/cdk/overlay";
 import { TemplatePortal } from "@angular/cdk/portal";
 import {
-  AfterViewInit,
   Directive,
   ElementRef,
   HostListener,
   OnDestroy,
   ViewContainerRef,
+  effect,
   input,
   model,
 } from "@angular/core";
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ import { PopoverComponent } from "./popover.component";
     "[attr.aria-expanded]": "this.popoverOpen()",
   },
 })
-export class PopoverTriggerForDirective implements OnDestroy, AfterViewInit {
+export class PopoverTriggerForDirective implements OnDestroy {
   readonly popoverOpen = model(false);
 
   readonly popover = input.required<PopoverComponent>({ alias: "bitPopoverTriggerFor" });
@@ -31,6 +31,10 @@ export class PopoverTriggerForDirective implements OnDestroy, AfterViewInit {
 
   private overlayRef: OverlayRef | null = null;
   private closedEventsSub: Subscription | null = null;
+  private hasInitialized = false;
+  private rafId1: number | null = null;
+  private rafId2: number | null = null;
+  private isDestroyed = false;
 
   get positions() {
     if (!this.position()) {
@@ -65,10 +69,44 @@ export class PopoverTriggerForDirective implements OnDestroy, AfterViewInit {
     private elementRef: ElementRef<HTMLElement>,
     private viewContainerRef: ViewContainerRef,
     private overlay: Overlay,
-  ) {}
+  ) {
+    effect(() => {
+      if (this.isDestroyed || !this.popoverOpen() || this.overlayRef) {
+        return;
+      }
+
+      if (this.hasInitialized) {
+        this.openPopover();
+        return;
+      }
+
+      if (this.rafId1 !== null || this.rafId2 !== null) {
+        return;
+      }
+
+      // Initial open - wait for layout to stabilize
+      // First RAF: Waits for Angular's change detection to complete and queues the next paint
+      this.rafId1 = requestAnimationFrame(() => {
+        // Second RAF: Ensures the browser has actually painted that frame and all layout/position calculations are final
+        this.rafId2 = requestAnimationFrame(() => {
+          if (this.isDestroyed || !this.popoverOpen() || this.overlayRef) {
+            return;
+          }
+          this.openPopover();
+          this.hasInitialized = true;
+          this.rafId2 = null;
+        });
+        this.rafId1 = null;
+      });
+    });
+  }
 
   @HostListener("click")
   togglePopover() {
+    if (this.isDestroyed) {
+      return;
+    }
+
     if (this.popoverOpen()) {
       this.closePopover();
     } else {
@@ -77,6 +115,10 @@ export class PopoverTriggerForDirective implements OnDestroy, AfterViewInit {
   }
 
   private openPopover() {
+    if (this.overlayRef) {
+      return;
+    }
+
     this.popoverOpen.set(true);
     this.overlayRef = this.overlay.create(this.defaultPopoverConfig);
 
@@ -104,7 +146,7 @@ export class PopoverTriggerForDirective implements OnDestroy, AfterViewInit {
   }
 
   private destroyPopover() {
-    if (!this.overlayRef || !this.popoverOpen()) {
+    if (!this.popoverOpen()) {
       return;
     }
 
@@ -117,15 +159,19 @@ export class PopoverTriggerForDirective implements OnDestroy, AfterViewInit {
     this.closedEventsSub = null;
     this.overlayRef?.dispose();
     this.overlayRef = null;
-  }
 
-  ngAfterViewInit() {
-    if (this.popoverOpen()) {
-      this.openPopover();
+    if (this.rafId1 !== null) {
+      cancelAnimationFrame(this.rafId1);
+      this.rafId1 = null;
+    }
+    if (this.rafId2 !== null) {
+      cancelAnimationFrame(this.rafId2);
+      this.rafId2 = null;
     }
   }
 
   ngOnDestroy() {
+    this.isDestroyed = true;
     this.disposeAll();
   }