[BUG] Desktop app (Code tab): @ file picker omits deeply nested files in large non-git workspace; CLI with fileSuggestion works

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
• [x] This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
• [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

Summary

In the Claude desktop app (Code tab), the @ file picker does not suggest files in deep directories of a large, non-git workspace. Files near the root appear; the same files are found by the bundled CLI (claude.exe 2.1.295) when run in the same folder with a custom fileSuggestion command. Possibly related to #69024 (closed).

Environment

• Windows 11 Pro (10.0.26200), Claude desktop app (MSIX; Claude 2.31226.1 (857652) 2026-10-09T17:56:07.000Z), bundled Claude Code 2.1.295
• Workspace: large folder tree, not a git repository (hundreds of thousands of files on disk, tens of thousands after a root .ignore excludes build output)

What Should Happen?

Expected

Both files are suggested.

Actual

Only the shallow file is suggested. The deep file does not appear, although folders and chats do. Starting a new chat or restarting the app does not change it. A custom fileSuggestion command in .claude/settings.local.json is never called in the Code tab, while the bundled CLI in a terminal in the same folder calls it and finds the file.

file-suggestion.ps1.txt
settings.local.json

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

Steps to reproduce

1. Create a folder tree that is not a git repository and contains many files, e.g. with a build output folder and a few deep source directories.
2. Place a uniquely named file at depth 6 or deeper, e.g. a/b/c/d/e/f/UniqueDeepFile.h, and another uniquely named file at depth 2.
3. Open the root folder in the desktop app (Code tab).
4. Type @UniqueDeepFile in the prompt, then @ followed by the name of the shallow file.

Claude Model

Sonnet (default)

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.295 (Claude Code CLI), 2.31226.1 (Claude Code Desktop App)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

PowerShell and Desktop App

Additional Information

What I verified

• The deep files exist, have normal attributes, and are listed by rg --files.
• No .gitignore/.ignore/.rgignore excludes them; adding a root .ignore that cuts the file count by ~85% did not help.
• fileSuggestion has no effect in the Code tab (the command is never invoked, confirmed via logging in the script); workspace trust is accepted.
• Running the bundled claude.exe in a terminal in the same folder: the command is called with the typed query and the deep file is found.

Hypothesis (not verified)

The Code tab uses its own file index with a depth or count limit and does not call the fileSuggestion command.

Request

Make the Code tab picker find deep files in large non-git workspaces, or make it honour fileSuggestion.