[BUG] New environment UI

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?

The new organization into "environments" in claude desktop is not helpful.

I used to have a project and that had a folder and in the security context was implicitly associated with that. When I wanted to work on something I could click "+" and start a new session on that project.

Now I have the environments which as far as I can tell nothing beyond being a named security limit that is not associated with any folder. When I click "+" I chose an environment, but again, it means nothing. And then I start from zero with adding folders and giving permission.

The straightforward list of projects and sessions in the sidebar is a mess. I don't even see where I win anything. The new code is just plain worse in terms of usability.

You tacked an advanced rare feature onto the basic UI and ruined the most common use case.

What Should Happen?

You could have kept the old behavior. Make the new behavior not suck. One click to be in a new session with the right context and folders set up would be the thing to match.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

Start a new session in claude desktop, compare it to the old behavior.

Claude Model

Opus

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

Claude 2.37337.1 (ba51ab) 2026-10-13T14:04:25.000Z

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Terminal.app (macOS)

Additional Information

_No response_