[BUG] Switching folders in UI causes confusing session "loss"

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?

When using the Claude Code UI to open a new folder, the previous session becomes inaccessible without knowing to press A in the /resume picker. This creates a very frustrating experience where users believe they've lost all their work.

What Should Happen?

• Warning before switching folders: "This will switch to a new session. Your current session will be saved and can be resumed later."
• Clear indication of how to get back to previous sessions
• The /resume picker should default to showing recent sessions across all projects, or at minimum clearly indicate that pressing A shows more sessions

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

Bug Report: Switching folders in UI causes confusing session "loss"

Summary

When using the Claude Code UI to open a new folder, the previous session becomes inaccessible without knowing to press A in the /resume picker. This creates a very frustrating experience where users believe they've lost all their work.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Start Claude Code in folder A
2. Work on a substantial session (hours of context, many interactions)
3. Click the folder icon in the UI and select a different folder B
4. Try to get back to your previous session

Expected Behavior

• Warning before switching folders: "This will switch to a new session. Your current session will be saved and can be resumed later."
• Clear indication of how to get back to previous sessions
• The /resume picker should default to showing recent sessions across all projects, or at minimum clearly indicate that pressing A shows more sessions

Actual Behavior

• Session switches immediately with no warning
• Previous session appears to be "gone"
• /resume only shows sessions from current directory by default
• User must know to press A to see "all projects" - this is not discoverable
• Quitting and restarting loses folder context

Impact

• Users lose hours of work context
• Very frustrating and trust-breaking experience
• Users may not realize their session still exists in ~/.claude/projects/

Suggested Fixes

1. Add confirmation dialog when switching folders: "Switch to [folder]? Your current session will be saved."
2. Show recent sessions from all projects in /resume by default, or add a "Recent" section at the top
3. Add visual indicator in the picker showing that A toggles project scope
4. Remember last working directory when restarting Claude Code
5. Add "Return to previous session" option after switching folders

Environment

• Claude Code version: 2.0.65
• Platform: macOS Darwin 25.2.0

Additional Context

Session files are preserved in ~/.claude/projects/ but the UI makes them effectively invisible. The workaround (pressing A in the resume picker) is not discoverable through normal usage.

Claude Model

Sonnet (default)

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.0.76

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Terminal.app (macOS)

Additional Information

_No response_