[BUG] Claude Code uses wrong working directory (ignores launch directory)

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?

Bug Description
Claude Code ignores the directory from which it was launched and instead uses a different
(previously used?) directory.

What Should Happen?

Claude should use correct working directory

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

## Steps to Reproduce

1. Have two separate directories (not symlinks):

• /Users/securen
• /Users/securen_v26.0.0

1. Navigate to securen in terminal
2. Run pwd to confirm: /Users/securen
3. Launch claude from that directory
4. Claude Code shows working directory as /Users/securen_v26.0.0

Claude Model

Sonnet (default)

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

Claude Code version: v2.0.76

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Terminal.app (macOS)

Additional Information

## Evidence

User's terminal:
``
$ pwd
/Users/securen
$ claude
``

Claude Code reports (in welcome screen):
``
~/securen_v26.0.0
``

Confirmed via pwd command inside Claude Code:
``
/Users/securen_v26.0.0
``

Directory verification (both are separate directories, NOT symlinks):
``
drwxr-xr-x 30 amar staff 960 Jan 1 20:33 securen
drwxr-xr-x 33 amar staff 1056 Jan 5 16:10 securen_v26.0.0
``

## Configuration Files Checked

~/.claude/settings.json:
``json
{"alwaysThinkingEnabled": true}
``
(No working directory setting)

~/.claude.json:

• Contains various cached configs and feature flags
• No explicit working directory setting found

## Expected Behavior
Claude Code should use /Users/securen (the directory from which it was
launched)

## Actual Behavior
Claude Code uses /Users/securen_v26.0.0 (a different directory that was
previously used)

## Environment

• Claude Code version: v2.0.76
• OS: macOS Darwin 25.0.0
• Model: Opus 4.5

## Notes
This appears to be a directory caching/persistence bug where Claude Code remembers a
previously used directory instead of respecting the current launch directory."