[BUG] Cowork: request_cowork_directory tool missing from session runtime after latest desktop app update - folder mounting broken

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] Cowork: request_cowork_directory tool missing from session runtime after latest desktop app update - folder mounting broken
Preflight Checklist

I have searched existing issues and this bug has not been reported
This is a single bug report
I am using the latest version of Claude Desktop (updated Feb 14, 2026)

Environment

OS: macOS
Claude Desktop: Latest update (installed Feb 14, 2026)
Plan: Pro/Max

Bug Description
After updating to the latest Claude Desktop build, the request_cowork_directory tool is no longer available inside Cowork sessions. This tool is what allows Claude to trigger the folder picker from inside a session so users can mount a local directory.
The tool is still referenced in the Cowork system prompt/instructions (Claude is told to "use the request_cowork_directory tool to ask the user to select a folder to work in"), but the tool itself is not loaded into the session's tool inventory.
This means there is no way to mount a local folder in a new Cowork session. The folder picker UI does not surface automatically, and Claude cannot invoke it programmatically.
Steps to Reproduce

Update Claude Desktop to the latest build (Feb 14, 2026)
Open a new Cowork session
Ask Claude to access local files or mount a folder
Claude references request_cowork_directory in its instructions but cannot execute it
No folder picker appears; /mnt/ contains only default directories (outputs, uploads, .claude, .skills, .local-plugins)

Expected Behavior
The request_cowork_directory tool should be available in the Cowork session tool inventory, allowing Claude to trigger the folder picker so users can mount a local directory.
Actual Behavior
The tool is missing from the session. The mount point exists but no user directory is attached. There is no fallback mechanism to trigger folder selection.
Diagnostic Evidence
Session environment variables confirm CLAUDE_CODE_IS_COWORK=1 but the mount directory shows no user folder:
/sessions/[session-id]/mnt/
├── .claude/
├── .local-plugins/
├── .skills/
├── outputs/
└── uploads/
No user-selected directory is mounted. The session-env folder is empty.
Impact
Critical. Folder mounting is a core Cowork feature. Without it, Cowork cannot interact with any user files on disk. This is a regression introduced by the latest update.
Workaround
File upload via drag-and-drop into chat still works, but this is not a substitute for full directory access.

What Should Happen?

Expected Behavior

The request_cowork_directory tool should be present in the Cowork session tool inventory.
When called, it should trigger the native folder picker dialog in the Claude Desktop app, allowing the user to select a local directory to mount into the session.
Alternatively, the folder picker should surface automatically when a new Cowork session starts (as it did before the update).

Actual Behavior

The request_cowork_directory tool is not loaded into the session.
No folder picker appears at session start or at any point during the session.
The mount point exists (/mnt/) but only contains default system directories.
There is no fallback mechanism or alternative way to mount a user directory.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

Steps to Reproduce

Ensure Claude Desktop is updated to the latest build (as of Feb 14, 2026).
Open a new Cowork session (the "Tasks" tab).
Send any message that would require file access, for example: "Open my project folder" or "Help me work with files on my computer."
Claude will attempt to call request_cowork_directory but the tool does not exist in the session.
The folder picker dialog never appears.
Verify the mount directory contains only default system directories and no user folder:

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

Cowork

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Terminal.app (macOS)

Additional Information

_No response_