[BUG] VSCode extension: Conversation history timestamps reset to restart time, breaking chronological order

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?

Description

When VSCode is restarted, the local conversation history list loses its original chronological (time-ascending) order. Conversations appear to be re-timestamped with the VSCode restart time instead of retaining their original creation/last-active timestamps.

This means after a restart, all past conversations show the same (restart) timestamp, making it impossible to find conversations by when they actually occurred.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open Claude Code in VSCode and have multiple conversations over time
2. Observe that conversation history is correctly sorted by time (oldest first / newest first)
3. Quit and restart VSCode
4. Open the conversation history panel
5. Notice that conversations now all share the restart timestamp, and the original chronological order is lost

Expected Behavior

Conversation history should retain its original timestamps across VSCode restarts and maintain correct chronological sorting.

Actual Behavior

All conversation timestamps are overwritten with the VSCode restart time, destroying the chronological order.

Environment

• OS: macOS 26.3 (25D125), Apple Silicon
• Claude Code: VSCode extension (latest)

What Should Happen?

Conversation history should retain its original creation/last-active timestamps across VSCode restarts and maintain correct chronological sorting order.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open VSCode with Claude Code extension
2. Have multiple conversations over several hours/days (so they have distinct timestamps)
3. Confirm conversation history is sorted chronologically in the sidebar
4. Quit VSCode completely (Cmd+Q)
5. Relaunch VSCode
6. Open the conversation history — timestamps are now all reset to the restart time, chronological order is lost

Claude Model

Sonnet (default)

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.81

Platform

Other

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

VS Code integrated terminal

Additional Information

_No response_