Desktop app loses default working directory between sessions

Resolved 💬 4 comments Opened Apr 10, 2026 by RobertJLora Closed May 27, 2026

Description

The Claude Code desktop app no longer remembers the working directory between sessions. Previously (as of April 9, 2026), opening a new conversation in the desktop app would default to the last-used project folder. After an update, it now defaults back to the home directory (~).

Expected behavior

The desktop app should remember the last-used working directory (or allow setting a default project folder) so users don't have to re-select it every time they start a new conversation.

Current behavior

Every new conversation starts at ~ (home directory), requiring manual folder selection via the UI each time.

Configuration context

  • localAgentModeTrustedFolders and dispatchTrustedCodeWorkspaces are set in claude_desktop_config.json but don't influence the default working directory
  • window-state.json stores window geometry but no working directory
  • Session data in claude-code-sessions/ appears to store per-session paths, but this doesn't persist across app restarts/updates

Environment

  • macOS (Darwin 25.3.0)
  • Claude Code desktop app (latest as of April 10, 2026)
  • CLI version works correctly (inherits cwd from terminal)

Suggestion

Either persist the last-used working directory across sessions, or add a defaultWorkingDirectory config key to claude_desktop_config.json.

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