Desktop app loses default working directory between sessions
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
localAgentModeTrustedFoldersanddispatchTrustedCodeWorkspacesare set inclaude_desktop_config.jsonbut don't influence the default working directorywindow-state.jsonstores 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
cwdfrom 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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