[BUG] VSCode Extension: Restored conversations not discoverable in sidebar

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?

After restoring a Claude Code backup (37 conversations from ~/.claude/projects/), the conversations are accessible via the CLI (claude --resume) but do not appear in the VSCode extension sidebar, even after:

Full VSCode restart
Cache clearing (~/.claude/sessions/, shell-snapshots, etc.)
File permission fixes (755 on folders, 644 on files)
Trying different workspace folders (project-specific and parent folder)

What Should Happen?

Restored conversations should appear in the VSCode sidebar conversation list, just like conversations created in the current session do.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

Back up your ~/.claude/ directory (e.g., to external storage or cloud)
Restore the backup to ~/.claude/ on a fresh machine or after a clean install
Verify the files exist on disk:

ls ~/.claude/projects/*/
ls ~/.claude/projects//.jsonl | wc -l
Open VSCode with Claude Code extension
Check the Claude Code sidebar under "Local" mode

Expected:
Restored conversations appear in the conversation list
Actual: Sidebar shows "No sessions yet" or only the current session
Verification that conversations exist:

Run claude --resume from terminal → conversations ARE accessible and functional
Restored conversation files are readable and valid JSON

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.143

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

VS Code integrated terminal

Additional Information

_No response_