[BUG] if one deletes the working directory during or between Claude Desktop sessions, it does not recover well

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?

On Windows, Claude Desktop will not function if the previous working directory is unavailable.

What Should Happen?

Claude Desktop should recognize that the previous working directory does not exist and allow the user to select a new working directory

Error Messages/Logs

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Working directory no longer exists: C:\Users\richard\Projects\EleanorUI. The folder may have been moved, deleted, or unmounted.

Steps to Reproduce

1. determine the working directory in Claude Desktop (Windows)
2. close CD
3. rename or delete the working directory
4. open Claude Desktop
5. ask it what it sees
6. note error message

Claude Model

Sonnet (default)

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

1.8555.2 (a476c3)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

Other

Additional Information

_No response_