[FEATURE] Add a way to remove a working directory from the current session (counterpart to /add-dir)
Resolved 💬 2 comments Opened Jun 4, 2026 by sgiorgi-jw Closed Jun 8, 2026
Preflight Checklist
- [x] I have searched existing requests and this feature hasn't been requested yet
- [x] This is a single feature request (not multiple features)
Problem Statement
/add-dir (and --add-dir) can add directories to a session's allowed roots, but there's no way to remove one. Confirmed via claude --help: there's --add-dir <directories...> and
no removal flag, and there's no /remove-dir slash command.
This matters because:
- Extra roots are surfaced in the model's startup environment context. Directories that are no longer relevant become noise the model can wander into — searches fan out into them, file references get ambiguous, and it dilutes focus on the actual working tree
- Once a directory is in scope (via /add-dir this session, --add-dir at launch, or additionalDirectories in settings), the _only_ way to drop it is to quit, edit/remove the persisted config, and relaunch. There's no in-session correction
Current behavior
/add-dir <path>- adds for the session/clear- does not remove added roots (it only clears conversation context), so there's no escape hatch there either- Removal requires: locate the source (session flag vs. additionalDirectories in one of three settings files), edit it, restart
Proposed Solution
A /remove-dir <path> slash command that drops a directory from the current session's allowed roots, regardless of how it was added. Mirror the ergonomics of /add-dir:
- Tab-completion / listing of currently-active roots
- Clear error if the path isn't currently a root
- Should the primary working directory be removable? Probably no - refuse with a message
Alternative Solutions
_No response_
Priority
Medium - Would be very helpful
Feature Category
CLI commands and flags
Use Case Example
_No response_
Additional Context
Nice-to-haves
/list-dir(or have/add-dirwith no args print the current set) so users can see what's in scope before removing- A matching
--remove-diris probably unnecessary since you control launch flags, but consistency might warrant it
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