[BUG] Chat session history deleted — session files missing from .claude/projects/

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?

Session history files disappeared from the .claude/projects/ directory. After reloading the VS Code window and fully restarting VS Code, the sessions were still gone — confirmed by checking the folder directly in File Explorer.

What Should Happen?

Previous chat sessions should be accessible from the Claude panel in VS Code, with session files persisted in .claude/projects/.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

1. Used Claude Code VS Code extension across multiple sessions over several weeks
2. Opened VS Code one day and could no longer see previous chat sessions in the Claude panel
3. Reloaded the VS Code window (Developer: Reload Window) — sessions still missing
4. Fully closed and reopened VS Code — sessions still missing
5. Checked .claude/projects/ in File Explorer — folder was empty, all session files gone

Note: The session history was only missing for one specific project.
Other projects were not checked but may be unaffected.

Claude Model

Not sure / Multiple models

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.52 (Claude Code)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

VS Code integrated terminal

Additional Information

_No response_