[BUG] Claude Code fails to load sidebar when opening UNC network paths

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?

Claude Code extension fails to initialize with error "Ocorreu um erro ao carregar o modo de exibição: claudeVSCodeSidebarSecondary" when trying to open a network UNC path, while VSCode itself can access the same path normally.

Environment:

• Platform: Windows 11 Enterprise
• VSCode: [your version]
• Claude Code Extension: [your version]
• Network path type: UNC (\\server\share)

Steps to reproduce:

1. Open a UNC network path in VSCode (e.g., \\spwacd14\Grupos\Suprimentos Inteligência\INTEGRAÇÃO\22 - RPA\RPA_Saving)
2. VSCode loads the folder without issues
3. Invoke Claude Code extension on this network path
4. Claude Code fails to initialize

Expected behavior:
Claude Code should load and work with network UNC paths, just as VSCode does.

Actual behavior:
Claude Code fails with error: "Ocorreu um erro ao carregar o modo de exibição: claudeVSCodeSidebarSecondary"
The sidebar/extension does not load.

Workaround:
Mapping the UNC path to a local drive letter (e.g., Z:\) allows Claude Code to work normally.

Additional context:
This appears to be a permission or authentication context issue specific to the Claude Code extension, as VSCode has full access to the same network path without issues.

What Should Happen?

Claude Code extension fails to initialize with error "Ocorreu um erro ao carregar o modo de exibição: claudeVSCodeSidebarSecondary" when trying to open a network UNC path, while VSCode itself can access the same path normally.

Environment:

• Platform: Windows 11 Enterprise
• VSCode: [your version]
• Claude Code Extension: [your version]
• Network path type: UNC (\\server\share)

Steps to reproduce:

1. Open a UNC network path in VSCode (e.g., \\spwacd14\Grupos\Suprimentos Inteligência\INTEGRAÇÃO\22 - RPA\RPA_Saving)
2. VSCode loads the folder without issues
3. Invoke Claude Code extension on this network path
4. Claude Code fails to initialize

Expected behavior:
Claude Code should load and work with network UNC paths, just as VSCode does.

Actual behavior:
Claude Code fails with error: "Ocorreu um erro ao carregar o modo de exibição: claudeVSCodeSidebarSecondary"
The sidebar/extension does not load.

Workaround:
Mapping the UNC path to a local drive letter (e.g., Z:\) allows Claude Code to work normally.

Additional context:
This appears to be a permission or authentication context issue specific to the Claude Code extension, as VSCode has full access to the same network path without issues.

Error Messages/Logs

An error occurred while loading the view: claudeVSCodeSidebarSecondary

Steps to Reproduce

1. Accessing a folder in VS Code usually works fine with Claude Code.
2. However, it fails when I try to access a network folder with a path like \\spwacd14\Group\..., which is a corporate network UNC share.

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

Claude Code for VS Code 2.1.197

Platform

Other

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

VS Code integrated terminal

Additional Information

_No response_