[BUG] Desktop: Silently fails to include external referenced files or ask permission
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?
When using the CLI if the CLAUDE.md file includes a file (using the @ symbol) outside of the current workspace it asks permission to load and include the file and remembers the response for future sessions. Claude Code Desktop is silent and simply ignores the referenced file. It does understand the hasClaudeMdExternalIncludesApproved flag in .claude.json because when it is set to true it will correctly include an external file in the context.
What Should Happen?
When a the first session is started in Claude Code Desktop within a directory that has a Claude.md file that includes a file from outside of the project directory, it should ask if exteranl includes are allowed and remember the response for future sessions.
Error Messages/Logs
Fails silently.Steps to Reproduce
- Create an empty directory
- Add a Claude.md file that includes another file that is located outside of the directory
#CLAUDE.md
@~/.claude/context-shared.md- In Claude Code Desktop create a new session using the new directory
- use /context to check the file has been included OR ask a question that will check the additional context exists
Claude Model
Opus
Is this a regression?
I don't know
Last Working Version
_No response_
Claude Code Version
Claude 1.20186.1 (df1d8a) 2026-07-10T21:55:12.000Z
Platform
Anthropic API
Operating System
Windows
Terminal/Shell
Other
Additional Information
_No response_