[BUG] VS Code extension: unsent prompt draft is discarded when switching sessions and back

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing issues and this is not covered by an open issue
• [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?

In the Claude Code VS Code extension, text typed into the prompt input but not yet submitted is lost when you switch to another session and then switch back. The input box returns empty — there is no autosave or per-session draft persistence.

This was previously reported for the same surface in #55134 ("Current prompt & file visibility do not persist session switches"), which was auto-closed as stale (not fixed) and is now locked, so it can no longer be reopened or reacted to. Filing fresh per that issue's own auto-close message ("please file a new issue and reference this one"). The web surface has the same defect in #77010 (its steps "B").

What Should Happen?

Unsent draft text should be preserved per-session (locally at minimum) so it survives switching to another session and back. Checking on — or approving an action in — another session is a routine multi-session workflow and should not destroy an in-progress prompt.

Error Messages/Logs

None.

Steps to Reproduce

1. In the VS Code extension, type a prompt into the input box. Do not press Enter.
2. Switch to another session (via Session History / the session switcher).
3. Switch back to the original session.
4. The prompt is gone — the input box is empty.

Reproducible every time.

Claude Model

N/A — this is a UI bug, independent of the model.

Is this a regression?

I don't know — the same behavior was reported against 2.1.119 in #55134 and is still present in 2.1.234.

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.234 (VS Code extension)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows 11

Terminal/Shell

VS Code integrated terminal

Additional Information

Related:

• #55134 — same bug on the VS Code extension, closed as stale and locked.
• #77010 — same draft-loss defect on Claude Code for web.