Desktop app loses default working directory between sessions

[RobertJLora]

Description

The Claude Code desktop app no longer remembers the working directory between sessions. Previously (as of April 9, 2026), opening a new conversation in the desktop app would default to the last-used project folder. After an update, it now defaults back to the home directory (~).

Expected behavior

The desktop app should remember the last-used working directory (or allow setting a default project folder) so users don't have to re-select it every time they start a new conversation.

Current behavior

Every new conversation starts at ~ (home directory), requiring manual folder selection via the UI each time.

Configuration context

• localAgentModeTrustedFolders and dispatchTrustedCodeWorkspaces are set in claude_desktop_config.json but don't influence the default working directory
• window-state.json stores window geometry but no working directory
• Session data in claude-code-sessions/ appears to store per-session paths, but this doesn't persist across app restarts/updates

Environment

• macOS (Darwin 25.3.0)
• Claude Code desktop app (latest as of April 10, 2026)
• CLI version works correctly (inherits cwd from terminal)

Suggestion

Either persist the last-used working directory across sessions, or add a defaultWorkingDirectory config key to claude_desktop_config.json.

[github-actions]

Found 2 possible duplicate issues:

1. [FEATURE] Desktop app: Remember/pin default project folder #46052
2. [FEATURE] Desktop app: Remember/pin default project folder #46053

This issue will be automatically closed as a duplicate in 3 days.

• If your issue is a duplicate, please close it and 👍 the existing issue instead
• To prevent auto-closure, add a comment or 👎 this comment

🤖 Generated with Claude Code

[vksadarangani]

+1. recent regression. Same issue on claude desktop on windows

[jjolmo]

I experience the same bug but with the model. It always defaults to Haiku