Desktop app: cannot change primary working directory or open new chat

[Mac761]

Preflight Checklist

• I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
• This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
• I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

Environment

• OS: Windows 11
• Claude Code Desktop App version: 2.1.119

Bug Description
Two related issues in the desktop app:

1. The primary working directory is permanently pinned to the first folder ever used. It cannot be removed or changed. The folder has no X button to remove it, and File → Open Folder does not change the primary directory for new sessions.

2. Cannot start a new chat session in the desktop app. The "New Chat" button does not work.

What Should Happen?

Expected Behavior

• Should be able to start a new chat
• Should be able to change or remove the primary working directory from the desktop UI

Workaround
The only workaround is launching claude.exe directly from the terminal with the correct folder, which requires using a command prompt. There is no GUI equivalent.

Impact
Cannot use the desktop app for any new projects without going through the terminal.

Error Messages/Logs

Try sending your message again. If it keeps happening, share feedback so we can investigate.

Working directory no longer exists:[path]. The folder may have been moved, deleted, or unmounted.

Steps to Reproduce

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open Claude Code desktop app
2. Try to start a new chat in the working directory that no longer exists — it does not open
3. Try File → Open Folder to change the working directory — the old folder remains pinned as primary

Claude Model

Sonnet (default)

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

No response

Claude Code Version

Claude Code version 2.1.119

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

Windows Terminal

Additional Information

I can't run anything in claude code.

[github-actions]

Found 3 possible duplicate issues:

1. Desktop App v2.1.111: New conversation auto-loads last project folder, no folder picker #53496
2. New session always opens in last used project directory instead of selected one #49888
3. [BUG] Sidebar won't update to show new chats #51655

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

[0xbrainkid]

This feels like workspace-authority plus session-liveness failure at the same time.

If the desktop app cannot change the primary working directory or open a new chat, then two core recovery paths are gone together:

• users cannot re-anchor the session to the right operational world
• users cannot escape into a fresh session when the current one is compromised

That makes the app feel trapped inside a stale or broken state with no clean route back to control.

I would want clarity on:

1. whether working-directory switching is blocked by UI state, backend session state, or filesystem/path validation
2. whether the inability to open a new chat is causally related to the same stuck state or a separate failure
3. whether the product can surface which session/workspace is currently authoritative when those controls stop responding

When both re-rooting and fresh-session creation fail, the operator loses the two simplest ways to recover from environment drift. That turns an ordinary bug into a control-surface reliability problem.

[C0S223]

Having this issue as well. I attempted to migrate my project location today and the desktop app will not stop trying to point to the old location even after deleting the files there

[PatternTrader]

Confirming this bug — Windows 11, still broken, blocking all desktop app use for Claude Code

Adding my report to raise visibility, as this has made the desktop app unusable for me for over two weeks.

Environment

• OS: Windows 11 Pro
• Claude Code desktop app (not CLI): version 1.7196.1 (ddbeb7)
• Subscription: Max 5x ($100/month)

What's broken

• Clicking "+ New Session" / "New Chat" does nothing — no dialog, no new session, no error. Completely unresponsive.
• The New Session button displays a macOS Command glyph (⌘) instead of the Windows Ctrl shortcut hint (related: [BUG] showing Mac Key-symbols on windows #48115). Ctrl+N also does not create a session.
• This has been happening consistently for 2+ weeks across app restarts and updates.

Impact
I'm a paying Max 5x subscriber and Claude Code on the desktop app is a primary reason I subscribe. I specifically prefer the desktop experience over the CLI. Right now I cannot start a new session in the desktop app at all, which means the product I'm paying for is effectively unusable for my main workflow. I've tried the in-app help and other channels with no resolution.

Request
This affects multiple users across several open issues (#54461, #50388, #49850, #31943). Could this please be prioritized, and is there an ETA or official workaround for the desktop app specifically (not "use the CLI instead")? Happy to provide logs or test a fix.