Start a session without a project folder

[coygeek]

feat(sessions): start a session without a project folder

Summary

Add a simple “No project” option when starting a T3 Code session, so users can begin unrelated work without selecting a folder or inheriting the previously selected project's context.

Problem to solve

In my current workflow, opening an existing thread and pressing Shift+Command+N starts a new session in the same project folder. That is convenient for related work, but I often want a fresh session for something unrelated. The selected thread may also belong to a project on another Mac, making its folder and device an inappropriate starting point.

The workaround is to go through “New project” → “This device” → “Local folder”, then choose a folder I know does not contain project-specific agent instructions. This requires unnecessary navigation and makes me maintain or remember a neutral folder just to start a general-purpose conversation.

Proposed behavior

Provide a readily accessible “No project” or “Don't work in a project” choice in the new-session flow. For example, users could clear the selected project with an × control or choose “No project” from the project picker. These are possible UI treatments for the same capability; both are not required.

Once selected, the new session should be visibly independent of the previous project. Starting it should not require creating a project, browsing for a directory, or manually finding a folder without project instructions. If the provider requires a working directory, T3 Code can manage a neutral workspace behind the scenes.

The session must not inherit the previously selected project's folder-specific agent instructions, such as AGENTS.md or instructions associated with its .agents directory. A neutral workspace must also avoid inadvertently loading unrelated project instructions through its location. Normal user-wide or provider-wide instructions can still apply.

When the previous thread belongs to another device, make the destination device clear and allow starting the no-project session on this device without navigating through project creation.

Acceptance criteria

• From the new-session flow opened while any project thread is selected, a user can choose “No project” without creating a project or opening a folder browser.
• The new session visibly indicates that no project is selected and accepts a prompt immediately.
• Starting the session does not use the previous project's working directory or load its project-specific agent instructions; any app-managed workspace avoids unrelated project instruction inheritance.
• The same workflow is available when the previously selected thread belongs to another device, and the user can clearly start the session on this device.
• Users can still start a new session in the currently selected project when they want to continue related work.

Affected area

New-session creation, project selection, and device selection.

Non-goals

Changing existing threads' project associations, disabling user-wide agent instructions, or prescribing how providers store no-project sessions internally.

Alternatives considered

Manually selecting a neutral folder works, but retains the project-creation and directory-selection steps that this feature should remove.

Supporting context

The supplied Codex screenshot shows a “Don't work in a project” entry in its project picker. A similarly direct choice in T3 Code would address this workflow. The T3 Code behavior above is based on the reported user experience, rather than independent reproduction against a specific build.

[juliusmarminge]

Closing as a duplicate of #6869, which tracks chats / sessions without a project (Codex-style “No project” / quick chat). #6891 was already folded into that thread.

Please +1 / fold any extra acceptance criteria (neutral workspace, no project AGENTS.md inheritance, clear this-device destination) into #6869.

Related implementation in progress: #10702