claude-code - 💡(How to fix) Fix [BUG] VSCode Extension: Restored conversations not discoverable in sidebar

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?

After restoring a Claude Code backup (37 conversations from ~/.claude/projects/), the conversations are accessible via the CLI (claude --resume) but do not appear in the VSCode extension sidebar, even after:

Full VSCode restart Cache clearing (~/.claude/sessions/, shell-snapshots, etc.) File permission fixes (755 on folders, 644 on files) Trying different workspace folders (project-specific and parent folder)

What Should Happen?

Restored conversations should appear in the VSCode sidebar conversation list, just like conversations created in the current session do.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

Back up your ~/.claude/ directory (e.g., to external storage or cloud) Restore the backup to ~/.claude/ on a fresh machine or after a clean install Verify the files exist on disk:

ls ~/.claude/projects// ls ~/.claude/projects//*.jsonl | wc -l Open VSCode with Claude Code extension Check the Claude Code sidebar under "Local" mode

Expected: Restored conversations appear in the conversation list Actual: Sidebar shows "No sessions yet" or only the current session Verification that conversations exist:

Run claude --resume from terminal → conversations ARE accessible and functional Restored conversation files are readable and valid JSON

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

No response

Claude Code Version

2.1.143

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

VS Code integrated terminal

Additional Information

No response