claude-code - 💡(How to fix) Fix [UX] Confusing project-open flow after recent desktop app update [1 comments, 2 participants]

Summary

After a recent update (around early May 2026), the flow for opening a project folder in the Claude Code desktop app has become confusing.

Problem

To open an existing project folder, the user has to click New session. The label New session strongly implies "start a new conversation", not "pick a project folder".

Before, there was a visible folder picker / Local → Select folder entry point. After the update, once a project is open, the picker collapses into chips at the top of the input (로컬 / Hyfeast-v1.0.0 / master / 워크트리) and there is no obvious "Open folder" affordance.

Why it's confusing

• "New session" sounds like it only creates a new conversation, not a folder-selection entry point.
• Users coming from VS Code / JetBrains expect an Open Folder menu item.
• There is no separate list of "recent project folders" — only a list of recent sessions, which conflates "the folder" with "the conversation".

Suggestion

• Add an explicit Open folder / Open project entry point in the sidebar, separate from New session.
• Or rename New session to something like New session / Open folder, or show a Switch folder action on the folder chip.
• Optionally, a "Recent folders" section distinct from "Recent sessions".

Environment

• OS: Windows
• Claude Code desktop app (latest as of early May 2026)
• Plan: Max