feat: pick a working directory from Home before the project exists

Let users choose a code folder on the Home screen up front, instead of
only being able to replace it after a project is created. The HomeHero
composer gains a folder pill (pick / clear); the chosen path is threaded
through project creation and applied via the working-dir API once the
project id exists.

On desktop the working-dir POST is gated behind a host-minted token, so
add a `dialog:pick-working-dir` IPC handler that shows the native picker
and mints a single-use token bound to the folder, plus a
`pickHostWorkingDir()` bridge + types/normalizer in `@open-design/host`.
The renderer feature-detects the bridge and falls back to the web folder
dialog (no token) otherwise. Native dialogs now allow creating a new
folder inline (`createDirectory` / `ShowNewFolderButton`), and macOS uses
`choose folder` so the panel reliably takes key focus.

Wire the WorkingDirPill into the project composer footer and surface a
reloading state + breadcrumb root label to the Design Files panel while a
replace reindexes. Drop the WorkingDirPill "recent directories"
localStorage list in favor of a single Replace action.

apps/daemon/src/native-folder-dialog.ts

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ const WINDOWS_FOLDER_DIALOG_SCRIPT = [
   '$owner.Height = 1;',
   '$dialog = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.FolderBrowserDialog;',
   "$dialog.Description = 'Select a code folder to link';",
-  '$dialog.ShowNewFolderButton = $false;',
+  '$dialog.ShowNewFolderButton = $true;',
   'try {',
   '  if ($dialog.ShowDialog($owner) -eq [System.Windows.Forms.DialogResult]::OK) { $dialog.SelectedPath }',
   '} finally {',

apps/daemon/src/server.ts

@@ -3133,6 +3133,12 @@ function openNativeFolderDialog() {
   return new Promise((resolve) => {
     const platform = process.platform;
     if (platform === 'darwin') {
+      // `choose folder` is handled specially by the system: it presents a fully
+      // interactive standard navigation panel that reliably takes key focus
+      // (unlike a JXA-driven NSOpenPanel from background-only osascript, which
+      // renders but can't be clicked). That standard panel already includes a
+      // "New Folder" button in the bottom-left, so users can create a folder
+      // inline without any extra wiring.
       execFile(
         'osascript',
         ['-e', 'POSIX path of (choose folder with prompt "Select a code folder to link")'],

apps/daemon/tests/native-folder-dialog.test.ts

@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ describe('native folder dialog helpers', () => {
     const script = buildWindowsFolderDialogCommand().args[3] ?? '';
 
     expect(script).toContain('$dialog = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.FolderBrowserDialog;');
-    expect(script).toContain('$dialog.ShowNewFolderButton = $false;');
+    expect(script).toContain('$dialog.ShowNewFolderButton = $true;');
     expect(script).toContain('$dialog.ShowDialog($owner)');
     expect(script).toContain('$owner.Dispose();');
   });

apps/desktop/src/main/preload.cts

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import type {
   OpenDesignHostFailure,
   OpenDesignHostProjectImportResult,
   OpenDesignHostProjectReplaceWorkingDirResult,
+  OpenDesignHostPickWorkingDirResult,
   OpenDesignHostUpdaterActionOptions,
   OpenDesignHostUpdaterStatusListener,
   OpenDesignHostUpdaterStatusSnapshot,
@@ -91,6 +92,27 @@ function normalizeProjectReplaceWorkingDirResult(input: unknown): OpenDesignHost
   return { baseDir, entryFile, ok: true };
 }
 
+function pickWorkingDirFailure(reason: string): OpenDesignHostPickWorkingDirResult {
+  return failure(reason);
+}
+
+function normalizePickWorkingDirResult(input: unknown): OpenDesignHostPickWorkingDirResult {
+  if (!isRecord(input)) return failure('desktop working-dir pick returned an invalid response', input);
+  if (input.ok !== true) {
+    if (input.canceled === true) return { canceled: true, ok: false };
+    return failure(
+      typeof input.reason === 'string' && input.reason.length > 0 ? input.reason : 'unknown failure',
+      input.details,
+    );
+  }
+  const baseDir = typeof input.baseDir === 'string' ? input.baseDir : null;
+  const token = typeof input.token === 'string' ? input.token : null;
+  if (baseDir == null || token == null) {
+    return failure('desktop working-dir pick did not include baseDir and token', input);
+  }
+  return { baseDir, ok: true, token };
+}
+
 function normalizeProjectImportResult(input: unknown): OpenDesignHostProjectImportResult {
   if (!isRecord(input)) return failure('desktop import returned an invalid response', input);
   if (input.ok !== true) {
@@ -156,6 +178,10 @@ const project = {
     ipcRenderer.invoke('dialog:pick-and-replace-working-dir', { projectId })
       .then(normalizeProjectReplaceWorkingDirResult)
       .catch((error: unknown) => replaceWorkingDirFailure(reasonFromError(error))),
+  pickWorkingDir: (): Promise<OpenDesignHostPickWorkingDirResult> =>
+    ipcRenderer.invoke('dialog:pick-working-dir')
+      .then(normalizePickWorkingDirResult)
+      .catch((error: unknown) => pickWorkingDirFailure(reasonFromError(error))),
 };
 
 const shell = {

apps/desktop/src/main/runtime.ts

@@ -1045,6 +1045,7 @@ export async function createDesktopRuntime(options: DesktopRuntimeOptions): Prom
   ipcMain.removeHandler("dialog:pick-folder");
   ipcMain.removeHandler("dialog:pick-and-import");
   ipcMain.removeHandler("dialog:pick-and-replace-working-dir");
+  ipcMain.removeHandler("dialog:pick-working-dir");
   ipcMain.removeHandler("shell:open-external");
   ipcMain.removeHandler("shell:open-path");
   for (const channel of UPDATER_IPC_CHANNELS) {
@@ -1098,7 +1099,7 @@ export async function createDesktopRuntime(options: DesktopRuntimeOptions): Prom
       if (!apiBaseUrl) {
         return { ok: false, reason: "daemon API URL not available" };
       }
-      const result = await dialog.showOpenDialog({ properties: ["openDirectory"] });
+      const result = await dialog.showOpenDialog({ properties: ["openDirectory", "createDirectory"] });
       if (result.canceled || result.filePaths.length === 0) {
         return { ok: false, canceled: true };
       }
@@ -1141,7 +1142,7 @@ export async function createDesktopRuntime(options: DesktopRuntimeOptions): Prom
       if (!apiBaseUrl) {
         return { ok: false, reason: "daemon API URL not available" };
       }
-      const result = await dialog.showOpenDialog({ properties: ["openDirectory"] });
+      const result = await dialog.showOpenDialog({ properties: ["openDirectory", "createDirectory"] });
       if (result.canceled || result.filePaths.length === 0) {
         return { ok: false, canceled: true };
       }
@@ -1158,6 +1159,27 @@ export async function createDesktopRuntime(options: DesktopRuntimeOptions): Prom
       });
     },
   );
+  // Home-flow counterpart: the project does not exist yet, so we only show
+  // the native picker and mint a token bound to the chosen folder. The
+  // renderer threads { baseDir, token } back through project creation and
+  // spends the token on POST /api/projects/:id/working-dir once the project
+  // exists. Main remains the single source of filesystem paths crossing into
+  // the daemon (same trust boundary as dialog:pick-and-replace-working-dir).
+  ipcMain.handle("dialog:pick-working-dir", async () => {
+    if (options.desktopAuthSecret == null) {
+      return { ok: false, reason: "desktop auth secret not registered" };
+    }
+    const result = await dialog.showOpenDialog({ properties: ["openDirectory", "createDirectory"] });
+    if (result.canceled || result.filePaths.length === 0) {
+      return { ok: false, canceled: true };
+    }
+    const baseDir = result.filePaths[0].trim();
+    if (baseDir.length === 0) {
+      return { ok: false, reason: "picker returned an empty path" };
+    }
+    const token = mintImportToken(options.desktopAuthSecret, baseDir);
+    return { baseDir, ok: true, token };
+  });
   // shell.openPath opens an absolute filesystem path in the OS file
   // manager (Finder / Explorer / Files). It resolves to '' on success
   // and to a non-empty error string on failure (per Electron's

apps/web/src/App.tsx

@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ import {
   fetchPromptTemplates,
   fetchSkills,
   uploadProjectFiles,
+  replaceProjectWorkingDir,
 } from './providers/registry';
 import { RUNS_CHANGED_EVENT, listProjectRuns } from './providers/daemon';
 import { navigate, useRoute } from './router';
@@ -832,6 +833,7 @@ function AppInner() {
         autoSendFirstMessage?: boolean;
         requestId?: string;
         pendingFiles?: File[];
+        userWorkingDirToken?: string;
       },
     ): Promise<boolean> => {
       // Honor an explicit `null` design system — the create panel defaults
@@ -903,6 +905,18 @@ function AppInner() {
             : {}),
         });
       }
+      const userWorkingDir = input.metadata?.userWorkingDir;
+      if (userWorkingDir) {
+        try {
+          await replaceProjectWorkingDir(
+            result.project.id,
+            userWorkingDir,
+            input.userWorkingDirToken,
+          );
+        } catch (err) {
+          console.warn('Failed to set working directory for new project', userWorkingDir, err);
+        }
+      }
       trackProjectCreateResult(
         analytics.track,
         {

apps/web/src/components/EntryShell.tsx

@@ -524,6 +524,7 @@ export function EntryShell({
       ...(payload.attachments && payload.attachments.length > 0
         ? { pendingFiles: payload.attachments }
         : {}),
+      ...(payload.workingDirToken ? { userWorkingDirToken: payload.workingDirToken } : {}),
       autoSendFirstMessage: true,
     });
   }

apps/web/src/components/HomeHero.tsx

@@ -107,6 +107,9 @@ interface Props {
   contextItemCount: number;
   error: string | null;
   showActivePluginChip?: boolean;
+  workingDir?: string | null;
+  onPickWorkingDir?: () => void;
+  onClearWorkingDir?: () => void;
 }
 
 interface HomeHeroDesignSystemOption {
@@ -192,6 +195,9 @@ export const HomeHero = forwardRef<HTMLTextAreaElement, Props>(function HomeHero
     contextItemCount,
     error,
     showActivePluginChip = true,
+    workingDir = null,
+    onPickWorkingDir,
+    onClearWorkingDir,
   },
   ref,
 ) {
@@ -1078,6 +1084,31 @@ export const HomeHero = forwardRef<HTMLTextAreaElement, Props>(function HomeHero
             >
               <Icon name="attach" size={15} />
             </button>
+            {onPickWorkingDir ? (
+              <div className="home-hero__working-dir-wrap">
+                <button
+                  type="button"
+                  className={`home-hero__working-dir${workingDir ? ' picked' : ''}`}
+                  onClick={onPickWorkingDir}
+                  title={workingDir ?? t('workingDirPicker.select')}
+                >
+                  <Icon name="folder" size={13} />
+                  <span>
+                    {workingDir ? workingDir.split('/').filter(Boolean).pop() : t('workingDirPicker.select')}
+                  </span>
+                </button>
+                {workingDir ? (
+                  <button
+                    type="button"
+                    className="home-hero__working-dir-clear"
+                    onClick={() => onClearWorkingDir?.()}
+                    aria-label={t('workingDirPicker.clearAria')}
+                  >
+                    <Icon name="close" size={10} />
+                  </button>
+                ) : null}
+              </div>
+            ) : null}
             {activeCreateChip ? (
               <ActiveTypeChip chip={activeCreateChip} onClear={onClearActiveChip} />
             ) : null}

apps/web/src/components/HomeView.tsx

@@ -41,7 +41,8 @@ import {
   localizeSkillPrompt,
 } from '../i18n/content';
 import { fetchElevenLabsVoiceOptions } from '../providers/elevenlabs-voices';
-import { fetchProjectFiles, projectFileUrl } from '../providers/registry';
+import { fetchProjectFiles, openFolderDialog, projectFileUrl } from '../providers/registry';
+import { isOpenDesignHostAvailable, pickHostWorkingDir } from '@open-design/host';
 import type {
   DesignSystemSummary,
   Project,
@@ -236,6 +237,11 @@ export function HomeView({
   const [selectedMcpContexts, setSelectedMcpContexts] = useState<SelectedMcpContext[]>([]);
   const [selectedConnectorContexts, setSelectedConnectorContexts] = useState<SelectedConnectorContext[]>([]);
   const [stagedFiles, setStagedFiles] = useState<File[]>([]);
+  const [workingDir, setWorkingDir] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  // Token paired with `workingDir` when picked through the desktop host's
+  // native dialog. Spent on the post-creation working-dir POST so the
+  // daemon's desktop-auth gate accepts the path. Null for web picks.
+  const [workingDirToken, setWorkingDirToken] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const [mcpServers, setMcpServers] = useState<McpServerConfig[]>([]);
   const [mcpLoading, setMcpLoading] = useState(true);
   const [prompt, setPrompt] = useState('');
@@ -926,6 +932,24 @@ export function HomeView({
     setStagedFiles((current) => current.filter((_, i) => i !== index));
   }
 
+  async function handlePickWorkingDir() {
+    // On desktop the working-dir POST is gated behind a host-minted token, so
+    // pick through the host bridge to capture { baseDir, token } together.
+    if (isOpenDesignHostAvailable()) {
+      const result = await pickHostWorkingDir();
+      if (result.ok) {
+        setWorkingDir(result.baseDir);
+        setWorkingDirToken(result.token);
+      }
+      return;
+    }
+    const picked = await openFolderDialog();
+    if (picked) {
+      setWorkingDir(picked);
+      setWorkingDirToken(null);
+    }
+  }
+
   function updateActiveInputs(next: Record<string, unknown>) {
     if (!active) return;
     const normalized = active.mediaSurface
@@ -1271,6 +1295,8 @@ export function HomeView({
       contextMcpServers,
       contextConnectors,
       attachments: stagedFiles,
+      ...(workingDir ? { workingDir } : {}),
+      ...(workingDirToken ? { workingDirToken } : {}),
     });
   }
 
@@ -1330,6 +1356,12 @@ export function HomeView({
         onPickChip={pickChip}
         contextItemCount={contextItemCount}
         error={error}
+        workingDir={workingDir}
+        onPickWorkingDir={handlePickWorkingDir}
+        onClearWorkingDir={() => {
+          setWorkingDir(null);
+          setWorkingDirToken(null);
+        }}
       />
 
       <RecentProjectsStrip

apps/web/src/components/PluginLoopHome.tsx

@@ -41,6 +41,11 @@ export interface PluginLoopSubmit {
   projectKind?: 'prototype' | 'deck' | 'template' | 'image' | 'video' | 'audio' | 'other' | null;
   projectMetadata?: ProjectMetadata | null;
   workingDir?: string | null;
+  // Single-use desktop token minted for `workingDir` when the folder was
+  // chosen through the host's native picker. Spent (not persisted) on the
+  // post-creation working-dir POST so the daemon's desktop-auth gate accepts
+  // it. Null/absent for web picks (gate inactive) or no selection.
+  workingDirToken?: string | null;
   // Files staged on Home before the project exists. App uploads them
   // into the created project's Design Files before the first auto-send.
   attachments?: File[];

apps/web/src/components/ProjectView.tsx

@@ -142,6 +142,7 @@ import { AvatarMenu } from './AvatarMenu';
 import { HandoffButton } from './HandoffButton';
 import { ProjectDesignSystemPicker } from './ProjectDesignSystemPicker';
 import { ChatPane } from './ChatPane';
+import { WorkingDirPill } from './WorkingDirPill';
 import type { ChatSendMeta } from './ChatComposer';
 import {
   CritiqueTheaterMount,
@@ -577,6 +578,10 @@ export function ProjectView({
   const [audioVoiceOptionsError, setAudioVoiceOptionsError] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const [artifact, setArtifact] = useState<Artifact | null>(null);
   const [filesRefresh, setFilesRefresh] = useState(0);
+  // True while a working-dir replace is reindexing the new folder. Surfaced
+  // to the Design Files panel so the file list shows a loading state instead
+  // of silently sitting on the old tree for the few seconds the scan takes.
+  const [workingDirReplacing, setWorkingDirReplacing] = useState(false);
   const [projectFiles, setProjectFiles] = useState<ProjectFile[]>([]);
   const projectFilesRef = useRef<ProjectFile[]>([]);
   const [liveArtifacts, setLiveArtifacts] = useState<LiveArtifactSummary[]>([]);
@@ -4513,6 +4518,28 @@ export function ProjectView({
               }}
               activePluginSnapshot={activePluginSnapshot}
               onCollapse={() => setWorkspaceFocused(true)}
+              composerFooterAccessory={
+                <WorkingDirPill
+                  projectId={project.id}
+                  resolvedDir={projectDetail.resolvedDir}
+                  onReplaced={({ project: updated }) => {
+                    if (updated) onProjectChange(updated);
+                    // The new working dir has a different file tree, so the
+                    // current listing, breadcrumb nav, and open tabs are all
+                    // stale. Refetch files; DesignFilesPanel's self-heal then
+                    // drops the now-unmatched currentDir back to root.
+                    // projectDetail.refresh() repulls resolvedDir so the
+                    // breadcrumb root + pill show the new folder name even on
+                    // the Electron path, which reports no updated project.
+                    setWorkingDirReplacing(true);
+                    refreshFilesAndDesignMd();
+                    void Promise.all([
+                      refreshWorkspaceItems(),
+                      projectDetail.refresh(),
+                    ]).finally(() => setWorkingDirReplacing(false));
+                  }}
+                />
+              }
             />
           ) : (
             <div className="pane" data-testid="chat-pane-loading">
@@ -4543,6 +4570,14 @@ export function ProjectView({
         <FileWorkspace
           projectId={project.id}
           projectKind={projectKindToTracking(project.metadata?.kind) ?? 'prototype'}
+          rootDirName={(() => {
+            const baseDir =
+              projectDetail.project?.metadata?.baseDir ?? project.metadata?.baseDir;
+            return typeof baseDir === 'string'
+              ? baseDir.split(/[/\\]/).filter(Boolean).pop()
+              : undefined;
+          })()}
+          reloading={workingDirReplacing}
           files={projectFiles}
           liveArtifacts={liveArtifacts}
           filesRefreshKey={filesRefresh}

apps/web/src/components/WorkingDirPill.tsx

@@ -12,9 +12,6 @@ import { useT } from '../i18n';
 import type { Project } from '../types';
 import { Icon } from './Icon';
 
-const RECENT_DIRS_KEY = 'open-design:recent-working-dirs';
-const RECENT_DIRS_LIMIT = 6;
-
 interface Props {
   projectId: string;
   resolvedDir?: string | null;
@@ -25,28 +22,6 @@ interface Props {
   }) => void;
 }
 
-function readRecent(): string[] {
-  try {
-    const raw = window.localStorage.getItem(RECENT_DIRS_KEY);
-    if (!raw) return [];
-    const parsed = JSON.parse(raw);
-    if (!Array.isArray(parsed)) return [];
-    return parsed.filter((value): value is string => typeof value === 'string').slice(0, RECENT_DIRS_LIMIT);
-  } catch {
-    return [];
-  }
-}
-
-function pushRecent(dir: string): void {
-  try {
-    const prev = readRecent();
-    const next = [dir, ...prev.filter((item) => item !== dir)].slice(0, RECENT_DIRS_LIMIT);
-    window.localStorage.setItem(RECENT_DIRS_KEY, JSON.stringify(next));
-  } catch {
-    // Best-effort local convenience only.
-  }
-}
-
 function shortPath(dir: string): string {
   return dir.split('/').filter(Boolean).slice(-1)[0] ?? dir;
 }
@@ -56,7 +31,6 @@ export function WorkingDirPill({ projectId, resolvedDir: propResolvedDir, onRepl
   const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
   const [busy, setBusy] = useState(false);
   const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);
-  const [recents, setRecents] = useState<string[]>(() => readRecent());
   const [fetchedDir, setFetchedDir] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const wrapRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement | null>(null);
 
@@ -100,17 +74,12 @@ export function WorkingDirPill({ projectId, resolvedDir: propResolvedDir, onRepl
     };
   }, [open]);
 
-  useEffect(() => {
-    if (open) setRecents(readRecent());
-  }, [open]);
-
   async function applyDir(dir: string) {
     setError(null);
     setBusy(true);
     setOpen(false);
     try {
       const result = await replaceProjectWorkingDir(projectId, dir);
-      pushRecent(result.baseDir);
       setFetchedDir(result.baseDir);
       onReplaced?.({
         baseDir: result.baseDir,
@@ -132,7 +101,6 @@ export function WorkingDirPill({ projectId, resolvedDir: propResolvedDir, onRepl
       try {
         const result = await pickAndReplaceHostProjectWorkingDir(projectId);
         if (result.ok) {
-          pushRecent(result.baseDir);
           setFetchedDir(result.baseDir);
           onReplaced?.({
             baseDir: result.baseDir,
@@ -191,8 +159,6 @@ export function WorkingDirPill({ projectId, resolvedDir: propResolvedDir, onRepl
     }
   }
 
-  const showRecents = !isOpenDesignHostAvailable();
-
   return (
     <div
       ref={wrapRef}
@@ -244,29 +210,6 @@ export function WorkingDirPill({ projectId, resolvedDir: propResolvedDir, onRepl
             <Icon name="folder" size={12} />
             <span>{t('workingDirPicker.replace')}</span>
           </button>
-          {showRecents && recents.filter((item) => item !== resolvedDir).length > 0 ? (
-            <>
-              <div className="working-dir-pill-menu-divider" />
-              <div className="working-dir-pill-menu-section">{t('workingDirPicker.recent')}</div>
-              {recents
-                .filter((item) => item !== resolvedDir)
-                .map((dir) => (
-                  <button
-                    key={dir}
-                    type="button"
-                    role="menuitem"
-                    className="working-dir-pill-menu-item small"
-                    title={dir}
-                    onClick={() => void applyDir(dir)}
-                  >
-                    <Icon name="folder" size={12} />
-                    <span className="working-dir-pill-menu-recent">
-                      {dir.split('/').filter(Boolean).slice(-2).join('/')}
-                    </span>
-                  </button>
-                ))}
-            </>
-          ) : null}
           {error ? (
             <>
               <div className="working-dir-pill-menu-divider" />

apps/web/src/i18n/locales/ar.ts

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ export const ar: Dict = {
   'workingDirPicker.openUnavailable': "Open this project in the desktop app to show the folder.",
   'workingDirPicker.openFailed': "Could not show this folder",
   'workingDirPicker.showInFileManager': "Show in file manager",
-  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Clear and replace directory…",
+  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Replace directory…",
   'workingDirPicker.recent': "Recent directories",
   'handoff.toTarget': 'Hand off to {target}',
   'handoff.action': 'Hand off',

apps/web/src/i18n/locales/de.ts

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ export const de: Dict = {
   'workingDirPicker.openUnavailable': "Open this project in the desktop app to show the folder.",
   'workingDirPicker.openFailed': "Could not show this folder",
   'workingDirPicker.showInFileManager': "Show in file manager",
-  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Clear and replace directory…",
+  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Replace directory…",
   'workingDirPicker.recent': "Recent directories",
   'handoff.toTarget': 'Hand off to {target}',
   'handoff.action': 'Hand off',

apps/web/src/i18n/locales/en.ts

@@ -540,7 +540,7 @@ export const en: Dict = {
   'workingDirPicker.openUnavailable': 'Open this project in the desktop app to show the folder.',
   'workingDirPicker.openFailed': 'Could not show this folder',
   'workingDirPicker.showInFileManager': 'Show in file manager',
-  'workingDirPicker.replace': 'Clear and replace directory…',
+  'workingDirPicker.replace': 'Replace directory…',
   'workingDirPicker.recent': 'Recent directories',
   'handoff.toTarget': 'Hand off to {target}',
   'handoff.openInTarget': 'Open in {target}',

apps/web/src/i18n/locales/es-ES.ts

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ export const esES: Dict = {
   'workingDirPicker.openUnavailable': "Open this project in the desktop app to show the folder.",
   'workingDirPicker.openFailed': "Could not show this folder",
   'workingDirPicker.showInFileManager': "Show in file manager",
-  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Clear and replace directory…",
+  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Replace directory…",
   'workingDirPicker.recent': "Recent directories",
   'handoff.toTarget': 'Hand off to {target}',
   'handoff.action': 'Hand off',

apps/web/src/i18n/locales/fa.ts

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ export const fa: Dict = {
   'workingDirPicker.openUnavailable': "Open this project in the desktop app to show the folder.",
   'workingDirPicker.openFailed': "Could not show this folder",
   'workingDirPicker.showInFileManager': "Show in file manager",
-  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Clear and replace directory…",
+  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Replace directory…",
   'workingDirPicker.recent': "Recent directories",
   'handoff.toTarget': 'Hand off to {target}',
   'handoff.action': 'Hand off',

apps/web/src/i18n/locales/fr.ts

@@ -496,7 +496,7 @@ export const fr: Dict = {
   'workingDirPicker.openUnavailable': 'Ouvrez ce projet dans l’app desktop pour afficher le dossier.',
   'workingDirPicker.openFailed': 'Impossible d’afficher ce dossier',
   'workingDirPicker.showInFileManager': 'Afficher dans le gestionnaire de fichiers',
-  'workingDirPicker.replace': 'Effacer et remplacer le dossier…',
+  'workingDirPicker.replace': 'Remplacer le dossier…',
   'workingDirPicker.recent': 'Dossiers récents',
   'handoff.toTarget': 'Transférer vers {target}',
   'handoff.action': 'Transférer',

apps/web/src/i18n/locales/hu.ts

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ export const hu: Dict = {
   'workingDirPicker.openUnavailable': "Open this project in the desktop app to show the folder.",
   'workingDirPicker.openFailed': "Could not show this folder",
   'workingDirPicker.showInFileManager': "Show in file manager",
-  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Clear and replace directory…",
+  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Replace directory…",
   'workingDirPicker.recent': "Recent directories",
   'handoff.toTarget': 'Hand off to {target}',
   'handoff.action': 'Hand off',

apps/web/src/i18n/locales/id.ts

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ export const id: Dict = {
   'workingDirPicker.openUnavailable': "Open this project in the desktop app to show the folder.",
   'workingDirPicker.openFailed': "Could not show this folder",
   'workingDirPicker.showInFileManager': "Show in file manager",
-  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Clear and replace directory…",
+  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Replace directory…",
   'workingDirPicker.recent': "Recent directories",
   'handoff.toTarget': 'Hand off to {target}',
   'handoff.action': 'Hand off',

apps/web/src/i18n/locales/it.ts

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ export const it: Dict = {
   'workingDirPicker.openUnavailable': "Open this project in the desktop app to show the folder.",
   'workingDirPicker.openFailed': "Could not show this folder",
   'workingDirPicker.showInFileManager': "Show in file manager",
-  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Clear and replace directory…",
+  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Replace directory…",
   'workingDirPicker.recent': "Recent directories",
   'handoff.toTarget': 'Hand off to {target}',
   'handoff.action': 'Hand off',

apps/web/src/i18n/locales/ja.ts

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ export const ja: Dict = {
   'workingDirPicker.openUnavailable': "Open this project in the desktop app to show the folder.",
   'workingDirPicker.openFailed': "Could not show this folder",
   'workingDirPicker.showInFileManager': "Show in file manager",
-  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Clear and replace directory…",
+  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Replace directory…",
   'workingDirPicker.recent': "Recent directories",
   'handoff.toTarget': 'Hand off to {target}',
   'handoff.action': 'Hand off',

apps/web/src/i18n/locales/ko.ts

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ export const ko: Dict = {
   'workingDirPicker.openUnavailable': "Open this project in the desktop app to show the folder.",
   'workingDirPicker.openFailed': "Could not show this folder",
   'workingDirPicker.showInFileManager': "Show in file manager",
-  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Clear and replace directory…",
+  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Replace directory…",
   'workingDirPicker.recent': "Recent directories",
   'handoff.toTarget': 'Hand off to {target}',
   'handoff.action': 'Hand off',

apps/web/src/i18n/locales/pl.ts

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ export const pl: Dict = {
   'workingDirPicker.openUnavailable': "Open this project in the desktop app to show the folder.",
   'workingDirPicker.openFailed': "Could not show this folder",
   'workingDirPicker.showInFileManager': "Show in file manager",
-  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Clear and replace directory…",
+  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Replace directory…",
   'workingDirPicker.recent': "Recent directories",
   'handoff.toTarget': 'Hand off to {target}',
   'handoff.action': 'Hand off',

apps/web/src/i18n/locales/pt-BR.ts

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ export const ptBR: Dict = {
   'workingDirPicker.openUnavailable': "Open this project in the desktop app to show the folder.",
   'workingDirPicker.openFailed': "Could not show this folder",
   'workingDirPicker.showInFileManager': "Show in file manager",
-  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Clear and replace directory…",
+  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Replace directory…",
   'workingDirPicker.recent': "Recent directories",
   'handoff.toTarget': 'Hand off to {target}',
   'handoff.action': 'Hand off',

apps/web/src/i18n/locales/ru.ts

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ export const ru: Dict = {
   'workingDirPicker.openUnavailable': "Open this project in the desktop app to show the folder.",
   'workingDirPicker.openFailed': "Could not show this folder",
   'workingDirPicker.showInFileManager': "Show in file manager",
-  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Clear and replace directory…",
+  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Replace directory…",
   'workingDirPicker.recent': "Recent directories",
   'handoff.toTarget': 'Hand off to {target}',
   'handoff.action': 'Hand off',

apps/web/src/i18n/locales/th.ts

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ export const th: Dict = {
   'workingDirPicker.openUnavailable': "Open this project in the desktop app to show the folder.",
   'workingDirPicker.openFailed': "Could not show this folder",
   'workingDirPicker.showInFileManager': "Show in file manager",
-  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Clear and replace directory…",
+  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Replace directory…",
   'workingDirPicker.recent': "Recent directories",
   'handoff.toTarget': 'Hand off to {target}',
   'handoff.action': 'Hand off',

apps/web/src/i18n/locales/tr.ts

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ export const tr: Dict = {
   'workingDirPicker.openUnavailable': "Open this project in the desktop app to show the folder.",
   'workingDirPicker.openFailed': "Could not show this folder",
   'workingDirPicker.showInFileManager': "Show in file manager",
-  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Clear and replace directory…",
+  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Replace directory…",
   'workingDirPicker.recent': "Recent directories",
   'handoff.toTarget': 'Hand off to {target}',
   'handoff.action': 'Hand off',

apps/web/src/i18n/locales/uk.ts

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ export const uk: Dict = {
   'workingDirPicker.openUnavailable': "Open this project in the desktop app to show the folder.",
   'workingDirPicker.openFailed': "Could not show this folder",
   'workingDirPicker.showInFileManager': "Show in file manager",
-  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Clear and replace directory…",
+  'workingDirPicker.replace': "Replace directory…",
   'workingDirPicker.recent': "Recent directories",
   'handoff.toTarget': 'Hand off to {target}',
   'handoff.action': 'Hand off',

apps/web/src/i18n/locales/zh-CN.ts

@@ -540,7 +540,7 @@ export const zhCN: Dict = {
   'workingDirPicker.openUnavailable': '请在桌面版中打开此项目以显示文件夹。',
   'workingDirPicker.openFailed': '无法显示此文件夹',
   'workingDirPicker.showInFileManager': '在文件管理器中显示',
-  'workingDirPicker.replace': '清空并替换目录…',
+  'workingDirPicker.replace': '替换目录…',
   'workingDirPicker.recent': '最近使用的目录',
   'handoff.toTarget': '交付给 {target}',
   'handoff.openInTarget': '在 {target} 中打开',

apps/web/src/i18n/locales/zh-TW.ts

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ export const zhTW: Dict = {
   'workingDirPicker.openUnavailable': "請在桌面版中開啟此專案以顯示資料夾。",
   'workingDirPicker.openFailed': "無法顯示此資料夾",
   'workingDirPicker.showInFileManager': "在檔案管理器中顯示",
-  'workingDirPicker.replace': "清空並替換目錄…",
+  'workingDirPicker.replace': "替換目錄…",
   'workingDirPicker.recent': "最近使用的目錄",
   'handoff.toTarget': '交付給 {target}',
   'handoff.openInTarget': '在 {target} 中開啟',

apps/web/src/styles/home/home-hero.css

@@ -931,10 +931,11 @@
 .home-hero__foot-left {
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
-  gap: 8px;
+  gap: 6px;
   min-width: 0;
   flex: 1 1 auto;
   flex-wrap: nowrap;
+  overflow: visible;
 }
 .home-hero__attach {
   appearance: none;
@@ -966,17 +967,16 @@
   position: relative;
   display: inline-flex;
   align-items: center;
-  min-width: 0;
+  flex-shrink: 0;
 }
 .home-hero__working-dir {
   appearance: none;
   display: inline-flex;
   align-items: center;
-  gap: 6px;
+  gap: 4px;
   height: 32px;
-  max-width: 220px;
-  min-width: 0;
-  padding: 0 12px;
+  max-width: 180px;
+  padding: 0 8px;
   border: 1px solid var(--border);
   border-radius: 999px;
   background: var(--bg-panel);
@@ -1098,10 +1098,11 @@
   height: 32px;
   display: inline-flex;
   align-items: center;
-  gap: 6px;
+  gap: 4px;
   max-width: 220px;
   min-width: 0;
-  padding: 0 12px;
+  flex-shrink: 1;
+  padding: 0 8px;
   border: 1px solid var(--border);
   border-radius: 999px;
   background: var(--bg-panel);
@@ -1143,7 +1144,7 @@
   outline: none;
 }
 .home-hero__footer-option input {
-  width: 150px;
+  width: 100px;
 }
 .home-hero__footer-option--select {
   padding-right: 11px;

packages/host/src/index.ts

@@ -63,6 +63,24 @@ export type OpenDesignHostProjectReplaceWorkingDirResult =
     }
   | OpenDesignHostFailure;
 
+export type OpenDesignHostPickWorkingDirSuccess = {
+  baseDir: string;
+  ok: true;
+  // Single-use HMAC token (minted by the host main process for `baseDir`)
+  // that the renderer threads into POST /api/projects/:id/working-dir once
+  // the project exists. Lets the Home flow pick a folder before the project
+  // is created without exposing the daemon's desktop-auth gate.
+  token: string;
+};
+
+export type OpenDesignHostPickWorkingDirResult =
+  | OpenDesignHostPickWorkingDirSuccess
+  | {
+      canceled: true;
+      ok: false;
+    }
+  | OpenDesignHostFailure;
+
 export type OpenDesignHostPdfPrintOptions = {
   deck?: boolean;
 };
@@ -213,6 +231,9 @@ export type OpenDesignHostBridge = {
   project: {
     pickAndImport(init?: OpenDesignHostProjectImportInit): Promise<OpenDesignHostProjectImportResult>;
     pickAndReplaceWorkingDir(projectId: string): Promise<OpenDesignHostProjectReplaceWorkingDirResult>;
+    // Optional so older host builds still satisfy the bridge shape; callers
+    // must feature-detect before invoking.
+    pickWorkingDir?(): Promise<OpenDesignHostPickWorkingDirResult>;
   };
   shell: {
     openExternal(url: string): Promise<OpenDesignHostActionResult>;
@@ -359,6 +380,27 @@ export function normalizeOpenDesignHostProjectReplaceWorkingDirResult(
   return { baseDir, entryFile, ok: true };
 }
 
+export function normalizeOpenDesignHostPickWorkingDirResult(
+  input: unknown,
+): OpenDesignHostPickWorkingDirResult {
+  if (!isRecord(input)) {
+    return failure("desktop working-dir pick returned an invalid response", input);
+  }
+  if (input.ok !== true) {
+    if (input.canceled === true) return { canceled: true, ok: false };
+    const reason = typeof input.reason === "string" && input.reason.length > 0
+      ? input.reason
+      : "unknown failure";
+    return failure(reason, input.details);
+  }
+  const baseDir = typeof input.baseDir === "string" ? input.baseDir : null;
+  const token = typeof input.token === "string" ? input.token : null;
+  if (baseDir == null || token == null) {
+    return failure("desktop working-dir pick did not include baseDir and token", input);
+  }
+  return { baseDir, ok: true, token };
+}
+
 function candidateFromScope(scope: OpenDesignHostGlobalScope): unknown {
   if (OPEN_DESIGN_HOST_GLOBAL in scope) return scope[OPEN_DESIGN_HOST_GLOBAL];
   const windowValue = scope.window;
@@ -431,6 +473,25 @@ export async function pickAndReplaceHostProjectWorkingDir(
   }
 }
 
+// Picks a folder via the host's native dialog and returns the chosen path
+// plus a single-use token, WITHOUT touching any project. The Home flow uses
+// this to let the user choose a working directory before the project exists;
+// the token is later spent on POST /api/projects/:id/working-dir.
+export async function pickHostWorkingDir(
+  scope: OpenDesignHostGlobalScope = globalThis,
+): Promise<OpenDesignHostPickWorkingDirResult> {
+  const host = getOpenDesignHost(scope);
+  if (host == null) return unavailable("Open Design host is not available");
+  if (typeof host.project.pickWorkingDir !== "function") {
+    return unavailable("host build does not support pickWorkingDir");
+  }
+  try {
+    return await host.project.pickWorkingDir();
+  } catch (error) {
+    return unavailable(error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error));
+  }
+}
+
 export async function printHostPdf(
   html: string,
   nonce?: string,