diff --git a/src/main/git/repo-detection.test.ts b/src/main/git/repo-detection.test.ts
index 67597384782..71f3cbce302 100644
--- a/src/main/git/repo-detection.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/git/repo-detection.test.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { mkdirSync, mkdtempSync, rmSync, writeFileSync } from 'fs'
 import { tmpdir } from 'os'
 import * as path from 'path'
 import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it } from 'vitest'
-import { isGitRepo } from './repo'
+import { getGitRepoRoot, isGitRepo } from './repo'
 
 function git(cwd: string, args: string[]): string {
   return execFileSync('git', args, { cwd, encoding: 'utf-8', stdio: ['pipe', 'pipe', 'pipe'] })
@@ -34,4 +34,24 @@ describe('isGitRepo', () => {
 
     expect(isGitRepo(bareRepo)).toBe(true)
   })
+
+  it('resolves a contained path to the worktree root', () => {
+    const repoRoot = path.join(tmpDir, 'repo')
+    const nestedDir = path.join(repoRoot, 'packages', 'web')
+    mkdirSync(nestedDir, { recursive: true })
+    git(tmpDir, ['init', '--quiet', repoRoot])
+
+    // Why: derive the expected root from git's own --show-toplevel so the
+    // assertion matches getGitRepoRoot's canonicalization (e.g. macOS resolves
+    // the /var tmpdir symlink to /private/var) across all platforms.
+    const expectedRoot = git(repoRoot, ['rev-parse', '--show-toplevel']).trim().replace(/\\/g, '/')
+    expect(getGitRepoRoot(nestedDir)).toBe(expectedRoot)
+  })
+
+  it('preserves bare repository paths when no worktree root exists', () => {
+    const bareRepo = path.join(tmpDir, 'bare.git')
+    git(tmpDir, ['init', '--bare', '--quiet', bareRepo])
+
+    expect(getGitRepoRoot(bareRepo)).toBe(bareRepo)
+  })
 })
diff --git a/src/main/git/repo.ts b/src/main/git/repo.ts
index e3d12f140f8..299d7ed4fbe 100644
--- a/src/main/git/repo.ts
+++ b/src/main/git/repo.ts
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import { basename } from 'path'
 import { gitExecFileSync, gitExecFileAsync } from './runner'
 import type { BaseRefSearchResult } from '../../shared/types'
 import { parseGitRevListAheadBehindCounts } from '../../shared/git-rev-list-output'
+import { normalizeRuntimePathSeparators } from '../../shared/cross-platform-path'
 import {
   buildHostedRemoteCommitUrl,
   buildHostedRemoteFileUrl,
@@ -89,6 +90,27 @@ export function isGitRepo(path: string): boolean {
   }
 }
 
+export function getGitRepoRoot(path: string): string {
+  try {
+    if (!existsSync(path) || !statSync(path).isDirectory()) {
+      return path
+    }
+    const insideWorkTree = gitExecFileSync(['rev-parse', '--is-inside-work-tree'], {
+      cwd: path
+    }).trim()
+    if (insideWorkTree === 'true') {
+      return normalizeRuntimePathSeparators(
+        gitExecFileSync(['rev-parse', '--show-toplevel'], {
+          cwd: path
+        }).trim()
+      )
+    }
+  } catch {
+    // Fall through to preserving the original path.
+  }
+  return path
+}
+
 /**
  * Get a human-readable name for the repo from its path.
  */
diff --git a/src/main/ipc/repos-remote.test.ts b/src/main/ipc/repos-remote.test.ts
index b7aa15bbc95..62860a5c691 100644
--- a/src/main/ipc/repos-remote.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/ipc/repos-remote.test.ts
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import { tmpdir } from 'os'
 import { join } from 'path'
 import type * as RepoModule from '../git/repo'
 import { DEFAULT_REPO_BADGE_COLOR } from '../../shared/constants'
-import { isGitRepo } from '../git/repo'
+import { getGitRepoRoot, isGitRepo } from '../git/repo'
 
 const {
   handleMock,
@@ -93,6 +93,7 @@ vi.mock('../git/repo', async () => {
     ...actual,
     // Stub only the functions that spawn git / touch the filesystem.
     isGitRepo: vi.fn().mockReturnValue(true),
+    getGitRepoRoot: vi.fn((path: string) => path),
     getGitUsername: vi.fn().mockReturnValue(''),
     getRepoName: vi.fn().mockImplementation((path: string) => path.split('/').pop()),
     getBaseRefDefault: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue('origin/main'),
@@ -185,6 +186,8 @@ describe('projectGroups IPC validation', () => {
     listWorktreeGraphMock.mockResolvedValue([])
     vi.mocked(isGitRepo).mockReset()
     vi.mocked(isGitRepo).mockReturnValue(true)
+    vi.mocked(getGitRepoRoot).mockReset()
+    vi.mocked(getGitRepoRoot).mockImplementation((path: string) => path)
     mockMultiplexer.notify.mockReset()
     mockMultiplexer.request.mockReset()
     invalidateAuthorizedRootsCacheMock.mockReset()
@@ -1756,6 +1759,43 @@ describe('repos:add + repos:clone', () => {
     )
   })
 
+  it('canonicalizes local git repos:add to the detected root path', async () => {
+    vi.mocked(getGitRepoRoot).mockReturnValue('/tmp/from-add')
+
+    const result = await handlers.get('repos:add')!(null, {
+      path: '/tmp/from-add/packages/web',
+      kind: 'git'
+    })
+
+    expect(mockStore.addRepo).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      expect.objectContaining({
+        path: '/tmp/from-add',
+        displayName: 'from-add'
+      })
+    )
+    expect(result).toHaveProperty('repo.path', '/tmp/from-add')
+  })
+
+  it('dedupes local git repos:add after canonical root resolution', async () => {
+    const existing = {
+      id: 'repo-add-existing-root',
+      path: '/tmp/from-add',
+      displayName: 'from-add',
+      kind: 'git',
+      badgeColor: '#22c55e'
+    }
+    mockStore.getRepos.mockReturnValue([existing])
+    vi.mocked(getGitRepoRoot).mockReturnValue('/tmp/from-add')
+
+    const result = await handlers.get('repos:add')!(null, {
+      path: '/tmp/from-add/packages/web',
+      kind: 'git'
+    })
+
+    expect(result).toEqual({ repo: existing })
+    expect(mockStore.addRepo).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+
   it('returns existing badgeColor unchanged on repos:add dedupe', async () => {
     const existing = {
       id: 'repo-add-existing',
diff --git a/src/main/ipc/repos.ts b/src/main/ipc/repos.ts
index df2c13c8646..7af9cef57d9 100644
--- a/src/main/ipc/repos.ts
+++ b/src/main/ipc/repos.ts
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ import {
 import { createNestedRepoImportTargetResolver } from '../project-groups/nested-repo-import-target'
 import {
   isGitRepo,
+  getGitRepoRoot,
   getGitUsername,
   getRepoName,
   getBaseRefDefault,
@@ -184,6 +185,7 @@ async function addLocalRepoFromPath(
     return { error: `Not a valid git repository: ${path}` }
   }
 
+  const resolvedPath = repoKind === 'git' ? getGitRepoRoot(path) : path
   const pathKey = normalizeRuntimePathForComparison(path)
   const existing = store
     .getRepos()
@@ -192,11 +194,24 @@ async function addLocalRepoFromPath(
     return { repo: existing, alreadyExisted: true }
   }
 
-  const detected = await detectRepoIconAndUpstream({ repoPath: path, kind: repoKind })
+  const resolvedPathKey = normalizeRuntimePathForComparison(resolvedPath)
+  if (resolvedPathKey !== pathKey) {
+    const existingAfterRootResolve = store
+      .getRepos()
+      .find(
+        (repo) =>
+          !repo.connectionId && normalizeRuntimePathForComparison(repo.path) === resolvedPathKey
+      )
+    if (existingAfterRootResolve) {
+      return { repo: existingAfterRootResolve, alreadyExisted: true }
+    }
+  }
+
+  const detected = await detectRepoIconAndUpstream({ repoPath: resolvedPath, kind: repoKind })
   const repo: Repo = {
     id: randomUUID(),
-    path,
-    displayName: getRepoName(path),
+    path: resolvedPath,
+    displayName: getRepoName(resolvedPath),
     badgeColor: DEFAULT_REPO_BADGE_COLOR,
     ...detected,
     addedAt: Date.now(),
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatInteractiveCard.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatInteractiveCard.tsx
index 0c9cf60b68c..39bbba9a75e 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatInteractiveCard.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatInteractiveCard.tsx
@@ -34,9 +34,7 @@ export function NativeChatInteractiveCard({
   )
   // Thread the sibling `toolName` from the same status entry so the question
   // parser can dispatch through the tool's registered parser (mobile parity).
-  const interactiveToolName = useAppStore(
-    (s) => s.agentStatusByPaneKey[paneKey]?.toolName ?? null
-  )
+  const interactiveToolName = useAppStore((s) => s.agentStatusByPaneKey[paneKey]?.toolName ?? null)
   const { sendAnswer, sendRaw, cancel } = send
 
   const card = useMemo(
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/native-chat-assembler-merge-parity.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/native-chat-assembler-merge-parity.test.ts
index c651cc4503f..7e4917ddc2e 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/native-chat-assembler-merge-parity.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/native-chat-assembler-merge-parity.test.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest'
-import { NATIVE_CHAT_SOURCE_PRIORITY, type NativeChatMessage } from '../../../../shared/native-chat-types'
+import {
+  NATIVE_CHAT_SOURCE_PRIORITY,
+  type NativeChatMessage
+} from '../../../../shared/native-chat-types'
 import { mergeNativeChatMessagesWith } from '../../../../shared/native-chat-merge'
 import { assembleNativeChatSession } from './native-chat-session-assembler'
 
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/native-chat-incremental-assembler.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/native-chat-incremental-assembler.test.ts
index 519e7a27275..79ba3fcfdf4 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/native-chat-incremental-assembler.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/native-chat-incremental-assembler.test.ts
@@ -58,12 +58,27 @@ describe('incremental assembler — oracle differential', () => {
     // empty batch
     [],
     // re-emit id 'b' from transcript — supersedes the hook copy in place
-    [msg({ id: 'b', timestamp: 20, source: 'transcript', blocks: [{ type: 'text', text: 'final' }] })],
+    [
+      msg({
+        id: 'b',
+        timestamp: 20,
+        source: 'transcript',
+        blocks: [{ type: 'text', text: 'final' }]
+      })
+    ],
     // out-of-order timestamp: sorts BEFORE the current tail → forces re-sort
     [msg({ id: 'd', timestamp: 5, blocks: [{ type: 'text', text: 'early' }] })],
     // turnKey collision with 'a': same role+text+timestamp, DIFFERENT source
     // (scrape) — lower priority, must be dropped by the cross-source gate
-    [msg({ id: 'a-scrape', timestamp: 10, role: 'user', source: 'scrape', blocks: [{ type: 'text', text: 'hello' }] })],
+    [
+      msg({
+        id: 'a-scrape',
+        timestamp: 10,
+        role: 'user',
+        source: 'scrape',
+        blocks: [{ type: 'text', text: 'hello' }]
+      })
+    ],
     // same-source identical prompt (distinct id) — must NOT collapse (#10)
     [msg({ id: 'e', timestamp: 40, role: 'user', blocks: [{ type: 'text', text: 'hello' }] })],
     // null timestamp append → forces re-sort, sorts to the front
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/AddProjectFromFolderDialog.test.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/AddProjectFromFolderDialog.test.tsx
index 5b7b95c8468..56d32c5aef8 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/AddProjectFromFolderDialog.test.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/AddProjectFromFolderDialog.test.tsx
@@ -157,6 +157,7 @@ describe('AddProjectFromFolderDialog', () => {
     expect(mocks.finishProjectAddWithDefaultCheckout).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
       repoId: repo.id,
       source: 'local_folder_picker',
+      selectedPath: '/projects/child',
       closeModal: mocks.state.closeModal,
       setHideDefaultBranchWorkspace: mocks.state.setHideDefaultBranchWorkspace
     })
@@ -206,6 +207,7 @@ describe('AddProjectFromFolderDialog', () => {
     expect(mocks.finishProjectAddWithDefaultCheckout).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
       repoId: repo.id,
       source: 'ssh_remote_path',
+      selectedPath: '/srv/projects/child',
       closeModal: mocks.state.closeModal,
       setHideDefaultBranchWorkspace: mocks.state.setHideDefaultBranchWorkspace
     })
@@ -229,6 +231,7 @@ describe('AddProjectFromFolderDialog', () => {
     expect(mocks.finishProjectAddWithDefaultCheckout).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
       repoId: repo.id,
       source: 'local_folder_picker',
+      selectedPath: '/projects/child',
       closeModal: mocks.state.closeModal,
       setHideDefaultBranchWorkspace: mocks.state.setHideDefaultBranchWorkspace
     })
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/AddProjectFromFolderDialog.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/AddProjectFromFolderDialog.tsx
index 12a6ae4222b..483476e9c83 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/AddProjectFromFolderDialog.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/AddProjectFromFolderDialog.tsx
@@ -118,6 +118,7 @@ const AddProjectFromFolderDialog = React.memo(function AddProjectFromFolderDialo
       await finishProjectAddWithDefaultCheckout({
         repoId: repo.id,
         source: connectionId ? 'ssh_remote_path' : 'local_folder_picker',
+        selectedPath: folderPath,
         closeModal,
         setHideDefaultBranchWorkspace
       })
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/project-added-default-checkout.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/project-added-default-checkout.test.ts
index d51337dc814..e7c3c061c27 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/project-added-default-checkout.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/project-added-default-checkout.test.ts
@@ -169,6 +169,38 @@ describe('finishProjectAddWithDefaultCheckout', () => {
     expect(mocks.activateAndRevealWorktree).toHaveBeenCalledWith('repo-1::/repo')
   })
 
+  it('passes a contained selected path through as the initial terminal cwd', async () => {
+    mocks.state.worktreesByRepo = {
+      'repo-1': [makeWorktree()]
+    }
+
+    await openProjectDefaultCheckout({
+      repoId: 'repo-1',
+      source: 'local_folder_picker',
+      selectedPath: '/repo/packages/web',
+      setHideDefaultBranchWorkspace: vi.fn()
+    })
+
+    expect(mocks.activateAndRevealWorktree).toHaveBeenCalledWith('repo-1::/repo', {
+      initialCwd: '/repo/packages/web'
+    })
+  })
+
+  it('skips the initial cwd override when the selected path is the repo root', async () => {
+    mocks.state.worktreesByRepo = {
+      'repo-1': [makeWorktree()]
+    }
+
+    await openProjectDefaultCheckout({
+      repoId: 'repo-1',
+      source: 'local_folder_picker',
+      selectedPath: '/repo',
+      setHideDefaultBranchWorkspace: vi.fn()
+    })
+
+    expect(mocks.activateAndRevealWorktree).toHaveBeenCalledWith('repo-1::/repo')
+  })
+
   it('shows a hidden detected default checkout before activating it', async () => {
     const defaultCheckout = makeWorktree()
     mocks.state.detectedWorktreesByRepo = {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/project-added-default-checkout.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/project-added-default-checkout.ts
index e522f7ce119..d8ed9fb4ff9 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/project-added-default-checkout.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/project-added-default-checkout.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import type {
   EventProps
 } from '../../../../shared/telemetry-events'
 import type { DetectedWorktreeListResult, Worktree } from '../../../../shared/types'
+import { relativePathInsideRoot } from '../../../../shared/cross-platform-path'
 import { markOnboardingProjectAdded } from '@/lib/onboarding-project-checklist'
 import { finalizeImportedRepoAfterSkip } from './add-repo-skip-finalization'
 
@@ -94,13 +95,26 @@ async function findDetectedDefaultCheckout(repoId: string): Promise<{
   }
 }
 
+function resolveInitialCwdForDefaultCheckout(
+  defaultCheckout: Worktree,
+  selectedPath: string | undefined
+): string | undefined {
+  if (!selectedPath) {
+    return undefined
+  }
+  const relativePath = relativePathInsideRoot(defaultCheckout.path, selectedPath)
+  return relativePath && relativePath.length > 0 ? selectedPath : undefined
+}
+
 export async function openProjectDefaultCheckout({
   repoId,
   source,
+  selectedPath,
   setHideDefaultBranchWorkspace
 }: {
   repoId: string
   source: AddRepoDefaultCheckoutHandoffSource
+  selectedPath?: string
   setHideDefaultBranchWorkspace: (value: boolean) => void
 }): Promise<void> {
   let defaultCheckout = getProjectDefaultCheckout(
@@ -135,7 +149,12 @@ export async function openProjectDefaultCheckout({
       result: 'opened_default_checkout',
       reason
     })
-    activateAndRevealWorktree(defaultCheckout.id)
+    const initialCwd = resolveInitialCwdForDefaultCheckout(defaultCheckout, selectedPath)
+    if (initialCwd) {
+      activateAndRevealWorktree(defaultCheckout.id, { initialCwd })
+    } else {
+      activateAndRevealWorktree(defaultCheckout.id)
+    }
     return
   }
 
@@ -150,15 +169,22 @@ export async function openProjectDefaultCheckout({
 export async function finishProjectAddWithDefaultCheckout({
   repoId,
   source,
+  selectedPath,
   closeModal,
   setHideDefaultBranchWorkspace
 }: {
   repoId: string
   source: AddRepoDefaultCheckoutHandoffSource
+  selectedPath?: string
   closeModal: () => void
   setHideDefaultBranchWorkspace: (value: boolean) => void
 }): Promise<void> {
   await markOnboardingProjectAdded('addedRepo')
   closeModal()
-  await openProjectDefaultCheckout({ repoId, source, setHideDefaultBranchWorkspace })
+  await openProjectDefaultCheckout({
+    repoId,
+    source,
+    selectedPath,
+    setHideDefaultBranchWorkspace
+  })
 }
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/terminal-link-handlers.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/terminal-link-handlers.test.ts
index 417fa613bea..5cbc01a0903 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/terminal-link-handlers.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/terminal-link-handlers.test.ts
@@ -1016,7 +1016,8 @@ describe('createFilePathLinkProvider range bounds', () => {
       ['/repo/package.json', true],
       ['/repo/Folder With Space/content.js', true],
       ['/repo/My Folder', true]
-    ])
+    ]),
+    depsOverrides: Partial<Parameters<typeof createFilePathLinkProvider>[1]> = {}
   ) {
     const pane = makePane(rows)
     const managerRef = {
@@ -1031,7 +1032,8 @@ describe('createFilePathLinkProvider range bounds', () => {
         startupCwd: '/repo',
         managerRef,
         linkProviderDisposablesRef: { current: new Map<number, IDisposable>() },
-        pathExistsCache
+        pathExistsCache,
+        ...depsOverrides
       },
       linkTooltip,
       getTerminalFileOpenHint()
@@ -1556,6 +1558,23 @@ describe('createFilePathLinkProvider range bounds', () => {
     expect(links.map((link) => link.text)).toEqual(['/repo/My Folder'])
   })
 
+  it('uses the pane-specific cwd instead of a stale lifecycle startup cwd', async () => {
+    vi.mocked(window.api.shell.pathExists).mockImplementation(async (pathValue) => {
+      return pathValue === '/repo/package.json'
+    })
+    const { provider } = createProviderSetup([makeBufferLine('package.json')], new Map(), {
+      startupCwd: '/repo/packages/web',
+      getPaneLinkCwd: () => '/repo'
+    })
+
+    const links = await new Promise<ILink[]>((resolve) => {
+      provider.provideLinks(1, (provided) => resolve(provided ?? []))
+    })
+
+    expect(links.map((link) => link.text)).toEqual(['package.json'])
+    expect(window.api.shell.pathExists).toHaveBeenCalledWith('/repo/package.json')
+  })
+
   it('opens an existing extensionless spaced prefix from direct fallback cache', async () => {
     setPlatform('Macintosh')
     const line = 'see /repo/My Folder now'
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/terminal-link-handlers.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/terminal-link-handlers.ts
index 6b515226810..0e111027e37 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/terminal-link-handlers.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/terminal-link-handlers.ts
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ export type LinkHandlerDeps = {
   worktreeId: string
   worktreePath: string
   startupCwd: string
+  getPaneLinkCwd?: (paneId: number) => string | null
   managerRef: React.RefObject<PaneManager | null>
   linkProviderDisposablesRef: React.RefObject<Map<number, IDisposable>>
   pathExistsCache: Map<string, boolean>
@@ -123,8 +124,9 @@ export function createFilePathLinkProvider(
         logicalLines.flatMap((logicalLine) =>
           extractTerminalFileLinkCandidates(logicalLine.text).map(
             async (parsed): Promise<ProvidedFileLink | null> => {
-              const resolved = startupCwd
-                ? resolveTerminalFileLink(parsed, startupCwd, deps.terminalHomePath)
+              const paneLinkCwd = deps.getPaneLinkCwd?.(paneId) ?? startupCwd
+              const resolved = paneLinkCwd
+                ? resolveTerminalFileLink(parsed, paneLinkCwd, deps.terminalHomePath)
                 : null
               if (!resolved) {
                 return null
@@ -289,7 +291,7 @@ export function installFilePathLinkClickFallback(
       position,
       terminal.cols,
       {
-        startupCwd: deps.startupCwd,
+        startupCwd: deps.getPaneLinkCwd?.(paneId) ?? deps.startupCwd,
         terminalHomePath: deps.terminalHomePath,
         worktreeId: deps.worktreeId,
         worktreePath: deps.worktreePath,
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/use-terminal-pane-lifecycle.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/use-terminal-pane-lifecycle.test.ts
index c4dccba82c2..97136f0271d 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/use-terminal-pane-lifecycle.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/use-terminal-pane-lifecycle.test.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,11 @@
 import { describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
 import {
   applyTerminalScrollbackRowsToMountedPanes,
+  clearQueuedInitialCwdAfterFirstPane,
   mapRestoredPaneTitlesByPaneId,
+  resolvePaneLinkCwd,
+  resolvePaneSeedCwd,
+  resolveQueuedInitialCwd,
   scheduleVisibilityReconcilePass,
   shouldDetachPaneTransportOnUnmount,
   splitPaneWithOneShotStartup,
@@ -193,6 +197,76 @@ describe('mapRestoredPaneTitlesByPaneId', () => {
   })
 })
 
+describe('resolveQueuedInitialCwd', () => {
+  it('consumes the queued initial cwd once when the ref is unset', () => {
+    const consumeTabInitialCwd = vi.fn(() => '/repo/packages/web')
+
+    expect(resolveQueuedInitialCwd(undefined, consumeTabInitialCwd, '/repo')).toEqual({
+      queuedInitialCwd: '/repo/packages/web',
+      startupCwd: '/repo/packages/web'
+    })
+    expect(consumeTabInitialCwd).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+  })
+
+  it('reuses the existing queued state without re-reading the store', () => {
+    const consumeTabInitialCwd = vi.fn(() => '/repo/packages/web')
+
+    expect(resolveQueuedInitialCwd(null, consumeTabInitialCwd, '/repo')).toEqual({
+      queuedInitialCwd: null,
+      startupCwd: '/repo'
+    })
+    expect(resolveQueuedInitialCwd('/repo/packages/web', consumeTabInitialCwd, '/repo')).toEqual({
+      queuedInitialCwd: '/repo/packages/web',
+      startupCwd: '/repo/packages/web'
+    })
+    expect(consumeTabInitialCwd).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+})
+
+describe('clearQueuedInitialCwdAfterFirstPane', () => {
+  it('clears the one-shot cwd and restores the default cwd after the first pane', () => {
+    expect(
+      clearQueuedInitialCwdAfterFirstPane('/repo/packages/web', '/repo', '/repo/packages/web')
+    ).toEqual({
+      queuedInitialCwd: null,
+      ptyCwd: '/repo'
+    })
+  })
+
+  it('leaves the cwd unchanged when no one-shot override is queued', () => {
+    expect(clearQueuedInitialCwdAfterFirstPane(null, '/repo', '/repo')).toEqual({
+      queuedInitialCwd: null,
+      ptyCwd: '/repo'
+    })
+  })
+})
+
+describe('resolvePaneLinkCwd', () => {
+  it('prefers the pane-specific cwd when one has been seeded or confirmed', () => {
+    expect(
+      resolvePaneLinkCwd(
+        new Map([[2, { cwd: '/repo/packages/web', confirmed: false }]]),
+        2,
+        '/repo'
+      )
+    ).toBe('/repo/packages/web')
+  })
+
+  it('falls back to the lifecycle startup cwd when the pane has no cached cwd yet', () => {
+    expect(resolvePaneLinkCwd(new Map(), 2, '/repo')).toBe('/repo')
+  })
+})
+
+describe('resolvePaneSeedCwd', () => {
+  it('prefers the inherited split cwd before OSC 7 confirms the pane cwd', () => {
+    expect(resolvePaneSeedCwd('/repo/packages/web', '/repo')).toBe('/repo/packages/web')
+  })
+
+  it('falls back to the lifecycle cwd when the pane has no split override', () => {
+    expect(resolvePaneSeedCwd(undefined, '/repo')).toBe('/repo')
+  })
+})
+
 describe('suppressIntentionalPaneCloseExit', () => {
   it('suppresses the pane PTY exit before intentional close teardown destroys the transport', () => {
     const suppressPtyExit = vi.fn()
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/use-terminal-pane-lifecycle.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/use-terminal-pane-lifecycle.ts
index 4535a378b2c..0aa627b338e 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/use-terminal-pane-lifecycle.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/use-terminal-pane-lifecycle.ts
@@ -318,6 +318,42 @@ function hydrateTerminalScrollbackRefs(layout: TerminalLayoutSnapshot): {
     : { layout, hydrated }
 }
 
+export function resolveQueuedInitialCwd(
+  queuedInitialCwd: string | null | undefined,
+  consumeTabInitialCwd: () => string | null,
+  defaultTabCwd: string
+): { queuedInitialCwd: string | null; startupCwd: string } {
+  const nextQueuedInitialCwd =
+    queuedInitialCwd === undefined ? consumeTabInitialCwd() : queuedInitialCwd
+  return {
+    queuedInitialCwd: nextQueuedInitialCwd,
+    startupCwd: nextQueuedInitialCwd ?? defaultTabCwd
+  }
+}
+
+export function clearQueuedInitialCwdAfterFirstPane(
+  queuedInitialCwd: string | null | undefined,
+  defaultTabCwd: string,
+  currentPtyCwd: string
+): { queuedInitialCwd: string | null | undefined; ptyCwd: string } {
+  if (!queuedInitialCwd) {
+    return { queuedInitialCwd, ptyCwd: currentPtyCwd }
+  }
+  return { queuedInitialCwd: null, ptyCwd: defaultTabCwd }
+}
+
+export function resolvePaneLinkCwd(
+  paneCwdMap: PaneCwdMap,
+  paneId: number,
+  fallbackCwd: string
+): string {
+  return paneCwdMap.get(paneId)?.cwd ?? fallbackCwd
+}
+
+export function resolvePaneSeedCwd(splitPaneCwd: string | undefined, fallbackCwd: string): string {
+  return splitPaneCwd ?? fallbackCwd
+}
+
 type SplitStartupPayload = { command: string; env?: Record<string, string> }
 
 type SplitWithStartupDeps = {
@@ -474,6 +510,7 @@ export function useTerminalPaneLifecycle({
   const mouseHideDisposablesRef = useRef(new Map<number, IDisposable>())
   const imeCompositionDisposablesRef = useRef(new Map<number, IDisposable>())
   const imePunctuationForwarderDisposablesRef = useRef(new Map<number, IDisposable>())
+  const queuedInitialCwdRef = useRef<string | null | undefined>(undefined)
 
   const applyAppearance = (manager: PaneManager): void => {
     const currentSettings = settingsRef.current
@@ -548,8 +585,17 @@ export function useTerminalPaneLifecycle({
         .find((candidate) => candidate.id === worktreeId)?.path ??
       cwd ??
       ''
-    const startupCwd = cwd ?? worktreePath
+    const defaultTabCwd = cwd ?? worktreePath
+    const initialCwdResolution = resolveQueuedInitialCwd(
+      queuedInitialCwdRef.current,
+      () => useAppStore.getState().consumeTabInitialCwd(tabId),
+      defaultTabCwd
+    )
+    queuedInitialCwdRef.current = initialCwdResolution.queuedInitialCwd
+    const startupCwd = initialCwdResolution.startupCwd
     const terminalHomePath = resolveTerminalHomePathFromEnv(startup?.env)
+    const getPaneLinkCwd = (paneId: number): string =>
+      resolvePaneLinkCwd(paneCwdRef.current, paneId, startupCwd)
     // Why: existence probes can cross SSH/runtime boundaries. This cache is
     // lifecycle-scoped, so external mutations and the initial 'active' runtime
     // fallback can temporarily leave stale entries.
@@ -558,6 +604,7 @@ export function useTerminalPaneLifecycle({
       worktreeId,
       worktreePath,
       startupCwd,
+      getPaneLinkCwd,
       terminalHomePath,
       managerRef,
       linkProviderDisposablesRef,
@@ -617,7 +664,7 @@ export function useTerminalPaneLifecycle({
     const ptyDeps = {
       tabId,
       worktreeId,
-      cwd,
+      cwd: startupCwd,
       startup,
       paneTransportsRef,
       paneMode2031Ref,
@@ -657,7 +704,7 @@ export function useTerminalPaneLifecycle({
 
     const fileOpenLinkHint = getTerminalFileOpenHint()
     const urlOpenLinkHint = getTerminalUrlOpenHint()
-    const osc7UncHost = extractUncHost(cwd)
+    const osc7UncHost = extractUncHost(startupCwd)
 
     let releaseWebviewDragPassthrough: (() => void) | null = null
 
@@ -710,6 +757,12 @@ export function useTerminalPaneLifecycle({
         // Return true so xterm marks the sequence handled. If a future
         // consumer registers on code 7, registration order decides who sees
         // each sequence.
+        if (!paneCwdRef.current.has(pane.id)) {
+          paneCwdRef.current.set(pane.id, {
+            cwd: resolvePaneSeedCwd(spawnHints?.cwd, ptyDeps.cwd),
+            confirmed: false
+          })
+        }
         const osc7Disposable = pane.terminal.parser.registerOscHandler(7, (data) => {
           const parsedCwd = parseOsc7(data, { uncHost: osc7UncHost })
           if (parsedCwd) {
@@ -917,6 +970,7 @@ export function useTerminalPaneLifecycle({
           activate: (event, text) => {
             handleOscLink(text, event as MouseEvent | undefined, {
               ...linkDeps,
+              startupCwd: getPaneLinkCwd(pane.id),
               runtimeEnvironmentId: linkDeps.getRuntimeEnvironmentIdForPane?.(pane.id) ?? null,
               requestOpenLinksInAppPreference
             })
@@ -968,6 +1022,13 @@ export function useTerminalPaneLifecycle({
         // sets deps.startup immediately before splitPane() and is therefore
         // unaffected by this clear.
         ptyDeps.startup = null
+        const nextInitialCwdState = clearQueuedInitialCwdAfterFirstPane(
+          queuedInitialCwdRef.current,
+          defaultTabCwd,
+          ptyDeps.cwd
+        )
+        queuedInitialCwdRef.current = nextInitialCwdState.queuedInitialCwd
+        ptyDeps.cwd = nextInitialCwdState.ptyCwd
         panePtyBindings.set(pane.id, panePtyBinding)
         syncPaneCount()
         scheduleRuntimeGraphSync()
@@ -1221,6 +1282,7 @@ export function useTerminalPaneLifecycle({
         const activePane = managerRef.current?.getActivePane()
         void handleOscLink(url, event, {
           ...linkDeps,
+          startupCwd: activePane ? getPaneLinkCwd(activePane.id) : startupCwd,
           runtimeEnvironmentId: activePane
             ? (linkDeps.getRuntimeEnvironmentIdForPane?.(activePane.id) ?? null)
             : null,
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation.test.ts
index a9b9bfac459..a1937bbe8e2 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation.test.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 /* eslint-disable max-lines -- Why: these activation cases share one mock store and assert ordering across startup, setup, issue commands, and default tabs. */
 import { afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
 import type { SetupScriptLaunchMode } from '../../../shared/types'
-import { ensureWorktreeHasInitialTerminal } from './worktree-activation'
+import { activateAndRevealWorktree, ensureWorktreeHasInitialTerminal } from './worktree-activation'
 import { useAppStore } from '@/store'
 
 function setSetupScriptLaunchMode(mode: SetupScriptLaunchMode | null): void {
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ function createMockStore(overrides: Record<string, unknown> = {}) {
     markDefaultTerminalTabsApplied: vi.fn(),
     reconcileWorktreeTabModel: vi.fn(() => ({ renderableTabCount: 0 })),
     queueTabStartupCommand: vi.fn(),
+    queueTabInitialCwd: vi.fn(),
     queueTabSetupSplit: vi.fn(),
     queueTabIssueCommandSplit: vi.fn(),
     ...overrides
@@ -712,3 +713,77 @@ describe('ensureWorktreeHasInitialTerminal', () => {
     expect(store.queueTabSetupSplit).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
   })
 })
+
+describe('activateAndRevealWorktree', () => {
+  afterEach(() => {
+    useAppStore.setState({
+      activeRepoId: null,
+      activeWorktreeId: null,
+      activeView: 'terminal',
+      filterRepoIds: [],
+      isNavigatingHistory: false
+    })
+  })
+
+  it('queues a one-shot initial cwd for the primary activation-created tab', () => {
+    const queueTabInitialCwd = vi.fn()
+    useAppStore.setState({
+      activeRepoId: null,
+      activeWorktreeId: null,
+      activeView: 'settings',
+      filterRepoIds: [],
+      isNavigatingHistory: false,
+      repos: [{ id: 'repo-1', connectionId: null }],
+      worktreesByRepo: {
+        'repo-1': [
+          {
+            id: 'wt-1',
+            repoId: 'repo-1',
+            path: '/repo',
+            displayName: 'main',
+            branch: 'main',
+            head: 'abc',
+            isBare: false,
+            isMainWorktree: true
+          }
+        ]
+      },
+      getKnownWorktreeById: (worktreeId: string) =>
+        worktreeId === 'wt-1'
+          ? ({
+              id: 'wt-1',
+              repoId: 'repo-1',
+              path: '/repo',
+              displayName: 'main',
+              branch: 'main',
+              head: 'abc',
+              isBare: false,
+              isMainWorktree: true
+            } as never)
+          : null,
+      setActiveRepo: vi.fn(),
+      setActiveView: vi.fn(),
+      setActiveWorktree: vi.fn(),
+      markWorktreeVisited: vi.fn(),
+      recordWorktreeVisit: vi.fn(),
+      reconcileWorktreeTabModel: vi.fn(() => ({ renderableTabCount: 0 })),
+      createTab: vi.fn(() => ({ id: 'tab-1' })),
+      setActiveTab: vi.fn(),
+      setTabCustomTitle: vi.fn(),
+      setTabColor: vi.fn(),
+      markDefaultTerminalTabsApplied: vi.fn(),
+      queueTabStartupCommand: vi.fn(),
+      queueTabInitialCwd,
+      queueTabSetupSplit: vi.fn(),
+      queueTabIssueCommandSplit: vi.fn(),
+      revealWorktreeInSidebar: vi.fn()
+    } as never)
+
+    const result = activateAndRevealWorktree('wt-1', {
+      initialCwd: '/repo/packages/web'
+    })
+
+    expect(result).toEqual({ primaryTabId: 'tab-1' })
+    expect(queueTabInitialCwd).toHaveBeenCalledWith('tab-1', '/repo/packages/web')
+  })
+})
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation.ts b/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation.ts
index eb523f9445b..08b1568c01e 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation.ts
@@ -131,6 +131,7 @@ type WorktreeActivationStore = Partial<WorktreeRuntimeOwnerState> & {
     tabId: string,
     startup: { command: string; env?: Record<string, string> }
   ) => void
+  queueTabInitialCwd: (tabId: string, cwd: string) => void
   settings?: Pick<GlobalSettings, 'experimentalNativeChat' | 'openAgentTabsInChatByDefault'> | null
 }
 
@@ -276,6 +277,7 @@ export function activateAndRevealWorktree(
   worktreeId: string,
   opts?: {
     startup?: WorktreeStartupPayload
+    initialCwd?: string
     setup?: WorktreeSetupLaunch
     defaultTabs?: WorktreeDefaultTabsLaunch
     issueCommand?: IssueCommandLaunch
@@ -359,6 +361,9 @@ export function activateAndRevealWorktree(
     opts?.issueCommand,
     opts?.defaultTabs
   )
+  if (primaryTabId && opts?.initialCwd) {
+    useAppStore.getState().queueTabInitialCwd(primaryTabId, opts.initialCwd)
+  }
 
   // 5. Clear sidebar filters that would hide the target worktree
   // Why: revealWorktreeInSidebar relies on the worktree card being rendered
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/runtime/web-session-tabs-sync.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/runtime/web-session-tabs-sync.test.ts
index 0f5abed3e0b..b31cb9a92f9 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/runtime/web-session-tabs-sync.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/runtime/web-session-tabs-sync.test.ts
@@ -788,7 +788,7 @@ describe('applyWebSessionTabsSnapshot', () => {
     ) as Partial<WebSessionTabsSyncState>
 
     const mirroredId = patch.tabsByWorktree?.[WT]?.[0]?.id
-    console.error("PATCH tabs", JSON.stringify(patch.tabsByWorktree?.[WT]))
+    console.error('PATCH tabs', JSON.stringify(patch.tabsByWorktree?.[WT]))
     expect(patch.tabsByWorktree?.[WT]?.[0]?.viewMode).toBe('chat')
     expect(
       patch.unifiedTabsByWorktree?.[WT]?.find((tab) => tab.entityId === mirroredId)?.viewMode
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/runtime/web-session-tabs-sync.ts b/src/renderer/src/runtime/web-session-tabs-sync.ts
index 8d2d14f2ab9..edb7ccfa075 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/runtime/web-session-tabs-sync.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/runtime/web-session-tabs-sync.ts
@@ -538,9 +538,7 @@ function buildMirroredTerminalTabs(
     // the client's own record during the optimistic echo window and adopt the host
     // value only when this client has no prior tab (first reconcile / other client).
     const hostViewModeSurface = surfaces.find((surface) => surface.viewMode)
-    const viewMode = existing
-      ? existing.viewMode
-      : hostViewModeSurface?.viewMode
+    const viewMode = existing ? existing.viewMode : hostViewModeSurface?.viewMode
     return {
       tab: {
         id: localTabId,
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/store-cascades.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/store-cascades.test.ts
index 9e70b9136c0..c27533483c6 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/store-cascades.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/store-cascades.test.ts
@@ -1803,6 +1803,7 @@ describe('setActiveWorktree', () => {
       'canExpandPaneByTabId',
       'terminalLayoutsByTabId',
       'pendingStartupByTabId',
+      'pendingInitialCwdByTabId',
       'pendingSetupSplitByTabId',
       'pendingIssueCommandSplitByTabId',
       'tabBarOrderByWorktree',
@@ -1843,6 +1844,9 @@ describe('setActiveWorktree', () => {
       pendingStartupByTabId: {
         [orphanId]: { command: 'codex' }
       },
+      pendingInitialCwdByTabId: {
+        [orphanId]: '/repo/packages/web'
+      },
       tabBarOrderByWorktree: {
         [wt]: [orphanId]
       },
@@ -1863,6 +1867,7 @@ describe('setActiveWorktree', () => {
     expect(s.runtimePaneTitlesByTabId[orphanId]).toBeUndefined()
     expect(s.terminalLayoutsByTabId[orphanId]).toBeUndefined()
     expect(s.pendingStartupByTabId[orphanId]).toBeUndefined()
+    expect(s.pendingInitialCwdByTabId[orphanId]).toBeUndefined()
     expect(s.cacheTimerByKey[`${orphanId}:seed`]).toBeUndefined()
     expect(s.terminalLayoutsByTabId[replacement.id]).toEqual(makeLayout())
   })
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/tabs.ts b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/tabs.ts
index fcc682f5037..00cf7fcc1c7 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/tabs.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/tabs.ts
@@ -221,7 +221,11 @@ function mirrorTabPinnedToHost(state: AppState, tabId: string, isPinned: boolean
 // the host or it's lost on reconnect/restart and never reaches paired clients.
 // Only the user/RPC-set action path mirrors — never the reconcile that applies a
 // host value — so the echoed snapshot can't re-trigger an outbound RPC (no loop).
-function mirrorTabViewModeToHost(state: AppState, tabId: string, viewMode: 'terminal' | 'chat'): void {
+function mirrorTabViewModeToHost(
+  state: AppState,
+  tabId: string,
+  viewMode: 'terminal' | 'chat'
+): void {
   const found = findTabAndWorktree(state.unifiedTabsByWorktree, tabId)
   // Why: only terminal tab viewMode is persisted host-side; skip the RPC for other
   // types instead of a no-op round trip.
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/terminal-orphan-helpers.ts b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/terminal-orphan-helpers.ts
index 36b2069ba33..bb388fad3ae 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/terminal-orphan-helpers.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/terminal-orphan-helpers.ts
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ type OrphanTerminalCleanupState = Pick<
   | 'canExpandPaneByTabId'
   | 'terminalLayoutsByTabId'
   | 'pendingStartupByTabId'
+  | 'pendingInitialCwdByTabId'
   | 'pendingSetupSplitByTabId'
   | 'pendingIssueCommandSplitByTabId'
   | 'tabBarOrderByWorktree'
@@ -59,6 +60,7 @@ export function buildOrphanTerminalCleanupPatch(
   | 'canExpandPaneByTabId'
   | 'terminalLayoutsByTabId'
   | 'pendingStartupByTabId'
+  | 'pendingInitialCwdByTabId'
   | 'pendingSetupSplitByTabId'
   | 'pendingIssueCommandSplitByTabId'
   | 'tabBarOrderByWorktree'
@@ -75,6 +77,7 @@ export function buildOrphanTerminalCleanupPatch(
       canExpandPaneByTabId: state.canExpandPaneByTabId,
       terminalLayoutsByTabId: state.terminalLayoutsByTabId,
       pendingStartupByTabId: state.pendingStartupByTabId,
+      pendingInitialCwdByTabId: state.pendingInitialCwdByTabId,
       pendingSetupSplitByTabId: state.pendingSetupSplitByTabId,
       pendingIssueCommandSplitByTabId: state.pendingIssueCommandSplitByTabId,
       tabBarOrderByWorktree: state.tabBarOrderByWorktree,
@@ -93,6 +96,7 @@ export function buildOrphanTerminalCleanupPatch(
   const nextCanExpandPaneByTabId = { ...state.canExpandPaneByTabId }
   const nextTerminalLayoutsByTabId = { ...state.terminalLayoutsByTabId }
   const nextPendingStartupByTabId = { ...state.pendingStartupByTabId }
+  const nextPendingInitialCwdByTabId = { ...state.pendingInitialCwdByTabId }
   const nextPendingSetupSplitByTabId = { ...state.pendingSetupSplitByTabId }
   const nextPendingIssueCommandSplitByTabId = { ...state.pendingIssueCommandSplitByTabId }
   const nextTabBarOrderByWorktree = {
@@ -114,6 +118,7 @@ export function buildOrphanTerminalCleanupPatch(
     delete nextCanExpandPaneByTabId[orphanTabId]
     delete nextTerminalLayoutsByTabId[orphanTabId]
     delete nextPendingStartupByTabId[orphanTabId]
+    delete nextPendingInitialCwdByTabId[orphanTabId]
     delete nextPendingSetupSplitByTabId[orphanTabId]
     delete nextPendingIssueCommandSplitByTabId[orphanTabId]
     for (const key of Object.keys(nextCacheTimerByKey)) {
@@ -141,6 +146,7 @@ export function buildOrphanTerminalCleanupPatch(
     canExpandPaneByTabId: nextCanExpandPaneByTabId,
     terminalLayoutsByTabId: nextTerminalLayoutsByTabId,
     pendingStartupByTabId: nextPendingStartupByTabId,
+    pendingInitialCwdByTabId: nextPendingInitialCwdByTabId,
     pendingSetupSplitByTabId: nextPendingSetupSplitByTabId,
     pendingIssueCommandSplitByTabId: nextPendingIssueCommandSplitByTabId,
     tabBarOrderByWorktree: nextTabBarOrderByWorktree,
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/terminals.ts b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/terminals.ts
index 56914827835..1acbf288cbe 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/terminals.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/terminals.ts
@@ -345,6 +345,7 @@ export type TerminalSlice = {
       telemetry?: AgentStartedTelemetry
     }
   >
+  pendingInitialCwdByTabId: Record<string, string>
   /** Queued setup-split requests — when present, TerminalPane creates the
    *  initial pane clean, then splits (vertical or horizontal per user setting)
    *  and runs the command in the new pane so the main terminal stays
@@ -500,6 +501,8 @@ export type TerminalSlice = {
       telemetry?: AgentStartedTelemetry
     }
   ) => void
+  queueTabInitialCwd: (tabId: string, cwd: string) => void
+  consumeTabInitialCwd: (tabId: string) => string | null
   consumeTabStartupCommand: (tabId: string) => {
     command: string
     delivery?: 'terminal-paste'
@@ -569,6 +572,7 @@ export const createTerminalSlice: StateCreator<AppState, [], [], TerminalSlice>
   canExpandPaneByTabId: {},
   terminalLayoutsByTabId: {},
   pendingStartupByTabId: {},
+  pendingInitialCwdByTabId: {},
   pendingSetupSplitByTabId: {},
   pendingIssueCommandSplitByTabId: {},
   tabBarOrderByWorktree: {},
@@ -1013,6 +1017,8 @@ export const createTerminalSlice: StateCreator<AppState, [], [], TerminalSlice>
       }
       const nextPendingStartupByTabId = { ...s.pendingStartupByTabId }
       delete nextPendingStartupByTabId[tabId]
+      const nextPendingInitialCwdByTabId = { ...s.pendingInitialCwdByTabId }
+      delete nextPendingInitialCwdByTabId[tabId]
       const nextPendingSetupSplitByTabId = { ...s.pendingSetupSplitByTabId }
       delete nextPendingSetupSplitByTabId[tabId]
       const nextPendingIssueCommandSplitByTabId = { ...s.pendingIssueCommandSplitByTabId }
@@ -1087,6 +1093,7 @@ export const createTerminalSlice: StateCreator<AppState, [], [], TerminalSlice>
         canExpandPaneByTabId: nextCanExpand,
         terminalLayoutsByTabId: nextLayouts,
         pendingStartupByTabId: nextPendingStartupByTabId,
+        pendingInitialCwdByTabId: nextPendingInitialCwdByTabId,
         pendingSetupSplitByTabId: nextPendingSetupSplitByTabId,
         pendingIssueCommandSplitByTabId: nextPendingIssueCommandSplitByTabId,
         cacheTimerByKey: nextCacheTimer,
@@ -2422,6 +2429,28 @@ export const createTerminalSlice: StateCreator<AppState, [], [], TerminalSlice>
     }))
   },
 
+  queueTabInitialCwd: (tabId, cwd) => {
+    set((s) => ({
+      pendingInitialCwdByTabId: {
+        ...s.pendingInitialCwdByTabId,
+        [tabId]: cwd
+      }
+    }))
+  },
+
+  consumeTabInitialCwd: (tabId) => {
+    const pending = get().pendingInitialCwdByTabId[tabId]
+    if (!pending) {
+      return null
+    }
+    set((s) => {
+      const next = { ...s.pendingInitialCwdByTabId }
+      delete next[tabId]
+      return { pendingInitialCwdByTabId: next }
+    })
+    return pending
+  },
+
   consumeTabStartupCommand: (tabId) => {
     const pending = get().pendingStartupByTabId[tabId]
     if (!pending) {