feat(desktop): add a default working directory

apps/desktop/src/main/__tests__/project-root-controller.test.ts

@@ -64,10 +64,54 @@ test('does not reuse a preference from another Runtime Host root', async () => {
   }
 });
 
-function controller(base: string, fallback: string, rootId: string) {
+test('uses the configured working directory dynamically when no Project is selected', async () => {
+  const base = await mkdtemp(join(tmpdir(), 'maka-default-working-directory-'));
+  const fallback = join(base, 'fallback');
+  const firstDefault = join(base, 'agent-a');
+  const secondDefault = join(base, 'agent-b');
+  await Promise.all([mkdir(fallback), mkdir(firstDefault), mkdir(secondDefault)]);
+  let configured = firstDefault;
+  const current = controller(base, fallback, 'root-a', async () => configured);
+  try {
+    assert.equal(await current.current(), firstDefault);
+    configured = secondDefault;
+    assert.equal(await current.current(), secondDefault);
+
+    await current.setSelection('project-a', fallback);
+    configured = firstDefault;
+    assert.equal(await current.current(), fallback);
+
+    await current.setSelection(null, fallback);
+    assert.equal(await current.current(), firstDefault);
+  } finally {
+    await rm(base, { recursive: true, force: true });
+  }
+});
+
+test('falls back when the configured working directory is unavailable', async () => {
+  const base = await mkdtemp(join(tmpdir(), 'maka-default-working-directory-missing-'));
+  const fallback = join(base, 'fallback');
+  await mkdir(fallback);
+  try {
+    assert.equal(
+      await controller(base, fallback, 'root-a', async () => join(base, 'missing')).current(),
+      fallback,
+    );
+  } finally {
+    await rm(base, { recursive: true, force: true });
+  }
+});
+
+function controller(
+  base: string,
+  fallback: string,
+  rootId: string,
+  defaultWorkingDirectory?: () => Promise<string | undefined>,
+) {
   return createProjectRootController({
     rootId,
     preferenceFile: join(base, 'project-preferences.json'),
     fallbackRoots: () => [fallback],
+    defaultWorkingDirectory,
   });
 }

apps/desktop/src/main/__tests__/runtime-host-settings-ipc-main.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
+import { test } from 'node:test';
+import { registerRuntimeHostSettingsIpc } from '../runtime-host-settings-ipc-main.js';
+
+test('returns the directory selected by the main process', async () => {
+  const handlers = new Map<string, (...args: unknown[]) => unknown>();
+  registerRuntimeHostSettingsIpc({
+    ipcMain: {
+      handle(channel, handler) {
+        handlers.set(channel, handler as (...args: unknown[]) => unknown);
+      },
+    },
+    client: {} as never,
+    settingsStore: {} as never,
+    applyClientSettings: async () => undefined,
+    chooseDefaultWorkingDirectory: async () => '/Users/example/agent',
+  });
+
+  const choose = handlers.get('settings:chooseDefaultWorkingDirectory');
+  assert.ok(choose);
+  assert.equal(await choose({}), '/Users/example/agent');
+});

apps/desktop/src/main/project-root-controller.ts

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { randomUUID } from 'node:crypto';
 import { readFile, rename, rm, stat, writeFile } from 'node:fs/promises';
+import { resolve } from 'node:path';
 import { resolveProjectRoot } from '@maka/runtime/system-prompt/project-context';
 
 export interface CurrentProjectSelection {
@@ -23,6 +24,7 @@ export interface ProjectRootControllerDeps {
   readonly rootId: string;
   readonly preferenceFile: string;
   readonly fallbackRoots: () => string[];
+  readonly defaultWorkingDirectory?: () => Promise<string | undefined>;
 }
 
 interface ProjectPreferenceFile {
@@ -39,8 +41,10 @@ export function createProjectRootController(
   const initialSelection = loadInitialSelection(deps);
 
   async function currentSelection(): Promise<CurrentProjectSelection> {
-    if (selectedProject) return selectedProject;
-    return (selectedProject = await initialSelection);
+    const selection = selectedProject ?? (selectedProject = await initialSelection);
+    if (typeof selection.projectId === 'string') return selection;
+    const path = await resolveUnassociatedRoot(deps);
+    return (selectedProject = { ...selection, path });
   }
 
   async function current(): Promise<string> {
@@ -73,11 +77,21 @@ export function createProjectRootController(
 async function loadInitialSelection(
   deps: ProjectRootControllerDeps,
 ): Promise<CurrentProjectSelection> {
-  const fallbackPath = await resolveProjectRoot(deps.fallbackRoots());
+  const fallbackPath = await resolveUnassociatedRoot(deps);
   const preference = await readPreference(deps.preferenceFile, deps.rootId);
   return { projectId: preference, path: fallbackPath };
 }
 
+async function resolveUnassociatedRoot(deps: ProjectRootControllerDeps): Promise<string> {
+  const configured = await deps.defaultWorkingDirectory?.();
+  if (configured) {
+    const path = resolve(configured);
+    const info = await stat(path).catch(() => undefined);
+    if (info?.isDirectory()) return path;
+  }
+  return resolveProjectRoot(deps.fallbackRoots());
+}
+
 async function persistSelection(
   deps: ProjectRootControllerDeps,
   projectId: string | null,

apps/desktop/src/main/runtime-host-boot.ts

@@ -752,6 +752,12 @@ function registerHostClientIpc(
     rootId: target.rootId,
     preferenceFile: join(workspaceRoot, "project-preferences.json"),
     fallbackRoots: () => [process.cwd(), app.getAppPath()],
+    ...(target.kind === "local"
+      ? {
+          defaultWorkingDirectory: async () =>
+            (await settingsStore.get()).projects.defaultWorkingDirectory,
+        }
+      : {}),
   });
   const targetProjectCatalog = createRuntimeHostProjectCatalog(() => ({
     client,
@@ -872,6 +878,13 @@ function registerHostClientIpc(
     ipcMain: scopedIpc,
     client,
     settingsStore,
+    chooseDefaultWorkingDirectory: async () => {
+      const result = await mainWindowController.showOpenDialog({
+        title: "Choose default working directory",
+        properties: ["openDirectory", "createDirectory"],
+      });
+      return result.canceled ? undefined : result.filePaths[0];
+    },
     applyClientSettings: async (settings) => {
       await clientSettingsEffects.apply(settings, true);
     },

apps/desktop/src/main/runtime-host-settings-ipc-main.ts

@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ export interface RuntimeHostSettingsIpcDeps {
   readonly client: RuntimeHostSettingsClient;
   readonly settingsStore: SettingsStore;
   readonly applyClientSettings: (settings: AppSettings) => Promise<void>;
+  readonly chooseDefaultWorkingDirectory: () => Promise<string | undefined>;
 }
 
 export function registerRuntimeHostSettingsIpc(
@@ -60,6 +61,9 @@ export function registerRuntimeHostSettingsIpc(
   deps.ipcMain.handle("settings:usageStats", (_event, range?: UsageRange) =>
     deps.settingsStore.usageStats(range),
   );
+  deps.ipcMain.handle("settings:chooseDefaultWorkingDirectory", () =>
+    deps.chooseDefaultWorkingDirectory(),
+  );
   handleReconnectableRead(deps.ipcMain, "settings:get", async () =>
     maskAppSettings(await loadRuntimeHostSettings(deps)),
   );

apps/desktop/src/preload/bridge-contract.d.ts

@@ -606,6 +606,7 @@ export interface MakaBridge {
   };
   settings: {
     get(): Promise<AppSettings>;
+    chooseDefaultWorkingDirectory(): Promise<string | undefined>;
     update(patch: UpdateAppSettingsInput): Promise<UpdateAppSettingsResult>;
     subscribeExternalChanged(handler: () => void): () => void;
     testNetworkProxy(input?: TestProxyInput): Promise<SettingsTestResult>;

apps/desktop/src/preload/preload.ts

@@ -1495,6 +1495,9 @@ const makaBridge = {
     get(): Promise<AppSettings> {
       return invokeActiveRuntimeHost('settings:get');
     },
+    chooseDefaultWorkingDirectory(): Promise<string | undefined> {
+      return invokeActiveRuntimeHost('settings:chooseDefaultWorkingDirectory');
+    },
     update(patch: UpdateAppSettingsInput): Promise<UpdateAppSettingsResult> {
       return invokeActiveRuntimeHost('settings:update', patch);
     },

apps/desktop/src/renderer/locales/settings-preferences-copy.ts

@@ -116,6 +116,11 @@ export type SettingsPreferencesCopy = {
     followModelDefault: string;
     saveDefaultThinkingFailed: string;
     saveDefaultPermissionFailed: string;
+    defaultWorkingDirectory: string;
+    defaultWorkingDirectoryHelp: string;
+    chooseDefaultWorkingDirectory: string;
+    clearDefaultWorkingDirectory: string;
+    saveDefaultWorkingDirectoryFailed: string;
     proxy: string;
     proxyHelp: string;
     enableProxy: string;
@@ -220,7 +225,7 @@ const SETTINGS_PREFERENCES_COPY_BY_LOCALE = {
     },
     general: {
       incognito: '隐身模式', incognitoHelp: '开启后暂停本地记忆读写、联网搜索和定时任务触发。', enableIncognito: '启用隐身模式', incognitoFailed: '隐身模式切换失败', notifications: '完成时发送系统通知', notificationsHelp: '窗口不在前台时，在回答完成或出错后发送桌面通知。', notificationsFailed: '通知设置切换失败', workspaceInstructions: '遵循项目指令', workspaceInstructionsHelp: '自动读取每个项目中已有的 AGENTS.md、CLAUDE.md 或 GEMINI.md；文件仍由各自项目管理。', workspaceInstructionsFailed: '项目指令设置切换失败', updateFailed: '设置未生效，请稍后重试。',
-      defaultModel: '默认模型', defaultModelHelp: '新对话默认使用的模型。', notSet: '未设置', saveDefaultModelFailed: '保存默认模型失败', defaultPermission: '默认权限模式', defaultPermissionHelp: '新对话默认使用的权限模式；可在对话内随时切换。', saveDefaultPermissionFailed: '保存默认权限模式失败', defaultThinking: '默认思考级别', defaultThinkingHelp: '新对话的思考级别；当前模型不支持所选级别时用模型默认。', followModelDefault: '跟随模型默认', saveDefaultThinkingFailed: '保存默认思考级别失败',
+      defaultModel: '默认模型', defaultModelHelp: '新对话默认使用的模型。', notSet: '未设置', saveDefaultModelFailed: '保存默认模型失败', defaultPermission: '默认权限模式', defaultPermissionHelp: '新对话默认使用的权限模式；可在对话内随时切换。', saveDefaultPermissionFailed: '保存默认权限模式失败', defaultThinking: '默认思考级别', defaultThinkingHelp: '新对话的思考级别；当前模型不支持所选级别时用模型默认。', followModelDefault: '跟随模型默认', saveDefaultThinkingFailed: '保存默认思考级别失败', defaultWorkingDirectory: '默认工作目录', defaultWorkingDirectoryHelp: '没有指定项目或文件夹的新对话与 Bot 对话使用此目录。', chooseDefaultWorkingDirectory: '选择文件夹', clearDefaultWorkingDirectory: '清除', saveDefaultWorkingDirectoryFailed: '保存默认工作目录失败',
       proxy: '代理服务器', proxyHelp: '为 AI 模型请求配置网络代理', enableProxy: '启用代理服务器', saveNetworkFailed: '保存网络设置失败', proxyProtocol: '代理协议', serverAddress: '服务器地址', port: '端口', proxyAuth: '代理认证', proxyAuthHelp: '需要用户名和密码时开启。', enableProxyAuth: '启用代理认证', username: '用户名', password: '密码', bypassList: '代理白名单', bypassHelp: '这些域名将绕过代理直连，多个用逗号分隔。', autoBypass: (count) => `已自动添加 ${count} 个域名。代理仅作用于 AI 模型请求。`, testing: '测试中…', testCurrent: '测试当前配置', proxyReachable: '代理可达', proxyTestFailed: '代理测试失败', proxyTestError: '代理测试出错',
     },
     about: {
@@ -269,7 +274,7 @@ const SETTINGS_PREFERENCES_COPY_BY_LOCALE = {
       removeErrors: { invalid_id: 'The pet ID is invalid.', remove_failed: 'The local pet pack could not be removed.' },
     },
     general: {
-      incognito: 'Incognito mode', incognitoHelp: 'Pause local memory, web search, and scheduled task triggers.', enableIncognito: 'Enable incognito mode', incognitoFailed: 'Could not change incognito mode', notifications: 'Send a system notification when finished', notificationsHelp: 'Notify when a response finishes or fails while the window is in the background.', notificationsFailed: 'Could not change notification settings', workspaceInstructions: 'Follow project instructions', workspaceInstructionsHelp: 'Automatically read existing AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md, or GEMINI.md files in each project. Manage the files in their respective projects.', workspaceInstructionsFailed: 'Could not change project instruction settings', updateFailed: 'The setting was not applied. Try again later.', defaultModel: 'Default model', defaultModelHelp: 'Model used by new conversations.', notSet: 'Not set', saveDefaultModelFailed: 'Could not save the default model', defaultPermission: 'Default permission mode', defaultPermissionHelp: 'Initial permission mode for new conversations; it can be changed at any time.', saveDefaultPermissionFailed: 'Could not save the default permission mode', defaultThinking: 'Default thinking level', defaultThinkingHelp: 'Thinking level for new conversations; models that do not offer the chosen level use their own default.', followModelDefault: 'Follow model default', saveDefaultThinkingFailed: 'Could not save the default thinking level', proxy: 'Proxy server', proxyHelp: 'Configure a network proxy for AI model requests', enableProxy: 'Enable proxy server', saveNetworkFailed: 'Could not save network settings', proxyProtocol: 'Proxy protocol', serverAddress: 'Server address', port: 'Port', proxyAuth: 'Proxy authentication', proxyAuthHelp: 'Enable this when a username and password are required.', enableProxyAuth: 'Enable proxy authentication', username: 'Username', password: 'Password', bypassList: 'Proxy bypass list', bypassHelp: 'These domains connect directly. Separate multiple domains with commas.', autoBypass: (count) => `${count} ${count === 1 ? 'domain was' : 'domains were'} added automatically. The proxy applies to AI model requests only.`, testing: 'Testing…', testCurrent: 'Test current configuration', proxyReachable: 'Proxy is reachable', proxyTestFailed: 'Proxy test failed', proxyTestError: 'Could not test proxy',
+      incognito: 'Incognito mode', incognitoHelp: 'Pause local memory, web search, and scheduled task triggers.', enableIncognito: 'Enable incognito mode', incognitoFailed: 'Could not change incognito mode', notifications: 'Send a system notification when finished', notificationsHelp: 'Notify when a response finishes or fails while the window is in the background.', notificationsFailed: 'Could not change notification settings', workspaceInstructions: 'Follow project instructions', workspaceInstructionsHelp: 'Automatically read existing AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md, or GEMINI.md files in each project. Manage the files in their respective projects.', workspaceInstructionsFailed: 'Could not change project instruction settings', updateFailed: 'The setting was not applied. Try again later.', defaultModel: 'Default model', defaultModelHelp: 'Model used by new conversations.', notSet: 'Not set', saveDefaultModelFailed: 'Could not save the default model', defaultPermission: 'Default permission mode', defaultPermissionHelp: 'Initial permission mode for new conversations; it can be changed at any time.', saveDefaultPermissionFailed: 'Could not save the default permission mode', defaultThinking: 'Default thinking level', defaultThinkingHelp: 'Thinking level for new conversations; models that do not offer the chosen level use their own default.', followModelDefault: 'Follow model default', saveDefaultThinkingFailed: 'Could not save the default thinking level', defaultWorkingDirectory: 'Default working directory', defaultWorkingDirectoryHelp: 'New conversations and Bot conversations without a project or folder use this directory.', chooseDefaultWorkingDirectory: 'Choose folder', clearDefaultWorkingDirectory: 'Clear', saveDefaultWorkingDirectoryFailed: 'Could not save the default working directory', proxy: 'Proxy server', proxyHelp: 'Configure a network proxy for AI model requests', enableProxy: 'Enable proxy server', saveNetworkFailed: 'Could not save network settings', proxyProtocol: 'Proxy protocol', serverAddress: 'Server address', port: 'Port', proxyAuth: 'Proxy authentication', proxyAuthHelp: 'Enable this when a username and password are required.', enableProxyAuth: 'Enable proxy authentication', username: 'Username', password: 'Password', bypassList: 'Proxy bypass list', bypassHelp: 'These domains connect directly. Separate multiple domains with commas.', autoBypass: (count) => `${count} ${count === 1 ? 'domain was' : 'domains were'} added automatically. The proxy applies to AI model requests only.`, testing: 'Testing…', testCurrent: 'Test current configuration', proxyReachable: 'Proxy is reachable', proxyTestFailed: 'Proxy test failed', proxyTestError: 'Could not test proxy',
     },
     about: {
       loadFailed: 'Could not load About information', loading: 'Loading About', unavailable: 'About information is unavailable', copied: 'Environment info copied', pasteHint: 'Paste it directly into an issue report', copyFailed: 'Copy failed', clipboardUnavailable: 'The clipboard is unavailable or access was denied.', devBuild: 'Local development build', packagedBuild: 'Release build', subtitle: 'A local-first AI assistant · Desktop runtime', privacyLabel: 'Privacy and security', privacyTitle: 'Local first · Private by default', privacyPoints: ['Conversations, settings, credentials, and Skill instructions stay in the local workspace.', 'Model keys stay in a local credential file; subscription tokens use secure system storage.', 'Maka sends no usage telemetry and contacts a model provider only when you enable it.', 'High-risk tool operations require explicit permission in the conversation.', 'Messages, tool calls, permission decisions, and mode changes are retained locally for each session.'], copying: 'Copying…', copyEnvironment: 'Copy environment info', copyHelp: 'Copy version and platform details to help diagnose an issue. The workspace path is excluded.', keyboardShortcuts: 'Keyboard shortcuts', keyboardShortcutsHelp: 'Every shortcut Maka responds to.', keyboardShortcutsOpen: 'View', reportIssueLabel: 'Report an issue',