fix(v0.1.2): tool casing, project folder picker, sessions, control locking (#70)

Audits and fixes from the 0.1.1 playtest screenshot:

**Tool input field-name fix.** tool_write was failing with
"missing required key filePath" because DeepSeek occasionally emits
snake_case schema fields with camelCase keys in tool_use calls.
All 6 Mac tool wrappers (Read/Write/Edit/Bash/Glob/Grep) now accept
either case via a tolerant pickStr/pickNum/pickBool helper.

**Project folder picker.** Before chat is usable, users now pick a
project folder via the native file dialog. The path persists to
~/.deepcode/settings.json#projectPath and is threaded as `cwd` into
every agent turn (was hard-coded `/`). Sidebar shows the active
project + a ⇄ switch button to re-open the picker.

**Session persistence.** Added Tauri commands session_create +
session_append. mac-agent now creates a JSONL on first turn (id like
2026-05-28-<8hex>) and appends user + assistant messages. Sidebar
refreshes via a sessionEpoch counter on turn_done, so freshly-started
conversations appear in the Today bucket.

**Mid-turn controls locked.** New controlsLocked flag computed from
busy + pendingApproval; mode / model / effort dropdowns all respect it.
Was previously freely switchable mid-turn, which contradicted whatever
the agent loop already had baked in.

**Inspector rail wired.** All 6 rail icons now route to their
respective screens (Plan→Permissions, Sessions, Plugins, Skills, MCP,
About, Settings, cog→Settings). Expand-chevron ‹ still deferred.

**Proper dropdowns** for mode / model / effort — new Dropdown
component renders a click-popover with inline descriptions + meta,
replacing brittle click-to-cycle UX. 5 official modes now surfaced
(default / acceptEdits / plan / dontAsk / bypassPermissions).

**ChatScreen** folded into ReplScreen — the legacy split chat/terminal
view isn't on the new shell. Kept as a stub for symmetry. Bundle
dropped from 673 KB → 345 KB as a side effect (xterm out of the path).

**System prompt** now informs the LLM of the working directory + that
tool schemas are snake_case, so it stops guessing key casings.

Version bumped to 0.1.2 across tauri.conf / both package.jsons / Cargo.
CHANGELOG entry added. All typecheck + 533 tests pass.

Co-authored-by: Claude Opus 4.7 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

Author: oratis

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -5,6 +5,38 @@ All notable changes to DeepCode are documented in this file.
 The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.1.0/),
 and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
 
+## [0.1.2] — 2026-05-28
+
+### Fixes — caught from user playtest of 0.1.1
+- **Tool input field-name fix.** `tool_write` (and read / edit / bash /
+  glob / grep) were failing with `missing required key filePath` when
+  DeepSeek emitted snake_case keys but the wrapper expected camelCase.
+  All 6 Mac tool wrappers now accept either case via a tolerant
+  `pickStr / pickNum / pickBool` helper.
+- **Project folder picker.** First launch now shows a "Pick a project
+  folder" overlay before chat. The chosen path is persisted to
+  `~/.deepcode/settings.json#projectPath` and threaded into every
+  agent turn as `cwd`. Sidebar shows the active project + a `⇄`
+  switch button.
+- **Session persistence.** Each turn now writes a JSONL session under
+  `~/.deepcode/sessions/<id>.jsonl`. Sidebar refreshes after every
+  turn so newly-started sessions appear in the Today bucket.
+- **Mid-turn controls locked.** Mode / model / effort dropdowns disable
+  while the agent is responding or awaiting approval (was previously
+  freely switchable mid-turn).
+- **Inspector rail buttons work.** All 6 rail icons now route to
+  their respective screens (Plan → Permissions, Sessions, Plugins,
+  Skills, MCP, About, Settings). Expand-chevron ‹ still deferred.
+
+### UX improvements
+- **Proper dropdowns** for mode / model / effort — click-popover with
+  inline descriptions and meta annotations, replacing the brittle
+  click-to-cycle pattern.
+- 5 official mode options surfaced (default / acceptEdits / plan /
+  dontAsk / bypassPermissions) instead of 3.
+- ReplScreen carries projectPath through to the system prompt so the
+  LLM knows where it's working.
+
 ## [0.1.1] — 2026-05-28
 
 ### Visual redesign — phase 1

apps/cli/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "deepcode-cli",
-  "version": "0.1.1",
+  "version": "0.1.2",
   "description": "DeepCode CLI — DeepSeek-powered AI coding agent, parity with Claude Code",
   "license": "MIT",
   "type": "module",

apps/desktop/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@deepcode/desktop",
-  "version": "0.1.1",
+  "version": "0.1.2",
   "private": true,
   "description": "DeepCode Mac desktop client — Tauri + React",
   "license": "MIT",

apps/desktop/src-tauri/Cargo.lock

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "deepcode_desktop"
-version = "0.1.1"
+version = "0.1.2"
 description = "DeepCode Mac desktop client"
 authors = ["oratis"]
 edition = "2021"

apps/desktop/src-tauri/Cargo.toml

@@ -114,6 +114,81 @@ pub fn append_allow_matcher(matcher: String) -> Result<(), String> {
     settings::write_user(&value)
 }
 
+/// Create a new session JSONL with a metadata header line. Returns the
+/// generated session id. The id format matches what @deepcode/core's
+/// SessionManager produces: `YYYY-MM-DD-<random>`.
+#[tauri::command]
+pub fn session_create(cwd: String) -> Result<String, String> {
+    let Some(home) = dirs::home_dir() else {
+        return Err("no home directory".into());
+    };
+    let now = std::time::SystemTime::now();
+    let secs = now
+        .duration_since(std::time::UNIX_EPOCH)
+        .map_err(|e| e.to_string())?
+        .as_secs();
+    let date = format_date(secs);
+    // Lightweight unique suffix from time-nanos — no extra crate dep
+    let nanos = now
+        .duration_since(std::time::UNIX_EPOCH)
+        .map_err(|e| e.to_string())?
+        .subsec_nanos();
+    let rand_id = format!("{:08x}", nanos);
+    let id = format!("{}-{}", date, rand_id);
+    let dir = home.join(".deepcode").join("sessions");
+    std::fs::create_dir_all(&dir).map_err(|e| format!("mkdir {}: {}", dir.display(), e))?;
+    let path = dir.join(format!("{}.jsonl", id));
+    let header = serde_json::json!({
+        "type": "session_meta",
+        "id": id,
+        "cwd": cwd,
+        "created_at": secs,
+        "client": "desktop"
+    });
+    let line = format!("{}\n", header);
+    std::fs::write(&path, line).map_err(|e| format!("write {}: {}", path.display(), e))?;
+    Ok(id)
+}
+
+/// Append a single JSON line to a session's JSONL file.
+#[tauri::command]
+pub fn session_append(id: String, message: serde_json::Value) -> Result<(), String> {
+    let Some(home) = dirs::home_dir() else {
+        return Err("no home directory".into());
+    };
+    let path = home
+        .join(".deepcode")
+        .join("sessions")
+        .join(format!("{}.jsonl", id));
+    let line = format!("{}\n", message);
+    use std::io::Write;
+    let mut f = std::fs::OpenOptions::new()
+        .create(true)
+        .append(true)
+        .open(&path)
+        .map_err(|e| format!("open {}: {}", path.display(), e))?;
+    f.write_all(line.as_bytes())
+        .map_err(|e| format!("write {}: {}", path.display(), e))
+}
+
+fn format_date(secs: u64) -> String {
+    // Simple YYYY-MM-DD; days since epoch math is enough for filename use.
+    let days = secs / 86_400;
+    // Reference: 1970-01-01 was a Thursday; we compute YMD via the
+    // standard "civil_from_days" algorithm by Howard Hinnant.
+    let z = days as i64 + 719_468;
+    let era = if z >= 0 { z } else { z - 146_096 } / 146_097;
+    let doe = (z - era * 146_097) as u64;
+    let yoe = (doe - doe / 1460 + doe / 36524 - doe / 146_096) / 365;
+    let y = yoe as i64 + era * 400;
+    let doy = doe - (365 * yoe + yoe / 4 - yoe / 100);
+    let mp = (5 * doy + 2) / 153;
+    let d = doy - (153 * mp + 2) / 5 + 1;
+    let m = if mp < 10 { mp + 3 } else { mp - 9 };
+    let y = if m <= 2 { y + 1 } else { y };
+    format!("{:04}-{:02}-{:02}", y, m, d)
+}
+
 /// List session files under ~/.deepcode/sessions/. Returns just metadata.
 #[derive(Serialize)]
 pub struct SessionMeta {

apps/desktop/src-tauri/src/commands.rs

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ mod tools;
 use commands::{
     append_allow_matcher, cli_path, get_app_info, get_settings_path, list_sessions,
     load_keybindings, load_settings_file, open_url, read_credentials, save_credentials,
-    save_keybindings, save_settings_file,
+    save_keybindings, save_settings_file, session_append, session_create,
 };
 use tools::{tool_bash, tool_edit, tool_glob, tool_grep, tool_read, tool_write};
 use tauri::Manager;
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ pub fn run() {
             append_allow_matcher,
             load_keybindings,
             save_keybindings,
+            session_create,
+            session_append,
             list_sessions,
             cli_path,
             open_url,

apps/desktop/src-tauri/src/lib.rs

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "$schema": "https://schema.tauri.app/config/2",
   "productName": "DeepCode",
-  "version": "0.1.1",
+  "version": "0.1.2",
   "identifier": "dev.deepcode.desktop",
   "build": {
     "frontendDist": "../dist",

apps/desktop/src-tauri/tauri.conf.json

@@ -1,14 +1,16 @@
 // Top-level React component for desktop client.
 // Spec: docs/VISUAL_DESIGN.html
-// Milestone: 0.1.1 — design-aligned 3-column shell
+// Milestone: 0.1.2 — adds project-folder flow + inspector wiring + session refresh.
 
 import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
 import { InspectorRail } from './components/InspectorRail.js';
+import { ProjectPickerOverlay } from './components/ProjectPickerOverlay.js';
 import { Sidebar } from './components/Sidebar.js';
 import { UpdateBanner } from './components/UpdateBanner.js';
+import { clearHistory as clearAgentHistory } from './lib/mac-agent.js';
+import { loadProjectPath, saveProjectPath } from './lib/project.js';
 import { onUpdateDownloaded, startUpdaterPolling } from './lib/updater.js';
 import { AboutScreen } from './screens/About.js';
-import { ChatScreen } from './screens/Chat.js';
 import { MCPManagerScreen } from './screens/MCPManager.js';
 import { OnboardingScreen } from './screens/Onboarding.js';
 import { PermissionsScreen } from './screens/Permissions.js';
@@ -22,12 +24,15 @@ import type { UpdateInfo } from './types/global.js';
 
 export function App(): JSX.Element {
   const [hasKey, setHasKey] = useState<boolean | null>(null);
+  const [projectPath, setProjectPath] = useState<string | null | undefined>(undefined);
   const [update, setUpdate] = useState<UpdateInfo | null>(null);
   const [screen, setScreen] = useState<ScreenName>('repl');
   const [activeSessionId, setActiveSessionId] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [sessionEpoch, setSessionEpoch] = useState(0);
 
   useEffect(() => {
     void window.deepcode.creds.load().then((c) => setHasKey(c.hasKey));
+    void loadProjectPath().then((p) => setProjectPath(p ?? null));
     const offShim = window.deepcode.onUpdateDownloaded((info) => setUpdate(info));
     const offReal = onUpdateDownloaded((info) => setUpdate(info));
     startUpdaterPolling();
@@ -37,7 +42,13 @@ export function App(): JSX.Element {
     };
   }, []);
 
-  if (hasKey === null) {
+  async function handlePickProject(path: string): Promise<void> {
+    await saveProjectPath(path);
+    setProjectPath(path);
+  }
+
+  // Loading state
+  if (hasKey === null || projectPath === undefined) {
     return (
       <div
         style={{
@@ -59,22 +70,40 @@ export function App(): JSX.Element {
     return <OnboardingScreen onComplete={() => setHasKey(true)} />;
   }
 
+  // No project picked yet → folder picker overlay
+  if (!projectPath) {
+    return <ProjectPickerOverlay onPicked={handlePickProject} />;
+  }
+
   // Main shell: 3-column grid.
   return (
     <div className="app-shell">
       {update && <UpdateBanner info={update} />}
       <Sidebar
+        key={`sb-${sessionEpoch}`}
+        projectPath={projectPath}
         activeSessionId={activeSessionId}
         onPickSession={(id) => {
           setActiveSessionId(id);
           setScreen('repl');
         }}
         onNewSession={() => {
+          clearAgentHistory();
           setActiveSessionId(null);
           setScreen('repl');
+          // Force ReplScreen to remount with a clean message history
+          setSessionEpoch((k) => k + 1);
+        }}
+        onSwitchProject={async () => {
+          // Force-show the picker again by clearing state.
+          setProjectPath(null);
         }}
       />
-      <main className="chat-main">{renderScreen(screen, setScreen)}</main>
+      <main className="chat-main" key={`main-${sessionEpoch}`}>
+        {renderScreen(screen, setScreen, projectPath, () =>
+          setSessionEpoch((k) => k + 1),
+        )}
+      </main>
       <InspectorRail
         activeScreen={screen}
         onChange={(s) => setScreen(s)}
@@ -87,10 +116,13 @@ export function App(): JSX.Element {
 function renderScreen(
   screen: ScreenName,
   setScreen: (s: ScreenName) => void,
+  projectPath: string,
+  onTurnComplete: () => void,
 ): JSX.Element {
   switch (screen) {
     case 'chat':
-      return <ChatScreen />;
+      // 'chat' folded into 'repl' — the new shell has only the REPL surface.
+      return <ReplScreen projectPath={projectPath} onTurnComplete={onTurnComplete} />;
     case 'sessions':
       return (
         <div className="legacy-screen">
@@ -138,6 +170,6 @@ function renderScreen(
       );
     case 'repl':
     default:
-      return <ReplScreen />;
+      return <ReplScreen projectPath={projectPath} onTurnComplete={onTurnComplete} />;
   }
 }