diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/index.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/index.tsx
index c1f00e5777c9..8652ade4e2f3 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/index.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/index.tsx
@@ -615,7 +615,13 @@ export function ChatSidebar({
     const sorted = sortProjectsForOverview(
       projectTree
         .filter(node => !(node.isAuto && dismissed.has(node.id)))
-        .map(project => ({ ...project, repos: orderRepos(project.repos) })),
+        .map(project => ({
+          ...project,
+          // Home is synthetic, so its name is ours to translate — every other
+          // label is a repo basename or a name the user typed.
+          label: project.isNoProject ? s.projects.home : project.label,
+          repos: orderRepos(project.repos)
+        })),
       activeProjectId
     )
 
@@ -623,7 +629,7 @@ export function ChatSidebar({
     // (default) returns `sorted` untouched; projects the user hasn't ordered yet
     // keep their sorted position rather than jumping the hand-picked list.
     return orderProjectsByIds(sorted, projectOrderIds)
-  }, [showAllProfiles, projectTree, dismissedAutoProjects, orderRepos, activeProjectId, projectOrderIds])
+  }, [showAllProfiles, projectTree, dismissedAutoProjects, orderRepos, activeProjectId, projectOrderIds, s])
 
   // The overview only renders in grouped mode; the model stays live regardless
   // so scoping is consistent across views.
@@ -685,7 +691,9 @@ export function ChatSidebar({
     // The live-session overlay (creates/evictions) is applied per-repo in
     // RepoFlatSection, AFTER the visual git-worktree lanes are merged in (so
     // out-of-tree worktrees can be placed). Here we just order the snapshot.
-    return { ...hydrated, repos: orderRepos(hydrated.repos) }
+    // The label comes from the overview node either way — that's the model's
+    // presentation copy (Home is translated there), not the raw payload's.
+    return { ...hydrated, label: overviewEnteredProject.label, repos: orderRepos(hydrated.repos) }
   }, [overviewEnteredProject, enteredProjectTree, orderRepos])
 
   // Overlay live `$sessions` onto the entered project so a just-created session
@@ -785,7 +793,7 @@ export function ChatSidebar({
   // Preview rows come from the backend tree (each project carries its
   // most-recent sessions), overlaid with live $sessions so a just-created
   // session shows under its project instantly (and with its working arc),
-  // matching the flat Recents list. Keyed by project path for the rows.
+  // matching the flat Recents list. Keyed by project id for the rows.
   const overviewPreviews = useMemo<Record<string, SessionInfo[]>>(
     () => overlayLivePreviews(projectOverview ?? [], agentSessions, projects, PROJECT_PREVIEW_COUNT, removedSessionIds),
     [projectOverview, agentSessions, projects, removedSessionIds]
@@ -1304,12 +1312,15 @@ export function ChatSidebar({
                       {enteredProject.path && (
                         <StartWorkButton onStarted={onNewSessionInWorkspace} repoPath={enteredProject.path} />
                       )}
-                      <ProjectMenu
-                        isActive={enteredProject.id === activeProjectId}
-                        onExitScope={exitProjectScope}
-                        project={enteredProject}
-                        scoped
-                      />
+                      {/* Home has no folder and no record to rename, theme, or delete. */}
+                      {!enteredProject.isNoProject && (
+                        <ProjectMenu
+                          isActive={enteredProject.id === activeProjectId}
+                          onExitScope={exitProjectScope}
+                          project={enteredProject}
+                          scoped
+                        />
+                      )}
                       <div className="grid size-6 place-items-center">
                         <Tip label={s.showProjects}>
                           <Button
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/entered-content.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/entered-content.tsx
index 9851e12e33b6..a4d5270bed1c 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/entered-content.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/entered-content.tsx
@@ -55,6 +55,12 @@ export function EnteredProjectContent({
     return null
   }
 
+  // Home's rows aren't anchored to a folder, so there's no repo or worktree
+  // structure to show — just the chats.
+  if (project.isNoProject) {
+    return <>{renderRows(project.repos.flatMap(repo => repo.groups.flatMap(group => group.sessions)))}</>
+  }
+
   const single = project.repos.length === 1
 
   return (
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/model.test.ts b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/model.test.ts
index c56912fc8628..8035686f381a 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/model.test.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/model.test.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest'
 
-import { orderProjectsByIds } from './model'
-import type { SidebarProjectTree } from './workspace-groups'
+import { orderProjectsByIds, sortProjectsForOverview } from './model'
+import { NO_PROJECT_ID, type SidebarProjectTree } from './workspace-groups'
 
 function makeProject(id: string, sessionCount: number): SidebarProjectTree {
   return {
@@ -16,6 +16,13 @@ function makeProject(id: string, sessionCount: number): SidebarProjectTree {
   }
 }
 
+const home = (): SidebarProjectTree => ({
+  ...makeProject(NO_PROJECT_ID, 2),
+  isAuto: false,
+  isNoProject: true,
+  path: null
+})
+
 const ids = (projects: SidebarProjectTree[]) => projects.map(project => project.id)
 
 describe('orderProjectsByIds', () => {
@@ -53,4 +60,19 @@ describe('orderProjectsByIds', () => {
 
     expect(ids(orderProjectsByIds(projects, ['gone', 'a']))).toEqual(['a'])
   })
+
+  it('keeps Home on top of a hand-picked order', () => {
+    const projects = [makeProject('a', 1), home(), makeProject('b', 1)]
+
+    expect(ids(orderProjectsByIds(projects, ['b', 'a']))).toEqual([NO_PROJECT_ID, 'b', 'a'])
+  })
+})
+
+describe('sortProjectsForOverview', () => {
+  it('puts Home above the active project', () => {
+    const active = { ...makeProject('active', 5), isAuto: false }
+    const projects = [makeProject('scanned', 0), active, home()]
+
+    expect(ids(sortProjectsForOverview(projects, 'active'))).toEqual([NO_PROJECT_ID, 'active', 'scanned'])
+  })
 })
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/model.ts b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/model.ts
index f3510e2061d4..0836a089b31a 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/model.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/model.ts
@@ -45,11 +45,18 @@ const projectActivityTime = (project: SidebarProjectTree): number =>
 export const latestProjectSessions = (project: SidebarProjectTree, limit: number): SessionInfo[] =>
   [...projectSessions(project)].sort((a, b) => sessionRecency(b) - sessionRecency(a)).slice(0, limit)
 
+// Home is a fixture, not a project: it always leads the overview, above the
+// active project and outside any hand-picked order.
+const homeFirst = (projects: SidebarProjectTree[]): SidebarProjectTree[] =>
+  projects[0]?.isNoProject || !projects.some(project => project.isNoProject)
+    ? projects
+    : [...projects.filter(project => project.isNoProject), ...projects.filter(project => !project.isNoProject)]
+
 export function sortProjectsForOverview(
   projects: SidebarProjectTree[],
   activeProjectId: null | string
 ): SidebarProjectTree[] {
-  return [...projects].sort((a, b) => {
+  const sorted = [...projects].sort((a, b) => {
     const aActive = Boolean(activeProjectId && a.id === activeProjectId && !a.isAuto)
     const bActive = Boolean(activeProjectId && b.id === activeProjectId && !b.isAuto)
 
@@ -73,6 +80,8 @@ export function sortProjectsForOverview(
       a.label.localeCompare(b.label, undefined, { sensitivity: 'base' })
     )
   })
+
+  return homeFirst(sorted)
 }
 
 // Layer the user's manual drag-order over the deterministic sort.
@@ -98,14 +107,14 @@ export function orderProjectsByIds(projects: SidebarProjectTree[], orderIds: str
   const fresh = projects.filter(project => !seen.has(project.id))
 
   if (!fresh.length) {
-    return ordered
+    return homeFirst(ordered)
   }
 
-  return [
+  return homeFirst([
     ...fresh.filter(project => project.sessionCount > 0),
     ...ordered,
     ...fresh.filter(project => project.sessionCount <= 0)
-  ]
+  ])
 }
 
 // Project drill-in lanes are git-driven: source them from `git worktree list` so
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/overview-row.test.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/overview-row.test.tsx
index a4b6064ffd5b..e754529bc951 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/overview-row.test.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/overview-row.test.tsx
@@ -66,4 +66,12 @@ describe('ProjectOverviewRow', () => {
 
     expect(screen.queryByRole('button', { name: 'Toggle Test D sessions' })).toBeNull()
   })
+
+  it('drops the "new session" add button on Home, which has no folder to start in', () => {
+    const home = { id: '__no_project__', isNoProject: true, label: 'Home' } as unknown as SidebarProjectTree
+
+    render(<ProjectOverviewRow onNewSession={vi.fn()} project={home} />)
+
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('button', { name: 'New session in Home' })).toBeNull()
+  })
 })
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/overview-row.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/overview-row.tsx
index c4aeefb2d55b..a37541ad337e 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/overview-row.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/overview-row.tsx
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ import { WorkspaceAddButton } from './workspace-header'
 
 // A bare color dot (no icon) or an icon glyph — tinted by `color` when set, else
 // the lead's default tertiary. The glyph wrapper centers + caps size either way.
-export function projectIcon({ color, icon }: SidebarProjectTree) {
+export function projectIcon({ color, icon, isNoProject }: SidebarProjectTree) {
   if (color && !icon) {
     return (
       <SidebarRowLeadGlyph>
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ export function projectIcon({ color, icon }: SidebarProjectTree) {
 
   return (
     <SidebarRowLeadGlyph style={color ? { color } : undefined}>
-      <Codicon name={icon || 'folder-library'} size={SIDEBAR_LEAD_ICON_SIZE} />
+      <Codicon name={icon || (isNoProject ? 'home' : 'folder-library')} size={SIDEBAR_LEAD_ICON_SIZE} />
     </SidebarRowLeadGlyph>
   )
 }
@@ -117,10 +117,12 @@ export function ProjectOverviewRow({
       <SidebarRowShell
         actions={
           <>
-            {onNewSession && (
+            {/* Home has no folder to start a chat in — the sidebar's own "New
+                session" is that button — and no record to rename or delete. */}
+            {onNewSession && !project.isNoProject && (
               <WorkspaceAddButton label={s.newSessionIn(project.label)} onClick={() => onNewSession(project.path)} />
             )}
-            <ProjectMenu anchorRef={rowRef} isActive={isActive} project={project} />
+            {!project.isNoProject && <ProjectMenu anchorRef={rowRef} isActive={isActive} project={project} />}
           </>
         }
         className={cn('group/workspace', dragging && 'cursor-grabbing bg-(--ui-sidebar-surface-background)')}
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/workspace-groups.test.ts b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/workspace-groups.test.ts
index 9f169b7d8ce2..9d1a9c0b6fac 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/workspace-groups.test.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/workspace-groups.test.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import {
   kanbanWorktreeDir,
   liveSessionProjectId,
   mergeRepoWorktreeGroups,
+  NO_PROJECT_ID,
   overlayLiveLanes,
   overlayLivePreviews,
   sessionProjectColor,
@@ -458,6 +459,25 @@ const projectNode = (over: Partial<SidebarProjectTree> & Pick<SidebarProjectTree
   ...over
 })
 
+// Home as the backend emits it: no path, one synthetic lane carrying the rows.
+const homeNode = (sessions: SessionInfo[]): SidebarProjectTree =>
+  projectNode({
+    id: NO_PROJECT_ID,
+    isNoProject: true,
+    label: 'Home',
+    path: null,
+    repos: [
+      {
+        id: NO_PROJECT_ID,
+        label: 'Home',
+        path: null,
+        sessionCount: sessions.length,
+        groups: [lane({ id: NO_PROJECT_ID, label: 'Home', sessions })]
+      }
+    ],
+    sessionCount: sessions.length
+  })
+
 describe('liveSessionProjectId', () => {
   it('maps a brand-new (unpersisted) session to its auto project (the repo root)', () => {
     expect(liveSessionProjectId(makeSession('/www/app'), [])).toBe('/www/app')
@@ -789,6 +809,26 @@ describe('overlayLiveLanes', () => {
     expect(overlaid.repos[0].groups[0].sessions.map(s => s.id)).toEqual(['keep'])
     expect(overlaid.sessionCount).toBe(1)
   })
+
+  it('adds a brand-new detached chat to Home, and evicts a deleted one', () => {
+    const existing = makeSession(null, { id: 'old', started_at: 1 })
+    const doomed = makeSession(null, { id: 'gone', started_at: 2 })
+    const home = homeNode([existing, doomed])
+
+    const overlaid = overlayLiveLanes(home, [makeSession(null, { id: 'fresh', started_at: 9 })], new Set(['gone']))
+
+    expect(overlaid.repos[0].groups[0].sessions.map(s => s.id)).toEqual(['fresh', 'old'])
+    expect(overlaid.sessionCount).toBe(2)
+  })
+
+  it('leaves Home alone for a session that has a cwd', () => {
+    // A cwd-carrying row the backend hasn't placed yet (junk root, deleted
+    // workspace) needs its probes — guessing here would flicker it into Home
+    // and back out on the next snapshot.
+    const home = homeNode([])
+
+    expect(overlayLiveLanes(home, [makeSession('/www/app', { id: 'fresh' })])).toBe(home)
+  })
 })
 
 describe('overlayLivePreviews', () => {
@@ -818,4 +858,10 @@ describe('overlayLivePreviews', () => {
 
     expect(previews['/www/app'].map(s => s.id)).toEqual(['old'])
   })
+
+  it('previews a detached session under Home, which no cwd could place', () => {
+    const previews = overlayLivePreviews([homeNode([])], [makeSession(null, { id: 'fresh' })], [], 3)
+
+    expect(previews[NO_PROJECT_ID].map(s => s.id)).toEqual(['fresh'])
+  })
 })
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/workspace-groups.ts b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/workspace-groups.ts
index a55fdce81911..f97a14dc871d 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/workspace-groups.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/projects/workspace-groups.ts
@@ -56,7 +56,9 @@ export interface SidebarProjectTree {
   // A git repo root promoted automatically (not a user-created projects.db row).
   // Deletable = dismissable.
   isAuto?: boolean
-  // The synthetic "No project" bucket for cwd-less sessions.
+  // The synthetic bucket (labeled "Home") holding every session no project
+  // claimed. It has no folder, so no repo/worktree structure — its one lane
+  // exists only to carry the rows.
   isNoProject?: boolean
   repos: SidebarWorkspaceTree[]
   sessionCount: number
@@ -113,6 +115,18 @@ export function kanbanWorktreeDir(path: string): null | string {
 /** Label for a main-checkout lane whose session recorded no branch. */
 export const DEFAULT_BRANCH_LABEL = 'main'
 
+/** Id of the Home bucket (must match the backend tree's `NO_PROJECT_ID`). */
+export const NO_PROJECT_ID = '__no_project__'
+
+/**
+ * A session with nowhere to be placed: no cwd and no recorded repo root. These
+ * are the rows the Home bucket owns, and the only ones the live overlay can
+ * hand it — a row WITH a cwd that the backend still couldn't place (junk root,
+ * deleted workspace) needs the backend's probes, so it waits for the snapshot.
+ */
+export const isDetachedSession = (session: SessionInfo): boolean =>
+  !(session.cwd || '').trim() && !(session.git_repo_root || '').trim()
+
 /** The one definition of a main-checkout lane id (must match the backend tree). */
 export const branchLaneId = (repoRoot: string, branch?: string): string =>
   `${repoRoot}::branch::${(branch ?? '').trim()}`
@@ -568,12 +582,44 @@ export function overlayRepoLanes(
   return { ...repo, groups, sessionCount: groups.reduce((n, g) => n + g.sessions.length, 0) }
 }
 
+/**
+ * Home's overlay: its rows have no cwd to place, so this is a plain upsert of
+ * detached live sessions into its single lane — a brand-new project-less chat
+ * shows the instant it's created, matching the flat Recents list.
+ */
+function overlayHomeLane(
+  project: SidebarProjectTree,
+  live: SessionInfo[],
+  removed: ReadonlySet<string>
+): SidebarProjectTree {
+  const lane = project.repos[0]?.groups[0]
+  const detached = live.filter(session => isDetachedSession(session) && !removed.has(session.id))
+  const kept = (lane?.sessions ?? []).filter(session => !removed.has(session.id))
+
+  if (!detached.length && kept.length === (lane?.sessions.length ?? 0)) {
+    return project
+  }
+
+  const sessions = detached.reduce(upsertSession, kept)
+  const nextLane = { id: NO_PROJECT_ID, label: project.label, path: null, sessions }
+
+  return {
+    ...project,
+    repos: [{ id: NO_PROJECT_ID, label: project.label, path: null, groups: [nextLane], sessionCount: sessions.length }],
+    sessionCount: sessions.length
+  }
+}
+
 /** Project-level overlay: {@link overlayRepoLanes} across every repo subtree. */
 export function overlayLiveLanes(
   project: SidebarProjectTree,
   live: SessionInfo[],
   removed: ReadonlySet<string> = NO_REMOVED
 ): SidebarProjectTree {
+  if (project.isNoProject) {
+    return overlayHomeLane(project, live, removed)
+  }
+
   let changed = false
 
   const repos = project.repos.map(repo => {
@@ -591,7 +637,7 @@ export function overlayLiveLanes(
   return { ...project, repos, sessionCount: repos.reduce((n, repo) => n + repo.sessionCount, 0) }
 }
 
-/** Merge live sessions into per-project overview previews, keyed by project path. */
+/** Merge live sessions into per-project overview previews, keyed by project id. */
 export function overlayLivePreviews(
   projects: SidebarProjectTree[],
   live: SessionInfo[],
@@ -606,7 +652,8 @@ export function overlayLivePreviews(
       continue
     }
 
-    const projectId = liveSessionProjectId(session, explicitProjects)
+    const projectId =
+      liveSessionProjectId(session, explicitProjects) ?? (isDetachedSession(session) ? NO_PROJECT_ID : null)
 
     if (!projectId) {
       continue
@@ -620,10 +667,6 @@ export function overlayLivePreviews(
   const out: Record<string, SessionInfo[]> = {}
 
   for (const node of projects) {
-    if (!node.path) {
-      continue
-    }
-
     const liveRows = byProject.get(node.id) ?? []
     const base = (node.previewSessions ?? []).filter(session => !removed.has(session.id))
 
@@ -640,7 +683,7 @@ export function overlayLivePreviews(
       }
     }
 
-    out[node.path] = [...map.values()].sort((a, b) => sessionRecency(b) - sessionRecency(a)).slice(0, limit)
+    out[node.id] = [...map.values()].sort((a, b) => sessionRecency(b) - sessionRecency(a)).slice(0, limit)
   }
 
   return out
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/sessions-section.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/sessions-section.tsx
index b582b5315b02..9998d01c41a2 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/sessions-section.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/sessions-section.tsx
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ interface SidebarSessionsSectionProps {
   // which then passes `projectContent` on the next render. Takes precedence
   // over `tree` / `groups`.
   projectOverview?: SidebarProjectTree[]
-  // Per-project preview rows (from the backend tree), keyed by project path.
+  // Per-project preview rows (from the backend tree), keyed by project id.
   projectOverviewPreviews?: Record<string, SessionInfo[]>
   // True while the backend project tree is loading (overview skeleton).
   projectsLoading?: boolean
@@ -305,36 +305,45 @@ export function SidebarSessionsSection({
   } else if (showEmptyState) {
     inner = emptyState
   } else if (projectOverview?.length) {
-    // The model is already ordered (default sort groups explicit-before-auto;
-    // a manual drag-order, when present, wins). Render in that order and make
-    // rows drag-to-reorder when a handler is wired.
-    const projectsDraggable = projectOverview.length > 1 && !!onReorderProjects
+    // The model is already ordered (Home leads; then the default sort groups
+    // explicit-before-auto, with a manual drag-order winning when present).
+    // Render in that order and make rows drag-to-reorder when a handler is
+    // wired — Home stays outside the sortable list, it's a fixture.
+    const home = projectOverview[0]?.isNoProject ? projectOverview[0] : undefined
+    const sortableProjects = home ? projectOverview.slice(1) : projectOverview
+    const projectsDraggable = sortableProjects.length > 1 && !!onReorderProjects
     const Row = projectsDraggable ? SortableProjectOverviewRow : ProjectOverviewRow
 
-    const rows = projectOverview.map(project => (
-      <Row
+    const projectRow = (project: SidebarProjectTree, Component: typeof ProjectOverviewRow) => (
+      <Component
         activeProjectId={activeProjectId}
         key={project.id}
         onEnter={onEnterProject}
         onNewSession={onNewSessionInWorkspace}
-        previewSessions={project.path ? projectOverviewPreviews?.[project.path] : undefined}
+        previewSessions={projectOverviewPreviews?.[project.id]}
         project={project}
         renderRows={renderRows}
       />
-    ))
+    )
 
-    inner =
-      projectsDraggable && onReorderProjects ? (
-        <ReorderableList
-          ids={projectOverview.map(project => project.id)}
-          onReorder={onReorderProjects}
-          sensors={dndSensors}
-        >
-          {rows}
-        </ReorderableList>
-      ) : (
-        rows
-      )
+    const rows = sortableProjects.map(project => projectRow(project, Row))
+
+    inner = (
+      <>
+        {home && projectRow(home, ProjectOverviewRow)}
+        {projectsDraggable && onReorderProjects ? (
+          <ReorderableList
+            ids={sortableProjects.map(project => project.id)}
+            onReorder={onReorderProjects}
+            sensors={dndSensors}
+          >
+            {rows}
+          </ReorderableList>
+        ) : (
+          rows
+        )}
+      </>
+    )
   } else if (groups?.length) {
     // Profile/source groups never reorder; render them flat with static rows.
     inner = groups.map(group => (
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/i18n/ar.ts b/apps/desktop/src/i18n/ar.ts
index cb4a8d74fc0e..e8eb0f93c43c 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/i18n/ar.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/i18n/ar.ts
@@ -1546,11 +1546,11 @@ export const ar = defineLocale({
     allPinned: 'كل الجلسات مثبتة',
     shiftClickHint: 'استخدم Shift للتحديد المتعدد',
     noWorkspace: 'بدون مساحة عمل',
-    noProject: 'لا يوجد مشروع',
     projectEmpty: 'لا توجد جلسات بعد',
     noSessions: 'لا توجد جلسات بعد',
     projects: {
       sectionLabel: 'المشاريع',
+      home: 'الرئيسية',
       newButton: 'مشروع جديد',
       createTitle: 'مشروع جديد',
       createDesc: 'سمِّ مساحة العمل وأضف مجلدا أو أكثر.',
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/i18n/en.ts b/apps/desktop/src/i18n/en.ts
index abdd8c4c402a..962116d280f4 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/i18n/en.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/i18n/en.ts
@@ -1804,11 +1804,11 @@ export const en: Translations = {
     allPinned: 'Everything here is pinned. Unpin a chat to show it in recents.',
     shiftClickHint: 'Shift-click a chat to pin',
     noWorkspace: 'No workspace',
-    noProject: 'No project',
     projectEmpty: 'No sessions yet',
     noSessions: 'No sessions yet',
     projects: {
       sectionLabel: 'Projects',
+      home: 'Home',
       newButton: 'New project',
       createTitle: 'New project',
       createDesc: 'Name a workspace and add one or more folders.',
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/i18n/ja.ts b/apps/desktop/src/i18n/ja.ts
index 198058eedd68..442b13b3eb71 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/i18n/ja.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/i18n/ja.ts
@@ -1668,11 +1668,11 @@ export const ja = defineLocale({
     allPinned: 'ここにあるものはすべてピン留めされています。チャットのピン留めを解除すると最近のものに表示されます。',
     shiftClickHint: 'Shift クリックでピン留め · ドラッグで並べ替え',
     noWorkspace: 'ワークスペースなし',
-    noProject: 'プロジェクトなし',
     projectEmpty: 'セッションはまだありません',
     noSessions: 'セッションはまだありません',
     projects: {
       sectionLabel: 'プロジェクト',
+      home: 'ホーム',
       newButton: '新規プロジェクト',
       createTitle: '新規プロジェクト',
       createDesc: 'ワークスペースに名前を付け、1つ以上のフォルダを追加します。',
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/i18n/types.ts b/apps/desktop/src/i18n/types.ts
index aacf8641e25d..8187517b0619 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/i18n/types.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/i18n/types.ts
@@ -1508,11 +1508,11 @@ export interface Translations {
     allPinned: string
     shiftClickHint: string
     noWorkspace: string
-    noProject: string
     projectEmpty: string
     noSessions: string
     projects: {
       sectionLabel: string
+      home: string
       newButton: string
       createTitle: string
       createDesc: string
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/i18n/zh-hant.ts b/apps/desktop/src/i18n/zh-hant.ts
index 12e7a5c2c59f..6bcaabccfbd7 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/i18n/zh-hant.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/i18n/zh-hant.ts
@@ -1616,11 +1616,11 @@ export const zhHant = defineLocale({
     allPinned: '這裡的全部已釘選。取消釘選某個聊天即可在最近中顯示。',
     shiftClickHint: 'Shift + 點擊聊天以釘選 · 拖曳以重新排序',
     noWorkspace: '無工作區',
-    noProject: '無專案',
     projectEmpty: '尚無工作階段',
     noSessions: '尚無工作階段',
     projects: {
       sectionLabel: '專案',
+      home: '主頁',
       newButton: '新增專案',
       createTitle: '新增專案',
       createDesc: '為工作區命名並新增一個或多個資料夾。',
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/i18n/zh.ts b/apps/desktop/src/i18n/zh.ts
index ad3e22e60b71..bc46aa6aaf4e 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/i18n/zh.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/i18n/zh.ts
@@ -1994,11 +1994,11 @@ export const zh: Translations = {
     allPinned: '这里的全部已置顶。取消置顶某个对话即可在最近中显示。',
     shiftClickHint: 'Shift+ 单击对话以置顶 · 拖动以重新排序',
     noWorkspace: '无工作区',
-    noProject: '无项目',
     projectEmpty: '暂无会话',
     noSessions: '暂无会话',
     projects: {
       sectionLabel: '项目',
+      home: '主页',
       newButton: '新建项目',
       createTitle: '新建项目',
       createDesc: '为工作区命名并添加一个或多个文件夹。',
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/store/projects.test.ts b/apps/desktop/src/store/projects.test.ts
index 86927b0e9d68..190c3d834803 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/store/projects.test.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/store/projects.test.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 import { atom } from 'nanostores'
-import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
 
-import type { SidebarProjectTree } from '@/app/chat/sidebar/projects/workspace-groups'
+import { NO_PROJECT_ID, type SidebarProjectTree } from '@/app/chat/sidebar/projects/workspace-groups'
 import { $sidebarAgentsGrouped } from '@/store/layout'
 import { $activeGatewayProfile } from '@/store/profile'
+import { applyConfiguredDefaultProjectDir } from '@/store/session'
 
 import {
   $activeProjectId,
@@ -25,6 +26,7 @@ import {
   refreshProjects,
   refreshProjectTree,
   refreshWorktrees,
+  resolveNewSessionCwd,
   scanAndRecordRepos,
   tombstoneSessions
 } from './projects'
@@ -99,9 +101,9 @@ describe('project scope', () => {
     expect($projectScope.get()).toBe(ALL_PROJECTS)
   })
 
-  it('entering the synthetic No-project bucket still scopes (no active pin)', () => {
-    enterProject('__no_project__')
-    expect($projectScope.get()).toBe('__no_project__')
+  it('entering the synthetic Home bucket still scopes (no active pin)', () => {
+    enterProject(NO_PROJECT_ID)
+    expect($projectScope.get()).toBe(NO_PROJECT_ID)
   })
 
   it('persists the scope to localStorage', () => {
@@ -110,6 +112,30 @@ describe('project scope', () => {
   })
 })
 
+describe('resolveNewSessionCwd', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    $projectScope.set(ALL_PROJECTS)
+    applyConfiguredDefaultProjectDir('/home/user/configured')
+  })
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    applyConfiguredDefaultProjectDir(null)
+    $projectScope.set(ALL_PROJECTS)
+  })
+
+  it('starts a chat detached inside Home, ignoring the configured default dir', () => {
+    // Attaching the default dir here would move the new chat out of Home the
+    // moment it was created — "no folder" is what the bucket means.
+    enterProject(NO_PROJECT_ID)
+
+    expect(resolveNewSessionCwd()).toBe('')
+  })
+
+  it('still falls back to the configured default outside Home', () => {
+    expect(resolveNewSessionCwd()).toBe('/home/user/configured')
+  })
+})
+
 describe('projectNameForCwd', () => {
   const treeNode = (
     over: Partial<SidebarProjectTree> & Pick<SidebarProjectTree, 'id' | 'label'>
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/store/projects.ts b/apps/desktop/src/store/projects.ts
index 20acf671dd25..8b0f9cbc99ab 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/store/projects.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/store/projects.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 import { atom } from 'nanostores'
 
-import { liveSessionProjectId, type SidebarProjectTree } from '@/app/chat/sidebar/projects/workspace-groups'
+import {
+  liveSessionProjectId,
+  NO_PROJECT_ID,
+  type SidebarProjectTree
+} from '@/app/chat/sidebar/projects/workspace-groups'
 import type { HermesGitBaseBranch, HermesGitBranch } from '@/global'
 import { getHermesConfig, type HermesGateway } from '@/hermes'
 import { translateNow } from '@/i18n'
@@ -146,8 +150,8 @@ export function enterProject(id: string): void {
   $projectScope.set(id)
 
   // Only explicit, persisted projects (ids are `p_<hex>`) become active. Auto
-  // projects (ids are filesystem paths) and the "No project" bucket have no
-  // durable row to pin, so they're view-scope only.
+  // projects (ids are filesystem paths) and the Home bucket have no durable row
+  // to pin, so they're view-scope only.
   if (id.startsWith('p_')) {
     void setActiveProject(id).catch(() => undefined)
   }
@@ -166,6 +170,12 @@ export function exitProjectScope(): void {
 export function resolveNewSessionCwd(): string {
   const scope = $projectScope.get()
 
+  // Inside Home, "no folder" is the point: a new chat must stay detached rather
+  // than silently attaching to the configured default dir and leaving Home.
+  if (scope === NO_PROJECT_ID) {
+    return ''
+  }
+
   if (scope !== ALL_PROJECTS) {
     const project = $projectTree.get().find(node => node.id === scope)
     const cwd = (project?.path || project?.repos.find(repo => repo.path)?.path || '').trim()
@@ -211,8 +221,8 @@ export function projectIdForCwd(cwd: string): null | string {
 // match), or null when the cwd sits in no named project. The status bar reads
 // this to label the workspace by project instead of the bare cwd leaf. We skip
 // auto-projects (a repo root promoted with no projects.db row) and the synthetic
-// "No project" bucket on purpose: those have no human name, so their sessions
-// keep the cwd-leaf label — matching the backend `_project_info_for_cwd`, which
+// Home bucket on purpose: those have no human name, so their sessions keep the
+// cwd-leaf label — matching the backend `_project_info_for_cwd`, which
 // only resolves projects.db rows, so the desktop and TUI name the same session
 // identically without threading a second per-session copy through session.info.
 export function projectNameForCwd(cwd: string): null | string {
diff --git a/tests/tui_gateway/test_project_tree.py b/tests/tui_gateway/test_project_tree.py
index a7e73703f948..f02b596ebcd2 100644
--- a/tests/tui_gateway/test_project_tree.py
+++ b/tests/tui_gateway/test_project_tree.py
@@ -58,6 +58,26 @@ def _lane_ids(project):
     return [g["id"] for repo in project["repos"] for g in repo["groups"]]
 
 
+def _home(tree):
+    """The Home bucket, or None when nothing was left unplaced."""
+    return next((p for p in tree["projects"] if p["id"] == pt.NO_PROJECT_ID), None)
+
+
+def _home_session_ids(tree):
+    home = _home(tree)
+    return [s["id"] for s in _sessions_of(home)] if home else []
+
+
+def _sessions_of(project):
+    return [s for repo in project["repos"] for g in repo["groups"] for s in g["sessions"]]
+
+
+def _real_project_ids(tree):
+    """Project ids excluding the Home bucket (which is always present when any
+    session went unplaced, so asserting on it in every test would be noise)."""
+    return [p["id"] for p in tree["projects"] if p["id"] != pt.NO_PROJECT_ID]
+
+
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
@@ -306,12 +326,12 @@ def test_scoped_session_ids_is_union_of_placed_sessions():
     )
     owned = _session("/www/app", branch="main")
     auto = _session("/www/repo", branch="main")
-    homeless = _session(None)  # no cwd -> belongs to no project
+    homeless = _session(None)  # no cwd -> the Home bucket
 
     tree = pt.build_tree([project], [owned, auto, homeless], [], resolve, hydrate=True)
 
-    assert set(tree["scoped_session_ids"]) == {owned["id"], auto["id"]}
-    assert homeless["id"] not in tree["scoped_session_ids"]
+    assert set(tree["scoped_session_ids"]) == {owned["id"], auto["id"], homeless["id"]}
+    assert _home_session_ids(tree) == [homeless["id"]]
 
 
 def test_overview_drops_session_rows_but_keeps_counts_and_previews():
@@ -403,8 +423,8 @@ def test_nested_project_folders_pick_the_deepest_match():
 
 def test_junk_root_never_becomes_an_auto_project():
     # A session whose git root is HERMES_HOME (config/state) must not spawn a
-    # phantom project; it falls through to flat Recents (unscoped). A real repo
-    # alongside it still groups normally.
+    # phantom project; it lands in the Home bucket. A real repo alongside it
+    # still groups normally.
     resolve = _resolver(
         {
             "/home/me/.hermes": ("/home/me/.hermes", "/home/me/.hermes"),
@@ -417,9 +437,8 @@ def test_junk_root_never_becomes_an_auto_project():
 
     tree = pt.build_tree([], [junk, real], [], resolve, hydrate=True, is_junk_root=is_junk)
 
-    ids = {p["id"] for p in tree["projects"]}
-    assert ids == {"/www/app"}
-    assert junk["id"] not in tree["scoped_session_ids"]
+    assert _real_project_ids(tree) == ["/www/app"]
+    assert _home_session_ids(tree) == [junk["id"]]
     assert real["id"] in tree["scoped_session_ids"]
 
 
@@ -462,8 +481,8 @@ def test_broad_default_non_git_cwd_stays_unscoped():
         is_junk_cwd=lambda path: path in {"/home/test", "/home/test/.hermes"},
     )
 
-    assert tree["projects"] == []
-    assert detached["id"] not in tree["scoped_session_ids"]
+    assert _real_project_ids(tree) == []
+    assert _home_session_ids(tree) == [detached["id"]]
 
 
 def test_deleted_sibling_worktree_folds_into_parent_home_checkout():
@@ -509,18 +528,19 @@ def test_deleted_unrelated_workspace_does_not_become_a_project():
     # A deleted dir the sibling probe can't reach by name (`hermes-salvage-drafts`
     # shares no prefix with `hermes-agent`; `/tmp/scratch` was never a worktree)
     # must not be promoted to a phantom project — it can never be opened and can
-    # only be dismissed by hand. The session stays in flat Recents.
+    # only be dismissed by hand. Those sessions land in the Home bucket.
     resolve = _resolver({"/www/hermes-agent": ("/www/hermes-agent", "/www/hermes-agent")})
-    sessions = [
+    live, salvage, scratch = (
         _session("/www/hermes-agent", branch="main"),
         _session("/www/hermes-salvage-drafts/apps/desktop"),
         _session("/tmp/scratch"),
-    ]
+    )
     on_disk = {"/www/hermes-agent"}
 
-    tree = pt.build_tree([], sessions, [], resolve, hydrate=True, exists=lambda p: p in on_disk)
+    tree = pt.build_tree([], [live, salvage, scratch], [], resolve, hydrate=True, exists=lambda p: p in on_disk)
 
-    assert [p["id"] for p in tree["projects"]] == ["/www/hermes-agent"]
+    assert _real_project_ids(tree) == ["/www/hermes-agent"]
+    assert set(_home_session_ids(tree)) == {salvage["id"], scratch["id"]}
 
 
 def test_existing_non_git_workspace_still_becomes_a_project():
@@ -536,11 +556,12 @@ def test_existing_non_git_workspace_still_becomes_a_project():
 def test_stale_persisted_repo_root_does_not_become_a_project():
     # A session carrying a git_repo_root whose repo has since been deleted must
     # not resurrect it as a project on the strength of the persisted value alone.
-    sessions = [_session("/tmp/gone/sub", repo_root="/tmp/gone")]
+    stale = _session("/tmp/gone/sub", repo_root="/tmp/gone")
 
-    tree = pt.build_tree([], sessions, [], lambda _cwd: None, hydrate=True, exists=lambda _p: False)
+    tree = pt.build_tree([], [stale], [], lambda _cwd: None, hydrate=True, exists=lambda _p: False)
 
-    assert tree["projects"] == []
+    assert _real_project_ids(tree) == []
+    assert _home_session_ids(tree) == [stale["id"]]
 
 
 def test_exists_defaults_to_keeping_everything():
@@ -566,6 +587,55 @@ def test_sibling_probe_is_bounded():
     assert len(probed) <= pt._MAX_SIBLING_PROBES
 
 
+def test_home_bucket_leads_the_tree_and_is_lossless():
+    # Every session a project didn't claim belongs to Home, and Home leads the
+    # list — so the grouped view shows the same set of sessions as flat Recents.
+    resolve = _resolver({"/www/app": ("/www/app", "/www/app"), "/home/me": ("/home/me", "/home/me")})
+    owned = _session("/www/app", branch="main")
+    cwdless = _session(None)
+    junked = _session("/home/me", branch="main")
+
+    tree = pt.build_tree(
+        [],
+        [owned, cwdless, junked],
+        [],
+        resolve,
+        hydrate=True,
+        is_junk_root=lambda root: root == "/home/me",
+    )
+
+    assert tree["projects"][0]["id"] == pt.NO_PROJECT_ID
+    assert set(_home_session_ids(tree)) == {cwdless["id"], junked["id"]}
+    assert {s["id"] for p in tree["projects"] for s in _sessions_of(p)} == {
+        owned["id"],
+        cwdless["id"],
+        junked["id"],
+    }
+
+
+def test_home_bucket_is_absent_when_every_session_is_placed():
+    # No leftovers, no Home row — a fully-organized sidebar shows only projects.
+    resolve = _resolver({"/www/app": ("/www/app", "/www/app")})
+
+    tree = pt.build_tree([], [_session("/www/app", branch="main")], [], resolve, hydrate=True)
+
+    assert _home(tree) is None
+
+
+def test_home_bucket_carries_previews_and_drops_rows_in_overview_mode():
+    sessions = [_session(None, started_at=t, last_active=t) for t in (10, 30, 20, 40)]
+
+    tree = pt.build_tree([], sessions, [], resolve=None, preview_limit=3, hydrate=False)
+    home = _home(tree)
+
+    assert home["sessionCount"] == 4
+    assert home["lastActive"] == 40
+    assert [s["last_active"] for s in home["previewSessions"]] == [40, 30, 20]
+    assert _sessions_of(home) == []
+    assert home["isNoProject"] is True
+    assert home["path"] is None
+
+
 def test_colliding_repo_basenames_disambiguate_labels():
     resolve = _resolver(
         {
diff --git a/tui_gateway/project_tree.py b/tui_gateway/project_tree.py
index 545600eaf6cd..413f8502386f 100644
--- a/tui_gateway/project_tree.py
+++ b/tui_gateway/project_tree.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ all key off these exact strings:
 
   - explicit project id .......... ``p_<hex>`` (from projects.db)
   - auto/discovered project id ... the repo root path
+  - home (no-project) bucket ..... ``__no_project__``
   - repo node id ................. the repo root path
   - main branch lane id .......... ``<repoRoot>::branch::<branch>`` (or ``::branch::``)
   - kanban bucket lane id ........ ``<repoRoot>::kanban``
@@ -48,6 +49,14 @@ _KANBAN_DIR_RE = re.compile(r"^(.*[/\\]\.worktrees)[/\\]t_[0-9a-f]+[/\\]?$")
 _TRUNK_BRANCHES = {"main", "master", "trunk", "develop"}
 DEFAULT_BRANCH_LABEL = "main"
 
+# The synthetic bucket holding every session no project claimed — a chat with no
+# cwd at all, or one whose folder can't be promoted (the bare home dir, HERMES
+# state, a workspace that has since been deleted). Without it those sessions are
+# invisible in the grouped view. The desktop labels it "Home"; the id/flag stay
+# named for what the bucket MEANS, since that's what membership keys off.
+NO_PROJECT_ID = "__no_project__"
+NO_PROJECT_LABEL = "Home"
+
 # How many sibling candidates to try when recovering a deleted worktree's parent
 # repo (see ``_probe_sibling_worktree``). Each miss costs a git probe, so keep it
 # tight — real suffixes are one or two segments.
@@ -508,6 +517,7 @@ def _project_node(
     color: Any = None,
     icon: Any = None,
     is_auto: bool = False,
+    is_no_project: bool = False,
 ) -> dict:
     return {
         "id": pid,
@@ -516,6 +526,7 @@ def _project_node(
         "color": color,
         "icon": icon,
         "isAuto": is_auto,
+        "isNoProject": is_no_project,
         "sessionCount": session_count,
         "lastActive": last_active,
         "repos": repos,
@@ -609,10 +620,13 @@ def build_tree(
     # The pre-Projects desktop grouped every non-empty cwd; keeping that fallback
     # prevents upgrades from flattening those sessions into Recents.
     by_auto_root: dict[str, dict] = {}
+    # Every session no tier could place. These are the Home bucket's rows.
+    homeless: list[dict] = []
 
     def _add_auto(root: str, session: dict) -> None:
         key = _path_key(root)
         if not key:
+            homeless.append(session)
             return
         bucket = by_auto_root.setdefault(key, {"root": root, "sessions": []})
         bucket["sessions"].append(session)
@@ -626,10 +640,13 @@ def build_tree(
             # session ran) and must not resurrect as a project.
             if not _junk(root) and _exists(root):
                 _add_auto(root, session)
+            else:
+                homeless.append(session)
             continue
 
         cwd = (session.get("cwd") or "").strip()
         if not cwd or _junk_cwd(cwd):
+            homeless.append(session)
             continue
         placement = _place(
             cwd,
@@ -642,9 +659,11 @@ def build_tree(
         # also gone from disk (a deleted worktree whose name shares no prefix
         # with its parent, a removed /tmp scratch dir), promoting it mints a
         # phantom project that can never be opened and can only be dismissed by
-        # hand. The session keeps its place in flat Recents.
+        # hand. The session goes to Home instead.
         if placement and _exists(placement["repo_key"]):
             _add_auto(placement["repo_key"], session)
+        else:
+            homeless.append(session)
 
     seen: set[str] = set()
     for bucket in by_auto_root.values():
@@ -661,6 +680,7 @@ def build_tree(
             None,
         )
         if repo_node is None:
+            homeless.extend(auto_sessions)
             continue
         seen.add(auto_key)
         scoped_ids.extend(s["id"] for s in auto_sessions if s.get("id"))
@@ -708,4 +728,41 @@ def build_tree(
     # Explicit projects keep their user-chosen names untouched.
     _disambiguate_labels([p for p in result if p.get("isAuto")])
 
+    # Tier 0: everything the tiers above could not place, so the grouped view
+    # loses no session. It has no folder, hence no repo/lane structure — the one
+    # synthetic lane exists purely to carry the rows in the tree's shape. Leads
+    # the list; omitted entirely when empty, so a project-less install is blank.
+    if homeless:
+        homeless.sort(key=_session_time, reverse=True)
+        scoped_ids.extend(s["id"] for s in homeless if s.get("id"))
+        lane = {
+            "id": NO_PROJECT_ID,
+            "label": NO_PROJECT_LABEL,
+            "path": None,
+            "isMain": False,
+            "isKanban": False,
+            "sessions": homeless if hydrate else [],
+        }
+        result.insert(
+            0,
+            _project_node(
+                pid=NO_PROJECT_ID,
+                label=NO_PROJECT_LABEL,
+                path=None,
+                repos=[
+                    {
+                        "id": NO_PROJECT_ID,
+                        "label": NO_PROJECT_LABEL,
+                        "path": None,
+                        "groups": [lane],
+                        "sessionCount": len(homeless),
+                    }
+                ],
+                session_count=len(homeless),
+                last_active=_last_active(homeless),
+                preview_sessions=_previews(homeless),
+                is_no_project=True,
+            ),
+        )
+
     return {"projects": result, "scoped_session_ids": scoped_ids}