diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/index.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/index.tsx
index 19665341f3d..ca38d65908b 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/index.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/index.tsx
@@ -1149,7 +1149,8 @@ export function ChatSidebar({
 
   const showSessionSkeletons = sessionsLoading && sortedSessions.length === 0
 
-  const showSessionSections = showSessionSkeletons || sortedSessions.length > 0
+  const showSessionSections =
+    showSessionSkeletons || sortedSessions.length > 0 || projectModel.length > 0
 
   // Each reorderable list reports its OWN new id order; persisting is a direct,
   // typed write — no id-prefix sniffing to figure out which level moved.
@@ -1537,7 +1538,7 @@ export function ChatSidebar({
           </div>
         )}
 
-        {contentVisible && !showSessionSections && <div className="min-h-0 flex-1" />}
+        {contentVisible && !showSessionSections && <SidebarBlankState onNewProject={openProjectCreate} />}
 
         {contentVisible && (
           <div className="shrink-0 px-0.5 pb-1 pt-0.5">
@@ -1618,6 +1619,29 @@ function SidebarSessionSkeletons() {
   )
 }
 
+function SidebarBlankState({ onNewProject }: { onNewProject: () => void }) {
+  const { t } = useI18n()
+  const s = t.sidebar
+
+  return (
+    <div className="grid min-h-0 flex-1 place-items-center px-4 text-center">
+      <div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-2">
+        <Codicon className="text-(--ui-text-quaternary)" name="root-folder" size="1.25rem" />
+        <p className="text-xs text-(--ui-text-tertiary)">{s.noSessions}</p>
+        <Button
+          className="mt-0.5 text-(--ui-text-secondary)"
+          onClick={onNewProject}
+          size="sm"
+          variant="ghost"
+        >
+          <Codicon name="add" size="0.75rem" />
+          {s.projects.newButton}
+        </Button>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  )
+}
+
 function SidebarPinnedEmptyState() {
   const { t } = useI18n()
 
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/project-dialog.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/project-dialog.tsx
index 16cbb04983d..dcd9f067f43 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/project-dialog.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/project-dialog.tsx
@@ -87,21 +87,25 @@ export function ProjectDialog() {
   }
 
   const pickFolder = async () => {
-    const dir = await pickProjectFolder()
+    try {
+      const dir = await pickProjectFolder()
 
-    if (!dir) {
-      return
+      if (!dir) {
+        return
+      }
+
+      const projectId = state?.projectId
+
+      if (mode === 'add-folder' && projectId) {
+        await runSubmit(() => addProjectFolder(projectId, dir))
+
+        return
+      }
+
+      setFolders(prev => (prev.includes(dir) ? prev : [...prev, dir]))
+    } catch (err) {
+      notifyError(err, p.createFailed)
     }
-
-    const projectId = state?.projectId
-
-    if (mode === 'add-folder' && projectId) {
-      await runSubmit(() => addProjectFolder(projectId, dir))
-
-      return
-    }
-
-    setFolders(prev => (prev.includes(dir) ? prev : [...prev, dir]))
   }
 
   const submit = async () => {
@@ -145,7 +149,10 @@ export function ProjectDialog() {
 
   return (
     <Dialog onOpenChange={onOpenChange} open={open}>
-      <DialogContent className="max-w-md">
+      <DialogContent
+        className="max-w-md"
+        onInteractOutside={event => event.preventDefault()}
+      >
         <DialogHeader>
           <DialogTitle>{title}</DialogTitle>
           {mode === 'create' && <DialogDescription>{p.createDesc}</DialogDescription>}
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/desktop-controller.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/desktop-controller.tsx
index 9df44d628ce..f9dc2d8320b 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/desktop-controller.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/desktop-controller.tsx
@@ -124,6 +124,7 @@ import { ModelVisibilityOverlay } from './model-visibility-overlay'
 import { PetGenerateOverlay } from './pet-generate/pet-generate-overlay'
 import { RightSidebarPane } from './right-sidebar'
 import { FileActionDialogs } from './right-sidebar/file-actions'
+import { RemoteFolderPicker } from './right-sidebar/files/remote-picker'
 import { ReviewPane } from './right-sidebar/review'
 import { $terminalTakeover } from './right-sidebar/store'
 import { PersistentTerminal, TerminalSlot } from './right-sidebar/terminal/persistent'
@@ -1127,6 +1128,7 @@ export function DesktopController() {
       <PetGenerateOverlay />
       <SessionSwitcher />
       <FileActionDialogs />
+      <RemoteFolderPicker />
 
       {settingsOpen && (
         <Suspense fallback={null}>
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/right-sidebar/files/remote-picker.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/right-sidebar/files/remote-picker.tsx
index 9f7244693bc..66c24ed40a2 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/right-sidebar/files/remote-picker.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/right-sidebar/files/remote-picker.tsx
@@ -120,14 +120,14 @@ export function RemoteFolderPicker() {
 
   return (
     <Dialog onOpenChange={open => !open && close()} open={Boolean(pending)}>
-      <DialogContent className="max-w-lg gap-0 overflow-hidden p-0">
-        <div className="border-b border-border/70 px-4 py-3">
+      <DialogContent className="flex h-[min(36rem,calc(100vh-4rem))] max-w-lg flex-col gap-0 overflow-hidden p-0">
+        <div className="shrink-0 border-b border-border/70 px-4 py-3">
           <DialogTitle className="text-sm">{pending?.title || r.remotePickerTitle}</DialogTitle>
           <DialogDescription className="mt-1 text-xs">{r.remotePickerDescription}</DialogDescription>
         </div>
 
-        <div className="flex min-h-[22rem] flex-col">
-          <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-1 border-b border-border/50 px-3 py-2 text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+        <div className="flex min-h-0 flex-1 flex-col">
+          <div className="shrink-0 flex flex-wrap items-center gap-1 border-b border-border/50 px-3 py-2 text-xs text-muted-foreground">
             {crumbs.map((crumb, index) => (
               <button
                 className={cn(
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ export function RemoteFolderPicker() {
           </div>
         </div>
 
-        <div className="flex items-center justify-between gap-2 border-t border-border/70 px-4 py-3">
+        <div className="shrink-0 flex items-center justify-between gap-2 border-t border-border/70 px-4 py-3">
           <div className="min-w-0 truncate text-xs text-muted-foreground">{currentPath}</div>
           <div className="flex shrink-0 items-center gap-2">
             <Button onClick={() => close()} size="sm" variant="ghost">
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/right-sidebar/index.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/right-sidebar/index.tsx
index 936ed2dfda2..d800137789f 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/right-sidebar/index.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/right-sidebar/index.tsx
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@ import { $currentCwd } from '@/store/session'
 
 import { SidebarPanelLabel } from '../shell/sidebar-label'
 
-import { RemoteFolderPicker } from './files/remote-picker'
 import { ProjectTree } from './files/tree'
 import { useProjectTree } from './files/use-project-tree'
 
@@ -82,8 +81,6 @@ export function RightSidebarPane({ onActivateFile, onActivateFolder }: RightSide
           : 'border-l shadow-[inset_0.0625rem_0_0_color-mix(in_srgb,white_18%,transparent)]'
       )}
     >
-      <RemoteFolderPicker />
-
       <FilesystemTab
         canCollapse={canCollapse}
         collapseNonce={collapseNonce}
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/lib/desktop-fs.test.ts b/apps/desktop/src/lib/desktop-fs.test.ts
index 0e057aef192..9dcada40adb 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/lib/desktop-fs.test.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/lib/desktop-fs.test.ts
@@ -112,6 +112,16 @@ describe('desktop filesystem facade', () => {
     expect(gitRoot).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
   })
 
+  it('targets the active profile backend so a remote profile never reads local disk', async () => {
+    $connection.set({ mode: 'remote', profile: 'remote-docker' } as never)
+
+    await readDesktopDir('/srv/project')
+    await desktopDefaultCwd()
+
+    expect(api).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ path: '/api/fs/list?path=%2Fsrv%2Fproject', profile: 'remote-docker' })
+    expect(api).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ path: '/api/fs/default-cwd', profile: 'remote-docker' })
+  })
+
   it('routes file diffs through backend git in remote mode', async () => {
     $connection.set({ mode: 'remote' } as never)
 
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/lib/desktop-fs.ts b/apps/desktop/src/lib/desktop-fs.ts
index 1c0510e54da..d66e02230e2 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/lib/desktop-fs.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/lib/desktop-fs.ts
@@ -32,6 +32,12 @@ export function isDesktopFsRemoteMode() {
   return $connection.get()?.mode === 'remote'
 }
 
+// Active profile for FS/git REST calls. Without it the Electron api bridge
+// hits the primary (local) backend even when the user switched to a remote profile.
+export function desktopFsProfile(): string | undefined {
+  return $connection.get()?.profile || undefined
+}
+
 function fsPath(endpoint: string, filePath: string) {
   return `/api/fs/${endpoint}?path=${encodeURIComponent(filePath)}`
 }
@@ -46,24 +52,26 @@ function bridge() {
   return desktop
 }
 
-export async function readDesktopDir(path: string): Promise<HermesReadDirResult> {
-  const desktop = bridge()
+function remoteFsApi<T>(path: string, body?: Record<string, unknown>): Promise<T> {
+  return bridge().api<T>(
+    body ? { body, method: 'POST', path, profile: desktopFsProfile() } : { path, profile: desktopFsProfile() }
+  )
+}
 
+export async function readDesktopDir(path: string): Promise<HermesReadDirResult> {
   if (!isDesktopFsRemoteMode()) {
-    return desktop.readDir(path)
+    return bridge().readDir(path)
   }
 
-  return desktop.api<HermesReadDirResult>({ path: fsPath('list', path) })
+  return remoteFsApi<HermesReadDirResult>(fsPath('list', path))
 }
 
 export async function readDesktopFileText(path: string): Promise<HermesReadFileTextResult> {
-  const desktop = bridge()
-
   if (!isDesktopFsRemoteMode()) {
-    return desktop.readFileText(path)
+    return bridge().readFileText(path)
   }
 
-  return desktop.api<HermesReadFileTextResult>({ path: fsPath('read-text', path) })
+  return remoteFsApi<HermesReadFileTextResult>(fsPath('read-text', path))
 }
 
 // Save UTF-8 text back to a file. Local writes go through the hardened Electron
@@ -81,23 +89,17 @@ export async function writeDesktopFileText(path: string, content: string): Promi
     return desktop.writeTextFile(path, content)
   }
 
-  const result = await desktop.api<{ ok?: boolean; path?: string }>({
-    body: { content, path },
-    method: 'POST',
-    path: '/api/fs/write-text'
-  })
+  const result = await remoteFsApi<{ ok?: boolean; path?: string }>('/api/fs/write-text', { content, path })
 
   return { path: result.path || path }
 }
 
 export async function readDesktopFileDataUrl(path: string): Promise<string> {
-  const desktop = bridge()
-
   if (!isDesktopFsRemoteMode()) {
-    return desktop.readFileDataUrl(path)
+    return bridge().readFileDataUrl(path)
   }
 
-  const result = await desktop.api<string | { dataUrl?: string }>({ path: fsPath('read-data-url', path) })
+  const result = await remoteFsApi<string | { dataUrl?: string }>(fsPath('read-data-url', path))
 
   return typeof result === 'string' ? result : result.dataUrl || ''
 }
@@ -109,9 +111,7 @@ export async function desktopGitRoot(path: string): Promise<string | null> {
     return desktop.gitRoot ? desktop.gitRoot(path) : null
   }
 
-  const result = await desktop.api<{ root: string | null }>({ path: fsPath('git-root', path) })
-
-  return result.root
+  return (await remoteFsApi<{ root: string | null }>(fsPath('git-root', path))).root
 }
 
 export async function desktopDefaultCwd(): Promise<{ branch: string; cwd: string } | null> {
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ export async function desktopDefaultCwd(): Promise<{ branch: string; cwd: string
     return null
   }
 
-  return bridge().api<{ branch: string; cwd: string }>({ path: '/api/fs/default-cwd' })
+  return remoteFsApi<{ branch: string; cwd: string }>('/api/fs/default-cwd')
 }
 
 // Reveal a path in the OS file manager (Finder / Explorer / Files). Local only.
@@ -158,17 +158,17 @@ export async function copyTextToClipboard(text: string): Promise<void> {
 // Working-tree-vs-HEAD diff for one file. Empty when unchanged / not a repo.
 // Remote gateway → backend git (/api/git/file-diff); local → Electron git.
 export async function desktopFileDiff(repoRoot: string, filePath: string): Promise<string> {
-  const desktop = bridge()
-
   if (isDesktopFsRemoteMode()) {
-    const result = await desktop.api<{ diff: string }>({
-      path: `/api/git/file-diff?path=${encodeURIComponent(repoRoot)}&file=${encodeURIComponent(filePath)}`
-    })
+    const result = await remoteFsApi<{ diff: string }>(
+      `/api/git/file-diff?path=${encodeURIComponent(repoRoot)}&file=${encodeURIComponent(filePath)}`
+    )
 
     return result.diff || ''
   }
 
-  return desktop.git?.fileDiff ? desktop.git.fileDiff(repoRoot, filePath) : ''
+  const git = bridge().git
+
+  return git?.fileDiff ? git.fileDiff(repoRoot, filePath) : ''
 }
 
 export async function selectDesktopPaths(options?: HermesSelectPathsOptions): Promise<string[]> {
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/lib/desktop-git.test.ts b/apps/desktop/src/lib/desktop-git.test.ts
index 8c3e31394d0..edd6c26feaf 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/lib/desktop-git.test.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/lib/desktop-git.test.ts
@@ -63,6 +63,21 @@ describe('desktop git facade', () => {
     expect(repoStatus).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
   })
 
+  it('targets the active profile backend so a remote profile never touches the local repo', async () => {
+    $connection.set({ mode: 'remote', profile: 'remote-docker' } as never)
+
+    await desktopGit()?.repoStatus('/srv/work')
+    await desktopGit()?.review.stage('/srv/work', 'a.txt')
+
+    expect(api).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ path: '/api/git/status?path=%2Fsrv%2Fwork', profile: 'remote-docker' })
+    expect(api).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+      body: { file: 'a.txt', path: '/srv/work' },
+      method: 'POST',
+      path: '/api/git/review/stage',
+      profile: 'remote-docker'
+    })
+  })
+
   it('sends mutations as POST bodies on a remote gateway', async () => {
     $connection.set({ mode: 'remote' } as never)
 
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/lib/desktop-git.ts b/apps/desktop/src/lib/desktop-git.ts
index 67a596f04d7..1a12c3b8abe 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/lib/desktop-git.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/lib/desktop-git.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import type {
   HermesReviewShipInfo
 } from '@/global'
 
-import { isDesktopFsRemoteMode } from './desktop-fs'
+import { desktopFsProfile, isDesktopFsRemoteMode } from './desktop-fs'
 
 // Remote-aware git facade. Locally the desktop runs git through Electron
 // (window.hermesDesktop.git); on a remote gateway that's the wrong filesystem,
@@ -23,7 +23,9 @@ function desktopApi<T>(path: string, body?: Record<string, unknown>): Promise<T>
     throw new Error('Hermes Desktop bridge is unavailable')
   }
 
-  return desktop.api<T>(body ? { body, method: 'POST', path } : { path })
+  return desktop.api<T>(
+    body ? { body, method: 'POST', path, profile: desktopFsProfile() } : { path, profile: desktopFsProfile() }
+  )
 }
 
 function gitGet<T>(route: string, params: Record<string, boolean | null | string | undefined>): Promise<T> {
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/store/projects.test.ts b/apps/desktop/src/store/projects.test.ts
index 2c2af5f0197..9e80fe5b889 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/store/projects.test.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/store/projects.test.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,13 @@
 import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
 
+import { $sidebarAgentsGrouped } from '@/store/layout'
+
 import {
+  $activeProjectId,
   $projectScope,
   $worktreeRefreshToken,
   ALL_PROJECTS,
+  createProject,
   enterProject,
   exitProjectScope,
   pickProjectFolder,
@@ -13,7 +17,13 @@ import {
 vi.mock('@/lib/desktop-fs', () => ({
   desktopDefaultCwd: vi.fn(),
   isDesktopFsRemoteMode: vi.fn(),
-  selectDesktopPaths: vi.fn()
+  selectDesktopPaths: vi.fn(),
+  writeDesktopFileText: vi.fn()
+}))
+
+vi.mock('@/store/gateway', () => ({
+  activeGateway: vi.fn(),
+  ensureActiveGatewayOpen: vi.fn()
 }))
 
 const fs = await import('@/lib/desktop-fs')
@@ -21,6 +31,9 @@ const desktopDefaultCwd = vi.mocked(fs.desktopDefaultCwd)
 const isDesktopFsRemoteMode = vi.mocked(fs.isDesktopFsRemoteMode)
 const selectDesktopPaths = vi.mocked(fs.selectDesktopPaths)
 
+const gw = await import('@/store/gateway')
+const activeGateway = vi.mocked(gw.activeGateway)
+
 describe('project scope', () => {
   beforeEach(() => {
     window.localStorage.clear()
@@ -96,3 +109,34 @@ describe('pickProjectFolder', () => {
     await expect(pickProjectFolder()).resolves.toBeNull()
   })
 })
+
+describe('createProject', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.clearAllMocks()
+    $sidebarAgentsGrouped.set(false)
+    $activeProjectId.set(null)
+  })
+
+  it('creates the project and flips into the grouped view so a blank slate shows it', async () => {
+    const created = { folders: [], id: 'p_new', name: 'Demo', primary_path: '/srv/demo' }
+
+    const request = vi.fn(async (method: string) => {
+      if (method === 'projects.create') {
+        return { project: created }
+      }
+
+      // Reconcile (fire-and-forget) re-reads list + tree; echo the project back
+      // so the optimistic state survives instead of being wiped to empty.
+      return { active_id: 'p_new', projects: [created], scoped_session_ids: [] }
+    })
+
+    activeGateway.mockReturnValue({ connectionState: 'open', request } as never)
+
+    const result = await createProject({ folders: ['/srv/demo'], name: 'Demo', use: true })
+
+    expect(result).toEqual(created)
+    expect(request).toHaveBeenCalledWith('projects.create', expect.objectContaining({ name: 'Demo' }))
+    expect($sidebarAgentsGrouped.get()).toBe(true)
+    expect($activeProjectId.get()).toBe('p_new')
+  })
+})
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/store/projects.ts b/apps/desktop/src/store/projects.ts
index a77a991018d..615ff9efe22 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/store/projects.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/store/projects.ts
@@ -444,6 +444,8 @@ export async function createProject(input: CreateProjectInput): Promise<ProjectI
     if (input.use) {
       $activeProjectId.set(created.id)
     }
+
+    setSidebarAgentsGrouped(true)
   }
 
   reconcileProjects()
@@ -737,15 +739,11 @@ export async function copyPath(path: null | string): Promise<void> {
 // the backend filesystem (seeded at its default cwd) where sessions run; local
 // mode opens the native dialog. Returns the absolute path, or null if cancelled.
 export async function pickProjectFolder(): Promise<null | string> {
-  try {
-    const [dir] = await selectDesktopPaths({
-      defaultPath: (await desktopDefaultCwd())?.cwd,
-      directories: true,
-      multiple: false
-    })
+  const [dir] = await selectDesktopPaths({
+    defaultPath: (await desktopDefaultCwd())?.cwd,
+    directories: true,
+    multiple: false
+  })
 
-    return dir || null
-  } catch {
-    return null
-  }
+  return dir || null
 }