diff --git a/honcho_integration/cli.py b/honcho_integration/cli.py
index 15d1586966..c8fa2dea2b 100644
--- a/honcho_integration/cli.py
+++ b/honcho_integration/cli.py
@@ -157,11 +157,11 @@ def cmd_setup(args) -> None:
         cfg["recallMode"] = new_recall
 
     # Session strategy
-    current_strat = cfg.get("sessionStrategy", "per-directory")
+    current_strat = cfg.get("sessionStrategy", "per-session")
     print(f"\n  Session strategy options:")
-    print("    per-directory — one session per working directory (default)")
+    print("    per-session   — new Honcho session each run, named by Hermes session ID (default)")
+    print("    per-directory — one session per working directory")
     print("    per-repo      — one session per git repository (uses repo root name)")
-    print("    per-session   — new Honcho session each run, named by Hermes session ID")
     print("    global        — single session across all directories")
     new_strat = _prompt("Session strategy", default=current_strat)
     if new_strat in ("per-session", "per-repo", "per-directory", "global"):
@@ -715,7 +715,7 @@ def cmd_migrate(args) -> None:
     print()
     print("  Session naming")
     print("    OpenClaw: no persistent session concept — files are global.")
-    print("    Hermes:   per-directory by default — each project gets its own session")
+    print("    Hermes:   per-session by default — each run gets its own session")
     print("              Map a custom name:  hermes honcho map <session-name>")
 
     # ── Step 6: Next steps ────────────────────────────────────────────────────
diff --git a/honcho_integration/client.py b/honcho_integration/client.py
index 729bb42cad..3f3f174d1d 100644
--- a/honcho_integration/client.py
+++ b/honcho_integration/client.py
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ class HonchoClientConfig:
     # "tools"   — no pre-loaded context, rely on tool calls only
     recall_mode: str = "hybrid"
     # Session resolution
-    session_strategy: str = "per-directory"
+    session_strategy: str = "per-session"
     session_peer_prefix: bool = False
     sessions: dict[str, str] = field(default_factory=dict)
     # Raw global config for anything else consumers need
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ class HonchoClientConfig:
                 or raw.get("recallMode")
                 or "hybrid"
             ),
-            session_strategy=raw.get("sessionStrategy", "per-directory"),
+            session_strategy=raw.get("sessionStrategy", "per-session"),
             session_peer_prefix=raw.get("sessionPeerPrefix", False),
             sessions=raw.get("sessions", {}),
             raw=raw,
diff --git a/tests/honcho_integration/test_client.py b/tests/honcho_integration/test_client.py
index fb3d83739e..d779d9a637 100644
--- a/tests/honcho_integration/test_client.py
+++ b/tests/honcho_integration/test_client.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ class TestHonchoClientConfigDefaults:
         assert config.environment == "production"
         assert config.enabled is False
         assert config.save_messages is True
-        assert config.session_strategy == "per-directory"
+        assert config.session_strategy == "per-session"
         assert config.recall_mode == "hybrid"
         assert config.session_peer_prefix is False
         assert config.linked_hosts == []
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ class TestFromGlobalConfig:
         config_file = tmp_path / "config.json"
         config_file.write_text(json.dumps({"apiKey": "key"}))
         config = HonchoClientConfig.from_global_config(config_path=config_file)
-        assert config.session_strategy == "per-directory"
+        assert config.session_strategy == "per-session"
 
     def test_context_tokens_host_block_wins(self, tmp_path):
         """Host block contextTokens should override root."""