feat: add simple real-project creation workflow with '+ New Project' - #13
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atomtanstudio wants to merge 1 commit into
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feat: add simple real-project creation workflow with '+ New Project'#13atomtanstudio wants to merge 1 commit into
atomtanstudio wants to merge 1 commit into
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This change makes it trivial for users to bind remote agents to real
directories on their filesystem instead of the isolated sandbox under
~/.grok-remote/agents/<id>/cwd.
### New UX
- Added "+ New Project" button (first in the actions toolbar for
discoverability).
- Prompts only for a project name.
- Automatically creates the folder under the configured "Default
projects base" (default: ~/Documents/coding).
- Spawns a fresh agent directly bound to that real path.
- Also auto-creates a matching sidebar folder and places the agent
inside it for immediate organization.
- Kept "+ in folder" for the "attach to existing real directory" use
case.
- "+ new" remains for the classic isolated sandbox behavior.
### Backend improvements
- `spawn()` now always respects an explicit `cwd` parameter (even if the
directory does not exist yet) and creates it with `mkdir -p`.
- Added `~` expansion for convenient paths like `~/Documents/coding/foo`.
- `update()` now supports changing `cwd` on an existing agent (via
PATCH /api/agents/:id or future UI).
### Settings
- New "default projects base" setting (exposed in Settings UI, right
next to the existing "default cwd").
- Falls back gracefully; clients can also use localStorage for the
helper.
### Polish & DX
- Grouped action buttons in `.sidebar-actions` flex container with
consistent gap for proper alignment in the agents toolbar (addresses
previous visual misalignment of mixed button styles).
- Unified button base styling (consistent height, padding, alignment,
hover states). The "+ new project" gets a subtle highlight as the
primary real-workflow entry point.
- Normalized button labels for visual balance.
- Improved empty-state messaging and prompt copy to guide users.
- Added "Real working directories (non-sandbox mode)" section to
README with clear explanation of the new buttons and setting.
### Backward compatibility
- All changes are additive. Existing "+ new" behavior is unchanged.
- No breaking changes to existing agent records or APIs.
This feature was developed to make real source tree usage dead simple
for end users while remaining fully optional.
Closes the original pain point of agents being stuck in the
`~/.grok-remote` sandbox with no easy way to point them at actual
projects.
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Summary
This PR makes it dead simple for users to work with real directories on their machine instead of being stuck in the isolated
~/.grok-remote/agents/<id>/cwdsandbox.New user-facing features
~/Documents/coding/my-cool-app).Backend & settings
spawn()now always honors an explicitcwd(and creates the directory if it doesn't exist). Added~expansion support.cwdafter creation (via PATCH).defaultProjectsBasesetting (exposed in Settings UI next to the existing "default cwd").~/Documents/codingis the suggested base.Polish
.sidebar-actionsflex container for proper alignment and consistent spacing (fixes previous visual misalignment in the agents toolbar).Why this is useful
Many users (including the contributor) want to use grok-remote for actual development work on their own codebases rather than throwaway sandbox experiments. Previously there was no ergonomic way to point agents at real folders. This change removes that friction while remaining 100% optional and backward-compatible.
Testing
Checklist
This should make the "start a new real project" experience feel as simple as clicking a button and typing a name.