Remember the New Workspace isolation choice

The local/worktree choice was unstored component state and reset on every
remount of the New Workspace screen (e.g. after creating a workspace).
Persist it in the create-form preferences (FormPreferences.isolation).

Also rename the app-layer "backing" to "isolation" to match its UI label.
Isolation is the create-time intent; it stays distinct from workspaceKind,
the git-derived persisted property, and the wire's source.kind.

docs/glossary.md

@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@ Authoritative terminology. UI label wins. Don't invent synonyms; use what's here
 
 - **Project** — Logical grouping of workspaces sharing a git remote (or main repo root). UI: "Project" / "Add project". Code: `ProjectSummary` (`packages/app/src/utils/projects.ts:22`), `projectKey` (`packages/server/src/server/workspace-registry-model.ts:16`). Forbidden: "Repo", "Repository" as UI label.
 - **Workspace** — One concrete `cwd` on one daemon, with git state; belongs to exactly one project. Its `id` is opaque workspace identity; its `cwd` is the filesystem directory. UI: "Workspace". Code: `WorkspaceDescriptorPayload` (`packages/protocol/src/messages.ts:2178`). Don't confuse with: Branch (one branch can back many workspaces via worktrees). Forbidden: "Folder", "Directory" as UI label.
-- **Workspace kind** — `"directory" | "local_checkout" | "worktree"`. Code: `PersistedWorkspaceKind` (`packages/server/src/server/workspace-registry-model.ts:8`).
+- **Workspace kind** — `"directory" | "local_checkout" | "worktree"`. The git-derived, persisted property of a workspace, used across its lifetime (archive safety, sidebar, grouping). Derived from the cwd's git reality (`deriveWorkspaceKind`, `packages/server/src/server/workspace-registry-model.ts:158`), not stored from a user choice. Code: `PersistedWorkspaceKind` (`packages/server/src/server/workspace-registry-model.ts:8`). Don't confuse with **Isolation** (the create-time intent).
+- **Isolation** — Create-time choice for a new workspace: reuse the existing checkout (**Local**) or cut a dedicated git worktree (**New worktree**). A transient setup input, also remembered as a create-form preference; it is not a workspace property. UI: "Isolation" control on the New Workspace screen. Code: `isolation` (`"local" | "worktree"`), `useWorkspaceIsolation` (`packages/app/src/screens/new-workspace-screen.tsx`); persisted as `FormPreferences.isolation` (`packages/app/src/create-agent-preferences/preferences.ts`). Distinct from **Workspace kind**, which is the git-derived property the intent produces (Local → `local_checkout` or `directory` by git-ness; New worktree → `worktree`). On the wire it is the create request's `source.kind` (`directory | worktree`, `packages/protocol/src/messages.ts:1693`).
 - **Agent** — See **Agent session**. UI still says "Agent" / "New Agent" in places, but moving toward **Agent session** as the canonical term. Code: `AgentSnapshotPayload` (`packages/protocol/src/messages.ts:608`). Forbidden: "Task", "Job", "Run".
 - **Daemon** — Local Paseo server process; identified by `serverId`. UI: "Daemon" (system contexts only). Code: `serverId` in `ServerInfoStatusPayloadSchema` (`packages/protocol/src/messages.ts:1936`), `DaemonClient` (`packages/client/src/daemon-client.ts`).
 - **Host** — Client-side connection profile pointing at a daemon; bundles one or more `HostConnection`s. UI: "Host" / "Add host" / "Switch host". Code: `HostProfile` (`packages/app/src/types/host-connection.ts:37`). Forbidden: "Connection" (means `HostConnection`, not host).

packages/app/e2e/helpers/new-workspace.ts

@@ -209,18 +209,34 @@ export async function selectNewWorkspaceProject(
   await expectNewWorkspaceProjectSelected(page, input.projectDisplayName);
 }
 
-export async function selectWorkspaceBacking(
+// The isolation trigger renders the active isolation's label ("Local" / "New
+// worktree"), so asserting its text proves what the screen currently remembers.
+const ISOLATION_TRIGGER_LABEL: Record<"local" | "worktree", string> = {
+  local: "Local",
+  worktree: "New worktree",
+};
+
+export async function expectWorkspaceIsolationSelected(
   page: Page,
-  backing: "local" | "worktree",
+  isolation: "local" | "worktree",
 ): Promise<void> {
-  const trigger = page.getByTestId("workspace-create-backing-trigger");
+  const trigger = page.getByRole("button", { name: "Workspace isolation" });
+  await expect(trigger).toBeVisible({ timeout: 30_000 });
+  await expect(trigger).toContainText(ISOLATION_TRIGGER_LABEL[isolation]);
+}
+
+export async function selectWorkspaceIsolation(
+  page: Page,
+  isolation: "local" | "worktree",
+): Promise<void> {
+  const trigger = page.getByTestId("workspace-create-isolation-trigger");
   await expect(trigger).toBeVisible({ timeout: 30_000 });
   await trigger.click();
 
   // "New worktree" is only listed once the checkout status query confirms the
   // selected project is a git repo, so wait for the option to appear before
   // clicking it.
-  const option = page.getByTestId(`workspace-create-backing-${backing}`);
+  const option = page.getByTestId(`workspace-create-isolation-${isolation}`);
   await expect(option).toBeVisible({ timeout: 30_000 });
   await option.click();
 }

packages/app/e2e/new-workspace-entry.spec.ts

@@ -131,9 +131,9 @@ test.describe("New workspace entry points", () => {
       await nonGitOption.click();
       await expectNewWorkspaceProjectSelected(page, nonGitProject.projectDisplayName);
 
-      // No git checkout means no worktree backing choice: the Isolation row is
+      // No git checkout means no worktree isolation choice: the Isolation row is
       // absent entirely.
-      await expect(page.getByTestId("workspace-create-backing-trigger")).toHaveCount(0);
+      await expect(page.getByTestId("workspace-create-isolation-trigger")).toHaveCount(0);
 
       // Switching to the git project on the same screen reveals the Isolation row.
       await trigger.click();
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ test.describe("New workspace entry points", () => {
       await gitOption.click();
       await expectNewWorkspaceProjectSelected(page, gitProject.projectDisplayName);
 
-      await expect(page.getByTestId("workspace-create-backing-trigger")).toBeVisible({
+      await expect(page.getByTestId("workspace-create-isolation-trigger")).toBeVisible({
         timeout: 30_000,
       });
     } finally {

packages/app/e2e/new-workspace-isolation-memory.spec.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+import { expect, test } from "./fixtures";
+import { gotoAppShell } from "./helpers/app";
+import {
+  archiveLocalWorkspaceFromDaemon,
+  archiveWorkspaceFromDaemon,
+  assertNewWorkspaceSidebarAndHeader,
+  connectNewWorkspaceDaemonClient,
+  expectWorkspaceIsolationSelected,
+  openNewWorkspaceComposer,
+  openProjectViaDaemon,
+  openStartingRefPicker,
+  selectBranchInPicker,
+  selectWorkspaceIsolation,
+} from "./helpers/new-workspace";
+import { createTempGitRepo } from "./helpers/workspace";
+import { getServerId } from "./helpers/server-id";
+import { waitForSidebarHydration } from "./helpers/workspace-ui";
+
+// Regression for "the local / worktree selection in the new workspace is not
+// remembered." The isolation choice persists in the create-form preferences
+// (FormPreferences.isolation), so it must survive the create→reopen remount:
+// creating a worktree workspace navigates away from /new and unmounts it, and
+// reopening New Workspace has to still show "New worktree".
+test.describe("New workspace isolation memory", () => {
+  let client: Awaited<ReturnType<typeof connectNewWorkspaceDaemonClient>>;
+  const localWorkspaceIds = new Set<string>();
+  const createdWorktreeDirectories = new Set<string>();
+
+  test.describe.configure({ timeout: 240_000 });
+
+  test.beforeEach(async () => {
+    client = await connectNewWorkspaceDaemonClient();
+  });
+
+  test.afterEach(async () => {
+    if (client) {
+      for (const workspaceDirectory of createdWorktreeDirectories) {
+        await archiveWorkspaceFromDaemon(client, workspaceDirectory).catch(() => undefined);
+      }
+      for (const workspaceId of localWorkspaceIds) {
+        await archiveLocalWorkspaceFromDaemon(client, workspaceId).catch(() => undefined);
+      }
+    }
+    createdWorktreeDirectories.clear();
+    localWorkspaceIds.clear();
+    await client?.close().catch(() => undefined);
+  });
+
+  test("remembers the worktree isolation choice after creating a workspace", async ({ page }) => {
+    const serverId = getServerId();
+    const tempRepo = await createTempGitRepo("isolation-memory-", { branches: ["main", "dev"] });
+
+    try {
+      const openedProject = await openProjectViaDaemon(client, tempRepo.path);
+      localWorkspaceIds.add(openedProject.workspaceId);
+
+      await gotoAppShell(page);
+      await waitForSidebarHydration(page);
+
+      // First visit: the screen opens on Local, switch it to New worktree and create.
+      await openNewWorkspaceComposer(page, {
+        projectKey: openedProject.projectKey,
+        projectDisplayName: openedProject.projectDisplayName,
+      });
+      await expectWorkspaceIsolationSelected(page, "local");
+      await selectWorkspaceIsolation(page, "worktree");
+      await expectWorkspaceIsolationSelected(page, "worktree");
+
+      await openStartingRefPicker(page);
+      await selectBranchInPicker(page, "dev");
+
+      const createButton = page
+        .getByTestId("message-input-root")
+        .getByRole("button", { name: "Create" });
+      await expect(createButton).toBeVisible({ timeout: 30_000 });
+      await createButton.click();
+
+      const createdWorkspace = await assertNewWorkspaceSidebarAndHeader(page, {
+        serverId,
+        client,
+        previousWorkspaceId: openedProject.workspaceId,
+        projectDisplayName: openedProject.projectDisplayName,
+      });
+      createdWorktreeDirectories.add(createdWorkspace.workspaceDirectory);
+
+      // Second visit (fresh mount of /new): the worktree choice must stick.
+      await openNewWorkspaceComposer(page, {
+        projectKey: openedProject.projectKey,
+        projectDisplayName: openedProject.projectDisplayName,
+      });
+      await expectWorkspaceIsolationSelected(page, "worktree");
+    } finally {
+      await tempRepo.cleanup();
+    }
+  });
+});

packages/app/e2e/new-workspace.spec.ts

@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ import {
   selectBranchInPicker,
   selectGitHubPrInPicker,
   selectPickerOptionByKeyboard,
-  selectWorkspaceBacking,
+  selectWorkspaceIsolation,
   submitNewWorkspacePrompt,
 } from "./helpers/new-workspace";
 import { createTempGitRepo, readWorktreeBranchInfo } from "./helpers/workspace";
@@ -633,7 +633,7 @@ test.describe("New workspace flow", () => {
         projectKey: openedProject.projectKey,
         projectDisplayName: openedProject.projectDisplayName,
       });
-      await selectWorkspaceBacking(page, "worktree");
+      await selectWorkspaceIsolation(page, "worktree");
       await openStartingRefPicker(page);
       await selectBranchInPicker(page, "dev");
 
@@ -679,7 +679,7 @@ test.describe("New workspace flow", () => {
         projectKey: openedProject.projectKey,
         projectDisplayName: openedProject.projectDisplayName,
       });
-      await selectWorkspaceBacking(page, "worktree");
+      await selectWorkspaceIsolation(page, "worktree");
 
       await openBranchPicker(page);
       await expectPickerOpen(page);
@@ -704,7 +704,7 @@ test.describe("New workspace flow", () => {
         projectKey: openedProject.projectKey,
         projectDisplayName: openedProject.projectDisplayName,
       });
-      await selectWorkspaceBacking(page, "worktree");
+      await selectWorkspaceIsolation(page, "worktree");
 
       await openBranchPicker(page);
       await expectPickerOpen(page);
@@ -734,7 +734,7 @@ test.describe("New workspace flow", () => {
         projectKey: openedProject.projectKey,
         projectDisplayName: openedProject.projectDisplayName,
       });
-      await selectWorkspaceBacking(page, "worktree");
+      await selectWorkspaceIsolation(page, "worktree");
       await openStartingRefPicker(page);
       await selectGitHubPrInPicker(page, pr.number);
 

packages/app/e2e/workspace-model-regressions.spec.ts

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import {
   connectNewWorkspaceDaemonClient,
   expectNewWorkspaceProjectSelected,
   openGlobalNewWorkspaceComposer,
-  selectWorkspaceBacking,
+  selectWorkspaceIsolation,
   submitNewWorkspaceEmpty,
   submitNewWorkspacePrompt,
 } from "./helpers/new-workspace";
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ test.describe("Workspace model regressions", () => {
       await waitForSidebarHydration(page);
       await openGlobalNewWorkspaceComposer(page);
       await expectNewWorkspaceProjectSelected(page, seeded.projectDisplayName);
-      await selectWorkspaceBacking(page, "local");
+      await selectWorkspaceIsolation(page, "local");
       await submitNewWorkspacePrompt(page, "Fix login bug");
 
       const createdWorkspace = await assertNewWorkspaceSidebarAndHeader(page, {
@@ -346,7 +346,7 @@ test.describe("Workspace model regressions", () => {
 
       await openGlobalNewWorkspaceComposer(page);
       await expectNewWorkspaceProjectSelected(page, seeded.projectDisplayName);
-      await selectWorkspaceBacking(page, "local");
+      await selectWorkspaceIsolation(page, "local");
       await submitNewWorkspaceEmpty(page);
 
       const createdWorkspace = await assertNewWorkspaceSidebarAndHeader(page, {
@@ -462,7 +462,7 @@ test.describe("Workspace model regressions", () => {
 
       await openGlobalNewWorkspaceComposer(page);
       await expectNewWorkspaceProjectSelected(page, seeded.projectDisplayName);
-      await selectWorkspaceBacking(page, "local");
+      await selectWorkspaceIsolation(page, "local");
       await submitNewWorkspaceEmpty(page);
 
       const createdWorkspace = await assertNewWorkspaceSidebarAndHeader(page, {

packages/app/e2e/workspace-multiplicity.spec.ts

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import {
   connectNewWorkspaceDaemonClient,
   openGlobalNewWorkspaceComposer,
   selectNewWorkspaceProject,
-  selectWorkspaceBacking,
+  selectWorkspaceIsolation,
   submitNewWorkspaceEmpty,
 } from "./helpers/new-workspace";
 import { seedWorkspace, type SeededWorkspace } from "./helpers/seed-client";
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@ import { expectExplorerEntryVisible } from "./helpers/file-explorer";
 import { getServerId } from "./helpers/server-id";
 import { waitForSidebarHydration } from "./helpers/workspace-ui";
 
-// Model B reshape: a workspace is the unit, its backing directory (local
+// Model B reshape: a workspace is the unit, its isolation (local checkout or
-// checkout or worktree) is a CHOICE at creation, and creation NEVER dedupes by
+// worktree) is a CHOICE at creation, and creation NEVER dedupes by
 // directory. These specs drive the real creation UI (workspace-create-* test
 // IDs) to prove a single directory can back any number of workspaces.
 
@@ -39,16 +39,16 @@ async function createWorkspaceViaUi(
   input: {
     project: { projectKey: string; projectDisplayName: string };
     // null when the project has no git checkout: there is no Isolation control to
-    // touch, the backing is implicitly local.
+    // touch, the isolation is implicitly local.
-    backing: "local" | "worktree" | null;
+    isolation: "local" | "worktree" | null;
     previousWorkspaceId: string;
     client: Awaited<ReturnType<typeof connectNewWorkspaceDaemonClient>>;
   },
 ): Promise<{ workspaceId: string; workspaceName: string; workspaceDirectory: string }> {
   await openGlobalNewWorkspaceComposer(page);
   await selectNewWorkspaceProject(page, input.project);
-  if (input.backing !== null) {
+  if (input.isolation !== null) {
-    await selectWorkspaceBacking(page, input.backing);
+    await selectWorkspaceIsolation(page, input.isolation);
   }
   await submitNewWorkspaceEmpty(page);
 
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ test.describe("Workspace multiplicity creation flow", () => {
 
       const second = await createWorkspaceViaUi(page, {
         project,
-        backing: "local",
+        isolation: "local",
         previousWorkspaceId: seeded.workspaceId,
         client,
       });
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ test.describe("Workspace multiplicity creation flow", () => {
     }
   });
 
-  test("New worktree backing creates a worktree-backed workspace in a distinct directory", async ({
+  test("New worktree isolation creates a worktree-backed workspace in a distinct directory", async ({
     page,
   }) => {
     const seeded: SeededWorkspace = await seedWorkspace({
@@ -148,13 +148,13 @@ test.describe("Workspace multiplicity creation flow", () => {
 
       const worktree = await createWorkspaceViaUi(page, {
         project,
-        backing: "worktree",
+        isolation: "worktree",
         previousWorkspaceId: seeded.workspaceId,
         client,
       });
 
       // The worktree row appears, pointing at a directory distinct from the
-      // backing checkout.
+      // local checkout.
       const worktreeRow = page.getByTestId(workspaceRowTestId(worktree.workspaceId));
       await expect(worktreeRow).toBeVisible({ timeout: 30_000 });
       expect(worktree.workspaceId).not.toBe(seeded.workspaceId);
@@ -199,8 +199,8 @@ test.describe("Workspace multiplicity creation flow", () => {
 
       const second = await createWorkspaceViaUi(page, {
         project,
-        // Non-git project: no Isolation control, backing is implicitly local.
+        // Non-git project: no Isolation control, isolation is implicitly local.
-        backing: null,
+        isolation: null,
         previousWorkspaceId: seeded.workspaceId,
         client,
       });

packages/app/src/create-agent-preferences/preferences.test.ts

@@ -84,4 +84,27 @@ describe("create agent preferences", () => {
   it("loads invalid stored preferences as empty preferences", () => {
     expect(parseFormPreferences({ providerPreferences: { codex: { mode: 42 } } })).toEqual({});
   });
+
+  it("persists and reloads the workspace isolation choice", async () => {
+    const storage = new FakeCreateAgentPreferenceStorage();
+    const preferences = new CreateAgentPreferencesService(storage);
+
+    const save = preferences.update({ isolation: "worktree" });
+    await storage.nextWrite();
+    storage.finishOldestWrite();
+    await save;
+
+    expect(storage.savedPreferences()).toEqual({ isolation: "worktree" });
+    expect(await new CreateAgentPreferencesService(storage).load()).toEqual({
+      isolation: "worktree",
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("treats stored preferences without an isolation choice as undefined", () => {
+    expect(parseFormPreferences({ provider: "codex" }).isolation).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it("rejects an unknown isolation value as invalid stored preferences", () => {
+    expect(parseFormPreferences({ provider: "codex", isolation: "sandbox" })).toEqual({});
+  });
 });

packages/app/src/create-agent-preferences/preferences.ts

@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ const formPreferencesSchema = z.object({
       }),
     )
     .optional(),
+  isolation: z.enum(["local", "worktree"]).optional(),
 });
 
 export type ProviderPreferences = z.infer<typeof providerPreferencesSchema>;

packages/app/src/i18n/resources/ar.ts

@@ -833,7 +833,7 @@ export const ar: TranslationResources = {
   newWorkspace: {
     title: "مساحة عمل جديدة",
     create: "يخلق",
-    backing: {
+    isolation: {
       local: "محلي",
       worktree: "شجرة عمل جديدة",
       label: "العزل",

packages/app/src/i18n/resources/en.ts

@@ -839,7 +839,7 @@ export const en = {
   newWorkspace: {
     title: "New workspace",
     create: "Create",
-    backing: {
+    isolation: {
       local: "Local",
       worktree: "New worktree",
       label: "Isolation",

packages/app/src/i18n/resources/es.ts

@@ -859,7 +859,7 @@ export const es: TranslationResources = {
   newWorkspace: {
     title: "Nuevo espacio de trabajo",
     create: "Crear",
-    backing: {
+    isolation: {
       local: "Local",
       worktree: "Nuevo worktree",
       label: "Aislamiento",

packages/app/src/i18n/resources/fr.ts

@@ -858,7 +858,7 @@ export const fr: TranslationResources = {
   newWorkspace: {
     title: "Nouvel espace de travail",
     create: "Créer",
-    backing: {
+    isolation: {
       local: "Local",
       worktree: "Nouveau worktree",
       label: "Isolation",

packages/app/src/i18n/resources/ru.ts

@@ -851,7 +851,7 @@ export const ru: TranslationResources = {
   newWorkspace: {
     title: "Новое рабочее пространство",
     create: "Создавать",
-    backing: {
+    isolation: {
       local: "Локально",
       worktree: "Новый worktree",
       label: "Изоляция",

packages/app/src/i18n/resources/zh-CN.ts

@@ -824,7 +824,7 @@ export const zhCN: TranslationResources = {
   newWorkspace: {
     title: "新建 workspace",
     create: "创建",
-    backing: {
+    isolation: {
       local: "本地",
       worktree: "新建 worktree",
       label: "隔离",

packages/app/src/screens/new-workspace-screen.tsx

@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ import { useDraftStore } from "@/stores/draft-store";
 import { useCreateFlowStore } from "@/stores/create-flow-store";
 import { useWorkspaceDraftSubmissionStore } from "@/stores/workspace-draft-submission-store";
 import { useKeyboardShiftStyle } from "@/hooks/use-keyboard-shift-style";
+import { useFormPreferences } from "@/hooks/use-form-preferences";
 import { generateMessageId } from "@/types/stream";
 import { toErrorMessage } from "@/utils/error-messages";
 import { projectIconPlaceholderLabelFromDisplayName } from "@/utils/project-display-name";
@@ -375,7 +376,7 @@ function PickerOptionItem({
   );
 }
 
-function BackingOptionItem({
+function IsolationOptionItem({
   optionId,
   label,
   selected,
@@ -408,7 +409,7 @@ function BackingOptionItem({
   );
   return (
     <ComboboxItem
-      testID={`workspace-create-backing-${optionId}`}
+      testID={`workspace-create-isolation-${optionId}`}
       label={label}
       selected={selected}
       active={active}
@@ -636,7 +637,7 @@ function IsolationPickerTrigger({
   onPress,
   disabled,
   badgePressableStyle,
-  backing,
+  isolation,
   label,
   iconColor,
   iconSize,
@@ -645,7 +646,7 @@ function IsolationPickerTrigger({
   onPress: () => void;
   disabled: boolean;
   badgePressableStyle: React.ComponentProps<typeof Pressable>["style"];
-  backing: "local" | "worktree";
+  isolation: "local" | "worktree";
   label: string;
   iconColor: string;
   iconSize: number;
@@ -653,7 +654,7 @@ function IsolationPickerTrigger({
   return (
     <ComboboxTrigger
       ref={pickerAnchorRef}
-      testID="workspace-create-backing-trigger"
+      testID="workspace-create-isolation-trigger"
       onPress={onPress}
       disabled={disabled}
       style={badgePressableStyle}
@@ -661,7 +662,7 @@ function IsolationPickerTrigger({
       accessibilityLabel="Workspace isolation"
     >
       <View style={styles.badgeIconBox}>
-        {backing === "worktree" ? (
+        {isolation === "worktree" ? (
           <GitBranch size={iconSize} color={iconColor} />
         ) : (
           <Folder size={iconSize} color={iconColor} />
@@ -680,45 +681,52 @@ function FormRow({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
   return <View style={styles.row}>{children}</View>;
 }
 
-interface WorkspaceBackingState {
+interface WorkspaceIsolationState {
-  backing: "local" | "worktree";
+  isolation: "local" | "worktree";
-  setBacking: (value: "local" | "worktree") => void;
+  setIsolation: (value: "local" | "worktree") => void;
-  effectiveBacking: "local" | "worktree";
+  effectiveIsolation: "local" | "worktree";
   canCreateWorktree: boolean;
   showRefPicker: boolean;
 }
 
-// Worktree backing only makes sense for a git checkout. The effective backing
+// Worktree isolation only makes sense for a git checkout. The effective isolation
 // falls back to local whenever the selected directory isn't git so the flow
 // never submits an impossible request.
-function useWorkspaceBacking(input: {
+function useWorkspaceIsolation(input: {
   supportsMultiplicity: boolean;
   selectedIsGit: boolean;
-}): WorkspaceBackingState {
+}): WorkspaceIsolationState {
   const { supportsMultiplicity, selectedIsGit } = input;
-  const [backing, setBacking] = useState<"local" | "worktree">("local");
+  // The last isolation choice is remembered alongside the other New Workspace
+  // form preferences (provider, model, mode). A manual in-screen pick overrides
+  // the remembered default until the screen remounts.
+  const { preferences, updatePreferences } = useFormPreferences();
+  const [manualIsolation, setManualIsolation] = useState<"local" | "worktree" | null>(null);
+  const isolation = manualIsolation ?? preferences.isolation ?? "local";
   const canCreateWorktree = supportsMultiplicity && selectedIsGit;
-  const isWorktree = backing === "worktree" && canCreateWorktree;
+  const isWorktree = isolation === "worktree" && canCreateWorktree;
 
-  useEffect(() => {
+  const setIsolation = useCallback(
-    if (backing === "worktree" && !canCreateWorktree) {
+    (value: "local" | "worktree") => {
-      setBacking("local");
+      setManualIsolation(value);
-    }
+      void updatePreferences({ isolation: value });
-  }, [backing, canCreateWorktree]);
+    },
+    [updatePreferences],
+  );
 
   return {
-    backing,
+    isolation,
-    setBacking,
+    setIsolation,
-    effectiveBacking: isWorktree ? "worktree" : "local",
+    effectiveIsolation: isWorktree ? "worktree" : "local",
     canCreateWorktree,
     showRefPicker: !supportsMultiplicity || isWorktree,
   };
 }
 
-function backingLabel(t: TFunction, backing: "local" | "worktree"): string {
+function isolationLabel(t: TFunction, isolation: "local" | "worktree"): string {
-  return backing === "worktree"
+  return isolation === "worktree"
-    ? t("newWorkspace.backing.worktree")
+    ? t("newWorkspace.isolation.worktree")
-    : t("newWorkspace.backing.local");
+    : t("newWorkspace.isolation.local");
 }
 
 function getContentStyle(input: { isCompact: boolean; insetBottom: number }) {
@@ -781,7 +789,7 @@ async function createAndMergeWorkspace(input: {
 
 async function createMultiplicityWorkspace(input: {
   client: NonNullable<ReturnType<typeof useHostRuntimeClient>>;
-  backing: "local" | "worktree";
+  isolation: "local" | "worktree";
   project: HostProjectListItem;
   selectedItem: PickerItem | null;
   currentBranch: string | null;
@@ -795,7 +803,7 @@ async function createMultiplicityWorkspace(input: {
   serverId: string;
   createFailedMessage: string;
 }): Promise<ReturnType<typeof normalizeWorkspaceDescriptor>> {
-  const isWorktree = input.backing === "worktree";
+  const isWorktree = input.isolation === "worktree";
   const baseBranch = isWorktree
     ? (resolveCheckoutRequest(input.selectedItem, input.currentBranch)?.refName ?? undefined)
     : undefined;
@@ -1010,12 +1018,12 @@ export function NewWorkspaceScreen({
   const [manualPickerSelection, setManualPickerSelection] = useState<PickerSelection | null>(null);
   const [pickerOpen, setPickerOpen] = useState(false);
   const [projectPickerOpen, setProjectPickerOpen] = useState(false);
-  const [backingPickerOpen, setBackingPickerOpen] = useState(false);
+  const [isolationPickerOpen, setIsolationPickerOpen] = useState(false);
   const [pickerSearchQuery, setPickerSearchQuery] = useState("");
   const [debouncedPickerSearchQuery, setDebouncedPickerSearchQuery] = useState("");
   const pickerAnchorRef = useRef<View>(null);
   const projectPickerAnchorRef = useRef<View>(null);
-  const backingPickerAnchorRef = useRef<View>(null);
+  const isolationPickerAnchorRef = useRef<View>(null);
 
   useEffect(() => {
     const trimmed = pickerSearchQuery.trim();
@@ -1088,10 +1096,11 @@ export function NewWorkspaceScreen({
   });
 
   const currentBranch = checkoutStatusQuery.data?.currentBranch ?? null;
-  const { effectiveBacking, setBacking, canCreateWorktree, showRefPicker } = useWorkspaceBacking({
+  const { effectiveIsolation, setIsolation, canCreateWorktree, showRefPicker } =
-    supportsMultiplicity: supportsWorkspaceMultiplicity,
+    useWorkspaceIsolation({
-    selectedIsGit: checkoutStatusQuery.data?.isGit === true,
+      supportsMultiplicity: supportsWorkspaceMultiplicity,
-  });
+      selectedIsGit: checkoutStatusQuery.data?.isGit === true,
+    });
 
   const branchSuggestionsQuery = useQuery({
     queryKey: ["branch-suggestions", serverId, selectedSourceDirectory, debouncedPickerSearchQuery],
@@ -1219,31 +1228,31 @@ export function NewWorkspaceScreen({
     setProjectPickerOpen(true);
   }, []);
 
-  const openBackingPicker = useCallback(() => {
+  const openIsolationPicker = useCallback(() => {
-    setBackingPickerOpen(true);
+    setIsolationPickerOpen(true);
   }, []);
 
-  const handleBackingPickerOpenChange = useCallback((nextOpen: boolean) => {
+  const handleIsolationPickerOpenChange = useCallback((nextOpen: boolean) => {
-    setBackingPickerOpen(nextOpen);
+    setIsolationPickerOpen(nextOpen);
   }, []);
 
   // "New worktree" is omitted entirely (not disabled) when the project isn't a
-  // git checkout, since worktree backing is impossible there.
+  // git checkout, since worktree isolation is impossible there.
-  const backingOptions = useMemo<ComboboxOptionType[]>(() => {
+  const isolationOptions = useMemo<ComboboxOptionType[]>(() => {
-    const localOption = { id: "local", label: backingLabel(t, "local") };
+    const localOption = { id: "local", label: isolationLabel(t, "local") };
     if (!canCreateWorktree) return [localOption];
-    return [localOption, { id: "worktree", label: backingLabel(t, "worktree") }];
+    return [localOption, { id: "worktree", label: isolationLabel(t, "worktree") }];
   }, [canCreateWorktree, t]);
 
-  const handleSelectBackingOption = useCallback(
+  const handleSelectIsolationOption = useCallback(
     (id: string) => {
-      setBacking(id === "worktree" ? "worktree" : "local");
+      setIsolation(id === "worktree" ? "worktree" : "local");
-      setBackingPickerOpen(false);
+      setIsolationPickerOpen(false);
     },
-    [setBacking],
+    [setIsolation],
   );
 
-  const renderBackingOption = useCallback(
+  const renderIsolationOption = useCallback(
     ({
       option,
       selected,
@@ -1256,7 +1265,7 @@ export function NewWorkspaceScreen({
       onPress: () => void;
     }) => {
       return (
-        <BackingOptionItem
+        <IsolationOptionItem
           optionId={option.id}
           label={option.label}
           selected={selected}
@@ -1335,7 +1344,7 @@ export function NewWorkspaceScreen({
       const normalizedWorkspace = supportsWorkspaceMultiplicity
         ? await createMultiplicityWorkspace({
             client: withConnectedClient(),
-            backing: effectiveBacking,
+            isolation: effectiveIsolation,
             project: selectedProject,
             selectedItem,
             currentBranch,
@@ -1360,7 +1369,7 @@ export function NewWorkspaceScreen({
       buildCreateWorktreeInput,
       createdWorkspace,
       currentBranch,
-      effectiveBacking,
+      effectiveIsolation,
       mergeWorkspaces,
       selectedItem,
       selectedProject,
@@ -1523,7 +1532,7 @@ export function NewWorkspaceScreen({
       ? t("newWorkspace.refPicker.searching")
       : t("newWorkspace.refPicker.noMatchingRefs");
 
-  const backingTriggerLabel = backingLabel(t, effectiveBacking);
+  const isolationTriggerLabel = isolationLabel(t, effectiveIsolation);
 
   const formStack = useMemo(() => {
     const projectControl = (
@@ -1563,25 +1572,25 @@ export function NewWorkspaceScreen({
     const isolationControl = canCreateWorktree ? (
       <View>
         <IsolationPickerTrigger
-          pickerAnchorRef={backingPickerAnchorRef}
+          pickerAnchorRef={isolationPickerAnchorRef}
-          onPress={openBackingPicker}
+          onPress={openIsolationPicker}
           disabled={isPending}
           badgePressableStyle={badgePressableStyle}
-          backing={effectiveBacking}
+          isolation={effectiveIsolation}
-          label={backingTriggerLabel}
+          label={isolationTriggerLabel}
           iconColor={theme.colors.foregroundMuted}
           iconSize={theme.iconSize.sm}
         />
         <Combobox
-          options={backingOptions}
+          options={isolationOptions}
-          value={effectiveBacking}
+          value={effectiveIsolation}
-          onSelect={handleSelectBackingOption}
+          onSelect={handleSelectIsolationOption}
-          title={t("newWorkspace.backing.label")}
+          title={t("newWorkspace.isolation.label")}
-          open={backingPickerOpen}
+          open={isolationPickerOpen}
-          onOpenChange={handleBackingPickerOpenChange}
+          onOpenChange={handleIsolationPickerOpenChange}
           desktopPlacement="bottom-start"
-          anchorRef={backingPickerAnchorRef}
+          anchorRef={isolationPickerAnchorRef}
-          renderOption={renderBackingOption}
+          renderOption={renderIsolationOption}
         />
       </View>
     ) : null;
@@ -1623,7 +1632,7 @@ export function NewWorkspaceScreen({
         <View testID="new-workspace-ref-picker-row" style={styles.formStack}>
           <FormRow>{projectControl}</FormRow>
           {/* The Isolation row keeps its height for non-git projects so switching
-              projects never shifts the form; worktree backing is git-only, so a
+              projects never shifts the form; worktree isolation is git-only, so a
               non-git project renders an invisible spacer matching the trigger
               height exactly. */}
           {isolationControl ? (
@@ -1632,7 +1641,7 @@ export function NewWorkspaceScreen({
             <View style={styles.baseSpacer} />
           )}
           {/* The Base row keeps its height so toggling Isolation never shifts the
-              form; on Local backing it renders an invisible spacer with no label
+              form; on Local isolation it renders an invisible spacer with no label
               or control, matching the trigger height exactly. */}
           {baseControl ? <FormRow>{baseControl}</FormRow> : <View style={styles.baseSpacer} />}
         </View>
@@ -1647,21 +1656,21 @@ export function NewWorkspaceScreen({
       </View>
     );
   }, [
-    backingOptions,
+    isolationOptions,
-    backingPickerOpen,
+    isolationPickerOpen,
-    backingTriggerLabel,
+    isolationTriggerLabel,
     badgePressableStyle,
     canCreateWorktree,
-    effectiveBacking,
+    effectiveIsolation,
-    handleBackingPickerOpenChange,
+    handleIsolationPickerOpenChange,
     handlePickerOpenChange,
     handleProjectPickerOpenChange,
-    handleSelectBackingOption,
+    handleSelectIsolationOption,
     handleSelectOption,
     handleSelectProjectOption,
     isCompact,
     isPending,
-    openBackingPicker,
+    openIsolationPicker,
     openPicker,
     openProjectPicker,
     options,
@@ -1671,7 +1680,7 @@ export function NewWorkspaceScreen({
     projectPickerOpen,
     projectPickerOptions,
     projectTriggerLabel,
-    renderBackingOption,
+    renderIsolationOption,
     renderPickerOption,
     renderProjectOption,
     selectedItem,