diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/session/SessionSidebar.tsx b/packages/ui/src/components/session/SessionSidebar.tsx
index a35a8697..7e865b20 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/session/SessionSidebar.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/session/SessionSidebar.tsx
@@ -1790,10 +1790,11 @@ const SessionSidebarComponent: React.FC<SessionSidebarProps> = ({
       folderScopeKey: chatsRoot,
       folderScopes,
       draftTarget: 'chat',
+      emptyMessage: t('sessions.sidebar.activity.chatsEmpty'),
       sessions: items.map((item) => item.node),
     };
     return renderGroupSessions(group, 'managed-chats', null, true);
-  }, [homeDirectory, renderGroupSessions, renderSessionNode]);
+  }, [homeDirectory, renderGroupSessions, renderSessionNode, t]);
 
   const topContent = React.useMemo(
     () => (!isVSCode && !hasSessionSearchQuery && hasActivitySectionItems) ? (
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/session/sidebar/DOCUMENTATION.md b/packages/ui/src/components/session/sidebar/DOCUMENTATION.md
index 12c2b1ce..0e894e2d 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/session/sidebar/DOCUMENTATION.md
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/session/sidebar/DOCUMENTATION.md
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 - Root session menus can quickly create a worktree from the session directory's current branch and move the full session subtree there while idle.
 - Managed Chats never offer the worktree-move action in either the sidebar row menu or the active-session header menu because their directories are not project repositories.
 - Managed Chats use the shared Chats root as their folder scope. Their activity section renders the normal folder tree, and sessions created from a Chats folder are assigned back to that root-scoped folder after their date/session directory materializes. Per-session folder scopes created by older builds remain visible for compatibility.
+- An empty Chats section says that there are no chats yet; it never reuses the project/workspace empty message.
 - The New session keyboard command inherits the active materialized session directory. Explicit sidebar entry points, including the top New session row and the Chats `+`, open a fresh managed Chat draft instead.
 - The new-worktree keyboard command is a silent no-op while a managed Chat draft is open. It must not retarget that draft to the active project or show a Git/worktree error because Chats never participate in worktrees.
 - Directory loading is demand-driven: the sidebar publishes one complete priority plan for all known project/worktree directories, while the sync layer owns bounded execution.
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/session/sidebar/SessionGroupSection.tsx b/packages/ui/src/components/session/sidebar/SessionGroupSection.tsx
index 9e6f2679..cfab4159 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/session/sidebar/SessionGroupSection.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/session/sidebar/SessionGroupSection.tsx
@@ -1056,7 +1056,7 @@ function SessionGroupSectionBase(props: Props): React.ReactNode {
               )
               : bootstrapFailureNotice
                 ? bootstrapFailureNotice
-            : t('sessions.sidebar.group.empty.noSessionsInWorkspace')}
+            : group.emptyMessage ?? t('sessions.sidebar.group.empty.noSessionsInWorkspace')}
         </div>
       ) : null}
       {totalSessions > 0 && bootstrapFailureNotice ? (
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/session/sidebar/types.ts b/packages/ui/src/components/session/sidebar/types.ts
index 450692b8..c3700a2a 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/session/sidebar/types.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/session/sidebar/types.ts
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ export type SessionGroup = {
    */
   folderScopes?: SessionGroupFolderScope[];
   draftTarget?: 'chat' | 'project';
+  emptyMessage?: string;
   sessions: SessionNode[];
 };
 
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/de.ts b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/de.ts
index d957a7b9..673ec2fe 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/de.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/de.ts
@@ -416,6 +416,7 @@ export const dict = {
   'sessions.sidebar.empty.noMatches.description': 'Versuchen Sie einen anderen Titel, Branch, Ordner oder Pfad.',
   'sessions.sidebar.activity.recentTitle': 'kürzlich',
   'sessions.sidebar.activity.chatsTitle': 'Chats',
+  'sessions.sidebar.activity.chatsEmpty': 'Noch keine Chats.',
   'chat.chatInput.chooseProject': 'Projekt auswählen',
   'sessions.switcher.openAria': 'Sitzungswechsler öffnen',
   'sessions.switcher.empty': 'Keine kürzlichen Sitzungen',
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/en.ts b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/en.ts
index 981f2b8f..d10d992a 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/en.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/en.ts
@@ -438,6 +438,7 @@ export const dict = {
   'sessions.sidebar.empty.noMatches.description': 'Try a different title, branch, folder, or path.',
   'sessions.sidebar.activity.recentTitle': 'recent',
   'sessions.sidebar.activity.chatsTitle': 'chats',
+  'sessions.sidebar.activity.chatsEmpty': 'No chats yet.',
   'chat.chatInput.chooseProject': 'Choose project',
   'sessions.archivePage.allDirectories': 'All directories',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.stickyHeaders': 'Sticky project headers',
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/es.ts b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/es.ts
index 394cc771..344c4eed 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/es.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/es.ts
@@ -439,6 +439,7 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   "sessions.sidebar.empty.noMatches.description": "Inténtalo con un título, rama, carpeta o ruta diferente.",
   "sessions.sidebar.activity.recentTitle": "reciente",
   "sessions.sidebar.activity.chatsTitle": "chats",
+  "sessions.sidebar.activity.chatsEmpty": "Aún no hay chats.",
   "chat.chatInput.chooseProject": "Elegir proyecto",
   "sessions.archivePage.allDirectories": "Todos los directorios",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.stickyHeaders": "Encabezados de proyecto fijos",
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/fr.ts b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/fr.ts
index 1315c8f7..14973f40 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/fr.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/fr.ts
@@ -269,6 +269,7 @@ export const dict = {
   'sessions.sidebar.empty.noMatches.description': 'Essayez un autre titre, branche, dossier ou chemin.',
   'sessions.sidebar.activity.recentTitle': 'récent',
   'sessions.sidebar.activity.chatsTitle': 'discussions',
+  'sessions.sidebar.activity.chatsEmpty': 'Aucune discussion pour le moment.',
   'chat.chatInput.chooseProject': 'Choisir un projet',
   'sessions.archivePage.allDirectories': 'Tous les répertoires',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.stickyHeaders': 'Épingler les en-têtes de projet',
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/ja.ts b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/ja.ts
index 09882066..bef4e313 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/ja.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/ja.ts
@@ -439,6 +439,7 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   'sessions.sidebar.empty.noMatches.description': '別のタイトル、ブランチ、フォルダ、パスをお試しください。',
   'sessions.sidebar.activity.recentTitle': '最近',
   'sessions.sidebar.activity.chatsTitle': 'チャット',
+  'sessions.sidebar.activity.chatsEmpty': 'まだチャットはありません。',
   'chat.chatInput.chooseProject': 'プロジェクトを選択',
   'sessions.archivePage.allDirectories': 'すべてのディレクトリ',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.stickyHeaders': 'プロジェクトヘッダーを固定',
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/ko.ts b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/ko.ts
index ef0eca76..5e2ca75a 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/ko.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/ko.ts
@@ -439,6 +439,7 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   'sessions.sidebar.empty.noMatches.description': '다른 제목, 브랜치, 폴더 또는 경로로 검색해 보세요.',
   'sessions.sidebar.activity.recentTitle': '최근',
   'sessions.sidebar.activity.chatsTitle': '채팅',
+  'sessions.sidebar.activity.chatsEmpty': '아직 채팅이 없습니다.',
   'chat.chatInput.chooseProject': '프로젝트 선택',
   'sessions.archivePage.allDirectories': '모든 디렉터리',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.stickyHeaders': '프로젝트 헤더 고정',
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/pl.ts b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/pl.ts
index fbe1dc4f..73d8a952 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/pl.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/pl.ts
@@ -250,6 +250,7 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   'sessions.sidebar.empty.noMatches.description': 'Spróbuj innego tytułu, gałęzi, folderu lub ścieżki.',
   'sessions.sidebar.activity.recentTitle': 'ostatnie',
   'sessions.sidebar.activity.chatsTitle': 'czaty',
+  'sessions.sidebar.activity.chatsEmpty': 'Nie ma jeszcze czatów.',
   'chat.chatInput.chooseProject': 'Wybierz projekt',
   'sessions.archivePage.allDirectories': 'Wszystkie katalogi',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.stickyHeaders': 'Przyklejone nagłówki projektów',
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/pt-BR.ts b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/pt-BR.ts
index a467bc91..2fe14a2c 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/pt-BR.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/pt-BR.ts
@@ -439,6 +439,7 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   "sessions.sidebar.empty.noMatches.description": "Tente com outro título, branch, pasta ou caminho.",
   "sessions.sidebar.activity.recentTitle": "recente",
   "sessions.sidebar.activity.chatsTitle": "conversas",
+  "sessions.sidebar.activity.chatsEmpty": "Ainda não há conversas.",
   "chat.chatInput.chooseProject": "Escolher projeto",
   "sessions.archivePage.allDirectories": "Todos os diretórios",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.stickyHeaders": "Cabeçalhos de projeto fixos",
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/uk.ts b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/uk.ts
index b87b7876..d7675954 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/uk.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/uk.ts
@@ -439,6 +439,7 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   "sessions.sidebar.empty.noMatches.description": "Спробуйте інший заголовок, гілку, папку або шлях.",
   "sessions.sidebar.activity.recentTitle": "Останні",
   "sessions.sidebar.activity.chatsTitle": "Чати",
+  "sessions.sidebar.activity.chatsEmpty": "Чатів ще немає.",
   "chat.chatInput.chooseProject": "Вибрати проєкт",
   "sessions.archivePage.allDirectories": "Всі директорії",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.stickyHeaders": "Липкі заголовки проектів",
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/zh-CN.ts b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/zh-CN.ts
index e7852359..50b5164d 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/zh-CN.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/zh-CN.ts
@@ -439,6 +439,7 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   'sessions.sidebar.empty.noMatches.description': '请尝试其他标题、分支、文件夹或路径。',
   'sessions.sidebar.activity.recentTitle': '最近',
   'sessions.sidebar.activity.chatsTitle': '聊天',
+  'sessions.sidebar.activity.chatsEmpty': '暂无聊天。',
   'chat.chatInput.chooseProject': '选择项目',
   'sessions.archivePage.allDirectories': '所有目录',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.stickyHeaders': '固定项目标题',
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/zh-TW.ts b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/zh-TW.ts
index c8122b4c..644b95c1 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/zh-TW.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/zh-TW.ts
@@ -452,6 +452,7 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   'sessions.sidebar.empty.noMatches.description': '請嘗試其他標題、分支、資料夾或路徑。',
   'sessions.sidebar.activity.recentTitle': '最近',
   'sessions.sidebar.activity.chatsTitle': '聊天',
+  'sessions.sidebar.activity.chatsEmpty': '尚無聊天。',
   'chat.chatInput.chooseProject': '選擇專案',
   'sessions.archivePage.allDirectories': '所有目錄',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.stickyHeaders': '固定專案標題',