diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/session/SessionSidebar.tsx b/packages/ui/src/components/session/SessionSidebar.tsx
index ac7a023f..5a3c716c 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/session/SessionSidebar.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/session/SessionSidebar.tsx
@@ -921,6 +921,9 @@ export const SessionSidebar: React.FC<SessionSidebarProps> = ({
         color?: string;
         iconImage?: { mime: string; updatedAt: number; source: 'custom' | 'auto' };
         iconBackground?: string;
+        addedAt?: number;
+        lastOpenedAt?: number;
+        sidebarCollapsed?: boolean;
       }>;
   }, [projects]);
 
@@ -1019,13 +1022,84 @@ export const SessionSidebar: React.FC<SessionSidebarProps> = ({
     lastRepoStatusRef.current = Boolean(projectRepoStatus.get(activeProjectId));
   }
 
+  const showRecentSection = useSessionDisplayStore((state) => state.showRecentSection);
+  const showArchivedSessions = useSessionDisplayStore((state) => state.showArchivedSessions);
+  const projectSortOrder = useSessionDisplayStore((state) => state.projectSortOrder);
+  const manualProjectOrder = useProjectsStore((state) => state.manualProjectOrder);
+
+  const recentProjectIds = React.useMemo(() => {
+    const recentSessions = deriveRecentSessions(sessions);
+    if (recentSessions.length === 0) return new Set<string>();
+
+    const pathToId = new Map<string, string>();
+    for (const project of normalizedProjects) {
+      if (project.normalizedPath) {
+        pathToId.set(project.normalizedPath, project.id);
+      }
+    }
+
+    const ids = new Set<string>();
+    for (const session of recentSessions) {
+      const directory = normalizePath((session as Session & { directory?: string | null }).directory ?? null);
+      if (directory) {
+        const projectId = pathToId.get(directory);
+        if (projectId) ids.add(projectId);
+      }
+    }
+    return ids;
+  }, [sessions, normalizedProjects]);
+
+  const sortedProjects = React.useMemo(() => {
+    const list = [...normalizedProjects];
+
+    switch (projectSortOrder) {
+      case 'a-z':
+        list.sort((a, b) => {
+          const aLabel = (a.label || a.path).toLowerCase();
+          const bLabel = (b.label || b.path).toLowerCase();
+          return aLabel.localeCompare(bLabel);
+        });
+        break;
+      case 'z-a':
+        list.sort((a, b) => {
+          const aLabel = (a.label || a.path).toLowerCase();
+          const bLabel = (b.label || b.path).toLowerCase();
+          return bLabel.localeCompare(aLabel);
+        });
+        break;
+      case 'date-added':
+        list.sort((a, b) => (b.addedAt ?? 0) - (a.addedAt ?? 0));
+        break;
+      case 'recent':
+        list.sort((a, b) => (b.lastOpenedAt ?? 0) - (a.lastOpenedAt ?? 0));
+        break;
+      case 'manual': {
+        const orderMap = new Map(manualProjectOrder.map((id, i) => [id, i]));
+        list.sort((a, b) => {
+          const ai = orderMap.get(a.id) ?? Infinity;
+          const bi = orderMap.get(b.id) ?? Infinity;
+          return ai - bi;
+        });
+        break;
+      }
+    }
+
+    if (projectSortOrder === 'manual') {
+      return list;
+    }
+
+    const recent = list.filter((p) => recentProjectIds.has(p.id));
+    const rest = list.filter((p) => !recentProjectIds.has(p.id));
+    return [...recent, ...rest];
+  }, [normalizedProjects, projectSortOrder, manualProjectOrder, recentProjectIds]);
+
   const {
     projectSections,
     groupSearchDataByGroup,
     sectionsForRender,
     searchMatchCount,
   } = useSessionSidebarSections({
-    normalizedProjects,
+    normalizedProjects: sortedProjects,
     getSessionsForProject,
     getArchivedSessionsForProject,
     availableWorktreesByProject,
@@ -1131,9 +1205,6 @@ export const SessionSidebar: React.FC<SessionSidebarProps> = ({
     return meta;
   }, [projectSections, homeDirectory]);
 
-  const showRecentSection = useSessionDisplayStore((state) => state.showRecentSection);
-  const showArchivedSessions = useSessionDisplayStore((state) => state.showArchivedSessions);
-
   const activeNowSessions = React.useMemo(() => {
     if (!showRecentSection || isVSCode) {
       return [];
@@ -1636,6 +1707,7 @@ export const SessionSidebar: React.FC<SessionSidebarProps> = ({
         removeProject={removeProject}
         projectHeaderSentinelRefs={projectHeaderSentinelRefs}
         reorderProjects={reorderProjects}
+        projectSortOrder={projectSortOrder}
         getOrderedGroups={getOrderedGroups}
         setGroupOrderByProject={setGroupOrderByProject}
         openSidebarMenuKey={openSidebarMenuKey}
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/session/sidebar/SidebarHeader.tsx b/packages/ui/src/components/session/sidebar/SidebarHeader.tsx
index b1d37f89..ae3de278 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/session/sidebar/SidebarHeader.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/session/sidebar/SidebarHeader.tsx
@@ -68,6 +68,8 @@ export function SidebarHeader(props: Props): React.ReactNode {
   const setDisplayMode = useSessionDisplayStore((state) => state.setDisplayMode);
   const toggleRecentSection = useSessionDisplayStore((state) => state.toggleRecentSection);
   const toggleArchivedSessions = useSessionDisplayStore((state) => state.toggleArchivedSessions);
+  const projectSortOrder = useSessionDisplayStore((state) => state.projectSortOrder);
+  const setProjectSortOrder = useSessionDisplayStore((state) => state.setProjectSortOrder);
   // VS Code forces the expanded layout, so the mode toggle is meaningless there.
   const showDisplayModeToggle = !isVSCodeRuntime();
 
@@ -175,6 +177,60 @@ export function SidebarHeader(props: Props): React.ReactNode {
               </TooltipContent>
             </Tooltip>
 
+            <DropdownMenu>
+              <Tooltip>
+                <TooltipTrigger asChild>
+                  <DropdownMenuTrigger asChild>
+                    <button
+                      type="button"
+                      className={headerActionButtonClass}
+                      aria-label={t('sessions.sidebar.header.actions.sortProjects')}
+                    >
+                      <Icon name="arrow-up-double" className={headerActionIconClass} />
+                    </button>
+                  </DropdownMenuTrigger>
+                </TooltipTrigger>
+                <TooltipContent side="bottom" sideOffset={4}><p>{t('sessions.sidebar.header.actions.sortProjects')}</p></TooltipContent>
+              </Tooltip>
+              <DropdownMenuContent align="end" className="min-w-[160px]">
+                <DropdownMenuItem
+                  onClick={() => setProjectSortOrder('manual')}
+                  className="flex items-center justify-between"
+                >
+                  <span>{t('sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.manual')}</span>
+                  {projectSortOrder === 'manual' ? <Icon name="check" className="h-4 w-4 text-primary" /> : null}
+                </DropdownMenuItem>
+                <DropdownMenuItem
+                  onClick={() => setProjectSortOrder('a-z')}
+                  className="flex items-center justify-between"
+                >
+                  <span>{t('sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.aToZ')}</span>
+                  {projectSortOrder === 'a-z' ? <Icon name="check" className="h-4 w-4 text-primary" /> : null}
+                </DropdownMenuItem>
+                <DropdownMenuItem
+                  onClick={() => setProjectSortOrder('z-a')}
+                  className="flex items-center justify-between"
+                >
+                  <span>{t('sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.zToA')}</span>
+                  {projectSortOrder === 'z-a' ? <Icon name="check" className="h-4 w-4 text-primary" /> : null}
+                </DropdownMenuItem>
+                <DropdownMenuItem
+                  onClick={() => setProjectSortOrder('date-added')}
+                  className="flex items-center justify-between"
+                >
+                  <span>{t('sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.dateAdded')}</span>
+                  {projectSortOrder === 'date-added' ? <Icon name="check" className="h-4 w-4 text-primary" /> : null}
+                </DropdownMenuItem>
+                <DropdownMenuItem
+                  onClick={() => setProjectSortOrder('recent')}
+                  className="flex items-center justify-between"
+                >
+                  <span>{t('sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.recent')}</span>
+                  {projectSortOrder === 'recent' ? <Icon name="check" className="h-4 w-4 text-primary" /> : null}
+                </DropdownMenuItem>
+              </DropdownMenuContent>
+            </DropdownMenu>
+
             <DropdownMenu>
               <Tooltip>
                 <TooltipTrigger asChild>
@@ -237,6 +293,7 @@ export function SidebarHeader(props: Props): React.ReactNode {
                   <Icon name="expand-up-down" className="h-4 w-4" />
                   <span>{t('sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.expandAll')}</span>
                 </DropdownMenuItem>
+
               </DropdownMenuContent>
             </DropdownMenu>
           </div>
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/session/sidebar/SidebarProjectsList.tsx b/packages/ui/src/components/session/sidebar/SidebarProjectsList.tsx
index 849987b0..91dc346e 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/session/sidebar/SidebarProjectsList.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/session/sidebar/SidebarProjectsList.tsx
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import { SortableGroupItem, SortableProjectItem } from './sortableItems';
 import { formatProjectLabel } from './utils';
 import { useI18n } from '@/lib/i18n';
 import type { MainTab } from '@/stores/useUIStore';
+import type { ProjectSortOrder } from '@/stores/useSessionDisplayStore';
 
 type ProjectSection = {
   project: {
@@ -69,6 +70,7 @@ type Props = {
   removeProject: (id: string) => void;
   projectHeaderSentinelRefs: React.MutableRefObject<Map<string, HTMLDivElement | null>>;
   reorderProjects: (fromIndex: number, toIndex: number) => void;
+  projectSortOrder: ProjectSortOrder;
   getOrderedGroups: (projectId: string, groups: SessionGroup[]) => SessionGroup[];
   setGroupOrderByProject: React.Dispatch<React.SetStateAction<Map<string, string[]>>>;
   openSidebarMenuKey: string | null;
@@ -188,6 +190,8 @@ export function SidebarProjectsList(props: Props): React.ReactNode {
             collisionDetection={closestCenter}
             onDragEnd={(event) => {
               if (props.isInlineEditing) return;
+              // Drag only allowed in manual sort mode - indices from visual order don't match store order in other modes
+              if (props.projectSortOrder !== 'manual') return;
               const { active, over } = event;
               if (!over || active.id === over.id) return;
               const oldIndex = props.sectionsForRender.findIndex((section) => section.project.id === active.id);
@@ -219,6 +223,7 @@ export function SidebarProjectsList(props: Props): React.ReactNode {
                   <SortableProjectItem
                     key={projectKey}
                     id={projectKey}
+                    disabled={props.projectSortOrder !== 'manual'}
                     projectLabel={projectLabel}
                     projectDescription={projectDescription}
                     projectIcon={project.icon}
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/session/sidebar/sortableItems.tsx b/packages/ui/src/components/session/sidebar/sortableItems.tsx
index 66b9110a..9e1d2594 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/session/sidebar/sortableItems.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/session/sidebar/sortableItems.tsx
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import { useI18n } from '@/lib/i18n';
 
 export interface SortableProjectItemProps {
   id: string;
+  disabled?: boolean;
   projectLabel: string;
   projectDescription: string;
   projectIcon?: string;
@@ -51,6 +52,7 @@ export type SortableDragHandleProps = {
 
 export const SortableProjectItem: React.FC<SortableProjectItemProps> = ({
   id,
+  disabled = false,
   projectLabel,
   projectDescription,
   projectIcon,
@@ -85,7 +87,7 @@ export const SortableProjectItem: React.FC<SortableProjectItemProps> = ({
     transform,
     transition,
     isDragging,
-  } = useSortable({ id });
+  } = useSortable({ id, disabled });
 
   const suppressNextToggleRef = React.useRef(false);
   const menuInstanceKey = `project:${id}`;
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/en.ts b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/en.ts
index 7fca78d9..d53d1acb 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/en.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/en.ts
@@ -382,6 +382,7 @@ export const dict = {
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.searchSessions': 'Search sessions',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.exitSelection': 'Exit selection',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.selectSessions': 'Select sessions',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.sortProjects': 'Sort projects',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.sessionDisplayMode': 'Session display mode',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.label': 'Display mode',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.default': 'Default',
@@ -390,6 +391,11 @@ export const dict = {
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.showArchived': 'Show archived sessions',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.collapseAll': 'Collapse all',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.expandAll': 'Expand all',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.manual': 'Manual',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.aToZ': 'A → Z',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.zToA': 'Z → A',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.dateAdded': 'Newest',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.recent': 'Recent',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.search.matchCountSingle': '{count} match',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.search.matchCountPlural': '{count} matches',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.search.escapeHint': 'Esc to clear',
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/es.ts b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/es.ts
index f640e906..68a8b0a0 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/es.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/es.ts
@@ -383,6 +383,7 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   "sessions.sidebar.header.actions.searchSessions": "Buscar sesiones",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.actions.exitSelection": "Salir de selección",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.actions.selectSessions": "Seleccionar sesiones",
+  "sessions.sidebar.header.actions.sortProjects": "Ordenar proyectos",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.actions.sessionDisplayMode": "Modo de visualización de sesión",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.label": "Modo de visualización",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.default": "Predeterminado",
@@ -391,6 +392,11 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   "sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.showArchived": "Mostrar sesiones archivadas",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.collapseAll": "Colapsar todo",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.expandAll": "Expandir todo",
+  "sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.manual": "Manual",
+  "sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.aToZ": "A → Z",
+  "sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.zToA": "Z → A",
+  "sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.dateAdded": "Más recientes",
+  "sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.recent": "Recientes",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.search.matchCountSingle": "{count} coincidencia",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.search.matchCountPlural": "{count} coincidencias",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.search.escapeHint": "Esc para limpiar",
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/fr.ts b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/fr.ts
index 47957084..93fa9482 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/fr.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/fr.ts
@@ -227,6 +227,7 @@ export const dict = {
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.searchSessions': 'Sessions de recherche',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.exitSelection': 'Quitter la sélection',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.selectSessions': 'Sélectionnez des sessions',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.sortProjects': 'Trier les projets',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.sessionDisplayMode': 'Mode d\'affichage des sessions',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.label': 'Mode d\'affichage',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.default': 'Défaut',
@@ -234,6 +235,11 @@ export const dict = {
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.showRecent': 'Afficher la section récente',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.collapseAll': 'Tout réduire',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.expandAll': 'Tout développer',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.manual': 'Manuel',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.aToZ': 'A → Z',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.zToA': 'Z → A',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.dateAdded': 'Les plus récentes',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.recent': 'Récentes',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.search.matchCountSingle': 'Correspondance {count}',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.search.matchCountPlural': 'Correspondances {count}',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.search.escapeHint': 'Echap pour effacer',
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/ja.ts b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/ja.ts
index 54c0890f..80708203 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/ja.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/ja.ts
@@ -383,6 +383,7 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.searchSessions': 'セッションを検索',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.exitSelection': '選択を終了',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.selectSessions': 'セッションを選択',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.sortProjects': 'プロジェクトを並べ替え',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.sessionDisplayMode': 'セッション表示モード',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.label': '表示モード',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.default': 'デフォルト',
@@ -391,6 +392,11 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.showArchived': 'アーカイブ済みセッションを表示',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.collapseAll': 'すべて折りたたむ',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.expandAll': 'すべて展開',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.manual': '手動',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.aToZ': 'A → Z',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.zToA': 'Z → A',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.dateAdded': '新しい順',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.recent': '最近',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.search.matchCountSingle': '{count}件一致',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.search.matchCountPlural': '{count}件一致',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.search.escapeHint': 'Escでクリア',
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/ko.ts b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/ko.ts
index 97095cae..b1e53162 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/ko.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/ko.ts
@@ -383,6 +383,7 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.searchSessions': '세션 검색',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.exitSelection': '선택 종료',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.selectSessions': '세션 선택',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.sortProjects': '프로젝트 정렬',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.sessionDisplayMode': '세션 표시 모드',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.label': '표시 모드',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.default': '기본값',
@@ -391,6 +392,11 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.showArchived': '보관된 세션 표시',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.collapseAll': '모두 접기',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.expandAll': '모두 펼치기',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.manual': '수동',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.aToZ': 'A → Z',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.zToA': 'Z → A',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.dateAdded': '최신순',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.recent': '최근',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.search.matchCountSingle': '{count}개 일치',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.search.matchCountPlural': '{count}개 일치',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.search.escapeHint': 'Esc로 지우기',
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/pl.ts b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/pl.ts
index 16ea1048..f1ebfd03 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/pl.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/pl.ts
@@ -205,6 +205,7 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.searchSessions': 'Szukaj sesji',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.exitSelection': 'Wyjdź z zaznaczenia',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.selectSessions': 'Wybierz sesje',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.sortProjects': 'Sortuj projekty',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.sessionDisplayMode': 'Tryb wyświetlania sesji',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.label': 'Tryb wyświetlania',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.default': 'Domyślny',
@@ -213,6 +214,11 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.showArchived': 'Pokaż zarchiwizowane sesje',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.collapseAll': 'Zwiń wszystkie',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.expandAll': 'Rozwiń wszystkie',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.manual': 'Ręcznie',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.aToZ': 'A → Z',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.zToA': 'Z → A',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.dateAdded': 'Najnowsze',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.recent': 'Ostatnie',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.search.matchCountSingle': '{count} dopasowanie',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.search.matchCountPlural': '{count} dopasowań',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.search.escapeHint': 'Esc aby wyczyścić',
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/pt-BR.ts b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/pt-BR.ts
index a0284f9f..e27e6861 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/pt-BR.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/pt-BR.ts
@@ -383,6 +383,7 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   "sessions.sidebar.header.actions.searchSessions": "Pesquisar sessões",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.actions.exitSelection": "Sair da seleção",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.actions.selectSessions": "Selecionar sessões",
+  "sessions.sidebar.header.actions.sortProjects": "Ordenar projetos",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.actions.sessionDisplayMode": "Modo de visualização da sessão",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.label": "Modo de visualização",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.default": "Padrão",
@@ -391,6 +392,11 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   "sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.showArchived": "Mostrar sessões arquivadas",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.collapseAll": "Recolher tudo",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.expandAll": "Expandir tudo",
+  "sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.manual": "Manual",
+  "sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.aToZ": "A → Z",
+  "sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.zToA": "Z → A",
+  "sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.dateAdded": "Mais recentes",
+  "sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.recent": "Recentes",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.search.matchCountSingle": "{count} correspondência",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.search.matchCountPlural": "{count} correspondências",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.search.escapeHint": "Esc para limpar",
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/uk.ts b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/uk.ts
index 26f6afb5..a506a5fa 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/uk.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/uk.ts
@@ -383,6 +383,7 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   "sessions.sidebar.header.actions.searchSessions": "Пошук сесій",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.actions.exitSelection": "Вийти з вибору",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.actions.selectSessions": "Вибрати сесії",
+  "sessions.sidebar.header.actions.sortProjects": "Сортувати проєкти",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.actions.sessionDisplayMode": "Режим відображення сесії",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.label": "Режим відображення",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.default": "За замовчуванням",
@@ -391,6 +392,11 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   "sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.showArchived": "Показувати архівовані сесії",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.collapseAll": "Згорнути все",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.expandAll": "Розгорнути все",
+  "sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.manual": "Вручну",
+  "sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.aToZ": "A → Z",
+  "sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.zToA": "Z → A",
+  "sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.dateAdded": "Найновіші",
+  "sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.recent": "Нещодавні",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.search.matchCountSingle": "{count} збіг",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.search.matchCountPlural": "Збігів: {count}",
   "sessions.sidebar.header.search.escapeHint": "Esc, щоб очистити",
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/zh-CN.ts b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/zh-CN.ts
index f5fbcb09..90b8b56c 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/zh-CN.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/zh-CN.ts
@@ -383,6 +383,7 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.searchSessions': '搜索会话',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.exitSelection': '退出选择',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.selectSessions': '选择会话',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.sortProjects': '排序项目',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.sessionDisplayMode': '会话显示模式',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.label': '显示模式',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.default': '默认',
@@ -391,6 +392,11 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.showArchived': '显示已归档会话',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.collapseAll': '全部折叠',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.expandAll': '全部展开',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.manual': '手动',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.aToZ': 'A → Z',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.zToA': 'Z → A',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.dateAdded': '最新',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.recent': '最近',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.search.matchCountSingle': '{count} 个匹配',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.search.matchCountPlural': '{count} 个匹配',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.search.escapeHint': '按 Esc 清除',
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/zh-TW.ts b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/zh-TW.ts
index a7aaee4b..46fb3d20 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/zh-TW.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/zh-TW.ts
@@ -396,6 +396,7 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.searchSessions': '搜尋會話',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.exitSelection': '退出選取',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.selectSessions': '選擇會話',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.sortProjects': '排序專案',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.actions.sessionDisplayMode': '會話顯示模式',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.label': '顯示模式',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.default': '預設',
@@ -404,6 +405,11 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.showArchived': '顯示已封存會話',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.collapseAll': '全部摺疊',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.displayMode.expandAll': '全部展開',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.manual': '手動',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.aToZ': 'A → Z',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.zToA': 'Z → A',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.dateAdded': '最新',
+  'sessions.sidebar.header.projectSort.recent': '最近',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.search.matchCountSingle': '{count} 個符合',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.search.matchCountPlural': '{count} 個符合',
   'sessions.sidebar.header.search.escapeHint': '按 Esc 清除',
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/stores/useProjectsStore.ts b/packages/ui/src/stores/useProjectsStore.ts
index 495edfdc..46feb476 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/stores/useProjectsStore.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/stores/useProjectsStore.ts
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ interface VSCodeWorkspaceFolderConfig {
 interface ProjectsStore {
   projects: ProjectEntry[];
   activeProjectId: string | null;
+  manualProjectOrder: string[];
 
   addProject: (path: string, options?: { label?: string; id?: string }) => ProjectEntry | null;
   removeProject: (id: string) => void;
@@ -315,6 +316,17 @@ const readPersistedProjects = (): ProjectEntry[] => {
   }
 };
 
+const readPersistedManualOrder = (): string[] => {
+  try {
+    const raw = safeStorage.getItem(getProjectsStorageKey() + ':manualOrder');
+    if (!raw) return [];
+    const parsed = JSON.parse(raw);
+    return Array.isArray(parsed) ? parsed.filter((id): id is string => typeof id === 'string') : [];
+  } catch {
+    return [];
+  }
+};
+
 const readPersistedActiveProjectId = (): string | null => {
   try {
     const raw = safeStorage.getItem(getActiveProjectStorageKey())
@@ -347,11 +359,22 @@ const cacheProjects = (projects: ProjectEntry[], activeProjectId: string | null)
   }
 };
 
-const persistProjects = (projects: ProjectEntry[], activeProjectId: string | null) => {
+const persistProjects = (projects: ProjectEntry[], activeProjectId: string | null, manualOrder?: string[]) => {
   cacheProjects(projects, activeProjectId);
+  if (manualOrder) {
+    persistManualProjectOrder(manualOrder);
+  }
   void updateDesktopSettings({ projects, activeProjectId: activeProjectId ?? undefined });
 };
 
+const persistManualProjectOrder = (manualOrder: string[]) => {
+  try {
+    safeStorage.setItem(getProjectsStorageKey() + ':manualOrder', JSON.stringify(manualOrder));
+  } catch {
+    // ignored
+  }
+};
+
 const initialProjects = readPersistedProjects();
 const normalizeVSCodeWorkspaceFolders = (folders: VSCodeWorkspaceFolderConfig[]): VSCodeWorkspaceFolderConfig[] => {
   const result: VSCodeWorkspaceFolderConfig[] = [];
@@ -536,6 +559,7 @@ export const useProjectsStore = create<ProjectsStore>()(
   devtools((set, get) => ({
     projects: effectiveInitialProjects,
     activeProjectId: initialActiveProjectId,
+    manualProjectOrder: readPersistedManualOrder(),
 
     validateProjectPath: (path: string): ProjectPathValidationResult => {
       if (typeof path !== 'string' || path.trim().length === 0) {
@@ -604,8 +628,9 @@ export const useProjectsStore = create<ProjectsStore>()(
         nextActiveId = nextProjects[0]?.id ?? null;
       }
 
-      set({ projects: nextProjects, activeProjectId: nextActiveId });
-      persistProjects(nextProjects, nextActiveId);
+      const nextManualOrder = get().manualProjectOrder.filter((oid) => oid !== id);
+      set({ projects: nextProjects, activeProjectId: nextActiveId, manualProjectOrder: nextManualOrder });
+      persistProjects(nextProjects, nextActiveId, nextManualOrder);
 
       // Clean up worktree entries for the removed project
       if (project) {
@@ -647,7 +672,7 @@ export const useProjectsStore = create<ProjectsStore>()(
       );
 
       set({ projects: nextProjects, activeProjectId: id });
-      persistProjects(nextProjects, id);
+      persistProjects(nextProjects, id, get().manualProjectOrder);
 
       opencodeClient.setDirectory(target.path);
       useDirectoryStore.getState().setDirectory(target.path, { showOverlay: false });
@@ -672,7 +697,7 @@ export const useProjectsStore = create<ProjectsStore>()(
       );
 
       set({ projects: nextProjects, activeProjectId: id });
-      persistProjects(nextProjects, id);
+      persistProjects(nextProjects, id, get().manualProjectOrder);
     },
 
     renameProject: (id: string, label: string) => {
@@ -689,7 +714,7 @@ export const useProjectsStore = create<ProjectsStore>()(
         project.id === id ? { ...project, label: trimmed } : project
       );
       set({ projects: nextProjects });
-      persistProjects(nextProjects, activeProjectId);
+      persistProjects(nextProjects, activeProjectId, get().manualProjectOrder);
     },
 
     updateProjectMeta: (id: string, meta: {
@@ -726,7 +751,7 @@ export const useProjectsStore = create<ProjectsStore>()(
         return updated;
       });
       set({ projects: nextProjects });
-      persistProjects(nextProjects, activeProjectId);
+      persistProjects(nextProjects, activeProjectId, get().manualProjectOrder);
     },
 
     uploadProjectIcon: async (id: string, file: File) => {
@@ -863,8 +888,9 @@ export const useProjectsStore = create<ProjectsStore>()(
       const [moved] = nextProjects.splice(fromIndex, 1);
       nextProjects.splice(toIndex, 0, moved);
 
-      set({ projects: nextProjects });
-      persistProjects(nextProjects, activeProjectId);
+      const newOrder = nextProjects.map((p) => p.id);
+      set({ projects: nextProjects, manualProjectOrder: newOrder });
+      persistProjects(nextProjects, activeProjectId, newOrder);
     },
 
     resetForRuntimeSwitch: () => {
@@ -876,7 +902,7 @@ export const useProjectsStore = create<ProjectsStore>()(
       const nextActiveProjectId = projects.some((project) => project.id === activeProjectId)
         ? activeProjectId
         : projects[0]?.id ?? null;
-      set({ projects, activeProjectId: nextActiveProjectId });
+      set({ projects, activeProjectId: nextActiveProjectId, manualProjectOrder: [] });
     },
 
     synchronizeFromSettings: (settings: DesktopSettings) => {
@@ -903,6 +929,7 @@ export const useProjectsStore = create<ProjectsStore>()(
           if (activeExists) {
             set({ activeProjectId: incomingActive });
             cacheProjects(current.projects, incomingActive);
+            persistManualProjectOrder(get().manualProjectOrder);
           }
         }
         return;
@@ -915,8 +942,11 @@ export const useProjectsStore = create<ProjectsStore>()(
         return;
       }
 
-      set({ projects: incomingProjects, activeProjectId: incomingActive });
+      const incomingIds = new Set(incomingProjects.map((p) => p.id));
+      const cleanedOrder = get().manualProjectOrder.filter((id) => incomingIds.has(id));
+      set({ projects: incomingProjects, activeProjectId: incomingActive, manualProjectOrder: cleanedOrder });
       cacheProjects(incomingProjects, incomingActive);
+      persistManualProjectOrder(cleanedOrder);
 
       if (incomingActive) {
         const activeProject = incomingProjects.find((project) => project.id === incomingActive);
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/stores/useSessionDisplayStore.ts b/packages/ui/src/stores/useSessionDisplayStore.ts
index 0b87c83f..3e579a4d 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/stores/useSessionDisplayStore.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/stores/useSessionDisplayStore.ts
@@ -3,15 +3,19 @@ import { persist } from 'zustand/middleware';
 
 type SessionDisplayMode = 'default' | 'minimal';
 
+type ProjectSortOrder = 'manual' | 'a-z' | 'z-a' | 'date-added' | 'recent';
+
 type SessionDisplayStore = {
   displayMode: SessionDisplayMode;
   showRecentSection: boolean;
   showArchivedSessions: boolean;
+  projectSortOrder: ProjectSortOrder;
   setDisplayMode: (mode: SessionDisplayMode) => void;
   setShowRecentSection: (show: boolean) => void;
   setShowArchivedSessions: (show: boolean) => void;
   toggleRecentSection: () => void;
   toggleArchivedSessions: () => void;
+  setProjectSortOrder: (order: ProjectSortOrder) => void;
 };
 
 export const useSessionDisplayStore = create<SessionDisplayStore>()(
@@ -24,25 +28,33 @@ export const useSessionDisplayStore = create<SessionDisplayStore>()(
       // disappear once the persisted preference rehydrates. Users who opted into
       // showing archived have `true` persisted, which is preserved on rehydrate.
       showArchivedSessions: false,
+      projectSortOrder: 'recent',
       setDisplayMode: (mode) => set({ displayMode: mode }),
       setShowRecentSection: (show) => set({ showRecentSection: show }),
       setShowArchivedSessions: (show) => set({ showArchivedSessions: show }),
       toggleRecentSection: () => set((state) => ({ showRecentSection: !state.showRecentSection })),
       toggleArchivedSessions: () => set((state) => ({ showArchivedSessions: !state.showArchivedSessions })),
+      setProjectSortOrder: (order) => set({ projectSortOrder: order }),
     }),
     {
       name: 'session-display-mode',
-      version: 1,
+      version: 2,
       // v0 shipped 'default' as the only/initial mode, so most existing users
       // have it persisted by accident rather than choice. Nudge everyone onto
       // minimal once so the mode can be evaluated before removing it entirely.
+      // v1→v2 adds projectSortOrder defaulting to 'recent'.
       migrate: (persisted, version) => {
         const state = (persisted ?? {}) as Partial<SessionDisplayStore>;
         if (version < 1) {
-          return { ...state, displayMode: 'minimal' };
+          return { ...state, displayMode: 'minimal', projectSortOrder: 'recent' };
+        }
+        if (version < 2) {
+          return { ...state, projectSortOrder: 'recent' };
         }
         return state;
       },
     },
   ),
 );
+
+export type { ProjectSortOrder };