Installing ChatGPT extension in VS Code causes auxiliary editor windows to stop restoring correctly in a workspace

What version of the IDE extension are you using?

26.715.31925

What subscription do you have?

Pro

Which IDE are you using?

VS Code 1.129.1

What platform is your computer?

Ubuntu 24.04

What issue are you seeing?

I installed codex extension in VS Code while in a project folder. After closing the project folder anytime I reopen it the auxiliary window with editor files alternates between successfully opening and not opening. Other project folders aren't affected, I can open those project folders multiple times and the aux windows open every time.

Codex also doesn't load fully and I just get the codex icon in the codex window pane similar to #33826 and #33649.

Problem with the project folder continues even after uninstalling codex, auxiliary window opens only every other time when opening project folder. Fix is to delete ~/.config/Code/User/workspaceStorage/<workspace-id> and then aux window opens normally.

What steps can reproduce the bug?

1. Install the codex extension version 26.715.31925 in VS Code 1.129.1 on Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS while project folder open with auxiliary window.

1. Close VS Code.

1. Reopen the same workspace several times.

1. Observe that the auxiliary editor window alternates between:

restoring correctly, and not restoring at all.

1. Codex panel may remain stuck on the OpenAI/Codex logo,

1. VS Code behaves as though the auxiliary window is already open, double-clicking files in the VS Code Explorer pane often does nothing (file does not open).

What is the expected behavior?

Opening VS Code restores layout including auxiliary windows every time project is opened

Additional information

I reproduced this behavior in two separate workspaces. Removing the ~/.config/Code/User/workspaceStorage/<workspace-id> directory for the affected workspace immediately restored normal auxiliary-window behavior.