diff --git a/openspec/changes/agent-codex-patch-vscode-active-agents-empty-list-2026-04-23-11-32/proposal.md b/openspec/changes/agent-codex-patch-vscode-active-agents-empty-list-2026-04-23-11-32/proposal.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8f1bf2a8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/openspec/changes/agent-codex-patch-vscode-active-agents-empty-list-2026-04-23-11-32/proposal.md
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+# Patch Active Agents empty-list fallback
+
+## Problem
+
+The VS Code Active Agents view can show `No active Guardex agents` even when `gx branch start` has created a managed sandbox under `.omx/agent-worktrees/`. The current fallback only sees launcher session JSON files or `AGENT.lock` telemetry, so plain Guardex worktrees stay invisible.
+
+## Scope
+
+- Teach the session reader to synthesize rows from real managed `agent/*` git worktrees when no launcher state or `AGENT.lock` exists.
+- Keep richer `AGENT.lock` telemetry preferred when present.
+- Add focused regression coverage for session discovery and the SCM tree view.
+
+## Out Of Scope
+
+- New VS Code commands or layout redesigns.
+- Changes to branch creation, launcher heartbeat emission, or lock ownership semantics.
diff --git a/openspec/changes/agent-codex-patch-vscode-active-agents-empty-list-2026-04-23-11-32/specs/vscode-active-agents-extension/spec.md b/openspec/changes/agent-codex-patch-vscode-active-agents-empty-list-2026-04-23-11-32/specs/vscode-active-agents-extension/spec.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2b13def5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/openspec/changes/agent-codex-patch-vscode-active-agents-empty-list-2026-04-23-11-32/specs/vscode-active-agents-extension/spec.md
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+## ADDED Requirements
+
+### Requirement: Active Agents shows managed sandboxes without launcher telemetry
+
+The GitGuardex Active Agents VS Code companion SHALL surface real managed `agent/*` git worktrees under `.omx/agent-worktrees/` and `.omc/agent-worktrees/` even when no `.omx/state/active-sessions/*.json` launcher record and no worktree `AGENT.lock` telemetry exists.
+
+#### Scenario: Plain managed worktree is visible
+
+- **GIVEN** a repository has a managed worktree under `.omx/agent-worktrees/`
+- **AND** that worktree is checked out on an `agent/*` branch
+- **AND** there is no active-session JSON file or worktree `AGENT.lock`
+- **WHEN** the Active Agents view refreshes
+- **THEN** the view shows that worktree as an active agent row
+- **AND** dirty files inside the worktree drive the row activity state and changed-file count
+
+#### Scenario: Telemetry remains preferred
+
+- **GIVEN** a managed worktree has valid `AGENT.lock` telemetry
+- **WHEN** the Active Agents view refreshes
+- **THEN** the view uses the richer telemetry-backed session data for that worktree instead of the plain fallback row
diff --git a/openspec/changes/agent-codex-patch-vscode-active-agents-empty-list-2026-04-23-11-32/tasks.md b/openspec/changes/agent-codex-patch-vscode-active-agents-empty-list-2026-04-23-11-32/tasks.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1440f322
--- /dev/null
+++ b/openspec/changes/agent-codex-patch-vscode-active-agents-empty-list-2026-04-23-11-32/tasks.md
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+# Tasks
+
+Handoff: change=`agent-codex-patch-vscode-active-agents-empty-list-2026-04-23-11-32`; branch=`agent/codex/patch-vscode-active-agents-empty-list-2026-04-23-11-32`; scope=`vscode/guardex-active-agents/session-schema.js`, `templates/vscode/guardex-active-agents/session-schema.js`, `test/vscode-active-agents-session-state.test.js`; action=`patch Active Agents discovery so plain managed worktrees show in the VS Code SCM view, verify, then finish via PR merge cleanup`.
+
+## 1. Spec
+
+- [x] 1.1 Capture the empty-list fallback failure and acceptance criteria.
+
+## 2. Tests
+
+- [x] 2.1 Add session-schema regression coverage for plain managed worktrees with no launcher JSON and no `AGENT.lock`.
+- [x] 2.2 Add extension-view regression coverage proving workspace fallback renders those worktrees instead of the empty state.
+
+## 3. Implementation
+
+- [x] 3.1 Add managed-worktree session synthesis while keeping `AGENT.lock` telemetry preferred.
+- [x] 3.2 Mirror the session schema change into the install template.
+- [x] 3.3 Bump live/template Active Agents extension manifests from `0.0.7` to `0.0.8` so local VS Code auto-update can supersede the installed build.
+
+## 4. Verification
+
+- [x] 4.1 Run focused Active Agents tests. Result: `node --test test/vscode-active-agents-session-state.test.js` passed, 39/39; `node --test test/metadata.test.js` passed, 18/18.
+- [x] 4.2 Validate OpenSpec specs. Result: `openspec validate agent-codex-patch-vscode-active-agents-empty-list-2026-04-23-11-32 --strict` passed; `openspec validate --specs` returned no main-spec items.
+
+## 5. Cleanup
+
+- [ ] 5.1 Commit, push, open PR, wait for `MERGED`, and prune the sandbox with `gx branch finish --branch "agent/codex/patch-vscode-active-agents-empty-list-2026-04-23-11-32" --base main --via-pr --wait-for-merge --cleanup`.
+- [ ] 5.2 Record PR URL and final `MERGED` cleanup evidence here.
diff --git a/templates/vscode/guardex-active-agents/package.json b/templates/vscode/guardex-active-agents/package.json
index 8e1224ed..a5df26e1 100644
--- a/templates/vscode/guardex-active-agents/package.json
+++ b/templates/vscode/guardex-active-agents/package.json
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
   "displayName": "GitGuardex Active Agents",
   "description": "Shows live Guardex sandbox sessions and repo changes inside VS Code Source Control.",
   "publisher": "recodeee",
-  "version": "0.0.7",
+  "version": "0.0.8",
   "license": "MIT",
   "icon": "icon.png",
   "engines": {
diff --git a/templates/vscode/guardex-active-agents/session-schema.js b/templates/vscode/guardex-active-agents/session-schema.js
index 252ccfc7..d2a71c8d 100644
--- a/templates/vscode/guardex-active-agents/session-schema.js
+++ b/templates/vscode/guardex-active-agents/session-schema.js
@@ -867,6 +867,23 @@ function deriveAgentNameFromBranch(branch) {
   return 'agent';
 }
 
+function isManagedAgentBranch(branch) {
+  return toNonEmptyString(branch).startsWith('agent/');
+}
+
+function deriveManagedWorktreeStartedAt(worktreePath, now = Date.now()) {
+  try {
+    const stats = fs.statSync(worktreePath);
+    if (Number.isFinite(stats.mtimeMs)) {
+      return new Date(stats.mtimeMs).toISOString();
+    }
+  } catch (_error) {
+    // Directory mtime is best-effort context only; fall back to current scan time.
+  }
+
+  return new Date(now).toISOString();
+}
+
 function flattenTelemetrySnapshotSessions(lockPayload) {
   const flattened = [];
   const snapshots = Array.isArray(lockPayload?.snapshots) ? lockPayload.snapshots : [];
@@ -962,6 +979,48 @@ function buildWorktreeLockSession(repoRoot, worktreePath, lockPayload, options =
   return session;
 }
 
+function buildManagedWorktreeSession(repoRoot, worktreePath, options = {}) {
+  const now = options.now || Date.now();
+  const branch = readWorktreeBranch(worktreePath);
+  if (!branch || branch === 'HEAD' || !isManagedAgentBranch(branch)) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  const label = deriveSessionLabel(branch, worktreePath);
+  const startedAt = deriveManagedWorktreeStartedAt(worktreePath, now);
+  const session = {
+    schemaVersion: SESSION_SCHEMA_VERSION,
+    repoRoot: path.resolve(repoRoot),
+    branch,
+    taskName: label,
+    latestTaskPreview: '',
+    agentName: deriveAgentNameFromBranch(branch),
+    worktreePath: path.resolve(worktreePath),
+    pid: null,
+    cliName: 'gx',
+    taskMode: '',
+    openspecTier: '',
+    taskRoutingReason: '',
+    startedAt,
+    lastHeartbeatAt: '',
+    state: '',
+    filePath: path.join(worktreePath, '.git'),
+    label,
+    changedPaths: [],
+    worktreeChangedPaths: [],
+    sourceKind: 'managed-worktree',
+    telemetryUpdatedAt: '',
+    telemetrySource: 'managed-worktree',
+    lockSnapshotCount: 0,
+    lockSessionCount: 0,
+    collaboration: false,
+  };
+
+  session.elapsedLabel = formatElapsedFrom(session.startedAt, now);
+  Object.assign(session, deriveSessionActivity(session, { now }));
+  return session;
+}
+
 function readWorktreeLockSessions(repoRoot, options = {}) {
   const sessions = [];
   for (const managedRoot of resolveManagedWorktreeRoots(repoRoot)) {
@@ -1004,6 +1063,48 @@ function readWorktreeLockSessions(repoRoot, options = {}) {
   return sortSessionsByTimestamp(sessions);
 }
 
+function readManagedWorktreeSessions(repoRoot, options = {}) {
+  const lockSessions = readWorktreeLockSessions(repoRoot, options);
+  const lockSessionsByWorktree = new Map(
+    lockSessions.map((session) => [path.resolve(session.worktreePath), session]),
+  );
+  const sessions = [];
+
+  for (const managedRoot of resolveManagedWorktreeRoots(repoRoot)) {
+    if (!fs.existsSync(managedRoot)) {
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    let entries;
+    try {
+      entries = fs.readdirSync(managedRoot, { withFileTypes: true });
+    } catch (_error) {
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    for (const entry of entries) {
+      if (!entry.isDirectory()) {
+        continue;
+      }
+
+      const worktreePath = path.join(managedRoot, entry.name);
+      const worktreeKey = path.resolve(worktreePath);
+      const lockSession = lockSessionsByWorktree.get(worktreeKey);
+      if (lockSession) {
+        sessions.push(lockSession);
+        continue;
+      }
+
+      const managedSession = buildManagedWorktreeSession(repoRoot, worktreePath, options);
+      if (managedSession) {
+        sessions.push(managedSession);
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  return sortSessionsByTimestamp(sessions);
+}
+
 function mergeSessionSources(primarySessions, lockSessions) {
   const lockSessionsByWorktree = new Map(
     lockSessions.map((session) => [path.resolve(session.worktreePath), session]),
@@ -1061,7 +1162,7 @@ function readActiveSessions(repoRoot, options = {}) {
 
   return mergeSessionSources(
     sortSessionsByTimestamp(sessionFileSessions),
-    readWorktreeLockSessions(repoRoot, { now }),
+    readManagedWorktreeSessions(repoRoot, { now }),
   );
 }
 
@@ -1096,6 +1197,7 @@ module.exports = {
   parseRepoChangeLine,
   previewChangedPaths,
   readActiveSessions,
+  readManagedWorktreeSessions,
   readWorktreeLockSessions,
   readRepoChanges,
   deriveRepoChangeStatus,
diff --git a/test/vscode-active-agents-session-state.test.js b/test/vscode-active-agents-session-state.test.js
index 6a8c1aae..45ef0438 100644
--- a/test/vscode-active-agents-session-state.test.js
+++ b/test/vscode-active-agents-session-state.test.js
@@ -765,6 +765,31 @@ test('session-schema falls back to managed worktree AGENT.lock telemetry when la
   assert.equal(session.telemetryUpdatedAt, '2026-04-22T08:56:00.000Z');
 });
 
+test('session-schema falls back to plain managed worktrees when launcher state and AGENT.lock are absent', () => {
+  const tempRoot = fs.mkdtempSync(path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'guardex-active-session-managed-fallback-'));
+  const worktreePath = path.join(
+    tempRoot,
+    '.omx',
+    'agent-worktrees',
+    'agent__codex__plain-visible-task',
+  );
+  initGitRepo(worktreePath);
+  runGit(worktreePath, ['checkout', '-b', 'agent/codex/plain-visible-task']);
+  fs.writeFileSync(path.join(worktreePath, 'tracked.txt'), 'base\n', 'utf8');
+  runGit(worktreePath, ['add', 'tracked.txt']);
+  runGit(worktreePath, ['commit', '-m', 'baseline']);
+  fs.writeFileSync(path.join(worktreePath, 'tracked.txt'), 'base\nchanged\n', 'utf8');
+
+  const [session] = sessionSchema.readActiveSessions(tempRoot);
+  assert.equal(session.sourceKind, 'managed-worktree');
+  assert.equal(session.branch, 'agent/codex/plain-visible-task');
+  assert.equal(session.agentName, 'codex');
+  assert.equal(session.taskName, 'agent__codex__plain-visible-task');
+  assert.equal(session.activityKind, 'working');
+  assert.equal(session.activityCountLabel, '1 file');
+  assert.equal(session.telemetrySource, 'managed-worktree');
+});
+
 test('session-schema prefers live worktree telemetry over a dead launcher record for the same worktree', () => {
   const tempRoot = fs.mkdtempSync(path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'guardex-active-session-lock-prefer-'));
   const worktreePath = path.join(
@@ -1725,6 +1750,50 @@ test('active-agents extension surfaces live managed worktrees from AGENT.lock fa
   }
 });
 
+test('active-agents extension surfaces plain managed worktrees from workspace fallback', async () => {
+  const tempRoot = fs.mkdtempSync(path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'guardex-vscode-managed-worktree-view-'));
+  initGitRepo(tempRoot);
+
+  const worktreePath = path.join(
+    tempRoot,
+    '.omx',
+    'agent-worktrees',
+    'agent__codex__plain-visible-task',
+  );
+  initGitRepo(worktreePath);
+  runGit(worktreePath, ['checkout', '-b', 'agent/codex/plain-visible-task']);
+  fs.mkdirSync(path.join(worktreePath, 'src'), { recursive: true });
+  fs.writeFileSync(path.join(worktreePath, 'src', 'live.js'), 'base\n', 'utf8');
+  runGit(worktreePath, ['add', 'src/live.js']);
+  runGit(worktreePath, ['commit', '-m', 'baseline']);
+  fs.writeFileSync(path.join(worktreePath, 'src', 'live.js'), 'base\nchanged\n', 'utf8');
+
+  const { registrations, vscode } = createMockVscode(tempRoot);
+  vscode.workspace.findFiles = async () => [];
+  const extension = loadExtensionWithMockVscode(vscode);
+  const context = { subscriptions: [] };
+
+  extension.activate(context);
+  await flushAsyncWork();
+
+  const provider = registrations.providers[0].provider;
+  const [repoItem] = await provider.getChildren();
+  assert.equal(repoItem.description, '1 active · 1 working · 1 changed');
+
+  const [agentsSection] = await provider.getChildren(repoItem);
+  const [workingSection] = await provider.getChildren(agentsSection);
+  const { worktreeItem, sessionItem } = await getOnlyWorktreeAndSession(provider, workingSection);
+  assert.equal(workingSection.label, 'WORKING NOW');
+  assert.equal(worktreeItem.label, path.basename(worktreePath));
+  assert.equal(sessionItem.label, 'agent/codex/plain-visible-task');
+  assert.match(sessionItem.description, /^working · 1 file · /);
+  assert.match(sessionItem.tooltip, /Started /);
+
+  for (const subscription of context.subscriptions) {
+    subscription.dispose?.();
+  }
+});
+
 test('active-agents extension decorates sessions and repo changes from the lock registry', async () => {
   const tempRoot = fs.mkdtempSync(path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'guardex-vscode-lock-decorations-'));
   initGitRepo(tempRoot);
diff --git a/vscode/guardex-active-agents/package.json b/vscode/guardex-active-agents/package.json
index 8e1224ed..a5df26e1 100644
--- a/vscode/guardex-active-agents/package.json
+++ b/vscode/guardex-active-agents/package.json
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
   "displayName": "GitGuardex Active Agents",
   "description": "Shows live Guardex sandbox sessions and repo changes inside VS Code Source Control.",
   "publisher": "recodeee",
-  "version": "0.0.7",
+  "version": "0.0.8",
   "license": "MIT",
   "icon": "icon.png",
   "engines": {
diff --git a/vscode/guardex-active-agents/session-schema.js b/vscode/guardex-active-agents/session-schema.js
index 252ccfc7..d2a71c8d 100644
--- a/vscode/guardex-active-agents/session-schema.js
+++ b/vscode/guardex-active-agents/session-schema.js
@@ -867,6 +867,23 @@ function deriveAgentNameFromBranch(branch) {
   return 'agent';
 }
 
+function isManagedAgentBranch(branch) {
+  return toNonEmptyString(branch).startsWith('agent/');
+}
+
+function deriveManagedWorktreeStartedAt(worktreePath, now = Date.now()) {
+  try {
+    const stats = fs.statSync(worktreePath);
+    if (Number.isFinite(stats.mtimeMs)) {
+      return new Date(stats.mtimeMs).toISOString();
+    }
+  } catch (_error) {
+    // Directory mtime is best-effort context only; fall back to current scan time.
+  }
+
+  return new Date(now).toISOString();
+}
+
 function flattenTelemetrySnapshotSessions(lockPayload) {
   const flattened = [];
   const snapshots = Array.isArray(lockPayload?.snapshots) ? lockPayload.snapshots : [];
@@ -962,6 +979,48 @@ function buildWorktreeLockSession(repoRoot, worktreePath, lockPayload, options =
   return session;
 }
 
+function buildManagedWorktreeSession(repoRoot, worktreePath, options = {}) {
+  const now = options.now || Date.now();
+  const branch = readWorktreeBranch(worktreePath);
+  if (!branch || branch === 'HEAD' || !isManagedAgentBranch(branch)) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  const label = deriveSessionLabel(branch, worktreePath);
+  const startedAt = deriveManagedWorktreeStartedAt(worktreePath, now);
+  const session = {
+    schemaVersion: SESSION_SCHEMA_VERSION,
+    repoRoot: path.resolve(repoRoot),
+    branch,
+    taskName: label,
+    latestTaskPreview: '',
+    agentName: deriveAgentNameFromBranch(branch),
+    worktreePath: path.resolve(worktreePath),
+    pid: null,
+    cliName: 'gx',
+    taskMode: '',
+    openspecTier: '',
+    taskRoutingReason: '',
+    startedAt,
+    lastHeartbeatAt: '',
+    state: '',
+    filePath: path.join(worktreePath, '.git'),
+    label,
+    changedPaths: [],
+    worktreeChangedPaths: [],
+    sourceKind: 'managed-worktree',
+    telemetryUpdatedAt: '',
+    telemetrySource: 'managed-worktree',
+    lockSnapshotCount: 0,
+    lockSessionCount: 0,
+    collaboration: false,
+  };
+
+  session.elapsedLabel = formatElapsedFrom(session.startedAt, now);
+  Object.assign(session, deriveSessionActivity(session, { now }));
+  return session;
+}
+
 function readWorktreeLockSessions(repoRoot, options = {}) {
   const sessions = [];
   for (const managedRoot of resolveManagedWorktreeRoots(repoRoot)) {
@@ -1004,6 +1063,48 @@ function readWorktreeLockSessions(repoRoot, options = {}) {
   return sortSessionsByTimestamp(sessions);
 }
 
+function readManagedWorktreeSessions(repoRoot, options = {}) {
+  const lockSessions = readWorktreeLockSessions(repoRoot, options);
+  const lockSessionsByWorktree = new Map(
+    lockSessions.map((session) => [path.resolve(session.worktreePath), session]),
+  );
+  const sessions = [];
+
+  for (const managedRoot of resolveManagedWorktreeRoots(repoRoot)) {
+    if (!fs.existsSync(managedRoot)) {
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    let entries;
+    try {
+      entries = fs.readdirSync(managedRoot, { withFileTypes: true });
+    } catch (_error) {
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    for (const entry of entries) {
+      if (!entry.isDirectory()) {
+        continue;
+      }
+
+      const worktreePath = path.join(managedRoot, entry.name);
+      const worktreeKey = path.resolve(worktreePath);
+      const lockSession = lockSessionsByWorktree.get(worktreeKey);
+      if (lockSession) {
+        sessions.push(lockSession);
+        continue;
+      }
+
+      const managedSession = buildManagedWorktreeSession(repoRoot, worktreePath, options);
+      if (managedSession) {
+        sessions.push(managedSession);
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  return sortSessionsByTimestamp(sessions);
+}
+
 function mergeSessionSources(primarySessions, lockSessions) {
   const lockSessionsByWorktree = new Map(
     lockSessions.map((session) => [path.resolve(session.worktreePath), session]),
@@ -1061,7 +1162,7 @@ function readActiveSessions(repoRoot, options = {}) {
 
   return mergeSessionSources(
     sortSessionsByTimestamp(sessionFileSessions),
-    readWorktreeLockSessions(repoRoot, { now }),
+    readManagedWorktreeSessions(repoRoot, { now }),
   );
 }
 
@@ -1096,6 +1197,7 @@ module.exports = {
   parseRepoChangeLine,
   previewChangedPaths,
   readActiveSessions,
+  readManagedWorktreeSessions,
   readWorktreeLockSessions,
   readRepoChanges,
   deriveRepoChangeStatus,