diff --git a/codex-rs/exec/tests/suite/worktree.rs b/codex-rs/exec/tests/suite/worktree.rs
index be472af2c7..d2c7afd5d9 100644
--- a/codex-rs/exec/tests/suite/worktree.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/exec/tests/suite/worktree.rs
@@ -414,8 +414,16 @@ fn worktree_rejects_disabled_features_and_ignored_config_before_allocation() ->
             vec!["--ignore-user-config", "prompt"],
             "--worktree cannot be combined with --ignore-user-config",
         ),
-        ("", vec!["prompt"], "--enable worktrees"),
-        ("", vec!["fork", "missing"], "--enable worktrees"),
+        (
+            "features.worktrees = false",
+            vec!["prompt"],
+            "--enable worktrees",
+        ),
+        (
+            "features.worktrees = false",
+            vec!["fork", "missing"],
+            "--enable worktrees",
+        ),
         (
             "features.worktrees = true",
             vec!["-c", "features.worktrees=false", "prompt"],
diff --git a/codex-rs/features/src/lib.rs b/codex-rs/features/src/lib.rs
index 0ae811690e..3b65a79183 100644
--- a/codex-rs/features/src/lib.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/features/src/lib.rs
@@ -1254,12 +1254,8 @@ pub const FEATURES: &[FeatureSpec] = &[
     FeatureSpec {
         id: Feature::Worktrees,
         key: "worktrees",
-        stage: Stage::Experimental {
-            name: "Worktrees",
-            menu_description: "Create isolated Git worktrees and group sessions by repository.",
-            announcement: "NEW: Worktrees can now be enabled from /experimental. Restart Codex after enabling it.",
-        },
-        default_enabled: false,
+        stage: Stage::Stable,
+        default_enabled: true,
     },
     FeatureSpec {
         id: Feature::RespectSystemProxy,
diff --git a/codex-rs/tui/src/app/managed_worktree_creation.rs b/codex-rs/tui/src/app/managed_worktree_creation.rs
index e17f9e4c73..f541836524 100644
--- a/codex-rs/tui/src/app/managed_worktree_creation.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/tui/src/app/managed_worktree_creation.rs
@@ -10,6 +10,28 @@ use crate::history_cell::McpInventoryLoadingCell as LoadingCell;
 use codex_app_server_protocol::ThreadBackgroundTerminalsListParams;
 use codex_app_server_protocol::ThreadBackgroundTerminalsListResponse as ListResponse;
 
+pub(super) fn background_terminals_blocker(
+    result: Result<ListResponse, TypedRequestError>,
+    target: &AppServerTarget,
+) -> Option<&'static str> {
+    match result {
+        Ok(response) if response.data.is_empty() => None,
+        Err(TypedRequestError::Server { source, .. })
+            if matches!(target, AppServerTarget::LocalDaemon { .. })
+                && (source.code == -32601
+                    || source.code == -32600
+                        && source.message.contains("thread/backgroundTerminals/list")
+                        && (source.message.contains("unknown variant")
+                            || source.message.contains("unknown method"))) =>
+        {
+            Some(
+                "The local Codex service cannot check background terminals. Run `codex app-server daemon update`, then restart Codex.",
+            )
+        }
+        _ => Some("Active background terminals block /cd."),
+    }
+}
+
 impl App {
     pub(super) async fn start_managed_worktree(
         &mut self,
@@ -19,7 +41,7 @@ impl App {
     ) {
         if !self.config.features.enabled(Feature::Worktrees) {
             self.chat_widget.add_error_message(
-                "Enable worktrees in /experimental to create a worktree.".to_string(),
+                "Enable worktrees in your Codex configuration to create a worktree.".to_string(),
             );
         } else if self.config.active_project.is_untrusted() {
             self.chat_widget.add_error_message(
@@ -123,8 +145,9 @@ impl App {
                     .request_handle()
                     .request_typed::<ListResponse>(request)
                     .await;
-                if !matches!(result, Ok(response) if response.data.is_empty()) {
-                    return self.working_directory_error("Active background terminals block /cd.");
+                if let Some(message) = background_terminals_blocker(result, &self.app_server_target)
+                {
+                    return self.working_directory_error(message);
                 }
             }
             let setup = async {
diff --git a/codex-rs/tui/src/app/tests.rs b/codex-rs/tui/src/app/tests.rs
index f8af487bbe..b5614c497f 100644
--- a/codex-rs/tui/src/app/tests.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/tui/src/app/tests.rs
@@ -69,6 +69,8 @@ mod transcript_composer;
 mod turn_submission;
 #[path = "tests/user_verification_routes_tests.rs"]
 mod user_verification_routes;
+#[path = "tests/worktree_background_terminals_tests.rs"]
+mod worktree_background_terminals_tests;
 
 use super::*;
 use crate::app_backtrack::BacktrackSelection;
diff --git a/codex-rs/tui/src/app/tests/turn_submission.rs b/codex-rs/tui/src/app/tests/turn_submission.rs
index a81fdf02f1..6fd095fbb8 100644
--- a/codex-rs/tui/src/app/tests/turn_submission.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/tui/src/app/tests/turn_submission.rs
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ use pretty_assertions::assert_eq;
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn worktree_creation_event_requires_feature() -> Result<()> {
     let (mut app, mut events, _op_rx) = make_test_app_with_channels().await;
+    app.config.features.disable(Feature::Worktrees)?;
     let mut tui = crate::tui::test_support::make_test_tui()?;
     let mut app_server = Box::pin(crate::start_embedded_app_server_for_picker(&app.config)).await?;
     while events.try_recv().is_ok() {}
@@ -35,7 +36,7 @@ async fn worktree_creation_event_requires_feature() -> Result<()> {
             _ => None,
         })
         .expect("disabled feature message");
-    insta::assert_snapshot!(message, @"■ Enable worktrees in /experimental to create a worktree.");
+    insta::assert_snapshot!(message, @"■ Enable worktrees in your Codex configuration to create a worktree.");
     assert!(!app.config.codex_home.join("worktrees").exists());
     app_server.shutdown().await?;
     Ok(())
diff --git a/codex-rs/tui/src/app/tests/worktree_background_terminals_tests.rs b/codex-rs/tui/src/app/tests/worktree_background_terminals_tests.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6f6e0e1db7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/codex-rs/tui/src/app/tests/worktree_background_terminals_tests.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+use super::*;
+use codex_app_server_protocol::JSONRPCErrorError;
+use codex_app_server_protocol::ThreadBackgroundTerminalsListResponse;
+use pretty_assertions::assert_eq;
+
+#[test]
+fn old_local_daemon_worktree_error_suggests_update() -> Result<()> {
+    let target = AppServerTarget::LocalDaemon {
+        endpoint: crate::RemoteAppServerEndpoint::UnixSocket {
+            socket_path: AbsolutePathBuf::relative_to_current_dir("codex.sock")?,
+        },
+    };
+    let missing_method = |code, message: &str| {
+        Err(TypedRequestError::Server {
+            method: "thread/backgroundTerminals/list".to_string(),
+            source: JSONRPCErrorError {
+                code,
+                message: message.to_string(),
+                data: None,
+            },
+        })
+    };
+    let message = managed_worktree_creation::background_terminals_blocker(
+        missing_method(-32601, "method not found"),
+        &target,
+    )
+    .expect("unsupported daemon must block worktree creation");
+    let cell = crate::history_cell::new_error_event(message.to_string());
+    insta::assert_snapshot!(
+        lines_to_single_string(&cell.display_lines(/*width*/ 120)),
+        @"■ The local Codex service cannot check background terminals. Run `codex app-server daemon update`, then restart Codex."
+    );
+    assert_eq!(
+        managed_worktree_creation::background_terminals_blocker(
+            missing_method(
+                -32600,
+                "Invalid request: unknown variant `thread/backgroundTerminals/list`"
+            ),
+            &target,
+        ),
+        Some(message),
+    );
+    assert_eq!(
+        managed_worktree_creation::background_terminals_blocker(
+            missing_method(-32600, "Invalid request: unknown variant `another/method`"),
+            &target,
+        ),
+        Some("Active background terminals block /cd."),
+    );
+    assert_eq!(
+        managed_worktree_creation::background_terminals_blocker(
+            missing_method(-32601, "method not found"),
+            &AppServerTarget::Embedded,
+        ),
+        Some("Active background terminals block /cd."),
+    );
+    assert_eq!(
+        managed_worktree_creation::background_terminals_blocker(
+            Ok(ThreadBackgroundTerminalsListResponse {
+                data: Vec::new(),
+                next_cursor: None,
+            }),
+            &target,
+        ),
+        None,
+    );
+    Ok(())
+}
diff --git a/codex-rs/tui/src/app/working_directory.rs b/codex-rs/tui/src/app/working_directory.rs
index 7f6375496e..bedcf8cdfa 100644
--- a/codex-rs/tui/src/app/working_directory.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/tui/src/app/working_directory.rs
@@ -317,8 +317,11 @@ impl App {
             };
             let handle = app_server.request_handle();
             let result = handle.request_typed::<ListResponse>(request).await;
-            if !matches!(result, Ok(response) if response.data.is_empty()) {
-                return self.working_directory_error("Active background terminals block /cd.");
+            if let Some(message) = super::managed_worktree_creation::background_terminals_blocker(
+                result,
+                &self.app_server_target,
+            ) {
+                return self.working_directory_error(message);
             }
         }
         if is_new_worktree {
diff --git a/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/snapshots/codex_tui__chatwidget__tests__experimental_features_popup.snap b/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/snapshots/codex_tui__chatwidget__tests__experimental_features_popup.snap
index 1fdb880a0d..eff5dff649 100644
--- a/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/snapshots/codex_tui__chatwidget__tests__experimental_features_popup.snap
+++ b/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/snapshots/codex_tui__chatwidget__tests__experimental_features_popup.snap
@@ -11,8 +11,6 @@ expression: popup
                            interactive website debugging and other inline
                            JavaScript execution capabilities.
   [x] Shell tool           Allow the model to run shell commands.
-  [ ] Worktrees            Create isolated Git worktrees and group sessions by
-                           repository.
   [ ] Voice conversations  Talk with Codex using /voice.
 
   Press space to select or enter to save
diff --git a/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/tests/popups_and_settings.rs b/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/tests/popups_and_settings.rs
index 6e538ad0c0..17ae637c2c 100644
--- a/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/tests/popups_and_settings.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/tests/popups_and_settings.rs
@@ -3038,7 +3038,6 @@ async fn apps_popup_for_not_installed_app_uses_install_only_selected_description
 async fn experimental_features_popup_snapshot() {
     let (mut chat, _rx, _op_rx) = make_chatwidget_manual(/*model_override*/ None).await;
 
-    let worktrees = Feature::Worktrees.stage();
     let voice = Feature::RealtimeConversation.stage();
     let features = vec![
         ExperimentalFeatureItem {
@@ -3055,13 +3054,6 @@ async fn experimental_features_popup_snapshot() {
             description: "Allow the model to run shell commands.".to_string(),
             enabled: true,
         },
-        ExperimentalFeatureItem {
-            key: Feature::Worktrees.key().to_string(),
-            writable: true,
-            name: worktrees.experimental_menu_name().unwrap().to_string(),
-            description: worktrees.experimental_menu_description().unwrap().to_string(),
-            enabled: false,
-        },
         ExperimentalFeatureItem {
             key: Feature::RealtimeConversation.key().to_string(),
             writable: true,
diff --git a/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/tests/worktree_picker_tests.rs b/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/tests/worktree_picker_tests.rs
index c60e12bc0e..b910f51339 100644
--- a/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/tests/worktree_picker_tests.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/tests/worktree_picker_tests.rs
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ use pretty_assertions::assert_eq;
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn slash_new_and_fork_offer_checkout_choices_inside_local_git_repository() {
     let (mut chat, mut rx, _op_rx) = make_chatwidget_manual(/*model_override*/ None).await;
+    chat.set_feature_enabled(Feature::Worktrees, /*enabled*/ false);
     let checkout = tempdir().expect("temporary checkout");
     std::fs::create_dir(checkout.path().join(".git")).expect("git directory");
     std::fs::write(checkout.path().join(".git/HEAD"), "ref: refs/heads/main\n").expect("git HEAD");
diff --git a/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/worktree_picker.rs b/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/worktree_picker.rs
index 7620aafdd1..ae2b01b6a9 100644
--- a/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/worktree_picker.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/worktree_picker.rs
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ impl ChatWidget {
     pub(super) fn show_managed_worktree_picker(&mut self) {
         if !self.config.features.enabled(Feature::Worktrees) {
             self.add_error_message(
-                "Enable worktrees in /experimental to create a worktree.".to_string(),
+                "Enable worktrees in your Codex configuration to create a worktree.".to_string(),
             );
             return;
         }
diff --git a/codex-rs/tui/src/lib.rs b/codex-rs/tui/src/lib.rs
index 663b3e4875..5e922fb8ae 100644
--- a/codex-rs/tui/src/lib.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/tui/src/lib.rs
@@ -3265,6 +3265,9 @@ requires_openai_auth = {requires_openai_auth}
             })
             .build()
             .await?;
+        config
+            .features
+            .set_enabled(codex_features::Feature::Worktrees, /*enabled*/ false)?;
         let model_provider = config.model_provider_id.as_str();
         let project_thread_id = write_session_rollout(
             temp_dir.path(),