diff --git a/packages/host/directory-picker-browse/src/client/DirectoryBrowser.tsx b/packages/host/directory-picker-browse/src/client/DirectoryBrowser.tsx
index db2231f384..1705a42e2a 100644
--- a/packages/host/directory-picker-browse/src/client/DirectoryBrowser.tsx
+++ b/packages/host/directory-picker-browse/src/client/DirectoryBrowser.tsx
@@ -211,8 +211,11 @@ export function DirectoryBrowser({ open, listDirectory, createDirectory, onOpen,
   const confirmCreate = (): void => {
     /* v8 ignore next -- reentry fence: the nested dialog only renders with a target and disables while creating. */
     if (targetPath === null || folderDraft === null || creatingFolder) return
-    const name = folderDraft.trim()
-    if (name === '') return
+    // Trim only rejects an all-whitespace draft; the Host gets the original
+    // spelling — the backend accepts any non-blank single segment verbatim,
+    // and trimming here would create (and select) a different sibling.
+    const name = folderDraft
+    if (name.trim() === '') return
     setCreatingFolder(true)
     setCreateError(null)
     const generation = openGeneration.current
diff --git a/packages/host/directory-picker-browse/tests/directory-browser.spec.tsx b/packages/host/directory-picker-browse/tests/directory-browser.spec.tsx
index dd7b7c0ae2..f0c54ad421 100644
--- a/packages/host/directory-picker-browse/tests/directory-browser.spec.tsx
+++ b/packages/host/directory-picker-browse/tests/directory-browser.spec.tsx
@@ -542,6 +542,17 @@ describe('DirectoryBrowser', () => {
     expect(screen.getByText('Documents')).toBeTruthy()
   })
 
+  it('passes the folder name to the Host untrimmed (trim only gates blank drafts)', async () => {
+    const b = mount()
+    await waitFor(() => { expect(screen.getByRole('listitem')).toBeTruthy() })
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'browser.newFolder' }))
+    const input = screen.getByLabelText('browser.folderName')
+    fireEvent.change(input, { target: { value: 'project ' } })
+    fireEvent.keyDown(input, { key: 'Enter' })
+    // A trailing space may be the wanted spelling; trimming would create a sibling.
+    await waitFor(() => { expect(b.createDirectory).toHaveBeenCalledWith(HOME, 'project ') })
+  })
+
   it('creates a folder through the nested dialog and lands with it selected', async () => {
     const b = mount()
     await waitFor(() => { expect(screen.getByRole('listitem')).toBeTruthy() })