diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/CHANGELOG.md b/packages/coding-agent/CHANGELOG.md
index 029bb4c0..08c523b9 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -23,7 +23,8 @@ The hooks API has been restructured with more granular events and better session
 - `HookCommandContext` removed (use `HookContext` for command handlers)
 
 **Event changes:**
-- The monolithic `session` event is now split into granular events: `session_start`, `session_before_switch`, `session_switch`, `session_before_new`, `session_new`, `session_before_branch`, `session_branch`, `session_before_compact`, `session_compact`, `session_shutdown`
+- The monolithic `session` event is now split into granular events: `session_start`, `session_before_switch`, `session_switch`, `session_before_branch`, `session_branch`, `session_before_compact`, `session_compact`, `session_shutdown`
+- `session_before_switch` and `session_switch` events now include `reason: "new" | "resume"` to distinguish between `/new` and `/resume`
 - New `session_before_tree` and `session_tree` events for `/tree` navigation (hook can provide custom branch summary)
 - New `before_agent_start` event: inject messages before the agent loop starts
 - New `context` event: modify messages non-destructively before each LLM call
@@ -71,7 +72,7 @@ The new `ctx: CustomToolContext` provides `sessionManager`, `modelRegistry`, and
 **Session event changes:**
 - `CustomToolSessionEvent` now only has `reason` and `previousSessionFile`
 - Session entries are no longer in the event. Use `ctx.sessionManager.getBranch()` or `ctx.sessionManager.getEntries()` to reconstruct state
-- New reasons: `"tree"` (for `/tree` navigation) and `"shutdown"` (for cleanup on exit)
+- Reasons: `"start" | "switch" | "branch" | "tree" | "shutdown"` (no separate `"new"` reason; `/new` triggers `"switch"`)
 - `dispose()` method removed. Use `onSession` with `reason: "shutdown"` for cleanup
 
 See [docs/custom-tools.md](docs/custom-tools.md) and [examples/custom-tools/](examples/custom-tools/) for the current API.
@@ -85,10 +86,11 @@ See [docs/custom-tools.md](docs/custom-tools.md) and [examples/custom-tools/](ex
 - `model` returns `Model | undefined` (was `Model | null`)
 - `Attachment` type removed. Use `ImageContent` from `@mariozechner/pi-ai` instead. Add images directly to message content arrays.
 
-**AgentSession branching API:**
+**AgentSession API:**
 - `branch(entryIndex: number)` → `branch(entryId: string)`
 - `getUserMessagesForBranching()` returns `{ entryId, text }` instead of `{ entryIndex, text }`
-- `reset()` and `switchSession()` now return `Promise<boolean>` (false if cancelled by hook)
+- `reset()` → `newSession(options?)` where options has optional `parentSession` for lineage tracking
+- `newSession()` and `switchSession()` now return `Promise<boolean>` (false if cancelled by hook)
 - New `navigateTree(targetId, options?)` for in-place tree navigation
 
 **Hook integration:**
@@ -97,8 +99,9 @@ See [docs/custom-tools.md](docs/custom-tools.md) and [examples/custom-tools/](ex
 **SessionManager API:**
 - Method renames: `saveXXX()` → `appendXXX()` (e.g., `appendMessage`, `appendCompaction`)
 - `branchInPlace()` → `branch()`
-- `reset()` → `newSession()`
+- `reset()` → `newSession(options?)` with optional `parentSession` for lineage tracking
 - `createBranchedSessionFromEntries(entries, index)` → `createBranchedSession(leafId)`
+- `SessionHeader.branchedFrom` → `SessionHeader.parentSession`
 - `saveCompaction(entry)` → `appendCompaction(summary, firstKeptEntryId, tokensBefore, details?)`
 - `getEntries()` now excludes the session header (use `getHeader()` separately)
 - `getSessionFile()` returns `string | undefined` (undefined for in-memory sessions)
@@ -139,6 +142,9 @@ See [docs/sdk.md](docs/sdk.md) and [examples/sdk/](examples/sdk/) for the curren
 
 ### RPC Migration
 
+**Session commands:**
+- `reset` command → `new_session` command with optional `parentSession` field
+
 **Branching commands:**
 - `branch` command: `entryIndex` → `entryId`
 - `get_branch_messages` response: `entryIndex` → `entryId`
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/docs/custom-tools.md b/packages/coding-agent/docs/custom-tools.md
index 4070b463..3940b43e 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/docs/custom-tools.md
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/docs/custom-tools.md
@@ -241,19 +241,20 @@ Tools can implement `onSession` to react to session changes:
 
 ```typescript
 interface CustomToolSessionEvent {
-  reason: "start" | "switch" | "branch" | "new" | "tree" | "shutdown";
+  reason: "start" | "switch" | "branch" | "tree" | "shutdown";
   previousSessionFile: string | undefined;
 }
 ```
 
 **Reasons:**
 - `start`: Initial session load on startup
-- `switch`: User switched to a different session (`/resume`)
+- `switch`: User started a new session (`/new`) or switched to a different session (`/resume`)
 - `branch`: User branched from a previous message (`/branch`)
-- `new`: User started a new session (`/new`)
 - `tree`: User navigated to a different point in the session tree (`/tree`)
 - `shutdown`: Process is exiting (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+D, or SIGTERM) - use to cleanup resources
 
+To check if a session is fresh (no messages), use `ctx.sessionManager.getEntries().length === 0`.
+
 ### State Management Pattern
 
 Tools that maintain state should store it in `details` of their results, not external files. This allows branching to work correctly, as the state is reconstructed from the session history.
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/docs/hooks.md b/packages/coding-agent/docs/hooks.md
index 2f61c3b6..7c272497 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/docs/hooks.md
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/docs/hooks.md
@@ -123,13 +123,9 @@ user sends prompt ────────────────────
                                                            │
 user sends another prompt ◄────────────────────────────────┘
 
-/new (new session)
-  ├─► session_before_new (can cancel)
-  └─► session_new
-
-/resume (switch session)
-  ├─► session_before_switch (can cancel)
-  └─► session_switch
+/new (new session) or /resume (switch session)
+  ├─► session_before_switch (can cancel, has reason: "new" | "resume")
+  └─► session_switch (has reason: "new" | "resume")
 
 /branch
   ├─► session_before_branch (can cancel)
@@ -161,34 +157,27 @@ pi.on("session_start", async (_event, ctx) => {
 
 #### session_before_switch / session_switch
 
-Fired when switching sessions via `/resume`.
+Fired when starting a new session (`/new`) or switching sessions (`/resume`).
 
 ```typescript
 pi.on("session_before_switch", async (event, ctx) => {
-  // event.targetSessionFile - session we're switching to
-  return { cancel: true }; // Cancel the switch
+  // event.reason - "new" (starting fresh) or "resume" (switching to existing)
+  // event.targetSessionFile - session we're switching to (only for "resume")
+  
+  if (event.reason === "new") {
+    const ok = await ctx.ui.confirm("Clear?", "Delete all messages?");
+    if (!ok) return { cancel: true };
+  }
+  
+  return { cancel: true }; // Cancel the switch/new
 });
 
 pi.on("session_switch", async (event, ctx) => {
+  // event.reason - "new" or "resume"
   // event.previousSessionFile - session we came from
 });
 ```
 
-#### session_before_new / session_new
-
-Fired when starting a new session via `/new`.
-
-```typescript
-pi.on("session_before_new", async (_event, ctx) => {
-  const ok = await ctx.ui.confirm("Clear?", "Delete all messages?");
-  if (!ok) return { cancel: true };
-});
-
-pi.on("session_new", async (_event, ctx) => {
-  // New session started
-});
-```
-
 #### session_before_branch / session_branch
 
 Fired when branching via `/branch`.
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/docs/rpc.md b/packages/coding-agent/docs/rpc.md
index 6b968dfc..07db6acb 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/docs/rpc.md
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/docs/rpc.md
@@ -76,22 +76,27 @@ Response:
 {"type": "response", "command": "abort", "success": true}
 ```
 
-#### reset
+#### new_session
 
-Clear context and start a fresh session. Can be cancelled by a `before_clear` hook.
+Start a fresh session. Can be cancelled by a `session_before_switch` hook.
 
 ```json
-{"type": "reset"}
+{"type": "new_session"}
+```
+
+With optional parent session tracking:
+```json
+{"type": "new_session", "parentSession": "/path/to/parent-session.jsonl"}
 ```
 
 Response:
 ```json
-{"type": "response", "command": "reset", "success": true, "data": {"cancelled": false}}
+{"type": "response", "command": "new_session", "success": true, "data": {"cancelled": false}}
 ```
 
-If a hook cancelled the reset:
+If a hook cancelled:
 ```json
-{"type": "response", "command": "reset", "success": true, "data": {"cancelled": true}}
+{"type": "response", "command": "new_session", "success": true, "data": {"cancelled": true}}
 ```
 
 ### State
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/docs/sdk.md b/packages/coding-agent/docs/sdk.md
index 9a8354dc..e77470db 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/docs/sdk.md
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/docs/sdk.md
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ interface AgentSession {
   isStreaming: boolean;
   
   // Session management
-  reset(): Promise<boolean>;  // Returns false if cancelled by hook
+  newSession(options?: { parentSession?: string }): Promise<boolean>;  // Returns false if cancelled by hook
   switchSession(sessionPath: string): Promise<boolean>;
   
   // Branching
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/docs/session.md b/packages/coding-agent/docs/session.md
index 1d841901..5044adcc 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/docs/session.md
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/docs/session.md
@@ -48,10 +48,10 @@ First line of the file. Metadata only, not part of the tree (no `id`/`parentId`)
 {"type":"session","version":2,"id":"uuid","timestamp":"2024-12-03T14:00:00.000Z","cwd":"/path/to/project"}
 ```
 
-For branched sessions (created via `/branch` command):
+For sessions with a parent (created via `/branch` or `newSession({ parentSession })`):
 
 ```json
-{"type":"session","version":2,"id":"uuid","timestamp":"2024-12-03T14:00:00.000Z","cwd":"/path/to/project","branchedFrom":"/path/to/original/session.jsonl"}
+{"type":"session","version":2,"id":"uuid","timestamp":"2024-12-03T14:00:00.000Z","cwd":"/path/to/project","parentSession":"/path/to/original/session.jsonl"}
 ```
 
 ### SessionMessageEntry
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/examples/hooks/confirm-destructive.ts b/packages/coding-agent/examples/hooks/confirm-destructive.ts
index 219c7b2f..ff213929 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/examples/hooks/confirm-destructive.ts
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/examples/hooks/confirm-destructive.ts
@@ -5,24 +5,26 @@
  * Demonstrates how to cancel session events using the before_* events.
  */
 
-import type { HookAPI, SessionMessageEntry } from "@mariozechner/pi-coding-agent";
+import type { HookAPI, SessionBeforeSwitchEvent, SessionMessageEntry } from "@mariozechner/pi-coding-agent";
 
 export default function (pi: HookAPI) {
-	pi.on("session_before_new", async (_event, ctx) => {
+	pi.on("session_before_switch", async (event: SessionBeforeSwitchEvent, ctx) => {
 		if (!ctx.hasUI) return;
 
-		const confirmed = await ctx.ui.confirm("Clear session?", "This will delete all messages in the current session.");
+		if (event.reason === "new") {
+			const confirmed = await ctx.ui.confirm(
+				"Clear session?",
+				"This will delete all messages in the current session.",
+			);
 
-		if (!confirmed) {
-			ctx.ui.notify("Clear cancelled", "info");
-			return { cancel: true };
+			if (!confirmed) {
+				ctx.ui.notify("Clear cancelled", "info");
+				return { cancel: true };
+			}
+			return;
 		}
-	});
 
-	pi.on("session_before_switch", async (_event, ctx) => {
-		if (!ctx.hasUI) return;
-
-		// Check if there are unsaved changes (messages since last assistant response)
+		// reason === "resume" - check if there are unsaved changes (messages since last assistant response)
 		const entries = ctx.sessionManager.getEntries();
 		const hasUnsavedWork = entries.some(
 			(e): e is SessionMessageEntry => e.type === "message" && e.message.role === "user",
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/examples/hooks/dirty-repo-guard.ts b/packages/coding-agent/examples/hooks/dirty-repo-guard.ts
index 1d7fdc7e..49335c72 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/examples/hooks/dirty-repo-guard.ts
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/examples/hooks/dirty-repo-guard.ts
@@ -41,12 +41,9 @@ async function checkDirtyRepo(pi: HookAPI, ctx: HookContext, action: string): Pr
 }
 
 export default function (pi: HookAPI) {
-	pi.on("session_before_new", async (_event, ctx) => {
-		return checkDirtyRepo(pi, ctx, "new session");
-	});
-
-	pi.on("session_before_switch", async (_event, ctx) => {
-		return checkDirtyRepo(pi, ctx, "switch session");
+	pi.on("session_before_switch", async (event, ctx) => {
+		const action = event.reason === "new" ? "new session" : "switch session";
+		return checkDirtyRepo(pi, ctx, action);
 	});
 
 	pi.on("session_before_branch", async (_event, ctx) => {
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/examples/hooks/status-line.ts b/packages/coding-agent/examples/hooks/status-line.ts
index 41da3df9..00000062 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/examples/hooks/status-line.ts
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/examples/hooks/status-line.ts
@@ -30,9 +30,11 @@ export default function (pi: HookAPI) {
 		ctx.ui.setStatus("status-demo", check + text);
 	});
 
-	pi.on("session_new", async (_event, ctx) => {
-		turnCount = 0;
-		const theme = ctx.ui.theme;
-		ctx.ui.setStatus("status-demo", theme.fg("dim", "Ready"));
+	pi.on("session_switch", async (event, ctx) => {
+		if (event.reason === "new") {
+			turnCount = 0;
+			const theme = ctx.ui.theme;
+			ctx.ui.setStatus("status-demo", theme.fg("dim", "Ready"));
+		}
 	});
 }
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/src/core/agent-session.ts b/packages/coding-agent/src/core/agent-session.ts
index bfc4c2c5..64aab64b 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/src/core/agent-session.ts
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/src/core/agent-session.ts
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@ import type {
 	HookRunner,
 	SessionBeforeBranchResult,
 	SessionBeforeCompactResult,
-	SessionBeforeNewResult,
 	SessionBeforeSwitchResult,
 	SessionBeforeTreeResult,
 	TreePreparation,
@@ -43,7 +42,7 @@ import type {
 } from "./hooks/index.js";
 import type { BashExecutionMessage, HookMessage } from "./messages.js";
 import type { ModelRegistry } from "./model-registry.js";
-import type { BranchSummaryEntry, CompactionEntry, SessionManager } from "./session-manager.js";
+import type { BranchSummaryEntry, CompactionEntry, NewSessionOptions, SessionManager } from "./session-manager.js";
 import type { SettingsManager, SkillsSettings } from "./settings-manager.js";
 import { expandSlashCommand, type FileSlashCommand } from "./slash-commands.js";
 
@@ -664,19 +663,21 @@ export class AgentSession {
 	}
 
 	/**
-	 * Reset agent and session to start fresh.
+	 * Start a new session, optionally with initial messages and parent tracking.
 	 * Clears all messages and starts a new session.
 	 * Listeners are preserved and will continue receiving events.
-	 * @returns true if reset completed, false if cancelled by hook
+	 * @param options - Optional initial messages and parent session path
+	 * @returns true if completed, false if cancelled by hook
 	 */
-	async reset(): Promise<boolean> {
+	async newSession(options?: NewSessionOptions): Promise<boolean> {
 		const previousSessionFile = this.sessionFile;
 
-		// Emit session_before_new event (can be cancelled)
-		if (this._hookRunner?.hasHandlers("session_before_new")) {
+		// Emit session_before_switch event with reason "new" (can be cancelled)
+		if (this._hookRunner?.hasHandlers("session_before_switch")) {
 			const result = (await this._hookRunner.emit({
-				type: "session_before_new",
-			})) as SessionBeforeNewResult | undefined;
+				type: "session_before_switch",
+				reason: "new",
+			})) as SessionBeforeSwitchResult | undefined;
 
 			if (result?.cancel) {
 				return false;
@@ -686,19 +687,21 @@ export class AgentSession {
 		this._disconnectFromAgent();
 		await this.abort();
 		this.agent.reset();
-		this.sessionManager.newSession();
+		this.sessionManager.newSession(options);
 		this._queuedMessages = [];
 		this._reconnectToAgent();
 
-		// Emit session_new event to hooks
+		// Emit session_switch event with reason "new" to hooks
 		if (this._hookRunner) {
 			await this._hookRunner.emit({
-				type: "session_new",
+				type: "session_switch",
+				reason: "new",
+				previousSessionFile,
 			});
 		}
 
 		// Emit session event to custom tools
-		await this.emitCustomToolSessionEvent("new", previousSessionFile);
+		await this.emitCustomToolSessionEvent("switch", previousSessionFile);
 		return true;
 	}
 
@@ -1446,6 +1449,7 @@ export class AgentSession {
 		if (this._hookRunner?.hasHandlers("session_before_switch")) {
 			const result = (await this._hookRunner.emit({
 				type: "session_before_switch",
+				reason: "resume",
 				targetSessionFile: sessionPath,
 			})) as SessionBeforeSwitchResult | undefined;
 
@@ -1468,6 +1472,7 @@ export class AgentSession {
 		if (this._hookRunner) {
 			await this._hookRunner.emit({
 				type: "session_switch",
+				reason: "resume",
 				previousSessionFile,
 			});
 		}
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/src/core/custom-tools/types.ts b/packages/coding-agent/src/core/custom-tools/types.ts
index a4baf9df..69a95ad4 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/src/core/custom-tools/types.ts
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/src/core/custom-tools/types.ts
@@ -52,8 +52,8 @@ export interface CustomToolContext {
 /** Session event passed to onSession callback */
 export interface CustomToolSessionEvent {
 	/** Reason for the session event */
-	reason: "start" | "switch" | "branch" | "new" | "tree" | "shutdown";
-	/** Previous session file path, or undefined for "start", "new", and "shutdown" */
+	reason: "start" | "switch" | "branch" | "tree" | "shutdown";
+	/** Previous session file path, or undefined for "start" and "shutdown" */
 	previousSessionFile: string | undefined;
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/src/core/hooks/types.ts b/packages/coding-agent/src/core/hooks/types.ts
index 3328d860..3f263ab6 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/src/core/hooks/types.ts
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/src/core/hooks/types.ts
@@ -154,27 +154,21 @@ export interface SessionStartEvent {
 /** Fired before switching to another session (can be cancelled) */
 export interface SessionBeforeSwitchEvent {
 	type: "session_before_switch";
-	/** Session file we're switching to */
-	targetSessionFile: string;
+	/** Reason for the switch */
+	reason: "new" | "resume";
+	/** Session file we're switching to (only for "resume") */
+	targetSessionFile?: string;
 }
 
 /** Fired after switching to another session */
 export interface SessionSwitchEvent {
 	type: "session_switch";
+	/** Reason for the switch */
+	reason: "new" | "resume";
 	/** Session file we came from */
 	previousSessionFile: string | undefined;
 }
 
-/** Fired before creating a new session (can be cancelled) */
-export interface SessionBeforeNewEvent {
-	type: "session_before_new";
-}
-
-/** Fired after creating a new session */
-export interface SessionNewEvent {
-	type: "session_new";
-}
-
 /** Fired before branching a session (can be cancelled) */
 export interface SessionBeforeBranchEvent {
 	type: "session_before_branch";
@@ -255,8 +249,6 @@ export type SessionEvent =
 	| SessionStartEvent
 	| SessionBeforeSwitchEvent
 	| SessionSwitchEvent
-	| SessionBeforeNewEvent
-	| SessionNewEvent
 	| SessionBeforeBranchEvent
 	| SessionBranchEvent
 	| SessionBeforeCompactEvent
@@ -505,12 +497,6 @@ export interface SessionBeforeSwitchResult {
 	cancel?: boolean;
 }
 
-/** Return type for session_before_new handlers */
-export interface SessionBeforeNewResult {
-	/** If true, cancel the new session */
-	cancel?: boolean;
-}
-
 /** Return type for session_before_branch handlers */
 export interface SessionBeforeBranchResult {
 	/**
@@ -600,8 +586,6 @@ export interface HookAPI {
 	on(event: "session_start", handler: HookHandler<SessionStartEvent>): void;
 	on(event: "session_before_switch", handler: HookHandler<SessionBeforeSwitchEvent, SessionBeforeSwitchResult>): void;
 	on(event: "session_switch", handler: HookHandler<SessionSwitchEvent>): void;
-	on(event: "session_before_new", handler: HookHandler<SessionBeforeNewEvent, SessionBeforeNewResult>): void;
-	on(event: "session_new", handler: HookHandler<SessionNewEvent>): void;
 	on(event: "session_before_branch", handler: HookHandler<SessionBeforeBranchEvent, SessionBeforeBranchResult>): void;
 	on(event: "session_branch", handler: HookHandler<SessionBranchEvent>): void;
 	on(
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/src/core/session-manager.ts b/packages/coding-agent/src/core/session-manager.ts
index dc47f749..6698ccad 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/src/core/session-manager.ts
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/src/core/session-manager.ts
@@ -31,7 +31,11 @@ export interface SessionHeader {
 	id: string;
 	timestamp: string;
 	cwd: string;
-	branchedFrom?: string;
+	parentSession?: string;
+}
+
+export interface NewSessionOptions {
+	parentSession?: string;
 }
 
 export interface SessionEntryBase {
@@ -508,7 +512,7 @@ export class SessionManager {
 		}
 	}
 
-	newSession(): string | undefined {
+	newSession(options?: NewSessionOptions): string | undefined {
 		this.sessionId = randomUUID();
 		const timestamp = new Date().toISOString();
 		const header: SessionHeader = {
@@ -517,11 +521,13 @@ export class SessionManager {
 			id: this.sessionId,
 			timestamp,
 			cwd: this.cwd,
+			parentSession: options?.parentSession,
 		};
 		this.fileEntries = [header];
 		this.byId.clear();
 		this.leafId = null;
 		this.flushed = false;
+
 		// Only generate filename if persisting and not already set (e.g., via --session flag)
 		if (this.persist && !this.sessionFile) {
 			const fileTimestamp = timestamp.replace(/[:.]/g, "-");
@@ -929,7 +935,7 @@ export class SessionManager {
 			id: newSessionId,
 			timestamp,
 			cwd: this.cwd,
-			branchedFrom: this.persist ? this.sessionFile : undefined,
+			parentSession: this.persist ? this.sessionFile : undefined,
 		};
 
 		// Collect labels for entries in the path
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/src/index.ts b/packages/coding-agent/src/index.ts
index f9265440..ba2e1a52 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/src/index.ts
@@ -107,6 +107,7 @@ export {
 	getLatestCompactionEntry,
 	type ModelChangeEntry,
 	migrateSessionEntries,
+	type NewSessionOptions,
 	parseSessionEntries,
 	type SessionContext,
 	type SessionEntry,
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/src/modes/interactive/interactive-mode.ts b/packages/coding-agent/src/modes/interactive/interactive-mode.ts
index a3d260d2..9a63672a 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/src/modes/interactive/interactive-mode.ts
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/src/modes/interactive/interactive-mode.ts
@@ -2148,8 +2148,8 @@ export class InteractiveMode {
 		}
 		this.statusContainer.clear();
 
-		// Reset via session (emits hook and tool session events)
-		await this.session.reset();
+		// New session via session (emits hook and tool session events)
+		await this.session.newSession();
 
 		// Clear UI state
 		this.chatContainer.clear();
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/src/modes/rpc/rpc-client.ts b/packages/coding-agent/src/modes/rpc/rpc-client.ts
index 7877ab36..93187dcb 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/src/modes/rpc/rpc-client.ts
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/src/modes/rpc/rpc-client.ts
@@ -187,11 +187,12 @@ export class RpcClient {
 	}
 
 	/**
-	 * Reset session (clear all messages).
-	 * @returns Object with `cancelled: true` if a hook cancelled the reset
+	 * Start a new session, optionally with parent tracking.
+	 * @param parentSession - Optional parent session path for lineage tracking
+	 * @returns Object with `cancelled: true` if a hook cancelled the new session
 	 */
-	async reset(): Promise<{ cancelled: boolean }> {
-		const response = await this.send({ type: "reset" });
+	async newSession(parentSession?: string): Promise<{ cancelled: boolean }> {
+		const response = await this.send({ type: "new_session", parentSession });
 		return this.getData(response);
 	}
 
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/src/modes/rpc/rpc-mode.ts b/packages/coding-agent/src/modes/rpc/rpc-mode.ts
index ff1ebec7..a5770767 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/src/modes/rpc/rpc-mode.ts
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/src/modes/rpc/rpc-mode.ts
@@ -239,9 +239,10 @@ export async function runRpcMode(session: AgentSession): Promise<never> {
 				return success(id, "abort");
 			}
 
-			case "reset": {
-				const cancelled = !(await session.reset());
-				return success(id, "reset", { cancelled });
+			case "new_session": {
+				const options = command.parentSession ? { parentSession: command.parentSession } : undefined;
+				const cancelled = !(await session.newSession(options));
+				return success(id, "new_session", { cancelled });
 			}
 
 			// =================================================================
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/src/modes/rpc/rpc-types.ts b/packages/coding-agent/src/modes/rpc/rpc-types.ts
index e75a41dc..32d2feac 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/src/modes/rpc/rpc-types.ts
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/src/modes/rpc/rpc-types.ts
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ export type RpcCommand =
 	| { id?: string; type: "prompt"; message: string; images?: ImageContent[] }
 	| { id?: string; type: "queue_message"; message: string }
 	| { id?: string; type: "abort" }
-	| { id?: string; type: "reset" }
+	| { id?: string; type: "new_session"; parentSession?: string }
 
 	// State
 	| { id?: string; type: "get_state" }
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ export type RpcResponse =
 	| { id?: string; type: "response"; command: "prompt"; success: true }
 	| { id?: string; type: "response"; command: "queue_message"; success: true }
 	| { id?: string; type: "response"; command: "abort"; success: true }
-	| { id?: string; type: "response"; command: "reset"; success: true; data: { cancelled: boolean } }
+	| { id?: string; type: "response"; command: "new_session"; success: true; data: { cancelled: boolean } }
 
 	// State
 	| { id?: string; type: "response"; command: "get_state"; success: true; data: RpcSessionState }
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/test/rpc.test.ts b/packages/coding-agent/test/rpc.test.ts
index e0d6edac..240400b2 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/test/rpc.test.ts
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/test/rpc.test.ts
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ describe.skipIf(!process.env.ANTHROPIC_API_KEY && !process.env.ANTHROPIC_OAUTH_T
 		expect(stats.assistantMessages).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(1);
 	}, 90000);
 
-	test("should reset session", async () => {
+	test("should create new session", async () => {
 		await client.start();
 
 		// Send a prompt
@@ -247,8 +247,8 @@ describe.skipIf(!process.env.ANTHROPIC_API_KEY && !process.env.ANTHROPIC_OAUTH_T
 		let state = await client.getState();
 		expect(state.messageCount).toBeGreaterThan(0);
 
-		// Reset
-		await client.reset();
+		// New session
+		await client.newSession();
 
 		// Verify messages cleared
 		state = await client.getState();