diff --git a/webview-ui/src/context/ExtensionStateContext.tsx b/webview-ui/src/context/ExtensionStateContext.tsx
index 26b3851c1b..72ce7677ca 100644
--- a/webview-ui/src/context/ExtensionStateContext.tsx
+++ b/webview-ui/src/context/ExtensionStateContext.tsx
@@ -277,6 +277,7 @@ export const ExtensionStateContextProvider: React.FC<{ children: React.ReactNode
 		openRouterImageGenerationSelectedModel: "",
 		includeCurrentTime: true,
 		includeCurrentCost: true,
+		taskHistoryRetention: "never", // Default to never auto-delete
 	})
 
 	const [didHydrateState, setDidHydrateState] = useState(false)