diff --git a/packages/app/src/hooks/checkout-diff-order.test.ts b/packages/app/src/hooks/checkout-diff-order.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..abe606cb9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/app/src/hooks/checkout-diff-order.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import {
+  compareCheckoutDiffPaths,
+  orderCheckoutDiffFiles,
+} from "./checkout-diff-order";
+
+function createFile(path: string, additions = 0) {
+  return {
+    path,
+    isNew: false,
+    isDeleted: false,
+    additions,
+    deletions: 0,
+    hunks: [],
+  };
+}
+
+describe("checkout diff ordering", () => {
+  it("compares paths deterministically", () => {
+    expect(compareCheckoutDiffPaths("a.ts", "b.ts")).toBeLessThan(0);
+    expect(compareCheckoutDiffPaths("b.ts", "a.ts")).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+    expect(compareCheckoutDiffPaths("same.ts", "same.ts")).toBe(0);
+  });
+
+  it("sorts files by path", () => {
+    const ordered = orderCheckoutDiffFiles([
+      createFile("zeta.ts"),
+      createFile("alpha.ts"),
+      createFile("beta.ts"),
+    ]);
+
+    expect(ordered.map((file) => file.path)).toEqual([
+      "alpha.ts",
+      "beta.ts",
+      "zeta.ts",
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it("preserves relative order for equal paths", () => {
+    const ordered = orderCheckoutDiffFiles([
+      createFile("same.ts", 1),
+      createFile("same.ts", 2),
+      createFile("same.ts", 3),
+    ]);
+
+    expect(ordered.map((file) => file.additions)).toEqual([1, 2, 3]);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/app/src/hooks/checkout-diff-order.ts b/packages/app/src/hooks/checkout-diff-order.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..10abd139e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/app/src/hooks/checkout-diff-order.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+import type { SubscribeCheckoutDiffResponse } from "@server/shared/messages";
+
+type ParsedDiffFile = SubscribeCheckoutDiffResponse["payload"]["files"][number];
+
+export function compareCheckoutDiffPaths(left: string, right: string): number {
+  if (left === right) {
+    return 0;
+  }
+  return left < right ? -1 : 1;
+}
+
+export function orderCheckoutDiffFiles(
+  files: ParsedDiffFile[]
+): ParsedDiffFile[] {
+  if (files.length < 2) {
+    return files;
+  }
+  const ordered = [...files];
+  ordered.sort((a, b) => compareCheckoutDiffPaths(a.path, b.path));
+  return ordered;
+}
diff --git a/packages/app/src/hooks/use-checkout-diff-query.ts b/packages/app/src/hooks/use-checkout-diff-query.ts
index 33c5476b5..5f7a45652 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/hooks/use-checkout-diff-query.ts
+++ b/packages/app/src/hooks/use-checkout-diff-query.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 import { useQuery, useQueryClient } from "@tanstack/react-query";
-import { useCallback, useEffect } from "react";
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useId, useMemo } from "react";
 import { UnistylesRuntime } from "react-native-unistyles";
 import { useSessionStore } from "@/stores/session-store";
 import { usePanelStore } from "@/stores/panel-store";
-import type { CheckoutDiffResponse } from "@server/shared/messages";
+import type { SubscribeCheckoutDiffResponse } from "@server/shared/messages";
+import { orderCheckoutDiffFiles } from "./checkout-diff-order";
 
 const CHECKOUT_DIFF_STALE_TIME = 30_000;
 
@@ -24,11 +25,29 @@ interface UseCheckoutDiffQueryOptions {
   enabled?: boolean;
 }
 
-export type ParsedDiffFile = CheckoutDiffResponse["payload"]["files"][number];
+type CheckoutDiffQueryPayload = Omit<
+  SubscribeCheckoutDiffResponse["payload"],
+  "subscriptionId"
+>;
+
+export type ParsedDiffFile = CheckoutDiffQueryPayload["files"][number];
 export type DiffHunk = ParsedDiffFile["hunks"][number];
 export type DiffLine = DiffHunk["lines"][number];
 export type HighlightToken = NonNullable<DiffLine["tokens"]>[number];
 
+function normalizeCheckoutDiffCompare(compare: {
+  mode: "uncommitted" | "base";
+  baseRef?: string;
+}): { mode: "uncommitted" | "base"; baseRef?: string } {
+  if (compare.mode === "uncommitted") {
+    return { mode: "uncommitted" };
+  }
+  const trimmedBaseRef = compare.baseRef?.trim();
+  return trimmedBaseRef
+    ? { mode: "base", baseRef: trimmedBaseRef }
+    : { mode: "base" };
+}
+
 export function useCheckoutDiffQuery({
   serverId,
   cwd,
@@ -49,29 +68,142 @@ export function useCheckoutDiffQuery({
   const desktopFileExplorerOpen = usePanelStore((state) => state.desktop.fileExplorerOpen);
   const explorerTab = usePanelStore((state) => state.explorerTab);
   const isOpen = isMobile ? mobileView === "file-explorer" : desktopFileExplorerOpen;
+  const hookInstanceId = useId();
+  const normalizedCompare = useMemo(
+    () => normalizeCheckoutDiffCompare({ mode, baseRef }),
+    [mode, baseRef]
+  );
+  const compareMode = normalizedCompare.mode;
+  const compareBaseRef = normalizedCompare.baseRef;
+  const queryKey = useMemo(
+    () => checkoutDiffQueryKey(serverId, cwd, mode, baseRef),
+    [serverId, cwd, mode, baseRef]
+  );
 
   const query = useQuery({
-    queryKey: checkoutDiffQueryKey(serverId, cwd, mode, baseRef),
+    queryKey,
     queryFn: async () => {
       if (!client) {
         throw new Error("Daemon client not available");
       }
-      return await client.getCheckoutDiff(cwd, { mode, baseRef });
+      const payload = await client.getCheckoutDiff(cwd, {
+        mode: compareMode,
+        baseRef: compareBaseRef,
+      });
+      return {
+        ...payload,
+        files: orderCheckoutDiffFiles(payload.files),
+      };
     },
     enabled: !!client && isConnected && !!cwd && enabled,
     staleTime: CHECKOUT_DIFF_STALE_TIME,
-    refetchInterval: 10_000,
   });
 
-  // Revalidate when sidebar opens with "changes" tab active
   useEffect(() => {
-    if (!isOpen || explorerTab !== "changes" || !cwd) {
+    if (!client || !isConnected || !cwd || !enabled) {
       return;
     }
-    queryClient.invalidateQueries({
-      queryKey: checkoutDiffQueryKey(serverId, cwd, mode, baseRef),
+    if (!isOpen || explorerTab !== "changes") {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const subscriptionId = [
+      "checkoutDiff",
+      hookInstanceId,
+      serverId,
+      cwd,
+      compareMode,
+      compareBaseRef ?? "",
+    ].join(":");
+    let cancelled = false;
+
+    const unsubscribeUpdate = client.on("checkout_diff_update", (message) => {
+      if (message.type !== "checkout_diff_update") {
+        return;
+      }
+      if (message.payload.subscriptionId !== subscriptionId) {
+        return;
+      }
+      queryClient.setQueryData<CheckoutDiffQueryPayload>(queryKey, {
+        cwd: message.payload.cwd,
+        files: orderCheckoutDiffFiles(message.payload.files),
+        error: message.payload.error,
+        requestId: `subscription:${subscriptionId}`,
+      });
     });
-  }, [isOpen, explorerTab, serverId, cwd, mode, baseRef, queryClient]);
+    const unsubscribeSubscribeResponse = client.on(
+      "subscribe_checkout_diff_response",
+      (message) => {
+        if (message.type !== "subscribe_checkout_diff_response") {
+          return;
+        }
+        if (message.payload.subscriptionId !== subscriptionId) {
+          return;
+        }
+        queryClient.setQueryData<CheckoutDiffQueryPayload>(queryKey, {
+          cwd: message.payload.cwd,
+          files: orderCheckoutDiffFiles(message.payload.files),
+          error: message.payload.error,
+          requestId: message.payload.requestId,
+        });
+      }
+    );
+
+    void client
+      .subscribeCheckoutDiff(
+        cwd,
+        {
+          mode: compareMode,
+          baseRef: compareBaseRef,
+        },
+        { subscriptionId }
+      )
+      .then((payload) => {
+        if (cancelled) {
+          return;
+        }
+        queryClient.setQueryData<CheckoutDiffQueryPayload>(queryKey, {
+          cwd: payload.cwd,
+          files: orderCheckoutDiffFiles(payload.files),
+          error: payload.error,
+          requestId: payload.requestId,
+        });
+      })
+      .catch((error) => {
+        if (cancelled) {
+          return;
+        }
+        console.error("[useCheckoutDiffQuery] subscribeCheckoutDiff failed", {
+          serverId,
+          cwd,
+          error,
+        });
+      });
+
+    return () => {
+      cancelled = true;
+      unsubscribeUpdate();
+      unsubscribeSubscribeResponse();
+      try {
+        client.unsubscribeCheckoutDiff(subscriptionId);
+      } catch {
+        // Ignore disconnect race during effect cleanup.
+      }
+    };
+  }, [
+    client,
+    isConnected,
+    cwd,
+    enabled,
+    isOpen,
+    explorerTab,
+    hookInstanceId,
+    serverId,
+    compareMode,
+    compareBaseRef,
+    queryKey,
+    queryClient,
+  ]);
 
   const refresh = useCallback(() => {
     return query.refetch();
diff --git a/packages/server/src/client/daemon-client.test.ts b/packages/server/src/client/daemon-client.test.ts
index 76ebf2487..d7af20621 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/client/daemon-client.test.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/client/daemon-client.test.ts
@@ -151,6 +151,185 @@ describe("DaemonClient", () => {
     });
   });
 
+  test("subscribes to checkout diff updates via RPC handshake", async () => {
+    const logger = createMockLogger();
+    const mock = createMockTransport();
+
+    const client = new DaemonClient({
+      url: "ws://test",
+      logger,
+      reconnect: { enabled: false },
+      transportFactory: () => mock.transport,
+    });
+    clients.push(client);
+
+    const connectPromise = client.connect();
+    mock.triggerOpen();
+    await connectPromise;
+
+    const promise = client.subscribeCheckoutDiff(
+      "/tmp/project",
+      { mode: "uncommitted" },
+      { subscriptionId: "checkout-sub-1" }
+    );
+
+    expect(mock.sent).toHaveLength(1);
+    const request = JSON.parse(mock.sent[0]) as {
+      type: "session";
+      message: {
+        type: "subscribe_checkout_diff_request";
+        subscriptionId: string;
+        cwd: string;
+        compare: { mode: "uncommitted" | "base"; baseRef?: string };
+        requestId: string;
+      };
+    };
+    expect(request.message.type).toBe("subscribe_checkout_diff_request");
+    expect(request.message.subscriptionId).toBe("checkout-sub-1");
+    expect(request.message.cwd).toBe("/tmp/project");
+    expect(request.message.compare).toEqual({ mode: "uncommitted" });
+
+    mock.triggerMessage(
+      JSON.stringify({
+        type: "session",
+        message: {
+          type: "subscribe_checkout_diff_response",
+          payload: {
+            subscriptionId: "checkout-sub-1",
+            cwd: "/tmp/project",
+            files: [],
+            error: null,
+            requestId: request.message.requestId,
+          },
+        },
+      })
+    );
+
+    await expect(promise).resolves.toEqual({
+      subscriptionId: "checkout-sub-1",
+      cwd: "/tmp/project",
+      files: [],
+      error: null,
+      requestId: request.message.requestId,
+    });
+  });
+
+  test("getCheckoutDiff uses one-shot subscription protocol", async () => {
+    const logger = createMockLogger();
+    const mock = createMockTransport();
+
+    const client = new DaemonClient({
+      url: "ws://test",
+      logger,
+      reconnect: { enabled: false },
+      transportFactory: () => mock.transport,
+    });
+    clients.push(client);
+
+    const connectPromise = client.connect();
+    mock.triggerOpen();
+    await connectPromise;
+
+    const promise = client.getCheckoutDiff("/tmp/project", { mode: "base", baseRef: "main" });
+
+    expect(mock.sent).toHaveLength(1);
+    const subscribeRequest = JSON.parse(mock.sent[0]) as {
+      type: "session";
+      message: {
+        type: "subscribe_checkout_diff_request";
+        subscriptionId: string;
+        cwd: string;
+        compare: { mode: "uncommitted" | "base"; baseRef?: string };
+        requestId: string;
+      };
+    };
+    expect(subscribeRequest.message.type).toBe("subscribe_checkout_diff_request");
+    expect(subscribeRequest.message.cwd).toBe("/tmp/project");
+    expect(subscribeRequest.message.compare).toEqual({ mode: "base", baseRef: "main" });
+
+    mock.triggerMessage(
+      JSON.stringify({
+        type: "session",
+        message: {
+          type: "subscribe_checkout_diff_response",
+          payload: {
+            subscriptionId: subscribeRequest.message.subscriptionId,
+            cwd: "/tmp/project",
+            files: [],
+            error: null,
+            requestId: subscribeRequest.message.requestId,
+          },
+        },
+      })
+    );
+
+    await expect(promise).resolves.toEqual({
+      cwd: "/tmp/project",
+      files: [],
+      error: null,
+      requestId: subscribeRequest.message.requestId,
+    });
+
+    expect(mock.sent).toHaveLength(2);
+    const unsubscribeRequest = JSON.parse(mock.sent[1]) as {
+      type: "session";
+      message: {
+        type: "unsubscribe_checkout_diff_request";
+        subscriptionId: string;
+      };
+    };
+    expect(unsubscribeRequest.message.type).toBe("unsubscribe_checkout_diff_request");
+    expect(unsubscribeRequest.message.subscriptionId).toBe(
+      subscribeRequest.message.subscriptionId
+    );
+  });
+
+  test("resubscribes checkout diff streams after reconnect", async () => {
+    const logger = createMockLogger();
+    const mock = createMockTransport();
+
+    const client = new DaemonClient({
+      url: "ws://test",
+      logger,
+      reconnect: { enabled: false },
+      transportFactory: () => mock.transport,
+    });
+    clients.push(client);
+
+    const internal = client as unknown as {
+      checkoutDiffSubscriptions: Map<
+        string,
+        { cwd: string; compare: { mode: "uncommitted" | "base"; baseRef?: string } }
+      >;
+    };
+    internal.checkoutDiffSubscriptions.set("checkout-sub-1", {
+      cwd: "/tmp/project",
+      compare: { mode: "base", baseRef: "main" },
+    });
+
+    const connectPromise = client.connect();
+    mock.triggerOpen();
+    await connectPromise;
+
+    expect(mock.sent).toHaveLength(1);
+    const request = JSON.parse(mock.sent[0]) as {
+      type: "session";
+      message: {
+        type: "subscribe_checkout_diff_request";
+        subscriptionId: string;
+        cwd: string;
+        compare: { mode: "uncommitted" | "base"; baseRef?: string };
+        requestId: string;
+      };
+    };
+    expect(request.message.type).toBe("subscribe_checkout_diff_request");
+    expect(request.message.subscriptionId).toBe("checkout-sub-1");
+    expect(request.message.cwd).toBe("/tmp/project");
+    expect(request.message.compare).toEqual({ mode: "base", baseRef: "main" });
+    expect(typeof request.message.requestId).toBe("string");
+    expect(request.message.requestId.length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+  });
+
   test("fetches project-grouped agents via RPC", async () => {
     const logger = createMockLogger();
     const mock = createMockTransport();
diff --git a/packages/server/src/client/daemon-client.ts b/packages/server/src/client/daemon-client.ts
index 6bcf83e29..d9b44ee04 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/client/daemon-client.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/client/daemon-client.ts
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ import type {
   GitSetupOptions,
   HighlightedDiffResponse,
   CheckoutStatusResponse,
-  CheckoutDiffResponse,
   CheckoutCommitResponse,
   CheckoutMergeResponse,
   CheckoutMergeFromBaseResponse,
@@ -182,7 +181,11 @@ export type CreateAgentRequestOptions = {
 type GitDiffPayload = GitDiffResponse["payload"];
 type HighlightedDiffPayload = HighlightedDiffResponse["payload"];
 type CheckoutStatusPayload = CheckoutStatusResponse["payload"];
-type CheckoutDiffPayload = CheckoutDiffResponse["payload"];
+type SubscribeCheckoutDiffPayload = Extract<
+  SessionOutboundMessage,
+  { type: "subscribe_checkout_diff_response" }
+>["payload"];
+type CheckoutDiffPayload = Omit<SubscribeCheckoutDiffPayload, "subscriptionId">;
 type CheckoutCommitPayload = CheckoutCommitResponse["payload"];
 type CheckoutMergePayload = CheckoutMergeResponse["payload"];
 type CheckoutMergeFromBasePayload = CheckoutMergeFromBaseResponse["payload"];
@@ -296,6 +299,10 @@ export class DaemonClient {
     string,
     { labels?: Record<string, string>; agentId?: string } | undefined
   >();
+  private checkoutDiffSubscriptions = new Map<
+    string,
+    { cwd: string; compare: { mode: "uncommitted" | "base"; baseRef?: string } }
+  >();
   private logger: Logger;
   private pendingSendQueue: PendingSend[] = [];
   private relayClientId: string | null = null;
@@ -401,6 +408,7 @@ export class DaemonClient {
           this.reconnectAttempt = 0;
           this.updateConnectionState({ status: "connected" });
           this.resubscribeAgentUpdates();
+          this.resubscribeCheckoutDiffSubscriptions();
           this.flushPendingSendQueue();
           this.resolveConnect();
         }),
@@ -951,6 +959,22 @@ export class DaemonClient {
     }
   }
 
+  private resubscribeCheckoutDiffSubscriptions(): void {
+    if (this.checkoutDiffSubscriptions.size === 0) {
+      return;
+    }
+    for (const [subscriptionId, subscription] of this.checkoutDiffSubscriptions) {
+      const message = SessionInboundMessageSchema.parse({
+        type: "subscribe_checkout_diff_request",
+        subscriptionId,
+        cwd: subscription.cwd,
+        compare: subscription.compare,
+        requestId: this.createRequestId(),
+      });
+      this.sendSessionMessage(message);
+    }
+  }
+
   // ============================================================================
   // Agent Lifecycle
   // ============================================================================
@@ -1521,32 +1545,101 @@ export class DaemonClient {
     return responsePromise;
   }
 
+  private normalizeCheckoutDiffCompare(
+    compare: { mode: "uncommitted" | "base"; baseRef?: string }
+  ): { mode: "uncommitted" | "base"; baseRef?: string } {
+    if (compare.mode === "uncommitted") {
+      return { mode: "uncommitted" };
+    }
+    const trimmedBaseRef = compare.baseRef?.trim();
+    if (!trimmedBaseRef) {
+      return { mode: "base" };
+    }
+    return { mode: "base", baseRef: trimmedBaseRef };
+  }
+
   async getCheckoutDiff(
     cwd: string,
     compare: { mode: "uncommitted" | "base"; baseRef?: string },
     requestId?: string
   ): Promise<CheckoutDiffPayload> {
-    const resolvedRequestId = this.createRequestId(requestId);
-    const message = SessionInboundMessageSchema.parse({
-      type: "checkout_diff_request",
+    const oneShotSubscriptionId = `oneshot-checkout-diff:${crypto.randomUUID()}`;
+    try {
+      const payload = await this.subscribeCheckoutDiff(cwd, compare, {
+        subscriptionId: oneShotSubscriptionId,
+        requestId,
+      });
+      return {
+        cwd: payload.cwd,
+        files: payload.files,
+        error: payload.error,
+        requestId: payload.requestId,
+      };
+    } finally {
+      try {
+        this.unsubscribeCheckoutDiff(oneShotSubscriptionId);
+      } catch {
+        // Ignore disconnect races during one-shot cleanup.
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  async subscribeCheckoutDiff(
+    cwd: string,
+    compare: { mode: "uncommitted" | "base"; baseRef?: string },
+    options?: { subscriptionId?: string; requestId?: string }
+  ): Promise<SubscribeCheckoutDiffPayload> {
+    const subscriptionId = options?.subscriptionId ?? crypto.randomUUID();
+    const normalizedCompare = this.normalizeCheckoutDiffCompare(compare);
+    const previousSubscription = this.checkoutDiffSubscriptions.get(subscriptionId) ?? null;
+    this.checkoutDiffSubscriptions.set(subscriptionId, {
       cwd,
-      compare,
+      compare: normalizedCompare,
+    });
+
+    const resolvedRequestId = this.createRequestId(options?.requestId);
+    const message = SessionInboundMessageSchema.parse({
+      type: "subscribe_checkout_diff_request",
+      subscriptionId,
+      cwd,
+      compare: normalizedCompare,
       requestId: resolvedRequestId,
     });
-    return this.sendRequest({
-      requestId: resolvedRequestId,
-      message,
-      timeout: 60000,
-      options: { skipQueue: true },
-      select: (msg) => {
-        if (msg.type !== "checkout_diff_response") {
-          return null;
-        }
-        if (msg.payload.requestId !== resolvedRequestId) {
-          return null;
-        }
-        return msg.payload;
-      },
+
+    try {
+      return await this.sendRequest({
+        requestId: resolvedRequestId,
+        message,
+        timeout: 60000,
+        options: { skipQueue: true },
+        select: (msg) => {
+          if (msg.type !== "subscribe_checkout_diff_response") {
+            return null;
+          }
+          if (msg.payload.requestId !== resolvedRequestId) {
+            return null;
+          }
+          if (msg.payload.subscriptionId !== subscriptionId) {
+            return null;
+          }
+          return msg.payload;
+        },
+      });
+    } catch (error) {
+      if (previousSubscription) {
+        this.checkoutDiffSubscriptions.set(subscriptionId, previousSubscription);
+      } else {
+        this.checkoutDiffSubscriptions.delete(subscriptionId);
+      }
+      throw error;
+    }
+  }
+
+  unsubscribeCheckoutDiff(subscriptionId: string): void {
+    this.checkoutDiffSubscriptions.delete(subscriptionId);
+    this.sendSessionMessage({
+      type: "unsubscribe_checkout_diff_request",
+      subscriptionId,
     });
   }
 
diff --git a/packages/server/src/server/daemon-e2e/checkout-diff-subscription.e2e.test.ts b/packages/server/src/server/daemon-e2e/checkout-diff-subscription.e2e.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e513385a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/server/src/server/daemon-e2e/checkout-diff-subscription.e2e.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,166 @@
+import { describe, test, expect, beforeEach, afterEach } from "vitest";
+import { execSync } from "child_process";
+import { mkdtempSync, mkdirSync, rmSync, writeFileSync } from "fs";
+import { tmpdir } from "os";
+import path from "path";
+import {
+  createDaemonTestContext,
+  type DaemonTestContext,
+} from "../test-utils/index.js";
+import type { SessionOutboundMessage } from "../messages.js";
+
+type CheckoutDiffUpdatePayload = Extract<
+  SessionOutboundMessage,
+  { type: "checkout_diff_update" }
+>["payload"];
+
+function tmpCwd(): string {
+  return mkdtempSync(path.join(tmpdir(), "daemon-e2e-checkout-diff-"));
+}
+
+function initGitRepo(cwd: string): void {
+  execSync("git init -b main", { cwd, stdio: "pipe" });
+  execSync("git config user.email 'test@test.com'", { cwd, stdio: "pipe" });
+  execSync("git config user.name 'Test'", { cwd, stdio: "pipe" });
+}
+
+function commitFile(cwd: string, fileName: string, content: string): void {
+  const filePath = path.join(cwd, fileName);
+  writeFileSync(filePath, content);
+  execSync(`git add "${fileName}"`, { cwd, stdio: "pipe" });
+  execSync("git -c commit.gpgsign=false commit -m 'Initial commit'", {
+    cwd,
+    stdio: "pipe",
+  });
+}
+
+async function waitForCheckoutDiffUpdate(
+  ctx: DaemonTestContext,
+  subscriptionId: string,
+  predicate: (payload: CheckoutDiffUpdatePayload) => boolean,
+  timeoutMs = 15000
+): Promise<CheckoutDiffUpdatePayload> {
+  return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
+    const timeout = setTimeout(() => {
+      unsubscribe();
+      reject(
+        new Error(
+          `Timed out waiting for checkout_diff_update (${subscriptionId})`
+        )
+      );
+    }, timeoutMs);
+
+    const unsubscribe = ctx.client.on("checkout_diff_update", (message) => {
+      if (message.type !== "checkout_diff_update") {
+        return;
+      }
+      if (message.payload.subscriptionId !== subscriptionId) {
+        return;
+      }
+      if (!predicate(message.payload)) {
+        return;
+      }
+      clearTimeout(timeout);
+      unsubscribe();
+      resolve(message.payload);
+    });
+  });
+}
+
+describe("daemon E2E checkout diff subscriptions", () => {
+  let ctx: DaemonTestContext;
+
+  beforeEach(async () => {
+    ctx = await createDaemonTestContext();
+  });
+
+  afterEach(async () => {
+    await ctx.cleanup();
+  }, 60000);
+
+  test(
+    "pushes file-level checkout diff updates with deterministic path order",
+    async () => {
+      const cwd = tmpCwd();
+
+      try {
+        initGitRepo(cwd);
+        commitFile(cwd, "base.txt", "base\n");
+
+        const subscriptionId = "checkout-diff-e2e-subscription";
+        const initial = await ctx.client.subscribeCheckoutDiff(
+          cwd,
+          { mode: "uncommitted" },
+          { subscriptionId }
+        );
+
+        expect(initial.error).toBeNull();
+        expect(initial.files).toEqual([]);
+
+        writeFileSync(path.join(cwd, "zeta.txt"), "zeta\n");
+        writeFileSync(path.join(cwd, "alpha.txt"), "alpha\n");
+
+        const update = await waitForCheckoutDiffUpdate(
+          ctx,
+          subscriptionId,
+          (payload) => {
+            const paths = payload.files.map((file) => file.path);
+            return paths.includes("alpha.txt") && paths.includes("zeta.txt");
+          }
+        );
+
+        expect(update.error).toBeNull();
+        expect(update.files.map((file) => file.path)).toEqual([
+          "alpha.txt",
+          "zeta.txt",
+        ]);
+
+        ctx.client.unsubscribeCheckoutDiff(subscriptionId);
+      } finally {
+        rmSync(cwd, { recursive: true, force: true });
+      }
+    },
+    60000
+  );
+
+  test(
+    "pushes updates when subscribed from a subdirectory and files change outside it",
+    async () => {
+      const cwd = tmpCwd();
+
+      try {
+        initGitRepo(cwd);
+        commitFile(cwd, "base.txt", "base\n");
+
+        const nestedDir = path.join(cwd, "nested", "dir");
+        mkdirSync(nestedDir, { recursive: true });
+
+        const subscriptionId = "checkout-diff-subdir-e2e-subscription";
+        const initial = await ctx.client.subscribeCheckoutDiff(
+          nestedDir,
+          { mode: "uncommitted" },
+          { subscriptionId }
+        );
+
+        expect(initial.error).toBeNull();
+        expect(initial.files).toEqual([]);
+
+        writeFileSync(path.join(cwd, "outside-subdir.txt"), "changed outside\n");
+
+        const update = await waitForCheckoutDiffUpdate(
+          ctx,
+          subscriptionId,
+          (payload) => payload.files.some((file) => file.path === "outside-subdir.txt")
+        );
+
+        expect(update.error).toBeNull();
+        expect(update.files.some((file) => file.path === "outside-subdir.txt")).toBe(true);
+
+        ctx.client.unsubscribeCheckoutDiff(subscriptionId);
+      } finally {
+        rmSync(cwd, { recursive: true, force: true });
+      }
+    },
+    60000
+  );
+});
diff --git a/packages/server/src/server/session.ts b/packages/server/src/server/session.ts
index 0d023d447..4203be4bf 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/server/session.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/server/session.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import { v4 as uuidv4 } from "uuid";
+import { watch, type FSWatcher } from "node:fs";
 import { stat } from "fs/promises";
 import { exec } from "child_process";
 import { promisify } from "util";
@@ -19,6 +20,8 @@ import {
   type UnsubscribeTerminalRequest,
   type TerminalInput,
   type KillTerminalRequest,
+  type SubscribeCheckoutDiffRequest,
+  type UnsubscribeCheckoutDiffRequest,
   type ProjectCheckoutLitePayload,
   type ProjectPlacementPayload,
 } from "./messages.js";
@@ -131,6 +134,8 @@ const DEFAULT_AGENT_PROVIDER = AGENT_PROVIDER_IDS[0];
 const RESTART_EXIT_DELAY_MS = 250;
 const PROJECT_PLACEMENT_CACHE_TTL_MS = 10_000;
 const MAX_AGENTS_PER_PROJECT = 5;
+const CHECKOUT_DIFF_WATCH_DEBOUNCE_MS = 150;
+const CHECKOUT_DIFF_FALLBACK_REFRESH_MS = 5_000;
 
 /**
  * Default model used for auto-generating commit messages and PR descriptions.
@@ -212,6 +217,28 @@ function deriveProjectGroupingName(projectKey: string): string {
 
 type ProcessingPhase = "idle" | "transcribing";
 
+type CheckoutDiffCompareInput = SubscribeCheckoutDiffRequest["compare"];
+
+type CheckoutDiffSnapshotPayload = Omit<
+  Extract<SessionOutboundMessage, { type: "checkout_diff_update" }>["payload"],
+  "subscriptionId"
+>;
+
+type CheckoutDiffWatchTarget = {
+  key: string;
+  cwd: string;
+  diffCwd: string;
+  compare: CheckoutDiffCompareInput;
+  subscriptions: Set<string>;
+  watchers: FSWatcher[];
+  fallbackRefreshInterval: NodeJS.Timeout | null;
+  debounceTimer: NodeJS.Timeout | null;
+  refreshPromise: Promise<void> | null;
+  refreshQueued: boolean;
+  latestPayload: CheckoutDiffSnapshotPayload | null;
+  latestFingerprint: string | null;
+};
+
 type NormalizedGitOptions = {
   baseBranch?: string;
   createNewBranch: boolean;
@@ -455,6 +482,8 @@ export class Session {
   private readonly MOBILE_BACKGROUND_STREAM_GRACE_MS = 60_000;
   private readonly terminalManager: TerminalManager | null;
   private terminalSubscriptions: Map<string, () => void> = new Map();
+  private readonly checkoutDiffSubscriptions = new Map<string, { targetKey: string }>();
+  private readonly checkoutDiffTargets = new Map<string, CheckoutDiffWatchTarget>();
   private readonly voiceAgentMcpStdio: VoiceMcpStdioConfig | null;
   private readonly localSpeechModelsDir: string;
   private readonly defaultLocalSpeechModelIds: LocalSpeechModelId[];
@@ -1189,8 +1218,12 @@ export class Session {
           await this.handleValidateBranchRequest(msg);
           break;
 
-        case "checkout_diff_request":
-          await this.handleCheckoutDiffRequest(msg);
+        case "subscribe_checkout_diff_request":
+          await this.handleSubscribeCheckoutDiffRequest(msg);
+          break;
+
+        case "unsubscribe_checkout_diff_request":
+          this.handleUnsubscribeCheckoutDiffRequest(msg);
           break;
 
         case "checkout_commit_request":
@@ -3496,14 +3529,127 @@ export class Session {
     }
   }
 
-  private async handleCheckoutDiffRequest(
-    msg: Extract<SessionInboundMessage, { type: "checkout_diff_request" }>
-  ): Promise<void> {
-    const { cwd, requestId, compare } = msg;
+  private normalizeCheckoutDiffCompare(compare: CheckoutDiffCompareInput): CheckoutDiffCompareInput {
+    if (compare.mode === "uncommitted") {
+      return { mode: "uncommitted" };
+    }
+    const trimmedBaseRef = compare.baseRef?.trim();
+    return trimmedBaseRef
+      ? { mode: "base", baseRef: trimmedBaseRef }
+      : { mode: "base" };
+  }
 
+  private buildCheckoutDiffTargetKey(cwd: string, compare: CheckoutDiffCompareInput): string {
+    return JSON.stringify([
+      cwd,
+      compare.mode,
+      compare.mode === "base" ? (compare.baseRef ?? "") : "",
+    ]);
+  }
+
+  private closeCheckoutDiffWatchTarget(target: CheckoutDiffWatchTarget): void {
+    if (target.debounceTimer) {
+      clearTimeout(target.debounceTimer);
+      target.debounceTimer = null;
+    }
+    if (target.fallbackRefreshInterval) {
+      clearInterval(target.fallbackRefreshInterval);
+      target.fallbackRefreshInterval = null;
+    }
+    for (const watcher of target.watchers) {
+      watcher.close();
+    }
+    target.watchers = [];
+  }
+
+  private removeCheckoutDiffSubscription(subscriptionId: string): void {
+    const subscription = this.checkoutDiffSubscriptions.get(subscriptionId);
+    if (!subscription) {
+      return;
+    }
+    this.checkoutDiffSubscriptions.delete(subscriptionId);
+
+    const target = this.checkoutDiffTargets.get(subscription.targetKey);
+    if (!target) {
+      return;
+    }
+    target.subscriptions.delete(subscriptionId);
+    if (target.subscriptions.size === 0) {
+      this.closeCheckoutDiffWatchTarget(target);
+      this.checkoutDiffTargets.delete(subscription.targetKey);
+    }
+  }
+
+  private async resolveCheckoutGitDir(cwd: string): Promise<string | null> {
+    try {
+      const { stdout } = await execAsync("git rev-parse --absolute-git-dir", {
+        cwd,
+        env: READ_ONLY_GIT_ENV,
+      });
+      const gitDir = stdout.trim();
+      return gitDir.length > 0 ? gitDir : null;
+    } catch {
+      return null;
+    }
+  }
+
+  private async resolveCheckoutWatchRoot(cwd: string): Promise<string | null> {
+    try {
+      const { stdout } = await execAsync(
+        "git rev-parse --path-format=absolute --show-toplevel",
+        {
+          cwd,
+          env: READ_ONLY_GIT_ENV,
+        }
+      );
+      const root = stdout.trim();
+      return root.length > 0 ? root : null;
+    } catch {
+      return null;
+    }
+  }
+
+  private scheduleCheckoutDiffTargetRefresh(target: CheckoutDiffWatchTarget): void {
+    if (target.debounceTimer) {
+      clearTimeout(target.debounceTimer);
+    }
+    target.debounceTimer = setTimeout(() => {
+      target.debounceTimer = null;
+      void this.refreshCheckoutDiffTarget(target);
+    }, CHECKOUT_DIFF_WATCH_DEBOUNCE_MS);
+  }
+
+  private emitCheckoutDiffUpdate(
+    target: CheckoutDiffWatchTarget,
+    snapshot: CheckoutDiffSnapshotPayload
+  ): void {
+    if (target.subscriptions.size === 0) {
+      return;
+    }
+    for (const subscriptionId of target.subscriptions) {
+      this.emit({
+        type: "checkout_diff_update",
+        payload: {
+          subscriptionId,
+          ...snapshot,
+        },
+      });
+    }
+  }
+
+  private checkoutDiffSnapshotFingerprint(snapshot: CheckoutDiffSnapshotPayload): string {
+    return JSON.stringify(snapshot);
+  }
+
+  private async computeCheckoutDiffSnapshot(
+    cwd: string,
+    compare: CheckoutDiffCompareInput,
+    options?: { diffCwd?: string }
+  ): Promise<CheckoutDiffSnapshotPayload> {
+    const diffCwd = options?.diffCwd ?? cwd;
     try {
       const diffResult = await getCheckoutDiff(
-        cwd,
+        diffCwd,
         {
           mode: compare.mode,
           baseRef: compare.baseRef,
@@ -3511,25 +3657,202 @@ export class Session {
         },
         { paseoHome: this.paseoHome }
       );
-      this.emit({
-        type: "checkout_diff_response",
-        payload: {
-          cwd,
-          files: diffResult.structured ?? [],
-          error: null,
-          requestId,
-        },
+      const files = [...(diffResult.structured ?? [])];
+      files.sort((a, b) => {
+        if (a.path === b.path) return 0;
+        return a.path < b.path ? -1 : 1;
       });
+      return {
+        cwd,
+        files,
+        error: null,
+      };
     } catch (error) {
-      this.emit({
-        type: "checkout_diff_response",
-        payload: {
-          cwd,
-          files: [],
-          error: this.toCheckoutError(error),
-          requestId,
-        },
+      return {
+        cwd,
+        files: [],
+        error: this.toCheckoutError(error),
+      };
+    }
+  }
+
+  private async refreshCheckoutDiffTarget(target: CheckoutDiffWatchTarget): Promise<void> {
+    if (target.refreshPromise) {
+      target.refreshQueued = true;
+      return;
+    }
+
+    target.refreshPromise = (async () => {
+      do {
+        target.refreshQueued = false;
+        const snapshot = await this.computeCheckoutDiffSnapshot(
+          target.cwd,
+          target.compare,
+          { diffCwd: target.diffCwd }
+        );
+        target.latestPayload = snapshot;
+        const fingerprint = this.checkoutDiffSnapshotFingerprint(snapshot);
+        if (fingerprint !== target.latestFingerprint) {
+          target.latestFingerprint = fingerprint;
+          this.emitCheckoutDiffUpdate(target, snapshot);
+        }
+      } while (target.refreshQueued);
+    })();
+
+    try {
+      await target.refreshPromise;
+    } finally {
+      target.refreshPromise = null;
+    }
+  }
+
+  private async ensureCheckoutDiffWatchTarget(
+    cwd: string,
+    compare: CheckoutDiffCompareInput
+  ): Promise<CheckoutDiffWatchTarget> {
+    const targetKey = this.buildCheckoutDiffTargetKey(cwd, compare);
+    const existing = this.checkoutDiffTargets.get(targetKey);
+    if (existing) {
+      return existing;
+    }
+
+    const watchRoot = await this.resolveCheckoutWatchRoot(cwd);
+    const target: CheckoutDiffWatchTarget = {
+      key: targetKey,
+      cwd,
+      diffCwd: watchRoot ?? cwd,
+      compare,
+      subscriptions: new Set(),
+      watchers: [],
+      fallbackRefreshInterval: null,
+      debounceTimer: null,
+      refreshPromise: null,
+      refreshQueued: false,
+      latestPayload: null,
+      latestFingerprint: null,
+    };
+
+    const watchPaths = new Set<string>([cwd]);
+    if (watchRoot) {
+      watchPaths.add(watchRoot);
+    }
+    const gitDir = await this.resolveCheckoutGitDir(cwd);
+    if (gitDir) {
+      watchPaths.add(gitDir);
+    }
+
+    let hasWatchRootCoverage = false;
+    for (const watchPath of watchPaths) {
+      const createWatcher = (recursive: boolean): FSWatcher =>
+        watch(
+          watchPath,
+          { recursive },
+          () => {
+            this.scheduleCheckoutDiffTargetRefresh(target);
+          }
+        );
+
+      let watcher: FSWatcher | null = null;
+      try {
+        watcher = createWatcher(true);
+      } catch (error) {
+        try {
+          watcher = createWatcher(false);
+          this.sessionLogger.warn(
+            { err: error, watchPath, cwd, compare },
+            "Checkout diff recursive watch unavailable; using non-recursive fallback"
+          );
+        } catch (fallbackError) {
+          this.sessionLogger.warn(
+            { err: fallbackError, watchPath, cwd, compare },
+            "Failed to start checkout diff watcher"
+          );
+        }
+      }
+
+      if (!watcher) {
+        continue;
+      }
+
+      watcher.on("error", (error) => {
+        this.sessionLogger.warn(
+          { err: error, watchPath, cwd, compare },
+          "Checkout diff watcher error"
+        );
       });
+      target.watchers.push(watcher);
+      if (watchRoot && watchPath === watchRoot) {
+        hasWatchRootCoverage = true;
+      }
+    }
+
+    const missingRepoCoverage = Boolean(watchRoot) && !hasWatchRootCoverage;
+    if (target.watchers.length === 0 || missingRepoCoverage) {
+      target.fallbackRefreshInterval = setInterval(() => {
+        this.scheduleCheckoutDiffTargetRefresh(target);
+      }, CHECKOUT_DIFF_FALLBACK_REFRESH_MS);
+      this.sessionLogger.warn(
+        {
+          cwd,
+          compare,
+          intervalMs: CHECKOUT_DIFF_FALLBACK_REFRESH_MS,
+          reason:
+            target.watchers.length === 0
+              ? "no_watchers"
+              : "missing_repo_root_coverage",
+        },
+        "Checkout diff watchers unavailable; using timed refresh fallback"
+      );
+    }
+
+    this.checkoutDiffTargets.set(targetKey, target);
+    return target;
+  }
+
+  private async handleSubscribeCheckoutDiffRequest(
+    msg: SubscribeCheckoutDiffRequest
+  ): Promise<void> {
+    const cwd = expandTilde(msg.cwd);
+    const compare = this.normalizeCheckoutDiffCompare(msg.compare);
+
+    this.removeCheckoutDiffSubscription(msg.subscriptionId);
+    const target = await this.ensureCheckoutDiffWatchTarget(cwd, compare);
+    target.subscriptions.add(msg.subscriptionId);
+    this.checkoutDiffSubscriptions.set(msg.subscriptionId, {
+      targetKey: target.key,
+    });
+
+    const snapshot =
+      target.latestPayload ??
+      (await this.computeCheckoutDiffSnapshot(cwd, compare, {
+        diffCwd: target.diffCwd,
+      }));
+    target.latestPayload = snapshot;
+    target.latestFingerprint = this.checkoutDiffSnapshotFingerprint(snapshot);
+
+    this.emit({
+      type: "subscribe_checkout_diff_response",
+      payload: {
+        subscriptionId: msg.subscriptionId,
+        ...snapshot,
+        requestId: msg.requestId,
+      },
+    });
+  }
+
+  private handleUnsubscribeCheckoutDiffRequest(
+    msg: UnsubscribeCheckoutDiffRequest
+  ): void {
+    this.removeCheckoutDiffSubscription(msg.subscriptionId);
+  }
+
+  private scheduleCheckoutDiffRefreshForCwd(cwd: string): void {
+    const resolvedCwd = expandTilde(cwd);
+    for (const target of this.checkoutDiffTargets.values()) {
+      if (target.cwd !== resolvedCwd && target.diffCwd !== resolvedCwd) {
+        continue;
+      }
+      this.scheduleCheckoutDiffTargetRefresh(target);
     }
   }
 
@@ -3551,6 +3874,7 @@ export class Session {
         message,
         addAll: msg.addAll ?? true,
       });
+      this.scheduleCheckoutDiffRefreshForCwd(cwd);
 
       this.emit({
         type: "checkout_commit_response",
@@ -3624,6 +3948,7 @@ export class Session {
         },
         { paseoHome: this.paseoHome }
       );
+      this.scheduleCheckoutDiffRefreshForCwd(cwd);
 
       this.emit({
         type: "checkout_merge_response",
@@ -3670,6 +3995,7 @@ export class Session {
           requireCleanTarget: msg.requireCleanTarget ?? true,
         },
       );
+      this.scheduleCheckoutDiffRefreshForCwd(cwd);
 
       this.emit({
         type: "checkout_merge_from_base_response",
@@ -5502,6 +5828,12 @@ export class Session {
       unsubscribe();
     }
     this.terminalSubscriptions.clear();
+
+    for (const target of this.checkoutDiffTargets.values()) {
+      this.closeCheckoutDiffWatchTarget(target);
+    }
+    this.checkoutDiffTargets.clear();
+    this.checkoutDiffSubscriptions.clear();
   }
 
   // ============================================================================
diff --git a/packages/server/src/shared/messages.ts b/packages/server/src/shared/messages.ts
index b0d87c752..25b5f2284 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/shared/messages.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/shared/messages.ts
@@ -707,13 +707,19 @@ export const CheckoutStatusRequestSchema = z.object({
   requestId: z.string(),
 });
 
-export const CheckoutDiffRequestSchema = z.object({
-  type: z.literal("checkout_diff_request"),
+export const SubscribeCheckoutDiffRequestSchema = z.object({
+  type: z.literal("subscribe_checkout_diff_request"),
+  subscriptionId: z.string(),
   cwd: z.string(),
   compare: CheckoutDiffCompareSchema,
   requestId: z.string(),
 });
 
+export const UnsubscribeCheckoutDiffRequestSchema = z.object({
+  type: z.literal("unsubscribe_checkout_diff_request"),
+  subscriptionId: z.string(),
+});
+
 export const CheckoutCommitRequestSchema = z.object({
   type: z.literal("checkout_commit_request"),
   cwd: z.string(),
@@ -987,7 +993,8 @@ export const SessionInboundMessageSchema = z.discriminatedUnion("type", [
   AgentPermissionResponseMessageSchema,
   GitDiffRequestSchema,
   CheckoutStatusRequestSchema,
-  CheckoutDiffRequestSchema,
+  SubscribeCheckoutDiffRequestSchema,
+  UnsubscribeCheckoutDiffRequestSchema,
   CheckoutCommitRequestSchema,
   CheckoutMergeRequestSchema,
   CheckoutMergeFromBaseRequestSchema,
@@ -1455,16 +1462,25 @@ export const CheckoutStatusResponseSchema = z.object({
   ]),
 });
 
-export const CheckoutDiffResponseSchema = z.object({
-  type: z.literal("checkout_diff_response"),
-  payload: z.object({
-    cwd: z.string(),
-    files: z.array(ParsedDiffFileSchema),
-    error: CheckoutErrorSchema.nullable(),
+const CheckoutDiffSubscriptionPayloadSchema = z.object({
+  subscriptionId: z.string(),
+  cwd: z.string(),
+  files: z.array(ParsedDiffFileSchema),
+  error: CheckoutErrorSchema.nullable(),
+});
+
+export const SubscribeCheckoutDiffResponseSchema = z.object({
+  type: z.literal("subscribe_checkout_diff_response"),
+  payload: CheckoutDiffSubscriptionPayloadSchema.extend({
     requestId: z.string(),
   }),
 });
 
+export const CheckoutDiffUpdateSchema = z.object({
+  type: z.literal("checkout_diff_update"),
+  payload: CheckoutDiffSubscriptionPayloadSchema,
+});
+
 export const CheckoutCommitResponseSchema = z.object({
   type: z.literal("checkout_commit_response"),
   payload: z.object({
@@ -1800,7 +1816,8 @@ export const SessionOutboundMessageSchema = z.discriminatedUnion("type", [
   AgentArchivedMessageSchema,
   GitDiffResponseSchema,
   CheckoutStatusResponseSchema,
-  CheckoutDiffResponseSchema,
+  SubscribeCheckoutDiffResponseSchema,
+  CheckoutDiffUpdateSchema,
   CheckoutCommitResponseSchema,
   CheckoutMergeResponseSchema,
   CheckoutMergeFromBaseResponseSchema,
@@ -1909,8 +1926,16 @@ export type GitDiffRequest = z.infer<typeof GitDiffRequestSchema>;
 export type GitDiffResponse = z.infer<typeof GitDiffResponseSchema>;
 export type CheckoutStatusRequest = z.infer<typeof CheckoutStatusRequestSchema>;
 export type CheckoutStatusResponse = z.infer<typeof CheckoutStatusResponseSchema>;
-export type CheckoutDiffRequest = z.infer<typeof CheckoutDiffRequestSchema>;
-export type CheckoutDiffResponse = z.infer<typeof CheckoutDiffResponseSchema>;
+export type SubscribeCheckoutDiffRequest = z.infer<
+  typeof SubscribeCheckoutDiffRequestSchema
+>;
+export type UnsubscribeCheckoutDiffRequest = z.infer<
+  typeof UnsubscribeCheckoutDiffRequestSchema
+>;
+export type SubscribeCheckoutDiffResponse = z.infer<
+  typeof SubscribeCheckoutDiffResponseSchema
+>;
+export type CheckoutDiffUpdate = z.infer<typeof CheckoutDiffUpdateSchema>;
 export type CheckoutCommitRequest = z.infer<typeof CheckoutCommitRequestSchema>;
 export type CheckoutCommitResponse = z.infer<typeof CheckoutCommitResponseSchema>;
 export type CheckoutMergeRequest = z.infer<typeof CheckoutMergeRequestSchema>;
diff --git a/packages/server/src/utils/checkout-git.ts b/packages/server/src/utils/checkout-git.ts
index 81fd6366c..49536eef1 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/utils/checkout-git.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/utils/checkout-git.ts
@@ -942,7 +942,10 @@ export async function getCheckoutDiff(
   }
 
   const changes = await listCheckoutFileChanges(cwd, refForDiff);
-  changes.sort((a, b) => a.path.localeCompare(b.path));
+  changes.sort((a, b) => {
+    if (a.path === b.path) return 0;
+    return a.path < b.path ? -1 : 1;
+  });
 
   const structured: ParsedDiffFile[] = [];
   let diffText = "";