diff --git a/lua/claudecode/config.lua b/lua/claudecode/config.lua
index a4fd436..9037e65 100644
--- a/lua/claudecode/config.lua
+++ b/lua/claudecode/config.lua
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ M.defaults = {
     keep_terminal_focus = false, -- If true, moves focus back to terminal after diff opens (including floating terminals)
     hide_terminal_in_new_tab = false, -- If true and opening in a new tab, do not show Claude terminal there
     on_new_file_reject = "keep_empty", -- "keep_empty" leaves an empty buffer; "close_window" closes the placeholder split
+    minimize_empty_diff_pane = false, -- If true, minimize the empty left pane width for new files (keeps diff highlighting)
   },
   models = {
     { name = "Claude Opus 4.1 (Latest)", value = "opus" },
@@ -141,6 +142,12 @@ function M.validate(config)
       "diff_opts.on_new_file_reject must be 'keep_empty' or 'close_window'"
     )
   end
+  if config.diff_opts.minimize_empty_diff_pane ~= nil then
+    assert(
+      type(config.diff_opts.minimize_empty_diff_pane) == "boolean",
+      "diff_opts.minimize_empty_diff_pane must be a boolean"
+    )
+  end
 
   -- Legacy diff options (accept if present to avoid breaking old configs)
   if config.diff_opts.auto_close_on_accept ~= nil then
diff --git a/lua/claudecode/diff.lua b/lua/claudecode/diff.lua
index e301f8a..56e4fb1 100644
--- a/lua/claudecode/diff.lua
+++ b/lua/claudecode/diff.lua
@@ -1217,6 +1217,14 @@ function M._setup_blocking_diff(params, resolution_callback)
       existing_buffer
     )
 
+    -- Minimize left pane width for new files if option enabled
+    if is_new_file and config and config.diff_opts and config.diff_opts.minimize_empty_diff_pane then
+      if diff_info.target_window and vim.api.nvim_win_is_valid(diff_info.target_window) then
+        local min_width = 8 -- Minimal width to show line numbers and diff signs
+        vim.api.nvim_win_set_width(diff_info.target_window, min_width)
+      end
+    end
+
     local autocmd_ids = register_diff_autocmds(tab_name, new_buffer)
 
     local original_cursor_pos = nil