diff --git a/server/services/spec_chat_session.py b/server/services/spec_chat_session.py
index 5b8f952..d762ac0 100644
--- a/server/services/spec_chat_session.py
+++ b/server/services/spec_chat_session.py
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ class SpecChatSession:
                     ],
                     permission_mode="acceptEdits",  # Auto-approve file writes for spec creation
                     max_turns=100,
-                    cwd=str(ROOT_DIR.resolve()),
+                    cwd=str(self.project_dir.resolve()),
                 )
             )
             # Enter the async context and track it
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ class SpecChatSession:
                             # Check app_spec.txt
                             if pending_writes["app_spec"] and tool_use_id == pending_writes["app_spec"].get("tool_id"):
                                 file_path = pending_writes["app_spec"]["path"]
-                                full_path = ROOT_DIR / file_path
+                                full_path = Path(file_path) if Path(file_path).is_absolute() else self.project_dir / file_path
                                 if full_path.exists():
                                     logger.info(f"app_spec.txt verified at: {full_path}")
                                     files_written["app_spec"] = True
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ class SpecChatSession:
                             # Check initializer_prompt.md
                             if pending_writes["initializer"] and tool_use_id == pending_writes["initializer"].get("tool_id"):
                                 file_path = pending_writes["initializer"]["path"]
-                                full_path = ROOT_DIR / file_path
+                                full_path = Path(file_path) if Path(file_path).is_absolute() else self.project_dir / file_path
                                 if full_path.exists():
                                     logger.info(f"initializer_prompt.md verified at: {full_path}")
                                     files_written["initializer"] = True
diff --git a/start_ui.py b/start_ui.py
index 4edf1c9..0eb0824 100644
--- a/start_ui.py
+++ b/start_ui.py
@@ -28,8 +28,14 @@ import time
 import webbrowser
 from pathlib import Path
 
+from dotenv import load_dotenv
+
 
 ROOT = Path(__file__).parent.absolute()
+
+# Load environment variables from .env file
+# This ensures env vars like PROGRESS_N8N_WEBHOOK_URL are available to subprocesses
+load_dotenv(ROOT / ".env")
 VENV_DIR = ROOT / "venv"
 UI_DIR = ROOT / "ui"
 
diff --git a/ui/src/components/AddFeatureForm.tsx b/ui/src/components/AddFeatureForm.tsx
index be0c3cd..16e7b7e 100644
--- a/ui/src/components/AddFeatureForm.tsx
+++ b/ui/src/components/AddFeatureForm.tsx
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ export function AddFeatureForm({ projectName, onClose }: AddFeatureFormProps) {
   const [category, setCategory] = useState('')
   const [name, setName] = useState('')
   const [description, setDescription] = useState('')
+  const [priority, setPriority] = useState('')
   const [steps, setSteps] = useState<Step[]>([{ id: `${formId}-step-0`, value: '' }])
   const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null)
   const [stepCounter, setStepCounter] = useState(1)
@@ -53,6 +54,7 @@ export function AddFeatureForm({ projectName, onClose }: AddFeatureFormProps) {
         name: name.trim(),
         description: description.trim(),
         steps: filteredSteps,
+        priority: priority ? parseInt(priority, 10) : undefined,
       })
       onClose()
     } catch (err) {
@@ -98,19 +100,34 @@ export function AddFeatureForm({ projectName, onClose }: AddFeatureFormProps) {
             </div>
           )}
 
-          {/* Category */}
-          <div>
-            <label className="block font-display font-bold mb-2 uppercase text-sm">
-              Category
-            </label>
-            <input
-              type="text"
-              value={category}
-              onChange={(e) => setCategory(e.target.value)}
-              placeholder="e.g., Authentication, UI, API"
-              className="neo-input"
-              required
-            />
+          {/* Category & Priority Row */}
+          <div className="flex gap-4">
+            <div className="flex-1">
+              <label className="block font-display font-bold mb-2 uppercase text-sm">
+                Category
+              </label>
+              <input
+                type="text"
+                value={category}
+                onChange={(e) => setCategory(e.target.value)}
+                placeholder="e.g., Authentication, UI, API"
+                className="neo-input"
+                required
+              />
+            </div>
+            <div className="w-32">
+              <label className="block font-display font-bold mb-2 uppercase text-sm">
+                Priority
+              </label>
+              <input
+                type="number"
+                value={priority}
+                onChange={(e) => setPriority(e.target.value)}
+                placeholder="Auto"
+                min="1"
+                className="neo-input"
+              />
+            </div>
           </div>
 
           {/* Name */}