diff --git a/packages/cli/src/ui/AppContainer.tsx b/packages/cli/src/ui/AppContainer.tsx
index c8925ae3b2..911a0fb114 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/ui/AppContainer.tsx
+++ b/packages/cli/src/ui/AppContainer.tsx
@@ -436,6 +436,7 @@ export const AppContainer = (props: AppContainerProps) => {
   const [isOfflineMode, setIsOfflineMode] = useState(
     config.isOfflineModeEnabled(),
   );
+  const [cloudSubagentActive, setCloudSubagentActive] = useState(false);
 
   const [userTier, setUserTier] = useState<UserTierId | undefined>(undefined);
   const [quotaStats, setQuotaStats] = useState<QuotaStats | undefined>(() => {
@@ -573,6 +574,11 @@ export const AppContainer = (props: AppContainerProps) => {
     const handleOfflineModeChanged = (payload: { enabled: boolean }) => {
       setIsOfflineMode(payload.enabled);
     };
+    const handleCloudSubagentExecution = (payload: {
+      state: 'started' | 'ended';
+    }) => {
+      setCloudSubagentActive(payload.state === 'started');
+    };
 
     const handleQuotaChanged = (payload: {
       remaining: number | undefined;
@@ -588,10 +594,18 @@ export const AppContainer = (props: AppContainerProps) => {
 
     coreEvents.on(CoreEvent.ModelChanged, handleModelChanged);
     coreEvents.on(CoreEvent.OfflineModeChanged, handleOfflineModeChanged);
+    coreEvents.on(
+      CoreEvent.CloudSubagentExecution,
+      handleCloudSubagentExecution,
+    );
     coreEvents.on(CoreEvent.QuotaChanged, handleQuotaChanged);
     return () => {
       coreEvents.off(CoreEvent.ModelChanged, handleModelChanged);
       coreEvents.off(CoreEvent.OfflineModeChanged, handleOfflineModeChanged);
+      coreEvents.off(
+        CoreEvent.CloudSubagentExecution,
+        handleCloudSubagentExecution,
+      );
       coreEvents.off(CoreEvent.QuotaChanged, handleQuotaChanged);
     };
   }, [config]);
@@ -2502,6 +2516,7 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       showApprovalModeIndicator,
       allowPlanMode,
       isOfflineMode,
+      cloudSubagentActive,
       currentModel,
       contextFileNames,
       errorCount,
@@ -2614,6 +2629,7 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       showApprovalModeIndicator,
       allowPlanMode,
       isOfflineMode,
+      cloudSubagentActive,
       contextFileNames,
       errorCount,
       availableTerminalHeight,
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/ui/components/PulsingDot.tsx b/packages/cli/src/ui/components/PulsingDot.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f19b18ad1c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/cli/src/ui/components/PulsingDot.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+/**
+ * @license
+ * Copyright 2026 Google LLC
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
+import type React from 'react';
+import { Text } from 'ink';
+import { usePulsingColor } from '../hooks/usePulsingColor.js';
+
+interface PulsingDotProps {
+  /** Full-brightness color */
+  color: string;
+  /** Dim color at the trough of the pulse */
+  dimColor: string;
+  /** Duration of one full pulse cycle in ms */
+  cycleDurationMs: number;
+  /** Whether the dot is actively pulsing. When false, renders static at full color. */
+  active: boolean;
+  /** Optional label text rendered after the dot */
+  label?: string;
+}
+
+export const PulsingDot: React.FC<PulsingDotProps> = ({
+  color,
+  dimColor,
+  cycleDurationMs,
+  active,
+  label,
+}) => {
+  const currentColor = usePulsingColor(
+    color,
+    dimColor,
+    cycleDurationMs,
+    active,
+  );
+
+  return (
+    <Text color={currentColor}>
+      {active ? '◉' : '●'} {label}
+    </Text>
+  );
+};
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/ui/components/StatusRow.test.tsx b/packages/cli/src/ui/components/StatusRow.test.tsx
index 0383de78ff..fc46f7fafa 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/ui/components/StatusRow.test.tsx
+++ b/packages/cli/src/ui/components/StatusRow.test.tsx
@@ -47,6 +47,8 @@ describe('<StatusRow />', () => {
       showWit: true,
       modeContentObj: null,
       showMinimalContext: false,
+      isOfflineMode: false,
+      cloudSubagentActive: false,
     });
 
     const uiState: Partial<UIState> = {
@@ -87,6 +89,8 @@ describe('<StatusRow />', () => {
       showWit: false,
       modeContentObj: null,
       showMinimalContext: false,
+      isOfflineMode: false,
+      cloudSubagentActive: false,
     });
 
     const { lastFrame, waitUntilReady } = await renderWithProviders(
@@ -116,6 +120,8 @@ describe('<StatusRow />', () => {
       showWit: true,
       modeContentObj: null,
       showMinimalContext: false,
+      isOfflineMode: false,
+      cloudSubagentActive: false,
     });
 
     const uiState: Partial<UIState> = {
@@ -150,6 +156,8 @@ describe('<StatusRow />', () => {
       showWit: false,
       modeContentObj: null,
       showMinimalContext: false,
+      isOfflineMode: true,
+      cloudSubagentActive: false,
     });
 
     const uiState: Partial<UIState> = {
@@ -175,4 +183,43 @@ describe('<StatusRow />', () => {
     await waitUntilReady();
     expect(lastFrame()).toContain('offline');
   });
+
+  it('renders cloud indicator when cloud subagent is active', async () => {
+    (useComposerStatus as Mock).mockReturnValue({
+      isInteractiveShellWaiting: false,
+      showLoadingIndicator: false,
+      showTips: false,
+      showWit: false,
+      modeContentObj: null,
+      showMinimalContext: false,
+      isOfflineMode: true,
+      cloudSubagentActive: true,
+    });
+
+    const uiState: Partial<UIState> = {
+      ...defaultUiState,
+      isOfflineMode: true,
+      cloudSubagentActive: true,
+    };
+
+    const { lastFrame, waitUntilReady } = await renderWithProviders(
+      <StatusRow
+        showUiDetails={true}
+        isNarrow={false}
+        terminalWidth={100}
+        hideContextSummary={false}
+        hideUiDetailsForSuggestions={false}
+        hasPendingActionRequired={false}
+      />,
+      {
+        width: 100,
+        uiState,
+      },
+    );
+
+    await waitUntilReady();
+    const output = lastFrame();
+    expect(output).toContain('offline');
+    expect(output).toContain('cloud');
+  });
 });
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/ui/components/StatusRow.tsx b/packages/cli/src/ui/components/StatusRow.tsx
index 21f7d06387..acf251178c 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/ui/components/StatusRow.tsx
+++ b/packages/cli/src/ui/components/StatusRow.tsx
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ import {
   type ThoughtSummary,
 } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
 import stripAnsi from 'strip-ansi';
-import { type ActiveHook } from '../types.js';
+import { type ActiveHook, StreamingState } from '../types.js';
 import { useUIState } from '../contexts/UIStateContext.js';
 import { useSettings } from '../contexts/SettingsContext.js';
 import { theme } from '../semantic-colors.js';
@@ -25,7 +25,9 @@ import { HorizontalLine } from './shared/HorizontalLine.js';
 import { ApprovalModeIndicator } from './ApprovalModeIndicator.js';
 import { ShellModeIndicator } from './ShellModeIndicator.js';
 import { RawMarkdownIndicator } from './RawMarkdownIndicator.js';
+import { PulsingDot } from './PulsingDot.js';
 import { useComposerStatus } from '../hooks/useComposerStatus.js';
+import { useStreamingContext } from '../contexts/StreamingContext.js';
 
 /**
  * Layout constants to prevent magic numbers.
@@ -173,7 +175,14 @@ export const StatusRow: React.FC<StatusRowProps> = ({
     showWit,
     modeContentObj,
     showMinimalContext,
+    isOfflineMode,
+    cloudSubagentActive,
   } = useComposerStatus();
+  const streamingState = useStreamingContext();
+  const isLocalActive =
+    isOfflineMode &&
+    streamingState === StreamingState.Responding &&
+    !cloudSubagentActive;
 
   const [statusWidth, setStatusWidth] = useState(0);
   const [tipWidth, setTipWidth] = useState(0);
@@ -411,9 +420,28 @@ export const StatusRow: React.FC<StatusRowProps> = ({
                     <RawMarkdownIndicator />
                   </Box>
                 )}
-                {uiState.isOfflineMode && (
-                  <Box marginLeft={LAYOUT.INDICATOR_LEFT_MARGIN}>
-                    <Text color={theme.status.success}>● offline</Text>
+                {isOfflineMode && (
+                  <Box
+                    marginLeft={LAYOUT.INDICATOR_LEFT_MARGIN}
+                    flexDirection="row"
+                    gap={1}
+                  >
+                    <PulsingDot
+                      color={theme.status.success}
+                      dimColor={theme.ui.dark}
+                      cycleDurationMs={1500}
+                      active={isLocalActive}
+                      label="offline"
+                    />
+                    {cloudSubagentActive && (
+                      <PulsingDot
+                        color={theme.status.warning}
+                        dimColor={theme.ui.dark}
+                        cycleDurationMs={800}
+                        active={true}
+                        label="cloud"
+                      />
+                    )}
                   </Box>
                 )}
               </>
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/ui/components/messages/SubagentProgressDisplay.tsx b/packages/cli/src/ui/components/messages/SubagentProgressDisplay.tsx
index 995c404d9d..31855daaa9 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/ui/components/messages/SubagentProgressDisplay.tsx
+++ b/packages/cli/src/ui/components/messages/SubagentProgressDisplay.tsx
@@ -62,18 +62,25 @@ export const SubagentProgressDisplay: React.FC<
   let headerText: string | undefined;
   let headerColor = theme.text.secondary;
 
+  const isCloud =
+    progress.agentName === 'cloud-subagent' ||
+    progress.agentName === 'cloud_subagent';
+  const prefix = isCloud ? '☁ Cloud' : `Subagent ${progress.agentName}`;
+
   if (progress.state === 'cancelled') {
-    headerText = `Subagent ${progress.agentName} was cancelled.`;
+    headerText = `${prefix} was cancelled.`;
     headerColor = theme.status.warning;
   } else if (progress.state === 'error') {
-    headerText = `Subagent ${progress.agentName} failed.`;
+    headerText = `${prefix} failed.`;
     headerColor = theme.status.error;
   } else if (progress.state === 'completed') {
-    headerText = `Subagent ${progress.agentName} completed.`;
+    headerText = `${prefix} completed.`;
     headerColor = theme.status.success;
   } else {
-    headerText = `Running subagent ${progress.agentName}...`;
-    headerColor = theme.text.primary;
+    headerText = isCloud
+      ? `☁ Running cloud subagent...`
+      : `Running subagent ${progress.agentName}...`;
+    headerColor = isCloud ? theme.status.warning : theme.text.primary;
   }
 
   return (
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/ui/components/messages/ToolConfirmationMessage.test.tsx b/packages/cli/src/ui/components/messages/ToolConfirmationMessage.test.tsx
index 477885b07f..5ff6e03a5a 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/ui/components/messages/ToolConfirmationMessage.test.tsx
+++ b/packages/cli/src/ui/components/messages/ToolConfirmationMessage.test.tsx
@@ -100,9 +100,9 @@ describe('ToolConfirmationMessage', () => {
   it('should use allow/always allow/deny labels for cloud-subagent confirmations', async () => {
     const confirmationDetails: SerializableConfirmationDetails = {
       type: 'info',
-      title: 'Delegate to cloud-subagent',
+      title: '☁ Delegate to cloud subagent',
       prompt:
-        'Delegating to cloud-subagent for cloud execution.\nReason: Complex task.\nTask: Analyze migration risks.',
+        'This will run with full tool access in cloud mode.\n\nAnalyze migration risks across the codebase.',
     };
 
     const { lastFrame, unmount } = await renderWithProviders(
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/ui/components/messages/ToolConfirmationMessage.tsx b/packages/cli/src/ui/components/messages/ToolConfirmationMessage.tsx
index ff4015fd7e..a4891c6f67 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/ui/components/messages/ToolConfirmationMessage.tsx
+++ b/packages/cli/src/ui/components/messages/ToolConfirmationMessage.tsx
@@ -372,7 +372,9 @@ export const ToolConfirmationMessage: React.FC<
       });
     } else if (confirmationDetails.type === 'info') {
       const isCloudSubagentConfirmation =
-        toolName === 'cloud-subagent' || toolName === 'cloud_subagent';
+        toolName === 'cloud-subagent' ||
+        toolName === 'cloud_subagent' ||
+        confirmationDetails.title?.includes('cloud subagent');
 
       options.push({
         label: isCloudSubagentConfirmation ? 'Allow' : 'Allow once',
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/ui/components/messages/__snapshots__/ToolConfirmationMessage.test.tsx.snap b/packages/cli/src/ui/components/messages/__snapshots__/ToolConfirmationMessage.test.tsx.snap
index 6d33b6fbfb..e7d2d2f091 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/ui/components/messages/__snapshots__/ToolConfirmationMessage.test.tsx.snap
+++ b/packages/cli/src/ui/components/messages/__snapshots__/ToolConfirmationMessage.test.tsx.snap
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ exports[`ToolConfirmationMessage > enablePermanentToolApproval setting > should
 ╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯
 Apply this change?
 
-● 1. Allow once                                                                   
+● 1. Allow once
   2. Allow for this session
   3. Allow for this file in all future sessions ~/.gemini/policies/auto-saved.toml
   4. Modify with external editor
@@ -16,92 +16,6 @@ Apply this change?
 "
 `;
 
-exports[`ToolConfirmationMessage > height allocation and layout > should expand to available height for large edit diffs 1`] = `
-"╭──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
-│ ... 10 hidden (Ctrl+O) ...                                                   │
-│  6 - const oldLine6 = true;                                                  │
-│  6 + const newLine6 = true;                                                  │
-│  7 - const oldLine7 = true;                                                  │
-│  7 + const newLine7 = true;                                                  │
-│  8 - const oldLine8 = true;                                                  │
-│  8 + const newLine8 = true;                                                  │
-│  9 - const oldLine9 = true;                                                  │
-│  9 + const newLine9 = true;                                                  │
-│ 10 - const oldLine10 = true;                                                 │
-│ 10 + const newLine10 = true;                                                 │
-│ 11 - const oldLine11 = true;                                                 │
-│ 11 + const newLine11 = true;                                                 │
-│ 12 - const oldLine12 = true;                                                 │
-│ 12 + const newLine12 = true;                                                 │
-│ 13 - const oldLine13 = true;                                                 │
-│ 13 + const newLine13 = true;                                                 │
-│ 14 - const oldLine14 = true;                                                 │
-│ 14 + const newLine14 = true;                                                 │
-│ 15 - const oldLine15 = true;                                                 │
-│ 15 + const newLine15 = true;                                                 │
-│ 16 - const oldLine16 = true;                                                 │
-│ 16 + const newLine16 = true;                                                 │
-│ 17 - const oldLine17 = true;                                                 │
-│ 17 + const newLine17 = true;                                                 │
-│ 18 - const oldLine18 = true;                                                 │
-│ 18 + const newLine18 = true;                                                 │
-│ 19 - const oldLine19 = true;                                                 │
-│ 19 + const newLine19 = true;                                                 │
-│ 20 - const oldLine20 = true;                                                 │
-│ 20 + const newLine20 = true;                                                 │
-╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯
-Apply this change?
-
-● 1. Allow once                 
-  2. Allow for this session
-  3. Modify with external editor
-  4. No, suggest changes (esc)
-"
-`;
-
-exports[`ToolConfirmationMessage > height allocation and layout > should expand to available height for large exec commands 1`] = `
-"╭──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
-│ ... 19 hidden (Ctrl+O) ...                                                   │
-│ echo "Line 20"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 21"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 22"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 23"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 24"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 25"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 26"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 27"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 28"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 29"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 30"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 31"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 32"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 33"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 34"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 35"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 36"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 37"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 38"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 39"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 40"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 41"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 42"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 43"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 44"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 45"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 46"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 47"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 48"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 49"                                                               │
-│ echo "Line 50"                                                               │
-╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯
-Allow execution of [echo]?
-
-● 1. Allow once               
-  2. Allow for this session
-  3. No, suggest changes (esc)
-"
-`;
-
 exports[`ToolConfirmationMessage > should display multiple commands for exec type when provided 1`] = `
 "╭──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
 │ echo "hello"                                                                 │
@@ -112,7 +26,7 @@ exports[`ToolConfirmationMessage > should display multiple commands for exec typ
 ╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯
 Allow execution of [echo, ls, whoami]?
 
-● 1. Allow once               
+● 1. Allow once
   2. Allow for this session
   3. No, suggest changes (esc)
 "
@@ -125,7 +39,7 @@ URLs to fetch:
  - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/google/gemini-react/main/README.md
 Do you want to proceed?
 
-● 1. Allow once               
+● 1. Allow once
   2. Allow for this session
   3. No, suggest changes (esc)
 "
@@ -135,32 +49,18 @@ exports[`ToolConfirmationMessage > should not display urls if prompt and url are
 "https://example.com
 Do you want to proceed?
 
-● 1. Allow once               
+● 1. Allow once
   2. Allow for this session
   3. No, suggest changes (esc)
 "
 `;
 
-exports[`ToolConfirmationMessage > should render multiline shell scripts with correct newlines and syntax highlighting 1`] = `
-"╭──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
-│ echo "hello"                                                                 │
-│ for i in 1 2 3; do                                                           │
-│   echo $i                                                                    │
-│ done                                                                         │
-╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯
-Allow execution of [echo]?
-
-● 1. Allow once               
-  2. Allow for this session
-  3. No, suggest changes (esc)"
-`;
-
 exports[`ToolConfirmationMessage > should strip BiDi characters from MCP tool and server names 1`] = `
 "MCP Server: testserver
 Tool: testtool
 Allow execution of MCP tool "testtool" from server "testserver"?
 
-● 1. Allow once                             
+● 1. Allow once
   2. Allow tool for this session
   3. Allow all server tools for this session
   4. No, suggest changes (esc)
@@ -175,7 +75,7 @@ exports[`ToolConfirmationMessage > with folder trust > 'for edit confirmations'
 ╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯
 Apply this change?
 
-● 1. Allow once                 
+● 1. Allow once
   2. Modify with external editor
   3. No, suggest changes (esc)
 "
@@ -189,7 +89,7 @@ exports[`ToolConfirmationMessage > with folder trust > 'for edit confirmations'
 ╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯
 Apply this change?
 
-● 1. Allow once                 
+● 1. Allow once
   2. Allow for this session
   3. Modify with external editor
   4. No, suggest changes (esc)
@@ -202,7 +102,7 @@ exports[`ToolConfirmationMessage > with folder trust > 'for exec confirmations'
 ╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯
 Allow execution of [echo]?
 
-● 1. Allow once               
+● 1. Allow once
   2. No, suggest changes (esc)
 "
 `;
@@ -213,7 +113,7 @@ exports[`ToolConfirmationMessage > with folder trust > 'for exec confirmations'
 ╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯
 Allow execution of [echo]?
 
-● 1. Allow once               
+● 1. Allow once
   2. Allow for this session
   3. No, suggest changes (esc)
 "
@@ -223,7 +123,7 @@ exports[`ToolConfirmationMessage > with folder trust > 'for info confirmations'
 "https://example.com
 Do you want to proceed?
 
-● 1. Allow once               
+● 1. Allow once
   2. No, suggest changes (esc)
 "
 `;
@@ -232,7 +132,7 @@ exports[`ToolConfirmationMessage > with folder trust > 'for info confirmations'
 "https://example.com
 Do you want to proceed?
 
-● 1. Allow once               
+● 1. Allow once
   2. Allow for this session
   3. No, suggest changes (esc)
 "
@@ -243,7 +143,7 @@ exports[`ToolConfirmationMessage > with folder trust > 'for mcp confirmations' >
 Tool: test-tool
 Allow execution of MCP tool "test-tool" from server "test-server"?
 
-● 1. Allow once               
+● 1. Allow once
   2. No, suggest changes (esc)
 "
 `;
@@ -253,7 +153,7 @@ exports[`ToolConfirmationMessage > with folder trust > 'for mcp confirmations' >
 Tool: test-tool
 Allow execution of MCP tool "test-tool" from server "test-server"?
 
-● 1. Allow once                             
+● 1. Allow once
   2. Allow tool for this session
   3. Allow all server tools for this session
   4. No, suggest changes (esc)
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/ui/contexts/UIStateContext.tsx b/packages/cli/src/ui/contexts/UIStateContext.tsx
index ce2f3fb7b9..77e4a84c1f 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/ui/contexts/UIStateContext.tsx
+++ b/packages/cli/src/ui/contexts/UIStateContext.tsx
@@ -158,6 +158,7 @@ export interface UIState {
   showApprovalModeIndicator: ApprovalMode;
   allowPlanMode: boolean;
   isOfflineMode?: boolean;
+  cloudSubagentActive?: boolean;
   currentModel: string;
   contextFileNames: string[];
   errorCount: number;
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/ui/hooks/useComposerStatus.ts b/packages/cli/src/ui/hooks/useComposerStatus.ts
index fc6614d4f2..49d3c1b819 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/ui/hooks/useComposerStatus.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/ui/hooks/useComposerStatus.ts
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ export const useComposerStatus = () => {
   const quotaState = useQuotaState();
   const settings = useSettings();
   const isOfflineMode = Boolean(uiState.isOfflineMode);
+  const cloudSubagentActive = Boolean(uiState.cloudSubagentActive);
 
   const hasPendingToolConfirmation = useMemo(
     () =>
@@ -80,14 +81,23 @@ export const useComposerStatus = () => {
     })();
 
     if (approvalModeIndicator) {
-      return isOfflineMode
+      const suffix = cloudSubagentActive
+        ? ' + cloud'
+        : isOfflineMode
+          ? ' + offline'
+          : '';
+      return suffix
         ? {
-            text: `${approvalModeIndicator.text} + offline`,
+            text: `${approvalModeIndicator.text}${suffix}`,
             color: approvalModeIndicator.color,
           }
         : approvalModeIndicator;
     }
 
+    if (cloudSubagentActive) {
+      return { text: 'cloud', color: theme.status.warning };
+    }
+
     if (isOfflineMode) {
       return { text: 'offline', color: theme.status.success };
     }
@@ -99,6 +109,7 @@ export const useComposerStatus = () => {
     uiState.activeHooks.length,
     showApprovalModeIndicator,
     isOfflineMode,
+    cloudSubagentActive,
   ]);
 
   const showMinimalContext = isContextUsageHigh(
@@ -127,5 +138,7 @@ export const useComposerStatus = () => {
     showWit,
     modeContentObj,
     showMinimalContext,
+    isOfflineMode,
+    cloudSubagentActive,
   };
 };
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/ui/hooks/usePulsingColor.ts b/packages/cli/src/ui/hooks/usePulsingColor.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..99dc41fa91
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/cli/src/ui/hooks/usePulsingColor.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+/**
+ * @license
+ * Copyright 2026 Google LLC
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
+import { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
+import { interpolateColor } from '../themes/color-utils.js';
+
+const FRAME_INTERVAL_MS = 60; // ~16fps — smooth enough for a pulse, cheap on CPU
+
+/**
+ * Returns a color that pulses between `activeColor` and `dimColor` on a sine
+ * curve. When `active` is false the hook stops its timer and returns
+ * `activeColor` at full brightness (static dot).
+ */
+export function usePulsingColor(
+  activeColor: string,
+  dimColor: string,
+  cycleDurationMs: number,
+  active: boolean,
+): string {
+  const [time, setTime] = useState(0);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!active) {
+      setTime(0);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const interval = setInterval(() => {
+      setTime((prev) => prev + FRAME_INTERVAL_MS);
+    }, FRAME_INTERVAL_MS);
+
+    return () => clearInterval(interval);
+  }, [active]);
+
+  if (!active) {
+    return activeColor;
+  }
+
+  // Sine oscillation: 0 → 1 → 0 over one cycle
+  const progress = (Math.sin((2 * Math.PI * time) / cycleDurationMs) + 1) / 2;
+  return interpolateColor(dimColor, activeColor, progress) || activeColor;
+}
diff --git a/packages/core/src/agents/agent-tool.test.ts b/packages/core/src/agents/agent-tool.test.ts
index c63ec224ce..05e4bff9b0 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/agents/agent-tool.test.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/agents/agent-tool.test.ts
@@ -67,10 +67,9 @@ describe('AgentTool', () => {
       inputSchema: {
         type: 'object',
         properties: {
-          task: { type: 'string' },
-          reason: { type: 'string' },
+          request: { type: 'string' },
         },
-        required: ['task', 'reason'],
+        required: ['request'],
       },
     },
     modelConfig: { model: 'test', generateContentConfig: {} },
@@ -194,7 +193,7 @@ describe('AgentTool', () => {
 
     expect(result).toMatchObject({
       type: 'info',
-      title: 'Delegate to cloud-subagent',
+      title: '☁ Delegate to cloud subagent',
     });
     // Should NOT delegate to child invocation for confirmation
     expect(LocalSubagentInvocation).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
diff --git a/packages/core/src/agents/agent-tool.ts b/packages/core/src/agents/agent-tool.ts
index 4deb17bc04..35a5bc035c 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/agents/agent-tool.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/agents/agent-tool.ts
@@ -30,30 +30,18 @@ import {
 } from '../telemetry/constants.js';
 import { AGENT_TOOL_NAME } from '../tools/tool-names.js';
 import { CLOUD_SUBAGENT_NAME } from './cloud-subagent.js';
+import { coreEvents } from '../utils/events.js';
 
-const CLOUD_DELEGATION_REASON_MAX_LENGTH = 120;
-const CLOUD_DELEGATION_TASK_MAX_LENGTH = 140;
-const CLOUD_DELEGATION_REASON_FALLBACK =
-  'Complex work is better handled by the cloud subagent.';
-const CLOUD_DELEGATION_TASK_FALLBACK = 'No task summary provided.';
+const CLOUD_DELEGATION_PROMPT_MAX_LENGTH = 280;
 
-function summarizeInputText(
-  value: unknown,
-  maxLength: number,
-): string | undefined {
-  if (typeof value !== 'string') {
-    return undefined;
+function truncateText(value: unknown, maxLength: number): string {
+  if (typeof value !== 'string' || !value.trim()) {
+    return 'Cloud delegation requested.';
   }
-
   const normalized = value.replace(/\s+/g, ' ').trim();
-  if (!normalized) {
-    return undefined;
-  }
-
   if (normalized.length <= maxLength) {
     return normalized;
   }
-
   return `${normalized.slice(0, maxLength - 3)}...`;
 }
 
@@ -225,21 +213,15 @@ class DelegateInvocation extends BaseToolInvocation<
       return false;
     }
 
-    const reason =
-      summarizeInputText(
-        this.mappedInputs['reason'],
-        CLOUD_DELEGATION_REASON_MAX_LENGTH,
-      ) ?? CLOUD_DELEGATION_REASON_FALLBACK;
-    const task =
-      summarizeInputText(
-        this.mappedInputs['task'],
-        CLOUD_DELEGATION_TASK_MAX_LENGTH,
-      ) ?? CLOUD_DELEGATION_TASK_FALLBACK;
+    const prompt = truncateText(
+      this.mappedInputs['request'] ?? this.params.prompt,
+      CLOUD_DELEGATION_PROMPT_MAX_LENGTH,
+    );
 
     return {
       type: 'info',
-      title: 'Delegate to cloud-subagent',
-      prompt: [`Reason: ${reason}`, `Task: ${task}`].join('\n'),
+      title: '☁ Delegate to cloud subagent',
+      prompt: `This will run with full tool access in cloud mode.\n\n${prompt}`,
       onConfirm: async (_outcome) => {
         // Policy updates are handled centrally by the scheduler.
       },
@@ -250,6 +232,11 @@ class DelegateInvocation extends BaseToolInvocation<
     const { abortSignal: signal, updateOutput } = options;
     const hintedParams = this.withUserHints(this.mappedInputs);
     const invocation = this.buildChildInvocation(hintedParams);
+    const isCloud = this.definition.name === CLOUD_SUBAGENT_NAME;
+
+    if (isCloud) {
+      coreEvents.emitCloudSubagentExecution(this.definition.name, 'started');
+    }
 
     return runInDevTraceSpan(
       {
@@ -263,12 +250,30 @@ class DelegateInvocation extends BaseToolInvocation<
       },
       async ({ metadata }) => {
         metadata.input = this.params;
-        const result = await invocation.execute({
-          abortSignal: signal,
-          updateOutput,
-        });
-        metadata.output = result;
-        return result;
+        try {
+          const result = await invocation.execute({
+            abortSignal: signal,
+            updateOutput,
+          });
+          metadata.output = result;
+          if (isCloud) {
+            coreEvents.emitCloudSubagentExecution(
+              this.definition.name,
+              'ended',
+              'success',
+            );
+          }
+          return result;
+        } catch (error) {
+          if (isCloud) {
+            coreEvents.emitCloudSubagentExecution(
+              this.definition.name,
+              'ended',
+              signal.aborted ? 'cancelled' : 'error',
+            );
+          }
+          throw error;
+        }
       },
     );
   }
diff --git a/packages/core/src/agents/cloud-subagent.ts b/packages/core/src/agents/cloud-subagent.ts
index f146ec61e1..3204f5ff5d 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/agents/cloud-subagent.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/agents/cloud-subagent.ts
@@ -31,17 +31,13 @@ export const CloudSubagent = (
     inputSchema: {
       type: 'object',
       properties: {
-        task: {
-          type: 'string',
-          description: 'The delegated task to execute in the cloud context.',
-        },
-        reason: {
+        request: {
           type: 'string',
           description:
-            'Why delegation is necessary (complexity, volume, uncertainty, or long-running work).',
+            'The delegated task to execute in the cloud context. Include both what to do and why cloud delegation is justified.',
         },
       },
-      required: ['task', 'reason'],
+      required: ['request'],
     },
   },
   outputConfig: {
@@ -63,13 +59,7 @@ export const CloudSubagent = (
   },
   get promptConfig() {
     return {
-      query: `You are handling a delegated cloud task from the offline-mode orchestrator.
-
-Delegation reason:
-${'${reason}'}
-
-Task:
-${'${task}'}`,
+      query: '${request}',
       systemPrompt: `${getCoreSystemPrompt(
         context.config,
         /* useMemory */ undefined,
diff --git a/packages/core/src/utils/events.ts b/packages/core/src/utils/events.ts
index a18a1147c4..56bcc603be 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/utils/events.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/utils/events.ts
@@ -62,6 +62,15 @@ export interface OfflineModeChangedPayload {
   enabled: boolean;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Payload for cloud subagent execution lifecycle events.
+ */
+export interface CloudSubagentExecutionPayload {
+  agentName: string;
+  state: 'started' | 'ended';
+  outcome?: 'success' | 'error' | 'cancelled';
+}
+
 /**
  * Payload for the 'console-log' event.
  */
@@ -192,6 +201,7 @@ export enum CoreEvent {
   UserFeedback = 'user-feedback',
   ModelChanged = 'model-changed',
   OfflineModeChanged = 'offline-mode-changed',
+  CloudSubagentExecution = 'cloud-subagent-execution',
   ConsoleLog = 'console-log',
   Output = 'output',
   MemoryChanged = 'memory-changed',
@@ -227,6 +237,7 @@ export interface CoreEvents extends ExtensionEvents {
   [CoreEvent.UserFeedback]: [UserFeedbackPayload];
   [CoreEvent.ModelChanged]: [ModelChangedPayload];
   [CoreEvent.OfflineModeChanged]: [OfflineModeChangedPayload];
+  [CoreEvent.CloudSubagentExecution]: [CloudSubagentExecutionPayload];
   [CoreEvent.ConsoleLog]: [ConsoleLogPayload];
   [CoreEvent.Output]: [OutputPayload];
   [CoreEvent.MemoryChanged]: [MemoryChangedPayload];
@@ -344,6 +355,19 @@ export class CoreEventEmitter extends EventEmitter<CoreEvents> {
     this.emit(CoreEvent.OfflineModeChanged, payload);
   }
 
+  emitCloudSubagentExecution(
+    agentName: string,
+    state: 'started' | 'ended',
+    outcome?: 'success' | 'error' | 'cancelled',
+  ): void {
+    const payload: CloudSubagentExecutionPayload = {
+      agentName,
+      state,
+      outcome,
+    };
+    this.emit(CoreEvent.CloudSubagentExecution, payload);
+  }
+
   /**
    * Notifies subscribers that settings have been modified.
    */