feat: custom loading phrase when interactive shell requires input (#12535)

packages/cli/src/ui/AppContainer.tsx

@@ -713,6 +713,7 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
     handleApprovalModeChange,
     activePtyId,
     loopDetectionConfirmationRequest,
+    lastOutputTime,
   } = useGeminiStream(
     config.getGeminiClient(),
     historyManager.history,
@@ -1112,6 +1113,8 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
   const { elapsedTime, currentLoadingPhrase } = useLoadingIndicator(
     streamingState,
     settings.merged.ui?.customWittyPhrases,
+    !!activePtyId && !embeddedShellFocused,
+    lastOutputTime,
   );
 
   const handleGlobalKeypress = useCallback(

packages/cli/src/ui/components/LoadingIndicator.tsx

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import { GeminiRespondingSpinner } from './GeminiRespondingSpinner.js';
 import { formatDuration } from '../utils/formatters.js';
 import { useTerminalSize } from '../hooks/useTerminalSize.js';
 import { isNarrowWidth } from '../utils/isNarrowWidth.js';
+import { INTERACTIVE_SHELL_WAITING_PHRASE } from '../hooks/usePhraseCycler.js';
 
 interface LoadingIndicatorProps {
   currentLoadingPhrase?: string;
@@ -36,7 +37,12 @@ export const LoadingIndicator: React.FC<LoadingIndicatorProps> = ({
     return null;
   }
 
-  const primaryText = thought?.subject || currentLoadingPhrase;
+  // Prioritize the interactive shell waiting phrase over the thought subject
+  // because it conveys an actionable state for the user (waiting for input).
+  const primaryText =
+    currentLoadingPhrase === INTERACTIVE_SHELL_WAITING_PHRASE
+      ? currentLoadingPhrase
+      : thought?.subject || currentLoadingPhrase;
 
   const cancelAndTimerContent =
     streamingState !== StreamingState.WaitingForConfirmation

packages/cli/src/ui/components/messages/ShellToolMessage.tsx

@@ -9,7 +9,11 @@ import { Box, Text, type DOMElement } from 'ink';
 import { ToolCallStatus } from '../../types.js';
 import { ShellInputPrompt } from '../ShellInputPrompt.js';
 import { StickyHeader } from '../StickyHeader.js';
-import { SHELL_COMMAND_NAME, SHELL_NAME } from '../../constants.js';
+import {
+  SHELL_COMMAND_NAME,
+  SHELL_NAME,
+  SHELL_FOCUS_HINT_DELAY_MS,
+} from '../../constants.js';
 import { theme } from '../../semantic-colors.js';
 import { SHELL_TOOL_NAME } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
 import { useUIActions } from '../../contexts/UIActionsContext.js';
@@ -104,7 +108,7 @@ export const ShellToolMessage: React.FC<ShellToolMessageProps> = ({
 
     const timer = setTimeout(() => {
       setShowFocusHint(true);
-    }, 5000);
+    }, SHELL_FOCUS_HINT_DELAY_MS);
 
     return () => clearTimeout(timer);
   }, [lastUpdateTime]);

packages/cli/src/ui/components/messages/ToolMessage.tsx

@@ -5,7 +5,8 @@
  */
 
 import type React from 'react';
-import { Box } from 'ink';
+import { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
+import { Box, Text } from 'ink';
 import type { IndividualToolCallDisplay } from '../../types.js';
 import { StickyHeader } from '../StickyHeader.js';
 import { ToolResultDisplay } from './ToolResultDisplay.js';
@@ -14,7 +15,17 @@ import {
   ToolInfo,
   TrailingIndicator,
   type TextEmphasis,
+  STATUS_INDICATOR_WIDTH,
 } from './ToolShared.js';
+import {
+  SHELL_COMMAND_NAME,
+  SHELL_FOCUS_HINT_DELAY_MS,
+} from '../../constants.js';
+import { theme } from '../../semantic-colors.js';
+import type { Config } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
+import { useInactivityTimer } from '../../hooks/useInactivityTimer.js';
+import { ToolCallStatus } from '../../types.js';
+import { ShellInputPrompt } from '../ShellInputPrompt.js';
 
 export type { TextEmphasis };
 
@@ -26,6 +37,10 @@ export interface ToolMessageProps extends IndividualToolCallDisplay {
   isFirst: boolean;
   borderColor: string;
   borderDimColor: boolean;
+  activeShellPtyId?: number | null;
+  embeddedShellFocused?: boolean;
+  ptyId?: number;
+  config?: Config;
 }
 
 export const ToolMessage: React.FC<ToolMessageProps> = ({
@@ -40,41 +55,96 @@ export const ToolMessage: React.FC<ToolMessageProps> = ({
   isFirst,
   borderColor,
   borderDimColor,
-}) => (
+  activeShellPtyId,
-  <Box flexDirection="column" width={terminalWidth}>
+  embeddedShellFocused,
-    <StickyHeader
+  ptyId,
-      width={terminalWidth}
+  config,
-      isFirst={isFirst}
+}) => {
-      borderColor={borderColor}
+  const isThisShellFocused =
-      borderDimColor={borderDimColor}
+    (name === SHELL_COMMAND_NAME || name === 'Shell') &&
-    >
+    status === ToolCallStatus.Executing &&
-      <ToolStatusIndicator status={status} name={name} />
+    ptyId === activeShellPtyId &&
-      <ToolInfo
+    embeddedShellFocused;
-        name={name}
+
-        status={status}
+  const [lastUpdateTime, setLastUpdateTime] = useState<Date | null>(null);
-        description={description}
+  const [userHasFocused, setUserHasFocused] = useState(false);
-        emphasis={emphasis}
+  const showFocusHint = useInactivityTimer(
-      />
+    !!lastUpdateTime,
-      {emphasis === 'high' && <TrailingIndicator />}
+    lastUpdateTime ? lastUpdateTime.getTime() : 0,
-    </StickyHeader>
+    SHELL_FOCUS_HINT_DELAY_MS,
-    <Box
+  );
-      width={terminalWidth}
+
-      borderStyle="round"
+  useEffect(() => {
-      borderColor={borderColor}
+    if (resultDisplay) {
-      borderDimColor={borderDimColor}
+      setLastUpdateTime(new Date());
-      borderTop={false}
+    }
-      borderBottom={false}
+  }, [resultDisplay]);
-      borderLeft={true}
+
-      borderRight={true}
+  useEffect(() => {
-      paddingX={1}
+    if (isThisShellFocused) {
-      flexDirection="column"
+      setUserHasFocused(true);
-    >
+    }
-      <ToolResultDisplay
+  }, [isThisShellFocused]);
-        resultDisplay={resultDisplay}
+
-        availableTerminalHeight={availableTerminalHeight}
+  const isThisShellFocusable =
-        terminalWidth={terminalWidth}
+    (name === SHELL_COMMAND_NAME || name === 'Shell') &&
-        renderOutputAsMarkdown={renderOutputAsMarkdown}
+    status === ToolCallStatus.Executing &&
-      />
+    config?.getEnableInteractiveShell();
+
+  const shouldShowFocusHint =
+    isThisShellFocusable && (showFocusHint || userHasFocused);
+
+  return (
+    <Box flexDirection="column" width={terminalWidth}>
+      <StickyHeader
+        width={terminalWidth}
+        isFirst={isFirst}
+        borderColor={borderColor}
+        borderDimColor={borderDimColor}
+      >
+        <ToolStatusIndicator status={status} name={name} />
+        <ToolInfo
+          name={name}
+          status={status}
+          description={description}
+          emphasis={emphasis}
+        />
+        {shouldShowFocusHint && (
+          <Box marginLeft={1} flexShrink={0}>
+            <Text color={theme.text.accent}>
+              {isThisShellFocused ? '(Focused)' : '(ctrl+f to focus)'}
+            </Text>
+          </Box>
+        )}
+        {emphasis === 'high' && <TrailingIndicator />}
+      </StickyHeader>
+      <Box
+        width={terminalWidth}
+        borderStyle="round"
+        borderColor={borderColor}
+        borderDimColor={borderDimColor}
+        borderTop={false}
+        borderBottom={false}
+        borderLeft={true}
+        borderRight={true}
+        paddingX={1}
+        flexDirection="column"
+      >
+        <ToolResultDisplay
+          resultDisplay={resultDisplay}
+          availableTerminalHeight={availableTerminalHeight}
+          terminalWidth={terminalWidth}
+          renderOutputAsMarkdown={renderOutputAsMarkdown}
+        />
+        {isThisShellFocused && config && (
+          <Box paddingLeft={STATUS_INDICATOR_WIDTH} marginTop={1}>
+            <ShellInputPrompt
+              activeShellPtyId={activeShellPtyId ?? null}
+              focus={embeddedShellFocused}
+            />
+          </Box>
+        )}
+      </Box>
     </Box>
-  </Box>
+  );
-);
+};

packages/cli/src/ui/constants.ts

@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ export const SHELL_NAME = 'Shell';
 // usage.
 export const MAX_GEMINI_MESSAGE_LINES = 65536;
 
+export const SHELL_FOCUS_HINT_DELAY_MS = 5000;
+
 // Tool status symbols used in ToolMessage component
 export const TOOL_STATUS = {
   SUCCESS: '✓',

packages/cli/src/ui/hooks/shellCommandProcessor.ts

@@ -76,6 +76,8 @@ export const useShellCommandProcessor = (
   terminalHeight?: number,
 ) => {
   const [activeShellPtyId, setActiveShellPtyId] = useState<number | null>(null);
+  const [lastShellOutputTime, setLastShellOutputTime] = useState<number>(0);
+
   const handleShellCommand = useCallback(
     (rawQuery: PartListUnion, abortSignal: AbortSignal): boolean => {
       if (typeof rawQuery !== 'string' || rawQuery.trim() === '') {
@@ -202,6 +204,7 @@ export const useShellCommandProcessor = (
 
               // Throttle pending UI updates, but allow forced updates.
               if (shouldUpdate) {
+                setLastShellOutputTime(Date.now());
                 setPendingHistoryItem((prevItem) => {
                   if (prevItem?.type === 'tool_group') {
                     return {
@@ -366,5 +369,5 @@ export const useShellCommandProcessor = (
     ],
   );
 
-  return { handleShellCommand, activeShellPtyId };
+  return { handleShellCommand, activeShellPtyId, lastShellOutputTime };
 };

packages/cli/src/ui/hooks/useGeminiStream.ts

@@ -136,6 +136,7 @@ export const useGeminiStream = (
     markToolsAsSubmitted,
     setToolCallsForDisplay,
     cancelAllToolCalls,
+    lastToolOutputTime,
   ] = useReactToolScheduler(
     async (completedToolCallsFromScheduler) => {
       // This onComplete is called when ALL scheduled tools for a given batch are done.
@@ -211,17 +212,18 @@ export const useGeminiStream = (
     await done;
     setIsResponding(false);
   }, []);
-  const { handleShellCommand, activeShellPtyId } = useShellCommandProcessor(
+  const { handleShellCommand, activeShellPtyId, lastShellOutputTime } =
-    addItem,
+    useShellCommandProcessor(
-    setPendingHistoryItem,
+      addItem,
-    onExec,
+      setPendingHistoryItem,
-    onDebugMessage,
+      onExec,
-    config,
+      onDebugMessage,
-    geminiClient,
+      config,
-    setShellInputFocused,
+      geminiClient,
-    terminalWidth,
+      setShellInputFocused,
-    terminalHeight,
+      terminalWidth,
-  );
+      terminalHeight,
+    );
 
   const activePtyId = activeShellPtyId || activeToolPtyId;
 
@@ -681,8 +683,9 @@ export const useGeminiStream = (
         [FinishReason.UNEXPECTED_TOOL_CALL]:
           'Response stopped due to unexpected tool call.',
         [FinishReason.IMAGE_PROHIBITED_CONTENT]:
-          'Response stopped due to prohibited content.',
+          'Response stopped due to prohibited image content.',
-        [FinishReason.NO_IMAGE]: 'Response stopped due to no image.',
+        [FinishReason.NO_IMAGE]:
+          'Response stopped because no image was generated.',
       };
 
       const message = finishReasonMessages[finishReason];
@@ -1348,6 +1351,8 @@ export const useGeminiStream = (
     storage,
   ]);
 
+  const lastOutputTime = Math.max(lastToolOutputTime, lastShellOutputTime);
+
   return {
     streamingState,
     submitQuery,
@@ -1359,5 +1364,6 @@ export const useGeminiStream = (
     handleApprovalModeChange,
     activePtyId,
     loopDetectionConfirmationRequest,
+    lastOutputTime,
   };
 };

packages/cli/src/ui/hooks/useInactivityTimer.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+/**
+ * @license
+ * Copyright 2025 Google LLC
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
+import { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
+
+/**
+ * Returns true after a specified delay of inactivity.
+ * Inactivity is defined as 'trigger' not changing for 'delayMs' milliseconds.
+ *
+ * @param isActive Whether the timer should be running.
+ * @param trigger Any value that, when changed, resets the inactivity timer.
+ * @param delayMs The delay in milliseconds before considering the state inactive.
+ */
+export const useInactivityTimer = (
+  isActive: boolean,
+  trigger: unknown,
+  delayMs: number = 5000,
+): boolean => {
+  const [isInactive, setIsInactive] = useState(false);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!isActive) {
+      setIsInactive(false);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    setIsInactive(false);
+    const timer = setTimeout(() => {
+      setIsInactive(true);
+    }, delayMs);
+
+    return () => clearTimeout(timer);
+  }, [isActive, trigger, delayMs]);
+
+  return isInactive;
+};

packages/cli/src/ui/hooks/useLoadingIndicator.test.tsx

@@ -9,8 +9,12 @@ import { act } from 'react';
 import { render } from '../../test-utils/render.js';
 import { useLoadingIndicator } from './useLoadingIndicator.js';
 import { StreamingState } from '../types.js';
-import { PHRASE_CHANGE_INTERVAL_MS } from './usePhraseCycler.js';
+import {
+  PHRASE_CHANGE_INTERVAL_MS,
+  INTERACTIVE_SHELL_WAITING_PHRASE,
+} from './usePhraseCycler.js';
 import { WITTY_LOADING_PHRASES } from '../constants/wittyPhrases.js';
+import { INFORMATIVE_TIPS } from '../constants/tips.js';
 
 describe('useLoadingIndicator', () => {
   beforeEach(() => {
@@ -25,18 +29,33 @@ describe('useLoadingIndicator', () => {
 
   const renderLoadingIndicatorHook = (
     initialStreamingState: StreamingState,
+    initialIsInteractiveShellWaiting: boolean = false,
+    initialLastOutputTime: number = 0,
   ) => {
     let hookResult: ReturnType<typeof useLoadingIndicator>;
     function TestComponent({
       streamingState,
+      isInteractiveShellWaiting,
+      lastOutputTime,
     }: {
       streamingState: StreamingState;
+      isInteractiveShellWaiting?: boolean;
+      lastOutputTime?: number;
     }) {
-      hookResult = useLoadingIndicator(streamingState);
+      hookResult = useLoadingIndicator(
+        streamingState,
+        undefined,
+        isInteractiveShellWaiting,
+        lastOutputTime,
+      );
       return null;
     }
     const { rerender } = render(
-      <TestComponent streamingState={initialStreamingState} />,
+      <TestComponent
+        streamingState={initialStreamingState}
+        isInteractiveShellWaiting={initialIsInteractiveShellWaiting}
+        lastOutputTime={initialLastOutputTime}
+      />,
     );
     return {
       result: {
@@ -44,8 +63,11 @@ describe('useLoadingIndicator', () => {
           return hookResult;
         },
       },
-      rerender: (newProps: { streamingState: StreamingState }) =>
+      rerender: (newProps: {
-        rerender(<TestComponent {...newProps} />),
+        streamingState: StreamingState;
+        isInteractiveShellWaiting?: boolean;
+        lastOutputTime?: number;
+      }) => rerender(<TestComponent {...newProps} />),
     };
   };
 
@@ -58,6 +80,28 @@ describe('useLoadingIndicator', () => {
     );
   });
 
+  it('should show interactive shell waiting phrase when isInteractiveShellWaiting is true after 5s', async () => {
+    vi.spyOn(Math, 'random').mockImplementation(() => 0.5); // Always witty
+    const { result } = renderLoadingIndicatorHook(
+      StreamingState.Responding,
+      true,
+      1,
+    );
+
+    // Initially should be witty phrase or tip
+    expect([...WITTY_LOADING_PHRASES, ...INFORMATIVE_TIPS]).toContain(
+      result.current.currentLoadingPhrase,
+    );
+
+    await act(async () => {
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(5000);
+    });
+
+    expect(result.current.currentLoadingPhrase).toBe(
+      INTERACTIVE_SHELL_WAITING_PHRASE,
+    );
+  });
+
   it('should reflect values when Responding', async () => {
     vi.spyOn(Math, 'random').mockImplementation(() => 0.5); // Always witty for subsequent phrases
     const { result } = renderLoadingIndicatorHook(StreamingState.Responding);

packages/cli/src/ui/hooks/useLoadingIndicator.ts

@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ import { useState, useEffect, useRef } from 'react'; // Added useRef
 export const useLoadingIndicator = (
   streamingState: StreamingState,
   customWittyPhrases?: string[],
+  isInteractiveShellWaiting: boolean = false,
+  lastOutputTime: number = 0,
 ) => {
   const [timerResetKey, setTimerResetKey] = useState(0);
   const isTimerActive = streamingState === StreamingState.Responding;
@@ -23,6 +25,8 @@ export const useLoadingIndicator = (
   const currentLoadingPhrase = usePhraseCycler(
     isPhraseCyclingActive,
     isWaiting,
+    isInteractiveShellWaiting,
+    lastOutputTime,
     customWittyPhrases,
   );
 

packages/cli/src/ui/hooks/usePhraseCycler.test.tsx

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import { Text } from 'ink';
 import {
   usePhraseCycler,
   PHRASE_CHANGE_INTERVAL_MS,
+  INTERACTIVE_SHELL_WAITING_PHRASE,
 } from './usePhraseCycler.js';
 import { INFORMATIVE_TIPS } from '../constants/tips.js';
 import { WITTY_LOADING_PHRASES } from '../constants/wittyPhrases.js';
@@ -19,13 +20,23 @@ import { WITTY_LOADING_PHRASES } from '../constants/wittyPhrases.js';
 const TestComponent = ({
   isActive,
   isWaiting,
+  isInteractiveShellWaiting = false,
+  lastOutputTime = 0,
   customPhrases,
 }: {
   isActive: boolean;
   isWaiting: boolean;
+  isInteractiveShellWaiting?: boolean;
+  lastOutputTime?: number;
   customPhrases?: string[];
 }) => {
-  const phrase = usePhraseCycler(isActive, isWaiting, customPhrases);
+  const phrase = usePhraseCycler(
+    isActive,
+    isWaiting,
+    isInteractiveShellWaiting,
+    lastOutputTime,
+    customPhrases,
+  );
   return <Text>{phrase}</Text>;
 };
 
@@ -57,6 +68,102 @@ describe('usePhraseCycler', () => {
     expect(lastFrame()).toBe('Waiting for user confirmation...');
   });
 
+  it('should show interactive shell waiting message when isInteractiveShellWaiting is true after 5s', async () => {
+    vi.spyOn(Math, 'random').mockImplementation(() => 0.5); // Always witty
+    const { lastFrame, rerender } = render(
+      <TestComponent isActive={true} isWaiting={false} />,
+    );
+    rerender(
+      <TestComponent
+        isActive={true}
+        isWaiting={false}
+        isInteractiveShellWaiting={true}
+        lastOutputTime={1}
+      />,
+    );
+    await act(async () => {
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(0);
+    });
+    // Should still be showing a witty phrase or tip initially
+    expect([...WITTY_LOADING_PHRASES, ...INFORMATIVE_TIPS]).toContain(
+      lastFrame(),
+    );
+
+    await act(async () => {
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(5000);
+    });
+    expect(lastFrame()).toBe(INTERACTIVE_SHELL_WAITING_PHRASE);
+  });
+
+  it('should reset interactive shell waiting timer when lastOutputTime changes', async () => {
+    vi.spyOn(Math, 'random').mockImplementation(() => 0.5); // Always witty
+    const { lastFrame, rerender } = render(
+      <TestComponent
+        isActive={true}
+        isWaiting={false}
+        isInteractiveShellWaiting={true}
+        lastOutputTime={1000}
+      />,
+    );
+
+    // Advance 3 seconds
+    await act(async () => {
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(3000);
+    });
+    // Should still be witty phrase or tip
+    expect([...WITTY_LOADING_PHRASES, ...INFORMATIVE_TIPS]).toContain(
+      lastFrame(),
+    );
+
+    // Update lastOutputTime
+    rerender(
+      <TestComponent
+        isActive={true}
+        isWaiting={false}
+        isInteractiveShellWaiting={true}
+        lastOutputTime={4000}
+      />,
+    );
+
+    // Advance another 3 seconds (total 6s from start, but only 3s from last output)
+    await act(async () => {
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(3000);
+    });
+    // Should STILL be witty phrase or tip because timer reset
+    expect([...WITTY_LOADING_PHRASES, ...INFORMATIVE_TIPS]).toContain(
+      lastFrame(),
+    );
+
+    // Advance another 2 seconds (total 5s from last output)
+    await act(async () => {
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(2000);
+    });
+    expect(lastFrame()).toBe(INTERACTIVE_SHELL_WAITING_PHRASE);
+  });
+
+  it('should prioritize interactive shell waiting over normal waiting after 5s', async () => {
+    const { lastFrame, rerender } = render(
+      <TestComponent isActive={true} isWaiting={true} />,
+    );
+    await act(async () => {
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(0);
+    });
+    expect(lastFrame()).toBe('Waiting for user confirmation...');
+
+    rerender(
+      <TestComponent
+        isActive={true}
+        isWaiting={true}
+        isInteractiveShellWaiting={true}
+        lastOutputTime={1}
+      />,
+    );
+    await act(async () => {
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(5000);
+    });
+    expect(lastFrame()).toBe(INTERACTIVE_SHELL_WAITING_PHRASE);
+  });
+
   it('should not cycle phrases if isActive is false and not waiting', async () => {
     const { lastFrame } = render(
       <TestComponent isActive={false} isWaiting={false} />,

packages/cli/src/ui/hooks/usePhraseCycler.ts

@@ -5,20 +5,28 @@
  */
 
 import { useState, useEffect, useRef } from 'react';
+import { SHELL_FOCUS_HINT_DELAY_MS } from '../constants.js';
 import { INFORMATIVE_TIPS } from '../constants/tips.js';
 import { WITTY_LOADING_PHRASES } from '../constants/wittyPhrases.js';
+import { useInactivityTimer } from './useInactivityTimer.js';
 
 export const PHRASE_CHANGE_INTERVAL_MS = 15000;
+export const INTERACTIVE_SHELL_WAITING_PHRASE =
+  'Interactive shell awaiting input... press Ctrl+f to focus shell';
 
 /**
  * Custom hook to manage cycling through loading phrases.
  * @param isActive Whether the phrase cycling should be active.
  * @param isWaiting Whether to show a specific waiting phrase.
+ * @param isInteractiveShellWaiting Whether an interactive shell is waiting for input but not focused.
+ * @param customPhrases Optional list of custom phrases to use.
  * @returns The current loading phrase.
  */
 export const usePhraseCycler = (
   isActive: boolean,
   isWaiting: boolean,
+  isInteractiveShellWaiting: boolean,
+  lastOutputTime: number = 0,
   customPhrases?: string[],
 ) => {
   const loadingPhrases =
@@ -29,66 +37,79 @@ export const usePhraseCycler = (
   const [currentLoadingPhrase, setCurrentLoadingPhrase] = useState(
     loadingPhrases[0],
   );
+  const showShellFocusHint = useInactivityTimer(
+    isInteractiveShellWaiting && lastOutputTime > 0,
+    lastOutputTime,
+    SHELL_FOCUS_HINT_DELAY_MS,
+  );
   const phraseIntervalRef = useRef<NodeJS.Timeout | null>(null);
   const hasShownFirstRequestTipRef = useRef(false);
 
   useEffect(() => {
+    // Always clear on re-run
+    if (phraseIntervalRef.current) {
+      clearInterval(phraseIntervalRef.current);
+      phraseIntervalRef.current = null;
+    }
+
+    if (isInteractiveShellWaiting && showShellFocusHint) {
+      setCurrentLoadingPhrase(INTERACTIVE_SHELL_WAITING_PHRASE);
+      return;
+    }
+
     if (isWaiting) {
       setCurrentLoadingPhrase('Waiting for user confirmation...');
-      if (phraseIntervalRef.current) {
+      return;
-        clearInterval(phraseIntervalRef.current);
-        phraseIntervalRef.current = null;
-      }
-    } else if (isActive) {
-      if (phraseIntervalRef.current) {
-        clearInterval(phraseIntervalRef.current);
-      }
-
-      const setRandomPhrase = () => {
-        if (customPhrases && customPhrases.length > 0) {
-          const randomIndex = Math.floor(Math.random() * customPhrases.length);
-          setCurrentLoadingPhrase(customPhrases[randomIndex]);
-        } else {
-          let phraseList;
-          // Show a tip on the first request after startup, then continue with 1/6 chance
-          if (!hasShownFirstRequestTipRef.current) {
-            // Show a tip during the first request
-            phraseList = INFORMATIVE_TIPS;
-            hasShownFirstRequestTipRef.current = true;
-          } else {
-            // Roughly 1 in 6 chance to show a tip after the first request
-            const showTip = Math.random() < 1 / 6;
-            phraseList = showTip ? INFORMATIVE_TIPS : WITTY_LOADING_PHRASES;
-          }
-          const randomIndex = Math.floor(Math.random() * phraseList.length);
-          setCurrentLoadingPhrase(phraseList[randomIndex]);
-        }
-      };
-
-      // Select an initial random phrase
-      setRandomPhrase();
-
-      phraseIntervalRef.current = setInterval(() => {
-        // Select a new random phrase
-        setRandomPhrase();
-      }, PHRASE_CHANGE_INTERVAL_MS);
-    } else {
-      // Idle or other states, clear the phrase interval
-      // and reset to the first phrase for next active state.
-      if (phraseIntervalRef.current) {
-        clearInterval(phraseIntervalRef.current);
-        phraseIntervalRef.current = null;
-      }
-      setCurrentLoadingPhrase(loadingPhrases[0]);
     }
 
+    if (!isActive) {
+      setCurrentLoadingPhrase(loadingPhrases[0]);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const setRandomPhrase = () => {
+      if (customPhrases && customPhrases.length > 0) {
+        const randomIndex = Math.floor(Math.random() * customPhrases.length);
+        setCurrentLoadingPhrase(customPhrases[randomIndex]);
+      } else {
+        let phraseList;
+        // Show a tip on the first request after startup, then continue with 1/6 chance
+        if (!hasShownFirstRequestTipRef.current) {
+          // Show a tip during the first request
+          phraseList = INFORMATIVE_TIPS;
+          hasShownFirstRequestTipRef.current = true;
+        } else {
+          // Roughly 1 in 6 chance to show a tip after the first request
+          const showTip = Math.random() < 1 / 6;
+          phraseList = showTip ? INFORMATIVE_TIPS : WITTY_LOADING_PHRASES;
+        }
+        const randomIndex = Math.floor(Math.random() * phraseList.length);
+        setCurrentLoadingPhrase(phraseList[randomIndex]);
+      }
+    };
+
+    // Select an initial random phrase
+    setRandomPhrase();
+
+    phraseIntervalRef.current = setInterval(() => {
+      // Select a new random phrase
+      setRandomPhrase();
+    }, PHRASE_CHANGE_INTERVAL_MS);
+
     return () => {
       if (phraseIntervalRef.current) {
         clearInterval(phraseIntervalRef.current);
         phraseIntervalRef.current = null;
       }
     };
-  }, [isActive, isWaiting, customPhrases, loadingPhrases]);
+  }, [
+    isActive,
+    isWaiting,
+    isInteractiveShellWaiting,
+    customPhrases,
+    loadingPhrases,
+    showShellFocusHint,
+  ]);
 
   return currentLoadingPhrase;
 };

packages/cli/src/ui/hooks/useReactToolScheduler.ts

@@ -74,10 +74,12 @@ export function useReactToolScheduler(
   MarkToolsAsSubmittedFn,
   React.Dispatch<React.SetStateAction<TrackedToolCall[]>>,
   CancelAllFn,
+  number,
 ] {
   const [toolCallsForDisplay, setToolCallsForDisplay] = useState<
     TrackedToolCall[]
   >([]);
+  const [lastToolOutputTime, setLastToolOutputTime] = useState<number>(0);
 
   // Store callbacks in refs to keep them up-to-date without causing re-renders.
   const onCompleteRef = useRef(onComplete);
@@ -93,6 +95,7 @@ export function useReactToolScheduler(
 
   const outputUpdateHandler: OutputUpdateHandler = useCallback(
     (toolCallId, outputChunk) => {
+      setLastToolOutputTime(Date.now());
       setToolCallsForDisplay((prevCalls) =>
         prevCalls.map((tc) => {
           if (tc.request.callId === toolCallId && tc.status === 'executing') {
@@ -208,6 +211,7 @@ export function useReactToolScheduler(
     markToolsAsSubmitted,
     setToolCallsForDisplay,
     cancelAllToolCalls,
+    lastToolOutputTime,
   ];
 }