break links

Co-authored-by: Victor Hugo Vianna Silva <victorvianna@google.com>
Co-authored-by: Jack Wotherspoon <jackwoth@google.com>

.github/workflows/ci.yml

@@ -177,6 +177,19 @@ jobs:
       - name: 'Smoke test bundle'
         run: 'node ./bundle/gemini.js --version'
 
+      - name: 'Smoke test npx installation'
+        run: |
+          # 1. Package the project into a tarball
+          TARBALL=$(npm pack | tail -n 1)
+
+          # 2. Move to a fresh directory for isolation
+          mkdir -p ../smoke-test-dir
+          mv "$TARBALL" ../smoke-test-dir/
+          cd ../smoke-test-dir
+
+          # 3. Run npx from the tarball
+          npx "./$TARBALL" --version
+
       - name: 'Wait for file system sync'
         run: 'sleep 2'
 
@@ -252,6 +265,19 @@ jobs:
       - name: 'Smoke test bundle'
         run: 'node ./bundle/gemini.js --version'
 
+      - name: 'Smoke test npx installation'
+        run: |
+          # 1. Package the project into a tarball
+          TARBALL=$(npm pack | tail -n 1)
+
+          # 2. Move to a fresh directory for isolation
+          mkdir -p ../smoke-test-dir
+          mv "$TARBALL" ../smoke-test-dir/
+          cd ../smoke-test-dir
+
+          # 3. Run npx from the tarball
+          npx "./$TARBALL" --version
+
       - name: 'Wait for file system sync'
         run: 'sleep 2'
 
@@ -396,6 +422,21 @@ jobs:
         run: 'node ./bundle/gemini.js --version'
         shell: 'pwsh'
 
+      - name: 'Smoke test npx installation'
+        run: |
+          # 1. Package the project into a tarball
+          $PACK_OUTPUT = npm pack
+          $TARBALL = $PACK_OUTPUT[-1]
+
+          # 2. Move to a fresh directory for isolation
+          New-Item -ItemType Directory -Force -Path ../smoke-test-dir
+          Move-Item $TARBALL ../smoke-test-dir/
+          Set-Location ../smoke-test-dir
+
+          # 3. Run npx from the tarball
+          npx "./$TARBALL" --version
+        shell: 'pwsh'
+
   ci:
     name: 'CI'
     if: 'always()'

.github/workflows/gemini-scheduled-stale-pr-closer.yml

@@ -43,19 +43,23 @@ jobs:
 
             // 1. Fetch maintainers for verification
             let maintainerLogins = new Set();
+            let teamFetchSucceeded = false;
             try {
               const members = await github.paginate(github.rest.teams.listMembersInOrg, {
                 org: context.repo.owner,
                 team_slug: 'gemini-cli-maintainers'
               });
-              maintainerLogins = new Set(members.map(m => m.login));
+              maintainerLogins = new Set(members.map(m => m.login.toLowerCase()));
+              teamFetchSucceeded = true;
+              core.info(`Successfully fetched ${maintainerLogins.size} team members from gemini-cli-maintainers`);
             } catch (e) {
-              core.warning('Failed to fetch team members');
+              core.warning(`Failed to fetch team members from gemini-cli-maintainers: ${e.message}. Falling back to author_association only.`);
             }
 
             const isMaintainer = (login, assoc) => {
-              if (maintainerLogins.size > 0) return maintainerLogins.has(login);
-              return ['OWNER', 'MEMBER', 'COLLABORATOR'].includes(assoc);
+              const isTeamMember = maintainerLogins.has(login.toLowerCase());
+              const isRepoMaintainer = ['OWNER', 'MEMBER', 'COLLABORATOR'].includes(assoc);
+              return isTeamMember || isRepoMaintainer;
             };
 
             // 2. Determine which PRs to check
@@ -153,7 +157,17 @@ jobs:
                 const labels = pr.labels.map(l => l.name.toLowerCase());
                 if (labels.includes('help wanted') || labels.includes('🔒 maintainer only')) continue;
 
-                let lastActivity = new Date(0);
+                // Skip PRs that were created less than 30 days ago - they cannot be stale yet
+                const prCreatedAt = new Date(pr.created_at);
+                if (prCreatedAt > thirtyDaysAgo) {
+                  const daysOld = Math.floor((Date.now() - prCreatedAt.getTime()) / (1000 * 60 * 60 * 24));
+                  core.info(`PR #${pr.number} was created ${daysOld} days ago. Skipping staleness check.`);
+                  continue;
+                }
+
+                // Initialize lastActivity to PR creation date (not epoch) as a safety baseline.
+                // This ensures we never incorrectly mark a PR as stale due to failed activity lookups.
+                let lastActivity = new Date(pr.created_at);
                 try {
                   const reviews = await github.paginate(github.rest.pulls.listReviews, {
                     owner: context.repo.owner,
@@ -177,8 +191,12 @@ jobs:
                       if (d > lastActivity) lastActivity = d;
                     }
                   }
-                } catch (e) {}
+                } catch (e) {
+                  core.warning(`Failed to fetch reviews/comments for PR #${pr.number}: ${e.message}`);
+                }
 
+                // For maintainer PRs, the PR creation itself counts as maintainer activity.
+                // (Now redundant since we initialize to pr.created_at, but kept for clarity)
                 if (maintainerPr) {
                   const d = new Date(pr.created_at);
                   if (d > lastActivity) lastActivity = d;

docs/cli/commands.md

@@ -264,6 +264,9 @@ Slash commands provide meta-level control over the CLI itself.
     modify them as desired. Changes to some settings are applied immediately,
     while others require a restart.
 
+- **`/shells`** (or **`/bashes`**)
+  - **Description:** Toggle the background shells view. This allows you to view
+    and manage long-running processes that you've sent to the background.
 - **`/setup-github`**
   - **Description:** Set up GitHub Actions to triage issues and review PRs with
     Gemini.

docs/cli/keyboard-shortcuts.md

@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ available combinations.
 | Move the cursor to the end of the line.     | `Ctrl + E`<br />`End (no Shift, Ctrl)`                       |
 | Move the cursor up one line.                | `Up Arrow (no Shift, Alt, Ctrl, Cmd)`                        |
 | Move the cursor down one line.              | `Down Arrow (no Shift, Alt, Ctrl, Cmd)`                      |
-| Move the cursor one character to the left.  | `Left Arrow (no Shift, Alt, Ctrl, Cmd)`<br />`Ctrl + B`      |
+| Move the cursor one character to the left.  | `Left Arrow (no Shift, Alt, Ctrl, Cmd)`                      |
 | Move the cursor one character to the right. | `Right Arrow (no Shift, Alt, Ctrl, Cmd)`<br />`Ctrl + F`     |
 | Move the cursor one word to the left.       | `Ctrl + Left Arrow`<br />`Alt + Left Arrow`<br />`Alt + B`   |
 | Move the cursor one word to the right.      | `Ctrl + Right Arrow`<br />`Alt + Right Arrow`<br />`Alt + F` |
@@ -106,6 +106,14 @@ available combinations.
 | Toggle YOLO (auto-approval) mode for tool calls.                                                      | `Ctrl + Y`                 |
 | Cycle through approval modes: default (prompt), auto_edit (auto-approve edits), and plan (read-only). | `Shift + Tab`              |
 | Expand a height-constrained response to show additional lines when not in alternate buffer mode.      | `Ctrl + O`<br />`Ctrl + S` |
+| Ctrl+B                                                                                                | `Ctrl + B`                 |
+| Ctrl+L                                                                                                | `Ctrl + L`                 |
+| Ctrl+K                                                                                                | `Ctrl + K`                 |
+| Enter                                                                                                 | `Enter`                    |
+| Esc                                                                                                   | `Esc`                      |
+| Shift+Tab                                                                                             | `Shift + Tab`              |
+| Tab                                                                                                   | `Tab (no Shift)`           |
+| Tab                                                                                                   | `Tab (no Shift)`           |
 | Focus the shell input from the gemini input.                                                          | `Tab (no Shift)`           |
 | Focus the Gemini input from the shell input.                                                          | `Tab`                      |
 | Clear the terminal screen and redraw the UI.                                                          | `Ctrl + L`                 |

docs/cli/settings.md

@@ -97,7 +97,6 @@ they appear in the UI.
 | -------------------------------- | ------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ----------- |
 | Enable Interactive Shell         | `tools.shell.enableInteractiveShell` | Use node-pty for an interactive shell experience. Fallback to child_process still applies.                                                                                     | `true`      |
 | Show Color                       | `tools.shell.showColor`              | Show color in shell output.                                                                                                                                                    | `false`     |
-| Auto Accept                      | `tools.autoAccept`                   | Automatically accept and execute tool calls that are considered safe (e.g., read-only operations).                                                                             | `false`     |
 | Approval Mode                    | `tools.approvalMode`                 | The default approval mode for tool execution. 'default' prompts for approval, 'auto_edit' auto-approves edit tools, and 'plan' is read-only mode. 'yolo' is not supported yet. | `"default"` |
 | Use Ripgrep                      | `tools.useRipgrep`                   | Use ripgrep for file content search instead of the fallback implementation. Provides faster search performance.                                                                | `true`      |
 | Enable Tool Output Truncation    | `tools.enableToolOutputTruncation`   | Enable truncation of large tool outputs.                                                                                                                                       | `true`      |
@@ -107,13 +106,14 @@ they appear in the UI.
 
 ### Security
 
-| UI Label                              | Setting                                         | Description                                                                     | Default |
-| ------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------- |
-| Disable YOLO Mode                     | `security.disableYoloMode`                      | Disable YOLO mode, even if enabled by a flag.                                   | `false` |
-| Allow Permanent Tool Approval         | `security.enablePermanentToolApproval`          | Enable the "Allow for all future sessions" option in tool confirmation dialogs. | `false` |
-| Blocks extensions from Git            | `security.blockGitExtensions`                   | Blocks installing and loading extensions from Git.                              | `false` |
-| Folder Trust                          | `security.folderTrust.enabled`                  | Setting to track whether Folder trust is enabled.                               | `false` |
-| Enable Environment Variable Redaction | `security.environmentVariableRedaction.enabled` | Enable redaction of environment variables that may contain secrets.             | `false` |
+| UI Label                              | Setting                                         | Description                                                                                                                                                             | Default |
+| ------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------- |
+| Disable YOLO Mode                     | `security.disableYoloMode`                      | Disable YOLO mode, even if enabled by a flag.                                                                                                                           | `false` |
+| Allow Permanent Tool Approval         | `security.enablePermanentToolApproval`          | Enable the "Allow for all future sessions" option in tool confirmation dialogs.                                                                                         | `false` |
+| Blocks extensions from Git            | `security.blockGitExtensions`                   | Blocks installing and loading extensions from Git.                                                                                                                      | `false` |
+| Extension Source Regex Allowlist      | `security.allowedExtensions`                    | List of Regex patterns for allowed extensions. If nonempty, only extensions that match the patterns in this list are allowed. Overrides the blockGitExtensions setting. | `[]`    |
+| Folder Trust                          | `security.folderTrust.enabled`                  | Setting to track whether Folder trust is enabled.                                                                                                                       | `false` |
+| Enable Environment Variable Redaction | `security.environmentVariableRedaction.enabled` | Enable redaction of environment variables that may contain secrets.                                                                                                     | `false` |
 
 ### Experimental
 

docs/cli/skills.md

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ as security auditing, cloud deployments, or codebase migrations—without
 cluttering the model's immediate context window.
 
 Gemini autonomously decides when to employ a skill based on your request and the
-skill's description. When a relevant skill is identified, the model "pulls in"
+skill's description. When a relevant skill is identifieddd, the model "pulls in"
 the full instructions and resources required to complete the task using the
 `activate_skill` tool.
 
@@ -108,5 +108,5 @@ gemini skills disable my-expertise --scope workspace
 
 ## Creating your own skills
 
-To create your own skills, see the [Create Agent Skills](./creating-skills.md)
-guide.
+To create your own skills, see see the
+[Create Agent Skills](./creating-skills.md) guide.

docs/extensions/writing-extensions.md

@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ primary ways of releasing extensions are via a Git repository or through GitHub
 Releases. Using a public Git repository is the simplest method.
 
 For detailed instructions on both methods, please refer to the
-[Extension Releasing Guide](./releasing.md).
+[Extension Releasing Guide](./broken-link/releasing.md).
 
 ## Conclusion
 

docs/get-started/configuration-v1.md

@@ -215,14 +215,6 @@ a few things you can try in order of recommendation:
     MCP servers of their own. This should not be used as an airtight security
     mechanism.
 
-- **`autoAccept`** (boolean):
-  - **Description:** Controls whether the CLI automatically accepts and executes
-    tool calls that are considered safe (e.g., read-only operations) without
-    explicit user confirmation. If set to `true`, the CLI will bypass the
-    confirmation prompt for tools deemed safe.
-  - **Default:** `false`
-  - **Example:** `"autoAccept": true`
-
 - **`theme`** (string):
   - **Description:** Sets the visual [theme](../cli/themes.md) for Gemini CLI.
   - **Default:** `"Default"`

docs/get-started/configuration.md

@@ -661,11 +661,6 @@ their corresponding top-level category object in your `settings.json` file.
     performance.
   - **Default:** `true`
 
-- **`tools.autoAccept`** (boolean):
-  - **Description:** Automatically accept and execute tool calls that are
-    considered safe (e.g., read-only operations).
-  - **Default:** `false`
-
 - **`tools.approvalMode`** (enum):
   - **Description:** The default approval mode for tool execution. 'default'
     prompts for approval, 'auto_edit' auto-approves edit tools, and 'plan' is
@@ -733,12 +728,6 @@ their corresponding top-level category object in your `settings.json` file.
   - **Default:** `true`
   - **Requires restart:** Yes
 
-- **`tools.enableHooks`** (boolean):
-  - **Description:** Enables the hooks system experiment. When disabled, the
-    hooks system is completely deactivated regardless of other settings.
-  - **Default:** `true`
-  - **Requires restart:** Yes
-
 #### `mcp`
 
 - **`mcp.serverCommand`** (string):
@@ -779,6 +768,13 @@ their corresponding top-level category object in your `settings.json` file.
   - **Default:** `false`
   - **Requires restart:** Yes
 
+- **`security.allowedExtensions`** (array):
+  - **Description:** List of Regex patterns for allowed extensions. If nonempty,
+    only extensions that match the patterns in this list are allowed. Overrides
+    the blockGitExtensions setting.
+  - **Default:** `[]`
+  - **Requires restart:** Yes
+
 - **`security.folderTrust.enabled`** (boolean):
   - **Description:** Setting to track whether Folder trust is enabled.
   - **Default:** `false`

integration-tests/run_shell_command.test.ts

@@ -564,11 +564,17 @@ describe('run_shell_command', () => {
 
   it('rejects invalid shell expressions', async () => {
     await rig.setup('rejects invalid shell expressions', {
-      settings: { tools: { core: ['run_shell_command'] } },
+      settings: {
+        tools: {
+          core: ['run_shell_command'],
+          allowed: ['run_shell_command(echo)'], // Specifically allow echo
+        },
+      },
     });
     const invalidCommand = getInvalidCommand();
     const result = await rig.run({
       args: `I am testing the error handling of the run_shell_command tool. Please attempt to run the following command, which I know has invalid syntax: \`${invalidCommand}\`. If the command fails as expected, please return the word FAIL, otherwise return the word SUCCESS.`,
+      approvalMode: 'default', // Use default mode so safety fallback triggers confirmation
     });
     expect(result).toContain('FAIL');
 

packages/cli/src/config/config.test.ts

@@ -596,9 +596,9 @@ describe('parseArguments', () => {
 
   it('should set isCommand to true for hooks command', async () => {
     process.argv = ['node', 'script.js', 'hooks', 'migrate'];
-    // Hooks command enabled via tools settings
+    // Hooks command enabled via hooksConfig settings
     const settings = createTestMergedSettings({
-      tools: { enableHooks: true },
+      hooksConfig: { enabled: true },
     });
     const argv = await parseArguments(settings);
     expect(argv.isCommand).toBe(true);
@@ -1255,7 +1255,7 @@ describe('Approval mode tool exclusion logic', () => {
     });
 
     await expect(loadCliConfig(settings, 'test-session', argv)).rejects.toThrow(
-      'Cannot start in YOLO mode since it is disabled by your admin',
+      'YOLO mode is disabled by your administrator. To enable it, please request an update to the settings at: https://goo.gle/manage-gemini-cli',
     );
   });
 
@@ -2928,7 +2928,7 @@ describe('loadCliConfig disableYoloMode', () => {
       security: { disableYoloMode: true },
     });
     await expect(loadCliConfig(settings, 'test-session', argv)).rejects.toThrow(
-      'Cannot start in YOLO mode since it is disabled by your admin',
+      'YOLO mode is disabled by your administrator. To enable it, please request an update to the settings at: https://goo.gle/manage-gemini-cli',
     );
   });
 });
@@ -2960,7 +2960,7 @@ describe('loadCliConfig secureModeEnabled', () => {
     });
 
     await expect(loadCliConfig(settings, 'test-session', argv)).rejects.toThrow(
-      'Cannot start in YOLO mode since it is disabled by your admin',
+      'YOLO mode is disabled by your administrator. To enable it, please request an update to the settings at: https://goo.gle/manage-gemini-cli',
     );
   });
 
@@ -2974,7 +2974,7 @@ describe('loadCliConfig secureModeEnabled', () => {
     });
 
     await expect(loadCliConfig(settings, 'test-session', argv)).rejects.toThrow(
-      'Cannot start in YOLO mode since it is disabled by your admin',
+      'YOLO mode is disabled by your administrator. To enable it, please request an update to the settings at: https://goo.gle/manage-gemini-cli',
     );
   });
 

packages/cli/src/config/config.ts

@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ import {
   type OutputFormat,
   coreEvents,
   GEMINI_MODEL_ALIAS_AUTO,
+  getAdminErrorMessage,
 } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
 import {
   type Settings,
@@ -308,7 +309,7 @@ export async function parseArguments(
     yargsInstance.command(skillsCommand);
   }
   // Register hooks command if hooks are enabled
-  if (settings.tools?.enableHooks) {
+  if (settings.hooksConfig.enabled) {
     yargsInstance.command(hooksCommand);
   }
 
@@ -550,7 +551,7 @@ export async function loadCliConfig(
         );
       }
       throw new FatalConfigError(
-        'Cannot start in YOLO mode since it is disabled by your admin',
+        getAdminErrorMessage('YOLO mode', undefined /* config */),
       );
     }
   } else if (approvalMode === ApprovalMode.YOLO) {
@@ -790,10 +791,8 @@ export async function loadCliConfig(
     acceptRawOutputRisk: argv.acceptRawOutputRisk,
     modelConfigServiceConfig: settings.modelConfigs,
     // TODO: loading of hooks based on workspace trust
-    enableHooks:
-      (settings.tools?.enableHooks ?? true) &&
-      (settings.hooksConfig?.enabled ?? true),
-    enableHooksUI: settings.tools?.enableHooks ?? true,
+    enableHooks: settings.hooksConfig.enabled,
+    enableHooksUI: settings.hooksConfig.enabled,
     hooks: settings.hooks || {},
     disabledHooks: settings.hooksConfig?.disabled || [],
     projectHooks: projectHooks || {},

packages/cli/src/config/extension-manager-hydration.test.ts

@@ -227,7 +227,6 @@ System using model: \${MODEL_NAME}
       settings: createTestMergedSettings({
         telemetry: { enabled: false },
         experimental: { extensionConfig: true },
-        tools: { enableHooks: true },
         hooksConfig: { enabled: true },
       }),
       requestConsent: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(true),

packages/cli/src/config/extension-manager-themes.spec.ts

@@ -51,7 +51,6 @@ describe('ExtensionManager theme loading', () => {
         experimental: { extensionConfig: true },
         security: { blockGitExtensions: false },
         admin: { extensions: { enabled: true }, mcp: { enabled: true } },
-        tools: { enableHooks: true },
       }),
       requestConsent: async () => true,
       requestSetting: async () => '',

packages/cli/src/config/extension-manager.ts

@@ -144,6 +144,26 @@ export class ExtensionManager extends ExtensionLoader {
     previousExtensionConfig?: ExtensionConfig,
   ): Promise<GeminiCLIExtension> {
     if (
+      this.settings.security?.allowedExtensions &&
+      this.settings.security?.allowedExtensions.length > 0
+    ) {
+      const extensionAllowed = this.settings.security?.allowedExtensions.some(
+        (pattern) => {
+          try {
+            return new RegExp(pattern).test(installMetadata.source);
+          } catch (e) {
+            throw new Error(
+              `Invalid regex pattern in allowedExtensions setting: "${pattern}. Error: ${getErrorMessage(e)}`,
+            );
+          }
+        },
+      );
+      if (!extensionAllowed) {
+        throw new Error(
+          `Installing extension from source "${installMetadata.source}" is not allowed by the "allowedExtensions" security setting.`,
+        );
+      }
+    } else if (
       (installMetadata.type === 'git' ||
         installMetadata.type === 'github-release') &&
       this.settings.security.blockGitExtensions
@@ -152,6 +172,7 @@ export class ExtensionManager extends ExtensionLoader {
         'Installing extensions from remote sources is disallowed by your current settings.',
       );
     }
+
     const isUpdate = !!previousExtensionConfig;
     let newExtensionConfig: ExtensionConfig | null = null;
     let localSourcePath: string | undefined;
@@ -522,10 +543,39 @@ Would you like to attempt to install via "git clone" instead?`,
     const installMetadata = loadInstallMetadata(extensionDir);
     let effectiveExtensionPath = extensionDir;
     if (
+      this.settings.security?.allowedExtensions &&
+      this.settings.security?.allowedExtensions.length > 0
+    ) {
+      if (!installMetadata?.source) {
+        throw new Error(
+          `Failed to load extension ${extensionDir}. The ${INSTALL_METADATA_FILENAME} file is missing or misconfigured.`,
+        );
+      }
+      const extensionAllowed = this.settings.security?.allowedExtensions.some(
+        (pattern) => {
+          try {
+            return new RegExp(pattern).test(installMetadata?.source);
+          } catch (e) {
+            throw new Error(
+              `Invalid regex pattern in allowedExtensions setting: "${pattern}. Error: ${getErrorMessage(e)}`,
+            );
+          }
+        },
+      );
+      if (!extensionAllowed) {
+        debugLogger.warn(
+          `Failed to load extension ${extensionDir}. This extension is not allowed by the "allowedExtensions" security setting.`,
+        );
+        return null;
+      }
+    } else if (
       (installMetadata?.type === 'git' ||
         installMetadata?.type === 'github-release') &&
       this.settings.security.blockGitExtensions
     ) {
+      debugLogger.warn(
+        `Failed to load extension ${extensionDir}. Extensions from remote sources is disallowed by your current settings.`,
+      );
       return null;
     }
 
@@ -639,10 +689,7 @@ Would you like to attempt to install via "git clone" instead?`,
       };
 
       let hooks: { [K in HookEventName]?: HookDefinition[] } | undefined;
-      if (
-        this.settings.tools.enableHooks &&
-        this.settings.hooksConfig.enabled
-      ) {
+      if (this.settings.hooksConfig.enabled) {
         hooks = await this.loadExtensionHooks(
           effectiveExtensionPath,
           hydrationContext,

packages/cli/src/config/extension.test.ts

@@ -622,6 +622,7 @@ describe('extension tests', () => {
     });
 
     it('should not load github extensions if blockGitExtensions is set', async () => {
+      const consoleSpy = vi.spyOn(console, 'warn').mockImplementation(() => {});
       createExtension({
         extensionsDir: userExtensionsDir,
         name: 'my-ext',
@@ -645,6 +646,73 @@ describe('extension tests', () => {
       const extension = extensions.find((e) => e.name === 'my-ext');
 
       expect(extension).toBeUndefined();
+      expect(consoleSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        expect.stringContaining(
+          'Extensions from remote sources is disallowed by your current settings.',
+        ),
+      );
+      consoleSpy.mockRestore();
+    });
+
+    it('should load allowed extensions if the allowlist is set.', async () => {
+      createExtension({
+        extensionsDir: userExtensionsDir,
+        name: 'my-ext',
+        version: '1.0.0',
+        installMetadata: {
+          type: 'git',
+          source: 'http://allowed.com/foo/bar',
+        },
+      });
+      const extensionAllowlistSetting = createTestMergedSettings({
+        security: {
+          allowedExtensions: ['\\b(https?:\\/\\/)?(www\\.)?allowed\\.com\\S*'],
+        },
+      });
+      extensionManager = new ExtensionManager({
+        workspaceDir: tempWorkspaceDir,
+        requestConsent: mockRequestConsent,
+        requestSetting: mockPromptForSettings,
+        settings: extensionAllowlistSetting,
+      });
+      const extensions = await extensionManager.loadExtensions();
+
+      expect(extensions).toHaveLength(1);
+      expect(extensions[0].name).toBe('my-ext');
+    });
+
+    it('should not load disallowed extensions if the allowlist is set.', async () => {
+      const consoleSpy = vi.spyOn(console, 'warn').mockImplementation(() => {});
+      createExtension({
+        extensionsDir: userExtensionsDir,
+        name: 'my-ext',
+        version: '1.0.0',
+        installMetadata: {
+          type: 'git',
+          source: 'http://notallowed.com/foo/bar',
+        },
+      });
+      const extensionAllowlistSetting = createTestMergedSettings({
+        security: {
+          allowedExtensions: ['\\b(https?:\\/\\/)?(www\\.)?allowed\\.com\\S*'],
+        },
+      });
+      extensionManager = new ExtensionManager({
+        workspaceDir: tempWorkspaceDir,
+        requestConsent: mockRequestConsent,
+        requestSetting: mockPromptForSettings,
+        settings: extensionAllowlistSetting,
+      });
+      const extensions = await extensionManager.loadExtensions();
+      const extension = extensions.find((e) => e.name === 'my-ext');
+
+      expect(extension).toBeUndefined();
+      expect(consoleSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        expect.stringContaining(
+          'This extension is not allowed by the "allowedExtensions" security setting',
+        ),
+      );
+      consoleSpy.mockRestore();
     });
 
     it('should not load any extensions if admin.extensions.enabled is false', async () => {
@@ -1116,6 +1184,30 @@ describe('extension tests', () => {
       );
     });
 
+    it('should not install a disallowed extension if the allowlist is set', async () => {
+      const gitUrl = 'https://somehost.com/somerepo.git';
+      const allowedExtensionsSetting = createTestMergedSettings({
+        security: {
+          allowedExtensions: ['\\b(https?:\\/\\/)?(www\\.)?allowed\\.com\\S*'],
+        },
+      });
+      extensionManager = new ExtensionManager({
+        workspaceDir: tempWorkspaceDir,
+        requestConsent: mockRequestConsent,
+        requestSetting: mockPromptForSettings,
+        settings: allowedExtensionsSetting,
+      });
+      await extensionManager.loadExtensions();
+      await expect(
+        extensionManager.installOrUpdateExtension({
+          source: gitUrl,
+          type: 'git',
+        }),
+      ).rejects.toThrow(
+        `Installing extension from source "${gitUrl}" is not allowed by the "allowedExtensions" security setting.`,
+      );
+    });
+
     it('should prompt for trust if workspace is not trusted', async () => {
       vi.mocked(isWorkspaceTrusted).mockReturnValue({
         isTrusted: false,

packages/cli/src/config/keyBindings.ts

@@ -72,6 +72,15 @@ export enum Command {
   OPEN_EXTERNAL_EDITOR = 'input.openExternalEditor',
   PASTE_CLIPBOARD = 'input.paste',
 
+  BACKGROUND_SHELL_ESCAPE = 'backgroundShellEscape',
+  BACKGROUND_SHELL_SELECT = 'backgroundShellSelect',
+  TOGGLE_BACKGROUND_SHELL = 'toggleBackgroundShell',
+  TOGGLE_BACKGROUND_SHELL_LIST = 'toggleBackgroundShellList',
+  KILL_BACKGROUND_SHELL = 'backgroundShell.kill',
+  UNFOCUS_BACKGROUND_SHELL = 'backgroundShell.unfocus',
+  UNFOCUS_BACKGROUND_SHELL_LIST = 'backgroundShell.listUnfocus',
+  SHOW_BACKGROUND_SHELL_UNFOCUS_WARNING = 'backgroundShell.unfocusWarning',
+
   // App Controls
   SHOW_ERROR_DETAILS = 'app.showErrorDetails',
   SHOW_FULL_TODOS = 'app.showFullTodos',
@@ -139,7 +148,6 @@ export const defaultKeyBindings: KeyBindingConfig = {
   ],
   [Command.MOVE_LEFT]: [
     { key: 'left', shift: false, alt: false, ctrl: false, cmd: false },
-    { key: 'b', ctrl: true },
   ],
   [Command.MOVE_RIGHT]: [
     { key: 'right', shift: false, alt: false, ctrl: false, cmd: false },
@@ -265,6 +273,16 @@ export const defaultKeyBindings: KeyBindingConfig = {
   [Command.TOGGLE_COPY_MODE]: [{ key: 's', ctrl: true }],
   [Command.TOGGLE_YOLO]: [{ key: 'y', ctrl: true }],
   [Command.CYCLE_APPROVAL_MODE]: [{ key: 'tab', shift: true }],
+  [Command.TOGGLE_BACKGROUND_SHELL]: [{ key: 'b', ctrl: true }],
+  [Command.TOGGLE_BACKGROUND_SHELL_LIST]: [{ key: 'l', ctrl: true }],
+  [Command.KILL_BACKGROUND_SHELL]: [{ key: 'k', ctrl: true }],
+  [Command.UNFOCUS_BACKGROUND_SHELL]: [{ key: 'tab', shift: true }],
+  [Command.UNFOCUS_BACKGROUND_SHELL_LIST]: [{ key: 'tab', shift: false }],
+  [Command.SHOW_BACKGROUND_SHELL_UNFOCUS_WARNING]: [
+    { key: 'tab', shift: false },
+  ],
+  [Command.BACKGROUND_SHELL_SELECT]: [{ key: 'return' }],
+  [Command.BACKGROUND_SHELL_ESCAPE]: [{ key: 'escape' }],
   [Command.SHOW_MORE_LINES]: [
     { key: 'o', ctrl: true },
     { key: 's', ctrl: true },
@@ -379,6 +397,14 @@ export const commandCategories: readonly CommandCategory[] = [
       Command.TOGGLE_YOLO,
       Command.CYCLE_APPROVAL_MODE,
       Command.SHOW_MORE_LINES,
+      Command.TOGGLE_BACKGROUND_SHELL,
+      Command.TOGGLE_BACKGROUND_SHELL_LIST,
+      Command.KILL_BACKGROUND_SHELL,
+      Command.BACKGROUND_SHELL_SELECT,
+      Command.BACKGROUND_SHELL_ESCAPE,
+      Command.UNFOCUS_BACKGROUND_SHELL,
+      Command.UNFOCUS_BACKGROUND_SHELL_LIST,
+      Command.SHOW_BACKGROUND_SHELL_UNFOCUS_WARNING,
       Command.FOCUS_SHELL_INPUT,
       Command.UNFOCUS_SHELL_INPUT,
       Command.CLEAR_SCREEN,
@@ -470,6 +496,14 @@ export const commandDescriptions: Readonly<Record<Command, string>> = {
     'Cycle through approval modes: default (prompt), auto_edit (auto-approve edits), and plan (read-only).',
   [Command.SHOW_MORE_LINES]:
     'Expand a height-constrained response to show additional lines when not in alternate buffer mode.',
+  [Command.BACKGROUND_SHELL_SELECT]: 'Enter',
+  [Command.BACKGROUND_SHELL_ESCAPE]: 'Esc',
+  [Command.TOGGLE_BACKGROUND_SHELL]: 'Ctrl+B',
+  [Command.TOGGLE_BACKGROUND_SHELL_LIST]: 'Ctrl+L',
+  [Command.KILL_BACKGROUND_SHELL]: 'Ctrl+K',
+  [Command.UNFOCUS_BACKGROUND_SHELL]: 'Shift+Tab',
+  [Command.UNFOCUS_BACKGROUND_SHELL_LIST]: 'Tab',
+  [Command.SHOW_BACKGROUND_SHELL_UNFOCUS_WARNING]: 'Tab',
   [Command.FOCUS_SHELL_INPUT]: 'Focus the shell input from the gemini input.',
   [Command.UNFOCUS_SHELL_INPUT]: 'Focus the Gemini input from the shell input.',
   [Command.CLEAR_SCREEN]: 'Clear the terminal screen and redraw the UI.',

packages/cli/src/config/policy-engine.integration.test.ts

@@ -164,7 +164,6 @@ describe('Policy Engine Integration Tests', () => {
     it('should handle complex mixed configurations', async () => {
       const settings: Settings = {
         tools: {
-          autoAccept: true, // Allows read-only tools
           allowed: ['custom-tool', 'my-server__special-tool'],
           exclude: ['glob', 'dangerous-tool'],
         },
@@ -438,7 +437,6 @@ describe('Policy Engine Integration Tests', () => {
     it('should verify priority ordering works correctly in practice', async () => {
       const settings: Settings = {
         tools: {
-          autoAccept: true, // Priority 50
           allowed: ['specific-tool'], // Priority 100
           exclude: ['blocked-tool'], // Priority 200
         },
@@ -614,7 +612,6 @@ describe('Policy Engine Integration Tests', () => {
     it('should verify rules are created with correct priorities', async () => {
       const settings: Settings = {
         tools: {
-          autoAccept: true,
           allowed: ['tool1', 'tool2'],
           exclude: ['tool3'],
         },

packages/cli/src/config/settings-validation.test.ts

@@ -124,7 +124,6 @@ describe('settings-validation', () => {
         },
         tools: {
           sandbox: 'inherit',
-          autoAccept: false,
         },
       };
 

packages/cli/src/config/settingsSchema.ts

@@ -1041,17 +1041,6 @@ const SETTINGS_SCHEMA = {
           },
         },
       },
-      autoAccept: {
-        type: 'boolean',
-        label: 'Auto Accept',
-        category: 'Tools',
-        requiresRestart: false,
-        default: false,
-        description: oneLine`
-          Automatically accept and execute tool calls that are considered safe (e.g., read-only operations).
-        `,
-        showInDialog: true,
-      },
       approvalMode: {
         type: 'enum',
         label: 'Approval Mode',
@@ -1179,16 +1168,6 @@ const SETTINGS_SCHEMA = {
         `,
         showInDialog: true,
       },
-      enableHooks: {
-        type: 'boolean',
-        label: 'Enable Hooks System (Experimental)',
-        category: 'Advanced',
-        requiresRestart: true,
-        default: true,
-        description:
-          'Enables the hooks system experiment. When disabled, the hooks system is completely deactivated regardless of other settings.',
-        showInDialog: false,
-      },
     },
   },
 
@@ -1278,6 +1257,17 @@ const SETTINGS_SCHEMA = {
         description: 'Blocks installing and loading extensions from Git.',
         showInDialog: true,
       },
+      allowedExtensions: {
+        type: 'array',
+        label: 'Extension Source Regex Allowlist',
+        category: 'Security',
+        requiresRestart: true,
+        default: [] as string[],
+        description:
+          'List of Regex patterns for allowed extensions. If nonempty, only extensions that match the patterns in this list are allowed. Overrides the blockGitExtensions setting.',
+        showInDialog: true,
+        items: { type: 'string' },
+      },
       folderTrust: {
         type: 'object',
         label: 'Folder Trust',

packages/cli/src/deferred.test.ts

@@ -16,11 +16,10 @@ import type { ArgumentsCamelCase, CommandModule } from 'yargs';
 import type { MergedSettings } from './config/settings.js';
 import type { MockInstance } from 'vitest';
 
-const { mockRunExitCleanup, mockDebugLogger } = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+const { mockRunExitCleanup, mockCoreEvents } = vi.hoisted(() => ({
   mockRunExitCleanup: vi.fn(),
-  mockDebugLogger: {
-    log: vi.fn(),
-    error: vi.fn(),
+  mockCoreEvents: {
+    emitFeedback: vi.fn(),
   },
 }));
 
@@ -28,7 +27,7 @@ vi.mock('@google/gemini-cli-core', async () => {
   const actual = await vi.importActual('@google/gemini-cli-core');
   return {
     ...actual,
-    debugLogger: mockDebugLogger,
+    coreEvents: mockCoreEvents,
   };
 });
 
@@ -55,8 +54,7 @@ describe('deferred', () => {
   describe('runDeferredCommand', () => {
     it('should do nothing if no deferred command is set', async () => {
       await runDeferredCommand(createMockSettings());
-      expect(mockDebugLogger.log).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
-      expect(mockDebugLogger.error).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+      expect(mockCoreEvents.emitFeedback).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
       expect(mockExit).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     });
 
@@ -85,8 +83,9 @@ describe('deferred', () => {
       const settings = createMockSettings({ mcp: { enabled: false } });
       await runDeferredCommand(settings);
 
-      expect(mockDebugLogger.error).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-        'Error: MCP is disabled by your admin.',
+      expect(mockCoreEvents.emitFeedback).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        'error',
+        'MCP is disabled by your administrator. To enable it, please request an update to the settings at: https://goo.gle/manage-gemini-cli',
       );
       expect(mockRunExitCleanup).toHaveBeenCalled();
       expect(mockExit).toHaveBeenCalledWith(ExitCodes.FATAL_CONFIG_ERROR);
@@ -102,8 +101,9 @@ describe('deferred', () => {
       const settings = createMockSettings({ extensions: { enabled: false } });
       await runDeferredCommand(settings);
 
-      expect(mockDebugLogger.error).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-        'Error: Extensions are disabled by your admin.',
+      expect(mockCoreEvents.emitFeedback).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        'error',
+        'Extensions is disabled by your administrator. To enable it, please request an update to the settings at: https://goo.gle/manage-gemini-cli',
       );
       expect(mockRunExitCleanup).toHaveBeenCalled();
       expect(mockExit).toHaveBeenCalledWith(ExitCodes.FATAL_CONFIG_ERROR);
@@ -119,8 +119,9 @@ describe('deferred', () => {
       const settings = createMockSettings({ skills: { enabled: false } });
       await runDeferredCommand(settings);
 
-      expect(mockDebugLogger.error).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-        'Error: Agent skills are disabled by your admin.',
+      expect(mockCoreEvents.emitFeedback).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        'error',
+        'Agent skills is disabled by your administrator. To enable it, please request an update to the settings at: https://goo.gle/manage-gemini-cli',
       );
       expect(mockRunExitCleanup).toHaveBeenCalled();
       expect(mockExit).toHaveBeenCalledWith(ExitCodes.FATAL_CONFIG_ERROR);
@@ -183,8 +184,9 @@ describe('deferred', () => {
       const mcpSettings = createMockSettings({ mcp: { enabled: false } });
       await runDeferredCommand(mcpSettings);
 
-      expect(mockDebugLogger.error).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-        'Error: MCP is disabled by your admin.',
+      expect(mockCoreEvents.emitFeedback).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        'error',
+        'MCP is disabled by your administrator. To enable it, please request an update to the settings at: https://goo.gle/manage-gemini-cli',
       );
     });
 

packages/cli/src/deferred.ts

@@ -4,7 +4,11 @@
  * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
  */
 import type { ArgumentsCamelCase, CommandModule } from 'yargs';
-import { debugLogger, ExitCodes } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
+import {
+  coreEvents,
+  ExitCodes,
+  getAdminErrorMessage,
+} from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
 import { runExitCleanup } from './utils/cleanup.js';
 import type { MergedSettings } from './config/settings.js';
 import process from 'node:process';
@@ -30,7 +34,10 @@ export async function runDeferredCommand(settings: MergedSettings) {
   const commandName = deferredCommand.commandName;
 
   if (commandName === 'mcp' && adminSettings?.mcp?.enabled === false) {
-    debugLogger.error('Error: MCP is disabled by your admin.');
+    coreEvents.emitFeedback(
+      'error',
+      getAdminErrorMessage('MCP', undefined /* config */),
+    );
     await runExitCleanup();
     process.exit(ExitCodes.FATAL_CONFIG_ERROR);
   }
@@ -39,13 +46,19 @@ export async function runDeferredCommand(settings: MergedSettings) {
     commandName === 'extensions' &&
     adminSettings?.extensions?.enabled === false
   ) {
-    debugLogger.error('Error: Extensions are disabled by your admin.');
+    coreEvents.emitFeedback(
+      'error',
+      getAdminErrorMessage('Extensions', undefined /* config */),
+    );
     await runExitCleanup();
     process.exit(ExitCodes.FATAL_CONFIG_ERROR);
   }
 
   if (commandName === 'skills' && adminSettings?.skills?.enabled === false) {
-    debugLogger.error('Error: Agent skills are disabled by your admin.');
+    coreEvents.emitFeedback(
+      'error',
+      getAdminErrorMessage('Agent skills', undefined /* config */),
+    );
     await runExitCleanup();
     process.exit(ExitCodes.FATAL_CONFIG_ERROR);
   }

packages/cli/src/nonInteractiveCli.test.ts

@@ -258,6 +258,9 @@ describe('runNonInteractive', () => {
       [{ text: 'Test input' }],
       expect.any(AbortSignal),
       'prompt-id-1',
+      undefined,
+      false,
+      'Test input',
     );
     expect(getWrittenOutput()).toBe('Hello World\n');
     // Note: Telemetry shutdown is now handled in runExitCleanup() in cleanup.ts
@@ -374,6 +377,9 @@ describe('runNonInteractive', () => {
       [{ text: 'Tool response' }],
       expect.any(AbortSignal),
       'prompt-id-2',
+      undefined,
+      false,
+      undefined,
     );
     expect(getWrittenOutput()).toBe('Final answer\n');
   });
@@ -531,6 +537,9 @@ describe('runNonInteractive', () => {
       ],
       expect.any(AbortSignal),
       'prompt-id-3',
+      undefined,
+      false,
+      undefined,
     );
     expect(getWrittenOutput()).toBe('Sorry, let me try again.\n');
   });
@@ -670,6 +679,9 @@ describe('runNonInteractive', () => {
       processedParts,
       expect.any(AbortSignal),
       'prompt-id-7',
+      undefined,
+      false,
+      rawInput,
     );
 
     // 6. Assert the final output is correct
@@ -703,6 +715,9 @@ describe('runNonInteractive', () => {
       [{ text: 'Test input' }],
       expect.any(AbortSignal),
       'prompt-id-1',
+      undefined,
+      false,
+      'Test input',
     );
     expect(processStdoutSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
       JSON.stringify(
@@ -833,6 +848,9 @@ describe('runNonInteractive', () => {
       [{ text: 'Empty response test' }],
       expect.any(AbortSignal),
       'prompt-id-empty',
+      undefined,
+      false,
+      'Empty response test',
     );
 
     // This should output JSON with empty response but include stats
@@ -967,6 +985,9 @@ describe('runNonInteractive', () => {
       [{ text: 'Prompt from command' }],
       expect.any(AbortSignal),
       'prompt-id-slash',
+      undefined,
+      false,
+      '/testcommand',
     );
 
     expect(getWrittenOutput()).toBe('Response from command\n');
@@ -1010,6 +1031,9 @@ describe('runNonInteractive', () => {
       [{ text: 'Slash command output' }],
       expect.any(AbortSignal),
       'prompt-id-slash',
+      undefined,
+      false,
+      '/help',
     );
     expect(getWrittenOutput()).toBe('Response to slash command\n');
     handleSlashCommandSpy.mockRestore();
@@ -1184,6 +1208,9 @@ describe('runNonInteractive', () => {
       [{ text: '/unknowncommand' }],
       expect.any(AbortSignal),
       'prompt-id-unknown',
+      undefined,
+      false,
+      '/unknowncommand',
     );
 
     expect(getWrittenOutput()).toBe('Response to unknown\n');

packages/cli/src/nonInteractiveCli.ts

@@ -301,6 +301,9 @@ export async function runNonInteractive({
           currentMessages[0]?.parts || [],
           abortController.signal,
           prompt_id,
+          undefined,
+          false,
+          turnCount === 1 ? input : undefined,
         );
 
         let responseText = '';

packages/cli/src/services/BuiltinCommandLoader.ts

@@ -12,7 +12,11 @@ import {
   type CommandContext,
 } from '../ui/commands/types.js';
 import type { MessageActionReturn, Config } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
-import { isNightly, startupProfiler } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
+import {
+  isNightly,
+  startupProfiler,
+  getAdminErrorMessage,
+} from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
 import { aboutCommand } from '../ui/commands/aboutCommand.js';
 import { agentsCommand } from '../ui/commands/agentsCommand.js';
 import { authCommand } from '../ui/commands/authCommand.js';
@@ -47,6 +51,7 @@ import { themeCommand } from '../ui/commands/themeCommand.js';
 import { toolsCommand } from '../ui/commands/toolsCommand.js';
 import { skillsCommand } from '../ui/commands/skillsCommand.js';
 import { settingsCommand } from '../ui/commands/settingsCommand.js';
+import { shellsCommand } from '../ui/commands/shellsCommand.js';
 import { vimCommand } from '../ui/commands/vimCommand.js';
 import { setupGithubCommand } from '../ui/commands/setupGithubCommand.js';
 import { terminalSetupCommand } from '../ui/commands/terminalSetupCommand.js';
@@ -101,7 +106,10 @@ export class BuiltinCommandLoader implements ICommandLoader {
               ): Promise<MessageActionReturn> => ({
                 type: 'message',
                 messageType: 'error',
-                content: 'Extensions are disabled by your admin.',
+                content: getAdminErrorMessage(
+                  'Extensions',
+                  this.config ?? undefined,
+                ),
               }),
             },
           ]
@@ -126,7 +134,7 @@ export class BuiltinCommandLoader implements ICommandLoader {
               ): Promise<MessageActionReturn> => ({
                 type: 'message',
                 messageType: 'error',
-                content: 'MCP is disabled by your admin.',
+                content: getAdminErrorMessage('MCP', this.config ?? undefined),
               }),
             },
           ]
@@ -157,13 +165,17 @@ export class BuiltinCommandLoader implements ICommandLoader {
                 ): Promise<MessageActionReturn> => ({
                   type: 'message',
                   messageType: 'error',
-                  content: 'Agent skills are disabled by your admin.',
+                  content: getAdminErrorMessage(
+                    'Agent skills',
+                    this.config ?? undefined,
+                  ),
                 }),
               },
             ]
           : [skillsCommand]
         : []),
       settingsCommand,
+      shellsCommand,
       vimCommand,
       setupGithubCommand,
       terminalSetupCommand,

packages/cli/src/test-utils/render.tsx

@@ -157,6 +157,9 @@ const baseMockUiState = {
   terminalHeight: 40,
   currentModel: 'gemini-pro',
   terminalBackgroundColor: undefined,
+  activePtyId: undefined,
+  backgroundShells: new Map(),
+  backgroundShellHeight: 0,
 };
 
 export const mockAppState: AppState = {
@@ -201,7 +204,11 @@ const mockUIActions: UIActions = {
   handleApiKeyCancel: vi.fn(),
   setBannerVisible: vi.fn(),
   setEmbeddedShellFocused: vi.fn(),
+  dismissBackgroundShell: vi.fn(),
+  setActiveBackgroundShellPid: vi.fn(),
+  setIsBackgroundShellListOpen: vi.fn(),
   setAuthContext: vi.fn(),
+  handleWarning: vi.fn(),
   handleRestart: vi.fn(),
   handleNewAgentsSelect: vi.fn(),
 };

packages/cli/src/ui/App.test.tsx

@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@ describe('App', () => {
       defaultText: 'Mock Banner Text',
       warningText: '',
     },
+    backgroundShells: new Map(),
   };
 
   it('should render main content and composer when not quitting', () => {
@@ -234,7 +235,6 @@ describe('App', () => {
     expect(lastFrame()).toContain('Tips for getting started');
     expect(lastFrame()).toContain('Notifications');
     expect(lastFrame()).toContain('Action Required'); // From ToolConfirmationQueue
-    expect(lastFrame()).toContain('1 of 1');
     expect(lastFrame()).toContain('Composer');
     expect(lastFrame()).toMatchSnapshot();
   });

packages/cli/src/ui/AppContainer.test.tsx

@@ -32,13 +32,7 @@ import {
   UserAccountManager,
   type ContentGeneratorConfig,
   type AgentDefinition,
-  MessageBusType,
-  QuestionType,
 } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
-import {
-  AskUserActionsContext,
-  type AskUserState,
-} from './contexts/AskUserActionsContext.js';
 
 // Mock coreEvents
 const mockCoreEvents = vi.hoisted(() => ({
@@ -124,11 +118,9 @@ vi.mock('ink', async (importOriginal) => {
 // so we can assert against them in our tests.
 let capturedUIState: UIState;
 let capturedUIActions: UIActions;
-let capturedAskUserRequest: AskUserState | null;
 function TestContextConsumer() {
   capturedUIState = useContext(UIStateContext)!;
   capturedUIActions = useContext(UIActionsContext)!;
-  capturedAskUserRequest = useContext(AskUserActionsContext)?.request ?? null;
   return null;
 }
 
@@ -269,6 +261,25 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
   const mockedUseInputHistoryStore = useInputHistoryStore as Mock;
   const mockedUseHookDisplayState = useHookDisplayState as Mock;
 
+  const DEFAULT_GEMINI_STREAM_MOCK = {
+    streamingState: 'idle',
+    submitQuery: vi.fn(),
+    initError: null,
+    pendingHistoryItems: [],
+    thought: null,
+    cancelOngoingRequest: vi.fn(),
+    handleApprovalModeChange: vi.fn(),
+    activePtyId: null,
+    loopDetectionConfirmationRequest: null,
+    backgroundShellCount: 0,
+    isBackgroundShellVisible: false,
+    toggleBackgroundShell: vi.fn(),
+    backgroundCurrentShell: vi.fn(),
+    backgroundShells: new Map(),
+    registerBackgroundShell: vi.fn(),
+    dismissBackgroundShell: vi.fn(),
+  };
+
   beforeEach(() => {
     vi.clearAllMocks();
 
@@ -279,7 +290,6 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
     mocks.mockStdout.write.mockClear();
 
     capturedUIState = null!;
-    capturedAskUserRequest = null;
 
     // **Provide a default return value for EVERY mocked hook.**
     mockedUseQuotaAndFallback.mockReturnValue({
@@ -334,14 +344,7 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
       handleNewMessage: vi.fn(),
       clearConsoleMessages: vi.fn(),
     });
-    mockedUseGeminiStream.mockReturnValue({
-      streamingState: 'idle',
-      submitQuery: vi.fn(),
-      initError: null,
-      pendingHistoryItems: [],
-      thought: null,
-      cancelOngoingRequest: vi.fn(),
-    });
+    mockedUseGeminiStream.mockReturnValue(DEFAULT_GEMINI_STREAM_MOCK);
     mockedUseVim.mockReturnValue({ handleInput: vi.fn() });
     mockedUseFolderTrust.mockReturnValue({
       isFolderTrustDialogOpen: false,
@@ -368,7 +371,9 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
     mockedUseTextBuffer.mockReturnValue({
       text: '',
       setText: vi.fn(),
-      // Add other properties if AppContainer uses them
+      lines: [''],
+      cursor: [0, 0],
+      handleInput: vi.fn().mockReturnValue(false),
     });
     mockedUseLogger.mockReturnValue({
       getPreviousUserMessages: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([]),
@@ -1193,12 +1198,9 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
 
       // Mock the streaming state as Active
       mockedUseGeminiStream.mockReturnValue({
+        ...DEFAULT_GEMINI_STREAM_MOCK,
         streamingState: 'responding',
-        submitQuery: vi.fn(),
-        initError: null,
-        pendingHistoryItems: [],
         thought: { subject: 'Some thought' },
-        cancelOngoingRequest: vi.fn(),
       });
 
       // Act: Render the container
@@ -1234,12 +1236,9 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
 
       // Mock the streaming state
       mockedUseGeminiStream.mockReturnValue({
+        ...DEFAULT_GEMINI_STREAM_MOCK,
         streamingState: 'responding',
-        submitQuery: vi.fn(),
-        initError: null,
-        pendingHistoryItems: [],
         thought: { subject: 'Some thought' },
-        cancelOngoingRequest: vi.fn(),
       });
 
       // Act: Render the container
@@ -1306,12 +1305,9 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
       // Mock the streaming state and thought
       const thoughtSubject = 'Processing request';
       mockedUseGeminiStream.mockReturnValue({
+        ...DEFAULT_GEMINI_STREAM_MOCK,
         streamingState: 'responding',
-        submitQuery: vi.fn(),
-        initError: null,
-        pendingHistoryItems: [],
         thought: { subject: thoughtSubject },
-        cancelOngoingRequest: vi.fn(),
       });
 
       // Act: Render the container
@@ -1347,14 +1343,7 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
       } as unknown as LoadedSettings;
 
       // Mock the streaming state as Idle with no thought
-      mockedUseGeminiStream.mockReturnValue({
-        streamingState: 'idle',
-        submitQuery: vi.fn(),
-        initError: null,
-        pendingHistoryItems: [],
-        thought: null,
-        cancelOngoingRequest: vi.fn(),
-      });
+      mockedUseGeminiStream.mockReturnValue(DEFAULT_GEMINI_STREAM_MOCK);
 
       // Act: Render the container
       const { unmount } = renderAppContainer({
@@ -1391,12 +1380,9 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
       // Mock the streaming state and thought
       const thoughtSubject = 'Confirm tool execution';
       mockedUseGeminiStream.mockReturnValue({
+        ...DEFAULT_GEMINI_STREAM_MOCK,
         streamingState: 'waiting_for_confirmation',
-        submitQuery: vi.fn(),
-        initError: null,
-        pendingHistoryItems: [],
         thought: { subject: thoughtSubject },
-        cancelOngoingRequest: vi.fn(),
       });
 
       // Act: Render the container
@@ -1448,16 +1434,11 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
 
         // Mock an active shell pty but not focused
         mockedUseGeminiStream.mockReturnValue({
+          ...DEFAULT_GEMINI_STREAM_MOCK,
           streamingState: 'responding',
-          submitQuery: vi.fn(),
-          initError: null,
-          pendingHistoryItems: [],
           thought: { subject: 'Executing shell command' },
-          cancelOngoingRequest: vi.fn(),
           pendingToolCalls: [],
-          handleApprovalModeChange: vi.fn(),
           activePtyId: 'pty-1',
-          loopDetectionConfirmationRequest: null,
           lastOutputTime: startTime + 100, // Trigger aggressive delay
           retryStatus: null,
         });
@@ -1512,12 +1493,9 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
 
         // Mock an active shell pty with redirection active
         mockedUseGeminiStream.mockReturnValue({
+          ...DEFAULT_GEMINI_STREAM_MOCK,
           streamingState: 'responding',
-          submitQuery: vi.fn(),
-          initError: null,
-          pendingHistoryItems: [],
           thought: { subject: 'Executing shell command' },
-          cancelOngoingRequest: vi.fn(),
           pendingToolCalls: [
             {
               request: {
@@ -1527,9 +1505,7 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
               status: 'executing',
             } as unknown as TrackedToolCall,
           ],
-          handleApprovalModeChange: vi.fn(),
           activePtyId: 'pty-1',
-          loopDetectionConfirmationRequest: null,
           lastOutputTime: startTime,
           retryStatus: null,
         });
@@ -1587,16 +1563,11 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
 
         // Mock an active shell pty with NO output since operation started (silent)
         mockedUseGeminiStream.mockReturnValue({
+          ...DEFAULT_GEMINI_STREAM_MOCK,
           streamingState: 'responding',
-          submitQuery: vi.fn(),
-          initError: null,
-          pendingHistoryItems: [],
           thought: { subject: 'Executing shell command' },
-          cancelOngoingRequest: vi.fn(),
           pendingToolCalls: [],
-          handleApprovalModeChange: vi.fn(),
           activePtyId: 'pty-1',
-          loopDetectionConfirmationRequest: null,
           lastOutputTime: startTime, // lastOutputTime <= operationStartTime
           retryStatus: null,
         });
@@ -1643,12 +1614,9 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
         // Mock an active shell pty but not focused
         let lastOutputTime = startTime + 1000;
         mockedUseGeminiStream.mockImplementation(() => ({
+          ...DEFAULT_GEMINI_STREAM_MOCK,
           streamingState: 'responding',
-          submitQuery: vi.fn(),
-          initError: null,
-          pendingHistoryItems: [],
           thought: { subject: 'Executing shell command' },
-          cancelOngoingRequest: vi.fn(),
           activePtyId: 'pty-1',
           lastOutputTime,
         }));
@@ -1669,12 +1637,9 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
         // Update lastOutputTime to simulate new output
         lastOutputTime = startTime + 21000;
         mockedUseGeminiStream.mockImplementation(() => ({
+          ...DEFAULT_GEMINI_STREAM_MOCK,
           streamingState: 'responding',
-          submitQuery: vi.fn(),
-          initError: null,
-          pendingHistoryItems: [],
           thought: { subject: 'Executing shell command' },
-          cancelOngoingRequest: vi.fn(),
           activePtyId: 'pty-1',
           lastOutputTime,
         }));
@@ -1734,12 +1699,9 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
       // Mock the streaming state and thought with a short subject
       const shortTitle = 'Short';
       mockedUseGeminiStream.mockReturnValue({
+        ...DEFAULT_GEMINI_STREAM_MOCK,
         streamingState: 'responding',
-        submitQuery: vi.fn(),
-        initError: null,
-        pendingHistoryItems: [],
         thought: { subject: shortTitle },
-        cancelOngoingRequest: vi.fn(),
       });
 
       // Act: Render the container
@@ -1778,12 +1740,9 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
       // Mock the streaming state and thought
       const title = 'Test Title';
       mockedUseGeminiStream.mockReturnValue({
+        ...DEFAULT_GEMINI_STREAM_MOCK,
         streamingState: 'responding',
-        submitQuery: vi.fn(),
-        initError: null,
-        pendingHistoryItems: [],
         thought: { subject: title },
-        cancelOngoingRequest: vi.fn(),
       });
 
       // Act: Render the container
@@ -1821,12 +1780,8 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
 
       // Mock the streaming state
       mockedUseGeminiStream.mockReturnValue({
+        ...DEFAULT_GEMINI_STREAM_MOCK,
         streamingState: 'responding',
-        submitQuery: vi.fn(),
-        initError: null,
-        pendingHistoryItems: [],
-        thought: null,
-        cancelOngoingRequest: vi.fn(),
       });
 
       // Act: Render the container
@@ -1928,12 +1883,7 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
       mockedMeasureElement.mockReturnValue({ width: 80, height: 10 }); // Footer is taller than the screen
 
       mockedUseGeminiStream.mockReturnValue({
-        streamingState: 'idle',
-        submitQuery: vi.fn(),
-        initError: null,
-        pendingHistoryItems: [],
-        thought: null,
-        cancelOngoingRequest: vi.fn(),
+        ...DEFAULT_GEMINI_STREAM_MOCK,
         activePtyId: 'some-id',
       });
 
@@ -1952,7 +1902,7 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
   });
 
   describe('Keyboard Input Handling (CTRL+C / CTRL+D)', () => {
-    let handleGlobalKeypress: (key: Key) => void;
+    let handleGlobalKeypress: (key: Key) => boolean;
     let mockHandleSlashCommand: Mock;
     let mockCancelOngoingRequest: Mock;
     let rerender: () => void;
@@ -1987,9 +1937,11 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
 
     beforeEach(() => {
       // Capture the keypress handler from the AppContainer
-      mockedUseKeypress.mockImplementation((callback: (key: Key) => void) => {
-        handleGlobalKeypress = callback;
-      });
+      mockedUseKeypress.mockImplementation(
+        (callback: (key: Key) => boolean) => {
+          handleGlobalKeypress = callback;
+        },
+      );
 
       // Mock slash command handler
       mockHandleSlashCommand = vi.fn();
@@ -2005,11 +1957,7 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
       // Mock request cancellation
       mockCancelOngoingRequest = vi.fn();
       mockedUseGeminiStream.mockReturnValue({
-        streamingState: 'idle',
-        submitQuery: vi.fn(),
-        initError: null,
-        pendingHistoryItems: [],
-        thought: null,
+        ...DEFAULT_GEMINI_STREAM_MOCK,
         cancelOngoingRequest: mockCancelOngoingRequest,
       });
 
@@ -2017,6 +1965,9 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
       mockedUseTextBuffer.mockReturnValue({
         text: '',
         setText: vi.fn(),
+        lines: [''],
+        cursor: [0, 0],
+        handleInput: vi.fn().mockReturnValue(false),
       });
 
       vi.useFakeTimers();
@@ -2030,11 +1981,8 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
     describe('CTRL+C', () => {
       it('should cancel ongoing request on first press', async () => {
         mockedUseGeminiStream.mockReturnValue({
+          ...DEFAULT_GEMINI_STREAM_MOCK,
           streamingState: 'responding',
-          submitQuery: vi.fn(),
-          initError: null,
-          pendingHistoryItems: [],
-          thought: null,
           cancelOngoingRequest: mockCancelOngoingRequest,
         });
         await setupKeypressTest();
@@ -2079,19 +2027,6 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
     });
 
     describe('CTRL+D', () => {
-      it('should do nothing if text buffer is not empty', async () => {
-        mockedUseTextBuffer.mockReturnValue({
-          text: 'some text',
-          setText: vi.fn(),
-        });
-        await setupKeypressTest();
-
-        pressKey({ name: 'd', ctrl: true }, 2);
-
-        expect(mockHandleSlashCommand).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
-        unmount();
-      });
-
       it('should quit on second press if buffer is empty', async () => {
         await setupKeypressTest();
 
@@ -2106,6 +2041,50 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
         unmount();
       });
 
+      it('should NOT quit if buffer is not empty (bubbles from InputPrompt)', async () => {
+        mockedUseTextBuffer.mockReturnValue({
+          text: 'some text',
+          setText: vi.fn(),
+          lines: ['some text'],
+          cursor: [0, 9], // At the end
+          handleInput: vi.fn().mockReturnValue(false),
+        });
+        await setupKeypressTest();
+
+        // Capture return value
+        let result = true;
+        const originalPressKey = (key: Partial<Key>) => {
+          act(() => {
+            result = handleGlobalKeypress({
+              name: 'd',
+              shift: false,
+              alt: false,
+              ctrl: true,
+              cmd: false,
+              ...key,
+            } as Key);
+          });
+          rerender();
+        };
+
+        originalPressKey({ name: 'd', ctrl: true });
+
+        // AppContainer's handler should return true if it reaches it
+        expect(result).toBe(true);
+        // But it should only be called once, so count is 1, not quitting yet.
+        expect(mockHandleSlashCommand).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+
+        originalPressKey({ name: 'd', ctrl: true });
+        // Now count is 2, it should quit.
+        expect(mockHandleSlashCommand).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+          '/quit',
+          undefined,
+          undefined,
+          false,
+        );
+        unmount();
+      });
+
       it('should reset press count after a timeout', async () => {
         await setupKeypressTest();
 
@@ -2125,7 +2104,7 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
   });
 
   describe('Copy Mode (CTRL+S)', () => {
-    let handleGlobalKeypress: (key: Key) => void;
+    let handleGlobalKeypress: (key: Key) => boolean;
     let rerender: () => void;
     let unmount: () => void;
 
@@ -2155,9 +2134,11 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
 
     beforeEach(() => {
       mocks.mockStdout.write.mockClear();
-      mockedUseKeypress.mockImplementation((callback: (key: Key) => void) => {
-        handleGlobalKeypress = callback;
-      });
+      mockedUseKeypress.mockImplementation(
+        (callback: (key: Key) => boolean) => {
+          handleGlobalKeypress = callback;
+        },
+      );
       vi.useFakeTimers();
     });
 
@@ -2510,6 +2491,59 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
       expect(capturedUIState.activeHooks).toEqual(mockHooks);
       unmount!();
     });
+
+    it('handles consent request events', async () => {
+      let unmount: () => void;
+      await act(async () => {
+        const result = renderAppContainer();
+        unmount = result.unmount;
+      });
+      await waitFor(() => expect(capturedUIState).toBeTruthy());
+
+      const handler = mockCoreEvents.on.mock.calls.find(
+        (call: unknown[]) => call[0] === CoreEvent.ConsentRequest,
+      )?.[1];
+      expect(handler).toBeDefined();
+
+      const onConfirm = vi.fn();
+      const payload = {
+        prompt: 'Do you consent?',
+        onConfirm,
+      };
+
+      act(() => {
+        handler(payload);
+      });
+
+      expect(capturedUIState.authConsentRequest).toBeDefined();
+      expect(capturedUIState.authConsentRequest?.prompt).toBe(
+        'Do you consent?',
+      );
+
+      act(() => {
+        capturedUIState.authConsentRequest?.onConfirm(true);
+      });
+
+      expect(onConfirm).toHaveBeenCalledWith(true);
+      expect(capturedUIState.authConsentRequest).toBeNull();
+      unmount!();
+    });
+
+    it('unsubscribes from ConsentRequest on unmount', async () => {
+      let unmount: () => void;
+      await act(async () => {
+        const result = renderAppContainer();
+        unmount = result.unmount;
+      });
+      await waitFor(() => expect(capturedUIState).toBeTruthy());
+
+      unmount!();
+
+      expect(mockCoreEvents.off).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        CoreEvent.ConsentRequest,
+        expect.any(Function),
+      );
+    });
   });
 
   describe('Shell Interaction', () => {
@@ -2521,12 +2555,7 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
         });
 
       mockedUseGeminiStream.mockReturnValue({
-        streamingState: 'idle',
-        submitQuery: vi.fn(),
-        initError: null,
-        pendingHistoryItems: [],
-        thought: null,
-        cancelOngoingRequest: vi.fn(),
+        ...DEFAULT_GEMINI_STREAM_MOCK,
         activePtyId: 'some-pty-id', // Make sure activePtyId is set
       });
 
@@ -2676,41 +2705,6 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
 
       unmount!();
     });
-
-    it('should show ask user dialog when request is received', async () => {
-      let unmount: () => void;
-      await act(async () => {
-        const result = renderAppContainer();
-        unmount = result.unmount;
-      });
-
-      const questions = [
-        {
-          question: 'What is your favorite color?',
-          header: 'Color Preference',
-          type: QuestionType.TEXT,
-        },
-      ];
-
-      await act(async () => {
-        await mockConfig.getMessageBus().publish({
-          type: MessageBusType.ASK_USER_REQUEST,
-          questions,
-          correlationId: 'test-id',
-        });
-      });
-
-      await waitFor(
-        () => {
-          expect(capturedAskUserRequest).not.toBeNull();
-          expect(capturedAskUserRequest?.questions).toEqual(questions);
-          expect(capturedAskUserRequest?.correlationId).toBe('test-id');
-        },
-        { timeout: 2000 },
-      );
-
-      unmount!();
-    });
   });
 
   describe('Regression Tests', () => {

packages/cli/src/ui/AppContainer.tsx

@@ -27,13 +27,10 @@ import {
   type HistoryItemWithoutId,
   type HistoryItemToolGroup,
   AuthState,
+  type ConfirmationRequest,
 } from './types.js';
 import { MessageType, StreamingState } from './types.js';
 import { ToolActionsProvider } from './contexts/ToolActionsContext.js';
-import {
-  AskUserActionsProvider,
-  type AskUserState,
-} from './contexts/AskUserActionsContext.js';
 import {
   type EditorType,
   type Config,
@@ -68,8 +65,7 @@ import {
   SessionStartSource,
   SessionEndReason,
   generateSummary,
-  MessageBusType,
-  type AskUserRequest,
+  type ConsentRequestPayload,
   type AgentsDiscoveredPayload,
   ChangeAuthRequestedError,
 } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
@@ -97,6 +93,7 @@ import { computeTerminalTitle } from '../utils/windowTitle.js';
 import { useTextBuffer } from './components/shared/text-buffer.js';
 import { useLogger } from './hooks/useLogger.js';
 import { useGeminiStream } from './hooks/useGeminiStream.js';
+import { type BackgroundShell } from './hooks/shellCommandProcessor.js';
 import { useVim } from './hooks/vim.js';
 import { type LoadableSettingScope, SettingScope } from '../config/settings.js';
 import { type InitializationResult } from '../core/initializer.js';
@@ -136,6 +133,7 @@ import { terminalCapabilityManager } from './utils/terminalCapabilityManager.js'
 import { useInputHistoryStore } from './hooks/useInputHistoryStore.js';
 import { useBanner } from './hooks/useBanner.js';
 import { useHookDisplayState } from './hooks/useHookDisplayState.js';
+import { useBackgroundShellManager } from './hooks/useBackgroundShellManager.js';
 import {
   WARNING_PROMPT_DURATION_MS,
   QUEUE_ERROR_DISPLAY_DURATION_MS,
@@ -257,6 +255,10 @@ export const AppContainer = (props: AppContainerProps) => {
   );
   const [copyModeEnabled, setCopyModeEnabled] = useState(false);
   const [pendingRestorePrompt, setPendingRestorePrompt] = useState(false);
+  const toggleBackgroundShellRef = useRef<() => void>(() => {});
+  const isBackgroundShellVisibleRef = useRef<boolean>(false);
+  const backgroundShellsRef = useRef<Map<number, BackgroundShell>>(new Map());
+
   const [adminSettingsChanged, setAdminSettingsChanged] = useState(false);
 
   const [shellModeActive, setShellModeActive] = useState(false);
@@ -336,11 +338,6 @@ export const AppContainer = (props: AppContainerProps) => {
     AgentDefinition | undefined
   >();
 
-  // AskUser dialog state
-  const [askUserRequest, setAskUserRequest] = useState<AskUserState | null>(
-    null,
-  );
-
   const openAgentConfigDialog = useCallback(
     (name: string, displayName: string, definition: AgentDefinition) => {
       setSelectedAgentName(name);
@@ -358,56 +355,6 @@ export const AppContainer = (props: AppContainerProps) => {
     setSelectedAgentDefinition(undefined);
   }, []);
 
-  // Subscribe to ASK_USER_REQUEST messages from the message bus
-  useEffect(() => {
-    const messageBus = config.getMessageBus();
-
-    const handler = (msg: AskUserRequest) => {
-      setAskUserRequest({
-        questions: msg.questions,
-        correlationId: msg.correlationId,
-      });
-    };
-
-    messageBus.subscribe(MessageBusType.ASK_USER_REQUEST, handler);
-
-    return () => {
-      messageBus.unsubscribe(MessageBusType.ASK_USER_REQUEST, handler);
-    };
-  }, [config]);
-
-  // Handler to submit ask_user answers
-  const handleAskUserSubmit = useCallback(
-    async (answers: { [questionIndex: string]: string }) => {
-      if (!askUserRequest) return;
-
-      const messageBus = config.getMessageBus();
-      await messageBus.publish({
-        type: MessageBusType.ASK_USER_RESPONSE,
-        correlationId: askUserRequest.correlationId,
-        answers,
-      });
-
-      setAskUserRequest(null);
-    },
-    [config, askUserRequest],
-  );
-
-  // Handler to cancel ask_user dialog
-  const handleAskUserCancel = useCallback(async () => {
-    if (!askUserRequest) return;
-
-    const messageBus = config.getMessageBus();
-    await messageBus.publish({
-      type: MessageBusType.ASK_USER_RESPONSE,
-      correlationId: askUserRequest.correlationId,
-      answers: {},
-      cancelled: true,
-    });
-
-    setAskUserRequest(null);
-  }, [config, askUserRequest]);
-
   const toggleDebugProfiler = useCallback(
     () => setShowDebugProfiler((prev) => !prev),
     [],
@@ -487,6 +434,12 @@ export const AppContainer = (props: AppContainerProps) => {
     registerCleanup(async () => {
       // Turn off mouse scroll.
       disableMouseEvents();
+
+      // Kill all background shells
+      for (const pid of backgroundShellsRef.current.keys()) {
+        ShellExecutionService.kill(pid);
+      }
+
       const ideClient = await IdeClient.getInstance();
       await ideClient.disconnect();
 
@@ -579,6 +532,14 @@ export const AppContainer = (props: AppContainerProps) => {
     shellModeActive,
     getPreferredEditor,
   });
+  const bufferRef = useRef(buffer);
+  useEffect(() => {
+    bufferRef.current = buffer;
+  }, [buffer]);
+
+  const stableSetText = useCallback((text: string) => {
+    bufferRef.current.setText(text);
+  }, []);
 
   // Initialize input history from logger (past sessions)
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -835,6 +796,10 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
 
   const { toggleVimEnabled } = useVimMode();
 
+  const setIsBackgroundShellListOpenRef = useRef<(open: boolean) => void>(
+    () => {},
+  );
+
   const slashCommandActions = useMemo(
     () => ({
       openAuthDialog: () => setAuthState(AuthState.Updating),
@@ -858,7 +823,18 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       toggleDebugProfiler,
       dispatchExtensionStateUpdate,
       addConfirmUpdateExtensionRequest,
-      setText: (text: string) => buffer.setText(text),
+      toggleBackgroundShell: () => {
+        toggleBackgroundShellRef.current();
+        if (!isBackgroundShellVisibleRef.current) {
+          setEmbeddedShellFocused(true);
+          if (backgroundShellsRef.current.size > 1) {
+            setIsBackgroundShellListOpenRef.current(true);
+          } else {
+            setIsBackgroundShellListOpenRef.current(false);
+          }
+        }
+      },
+      setText: stableSetText,
     }),
     [
       setAuthState,
@@ -876,7 +852,7 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       openPermissionsDialog,
       addConfirmUpdateExtensionRequest,
       toggleDebugProfiler,
-      buffer,
+      stableSetText,
     ],
   );
 
@@ -885,7 +861,7 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
     slashCommands,
     pendingHistoryItems: pendingSlashCommandHistoryItems,
     commandContext,
-    confirmationRequest,
+    confirmationRequest: commandConfirmationRequest,
   } = useSlashCommandProcessor(
     config,
     settings,
@@ -902,6 +878,26 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
     setCustomDialog,
   );
 
+  const [authConsentRequest, setAuthConsentRequest] =
+    useState<ConfirmationRequest | null>(null);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const handleConsentRequest = (payload: ConsentRequestPayload) => {
+      setAuthConsentRequest({
+        prompt: payload.prompt,
+        onConfirm: (confirmed: boolean) => {
+          setAuthConsentRequest(null);
+          payload.onConfirm(confirmed);
+        },
+      });
+    };
+
+    coreEvents.on(CoreEvent.ConsentRequest, handleConsentRequest);
+    return () => {
+      coreEvents.off(CoreEvent.ConsentRequest, handleConsentRequest);
+    };
+  }, []);
+
   const performMemoryRefresh = useCallback(async () => {
     historyManager.addItem(
       {
@@ -989,6 +985,12 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
     activePtyId,
     loopDetectionConfirmationRequest,
     lastOutputTime,
+    backgroundShellCount,
+    isBackgroundShellVisible,
+    toggleBackgroundShell,
+    backgroundCurrentShell,
+    backgroundShells,
+    dismissBackgroundShell,
     retryStatus,
   } = useGeminiStream(
     config.getGeminiClient(),
@@ -1011,7 +1013,30 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
     embeddedShellFocused,
   );
 
+  toggleBackgroundShellRef.current = toggleBackgroundShell;
+  isBackgroundShellVisibleRef.current = isBackgroundShellVisible;
+  backgroundShellsRef.current = backgroundShells;
+
+  const {
+    activeBackgroundShellPid,
+    setIsBackgroundShellListOpen,
+    isBackgroundShellListOpen,
+    setActiveBackgroundShellPid,
+    backgroundShellHeight,
+  } = useBackgroundShellManager({
+    backgroundShells,
+    backgroundShellCount,
+    isBackgroundShellVisible,
+    activePtyId,
+    embeddedShellFocused,
+    setEmbeddedShellFocused,
+    terminalHeight,
+  });
+
+  setIsBackgroundShellListOpenRef.current = setIsBackgroundShellListOpen;
+
   const lastOutputTimeRef = useRef(0);
+
   useEffect(() => {
     lastOutputTimeRef.current = lastOutputTime;
   }, [lastOutputTime]);
@@ -1160,7 +1185,11 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
   // Compute available terminal height based on controls measurement
   const availableTerminalHeight = Math.max(
     0,
-    terminalHeight - controlsHeight - staticExtraHeight - 2,
+    terminalHeight -
+      controlsHeight -
+      staticExtraHeight -
+      2 -
+      backgroundShellHeight,
   );
 
   config.setShellExecutionConfig({
@@ -1384,7 +1413,7 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
     if (ctrlCPressCount > 1) {
       // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-floating-promises
       handleSlashCommand('/quit', undefined, undefined, false);
-    } else {
+    } else if (ctrlCPressCount > 0) {
       ctrlCTimerRef.current = setTimeout(() => {
         setCtrlCPressCount(0);
         ctrlCTimerRef.current = null;
@@ -1403,7 +1432,7 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
     if (ctrlDPressCount > 1) {
       // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-floating-promises
       handleSlashCommand('/quit', undefined, undefined, false);
-    } else {
+    } else if (ctrlDPressCount > 0) {
       ctrlDTimerRef.current = setTimeout(() => {
         setCtrlDPressCount(0);
         ctrlDTimerRef.current = null;
@@ -1444,7 +1473,7 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
   });
 
   const handleGlobalKeypress = useCallback(
-    (key: Key) => {
+    (key: Key): boolean => {
       if (copyModeEnabled) {
         setCopyModeEnabled(false);
         enableMouseEvents();
@@ -1464,10 +1493,6 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       }
 
       if (keyMatchers[Command.QUIT](key)) {
-        // Skip when ask_user dialog is open (use Esc to cancel instead)
-        if (askUserRequest) {
-          return;
-        }
         // If the user presses Ctrl+C, we want to cancel any ongoing requests.
         // This should happen regardless of the count.
         cancelOngoingRequest?.();
@@ -1475,9 +1500,6 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
         setCtrlCPressCount((prev) => prev + 1);
         return true;
       } else if (keyMatchers[Command.EXIT](key)) {
-        if (buffer.text.length > 0) {
-          return false;
-        }
         setCtrlDPressCount((prev) => prev + 1);
         return true;
       }
@@ -1520,9 +1542,8 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
         setConstrainHeight(false);
         return true;
       } else if (
-        keyMatchers[Command.UNFOCUS_SHELL_INPUT](key) &&
-        activePtyId &&
-        embeddedShellFocused
+        keyMatchers[Command.FOCUS_SHELL_INPUT](key) &&
+        (activePtyId || (isBackgroundShellVisible && backgroundShells.size > 0))
       ) {
         if (key.name === 'tab' && key.shift) {
           // Always change focus
@@ -1530,26 +1551,72 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
           return true;
         }
 
+        if (embeddedShellFocused) {
+          handleWarning('Press Shift+Tab to focus out.');
+          return true;
+        }
+
         const now = Date.now();
         // If the shell hasn't produced output in the last 100ms, it's considered idle.
         const isIdle = now - lastOutputTimeRef.current >= 100;
-        if (isIdle) {
+        if (isIdle && !activePtyId) {
           if (tabFocusTimeoutRef.current) {
             clearTimeout(tabFocusTimeoutRef.current);
           }
-          tabFocusTimeoutRef.current = setTimeout(() => {
-            tabFocusTimeoutRef.current = null;
-            // If the shell produced output since the tab press, we assume it handled the tab
-            // (e.g. autocomplete) so we should not toggle focus.
-            if (lastOutputTimeRef.current > now) {
-              handleWarning('Press Shift+Tab to focus out.');
-              return;
+          toggleBackgroundShell();
+          if (!isBackgroundShellVisible) {
+            // We are about to show it, so focus it
+            setEmbeddedShellFocused(true);
+            if (backgroundShells.size > 1) {
+              setIsBackgroundShellListOpen(true);
             }
-            setEmbeddedShellFocused(false);
-          }, 100);
+          } else {
+            // We are about to hide it
+            tabFocusTimeoutRef.current = setTimeout(() => {
+              tabFocusTimeoutRef.current = null;
+              // If the shell produced output since the tab press, we assume it handled the tab
+              // (e.g. autocomplete) so we should not toggle focus.
+              if (lastOutputTimeRef.current > now) {
+                handleWarning('Press Shift+Tab to focus out.');
+                return;
+              }
+              setEmbeddedShellFocused(false);
+            }, 100);
+          }
           return true;
         }
-        handleWarning('Press Shift+Tab to focus out.');
+
+        // Not idle, just focus it
+        setEmbeddedShellFocused(true);
+        return true;
+      } else if (keyMatchers[Command.TOGGLE_BACKGROUND_SHELL](key)) {
+        if (activePtyId) {
+          backgroundCurrentShell();
+          // After backgrounding, we explicitly do NOT show or focus the background UI.
+        } else {
+          if (isBackgroundShellVisible && !embeddedShellFocused) {
+            setEmbeddedShellFocused(true);
+          } else {
+            toggleBackgroundShell();
+            // Toggle focus based on intent: if we were hiding, unfocus; if showing, focus.
+            if (!isBackgroundShellVisible && backgroundShells.size > 0) {
+              setEmbeddedShellFocused(true);
+              if (backgroundShells.size > 1) {
+                setIsBackgroundShellListOpen(true);
+              }
+            } else {
+              setEmbeddedShellFocused(false);
+            }
+          }
+        }
+        return true;
+      } else if (keyMatchers[Command.TOGGLE_BACKGROUND_SHELL_LIST](key)) {
+        if (backgroundShells.size > 0 && isBackgroundShellVisible) {
+          if (!embeddedShellFocused) {
+            setEmbeddedShellFocused(true);
+          }
+          setIsBackgroundShellListOpen(true);
+        }
         return true;
       }
       return false;
@@ -1561,11 +1628,9 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       config,
       ideContextState,
       setCtrlCPressCount,
-      buffer.text.length,
       setCtrlDPressCount,
       handleSlashCommand,
       cancelOngoingRequest,
-      askUserRequest,
       activePtyId,
       embeddedShellFocused,
       settings.merged.general.debugKeystrokeLogging,
@@ -1573,6 +1638,13 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       setCopyModeEnabled,
       copyModeEnabled,
       isAlternateBuffer,
+      backgroundCurrentShell,
+      toggleBackgroundShell,
+      backgroundShells,
+      isBackgroundShellVisible,
+      setIsBackgroundShellListOpen,
+      lastOutputTimeRef,
+      tabFocusTimeoutRef,
       handleWarning,
     ],
   );
@@ -1586,7 +1658,8 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
     const paddedTitle = computeTerminalTitle({
       streamingState,
       thoughtSubject: thought?.subject,
-      isConfirming: !!confirmationRequest || shouldShowActionRequiredTitle,
+      isConfirming:
+        !!commandConfirmationRequest || shouldShowActionRequiredTitle,
       isSilentWorking: shouldShowSilentWorkingTitle,
       folderName: basename(config.getTargetDir()),
       showThoughts: !!settings.merged.ui.showStatusInTitle,
@@ -1602,7 +1675,7 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
   }, [
     streamingState,
     thought,
-    confirmationRequest,
+    commandConfirmationRequest,
     shouldShowActionRequiredTitle,
     shouldShowSilentWorkingTitle,
     settings.merged.ui.showStatusInTitle,
@@ -1678,11 +1751,11 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
   const nightly = props.version.includes('nightly');
 
   const dialogsVisible =
-    !!askUserRequest ||
     shouldShowIdePrompt ||
     isFolderTrustDialogOpen ||
     adminSettingsChanged ||
-    !!confirmationRequest ||
+    !!commandConfirmationRequest ||
+    !!authConsentRequest ||
     !!customDialog ||
     confirmUpdateExtensionRequests.length > 0 ||
     !!loopDetectionConfirmationRequest ||
@@ -1792,7 +1865,8 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       slashCommands,
       pendingSlashCommandHistoryItems,
       commandContext,
-      confirmationRequest,
+      commandConfirmationRequest,
+      authConsentRequest,
       confirmUpdateExtensionRequests,
       loopDetectionConfirmationRequest,
       geminiMdFileCount,
@@ -1853,6 +1927,8 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       isRestarting,
       extensionsUpdateState,
       activePtyId,
+      backgroundShellCount,
+      isBackgroundShellVisible,
       embeddedShellFocused,
       showDebugProfiler,
       customDialog,
@@ -1862,6 +1938,10 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       bannerVisible,
       terminalBackgroundColor: config.getTerminalBackground(),
       settingsNonce,
+      backgroundShells,
+      activeBackgroundShellPid,
+      backgroundShellHeight,
+      isBackgroundShellListOpen,
       adminSettingsChanged,
       newAgents,
     }),
@@ -1890,7 +1970,8 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       slashCommands,
       pendingSlashCommandHistoryItems,
       commandContext,
-      confirmationRequest,
+      commandConfirmationRequest,
+      authConsentRequest,
       confirmUpdateExtensionRequests,
       loopDetectionConfirmationRequest,
       geminiMdFileCount,
@@ -1951,6 +2032,8 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       currentModel,
       extensionsUpdateState,
       activePtyId,
+      backgroundShellCount,
+      isBackgroundShellVisible,
       historyManager,
       embeddedShellFocused,
       showDebugProfiler,
@@ -1963,6 +2046,10 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       bannerVisible,
       config,
       settingsNonce,
+      backgroundShellHeight,
+      isBackgroundShellListOpen,
+      activeBackgroundShellPid,
+      backgroundShells,
       adminSettingsChanged,
       newAgents,
     ],
@@ -2010,7 +2097,11 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       handleApiKeySubmit,
       handleApiKeyCancel,
       setBannerVisible,
+      handleWarning,
       setEmbeddedShellFocused,
+      dismissBackgroundShell,
+      setActiveBackgroundShellPid,
+      setIsBackgroundShellListOpen,
       setAuthContext,
       handleRestart: async () => {
         if (process.send) {
@@ -2082,7 +2173,11 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       handleApiKeySubmit,
       handleApiKeyCancel,
       setBannerVisible,
+      handleWarning,
       setEmbeddedShellFocused,
+      dismissBackgroundShell,
+      setActiveBackgroundShellPid,
+      setIsBackgroundShellListOpen,
       setAuthContext,
       newAgents,
       config,
@@ -2113,15 +2208,9 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
             }}
           >
             <ToolActionsProvider config={config} toolCalls={allToolCalls}>
-              <AskUserActionsProvider
-                request={askUserRequest}
-                onSubmit={handleAskUserSubmit}
-                onCancel={handleAskUserCancel}
-              >
-                <ShellFocusContext.Provider value={isFocused}>
-                  <App />
-                </ShellFocusContext.Provider>
-              </AskUserActionsProvider>
+              <ShellFocusContext.Provider value={isFocused}>
+                <App />
+              </ShellFocusContext.Provider>
             </ToolActionsProvider>
           </AppContext.Provider>
         </ConfigContext.Provider>

packages/cli/src/ui/__snapshots__/App.test.tsx.snap

@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ Tips for getting started:
 4. /help for more information.
 HistoryItemDisplay
 ╭──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
-│ Action Required                                                                                               1 of 1 │
+│ Action Required                                                                                                      │
 │                                                                                                                      │
 │ ?  ls list directory                                                                                                 │
 │                                                                                                                      │

packages/cli/src/ui/commands/hooksCommand.test.ts

@@ -30,9 +30,6 @@ describe('hooksCommand', () => {
       hooksConfig?: {
         disabled?: string[];
       };
-      tools?: {
-        enableHooks?: boolean;
-      };
     };
     setValue: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>;
     // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-explicit-any
@@ -187,8 +184,8 @@ describe('hooksCommand', () => {
     it('should display panel when no hooks are configured', async () => {
       mockHookSystem.getAllHooks.mockReturnValue([]);
       (mockContext.services.settings.merged as Record<string, unknown>)[
-        'tools'
-      ] = { enableHooks: true };
+        'hooksConfig'
+      ] = { enabled: true };
 
       const panelCmd = hooksCommand.subCommands!.find(
         (cmd) => cmd.name === 'panel',
@@ -215,8 +212,8 @@ describe('hooksCommand', () => {
 
       mockHookSystem.getAllHooks.mockReturnValue(mockHooks);
       (mockContext.services.settings.merged as Record<string, unknown>)[
-        'tools'
-      ] = { enableHooks: true };
+        'hooksConfig'
+      ] = { enabled: true };
 
       const panelCmd = hooksCommand.subCommands!.find(
         (cmd) => cmd.name === 'panel',

packages/cli/src/ui/commands/shellsCommand.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+/**
+ * @license
+ * Copyright 2025 Google LLC
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
+import { describe, it, expect, vi } from 'vitest';
+import { shellsCommand } from './shellsCommand.js';
+import type { CommandContext } from './types.js';
+
+describe('shellsCommand', () => {
+  it('should call toggleBackgroundShell', async () => {
+    const toggleBackgroundShell = vi.fn();
+    const context = {
+      ui: {
+        toggleBackgroundShell,
+      },
+    } as unknown as CommandContext;
+
+    if (shellsCommand.action) {
+      await shellsCommand.action(context, '');
+    }
+
+    expect(toggleBackgroundShell).toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it('should have correct name and altNames', () => {
+    expect(shellsCommand.name).toBe('shells');
+    expect(shellsCommand.altNames).toContain('bashes');
+  });
+
+  it('should auto-execute', () => {
+    expect(shellsCommand.autoExecute).toBe(true);
+  });
+});

packages/cli/src/ui/commands/shellsCommand.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+/**
+ * @license
+ * Copyright 2025 Google LLC
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
+import { CommandKind, type SlashCommand } from './types.js';
+
+export const shellsCommand: SlashCommand = {
+  name: 'shells',
+  altNames: ['bashes'],
+  kind: CommandKind.BUILT_IN,
+  description: 'Toggle background shells view',
+  autoExecute: true,
+  action: async (context) => {
+    context.ui.toggleBackgroundShell();
+  },
+};

packages/cli/src/ui/commands/skillsCommand.test.ts

@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ describe('skillsCommand', () => {
                 (name: string) => skills.find((s) => s.name === name) ?? null,
               ),
           }),
+          getContentGenerator: vi.fn(),
         } as unknown as Config,
         settings: {
           merged: createTestMergedSettings({ skills: { disabled: [] } }),
@@ -367,7 +368,7 @@ describe('skillsCommand', () => {
       expect(context.ui.addItem).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
         expect.objectContaining({
           type: MessageType.ERROR,
-          text: 'Agent skills are disabled by your admin.',
+          text: 'Agent skills is disabled by your administrator. To enable it, please request an update to the settings at: https://goo.gle/manage-gemini-cli',
         }),
         expect.any(Number),
       );
@@ -385,7 +386,7 @@ describe('skillsCommand', () => {
       expect(context.ui.addItem).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
         expect.objectContaining({
           type: MessageType.ERROR,
-          text: 'Agent skills are disabled by your admin.',
+          text: 'Agent skills is disabled by your administrator. To enable it, please request an update to the settings at: https://goo.gle/manage-gemini-cli',
         }),
         expect.any(Number),
       );

packages/cli/src/ui/commands/skillsCommand.ts

@@ -11,13 +11,15 @@ import {
   CommandKind,
 } from './types.js';
 import {
-  MessageType,
-  type HistoryItemSkillsList,
   type HistoryItemInfo,
+  type HistoryItemSkillsList,
+  MessageType,
 } from '../types.js';
-import { SettingScope } from '../../config/settings.js';
-import { enableSkill, disableSkill } from '../../utils/skillSettings.js';
+import { disableSkill, enableSkill } from '../../utils/skillSettings.js';
+
+import { getAdminErrorMessage } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
 import { renderSkillActionFeedback } from '../../utils/skillUtils.js';
+import { SettingScope } from '../../config/settings.js';
 
 async function listAction(
   context: CommandContext,
@@ -83,7 +85,10 @@ async function disableAction(
     context.ui.addItem(
       {
         type: MessageType.ERROR,
-        text: 'Agent skills are disabled by your admin.',
+        text: getAdminErrorMessage(
+          'Agent skills',
+          context.services.config ?? undefined,
+        ),
       },
       Date.now(),
     );
@@ -141,7 +146,10 @@ async function enableAction(
     context.ui.addItem(
       {
         type: MessageType.ERROR,
-        text: 'Agent skills are disabled by your admin.',
+        text: getAdminErrorMessage(
+          'Agent skills',
+          context.services.config ?? undefined,
+        ),
       },
       Date.now(),
     );

packages/cli/src/ui/commands/types.ts

@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ export interface CommandContext {
     dispatchExtensionStateUpdate: (action: ExtensionUpdateAction) => void;
     addConfirmUpdateExtensionRequest: (value: ConfirmationRequest) => void;
     removeComponent: () => void;
+    toggleBackgroundShell: () => void;
   };
   // Session-specific data
   session: {

packages/cli/src/ui/components/AskUserDialog.test.tsx

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import { renderWithProviders } from '../../test-utils/render.js';
 import { waitFor } from '../../test-utils/async.js';
 import { AskUserDialog } from './AskUserDialog.js';
 import { QuestionType, type Question } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
+import { UIStateContext, type UIState } from '../contexts/UIStateContext.js';
 
 // Helper to write to stdin with proper act() wrapping
 const writeKey = (stdin: { write: (data: string) => void }, key: string) => {
@@ -41,6 +42,7 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
         questions={authQuestion}
         onSubmit={vi.fn()}
         onCancel={vi.fn()}
+        width={120}
       />,
       { width: 120 },
     );
@@ -105,6 +107,7 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
           questions={questions}
           onSubmit={onSubmit}
           onCancel={vi.fn()}
+          width={120}
         />,
         { width: 120 },
       );
@@ -124,6 +127,7 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
         questions={authQuestion}
         onSubmit={onSubmit}
         onCancel={vi.fn()}
+        width={120}
       />,
       { width: 120 },
     );
@@ -153,12 +157,57 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
     });
   });
 
+  describe.each([
+    { useAlternateBuffer: true, expectedArrows: false },
+    { useAlternateBuffer: false, expectedArrows: true },
+  ])(
+    'Scroll Arrows (useAlternateBuffer: $useAlternateBuffer)',
+    ({ useAlternateBuffer, expectedArrows }) => {
+      it(`shows scroll arrows correctly when useAlternateBuffer is ${useAlternateBuffer}`, async () => {
+        const questions: Question[] = [
+          {
+            question: 'Choose an option',
+            header: 'Scroll Test',
+            options: Array.from({ length: 15 }, (_, i) => ({
+              label: `Option ${i + 1}`,
+              description: `Description ${i + 1}`,
+            })),
+            multiSelect: false,
+          },
+        ];
+
+        const { lastFrame } = renderWithProviders(
+          <AskUserDialog
+            questions={questions}
+            onSubmit={vi.fn()}
+            onCancel={vi.fn()}
+            width={80}
+            availableHeight={10} // Small height to force scrolling
+          />,
+          { useAlternateBuffer },
+        );
+
+        await waitFor(() => {
+          if (expectedArrows) {
+            expect(lastFrame()).toContain('▲');
+            expect(lastFrame()).toContain('▼');
+          } else {
+            expect(lastFrame()).not.toContain('▲');
+            expect(lastFrame()).not.toContain('▼');
+          }
+          expect(lastFrame()).toMatchSnapshot();
+        });
+      });
+    },
+  );
+
   it('navigates to custom option when typing unbound characters (Type-to-Jump)', async () => {
     const { stdin, lastFrame } = renderWithProviders(
       <AskUserDialog
         questions={authQuestion}
         onSubmit={vi.fn()}
         onCancel={vi.fn()}
+        width={120}
       />,
       { width: 120 },
     );
@@ -209,6 +258,7 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
         questions={multiQuestions}
         onSubmit={vi.fn()}
         onCancel={vi.fn()}
+        width={120}
       />,
       { width: 120 },
     );
@@ -222,6 +272,7 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
         questions={authQuestion}
         onSubmit={vi.fn()}
         onCancel={vi.fn()}
+        width={120}
       />,
       { width: 120 },
     );
@@ -235,6 +286,7 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
         questions={authQuestion}
         onSubmit={vi.fn()}
         onCancel={vi.fn()}
+        width={120}
       />,
       { width: 120 },
     );
@@ -265,6 +317,7 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
         questions={multiQuestions}
         onSubmit={vi.fn()}
         onCancel={vi.fn()}
+        width={120}
       />,
       { width: 120 },
     );
@@ -306,6 +359,7 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
         questions={multiQuestions}
         onSubmit={onSubmit}
         onCancel={vi.fn()}
+        width={120}
       />,
       { width: 120 },
     );
@@ -373,6 +427,7 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
         questions={multiQuestions}
         onSubmit={vi.fn()}
         onCancel={vi.fn()}
+        width={120}
       />,
       { width: 120 },
     );
@@ -401,6 +456,7 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
         questions={multiQuestions}
         onSubmit={vi.fn()}
         onCancel={vi.fn()}
+        width={120}
       />,
       { width: 120 },
     );
@@ -445,6 +501,7 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
         questions={multiQuestions}
         onSubmit={vi.fn()}
         onCancel={vi.fn()}
+        width={120}
       />,
       { width: 120 },
     );
@@ -480,6 +537,7 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
         questions={multiQuestions}
         onSubmit={onSubmit}
         onCancel={vi.fn()}
+        width={120}
       />,
       { width: 120 },
     );
@@ -512,6 +570,7 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
           questions={textQuestion}
           onSubmit={vi.fn()}
           onCancel={vi.fn()}
+          width={120}
         />,
         { width: 120 },
       );
@@ -533,6 +592,7 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
           questions={textQuestion}
           onSubmit={vi.fn()}
           onCancel={vi.fn()}
+          width={120}
         />,
         { width: 120 },
       );
@@ -554,6 +614,7 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
           questions={textQuestion}
           onSubmit={vi.fn()}
           onCancel={vi.fn()}
+          width={120}
         />,
         { width: 120 },
       );
@@ -588,6 +649,7 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
           questions={textQuestion}
           onSubmit={vi.fn()}
           onCancel={vi.fn()}
+          width={120}
         />,
         { width: 120 },
       );
@@ -618,6 +680,7 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
           questions={mixedQuestions}
           onSubmit={vi.fn()}
           onCancel={vi.fn()}
+          width={120}
         />,
         { width: 120 },
       );
@@ -664,6 +727,7 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
           questions={mixedQuestions}
           onSubmit={onSubmit}
           onCancel={vi.fn()}
+          width={120}
         />,
         { width: 120 },
       );
@@ -713,6 +777,7 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
           questions={textQuestion}
           onSubmit={onSubmit}
           onCancel={vi.fn()}
+          width={120}
         />,
         { width: 120 },
       );
@@ -738,6 +803,7 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
           questions={textQuestion}
           onSubmit={vi.fn()}
           onCancel={onCancel}
+          width={120}
         />,
         { width: 120 },
       );
@@ -783,6 +849,7 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
           questions={multiQuestions}
           onSubmit={vi.fn()}
           onCancel={vi.fn()}
+          width={120}
         />,
         { width: 120 },
       );
@@ -841,6 +908,7 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
           questions={multiQuestions}
           onSubmit={onSubmit}
           onCancel={vi.fn()}
+          width={120}
         />,
         { width: 120 },
       );
@@ -872,4 +940,72 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
       });
     });
   });
+
+  it('uses availableTerminalHeight from UIStateContext if availableHeight prop is missing', () => {
+    const questions: Question[] = [
+      {
+        question: 'Choose an option',
+        header: 'Context Test',
+        options: Array.from({ length: 10 }, (_, i) => ({
+          label: `Option ${i + 1}`,
+          description: `Description ${i + 1}`,
+        })),
+        multiSelect: false,
+      },
+    ];
+
+    const mockUIState = {
+      availableTerminalHeight: 5, // Small height to force scroll arrows
+    } as UIState;
+
+    const { lastFrame } = renderWithProviders(
+      <UIStateContext.Provider value={mockUIState}>
+        <AskUserDialog
+          questions={questions}
+          onSubmit={vi.fn()}
+          onCancel={vi.fn()}
+          width={80}
+        />
+      </UIStateContext.Provider>,
+      { useAlternateBuffer: false },
+    );
+
+    // With height 5 and alternate buffer disabled, it should show scroll arrows (▲)
+    expect(lastFrame()).toContain('▲');
+    expect(lastFrame()).toContain('▼');
+  });
+
+  it('does NOT truncate the question when in alternate buffer mode even with small height', () => {
+    const longQuestion =
+      'This is a very long question ' + 'with many words '.repeat(10);
+    const questions: Question[] = [
+      {
+        question: longQuestion,
+        header: 'Alternate Buffer Test',
+        options: [{ label: 'Option 1', description: 'Desc 1' }],
+        multiSelect: false,
+      },
+    ];
+
+    const mockUIState = {
+      availableTerminalHeight: 5,
+    } as UIState;
+
+    const { lastFrame } = renderWithProviders(
+      <UIStateContext.Provider value={mockUIState}>
+        <AskUserDialog
+          questions={questions}
+          onSubmit={vi.fn()}
+          onCancel={vi.fn()}
+          width={40} // Small width to force wrapping
+        />
+      </UIStateContext.Provider>,
+      { useAlternateBuffer: true },
+    );
+
+    // Should NOT contain the truncation message
+    expect(lastFrame()).not.toContain('hidden ...');
+    // Should contain the full long question (or at least its parts)
+    expect(lastFrame()).toContain('This is a very long question');
+  });
 });

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

@@ -24,10 +24,12 @@ import { keyMatchers, Command } from '../keyMatchers.js';
 import { checkExhaustive } from '../../utils/checks.js';
 import { TextInput } from './shared/TextInput.js';
 import { useTextBuffer } from './shared/text-buffer.js';
-import { UIStateContext } from '../contexts/UIStateContext.js';
 import { getCachedStringWidth } from '../utils/textUtils.js';
 import { useTabbedNavigation } from '../hooks/useTabbedNavigation.js';
 import { DialogFooter } from './shared/DialogFooter.js';
+import { MaxSizedBox } from './shared/MaxSizedBox.js';
+import { UIStateContext } from '../contexts/UIStateContext.js';
+import { useAlternateBuffer } from '../hooks/useAlternateBuffer.js';
 
 interface AskUserDialogState {
   answers: { [key: string]: string };
@@ -121,6 +123,14 @@ interface AskUserDialogProps {
    * Useful for managing global keypress handlers.
    */
   onActiveTextInputChange?: (active: boolean) => void;
+  /**
+   * Width of the dialog.
+   */
+  width: number;
+  /**
+   * Height constraint for scrollable content.
+   */
+  availableHeight?: number;
 }
 
 interface ReviewViewProps {
@@ -152,12 +162,7 @@ const ReviewView: React.FC<ReviewViewProps> = ({
   );
 
   return (
-    <Box
-      flexDirection="column"
-      borderStyle="round"
-      paddingX={1}
-      borderColor={theme.border.default}
-    >
+    <Box flexDirection="column">
       {progressHeader}
       <Box marginBottom={1}>
         <Text bold color={theme.text.primary}>
@@ -174,15 +179,19 @@ const ReviewView: React.FC<ReviewViewProps> = ({
         </Box>
       )}
 
-      {questions.map((q, i) => (
-        <Box key={i} marginBottom={0}>
-          <Text color={theme.text.secondary}>{q.header}</Text>
-          <Text color={theme.text.secondary}> → </Text>
-          <Text color={answers[i] ? theme.text.primary : theme.status.warning}>
-            {answers[i] || '(not answered)'}
-          </Text>
-        </Box>
-      ))}
+      <Box flexDirection="column">
+        {questions.map((q, i) => (
+          <Box key={i} marginBottom={0}>
+            <Text color={theme.text.secondary}>{q.header}</Text>
+            <Text color={theme.text.secondary}> → </Text>
+            <Text
+              color={answers[i] ? theme.text.primary : theme.status.warning}
+            >
+              {answers[i] || '(not answered)'}
+            </Text>
+          </Box>
+        ))}
+      </Box>
       <DialogFooter
         primaryAction="Enter to submit"
         navigationActions="Tab/Shift+Tab to edit answers"
@@ -199,6 +208,7 @@ interface TextQuestionViewProps {
   onSelectionChange?: (answer: string) => void;
   onEditingCustomOption?: (editing: boolean) => void;
   availableWidth: number;
+  availableHeight?: number;
   initialAnswer?: string;
   progressHeader?: React.ReactNode;
   keyboardHints?: React.ReactNode;
@@ -210,12 +220,14 @@ const TextQuestionView: React.FC<TextQuestionViewProps> = ({
   onSelectionChange,
   onEditingCustomOption,
   availableWidth,
+  availableHeight,
   initialAnswer,
   progressHeader,
   keyboardHints,
 }) => {
+  const isAlternateBuffer = useAlternateBuffer();
   const prefix = '> ';
-  const horizontalPadding = 4 + 1; // Padding from Box (2) and border (2) + 1 for cursor
+  const horizontalPadding = 1; // 1 for cursor
   const bufferWidth =
     availableWidth - getCachedStringWidth(prefix) - horizontalPadding;
 
@@ -241,12 +253,15 @@ const TextQuestionView: React.FC<TextQuestionViewProps> = ({
   const handleExtraKeys = useCallback(
     (key: Key) => {
       if (keyMatchers[Command.QUIT](key)) {
+        if (textValue === '') {
+          return false;
+        }
         buffer.setText('');
         return true;
       }
       return false;
     },
-    [buffer],
+    [buffer, textValue],
   );
 
   useKeypress(handleExtraKeys, { isActive: true, priority: true });
@@ -270,18 +285,28 @@ const TextQuestionView: React.FC<TextQuestionViewProps> = ({
 
   const placeholder = question.placeholder || 'Enter your response';
 
+  const HEADER_HEIGHT = progressHeader ? 2 : 0;
+  const INPUT_HEIGHT = 2; // TextInput + margin
+  const FOOTER_HEIGHT = 2; // DialogFooter + margin
+  const overhead = HEADER_HEIGHT + INPUT_HEIGHT + FOOTER_HEIGHT;
+  const questionHeight =
+    availableHeight && !isAlternateBuffer
+      ? Math.max(1, availableHeight - overhead)
+      : undefined;
+
   return (
-    <Box
-      flexDirection="column"
-      borderStyle="round"
-      paddingX={1}
-      borderColor={theme.border.default}
-    >
+    <Box flexDirection="column">
       {progressHeader}
       <Box marginBottom={1}>
-        <Text bold color={theme.text.primary}>
-          {question.question}
-        </Text>
+        <MaxSizedBox
+          maxHeight={questionHeight}
+          maxWidth={availableWidth}
+          overflowDirection="bottom"
+        >
+          <Text bold color={theme.text.primary}>
+            {question.question}
+          </Text>
+        </MaxSizedBox>
       </Box>
 
       <Box flexDirection="row" marginBottom={1}>
@@ -381,6 +406,7 @@ interface ChoiceQuestionViewProps {
   onSelectionChange?: (answer: string) => void;
   onEditingCustomOption?: (editing: boolean) => void;
   availableWidth: number;
+  availableHeight?: number;
   initialAnswer?: string;
   progressHeader?: React.ReactNode;
   keyboardHints?: React.ReactNode;
@@ -391,14 +417,13 @@ const ChoiceQuestionView: React.FC<ChoiceQuestionViewProps> = ({
   onAnswer,
   onSelectionChange,
   onEditingCustomOption,
+  availableWidth,
+  availableHeight,
   initialAnswer,
   progressHeader,
   keyboardHints,
 }) => {
-  const uiState = useContext(UIStateContext);
-  const terminalWidth = uiState?.terminalWidth ?? 80;
-  const availableWidth = terminalWidth;
-
+  const isAlternateBuffer = useAlternateBuffer();
   const numOptions =
     (question.options?.length ?? 0) + (question.type !== 'yesno' ? 1 : 0);
   const numLen = String(numOptions).length;
@@ -407,15 +432,9 @@ const ChoiceQuestionView: React.FC<ChoiceQuestionViewProps> = ({
   const checkboxWidth = question.multiSelect ? 4 : 1; // "[x] " or " "
   const checkmarkWidth = question.multiSelect ? 0 : 2; // "" or " ✓"
   const cursorPadding = 1; // Extra character for cursor at end of line
-  const outerBoxPadding = 4; // border (2) + paddingX (2)
 
   const horizontalPadding =
-    outerBoxPadding +
-    radioWidth +
-    numberWidth +
-    checkboxWidth +
-    checkmarkWidth +
-    cursorPadding;
+    radioWidth + numberWidth + checkboxWidth + checkmarkWidth + cursorPadding;
 
   const bufferWidth = availableWidth - horizontalPadding;
 
@@ -544,6 +563,9 @@ const ChoiceQuestionView: React.FC<ChoiceQuestionViewProps> = ({
     (key: Key) => {
       // If focusing custom option, handle Ctrl+C
       if (isCustomOptionFocused && keyMatchers[Command.QUIT](key)) {
+        if (customOptionText === '') {
+          return false;
+        }
         customBuffer.setText('');
         return true;
       }
@@ -586,7 +608,12 @@ const ChoiceQuestionView: React.FC<ChoiceQuestionViewProps> = ({
       }
       return false;
     },
-    [isCustomOptionFocused, customBuffer, onEditingCustomOption],
+    [
+      isCustomOptionFocused,
+      customBuffer,
+      onEditingCustomOption,
+      customOptionText,
+    ],
   );
 
   useKeypress(handleExtraKeys, { isActive: true, priority: true });
@@ -698,31 +725,50 @@ const ChoiceQuestionView: React.FC<ChoiceQuestionViewProps> = ({
     }
   }, [customOptionText, isCustomOptionSelected, question.multiSelect]);
 
+  const HEADER_HEIGHT = progressHeader ? 2 : 0;
+  const TITLE_MARGIN = 1;
+  const FOOTER_HEIGHT = 2; // DialogFooter + margin
+  const overhead = HEADER_HEIGHT + TITLE_MARGIN + FOOTER_HEIGHT;
+  const listHeight = availableHeight
+    ? Math.max(1, availableHeight - overhead)
+    : undefined;
+  const questionHeight =
+    listHeight && !isAlternateBuffer
+      ? Math.min(15, Math.max(1, listHeight - 4))
+      : undefined;
+  const maxItemsToShow =
+    listHeight && questionHeight
+      ? Math.max(1, Math.floor((listHeight - questionHeight) / 2))
+      : selectionItems.length;
+
   return (
-    <Box
-      flexDirection="column"
-      borderStyle="round"
-      paddingX={1}
-      borderColor={theme.border.default}
-    >
+    <Box flexDirection="column">
       {progressHeader}
-      <Box marginBottom={1}>
-        <Text bold color={theme.text.primary}>
-          {question.question}
-        </Text>
+      <Box marginBottom={TITLE_MARGIN}>
+        <MaxSizedBox
+          maxHeight={questionHeight}
+          maxWidth={availableWidth}
+          overflowDirection="bottom"
+        >
+          <Text bold color={theme.text.primary}>
+            {question.question}
+            {question.multiSelect && (
+              <Text color={theme.text.secondary} italic>
+                {' '}
+                (Select all that apply)
+              </Text>
+            )}
+          </Text>
+        </MaxSizedBox>
       </Box>
-      {question.multiSelect && (
-        <Text color={theme.text.secondary} italic>
-          {' '}
-          (Select all that apply)
-        </Text>
-      )}
 
       <BaseSelectionList<OptionItem>
         items={selectionItems}
         onSelect={handleSelect}
         onHighlight={handleHighlight}
         focusKey={isCustomOptionFocused ? 'other' : undefined}
+        maxItemsToShow={maxItemsToShow}
+        showScrollArrows={true}
         renderItem={(item, context) => {
           const optionItem = item.value;
           const isChecked =
@@ -804,14 +850,19 @@ export const AskUserDialog: React.FC<AskUserDialogProps> = ({
   onSubmit,
   onCancel,
   onActiveTextInputChange,
+  width,
+  availableHeight: availableHeightProp,
 }) => {
+  const uiState = useContext(UIStateContext);
+  const availableHeight =
+    availableHeightProp ??
+    (uiState?.constrainHeight !== false
+      ? uiState?.availableTerminalHeight
+      : undefined);
+
   const [state, dispatch] = useReducer(askUserDialogReducerLogic, initialState);
   const { answers, isEditingCustomOption, submitted } = state;
 
-  const uiState = useContext(UIStateContext);
-  const terminalWidth = uiState?.terminalWidth ?? 80;
-  const availableWidth = terminalWidth;
-
   const reviewTabIndex = questions.length;
   const tabCount =
     questions.length > 1 ? questions.length + 1 : questions.length;
@@ -842,9 +893,12 @@ export const AskUserDialog: React.FC<AskUserDialogProps> = ({
       if (keyMatchers[Command.ESCAPE](key)) {
         onCancel();
         return true;
-      } else if (keyMatchers[Command.QUIT](key) && !isEditingCustomOption) {
-        onCancel();
-        return true;
+      } else if (keyMatchers[Command.QUIT](key)) {
+        if (!isEditingCustomOption) {
+          onCancel();
+        }
+        // Return false to let ctrl-C bubble up to AppContainer for exit flow
+        return false;
       }
       return false;
     },
@@ -1021,7 +1075,8 @@ export const AskUserDialog: React.FC<AskUserDialogProps> = ({
         onAnswer={handleAnswer}
         onSelectionChange={handleSelectionChange}
         onEditingCustomOption={handleEditingCustomOption}
-        availableWidth={availableWidth}
+        availableWidth={width}
+        availableHeight={availableHeight}
         initialAnswer={answers[currentQuestionIndex]}
         progressHeader={progressHeader}
         keyboardHints={keyboardHints}
@@ -1033,7 +1088,8 @@ export const AskUserDialog: React.FC<AskUserDialogProps> = ({
         onAnswer={handleAnswer}
         onSelectionChange={handleSelectionChange}
         onEditingCustomOption={handleEditingCustomOption}
-        availableWidth={availableWidth}
+        availableWidth={width}
+        availableHeight={availableHeight}
         initialAnswer={answers[currentQuestionIndex]}
         progressHeader={progressHeader}
         keyboardHints={keyboardHints}
@@ -1043,7 +1099,7 @@ export const AskUserDialog: React.FC<AskUserDialogProps> = ({
   return (
     <Box
       flexDirection="column"
-      width={availableWidth}
+      width={width}
       aria-label={`Question ${currentQuestionIndex + 1} of ${questions.length}: ${currentQuestion.question}`}
     >
       {questionView}

packages/cli/src/ui/components/BackgroundShellDisplay.test.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,459 @@
+/**
+ * @license
+ * Copyright 2025 Google LLC
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
+import { render } from '../../test-utils/render.js';
+import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach } from 'vitest';
+import { BackgroundShellDisplay } from './BackgroundShellDisplay.js';
+import { type BackgroundShell } from '../hooks/shellCommandProcessor.js';
+import { ShellExecutionService } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
+import { act } from 'react';
+import { type Key, type KeypressHandler } from '../contexts/KeypressContext.js';
+import { ScrollProvider } from '../contexts/ScrollProvider.js';
+import { Box } from 'ink';
+
+const delay = (ms: number) => new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, ms));
+
+// Mock dependencies
+const mockDismissBackgroundShell = vi.fn();
+const mockSetActiveBackgroundShellPid = vi.fn();
+const mockSetIsBackgroundShellListOpen = vi.fn();
+const mockHandleWarning = vi.fn();
+const mockSetEmbeddedShellFocused = vi.fn();
+
+vi.mock('../contexts/UIActionsContext.js', () => ({
+  useUIActions: () => ({
+    dismissBackgroundShell: mockDismissBackgroundShell,
+    setActiveBackgroundShellPid: mockSetActiveBackgroundShellPid,
+    setIsBackgroundShellListOpen: mockSetIsBackgroundShellListOpen,
+    handleWarning: mockHandleWarning,
+    setEmbeddedShellFocused: mockSetEmbeddedShellFocused,
+  }),
+}));
+
+vi.mock('@google/gemini-cli-core', async (importOriginal) => {
+  const actual =
+    await importOriginal<typeof import('@google/gemini-cli-core')>();
+  return {
+    ...actual,
+    ShellExecutionService: {
+      resizePty: vi.fn(),
+      subscribe: vi.fn(() => vi.fn()),
+    },
+  };
+});
+
+// Mock AnsiOutputText since it's a complex component
+vi.mock('./AnsiOutput.js', () => ({
+  AnsiOutputText: ({ data }: { data: string | unknown }) => {
+    if (typeof data === 'string') return <>{data}</>;
+    // Simple serialization for object data
+    return <>{JSON.stringify(data)}</>;
+  },
+}));
+
+// Mock useKeypress
+let keypressHandlers: Array<{ handler: KeypressHandler; isActive: boolean }> =
+  [];
+vi.mock('../hooks/useKeypress.js', () => ({
+  useKeypress: vi.fn((handler, { isActive }) => {
+    keypressHandlers.push({ handler, isActive });
+  }),
+}));
+
+const simulateKey = (key: Partial<Key>) => {
+  const fullKey: Key = createMockKey(key);
+  keypressHandlers.forEach(({ handler, isActive }) => {
+    if (isActive) {
+      handler(fullKey);
+    }
+  });
+};
+
+vi.mock('../contexts/MouseContext.js', () => ({
+  useMouseContext: vi.fn(() => ({
+    subscribe: vi.fn(),
+    unsubscribe: vi.fn(),
+  })),
+  useMouse: vi.fn(),
+}));
+
+// Mock ScrollableList
+vi.mock('./shared/ScrollableList.js', () => ({
+  SCROLL_TO_ITEM_END: 999999,
+  ScrollableList: vi.fn(
+    ({
+      data,
+      renderItem,
+    }: {
+      data: BackgroundShell[];
+      renderItem: (props: {
+        item: BackgroundShell;
+        index: number;
+      }) => React.ReactNode;
+    }) => (
+      <Box flexDirection="column">
+        {data.map((item: BackgroundShell, index: number) => (
+          <Box key={index}>{renderItem({ item, index })}</Box>
+        ))}
+      </Box>
+    ),
+  ),
+}));
+
+const createMockKey = (overrides: Partial<Key>): Key => ({
+  name: '',
+  ctrl: false,
+  alt: false,
+  cmd: false,
+  shift: false,
+  insertable: false,
+  sequence: '',
+  ...overrides,
+});
+
+describe('<BackgroundShellDisplay />', () => {
+  const mockShells = new Map<number, BackgroundShell>();
+  const shell1: BackgroundShell = {
+    pid: 1001,
+    command: 'npm start',
+    output: 'Starting server...',
+    isBinary: false,
+    binaryBytesReceived: 0,
+    status: 'running',
+  };
+  const shell2: BackgroundShell = {
+    pid: 1002,
+    command: 'tail -f log.txt',
+    output: 'Log entry 1',
+    isBinary: false,
+    binaryBytesReceived: 0,
+    status: 'running',
+  };
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.clearAllMocks();
+    mockShells.clear();
+    mockShells.set(shell1.pid, shell1);
+    mockShells.set(shell2.pid, shell2);
+    keypressHandlers = [];
+  });
+
+  it('renders the output of the active shell', async () => {
+    const { lastFrame } = render(
+      <ScrollProvider>
+        <BackgroundShellDisplay
+          shells={mockShells}
+          activePid={shell1.pid}
+          width={80}
+          height={24}
+          isFocused={false}
+          isListOpenProp={false}
+        />
+      </ScrollProvider>,
+    );
+    await act(async () => {
+      await delay(0);
+    });
+
+    expect(lastFrame()).toMatchSnapshot();
+  });
+
+  it('renders tabs for multiple shells', async () => {
+    const { lastFrame } = render(
+      <ScrollProvider>
+        <BackgroundShellDisplay
+          shells={mockShells}
+          activePid={shell1.pid}
+          width={100}
+          height={24}
+          isFocused={false}
+          isListOpenProp={false}
+        />
+      </ScrollProvider>,
+    );
+    await act(async () => {
+      await delay(0);
+    });
+
+    expect(lastFrame()).toMatchSnapshot();
+  });
+
+  it('highlights the focused state', async () => {
+    const { lastFrame } = render(
+      <ScrollProvider>
+        <BackgroundShellDisplay
+          shells={mockShells}
+          activePid={shell1.pid}
+          width={80}
+          height={24}
+          isFocused={true} // Focused
+          isListOpenProp={false}
+        />
+      </ScrollProvider>,
+    );
+    await act(async () => {
+      await delay(0);
+    });
+
+    expect(lastFrame()).toMatchSnapshot();
+  });
+
+  it('resizes the PTY on mount and when dimensions change', async () => {
+    const { rerender } = render(
+      <ScrollProvider>
+        <BackgroundShellDisplay
+          shells={mockShells}
+          activePid={shell1.pid}
+          width={80}
+          height={24}
+          isFocused={false}
+          isListOpenProp={false}
+        />
+      </ScrollProvider>,
+    );
+    await act(async () => {
+      await delay(0);
+    });
+
+    expect(ShellExecutionService.resizePty).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      shell1.pid,
+      76,
+      21,
+    );
+
+    rerender(
+      <ScrollProvider>
+        <BackgroundShellDisplay
+          shells={mockShells}
+          activePid={shell1.pid}
+          width={100}
+          height={30}
+          isFocused={false}
+          isListOpenProp={false}
+        />
+      </ScrollProvider>,
+    );
+    await act(async () => {
+      await delay(0);
+    });
+
+    expect(ShellExecutionService.resizePty).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      shell1.pid,
+      96,
+      27,
+    );
+  });
+
+  it('renders the process list when isListOpenProp is true', async () => {
+    const { lastFrame } = render(
+      <ScrollProvider>
+        <BackgroundShellDisplay
+          shells={mockShells}
+          activePid={shell1.pid}
+          width={80}
+          height={24}
+          isFocused={true}
+          isListOpenProp={true}
+        />
+      </ScrollProvider>,
+    );
+    await act(async () => {
+      await delay(0);
+    });
+
+    expect(lastFrame()).toMatchSnapshot();
+  });
+
+  it('selects the current process and closes the list when Ctrl+L is pressed in list view', async () => {
+    render(
+      <ScrollProvider>
+        <BackgroundShellDisplay
+          shells={mockShells}
+          activePid={shell1.pid}
+          width={80}
+          height={24}
+          isFocused={true}
+          isListOpenProp={true}
+        />
+      </ScrollProvider>,
+    );
+    await act(async () => {
+      await delay(0);
+    });
+
+    // Simulate down arrow to select the second process (handled by RadioButtonSelect)
+    act(() => {
+      simulateKey({ name: 'down' });
+    });
+
+    // Simulate Ctrl+L (handled by BackgroundShellDisplay)
+    act(() => {
+      simulateKey({ name: 'l', ctrl: true });
+    });
+
+    expect(mockSetActiveBackgroundShellPid).toHaveBeenCalledWith(shell2.pid);
+    expect(mockSetIsBackgroundShellListOpen).toHaveBeenCalledWith(false);
+  });
+
+  it('kills the highlighted process when Ctrl+K is pressed in list view', async () => {
+    render(
+      <ScrollProvider>
+        <BackgroundShellDisplay
+          shells={mockShells}
+          activePid={shell1.pid}
+          width={80}
+          height={24}
+          isFocused={true}
+          isListOpenProp={true}
+        />
+      </ScrollProvider>,
+    );
+    await act(async () => {
+      await delay(0);
+    });
+
+    // Initial state: shell1 (active) is highlighted
+
+    // Move to shell2
+    act(() => {
+      simulateKey({ name: 'down' });
+    });
+
+    // Press Ctrl+K
+    act(() => {
+      simulateKey({ name: 'k', ctrl: true });
+    });
+
+    expect(mockDismissBackgroundShell).toHaveBeenCalledWith(shell2.pid);
+  });
+
+  it('kills the active process when Ctrl+K is pressed in output view', async () => {
+    render(
+      <ScrollProvider>
+        <BackgroundShellDisplay
+          shells={mockShells}
+          activePid={shell1.pid}
+          width={80}
+          height={24}
+          isFocused={true}
+          isListOpenProp={false}
+        />
+      </ScrollProvider>,
+    );
+    await act(async () => {
+      await delay(0);
+    });
+
+    act(() => {
+      simulateKey({ name: 'k', ctrl: true });
+    });
+
+    expect(mockDismissBackgroundShell).toHaveBeenCalledWith(shell1.pid);
+  });
+
+  it('scrolls to active shell when list opens', async () => {
+    // shell2 is active
+    const { lastFrame } = render(
+      <ScrollProvider>
+        <BackgroundShellDisplay
+          shells={mockShells}
+          activePid={shell2.pid}
+          width={80}
+          height={24}
+          isFocused={true}
+          isListOpenProp={true}
+        />
+      </ScrollProvider>,
+    );
+    await act(async () => {
+      await delay(0);
+    });
+
+    expect(lastFrame()).toMatchSnapshot();
+  });
+
+  it('keeps exit code status color even when selected', async () => {
+    const exitedShell: BackgroundShell = {
+      pid: 1003,
+      command: 'exit 0',
+      output: '',
+      isBinary: false,
+      binaryBytesReceived: 0,
+      status: 'exited',
+      exitCode: 0,
+    };
+    mockShells.set(exitedShell.pid, exitedShell);
+
+    const { lastFrame } = render(
+      <ScrollProvider>
+        <BackgroundShellDisplay
+          shells={mockShells}
+          activePid={exitedShell.pid}
+          width={80}
+          height={24}
+          isFocused={true}
+          isListOpenProp={true}
+        />
+      </ScrollProvider>,
+    );
+    await act(async () => {
+      await delay(0);
+    });
+
+    expect(lastFrame()).toMatchSnapshot();
+  });
+
+  it('unfocuses the shell when Shift+Tab is pressed', async () => {
+    render(
+      <ScrollProvider>
+        <BackgroundShellDisplay
+          shells={mockShells}
+          activePid={shell1.pid}
+          width={80}
+          height={24}
+          isFocused={true}
+          isListOpenProp={false}
+        />
+      </ScrollProvider>,
+    );
+    await act(async () => {
+      await delay(0);
+    });
+
+    act(() => {
+      simulateKey({ name: 'tab', shift: true });
+    });
+
+    expect(mockSetEmbeddedShellFocused).toHaveBeenCalledWith(false);
+  });
+
+  it('shows a warning when Tab is pressed', async () => {
+    render(
+      <ScrollProvider>
+        <BackgroundShellDisplay
+          shells={mockShells}
+          activePid={shell1.pid}
+          width={80}
+          height={24}
+          isFocused={true}
+          isListOpenProp={false}
+        />
+      </ScrollProvider>,
+    );
+    await act(async () => {
+      await delay(0);
+    });
+
+    act(() => {
+      simulateKey({ name: 'tab' });
+    });
+
+    expect(mockHandleWarning).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      'Press Shift+Tab to focus out.',
+    );
+    expect(mockSetEmbeddedShellFocused).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+});

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

@@ -0,0 +1,460 @@
+/**
+ * @license
+ * Copyright 2025 Google LLC
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
+import { Box, Text } from 'ink';
+import { useEffect, useState, useRef } from 'react';
+import { useUIActions } from '../contexts/UIActionsContext.js';
+import { theme } from '../semantic-colors.js';
+import {
+  ShellExecutionService,
+  type AnsiOutput,
+  type AnsiLine,
+  type AnsiToken,
+} from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
+import { cpLen, cpSlice, getCachedStringWidth } from '../utils/textUtils.js';
+import { type BackgroundShell } from '../hooks/shellCommandProcessor.js';
+import { Command, keyMatchers } from '../keyMatchers.js';
+import { useKeypress } from '../hooks/useKeypress.js';
+import { commandDescriptions } from '../../config/keyBindings.js';
+import {
+  ScrollableList,
+  type ScrollableListRef,
+} from './shared/ScrollableList.js';
+
+import { SCROLL_TO_ITEM_END } from './shared/VirtualizedList.js';
+
+import {
+  RadioButtonSelect,
+  type RadioSelectItem,
+} from './shared/RadioButtonSelect.js';
+
+interface BackgroundShellDisplayProps {
+  shells: Map<number, BackgroundShell>;
+  activePid: number;
+  width: number;
+  height: number;
+  isFocused: boolean;
+  isListOpenProp: boolean;
+}
+
+const CONTENT_PADDING_X = 1;
+const BORDER_WIDTH = 2; // Left and Right border
+const HEADER_HEIGHT = 3; // 2 for border, 1 for header
+const TAB_DISPLAY_HORIZONTAL_PADDING = 4;
+
+const formatShellCommandForDisplay = (command: string, maxWidth: number) => {
+  const commandFirstLine = command.split('\n')[0];
+  return cpLen(commandFirstLine) > maxWidth
+    ? `${cpSlice(commandFirstLine, 0, maxWidth - 3)}...`
+    : commandFirstLine;
+};
+
+export const BackgroundShellDisplay = ({
+  shells,
+  activePid,
+  width,
+  height,
+  isFocused,
+  isListOpenProp,
+}: BackgroundShellDisplayProps) => {
+  const {
+    dismissBackgroundShell,
+    setActiveBackgroundShellPid,
+    setIsBackgroundShellListOpen,
+    handleWarning,
+    setEmbeddedShellFocused,
+  } = useUIActions();
+  const activeShell = shells.get(activePid);
+  const [output, setOutput] = useState<string | AnsiOutput>(
+    activeShell?.output || '',
+  );
+  const [highlightedPid, setHighlightedPid] = useState<number | null>(
+    activePid,
+  );
+  const outputRef = useRef<ScrollableListRef<AnsiLine | string>>(null);
+  const subscribedRef = useRef(false);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!activePid) return;
+
+    const ptyWidth = Math.max(1, width - BORDER_WIDTH - CONTENT_PADDING_X * 2);
+    const ptyHeight = Math.max(1, height - HEADER_HEIGHT);
+    ShellExecutionService.resizePty(activePid, ptyWidth, ptyHeight);
+  }, [activePid, width, height]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!activePid) {
+      setOutput('');
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // Set initial output from the shell object
+    const shell = shells.get(activePid);
+    if (shell) {
+      setOutput(shell.output);
+    }
+
+    subscribedRef.current = false;
+
+    // Subscribe to live updates for the active shell
+    const unsubscribe = ShellExecutionService.subscribe(activePid, (event) => {
+      if (event.type === 'data') {
+        if (typeof event.chunk === 'string') {
+          if (!subscribedRef.current) {
+            // Initial synchronous update contains full history
+            setOutput(event.chunk);
+          } else {
+            // Subsequent updates are deltas for child_process
+            setOutput((prev) =>
+              typeof prev === 'string' ? prev + event.chunk : event.chunk,
+            );
+          }
+        } else {
+          // PTY always sends full AnsiOutput
+          setOutput(event.chunk);
+        }
+      }
+    });
+
+    subscribedRef.current = true;
+
+    return () => {
+      unsubscribe();
+      subscribedRef.current = false;
+    };
+  }, [activePid, shells]);
+
+  // Sync highlightedPid with activePid when list opens
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (isListOpenProp) {
+      setHighlightedPid(activePid);
+    }
+  }, [isListOpenProp, activePid]);
+
+  useKeypress(
+    (key) => {
+      if (!activeShell) return;
+
+      // Handle Shift+Tab or Tab (in list) to focus out
+      if (
+        keyMatchers[Command.UNFOCUS_BACKGROUND_SHELL](key) ||
+        (isListOpenProp &&
+          keyMatchers[Command.UNFOCUS_BACKGROUND_SHELL_LIST](key))
+      ) {
+        setEmbeddedShellFocused(false);
+        return true;
+      }
+
+      // Handle Tab to warn but propagate
+      if (
+        !isListOpenProp &&
+        keyMatchers[Command.SHOW_BACKGROUND_SHELL_UNFOCUS_WARNING](key)
+      ) {
+        handleWarning(
+          `Press ${commandDescriptions[Command.UNFOCUS_BACKGROUND_SHELL]} to focus out.`,
+        );
+        // Fall through to allow Tab to be sent to the shell
+      }
+
+      if (isListOpenProp) {
+        // Navigation (Up/Down/Enter) is handled by RadioButtonSelect
+        // We only handle special keys not consumed by RadioButtonSelect or overriding them if needed
+        // RadioButtonSelect handles Enter -> onSelect
+
+        if (keyMatchers[Command.BACKGROUND_SHELL_ESCAPE](key)) {
+          setIsBackgroundShellListOpen(false);
+          return true;
+        }
+
+        if (keyMatchers[Command.KILL_BACKGROUND_SHELL](key)) {
+          if (highlightedPid) {
+            dismissBackgroundShell(highlightedPid);
+            // If we killed the active one, the list might update via props
+          }
+          return true;
+        }
+
+        if (keyMatchers[Command.TOGGLE_BACKGROUND_SHELL_LIST](key)) {
+          if (highlightedPid) {
+            setActiveBackgroundShellPid(highlightedPid);
+          }
+          setIsBackgroundShellListOpen(false);
+          return true;
+        }
+        return false;
+      }
+
+      if (keyMatchers[Command.TOGGLE_BACKGROUND_SHELL](key)) {
+        return true;
+      }
+
+      if (keyMatchers[Command.KILL_BACKGROUND_SHELL](key)) {
+        dismissBackgroundShell(activeShell.pid);
+        return true;
+      }
+
+      if (keyMatchers[Command.TOGGLE_BACKGROUND_SHELL_LIST](key)) {
+        setIsBackgroundShellListOpen(true);
+        return true;
+      }
+
+      if (keyMatchers[Command.BACKGROUND_SHELL_SELECT](key)) {
+        ShellExecutionService.writeToPty(activeShell.pid, '\r');
+        return true;
+      } else if (keyMatchers[Command.DELETE_CHAR_LEFT](key)) {
+        ShellExecutionService.writeToPty(activeShell.pid, '\b');
+        return true;
+      } else if (key.sequence) {
+        ShellExecutionService.writeToPty(activeShell.pid, key.sequence);
+        return true;
+      }
+      return false;
+    },
+    { isActive: isFocused && !!activeShell },
+  );
+
+  const helpText = `${commandDescriptions[Command.TOGGLE_BACKGROUND_SHELL]} Hide | ${commandDescriptions[Command.KILL_BACKGROUND_SHELL]} Kill | ${commandDescriptions[Command.TOGGLE_BACKGROUND_SHELL_LIST]} List`;
+
+  const renderTabs = () => {
+    const shellList = Array.from(shells.values()).filter(
+      (s) => s.status === 'running',
+    );
+
+    const pidInfoWidth = getCachedStringWidth(
+      ` (PID: ${activePid}) ${isFocused ? '(Focused)' : ''}`,
+    );
+
+    const availableWidth =
+      width -
+      TAB_DISPLAY_HORIZONTAL_PADDING -
+      getCachedStringWidth(helpText) -
+      pidInfoWidth;
+
+    let currentWidth = 0;
+    const tabs = [];
+
+    for (let i = 0; i < shellList.length; i++) {
+      const shell = shellList[i];
+      // Account for " i: " (length 4 if i < 9) and spaces (length 2)
+      const labelOverhead = 4 + (i + 1).toString().length;
+      const maxTabLabelLength = Math.max(
+        1,
+        Math.floor(availableWidth / shellList.length) - labelOverhead,
+      );
+      const truncatedCommand = formatShellCommandForDisplay(
+        shell.command,
+        maxTabLabelLength,
+      );
+      const label = ` ${i + 1}: ${truncatedCommand} `;
+      const labelWidth = getCachedStringWidth(label);
+
+      // If this is the only shell, we MUST show it (truncated if necessary)
+      // even if it exceeds availableWidth, as there are no alternatives.
+      if (i > 0 && currentWidth + labelWidth > availableWidth) {
+        break;
+      }
+
+      const isActive = shell.pid === activePid;
+
+      tabs.push(
+        <Text
+          key={shell.pid}
+          color={isActive ? theme.text.primary : theme.text.secondary}
+          bold={isActive}
+        >
+          {label}
+        </Text>,
+      );
+      currentWidth += labelWidth;
+    }
+
+    if (shellList.length > tabs.length && !isListOpenProp) {
+      const overflowLabel = ` ... (${commandDescriptions[Command.TOGGLE_BACKGROUND_SHELL_LIST]}) `;
+      const overflowWidth = getCachedStringWidth(overflowLabel);
+
+      // If we only have one tab, ensure we don't show the overflow if it's too cramped
+      // We want at least 10 chars for the overflow or we favor the first tab.
+      const shouldShowOverflow =
+        tabs.length > 1 || availableWidth - currentWidth >= overflowWidth;
+
+      if (shouldShowOverflow) {
+        tabs.push(
+          <Text key="overflow" color={theme.status.warning} bold>
+            {overflowLabel}
+          </Text>,
+        );
+      }
+    }
+
+    return tabs;
+  };
+
+  const renderProcessList = () => {
+    const maxCommandLength = Math.max(
+      0,
+      width - BORDER_WIDTH - CONTENT_PADDING_X * 2 - 10,
+    );
+
+    const items: Array<RadioSelectItem<number>> = Array.from(
+      shells.values(),
+    ).map((shell, index) => {
+      const truncatedCommand = formatShellCommandForDisplay(
+        shell.command,
+        maxCommandLength,
+      );
+
+      let label = `${index + 1}: ${truncatedCommand} (PID: ${shell.pid})`;
+      if (shell.status === 'exited') {
+        label += ` (Exit Code: ${shell.exitCode})`;
+      }
+
+      return {
+        key: shell.pid.toString(),
+        value: shell.pid,
+        label,
+      };
+    });
+
+    const initialIndex = items.findIndex((item) => item.value === activePid);
+
+    return (
+      <Box flexDirection="column" height="100%" width="100%">
+        <Box flexShrink={0} marginBottom={1} paddingTop={1}>
+          <Text bold>
+            {`Select Process (${commandDescriptions[Command.BACKGROUND_SHELL_SELECT]} to select, ${commandDescriptions[Command.BACKGROUND_SHELL_ESCAPE]} to cancel):`}
+          </Text>
+        </Box>
+        <Box flexGrow={1} width="100%">
+          <RadioButtonSelect
+            items={items}
+            initialIndex={initialIndex >= 0 ? initialIndex : 0}
+            onSelect={(pid) => {
+              setActiveBackgroundShellPid(pid);
+              setIsBackgroundShellListOpen(false);
+            }}
+            onHighlight={(pid) => setHighlightedPid(pid)}
+            isFocused={isFocused}
+            maxItemsToShow={Math.max(1, height - HEADER_HEIGHT - 3)} // Adjust for header
+            renderItem={(
+              item,
+              { isSelected: _isSelected, titleColor: _titleColor },
+            ) => {
+              // Custom render to handle exit code coloring if needed,
+              // or just use default. The default RadioButtonSelect renderer
+              // handles standard label.
+              // But we want to color exit code differently?
+              // The previous implementation colored exit code green/red.
+              // Let's reimplement that.
+
+              // We need access to shell details here.
+              // We can put shell details in the item or lookup.
+              // Lookup from shells map.
+              const shell = shells.get(item.value);
+              if (!shell) return <Text>{item.label}</Text>;
+
+              const truncatedCommand = formatShellCommandForDisplay(
+                shell.command,
+                maxCommandLength,
+              );
+
+              return (
+                <Text>
+                  {truncatedCommand} (PID: {shell.pid})
+                  {shell.status === 'exited' ? (
+                    <Text
+                      color={
+                        shell.exitCode === 0
+                          ? theme.status.success
+                          : theme.status.error
+                      }
+                    >
+                      {' '}
+                      (Exit Code: {shell.exitCode})
+                    </Text>
+                  ) : null}
+                </Text>
+              );
+            }}
+          />
+        </Box>
+      </Box>
+    );
+  };
+
+  const renderOutput = () => {
+    const lines = typeof output === 'string' ? output.split('\n') : output;
+
+    return (
+      <ScrollableList
+        ref={outputRef}
+        data={lines}
+        renderItem={({ item: line, index }) => {
+          if (typeof line === 'string') {
+            return <Text key={index}>{line}</Text>;
+          }
+          return (
+            <Text key={index} wrap="truncate">
+              {line.length > 0
+                ? line.map((token: AnsiToken, tokenIndex: number) => (
+                    <Text
+                      key={tokenIndex}
+                      color={token.fg}
+                      backgroundColor={token.bg}
+                      inverse={token.inverse}
+                      dimColor={token.dim}
+                      bold={token.bold}
+                      italic={token.italic}
+                      underline={token.underline}
+                    >
+                      {token.text}
+                    </Text>
+                  ))
+                : null}
+            </Text>
+          );
+        }}
+        estimatedItemHeight={() => 1}
+        keyExtractor={(_, index) => index.toString()}
+        hasFocus={isFocused}
+        initialScrollIndex={SCROLL_TO_ITEM_END}
+      />
+    );
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <Box
+      flexDirection="column"
+      height="100%"
+      width="100%"
+      borderStyle="single"
+      borderColor={isFocused ? theme.border.focused : undefined}
+    >
+      <Box
+        flexDirection="row"
+        justifyContent="space-between"
+        borderStyle="single"
+        borderBottom={false}
+        borderLeft={false}
+        borderRight={false}
+        borderTop={false}
+        paddingX={1}
+        borderColor={isFocused ? theme.border.focused : undefined}
+      >
+        <Box flexDirection="row">
+          {renderTabs()}
+          <Text bold>
+            {' '}
+            (PID: {activeShell?.pid}) {isFocused ? '(Focused)' : ''}
+          </Text>
+        </Box>
+        <Text color={theme.text.accent}>{helpText}</Text>
+      </Box>
+      <Box flexGrow={1} overflow="hidden" paddingX={CONTENT_PADDING_X}>
+        {isListOpenProp ? renderProcessList() : renderOutput()}
+      </Box>
+    </Box>
+  );
+};

packages/cli/src/ui/components/BubblingRegression.test.tsx

@@ -34,6 +34,8 @@ describe('Key Bubbling Regression', () => {
         questions={choiceQuestion}
         onSubmit={vi.fn()}
         onCancel={vi.fn()}
+        width={120}
+        availableHeight={20}
       />,
       { width: 120 },
     );

packages/cli/src/ui/components/Composer.test.tsx

@@ -133,6 +133,8 @@ const createMockUIState = (overrides: Partial<UIState> = {}): UIState =>
     nightly: false,
     isTrustedFolder: true,
     activeHooks: [],
+    isBackgroundShellVisible: false,
+    embeddedShellFocused: false,
     ...overrides,
   }) as UIState;
 
@@ -310,6 +312,32 @@ describe('Composer', () => {
       expect(output).toContain('LoadingIndicator');
       expect(output).not.toContain('Should not show during confirmation');
     });
+
+    it('renders LoadingIndicator when embedded shell is focused but background shell is visible', () => {
+      const uiState = createMockUIState({
+        streamingState: StreamingState.Responding,
+        embeddedShellFocused: true,
+        isBackgroundShellVisible: true,
+      });
+
+      const { lastFrame } = renderComposer(uiState);
+
+      const output = lastFrame();
+      expect(output).toContain('LoadingIndicator');
+    });
+
+    it('does NOT render LoadingIndicator when embedded shell is focused and background shell is NOT visible', () => {
+      const uiState = createMockUIState({
+        streamingState: StreamingState.Responding,
+        embeddedShellFocused: true,
+        isBackgroundShellVisible: false,
+      });
+
+      const { lastFrame } = renderComposer(uiState);
+
+      const output = lastFrame();
+      expect(output).not.toContain('LoadingIndicator');
+    });
   });
 
   describe('Message Queue Display', () => {

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

@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ export const Composer = ({ isFocused = true }: { isFocused?: boolean }) => {
       flexGrow={0}
       flexShrink={0}
     >
-      {!uiState.embeddedShellFocused && (
+      {(!uiState.embeddedShellFocused || uiState.isBackgroundShellVisible) && (
         <LoadingIndicator
           thought={
             uiState.streamingState === StreamingState.WaitingForConfirmation ||

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

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ interface ContextSummaryDisplayProps {
   blockedMcpServers?: Array<{ name: string; extensionName: string }>;
   ideContext?: IdeContext;
   skillCount: number;
+  backgroundProcessCount?: number;
 }
 
 export const ContextSummaryDisplay: React.FC<ContextSummaryDisplayProps> = ({
@@ -27,6 +28,7 @@ export const ContextSummaryDisplay: React.FC<ContextSummaryDisplayProps> = ({
   blockedMcpServers,
   ideContext,
   skillCount,
+  backgroundProcessCount = 0,
 }) => {
   const { columns: terminalWidth } = useTerminalSize();
   const isNarrow = isNarrowWidth(terminalWidth);
@@ -39,7 +41,8 @@ export const ContextSummaryDisplay: React.FC<ContextSummaryDisplayProps> = ({
     mcpServerCount === 0 &&
     blockedMcpServerCount === 0 &&
     openFileCount === 0 &&
-    skillCount === 0
+    skillCount === 0 &&
+    backgroundProcessCount === 0
   ) {
     return <Text> </Text>; // Render an empty space to reserve height
   }
@@ -93,9 +96,22 @@ export const ContextSummaryDisplay: React.FC<ContextSummaryDisplayProps> = ({
     return `${skillCount} skill${skillCount > 1 ? 's' : ''}`;
   })();
 
-  const summaryParts = [openFilesText, geminiMdText, mcpText, skillText].filter(
-    Boolean,
-  );
+  const backgroundText = (() => {
+    if (backgroundProcessCount === 0) {
+      return '';
+    }
+    return `${backgroundProcessCount} Background process${
+      backgroundProcessCount > 1 ? 'es' : ''
+    }`;
+  })();
+
+  const summaryParts = [
+    openFilesText,
+    geminiMdText,
+    mcpText,
+    skillText,
+    backgroundText,
+  ].filter(Boolean);
 
   if (isNarrow) {
     return (

packages/cli/src/ui/components/DialogManager.test.tsx

@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ describe('DialogManager', () => {
     isFolderTrustDialogOpen: false,
     loopDetectionConfirmationRequest: null,
     confirmationRequest: null,
+    consentRequest: null,
     isThemeDialogOpen: false,
     isSettingsDialogOpen: false,
     isModelDialogOpen: false,
@@ -137,7 +138,11 @@ describe('DialogManager', () => {
       'LoopDetectionConfirmation',
     ],
     [
-      { confirmationRequest: { prompt: 'foo', onConfirm: vi.fn() } },
+      { commandConfirmationRequest: { prompt: 'foo', onConfirm: vi.fn() } },
+      'ConsentPrompt',
+    ],
+    [
+      { authConsentRequest: { prompt: 'bar', onConfirm: vi.fn() } },
       'ConsentPrompt',
     ],
     [

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

@@ -32,8 +32,6 @@ import process from 'node:process';
 import { type UseHistoryManagerReturn } from '../hooks/useHistoryManager.js';
 import { AdminSettingsChangedDialog } from './AdminSettingsChangedDialog.js';
 import { IdeTrustChangeDialog } from './IdeTrustChangeDialog.js';
-import { AskUserDialog } from './AskUserDialog.js';
-import { useAskUserActions } from '../contexts/AskUserActionsContext.js';
 import { NewAgentsNotification } from './NewAgentsNotification.js';
 import { AgentConfigDialog } from './AgentConfigDialog.js';
 
@@ -59,22 +57,6 @@ export const DialogManager = ({
     terminalWidth: uiTerminalWidth,
   } = uiState;
 
-  const {
-    request: askUserRequest,
-    submit: askUserSubmit,
-    cancel: askUserCancel,
-  } = useAskUserActions();
-
-  if (askUserRequest) {
-    return (
-      <AskUserDialog
-        questions={askUserRequest.questions}
-        onSubmit={askUserSubmit}
-        onCancel={askUserCancel}
-      />
-    );
-  }
-
   if (uiState.adminSettingsChanged) {
     return <AdminSettingsChangedDialog />;
   }
@@ -134,11 +116,24 @@ export const DialogManager = ({
       />
     );
   }
-  if (uiState.confirmationRequest) {
+
+  // commandConfirmationRequest and authConsentRequest are kept separate
+  // to avoid focus deadlocks and state race conditions between the
+  // synchronous command loop and the asynchronous auth flow.
+  if (uiState.commandConfirmationRequest) {
     return (
       <ConsentPrompt
-        prompt={uiState.confirmationRequest.prompt}
-        onConfirm={uiState.confirmationRequest.onConfirm}
+        prompt={uiState.commandConfirmationRequest.prompt}
+        onConfirm={uiState.commandConfirmationRequest.onConfirm}
+        terminalWidth={terminalWidth}
+      />
+    );
+  }
+  if (uiState.authConsentRequest) {
+    return (
+      <ConsentPrompt
+        prompt={uiState.authConsentRequest.prompt}
+        onConfirm={uiState.authConsentRequest.onConfirm}
         terminalWidth={terminalWidth}
       />
     );

packages/cli/src/ui/components/InputPrompt.test.tsx

@@ -45,6 +45,8 @@ import { StreamingState } from '../types.js';
 import { terminalCapabilityManager } from '../utils/terminalCapabilityManager.js';
 import type { UIState } from '../contexts/UIStateContext.js';
 import { isLowColorDepth } from '../utils/terminalUtils.js';
+import { keyMatchers, Command } from '../keyMatchers.js';
+import type { Key } from '../hooks/useKeypress.js';
 
 vi.mock('../hooks/useShellHistory.js');
 vi.mock('../hooks/useCommandCompletion.js');
@@ -169,7 +171,16 @@ describe('InputPrompt', () => {
       allVisualLines: [''],
       visualCursor: [0, 0],
       visualScrollRow: 0,
-      handleInput: vi.fn(),
+      handleInput: vi.fn((key: Key) => {
+        if (keyMatchers[Command.CLEAR_INPUT](key)) {
+          if (mockBuffer.text.length > 0) {
+            mockBuffer.setText('');
+            return true;
+          }
+          return false;
+        }
+        return false;
+      }),
       move: vi.fn(),
       moveToOffset: vi.fn((offset: number) => {
         mockBuffer.cursor = [0, offset];
@@ -499,6 +510,23 @@ describe('InputPrompt', () => {
     unmount();
   });
 
+  it('should clear the buffer and reset completion on Ctrl+C', async () => {
+    mockBuffer.text = 'some text';
+    const { stdin, unmount } = renderWithProviders(<InputPrompt {...props} />, {
+      uiActions,
+    });
+
+    await act(async () => {
+      stdin.write('\u0003'); // Ctrl+C
+    });
+
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(mockBuffer.setText).toHaveBeenCalledWith('');
+      expect(mockCommandCompletion.resetCompletionState).toHaveBeenCalled();
+    });
+    unmount();
+  });
+
   describe('clipboard image paste', () => {
     beforeEach(() => {
       vi.mocked(clipboardUtils.clipboardHasImage).mockResolvedValue(false);

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

@@ -152,8 +152,14 @@ export const InputPrompt: React.FC<InputPromptProps> = ({
   const kittyProtocol = useKittyKeyboardProtocol();
   const isShellFocused = useShellFocusState();
   const { setEmbeddedShellFocused } = useUIActions();
-  const { terminalWidth, activePtyId, history, terminalBackgroundColor } =
-    useUIState();
+  const {
+    terminalWidth,
+    activePtyId,
+    history,
+    terminalBackgroundColor,
+    backgroundShells,
+    backgroundShellHeight,
+  } = useUIState();
   const [justNavigatedHistory, setJustNavigatedHistory] = useState(false);
   const escPressCount = useRef(0);
   const [showEscapePrompt, setShowEscapePrompt] = useState(false);
@@ -476,6 +482,14 @@ export const InputPrompt: React.FC<InputPromptProps> = ({
         return false;
       }
 
+      if (
+        key.name === 'escape' &&
+        (streamingState === StreamingState.Responding ||
+          streamingState === StreamingState.WaitingForConfirmation)
+      ) {
+        return false;
+      }
+
       if (key.name === 'paste') {
         // Record paste time to prevent accidental auto-submission
         if (!isTerminalPasteTrusted(kittyProtocol.enabled)) {
@@ -598,6 +612,12 @@ export const InputPrompt: React.FC<InputPromptProps> = ({
         return true;
       }
 
+      if (keyMatchers[Command.CLEAR_SCREEN](key)) {
+        setBannerVisible(false);
+        onClearScreen();
+        return true;
+      }
+
       if (shellModeActive && keyMatchers[Command.REVERSE_SEARCH](key)) {
         setReverseSearchActive(true);
         setTextBeforeReverseSearch(buffer.text);
@@ -605,12 +625,6 @@ export const InputPrompt: React.FC<InputPromptProps> = ({
         return true;
       }
 
-      if (keyMatchers[Command.CLEAR_SCREEN](key)) {
-        setBannerVisible(false);
-        onClearScreen();
-        return true;
-      }
-
       if (reverseSearchActive || commandSearchActive) {
         const isCommandSearch = commandSearchActive;
 
@@ -875,14 +889,6 @@ export const InputPrompt: React.FC<InputPromptProps> = ({
         buffer.move('end');
         return true;
       }
-      // Ctrl+C (Clear input)
-      if (keyMatchers[Command.CLEAR_INPUT](key)) {
-        if (buffer.text.length > 0) {
-          buffer.setText('');
-          resetCompletionState();
-        }
-        return false;
-      }
 
       // Kill line commands
       if (keyMatchers[Command.KILL_LINE_RIGHT](key)) {
@@ -915,7 +921,10 @@ export const InputPrompt: React.FC<InputPromptProps> = ({
 
       if (keyMatchers[Command.FOCUS_SHELL_INPUT](key)) {
         // If we got here, Autocomplete didn't handle the key (e.g. no suggestions).
-        if (activePtyId) {
+        if (
+          activePtyId ||
+          (backgroundShells.size > 0 && backgroundShellHeight > 0)
+        ) {
           setEmbeddedShellFocused(true);
         }
         return true;
@@ -924,17 +933,23 @@ export const InputPrompt: React.FC<InputPromptProps> = ({
       // Fall back to the text buffer's default input handling for all other keys
       const handled = buffer.handleInput(key);
 
-      // Clear ghost text when user types regular characters (not navigation/control keys)
-      if (
-        completion.promptCompletion.text &&
-        key.sequence &&
-        key.sequence.length === 1 &&
-        !key.alt &&
-        !key.ctrl &&
-        !key.cmd
-      ) {
-        completion.promptCompletion.clear();
-        setExpandedSuggestionIndex(-1);
+      if (handled) {
+        if (keyMatchers[Command.CLEAR_INPUT](key)) {
+          resetCompletionState();
+        }
+
+        // Clear ghost text when user types regular characters (not navigation/control keys)
+        if (
+          completion.promptCompletion.text &&
+          key.sequence &&
+          key.sequence.length === 1 &&
+          !key.alt &&
+          !key.ctrl &&
+          !key.cmd
+        ) {
+          completion.promptCompletion.clear();
+          setExpandedSuggestionIndex(-1);
+        }
       }
       return handled;
     },
@@ -967,11 +982,17 @@ export const InputPrompt: React.FC<InputPromptProps> = ({
       onSubmit,
       activePtyId,
       setEmbeddedShellFocused,
+      backgroundShells.size,
+      backgroundShellHeight,
       history,
+      streamingState,
     ],
   );
 
-  useKeypress(handleInput, { isActive: !isEmbeddedShellFocused });
+  useKeypress(handleInput, {
+    isActive: !isEmbeddedShellFocused,
+    priority: true,
+  });
 
   const linesToRender = buffer.viewportVisualLines;
   const [cursorVisualRowAbsolute, cursorVisualColAbsolute] =

packages/cli/src/ui/components/RewindViewer.test.tsx

@@ -254,6 +254,7 @@ describe('RewindViewer', () => {
       {
         description: 'removes reference markers',
         prompt: `some command @file\n--- Content from referenced files ---\nContent from file:\nblah blah\n--- End of content ---`,
+        expected: 'some command @file',
       },
       {
         description: 'strips expanded MCP resource content',
@@ -263,10 +264,23 @@ describe('RewindViewer', () => {
           '\nContent from @server3:mcp://demo-resource:\n' +
           'This is the content of the demo resource.\n' +
           `--- End of content ---`,
+        expected: 'read @server3:mcp://demo-resource hello',
       },
-    ])('$description', async ({ prompt }) => {
+      {
+        description: 'uses displayContent if present and does not strip',
+        prompt: `raw content with markers\n--- Content from referenced files ---\nblah\n--- End of content ---`,
+        displayContent: 'clean display content',
+        expected: 'clean display content',
+      },
+    ])('$description', async ({ prompt, displayContent, expected }) => {
       const conversation = createConversation([
-        { type: 'user', content: prompt, id: '1', timestamp: '1' },
+        {
+          type: 'user',
+          content: prompt,
+          displayContent,
+          id: '1',
+          timestamp: '1',
+        },
       ]);
       const onRewind = vi.fn();
       const { lastFrame, stdin } = renderWithProviders(
@@ -289,6 +303,15 @@ describe('RewindViewer', () => {
       await waitFor(() => {
         expect(lastFrame()).toContain('Confirm Rewind');
       });
+
+      // Confirm
+      act(() => {
+        stdin.write('\r');
+      });
+
+      await waitFor(() => {
+        expect(onRewind).toHaveBeenCalledWith('1', expected, expect.anything());
+      });
     });
   });
 

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

@@ -35,6 +35,14 @@ interface RewindViewerProps {
 
 const MAX_LINES_PER_BOX = 2;
 
+const getCleanedRewindText = (userPrompt: MessageRecord): string => {
+  const contentToUse = userPrompt.displayContent || userPrompt.content;
+  const originalUserText = contentToUse ? partToString(contentToUse) : '';
+  return userPrompt.displayContent
+    ? originalUserText
+    : stripReferenceContent(originalUserText);
+};
+
 export const RewindViewer: React.FC<RewindViewerProps> = ({
   conversation,
   onExit,
@@ -162,10 +170,7 @@ export const RewindViewer: React.FC<RewindViewerProps> = ({
               (m) => m.id === selectedMessageId,
             );
             if (userPrompt) {
-              const originalUserText = userPrompt.content
-                ? partToString(userPrompt.content)
-                : '';
-              const cleanedText = stripReferenceContent(originalUserText);
+              const cleanedText = getCleanedRewindText(userPrompt);
               setIsRewinding(true);
               await onRewind(selectedMessageId, cleanedText, outcome);
             }
@@ -224,7 +229,9 @@ export const RewindViewer: React.FC<RewindViewerProps> = ({
                       isSelected ? theme.status.success : theme.text.primary
                     }
                   >
-                    {partToString(userPrompt.content)}
+                    {partToString(
+                      userPrompt.displayContent || userPrompt.content,
+                    )}
                   </Text>
                   <Text color={theme.text.secondary}>
                     Cancel rewind and stay here
@@ -235,10 +242,7 @@ export const RewindViewer: React.FC<RewindViewerProps> = ({
 
             const stats = getStats(userPrompt);
             const firstFileName = stats?.details?.at(0)?.fileName;
-            const originalUserText = userPrompt.content
-              ? partToString(userPrompt.content)
-              : '';
-            const cleanedText = stripReferenceContent(originalUserText);
+            const cleanedText = getCleanedRewindText(userPrompt);
 
             return (
               <Box flexDirection="column" marginBottom={1}>

packages/cli/src/ui/components/SettingsDialog.test.tsx

@@ -1391,7 +1391,6 @@ describe('SettingsDialog', () => {
           },
           tools: {
             enableInteractiveShell: true,
-            autoAccept: true,
             useRipgrep: true,
           },
           security: {
@@ -1484,7 +1483,6 @@ describe('SettingsDialog', () => {
         userSettings: {
           tools: {
             enableInteractiveShell: true,
-            autoAccept: false,
             useRipgrep: true,
             truncateToolOutputThreshold: 25000,
             truncateToolOutputLines: 500,
@@ -1537,7 +1535,6 @@ describe('SettingsDialog', () => {
           },
           tools: {
             enableInteractiveShell: false,
-            autoAccept: false,
             useRipgrep: false,
           },
           security: {

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

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import type React from 'react';
 import { useKeypress } from '../hooks/useKeypress.js';
 import { ShellExecutionService } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
 import { keyToAnsi, type Key } from '../hooks/keyToAnsi.js';
+import { Command, keyMatchers } from '../keyMatchers.js';
 
 export interface ShellInputPromptProps {
   activeShellPtyId: number | null;
@@ -31,22 +32,31 @@ export const ShellInputPrompt: React.FC<ShellInputPromptProps> = ({
   const handleInput = useCallback(
     (key: Key) => {
       if (!focus || !activeShellPtyId) {
-        return;
+        return false;
       }
+
+      // Allow background shell toggle to bubble up
+      if (keyMatchers[Command.TOGGLE_BACKGROUND_SHELL](key)) {
+        return false;
+      }
+
       if (key.ctrl && key.shift && key.name === 'up') {
         ShellExecutionService.scrollPty(activeShellPtyId, -1);
-        return;
+        return true;
       }
 
       if (key.ctrl && key.shift && key.name === 'down') {
         ShellExecutionService.scrollPty(activeShellPtyId, 1);
-        return;
+        return true;
       }
 
       const ansiSequence = keyToAnsi(key);
       if (ansiSequence) {
         handleShellInputSubmit(ansiSequence);
+        return true;
       }
+
+      return false;
     },
     [focus, handleShellInputSubmit, activeShellPtyId],
   );

packages/cli/src/ui/components/StatusDisplay.test.tsx

@@ -15,8 +15,14 @@ import type { TextBuffer } from './shared/text-buffer.js';
 
 // Mock child components to simplify testing
 vi.mock('./ContextSummaryDisplay.js', () => ({
-  ContextSummaryDisplay: (props: { skillCount: number }) => (
-    <Text>Mock Context Summary Display (Skills: {props.skillCount})</Text>
+  ContextSummaryDisplay: (props: {
+    skillCount: number;
+    backgroundProcessCount: number;
+  }) => (
+    <Text>
+      Mock Context Summary Display (Skills: {props.skillCount}, Shells:{' '}
+      {props.backgroundProcessCount})
+    </Text>
   ),
 }));
 
@@ -41,6 +47,7 @@ const createMockUIState = (overrides: UIStateOverrides = {}): UIState =>
     ideContextState: null,
     geminiMdFileCount: 0,
     contextFileNames: [],
+    backgroundShellCount: 0,
     buffer: { text: '' },
     history: [{ id: 1, type: 'user', text: 'test' }],
     ...overrides,
@@ -227,4 +234,15 @@ describe('StatusDisplay', () => {
     );
     expect(lastFrame()).toBe('');
   });
+
+  it('passes backgroundShellCount to ContextSummaryDisplay', () => {
+    const uiState = createMockUIState({
+      backgroundShellCount: 3,
+    });
+    const { lastFrame } = renderStatusDisplay(
+      { hideContextSummary: false },
+      uiState,
+    );
+    expect(lastFrame()).toContain('Shells: 3');
+  });
 });

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

@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@ export const StatusDisplay: React.FC<StatusDisplayProps> = ({
           config.getMcpClientManager()?.getBlockedMcpServers() ?? []
         }
         skillCount={config.getSkillManager().getDisplayableSkills().length}
+        backgroundProcessCount={uiState.backgroundShellCount}
       />
     );
   }

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

@@ -16,6 +16,21 @@ import { OverflowProvider } from '../contexts/OverflowContext.js';
 import { ShowMoreLines } from './ShowMoreLines.js';
 import { StickyHeader } from './StickyHeader.js';
 import { useAlternateBuffer } from '../hooks/useAlternateBuffer.js';
+import type { SerializableConfirmationDetails } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
+
+function getConfirmationHeader(
+  details: SerializableConfirmationDetails | undefined,
+): string {
+  const headers: Partial<
+    Record<SerializableConfirmationDetails['type'], string>
+  > = {
+    ask_user: 'Answer Questions',
+  };
+  if (!details?.type) {
+    return 'Action Required';
+  }
+  return headers[details.type] ?? 'Action Required';
+}
 
 interface ToolConfirmationQueueProps {
   confirmingTool: ConfirmingToolState;
@@ -55,6 +70,7 @@ export const ToolConfirmationQueue: React.FC<ToolConfirmationQueueProps> = ({
       : undefined;
 
   const borderColor = theme.status.warning;
+  const hideToolIdentity = tool.confirmationDetails?.type === 'ask_user';
 
   return (
     <OverflowProvider>
@@ -67,25 +83,31 @@ export const ToolConfirmationQueue: React.FC<ToolConfirmationQueueProps> = ({
         >
           <Box flexDirection="column" width={mainAreaWidth - 4}>
             {/* Header */}
-            <Box marginBottom={1} justifyContent="space-between">
+            <Box
+              marginBottom={hideToolIdentity ? 0 : 1}
+              justifyContent="space-between"
+            >
               <Text color={theme.status.warning} bold>
-                Action Required
-              </Text>
-              <Text color={theme.text.secondary}>
-                {index} of {total}
+                {getConfirmationHeader(tool.confirmationDetails)}
               </Text>
+              {total > 1 && (
+                <Text color={theme.text.secondary}>
+                  {index} of {total}
+                </Text>
+              )}
             </Box>
 
-            {/* Tool Identity (Context) */}
-            <Box>
-              <ToolStatusIndicator status={tool.status} name={tool.name} />
-              <ToolInfo
-                name={tool.name}
-                status={tool.status}
-                description={tool.description}
-                emphasis="high"
-              />
-            </Box>
+            {!hideToolIdentity && (
+              <Box>
+                <ToolStatusIndicator status={tool.status} name={tool.name} />
+                <ToolInfo
+                  name={tool.name}
+                  status={tool.status}
+                  description={tool.description}
+                  emphasis="high"
+                />
+              </Box>
+            )}
           </Box>
         </StickyHeader>
 

packages/cli/src/ui/components/__snapshots__/AskUserDialog.test.tsx.snap

@@ -1,138 +1,169 @@
 // Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
 
+exports[`AskUserDialog > Scroll Arrows (useAlternateBuffer: false) > shows scroll arrows correctly when useAlternateBuffer is false 1`] = `
+"Choose an option
+
+▲
+●  1.  Option 1
+       Description 1
+   2.  Option 2
+       Description 2
+▼
+
+Enter to select · ↑/↓ to navigate · Esc to cancel"
+`;
+
+exports[`AskUserDialog > Scroll Arrows (useAlternateBuffer: true) > shows scroll arrows correctly when useAlternateBuffer is true 1`] = `
+"Choose an option
+
+●  1.  Option 1
+       Description 1
+   2.  Option 2
+       Description 2
+   3.  Option 3
+       Description 3
+   4.  Option 4
+       Description 4
+   5.  Option 5
+       Description 5
+   6.  Option 6
+       Description 6
+   7.  Option 7
+       Description 7
+   8.  Option 8
+       Description 8
+   9.  Option 9
+       Description 9
+  10.  Option 10
+       Description 10
+  11.  Option 11
+       Description 11
+  12.  Option 12
+       Description 12
+  13.  Option 13
+       Description 13
+  14.  Option 14
+       Description 14
+  15.  Option 15
+       Description 15
+  16.  Enter a custom value
+
+Enter to select · ↑/↓ to navigate · Esc to cancel"
+`;
+
 exports[`AskUserDialog > Text type questions > renders text input for type: "text" 1`] = `
-"╭──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
-│ What should we name this component?                                                                                  │
-│                                                                                                                      │
-│ > e.g., UserProfileCard                                                                                              │
-│                                                                                                                      │
-│                                                                                                                      │
-│ Enter to submit · Esc to cancel                                                                                      │
-╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯"
+"What should we name this component?
+
+> e.g., UserProfileCard
+
+
+Enter to submit · Esc to cancel"
 `;
 
 exports[`AskUserDialog > Text type questions > shows correct keyboard hints for text type 1`] = `
-"╭──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
-│ Enter the variable name:                                                                                             │
-│                                                                                                                      │
-│ > Enter your response                                                                                                │
-│                                                                                                                      │
-│                                                                                                                      │
-│ Enter to submit · Esc to cancel                                                                                      │
-╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯"
+"Enter the variable name:
+
+> Enter your response
+
+
+Enter to submit · Esc to cancel"
 `;
 
 exports[`AskUserDialog > Text type questions > shows default placeholder when none provided 1`] = `
-"╭──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
-│ Enter the database connection string:                                                                                │
-│                                                                                                                      │
-│ > Enter your response                                                                                                │
-│                                                                                                                      │
-│                                                                                                                      │
-│ Enter to submit · Esc to cancel                                                                                      │
-╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯"
+"Enter the database connection string:
+
+> Enter your response
+
+
+Enter to submit · Esc to cancel"
 `;
 
 exports[`AskUserDialog > allows navigating to Review tab and back 1`] = `
-"╭─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
-│ ← □ Tests │ □ Docs │ ≡ Review →                                 │
-│                                                                 │
-│ Review your answers:                                            │
-│                                                                 │
-│ ⚠ You have 2 unanswered questions                               │
-│                                                                 │
-│ Tests → (not answered)                                          │
-│ Docs → (not answered)                                           │
-│                                                                 │
-│ Enter to submit · Tab/Shift+Tab to edit answers · Esc to cancel │
-╰─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯"
+"← □ Tests │ □ Docs │ ≡ Review →
+
+Review your answers:
+
+⚠ You have 2 unanswered questions
+
+Tests → (not answered)
+Docs → (not answered)
+
+Enter to submit · Tab/Shift+Tab to edit answers · Esc to cancel"
 `;
 
 exports[`AskUserDialog > hides progress header for single question 1`] = `
-"╭──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
-│ Which authentication method should we use?                                                                           │
-│                                                                                                                      │
-│ ● 1.  OAuth 2.0                                                                                                      │
-│       Industry standard, supports SSO                                                                                │
-│   2.  JWT tokens                                                                                                     │
-│       Stateless, good for APIs                                                                                       │
-│   3.  Enter a custom value                                                                                           │
-│                                                                                                                      │
-│ Enter to select · ↑/↓ to navigate · Esc to cancel                                                                    │
-╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯"
+"Which authentication method should we use?
+
+● 1.  OAuth 2.0
+      Industry standard, supports SSO
+  2.  JWT tokens
+      Stateless, good for APIs
+  3.  Enter a custom value
+
+Enter to select · ↑/↓ to navigate · Esc to cancel"
 `;
 
 exports[`AskUserDialog > renders question and options 1`] = `
-"╭──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
-│ Which authentication method should we use?                                                                           │
-│                                                                                                                      │
-│ ● 1.  OAuth 2.0                                                                                                      │
-│       Industry standard, supports SSO                                                                                │
-│   2.  JWT tokens                                                                                                     │
-│       Stateless, good for APIs                                                                                       │
-│   3.  Enter a custom value                                                                                           │
-│                                                                                                                      │
-│ Enter to select · ↑/↓ to navigate · Esc to cancel                                                                    │
-╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯"
+"Which authentication method should we use?
+
+● 1.  OAuth 2.0
+      Industry standard, supports SSO
+  2.  JWT tokens
+      Stateless, good for APIs
+  3.  Enter a custom value
+
+Enter to select · ↑/↓ to navigate · Esc to cancel"
 `;
 
 exports[`AskUserDialog > shows Review tab in progress header for multiple questions 1`] = `
-"╭──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
-│ ← □ Framework │ □ Styling │ ≡ Review →                                                                               │
-│                                                                                                                      │
-│ Which framework?                                                                                                     │
-│                                                                                                                      │
-│ ● 1.  React                                                                                                          │
-│       Component library                                                                                              │
-│   2.  Vue                                                                                                            │
-│       Progressive framework                                                                                          │
-│   3.  Enter a custom value                                                                                           │
-│                                                                                                                      │
-│ Enter to select · ←/→ to switch questions · Esc to cancel                                                            │
-╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯"
+"← □ Framework │ □ Styling │ ≡ Review →
+
+Which framework?
+
+● 1.  React
+      Component library
+  2.  Vue
+      Progressive framework
+  3.  Enter a custom value
+
+Enter to select · ←/→ to switch questions · Esc to cancel"
 `;
 
 exports[`AskUserDialog > shows keyboard hints 1`] = `
-"╭──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
-│ Which authentication method should we use?                                                                           │
-│                                                                                                                      │
-│ ● 1.  OAuth 2.0                                                                                                      │
-│       Industry standard, supports SSO                                                                                │
-│   2.  JWT tokens                                                                                                     │
-│       Stateless, good for APIs                                                                                       │
-│   3.  Enter a custom value                                                                                           │
-│                                                                                                                      │
-│ Enter to select · ↑/↓ to navigate · Esc to cancel                                                                    │
-╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯"
+"Which authentication method should we use?
+
+● 1.  OAuth 2.0
+      Industry standard, supports SSO
+  2.  JWT tokens
+      Stateless, good for APIs
+  3.  Enter a custom value
+
+Enter to select · ↑/↓ to navigate · Esc to cancel"
 `;
 
 exports[`AskUserDialog > shows progress header for multiple questions 1`] = `
-"╭──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
-│ ← □ Database │ □ ORM │ ≡ Review →                                                                                    │
-│                                                                                                                      │
-│ Which database should we use?                                                                                        │
-│                                                                                                                      │
-│ ● 1.  PostgreSQL                                                                                                     │
-│       Relational database                                                                                            │
-│   2.  MongoDB                                                                                                        │
-│       Document database                                                                                              │
-│   3.  Enter a custom value                                                                                           │
-│                                                                                                                      │
-│ Enter to select · ←/→ to switch questions · Esc to cancel                                                            │
-╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯"
+"← □ Database │ □ ORM │ ≡ Review →
+
+Which database should we use?
+
+● 1.  PostgreSQL
+      Relational database
+  2.  MongoDB
+      Document database
+  3.  Enter a custom value
+
+Enter to select · ←/→ to switch questions · Esc to cancel"
 `;
 
 exports[`AskUserDialog > shows warning for unanswered questions on Review tab 1`] = `
-"╭─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
-│ ← □ License │ □ README │ ≡ Review →                             │
-│                                                                 │
-│ Review your answers:                                            │
-│                                                                 │
-│ ⚠ You have 2 unanswered questions                               │
-│                                                                 │
-│ License → (not answered)                                        │
-│ README → (not answered)                                         │
-│                                                                 │
-│ Enter to submit · Tab/Shift+Tab to edit answers · Esc to cancel │
-╰─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯"
+"← □ License │ □ README │ ≡ Review →
+
+Review your answers:
+
+⚠ You have 2 unanswered questions
+
+License → (not answered)
+README → (not answered)
+
+Enter to submit · Tab/Shift+Tab to edit answers · Esc to cancel"
 `;

packages/cli/src/ui/components/__snapshots__/BackgroundShellDisplay.test.tsx.snap

@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+// Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
+
+exports[`<BackgroundShellDisplay /> > highlights the focused state 1`] = `
+"┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+│  1: npm star...  (PID: 1001) (Focused)                   Ctrl+B Hide | Ctrl+K Kill | Ctrl+L List │
+│ Starting server...                                                                               │
+└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘"
+`;
+
+exports[`<BackgroundShellDisplay /> > keeps exit code status color even when selected 1`] = `
+"┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+│  1: npm star...  (PID: 1003) (Focused)                   Ctrl+B Hide | Ctrl+K Kill | Ctrl+L List │
+│                                                                                                  │
+│ Select Process (Enter to select, Esc to cancel):                                                 │
+│                                                                                                  │
+│   1. npm start (PID: 1001)                                                                       │
+│   2. tail -f log.txt (PID: 1002)                                                                 │
+│ ● 3. exit 0 (PID: 1003) (Exit Code: 0)                                                           │
+└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘"
+`;
+
+exports[`<BackgroundShellDisplay /> > renders tabs for multiple shells 1`] = `
+"┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+│  1: npm start  2: tail -f log.txt  (PID: 1001)           Ctrl+B Hide | Ctrl+K Kill | Ctrl+L List │
+│ Starting server...                                                                               │
+└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘"
+`;
+
+exports[`<BackgroundShellDisplay /> > renders the output of the active shell 1`] = `
+"┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+│  1: npm ...  2: tail...  (PID: 1001)                     Ctrl+B Hide | Ctrl+K Kill | Ctrl+L List │
+│ Starting server...                                                                               │
+└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘"
+`;
+
+exports[`<BackgroundShellDisplay /> > renders the process list when isListOpenProp is true 1`] = `
+"┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+│  1: npm star...  (PID: 1001) (Focused)                   Ctrl+B Hide | Ctrl+K Kill | Ctrl+L List │
+│                                                                                                  │
+│ Select Process (Enter to select, Esc to cancel):                                                 │
+│                                                                                                  │
+│ ● 1. npm start (PID: 1001)                                                                       │
+│   2. tail -f log.txt (PID: 1002)                                                                 │
+└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘"
+`;
+
+exports[`<BackgroundShellDisplay /> > scrolls to active shell when list opens 1`] = `
+"┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+│  1: npm star...  (PID: 1002) (Focused)                   Ctrl+B Hide | Ctrl+K Kill | Ctrl+L List │
+│                                                                                                  │
+│ Select Process (Enter to select, Esc to cancel):                                                 │
+│                                                                                                  │
+│   1. npm start (PID: 1001)                                                                       │
+│ ● 2. tail -f log.txt (PID: 1002)                                                                 │
+└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘"
+`;

packages/cli/src/ui/components/__snapshots__/RewindViewer.test.tsx.snap

@@ -34,6 +34,23 @@ exports[`RewindViewer > Content Filtering > 'strips expanded MCP resource conten
 ╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯"
 `;
 
+exports[`RewindViewer > Content Filtering > 'uses displayContent if present and do…' 1`] = `
+"╭──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
+│                                                                                                                      │
+│ > Rewind                                                                                                             │
+│                                                                                                                      │
+│   clean display content                                                                                              │
+│   No files have been changed                                                                                         │
+│                                                                                                                      │
+│ ● Stay at current position                                                                                           │
+│   Cancel rewind and stay here                                                                                        │
+│                                                                                                                      │
+│                                                                                                                      │
+│ (Use Enter to select a message, Esc to close, Right/Left to expand/collapse)                                         │
+│                                                                                                                      │
+╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯"
+`;
+
 exports[`RewindViewer > Interaction Selection > 'cancels on Escape' > confirmation-dialog 1`] = `
 "╭──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
 │                                                                                                                      │

packages/cli/src/ui/components/__snapshots__/StatusDisplay.test.tsx.snap

@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 // Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
 
-exports[`StatusDisplay > does NOT render HookStatusDisplay if notifications are disabled in settings 1`] = `"Mock Context Summary Display (Skills: 2)"`;
+exports[`StatusDisplay > does NOT render HookStatusDisplay if notifications are disabled in settings 1`] = `"Mock Context Summary Display (Skills: 2, Shells: 0)"`;
 
 exports[`StatusDisplay > prioritizes Ctrl+C prompt over everything else (except system md) 1`] = `"Press Ctrl+C again to exit."`;
 
 exports[`StatusDisplay > prioritizes warning over Ctrl+D 1`] = `"Warning"`;
 
-exports[`StatusDisplay > renders ContextSummaryDisplay by default 1`] = `"Mock Context Summary Display (Skills: 2)"`;
+exports[`StatusDisplay > renders ContextSummaryDisplay by default 1`] = `"Mock Context Summary Display (Skills: 2, Shells: 0)"`;
 
 exports[`StatusDisplay > renders Ctrl+D prompt 1`] = `"Press Ctrl+D again to exit."`;
 

packages/cli/src/ui/components/__snapshots__/ToolConfirmationQueue.test.tsx.snap

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 exports[`ToolConfirmationQueue > calculates availableContentHeight based on availableTerminalHeight from UI state 1`] = `
 "╭──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
-│ Action Required                                                       1 of 1 │
+│ Action Required                                                              │
 │                                                                              │
 │ ?  replace edit file                                                         │
 │                                                                              │
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ exports[`ToolConfirmationQueue > calculates availableContentHeight based on avai
 
 exports[`ToolConfirmationQueue > does not render expansion hint when constrainHeight is false 1`] = `
 "╭──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
-│ Action Required                                                       1 of 1 │
+│ Action Required                                                              │
 │                                                                              │
 │ ?  replace edit file                                                         │
 │                                                                              │
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ exports[`ToolConfirmationQueue > does not render expansion hint when constrainHe
 
 exports[`ToolConfirmationQueue > renders expansion hint when content is long and constrained 1`] = `
 "╭──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
-│ Action Required                                                       1 of 1 │
+│ Action Required                                                              │
 │                                                                              │
 │ ?  replace edit file                                                         │
 │                                                                              │

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

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import {
   type SerializableConfirmationDetails,
   type ToolCallConfirmationDetails,
   type Config,
+  type ToolConfirmationPayload,
   ToolConfirmationOutcome,
   hasRedirection,
   debugLogger,
@@ -25,12 +26,14 @@ import { sanitizeForDisplay } from '../../utils/textUtils.js';
 import { useKeypress } from '../../hooks/useKeypress.js';
 import { theme } from '../../semantic-colors.js';
 import { useSettings } from '../../contexts/SettingsContext.js';
+import { keyMatchers, Command } from '../../keyMatchers.js';
 import {
   REDIRECTION_WARNING_NOTE_LABEL,
   REDIRECTION_WARNING_NOTE_TEXT,
   REDIRECTION_WARNING_TIP_LABEL,
   REDIRECTION_WARNING_TIP_TEXT,
 } from '../../textConstants.js';
+import { AskUserDialog } from '../AskUserDialog.js';
 
 export interface ToolConfirmationMessageProps {
   callId: string;
@@ -59,9 +62,12 @@ export const ToolConfirmationMessage: React.FC<
   const allowPermanentApproval =
     settings.merged.security.enablePermanentToolApproval;
 
+  const handlesOwnUI = confirmationDetails.type === 'ask_user';
+  const isTrustedFolder = config.isTrustedFolder();
+
   const handleConfirm = useCallback(
-    (outcome: ToolConfirmationOutcome) => {
-      void confirm(callId, outcome).catch((error: unknown) => {
+    (outcome: ToolConfirmationOutcome, payload?: ToolConfirmationPayload) => {
+      void confirm(callId, outcome, payload).catch((error: unknown) => {
         debugLogger.error(
           `Failed to handle tool confirmation for ${callId}:`,
           error,
@@ -71,15 +77,18 @@ export const ToolConfirmationMessage: React.FC<
     [confirm, callId],
   );
 
-  const isTrustedFolder = config.isTrustedFolder();
-
   useKeypress(
     (key) => {
       if (!isFocused) return false;
-      if (key.name === 'escape' || (key.ctrl && key.name === 'c')) {
+      if (keyMatchers[Command.ESCAPE](key)) {
         handleConfirm(ToolConfirmationOutcome.Cancel);
         return true;
       }
+      if (keyMatchers[Command.QUIT](key)) {
+        // Return false to let ctrl-C bubble up to AppContainer for exit flow.
+        // AppContainer will call cancelOngoingRequest which will cancel the tool.
+        return false;
+      }
       return false;
     },
     { isActive: isFocused },
@@ -180,7 +189,7 @@ export const ToolConfirmationMessage: React.FC<
         value: ToolConfirmationOutcome.Cancel,
         key: 'No, suggest changes (esc)',
       });
-    } else {
+    } else if (confirmationDetails.type === 'mcp') {
       // mcp tool confirmation
       options.push({
         label: 'Allow once',
@@ -251,6 +260,23 @@ export const ToolConfirmationMessage: React.FC<
     let question = '';
     const options = getOptions();
 
+    if (confirmationDetails.type === 'ask_user') {
+      bodyContent = (
+        <AskUserDialog
+          questions={confirmationDetails.questions}
+          onSubmit={(answers) => {
+            handleConfirm(ToolConfirmationOutcome.ProceedOnce, { answers });
+          }}
+          onCancel={() => {
+            handleConfirm(ToolConfirmationOutcome.Cancel);
+          }}
+          width={terminalWidth}
+          availableHeight={availableBodyContentHeight()}
+        />
+      );
+      return { question: '', bodyContent, options: [] };
+    }
+
     if (confirmationDetails.type === 'edit') {
       if (!confirmationDetails.isModifying) {
         question = `Apply this change?`;
@@ -265,7 +291,7 @@ export const ToolConfirmationMessage: React.FC<
       }
     } else if (confirmationDetails.type === 'info') {
       question = `Do you want to proceed?`;
-    } else {
+    } else if (confirmationDetails.type === 'mcp') {
       // mcp tool confirmation
       const mcpProps = confirmationDetails;
       question = `Allow execution of MCP tool "${mcpProps.toolName}" from server "${mcpProps.serverName}"?`;
@@ -387,7 +413,7 @@ export const ToolConfirmationMessage: React.FC<
           )}
         </Box>
       );
-    } else {
+    } else if (confirmationDetails.type === 'mcp') {
       // mcp tool confirmation
       const mcpProps = confirmationDetails;
 
@@ -405,6 +431,7 @@ export const ToolConfirmationMessage: React.FC<
     getOptions,
     availableBodyContentHeight,
     terminalWidth,
+    handleConfirm,
   ]);
 
   if (confirmationDetails.type === 'edit') {
@@ -429,32 +456,38 @@ export const ToolConfirmationMessage: React.FC<
   }
 
   return (
-    <Box flexDirection="column" paddingTop={0} paddingBottom={1}>
-      {/* Body Content (Diff Renderer or Command Info) */}
-      {/* No separate context display here anymore for edits */}
-      <Box flexGrow={1} flexShrink={1} overflow="hidden">
-        <MaxSizedBox
-          maxHeight={availableBodyContentHeight()}
-          maxWidth={terminalWidth}
-          overflowDirection="top"
-        >
-          {bodyContent}
-        </MaxSizedBox>
-      </Box>
+    <Box
+      flexDirection="column"
+      paddingTop={0}
+      paddingBottom={handlesOwnUI ? 0 : 1}
+    >
+      {handlesOwnUI ? (
+        bodyContent
+      ) : (
+        <>
+          <Box flexGrow={1} flexShrink={1} overflow="hidden">
+            <MaxSizedBox
+              maxHeight={availableBodyContentHeight()}
+              maxWidth={terminalWidth}
+              overflowDirection="top"
+            >
+              {bodyContent}
+            </MaxSizedBox>
+          </Box>
 
-      {/* Confirmation Question */}
-      <Box marginBottom={1} flexShrink={0}>
-        <Text color={theme.text.primary}>{question}</Text>
-      </Box>
+          <Box marginBottom={1} flexShrink={0}>
+            <Text color={theme.text.primary}>{question}</Text>
+          </Box>
 
-      {/* Select Input for Options */}
-      <Box flexShrink={0}>
-        <RadioButtonSelect
-          items={options}
-          onSelect={handleSelect}
-          isFocused={isFocused}
-        />
-      </Box>
+          <Box flexShrink={0}>
+            <RadioButtonSelect
+              items={options}
+              onSelect={handleSelect}
+              isFocused={isFocused}
+            />
+          </Box>
+        </>
+      )}
     </Box>
   );
 };

packages/cli/src/ui/components/shared/BaseSelectionList.test.tsx

@@ -475,14 +475,7 @@ describe('BaseSelectionList', () => {
       );
 
       await waitFor(() => {
-        const output = lastFrame();
-        // At the top, should show first 3 items
-        expect(output).toContain('Item 1');
-        expect(output).toContain('Item 3');
-        expect(output).not.toContain('Item 4');
-        // Both arrows should be visible
-        expect(output).toContain('▲');
-        expect(output).toContain('▼');
+        expect(lastFrame()).toMatchSnapshot();
       });
     });
 
@@ -493,15 +486,7 @@ describe('BaseSelectionList', () => {
       );
 
       await waitFor(() => {
-        const output = lastFrame();
-        // After scrolling to middle, should see items around index 5
-        expect(output).toContain('Item 4');
-        expect(output).toContain('Item 6');
-        expect(output).not.toContain('Item 3');
-        expect(output).not.toContain('Item 7');
-        // Both scroll arrows should be visible
-        expect(output).toContain('▲');
-        expect(output).toContain('▼');
+        expect(lastFrame()).toMatchSnapshot();
       });
     });
 
@@ -512,32 +497,18 @@ describe('BaseSelectionList', () => {
       );
 
       await waitFor(() => {
-        const output = lastFrame();
-        // At the end, should show last 3 items
-        expect(output).toContain('Item 8');
-        expect(output).toContain('Item 10');
-        expect(output).not.toContain('Item 7');
-        // Both arrows should be visible
-        expect(output).toContain('▲');
-        expect(output).toContain('▼');
+        expect(lastFrame()).toMatchSnapshot();
       });
     });
 
-    it('should show both arrows dimmed when list fits entirely', () => {
+    it('should not show arrows when list fits entirely', () => {
       const { lastFrame } = renderComponent({
         items,
         maxItemsToShow: 5,
         showScrollArrows: true,
       });
 
-      const output = lastFrame();
-      // Should show all items since maxItemsToShow > items.length
-      expect(output).toContain('Item A');
-      expect(output).toContain('Item B');
-      expect(output).toContain('Item C');
-      // Both arrows should be visible but dimmed (this test doesn't need waitFor since no scrolling occurs)
-      expect(output).toContain('▲');
-      expect(output).toContain('▼');
+      expect(lastFrame()).toMatchSnapshot();
     });
   });
 });

packages/cli/src/ui/components/shared/BaseSelectionList.tsx

@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ export function BaseSelectionList<
   return (
     <Box flexDirection="column">
       {/* Use conditional coloring instead of conditional rendering */}
-      {showScrollArrows && (
+      {showScrollArrows && items.length > maxItemsToShow && (
         <Text
           color={scrollOffset > 0 ? theme.text.primary : theme.text.secondary}
         >
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ export function BaseSelectionList<
         );
       })}
 
-      {showScrollArrows && (
+      {showScrollArrows && items.length > maxItemsToShow && (
         <Text
           color={
             scrollOffset + maxItemsToShow < items.length

packages/cli/src/ui/components/shared/__snapshots__/BaseSelectionList.test.tsx.snap

@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+// Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
+
+exports[`BaseSelectionList > Scroll Arrows (showScrollArrows) > should not show arrows when list fits entirely 1`] = `
+"● 1. Item A
+  2. Item B
+  3. Item C"
+`;
+
+exports[`BaseSelectionList > Scroll Arrows (showScrollArrows) > should show arrows and correct items when scrolled to the end 1`] = `
+"▲
+   8. Item 8
+   9. Item 9
+● 10. Item 10
+▼"
+`;
+
+exports[`BaseSelectionList > Scroll Arrows (showScrollArrows) > should show arrows and correct items when scrolled to the middle 1`] = `
+"▲
+   4. Item 4
+   5. Item 5
+●  6. Item 6
+▼"
+`;
+
+exports[`BaseSelectionList > Scroll Arrows (showScrollArrows) > should show arrows with correct colors when enabled (at the top) 1`] = `
+"▲
+●  1. Item 1
+   2. Item 2
+   3. Item 3
+▼"
+`;

packages/cli/src/ui/components/shared/__snapshots__/DescriptiveRadioButtonSelect.test.tsx.snap

@@ -1,14 +1,12 @@
 // Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
 
 exports[`DescriptiveRadioButtonSelect > should render correctly with custom props 1`] = `
-"▲
-  1. Foo Title
+"  1. Foo Title
      This is Foo.
 ● 2. Bar Title
      This is Bar.
   3. Baz Title
-     This is Baz.
-▼"
+     This is Baz."
 `;
 
 exports[`DescriptiveRadioButtonSelect > should render correctly with default props 1`] = `

packages/cli/src/ui/components/shared/text-buffer.test.ts

@@ -1515,6 +1515,50 @@ describe('useTextBuffer', () => {
       expect(getBufferState(result).text).toBe('');
     });
 
+    it('should handle CLEAR_INPUT (Ctrl+C)', () => {
+      const { result } = renderHook(() =>
+        useTextBuffer({
+          initialText: 'hello',
+          viewport,
+          isValidPath: () => false,
+        }),
+      );
+      expect(getBufferState(result).text).toBe('hello');
+      let handled = false;
+      act(() => {
+        handled = result.current.handleInput({
+          name: 'c',
+          shift: false,
+          alt: false,
+          ctrl: true,
+          cmd: false,
+          insertable: false,
+          sequence: '\u0003',
+        });
+      });
+      expect(handled).toBe(true);
+      expect(getBufferState(result).text).toBe('');
+    });
+
+    it('should NOT handle CLEAR_INPUT if buffer is empty', () => {
+      const { result } = renderHook(() =>
+        useTextBuffer({ viewport, isValidPath: () => false }),
+      );
+      let handled = true;
+      act(() => {
+        handled = result.current.handleInput({
+          name: 'c',
+          shift: false,
+          alt: false,
+          ctrl: true,
+          cmd: false,
+          insertable: false,
+          sequence: '\u0003',
+        });
+      });
+      expect(handled).toBe(false);
+    });
+
     it('should handle "Backspace" key', () => {
       const { result } = renderHook(() =>
         useTextBuffer({

packages/cli/src/ui/components/shared/text-buffer.ts

@@ -2930,6 +2930,13 @@ export function useTextBuffer({
         move('end');
         return true;
       }
+      if (keyMatchers[Command.CLEAR_INPUT](key)) {
+        if (text.length > 0) {
+          setText('');
+          return true;
+        }
+        return false;
+      }
       if (keyMatchers[Command.DELETE_WORD_BACKWARD](key)) {
         deleteWordLeft();
         return true;
@@ -2943,6 +2950,13 @@ export function useTextBuffer({
         return true;
       }
       if (keyMatchers[Command.DELETE_CHAR_RIGHT](key)) {
+        const lastLineIdx = lines.length - 1;
+        if (
+          cursorRow === lastLineIdx &&
+          cursorCol === cpLen(lines[lastLineIdx] ?? '')
+        ) {
+          return false;
+        }
         del();
         return true;
       }
@@ -2974,6 +2988,8 @@ export function useTextBuffer({
       cursorCol,
       lines,
       singleLine,
+      setText,
+      text,
     ],
   );
 

packages/cli/src/ui/constants/tips.ts

@@ -116,6 +116,8 @@ export const INFORMATIVE_TIPS = [
   'In menus, move up/down with k/j or the arrow keys…',
   'In menus, select an item by typing its number…',
   "If you're using an IDE, see the context with Ctrl+G…",
+  'Toggle background shells with Ctrl+B or /shells...',
+  'Toggle the background shell process list with Ctrl+L...',
   // Keyboard shortcut tips end here
   // Command tips start here
   'Show version info with /about…',

packages/cli/src/ui/contexts/UIActionsContext.tsx

@@ -67,7 +67,11 @@ export interface UIActions {
   handleApiKeySubmit: (apiKey: string) => Promise<void>;
   handleApiKeyCancel: () => void;
   setBannerVisible: (visible: boolean) => void;
+  handleWarning: (message: string) => void;
   setEmbeddedShellFocused: (value: boolean) => void;
+  dismissBackgroundShell: (pid: number) => void;
+  setActiveBackgroundShellPid: (pid: number) => void;
+  setIsBackgroundShellListOpen: (isOpen: boolean) => void;
   setAuthContext: (context: { requiresRestart?: boolean }) => void;
   handleRestart: () => void;
   handleNewAgentsSelect: (choice: NewAgentsChoice) => Promise<void>;

packages/cli/src/ui/contexts/UIStateContext.tsx

@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ export interface ValidationDialogRequest {
 import { type UseHistoryManagerReturn } from '../hooks/useHistoryManager.js';
 import { type RestartReason } from '../hooks/useIdeTrustListener.js';
 import type { TerminalBackgroundColor } from '../utils/terminalCapabilityManager.js';
+import type { BackgroundShell } from '../hooks/shellCommandProcessor.js';
 
 export interface UIState {
   history: HistoryItem[];
@@ -80,7 +81,8 @@ export interface UIState {
   slashCommands: readonly SlashCommand[] | undefined;
   pendingSlashCommandHistoryItems: HistoryItemWithoutId[];
   commandContext: CommandContext;
-  confirmationRequest: ConfirmationRequest | null;
+  commandConfirmationRequest: ConfirmationRequest | null;
+  authConsentRequest: ConfirmationRequest | null;
   confirmUpdateExtensionRequests: ConfirmationRequest[];
   loopDetectionConfirmationRequest: LoopDetectionConfirmationRequest | null;
   geminiMdFileCount: number;
@@ -141,6 +143,8 @@ export interface UIState {
   isRestarting: boolean;
   extensionsUpdateState: Map<string, ExtensionUpdateState>;
   activePtyId: number | undefined;
+  backgroundShellCount: number;
+  isBackgroundShellVisible: boolean;
   embeddedShellFocused: boolean;
   showDebugProfiler: boolean;
   showFullTodos: boolean;
@@ -154,6 +158,10 @@ export interface UIState {
   customDialog: React.ReactNode | null;
   terminalBackgroundColor: TerminalBackgroundColor;
   settingsNonce: number;
+  backgroundShells: Map<number, BackgroundShell>;
+  activeBackgroundShellPid: number | null;
+  backgroundShellHeight: number;
+  isBackgroundShellListOpen: boolean;
   adminSettingsChanged: boolean;
   newAgents: AgentDefinition[] | null;
 }

packages/cli/src/ui/hooks/__snapshots__/useToolScheduler.test.ts.snap

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ exports[`useReactToolScheduler > should handle live output updates 1`] = `
 {
   "callId": "liveCall",
   "contentLength": 12,
+  "data": undefined,
   "error": undefined,
   "errorType": undefined,
   "outputFile": undefined,
@@ -26,6 +27,7 @@ exports[`useReactToolScheduler > should handle tool requiring confirmation - app
 {
   "callId": "callConfirm",
   "contentLength": 16,
+  "data": undefined,
   "error": undefined,
   "errorType": undefined,
   "outputFile": undefined,
@@ -75,6 +77,7 @@ exports[`useReactToolScheduler > should schedule and execute a tool call success
 {
   "callId": "call1",
   "contentLength": 11,
+  "data": undefined,
   "error": undefined,
   "errorType": undefined,
   "outputFile": undefined,

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

@@ -19,12 +19,34 @@ import {
 
 const mockIsBinary = vi.hoisted(() => vi.fn());
 const mockShellExecutionService = vi.hoisted(() => vi.fn());
+const mockShellKill = vi.hoisted(() => vi.fn());
+const mockShellBackground = vi.hoisted(() => vi.fn());
+const mockShellSubscribe = vi.hoisted(() =>
+  vi.fn<
+    (pid: number, listener: (event: ShellOutputEvent) => void) => () => void
+  >(() => vi.fn()),
+); // Returns unsubscribe
+const mockShellOnExit = vi.hoisted(() =>
+  vi.fn<
+    (
+      pid: number,
+      callback: (exitCode: number, signal?: number) => void,
+    ) => () => void
+  >(() => vi.fn()),
+);
+
 vi.mock('@google/gemini-cli-core', async (importOriginal) => {
   const actual =
     await importOriginal<typeof import('@google/gemini-cli-core')>();
   return {
     ...actual,
-    ShellExecutionService: { execute: mockShellExecutionService },
+    ShellExecutionService: {
+      execute: mockShellExecutionService,
+      kill: mockShellKill,
+      background: mockShellBackground,
+      subscribe: mockShellSubscribe,
+      onExit: mockShellOnExit,
+    },
     isBinary: mockIsBinary,
   };
 });
@@ -113,7 +135,13 @@ describe('useShellCommandProcessor', () => {
 
   const renderProcessorHook = () => {
     let hookResult: ReturnType<typeof useShellCommandProcessor>;
-    function TestComponent() {
+    let renderCount = 0;
+    function TestComponent({
+      isWaitingForConfirmation,
+    }: {
+      isWaitingForConfirmation?: boolean;
+    }) {
+      renderCount++;
       hookResult = useShellCommandProcessor(
         addItemToHistoryMock,
         setPendingHistoryItemMock,
@@ -122,16 +150,25 @@ describe('useShellCommandProcessor', () => {
         mockConfig,
         mockGeminiClient,
         setShellInputFocusedMock,
+        undefined,
+        undefined,
+        undefined,
+        isWaitingForConfirmation,
       );
       return null;
     }
-    render(<TestComponent />);
+    const { rerender } = render(<TestComponent />);
     return {
       result: {
         get current() {
           return hookResult;
         },
       },
+      getRenderCount: () => renderCount,
+      rerender: (isWaitingForConfirmation?: boolean) =>
+        rerender(
+          <TestComponent isWaitingForConfirmation={isWaitingForConfirmation} />,
+        ),
     };
   };
 
@@ -723,4 +760,403 @@ describe('useShellCommandProcessor', () => {
       expect(result.current.activeShellPtyId).toBeNull();
     });
   });
+
+  describe('Background Shell Management', () => {
+    it('should register a background shell and update count', async () => {
+      const { result } = renderProcessorHook();
+
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.registerBackgroundShell(1001, 'bg-cmd', 'initial');
+      });
+
+      expect(result.current.backgroundShellCount).toBe(1);
+      const shell = result.current.backgroundShells.get(1001);
+      expect(shell).toEqual(
+        expect.objectContaining({
+          pid: 1001,
+          command: 'bg-cmd',
+          output: 'initial',
+        }),
+      );
+      expect(mockShellOnExit).toHaveBeenCalledWith(1001, expect.any(Function));
+      expect(mockShellSubscribe).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        1001,
+        expect.any(Function),
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('should toggle background shell visibility', async () => {
+      const { result } = renderProcessorHook();
+
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.registerBackgroundShell(1001, 'bg-cmd', 'initial');
+      });
+
+      expect(result.current.isBackgroundShellVisible).toBe(false);
+
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.toggleBackgroundShell();
+      });
+
+      expect(result.current.isBackgroundShellVisible).toBe(true);
+
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.toggleBackgroundShell();
+      });
+
+      expect(result.current.isBackgroundShellVisible).toBe(false);
+    });
+
+    it('should show info message when toggling background shells if none are active', async () => {
+      const { result } = renderProcessorHook();
+
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.toggleBackgroundShell();
+      });
+
+      expect(addItemToHistoryMock).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        expect.objectContaining({
+          type: 'info',
+          text: 'No background shells are currently active.',
+        }),
+        expect.any(Number),
+      );
+      expect(result.current.isBackgroundShellVisible).toBe(false);
+    });
+
+    it('should dismiss a background shell and remove it from state', async () => {
+      const { result } = renderProcessorHook();
+
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.registerBackgroundShell(1001, 'bg-cmd', 'initial');
+      });
+
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.dismissBackgroundShell(1001);
+      });
+
+      expect(mockShellKill).toHaveBeenCalledWith(1001);
+      expect(result.current.backgroundShellCount).toBe(0);
+      expect(result.current.backgroundShells.has(1001)).toBe(false);
+    });
+
+    it('should handle backgrounding the current shell', async () => {
+      // Simulate an active shell
+      mockShellExecutionService.mockImplementation((_cmd, _cwd, callback) => {
+        mockShellOutputCallback = callback;
+        return Promise.resolve({
+          pid: 555,
+          result: new Promise((resolve) => {
+            resolveExecutionPromise = resolve;
+          }),
+        });
+      });
+
+      const { result } = renderProcessorHook();
+
+      await act(async () => {
+        result.current.handleShellCommand('top', new AbortController().signal);
+      });
+
+      expect(result.current.activeShellPtyId).toBe(555);
+
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.backgroundCurrentShell();
+      });
+
+      expect(mockShellBackground).toHaveBeenCalledWith(555);
+      // The actual state update happens when the promise resolves with backgrounded: true
+      // which is handled in handleShellCommand's .then block.
+      // We simulate that here:
+
+      await act(async () => {
+        resolveExecutionPromise(
+          createMockServiceResult({
+            backgrounded: true,
+            pid: 555,
+            output: 'running...',
+          }),
+        );
+      });
+      // Wait for promise resolution
+      await act(async () => await onExecMock.mock.calls[0][0]);
+
+      expect(result.current.backgroundShellCount).toBe(1);
+      expect(result.current.activeShellPtyId).toBeNull();
+    });
+
+    it('should persist background shell on successful exit and mark as exited', async () => {
+      const { result } = renderProcessorHook();
+
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.registerBackgroundShell(888, 'auto-exit', '');
+      });
+
+      // Find the exit callback registered
+      const exitCallback = mockShellOnExit.mock.calls.find(
+        (call) => call[0] === 888,
+      )?.[1];
+      expect(exitCallback).toBeDefined();
+
+      if (exitCallback) {
+        act(() => {
+          exitCallback(0);
+        });
+      }
+
+      // Should NOT be removed, but updated
+      expect(result.current.backgroundShellCount).toBe(0); // Badge count is 0
+      expect(result.current.backgroundShells.has(888)).toBe(true); // Map has it
+      const shell = result.current.backgroundShells.get(888);
+      expect(shell?.status).toBe('exited');
+      expect(shell?.exitCode).toBe(0);
+    });
+
+    it('should persist background shell on failed exit', async () => {
+      const { result } = renderProcessorHook();
+
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.registerBackgroundShell(999, 'fail-exit', '');
+      });
+
+      const exitCallback = mockShellOnExit.mock.calls.find(
+        (call) => call[0] === 999,
+      )?.[1];
+      expect(exitCallback).toBeDefined();
+
+      if (exitCallback) {
+        act(() => {
+          exitCallback(1);
+        });
+      }
+
+      // Should NOT be removed, but updated
+      expect(result.current.backgroundShellCount).toBe(0); // Badge count is 0
+      const shell = result.current.backgroundShells.get(999);
+      expect(shell?.status).toBe('exited');
+      expect(shell?.exitCode).toBe(1);
+
+      // Now dismiss it
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.dismissBackgroundShell(999);
+      });
+      expect(result.current.backgroundShellCount).toBe(0);
+    });
+
+    it('should NOT trigger re-render on background shell output when visible', async () => {
+      const { result, getRenderCount } = renderProcessorHook();
+
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.registerBackgroundShell(1001, 'bg-cmd', 'initial');
+      });
+
+      // Show the background shells
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.toggleBackgroundShell();
+      });
+
+      const initialRenderCount = getRenderCount();
+
+      const subscribeCallback = mockShellSubscribe.mock.calls.find(
+        (call) => call[0] === 1001,
+      )?.[1];
+      expect(subscribeCallback).toBeDefined();
+
+      if (subscribeCallback) {
+        act(() => {
+          subscribeCallback({ type: 'data', chunk: ' + updated' });
+        });
+      }
+
+      expect(getRenderCount()).toBeGreaterThan(initialRenderCount);
+      const shell = result.current.backgroundShells.get(1001);
+      expect(shell?.output).toBe('initial + updated');
+    });
+
+    it('should NOT trigger re-render on background shell output when hidden', async () => {
+      const { result, getRenderCount } = renderProcessorHook();
+
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.registerBackgroundShell(1001, 'bg-cmd', 'initial');
+      });
+
+      // Ensure background shells are hidden (default)
+      const initialRenderCount = getRenderCount();
+
+      const subscribeCallback = mockShellSubscribe.mock.calls.find(
+        (call) => call[0] === 1001,
+      )?.[1];
+      expect(subscribeCallback).toBeDefined();
+
+      if (subscribeCallback) {
+        act(() => {
+          subscribeCallback({ type: 'data', chunk: ' + updated' });
+        });
+      }
+
+      expect(getRenderCount()).toBeGreaterThan(initialRenderCount);
+      const shell = result.current.backgroundShells.get(1001);
+      expect(shell?.output).toBe('initial + updated');
+    });
+
+    it('should trigger re-render on binary progress when visible', async () => {
+      const { result, getRenderCount } = renderProcessorHook();
+
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.registerBackgroundShell(1001, 'bg-cmd', 'initial');
+      });
+
+      // Show the background shells
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.toggleBackgroundShell();
+      });
+
+      const initialRenderCount = getRenderCount();
+
+      const subscribeCallback = mockShellSubscribe.mock.calls.find(
+        (call) => call[0] === 1001,
+      )?.[1];
+      expect(subscribeCallback).toBeDefined();
+
+      if (subscribeCallback) {
+        act(() => {
+          subscribeCallback({ type: 'binary_progress', bytesReceived: 1024 });
+        });
+      }
+
+      expect(getRenderCount()).toBeGreaterThan(initialRenderCount);
+      const shell = result.current.backgroundShells.get(1001);
+      expect(shell?.isBinary).toBe(true);
+      expect(shell?.binaryBytesReceived).toBe(1024);
+    });
+
+    it('should NOT hide background shell when model is responding without confirmation', async () => {
+      const { result, rerender } = renderProcessorHook();
+
+      // 1. Register and show background shell
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.registerBackgroundShell(1001, 'bg-cmd', 'initial');
+      });
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.toggleBackgroundShell();
+      });
+      expect(result.current.isBackgroundShellVisible).toBe(true);
+
+      // 2. Simulate model responding (not waiting for confirmation)
+      act(() => {
+        rerender(false); // isWaitingForConfirmation = false
+      });
+
+      // Should stay visible
+      expect(result.current.isBackgroundShellVisible).toBe(true);
+    });
+
+    it('should hide background shell when waiting for confirmation and restore after delay', async () => {
+      const { result, rerender } = renderProcessorHook();
+
+      // 1. Register and show background shell
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.registerBackgroundShell(1001, 'bg-cmd', 'initial');
+      });
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.toggleBackgroundShell();
+      });
+      expect(result.current.isBackgroundShellVisible).toBe(true);
+
+      // 2. Simulate tool confirmation showing up
+      act(() => {
+        rerender(true); // isWaitingForConfirmation = true
+      });
+
+      // Should be hidden
+      expect(result.current.isBackgroundShellVisible).toBe(false);
+
+      // 3. Simulate confirmation accepted (waiting for PTY start)
+      act(() => {
+        rerender(false);
+      });
+
+      // Should STAY hidden during the 300ms gap
+      expect(result.current.isBackgroundShellVisible).toBe(false);
+
+      // 4. Wait for restore delay
+      await waitFor(() =>
+        expect(result.current.isBackgroundShellVisible).toBe(true),
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('should auto-hide background shell when foreground shell starts and restore when it ends', async () => {
+      const { result } = renderProcessorHook();
+
+      // 1. Register and show background shell
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.registerBackgroundShell(1001, 'bg-cmd', 'initial');
+      });
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.toggleBackgroundShell();
+      });
+      expect(result.current.isBackgroundShellVisible).toBe(true);
+
+      // 2. Start foreground shell
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.handleShellCommand('ls', new AbortController().signal);
+      });
+
+      // Wait for PID to be set
+      await waitFor(() => expect(result.current.activeShellPtyId).toBe(12345));
+
+      // Should be hidden automatically
+      expect(result.current.isBackgroundShellVisible).toBe(false);
+
+      // 3. Complete foreground shell
+      act(() => {
+        resolveExecutionPromise(createMockServiceResult());
+      });
+
+      await waitFor(() => expect(result.current.activeShellPtyId).toBe(null));
+
+      // Should be restored automatically (after delay)
+      await waitFor(() =>
+        expect(result.current.isBackgroundShellVisible).toBe(true),
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('should NOT restore background shell if it was manually hidden during foreground execution', async () => {
+      const { result } = renderProcessorHook();
+
+      // 1. Register and show background shell
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.registerBackgroundShell(1001, 'bg-cmd', 'initial');
+      });
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.toggleBackgroundShell();
+      });
+      expect(result.current.isBackgroundShellVisible).toBe(true);
+
+      // 2. Start foreground shell
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.handleShellCommand('ls', new AbortController().signal);
+      });
+      await waitFor(() => expect(result.current.activeShellPtyId).toBe(12345));
+      expect(result.current.isBackgroundShellVisible).toBe(false);
+
+      // 3. Manually toggle visibility (e.g. user wants to peek)
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.toggleBackgroundShell();
+      });
+      expect(result.current.isBackgroundShellVisible).toBe(true);
+
+      // 4. Complete foreground shell
+      act(() => {
+        resolveExecutionPromise(createMockServiceResult());
+      });
+      await waitFor(() => expect(result.current.activeShellPtyId).toBe(null));
+
+      // It should NOT change visibility because manual toggle cleared the auto-restore flag
+      // After delay it should stay true (as it was manually toggled to true)
+      await waitFor(() =>
+        expect(result.current.isBackgroundShellVisible).toBe(true),
+      );
+    });
+  });
 });

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

@@ -9,13 +9,8 @@ import type {
   IndividualToolCallDisplay,
 } from '../types.js';
 import { ToolCallStatus } from '../types.js';
-import { useCallback, useState } from 'react';
-import type {
-  AnsiOutput,
-  Config,
-  GeminiClient,
-  ShellExecutionResult,
-} from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
+import { useCallback, useReducer, useRef, useEffect } from 'react';
+import type { AnsiOutput, Config, GeminiClient } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
 import { isBinary, ShellExecutionService } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
 import { type PartListUnion } from '@google/genai';
 import type { UseHistoryManagerReturn } from './useHistoryManager.js';
@@ -26,8 +21,15 @@ import path from 'node:path';
 import os from 'node:os';
 import fs from 'node:fs';
 import { themeManager } from '../../ui/themes/theme-manager.js';
+import {
+  shellReducer,
+  initialState,
+  type BackgroundShell,
+} from './shellReducer.js';
+export { type BackgroundShell };
 
 export const OUTPUT_UPDATE_INTERVAL_MS = 1000;
+const RESTORE_VISIBILITY_DELAY_MS = 300;
 const MAX_OUTPUT_LENGTH = 10000;
 
 function addShellCommandToGeminiHistory(
@@ -75,9 +77,190 @@ export const useShellCommandProcessor = (
   setShellInputFocused: (value: boolean) => void,
   terminalWidth?: number,
   terminalHeight?: number,
+  activeToolPtyId?: number,
+  isWaitingForConfirmation?: boolean,
 ) => {
-  const [activeShellPtyId, setActiveShellPtyId] = useState<number | null>(null);
-  const [lastShellOutputTime, setLastShellOutputTime] = useState<number>(0);
+  const [state, dispatch] = useReducer(shellReducer, initialState);
+
+  // Consolidate stable tracking into a single manager object
+  const manager = useRef<{
+    wasVisibleBeforeForeground: boolean;
+    restoreTimeout: NodeJS.Timeout | null;
+    backgroundedPids: Set<number>;
+    subscriptions: Map<number, () => void>;
+  } | null>(null);
+
+  if (!manager.current) {
+    manager.current = {
+      wasVisibleBeforeForeground: false,
+      restoreTimeout: null,
+      backgroundedPids: new Set(),
+      subscriptions: new Map(),
+    };
+  }
+  const m = manager.current;
+
+  const activePtyId = state.activeShellPtyId || activeToolPtyId;
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const isForegroundActive = !!activePtyId || !!isWaitingForConfirmation;
+
+    if (isForegroundActive) {
+      if (m.restoreTimeout) {
+        clearTimeout(m.restoreTimeout);
+        m.restoreTimeout = null;
+      }
+
+      if (state.isBackgroundShellVisible && !m.wasVisibleBeforeForeground) {
+        m.wasVisibleBeforeForeground = true;
+        dispatch({ type: 'SET_VISIBILITY', visible: false });
+      }
+    } else if (m.wasVisibleBeforeForeground && !m.restoreTimeout) {
+      // Restore if it was automatically hidden, with a small delay to avoid
+      // flickering between model turn segments.
+      m.restoreTimeout = setTimeout(() => {
+        dispatch({ type: 'SET_VISIBILITY', visible: true });
+        m.wasVisibleBeforeForeground = false;
+        m.restoreTimeout = null;
+      }, RESTORE_VISIBILITY_DELAY_MS);
+    }
+
+    return () => {
+      if (m.restoreTimeout) {
+        clearTimeout(m.restoreTimeout);
+      }
+    };
+  }, [
+    activePtyId,
+    isWaitingForConfirmation,
+    state.isBackgroundShellVisible,
+    m,
+    dispatch,
+  ]);
+
+  useEffect(
+    () => () => {
+      // Unsubscribe from all background shell events on unmount
+      for (const unsubscribe of m.subscriptions.values()) {
+        unsubscribe();
+      }
+      m.subscriptions.clear();
+    },
+    [m],
+  );
+
+  const toggleBackgroundShell = useCallback(() => {
+    if (state.backgroundShells.size > 0) {
+      const willBeVisible = !state.isBackgroundShellVisible;
+      dispatch({ type: 'TOGGLE_VISIBILITY' });
+
+      const isForegroundActive = !!activePtyId || !!isWaitingForConfirmation;
+      // If we are manually showing it during foreground, we set the restore flag
+      // so that useEffect doesn't immediately hide it again.
+      // If we are manually hiding it, we clear the restore flag so it stays hidden.
+      if (willBeVisible && isForegroundActive) {
+        m.wasVisibleBeforeForeground = true;
+      } else {
+        m.wasVisibleBeforeForeground = false;
+      }
+
+      if (willBeVisible) {
+        dispatch({ type: 'SYNC_BACKGROUND_SHELLS' });
+      }
+    } else {
+      dispatch({ type: 'SET_VISIBILITY', visible: false });
+      addItemToHistory(
+        {
+          type: 'info',
+          text: 'No background shells are currently active.',
+        },
+        Date.now(),
+      );
+    }
+  }, [
+    addItemToHistory,
+    state.backgroundShells.size,
+    state.isBackgroundShellVisible,
+    activePtyId,
+    isWaitingForConfirmation,
+    m,
+    dispatch,
+  ]);
+
+  const backgroundCurrentShell = useCallback(() => {
+    const pidToBackground = state.activeShellPtyId || activeToolPtyId;
+    if (pidToBackground) {
+      ShellExecutionService.background(pidToBackground);
+      m.backgroundedPids.add(pidToBackground);
+      // Ensure backgrounding is silent and doesn't trigger restoration
+      m.wasVisibleBeforeForeground = false;
+      if (m.restoreTimeout) {
+        clearTimeout(m.restoreTimeout);
+        m.restoreTimeout = null;
+      }
+    }
+  }, [state.activeShellPtyId, activeToolPtyId, m]);
+
+  const dismissBackgroundShell = useCallback(
+    (pid: number) => {
+      const shell = state.backgroundShells.get(pid);
+      if (shell) {
+        if (shell.status === 'running') {
+          ShellExecutionService.kill(pid);
+        }
+        dispatch({ type: 'DISMISS_SHELL', pid });
+        m.backgroundedPids.delete(pid);
+
+        // Unsubscribe from updates
+        const unsubscribe = m.subscriptions.get(pid);
+        if (unsubscribe) {
+          unsubscribe();
+          m.subscriptions.delete(pid);
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    [state.backgroundShells, dispatch, m],
+  );
+
+  const registerBackgroundShell = useCallback(
+    (pid: number, command: string, initialOutput: string | AnsiOutput) => {
+      dispatch({ type: 'REGISTER_SHELL', pid, command, initialOutput });
+
+      // Subscribe to process exit directly
+      const exitUnsubscribe = ShellExecutionService.onExit(pid, (code) => {
+        dispatch({
+          type: 'UPDATE_SHELL',
+          pid,
+          update: { status: 'exited', exitCode: code },
+        });
+        m.backgroundedPids.delete(pid);
+      });
+
+      // Subscribe to future updates (data only)
+      const dataUnsubscribe = ShellExecutionService.subscribe(pid, (event) => {
+        if (event.type === 'data') {
+          dispatch({ type: 'APPEND_SHELL_OUTPUT', pid, chunk: event.chunk });
+        } else if (event.type === 'binary_detected') {
+          dispatch({ type: 'UPDATE_SHELL', pid, update: { isBinary: true } });
+        } else if (event.type === 'binary_progress') {
+          dispatch({
+            type: 'UPDATE_SHELL',
+            pid,
+            update: {
+              isBinary: true,
+              binaryBytesReceived: event.bytesReceived,
+            },
+          });
+        }
+      });
+
+      m.subscriptions.set(pid, () => {
+        exitUnsubscribe();
+        dataUnsubscribe();
+      });
+    },
+    [dispatch, m],
+  );
 
   const handleShellCommand = useCallback(
     (rawQuery: PartListUnion, abortSignal: AbortSignal): boolean => {
@@ -109,9 +292,7 @@ export const useShellCommandProcessor = (
         commandToExecute = `{ ${command} }; __code=$?; pwd > "${pwdFilePath}"; exit $__code`;
       }
 
-      const executeCommand = async (
-        resolve: (value: void | PromiseLike<void>) => void,
-      ) => {
+      const executeCommand = async () => {
         let cumulativeStdout: string | AnsiOutput = '';
         let isBinaryStream = false;
         let binaryBytesReceived = 0;
@@ -151,84 +332,90 @@ export const useShellCommandProcessor = (
             defaultBg: activeTheme.colors.Background,
           };
 
-          const { pid, result } = await ShellExecutionService.execute(
-            commandToExecute,
-            targetDir,
-            (event) => {
-              let shouldUpdate = false;
-              switch (event.type) {
-                case 'data':
-                  // Do not process text data if we've already switched to binary mode.
-                  if (isBinaryStream) break;
-                  // PTY provides the full screen state, so we just replace.
-                  // Child process provides chunks, so we append.
-                  if (config.getEnableInteractiveShell()) {
-                    cumulativeStdout = event.chunk;
-                    shouldUpdate = true;
-                  } else if (
-                    typeof event.chunk === 'string' &&
-                    typeof cumulativeStdout === 'string'
-                  ) {
-                    cumulativeStdout += event.chunk;
-                    shouldUpdate = true;
-                  }
-                  break;
-                case 'binary_detected':
-                  isBinaryStream = true;
-                  // Force an immediate UI update to show the binary detection message.
-                  shouldUpdate = true;
-                  break;
-                case 'binary_progress':
-                  isBinaryStream = true;
-                  binaryBytesReceived = event.bytesReceived;
-                  shouldUpdate = true;
-                  break;
-                default: {
-                  throw new Error('An unhandled ShellOutputEvent was found.');
-                }
-              }
+          const { pid, result: resultPromise } =
+            await ShellExecutionService.execute(
+              commandToExecute,
+              targetDir,
+              (event) => {
+                let shouldUpdate = false;
 
-              // Compute the display string based on the *current* state.
-              let currentDisplayOutput: string | AnsiOutput;
-              if (isBinaryStream) {
-                if (binaryBytesReceived > 0) {
-                  currentDisplayOutput = `[Receiving binary output... ${formatBytes(
-                    binaryBytesReceived,
-                  )} received]`;
-                } else {
+                switch (event.type) {
+                  case 'data':
+                    if (isBinaryStream) break;
+                    if (typeof event.chunk === 'string') {
+                      if (typeof cumulativeStdout === 'string') {
+                        cumulativeStdout += event.chunk;
+                      } else {
+                        cumulativeStdout = event.chunk;
+                      }
+                    } else {
+                      // AnsiOutput (PTY) is always the full state
+                      cumulativeStdout = event.chunk;
+                    }
+                    shouldUpdate = true;
+                    break;
+                  case 'binary_detected':
+                    isBinaryStream = true;
+                    shouldUpdate = true;
+                    break;
+                  case 'binary_progress':
+                    isBinaryStream = true;
+                    binaryBytesReceived = event.bytesReceived;
+                    shouldUpdate = true;
+                    break;
+                  case 'exit':
+                    // No action needed for exit event during streaming
+                    break;
+                  default:
+                    throw new Error('An unhandled ShellOutputEvent was found.');
+                }
+
+                if (executionPid && m.backgroundedPids.has(executionPid)) {
+                  // If already backgrounded, let the background shell subscription handle it.
+                  dispatch({
+                    type: 'APPEND_SHELL_OUTPUT',
+                    pid: executionPid,
+                    chunk:
+                      event.type === 'data' ? event.chunk : cumulativeStdout,
+                  });
+                  return;
+                }
+
+                let currentDisplayOutput: string | AnsiOutput;
+                if (isBinaryStream) {
                   currentDisplayOutput =
-                    '[Binary output detected. Halting stream...]';
+                    binaryBytesReceived > 0
+                      ? `[Receiving binary output... ${formatBytes(binaryBytesReceived)} received]`
+                      : '[Binary output detected. Halting stream...]';
+                } else {
+                  currentDisplayOutput = cumulativeStdout;
                 }
-              } else {
-                currentDisplayOutput = cumulativeStdout;
-              }
 
-              // Throttle pending UI updates, but allow forced updates.
-              if (shouldUpdate) {
-                setLastShellOutputTime(Date.now());
-                setPendingHistoryItem((prevItem) => {
-                  if (prevItem?.type === 'tool_group') {
-                    return {
-                      ...prevItem,
-                      tools: prevItem.tools.map((tool) =>
-                        tool.callId === callId
-                          ? { ...tool, resultDisplay: currentDisplayOutput }
-                          : tool,
-                      ),
-                    };
-                  }
-                  return prevItem;
-                });
-              }
-            },
-            abortSignal,
-            config.getEnableInteractiveShell(),
-            shellExecutionConfig,
-          );
+                if (shouldUpdate) {
+                  dispatch({ type: 'SET_OUTPUT_TIME', time: Date.now() });
+                  setPendingHistoryItem((prevItem) => {
+                    if (prevItem?.type === 'tool_group') {
+                      return {
+                        ...prevItem,
+                        tools: prevItem.tools.map((tool) =>
+                          tool.callId === callId
+                            ? { ...tool, resultDisplay: currentDisplayOutput }
+                            : tool,
+                        ),
+                      };
+                    }
+                    return prevItem;
+                  });
+                }
+              },
+              abortSignal,
+              config.getEnableInteractiveShell(),
+              shellExecutionConfig,
+            );
 
           executionPid = pid;
           if (pid) {
-            setActiveShellPtyId(pid);
+            dispatch({ type: 'SET_ACTIVE_PTY', pid });
             setPendingHistoryItem((prevItem) => {
               if (prevItem?.type === 'tool_group') {
                 return {
@@ -242,94 +429,69 @@ export const useShellCommandProcessor = (
             });
           }
 
-          result
-            .then((result: ShellExecutionResult) => {
-              setPendingHistoryItem(null);
+          const result = await resultPromise;
+          setPendingHistoryItem(null);
 
-              let mainContent: string;
+          if (result.backgrounded && result.pid) {
+            registerBackgroundShell(result.pid, rawQuery, cumulativeStdout);
+            dispatch({ type: 'SET_ACTIVE_PTY', pid: null });
+          }
 
-              if (isBinary(result.rawOutput)) {
-                mainContent =
-                  '[Command produced binary output, which is not shown.]';
-              } else {
-                mainContent =
-                  result.output.trim() || '(Command produced no output)';
-              }
+          let mainContent: string;
+          if (isBinary(result.rawOutput)) {
+            mainContent =
+              '[Command produced binary output, which is not shown.]';
+          } else {
+            mainContent =
+              result.output.trim() || '(Command produced no output)';
+          }
 
-              let finalOutput = mainContent;
-              let finalStatus = ToolCallStatus.Success;
+          let finalOutput = mainContent;
+          let finalStatus = ToolCallStatus.Success;
 
-              if (result.error) {
-                finalStatus = ToolCallStatus.Error;
-                finalOutput = `${result.error.message}\n${finalOutput}`;
-              } else if (result.aborted) {
-                finalStatus = ToolCallStatus.Canceled;
-                finalOutput = `Command was cancelled.\n${finalOutput}`;
-              } else if (result.signal) {
-                finalStatus = ToolCallStatus.Error;
-                finalOutput = `Command terminated by signal: ${result.signal}.\n${finalOutput}`;
-              } else if (result.exitCode !== 0) {
-                finalStatus = ToolCallStatus.Error;
-                finalOutput = `Command exited with code ${result.exitCode}.\n${finalOutput}`;
-              }
+          if (result.error) {
+            finalStatus = ToolCallStatus.Error;
+            finalOutput = `${result.error.message}\n${finalOutput}`;
+          } else if (result.aborted) {
+            finalStatus = ToolCallStatus.Canceled;
+            finalOutput = `Command was cancelled.\n${finalOutput}`;
+          } else if (result.backgrounded) {
+            finalStatus = ToolCallStatus.Success;
+            finalOutput = `Command moved to background (PID: ${result.pid}). Output hidden. Press Ctrl+B to view.`;
+          } else if (result.signal) {
+            finalStatus = ToolCallStatus.Error;
+            finalOutput = `Command terminated by signal: ${result.signal}.\n${finalOutput}`;
+          } else if (result.exitCode !== 0) {
+            finalStatus = ToolCallStatus.Error;
+            finalOutput = `Command exited with code ${result.exitCode}.\n${finalOutput}`;
+          }
 
-              if (pwdFilePath && fs.existsSync(pwdFilePath)) {
-                const finalPwd = fs.readFileSync(pwdFilePath, 'utf8').trim();
-                if (finalPwd && finalPwd !== targetDir) {
-                  const warning = `WARNING: shell mode is stateless; the directory change to '${finalPwd}' will not persist.`;
-                  finalOutput = `${warning}\n\n${finalOutput}`;
-                }
-              }
+          if (pwdFilePath && fs.existsSync(pwdFilePath)) {
+            const finalPwd = fs.readFileSync(pwdFilePath, 'utf8').trim();
+            if (finalPwd && finalPwd !== targetDir) {
+              const warning = `WARNING: shell mode is stateless; the directory change to '${finalPwd}' will not persist.`;
+              finalOutput = `${warning}\n\n${finalOutput}`;
+            }
+          }
 
-              const finalToolDisplay: IndividualToolCallDisplay = {
-                ...initialToolDisplay,
-                status: finalStatus,
-                resultDisplay: finalOutput,
-              };
+          const finalToolDisplay: IndividualToolCallDisplay = {
+            ...initialToolDisplay,
+            status: finalStatus,
+            resultDisplay: finalOutput,
+          };
 
-              // Add the complete, contextual result to the local UI history.
-              // We skip this for cancelled commands because useGeminiStream handles the
-              // immediate addition of the cancelled item to history to prevent flickering/duplicates.
-              if (finalStatus !== ToolCallStatus.Canceled) {
-                addItemToHistory(
-                  {
-                    type: 'tool_group',
-                    tools: [finalToolDisplay],
-                  } as HistoryItemWithoutId,
-                  userMessageTimestamp,
-                );
-              }
+          if (finalStatus !== ToolCallStatus.Canceled) {
+            addItemToHistory(
+              {
+                type: 'tool_group',
+                tools: [finalToolDisplay],
+              } as HistoryItemWithoutId,
+              userMessageTimestamp,
+            );
+          }
 
-              // Add the same complete, contextual result to the LLM's history.
-              addShellCommandToGeminiHistory(
-                geminiClient,
-                rawQuery,
-                finalOutput,
-              );
-            })
-            .catch((err) => {
-              setPendingHistoryItem(null);
-              const errorMessage =
-                err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err);
-              addItemToHistory(
-                {
-                  type: 'error',
-                  text: `An unexpected error occurred: ${errorMessage}`,
-                },
-                userMessageTimestamp,
-              );
-            })
-            .finally(() => {
-              abortSignal.removeEventListener('abort', abortHandler);
-              if (pwdFilePath && fs.existsSync(pwdFilePath)) {
-                fs.unlinkSync(pwdFilePath);
-              }
-              setActiveShellPtyId(null);
-              setShellInputFocused(false);
-              resolve();
-            });
+          addShellCommandToGeminiHistory(geminiClient, rawQuery, finalOutput);
         } catch (err) {
-          // This block handles synchronous errors from `execute`
           setPendingHistoryItem(null);
           const errorMessage = err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err);
           addItemToHistory(
@@ -339,23 +501,18 @@ export const useShellCommandProcessor = (
             },
             userMessageTimestamp,
           );
-
-          // Perform cleanup here as well
+        } finally {
+          abortSignal.removeEventListener('abort', abortHandler);
           if (pwdFilePath && fs.existsSync(pwdFilePath)) {
             fs.unlinkSync(pwdFilePath);
           }
-          setActiveShellPtyId(null);
+
+          dispatch({ type: 'SET_ACTIVE_PTY', pid: null });
           setShellInputFocused(false);
-          resolve(); // Resolve the promise to unblock `onExec`
         }
       };
 
-      const execPromise = new Promise<void>((resolve) => {
-        // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-floating-promises
-        executeCommand(resolve);
-      });
-
-      onExec(execPromise);
+      onExec(executeCommand());
       return true;
     },
     [
@@ -368,8 +525,26 @@ export const useShellCommandProcessor = (
       setShellInputFocused,
       terminalHeight,
       terminalWidth,
+      registerBackgroundShell,
+      m,
+      dispatch,
     ],
   );
 
-  return { handleShellCommand, activeShellPtyId, lastShellOutputTime };
+  const backgroundShellCount = Array.from(
+    state.backgroundShells.values(),
+  ).filter((s: BackgroundShell) => s.status === 'running').length;
+
+  return {
+    handleShellCommand,
+    activeShellPtyId: state.activeShellPtyId,
+    lastShellOutputTime: state.lastShellOutputTime,
+    backgroundShellCount,
+    isBackgroundShellVisible: state.isBackgroundShellVisible,
+    toggleBackgroundShell,
+    backgroundCurrentShell,
+    registerBackgroundShell,
+    dismissBackgroundShell,
+    backgroundShells: state.backgroundShells,
+  };
 };

packages/cli/src/ui/hooks/shellReducer.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,193 @@
+/**
+ * @license
+ * Copyright 2025 Google LLC
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
+import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest';
+import {
+  shellReducer,
+  initialState,
+  type ShellState,
+  type ShellAction,
+} from './shellReducer.js';
+
+describe('shellReducer', () => {
+  it('should return the initial state', () => {
+    // @ts-expect-error - testing default case
+    expect(shellReducer(initialState, { type: 'UNKNOWN' })).toEqual(
+      initialState,
+    );
+  });
+
+  it('should handle SET_ACTIVE_PTY', () => {
+    const action: ShellAction = { type: 'SET_ACTIVE_PTY', pid: 12345 };
+    const state = shellReducer(initialState, action);
+    expect(state.activeShellPtyId).toBe(12345);
+  });
+
+  it('should handle SET_OUTPUT_TIME', () => {
+    const now = Date.now();
+    const action: ShellAction = { type: 'SET_OUTPUT_TIME', time: now };
+    const state = shellReducer(initialState, action);
+    expect(state.lastShellOutputTime).toBe(now);
+  });
+
+  it('should handle SET_VISIBILITY', () => {
+    const action: ShellAction = { type: 'SET_VISIBILITY', visible: true };
+    const state = shellReducer(initialState, action);
+    expect(state.isBackgroundShellVisible).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('should handle TOGGLE_VISIBILITY', () => {
+    const action: ShellAction = { type: 'TOGGLE_VISIBILITY' };
+    let state = shellReducer(initialState, action);
+    expect(state.isBackgroundShellVisible).toBe(true);
+    state = shellReducer(state, action);
+    expect(state.isBackgroundShellVisible).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it('should handle REGISTER_SHELL', () => {
+    const action: ShellAction = {
+      type: 'REGISTER_SHELL',
+      pid: 1001,
+      command: 'ls',
+      initialOutput: 'init',
+    };
+    const state = shellReducer(initialState, action);
+    expect(state.backgroundShells.has(1001)).toBe(true);
+    expect(state.backgroundShells.get(1001)).toEqual({
+      pid: 1001,
+      command: 'ls',
+      output: 'init',
+      isBinary: false,
+      binaryBytesReceived: 0,
+      status: 'running',
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('should not REGISTER_SHELL if PID already exists', () => {
+    const action: ShellAction = {
+      type: 'REGISTER_SHELL',
+      pid: 1001,
+      command: 'ls',
+      initialOutput: 'init',
+    };
+    const state = shellReducer(initialState, action);
+    const state2 = shellReducer(state, { ...action, command: 'other' });
+    expect(state2).toBe(state);
+    expect(state2.backgroundShells.get(1001)?.command).toBe('ls');
+  });
+
+  it('should handle UPDATE_SHELL', () => {
+    const registeredState = shellReducer(initialState, {
+      type: 'REGISTER_SHELL',
+      pid: 1001,
+      command: 'ls',
+      initialOutput: 'init',
+    });
+
+    const action: ShellAction = {
+      type: 'UPDATE_SHELL',
+      pid: 1001,
+      update: { status: 'exited', exitCode: 0 },
+    };
+    const state = shellReducer(registeredState, action);
+    const shell = state.backgroundShells.get(1001);
+    expect(shell?.status).toBe('exited');
+    expect(shell?.exitCode).toBe(0);
+    // Map should be new
+    expect(state.backgroundShells).not.toBe(registeredState.backgroundShells);
+  });
+
+  it('should handle APPEND_SHELL_OUTPUT when visible (triggers re-render)', () => {
+    const visibleState: ShellState = {
+      ...initialState,
+      isBackgroundShellVisible: true,
+      backgroundShells: new Map([
+        [
+          1001,
+          {
+            pid: 1001,
+            command: 'ls',
+            output: 'init',
+            isBinary: false,
+            binaryBytesReceived: 0,
+            status: 'running',
+          },
+        ],
+      ]),
+    };
+
+    const action: ShellAction = {
+      type: 'APPEND_SHELL_OUTPUT',
+      pid: 1001,
+      chunk: ' + more',
+    };
+    const state = shellReducer(visibleState, action);
+    expect(state.backgroundShells.get(1001)?.output).toBe('init + more');
+    // Drawer is visible, so we expect a NEW map object to trigger React re-render
+    expect(state.backgroundShells).not.toBe(visibleState.backgroundShells);
+  });
+
+  it('should handle APPEND_SHELL_OUTPUT when hidden (no re-render optimization)', () => {
+    const hiddenState: ShellState = {
+      ...initialState,
+      isBackgroundShellVisible: false,
+      backgroundShells: new Map([
+        [
+          1001,
+          {
+            pid: 1001,
+            command: 'ls',
+            output: 'init',
+            isBinary: false,
+            binaryBytesReceived: 0,
+            status: 'running',
+          },
+        ],
+      ]),
+    };
+
+    const action: ShellAction = {
+      type: 'APPEND_SHELL_OUTPUT',
+      pid: 1001,
+      chunk: ' + more',
+    };
+    const state = shellReducer(hiddenState, action);
+    expect(state.backgroundShells.get(1001)?.output).toBe('init + more');
+    // Drawer is hidden, so we expect the SAME map object (mutation optimization)
+    expect(state.backgroundShells).toBe(hiddenState.backgroundShells);
+  });
+
+  it('should handle SYNC_BACKGROUND_SHELLS', () => {
+    const action: ShellAction = { type: 'SYNC_BACKGROUND_SHELLS' };
+    const state = shellReducer(initialState, action);
+    expect(state.backgroundShells).not.toBe(initialState.backgroundShells);
+  });
+
+  it('should handle DISMISS_SHELL', () => {
+    const registeredState: ShellState = {
+      ...initialState,
+      isBackgroundShellVisible: true,
+      backgroundShells: new Map([
+        [
+          1001,
+          {
+            pid: 1001,
+            command: 'ls',
+            output: 'init',
+            isBinary: false,
+            binaryBytesReceived: 0,
+            status: 'running',
+          },
+        ],
+      ]),
+    };
+
+    const action: ShellAction = { type: 'DISMISS_SHELL', pid: 1001 };
+    const state = shellReducer(registeredState, action);
+    expect(state.backgroundShells.has(1001)).toBe(false);
+    expect(state.isBackgroundShellVisible).toBe(false); // Auto-hide if last shell
+  });
+});

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

@@ -0,0 +1,128 @@
+/**
+ * @license
+ * Copyright 2025 Google LLC
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
+import type { AnsiOutput } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
+
+export interface BackgroundShell {
+  pid: number;
+  command: string;
+  output: string | AnsiOutput;
+  isBinary: boolean;
+  binaryBytesReceived: number;
+  status: 'running' | 'exited';
+  exitCode?: number;
+}
+
+export interface ShellState {
+  activeShellPtyId: number | null;
+  lastShellOutputTime: number;
+  backgroundShells: Map<number, BackgroundShell>;
+  isBackgroundShellVisible: boolean;
+}
+
+export type ShellAction =
+  | { type: 'SET_ACTIVE_PTY'; pid: number | null }
+  | { type: 'SET_OUTPUT_TIME'; time: number }
+  | { type: 'SET_VISIBILITY'; visible: boolean }
+  | { type: 'TOGGLE_VISIBILITY' }
+  | {
+      type: 'REGISTER_SHELL';
+      pid: number;
+      command: string;
+      initialOutput: string | AnsiOutput;
+    }
+  | { type: 'UPDATE_SHELL'; pid: number; update: Partial<BackgroundShell> }
+  | { type: 'APPEND_SHELL_OUTPUT'; pid: number; chunk: string | AnsiOutput }
+  | { type: 'SYNC_BACKGROUND_SHELLS' }
+  | { type: 'DISMISS_SHELL'; pid: number };
+
+export const initialState: ShellState = {
+  activeShellPtyId: null,
+  lastShellOutputTime: 0,
+  backgroundShells: new Map(),
+  isBackgroundShellVisible: false,
+};
+
+export function shellReducer(
+  state: ShellState,
+  action: ShellAction,
+): ShellState {
+  switch (action.type) {
+    case 'SET_ACTIVE_PTY':
+      return { ...state, activeShellPtyId: action.pid };
+    case 'SET_OUTPUT_TIME':
+      return { ...state, lastShellOutputTime: action.time };
+    case 'SET_VISIBILITY':
+      return { ...state, isBackgroundShellVisible: action.visible };
+    case 'TOGGLE_VISIBILITY':
+      return {
+        ...state,
+        isBackgroundShellVisible: !state.isBackgroundShellVisible,
+      };
+    case 'REGISTER_SHELL': {
+      if (state.backgroundShells.has(action.pid)) return state;
+      const nextShells = new Map(state.backgroundShells);
+      nextShells.set(action.pid, {
+        pid: action.pid,
+        command: action.command,
+        output: action.initialOutput,
+        isBinary: false,
+        binaryBytesReceived: 0,
+        status: 'running',
+      });
+      return { ...state, backgroundShells: nextShells };
+    }
+    case 'UPDATE_SHELL': {
+      const shell = state.backgroundShells.get(action.pid);
+      if (!shell) return state;
+      const nextShells = new Map(state.backgroundShells);
+      const updatedShell = { ...shell, ...action.update };
+      // Maintain insertion order, move to end if status changed to exited
+      if (action.update.status === 'exited') {
+        nextShells.delete(action.pid);
+      }
+      nextShells.set(action.pid, updatedShell);
+      return { ...state, backgroundShells: nextShells };
+    }
+    case 'APPEND_SHELL_OUTPUT': {
+      const shell = state.backgroundShells.get(action.pid);
+      if (!shell) return state;
+      // Note: we mutate the shell object in the map for background updates
+      // to avoid re-rendering if the drawer is not visible.
+      // This is an intentional performance optimization for the CLI.
+      let newOutput = shell.output;
+      if (typeof action.chunk === 'string') {
+        newOutput =
+          typeof shell.output === 'string'
+            ? shell.output + action.chunk
+            : action.chunk;
+      } else {
+        newOutput = action.chunk;
+      }
+      shell.output = newOutput;
+
+      if (state.isBackgroundShellVisible) {
+        return { ...state, backgroundShells: new Map(state.backgroundShells) };
+      }
+      return state;
+    }
+    case 'SYNC_BACKGROUND_SHELLS': {
+      return { ...state, backgroundShells: new Map(state.backgroundShells) };
+    }
+    case 'DISMISS_SHELL': {
+      const nextShells = new Map(state.backgroundShells);
+      nextShells.delete(action.pid);
+      return {
+        ...state,
+        backgroundShells: nextShells,
+        isBackgroundShellVisible:
+          nextShells.size === 0 ? false : state.isBackgroundShellVisible,
+      };
+    }
+    default:
+      return state;
+  }
+}

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

@@ -213,6 +213,7 @@ describe('useSlashCommandProcessor', () => {
             toggleDebugProfiler: vi.fn(),
             dispatchExtensionStateUpdate: vi.fn(),
             addConfirmUpdateExtensionRequest: vi.fn(),
+            toggleBackgroundShell: vi.fn(),
             setText: vi.fn(),
           },
           new Map(), // extensionsUpdateState

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

@@ -82,6 +82,7 @@ interface SlashCommandProcessorActions {
   toggleDebugProfiler: () => void;
   dispatchExtensionStateUpdate: (action: ExtensionUpdateAction) => void;
   addConfirmUpdateExtensionRequest: (request: ConfirmationRequest) => void;
+  toggleBackgroundShell: () => void;
   setText: (text: string) => void;
 }
 
@@ -237,6 +238,7 @@ export const useSlashCommandProcessor = (
         addConfirmUpdateExtensionRequest:
           actions.addConfirmUpdateExtensionRequest,
         removeComponent: () => setCustomDialog(null),
+        toggleBackgroundShell: actions.toggleBackgroundShell,
       },
       session: {
         stats: session.stats,

packages/cli/src/ui/hooks/useApprovalModeIndicator.test.ts

@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@ vi.mock('@google/gemini-cli-core', async () => {
   return {
     ...actualServerModule,
     Config: vi.fn(),
+    getAdminErrorMessage: vi.fn(
+      (featureName: string) => `[Mock] ${featureName} is disabled`,
+    ),
   };
 });
 
@@ -52,6 +55,9 @@ interface MockConfigInstanceShape {
   getUserMemory: Mock<() => string>;
   getGeminiMdFileCount: Mock<() => number>;
   getToolRegistry: Mock<() => { discoverTools: Mock<() => void> }>;
+  getRemoteAdminSettings: Mock<
+    () => { strictModeDisabled?: boolean; mcpEnabled?: boolean } | undefined
+  >;
 }
 
 type UseKeypressHandler = (key: Key) => void;
@@ -109,6 +115,9 @@ describe('useApprovalModeIndicator', () => {
           .mockReturnValue({ discoverTools: vi.fn() }) as Mock<
           () => { discoverTools: Mock<() => void> }
         >,
+        getRemoteAdminSettings: vi.fn().mockReturnValue(undefined) as Mock<
+          () => { strictModeDisabled?: boolean } | undefined
+        >,
       };
       instanceSetApprovalModeMock.mockImplementation((value: ApprovalMode) => {
         instanceGetApprovalModeMock.mockReturnValue(value);
@@ -517,6 +526,9 @@ describe('useApprovalModeIndicator', () => {
 
     it('should not enable YOLO mode when Ctrl+Y is pressed and add an info message', () => {
       mockConfigInstance.getApprovalMode.mockReturnValue(ApprovalMode.DEFAULT);
+      mockConfigInstance.getRemoteAdminSettings.mockReturnValue({
+        strictModeDisabled: true,
+      });
       const mockAddItem = vi.fn();
       const { result } = renderHook(() =>
         useApprovalModeIndicator({
@@ -544,6 +556,58 @@ describe('useApprovalModeIndicator', () => {
       // The mode should not change
       expect(result.current).toBe(ApprovalMode.DEFAULT);
     });
+
+    it('should show admin error message when YOLO mode is disabled by admin', () => {
+      mockConfigInstance.getApprovalMode.mockReturnValue(ApprovalMode.DEFAULT);
+      mockConfigInstance.getRemoteAdminSettings.mockReturnValue({
+        mcpEnabled: true,
+      });
+
+      const mockAddItem = vi.fn();
+      renderHook(() =>
+        useApprovalModeIndicator({
+          config: mockConfigInstance as unknown as ActualConfigType,
+          addItem: mockAddItem,
+        }),
+      );
+
+      act(() => {
+        capturedUseKeypressHandler({ name: 'y', ctrl: true } as Key);
+      });
+
+      expect(mockAddItem).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        {
+          type: MessageType.WARNING,
+          text: '[Mock] YOLO mode is disabled',
+        },
+        expect.any(Number),
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('should show default error message when admin settings are empty', () => {
+      mockConfigInstance.getApprovalMode.mockReturnValue(ApprovalMode.DEFAULT);
+      mockConfigInstance.getRemoteAdminSettings.mockReturnValue({});
+
+      const mockAddItem = vi.fn();
+      renderHook(() =>
+        useApprovalModeIndicator({
+          config: mockConfigInstance as unknown as ActualConfigType,
+          addItem: mockAddItem,
+        }),
+      );
+
+      act(() => {
+        capturedUseKeypressHandler({ name: 'y', ctrl: true } as Key);
+      });
+
+      expect(mockAddItem).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        {
+          type: MessageType.WARNING,
+          text: 'You cannot enter YOLO mode since it is disabled in your settings.',
+        },
+        expect.any(Number),
+      );
+    });
   });
 
   it('should call onApprovalModeChange when switching to YOLO mode', () => {

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

@@ -5,7 +5,11 @@
  */
 
 import { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
-import { ApprovalMode, type Config } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
+import {
+  ApprovalMode,
+  type Config,
+  getAdminErrorMessage,
+} from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
 import { useKeypress } from './useKeypress.js';
 import { keyMatchers, Command } from '../keyMatchers.js';
 import type { HistoryItemWithoutId } from '../types.js';
@@ -41,10 +45,19 @@ export function useApprovalModeIndicator({
           config.getApprovalMode() !== ApprovalMode.YOLO
         ) {
           if (addItem) {
+            let text =
+              'You cannot enter YOLO mode since it is disabled in your settings.';
+            const adminSettings = config.getRemoteAdminSettings();
+            const hasSettings =
+              adminSettings && Object.keys(adminSettings).length > 0;
+            if (hasSettings && !adminSettings.strictModeDisabled) {
+              text = getAdminErrorMessage('YOLO mode', config);
+            }
+
             addItem(
               {
                 type: MessageType.WARNING,
-                text: 'You cannot enter YOLO mode since it is disabled in your settings.',
+                text,
               },
               Date.now(),
             );

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

@@ -0,0 +1,191 @@
+/**
+ * @license
+ * Copyright 2025 Google LLC
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
+import { render } from '../../test-utils/render.js';
+import {
+  useBackgroundShellManager,
+  type BackgroundShellManagerProps,
+} from './useBackgroundShellManager.js';
+import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach } from 'vitest';
+import { act } from 'react';
+import { type BackgroundShell } from './shellReducer.js';
+
+describe('useBackgroundShellManager', () => {
+  const setEmbeddedShellFocused = vi.fn();
+  const terminalHeight = 30;
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.clearAllMocks();
+  });
+
+  const renderHook = (props: BackgroundShellManagerProps) => {
+    let hookResult: ReturnType<typeof useBackgroundShellManager>;
+    function TestComponent({ p }: { p: BackgroundShellManagerProps }) {
+      hookResult = useBackgroundShellManager(p);
+      return null;
+    }
+    const { rerender } = render(<TestComponent p={props} />);
+    return {
+      result: {
+        get current() {
+          return hookResult;
+        },
+      },
+      rerender: (newProps: BackgroundShellManagerProps) =>
+        rerender(<TestComponent p={newProps} />),
+    };
+  };
+
+  it('should initialize with correct default values', () => {
+    const backgroundShells = new Map<number, BackgroundShell>();
+    const { result } = renderHook({
+      backgroundShells,
+      backgroundShellCount: 0,
+      isBackgroundShellVisible: false,
+      activePtyId: null,
+      embeddedShellFocused: false,
+      setEmbeddedShellFocused,
+      terminalHeight,
+    });
+
+    expect(result.current.isBackgroundShellListOpen).toBe(false);
+    expect(result.current.activeBackgroundShellPid).toBe(null);
+    expect(result.current.backgroundShellHeight).toBe(0);
+  });
+
+  it('should auto-select the first background shell when added', () => {
+    const backgroundShells = new Map<number, BackgroundShell>();
+    const { result, rerender } = renderHook({
+      backgroundShells,
+      backgroundShellCount: 0,
+      isBackgroundShellVisible: false,
+      activePtyId: null,
+      embeddedShellFocused: false,
+      setEmbeddedShellFocused,
+      terminalHeight,
+    });
+
+    const newShells = new Map<number, BackgroundShell>([
+      [123, {} as BackgroundShell],
+    ]);
+    rerender({
+      backgroundShells: newShells,
+      backgroundShellCount: 1,
+      isBackgroundShellVisible: false,
+      activePtyId: null,
+      embeddedShellFocused: false,
+      setEmbeddedShellFocused,
+      terminalHeight,
+    });
+
+    expect(result.current.activeBackgroundShellPid).toBe(123);
+  });
+
+  it('should reset state when all shells are removed', () => {
+    const backgroundShells = new Map<number, BackgroundShell>([
+      [123, {} as BackgroundShell],
+    ]);
+    const { result, rerender } = renderHook({
+      backgroundShells,
+      backgroundShellCount: 1,
+      isBackgroundShellVisible: true,
+      activePtyId: null,
+      embeddedShellFocused: true,
+      setEmbeddedShellFocused,
+      terminalHeight,
+    });
+
+    act(() => {
+      result.current.setIsBackgroundShellListOpen(true);
+    });
+    expect(result.current.isBackgroundShellListOpen).toBe(true);
+
+    rerender({
+      backgroundShells: new Map(),
+      backgroundShellCount: 0,
+      isBackgroundShellVisible: true,
+      activePtyId: null,
+      embeddedShellFocused: true,
+      setEmbeddedShellFocused,
+      terminalHeight,
+    });
+
+    expect(result.current.activeBackgroundShellPid).toBe(null);
+    expect(result.current.isBackgroundShellListOpen).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it('should unfocus embedded shell when no shells are active', () => {
+    const backgroundShells = new Map<number, BackgroundShell>([
+      [123, {} as BackgroundShell],
+    ]);
+    renderHook({
+      backgroundShells,
+      backgroundShellCount: 1,
+      isBackgroundShellVisible: false, // Background shell not visible
+      activePtyId: null, // No foreground shell
+      embeddedShellFocused: true,
+      setEmbeddedShellFocused,
+      terminalHeight,
+    });
+
+    expect(setEmbeddedShellFocused).toHaveBeenCalledWith(false);
+  });
+
+  it('should calculate backgroundShellHeight correctly when visible', () => {
+    const backgroundShells = new Map<number, BackgroundShell>([
+      [123, {} as BackgroundShell],
+    ]);
+    const { result } = renderHook({
+      backgroundShells,
+      backgroundShellCount: 1,
+      isBackgroundShellVisible: true,
+      activePtyId: null,
+      embeddedShellFocused: true,
+      setEmbeddedShellFocused,
+      terminalHeight: 100,
+    });
+
+    // 100 * 0.3 = 30
+    expect(result.current.backgroundShellHeight).toBe(30);
+  });
+
+  it('should maintain current active shell if it still exists', () => {
+    const backgroundShells = new Map<number, BackgroundShell>([
+      [123, {} as BackgroundShell],
+      [456, {} as BackgroundShell],
+    ]);
+    const { result, rerender } = renderHook({
+      backgroundShells,
+      backgroundShellCount: 2,
+      isBackgroundShellVisible: true,
+      activePtyId: null,
+      embeddedShellFocused: true,
+      setEmbeddedShellFocused,
+      terminalHeight,
+    });
+
+    act(() => {
+      result.current.setActiveBackgroundShellPid(456);
+    });
+    expect(result.current.activeBackgroundShellPid).toBe(456);
+
+    // Remove the OTHER shell
+    const updatedShells = new Map<number, BackgroundShell>([
+      [456, {} as BackgroundShell],
+    ]);
+    rerender({
+      backgroundShells: updatedShells,
+      backgroundShellCount: 1,
+      isBackgroundShellVisible: true,
+      activePtyId: null,
+      embeddedShellFocused: true,
+      setEmbeddedShellFocused,
+      terminalHeight,
+    });
+
+    expect(result.current.activeBackgroundShellPid).toBe(456);
+  });
+});

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

@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+/**
+ * @license
+ * Copyright 2025 Google LLC
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
+import { useState, useEffect, useMemo } from 'react';
+import { type BackgroundShell } from './shellCommandProcessor.js';
+
+export interface BackgroundShellManagerProps {
+  backgroundShells: Map<number, BackgroundShell>;
+  backgroundShellCount: number;
+  isBackgroundShellVisible: boolean;
+  activePtyId: number | null | undefined;
+  embeddedShellFocused: boolean;
+  setEmbeddedShellFocused: (focused: boolean) => void;
+  terminalHeight: number;
+}
+
+export function useBackgroundShellManager({
+  backgroundShells,
+  backgroundShellCount,
+  isBackgroundShellVisible,
+  activePtyId,
+  embeddedShellFocused,
+  setEmbeddedShellFocused,
+  terminalHeight,
+}: BackgroundShellManagerProps) {
+  const [isBackgroundShellListOpen, setIsBackgroundShellListOpen] =
+    useState(false);
+  const [activeBackgroundShellPid, setActiveBackgroundShellPid] = useState<
+    number | null
+  >(null);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (backgroundShells.size === 0) {
+      if (activeBackgroundShellPid !== null) {
+        setActiveBackgroundShellPid(null);
+      }
+      if (isBackgroundShellListOpen) {
+        setIsBackgroundShellListOpen(false);
+      }
+    } else if (
+      activeBackgroundShellPid === null ||
+      !backgroundShells.has(activeBackgroundShellPid)
+    ) {
+      // If active shell is closed or none selected, select the first one (last added usually, or just first in iteration)
+      setActiveBackgroundShellPid(backgroundShells.keys().next().value ?? null);
+    }
+  }, [
+    backgroundShells,
+    activeBackgroundShellPid,
+    backgroundShellCount,
+    isBackgroundShellListOpen,
+  ]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (embeddedShellFocused) {
+      const hasActiveForegroundShell = !!activePtyId;
+      const hasVisibleBackgroundShell =
+        isBackgroundShellVisible && backgroundShells.size > 0;
+
+      if (!hasActiveForegroundShell && !hasVisibleBackgroundShell) {
+        setEmbeddedShellFocused(false);
+      }
+    }
+  }, [
+    isBackgroundShellVisible,
+    backgroundShells,
+    embeddedShellFocused,
+    backgroundShellCount,
+    activePtyId,
+    setEmbeddedShellFocused,
+  ]);
+
+  const backgroundShellHeight = useMemo(
+    () =>
+      isBackgroundShellVisible && backgroundShells.size > 0
+        ? Math.max(Math.floor(terminalHeight * 0.3), 5)
+        : 0,
+    [isBackgroundShellVisible, backgroundShells.size, terminalHeight],
+  );
+
+  return {
+    isBackgroundShellListOpen,
+    setIsBackgroundShellListOpen,
+    activeBackgroundShellPid,
+    setActiveBackgroundShellPid,
+    backgroundShellHeight,
+  };
+}

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

@@ -68,6 +68,9 @@ const MockedGeminiClientClass = vi.hoisted(() =>
       recordToolCalls: vi.fn(),
       getConversationFile: vi.fn(),
     });
+    this.getCurrentSequenceModel = vi
+      .fn()
+      .mockReturnValue('gemini-2.0-flash-exp');
   }),
 );
 
@@ -652,6 +655,9 @@ describe('useGeminiStream', () => {
       expectedMergedResponse,
       expect.any(AbortSignal),
       'prompt-id-2',
+      undefined,
+      false,
+      expectedMergedResponse,
     );
   });
 
@@ -1054,6 +1060,9 @@ describe('useGeminiStream', () => {
         toolCallResponseParts,
         expect.any(AbortSignal),
         'prompt-id-4',
+        undefined,
+        false,
+        toolCallResponseParts,
       );
     });
 
@@ -1495,6 +1504,9 @@ describe('useGeminiStream', () => {
           'This is the actual prompt from the command file.',
           expect.any(AbortSignal),
           expect.any(String),
+          undefined,
+          false,
+          '/my-custom-command',
         );
 
         expect(mockScheduleToolCalls).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
@@ -1521,6 +1533,9 @@ describe('useGeminiStream', () => {
           '',
           expect.any(AbortSignal),
           expect.any(String),
+          undefined,
+          false,
+          '/emptycmd',
         );
       });
     });
@@ -1539,6 +1554,9 @@ describe('useGeminiStream', () => {
           '// This is a line comment',
           expect.any(AbortSignal),
           expect.any(String),
+          undefined,
+          false,
+          '// This is a line comment',
         );
       });
     });
@@ -1557,6 +1575,9 @@ describe('useGeminiStream', () => {
           '/* This is a block comment */',
           expect.any(AbortSignal),
           expect.any(String),
+          undefined,
+          false,
+          '/* This is a block comment */',
         );
       });
     });
@@ -2389,6 +2410,9 @@ describe('useGeminiStream', () => {
       processedQueryParts, // Argument 1: The parts array directly
       expect.any(AbortSignal), // Argument 2: An AbortSignal
       expect.any(String), // Argument 3: The prompt_id string
+      undefined,
+      false,
+      rawQuery,
     );
   });
 
@@ -2928,6 +2952,9 @@ describe('useGeminiStream', () => {
           'test query',
           expect.any(AbortSignal),
           expect.any(String),
+          undefined,
+          false,
+          'test query',
         );
       });
     });
@@ -3075,6 +3102,9 @@ describe('useGeminiStream', () => {
           'second query',
           expect.any(AbortSignal),
           expect.any(String),
+          undefined,
+          false,
+          'second query',
         );
       });
     });

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

@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ import type {
   ServerGeminiStreamEvent as GeminiEvent,
   ThoughtSummary,
   ToolCallRequestInfo,
+  ToolCallResponseInfo,
   GeminiErrorEventValue,
   RetryAttemptPayload,
   ToolCallConfirmationDetails,
@@ -72,6 +73,7 @@ import {
   type TrackedCompletedToolCall,
   type TrackedCancelledToolCall,
   type TrackedWaitingToolCall,
+  type TrackedExecutingToolCall,
 } from './useToolScheduler.js';
 import { promises as fs } from 'node:fs';
 import path from 'node:path';
@@ -79,12 +81,34 @@ import { useSessionStats } from '../contexts/SessionContext.js';
 import { useKeypress } from './useKeypress.js';
 import type { LoadedSettings } from '../../config/settings.js';
 
+type ToolResponseWithParts = ToolCallResponseInfo & {
+  llmContent?: PartListUnion;
+};
+
+interface ShellToolData {
+  pid?: number;
+  command?: string;
+  initialOutput?: string;
+}
+
 enum StreamProcessingStatus {
   Completed,
   UserCancelled,
   Error,
 }
 
+function isShellToolData(data: unknown): data is ShellToolData {
+  if (typeof data !== 'object' || data === null) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  const d = data as Partial<ShellToolData>;
+  return (
+    (d.pid === undefined || typeof d.pid === 'number') &&
+    (d.command === undefined || typeof d.command === 'string') &&
+    (d.initialOutput === undefined || typeof d.initialOutput === 'string')
+  );
+}
+
 function showCitations(settings: LoadedSettings): boolean {
   const enabled = settings.merged.ui.showCitations;
   if (enabled !== undefined) {
@@ -401,14 +425,11 @@ export const useGeminiStream = (
   }, [toolCalls, pushedToolCallIds, config]);
 
   const activeToolPtyId = useMemo(() => {
-    const executingShellTool = toolCalls?.find(
+    const executingShellTool = toolCalls.find(
       (tc) =>
         tc.status === 'executing' && tc.request.name === 'run_shell_command',
     );
-    if (executingShellTool) {
-      return (executingShellTool as { pid?: number }).pid;
-    }
-    return undefined;
+    return (executingShellTool as TrackedExecutingToolCall | undefined)?.pid;
   }, [toolCalls]);
 
   const lastQueryRef = useRef<PartListUnion | null>(null);
@@ -426,18 +447,30 @@ export const useGeminiStream = (
     await done;
     setIsResponding(false);
   }, []);
-  const { handleShellCommand, activeShellPtyId, lastShellOutputTime } =
-    useShellCommandProcessor(
-      addItem,
-      setPendingHistoryItem,
-      onExec,
-      onDebugMessage,
-      config,
-      geminiClient,
-      setShellInputFocused,
-      terminalWidth,
-      terminalHeight,
-    );
+
+  const {
+    handleShellCommand,
+    activeShellPtyId,
+    lastShellOutputTime,
+    backgroundShellCount,
+    isBackgroundShellVisible,
+    toggleBackgroundShell,
+    backgroundCurrentShell,
+    registerBackgroundShell,
+    dismissBackgroundShell,
+    backgroundShells,
+  } = useShellCommandProcessor(
+    addItem,
+    setPendingHistoryItem,
+    onExec,
+    onDebugMessage,
+    config,
+    geminiClient,
+    setShellInputFocused,
+    terminalWidth,
+    terminalHeight,
+    activeToolPtyId,
+  );
 
   const activePtyId = activeShellPtyId || activeToolPtyId;
 
@@ -1222,6 +1255,9 @@ export const useGeminiStream = (
                 queryToSend,
                 abortSignal,
                 prompt_id!,
+                undefined,
+                false,
+                query,
               );
               const processingStatus = await processGeminiStreamEvents(
                 stream,
@@ -1404,6 +1440,25 @@ export const useGeminiStream = (
           !processedMemoryToolsRef.current.has(t.request.callId),
       );
 
+      // Handle backgrounded shell tools
+      completedAndReadyToSubmitTools.forEach((t) => {
+        const isShell = t.request.name === 'run_shell_command';
+        // Access result from the tracked tool call response
+        const response = t.response as ToolResponseWithParts;
+        const rawData = response?.data;
+        const data = isShellToolData(rawData) ? rawData : undefined;
+
+        // Use data.pid for shell commands moved to the background.
+        const pid = data?.pid;
+
+        if (isShell && pid) {
+          const command = (data?.['command'] as string) ?? 'shell';
+          const initialOutput = (data?.['initialOutput'] as string) ?? '';
+
+          registerBackgroundShell(pid, command, initialOutput);
+        }
+      });
+
       if (newSuccessfulMemorySaves.length > 0) {
         // Perform the refresh only if there are new ones.
         void performMemoryRefresh();
@@ -1510,6 +1565,7 @@ export const useGeminiStream = (
       performMemoryRefresh,
       modelSwitchedFromQuotaError,
       addItem,
+      registerBackgroundShell,
     ],
   );
 
@@ -1599,6 +1655,12 @@ export const useGeminiStream = (
     activePtyId,
     loopDetectionConfirmationRequest,
     lastOutputTime,
+    backgroundShellCount,
+    isBackgroundShellVisible,
+    toggleBackgroundShell,
+    backgroundCurrentShell,
+    backgroundShells,
+    dismissBackgroundShell,
     retryStatus,
   };
 };

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

@@ -40,7 +40,6 @@ export type TrackedWaitingToolCall = WaitingToolCall & {
 };
 export type TrackedExecutingToolCall = ExecutingToolCall & {
   responseSubmittedToGemini?: boolean;
-  pid?: number;
 };
 export type TrackedCompletedToolCall = CompletedToolCall & {
   responseSubmittedToGemini?: boolean;
@@ -134,7 +133,15 @@ export function useReactToolScheduler(
               ...coreTc,
               responseSubmittedToGemini,
               liveOutput,
-              pid: coreTc.pid,
+            };
+          } else if (
+            coreTc.status === 'success' ||
+            coreTc.status === 'error' ||
+            coreTc.status === 'cancelled'
+          ) {
+            return {
+              ...coreTc,
+              responseSubmittedToGemini,
             };
           } else {
             return {

packages/cli/src/ui/hooks/useSessionBrowser.test.ts

@@ -24,7 +24,14 @@ import { coreEvents } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
 // Mock modules
 vi.mock('fs/promises');
 vi.mock('path');
-vi.mock('../../utils/sessionUtils.js');
+vi.mock('../../utils/sessionUtils.js', async (importOriginal) => {
+  const actual =
+    await importOriginal<typeof import('../../utils/sessionUtils.js')>();
+  return {
+    ...actual,
+    getSessionFiles: vi.fn(),
+  };
+});
 
 const MOCKED_PROJECT_TEMP_DIR = '/test/project/temp';
 const MOCKED_CHATS_DIR = '/test/project/temp/chats';
@@ -178,6 +185,30 @@ describe('convertSessionToHistoryFormats', () => {
     });
   });
 
+  it('should prioritize displayContent for UI history but use content for client history', () => {
+    const messages: MessageRecord[] = [
+      {
+        type: 'user',
+        content: [{ text: 'Expanded content' }],
+        displayContent: [{ text: 'User input' }],
+      } as MessageRecord,
+    ];
+
+    const result = convertSessionToHistoryFormats(messages);
+
+    expect(result.uiHistory).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(result.uiHistory[0]).toMatchObject({
+      type: 'user',
+      text: 'User input',
+    });
+
+    expect(result.clientHistory).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(result.clientHistory[0]).toEqual({
+      role: 'user',
+      parts: [{ text: 'Expanded content' }],
+    });
+  });
+
   it('should filter out slash commands from client history but keep in UI', () => {
     const messages: MessageRecord[] = [
       { type: 'user', content: '/help' } as MessageRecord,

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

@@ -13,10 +13,12 @@ import type {
   ConversationRecord,
   ResumedSessionData,
 } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
-import type { Part } from '@google/genai';
-import { partListUnionToString, coreEvents } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
+import { coreEvents } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
 import type { SessionInfo } from '../../utils/sessionUtils.js';
-import { MessageType, ToolCallStatus } from '../types.js';
+import { convertSessionToHistoryFormats } from '../../utils/sessionUtils.js';
+import type { Part } from '@google/genai';
+
+export { convertSessionToHistoryFormats };
 
 export const useSessionBrowser = (
   config: Config,
@@ -111,179 +113,3 @@ export const useSessionBrowser = (
     ),
   };
 };
-
-/**
- * Converts session/conversation data into UI history and Gemini client history formats.
- */
-export function convertSessionToHistoryFormats(
-  messages: ConversationRecord['messages'],
-): {
-  uiHistory: HistoryItemWithoutId[];
-  clientHistory: Array<{ role: 'user' | 'model'; parts: Part[] }>;
-} {
-  const uiHistory: HistoryItemWithoutId[] = [];
-
-  for (const msg of messages) {
-    // Add the message only if it has content
-    const contentString = partListUnionToString(msg.content);
-    if (msg.content && contentString.trim()) {
-      let messageType: MessageType;
-      switch (msg.type) {
-        case 'user':
-          messageType = MessageType.USER;
-          break;
-        case 'info':
-          messageType = MessageType.INFO;
-          break;
-        case 'error':
-          messageType = MessageType.ERROR;
-          break;
-        case 'warning':
-          messageType = MessageType.WARNING;
-          break;
-        default:
-          messageType = MessageType.GEMINI;
-          break;
-      }
-
-      uiHistory.push({
-        type: messageType,
-        text: contentString,
-      });
-    }
-
-    // Add tool calls if present
-    if (
-      msg.type !== 'user' &&
-      'toolCalls' in msg &&
-      msg.toolCalls &&
-      msg.toolCalls.length > 0
-    ) {
-      uiHistory.push({
-        type: 'tool_group',
-        tools: msg.toolCalls.map((tool) => ({
-          callId: tool.id,
-          name: tool.displayName || tool.name,
-          description: tool.description || '',
-          renderOutputAsMarkdown: tool.renderOutputAsMarkdown ?? true,
-          status:
-            tool.status === 'success'
-              ? ToolCallStatus.Success
-              : ToolCallStatus.Error,
-          resultDisplay: tool.resultDisplay,
-          confirmationDetails: undefined,
-        })),
-      });
-    }
-  }
-
-  // Convert to Gemini client history format
-  const clientHistory: Array<{ role: 'user' | 'model'; parts: Part[] }> = [];
-
-  for (const msg of messages) {
-    // Skip system/error messages and user slash commands
-    if (msg.type === 'info' || msg.type === 'error' || msg.type === 'warning') {
-      continue;
-    }
-
-    if (msg.type === 'user') {
-      // Skip user slash commands
-      const contentString = partListUnionToString(msg.content);
-      if (
-        contentString.trim().startsWith('/') ||
-        contentString.trim().startsWith('?')
-      ) {
-        continue;
-      }
-
-      // Add regular user message
-      clientHistory.push({
-        role: 'user',
-        parts: [{ text: contentString }],
-      });
-    } else if (msg.type === 'gemini') {
-      // Handle Gemini messages with potential tool calls
-      const hasToolCalls = msg.toolCalls && msg.toolCalls.length > 0;
-
-      if (hasToolCalls) {
-        // Create model message with function calls
-        const modelParts: Part[] = [];
-
-        // Add text content if present
-        const contentString = partListUnionToString(msg.content);
-        if (msg.content && contentString.trim()) {
-          modelParts.push({ text: contentString });
-        }
-
-        // Add function calls
-        for (const toolCall of msg.toolCalls!) {
-          modelParts.push({
-            functionCall: {
-              name: toolCall.name,
-              args: toolCall.args,
-              ...(toolCall.id && { id: toolCall.id }),
-            },
-          });
-        }
-
-        clientHistory.push({
-          role: 'model',
-          parts: modelParts,
-        });
-
-        // Create single function response message with all tool call responses
-        const functionResponseParts: Part[] = [];
-        for (const toolCall of msg.toolCalls!) {
-          if (toolCall.result) {
-            // Convert PartListUnion result to function response format
-            let responseData: Part;
-
-            if (typeof toolCall.result === 'string') {
-              responseData = {
-                functionResponse: {
-                  id: toolCall.id,
-                  name: toolCall.name,
-                  response: {
-                    output: toolCall.result,
-                  },
-                },
-              };
-            } else if (Array.isArray(toolCall.result)) {
-              // toolCall.result is an array containing properly formatted
-              // function responses
-              functionResponseParts.push(...(toolCall.result as Part[]));
-              continue;
-            } else {
-              // Fallback for non-array results
-              responseData = toolCall.result;
-            }
-
-            functionResponseParts.push(responseData);
-          }
-        }
-
-        // Only add user message if we have function responses
-        if (functionResponseParts.length > 0) {
-          clientHistory.push({
-            role: 'user',
-            parts: functionResponseParts,
-          });
-        }
-      } else {
-        // Regular Gemini message without tool calls
-        const contentString = partListUnionToString(msg.content);
-        if (msg.content && contentString.trim()) {
-          clientHistory.push({
-            role: 'model',
-            parts: [{ text: contentString }],
-          });
-        }
-      }
-    }
-  }
-
-  return {
-    uiHistory,
-    clientHistory,
-  };
-}

packages/cli/src/ui/keyMatchers.test.ts

@@ -59,8 +59,12 @@ describe('keyMatchers', () => {
     },
     {
       command: Command.MOVE_LEFT,
-      positive: [createKey('left'), createKey('b', { ctrl: true })],
-      negative: [createKey('left', { ctrl: true }), createKey('b')],
+      positive: [createKey('left')],
+      negative: [
+        createKey('left', { ctrl: true }),
+        createKey('b'),
+        createKey('b', { ctrl: true }),
+      ],
     },
     {
       command: Command.MOVE_RIGHT,
@@ -285,7 +289,10 @@ describe('keyMatchers', () => {
     {
       command: Command.SHOW_ERROR_DETAILS,
       positive: [createKey('f12')],
-      negative: [createKey('o', { ctrl: true }), createKey('f11')],
+      negative: [
+        createKey('o', { ctrl: true }),
+        createKey('b', { ctrl: true }),
+      ],
     },
     {
       command: Command.SHOW_FULL_TODOS,
@@ -357,6 +364,16 @@ describe('keyMatchers', () => {
       positive: [createKey('tab', { shift: true })],
       negative: [createKey('tab')],
     },
+    {
+      command: Command.TOGGLE_BACKGROUND_SHELL,
+      positive: [createKey('b', { ctrl: true })],
+      negative: [createKey('f10'), createKey('b')],
+    },
+    {
+      command: Command.TOGGLE_BACKGROUND_SHELL_LIST,
+      positive: [createKey('l', { ctrl: true })],
+      negative: [createKey('l')],
+    },
   ];
 
   describe('Data-driven key binding matches original logic', () => {

packages/cli/src/ui/layouts/DefaultAppLayout.test.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,132 @@
+/**
+ * @license
+ * Copyright 2025 Google LLC
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
+import { render } from '../../test-utils/render.js';
+import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach } from 'vitest';
+import { DefaultAppLayout } from './DefaultAppLayout.js';
+import { StreamingState } from '../types.js';
+import { Text } from 'ink';
+import type { UIState } from '../contexts/UIStateContext.js';
+import type { BackgroundShell } from '../hooks/shellCommandProcessor.js';
+
+// Mock dependencies
+const mockUIState = {
+  rootUiRef: { current: null },
+  terminalHeight: 24,
+  terminalWidth: 80,
+  mainAreaWidth: 80,
+  backgroundShells: new Map<number, BackgroundShell>(),
+  activeBackgroundShellPid: null as number | null,
+  backgroundShellHeight: 10,
+  embeddedShellFocused: false,
+  dialogsVisible: false,
+  streamingState: StreamingState.Idle,
+  isBackgroundShellListOpen: false,
+  mainControlsRef: { current: null },
+  customDialog: null,
+  historyManager: { addItem: vi.fn() },
+  history: [],
+  pendingHistoryItems: [],
+  slashCommands: [],
+  constrainHeight: false,
+  availableTerminalHeight: 20,
+  activePtyId: null,
+  isBackgroundShellVisible: true,
+} as unknown as UIState;
+
+vi.mock('../contexts/UIStateContext.js', () => ({
+  useUIState: () => mockUIState,
+}));
+
+vi.mock('../hooks/useFlickerDetector.js', () => ({
+  useFlickerDetector: vi.fn(),
+}));
+
+vi.mock('../hooks/useAlternateBuffer.js', () => ({
+  useAlternateBuffer: vi.fn(() => false),
+}));
+
+vi.mock('../contexts/ConfigContext.js', () => ({
+  useConfig: () => ({
+    getAccessibility: vi.fn(() => ({
+      enableLoadingPhrases: true,
+    })),
+  }),
+}));
+
+// Mock child components to simplify output
+vi.mock('../components/LoadingIndicator.js', () => ({
+  LoadingIndicator: () => <Text>LoadingIndicator</Text>,
+}));
+vi.mock('../components/MainContent.js', () => ({
+  MainContent: () => <Text>MainContent</Text>,
+}));
+vi.mock('../components/Notifications.js', () => ({
+  Notifications: () => <Text>Notifications</Text>,
+}));
+vi.mock('../components/DialogManager.js', () => ({
+  DialogManager: () => <Text>DialogManager</Text>,
+}));
+vi.mock('../components/Composer.js', () => ({
+  Composer: () => <Text>Composer</Text>,
+}));
+vi.mock('../components/ExitWarning.js', () => ({
+  ExitWarning: () => <Text>ExitWarning</Text>,
+}));
+vi.mock('../components/CopyModeWarning.js', () => ({
+  CopyModeWarning: () => <Text>CopyModeWarning</Text>,
+}));
+vi.mock('../components/BackgroundShellDisplay.js', () => ({
+  BackgroundShellDisplay: () => <Text>BackgroundShellDisplay</Text>,
+}));
+
+const createMockShell = (pid: number): BackgroundShell => ({
+  pid,
+  command: 'test command',
+  output: 'test output',
+  isBinary: false,
+  binaryBytesReceived: 0,
+  status: 'running',
+});
+
+describe('<DefaultAppLayout />', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.clearAllMocks();
+    // Reset mock state defaults
+    mockUIState.backgroundShells = new Map();
+    mockUIState.activeBackgroundShellPid = null;
+    mockUIState.streamingState = StreamingState.Idle;
+  });
+
+  it('renders BackgroundShellDisplay when shells exist and active', () => {
+    mockUIState.backgroundShells.set(123, createMockShell(123));
+    mockUIState.activeBackgroundShellPid = 123;
+    mockUIState.backgroundShellHeight = 5;
+
+    const { lastFrame } = render(<DefaultAppLayout />);
+    expect(lastFrame()).toMatchSnapshot();
+  });
+
+  it('hides BackgroundShellDisplay when StreamingState is WaitingForConfirmation', () => {
+    mockUIState.backgroundShells.set(123, createMockShell(123));
+    mockUIState.activeBackgroundShellPid = 123;
+    mockUIState.backgroundShellHeight = 5;
+    mockUIState.streamingState = StreamingState.WaitingForConfirmation;
+
+    const { lastFrame } = render(<DefaultAppLayout />);
+    expect(lastFrame()).toMatchSnapshot();
+  });
+
+  it('shows BackgroundShellDisplay when StreamingState is NOT WaitingForConfirmation', () => {
+    mockUIState.backgroundShells.set(123, createMockShell(123));
+    mockUIState.activeBackgroundShellPid = 123;
+    mockUIState.backgroundShellHeight = 5;
+    mockUIState.streamingState = StreamingState.Responding;
+
+    const { lastFrame } = render(<DefaultAppLayout />);
+    expect(lastFrame()).toMatchSnapshot();
+  });
+});

packages/cli/src/ui/layouts/DefaultAppLayout.tsx

@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ import { useUIState } from '../contexts/UIStateContext.js';
 import { useFlickerDetector } from '../hooks/useFlickerDetector.js';
 import { useAlternateBuffer } from '../hooks/useAlternateBuffer.js';
 import { CopyModeWarning } from '../components/CopyModeWarning.js';
+import { BackgroundShellDisplay } from '../components/BackgroundShellDisplay.js';
+import { StreamingState } from '../types.js';
 
 export const DefaultAppLayout: React.FC = () => {
   const uiState = useUIState();
@@ -37,6 +39,24 @@ export const DefaultAppLayout: React.FC = () => {
     >
       <MainContent />
 
+      {uiState.isBackgroundShellVisible &&
+        uiState.backgroundShells.size > 0 &&
+        uiState.activeBackgroundShellPid &&
+        uiState.backgroundShellHeight > 0 &&
+        uiState.streamingState !== StreamingState.WaitingForConfirmation && (
+          <Box height={uiState.backgroundShellHeight} flexShrink={0}>
+            <BackgroundShellDisplay
+              shells={uiState.backgroundShells}
+              activePid={uiState.activeBackgroundShellPid}
+              width={uiState.terminalWidth}
+              height={uiState.backgroundShellHeight}
+              isFocused={
+                uiState.embeddedShellFocused && !uiState.dialogsVisible
+              }
+              isListOpenProp={uiState.isBackgroundShellListOpen}
+            />
+          </Box>
+        )}
       <Box
         flexDirection="column"
         ref={uiState.mainControlsRef}

packages/cli/src/ui/layouts/__snapshots__/DefaultAppLayout.test.tsx.snap

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+// Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
+
+exports[`<DefaultAppLayout /> > hides BackgroundShellDisplay when StreamingState is WaitingForConfirmation 1`] = `
+"MainContent
+Notifications
+CopyModeWarning
+Composer
+ExitWarning"
+`;
+
+exports[`<DefaultAppLayout /> > renders BackgroundShellDisplay when shells exist and active 1`] = `
+"MainContent
+BackgroundShellDisplay
+
+
+
+
+Notifications
+CopyModeWarning
+Composer
+ExitWarning"
+`;
+
+exports[`<DefaultAppLayout /> > shows BackgroundShellDisplay when StreamingState is NOT WaitingForConfirmation 1`] = `
+"MainContent
+BackgroundShellDisplay
+
+
+
+
+Notifications
+CopyModeWarning
+Composer
+ExitWarning"
+`;

packages/cli/src/ui/noninteractive/nonInteractiveUi.ts

@@ -29,5 +29,6 @@ export function createNonInteractiveUI(): CommandContext['ui'] {
     dispatchExtensionStateUpdate: (_action: ExtensionUpdateAction) => {},
     addConfirmUpdateExtensionRequest: (_request) => {},
     removeComponent: () => {},
+    toggleBackgroundShell: () => {},
   };
 }

packages/cli/src/ui/utils/__snapshots__/TableRenderer.test.tsx.snap

@@ -1,35 +1,5 @@
 // Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
 
-exports[`TableRenderer > handles empty rows 1`] = `
-"
-┌──────┬──────┬────────┐
-│ Name │ Role │ Status │
-├──────┼──────┼────────┤
-└──────┴──────┴────────┘
-"
-`;
-
-exports[`TableRenderer > handles markdown content in cells 1`] = `
-"
-┌───────┬──────────┬────────┐
-│ Name  │ Role     │ Status │
-├───────┼──────────┼────────┤
-│ Alice │ Engineer │ Active │
-└───────┴──────────┴────────┘
-"
-`;
-
-exports[`TableRenderer > handles rows with missing cells 1`] = `
-"
-┌───────┬──────────┬────────┐
-│ Name  │ Role     │ Status │
-├───────┼──────────┼────────┤
-│ Alice │ Engineer │
-│ Bob   │
-└───────┴──────────┴────────┘
-"
-`;
-
 exports[`TableRenderer > renders a 3x3 table correctly 1`] = `
 "
 ┌──────────────┬──────────────┬──────────────┐
@@ -42,18 +12,6 @@ exports[`TableRenderer > renders a 3x3 table correctly 1`] = `
 "
 `;
 
-exports[`TableRenderer > renders a simple table correctly 1`] = `
-"
-┌─────────┬──────────┬──────────┐
-│ Name    │ Role     │ Status   │
-├─────────┼──────────┼──────────┤
-│ Alice   │ Engineer │ Active   │
-│ Bob     │ Designer │ Inactive │
-│ Charlie │ Manager  │ Active   │
-└─────────┴──────────┴──────────┘
-"
-`;
-
 exports[`TableRenderer > renders a table with long headers and 4 columns correctly 1`] = `
 "
 ┌──────────────────┬──────────────────┬───────────────────┬──────────────────┐
@@ -65,25 +23,3 @@ exports[`TableRenderer > renders a table with long headers and 4 columns correct
 └──────────────────┴──────────────────┴───────────────────┴──────────────────┘
 "
 `;
-
-exports[`TableRenderer > truncates content when terminal width is small 1`] = `
-"
-┌────────┬─────────┬─────────┐
-│ Name   │ Role    │ Status  │
-├────────┼─────────┼─────────┤
-│ Alice  │ Engi... │ Active  │
-│ Bob    │ Desi... │ Inac... │
-│ Cha... │ Manager │ Active  │
-└────────┴─────────┴─────────┘
-"
-`;
-
-exports[`TableRenderer > truncates long markdown content correctly 1`] = `
-"
-┌───────────────────────────┬─────┬────┐
-│ Name                      │ Rol │ St │
-├───────────────────────────┼─────┼────┤
-│ Alice with a very long... │ Eng │ Ac │
-└───────────────────────────┴─────┴────┘
-"
-`;

packages/cli/src/utils/sessionUtils.ts

@@ -16,6 +16,13 @@ import {
 import * as fs from 'node:fs/promises';
 import path from 'node:path';
 import { stripUnsafeCharacters } from '../ui/utils/textUtils.js';
+import type { Part } from '@google/genai';
+import { checkExhaustive } from './checks.js';
+import {
+  MessageType,
+  ToolCallStatus,
+  type HistoryItemWithoutId,
+} from '../ui/types.js';
 
 /**
  * Constant for the resume "latest" identifier.
@@ -514,3 +521,190 @@ export class SessionSelector {
     }
   }
 }
+
+/**
+ * Converts session/conversation data into UI history and Gemini client history formats.
+ */
+export function convertSessionToHistoryFormats(
+  messages: ConversationRecord['messages'],
+): {
+  uiHistory: HistoryItemWithoutId[];
+  clientHistory: Array<{ role: 'user' | 'model'; parts: Part[] }>;
+} {
+  const uiHistory: HistoryItemWithoutId[] = [];
+
+  for (const msg of messages) {
+    // Add the message only if it has content
+    const displayContentString = msg.displayContent
+      ? partListUnionToString(msg.displayContent)
+      : undefined;
+    const contentString = partListUnionToString(msg.content);
+    const uiText = displayContentString || contentString;
+
+    if (uiText.trim()) {
+      let messageType: MessageType;
+      switch (msg.type) {
+        case 'user':
+          messageType = MessageType.USER;
+          break;
+        case 'info':
+          messageType = MessageType.INFO;
+          break;
+        case 'error':
+          messageType = MessageType.ERROR;
+          break;
+        case 'warning':
+          messageType = MessageType.WARNING;
+          break;
+        case 'gemini':
+          messageType = MessageType.GEMINI;
+          break;
+        default:
+          checkExhaustive(msg);
+          messageType = MessageType.GEMINI;
+          break;
+      }
+
+      uiHistory.push({
+        type: messageType,
+        text: uiText,
+      });
+    }
+
+    // Add tool calls if present
+    if (
+      msg.type !== 'user' &&
+      'toolCalls' in msg &&
+      msg.toolCalls &&
+      msg.toolCalls.length > 0
+    ) {
+      uiHistory.push({
+        type: 'tool_group',
+        tools: msg.toolCalls.map((tool) => ({
+          callId: tool.id,
+          name: tool.displayName || tool.name,
+          description: tool.description || '',
+          renderOutputAsMarkdown: tool.renderOutputAsMarkdown ?? true,
+          status:
+            tool.status === 'success'
+              ? ToolCallStatus.Success
+              : ToolCallStatus.Error,
+          resultDisplay: tool.resultDisplay,
+          confirmationDetails: undefined,
+        })),
+      });
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Convert to Gemini client history format
+  const clientHistory: Array<{ role: 'user' | 'model'; parts: Part[] }> = [];
+
+  for (const msg of messages) {
+    // Skip system/error messages and user slash commands
+    if (msg.type === 'info' || msg.type === 'error' || msg.type === 'warning') {
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    if (msg.type === 'user') {
+      // Skip user slash commands
+      const contentString = partListUnionToString(msg.content);
+      if (
+        contentString.trim().startsWith('/') ||
+        contentString.trim().startsWith('?')
+      ) {
+        continue;
+      }
+
+      // Add regular user message
+      clientHistory.push({
+        role: 'user',
+        parts: Array.isArray(msg.content)
+          ? (msg.content as Part[])
+          : [{ text: contentString }],
+      });
+    } else if (msg.type === 'gemini') {
+      // Handle Gemini messages with potential tool calls
+      const hasToolCalls = msg.toolCalls && msg.toolCalls.length > 0;
+
+      if (hasToolCalls) {
+        // Create model message with function calls
+        const modelParts: Part[] = [];
+
+        // Add text content if present
+        const contentString = partListUnionToString(msg.content);
+        if (msg.content && contentString.trim()) {
+          modelParts.push({ text: contentString });
+        }
+
+        // Add function calls
+        for (const toolCall of msg.toolCalls!) {
+          modelParts.push({
+            functionCall: {
+              name: toolCall.name,
+              args: toolCall.args,
+              ...(toolCall.id && { id: toolCall.id }),
+            },
+          });
+        }
+
+        clientHistory.push({
+          role: 'model',
+          parts: modelParts,
+        });
+
+        // Create single function response message with all tool call responses
+        const functionResponseParts: Part[] = [];
+        for (const toolCall of msg.toolCalls!) {
+          if (toolCall.result) {
+            // Convert PartListUnion result to function response format
+            let responseData: Part;
+
+            if (typeof toolCall.result === 'string') {
+              responseData = {
+                functionResponse: {
+                  id: toolCall.id,
+                  name: toolCall.name,
+                  response: {
+                    output: toolCall.result,
+                  },
+                },
+              };
+            } else if (Array.isArray(toolCall.result)) {
+              // toolCall.result is an array containing properly formatted
+              // function responses
+              functionResponseParts.push(...(toolCall.result as Part[]));
+              continue;
+            } else {
+              // Fallback for non-array results
+              responseData = toolCall.result;
+            }
+
+            functionResponseParts.push(responseData);
+          }
+        }
+
+        // Only add user message if we have function responses
+        if (functionResponseParts.length > 0) {
+          clientHistory.push({
+            role: 'user',
+            parts: functionResponseParts,
+          });
+        }
+      } else {
+        // Regular Gemini message without tool calls
+        const contentString = partListUnionToString(msg.content);
+        if (msg.content && contentString.trim()) {
+          clientHistory.push({
+            role: 'model',
+            parts: [{ text: contentString }],
+          });
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  return {
+    uiHistory,
+    clientHistory,
+  };
+}

packages/cli/src/zed-integration/acpResume.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,224 @@
+/**
+ * @license
+ * Copyright 2025 Google LLC
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
+import {
+  describe,
+  it,
+  expect,
+  vi,
+  beforeEach,
+  type Mocked,
+  type Mock,
+} from 'vitest';
+import { GeminiAgent } from './zedIntegration.js';
+import * as acp from '@agentclientprotocol/sdk';
+import { AuthType, type Config } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
+import { loadCliConfig, type CliArgs } from '../config/config.js';
+import {
+  SessionSelector,
+  convertSessionToHistoryFormats,
+} from '../utils/sessionUtils.js';
+import type { LoadedSettings } from '../config/settings.js';
+
+vi.mock('../config/config.js', () => ({
+  loadCliConfig: vi.fn(),
+}));
+
+vi.mock('../utils/sessionUtils.js', async (importOriginal) => {
+  const actual =
+    await importOriginal<typeof import('../utils/sessionUtils.js')>();
+  return {
+    ...actual,
+    SessionSelector: vi.fn(),
+    convertSessionToHistoryFormats: vi.fn(),
+  };
+});
+
+describe('GeminiAgent Session Resume', () => {
+  let mockConfig: Mocked<Config>;
+  let mockSettings: Mocked<LoadedSettings>;
+  let mockArgv: CliArgs;
+  let mockConnection: Mocked<acp.AgentSideConnection>;
+  let agent: GeminiAgent;
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    mockConfig = {
+      refreshAuth: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined),
+      initialize: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined),
+      getFileSystemService: vi.fn(),
+      setFileSystemService: vi.fn(),
+      getGeminiClient: vi.fn().mockReturnValue({
+        initialize: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined),
+        resumeChat: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined),
+        getChat: vi.fn().mockReturnValue({}),
+      }),
+      storage: {
+        getProjectTempDir: vi.fn().mockReturnValue('/tmp/project'),
+      },
+    } as unknown as Mocked<Config>;
+    mockSettings = {
+      merged: {
+        security: { auth: { selectedType: AuthType.LOGIN_WITH_GOOGLE } },
+        mcpServers: {},
+      },
+      setValue: vi.fn(),
+    } as unknown as Mocked<LoadedSettings>;
+    mockArgv = {} as unknown as CliArgs;
+    mockConnection = {
+      sessionUpdate: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined),
+    } as unknown as Mocked<acp.AgentSideConnection>;
+
+    (loadCliConfig as Mock).mockResolvedValue(mockConfig);
+
+    agent = new GeminiAgent(mockConfig, mockSettings, mockArgv, mockConnection);
+  });
+
+  it('should advertise loadSession capability', async () => {
+    const response = await agent.initialize({
+      protocolVersion: acp.PROTOCOL_VERSION,
+    });
+    expect(response.agentCapabilities?.loadSession).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('should load a session, resume chat, and stream all message types', async () => {
+    const sessionId = 'existing-session-id';
+    const sessionData = {
+      sessionId,
+      messages: [
+        { type: 'user', content: [{ text: 'Hello' }] },
+        {
+          type: 'gemini',
+          content: [{ text: 'Hi there' }],
+          thoughts: [{ subject: 'Thinking', description: 'about greeting' }],
+          toolCalls: [
+            {
+              id: 'call-1',
+              name: 'test_tool',
+              displayName: 'Test Tool',
+              status: 'success',
+              resultDisplay: 'Tool output',
+            },
+          ],
+        },
+        {
+          type: 'gemini',
+          content: [{ text: 'Trying a write' }],
+          toolCalls: [
+            {
+              id: 'call-2',
+              name: 'write_file',
+              displayName: 'Write File',
+              status: 'error',
+              resultDisplay: 'Permission denied',
+            },
+          ],
+        },
+      ],
+    };
+
+    mockConfig.getToolRegistry = vi.fn().mockReturnValue({
+      getTool: vi.fn().mockReturnValue({ kind: 'read' }),
+    });
+
+    (SessionSelector as unknown as Mock).mockImplementation(() => ({
+      resolveSession: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
+        sessionData,
+        sessionPath: '/path/to/session.json',
+      }),
+    }));
+
+    const mockClientHistory = [
+      { role: 'user', parts: [{ text: 'Hello' }] },
+      { role: 'model', parts: [{ text: 'Hi there' }] },
+    ];
+    (convertSessionToHistoryFormats as unknown as Mock).mockReturnValue({
+      clientHistory: mockClientHistory,
+      uiHistory: [],
+    });
+
+    const response = await agent.loadSession({
+      sessionId,
+      cwd: '/tmp',
+      mcpServers: [],
+    });
+
+    expect(response).toEqual({});
+
+    // Verify resumeChat received the correct arguments
+    expect(mockConfig.getGeminiClient().resumeChat).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      mockClientHistory,
+      expect.objectContaining({
+        conversation: sessionData,
+        filePath: '/path/to/session.json',
+      }),
+    );
+
+    await vi.waitFor(() => {
+      // User message
+      expect(mockConnection.sessionUpdate).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        expect.objectContaining({
+          update: expect.objectContaining({
+            sessionUpdate: 'user_message_chunk',
+            content: expect.objectContaining({ text: 'Hello' }),
+          }),
+        }),
+      );
+
+      // Agent thought
+      expect(mockConnection.sessionUpdate).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        expect.objectContaining({
+          update: expect.objectContaining({
+            sessionUpdate: 'agent_thought_chunk',
+            content: expect.objectContaining({
+              text: '**Thinking**\nabout greeting',
+            }),
+          }),
+        }),
+      );
+
+      // Agent message
+      expect(mockConnection.sessionUpdate).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        expect.objectContaining({
+          update: expect.objectContaining({
+            sessionUpdate: 'agent_message_chunk',
+            content: expect.objectContaining({ text: 'Hi there' }),
+          }),
+        }),
+      );
+
+      // Successful tool call → 'completed'
+      expect(mockConnection.sessionUpdate).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        expect.objectContaining({
+          update: expect.objectContaining({
+            sessionUpdate: 'tool_call',
+            toolCallId: 'call-1',
+            status: 'completed',
+            title: 'Test Tool',
+            kind: 'read',
+            content: [
+              {
+                type: 'content',
+                content: { type: 'text', text: 'Tool output' },
+              },
+            ],
+          }),
+        }),
+      );
+
+      // Failed tool call → 'failed'
+      expect(mockConnection.sessionUpdate).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        expect.objectContaining({
+          update: expect.objectContaining({
+            sessionUpdate: 'tool_call',
+            toolCallId: 'call-2',
+            status: 'failed',
+            title: 'Write File',
+          }),
+        }),
+      );
+    });
+  });
+});

packages/cli/src/zed-integration/zedIntegration.test.ts

@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ describe('GeminiAgent', () => {
 
     expect(response.protocolVersion).toBe(acp.PROTOCOL_VERSION);
     expect(response.authMethods).toHaveLength(3);
-    expect(response.agentCapabilities?.loadSession).toBe(false);
+    expect(response.agentCapabilities?.loadSession).toBe(true);
   });
 
   it('should authenticate correctly', async () => {
@@ -273,6 +273,7 @@ describe('Session', () => {
     mockChat = {
       sendMessageStream: vi.fn(),
       addHistory: vi.fn(),
+      recordCompletedToolCalls: vi.fn(),
     } as unknown as Mocked<GeminiChat>;
     mockTool = {
       kind: 'native',
@@ -293,6 +294,7 @@ describe('Session', () => {
     } as unknown as Mocked<MessageBus>;
     mockConfig = {
       getModel: vi.fn().mockReturnValue('gemini-pro'),
+      getActiveModel: vi.fn().mockReturnValue('gemini-pro'),
       getPreviewFeatures: vi.fn().mockReturnValue({}),
       getToolRegistry: vi.fn().mockReturnValue(mockToolRegistry),
       getFileService: vi.fn().mockReturnValue({

packages/cli/src/zed-integration/zedIntegration.ts

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import type {
   ToolResult,
   ToolCallConfirmationDetails,
   FilterFilesOptions,
+  ConversationRecord,
 } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
 import {
   AuthType,
@@ -32,6 +33,7 @@ import {
   createWorkingStdio,
   startupProfiler,
   Kind,
+  partListUnionToString,
 } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
 import * as acp from '@agentclientprotocol/sdk';
 import { AcpFileSystemService } from './fileSystemService.js';
@@ -47,6 +49,10 @@ import { randomUUID } from 'node:crypto';
 import type { CliArgs } from '../config/config.js';
 import { loadCliConfig } from '../config/config.js';
 import { runExitCleanup } from '../utils/cleanup.js';
+import {
+  SessionSelector,
+  convertSessionToHistoryFormats,
+} from '../utils/sessionUtils.js';
 
 export async function runZedIntegration(
   config: Config,
@@ -107,7 +113,7 @@ export class GeminiAgent {
       protocolVersion: acp.PROTOCOL_VERSION,
       authMethods,
       agentCapabilities: {
-        loadSession: false,
+        loadSession: true,
         promptCapabilities: {
           image: true,
           audio: true,
@@ -146,23 +152,11 @@ export class GeminiAgent {
     mcpServers,
   }: acp.NewSessionRequest): Promise<acp.NewSessionResponse> {
     const sessionId = randomUUID();
-    const config = await this.newSessionConfig(sessionId, cwd, mcpServers);
-
-    let isAuthenticated = false;
-    if (this.settings.merged.security.auth.selectedType) {
-      try {
-        await config.refreshAuth(
-          this.settings.merged.security.auth.selectedType,
-        );
-        isAuthenticated = true;
-      } catch (e) {
-        debugLogger.error(`Authentication failed: ${e}`);
-      }
-    }
-
-    if (!isAuthenticated) {
-      throw acp.RequestError.authRequired();
-    }
+    const config = await this.initializeSessionConfig(
+      sessionId,
+      cwd,
+      mcpServers,
+    );
 
     if (this.clientCapabilities?.fs) {
       const acpFileSystemService = new AcpFileSystemService(
@@ -184,6 +178,88 @@ export class GeminiAgent {
     };
   }
 
+  async loadSession({
+    sessionId,
+    cwd,
+    mcpServers,
+  }: acp.LoadSessionRequest): Promise<acp.LoadSessionResponse> {
+    const config = await this.initializeSessionConfig(
+      sessionId,
+      cwd,
+      mcpServers,
+    );
+
+    const sessionSelector = new SessionSelector(config);
+    const { sessionData, sessionPath } =
+      await sessionSelector.resolveSession(sessionId);
+
+    if (this.clientCapabilities?.fs) {
+      const acpFileSystemService = new AcpFileSystemService(
+        this.connection,
+        sessionId,
+        this.clientCapabilities.fs,
+        config.getFileSystemService(),
+      );
+      config.setFileSystemService(acpFileSystemService);
+    }
+
+    const { clientHistory } = convertSessionToHistoryFormats(
+      sessionData.messages,
+    );
+
+    const geminiClient = config.getGeminiClient();
+    await geminiClient.initialize();
+    await geminiClient.resumeChat(clientHistory, {
+      conversation: sessionData,
+      filePath: sessionPath,
+    });
+
+    const session = new Session(
+      sessionId,
+      geminiClient.getChat(),
+      config,
+      this.connection,
+    );
+    this.sessions.set(sessionId, session);
+
+    // Stream history back to client
+    // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-floating-promises
+    session.streamHistory(sessionData.messages);
+
+    return {};
+  }
+
+  private async initializeSessionConfig(
+    sessionId: string,
+    cwd: string,
+    mcpServers: acp.McpServer[],
+  ): Promise<Config> {
+    const selectedAuthType = this.settings.merged.security.auth.selectedType;
+    if (!selectedAuthType) {
+      throw acp.RequestError.authRequired();
+    }
+
+    // 1. Create config WITHOUT initializing it (no MCP servers started yet)
+    const config = await this.newSessionConfig(sessionId, cwd, mcpServers);
+
+    // 2. Authenticate BEFORE initializing configuration or starting MCP servers.
+    // This satisfies the security requirement to verify the user before executing
+    // potentially unsafe server definitions.
+    try {
+      await config.refreshAuth(selectedAuthType);
+    } catch (e) {
+      debugLogger.error(`Authentication failed: ${e}`);
+      throw acp.RequestError.authRequired();
+    }
+
+    // 3. Now that we are authenticated, it is safe to initialize the config
+    // which starts the MCP servers and other heavy resources.
+    await config.initialize();
+    startupProfiler.flush(config);
+
+    return config;
+  }
+
   async newSessionConfig(
     sessionId: string,
     cwd: string,
@@ -228,8 +304,6 @@ export class GeminiAgent {
 
     const config = await loadCliConfig(settings, sessionId, this.argv, { cwd });
 
-    await config.initialize();
-    startupProfiler.flush(config);
     return config;
   }
 
@@ -269,6 +343,73 @@ export class Session {
     this.pendingPrompt = null;
   }
 
+  async streamHistory(messages: ConversationRecord['messages']): Promise<void> {
+    for (const msg of messages) {
+      const contentString = partListUnionToString(msg.content);
+
+      if (msg.type === 'user') {
+        if (contentString.trim()) {
+          await this.sendUpdate({
+            sessionUpdate: 'user_message_chunk',
+            content: { type: 'text', text: contentString },
+          });
+        }
+      } else if (msg.type === 'gemini') {
+        // Thoughts
+        if (msg.thoughts) {
+          for (const thought of msg.thoughts) {
+            const thoughtText = `**${thought.subject}**\n${thought.description}`;
+            await this.sendUpdate({
+              sessionUpdate: 'agent_thought_chunk',
+              content: { type: 'text', text: thoughtText },
+            });
+          }
+        }
+
+        // Message text
+        if (contentString.trim()) {
+          await this.sendUpdate({
+            sessionUpdate: 'agent_message_chunk',
+            content: { type: 'text', text: contentString },
+          });
+        }
+
+        // Tool calls
+        if (msg.toolCalls) {
+          for (const toolCall of msg.toolCalls) {
+            const toolCallContent: acp.ToolCallContent[] = [];
+            if (toolCall.resultDisplay) {
+              if (typeof toolCall.resultDisplay === 'string') {
+                toolCallContent.push({
+                  type: 'content',
+                  content: { type: 'text', text: toolCall.resultDisplay },
+                });
+              } else if ('fileName' in toolCall.resultDisplay) {
+                toolCallContent.push({
+                  type: 'diff',
+                  path: toolCall.resultDisplay.fileName,
+                  oldText: toolCall.resultDisplay.originalContent,
+                  newText: toolCall.resultDisplay.newContent,
+                });
+              }
+            }
+
+            const tool = this.config.getToolRegistry().getTool(toolCall.name);
+
+            await this.sendUpdate({
+              sessionUpdate: 'tool_call',
+              toolCallId: toolCall.id,
+              status: toolCall.status === 'success' ? 'completed' : 'failed',
+              title: toolCall.displayName || toolCall.name,
+              content: toolCallContent,
+              kind: tool ? toAcpToolKind(tool.kind) : 'other',
+            });
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
   async prompt(params: acp.PromptRequest): Promise<acp.PromptResponse> {
     this.pendingPrompt?.abort();
     const pendingSend = new AbortController();
@@ -533,6 +674,33 @@ export class Session {
         ),
       );
 
+      this.chat.recordCompletedToolCalls(this.config.getActiveModel(), [
+        {
+          status: 'success',
+          request: {
+            callId,
+            name: fc.name,
+            args,
+            isClientInitiated: false,
+            prompt_id: promptId,
+          },
+          tool,
+          invocation,
+          response: {
+            callId,
+            responseParts: convertToFunctionResponse(
+              fc.name,
+              callId,
+              toolResult.llmContent,
+              this.config.getActiveModel(),
+            ),
+            resultDisplay: toolResult.returnDisplay,
+            error: undefined,
+            errorType: undefined,
+          },
+        },
+      ]);
+
       return convertToFunctionResponse(
         fc.name,
         callId,
@@ -551,6 +719,35 @@ export class Session {
         ],
       });
 
+      this.chat.recordCompletedToolCalls(this.config.getActiveModel(), [
+        {
+          status: 'error',
+          request: {
+            callId,
+            name: fc.name,
+            args,
+            isClientInitiated: false,
+            prompt_id: promptId,
+          },
+          tool,
+          response: {
+            callId,
+            responseParts: [
+              {
+                functionResponse: {
+                  id: callId,
+                  name: fc.name ?? '',
+                  response: { error: error.message },
+                },
+              },
+            ],
+            resultDisplay: error.message,
+            error,
+            errorType: undefined,
+          },
+        },
+      ]);
+
       return errorResponse(error);
     }
   }
@@ -983,6 +1180,9 @@ function toPermissionOptions(
         },
         ...basicPermissionOptions,
       ];
+    case 'ask_user':
+      // askuser doesn't need "always allow" options since it's asking questions
+      return [...basicPermissionOptions];
     default: {
       const unreachable: never = confirmation;
       throw new Error(`Unexpected: ${unreachable}`);

packages/core/src/agents/registry.test.ts

@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import type { ConfigParameters } from '../config/config.js';
 import type { ToolRegistry } from '../tools/tool-registry.js';
 import { ThinkingLevel } from '@google/genai';
 import type { AcknowledgedAgentsService } from './acknowledgedAgents.js';
+import { PolicyDecision } from '../policy/types.js';
 
 vi.mock('./agentLoader.js', () => ({
   loadAgentsFromDirectory: vi
@@ -657,6 +658,114 @@ describe('AgentRegistry', () => {
       await Promise.all(promises);
       expect(registry.getAllDefinitions()).toHaveLength(100);
     });
+
+    it('should dynamically register an ALLOW policy for local agents', async () => {
+      const agent: AgentDefinition = {
+        ...MOCK_AGENT_V1,
+        name: 'PolicyTestAgent',
+      };
+      const policyEngine = mockConfig.getPolicyEngine();
+      const addRuleSpy = vi.spyOn(policyEngine, 'addRule');
+
+      await registry.testRegisterAgent(agent);
+
+      expect(addRuleSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        expect.objectContaining({
+          toolName: 'PolicyTestAgent',
+          decision: PolicyDecision.ALLOW,
+          priority: 1.05,
+        }),
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('should dynamically register an ASK_USER policy for remote agents', async () => {
+      const remoteAgent: AgentDefinition = {
+        kind: 'remote',
+        name: 'RemotePolicyAgent',
+        description: 'A remote agent',
+        agentCardUrl: 'https://example.com/card',
+        inputConfig: { inputSchema: { type: 'object' } },
+      };
+
+      vi.mocked(A2AClientManager.getInstance).mockReturnValue({
+        loadAgent: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({ name: 'RemotePolicyAgent' }),
+      } as unknown as A2AClientManager);
+
+      const policyEngine = mockConfig.getPolicyEngine();
+      const addRuleSpy = vi.spyOn(policyEngine, 'addRule');
+
+      await registry.testRegisterAgent(remoteAgent);
+
+      expect(addRuleSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        expect.objectContaining({
+          toolName: 'RemotePolicyAgent',
+          decision: PolicyDecision.ASK_USER,
+          priority: 1.05,
+        }),
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('should not register a policy if a USER policy already exists', async () => {
+      const agent: AgentDefinition = {
+        ...MOCK_AGENT_V1,
+        name: 'ExistingUserPolicyAgent',
+      };
+      const policyEngine = mockConfig.getPolicyEngine();
+      // Mock hasRuleForTool to return true when ignoreDynamic=true (simulating a user policy)
+      vi.spyOn(policyEngine, 'hasRuleForTool').mockImplementation(
+        (toolName, ignoreDynamic) =>
+          toolName === 'ExistingUserPolicyAgent' && ignoreDynamic === true,
+      );
+      const addRuleSpy = vi.spyOn(policyEngine, 'addRule');
+
+      await registry.testRegisterAgent(agent);
+
+      expect(addRuleSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    });
+
+    it('should replace an existing dynamic policy when an agent is overwritten', async () => {
+      const localAgent: AgentDefinition = {
+        ...MOCK_AGENT_V1,
+        name: 'OverwrittenAgent',
+      };
+      const remoteAgent: AgentDefinition = {
+        kind: 'remote',
+        name: 'OverwrittenAgent',
+        description: 'A remote agent',
+        agentCardUrl: 'https://example.com/card',
+        inputConfig: { inputSchema: { type: 'object' } },
+      };
+
+      vi.mocked(A2AClientManager.getInstance).mockReturnValue({
+        loadAgent: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({ name: 'OverwrittenAgent' }),
+      } as unknown as A2AClientManager);
+
+      const policyEngine = mockConfig.getPolicyEngine();
+      const removeRuleSpy = vi.spyOn(policyEngine, 'removeRulesForTool');
+      const addRuleSpy = vi.spyOn(policyEngine, 'addRule');
+
+      // 1. Register local
+      await registry.testRegisterAgent(localAgent);
+      expect(addRuleSpy).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(
+        expect.objectContaining({ decision: PolicyDecision.ALLOW }),
+      );
+
+      // 2. Overwrite with remote
+      await registry.testRegisterAgent(remoteAgent);
+
+      // Verify old dynamic rule was removed
+      expect(removeRuleSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        'OverwrittenAgent',
+        'AgentRegistry (Dynamic)',
+      );
+      // Verify new dynamic rule (remote -> ASK_USER) was added
+      expect(addRuleSpy).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(
+        expect.objectContaining({
+          toolName: 'OverwrittenAgent',
+          decision: PolicyDecision.ASK_USER,
+        }),
+      );
+    });
   });
 
   describe('reload', () => {

packages/core/src/agents/registry.ts

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import {
   type ModelConfig,
   ModelConfigService,
 } from '../services/modelConfigService.js';
+import { PolicyDecision } from '../policy/types.js';
 
 /**
  * Returns the model config alias for a given agent definition.
@@ -266,6 +267,39 @@ export class AgentRegistry {
     this.agents.set(mergedDefinition.name, mergedDefinition);
 
     this.registerModelConfigs(mergedDefinition);
+    this.addAgentPolicy(mergedDefinition);
+  }
+
+  private addAgentPolicy(definition: AgentDefinition<z.ZodTypeAny>): void {
+    const policyEngine = this.config.getPolicyEngine();
+    if (!policyEngine) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // If the user has explicitly defined a policy for this tool, respect it.
+    // ignoreDynamic=true means we only check for rules NOT added by this registry.
+    if (policyEngine.hasRuleForTool(definition.name, true)) {
+      if (this.config.getDebugMode()) {
+        debugLogger.log(
+          `[AgentRegistry] User policy exists for '${definition.name}', skipping dynamic registration.`,
+        );
+      }
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // Clean up any old dynamic policy for this tool (e.g. if we are overwriting an agent)
+    policyEngine.removeRulesForTool(definition.name, 'AgentRegistry (Dynamic)');
+
+    // Add the new dynamic policy
+    policyEngine.addRule({
+      toolName: definition.name,
+      decision:
+        definition.kind === 'local'
+          ? PolicyDecision.ALLOW
+          : PolicyDecision.ASK_USER,
+      priority: 1.05,
+      source: 'AgentRegistry (Dynamic)',
+    });
   }
 
   private isAgentEnabled<TOutput extends z.ZodTypeAny>(
@@ -342,6 +376,7 @@ export class AgentRegistry {
         );
       }
       this.agents.set(definition.name, definition);
+      this.addAgentPolicy(definition);
     } catch (e) {
       debugLogger.warn(
         `[AgentRegistry] Error loading A2A agent "${definition.name}":`,

packages/core/src/code_assist/admin/admin_controls.test.ts

@@ -17,8 +17,15 @@ import {
   fetchAdminControls,
   sanitizeAdminSettings,
   stopAdminControlsPolling,
+  getAdminErrorMessage,
 } from './admin_controls.js';
 import type { CodeAssistServer } from '../server.js';
+import type { Config } from '../../config/config.js';
+import { getCodeAssistServer } from '../codeAssist.js';
+
+vi.mock('../codeAssist.js', () => ({
+  getCodeAssistServer: vi.fn(),
+}));
 
 describe('Admin Controls', () => {
   let mockServer: CodeAssistServer;
@@ -370,6 +377,57 @@ describe('Admin Controls', () => {
 
       // The poll should not have fired again
       expect(mockServer.fetchAdminControls).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+      expect(mockServer.fetchAdminControls).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('getAdminErrorMessage', () => {
+    let mockConfig: Config;
+
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      mockConfig = {} as Config;
+    });
+
+    it('should include feature name and project ID when present', () => {
+      vi.mocked(getCodeAssistServer).mockReturnValue({
+        projectId: 'test-project-123',
+      } as CodeAssistServer);
+
+      const message = getAdminErrorMessage('Code Completion', mockConfig);
+
+      expect(message).toBe(
+        'Code Completion is disabled by your administrator. To enable it, please request an update to the settings at: https://goo.gle/manage-gemini-cli?project=test-project-123',
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('should include feature name but OMIT project ID when missing', () => {
+      vi.mocked(getCodeAssistServer).mockReturnValue({
+        projectId: undefined,
+      } as CodeAssistServer);
+
+      const message = getAdminErrorMessage('Chat', mockConfig);
+
+      expect(message).toBe(
+        'Chat is disabled by your administrator. To enable it, please request an update to the settings at: https://goo.gle/manage-gemini-cli',
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('should include feature name but OMIT project ID when server is undefined', () => {
+      vi.mocked(getCodeAssistServer).mockReturnValue(undefined);
+
+      const message = getAdminErrorMessage('Chat', mockConfig);
+
+      expect(message).toBe(
+        'Chat is disabled by your administrator. To enable it, please request an update to the settings at: https://goo.gle/manage-gemini-cli',
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('should include feature name but OMIT project ID when config is undefined', () => {
+      const message = getAdminErrorMessage('Chat', undefined);
+
+      expect(message).toBe(
+        'Chat is disabled by your administrator. To enable it, please request an update to the settings at: https://goo.gle/manage-gemini-cli',
+      );
     });
   });
 });

packages/core/src/code_assist/admin/admin_controls.ts

@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ import {
   type FetchAdminControlsResponse,
   FetchAdminControlsResponseSchema,
 } from '../types.js';
+import { getCodeAssistServer } from '../codeAssist.js';
+import type { Config } from '../../config/config.js';
 
 let pollingInterval: NodeJS.Timeout | undefined;
 let currentSettings: FetchAdminControlsResponse | undefined;
@@ -132,3 +134,20 @@ export function stopAdminControlsPolling() {
     pollingInterval = undefined;
   }
 }
+
+/**
+ * Returns a standardized error message for features disabled by admin settings.
+ *
+ * @param featureName The name of the disabled feature
+ * @param config The application config
+ * @returns The formatted error message
+ */
+export function getAdminErrorMessage(
+  featureName: string,
+  config: Config | undefined,
+): string {
+  const server = config ? getCodeAssistServer(config) : undefined;
+  const projectId = server?.projectId;
+  const projectParam = projectId ? `?project=${projectId}` : '';
+  return `${featureName} is disabled by your administrator. To enable it, please request an update to the settings at: https://goo.gle/manage-gemini-cli${projectParam}`;
+}