Merge branch 'main' into test-workflow-validation

Co-authored-by: Bryan Morgan <bryanmorgan@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()'

docs/cli/commands.md

@@ -10,6 +10,14 @@ Slash commands provide meta-level control over the CLI itself.
 
 ### Built-in Commands
 
+- **`/about`**
+  - **Description:** Show version info. Please share this information when
+    filing issues.
+
+- **`/auth`**
+  - **Description:** Open a dialog that lets you change the authentication
+    method.
+
 - **`/bug`**
   - **Description:** File an issue about Gemini CLI. By default, the issue is
     filed within the GitHub repository for Gemini CLI. The string you enter
@@ -22,10 +30,21 @@ Slash commands provide meta-level control over the CLI itself.
     conversation state interactively, or resuming a previous state from a later
     session.
   - **Sub-commands:**
-    - **`save`**
+    - **`delete <tag>`**
+      - **Description:** Deletes a saved conversation checkpoint.
+    - **`list`**
+      - **Description:** Lists available tags for chat state resumption.
+      - **Note:** This command only lists chats saved within the current
+        project. Because chat history is project-scoped, chats saved in other
+        project directories will not be displayed.
+    - **`resume <tag>`**
+      - **Description:** Resumes a conversation from a previous save.
+      - **Note:** You can only resume chats that were saved within the current
+        project. To resume a chat from a different project, you must run the
+        Gemini CLI from that project's directory.
+    - **`save <tag>`**
       - **Description:** Saves the current conversation history. You must add a
         `<tag>` for identifying the conversation state.
-      - **Usage:** `/chat save <tag>`
       - **Details on checkpoint location:** The default locations for saved chat
         checkpoints are:
         - Linux/macOS: `~/.gemini/tmp/<project_hash>/`
@@ -37,25 +56,11 @@ Slash commands provide meta-level control over the CLI itself.
           conversation states. For automatic checkpoints created before file
           modifications, see the
           [Checkpointing documentation](../cli/checkpointing.md).
-    - **`resume`**
-      - **Description:** Resumes a conversation from a previous save.
-      - **Usage:** `/chat resume <tag>`
-      - **Note:** You can only resume chats that were saved within the current
-        project. To resume a chat from a different project, you must run the
-        Gemini CLI from that project's directory.
-    - **`list`**
-      - **Description:** Lists available tags for chat state resumption.
-      - **Note:** This command only lists chats saved within the current
-        project. Because chat history is project-scoped, chats saved in other
-        project directories will not be displayed.
-    - **`delete`**
-      - **Description:** Deletes a saved conversation checkpoint.
-      - **Usage:** `/chat delete <tag>`
-    - **`share`**
+    - **`share [filename]`**
       - **Description** Writes the current conversation to a provided Markdown
-        or JSON file.
-      - **Usage** `/chat share file.md` or `/chat share file.json`. If no
-        filename is provided, then the CLI will generate one.
+        or JSON file. If no filename is provided, then the CLI will generate
+        one.
+      - **Usage** `/chat share file.md` or `/chat share file.json`.
 
 - **`/clear`**
   - **Description:** Clear the terminal screen, including the visible session
@@ -98,6 +103,9 @@ Slash commands provide meta-level control over the CLI itself.
         `--include-directories`.
       - **Usage:** `/directory show`
 
+- **`/docs`**
+  - **Description:** Open the Gemini CLI documentation in your browser.
+
 - **`/editor`**
   - **Description:** Open a dialog for selecting supported editors.
 
@@ -109,30 +117,65 @@ Slash commands provide meta-level control over the CLI itself.
   - **Description:** Display help information about Gemini CLI, including
     available commands and their usage.
 
+- **`/hooks`**
+  - **Description:** Manage hooks, which allow you to intercept and customize
+    Gemini CLI behavior at specific lifecycle events.
+  - **Sub-commands:**
+    - **`disable-all`**:
+      - **Description:** Disable all enabled hooks.
+    - **`disable <hook-name>`**:
+      - **Description:** Disable a hook by name.
+    - **`enable-all`**:
+      - **Description:** Enable all disabled hooks.
+    - **`enable <hook-name>`**:
+      - **Description:** Enable a hook by name.
+    - **`list`** (or `show`, `panel`):
+      - **Description:** Display all registered hooks with their status.
+
+- **`/ide`**
+  - **Description:** Manage IDE integration.
+  - **Sub-commands:**
+    - **`disable`**:
+      - **Description:** Disable IDE integration.
+    - **`enable`**:
+      - **Description:** Enable IDE integration.
+    - **`install`**:
+      - **Description:** Install required IDE companion.
+    - **`status`**:
+      - **Description:** Check status of IDE integration.
+
+- **`/init`**
+  - **Description:** To help users easily create a `GEMINI.md` file, this
+    command analyzes the current directory and generates a tailored context
+    file, making it simpler for them to provide project-specific instructions to
+    the Gemini agent.
+
+- **`/introspect`**
+  - **Description:** Provide debugging information about the current Gemini CLI
+    session, including the state of loaded sub-agents and active hooks. This
+    command is primarily for advanced users and developers.
+
 - **`/mcp`**
   - **Description:** Manage configured Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers.
   - **Sub-commands:**
-    - **`list`** or **`ls`**:
-      - **Description:** List configured MCP servers and tools. This is the
-        default action if no subcommand is specified.
-    - **`desc`**
-      - **Description:** List configured MCP servers and tools with
-        descriptions.
-    - **`schema`**:
-      - **Description:** List configured MCP servers and tools with descriptions
-        and schemas.
     - **`auth`**:
       - **Description:** Authenticate with an OAuth-enabled MCP server.
       - **Usage:** `/mcp auth <server-name>`
       - **Details:** If `<server-name>` is provided, it initiates the OAuth flow
         for that server. If no server name is provided, it lists all configured
         servers that support OAuth authentication.
+    - **`desc`**
+      - **Description:** List configured MCP servers and tools with
+        descriptions.
+    - **`list`** or **`ls`**:
+      - **Description:** List configured MCP servers and tools. This is the
+        default action if no subcommand is specified.
     - **`refresh`**:
       - **Description:** Restarts all MCP servers and re-discovers their
         available tools.
-
-- [**`/model`**](./model.md)
-  - **Description:** Opens a dialog to choose your Gemini model.
+    - **`schema`**:
+      - **Description:** List configured MCP servers and tools with descriptions
+        and schemas.
 
 - **`/memory`**
   - **Description:** Manage the AI's instructional context (hierarchical memory
@@ -141,23 +184,40 @@ Slash commands provide meta-level control over the CLI itself.
     - **`add`**:
       - **Description:** Adds the following text to the AI's memory. Usage:
         `/memory add <text to remember>`
-    - **`show`**:
-      - **Description:** Display the full, concatenated content of the current
-        hierarchical memory that has been loaded from all `GEMINI.md` files.
-        This lets you inspect the instructional context being provided to the
-        Gemini model.
+    - **`list`**:
+      - **Description:** Lists the paths of the GEMINI.md files in use for
+        hierarchical memory.
     - **`refresh`**:
       - **Description:** Reload the hierarchical instructional memory from all
         `GEMINI.md` files found in the configured locations (global,
         project/ancestors, and sub-directories). This command updates the model
         with the latest `GEMINI.md` content.
-    - **`list`**:
-      - **Description:** Lists the paths of the GEMINI.md files in use for
-        hierarchical memory.
+    - **`show`**:
+      - **Description:** Display the full, concatenated content of the current
+        hierarchical memory that has been loaded from all `GEMINI.md` files.
+        This lets you inspect the instructional context being provided to the
+        Gemini model.
     - **Note:** For more details on how `GEMINI.md` files contribute to
       hierarchical memory, see the
       [CLI Configuration documentation](../get-started/configuration.md).
 
+- [**`/model`**](./model.md)
+  - **Description:** Opens a dialog to choose your Gemini model.
+
+- **`/policies`**
+  - **Description:** Manage policies.
+  - **Sub-commands:**
+    - **`list`**:
+      - **Description:** List all active policies grouped by mode.
+
+- **`/privacy`**
+  - **Description:** Display the Privacy Notice and allow users to select
+    whether they consent to the collection of their data for service improvement
+    purposes.
+
+- **`/quit`** (or **`/exit`**)
+  - **Description:** Exit Gemini CLI.
+
 - **`/restore`**
   - **Description:** Restores the project files to the state they were in just
     before a tool was executed. This is particularly useful for undoing file
@@ -168,18 +228,24 @@ Slash commands provide meta-level control over the CLI itself.
     [settings](../get-started/configuration.md). See
     [Checkpointing documentation](../cli/checkpointing.md) for more details.
 
+- **`/rewind`**
+  - **Description:** Navigates backward through the conversation history,
+    allowing you to review past interactions and potentially revert to a
+    previous state. This feature helps in managing complex or branched
+    conversations.
+
 - **`/resume`**
   - **Description:** Browse and resume previous conversation sessions. Opens an
     interactive session browser where you can search, filter, and select from
     automatically saved conversations.
   - **Features:**
-    - **Session Browser:** Interactive interface showing all saved sessions with
-      timestamps, message counts, and first user message for context
-    - **Search:** Use `/` to search through conversation content across all
-      sessions
-    - **Sorting:** Sort sessions by date or message count
     - **Management:** Delete unwanted sessions directly from the browser
     - **Resume:** Select any session to resume and continue the conversation
+    - **Search:** Use `/` to search through conversation content across all
+      sessions
+    - **Session Browser:** Interactive interface showing all saved sessions with
+      timestamps, message counts, and first user message for context
+    - **Sorting:** Sort sessions by date or message count
   - **Note:** All conversations are automatically saved as you chat - no manual
     saving required. See [Session Management](../cli/session-management.md) for
     complete details.
@@ -198,19 +264,26 @@ 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.
+
 - [**`/skills`**](./skills.md)
   - **Description:** Manage Agent Skills, which provide on-demand expertise and
     specialized workflows.
   - **Sub-commands:**
+    - **`disable <name>`**:
+      - **Description:** Disable a specific skill by name.
+      - **Usage:** `/skills disable <name>`
+    - **`enable <name>`**:
+      - **Description:** Enable a specific skill by name.
+      - **Usage:** `/skills enable <name>`
     - **`list`**:
       - **Description:** List all discovered skills and their current status
         (enabled/disabled).
-    - **`enable`**:
-      - **Description:** Enable a specific skill by name.
-      - **Usage:** `/skills enable <name>`
-    - **`disable`**:
-      - **Description:** Disable a specific skill by name.
-      - **Usage:** `/skills disable <name>`
     - **`reload`**:
       - **Description:** Refresh the list of discovered skills from all tiers
         (workspace, user, and extensions).
@@ -222,18 +295,14 @@ Slash commands provide meta-level control over the CLI itself.
     cached tokens are being used, which occurs with API key authentication but
     not with OAuth authentication at this time.
 
+- **`/terminal-setup`**
+  - **Description:** Configure terminal keybindings for multiline input (VS
+    Code, Cursor, Windsurf).
+
 - [**`/theme`**](./themes.md)
   - **Description:** Open a dialog that lets you change the visual theme of
     Gemini CLI.
 
-- **`/auth`**
-  - **Description:** Open a dialog that lets you change the authentication
-    method.
-
-- **`/about`**
-  - **Description:** Show version info. Please share this information when
-    filing issues.
-
 - [**`/tools`**](../tools/index.md)
   - **Description:** Display a list of tools that are currently available within
     Gemini CLI.
@@ -245,37 +314,23 @@ Slash commands provide meta-level control over the CLI itself.
     - **`nodesc`** or **`nodescriptions`**:
       - **Description:** Hide tool descriptions, showing only the tool names.
 
-- **`/privacy`**
-  - **Description:** Display the Privacy Notice and allow users to select
-    whether they consent to the collection of their data for service improvement
-    purposes.
-
-- **`/quit`** (or **`/exit`**)
-  - **Description:** Exit Gemini CLI.
-
 - **`/vim`**
   - **Description:** Toggle vim mode on or off. When vim mode is enabled, the
     input area supports vim-style navigation and editing commands in both NORMAL
     and INSERT modes.
   - **Features:**
+    - **Count support:** Prefix commands with numbers (e.g., `3h`, `5w`, `10G`)
+    - **Editing commands:** Delete with `x`, change with `c`, insert with `i`,
+      `a`, `o`, `O`; complex operations like `dd`, `cc`, `dw`, `cw`
+    - **INSERT mode:** Standard text input with escape to return to NORMAL mode
     - **NORMAL mode:** Navigate with `h`, `j`, `k`, `l`; jump by words with `w`,
       `b`, `e`; go to line start/end with `0`, `$`, `^`; go to specific lines
       with `G` (or `gg` for first line)
-    - **INSERT mode:** Standard text input with escape to return to NORMAL mode
-    - **Editing commands:** Delete with `x`, change with `c`, insert with `i`,
-      `a`, `o`, `O`; complex operations like `dd`, `cc`, `dw`, `cw`
-    - **Count support:** Prefix commands with numbers (e.g., `3h`, `5w`, `10G`)
-    - **Repeat last command:** Use `.` to repeat the last editing operation
     - **Persistent setting:** Vim mode preference is saved to
       `~/.gemini/settings.json` and restored between sessions
-  - **Status indicator:** When enabled, shows `[NORMAL]` or `[INSERT]` in the
-    footer
-
-- **`/init`**
-  - **Description:** To help users easily create a `GEMINI.md` file, this
-    command analyzes the current directory and generates a tailored context
-    file, making it simpler for them to provide project-specific instructions to
-    the Gemini agent.
+    - **Repeat last command:** Use `.` to repeat the last editing operation
+    - **Status indicator:** When enabled, shows `[NORMAL]` or `[INSERT]` in the
+      footer
 
 ### Custom commands
 

docs/cli/creating-skills.md

@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+# Creating Agent Skills
+
+This guide provides an overview of how to create your own Agent Skills to extend
+the capabilities of Gemini CLI.
+
+## Getting started: The `skill-creator` skill
+
+The recommended way to create a new skill is to use the built-in `skill-creator`
+skill. To use it, ask Gemini CLI to create a new skill for you.
+
+**Example prompt:**
+
+> "create a new skill called 'code-reviewer'"
+
+Gemini CLI will then use the `skill-creator` to generate the skill:
+
+1.  Generate a new directory for your skill (e.g., `my-new-skill/`).
+2.  Create a `SKILL.md` file with the necessary YAML frontmatter (`name` and
+    `description`).
+3.  Create the standard resource directories: `scripts/`, `references/`, and
+    `assets/`.
+
+## Manual skill creation
+
+If you prefer to create skills manually:
+
+1.  **Create a directory** for your skill (e.g., `my-new-skill/`).
+2.  **Create a `SKILL.md` file** inside the new directory.
+
+To add additional resources that support the skill, refer to the skill
+structure.
+
+## Skill structure
+
+A skill is a directory containing a `SKILL.md` file at its root.
+
+### Folder structure
+
+While a `SKILL.md` file is the only required component, we recommend the
+following structure for organizing your skill's resources:
+
+```text
+my-skill/
+├── SKILL.md       (Required) Instructions and metadata
+├── scripts/       (Optional) Executable scripts
+├── references/    (Optional) Static documentation
+└── assets/        (Optional) Templates and other resources
+```
+
+### `SKILL.md` file
+
+The `SKILL.md` file is the core of your skill. This file uses YAML frontmatter
+for metadata and Markdown for instructions. For example:
+
+```markdown
+---
+name: code-reviewer
+description:
+  Use this skill to review code. It supports both local changes and remote Pull
+  Requests.
+---
+
+# Code Reviewer
+
+This skill guides the agent in conducting thorough code reviews.
+
+## Workflow
+
+### 1. Determine Review Target
+
+- **Remote PR**: If the user gives a PR number or URL, target that remote PR.
+- **Local Changes**: If changes are local... ...
+```
+
+- **`name`**: A unique identifier for the skill. This should match the directory
+  name.
+- **`description`**: A description of what the skill does and when Gemini should
+  use it.
+- **Body**: The Markdown body of the file contains the instructions that guide
+  the agent's behavior when the skill is active.

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

@@ -107,13 +107,14 @@ 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

@@ -89,84 +89,6 @@ gemini skills enable my-expertise
 gemini skills disable my-expertise --scope workspace
 ```
 
-## Creating a Skill
-
-A skill is a directory containing a `SKILL.md` file at its root. This file
-serves as the entry point for your skill and uses YAML frontmatter for metadata
-and Markdown for instructions.
-
-### Folder Structure
-
-Skills are self-contained directories. At a minimum, a skill requires a
-`SKILL.md` file, but can include other resources:
-
-```text
-my-skill/
-├── SKILL.md       (Required) Instructions and metadata
-├── scripts/       (Optional) Executable scripts/tools
-├── references/    (Optional) Static documentation and examples
-└── assets/        (Optional) Templates and binary resources
-```
-
-### Basic Structure (SKILL.md)
-
-```markdown
----
-name: <unique-name>
-description: <what the skill does and when Gemini should use it>
----
-
-<your instructions for how the agent should behave / use the skill>
-```
-
-- **`name`**: A unique identifier (lowercase, alphanumeric, and dashes).
-- **`description`**: The most critical field. Gemini uses this to decide when
-  the skill is relevant. Be specific about the expertise provided.
-- **Body**: Everything below the second `---` is injected as expert procedural
-  guidance for the model.
-
-### Example: Team Code Reviewer
-
-Create `~/.gemini/skills/code-reviewer/SKILL.md`:
-
-```markdown
----
-name: code-reviewer
-description:
-  Expertise in reviewing code for style, security, and performance. Use when the
-  user asks for "feedback," a "review," or to "check" their changes.
----
-
-# Code Reviewer
-
-You are an expert code reviewer. When reviewing code, follow this workflow:
-
-1.  **Analyze**: Review the staged changes or specific files provided. Ensure
-    that the changes are scoped properly and represent minimal changes required
-    to address the issue.
-2.  **Style**: Ensure code follows the workspace's conventions and idiomatic
-    patterns as described in the `GEMINI.md` file.
-3.  **Security**: Flag any potential security vulnerabilities.
-4.  **Tests**: Verify that new logic has corresponding test coverage and that
-    the test coverage adequately validates the changes.
-
-Provide your feedback as a concise bulleted list of "Strengths" and
-"Opportunities."
-```
-
-### Resource Conventions
-
-While you can structure your skill directory however you like, the Agent Skills
-standard encourages these conventions:
-
-- **`scripts/`**: Executable scripts (bash, python, node) the agent can run.
-- **`references/`**: Static documentation, schemas, or example data for the
-  agent to consult.
-- **`assets/`**: Code templates, boilerplate, or binary resources.
-
-When a skill is activated, Gemini CLI provides the model with a tree view of the
-entire skill directory, allowing it to discover and utilize these assets.
-
 ## How it Works (Security & Privacy)
 
 1.  **Discovery**: At the start of a session, Gemini CLI scans the discovery
@@ -183,3 +105,8 @@ entire skill directory, allowing it to discover and utilize these assets.
       it permission to read any bundled assets.
 5.  **Execution**: The model proceeds with the specialized expertise active. It
     is instructed to prioritize the skill's procedural guidance within reason.
+
+## Creating your own skills
+
+To create your own skills, see the [Create Agent Skills](./creating-skills.md)
+guide.

docs/core/policy-engine.md

@@ -295,9 +295,9 @@ The Gemini CLI ships with a set of default policies to provide a safe
 out-of-the-box experience.
 
 - **Read-only tools** (like `read_file`, `glob`) are generally **allowed**.
-- **Agent delegation** (like `delegate_to_agent`) defaults to **`ask_user`** to
-  ensure remote agents can prompt for confirmation, but local sub-agent actions
-  are executed silently and checked individually.
+- **Agent delegation** defaults to **`ask_user`** to ensure remote agents can
+  prompt for confirmation, but local sub-agent actions are executed silently and
+  checked individually.
 - **Write tools** (like `write_file`, `run_shell_command`) default to
   **`ask_user`**.
 - In **`yolo`** mode, a high-priority rule allows all tools.

docs/core/subagents.md

@@ -24,30 +24,29 @@ the main agent's context or toolset.
 
 ## What are sub-agents?
 
-Think of sub-agents as "specialists" that the main Gemini agent can hire for a
-specific job.
+Sub-agents are "specialists" that the main Gemini agent can hire for a specific
+job.
 
 - **Focused context:** Each sub-agent has its own system prompt and persona.
 - **Specialized tools:** Sub-agents can have a restricted or specialized set of
   tools.
 - **Independent context window:** Interactions with a sub-agent happen in a
-  separate context loop. The main agent only sees the final result, saving
-  tokens in your main conversation history.
+  separate context loop, which saves tokens in your main conversation history.
 
-Sub-agents are exposed to the main agent as a tool of the same name which
-delegates to the sub-agent, when called. Once the sub-agent completes its task
-(or fails), it reports back to the main agent with its findings (usually as a
-text summary or structured report returned by the tool).
+Sub-agents are exposed to the main agent as a tool of the same name. When the
+main agent calls the tool, it delegates the task to the sub-agent. Once the
+sub-agent completes its task, it reports back to the main agent with its
+findings.
 
 ## Built-in sub-agents
 
-Gemini CLI comes with powerful built-in sub-agents.
+Gemini CLI comes with the following built-in sub-agents:
 
 ### Codebase Investigator
 
 - **Name:** `codebase_investigator`
-- **Purpose:** Deep analysis of the codebase, reverse engineering, and
-  understanding complex dependencies.
+- **Purpose:** Analyze the codebase, reverse engineer, and understand complex
+  dependencies.
 - **When to use:** "How does the authentication system work?", "Map out the
   dependencies of the `AgentRegistry` class."
 - **Configuration:** Enabled by default. You can configure it in
@@ -67,20 +66,25 @@ Gemini CLI comes with powerful built-in sub-agents.
 ### CLI Help Agent
 
 - **Name:** `cli_help`
-- **Purpose:** Expert knowledge about Gemini CLI itself, its commands,
+- **Purpose:** Get expert knowledge about Gemini CLI itself, its commands,
   configuration, and documentation.
 - **When to use:** "How do I configure a proxy?", "What does the `/rewind`
   command do?"
 - **Configuration:** Enabled by default.
 
+### Generalist Agent
+
+- **Name:** `generalist_agent`
+- **Purpose:** Route tasks to the appropriate specialized sub-agent.
+- **When to use:** Implicitly used by the main agent for routing. Not directly
+  invoked by the user.
+- **Configuration:** Enabled by default. No specific configuration options.
+
 ## Creating custom sub-agents
 
 You can create your own sub-agents to automate specific workflows or enforce
-specific personas.
-
-### Prerequisites
-
-To use custom sub-agents, you must enable them in your `settings.json`:
+specific personas. To use custom sub-agents, you must enable them in your
+`settings.json`:
 
 ```json
 {
@@ -123,10 +127,10 @@ vulnerabilities.
 
 Focus on:
 
-1. SQL Injection
-2. XSS (Cross-Site Scripting)
-3. Hardcoded credentials
-4. Unsafe file operations
+1.  SQL Injection
+2.  XSS (Cross-Site Scripting)
+3.  Hardcoded credentials
+4.  Unsafe file operations
 
 When you find a vulnerability, explain it clearly and suggest a fix. Do not fix
 it yourself; just report it.
@@ -147,17 +151,16 @@ it yourself; just report it.
 
 ### Optimizing your sub-agent
 
-The main agent system prompt contains language that encourages use of an expert
-sub-agent when one is available for the task at hand. It decides whether an
-agent is a relevant expert based on the agent's description. You can improve the
-reliability with which an agent is used by updating the description to more
-clearly indicate:
+The main agent's system prompt encourages it to use an expert sub-agent when one
+is available. It decides whether an agent is a relevant expert based on the
+agent's description. You can improve the reliability with which an agent is used
+by updating the description to more clearly indicate:
 
 - Its area of expertise.
 - When it should be used.
 - Some example scenarios.
 
-For example: the following sub-agent description should be called fairly
+For example, the following sub-agent description should be called fairly
 consistently for Git operations.
 
 > Git expert agent which should be used for all local and remote git operations.
@@ -173,7 +176,7 @@ that your sub-agent was called with a specific prompt and the given description.
 
 ## Remote subagents (Agent2Agent) (experimental)
 
-Gemini CLI can also delegate tasks to remote subagents using the Agent-to-Agent
+Gemini CLI can also delegate tasks to remote sub-agents using the Agent-to-Agent
 (A2A) protocol.
 
 > **Note: Remote subagents are currently an experimental feature.**

docs/get-started/configuration.md

@@ -733,12 +733,6 @@ 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 +773,13 @@ 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`
@@ -1185,6 +1186,10 @@ the `advanced.excludedEnvVars` setting in your `settings.json` file.
   - **Description:** The path to your Google Application Credentials JSON file.
   - **Example:**
     `export GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS="/path/to/your/credentials.json"`
+- **`GOOGLE_GENAI_API_VERSION`**:
+  - Specifies the API version to use for Gemini API requests.
+  - When set, overrides the default API version used by the SDK.
+  - Example: `export GOOGLE_GENAI_API_VERSION="v1"`
 - **`OTLP_GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT`**:
   - Your Google Cloud Project ID for Telemetry in Google Cloud
   - Example: `export OTLP_GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT="YOUR_PROJECT_ID"`.

docs/index.md

@@ -147,3 +147,5 @@ This documentation is organized into the following sections:
   the terms of service and privacy notices applicable to your use of Gemini CLI.
 
 We hope this documentation helps you make the most of Gemini CLI!
+
+<!-- workflow validation test -->

docs/sidebar.json

@@ -79,6 +79,10 @@
     "label": "Ecosystem and extensibility",
     "items": [
       { "label": "Agent skills", "slug": "docs/cli/skills" },
+      {
+        "label": "Creating Agent skills",
+        "slug": "docs/cli/creating-skills"
+      },
       {
         "label": "Sub-agents (experimental)",
         "slug": "docs/core/subagents"

evals/generalist_agent.eval.ts

@@ -24,11 +24,11 @@ describe('generalist_agent', () => {
     prompt:
       'Please use the generalist agent to create a file called "generalist_test_file.txt" containing exactly the following text: success',
     assert: async (rig) => {
-      // 1) Verify the generalist agent was invoked via delegate_to_agent
+      // 1) Verify the generalist agent was invoked
       const foundToolCall = await rig.waitForToolCall('generalist');
       expect(
         foundToolCall,
-        'Expected to find a delegate_to_agent tool call for generalist agent',
+        'Expected to find a tool call for generalist agent',
       ).toBeTruthy();
 
       // 2) Verify the file was created as expected

integration-tests/checkpointing.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,155 @@
+/**
+ * @license
+ * Copyright 2025 Google LLC
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
+import { describe, it, expect, beforeEach, afterEach } from 'vitest';
+import * as fs from 'node:fs/promises';
+import * as path from 'node:path';
+import * as os from 'node:os';
+import { GitService, Storage } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
+
+describe('Checkpointing Integration', () => {
+  let tmpDir: string;
+  let projectRoot: string;
+  let fakeHome: string;
+  let originalEnv: NodeJS.ProcessEnv;
+
+  beforeEach(async () => {
+    tmpDir = await fs.mkdtemp(
+      path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'gemini-checkpoint-test-'),
+    );
+    projectRoot = path.join(tmpDir, 'project');
+    fakeHome = path.join(tmpDir, 'home');
+
+    await fs.mkdir(projectRoot, { recursive: true });
+    await fs.mkdir(fakeHome, { recursive: true });
+
+    // Save original env
+    originalEnv = { ...process.env };
+
+    // Simulate environment with NO global gitconfig
+    process.env['HOME'] = fakeHome;
+    delete process.env['GIT_CONFIG_GLOBAL'];
+    delete process.env['GIT_CONFIG_SYSTEM'];
+  });
+
+  afterEach(async () => {
+    // Restore env
+    process.env = originalEnv;
+
+    // Cleanup
+    try {
+      await fs.rm(tmpDir, { recursive: true, force: true });
+    } catch (e) {
+      console.error('Failed to cleanup temp dir', e);
+    }
+  });
+
+  it('should successfully create and restore snapshots without global git config', async () => {
+    const storage = new Storage(projectRoot);
+    const gitService = new GitService(projectRoot, storage);
+
+    // 1. Initialize
+    await gitService.initialize();
+
+    // Verify system config empty file creation
+    // We need to access getHistoryDir logic or replicate it.
+    // Since we don't have access to private getHistoryDir, we can infer it or just trust the functional test.
+
+    // 2. Create initial state
+    await fs.writeFile(path.join(projectRoot, 'file1.txt'), 'version 1');
+    await fs.writeFile(path.join(projectRoot, 'file2.txt'), 'permanent file');
+
+    // 3. Create Snapshot
+    const snapshotHash = await gitService.createFileSnapshot('Checkpoint 1');
+    expect(snapshotHash).toBeDefined();
+
+    // 4. Modify files
+    await fs.writeFile(
+      path.join(projectRoot, 'file1.txt'),
+      'version 2 (BAD CHANGE)',
+    );
+    await fs.writeFile(
+      path.join(projectRoot, 'file3.txt'),
+      'new file (SHOULD BE GONE)',
+    );
+    await fs.rm(path.join(projectRoot, 'file2.txt'));
+
+    // 5. Restore
+    await gitService.restoreProjectFromSnapshot(snapshotHash);
+
+    // 6. Verify state
+    const file1Content = await fs.readFile(
+      path.join(projectRoot, 'file1.txt'),
+      'utf-8',
+    );
+    expect(file1Content).toBe('version 1');
+
+    const file2Exists = await fs
+      .stat(path.join(projectRoot, 'file2.txt'))
+      .then(() => true)
+      .catch(() => false);
+    expect(file2Exists).toBe(true);
+    const file2Content = await fs.readFile(
+      path.join(projectRoot, 'file2.txt'),
+      'utf-8',
+    );
+    expect(file2Content).toBe('permanent file');
+
+    const file3Exists = await fs
+      .stat(path.join(projectRoot, 'file3.txt'))
+      .then(() => true)
+      .catch(() => false);
+    expect(file3Exists).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it('should ignore user global git config and use isolated identity', async () => {
+    // 1. Create a fake global gitconfig with a specific user
+    const globalConfigPath = path.join(fakeHome, '.gitconfig');
+    const globalConfigContent = `[user]
+  name = Global User
+  email = global@example.com
+`;
+    await fs.writeFile(globalConfigPath, globalConfigContent);
+
+    // Point HOME to fakeHome so git picks up this global config (if we didn't isolate it)
+    process.env['HOME'] = fakeHome;
+    // Ensure GIT_CONFIG_GLOBAL is NOT set for the process initially,
+    // so it would default to HOME/.gitconfig if GitService didn't override it.
+    delete process.env['GIT_CONFIG_GLOBAL'];
+
+    const storage = new Storage(projectRoot);
+    const gitService = new GitService(projectRoot, storage);
+
+    await gitService.initialize();
+
+    // 2. Create a file and snapshot
+    await fs.writeFile(path.join(projectRoot, 'test.txt'), 'content');
+    await gitService.createFileSnapshot('Snapshot with global config present');
+
+    // 3. Verify the commit author in the shadow repo
+    const historyDir = storage.getHistoryDir();
+
+    const { execFileSync } = await import('node:child_process');
+
+    const logOutput = execFileSync(
+      'git',
+      ['log', '-1', '--pretty=format:%an <%ae>'],
+      {
+        cwd: historyDir,
+        env: {
+          ...process.env,
+          GIT_DIR: path.join(historyDir, '.git'),
+          GIT_CONFIG_GLOBAL: path.join(historyDir, '.gitconfig'),
+          GIT_CONFIG_SYSTEM: path.join(historyDir, '.gitconfig_system_empty'),
+        },
+        encoding: 'utf-8',
+      },
+    );
+
+    expect(logOutput).toBe('Gemini CLI <gemini-cli@google.com>');
+    expect(logOutput).not.toContain('Global User');
+  });
+});

integration-tests/globalSetup.ts

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import { mkdir, readdir, rm } from 'node:fs/promises';
 import { join, dirname } from 'node:path';
 import { fileURLToPath } from 'node:url';
 import { canUseRipgrep } from '../packages/core/src/tools/ripGrep.js';
+import { disableMouseTracking } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
 
 const __dirname = dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
 const rootDir = join(__dirname, '..');
@@ -72,6 +73,11 @@ export async function setup() {
 }
 
 export async function teardown() {
+  // Disable mouse tracking
+  if (process.stdout.isTTY) {
+    disableMouseTracking();
+  }
+
   // Cleanup the test run directory unless KEEP_OUTPUT is set
   if (process.env['KEEP_OUTPUT'] !== 'true' && runDir) {
     try {

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;
@@ -438,19 +459,6 @@ Would you like to attempt to install via "git clone" instead?`,
           extensionIdentifier.toLowerCase(),
     );
     if (!extension) {
-      const extensionDir = path.join(
-        ExtensionStorage.getUserExtensionsDir(),
-        extensionIdentifier,
-      );
-      if (fs.existsSync(extensionDir)) {
-        await fs.promises.rm(extensionDir, { recursive: true, force: true });
-        this.extensionEnablementManager.remove(extensionIdentifier);
-        coreEvents.emitFeedback(
-          'info',
-          `Uninstalled broken extension '${extensionIdentifier}'.`,
-        );
-        return;
-      }
       throw new Error(`Extension not found.`);
     }
     await this.unloadExtension(extension);
@@ -528,24 +536,54 @@ Would you like to attempt to install via "git clone" instead?`,
     extensionDir: string,
   ): Promise<GeminiCLIExtension | null> {
     this.loadedExtensions ??= [];
+    if (!fs.statSync(extensionDir).isDirectory()) {
+      return null;
+    }
+
+    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;
+    }
+
+    if (installMetadata?.type === 'link') {
+      effectiveExtensionPath = installMetadata.source;
+    }
+
     try {
-      if (!fs.statSync(extensionDir).isDirectory()) {
-        return null;
-      }
-
-      const installMetadata = loadInstallMetadata(extensionDir);
-      if (
-        (installMetadata?.type === 'git' ||
-          installMetadata?.type === 'github-release') &&
-        this.settings.security.blockGitExtensions
-      ) {
-        return null;
-      }
-
-      if (installMetadata?.type === 'link') {
-        effectiveExtensionPath = installMetadata.source;
-      }
       let config = await this.loadExtensionConfig(effectiveExtensionPath);
       if (
         this.getExtensions().find((extension) => extension.name === config.name)
@@ -651,10 +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,
@@ -1769,39 +1861,6 @@ ${INSTALL_WARNING_MESSAGE}`,
   });
 
   describe('uninstallExtension', () => {
-    it('should uninstall a broken extension without crashing', async () => {
-      const badExtDir = path.join(userExtensionsDir, 'broken-ext');
-      fs.mkdirSync(badExtDir);
-      // Malformed JSON to simulate a broken extension
-      fs.writeFileSync(
-        path.join(badExtDir, EXTENSIONS_CONFIG_FILENAME),
-        '{ "name": "broken-ext"',
-      );
-
-      // Attempt to load extensions. The broken one should be skipped.
-      const consoleErrorSpy = vi
-        .spyOn(console, 'error')
-        .mockImplementation(() => {});
-      await extensionManager.loadExtensions();
-      expect(consoleErrorSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-        expect.stringContaining(
-          `Warning: Skipping extension in ${badExtDir}: Failed to load extension config from ${badExtDir}/gemini-extension.json`,
-        ),
-      );
-      consoleErrorSpy.mockRestore();
-
-      // Ensure no extensions were loaded
-      expect(extensionManager.getExtensions()).toHaveLength(0);
-
-      // Attempt to uninstall the broken extension by its name.
-      await expect(
-        extensionManager.uninstallExtension('broken-ext', false),
-      ).resolves.toBeUndefined(); // Should resolve, not throw an error
-
-      // Verify the directory is removed
-      expect(fs.existsSync(badExtDir)).toBe(false);
-    });
-
     it('should uninstall an extension by name', async () => {
       const sourceExtDir = createExtension({
         extensionsDir: userExtensionsDir,

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

@@ -398,6 +398,35 @@ describe('extensionSettings', () => {
       expect(actualContent).toBe('VAR1="a value with spaces"\n');
     });
 
+    it('should not set sensitive settings if the value is empty during initial setup', async () => {
+      const config: ExtensionConfig = {
+        name: 'test-ext',
+        version: '1.0.0',
+        settings: [
+          {
+            name: 's1',
+            description: 'd1',
+            envVar: 'SENSITIVE_VAR',
+            sensitive: true,
+          },
+        ],
+      };
+      mockRequestSetting.mockResolvedValue('');
+
+      await maybePromptForSettings(
+        config,
+        '12345',
+        mockRequestSetting,
+        undefined,
+        undefined,
+      );
+
+      const userKeychain = new KeychainTokenStorage(
+        `Gemini CLI Extensions test-ext 12345`,
+      );
+      expect(await userKeychain.getSecret('SENSITIVE_VAR')).toBeNull();
+    });
+
     it('should not attempt to clear secrets if keychain is unavailable', async () => {
       // Arrange
       const mockIsAvailable = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(false);
@@ -738,5 +767,42 @@ describe('extensionSettings', () => {
       const lines = actualContent.split('\n').filter((line) => line.length > 0);
       expect(lines).toHaveLength(3); // Should only have the three variables
     });
+
+    it('should delete a sensitive setting if the new value is empty', async () => {
+      mockRequestSetting.mockResolvedValue('');
+
+      await updateSetting(
+        config,
+        '12345',
+        'VAR2',
+        mockRequestSetting,
+        ExtensionSettingScope.USER,
+        tempWorkspaceDir,
+      );
+
+      const userKeychain = new KeychainTokenStorage(
+        `Gemini CLI Extensions test-ext 12345`,
+      );
+      expect(await userKeychain.getSecret('VAR2')).toBeNull();
+    });
+
+    it('should not throw if deleting a non-existent sensitive setting with empty value', async () => {
+      mockRequestSetting.mockResolvedValue('');
+      // Ensure it doesn't exist first
+      const userKeychain = new KeychainTokenStorage(
+        `Gemini CLI Extensions test-ext 12345`,
+      );
+      await userKeychain.deleteSecret('VAR2');
+
+      await updateSetting(
+        config,
+        '12345',
+        'VAR2',
+        mockRequestSetting,
+        ExtensionSettingScope.USER,
+        tempWorkspaceDir,
+      );
+      // Should complete without error
+    });
   });
 });

packages/cli/src/config/extensions/extensionSettings.ts

@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ export async function maybePromptForSettings(
   const nonSensitiveSettings: Record<string, string> = {};
   for (const setting of settings) {
     const value = allSettings[setting.envVar];
-    if (value === undefined) {
+    if (value === undefined || value === '') {
       continue;
     }
     if (setting.sensitive) {
@@ -230,7 +230,15 @@ export async function updateSetting(
   );
 
   if (settingToUpdate.sensitive) {
-    await keychain.setSecret(settingToUpdate.envVar, newValue);
+    if (newValue) {
+      await keychain.setSecret(settingToUpdate.envVar, newValue);
+    } else {
+      try {
+        await keychain.deleteSecret(settingToUpdate.envVar);
+      } catch {
+        // Ignore if secret does not exist
+      }
+    }
     return;
   }
 

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/settings.test.ts

@@ -2156,7 +2156,7 @@ describe('Settings Loading and Merging', () => {
 
       // 2. Now, set remote admin settings.
       loadedSettings.setRemoteAdminSettings({
-        secureModeEnabled: true,
+        strictModeDisabled: false,
         mcpSetting: { mcpEnabled: false },
         cliFeatureSetting: { extensionsSetting: { extensionsEnabled: false } },
       });
@@ -2197,7 +2197,7 @@ describe('Settings Loading and Merging', () => {
       expect(loadedSettings.merged.ui?.theme).toBe('initial-theme');
 
       const newRemoteSettings = {
-        secureModeEnabled: true,
+        strictModeDisabled: false,
         mcpSetting: { mcpEnabled: false },
         cliFeatureSetting: { extensionsSetting: { extensionsEnabled: false } },
       };
@@ -2213,7 +2213,7 @@ describe('Settings Loading and Merging', () => {
 
       // Verify that calling setRemoteAdminSettings with partial data overwrites previous remote settings
       // and missing properties revert to schema defaults.
-      loadedSettings.setRemoteAdminSettings({ secureModeEnabled: false });
+      loadedSettings.setRemoteAdminSettings({ strictModeDisabled: true });
       expect(loadedSettings.merged.admin?.secureModeEnabled).toBe(false);
       expect(loadedSettings.merged.admin?.mcp?.enabled).toBe(false); // Defaulting to false if missing
       expect(loadedSettings.merged.admin?.extensions?.enabled).toBe(false); // Defaulting to false if missing
@@ -2271,9 +2271,9 @@ describe('Settings Loading and Merging', () => {
       expect(loadedSettings.merged.admin?.mcp?.enabled).toBe(true);
       expect(loadedSettings.merged.admin?.extensions?.enabled).toBe(true);
 
-      // Set remote settings with only secureModeEnabled
+      // Set remote settings with only strictModeDisabled (false -> secureModeEnabled: true)
       loadedSettings.setRemoteAdminSettings({
-        secureModeEnabled: true,
+        strictModeDisabled: false,
       });
 
       // Verify secureModeEnabled is updated, others default to false
@@ -2286,8 +2286,8 @@ describe('Settings Loading and Merging', () => {
         mcpSetting: { mcpEnabled: false },
       });
 
-      // Verify mcpEnabled is updated, others remain defaults (secureModeEnabled reverts to default:false)
-      expect(loadedSettings.merged.admin?.secureModeEnabled).toBe(false);
+      // Verify mcpEnabled is updated, others remain defaults (secureModeEnabled defaults to true if strictModeDisabled is missing)
+      expect(loadedSettings.merged.admin?.secureModeEnabled).toBe(true);
       expect(loadedSettings.merged.admin?.mcp?.enabled).toBe(false);
       expect(loadedSettings.merged.admin?.extensions?.enabled).toBe(false);
 
@@ -2297,9 +2297,33 @@ describe('Settings Loading and Merging', () => {
       });
 
       // Verify extensionsEnabled is updated, others remain defaults
-      expect(loadedSettings.merged.admin?.secureModeEnabled).toBe(false);
+      expect(loadedSettings.merged.admin?.secureModeEnabled).toBe(true);
       expect(loadedSettings.merged.admin?.mcp?.enabled).toBe(false);
       expect(loadedSettings.merged.admin?.extensions?.enabled).toBe(false);
+
+      // Verify that missing strictModeDisabled falls back to secureModeEnabled
+      loadedSettings.setRemoteAdminSettings({
+        secureModeEnabled: false,
+      });
+      expect(loadedSettings.merged.admin?.secureModeEnabled).toBe(false);
+
+      loadedSettings.setRemoteAdminSettings({
+        secureModeEnabled: true,
+      });
+      expect(loadedSettings.merged.admin?.secureModeEnabled).toBe(true);
+
+      // Verify strictModeDisabled takes precedence over secureModeEnabled
+      loadedSettings.setRemoteAdminSettings({
+        strictModeDisabled: false,
+        secureModeEnabled: false,
+      });
+      expect(loadedSettings.merged.admin?.secureModeEnabled).toBe(true);
+
+      loadedSettings.setRemoteAdminSettings({
+        strictModeDisabled: true,
+        secureModeEnabled: true,
+      });
+      expect(loadedSettings.merged.admin?.secureModeEnabled).toBe(false);
     });
 
     it('should set skills based on unmanagedCapabilitiesEnabled', () => {
@@ -2337,12 +2361,12 @@ describe('Settings Loading and Merging', () => {
       expect(loadedSettings.merged.admin?.extensions?.enabled).toBe(false);
     });
 
-    it('should force secureModeEnabled to false if undefined, overriding schema defaults', () => {
-      // Mock schema to have secureModeEnabled default to true to verify the override
+    it('should force secureModeEnabled to true if undefined, overriding schema defaults', () => {
+      // Mock schema to have secureModeEnabled default to false to verify the override
       const originalSchema = getSettingsSchema();
       const modifiedSchema = JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(originalSchema));
       if (modifiedSchema.admin?.properties?.secureModeEnabled) {
-        modifiedSchema.admin.properties.secureModeEnabled.default = true;
+        modifiedSchema.admin.properties.secureModeEnabled.default = false;
       }
       vi.mocked(getSettingsSchema).mockReturnValue(modifiedSchema);
 
@@ -2352,13 +2376,13 @@ describe('Settings Loading and Merging', () => {
 
         const loadedSettings = loadSettings(MOCK_WORKSPACE_DIR);
 
-        // Pass a non-empty object that doesn't have secureModeEnabled
+        // Pass a non-empty object that doesn't have strictModeDisabled
         loadedSettings.setRemoteAdminSettings({
           mcpSetting: {},
         });
 
-        // It should be forced to false by the logic, overriding the mock default of true
-        expect(loadedSettings.merged.admin?.secureModeEnabled).toBe(false);
+        // It should be forced to true by the logic (default secure), overriding the mock default of false
+        expect(loadedSettings.merged.admin?.secureModeEnabled).toBe(true);
       } finally {
         vi.mocked(getSettingsSchema).mockReturnValue(originalSchema);
       }

packages/cli/src/config/settings.ts

@@ -348,7 +348,12 @@ export class LoadedSettings {
 
   setRemoteAdminSettings(remoteSettings: FetchAdminControlsResponse): void {
     const admin: Settings['admin'] = {};
-    const { secureModeEnabled, mcpSetting, cliFeatureSetting } = remoteSettings;
+    const {
+      secureModeEnabled,
+      strictModeDisabled,
+      mcpSetting,
+      cliFeatureSetting,
+    } = remoteSettings;
 
     if (Object.keys(remoteSettings).length === 0) {
       this._remoteAdminSettings = { admin };
@@ -356,7 +361,13 @@ export class LoadedSettings {
       return;
     }
 
-    admin.secureModeEnabled = secureModeEnabled ?? false;
+    if (strictModeDisabled !== undefined) {
+      admin.secureModeEnabled = !strictModeDisabled;
+    } else if (secureModeEnabled !== undefined) {
+      admin.secureModeEnabled = secureModeEnabled;
+    } else {
+      admin.secureModeEnabled = true;
+    }
     admin.mcp = { enabled: mcpSetting?.mcpEnabled ?? false };
     admin.extensions = {
       enabled: cliFeatureSetting?.extensionsSetting?.extensionsEnabled ?? false,

packages/cli/src/config/settingsSchema.ts

@@ -1179,16 +1179,6 @@ 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 +1268,17 @@ 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/gemini.tsx

@@ -32,6 +32,10 @@ import {
   runExitCleanup,
   registerTelemetryConfig,
 } from './utils/cleanup.js';
+import {
+  cleanupToolOutputFiles,
+  cleanupExpiredSessions,
+} from './utils/sessionCleanup.js';
 import {
   type Config,
   type ResumedSessionData,
@@ -71,7 +75,6 @@ import {
 } from './core/initializer.js';
 import { validateAuthMethod } from './config/auth.js';
 import { runZedIntegration } from './zed-integration/zedIntegration.js';
-import { cleanupExpiredSessions } from './utils/sessionCleanup.js';
 import { validateNonInteractiveAuth } from './validateNonInterActiveAuth.js';
 import { checkForUpdates } from './ui/utils/updateCheck.js';
 import { handleAutoUpdate } from './utils/handleAutoUpdate.js';
@@ -320,7 +323,10 @@ export async function main() {
     );
   });
 
-  await cleanupCheckpoints();
+  await Promise.all([
+    cleanupCheckpoints(),
+    cleanupToolOutputFiles(settings.merged),
+  ]);
 
   const parseArgsHandle = startupProfiler.start('parse_arguments');
   const argv = await parseArguments(settings.merged);
@@ -367,7 +373,7 @@ export async function main() {
     ) {
       settings.setValue(
         SettingScope.User,
-        'selectedAuthType',
+        'security.auth.selectedType',
         AuthType.COMPUTE_ADC,
       );
     }

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,
@@ -1193,12 +1196,9 @@ 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 +1234,9 @@ 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 +1303,9 @@ 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 +1341,7 @@ 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 +1378,9 @@ 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 +1432,11 @@ 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 +1491,9 @@ 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 +1503,7 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
               status: 'executing',
             } as unknown as TrackedToolCall,
           ],
-          handleApprovalModeChange: vi.fn(),
           activePtyId: 'pty-1',
-          loopDetectionConfirmationRequest: null,
           lastOutputTime: startTime,
           retryStatus: null,
         });
@@ -1587,16 +1561,11 @@ 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 +1612,9 @@ 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 +1635,9 @@ 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 +1697,9 @@ 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 +1738,9 @@ 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 +1778,8 @@ 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 +1881,7 @@ 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',
       });
 
@@ -2005,11 +1953,7 @@ 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,
       });
 
@@ -2030,11 +1974,8 @@ 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();
@@ -2510,6 +2451,59 @@ 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 +2515,7 @@ 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 +2665,6 @@ 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();
 
@@ -835,6 +788,10 @@ 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),
@@ -858,6 +815,17 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       toggleDebugProfiler,
       dispatchExtensionStateUpdate,
       addConfirmUpdateExtensionRequest,
+      toggleBackgroundShell: () => {
+        toggleBackgroundShellRef.current();
+        if (!isBackgroundShellVisibleRef.current) {
+          setEmbeddedShellFocused(true);
+          if (backgroundShellsRef.current.size > 1) {
+            setIsBackgroundShellListOpenRef.current(true);
+          } else {
+            setIsBackgroundShellListOpenRef.current(false);
+          }
+        }
+      },
       setText: (text: string) => buffer.setText(text),
     }),
     [
@@ -885,7 +853,7 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
     slashCommands,
     pendingHistoryItems: pendingSlashCommandHistoryItems,
     commandContext,
-    confirmationRequest,
+    confirmationRequest: commandConfirmationRequest,
   } = useSlashCommandProcessor(
     config,
     settings,
@@ -902,6 +870,26 @@ 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 +977,12 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
     activePtyId,
     loopDetectionConfirmationRequest,
     lastOutputTime,
+    backgroundShellCount,
+    isBackgroundShellVisible,
+    toggleBackgroundShell,
+    backgroundCurrentShell,
+    backgroundShells,
+    dismissBackgroundShell,
     retryStatus,
   } = useGeminiStream(
     config.getGeminiClient(),
@@ -1011,7 +1005,30 @@ 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 +1177,11 @@ 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({
@@ -1464,10 +1485,6 @@ 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?.();
@@ -1520,9 +1537,10 @@ 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)) &&
+        buffer.text.length === 0
       ) {
         if (key.name === 'tab' && key.shift) {
           // Always change focus
@@ -1530,26 +1548,72 @@ 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;
@@ -1565,7 +1629,6 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       setCtrlDPressCount,
       handleSlashCommand,
       cancelOngoingRequest,
-      askUserRequest,
       activePtyId,
       embeddedShellFocused,
       settings.merged.general.debugKeystrokeLogging,
@@ -1573,11 +1636,18 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       setCopyModeEnabled,
       copyModeEnabled,
       isAlternateBuffer,
+      backgroundCurrentShell,
+      toggleBackgroundShell,
+      backgroundShells,
+      isBackgroundShellVisible,
+      setIsBackgroundShellListOpen,
+      lastOutputTimeRef,
+      tabFocusTimeoutRef,
       handleWarning,
     ],
   );
 
-  useKeypress(handleGlobalKeypress, { isActive: true });
+  useKeypress(handleGlobalKeypress, { isActive: true, priority: true });
 
   useEffect(() => {
     // Respect hideWindowTitle settings
@@ -1586,7 +1656,8 @@ 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 +1673,7 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
   }, [
     streamingState,
     thought,
-    confirmationRequest,
+    commandConfirmationRequest,
     shouldShowActionRequiredTitle,
     shouldShowSilentWorkingTitle,
     settings.merged.ui.showStatusInTitle,
@@ -1678,11 +1749,11 @@ 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 +1863,8 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       slashCommands,
       pendingSlashCommandHistoryItems,
       commandContext,
-      confirmationRequest,
+      commandConfirmationRequest,
+      authConsentRequest,
       confirmUpdateExtensionRequests,
       loopDetectionConfirmationRequest,
       geminiMdFileCount,
@@ -1853,6 +1925,8 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       isRestarting,
       extensionsUpdateState,
       activePtyId,
+      backgroundShellCount,
+      isBackgroundShellVisible,
       embeddedShellFocused,
       showDebugProfiler,
       customDialog,
@@ -1862,6 +1936,10 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       bannerVisible,
       terminalBackgroundColor: config.getTerminalBackground(),
       settingsNonce,
+      backgroundShells,
+      activeBackgroundShellPid,
+      backgroundShellHeight,
+      isBackgroundShellListOpen,
       adminSettingsChanged,
       newAgents,
     }),
@@ -1890,7 +1968,8 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       slashCommands,
       pendingSlashCommandHistoryItems,
       commandContext,
-      confirmationRequest,
+      commandConfirmationRequest,
+      authConsentRequest,
       confirmUpdateExtensionRequests,
       loopDetectionConfirmationRequest,
       geminiMdFileCount,
@@ -1951,6 +2030,8 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       currentModel,
       extensionsUpdateState,
       activePtyId,
+      backgroundShellCount,
+      isBackgroundShellVisible,
       historyManager,
       embeddedShellFocused,
       showDebugProfiler,
@@ -1963,6 +2044,10 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       bannerVisible,
       config,
       settingsNonce,
+      backgroundShellHeight,
+      isBackgroundShellListOpen,
+      activeBackgroundShellPid,
+      backgroundShells,
       adminSettingsChanged,
       newAgents,
     ],
@@ -2010,7 +2095,11 @@ 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 +2171,11 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       handleApiKeySubmit,
       handleApiKeyCancel,
       setBannerVisible,
+      handleWarning,
       setEmbeddedShellFocused,
+      dismissBackgroundShell,
+      setActiveBackgroundShellPid,
+      setIsBackgroundShellListOpen,
       setAuthContext,
       newAgents,
       config,
@@ -2113,15 +2206,9 @@ 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/AsciiArt.ts

@@ -36,42 +36,3 @@ export const tinyAsciiLogo = `
  ███░      ░░█████████ 
 ░░░         ░░░░░░░░░  
 `;
-
-export const shortAsciiLogoIde = `
-     ░░░░░░░░░  ░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░   ░░░░░░ ░░░░░ ░░░░░░   ░░░░░ ░░░░░
-    ░░░     ░░░ ░░░        ░░░░░░   ░░░░░░  ░░░  ░░░░░░   ░░░░░  ░░░
-    ░░░         ░░░        ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░  ░░░  ░░░ ░░░  ░░░    ░░░
-   █████████░░██████████ ██████ ░░██████░█████░██████ ░░█████ █████░
-  ███░░   ███░███░░      ██████  ░██████░░███░░██████  ░█████  ███░░
-  ███░░     ░░███░░      ███░███ ███ ███░░███░░███░███  ███░░  ███░░
-  ███░░░░████░██████░░░░░███░░█████  ███░░███░░███░░███ ███░░░ ███░░░
-  ███     ███ ███        ███   ███   ███  ███  ███   ██████    ███
-  ███     ███ ███        ███         ███  ███  ███    █████    ███
-   █████████  ██████████ ███         ███ █████ ███     █████  █████
-`;
-
-export const longAsciiLogoIde = `
-   ░░░            ░░░░░░░░░  ░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░   ░░░░░░ ░░░░░ ░░░░░░   ░░░░░ ░░░░░
-     ░░░         ░░░     ░░░ ░░░        ░░░░░░   ░░░░░░  ░░░  ░░░░░░   ░░░░░  ░░░
-       ░░░      ░░░          ░░░        ░░░ ░░░ ░░░ ░░░  ░░░  ░░░ ░░░  ░░░    ░░░
- ███     ░░░    █████████░░██████████ ██████ ░░██████░█████░██████ ░░█████ █████░
-   ███ ░░░     ███░    ███░███░░      ██████  ░██████░░███░░██████  ░█████  ███░░
-     ███      ███░░░     ░░███░░      ███░███ ███ ███░░███░░███░███  ███░░  ███░░
-   ░░░ ███    ███ ░░░█████░██████░░░░░███░░█████  ███░░███░░███░░███ ███░░░ ███░░░
-     ███      ███      ███ ███        ███   ███   ███  ███  ███   ██████    ███
-   ███         ███     ███ ███        ███         ███  ███  ███    █████    ███
- ███            █████████  ██████████ ███         ███ █████ ███     █████  █████
-`;
-
-export const tinyAsciiLogoIde = `
-   ░░░         ░░░░░░░░░
-     ░░░      ░░░     ░░░
-       ░░░    ░░░
- ███     ░░░ █████████░░░
-   ███ ░░░  ███░░   ███░░
-     ███    ███░░     ░░░
-   ░░░ ███  ███░░░░████░
-     ███    ███     ███
-   ███      ███     ███
- ███         █████████ 
-`;

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

@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
         questions={authQuestion}
         onSubmit={vi.fn()}
         onCancel={vi.fn()}
+        width={120}
+        availableHeight={20}
       />,
       { width: 120 },
     );
@@ -105,6 +107,8 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
           questions={questions}
           onSubmit={onSubmit}
           onCancel={vi.fn()}
+          width={120}
+          availableHeight={20}
         />,
         { width: 120 },
       );
@@ -124,6 +128,8 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
         questions={authQuestion}
         onSubmit={onSubmit}
         onCancel={vi.fn()}
+        width={120}
+        availableHeight={20}
       />,
       { width: 120 },
     );
@@ -153,12 +159,42 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
     });
   });
 
+  it('shows scroll arrows when options exceed available height', 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
+      />,
+    );
+
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      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}
+        availableHeight={20}
       />,
       { width: 120 },
     );
@@ -209,6 +245,8 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
         questions={multiQuestions}
         onSubmit={vi.fn()}
         onCancel={vi.fn()}
+        width={120}
+        availableHeight={20}
       />,
       { width: 120 },
     );
@@ -222,6 +260,8 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
         questions={authQuestion}
         onSubmit={vi.fn()}
         onCancel={vi.fn()}
+        width={120}
+        availableHeight={20}
       />,
       { width: 120 },
     );
@@ -235,6 +275,8 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
         questions={authQuestion}
         onSubmit={vi.fn()}
         onCancel={vi.fn()}
+        width={120}
+        availableHeight={20}
       />,
       { width: 120 },
     );
@@ -265,6 +307,8 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
         questions={multiQuestions}
         onSubmit={vi.fn()}
         onCancel={vi.fn()}
+        width={120}
+        availableHeight={20}
       />,
       { width: 120 },
     );
@@ -306,6 +350,8 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
         questions={multiQuestions}
         onSubmit={onSubmit}
         onCancel={vi.fn()}
+        width={120}
+        availableHeight={20}
       />,
       { width: 120 },
     );
@@ -373,6 +419,8 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
         questions={multiQuestions}
         onSubmit={vi.fn()}
         onCancel={vi.fn()}
+        width={120}
+        availableHeight={20}
       />,
       { width: 120 },
     );
@@ -401,6 +449,8 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
         questions={multiQuestions}
         onSubmit={vi.fn()}
         onCancel={vi.fn()}
+        width={120}
+        availableHeight={20}
       />,
       { width: 120 },
     );
@@ -445,6 +495,8 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
         questions={multiQuestions}
         onSubmit={vi.fn()}
         onCancel={vi.fn()}
+        width={120}
+        availableHeight={20}
       />,
       { width: 120 },
     );
@@ -480,6 +532,8 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
         questions={multiQuestions}
         onSubmit={onSubmit}
         onCancel={vi.fn()}
+        width={120}
+        availableHeight={20}
       />,
       { width: 120 },
     );
@@ -512,6 +566,8 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
           questions={textQuestion}
           onSubmit={vi.fn()}
           onCancel={vi.fn()}
+          width={120}
+          availableHeight={20}
         />,
         { width: 120 },
       );
@@ -533,6 +589,8 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
           questions={textQuestion}
           onSubmit={vi.fn()}
           onCancel={vi.fn()}
+          width={120}
+          availableHeight={20}
         />,
         { width: 120 },
       );
@@ -554,6 +612,8 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
           questions={textQuestion}
           onSubmit={vi.fn()}
           onCancel={vi.fn()}
+          width={120}
+          availableHeight={20}
         />,
         { width: 120 },
       );
@@ -588,6 +648,8 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
           questions={textQuestion}
           onSubmit={vi.fn()}
           onCancel={vi.fn()}
+          width={120}
+          availableHeight={20}
         />,
         { width: 120 },
       );
@@ -618,6 +680,8 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
           questions={mixedQuestions}
           onSubmit={vi.fn()}
           onCancel={vi.fn()}
+          width={120}
+          availableHeight={20}
         />,
         { width: 120 },
       );
@@ -664,6 +728,8 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
           questions={mixedQuestions}
           onSubmit={onSubmit}
           onCancel={vi.fn()}
+          width={120}
+          availableHeight={20}
         />,
         { width: 120 },
       );
@@ -713,6 +779,8 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
           questions={textQuestion}
           onSubmit={onSubmit}
           onCancel={vi.fn()}
+          width={120}
+          availableHeight={20}
         />,
         { width: 120 },
       );
@@ -738,6 +806,8 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
           questions={textQuestion}
           onSubmit={vi.fn()}
           onCancel={onCancel}
+          width={120}
+          availableHeight={20}
         />,
         { width: 120 },
       );
@@ -783,6 +853,8 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
           questions={multiQuestions}
           onSubmit={vi.fn()}
           onCancel={vi.fn()}
+          width={120}
+          availableHeight={20}
         />,
         { width: 120 },
       );
@@ -841,6 +913,8 @@ describe('AskUserDialog', () => {
           questions={multiQuestions}
           onSubmit={onSubmit}
           onCancel={vi.fn()}
+          width={120}
+          availableHeight={20}
         />,
         { width: 120 },
       );

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

@@ -5,14 +5,7 @@
  */
 
 import type React from 'react';
-import {
-  useCallback,
-  useMemo,
-  useRef,
-  useEffect,
-  useReducer,
-  useContext,
-} from 'react';
+import { useCallback, useMemo, useRef, useEffect, useReducer } from 'react';
 import { Box, Text } from 'ink';
 import { theme } from '../semantic-colors.js';
 import type { Question } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
@@ -24,10 +17,10 @@ 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';
 
 interface AskUserDialogState {
   answers: { [key: string]: string };
@@ -121,6 +114,14 @@ 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 +153,7 @@ 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 +170,19 @@ 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 +199,7 @@ interface TextQuestionViewProps {
   onSelectionChange?: (answer: string) => void;
   onEditingCustomOption?: (editing: boolean) => void;
   availableWidth: number;
+  availableHeight: number;
   initialAnswer?: string;
   progressHeader?: React.ReactNode;
   keyboardHints?: React.ReactNode;
@@ -210,12 +211,13 @@ const TextQuestionView: React.FC<TextQuestionViewProps> = ({
   onSelectionChange,
   onEditingCustomOption,
   availableWidth,
+  availableHeight,
   initialAnswer,
   progressHeader,
   keyboardHints,
 }) => {
   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 +243,15 @@ 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 +275,21 @@ 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 = Math.max(1, availableHeight - overhead);
+
   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}>
+          <Text bold color={theme.text.primary}>
+            {question.question}
+          </Text>
+        </MaxSizedBox>
       </Box>
 
       <Box flexDirection="row" marginBottom={1}>
@@ -381,6 +389,7 @@ interface ChoiceQuestionViewProps {
   onSelectionChange?: (answer: string) => void;
   onEditingCustomOption?: (editing: boolean) => void;
   availableWidth: number;
+  availableHeight: number;
   initialAnswer?: string;
   progressHeader?: React.ReactNode;
   keyboardHints?: React.ReactNode;
@@ -391,14 +400,12 @@ 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 numOptions =
     (question.options?.length ?? 0) + (question.type !== 'yesno' ? 1 : 0);
   const numLen = String(numOptions).length;
@@ -407,15 +414,9 @@ 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 +545,9 @@ 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 +590,12 @@ const ChoiceQuestionView: React.FC<ChoiceQuestionViewProps> = ({
       }
       return false;
     },
-    [isCustomOptionFocused, customBuffer, onEditingCustomOption],
+    [
+      isCustomOptionFocused,
+      customBuffer,
+      onEditingCustomOption,
+      customOptionText,
+    ],
   );
 
   useKeypress(handleExtraKeys, { isActive: true, priority: true });
@@ -698,31 +707,41 @@ 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 = Math.max(1, availableHeight - overhead);
+  const questionHeight = Math.min(3, Math.max(1, listHeight - 4));
+  const maxItemsToShow = Math.max(
+    1,
+    Math.floor((listHeight - questionHeight) / 2),
+  );
+
   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}>
+          <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 +823,12 @@ export const AskUserDialog: React.FC<AskUserDialogProps> = ({
   onSubmit,
   onCancel,
   onActiveTextInputChange,
+  width,
+  availableHeight,
 }) => {
   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 +859,12 @@ 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 +1041,8 @@ 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 +1054,8 @@ 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 +1065,7 @@ 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/Checklist.test.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+/**
+ * @license
+ * Copyright 2025 Google LLC
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
+import { render } from '../../test-utils/render.js';
+import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest';
+import { Checklist } from './Checklist.js';
+import type { ChecklistItemData } from './ChecklistItem.js';
+
+describe('<Checklist />', () => {
+  const items: ChecklistItemData[] = [
+    { status: 'completed', label: 'Task 1' },
+    { status: 'in_progress', label: 'Task 2' },
+    { status: 'pending', label: 'Task 3' },
+    { status: 'cancelled', label: 'Task 4' },
+  ];
+
+  it('renders nothing when list is empty', () => {
+    const { lastFrame } = render(
+      <Checklist title="Test List" items={[]} isExpanded={true} />,
+    );
+    expect(lastFrame()).toBe('');
+  });
+
+  it('renders nothing when collapsed and no active items', () => {
+    const inactiveItems: ChecklistItemData[] = [
+      { status: 'completed', label: 'Task 1' },
+      { status: 'cancelled', label: 'Task 2' },
+    ];
+    const { lastFrame } = render(
+      <Checklist title="Test List" items={inactiveItems} isExpanded={false} />,
+    );
+    expect(lastFrame()).toBe('');
+  });
+
+  it('renders summary view correctly (collapsed)', () => {
+    const { lastFrame } = render(
+      <Checklist
+        title="Test List"
+        items={items}
+        isExpanded={false}
+        toggleHint="toggle me"
+      />,
+    );
+    expect(lastFrame()).toMatchSnapshot();
+  });
+
+  it('renders expanded view correctly', () => {
+    const { lastFrame } = render(
+      <Checklist
+        title="Test List"
+        items={items}
+        isExpanded={true}
+        toggleHint="toggle me"
+      />,
+    );
+    expect(lastFrame()).toMatchSnapshot();
+  });
+
+  it('renders summary view without in-progress item if none exists', () => {
+    const pendingItems: ChecklistItemData[] = [
+      { status: 'completed', label: 'Task 1' },
+      { status: 'pending', label: 'Task 2' },
+    ];
+    const { lastFrame } = render(
+      <Checklist title="Test List" items={pendingItems} isExpanded={false} />,
+    );
+    expect(lastFrame()).toMatchSnapshot();
+  });
+});

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

@@ -0,0 +1,126 @@
+/**
+ * @license
+ * Copyright 2025 Google LLC
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
+import type React from 'react';
+import { Box, Text } from 'ink';
+import { theme } from '../semantic-colors.js';
+import { useMemo } from 'react';
+import { ChecklistItem, type ChecklistItemData } from './ChecklistItem.js';
+
+export interface ChecklistProps {
+  title: string;
+  items: ChecklistItemData[];
+  isExpanded: boolean;
+  toggleHint?: string;
+}
+
+const ChecklistTitleDisplay: React.FC<{
+  title: string;
+  items: ChecklistItemData[];
+  toggleHint?: string;
+}> = ({ title, items, toggleHint }) => {
+  const score = useMemo(() => {
+    let total = 0;
+    let completed = 0;
+    for (const item of items) {
+      if (item.status !== 'cancelled') {
+        total += 1;
+        if (item.status === 'completed') {
+          completed += 1;
+        }
+      }
+    }
+    return `${completed}/${total} completed`;
+  }, [items]);
+
+  return (
+    <Box flexDirection="row" columnGap={2} height={1}>
+      <Text color={theme.text.primary} bold aria-label={`${title} list`}>
+        {title}
+      </Text>
+      <Text color={theme.text.secondary}>
+        {score}
+        {toggleHint ? ` (${toggleHint})` : ''}
+      </Text>
+    </Box>
+  );
+};
+
+const ChecklistListDisplay: React.FC<{ items: ChecklistItemData[] }> = ({
+  items,
+}) => (
+  <Box flexDirection="column" aria-role="list">
+    {items.map((item, index) => (
+      <ChecklistItem
+        item={item}
+        key={`${index}-${item.label}`}
+        role="listitem"
+      />
+    ))}
+  </Box>
+);
+
+export const Checklist: React.FC<ChecklistProps> = ({
+  title,
+  items,
+  isExpanded,
+  toggleHint,
+}) => {
+  const inProgress: ChecklistItemData | null = useMemo(
+    () => items.find((item) => item.status === 'in_progress') || null,
+    [items],
+  );
+
+  const hasActiveItems = useMemo(
+    () =>
+      items.some(
+        (item) => item.status === 'pending' || item.status === 'in_progress',
+      ),
+    [items],
+  );
+
+  if (items.length === 0 || (!isExpanded && !hasActiveItems)) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <Box
+      borderStyle="single"
+      borderBottom={false}
+      borderRight={false}
+      borderLeft={false}
+      borderColor={theme.border.default}
+      paddingLeft={1}
+      paddingRight={1}
+    >
+      {isExpanded ? (
+        <Box flexDirection="column" rowGap={1}>
+          <ChecklistTitleDisplay
+            title={title}
+            items={items}
+            toggleHint={toggleHint}
+          />
+          <ChecklistListDisplay items={items} />
+        </Box>
+      ) : (
+        <Box flexDirection="row" columnGap={1} height={1}>
+          <Box flexShrink={0} flexGrow={0}>
+            <ChecklistTitleDisplay
+              title={title}
+              items={items}
+              toggleHint={toggleHint}
+            />
+          </Box>
+          {inProgress && (
+            <Box flexShrink={1} flexGrow={1}>
+              <ChecklistItem item={inProgress} wrap="truncate" />
+            </Box>
+          )}
+        </Box>
+      )}
+    </Box>
+  );
+};

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

@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+/**
+ * @license
+ * Copyright 2025 Google LLC
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
+import { render } from '../../test-utils/render.js';
+import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest';
+import { ChecklistItem, type ChecklistItemData } from './ChecklistItem.js';
+import { Box } from 'ink';
+
+describe('<ChecklistItem />', () => {
+  it.each([
+    { status: 'pending', label: 'Do this' },
+    { status: 'in_progress', label: 'Doing this' },
+    { status: 'completed', label: 'Done this' },
+    { status: 'cancelled', label: 'Skipped this' },
+  ] as ChecklistItemData[])('renders %s item correctly', (item) => {
+    const { lastFrame } = render(<ChecklistItem item={item} />);
+    expect(lastFrame()).toMatchSnapshot();
+  });
+
+  it('truncates long text when wrap="truncate"', () => {
+    const item: ChecklistItemData = {
+      status: 'in_progress',
+      label:
+        'This is a very long text that should be truncated because the wrap prop is set to truncate',
+    };
+    const { lastFrame } = render(
+      <Box width={30}>
+        <ChecklistItem item={item} wrap="truncate" />
+      </Box>,
+    );
+    expect(lastFrame()).toMatchSnapshot();
+  });
+
+  it('wraps long text by default', () => {
+    const item: ChecklistItemData = {
+      status: 'in_progress',
+      label:
+        'This is a very long text that should wrap because the default behavior is wrapping',
+    };
+    const { lastFrame } = render(
+      <Box width={30}>
+        <ChecklistItem item={item} />
+      </Box>,
+    );
+    expect(lastFrame()).toMatchSnapshot();
+  });
+});

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

@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+/**
+ * @license
+ * Copyright 2025 Google LLC
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
+import type React from 'react';
+import { Box, Text } from 'ink';
+import { theme } from '../semantic-colors.js';
+import { checkExhaustive } from '../../utils/checks.js';
+
+export type ChecklistStatus =
+  | 'pending'
+  | 'in_progress'
+  | 'completed'
+  | 'cancelled';
+
+export interface ChecklistItemData {
+  status: ChecklistStatus;
+  label: string;
+}
+
+const ChecklistStatusDisplay: React.FC<{ status: ChecklistStatus }> = ({
+  status,
+}) => {
+  switch (status) {
+    case 'completed':
+      return (
+        <Text color={theme.status.success} aria-label="Completed">
+          ✓
+        </Text>
+      );
+    case 'in_progress':
+      return (
+        <Text color={theme.text.accent} aria-label="In Progress">
+          »
+        </Text>
+      );
+    case 'pending':
+      return (
+        <Text color={theme.text.secondary} aria-label="Pending">
+          ☐
+        </Text>
+      );
+    case 'cancelled':
+      return (
+        <Text color={theme.status.error} aria-label="Cancelled">
+          ✗
+        </Text>
+      );
+    default:
+      checkExhaustive(status);
+  }
+};
+
+export interface ChecklistItemProps {
+  item: ChecklistItemData;
+  wrap?: 'truncate';
+  role?: 'listitem';
+}
+
+export const ChecklistItem: React.FC<ChecklistItemProps> = ({
+  item,
+  wrap,
+  role: ariaRole,
+}) => {
+  const textColor = (() => {
+    switch (item.status) {
+      case 'in_progress':
+        return theme.text.accent;
+      case 'completed':
+      case 'cancelled':
+        return theme.text.secondary;
+      case 'pending':
+        return theme.text.primary;
+      default:
+        checkExhaustive(item.status);
+    }
+  })();
+  const strikethrough = item.status === 'cancelled';
+
+  return (
+    <Box flexDirection="row" columnGap={1} aria-role={ariaRole}>
+      <ChecklistStatusDisplay status={item.status} />
+      <Box flexShrink={1}>
+        <Text color={textColor} wrap={wrap} strikethrough={strikethrough}>
+          {item.label}
+        </Text>
+      </Box>
+    </Box>
+  );
+};

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

@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ import { SettingsContext } from '../contexts/SettingsContext.js';
 vi.mock('../contexts/VimModeContext.js', () => ({
   useVimMode: vi.fn(() => ({
     vimEnabled: false,
-    vimMode: 'NORMAL',
+    vimMode: 'INSERT',
   })),
 }));
 import { ApprovalMode } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
@@ -54,7 +54,9 @@ vi.mock('./DetailedMessagesDisplay.js', () => ({
 }));
 
 vi.mock('./InputPrompt.js', () => ({
-  InputPrompt: () => <Text>InputPrompt</Text>,
+  InputPrompt: ({ placeholder }: { placeholder?: string }) => (
+    <Text>InputPrompt: {placeholder}</Text>
+  ),
   calculatePromptWidths: vi.fn(() => ({
     inputWidth: 80,
     suggestionsWidth: 40,
@@ -131,6 +133,8 @@ const createMockUIState = (overrides: Partial<UIState> = {}): UIState =>
     nightly: false,
     isTrustedFolder: true,
     activeHooks: [],
+    isBackgroundShellVisible: false,
+    embeddedShellFocused: false,
     ...overrides,
   }) as UIState;
 
@@ -308,6 +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', () => {
@@ -487,4 +517,40 @@ describe('Composer', () => {
       expect(lastFrame()).not.toContain('DetailedMessagesDisplay');
     });
   });
+
+  describe('Vim Mode Placeholders', () => {
+    it('shows correct placeholder in INSERT mode', async () => {
+      const uiState = createMockUIState({ isInputActive: true });
+      const { useVimMode } = await import('../contexts/VimModeContext.js');
+      vi.mocked(useVimMode).mockReturnValue({
+        vimEnabled: true,
+        vimMode: 'INSERT',
+        toggleVimEnabled: vi.fn(),
+        setVimMode: vi.fn(),
+      });
+
+      const { lastFrame } = renderComposer(uiState);
+
+      expect(lastFrame()).toContain(
+        "InputPrompt:   Press 'Esc' for NORMAL mode.",
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('shows correct placeholder in NORMAL mode', async () => {
+      const uiState = createMockUIState({ isInputActive: true });
+      const { useVimMode } = await import('../contexts/VimModeContext.js');
+      vi.mocked(useVimMode).mockReturnValue({
+        vimEnabled: true,
+        vimMode: 'NORMAL',
+        toggleVimEnabled: vi.fn(),
+        setVimMode: vi.fn(),
+      });
+
+      const { lastFrame } = renderComposer(uiState);
+
+      expect(lastFrame()).toContain(
+        "InputPrompt:   Press 'i' for INSERT mode.",
+      );
+    });
+  });
 });

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

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ export const Composer = ({ isFocused = true }: { isFocused?: boolean }) => {
   const isScreenReaderEnabled = useIsScreenReaderEnabled();
   const uiState = useUIState();
   const uiActions = useUIActions();
-  const { vimEnabled } = useVimMode();
+  const { vimEnabled, vimMode } = useVimMode();
   const terminalWidth = process.stdout.columns;
   const isNarrow = isNarrowWidth(terminalWidth);
   const debugConsoleMaxHeight = Math.floor(Math.max(terminalWidth * 0.2, 5));
@@ -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 ||
@@ -143,7 +143,9 @@ export const Composer = ({ isFocused = true }: { isFocused?: boolean }) => {
           popAllMessages={uiActions.popAllMessages}
           placeholder={
             vimEnabled
-              ? "  Press 'i' for INSERT mode and 'Esc' for NORMAL mode."
+              ? vimMode === 'INSERT'
+                ? "  Press 'Esc' for NORMAL mode."
+                : "  Press 'i' for INSERT mode."
               : uiState.shellModeActive
                 ? '  Type your shell command'
                 : '  Type your message or @path/to/file'

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/Header.test.tsx

@@ -8,9 +8,8 @@ import { render } from '../../test-utils/render.js';
 import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach, type Mock } from 'vitest';
 import { Header } from './Header.js';
 import * as useTerminalSize from '../hooks/useTerminalSize.js';
-import { longAsciiLogo, longAsciiLogoIde } from './AsciiArt.js';
+import { longAsciiLogo } from './AsciiArt.js';
 import * as semanticColors from '../semantic-colors.js';
-import * as terminalSetup from '../utils/terminalSetup.js';
 import { Text } from 'ink';
 import type React from 'react';
 
@@ -18,9 +17,6 @@ vi.mock('../hooks/useTerminalSize.js');
 vi.mock('../hooks/useSnowfall.js', () => ({
   useSnowfall: vi.fn((art) => art),
 }));
-vi.mock('../utils/terminalSetup.js', () => ({
-  getTerminalProgram: vi.fn(),
-}));
 vi.mock('ink-gradient', () => {
   const MockGradient = ({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) => (
     <>{children}</>
@@ -41,7 +37,6 @@ vi.mock('ink', async () => {
 describe('<Header />', () => {
   beforeEach(() => {
     vi.clearAllMocks();
-    vi.mocked(terminalSetup.getTerminalProgram).mockReturnValue(null);
   });
 
   it('renders the long logo on a wide terminal', () => {
@@ -58,22 +53,6 @@ describe('<Header />', () => {
     );
   });
 
-  it('uses the IDE logo when running in an IDE', () => {
-    vi.spyOn(useTerminalSize, 'useTerminalSize').mockReturnValue({
-      columns: 120,
-      rows: 20,
-    });
-    vi.mocked(terminalSetup.getTerminalProgram).mockReturnValue('vscode');
-
-    render(<Header version="1.0.0" nightly={false} />);
-    expect(Text).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-      expect.objectContaining({
-        children: longAsciiLogoIde,
-      }),
-      undefined,
-    );
-  });
-
   it('renders custom ASCII art when provided', () => {
     const customArt = 'CUSTOM ART';
     render(
@@ -87,24 +66,13 @@ describe('<Header />', () => {
     );
   });
 
-  it('renders custom ASCII art as is when running in an IDE', () => {
-    const customArt = 'CUSTOM ART';
-    vi.mocked(terminalSetup.getTerminalProgram).mockReturnValue('vscode');
-    render(
-      <Header version="1.0.0" nightly={false} customAsciiArt={customArt} />,
-    );
-    expect(Text).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-      expect.objectContaining({
-        children: customArt,
-      }),
-      undefined,
-    );
-  });
-
   it('displays the version number when nightly is true', () => {
     render(<Header version="1.0.0" nightly={true} />);
     const textCalls = (Text as Mock).mock.calls;
-    expect(textCalls[1][0].children.join('')).toBe('v1.0.0');
+    const versionText = Array.isArray(textCalls[1][0].children)
+      ? textCalls[1][0].children.join('')
+      : textCalls[1][0].children;
+    expect(versionText).toBe('v1.0.0');
   });
 
   it('does not display the version number when nightly is false', () => {

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

@@ -7,17 +7,9 @@
 import type React from 'react';
 import { Box } from 'ink';
 import { ThemedGradient } from './ThemedGradient.js';
-import {
-  shortAsciiLogo,
-  longAsciiLogo,
-  tinyAsciiLogo,
-  shortAsciiLogoIde,
-  longAsciiLogoIde,
-  tinyAsciiLogoIde,
-} from './AsciiArt.js';
+import { shortAsciiLogo, longAsciiLogo, tinyAsciiLogo } from './AsciiArt.js';
 import { getAsciiArtWidth } from '../utils/textUtils.js';
 import { useTerminalSize } from '../hooks/useTerminalSize.js';
-import { getTerminalProgram } from '../utils/terminalSetup.js';
 import { useSnowfall } from '../hooks/useSnowfall.js';
 
 interface HeaderProps {
@@ -32,7 +24,6 @@ export const Header: React.FC<HeaderProps> = ({
   nightly,
 }) => {
   const { columns: terminalWidth } = useTerminalSize();
-  const isIde = getTerminalProgram();
   let displayTitle;
   const widthOfLongLogo = getAsciiArtWidth(longAsciiLogo);
   const widthOfShortLogo = getAsciiArtWidth(shortAsciiLogo);
@@ -40,11 +31,11 @@ export const Header: React.FC<HeaderProps> = ({
   if (customAsciiArt) {
     displayTitle = customAsciiArt;
   } else if (terminalWidth >= widthOfLongLogo) {
-    displayTitle = isIde ? longAsciiLogoIde : longAsciiLogo;
+    displayTitle = longAsciiLogo;
   } else if (terminalWidth >= widthOfShortLogo) {
-    displayTitle = isIde ? shortAsciiLogoIde : shortAsciiLogo;
+    displayTitle = shortAsciiLogo;
   } else {
-    displayTitle = isIde ? tinyAsciiLogoIde : tinyAsciiLogo;
+    displayTitle = tinyAsciiLogo;
   }
 
   const artWidth = getAsciiArtWidth(displayTitle);

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);
@@ -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;
@@ -967,6 +976,8 @@ export const InputPrompt: React.FC<InputPromptProps> = ({
       onSubmit,
       activePtyId,
       setEmbeddedShellFocused,
+      backgroundShells.size,
+      backgroundShellHeight,
       history,
     ],
   );

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/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 +1,131 @@
 // Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
 
 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 scroll arrows when options exceed available height 1`] = `
+"Choose an option
+
+▲
+●  1.  Option 1
+       Description 1
+   2.  Option 2
+       Description 2
+▼
+
+Enter to select · ↑/↓ to navigate · 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__/Checklist.test.tsx.snap

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+// Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
+
+exports[`<Checklist /> > renders expanded view correctly 1`] = `
+"────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+ Test List  1/3 completed (toggle me)
+
+ ✓ Task 1
+ » Task 2
+ ☐ Task 3
+ ✗ Task 4"
+`;
+
+exports[`<Checklist /> > renders summary view correctly (collapsed) 1`] = `
+"────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+ Test List  1/3 completed (toggle me) » Task 2"
+`;
+
+exports[`<Checklist /> > renders summary view without in-progress item if none exists 1`] = `
+"────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+ Test List  1/2 completed"
+`;

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

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+// Vitest Snapshot v1, https://vitest.dev/guide/snapshot.html
+
+exports[`<ChecklistItem /> > renders { status: 'cancelled', label: 'Skipped this' } item correctly 1`] = `"✗ Skipped this"`;
+
+exports[`<ChecklistItem /> > renders { status: 'completed', label: 'Done this' } item correctly 1`] = `"✓ Done this"`;
+
+exports[`<ChecklistItem /> > renders { status: 'in_progress', label: 'Doing this' } item correctly 1`] = `"» Doing this"`;
+
+exports[`<ChecklistItem /> > renders { status: 'pending', label: 'Do this' } item correctly 1`] = `"☐ Do this"`;
+
+exports[`<ChecklistItem /> > truncates long text when wrap="truncate" 1`] = `"» This is a very long text th…"`;
+
+exports[`<ChecklistItem /> > wraps long text by default 1`] = `
+"» This is a very long text
+  that should wrap because the
+  default behavior is wrapping"
+`;

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/Todo.tsx

@@ -5,101 +5,12 @@
  */
 
 import type React from 'react';
-import { Box, Text } from 'ink';
-import {
-  type Todo,
-  type TodoList,
-  type TodoStatus,
-} from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
-import { theme } from '../../semantic-colors.js';
+import { type TodoList } from '@google/gemini-cli-core';
 import { useUIState } from '../../contexts/UIStateContext.js';
 import { useMemo } from 'react';
 import type { HistoryItemToolGroup } from '../../types.js';
-
-const TodoTitleDisplay: React.FC<{ todos: TodoList }> = ({ todos }) => {
-  const score = useMemo(() => {
-    let total = 0;
-    let completed = 0;
-    for (const todo of todos.todos) {
-      if (todo.status !== 'cancelled') {
-        total += 1;
-        if (todo.status === 'completed') {
-          completed += 1;
-        }
-      }
-    }
-    return `${completed}/${total} completed`;
-  }, [todos]);
-
-  return (
-    <Box flexDirection="row" columnGap={2} height={1}>
-      <Text color={theme.text.primary} bold aria-label="Todo list">
-        Todo
-      </Text>
-      <Text color={theme.text.secondary}>{score} (ctrl+t to toggle)</Text>
-    </Box>
-  );
-};
-
-const TodoStatusDisplay: React.FC<{ status: TodoStatus }> = ({ status }) => {
-  switch (status) {
-    case 'completed':
-      return (
-        <Text color={theme.status.success} aria-label="Completed">
-          ✓
-        </Text>
-      );
-    case 'in_progress':
-      return (
-        <Text color={theme.text.accent} aria-label="In Progress">
-          »
-        </Text>
-      );
-    case 'pending':
-      return (
-        <Text color={theme.text.secondary} aria-label="Pending">
-          ☐
-        </Text>
-      );
-    case 'cancelled':
-    default:
-      return (
-        <Text color={theme.status.error} aria-label="Cancelled">
-          ✗
-        </Text>
-      );
-  }
-};
-
-const TodoItemDisplay: React.FC<{
-  todo: Todo;
-  wrap?: 'truncate';
-  role?: 'listitem';
-}> = ({ todo, wrap, role: ariaRole }) => {
-  const textColor = (() => {
-    switch (todo.status) {
-      case 'in_progress':
-        return theme.text.accent;
-      case 'completed':
-      case 'cancelled':
-        return theme.text.secondary;
-      default:
-        return theme.text.primary;
-    }
-  })();
-  const strikethrough = todo.status === 'cancelled';
-
-  return (
-    <Box flexDirection="row" columnGap={1} aria-role={ariaRole}>
-      <TodoStatusDisplay status={todo.status} />
-      <Box flexShrink={1}>
-        <Text color={textColor} wrap={wrap} strikethrough={strikethrough}>
-          {todo.description}
-        </Text>
-      </Box>
-    </Box>
-  );
-};
+import { Checklist } from '../Checklist.js';
+import type { ChecklistItemData } from '../ChecklistItem.js';
 
 export const TodoTray: React.FC = () => {
   const uiState = useUIState();
@@ -125,68 +36,26 @@ export const TodoTray: React.FC = () => {
     return null;
   }, [uiState.history]);
 
-  const inProgress: Todo | null = useMemo(() => {
-    if (todos === null) {
-      return null;
+  const checklistItems: ChecklistItemData[] = useMemo(() => {
+    if (!todos || !todos.todos) {
+      return [];
     }
-    return todos.todos.find((todo) => todo.status === 'in_progress') || null;
+    return todos.todos.map((todo) => ({
+      status: todo.status,
+      label: todo.description,
+    }));
   }, [todos]);
 
-  const hasActiveTodos = useMemo(() => {
-    if (!todos || !todos.todos) return false;
-    return todos.todos.some(
-      (todo) => todo.status === 'pending' || todo.status === 'in_progress',
-    );
-  }, [todos]);
-
-  if (
-    todos === null ||
-    !todos.todos ||
-    todos.todos.length === 0 ||
-    (!uiState.showFullTodos && !hasActiveTodos)
-  ) {
+  if (!todos || !todos.todos) {
     return null;
   }
 
   return (
-    <Box
-      borderStyle="single"
-      borderBottom={false}
-      borderRight={false}
-      borderLeft={false}
-      borderColor={theme.border.default}
-      paddingLeft={1}
-      paddingRight={1}
-    >
-      {uiState.showFullTodos ? (
-        <Box flexDirection="column" rowGap={1}>
-          <TodoTitleDisplay todos={todos} />
-          <TodoListDisplay todos={todos} />
-        </Box>
-      ) : (
-        <Box flexDirection="row" columnGap={1} height={1}>
-          <Box flexShrink={0} flexGrow={0}>
-            <TodoTitleDisplay todos={todos} />
-          </Box>
-          {inProgress && (
-            <Box flexShrink={1} flexGrow={1}>
-              <TodoItemDisplay todo={inProgress} wrap="truncate" />
-            </Box>
-          )}
-        </Box>
-      )}
-    </Box>
+    <Checklist
+      title="Todo"
+      items={checklistItems}
+      isExpanded={uiState.showFullTodos}
+      toggleHint="ctrl+t to toggle"
+    />
   );
 };
-
-interface TodoListDisplayProps {
-  todos: TodoList;
-}
-
-const TodoListDisplay: React.FC<TodoListDisplayProps> = ({ todos }) => (
-  <Box flexDirection="column" aria-role="list">
-    {todos.todos.map((todo: Todo, index: number) => (
-      <TodoItemDisplay todo={todo} key={index} role="listitem" />
-    ))}
-  </Box>
-);

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() ?? 10}
+        />
+      );
+      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/HalfLinePaddedBox.test.tsx

@@ -6,11 +6,21 @@
 
 import { renderWithProviders } from '../../../test-utils/render.js';
 import { HalfLinePaddedBox } from './HalfLinePaddedBox.js';
-import { Text } from 'ink';
+import { Text, useIsScreenReaderEnabled } from 'ink';
 import { describe, it, expect, vi, afterEach } from 'vitest';
 import { isITerm2 } from '../../utils/terminalUtils.js';
 
+vi.mock('ink', async () => {
+  const actual = await vi.importActual('ink');
+  return {
+    ...actual,
+    useIsScreenReaderEnabled: vi.fn(() => false),
+  };
+});
+
 describe('<HalfLinePaddedBox />', () => {
+  const mockUseIsScreenReaderEnabled = vi.mocked(useIsScreenReaderEnabled);
+
   afterEach(() => {
     vi.restoreAllMocks();
   });
@@ -61,4 +71,19 @@ describe('<HalfLinePaddedBox />', () => {
 
     unmount();
   });
+
+  it('renders nothing when screen reader is enabled', async () => {
+    mockUseIsScreenReaderEnabled.mockReturnValue(true);
+
+    const { lastFrame, unmount } = renderWithProviders(
+      <HalfLinePaddedBox backgroundBaseColor="blue" backgroundOpacity={0.5}>
+        <Text>Content</Text>
+      </HalfLinePaddedBox>,
+      { width: 10 },
+    );
+
+    expect(lastFrame()).toMatchSnapshot();
+
+    unmount();
+  });
 });

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

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 
 import type React from 'react';
 import { useMemo } from 'react';
-import { Box, Text } from 'ink';
+import { Box, Text, useIsScreenReaderEnabled } from 'ink';
 import { useUIState } from '../../contexts/UIStateContext.js';
 import {
   interpolateColor,
@@ -39,7 +39,8 @@ export interface HalfLinePaddedBoxProps {
  * at the top and bottom using block characters (▀/▄).
  */
 export const HalfLinePaddedBox: React.FC<HalfLinePaddedBoxProps> = (props) => {
-  if (props.useBackgroundColor === false) {
+  const isScreenReaderEnabled = useIsScreenReaderEnabled();
+  if (props.useBackgroundColor === false || isScreenReaderEnabled) {
     return <>{props.children}</>;
   }
 

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/__snapshots__/HalfLinePaddedBox.test.tsx.snap

@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ Content
 ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀"
 `;
 
+exports[`<HalfLinePaddedBox /> > renders nothing when screen reader is enabled 1`] = `"Content"`;
+
 exports[`<HalfLinePaddedBox /> > renders nothing when useBackgroundColor is false 1`] = `"Content"`;
 
 exports[`<HalfLinePaddedBox /> > renders standard background and blocks when not iTerm2 1`] = `

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

@@ -1418,7 +1418,7 @@ describe('useTextBuffer', () => {
       const { result } = renderHook(() =>
         useTextBuffer({ viewport, isValidPath: () => false }),
       );
-      act(() =>
+      act(() => {
         result.current.handleInput({
           name: 'h',
           shift: false,
@@ -1427,9 +1427,9 @@ describe('useTextBuffer', () => {
           cmd: false,
           insertable: true,
           sequence: 'h',
-        }),
-      );
-      act(() =>
+        });
+      });
+      void act(() =>
         result.current.handleInput({
           name: 'i',
           shift: false,
@@ -1447,7 +1447,7 @@ describe('useTextBuffer', () => {
       const { result } = renderHook(() =>
         useTextBuffer({ viewport, isValidPath: () => false }),
       );
-      act(() =>
+      act(() => {
         result.current.handleInput({
           name: 'return',
           shift: false,
@@ -1456,8 +1456,8 @@ describe('useTextBuffer', () => {
           cmd: false,
           insertable: true,
           sequence: '\r',
-        }),
-      );
+        });
+      });
       expect(getBufferState(result).lines).toEqual(['', '']);
     });
 
@@ -1465,7 +1465,7 @@ describe('useTextBuffer', () => {
       const { result } = renderHook(() =>
         useTextBuffer({ viewport, isValidPath: () => false }),
       );
-      act(() =>
+      act(() => {
         result.current.handleInput({
           name: 'j',
           shift: false,
@@ -1474,8 +1474,8 @@ describe('useTextBuffer', () => {
           cmd: false,
           insertable: false,
           sequence: '\n',
-        }),
-      );
+        });
+      });
       expect(getBufferState(result).lines).toEqual(['', '']);
     });
 
@@ -1483,7 +1483,7 @@ describe('useTextBuffer', () => {
       const { result } = renderHook(() =>
         useTextBuffer({ viewport, isValidPath: () => false }),
       );
-      act(() =>
+      act(() => {
         result.current.handleInput({
           name: 'tab',
           shift: false,
@@ -1492,8 +1492,8 @@ describe('useTextBuffer', () => {
           cmd: false,
           insertable: false,
           sequence: '\t',
-        }),
-      );
+        });
+      });
       expect(getBufferState(result).text).toBe('');
     });
 
@@ -1501,7 +1501,7 @@ describe('useTextBuffer', () => {
       const { result } = renderHook(() =>
         useTextBuffer({ viewport, isValidPath: () => false }),
       );
-      act(() =>
+      act(() => {
         result.current.handleInput({
           name: 'tab',
           shift: true,
@@ -1510,8 +1510,8 @@ describe('useTextBuffer', () => {
           cmd: false,
           insertable: false,
           sequence: '\u001b[9;2u',
-        }),
-      );
+        });
+      });
       expect(getBufferState(result).text).toBe('');
     });
 
@@ -1524,7 +1524,7 @@ describe('useTextBuffer', () => {
         }),
       );
       act(() => result.current.move('end'));
-      act(() =>
+      act(() => {
         result.current.handleInput({
           name: 'backspace',
           shift: false,
@@ -1533,8 +1533,8 @@ describe('useTextBuffer', () => {
           cmd: false,
           insertable: false,
           sequence: '\x7f',
-        }),
-      );
+        });
+      });
       expect(getBufferState(result).text).toBe('');
     });
 
@@ -1627,7 +1627,7 @@ describe('useTextBuffer', () => {
         }),
       );
       act(() => result.current.move('end')); // cursor [0,2]
-      act(() =>
+      act(() => {
         result.current.handleInput({
           name: 'left',
           shift: false,
@@ -1636,10 +1636,10 @@ describe('useTextBuffer', () => {
           cmd: false,
           insertable: false,
           sequence: '\x1b[D',
-        }),
-      );
+        });
+      });
       expect(getBufferState(result).cursor).toEqual([0, 1]);
-      act(() =>
+      act(() => {
         result.current.handleInput({
           name: 'right',
           shift: false,
@@ -1648,8 +1648,8 @@ describe('useTextBuffer', () => {
           cmd: false,
           insertable: false,
           sequence: '\x1b[C',
-        }),
-      );
+        });
+      });
       expect(getBufferState(result).cursor).toEqual([0, 2]);
     });
 
@@ -1659,7 +1659,7 @@ describe('useTextBuffer', () => {
       );
       const textWithAnsi = '\x1B[31mHello\x1B[0m \x1B[32mWorld\x1B[0m';
       // Simulate pasting by calling handleInput with a string longer than 1 char
-      act(() =>
+      act(() => {
         result.current.handleInput({
           name: '',
           shift: false,
@@ -1668,8 +1668,8 @@ describe('useTextBuffer', () => {
           cmd: false,
           insertable: true,
           sequence: textWithAnsi,
-        }),
-      );
+        });
+      });
       expect(getBufferState(result).text).toBe('Hello World');
     });
 
@@ -1677,7 +1677,7 @@ describe('useTextBuffer', () => {
       const { result } = renderHook(() =>
         useTextBuffer({ viewport, isValidPath: () => false }),
       );
-      act(() =>
+      act(() => {
         result.current.handleInput({
           name: 'return',
           shift: true,
@@ -1686,8 +1686,8 @@ describe('useTextBuffer', () => {
           cmd: false,
           insertable: true,
           sequence: '\r',
-        }),
-      ); // Simulates Shift+Enter in VSCode terminal
+        });
+      }); // Simulates Shift+Enter in VSCode terminal
       expect(getBufferState(result).lines).toEqual(['', '']);
     });
 
@@ -1927,7 +1927,9 @@ Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots
       const { result } = renderHook(() =>
         useTextBuffer({ viewport, isValidPath: () => false }),
       );
-      act(() => result.current.handleInput(createInput(input)));
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.handleInput(createInput(input));
+      });
       expect(getBufferState(result).text).toBe(expected);
     });
 
@@ -1936,7 +1938,9 @@ Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots
         useTextBuffer({ viewport, isValidPath: () => false }),
       );
       const validText = 'Hello World\nThis is a test.';
-      act(() => result.current.handleInput(createInput(validText)));
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.handleInput(createInput(validText));
+      });
       expect(getBufferState(result).text).toBe(validText);
     });
 
@@ -1950,7 +1954,7 @@ Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots
 
       expect(largeTextWithUnsafe.length).toBeGreaterThan(5000);
 
-      act(() =>
+      act(() => {
         result.current.handleInput({
           name: '',
           shift: false,
@@ -1959,8 +1963,8 @@ Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots
           cmd: false,
           insertable: true,
           sequence: largeTextWithUnsafe,
-        }),
-      );
+        });
+      });
 
       const resultText = getBufferState(result).text;
       expect(resultText).not.toContain('\x07');
@@ -1985,7 +1989,7 @@ Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots
 
       expect(largeTextWithAnsi.length).toBeGreaterThan(5000);
 
-      act(() =>
+      act(() => {
         result.current.handleInput({
           name: '',
           shift: false,
@@ -1994,8 +1998,8 @@ Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots
           cmd: false,
           insertable: true,
           sequence: largeTextWithAnsi,
-        }),
-      );
+        });
+      });
 
       const resultText = getBufferState(result).text;
       expect(resultText).not.toContain('\x1B[31m');
@@ -2010,7 +2014,7 @@ Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots
         useTextBuffer({ viewport, isValidPath: () => false }),
       );
       const emojis = '🐍🐳🦀🦄';
-      act(() =>
+      act(() => {
         result.current.handleInput({
           name: '',
           shift: false,
@@ -2019,8 +2023,8 @@ Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots
           cmd: false,
           insertable: true,
           sequence: emojis,
-        }),
-      );
+        });
+      });
       expect(getBufferState(result).text).toBe(emojis);
     });
   });
@@ -2202,7 +2206,7 @@ Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots
           singleLine: true,
         }),
       );
-      act(() =>
+      act(() => {
         result.current.handleInput({
           name: 'return',
           shift: false,
@@ -2211,8 +2215,8 @@ Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots
           cmd: false,
           insertable: true,
           sequence: '\r',
-        }),
-      );
+        });
+      });
       expect(getBufferState(result).lines).toEqual(['']);
     });
 
@@ -2224,7 +2228,7 @@ Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots
           singleLine: true,
         }),
       );
-      act(() =>
+      act(() => {
         result.current.handleInput({
           name: 'f1',
           shift: false,
@@ -2233,8 +2237,8 @@ Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots
           cmd: false,
           insertable: false,
           sequence: '\u001bOP',
-        }),
-      );
+        });
+      });
       expect(getBufferState(result).lines).toEqual(['']);
     });
 

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

@@ -3419,7 +3419,7 @@ export interface TextBuffer {
   /**
    * High level "handleInput" – receives what Ink gives us.
    */
-  handleInput: (key: Key) => void;
+  handleInput: (key: Key) => boolean;
   /**
    * Opens the current buffer contents in the user's preferred terminal text
    * editor ($VISUAL or $EDITOR, falling back to "vi").  The method blocks

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/contexts/VimModeContext.tsx

@@ -34,26 +34,24 @@ export const VimModeProvider = ({
 }) => {
   const initialVimEnabled = settings.merged.general.vimMode;
   const [vimEnabled, setVimEnabled] = useState(initialVimEnabled);
-  const [vimMode, setVimMode] = useState<VimMode>(
-    initialVimEnabled ? 'NORMAL' : 'INSERT',
-  );
+  const [vimMode, setVimMode] = useState<VimMode>('INSERT');
 
   useEffect(() => {
     // Initialize vimEnabled from settings on mount
     const enabled = settings.merged.general.vimMode;
     setVimEnabled(enabled);
-    // When vim mode is enabled, always start in NORMAL mode
+    // When vim mode is enabled, start in INSERT mode
     if (enabled) {
-      setVimMode('NORMAL');
+      setVimMode('INSERT');
     }
   }, [settings.merged.general.vimMode]);
 
   const toggleVimEnabled = useCallback(async () => {
     const newValue = !vimEnabled;
     setVimEnabled(newValue);
-    // When enabling vim mode, start in NORMAL mode
+    // When enabling vim mode, start in INSERT mode
     if (newValue) {
-      setVimMode('NORMAL');
+      setVimMode('INSERT');
     }
     settings.setValue(SettingScope.User, 'general.vimMode', newValue);
     return newValue;

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/atCommandProcessor.test.ts

@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ describe('handleAtCommand', () => {
   }
 
   beforeEach(async () => {
+    vi.restoreAllMocks();
     vi.resetAllMocks();
 
     testRootDir = await fsPromises.mkdtemp(
@@ -1403,4 +1404,32 @@ describe('handleAtCommand', () => {
       134,
     );
   });
+
+  it('should include agent nudge when agents are found', async () => {
+    const agentName = 'my-agent';
+    const otherAgent = 'other-agent';
+
+    // Mock getAgentRegistry on the config
+    mockConfig.getAgentRegistry = vi.fn().mockReturnValue({
+      getDefinition: (name: string) =>
+        name === agentName || name === otherAgent ? { name } : undefined,
+    });
+
+    const query = `@${agentName} @${otherAgent}`;
+
+    const result = await handleAtCommand({
+      query,
+      config: mockConfig,
+      addItem: mockAddItem,
+      onDebugMessage: mockOnDebugMessage,
+      messageId: 600,
+      signal: abortController.signal,
+    });
+
+    const expectedNudge = `\n<system_note>\nThe user has explicitly selected the following agent(s): ${agentName}, ${otherAgent}. Please use the following tool(s) to delegate the task: '${agentName}', '${otherAgent}'.\n</system_note>\n`;
+
+    expect(result.processedQuery).toContainEqual(
+      expect.objectContaining({ text: expectedNudge }),
+    );
+  });
 });

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

@@ -457,9 +457,10 @@ export async function handleAtCommand({
   const processedQueryParts: PartListUnion = [{ text: initialQueryText }];
 
   if (agentsFound.length > 0) {
+    const toolsList = agentsFound.map((agent) => `'${agent}'`).join(', ');
     const agentNudge = `\n<system_note>\nThe user has explicitly selected the following agent(s): ${agentsFound.join(
       ', ',
-    )}. Please use the 'delegate_to_agent' tool to delegate the task to the selected agent(s).\n</system_note>\n`;
+    )}. Please use the following tool(s) to delegate the task: ${toolsList}.\n</system_note>\n`;
     processedQueryParts.push({ text: agentNudge });
   }
 

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(),
             );