Kill TextDelta, Info — UiMessage is dead. RAII ActivityGuards replace all status feedback

Streaming text now goes directly to agent entries via append_streaming().
sync_from_agent diffs the growing entry each tick. The streaming entry
is popped when the response completes; build_response_message pushes
the final version.

All status feedback uses RAII ActivityGuards:
- push_activity() for long-running work (thinking, streaming, scoring)
- notify() for instant feedback (compacted, DMN state changes, commands)
- Guards auto-remove on Drop, appending "(complete)" and lingering 5s
- expire_activities() cleans up timed-out notifications on render tick

UiMessage enum reduced to a single Info variant with zero sends.
The channel infrastructure remains for now (Mind/Agent still take
UiSender in signatures) — mechanical cleanup for a follow-up.

Co-Authored-By: Proof of Concept <poc@bcachefs.org>

src/agent/api/mod.rs

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ use tokio::sync::mpsc;
 
 use crate::agent::tools::{self as agent_tools, summarize_args, ActiveToolCall};
 pub use types::ToolCall;
-use crate::user::ui_channel::{UiMessage, UiSender, StreamTarget};
+use crate::user::ui_channel::UiSender;
 
 /// A JoinHandle that aborts its task when dropped.
 pub struct AbortOnDrop(tokio::task::JoinHandle<()>);
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ impl ApiClient {
                 &reasoning_effort, sampling, priority,
             ).await;
             if let Err(e) = result {
-                let _ = tx.send(StreamEvent::Error(e.to_string();
+                let _ = tx.send(StreamEvent::Error(e.to_string()));
             }
         });
 
@@ -207,7 +207,6 @@ pub(crate) async fn send_and_check(
     body: &impl serde::Serialize,
     auth_header: (&str, &str),
     extra_headers: &[(&str, &str)],
-    ui_tx: &UiSender,
     debug_label: &str,
     request_json: Option<&str>,
 ) -> Result<reqwest::Response> {
@@ -619,8 +618,6 @@ pub struct StreamResult {
 /// - UI forwarding (text deltas, reasoning, tool call notifications)
 pub async fn collect_stream(
     rx: &mut mpsc::UnboundedReceiver<StreamEvent>,
-    ui_tx: &UiSender,
-    target: StreamTarget,
     agent: &std::sync::Arc<tokio::sync::Mutex<super::Agent>>,
     active_tools: &crate::user::ui_channel::SharedActiveTools,
 ) -> StreamResult {
@@ -633,12 +630,13 @@ pub async fn collect_stream(
     let mut error = None;
     let mut first_content = true;
     let mut display_buf = String::new();
+    let mut _streaming_guard: Option<super::ActivityGuard> = None;
 
     while let Some(event) = rx.recv().await {
         match event {
             StreamEvent::Content(text) => {
                 if first_content {
-                    if let Ok(mut ag) = agent.try_lock() { ag.activity = "streaming...".into(); }
+                    _streaming_guard = Some(super::start_activity(agent, "streaming...").await);
                     first_content = false;
                 }
                 content.push_str(&text);
@@ -683,7 +681,7 @@ pub async fn collect_stream(
                     if let Some(pos) = display_buf.find("<tool_call>") {
                         let before = &display_buf[..pos];
                         if !before.is_empty() {
-                            let _ = ui_tx.send(UiMessage::TextDelta(before.to_string(), target));
+                            if let Ok(mut ag) = agent.try_lock() { ag.append_streaming(before); }
                         }
                         display_buf.clear();
                         in_tool_call = true;
@@ -693,7 +691,7 @@ pub async fn collect_stream(
                         if safe > 0 {
                             let flush = display_buf[..safe].to_string();
                             display_buf = display_buf[safe..].to_string();
-                            let _ = ui_tx.send(UiMessage::TextDelta(flush, target));
+                            if let Ok(mut ag) = agent.try_lock() { ag.append_streaming(&flush); }
                         }
                     }
                 }

src/agent/api/openai.rs

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ use reqwest::Client;
 use tokio::sync::mpsc;
 
 use super::types::*;
-use crate::user::ui_channel::{UiMessage, UiSender};
+use crate::user::ui_channel::UiSender;
 use super::StreamEvent;
 
 /// Stream SSE events from an OpenAI-compatible endpoint, sending
@@ -66,7 +66,6 @@ pub(super) async fn stream_events(
         &request,
         ("Authorization", &format!("Bearer {}", api_key)),
         &[],
-        ui_tx,
         &debug_label,
         request_json.as_deref(),
     )
@@ -105,7 +104,7 @@ pub(super) async fn stream_events(
         };
 
         if let Some(ref u) = chunk.usage {
-            let _ = tx.send(StreamEvent::Usage(u.clone();
+            let _ = tx.send(StreamEvent::Usage(u.clone()));
             usage = chunk.usage;
         }
 
@@ -126,7 +125,7 @@ pub(super) async fn stream_events(
                 reasoning_chars += r.len();
                 has_reasoning = true;
                 if !r.is_empty() {
-                    let _ = tx.send(StreamEvent::Reasoning(r.clone();
+                    let _ = tx.send(StreamEvent::Reasoning(r.clone()));
                 }
             }
             if let Some(ref r) = choice.delta.reasoning_details {
@@ -143,7 +142,7 @@ pub(super) async fn stream_events(
                     first_content_at = Some(reader.stream_start.elapsed());
                 }
                 content_len += text_delta.len();
-                let _ = tx.send(StreamEvent::Content(text_delta.clone();
+                let _ = tx.send(StreamEvent::Content(text_delta.clone()));
             }
 
             if let Some(ref tc_deltas) = choice.delta.tool_calls {

src/agent/api/types.rs

@@ -202,6 +202,15 @@ impl Message {
         self.content.as_ref().map_or("", |c| c.as_text())
     }
 
+    /// Append text to existing content (for streaming).
+    pub fn append_content(&mut self, text: &str) {
+        match self.content {
+            Some(MessageContent::Text(ref mut s)) => s.push_str(text),
+            None => self.content = Some(MessageContent::Text(text.to_string())),
+            _ => {} // Parts — don't append to multimodal
+        }
+    }
+
     pub fn role_str(&self) -> &str {
         match self.role {
             Role::System => "system",

src/agent/mod.rs

@@ -28,9 +28,82 @@ use context::{ConversationEntry, ContextState, ContextBudget};
 use tools::{summarize_args, working_stack};
 
 use crate::mind::log::ConversationLog;
-use crate::user::ui_channel::{ContextSection, SharedContextState, StreamTarget, UiMessage, UiSender};
+use crate::user::ui_channel::{ContextSection, SharedContextState, StreamTarget, UiSender};
 use crate::subconscious::learn;
 
+// --- Activity tracking (RAII guards) ---
+
+pub struct ActivityEntry {
+    pub id: u64,
+    pub label: String,
+    pub started: std::time::Instant,
+    /// Auto-expires this long after creation (or completion).
+    pub expires_at: std::time::Instant,
+}
+
+/// RAII guard — marks the activity "(complete)" on drop, starts expiry timer.
+pub struct ActivityGuard {
+    agent: Arc<tokio::sync::Mutex<Agent>>,
+    id: u64,
+}
+
+const ACTIVITY_LINGER: std::time::Duration = std::time::Duration::from_secs(5);
+
+impl Drop for ActivityGuard {
+    fn drop(&mut self) {
+        if let Ok(mut ag) = self.agent.try_lock() {
+            if let Some(entry) = ag.activities.iter_mut().find(|a| a.id == self.id) {
+                entry.label.push_str(" (complete)");
+                entry.expires_at = std::time::Instant::now() + ACTIVITY_LINGER;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl Agent {
+    /// Register an activity, returns its ID. Caller creates the guard.
+    pub fn push_activity(&mut self, label: impl Into<String>) -> u64 {
+        self.expire_activities();
+        let id = self.next_activity_id;
+        self.next_activity_id += 1;
+        self.activities.push(ActivityEntry {
+            id, label: label.into(),
+            started: std::time::Instant::now(),
+            expires_at: std::time::Instant::now() + std::time::Duration::from_secs(3600),
+        });
+        id
+    }
+
+    /// Push a notification — auto-expires after 5 seconds.
+    pub fn notify(&mut self, label: impl Into<String>) {
+        self.expire_activities();
+        let id = self.next_activity_id;
+        self.next_activity_id += 1;
+        self.activities.push(ActivityEntry {
+            id, label: label.into(),
+            started: std::time::Instant::now(),
+            expires_at: std::time::Instant::now() + ACTIVITY_LINGER,
+        });
+    }
+
+    /// Remove expired activities.
+    pub fn expire_activities(&mut self) {
+        let now = std::time::Instant::now();
+        self.activities.retain(|a| a.expires_at > now);
+    }
+}
+
+/// Create an activity guard from outside the lock.
+pub fn activity_guard(agent: &Arc<tokio::sync::Mutex<Agent>>, id: u64) -> ActivityGuard {
+    ActivityGuard { agent: agent.clone(), id }
+}
+
+/// Convenience: lock, push activity, unlock, return guard.
+pub async fn start_activity(agent: &Arc<tokio::sync::Mutex<Agent>>, label: impl Into<String>) -> ActivityGuard {
+    let id = agent.lock().await.push_activity(label);
+    ActivityGuard { agent: agent.clone(), id }
+}
+
 /// Result of a single agent turn.
 pub struct TurnResult {
     /// The text response (already sent through UI channel).
@@ -77,8 +150,9 @@ pub struct Agent {
     pub temperature: f32,
     pub top_p: f32,
     pub top_k: u32,
-    /// Live activity indicator — read by UI on render tick.
+    /// Active activities — RAII guards auto-remove on drop.
-    pub activity: String,
+    pub activities: Vec<ActivityEntry>,
+    next_activity_id: u64,
     /// Control tool flags — set by tool handlers, consumed by turn loop.
     pub pending_yield: bool,
     pub pending_model_switch: Option<String>,
@@ -147,7 +221,8 @@ impl Agent {
             temperature: 0.6,
             top_p: 0.95,
             top_k: 20,
-            activity: String::new(),
+            activities: Vec::new(),
+            next_activity_id: 0,
             pending_yield: false,
             pending_model_switch: None,
             pending_dmn_pause: false,
@@ -182,7 +257,7 @@ impl Agent {
         if !jnl.is_empty() {
             msgs.push(Message::user(jnl));
         }
-        msgs.extend(self.context.entries.iter().map(|e| e.api_message().clone();
+        msgs.extend(self.context.entries.iter().map(|e| e.api_message().clone()));
         msgs
     }
 
@@ -218,9 +293,22 @@ impl Agent {
         self.context.entries.push(entry);
     }
 
-    /// Push a context-only message (system prompt, identity context,
+    /// Append streaming text to the last entry (creating a partial
-    /// journal summaries). Not logged — these are reconstructed on
+    /// assistant entry if needed). Called by collect_stream per token batch.
-    /// every startup/compaction.
+    pub fn append_streaming(&mut self, text: &str) {
+        if let Some(entry) = self.context.entries.last_mut() {
+            let msg = entry.message_mut();
+            if msg.role == Role::Assistant {
+                msg.append_content(text);
+                return;
+            }
+        }
+        // No assistant entry yet — push a new partial one
+        self.context.entries.push(ConversationEntry::Message(
+            Message::assistant(text),
+        ));
+    }
+
     pub fn budget(&self) -> ContextBudget {
         let count_str = |s: &str| self.tokenizer.encode_with_special_tokens(s).len();
         let count_msg = |m: &Message| crate::agent::context::msg_token_count(&self.tokenizer, m);
@@ -263,7 +351,7 @@ impl Agent {
                     me.push_message(Message::user(format!(
                                 "<system-reminder>\n--- subconscious reflection ---\n{}\n</system-reminder>",
                                 reflection.trim(),
-                    );
+                    )));
                 }
 
                 // Collect completed background tool handles — remove from active list
@@ -308,9 +396,9 @@ impl Agent {
 
         loop {
             // --- Lock 2: assemble messages, start stream ---
+            let _thinking = start_activity(&agent, "thinking...").await;
             let (mut rx, _stream_guard) = {
-                let mut me = agent.lock().await;
+                let me = agent.lock().await;
-                me.activity = "thinking...".into();
                 let api_messages = me.assemble_api_messages();
                 let sampling = api::SamplingParams {
                     temperature: me.temperature,
@@ -330,7 +418,7 @@ impl Agent {
 
             // --- Stream loop (no lock) ---
             let sr = api::collect_stream(
-                &mut rx, ui_tx, target, &agent, &active_tools,
+                &mut rx, &agent, &active_tools,
             ).await;
             let api::StreamResult {
                 content, tool_calls, usage, finish_reason,
@@ -347,39 +435,37 @@ impl Agent {
                     let err = anyhow::anyhow!("{}", e);
                     if crate::agent::context::is_context_overflow(&err) && overflow_retries < 2 {
                         overflow_retries += 1;
-                        let _ = ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info(format!(
+                        me.notify(format!("context overflow — retrying ({}/2)", overflow_retries));
-                            "[context overflow — compacting and retrying ({}/2)]",
-                            overflow_retries,
-                        );
                         me.compact();
                         continue;
                     }
                     if crate::agent::context::is_stream_error(&err) && empty_retries < 2 {
                         empty_retries += 1;
-                        let _ = ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info(format!(
+                        me.notify(format!("stream error — retrying ({}/2)", empty_retries));
-                            "[stream error: {} — retrying ({}/2)]",
-                            e, empty_retries,
-                        );
                         drop(me);
                         tokio::time::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_secs(2)).await;
                         continue;
                     }
-                    me.activity.clear();
                     return Err(err);
                 }
 
                 if finish_reason.as_deref() == Some("error") {
                     let detail = if content.is_empty() { "no details".into() } else { content };
-                    me.activity.clear();
                     return Err(anyhow::anyhow!("model stream error: {}", detail));
                 }
 
-                // Flush remaining display buffer
+                // Flush remaining display buffer to streaming entry
                 if !in_tool_call && !display_buf.is_empty() {
-                    let _ = ui_tx.send(UiMessage::TextDelta(display_buf, target));
+                    me.append_streaming(&display_buf);
                 }
-                if !content.is_empty() && !in_tool_call {
+
-                    let _ = ui_tx.send(UiMessage::TextDelta("\n".to_string(), target));
+                // Pop the streaming entry — the proper entry gets pushed below
+                // via build_response_message which handles tool calls, leaked
+                // tool calls, etc. sync_from_agent handles the swap.
+                if let Some(entry) = me.context.entries.last() {
+                    if entry.message().role == Role::Assistant && entry.message().timestamp.is_none() {
+                        me.context.entries.pop();
+                    }
                 }
 
                 let msg = api::build_response_message(content, tool_calls);
@@ -460,7 +546,6 @@ impl Agent {
             // Genuinely text-only response
             let text = msg.content_text().to_string();
             let mut me = agent.lock().await;
-            me.activity.clear();
             me.push_message(msg);
 
             // Drain pending control flags
@@ -492,15 +577,15 @@ impl Agent {
             Ok(v) => v,
             Err(e) => {
                 let err = format!("Error: malformed tool call arguments: {e}");
+                let _act = start_activity(agent, format!("rejected: {} (bad args)", call.function.name)).await;
                 let mut me = agent.lock().await;
-                me.activity = format!("rejected: {} (bad args)", call.function.name);
                 me.apply_tool_result(call, err, ui_tx, ds);
                 return;
             }
         };
 
         let args_summary = summarize_args(&call.function.name, &args);
-        agent.lock().await.activity = format!("calling: {}", call.function.name);
+        let _calling = start_activity(agent, format!("calling: {}", call.function.name)).await;
 
         // Spawn tool, track it
         let call_clone = call.clone();

src/mind/mod.rs

@@ -259,6 +259,7 @@ impl Mind {
                     let mut ag = self.agent.lock().await;
                     if ag.last_prompt_tokens() > threshold {
                         ag.compact();
+                        ag.notify("compacted");
                     }
                 }
                 MindCommand::Score => {
@@ -381,7 +382,7 @@ impl Mind {
                     let _ = self.turn_watch.send(false);
 
                     if let Some(name) = model_switch {
-                        crate::user::chat::cmd_switch_model(&self.agent, &name, &self.ui_tx).await;
+                        crate::user::chat::cmd_switch_model(&self.agent, &name).await;
                     }
 
                     // Post-turn maintenance

src/subconscious/learn.rs

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 use crate::agent::api::ApiClient;
 use crate::agent::api::types::*;
 use crate::agent::context::{ConversationEntry, ContextState};
-use crate::user::ui_channel::{UiMessage, UiSender};
+use crate::user::ui_channel::UiSender;
 
 const SCORE_TIMEOUT: std::time::Duration = std::time::Duration::from_secs(120);
 
@@ -353,7 +353,7 @@ pub async fn score_memories_incremental(
             continue;
         }
 
-        if let Ok(mut ag) = agent.try_lock() { ag.activity = format!("scoring memory: {}...", key); }
+        let _scoring = crate::agent::start_activity(agent, format!("scoring: {}", key)).await;
         match score_divergence(&http, client, context, range, Filter::SkipKey(key)).await {
             Ok((divs, _)) => {
                 let n_responses = divs.len();
@@ -361,7 +361,6 @@ pub async fn score_memories_incremental(
                 dbglog!(
                     "[scoring] {} max:{:.3} ({} responses)", key, max_div, n_responses,
                 );
-                // TODO: update graph weight once normalization is figured out
                 results.push((key.clone(), max_div));
             }
             Err(e) => {
@@ -372,7 +371,6 @@ pub async fn score_memories_incremental(
         }
     }
 
-    if let Ok(mut ag) = agent.try_lock() { ag.activity.clear(); }
     Ok(results)
 }
 

src/user/chat.rs

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ use super::{
     App, HotkeyAction, ScreenAction, ScreenView,
     screen_legend,
 };
-use crate::user::ui_channel::{UiMessage, StreamTarget};
+use crate::user::ui_channel::StreamTarget;
 use crate::mind::MindCommand;
 
 // --- Slash command table ---
@@ -35,13 +35,15 @@ fn commands() -> Vec<SlashCommand> { vec![
     SlashCommand { name: "/new",   help: "Start fresh session (saves current)",
         handler: |s, _| { let _ = s.mind_tx.send(MindCommand::NewSession); } },
     SlashCommand { name: "/save",  help: "Save session to disk",
-        handler: |s, _| { let _ = s.ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info("Conversation is saved automatically.".into())); } },
+        handler: |s, _| {
+            if let Ok(mut ag) = s.agent.try_lock() { ag.notify("saved"); }
+        } },
     SlashCommand { name: "/retry", help: "Re-run last turn",
         handler: |s, _| {
             let agent = s.agent.clone();
             let mind_tx = s.mind_tx.clone();
-            let ui_tx = s.ui_tx.clone();
             tokio::spawn(async move {
+                let _act = crate::agent::start_activity(&agent, "retrying...").await;
                 let mut ag = agent.lock().await;
                 let entries = ag.entries_mut();
                 let mut last_user_text = None;
@@ -53,36 +55,29 @@ fn commands() -> Vec<SlashCommand> { vec![
                     entries.pop();
                 }
                 drop(ag);
-                match last_user_text {
+                if let Some(text) = last_user_text {
-                    Some(text) => {
+                    let _ = mind_tx.send(MindCommand::Turn(text, StreamTarget::Conversation));
-                        let preview = &text[..text.len().min(60)];
-                        let _ = ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info(format!("(retrying: {}...)", preview)));
-                        let _ = mind_tx.send(MindCommand::Turn(text, StreamTarget::Conversation));
-                    }
-                    None => {
-                        let _ = ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info("(nothing to retry)".into()));
-                    }
                 }
             });
         } },
     SlashCommand { name: "/model", help: "Show/switch model (/model <name>)",
         handler: |s, arg| {
             if arg.is_empty() {
-                if let Ok(ag) = s.agent.try_lock() {
+                if let Ok(mut ag) = s.agent.try_lock() {
-                    let _ = s.ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info(format!("Current model: {}", ag.model())));
                     let names = ag.app_config.model_names();
-                    if !names.is_empty() {
+                    let label = if names.is_empty() {
-                        let _ = s.ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info(format!("Available: {}", names.join(", "))));
+                        format!("model: {}", ag.model())
-                    }
+                    } else {
-                } else {
+                        format!("model: {} ({})", ag.model(), names.join(", "))
-                    let _ = s.ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info("(busy)".into()));
+                    };
+                    ag.notify(label);
                 }
             } else {
                 let agent = s.agent.clone();
-                let ui_tx = s.ui_tx.clone();
                 let name = arg.to_string();
                 tokio::spawn(async move {
-                    cmd_switch_model(&agent, &name, &ui_tx).await;
+                    let _act = crate::agent::start_activity(&agent, format!("switching to {}...", name)).await;
+                    cmd_switch_model(&agent, &name).await;
                 });
             }
         } },
@@ -91,16 +86,16 @@ fn commands() -> Vec<SlashCommand> { vec![
     SlashCommand { name: "/dmn",   help: "Show DMN state",
         handler: |s, _| {
             let st = s.shared_mind.lock().unwrap();
-            let _ = s.ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info(format!(
+            if let Ok(mut ag) = s.agent.try_lock() {
-                "DMN: {:?} ({}/{})", st.dmn, st.dmn_turns, st.max_dmn_turns,
+                ag.notify(format!("DMN: {:?} ({}/{})", st.dmn, st.dmn_turns, st.max_dmn_turns));
-            )));
+            }
         } },
     SlashCommand { name: "/sleep", help: "Put DMN to sleep",
         handler: |s, _| {
             let mut st = s.shared_mind.lock().unwrap();
             st.dmn = crate::mind::dmn::State::Resting { since: std::time::Instant::now() };
             st.dmn_turns = 0;
-            let _ = s.ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info("DMN sleeping.".into()));
+            if let Ok(mut ag) = s.agent.try_lock() { ag.notify("DMN sleeping"); }
         } },
     SlashCommand { name: "/wake",  help: "Wake DMN to foraging",
         handler: |s, _| {
@@ -108,17 +103,17 @@ fn commands() -> Vec<SlashCommand> { vec![
             if matches!(st.dmn, crate::mind::dmn::State::Off) { crate::mind::dmn::set_off(false); }
             st.dmn = crate::mind::dmn::State::Foraging;
             st.dmn_turns = 0;
-            let _ = s.ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info("DMN foraging.".into()));
+            if let Ok(mut ag) = s.agent.try_lock() { ag.notify("DMN foraging"); }
         } },
     SlashCommand { name: "/pause", help: "Full stop — no autonomous ticks (Ctrl+P)",
         handler: |s, _| {
             let mut st = s.shared_mind.lock().unwrap();
             st.dmn = crate::mind::dmn::State::Paused;
             st.dmn_turns = 0;
-            let _ = s.ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info("DMN paused.".into()));
+            if let Ok(mut ag) = s.agent.try_lock() { ag.notify("DMN paused"); }
         } },
     SlashCommand { name: "/help",  help: "Show this help",
-        handler: |s, _| { send_help(&s.ui_tx); } },
+        handler: |s, _| { notify_help(&s.agent); } },
 ]}
 
 fn dispatch_command(input: &str) -> Option<SlashCommand> {
@@ -130,14 +125,13 @@ fn dispatch_command(input: &str) -> Option<SlashCommand> {
 pub async fn cmd_switch_model(
     agent: &std::sync::Arc<tokio::sync::Mutex<crate::agent::Agent>>,
     name: &str,
-    ui_tx: &crate::user::ui_channel::UiSender,
 ) {
     let resolved = {
         let ag = agent.lock().await;
         match ag.app_config.resolve_model(name) {
             Ok(r) => r,
             Err(e) => {
-                let _ = ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info(format!("{}", e)));
+                agent.lock().await.notify(format!("model error: {}", e));
                 return;
             }
         }
@@ -154,28 +148,21 @@ pub async fn cmd_switch_model(
     if prompt_changed {
         ag.prompt_file = resolved.prompt_file.clone();
         ag.compact();
-        let _ = ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info(format!(
+        ag.notify(format!("switched to {} (recompacted)", resolved.model_id));
-            "Switched to {} ({}) — prompt: {}, recompacted",
-            name, resolved.model_id, resolved.prompt_file,
-        )));
     } else {
-        let _ = ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info(format!(
+        ag.notify(format!("switched to {}", resolved.model_id));
-            "Switched to {} ({})", name, resolved.model_id,
-        )));
     }
 }
 
-pub(crate) fn send_help(ui_tx: &crate::user::ui_channel::UiSender) {
+fn notify_help(agent: &std::sync::Arc<tokio::sync::Mutex<crate::agent::Agent>>) {
-    for cmd in &commands() {
+    if let Ok(mut ag) = agent.try_lock() {
-        let _ = ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info(format!("  {:12} {}", cmd.name, cmd.help)));
+        let mut help = String::new();
+        for cmd in &commands() {
+            help.push_str(&format!("{:12} {}\n", cmd.name, cmd.help));
+        }
+        help.push_str("Keys: Tab ^Up/Down PgUp/Down Mouse Esc ^P ^R ^K");
+        ag.notify(help);
     }
-    let _ = ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info(String::new()));
-    let _ = ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info(
-        "Keys: Tab=pane  ^Up/Down=scroll  PgUp/PgDn=scroll  Mouse=click/scroll".into(),
-    ));
-    let _ = ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info(
-        "      Alt+Enter=newline  Esc=interrupt  ^P=pause  ^R=reasoning  ^K=kill".into(),
-    ));
 }
 
 /// Turn marker for the conversation pane gutter.
@@ -410,7 +397,6 @@ pub(crate) struct InteractScreen {
     agent: std::sync::Arc<tokio::sync::Mutex<crate::agent::Agent>>,
     shared_mind: std::sync::Arc<crate::mind::SharedMindState>,
     mind_tx: tokio::sync::mpsc::UnboundedSender<crate::mind::MindCommand>,
-    ui_tx: crate::user::ui_channel::UiSender,
 }
 
 impl InteractScreen {
@@ -418,7 +404,6 @@ impl InteractScreen {
         agent: std::sync::Arc<tokio::sync::Mutex<crate::agent::Agent>>,
         shared_mind: std::sync::Arc<crate::mind::SharedMindState>,
         mind_tx: tokio::sync::mpsc::UnboundedSender<crate::mind::MindCommand>,
-        ui_tx: crate::user::ui_channel::UiSender,
     ) -> Self {
         Self {
             autonomous: PaneState::new(true),
@@ -439,7 +424,6 @@ impl InteractScreen {
             agent,
             shared_mind,
             mind_tx,
-            ui_tx,
         }
     }
 
@@ -576,7 +560,9 @@ impl InteractScreen {
             if let Some(cmd) = dispatch_command(input) {
                 (cmd.handler)(self, &input[cmd.name.len()..].trim_start());
             } else {
-                let _ = self.ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info(format!("Unknown command: {}", input.split_whitespace().next().unwrap_or(input))));
+                if let Ok(mut ag) = self.agent.try_lock() {
+                    ag.notify(format!("unknown: {}", input.split_whitespace().next().unwrap_or(input)));
+                }
             }
             return;
         }
@@ -585,29 +571,6 @@ impl InteractScreen {
         self.shared_mind.lock().unwrap().input.push(input.to_string());
     }
 
-    /// Process a UiMessage — update pane state.
-    pub fn handle_ui_message(&mut self, msg: &UiMessage, app: &mut App) {
-        match msg {
-            UiMessage::TextDelta(text, target) => match target {
-                StreamTarget::Conversation => {
-                    if self.needs_assistant_marker {
-                        self.conversation.pending_marker = Marker::Assistant;
-                        self.needs_assistant_marker = false;
-                    }
-                    self.conversation.current_color = Color::Reset;
-                    self.conversation.append_text(text);
-                }
-                StreamTarget::Autonomous => {
-                    self.autonomous.current_color = Color::Reset;
-                    self.autonomous.append_text(text);
-                }
-            },
-            UiMessage::Info(text) => {
-                self.conversation.push_line(text.clone(), Color::Cyan);
-            }
-            _ => {}
-        }
-    }
 
     fn scroll_active_up(&mut self, n: u16) {
         match self.active_pane {
@@ -886,13 +849,14 @@ impl ScreenView for InteractScreen {
         self.sync_from_agent();
 
         // Read status from agent + mind state
-        if let Ok(agent) = self.agent.try_lock() {
+        if let Ok(mut agent) = self.agent.try_lock() {
+            agent.expire_activities();
             app.status.prompt_tokens = agent.last_prompt_tokens();
             app.status.model = agent.model().to_string();
             app.status.context_budget = agent.budget().status_string();
-            if !agent.activity.is_empty() {
+            app.activity = agent.activities.last()
-                app.activity = agent.activity.clone();
+                .map(|a| a.label.clone())
-            }
+                .unwrap_or_default();
         }
         {
             let mind = self.shared_mind.lock().unwrap();

src/user/mod.rs

@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ use std::time::Duration;
 
 use crate::mind::MindCommand;
 use crate::user::{self as tui};
-use crate::user::ui_channel::UiMessage;
 
 // --- TUI infrastructure (moved from tui/mod.rs) ---
 
@@ -211,14 +210,14 @@ pub async fn start(cli: crate::user::CliArgs) -> Result<()> {
         s.spawn(async {
             result = run(
                 tui::App::new(String::new(), shared_context, shared_active_tools),
-                &mind, mind_tx, ui_tx, ui_rx,
+                &mind, mind_tx,
             ).await;
         });
     });
     result
 }
 
-fn hotkey_cycle_reasoning(mind: &crate::mind::Mind, ui_tx: &ui_channel::UiSender) {
+fn hotkey_cycle_reasoning(mind: &crate::mind::Mind) {
     if let Ok(mut ag) = mind.agent.try_lock() {
         let next = match ag.reasoning_effort.as_str() {
             "none" => "low",
@@ -232,31 +231,26 @@ fn hotkey_cycle_reasoning(mind: &crate::mind::Mind, ui_tx: &ui_channel::UiSender
             "high" => "high (full monologue)",
             _ => next,
         };
-        let _ = ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info(format!("Reasoning: {} — ^R to cycle", label)));
+        ag.notify(format!("reasoning: {}", label));
-    } else {
-        let _ = ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info(
-            "(agent busy — reasoning change takes effect next turn)".into(),
-        ));
     }
 }
 
-async fn hotkey_kill_processes(mind: &crate::mind::Mind, ui_tx: &ui_channel::UiSender) {
+async fn hotkey_kill_processes(mind: &crate::mind::Mind) {
-    let active_tools = mind.agent.lock().await.active_tools.clone();
+    let mut ag = mind.agent.lock().await;
+    let active_tools = ag.active_tools.clone();
     let mut tools = active_tools.lock().unwrap();
     if tools.is_empty() {
-        let _ = ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info("(no running tool calls)".into()));
+        ag.notify("no running tools");
     } else {
+        let count = tools.len();
         for entry in tools.drain(..) {
-            let elapsed = entry.started.elapsed();
-            let _ = ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info(format!(
-                "  killing {} ({:.0}s): {}", entry.name, elapsed.as_secs_f64(), entry.detail,
-            )));
             entry.handle.abort();
         }
+        ag.notify(format!("killed {} tools", count));
     }
 }
 
-fn hotkey_cycle_autonomy(mind: &crate::mind::Mind, ui_tx: &ui_channel::UiSender) {
+fn hotkey_cycle_autonomy(mind: &crate::mind::Mind) {
     let mut s = mind.shared.lock().unwrap();
     let label = match &s.dmn {
         crate::mind::dmn::State::Engaged | crate::mind::dmn::State::Working | crate::mind::dmn::State::Foraging => {
@@ -280,7 +274,9 @@ fn hotkey_cycle_autonomy(mind: &crate::mind::Mind, ui_tx: &ui_channel::UiSender)
     };
     s.dmn_turns = 0;
     drop(s);
-    let _ = ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info(format!("DMN → {} (Ctrl+P to cycle)", label)));
+    if let Ok(mut ag) = mind.agent.try_lock() {
+        ag.notify(format!("DMN → {}", label));
+    }
 }
 
 fn hotkey_adjust_sampling(mind: &crate::mind::Mind, param: usize, delta: f32) {
@@ -294,24 +290,10 @@ fn hotkey_adjust_sampling(mind: &crate::mind::Mind, param: usize, delta: f32) {
     }
 }
 
-pub fn send_context_info(config: &crate::config::SessionConfig, ui_tx: &ui_channel::UiSender) {
-    let context_groups = crate::config::get().context_groups.clone();
-    let (instruction_files, memory_files) = crate::mind::identity::context_file_info(
-        &config.prompt_file,
-        config.app.memory_project.as_deref(),
-        &context_groups,
-    );
-    let _ = ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info(format!(
-        "  context: {}K chars ({} config, {} memory files)",
-        config.context_parts.iter().map(|(_, c)| c.len()).sum::<usize>() / 1024,
-        instruction_files.len(), memory_files.len(),
-    )));
-}
 
 fn diff_mind_state(
     cur: &crate::mind::MindState,
     prev: &crate::mind::MindState,
-    ui_tx: &ui_channel::UiSender,
     dirty: &mut bool,
 ) {
     if cur.dmn.label() != prev.dmn.label() || cur.dmn_turns != prev.dmn_turns {
@@ -325,15 +307,9 @@ fn diff_mind_state(
         *dirty = true;
     }
     if cur.scoring_in_flight != prev.scoring_in_flight {
-        if !cur.scoring_in_flight && prev.scoring_in_flight {
-            let _ = ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info("[scoring complete]".into()));
-        }
         *dirty = true;
     }
     if cur.compaction_in_flight != prev.compaction_in_flight {
-        if !cur.compaction_in_flight && prev.compaction_in_flight {
-            let _ = ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info("[compacted]".into()));
-        }
         *dirty = true;
     }
 }
@@ -342,8 +318,6 @@ pub async fn run(
     mut app: tui::App,
     mind: &crate::mind::Mind,
     mind_tx: tokio::sync::mpsc::UnboundedSender<MindCommand>,
-    ui_tx: ui_channel::UiSender,
-    mut ui_rx: ui_channel::UiReceiver,
 ) -> Result<()> {
     let agent = &mind.agent;
     let shared_mind = &mind.shared;
@@ -362,9 +336,8 @@ pub async fn run(
     }
     let notify_rx = crate::thalamus::channels::subscribe_all();
 
-    // InteractScreen held separately for UiMessage routing
     let mut interact = crate::user::chat::InteractScreen::new(
-        mind.agent.clone(), mind.shared.clone(), mind_tx.clone(), ui_tx.clone(),
+        mind.agent.clone(), mind.shared.clone(), mind_tx.clone(),
     );
     // Overlay screens: F2=conscious, F3=subconscious, F4=unconscious, F5=thalamus
     let mut screens: Vec<Box<dyn tui::ScreenView>> = vec![
@@ -387,7 +360,7 @@ pub async fn run(
 
     terminal.hide_cursor()?;
 
-    let _ = ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info("consciousness v0.3 (tui)".into()));
+    if let Ok(mut ag) = agent.try_lock() { ag.notify("consciousness v0.3"); }
 
     // Initial render
     terminal.draw(|f| {
@@ -453,9 +426,9 @@ pub async fn run(
 
                 // One-time: mark startup done after Mind init
                 if !startup_done {
-                    if let Ok(ag) = agent.try_lock() {
+                    if let Ok(mut ag) = agent.try_lock() {
-                        // sync_from_agent handles conversation replay
+                        let model = ag.model().to_string();
-                        let _ = ui_tx.send(UiMessage::Info(format!("  model: {}", ag.model())));
+                        ag.notify(format!("model: {}", model));
                         startup_done = true;
                         dirty = true;
                     }
@@ -464,7 +437,7 @@ pub async fn run(
                 // Diff MindState — generate UI messages from changes
                 {
                     let cur = shared_mind.lock().unwrap();
-                    diff_mind_state(&cur, &prev_mind, &ui_tx, &mut dirty);
+                    diff_mind_state(&cur, &prev_mind, &mut dirty);
                     prev_mind = cur.clone();
                 }
 
@@ -482,27 +455,18 @@ pub async fn run(
                 dirty = true;
             }
 
-            Some(msg) = ui_rx.recv() => {
-                interact.handle_ui_message(&msg, &mut app);
-                dirty = true;
-            }
         }
 
         // Handle hotkey actions
         let actions: Vec<HotkeyAction> = app.hotkey_actions.drain(..).collect();
         for action in actions {
             match action {
-                HotkeyAction::CycleReasoning => hotkey_cycle_reasoning(mind, &ui_tx),
+                HotkeyAction::CycleReasoning => hotkey_cycle_reasoning(mind),
-                HotkeyAction::KillProcess => hotkey_kill_processes(mind, &ui_tx).await,
+                HotkeyAction::KillProcess => hotkey_kill_processes(mind).await,
                 HotkeyAction::Interrupt => { let _ = mind_tx.send(MindCommand::Interrupt); }
-                HotkeyAction::CycleAutonomy => hotkey_cycle_autonomy(mind, &ui_tx),
+                HotkeyAction::CycleAutonomy => hotkey_cycle_autonomy(mind),
                 HotkeyAction::AdjustSampling(param, delta) => hotkey_adjust_sampling(mind, param, delta),
             }
-        }
-
-        // Drain UiMessages to interact screen
-        while let Ok(msg) = ui_rx.try_recv() {
-            interact.handle_ui_message(&msg, &mut app);
             dirty = true;
         }
 

src/user/ui_channel.rs

@@ -71,9 +71,6 @@ pub struct ContextInfo {
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
 #[allow(dead_code)]
 pub enum UiMessage {
-    /// Streaming text delta — routed to conversation or autonomous pane.
-    TextDelta(String, StreamTarget),
-
     /// Informational message — goes to conversation pane (command output, etc).
     Info(String),