The terminal UI is a TypeScript client for nanobot's existing WebSocket gateway. It owns presentation and input only; the Python gateway remains the single implementation of sessions, the agent loop, tools, memory, and security policy.

bun install --cwd tui
bun run --cwd tui check
bun run --cwd tui test
bun run --cwd tui build

nanobot agent launches this client, attaches to an existing local gateway or leases one for the process lifetime, and passes an authenticated local endpoint through environment variables. Use nanobot agent --classic to run the legacy Python prompt.

The renderer uses OpenTUI's retained full-screen layout: the transcript reflows with the terminal while the composer stays fixed at the bottom. Mouse and keyboard scrolling operate inside the transcript, and leaving the TUI restores the previous terminal screen.

Type / to discover slash commands published by the connected gateway. Use the arrow keys to move, Tab to complete, and Esc to close the menu.

Use /sessions to search and switch persisted conversations without leaving the terminal. /new-chat preserves the current conversation and starts another one; nanobot's existing /new command keeps its cross-channel behavior and resets the current chat. The next launch returns to the last session unless --session selects another one. When earlier transcript pages exist, press PageUp at the top to load them in place.

/context explains the session-owned material available for the next agent turn: the compacted summary, replayable raw suffix, and an estimated token count. It deliberately does not expose private reasoning and does not pretend to be the complete model prompt; workspace instructions, memory, and skills are assembled separately by the Python runtime.

/diff opens the latest turn's file changes in a full-screen unified diff. Use Left/Right to switch edits, PageUp/PageDown or Home/End to navigate, and Esc to return to chat. The gateway remains the source of the patch; the TUI never rereads workspace files to rebuild it.