diff --git a/cylc/flow/tui/app.py b/cylc/flow/tui/app.py
index fd05a613443..eb4e248d49c 100644
--- a/cylc/flow/tui/app.py
+++ b/cylc/flow/tui/app.py
@@ -481,6 +481,7 @@ def create_overlay(self, widget, kwargs):
                 See `urwid` docs for details.
 
         """
+        # create the overlay
         kwargs = {'width': 'pack', 'height': 'pack', **kwargs}
         overlay = urwid.Overlay(
             urwid.LineBox(
@@ -503,9 +504,15 @@ def create_overlay(self, widget, kwargs):
             top=self.stack * 5,
             **kwargs,
         )
+
+        # add it into the overlay stack
         self.loop.widget = overlay
         self.stack += 1
 
+        # force urwid to render the overlay now rather than waiting until the
+        # event loop becomes idle
+        self.loop.draw_screen()
+
     def close_topmost(self):
         """Remove the topmost frame or uit the app if none present."""
         if self.stack <= 0:
diff --git a/cylc/flow/tui/data.py b/cylc/flow/tui/data.py
index 0a304bec46f..1f78d165638 100644
--- a/cylc/flow/tui/data.py
+++ b/cylc/flow/tui/data.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
+from functools import partial
 from subprocess import Popen, PIPE
 import sys
 
@@ -84,7 +85,6 @@
 MUTATIONS = {
     'workflow': [
         'pause',
-        'resume',
         'reload',
         'stop',
     ],
@@ -130,6 +130,46 @@
 }
 
 
+def cli_cmd(*cmd):
+    """Issue a CLI command.
+
+    Args:
+        cmd:
+            The command without the 'cylc' prefix'.
+
+    Rasies:
+        ClientError:
+            In the event of mishap for consistency with the network
+            client alternative.
+
+    """
+    proc = Popen(  # nosec (command constructed internally, no untrusted input)
+        ['cylc', *cmd],
+        stderr=PIPE,
+        stdout=PIPE,
+        text=True,
+    )
+    out, err = proc.communicate()
+    if proc.returncode != 0:
+        raise ClientError(err)
+
+
+def _clean(workflow):
+    # for now we will exit tui when the workflow is cleaned
+    # this will change when tui supports multiple workflows
+    cli_cmd('clean', workflow)
+    sys.exit(0)
+
+
+OFFLINE_MUTATIONS = {
+    'workflow': {
+        'play': partial(cli_cmd, 'play'),
+        'clean': _clean,
+        'reinstall-reload': partial(cli_cmd, 'vr', '--yes'),
+    }
+}
+
+
 def generate_mutation(mutation, arguments):
     graphql_args = ', '.join([
         f'${argument}: {ARGUMENT_TYPES[argument]}'
@@ -149,10 +189,16 @@ def generate_mutation(mutation, arguments):
     '''
 
 
-def list_mutations(selection):
+def list_mutations(client, selection):
     context = extract_context(selection)
     selection_type = list(context)[-1]
-    return MUTATIONS.get(selection_type, [])
+    ret = []
+    if client:
+        # add the online mutations
+        ret.extend(MUTATIONS.get(selection_type, []))
+    # add the offline mutations
+    ret.extend(OFFLINE_MUTATIONS.get(selection_type, []))
+    return sorted(ret)
 
 
 def context_to_variables(context):
@@ -181,6 +227,18 @@ def context_to_variables(context):
 
 
 def mutate(client, mutation, selection):
+    if mutation in OFFLINE_MUTATIONS['workflow']:
+        offline_mutate(mutation, selection)
+    elif client:
+        online_mutate(client, mutation, selection)
+    else:
+        raise Exception(
+            f'Cannot peform command {mutation} on a stopped workflow'
+            ' or invalid command.'
+        )
+
+
+def online_mutate(client, mutation, selection):
     """Issue a mutation over a network interface."""
     context = extract_context(selection)
     variables = context_to_variables(context)
@@ -199,39 +257,5 @@ def offline_mutate(mutation, selection):
     context = extract_context(selection)
     variables = context_to_variables(context)
     for workflow in variables['workflow']:
-        if mutation == 'play':
-            cli_cmd('play', workflow)
-        elif mutation == 'clean':  # noqa: SIM106
-            cli_cmd('clean', workflow)
-            # tui only supports single-workflow display ATM so
-            # clean should shut down the program
-            sys.exit()
-        elif mutation in list_mutations(selection):  # noqa: SIM106
-            # this is an "online" mutation -> ignore
-            pass
-        else:
-            raise Exception(f'Invalid mutation: {mutation}')
-
-
-def cli_cmd(*cmd):
-    """Issue a CLI command.
-
-    Args:
-        cmd:
-            The command without the 'cylc' prefix'.
-
-    Rasies:
-        ClientError:
-            In the event of mishap for consistency with the network
-            client alternative.
-
-    """
-    proc = Popen(  # nosec (command constructed internally, no untrusted input)
-        ['cylc', *cmd],
-        stderr=PIPE,
-        stdout=PIPE,
-        text=True,
-    )
-    out, err = proc.communicate()
-    if proc.returncode != 0:
-        raise ClientError(err)
+        # NOTE: this currently only supports workflow mutations
+        OFFLINE_MUTATIONS['workflow'][mutation](workflow)
diff --git a/cylc/flow/tui/overlay.py b/cylc/flow/tui/overlay.py
index 539d9826cd6..02e8a479999 100644
--- a/cylc/flow/tui/overlay.py
+++ b/cylc/flow/tui/overlay.py
@@ -218,16 +218,14 @@ def context(app):
 
     def _mutate(mutation, _):
         nonlocal app
+        app.open_overlay(partial(progress, text='Running Command'))
         try:
-            if app.client:
-                mutate(app.client, mutation, selection)
-            else:
-                offline_mutate(mutation, selection)
+            mutate(app.client, mutation, selection)
         except ClientError as exc:
-            # app.set_header([('workflow_error', str(exc))])
             app.open_overlay(partial(error, text=str(exc)))
         else:
             app.close_topmost()
+            app.close_topmost()
 
     widget = urwid.ListBox(
         urwid.SimpleFocusListWalker(
@@ -245,18 +243,14 @@ def _mutate(mutation, _):
                     mutation,
                     on_press=partial(_mutate, mutation)
                 )
-                for mutation in (
-                    list_mutations(selection)
-                    if app.client
-                    else ['play', 'clean']
-                )
+                for mutation in list_mutations(app.client, selection)
             ]
         )
     )
 
     return (
         widget,
-        {'width': 30, 'height': 15}
+        {'width': 30, 'height': 20}
     )
 
 
@@ -270,3 +264,13 @@ def error(app, text=''):
         ]),
         {'width': 50, 'height': 40}
     )
+
+
+def progress(app, text='Working'):
+    """An overlay for presenting a running action."""
+    return (
+        urwid.ListBox([
+            urwid.Text(text),
+        ]),
+        {'width': 30, 'height': 10}
+    )