feat(cli): prototype clean UI toggle and minimal-mode bleed-through

docs/cli/commands.md

@@ -120,6 +120,8 @@ Slash commands provide meta-level control over the CLI itself.
 - **`/shortcuts`**
   - **Description:** Toggle the shortcuts panel above the input.
   - **Shortcut:** Press `?` when the prompt is empty.
+  - **Note:** This is separate from the clean UI detail toggle on double-`Tab`,
+    which switches between minimal and full UI chrome.
 
 - **`/hooks`**
   - **Description:** Manage hooks, which allow you to intercept and customize

docs/cli/keyboard-shortcuts.md

@@ -114,8 +114,8 @@ available combinations.
 | Dismiss background shell list.                                                                        | `Esc`                      |
 | Move focus from background shell to Gemini.                                                           | `Shift + Tab`              |
 | Move focus from background shell list to Gemini.                                                      | `Tab (no Shift)`           |
-| Show warning when trying to unfocus background shell via Tab.                                         | `Tab (no Shift)`           |
-| Show warning when trying to unfocus shell input via Tab.                                              | `Tab (no Shift)`           |
+| Show warning when trying to move focus away from background shell.                                    | `Tab (no Shift)`           |
+| Show warning when trying to move focus away from shell input.                                         | `Tab (no Shift)`           |
 | Move focus from Gemini to the active shell.                                                           | `Tab (no Shift)`           |
 | Move focus from the shell back to Gemini.                                                             | `Shift + Tab`              |
 | Clear the terminal screen and redraw the UI.                                                          | `Ctrl + L`                 |
@@ -134,6 +134,11 @@ available combinations.
   The panel also auto-hides while the agent is running/streaming or when
   action-required dialogs are shown. Press `?` again to close the panel and
   insert a `?` into the prompt.
+- `Tab` + `Tab` (while typing in the prompt): Toggle between minimal and full UI
+  details when no completion/search interaction is active. The selected mode is
+  remembered for future sessions. Full UI remains the default on first run, and
+  single `Tab` keeps its existing completion/focus behavior.
+- `Shift + Tab` (while typing in the prompt): Cycle approval modes.
 - `\` (at end of a line) + `Enter`: Insert a newline without leaving single-line
   mode.
 - `Esc` pressed twice quickly: Clear the input prompt if it is not empty,

packages/cli/src/config/keyBindings.ts

@@ -516,9 +516,9 @@ export const commandDescriptions: Readonly<Record<Command, string>> = {
   [Command.UNFOCUS_BACKGROUND_SHELL_LIST]:
     'Move focus from background shell list to Gemini.',
   [Command.SHOW_BACKGROUND_SHELL_UNFOCUS_WARNING]:
-    'Show warning when trying to unfocus background shell via Tab.',
+    'Show warning when trying to move focus away from background shell.',
   [Command.SHOW_SHELL_INPUT_UNFOCUS_WARNING]:
-    'Show warning when trying to unfocus shell input via Tab.',
+    'Show warning when trying to move focus away from shell input.',
   [Command.FOCUS_SHELL_INPUT]: 'Move focus from Gemini to the active shell.',
   [Command.UNFOCUS_SHELL_INPUT]: 'Move focus from the shell back to Gemini.',
   [Command.CLEAR_SCREEN]: 'Clear the terminal screen and redraw the UI.',

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

@@ -150,6 +150,7 @@ const baseMockUiState = {
   terminalWidth: 120,
   terminalHeight: 40,
   currentModel: 'gemini-pro',
+  cleanUiDetailsVisible: false,
   terminalBackgroundColor: undefined,
   activePtyId: undefined,
   backgroundShells: new Map(),
@@ -204,6 +205,10 @@ const mockUIActions: UIActions = {
   handleApiKeyCancel: vi.fn(),
   setBannerVisible: vi.fn(),
   setShortcutsHelpVisible: vi.fn(),
+  setCleanUiDetailsVisible: vi.fn(),
+  toggleCleanUiDetailsVisible: vi.fn(),
+  revealCleanUiDetailsTemporarily: vi.fn(),
+  handleWarning: vi.fn(),
   setEmbeddedShellFocused: vi.fn(),
   dismissBackgroundShell: vi.fn(),
   setActiveBackgroundShellPid: vi.fn(),

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

@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ describe('App', () => {
 
   const mockUIState: Partial<UIState> = {
     streamingState: StreamingState.Idle,
+    cleanUiDetailsVisible: true,
     quittingMessages: null,
     dialogsVisible: false,
     mainControlsRef: {

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

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ import {
   type Mock,
   type MockedObject,
 } from 'vitest';
-import { render } from '../test-utils/render.js';
+import { render, persistentStateMock } from '../test-utils/render.js';
 import { waitFor } from '../test-utils/async.js';
 import { cleanup } from 'ink-testing-library';
 import { act, useContext, type ReactElement } from 'react';
@@ -299,6 +299,7 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
   };
 
   beforeEach(() => {
+    persistentStateMock.reset();
     vi.clearAllMocks();
 
     mockIdeClient.getInstance.mockReturnValue(new Promise(() => {}));
@@ -488,6 +489,37 @@ describe('AppContainer State Management', () => {
       await waitFor(() => expect(capturedUIState).toBeTruthy());
       unmount!();
     });
+
+    it('shows full UI details by default', async () => {
+      let unmount: () => void;
+      await act(async () => {
+        const result = renderAppContainer();
+        unmount = result.unmount;
+      });
+
+      await waitFor(() => {
+        expect(capturedUIState.cleanUiDetailsVisible).toBe(true);
+      });
+      unmount!();
+    });
+
+    it('starts in minimal UI mode when Focus UI preference is persisted', async () => {
+      persistentStateMock.get.mockReturnValueOnce(true);
+
+      let unmount: () => void;
+      await act(async () => {
+        const result = renderAppContainer({
+          settings: mockSettings,
+        });
+        unmount = result.unmount;
+      });
+
+      await waitFor(() => {
+        expect(capturedUIState.cleanUiDetailsVisible).toBe(false);
+      });
+      expect(persistentStateMock.get).toHaveBeenCalledWith('focusUiEnabled');
+      unmount!();
+    });
   });
 
   describe('State Initialization', () => {

packages/cli/src/ui/AppContainer.tsx

@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ import {
   type UserTierId,
   type UserFeedbackPayload,
   type AgentDefinition,
+  type ApprovalMode,
   IdeClient,
   ideContextStore,
   getErrorMessage,
@@ -133,6 +134,7 @@ import { ShellFocusContext } from './contexts/ShellFocusContext.js';
 import { type ExtensionManager } from '../config/extension-manager.js';
 import { requestConsentInteractive } from '../config/extensions/consent.js';
 import { useSessionBrowser } from './hooks/useSessionBrowser.js';
+import { persistentState } from '../utils/persistentState.js';
 import { useSessionResume } from './hooks/useSessionResume.js';
 import { useIncludeDirsTrust } from './hooks/useIncludeDirsTrust.js';
 import { isWorkspaceTrusted } from '../config/trustedFolders.js';
@@ -184,6 +186,9 @@ interface AppContainerProps {
   resumedSessionData?: ResumedSessionData;
 }
 
+const APPROVAL_MODE_REVEAL_DURATION_MS = 1200;
+const FOCUS_UI_ENABLED_STATE_KEY = 'focusUiEnabled';
+
 /**
  * The fraction of the terminal width to allocate to the shell.
  * This provides horizontal padding.
@@ -796,7 +801,65 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
   const setIsBackgroundShellListOpenRef = useRef<(open: boolean) => void>(
     () => {},
   );
+  const [focusUiEnabledByDefault] = useState(
+    () => persistentState.get(FOCUS_UI_ENABLED_STATE_KEY) === true,
+  );
   const [shortcutsHelpVisible, setShortcutsHelpVisible] = useState(false);
+  const [cleanUiDetailsVisible, setCleanUiDetailsVisibleState] = useState(
+    !focusUiEnabledByDefault,
+  );
+  const modeRevealTimeoutRef = useRef<NodeJS.Timeout | null>(null);
+  const cleanUiDetailsPinnedRef = useRef(!focusUiEnabledByDefault);
+
+  const clearModeRevealTimeout = useCallback(() => {
+    if (modeRevealTimeoutRef.current) {
+      clearTimeout(modeRevealTimeoutRef.current);
+      modeRevealTimeoutRef.current = null;
+    }
+  }, []);
+
+  const persistFocusUiPreference = useCallback((isFullUiVisible: boolean) => {
+    persistentState.set(FOCUS_UI_ENABLED_STATE_KEY, !isFullUiVisible);
+  }, []);
+
+  const setCleanUiDetailsVisible = useCallback(
+    (visible: boolean) => {
+      clearModeRevealTimeout();
+      cleanUiDetailsPinnedRef.current = visible;
+      setCleanUiDetailsVisibleState(visible);
+      persistFocusUiPreference(visible);
+    },
+    [clearModeRevealTimeout, persistFocusUiPreference],
+  );
+
+  const toggleCleanUiDetailsVisible = useCallback(() => {
+    clearModeRevealTimeout();
+    setCleanUiDetailsVisibleState((visible) => {
+      const nextVisible = !visible;
+      cleanUiDetailsPinnedRef.current = nextVisible;
+      persistFocusUiPreference(nextVisible);
+      return nextVisible;
+    });
+  }, [clearModeRevealTimeout, persistFocusUiPreference]);
+
+  const revealCleanUiDetailsTemporarily = useCallback(
+    (durationMs: number = APPROVAL_MODE_REVEAL_DURATION_MS) => {
+      if (cleanUiDetailsPinnedRef.current) {
+        return;
+      }
+      clearModeRevealTimeout();
+      setCleanUiDetailsVisibleState(true);
+      modeRevealTimeoutRef.current = setTimeout(() => {
+        if (!cleanUiDetailsPinnedRef.current) {
+          setCleanUiDetailsVisibleState(false);
+        }
+        modeRevealTimeoutRef.current = null;
+      }, durationMs);
+    },
+    [clearModeRevealTimeout],
+  );
+
+  useEffect(() => () => clearModeRevealTimeout(), [clearModeRevealTimeout]);
 
   const slashCommandActions = useMemo(
     () => ({
@@ -1057,11 +1120,25 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
   const shouldShowActionRequiredTitle = inactivityStatus === 'action_required';
   const shouldShowSilentWorkingTitle = inactivityStatus === 'silent_working';
 
+  const handleApprovalModeChangeWithUiReveal = useCallback(
+    (mode: ApprovalMode) => {
+      void handleApprovalModeChange(mode);
+      if (!cleanUiDetailsVisible) {
+        revealCleanUiDetailsTemporarily(APPROVAL_MODE_REVEAL_DURATION_MS);
+      }
+    },
+    [
+      handleApprovalModeChange,
+      cleanUiDetailsVisible,
+      revealCleanUiDetailsTemporarily,
+    ],
+  );
+
   // Auto-accept indicator
   const showApprovalModeIndicator = useApprovalModeIndicator({
     config,
     addItem: historyManager.addItem,
-    onApprovalModeChange: handleApprovalModeChange,
+    onApprovalModeChange: handleApprovalModeChangeWithUiReveal,
     isActive: !embeddedShellFocused,
   });
 
@@ -1377,6 +1454,9 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       if (tabFocusTimeoutRef.current) {
         clearTimeout(tabFocusTimeoutRef.current);
       }
+      if (modeRevealTimeoutRef.current) {
+        clearTimeout(modeRevealTimeoutRef.current);
+      }
     };
   }, [showTransientMessage]);
 
@@ -1977,6 +2057,7 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       ctrlDPressedOnce: ctrlDPressCount >= 1,
       showEscapePrompt,
       shortcutsHelpVisible,
+      cleanUiDetailsVisible,
       isFocused,
       elapsedTime,
       currentLoadingPhrase,
@@ -2087,6 +2168,7 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       ctrlDPressCount,
       showEscapePrompt,
       shortcutsHelpVisible,
+      cleanUiDetailsVisible,
       isFocused,
       elapsedTime,
       currentLoadingPhrase,
@@ -2188,6 +2270,10 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       handleApiKeyCancel,
       setBannerVisible,
       setShortcutsHelpVisible,
+      setCleanUiDetailsVisible,
+      toggleCleanUiDetailsVisible,
+      revealCleanUiDetailsTemporarily,
+      handleWarning,
       setEmbeddedShellFocused,
       dismissBackgroundShell,
       setActiveBackgroundShellPid,
@@ -2264,6 +2350,10 @@ Logging in with Google... Restarting Gemini CLI to continue.
       handleApiKeyCancel,
       setBannerVisible,
       setShortcutsHelpVisible,
+      setCleanUiDetailsVisible,
+      toggleCleanUiDetailsVisible,
+      revealCleanUiDetailsTemporarily,
+      handleWarning,
       setEmbeddedShellFocused,
       dismissBackgroundShell,
       setActiveBackgroundShellPid,

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

@@ -17,16 +17,25 @@ import { useTips } from '../hooks/useTips.js';
 
 interface AppHeaderProps {
   version: string;
+  showDetails?: boolean;
 }
 
-export const AppHeader = ({ version }: AppHeaderProps) => {
+export const AppHeader = ({ version, showDetails = true }: AppHeaderProps) => {
   const settings = useSettings();
   const config = useConfig();
   const { nightly, terminalWidth, bannerData, bannerVisible } = useUIState();
 
   const { bannerText } = useBanner(bannerData);
   const { showTips } = useTips();
 
+  if (!showDetails) {
+    return (
+      <Box flexDirection="column">
+        <Header version={version} nightly={false} />
+      </Box>
+    );
+  }
+
   return (
     <Box flexDirection="column">
       {!(settings.merged.ui.hideBanner || config.getScreenReader()) && (