Merge pull request #15755 from NousResearch/bb/tui-model-flag

fix(tui): honor launch model overrides

hermes_cli/commands.py

@@ -103,7 +103,8 @@ COMMAND_REGISTRY: list[CommandDef] = [
     # Configuration
     CommandDef("config", "Show current configuration", "Configuration",
                cli_only=True),
-    CommandDef("model", "Switch model for this session", "Configuration", args_hint="[model] [--provider name] [--global]"),
+    CommandDef("model", "Switch model for this session", "Configuration",
+               aliases=("provider",), args_hint="[model] [--provider name] [--global]"),
     CommandDef("gquota", "Show Google Gemini Code Assist quota usage", "Info",
                cli_only=True),
 

hermes_cli/main.py

@@ -1028,7 +1028,12 @@ def _make_tui_argv(tui_dir: Path, tui_dev: bool) -> tuple[list[str], Path]:
     return [node, str(root / "dist" / "entry.js")], root
 
 
-def _launch_tui(resume_session_id: Optional[str] = None, tui_dev: bool = False):
+def _launch_tui(
+    resume_session_id: Optional[str] = None,
+    tui_dev: bool = False,
+    model: Optional[str] = None,
+    provider: Optional[str] = None,
+):
     """Replace current process with the TUI."""
     tui_dir = PROJECT_ROOT / "ui-tui"
 
@@ -1038,6 +1043,12 @@ def _launch_tui(resume_session_id: Optional[str] = None, tui_dev: bool = False):
     )
     env.setdefault("HERMES_PYTHON", sys.executable)
     env.setdefault("HERMES_CWD", os.getcwd())
+    if model:
+        env["HERMES_MODEL"] = model
+        env["HERMES_INFERENCE_MODEL"] = model
+    if provider:
+        env["HERMES_TUI_PROVIDER"] = provider
+        env["HERMES_INFERENCE_PROVIDER"] = provider
     # Guarantee an 8GB V8 heap + exposed GC for the TUI. Default node cap is
     # ~1.5–4GB depending on version and can fatal-OOM on long sessions with
     # large transcripts / reasoning blobs. Token-level merge: respect any
@@ -1176,6 +1187,8 @@ def cmd_chat(args):
         _launch_tui(
             getattr(args, "resume", None),
             tui_dev=getattr(args, "tui_dev", False),
+            model=getattr(args, "model", None),
+            provider=getattr(args, "provider", None),
         )
 
     # Import and run the CLI
@@ -6913,7 +6926,7 @@ For more help on a command:
         default=None,
         help=(
             "Model override for this invocation (e.g. anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6). "
-            "Applies to -z/--oneshot. Also settable via HERMES_INFERENCE_MODEL env var."
+            "Applies to -z/--oneshot and --tui. Also settable via HERMES_INFERENCE_MODEL env var."
         ),
     )
     parser.add_argument(
@@ -6921,7 +6934,7 @@ For more help on a command:
         default=None,
         help=(
             "Provider override for this invocation (e.g. openrouter, anthropic). "
-            "Applies to -z/--oneshot. Also settable via HERMES_INFERENCE_PROVIDER env var."
+            "Applies to -z/--oneshot and --tui. Also settable via HERMES_INFERENCE_PROVIDER env var."
         ),
     )
     parser.add_argument(

hermes_cli/models.py

@@ -1379,27 +1379,93 @@ def curated_models_for_provider(
     return [(m, "") for m in models]
 
 
-def detect_provider_for_model(
+def _provider_keys(provider: str) -> set[str]:
+    key = (provider or "").strip().lower()
+    normalized = normalize_provider(provider)
+    return {k for k in (key, normalized) if k}
+
+
+def _model_in_provider_catalog(name_lower: str, providers: set[str]) -> bool:
+    return any(
+        name_lower == model.lower()
+        for provider in providers
+        for model in _PROVIDER_MODELS.get(provider, [])
+    )
+
+
+_AGGREGATOR_PROVIDERS = frozenset(
+    {"nous", "openrouter", "ai-gateway", "copilot", "kilocode"}
+)
+
+
+def _resolve_static_model_alias(
+    name_lower: str,
+    current_keys: set[str],
+) -> Optional[tuple[str, str]]:
+    """Resolve short aliases (e.g. sonnet/opus) using static catalogs only."""
+    try:
+        from hermes_cli.model_switch import MODEL_ALIASES
+    except Exception:
+        return None
+
+    identity = MODEL_ALIASES.get(name_lower)
+    if identity is None:
+        return None
+
+    vendor = identity.vendor
+    family = identity.family
+
+    def _match(provider: str) -> Optional[str]:
+        models = _PROVIDER_MODELS.get(provider, [])
+        if not models:
+            return None
+        prefix = (
+            f"{vendor}/{family}"
+            if provider in _AGGREGATOR_PROVIDERS
+            else family
+        ).lower()
+        for model in models:
+            if model.lower().startswith(prefix):
+                return model
+        return None
+
+    for provider in current_keys:
+        if matched := _match(provider):
+            return provider, matched
+
+    for provider in _PROVIDER_MODELS:
+        if provider in current_keys or provider in _AGGREGATOR_PROVIDERS:
+            continue
+        if matched := _match(provider):
+            return provider, matched
+
+    for provider in _AGGREGATOR_PROVIDERS:
+        if provider in current_keys and (matched := _match(provider)):
+            return provider, matched
+
+    return None
+
+
+def detect_static_provider_for_model(
     model_name: str,
     current_provider: str,
 ) -> Optional[tuple[str, str]]:
-    """Auto-detect the best provider for a model name.
+    """Auto-detect a provider from static catalogs only.
 
-    Returns ``(provider_id, model_name)`` — the model name may be remapped
+    Returns ``(provider_id, model_name)``. The model name may be remapped
-    (e.g. bare ``deepseek-chat`` → ``deepseek/deepseek-chat`` for OpenRouter).
+    when a static alias or bare provider name resolves to a catalog default.
     Returns ``None`` when no confident match is found.
-
-    Priority:
-    0. Bare provider name → switch to that provider's default model
-    1. Direct provider with credentials (highest)
-    2. Direct provider without credentials → remap to OpenRouter slug
-    3. OpenRouter catalog match
     """
     name = (model_name or "").strip()
     if not name:
         return None
 
     name_lower = name.lower()
+    current_keys = _provider_keys(current_provider)
+
+    alias_match = _resolve_static_model_alias(name_lower, current_keys)
+    if alias_match:
+        return alias_match
 
     # --- Step 0: bare provider name typed as model ---
     # If someone types `/model nous` or `/model anthropic`, treat it as a
@@ -1412,64 +1478,49 @@ def detect_provider_for_model(
         if (
             resolved_provider in _PROVIDER_LABELS
             and default_models
-            and resolved_provider != normalize_provider(current_provider)
+            and resolved_provider not in current_keys
         ):
             return (resolved_provider, default_models[0])
 
     # Aggregators list other providers' models — never auto-switch TO them
-    _AGGREGATORS = {"nous", "openrouter", "ai-gateway", "copilot", "kilocode"}
-
     # If the model belongs to the current provider's catalog, don't suggest switching
-    current_models = _PROVIDER_MODELS.get(current_provider, [])
+    if _model_in_provider_catalog(name_lower, current_keys):
-    if any(name_lower == m.lower() for m in current_models):
         return None
 
     # --- Step 1: check static provider catalogs for a direct match ---
-    direct_match: Optional[str] = None
     for pid, models in _PROVIDER_MODELS.items():
-        if pid == current_provider or pid in _AGGREGATORS:
+        if pid in current_keys or pid in _AGGREGATOR_PROVIDERS:
             continue
         if any(name_lower == m.lower() for m in models):
-            direct_match = pid
+            return (pid, name)
-            break
 
-    if direct_match:
+    return None
-        # Check if we have credentials for this provider — env vars,
-        # credential pool, or auth store entries.
-        has_creds = False
-        try:
-            from hermes_cli.auth import PROVIDER_REGISTRY
-            pconfig = PROVIDER_REGISTRY.get(direct_match)
-            if pconfig:
-                for env_var in pconfig.api_key_env_vars:
-                    if os.getenv(env_var, "").strip():
-                        has_creds = True
-                        break
-        except Exception:
-            pass
-        # Also check credential pool and auth store — covers OAuth,
-        # Claude Code tokens, and other non-env-var credentials (#10300).
-        if not has_creds:
-            try:
-                from agent.credential_pool import load_pool
-                pool = load_pool(direct_match)
-                if pool.has_credentials():
-                    has_creds = True
-            except Exception:
-                pass
-        if not has_creds:
-            try:
-                from hermes_cli.auth import _load_auth_store
-                store = _load_auth_store()
-                if direct_match in store.get("providers", {}) or direct_match in store.get("credential_pool", {}):
-                    has_creds = True
-            except Exception:
-                pass
 
-        # Always return the direct provider match.  If credentials are
+
-        # missing, the client init will give a clear error rather than
+def detect_provider_for_model(
-        # silently routing through the wrong provider (#10300).
+    model_name: str,
-        return (direct_match, name)
+    current_provider: str,
+) -> Optional[tuple[str, str]]:
+    """Auto-detect the best provider for a model name.
+
+    Returns ``(provider_id, model_name)`` — the model name may be remapped
+    (e.g. bare ``deepseek-chat`` → ``deepseek/deepseek-chat`` for OpenRouter).
+    Returns ``None`` when no confident match is found.
+
+    Priority:
+    0. Bare provider name → switch to that provider's default model
+    1. Direct provider static catalog match
+    2. OpenRouter catalog match
+    """
+    name = (model_name or "").strip()
+    if not name:
+        return None
+
+    static_match = detect_static_provider_for_model(name, current_provider)
+    if static_match:
+        return static_match
+    if _model_in_provider_catalog(name.lower(), _provider_keys(current_provider)):
+        return None
 
     # --- Step 2: check OpenRouter catalog ---
     # First try exact match (handles provider/model format)

tests/hermes_cli/test_models.py

@@ -256,6 +256,17 @@ class TestDetectProviderForModel:
         """Models belonging to the current provider should not trigger a switch."""
         assert detect_provider_for_model("gpt-5.3-codex", "openai-codex") is None
 
+    def test_short_alias_resolves_to_static_model(self):
+        """Short aliases (e.g. sonnet) should resolve without network lookups."""
+        with patch(
+            "hermes_cli.models.fetch_openrouter_models",
+            side_effect=AssertionError("network lookup should not run"),
+        ):
+            result = detect_provider_for_model("sonnet", "auto")
+        assert result is not None
+        assert result[0] == "anthropic"
+        assert result[1].startswith("claude-sonnet")
+
     def test_openrouter_slug_match(self):
         """Models in the OpenRouter catalog should be found."""
         with patch("hermes_cli.models.fetch_openrouter_models", return_value=LIVE_OPENROUTER_MODELS):

tests/hermes_cli/test_tui_resume_flow.py

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 from argparse import Namespace
+from pathlib import Path
 import sys
 import types
 
@@ -8,8 +9,11 @@ import pytest
 def _args(**overrides):
     base = {
         "continue_last": None,
+        "model": None,
+        "provider": None,
         "resume": None,
         "tui": True,
+        "tui_dev": False,
     }
     base.update(overrides)
     return Namespace(**base)
@@ -31,7 +35,7 @@ def test_cmd_chat_tui_continue_uses_latest_tui_session(monkeypatch, main_mod):
         calls.append(source)
         return "20260408_235959_a1b2c3" if source == "tui" else None
 
-    def fake_launch(resume_session_id=None, tui_dev=False):
+    def fake_launch(resume_session_id=None, tui_dev=False, model=None, provider=None):
         captured["resume"] = resume_session_id
         raise SystemExit(0)
 
@@ -58,7 +62,7 @@ def test_cmd_chat_tui_continue_falls_back_to_latest_cli_session(monkeypatch, mai
             return "20260408_235959_d4e5f6"
         return None
 
-    def fake_launch(resume_session_id=None, tui_dev=False):
+    def fake_launch(resume_session_id=None, tui_dev=False, model=None, provider=None):
         captured["resume"] = resume_session_id
         raise SystemExit(0)
 
@@ -76,7 +80,7 @@ def test_cmd_chat_tui_continue_falls_back_to_latest_cli_session(monkeypatch, mai
 def test_cmd_chat_tui_resume_resolves_title_before_launch(monkeypatch, main_mod):
     captured = {}
 
-    def fake_launch(resume_session_id=None, tui_dev=False):
+    def fake_launch(resume_session_id=None, tui_dev=False, model=None, provider=None):
         captured["resume"] = resume_session_id
         raise SystemExit(0)
 
@@ -89,6 +93,60 @@ def test_cmd_chat_tui_resume_resolves_title_before_launch(monkeypatch, main_mod)
     assert captured["resume"] == "20260409_000000_aa11bb"
 
 
+def test_cmd_chat_tui_passes_model_and_provider(monkeypatch, main_mod):
+    captured = {}
+
+    def fake_launch(resume_session_id=None, tui_dev=False, model=None, provider=None):
+        captured.update(
+            {
+                "model": model,
+                "provider": provider,
+                "resume": resume_session_id,
+                "tui_dev": tui_dev,
+            }
+        )
+        raise SystemExit(0)
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(main_mod, "_launch_tui", fake_launch)
+
+    with pytest.raises(SystemExit):
+        main_mod.cmd_chat(
+            _args(model="anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6", provider="anthropic")
+        )
+
+    assert captured == {
+        "model": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6",
+        "provider": "anthropic",
+        "resume": None,
+        "tui_dev": False,
+    }
+
+
+def test_launch_tui_exports_model_and_provider(monkeypatch, main_mod):
+    captured = {}
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        main_mod,
+        "_make_tui_argv",
+        lambda tui_dir, tui_dev: (["node", "dist/entry.js"], Path(".")),
+    )
+
+    def fake_call(argv, cwd=None, env=None):
+        captured.update({"argv": argv, "cwd": cwd, "env": env})
+        return 1
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(main_mod.subprocess, "call", fake_call)
+
+    with pytest.raises(SystemExit):
+        main_mod._launch_tui(model="nous/hermes-test", provider="nous")
+
+    env = captured["env"]
+    assert env["HERMES_MODEL"] == "nous/hermes-test"
+    assert env["HERMES_INFERENCE_MODEL"] == "nous/hermes-test"
+    assert env["HERMES_TUI_PROVIDER"] == "nous"
+    assert env["HERMES_INFERENCE_PROVIDER"] == "nous"
+
+
 def test_print_tui_exit_summary_includes_resume_and_token_totals(monkeypatch, capsys):
     import hermes_cli.main as main_mod
 

tests/test_tui_gateway_server.py

@@ -83,6 +83,100 @@ def test_status_callback_accepts_single_message_argument():
     )
 
 
+def test_resolve_model_uses_inference_model_env(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.delenv("HERMES_MODEL", raising=False)
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_INFERENCE_MODEL", " anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6\n")
+
+    assert server._resolve_model() == "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6"
+
+
+def test_resolve_model_strips_config_model(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.delenv("HERMES_MODEL", raising=False)
+    monkeypatch.delenv("HERMES_INFERENCE_MODEL", raising=False)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        server, "_load_cfg", lambda: {"model": {"default": " nous/hermes-test "}}
+    )
+
+    assert server._resolve_model() == "nous/hermes-test"
+
+
+def test_startup_runtime_uses_tui_provider_env(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_MODEL", "nous/hermes-test")
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_TUI_PROVIDER", "nous")
+    monkeypatch.delenv("HERMES_INFERENCE_PROVIDER", raising=False)
+
+    assert server._resolve_startup_runtime() == ("nous/hermes-test", "nous")
+
+
+def test_startup_runtime_does_not_treat_inference_provider_as_explicit(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_MODEL", "nous/hermes-test")
+    monkeypatch.delenv("HERMES_TUI_PROVIDER", raising=False)
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_INFERENCE_PROVIDER", "nous")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "hermes_cli.models.detect_static_provider_for_model",
+        lambda model, provider: None,
+    )
+
+    assert server._resolve_startup_runtime() == ("nous/hermes-test", None)
+
+
+def test_startup_runtime_detects_provider_for_model_env(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_MODEL", "sonnet")
+    monkeypatch.delenv("HERMES_TUI_PROVIDER", raising=False)
+    monkeypatch.delenv("HERMES_INFERENCE_PROVIDER", raising=False)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(server, "_load_cfg", lambda: {"model": {"provider": "auto"}})
+
+    def fake_detect(model, current_provider):
+        assert model == "sonnet"
+        assert current_provider == "auto"
+        return "anthropic", "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6"
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "hermes_cli.models.detect_static_provider_for_model", fake_detect
+    )
+
+    assert server._resolve_startup_runtime() == (
+        "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6",
+        "anthropic",
+    )
+
+
+def test_startup_runtime_resolves_short_alias_without_network(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_MODEL", "sonnet")
+    monkeypatch.delenv("HERMES_TUI_PROVIDER", raising=False)
+    monkeypatch.delenv("HERMES_INFERENCE_PROVIDER", raising=False)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(server, "_load_cfg", lambda: {"model": {"provider": "auto"}})
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "hermes_cli.models.fetch_openrouter_models",
+        lambda *_args, **_kwargs: (_ for _ in ()).throw(
+            AssertionError("network lookup should not run")
+        ),
+    )
+
+    model, provider = server._resolve_startup_runtime()
+
+    assert provider == "anthropic"
+    assert model.startswith("claude-sonnet")
+
+
+def test_startup_runtime_does_not_call_network_detector(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_MODEL", "sonnet")
+    monkeypatch.delenv("HERMES_TUI_PROVIDER", raising=False)
+    monkeypatch.delenv("HERMES_INFERENCE_PROVIDER", raising=False)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(server, "_load_cfg", lambda: {"model": {"provider": "auto"}})
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "hermes_cli.models.detect_provider_for_model",
+        lambda *_args, **_kwargs: (_ for _ in ()).throw(
+            AssertionError("network detector called")
+        ),
+    )
+
+    model, provider = server._resolve_startup_runtime()
+
+    assert model
+    assert provider in {None, "anthropic"}
+
+
 def _session(agent=None, **extra):
     return {
         "agent": agent if agent is not None else types.SimpleNamespace(),
@@ -245,6 +339,14 @@ def test_setup_status_reports_provider_config(monkeypatch):
     assert resp["result"]["provider_configured"] is False
 
 
+def test_complete_slash_includes_provider_alias():
+    resp = server.handle_request(
+        {"id": "1", "method": "complete.slash", "params": {"text": "/pro"}}
+    )
+
+    assert any(item["text"] == "provider" for item in resp["result"]["items"])
+
+
 def test_config_set_reasoning_updates_live_session_and_agent(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.setattr(server, "_hermes_home", tmp_path)
     agent = types.SimpleNamespace(reasoning_config=None)
@@ -415,6 +517,57 @@ def test_config_set_model_syncs_inference_provider_env(monkeypatch):
     assert os.environ["HERMES_INFERENCE_PROVIDER"] == "anthropic"
 
 
+def test_config_set_model_syncs_tui_provider_env(monkeypatch):
+    class Agent:
+        model = "gpt-5.3-codex"
+        provider = "openai-codex"
+        base_url = ""
+        api_key = ""
+
+        def switch_model(self, **kwargs):
+            self.model = kwargs["new_model"]
+            self.provider = kwargs["new_provider"]
+
+    agent = Agent()
+    server._sessions["sid"] = _session(agent=agent)
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_TUI_PROVIDER", "openai-codex")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(server, "_restart_slash_worker", lambda session: None)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(server, "_emit", lambda *args, **kwargs: None)
+
+    def fake_switch_model(**kwargs):
+        return types.SimpleNamespace(
+            success=True,
+            new_model="anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6",
+            target_provider="anthropic",
+            api_key="key",
+            base_url="https://api.anthropic.com",
+            api_mode="anthropic_messages",
+            warning_message="",
+        )
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.model_switch.switch_model", fake_switch_model)
+
+    try:
+        resp = server.handle_request(
+            {
+                "id": "1",
+                "method": "config.set",
+                "params": {
+                    "session_id": "sid",
+                    "key": "model",
+                    "value": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 --provider anthropic",
+                },
+            }
+        )
+
+        assert resp["result"]["value"] == "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6"
+        assert os.environ["HERMES_TUI_PROVIDER"] == "anthropic"
+        assert os.environ["HERMES_MODEL"] == "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6"
+        assert os.environ["HERMES_INFERENCE_MODEL"] == "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6"
+    finally:
+        server._sessions.clear()
+
+
 def test_config_set_personality_rejects_unknown_name(monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         server,

tui_gateway/server.py

@@ -560,17 +560,55 @@ def resolve_skin() -> dict:
 
 
 def _resolve_model() -> str:
-    env = os.environ.get("HERMES_MODEL", "")
+    env = (
+        os.environ.get("HERMES_MODEL", "")
+        or os.environ.get("HERMES_INFERENCE_MODEL", "")
+    ).strip()
     if env:
         return env
     m = _load_cfg().get("model", "")
     if isinstance(m, dict):
-        return m.get("default", "")
+        return str(m.get("default", "") or "").strip()
     if isinstance(m, str) and m:
-        return m
+        return m.strip()
     return "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4"
 
 
+def _resolve_startup_runtime() -> tuple[str, str | None]:
+    model = _resolve_model()
+    explicit_provider = os.environ.get("HERMES_TUI_PROVIDER", "").strip()
+    if explicit_provider:
+        return model, explicit_provider
+
+    explicit_model = (
+        os.environ.get("HERMES_MODEL", "")
+        or os.environ.get("HERMES_INFERENCE_MODEL", "")
+    ).strip()
+    if not explicit_model:
+        return model, None
+
+    try:
+        from hermes_cli.models import detect_static_provider_for_model
+
+        cfg = _load_cfg().get("model") or {}
+        current_provider = (
+            (
+                str(cfg.get("provider") or "").strip().lower()
+                if isinstance(cfg, dict)
+                else ""
+            )
+            or os.environ.get("HERMES_INFERENCE_PROVIDER", "").strip().lower()
+            or "auto"
+        )
+        detected = detect_static_provider_for_model(explicit_model, current_provider)
+        if detected:
+            provider, detected_model = detected
+            return detected_model, provider
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+    return model, None
+
+
 def _write_config_key(key_path: str, value):
     cfg = _load_cfg()
     current = cfg
@@ -736,12 +774,15 @@ def _apply_model_switch(sid: str, session: dict, raw_input: str) -> dict:
         _emit("session.info", sid, _session_info(agent))
 
     os.environ["HERMES_MODEL"] = result.new_model
+    os.environ["HERMES_INFERENCE_MODEL"] = result.new_model
     # Keep the process-level provider env var in sync with the user's explicit
     # choice so any ambient re-resolution (credential pool refresh, compressor
     # rebuild, aux clients) resolves to the new provider instead of the
     # original one persisted in config or env.
     if result.target_provider:
         os.environ["HERMES_INFERENCE_PROVIDER"] = result.target_provider
+        if os.environ.get("HERMES_TUI_PROVIDER"):
+            os.environ["HERMES_TUI_PROVIDER"] = result.target_provider
     if persist_global:
         _persist_model_switch(result)
     return {"value": result.new_model, "warning": result.warning_message or ""}
@@ -1277,9 +1318,13 @@ def _make_agent(sid: str, key: str, session_id: str | None = None):
 
     cfg = _load_cfg()
     system_prompt = ((cfg.get("agent") or {}).get("system_prompt", "") or "").strip()
-    runtime = resolve_runtime_provider(requested=None)
+    model, requested_provider = _resolve_startup_runtime()
+    runtime = resolve_runtime_provider(
+        requested=requested_provider,
+        target_model=model or None,
+    )
     return AIAgent(
-        model=_resolve_model(),
+        model=model,
         provider=runtime.get("provider"),
         base_url=runtime.get("base_url"),
         api_key=runtime.get("api_key"),

ui-tui/packages/hermes-ink/src/ink/components/AlternateScreen.tsx

@@ -53,7 +53,11 @@ export function AlternateScreen(t0: Props) {
       }
 
       writeRaw(
-        ENTER_ALT_SCREEN + ERASE_SCROLLBACK + ERASE_SCREEN + CURSOR_HOME + (mouseTracking ? ENABLE_MOUSE_TRACKING : DISABLE_MOUSE_TRACKING)
+        ENTER_ALT_SCREEN +
+          ERASE_SCROLLBACK +
+          ERASE_SCREEN +
+          CURSOR_HOME +
+          (mouseTracking ? ENABLE_MOUSE_TRACKING : DISABLE_MOUSE_TRACKING)
       )
       ink?.setAltScreenActive(true, mouseTracking)
 

ui-tui/packages/hermes-ink/src/ink/dom.ts

@@ -323,27 +323,39 @@ const measureTextNode = function (
   widthMode: LayoutMeasureMode
 ): { width: number; height: number } {
   const elem = node.nodeName !== '#text' ? (node as DOMElement) : node.parentNode
+
   if (elem && elem.nodeName === 'ink-text') {
     let cache = elem._textMeasureCache
+
     if (!cache) {
       cache = { gen: 0, entries: new Map() }
       elem._textMeasureCache = cache
     }
+
     const key = `${width}|${widthMode}`
     const hit = cache.entries.get(key)
+
     if (hit && hit._gen === cache.gen) {
       return hit.result
     }
+
     const result = computeTextMeasure(node, width, widthMode)
+
     // Enforce cap with FIFO eviction to avoid unbounded growth during
     // pathological frames where yoga probes many widths.
     if (cache.entries.size >= MEASURE_CACHE_CAP) {
       const firstKey = cache.entries.keys().next().value
-      cache.entries.delete(firstKey)
+
+      if (firstKey !== undefined) {
+        cache.entries.delete(firstKey)
+      }
     }
+
     cache.entries.set(key, { _gen: cache.gen, result })
+
     return result
   }
+
   return computeTextMeasure(node, width, widthMode)
 }
 
@@ -475,6 +487,7 @@ export const clearYogaNodeReferences = (node: DOMElement | TextNode): void => {
     for (const child of node.childNodes) {
       clearYogaNodeReferences(child)
     }
+
     node._textMeasureCache = undefined
   }
 

ui-tui/packages/hermes-ink/src/ink/termio/osc.test.ts

@@ -9,18 +9,21 @@ describe('shouldEmitClipboardSequence', () => {
   })
 
   it('keeps OSC enabled for remote or plain local terminals', () => {
-    expect(shouldEmitClipboardSequence({ SSH_CONNECTION: '1', TMUX: '/tmp/tmux-1/default,1,0' } as NodeJS.ProcessEnv)).toBe(
+    expect(
-      true
+      shouldEmitClipboardSequence({ SSH_CONNECTION: '1', TMUX: '/tmp/tmux-1/default,1,0' } as NodeJS.ProcessEnv)
-    )
+    ).toBe(true)
     expect(shouldEmitClipboardSequence({ TERM: 'xterm-256color' } as NodeJS.ProcessEnv)).toBe(true)
   })
 
   it('honors explicit env override', () => {
-    expect(shouldEmitClipboardSequence({ HERMES_TUI_CLIPBOARD_OSC52: '1', TMUX: '/tmp/tmux-1/default,1,0' } as NodeJS.ProcessEnv)).toBe(
+    expect(
-      true
+      shouldEmitClipboardSequence({
-    )
+        HERMES_TUI_CLIPBOARD_OSC52: '1',
-    expect(shouldEmitClipboardSequence({ HERMES_TUI_COPY_OSC52: '0', TERM: 'xterm-256color' } as NodeJS.ProcessEnv)).toBe(
+        TMUX: '/tmp/tmux-1/default,1,0'
-      false
+      } as NodeJS.ProcessEnv)
-    )
+    ).toBe(true)
+    expect(
+      shouldEmitClipboardSequence({ HERMES_TUI_COPY_OSC52: '0', TERM: 'xterm-256color' } as NodeJS.ProcessEnv)
+    ).toBe(false)
   })
 })

ui-tui/src/__tests__/createGatewayEventHandler.test.ts

@@ -226,7 +226,10 @@ describe('createGatewayEventHandler', () => {
     const inlineDiff = '--- a/foo.ts\n+++ b/foo.ts\n@@\n-old\n+new'
     const assistantText = 'Done. Clean swap:\n\n```diff\n-old\n+new\n```'
 
-    onEvent({ payload: { inline_diff: inlineDiff, summary: 'patched', tool_id: 'tool-1' }, type: 'tool.complete' } as any)
+    onEvent({
+      payload: { inline_diff: inlineDiff, summary: 'patched', tool_id: 'tool-1' },
+      type: 'tool.complete'
+    } as any)
     onEvent({ payload: { text: assistantText }, type: 'message.complete' } as any)
 
     expect(appended).toHaveLength(1)

ui-tui/src/__tests__/createSlashHandler.test.ts

@@ -17,6 +17,14 @@ describe('createSlashHandler', () => {
     expect(getOverlayState().picker).toBe(true)
   })
 
+  it('treats /provider as a local /model alias', () => {
+    const ctx = buildCtx()
+
+    expect(createSlashHandler(ctx)('/provider')).toBe(true)
+    expect(getOverlayState().modelPicker).toBe(true)
+    expect(ctx.gateway.gw.request).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+
   it('opens the skills hub locally for bare /skills', () => {
     const ctx = buildCtx()
 
@@ -118,9 +126,7 @@ describe('createSlashHandler', () => {
     const ctx = buildCtx()
     createSlashHandler(ctx)('/details tools blink')
     expect(getUiState().sections.tools).toBeUndefined()
-    expect(ctx.transcript.sys).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+    expect(ctx.transcript.sys).toHaveBeenCalledWith('usage: /details <section> [hidden|collapsed|expanded|reset]')
-      'usage: /details <section> [hidden|collapsed|expanded|reset]'
-    )
   })
 
   it('shows tool enable usage when names are missing', () => {

ui-tui/src/__tests__/details.test.ts

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest'
 
-import { isSectionName, parseDetailsMode, resolveSections, sectionMode, SECTION_NAMES } from '../domain/details.js'
+import { isSectionName, parseDetailsMode, resolveSections, SECTION_NAMES, sectionMode } from '../domain/details.js'
 
 describe('parseDetailsMode', () => {
   it('accepts the canonical modes case-insensitively', () => {

ui-tui/src/app.tsx

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 import { useStore } from '@nanostores/react'
 
 import { GatewayProvider } from './app/gatewayContext.js'
-import { useMainApp } from './app/useMainApp.js'
 import { $uiState } from './app/uiStore.js'
+import { useMainApp } from './app/useMainApp.js'
 import { AppLayout } from './components/appLayout.js'
 import type { GatewayClient } from './gatewayClient.js'
 

ui-tui/src/app/slash/commands/core.ts

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { NO_CONFIRM_DESTRUCTIVE } from '../../../config/env.js'
 import { dailyFortune, randomFortune } from '../../../content/fortunes.js'
 import { HOTKEYS } from '../../../content/hotkeys.js'
-import { SECTION_NAMES, isSectionName, nextDetailsMode, parseDetailsMode } from '../../../domain/details.js'
+import { isSectionName, nextDetailsMode, parseDetailsMode, SECTION_NAMES } from '../../../domain/details.js'
 import type {
   ConfigGetValueResponse,
   ConfigSetResponse,
@@ -40,8 +40,10 @@ const flagFromArg = (arg: string, current: boolean): boolean | null => {
 
 const RESET_WORDS = new Set(['reset', 'clear', 'default'])
 const CYCLE_WORDS = new Set(['cycle', 'toggle'])
+
 const DETAILS_USAGE =
   'usage: /details [hidden|collapsed|expanded|cycle]  or  /details <section> [hidden|collapsed|expanded|reset]'
+
 const DETAILS_SECTION_USAGE = 'usage: /details <section> [hidden|collapsed|expanded|reset]'
 
 export const coreCommands: SlashCommand[] = [
@@ -97,9 +99,7 @@ export const coreCommands: SlashCommand[] = [
       }
 
       patchUiState({ mouseTracking: next })
-      ctx.gateway
+      ctx.gateway.rpc<ConfigSetResponse>('config.set', { key: 'mouse', value: next ? 'on' : 'off' }).catch(() => {})
-        .rpc<ConfigSetResponse>('config.set', { key: 'mouse', value: next ? 'on' : 'off' })
-        .catch(() => {})
 
       queueMicrotask(() => ctx.transcript.sys(`mouse tracking ${next ? 'on' : 'off'}`))
     }
@@ -178,7 +178,9 @@ export const coreCommands: SlashCommand[] = [
         gateway
           .rpc<ConfigGetValueResponse>('config.get', { key: 'details_mode' })
           .then(r => {
-            if (ctx.stale()) return
+            if (ctx.stale()) {
+              return
+            }
 
             const mode = parseDetailsMode(r?.value) ?? ui.detailsMode
             patchUiState({ detailsMode: mode })

ui-tui/src/app/slash/commands/session.ts

@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ export const sessionCommands: SlashCommand[] = [
 
   {
     help: 'change or show model',
+    aliases: ['provider'],
     name: 'model',
     run: (arg, ctx) => {
       if (ctx.session.guardBusySessionSwitch('change models')) {

ui-tui/src/app/slash/commands/setup.ts

@@ -5,18 +5,6 @@ import { runExternalSetup } from '../../setupHandoff.js'
 import type { SlashCommand } from '../types.js'
 
 export const setupCommands: SlashCommand[] = [
-  {
-    help: 'configure LLM provider + model (launches `hermes model`)',
-    name: 'provider',
-    run: (_arg, ctx) =>
-      void runExternalSetup({
-        args: ['model'],
-        ctx,
-        done: 'provider updated — starting session…',
-        launcher: launchHermesCommand,
-        suspend: withInkSuspended
-      })
-  },
   {
     help: 'run full setup wizard (launches `hermes setup`)',
     name: 'setup',

ui-tui/src/app/turnController.ts

@@ -300,6 +300,7 @@ class TurnController {
 
     const hasDiffSegment = segments.some(msg => msg.kind === 'diff')
     const detailsBelongBeforeDiff = hasDiffSegment && (tools.length > 0 || Boolean(savedReasoning))
+
     const finalMessages = detailsBelongBeforeDiff
       ? insertBeforeFirstDiff(segments, {
           kind: 'trail',

ui-tui/src/app/uiStore.ts

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 import { atom } from 'nanostores'
 
+import { MOUSE_TRACKING } from '../config/env.js'
 import { ZERO } from '../domain/usage.js'
 import { DEFAULT_THEME } from '../theme.js'
-import { MOUSE_TRACKING } from '../config/env.js'
 
 import type { UiState } from './interfaces.js'
 

ui-tui/src/app/useInputHandlers.ts

@@ -159,16 +159,14 @@ export function useInputHandlers(ctx: InputHandlerContext): InputHandlerResult {
       voice.setProcessing(false)
     }
 
-    gateway
+    gateway.rpc<VoiceRecordResponse>('voice.record', { action }).catch((e: Error) => {
-      .rpc<VoiceRecordResponse>('voice.record', { action })
+      // Revert optimistic UI on failure.
-      .catch((e: Error) => {
+      if (starting) {
-        // Revert optimistic UI on failure.
+        voice.setRecording(false)
-        if (starting) {
+      }
-          voice.setRecording(false)
-        }
 
-        actions.sys(`voice error: ${e.message}`)
+      actions.sys(`voice error: ${e.message}`)
-      })
+    })
   }
 
   useInput((ch, key) => {

ui-tui/src/app/useMainApp.ts

@@ -640,14 +640,14 @@ export function useMainApp(gw: GatewayClient) {
   const showProgressArea = anyPanelVisible
     ? Boolean(
         ui.busy ||
-          turn.outcome ||
+        turn.outcome ||
-          turn.streamPendingTools.length ||
+        turn.streamPendingTools.length ||
-          turn.streamSegments.length ||
+        turn.streamSegments.length ||
-          turn.subagents.length ||
+        turn.subagents.length ||
-          turn.tools.length ||
+        turn.tools.length ||
-          turn.turnTrail.length ||
+        turn.turnTrail.length ||
-          hasReasoning ||
+        hasReasoning ||
-          turn.activity.length
+        turn.activity.length
       )
     : turn.activity.some(item => item.tone !== 'info')
 

ui-tui/src/components/appChrome.tsx

@@ -218,11 +218,7 @@ export function StatusRule({
           {voiceLabel ? (
             <Text
               color={
-                voiceLabel.startsWith('●')
+                voiceLabel.startsWith('●') ? t.color.error : voiceLabel.startsWith('◉') ? t.color.warn : t.color.dim
-                  ? t.color.error
-                  : voiceLabel.startsWith('◉')
-                    ? t.color.warn
-                    : t.color.dim
               }
             >
               {' │ '}

ui-tui/src/components/appOverlays.tsx

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import { $uiState } from '../app/uiStore.js'
 import { FloatBox } from './appChrome.js'
 import { MaskedPrompt } from './maskedPrompt.js'
 import { ModelPicker } from './modelPicker.js'
+import { OverlayHint } from './overlayControls.js'
 import { ApprovalPrompt, ClarifyPrompt, ConfirmPrompt } from './prompts.js'
 import { SessionPicker } from './sessionPicker.js'
 import { SkillsHub } from './skillsHub.js'
@@ -162,11 +163,11 @@ export function FloatingOverlays({
             ))}
 
             <Box marginTop={1}>
-              <Text color={ui.theme.color.dim}>
+              <OverlayHint t={ui.theme}>
                 {overlay.pager.offset + pagerPageSize < overlay.pager.lines.length
-                  ? `↑↓/jk line · Enter/Space/PgDn page · b/PgUp back · g/G top/bottom · q close (${Math.min(overlay.pager.offset + pagerPageSize, overlay.pager.lines.length)}/${overlay.pager.lines.length})`
+                  ? `↑↓/jk line · Enter/Space/PgDn page · b/PgUp back · g/G top/bottom · Esc/q close (${Math.min(overlay.pager.offset + pagerPageSize, overlay.pager.lines.length)}/${overlay.pager.lines.length})`
-                  : `end · ↑↓/jk · b/PgUp back · g top · q close (${overlay.pager.lines.length} lines)`}
+                  : `end · ↑↓/jk · b/PgUp back · g top · Esc/q close (${overlay.pager.lines.length} lines)`}
-              </Text>
+              </OverlayHint>
             </Box>
           </Box>
         </FloatBox>

ui-tui/src/components/messageLine.tsx

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 import { Ansi, Box, NoSelect, Text } from '@hermes/ink'
 import { memo } from 'react'
 
-import { sectionMode } from '../domain/details.js'
 import { LONG_MSG } from '../config/limits.js'
+import { sectionMode } from '../domain/details.js'
 import { userDisplay } from '../domain/messages.js'
 import { ROLE } from '../domain/roles.js'
 import { compactPreview, hasAnsi, isPasteBackedText, stripAnsi } from '../lib/text.js'
@@ -72,8 +72,7 @@ export const MessageLine = memo(function MessageLine({
   const { body, glyph, prefix } = ROLE[msg.role](t)
 
   const showDetails =
-    (toolsMode !== 'hidden' && Boolean(msg.tools?.length)) ||
+    (toolsMode !== 'hidden' && Boolean(msg.tools?.length)) || (thinkingMode !== 'hidden' && Boolean(thinking))
-    (thinkingMode !== 'hidden' && Boolean(thinking))
 
   const content = (() => {
     if (msg.kind === 'slash') {

ui-tui/src/components/modelPicker.tsx

@@ -7,18 +7,12 @@ import type { ModelOptionProvider, ModelOptionsResponse } from '../gatewayTypes.
 import { asRpcResult, rpcErrorMessage } from '../lib/rpc.js'
 import type { Theme } from '../theme.js'
 
+import { OverlayHint, useOverlayKeys, windowItems, windowOffset } from './overlayControls.js'
+
 const VISIBLE = 12
 const MIN_WIDTH = 40
 const MAX_WIDTH = 90
 
-const pageOffset = (count: number, sel: number) => Math.max(0, Math.min(sel - Math.floor(VISIBLE / 2), count - VISIBLE))
-
-const visibleItems = (items: string[], sel: number) => {
-  const off = pageOffset(items.length, sel)
-
-  return { items: items.slice(off, off + VISIBLE), off }
-}
-
 export function ModelPicker({ gw, onCancel, onSelect, sessionId, t }: ModelPickerProps) {
   const [providers, setProviders] = useState<ModelOptionProvider[]>([])
   const [currentModel, setCurrentModel] = useState('')
@@ -71,20 +65,20 @@ export function ModelPicker({ gw, onCancel, onSelect, sessionId, t }: ModelPicke
   const models = provider?.models ?? []
   const names = useMemo(() => providerDisplayNames(providers), [providers])
 
-  useInput((ch, key) => {
+  const back = () => {
-    if (key.escape) {
+    if (stage === 'model') {
-      if (stage === 'model') {
+      setStage('provider')
-        setStage('provider')
+      setModelIdx(0)
-        setModelIdx(0)
-
-        return
-      }
-
-      onCancel()
 
       return
     }
 
+    onCancel()
+  }
+
+  useOverlayKeys({ onBack: back, onClose: onCancel })
+
+  useInput((ch, key) => {
     const count = stage === 'provider' ? providers.length : models.length
     const sel = stage === 'provider' ? providerIdx : modelIdx
     const setSel = stage === 'provider' ? setProviderIdx : setModelIdx
@@ -133,16 +127,16 @@ export function ModelPicker({ gw, onCancel, onSelect, sessionId, t }: ModelPicke
     const n = ch === '0' ? 10 : parseInt(ch, 10)
 
     if (!Number.isNaN(n) && n >= 1 && n <= Math.min(10, count)) {
-      const off = pageOffset(count, sel)
+      const offset = windowOffset(count, sel, VISIBLE)
 
       if (stage === 'provider') {
-        const next = off + n - 1
+        const next = offset + n - 1
 
         if (providers[next]) {
           setProviderIdx(next)
         }
-      } else if (provider && models[off + n - 1]) {
+      } else if (provider && models[offset + n - 1]) {
-        onSelect(`${models[off + n - 1]} --provider ${provider.slug}${persistGlobal ? ' --global' : ''}`)
+        onSelect(`${models[offset + n - 1]} --provider ${provider.slug}${persistGlobal ? ' --global' : ''}`)
       }
     }
   })
@@ -155,7 +149,7 @@ export function ModelPicker({ gw, onCancel, onSelect, sessionId, t }: ModelPicke
     return (
       <Box flexDirection="column">
         <Text color={t.color.label}>error: {err}</Text>
-        <Text color={t.color.dim}>Esc to cancel</Text>
+        <OverlayHint t={t}>Esc/q cancel</OverlayHint>
       </Box>
     )
   }
@@ -164,7 +158,7 @@ export function ModelPicker({ gw, onCancel, onSelect, sessionId, t }: ModelPicke
     return (
       <Box flexDirection="column">
         <Text color={t.color.dim}>no authenticated providers</Text>
-        <Text color={t.color.dim}>Esc to cancel</Text>
+        <OverlayHint t={t}>Esc/q cancel</OverlayHint>
       </Box>
     )
   }
@@ -174,7 +168,7 @@ export function ModelPicker({ gw, onCancel, onSelect, sessionId, t }: ModelPicke
       (p, i) => `${p.is_current ? '*' : ' '} ${names[i]} · ${p.total_models ?? p.models?.length ?? 0} models`
     )
 
-    const { items, off } = visibleItems(rows, providerIdx)
+    const { items, offset } = windowItems(rows, providerIdx, VISIBLE)
 
     return (
       <Box flexDirection="column" width={width}>
@@ -189,12 +183,12 @@ export function ModelPicker({ gw, onCancel, onSelect, sessionId, t }: ModelPicke
           {provider?.warning ? `warning: ${provider.warning}` : ' '}
         </Text>
         <Text color={t.color.dim} wrap="truncate-end">
-          {off > 0 ? ` ↑ ${off} more` : ' '}
+          {offset > 0 ? ` ↑ ${offset} more` : ' '}
         </Text>
 
         {Array.from({ length: VISIBLE }, (_, i) => {
           const row = items[i]
-          const idx = off + i
+          const idx = offset + i
 
           return row ? (
             <Text
@@ -215,20 +209,18 @@ export function ModelPicker({ gw, onCancel, onSelect, sessionId, t }: ModelPicke
         })}
 
         <Text color={t.color.dim} wrap="truncate-end">
-          {off + VISIBLE < rows.length ? ` ↓ ${rows.length - off - VISIBLE} more` : ' '}
+          {offset + VISIBLE < rows.length ? ` ↓ ${rows.length - offset - VISIBLE} more` : ' '}
         </Text>
 
         <Text color={t.color.dim} wrap="truncate-end">
           persist: {persistGlobal ? 'global' : 'session'} · g toggle
         </Text>
-        <Text color={t.color.dim} wrap="truncate-end">
+        <OverlayHint t={t}>↑/↓ select · Enter choose · 1-9,0 quick · Esc/q cancel</OverlayHint>
-          ↑/↓ select · Enter choose · 1-9,0 quick · Esc cancel
-        </Text>
       </Box>
     )
   }
 
-  const { items, off } = visibleItems(models, modelIdx)
+  const { items, offset } = windowItems(models, modelIdx, VISIBLE)
 
   return (
     <Box flexDirection="column" width={width}>
@@ -243,12 +235,12 @@ export function ModelPicker({ gw, onCancel, onSelect, sessionId, t }: ModelPicke
         {provider?.warning ? `warning: ${provider.warning}` : ' '}
       </Text>
       <Text color={t.color.dim} wrap="truncate-end">
-        {off > 0 ? ` ↑ ${off} more` : ' '}
+        {offset > 0 ? ` ↑ ${offset} more` : ' '}
       </Text>
 
       {Array.from({ length: VISIBLE }, (_, i) => {
         const row = items[i]
-        const idx = off + i
+        const idx = offset + i
 
         if (!row) {
           return !models.length && i === 0 ? (
@@ -277,15 +269,15 @@ export function ModelPicker({ gw, onCancel, onSelect, sessionId, t }: ModelPicke
       })}
 
       <Text color={t.color.dim} wrap="truncate-end">
-        {off + VISIBLE < models.length ? ` ↓ ${models.length - off - VISIBLE} more` : ' '}
+        {offset + VISIBLE < models.length ? ` ↓ ${models.length - offset - VISIBLE} more` : ' '}
       </Text>
 
       <Text color={t.color.dim} wrap="truncate-end">
         persist: {persistGlobal ? 'global' : 'session'} · g toggle
       </Text>
-      <Text color={t.color.dim} wrap="truncate-end">
+      <OverlayHint t={t}>
-        {models.length ? '↑/↓ select · Enter switch · 1-9,0 quick · Esc back' : 'Enter/Esc back'}
+        {models.length ? '↑/↓ select · Enter switch · 1-9,0 quick · Esc back · q close' : 'Enter/Esc back · q close'}
-      </Text>
+      </OverlayHint>
     </Box>
   )
 }

ui-tui/src/components/overlayControls.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+import { Text, useInput } from '@hermes/ink'
+
+import type { Theme } from '../theme.js'
+
+export function useOverlayKeys({ disabled = false, onBack, onClose }: OverlayKeysOptions) {
+  useInput((ch, key) => {
+    if (disabled) {
+      return
+    }
+
+    if (ch === 'q') {
+      return onClose()
+    }
+
+    if (key.escape) {
+      return onBack ? onBack() : onClose()
+    }
+  })
+}
+
+export function OverlayHint({ children, t }: OverlayHintProps) {
+  return (
+    <Text color={t.color.dim} wrap="truncate-end">
+      {children}
+    </Text>
+  )
+}
+
+export const windowOffset = (count: number, selected: number, visible: number) =>
+  Math.max(0, Math.min(selected - Math.floor(visible / 2), count - visible))
+
+export function windowItems<T>(items: T[], selected: number, visible: number) {
+  const offset = windowOffset(items.length, selected, visible)
+
+  return {
+    items: items.slice(offset, offset + visible),
+    offset
+  }
+}
+
+interface OverlayHintProps {
+  children: string
+  t: Theme
+}
+
+interface OverlayKeysOptions {
+  disabled?: boolean
+  onBack?: () => void
+  onClose: () => void
+}

ui-tui/src/components/sessionPicker.tsx

@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ import type { SessionListItem, SessionListResponse } from '../gatewayTypes.js'
 import { asRpcResult, rpcErrorMessage } from '../lib/rpc.js'
 import type { Theme } from '../theme.js'
 
+import { OverlayHint, useOverlayKeys, windowOffset } from './overlayControls.js'
+
 const VISIBLE = 15
 const MIN_WIDTH = 60
 const MAX_WIDTH = 120
@@ -33,6 +35,8 @@ export function SessionPicker({ gw, onCancel, onSelect, t }: SessionPickerProps)
   const { stdout } = useStdout()
   const width = Math.max(MIN_WIDTH, Math.min(MAX_WIDTH, (stdout?.columns ?? 80) - 6))
 
+  useOverlayKeys({ onClose: onCancel })
+
   useEffect(() => {
     gw.request<SessionListResponse>('session.list', { limit: 20 })
       .then(raw => {
@@ -56,10 +60,6 @@ export function SessionPicker({ gw, onCancel, onSelect, t }: SessionPickerProps)
   }, [gw])
 
   useInput((ch, key) => {
-    if (key.escape) {
-      return onCancel()
-    }
-
     if (key.upArrow && sel > 0) {
       setSel(s => s - 1)
     }
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ export function SessionPicker({ gw, onCancel, onSelect, t }: SessionPickerProps)
     return (
       <Box flexDirection="column">
         <Text color={t.color.label}>error: {err}</Text>
-        <Text color={t.color.dim}>Esc to cancel</Text>
+        <OverlayHint t={t}>Esc/q cancel</OverlayHint>
       </Box>
     )
   }
@@ -96,12 +96,12 @@ export function SessionPicker({ gw, onCancel, onSelect, t }: SessionPickerProps)
     return (
       <Box flexDirection="column">
         <Text color={t.color.dim}>no previous sessions</Text>
-        <Text color={t.color.dim}>Esc to cancel</Text>
+        <OverlayHint t={t}>Esc/q cancel</OverlayHint>
       </Box>
     )
   }
 
-  const off = Math.max(0, Math.min(sel - Math.floor(VISIBLE / 2), items.length - VISIBLE))
+  const offset = windowOffset(items.length, sel, VISIBLE)
 
   return (
     <Box flexDirection="column" width={width}>
@@ -109,10 +109,10 @@ export function SessionPicker({ gw, onCancel, onSelect, t }: SessionPickerProps)
         Resume Session
       </Text>
 
-      {off > 0 && <Text color={t.color.dim}> ↑ {off} more</Text>}
+      {offset > 0 && <Text color={t.color.dim}> ↑ {offset} more</Text>}
 
-      {items.slice(off, off + VISIBLE).map((s, vi) => {
+      {items.slice(offset, offset + VISIBLE).map((s, vi) => {
-        const i = off + vi
+        const i = offset + vi
         const selected = sel === i
 
         return (
@@ -140,8 +140,8 @@ export function SessionPicker({ gw, onCancel, onSelect, t }: SessionPickerProps)
         )
       })}
 
-      {off + VISIBLE < items.length && <Text color={t.color.dim}> ↓ {items.length - off - VISIBLE} more</Text>}
+      {offset + VISIBLE < items.length && <Text color={t.color.dim}> ↓ {items.length - offset - VISIBLE} more</Text>}
-      <Text color={t.color.dim}>↑/↓ select · Enter resume · 1-9 quick · Esc cancel</Text>
+      <OverlayHint t={t}>↑/↓ select · Enter resume · 1-9 quick · Esc/q cancel</OverlayHint>
     </Box>
   )
 }

ui-tui/src/components/skillsHub.tsx

@@ -5,18 +5,12 @@ import type { GatewayClient } from '../gatewayClient.js'
 import { rpcErrorMessage } from '../lib/rpc.js'
 import type { Theme } from '../theme.js'
 
+import { OverlayHint, useOverlayKeys, windowItems, windowOffset } from './overlayControls.js'
+
 const VISIBLE = 12
 const MIN_WIDTH = 40
 const MAX_WIDTH = 90
 
-const pageOffset = (count: number, sel: number) => Math.max(0, Math.min(sel - Math.floor(VISIBLE / 2), count - VISIBLE))
-
-const visibleItems = (items: string[], sel: number) => {
-  const off = pageOffset(items.length, sel)
-
-  return { items: items.slice(off, off + VISIBLE), off }
-}
-
 export function SkillsHub({ gw, onClose, t }: SkillsHubProps) {
   const [skillsByCat, setSkillsByCat] = useState<Record<string, string[]>>({})
   const [selectedCat, setSelectedCat] = useState('')
@@ -48,6 +42,27 @@ export function SkillsHub({ gw, onClose, t }: SkillsHubProps) {
   const skills = selectedCat ? (skillsByCat[selectedCat] ?? []) : []
   const skillName = skills[skillIdx] ?? ''
 
+  const back = () => {
+    if (stage === 'actions') {
+      setStage('skill')
+      setInfo(null)
+      setErr('')
+
+      return
+    }
+
+    if (stage === 'skill') {
+      setStage('category')
+      setSkillIdx(0)
+
+      return
+    }
+
+    onClose()
+  }
+
+  useOverlayKeys({ disabled: installing, onBack: back, onClose })
+
   const inspect = (name: string) => {
     setInfo(null)
     setErr('')
@@ -72,27 +87,6 @@ export function SkillsHub({ gw, onClose, t }: SkillsHubProps) {
       return
     }
 
-    if (key.escape) {
-      if (stage === 'actions') {
-        setStage('skill')
-        setInfo(null)
-        setErr('')
-
-        return
-      }
-
-      if (stage === 'skill') {
-        setStage('category')
-        setSkillIdx(0)
-
-        return
-      }
-
-      onClose()
-
-      return
-    }
-
     if (stage === 'actions') {
       if (key.return) {
         setStage('skill')
@@ -159,8 +153,7 @@ export function SkillsHub({ gw, onClose, t }: SkillsHubProps) {
     const n = ch === '0' ? 10 : parseInt(ch, 10)
 
     if (!Number.isNaN(n) && n >= 1 && n <= Math.min(10, count)) {
-      const off = pageOffset(count, sel)
+      const next = windowOffset(count, sel, VISIBLE) + n - 1
-      const next = off + n - 1
 
       if (stage === 'category') {
         const cat = cats[next]
@@ -193,7 +186,7 @@ export function SkillsHub({ gw, onClose, t }: SkillsHubProps) {
     return (
       <Box flexDirection="column" width={width}>
         <Text color={t.color.label}>error: {err}</Text>
-        <Text color={t.color.dim}>Esc to cancel</Text>
+        <OverlayHint t={t}>Esc/q cancel</OverlayHint>
       </Box>
     )
   }
@@ -202,14 +195,14 @@ export function SkillsHub({ gw, onClose, t }: SkillsHubProps) {
     return (
       <Box flexDirection="column" width={width}>
         <Text color={t.color.dim}>no skills available</Text>
-        <Text color={t.color.dim}>Esc to cancel</Text>
+        <OverlayHint t={t}>Esc/q cancel</OverlayHint>
       </Box>
     )
   }
 
   if (stage === 'category') {
     const rows = cats.map(c => `${c} · ${skillsByCat[c]?.length ?? 0} skills`)
-    const { items, off } = visibleItems(rows, catIdx)
+    const { items, offset } = windowItems(rows, catIdx, VISIBLE)
 
     return (
       <Box flexDirection="column" width={width}>
@@ -218,10 +211,10 @@ export function SkillsHub({ gw, onClose, t }: SkillsHubProps) {
         </Text>
 
         <Text color={t.color.dim}>select a category</Text>
-        {off > 0 && <Text color={t.color.dim}> ↑ {off} more</Text>}
+        {offset > 0 && <Text color={t.color.dim}> ↑ {offset} more</Text>}
 
         {items.map((row, i) => {
-          const idx = off + i
+          const idx = offset + i
 
           return (
             <Text
@@ -237,14 +230,14 @@ export function SkillsHub({ gw, onClose, t }: SkillsHubProps) {
           )
         })}
 
-        {off + VISIBLE < rows.length && <Text color={t.color.dim}> ↓ {rows.length - off - VISIBLE} more</Text>}
+        {offset + VISIBLE < rows.length && <Text color={t.color.dim}> ↓ {rows.length - offset - VISIBLE} more</Text>}
-        <Text color={t.color.dim}>↑/↓ select · Enter open · 1-9,0 quick · Esc cancel</Text>
+        <OverlayHint t={t}>↑/↓ select · Enter open · 1-9,0 quick · Esc/q cancel</OverlayHint>
       </Box>
     )
   }
 
   if (stage === 'skill') {
-    const { items, off } = visibleItems(skills, skillIdx)
+    const { items, offset } = windowItems(skills, skillIdx, VISIBLE)
 
     return (
       <Box flexDirection="column" width={width}>
@@ -254,10 +247,10 @@ export function SkillsHub({ gw, onClose, t }: SkillsHubProps) {
 
         <Text color={t.color.dim}>{skills.length} skill(s)</Text>
         {!skills.length ? <Text color={t.color.dim}>no skills in this category</Text> : null}
-        {off > 0 && <Text color={t.color.dim}> ↑ {off} more</Text>}
+        {offset > 0 && <Text color={t.color.dim}> ↑ {offset} more</Text>}
 
         {items.map((row, i) => {
-          const idx = off + i
+          const idx = offset + i
 
           return (
             <Text
@@ -273,10 +266,12 @@ export function SkillsHub({ gw, onClose, t }: SkillsHubProps) {
           )
         })}
 
-        {off + VISIBLE < skills.length && <Text color={t.color.dim}> ↓ {skills.length - off - VISIBLE} more</Text>}
+        {offset + VISIBLE < skills.length && (
-        <Text color={t.color.dim}>
+          <Text color={t.color.dim}> ↓ {skills.length - offset - VISIBLE} more</Text>
-          {skills.length ? '↑/↓ select · Enter open · 1-9,0 quick · Esc back' : 'Esc back'}
+        )}
-        </Text>
+        <OverlayHint t={t}>
+          {skills.length ? '↑/↓ select · Enter open · 1-9,0 quick · Esc back · q close' : 'Esc back · q close'}
+        </OverlayHint>
       </Box>
     )
   }
@@ -294,7 +289,7 @@ export function SkillsHub({ gw, onClose, t }: SkillsHubProps) {
       {err ? <Text color={t.color.label}>error: {err}</Text> : null}
       {installing ? <Text color={t.color.amber}>installing…</Text> : null}
 
-      <Text color={t.color.dim}>i reinspect · x reinstall · Enter/Esc back</Text>
+      <OverlayHint t={t}>i reinspect · x reinstall · Enter/Esc back · q close</OverlayHint>
     </Box>
   )
 }

ui-tui/src/components/thinking.tsx

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { Box, NoSelect, Text } from '@hermes/ink'
-import { memo, useEffect, useMemo, useState, type ReactNode } from 'react'
+import { memo, type ReactNode, useEffect, useMemo, useState } from 'react'
 import spinners, { type BrailleSpinnerName } from 'unicode-animations'
 
 import { THINKING_COT_MAX } from '../config/limits.js'
@@ -919,13 +919,22 @@ export const ToolTrail = memo(function ToolTrail({
   // hidden sections stay hidden so the override is honoured.
 
   const expandAll = () => {
-    if (visible.thinking !== 'hidden') setOpenThinking(true)
+    if (visible.thinking !== 'hidden') {
-    if (visible.tools !== 'hidden') setOpenTools(true)
+      setOpenThinking(true)
+    }
+
+    if (visible.tools !== 'hidden') {
+      setOpenTools(true)
+    }
+
     if (visible.subagents !== 'hidden') {
       setOpenSubagents(true)
       setDeepSubagents(true)
     }
-    if (visible.activity !== 'hidden') setOpenMeta(true)
+
+    if (visible.activity !== 'hidden') {
+      setOpenMeta(true)
+    }
   }
 
   const metaTone: 'dim' | 'error' | 'warn' = activity.some(i => i.tone === 'error')

ui-tui/src/lib/platform.ts

@@ -43,7 +43,5 @@ export const isAction = (key: { ctrl: boolean; meta: boolean; super?: boolean },
  * accept Cmd+B (the platform action modifier) so existing macOS muscle memory
  * keeps working.
  */
-export const isVoiceToggleKey = (
+export const isVoiceToggleKey = (key: { ctrl: boolean; meta: boolean; super?: boolean }, ch: string): boolean =>
-  key: { ctrl: boolean; meta: boolean; super?: boolean },
+  (key.ctrl || isActionMod(key)) && ch.toLowerCase() === 'b'
-  ch: string
-): boolean => (key.ctrl || isActionMod(key)) && ch.toLowerCase() === 'b'