diff --git a/tests/test_tui_gateway_server.py b/tests/test_tui_gateway_server.py
index 9c6305ded..e1170b106 100644
--- a/tests/test_tui_gateway_server.py
+++ b/tests/test_tui_gateway_server.py
@@ -117,6 +117,18 @@ def test_config_set_yolo_toggles_session_scope():
         server._sessions.clear()
 
 
+def test_enable_gateway_prompts_sets_gateway_env(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.delenv("HERMES_EXEC_ASK", raising=False)
+    monkeypatch.delenv("HERMES_GATEWAY_SESSION", raising=False)
+    monkeypatch.delenv("HERMES_INTERACTIVE", raising=False)
+
+    server._enable_gateway_prompts()
+
+    assert server.os.environ["HERMES_GATEWAY_SESSION"] == "1"
+    assert server.os.environ["HERMES_EXEC_ASK"] == "1"
+    assert server.os.environ["HERMES_INTERACTIVE"] == "1"
+
+
 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)
diff --git a/tui_gateway/server.py b/tui_gateway/server.py
index 2fd4f49e8..ff5e2cbf9 100644
--- a/tui_gateway/server.py
+++ b/tui_gateway/server.py
@@ -284,6 +284,13 @@ def _clear_session_context(tokens: list) -> None:
         pass
 
 
+def _enable_gateway_prompts() -> None:
+    """Route approvals through gateway callbacks instead of CLI input()."""
+    os.environ["HERMES_GATEWAY_SESSION"] = "1"
+    os.environ["HERMES_EXEC_ASK"] = "1"
+    os.environ["HERMES_INTERACTIVE"] = "1"
+
+
 # ── Blocking prompt factory ──────────────────────────────────────────
 
 def _block(event: str, sid: str, payload: dict, timeout: int = 300) -> str:
@@ -1043,7 +1050,7 @@ def _(rid, params: dict) -> dict:
     sid = uuid.uuid4().hex[:8]
     key = _new_session_key()
     cols = int(params.get("cols", 80))
-    os.environ["HERMES_INTERACTIVE"] = "1"
+    _enable_gateway_prompts()
 
     ready = threading.Event()
 
@@ -1149,7 +1156,7 @@ def _(rid, params: dict) -> dict:
         else:
             return _err(rid, 4007, "session not found")
     sid = uuid.uuid4().hex[:8]
-    os.environ["HERMES_INTERACTIVE"] = "1"
+    _enable_gateway_prompts()
     try:
         db.reopen_session(target)
         history = db.get_messages_as_conversation(target)
diff --git a/ui-tui/packages/hermes-ink/src/ink/ink.tsx b/ui-tui/packages/hermes-ink/src/ink/ink.tsx
index 7daa876ac..c9f90b6f9 100644
--- a/ui-tui/packages/hermes-ink/src/ink/ink.tsx
+++ b/ui-tui/packages/hermes-ink/src/ink/ink.tsx
@@ -202,6 +202,7 @@ export default class Ink {
   // Fired alongside the terminal repaint whenever the selection mutates
   // so UI (e.g. footer hints) can react to selection appearing/clearing.
   private readonly selectionListeners = new Set<() => void>()
+  private selectionWasActive = false
   // DOM nodes currently under the pointer (mode-1003 motion). Held here
   // so App.tsx's handleMouseEvent is stateless — dispatchHover diffs
   // against this set and mutates it in place.
@@ -1506,10 +1507,16 @@ export default class Ink {
     return () => this.selectionListeners.delete(cb)
   }
   private notifySelectionChange(): void {
-    this.onRender()
+    this.scheduleRender()
 
-    for (const cb of this.selectionListeners) {
-      cb()
+    const active = hasSelection(this.selection)
+
+    if (active !== this.selectionWasActive) {
+      this.selectionWasActive = active
+
+      for (const cb of this.selectionListeners) {
+        cb()
+      }
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/ui-tui/src/app/createGatewayEventHandler.ts b/ui-tui/src/app/createGatewayEventHandler.ts
index 46d34a70a..62b40f619 100644
--- a/ui-tui/src/app/createGatewayEventHandler.ts
+++ b/ui-tui/src/app/createGatewayEventHandler.ts
@@ -301,12 +301,15 @@ export function createGatewayEventHandler(ctx: GatewayEventHandlerContext): (ev:
         setStatus('waiting for input…')
 
         return
+      case 'approval.request': {
+        const description = String(ev.payload.description ?? 'dangerous command')
 
-      case 'approval.request':
-        patchOverlayState({ approval: { command: ev.payload.command, description: ev.payload.description } })
+        patchOverlayState({ approval: { command: String(ev.payload.command ?? ''), description } })
+        turnController.pushActivity(`approval needed · ${description}`, 'warn')
         setStatus('approval needed')
 
         return
+      }
 
       case 'sudo.request':
         patchOverlayState({ sudo: { requestId: ev.payload.request_id } })
diff --git a/ui-tui/src/app/interfaces.ts b/ui-tui/src/app/interfaces.ts
index b34ee54be..d14536624 100644
--- a/ui-tui/src/app/interfaces.ts
+++ b/ui-tui/src/app/interfaces.ts
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ export interface StateSetter<T> {
 }
 
 export interface SelectionApi {
+  clearSelection: () => void
   copySelection: () => string
 }
 
@@ -275,6 +276,7 @@ export interface AppLayoutComposerProps {
 
 export interface AppLayoutProgressProps {
   activity: ActivityItem[]
+  outcome: string
   reasoning: string
   reasoningActive: boolean
   reasoningStreaming: boolean
diff --git a/ui-tui/src/app/turnController.ts b/ui-tui/src/app/turnController.ts
index df2814277..be25dcbbe 100644
--- a/ui-tui/src/app/turnController.ts
+++ b/ui-tui/src/app/turnController.ts
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ class TurnController {
     this.idle()
     this.clearReasoning()
     this.turnTools = []
-    patchTurnState({ activity: [] })
+    patchTurnState({ activity: [], outcome: '' })
     patchUiState({ status: 'interrupted' })
     this.clearStatusTimer()
 
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ class TurnController {
     this.turnTools = []
     this.persistedToolLabels.clear()
     this.bufRef = ''
-    patchTurnState({ activity: [] })
+    patchTurnState({ activity: [], outcome: '' })
 
     return { finalText, savedReasoning, savedReasoningTokens, savedTools, savedToolTokens, wasInterrupted }
   }
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ class TurnController {
     this.turnTools = []
     this.toolTokenAcc = 0
     this.persistedToolLabels.clear()
-    patchTurnState({ activity: [] })
+    patchTurnState({ activity: [], outcome: '' })
   }
 
   fullReset() {
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ class TurnController {
     this.toolTokenAcc = 0
     this.persistedToolLabels.clear()
     patchUiState({ busy: true })
-    patchTurnState({ activity: [], subagents: [], toolTokens: 0, tools: [], turnTrail: [] })
+    patchTurnState({ activity: [], outcome: '', subagents: [], toolTokens: 0, tools: [], turnTrail: [] })
   }
 
   upsertSubagent(p: SubagentEventPayload, patch: (current: SubagentProgress) => Partial<SubagentProgress>) {
diff --git a/ui-tui/src/app/turnStore.ts b/ui-tui/src/app/turnStore.ts
index d84633c94..9b7e04db7 100644
--- a/ui-tui/src/app/turnStore.ts
+++ b/ui-tui/src/app/turnStore.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import type { ActiveTool, ActivityItem, SubagentProgress } from '../types.js'
 
 const buildTurnState = (): TurnState => ({
   activity: [],
+  outcome: '',
   reasoning: '',
   reasoningActive: false,
   reasoningStreaming: false,
@@ -26,6 +27,7 @@ export const resetTurnState = () => $turnState.set(buildTurnState())
 
 export interface TurnState {
   activity: ActivityItem[]
+  outcome: string
   reasoning: string
   reasoningActive: boolean
   reasoningStreaming: boolean
diff --git a/ui-tui/src/app/useConfigSync.ts b/ui-tui/src/app/useConfigSync.ts
index 3b40e7246..fe3cec573 100644
--- a/ui-tui/src/app/useConfigSync.ts
+++ b/ui-tui/src/app/useConfigSync.ts
@@ -1,19 +1,32 @@
 import { useEffect, useRef } from 'react'
 
 import { resolveDetailsMode } from '../domain/details.js'
+import type { GatewayClient } from '../gatewayClient.js'
 import type {
   ConfigFullResponse,
   ConfigMtimeResponse,
   ReloadMcpResponse,
   VoiceToggleResponse
 } from '../gatewayTypes.js'
+import { asRpcResult } from '../lib/rpc.js'
 
-import type { GatewayRpc } from './interfaces.js'
 import { turnController } from './turnController.js'
 import { patchUiState } from './uiStore.js'
 
 const MTIME_POLL_MS = 5000
 
+const quietRpc = async <T extends Record<string, any> = Record<string, any>>(
+  gw: GatewayClient,
+  method: string,
+  params: Record<string, unknown> = {}
+): Promise<null | T> => {
+  try {
+    return asRpcResult<T>(await gw.request<T>(method, params))
+  } catch {
+    return null
+  }
+}
+
 const applyDisplay = (cfg: ConfigFullResponse | null, setBell: (v: boolean) => void) => {
   const d = cfg?.config?.display ?? {}
 
@@ -25,7 +38,7 @@ const applyDisplay = (cfg: ConfigFullResponse | null, setBell: (v: boolean) => v
   })
 }
 
-export function useConfigSync({ rpc, setBellOnComplete, setVoiceEnabled, sid }: UseConfigSyncOptions) {
+export function useConfigSync({ gw, setBellOnComplete, setVoiceEnabled, sid }: UseConfigSyncOptions) {
   const mtimeRef = useRef(0)
 
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -33,12 +46,12 @@ export function useConfigSync({ rpc, setBellOnComplete, setVoiceEnabled, sid }:
       return
     }
 
-    rpc<VoiceToggleResponse>('voice.toggle', { action: 'status' }).then(r => setVoiceEnabled(!!r?.enabled))
-    rpc<ConfigMtimeResponse>('config.get', { key: 'mtime' }).then(r => {
+    quietRpc<VoiceToggleResponse>(gw, 'voice.toggle', { action: 'status' }).then(r => setVoiceEnabled(!!r?.enabled))
+    quietRpc<ConfigMtimeResponse>(gw, 'config.get', { key: 'mtime' }).then(r => {
       mtimeRef.current = Number(r?.mtime ?? 0)
     })
-    rpc<ConfigFullResponse>('config.get', { key: 'full' }).then(r => applyDisplay(r, setBellOnComplete))
-  }, [rpc, setBellOnComplete, setVoiceEnabled, sid])
+    quietRpc<ConfigFullResponse>(gw, 'config.get', { key: 'full' }).then(r => applyDisplay(r, setBellOnComplete))
+  }, [gw, setBellOnComplete, setVoiceEnabled, sid])
 
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!sid) {
@@ -46,7 +59,7 @@ export function useConfigSync({ rpc, setBellOnComplete, setVoiceEnabled, sid }:
     }
 
     const id = setInterval(() => {
-      rpc<ConfigMtimeResponse>('config.get', { key: 'mtime' }).then(r => {
+      quietRpc<ConfigMtimeResponse>(gw, 'config.get', { key: 'mtime' }).then(r => {
         const next = Number(r?.mtime ?? 0)
 
         if (!mtimeRef.current) {
@@ -63,19 +76,19 @@ export function useConfigSync({ rpc, setBellOnComplete, setVoiceEnabled, sid }:
 
         mtimeRef.current = next
 
-        rpc<ReloadMcpResponse>('reload.mcp', { session_id: sid }).then(
+        quietRpc<ReloadMcpResponse>(gw, 'reload.mcp', { session_id: sid }).then(
           r => r && turnController.pushActivity('MCP reloaded after config change')
         )
-        rpc<ConfigFullResponse>('config.get', { key: 'full' }).then(r => applyDisplay(r, setBellOnComplete))
+        quietRpc<ConfigFullResponse>(gw, 'config.get', { key: 'full' }).then(r => applyDisplay(r, setBellOnComplete))
       })
     }, MTIME_POLL_MS)
 
     return () => clearInterval(id)
-  }, [rpc, setBellOnComplete, sid])
+  }, [gw, setBellOnComplete, sid])
 }
 
 export interface UseConfigSyncOptions {
-  rpc: GatewayRpc
+  gw: GatewayClient
   setBellOnComplete: (v: boolean) => void
   setVoiceEnabled: (v: boolean) => void
   sid: null | string
diff --git a/ui-tui/src/app/useInputHandlers.ts b/ui-tui/src/app/useInputHandlers.ts
index 71ecab6ac..70000b73c 100644
--- a/ui-tui/src/app/useInputHandlers.ts
+++ b/ui-tui/src/app/useInputHandlers.ts
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import type {
 import type { InputHandlerContext, InputHandlerResult } from './interfaces.js'
 import { $isBlocked, $overlayState, patchOverlayState } from './overlayStore.js'
 import { turnController } from './turnController.js'
+import { patchTurnState } from './turnStore.js'
 import { getUiState, patchUiState } from './uiStore.js'
 
 const isCtrl = (key: { ctrl: boolean }, ch: string, target: string) => key.ctrl && ch.toLowerCase() === target
@@ -24,11 +25,17 @@ export function useInputHandlers(ctx: InputHandlerContext): InputHandlerResult {
   const pagerPageSize = Math.max(5, (terminal.stdout?.rows ?? 24) - 6)
 
   const copySelection = () => {
-    if (terminal.selection.copySelection()) {
-      actions.sys('copied selection')
+    const text = terminal.selection.copySelection()
+
+    if (text) {
+      actions.sys(`copied ${text.length} chars`)
     }
   }
 
+  const clearSelection = () => {
+    terminal.selection.clearSelection()
+  }
+
   const cancelOverlayFromCtrlC = () => {
     if (overlay.clarify) {
       return actions.answerClarify('')
@@ -37,7 +44,7 @@ export function useInputHandlers(ctx: InputHandlerContext): InputHandlerResult {
     if (overlay.approval) {
       return gateway
         .rpc<ApprovalRespondResponse>('approval.respond', { choice: 'deny', session_id: getUiState().sid })
-        .then(r => r && (patchOverlayState({ approval: null }), actions.sys('denied')))
+        .then(r => r && (patchOverlayState({ approval: null }), patchTurnState({ outcome: 'denied' })))
     }
 
     if (overlay.sudo) {
@@ -215,6 +222,10 @@ export function useInputHandlers(ctx: InputHandlerContext): InputHandlerResult {
       return copySelection()
     }
 
+    if (key.escape && terminal.hasSelection) {
+      return clearSelection()
+    }
+
     if (key.upArrow && !cState.inputBuf.length) {
       cycleQueue(1) || cycleHistory(-1)
 
diff --git a/ui-tui/src/app/useMainApp.ts b/ui-tui/src/app/useMainApp.ts
index cfc471e0a..df4a0b3b8 100644
--- a/ui-tui/src/app/useMainApp.ts
+++ b/ui-tui/src/app/useMainApp.ts
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ export function useMainApp(gw: GatewayClient) {
     sys
   })
 
-  useConfigSync({ rpc, setBellOnComplete, setVoiceEnabled, sid: ui.sid })
+  useConfigSync({ gw, setBellOnComplete, setVoiceEnabled, sid: ui.sid })
 
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!ui.sid || !stdout) {
@@ -516,10 +516,10 @@ export function useMainApp(gw: GatewayClient) {
     (choice: string) =>
       respondWith('approval.respond', { choice, session_id: ui.sid }, () => {
         patchOverlayState({ approval: null })
-        sys(choice === 'deny' ? 'denied' : `approved (${choice})`)
+        patchTurnState({ outcome: choice === 'deny' ? 'denied' : `approved (${choice})` })
         patchUiState({ status: 'running…' })
       }),
-    [respondWith, sys, ui.sid]
+    [respondWith, ui.sid]
   )
 
   const answerSudo = useCallback(
@@ -562,6 +562,7 @@ export function useMainApp(gw: GatewayClient) {
       ? turn.activity.some(item => item.tone !== 'info')
       : Boolean(
           ui.busy ||
+          turn.outcome ||
           turn.subagents.length ||
           turn.tools.length ||
           turn.turnTrail.length ||
diff --git a/ui-tui/src/components/appLayout.tsx b/ui-tui/src/components/appLayout.tsx
index ca0edfea3..dcadb8226 100644
--- a/ui-tui/src/components/appLayout.tsx
+++ b/ui-tui/src/components/appLayout.tsx
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import type { Theme } from '../theme.js'
 import type { DetailsMode } from '../types.js'
 
 import { GoodVibesHeart, StatusRule, StickyPromptTracker, TranscriptScrollbar } from './appChrome.js'
-import { AppOverlays } from './appOverlays.js'
+import { FloatingOverlays, PromptZone } from './appOverlays.js'
 import { Banner, Panel, SessionPanel } from './branding.js'
 import { MessageLine } from './messageLine.js'
 import { QueuedMessages } from './queuedMessages.js'
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ const StreamingAssistant = memo(function StreamingAssistant({
             activity={progress.activity}
             busy={busy}
             detailsMode={detailsMode}
+            outcome={progress.outcome}
             reasoning={progress.reasoning}
             reasoningActive={progress.reasoningActive}
             reasoningStreaming={progress.reasoningStreaming}
@@ -179,16 +180,12 @@ const ComposerPane = memo(function ComposerPane({
           />
         )}
 
-        <AppOverlays
+        <FloatingOverlays
           cols={composer.cols}
           compIdx={composer.compIdx}
           completions={composer.completions}
-          onApprovalChoice={actions.answerApproval}
-          onClarifyAnswer={actions.answerClarify}
           onModelSelect={actions.onModelSelect}
           onPickerSelect={actions.resumeById}
-          onSecretSubmit={actions.answerSecret}
-          onSudoSubmit={actions.answerSudo}
           pagerPageSize={composer.pagerPageSize}
         />
       </Box>
@@ -254,6 +251,14 @@ export const AppLayout = memo(function AppLayout({
           <TranscriptPane actions={actions} composer={composer} progress={progress} transcript={transcript} />
         </Box>
 
+        <PromptZone
+          cols={composer.cols}
+          onApprovalChoice={actions.answerApproval}
+          onClarifyAnswer={actions.answerClarify}
+          onSecretSubmit={actions.answerSecret}
+          onSudoSubmit={actions.answerSudo}
+        />
+
         <ComposerPane actions={actions} composer={composer} status={status} />
       </Box>
     </AlternateScreen>
diff --git a/ui-tui/src/components/appOverlays.tsx b/ui-tui/src/components/appOverlays.tsx
index 509a990cd..23187cf3f 100644
--- a/ui-tui/src/components/appOverlays.tsx
+++ b/ui-tui/src/components/appOverlays.tsx
@@ -12,31 +12,77 @@ import { ModelPicker } from './modelPicker.js'
 import { ApprovalPrompt, ClarifyPrompt } from './prompts.js'
 import { SessionPicker } from './sessionPicker.js'
 
-export function AppOverlays({
+export function PromptZone({
+  cols,
+  onApprovalChoice,
+  onClarifyAnswer,
+  onSecretSubmit,
+  onSudoSubmit
+}: Pick<AppOverlaysProps, 'cols' | 'onApprovalChoice' | 'onClarifyAnswer' | 'onSecretSubmit' | 'onSudoSubmit'>) {
+  const overlay = useStore($overlayState)
+  const ui = useStore($uiState)
+
+  if (overlay.approval) {
+    return (
+      <Box flexDirection="column" flexShrink={0} paddingX={1} paddingY={1}>
+        <ApprovalPrompt onChoice={onApprovalChoice} req={overlay.approval} t={ui.theme} />
+      </Box>
+    )
+  }
+
+  if (overlay.clarify) {
+    return (
+      <Box flexDirection="column" flexShrink={0} paddingX={1} paddingY={1}>
+        <ClarifyPrompt
+          cols={cols}
+          onAnswer={onClarifyAnswer}
+          onCancel={() => onClarifyAnswer('')}
+          req={overlay.clarify}
+          t={ui.theme}
+        />
+      </Box>
+    )
+  }
+
+  if (overlay.sudo) {
+    return (
+      <Box flexDirection="column" flexShrink={0} paddingX={1} paddingY={1}>
+        <MaskedPrompt cols={cols} icon="🔐" label="sudo password required" onSubmit={onSudoSubmit} t={ui.theme} />
+      </Box>
+    )
+  }
+
+  if (overlay.secret) {
+    return (
+      <Box flexDirection="column" flexShrink={0} paddingX={1} paddingY={1}>
+        <MaskedPrompt
+          cols={cols}
+          icon="🔑"
+          label={overlay.secret.prompt}
+          onSubmit={onSecretSubmit}
+          sub={`for ${overlay.secret.envVar}`}
+          t={ui.theme}
+        />
+      </Box>
+    )
+  }
+
+  return null
+}
+
+export function FloatingOverlays({
   cols,
   compIdx,
   completions,
-  onApprovalChoice,
-  onClarifyAnswer,
   onModelSelect,
   onPickerSelect,
-  onSecretSubmit,
-  onSudoSubmit,
   pagerPageSize
-}: AppOverlaysProps) {
+}: Pick<AppOverlaysProps, 'cols' | 'compIdx' | 'completions' | 'onModelSelect' | 'onPickerSelect' | 'pagerPageSize'>) {
   const { gw } = useGateway()
   const overlay = useStore($overlayState)
   const ui = useStore($uiState)
 
-  const hasAny =
-    overlay.approval ||
-    overlay.clarify ||
-    overlay.modelPicker ||
-    overlay.pager ||
-    overlay.picker ||
-    overlay.secret ||
-    overlay.sudo ||
-    completions.length
+  const hasAny = overlay.modelPicker || overlay.pager || overlay.picker || completions.length
 
   if (!hasAny) {
     return null
@@ -46,43 +92,6 @@ export function AppOverlays({
 
   return (
     <Box alignItems="flex-start" bottom="100%" flexDirection="column" left={0} position="absolute" right={0}>
-      {overlay.clarify && (
-        <FloatBox color={ui.theme.color.bronze}>
-          <ClarifyPrompt
-            cols={cols}
-            onAnswer={onClarifyAnswer}
-            onCancel={() => onClarifyAnswer('')}
-            req={overlay.clarify}
-            t={ui.theme}
-          />
-        </FloatBox>
-      )}
-
-      {overlay.approval && (
-        <FloatBox color={ui.theme.color.bronze}>
-          <ApprovalPrompt onChoice={onApprovalChoice} req={overlay.approval} t={ui.theme} />
-        </FloatBox>
-      )}
-
-      {overlay.sudo && (
-        <FloatBox color={ui.theme.color.bronze}>
-          <MaskedPrompt cols={cols} icon="🔐" label="sudo password required" onSubmit={onSudoSubmit} t={ui.theme} />
-        </FloatBox>
-      )}
-
-      {overlay.secret && (
-        <FloatBox color={ui.theme.color.bronze}>
-          <MaskedPrompt
-            cols={cols}
-            icon="🔑"
-            label={overlay.secret.prompt}
-            onSubmit={onSecretSubmit}
-            sub={`for ${overlay.secret.envVar}`}
-            t={ui.theme}
-          />
-        </FloatBox>
-      )}
-
       {overlay.picker && (
         <FloatBox color={ui.theme.color.bronze}>
           <SessionPicker
diff --git a/ui-tui/src/components/prompts.tsx b/ui-tui/src/components/prompts.tsx
index e53c5be44..98aba0789 100644
--- a/ui-tui/src/components/prompts.tsx
+++ b/ui-tui/src/components/prompts.tsx
@@ -10,57 +10,49 @@ const OPTS = ['once', 'session', 'always', 'deny'] as const
 const LABELS = { always: 'Always allow', deny: 'Deny', once: 'Allow once', session: 'Allow this session' } as const
 
 export function ApprovalPrompt({ onChoice, req, t }: ApprovalPromptProps) {
-  const [sel, setSel] = useState(3)
+  const [sel, setSel] = useState(0)
 
   useInput((ch, key) => {
     if (key.upArrow && sel > 0) {
       setSel(s => s - 1)
     }
 
-    if (key.downArrow && sel < 3) {
+    if (key.downArrow && sel < OPTS.length - 1) {
       setSel(s => s + 1)
     }
 
+    const n = parseInt(ch, 10)
+
+    if (n >= 1 && n <= OPTS.length) {
+      onChoice(OPTS[n - 1]!)
+
+      return
+    }
+
     if (key.return) {
       onChoice(OPTS[sel]!)
     }
-
-    if (ch === 'o') {
-      onChoice('once')
-    }
-
-    if (ch === 's') {
-      onChoice('session')
-    }
-
-    if (ch === 'a') {
-      onChoice('always')
-    }
-
-    if (ch === 'd' || key.escape) {
-      onChoice('deny')
-    }
   })
 
   return (
-    <Box flexDirection="column">
+    <Box borderColor={t.color.warn} borderStyle="double" flexDirection="column" paddingX={1}>
       <Text bold color={t.color.warn}>
-        ! DANGEROUS COMMAND: {req.description}
+        ⚠ approval required · {req.description}
       </Text>
 
-      <Text color={t.color.dim}> {req.command}</Text>
+      <Text color={t.color.cornsilk}> {req.command}</Text>
       <Text />
 
       {OPTS.map((o, i) => (
         <Text key={o}>
           <Text color={sel === i ? t.color.warn : t.color.dim}>{sel === i ? '▸ ' : '  '}</Text>
           <Text color={sel === i ? t.color.cornsilk : t.color.dim}>
-            [{o[0]}] {LABELS[o]}
+            {i + 1}. {LABELS[o]}
           </Text>
         </Text>
       ))}
 
-      <Text color={t.color.dim}>↑/↓ select · Enter confirm · o/s/a/d quick pick</Text>
+      <Text color={t.color.dim}>↑/↓ select · Enter confirm · 1-4 quick pick · Ctrl+C deny</Text>
     </Box>
   )
 }
diff --git a/ui-tui/src/components/textInput.tsx b/ui-tui/src/components/textInput.tsx
index 482537376..2e7791e25 100644
--- a/ui-tui/src/components/textInput.tsx
+++ b/ui-tui/src/components/textInput.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-import * as Ink from '@hermes/ink'
 import type { InputEvent, Key } from '@hermes/ink'
+import * as Ink from '@hermes/ink'
 import { useEffect, useMemo, useRef, useState } from 'react'
 
 type InkExt = typeof Ink & {
@@ -240,6 +240,14 @@ function renderWithCursor(value: string, cursor: number) {
   return done ? out : out + invert(' ')
 }
 
+function renderWithSelection(value: string, start: number, end: number) {
+  if (start >= end) {
+    return value
+  }
+
+  return value.slice(0, start) + invert(value.slice(start, end) || ' ') + value.slice(end)
+}
+
 function useFwdDelete(active: boolean) {
   const ref = useRef(false)
   const { inputEmitter: ee } = useStdin()
@@ -274,13 +282,16 @@ export function TextInput({
   focus = true
 }: TextInputProps) {
   const [cur, setCur] = useState(value.length)
+  const [sel, setSel] = useState<null | { end: number; start: number }>(null)
   const fwdDel = useFwdDelete(focus)
   const termFocus = useTerminalFocus()
 
   const curRef = useRef(cur)
+  const selRef = useRef<null | { end: number; start: number }>(null)
   const vRef = useRef(value)
   const self = useRef(false)
   const pasteBuf = useRef('')
+  const pasteEnd = useRef<null | number>(null)
   const pasteTimer = useRef<ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null>(null)
   const pastePos = useRef(0)
   const undo = useRef<{ cursor: number; value: string }[]>([])
@@ -296,12 +307,15 @@ export function TextInput({
   const raw = self.current ? vRef.current : value
   const display = mask ? raw.replace(/[^\n]/g, mask[0] ?? '*') : raw
 
+  const selected =
+    sel && sel.start !== sel.end ? { end: Math.max(sel.start, sel.end), start: Math.min(sel.start, sel.end) } : null
+
   const layout = useMemo(() => cursorLayout(display, cur, columns), [columns, cur, display])
 
   const boxRef = useDeclaredCursor({
     line: layout.line,
     column: layout.column,
-    active: focus && termFocus
+    active: focus && termFocus && !selected
   })
 
   const rendered = useMemo(() => {
@@ -313,15 +327,21 @@ export function TextInput({
       return invert(placeholder[0] ?? ' ') + dim(placeholder.slice(1))
     }
 
+    if (selected) {
+      return renderWithSelection(display, selected.start, selected.end)
+    }
+
     return renderWithCursor(display, cur)
-  }, [cur, display, focus, placeholder])
+  }, [cur, display, focus, placeholder, selected])
 
   useEffect(() => {
     if (self.current) {
       self.current = false
     } else {
       setCur(value.length)
+      setSel(null)
       curRef.current = value.length
+      selRef.current = null
       vRef.current = value
       undo.current = []
       redo.current = []
@@ -341,6 +361,11 @@ export function TextInput({
     const prev = vRef.current
     const c = snapPos(next, nextCur)
 
+    if (selRef.current) {
+      selRef.current = null
+      setSel(null)
+    }
+
     if (track && next !== prev) {
       undo.current.push({ cursor: curRef.current, value: prev })
 
@@ -385,7 +410,9 @@ export function TextInput({
   const flushPaste = () => {
     const text = pasteBuf.current
     const at = pastePos.current
+    const end = pasteEnd.current ?? at
     pasteBuf.current = ''
+    pasteEnd.current = null
     pasteTimer.current = null
 
     if (!text) {
@@ -393,10 +420,41 @@ export function TextInput({
     }
 
     if (!emitPaste({ cursor: at, text, value: vRef.current }) && PRINTABLE.test(text)) {
-      commit(vRef.current.slice(0, at) + text + vRef.current.slice(at), at + text.length)
+      commit(vRef.current.slice(0, at) + text + vRef.current.slice(end), at + text.length)
     }
   }
 
+  const clearSel = () => {
+    if (!selRef.current) {
+      return
+    }
+
+    selRef.current = null
+    setSel(null)
+  }
+
+  const selectAll = () => {
+    const end = vRef.current.length
+
+    if (!end) {
+      return
+    }
+
+    const next = { end, start: 0 }
+    selRef.current = next
+    setSel(next)
+    setCur(end)
+    curRef.current = end
+  }
+
+  const selRange = () => {
+    const range = selRef.current
+
+    return range && range.start !== range.end
+      ? { end: Math.max(range.start, range.end), start: Math.min(range.start, range.end) }
+      : null
+  }
+
   const ins = (v: string, c: number, s: string) => v.slice(0, c) + s + v.slice(c)
 
   useInput(
@@ -431,6 +489,8 @@ export function TextInput({
       let c = curRef.current
       let v = vRef.current
       const mod = k.ctrl || k.meta
+      const range = selRange()
+      const delFwd = k.delete || fwdDel.current
 
       if (k.ctrl && inp === 'z') {
         return swap(undo, redo)
@@ -440,19 +500,42 @@ export function TextInput({
         return swap(redo, undo)
       }
 
-      if (k.home || (k.ctrl && inp === 'a')) {
+      if (k.ctrl && inp === 'a') {
+        return selectAll()
+      }
+
+      if (k.home) {
+        clearSel()
         c = 0
       } else if (k.end || (k.ctrl && inp === 'e')) {
+        clearSel()
         c = v.length
       } else if (k.leftArrow) {
-        c = mod ? wordLeft(v, c) : prevPos(v, c)
+        if (range && !mod) {
+          clearSel()
+          c = range.start
+        } else {
+          clearSel()
+          c = mod ? wordLeft(v, c) : prevPos(v, c)
+        }
       } else if (k.rightArrow) {
-        c = mod ? wordRight(v, c) : nextPos(v, c)
+        if (range && !mod) {
+          clearSel()
+          c = range.end
+        } else {
+          clearSel()
+          c = mod ? wordRight(v, c) : nextPos(v, c)
+        }
       } else if (k.meta && inp === 'b') {
+        clearSel()
         c = wordLeft(v, c)
       } else if (k.meta && inp === 'f') {
+        clearSel()
         c = wordRight(v, c)
-      } else if ((k.backspace || k.delete) && !fwdDel.current && c > 0) {
+      } else if (range && (k.backspace || delFwd)) {
+        v = v.slice(0, range.start) + v.slice(range.end)
+        c = range.start
+      } else if (k.backspace && c > 0) {
         if (mod) {
           const t = wordLeft(v, c)
           v = v.slice(0, t) + v.slice(c)
@@ -462,22 +545,40 @@ export function TextInput({
           v = v.slice(0, t) + v.slice(c)
           c = t
         }
-      } else if (k.delete && fwdDel.current && c < v.length) {
+      } else if (delFwd && c < v.length) {
         if (mod) {
           const t = wordRight(v, c)
           v = v.slice(0, c) + v.slice(t)
         } else {
           v = v.slice(0, c) + v.slice(nextPos(v, c))
         }
-      } else if (k.ctrl && inp === 'w' && c > 0) {
-        const t = wordLeft(v, c)
-        v = v.slice(0, t) + v.slice(c)
-        c = t
+      } else if (k.ctrl && inp === 'w') {
+        if (range) {
+          v = v.slice(0, range.start) + v.slice(range.end)
+          c = range.start
+        } else if (c > 0) {
+          clearSel()
+          const t = wordLeft(v, c)
+          v = v.slice(0, t) + v.slice(c)
+          c = t
+        } else {
+          return
+        }
       } else if (k.ctrl && inp === 'u') {
-        v = v.slice(c)
-        c = 0
+        if (range) {
+          v = v.slice(0, range.start) + v.slice(range.end)
+          c = range.start
+        } else {
+          v = v.slice(c)
+          c = 0
+        }
       } else if (k.ctrl && inp === 'k') {
-        v = v.slice(0, c)
+        if (range) {
+          v = v.slice(0, range.start) + v.slice(range.end)
+          c = range.start
+        } else {
+          v = v.slice(0, c)
+        }
       } else if (inp.length > 0) {
         const bracketed = inp.includes('[200~')
         const text = inp.replace(BRACKET_PASTE, '').replace(/\r\n/g, '\n').replace(/\r/g, '\n')
@@ -496,7 +597,8 @@ export function TextInput({
 
         if (text.length > 1 || text.includes('\n')) {
           if (!pasteBuf.current) {
-            pastePos.current = c
+            pastePos.current = range ? range.start : c
+            pasteEnd.current = range ? range.end : pastePos.current
           }
 
           pasteBuf.current += text
@@ -511,8 +613,13 @@ export function TextInput({
         }
 
         if (PRINTABLE.test(text)) {
-          v = v.slice(0, c) + text + v.slice(c)
-          c += text.length
+          if (range) {
+            v = v.slice(0, range.start) + text + v.slice(range.end)
+            c = range.start + text.length
+          } else {
+            v = v.slice(0, c) + text + v.slice(c)
+            c += text.length
+          }
         } else {
           return
         }
@@ -532,6 +639,7 @@ export function TextInput({
           return
         }
 
+        clearSel()
         const next = offsetFromPosition(display, e.localRow ?? 0, e.localCol ?? 0, columns)
         setCur(next)
         curRef.current = next
diff --git a/ui-tui/src/components/thinking.tsx b/ui-tui/src/components/thinking.tsx
index 25f208081..958333d6e 100644
--- a/ui-tui/src/components/thinking.tsx
+++ b/ui-tui/src/components/thinking.tsx
@@ -537,6 +537,7 @@ interface Group {
 export const ToolTrail = memo(function ToolTrail({
   busy = false,
   detailsMode = 'collapsed',
+  outcome = '',
   reasoningActive = false,
   reasoning = '',
   reasoningTokens,
@@ -550,6 +551,7 @@ export const ToolTrail = memo(function ToolTrail({
 }: {
   busy?: boolean
   detailsMode?: DetailsMode
+  outcome?: string
   reasoningActive?: boolean
   reasoning?: string
   reasoningTokens?: number
@@ -596,7 +598,16 @@ export const ToolTrail = memo(function ToolTrail({
 
   const cot = useMemo(() => thinkingPreview(reasoning, 'full', THINKING_COT_MAX), [reasoning])
 
-  if (!busy && !trail.length && !tools.length && !subagents.length && !activity.length && !cot && !reasoningActive) {
+  if (
+    !busy &&
+    !trail.length &&
+    !tools.length &&
+    !subagents.length &&
+    !activity.length &&
+    !cot &&
+    !reasoningActive &&
+    !outcome
+  ) {
     return null
   }
 
@@ -961,6 +972,13 @@ export const ToolTrail = memo(function ToolTrail({
           t={t}
         />
       ) : null}
+      {outcome ? (
+        <Box marginTop={1}>
+          <Text color={t.color.dim} dim>
+            · {outcome}
+          </Text>
+        </Box>
+      ) : null}
     </Box>
   )
 })