diff --git a/cli.py b/cli.py
index 0b1bafe53..00937e9f9 100644
--- a/cli.py
+++ b/cli.py
@@ -7011,51 +7011,52 @@ class HermesCLI:
                 focus_topic = parts[1].strip()
 
         original_count = len(self.conversation_history)
-        try:
-            from agent.model_metadata import estimate_messages_tokens_rough
-            from agent.manual_compression_feedback import summarize_manual_compression
-            original_history = list(self.conversation_history)
-            approx_tokens = estimate_messages_tokens_rough(original_history)
-            if focus_topic:
-                print(f"🗜️  Compressing {original_count} messages (~{approx_tokens:,} tokens), "
-                      f"focus: \"{focus_topic}\"...")
-            else:
-                print(f"🗜️  Compressing {original_count} messages (~{approx_tokens:,} tokens)...")
+        with self._busy_command("Compressing context..."):
+            try:
+                from agent.model_metadata import estimate_messages_tokens_rough
+                from agent.manual_compression_feedback import summarize_manual_compression
+                original_history = list(self.conversation_history)
+                approx_tokens = estimate_messages_tokens_rough(original_history)
+                if focus_topic:
+                    print(f"🗜️  Compressing {original_count} messages (~{approx_tokens:,} tokens), "
+                          f"focus: \"{focus_topic}\"...")
+                else:
+                    print(f"🗜️  Compressing {original_count} messages (~{approx_tokens:,} tokens)...")
 
-            compressed, _ = self.agent._compress_context(
-                original_history,
-                self.agent._cached_system_prompt or "",
-                approx_tokens=approx_tokens,
-                focus_topic=focus_topic or None,
-            )
-            self.conversation_history = compressed
-            # _compress_context ends the old session and creates a new child
-            # session on the agent (run_agent.py::_compress_context). Sync the
-            # CLI's session_id so /status, /resume, exit summary, and title
-            # generation all point at the live continuation session, not the
-            # ended parent. Without this, subsequent end_session() calls target
-            # the already-closed parent and the child is orphaned.
-            if (
-                getattr(self.agent, "session_id", None)
-                and self.agent.session_id != self.session_id
-            ):
-                self.session_id = self.agent.session_id
-                self._pending_title = None
-            new_tokens = estimate_messages_tokens_rough(self.conversation_history)
-            summary = summarize_manual_compression(
-                original_history,
-                self.conversation_history,
-                approx_tokens,
-                new_tokens,
-            )
-            icon = "🗜️" if summary["noop"] else "✅"
-            print(f"  {icon} {summary['headline']}")
-            print(f"     {summary['token_line']}")
-            if summary["note"]:
-                print(f"     {summary['note']}")
+                compressed, _ = self.agent._compress_context(
+                    original_history,
+                    self.agent._cached_system_prompt or "",
+                    approx_tokens=approx_tokens,
+                    focus_topic=focus_topic or None,
+                )
+                self.conversation_history = compressed
+                # _compress_context ends the old session and creates a new child
+                # session on the agent (run_agent.py::_compress_context). Sync the
+                # CLI's session_id so /status, /resume, exit summary, and title
+                # generation all point at the live continuation session, not the
+                # ended parent. Without this, subsequent end_session() calls target
+                # the already-closed parent and the child is orphaned.
+                if (
+                    getattr(self.agent, "session_id", None)
+                    and self.agent.session_id != self.session_id
+                ):
+                    self.session_id = self.agent.session_id
+                    self._pending_title = None
+                new_tokens = estimate_messages_tokens_rough(self.conversation_history)
+                summary = summarize_manual_compression(
+                    original_history,
+                    self.conversation_history,
+                    approx_tokens,
+                    new_tokens,
+                )
+                icon = "🗜️" if summary["noop"] else "✅"
+                print(f"  {icon} {summary['headline']}")
+                print(f"     {summary['token_line']}")
+                if summary["note"]:
+                    print(f"     {summary['note']}")
 
-        except Exception as e:
-            print(f"  ❌ Compression failed: {e}")
+            except Exception as e:
+                print(f"  ❌ Compression failed: {e}")
 
     def _handle_debug_command(self):
         """Handle /debug — upload debug report + logs and print paste URLs."""