From 65d7186e1c16cacb6abba6a122667f1da6c88b45 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Miguel Palhas <mpalhas@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 7 Sep 2026 20:29:35 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 1/4] feat(web): harness cards with tool logos lead the spawn
 dialog

Move the harness/command choice above the project picker so the
operator decides what runs before where. Replace the flat command
tiles with larger centered cards that render each tool's icon from
toolIcon.ts at 24x24. The Custom escape hatch gets a three-dot
ellipsis icon and a dashed border to read as secondary.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
 web/src/spawnForm.ts            | 72 +++++++++++++++++++++++---------
 web/src/spawnFormEnter.test.ts  |  2 +-
 web/src/spawnFormPreset.test.ts |  6 +--
 web/src/spawnModal.test.ts      |  4 +-
 web/src/styles.css              | 73 ++++++++++++++++++++-------------
 5 files changed, 103 insertions(+), 54 deletions(-)

diff --git a/web/src/spawnForm.ts b/web/src/spawnForm.ts
index 9aeda7d..42690af 100644
--- a/web/src/spawnForm.ts
+++ b/web/src/spawnForm.ts
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import { attachDirAutocomplete } from "./dirAutocomplete.js";
 import { parentDir } from "./paths.js";
 import { filterProjects, groupProjects, isStale, sortProjects } from "./projectList.js";
 import type { ProjectGroup } from "./projectList.js";
-import { splitCommand } from "./toolIcon.js";
+import { splitCommand, toolIconSvg, TOOL_LABELS } from "./toolIcon.js";
 import { abbreviateCwd } from "./types.js";
 import type { BranchInfo, CreateSessionRequest, Project, Session, SpawnPreset } from "./types.js";
 
@@ -140,6 +140,12 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
   const form = document.createElement("form");
   form.className = "spawn-form";
   form.innerHTML = `
+    <div class="field">
+      <span class="field-label">Harness</span>
+      <div class="harness-grid cmd-tiles"></div>
+      <input class="raw-input cmd-raw" name="command_raw" type="text" hidden
+             placeholder="bash -l" autocomplete="off" />
+    </div>
     <div class="field">
       <span class="field-label">Project</span>
       <input class="raw-input project-filter" type="text" placeholder="Filter projects…"
@@ -151,12 +157,6 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
                placeholder="/home/user/project" inputmode="text" autocomplete="off" />
       </div>
     </div>
-    <div class="field">
-      <span class="field-label">Command</span>
-      <div class="tile-row cmd-tiles"></div>
-      <input class="raw-input cmd-raw" name="command_raw" type="text" hidden
-             placeholder="bash -l" autocomplete="off" />
-    </div>
     <div class="advanced">
       <button type="button" class="tree-folder-header wt-toggle" aria-expanded="false">
         <span class="chevron">▾</span>
@@ -348,37 +348,69 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
       command = preset!.command;
     }
     updateStructuredAvailability();
-    for (const tile of cmdTiles.querySelectorAll(".tile")) {
-      tile.classList.toggle("is-active", (tile as HTMLElement).dataset.id === id);
+    for (const card of cmdTiles.querySelectorAll(".harness-card")) {
+      card.classList.toggle("is-active", (card as HTMLElement).dataset.id === id);
     }
     emit();
   }
 
-  /** Re-highlight the operator's already-picked tile after `renderCommandTiles`
-   * rebuilds the row from scratch (new tiles carry no `is-active` class) —
+  /** Re-highlight the operator's already-picked card after `renderCommandTiles`
+   * rebuilds the grid from scratch (new cards carry no `is-active` class) —
    * without touching `command`, since that was already settled. */
   function reapplyActiveTile(): void {
-    for (const tile of cmdTiles.querySelectorAll(".tile")) {
-      tile.classList.toggle("is-active", (tile as HTMLElement).dataset.id === selectedPresetId);
+    for (const card of cmdTiles.querySelectorAll(".harness-card")) {
+      card.classList.toggle("is-active", (card as HTMLElement).dataset.id === selectedPresetId);
     }
   }
 
+  /** Resolve a preset id to a tool icon id. The preset's command is the
+   * source of truth — `splitCommand` extracts the tool the same way the
+   * sidebar does. For the "Custom…" preset (empty command) there is no
+   * tool to show, and a terminal prompt stands in. */
+  function presetToolId(p: SpawnPreset): string | null {
+    if (!p.command) return null;
+    return splitCommand(p.command).tool;
+  }
+
   function renderCommandTiles(): void {
     cmdTiles.replaceChildren();
     for (const p of presets) {
-      const tile = document.createElement("button");
-      tile.type = "button";
-      tile.className = "tile";
-      tile.dataset.id = p.id;
-      tile.innerHTML = `<span class="tile-label">${escapeHtml(p.label)}</span>`;
-      tile.addEventListener("click", () => {
+      const isCustom = p.command === "";
+      const card = document.createElement("button");
+      card.type = "button";
+      card.className = isCustom ? "harness-card harness-custom" : "harness-card";
+      card.dataset.id = p.id;
+      const toolId = presetToolId(p);
+      const iconHtml = isCustom ? customIcon() : toolId ? harnessIcon(toolId) : harnessIcon("shell");
+      const label = TOOL_LABELS[toolId ?? ""] ?? p.label;
+      card.innerHTML =
+        `<span class="harness-icon">${iconHtml}</span>` +
+        `<span class="harness-label">${escapeHtml(isCustom ? "Custom\u2026" : label)}</span>`;
+      card.addEventListener("click", () => {
         commandTouched = true;
         selectPreset(p.id);
       });
-      cmdTiles.appendChild(tile);
+      cmdTiles.appendChild(card);
     }
   }
 
+  /** Render a harness card icon at card size (24x24). Re-uses the SVG bodies
+   * from toolIcon.ts but at a larger viewport so the marks breathe. */
+  function harnessIcon(toolId: string): string {
+    // toolIconSvg renders at 13x13 with viewBox 0 0 16 16 — we want the
+    // same shape at 24x24 for the card context.
+    const small = toolIconSvg(toolId);
+    if (!small) return "";
+    return small
+      .replace(/width="13"/g, 'width="24"')
+      .replace(/height="13"/g, 'height="24"');
+  }
+
+  /** An ellipsis mark for the "Custom…" escape hatch. */
+  function customIcon(): string {
+    return `<svg class="tool-icon" viewBox="0 0 16 16" width="24" height="24" role="img" aria-label="Custom command"><title>Custom command</title><g fill="currentColor"><circle cx="4" cy="8" r="1.3"/><circle cx="8" cy="8" r="1.3"/><circle cx="12" cy="8" r="1.3"/></g></svg>`;
+  }
+
   // Set once the operator picks a tile or types a custom command — guards
   // `applyInitialCommand()` the same way `nameTouched` guards a late name
   // batch: a late `/api/info` resolution must never overwrite a field the
diff --git a/web/src/spawnFormEnter.test.ts b/web/src/spawnFormEnter.test.ts
index 638a927..18b14de 100644
--- a/web/src/spawnFormEnter.test.ts
+++ b/web/src/spawnFormEnter.test.ts
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ describe("spawnForm Enter-to-submit (#97)", () => {
       const form = await mount([MAESTRO]);
       box(form, MAESTRO.path).click();
       await drain();
-      form.querySelector<HTMLButtonElement>('.cmd-tiles .tile[data-id="custom"]')!.click();
+      form.querySelector<HTMLButtonElement>('.cmd-tiles .harness-card[data-id="custom"]')!.click();
       const raw = form.querySelector<HTMLInputElement>(".cmd-raw")!;
       raw.value = "bash -l";
       raw.dispatchEvent(new Event("input"));
diff --git a/web/src/spawnFormPreset.test.ts b/web/src/spawnFormPreset.test.ts
index e7fe7bc..459e94e 100644
--- a/web/src/spawnFormPreset.test.ts
+++ b/web/src/spawnFormPreset.test.ts
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ describe("spawnForm preset selection vs. late /api/info (#76)", () => {
     await drain();
 
     // Fallback presets are up; the operator picks "zsh" before /api/info lands.
-    const zshTile = [...form.querySelectorAll<HTMLButtonElement>(".tile")].find(
+    const zshTile = [...form.querySelectorAll<HTMLButtonElement>(".harness-card")].find(
       (t) => t.dataset.id === "zsh",
     )!;
     zshTile.click();
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ describe("spawnForm preset selection vs. late /api/info (#76)", () => {
     document.body.appendChild(form);
     await drain();
 
-    const customTile = [...form.querySelectorAll<HTMLButtonElement>(".tile")].find(
+    const customTile = [...form.querySelectorAll<HTMLButtonElement>(".harness-card")].find(
       (t) => t.dataset.id === "custom",
     )!;
     customTile.click();
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ describe("spawnForm preset selection vs. late /api/info (#76)", () => {
 
     // Untouched: the refined preset list is still free to settle the command.
     expect(values?.command).toBe("claude");
-    const fishTile = [...form.querySelectorAll<HTMLButtonElement>(".tile")].find(
+    const fishTile = [...form.querySelectorAll<HTMLButtonElement>(".harness-card")].find(
       (t) => t.dataset.id === "fish",
     );
     expect(fishTile).toBeDefined();
diff --git a/web/src/spawnModal.test.ts b/web/src/spawnModal.test.ts
index 0184a5e..13dce7d 100644
--- a/web/src/spawnModal.test.ts
+++ b/web/src/spawnModal.test.ts
@@ -52,14 +52,14 @@ describe("spawn modal", () => {
     expect(host.querySelector(".form-actions .cancel")).toBeTruthy();
   });
 
-  it("opens with the project filter focused, ahead of the command tiles", async () => {
+  it("opens with the project filter focused, harness before project", async () => {
     openSpawnModal({ onSuccess: () => {} });
     await flush();
 
     const form = modal()!.querySelector("form.spawn-form")!;
     expect(document.activeElement).toBe(form.querySelector(".project-filter"));
     const fields = [...form.querySelectorAll(".field .field-label")].map((el) => el.textContent);
-    expect(fields.slice(0, 2)).toEqual(["Project", "Command"]);
+    expect(fields.slice(0, 2)).toEqual(["Harness", "Project"]);
   });
 
   it("titles a seeded open as a clone", async () => {
diff --git a/web/src/styles.css b/web/src/styles.css
index 843451a..13ba302 100644
--- a/web/src/styles.css
+++ b/web/src/styles.css
@@ -3651,61 +3651,78 @@ input.leaf-rename:focus {
   color: var(--ink);
 }
 
-/* One-click tiles: host row + command row. */
-.tile-row {
-  display: flex;
-  flex-wrap: wrap;
+/* Harness cards: the first decision in the spawn form — which tool runs. */
+.harness-grid {
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(120px, 1fr));
   gap: var(--sp-2);
 }
 
-.tile {
-  flex: 1 1 auto;
-  min-width: 96px;
+.harness-card {
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
-  gap: 2px;
-  align-items: flex-start;
-  padding: var(--sp-2) var(--sp-3);
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: var(--sp-2);
+  padding: var(--sp-3) var(--sp-2);
   background: var(--surface-2);
   border: 1px solid var(--border);
   border-radius: var(--r-2);
   color: var(--ink);
   font-family: inherit;
   cursor: pointer;
-  text-align: left;
+  text-align: center;
   transition:
     border-color var(--dur-fast) var(--ease-out),
     background var(--dur-fast) var(--ease-out);
 }
 
-.tile:hover {
+.harness-card:hover {
   border-color: var(--border-strong);
+  background: var(--surface-3);
 }
 
-.tile.is-active {
+.harness-card.is-active {
   border-color: var(--accent);
   background: var(--accent-tint);
 }
 
-.tile-label {
-  font-size: var(--fs-14);
-  font-weight: 600;
-}
-
-.tile-sub {
-  font-size: var(--fs-12);
-  color: var(--muted);
-  font-family: var(--font-mono);
-}
-
-.tile-more {
-  flex: 0 0 auto;
-  min-width: 0;
-  justify-content: center;
+.harness-icon {
+  display: flex;
   align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  width: 32px;
+  height: 32px;
   color: var(--muted);
 }
 
+.harness-card.is-active .harness-icon {
+  color: var(--ink);
+}
+
+.harness-icon .tool-icon {
+  display: block;
+}
+
+.harness-label {
+  font-size: var(--fs-13);
+  font-weight: 600;
+  white-space: nowrap;
+  overflow: hidden;
+  text-overflow: ellipsis;
+  max-width: 100%;
+}
+
+/* The "Custom…" card is an escape hatch, not a peer tool — dashed border
+   and subdued color separate it from the named harnesses. */
+.harness-custom {
+  border-style: dashed;
+  color: var(--muted);
+}
+
+.harness-custom .harness-label {
+  font-weight: 500;
+}
+
 /* Working-directory picker (#95). Two steps: a grid of project boxes, then the
    picked project's worktree choices. Stale beyond 7 days dims but stays
    selectable. */

From 49df4c2e9ed2dee3845d8d89f9053f86d5f7c4d4 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Miguel Palhas <mpalhas@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 7 Sep 2026 20:33:34 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 2/4] fix(web): surgical DOM patch for tool rows to stop
 flashing

Patch deltas on existing rows now swap just the affected element via
replaceWith() instead of tearing down and rebuilding the entire
transcript. Stops the visible flash and preserves text selection.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
 web/src/structured.ts | 13 +++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 13 insertions(+)

diff --git a/web/src/structured.ts b/web/src/structured.ts
index 4390e27..82db8f2 100644
--- a/web/src/structured.ts
+++ b/web/src/structured.ts
@@ -551,6 +551,19 @@ export function createStructuredConnection(
           rows.push(delta.row);
         } else {
           rows[i] = delta.row;
+          // Surgical DOM swap: replace just this row's element instead of
+          // tearing down and rebuilding the entire transcript, which causes
+          // visible flashing and breaks text selection.
+          const oldEl = rowEls.get(delta.row.id);
+          if (oldEl) {
+            const newEl = buildRowElement(delta.row);
+            if (newEl) {
+              oldEl.replaceWith(newEl);
+              rowEls.set(delta.row.id, newEl);
+            }
+            syncAvailableCommands();
+            return;
+          }
         }
       } else {
         const i = rowIndex.get(delta.id);

From ed5a0882996181ebcb983d687357e5a58f3a08ca Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Miguel Palhas <mpalhas@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 7 Sep 2026 20:48:43 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 3/4] feat(web): equal-width project cards, drop worktree
 counters
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

Project boxes now use a fixed two-column grid so every card is the
same width. The worktree count line is removed — the information
lives in the worktree picker that follows a project selection.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
 web/src/spawnForm.ts |  5 +----
 web/src/styles.css   | 15 +--------------
 2 files changed, 2 insertions(+), 18 deletions(-)

diff --git a/web/src/spawnForm.ts b/web/src/spawnForm.ts
index 42690af..180bcb6 100644
--- a/web/src/spawnForm.ts
+++ b/web/src/spawnForm.ts
@@ -680,16 +680,13 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
     box.type = "button";
     box.className = `project-box${isStale(project, new Date()) ? " is-stale" : ""}`;
     box.dataset.cwd = project.path;
-    const trees = worktreesOf(group).length;
     // The parent directory only — the last segment is the name line above it.
     // Unabbreviated beyond `~`, since the stem is what tells two projects
     // sharing a basename apart (#95).
     const parent = abbreviateCwd(parentDir(project.path), homeDir);
-    const meta = trees > 0 ? `${trees} worktree${trees === 1 ? "" : "s"}` : "";
     box.innerHTML = `
       <span class="project-name">${escapeHtml(project.name)}</span>
-      <span class="project-path">${escapeHtml(parent)}</span>
-      <span class="project-meta">${escapeHtml(meta)}</span>`;
+      <span class="project-path">${escapeHtml(parent)}</span>`;
     box.addEventListener("click", () => selectProject(group));
     return box;
   }
diff --git a/web/src/styles.css b/web/src/styles.css
index 13ba302..99471d7 100644
--- a/web/src/styles.css
+++ b/web/src/styles.css
@@ -3749,7 +3749,7 @@ input.leaf-rename:focus {
 
 .picker.projects {
   display: grid;
-  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(190px, 1fr));
+  grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
   align-content: start;
   gap: var(--sp-2);
   max-height: 300px;
@@ -3805,19 +3805,6 @@ input.leaf-rename:focus {
   overflow-wrap: anywhere;
 }
 
-.project-meta {
-  font-family: var(--font-mono);
-  font-size: var(--fs-12);
-  color: var(--faint);
-  overflow: hidden;
-  text-overflow: ellipsis;
-  white-space: nowrap;
-}
-
-.project-meta:empty {
-  display: none;
-}
-
 .project-other {
   align-self: flex-start;
   padding: 4px 0;

From 60e57fde3146dc4384370fc2d346bacb9a4a575a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Miguel Palhas <mpalhas@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 7 Sep 2026 21:20:31 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 4/4] feat(web): collapse resolved approval rows

Resolved permission boxes vanish from the transcript instead of
lingering as "answered" cards. When a turn has 2+ tools the resolved
approval is absorbed into the tool group as a compact italic line;
otherwise it is hidden entirely.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
 web/src/structured.test.ts       | 65 +++++++++++++++++++++++++-
 web/src/structured.ts            | 40 +++++++++-------
 web/src/structuredRender.test.ts |  5 +-
 web/src/structuredRender.ts      | 78 +++++++++++++++++---------------
 web/src/styles.css               | 10 ++++
 5 files changed, 141 insertions(+), 57 deletions(-)

diff --git a/web/src/structured.test.ts b/web/src/structured.test.ts
index 5f6c7e3..fabda8b 100644
--- a/web/src/structured.test.ts
+++ b/web/src/structured.test.ts
@@ -933,7 +933,7 @@ describe("structured connection: approvals", () => {
     conn.dispose();
   });
 
-  it("removes the buttons once the approval resolves, even with no accompanying transcript delta", () => {
+  it("hides a standalone resolved approval entirely when no tool group absorbs it", () => {
     const ws = new FakeSocket();
     const conn = mount({ sockets: [ws] });
     ws.open();
@@ -949,7 +949,68 @@ describe("structured connection: approvals", () => {
     // Resolved on another client: state clears with no transcript delta at all.
     ws.emit({ type: "reduced_state", state: idleState });
     expect(conn.el.querySelector(".st-approval-acts")).toBeNull();
-    expect(conn.el.querySelector(".st-approval-resolved")).not.toBeNull();
+    // Standalone resolved approval is hidden — no card, no compact line.
+    expect(conn.el.querySelector(".st-row-approval")).toBeNull();
+    conn.dispose();
+  });
+
+  it("absorbs a resolved approval into the tool group as a compact line", () => {
+    const ws = new FakeSocket();
+    const conn = mount({ sockets: [ws] });
+    ws.open();
+    ws.emit({
+      type: "transcript_snapshot",
+      snapshot: {
+        cursor: 0,
+        rows: [
+          row("user:1", "user", { content: { text: "go" } }),
+          toolRow("tool:1", "first"),
+          row("approval:1", "approval", { toolCall: { title: "Write file.ts" }, options: allApprovalOptions }),
+          toolRow("tool:2", "second"),
+        ],
+      },
+    });
+    ws.emit({ type: "reduced_state", state: idleState });
+    // 2+ tools in the turn → tool group exists; resolved approval is inside it.
+    const group = conn.el.querySelector(".st-tool-group");
+    expect(group).not.toBeNull();
+    const compact = group!.querySelector(".st-approval-compact");
+    expect(compact).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(compact!.textContent).toContain("Write file.ts");
+    expect(compact!.textContent).toContain("approved");
+    // No full-card approval anywhere on the transcript.
+    expect(conn.el.querySelector(".st-approval")).toBeNull();
+    conn.dispose();
+  });
+
+  it("keeps a pending approval standalone even when a tool group exists in the same turn", () => {
+    const ws = new FakeSocket();
+    const conn = mount({ sockets: [ws] });
+    ws.open();
+    ws.emit({
+      type: "transcript_snapshot",
+      snapshot: {
+        cursor: 0,
+        rows: [
+          row("user:1", "user", { content: { text: "go" } }),
+          toolRow("tool:1", "first"),
+          row("approval:1", "approval", { toolCall: { title: "Write file.ts" }, options: allApprovalOptions }),
+          toolRow("tool:2", "second"),
+        ],
+      },
+    });
+    ws.emit({
+      type: "reduced_state",
+      state: { ...idleState, pending_approval: { nonce: "n1", request: { sessionId: "s1", toolCall: {}, options: allApprovalOptions } } },
+    });
+    // Pending approval stays outside the tool group as a full card.
+    const approvalCard = conn.el.querySelector(".st-approval");
+    expect(approvalCard).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(conn.el.querySelectorAll(".st-approval-acts button").length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+    // It should not be inside the tool group.
+    const group = conn.el.querySelector(".st-tool-group");
+    expect(group).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(group!.querySelector(".st-approval")).toBeNull();
     conn.dispose();
   });
 
diff --git a/web/src/structured.ts b/web/src/structured.ts
index 82db8f2..0589451 100644
--- a/web/src/structured.ts
+++ b/web/src/structured.ts
@@ -402,13 +402,15 @@ export function createStructuredConnection(
     return el;
   }
 
-  /** Group tool rows (and intermediate agent text between them) by turn.
-   *  An agent_text/agent_thought row is "intermediate" when a tool row follows
-   *  it in the same turn — it gets absorbed into the group so the collapsed
-   *  block preserves chronological order.  The *last* agent text with no
-   *  subsequent tool stays standalone (the prominent final answer).
-   *  Returns groups keyed by `turn:<userId>`, each with `toolCount` (for the
-   *  header label) and `rows` (tools + intermediate text, in order). */
+  /** Group tool rows (and intermediate agent text / resolved approvals between
+   *  them) by turn.  An agent_text/agent_thought row is "intermediate" when a
+   *  tool row follows it in the same turn — it gets absorbed into the group so
+   *  the collapsed block preserves chronological order.  Resolved approval rows
+   *  (not the currently pending one) are absorbed the same way.  The *last*
+   *  agent text with no subsequent tool stays standalone (the prominent final
+   *  answer).  Returns groups keyed by `turn:<userId>`, each with `toolCount`
+   *  (for the header label) and `rows` (tools + intermediate text/approvals,
+   *  in order). */
   function activityGroupsByTurn(): Map<string, { toolCount: number; rows: TranscriptRow[] }> {
     // First: count tools per turn to know which turns qualify for grouping.
     const toolCounts = new Map<string, number>();
@@ -422,33 +424,35 @@ export function createStructuredConnection(
     // Second: build groups with interleaved text for turns with 2+ tools.
     const groups = new Map<string, { toolCount: number; rows: TranscriptRow[] }>();
     turnId = "before-first-message";
-    // Pending text rows that might be intermediate (not yet confirmed by a
+    // Pending rows that might be intermediate (not yet confirmed by a
     // following tool). If no tool follows, they stay standalone.
-    let pendingText: TranscriptRow[] = [];
+    let pending: TranscriptRow[] = [];
     let currentGid = `turn:${turnId}`;
     for (const row of rows) {
       if (row.kind === "user") {
         turnId = row.id;
         currentGid = `turn:${turnId}`;
-        pendingText = [];
+        pending = [];
         continue;
       }
       const count = toolCounts.get(currentGid) ?? 0;
       if (count < 2) continue;
-      if (row.kind === "agent_text" || row.kind === "agent_thought") {
-        pendingText.push(row);
+      const isIntermediateText = row.kind === "agent_text" || row.kind === "agent_thought";
+      const isResolvedApproval = row.kind === "approval" && row.id !== pendingApprovalRowId;
+      if (isIntermediateText || isResolvedApproval) {
+        pending.push(row);
         continue;
       }
       if (row.kind === "tool_call" || row.kind === "tool_diff") {
         const group = groups.get(currentGid) ?? { toolCount: count, rows: [] };
-        // Flush any pending text — a tool follows, so it's intermediate.
-        group.rows.push(...pendingText);
-        pendingText = [];
+        // Flush any pending rows — a tool follows, so they're intermediate.
+        group.rows.push(...pending);
+        pending = [];
         group.rows.push(row);
         groups.set(currentGid, group);
       }
     }
-    // pendingText at end of a turn = final text, stays outside (not flushed).
+    // pending at end of a turn = final text/approvals, stays outside (not flushed).
     return groups;
   }
 
@@ -500,6 +504,10 @@ export function createStructuredConnection(
         children.push(groupEl);
         continue;
       }
+      // Resolved approvals not absorbed into a tool group are hidden — the
+      // tool row itself already identifies the action, so a standalone
+      // "answered" card adds nothing.  Pending approvals always render.
+      if (row.kind === "approval" && row.id !== pendingApprovalRowId) continue;
       const rowEl = buildRowElement(row);
       if (!rowEl) continue;
       rowEls.set(row.id, rowEl);
diff --git a/web/src/structuredRender.test.ts b/web/src/structuredRender.test.ts
index fcc3be0..0b6e485 100644
--- a/web/src/structuredRender.test.ts
+++ b/web/src/structuredRender.test.ts
@@ -368,13 +368,14 @@ describe("buildTranscriptRow: approval", () => {
     expect(el.querySelector(".st-approval-path")!.textContent).toBe("/etc/x");
   });
 
-  it("hides the buttons and shows an answered note once resolved", () => {
+  it("renders a compact one-liner once resolved", () => {
     const el = buildTranscriptRow(approvalRow(allThreeOptions), {
       pending: false,
       onDecide: () => Promise.resolve(),
     });
     expect(el.querySelector(".st-approval-acts")).toBeNull();
-    expect(el.querySelector(".st-approval-resolved")!.textContent).toBe("answered");
+    expect(el.classList.contains("st-approval-compact")).toBe(true);
+    expect(el.textContent).toContain("approved");
   });
 
   it("invokes onDecide with the clicked decision and disables the buttons", () => {
diff --git a/web/src/structuredRender.ts b/web/src/structuredRender.ts
index 41a87ce..31ef0a4 100644
--- a/web/src/structuredRender.ts
+++ b/web/src/structuredRender.ts
@@ -704,6 +704,16 @@ function offeredDecisions(options: AcpPermissionOption[]): StructuredApprovalDec
 function buildApprovalRow(row: TranscriptRow, approval: ApprovalRowState): HTMLElement {
   const request = (row.data ?? {}) as { toolCall?: AcpToolCallLike; options?: AcpPermissionOption[] };
   const toolCall = request.toolCall ?? {};
+
+  // Resolved approvals render as a compact one-liner inside a tool group
+  // (or are hidden entirely when standalone — see rebuildTranscript).
+  if (!approval.pending) {
+    const wrap = el("div", "st-row st-row-approval st-approval-compact");
+    const label = toolCall.title ?? toolKindLabel(toolCall.kind);
+    wrap.textContent = `${label} — approved`;
+    return wrap;
+  }
+
   const wrap = el("div", "st-row st-row-approval");
   const card = el("div", "st-approval");
   wrap.appendChild(card);
@@ -723,45 +733,39 @@ function buildApprovalRow(row: TranscriptRow, approval: ApprovalRowState): HTMLE
     card.appendChild(pathEl);
   }
 
-  if (approval.pending) {
-    const acts = el("div", "st-approval-acts");
-    const mk = (label: string, decision: StructuredApprovalDecision, cls: string) => {
-      const btn = document.createElement("button");
-      btn.type = "button";
-      btn.className = cls ? `act ${cls}` : "act";
-      btn.textContent = label;
-      btn.addEventListener("click", () => {
-        const buttons = [...acts.querySelectorAll<HTMLButtonElement>("button")];
-        buttons.forEach((b) => (b.disabled = true));
-        approval.onDecide(decision).catch(() => {
-          // Rejects only when this approval is still pending (see
-          // ApprovalRowState) — restore the controls so the operator can
-          // retry; the error itself is surfaced by the connection.
-          buttons.forEach((b) => (b.disabled = false));
-        });
+  const acts = el("div", "st-approval-acts");
+  const mk = (label: string, decision: StructuredApprovalDecision, cls: string) => {
+    const btn = document.createElement("button");
+    btn.type = "button";
+    btn.className = cls ? `act ${cls}` : "act";
+    btn.textContent = label;
+    btn.addEventListener("click", () => {
+      const buttons = [...acts.querySelectorAll<HTMLButtonElement>("button")];
+      buttons.forEach((b) => (b.disabled = true));
+      approval.onDecide(decision).catch(() => {
+        // Rejects only when this approval is still pending (see
+        // ApprovalRowState) — restore the controls so the operator can
+        // retry; the error itself is surfaced by the connection.
+        buttons.forEach((b) => (b.disabled = false));
       });
-      return btn;
-    };
-    const offered = offeredDecisions(request.options ?? []);
-    const specs: [StructuredApprovalDecision, string, string][] = [
-      ["allow_once", "Allow once", "primary"],
-      ["allow_for_session", "Allow for session", ""],
-      ["deny", "Deny", "deny"],
-    ];
-    for (const [decision, label, cls] of specs) {
-      if (offered.includes(decision)) acts.appendChild(mk(label, decision, cls));
-    }
-    if (acts.children.length > 0) {
-      card.appendChild(acts);
-    } else {
-      const none = el("div", "st-approval-resolved");
-      none.textContent = "no decision offered";
-      card.appendChild(none);
-    }
+    });
+    return btn;
+  };
+  const offered = offeredDecisions(request.options ?? []);
+  const specs: [StructuredApprovalDecision, string, string][] = [
+    ["allow_once", "Allow once", "primary"],
+    ["allow_for_session", "Allow for session", ""],
+    ["deny", "Deny", "deny"],
+  ];
+  for (const [decision, label, cls] of specs) {
+    if (offered.includes(decision)) acts.appendChild(mk(label, decision, cls));
+  }
+  if (acts.children.length > 0) {
+    card.appendChild(acts);
   } else {
-    const resolved = el("div", "st-approval-resolved");
-    resolved.textContent = "answered";
-    card.appendChild(resolved);
+    const none = el("div", "st-approval-resolved");
+    none.textContent = "no decision offered";
+    card.appendChild(none);
   }
 
   return wrap;
diff --git a/web/src/styles.css b/web/src/styles.css
index 99471d7..1770ea7 100644
--- a/web/src/styles.css
+++ b/web/src/styles.css
@@ -3040,6 +3040,16 @@ input.leaf-rename:focus {
   color: var(--faint);
 }
 
+/* compact resolved approval inside a tool group — same muted treatment
+   as intermediate agent text so the audit trail is preserved without
+   drawing attention to itself. */
+.st-approval-compact {
+  color: var(--muted);
+  font-size: var(--fs-12);
+  padding: var(--sp-1) var(--sp-2);
+  font-style: italic;
+}
+
 .act {
   appearance: none;
   font: inherit;